Draft of the Soundings

v4:1050

Die Lunae, 4 ho. P˙ M˙, January 5, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: P˙ Van Cortlandt, Esquire, Chairman, Colonel McDougall, Mr˙ Scott, Colonel Brasher, Mr˙ Sands, Mr˙ Brewster, Mr˙ Tredwell, Mr˙ Clarke.

It being represented by Colonel McDougall to this Committee, that he has information from undoubted authority, which he also named, that Alexander Lesslie, of this city, peruke-maker, has been carrying on a correspondence, dangerous to the liberties of America, with some person, or persons, in Philadelphia,

It is Ordered, That Colonel McDougall do, without delay, cause the said Alexander Lesslie, and all other persons to be found in his house, to be apprehended and kept in safe custody till further order of this Committee; and, also, at the same time to cause diligent search for and to be secured, all papers that may be found in the said house, in any wise relating to such correspondence, and that Colonel McDougall make report in the premises with all convenient speed.

This Committee being informed that a number of the late Continental Soldiers, who were inlisted in Captain Denton' s Company, are returned to Orange County with their muskets, bayonets, and cartouch-boxes, and accoutrements, which belong to the Colony,

Resolved and Ordered, That each Committee in the County of Orange be requested immediately to secure the Arms and Accoutrements of each of the said Soldiers, and from time to time, secure the publick Arms and Accoutrements of every discharged Soldier who shall come within their respective Districts, and place the same in the hands of the respective Chairmen of the said Committees, or such other prudent and trusty persons as by the said Committees, respectively, shall be appointed.

The Committee then heard the Letter from the Delegates of this Colony, now at Continental Congress, and the several Resolves of Congress lately received, read, and spent some time in consideration thereof.