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Durst Old York Library MINUTES of Commissioners for Conspiracies Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/minutesofcommissOOnewy Vol. 2, Frontispiece s^i^u* .yfff'jtrda/A/ /lawny < Isaac D i'onda Mathew Vischer ) ( Philip Empey appeared before the Board and requested our Permission to go & visit his Family at Bowman's Kill — [129] Resolved that they [sic] said Philip Empey have permission Granted him for that purpose and that he return to the Place to which he is restricted by his Recognizance in one Forthnight from this Day — Isaac Lamb who was one the 3 d Instant confined was brought before the Board resolved that he be discharged from his Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour Appearing before us on the first Day of February next and also appearing before the Board when thereunto required Isaac Lamb on Recognizance in £1000 David Sprague his Bail in £ 500 John Cormichael also his Bail in £ 500 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 433 Resolved that Alexander Squire enter into a Recognizance 17C0 for his good Behaviour & appearing on the first Day of February next or when required — Alexander Squire on Recognizance in £5000 Gurdin Squire his Bail in £5000 — Adjourned — Met Albany 21 st January 1780 1780 Present ^ aa ' John M Beekman ) { T r\ t? 1 ■[ > < Isaac D fonda Mathew Vischer ) ( Jacob Merkle of Tryon County confined for disaffection was brought before the Board resolved that be be Discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance with a sufficient Surety for his future good Behaviour and appearing before any three of the Commissi for Conspiracies when Called upon — Jacob Merkle of Tryon CountyFarmer in. £1000 John Breadfrick of Stonerabia in Tryon County Farmer his Bail in £ 500 Adjourned — [130] Met Albany 26 th January 1780 1780 Jan. 26. Present John M Beeckman I ( u , T7 . , ■i > < Mathew Vischer Isaac D tonda ) ( The Board having received Information that William True of Kinderhook is a person whose going at Large may prove dangerous to the Safety of the State & that it is necessary he Should be Confined — It is therefore resolved that a Warrant be made out 434 State of New York 1780 directed to Lieu- Reuben Murry to take to his Assistance Jan. 26. / two Men & apprehend the said William True and forth- with bring him before us — Adjourned 17 80 Met Albany I st February 1780 Feb. i. t, J 31 rresent Teremiah Van Renselaer ) ( T t- j \ \ Isaac D ronda Mathew Visscher ) ( Resolved that Andrew Squire who was taken Prisoner at Stoney Point be permitted to go at large in the District of Schaactikoke untill Called upon to be Exchanged on Enter- ing into a Recognizance to appear before the Commissary of Prisoners or any other Authority of this State when called upon — Andrew Squire on Recognizance in £500 Gurdin Squire his Bail in £500 William True alias Comfort Carpenter for whose Appre- hension a Warrant was made out on the 26 th Ultimo was brought before the Board Resolved that he be confined & that a Mittimus be made out for him — Resolved that Stephen Astin be discharged on entering into Recognizance for his Appearance at the Next Supreme Court of Judicature to be held at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next and that in the same time be of Good Behaviour Stephen Astin on Recognizance in £1000 Isaac Shelden his bail in £ 500 Hosea Hamilton also his Bail ..in £ 500 Adjourned Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 435 [131] Met Albany 2^ February 1780 F »78o Present John M Beekman Jeremiah V. Renselaer Edward Finn who was some time ago Liberated from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance with D- George Smith as his Surety laid Before the board a Petition wherein he sets forth the Difficulties he Labours under from his being restricted to these & requesting Permission to go to Ballstown for the Purpose of Keeping a School, and the said George Smith appearing before us and requesting to be Discharged from the Recognizance by him entered into for the said Edward Finn — Resolved that the Said Edward Finn be informed that the Board will take the said Petition into Consideration and will give him an answer to the Same on the 5 th Instant Also Resolved that D r George Smith be discharged from his Recognizance as Surety for the said Edward Finn — Adjourned — Met Albany 5 th February 1780 Present John M Beekman ) ( AT , „• , J , > - Alatnew Visscher Jeremiah Van Renselaer ) (. Edward Finn who was ordered to attend the Board this Day to receive an answer to the Petition presented to us on the 2~ Instant appeared agreeable to the said Order — Whereupon it is resolved that the said Edward Finn have Permission to go to Ballstown on his entering into a Recog- nizance to remain in the District of Ballstown until Called upon by us and not to Depart the said Limits without Leave -j Isaac D. Fonda 1780 Feb. 5. 436 State of New York Feb 8 °5. obtamed for that Purpose from Col 1 - James Gordon and to behave himself peaceably and as a good Subject of the State — Edward Finn Schoolmaster on Recognizance in £5°o Adjourned 1780 [13 2 ] Met Albany 6 th February 1780 Feb. 6. Present John M Beekman ) ( T _ _^ , ;» 1 tt. , f ■{ Isaac D Jhonda Mathew Vissher j ( Alexander Hubs appeared according to an order of this Board and being examined in the Respect to Benjamin Davis Andries Ten Eyck Jun r & Christian Legrange saith as follows (to wit) (see Examination on the File) Resolved in Consequence of the above Examination that the s- Christian Legrange enter into a Recognizance with a Sufficient Surety for his Appearance at the next Supreme Court of Judicature to be held at the City Hall in this City on the Third Tuesday in April next & in the mean time be of the good Behaviour towards all and every the liege Subjects of this State Christian Legrange on Recognizance in £500 Thomas Lottridge his Bail in £200 Resolved that the above Mentioned Andries Ten Eyck Jun r enter into a Recognizance & that he be bound in every like Respect [as] Christian Legrange Andries Ten Eyck Jun r On Recognizance in £500 William Burnside his Bail in £250 Adjourned Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 437 Met Albany 7 th February 1780 Present John M Beekman ) ( T j i/r 1 ) -Isaac u ronda Mathew Visscher ) ( Resolved that Isaac Lamb be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance to appear before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon or before any other Judicial Authority if required & do his Duty & be of the good Behaviour towards all the liege Subjects of this State for and during the Continuance of three Years Isaac Lamb on Recognizance in £600 David Sprauge [sic] his Bail in i>3°o Alexander Hubs also his Bail in £3°° Resolved that William True Alias Comfort Carpenter be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Recog- nizance with Sufficient Sureties for his Appearance at the next Supreme Court of Judi- [133] cature to be held at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next & not to Depart the Court without Leave and also for his appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required and for his good and peaceable Behaviour William True on Kinderhook District Physi- cian in £1000 Elijah Hudson of Kings District his Bail in. £ 500 Henry Bush of the same Place also his Bail in £ 500 Jesse White of the same Place also Bail in. £ 500 Adjourned 1780 Feb. 7. 43§ State of New York 1780 Met Albany 8 th February 1780 Feb. 8. T-v Present John M Beeckman ) ( T t- j at 1 tt- 1 f ) l saac D. ronda Mathew Visscner ) ( The Board having been informed that Mathew Brown James Brown & James Brown Jun' are able to give some very Material Information respecting the Conduct of John Dunbar at the time when General Burgoyne came down with his Army resolved that the said Mathew Brown James Brown & James Brown Jun^ be Severally cited forthwith to appear before this Board they may be examined as to the above The Board having also received Information that Gerrit Van Ness is able to prove that Lieu- Coll Daniel B. Bradt did furnish some of the Enemy with Arms when Burgoyne came down with his Army It is therefore resolved that the said Gerrit Van Ness be cited forthwith to appear before this Board in Order that he may be examined as to the same Adjourned 1780 Met Albany 9 th February 1780 Feb. 9. Present Jeremiah Van Renselaer ) ( A/r , , j \ \ Mathew Visscher Isaac D ronda ) ( As the Act of the Legislature of this State 1 by which the Powers vested in this Board will in a few days expire and as it is uncertain whether the said Act will be continued It is therefore Resolved that all such Persons who have been employed to perform Services by Order of this Board be ■The reference is to the act of October i, 1779. By an act of March 13, 1780, any two justices could enlarge deserters from the British. The com- missioners were revived by an act of June 14, 1780. See Appendix I: Laws Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 439 notifyed to deliver in their Accounts that the[y] may be p 1 ^ 80 paid [134] Resolved that the Secretary to this Board pay to Lieut: Thomas Ismay the sum of £91 u ig s u 6 d being the full Amount of the Pay and Subsistance Roll of the Party of Militia under the command of the said Thomas Ismay Resolved that the Secretary also pay to John Fonda Junr the sum of £74 being for beef Provided by him for the use of the State Prisoners — 1 Adjourned Met Albany 14 th February 1780 i? 80 J T J 1 Feb. 14. Present John M Beekman ) ( T ^ ^ , •1 !- - Isaac U ronda Mathew Visscher ) ( Resolved that Robert Davis be discharged on entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his Duty as a good & faithfull Subject of the State & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies and remaining within the following Limits (to wit) West the Mill of CoM Veeder, South the Creek East and north the Hill — Robert Davis on Recognizance in £500 Met Albany 22 April 1781 \sic for 1780I 1780 ' J Apr. 22. Present Tohn M Beeckman ) ( T t- 1 at , „• , 1 1 lsaac D. Fonda Mathew Vischer ) ( Resolved that Abraham Hoogteling be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recog^ for his good Be- 1 The original voucher is in Revolutionary Manuscripts, vol. 40, p. 173, dated February 28, 17S0, State Comptroller's office. 44-Q State of New York Apr 8 °-> haviour & appearance before any one of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon until discharged by this Board Abraham Hoogteling of the West District of the Manor of Renselaerwyck Yeoman in. £100 Joseph Salsbury of the same Place Yeoman his Bail in £100 juS 8 28 t 13 ^ Albany 28^ June 1780 An Act having been passed by the Legislature of this State on the 14- Day of June 1780 entitled An Act to revive the Laws appointing Commissioners for detecting and de- feating Conspiracies in the words following (to wit) 1 Whereas the Act " for appointing Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies and declaring their Powers " passed the fifth day of February 1778 and the Act " for encreasing the number of Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies within this State " passed the third day of April 1778 are expired And whereas there is good reason to apprehend that Emissaries from the Enemy are lurking in different parts of the State, and that the Disaffected Inhabitants are conspiring against the public peace and safety: by reason whereof it hath become Necessary to revive the Powers of the said Commissioners — Be it therefore enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same; that the said two Acts, & the Powers and authorities by them or either of them granted to the Commissioners appointed or to be appointed by Virtue of the said Acts, or any and every three of them, shall be and are hereby revived, and shall 1 Appendix I: Laws, June 14, 1780. Opp. Vol. 2, p. 440 /It. - mf-i-J *v-jt*nyf j£tx~ i'f //tort t ysnAA. \St^>m i/nsm*/ amt /^c^\/Aalf, - -^^fr /Otsvt^y p» n- vr» i*^Ctl>i /* /£cm, *<*^««*V"-i^ *■ ' ■ t£t c^^rit /fu- vi^m a^Zc**> /^o^ty^d^r^a£ /i4x^nWt/ ■ + fnt imfy & f&t* (fie** ,*/ £^ fi*y & »a^r>-u ax > a f/o^o*- <£tsuc/**y *f /fire natirf ^^rn^6'*nt^ 'fir Clean Copy of Minutes exhibiting Gansevoort's reappointment (One-half reduced) Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 441 Continue and be in full force during the Continuance of the 178o „ , . June 28. present War with Great Britain. That each Commissioner shall be allowed for each day he shall be actually employed in the Execution of the said Office, the [136] sum of Fourteen Shillings of the Money to be issued agreeable to the Resolu- tions of Congress of the Eighteenth day of March last and that the Treasurer of this State shall out of any monies which may be in the Treasury, advance to the said Commissioners or any three of them such sum or sums as they shall from time to time require to defray the Expence of the Business hereby committed to them, not exceeding in the whole the sum of two thousand pounds of like Money aforesaid — I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the Original Law now lodged in the Secretary's Office of this State. Given at Kingston June 20- 1780 — Robert Harpur Dep^ Secr^ — In Consequence of which Act the following Members Met Viz^ John M. Beeckman ) \ Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Mat: Visscher Resolved that Leonard Gansevoort Jun^ be appointed as Secretary to this Board and that his pay be the same as is allowed to the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners for Conspiracies sitting at Poughkeepsie — Ordered that Jacob Kidney be appointed as Door Keeper to this Board and that he have an Allowance for each Day he shall be actually employed in and about that Business the sum of 6/ per Day — Ordered that the Secretary lay before the Board as soon as conveniently may be an exact List of such Persons [137] as have been bound by Recognizance's from time to time by the Board of Commissioners for Conspiracies heretofore 442 State of New York 1780 acting Specifying the Days when they were discharged and the sums in which they have been respectively bound — Adjourned 1780 Met Albany 29- Tune 1780 Tune 29. ^ J Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer f ( Mathew Visscher Major Jacob Schermerhorn appeared before the Board and informed that the cause of Commitment of Hendrick Kittle and Nicholas Van Valkenburgh is as follows (to wit) Hendrick Kittle for insulting the Court Martial appointed to try him for neglect of Militia Duty and for Saying he would not be tried by them — Nicholas Van Valkenburgh for drinking the Kings Health and damning every one that opposed the King's Laws — It is ordered that Jan Devoe Juni who is Bail for the Appearance and good Behaviour of William Sanders be ordered to bring the said William Sanders before this Board on Saturday the first day of July next and that in Case of Failure the Recognizance entered into by the said Jan Devoe Jun^ will be prosecuted — John Blackley having been confined by order of the Magistrates of this City for attempting to go off to the Enemy and it appearing to us that the Proof against him is not so clear as to render his Confinement any Longer necessary do therefore order that he be Liberated from his Confinement [138] on his entering into a Recognizance with sufficient Sureties for his appearance when called upon before the Board of Commissioners for Conspiracies or any Civil authority in this State & for his future good Behaviour during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 443 John Blackley of the City of Albany Taylor Tmufag on Recognizance in £2000 Nicholas Halenbeeck of the City of Albany Carpenter his Bail in £1000 Colin Gibson of the same place Taylor also his Bail in £1000 The Board having received Information that Henry Simpson Living on the Schenectady Road is of a Suspicious Character and that as a Tavern Keeper it is Necessary he should be laid under Restrictions therefore ordered that a warrant be made out Directed to Jacob Kidney the Door Keeper to apprehend the said Henry Simpson and forthwith bring him before us — It is ordered that the Goaler lay before this Board a true List of all such Persons as are now in Confinement together with the cause of their Commitment and the Names of the Magistrates by whom committed — Adjourned — Met Albany 30^ June 1780— june^o Present Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) j Mathew Visscher Isaac D Fonda J ( John M. Beeckman Whereas from the Disturbances occasioned by the dis- affected Inhabitants of this County and from the [139] pressing Necessity at this Juncture of enforcing a due Observance to the Laws and punishing such as transgress against them and for the more speedy apprehension of such suspicious Persons as may be lurking about the Country it is thought necessary to have a Number of Men in differ- ent Parts of this County to carry into Execution such orders as may from time to time be issued by this Board and that 444 State of New York 1780 tne p ar ties so to be employed be raised on the East and une 30. , .... west side of the River and Lieu - Philip Staats of Col 1 - Kil- lian Van Rensselaer's Regiment having been applied to in order to take the Command of one of the said Parties and he declaring his willingness to except [sic] the same — Be it therefore ordered that a warrant be made out Di- rected to the said Lieu- Philip Staats to engage to the Num- ber of about ten men who are to Provide themselves with a good Horse & proper Arms and Accoutrements and who are to be allowed the same Pay given to the Cavalry of the Army of the United States and to have an allowance made them for Horse hire and Subsistance — Jacob Kidney attended and informed that he had appre- hended Henry Simpson who being brought before the Board and examined and the Charge against him not appearing to be such as to merit a Commitment therefore resolved that he enter into a Recognizance with two Sureties him- self in £1000 and the Sureties each in £500 for his personal appearance before the Board or either of the Commission- ers when thereunto required to be of the good Behaviour do his duty as a good and faithful subject of the State ought to do and to give Information to the said Commissioners from time to time of all such [140] Matters and things which may come to his Knowledge and which may tend in any Manner to the Prejudice of the United State of America during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Henry Simpson of the City of Albany Inn- keeper on Recognizance in £1000 Jesse Fairchild of the same Place Blacksmith his Bail in £ 500 William Charles of the same Place also his Bail in £ 500 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 445 A Return being made according to order by the Secre- . 1 7&o June 30. tary of the different Persons who have been bound by Recognizance's ordered that Notice's be put up in different Parts of this County ordering such Persons to appear before this Board on the 20- day of July next — Adjourned — Met Albany 1^ July 1780 1780 p 1 J J ' July 1. Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer \ I Mathew Visscher Whereas a number of suspicious Persons are daily pass- ing through this County who on being apprehended & Questioned name Officers in the Militia under whose com- mand they pretend to be by which Means many Villians go unpunished to prevent which in future it is resolved that Letters be wrote to the different Colonels or Commanding Officers of General Ten Broeck's Brigade requesting them as soon as possible to furnish this Board with the Names of every Person of their Regiment and the Companies to which they Belong — [141] Jan Devoe Jun- according to order appeared be- fore the Board with William Sanders whom he requested Permission to Surrender in Discharge of himself — Resolved that the said William Sanders be committed and that a Mittimus be made out to the Goaler to take him into his Custody — And also Resolved that Jan Devoe Junior his Bail be Discharged from his Recognizance — Lidia Currey having been confined by order of the Magis- trates of this City for assisting in concealing & harbouring Persons from the Enemy was brought before the Board & examined Resolved that she be discharged from her Confinement 446 State of New York 1780 on Gerrit Bradt of the Hellebergh entering into a Recog- nizance for her future good Behaviour and Appearance before this Board when required — Gerrit Bradt of the Hellebergh in the County of Albany Yeoman on Recognizance as Bail for Lidia Currey in £100 Leonard Gansevoort Jun- Secretary to this Board Ex- hibited to us an Account for Paper purchased by him for the use of this Board amounting to £144 Continental Money ordered that the same [be] paid — Adjourned — ]1*° 3 ' Met Albany 3* July 1780 Present Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ^ j Isaac D. Fonda John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher The Goaler laid before the Board a paper whereby he was requested to take into his Care the Body of John Arm- strong of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck a Person Notoriously [142] disaffected to the American Cause and deliver him over to this Board — Whereupon it is ordered that a Mittimus be made out to the Goaler to take the said John Armstrong into his Custody and Closely confine him — Hendrick Appley having been committed to Goal by order of the justices in this City on suspicion of his being privy to the secreting and harbouring a Party of the Enemy was brought before the Board and Enquiry being made into the Proofs in support of the same and the said Charge appearing in the Judgment of this [Board] unsupported but the said Hendrick Appley being a Disaffected Person — Therefore resolved that he be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into Recognizance for his future good Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 447 Behaviour and appearance before any of the Commissioners j^ 80 for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain Hendrick Appley of the Hellebergh in the County of Albany Yeoman on Recog- nizance in £100 Andries Ward of the same place Yeoman his Bail in £ 50 John Waggoner of the same place Yeoman also his Bail in £ 50 Simeon Griggs of Half Moon having attempted to go to Canada and join the Enemy and having been apprehended by order of the Magistrates of this City and by them suffered to return home at the request of Col 1 - Van Schoonhoven to endeaviour to procure Bail for his future [143] good Conduct in Consequence thereof Alexander Griggs the Father of the said Simeon Griggs appeared before us and informed the Board that he was willing to enter into Recognizance for the said Simeon Griggs — Whereupon resolved that the said Alexander Griggs enter into a Recognizance for the future good Behaviour of his son Simeon Griggs and for his appearance when called upon before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies and for his remaining within the Limits of the District of Half Moon unless when called upon to do Militia duty which recognizance to be in full force during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Alexander Griggs of the Half Moon District in the County of Albany Yeoman on Recog- nizance as Bail for Simeon Griggs in £200 Evert Ostrander, John Frazer, and John Andrew having been apprehended on their way to Canada to join the Enemy 448 State of New York July3 were bought before the Board and on being examined Con- fessing the Charge alledged against them and declaring an Intention of persisting in the like Conduct in future — It is therefore resolved that the said Evert Ostrander, John Andrew, and John Frazer be confined and that a Mittimus be made out to the Goaler to take them into his Custody — Adjourned — ^ y 4 Present JjJ^ Met Albany 4^? July 1780 — ent leremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( T r> t- j ■L _ \ \ Isaac D. bond* ohn M. Beeckman ) ( John M. Beeckman [144] Information having been given to this Board that a certain James Mellderon has lately come to this place who appears to be of a suspicious Character. It is therefore ordered that Jacob Kidney be commanded to apprehend the said James Mellderon and bring him forthwith before us — Jacob Kidney appeared and informed that he had appre- hended the said James Mellderon — Whereupon resolved that he be brought before the Board on his Examination producing a Pass from a Justice of the Peace at Fredericksburgh it is Ordered that he be given in Charge to the Goaler till he shall give Surety for his pro- ducing to us proper Vouchers of his Character as a Friend to the American Cause — Graudus J. Cluet having been on his way to join the Enemy and having returned and Voluntarily surrendered himself and being brought before us by his Father Jacob Cluet and on being examined appearing candid and open in his Confession and making Promises of future good Conduct therefore resolved on account of his Youth and the Inter- Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 449 cession of the said Tacob Cluet his Father whose Atachmen i? 80 to the American Cause has been evinced on several Occasions that he be permitted to return home — Simeon Griggs for whom Alexander Griggs was on the 3- Instant bound by Recognizance appeared before the Board ordered that he enter into Recognizance for his future good Behaviour and for his appearance before [145] any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon and for his remaining within the District of the Half-Moon unless called upon to do Military duty during the Continu- ance of the present war with Great Britain — Simeon Griggs of the District of the Half Moon in the County of Albany Yeoman on Recognizance in £200 Abraham Peltz having been apprehended & confined by Major Ezekiel Taylor on Suspicion of being privy to a Party of Men going off" to the Enemy and the Proof appearing rather ill founded but the said Abraham Peltz being a dis- affected person it is therefore ordered that previous to his discharge be be bound by a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour and Appearance before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Abraham Peltz of New Town in the County of Albany Yeoman on Recognizance in. . . . £50 Hendrick Peltz of Pougkeepsie in Dutchess County his Bail in £50 Duncan M'rDougall appearing before the Board and being willing to become surety for James Mellderon It is ordered that the said Duncan M c Dougall enter into a Recognizance for the said James Mellderon's transmitting to this Board a proper Certificate of his attachment to the American 45o State of New York JxJy \ ^ ause fro m four or more respectable Inhabitants of Dutchess County within One Month from this day — James Mellderon of Fredericksburough in the County of Dutchess Yeoman on Recog- nizance in £50 [146] Duncan MfDougall of the City of Albany his Bail in £50 Adjourned 1780 Met Albany 5^? July 1780 — July 5. Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ ~ , iit 1 , r , f ) Isaac U. ronda Mathew Visscher ) ( A Letter was laid before the Board from Col 1 - Abraham Wemple at Schenectady informing us that he had some time ago committed to Goal a German formerly belonging to Burgoyne's Army from an Apprehension of his being an Enemy to the cause of America but that he having learned from various Circumstances that his suspicions were ill founded he therefore requests that he may be liberated from his Confinement — On Consideration of which Letter it appearing that the said German is a Prisoner of war and that he comes properly under the direction of the Military power Therefore ordered that he be delivered over to Colonel Goose Van Schaick the Commanding Officer in this Place — Adjourned — i78o Met Albany 6^ July 1780 July 6. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T t? j it \ ) Isaac U. fonda Mathew Visscher ) ( It being suggested to the Board that Francis Rawworth lately an Inhabitant of Johnstown in Tryon County can give Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 451 Information respecting the Conduct of Robert Adams at the j^J^° 6 time Sir John [147] Johnson destroyed Caughnawago — Ordered therefore that the said Francis Rawworth be summoned to attend this Board immediately — The said Francis Rawworth appeared and on his Exami- nation says that he did not see Mi Adams during the time Sir John Johnson was at Johnstown and that he has understood the said Robert Adams was taken Prisoner by a Party of Men and carried to Sir John — Marte Freligh having been heretofore bound by Recog- nizance for his good Behaviour and appearance before the Board of Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required and also for his appearance on the last day of every Month before any one of the said Commissioners and the said Marte Freligh this day appearing pursuant to notification & it appearing from the Information of John M. Beeckman Esq- one of the Members of this Board that the said Marte Freligh has punctually appeared before him pursuant to the tenor of his said Recognizance — Resolved therefore that he be discharged as to that part of his Recognizance which requires his appearance on the last day of every month but that the Remainder of the said Recognizance shall stand & remain in full force and Virtue during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Resolved that Major Henry Van Veghten be and he is hereby requested and fully Authorized & empowered to stop every Person whom he may find travelling through this City and whom he may conceive [148] from their appearance and Conversation to be of suspicious Charac- ter's and on his detecting any such person make report to us of the same as soon as conveniently may be — Adjourned — 452 State of New York Met Albany 7^ July 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) j Mathew Visscher Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Received a letter from Math[e]w Adgate Esq T one of the Justices of the Peace of this County dated Kings District 5 th day of July Instant wherein he informs us that having re- ceived Information that Daniel Green, Joseph Potter and David Darrow were collecting a Number of Sheep in King's District with an intention of driving them to the westward and as there is the greatest reason to suppose from their disaffection to the American Cause that they mean to con- vey them to the Enemy or at least bring them so near the Frontiers that the enemy may with safety take them that therefore he had caused them to be apprehended & con- veyed to us by Ensign Jones and the said Daniel Green and Joseph Potter being brought before the Board and Examined & proving Satisfactorily to us that they had no intention of driving the said sheep to the Enemy were sev- erally discharged but David Darrow on his examination denying the Authority of this Board and all Civil Jurisdic- tion in this State and pretending that by his religious prin- ciples [149] he is restrained from taking up Arms in de- fence of the Country and that he does not intend to do any kind of Military duty whatsoever nor does not in any in- stance intend to abide by the Laws of this State, and John Hocknear of Nistageune and David Macham of New Leba- non appearing before us to Vindicate the cause and Justify the Principles of the said David Darrow and acknowledg- ing a Concurrence of Sentiment with him and declaring that it was their determined Resolution never to take up arms and to dissuade others from doing. the same and as 1780 July 7. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 453 such principles at the present day are highly pernicious and of destructive tendency to the Freedom & Independence of the United States of America — It is therefore resolved that the said David Darrow, John Hocknear and Joseph Macham stand severally committed & that a Mittimus be made out for them — Mf Jones informed that a certain Jonah Case an Inhabi- tant of Goshen in the County of Litchfield in the state of Connecticut whj^has been inimically disposed to the Ameri- can Cause from the Commencement of the War and was for his disaffection confined to his Farm has several times passed through his place on his way to Nistageune for the Purpose of associating with a set of people who call them- selves shaking Quakers and that a certain Zadock Wright a prisoner of war who has been by the Commissioners for Conspiracies liberated from Confinement and by Parole restricted to the Limits of Kings District also pretends to be of the denomination of people called shaking Quakers and that he dissuades people [150] from taking up Arms — It is ordered in Consequence of the said Information that a Letter be wrote to Mathew Adgate Esq- to have the said Jonah Case apprehended and brought before us — It is also ordered that the said Zadock Wright be cited forthwith to appear before this Board — Adjourned — Met Albany 10^? July 1780 — 1780 Present ^ 7 IO " John M. Beeckman ) \ Isaac D. Fonda Mathew Visscher ) \ [Samuel Stringer] A Certificate signed by Robert Harpur Esq- Deputy Sec- retary of this State was laid before the Board whereby it 454 State of New York uiy 8 io a PP ears tnat Samuel Stringer Esq- was on the I s .' day of July Instant appointed by the Council of appointment as a Com- missioner for detecting and defeating Conspiracies within this State in Consequence of which Certificate the said Samuel Stringer took the Oath as prescribed in and by the ["] Act for appointing Commissioner for enquiring into de- tecting & defeating all Conspiracies which may be formed in this State against the Liberties of America" and also took his seat at the Board as a Member — Edward Archer of this City appeared before the Board and informed that George Rodgers did Yesterday in his presence say that the French Fleet was come to carry off the Damned Rebel Officer Washington who was afraid he would he hanged and the Rebel Congress that the [151] Whigs were all a set of scoundrels and Rascals and that he was persuaded the British Troops would in a forthnight's time march through the City of Albany — Ordered that a Letter be wrote to John Ryley to request him to appear before this Board to give Information respect- ing Nicholas Van Valkenburgh now confined in Goal — The affidavit of John Coppernoll & John Vrooman re- specting Jacob J. Truax was laid before the Board from which it appears that the said Jacob J. Truax is a person greatly disaffected to the American Cause whose going at large may prove dangerous to the Safety and wellfare of this State — It is therefore resolved that a warrant be made out di- rected to Jacob Kidney to apprehend the said Jacob J- Truax and that the Goaler be ordered to receive him into his Custody and closely confine him — A Number of Negroes having been apprehended at the Half Moon on suspicion of their intending to burn & de- stroy that Settlement and they having been severally exam- Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 455 ined by us denyed the Charge alledged against them but jj^ 8 ° acknowledged that they had an intention of going to Canada to which they were induced by William Loucks a son in Law of Hans Roeliffse and a Hessian named Coonradt 1 liv- ing with William Waldron who told them that when they got to Canada they would be free and that the said Wil- liam Loucks and Coonradt told them they would go with them — I[n] Consequence of which Information it is ordered that a Letter be wrote to Colonel Van Schoonhoven 2 at Half Moon requesting him without delay to [have] the said Wil- liam [152] Luycks and Coonradt apprehended and brought before us — Ordered also that a Letter be wrote to Hendrick Van Schoonhoven requesting him immediately to send down his Negro wench who has given Information concerning the above mentioned Negroes in Order that she may be examined — Adjourned — Met Albany 11- July 1780 — 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c , c • t 1 f 1 Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Ponda ) ( In Consequence of the Information Yesterday given to this Board by Edward Archer respecting George Rodgers It is ordered that a warrant be made out Di[r]ect[ed] to Jacob Kidney as Constable to apprehend the said George Rodo-ers and that the Goaler be ordered to take into his Custody and closely confine him — Israh Sanford was brought before the Board by Major 1 Frederick Coonradt. 1 Colonel Jacobus Van Schoonhoven. 45^ State of New York July 8 ?! Henry Van Veghten as a Person of a suspicious Character on examining him it appears that he is an inhabitant of the State of Massechusetts Bay and is also one of those persons who pretend that they are restrained by their religious prin- ciples to take up Arms in defence of the Country — Ordered that he be discharged but that he be informed that if he is again found in this County he will be closely Confined — James Patherton of Nestageune was also brought before the Board and on being questioned pretend- [153] ing that he is restrained by his Religious principles to take up Arms in defence of the State — Resolved that the said James Patherton have Permission to go and procure a sufficient surety for his future good Behaviour and doing his duty as a faithful subject of the state — Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany f*^ Tuly 1780 ^ yi2 - Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T t-v r- j . V < Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( A Letter from Lieu- Col 1 - Henry Van Rensselaer dated ii— July Instant was laid before the Board containing the Charges alledged against Nicholas Kittle, John Armstrong, and Jacobus Moll, which Letter is in the words following (to wit) (see Letter on the file) Anthony Van Schaick Esq^ made application to the Board in favour of Thomas Andrew a prisoner now confined [in Goal and on examining into the nature of his crime (he having been confined by order of the Magistrates of this City) and finding the charge alledged against him not prop- erly supported — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 457 Therefore resolved that the said Thomas Andrew be lib- 1780 erated from Confinement on his entering into a Recogniz- ance with the said Anthony Van Schaick as his surety for his future good Behaviour & appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto re- quired during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — [154] Thomas Andrew of Newtown in the County of Albany Yeoman on Recogni- zance in £200 Anthony Van Schaick of the County of Albany Esq- his Bail in £100 It having been represented to this Board that Peter Cra- pole a prisoner now confined in Goal who was apprehended on his way to the Enemy has been destitute of provisions for some days and being unable on Account of his poverty to purchase any it is therefore resolved that the Goaler be requested to furnish the said Peter Crapole with provi- sions for which the Board will allow him one shilling per day — Colonel Jacobus Van Schoonhoven having at the request of this Board sent us Frederick Coonradt ordered on examining him that he procure surety for his Good behaviour and appearance when called upon — Adjourned — Met Albany 13^? July 1780 y 8 ° Present J u y x 3. Mathew Visscher ) \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) \ John M. Beeckman Whereas it has been suggested to this Board that Jacob A. Lansing of this County who was confined by the Magis- 458 State of New York T 78o trates of this City for assisting & encouraging the subjects uly 13. J o is j of this State to go over & join the enemy and Robert Adams of Johnstown in Tryon County intend to remove themselves by writs of Habeas Corpus before the Honorable Robert Yates Esq- [155] in order to their being bailed and as it is highly necessary at this time that they [the] said Jacob A. Lansing & Robert Adams should be continued in their present confinement — Therefore ordered that a Mittimus be made out to the Goaler to detain and keep them in his Custody untill dis- charged by any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies The examination of Barnet Van Vranken and Flemin High by taken by Col- Van Schoonhoven were laid before the board respecting the conduct of the inhabitants of Newtown ordered that the same be filed — Lieu- Colonel Henry K. Van Rensselaer informed the Board that he last night had sent to Goal William Hutton as a Person whose going at large might be dangerous to the safety of the State that the said William Hutton has made use of threats against the Court Martial appointed to try him for Neglect of duty and says he is determined not to taice up arms in defence of the country — In Consequence of which information he was brought before the Board & examined and recommitted — Lieu- Col 1 Rensselaer also informed the Board that he has confined John Armstrong, Thomas Blewer, Andries Stoll, Andries Weger, and Christian Crow, as dangerous and disaffected persons and prays that they may be continued in confinement — Ordered that he be informed that this Board will not liberate them untill they have given Collonel Rensselaer a previous intimation of it — Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 459 [156] Met Albany 14^ July 1780 J^y 8 ^ Present Samuel Stringer ) \ John M. Beeckman Isaac D. Fonda ) \ Mathew Visscher Frederick Bonestel having been by the former Board of Commissioners for Conspiracies liberated from confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his Good behaviour and monthly appearance and the sum for which the said recog- nizance was taken being too small on account of the depre- ciation of the Continental Money — It is therefore ordered that the said Frederick Bonestel enter into a new recognizance with a sufficient surety for his future good behaviour and appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required dur- ing the continuance of the Present war with Great Britain — Frederick Bonestel of the Manor of Rens- selaerwyck in the County of Albany Weaver on recognizance in £100 Anthony Abramse of the same place Yeoman his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 15'- July 1780 1780 Present Jul ? ^ John M. Beeckman ) \ Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher \ ( Isaac D. Fonda Christopher File having by the former Board of Commis- sioners for Conspiracies been liberated from [157] con- finement on entering into a recognizance for his good be- haviour & appearance on the last day of every month and the sum for which the said recognizance was taken being insuffi- cient on account of the depreciation of the Continental money 460 State of New York 1780 and Melchart File the Father of the said Christopher File uly 1^. • ... appearing this day before us and being desirous of becoming surety for his son — It is therefore ordered that the said Melchart File enter into a recognizance for the future good Behaviour of the said Christopher File and for his appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the presentwarwith Great Britain — Melchart File of Manor of Rensselaerwyck in the County of Albany Farmer as Bail for his son Christopher File in £100 Whereas from the frequent complaints that have been exhibited to this Board respecting the conduct of a number of the Inhabitants of Newtown it is become necessary that some rigerous measure should be adopted to bring them to a sence of their duty and to confine such of them as are most dangerous and as it is probable that the Board will receive better information respecting their conduct by opening a Board a[t] New Town — It is therfore resolved that there be a meeting of the Beard at Newtown and Stillwater on Tuesday next and that a Letter be wrote to Major Taylor informing him of the same & requesting his Attendence there at that time — Adjourned — [158] Met Albany 17* July 1780 — Present John M. Beeckrnan ]_ \ Isaac D. Fond? Samuel Stringer \ I Matl lew Visscher John Meyer having been heretofore bound by a recog- nizance for his good behaviour and appearance when called and appearing this day according to Notification — 1780 July 17. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 461 Ordered that he enter into a new recognizance for his '7 80 July 1 future good behaviour and appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Meyer of East district of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Labourer in £100 Jacob Springer of the same place his Bail in £100 Amaziah Winstone of Kings district appeared before the Board and informed that by virtue of a warrant directed to him by Mathew Adgate Esql ( Justice of the peace he had apprehended Joel Pratt and Hezekiah Hammond whom he had ready to produce to the Board ordered that they be brought in and examined — Joel Pratt and Hezekiah Hammond being examined say they mean not to take up arms in defence of the Country whereupon ordered that they be confined and that a Mittimus be made out to the Goaler to take them into his custody — John Todd was brought before the Board and [159] ex- amined and then recommitted — Peter Crapole who was also examined and then recom- mitted — Resolved that a letter be wrote to Mathew Adgate Esq- suggesting to him a* proper mode of conduct towards the people called shaking Quakers which letter is in the words following (to wit) (see copy letter on the file) Received a letter from Mathew Adgate Esq- Justice of the peace dated 14 th day of July instant respecting Joel Pratt and Hezekiah Hammond which letter is in the words fol- lowing (to wit) (see letter on the file) Egbert Ostrander having been heretofore bound by recognizance and appearing this day according to notification to enter into a new recognizance — Ordered that he enter into the same for his future good 462 State of New York July 8 !? Der, aviour and appearance before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain — Egbert Ostrander of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Yeoman in £100 Jacob Ostrander of the same place Yeoman his Bail in £100 Nicholas Van Valkenburgh, Hendrick Kittle, and Jacobus Moll having been committed for disaffection to the American cause and they having severally promised to be of good behaviour in future — It is therefore resolved that they be severally discharged on entering into a Recognizance for their future good be- haviour and appearance before any three [160] of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain and also for their appearance at the next supream Court of Judicature to be held at the City Hall in this City on the last [sic] in July instant (or wheresoever the said Court shall be held in the State of New York) and not depart the Court without Leave — Hendrick Kittle of Schodack Yeoman in £200 Nicholas Van Valkenburgh of the same place Yeoman in £200 Jacobus A. Moll of D? £200 Johannis Kittle of Bail in £200 Johannis J. Mullerof D? . . . .Bail in £200 Adjourned — Met Albany i8 l . h July 1780 jSy°i&. Present |ohn M. Beeckman \ j Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer \ I Mathew Visscher Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 463 James Robbins appearing before the Board according to 1780 notification ordered that he appear as soon as possible with ^ uly 1 a sufficient person as his surety to enter into a recognizance — James Akins having been heretofore bound by recog- nizance and appearing this day according to order with Neil M c Neil as his surety — Ordered that he enter into a recognizance of anew for his future good behaviour and appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there unto required during the continuance of the present war [161] with Great Britain — James Atkins of Pits Town in the County of Albany Yeoman in £100 Neil M c NeiI of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Yeoman his Bail in. £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 19* July 1780- Jf g^ Present John M. Beeckman ) j Isaac D. Fonda Mathew Visscher \ ( Samuel Stringer Martin Galer having been heretofore bound by recog- nizance and appearing this day according to notification to enter into a new recognizance — Resolved that he enter into the same for his future good behaviour and appearance before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Martin Galer of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in . . . . £100 John Shaver of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 4 1 •* . > < Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Samuel Stringer ) ( Received a Letter from Hugh Mitchell Esq^ dated this day at Schenectady informing that a number of tories have been apprehended and brought to that [163] place and requesting a copy of the oath to be taken by the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies in order that Ryneir Mynderse & Abraham Outhout Esq- who have been lately appointed to that Office might be Qualified — Ordered in consequence of the said Letter that a copy of the oath be made out & transmitted to the said Hugh Mitchell and that the said Commissioners be requested from time to time to transmit to this Board such information as they may receive & that this Board will afford them every assistance in their Power towards carrying into Execution such plans as they may think expedient to adopt to promote the public good — Adjourned — Met Albany 22^ July 1780— Ju7^ 2 Present John M. Beeckman ^ ( T . , T7 . n , f \ Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Isaac D. fonda V < n , n . ._ ... . [ Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher J I. Jacob Kidney the door Keeper appearing informed us that agreeable to the warrant of this Board he had appre- hended George Rodgers ordered that he be confined and hat a Mittimus be made out for him — John Nightingale having been apprehended by order of this Board as a disaffected person ordered that a mittimus be made out for him — 466 State of New York 1780 Board of Commissioners who by a resolution of this july 22. . ' . Board were to meet at Newtown or Stillwater having re- turned reported that the[y] had on the 19- Instant opened a Board at Stillwater which they had continued untill the [164] 20 th Instant and that they had on the first day of the said Meeting Sent for Major's Taylor and Dickerson to consult what Persons to send for to be examined and which to apprehend — That upon consultation they agreed to summons Elias Delong, Flemon Higby, Barent Van Der Werken, William Williams, Jotham Bemus, John Bemus, Richard Collins, and Moses Hunter and accordingly made out summons's and delivered them to Major Taylor that they made out a warrant to apprehend Jacob Heemstraet, John Rose and Nathaniel James directed to Lieu- Joseph Cook and delivered to Major Taylor — That they examined the following persons (to wit) Moses Hunter, Jotham Bemus, Jaddiah Millard, William Williams, Peter Van Camp, Jacob Heemstraet, Flemon Higby, Marytie Scut, Barent Van Der Werken, Robert Todd, and Amos Moore and reduced their Examinations to writing and that they are in the following words (to wit) (see Examinations on the file) — That on the second day of said meeting being the 20^? Instant they had bound the following Persons in Recog- nizance's for their good behaviour doing their duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Stephen Hooper of New Town Farmer in.. . £100 Simon Van Camp of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 John Hooper of New Town Farmer in £100 Francis Waggoner of the same place Farmer his Bail in ; £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 467 [165] Joseph Devall of New Town Farmer in. £100 jSyn Stephen Hooper of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Joseph Conklin of New Town Farmer in. . . £100 Dirck Heemstraet Juni of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 James Conklin of New Town Farmer in. . . . £100 Dirck Heemstraet of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 John A. Conklin of New Town Farmer in. . £100 William Bartin of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Peter Van Campen of New Town Farmer in £100 Hendrick Brevoort of the same place Farmer his Bail in £ 50 Stephen Ladue of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £ 50 John Vincent of New Town Farmer in £100 Nicholas Teachout of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Amos Moore of New Town Farmer in £300 William Williams Jun- of New Town Farmer in £100 Williams Williams of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Ordered that a Letter 1 be wrote to his Excellency Gov- ernor Clinton inclosing him a copy of Peter Van Campen's Examination taken at Newtown which letter is in the fol- lowing words (to wit) (see draught Letter on the file) Adjourned — • In George Clinton Papers, no. 3094, archives of New York State Library 468 State of New York 1780 Met Albany 23 d July 1780 — July 23. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c , c • t r» f 1 Samuel Stringer Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Received a letter from Hugh Mitchell, Ryneir Mynderse, and Abraham Outhout Esq- Commissioners for Conspira- cies at Schenectady dated the 22- Instant wherein [166] they inform us that they send under Guard fourteen Persons some of whom they have had apprehended on their way to the enemy and others had forwarded and supplied them with provisions whose names are as follows Viz- Josepfh] Warner, Jacob Ball, John Ball, Peter Snyder, Christian Sea, Chris- topher Warner, Nicholas Sea, Andrew Loucks, Richard Scher- merhorn, Bartholemew Schermerhorn, Jacob Seybert, George Shamon, Frederick Wheeler, and John Broacham, which Let- ter is in the following words, (to wit) (see letter on the file) — Ordered that a Mittimus be made out for the above men- tioned Persons — Received also another letter from the said Commissioners dated at Schenectady 22— Instant wherein they inform us that they also send to us under Guard three other Persons who they have caused to be apprehend[ed] whose names are Jacob Man, William Loucks, and John Jost Warner which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (see letter on file) Ordered that a Mittimus be made out for them It having been suggested to this Board that James Lud- low who last Winter came from New York and is at present at Kinderhook by his conduct gives great reason to suspect that he is guilty of some evil Practice against the State therefore ordered that a Letter be wrote to Major Isaac Goes at Kinderhook requesting him immediately to send to this Board the said James Ludlow — Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 469 Met Albany 24^? July 1780 Present r 1 6t1 John M. Beeckman ) ( r , « . t 1-17 ™ f ) • = » amue i Stringer Jeremiah Van Rensselaer 1 ' Whereas frequent complaints have been made by sundry of the well affected inhabitants of this County that John Partherton, William Lees, and Ann Standerren, by their conduct and conversation disturb the publick peace and are dailv dissuading the friends to the American cause from taking up Arms in defence of their Liberties — Therefore ordered that a warrant be made out to Jacob Kidney forthwith to apprehend the said John Partherton, William Lees, and Ann Standerren and bring them before us and that he be authorized in case of any resistance to call to his assistance such a number of men as he may conceive necessary to carry the said warrant into Execution — The Board having received information that Thomas Wood Jun- who has been concerned in a number of rob- beries is lately come from New York and is now in and about his place of abode — Thereupon resolved that a letter be wrote to Cap^ Jacob De Freest 1 requesting him to collect a Party of Men and endeavour to apprehend the said Thomas Wood JunT — Adjourned — Met Albany 25^ July 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) Samuel Stringer ) 1780 July 24. 1780 July 25. Isaac D. Fonda W T illiam Davis appeared before the Board and informed us that in conversation with Mathewis Van Valkenburgh 1 De Forest. 47o State of New York *ly 8 ° 5 1*68] the said Valkenburgh professed himself a subject to King George and that he intended to remain so and said that his cause was a just one — Ordered that the above information be reduced to writing and that the same be taken into consideration It having been suggested to the Board by Lieu- Col- Henry K Van Rensselaer that David Henry formerly an Officer in Col- Livingston's Regiment and now residing at the New City is able to give some very material Information concerning Abraham Ja: Lansing and some other disaffected Persons — It is therefore resolved that a Citation be made out for the said David Henry to appear forthwith before this Board and that the said Citation be sent to Cap- Christopher Till- man at New City in order to its being served — Adjourned — Met Albany 26 l . h July 1780 Present lohn M. Beeckman ) ( T j J , n . r 1 * saac D. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( Jacob Kidney appeared before the Board and informed us that he had agreeable to the warrant issued to him on the 24^ Instant apprehended John Partherton, William Lees, Ann Standerren and that he had also apprehended James Whiteacre, Calven Harlow, and Mary Parthington, whom he found in Company with them and it appearing that they have also been guilty of the like Practices with the above named Persons — [169] It is therefore resolved that they be severally interro- gated whether they are principled against taking up Arms in defence of the American cause and whether thev have not endeavoured to influence other persons against taking up 1780 July 26. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 471 arms to which Questions they having severally answered in r .7*° , . July 2< the affirmative resolved thereupon that they be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them — Received a Letter 1 from his Excellency Governor Clinton dated Poughkeepsie the 24- Instant which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (see Letter on file) James Bramley appeared before the Board & informed us that he had been ordered by the Commissioners for Con- spiracies at Schenectady to remove his family to this place and Surrender himself up to this Board and he in Conse- quence of the said order appearing this day and avowing his principles as a person disaffected to the American cause — Therefore ordered that the said James Bramley be informed that it is the determination of this Board that he procure by Friday next a Freeholder to become his Surety for his good Behaviour and appearance before us when called upon — Adjourned — Present Met Albany 27^ July 1780 — July 27. [ I John M. Beeckman da ) ( David Henry agreeable to the Citation sent to Cap- Christopher Tillman this day appearing ordered [170] that he be examined as to the conduct of John Todd and John Gibson who are now confined in Goal — The said David Henry being Examined saith as follows (to wit) (see Examination on file) Ordered thereupon that the said David Henry be discharged — Adjourned — 1 In George Clinton Papers, no. 3094, archives of New York State Librart 472 State of New York i78o g Met Albany 28^ July 1780 — J y 2 ' Present John M. Beeckman ) ( TT , , T . , .. i , n . \ \ Hugh Mitchell Samuel Stringer ) ( Hugh Mitchell Esq r laid before the Board the examina- tions of the prisoners sent to Goal by the Schenectady Com- missioners ordered that the same be filed — A Letter was laid before the Board from Philip Pell Esq- Commissary of State Prisoners dated 30- June 1780 respecting Henry Van Schaack, David Van Schaack, Lam- bert Burgert, Mathew Goes Jun^, John D. Goes, and Dirck Gardinier which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (see letter on file) Ordered that the Subject of the above Letter be taken into Consideration — It having been suggested to this Board that Simon Viele of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck is able to give some very material information respecting Peter Cohoon who was some time ago committed as a spy from the enemy Ordered therefore that he be sent for and examined — Simon Viele appearing agreeable to order [171] and being examined under oath saith as follows (see Examination on file) Ordered that the said Simon Viele enter into a Recog- nizance to appear at the next supream Court of Judicature to be held at the City Hall in this City on the third Tues- day in October next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held) to testify to such Matters as he may know concerning Peter Cohoon and not to depart the Court with- out Leave — Simon Viele of the west District of .Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £400 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 473 It being the Opinion of this Board that the imprisonment *78o of Peter Ten Broeck and William Bowen Prisoners of war (who have been heretofore released from confinement by a former Board of Commissioners for Conspiracies) will tend to expedite their Exchange — Therefore resolved that an Order be made out & sent to them to appear before us on Monday the 7— day of August next — Adjourned — Met Albany 2a! h July 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T T ^ ~ , ■J , [ ] Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Samuel Baker residing in the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck being suspected of having a connection with some disaffected inhabitants of this County was ordered to appear before the Board on his appearing and being examined under Oath and declaring himself [172] innocent of the charge therefore ordered that he be discharged — Peter Seeger was sent for on information given to this Board that he is able to give some Material Evidence con- cerning Peter Cohoon who is now confined in Goal as a spy from the Enemy — Ordered that he be examined and that his Examination be reduced to writing which is in the words following (to wit) (See Examination on file) Ordered also that the said Peter Seeger enter into a Re- cognizance to appear at the next supream Court of Judicature to be held at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in October next (or wheresoever the said Court shall be held) to give Evidence on the Part of the people of this State and not to depart the Court without leave — 1780 July 29. 474 State of New York 1780 Peter Seeger of the west District of the July 29. Manor of Rensselaerwyck Labourer in. £400 — Adjourned — jjgfjo Met Albany 30 th July 1780 — Present Teremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( T ^ ~ . im 1 T7- 1 f 1 Isaac D. fonda Mathew Visscher ) ( Information having been exhibited to this Board by Gerrit Heyer of this City that on Wednesday last three men came up the River in a Batteau one of whom he supposed to be Thomas Man the other the son of Patrick Ryan living on the Green Island both of which persons have been with the Enemy for some time past and there being a probability of the said persons being at the House of [173] the said Patrick Ryan — Therefore ordered that a Letter be wrote to Cap- Christo- pher Tillman requesting him to take a Party of Men and endeavour to apprehend them — Lucas Moore of Saragtoga having about a Year since made his escape from the Goal in this City where he was confined for having been with the Enemy and being apprehended & brought before us on a suspicion of guiding a Party of Tories from Newtown who were on their way to join the Enemy and he professing himself a Prisoner of war there- fore ordered that he be confined and that a mittimus be made out to the Sheriff" to take him into his Custody — Adjourned — i 7 8o Met Albany 31 st July 1780 July ax. Present lohn M. Beeckman ) \ c , ~ . j I ] Samuel Stringer Isaac U. fonda ) ( Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 475 Agreeable to the request made by this Board to Major j u jy 8 °j Isaac Goes of Kinderhook on the 23 d instant to send to us for Examination James Ludlow and the said James Lud- low appearing and being Examined and having satisfied the Board that the charges alledged against him are without Foundation it is therefore ordered that he be discharged — The Board proceeded to the consideration of an Affidavit of Susannah Parie taken before Johannis Van Deusen Esq r . wherein the said Susannah Parie charges Angus M- Donald and Doctor Thompson of Livingston's Manor with having harboured British Officers from Canada on their [174] way to New York and secreting persons who had been concerned in Robberies which affidavit was transmitted to the former Board of Commissioners for Conspiracies — Resolved on Consideration of the said Affidavit that Citations be made out for the said Doctor Thompson & Angus McDonald to appear before this Board on Monday the seventh day of August next and that the said Citations be inclosed in a Letter and sent to Johannis Van Dusen EsqT requesting him to have them served on the said McDonald and Doctor Thompson — Application was made to the Board by John Lansing Jun- Esq?" in favour of Robert Adams of Johnstown now confined in Goal by an order of this Board requesting his liberation — Ordered that he be informed that the Board cannot in the present critical situation of Public affairs consent to his Enlargement — Isaac D. Fonda Esq^ informed the Board that he has received information that Andrew Bowman, John F. Cluet, Hendrick Kerkner, Jacob Kerkner, and a certain man named Frederick a step son of Michael Huff all residing 476 State of New York T ,78o i n t j ie West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck are lily 31. J preparing to go Off and join the Enemy — Resolved in Consequence of the said Information that a warrant be made out directed to Cap- Ostrum Authorizing him forthwith to apprehend the said persons and bring them before us — Adjourned — [175] Met Albany I st August 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) \ c , p . \ \ bamuel btnnger Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Richard Langley a Prisoner of war taken at Stoney point who was some time ago confined in Goal by Richard Esselstyne EsqJ was brought before the Board and examined his Examination is in the following words (to wit) (see examination on file) The Board taking into consideration the Letter received from Philip Pell Esq^ Commissary of state Prisoners on the 28- Ultimo do in consequence thereof — Resolve that an order be made out and sent to Henry Van Schaack, David Van Schaack, Lambert Burghert, Mathew Goes Jun^ John D. Goes, and Dirck Gardinier to prepare and hold themselves in readiness to be removed to the Goal in Goshen in Orange County by the 15- day of this month where they are to remain as Prisoners untill exchanged for some of the inhabitants of this State at present in the power of the Enemy — Also resolved that an order be sent to Peter Ten Broeck who was liberated from his confinement by the former Board of Commissioners for Conspiracies to prepare him- self and be in readiness on the 15- day of this month 1780 Aug. 1. