Committee for Dutchess County, New-York

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Poughkeepsie, November 30, 1775.

Captain Schenck, in obedience to the above order , took the persons therein named into his custody; and having summoned the gentlemen of the Committee, in the above order named, there appeared Colonel John Freer, Peter Tappen, and John Childs, who called in Johannes Medlar, and read the underwritten charge to him:

That he (the said Johannes Medlar) knew of and was consenting to his son John' s going with Peter Harris; that he made interest with Peter Harris to procure a commission for his said son, and he (the said Johannes Medlar) would assist in procuring men to fill a Company for them.

Mr˙ Medlar answers, that he knew nothing of the matters alleged against him, and was innocent of the charge, or words to that effect.

Mr˙ Medlar was then remanded, and Jacobus Ostrum was brought in, and the underwritten charge read to him:

That he, (Jacobus Ostrum,) together with Barent Lewis, engaged with Peter Harris to enlist men for said Harris to form a Company in the King' s troops. That he, with said Barent Lewis, persuaded Richard Vanderbergh to join the service and go with said Harris; said Ostrum declaring he would go with them himself, but his wife and family were unwell; that when they got better, he would come on board the man-of-war at York, and join them.

Mr˙ Ostrum answered as Mr˙ Medlar had done, wholly denying the charge.

Mr˙ Ostrum was then remanded, and Barent Lewis brought in, and the underwritten charge read to him:

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That he (the said Barent Lewis) engaged with Peter Harris to assist said Harris in procuring men to form a Company in the King' s service, under the command of said Harris. That he (the said Barent Lewis,) together with Jacobus Ostrum, persuaded Richard Vanderbergh to join the service, and go with said Harris.

Mr˙ Lewis answered as Mr˙ Medlar had done, wholly denying the charge.

Captain Schenck then, in further obedience to the foregoing order, committed the prisoners to jail, where they lie in a very uncomfortable cold room, waiting the order which Congress shall take respecting them, which we could wish might be expeditious. The proceedings of the General Committee of Dutchess County being grounded on information from the Committee of New-York, we beg leave to refer the Congress to them for further information.

We are, Gentlemen, your very humble servants,

JOHN FREER,
PETER TAPPEN,
JOHN CHILDS.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York.