SCHENECTADY COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE

On motion made, Resolved that the appointing of a Chairman be postponed till the next meeting.

On motion made Resolved that James Shuter and Myndert Wemple do attend upon the General Committee at Albany to-morrow.

On motion made Resolved that Abraham Oathout be Chairman and Dirk Van Ingen Clerk.

In consequence of a Resolve of the General Committee for importing a quantity of Salt for the supply of the Inhabitants of Albany County

Resolved that four persons be appointed to receive subscriptions of the Inhabitants of this District for the above purposes, And that every person who shall become a subscriber for Salt shall bind himself to pay for so much as he shall subscribe for as the salt so bought with the expences shall amount to and that the public be given notice hereof by public advertisement in the words following

Whereas the General Committee for the County of Albany having taken into consideration the scarcity of salt and the exhorbitant prices for which it is sold have by late resolve determined to import a Quantity of salt sufficient for the supply of the Inhabitants of the City and County which salt is to be sent to every district and each subscriber to have the salt which he subscribes for at the prime cost and necessary expences.

It is therefore requested, that all persons who stand in need of that article Give in their names with the quantity they want and the money therefore at the rate of thirty pounds per bushel unto Messrs. Andrew McFarlan Nicholas Van Der Volgen John Roseboom and Jesse De Graff, or any of them on or before the 12 Instant.

If the salt should amount to more than thirty pounds a bushel, the deficiency is to be made; if less, the overplus to be returned at the delivery of the salt.

And as it is supposed there may be some who cannot at present advance the money, they are also desired to give in their names and quantity they want to any of the above named gentlemen and pay the same at the receipt of the salt. It is to [be] hoped that all well disposed people who are willing to assist the poor will deposit such sums of money in the hands of the above named Gentlemen as they shall see fit; Which money with the thanks of this board -shall bc returned tv hem as soon as the salt is distributed among the subscribers.

A complaint being made before this board that David Frank hath sold George (Serge?) at a much higher rate than he sold it the beginning of May, On motion made Resolved that David Frank be sent for[.] He being present acknowledged that he sold three Ells and 1 quarter of an ell of said Zerge and 1 dozen of buttons to John Fort for which he received thirty dollars and at the same time acknowledged that he offered the same about 7 weeks ago for seven dollars, thereupon resolved that said David Frank doth return to said Fort the sum of six dollars and two shillings and that he ask the pardon of this board for the offence[.] Said Frank being sent for returned the money and pleaded that he was ignorant that dry-goods were comprehended in the Resolves of the regulating of prices and begged the pardon of the board and promised not to offend again[.]

The Chairman informed this board that Hugh Mitchell Esq desired him to lay before this board request of him the said Michell requesting this board an Indulgence for retailing a Cargo imported from Philadelphia at a higher price than what they are stated at, as he could not afford to sell them at the stated price. On motion made resolved that this board can not give such Indulgence and that the said Mitchell appear before this board with his Invoices on Saturday at 5 O'Clock in the afternoon at the Committee Chambers and that this board Al,take the request into consideration and lay it before the next General Committee[.]

Mr. Oathout representing to this board that he finds himself so much encumbered on account of his Public Business begs leave to resign his place as Chairman[.] On motion made resolved that My Oathout's be accepted of, John Cuyley being unanimously chosen Chairman of this board and Ab^m Oathout Deputy Chairman and the said Gentlemen took their seats accordingly.

Complaints having been made to this board that a number of Persons in this town have divers arficles of Merchandize which they will not dispose of only by way of barter and that the most exhorbitant Difference between the Committee varying from the regulating prices of said Articles, whereby these persons that have no Commodity in hands are Entirely deprived of getting the necessaries their families stand in need of, this board having taken said complaints into consideration

Thereupon Resolved that no person or persons in this District shall be allowed to exchange any article excepting salt by way of barter only in such a manner as such Articles are regulated until a Contrary Resolution of this board shall take place.

Resolved that the above Resolutions be made public and any person or persons transgressing after the publication hereof shall be deemed proper objects of the Resentment of the public and be dealt with accordingly.

