As to what should best be done, Gage had no
idea ; Burgoyne, however, was ready with a
plan. He proposed to keep in Boston as
small a garrison, supported by as small a
fleet, as could safely be left, and to send the
rest of the troops and ships to harry the
coast. This proposition, if by the vague
term of chastisement he meant the burning of
defenceless towns, was unworthy of Burgoyne ;
but when later he proposed with this de-
tached force to occupy Rhode Island, doubt-
less using Newport as a base, he outlined a
plan which, if followed, would have seriously
embarrassed the Americans. But the advice
was not taken, and for months the British
generals contented themselves with wishing
they were at New York, without taking any
steps toward going there.
June to December in Boston 335

One thing at least they should have done.
It will be remembered that the American
occupancy of Bunker Hill had been pre-
cipitated by knowledge of a British plan to
take Dorchester Heights. This plan of Gage's
was not abandoned after the battle. It is
spoken of in a letter of Burgoyne's, and is
laid down as a part of his scheme to make
Boston secure while his marauding fleet
menaced southern New England. We are
even able to suppose that feeble moves toward
seizing the Heights were twice made. Once
a couple of regiments, on transports, dropped
down the channel ; and once two regiments
were withdrawn from Charlestown to Boston,
with various companies from the castle.
