| Citation |
GSSC.779.016
15 Jul 1779:11, 12 (2138)
Fish-Kill [1 column] [from letter dated 7 Jun]
The subduction of the North river is the capital object of
the tory monarch and ministry of Great-Britain, but to
accomplish this the reduction of our garrison at West point
is absolutely necessary; accordingly his excellency the
renowned General Sir Henry Clinton set out lately from New-
York, in company with a sufficient council of English and
Scotch nobility and gentry, with an army composed of all the
British, foreign and American tories he could possibly
muster. A small redoubt of 3 guns, called La Fayette, was
constructed on the bank of the river at Verplank's point,
which being planned with a view to chastise some pirates in
the neighbourhood, as well as to divert his Excellency on
his passage to West-point, should he come that way; it has,
to the joy of all good men, answered both these valuable
purposes; for King's Ferry near it, has received many
advantages by it--and the admirable entertainment it has
last week afforded his Excellency, his army and navy, was
beyond description, because the exhibition was as unexpected
to him as it was elegant. In short the whole music was so
grand as to invite the whole country, who flocked from many
miles distance to the dance--and by the time that a
sufficient number arrived to honour his Excellency with the
Grand Ball at West point, and a country dance in the
neighbourhood, he unfortunately got so tired and sulky, and
distressed with so much new company, which he was sorry that
he had invited, that it is supposed he has, by the advice of
his said council, resolved shortly to repair to his lodgings
in New-York.
|