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as well for the safety as for the satisfaction of the people, (who, in times so dangerous and critical, are naturally led to consider those as their enemies who withhold from them their aid and influence,) that sundry persons in the said resolution named, of which number. . . . . . . . . is one, and also all such other persons of the like character as we, a Committee of the said Congress for that purpose by the resolutions aforesaid duly appointed and authorized, may think proper, be summoned to appear before us at such time and place as we should appoint, then and there to show cause, if any they have, why they should be considered as friends to the American cause, and as of the number of those who are ready to risk their lives and fortunes in defence of the rights and liberties of America against the usurpation, unjust claims, and cruel oppressions of the British Parliament—which rights and liberties, and which unjust claims and cruel oppressions, are specified and stated in divers addresses, petitions, and resolutions, of the present and late Continental Congresses;’ and in default of appearance, we, the Committee aforesaid, on proof made of the service of the said summons, are authorized and directed to cause them to be arrested and brought before us by warrant under our hands, directed to any Militia officer in this Colony, who is, by the said resolves, required to execute the same; and whereas, in pursuance of the resolutions aforesaid of the said Congress, we, the Committee aforesaid, did, on the . . . . day of June instant, issue our summons to the above mentioned . . . . . . . . ., to appear before us at the City-Hall of the City of New-York, on . . . . . . . the . . . . day of . . . . . ., at . . . . o’clock in the . . . . . . noon of the said day, to show cause, if any he had, why he should be considered as a friend to the common cause; and which summons was duly served on the said . . . . . . . ., as appears by the return of . . . . . . . ., the Messenger of this Congress, thereto duly appointed and sworn; and whereas said . . . . . . . . . did not appear in pursuance of the summons aforesaid, but hath made default: We, therefore, the Committee aforesaid, in pursuance of the trust reposed in us by the resolves aforesaid, do authorize and require you forthwith to arrest and bring before us, at the City-Hall of the City of New-York, the above-named . . . . . . . . . . . ., for the purpose aforesaid, and to abide such order in the premises as by us may be made; and bring with you then there this warrant.

Given at New-York.

Mr. Hobart and Colonel Graham reported a draft of a Summons to persons inimical to the cause and rights of America; which being read, was agreed to, and is in the words following, to wit:

Whereas by certain Resolutions of the Congress of the Colony of New-York, of the 5th day of June instant, we, a Committee of the said Congress, were authorized and required to summon certain persons, whose conduct had been represented to the said Congress as inimical to the cause and rights of America, of which number you are one, to appear before us at such time and place as we might think proper, then and there to answer to such matters and things as shall be alleged against them, and show cause (if any they have) why they should be considered as friends to the American cause: We do, therefore, in pursuance of the trust reposed in us by the said resolutions, summon you to appear before us for the purposes aforesaid, at the City-Hall of the City of New-York, on . . . . . . . the . . . day of . . . . . ., at . . . . o’clock in the forenoon of the same day.

Ordered, That the Secretary prepare all the Summonses directed to be issued to the persons named in the said resolutions of Congress by to-morrow morning.

Ordered, also, That a number of Warrants aforesaid be prepared.

The Committee then adjourned for an hour to meet again at Scott’s Tavern, in Wall Street.

George Brewerton, of the City of New-York, Esquire, being examined, saith: That he never was engaged in any design of inlisting men to serve the King against the Americans; nor was he otherwise acquainted with the existence of any such design, except in the following manner: Captain Benson, about three weeks ago, told this examinant he had heard that Gilbert Forbes was employed in inlisting men for the King’s service, and asked this examinant whether he knew anything of it. That examinant told him he knew nothing of the matter, and that if Forbes had engaged in that business, he was a fool. That this examinant afterwards asked Forbes about it, and told him if he inlisted any men in that way he did wrong. That Forbes replied that there was nothing in it, and that he was not engaged in any such business. That this deponent, instead of aiding the Ministerial armies, has advised and persuaded men to inlist in the Continental service; and without being applied to by the Committee for that purpose, did dispose of seven or eight firelocks to be employed in the defence of the American cause, and would have remained in this city and assisted in defending it had it not been for the late riotous proceedings against persons suspected of being Tones, under which suspicion this examinant had fallen, as he supposes, from his refusing to sign the Association of the Committee of Safety, to which he, as well as many other good friends to the cause, refused to subscribe. That this examinant has signed the first Association, and has no objection to signing the last, in common with his fellow-citizens. That about five weeks ago, David Matthews, Esq., asked this examinant whether he knew Forbes. That this deponent said he knew most of the Forbeses; and asked Mr. Matthews why. He said that he had an account against Governour Tryon, and that the Governour had sent money by him to pay Forbes. That the examinant then asked Mr. Matthews how the Governour came to owe him money. He replied that he believed it was for rifle-guns that he had sent him. On which this examinant observed that it must be Gilbert Forbes, the gunsmith; and that this examinant said he did not take him for such a fellow. Mr. Matthews said that he was also much surprised. Examinant said he would speak to Forbes. That examinant afterwards saw Forbes, and asked him whether he had an account against Governour Tryon; to which he answered no. That examinant asked him if he had not sent things to the Governour; to which he said no. That examinant then said he thought he had heard the Mayor say he had received money for him from Governour Tryon. Forbes then confessed that the Governour owed him money. Examinant then left him without further questions. That some time afterwards examinant received a few lines from Mr. Mayor, with some money, informing this examinant that he was going out of town, and requesting him to deliver it to Forbes, which examinant did. That this examinant does not remember that the Mayor desired him to dissuade Forbes from the prosecution of any designs against America; but that this examinant did, as aforesaid, of his own accord, call upon Forbes, and so dissuade him as above related. This examinant most solemnly declares that he never entertained or was concerned in any design whatever against the interest and safety of America.

GEORGE BREWERTON.

Taken before us the 25th of June, 1776:

PHILIP LIVINGSTON,
GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

Know all men by these presents, that we, George Brewerton and Jacob Brewerton, of the City of New-York, Esquires, are held and firmly bound unto John Haring, Esq., President of the Congress of the Colony of New-York, in the sum of five hundred pounds, lawful money of the Colony of New-York, to be paid to the said John Haring, his executors, administrators, or assigns; for the payment whereof we, do bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, and administrators, jointly and severally, by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated the 25th day of June, 1776.

The condition of this obligation is such, that if the above bounden George Brewerton shall, upon reasonable notice unto him given, or left at the usual place of his abode, attend the Provincial Congress, or a Committee of the said Congress, at such time and place as he shall be required, then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in force.

GEORGE BREWERTON,
JACOB BREWERTON.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of

PHILIP LIVINGSTON,
GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

Whereas George Brewerton, Esquire, stood charged before us with being privy to certain dangerous designs and

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