Member be sworn not to reveal to any person out of the Congress the matters to be mentioned, or the subject of this day’s debate.

The President then put the question whether every Member is willing to take an oath of secrecy, and the same was unanimously agreed to.

Thereupon, Ordered, That the President of this Congress do take the following oath, to wit:

“I do solemnly swear on the Holy Evangelists of Al-mighty God, that I will keep secret the matters and business that shall be moved, proposed, agitated, considered, or determined, in this Congress this day, and everything relating thereto, until leave shall be given from the Chair, by order of this Congress, to reveal the same. And I do further, in the same manner, solemnly swear that I will at all times keep secret all such matters and things as shall at any time be given in charge from the Chair by order of this Congress to be kept secret, until leave shall be given from the Chair, by order of this or a future Congress of this Colony, to reveal the same.”

The President was then sworn accordingly.

Thereupon, Ordered, That the President administer the like oath to each of the Members present and to the Secretaries.

And the said oath was administered to each of them accordingly except to Mr. Alexander Webster, who was sworn to the same oath with uplifted hands, beginning the oath in these words:

“I do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

Ordered, That if any other Member shall attend this Congress this day, that he be required to take the oath before-written before he hear any of the debates or matters in agitation; and that any Member who shall hereafter attend this Congress do take the general oath before-written before he take his seat.

Ordered, That Mr. Scott and Mr. Morris wait on General Washington, and inform him that the Congress have taken an oath of secrecy, and the nature thereof, and receive of him such Papers as may be necessary to communicate to this Congress.

Messrs. Scott and Morris returned from General Washington, and delivered to the President such Papers as they had received of the General. They reported that a scheme of a junction is forming between the disaffected in Connecticut and on Long-Island, in order to join the Ministerial Army, and oppress the friends to liberty in these Colonies; that the Papers will give further information.

Thereupon, a Letter to General Washington from Jonathan Sturges, of Fairfield, dated the 14tb day of May instant, with a list of deserted Tories therein enclosed, were respectively read, and filed.

Mr. Morris further informed the Congress, by information from General Washington, that several persons, who are strangers, have been observed taking notice of and fixing on proper places for a landing on the south side of Long-Island; that the people of Hempstead keep up a constant communication with the ships of war. The list enclosed in the letter above-mentioned.

A Letter from Matthew Adgate, Chairman of King’s District, to General Washington, dated the 13th instant, was read. Mr. Morris and Mr. Scott informed the Congress that the bearer of the Letter is delayed in town for the examination of this Congress; and the plot therein-mentioned was, to have massacred the inhabitants who are friends to liberty; and the person who had given the information had been in the councils of the disaffected.

The informations of two witnesses given to a select number of the Members of King’s District, and taken on oath before Matthew Adgate, Chairman of that Committee, were read and filed.

The Congress spent some time in consideration of the information received, agreed to consider thereof further until to-morrow morning.

Mr. Vanderbilt informed the Congress that he has good reason to believe that John Hendrickson, of Queen’s County, can give some material information relative to the matters which General Washington has communicated to the Committee of this Congress appointed yesterday to confer with him.

Ordered, That Mr. Vanderbilt be, and he is hereby, requested to cause a Messenger to go to the said John Hendrickson, and request him to attend this Congress to-morrow morning.

Die Lunne, 9 ho. A. M., May 20, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Bancker, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Lewis, Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President. Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt, Mr. Hallett, Captain Denning, Mr. Scott, Colonel Stoutenburgh, Mr. Sands, Mr. Peter P. Fan Zandt.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Glenn, Mr. Cuyler. FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Paul Schenck.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Little.

FOR SUFFOLK.—General Woodhull, Mr. Wickham, Mr.Gelston.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Leffertse.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Journey, Mr. Conner. FOR

WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Morris, Major Lockwood, Colonel Gilbert Drake.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

The following gentlemen attending to take their seats, were sworn, and severally took the same oath which was administered to the Members yesterday, as entered on the Minutes, viz: Mr. Alsop, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Peter P. Van Zandt, Mr. Little, Mr. Schenck, Mr. Lawrence, and Colonel Blackwell.

The whole Proceedings of yesterday, with the several Papers brought by the Committee from General Washington yesterday, were read and taken into consideration, and some time spent therein.

John Hendrickson attending agreeable to the request of yesterday, the following oath was administered to him:

“I, John Hendrickson, do solemnly swear on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that the evidence that I shall give to the Congress shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and that I will keep secret my examination before this Congress until leave shall be given by order of this Congress to reveal the same.”

The President, by order of Congress, assured Mr. Hendrickson that his name and the substance of the evidence which he shall give, shall, for the present, be kept secret.

John Hendrickson, being examined on oath, says: That he does not know of any private plot among the disaffected on Long-Island; that he has observed the people of Hempstead in high spirits of late; that the general part of the inhabitants of Hempstead and Rockaway are against the measures of the Colonies and in favour of the King; that about a fortnight ago there was a report that a fleet was expected to arrive, and that they appeared rejoiced at it; that they expect to reap a benefit from the arrival of a fleet; that some of them say they expect to join the King’s troops if they arrive; that Richard Hulet and Thomas Cornell were esteemed leading men of those disaffected in Hempstead and Rockaway; that Stephen Hulet was also esteemed a man of influence among them and active; that Richard Hulet and Thomas Cornell are absent; that Isaac Denton, near Rockaway, is thought to be active at present and to assist in sending provisions to the ships of war; that Isaac Denton has a sloop of his own, and that he (the examinant) has heard that the said Isaac Denton has put provisions on board; that he has lately heard James Smith, of Hempstead, say he would join the King’s troops if they should arrive; that people came to Hempstead from other places, who are said to come there for refuge; that he has not lately seen many strangers going there, but that in January and February last he has seen many persons, sometimes a number in a day, who were strangers, going to Hempstead; that they appeared to be reserved and cautious; that he has lately seen some strangers in the County who are not residents; that he believes several of the inhabitants are yet armed; that he has lately been informed that along the south side, among the gunners, every other man at least is armed; that he lately saw two or three men like private men who he supposed belonged to one of the ships of war; that they appeared like sailors; that from his general acquaintance it is his opinion that most part of the inhabitants would oppose