Extract of a Letter Dated from off Fort Washington

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On the morning of the 4th instant I gave you a short account of our brush with the Phenix and Rose, men-of-war, off Tarrytown, on Saturday last. Give me now leave to add thereto the following remarks:

The force with which we were to attack these ships being entirely inferior to theirs, our dependance, under Providence, was to find them, or to force them into such a situation as they could not bring their broadsides to bear upon our galleys; and indeed in this situation the Phenix was about twelve hours before we got up to her, being at that time fast aground; but before we could reach them, both ships were entirely clear, with springs upon their cables, and their broadsides ready to engage us. Let me observe here, that this was not at any time the case with the frigates that were attacked by our gondolas at Philadelphia, which makes all odds. For had the tide or the channel prevented the Phenix and the Rose bringing springs upon their cables, and their broadsides to bear, our galleys would no doubt have managed them in our river without much difficulty. But our gallant commander was determined to exchange a few shots with them at all events. The enterprise was worthy of a people contending for their dearest rights. For it is a fact that the ground-tier of even one side of the Phenix was equal to all the force of our galleys put together. Judge then — let the world, let our enemies judge — if the sons of Connecticut and Rhode Island, from which States pur galleys were almost wholly officered and manned, did not behave with a spirit and intrepidity becoming the descendants of such noble ancestors, in fighting, for two hours, an enemy of at least four times their force. Oh! ye despicable Ministerial bawlers! it could only have entered into such servilely dastard souls as your own to believe that the brave Americans were cowards.