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At a special meeting of the Committee on Saturday, 12th
October, 1776,
Present: Samuel Purviance, Chairman; William Lux, Vice Chairman; W˙ Buchanan, B˙ Nicholson, T˙ Rutter, W˙ Aisquith, J˙ Calhoun.
Information being given to the Committee on oath, by Mr˙ David Evans, that Francis Sanderson had, in a conversation with him, spoken words "tending to disunite the good people of this State in the present opposition to Great-Britain;" by order of the Committee, October 12, 1776, Francis Sanderson is required to attend this Committee at Mr˙ Purviance' s, immediately, to answer a complaint exhibited against him for several words spoken by him, and tending to disunite the people of this State in their present opposition to Great Britain. And in case he don' t attend, Captain Cox is directed to bring him by force.
Per order: W˙ LUX, Vice Chairman.
The said Francis Sanderson appeared in consequence of the warrant, and having nothing to offer in vindication of the charge, he was committed to the custody of the guard for this night, in order to be sent to the Council of Safety, agreeable to the resolves of Convention in July, 1775.
Attest: GEO˙ LUX, Secretary.
The Deposition of David Evans, of Baltimore-Town, aged twenty-five years, who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith, that on Monday or Tuesday last, Francis Sanderson, of Baltimore-Town, coppersmith, called him into his house as he was going past the door, and asked him to take a glass of spirits; on which he went in, and the said Sanderson told him, this deponent, he understood that he had taken a commission in the American army, which he was sorry to hear, as he looked upon it as dangerous, as all opposition was in vain, and that he imagined the estates would be confiscated, and
Sworn in Committee, 12th October, 1776.
DAVID EVANS.
Witness: S˙ PURVIANCE, Jr˙, Chairman.
Attest: GEO˙ LUX, Secretary.
Baltimore Committee
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he was afraid for his own house. That he had lately seen a gentleman from England, who told him the English did not regard the Americans a snap of the fingers, and that there were four or five other Powers ready to join them, but they were refused, as the English thought themselves strong enough to conquer without their assistance. He then asked this deponent if he knew the reason why General Lee was gone to the southward. This deponent answered, because the Congress had appointed him to the command there. He said no, that was not the reason, but that he looked on it when Howe came to New-York with his army, he expected nothing less but to be conquered if he staid there. That General Lee had advised the members of Convention at Annapolis that now was the time to make up with Great Britain, as he knew now they were in earnest, and that he would go to Congress and use his influence there to settle it. And further said that many officers in Pennsylvania were resigning their commissions, knowing all opposition was in vain; and that the Congress, the Convention, the Assembly, and Council of Safety in Pennsylvania, were all sitting together, some making laws and others disannulling them. And further this deponent saith not.