one encouragement held up to those soldiers who should enlist was, that they should have each of them one hundred acres of land when the troubles in America should be over. That the deponent does not believe any men are engaged in the County of Albany, because that there is no person there to engage them. That this deponent is unwilling to serve against his countrymen and fellow-subjects in America, and is sorry the disturbances have risen to so great a height. And further this deponent saith not.

“ANGUS MCDONALD.

“Sworn this 14th of June, 1775, before me:

“JOHN MCKESSON, Notary Publick.”

It appearing to this Congress by a Letter found in the custody of Angus McDonald, and by the Deposition of the said Angus McDonald, and by the examinations of sundry witnesses before this Congress., that Alexander McDonald, now, or late of Richmond County, has been concerting measures and employing agents to enlist men to be employed against the liberties of America,

Ordered, therefore, That the said Alexander McDonald be secured and kept in safe custody, and that all his papers be secured and examined; and that Messrs. Abraham Brasher, Zephaniah Platt, and Melancton Smith, be a Committee for that purpose; and that Colonel Lasher be desired to send a Sergeant’s Guard (with those gentlemen) properly appointed, to attend them, and to obey Mr. Brasher in all things.

Whereas, from the Information of Captain Thompson, received this day, there is reason to apprehend that Troops may soon arrive here from Ireland; and from the evidence before this Congress, it appears that it would be very unsafe and imprudent to permit or suffer so dangerous a person as Angus McDonald to remain in this Colony, and enjoy his liberty at this juncture:

Ordered, therefore, That the said Angus McDonald be sent to General Wooster’s camp, with a request from this Congress that he may be put in such a state of security as may effectually prevent any mischief that might arise from his being left at large.

And Ordered, That a request be sent to Colonel Lasher to send a guard of twelve trusty men, properly equipped and armed, to take the custody and charge of Angus McDonald, and to convey him to General Wooster’s camp at Greenwich, in Connecticut. And that the whole guard go with the said Angus McDonald to King’s Bridge; that half of the guard be at liberty to return from thence, and that the other half of the said guard proceed with the said Angus McDonald, by the way of White Plains, to General Wooster’s camp.

A Letter to General Wooster, covering a copy of the Affidavit of the said Angus McDonald, was read, and approved of; and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 14, 1775.

SIR: From the enclosed affidavit you will be able to collect the design of sending Angus McDonald to you under guard. We have received information by Captain Thompson, who arrived here last night from Cork, in Ireland, that four full Regiments have embarked in Ireland for this City, and may be expected here every hour; we therefore think it unsafe to suffer so dangerous a person to enjoy his liberty at this juncture; and beg leave to recommend it to you to put him in such a state of security as may effectually prevent any mischief that might arise from his being left at large.

We are, Sir, with great respect, your most humble servants.

To Major-General Wooster.

Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter to General Wooster be engrossed, signed by the President, and transmitted with the said Guards.

Mr. Foster (seconded by Colonel Clinton ) moved in the words following, to wit: I move that a message be immediately despatchecd to Major-General Wooster, commanding a body of Troops in the southern part of Connecticut, requesting him forthwith to march the said Troops to the distance of five miles of this City.

Agreeable to the tenth Rule of this Congress, at the request of the Deputies of three Counties, to wit: the Counties of Albany, Richmond, and Charlotte,

Ordered, That this matter be deferred till to-morrow morning.

The Congress adjourned till to-morrow at nine o’clock.

Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., June 15, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened with prayers by the Reverend Mr. Mason. Present:

For the City and County of New-York.—Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, Jacobus Van Zandt, Isaac Sears,

For the City and County of Albany.—Volkert P. Douw, Esq., Vice-President; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn.

For Dutchess County.—Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah Platt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett.

For Ulster County.—James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, John Nicholson.

For Orange County.—David Pye, Benjamin Tusteen, Jeremiah Clarke.

For Suffolk County.—Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra L’Hommedieu.

For Westchester County.—Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, Robert Graham, William Paulding.

For King’s County.—Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt.

For Queen’s County.—Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom.

For Charlotte County.—John Williams, William Marsh.

A Letter from Ethan Allen, bearing date at Crown Point, June 2d, instant, with a small addition wrote on the cover, was read;

Also another Letter from Ethan Allen and James Easton, which appears to be a copy of a Letter by them sent to the People of Canada, was read.

Ordered, That the said Letters be filed.

Mr. Sears informed the Congress, that there is reason to believe that there is Ammunition in a store near the Battery, and delivered in a certificate of George Campbell, which was read.

Ordered, That George Campbell and his servant maid, Elizabeth Randon, be sent for.

Mr. Silvester, from the Committee appointed to examine into the case of William Duer, delivered in their Report, which being read, is in the words following, to wit:

Your Committee do reports: That, agreeable to your order of the day, they have made a full inquiry into Mr. Duer’s case, which they conceive to be of a most delicate nature. They are fully of opinion that insinuations against his conduct, with relation to the Northern Frontier of this Colony, have by some means been circulated, which in their nature deeply endanger his person and property. That nevertheless they are fully convinced that those insinuations are entirely groundless; that they are altogether satisfied of his integrity and attachment to American liberty; and do therefore recommend him as really meriting the publick countenance and protection of this Congress. The above are the sentiments of your Committee, which is nevertheless submitted to the better opinion of the Congress.

New-York, June 14, 1775.

The Congress agree with the Committee in their said Report; and Ordered, That it be recommended by this Congress to all persons within this Colony, and other the inhabitants of America, not to injure William Duer, Esq., either in his person or property.