thereon, to Mr. Tredwell, to be by him transmitted to the Committee of Huntington.

Die Sabbati, January 13, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esquire, Chairman, Mr. Scott, Mr. McDougall, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Sands, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Tredwell.

This day is set apart for the hearing and trial of Prisoners. Several prisoners in the Guard-house were ordered to be brought before the Committee to be heard, and a report from the Barrack-Guard delivered in and filed.

William Weyman, who had been confined by the City Committee for going on board the ship Asia, and procuring barrels, and assisting to ship a sloop load of Pork for the Ministerial army and navy. He acknowledged, voluntarily, that he was guilty of the whole charge, appearing contrite and penitent for his ill conduct, the tendency of which was fully represented to him, he was reprimanded, and charged to tarry at home and behave prudently, and give no offence to his fellow-countrymen. Thereupon a Certificate was given to him, in the words following, to wit:

William Weyman, of Westchester County, who has been confined in the Upper Barracks in New-York, was this day brought before the Committee of Safety and heard. He acknowledged, voluntarily, the charges against him, and appeared contrite and penitent for his past ill conduct, the tendency of which was fully represented to him, he was reprimanded, charged to tarry at home, behave prudently, and give no offence to his fellow-countrymen, and not to act against the liberties of his country, all which he has solemnly engaged to do; he is, therefore, hereby discharged and permitted to return to his place of abode, and it is recommended to all friends of liberty and their country, to keep a watchful eye on his future conduct.

Azor Betts was next brought before the Committee, and charged by Christopher Duyckinck with having, in his presence, damned the Congresses and Committees, both Continental and Provincial, and said that they were a set of damned rascals, and acted only to feather their own nests, and not to serve their country; that they had shut up his shop, but that he hoped to see the day when he would shut them up, or overturn them, and mentioned Captain Buchanan and others, as witnesses, to support the charge. The said Azor Betts does not, in general, deny the charge, or desire any other witnesses to be called, but alleges that he did not mean to include all the members of Congresses and Committees, and supposes there are some good men among them, and at same time confesses that Captain Buchanan will give the like testimony as Christopher Duyckinck has done.

Thomas Service, who had been committed for carrying some person on board of one of the ships-of-war without any permit. He was admonished for his bad conduct and informed of the consequences if he should be taken in the like act hereafter, and was discharged.

Robert Simmons, confined by the City Committee, was brought in before the Committee.

Simon Cox, a person recommended to the Committee for his integrity, was produced as a witness. He declares that Simmons, the prisoner, offered him two pair of Silver Buckles, which he said were worth forty Shillings, if he would suffer him to escape. Robert Simmons was recommitted.

Captain John Buchanan says he heard Azor Betts damn the Congresses and Committees, and say they had taken the bread out of his mouth; that his business was inoculation. That the said Azor Betts has taken great pains to prevent Joseph Hunt, an Ensign in Captain Tylee's Company, from taking his commission.

Peletiah Haws gives the like testimony as to Azor Beth.

Lawrence Hartwick, brought before the Committee. Captain John Buchanan says that he has heard that Lawrence Hartwick is very unfriendly to the liberties of America, and that he frequently went on board of the man-of-war, and it is reported that he carried the names of persons this city on board, who are active for their country. Captain Buchanan says that he has heard Lawrence Hartwick declare that he had been on board of the man-of-war, would go on board again when he pleased, and would see: who would hinder him.

Mr. Scott departed with leave.

Lawrence Hartwick says he wanted a Musket, and went: on board to buy a Musket, and bought one of the Armourer and paid the money for it; that the gun was to be sent to him by the Pilot, but was not sent, and he went on board afterwards, at different limes, for his money. That when he was on board the ship Asia, Mr. Tylee was there, who asked him if he knew Captain Tylee at the ship-yards, and answered yes, and told him that he wanted to speak to him; that he told him he was not yet going on shore, and he might have an opportunity to speak to him. That after he came on shore he found a letter in his pocket, directed Captain Tylee, which he delivered two days afterwards, but does not know how he received it. That he never showed the letter to Captain Vandeput or any of his Officers.

Captain Nathaniel Tylee says he received a letter from the prisoner on a Sunday morning, in November last; that Hartwick told him Lieutenant Tylee had put it in his pocket in the gun-room; that the letter bad been sealed with a wafer and broken open, and resealed with a very large seal of wax. That on that evening the ship's decks were cleared, and some person informed him they expected a party and were in readiness. The letter was read; it has evident marks of being opened and resealed. That he charged Hartwick with breaking open the letter, and Hartwick denied it.

Captain Tylee gave the same information which was given to the Committee a few days ago, to wit: that Captain Vandeput told Tylee, the prisoner, in the ship Asia, that he had seen his letter, and his friend had betrayed him. That he would not use him ill, but that he set another Sentry over him.

John Butter says that about the same time, McDonald and Hampton got on board the man-of-war, Hartwick came several times from on board the man-of-war. That one evening when Hartwick and Leonard came from on board, they were told it was very wrong, and they said they would go on board when they pleased, and they would see who would hinder them; that Hartwick, in particular, said so; that he has understood, in general, that Hartwick is very much opposed to the measures of the Congress. Hartwick denies that he told Tylee that the letter was put in his pocket in the gun-room.

John Hunter says, that Hartwick's wife declared that when he found the letter in his coat-pocket, he said he would send it back on board of the man-of-war.

John Kell says that, one day last fall, Lawrence Hartwick told him there was a fine wind, and troops expected; that they would give the Whigs a drubbing presently; that he had advised Hartwick not to go on board of the man-of-war, but he persisted that he would go.

The Committee then took into consideration the case of Azor Betts, and, after some time spent in consideration thereof, the Committee conceive that he is a dangerous person; and to prevent the bad tendency of his wicked practices, ought not to be permitted to go at large; and that, by the Resolutions of the Continental Congress, they are authorized, and that it is their duty to have him confined.

Resolved, therefore, That the said Azor Betts be sent to Ulster County Jail, to be there confined in close jail until the further order of the Continental or Provincial Congress, or of this Committee.

The Committee then took into consideration the case of Robert Simmons, and are of opinion that his many mischievous machinations and wicked practices are so dangerous, that he ought to be kept in safe custody, and that, by the Resolutions of the Continental Congress of the 2d January instant, they are authorized, and that it is their duty to have him confined in closed jail; and that as he has attempted to corrupt the Sentry at the Barrack, where he has been confined, that it will be unsafe to keep him as a prisoner without having him fettered or manacled.

Resolved, therefore, That the said Robert Simmons be conveyed to Ulster County Jail, to be there confined in close jail until the further order of the Continental or Provincial Congress, or of this Committee; and ordered that