OI.UTlONARY "REMINISCENCES.
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a Narrative Of an attempt TO burn the British


Frigates in North Rirer, July 1776.


II Is related by Marshall, in his life of
Washington that in July 1776, while the
American army yet had possession OF New
York, Lord Howe, who had but recently ar
rived before that city with his fleet, sent up
two frgates by the American batteries
which took their station in North River, and
thereby put 4 stop to the communication be-
tween the armies at N. York and ut Iicon-
derora. And that to remove this interrupt
tion. plan was formed, to set the frigates
on fire. by means of fire ships, which though
address and courage were manifested in the
enterprise, failed in the execution and, only
a tender was burnt.


We have allnded to this event, in order to
do Justice to the character OF some OF the
men who risked their lives in the hazardous
attempt to destroy these trgates, IN tine
manner already described. One OF them is
vet living in our neighborhood, from whom
we have learned the circumstances attend
inr the transaction, and though we are VII,
ling to make all suitable allowances tor the
coloring which an actor IN such scene wouia
be apt to give it's description, yet we believe
it to be substantially correct, as we ma 1t
Corr0DoratcQ py Iistoi J, an" "."


nv of living witnesses. The Individual 70
whom we allude is Mr.. Joseph Bass, OF Lei
cestcr. whose narrative We will endeavor to
rive. as repeated by himself; though row
humble individual in society, we have m
contestiblc proof that he was brave soldier
| in the war of our independence.


"He was at this time attached to the wa
ter SERVICE" under the command OF Com.
Turner. who was directed TO prepare and
send up two fire ships to the British frsaates'
The Commodore selected Bass, to take
charge Of one, and put the other under the
command of Capt. Thomas, who belonged TO
New-I I.ondon. The vessel commanded by
Bass was IA sloop, called the Polly, OF about
100 tons burthen, nearly new. lhat COM
manded by Thomas, was OF a small SIZE
The frigate lay about miles above hngs-
bridge, but having had intimatlons ina. 'hey
might be attacked, removed their station TO-
wards the western shore OF the river' where
the shore was bol,ler, and the water deeper
than ON the east side. .,:. uo


The vessels intended for lire ships were ';i
nrenared at N. York, and moved up the f'v-
er on the day before the intended a.sack' M 10 e:
a creek near Kingsbridge, which I crosses s,s III
from, the east, called Spiking Desii elses ;.,' r.


IT. vessels had been prepared with rag