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 477 to be removed to the Goal in Goshen in the County of *78o Orange — Doctor George Smith of this City being charged with forwarding Peter Cohoon a spy from the Enemy through the Country and the said Peter Cohoon having under Oath [176] charged him therewith — It is therefore ordered that Jacob Kidney be ordered forthwith to apprehend the said George Smith and convey him to the Goal in this City and that the Goaler be ordered to take him into his Custody and closely confine him — Adjourned - — Met Albany 2 n ^ August 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher \ I Jeremiah Van Rensselaer A Letter from Philip Pell Esq^ Commissary of state Prisoners was laid before the Board dated Poughkeepsie 27^ Ultimo wherein he request's us to cause Henry Van Schaack, David Van Schaack, Cornelius Van Schaack, Lambert Burghart, John D. Goes, Mathew Goes Jun- Dirck Gardineir, Sc Jacob Legrange, to be sent down to Fishkill under the care of an Officer of the levies which letter is in the following words (to wit) (see letter on file) — Ordered in consequence of the said letter that the resolu- tions of this Board of Yesterday with respect to Henry Van Schaack, David Van Schaack, Lambert Burghart, John D. Goes, Mathew Goes Jun- and Dirck Gardineir be rescinded and that they be severally ordered to appear before us on Saturday the fifth instant — Also resolved that the resolution of Yesterday with respect 1780 Aug. 2 47 8 State of New York r 78o to Peter Ten Broeck be and is hereby rescinded and that .Ug. 2. . J the said Peter Ten Broeck be ordered to appear before this Board on Monday the 7* h day of August Instant — [177] Resolved that an Order be sent to Major Zadock Wright (a Prisoner of war who was confined by this Board to Kings District) to appear before us on Saturday the 5 — Instant in order that he may be removed to Fishkill to be there delivered over to Philip Pell Esq 1 : Commissary of State Prisoners to be exchanged — Resolved also that an order be sent to Martin Crum of Claverack who refused to take the oath tendered agreeable to an act of the Legislature of this State to persons of Neutral and Equivocal characters to appear before this Board on monday the 7— instant in order that he may be removed to Fishkill to be there delivered over to the Commissary of State Prisoners — Andries Stoll who was some time ago committed to Goal as a dangerous and disaffected person was brought before the Board and we having certain information that his wife is in a very distressed situation without the benefit of any aid or assistance and expecting shortly to be brought to bed the Board do therefore on Consideration thereof resolve that the said Andries Stoll be released from his confinement on his entering into a Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his appearance when called upon by any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies and for his good Behaviour and doing his duty as a good and faithfull subject of the State during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain Andries Stoll of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Blacksmith in £100 Abram Robison of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 479 It having appeared to the Board that Alexander Outhout A *g 8o 2 who was confined by the Magistrates of this [178] City for attempting to go off and join the Enemy was persuaded thereto by Doctor Johnson and others and that no danger is to be apprehended from him on account of his Youth & inexperience; therefore ordered that he be released on Alexander Bulson entering into a recognizance for the said Alexander Outhout's appearing before this Board when called upon & for his good behaviour and doing his duty as a good and faithful subject of the State during the con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain and also for his appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held at the City Hall in this City on the third Tues- day in October next and not to depart the Court without Leave — Alexander Bulson of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck on Recognizance as Bail for Alexander Outhout in £100 The Board having received information that Doctor George Smith who was Yesterday confined by order of this Board is dangerously ill and that a continuance of his present confinement may endanger his life — It is therefore ordered that he be discharged on his entering into a Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his appear- ance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required and for his good Behaviour untill discharged by this Board — ■ George Smith of the City of Albany Phy- sician in £100 Patrick Smith of the same place Merchant his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 4 -< T r\ t? j i/r Isaac D. Jbonda Mathew Visscher j { A Letter from Doctor George Smith dated the 7- instant was laid before the Board wherein he request's to be sent to New York or exchanged which letter is in the following words (to wit) (see letter on file) Ordered that he be informed that the subject of his Letter will be taken into Consideration at some future day — It having been represented to this Board that James Halstead of Nistageuna is a Person who is disaffected to the American cause and that he has harboured and secreted persons going over to the Enemy — Therefore resolved that a warrant be made out directed to John Tillman to apprehend the Said James [183] Halstead and forthwith bring him before us — Resolved that John Ostrander be liberated from Confine- ment on his entering into a recognizance for his future good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Ostrander of Newtown in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Jacob Heemstraet of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 4 8 4 State of New York Aug 8 °8 ^ navm 8 been represented to this Board that it will be necessary for Henry Van Schaack, David Van Schaack and Mathew Goes JunI to be down at Fishkill at an earlier day than is specified by their Parole therefore resolved that they be ordered to be at Fishkill on the 20- n instant — The Board having received information that there is at present at Newtown a Person who is industriously circulating reports through the Country tending to injure the American cause which Person is a son in Law to John Concklin — Resolved that Major Ezekiel Taylor be requested to have him apprehended forthwith and sent to us — Adjourned — *78o Met Albany 9^ August 1780 — Ug " 9 ' Present John M. Beeckman j I Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer > < Hugh Mitchell Isaac D. Fonda ) { Jeremiah Van Rensselaer [184] Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Philip Pell Esq r Commissary of State Prisoners respecting Henry Van Schaack, David Van Schaack, and other prisoners of war which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (see letter on file) Richard Schermerhorn of Schenectady who was confined by the Commissioners of that place for being concerned with a party that intended to go off and join the enemy was brought before the Board and on his Examination appearing candid and open in his answers to the Questions proposed to him — Therefore resolved that he be liberated from confinement on his entering into a recognizance with a sufficient suretv for his good behaviour doing his duty when required and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when called for during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 485 Richard Sehermerhorn of Schenectady La- 1780 . . J r Aug. 9. bourer in /6500 Jacob Sehermerhorn of the same place Farmer his Bail in ^,500 Resolved that Christian Sea be liberated from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Christian Sea of the Bever Dam in the County of Albany Farmer on recognizance in £100 William Dietz of the Hellebergh in the County aforesaid Farmer his Bail in £100 [185] John Tillman appeared before the Board and informed us that he had apprehended James Halstead agreeable to our warrant issued on the 10- instant and that he had him ready to produce to us, whereupon resolved that the said James Halstead be examined his Examination is in the following words (to wit) (See Examination on file) — Adjourned — Met Albany August 1780 , / o / Aug. 10. rresent John M. Beeckman ) j Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) { Mathew Visscher Resolved that Christian Cray be liberated from his con- finement on entering into a recognizance with a surety for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — 486 State of New York x 7So Christian Cray of the East District of the Ug. 10. J Mano[r] of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . £100 Archilaus Lynd of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Bartholemew Schermerhorn of Schenectady who was confined by order of the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Schenectady was brought before the Board and Hugh Mitchell Esq- one of the said Commissioners being of opinion that the said Bartholemew Schermerhorn may with safety be liberated from Confinement — Therefore resolved that he be discharged on entering into a recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good behavi- [i 86] our doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Bartholemew Schermerhorn of Schenectady Farmer in £500 Ryer Schermerhorn of the same place Farmer his Bail in £500 Frederick Weller of the District of Schenectady having also been confined by the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Schenectady was brought before the Board ordered that he be discharged on entering into a recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain Frederick Weller of the District of Sche- nectady Labourer in £200 Johannis Weller of the same place Farmer his Bail in £200 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies Resolved that John Broachim be liberated from confine- J 78o ment on entering into a Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Broachim of the District of Schenectady Farmer in £200 Ryer Schermerhorn of the same place Farmer his Bail in £200 Johannis Weller of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £200 Adjourned — [187] Met Albany 11^ August 1780 — a£*Ji Present John M. Beeckman ") ( c , c . t • 1 T7 r» 1 ' 1 Samuel Stringer eremiah Van Rensselaer > •< T ta j ~ 11 Isaac D. J^onda Mathew visscher ' { Abraham Jacob Lansing appeared before this Board according to our order resolved that he enter into a recog- nizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appear- ing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Abraham Jacob Lansing of Lansingburgh in the County of Albany Farmer in £500 Jacob Van Derheyden of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck his Bail in £500 D- Joseph Young appeared before the Board and informed us that he had received information from James Marr of 488 State of New York 1780 this City that a certain Peter Seeger who is now in Town Aug. 11. J . , has mentioned some circumstances respecting the attack of the enemy at Schohary from which he is led to suppose that the said Peter Seeger has connection with the Enemy — Therefore ordered that Jacob Kidney immediately appre- hend the said Peter Seeger and bring him before us — Peter Seeger being brought before us and examined as to the above informed us in what manner he had received his information and the same being satisfactory ordered that he be discharged — Resolved that Samuel Stringer Esq 1 ; be requested to propose John Tillman Jun- to raise and take the command of [188] a Ranger Company to be under the direction of this Board — William Pemberton who is charged with harbouring and forwarding through the country Peter Cohoon a spy from the Enemy appeared before the Board according to our order and as the proof in support of the above charge is not so full as to render his confinement necessary — Therefore ordered that he enter into a Recognizance with sufficient sureties for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain — William Pemberton of the City of Albany Marriner in £500 William Charles of the same place Butcher his Bail in £250 Wheeler Douglass of the same place Inn- keeper also his Bail in £250 Resolved that George Shannon be liberated from confine- ment on entering into a recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 489 called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — George Shannon of the District of Schenec- tady Farmer in £200 Johannis Shoemaker of the same place Farmer his Bail in £200 John Nightingale who was confined for making use of expressions tending to injure the American cause and being of a suspicious character was brought before the Board and it appearing that his Family are greatly distressed by the [189] means of his confinement — Therefore ordered that the said John Nigh[t]ingale be liberated from his confinement on entering into a recog- nizance with a sufficient surety for his appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon for his good behaviour doing his duty and remaining within the following Limits (to wit) to the north from his house to the Schenectady Road to the west to Veeder's Mill's to the south to the Norman's Creek and to the East to Hudson's River during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain unless called upon to do Militia duty — John Nightingale of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Yeoman in. . . . £100 Joshua Bloore of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany I2^ h August 1780 . i? 80 Present John M. Beeckman ( , ir u J m Mathew Visscher Jeremiah Van Rensselaer V < c , c • -' I Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) { 49Q State of New York Aug. 12. 1780 Resolved that Jacob Sybert be discharged from his con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing when called upon before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Jacob Sybert of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Labourer in £100 Peter Radliff of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Peter Snyder be liberated from Con- [190] finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Peter Snyder of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Labourer in £100 Hendrick Snyder of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 The Board having received certain information that William True for whose appearance Col 1 . Abraham Van Alstyne became surety is gone off to the Enemy — Resolved that an order be made out to Col 1 - Van Alstyne to deliver up the said William True or pay the Amount of the recognizance by him entered into for the said William True — Resolved that John Boyd who is surety for William M^Auley deliver up the said M-Auley in fourteen days from this day — The Board having received information that John Rodliff and Arent RodlifF for whom Rykert RodlifF became surety Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies have refused to do Militia duty whereby they have forfeited , T 78o . Aug. i their Recognizance's therefore resolved that the said Rykeri Rodliff their Bail appear before this Board on Wednesday next to shew cause why the said Recognizance's should not be put in Suit — It having been suggested to us that George Keneir of this City is able to give information respecting several persons that have lately gone off and joined the Enemy and the said George Keneir being sent for appeared was examined & then discharged — [191] Resolved that Doctor George Smith and Joshua Bloore be ordered to deliver up to this Board on or before the 19- day of August instant Ebenezer Knap, Elisha Marsh, Nicholas Schuyler, Nathan Lull & Joseph Lull for whose appearance when called upon the said George Smith and Joshua Bloore have become surety — Resolved also that Joshua Bloore be ordered to deliver up to this Board on or before the 19 th day of August instant Barnabas Loughley for whose appearance the said Joshua Bloore is surety — Resolved that James Caldwell deliver up to this Board on or before the 19- day of August instant Duncan MrCon- nelly and John Maginness for whose appearance before us when called upon he has become surety — Also further resolved that Lewis Fotie deliver up Henry J. Mesick on or before the 19- day of August instant agree- able to the Tenor of his Recognizance — Adjourned — Met Albany 13^ August 1780 1780 Present Au e- J - Tohn M. Beeckman ) i c , P . \ . > -j Samuel Stringer Ma the w Visscher ) ( State of New York Aug S °3 Andries Bronck and [blank] "Wells appeared before the Board and informed us that being out on a scout by order of Col! Van Bergen towards Beesink they had taken Prisoner a certain John Sheerman whom they suspected to be a spy from the Enemy and one of those Tories who have some time ago infested that part of the Country with continual Robberies and the said John Sheerman being brought in and examined says that he comes from Fishkill and was when he was apprehended [192] on his way to his Family who live near Schenectady Ordered that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned A J? 8 ° 4> Met Albany 14* August 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( , n . r, , _.. , > < bamuel btnnger Mathew Visscher ) ( Andries Loucks one of the Prisoners now confined in Goal by the Schenectady Commissioners was brought before the Board and Examined ordered that he be recommitted — Resolved that Johan Jost Warner be liberated from con- finement on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appearing before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain and also for his appearance at the next supream Court of Judicature to be held on the third Tuesday in October next at the City Hall in this City (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held) and not depart the Court without leave — Johan Jost Warner of Schohary Farmer in. . £100 Christian Weaver of the same place Farmer his Bail in , £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 493 Resolved that the said Tohan Tost Warner enter into a . '78o r . Aug. 1 recognizance for the appearance of his wife Margaret Warner at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held on the third Tuesday in October next at the City Hall in this City (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held) and not to depart the Court without leave — Johan Jost Warner of Schohary Farmer on Recog c as Bail for his wife Margaret Warner in £200 Adjourned [193] Met Albany 15^? August 1780 A I78 ° Present John M. Beeckman ) j Isaac D. Fonda Mathew Visscher j { Samuel Stringer Resolved that Robert Adams be discharged from confine- ment on his entering into a recognizance with sufficient sureties for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Robert Adams of Johnstown in Tryon County Merchant in £200 Thomas Shipboy of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 James Caldwell of the same place also his Bail in £100 Resolved that Leonard Weger be liberated from confini- ment on entering into a recognizance with a surety for his future good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies wheneve[r] 494 State of New York Aug 8 °5 Ca ^ ec ^ u P on during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Leonard Weger of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 Jurie Francisko of Cooksborough in the County of Albany Farmer his Bail in. . . . £100 The Board having received information that Christopher Hutt of the Bever Dam who is now in this City is by his conduct and conversation daily endeavouring to injure the American cause therefore resolved that he be immediately apprehended by the door Keeper & confined & that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned — A l 7 8o 6 [194] Met Albany 16- August 1780 Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) f T r j . > i Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer J (. Resolved that an order be made out directed to Arent N. Van Patten who became Bail for the appearance of Johannis Staring of Tryon County to deliver up to this Board the said Johannis Staring on or before the 26- day of August instant — Rykert Rodliff being on the 12- instant cited to appear before the Board to shew cause why the Recognizance entered into by the said Rykert RodlifF for his sons Arent RodlifF and John RodlifF should not be put in suit as they the said Arent and John RodlifF refused to do Militia duty and the said Rykert RodlifF appearing and denying the charge alledged against his sons therefore resolved that the said Arent RodlifF & John RodlifF appear before this Board Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 495 on Friday the 18- day of August instant in order that they . T 78o may be examined as to the same — James Halstead having on his examination informed the Board that a certain Samuel Kid or Tid living with John Duncan near Schenectady is able to give some very Material information respecting Letters received by the said John Duncan from the Enemy — Resolved that a letter be wrote to Cap^ Hendrick Ostrum to have the said Samuel Kid apprehended and brought before us as soon as possible that he may be Examined as to the above — Adjourned — [195] Met Albany 17- August 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) f T ^ t- j ■i . > < Isaac D. .Fonda Samuel Stringer J (. Resolved that Joachim Van Slyck of Claverack who became surety for the appearance of Bartholemew Van Valkenburgh before this Board when called upon deliver up the said Bartholemew Van Valkenburgh on or before the 23- day of August instant — Lewis Fotie agreeable to the order of the 12 instant appeared before the Board with Henry J. Mesick — Resolved that the said Henry J. Mesick enter into a recognizance of anew for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Henry J. Mesick of the District of Claverack Farmer in £500 Lewis Fotie of the City of Albany Baker his Bail in £500 1780 Aug. 17. 49 6 State of New York 1780 Resolved that Tacob M. Vosburgh of Claverack District Aug. 17. J o who became surety for Dirck Vosburgh's appearance before this Board when called upon deliver up the said Dirck Vosburgh on or before the 23- day of August instant — Resolved that Peter Van Valkenburgh of Claverack District who became surety for Hendrick Skinkle's appear- ance before this Board when called upon deliver up the said Hendrick Skinkle on or before the 23- day of August instant — The Board being of opinion that John Kluck of this City is a dangerous and disaffected person and that his going at large may prove of dangerous consequences to the safety [196] of the State therefore resolved that Jacob Kidney be ordered forthwith to apprehend the said John Kluck and confine them — There being reason to suspect that John M'rDole, Colin Farguson & Peter Muir of this City are knowing and accessary to several persons going off to the enemy there- fore resolved that they be immediately sent for — John McDonald, Colin Farguson, & Peter Muir appearing were examined on oath and returning Satisfactory Answers to the Questions proposed they were discharged — Adjourned — i 7 8o Met Albany 18^ August 1780 Aug. 18. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) { Mathew Visscher Rykert Radliff agreeable to the order of the 16- instant appeared before the Board with his sons Arent Radliff and John Radliff. Resolved that the above mentioned John Radliff enter into a Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 497 behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three aJJ 8 ^ of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Radliff of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Labourer in £200 Rykert Radliff of the same place Farmer his Bail in £200 The above mentioned Arent Radliff being under age resolved that his Father Rykert Radliff enter into [197] a Recognizance for him the same in every respect with that entered into by his Brother John Radliff — Rykert Radliff of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer on Recognizance as Bail for his son Arent Radliff in £200 Resolved that Jacob Halenbeeck Jun' of Klinkenbergh be ordered forthwith to appear before the Board with a sufficient surety to enter into a Recognizance of anew — Resolved that Philip Cook, Peter Livingston Jun- , Wil- helmas Dillenbeeck, and Jacob Fraligh be ordered to appear before this Board on the 24- day of August instant agreeable to the Tenor of their several Recognizance's — Adjourned — Met Albany 19^ August 1780 Aug 8 !* Present John M. Beeckman ) ( „ . . r, . TT . > i Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ( 6 Resolved that a letter be wrote to Hugh Mitchell Esq r one of the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Schenectady 498 State of New York Aug 8 % rec l uest i n g him to send down to this Board William Bowen a Prisoner of war in order to his being sent down to the Com- missary of state Prisoners for the purpose of an Exchange — Bartholemewis Van Valkenburgh appearing according to order to enter into a new Recognizance resolved that he be bound for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Bartholemewis Van Valkenburgh of the Dis- trict of Kinderhook Farmer in £200 [198] Joachim Van Slyck of the same place Farmer his Bail in £200 Information having been exhibited to this Board from which they are of opinion that Isaac Ostrander of the Helle- bergh is a dangerous and disaffected person and that by his conversation he endeavours daily to injure the American cause and he having been cited to appear before us appearing this Day — Resolved that he be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Dirck Vosburgh of the District of Claverack having been ordered to appear before us to enter into a recognizance of anew and appearing this day agreeable to order — Resolved that he be bound for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain — Dirck Vosburgh of the District of Claverack Farmer in £200 Resolved that a citation be made out directed to Doctor Thompson and Angus McDonald of the Manor of Living- Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 499 ston to appear before this Board on the 24- day of August A l g S ° I9 instant to answer the charges alledged against them in an Affidavit of Susannah Parie taken before Johannis Van Deusen Esq r and that Cap- Robison of Claverack District be requested to deliver the said citation to any Constable of Livingston's Manor to have the same served — John Decker Robison of Claverack District appeared before the Board with John Smith for whose appearance before us when called uppon he some time since became surety — [199] Resolved that the said John Smith enter into a Recognizance of anew for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continu- ance of the present war with Great Britain and also for his remaining within the Limits of Livingston's Manor unless he shall be called upon to do Militia duty or obtain permis- sion from this Board to leave the same and for his appear- ing before us on the 14- day of October next — John Smith of Livingston's Manor Labourer in £1000 John Decker Robison of Claverack District his Bail in £1000 Resolved that Thomas Weger be liberated from confine- ment on Samuel Kitcham's entering into a recognizance for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies whenever there- unto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Samuel Kitchim of Lansingburgh Farmer on Recognizance as Bail for Thomas Weeger in £100 Adjourned — State of New York 1780 Met Albany 22- August 1780 Aug. 22. n 7 6/ 6 Present John M. Beeckman | ( Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda j \ Samuel Stringer Resolved that William Loucks be liberated from Con- finement on his entering into a Recognizance with a suffi- cient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the [200] present war with Great Britain — William Loucks of Schohary Farmer in £100 Peter Borst of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that a letter be wrote to Lieu- Col- Henry K. Van Rensselaer requesting him to furnish this Board with a List of the Names of the Persons who are able to prove the charges alledged against Thomas Blewer now confined in Goal Adjourned 1780 Met Albany 23^ August 1780 Aug - 23 " Present John M. Beeckman ) \ t t? j J y \ Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer J ( Mathew Van Valkenburgh having heretofore been bound by a Recognizance and having been cited to appear before this Board to enter into a Recognizance of a new and appear- ing agreeable to Order — Resolved that he enter into the same with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 501 vvhenevefrl thereunto required during the continuance of the i7*o present war with Lireat Britain — Mathew Van Valkenburgh of the East Dis- trict of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Blacksmith in £100 Hendrick Skinkle of Claverack District Blacksmith his Bail in £100 Hendrick Skinkle of Claverack having also been cited to appear before this Board to enter into Recognizance of anew and appearing agreeable to Order — [201] Resolved that he enter into a recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Hendrick Skinkle of Claverack District Blacksmith in £100 Mathew Van Valkenburgh of the East Dis- trict of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Blacksmith his Bail in £100 Information being exhibited to this Board that there is at present in this City a certain person who calls himself James Van Zant who there is the greatest reason to suspect is an Emissary from the Enemy — Whereupon resolved that the said Person be sent for & examined on his Examination he says he is last Come from Newport that he left Long Island about three Years ago that his Father has a farm there and that he was led by curiosity to see Albany and on his producing a proper Pass resolved that he be discharged — Adjourned — 502 State of New York Met Albany 24- August 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Isaac D. Fonda Mathew Visscher ) ( Samuel Stringer Jacob Man confined by the Commissioners for Con- spiracies at Schenectady was brought before the Board and as no direct proof has as yet been exhibited against him and he offering a good surety for his future good conduct — Therefore resolved that he enter into a recognizance for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the [202] Commissioners for Conspiracies whenever thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Jacob Man of Schohary Farmer in £200 William Man of the same place Farmer his Bail in £200 Philip Cook appearing before the Board according to order to enter into a Recognizance of anew — Resolved that he [be] bound for his good behaviour doing his duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain — Philip Cook of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Taylor in £100 Wilhelmas Dillenbagh of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Wilhelmas Dillenbagh appearing before the Board to enter into Recognizance of anew — Resolved that he enter into the same for his good behaviour v doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — 1780 Aug. 24. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 503 Wilhelmas Dillenbagh of the west District of 1780 . Aug. 2 the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . £100 Philip Cook of the same place Taylor his Bail in £100 On reading a Petition of Doctor George Smith setting forth his situation as to Health and circumstances and praying leave to go to Canada with his Family — Resolved that D- George Smith be informed that this Board are well acquainted with his State of health & have therefore no objections to his going to Canada but that it is not [203] in the power of this Board to grant him the Permission required and that an application of this nature ought to be made to his Excellency Governor Clinton — Adjourned — Met Albany 25; h August 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c , c • •L _ _ , . >■ K Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( fe A Certificate was laid before the Board signed by Nathan Pearce & several others of the Principal inhabitants of Fredericksborough in Dutchess County setting forth that D r James Muldrum is a friend to the American Cause and that he has behaved himself well for several years past — Resolved in Consequence of the said Certificate that Dun- can M^Dougall who became Bail for the said D[ James Muldrum be discharged from the recognizance by him entered into for the said James Muldrum — Resolved that citations be made out for John Cuppernull and John J. Vrooman of Tryon County to appear before Hugh Mitchell Esq^ at Schenectady on the sixth day of 1 7 So Aug. 25. 5°4 State of New York Aug 8 °5 September next to enter into Recognizance's for their appear- ance at the next supream Court and that the said citations be inclosed in a letter to the said Hugh Mitchell to be for- warded to them — Angus McDonald agreeable to the order of this Board of the 19- instant appeared this day before us — Resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned — Aug 8 °6 t 20 4] Met Albany 26^? August 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Mathew Visscher j { Samuel Stringer Resolved that Ann Standerren and Mary Partherton (who were some time ago confined for endeavouring to persuade the subjects not to take up arms in defence of the American cause) be sent down to the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Poughkeepsie for the purpose of their being removed within the Enemies Lines And that a letter with respect to them be wrote to the said Commissioners — The board having taken into consideration the applica- tion of Jacob A. Lansing to be liberated from confinement whereupon resolved that he be discharged from his said Confinement on his taking an Oath that he will not directly or indirectly by word or deed give or cause to be given any aid comfort or intelligence to any of the enemies or opposers of the united States of America and that he will make known to the Commissioners for Conspiracies all conspiracies that may be formed in this State against the liberties of America and of all treasonable actings or doings that may come to his Knowledge and entering into a recognizance with suffi- Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 505 cient sureties for his good Behaviour doing his duty and A J 78 ^ 6 appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Jacob A. Lansing of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in ... . £500 [205] Abraham Ja: Lansing of Lansingburgh Farmer his Bail in £250 William Liverse of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer also his Bail in £250 John Sherman was brought before the Board and Exam- ined who says he deserted from the Batteau Service at Fish Kill resolved that the Quarter Master General be requested to send him down to Fish Kill — Adjourned — Met Albany 28^? August 1780 Present John M. Beeckman | J Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher j ( Isaac D. Fonda John Nightingale who was on the II— instant released from confinement on entering into a Recognizance with Joshua Bloore as his surety appeared this day before the Board and requested that Abraham Veeder of the Norma[n]s Creek may be accepted as his Bail in the stead of the said Joshua Bloore — Whereupon Resolved that the said Joshua Bloore be discharged from his recognizance and that the said Abraham Veeder enter into a recognizance for the said John Nightin- gale's conforming to the Terms of the recognizance by him entered into on the said 1 1- day of August instant — 1780 Aug. 28. 506 State of New York 1780 Abraham Veeder of the Norma[nls Creek ug. 28. , ... Farmer as Bail for John Nigh[t]ingale in £100 William Bowen a prisoner of war on Parole having been cited to appear before the Board appeared this day according to order Resolved that he enter into Parole to proceed to Fish- [206] Kill and by the fourth day of September next there deliver himself up as a prisoner of war to Philip Pell Esq^ Commissary of state Prisoners which Parole is in the following words (to wit) (see Parole on file) Robert Davis having been cited to appear before this Board appeared resolved that he enter into a recognizance of anew for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Robert Davis of the Normans Kill School- master in £100 Volkert Veeder of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Whereas Dirck Gardineir, Lambert Burghart and John D. Goes of Kinderhook have been cited to appear before this Board at a certain day now past and have neglected to appear whereby they have severally broken their Parole Therefore resolved that a warrant be made out directed to John Tillman forthwith to apprehend and bring them before us — Martin Crom of Claverack District having also been cited to appear before this Board and not appearing agreeable to our order therefore resolved that the said John Tillman also apprehend the said Martin Crom and bring him before us — Received a letter from Mathew Adgate Esq- r dated King Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 507 District 27— instant inclosing several Examinations respecting A I78o g Major Zadock Wright which Letter and examinations are in the following words (to wit) (see letter and examinations on file) — [207] Received another Letter from Mathew Adgate Esq r dated 27- instant informing that he sends to us under Guard Samuel Johnson who is going about the Country & dissuading people from taking up Arms in defence of the American cause which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (see Letter on file) — Adjourned — Met Albany 29^ August 1780 Aug.%. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda j ( Samuel Stringer The Board having taken into consideration the Application of Jacob J. Truax to be liberated from confinement do thereupon resolve that he be discharged on his taking an Oath not to aid comfort or assist the enemies of the United States and to make known all Plots & conspiracies against this or any other of the United States of America & on his entering into a recognizance for his good behaviour doing his duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners of Con- spiracies whenever thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Jacob J. Truax of the City of Albany Inn- keeper in £500 Isaac Truax of the same place Innkeeper his Bail in £250 Johannis Wyngart of the same place Yeoman also his Bail in £250 5 o8 State of New York 1780 Joseph Hawkins, Thomas Yarns, William Ball and William Aug. 29. . 1 Griffen having been apprehended by Order of Albert Baker, John Moss & Noah Pain Esq- three of the Justices of [208] the peace for the County of Charlotte were brought before the , Board under Guard and it appearing from the charges trans- mitted by the said Justices that the said prisoners are dangerous & disaffected Persons and that they have been with the enemy — It is therefore resolved that they be committed and a mittimus be made out for them — Deborah Baker was brought before the board by Col- Henry K. Van Rensselaer as an evidence against Thomas Blewer and the said Deborah Baker being examined saith as follows (to wit) (see examination on file) Adjourned — 1780 Met August 30^? August 1780 Aug. 3 0, r> Present John M Beeckman ) ( Mathew visscher Samuel Stringer j ( An Act 1 for the Legislature of this State entitled " An Act 1 for the Removal of the Families of Persons who have joined the enemy passed if*, day of July 1780 was laid before the Board and as it is highly Necessary the said Act should be put into immediate Execution and as there are not a sufficient number of printed Copies for the different districts therefore ordered that the secretary to this Board make copies of the said Act for every district in this County and that the same be forthwith transmitted to the Justices of the said district in order that no delay may be occasioned in the Execution of K the same — Adjourned — 1 Appendix I: Laws, July 1, 1780. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 509 [209] Met Albany 31^ August 1780 Present John M. Beeckman f ( A/f , X7 . , J . < Matnew Yissch Samuel Stringer ' ( ]ohn Boyd Jun- appearing before the Board according to order for the purpose of entering into a recognizance of anew — Resolved that he enter into the same with a sufficient surety for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Boyd Jun- r of Balltown Millwright in. £100 John Holmes of the same place Farmer his Bail in £"100 Adjourned — Met Albany i l September 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda j 1 Samuel Stringer Received a letter from Hugh Mitchell Esq r dated the 20- August last respecting John Cuppernull and John J. Vrooman which is in the following words (to wit) (see letter on file) Agreeable to an order of this Board the following Persons appeared to enter into new recognizance's (to wit) Coenrad Clapper, David Finger, Martinus Schuck, Johannis Muller, Andries Rees, Andries Rees Jun- Johannis Tatter, Solomon Schutt, Nicholas Wheeler, Broer Witbeeck, Fite Miller, Johannis Shaver, Jacob Hoofman, William Schuck, 1780 Aug. 31. 1780 Sept. 1. State of New York ept°i Albartus Slemon, [210] Johannis Siemon, Jurie Lemon, & John Concklin — Resolved that they enter into the same and that they be severally bound for their good Behaviour doing their duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the con- tinuance ot the present war with Great Britain — v^oenracit v^-iapper 01 juivingston s ivianor £ 100 David Finger of the same place Farmer his £100 David Finger of Livingston's Manor Farmer £100 Coenradt Clapper ot the same place farmer his Bail in £100 Martinus bchuck ot Livingston s Manor Labourer in. £100 Johannis Muller of the same place his Bail in. £100 Andries Rees Jun r of Livingston's Manor Labourer in £100 Andries Rees of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Andries Rees of Livingstons Manor Farmer £100 Andries Rees Jun^ of the same place La- bourer his Bail in £100 Johannis Tater of Livingston's Manor £100 Solomon Schutt of the same place Labourer £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 511 Solomon Schutt of Livingston's Manor Labourer in Johannis Tater of the same place Farmer his Bail in Nicholas Wheeler of Livingston's Manor £100 Broer Witbeeck of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Broer Witbeeck of Livingston's Manor t armer in £100 Nicholas Wheeler of the same place his Bail in £100 Fite Miller of Livingstons Farmer in £100 T 1 " PI C 1 11* T~> "1 • (ohannis onaver ot the same place his nail in £100 TnlnnnK £Vinvf*r of" T lvmffQtnn'? IVT^nnr lUllillllllJ UlluVVl Ul J—/ 1 V 111 j Lvl 1 O lllaJlUl £100 Fite Miller of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 T IT ITT/* C T * " 9 X l€ [21 ij Jacob Hooiman 01 Livingston s Manor p *a rmpr 1 n William ^r*niir , L* c\k flip c^mp nl^r*** r^rmpr fYliIld.Hl ^ UllKK ( » l LUC oa.1 1 1C UlaLC 1 a I 1 1 K 1 his Bail in ^IOO William Schuck of Livingston's Manor Farmer in ^100 Jacob Hoofman of the same place Farmer his Bail in ^IOO Albertus Siemon of Livingston's Manor Farmer in ^100 Johannis Siemon of the same place Farmer his Bail in ^100 £100 r 100 1780 Sept. 1. State of New York ept°i Johannis Siemon of Livingston's Manor Farmer in £100 Albertus Siemon of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 John Concklin of Livingston's Manor Farmer in £100 Jurie Lemon of Livingston's Manor La- bourer in .£100 Coenradt Cline of Livingston's Manor Farmer Bail for Peter Lampman in £100 John Tillman appeared before the Board and informed us that he had agreeable to the warrant directed to him appre- hended Lambert Burghart of the District of Kinderhook and Martin Crom of Claverack District — Lambert Burghart being brought before us says that he is very willing to comply with any order of this Board respect- ing him but that he is at present in no situation to travel to Fish Kill being indisposed occasioned by the Yaws which he has had upon him for a year past and as we have been Certified as to the truth of the same — Therefore resolved that the said Lambert Burghart enter into a parole to remain at his place of abode in Kinderhook District untill called upon by any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies or the Commissary of State Prisoners — Resolved that Martin Crom appear before the Board to morrow Morning — [212] The Board taking into consideration the applica- tion of John Bratt to be liberated from Confinement — Resolved on account of his age & infirmeties that he be released on his taking an oath not to comfort aid or assist any of the enemies of the United States and to make known Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 513 to us all persons coming from the enemy who secrete them- g^ 7 ** selves in the woods and also on his entering into a recog- nizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Bratt of the Hellebergh Farmer in. . . . £100 John Willson of Kinderhook Farmer his Bail in £100 Barent Van Alen of the City of Albany Mar- riner also his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 2- September 1780 1780 Present Sept * 2 ' John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Mathew Visscher Martin Crom who was ordered to appear before the Board appeared and laid before us a Certificate signed by a num- ber of Militia Officers and other of the principal and well affected inhabitants of Claverack District Certifying that the said Martin Crom has always since the present war con- ducted himself as a peaceable subject of the State and has done his duty faithfully when called upon And the said Martin Crom also laying before us two Letters [213] directed to this Board the one from Major John M^Kinstrey & the other from Joseph Clarke both dated 31 s - August last in which said letters the said Major M^Kinstrey and Josepfh] Clarke recommend to us the said Martin Crom as a faithfull and leige subject of the State which Letters are in the follow- ing words (to wit) (see letters on the file) Resolved on consideration of the above Certificate and 5H State of New York 1780 letters that Martin Crom return to his place of abode in oept. 2. Q a verack District and there remain till called upon by this Board — Jacob Halenbeeck Jun- appeared before the Board accord- ing to order to enter into recognizance of anew — Resolved that he enter into the same with a sufficient surety for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Jacob Halenbeeck Jun^ of Cooksakie District Farmer in £100 Adam Hilton of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 4^ September 1780 ^P 1 - 4 ' Present John M. Beeckman 1 f _ ^ _, , z- , ,,. , r i Isaac U. ronda Mathew Visscher ) ( The Board having received information that John Cobham is frequently going to the Northward & there being great reason to suspect that he keeps up a correspondancfe] with the enemy — Therefore resolved that the said John Cobham [214] be ordered forthwith to appear before this Board — John Cobham appearing informed the Board that there are several persons at Fort Edward & Saragtoga who are in- debted to him in large sums of money and that he has been endeavouring to collect the same and producing to the Board several notes of hand for Money due to him thereupon re- solved that the said John Cobham be discharged and that he be cautioned against leaving this City in future without a Pass from this Board — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 51 Hazclton Spencer an Ensign in Sir John Johnsons Corps gJ7*> having been apprehended at Danby in the County of Char- lotte was brought before the Board and examined resolved that he be committed — Resolved that Isaac Ostrander be liberated from his Confinement on entering into a recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto re- quired during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Isaac Ostrander of the Hellebergh Farmer in.. £100 John Waley of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £ '100 Cap- Isaac Van Valkenburgh appeared before the Board and informed us that he and William Klauw had became surety before the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Poug- keepsie for John J. Van Valkenburgh and Mathew M c Cagge who lately came from New York that they the said John J. Van Valkenburgh and Mathew M^Cagge should in ten days [215] surrender themselves as prisoners to this Board and pro- ducing a Certificate of the same from the said Commissioners — And the said John J. Van Valkenburgh being examin[e]d saith as follows (to wit) (see Examination on file) — Resolved that the said John J. Van Valkenburgh be per- mitted to go to Kinderhook on his entering into a recog- nizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John J. Van Valkenburgh of Kinderhook Labourer in £500 Jurry Van Valkenburgh of the same place Farmer his Bail in £500 5i6 State of New York Sept 8 ° 4 Also resolve ^ tnat Mathew M'jCagge be discharged on Peter L. Van Alen of Kinderhook entering into a Recog- nizance for the said Mathew M^Cagge's good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Peter L. Van Alen of Kinderhook Weaver as Bail for Mathew M- Cagge in £500 Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 5^ September 1780 Sept. 5. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( _ _ , ~ , o • r 1 Isaac D. ronda oamuel Stringer J ( Lieutenant Thomas Ismay appeared before the Board and informed us that Benjamin Van Etten and his son John Van Etten of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck refuse to do [216] any Militia duty and say they will not take up Arms against the King that William Hooghtaling of the same place said he v.as a Kings man and that he would have nothing to do with the Rebels and that Adrian Bradt is greatly disaffected and that the Persons who are able to prove the above charges are Simeon Viele and Philip Radliff — Resolved in consequence of the above information that citations be made out and sent to the said Simeon Viele and Philip Radliff commanding their appearance before us at the City Hall on the f- instant — The board being also informed that Ensign Ephraim Hudson is able to give information against several disaffected Persons resolved that a letter be wrote to the said Ephraim Hudson requesting his appearance before us as soon as possible — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 517 Resolved that a citation be sent to Catharine Burling- • Sept. 5. ham to appear before us on the 7- instant to give informa- tion respecting the conduct of several of the inhabitants of New Scotland — John Broachim who was on the 10- August last liberated from Confinement appeared before the Board with David Kittle as his surety — Resolved that Ryer Schermerhorn and Johannis Weller his former Bails be and they are hereby discharged and that the said John Broachim enter into recognizance anew with the said David Kittle as his surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required [217] during the continuance of the present was with Great Britain — John Broachim of the District of Schenectady Farmer in £200 David Kittle of the same place Farmer his Bail in £200 Adjourned — Met Albany 6^ h September 1780 Sept°6 Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( ? . a . i ^ r i Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) { 8 John Johnson of the State of Connecticut appeared before the Board and laid before us a letter from Coll William B. Whiting of Kings District wherein the said Col 1 - Whiting request's that Samuel Johnson who was the other day con- fined by Mathew Adgate Esq^ for dissuading the inhabitants of this State to take up Arms in defence of the Country may be delivered over to the said John Johnson his Brother as he beleives from the former character of the said Samuel John- State of New York Sept 8 °6 son t ' iat ^ e 1S at P resent I nsane And that the said John Johnson producing also a letter from the said Mathew Adgate Esq 1 ; to this Board advising compliance with the above request — Resolved in consequence of the above Letters that the said Samuel Johnson be delivered over to the said John Johnson and that he be cautioned against coming in this State whilst he persists in inculcating such dangerous and destructive Principles — Resolved that the Secretary pay to Jesse Fairchilds 1 the sum of £162 — 16 Continental Money on account — Hendrick Merkle appeared before the Board according to our order to enter into anew Recognizance — [218] Resolved that he enter into the same for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto re- quired during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Hendrick Merkle of Tryon County Farmer in. £100 John Roff of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 Adjourned — ^78° Met Albany 7^? September 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) j Isaac D. Fonda Mathew Visscher ) 1 Samuel Stringer Siemon Viele appeared before the Board according to our order of the 5 th instant and was examined his examination is in the words following (to wit) (see examination on file) ■He signed his name "Fairchild". See note under date of September 12, 1780. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies Catharine Bullingham and Philip RadlifF being also on * the 5 th instant cited to appear before the Board appeared and were examined their Examination's are as follows (to wit) (see examinations on file) John Armstrong who was some time since confined by Col' Henry K. Van Rensselaer was brought before the Board — Resolved that (agreeable to the request of the said Col- Rensselaer) the said John Armstrong be liberated from con- finement on his entering into a recognizance for his future good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies [219] when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Armstrong of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Weaver in £100 John E. Lansing of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 8^ September 1780 Sep Present John M. Beeckman ) f Isaac D. Fonda Mathew Visscher j ( Samuel Stringer Resolved that Jacob Ball Jun- of the Bever Dam be dis- charged from confinement on entering into a recognizance for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Jacob Ball Jun r of the Bever Dam Farmer in £100 Peter Man Jun^ of Schohary Farmer his Bail in £100 520 State of New York 1780^ Resolved also that John Ball Jun- be discharged from confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good behaviour doing his duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon dur- ing the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Ball Jun- of the Bever Dam Labourer in £100 William Man of Schohary Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — [220] Met Albany 11- September 1780 Present John M. Beeckman | f Mathew Visscher Isaac D Fonda j \ Samuel Stringer Resolved that George Rodgers be discharged from con- finement on entering into a recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Ccmmissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — George Rodgers of the City of Albany Weaver in £100 Henry Van Wie of the same place Carpenter his Bail in £ico Resolved that Mathias Rose, William Rodgers, John Stiles, Robert Brisben, and John MfDole be severally cited to ap- pear before this Board on the 24— day of September instant with sufficient sureties to enter into new recognizance's A Letter directed to this Board from Cap- Isaac Van Valkenburgh dated the 9- instant was laid before us wherein he requests a Certificate of John Van Valkenburgh's having entered into a recognizance before us for his good behaviour 1780 Sept. 11. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 521 and appearance before us when called upon in order that Septal the said Isaac Van Valkenburgh may by producing the said certificate be enabled to get the Effects taken from him when he came from New York and which were detained by a justice of the peace residing at Crompon in Dutchess County — Resolved that in compliance with the above request a certificate be made out and transmitted to the [221] said Cap- Van Valkenburgh — Adjourned — Met Albany 12- September 1780 Sept. 8 i2. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( . « . J > < Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( Resolved that Christopher Hutt be liberated from con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good be- haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto re- quired during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Christopher Hutt of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 William Monk of the Hellebergh Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that the Secretary pay to Jesse Fairchild the sum of 282^ 16 s on account of services performed for this Board — 1 Adjourned — 1 The item ordered paid, on September 6, amounting to £162 „ 16s., and the above amount, making together the sum of /~445 » 12s., were paid together. The original voucher is in Revolutionary Manuscripts, vol. 40, p. 172, State Comptroller's Office. 522 State of New York Met Albany 13 th September 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( . _ . H/t 1 * vp 1 r i aamuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( & Thomas Blewer having been committed to Goal by Col- Henry K. Van Rensselaer was brought before the Board Resolved that he be liberated from Confinement on en- tering into a recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good behaviour doing his duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — [222] Thomas Blewer of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in . £100 David Groesbeeck of the City of Albany Cordwainer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany I5 l . h September 1780 — Sept. 15. Present John M. Beeckman | Isaac D. Fonda j William Klaw of Kline Kill appeared before the Board and informed us that there is at present at Kinderhook a certain woman who has lately been to New York that from every circumstance there is the greatest reason to suppose that she has been sent there by certain Tories at Kinder- " hook for the purpose of obtaining intelligence and it being highly necessary that this Matter should be enquired into and properly investigated — Therefore Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Major Isaac 1780 Sept. 13. j Samuel Stringer Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 523 Goes requesting him to have the said woman apprehended and brought before him and to examine her as to the Names of the persons who sent her to New York and to send the said persons together with the said woman forthwith to us — A Certificate dated 13 th instant signed by John L. Bronk and Philip Conine Esq- was laid before the Board wherein the[y] set forth that aggreeable to a Law of this State En- titled an Act for the removal of the Families " of persons who have joined the Enemy" they have warned the follow- ing persons to remove out of this State or to such parts of it as [223] are within the power of the enemy within twenty days from the date of the said Certificate Viz' Rachel Halenbeeck the wife of Casper P. Halenbeeck, Maria Jan- sen the wife of Johannis Jansen, Margaret Riemer the wife of Johannis Riemer, Maria Eckler the wife of William Eck- leer, Engeltie Schram the wife of Frederick Schram and Cornelia Danials the wife of Dirck Danials, ordered that the said Certificate be filed — A Certificate dated 9- September signed by Samuel Van Veghten Esq 1 " one of the Justices of the peace for the County of Albany was laid before the Board wherein he sets forth that agreeable to the last mentioned act of the Legislature he has warned the following persons to remove out of this State or to such parts of it as are in the power of the enemy Viz 1 Catharine Dies the wife of Jacob Dies, Eva Dies the wife of Mathew Dies, Mary Van Garde the wife of Benja- min Van Garde, Elizabeth Lampman the wife of Wilhelmas Lampman, Gertruyd Dewitt the wife of Evert Dewitt, Jake- myntie Williams the wife of Frederick Williams, Jane Pick- sen the wife of John Picksen and Jane Straight the wife of Thomas Straight — Adjourned — 5 2 4 State of New York Met Albany i6*^ September 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda f \ Mathew Visscher James Parks who came from the enemy last spring hav- ing been apprehended was brought before the Board on being Examined he saith as follows (to wit) (see Exami- nation on file) [224] Resolved that the said James Parks be confined and that a mittimus be made out for him — Johan Jurie Fought appearing according to our order to enter into anew recognizance — Resolved that he enter into the same for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Johan Jurie Fought of Lonenburgh in the District of Coxsakie Farmer in £100 Sylvester Salsbury of the County of Albany Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that an order be made out directed to Amos Lucas forthwith to deliver up to this Board William Tyler for whose appearance when called upon he became surety — Resolved that citations be sent to John Wans, William Jackson, Andrian Bradt, Benjamin Van Etten, and William Hooghteling to appear before this Board on the 19- day of September instant — Also Resolved that a citation be sent to D- Thompson of Livi[n]gston's Manor to appear before this Board on or be- fore the first day of October next — The board having received information that Major Zadock Wright is at present with his Family in Cumberland County — 1780 Sept. 16. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 525 Resolved that a letter be wrote to Moses Wright (who „ 1780 . Sept 16 entered into a bond to deliver up the said Zadock Wright [225] when called upon) forthwith to bring before the Board the said Zadock Wright — Adjourned — Met Albany i8~ September 1780 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( „ . . , ... , h -{ Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( b Agreeable to the citation sent to Doctor Thompson on the 16- instant he appeared resolved that the said D- Thompson be committed and that a Mittimus be made out to the Goaler to take him into his custody and closely confine him — Cornelia Danials appeared before the Board and informed us that her Husband Dirck Danials had about four years ago gone ofF to the Enemy and that agreeable to a late Law John L. Bronk & Philip Conine Esq^ two of the [Justices] of the Peace for this County had ordered her to leave this State or remove to such parts of it as are in the Power of the enemy And the said Cornelia Danials laying before the Board a Recommendation from the said Justices setting forth that she has always behaved herself in an unexceptionable Manner and recommending it to the Board to grant her a Permit to remain at her Habitation — Resolved in Consequence of the said recommendation that a Permit be granted her accordingly — John Stiles having been ordered to appear before the Board to enter into a new Recognizance appeared pursuant to the said Order — Resolved that he enter into the same with a sufficient 526 State of New York Septfi8 suret y ^ or n * s g 00< ^ behaviour doing his duty and [226] appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Stiles of Palmertown in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 James Eldrige of Saragtoga in the County aforesaid Farmer his Bail in £100 Seth Perry appeared before the Board and informed us that James Starks, Ephraim Knowlton & Philip Philips are endeavouring daily to instil into the minds of weak and ignorant people a persuasion that it is contrary to Scripture to take up Arms in defence of the Country and are otherwise by their conduct and conversation giving Offence to the friends of the American cause — It is therefore resolved that the said James Starks, Ephraim Knowlton, and Philip Philips be cited to appear before this Board on Wednesday the 27- day of September instant to answer the above complaint and that the said Seth Pcry be ordered to produce Witnesses in support of the said charge on that day — Adjourned — J 78o Met Albany 19- September 1780 ^ IQ - Present John M. Beeckman ) \ T 1^ 1? j t • u v p 1 ( I Isaac D - Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Adrian Bradt, Benjamin Van Etten and William Jackson, having been cited to appear before this Board appeared — Resolved on consideration of the charges alledged against them respectively that they be committed and that a [227] mittimus be made out directed to the Goaler to take them into Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 527 his custody and safely keep them untill discharged by any g^ 8 ^ three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies — James Starke having been accused by Seth Perry and others with being a person disaffected to the American cause ap- peared before the board and requested that he might be per- mitted to bring Evidences before us to invalidate the said Charge whereupon resolved that the secretary to this Board furnish the said James Starke with citations for such persons as the said James Starke may think necessary to produce to disprove the said Charge — Adjourned — Met Albany 20^ September 1780 Septflo. Present John M. Beeckman ] J Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher j ( Isaac D. Fonda John M^Dole having been heretofore bound by recog- nizance appeared this day according to the order of this Board Resolved that he enter into Recognizance of anew with a sufficient surety for his future good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John M^Dole of Saragtoga in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 John Mahoney of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Daniel B. Bradt Esq- Supervisor for the District of Hosick in this County Certified to the Board that he had agreeable to the Law for the Removal of Families of Persons who have [228] gone off and joined the Enemy warned the following Weomen to depart the State or remove to such parts of it as 528 State of New York 1780 are j n (-fog power of the enemy in twenty days from the time of such Notification (to wit) Rebecca Ruyter, Sarah Cammeron, Catharina Best, Elizabeth Ruyter, Hannah Simpson, Elizabeth Letcher, Ariantie Wies, Maria Young & Susannah Lantman — A Certificate signed by Daniel B. Bradt, John Randell, and a Number of other Persons residing in Hosick District was laid before the Board wherein they set forth that Su- sannah Lantman and Maria Young whose Husbands are gone to the enemy and who have been lately notified to leave the State are desirous of remaining at their Habitations — Resolved on considering the subject of the said Certificate thatthis Board can in nowise agree to grant Permits to the said Susannah Lantman & Maria Young for the above Purpose — Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 21- September 1780 Sept. 21. p resent John M. Beeckman | ( Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer j ( Samuel Stringer The Board having received information that William Shanklin formerly an inhabitant of Cherry Valley and now residing in the East District of the Manor of Rensselaer- wyck is a person who has always professed Principles Inimical to the American cause and who has at the destruction of Cherry Valley by the Indians assisted the Enemy in plunder- ing and robbing the well affected [229] Inhabitants and the same having been attested to by John Willson and James Scott also formerly residing at Cherry Valley — It is therefore resolved that the said William Shanklin be forthwith apprehended and confined and that a warrant be made out for that Purpose — A Letter directed to this [Board] dated 19- instant from Johannis Lawyer and William Dietz Esq" two of the Justices Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 529 of the Peace of this County was read setting forth that Sarah _ l 7 8 ° J b Sept. 21. Zimmer of Schohary has agreeable to the Law for the Re- moval of the Families of persons who have gone over to the Enemy been warned to leave the State or remove to Such parts of it as are in the Power of the enemy and she is desirous of remaining at Home and having always conducted herself in an unexceptionable manner they request that Permission may be granted her for that Purpose — Resolved that the subject of the above Letter be taken into Consideration till to morrow — Adjourned — Met Albany 22 n J September 1780 Septfai. Present John M. Beeckman ) j Mathew Visscher Jeremiah Van Rensselaer j { Samuel Stringer Noah Pain Esq r one of the Justices of the peace for the County of Charlotte appeared before the Board and laid before us several Examinations taken by him respecting Thomas Yarns and others now here confined in Goal which Examination's are in the following words (to wit) (see exam- inations on file) — [230] The Board taking into consideration the Letter received from Johannis Lawyer and William Dietz Esq- re- specting Sarah Zimmer do resolve that a Permit be granted to the said Sarah Zimmer to remain at her Habitation — Adjourned — Met Albany 23- September 1780 „ 1780 Present ept ' 23 ' John M. Beeckman ) j Mathew Visscher Jeremiah Van Rensselaer j ( Samuel Stringer Resolved that Benjamin Van Etten be discharged from 53Q State of New York Sept 8 ^ Confinement on entering into a recognizance for his future good Behaviour, doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required during the contintfance of the present war with Great Britain — Benjamin Van Etten of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . £100 Jacob Roseboom of the City of Albany Gen- tleman his Bail in £100 Also resolved that Adrian Bradt be discharged from con- finement on entering into a recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Adrian Bradt of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 John RadlifF of the City of Albany Carpenter his Bail in £50 Rykert Van Sante of the same place Car- penter also his Bail in £50 [231] Resolved that William Jackson be discharged from Confinement on entering into a recognizance with a suffi- cient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and ap- pearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — William Jackson of New Scotland in the west District of the Manor of Re/isselaerwyck Farmer in £100 Mathew Watson of the City of Albany Mer- chant his Bail in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 531 D r Thompson made application to the Board to be lib- _ I 7 8 ° _ Sept. 23. crated from confinement on account of the Illness of his wife and the distressed Situation of his Family and he pro- ducing an Affidavit of Jacob Power as to the truth of the above — Resolved on the consideration thereof that the said Thomas Thompson be discharged from his confinement on entering into a recognizance with sufficient sureties for his appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in October next to answer to such charges as shall then and there be alledged against [him] and not to depart the Court without Leave and for his good behaviour in the mean time — Thomas Thompson of the Manor of Living- ston Physician in £500 Coenradt Rosman of the same place Farmer his Bail in £250 John Shuts of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £250 Adjourned — [232] Met Albany 24- September 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher Jeremiah Van Rensselaer f ( Samuel Stringer A Letter was laid before the Board dated the 23 d Instant signed by Seth Perry, Samuel Hill and other well affected persons setting forth that Numbers of the Torys in New Bethlehem in the Manor of Rensselaerwyck are collecting in the night time and that there is great reason to suppose unless timely prevented they may injure some of the friends to 1780 Sept. 24. 