the works, but even after the enemy, by sheer force of numbers, had effected an entrance, the defenders refused to surren- der and literally fought their way out, many of them escaping by the woods and down the precipitous rocks. Two hundred and fifty were either slain or captured by the British. Putnam did not suspect the true direction of the British advance till the reverberations of the battle, thundering along the .cliffs of the Highlands, revealed the true state of affairs. The escape of the brothers George and James Clin- ton was almost marvellous. The Governor leaped down the rocks to the riverside, a breakneck proceeding, but accomplished without injury, and crossed the river in a boat, to join Putnam on the other side. His brother, though wounded, " slid down a precipice, one hundred feet high, and escaped to the woods." The American frigates and galleys stationed above, finding it impossible to escape the- advance of the Brit- ish ships or withstand their fire, were consigned to de- struction, and one after another went up in flames. Then the victorious enemy proceeded to destroy the chevaux-de-frise and clear the river. Proceeding through the passage thus made, Sir James Wallace and General Vaughn advanced to Kingston, then the State Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® "t%. Digitized by Microsoft® The Spirit of '76 343 capital; but this is another story, and will find its place in another chapter. The main object of Sir Henry Clinton's attack, which was to create a diversion in favour of General Bur- goyne, was a complete failure, as that officer, in the course of ten days, yielded to the harassing attentions of his foes. Digitized by Microsoft® Chapter XXI A Voyage up the Hudson in 1769 A HITHERTO unpublished account of a voyage up the Hudson in 1769 is here presented. It is taken from a manuscript journal, written by the proprietor of the great tract of land in the in- terior of New York State, that was known to the old map-makers as the Smith patent: With a View to survey a large Tract of Land then lately pur- chased from the Indians I departed from Burlington for Otego May 3d, 1769, in company with Rich'd Wells, now of Philadel- phia, and the Surveyors Joseph Biddle Junr. & William Ridg- way, as also John Hicks. May 5th. In the Morning we ar-- rived at Paulus Hook Ferry, went over and dined at Burns's Tavern in New York & this we deemed an indifferent House, here we saw the Govr. Sir Henry Moore and other noted men, in the Afternoon we took passage in a sloop, Richd. Scoonhoven, Skipper, for Albany, had fine weather and found it extremely agreeable Sailing with the country Seats of the Citizens on the Right Hand, the high Lands of Bergen on the Left and the Nar- rows abaft. We sailed about 13 or 14 Miles & then came to Anchor for the Night, the great Rains just before we set out had caused the Water of the North River to taste almost fresh at this Place. The Bergen Shore is high and Rocky & the East- ern Side diversified with Hill and Gully. ■^ 6th. These Albany Sloops contain very convenient Cabins. We eat from a regular Table accommodated with Plates, Knives 344 Digitized by Microsoft® A Voyage up the Hudson in 1769 345 & Forks & enjoyed our Tea in the Afternoon, we had laid in some Provision at N. York & the Capt. some more so that we lived very well, our Commander is very jocose & good company. About 7 ocloc we passed Spite the Devil (why so called I know not) or Harlem River which divides the Manhattan Island from the Connecticut, the Entrance here appears to be narrow, bounded on each side with high Land, Kings Bridge said to be about a Mile from this Entrance but not in Sight. The Bergen Coast continues to be lined with lofty Rocks, thinly overspread with Cedars, Spruce & Shrubs. Nearly opposite to Tappan we took a Turn on Shore to a Part of Col. Philips's Manor, from the Hills of which are beautiful Prospects. All the Country on both sides of the River from the City is hilly. The Manor of Philipsburg according to our Information, extends about Miles on the River and about 6 Miles back and is joined above by the Manor of Cortland, this Morng. the Sloop passed by Col. Philips's Mansion House and Gardens situate in a pleasant Val- ley between Highlands, the country hereabout excels ours by far in fine Prospects and the Trees & Vegetables appear to be as forward almost as those at Burlington when we left it, but I conceive that our countrymen excel the People here