[Frederic Shonnard & W.W. Spooner (1900)] cerned about this movement up the Hudson. Referring to it in a letter to the convention dated the 11th, he expressed the opinion that the ships "may have carried up arms and ammunition to be dealt out to those who may favor their cause, and co-operate with them at a fixed time," and urged vigilant action for nipping so dan-gerous a scheme in the bad. He also apprehended that troops might be on board, intended for the seizure of the important Highland de-files "in which case the intercourse between the two [American] armies, both by land and water, will be wholly cut off, than which a greater misfortune could hardly befall the province and army." Steps were accordingly taken to guard against such a catastrophe, particular attention being directed toward protecting the road which passed around Anthony's Nose. Solicitude was likewise felt for Kings-bridge, a point of even greater immediate importance. In June Wash-ington had made a personal visit of inspection to Kingsbridge and vicinity, had found the locality to admit of advantageous fortifica-tion in seven distinct places, and, " esteeming it a pass of the utmost importance in order to keep open communication with the country," had assigned troops to push forward the defensive works deter-mined upon. On the 2d of July General Mifflin was sent to Kings-bridge to assume charge, and from that time forward there was the utmost activity in and around this spot. The great fear was that EVENTS FROM JULY 9 TO OCTOBER 12, 1776 343