532 State of New York Sept. 8 24. tne American cause and requesting that a warrant may be granted for the Apprehension of the said persons — On taking the subject of the above letter into considera- tion It is resolved that a warrant be made out directed to Seth Perry to apprehend all such disaffected persons as are above complained of and forthwith bring them before us — Adjourned — Sejjf a S . Met Albany 25^ September 1780 Present Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) j Isaac D. Fonda John M. Beeckman j { Samuel Stringer The Board having received information that Cap- Isaac Lansing is able to give some material information against James Legrange of this City it is therefore ordered that the said Isaac Lansing be requested to attend this Board imme- diately — Robert Brisben having been heretofore bound by [233] Recognizance appeared before us according to our order to enter into Recognizance of anew — Resolved that he enter into the same with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appear- ing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Robert Brisben of Saragtoga Farmer in £100 Jonathan Pettit of the City of Albany Cord- wainer his Bail in £100 Isaac Lansing appearing according to our order was examined and his Examination is in the following words (to wit) (see examination on the file) — Resolved in consequence of the said Examination as the Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 533 said James Legrange is under the age of Twenty one Years Se jJ 8 ° that he procure some person to become surety for his future good Behaviour — Arie Legrange appearing before the Board and being willing to become surety for James Legrange It is re- solved that he enter into a recognizance for the said James Legrange's future good behaviour doing his duty and ap- pearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Arie Legrange of the City of Albany Merchant as Bail for his son James Legrange in. . . . £100 Resolved that Philip Herwig be requested immediately to furnish this Board with the Crime of John M*:Dorn & that he perticularlv ascertain the time when the same was committed — [234] John Tunnicliff appeared before the Board and requested Permission for himself and John Rawbottom to go to Tryon County for the purpose of seeing his Farm — Resolved that Permission for that purpose be granted them on Joshua Bloore entering into a Recognizance for their returning within a reasonable Time to this place and behaving themselves during their Absence in a becoming Manner — Joshua Bloore of the City of Albany Merchant as surety for John Tunnicliff & John Raw- bottom in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 26^ September 1780 sel^ib Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) f Mathew Visscher 534 State of New York Lieutenant Ephraim Hudson having been cited to appear before the Board in order to his being examined with re- spect to sundry persons living at New Scotland appeared and being examined says — That William Jackson is a person of weight & Influence in the part where he lives that he is certain that the Ex- presses from the Enemy which pass up & down the Country lodge at his House, that John Burnsides is a Tory and that the Party that robbed Lieu! Leonard went from Burnsides House — (See Examination on file) — John Herrington and Ephraim Knowlton having been apprehended in consequence of a warrant issued on the 24- instant was brought before the Board — [235] Resolved that they be confined and that a Mittimus be made out to the Goaler to take them into his Custody — Adjourned — Met Albany 27- September 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Samuel Stringer ) 1 Mathew Visscher The Board proceeded to the Examination of the Charge of disaffection to the American cause Exhibited by Seth Perry against James Starks, Ephraim Knowlton & Philip Philips and in support of the said charge the following per- sons were examined as witnesses (to wit) Benjamin Valen- tine, M- Skinner, Sarah Barnum, Mary Knowlton, Samuel Hill, M- Beagle, Elizabeth Barnum, Jabez Landers and John Lawrence their Examinations are as follows (to wit) (see Examinations of file) In order to invalidate the charge above alledged the said James Starks requested that the following persons might 1780 Sept. 27. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 535 be examined (to wit) Isaac Lawrence, Richard Lawrence, "780 Mine Lawrence, William Barnum, Jacob Herrington, Lena Herrington, Robert Patrick, Nathaniel Culver, John Salsbury, Dirck Sluyter, & Henry Salsbury which Examination's are in the following words (to wit) (See examination's on the File) Resolved that the consideration of the above Examina- tions be postponed till to Morrow Morning — Resolved that a letter be wrote to his Excellency Gov- ernor Clinton inclosing a copy of the Letter received from [236] John D. Goes which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (See Letter on the file) 1 Adjourned — Met Albany September 1780 Sept?a8. Present John M. Beeckman | j Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Samuel Stringer ) ( Mathew Visscher As no Particular charge has yet been exhibited against John Herrington therefore resolved that he be discharged from Confinement — The Board having resumed the consideration of the Examinations Yesterday taken and the charge of disaffection against James Starke appearing to be well founded it is resolved that he enter into Recognizance with sufficient sureties to remain within the Limits of Kings District and not depart the same without leave obtained for that pur- pose from any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies (unless it be to do Militia duty) and for his good Behaviour and appearance before any of the said Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — ! In George Clinton Papers, no. 3242, and the letter of Goes, no. 3194, archives of New York State Library. 536 State of New York Septus James Starke of Kings District Labourer in . . . £100 Nathaniel Culver of the same place Esq- his Bail in £ 50 John Salsbury of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £ 50 Adjourned — 1780 Oct. 2. Met Albany 2- October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T ~ . , ... . f Isaac D. fonda Mathew Visscher j (. [237] Samuel Perry of Palmerton having been cited to appear before the Board to enter into a new Recognizance appeared for that purpose with a sufficient surety resolved that he enter into the same for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Samuel Perry of Palmertown in the District of Saragtoga Farmer in £100 Rowland Perry of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 John Perry having also been cited to appear before the Board to enter into a new Recognizance appearing resolved that he enter into the same for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Perry of Palmertown in Saragtoga District Farmer in £100 Rowland Perry of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 537 Met Albany 31' October 1780 1780 Present John M. Beeckman | j Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher j ( Isaac D. Fonda Mathias Rose having been cited to appear before this Board to enter into a new Recognizance appeared for that Purpose with a sufficient surety — Resolved that he enter into the same for his good be- haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the [238] Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Mathias Rose of Saragtoga District Labourer in £100 Freeman Barligh of the same [place] Farmer his Bail in £ "100 Adjourned — Met Albany 4*!? October 1780 *; 8 ° / t 1 Oct. 4. Present John M. Beeckman ) j Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Samuel Stringer ) ( Mathew Visscher A Petition of Ephraim Knowlton was laid before the Board whereby he request's to be released from Confinement and the same being taken into Consideration — Resolved that he be released accordingly on entering into a recognizance for his good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain and also for his appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held on the third Tuesday in October Instant at the City Hall in this 538 State of New York Oct 8 4 ^ lt y ( or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State of New York) and not depart the Court without Leave — Ephraim Knowlton of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . £100 Thomas Knowlton of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Robert Patrick of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £100 Adjourned — oJt 8 5 [239] Met Albany 5^ October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( _ . . _ . i, in- C \ eremiah Van Rensselaer Samuel Stringer ) { J It appearing from the Examination of James Halstead that James Drummond of Nistageune has harboured and secreted Emissaries from the Enemy and has from the Commencement of the present Contest been esteemed as a person disaffected to the American cause — It is therefore resolved that a citation be made out directed to the said James Drummond to appear before this Board on Saturday the seventh day of October instant to answer the above complaint — It having been suggested to us that Philip Van Rensselaer Esq 1- has received a Letter from Col- Richard Varick (who was Aid De Camp to General Arnold at the time he went off to New York) which contains Expressions which would tend to discover some of the persons concerned with Arnold in his Villianous Plot — It is therefore resolved that the said Philip Van Rens- Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 53; selaer be requested to attend this Board with the said Letter 1 Oct. 5. as soon as conveniently may be — John TunniclifF to whom a pass was granted by this Board to go to Tryon County appeared and requested that Joshua Bloore who became suretv for his Return to this City might be discharged from the Recognizance entered into for him resolved that the said Joshua Bloore be discharged accordingly — Adjourned — [240] Met Albany 6L h October 1780 jgfj Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T , •i , _ . Y i Isaac D. fonda Samuel Stringer ) { The Board having received information that Hans Peter Snvder living on Fishkill at Saragtoga has and still keeps up a Correspondence with the enemy and harbours persons pass- ing through the Country who are coming from the enemy — It is therefore resolved that a warrant be made out for the immediate apprehension of the said Hans Peter Snyder and that the said warrant be inclosed in a Letter to Co\ [ - Cor- nelius Van Veghten and that he be requested to have the same served — Abraham Hooghteling who was some time ago confined for having been with Brant and his Party and who broke Goal having been again apprehended was brought before the Board resolved that he be committed — Adjourned — Met Albany 7^? October 1780 1780 Present 0ct * Mathew Visscher ) j Isaafc] D. Fonda John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer 54° State of New York kt 8 ^ Nicholas Lake having been heretofore cited to appear before the Board appeared before us this day to enter into a new Recognizance resolved that he enter into the same with a sufficient surety and that he be bound for his good Behaviour, doing his duty, and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies whenever called [241] upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Nicholas Lake of Cinkaick in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Abraham Schuyler of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 A Return signed by John Younglove Esq- was laid before us wherein he specifies that he has agreeable to An Act of the Legislature for the Removal of the Families of Persons who have joined [the] enemy ordered the following persons to depart this State or remove to such parts of it as are in the power of the Enemy, (to wit) Elizabeth Hogle the wife of John Hogle, Jane Hogle wife of Francis Hogle and three Children of Simeon Covell ordered that the said return be filed — Elizabeth Hogle one of the weomen named in the above return made by John Younglove Esq- appeared before the Board and requested Permission to remain at her Habitation assigning as a reason that her Husband was killed at the Battle of Bennington and the same being certified to us by sundry well affected inhabitants of this County and that the said Elizabeth Hogle has since the going away of her Husband behaved herself in a becoming manner — It is therefore resolved that a permit be granted to the said Elizabeth Hogle for the above purpose — Resolved that Henry Van Corlaer who was heretofore bound in a recognizance for his good Behaviour and appear- Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 541 ance before this Board when called be cited to appear forth- x 73o with with a suffi- [242] cient surety to enter into Recognizance of anew — A Return signed by John Bebee Esq?" one of the Justices of the peace for this County was laid before the Board wherein he specifies that agreeable to an Act of the Legisla- ture of this State entitled an Act for the Removal of the Families of Persons who have joined the enemy he has warned the following persons to depart this State or remove to such parts of it as are in the power of the Enemy, (to wit) Jerusha Ingram wife of Benjamin Ingram Jun r , Mary M^Carty wife of Duncan M?Carty, Lucretia Woodward wife of David Woodward & Abigail Woodward wife of Josiah Woodward - Lucretia Woodward and Jerush[a] Ingraham two of the women named in the above return appeared before the Board and requested Permission to remain at their Habitations and produced to the Board Certificates from sundry of the well affected Inhabitants of this County of their good Character and that their remaining in the Country will not be detri- mental to the Freedom & independence of this and the United States in consequence of which Certificates and recommendations — It is resolved that a permit be granted to the said Lu- cretia Woodward and Jerusha Ingraham — John TunniclifF appeared before the Board and requested Permission to go to Tryon County in Search of some Horses and other Effects that were unjustly taken from him and converted to the Private use of several Individuals in the said County — Resolved that agreeable to the said request [243] the said John TunniclifF have Permission granted him to go to Tryon County in search of the said Horses and Effects — Captain Jarvis Mudge appeared before the Board & re- 542 State of New York 1780 quested that his son in Law David Darrow now here con- Oct. 7. n fined in Goal may be liberated from his confinement on account of the Illness of his wife — Resolved in consequence of the said Application that the said David Darrow have Permission to go and see his wife on his entering into a Recognizance for his Surrendering himself up to this Board as a prisoner on or before the 28- Instant and for his good and peaceable Behaviour during that time — David Darrow of New Lebanon Kings Dis- trict Farmer in £100 Jarvis Mudge of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — & t \ Met Albany 8^- h October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ] f „ , . i r , 1 r 1 Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) I John Drummond having been adjudged a person of a Suspicious Character and dangerous to the safety of the State and being [sic] in consequence thereof been ordered to appear before this Board and he appearing this day and being charged with the above and denying the same but at the same time professing his principles in Favour of the Crown of Great Britain and declaring his intention of not taking up Arms in Defence of the American Cause — Therefore resolved that he be committed and that a Mit- timus be made out for him — [244] Cornelius Viele appeared and requested that the above mentioned John Drummond might on account of the distressed situation of his Family be permitted to go Home Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 543 for a few davs and the said Cornelius Viele being an ap- proved friend to the Country — Therefore resolved that his Request be complied with and that the said John Drummond have Permission to re- turn home and surrendering himself as a Prisoner to this Board on or before the II— instant and in the mean time be of the good Behaviour — John Drummond of Nistageune in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Cornelius Viele of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 9^ October 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman [ \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) I Mathew Visscher Isabel Clark of Cooksborough appeared before the Board and laid before us a Certificate signed by Lieu^ Jacob Halen- beeck and a number of other well affected Inhabitants of this County setting forth that the said Isabel Clark has received an order from a Justice of the Peace to depart the State or remove to such parts of it as are in the Power of the Enemy in consequence of her Husband's having gone ofF to the Enemy and they further Certify that the said Isabel Clark has always behaved herself in a peaceable and quiet Man- ner and that they do not conceive that her [245] remaining in the Country will in any wise prove dangerous or detrimental to the Freedom and Independance of this and the United States — It is therefore resolved that a Permit be made out for the said Isabel Clark to remain at her Habitation unmolested — Adjourned — 1780 Oct. 8. 1780 Oct. 9. 544 State of New York Met Albany 10^ October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Mathew Visscher ) ( Samuel Stringer Peter Smith of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck appeared before the Board and informed us that he had received in Payment from Melchert File three fifty Dollar Bills Conti- nental Money which on being inspected were found coun- terfeit and it appearing probable to this Board that the said Counterfeit money h circulated through the State by some of the disaffected Inhabitants with a view of embarrassing the public Operations and it being highly necessary that an Enquiry should be made into the same therefore resolved in Consequence of the said Information that the said Peter Smith be bound in a Recognizance to appear at the next Supream Court to be held on the third Tuesday in October Instant to give Evidence with Respect to the said Counterfeit Bills — Peter Smith of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 Philip Coenradt having also received Counterfeit Bills from the said Melchert File — Resolved that he also enter into a Recognizance [246] to appear at the next Supream Court to give Evidence against the said Melchert File — Philip Coenradt of the East District of Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 Resolved in Consequence of the above information of Peter Smith and Philip Coenradt that Melchert File be ordered to attend this Board on Tuesday the 17- Day of October Instant — The Board having received Information that Rvneir 1780 Oct. 10. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 545 Vischer of this City has received in Payment Counterfeit Continental Money and he having been sent for and appear- ing with the said Money and informed us he had received the same from Isacher Childs — Isacher Childs being sent for and examined with Respect to the said Counterfeit Money says that he received the same from a certain Johnson — Johnson being sent for and not being able to inform us where he received the same resolved that he be informed that this Board do insist on knowing where and from whom he received the same — Application was made to this Board for a Permit to M— Edgar to go to Canada — Resolved that Mil Edgar be informed that this Board are not authorized to grant Permits for that purpose — Adjourned — Met Albany 11^ October 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Mathew Visscher j \ 17S0 Oct. 10. Isaac D. Fonda [247] Application was made to the Board by Major Reed for a Permit for Doctor George Smith to go With his Family to Canada — Resolved that Major Reed be informed that this Board are not vested with a power to grant Permits of that nature but that we have no Objections to Dr Smith's going provided he can obtain his Excellency the Governor's Permission — 1 1 The Albany board advised Dr. Smith or Smyth, in a letter of this date that it had no objection to his obtaining a pass to Canada, provided it was allowed by Colonel W. Malcolm, commanding the northern department, and Malcolm actually gave the pass on the 13th The minutes of October 17 and iS show that the board vitiated this pass and put Smith under a recog- nizance and bail, limiting him " to remain within the Limits of his dwelling 17S0 OCE. II. 54^ State of New York Oct 78 ?: ^ ^ e ^ on signed by Wilhelmas Van Antwerp Esq r Jus- tice of the peace and a number of other well affected Inhabit- ants of Nistageune was laid before the Board, setting forth that Margaret MfCulpin in Consequence of her Hus- band's having gone off to the Enemy has been ordered to depart this State or remove to such Parts of it as are in the Power of the Enemy and praying (on Account of the unex- ceptionable Character of the said Margaret M ? Culpin) that she may be permitted to remain at he[r] Habitation unmolested — Resolved in Consequence of the above Petition that a Permit be granted to the said Margaret M^Culpin for the purpose above mentioned — Abraham Hoogteling at present in Confinement was ordered to be brought before the Board and examined & then recommitted — Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 14H? October 1780 — Oct. 14- ry 3 * ' Present John M. Beeckman ) ( _ . n . ; „ „ . f i Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( to John Kluck having been confined for being disaffected to the American cause and deemed dangerous to the [24.S] safety of the safety 1 [state] was brought before the Board and we judging his Confinement to have been sufficiently long and he offering good Bail for his future good Conduct — House and Yard and not to depart the same ". On October 26, Smith appealed to Governor Clinton, stated his plight and averred that the change of base must have been inspired by some private enemy of his in the board. — George Clinton Papers, nos. 3263, 331X, archives of New York State Library. 1 Error in the original manuscript. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 547 Therefore resolved that he be liberated from Confine- x 78o Oct. 14. ment on his entering into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty ami appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon dur- ing the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Kluck of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Potter in £100 John Horn of the same place Butcher his Bail in £100 Cap* John Decker Robison having been ordered to deliver up John Smith to this Board agreeable to the Tenor of his Recognizance appeared with the said John Smith resolved that as the said Smith is indicted for a Robbery committed at Frederick Berringer's that he be committed in order that he may be tried — Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 15^? October 1780 Oct. 15. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T r\ t- j V I Isaac D. londz Mathew Visscher ) ( Whereas this Board has received Information that Col- Malcolm the Commanding Officer in this place has granted Permission to D- George Smith with his Family and M" Edgar to go to Canada and the present time being adjudged very improper by this Board to permit the said persons to go on account of the Enemy's being on the Frontiers — It is therefore resolved that it be recommended to [240] Col 1 Malcolm to detain the said Doctor Smith and M- Edgar untill their going can be no way Prejudicial — Adjourned — 543 State of New York 1780 Met Albany 16^ October 1780 Oct. 16. „ J ' rresent John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( Isaac D. Fonda — Resolved that Susannah Parie, John Barney and Nancy Thompson who this Board has been informed are able to prove several charges alledged against Angus McDonald and Thomas Thompson be severally cited to appear before us forthwith that they may be examined — John Van Valkenburgh who lately left the Enemy at New York and who is at present an Kinderhook being able to give some very material information respecting sundry inhabitants of this County now with the Enemy whereby the Grand Jury will be able to proceed against them agreeable to the Confiscation Law it is therefore resolved that he be cited to appear at the next Supream Court to be held on the third Tuesday in October instant — Christian Smith of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck being able to prove that John Smith was concerned in the Robbery committed on Frederick Berringer it is therefore resolved that he be cited also to appear at the next Supream Court — The Board having received information from Catharine Burlingham that Alexander Keerklaer of New Scotland has harboured and concealed Joseph Bettis an Emissary from the [250] Enemy resolved in Consequence of the said Information that the said Alexander Kerklaer be ordered forthwith to appear before us to answer the above charge — Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 549 Met Albany I7 l l l October 1780. 1780 J ' ' Oct. 17. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer \ ( Isaac D. Fonda A Letter from Doctor George Smith was laid before the Board wherein he informs us that he has thought proper to remove from this place to Fort Edward and the said Doctor Smith having received express orders from this Board on no pretence to leave the City — 1 It is therefore resolved that a warrant be made out directed to John Tillman Jun r for the Apprehension of the said D T . Smith and his son Terence Smith — Israel Smith of Brattleborough in the County of Cumber- land laid before the Board a Letter from Col- Eleazer Patter- son directed to his Excellency Governor Clinton by whom the said Letter was referred to this Board which Letter is in the words following (to wit) (See letter on File) It appearing from the Contents of the above Letter and also from the Information of the said Israel Smith that Timothy Church, Comfort Joy and Jonathan Mills Church have held a Correspondence and kept up an Intercourse with a certain Oliver Church now an Officer in the British Army — It is therefore resolved that a warrant be made out for the immediate apprehension of the said Timothy [251] Church, Comfort Joy and Jonathan Mills Church and that the said warrant be inclosed in a Letter to Col- Paterson — Resolved also that a citation be made out to Lieutenant Joathan Church to appear before the Board forthwith in order that he may be examined as to the above — Adjourned — 1 Cf. the note under October 1 1 th 55o State of New York ^So Met Albany 18^ October 1780 Ct. l8. J 1 rresent John M. Beeckman | ( Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer j ( Isaac D. Fonda Col' Henry K. Van Rensselaer appeared before the Board and informed that Nicholas Williams of the Eas[t] District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck has lately entertained in his house his son who was on his way from New York to Canada as an Express — Resolved in Consequence of the above Information that a warrant be made out for the Apprehension of the said Nicholas Williams and that Col- Rensselaer be requested to procure a person to serve the same — There being the greatest reason to suspect from D- Smith's present conduct that he is endeavoring to mislead the minds of weak and ignorant People it is therefore resolved that he be sent for — Doctor Smith appearing and being examined resolved in order to prevent such Conduct in future that he enter into Recognizance to remain within the Limits of his dwelling House and Yard and not depart the same and that he do not hold any Correspondence either by word or Deed upon [252] Political Matters with any Person or Persons inimical to the American cause which may tend to the Prejudice of this or the United States of America, and appear before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon that he shall remain under these Restrictions during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain unless sooner discharged — George Smith of the City of Albany Physician in \ £300 Thomas Reed of the same place Gentleman his Bail in £300 Adjourned Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 551 Met Albany 19^ October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) j Mathevv Visscher Samuel Stringer ) { Isaac D. Fonda The Board having received information that the Reverend Samuel Swertfeger does frequently go to the Hellebergh under a Pretence of preaching the Gospel but in fact to inculcate Doctrines tending to disaffect the minds of well disposed Persons and he being at present in this City it is therefore resolved that he be sent for — The said Samuel Swertfeger appearing it is resolved that he enter into Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good behaviour and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required & that he do not depart the Limits of the District in which he at present resides unless it be to preach the Gospel to the different Congregations in whose Employ he at present is and that he do not mislead the minds of his Heerors by in- culcating Principles inconsistant with the Freedom and Independ- [253] ance of this and the United States — Samuel Swertfeger of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Clerk £100 William Zoble of the City of Albany Tobaco- nist his Bail in £100 A Letter from Major Dickison at Stillwater dated the 18- Instant was laid before the Board wherein he informs us that he has apprehended and sends to us under Guard a certain Person who calls himself John MvMullin who he sus- pects to be a spy from the Enemy, and the said John M; - Mullin being brought before the Board and examined there- upon resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — 1780 Oct. 19. 552 State of New York x 78o The above mentioned John M° Mullin having in the Course ct. 19. ..... of his Examination mentioned the Names of several Persons at whose houses he was secreted and harboured on his way into the Country and among others Patrick Ryan of the Green Island in the Manor of Rensselaerwyck therefore resolved that a warrant be made out for the immediate apprehension of the said Patrick Ryan. Resolved that a Letter be wrote to General Schuyler at Saragtoga informing him of the Purport of MfMullins Examination — Adjourned — Met Albany 20^ October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) \ Isaac D. Fonda Patrick Ryan for whose apprehension a warrant [254] was Yesterday made out was brought before the Board on being examined he denies having seen John Mf Mullen at bis house — Whereupon ordered that the said John Mf Mullen be brought before us — The said John Mf Mullen being interrogated as to the charge by him alledged against the said Patrick Ryan con- fesses that the said Patrick Ryan was not at Home during the time he was in his house whereupon resolved that the said Patrick Ryan be discharged and that the said Mullen be recommitted — The Board having received information that a certain James Ayres at present in this City is endeavouring at this Time to dissuade Persons who are on their way to repel the Incursions of the Enemy to throw down their Arms which 1780 Oct. 20. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 553 dangerous and destructive Principles having a Tendency to *J 8 ° subvert the Constitution of the State and the said James Ayres being adjudged in the Opinion of this Board dangerous to the safety and wellfare of the State Therefore resolved that he be apprehended forthwith and confined — Adjourned — Met Albany 21- October 1780 ^80 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T T-k i? j . Y "j Isaac D. honda Samuel Stringer ) [ The Board having received information that there is at present in this City a certain Person whose conduct and Conversation renders him very suspicious therefore [255] resolved that Jacob Kidney the Door Keeper be ordered to bring the said Person forthwith before the Board. Jacob Kidney having agreeable to order apprehended the above mentioned person and brought him before us On being examined he says that his Names [sic] is James Small and that he is resident in Cambridge District resolved that he be confined untill he produces a Certificate of his Character — Thomas Bourn a Deserter from Burgoyne's Army and William Allen of New Concord in Kings District having been apprehended as appearing to be of Suspicious Char- acters and being examined and giving a satisfactory Account of themselves therefore resolved that they be discharged — Received a Letter from Peter Cantine Esq- wherein he informs us that he sends under Guard Hendrick Blunt, Hendrick Bonistel, and Petrus Bonistel who are Persons that are disaffected to the American Cause and whose going 554 State of New York T 78o^ a t large at this time may be dangerous to the State resolved in consequence of the above Letter that they be severally confined and that a Mittimus be made out for them — Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 22^ October 1780 — Oct. 22. n J 1 Present John M. Beeckman ^ I T • 1 r> 1 ■i . ( ) Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Samuel Stringer V < T ^ ~ , 1 I I Isaac D. ronda Mathew Visscher J \ A Letter from the Honorable Major General [256] Schuyler was laid before the Board wherein he informs us that he sends under Guard Hans Peter Snyder and James Brisben Inhabitants of Saragtoga District for Harbouring concealing and forwarding into the Country Spy's sent from the Enemy, and also James Van Driesen who has come from the Enemy in the Character of a Spy. resolved that they be severally committed and that a Mittimus for that purpose be made out — Thomas Griffiths and Robert Reynolds two of Sir Jonn Johnson's party were brought before the Board on being Examined they say they are Deserters from the Enemy resolved that they be detained untill the Board are better satisfied as to their Characters — Adjourned — I78o Met Albany 23"? October 1780 Oct. 23. Present John M. Beeckman ) f , _ . r_ , tt" 1 r 1 Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( A Letter from the Reverend Valentine Rath burn respect- ing a Number of Persons from New Lebanon at present Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 555 confined in Goal was laid before the Board which Letter J 78o Oct. 2; is in the words following (to wit) (see Letter on file) re- solved that the Consideration thereof be postponed till a future day — Thomas Griffiths and Robert Reynolds who were Yes- terday examined were again brought before the Board and examined, their Examination's are in the words following (to wit) (see Examinations on file) James Van Driesen was Also brought before the [257] Board and examined, his Examination is in the words fol- lowing (to wit) (see Examination on file) Hans Peter Snyder was also brought before the Board and examined and then ordered to be recommitted Adjourned — Met Albany 24°' October 1780 1780 rresent John M. Beeckman ) ( T „ , , o • r 1 Isaac D. ronda bamuel Mnnger ) { A Negro Man having been sent to Goal by General Schuyler who was apprehended on his way to the Enemy was this day at the request of his Master brought before the Board and being examined says he was persuaded to go off by a certain Man Whose name is Shepherd who is one of the people called Shaking Quakers — Resolved that the said Negro Man be discharged — Cap 1 Jacob Van Aernam appeared before the Board and informed us that he had apprehended at the Hellebergh a certain Jacob Schell formerly an Inhabitant of that place but at present a Soldier in Sir John Johnson's Regiment and the said Jacob Schell being examined says that he received Directions from Sir John at the time he left him to inform 55 6 State of New York 1780 t f, e inhabitants of the Country that those who did not take Oct. 24. ' up Arms would not be molested in their Persons or Property by the Kings Troops — resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him Adjourned — Oct!%. [ 2 5 8 1 Met Albany 25^ October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T „ , o , o • hi Isaac D. tonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Samuel Stringer At the request of Col! Paine the Board having met pro- ceeded to the Examination of John Mf Mullen his Exami- nation is in the following words (to wit) (see his Examination on File) ordered that he be recommitted — Jacob Schell and James Van Driesen were also brought before the Board and examined and ordered to be recommitted — Adjourned — Oct ? .%. Met Albany 27- October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Jeremiah Van Rensselaer j ( Isaac D. Fonda Christian Frihart belonging to Sir John Johnson's Party was brought before the Board and being examined says as follows (to wit) (see Examination on file) Benjamin Benton also belonging to Sir John's Corps having been taken Prisoner and brought before the Board was also examined his examination is in the words following (to wit) (see Examination on File) — Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 557 Present Met Albany 28 th October 1780 »78o J ' Oct. 28. John M. Beeckman ) \ T ~ ^ . i. . > *■ 1 f 1 Isaac U. Jbonda Mathew Visscher ) { [259] Zepheniah Batchelor Esqf appeared before the Board with Peter Jost an Inhabitant of Johnstown in Tryon County who he informed us had gone to Sir John at the Destruction of Caughnawaga and the said Peter Jost being examined denies the above Charge and Offers to swear that he was taken a Prisoner and says he is able to prove the same by several creditable Persons and it appearing to us from sundry Circumstances that what has been alledged by the said Peter Jost is true Therefore resolved that he be discharged — Major Newkerk of Tryon County appeared before the Board and informed us that among the Prisoners who are ordered down to Fishkill there is a certain [blank] who has always behaved himself as a peaceable subject of this State & has been reputed a Friend to the American Cause that he was last spring taken Prisoner by the Enemy and joined Sir John for no other Purpose than that he might have an Oppertunity of making his Escape, resolved there- fore that Col' Malcolm be requested to detain him — Adjourned Met Albany 29 th October 1780 178c Present 0ct " 2 * John M. Beeckman ) \ _ . 1 T7- 1 r "j Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( b A Letter was laid before the Board from the Hon^If Major General Schuyler wherein he informs us that he sends to us under Guard two Prisoners named William Vrooman 55» State of New York 1780 anc l Henry Tinkey — That the said William Vrooman has ct. 29. J 1 . aided comforted and assisted a certain James Van [260] Driesen a spy from the Enemy and that the said Henry Tinkey has harboured and assisted John M- Mullen also a spy from the Enemy — Resolved that they be severally committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them — In the above mentioned Letter of General Schuyler mention is also made of a Number of Tory woemen who are at present at Saragtoga and who are desirous of going to Canada resolved that his Excellency the Governor be in- formed of the same by one of the Members of this Board and that the necessity of their departure be pointed to him — Adjourned 1C I78 ° Met Albany 30^ October 1780 Present John M. Beeckman | ( Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer S I Samuel Stringer A Letter from Col 1 - Macolm dated at Schenectady was laid before the Board wherein he informs that he sends to us under Guard two prisoners named Isaac Aerse and Adam Hoofer who were of Sir John Johnson's Party at the time of his destroying the Settlement of Schohary — resolved that they be Examined — The said Isaac Aerse and Adam Hoofer being examined say as follows — (See their Examination on file) — ordered that they be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for them — Cap- Blackley appeared before the Board and informed us that agreeable to a warrant from this Board [261] (trans- mitted to Col 1 Patterson on the 17 th Instant) he had appre- hended Cap- 1 Timothy Church and Jonathan Mills Church Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies resolved that they be [brought! before [the! Board and '78o ii • j L 1 Oct. 30. severally Examined — Cap- Timothy Church and Jonathan Mills Church being examined say as follows (see their Examinations on File) - Lieu- Jonathan Church who was cited to appear this Day before us as a Witness against the said Timothy Church & Jonathan Mills Church appeared and was examined (see his Examination on file) — Resolved on Consideration of the above Examinations that Jonathan Mills Church be discharged and that Timothy Church be discharged on entering into a Recognizance for his Appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon and for his good Behaviour and doing his duty during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Timothy Church of Brattleborough in the County of Cumberland Farmer in £300 Benjamin Butterfield of the same place Farmer his Bail in £200 Adjourned — Met Albany 31- October 1780 — 1780 Present 0ct - 3I ' John M. Beeckman ) ( . _ . "V • 1 tt r» 1 f 1 oamuel Stringer Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Resolved that David Fairchilds be liberated from his present Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required [262] during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — 560 State of New York Oct 78 ^ David Fairchilds of Ballstown in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Mathew Fairchilds of the same place Taylor his Bail in £100 John Leslie a Deserter from Sir John Johnson's Party- appeared before us and being examined and requesting Per- mission to go to his Excellency the Governor resolved that he have the same granted him — Adjourned ^Jfo Met Albany 6^ November 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T „ , t • , T7 r> , f ) Isaac D. ronda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Hugh M?Manus of Tryon County Constable appeared before the Board with Albert Van Der Werken as a Prisoner which said Van Der Werken he informs us he had appre- hended by order of Zepheniah Batchelor Esq- and some of the other Justices of Tryon County and the said Albert Van Der Werken being examined says that he last Spring went 01T to Canada with Robert Snell that afterwards repenting of what he had done he returned with an Intention of throwing himself upon the Mercy of the Country — Resolved that the said Albert Van Der Werken be ordered to attend this Board to Morrow Morning and that he be informed in the mean time his case will be taken into Con- sideration — William Hoofer being brought before the Board [263] was examined and then ordered to be recommitted — Zepheniah Batchelor Esq r laid before the Board a return of a Number of woemen whose Husbands are gone off to the Enemy and who he has warned agreeable to the Act of the Legislature of this State for the Removal' of the Families Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 561 of Persons who have gone over to and joined the Enemy N I73;> Ordered that the said return be filed — A Letter from the Commissioners for Conspiracies at I\ ughkeepsie dated the 3- Instant was laid before the Board wherein the[y] inform us that they send to us a certain William Laird an Inhabitant of Tryon County who says he was taken Prisoner last spring by the Enemy and that he has in Sir John's late Expedition made his escape from them resolved that he be ordered to attend this Board to Morrow Morning — A Letter from Doctor George Smith 1 was laid before the Board wherein he sets forth the distressed Situation of his Family by means of his being confined to his house and the same being taken into Consideration resolved that he enter into a Recognizance to remain within the Limits of this City untill this Board shall think proper to discharge him from these Restrictions and that he shall not hold Correspondence upon Political Matters during that Time which may in any manner be prejudicial to the United States — George Smith of the City of Albany, Phy- sician in £500 Thomas Reed of the same Place Esq? his Bail in £500 Adjourned [264] Met Albany 7H 1 November 1780 ^J* 80 Preeent John M. Beeckman ) \ T ~ _ , t • 1 T7 ™ , r 1 Isaac U. ronda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Albert Van Der Werken who was Yesterday before the Board and was ordered to attend again this day appeared 1 See note under date of October nth. 562 State of New York Hoy 80 agreeable to order and prayed that Peter Sietz and M[ Can- non who have been Prisoners in Canada and were lately ex- changed might be examined and the said Persons being Examined say while they were in Canada they saw Albert Van Der Werken there and that he acted as a Bar Keeper in a Tavern and they could not learn that he had taken up Arms in the Enemies service — Resolved in Consequence of the above information that the said Albert Van Der Werken be permitted to go at large on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain -—■ Albert Van Der Werken of Johns Town in Tryon County Farmer in £200 Jacob Van Der Werken of the Sant Vlacte in the County of Tryon Farmer his Bail ... £200 Johan Jost Warner having been bound for his Appear- ance at the Supream Court held in this City on the third Tuesday in October last and there having been no Grand Jury in that time — Therefore resolved that the said Johan Jost Warner enter [265] into Recognizance of anew for his Appearance at the next Supream Court to be held at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in January next and not depart the Court without Leave — Johan Jost Warner of Schohary Farmer in. . £100 Resolved that the said Johan Jost Warner also enter into a Recognizance for the appearance of his wife Margaret Warner at the next Supream Court — Johan Jost Warner Bail for his wife Margaret Warner in £50 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 563 William Laird appearing agreeable to the Order of *78o vv ° b . Nov. 7. Yesterday resolved that he enter into Recognizance for his Appearance before Zepheniah Batchelor Esq- of Tryon County with a sufficient surety to enter into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — William Laird of Kingsborough in Tryon County Farmer in £100 Jacob Van Der Werken of the Sant Vlacte in Tryon County Farmer his Bail in £\oo Adjourned — Met Albany 8^ November 1780 l7 8o Present Nov - 8 - John M. Beeckman ) ( T „. „ , , • 1 17 t» if] Isaac U. fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( William Loucks appeared before the Board agreeable to our order and being examined says as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) Information having been received from M— [266] Camp- bell who lately was exchanged and came from Canada that John Docksteder of Tryon County did last Spring take into his House a wounded Soldier of Sir John Johnson's Party and that he did after the said Soldier was recovered for some time keep him in his House in woman's Cloath's untill he made his Escape to Canada — It is in Consequence thereof resolved that a warrant be made out for the said John Dockstader and transmitted to Zepheniah Batchelor Esq- to have the same served as soon as possible — Adjourned — 5• ■{ r . . „. , ( j Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher J V The Board taking into Consideration the Examination of Abraham Hooghteling who was examined Yesterday Re- solved in Consequence thereof that the Hon— Brigadier Gen- Ten Broeck be requested to order a party of the Cook- sakie Militia now in this City to go and apprehend all such Persons as are mentioned in the Examination of the said Abraham Hooghtelintr — ■ General Ten Broeck having appointed Lieu- Rykert Van Den Bergh with a Party of Col 1 Van Bergens Regiment to go and apprehend the said Persons — Resolved that Instruc- tions be made for him which Instructions are in the words following (to wit) (See instructions on File) [268] It appearing also from Hoogteling's Examination that a Number of Persons in Livingston's Manor are con- cerned in the Enlistment mentioned in the said Examina- tion therefore resolved that General Ten Broeck be also requested to detach a Party of that Quarter for the Appre- hension of all such Persons and that Instructions be made out to the Officer who is to command the said party which Instructions are in the following words (to wit) (see Copy Instructions on File) The Board having received information that John Walty- mier who frequently passes thro the Country as an Express from the enemy crosses Hudsons River at Hendrick Claws who lives near the Kinderhook Landing an[d] that said Claw harbours Waltymier It is therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to Col 1 - Abraham Van Alstyne requesting 566 State of New York T 78o him to have the said Hendrick Clauw apprehended and brought before us — Lieu- Rykert Van Den Bergh having in Consequence of our warrant apprehended Jacob Halenbeeck Jun- and he being brought before the Board and examined resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Resolved that General Ten Broeck be requested to detach a Party of Col 1 Van Ness's Regiment to go to Coyemans and there to take Charge of and bring to Goal such Prison- ers as may be delivered over to him by Lieu- Van Den Bergh — Alexander Bryant of the Half Moon [269] was brought before us by Col' Schoonhoven in order that he might be examined as to sundry disaffected Persons and the said Bryant being examined his Examination is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) Adjourned — Met Albany H? h November 1780 Present Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ^ \ Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda Abraham Hoogteling was ordered to be brought before the Board & being again Examined ordered that he be recommitted — Cap- Cornelius Hogeboom appeared before the Board and informed that he had agreeable to the Directions received from us proceeded to Coyemans where he had received of Lieu- Van Den Bergh the following persons as Prisoners (to wit) John Witbeeck, Nicholas Huyck, Johannis Huyck Jun-, Peter Huyck, David Van Dyck, William Hoogteling, 1780 Nov. 11. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 567 Tohannis Witbeeck, Henrv Huyck, Joachim Collver, John *78o *. ... Nov. 1 Schram, John Ver Plank, Peter Finehout, and William Plato — resolved that they be severally committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them — William Plato one of the persons above mentioned was ordered to be brought before us for Examination on being Examined he says as follows (to wit) (See his Examination on File) — It appearing from the Examination of James Van Driesen that Archibald MfNeal and Ezekiel Ensign of [270] Saragtoga Jo[t]ham Bemus of Stillwater and some others have carried on a Correspondence with the Enemy and have aided comforted and assisted Parties going to and coming from the enemy It is resolved in Consequence of the said Information that a warrant be made out for the immediate apprehension of the said Persons and that the same be forthwith transmitted to General Schuyler now at Saragtoga — Adjourned — Met Albany 12- November 1780 Present Jeremiah Van Rensselaer [ ( Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) { Isaac D. Fonda Lieu? Van Den Bergh appeared before the Board and informed us that he had agreeable to our warrant appre- hended John Coenly, Lowrence Deal and Beriah Kellv and they being severally produced and Examined resolved that they be committed and that a Mittimus be made out directed to the Goaler to take them into his Custodv and detain them until discharged by an order of this Board — Adjourned 1780 Nov. 12. 5 68 State of New York 1780 Met Albany 12^ November 1780 — Nov -^ Present Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( T ^ _ , „ . n . Y -.Isaac D. fonda Samuel btnnger ) ( Captain Bleecker of Col 1 - Gansevoort's Regiment appeared before the Board and informed us that he had agreeable to a warrant of this Board delivered to him by Gen 1 - Schuyler apprehended Archibald M;Neal, Ezekiel Ensign [271] Jotham Bemus and Joseph Carr and they being severally brought in & Examined resolved that they be committed and that a Mittimus be made out to the Sheriff to take them into his Custody and safely keep until discharged by this Board. Lowrence Deal and John Coenly who were Yesterday confined were ordered to be brought before the Board and examined their Examinations are as follows (to wit) (see Examination on file) ordered that they be recommitted — Adjourned — » x78 5 Met Albany 14^ November 1780 Present Mathew Visscher ) j Samuel Stringer Jeremiah Van Rensselaer j ( Isaac D. Fonda Peter Finehout was brought before the Board and exam- ined his Examination is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) The Board having been informed that Hoogteling and Lena Hoogteling residing at Aquatuck will be able to give Information respecting the Persons apprehended in that Quarter and who are at present in Confinement therefore resolved that they be severally cited to appear before us to Morrow Morning at 10 OClock — Cap 1 Coenradt Klyne appeared before the Board & Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies informed that agreeable to an order of this Board he had _ x 1 ° t Nov apprehended Henry Smith Jun r , Henry Bonestel, James M'Coy, John Harvey, John Bunt, John Snocck, Thomas Whiting, John Hoogteling and Henry Hoogteling and they being brought before the Board and examined ordered that they be committed and that [272] a Mittimus be made out for them — 1 A Letter from Col- Peter Livingston was laid before the Board dated the II- Instant wherein he informs us that lie sends an Examination of Anna Proper respecting James MfCoy which Examination is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) — A Letter from Col- Henry j. Van Rensselaer was laid before the Board dated 16 th Instant respecting John Harvey who was lately apprehended and brought to Goal by Cap- Coenradt Klyne in which Letter he informs us that the said Harvey is a very dangerous Person ordered that the said Letter be filed — Adjourned — Met Albany 15^ November 1780 Present Mathew Visscher ) ( _ . . j t» t f 1 Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( to Resolved that William Lees be liberated from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his Appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required doing his duty & be of the good Behaviour for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — 1 Nov ' Captain Cline, Kline or Klyne, was paid Co u o „ 2d. in " hard money " for this service. The original voucher is in Revolutionary Manuscripts, vol. 40, p. 162, State Comptroller's office. 57o State of New York 1780 William Lees of Nistageune in the County of Albany Blacksmith in £100 Jesse Fairchild of the City of Albany Black- smith his Bail in £100 The Board having received information that [273] Joseph Stalker of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck is knowing to several Villianies committed by persons living at New Scotland such as harbouring spies from the Enemy &c- resolved that the said Joseph Stalker be cited to appear before us on Friday next in Order to his being Examined as to the above Resolved that Johannis Huyck be liberated from Con- finement on his entering into a recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Johannis Huyck of Hackatough in the County of Albany Labourer in £100 Gerrit Van Wie of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Cordwainer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Jacob Halenbeeck Jun- be liberated from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance for his remaining within the Limits of the Dwelling house and Yard of Samuel Pruyn situate within the third Ward of this City until discharged from the said Restrictions by this Board or any other three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies and for his good Behaviour during that Time — Jacob Halenbeeck Jun- of Klinkenbergh in the County of Albany Farmer in £500 Jacob Halenbeeck of the same place Farmer his Bail in £500 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 571 Resolved that James Whitacre be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good [274] Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required for and during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — James Whitacre of Nistageune in the County of Albany Labourer in £100 Williams Lees of the same place Blacksmith his Bail in £100 Adjourned — ■ Met Albany 16- November 1780 1780 Present Nov - l6 - Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) \ John M. Beeckman Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher Resolved that John Hocknel be discharged from Confine- ment on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Behav- iour, doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Hocknel of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 Peter Scharp of the City of Albany Carpenter his Bail in £100 Col- Abraham Van Alstyne having agreeable to a Request of this Board of the 10- Instant caused Hendrick Clauw to be apprehended and brought before us and the said Clauw being examined and it appearing probable to this Board from his Examination and other [275] Circumstances that he is innocent of the Crime laid to his Charge but as the said Hendrick Clauw is reputed a disaffected Person — 572 State of New York No 78 i6 Therefore resolved that previous to his being discharged he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain and for his procuring a good sufficient Bail on or before the 25- day of November Instant — Hendrick Clauw of the District of Kinder- hook in the County of Albany Carpenter in £100 James Van Driesen was brought before the Board & examined and ordered to be recommitted — Resolved that Joseph Hawkins be liberated from Confine- ment on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Be- haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain and for his remaining within the Limits of this City and not departing the same (unless it be to do Militia or other Military Duty) without the Consent and Approbation of this Board — Joseph Hawkins of Kingsbury in the County of Charlotte Yeoman in £100 William Shepherd of the City of Albany Cutler his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Nov. 8 ^. [276] Met Albany 17^ November 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Jeremiah Van Rensselaer j ( Mathew Visscher Resolved that John Bont be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 573 doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Corn- 1780 missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. John Bont of Claverack District Weaver in. . £100 John Decker Robison of the same place Carpenter his Bail in £50 Elisha Talmidge of the same place Black- smith also his Bail in £50 Resolved that Peter I. Miller be discharged from Con- finement on his entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain. Peter I. Miller of Claverack District Wheel- wright in £100 John Decker Robison of the same place Carpenter his Bail in £ 50 Elisha Talmidge of the same place Black- smith also his Bail in £ 50 Resolved that Joel Piatt be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance for his future [277] good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the continuance of the Present war [with] Great Britain. Joel Pratt of New Lebanon in the Count} of Albany Farmer in £100 Ase Stower of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Joseph Meacham be discharged from Con- finement on his entering into a Recognizance for his future 574 State of New York N q 78 ° good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before an/ three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Joseph Meacham of New Lebanon in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Isaac Garnsey of Half Moon District Farmer Bail in £100 Resolved that Hezekiah Hammond be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain Hezekiah Hammond of the State of Masse- chusets Bay Farmer in £100 Isaac Garnsey of Half Moon District Farmer his Bail in £ 50 Ase Stower of New Lebanon in the County of Albany Farmer also his his Bail in. . . . £ 50 M- Mills wife of Abel Mills appeared before the Board agreeable to order and was examined her examination is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) — [278] A Letter from Samuel Ten Broeck Esq- of Living- ston's Manor was laid before the Board by Harmanus Rose Constable with an Examination respecting Thomas M? Feal who said Harmanus Rose informed us he had apprehended and had in his Custody and the said Thomas M^Feal being Examined resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Johannis Shaver Esq- and Cap- John Decker Robison appeared before the Board and informed us that Peter Bean Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 575 is a dangerous and disaffected person and that he endeavours N< J* 8 ° 7 by his Conversation to intimidate weak & ignorant persons and that John Bartle is also a dangerous and disaffected person in Consequence of which Information Resolved that Major Samuel Ten Broeck of Livingston's Manor be requested to have the said Peter Bean and John Bartle apprehended and forthwith sent to us. Adjourned. Met Albany 18 th November 1780 „ l78o Q „ J 1 Nov. 18. Present John M. Beeckman ) f Mathew Visscher Jeremiah Van Rensselaer f 1 Samuel Stringer Resolved that Calvin Harlow be discharged from Confine- ment on his entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain — Calvin Harlow of New Lebanon in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Joseph Meacham of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 [279] Resolved that Hans Sneack be discharged from Con- finement on his entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain. Hans Sneack of Claverack District Farmer in . £100 John Decker Robison of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 576 State of New Y ork Nov 8 i8 Resolved that John Harvey be discharged from Confine- ment on his entering into a recognizance for his good Be- haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto re- quired during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain. John Harvey of Claverack District Farmer in £100 Jacob F. Shaver of Livingstons Manor Esq- his Bail in £100 Resolved Beriah Kelly be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance for his future good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. Beriah Kelly of Norwich in the State of Connecticut in £100 Ezra Cleveland of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned. NoJ 8 °o [280] Met Albany 20* h November 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) f n . n . ir 1 , r , r "1 Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( Resolved That Thomas Ayres be discharged from confine- ment on his entering into a Recognizance for his future good behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereinto [sic] required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 577 Thomas Ay res of New Lebanon in the County 1780 of Albany Labourer in £100 Peter Ayres of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 The Board having from sundry Circumstances the greatest reason to think that the Information of Abraham Hoogteling was entirely false and as several persons have been confined on account of the same therefore resolved that the said persons be discharged from Confinement, but as all of them have from the Commencement of the present Contest been disaffected to the American Cause it is ordered that previous to their discharge they severally enter into a Recognizance for their good Behaviour doing their duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continuance of the present war with Great Britain. Johannis I. Witbeeck of Niscuthaw Farmer in £100 Cornelius Van Der Zee of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Johannis L. Witbeeck of Acquatough in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 [281] Isaac Witbeeck of Cooksakie Farmer his Bail in £100 Nicholas Huyck of Acquatough Farmer in.. £100 Cornelius Huyck of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £100 John Ver Plank of Hacketock Farmer in.. . £100 Cornelius Huyck of the west district of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £100 578 State of New York 1780 Hendrick Huyck of the west District of the OV. 20. Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 Hendrick Van Sante of Ni[s]cuthaw Farmer his Bail in £100 David Van Dyck of Niscuthaw Farmer in. . £100 Eli Arnold of the City of Albany Cooper his Bail in £100 Wouter Witbeeck of Manettenhook Farmer in £100 Peter W. Hilton of the City of Albany Cooper his Bail in £100 joachim Collier of Cooksakie Farmer in. . . £100 Isaac Witbeeck of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Isaac Huyck of Hacketock Farmer in £100 Isaac Witbeck of Cooksakie Farmer his Bail in £100 Cornelius Huyck of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Lowrence Deal, John Garret and John Coenly severally enter into a recognizance for their future good behaviour doing their duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain & also for their appearance at the next Supreme Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in January next (or wheresoever the [282] said Court shall Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 579 then be held in the State aforesaid) and not depart the „ I 7 8 ° Nov - 20- Court without Leave. Lowrance Deal of Cooksakie Farmer in.... £100 Cornelius Conine of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 John Garret of Cooksakie District Farmer in £100 Richard Bronck of the same place Esq? his Bail in £100 John Coenly of Cooksakie District Farmer in £100 Cornelius Conine of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 It being suggested to the Board that Simeon Garret who lives upon the Farm formerly occupied by John Waltymier has frequent Intercourse with the said Waltymier and harbours him when on his way through the Country resolved in Consequence of the said Information that the said Simeon Garret be cited to appear before this Board forthwith Met Albany 2i s ^ November 1780 wov^i Adjourned Present lohn M. Beeckman ) ( p • « • t • 1 tt ™ f 1 Samuel Stringer Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Dr George Smith appeared before the Board & informed us that from an Expectation of going to Canada he has disposed of all his Effects and that he is greatly reduced in his Circumstances and finds it impossible to maintain his family in this City and being desirous of removing to the 5 8o State of New York Nov 8< 2i ^ arm at P resent occupied by John Jolley situate in the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck resolved that he have Permission granted him for that Purpose on his enter- ing into a Recognizance for his remaining within the Limits of the said Farm and not [283] leaving the same without Leave previously obtained for that purpose from this Board and that he shall not during his residence at the said [farm] correspond with or in any Manner whatsoever give any Intelligence to the Enemies of this or the United States and for his good Behaviour during the said time and for his appearance when called upon. George Smith of the City of Albany Physi- cian in £100 Patrick Smith of the same place Merchant his Bail in £100 Resolved that William Bartow, Jacob Halenbeeck, Jun% Peter Finehout, Ebenezer Stanton, Nathan Stanton, Arnold Skoelfield, Peter Huyck, and William Hoogteling, be severally discharged from Confinement on entering into Recognizance for their good Behaviour doing their duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — William Bartow of Cooksakie District La- bourer in £100 Myndert Van Schaick of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Jacob Halenbeeck Jun^ of Klinkenbergh Farmer in £100 Samuel Pruyn of the City of Albany Yeo- man his Bail in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 581 Peter Finehout of Acquatough Labourer in. . £100 J 78o 1 Nov. 21. Daniel G. Van Antwerp of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Ebenezer Stanton of Cooksakie District Farmer in £100 Daniel G. Van Antwerp of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Nathan Stanton of Cooksakie District Farmer in £100 Daniel G. Van Antwerp of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 [284] Arnold Skolfield of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck in £100 Wilhelmas Row of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Peter Huyck of Auckquetuck Farmer in . . . £100 Michael Klink of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 William Hoogteling of Niscuthaw Farmer in . £100 Michael Klink of Auckquetough Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Philip Philips be discharged on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the continu- ance of the present war with Great Britain Philip Philips of the Eas[t] District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Weaver in £100 Thomas Knowlton of the same placfe] Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned. 5 82 State of New York 1780 Met Albany 22^ November 1780 — Nov. 22. J ' Present Teremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( c , c . •> , ._ r 1 Samuel Stringer John M. Beeckman j (. b A Certificate was laid before the Board signed by CoU Killian Van Rensselaer and sundry other Officers certifying that the said John Low who is at present in Confinement has ever evinced a warm Attachment to the American Cause and has been ready on every Occasion to do his duty in the Militia Resolved in Consequence of the same that the said [285] John Low be discharged on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. John Low of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Yeoman in £100 Nicholas Low of the same place Gentleman his Bail in £100 Whereas James Bramley and Peter Livingstone of the Hellebergh have been severally cited to appear before this Board and refused and neglected to do the same it is there- fore resolved that a warrant be made out directed to Cap* Jacob Van Aernam authorizing him to apprehend the said James Bramley and Peter Livingstone and forthwith bring them before us at the City Hall in this City — Adjourned — i 7 8o Met Albany 23? November 1780 — Nov. 23. Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) \ c • « • J r Samuel Stringer Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 583 Resolved that Johannis Huyclc be discharged from Con- N J 78 ° finement on his entering into a Recognizance for his future ° v * 2 good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of [the] Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Johannis Huyck of Acquatough in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 [286] Peter Van Wie of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Andries Loucks be discharged from Con- finement on Frederick Cranse entering into a Recognizance for the good Behaviour of the said Andries Loucks & for doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Frederick Cranse of the Hellebergh Farmer as Bail for Andries Loucks in £100 Resolved that Johan Jost Warner be discharged on entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Johan Jost Warner of Schohary in the County of Albany Labourer in £100 Philippus Warner of the Bever Dam Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Nicholas Sea be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto 5^4 State of New York required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Nicholas Sea of Schohary Farmer in £100 Philippus Warner of the Bever Dam Farmer his Bail in £100 A Letter from the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Poughkeepsie was laid before the Board wherein they [287] inform that they send to us a certain John Davis of Tryon County whom they have caused to be apprehended on sus- picion of his having stolen two Horses — , Resolved that the said John Davis be committed until an inquiry can be made into the Crime wherewith he stands Charged — Adjourned — Met Albany 24 th November 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) j Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer j ( Isaac D. Fonda John Bartle agreeable to an order of this Board of the 7- Instant appeared and the crime as alledged against him being read to him and he denying the same resolved that the said John Bartle have Permission granted him to appear again on the 4- day of December next and bring with him such Evidences as he may think Proper to invalidate the said Charge Also Resolved that Cap- Robison be informed of the Proceedings respecting John Bartle and that he be requested also to attend on that day — Hugh MfManus appeared before the Board and informed that agreeable to our order he had apprehended John 1780 Nov. 24. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 585 Doclcsteder and the said Docksteder being Examined and it x 78o . . Nov. 24. appearing that he is not the person who it was intended Should be apprehended therefore resolved that he be dis- charged — Resolved that Hendrick Bonistel be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty [288] and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Hendrick Bonistel of Claverack District Labourer in £100 John Blunt of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 25- November 1780 1780 Present Nov - 2 5- John M. Beeckman ) ( T r\ t? j •L . > < Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer j ( Simeon Garret appeared before the Board this day agreeable to our order and being Examined as to his Con- nection with John Waltymier he says as follows (see his Examination on file) — Resolved that the said Simeon Garret be discharged on his entering into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the Con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain and for his procuring a sufficient Bail by the 2"? day of December next — Simeon Garret of Cooksakie District Farmer in £100 5 86 State of New York Nov 3 -2 James Bramley having been apprehended by Cap^ Jacob Van Aernam and brought before the Board resolved that he be confined and that a Mittimus be made out to the Goaler commanding him to detain and keep in close Confinement the said James Bramley until discharged by an order of this Board — Adjourn[e]d Nov S 26. I> 8 9] Met Albany 26^ November 1780 — Present John M. Beeckman ) f T • 1 17 r> 1 J . >■ < Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Samuel Stringer ) I James Hamilton appeared before the Board and informed us that having agreeable to directions received from Captain Jacob Van Aernam apprehended James Bramley and being on his way to this City with said Bramley in order to bring him before the Board, David Gibson did assault him the said James Hamilton and endeavoured to rescue the said Bramley — Resolved in Consequence of the above Information that a warrant be made out for the immediate apprehension of the said David Gibson and that the said warrant be directed to the said James Hamilton and that he be authorized in case any Resistance should be made by the said Gibson or any other Person to call to his assistance such a Number of Per- sons as he may think proper to carry the above warrant into Execution — Adjourned N *7 8 ° 7 Met Albany 27^ November 1780 Present Mathew Visscher | J Isaac D. Fonda John M. Beeckman j ( Samuel Stringer Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 587 Tames Bramley who was on the 2 < Isaac U. ronda Samuel Stringer ) [ The Board proceeded to the Consideration of the Charge alledged against Robert Caldwell whereupon it is resolved that he be discharged on his entering into a Recognizance State of New York. No' 80 Wl *h a su ^ c ' ent suret y f° r his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners [293] for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Robert Caldwell of Schacktikook in the County of Albany Weaver in £100 Robert Todd of the Half Moon District in the County of Albany Weaver his Bail in . . £ 50 Dirck Scouting of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £50 Adjourned — Met Albany 2"? December 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( ,» , xr . , . f 1 Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) ( A Letter from Ebenezer Russell Esq-dated White Creek the 18— November last was laid before the Board wherein he sets forth the distressed Situation of the Family of Samuel Burns now a Prisoner confined in the Goal in this City and requesting that the said Burns may be admitted to Bail if is can be done consistently with the safety of the State which Letter being read ordered that the same be filed and that the Consideration thereof be postponed till a future Day — A Letter from Major Richard Esselstyne of Claverack was also laid before the Board wherein he requests that Henry Hoogteling an Inhabitant of Claverack District may be liberated from Confinement and offering to become surety for the said Hoogteling which Letter being read ordered that the same be filed and taken into Consideration on Monday next — Adjourned — 1780 Dec. 2. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 591 [294] Met Albany 4^ December 1780 — D »78o Present John M. Beeckman ) ( A , . T7 . , •L . _ . f 1 Mathew Visscher Samue! btringer ) ( It having been suggested to the Board that William Tyler is gone to Canada and has Joined the enemy and Amos Lucas having became [sic] surety for the -Appearance of the said William Tyler when called upon resolved in Conse- quence of the said Information that an order be made out and sent to the said Amos Lucas forthwith to deliver him up to this Board or to pay the Recognizance Money — The Board having been informed that from the Asser- tions of some Persons at present with the Enemy there is good Reason to suppose that William Laird at present resid- ing at Johnstown who some time ago entered into a Recog- nizance before us to appear when called upon is at present enlisting Men for the service of the enemy with whom he intends to join them as soon as they make a descent into the Country — resolved in Consequence of the said Information that the said William Laird be cited to appear forthwith before this Board & that the Citation for the said Laird be inclosed in a Letter to Zepheniah Batchelar Esq- and that he be requested to have the same served — The Board then proceeded to the Consideration of the Letter of Major Esselstyne delivered to this Board on the 2- Instant resolved in Consequence of the said Letter that Henry Hoogteling be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Bond conditioned for his good Behaviour doing his duty and [295] appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required 59 2 State of New York )ec 80 4 during tne Continuance of the Present War with Great Britain — Henry Hoogteling of Claverack in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Resolved that the above mentioned Bond be transmitted to Major Esselstyne in order that he may sign the same as Surety for Henry Hoogteling. Thomas Yarns was brought before the Board and exam- ined and then ordered to be Recommitted — Resolved upon the Application of William Lees, That Ann Standerren (who was some time ago sent to Poughkeepsie on Account of her Influence in bringing over Persons to the Persuasion professed by the People called Shaking Quakers the said Persuasion having a Tendency to alienate the minds of the People from their Allegiance to the State by inculcating an Opinion of the Unlawfulness of taking up Arms in defence of the American Cause) and it appearing that many of the Persons of the said Persuasion have been reformed and that no further Evil is to be apprehended from her Influence or Example therefore resolved that the said Ann Standerren have Permission to return to Nistageune on the said William Lees and James Whitakre entering into a Bond conditioned for the said Ann Standerren's appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for her good Behaviour and not saying or consenting to any Matters or Things inconsistant with the Peace and safety of this and the United States William Lees of Nistageuna in the County of Albany Blacksmith as Bail for Ann Standerren in £100 James Whitacre of the same place Yeoman also her Bail in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 593 [296] Met Albany 5^ December 1780 ^780 Present John M Beeckman I | Isaac Q Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Nicholas Sea appearing before the Board requests that Christian Weaver may be accepted as his Surety instead of Philip Warner whereupon resolved that the said Christian Weaver be accepted accordingly and that he enter into a Recognizance for the good Behaviour of the said Nicholas Sea and for his doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain Christian Weaver of Schohary in the County of Albany Farmer as Bail for Nicholas Sea in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 6- 1 December 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ) J Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j { Jeremiah Van Rensselaer The Board conceiving it necessary that Jacob I. Truax of this City should be prosecuted agreeable to Law for his Conduct in adhering to the Enemy and as the Witnesses against him who are John Cuppernull and John I. Vrooman of Tryon County have neglected to attend the Supreme Court altho they have been requested so to do — It is therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to Zepheniah Batchelar Esq r - Justice of the Peace of the County of [297] Tryon requesting him to cite the said John Cuppernull and John I. Vrooman before him and take their Recognizance 1780 Dec. 6. 594 State of New York 1780 for their Appearance at the next Supream Court to be held Dec. 6. . r on the third Tuesday in January next to give Evidence against the said Jacob I. Truax Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Cor: Van Schonhoven of the Half Moon requesting him to order Alexander Bryant to appear before this Board for the Purpose of being exam- ined as to sundry Transactions of the Disaffected in Half Moon District — Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 7^ December 1780 Dec - 7- Present John M. Beeckman Samuel Stringer An Anonimous Letter directed to the Commissioners for Conspiracies was laid before the Board setting forth that John Cobham is a Dangerous Person and that his going to the Northward gives great Reason to suspect that he Conveys Intelligence to the Enemy resolved in Consequence of the above Letter that the said John Cobham be ordered on no Pretence whatever to leave this City unless he shall pre- viously obtain Permission from this Board for that Purpose — Resolved that Peter Werley be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain Peter Werley of the Hellebergh in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 [298] William Monk of the same Place Farmer his Bail in £100 Andries Ward of the same Place Farmer also his Bail in £100 Isaac D. Fonda Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 595 It appearing from the Examination of James Van Driesen qJ^° that Archibald M^Neal of the Scotch Patent and his son Alec M'Neal have aided and assisted the Party (with which he the said Van Driesen was going to the Enemy) in making their Escape to Canada resolved in Consequence thereof that a warrant be made out for the immediate apprehension of the said Archibald McNeil and Alec M- Neal and that the same be inclosed in a Letter to General Schuyler at Saragtoga and that he be requested to have it served — Adjourned — Met Albany 11^ December 1781 [sic for 1780] — 1780 Dec. 11. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T t~\ t- j f, . > < Isaac U. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( John Hoogteling being brought before the Board and his Examination taken and it appearing that the Charges as alledged against the said John Hoogteling are not of suffi- cient weight to render his Confinement any longer necessary therefore resolved that he be discharged — James Oynes being brought before the Board and his Examination taken ordered that he be recommitted — James Brisbin being also ordered to be brought before the Board was examined ordered that he be Recommitted — William Griffen being also brought before the Board was examined ordered that he be recommitted — Adjourned — [299] Met Albany 12- December 1780 D I78 ° Present John M. Beeckman ) ( AT , , . f i Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) ( 59 6 State of New York 1780 a Letter from Ebenezer Clark and Alexander Ms Nit L>ec. 12. Esq- two of the Commissioners for Conspiracies for the County of Charlotte dated New Perth 2- Instant was laid before the Board setting forth that they inclose a Petition signed by sundry of the Inhabitants of Kingsbury in Favour of Thomas Yarns, William Griffin and William Bell who are at present in Confinement resolved that the said Peti- tion be taken into Consideration at some future Day — A Letter from Dirck Swart Esq- directed to this Board and dated 12— November last was laid before us by M[ Visscher wherein he informs us that a Petition has lately been set on Foot and signed by a Number of Persons in Favour of Jotham Bemus who is at Present confined in Goal and requesting when the said Petition is laid before the Board to be informed of it as he is desirous of disproving a Part at least of the said Petition ordered that the said Letter be filed. A Letter from Lieutenant Col- Weisenfelt dated at Fort Schuyler inclosing a Copy of an Examination of an Indian who came from the enemy was laid before the Board and as the said Examination contains Information which should be communicated to General Clinton therefore resolved that M r Beeckman wait upon him with the same — Adjourned — 1780 [300] Met Albany 13- December 1780 Dec. 13* Present John M. Beeckman | f ^ D Fonda Samuel Stringer ) (. The Board having taken into Consideration the Petition presented on the 12- Instant in Favour of William GrifFen and others resolved in Consequence thereof that the said Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 597 William Griffen be liberated from Confinement on entering * 78 ° Dec. 13. into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continu- ance of the present war [with] Great Britain — William Griifen of the County of Charlotte Farmer in £100 William High of the same Place Farmer his Bail in £100 Joseph Hawkins appeared before the Board and requested Permission to go to Charlotte County and remove from thence his Family and Effects and the same being agreed to by his Bail William Shepherd resolved that he have Permission granted him accordingly — The Board being desirous of reexamining Alexander Bryant and he being ordered to appear and now attending agreeable to our Order resolved that he be examined — The said Alexander Bryant being examined and his Ex- amination being reduced to writing is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) — Adjourned — [301] Met Albany 14I 11 December 1780 1780 Dec. 14. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( A/T , „. , ■L , _ . > < Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) ( Resolved that James Bramley be discharged from Con- finement on his entering into a Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain — 598 State of New York. James Bramley of the Hellebergh in the County of Albany Innkeeper in £100 David Kittle of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 A Petition signed by a Number of the well affected In- habitants of Saragtoga District was laid before the Board setting forth that Jotham Bemus of Stillwater since his liberation from Confinement has acted in every Respect as a friend to the American Cause that he has chearfully con- tributed all his Power towards supplying the Army and has in every Respect manifested a Disposition to support the Independance of the United States which said Petition being read ordered that the same be filed — Ordered that the Secretary inform Dirck Swart Esq- that the above Petition was presented to this Board and requesting him as soon as possible to come down for the Purpose mentioned in his Letter of the 12^ Instant — Adjourned — D I78o 6 [3 02 1 Met Albany i6 l - December 1780 Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( T • . \r r> 1 J V < Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Samuel Stringer ) ( Resolved that William Vrooman be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies whenever thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain — 1780 Dec. 14. William Vrooman of Saragtoga District Farmer in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 599 Teremiah Van Rensselaer Esq- ifnlformed the Board that *? 8 ° ■» Dec. 10. he had received of Gerard Bancker Esq- Treasurer of this State the sum of One hundred Dollars of the New Emission for the purpose of defraying the Necessary Expenditures of this Board — Resolved that out of the above money the Secretary pay to Stephen Bell £10 u 5 on Account Adjourned Met Albany December 1780 1780 y\ Dec* iot rresent John M. Beeckman ) ( u , T7 . , J r "i Mathevv Visscher Samuel Stringer ) { Resolved that Henry Smith be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three ot the Commissioners for Conspiracies whenever thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain [303] Henry Smith of the Manor of Liv- ingston Farmer in £100 Teunis Smith of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 21^ December 1780 r» I78 ° t-v J-/6C. 2I# rresent Samuel Stringer ) ( , r , „. . y * » » t» 1 r i Mathevv Visscher John M. Beeckman ) ( A Letter from Major Rosekrans at Saragtoga was laid before the Board wherein he informs that he sends to us under Guard Archibald M":Neal of the Scotch Patent who 6oo State of New York Dec^i a g reea bl e to our Request he had caused to be apprehended, and the said Archibald M;Neal being brought before the Board & examined and it appearing from his Examination that he is guilty of the Crime wherewith he stands charged therefore resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 22^ December 1780 Dec. 22. -pw J ' rresent John M. Beeckman ) j Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer j { Jeremiah Van Rensselaer James Brisben requesting to be brought before the Board and being brought accordingly requested that he might be liberated from Confinement on his procuring sufficient Bail for his good Behaviour in future Resolved on Consideration of the above Request that he be informed that the Board will liberate him on his procuring a surety for his remaining within the Limits of the City of Albany until discharged by this Board — [304] Joseph Carr also requesting to be liberated from Confinement resolved that he be informed that the Board will liberate him on his entering into a similar Recognizance with the above mentioned James Brisben — Jotham Bemus at present in Confinement requesting of the Board to be admitted to the Liberty of the Goal resolved that it be granted him on his procuring a sufficient Bail for his remaining a true and faithfull Prisoner in the City Hall of the said City — William McLaughlin of the City of Albany Innkeeper as Bail for Jotham Bemus in.. £100 The Board being informed that John Cobham, John Stiles Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 60 1 and the Man living at a Place called the Half way House *78o Dec. 22. in Jessup's Patent are concerned in forwarding Intelligence to Canada resolved in Consequence of the said Information that Coll Gansevoort be requested to have them apprehended & forthwith sent to us — A Letter from Col 1 . Peter R. Livingston was laid before the Board inclosing an examination of Jacob Kline of the Manor of Livingston's from which Examination it appears that Wilhelmas Turner, Coenradt Turner, and James Turner being disaffected Persons and intending to create Confusion and Disturbance so as to embarrass the Government of this State have opposed the said Jacob Kline in collecting the Taxes assessed on the Inhabitants of the District and are daily by every means in their Power endeavouring to disturb the Publick Peace ordered that the same be filed — Adjourned — [305] Met Albany 2p December 1780 — 1780 Dec. 23. Present John M. Beeckman ) j Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer j ( Jeremiah Van Rensselaer A Letter from Lieui Col- Henry J. Van Rensselaer dated at Claverack was laid before the Board in which Letter he informs that Thomas Whiting at present in Confinement has always sustained the Character of a harmless inoffensive Man and that he does not conceive that his being liberated from Confinement will any way endanger the Safety of the State — which Letter being taken into Consideration Thereupon resolved that the said Thomas Whiting be dis- charged on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behav- iour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required dur- ing the Continuance of the present war [with] Great Britain — 602 State of New York Dec 8 °3 Thomas Whiting of Claverack District Labourer in £50 A Letter from Major Esselstyne was laid before the Board wherein he informs that he has at present in his Possession the Arms and Ammunition belonging to those Persons who have been apprehended on the Information of Abraham Hoogteling & the said Information appearing to be altogether false therefore resolved that Major Esselstyne be ordered to deliver up the said Arms and Ammunition to the Persons respectively from whom they have been taken — Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Brigadier General Rensselaer to request him to transmit to this Board a List of such Persons of his Brigade who have been Delinquent in doing Militia [306] Duty in order that such of them who have entered into Recognizance before this Board may be prose- cuted upon the same Resolved that Alexander M^Key be ordered to deliver up to this Board on or before the 8 th day of January next Hugh Rose, Alexander Carsan and Walter Trumble for whose appearance and good Behaviour he has become Surety — Resolved that James Beatty be ordered to deliver up to this Board on or before the 8- h day of January next John Parks for whose Appearance before us when called upon he became Surety — William McLaughlin who Yesterday became surety for Jotham Bemus's remaining a true and faithfull Prisoner within the City Hall of this City appeared before the Board & informed that he was unwilling any longer to remain Bail for the said Jotham Bemus and John Horn of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck offering to become surety for the said Jotham Bemus resolved that the said John Horn accord- ingly enter into a Recognizance for the said Jotham Bemus's Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 603 remaining a Prisoner within the City Hall in this City and r 7So 6 . /,. 3 Dsc. 2, for his good Behaviour during that i ime — John Horn of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Butcher as Bail for Jotham Bemus in . . . . £100 Jacob Truax of this City having forfeited his Recognizance appeared this day and paid the sum of Two hundred and forty four Dollars of the Money emitted pursuant to a Reso- lution of Congress of the 18- of March last Resolved that the same be delivered over into the Hands of the Secretary to be made use of in defraying the Expenditures of this Board — [307] Resolved in Consequence of the application of Archibald McNeil and Ezekiel Ensign that they be severally liberated from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for their remaining within the following Limits (to wit) the House and Yard of Patrick Smith situate in the first ward of the City of Albany and that they do not hold any Correspondence either by word or deed upon Political matters with any Person or Persons which may in any Manner tend to be prejudicial to the Measures pursued or which may be pursued by the United States of America or either of them for the Maintainance of Liberty & Independance of the said United States and that they shall appear before any three of the Commissioners appointed for detecting and defeating all Conspiracies that may be formed in this State against the Liberties of America whenever they shall be thereunto required and that they shall remain under these Restrictions untill discharged or otherwise ordered — Archibald M-.Niel of Saragtoga in the County of Albany Merchant in £500 Robert M^.Clallen of the City of Albany Merchant also his Bail in £250 Thomas Shipboy of the same place Merchant also his Bail in £250 604 State of New York D „ I78 ° Ezekiel Ensign of Saragtoga Innkeeper in. . . £500 John RofF of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Merchant his Bail in £250 James Caldwell of the City of Albany Mer- chant also his Bail in £250 Captain Cline of Livingston's Manor appearing before [308] the Board informed us that agreeable to orders re- ceived from Col- Peter Livingston he had apprehended Wilhelmas Turner, James Turner and Coenradt Turner resolved that the Charges as alledged against them be taken into Consideration until Monday Morning next and that the said Wilhelmas Turner, James Turner and Coen- radt Turner enter into a Recognizance each of them to remain within the Limits of this City and to appear before this Board on Monday the 25— day of December Instant at ten of the Clock in the Forenoon and in the mean time to be of the good Behaviour — Wilhelmas Turner of Livingston's Manor Farmer in £100 James Turner of D°. . . .D° in £100 Coenradt Turner of D°. . . .D° in £100 Adjourned — ^780 Met Albany 25^ December 1780 Present Samuel Stringer ) ( J onn M. Beeckman Mathew Visscher j 1 Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Resolved that John Stalker be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behav- iour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required dur- ing the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 605 John Stalker of Claverack District Labourer in £100 Ambrose Stalker of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 The Board taking into Consideration the Charges as alledged against Wilhelmas Turner, James Turner & Coen- radt Turner and the[y] appearing this Day agreeable to the [309] Tenor of the Recognizance entered into by them on the 23- Instant resolved that they have Permission to re- turn Home on their severally entering into a Recognizance for their good Behaviour doing their Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain and also for their appear- ance at the next supreme Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in January next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the state aforesaid) and not to depart the Court without Leave — Wilhelmas Turner of the Manor of Living- ston Farmer in £100 Coenradt Cline of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 James Turner of the Manor of Livingston Farmer in £100 Coenradt Cline of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Coenradt Turner of the Manor of Living- ston Farmer in £100 Coenradt Cline of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 1780 Dec. 25. 6o6 State of New York Dec 78 25 Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Peter Livingston Esql to request him to bind over Johannis Van Deusen and Wheater Hicks to appear at the next Supreme Court as Witnesses against the aforementioned Turners and also that he bind over all such Persons as are able to prove the Charges alledged against them — And that he also be desired to have a certain John Moore who is at present at Livingston's Manor apprehend[ed] and forthwith sent to us — The Board having received Information that Peter Bean of Livingston's Manor has lately declared himself as an Enemy to the American Cause and dissuaded Persons from [310] enlisting in the Continental Service and Richard Warn of the same place being a disaffected and dangerous Person — Resolved therefore that a warrant be made out directed to Cap? Coenradt Cline forthwith to apprehend and bring before us the said Peter Bean & Richard Warn — Adjourned — 1780 Met Albany 27- December 1780 Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) \ c , c . J > < Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( The Board being informed that Adam Killmer who is at present Confined in Goal is entirely destitute of Provisions and other Necessaries and not having it in his Power to pro- cure any on Account of his Poverty — It is therefore resolved that he be liberated from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance with a Sufficient Surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appear- ing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies whenever thereunto required during the Continuance of the Dec. 27. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 607 present war with Great Britain and also for his Appearance De x c 78 ° 7 at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in January next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) and not to depart the Court without Leave — Adam Killmer of Livingston's Manor in the County of Albany Blacksmith in £100 Gideon Wolcot of the same place Blacksmith his Bail in £100 Adjourned — [311] Met Albany 28^ December 1780 1780 Dec. 28. Present Jeremiah Van Rensselaer | j John M. Beeckman Samuel Stringer j ( Mathew Visscher James Brisben having made Application to the Board to be released from Confinement and his request being taken into Consideration thereupon resolved that the said James Brisben be liberated from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and Appearance be- fore any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon and also for his remaining within the Limits of this City and not departing the same without Leave ob- tained for that Purpose from any three of the said Commis- sioners or unless it be to do Militia Duty — James Brisben of Saragtoga District Farmer in £100 Peter Scharp of the City of Albany Carpenter his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 6o8 State of New York D * c 78 ° 9 Met Albany 29^ December 1780 Present John M. Beeckman ^ f T ^ „ , z, , o • Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer > •< T . , T7 ~ , . T7 . , I / Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Mathew Visscher ; (. Joseph Carr of Stillwater having petitioned the Board to be released from Confinement and the Prayer of the said Petition being taken into Consideration resolved there- upon that he be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appear- ance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspira- cies and for his remaining [312] within the Limits of the City of Albany and not departing the same unless he shall have leave previously obtained from any three of the said Com- missioners or unless it be to do Militia duty — Joseph Carr of Stillwater in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Alexander Baldwin of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Henry Tinkey be also discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Be- haviour and appearance before any three of the Commission- ers for Conspiracies when thereunto required and also for his remaining within the Limits of this City and not departing the same without Leave previously obtained for that Purpose from any three of the said Commissioners or unless it be to do Militia Duty — Henry Tinkey of the Scotch Patent in the County of Charlotte Farmer in £100 Albert Van Derwerken of Saragtoga in the County of Albany his Bail in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 609 On Application of Jotham Bemus resolved that he also D * 78 ° g be liberated from Confinement on entering into a Recog- nizance conditioned for his good Behaviour appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required and for his remaining within the Limits of the City of Albany and that Part of the Manor of Rensselaer- wyck which lies to the South of the North end of Steenbergh and not further East and West in the last mentioned [313] Place than the River to the East and the Foot of the Hill to the West & not departing the said Limits and Bounds unless with Leave previously obtained for that Purpose from any three of the said Commissioners or when called upon to do Militia Duty — Jotham Bemus of Still Water in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Reuben Wright of the same Place Farmer his Bail in £100 Job Wright of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 2 n -^ January 1781 — »78r Present Jan - 2 ' Teremiah Van Rensselaer ) { c . a . i- . , T . f i Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) (. A Letter from George White Esq- dated the I st Instant was laid before the Board inclosing an Examination of Bernard Carpenter from which said Examination it appears that Abner Darling of Pitts Town is a dangerous and disaffected Person for which Reason the said George White Esq- having had him apprehended and sent to us, and that the said Abner Darling being brought before the Board and examined 6io State of New York Jan 8 2 res °l ve d that the said Abner Darling be permitted to return Home on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain and remaining within the Limits of Pitts Town & not departing the same without Leave obtained from any three of the said Commissioners or unless it be to do Militia Duty — Abner Darling of Pitts Town Farmer in £100 Moses James of King's District Farmer his Bail in £100 [314] Resolved that George Hicks be discharged on enrer- ing into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his Duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies whenever thereunto required during the Con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain and remaining within the Limits of King's District and not departing the same without leave obtained from any three of the said Com- missioners or unless it be to do Militia duty — George Hicks of New-town Farmer in £100 John Herrington of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £50 Jabez Landers of the same Place also his Bail in £50 A Petition of Archibald M^Neal and Ezekiel Ensign was presented to the Board praying for Permission to go to their Families at Saragtoga resolved on taking the Prayer of the said Petition into Consideration that they be informed that the Board cannot grant their Request. Adjourned Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 611 Met Albany 3^ January 1 781 1781 Present ^ dn ' 3 ' John M. Beeckman ) ( T IA ^ , ^ 1 o • r 1 Isaac U. ronda Samuel Stringer ) 1 A Letter from Alexander Webster and Ebenezer Clark EsqH: of Charlotte County was laid before the Board in which they request that James Gillis who is at present in Confine- ment may be liberated on Bail as the said Gillis has always behaved himself in an Inoffensive Manner and the same being taken into Consideration Resolved that the Board cannot [315] at this Time liberate him — Application being also made by Archibald M^Neal of the Scotch Patent to be admitted to Bail resolved that he be informed that the Board cannot at this Time liberate him — Samuel Stringer Esql informed the Board that he had received information that Peter Ball of the Bever Dam is at present at and about his Home and that he is come into the Country for the Purpose of Enlisting Men for the Enemy resolved that it be recommended to the said Samuel Stringer to obtain the fullest Information he possibly can as to the above and that in the mean while the Board will devise Measures to have him apprehended — Adjourned Met Albany 5 th January 1781 j^ 8l 5> Present John M. Beeckman ) ( u , Tr , i, . r "i Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) ( Application being made by D- George Smith for Permission to come to this City for the purpose of setling his private Business and Patrick Smith his Bail agreeing to the same resolved that he have Permission granted him for me space of six Days, and the said D r . Smith requesting also Permission 6l2 State of New York 1781 to visit a Patient at Col! Gerrit Van Denbergh's resolved fan. 5. _ _ & also that Permission be granted him for that Purpose with the Consent & approbation of his said Bail — Robert Adems requesting Permission of the Board to go to Johnstown for the Purpose of setling his Business and Thomas Shipboy Bail for the said Robert Adems consenting to the same resolved that the said Robert Adems have Per- mission [316] granted him accordingly till the 17- day of January Instant — A Letter from Hugh Mitchell, Abraham Outhout and Ryneir Mynderse Esqlf Commissioners for Conspiracies at Schenectady dated the 2- Instant was laid before the Board wherein they inform us that Archibald M'rKellop and Wil- liam Rodgers who are under Recognizance to this Board refuse to do any Militia Duty when called upon and are adjudged by them to be dangerous Persons — Resolved in Consequence of the above Letter that the said Archibald M^Kellop and William Rodgers be ordered forth- with to appear before this Board. A Certificate signed by Richard Esselstyne and Lowrence Fonda Esq- two of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Albany was laid before the Board in which they certify that agreeable to the Act of the Legislature entitled "An Act for the Removal of the Families of Persons who have Joined the Enemy" they have warned the following Women to depart the State or remove to such Parts of it as are in the Power of the enemy within twenty days from the Time of the Notice given to them — (to wit) Elsie Elizabeth Finkel, Margaret Finkle, Margaret Seman, Catharine Seman, Maria Stever, Eva Houser, Christina Benneway, Maria Reepenberger, Gertruy Wear, Anna Charter, Sintie Coventry, Bata Scharp, Mar- garet Shufelt, Cornelia Gardineir, & Maria Herpst, and the said Richard Esselstyne and Lowrence Fonda certifying that Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 613 the said Elsie Elizabeth Finkle, Margaret Finkle, Margaret 1781 Seman, Catharine Seman, Maria Stever Eva Houser and 5 Christina Benneway have always behaved themselves in an unexceptionable Manner and that they do [317] not think, their remaining at their Habitations will endanger the safety of the State ordered that the said Certificate be filed — Adjourned — Met Albany 8K h January 1781 17S1 n Jan. 8. Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) f , -, 7 . , ' , \ < Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) ( John Parks of the Breakabeen having been represented to this Board as a disaffected Person and it being deemed neces- sary on Account of his Residence on the Frontiers of this State that he should be laid under Restrictions and having ordered the said John Parks to appear for that Purpose and he appear- ing this day agreeable to our order resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance 01 the Present war with Great Britain — John Parks of the Breakabeen in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 James Beatty of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 The Board being informed that there is at present in this City a certain Daniel M^Loud who is possessed of a Pass signed by Philip Pell Esq- Commissary of Prisoners of this State under which Pass the said Daniel M*;Looed has during the whole of last Summer screened himself from Militia Dun- resolved in Consequence of the said Information that Jacob 614 State of New York 1781 Kidney be ordered to brin < Mathew Visscher Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) ( Met Albany i6f h January 1781 jan 78 '6. Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Application being made to the Board for Permission for Archibald M;Neal and Ezekiel Ensign to go to Saragtoga for the Purpose of arranging their Family affairs and their Bails severally consenting thereto resolved that they have Permission granted them accordingly for fourteen Days from this Day at the Expiration of which Time they are again to repair to this Place — Lourence Deal, John Garret and John Coenly appeared before the Board and requested to be discharged from that Part of their Recognizance requiring their Appearance at the next Supream Court and they engaging to make known to the Board whenever John Waltymier shall again come in that Part of the Country in which they reside and their Request being taken into Consideration resolved that they be discharged accordingly — Adjourned — Met Albany 17 th January 1781 j*n & \ 7 . Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T r\ t? j i . r 1 Isaac D. rond Samuel Stringer ) ( a 6i8 State of New York Jau 8 i". Resolved that Hans Peter Snyder be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com-[322]missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain And to remain within the Limits of the District of Livingston's Manor — Hans Peter Snyder of Saragtoga Farmer in . . £100 Jacob Powers of Livingston's Manor Farmer his Bail in £100 Peter Bean of Livingston's Manor having been appre- hended on the Information of Johannis Shaver Esq^ for drinking the King's Health and for dissuading Persons from entering into the nine Month's Service, was brought before the Board resolved that he enter into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when ther^ unto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — And also for his appearance at the next Supream Court of judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in the City of Albany on the third Tuesday in January Instant (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer unto all such Matters and Things as shall be then and there exhibited against him And not to depart the Court without Leave Peter Bean of Livingston's Manor Farmer in" £100 Coenradt Cline of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that the Secretary pay to Cap- Coenradt Cline Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 619 the sum of £q .. o 1 on account of Services Performed in x 78i " " Jan. 1 apprehending and bringing to Goal John Snoeck Henry Hoogteling and others — 1 Adjourned — [323] Met Albany 18 th January 1781 — Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) , t 7 - • J Y < Mathew Vissch Isaac D. ronda ) ( Joseph Carr who was by Recognizance bound to remain within the Limits of this City appeared before the Board and requested Permission to go to Stillwater to see his Family And his Bail Alexander Baldwin consenting thereto resolved that he have Permission granted him accordingly for fourteen Days — Henry Tinkey being also bound by Recognizance to re- main within the Limits of this City appeared before the Board & requested to Go to his Family at the Scotch Patent and his Bail Albert Van Der Werken consenting to the same resolved that he have leave granted him accordingly for Fourteen Days — A Petition signed by Elbert Willet Thomas Hun and a Number of other respectable and well affected Inhabitants of this City was laid before the Board setting forth that Jane Moffit whose Husband is at present with the Enemy has been warned agreeable to an Act of the Legislature of this State for the Removal of the Families of Persons who have joined the Enemy been warned to depart the State or remove to such Parts of it as are at present in the Power Of the Enemy, that notwithstanding the Political Sentiments 1 The original voucher is in Revolutionary Manuscripts, vol. 40, p. 162, State Comptroller's office. 1781 Jan. 18. 620 State of New York Jan S i8 °^ ^ er husband the said Jane Moffit has always been es- teemed a Friend to the American Cause and that they do not conceive that her remaining within the State will tend in any Manner whatsoever to the Prejudice of the Freedom or Independance of this or the United States and the said Petition being [324] taken into Consideration resolved that in Consequence thereof that a Permit be granted to the said Jane Moffit to remain at her Habitation — Adjourned — j£ 8 i. Met Albany 2 s hamuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda J \ b Application was made to the Board by Archibald McNeil to go to the place of his Abode at the Scotch Patent for the purpose of removing his Family and effects in the Interior Parts of the Country and his Bail consenting to the same resolved that he have Permission granted him accordingly & that he remove by the first day of March next Adjourned Met Albany 31 st January 1781 . J 78i Present Jan ' 3I ' John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Samuel Stringer Resolved that Garrit Van Der Pool be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour & appearing before any three of the Commission- ers for Conspiracies when thereunto required [during] the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain — Garrit Van Der Pool of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . £100 William Seaton of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — [330] Met Albany if February 178 1 Feb. 1. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( , r , , r , J \ \ Mathew Visscher Isaac D. tonda ) (. 626 State of New York F ^78i It appearing to the Board that Peter Ten Broeck is Ex- changed and under Parole to go to New York — Ordered that the Bond of the said Peter Ten Broeck and Wessel Ten Broeck his Bail be given up to John Ten Broeck of the Great Imboght Brother to the said Peter Ten Bro[e]ck — Adjourned I78l Met Albany 2^ February 1781 Feb. 2. Present Isaac D. Fonda John M. Beeckman Samuel Stringer Archibald Campbell having been ordered to appear before this Board to enter into Recognizance of anew & he appear- ing this Day agreeable to the said order resolved that he be bound for his good Behaviour doing his duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Archibald Campbell of the District of Cam- bridge in the County of Albany Farmer in . £100 William Reed of New Perth in Charlotte County Miller his Bail in £100 Adjourned Feb 8 3 [331] Met Albany 3? February 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman | j Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer ) I Mathew Visscher Resolved that Angus McDonald be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 627 required during the Continuance of the present war with p 1 ^ 81 Great Britain — Angus McDonald of Livingston's Manor Farmer in £150 Abraham Vossburgh of Claverack Farmer his Bail in £150 Adjourned — Met Albany 5 th February 1 781 — ^jSi Present John M. Beeckman J \ T r\ t? j ■i . \ < Isaac U. fonda Samuel Stringer j ( Resolved that Thomas Yarns be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Be- haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain Thomas Yarns of Kingsbury in Charlotte County Farmer in £100 Rowland Perry of Palmertown in the County of Albany Farmer his Bail in £100 As the above mentioned Thomas Yarns live[s] upon the Frontiers and has it in his Power to aid and Comfort the Enemy resolved that he be ordered to remove into the Interior Parts of this State by the first day of May next — Adjourned — [332] Met Albany 6^ h February 1781 $1% Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ ~ , . > < Isaac D. fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( 628 State of New York i"eb 8l 6 Melchart Van Deusen Esq- of Tryon County appeared before the Board and informed us that he has received Information that a certain Albert Van Der Werken is able to prove that Major Jellis Fonda was knowing to Robert Snell who lived with the said Jellis Fonda going to the Enemy last spring Resolved in Consequence of the above Information that Albert Van Der Werken be cited to appear immediately before this Board in order to his being examined as to the same — Adjourned — Met Albany February 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T t? j J . > < Isaac D. ^onda Samuel Stringer .1 ( Albert Van Der Werken appeared agreeable to the Order of Yesterday and was examined as to the Information against Major Jellis Fonda, on his Examination he says that he was informed by Robert Snell that Major Fonda was privy to his going off but does not from his own Knowl- edge [know] whether it be true — The said Albert Van Der Werken also says that a certain Peter Boon of Tryon County is able to give some very mate- rial Information respecting sundry disaffected Persons [333] of that Place resolved that the said Peter Boon be ordered immediately to attend this Board in order that he may be examined as to the same — The Board received Information that William Laird who came from the Enemy under a Pretence, of his deserting from them is come with an Intention of enlisting Men for the Service of the enemy It is therefore resolved that James 1781 Feb. 7. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 629 Crosset and Benjamin Crosset who are Bail for the Appear- F x e ^ 8l 7 ance of the said William Laird be ordered forthwith to de- liver him up to this Board — Adjourned — Met Albany 8 th February 1781 1781 rresent John M. Beeckman ) ( c , c . i _ „ y < Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) \ h Resolved that James M c Koy (a Deserter from the British Army at present in Confinement on a Complaint of Dis- affection) be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain James M";Koy of Livingston's Manor Tay- lor in £100 Christopher Hagedorn of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany o) h February 1781 Feb%. Present Isaac D. Fonda ) [ c , c . y < bamuel Stringer John M. Beeckman J { [334] Col'. Abraham Veeder appeared before the Board and informed us that he had received Information that a cer- tain Coenradt Coon has been lately sworn for the King in the House of Thomas Bebee by an Emissary from the Enemy — Resolved that the said Thomas Bebee be cited forthwith to appear before this Board to give Information as to the above Adjourned — 630 State of New York * 781 Met Albany 13 th February 1781 Present Samuel Stringer John M. Beeckman Isaac D. Fonda It appearing to the Board from the Information of Walter Quackenbush that Harmen Haver of Livingstons Manor did lately in Conversation with Garret Quackenbush call him the said Walter Quackenbush and the said Garret Quackenbush damned Rebels and the said Harmen Haver sustains the Character of a disaffected Person therefore resolved that a warrant be made out to bring the said Har- men Haver forthwith before this Board — Thomas Bebee who was on the 9- Instant cited to appear before the Board appeared and being Examined as to the Information given by Col! Veeder confesses that Coenradt Coon was sworn for the King at his House but that it was contrary to his inclination and that he would have opposed the same if he had had it in his Power and it appearing that Col! Veeder received the Information [335] from the said Thomas Bebee and that the said Bebee is well affected to the American Cause therefore resolved that he be discharged Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 15^ February 1781 Feb - IS ' Present John M. Beeckman ) \ T r\ t? j •( V < Isaac U. fonda Mathew Visscher } ( Ezekiel Ensign made application to the Board for Per- mission to go to his place of abode at Saragtoga and his request being taken into Consideration resolved that the same be granted on his taking an Oath that he will not dire[c]tly or indirectly give aid or Comfort or Intelligence Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 631 to the Enemies of the United States of America and that he * 78t Feb. 15. will make known to the Commissioners for Conspiracies all treasonable actings & doings attempted against the same whenever it shall come to his knowledge during the Contin- uance of the present War with Great Britain — And the said Ezekiel Ensign having taken the said Oath resolved with the Consent of his Bail that he have Leave to remain at his place of abode at Saragtoga — Archibald McNeil made application to go & see his Family at Saragtoga ordered with consent of his Bail that he have leave granted him until Monday next — William Robins having been ordered to appear before this Board to enter into Recognizance of anew and he ap- pearing this day agreeable to the said order resolved that [336] he be bound for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Contin- uance of the present War with Great Britain — William Robins of the Township of Argyle in the County of Charlotte Farmer in . . . . £100 Edward Savage of White Creek in the County of Charlotte Esq- his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 16- February 178 1 1781 Present Feb - l6 ' John M. Beeckman ) ( c , n . t ^ c i Samuel Stringer Isaac D. ronda j (. George Tellford having been ordered to appear before this Board to enter into Recognizance of anew and appearing this Day agreeable to the said Order resolved that he be bound for his good Behaviour doing his dutv and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies 632 State of New York Feb 8 i6 wnen thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain George Tellford of the District of Cambridge in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Moses Martin of White Creek in the County of Charlotte Esq- his Bail in £100 William Blake having been ordered to appear before this Board to enter into Recognizance of anew appearing this day agreeable to the said Order resolved that he be bound for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before [337] any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present W T ar with Great Britain William Blake of the District of Cambridge in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Moses Martin of White Creek in the County of Charlotte Esq- his Bail in £100 Adjourned F *78i Met Albany 17 th February 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c , c . i ^ „ • > < bamuel btnnger Isaac D. Fonda J ( 5 Resolved that Thomas M^Feal be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Be- haviour doing his Duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required dur- ing the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain Thomas M'jFeal of Livingston's Manor La- bourer in £100 Abraham Bloodgood of the City of Albany Innkeeper his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 633 Met Albany 19'.- February 1781 J78i Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c 1 o* • j t? j f 1 Samuel Stringer Isaac u. ronda ) ( Resolved that William Bell be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any thre[e] of the [338] Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto re- quired during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — William Bell of Fort Edward in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Duncan Shaw of Charlotte County Farmer his Bail in £100 As the above mentioned William Bell lives upon the Frontiers and has it in his Power to aid and Comfort the Enemy resolved that he be ordered to remove into the Interior Parts of this State by the first Day of April next — Adjourned — Met Albany 20- February 1781 1781 r, J J Feb. 20. rresent John M. Beeckman ) f T r-> t- j J r 1 ^ saac D. ronda Samuel Stringer ) (. An Affidavit of Zachariah Holsapple taken before Samuel Ten Broeck Esq- of Livingston's Manor was laid before the Board whereby it appears that Teunis Smith of Livingston's has lately harboured and concealed two British Officers who were enlisting Men for the Enemies Service resolved in Consequence of the said Affidavit that a warrant be made out for the apprehension of the said Teunis Smith and that 634 State of New York 1781 Citations be sent to Simon Rockefeller & Tohannis Miller Feb. 20. , , J who were knowing to the said Officers being at the House of the said Teunis Smith and that the said warrant and Citations be sent to the said Samuel Ten Broeck Esq- for the purpose of having them served — Adjourned — Feb 8 2i. [339] Met Albany 2 1- February 1 781 . Present Mathew Visscher ) ( T r\ t- j . f 1 Isaac D. fonda Samuel Stringer ) (. William Bradshaw and John Flinn who did on the 26 th day of January last become surety for Samuel Burns appeared before the Board and requested Permission to deliver up the said Samuel Burns in discharge of themselves, resolved that the said William Bradshaw and John Flinn be accordingly discharged and that the said Samuel Burns be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him. Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 22- February 1781 Feb. 22. Present Samuel Stringer ) ( T ^ ~ , y < Isaac D. fonda Mathew Visscher J ( Joel Abbot informed the Board that a certain Jacob Timmerman has harboured and secreted Emissaries from the Enemy and has assisted Persons who were on their way to Canada and the Examination of the said Joel Abbot being taken as to the same is in the words following (to wit) (see Examination on File) resolved in Consequence of the said Examination that a warrant be made out for the said Jacob Timmerman. — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 635 It also appearing to the Board from the said Examination x 78i . . . . Feb. 22. of Joel Abbot that the wife of William Nelling Jun- was privy to Timmerman secreting Persons from the enemy therefore resolved that a warrant be also made out to appre- hend her. — [340] Resolved that John Todd be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Be- haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — John Todd of White Creek in the County of Charlotte Carpenter in £100 Isaac Little of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Robert Gitty of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 23 d February 1781 Feb^aa Present Samuel Stringer ) ( T t- j ... b , y ■{ Isaac D. fonda Mathew Visscher ) (. Resolved that John WykofF be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain John WykofF of Nistageuna Labourer in ... . £100 David Maxwell of Ballstown Farmer his Bail in £100 Zachariah Holsapple whose Examination taken before 6 3 6 State of New York J 78i Samuel Ten Broeck Esq r was laid before the Board on the Feb. 23. . 21- Instant was brought before us and being Examined and his Examination being reduced to writing is in the words following (to wit) (see Examination on File) Adjourned. — Feb. 8 a7. [34 1 ] Met Albany 27^ February 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ ~ , J . > 1 Isaac D. fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( His Excellency Governor Clinton having requested by Letter that James Van Driesen may be liberated from Con- finement and the Board taking the said Request into Con- sideration do thereupon resolve that the said James Van Driesen be accordingly discharged. — Lieut- Col- Henry K. Van Rensselaer appeared before the Board and informed that there has lately been a Meeting of a Number of disaffected Persons in the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck at the House of James Lister at which Meeting was publicly read by Jabez Spencer a Procli- mation of Sir Henry Clinton Commander in cheif of the British Forces in America which Conduct being in open Violation of the Laws of this State and destructive of the Peace and good Government of the same and having a Ten- dency to Alienate the Minds of Friends of the American Cause — Therefore resolved that a warrant be made out for the immediate Apprehension of the said Jabez Spencer together with all such other disaffected Persons as were present at the said Meeting and that the said warrant be delivered to Cap' Robert Woodward for the Purpose of having the same served. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 637 Resolved that John May and John J. Van Valkenburgh Fe Y 8 *. who were present at the above mentioned Meeting be cited to appear before this Board to Morrow Morning in Order that they may be examined as to the same. Adjourned. [342] Met Albany 28 th February 1 781 ^781 Present John M. Beeckman ) f Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda j { Samuel Stringer John May having been cited to appear before the Board this Day appeared agreeable to Order & being examined as to the Meeting at James Lister's at which Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamation was read he saith as follows (to wit) (see his Examination on File). — In Consequence of the above Examination resolved that a warrant be made out directed to the said John May for the immediate Apprehension of Silas Wood and William Bruce, and that the said John May be directed to search the Houses of the said Silas Wood and William Bruce for treasonable Papers, and that he bring the Bodies with the said Papers forthwith before us. — Alexander Cone having been apprehended by Cap- Ichabod Turner for being concerned in dispersing Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamation and being brought before the Board and Examined resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned. — Met Albany I s .' Present John M. Beeckman Samuel Stringer March 1781.— * 78r ' Mar. 1. j Isaac D. Fonda 6 3 8 State of New York Application was made to the Board by James Gillis for Permission to go to his Place of Abode at the Scotch [343] Patent and his Bail Neal Shaw consenting to the same resolved that he have Permission accordingly until the first Day of April next. — Application was also made to the Board by Archibald M'rNeal for Permission to go to his Place of Abode at the Scotch Patent to which his surety Evans Humphrey con- senting resolved that he have Permission accordingly until the first day of April next — Major Jacob Schermerhorn appeared before the Board with Yutlope Chrencher & Hendrick Schermerhorn who he informed us are able to give Information concerning a Number of disaffected Inhabitants at Schodack and the said Yutlope Chrencher and Hendrick Schermerhorn being examined say as follows (to wit) (see their Examination on File) — Resolved that in Consequence of the above Examinations of Yutlope Chrencher and Hendrick Schermerhorn that a warrant be made out directed to Cap^ Nicholas Staats for the immediate Apprehension of Martin Egbertse and Johannis Kittle — Adjourned — Met Albany 2^ March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) j Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Lieu- David Hustead appeared before the Board and informed that agreeable to our warrant he had apprehended John Cone and David Ni[c]hols for dispersing about the Country Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamation and that he had also apprehended James Lister, Thomas Hicks and Henry 1781 Mar. 2. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies [344] Filkens who were present at the reading of one of the M *7 f said Proclamations at the House of the said James Lister and they being severally brought before the Board and Examined resolved that John Cone and David Nichols be confined and that James Lister, Thomas Hicks, and Henry Filkins be ordered to appear before the Board to Morrow Morning — Gersham Odell one of the Constable's of Hosick District . appeared before the Board and informed that he had appre- hended Jacob Timmerman against whom a warrant was issued by this Board upon the Information of Joel Abbot & the said Jacob Timmerman being brought before us and examined ordered that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — A Letter from Abraham Fonda Esq^ and Col- Abraham Wemple dated as Schenectady was laid before the Board wherein they inform that they send to us under Guard John Mekelmay, John Curry & George Scott who have harboured and secreted two Men who were on their way to the Enemy resolved that they be Confined and that a Mittimus be made out for them. — Adjourned — Met Albany 3 d March 1781 ^ Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) 1 I saac D. Fonda Resolved that Abraham Robison who is Surety for Andries Stoll be ordered forthwith to deliver up the said Andries Stoll.