Information being given to this board that Mr. Hugh Mitchell had sold tea at eighteen dollars (per lb) [,] On motion made Resolved that Hugh Mitchell be sent for[.] He being present acknowledged that he had received for a few pounds of tea Eighteen dollars, Resolved that Mitchell's matter be taken into consideration at our next Meeting.

Adjourned fill to-morrow morning 9 oclock[.]

This board having taken the case of Hugh Mitchell into Consideration, Resolved thereupon that said Hugh Mitchell be sent for and acquaint this board what persons have given him eighteen dollars per lb. for his tea and further Resolved that that said Hugh Mitchell appear before the next General Committee at Albany which is to be held the 14th Instant, there to answer for his conduct[.]

On motion made Resolved that this board do meet weekly on Monday and Friday in the afternoon at 2 o Clock[.]

Adjourned till 2 O'Clock in the afternoon[.]

Information being given to this board that John Empic had sold Yeast to different persons for specie, Resolved that said Empie be sent for. He being present said he never sold Yeast, but the Yeast that was sold was sold by his wife and he beleived she had taken some hard money but pleaded that he did not know that it was against the Resolution to take it when offered. Being requested by this board to name the persons from whom his wife received hard money, said he could not tell. On motion made Resolved that, said Empie pay all the hard money that his wife has received back again to those people, from whom he has taken it, and that the public be notified thereof by public advertisement in the words following

Information being given to this board that John Empie had sold Yeast for hard money, he being sent for acknowledged that his wife had received some for Yeast but did not refuse to receive paper currency, as was alleged against him and declares that he did not know it was forbid[.] This board taking said matter into consideration thereupon Resolved that said Empie pay all the hard money back again to those persons from whom his wife has received it and those persons who have since the publication of the regulating act paid hard money to said Empie or his wife for Yeast are desired to pay said Empie [on] Receipt of the hard money an equal sum in paper currency[.] It is hoped no such evil practices for the future will be carried on as the buyer and seller will be equally considered as trangressors of said act.

Schenectady Committee	Published by order of the Coxnmittee
Chamber July 9 1779	Dirk Van lngen Clerk

Mr Mitchell being according to the former Resolution sent for appeared and acquainted this board that he had only sold four lb of [tea] to Mrs Teller and that he sold to none else higher than at the stated price, but had returned the money afterwards he appearing sorry for what he had done[.] On motion made Resolved that Mr Mitchell be acquitted and the Resolve passed on his affairs this morning be Disannulled.

Jeremiah De Graaf appeared before this board and complained that he was charged and paid for weaving, three dollars an ell for striped coarse linen and twelve shillings an ell for very coarse plain linnen to John B^t. V. Eps' Jun^r.

Resolved that said Van Epps be sighted to appear before this board on Monday next and answer for his conduct[.]

John B^t. Van Epps appeared before this board and said that he told De Graaf that he would weave for grain but acknowledged the sam[e] time that De Graaf did not promise him grain but desired that de Graaf might give his affidavit that he understood that he was to pay him in money at the time that he brought the yarn which said De Graaf did accordingly[.] On motion made Resolved that Wessel Wesselse and Will^m Hall both weavers be sent for[.] Being present the cloth was shown them and they were desired to tell how much they used to weave such cloth for[.] Hall said that He wove for grain and did not weave much for money[.] Wesselse said the one sort he wove for six shillings an Ell and the other for nine shillings and Ell[.] Thereupon Resolved that said John B^t. Van Epps Jun^r do return the sum of twenty three pounds twelve shillings which in the opinion of this board was extorted from said De Graaf by said V. Eps Jun^r which we hope will prevent all extortioners from pursuing the same evil practices by which said V. Eps is become an object of public resentment. And that the above be published by advertisement in the words following

Complaints having been entered before this board against John B^t. Van Eps Ju^r for extortion upon weaving this board having sent for said Van Eps and he appearing acknowledged the receipt of the sum (by his agent) as was alleged against him[.] This board taking the matter into consideration have found said Van Eps Guilty of Extorting the sum of twenty three pounds twelve shillings on the weaving of nineteen and a half Ells striped and thirty two Ells pl[a]in linnen[.] Thereupon Resolved that said Van Eps be ordered to pay the sum of twenty three pounds twelve shillings back again to the person from whom he received the same and be held up as an object of Resentment.

