and told him the Committee hoped he would give them evidence of his being a friend to the American cause.

Mr. Axtell appealed to the uniform tenour of his conduct, which, he said, had never been unfriendly to this country.

The Chairman then asked him whether he approved of the American opposition. He replied that he did not of the whole, and signified his disapprobation of the Canada expedition.

The Chairman asked him whether he thought the Parliament of Great Britain had a right to bind those Colonies in all cases whatsoever. To which he replied that, in his opinion, they had not.

The Chairman then asked him whether resistance by arms to the hostile attempts of the British fleets and armies, to execute and enforce those claims to this question, was justifiable.

Mr. Axtell declined to give an answer, declaring that he did not mean to take an active part on either side—that the bulk of his fortune was in Britain and the West-Indies.

Mr. Axtell was then desired to withdraw.

And the Committee went into a consideration of Mr. Axtells case, in the course of which the following questions were put by the Chairman: Whether Mr. Axtell is such a friend to the country as is described in the said resolutions? Carried unanimously in the negative.

2d. Whether it is necessary to remove Mr. Axtell from his present place of residence? On which Mr. Morris moved that the question be deferred for consideration. Which was carried in the negative.

The question being then put, Whether he shall be removed from his present place of residence? Agreed unanimously in the negative.

The question was then put, Whether any other security should be demanded of Mr. Axtell than his parole? Agreed unanimously that his parole is sufficient, and that no other security be required.

Mr. Axtell was then called in, and desired to give his parole that he would not, directly or indirectly, oppose or contravene the measures of the Continental Congress or of the Congress of this Colony. Mr. Axtell objected that the parole is so broad that it may admit of disagreeable constructions of such part of his conduct as he may think the most innocent, and offered to give his parole not to take an active part against the American cause.

A copy of the parole was then given unto him, and he was desired to consider the same, and attend this Committee again on Thursday next.

John Willett, Esq., attending on a summons returnable here this day, was called in; and the resolutions of the Congress of this Colony as to persons of equivocal character, read to him by the Chairman.

The said John Willett was then asked by the Chairman whether he had any evidence to give, or could show cause why he should be considered as a friend to America, &c. To which he replied that he had no other reason but his opinion that the Parliament have no right to lay internal taxes on America.

Said John Willett was then asked if he would sign the Association by the Provincial Congress made on the 20th instant. To which he replied that he had no other objection to it but that he did not choose to take up arms.

Said John Willett was then asked whether he thought the cause of America just or unjust. To which he replied he was not a proper judge of the matter.

Said John Willett was then asked whether he was for the Congress or against it. To which he replied he was not against it.

Said John Willett was then asked if he was for the Congress. To which he replied he should never disturb them.

Said John Willett was then asked to whom he wished success—General Washington or General Howe. To which he replied he wished those might succeed who had justice on their side.

Said John Willett was then asked on which side he thought justice was. To which he replied that he was no judge, but wished that justice might take place.

The said John Willett was then requested to withdraw.

Resolved, unanimously, That the said John Willett is not a friend to the cause and rights of America.

Resolved, unanimously, That it is not necessary to remove the said John Willett from his stated place of residence.

Resolved, unanimously, That the said John Willett give bond to the President of the Congress of this Colony for the time being, by name, in the sum of two thousand pounds, that he will neither directly nor indirectly contravene or oppose the measures of the Continental Congress or of the Congress of this Colony.

The said John Willett was then called in, and did consent to give such bond; wherefore,

Ordered, That Mr. McKesson prepare and get the same executed by the said John Willett.

Know all men by these presents, that I, John Willett, of the Township of Jamaica, in Queens County, of the Colony of New-York, Esquire, am held and firmly bound unto John Haring, Esq., President of the Congress of the Colony of New-York, in the sum of two thousand pounds, lawful money of New-York, to be paid to the said John Haring or to his certain attorney, executors, administrators and assigns; for which payment well and truly to be made and done, I bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, firmly by these presents. Sealed with my seal, and dated this twenty-fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six.

The condition of the above obligation is such, that if the above-bound John Willett shall neither directly nor indirectly oppose or contravene the measures of the Continental Congress or the Congress of this Colony, then the above obligation to be void; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.

JOHN WILLETT.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of us:

Captain Archibald Hamilton, attending on the summons returnable here this day, was called in.

The Chairman informed Captain Hamilton of the reasons of his being so summoned, and read to him the resolutions of Congress relative to persons of equivocal character, and told him that he was considered as of that number; and that the Committee hoped he would give them satisfactory evidence of his being a friend to America.

Captain Hamilton thereupon observed that he loved America; that he had fought and bled and been in irons for her; that he wishes her free and happy; and that no promises or offers of reward or preferment could tempt him to draw his sword against her; that he has refused such offers, and that he holds no office or commission whatever under the King of Great Britain; that he has a brother and other near relations now serving in the King’s armies, and that he could not think of unsheathing his sword against them or the King.

Captain Hamilton, on being asked by the Chairman whether, in his opinion, the Parliament of Great Britain have a right to bind these Colonies in all cases whatsoever; said he was not sufficiently acquainted with subjects of that kind to answer the question; but that if he had twenty hearts, he would sooner lose the blood in them all than lose his liberty.

The Chairman then asked him whether he would give his parole of honour neither directly nor indirectly to oppose or contravene the measures of the Continental Congress or the Congress of this Colony; to which he answered that he would very readily, for that he never would injure America in word, thought, or deed.

Captain Hamilton was then desired to withdraw, and the Committee proceeded to take his case into consideration. The result of which was, that they

Resolved, That Captain Hamilton was not such a friend to the American cause as is described in the said resolutions of the Congress; that it was unnecessary that he should be removed from the place of his present residence; that confidence might be reposed in him as a man of honour; and therefore that his parole was sufficient security for his not opposing or contravening the measures of the Continental Congress or the Congress of this Colony.

Captain Hamilton was then called in, and on his agreeing to give such parole, it was reduced to writing, and, on his signing it, was discharged.

New-York, June 24, 1776.

I, Archibald Hamilton, Esq., do declare upon my honour that I will not, directly or indirectly, oppose or contravene