The island itself makes a desolate appear- "ance and the works do not seem so formidable as reported." This was probably the only time he had seen the city since he left it in June, 1776, and although he had left there a valuable property, he makes no Jamentations, even to his wife, about tueir own losses, but directs his attention to the defences erected to prevent his country's army from regaining it by conquest.

Mr. Duane was re-elected in 1780, and on the 1st March, 1781, executed, with Col. Floyd and Gen. McDougall, then delegates, the power with which they had been entrusted, of ceding the New-York claims to the western lands to the United States. On the same day Maryland, the only State which had not done so before, acceded to the Articles of Confederation. Those two matters had specially detained Mr. Duane at Philadelphia, and they being completed he announced his intention of returning home. He could not leave Congress until the beginning of May, and he remained absent until the 31st of July when he resumed his seat. While

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in the State on this occasion, he appeared before the Legislature for the puropose of giving that body information with respect to public business. This done, he called its attention to certain slanderous charges published anonymously in the newspapers and requested some action of the Legislature thereon. This occasioned a joint resolution to be passed, the 27th June, expressing its continued confidence in him and Gen. Scott and requesting them to return to Congress as.soon as they conveniently could. At the same time, Genls. McDougall, Schuyler and Scott, Col. Floyd, Chancellor Livingston, Mr. Wisner and Governor Clinton, who had been his colleagues in Congress at different times, came forward with strong and full certificates in his vindication.