This proceeding we hope will prevent extortioners from pursuing such evil practices as have been too long made use of and must unless immediately prevented End in the destruction of the Country [.]

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At a meeting of the Committee July 13 1779

Present

John Cuyler in the chair

Schenectady Committee

By order of the Committee

Chamber July 9 1779

John Cuyler Chairman

James Shuter	John B, Vrooman
Lancaster Conner	Dirk Van Ingen

On motion made Resolved that Messrs Jacobus Teller and Albert Mabic be a sub committee to attend on the General Committee at Albany to Morrow [. ]

Having received a Resolution of the General Committee of Albany Passed the 14th July 1779 Desiring the district Committees to take the sense of the Inhabitants in respect to the appointment of the Delegates who are to represent this County in a State Convention on the 17th day of August next to propose to them whether they will elect such delegates or leave the appointment of them to the General Committee and the Members of the different district committees are desired to report the same at the next General Committee, thereupon Resolved that this board give notice to the Inhabitants of this District by public advertisements to Desire them to meet at the house of John A. Bradt to give their opinion upon the Subject on monday next at ten oclock in the fore noon and whereas the members of the Committee are of Opinion that it would be made to the advantage of the Public to have an additional Number of persons to serve in Committee with those already chosen[,] On motion made Resolved that the public be desired to Elect three persons to serve as members in Committee in addition to those already chosen on Monday 26th July Instant at the house of Capt. John A Bradt[.]

Esei Vermon (?) appeared before this board and gave information that Mr Elias Rosa had offered hard specie for work, Said Rosa being sent for acknowledged the fault but pleaded that he had done it in consequence of the great difference in the prices[.] On motion made Resolved that said Elias Rosa at present be dismissed and be ordered to appear before this board when sent for[.] Information being given to this board that William Glifford had bought from Myndert Bradt a Sith (?) for hard money, Resolved that said Glifford be ordered to appear before Messrs Cuyler Teller and Dirk Van Ingen or two of them whom this board have appointed a sub committee said Glifford concerning the same to morrow morning at 10 OClock [.]

Mr. John Van Sice informed this [board] that last Saturday afternoon he and Abraham Jel^s. Truax were at the stoop of Docter Van lngen when Mr John Rent happened to come past, he having a bundle under his arm. Truax asked him " what have you in your bundle " he answered Tea. Truax asked him what he paid for it. He said twenty dollars a lb. Truax observed that it was above the regulated price. Rent answered he did not care for the regulations. John Van Sice then said you seem to take no regard to the regulations of the committee. Rent said he did not regard the Committee nor their laws, and if he had ever so much goods he would buy and sell as he pleased and before he would sell it at the regulated price he would rather throw it in the river. Thereupon Resolved that John Rent Abraham Jel^s. Truax be ordered to appear before this board next Saturday at 2 O Clock in the afternoon [.]

Mr. William Glifford not appearing according to notice, On motion made Resolved that application be made to Coll. Wemple to send to Capt. Wasson to order some of the Militia men out of his company to apprehend said William Glafford and also John Moore and William Moore and bring them before this board next Monday at three OClock in the afternoon at the Committee Chamber at the house of Capt. John A Bradt[.]