— [345] Lieu- David Hustead appearing before the Board was examined his Examination is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) 640 State of New York Cap^ Henry Dencker appearing before the Board agree- able to order was examined his Examination is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) Cap* Nicholas Staats appeared before the Board & informed that he had apprehended agreeable to our warrant John J. Van Valkenburgh, John Kittle, Jacobus Moll, Peter Wyngart, Andries Wessels, Martin Egbertse and Peter Van Valkenburgh and they being brought before us and exan> ined resolved that Martin Egbertse Peter Wyngaert, Jacobus Moll, John Kittle and John J. Van Valkenburgh be com- mitted and that a Mittimus be made out for them. — It appearing to the Board from a Recommendation of sundry well affected Inhabitants that John J. Van Valken- burgh has during the present Contest behaved himself in a peaceable and inoffensive Manner yet as he is reputed to be disaffected to the American Cause therefore resolved that previous to his Discharge he enter into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain. — John J. Van Valkenburgh of Schodack in the County of Albany Farmer in £200 Andries Wessels apprehended by Cap- Staats being recom- mended to the Board as a Peaceable Person yet as he is also [346] reputed to be disaffected to the American Cause there- fore resolved that previous to his Discharge he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Andries Wessels of Schodack in the County of Albany Labourer in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 641 Samuel Hill of the west District of the Manor of Rens- M I?81 selaerwyck having been present at James Lister's when Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamation was there read & being Examined and it appearing from the Recommendation of Cap- Woodward that the said Samuel Hill has always behaved himself as a Zealous Friend to the American Cause therefore resolved that he be discharged The above mentioned Samuel Hill mentioning to the Board his willingness to apprehend Jabez Spencer resolved that a warrant for that Purpose be made out and delivered to him. — Thomas Hicks, James Lister, and Henry Filkins appearing before the Board agreeable to the Order of Yesterday were again examined and as it does not appear that they were concerned in or promoted the reading the Proclamation before mentioned but as they sustain the Characters of being disaffected to the American Cause therefore resolved that they procure Sureties for their future good Behaviour — James Lister appearing with Israel Thomas as surety [347] resolved that he enter into Recognizance for his good Be- haviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — James Lister of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in ... . £100 Israel Thomas of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Thomas Hicks and Henry Filkins being unable to procure Bail other than for their Appearance with sufficient sureties at some future day resolved that they severally enter into a Recognizance for their Appearance on Tuesday next with sufficient sureties to become bound with them for their future good Conduct and Appearance when called upon. — 642 State of New York Mar 8 3 Thomas Hicks of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 David Hustead of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Robert Woodward of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £100 Henry Filkins of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 David Hustead of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Robert Woodward of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £100 Adjourned. — *? 8r Met Albany 5^ March 1781 Mar. 5. -r» rresent John M. Beeckman ) ( T T-k t- j •L , o • r - Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Abraham Bloodgood appeared before the Board with Thomas M^Feal for whom he some Time since entered [348] Recognizance and surrendered the said Thomas M'Teal resolved that the said Abraham Bloodgood be accordingly discharged from the said Recognizance and that the said Thomas M^Feal stand committed till he procure another sufficient surety — John M-Fall appearing before the Board and offering to become surety for the above mentioned Thomas M-Feal resolved that the said Thomas M-Fall be discharged on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain. — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 643 Thomas M c FeaI of the Manor of Livingston „ I78x Mar. ; in the County of Albany Labourer in £100 John M'rFall of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 The Board having received Information that William Laird is at Johnstown and that there is the greatest Reason to think that he intends soon to go to Canada therefore resolved that a warrant be made out and directed to any Constable of Tryon County for the immediate Apprehen- sion of the said William Laird. — Thomas Hicks who was on the third Instant bound for his Appearance before this Board with a sufficient surety appeared resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour, doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — Thomas Hicks of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 [349] David Hustead of the same place Farmer his Bail in £ "100 Henry Filkins who was also on the third Instant bound for his Appearance before this Board with a sufficient surety appeared resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — Henry Filkins of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 Abraham Filkins of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 644 State of New York Teunis Smith of Livingston's Manor having by Virtue of a warrant from this Board been apprehended by Jacob Powers Constable was brought before the Board and being interrogated as to his harbouring two British Officers, he denied the same and it appearing from the Recommendation of his Officers that he has always behaved himself well and there being great Reason to think that the Charge as alledged against him by Zachariah Holsapple is untrue therefore resolved that he be discharged. — Johannis Smith of Livingston's Manor being also examined on the Information of Zachariah Holsapple as to the Officers said to have been at the House of Teunis Smith above mentioned and it appearing that he is alto- gether unacquainted with the same therefore resolved that he be discharged. — Bowles Arnold having been present at the Meeting at James Lister's where Sir Henrv Clinton's Proclamation was read appeared agreeable to our order and being Examined as [350] to the same resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him. — Lieu^ Col 1 - Henry K. Van Rensselaer appeared before the Board and informed us that a few days since he issued his warrant agreeable to Law for the Apprehension of Andries Stoll and Harpert Witbeeck who had been fined by a Court Martial for Neglect of Militia Duty which Fine they refused to pay that the said Andries Stoll & Harpert Witbeeck had been apprehended by Serjeant Elijah Adams and that after being so apprehended a Number of disaffected Persons (to wit) Robert Mackesny, Samuel Mackesny, John Mac- kesny, Walter Mackesny, John Barham, Peter Kimmell, Lowrence Snyder, Jacob Fraligh, Sander Buison, Christopher File, Jacob Kerncross, Coenradt Heydorn, John Melius, Abraham Van Aernam, Andries Colekamer & others did Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 645 forceably rescue the said Andries Stoll and Harpert Wit- ^781 beeck from the said Elijah Adams resolved in Consequence of the above information that a warrant be made out for the immediate apprehension of the said Persons above mentioned & all others concerned in the said Rescue. — Adjourned. Met Albany 6^ March 1781 Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( T t? j . < Isaac U. l*onda Samuel Stringer ) ( John Cone and David Nichols who a few days ago were confined for dispersing Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamations about the Country were brought before the Board and severally examined resolved that they be recommitted. — [351] Hezekiah Van Orden Esq- appeared before the Board and requested that George Burk a Deserter from the British Army might be discharged from Confinement & that he the said Hezekiah Van Orden would take the said George Burk in his Care resolved that he be discharged accordingly. — John Scott who was confined at the Request of Abra- ham Fonda Esq- and Col 1 Abraham Wemple for har- bouring two Men who were on their way to the Enemy was brought before the Board and examined resolved that he be recommitted. — Cap^ Robert Woodward appeared before the Board and informed that Nicholas Miller, John Miller, and John |. Miller were present at the Meeting at James Lister's where a Proclamation of Sir Henry Clinton was read; & that the said Nicholas Miller, John Miller and John J. Miller appeared to be warmly engaged in promoting the reading the said Proclamation wherefore it is resolved that a warrant be 1781 Mar. 6. 646 State of New York „ T 78i made out directed to Cap 1 Nicholas Staats for their immediate Mar. o. m r Apprehension Adjourned. — Ma?;. Met Albany 7 th March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman 1 ( . TT . Samuel Strin er ^ ' ™ atnew Visscher amue in S er f ") Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Isaac U. fonda ; \ J His Excellency Governor Clinton having in Consequence of the Information received by this Board from Lieu- Col- Henry K. Van Rensselaer on the 5- Instant ordered a Party of [352] Col- Cuyler's Regiment to apprehend all those who were concerned in rescueing Andries Stoll and Harpert Lansing from the Custody of Elijah Adams and they having apprehended a Number of disaffected Persons concerned in the said Rescue and the said Persons being by order of his Excellency the Governor brought before the Board and severally Examined their Names are as follows (to wit) Samuel Swertfeger, Melchert File, Jacob Weeger Jun r , John Weeger, Christopher File, Christopher Shaver Robert Machesny, Walter Machesny, Abraham Roberts, John Smith, Harper Lansing, Coenradt Heydorn, Coenradt Colehamer, John Klint, Andries Stoll Samuel Machesny, Jacob Fraligh and Isaac Hop resolved that they be severally committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them. — The Board having received Information that a certain Person supposed to be a spy from the Enemy has been at the House of Lieu- Cleveland and the said Cleveland being ordered to appear before us and he appearing on being examined says that he does not recollect having seen any such Person at his House resolved that it be recommended to him to be Extremely vigilant in learning the Characters Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 647 of such Persons as he entertains in his House and from Time M 178 ' to Time give Information to this Board of all such Persons of whom he may be suspicious. — William Rovvke being apprehended and brought before the Board as a suspicious Person on being examined says that he is enlisted during the war for a class resolved that he be delivered over to Lieu- Snow. — Adjourned. [353] Met Albany 8^ March 1 781 Present John M. Beeckman ) j Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda f 1 Hugh Mitchell The Board having received Information that at the house of Dirck Van Der Wilgen at the Hellebergh there has lately been a Meeting of a Number of disaffected Persons at which said Meeting among others were present Peter Seeger and Gerrit Seeger resolved in Consequence of the said Information that the Said Dirck Van Der Wilgen Gerrit Seeger and Peter Seeger be cited to appear before the Board to give Information as to the above Meeting — John Curry, John Mekelmay and John Scott having made application to the Board to be liberated from Confinement on Bail and the same being taken into Consideration resolved that they be severally liberated accordingly on entering into Recognizance to appear within ten Days from the Date hereof with each of them a sufficient surety before the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Schenectady and that before the said Commissioners they severally enter into a Recognizance for their good Behaviour doing their duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — 1781 Mar. 8. 648 State of New York Mai- 8 8 J onn Curry of Ballstown in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 John Mekelmay of the same Place Farmer in. £100 John Scott of the same place Farmer in. . . . £100 Adjourned. — 1 78l Mar- 9- [354] Met Albany 9^? March 1781 — Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ ^ . J „ . _ . \ \ Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer j ( Robert Simmons late a Cap- in the Enemies Service being at present in this City and it being conceived necessary that he should be examined and he being sent for and appearing was examined his Examination is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) Resolved that Melchert File be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Melchert File of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 Isaac Van Aernam of the City of Albany Hatter his Bail in £100 Resolved that Nicholas Miller be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 649 Nicholas Miller of the East District of the ^781 Manor of Rensselaerwyck Innkeeper in. . £100 John Ja. Miller of the same place Taylor his Bail in £100 Resolved that John J. Miller be discharged from [355] con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behav- iour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required dur- ing the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — John J. Miller of the East District in the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 Nicholas Staats of the same Place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that John Andrew be discharged from confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — John Andrew of New-town in the County of Albany Labourer in £100 Coenradt Nestly of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 The Board being informed that Samuel Inglis of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck was present at the Reading of Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamation at the House of James Lister resolved in Consequence thereof that the said Samuel Inglis be cited to appear before this Board forthwith to answer to the same. — Resolved that Lieu- David Hustead and David Sprague be cited to appear forthwith before the Board in order that they may be examined as to the Meeting at James Lister's. — Derick Van Der Welgen, Peter Seeger & Gerrit Seeger 650 State of New York ^781 having been cited to appear before the Board for the Pur- pose of being Examined respecting a Meeting of a Number of [356] disaffected Persons at the Hellebergh at which they were present and they appearing agreeable to the said order were severally examined and say as follows (to wit) (see their Examination on File) Adjourned gl Met Albany 10^ March 1781 — Mar. 10. Present John M. Beeckman ) j Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Van Rensselaer j { Samuel Stringer James Brisben appeared before the Board and requested Permission to go to his Place of Abode at Saragtoga and remain some time with his Family which Request of the said James Brisben being taken into Consideration resolved that he have Leave granted him accordingly until the first day of April next. — Henry Tinkey also restricted by Recognizance to the Limits of this City appeared before the Board and requested to go to his Place of Abode at the Scotch Patent resolved on considering the same that he also have Leave granted until the first day of April Next. — Resolved that Nicholas Muller enter into a Recognizance for his appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) and not to depart the Court without Leave. — Nicholas Muller of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Innkeeper in. . £100 [357] J er one Van Valkenburgh of Schodack Farmer his Bail in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 651 Resolved that John J. Miller enter into a Recognizance M I7Sl for his appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature held for the State of New York at the City Hall in the City of Albany on the third Tuesday in April next (or whereso- ever the said Court shall then be held in the State afore- said) and not to depart the Court without Leave. — John J. Miller of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in . . . . £100 Jerone Van Valkenburgh of Schodack Farm- er his Bail in £100 Samuel Swertfeger having been confined for being con- cerned in the late Meeting of the disaffected on the Hosick Road and it appearing that the charge is not well founded therefore resolved that he be discharged. — Adjourned Met Albany 12^ March 1781 1781 r> Mar. 12. rresent John M. Beeckman ] j Mathew Visscher Samuel Stringer ) { Isaac D. Fonda Resolved that John Klint be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present War with Great Britain — John Klint of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Schoolmaster in £100 John Leonard of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £100 [358] Resolved that Martin Egbertse be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good 652 State of New York Mar 8 i2 Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain. — Martin Egbertse of Schodack Innkeeper in. . £100 Jacob Schermerhorn of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that John Jerone Van Valkenburgh be dis- charged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain. — John Jerone Van Valkenburgh of Schodack Farmer in £400 Jacob Schermerhorn of the same place Farmer his Bail in £400 Resolved that Bowles Arnold be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behav- iour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — Bowles Arnold of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in . . . . £100 Reuben Rowley of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 It appearing evident to this Board from the Examination of Jonas Odell that Augustus Jeram is a dangerous and disaffected Person and that his going at large unless under Restrictions may be attended with evil [359] Consequences Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 653 to the Safety of the State It is therefore resolved that a »78i . . . Mar. 1 warrant be made out directed to John May for the immediate Apprehension of the said Augustus Jeram. — Adjourned. — Met Albany 13^ March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman | ( Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda j ( Samuel Stringer Resolved that Seth Rowley be cited to appear forthwith before the Board for the Purpose of being examined as to sundry Persons concerned in distributing about the Country Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamation. — Henry Simpson of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck appeared before the Board & informed us that a few days ago Evert Jansen came to his House in a Sleigh and had with him Joseph Bettis and that the said Jansen & Bettis after remaining there sometime went away together resolved in Consequence of the above Infor- mation that the said Evert Jansen be immediately appre- hended and brought before us. — Jacob Kidney appearing informed the Board that he had agreeable to order apprehended Evert Jansen & the said Evert Jansen being Examined and unwillingly [sic] to answer candidly to the Questions proposed to him therefore resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him. — Lieutenant Nicholas Bower appeared before the Board and informed us that agreeable to the Directions of [360] Samuel Ten Broeck Esq^ he had brought up from Liv- ingston's Manor a Prisoner who calls himself William Hartley who the said Samuel Ten Broeck had caused to be apprehended as a Suspicious Person and the said William 1781 Mar. 13. 654 State of New York ^781 Hartley being brought before the Board & examined re- solved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him. — Resolved that David Nichols be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain. — David Nichols of Stephen-town in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Ichabod Turner of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Jacob Freligh be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain. — Jacob Freligh of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Labourer in. . . £100 Martin Freligh of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 1781 [361] Met Albany 14 th March 1781. — Mar. 14. Present John M. Beeckman } ( Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Isaac D. Fonda V 4 Visscher Samuel Stringer ; I It appearing from the Examination of Henry Simpson that Joseph Bettis has been harboured by One Thomas who Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 655 lives in the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck „ I7Sl J Mar 1 on a Farm formerly belonging to Abraham Boom resolved in Consequence of the same that a warrant be made out directed to Jacob Hilton forthwith to apprehend & bring before us the said Thomas. — Jacobus Moll who was the other Day confined being brought before the Board and he acknowledging his Fault and promising to amend his Conduct in future therefore resolved that he be discharged from Confinement — William Hartley who was Confined on Suspicion of his being a spy from the Enemy was brought before the Board and examined and then ordered to be recommitted. — Resolved that Alamander Cone be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain. — Alamander Cone of Stephen Town in the County of Albany Joiner in £100 Ichabod Cone of the same place Farmer his Bail in x>\oo [362] His Excellency Governor Clinton having requested the Board to examine William Hartley in his Presence and his Excellency now attending for that Purpose the said William Hartley was brought before the Board and being Examined says as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) It appearing from the above Examination that Ryneir Vischer of this City is concerned with other disaffected Persons in endeavouring by enlisting Men for the enemy to subvert the Liberty and Independance of this State and as the said Ryneir Visher sustains the Character of dis- 656 State of New York |78r affection therefore resolved that a warrant be made out and directed to Jacob Kidney for the immediate appre- hension of the said Ryneir Vischer — Adjourned — Met Albany 15 th March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) \ T r\ t? j . \ 1 Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer j ( Lieu- Jacob Snyder of Schohary appeared before the Board and informed us that by order of Col- Peter Vrooman he had apprehended Hendrick Kneiskern Jun- and Jacob Saltsbergh who last Fall assisted Sir John Johnson in destroying Schohary and the said Hendrick Kneiskern Jun- r and Jacob Saltsbergh being examined resolved that they be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them — Resolved that the Examination of Lieui [363] Jacob Snyder with Respect to the Conduct of sundry disaffected Persons at the Bever Dam be taken which is in the words following (to wit) (see Examination on File) Sander Bulson having been apprehended with those Persons concerned in the Rescue of Harpert Lansing and Andries Stoll and Lieu- Col 1 - Henry Van Rensselaer having certified to the Board that the Conduct of the said Sander Bulson had always been inoffensive & that he has done his duty in the Militia therefore resolved that he be discharged from Confinement. — Resolved that James Bruce of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck be cited forthwith to appear before this Board with a sufficient surety to enter into Recognizance of anew. — Samuel Inglis having been present at the Meeting at 1781 Mar. 15. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 657 Tames Lister's at which was read a Proclamation of Sir *78i ... Mar. 1 Henry Clinton having been cited to appear before the Hoard appeared resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his appearance At the Court of Oyer and Terminer at present held in the City Hall of this City then and there to answer such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave. — Samuel Inglis of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Cooper in £100 Abraham Van Aernam who was apprehended for assisting in the Rescue of Lansing and Stoll requesting to be discharged from Confinement and his [364] Conduct notwithstanding his Political Principles having always been unexceptionable (expect 1 in the present Instance) therefore resolved that he be discharged. — Adjourned. — Met Albany 16 th March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T ^. ~ , •; . > -j Isaac U. .bonda Samuel Stringer ) ( William Hartley being again brought before the Board and examined says that Nathaniel Cotton of Cooksakie is con- cerned in enlisting Men for the Service of the enemy and that the said Cotton furnished him with a Pass to travel through the Country in order that he the said William Hartley might be able the better to carry on his Practices against the State. — Resolved in Consequence of the above Information that a warrant be made out directed to John Tillman Jun- forth- with to apprehend & bring before us the said Nathaniel Cotton. — 1 So in the original for " except." 1781 Mar. 16. 658 State of New York Resolved that Johannis Kittle be discharged from Con- finement on entering into Recognizance for his good Be- haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Johannis Kittle of Schodack in the County of Albany Farmer in £200 Philip Schermerhorn of the same place Cord wainer his Bail in £100 [365] Jacob J. Van Valkenburgh of the same place Cordwainer also his Bail in £100 William Hartley having also informed the Board that Samuel Baker of the East District of the Manor of Rens- selaerwyck has in his Possession Commissions from New York which he is to deliver to such Persons as are willing to enlist Men for the Service of the Enemy and that he has also with him Proclamations of Sir Henry Clinton which he disperses about the Country and Cap- Nicholas Staats having been requested to apprehend the said Samuel Baker and bring him before the Board this day appear'd with him and the said Samuel Baker being examined Resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him. — It being suggested to the Board that M— Visscher (Mother of Ryneir Visher who was a few days ago confined) is on Account of the confinement of her said son reduced to a State of Indigence and want as she with her Family depend solely upon him for their Support. — Resolved therefore that the said Ryneir Vischer be liberated from Confinement on entering into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty & appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 659 required during the Continuance of the present war with M ^ 8l l0 Great Britain. — Ryneir Vischer of the City of Albany Silver Smith in £100 Teunis Visscher of the same place Yeoman his Bail in £100 Resolved that Peter Wyngaert be discharged from [366] Confinement on entering into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Peter Wyngaert of Schodack in the County of Albany Farmer in i, ioo Jacob J. Van Valkenburgh of D- Cord- wainer his Bail in £ 50 Philip Schermerhorn of D° D- also his Bail in £ 50 Adjourned. — Met Albany 17^ March 1781 — uU% John M. Beeckman ) ( Mathew Visscher Isaac D. Fonda f ( Samuel Stringer Jacob Saltsbergh of Schohary who was the other day confined was brought before the Board for examination and having been examined was ordered to be Recommitted — Resolved that Jacob Weeger Jun- be discharged from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto re- quired for and during the Continuance of the present war 66o State of New York T 78i with Great Britain and also for his Appearance at the next ar. 17. . rr Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in the City of Albany on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held [367] in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not depart the Court without Leave. — Thomas Weeger Jun^ of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in . . £100 Thomas Weeger of Tomhenick in the County of Albany Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that John Cone be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — John Cone of Stephen Town Farmer in. . . . £100 Benjamin Sacket of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Johannis Weeger be discharged from Confinement on his entering into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — Johannis Weeger of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 Coenradt Heyner of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 John May appeared before the Board with Jasper Crandel and Stephen Wilcocks who he informed us he had appre- Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 66 1 hended by order of Daniel Hull Esq- Justice of the Peace & J 7 81 . . Mar. 17. the said John May at the same time laid before the Board sundry Examinations taken by the said Daniel Hull respect- ing the [368] Conduct of the said Jasper Crandell and Stephen Wilcocks which Examinations being read and it appearing therefrom that the said Crandell and Wilcocks are disaffected and dangerous Persons therefore resolved that they be committed and a Mittimus made out for them — Adam Pabst heretofore bound by Recognizance being ordered to appear before this Board with a sufficient surety to enter Recognizance of a new appeared resolved that he be bound for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — Adam Pabst of the Hellebergh in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Andries Ward Jun- of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned Met Albany 18?" March 1781 Ma J 8l l8 . Present John M. Beeckman ) f T r\ r? 1 •i . > < Isaac D. fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Daniel Hewson who last Year went to Canada from this City and joined the Enemy and who lately surrendered him- self at Fort Schuyler being brought to his Excellency Gov- ernor Clinton and he referring the said Daniel Hewson to this Board for Examination & the said Daniel Hewson being examined says as follows (to wit) (see his Examina- tion on File) 662 State of New York Ordered that a Mittimus be made out for the said Daniel Hewson — [369] Nathaniel Cotton having been apprehended by James Green by order of this Board upon the Information of William Hartley resolved that the said James Green attend with the said Nathaniel Cotton before this Board to Morrow Morning. — Adjourned — Met Albany 19^ March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) I T t> t- j ~ > < Isaac U. ronda Mathew Visscher ) ( Nathaniel Cotton who was Yesterday brought before the Board by James Green being again produced was examined as to the Charges alledged against him by William Hartley which he utterly denying and producing to this Board a Recommendation of his uniform Attachment to the Ameri- can Cause signed by Leonard Bronclc Esq r of Cooksakie in whose House the said Nathaniel Cotton has for two Years past resided resolved on Considering of the Above Recom- mendation that the said Nathaniel Cotton be discharged. — Daniel Hewston who was Yesterday confined being brought before the Board was again examined ordered that he be recommitted. — Adjourned Met Albany 20- March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T t? j ir \ < Isaac D. t onda Mathew Visscher ) ( Resolved that Hendrick Kittle be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his [370] appear- 1781 Mar. 19. 1781 Mar. 20. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 663 ance on the third Tuesday in April next at the Supream M ^ 8 2 Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall then and there be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave — Hendrick Kittle of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 Jacob J. Van Valkenburgh of the same place Cordwainer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Nicholas Shaver be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present war with Great Britain — Nicholas Shaver of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 John Tillman of the City of Albany Inn- keeper his Bail in £50 Resolved that Isaac Hops be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his Appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) and not to depart the Court without Leave — Isaac Hops of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 [371] Barent Heyner of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 664 State of New York *78i Met Albany 21S* March 1781 .Mar. 21. t% rresent John M. Beeckman ) ( T ~ _ •L . \ Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( Samuel Stringer Resolved that Jacob Timmerman Alias Jacob Carpenter be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recog- nizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appear- ing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain Jacob Timmerman alias dictus Jacob Car- penter of Hoosick District in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Abraham Bovee of the same place Farmer his Bail in £ 50 Johannis Daet Jun r of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £ 50 Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 22^ March 1781 Mar - 22 Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Samuel Stringer Mathew Visscher ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Daniel Hewston being again ordered to be brought before the Board and being further examined ordered that he be recommitted. — Resolved that John Smith be discharged from [372] Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance to appear at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 665 as shall be alledged against him and not to depart the Court Ma J 8 2 2 without Leave and in the Mean time be of the good Be- haviour — John Smith of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 John Freer of the same place Weaver his Bail in £100 William Hartley being ordered to be brought before the Board for further Examination was accordingly brought and examined ordered that he be recommitted — It appearing from the Examination of William Hartley that John Van Deusen of Great Barrington living near Monument Mountain is possessed of Commissions and Proc- lamations which he has received from the Enemy at New York — Resolved in Consequence of the said Information that a Letter be wrote to Timothy Edwards Esq- at Stock- bridge requesting him to have the House of the said John Van Deusen searched which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (here take in Letter) Mar. 23. Adjourned Met Albany 23 d March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman \_ \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda \ { Mathew Visscher [373] Resolved that Abraham Roberts be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his appear- ance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such 666 State of New York Mar 8 23 Matters as sna H De alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave. — Abraham Roberts of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 William Van Den Bergh of the City of Albany Labourer his Bail in £100 Isaac Vosburgh of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Labourer also his Bail in £100 Resolved that Coenradt Colehamer be discharged from Confinement on Stephenus Colehamer and Paul Snyder's entering into Recognizance for the Appearance of the said Coenradt Colehamer at the next Supream Court of Judica- ture to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave — Stephenus Colehamer of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer Bail for Coenradt Colehamer in £100 Paul Snyder of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £100 [374] Resolved that Coenradt Heydorn be discharged from Confinement on entering into Recognizance for his Appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 667 Coenradt Heydorn of the East District of the J 78i . Mar. 23. Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in . . . . £100 Petrus Heydorn of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 24^ March 1 781 M x 7 81 rresent John M. Beeckman ) ( T j J . _ . \ ] Isaac U. fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Resolved that Stephen Wilcocks be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behav- iour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — Stephen Wilcocks of Little Hosick in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Ephraim Jackson of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Joseph Crandell be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before [375] any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. — Jasper Crandell of Little Hosick in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Thomas Crandell of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Daniel Hewson ]un'- be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three 668 State of New York Mar 8 24 °^ ^ e Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Daniel Hewson Jun^ of the City of Albany Cordwainer in £100 Casper Cogh of Stonearabia in Tryon County Farmer his Bail in £ 50 John Hoogkerk of Albany Taylor also his Bail in £ 50 Adjourned M £J 8 * 6 Met Albany 26^ March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ ~ , i . _ . [ i Isaac D. Fonda bamuel Stringer ) ( A Certificate signed by John McKesson Esq- Clerk of the Supream Court was laid before the Board certifying that Christopher File (who was confined for being concerned in the Rescue of Harpert Lansing and Andries Stoll) has given sureties to the Court for his good Behaviour in future for twelve Kalander Months & as the said Christopher File stands Committed by Virtue of a Mittimus of this Board resolved that the said Mittimus be withdrawn and that the said Christopher File be discharged from Confinement ■ — [376] Resolved that Isaac Aarse be discharged from Con- finement on Abraham Bloodgood of the City of Albany entering into a Recognizance for the said Isaac Aarse's being of the good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Abraham Bloodgood of the City of Albany Innkeeper as Bail for Isaac Aarse in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 669 Resolved that Andries Stoll be discharged from Confine- „ I7Sl , ° . Mar. 26. ment on his entering into a Recognizance for his Appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not depart the Court without Leave Andries Stoll of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Blacksmith in. . £100 Henry Dencker of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned Met Albany 27^? March 1781 »78i PMar. 27. resent John M. Beeckman [ \ Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer \ ( [Stewart Dean] A Letter from the Hon— Brigadier General James Clinton was laid before the Board wherein he informs us that there is at present in Goal a Prisoner of war named John Palmer to whose liberation from Confinement he has no [377] Objection provided the said John Palmer procure Bail to this Board for his appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon until exchanged or otherwise discharged from his Recognizance and Volkert A. Douw being willing to become surety for the said John Palmer resolved that he accordingly enter into Recognizance for the appearance of the said John Palmer as above mentioned — Volkert A. Douw of the City of Albany as Bail for John Palmer in £100 A Certificate signed by Robert Harper Esq- Clerk of the 670 State of New York Council of Appointment was laid before the Board whereby it appears that Stewart Dean Esq- was on the 26— day of March Instant appointed by the Hon— the Council of Appointment a Commissioner for Conspiracies for this County in the Stead of Mathew Visscher and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Esq- who have resigned in Consequence of which said Certificate the said Stewart Dean took the Oath of Office as prescribed in and by an Act of the Legislature of this State entitled " An Act for appointing Commissioners for Conspiracies and declaring their Powers " and took his Seat at the Board accordingly — Cap- Ichabod Turner appeared before the Board and informed us that he had apprehended Seth Rowley an Inhabitant of Stephen Town for having been present at the Meeting at James Lister's and for being one of the Chief Promoters in having Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamation read at the said Meeting resolved in Consequence of the said Meeting that the said Seth Rowley be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned. — [378] Met Albany 28^ March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T r\ t? i > ] Isaac D. ^onda Stewart Dean ) ( John Cobham having been ordered by this Board not to leave this City without our Permission and appearing this Day before us requested the Liberty of going to Fort Miller for the Purpose of settling his private Business resolved in Consequence of the said Application that a Permit be granted him accordingly — Col- Veeder appeared before the Board and informed us 1781 Mar. 28. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 671 that Philip Cough of the Hellebergh lately went down the M I78l g Country under a Pretence of going to Philadelphia but that it appears from many concurring Circumstances that he has been at New York and that the said Philip Cough took with him from the Hellebergh a woman whose Husband is gone off to the Enemy and who is supposed to be at New York resolved in Consequence of the said Information that the said Philip Cough be cited forthwith to appear before this Board to answer to the above Charge. — Nicholas Cluet having been cited to appear before the Board appearing was examined as to the Conduct of some disaffected Persons living on the Nistageune Road — A Letter from Jacob Ford Esq?" of Kings District was laid before the Board inclosing sundry Examinations respecting the Conduct of Ambrose Vincent, John Mandigo and Stokes Potter which Letter and examinations are in the words following (to wit) (See Letter and Examinations on File) [379] resolved that the Consideration of the above Letter and Examinations be postponed untill to Morrow. — Adjourned Met Albany 29^ March 1 781 1781 Present Mar - 2 9- John M. Beeckman [ j Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer \ I Stewart Dean Resolved that Harpert Lansing be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his Appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in the City of Albany on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave. — 672 State of New York *78i Harpert Lansing of the East District of the ar. 29. 1 Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in ... . £100 Jacob Vischer of Cooksborough in the County of Albany Farmer his Bail in ... . £100 The Board taking into Consideration the Letter and Examinations Yesterday received from Jacob Ford Esq! do resolve on Consideration thereof that a warrant be made out for the Apprehension of Ambrose Vincent, John Mandigo and Stokes Potter — Resolved that the above warrant be transmitted to the said Jacob Ford and that a Letter be wrote requesting him to have the same served as soon as possible and that he bind over the Witnesses against the said Ambrose Vincent, John Mandigo [380] and Stokes Potter to appear at the next Supream Court — Adjourned — Met Albany 30^ March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Stewart Dean Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Samuel Stringer Philip Cough who was on the 28- Instant cited to appear before this Board appearing was examined and it appearing from his Examination that the Charges as alledged against him by Col- Veeder are groundless therefore resolved that he be discharged — Peter Livingston of the Hellebergh having forfeited the Recognizance by him entered into before this Board therefore resolved that he be cited to appear with all Con- venient speed to show cause why the same should not be prosecuted — The Recognizance of Philip Empey, Johannis Staring, 1781 Mar. 30. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 673 Nicholas Auk, Peter Fikes and Adam Shaver having become „ 1781 . . Mar. 30. forfeited to the State by their going to and Joining the enemy resolved therefore that the Secretary to this Board make out the said Recognizance in order that the Bails may be prosecuted on the same by the Attorney General — Adjourned — Met Albany 31^ March 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Stewart Dean Resolved that Seth Rowley be discharged from [381] Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his appear- ance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in the City of Albany on the third Tuesday in April next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave — Seth Rowley of Stephen Town in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Amos Miner of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 The Board having received Information from Cap- John Van Wie that the two sons of Hezekiah Schoenmaker are mising and that there is Reason to suspect they are gone to the Enemy in order to determine which it is resolved that a Citation be made out for the said Hezekiah Schoenmaker to appear before this Board forthwith in order that he may be examined as to the same — Adjourned — 1781 Mar. 31. 674 State of New York Met Albany 2^ April 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c ~. J . V < Stewart Dean Samuel Stringer ) ( Archibald M?NeiI of the Scotch Patent appeared before the Board and informed us that agreeable to the Tenor of his Recognizance he appeared to wait the further Order of this Board — resolved that the said Archibald M-Neil remove with his Family into the interior Part of this State by the i- day of May next and that he be informed [382] that unless he complies with this order his Recognizance will be prosecuted — Neal Shaw appeared before the Board and laid before us a Letter from James Gillis for whom he is surety in which Letter the said Gillis prays that his non Appearance on this day may not be construed as a Forfeiture of his Recog- nizance as he is unable to come on Account of his being indisposed — Resolved that the same James Gillis be also ordered by the first day of May next to remove with his Family into the Interior parts of this State — Henry Tinkey appeared before the Board and laid before us a Request of his Bail that he might be indulged with Permission to remain some time longer at home — Resolved that the said Henry Tinkey by the first day of May next also remove his Effects and Family into the Interior Parts of this State — Adjourned Met Albany 3^ April 1781 Present John M. Beeckman \ \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Stewatt Dean 1 781 Apr. 2. 1781 Apr. 3. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 675 The Board having received Information that Df George J 78i Smith is at present in this City and as he has received no Permission from this Board for that Purpose therefore resolved that Jacob Kidney the Door Keeper be ordered to bring the said D- Smith forthwith before us. — [383] D- Smith being brought before the Board says in Justification of his Conduct that he was ordered to Town by Gen! Clinton for the Purpose of preparing himself to go to Canada in order to his being exchanged and the same being deemed Satisfactory resolved that he be discharged and Permission be granted him to remain in Town for eight days to settle his Business — Adjourned — Met Albany April 1781 Apr? 5. Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda i I Stewart Dean Resolved that John Hodkison be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appearing before any three of the Commis- ioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required and remaining within the Limits of the City of Albany until exchanged or otherwise discharged by this Board — John Hodkison of the City of Albany La- bourer in £100 Rykert Bovee of Maple Town in the County of Albany Farmer his Bail in £100 Captain Benjamin Du Bois appeared before the Board and informed the Board that Samuel Van Buskerk, Luke Dewitt and the wife of Johan Jurie Fought are dangerous and disaffected Persons whose going at Large may be danger- ous to the State. — 676 State of New York A p^ 8l g Resolved in Consequence of the above Information that a warrant be made out for them and That Cap- Du Bois be requested to have the same served — [384] James Brisben who was by Recognizance bound to remain within the Limits of this City appeared before the Board and requested Permission to go to Saragtoga to see his Family and his Bail Peter Sharp consenting thereto resolved that he have Permission granted him accordingly untill the first day of May next — Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 6^ April 1781 Apr. 6. Present Samuel Stringer ) ( T ^ ~ , _ _ 6 f ] Isaac D. Fonda Stewart Dean ) ( John Kerner appeared before the Board and informed us that Frederick Shaver of the East District & the Manor of Rensselaerwyck by his Conduct & Conversation daily gives Offence to the well affected Subjects of the State — Wherefore resolved that a warrant be made out for the Apprehension of the said Frederick Shaver and that the said warrant be directed to the said John Kerner in order that he may serve the same — A Letter from his Excellency Governor Clinton to the Honorable Brigadier General James Clinton was laid before the Board by Samuel Stringer Esq^ wherein the Governor in- informs that he has received Information that there are a number of Persons who last Fall came from the Enemy at the Hellebergh and Places Adjacent and recommending it to General Clinton to detach Parties from Kats Kill, Cook- sakie, Schohary and from this place for the purpose [385] of apprehending all such persons resolved in Consequence Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 677 of the said Letter that the Hon— Brigadier Gen 1 - Gansevoort * 781 , . A P r - 6" be sent for in order to consult wtih him as to the Steps neces- sary to be taken in carrying the above plan into Execution — Adjourned 1781 Met Albany 7^ April 1781 A P r - 7- Present John M. Beeckman [ \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda \ ( Stewart Dean Frederick Shaver having been apprehended was brought before the Board and being examined and it appearing to us necessary that the said Frederick Shaver be laid under a Recognizance therefore resolved that previous to his Dis- charge he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required — Frederick Shaver of the East District of Rens- selaerwyck Farmer in £100 John Kerner of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved agreeable to the plan Yesterday adopted by General Gansevoort that a Letter be wrote to Major Scher- merhorn requesting him with a Party of Men to go to Coye- mans in order to apprehend such as are endeavouring to escape to the East side of the River — Adjourned Met Albany 10^ April 1781 I7 8i Present A P r - I0 - John M. Beeckman ) ( ~ i t-v t- 1 f } Stewart Dean Isaac D. Fonda ) ( [386] William Dewitt appeared before the Board & brought before us a certain person who he had apprehended 678 State of New York Ap/ 8 io on Suspicion °f bis being a spy from the Enemy who being examined says his Name is Abel Bacon and he being unable to give a Satisfactory Account of himself therefore resolved that he be confined and that the Goaler be directed to keep him in Custody untill he shall be discharged by an order of this Board — Adjourned — A ^ 8l ir< Met Albany April 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) ( ^ ~ ^ _ \ \ Stewart Dean Isaac u. r onda ) ( M- Fonda informed the Board that he had received Infor- mation that Philip Lansing who last Spring joined the Enemy is come from Canada and is supposed to be on his way to New York with dispatches. — Resolved that it be recommended to M- Fonda to obtain the fullest Information of this Matter and endeavour if possible to have the said Philip Lansing apprehended — A Letter from Captain Ichabod Turner was laid before the Board informing us that Seth Rowley who was by us bound for his Appearance at the next Supream Court has inlisted in the nine months Service and recommending it to us to discharge the said Seth Rowley from that Part of his Recognizance requiring his Appearance at Court and we having considered the Contents of the said Letter do resolve that the said Seth Rowley be discharged accordingly — [387] Joseph Hawkins appeared before the Board and requested from us Permission to go and look for a Farm on which he might remove his Family resolved that he have leave granted him accordingly. — Adjourned. — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 679 Met Albany 12^ April 1781 1781 n Apr. 12. Present John M. Beeckman [ ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer \ I Stewart Dean Robert Kenneday appeared before the Board and laid before us a Letter from Col' Anthony Van Bergen wherein he informs us that he sends to us under Guard a person who he has had apprehended on Suspicion and the said person being brought before us and examined says his Name is Jonathan OBrian and that he is a deserter from Col- James Livingston's Regiment resolved that he be confined and that Col- Livingston be informed thereof. — The Board having received Information that Hezekiah Schoenmaker and Henry Schoenmaker have left there places of abode some time ago in order to avoid doing Militia Duty and paying their Rates and are now Secreted about Cooksakie resolved in Consequence of the said Infor- mation that a warrant be made out & directed to Robert Kenneday of Cooksakie to apprehend the said Hezekiah Schoenmaker and Henry Schoenmaker and forthwith bring them before us at the City Hall in this City. — Adjourned — [388] Met Albany 13* April 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda \ ( Stewart Dean Brigadier General James Clinton laid before the Board a letter received by him from Teunis Van Wagenen at Cats Kill dated 12- Instant in which he informs him that agree- able to his Directions he had proceeded to the Westward with a Party of Men and has apprehended Jurry Hoofman, 68o State of New York 1781 Frederick Lobus, Frederick Schraader and Tohannis Vro- Apr. 13. ' J bert who say they were taken prisoners at the Surrender of Burgoyne, John Carrigill and James Davidson Deserters from the Continental Army and Peter Laraway and Luke Dewitt Inhabitants of this County and they being severally brought before us and examined resolved that they be com- mitted except John Carrigill who producing a Furlough from Cap- Jansen of Col- Van Schaick's Regiment was dis- charged ordered that a Mittimus be made out for them — Samuel Stringer Esq- laid before the Board an Extract of a Letter from the Honorable Major General Heath setting forth that two Men have lately leftNew York with Dispatches for Can- ada and containing a Description of their Persons and Dress. — Resolved in Consequence of the same that Letters be wrote to Col 1 Abraham Wempell at Schenectady, Major Ezekiel Taylor at Stillwater and to the Commanding Officer at Saragtoga informing them of the same and requesting them to use every possible Means to apprehend those Persons. — [389] Abel Bacon who was on the 10— Instant confined on Suspicion of his being a spy from the Enemy was brought before the Board and it appearing to us from sundry Cir- cumstances that the said Bacon is no other than one of those infatuated People denominated Shaking Quakers and that he was on his way to Nistageune therefore resolved that the said Abel Bacon be discharged and be ordered not to frequent those parts in future on any Pretence whatever unless he is furnished with proper Credentials of his attachment to the American Cause. — Adjourned. — 1781 Met Albany 14- April 178 1 A P r - I4 " Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Samuel .Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Stewart Dean Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiraeies 68 1 The Board having received Information that there is at . J 7 81 Apr. 14. present in Town a person who passes by the Name of Henry Thiell who is endeavouring to depreciate the Money emitted agreeable to a Resolution of Congress of the 18- day of March 1780 by exchanging three pounds of the said Money for one Pound in Specie and it appearing from other Cir- cumstances and also from the Examinations of John Lansing Jun- Esq- , John H. Wendell Esq^ and James Dennison that the said Henry Thiell is a Suspicious person therefore re- solved that he be sent for and examined — The above mentioned Henry Thiell appearing & being examined says he is lately from Philadelphia and that he came to this place to settle his private Business — Resolved on Considering the above that the said Henry [390] Thiell enter into a Recognizance to appear before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon and that he do not depart beyond the Limits of this City without Leave previously obtained from this Board — Henry Thiell of Philadelphia in the State of Pensylvania Blacksmith in £500 Hugh Dennison of the City of Albany Inn- holder his Bail in £500 Adjourned — Met Albany 15^ April 1781 ^81 Present pr ' I5 ' John M. Beeckman ) { Stewart Dean Isaac D. Fonda \ ( Samuel Stringer Lieu- Col' Barent Staats appeared before the Board and informed us that there is at present at the House of James Watson living on the Road to Coyemans a Person who appears very Suspicious who has been there four or five days that he supposes the said person is a Spy from the Enemy — 682 State of New York T 78i Resolved in Consequence of the said Information that Lieu- Coenrad Gansevoort be requested to take three or four Men of Col 1 Cuyler's Regiment and endeavour to apprehend the said Person Adjourned — Met Albany 16^ April 1781 — [Present] John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Stewart Dean Lieu- Gansevoort who at the Request of this Board went with a Party of Men to apprehend the Person Yesterday described by Col 1 Staats appearing informed us that having [391] last Night apprehended the said Person and brought him to Town for the Purpose of confining him the said Person had made his Escape — Resolved thereupon that a Letter be wrote to Cap- Van Wie to request him With a Party of his Company to en- deavour if possible to apprehend him — A Letter from Zepheniah Batchelor Esq' was laid before the Board dated the 14- Instant wherein he informs us that William Laird and Df Tice are still in the Neighbourhood of Johnstown and recommending it to have them apprehended and we having good Reason to think that they intend to go and join the Enemy this Spring resolved therefore that a War- rant be made out for the Apprehension of the said William Laird and D[ Tice & that the same be forwarded to the said Zepheniah Batchelor in order that it may be served — Mathew Visscher Esq' laid before the Board a Letter from William Whiting Esq T dated at Great Barrington the 5^ Instant which is in the words following (to wit) (see Letter on File) Adjourned — 1781 Apr. 16. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 683 Met Albany 17^ April 1 781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Stewart Dean Samuel Stringer ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Major Reed laid before the Board a Letter from the Honorable Brigadier General James Clinton wherein the General requests that D T George Smith may have Liberty to remove with his Family and Effects to the New City and that he be under the same Restrictions he is now under until he is exchanged resolved that the same be taken into Consideration — [392] Serjeant Soal appeared before the Board & informed us that he had apprehended Thomas Gleason the Person who Yesterday made his Escape from Lieu^ Gansevoort and the said Thomas Gleason being brought in and examined resolved that he be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — It appearing from the Examination of the above mentioned Gleason and from sundry other Circumstances that James Watson who was confined for harbouring the said Gleason was no way concerned or privy to any Part of the Conduct of the said Gleason but as the said James Watson has always sustained the Character of a disaffected Person therefore resolved that previous to his Discharge he enter into Recogni- zance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — James Watson of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Innkeeper in. . . £100 Volkert A. Douw of the City of Albany Gentle- man his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 1781 Apr. 17. 684 State of New York Met Albany 18^ April 1781 Present John M. Beeekman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Stewart Dean Two Affidavits of Carrel Nier and Jacob Nier taken before the said Johannis Van Deusen Esq- were laid before the Board which Affidavits set forth that they the said Carrel Neir and Jacob Neir having apprehended Harmen [393] Haver by virtue of a warrant from this Board and being on their way With him to Albany that Hendrick Platner and Jacob Platner of Claverack did advise the said Harmen Haver to make his Escape and that they called the said Haver out of the House in order the better to enable him to do it resolved in Consequence of the said Affidavits that an Order be made out to the said Hendrick and Jacob Platner forthwith to deliver up to this Board the said Harmen Haver — Resolved that Hendrick Knieskern be discharged from Confinement on entering into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain Hendrick Knieskern of Schohary in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 William Knieskern of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 A Letter from Johannis Van Dusen and Lowrence Fonda Esq- Justices of the Peace dated at Claverack the 15— Instant was laid before the Board wherein they inform us that they send to us the Examinations of several disaffected Persons and two Men as Prisoners named Teunis Reipen- bergh and Jacob M. Hoogteling who they suspect have been 1781 Apr. 18. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 685 concerned in the Robbery committed on Cap- Casparus A *J 8 * & Conyne resolved that the said Teunis Reipenbergh & Jacob M. Hoogteling be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for them — Resolved that James Watson Jun^ be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behav- iour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the [394] Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — James Watson Jun- of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Labourer in. £100 Barent I. Staats of the same place Esq?" his Bail in £100 Adjourned Met Albany 19^ April 1781 — Apr^ig Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda \ { Stewart Dean Jacob Saltsbergh who last Fall came with Sir John Johnson and was at the destruction of Schohary was brought before the Board and Examined his examination is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) ordered that he be recommitted — Samuel Stringer Esq- laid before the Board an Examina- tion of George Boarck taken by Hezekiah Van Orden Esq^ from which it appears that Abraham Person Jun r and Abraham Dewit intend to go off and join the Enemy when- ever a fit Oppertunity shall present resolved in Consequence of the same that a Letter be wrote to Lieu- Teunis Van Wagenon at Cats Kill to request him to have the said Abra- ham Person Jun- and Abraham DeWit apprehended and forthwith sent to us — 686 State of New York 1781 Information having been received that a certain Tohn Cole Apr. 19. o J is lately come from New York and is at present in the East Camp resolved in Consequence of the said Information that a Letter be wrote to Cap- Tiel Rockefeller requesting him [395] to apprehend the said John Cole and forthwith bring him before us Resolved that a Letter be wrote to William Whiting Esq- at Great Barrington inclosing a Description of a certain William Scott who frequently goes to New York and returns with false Continental Money and requesting him to have the said William Scot apprehended which Letter is in the words following (to wit) (see Copy Letter on File) — Adjourned I78l Met Albany 20^ April 1781 Apr. 20. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Stewart Dean Benjamin Randell and Stephen Randell appeared before the Board and informed us that Jacob Best of Hosick has harboured and secreted in his House John Ruyter formerly an Inhabitant of Hosick who at the Time he was so secreted by the said Jacob Best was a Captain in the British Service which Charge they say can be plainly and Satisfactorily proved by Peter Crandell and Hugh Baily — And the said Benjamin Randell and Stephen Randell further inform that John Babcock Joseph Allport and Dennis Dun are disaffected Persons and that they have v drank the Kings Health and that Jacob Lantman also is a dangerous and disaffected Person who in the Year 1777 when General Burgoyne came down did assist in murdering some men who had been driving Cattle to General Gates's Army and that Stephen Card has advised many Persons to Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 687 accept of Sir Henry Clinton's Proclamations telling them it r 78i contained Offers of [396] Peace and that it would be the last Time that any would be made and that Elisha Runnels & Thomas Stephens were present when the said Stephen Card made use of those Expressions — Resolved in Consequence of the above Information that a Warrant be made out for the immediate apprehension of the said John Babcock, Dennis Dun, Stephen Card andjacob Lantman and that the same be directed to Jacob Kidney Constable — Thomas Gleason who was the other day committed to Goal requested to be brought before the Board in order to give some Information respecting William Hartley & he being brought in and Examined says that a certain Man of the Name of Butler has brought a Letter to the said Hartley & that the said Hartley was to write an answer which said Butler was to call for — Ordered that the said Thomas Gleason be recommitted — Adjourned — Met Albany n« April 1781 ApKi. Present John M. Beeckman [ \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) } Stewart Dean Jacob Kidney appeared before the Board & informed us that he had apprehended Jacob Lantman, John Babcock, Dennis Dun and Stephen Card and they being severally examined and denying the Charge alledged against them and offering to disprove the same resolved therefore that they be severally bound by Recognizance to appear before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies [397] at the City Hall in this [City] on Wednesday next and that in the mean Time they be of the good Behaviour — 688 State of New York 1781 Apr. 21. jdv_uD j-yantrndn 01 oosick. in tne v^ounty 01 £ioo ^/l 1 f*n Pi 1 d n fm q n or trip cn mp nlarp Ha rm pr IV±l\_lia.Cl l^U 1 1 Lillall KJl II 1 C Gallic UlatC 1 alillCI nic r? 1 1 1 in jonn OdDcoLK 01 jnosiLK in tne v^ounty or Albany Farmer in £ioo lYI l rn ^ pi 1 q n rm o r> nf t co m p nn r*p n q rm pr his Rail in ■f t no L/ennis uun oi nosicK in tne v^ounty oi Albany Farmer in Johannis Duet of the same place Farmer his Bail in £ioo Stephen Card of Hosick in the County of Albany Farmer in £l00 Daniel Kyneir of the same place Farmer his Bail in £l00 Resolved in Consequence of the Information Yesterday given by Benjamin Randell and Stephen Randell that a warrant be made out for the Apprehension of Jacob Best and Joseph Allport of Hosick District and that the same be delivered to the said Benjamin Randell in Order to have it V served — Samuel Stringer Esq^ informed the Board that he had advanced to Peter Seeger Eight New Emission Dollars for the Purpose of apprehending Joseph Bettis ordered that he be credited for the same — 1 Resolved that Peter Crandell, Hugh Baily, John Ryley, Oliver Bartley, Elisha Reynolds, Thomas Stephens, and 1 Included in Stringer's sworn statement, October 21/1784, in Revolutionary Manuscripts, vol. 40, p. 160, Stale Comptroller's office. