months after the excitement caused by this "eruption of the Phcenix and the Rose into the quiet waters of the Hudson ' ' had begun to subside in a measure, we find the war-ships again brushing past the American defences at Fort Washington. The new vessels designed for obstruction, the sloop with Bush- nell's submarine engine on board, a schooner, and sev- eral scows were driven ashore, captured, or sunk. The galleys made strenuous efforts to escape, some by darting into convenient bays and others by trusting to their speed and ability to sail over shallows where the British must have grounded. But two of them ran ashore, and the crew took to the boat and made for land with all possible speed, their vessels falling into the hands of the British. All was hurry and alarm at Spuyten Duyvil, Yon- kers, and other places along the lower river shores, Digitized by Microsoft® The Spirit of '76 331 and fleet craft carried the news and spread the con- sternation from Manhattan to the Highlands. The thrill of anticipation again disturbed the garrisons of the Highland forts, and swift messengers were sent to Fishkill, where the Provincial Congress was sitting, presided over by Peter R. Livingston. The Commit- tee of Safety, at their wit's end, wrote an appealing letter to Washington, detailing the dangers and pic- turing the inadequacy of the American force in the Highlands, and praying him to send reinforcements thither. Among the budgets of advice and the plans for de- fence that poured in at that time, one letter, written by John Jay, member of the secret committee for the defence of the Hudson, to Gouverneur Morris, chair- man of another committee, is worth quoting. He says : Had I been vested with absolute power in this State, I have often said, and still think, that I would last spring have deso- lated all Long Island, Staten Island, the city and county of New York, and all that part of the county of Westchester which lies below the mountains. I would then have stationed the main body of the army in the mountains on the east, and eight or ten thousand men in the Highlands on the west side of the river. I would have directed the river at Fort Montgomery, which is nearly at the southern extremity of the mountains, to be so shallowed as to afford only depth sufficient for an Albany sloop, and all the southern passes and defiles in the mountains to be strongly fortified. Nor do I think the shallowing of the river a romantic scheme. Rocky mountains rise immediately from the shores. The breadth is not very great, though the depth is. But what cannot eight or ten thousand men, well worked, effect? According to tliis plan of defence, the State would be absolutely Digitized by Microsoft® 332 The Hudson River impregnable against all the world, on the sea side, and would have nothing to fear except from the way of the lake. Should the enemy gain the river, even below the mountains, I think I foresee that a retreat would become necessary, and I can't for- bear wishing that a desire of saving a few acres may not lead us into difficulties. Mr. Jay at the same time applied for leave of ab- sence, stating as a reason his solicitude for the welfare of his aged parents, whom he desired to remove to a place of safety. When, after the winter of 1776-77, the river was again free from ice so as to be navigable, General Howe sent a squadron of war- vessels, with troops, to destroy or capture American stores, one of the princi- pal depots for which was at Peekskill. General Mc- Dougail was, during the absence of General Heath, in command there, and, learning of the approach of the British, he tmdertook to remove most of the supplies to a place of greater security. The enemy landed five hundred men, w;ith four field-pieces, at Lent's Cove, on the southern side of Peekskill Bay. McDou- gall, whose command numbered less than three hun- dred, retreated, haying set fire to his barracks and store-houses. He fell back about two miles on the road to Continental Village, where the stores had been sent, and occupied a strong post that Washington had noted in his reconnoissance after the battle of White Plains in the previous autumn. Colonel Willett hastened to McDougall's relief from Fort Constitution, and after a sharp skirmish the Digitized by Microsoft® NEAR FORT MONTGOMERY 333 Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® The Spirit of 76 335 British decamped, retuining down the river without having accompHshed the object of the expedition. This affair aroused new anxiety for the Highland passes and their defence. General George Clinton, who had command of