Count d’Estaing sailed for the West Indies on the third of November. The first coöperation of the French navy in support of the United States had resulted in no victories, on land or sea; but it had precipitated the evacuation of Philadelphia, restricted the garrison of New York to operations within the reach of the British navy, and was a practical pledge of thorough sympathy with America in her struggle for complete independence of Great Britain, and of the emphatic determination of France to maintain, as well as acknowledge, that independence. CHAPTER XXIV. MINOR EVENTS AND GRAVE CONDITIONS, 1779. The Headquarters of the American Army remained at White Plains until the latter part of September. Upon reaching that post, immediately following the Battle of Monmouth, after two years of absence, the American Commander-in-Chief, profoundly appreciating the mutations of personal and campaign experience through which himself and army had kept company in the service of “God and Country,” thus expressed himself: “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith; and more than wicked that has not gratitude enough to recognize the obligation.” Washington’s self-control of a strongly passionate natural temper, and his equanimity under most exasperating ordeals, first were due to maternal influence, and then to his faith in some guiding principle of the inner self which enabled him to devote his entire faculties to passing duty, unhampered by the many personal considerations which so grievously worried many of his subordinates. Upon the failure of operations against Newport, Sullivan reoccupied Providence; Lafayette occupied Bristol, and afterwards withdrew to Warren, beyond the reach of the British shipping. Greene, still acting as Quartermaster-General, went to Boston, to superintend the purchase of supplies for the French fleet. It is to be noticed, in connection with the presence of the French fleet at Boston, that one of its officers, Chevalier de Saint Sauveur, was killed while attempting to quiet an affray between the French and some disorderly persons who visited a French bakery. On the next day, the Massachusetts General Assembly, ordered the erection of a monument to his memory. Washington removed from White Plains to Fishkill, ever on the watch for the defences of the Hudson and the assurance of constant communication between New England and New York. On the tenth, he was at Petersburg. On the twenty-seventh, he announced the disposition of the army for the approaching winter.