SCHENECTADY COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE

At a meeting of the Committee, May 1^st 1776:

The Chairman reported to the board that Joseph Kingsley and George Ramsey had paid the sums they were ordered by Resolve of the 17^th of april.

Received a letter from Robert Ellice, of the 25^th april, with the letter inclosed that was given to him for General Schuyler by this board.

Walter Swits made aplication to the board to be dismissed from Garret Veder's Company --- said he was not fairly inlisted, and further said he was willing to take his oath of this; upon which Resolved, to send for Lieut Bates, who inlisted him, which being done and pressent, Lieu^t Bates offiered to make oath that said Swits was fairly inlisted; upon which Resolved, that the board do not interfere in this matter.

At a meeting of the Committee, 2^d May, 1776:

Rec^d a letter from Walter Livingston, D. Q. Master General, requesting this board to send a number of Waggons to carrey provisions to Lake George: having taken the purport of said letter into consideration, Resolved, that two persons be Employed to get as many waggons as they can, and that said letter be answered.

At a meeting of the Committee, 6^th May, 1776:

Complaint being again made concerning Walter Swits that the officers of the company refused to take a sufficient man in his place, Resolved, that Abraham Wemple, Albert Mabey & John Cuyler be a Sub-Committee to settle said dispute.

At a meeting of the Committee, 7^th May, 1776:

A Pole being opened for the purpose of Chusing a new Committee agree able to advertisement of the 27^th of April, and held till no more voters, the following persons were Elected by a majority of Voices; viz., Abraham Fundau, Christopher Yates, Harmanas Wendle, Albert Mabey, Isaac Vrooman, Cornelious Van Dick, John A. Bradt, Cornelious Van Slike, Cornelious Van D. Volgan, Henry Van Dreessen, & John Peek.

Complaints being made to this board that Tekeres Van Debogart hath Employed a number of carpenters that have not signed the association ----

Tekeres Van Debogart having been sent for and pressent and his list examined, found he had engaged Moss Skermarhorn, William Skermarhorn and Peter S. Veder, who are all non-associatores: Resolved, that M^r Van Debogart discharge them and Employ others in their room.

Complaints being made that Docter Gill and some other Docters intends to practise Phisick in this Town, they being prissoners, Resolved, that they may give advice but not apply medicines.

On motion made, Resolved, that Harmanas Wendle & Dirk V. Ingan is appointed a sub-committee to attend at the General Meeting of the Committee at Albany the 9^th Inst.

At a meeting of the Committee, 8 May, 1776:

Complaint having been made to this board that Cornelious Peek and son Joseph is now Employed as carpenters at Lake George and hase not signed the General association, thereupon, Resolved, that a letter be wrot to General Schuyler acquainting him of the same, and desire him to send said Peek & sone Back, which was don in the following words:

Hon^d Sir,

This board entred into a Resolve the 3^d of March last that no carpenters should be Employed in the Continental service from this place without there first having signed the general association, which Resolve we have strictly put in forse, and has been attended with that success that upwards of sixty persons have signed the same. we being informed that Cornelious Peek and son, who went to the Lake with a company of carpenters from Albany before this Resolve was made, hath not signed the association although they have been both in town since we Entred into said Resolve, which causes an uneasiness in the District, therefore Beg they may be sent back, and if the service requires it we will supply their places by other good carpenters.

On motion made, Resolved, that advertisements be put up desiring all those who intend to go Battauing to the westward to attend at this Committee Chamber on tuesday, the 10^th Inst., between the hours of two and six in the afternoon, in order that those who have not signed the association may then sign it under the inspection of the committee, which was don accordingly.

At a meeting of the Committee, 10^th May, 1776:

A number of Traders and Battaumen waited on this board and signed the association.

The board being informed that the General is now returned to Albany and may probebly not receive the letter wrot by the board the 8^th Ins^t as soon as could be wished, thereupon Resolved, that a copy of said letter concerning Cornelious Peek & son be wrot to General Schuyler, now at Albany, with the following additional parregraf annexed to it, which is in the following words:

We have also to inform you that William Skermarhorn & Peter S. Feder went of to the Lake with M^r Van D. bogart without the leave of this Board: they have repeatedly refused to sign the General association; therefore beg that you will give orders that they may not be employed, and we will send others in their places, if wanted.

On motion made, Resolved, that Dark V. Ingan, James Wilson, & Hugh Mitchell is appointed a sub-committee from this board to attend at the Chamber, on munday, Tuesday & Wedensday next, from the hours of Eleven to twelve in the fore noon, to admit people to sign the association under their rnspection.

At a meeting of the Committee, 13^th May, 1776

On motion made, Resolved, that Albert Mabey go to Albany the 15^th Inst to receive the amount of the accounts due to this board.

