More than that, before the obstructions were in place in the channel two British war-ships left their anchorage and, taking advantage of a brisk breeze, sailed past the forts and ascended the river. They were fired upon by the shore batteries and replied sharply with a broadside, but did not linger or turn back. Where they were bound, whether to land troops at some point on the mainland, to attack the forts in the Highlands, or to harass the inhabitants of the villages along the river, could only be conjectured. Washington sent a message to General Mifflin, at High Bridge, tu'ging him to be alert, and an express also warned the New York convention, sitting at White Plains. George Clinton was at New Windsor above the Highlands, and his brother, James, at Fort Constitution. They were first warned of the British approach by the captains of two river sloops who had seen the exchange of fire between the frigates and the forts and had fled from the scene of danger as fast as possible. The following day Washington's messenger arrived, only to find that his orders had been anticipated and that the most energetic measures for the defence of the river were already under way. The arrival of Lord Howe, Admiral of the British

The Island and the River in 1776 171

fleet, filled with consternation those whose sym])athies were enlisted with the American cause. It was understood that affairs were approaching a crisis and that the long anticipated attack would no longer be deferred.