4 Doctor Sparks, in his Writings of George Washington, (iv., 30, note,) said " the mode of constructing the chevaux-de-frise was a contrivance of "General Putman's;" and, in support of that statement, he quoted from a letter written by the General to General Gates, dated July 26th, in which were these words : " We are prepariug chevaux-de-frUe, at which " we make great dispatch by the help of ships, which are to be sunk ; a " scheme of mine, which you may be assured is very simple, a plan of "which Isend you."

Had not the General's own words been given in support of the statement, we should have supposed the Doctor had mistaken the General for Colonel Kufus Putnam, who wjis an Engineer: and the more so, since even the most zealous of the General's biographers and eulogists are silent, on this subject. PosBibly, however, that silence may be accounted for, from the result of the professional stupidity of the Engineer, whomsoever he may have been.

5 In this instance, General Washington was mistaken, since the " ships "suffered much, in their masts and rigging ; " and Captain Parker subsequently reported that the Phomix lost a Midshipman, two Seamen, and one Servant, killed, and a Boatswain, a Carpenter, eight Seamen, a Servant, a negro Mari, and a private Marine, wounded ; that the Roebuck lost a Lieutenant, a Midshipman, and two Seamen, killed, and a Midshipman, two Seamen, and a Corporal of Marines, wounded ; and that the Tartar lost a Midshipman, killed, and a Lieutenant of Marines wounded. -- (Report of the Killed and Wounded on board EU Majesty's Ships passing the Batteries, the 9(4 of October, 1776.)