John B. Van Eps Jun^r waited on this board and complained that Cap^t Veder had sent a file of men to his house to take away an aprentice boy of his under pretence of being inlisted. Van Eps says that the boy is not inlisted ---- that they had tould the boy to sign his hand as an Evidence to a person's inlisting then in the house, which the boy did. Upon which the board Resolved to send for Lieut Bates, who knows something about this matter. Lieu^t Bates having been sent for and pressent, acknowledged that he understood by those who were pressent that the above mentioned boy had signed the inlistment only as an Evidence; Thereupon Resolved, that the boy is not inlisted, and that he return hom with his Master.

On motion made, Resolved, that a letter be wrot to General Schuyler requesting that Ahasueras Wendle & Henry Marselis be sent from the Lake, as they have not signed the association, which was don in the following words:

Hon^d Sir:

we beg leave to adress our selves once more on the subject of carpenters: we find upon inquirey, that Ahasueras Wendle & Henry A. Marselis, both of this place and now Employed at the Lake, have not signed the association, and to prevent that Clamour of the people here, we beg they may be both sent back.

	By order of the Committee,
To	H. M., Clerk.
The Honorable
Philop Schuyler, Esqr
at Lake George.

At a meeting of the Committee, 15^th May, 1776:

Rec^d from the Committee of Albany a Coppy of a letter from General Schuyler, dated at Fort George the 13^th Inst., requesting all the waggons that possibly Can be sent to Carrey provision from Albany to the Lake, as our army in Canada is in great distress for want of meet.

Having taken the Contents of said letter into Consideration, thereupon Resolved, that a Coppy of said letter be Emediately sent up To Tryon County, inclosed in one from this board, which was wrot in the following words:

Gentlemen:

the inclosed is a Coppey of a letter from General Schuyler to the Sub-Com mittee from the City & County of Albany which we are desired to forward to you in order that you may see in what Condition Our Troops in Canada are for want of provision, and hope you will send down as many waggons as possibly Can be got.

To	D. V. I., Chairman.
The Committee of
Tryon County.

On motion made, Resolved, that a letter be wrot to Christopher Yates desiring him to write to M^rs Yates to give the Donation in her hands to the board, who now intends to send the whole to Boston, which is in the following words:

Sir,

we are now to inform you that we have an oppertunity of sending the Donation money to Boston by M^r Cornelious Van D. Beregh, who is going there and will Carrey the money for a reasonable Consideration; we there fore desire that you will write to M^rs Yates to give the money in your hands to this board, --- your speedy Complyance will much oblige, sir, your &C., &.

To	D. V. I., Chairman.
Mr Christopher Yates,
at Half Moon.

On motion made, Resolved, that John Cuyler and Abraham Wemple is appointed to be a Sub-Committee to Colect the remainder of the Donation money.

This board having taken into Consideration the present necessity their is for waggons to Carrey provision from Albany to Lake George, Resolved, that no waggons be employed in Carrying any goods or stores up or down between this place and Albany for ten days from the date of this Resolve, unless they are going into the publick service: in Such Cases they may Carry a freight from here to Albany, and that this resolve be mad publick by advertisement, which was don accordingly.

On motion made, Resolved, that Mindert M. Wemple be employed to go to all the people living in the west Ina, to engage all the waggons there he possibly Can to Carry provisions from Albany to the Lake.

Albert Mabey being returned from Albany, Informed the board that be Coold not get payment of the accounts from Mr Livingston. Thereupon Resolved, that a letter be wrot to General Schuyler to inform him of the Complaints the people make for want of their money, which was don in the following words:

Hond Sir,

we are sorry to be under the necessity of informing you that the people we Employed to go with their slades on the Expedition to Tryon County Complains much for want of their pay: we aplyed several times to M^r Livingston in the winter for payment of that amount, who tould us he had no money, which we believe was the Case; but a few days ago being informed that a large sum of publick money was come to Albany, yesterday we sent M^r Mabey, one of this board, down in order to get payment for the slades employed by us, but he Coold not get a farthing: on his representing to M^r Livingston that these amounts not being paid of was great detriment to us in getting waggons at present, was tould it was no matter, he could do without Schenectady waggons.

In the first place, we think we are ill used by M^r Livingston in this, and as it realy is a detriment to our getting waggons at present, we beg you will order said account to be paid as soon as money Can be spared. I am, &C.

To	H. M., Clerk.
The Honorable,
Philop Schuyler, Esqr
Major General.

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At a meeting of the Committee, 18^th May, 1776:

Present.

Dirk Van Ingan, in the Chaire,

Albert Mabey,	Harmanas Wendle,
James Wilson,	John Cuyler,
Garret Lansing,	Abraham Oothout,
Jecobus Teller,	Hugh Mitchell.

Rec^d a letter from Colonel Van Sleke, at Albany, dated the 17^th Inst., in which he says that the general has ordered all the prisoners to be sent down the Country, and desires that this board will order Lieut. Spark, and Docter Gill, and the other prisoners here, immediately to Albany. the board having taken said letter into Consideration, Resolved, that the prisoners be sent for and ordered to go Emedeatly to Albany. Said prisoners having been sent for, and present, and made acquainted with the above resolve, Docter Gill and Lieu^t Spark said they were ready to go as soon as a waggon was provided to Carrey their baggage, but that they would not go at their own Expense.

