But a few days previously he had held the following language to Gouverneur Morris, chairman of a special committee: “Had I been vested with absolute power in this State, I have often said, and still think, that I would last spring have desolated all _Long Island_, _Staten Island_, the city and county of _New York_, and all that part of the county of _Westchester_ which lies below the mountains. I would then have stationed the main body of the army in the mountains on the east, and eight or ten thousand men in the Highlands on the west side of the river. I would have directed the river at _Fort Montgomery_, which is nearly at the southern extremity of the mountains, to be so shallowed as to afford only depth sufficient for an _Albany_ sloop, and all the southern passes and defiles in the mountains to be strongly fortified. Nor do I think the shallowing of the river a romantic scheme. Rocky mountains rise immediately from the shores. The breadth is not very great, though the depth is. But what cannot eight or ten thousand men, well worked, effect? According to this plan of defence the State would be absolutely impregnable against all the world, on the seaside, and would have nothing to fear except from the way of the lake. Should the enemy gain the river, even below the mountains, I think I foresee that a retreat would become necessary, and I can’t forbear wishing that a desire of saving a few acres may not lead us into difficulties.”[119] Three days after this remarkable letter was written, the enemy’s ships did gain the river; and two days afterwards, October 11th, Reed, the adjutant-general, the confidant of Washington’s councils, writes to his wife from Harlem Heights: “My most sanguine views do not extend further than keeping our ground here till this campaign closes. If the enemy incline to press us, it is resolved to risk an engagement, for, if we cannot fight them on this ground, we can on none in America. The ships are the only circumstances unfavorable to us here.” On the same day that this letter was written, a small vessel, sloop-rigged, with a topsail, was descried from Mount Washington, coming down the river with a fresh breeze. It was suspected by those on the look-out to be one of the British tenders, and they gave it a shot from a twelve-pounder. Their aim was unfortunately too true. Three of the crew were killed and the captain wounded. It proved to be Washington’s yacht, which had run up the river previously to the enemy’s ships, and was now on its return.[120] CHAPTER XXXVI. LEE EXPECTED IN CAMP—HIS LETTER OF ADVICE TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS—THE ENEMY AT THROG’S NECK—WASHINGTON’S ARRANGEMENTS—RIDES TO THROG’S NECK—THE ENEMY BROUGHT TO A STAND—MILITARY MOVEMENTS—ARRIVAL OF LEE—A COMMAND ASSIGNED TO HIM—CRITICISES THE CONDUCT OF CONGRESS AND THE ARMY—COUNCIL OF WAR—THE ARMY TO MOVE TO THE MAINLAND—FORT WASHINGTON TO BE KEPT UP.