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Well the Revolution was mainly fought in New York and New Jersey far more so than in other states.

Exactly. Most of the battles in New York and New Jersey were losing affairs for the colonial army.

I was talking specifically about New York City. I believe Britain controlled the city for the duration of the war, and other than a single skirmish in what is now Brooklyn (I think) nothing much happened there. I've always said that it's no accident that New York City today is one of the most left-leaning jurisdictions in the United States. The people of New York were British Loyalists back then, and they're Marxists today. The phrase "big government" has never been out of fashion there.

Washington's strategy was to let the British keep the cities since that encouraged the lassitude of the commanders and kept their army from being useful. Hamilton was the greatest American ever to call NY city his home. It was also on the wrong side during the Civil War being RATrun and Union troops fresh from the battle of Gettysburg were sent in to control the rioting and killing unleashed by the RAT gangs against the Blacks living there.

NY during Hamilton's time was under the control of George Clinton and a stronghold of states' rights and anti-federalism.

Exactly. Most of the battles in New York and New Jersey were losing affairs for the colonial army.
I was talking specifically about New York City. I believe Britain controlled the city for the duration of the war, and other than a single skirmish in what is now Brooklyn (I think) nothing much happened there. I've always said that it's no accident that New York City today is one of the most left-leaning jurisdictions in the United States. The people of New York were British Loyalists back then, and they're Marxists today. The phrase "big government" has never been out of fashion there.

I have enjoyed you posts on this most excellent thread, but allow me to fine-tune the above.

First of all, the Battle of Brooklyn, which you call a "skirmish," was by far the largest battle of the Revolution. The Brits and Hessians put about 22,000 men on the field and we had about 10,000. It was the first battle after Bunker Hill (at BH our troops were dug in and the Brits took heavy losses in taking the groud) and we acquitted ourselves well. At Brooklyn, an under-trained collection of militias and the Continental Army was routed by the Brits and Hessians in the open field. And, sir, please do not forget the extraordinary bravery and fighting skill of the Maryland Four Hundred at this battle that ultimately allowed Washington and the remains of the army to escape to the (temporary) safety of Manhattan across the East River.

Now, as far as the point of view of New Yorkers before and during the Revolution, you omit several imortant parts of the story.

During the Seven Years War (French and Indian), the British Headquarters for North America was in NYC. When they pulled out in 1763, an economic depression befell the city. It was New Yorkers who were the first to riot against the Stamp Act, and as you likely remember from high school history, the Stamp Act Congress was held in NYC. Some say that the Sons of Liberty was started at this time in NYC (they met--among other places--at Fraunces Tavern) and men like Marinus Willett, Isaac "King" Sears, Alexander McDougal and John Lamb led the workers and sailors in pitched battles against the British army in the streets. The Battle of Golden Hill (near Wall St.) was actually the first battle between the factions and preceeded the Boston Massacre by three months.

And there is MUCH MUCH more to this story but I must leave now. Your Obdt. Svt.
Pharmboy