Such was the state of preparation for the campaign, when intelligence was brought by the Alliance frigate that the port of Brest was blockaded.  In the hope, however, that the combined fleets of France and Spain would be able to raise the blockade, General Washington adhered steadily to his purpose respecting New York, and continued his exertions to provide the means for its execution.  The details of the plan of co-operation continued to be the subject of a correspondence with the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier de Tunay; and, at length, a personal interview was agreed upon, to take place on the 21st of September, at Hartford, in Connecticut.

[Sidenote:  Enterprise against New York relinquished.]

In this interview, ulterior eventual measures, as well as an explicit and detailed arrangement for acting against New York, were the subjects of consideration.  No one of the plans, however, then concerted for the present campaign, was carried into execution.  All, except an invasion of Canada, depended on a superiority at sea, which was soon rendered almost hopeless by certain information that the Count de Guichen had sailed for Europe.

[Sidenote:  Naval superiority of the British.]

Not long after receiving this information, Admiral Rodney arrived at New York with eleven ships of the line and four frigates.  This reinforcement not only disconcerted all the plans of the allies, but put it in the power of the British to prosecute in security their designs in the south.

[Sidenote:  Plans for the campaign abandoned.]

It may well be supposed that the Commander-in-chief did not relinquish, without infinite chagrin, the sanguine expectations he had formed of rendering this summer decisive of the war.  Never before had he indulged so strongly the hope of happily terminating the contest.  In a letter to an intimate friend, this chagrin was thus expressed.  “We are now drawing to a close an inactive campaign, the beginning of which appeared pregnant with events of a very favourable complexion.  I hoped, but I hoped in vain, that a prospect was opening which would enable me to fix a period to my military pursuits, and restore me to domestic life.  The favourable disposition of Spain, the promised succour from France, the combined force in the West Indies, the declaration of Russia, (acceded to by other powers of Europe, humiliating the naval pride and power of Great Britain) the superiority of France and Spain by sea in Europe, the Irish claims and English disturbances, formed in the aggregate an opinion in my breast, (which is not very susceptible of peaceful dreams) that the hour of deliverance was not far distant; for that, however unwilling Great Britain might be to yield the point, it would not be in her power to continue the contest.  But alas! these prospects, flattering as they were, have proved delusive; and I see nothing before us but accumulating distress.  We have been half of our time without