LETTER V.

Brooklyn-Prospect from the heights-Battle between the British under General Howe, and the Americans under General Putnam-Retreat of the American Army to New-York-The East River-Kings County settled by the Dutch-Character of the inhabitants-Quakers-Return.

Dear Sir,

BROOKLYN is the shire town of Kings County, directly opposite to New-York. It is the largest, and handsomest, town on LongIsland, and the most pleasantly situated. It is built on the summit, and the sides, of a pretty elevation; and commands a noble prospect of the East River; the City, and County, of NewYork; the Hudson; the shore of New-Jersey beyond it; NewYork Bay, and its islands; a considerable tract on Long-Island; Staten Island; and the high hills of Navesink in the County of Monmouth. The field of view is extensive, various, and rich; and includes a great multitude of the beauties, both of nature and art. The City of New-York is an object, which in this country is singularly splendid; the groves are numerous and fine; the plantations are remarkably gay, and fertile; and the villas rise in perpetual succession on the shores, and eminences; embellishing the landscape, and exhibiting decisive proofs of opulence in their proprietors. The waters, here presented to the eye, are charmingly diversified: and nobly limited. An immense number of vessels, assembled at the numerous wharves, anchored in the streams, or moving in a thousand directions over their surface, and over the great bay, in which they terminate, present to the eye one of the liveliest images of vigorous activity, which can be found in the world. For a view of all this fine scenery this elevation is probably the best position.

Brooklyn itself is a beautiful object; and from the opposite shore is seen with the greatest advantage. Several of the streets are straight, and spacious. The houses are generally good; many of them are new; many handsome; very many painted white,

and therefore cheerful and brilliant. The town contains three churches; a Dutch, an Episcopal, and a Methodist. The inhabitants are, extensively, descendants from the original Dutch settlers: the rest are a casual collection from all quarters. Their number, in 1790, was. 1,603; in 1800, 2,378; and, in 1810, 4,402.

Brooklyn will long be remembered from the battle, fought in its neighbourhood by the British and Hessians, under the command of Gen. Howe, with the Americans, under the command of Maj. Gen. Putnam, and immediately under that of Maj. Gen. Sullivan. In this engagement the army of the enemy outnumbered that of the Americans in the proportion of about two to one. The British army was also composed of regular, well disciplined, and extensively of veteran troops. The Americans were militia, or raw recruits; and had no dragoons, not even enough to serve as videts. They were stationed chiefly on a chain of hills, running from Yellow Hook towards Hempstead; and the British, from the ferry between Staten-Island and Long-Island through the level country to the village of Flatland. From the last mentioned place, a strong column under the command of Gen. Clinton and Lord Percy marched into the Jamaica road through an unoccupied pass in this chain of hills, in the night of the 26th of July: and turned the left of the American army. Gen. Grant at the same time attacked the right of the Americans, under the command of Lord Sterling, posted near the ferry: while the fleet commenced a powerful cannonade upon a battery at Red Hook, principally to draw off the attention of the Americans from the main attack; that directed by Sir Henry Clinton.

As soon as the Americans perceived the British to have gained their rear, they were thrown into confusion. An attack was then made upon the centre commanded by Gen. Sullivan and the right, commanded by Lord Sterling; and both divisions were speedily put to flight. A gallant, but unavailing attempt was made by Lord Sterling; which however was not without its advantages, as it facilitated the retreat of a considerable part of the troops under his command. The victory was complete on the part of the British. The loss of the Americans cannot be ascer

tained. By Gen. Washington it was estimated at not more than one thousand. This estimate unquestionably comprised all, that came within his knowledge; and he knew, probably better than any other man, the real state of the subject. Gen. Howe computed it at three thousand three hundred. This computation may be regarded as a mere conjecture: it certainly was very remote from the truth. The number killed may be estimated at about four hundred; the wounded and the prisoners, among whom were Gen. Sullivan, Lord Stirling, and Brigadier Gen. Woodhull may have amounted to one thousand.

