Friday, June 7, 1776.

Whereas several persons who have been called before this Committee for violating the Resolves of Congress in the sale of Tea, and depreciating the Continental Paper currency, alleged in their justification the example and recommendation of John Alsop, Esq., a member of the Continental Congress:

Resolved, therefore, That the Minutes of this Committee relative to the inquiry made into Mr. Alsop’s conduct, be handed up to the Provincial Congress.

Extract from the Minutes:

JOSH. WINTER, Secretary.

WILLIAM SMITH TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Manor of St. George, May 25, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Committee of Brookhaven, Manor of St. George, and Patentship of Meritches, met the 23d instant. A number of evidences being sworn, it appeared manifest to the meeting that there was a communication from Winthrop’s Patent and the ships of war lying at the Hook; it appeared also one Gyer, a skipper, had carried off a number of men—at least eight or ten—last Saturday night, the most of them from Connecticut or Westchester, who had been skulking in the woods a considerable time before they went off. There are missing from that patent at least three or four persons, who are supposed to be gone with them—in particular, one Fountain, a gunsmith. Gyer has been several trips out at the Inlet, and when returned gave no satisfactory account to those who asked him where he had been, and, it is thought, has carried people to the men-of-war before, as people have come from the main shore to Stony-Brook, and then gone through the woods to Winthrop’s Patent: men have been seen with arms who were unknown to the inhabitants, and have given so great uneasiness to the people that they have called on the Minute-men and Militia for assistance: there have been fifteen Minute-men stationed there since last Monday. It is suspected, besides men, they get from that quarter water, oysters, and clams, which are there in the greatest plenty. As the Minute-men are such persons who are carrying on business in the farming way, and cannot leave home without almost, if not quite, ruining themselves and families, I was ordered by letter to lay the affair before the Congress, not doubting (if they thought proper) they would report the same to the Commander-in-Chief. It was thought by the Committee that a small armed vessel stationed at or near the Inlet (where the sounding is, as I am informed, from eight to twelve feet) would answer the purpose, best. People in these parts are much alarmed, especially since we now know that they have on board the men-of-war those who are thoroughly acquainted with the navigation of the South Bay. Pray let us hear from you soon. This Committee have collected between forty and fifty guns for the use of troops, which are much better than I could expect, and will soon be repaired. The greatest sticklers for Ministerial measures step toward the Continental as fast as could be expected in this quarter.

Gentlemen, I am, with the greatest respect, your very humble servant,

WILLIAM SMITH.

To the Provincial Congress now sitting in New-York.

At a meeting of the Joint Committee of Brookhaven, Manor of St. George, and Patentship of Meritches, convened on the 13th of May, 1776, John Woodhull, Esquire, in the chair, and twenty Members present: Sundry evidences being called to discover the secret plots and misconduct of sundry evilminded persons:

Mr. Daniel Nash, being sworn, deposeth, That he heard Andrew Patchin say, as he was going home from the general training, the Congress goes on as they ought not to do, and damned the Congress in all their unlawful proceedings, and used much more unfriendly discourse.

Mr. Nathaniel Finch, being sworn, deposeth, That he heard Andrew Patchin damn the Congress, and used them with very abusive language, and was a mind that all present (being a considerable number) should agree with him to resist and oppose the Congress, and all military officers, and others holding commissions under the Congress; he particularly damned Colonel William Floyd, saying he came home from the Congress on purpose to make disturbance, and the devil would have him, for he would go to hell for what he had done, and so would Captain Nathan Rose and Lieutenant William, Baker, and persuaded all present to agree to go to no more trainings, saying neither he nor any of his should, and said all those who would not so agree were worse than Infidels.

At another meeting of the Committee aforesaid, convened on the 23d of May, 1776, John Woodhull, Chairman, and sixteen Members present:

Mr. Joseph Ruland, being sworn, deposeth, That he being with his vessel, a few days past, in the South Bay, against Hempstead, and being on shore, a man (to him a stranger) offered him (the said Ruland) nine dollars to carry him (the said stranger) on board the ship Dutchess of Gordon, to see Governour Tryon; and that said stranger inquired of him (the said Ruland) if he knew one Nathan Gyer, of Blue-Point; and so deponent answered Yes; upon which said stranger asked him if there were not some men with said Gyer, and if said Gyer had not carried them on board the ships of war, saying those men were his, belonging to his company, which he said was then full; to which said Ruland answered, That there was a considerable number of men (said to be from Connecticut) in the neighbourhood of said Gyer, and he believed Gyer had carried them off in his boat, but he did not know where.

Mr. Henry Hulse, Junior, being sworn, deposeth, That he was an apprentice to Stephen Fountain, who was gone from home, and carried with him his gun and powder, and had sent him (the deponent) home to his father’s, to stay until times were settled; and that a number of New-England people had staid in that neighbourhood, being to him strangers, who were often in private conference, in private places, with said Fountain, and would not let him (the deponent) come near them, nor hear what they said; and that they are now all gone, he supposeth, in company with Stephen Fountain.

Mr. Seth Scribner, being sworn, deposeth, That Lazarus Gyer (son of Nathan Gyer) came to his house and staid all night with his brother, Ebenezer Scribner, and were much together in private, and that now they are both missing, and that a number of others are gone also, namely, Eliakim Jones, Stephen Fountain, Jonathan Baker, Junior, Joseph Scribner, Andrew Patchin, and others, but he knows not where, and says that if there were any private plots among them, they would not, he supposeth, let him know of it.

Mr. John Smith, of Winthrop’s Patent, deposeth, That Nathan Gyer and his wife told him (the said John Smith) that Captain Jonathan Baker had urged said Gyer to go off speedily with his vessel, lest he should be taken; and that said Baker told said Gyer he came to him on purpose to hurry him (the said Gyer) off, lest a mob (meaning a party of Minute-men sent by the Committee) would catch him, this being the last time said Gyer went from Blue-Point with his vessel; and that the time before, he (the said Gyer) told the deponent that said Baker, as a Committee-man, gave him (the said Gyer) liberty to go out with his vessel, and hurried him away, saying Humphrey Avery, one of the members of this Committee, had a warrant from this Committee for him (the said Gyer.)

Mr. Daniel Davis, Junior, being sworn, deposeth, That he was, not long since, at the south side of the Island, in company with Captain Jonathan Baker, whom he heard say he must go up and see the Tories; and, being in discourse, one word brought on another, until Captain Jonathan Baker said, with a resolute voice and in a disaffected manner, that if the Congress threw off dependance upon Great Britain, he would oppose them, and swore, by the living God who made him, he would beat up for volunteers to raise a company to oppose the Congress in that case, and would do it if they quartered or cut him in inch pieces for so doing.

At another meeting of the said Committee, assembled on the 4th of June, 1776, fifteen Members being present, and Josiah Smith being chosen Chairman pro tempore:

Mr. Ananias Smith, being sworn, deposeth, That Captain Jonathan Baker, in discourse with him, owned he gave