According to Lee’s account, the New Yorkers showed a wonderful alacrity in removing the cannon. “Men and boys of all ages,” writes he, “worked with the greatest zeal and pleasure. I really believe the generality are as well-affected as any on the continent.” Some of the well-affected, however, thought he was rather too self-willed and high-handed. “Though General Lee has many things to recommend him as a general,” writes one of them, “yet I think he was out of luck when he ordered the removal of the guns from the battery; as it was without the approbation or knowledge of our Congress.”[51]—Lee seldom waited for the approbation of Congress in moments of exigency. He now proceeded with his plan of defences. A strong redoubt, capable of holding three hundred men, was commenced at Horen’s Hook, commanding the pass at Hell Gate, so as to block up from the enemy’s ships, the passage between the mainland and Long Island. A regiment was stationed on the island, making fascines, and preparing other materials for constructing the works for an intrenched camp, which Lee hoped would render it impossible for the enemy to get a footing there. “What to do with this city,” writes he, “I own, puzzles me. It is so encircled with deep navigable water, that whoever commands the sea must command the town. To-morrow I shall begin to dismantle that part of the fort next to the town, to prevent its being converted into a citadel. I shall barrier the principal streets, and, at least, if I cannot make it a continental garrison, it shall be a disputable field of battle.” Batteries were to be erected on an eminence behind Trinity Church, to keep the enemy’s ships at so great a distance as not to injure the town. King’s Bridge, at the upper end of Manhattan or New York Island, linking it with the mainland, was pronounced by Lee “a most important pass, without which the city could have no communication with Connecticut.” It was, therefore, to be made as strong as possible. Heavy cannon were to be sent up to the forts in the Highlands; which were to be enlarged and strengthened. In the midst of his schemes, Lee received orders from Congress to the command in Canada, vacant by the death of Montgomery. He bewailed the defenceless condition of the city; the Continental Congress, as he said, not having, as yet, taken the least step for its security. “The instant I leave it,” said he, “I conclude the Provincial Congress, and inhabitants in general, will relapse into their former hysterics. The men-of-war and Mr. Tryon will return to their old station at the wharves, and the first regiments who arrive from England, will take quiet possession of the town and Long Island.” It must be observed that, in consequence of his military demonstrations in the city, the enemy’s ships had drawn off and dropped down the bay; and he had taken vigorous measures, without consulting the committees, to put an end to the practice of supplying them with provisions.