[Frederic Shonnard & W.W. Spooner (1900)] ton beaten in Pennsylvania, and both New York and Philadelphia in the hands of the British, the success of the startling enterprise would either have ended the Revolution or reduced it to mere insur-rectionary proportions? The plan had two weak points: first, due consideration was not given to the armed strength and varied re-sources of the Americans in the country which Burgoyne had to traverse; and second, the co-operating force from New York had an undertaking far too serious to be entered upon lightly or with any chance of prematureness. That undertaking was the forcing of a passage up the Hudson River, which could be done only by reducing several forts splendidly situated for defense and supported by a con-siderable body of troops posted below for the protection of the moun-tain passes No one can inspect the ground at Peekskill and above without a vivid realization of the severity of the task which the ex-pedition from New York had to perform. Yet it was accomplished with perfect ease and slight loss. This business fell to the part of Sir Henry Clinton, upon whom the command in New York had devolved when Howe sailed for Philadel-phia. It is said that Sir Henry's reason for delaying the movement 434 HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY on the Highlands was the necessity of waiting for re-enforcements from England, which were three months on the way.