Note 471 — Chapter II
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Nearly eighty armed vessels and transports were necessary to carry the army and its followers, but a large number of other vessels loaded with merchandise accompanied the fleet. Abigail Adams counted 170 sail in all, from her home in Braintree. Washington had supposed they would steer for New York, and so had warned the New York authorities as early as March 9. (N. Y. Archives, in Sparks MSS., no. xxix.) Cf. his letter to Stirling of March 14. (Duer's Stirling, p. 143.)