rather than receive attacks, attended with as much impetuosity, shouting, and noise as possible, and to make the troops act in as loose and dispersed a way as is consistent with a proper degree of government, concert, and mutual support. It should be previously impressed upon the minds of the men, whenever they have an opportunity, to rush on with the war-whoop and fixed bayonet. Nothing will disconcert and terrify the Indians more than this." The end to be attained was a reduction to submission, and "the delivering up of the principal instigators of their past hostility." A surprise of the garrison at Niagara and of the shipping on the lakes, was to be attempted. The performance of their engagements was to be secured by hostages. The main body, under Sullivan, Hand's, Maxwell's, and Poor's regiments, including Butler's rifles, moved up the Susquehanna, and were to be joined by the New York troops who had passed up the Mohawk. The last of August a battle took place with the usual result, the defeat of the Indians. Their settlements were then broken up by a sad devastation. Those who escaped took refuge at Fort Niagara. Sullivan and his army received the thanks of Congress. This was this gallant soldier's last military service. Soon after, with injured health, he retired to New Hampshire, when, grateful for his distinguished conduct, he was again elected to represent that State in Congress.

Some time previous, a negotiation for the exchange of prisoners was opened on the part of Washington in a letter to Sir Henry Clinton, prepared by Hamilton, Congress having recently authorized the settlement of a general cartel. It was observed, "that the present attempt may not prove as unsuccessful as former ones, it is to be hoped that, apprised of the difficulties which have occurred, and with a liberal attention to the circumstances

of the parties, the commissioners will come, disposed to accommodate their negotiations to them, and to level all unnecessary obstructions to the completion of the treaty." In a subsequent letter written by Hamilton to Congress, it is stated, "I am inclined to think that in the present stage of the controversy, the exchange of citizens is impolitic, and affords a temptation to the enemy to distress that part of society more than they might otherwise do. The subjecting them to captivity is, I apprehend, contrary to common practice, except with respect to such as are acting in particular civil offices immediately connected with military duties, as the governors of garrisoned towns and the like." In the same letter the opinion is again expressed, that no part of the main army could be spared to the aid of the Southern States; and that the Carolinas must endeavor to complete their battalions, militia being incompetent to their defence. Still, these States were to be protected. With this view* General Scott was ordered to march the men raised in Virginia to their relief. An expedition of the enemy up the Chesapeake, made at this time under General Matthews, ought not, Washington stated in a letter written by Hamilton, "to delay the succor intended for that quarter." "The injury we can suffer in Virginia appears inconsiderable compared to that which may befall us in Georgia and Carolina. One principal motive of the enemy's present movement in Virginia, may be to create a diversion in favor of their operations in those States."

The delays in raising troops had induced Washington to issue a circular address to the governors of the Eastern and Middle States, urging reinforcements. This paper was prepared by Hamilton. "When we consider," it proceeds, "the rapid decline of our currency, the general * May 25.

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temper of the times, the disaffection of a great part of the people, the lethargy that benumbs the rest, the increasing danger that threatens the Southern States, we cannot but dread the consequences of any misfortune in this quarter, and must feel the impolicy of trusting our security to the precarious hope of a want of enterprise and activity of the enemy." The probability of reinforcements to them is stated, and an earnest appeal made for "the public safety."

At the same time, a blow was projected against the naval force in the harbor of New York, much reduced by recent expeditions. A letter prepared by Hamilton was addressed to the marine committee of Congress with this intent. It proposed the collection of the American frigates to the eastward, and their direction to this point. "I should be loth materially to risk our little fleet, but the object here is so inviting as to induce me to press it upon the serious consideration of the committee. I need not say the success of such an enterprise must essentially depend on the secrecy, boldness and despatch with which it is executed." A correspondent military movement was contemplated. The attempt was not made.

CHAPTER XIX.

INDICATIONS were now given of a movement of the enemy up the Hudson, prompted by the reduced strength of the Americans. In several letters addressed by Hamilton to the officers commanding detachments, they were ordered to be on the alert at the earliest warning.

On the third of June he announced, in behalf of Washington, to Congress, his intention to move that day towards the Highlands. A message, also written by him, was sent to West Point, giving an assurance that he was "determined at the utmost hazard to support the fort, and his expectation that it will hold out to the last extremity." Another letter was soon after written by him to General Schuyler in Washington's name, stating that the enemy were in two divisions on the opposite sides of the Hudson-one at Verplanck's Point and the other at Stony Point opposite, and were fortifying. "This will interrupt our easiest communication between the Eastern and Southern States, open a new source of supplies to them, and a new door to distress and disaffect the country. We have the mortification to be the spectators of this, and from the situation of the ground and other circumstances, to see it out of our power to counteract a measure from which we must experience many inconveniences. That part of the army which lay at Middlebrook is now in

Smith's Clove in order to give effectual succor to the fort, in case the enemy's further operations should be directed that way." Washington now visited West Point, whither he ordered General McDougall to repair. In the weakened condition of the army, having posted troops a short distance below, he established his head-quarters at New Windsor, a small village on the western bank of the Hudson, just above the Highlands. From this place, on the first of July, Hamilton, in the name of Washington, informed General Wayne of his appointment to the command of the light infantry of the line, and ordered him to proceed to the vicinity of Fort Montgomery. "If at any time," it was observed, "you see a favorable opportunity for striking an advantageous stroke, you have my permission for improving it, as I rely upon your prudence that you will undertake nothing without a sufficient prospect of success; and unless the advantages to be obtained will compensate the risk to be run. When you have any project of consequence, and circumstances will permit, you will be pleased to communicate it to me previous to the execution."

Four days after, a large party of the enemy proceeded up the Sound, under the command of Tryon, captured and plundered New Haven. Thence they made a descent upon Fairfield, which they laid in ashes. A similar scene of barbarity was exhibited at Norwalk.

Hamilton, in the name of Washington, again wrote to Wayne: "While the enemy are making excursions to distress the country, it has a very disagreeable aspect to remain in a state of inactivity on our part. The reputation of the army and the good of the service seem to exact some attempt from it. The importance of Stony Point to the enemy, makes it infinitely desirable that should be the object. The works are formidable, but per