Mr Abraham Jel^s Truax appeared before this board and being duly sworn declared that Mr. John Rent passed the stoop of Dr. Van Ingen where the said Truax and John Van Sice stood. Rent having a bundle under his arm. Said Truax asked him if he had Tea. He said Yes. Truax asked him what he paid for it. He said not above twenty dollars. Then Truax asked him if he paid twenty dollars. He said yes. Thence Van Sice said Then it is not worth while we have a Conunittee. Rent answered that it was a disadvantage to the people because the people who went down the Country sold it by the way. Then Van Sice said it Is not worth while to have Laws. Rent answered "no it is not" and if he had as much goods as would supply the people of this town walled in secure from the people he would rather let it lay and rot or set it a flood than Dispose of it at the regulated price. Thereupon Resolved that said John Rent appear before the General Committee at Albany on Thursday next at 10 0 Clock in the forenoon to answer for his conduct and also that a sub committee from this board attend upon the General Committee at Albany and take copies of the affidavits of John Van Sice and Abraham Jel^s Truax to deliver in the board[.]

Mr. William Moore appearing according to appointment but being in liquor the board thought him unfit for taking an oath in order to give information Thereupon Resolved that said Moore appear before this board to morrow morning at 9 0 Clock.

According to advertisement for taking the sense of the people respecting the Election and Appointment of Delegates to serve in Convention the appearing were unanamousiy of opinion that the General Committee should appoint them, and at the same time Coll. Abraham Wemple Messr^s Johne Roseboom and Will^m White were elected as members for this board in addition to those already chosen[.]

Messrs Abraham Wemple and Will^m White took seats accordingly. On motion made Resolved that Albert Mable and Dirk Van Ingen be a sub committee to attend upon the General Committee at Albany[.]

Will^m Glafford appeared before this board and being duly sworn declared that he had bought a sith from John Bradt for hard money a little better than six weeks ago and that he did not know at the time he bought the sith that hard money was not to pass. John Moore being duly sworn informed this board that he heard Wither Johnson say he had bought a sith from the Bradts and that to the best of his knowledge it was then publickly known that hard money was not to pass.

On motion made Resolved that it is the opinion of this board that it is the duty of every member of this board to lay every information concerning any infractions of the Resolves that shall come to his or their knowledge before this board for an examination[.]

John Moore being duly sworn on the holy evangelists of Almighty God Declared that he was at John S. Bradts the next day or two or three days after Glasford bought a sith and asked said Bradt for a sith[.] Bradt asked him three skipple of wheat two hard Dollars or thirty Continental Dollars to the best of his knowledge[.]

Peter Hagedorn complained to this board that Mrs. Moston had sold him a lb of tea at twenty five dollars and afterwards Came to the house of Reuben Simonds and by force took the tea back again from said Hagedoorn and returned him the money.

Resolved thereupon that Mrs Moston be sent for ---- she being present acknowledged the above Charge. Thereupon Resolved that said Mrs Moston do deliver to the said Hagedoorn the pound of tea he paying fourteen dollars for the same and also pay to the Chairman of this Committee the sum of Eleven dollars as a fine for extorting the said sum of Eleven Dollars.

Resolved that the Chairman keep all the fines that shall be laid by this board until ordered by this board how to expose of the same.

Maria Hagedoom appeared before this board and complained that Mrs Robbison had sold her a pound of West India Brown Sugar for the sum of thirty two shillings[.] Thereupon Resolved that Mr. John Robbison be sent for[.] He being present said he did not know anything about it, but would ask his Wife[.] He returned and said Mrs Robbison acknowledged she had sold a lb of sugar, for four dollars but did not know sugar was regulated[.] Thereupon Resolved that said Robbison pay to the said Maria ten shillings back which was extorted from her and also Pay the sum of five dollars to the Chairman of this board as a fine[.]

Simon Jac^s Vrooman appeared before this board and complained that Mr Caleb Beck had sold two sticks of Mohair for six dollars which he looked upon as Extortion[.] Thereupon Resolved that Mr Beck be sent for[.] He appearing acknowledged the same[.] Thereupon Resolved that said Beck do return three dollars to said Simon which in the opinion of this board was extortion[.]

On motion made Resolved that every member belonging to this board who does not attend fifteen minutes after the hour appointed for the Committee to meet or on receiving notice shall (unless they can give a reasonable excuse to the satisfaction of the board) pay the price of one bowl of Toddy for every such neglect [.]