Fair copy of the Report made yesterday, brought in by the Secretaries and further considered

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Your Committee do report: That there is great reason to believe that the enemies of American liberty have a general communication with each other through this and pan of the neighbouring Colonies, by reason whereof the influence of the British Government is much extended, and the minds of the people poisoned by false reports and suggestions.

That many ill-disposed people have lately resorted unto and a great number dwell in the southern and eastern parts of Queen' s County; that there are also several ill-disposed persons in the City and County of New-York, in King' s County, in Richmond County, and in sundry other parts of this Colony, many of whom will most probably take up arms on the part of our foes whenever they shall see a prospect of success.

That, from various reports and the best intelligence which can be obtained from Europe, as also from the positive assertions of the disaffected throughout this and the neighbouring Colonies, and from such of their measures as have come to the knowledge of your Committee, there is no room to doubt that a large hostile armament will soon arrive in this Colony.

That the greater part of those who now hold offices and commissions under the Crown, and many others who are generally reputed inimical to American liberty, will be liable to suffer injuries from the resentment of the people, and the Colony in general exposed to great danger from the active exertions of those among us who are determined to assist in the subjection of America.

Your Committee are therefore of opinion, that, as well out of regard to the safety of individuals, as for the general welfare of America, it is highly and indispensably necessary to take speedy and effectual measures to prevent the hostile intentions of our foes, to stop the channels of intelligence and communication among the disaffected, and to quell the spirit of opposition which has hitherto in some measure prevailed.

Your Committee do propose that, for these purposes, it will be proper to take the assistance of his Excellency General Washington, and to march several detachments of the troops under his command into Queen' s County, and disarm the inhabitants, excepting those who shall subscribe the following Declaration, viz:

"We the subscribers, inhabitants of ....., in Queen' s County, inthe Colony of New-York, do voluntarily and solemnly engage, under all the ties held sacred amongst mankind, at the risk of our lives and for tunes, to defend by arms the United American Colonies against the hostile attempts of the fleets and armies belonging to or in the pay of Great Britain, until the present unhappy controversy between the two countries shall be terminated: provided always, That this Declaration shall not be construed to bind us to defend in person any other than the Colony of New-York, or, for that purpose, to march out of the said Colony."

That all such persons as are required as aforesaid to be disarmed, shall,

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"I, A B, do swear, (or solemnly affirm and declare,) that I have not now in my possession, nor in the possession of any other person or persons, or deposited or secreted in any place or places, any arms which have not been delivered up to this Committee or their order; neither have I the arms of any other person or persons, or for any use or purpose whatsoever, now in my possession, so help me God."

That all those who, before the taking of the said oath, shall voluntarily deliver up any arms as aforesaid, shall receive a generous price for the arms by them respectively surrendered; and that the arms of those who shall not so surrender them shall be taken away without paying for them.

That ................ inhabitants of Queen' s County, be forthwith apprehended and secured in custody, subject to the further order of this Congress.

That ............... be taken as hostages for the future peaceable behaviour of the inhabitants of the said County.

That all persons in the City and County of New-Yorkand in King' s and Queens County, holding commissions or offices under the Crown, be taken prisoners, and that those who shall give good evidence to the respective General Committees of the said Counties that they are well affected to the cause of American liberty, and good security that they will not be concerned in any manner against the United Colonies, but, on the contrary, will discover to the General or Commander-in-Chief of the Continental forces for the time being in this Colony, or to the Provincial Congress or County Committee for the time being, all such measures as shall to their knowledge be taken or devised against the said United Colonies, shall be suffered to go at large and possess the full enjoyment of their liberty, in common with other inhabitants of this Colony.

That ......... residing in the City and County of New-york, ........... residing in King' s County, and ....... residing in Queen' s County, be in like manner apprehended, and suffered to go at large upon the like conditions above-named.

That it be recommended to all the General County Committees in the several Counties in this Colony to apprehend all persons holding military commissions under the King of Great Britain, and also such persons holding civil offices under the said King, and such other persons of influence in their respective Counties as are suspected of holding principles inimical to the said United Colonies; and after they shall have been apprehended, to deal with them in such manner as is prescribed for the conduct of the Committee above-named.

That all persons throughout the Colony who, after they are apprehended, shall refuse to comply with the said conditions, but who, nevertheless, in the opinion of the Committees of the several Counties, may be trusted on their parole or word of honour, may be permitted to reside in such part of one of the Colonies of Connecticut, New-Jersey, or Pennsylvania, as shall be chosen by such respective person or persons, and be agreeable to and thought proper by the Committee before whom such person is brought; and

That all persons who shall refuse such parole, or who, in the opinion of such respective Committees, may not safely be trusted upon such parole, shall be confined to close custody until the further order of this or some future Provincial Congress,

All which is, nevertheless, most humbly submitted.

JOHN ALSOP, Chairman.