Note 792 — Chapter IV · (continued 2)

There were reports at the time that the British troops had set the fire. Read's George Read, p. 196. De Lancey (Jones, i. p. 611) collates the accounts, both British and American, citing that of Henry, who had just been brought by water from Quebec, and who saw it from the transport, as one of the best descriptions (Henry's Campaign against Quebec). Sparks (iv. 100, 101) gives a note to Washington's account. Howe's account is in 5 Force, ii., with other documents. Cf. J. C. Hamilton's Republic, i. 127; Reed's Joseph Reed, 1, 213. Mahon (Hist. England, vi. 116) believes it was not set. Lecky (England in Eighteenth Century, iv. p. 5, with references), who is usually very considerate in his criticisms, cites Washington's desire to burn New York as a sort of justification of the British burning of Falmouth and Norfolk; but he fails to distinguish between such wanton, isolated destruction and one of strategical use.