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 689 Samuel Shaw be cited to appear before this Board on Wednes- x 78i Apr. 2 day next in order to support the Charges before us exhibited by Benjamin Randell and Stephen Randell against the said Jacob Lantman, John Babcock, Dennis Dun, Stephen Card, Jacob Best and Joseph Allport — Thomas Butler of Hosick District having been [398] apprehended on the Information Yesterday given to this Board by Thomas Gleason and being Examined as to the same positively denies the Charge but as there is great Reason to imagin from the Character of disaffection hitherto sustained by the said Thomas Butler that what has been alledged against him is true therefore resolved that he be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Harmen Haver who the Board were on the 18- Instant Informed had made his Escape from the Guard who had apprehended him appeared this day and surrendered him- self up to us and produced Certificates of several of the Officers of the Regiment to which he belongs of his having behaved himself as a peaceable and quiet Inhabitant & that he has ever done his duty as a good Subject of the State resolved in Consequence of the said Recommenda- tions that the said Harmen Haver be discharged until the further order of this Board — Adjourned — Met Albany 23? April 1781 — ApT^a Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Stewart Dean Cap 1 Benjamin Du Bois appeared before the Board and informed us that he had agreeable to our warrant appre- hended Luke De Wit and the said Luke De Wit being pro- 690 State of New York I 78i duced and examined acknowledges that he drank King Apr. 23. n , „ . . fe 6 George s Health Resolved that he be Confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — [399] A Number of Germans who belonged to Gen 1 - Burgoyne's Army having been apprehended on account of their Inimical Conduct and Conversation & being brought before the Board and examined resolved that they be com- mitted until the further Order of this Board — Adjourned Ajr 8 2 5 . Met Albany 25^ April 1781 Present John M. Beeckman ) f Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Stewart Dean The German Prisoners who were examined on the 23? Instant being again Brought before the Board & it appear- ing that some of them are Deserters and that others are Prisoners of War resolved therefore that it be recommended to the Honorable Brigadier General James Clinton that he discharge such of the said Germans as are Deserters and that he discharge also such of the said Prisoners of War as are recommended by Persons who are well Attached to the American Cause — Adjourned — 8l Met Albany 26^ April 1 781 — Apr. 26. Present John M. Beeckman ) j Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) \ Stewart Dean Peter Crandell appeared before the Board agreeable to our order of the 21^ Instant and being examined under oath says that Jacob Lantman last Summer when ordered out Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 691 with a Party of Militia to apprehend some Persons [400] *78i . Apr. 26. who were come from Canada said that he would not go after such Persons and that he did not look upon them as Enemies. Resolved In Consequence of the said Examina- tion, that the said Jacob Lantman, be bound by Recog- nizance, for his good Behaviour, doing his duty, and ap- pearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies, when called upon during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Jacob Lantman of Hosick in the Cou[n]ty of Albany Farmer in £100 Michael Lantman of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Cap^ Joshua Babcock appeared before the Board and informed us that agreeable to our warrant he had appre- hended Jacob Best and the said Jacob Best being brought before us and examined and it appearing from his Exami- nation that the charge alledged against him is well founded therefore resolved that the said Jacob Best enter into a Recognizance for his good behaviour and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain and also for his appearance at the Supream Court of Judicature now held at the City Hall in this City to answer to such Matters as shall then and there be alledged against him and not depart the Court without Leave — Jacob Best of Little Hosick in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Isaac Vosburgh of the west district of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Brick Maker his Bail in £100 692 State of New York pj 8l 6 [4 01 ] John Babcock appeared before the Board & being examined as to the Charge alledged against him of drinking the King's Health utterly denied the same and requested that Jacob Best might be examined under Oath as to the Truth of his Assertions and the said Jacob Best being Examined says that he was present when John Allport drank the king's Health in Babcock's presence and that the said John Babcock instead of joining with the said Allport reprimanded him for doing it resolved that the said John Babcock attend at this Board to Morrow Morning — Cap^ John Ryley having been ordered to appear before this Board to give Information respecting John Babcock & others appeared and being examined says that last New Years day he was at the House of the said Babcock and that the said Babcock together with Dennis Dun, Jacob Best, and John Allport did in his Hearing drink the king's Health resolved that the said John Ryley be directed to attend the Grand Jury in Order to give them the above Information — Thomas Butler who was the other day confined on the Information of Thomas Gleason was brought before the Board and nothing further appearing against him therefore resolved that he be discharged on entering into a Recog- nizance with sufficient Sureties for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Thomas Butler of Hosick in the County of Albany Innkeeper in £100 Joshua Babcock of the same place Cord- wainer his Bail in £100 John Randell of the same place Farmer also his Bail in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 693 [402] Stephen Card appeared before the Board and laid A ^ 8 ^ 6 before us sundry Certificates of his Attachment to the American Cause Resolved in Consequence of the said Certificates that the said Stephen Card be discharged. Adjourned Met Albany 27^ April 1781 — «78* Present John M. Beeckman ) j Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) \ Stewart Dean John Babcock appeared before the Board agreeable to our order of Yesterday resolved that the said John Bab- cock enter into a Recognizance for his Appearance at the Supream Court of Judicature at present held in the City Hall of this City then and there to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without leave — John Babcock of Hosick in the County of Albany Innkeeper in £100 Joshua Babcock of the same place Cord- . wainer his Bail in £100 Dennis Dun also appearing agreeable to our order resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his Appear- ance at the Supream Court of Judicature at present held at the City Hall in this City to answer to such Matters a[s] shall be then and there alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave — Dennis Dun of Hosick in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Michael Lantman of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 The Board having received Information that John An- drew of Newtown has this Morning acknowledged [403] 694 State of New York 1781 himself a King's Man resolved in consequence of the said Information that the said John Andrew be forthwith appre- hended by Jacob Kidney and brought before us — Thomas Butler who was Yesterday liberated from Con- finement appeared before the Board and produced two Certificates the one signed by the Selectmen and several Militia Officers of the Township of Worthington in the County of Hampshire in the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts Bay setting forth that the said Thomas Butler has from the Commencement of the present Contest behaved himself as a Zealous and firm Friend to the American Cause, the other signed by several Militia Officers & other well affected Inhabitants of the District of Hosick and the same being read and taken into Consideration resolved in Consequence thereof that the said Thomas Butler be and he is hereby discharged from the Recognizance entered into by him before this Board on the 26 th Instant — Jacob Kidney appeared with John Andrew whom agree- able to our order he had apprehended resolved that the said John Andrew be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Samuel Stringer Esq?" informed the Board that he has received Information that Simeon Smith of Pits Town Inn- keeper entertains disaffected Persons; drink's King George's health and speaks disrespectfully of the Authority of this State, resolved in Consequence of the said Information that a warrant be made out directed to Lieutenant Jonathan Brown forthwith to apprehend and bring before us the said Simeon Smith — Resolved that a Citation be sent to Jonathan Brown [404] William M c Coy and Mary Sawyer to appear before the Board forthwith to prove the Charges above alledged against the said Simeon Smith. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 695 Lieu- Jacob Platner and Hendrick Platner appeared before the Board and being questioned as to their advising Harmen Haver to make his Escape from the Guard who had him in Custody the said John Platner acknowledges he did Advise Harmen Haver to go home and obtain a Certificate from his Officers of his Conduct and then deliver himself up to the Commissioners at Albany and the said Jacob Platner having always sustained an Irreproachable Character and Hendrick Platner appearing no way concerned in the affair therefore resolved that the said Jacob Platner and Hendrick Platner be discharged Adjourned Met Albany 30 th April 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman Samuel Stringer 1781 Apr. 27. Stewart Dean Berijah Tyler appeared before the Board and produced a Letter signed by Stephen Salisbury and William Dawes dated at Worcester in the State of Massachusetts Bay on the 25 Instant setting forth that Thomas Glason who was by Our order apprehended and confined is of an infamous Character and that he has lately enlisted for three Years to serve in the Continental Army ordered that the same be filed — Resolved in Consequence of the above Letter that an Order be sent to James Watson to deliver up to Berijah Tyler the Horse of the said Thomas Gleason by us Committed to his Care [405] on the said Tyler's paying the Charges accrued in keeping said Horse — Resolved that Jacob Saltsbergh be discharged from Con- finement on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto 1781 Apr. 30. 696 State of New York 1781 required during the Continuance of the present war with P 3 Great Britain — Jacob Saltsbergh of the Bever Dam in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Jacob Cuyler of the City of Albany Mer- chant his Bail in £100 Whereas there are several Families remaining; settled on the North side of Hudsons River in and about Jessup's Patent, who are all disaffected; and this Board conceiving it highly improper they should be let to remain there — Have resolved, that it is necessary, for the Safety of those Frontiers, that all the said Families be ordered forthwith to remove from thence with all their Effects down into the Interior parts of the Country, without delay; and that all Boats, Canoes, or other Conveniences, for the purpose of Crossing the River, and which can be found on either side of the same, be destroyed, and that all the Males of 16 Years old and upwards, be ordered to appear before this Board on or before the 20— day of May next at their peril — And whereas this Board has received Information that there are a Number of Tory Women (whose Husbands have joined the Enemy) residing, and going from parts below to reside, above Saragtoga which this Board from Manifest Reasons disapprove of; therefore Resolved, that the said Women be all brought down below Saragtoga and ordered there to Remain as they will answer they [sic] Contrary at their Peril; until they shall receive [406] further Instructions from this Board or from some other proper Authority — Resolved that Brigadier General Clinton be requested by this Board, to issue an Order to the Officer commanding at Saragtoga to have the above necessary Resolves executed; and that a List of all such Persons as may be removed and brought down as aforesaid be handed to this Board, with any Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 697 Information that may be collected and thought worthy of A l ^ l 30 their Attention towards the wellfare of the State — Adjourned — Met Albany I s * May 1781— J7«i „ j j 1 May 1. Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j ( Stewart Dean A Letter from the Commissioners for Conspiracies dated at Schenectady the 26- April last was laid before the Board which Letter is in the words following (to wit) (See Letter on File) — Andries Cogh, Andries Wolters, George Pattshold and Johan Hendrick Zachariah Bause, German Prisoners of war having been apprehended by order of General Clinton and confined and the General being of Opinion that they may be serviceable to the Country should they be admitted to Bail resolved therefore that they be bound in Recognizance with sufficient sureties for their good Behaviour and appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — [407] Andries Cogh of the Hellebergh in the County of Albany in £100 Jacob Zimmer of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Andries Walters late of the Hellebergh in £100 Jacob Zimmer of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 George Paatshold late of the Hellebergh in. . £100 Jacob Zimmer of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 6 9 8 State of New York 1781 Johan Hendrick Zachariah Bause late of the Hellebergh in £100 Johannis Casselman of the Bever Dam Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 2- d May 1781 May 2 - Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) { Stewart Dean General Clinton having recommended it to the Board to discharge Christian Hartwick a German Prisoner of war on Bail resolved in Consequence of the said Recommendation that the said Christian Hartwick be discharged on his entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Christian Hartwick late of the Hellebergh Farmer in £100 Peter Cook of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 M— Welsh whose Husband is at present with the Enemy appeared before the Board and requested a Permit to go to Canada resolved that the Secretary to this Board certify to General Clinton that we have no Objection to M— Welsh's going with the first Flag to her Husband — Hugh M?Manus Constable of Tryon County [408] appeared before the Board and informed us that agreeable to our war- rant he had apprehended D r John Tice and the said Df Tice being produced and examined resolved that the said Hugh M^Manus take him again into his Charge and have him ready to produce to this Board when called upon — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies Luke DeWit was brought before the Board and examined T ? : b . May Ordered that he be recommitted — General Clinton having certified to this Board his Desire that William Giffert a German Prisoner of war should be admitted to Bail resolved that he be bound for his good Behaviour and appearance before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies for and during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — William Giffert late of the Hellebergh Farmer in £100 John Tillman Sen[ of the Manor of Rens- selaerwyck Innkeeper his Bail in £100 Peter Larawa being brought before the Board and ex- amined ordered that he be recommitted — John Tice being again brought before the Board and examined on Consideration of the Charge alledged against the said Dl" Tice resolved that he enter into Recognizance with Sufficient surety for his remaining within the Limits of this City and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when called upon until discharged from the said Recognizance by the said Commissioners — John Tice of the State of Pensylvania Prac- ti[ci]oner of Physick in £100 John Tillman of the Manor of Rensselaer- wyck Innkeeper his Bail in £100 [409] Met Albany 3* May 1781 ^78 Present John M. Beeckman | j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j (. Stewart Dean The Board having received Information that Joseph Bettis keeps at present at the Hellebergh and other places 700 State of New York j^8i^ i n t h at Neighbourhood and is collecting a party of Men to go off to the Enemy — Resolved in Consequence of the said Information that Application be made to General [James Clinton] for a Party of the Levies and to General Gansevoort for a Party of Militia to go and apprehend the said Joseph Bettis with his Party and also resolved that Abraham Outhout Esq- one of the Commissioners for Conspiracies residing at Schenectady at present in Town be sent for and made Acquainted with the above Information and that he be also informed that this Board conceive it necessary that a Party of Men should be sent from Schenectady for the purpose of falling upon the Rear of those Settlements — Information being exhibited to this Board that a certain John Wasbrook is at present on the East side of the River that he is a Stranger and of a suspicious Character therefore resolved that a Warrant be made out directed to Jacob Van Alstyne authorizing him forthwith to apprehend and bring before us the said John Wasbrook — A Letter from Teunis Van Wagenen dated Cats Kill the 2— Instant was laid before the Board informing that he sends to us under Guard a certain Samuel Davidson who he had caused to be apprehended as a dangerous Person and the said Davidson being produced and Examined and it ap- [410] pearing from his Examination that he is a Deserter from the Line of the Pensylvania Army therefore resolved that he be sent to General Clinton to be disposed as he may think proper — Adjourned — iky 4. Met Albany 4^ May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda f 1 Stewart Dean Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 701 Resolved in Consequence of the plan Yesterday concluded x 78x upon for the Apprehension of Joseph Bettis with his Party that a Letter be wrote to CoU Anthony Van Bergen at Cook- sakie to detach a Party of Men to Peesink for the purpose of scouring the woods in that Quarter in Order that if Bettis should endeavour to make his Escape that way that he may be apprehended — James Watson Jun- who on the 18- day of April last entered into a Recognizance before this Board appeared before us this day and informed us that he intends to go and reside at Springfield in the State of Massachusetts Bay for the Purpose of lear[n]ing the Tanners Trade and requested to be discharged from his said Recognizance and the said Appli- cation being taken into Consideration resolved thereupon that the said James Watson Jun- be and he is hereby dis- charged from the said Recognizance — Lieu- Jonathan Brown appeared before the Board and informed us that agreeable to our warrant he had appre- hended Simeon Smith and that he had also agreeable to our Directions summoned William M;Coy as an Evidence against the said Simeon Smith ordered that the said William M^Coy be examined — [411] William M°Coy being Examined under Oath saith as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) — Simeon Smith being brought before the Board and the Charges above alledged against him being read to him and he possitively denying the same and offering to prove himself Innocent of the Crime alledged against him wherefore resolved that the said Simeon Smith have Permission to return Home on his entering into Recognizance for his good Be- haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain 702 State of New York ^78^ and also for his appearing at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the last Tuesday in July next (or where- soever the said Court shall then be held in the State afore- said) to answer to such Matters as shall then and there be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave — Simeon Smith of Pitts Town in the County of Albany Innkeeper in £100 Archibald Campbell of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 Jonathan Brown and Seth Stalker being severally called before the Board and Examined as to the Political Conduct of Simeon Smith their Examinations are as follows (to wit) (see Examinations on File) — Mathew Visscher Esq- appeared before the Board and informed us that he had received Information that a Number of Negroes at Nistageune and the Bought intend shortly to go off to Canada with Joseph Bettis resolved in Consequence of the said Information that a Letter be wrote to Captain Hendrick Ostram to have the following Negroes appre- hended (to wit) Jack the Negro Man of [412] Wilhelmas Van Antwerp Esq?: , Pomp the Negroe of Naning Vischer, Jack the Negroe of Bastian Cregier, and Jack the Negroe [of] Mar- tinus Cregier, and that he keep them separately and bring them before us at the City Hall in this City — Resolved also that a Letter be wrote to Captain Levinus Lansing to apprehend and bring before us the Negroe of Cornelius Van Den Bergh named Sans, and the Negro of Johannis Lansing named Tom and they also be brought down separately — A Party of Levies and of the Militia being now ready for the Purpose of executing the Plan for Apprehending Joseph Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 703 Bettis with his Party resolved that Instructions be made out M I78r for the Officer commanding the said Party which Instruc- tions are in the following words (to wit) (see Draft Instruc- tions on File) — A Letter from Major Popham Aid De Camp to Brigadier General James Clinton was laid before the Board setting forth that the General is willing that Hazelton Spencer should be liberated from Confinement and have the Liberty of the Town and be subject to such Restrictions as this Board may think proper resolved that the Subject of the above Letter be taken into Consideration untill to Morrow Morning — Adjourned — Met Albany 5^ May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) j Stewart Dean Isaac D. Fonda j { Samuel Stringer The Board having taken into Consideration the Letter Yesterday received from Major Popham respecting Hazelton Spencer and Conceiving that there can be no Impropriety in [413] liberating the said Hazelton Spencer from Confinement therefore resolved that he be liberated accordingly on enter- ing into a Bond with a sufficient surety for his remaining within the following Limits in the City of Albany, (to wit) to the North to the Bridge at General Ten Broeck's to the west to the Fort and to the south to the House at present occupied by Thomas Lansing and for his not holding any Correspond- ence by word or deed upon Political Matters with any Person or Persons who hold Principles Inimical to the Measures pursued by the Congress of the United States of America and that he shall appear before the Commissioners for Con- spiracies or either of them when required — 1781 May 5. 7°4 State of New York 1781 Hazelton Spencer in £$00 lay 5* • Abraham Ja: Lansing of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £500 Cap- Hendrick Ostrom appeared before the Board and informed that agreeable to our Request he had apprehended the Negroes mentioned in our Letter of Yesterday and the said Negroes being severally brought before the Board and Exam- ined and confessing their Intention of going off with Joseph Bettis and Jack the Negroe of Wilhelmas Van Antwerp and Pomp the Negroe of Naning Visscher appearing to be princi- pally concerned in the above Schem[e] therefore resolved that they be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them — Henry Simpson appeared before the Board and informed that the Party of Men who Yesterday went in Search of Joseph Bettis had apprehended a Certain Daniel Sherwood and that he had become Surety to the Officer commanding the said Party to deliver up the said Sherwood to this Board and that the said Daniel [414] Sherwood being Examined and pro- ducing Vouchers of his having been enlisted last Summer in the Nine Months Service and of his Attachment to the American Cause therefore resolved that he be discharged — Harmanus Cuyler of Cooksakie laid before the Board a Letter from Teunis Van Wagenon dated Cats Kill 4 th In- stant wherein he informs us that he sends to us Wessel Van Dyck as a Prisoner on Account of his being concerned in carrying Off David Abeel and his son and that he will send up the Proof against him as soon as possible which Letter being read ordered that the same be filed — Resolved in Consequence of the above Letter that the said Wessel Van Dyck be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 705 Met Albany May 1781 — *78r n j 1 j 1 May 7. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j ( Stewart Dean A Letter from Cap- Cornelius J. Jansen dated at Saragtoga the 6.- Instant was laid before the Board setting forth that one of his Scouts had apprehended at Jessup's Patent a certain Stephen Fairchilds and the said Fairchilds being Examined and not being able to give a satisfactory Account of himself resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — A Letter was also laid before the Board from Teunis Van Wagenen dated atCatts Kill the 6— Instant wherein [415] he informs us that he sends to us under Guard Abraham Dewitt and Abraham Person Jun^ who have been apprehended agreeable to a warrant issued by this Board and that he also sends John Person who is a dangerous and disaffected Person resolved that they be severally examined & that a Mittimus be made out for them — Pomp the Negro Man of Naning Vischer being at the Re- quest of his Master again brought before the Board and Exam- ined and it appearing that he is possessed of no other Informa- tion than what he has already mentioned therefore resolved that at the Request of his said Master that he be discharged — Adjourned — Met Albany 8 th May 1781 — i 7 8r Present **y & John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) [ Stewart Dean — Jack the Negro Man of Wilhelmas Van Antwerp being again brought before the Board was examined and it appear- 706 State of New York 1781 ing that his former Examination contains all the Information May 8. °. which he is able to give and he offering to give Information of Joseph Bettis or any other Person that may in future ask him to go to Canada resolved therefore that he be discharged from Confinement — Peter Larawa was brought before the Board for the Pur- pose of being examined and the said Larawa appearing un- willing to give a Candid Confession with Respect to the Conduct of the disaffected Inhabitants at Peesink therefore resolved that he be recommitted Adjourned — M J a 7 y 8l 9 [416] Met Albany 9^? May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) f Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j 1 Stewart Dean Information was exhibited to the Board that a certain David Waters an Inhabitant of this City has offered to Ex- change the Money lately emitted by the Authority of Con- gress for Hard Money at the Rate of three for one and it appearing highly probable that the said David Waters does it with no other View than to depreciate the Money as he has been always esteemed a disaffected Person it is therefore resolved that a warrant be made out directed to Jacob Kid- ney forthwith to apprehend and bring before us the said David Waters resolved also that John Shepherd and Henry Hart be cited forthwith to appear before this Board to prove the Charges as above alledged against the said Waters — Jacob Kidney appeared and informed that agreeable to our Order he had apprehended David Waters and the said Waters being produced and acknowledging the same and at the same Time confessing also that he did say that if the Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 707 Commissioners should confine him for his Conduct that he '78i May 9. would after being released go to the Enemy at New York resolved therefore that he be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — John Shepherd and Henry Hart appearing and being severally examined say as follows (to wit) (see their Ex- aminations on File) The Board being also informed by William Dewit that M[ Fomfried the French Merchant has also asked more in New Money for his Tea than the Current Exchange re- solved that he be sent for to answer the above — [417] M* Fomfried appearing and being made acquainted with the above Charge and he positively denying the same resolved that he be discharged and cautioned against de- preciating the New Money at his Peril — Adjourned — Met Albany 12 th May 1781 — r 7 8 r Present Ma ? I2 - John M. Beeckman ) { c , c • i „ „ )■ < bamuel otnnper Isaac D. Fonda j ( 6 Hugh MfManus Constable for Tryon County appeared before the Board and informed us that agreeable to a war- rant issued by this Board for William Laird he had appre- hended the said Laird & the said Laird being Examined and it appearing from his own Examination and also from a Letter to this Board from Zepheniah Batchelor Esq- that the said William Laird in [sic] enlisted in the Nine Month's Service and he offering faithfully to do his dutv in future resolved therefore that the same be taken into Consideration until! this Afternoon — The Board being informed that there is at present in 708 State of New York Town a certain Isaac Larawa an Inhabitant of the Helle- bergh who may if examined give some Material Informa- tion respecting several Persons in that Quarter it is there- fore resolved that Jacob Kidney be ordered to have the said Isaac Larawa before the Board this Afternoon — Lieutenant Seth Perry appeared before the Board and informed us that he had apprehended a Man on Suspicion and the said Person being produced and Examined says that his Name is Christian Smith that he is a Soldier in the Continental Army [418] in Col! Van Schaick's Regi- ment that he deserted about two Month's ago at Livingston's Manor to which he was advised by a certain Smith an In- habitant of that place that whilst at Livingston's Manor he was advised by Jurie Wheeler to go to New York and then enlist in the Enemies Service and the said Examination being committed to writing ordered that the said Christian Smith be delivered over to Major John Graham — The Board having taken in Consideration the Case of William Laird resolved that he be discharged with paying to the Constable the Costs accrued by his Apprehension — Jacob Kidney agreeable to order attending with Isaac Larawa and the said Larawa being examined resolved that he be discharged — A Certificate signed by sundry of the well affected Inhabi- tants of Arlington in the County of Charlotte was laid be- fore the Board from which it appears that Stephen Fair- childs who was the other day taken at Jessup's Patent and sent down by Cap- Jansen has from the Commencement of the present Contest been esteemed a Friend to the American Cause resolved in Consequence of the said Certificate that the said Stephen Fairchilds be discharged on entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 709 for Conspiracies when called upon during the Continuance 1731 of the present war with Great Britain — Stephen Fairchilds of Arlington in the County of Charlotte Farmer in £100 Joseph Mall of the City of Albany Silversmith his Bail in £100 It appearing from sundry Circumstances [419] that George Sittamon of the Hellebergh is a disaffected Person and that he entertains Persons who to screen themselves from Justice are lurking in the Country it is therefore Re- solved that an Order be sent to the said George Sittamon forthwith to appear before this Board with a good sufficient Bail to enter into Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appearance when called upon and that the same be delivered him by Isaac Larawa — Adjourned — Met Albany 14^ May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman / [ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) \ Stewart Dean A Recommendation in Favor of Marcy French wife of Charity French who is at present with the Enemy signed by Isaac Sawyer, Benjamin Hicks, and other Zealous Friends to the American Cause was laid before the Board setting forth that the said Mar[c]y French has by John J- Bleecker EsqJ been warned agreeable to the Directions of an "Act entitled "An Act for the Removal of the Families of Per- sons who have joined the Enemy" to depart this State or remove to such parts of it as are in the Power of the Enemy and recommending the said Marcy French as a person of an unexceptional Character and that they do not think that i78r May 14. State of New York M X y 8 i4 ^ er remam i n § at ner P resent Habitation will not in any way injure the Liberties and Independance of this and the United States resolved in Consequence of the said Recom- mendation that a Permit be granted to the said Marcy French for the Purpose above Mentioned — [420] David King having been apprehend[ed] as a Per- son of a Suspicious Character was brought before the Board and examined and it appearing that he is a Deserter from Col 1 - Van Schaick's Regiment of Continental Forces re- solved thereupon that he be delivered over to Major John Graham — Adjourned — M Iy 8l l5 . Met Albany 15* May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j ( Stewart Dean Information having been given to this Board that there are at present in the East District of the Manor of Rensselar- wyck two German Prisoners of war named Andries Her- nockle, and Christopher Whiting who daily by their Con- duct and Conversation give Offence to the Friends of the American Cause therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to Cap^ Jacob De Forest requesting him forthwith to appre- hend and bring before us the said Andries Hernockle & Christopher Whiting — Francis Utt formerly an Inhabitant of Tryon County appeared before the Board agreeable to our Order and being examined as to the Character and Conduct of D; John Tice says that Tice last Fall informed him that Sir John would come down and advised the said Francis Utt to take Protection under him and at the same Time also informed him that he knew a great Deal but could not divulge it Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 71 1 because he was sworn — Resolved in Consequence of the 1781 said Information that the said John Tice be committed and ay 1 that a Letter be wrote to Major Graham to request him [421] when he goes down with the Prisoners of war to West Point to take with him also the said Tice and from thence send him by the first Party that goes to Philadelphia to his Family and caution him not again to be Seen in this State during the present Contest. William Wederwax having been apprehended & confined on Suspicion of his being concerned in the Robberies lately Committed at Claverack and it appearing that the Sus- picion was ill founded and he being a Continental Soldier belonging to Coll: Van Schaick's Reg- therefore Resolved that he be delivered over to Major Graham — Peter Davis having been confined for stealing two Pub- lick Horses and having taken a Bounty from a Class and therewith paid for the Horses resolved that he also be de- livered over to Major Graham — Thomas Orton and Gideon Orton appeared before the Board and informed that they had agreeable to the Reso- lutions of this Board been removed with their Families from Jessups Patent and that being hurried away they had been obliged to leave great Part of their Effects behind and requested Permission for themselves and the other Persons whose Families were removed to go and fetch the Remain- der of their Effects resolved that they have Permission granted them accordingly and that in ten days they all of them appear before this Board — On Application of John Hodkison resolved that he have Permission granted him to go and work at TunniclifF's Farm with Anthony Waine and that he every Evening make his Appearance before one of the Members of this Board Adjourned — 712 State of New York *7 8 * 6 [422] Met Albany 16 th May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman | j Isaac D. Fonda Stewart Dean j ( Samuel Stringer Resolved that Constant King be liberated from Confine- ment on entering into Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain and also for his appearing at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in the City of Albany on the last Tuesday in July next (or whereso- ever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) and not to depart the Court without Leave — Constant King of White Creek in the County of Albany Cordwainer in £100 John Fisher of Cambridge in the County aforesaid Millwright in £100 Archibald M^Neal appearing before the Board agreeable to our Order and he requesting Permission to remain on his Farm in the Scotch Patent and the said Request being taken into Consideration Resolved thereupon that if the said Archibald M^Neal take the Oath of Allegiance to this State that Permission will be granted him Accordingly — The Board having tendered the Oath of Allegiance to Archibald MfNeal and he refusing to take the same and declaring at the same Time his Intention of Not taking up Arms in Defence of the American Cause therefore resolved that he be confined & that a Mittimus be made out for him — [423] Duncan MfArthur also of the Scotch Patent being questioned as to his Political Principles and declaring his Intention of not taking up Arms in defence of the Country and Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 713 acknowledging at the same time that he was sworn for the King when Burgoyne came down therefore resolved that he also be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Lieu- Col 1 - Henry K. Van Rensselaer appeared before the Board and informed us that Thomas Blewer who is at present under a Recognizance to this Board has refused to do his duty and has made use of Expressions which Evidently denotes his disaffection to the American Cause it is therefore Resolved that he be ordered to attend this Board on Saturday the 19- day of May Instant — Adjourned — Met Albany 17 th May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) \ Stewart Dean On Application of John T. Fisher resolved that Abraham Person Junior be liberated from Confinement on his entering into a Recognizance with the said John T. Vischer his Surety for his Remaining within the Limits of the City of Albany and not departing the same Unless he previously obtains Per- mission from this Board and that he be of the good Be- haviour until discharged by this Board — Abraham Person Juii; of the Groote Imboght District in the County of Albany Farmer in. £100 John T. Fischer of the City of Albany Yeo- man his Bail in £100 Resolved that Major Graham who takes with [424] him to west point a Number of Continental Prisoners be re- quested also to take with him Thomas Gleason and deliver him to some Officer of the Line of the Troops of the Massa- chusetts Bay — Adjourned — 1781 May 16. 1781 May 17. 7H State of New York '781 Met Albany 18^ May 1781 May 18. n J 1 I Present John M. Beeckman ) ( . ^ _ i in- r 1 Isaac D. Jbonda Samuel Stringer J (. Samuel Stringer Resolved that Samuel Baker be liberated from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required for and dur- ing the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Samuel Baker of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Weaver in £100 Henry K. Van Rensselaer of the same place Esq 1 ; his Bail in £100 The Board being informed that William Jackson of New Scotland and his wife are able to give some very material Information respecting sundry Transactions in that Quarter it is therefore resolved that the said William Jackson and his wife be ordered forthwith to attend this Board — Adjourned 1781 Met Albany 22^ May 1781 — Ma * 22 - Present John M. Beeckman ] j Stewart Dean Samuel Stringer j ( Isaac D. Fonda William Jackson of New Scotland having been cited [425] together with his wife to appear before the Board appeared and the said M" Jackson being Examined under Oath says that she was informed by a man on the Road near Slinger- landt's Mill that there was a Party of the Militia coming to New Scotland that the Man was an utter Stranger to her having never seen him before ordered that she appear again before the Board this Afternoon — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 715 It appearing from the Description given by M— Jackson '7*i of the Man who met her on the Road and who informed her of the Militia coming to New Scotland that the said Person is a Servant Man at present in the Service of Major Reed there- fore Resolved that Jacob Kidney be ordered to bring the said Person forthwith before the Board — James Parke a Prisoner of War at present in Confine- ment made Application to the Board to be released from Confinement in Order that he may have it in his Power to provide for the Subsistanance [sic] of a wife and four helpless Children who are destitute of the Common Necessaries of Life and the said Request being taken into Consideration resolved thereupon that the said James Parke be released accordingly on William M^Loughlins entering into a Recog- nizance for his remaining within the Limits of the City of Albany and surrendering himself every evening a Prisoner to the Goaler of the City and County for the Time being and also for his appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required and for his good Behaviour during that Time — William M^Loughlin of the City of Albany Innkeeper as Bail for James Parke in. . . . [ George Scharp of the East District of the Manor of Rensse- [426] laerwyck appeared before the Board and informed us that at the Request of Cap- Jacob De Forest he had taken into his Charge Christopher Witting and that he has him here ready to produce to the Board. — The said Christopher Witting being produced and ex- amined as to the Charge alledged against him which he utterly denying and it appearing however necessary that he should be laid under Restrictions therefore resolved that he be bound by Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for 716 State of New York May 8 22 Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Con- tinuance of the present war with Great Britain — Christopher Witting of the East District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck School Mas- ter in £100 George Scharp of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Jacob Kidney appearing with Major Ried's Servant Man who being Examined says the Evening on which it was supposed he gave Intelligence of the Militia going to New Scotland he was by Major Ried sent to Town which he offering to swear resolved therefore that he be discharged — Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 24 th May 1781 — May 2 4- Present John M. Beeckman ) f c ^ ~ . V ■{ Stewart Dean Samuel Stringer ) ( Andries Hernockle appeared before the Board and in- formed us that being apprized of the orders sent by us to Cap- Jacob De Forest to apprehend him he had voluntarily come to surrender himself to us and the said Andries Her- nockle being made [427] acquainted with the Crime alledged against him denied the same The Board however Conceiving it necessary that the said Hernockle should be laid under Restrictions — Therefore resolved that the said Andries Hernockle enter into Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required for and during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 717 Andries Hernockle of the East District of M* 78 ' the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . £100 Johan George Warner of the same Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 25 th May 1781 — May^s Present Samuel Stringer | ( j j in Beeckman Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Lambert Starnbergh, Hendrick Haynes Jun r , Dirck Miller, and John Schuyler having been apprehended and sent to us as Prisoners in Consequence of the Information exhibited against them by Rachel Youngs, Jacob Knieskern and Christina Enders and being severally Examined as to the Charges alledged against them — resolved that the same be taken into Consideration until to Morrow and that the said Lambert Starnbergh, Hendrick Haynes Jun^ Dirck Miller & John Schuyler enter into a Recognizance for their Appearance before this Board to Morrow at ten of the Clock in the Fore- noon and that they be of the good Behaviour during thatTime Lambert Starnbergh of Schoharie Labourer in £100 Archibald Campbell of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 [428] Hendrick Haynes Jun^ of Thurlough Labourer in £100 Hendrick Haynes $>en T . of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Dirck Miller of Duanesburgh Farmer in ... . £100 Archibald Campbell of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 7 i8 State of New York John Schuylerof Schoharie Farmer in £100 Peter Man Jun£ of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 26 th May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ] f Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j ( Stewart Dean The Board having resumed the Consideration of the Charges alledged against Lambert Starnbergh, Hendrick Haynes Jun. r , Dirck Miller, and John Schuyler and judg- ing the same not of sufficient weight to justify their Im- prisonment but at the same Time conceiving it necessary that they should be bound by Recognizance for their future good Conduct therefore resolved that they be severally bound accordingly for their good Behaviour doing their duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies whenever thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — John Schuyler of Schohary Farmer in £100 Peter Man of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Dirck Miller of Duanesburgh Farmer in. . . £100 Nicholas Starnbergh of Schohary Farmer his Bail in £100 Lambert Starnbergh of Schohary Farmer in. £100 Nicholas Starnbergh of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved also that the said Lambert Starnbergh and [429] Dirck Miller take the following Oath (to wit) "That they 1781 May 25. 1781 May 26. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 719 will behave as true and faithful Subjects of the State of 1781 May 2 New York and endeavor to support it as a True and Inde- pendant State, and that they will make known to this Board of Commissioners for detecting all Conspiracies that may be formed in this State any Plots or any thing that may come to their knowledge that is inimical or unfriendly to this or any of the United States of America or the aiding, or assist- ing, or the Secreting, harbouring, or Comforting any of their Enemies by any one or any of the disaffected who may be going off to them" — Resolved that as Hendrick Haynes Jun- is already under Recognizance for his good Conduct and appearance when called upon that he therefore be discharged — The Board being informed that the Conduct of Duncan M^Arthur notwithstanding his Character as a disaffected Person has always been enexceptionable therefore resolved that he be discharged from Confinement and permitted to go and reside at his former place of abode in the Township of Argyle in Charlotte County — Resolved that Archibald M?Neal be discharged from Con- finement on his Entering into Recognizance with a suffi- cient surety for his remaining within the Limits of the City of Albany and appearing before this Board on Monday next — Archibald M?Neal of the Township of Argyle in the County of Charlotte Farmer in. . . . £100 Evens Umphrey of Schatikook District Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Wessel Van Dyck be discharged on enter- ing into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required dur- ing the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — 720 State of New York May 8 26 [43°] Vessel Van Dyck of Cater' s Kill in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 David Van Dyck of Niscuthaw in the County aforesaid Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Abraham Person Jun- be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his future good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Abraham Person Jun^ of the Great Imbought Farmer in £100 John T. Visscher of the City of Albany Yeo- man his Bail in £100 Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 28 th May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) f ^ -L . C i Stewart Dean Samuel Stringer ) ( Whereas this Board from sundry concurring Circum- stances has great reason to think that Doctor George Smith and his son Terence Smith are Persons whose going at large at this Time may prove detrimental to the Safety of the State therefore resolved that Jacob Kidney be ordered to apprehend the said George Smith and Terence Smith and bring them forthwith before us — Resolved that Abraham Dewit be discharged from Con- finement on Zachariah Snyder of the Great Imboght Dis- trict entering into Recognizance for the good Behaviour of the _>aid Abraham De Witt for his doing his duty and ap- pearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 72 spiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance r 78i 1 . . May [431] of the present War with Great Britain — Zachariah Snyder of the Great Imboght Dis- trict in the County of Albany Farmer as Bail for Abraham De Witt in £100 William Swain of the County of Charlotte having en- tered into Bond for his appearance before this Board ap- peared and being Examined confesses that he did enter- tain in his House a certain Samuel Wallace who told him that he intended to go to the Enemy and that he did at another time also entertain in his House two Men who said they were going to the Enemy resolved that the said William Swain be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Jacob Kidney appeared before the Board and informed us that he has apprehended Terence Smith but that Doctor Smith was not to be found whereupon resolved that the said Terence Smith be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — As those Persons who were removed from Jessup's Patent and who had our Permission to return and bring from thence the Remainder of their Effects within ten day's which is now past and as none of the said Persons have yet made their Appearance before us agreeable to order therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to Col- Cornelius Van Dyck requesting him forthwith to send down to us all the said Persons — Archibald MfNeal appearing before the Board agreeable to the Recognizance entered into by him last Saturday and having considered the Case of the said Archibald MfNeal Resolved thereupon that he enter into a Recognizance with a sufficient surety for his good Behaviour and remaining [432] within the following Limits (to wit) to the North as far 722 State of New York as the Patroon's Mill's in the Manor of Rensselaerwyck and to the East and South and West the Limits of the City of Albany — Archibald M:Neal of the Scotch Patent in the County of Albany Farmer in .£100 Evans Umphrey of Schatikoke in the Cou[n]ty of Albany Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that David Waters be discharged from Con- finement on Martin G. Van Bergan's and Myndert Roose- boom's entering into a Recognizance for the good Behaviour of the said David Waters for his doing his duty and appear- ing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Martin G. Van Bergan of the City of Albany Yeoman as Bail for David Waters in. . . . £100 Myndert Rooseboom of the same place Merchant also his Bail in £100 Adjourned — Met Albany 29 th May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( r „ ^ , n . f 1 Stewart Dean Samuel Stringer ) (. A Letter from Robert Harper Esq? one of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies at Poughkeepsie dated 25- h In- stant was laid before the Board wherein he informs us that he incloses two Letters the one from Brigadier General Waterbury dated at Stanford the 8- Instant to the Com- [433] missioners at Westchester County the other from the said Commissioners dated at Cortlandt's Manor the 17- 1781 May 29. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 723 Instant to the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Pouph- *78i 6 May 2 keepsie from which Letters it appears that Jeremiah Smith and Henry Skinkle have been apprehended at Stanford on Suspicion of their having been to New York and sent to the said Commissioners at Poughkeepsie who as they are In- habitants of this County have by a Recognizance condi- tioned in the sum of One thousand Pounds with George Smith of Claverack as their Surety bound them for their Personal Appearance before this Board on this day and the said Jeremiah Smith and Henry Skinkle appearing this Day agreeable to the Tenor of the said Recognizance and being severally examined and it appearing evident from their Examinations that they have been to New York to the Enemy therefore resolved that they be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them — The Examinations of the said Jeremiah Smith and Henry Skinkle being reduced to Writing are as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) Adjourned — Met Albany 30^ May 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman | j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j ( Stewart Dean Information being Given to the Board that one of the sons of Rykert RadlifF is gone off to the Enemy resolved in Con- sequence of the said Information that the said Rykert Rad- lifF (who entered into Recognizance for the Personal Appear- [434] ance of his two sons John RadlifF and Arent RadlifF forthwith) deliver them up to this Board — M; Warner of King's District appeared before this Board and informed us that at the Request of Col- Whiting he waited upon us in Order to inform the Board that a Number 1781 Kay 3». 724 State of New York 1781 of the People called Shaking Quakers had lately purchased ay 30 Arms & Ammunition which was supposed to be done by them with a View to assist the Enemy should they come into the Country resolved in Consequence of the said Information that a Letter be wrote to Col- Whiting requesting him to collect every Piece of Evidence concerning the above Transactions and such Persons against whom he can Obtain Proof to send us together with the Evidence against each particular Person — The Honorable Brigadier General Clinton having sug- gested to the Board the necessity of having the disaffected Inhabitants residing at Ballstown removed from thence with their Families and Effects — resolved thereupon that a Letter be wrote to the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Schenectady requesting them as soon as possible to have all the Disaffected of Ballstown removed to the Interior Parts of this Country — There being an absolute Necessity that the Families of those Persons who have gone off to the Enemy should be removed within the Enemies Lines and the Legislature hav- ing at their last Sitting passed a Law for their Removal which said Law has not as yet been published therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to the Secretary of State requesting him by the first Conveyance to send to ur a certified Copy of the said Act — Resolved that Lukas Dewitt be discharged from [435] Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present War with Great Britain and America — Lukas Dewitt of the Great Imbought Far- mer in £100 Jacobus Perse of the same place Farmer his Bail in £"100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 725 Resolved that John C. Person be discharged from Con- 1781 finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Be- May 3 haviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War between Great Britain and America — John C. Person of the Great Imbought Dis- trict Farmer in £100 Jacob Van Olinda of the Manor of Rens- selaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Peter Larawa be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Peter Larawa of Ulster County Farmer. . .in. £100 Peter West of the same place Farmer his Bail in. £100 Resolved that Lukas DeWitt Jun^ be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain And also for his appearance at the next Court of General [436] Sessions of the Peace to be held for the City and County of Albany at the City Hall in said City on the first Tuesday in June next to answer unto all such Matters and things as [s]hall be then and there alledged against him and not to depart the said Court without Leave — Lukas Dewitt Jun^ of Coocksakie District Farmer in £100 Zachariah Snyder of Great Imbought District Farmer his Bail in -£100 726 State of New York T 78i Resolved that Teunis Reipenbergh be discharged from Con- May 30. ... r finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behav- iour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Teunis Reipenbergh of Livingston's Manor Farmer in £300 Hendrick Reipenbergh of the same place Farmer his Bail in £300 Stephen Bell appeared before the Board and informed us that in his way from Hosick to this place he met Df Smith, Abraham Ja: Lansing, Levines Lansing, Thomas Lambson and some other Persons and that D[ Smith requested him in a particular Manner to avoid mentioning that he had seen him at that Place and it appearing probable that the said D- Smith will pass through Bennington on his way to Canada Therefore Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Joseph Fay Esq- at Bennington requesting him to have the said T) r . Smith apprehended if possible which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (see Copy Letter on File) Ordered that the said Letter be dispatched to Bennington by Express — [437] Samuel Stringer Esq? advanced to the Express Eight Dollars of the New Emission to defray his Expences on the Road — 1 Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 31^ May 1781 — May 31. Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j ( Stewart Dean 1 Included in Stringer's sworn statement, October 21 , 1784, in Rr.olu- tionary Manuscripts, vol. 40, p. 160, State Comptroller's office. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 727 Tames Brisben appeared before the Board and laid before J 7 81 • • /-> t^v May 3 us a Certificate signed by Cap- Hezekiah Dunham and a Number of Persons Friends to the Ameri :an Cause certifying that the said James Brisben has since the surrender of Gen- eral Burgoyne behaved himself well in every Respect and that they are willing that he should be permitted to remain at his Place of Abode at Saragtoga, and Peter Scharp who is Bail for the said James Brisben agreeing to the same and the said Certificate being- taken into Consideration resolved thereupon that Permission be granted him accordingly Information being given to the Board that Robert Fuller- ton of Nistageune did converse with Philip Ryley Jun- on the very day when said Ryley went off to the Enemy and there being great Reason to suspect that the said Robert Fullerton was privy to the said Ryley's going off and to his Intention of taking off with him two young Men by the Name of Devoe — It is therefore resolved that Jacob Kidney be ordered to bring the said Robert Fullerton forthwith before the Board — Jacob Kidney appearing informed that he had Robert Fullerton ready to produce to the Board and the said Fuller- ton [438] being called in and Examined under Oath con- fesses that he did converse with Philip Ryley the day he went off but did not know of his Intention whereupon resolved that the said Robert Fullerton be discharged — Barney Cadogan of Schohary one of the Persons com- plained of in the Affidavit's laid before this Board by William Dietz Esq- appeared before the Board and laid before us sundry Recommendations from the Officers of the Militia Regiment commanded by Col- Peter Vrooman which said Recommendations being taken into Consideration there- upon resolved that they [sic] said Barney Cadogan be discharged — 728 State of New York 1 78i Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Col- Vrooman to inform ay 31. him that Hendrick HofF and another Person, from the Enemy have lately been seen at the Hellebergh and to request him to detach a Party to apprehend them — Adjourned — Met Albany I st June 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman | ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) { Stewart Dean Rykert RadlifF who was ordered to deliver up to this Board his two sons John RadlifF and Arent RadlifF appeared and informed us that his sons are not gone off to the Enemy and as a proof of the same requested that Lieu- Moses Hudson might be Examined or that subject and it appear- ing by the Information of the said Lieu^ Hudson that the said John RadlifF and Arent Radliff are at present at Home there- fore resolved that the said Rykert Radliff be discharged — [439] The Honorable Brigadier General James Clinton having thought proper on the Application of this Board to detain in this City a Party of the Levies to be under the Direction of this Board and Ensign Philip Herwig being appointed to take the Charge and command of the said Men resolved that Instructions be made out for the said Ensign Herwig which Instructions are as follows (to wit) (see Copy Instructions on File) — A Letter from Joseph Fay Esq- of this day's date in Answer to the Letter sent him by Express on the 30- of May last was laid before the Board wherein he Informs that D; Smith is at Bennington where he has surrendered himself as a Prisoner which Letter is as follows (to wit) (see Letter on File) — 1781 June 1. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 729 Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Joseph Fay Esq^ in answer to the above Letter which is in the words following (to wit) (see draught Letter on File) — Adjourned — Met Albany 2^ June 1 781 — Present John M. Beeckman | j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) \ Stewart Dean A Letter from Col- Anthony Van Bergen of Cooksakie of this day's Date was laid before the Board wherein he informs that he sends to us a Man who he has caused to be appre- hended who calls himself John Walker and the said John Walker being brought before the Board and Examined and not being able to give a Satisfactory Account of himself therefore resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — [440] William Dewitt appeared before the Board and informed us that being on his way from Philadelphia to this Place he was this day on the Kinderhook Road about eight Miles from this City taken a Prisoner by Hans Wall- timyer who after detaining him some Time and asking him a Number of Questions gave him his Liberty Resolved that the above Information be immediately communicated to General Clinton and General Gansevoort in order that some Plan may be fallen upon to apprehend the said Waltimyer — Adjourned — Met Albany 3? June 1 78 1 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j I Stewart Dean 1781 June 1. 1781 June i. 1781 June 3. 73° State of New York June^ Philip Herwig having been ordered with his Party of Men to apprehend Abraham Ja: Lansing, Levines Lansing & Thomas Lambson who were charged with conveying away Doctor George Smith and having apprehended the said Persons agreeable to order and they being brought before th*e Board and Examined and it appearing from their Examinations that their Meeting with Dr Smith was merely Accidental and that they were no way concerned in his Escape therefore resolved that they be discharged — Resolved that Ensign Herwig with his Party of Men go to Cap- 1 Woodward's on the Kinderhook Road and their remain untill they are joined by William Dewit who will direct them to the Place where he [441] was made prisoner by Waltimyer who they will endeavour to apprehend — Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 4^? June 1781 — June 4 - Present John M. Beeckman ) j Samuel Stringer , Isaac D. Fonda ) { Stewart Dean Col 1 - Killian Van Rensselaer appeared before the Board and informed us that he has received undoubted Informa- tion that Walltimyer is yet on the East side of the River and that he thinks he may be apprehended in Case proper Exertions be made for that Purpose- — Resolved that it be recommended to Col- Rensselaer to order the Militia at Schodack to keep a guard along the shore at that Place to prevent Waltimyer's crossing the River — The Reverend Samuel Swertfeger appeared before the Board and requested Permission to go to Dutchess County for the Purpose of looking for a Place to remove his Family to; which request being taken into Consideration — Re- solved that he have Permission Accordingly — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 731 Simeon Garret appeared before the Board & informed r 78i . June 4 that he has this morning been taken Prisoner by Hans Waltimyer who after detaining him some Time in the woods discharged him — Resolved in Consequence of the above Information that General Schuyler and General Gansevoort be sent for to consult him on the most Effectual way to have the said Walltimyer apprehended — Adjourned — [442] Met Albany 5 th June 1 78 1 — Present John M. Beeckman [ j Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer j ( Stewart Dean Adam Beam of the New City having been cited to appear before this Board for having conveyed Df Smith in a Waggon to Bennington and appearing this day agreeable to order and being examined and it appearing from his Examina- tion that he was altogether unacquainted with D r Smith's Character and Situation therefore resolved that he be discharged — It appearing to this Board from the Examination of Simeon Garret that Walltimyer has slept several Nights in the Barn of John Ver Plank of Coyeman's Patent and there being reason to suppose that the Information respecting the said John Ver Planck is true from his Character of Disaffection and the said John Ver Planck being at present in this place — Therefore resolved that Jacob Kidney be ordered to bring him forthwith before the Board — Jacob Kidney appearing with John Ver Planck and he being Examined with Respect to Walltimyer's sleeping in his Barn and he being ready to swear that he never knew of said 1781 June 5. 732 State of New York .1781 Walltimyer being; there which Assertion being deemed une 5. jo o satisfactory to the Board therefore resolved that he be dis- charged — Adjourned [443] Met Albany 6^ June 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) j Stewart Dean Samuel Stringer j ( Isaac D. Fonda Jeremiah Smith and Hendrick Skinkle who were some Time ago committed being brought before the Board were again Examined and being unwilling to make answers to the Questions proposed to them therefore resolved that they be recommitted — It appearing to this Board that Peter Huyck has for- feited the Recognizance by him entered into before this Board ordered therefore that the Secretary make out the said Recognizance and transmit the same to the Attorney General in Order to its being prosecuted — Nathaniel Cotton of Cooksakie being a material Witness against William Hartley who was some Time since confined as a spy from the Enemy and as the said William Hartley is to receive his Tryal by a Court Martial therefore Resolved that the said Nathaniel Cotton be cited to appear forthwith before this Board — John Walker who was on the 2— Instant apprehended on Suspicion by order of Col- Van Bergen was brought before the Board and being Examined says that he is a Continental Soldier belonging to the Massachusets Line and that he has deserted from West Point resolved that the said John Walker be delivered over to Col- Van Schaick whose Regiment is now on their way to West Point — 1781 June 6. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 733 A Letter from Joseph Fay Esq[ dated at Bennington j^* 6 on the 3? Instant was laid before the Board which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (see Letter on File) — Adjourned — [444] Met Albany 9^ June 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman | j Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j ( Stewart Dean William Parker, John Wait, Isabel Parker, Jane Wait, and James Parker Inhabitants of Tryon County having been apprehended for harbouring and supplying Parties from the Enemy with Provisions and being brought before the Board and it appearing from their Examinations that they have received Letters from the enemy therefore resolved that William Parker and John Wait be committed and that Isabel Parker, Jane Wait and James Parker have Permission to return to their Places of Abode to fetch from thence their Families and Effects — Resolved that a Mittimus be m[a]de out for William Parker and John Wait — Adjourned — Met Albany 13^ June 1781 Present John M. Beeckman V f Samuel Stringer ) ( Hugh Mitchell and Abraham Outhout Esq" Commis- sioners for Conspiracies from Schenectady informed the Board that there are a Number of Persons at the Hellebergh who have harboured Walltimyer and Bettis and that there is 1781 June 9. 