The number of Americans on the heights was less than six thousand. The British exceeded them greatly in numbers, and not less in discipline, and generalship. The neglect of the pass, through which the main enterprize of the British was conducted, was fatal; and can never be excused, unless on the score of inexperience. The distress, occasioned by this defeat, was very great. Throughout every part of the colonies it spread alarm and terror; but it was productive also of some beneficial consequences. Particularly, it diffused a general conviction, soon after riveted by the disasters which followed it, that, if the country was to be saved at all, it must be saved by the vigorous discipline, and firm efforts of a standing army, and not by the feeble and desultory exertions of militia.

The situation of the Americans was now critical. Gen. Washington, who during the heat of the action had passed over from New-York to the camp at Brooklyn, perceived that he could succour the troops, which were engaged, neither with the body, which were within the lines, nor with the battalions, left behind at New-York. Nothing, therefore, could be done to preserve the army, and perhaps the American cause, but to accomplish a retreat with the utmost expedition. The British waited only for a wind to move their shipping into the East River. The success of such an attempt would render his retreat doubtful; and this without any improbability might be accomplished the following day. He determined, therefore, while the British were encamped within six hundred yards of his works, to withdraw his troops to New-York on the night of the 28th.

Throughout the evening, and until eleven o'clock, the wind was unfavourable to the enterprize. It then blew gently from the South-West. The water became smooth. A thick fog covered all the neighbouring region; and the army commenced their embarkation in boats, which were waiting to receive them. With such order, and such perfect silence, was the retreat conducted, that the whole army, their field artillery, a part of their heavy ordinance, their ammunition, provision, horses, waggons, &c. had passed over the river before the rear-guard suspected, that they had left the ground. The British were so near, that their spades and pickaxes were distinctly heard within the American lines: yet they never discovered the retreat until half an hour after the works had been evacuated. This, however, could not have taken place, but for the rain, which fell during a considerable part of the time; and for the fog, styled by Dr. Gordon "that heavenly messenger."

Seldom has an army been placed in more critical circumstances than the American, antecedently to this retreat. They were miserably armed in many instances; ill disciplined; commanded generally by officers, imperfectly acquainted with military affairs; and opposed by an enemy nearly treble their original number, commanded by officers of great skill and experience, and amply supplied with every thing, which could contribute to the success of their operations. The works, by which the Americans were defended were of little strength; and, had the British attacked them, must in all probability have been carried, whatever resistance might have been made. In this case the army would have been ruined; and it may be very seriously doubted whether the Colonies would have ever raised another. The retreat was timely, masterly, and by the blessing of Providence completely successful.

The East River (as it is called,) is a continuation of the Sound; and has probably derived its present name from its resemblance to a river in appearance. It is not far from a mile in breadth; and, being the principal harbour of New-York, is always filled with shipping. The tide moves here with very great rapidity;

and renders the ferry disagreeable, except at high and low water. We arrived just before high water, and found the passage tolerably pleasant.

I have already observed, that Kings County was principally settled by the Dutch. This is partially true of Queen's County also. The general character of the Dutch settlers in the States of New-York, and New-Jersey, I propose to give elsewhere. I know of nothing, by which their descendants on Long-Island are distinguished from their brethren.

The other inhabitants of these two Counties are a mixed people; derived from many sources, and exhibiting a great variety of character. In Religion they are Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Quakers, Baptists, Methodists, and Nihilists. They are generally industrious, frugal, and thrifty. Their advantages for marketing are not exceeded. You will not wonder, therefore, that they are wealthy. The breeding of horses has for a long time been here a favourite business; and horse racing, (of which Hempstead plain is the great theatre,) a favourite amusement. Wherever this kind of sport prevails, no man, acquainted at all with human affairs, will expect any great prevalence of morals or religion. There are few spots of the same extent, settled at so early a period, where these great concerns of man are less regarded. Young men, even of wealthy families, are usually taught scarcely any thing more than to read, write, and keep accounts. The state of society is therefore, humble, and involves very little of knowledge or sentiment. Intelligence is in truth disregarded by the body of the inhabitants, except as it aids them to the acquisition of property. The young men of ambition and enterprise, when they set out in life, generally quit their native soil, and seek a residence in a superiour state of society, or at least where they find more extensive means of business.

In various parts of these two Counties the Sabbath is considered by many of the inhabitants as scarcely sustaining a sacred character. It is devoted extensively to visiting, to amusement, and, during the seasons of mowing and harvest, not unfrequently to labour. In some places there are, for long periods, no minisVOL. III.

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