before this Committee. And one James Webb, a passenger on board said Vessel when stranded, appeared before this Committee, by whose deposition it appears that said Vessel was bound from New-York to Boston, and from all circumstances, the Provisions on board were designed for the Ministerial army.

The Committee taking the above matters into consideration, think it proper that the whole of the said cargo be immediately sold, and the Vessel secured; which Vessel, with the amount of the sales, after deducting the necessary expenses, be referred to the disposal of the Congress of this Colony at their next sitting. And that Colonel David Forman, Doctor Nathaniel Scudder, and Thomas Henderson, be, and are hereby authorized and empowered to secure the abovesaid Vessel, and to complete the sales of the cargo, in some convenient time, and account for the sales, and report their proceedings to the Congress of this Province at their next sitting; and may deliver to the seamen and passengers belonging to said Vessel, all such clothing and other effects as belong to them, (exclusive of the cargo,) provided they call for the same in a reasonable time; and that the thanks of this Committee be returned to Colonel Forman, for his extraordinary care and vigilance in securing the said Vessel and cargo.

And whereas, it appears that the Captain, Master and Passengers of the Sloop Polly and Anne, stranded on Squan Beach, are inhabitants of the Colony of New-York; it is, therefore,

Ordered, That the said Captain, Master and Passengers, or such of them as are in this Province, be conveyed under guard, as Colonel Forman may think proper, to New-York, and delivered to the Provincial Congress or Committee of Safety, to be dealt with as they may think proper.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'clock.

Friday, January 12, 1776.

The Committee met.

Whereas, a certain Richard Symonds, a Midshipman, belonging to one of the King's ships-of-war, was, in September last, taken on board a small tender at Barnegat, since which he hath remained a prisoner in the County of Monmouth:

Ordered, That Richard Symonds be removed to Trenton, and there be admitted to remain a prisoner of war on his parole of honour, on the same terms granted to those officers who are already prisoners at that place.

Robert Ellison, Esq., of the County of Sussex, was brought before this Committee, by order of the Commit tee of the County of Sussex, on a charge of many misdemeanors committed against the liberties of America, and among others of entering into an Association, resolving not to pay the tax ordered to be levied by the Congress of this Province, and not to purchase any goods which might be distrained from persons for their taxes, or for non-attendance at musters. Mr. Ellison being informed of said charge, confessed the same to be true, and that he was influenced thereto by Justice Nathaniel Pettit; but that after signing the said Association, he had erased his name therefrom; that he had nothing to offer in his justification, but his ignorance of the consequence of his proceedings, and his precipitately engaging therein without consideration, and manifested a deep contrition for his offences. He acknowledged he had signed the Association recommended by the Provincial Congress, before signing the Association mentioned above. That after signing the General Association, and before his signing that now charged against him, he had been apprehended in Pennsylvania for practices un friendly to the liberties of America, where he then made a full recantation, and asked pardon of the publick, promising reformation.

Nathaniel Pettit, Esq., of the County of Sussex, also appeared before this Committee, by order of the Committee of said County, being charged with signing and promoting said Association, mentioned in Robert Ellison's charge; which the said Mr. Pettit confessed, only alleging in his justification, that he had no intention thereby of using any violent measures in opposing the proceedings of the Congress; and, being fully heard in his own justification, by order, withdrew.

The above charges against Mr. Ellison and Mr. Pettit, were reserved to the consideration of the Committee in the afternoon.

Adjourned till two o'clock, P. M.

The Committee met.

The Committee resumed the consideration of the matters alleged against Robert Ellison and Nathaniel Pettit, Esq., and the facts charged against them, appearing by their own confessions, to be true, and the offences of both being nearly equal,

Resolved, That the said Robert Ellison and Nathaniel Pettit be returned to the County of Sussex, under the custody of Colonel Ephraim Martin, and that they be both disarmed, and pay to the Committee of the aforesaid County, or their Chairman, the sum of eight pounds each towards defraying the expenses of apprehending and bringing them before the Committee. And, also, that they severally give security to the said Committee or their Chairman in the sum of fifty pounds each, for their future good behaviour, and, thereupon, be discharged from further detention. And, as during the present process, the said Ellison and Pettit have not only appeared unfriendly to the liberties of this country, but from their conduct have appeared unworthy of the offices of Magistracy which they now sustain; this Committee, therefore, think it advisable for the said delinquents to desist from the further execution of their respective offices, until, by their future good behaviour, they may appear more worthy to execute the same, and shall be called thereto by the Congress or Committee of Safety of this Province. And that the Committee of the County of Sussex be assured of this Commit tee's hearty approbation of their timely and spirited exertions in apprehending the above persons.

A Memorial from the Committee of the County of Cumberland, was presented to this Committee and read, setting forth, that they had apprehended, and secured in custody, Daniel Stretch, Richard Cayford, and Nathaniel Dowdney, inhabitants of that County, convicted of being enemies to this country, by using their influence, with the ignorant and unwary, to raise a party to oppose the measures adopted for redress of grievances; cursing and ill-treating all Congresses and Committees, and refusing to give any reasonable satisfaction for their extraordinary con duct. The said Committee requesting the direction of this Committee respecting said offenders,

This Committee, duly considering the conduct of the above persons, and finding it necessary to use spirited exertions for the discouragement of such base behaviour:

Do, Order and Resolve, That the Committee of the County of Cumberland detain the said Daniel Stretch, Richard Cayford, and Nathaniel Dowdney, in close con finement, until they shall manifest a suitable contrition for their offences, satisfactory to the said Committee; pay the charges that have or may accrue in apprehending and de taining them in custody; and give security to said Committee, in the sum of fifty Pounds each, for their future good behaviour.

Also, Resolved, That the said Daniel Stretch, Richard Cayford, and Nathaniel Dowdney be disarmed by the said Committee.

This Committee received several Resolutions and determinations of the Continental Congress, respecting raising one new Battalion in this Province; erecting and establishing a Court of Admiralty; advising the forming some useful regulations respecting the Continental forces raised in this Colony; which requisitions, together with many other important concerns, render the speedy meeting of the Congress of this Province absolutely necessary. This Committee have, therefore, appointed the meeting of said Congress to be at New-Brunswick, on Wednesday, the thirty-first day of this instant, (January.)

The Letter from Lord Stirling, recommending Matthias Halstead to be commissioned First Lieutenant, and Yelles Mead Ensign, in Captain Joseph Meeker's Company; in one of the Battalions raised in this Colony; and the Memorial of Yelles Mead, claiming the First Lieutenant's commission in said Company, and of George Ross, the third, claiming the Ensign's commission in said Company,