1781 June 13. 734 State of New York 1781 a Necessity at this Time of removing: from thence such Juae 13. » . ~ . Persons and the other disaffected Inhabitants in that Quarter and this Board being convinced of the Necessity of such a [445] measure especially as the Enemy are daily expected upon the Frontiers — Therefore Resolved that it be recommended to the said Hugh Mitchell and Abraham Outhout to send a Party of men from Schenectady to apprehend some of those who are most notoriously disaffected in that Quarter and this Board will also send a Party that way to apprehend Joseph Bettis who is reported is still there — Resolved that Col- Anthony Van Bergen be requested to send a party of his Regiment to Peesink and places Adjacent to apprehend all suspected Persons in that Quarter — The Board having received Information from Col!- Van Bergen that Robert Tripp being looked upon as a dangerous Person therefore Resolved that a warrant be made out for him and delivered to Col- Van Bergen to have the same served — The Board having received Information that a certain Scott who is at present at New York has a Quantity of Wheat stored at Moore's at Kat's Kill and as the same ought to be seized for the use of the Publick therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to Hezekiah Van Orden Esq- requesting him to make Enquiry concerning the said Wheat and have the same seized for the Public Use agreeable to Law which Letter is in the words following (to wit) (see Copy Letter on File) A Letter from Teunis Van Wagenen dated at Kat's Kill dated the 26- Ultimo was laid before the Board which Letter is in the following words (to wit) (see Letter on File) — Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 735 [4461 Met Albany 14"? Tune 1781 — 1781 1 J June 14. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c , « . J _ _ >• « Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda f ( b As there are a Number of disaffected Persons in the Re»i- ment at present commanded by Major Ezekiel Taylor some of whom as they live upon the Frontiers it is necessary should be removed therefore resolved that Major Taylor be requested to furnish this Board as soon as possible with a List of his Regi- ment together with the Political Character of Each Man — Cap- John Grote appeared before the Board with Edward M^Gurkey who he informed us he had apprehended for endeavouring to enlist him the said John Grote for the Service of the King of Great Britain And producing a Guinea de- livered him by the said Edward M"rGurkey as a Bounty and the said M^Gurkey being Examined confessing that he has taken an Oath to be true to the King resolved that he be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for him — It being represented to the Board that Robert Bohannah of Nistageune is a dangerous and disaffected Person and there being Reason to suspect that he harbours persons from the Enemy It is therefore resolved that a warrant be made out directed to Philip Herwig to apprehend the said Robert Bohannah and that Nicholas Van Vranken of Nistajreune be requested to assist the said Philip Herwig in the Execution of the above Warrant — Adjourned — [447] Met Albany 15^ Tune 1781 — 17S1 June 15. Present John M. Beeckman J j ^ R ^ Samuel Stringer ) ( 736 State of New York ■^1781 5 ' *" a P" J onn ^rote a PP eai "i n g before the Board for the Purpose of being Examined with Respect to Edward M'rGurkey was examined accordingly and his Examination is in the words following (to wit) (see Examination on File) — John Oliver, Jacob Daniels, Francis Winne and Eli Arnold having been present at the Time that Edward M^G'urkey attempted to Enlist John Grote and having been Ordered to appear before the Board to be Examined concern- ing the same and attending for that Purpose were severally examined and their examinations are as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) — Adjourned — June 16. Met Albany 16^ June 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T i 1 o • f 1 Isaac D. .bonda bamuel btnnger ) ( Robert Bohannah for whose Apprehension a warrant was on the 14- Instant made out being brought before the Board by Philip Herwig and the Charges as alledged against him being read to him, he utterly denied the same and as a proff of his Innocence offered to take up and bring before this Board all Persons who he finds travelling through that Part of the Country where he resides and the Board being of Opinion that by discharging the said Robert Bohannah they may receive such Information from him respecting [448] Joe Bettis and others as may enable the Board to have them apprehended therefore resolved that he be discharged — Robert Brisben of Saragtoga having entered into Recogni- zance before this Board and having since gone off to Canada and joined the Enemy and Jonathan Pettit his Bail being called upon to pay the Recognizance Money and appearing Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 737 for that Purpose resolved that the same amounting to 237 ^781 ^ Dollars of the Money Emitted pursuant to a Resolution of the 18- of March be received and delivered over into the Hands of the Secretary to this Board — Resolved that the List received from Major Ezekiel Taylor of the Regiment under his Command be transmitted to the Commissioners for Conspiracies at Schenectady — Adjourned — Met Albany i8^ h Tune 1781 — 1781 Present *™ l8 « John M. Beeckman ) ( n . n . j „ „ , f 1 Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( & The Honorable Brigadier General James Clinton having requested the Board to take the Examinations of William Empie and Randell Hewit who were taken Prisoners by a Party of Oneyda Indians near Crown Point and they being brought before the Board and examined say as follows (to wit) (see their Examinations on File) — Resolved that they be recommitted — Adjourned — [449] Met Albany 19^ June 1781 — June 8 19. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( 1 n • t i Samuel Stringer Isaac D. fonda ) ( The Board having taken into Consideration the Complaint exhibited to us by a Number of the approved Friends to the American Cause residing at the Hellebergh and places adjoining and being of Opinion from the frequent Parties from the enemy who are harboured in that Quarter by the 738 State of New York Juncfig disaffected; tnat sucn as are reputed dangerous Persons should be removed from that part of the Country and the Board having been furnished with List's of the names of the Persons belonging to the Companies of Cap- Van Aernam, Cap- Luke, Cap- Grote, and Cap^ Slingerlandt and with the character of Each particular Person. Resolved that the said List's be delivered to the Officer commanding the Party detached by General Clinton at the request of this Board to carry the above into Execution. Isaac Sheldon Constable appeared before the Board & informed that he had apprehended two Persons at Stephen Town who appeared to be of suspicious Characters and the said Persons being brought in and Examined say their Names are John Cane and Jesse Adams and not giving a satisfactory Account of themselves resolved that they be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them. Col 1 - Van Bergen having at the Request of this Board caused Robert Trip to be apprehended for harbouring Walltimyer and the said Robert Trip being brought before the Board and Examined his Examination is in the words following (to wit) (see Examinations on File) — Adjourned — june 8 2i [450] Met Albany 21^ June 1781 — Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( T t-v t- j . > -> Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( William Epie who was on the 18- Instant committed was ordered to be brought before the Board and being again Examined his Examination is in the following words (to wit) (see Examination on File) Randell Hewitt who was also on the 18- Instant committed Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 739 was ordered to he brought before the Board & being Ex- _ I " 81 • . June 21. amined his examination is in words following (to wit) (see his Examination on File) Adjourned. Met Albany 26- June 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ ^ , -; . > -j Isaac U. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( Jacob Bargcr appeared before the Board and informed us that he had apprehended a certain John Anderson who appears to him to be of a suspicious Character and the said John Anderson being brought in and Examined and not giving a satisfactory account of himself therefore resolved that he be committed and that a mittimus be made out for Him — Adjourned — Met Albany 28it June 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) \ Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Stewart Dean Ephraim Hopping appeared before the Board and [451] informs that he is lately deserted from Canada where he has been some Time as a Prisoner and produced a Pass of Thomas Chittendon Esq- to come to this Place and he being desirous of going to his Excellency Governor Clinton at Poughkeepsie resolved that a pass for that purpose be given him — Peter Seeger having been ordered to appear before the Board appeared and was Examined — Major John Graham having with a Party of Men been 1781 June 26. 1781 June 28. State of New York uiie 8 28 detached to tne Hellebergh in order to apprehend Joe Bettis and other Emissaries from the enemy in that Quarter and having apprehended Jellis Legrange for harbouring the said Bettis and having also apprehended a certain John Low on suspicion and the said Jellis Legrange and John Low being Examined resolved as nothing appears against the said John Low that he be discharged and that Jellis Legrange be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Cornelius Van Sice being ordered to appear before the Board and being Examined says that the above mentioned Jellis Legrange brought him to Joe Bettis to Enlist which Examination is as follows (see Examination on File) — Adjourned — Met Albany 29- June 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer \ ( Stewart Dean The Examination's of John Bardine and Ebenezer French taken by William Schuyler, William Harper and David M^Master Esq— Justices of the Peace for the County of Tryon [452] were laid before the Board and it appearing from the said Examinations that Isaac Lawson who the said Justices have caused to be apprehended and sent to us is a Dangerous and disaffected Person therefore resolved that he be com- mitted and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned — Met Albany 30 t . h June 1781 — Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( T r\ 1? j J . Y ] Isaac U. honda Samuel Stringer ) ( 1781 June 29. 1781 June 30. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 741 Resolved that Robert Trip be discharged from Confine- . *7 81 . . June 3 ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain and also for his appearance at the next supream Court of Judica- ture to be held for the State of New York on the last Tuesday in July next at the City Hall in the City of Albany (or whosoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) then and there to answer unto such things as shall be there alledged against him and not depart the Court without Leave — Robert Trip of Acquatough in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Gideon Trip of King's District in the County aforesaid Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned — [453] Met Albany 31- June [sic for July 1] 1 781 - Present 1 John M. Beeckman ) ( T r\ t- j •; . >■ < Isaac U. Jbonda Samuel Stringer J ( Simon Relea, Daniel Relea, David Relea, George Sidnam, John Van Alstyne, Teunis Van Alstyne, RoelifF Seeger, and Evert Johnson having been apprehended by Major Graham for harbouring Joseph Bettis and other Emissaries from the Enemy and they being brought before the Board and Examined and the Charges against them appearing to be well founded therefore resolved that they be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for them — Adjourned — 1781 July 1. 742 State of New York Met Albany c*i? July 1781 — JulyS - Present John M. Beeckman / ( c , . i t- 1 r 1 Samuel Stringer Isaac u. ronda ) ( A Letter from Hugh Mitchell Esq!" one of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies at Schenectady was laid before the Board setting forth that Petrus Wermer who is at present in Confinement has by the Commissioners at Schenectady been bound by Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearance when called upon and Requesting that the said Petrus Wermer may be liberated unless some material Charges can be alledged against him and the s- request being taken into Consideration and as no perticular Charges have yet been alledged against him the said Petrus Wermer therefore resolved that he be discharged — Adjourned — July 6. [454] Met Albany 6^ 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T rA t- j jj . \ i Isaac U. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( Peter Van Slyck residing near Cooksakie appearing before the Board informs us that a Party of Robbers headed by a certain Joseph Smith (formerly a servant of Walltimyer) did on the first Instant enter his House and steel a Number of Articles of him and that in attempting to make his Escape they fired at him and wounded him in the Arm and that they took Prisoner at his House Peter Clauw who has since made his Escape from them and is this day come to Town and the said Peter Clauw appearing before the Board & being exam- ined says as follows (to wit) (see his examination on File) Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 743 Met Albany 7 th July 1781 — 1781 Present JuJy7 ' Tohn M. Beeckman ) \ c . „ . 1 t- 1 r 1 Samuel Stringer Isaac D. ronda ) ( Col! Veeder appeared before the Board and requested the liberation of Coenradt Coen from Confinement as the said Coenradt Coen has always discovered a Willingness to do his duty when required and the said request being taken into Consideration resolved in Consequence thereof that the said Coenradt Coen be discharged from Confinement and cautioned against associating with disaffected Persons in Future — [455] Resolved that Peter Relea be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain — Peter Relea of the west District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 Martin Sybert of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned Present Met Albany 8* July 1781 — j*[ y \ John M. Beeckman ) \ , „ . t r "{ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda j ( b John Loe appeared before the Board and requested Permission to go and reside at Christian Sant's at the Bever Dam resolved that Permission be granted him accordingly on the said Christian Sant's entering into a Recognizance 744 State of New York ij 8 ^ for the good Behaviour of the said John Loe and for his doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Christian Sant of the Bever Dam in the County of Albany Farmer as Bail for John Loe in £100 The Honorable Brigadier General James Clinton having signified to this Board his Approbation of Randell Hewit a Prisoner of war being liberated from Confinement upon giving Security to this Board to appear when called upon resolved therefore that he be liberated accordingly on Ephraim Hewit his Father [456] entering into a Recog- nizance for his remaining within the Limits of the Farm at present in Possession of the said Ephraim Hewit at Keyad- eroseras and appearing before any three of the Commis- sioners for Conspiracies when called upon and for his good Behaviour until he shall be Exchanged or otherwise di[s]posed of — Ephraim Hewit of Keyaderoseras Patent in the County of Albany Farmer Bail for Randell Hewit in £100 A Letter from Col- Van Bergen dated at Cooksakie the 4- Instant was laid before the Board inclosing the Exam- inations of Teunis Hoogteling, Peter Finehout, William Davis, and Israel Kelsey concerning the Robbery com- mitted at Peter Van Slyck's which Letter and Examina- tions are as follows (to wit) (see Examinations & Letter on File) — It appearing to this Board from the Examination of Peter Clauw that the Party who robbed Van Sluyck stopped at the House of Adrian Bradt at Niscuthaw and that Joe Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 745 Smith one of the said Party conversed for some time in 1781 private with the said Adrian Bradt and as the said Adrian Bradt has not given any Information concer[n]ing the said Party therefore resolved that he be ordered to appear before this Board to Morrow Morning — Adjourned — Met Albany io ,h July 1781 — i 7 8i Present IO - John M. Beeckman I ( T _ _ - ^ , n • (1 Isaac U. ronda bamuel btrmger ; ( It appearing from the Examination of Peter [457] Clauw that Adrian Bradt Jun r - (son of Adrian Bradt) was at Home when the party who robbed Peter Van Slyck was at his Father's House and that he conversed with them and the said Adrian Bradt Jun- having been apprehended by Jacob Kidney and brought before the Board and being examined as to the same resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain. Andrian Bradt Junf of Niscuthaw in the County of Albany Farmer in £100 Peter S. Seeger of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Adrian Bradt having been cited to appear before the "6 Board appeared and was Examined and the said Adrian Bradt appearing to be much indisposed and as his being confined at this Time may endanger his Life therefore resolved that he enter into Recognizance with sufficient sureties for his remaining within the Limits of this City 746 State of New York I?8l untill discharged by this Board and for his good Behaviour July io. j n ^ mean Ti me — Adrian Bradt of Niscuthaw in the County of Albany Farmer in .£100 James Van Zandt of the City of Albany Car- penter his Bail in £100 John Van Nist of the Normans Kill in the County of Albany Farmer also his Bail in. £100 Frederick Miller (son in Law of Adrian Bradt) having been cited to appear before the Board and being examined with Respect to the Party who robbed Van Slyck and who were at the said Adrian Bradt's and it appearing that he had no Conver- [458] sation with the said Party, yet on Account of his Connection with the said Adrian Bradt, It is resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required until discharged by this Board. Frederick Miller of Niscuthaw in the County of Albany Cordwainer in £100 John N. Smith of the same place Wheel- wright his Bail in £100 Lieu- David Hustead Appeared before the Board with Lucius Palmer, Gideon Palmer, Isaac Palmer, Simon Chesley and Comfort Marks who he had apprehended on account of their intending to go to Canada & they being severally examined resolved that they be confined — Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 11 th July 1 781 — J«iy «• Present John M. Beeckman Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 747 Lucius Palmer, Gideon Palmer, Isaac Palmer, Simon T 78i Chesley and Comfort Marks who were Yesterday confined being again brought before the Board and Examined as to their Intention of going to the Enemy at Canada — Resolved on Account of the youth and Inexperience of the said Lucius Palmer, George Palmer, Isaac Palmer, Simon Chesley and Comfort Marks and their Candid Acknowledgement's that they be discharged on their taking the following Oath, (to wit) — I do swear upon the holy Evangelists of Almighty god that I will be true to the State of New York and [459] will Conduct myself as a good and faithful subject of the said State ought to do; that and I will not aid, comfort, council with, or Assist in any way whatever any of the Enemies of the said State of New York or the United States of America and that I will immediately make known any Plots that may be intended against any of the said United States and discover that may come to my knowledge any of their Enemies whenever I [k]now there are any lurking about in the Country to any Officer or to the Board of Commis- sioners — So help me God — Adjourned — Met Albany l6*. h July 1781 — July" 16. Present lohn M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ t- j •i . > < Isaac U. fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Jacobus Van Sante appearing before the Board requested to deliver up in Discharge of himself Adrian Bradt. resolved that the said Jacobus Van Sante be discharged from the Recognizance by him entered into for the said Adrian Bradt and that the said Adrian Bradt be confined and a Mittimus be made out for him — 748 State of New York July 8 i6 Elizabeth Burrows having been Ordered to appear before the Board and appearing and being examined as to Joe Smith and his Party and she positively denying her having seen the said Smith or any of his Party resolved that she be discharged — Gerrit Seeger having also been cited to appear before the Board and appearing and being Examined his Examina- tion is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) — Adjourned — July x* [460] Met Albany 19^ July 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) [ c , c . i ^ r i Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) { 6 Adrian Bradt Jun?:, Evert Sixbey, Jacobus Van Valken- burgh, Alexander Conning and Ann Conning his wife and Richard Kerknaer having been apprehended for harbouring and supplying with Provisions the Party who robbed Peter Van Slyck and being brought before the Board and severally examined resolved that they be committed and that a Mitti- mus be made out for them — Adjourned — Ju g 8 J 0> Met Albany 20**? July 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c . ~ . t _ \ < Samuel Stringer Isaac D. fonda ) ( Lucas Taylor being charged with being privy to the harbouring of the Party who robbed Van Slyck being brought before the Board and Examined resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Con- spiracies during the Continuance of the present war with Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 749 Great Britain and for his Appearance at the next Supream *78r 1 July 2 Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the last Tuesday in July Instant (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall bealledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave — Lucas Taylor of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck in £100 [461] Gerrit Van Wie of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Staats Bradt who was also charged with being privy to the harbouring Joe Smith and the rest of the Party who robbed Peter Van Slyck being brought before the Board resolved that he enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies during the Continuance of the present war with Great Britain and for his Appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in this City on the last Tuesday in July next (or wheresoever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against him and not to depart the Court without Leave — Staats Bradt of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 Gerrit Van Wie of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Jacob France of Thurlough, charged by William Summer with having assisted in the destruction of Currey Town being brought before the Board and Examined resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned 750 State of New York Jt g 8 * x Met Albany 21^ July 1781 — Present Tohn M. Beeckman } ( P , « . t t- r 1 Samuel Stringer Isaac D. ronda j (. Resolved that a letter be wrote to Hugh Mitchell Esq- at Schenectady requesting him to take Cornelius Van Sice's Recognizance for his appearance at the next supream Court and transmit the same to this Board — [462] A Letter from Zepheniah Batchelder Esq?" Justice of the Peace of Tryon County was laid before the Board wherein he informs that John Cuppernul who formerly resided at Stonearabia is removed to Schohary, and the said John Cup- pernul being a material Witness against Jacob J. Truax — Resolved in Consequence of the said Letter that a Letter be wrote to Peter Vrooman Esq- at Schohary requesting him to take the said John Cuppernull's Recognizance for his appearance at the next supream Court and transmit the same to this Board to be handed to the Court — Evert Jansen being committed on a charge of having harboured Joseph Bettis was brought before the Board and Examined Ordered that he be recommitted — Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 23 d July 1781 — July 23. [Present] John M. Beeckman ) f Samuel S Isaac D. Fonda j ( tnnger Jacob France of Thurlough who was committed on the 20^ Instant being brought before the Board and Examined saith as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) — Ordered that he be recommitted — Adjourned — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 751 Met Albany 24^ July 1781 — »78i PJllly 2£. resent John M. Beeckman ) ( T r\ t? 1 . 1 Isaac D. ronda Samuel Stringer ) \ ( William summer of Thurlough having been sent to Goal by Col- VVillet on Account of his having assisted the [463] Enemy in the Destruction of Currey Town being brought before the Board and Examined saith as follows (see Examination on File) — Ordered that he be recom- mitted — Adjourned — Met Albany 25 th July 1781 - Present John M. Beeckman ) ( c , c J V < Samuel Stringer Isaac U. ronda ) (. Resolved that Anne Conning be liberated from Confine- ment on James Jolley's entering into a Recognizance for her Appearance at the next Supream Court of Judicature to be held for the State of New York at the City Hall in the City of Albany on the last Tuesday in July Instant (or whereso- ever the said Court shall then be held in the State aforesaid) to answer to such Matters as shall be alledged against her and not to depart the Court without leave — James Jolly of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer as Bail for Anne Conning in £100 Henry Haines, Coenradt Brown, Frederick Merkle, Michael Merkle, Christian Merkle, Mathias Merkle, Ann Frets, Henry Haines Jun^, Christopher Redick, Henry Frandts, Coenradt Hopper, Jacobus Hopper, George Walker, John Summer, Christian Minor, Michael Frederick, Johannis 752 State of New York x ,78i Coenradt, Christian Ottman, Jacob Haines, David Coffman, aly 25. . 1 and George Cross having been apprehended by order of Col 1 - Willett on the Charge alledged against him [them] by William Summer of their having Assisted the Enemy in the Destruction of Currey Town and they being sent down to this Board resolved that they be confined and that a Mittimus be made out for them — [464] It appearing from the Examination of William Summer that William Petrie Esq- of Tryon County will be wanted as a witness at the ensuing Supream Court against the above mentioned Persons from Thurlough therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to him requesting his Attend- ance at that Time — Resolved that a Letter be also wrote to David Lewis requesting his attendance at the next Supream Court as a witness against the above mentioned from Thurlough — Adjourned — Met Albany 26 th July 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D Fonda Samuel Stringer j (. Haze[l]ton Spencer who was some time ago with the approbation of General Clinton liberated from Confinement and restricted to the Limits of this City appeared before the Board and laid before us a further Approbation of General Clinton to permit the said Hazelton Spencer to go and reside at the New City and the same having been taken into Con- sideration and Abraham Jacob Lansing who is surety for the said Hazelton Spencer consenting to the same therefore resolved that the said Hazelton Spencer have leave accordingly and that he be ordered to make his appearance before this 1781 July 26. V Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 753 Board once every Week during the time he remains at the x 78i New City as aforesaid. ** uly 2 William Somer being brought before the Board was again Examined and ordered to be recommitted Adjourned — [465] Met Albany 27 th July 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ r , £ . Y < Isaac U. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( Christina Hooper formerly of Thurlough in Tryon County having been cited to appear before the Board and she appear- ing this day agreeable to the said Order and being Examined as to the Thurlough Inhabitants saith as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) — Coenradt Brown, Christian Ottman, and Jacob Haines Jun- being brought before the Board were Examined and Ordered to be recommitted — Adjourned — Met Albany 28^ July 1781 — Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( T t- j ^ , o • r 1 Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) { A Letter from Hugh Mitchell Esq' dated 27- Instant was laid before the Board informing that he sends down under Guard John Ward who was apprehended near Ballstown and was supposed to be on his way to Canada — And the said John Ward being brought before the Board and examined and it appearing that he is a Deserter from the Enemy and has hitherto conducted himself well there- fore resolved that he be discharged — 1781 July 27. 1781 July 28. 754 State of New York I78l 8 Archibald M^Neal appeared before the Board and re- *^ uly quested Permission to go to his Place of abode at the Scotch Patent to which his Bail Evans Umphrey consenting resolved that he [466] have Permission accordingly until the first day of September next — Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 30^ July 1781 — July so. Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( , . i t- 1 f 1 Samuel Stringer Isaac u. fonda j ( A Letter from Flores Bancker Esq^ dated 29— Instant was laid before the Board setting forth that a Number of disaffected Persons have lately been removed from the Western Frontiers to the East side of the River who he has great Reason to beleive from sundry Circumstances are meditating some Scheme against the wellfare of the State and requesting directions what steps it will be necessary to take with the above Persons — And the subject of the above Letter being taken into Consideration — Resolved that it be recommended to the said Flores Bancker to make every possible discovery with Respect to the above Matter and transmit the same without delay to this Board — It appearing from the Examination of William Summer that Christopher France formerly an Inhabitant of Thurlough who at present resides at Nistageune was in the Year 1778 on his way to join Gen- S- Ledger when he had invested Fort Schuyler and that he last Fall also went to Schohary to assist Sir John Johnson in the destruction of Schohary resolved therefore that a warrant be made [467] out directed to Jacob Kidney to apprehend the said Christopher France and forthwith bring him before the Board — Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 755 The Board having received Information that Arthur Hewit j^ ?8r of Pits Town is able to give some very material Information respecting Simeon Smith therefore resolved that the said Arthur Hewit be cited to appear before this Board in Order that he may be examined as to the Conduct of the said Simeon Smith — Jellis Legrange requesting to be brought before the Board informed us that Joseph Bettis with some others are lately come from Canada and that there is a Prospect in case a Party of Men should be sent out that the said Bettis might be apprehended — Resolved that in Consequence of the said Information that application be immediately made for a Party of Con- tinental Troops to go in search of the said Joseph Bettis and that the said Party be directed to go to the House of the said Jellis Legrange and one Flager where they will strictly search for them — Adjourned — Met Albany 31* July 1781 T *7Si Present JlUy * John M. Beeckman ) ( r ~ „ , i, in- r 1 Isaac D. fonda Samuel Stringer j (. Jellis Legrange again requesting to be brought before the Board & being brought accordingly says that Hans Walty- mier is lately also come from Canada that he has brought Dispatches for some Persons in this City and that he Yester- day was in Town with them [468] resolved that it be recom- mended to the said Jellis Legrange to make what further discoveries he is able and that this Board will in that Case use their Influence with the Supream Court to procure his liberation from Confinement — Christian Legrange appeared before the Board and in- 756 State of New York 1781 formed that Joe Bettis has this day been at his House and Jo y 31. ^ e sa jj B ett; i s informed the said Christian Legrange's wife that he is this night to be at the House of one Fagler whose son went to Canada some Time since with the said Joe Bettis in Consequence of which Information resolved that the Honorable Brigadier Gen- James Clinton be requested to order out a Party of Col 1 - Cortlandt's Regiment to apprehend the said Joe Bettis Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 2- August 1781 — Au S- 2 - Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) f T ^ „ , •i , n • r 1 Isaac U. .Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Samuel Stringer Resolved that Hendrick Haines of Thurlough be dis- charged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour and appearance before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Hendrick Haines of Thurlough in the County of Tryon Farmer in £100 John RofF of the City of Albany Merchant his Bail in £100 Adjourned — ^1781 [469] Met Albany 4V 1 August 1781 — Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( . „ „ , ^ , _ . f i Isaac u. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) (. Resolved that Rykert Kerknaer be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 757 doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- A I7Sl missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Rykert Kernaer of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 Francis Rosseau of the same Place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Michael Bruce enter into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Michael Bruce of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. . . . £100 Joshua Bloore of the City of Albany Mer- chant his Bail in £100 Adjourned Met Albany 6^ August 1781 — 1781 Present Present John M. Beeckman ) ( n , . t i~\ T - * 1 r i Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Aug. 6 John M. Beeckman ) ( n . n . i t> 1 C i Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( b Edward M;Gurkey confined on the Complaint of Cap^ John Groote for endeavoring to enlist the said John Groot[e] [470] for the service of the enemy was brought before the Board and as no Indictment has been found against him — Therefore resolved that he be discharged from Confinement — Adjourned Met Albany 7^ August 1781 Aug 81 ?. 758 State of New York 17S1 Resolved that Tacobus Van Valkenburgh be discharged Aug. 7. J , ° ° from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Jacobus Van Valkenburgh of the West Dis- trict of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 John Oliver of the same place Farmer his Bail in £100 Christian Merkle of Thurlough at present in Confinement being very 111 and as a Continuance in his present Situation may endanger his Life — Therefore resolved that he have Permission to go to the House of Christian Earing in this City untill he is recovered of his Indisposition — Adjourned — ^781^ Met Albany 8 l . h August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman \ j Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer j ( Stewart Dean An Attempt having last Night been made by [471] Hans Waltimier with a Party of Men to carry off General Schuyler and it appearing probable that he will endeavour to Escape by the way of the Nistageune Road — It is therefore Resolved that a Letter be wrote to Col- Philip Schuyler requesting him to detach Cap- Levinis Lansing's Company to go to the Wothoyct 1 and there remain until to Morrow Morning and that he dispose of the Re- 1 Evidently written corruptly for Uytkyck, a hill on the old road to Niskayuna; also written at times as Kyck-uyt, and in English as Outlook. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies mainder of his Men in such a Way as he mav iud*re best T 7 Sl . Aug. 8 to intercept the said Waltimier and his Party — Resolved also that a Letter be wrote to Col- John H. Beeckman at Schodack to order out a Party of his Regiment to Guard the shore from the Kinderhook Dock to Schodack in Case Waltimier may Attempt to Cross the River It being represented to the Board that James Dunneway of this City has been sworn by a Party of Men in the Woods — Resolved in Consequence of the said Information that the said James Dunneway be sent for and Examined — James Dunneway appearing and being Examined says that a few days ago he was in the Woods about five or Six Miles from Town where he was taken Prisoner by three Men who swore him to Secrecy and that he has not since that Time seen them again ordered that he be discharged — jellis Legrange at present in Confinement having informed the Board that Waltimier has been in Town with Letters from Canada and that he has received his Information from William Empie & Terence [472] Smith who are also in Confinement wherefore resolved that the said William Empie and Terence Smith be brought before the Board and examined as to the same — William Empie and Terence Smith being examined refuse to give any satisfactory Answers to the Questions proposed to them therefore resolved that they be recommitted — Adjourned — Met Albany 9^ August 1781 1781 Present Aug ' 9 John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer f \ Stewart Dean It appearing to this Board highly probable from sundry Circumstances that Major Reed (who at present lives in 760 State of New York J 78i the House formerly occupied by John Tunnicliff) was privy Aug. 9. to Attempt made by Hans Waltimier to take General Schuyler and as it is suspected that the said Major Read car- ries on a Correspondence with several Persons in Canada — It is therefore resolved that application be made to General Clinton for a Party of Men to go and apprehend him and that Mf Fonda one of the Members of this Board go with the said Party for the Purpose of searching his House for treasonable Papers — The Board having great Reason to think that Hans Waltimier who a few days ago was in Town with Letters from Canada has been at the House of Ivy Chambers in this City and it being the Opinion of this Board that by searching the House of the said Ivy Chambers [473] Papers might be found which have come from Canada therefore resolved that Mf Stringer & M[ Dean go to the House of the said Ivy Chambers and mr.ke search for such Papers — It appearing to this Board from the Information received by Isaac D. Fonda Esq- One of the Members of this Board that two Young Men living on the Nistageune Road have joined Walitmier's Party and assisted in attempting to take General Schuyler therefore resolved that a Warrant be made out for their immediate apprehension — Adjourned — 1781 Met Albany 10^ Aug- 1781 — Aug. 10. Present John M. Beeckman Isaac D. Fonda James Milligan having come to this place from Saragtoga, and General Schuyler intimating to this Board that the said James Milligan is come with a bad design and requesting to Samuel Stringer Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 761 have him examined and he being apprehended and brought *78i before this Board and being examined and not answering satisfactorily to the Questions proposed to him and there being Reasons to suspect that he is a Spy therefore resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned — Met Albany 11^ August 1781 — Augfii. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( _ . n . j t- 1 r "i Samuel btnnger Isaac D. Fonda ) ( to It being suggested to the Board that Michael Merkle at present in Confinement is sick and that a [474] Continuance in his present Confinement may endanger his life therefore resolved that he be liberated on his entering into a Recogni- zance with a sufficient surety for his remaining within the House and Yard of Christian Earing situate in the third Ward of this City until he is recovered of his Sickness and in the mean Time be of the good Behaviour and appear before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required — Michael Merkle of Thurlough in the County of Tryon Farmer in £100 Christian Earing of the City of Albany Mer- chant his Bail in £100 Lieu 1 John Leonard appeared before the Board and informed there has been a Party of armed Men at his House last Night who came with an Intention to carry him off and that they have much abused his Wife and there being a Prospect of apprehending them in Case a Party of Men could be procured to go with the said Lieu- Leonard there- 762 State of New York 1 fore resolved that application be made for a Party of Men to Gen 1 - Clinton to endeavour to [ajpprehend the said Per- sons — Adjourned — Met Albany I2 l : h August 1781 — Present Tohn M. Beeckman ) ( T ^ ^ . i . n . r i Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) (. Lieu- John Leonard who Yesterday went [475] out with a Party [of] Men having apprehended Thomas Brown for harbouring Joseph Bettis and the said Thomas Brown being brought before the Board and examined resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him Adjourned — Met Albany 13^ August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) j Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Stewart Dean A Letter from Col 1 - MTnstrey the Commanding officer at Saragtoga was laid before the Board wherein he informs that he sends down to us under Guard a certain Moses Harris Junj" who he has caused to be apprehended on suspicion of his purchasing Provisions for the supply of the Enemy and he being brought before the Board and examined and we being of Opinion that the said Harris is not a Person of so dangerous a Character as represented by Col 1 - MTnstrey therefore resolved that he be discharged on his procuring Bail for his future good Behaviour — An Indian Woman living with M 1 ? Gibbon's in this City having reported that she saw in the Woods a dead Man who 1 781 Aug. 12. 1781 Aug. 13. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 763 appeared to be murdered and his Worship the Mayor 1 of this A JJ Sl City having gone out to View the Dead Body and not being able to find the same and we being of Opinion that M- Gibbons her Mistress whose Husband is gone ofF to the Enemy has caused the said Indian Woman to raise the said report with a [476] View to draw the Mayor out of the City in order to his being carried ofF by Persons prepared for that Purpose therefore resolved that the said Indian Woman be apprehended and that the said M- Gibbons be ordered immediately to appear before this Board — The above mentioned Indian Woman being apprehended and examined acknowledges that there was a Party of Men in the Woods who told her to go to the Mayor and inform him that there was a Man murdered in the Woods resolved that she be committed — M" Gibbons appearing and being examined denies that she knew any Thing of the Report propogated by her Wench resolved that she be discharged for the present an[d] ordered to attend again to Morrow Morning — M- Haywood being also supposed to be concerned in the above Scheme to have the Mayor taken Prisoner being sent for and examined and she denying the charge ordered that she attend again to Morrow Morning — Adjourned — Met Albany 14^ August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman [ \ Samuel Stringer Stewart Dean ) ( Isaac D. Fonda A Letter from Hugh Mitchell and Abraham Outhout Esq^ Commissioners for Conspi- [477] racies at Schenectady was 1 Abraham Ten Broeck was mayor of Albany at this time. He had been appointed by Governor Clinton in April, 1779. 1781 Aug. 14. 764 State of New York x 78i laid before the Board wherein they inform that they send ag. 14. . J J down to us Daniel Taylor a Person notoriously disaffected to the American Cause who is a Brother in Law of Joseph Bettis and has known of the said Bettis being in the Country without giving any Information concerning the same and the said Daniel Taylor being Examined resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Frederick Crants appearing before the Board informed us that he would become Bail for Christian Merkle and Michael Merkle who were liberated from Confinement on Account of their being Sick resolved that Christian Earing be discharged from the Recognizance by him entered into for the said Michael Merkle and Christian Merkle and that the said Frederick Crants accordingly enter into a Recognizance for the said Christian Merkle and Michael Merkle remaining within the Limits of his the said Frederick Crants's Farm and that the said Christian Merkle & Michael Merkle will surrender themselves as Prisoners to this Board when they shall have recovered their Health and for their good Be- haviour during that Time — Frederick Crants of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer as Bail for Christian Merkle and Michael Merkle in £100 Adjourned — [478] Met Albany 16^ August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) ( Stewart Dean 1781 Aug. 16. Cap- Holtham Dunham & Lieu' Benonie Grant having had Conferences in the Woods with David Jones and other Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 765 Persons from Canada and having been detected in the same A *£ Sl and to avoid Punishment made their Escape with a[n] Inten- tion to go to Canada and having been apprehended and sent down by Col- M;Kinstrey in order to be confined and the said Holtham Dunham being brought before the Board and examined says as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) Resolved that a Mittimus be made out for them and that the examination of Benoni Grant be postponed until to Morrow Morning — Adjourned — Met Albany 17^ August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman [ ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer \ ( Stewart Dean Benonie Grant who was Yesterday committed to Goal being brought before the Board was Examined his Examina- tion is as follows (to wit) (see Examination on File) Resolved that Copies of the Examination's of Holtham Dunham and Benoni Grant be made out and transmitted to his Excellency Governor Clinton — [479] It appearing highly probable to this Board from the Information of Cap- Gerrit Groesbeeck & William Hunn that Thomas Reed who at present resides on the Farm of John TunniclifF near this City knew of the Party that attempted to take General Schuyler Prisoner being in the Woods and was acquainted with their Intentions and the said Thomas Reed from his Intimacy and Connections with Dr George Smith and other disaffected Persons to the Ameri- can Cause giving great Reason to this Board to suspect that he is concerned in a Scheme prejudicial to the Publick good — 1781 Aug. :7 . 766 State of New York *78i Therefore resolved that a Warrant be made out directed jg. 17. to Jacob Kidney to apprehend and bring before us said Thomas Reed — Adjourned — Met Albany 18^ August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman \ \ Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer J ( Stewart Dean Thomas Reed having been apprehended by Jacob Kidney agreeable to the Warrant of this Board and being examined resolved that he be committed and that a Mittimus be made out for him — Cap- Robert Woodward appeared before the Board and informed us that he had apprehended a Man who calls himself Benoni Robins Forrister who he suspects to be a British Officer passing through the Country as a Spy and the said Benoni Robins Forrister being examined and not being possessed of any Vouchers relative [480] to his Attach- ment to the American Cause and being unable to give a satisfactory account of himself therefore resolved that he be committed until he shall produce a Certificate of his Char- acter and ordered that a Mittimus be made out for him — Adjourned — I7 8i Met Albany 21- August 1781 — Aug. ax. Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer \ ( Stewart Dean It appearing from the Examination of Cap' Holtham Dunham and Benoni Grant that a certain Rodgers who lives at Fiddle Town near Saragtoga has supplied David 1781 Aug. 18. Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 767 Tones with his Party who had come from Canada and were . 1781 Aug. 21* secreted in the Woods for the Purpose of taking Major M c Kinstrey the Commanding Officer at Saragtoga Prisoner therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to Major McKinstrey requesting him to have the said Rogers apprehended and sent down to this Board as soon as possible — Lieu- Moses Hudson appeared before the Board and informed us that a Young Man of the Name of Fagler who was last Year seduced by Joe Bettis to go to Canada has returned and has sent in word that he is desirous of sur- rendering himself up provided he is not confined — Re- solved that Lieu- Hudson be informed that if the said Fagler [give] himself up to this Board and will make a full and [481] ample Confession of such Matters as he is ac- quainted with that in such Case the said Fagler will be discharged on giving surety for his future good Conduct — Adjourned — Present Met Albany 22^? August 1781 — Aug 8 22. John M. Beeckmann ) ( „ . _ . i „ „ , 1 1 bamuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda ) ( b The Board being informed that James Clay is returned from Canada and that he lurks about the House of Henry Haywood his Father in Law on Jan Fonda's Land in the Vicinity of this City and Lieu^ Jacob Winney having offered to apprehend the said James Clay therefore resolved that a Warrant be made out directed to Lieu^ Winney & that he be thereby authorized to search the House of the said Henry Haywood and all other suspicious Houses in that Neighbourhood — Resolved that Moses Harris Jun!" be discharged from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good 768 State of New York Aug 8 22 Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Moses Harris Jun^ late of Dutchess County Labourer in £100 Dirck Swart of Stillwater in the County of Albany Esq^ his Bail in £100 Cap- William Hun having been requested to appear before the Board to be examined with Respect [482] to Thomas Reed at present in Confinement appeared his examination being taken is in the words following (to wit) (see Examination on File) Adjourned — Aug 7 . 8 ^. Met Albany 23? Aug^ 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( n ~ j ^ _ . > i Stewart Dean Isaac D. ronda ) ( A Letter was laid before the Board by Edward Chin Esq? from Thomas Reed setting forth that his wife has been brought to Bed and that she is exceedingly 111 and request- ing to be released from Confinement for a few Days which application being seconded by the said Edward Chin resolved that for the Reason above assigned the said Thomas Reed be liberated on entering into a Recognizance to appear on Monday the 27^ Day of August Instant at the City Hall in this City before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies and for his good Behaviour in the mean Time — Thomas Reed of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Yeoman in . . . £500 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 769 Philip Van Rensselaer of the City of Albany ^ T 78i Esqf his Bail in £250 Edward Chin of the same place Esq^ also his Rail in £250 Adjourned — [483] Met Albany 24^ August 1781 — A^fl* Present John M Beeekman ) ( T t? 1 . > < Isaac U. ronda Samuel Stringer ) ( The Board having received Information that among those Persons who took John J s Bleecker Esq"^ and who are at present Prisoners at Bennington there are some who are Inhabitants of this State and as Justice demands that they should be punished agreeable to Law — Therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to his Excellency Thomas Chittendon Esq- at Arlington requesting him to cause the said Persons to be delivered over to the Civil Authority of this State which Letter is in the Words follow- ing (to wit) (see Copy Letter on File) Adjourned Met Albany 25- August 1 78 1 — Aug. 25. Present John M. Beeekman ) \ Isaac D. Fonda Samuel Stringer ) \ Stewart Dean Daniel Taylor being at his own request brought before the Board was examined and ordered to be recommitted The Board having received Information that Archibald M^Neal who by his Recognizance was restricted to the Limits of this City has exceeded the Bounds prescribed to him in the said Recognizance therefore resolved that his 77o State of New York 1781 Bails Thomas Shipboy and Robert M'rQallen be ordered Aug. 25. r J forthwith to deliver up to this Board [484] the said Archi- bald M c Neal — Adjourned — A ^ 8 2 7> Met Albany 27^ August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda \ ( Stewart Dean Thomas Reed appeared before the Board agreeable to the Tenor of the Recognizance entered into by him on the 23? Instant and requested of the Board Permission to remain with his Family some Days longer on Account of the Illness of his wife resolved on taking the same into Consideration that Permission be granted him accordingly on his entering into a Recognizance to appear on Monday the 3- day of September next at the City Hall before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies to be of good Behaviour during that time & not to aid, Comfort, Assist, Entertain, harbour or hold any Correspondence either by word or deed upon Political Matters with any Person or Persons inimical to the Liberties of Independance of this or the United States of America and that he do not depart the Limits & Bounds of the Farm he at present resides on untill he comes to make his Appearance as aforesaid — Thomas Reed of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Gentleman in . . £500 Leonard Gansevoort of the City of Albany Esq r his Bail in £250 Cornelius Cuyler of the same place Esq- also his Bail in £250 [485] Resolved that Adrian Bradt Jun- be discharged Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 771 from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when there- unto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Adrian Bradt Junf of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in. £100 John Devoe of the same Place Farmer his Bail in £100 Resolved that Henry Haines Jun[ be discharged from Confinement on Henry Haines entering into a Recognizance for the good Behaviour of the said Henry Haines Jun; for doing his duty and appearing before any three of the said Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required dur- ing the continuance of the Present War with Great Britain — Henry Haines late of Thurlough in Tryon County Farmer as Bail for his son Henry Haines JunT in .£400 Resolved that John Sommer be discharged from Con- finement on Jacob Lawyer entering into a Recognizance for the good Behaviour of the said John Sommer & for his doing his Duty & appearing before any three of the Com- missioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present War with Great Britain — Jacob Lawyer of the City of Albany on Rec- ognizance as Bail for John Sommer in. . . £200 Archibald M-Neal being brought before the [486] Board by his Bail agreeable to the order of this Board of the 25 th Instant and being interrogated as to his exceeding the Bounds prescribed by his Recognizance and it appearing to have been done ignorantly and with no bad design there- fore resolved that he be discharged — 772 State of New York Aug. 28 . x 78i A Letter from Hugh Mitchell Esq- dated at Schenectady Aug. 27. to ^ J the 14— Instant inclosing a Copy of an Examination of Daniel Taylor now in Confinement was laid before the Board which Letter and Examination are in the following words (to wit) (see Letter and Examination on File) Adjourned ij8i r Met Albany 28^ August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda f ( Stewart Dean Resolved that Christian Miner be discharged from Con- finement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his Duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the Present War with Great Britain — Christian Miner of New Rhraebeeck in Tryon County Farmer in £100 Jacob Bleecker Jun 1 : of the City of Albany his Bail in £100 Resolved that Frederick Merkle be discharged [487] from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain Frederick Merkle late of Thurlough in the County of Tryon Farmer in £100 Stephen Frederick of the West District in the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer his Bail in £100 Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies 773 Resolved that William Baker who is surety for Tames x 78i . Aug. 28. Bruce be ordered forthwith to deliver up the said James Bruce as the Board are of Opinion that he ought to be bound in a New Recognizance — Adjourned Met Albany 29 th August 1781 — Aug 8 29 Present John M. Beeckman [ \ Samuel Stringer Isaac D. Fonda \ 1 Stewart Dean Resolved that Earnest Fretz be discharged from Confine- ment on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Com- missioners of Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Earnest Fretz late of Thurlough in the County of Tryon Farmer in £100 Christopher RofF of the West District of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck Farmer in £100 [48S] Frederick Crans who was surety for Christopher Merkle until he should be recovered of his Illness appeared before the Board and surrendered the said Christian Merkle and as Frederick Merkle is willing to become Bail for the said Christian Merkle and as there are no material Charges against him therefore resolved that he be discharged on the said Frederick Merkle's entering into a Recognizance for the good Behaviour of the said Christian Merkle for doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies when thereunto required during the Con- tinuance of the present War with Great Britain. Frederick Merkle late of Thurlough in the County of Tryon Farmer as Bail for Chris- tian Merkle in £100 774 State of New York 1781 The Board having received Information from which they Kg. 2Q. ,° m J are induced to think that the Persons living on a Place formerly in the Possession of [blank] Cumming at Kat's Kill are endeavouring by every Means to injure the Amer- ican Cause and as their Situation is such that they have it in their Power to afford Assistance to Parties coming from the Enemy therefore resolved that a Letter be wrote to Col 1 - Du Bois at Kat's Kill requesting him to cause them to be removed as soon as possible — Adjourned — Met Albany 30^ August 1781 — Present John M. Beeckman ) ( Stewart Dean Isaac D. Fonda ) ( Samuel Stringer Resolved that Coonradt Brcwn be discharged [489] from Confinement on entering into a Recognizance for his good Behaviour doing his duty and appearing before any three of the Commissioners for Conspiracies for and during the Continuance of the present War with Great Britain — Coenradt Brown of Thurlough in Tryon County Farmer in £100 Johannis Rykert of Schoharie in the County of Albany Farmer his Bail in £100 Adjourned. 1 1 The extant minutes end here abruptly. On August 30, 1781, the Albany commissioners wrote to Governor Clinton about certain exchanges of pris- oners, to which he wrote a reply on September 7th. Other correspondence between this board and the governor is extant, of a date later than the existing minutes. For examples, see George Clinton Papers, nos. 3948, 3976, 3986, 3987, 4005, 4010, 4023, 4024, in archives of New York State Lib- rary. 1781 Aug. 30. APPENDIXES 77S APPENDIX I LAWS OF NEW YORK RELATING TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR CONSPIRA- CIES AND THEIR POWERS An Act appointing Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, and declaring their Powers. Passed the 5th of February, 1778. 1 HE RE AS the late Convention did appoint a Board of Commissioners, for the Purpose of enquiring into, detecting and defeating all Conspiracies, which might be formed in this State, against the Liberties of America. And whereas, by Reason of the present Invasion of this State, and of the Disaffection of sundry of the Inhabitants of the same, it will be expedient to continue the said Board; which Experience hath shewn to be of great Use and Impor- tance. To the End therefore, that the State and the Peace of the same, may be effectually guarded and secured, against the wicked Machinations and Designs of the Foreign and Domestic Foes thereof. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New-York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or President of the Senate, who, for the Time being, shall administer the Government of this State, be, and he hereby is authorised and empowered, from Time to Time, to appoint, by Commission, by and with the Advice 'First session (1777-8), chap. 3. — Laws of New York; Poughkeepsie: John Holt, 1782, pp. 6-7. 77 8 State of New York and Consent of the Council of Appointment, so many Per- sons, not exceeding ten, as he shall think proper, to be Com- missioners for the Purposes aforesaid. And that the said Commissioners, or any three of them, be, and they hereby are authorised and empowered, to do and perform the several Acts, Matters and Things herein after mentioned, viz. That the said Commissioners, or any three of them, shall be, and they hereby are authorised and empowered, to send for Persons and Papers, and administer Oaths; and to apprehend and confine, or cause to be apprehended and confined, in such Manner, and under such Restrictions and Limitations, as to them shall appear necessary, for the public Safety, all Persons, whose going at large, shall, in the Judgment of the said Commissioners, or any three of them, appear dangerous to the Safety of this State. To take Bonds and Recogni- zances, from Time to Time, to the People of this State, for the good Behaviour, safe Custody, or Appearance of such of the said Persons, and of all others, now confined for the like Cause, as they may think proper, in such Sums, and upon such Conditions, as unto them shall appear expedient; and the said Bonds and Recognizances, if forfeited, to prose- cute or to cancel and release, upon such Terms and Condi- tions; and to discharge from Confinement, any of the said Persons absolutely, and without any Terms or Conditions, as they may think proper. And also, from Time to Time, to make such Provision, for the safe Custody, and comfort- able Subsistance of all Persons, who may from Time to Time be so confined as aforesaid, in such Manner as they may think proper. Provided always, That by Reason or Colour of any Thing herein contained, the said Commis- sioners, or any of them, shall not be empowered to inflict any corporal Punishment, upon any or either of the said Persons confined as aforesaid. Appendix I : Laws 779 II. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That no Judge or Magistrate, shall bail any of the Persons, who may be confined by Authority of the said Commissioners; and that no Court shall deliver any of the Gaols, within this State, of any Person or Persons, so confined as aforesaid, unless such Persons, shall have been indicted, and tried for the Offence or Offences, for which he or she, shall have been respectively committed. III. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That each and every of the said Commissioners, before they shall respectively take upon them, the Exercise of the said Office, do, before one or more of the said Commissioners, who are hereby empowered to administer the same, take the following Oath, viz. " I, A.B. one of the Commissioners, according to the Form and Effect of an Act, entitled, An Act for appointing Com- missioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, and declaring their Power, appointed, do, in the Presence of Almighty God, most solemnly promise and swear, that I will, to the best of my Knowledge and Ability, faithfully execute and perform, for the Benefit and Advantage of the People of the State of New-York, all and singular the Powers and Authorities, by Force and Virtue of the said Act, unto me given. So help me God.["] IV. And for as much as the Execution of the said several Trusts, Duties and Powers, will be attended with consider- able Expence; Be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners, be, and they hereby are, authorised and empowered, from Time to Time, to draw from the public Treasury of this State, all and every such Sum and Sums of Money, as they shall think proper. Provided always, That the said Commissioners, shall render a just and true Account of the Expenditure of the several Sums of 780 State of New York Money by them so drawn as aforesaid; and that the said several Sums, shall not, in the Whole, exceed the sum of Five Thousand Pounds. V. And it be further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners shall keep regular Minutes of all their Proceedings, in Order that the same may be submitted, if required, to the Consideration of the Senate or Assembly, or to such Person or Persons, as shall be, for that Purpose appointed; and that each and every of the said Commis- sioners do receive, for every Day, in which he shall be actually employed in the Business aforesaid, the Sum of Twenty Shil- lings, for his Trouble and Expence, in attending upon the same. VI. Arid be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That this Act shall continue in Force, until the first Day of November, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight, and no longer. An Act to enable the Person administering the Government of this State for the Time being, to remove certain disaffected and dangerous Persons and Families. Passed the 1st of April, 1778. 1 HERE AS divers disaffected and dangerous Persons and Families, reside at or near the several Posts and Passes within this State; and there is great Reason to believe, that they communicate Intelligence to the Enemy; I. Be it therefore enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by [t]he Authority of the same, That it shall and may be lawful, to and for the Person administering the 'First session (1777-8), chap. 27. — Laws of New. York: Poughkeepsie : John Holt, 1782, pp. 25-26. This act is printed as collateral to and explanatory of procedure rela- tive to inimical persons. Appendix I : Laws Government of this State for the Time being, from Time to Time, as Occasion may require, and whenever he shall judge it necessary, for the public Safety, to cause all such dangerous disaffected Persons and Families, as now are, or hereafter shall happen to be resident at or near any Post, Pass or Encampment, within this State, to be removed to such other Place or Places within the same, as he shall deem expedient. II. And whereas the Removal of the Persons or Families aforesaid, may prove very prejudicial to them; // is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Person admin- istering the Government of this State, for the Time being, shall certify the Names of such Persons so removed, and a Description of the Houses and Farms, from which they shall be removed respectively, to the Commissioners of Seques- tration of the County, to which such Persons shall be re- moved; who are hereby required to put them in Possession, on moderate Rents, of such sequestered Farms or Houses, in the said County as may be then, or thereafter vacant; having Respect to the Value of the Farms or Houses, from which such Persons may have been removed; Provided, nevertheless, That no Person or Persons, that shall be re- moved by Virtue of this Act, shall, by such Removal, gain a Settlement in the District he, she or they may be removed to; so as to charge such District with their Maintenance. An Act for increasing the Number of Commissioners, for detecting and defeating Conspiracies within this State. Passed the 3d of April, 1778. 1 ^^"HEREAS by an Act, entitled, "An Act appointing Commissioners for detecting and defeating Con- spiracies, and declaring their Powers," made and passed by 1 First session (1 777-8), chap. 31. — Laws of New York: Poughkeepsie : John Holt, 1782, pp. 30-31. 