there is great danger of an escape.* Thereupon, the Congress made the following Order, to wit:

Whereas it has been represented to this Congress that Israel Youngs, Isaac Youngs, Henry Dawkins, and Isaac Ketcham, committed to the custody of Guards appointed by General Washington, at the request of divers Members of this Congress, on suspicion of counterfeiting the Continental Money and that of the neighbouring Colonies, are meditating their escape:

Ordered, That the said persons be forthwith put in irons, and kept in the place where they now are, and that the Guards be directed not to permit any person to have access to them without license from this Congress till the further order of this Congress.

Ordered, That Captain Jeremiah Wool be requested to see this order, as far as it relates to the putting the said persons in irons, duly executed.

And Ordered, further, That Captain Wool be requested to provide the said persons with necessary Provisions at their own particular expense, and that the said Guard permit Captain Wool to enter the room where the said persons are confined whenever he shall think necessary, for the purpose of supplying them with Provisions as aforesaid.

Ordered, That a copy of the foregoing Order be delivered to Captain Wool, who is requested to deliver the same to the Officer of the Guard, to be handed to the different Officers who shall relieve the said Guard from time to time.

A Letter from the Committee of Newtown, dated yesterday, was read and filed. They therein inform that, on complaint of several of the inhabitants of Newtown against John Moore, Jun., of a fresh insult to the United Colonies, by hoisting, or suffering to be hoisted, on his ground a large Flag in imitation of the King’s Standard; and as he had refused to give sufficient satisfaction to the Committee, that they have sent him down to this Congress for examination, together with a Flag, under a guard, by Captain Abraham Remsen.

Captain Abraham Remsen, with the said Flag, and John Moore, Jun., the prisoner, were brought in.

John Moore, Jun., examined, says: That it was a parcel of school-boys who go to school in Newtown, who hoisted colours on his field; that he first saw them on a small, and afterwards on a high, pole of fifteen or twenty feet; that he does not know whose colours they are, and why they were put up; that he first saw them hoisted on a fast-day; that the boys told him they got the colours of a lad from New-York, now in Newtown, whose name is Moore; that he ordered them down on the fast-day, but not afterwards; that as children put them up, he did not imagine that men would take notice of it; that he has not signed the General Association; that it was not offered to him to sign; that he knew where the Association was one day; that no person ever advised him to have the Flag taken down; that it was flying in his yard when the gentlemen of the Committee came for him yesterday, and they took it down; that it has been up some days and down on other days; that he lives near the school; that Thomas Walton’s son lodges with him; that there are there two sons of Mr. Le Roy, two of Thomas White, and one of Mr. Matthews, and others, about sixteen or seventeen in number; that he does not recollect what is in the Association. Being asked if he would defend the United Colonies by force of arms, answered that he did not choose to fight, and never meant to fight if he could avoid it, and would avoid it as long as he could.

Captain Abraham Remsen withdrew with his prisoner, and the Congress took the same into consideration.

On motion of Mr. Morris,

Ordered, That John Moore, Jun., be kept in this Town a prisoner upon his parole, until the Congress shall make further order concerning him.

Captain Remsen and John Moore, Jun., were called in. The said John Moore, Jun., in Congress, gave his promise parole to abide and tarry in the City of New-York, and attend at the City-Hall, from day to day, ready to obey the Call or direction of this Congress, and not to depart the City without leave. He was thereupon permitted to go at large.

A draft of a Letter to the Committee of Newtown, returning them thanks for their vigilance, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

GENTLEMEN : I am directed by the Congress to return you the thanks of this Congress for your zeal manifested in the securing John Moore, Jun., and sending him to this city.

With the warmest wishes for success upon every effort you shall make in the great and glorious cause of freedom, I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant.

To the Chairman and Members of the Committee of New-town.

Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter be signed by the President and transmitted.

“Captain Thomas Harriot being calling before this Committee, was duly convicted of having refused to receive in payment the Continental bills, and still persists in refusing the same; and further, said he would appeal to the Provincial Congress, but refused to give security for his answering to the said appeal, though a gentleman present offered his service to him on that account; and the said Harriot added that he did not care whether he was held up or not to the publick as an enemy to his country; and when he was informed of the disagreeable circumstances that he might bring himself into by his conduct, he replied he hoped or expected he would be provided for.

“This Committee conceiving the said Thomas Harriot to be a dangerous person, do request that the Provincial Congress may acquaint them if they think he ought to be suffered to go at large, as he is now in the custody of the guard.

“New-York Committee-Chamber, May 28, 1776.

“By order of the Committee:

“ROBERT HARPUR, Deputy Chairman.

“To the Honourable the Congress of the Colony of New-York.”

Resolved, That the General Committee of the City of New-York be requested and authorized, and are hereby requested and authorized, to direct that Thomas Harriot be immediately committed to close Jail in this City, there to remain until further order of this Congress; for which this shall be their direction and authority.

Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., May 29, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel Broome, Mr. Sands, Mr. Randall, Mr. Jay, Mr. P. Van Zandt, Mr. Van Cortlandt, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Scott.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Cuyler, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Ten Broeck.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Haring, Mr. Little.

FOR KING’S.

FOR ULSTER.—Colonel Hasbrouck, Mr. Cantine, Mr.Brewster, Major Parks.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Morris, Mr. Haviland, Mr. Tompkins, Mr. Paulding.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Cortelyou, Mr. Journey.

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

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Livingston, Mr. DeLavergne, Major H. Schenck.

FOR QUEEN’S.—Colonel Blackwell, Mr. Smith, Captain Lawrence.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster, Colonel Malcom.

Major Henry Schenck, a Deputy for Dutchess County, and John Ten Broeck, Esq., a Deputy for the City and County of Albany, appeared in Congress, and, after taking the general oath of secrecy, respectively took their seats.

A Letter from Colonel Charles Dewitt, enclosing Returns

*NEW-YORK, May 28, 1776.

SIR : As I have something of importance to communicate to this Congress concerning the Prisoners now in custody for counterfeiting Bills of Credit, I therefore beg that I may be heard upon that subject. From, sir, your very humble servant,

JEREMIAH WOOL.

To the President of the Provincial Congress, New-York.

Gentlemen of the Honourable House of Congress for the Government of NEW-YORK.

I, the subscriber, beg the favour to be once more admitted to come in and address myself before you.

ISAAC YOUNGS.

May 28, 1776.

P. S. Gentlemen, if I have written or said anything amiss, I beg to be forgiven; for, if I have, it is innocently.