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Die Jovis, 10 ho A. M., February 1, 1776.
The Committee met pursuant to adjournment
Present: Mr. Joseph Hailed, Chairman, Col. Brasher, Mr. Scott, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Brewster, Mr.Clarke, Mr. Sands, Mr. Treduiell.
A Letter from Jonathan Blake, an officer of the guard at the Cannon beyond King's Bridge, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:
"Head-Quarters, in Westchester, January 31, 1776.
"SIR: Colonel Drake having delivered Joseph Purdy into our custody, I take this early opportunity of sending him to New-York, under a proper guard, which I hope will meet with your approbation. I remain, sir, your humble servant,
JONATHAN BLAKE."
Ordered, That the said Joseph Purdy be brought immediately before this Committee, to be examined.
Joseph Purdy examined; says he was going to Mamaroneck; that Isaac Gidney asked him to stop; that he stopped about two hours; that he was in the shop; that Isaac Gidney was making something of steel, which he said was hatchel-teeth; that they were as large as pipe-stales, or larger, like those now shown to him; that be assisted to make some; that it was in the latter part of the afternoon; that he does not know who, they were for; that he does not know that he was not there next day, or next evening; that Gidney did not tell him who the spikes were for; that he drew the teeth out sharp; that he thought they were finished; that Isaac Gidney put the teeth in a bag, in the shop, and they went down together to Mamaroneck; that he does not know Isaac Gidney's business to Mamaroneck; that a cordwainer from Westchester was at Flood's, one that runaway on account of Weyman's boat; and Joseph Todd was there; that he did not ever hear any conversation about the cannon, until he heard they were spiked; that the spikes were in a two-bushel bag, and he supposes there were eight or nine pounds weight in it; that he did not then suspect what the spikes were designed for, but did afterwards suspect that they were designed to spike up the cannon.
Ordered, That the said Joseph Purdy be sent to the Guard-House, at the Upper Barracks, and that he be prevented from speaking to any person, or receiving, or giving out any paper writings whatever, or having the use of pen, ink or paper.
Colonel Waterbury, of Connecticut, being at the door, was introduced. He delivered a Letter from his Excellency General Washington; and Colonel Waterbury informed the Committee, that the gentlemen who are a Committee of the honourable Continental Congress, request that Mr. Scott and Colonel McDougall do wait on them immediately. Colonel Waterbury withdrew.
The Letter from General Washington was read and filed, and is in thewords following, to wit:
"Cambridge, January 8, 1776.
"SIR: Having undoubted intelligence of the fitting out of a fleet at Boston, and the embarkation of troops from thence, which, from the season of the year and o? circumstances, must be destined for some expedition south of this, and having such information as I can rely on, that the inhabitants of Long-Island, in your Government, (or a greater part of them,) are not only inimical to the: rights and liberties, of America, but, by their conduct and publick professions, have discovered an apparent inclination to lend, an helping hand to subjugate their fellow-citizens to Ministerial tyranny, there is the greatest reason to believe that this armament, if not designed immediately against the city of New-York, Is, nevertheless, intended for Long-Island.
"I have, therefore, thought it expedient to despatch Major-General Lee, with such volunteers as he can quickly assemble on his march, (for I have not troops to spare from hence, if the distance and time would admit of it,) in order to, put the city of New-York in the best posture of defence the season and circumstances will admit of.
"To his instructions which I have desired him to lay before you, I shall beg leave to refer, firmly persuaded that your honourable body will give every assistance in their power to facilitate the end of his coming, as there needs no other argument than a retrospective view of the? conduct of the Ministerial troops in Boston, and the consequences resulting from it, to prove what a fatal slab if would give to the interests of America, to suffer the city of New-York to fall into the hands of our enemy.
I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
"GEORGE WASHINGTON.
"To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety of New-York."
Colonel McDougall and Mr. Scott went to wait on and confer with the Committee of the Continental Congress.* After some time those gentlemen returned, and reported that the said Committee informed them that they were sent here by Congress, and that General Lee, with his troops, were coming here to take measures, and consult with this Committee, for the defence of this city and Colony, and not to commence any actual hostilities; that seven hundred men, of General Lee's troops, are on their march to this city; that part of those troops will be in town this evening, and the others tomorrow; and those gentlemen request to know whether this Committee will provide for the reception of those troops, and receive them into the Barracks.
Debates ensued on the said Report and Request, and thereupon,
Mr. Sands moved, that the Troops now on their march from Connecticut to this City, shall be stopped in their march, until this Committee shall confer with the Committee of the Continental Congress on that matter, and consider thereof.
Debates ensued on the said motion, and the question being put thereon, it was determined in the negative, in manner following, to wit:
| For the Negative. | For the Affirmative. |
| Mr. Scott, | Colonel Brasher, |
| Mr. Brewster, | Colonel McDougall, |
| Mr. Clarke, | Mr. Sands—3. |
| Mr.Tredwell, |
Mr. Scott then moved, and was seconded, that Genera) Lee's Troops be admitted to come into the City of New-York, and be lodged in the Barracks, as they cannot be otherwise provided for; but, that they come into this City upon condition that they be under the direction of this Committee from the Provincial Congress, until a full conference of this Committee or the Provincial Congress with the Committee from the Continental Congress, and Major-General Lee, and until further order to be taken thereon, with the consent of this Committee or the Provincial Congress, or further direction of the Continental Congress.
Debates arose on the said motion, and the question being put thereon, it was carried in the affirmative in manner following, to wit:
| For the Affirmative. | For the Negative, |
| Mr. Scott, | Colonel Brasher, |
| Mr. Tredwell, | Mr. Sands—2. |
| Mr. Brewster, |
| Colonel McDougall, |
| Mr. Clarke—5. |
Ordered, therefore, That General Lee's Troops be admitted to come into the City of New- York, and be lodged in the Barracks, as they cannot otherwise be provided for; but that they come into the City expressly upon condition that they be under the direction of this Committee or the Provincial Congress, until a full conference of this Committee or the Provincial Congress, with the Committee from the Continental Congress, and Major-General Lee, and until further order to be taken thereon, with the consent of this Committee or the Provincial Congress, or further direction of the Continental Congress.
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