Fruitless negotiations....

New York evacuated....

Skirmish on the heights of Haerlem....

Letter on the state of the army.
{1776} While congress was deliberating in Philadelphia on the great question of independence, the British fleet appeared before New York.
[Sidenote: Lord and Sir William Howe arrive before New York.] On evacuating Boston, General Howe had retired to Halifax; where he purposed to remain till reinforcements should arrive from England.

But the situation of his army in that place was so uncomfortable, and the delays in the arrival of the troops from Europe were so great, that he at length resolved to sail for New York, with the forces already under his command.
{June 10.} {July 3 & 4.} In the latter end of June, he arrived off Sandy Hook, in the Grey Hound; and, on the 29th of that month, the first division of the fleet from Halifax reached that place.