782 State of New York the Legislature of this State, the fifth Day of February last past; it is enacted, that the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or President of the Senate, who for the Time being, shall administer the Government of this State, be, and he is thereby authorised and empowered, from Time to Time, to appoint by Commission, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Council of Appointment, so many Persons, not exceeding ten, as he shall think proper, to be Commissioners for the Pur- poses therein mentioned; And further, That the said Com- missioners, or any three of them shall be, and thereby are empowered and authorised to do and perform the several Acts, Matters and Things, therein after mentioned: For increasing the Number of the said Commissioners, I. Be it therefore enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That the Person administering the Government of this State, for the Time being, be, and he is hereby farther authorised and empowered from Time to Time, to appoint in the Manner in and by the said Act mentioned, any farther or greater Number of Commissioners, not exceeding twenty, to be Commissioners, with the like Trust Powers and Authorities, and under the same Restrictions, Qualifications, Provisoes, Pay and Con- tinuance, as are mentioned in the said in part recited Act. II. And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners, or any three of them, shall be, and they are hereby authorised and empowered, to do and v perform the several Acts, Matters and Things, mentioned in the said in part recited Act: Any Thing in the said Act con- tained, to the Contrary thereof, in any Wise notwithstanding. Provided always, That as many Quorums of three of the said Commissioners, as the whole Number of thirty will admit of, shall and may exercise the Powers and Authorities, Appendix I : Laws 783 so reposed in them as aforesaid, at one and the same Time; any Thing in this or the above recited Law, to the Contrary hereof, in any Wise notwithstanding. An Act more effectually to prevent the Mischiefs, arising from the Influence and Example of Persons of equivocal and suspected Characters, in this State. Passed the 30th of June, 1778.' "Y/^THEREAS certain of the Inhabitants of this State, have, during the Course of the present cruel War, waged by the King and Parliament of Great-Britain, against the People of these States, affected to maintain a Neutrality, which there is Reason to suspect was in many Instances, dictated by a Poverty of Spirit, and an undue Attachment to Property. And whereas divers of the said Persons, some of whom, advocated the American Cause till it became serious, have notwithstanding the Forebearance of their Countrymen, and contrary to the Faith pledged by their Paroles, ungrate- fully and insidiously from Time to Time, by artful Misrep- resentations, and a subtle Dissemination of Doctrines, Fears and Apprehensions false in themselves, and injurious to the American Cause, seduced certain weak minded Persons from the Duties they owed their Country: And whereas the wel- fare of this State, loudly demands that some decisive Meas- ures be taken with Respect to the said Persons; and it being repugnant to Justice as well as good Policy, that Men should be permitted to shelter themselves under a Government, which they not only refused to assist in rearing, but which, some of them daily endeavor to undermine and subvert; And whereas, such few of the said Persons, as may have been •First session (1777-8), chap. 47. — Laws of New York: Poughkeepsie : John Holt, 1782, pp. 4.5-44. 7 8 4 State of New York led to take a neutral Part by conscientious Doubts and Scruples, have had more than sufficient Time to consider and determine the same; I. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That the Commissioners ap- pointed for inquiring into, detecting and defeating all Con- spiracies, which may be formed in this State, against the Liberties of America; or any three of them be, and they hereby are authorised and strictly charged and required, to cause all such Persons, of neutral and equivocal Characters in this State, whom they shall think have influence sufficient to do Mischief in it, to come before them, and to administer to the said persons respectively, the following Oath, or if of the People called Quakers, Affirmation, viz. "I, A.B. do solemnly, and without any mental Reserva- tion or Equivocation whatever, swear and call God to Wit- ness; or if of the People called Quakers, affirm, that I do believe and acknowledge, the State of New-York, to be of Right, a Free and Independent State. And that no Au- thority or Power, can of Right, be exercised in or over the said State, but what is, or shall be granted by or derived from the People thereof. And further, That as a good Subject of the said Free and Independent State of New York, I will to the best of my Knowledge and Ability, faithfully do my Duty; and as I shall keep or disregard this Oath. So help and deal with me Almighty God." II. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if on the said Oath or Affirmation, being so tendered, the said Person or Persons shall refuse to take the same, the said Commissioners do forthwith remove the said Person or Persons so refusing, to any Place within the Enemy's Lines, and by Writing under their Hands and Seals, certify the Names Appendix I : Laws 7«5 of such Person or Persons, to the Secretary of this State, who is hereby required to Record and File the said Certificates. III. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any of the said Neutrals, shall abscond or absent himself with an apparent View to avoid the Force of this Act, the said Commissioners shall by Notice, published in one or more of the News-Papers of this State, demand of the said Person or Persons, so absconding or absenting, to ap- pear before them, at such Place in this State, and at such Time, not exceeding twenty one Days from the Time of such Publication, as they shall assign. And further, That Default in such Appearance, shall be adjudged to amount to and is hereby declared to be a Refusal to take the said Oath or Affirmation. IV. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That if any of the Persons removed to Places within the Enemy's Lines by the said Commissioners, in pursuance of this Act, or who having as aforesaid, absconded or absented, shall not on Notice as aforesaid appear before the said Com- missioners, and take the Oath or Affirmation aforesaid, shall thereafter be found in any Part of this State; such Person or Persons so found, shall on Conviction thereof, be ad- judged guilty of Misprison of Treason. And to the End, That this State may be in some Measure compensated for the Injuries it has sustained, by the evil Example or Practices of the said Neutrals, and that others may be detered on similar Occasions, from acting a Part so unmanly and ignominious; V. Be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all Lands held in this State, on the twenty-sixth Day of June Instant, in Fee Simple or Fee Tail, or which may hereafter be acquired by, or devised, granted, or descend to any of the Persons who shall refuse to take the aforesaid Oath or Affirmation, when called upon by the said Com- 786 State of New York missioners, shall forever thereafter, be charged with double Taxes, in whosoever Hands the said Lands may hereafter be. VI. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners, previous to the Removal of the said several Persons within the Enemy's Lines, shall from Time to Time, notify the Person administering the Government of this State for the Time being, of the several Persons so to be removed, who is hereby authorised to de- tain and confine, such of the said persons as he shall think proper, for the Purpose of exchanging them for any of the Subjects of this State, in the Power of the Enemy. VII. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That the Person administering the Government of this State for the Time being, be, and he is hereby required to do his best Endeavours, that this Act be fully and speedily carried into Execution, and all Magistrates, Sheriffs and Constables, are required to be aiding therein. An Act for continuing the Powers of the Commissioners, for detecting and defeating Conspiracies. Passed the 29th of October, 1778.' ^^HEREAS the Act of the Legislature of this State, for appointing Commissioners for detecting and defeat- ing Conspiracies, and declaring their Powers; and the Act for increasing the Number of Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, within this State, will expire on the first Day of November next; Be it therefore enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby •Second session (1778-9), chap. 3. — Laws of New York: Poughkeepsie : John Holt, 1782, pp. 44-45. Appendix I : Laws 787 enacted by the Authority of the same. That the said two sev- eral Acts, and the Powers and Authorities by them or either of them, granted to the said Commissioners, or 1 any, and every three of them, and a Power to the said Commis- sioners, or any three of them, to remove within the Enemy's Lines, all such Persons who in pursuance of the "Act more effectually to prevent the Mischiefs arising from the Influence and Example of Persons, of equivocal and suspected Char- acters in this State," have already appeared before the said Commissioners, or any three of them, and have not taken the Oath in the said Act contained; shall be and are hereby continued until twenty Days after the next Meeting of the Legislature, and a Quorum of both Houses shall be con- vened to proceed on Business. And the Treasurer of this State, shall be, and he is hereby authorised and required to pay to the said Commissioners, or any three of them, such farther Sum or Sums, as they shall from Time to Time require, to defray the Expence of the Business committed to them, so as the Amount of such farther Sum or Sums, shall not in the whole, exceed the Sum of Three Thousand Pounds. An Act to amend an Act, entitled, An Act more effectually to prevent the Mischiefs arising from the Influence and Ex- ample of Persons of equivocal and suspected Characters in this State, and for continuing the Powers of the Commis- sioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies. Passed the 17th of February, 1 779. 3 "^^T HE RE AS by the Terms of the said Law, the Com- missioners therein mentioned, are required on Re- ' Misprinted " ur " in Holt's edition. 5 Second session (1778-9), chap. 10. — Laws of New York: Poughkeepsie : John Holt, 1782, p. 49. 788 State of New York fusal of any Person or Persons, to take the Oath or Affirma- tion therein prescribed, forthwith to remove the said Person or Persons so refusing, to any Place within the Enemy's Lines; And whereas sound Policy and common Charity require, that every Person so refusing, should be admitted to take the said Oath or Affirmation, if he or she shall, notwith- standing such Refusal, voluntarily offer to take the same, before the Commencement of his or her actual Removal; I. Be it therefore enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That every Person who has already refused, or shall hereafter refuse to take the said Oath or Affirmation, and shall, before the actual Commencement of his or her Removal as aforesaid, voluntarily offer to take the said Oath or Affirmation, before any three of the said Commissioners, shall be admitted to take the same, and on taking thereof, shall be, and hereby is declared to be fully and wholly absolved from the Penal- ties of the said Law, such former Refusal, or any Thing in the said Law, to the Contrary in any Wise notwithstanding. Provided always, That nothing herein contained, shall ex- tend or apply to the Cases of those who by Virtue of the said Law, now are or shall hereafter be detained and con- fined, by the Person administering the Government of this State for the Time being, for the Purpose of Exchanging them for any of the Subjects of this State, in the Power of the Enemy. II. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular the Powers and Authorities, vested in the said Commissioners, are hereby continued until twenty Days after the next Meeting of the Legislature, and a Quorum of both Houses shall be convened on Business, in Appendix I : Laws 789 like Manner as the same are continued in and by an Act, entitled, "An Act for continuing the Powers of the Commis- sioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies," passed the 29th Day of October last: And the Treasurer of this State shall be, and he is hereby authorised and required, to pay to the said Commissioners, or any three of them, such fur- ther Sum or Sums, as they shall from Time to Time require, to defray the Expence of the Business committed to them, so as the Amount of such further Sum or Sums, shall not in the Whole, exceed the Sum of Three Thousand Pounds. An Act for reviving the Powers of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, and for other Pur- poses therein mentioned. Passed the 1st of October, 1779.' "Y^HEREAS the Act of the Legislature of this State, entitled, "An Act for appointing Commissioners, for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, and declaring their Powers;" and the Act entitled, "An Act for increasing the Number of Commissioners for detecting and defeating Con- spiracies, within this State," did expire in twenty Days after the present Meeting of the Legislature, and a Quorum of both Houses convened to proceed on Business; I. Be it enacted by the People of the State 0/ New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That the said two Acts, and the Powers and Authorities by them or either of them granted, to the said Commissioners, or any and every three of them, shall be and are hereby revived, and shall continue and be in full Force until twenty Days after the first Day of the next Meeting of a Quorum of the Legislature, and ■Third session (1779-80), chap. 7. — Iuiws of New York: Poughkeepsie : John Holt, 17S2, p. 76. State of New York the Treasurer of this State is hereby authorised and required, out of such Monies as may be in the Treasury, to pay to the said Commissioners, or any three of them, such further Sum or Sums, as they shall from Time to Time require, to defray the Expence of the Business committed to them, so as the Amount of such Sum or Sums, shall not in the whole, exceed the sum of Four Thousand Pounds. And whereas the said Commissioners, or some Quorum or Quorums of them, may have done and performed divers Acts, Matters and Things, in and respecting their several and respective Offices and Places, since the Expiration of the said Laws, and by Reason thereof, the Legality and Validity of the said Acts, Matters and Things, may be drawn into Question; II. Be it therefore enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular the said Acts, Matters and Things, shall be as good, valid and effectual in the Law, to all Interns, Constructions and Purposes whatsoever, as if the said Laws had not expired by their own respective Limitations, but had been in full Force and Effect, at and immediately before the passing of this Law; any Thing in the said Laws or either of them to the Contrary hereof, in any Wise notwithstanding. And whereas in and by the said two recited Acts, no Pro- vision is made to enable the Council of Appointment, from Time to Time, to remove any one or more of the said Commissioners, and appoint other or others in his or their Stead, III. Be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Power and Authority of Removal and Appointment, is and are hereby fully vested in the said Council, to be exercised by them, from Time to Time, in their Discretion, to all In- tents, Constructions and Purposes in the Law whatsoever. Appendix I : Laws An Act to authorise any two Justices of the Peace, to enlarge Persons who shall desert from the Enemy, and for other Purposes therein mentioned. Passed March 13th, 1780.' I. ^E it enacted by [the] People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That whenever any Person, who shall have cortf^from within the Lines of the Enemy, shall be confined in the common Gaol of any County within this State; it shall and may be lawful, for any two Justices of the Peace of such County, to enlarge the Person so confined, upon his or her entering into Recognizance to the People of this State, either with or without Surety; and in such Sum or Sums as the said Justices, in their Discretion, shall deem proper: The Condition of which Recognizance shall be, that he or she will appear at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, to be held in and for such County; or that he or she shall reside at the Place, and within the Bounds within this State, to be assigned by the said two Justices; or that he or she shall be of good Behaviour, during the present War. And the said Justices may in their Discretion, insert one or more of the foregoing Conditions in such Recognizance. Provided, That such Justices shall not, by Virtue of this Act, enlarge any Person who shall be in Custody, by Virtue of a Warrant under the Hand and Seal of any Judge of the Supreme Court; nor any Person whose going at large will, in the Opinion of such Jus- tices, be dangerous to the State. And provided also, That nothing in this Act contained, shall be construed to excuse any Person, so enlarged on Recognizance, from doing Duty in the Militia of this State; nor shall his Absence from the Place assigned by such Justices, for his Residence while on 'Third session (1779-80), chap. 58. — Laws of New York: Poughkeepsic : John Holt, 1782, p. 127. 792 State of New York Command in the Militia, be deemed a Breach of such Recog- nizance. II. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That whenever any Person shall desert from the Army of the Enemy, or come over from within their Lines, and shall vol- untarily surrender himself or herself to a Justice of the Peace, it shall and may be lawful for such Justice to call to his Assistance one other Justice of the same County, and to bind the Person so surrendering himself or herself, in Recog- nizance, and deal with him in all Respects as is before di- rected for Persons in actual Custody; which Recognizance shall be subject to the Provisoes mentioned in the preceding Clause. Provided, That nothing in this Act contained, shall be construed to prevent any Person from being apprehended and dealt with according to Law, for any Offence com- mitted after such Person shall have left the Enemy's Lines. Whereas the several Laws, relating to the Commissioners for enquiring into, detecting and defeating all Conspiracies which may be formed in this State, against the liberties of America, are now expired; And whereas there are several Persons now confined by Order of the said Commissioners, and several Persons are bound by Recognizance, taken before the said Commis- sioners: To the End therefore, that Provision may be made in the Premises; III. Be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That it shall be lawful for any three Persons who were such Com- missioners, in their Discretion, to discharge the several Per- sons so in actual Confinement, without Bail, or upon the said Persons respectively entering into Recognizance, with or without Surety, for their respective Appearance at any Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, to be held Appendix I : Laws 793 in and for any County within this State; and to discharge any Recognizances heretofore taken before the said Com- missioners, except such Recognizances as may have been taken for the Appearance of any Person or Persons, at any Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery; and that the Powers of the said Commissioners shall be revived, and hereby are continued for the several Purposes aforesaid accordingly. IV. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That this Act shall continue in Force, until thirty Days after the rising of the Legislature, at their next Meeting. An Act to revive the Laws appointing Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies. Passed June 14th, 1780. 1 "^^THEREAS the Act "for appointing Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, and declaring their Powers," passed the fifth Day of February, 1778; and the Act "for increasing the Number of Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies within this State," passed the third Day of April, 1778, are expired; And whereas there is great Reason to apprehend that Emissaries from the Enemy are lurking in different Parts of the State, and that the disaffected Inhabitants are conspiring against the public Peace and Safety: By Reason whereof, it hath become necessary to revive the Powers of the said Com- missioners; Be it therefore enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby •Third session (1779-80), chap. 62. — Laws of New York: Poughkeepsie: John Holt, 1782, p. 131. 794 State of New York enacted by the Authority of the same, That the said two Acts and the Powers and Authorities by them or either of them granted to the Commissioners appointed or to be appointed by Virtue of the said Acts, or any and every three of them shall be, and are hereby revived, and shall continue and be in full Force during the Continuance of the present War with Great-Britain. That each Commissioner shall be ' allowed for each Day he shall be actually employed in the Execution of the said Office, the Sum of Fourteen Shillings of the Money to be issued, agreeable to the Resolutions of Congress, of the eighteenth Day of March last; and that the Treasurer of this State shall, out of any Monies which may be in the Treasury, advance to the said Commissioners, or any three of them, such Sum or Sums, as they shall from Time to Time require, to defray the Expence of the Business hereby committed to them, not exceeding in the Whole, the Sum of Two Thousand Pounds of like Money aforesaid. An Act for the Removal of the Families of Persons who have joined the Enemy. Passed the 1st of July, 1780. 1 HERE AS many and great Mischiefs do arise, by per- mitting the Families of Persons who have joined the Enemy, to remain at their respective Habitations, inasmuch as such Persons frequently come out in a private Manner, to gain Intelligence and commit Robberies, Thefts and Mur- ders, upon the good People of this State, and are concealed and comforted by their respective Families; I. Be it therefore enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is ■Third session (1779-80), chap. 76. — Laws of New York: Poughkeepsie: John Holt, 1782, pp. 143-144. Appendix I : Laws 795 hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That the Justices of the Peace, resident in each Ward, Town, Manor, Precinct and District, within this State, shall notify the Wives of all such Persons, as aforesaid, that the} - depart this State within twenty Days after such Notice, or repair to such Parts of it as are within the Power of the Enemy; and at their Discretion to take with them all or any of their Children, not above the Age of twelve Years: That for the Want of a Justice of the Peace in any Ward, Town, Manor, Precinct or District, the Supervisor, and for Want of a Supervisor, the Commis- sioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, shall cause such Notice to be given, as aforesaid. II. And be it further enacted b\ the Authority aforesaid, That in Case any of the Persons aforesaid, shall, after the Space of twenty Days after such Notice, be found in any Part of this State; they shall and are hereby declared to be out of the Protection of the Laws of this State; and shall be liable to be proceeded against as Enemies of this and the United States: Provided nevertheless, That this Law shall not extend to affect such of the said Persons as shall procure Permits to remain at their respective Habitations, from under the Hands and Seals of any three of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, within this State. III. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the several Justices of the Peace, or Supervisor as afore- said, shall, immediately after Notice shall be given to the several Persons aforesaid, to depart this State, give Infor- mation to some one Hoard of Commissioners as aforesaid, of all such Persons as aforesaid, together with the Characters of the said Persons respectively; and the said Commissioners are hereby authorised to give Permits as aforesaid, to any of the said Persons, which they may esteem of good Character, 796 State of New York and not dangerous to the Liberties and Independence of this ? and the United States. An Act to accommodate the Inhabitants of the Frontiers with Habitations, and for other Purposes therein mentioned. Passed March 22d, 1781. 1 I. J-^E lt enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That it shall be lawful to and for the Person administering the Government of this State for the Time being, or such Person or Persons as he shall authorise for the Purpose, in their Discretion, and by Licence under their Hands respectively, upon an Appli- cation on Behalf of any Number of Families, not less than three, to permit the said several Families on whose Behalf such Application shall be made, to possess and occupy to and for their Use, such unoccupied Houses, Farms, Lards or Tenements, lying on the Frontiers of, this State, as the Person or Persons granting such Licence, shall appoint and deem most convenient, for the Purpose of accommodating the Families on whose Behalf such Application shall be made; and that the said several Families shall, by Virtue of such Licence, be authorised to take Possession of, occupy, and improve such Houses, Farms, Lands or Tenements, as shall be specified in the said Licence; and that it shall in like Manner, be lawful for the Person administering the Government for the Time being, or such other Person as shall grant any such Licence, whenever they shall respec- tively deem the Necessity which induced the Granting thereof to cease, to revoke any or every such Licence; and • Fourth session (1780-81), chap. 35. — Laws of New York: Poughkeepsic : John Holt, 1782, pp. 180-181. Appendix 1 : Laws 797 that each and every Person, in whose favour such Licence shall be granted, who shall not within twenty Days after such Revocation, remove from the said Houses, Farms, Lands or Tenements, which he or she was so permitted to possess, occupy and improve, shall be deemed as Trespassers from the Beginning, and as such, shall be liable to an Action, at the Suit of the Person in whose Possession such Houses, or Farms, Lands or Tenements were, before the granting such Licence, his or her Heirs and Assigns; and that each and every Person in whose Favour such Licence shall be granted, who shall hold over, after the Revocation of such Licence, shall and may be proceeded against upon the Statutes of forcible Entry and Detainer, by the Person in Possession of such Houses, Farms, Lands or Tenements, immediately before the granting of such Licence, his or her Heirs or Assigns: And further That it shall be lawful for the Person administering the Government, to cause any Houses or other Buildings, on the Frontiers of this State, to be fortified, and to be taken and held as Posts or Fort- resses, for such Time and in such Manner, as he shall deem necessary and expedient. Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the Person so in Possession, before the granting of the Licence, from possessing, occupying and improving an equal and proportional Part of such Houses, Farms, Lands or Tenements, with the several Families in whose Favour such Licence shall be granted: And pro- vided also, That if any Person in whose favour such Licence shall be granted, shall commit any unnecessary Waste or Destruction in such Houses, Farms, Lands or Tenements, they shall severally and respectively, with respect to such Waste, be deemed as Trespassers, and as such shall be sub- ject to an Action, at the Suit of the Person so in Possession State of New York as aforesaid, immediately before the granting of the Licence, his or her Heirs or Assigns. And whereas certain disaffected Subjects, who reside on the Frontiers of this State, privately maintain, comfort, and aid the Enemy, in their Incursions on the said Frontiers, and the public Safety requires that they should be com- pelled to remove from their respective Habitations, to the interior Parts of the State; II. Be it therefore further enacted by the Authority afore- said, That it shall and may be lawful, to and for the Person administering the Government of this State for the Time being, or the Brigadier, or commanding Officer of the Bri- gade of Militia; or where the Militia is not formed into a Brigade, a Majority of the Field-Officers of the Regiment within which such disaffected Persons shall reside, to cause all such Persons and Families, as he or they shall deem dangerous and disaffected, and as now are, or hereafter shall be resident and inhabiting on the said Frontiers, to be removed from their respective Habitations, to the inte- rior Parts of the State. And whereas it may be necessary to remove or destroy the Stock, Grain, or Forage, in many Parts of the Frontiers, in order to prevent the same from falling into the Hands of, or from being applied to the Comfort and Subsistence of the Enemy; III. Be it therefore further enacted by the Authority afore- said, That it shall be lawful for the Person administering the Government for the Time being, from Time to Time, in his Discretion, to order and direct all or any Part of the Stock, Grain, or Forage, at any Place or Places on the Frontiers, to be removed to such other Places as he shall direct; and in Case such Stock, Grain or Forage, cannot conveniently be removed, or if the Person possessing the Appendix I : Laws same, shall refuse to remove such Stock, Grain or Forage, then to order and direct the same to be destroyed. IV. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That it shall be lawful for the Commissioners for defeating and detecting Conspiracies, and each of them, or such other Person or Persons as shall be authorised for the Pur- pose by the Person administering the Government, for to notify the Wives of all Persons who have voluntarily gone over to and joined, or shall hereafter voluntari'y go over to and join the Enemy, to depart this State in like Manner as the Justices of the Peace and Supervisors, in the respective Wards, Towns, Manors, Districts or Precincts, are author- ised in and by the Act, entitled, "An Act for the Removal of the Families of Persons who have joined the Enemy." And further, That it shall be lawful for the said Commissioners, and each of them, and each of the said several Persons so to be authorised as aforesaid, to take and sell all the Goods and Chattels in the Possession of the Wives of Persons who have voluntarily gone over to and joined, or shall hereafter go over to and join the Enemy, and to apply the Monies arising therefrom, to defraying the Expence of removing such Wives, and such of their respective Children as are not above twelve Years of Age, within the Lines of the Enemy — And that the said Commissioners and other Per- sons, who shall take and sell any such Goods and Chattels as aforesaid, shall account for the Expenditure of the said Monies with the Auditor-General of this State. 8oo State of New York An Act to repeal an Act, entitled, "An Act to revive the Laws appointing Commissioners for detecting and defeating Con- spiracies, and to give certain Powers to Magistrates and Courts, in Cases therein mentioned. Passed 27th March, I783 1 I. J~^E enacted by the People of the State of New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That the Act, entitled, "An Act to revive the Laws appointing Com- missioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies," shall be, and the same is hereby repealed[.] II. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Commissioners aforesaid shall, forthwith after the passing of this Act, deliver the Recognizances by them taken, and not forfeited, to the Clerk of the Court of Gen- eral Sessions of the Peace of the County in which the same were taken; and the Person or Persons bound by such Recognizances, shall be subject to the Directions of, and be compelled to appear before the said Sessions, in like Man- ner as they were respectively required by Law to subject themselves to the Direction of, and were compellable to ap- pear by the said Recognizances before such Commissioners, and such Recognizances shall to all Intents and Purposes have the like Effect, and be estreated or discharged in the same Manner as if the same iiad been entered into befort such Court of Sessions, III. And oe it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners shall, as soon as may be, deliver all such Recognizances, as may have become for- feited to the People of this State, to the Clerk of the Su- 1 Sixth session (1782-83), chap. 51. — Laws of Xew York; Poughkeepsie: John Holt, 1783, pp. 298-299. Appendix I : Laws preme Court; to the End that Prosecutions may be insti- tuted for Recovery of the same. IV. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners shall exhibit their Accounts to the Auditor, on or before the first Monday of August next, that the same may be ascertained and settled; and it is hereby made the Duty of the Auditor to report to the Legis- lature, at their next Meeting after the said first Monday in August, the Amount of such Accounts respectively. V. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners shall, on or before the first Day of May next, make Return to a Justice of the Peace of the County in which such Commissioners reside, of the Names of the Persons by them committed, and the Causes of such Committment, that the said Justice may take Order thereon in due Form of Law — That no Person committed by the said Commissioners, shall be discharged before the first day of May next. VI. And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful, to and for any Justice of the Peace within this State, to cause to be arrested and brought before him, any Person who shall come within his Jurisdiction, out of any Place in the Power of the Enemy, and to require sufficient Security for the Appearance of the Offender at the next Court of General Sessions of the Peace to be held for the County where such Offender shall be apprehended; and for his good Behaviour in the mean Time; and for the Want of such Security, to commit such Offender to the common Gaol, there to remain until he shall find such Security, or until the next General Sessions of the Peace where the Recognizance or Mittimus, as the Case may be, shall be returned, and which Recognizance or Mit- timus shall respectively set forth, that the Offender, bound 802 State of New York over or committed, had without lawful Authority come within the Jurisdiction of such Justice, out of a Place within the Power of the Enemy; and thereupon it shall and may be lawful, to and for the Court of General Sessions of the Peace to commit such Offender to the common Gaol, there to remain until the then next Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery in the County, to answer unto all such Matters and Things as shall then and there be ob- jected against such Offender (unless he shall be sooner thence discharged by due Course of Law) or the said Court of General Sessions of the Peace may take Surety accord- ing to their Discretion, for the Appearance of the Offender at such Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol De- livery, as aforesaid, then and there to answer in Manner aforesaid; or the said Court of General Sessions of the Peace may take Surety only for the good Behaviour of the Offender, or may permit him to go at large without Surety, as the said Court in their Discretion shall judge fit: Provided always, That nothing in this Act contained, shall be construed in any Wise to restrain the Supreme Court of Judicature of this State, or any of the Justices of the said Court, from dealing with such Offender according to the Law, for any Crime of which such Offender may be accused or indicted before the said Court, or with which such Offender may be charged before any Justice of the said Court. ■ ' J> / ■ -7 4. . a , s Jl—/ . ' Certified Pay-Bill of Leonard Gansevoort, Jr. as Secretary to the Albany Board, 1778-1783 (One-half reduced) APPENDIX II FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS. This appendix is devoted to transcripts of the financial accounts of the entire body of commissioners for detecting and defeating conspiracies. It is the result of a careful page for page examination of manuscript records of the State Auditor and State Treasurer, now in the archives of the New York State Library. The Audited Accounts are by far the most important, because they are engrossed entries copied from the statements, bills or receipts which received approval from the State Auditor, and preserve full data. The Day Book and Accounts of the State Treasurer give the record of actual payment, but in much briefer form. Liquidation of these claims was not completed during the period of the war — hence the examination had to be prosecuted through subse- quent years. Taken together, these records are believed to show, substantiallv, a complete account of the expenses of the commissioners in the seven counties in which they operated as a State body. It has not been deemed of value to print the co-ordinate bookkeeping records of these two State officers, from ledgers and journals. A conspectus of extant records follows: State Auditor. Audited Accounts, A and B, two folio volumes. Book "A" contains the audits from May 22, 1782 to March 17, 1786. Book "B" contains those from March 18, 1786 to October 31, 1704. The dates are dates of audit of claims which begin as early as May, 1775. 803 804 State of New York Journal, two folio volumes. Vol. i: June 17, 1775 to December, 1785. Vol. 2: January, 1786 to January, 1794. State Treasurer Day Book, folio. — Vol. 2: April 1, 1778 to September 20, 1784. Accounts, three composite folio volumes. Vol. 1: May 31, 1775 to December 31, 1780. Vol. 2: January 4, 178 1 to December 31, 1785. Vol. 3: January 3, 1786 to January 10, 1797. Journal, two folio volumes. Vol. 1: May 31, 1775 to October 2, 1782. Vol. 2: September 18, 1778 to September 20, 1784. Ledger (bound with "Auditor's Journal " ) covers from May 31, 1775 to December 31, 1782. The original receipts or other vouchers, mounted in a ponderous volume, are in the office of the State Comptroller, in Revolutionary Manuscripts, vol. 40. They are somewhit in a disarranged state, and many of them have suffered ma- terial mutilation by being cut down. By this unjustifiable process many indorsements and voucher numbers, relative to entries in the volumes of Audited Accounts, have been lost, whilst others are destroyed by the process of mounting them. Audited State of New York To the Secretary Accounts [Robert Harpur] (NYSL) To 230 daysasComF of Conspiracy @ 14 / . . . By Cash DT 161 — „ — 4 . «- Audited 18 th July 1783 '56 Appendix II : Financial Accounts 805 Audited The State of New York D r in Acco 1 with Henry Accounts fir n Williams as Commissioner for defeating Con- A : 24 (NYSL) spiracies — For my Services for the days on which I was actually employ'd as Commissioner for de- feating & detecting Conspiracies between 6 th Sept r 17S0 & I st Jan y 1783 being 247 days at 14/ allow'd by Act 14 th June 1780 247 days ©14/ I7 2 u 18 1783 Jan y 14. 8 th Feb y 20 th & 26 th March 4 days @ 14/ 2 „ 16 Audited 1 3 th July 1783 Audited Accounts A : 24 (NYSL) State of New York to Gilbert Livingston To my Services fur the days on which I was actually employ'd as Com!" for detecting & defeating Conspiracies between 23 d Aug' 1780 & the 6 th day of Jan y 1783 being 237 days ® 14/ $ day 165 „ 18 Credit 1780 Dec r 2 By Cash rece'd 2 « 16 Audited 18 th July 17S3 Audited Accounts A : 20-30 (NYSL) State of New York '.o Brinton Paine, Joseph M c Cracken, Peialiah Fitch Senf & Alex r M c Nutt Commissioners for detecting & de feating Conspiracies 1 78 1, April 12. Brinton Paine, Two Days attending & One Days travel at 14/ ^ day J 2 „ 2 Joseph M c Crucken Two Days ditto 1 „ 8 „ Alexf M c Nutt Two Days ditto 1 „ 8 M May 22. Brinton Paine, Jo? M c Cracken & Alex r M°Nutt One Day each & Paine One day travel J 2 „ 16 175 «63 8o6 State of New York Audited Aug 1 29. The same Two days each, except ) Accounts _ . _ _ , _ . t A • 20-30 Brinton Paine One Day only @ 14/ ) 3 * 10 — (NYSL) Sept r 6. The same The same -3 To an Express from White Creek to Saratoga. . 8. To ditto 10. To ditto to Little White Creek 16. To sending Two Expresses to Benning- ton from White Creek & there waiting One Day extraordinary 1782, May 8, 9, 10. M c Cracken, M c Nutt & Fitch 3 days each 6 17. The same One Day each 2 1783, Feb y 28. Fitch & M c Nutt, One Day each 1 ' To a Clerk 12 Days @ 14/ 8 Decf 31. M c Cracken, M c Nutt & Fitch 1 day each 2 To Sundries paid for Expence of Prisoners. . 1 To Money paid to Persons for private intel- ) ligence 10 10 ■ — 10 — 10 — 10 ■ — 6» — 2 /, ■ IS/,- 5 u — . Audited 4 Feb y 1784 Audited Accounts A : 36 (NYSL) State of New York to Ebenezer Purdy, Israel Honeywell, Joseph Strang, Nathan Rock- well & Philip Leek for incidental Expences & services done as Com" of Conspiracies in West Chester County D r 1 781, Jan y . To Cash paid Expences of a Guard Continental to carry Peter Ferris to Poughkeepsie Goal. .,£125 u 12 u — Febr y . To d° to carry 3 dangerous Persons ) to Poughkeepsie Goal j 1 20 „ — — March. To d° to carry a dangerous Man to d° . . 32 „ — u — April. To d° p d for carrying Abraham Whit- ) more a disaffected Man to ditto ^ 80 „ — „ — May. To d° paid a Guard of 3 Men to carry ^ Smith & Skenkly to Goal \ 256 „ — u — Continental .£61; Appendix II : Financial Accounts 807 Audited Exchange at 40 for 1 is Specie 15, 6 „ 9 Accounts „ „ . j „ . , , . — A ■ 36 June. To Cash p a Guard for their hxpence | t,NYSL) to carry sundry dangerous Persons to > Poughkeepsie Goal J 8 „ S „ — To d° p d Jesse Brush Expence of Guard to ] attend the Commiss 15 during the time of > their sitting J 2 „ 12 „ — To d° One Quire of Paper 3 „ — To d° Andrew Brown to go below the Lines ^ after a dangerous Person \ 3 „ 4 „ — To John Drake for the Hxpence of a Guard / to take Care of Prisoners ) 3 „ 6 „ 6 To Cash for Expense of a Man to go to Pough- ) keepsie to the Governor ) 1 „ 12 „ — 34 « 1 2 « To 55 days Wages for Eben r Purdy at 14/ 38 10 (/ 5 1 .... d° ... . Israel Honeywell 35 „ 1 4 „ 16. . . .d°. . . .Joseph Strang 1 1 „ 4 „ — 27. d°. . . . Nathan Rockwell 23 „ 18 „ 5....d° Philip Leak 3 „ 10 „ — '47 // ° u 3 C r 1784, Jan y 29. By Cash reced of Treasurer by Ebenezer Purdy 20 „ — „ ■ Audited March 19 th 1784 — Audited Accounts A : 40 (NYSL) State of New York to Alex 1 " Webster Eben r Clark, Alex 1 " M c Xutt & John M c Clung Commiss" of Conspiracy in the County of Charlotte for incidental Expences & Services 1778, May 2. To Cash p d J. Doty $ Vouch* 30. To d° . . . . Josh a Conkey . June 7. Tod". ... Beach. .. . Continental £z u 4*— • 3 « 4 a — I „ I 2 u — ■ Df , 7« 9'} 12 — 1 "7 So8 State of New York Audited Aug Accounts 5. To. . . .d° p d Alex 1 " 1 A : 40 (NYSL) Inmitt [sic] 9 u 1 2 « — 5* 6 To. . . .d° Eben r Clark 1 „ 4,- 18. To d° p d Reuben Turner — 16 — "] 21. To d° Gershom — 10, si Woodward 2 „ 16 „ — J Sept r 1. To d° p d Robert Armstrong 5 „ 1 <, — ) . . 1 9 « 9 2. To d° William 1/yH.. — 18 — }" Dec r 2 To d° p d Robert Gilly — 12 — 1 Tod° .... d°& Wilson.... 3* 7 * *i To d° Alex r Simpson 4., 16, — J 1779, Jan y 5. To d° p d John Armstrong — 16 - 8. To d° James Henderson 2 „ 8 „ 6 \ . . 12 „ 11 \ 9. To d° John Hursdon — 8 - To d° Alex r Turner 1 „ 4 — April 21. To d° p d John Hunsdon 7 „ 1 8 „ 2 1 3 „ 8 July 16. To d° p d Edward Savage 4*J6„ 6 6j 2; To d° p d Robert Stewart in hard Money 6 u 1 2 „ — To 1 01 days Service as Com r by Alex r Web- ster on the first Act passed 5 th Fcb y 1778 @ 20/ Cont! is 12/6 Specie; all >■ 63,, before the 27 th March 1783 when the Act was repeald To 90 days service by Ebenezer Clark @ 12/6 56 „ 5 To 132 daysd° by Alex r M c Xutt. . 12/6 82 „ 10 To 1 38 days d° by John M c Clung 1 2/6 86 „ 5 306 u 15 C r 1778, June 3. By cash from Matthew Fisher 1 at 265 Cont 1 to 100 hard 150 '8 \o\ Audited April 13 th 1784 J 55 1 The correct form of the name is the Dutch equivalent Visscher. Appendix II : Financial Accounts 809 D r Audited state of New York to Andrew Rvnex Accounts A : 108 attending the Commissioners of Conspiracy as Con- (NYSL) stable in the District of Schenectady in the Year i-Si Nine Days at 6/ $ day Audited 12 th October 1784 D r Audited State of New York to Reynier Mynderse Accounts For attending as Commissioner of Conspiracy in the Years (NYSL) I78 °' 1781 & 1782 Eighty Days at 14/ $ day Audited 12 th October 1784 Audited State of New York to Hugh Mitchell D r Accounts A • 108 ^ or a ^ ten di n g as Commissioner of Conspiracy in the Years (NYSL) 1780, 1 781 & 1782 Ninety Five Days @ 14/ Audited 12 th October 1784 Audited Accounts A : 112 (NYSL) State of New York to Abraham Oothout D r For attending as Commissioner of Conspiracy in the Years 1780, 1781 & 1782. . . .86 days @ 14/ ^ day To Necessaries provided for a Party of Men under the Com- mand of Major Wemple as ^ Bill Audited October 18 th 1784 14 5" 66 60 £62 4 18 Audited Accounts A : 147 (NYSL) The State of New York in Account Current whit [sic] the Commissioners f< detecting and defeating Conspiracies. 1 Vouchers for money paid D T . N? 1 Isaiah Butler .£10 „ 2 Rutger Bleecker „ 3 Justicia van Hoesen 2 (/ 4 Commissioners of Charlotte County II 400 u 5 Jonathan Beacraft !j 7 1 The original statement in the handwriting of Leonard Gansevoort, Jr., is in Revolutionary MSS., vol. 40, p. 159, in the office of the State Comptroller, and is more accurate as to names. Serious errors are here pointed out in annotations. 1 Justice Van Hoesen. 8io State of New York Audited Accounts A : 147 (NYSL) N° 6 Peter Bont u 7 Burger Blauw' „ 8 Jacob Wiltse „ 9 Joseph Gilford „ 10 Jacob van Valkenburgh. . . . „ 1 1 Isaac Shelden „ 12 Cornelius C Muller „ 13 Cloude van Deusen a 14 Richard Bronck „ 1 5 Cornelius van Deusen „ 16 Leonard Gansevoort Junior „ 17 Cornelius Humfrey „ 19 Christopher Hawk „ 18 Cornelius Humfrey „ 20 John Smith M 21 Leonard Gansevoort Junior /; 22 Wilhelmus Haines „ 23 Isaac A. Fonda „ 24 John Seton „ 25 Cornelius Humfrey „ 26 John Smith „ 27 Mathew Aerson „ 28 John Ryley u 29 John Sloss „ 30 James Knowles „ 31 Cornelius Groesbeeck „ 32 Samuel Lauden 2 „ 33 Cornelius Humfrey „ 34 Daniel Kettle „ 35 Christopher Hawk " 36 Clyne and Robinson 3 „ 37 Jacob Klyne 4 « 38 John Ryley u 39 .Samuel Shaw „ 40 John Vischer 1 Burger Clauw. 2 Samuel Loudon, the printer. ■ Robison. * Kline. £3 4 3 4 4 — 17 2 4 12 16 — 5 10 — 4 7 4 3 4 ~~ 16 16 1 4 — 8 — 16 — 6 — 40 * 4 1 4 21 4 — 5 7 2 8 6 t 8 g 17 4 460 18 4 16 4 16 4 : 2 8 — 4 3 4 26 8 1 1 7 5 16 34 ,6 1 Appendix II : Financial Accounts 811 Audited n° 41 Samuel Loadman Accounts _ „ A : 147 « 42 vStephen Bell (NYSL) u 43 Isaac Bogert u 44 David van Rensselaer „ 45 Peter Gunsalis „ 46 Cornelius C: vanden Bergh „ 47 John Lansing Junior „ 48 Leonard Gansevoord Junior „ 49 Ab? Lansing & Ab™ vanden Berg /( 50 Alexander Anderson „ 5 1 Isaac Goes „ 52 Stephen Bell /< 53 John K: Beeckman „ 54 Cornelius Humfrey „ 55 Hugh Mitchell „ 56 Myndert Wemple 1 /( 57 Robert Smith „ 58 Wessel van Schaick u 59 Volkert Dawson „ 60 Stephen Bell tl 61 John Smith j 4 62 Jeremiah van Rensselaar „ 63 Col : Porters 2 M 64 Cornelius C: Miller „ 65 Stephen Viele „ 66 Christopher P: Yates „ 67 Stephen Bell „ 68 Denis M: Carty u 69 William Colbrath' „ 70 Peter Magee „ 71 Jonathan Sever „ 72 Philip Conine „ 73 Stephen Hoyt' „ 74 Samuel T: ten Broeck 1 1 Myndert A. Wemple. ' Porter. 'Colbreath. •Hoit or Hayt. • Samuel I. Ten Broeck ^5 15 6 16 17 4 27 6 15 14 8 92 «5 6 63 '3 6 20 — — iS — — 98 8 5 — — — 5 24 - 12 — — 19 16 — 42 — — 43 — — 4 — — 1 4 — 26 — — 13 17 4 25 4 _ 20 — — 6 8 — 36 — — 34 2 — 16 — 166 4 — 47 16 4 16 20 27 10 8 2 100 25 10 2 8 812 State of New York Audited Accounts A : 147 (NYSL) [? 75 Edward Archer , 76 Mathew Vischer , 77 David Gibson , 78 Cloude van Deusen & Peter Bont , 79 Commissioners of Charlotte county , 80 Hugh M": Adam , 81 John C Lansing 1 y 82 Jeremiah Fonda , 83 William Harrison , 84 John M? Coy , 85 John J a Beeckman , 86 Henry Shaver , 87 Bethuel Washburn , 88 Cornelius Cuyler , 89 Jesse Fairchilds 2 90 Ezra Buel , 91 Bethuel Washburn y 92 Jacob Slingerland 3 y 93 Peter Seeger , 94 Jeremiah van Rensselaar , 95 John 5 Lansing , 96 Petrus Wynkoop , 97 Bethuel Washburn , 98 Bethuel Washburn , 99 Richard Yselstyn* 100 Bethuel Washburn 101 Bethuel Waschburn 102 Isaac D: Fonda 103 John Fonda Junior 104 Thomas Ismay 105 Daniel Dickinson 5 106 Leonard Gansevoort Junior 107 Amaziach Winchester 8 , 108 Jacob Gaul , 109 Bethuel Waschburn 7 , 110 Mathew Vischer 1 John 5 Lansing. 1 Dickison. = Fairchild. 1 Amaziah Winchester ' Slingerlandt. ' Washburn. 4 Esselstyne. £22 10 4 — — 28 14 7 8 — 100 — — 32 — — 217 8 17 3 28 5 4 1 1 15 — 24 10 — 80 — — 197 — — 92 1 1 4 222 8 128 16 — — 12 — — 28 12 — 20 — 15 1 2 — 202 8 10 100 — — 37i 2 — 67 12 — 7 1 1 4 4i 17 — 58 4 — 74 3 — 74 91 19 6 46 16 144 96 16 50 25 4 210 Appendix II : Financial Accounts Audited Accounts A : 147 (KYSL) 1 1 1 Jesse Fairchilds 1 . . . . : 112 Stephen Bell „ H3 Jacob Kidney „ 114 Jacob Kidney u 115 Leonard Gansevoort Junior Continental 1778 Money received C 28 April To cash received from G: Bancker EsqT Treas urer of the State of New York 12 August To cash from dito 1779 15 Jann To ditto (/ d° in Sundry Payments 31 May To ditto ditto 21 Oct: To ditto ditto Balance due commissi carried to Specie account . . ^765 80 80 60 292 66506 Continental .66506 16 J : V : Rensselaar Math: Yisscher > late Commiss" John M' Beeckman I .61000 1000 1000 1500 2000 6 To Ball pT contra bro 1 forward .66. 16. 1 reduced in Specie is To a Ballance on an Account of Jesse Fairchild . To u ditto u „ d° „ Stephen Bell . . . To t ditto „ „ d° „ Cornelius Humfrey N° I I I u I I 2 54 16 1 2 u 3 u 4 u 5 u 6 a 7 a 8 To am! of Stephen Bell's acct ^ Voucher To d? „ Jesse Hainhild 2 To d? Jacob Kidney To d? Robert Hassin 3 To d? Peter Bronk To Robbert Kennedy To John D: Clute Coenraad Klvne 1 Fairchild. • The auditor's record is incorrect, as the name should be Fairchild. 5 Harper. £- 3 4 3 1 2 9 72 20 19 6 6 5 30 81 17 10 70 2 10 4 6 2 4 9 8 2 814 State of New York Audited pj? Accounts A : 147 (NYSL) 9 John Fortftiydt 10 Thomas Cole 11 Robert Kennedy 12 Jac: Caldwell 13 Stuwart Deane 1 14 John Vissher 15 David Gibson 17 Goose van Schaick 18 David Fonda 20 Am* of Isaac D Fondas acct as Commissioner. . . 21 do „ S: Stringer d° d° 22 d? „ John M: Beeckman d° 23 d? „ Mathew Vissher 2 d? 19 Isaac D: Fonda 24 Am 1 of Jerem: Van Rensselaar acct as Commiss r . 25 /; „ L: Gansevoort Junior as Clerk 26 d? to diff' people 1780 16 Dec: 1781 17 Sept. 19 Nov. 1782 16 Jann 11 Maart Received Cr: By cash from the Treasury . „ d° d? d? , d? i d? * d? u d? from forfeited Recognizances from T: Truax 3 . . . . u „ „ /( „ P. Trimhout* . „ „ « « « P:Empie s .... I. Collayer 6 . . . Balances due the Commissioners ^16 5 8 12 86 1 5 14 1 467 283 499 284 138 534 23 ^2690 19 ^41 160 76 73 350 80 12 20 1868 2690 1 Stewart Dean. 1 Visscher. 'Jacob Truax. * Peter Finehout. ( Philip Empie. • Isaac Collayer. Appendix II : Financial Accounts 815 Audited Df Accounts „, , „ . _ A • 147 To BaB - P Contra (NYSL) To am. of Pctrus Wynkoops acc. " d? Hugh Mitchel Balance due the Commissioners. . Audited 19 November 1784. 1868 9 6 60 21 1 . 6 1949 1 1 1949 1 1 A : 208 (NYSL) Audited State of New York D! to Joseph Gasharie Corn? E. Wynkoop & Corn Accounts Schoonmaker Commissioners of Conspiracies To Joseph Gasharie as ^ Acco N° 1 . 10 „ 6 „ — To Corn* E. Wynkoop d° 2 . 9 u 2 „ — To Corn s Schoonmaker $ d° 3. 9*164 — 1781 July 31 To Cash p d Cap* Bogardus as $ Rec^. 6 M — „ — 1782 Feb y 8 To Cash p d Corn 5 Bicker. . $ ditto. . 3 „ 12 „ — 26 To d° paid Martin Snyder. . ft ditto. . 3 „ 15 „ — June 8 To d° paid Augustus Jay . . $ ditto. . 2 „ 8 4 — 1781 Dec r By Cash rece'd of the Treasurer Audited 11 th April 1785 — 44 // 10 // 40* Audited Accounts A : 208 (NYSL) State of New York to Egbert Benson DT To my Service as a Commissioner for Conspi- cies from the 5 th Feb y 1778 to the time of my resigning the said Office 400 Days @ 20/ 33 day pursuant to the Act of the Legisla- ture of 5 Feb y 1778 £400 „, — „ — Deduct for depreciation at 160 for 100 is equal to 1 2 / 6 $i day f 1 50 u — „ — Audited 11 th April 1785 — 8i6 State of New York Audited State of Mew York to Robert Harpur D r Accounts _ A : 210 For mv Services as a Commissioner for Conspi- (NYSL) racies from 13 th July 1778 to 4 th Jan y 1780 pursuant to the Act of the Legislature of 5 th Fe'a y 1778 — 370 days @ 20/ 370 u — Deduct for Depreciation at 160 for 100 138 „ 15 Audited 12 th April 1785 Audited State of New York D r to Cornelius E. Wynkoop Accounts p or _ days Service as a Commissioner for de- A-.2I3 y (NYSL) tecting and defeating Conspiracies from the 17 th April 1778 to 26 th Aug^ 1780 at Pough- keepsie @ 20 / ^ day 50 „ — „ — For 3 days service as ditto at Kingston @ 20/. 3 „ — /; — 53 // // Deduct Depreciation at 160 for 100 19 „ 17 „ 6 Audited 14 th April 1785 — Audited State of New York D^ to Cornelius Schoonmaker A • 213 To 60 Days Service from 4 th July 1778 to 15 th (NYSL) Sept r 1779 as a Commissioner of Conspira- cies @ 20/ $ day 60 „ — „' To 39 Days ditto from 6 th Sept r 1780 to 26 th ^ March 1783 as above @ 14/ day \ 27 „ 6 „ 87 By Depreciation deducted on .£60 at 160 for 100 Audited 14 th April 1785 — Appendix II : Financial Accounts 8i 7 Audited < late of New York D r to Israel Thompson Esq r Accounts . , , _ . . late one of the Coinmiss . of Conspiracies A : 215 (.NYSL) For 22 days Attendance (as Commissioner by Virtue of an Act of the Legislature passed 5 th Feb y 1778) between the 9 th April & 25 th June 1778 @ 20/ 22 „ — To 3 days travelling to & from Pougkepsie @ 20/ 3,,— 25//" By Depreciation on £25 — „ — @ 160 for 100. 9 „ 7 „ 6 Audited 19 th April 1785 — Audited State of New York Df to ComP of Conspiracies Accounts To Teunis Tappen Secretary to the Commiss 1 (NYSL) ^ or Amo 1 . of his Acco' of incidental Charges and his Pay as Secretary to the Board . . 1779 March 1 1 By Cash return'd by Isaac Bloom for One Barrel Pork spoil'd — purchas'd for the Use of the Prisoners £18 u — „ — Cont 1 . reduc'd to Specie at 1000 for 100. . . OctobT By Cashrece'd from Sun ] dry Tory Prisoners to defray their Expences Viz* 21 „ 12 u 9 2 « 8 n 500 // 2 I u 16 — William Tud . . . William Ealigh. William Brown. Nicholas Stickle William Wood.. Simon Low .... 2 • 8 „ 2 u 15 ,/ 4 2 „ 16 „ — Cont! Curr>' 37 „ 18 „ 1 £zi a 18 „ 1 Cont! reduced to Spe- cie @ 2032 for 100 1 * 17 * 3 15 496 Audited 19 th April 1785 8i8 State of New York Audited Accounts A : 216 (NYSL) Audited Accounts A : 284-5 (NYSL) State of New York D T . to Com" of Conspiracies for Dutchess County by Virtue of an Act of the Legislature passed 5 th Feb ry 1778 — To Zephaniah Piatt, between 6 th April 1778 & I st Jan y 1780 — 90 days @ 20/ $ day | .£90 — u — reduc'd at 160 for 100 j To Thomas Moffat between 10 th June 1778 &] 27 th of same Month 15 days @ 20/. . . . .£15 — „ — reduc'd at 160 for 100 To Joseph Strang between 22 d June 1778 &] I st April 1779 — 13 days @ 20/ £\t, — „ — reduc'd at 160 for 100 To Peter Cantine JunT between 15 th Nov 1 "] 1779 & 20 th of same Month — 6 days @ 20/ £6 — — reduc'd at 160 for 100 Audited 19 th April 1785 56, 9 ./ 7 // 6 M 2 a 6 3* 15* State of New York D r to Joseph Strang One of the Commissioners for detecting & defeating Conspiracies in Dutchess County Days To my Services as Commissi from 19 th March to May 5 th 1777 both days included To ditto from 23 d June to 4 th July 1778 To ditto from 13 th Aug 1 to 4 th Sept 1- 1778 .... To ditto 14 th & 15 th Sept r 1778 looking about to carry some Persons to be sent off To my Services as Commiss r I st & 2 d Oct r 1778 attending the Commiss r . s at Poug- kepsie & preparing to send Persons off To ditto from I st to 10 th Nov r 1778 notify- ing such Persons as were directed to go within the Enemies Lines & sending them off '5 IS 4* 48$ days 48* days @ 20 $ day reduc'd at 160 100 30 „ 6 ( , 3 Appendix II : Financial Accounts 8 *9 i 77 8 Audited Accounts _ A * 284-5 ^ e I 3t 4 10 Cash paid John Haynes (NYSL) for l6 days riding in Service > 26 „ — „ — of Commissioners To ditto p' 1 Samuel Lyon for noti- fying Evidences & other Ser- >■ 3 u — „, — vices To ditto paid for Paper & Quills. 1 « 4 30 * 1 „ 4 .63° « 1 u 4 reduc'd at 400 for 100 is Specie. . . « 10 /; 4 37 // 16 „ 7 C r 1785 April 19 By an Acco' audited this day for 8 „ 2 „ 6 Audited 19 th October 1785 — 29 14 1 Audited state of New York D r to Ebenezer Purdy Accounts A ; 316 as ne °f tne Commiss . for detecting (NYSL) Conspiracies To Cash paid for hire of Guards & their Expences while in Service Audited 25 th February 1786 Audited State of New York to Charles R. ^Vebste^ Accounts „ ^ 1783 Dr. B : 44 (NYSL) April 14 To inserting in the New York Gazetteer an Act entitled an Act to repeal an Act entitled An Act to revive the Laws appointing Commissioners for detecting & defeating Conspiracies & to give certain powers to Magistrates & Courts therein mention'd passed the 27 th March 1783 making in the said paper s,\ squares at 8/ $ square . . . Audited 25 th August 1786 820 State of New York Audited State of New York to Josiah Ingersol A c counts g . 12 j To Certain services performed for the State (NYSL) at the Request of Zephaniah Piatt and Egbert Benson late Commissioners for Conspiracies & c in transporting Certain quantities of Beef and having the same Smooked to prevent it from Spoiling in the year 1779 Sworn to by Egbert Benson Aud 22 Nov r 1787 D r Audited Accounts B : 190 (NYSL) The Commissioners for Conspiracies & c To Robert Hoffman C* To 3 Barrell of Superfine Flour 130 each at 30/ fi hundred To 3 Barril @ 2/6 each Sworn to by Stephen Hendrickson and Robert Hoffman th £ 8 Audited June 30 1789. STATE TREASURER Day Book, Vol. 2 — April, 1778 to September, 1784 (Archives of New York State Library) April 28* h 1778 Jeremiah V: Rensselaer, Isaac D. Fonda & c the Commissi of Conspiracy in Albany ap- pointed by virtue of the late Law. D T . To Cash 1933. July i? 4 1778 Sundry Accounts D r To Cash viz* Zephaniah Piatt & c the Commissioners of Conspiracy at Poughkepsie last app d 2002. £ s 1000 1500 Audited Accounts B:si2-2i3 (NYSL) State of New York D T . to Teunis Tappen, appointed by the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York to Supply the Prisoners Confined by them with Bread — 1779 July Aug 4 Sept Octo Nov Dec 1780 Jany Feb r March Apr 1 May June July Aug 1 Sept Octo Nov Dec r 1781 Jany Feby March April May June July Augt Sept Octo Nov Dec m 1782 Jany Feby March Apr 1 May June July 1778 Octo r 1779 W 1781 June 1 July 16 1782 My To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To flour by him furnished for the use of the Prison- ers Committed by order of the Commissioners for Detecting and defeating Conspiracies &?from the 16 th day of July 1779 until the 31 st day of the same Mon To D° from the of the same M To D° from the the same Mon To D° from the D°. . D°. . D .. D .. D°. . D°. . D°. . D°.. D .. D°.. D°. . D°. . D .. To D° D°. To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To D° To P° To D° To D° ToD° To D° To D° D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. D°. h Quantity 1 Day of August 1779 until 31 st nth 1 Day of Sept 1779 until 30 of h Day of Octo 1779 until 30 of theD . D° Nov— D° until D°. D° Decern D° until 3l at . . ..D°. D°Jany 17S0 until 31 st D .. D° Feb' D° March D° D° April D" D° May D° D° June D° D° July D° D° Aug' D° Sept D° Octo D° Nov D° Dec 1 ' D° D° D° D° D° D° 31 D°. D° 30 D°. D° ^1 D°. D° 30 D°. D° Jany 17S1 D° Feb y D° D° March D° D° April D° D° May D° D° June D° D° July D° D° 30. D° 31. D° 28. D° 30. D° 3 i. D° 30. D° 31. D° Augt D° Sept D° Octo D° Nov D° Dec" 1 D° D° D° D° D° D°Jany 1782 D° Feby D° D° Mar D° Apr 1 D° May D° D° D° D° 3 i. D° 28. D° 31. D° 30" D° 31. . D . . .D .. . D°. . .D°.. .D .. D° June D° D° July D° D° 30 D .. D° 30 D°... 16 at ,£20. Cont 1 f, 1 at D" D° D° until 28 D .. . D° 31 D°... D° 30 D°... D° 31 st D°. . . D° 30 th D°... D° 3l 8t D°... .D°... .D°... D°... .D°... .D°... .D°... .D°... .D°... D° 31 D°... D° 30 D°... D° 31 D°... D° 31 D°. .. D° 30 D°... 26 at D? 10 @ 24 , 18 @ D° 1 o@£4Q D° D° D° D° 4 „ o „ 24 @ 60 D° 3„o„22@ D° D° 3„i*i7@ D° D° 124 / 252 , 191 , 204, 13 , 1 @ 163 1 for 100 6 @ 1709 D° o @ 1908 D° 10 @ 2151 D° 2 @ 2433 D° @ 2741 D° 2@3"5 D° 9 © 3533 D° 1 @ 4000 D° • 4 11 // 8 •4 11 2 „ 5 •4 11 I n • 5 11 I // 26 .0 11 3 a 19 .0 a 2 // 22 . 1 a in 9 •3 11 2 » 24 ■5 11 On 2 • 3 11 3 // 14 .2 11 3 11 25 ■ 3 11 1 « *9 a 2 11 1 « 24 .2 20 . 1 16 . 1 a ' « 16 .2 « 1 11 14 .2 a // 24 . 1 // 3 // 3 . 1 11 1 // 24 7 a 1 « .2 // « 6 15 // 3 a 26 at 40/ in Specie. 5// in 15 ©32/ do 12 „ 3 * 13 at 28 / 24/ l at 24/. C q r it 1 1 11 I 11 1 1 C q r tt I 20/. C q' 4 „ 1 „ 8 at 18/3. 12 „ o „ o @ 23/. . ToD° D°....i D° Aug 1 D° D° 15 days j To May 1783 of Which the Account is lost about ) * " " Thomas Greves 8 Account for services by him performed by order of the Commissioners & c £5 „o „o Con tinental at 500 for 100 To Thomas Corbins D° for like Services 35 u 18 „o D° at 796. . . .do To James Rosekrance D° D° D° To David Elliot D° D° D° To David Elliot 2 d Acco 1 D° . . D° Audited i?' December 1789 in Specie D° 3i 13 176 £20S 18 IS 16 16 Appendix II : Financial Accounts 821 July 12 th 1778 £ s j u Jeremiah V Renselaer & c the Comm" of Conspiracy at Albany to Cash 2037 1000 — August 28* h 1778 Zephaniah Piatt &° Commissioners of Con- spiracy D r To Cash 2038 500 — — O 4 ...... 1 , , 1 1 ___0 September 25 1778 Sundry Accounts D r To Cash viz' Zepheniah Piatt &° Comm rs of Conspiracy 2067 500 — — November 8, 1778 Sundry Accounts D lo Cash viz. Zephaniah Piatt &: Commissioners of ConspY in part of the ,£3000 Credit by a Law passed the [blank] 2084 500 — — Tanuarv i? 1 I77Q Sundry Accounts D r To Cash viz' Zephaniah Piatt &? the Comm^ of 2000 — — T St January 1 1779 Sundry Accounts D To Cash viz. 402 1 17 6 January is 1 . 11 1779 Jeremiah V Rensselaer & c The Albany ComT s Conspiracy D r To Rooseboom Bancker & White for so much J M c Kesson received from them & paid you .£500 u — u — To Leonard Gansevoort Treasurer of the Co. of Albany for my Draft on L Gansevoort 500 „ — (/ — 1000 for the above two Sums See their Order & J M c Kessons Receipt May 31?* 1779 Jeremiah V Rensselaer 8t? D r 1500 822 State of New York June 30 1779 Zephaniah Piatt &? D r (May 29 th ) To Cash Advanced to them a[s] Comm^ of Conspiracy 2258 October 15? 11 1779 Sundry Accounts D? To Cash viz? Zeph 1 ? Piatt & a on Acco? 2279 October 21 s . 1 1779 Jeremiah V. Rensselaer &? DT To Cash p? Matthew Fisher 1 one of the Comm? s of Conspiracy of the County of Albany 2281 November i8? h 1779 Sundry Accounts D r To Cash viz? Zephaniah Piatt Comm? s of Conspiracy 2368 September 23"? 1780 Sundry Acco? 3 D? To Cash viz? Zeph h Piatt Commr s of Conspiracy the Ballance of an Account this day settled 2503 A. January 29? h 1781 Cash D r To Zephaniah Piatt &* a repaym* of .£2000. which they had not Credited in their Account Audited & Settled at Poughkeepsie To State of N Y re? of ditto the forfeited Recognizance of Peter Storm of ditto. . . ,D° of Ja s Hammond jun r June 12 th 1781 Jeremiah V. Rensselaer & Co CommT s of Con- spiracy D r To Cash paid them the 16 th December last £ 41 „ N E. at 40. the then Exchange 261 1 1500 56 400 268 1640, ' Visscher. Appendix II : Financial Accounts 823 September 17 th 1781 Sundry Accounts D r To Cash viz' Jeremiah V Rensselaer &? Commissioners of Conspiracy in Albany £160 N. E 2783 £160 November io' h 1781 Joseph Gasherie Cornelius Schoonmaker and Cornelius E Wynkoop Comm rs of Conspiracy DT To Cash 2809 .£40 „ — „ — Jeremiah V. Rensselaer CommP 5 of Con- spiracy 2812 76 „ — u — January 16 1782 Jeremiah V Rensselaer & Co. To Cash ^73 « 14 » — N E 2823 March n 1 . 11 1782 Jeremiah V Rensselaer & Co D r To Cash paid Leonard Gansevoort jum" their Order ^350 N Emission 2831 January 29 1784 Sundry Accounts D r To Cash viz' Honeywell, Purdy & Rockw! Comm" Consp y for \V: Chester £20 „ — „ — 2984 February 20 th 1784 State of New York D r To Cash p d Ab. DePeyster Clerk of Comm rs ConspY ^50 — May 5 th 1784 State of New York D r To Sundry Accounts 2989 £ 3000 5700 552; 26250 1500 3750 To Alexander Webster, Ebenezer Clark, Alexander M c Nitt and John M c Clung Commissioners of Consp y in Charlotte County for Amount of their Acco' s of Contingencies say Ball 3027 £ 155 u 16 „ 2} 116H5 17 824 State of New York May 24 th 1784 Zephaniah Piatt the Commiss rs of Con- spiracy at Poughkeepsie Df To Cash p? R Harpur one of the Members of that Board 3165 .6 100 May 24 th 1784 State of New York D? To Sundry Accounts viz* To Zephaniah Piatt &*: for the pay of Robert Harpur a Member of the Board of Comm" of Conspiracy 3165 £ 156 u 12 „ — September 3^ 1784 Sundry Acco ts D r To Cash viz? Zep^ Piatt &? p? R. Harp r 3336 £56 12 — 7500 1 1 745 4245 1778 Sep 1 23 April 28 July 1 July 12 Aug 1 12 28 STATE TREASURER Accounts — May, 1775 to January, 1797 (Archives of New York State Library) £ s. d -| By Cash from Egbert Benson &? Comm" of Conspiracy 47 17 4 To Cash p d Jeremiah V. Rensselaer, Isaac D Fonda &? Commissioners for detecting Conspiracies *933 1000 To Cash p^ Zephaniah Piatt & c the new App? Commissioners of Conspiracy. diff 1 Paym ts 2002 1500 To d? p cl Serg 1 David Mills pay of a party to apprehend disaffected persons 2023 50 To d? p d Jeremiah V. Rensselaer & c the Comm" of Conspiracy in Albany on Account 2037 1000 To d? p? Piatt &? the Coram" of Con- spiracy at Poughkepsie on Acco' 2038 500 Appendix II : Financial Accounts Sept*. 25 To d? p d Zephaniah Piatt & c the Commiss™ of Conspiracy at Poughkepsie on £ s Acco. 2067 500 — Nov. 8 To Cash p d Zephaniah Piatt & c the last Appointed Commissioners of Conspiracy in part of the .63000 C r by a Late Law 2084 500 — — 1779 Jan y 1 Paid Zephaniah Piatt & c the Commissi of Conspiracy at Poughkeepsie on Acco' 2098 2000 1 Paid Egbert Benson & c Coram" of Con- sp y 2104 4021 17 6 May 31 Paid Jeremiah V Rensselaer & c Comm rs Consp y at Albany 2247 1500 June 30 Paid ZepP Piatt & c Comm rs Conspiracy on Acco 1- 2258 1500 — Octob r 1 5 Paid Zep h Piatt & c Comm rs Conspiracy 2279 2000 21 Paid Jeremiah V Rensselaer &? Com. Consp y 2281 2000 Nov r 18 Paid Zeph h Piatt & c Commrs Seq" [sic] 2368 2000 1780 Sep. 23 Paid Zephaniah Piatt & c Comm" Consp y A2503 56 O I I 1781 June 6 Paid Jeremiah V. Rensselaer Com. Consp y 261 1 1640 Sep 1 17 Paid Jer" V. Rensselaer & c Commissioners of Conspiracy £160 2783 1 2000 Nov-r 19 Paid Gasherie Sclioonmaker & Wynkoop Comm" Conspiracy .640 2809 3000 19 Paid Jer: V. Rensselaer & Com.Cons: £j6 2812 5700 1 78 1 Jan y 29 From Zep h Piatt & c Com. Consp y ' 2000 From d? for Sundry Forfeited Recognizances 668 1782 Jan y 16 Paid Jer: V Rensselaer & Com: Consp: N E £73 „ 14 — 2823 5527 IO March 11 Paid Jer: V Rensselaer & c Com: Cons: NE£35Q 2831 26250 1 This item is out of order in the original. 826 State of New York 1784 JanX 29 FebV 20 May 5 May 24 Sep* 3 October 11 12 12 Nov. 20 25 1785 April 12 12 H 18 May 7 October 21 Decern r 20 Specie Continental 10 xioney well , ruray oc kock- well, Commiss Consp . W. £ s d £ s ( 1 * U 1 500 if A Commiss; Cons. ^50 ;/ — ^—2989 5° * 375° IO W cDSLcr, OC - 111 pail (Commissi Conspiracy) 3027 34 a 3 25OO 1 1 At j jneni an iria.Lt for Sam! Stringer J Conspiracies 1 Endorsed: Return of the Persons banished by by Commiss" at Albany AN EXCHANGE. May it please your Excellency. New York Having been a Prisoner on Parole to the Commissioners of CoL MSS - 102 : 19 Conspiracy for these two years past, & confined to the Town (NYSL) of Schenectady, not being allowed to reside on my Farm, — I7 8i Mar. 30. 1 The body of this document is in the handwriting of Leonard Ganse- voort, Jr., and is signed by the Commissioners. 8 3 6 State of New York my Property not protected; — These, with other Reasons, induce me to wish for Permission to remove to Canada with my Family. — I have therefore] presumed to apply to your Excellency for Permission to be exchanged for some Citizen of this State now a Prisoner in Canada, and that I may be allowed to go under the Protection of the first public Flagg. — I will do myself the Honor to wait personally upon your Ex- cellency at any Hour that may be convenient. — An Answer from your Excellency will much oblige, Your most obedient & very humble serv- His Excellency John Stuart. Governor Clinton. Albany March 30 th 1781 I hereby signify my Consent and Approbation to the Ex- change of John Stuart agreable to his above Request. Given at Albany this 30 th March 1781 Geo: Clinton Addressed: Endorsed: To John Stuart permitted to be His Excellency exchanged by the Gov- Governor Clinton ernor Albany March 30 th 1781 filed in the Secretary's Of- fice the 30 th day of March 1781 — See Analytical Index Vol. III.