Docter Sanden informed the board that his wife, who is in Town with him, was near the time of delivery, and in such a situation that she Coold not with safety be removed, and beged leave to tarry with her for some time on that account.

The board having taken the situation of Docter Sanden's affaires into Consideration, Resolved, that a letter be wrot to Colonel Van Schaick, acquainting him with the same, and that Docter Sanden is permitted to stay until1 the board gets Colonel Van Schaick's answer, which was don in the following wordes:

C. C., Schenectady, 18^th May, 1776.

Sir, we just now rec^d your favour of the 17^th Inst. by Colonel Daton, and agreable to your desire, sent for Docter Gill, Lieu^t Spark, & Docter Sanden, and desired to go Emediatly to Albany, upon which Docter Sanden informed us that his wife, who is in town with him, nearly Expects to be delivered, and in such a situation Coold not be removed with safety, upon which we gave him leave to tarry here with her untill we have your answer, and as this delay will probibly be but a few days, we think it would be rather sever to order him away before his wife is delivered, but must leave this consideration to you.

Having taken the answer of Docter Gill & Lieu^t Spark into Consideration, Resolved, that a wagon be got to carry them and their baggage to Albany to-morrow morning, and that Colonel Van Schaick pay for the same.

Major Ganseford informed the board that Colonel Van Schaick again Desired that all the prisoners should be Emediatly sent down, upon which the board Resolved, that the above letter is not to be sent; but that Docter Sanden and servant go down to Albany to-morrow morning along with Docter Gill & Lieut Spark, and at his request the following letter be wrot to Colonel Van Schaick, to represent his present situation, which was done accordingly.

C. Chamber, Schenectady, 18th 1776

Sir, We just now rec^d yours of the 17^th Inst., and in Complyance there with have ordered Lieut Spack, Docter Gill, Docter Sanden & servant to go down to-morrow morning in a waggon, which we expect you to pay.

we must beg leave to observe to you that Docter Sanden's wife, who now is in Town, Expects every houre to be delivered, and in such a situation Cannot with safety be removed, as they are both strangers here, we think to order him away from her would be rather Cruel, and would beg his situation may be taken into Consideration. we must do him and the other prisoners the Justice to say that they have Conducted themselves inoffensively since they have been in this Town.

I am, &c.,

By order of the Committee,

To	H. M., Clerk
Colonel Goose Vanschaich,
at Albany.

On motion made, Resolved, that advertisements be Emediatly put up on the most publick places in this Town, to inform the publick of the names of the persons Chosen to be a Committee for this District, and the time they are to take their seates, which was don accordingly.

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At a meeting of the Committee, 21 May, 1776:

Present.

Derk Van Ingan, in the Chaire,

James Wilson,	Harmanas Wendle,
Abraham Wemple,	Hugh Mitchell,
Garret Lansing.

Colonel White of the Jersey regiment waited on the board, and said that hc was informed that M^r Delancy, of Albany, and a number of other Enemys to the Cause of liberty, are now assembled at the House of John Duncan, Esq^r and is of opinion that their Counsels at present might be detrimental to the present Expedition, therefore desired to have an order from this board to send a detachment of his men to apprehend them.

The board having taken said information into Consideration, Resolved, that as M^r Duncan lives out of this district, that an order cannot be given for the above purpose; but that a letter be Emediatly wrot to the Committee of Albany, acquainting them of the information given by Colonel White.

On motion made, Resolved, that James Wilson & Harmanas Wendle is appointed a Sub-Committee from the board to wait on Colonel White and acquaint him of the above Resolve.

The Sub-Committee being returned to the board, reported that they Coold not see Colonel White, but was informed that he, with several of his officers, and a party of his men was gon up the Albany Hill, upon which we supposed him to be gon to M^r Duncan's House. Therefore Resolved, that the afore mentioned letter to the Committee of Albany need not be wrot at present.

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At a meeting of the Committee, 22^d apr^l [May] 1776:

Present.

Derk Van Ingan, in the Chaire,

Albert Mabey,	Abraham Wemple,
Jecobus Teller,	Hugh Mitchell,
John Cuyler,	Harmanas Wendle.

On motion made, Resolved, that as Abraham Oothout is now at Albany, that a letter be wrot to him desiring him to attend at the General meeting at Albany, in the name of this board, which was don in the following words:

Sir, as we now suppose you to be in Albany, beg the favour of you to attend at the General meeting in behalf of this board, as its verrey inconvenient for any of the members now to attend. you need not make any mention of the pay for M^r White's boy, as we intend to apply to the sub-committee for that, where we think we will be more likely to succeed.

By order of the Committee,

To	H. M., Clerk.

M^r Abraham Oothout.

Rec^d a letter from John Duncan, Esq^r of this day's date, in which he gives an account of the tratement he received from Colonel White, and complains much thereof, and Says that Colonel White tould him that what he did was by an order from this board. Upon seeing Richard Duncan in the street, Resolved to send for him and inquire further into this matter, which being don, and present, he gave the same account of it that his faithor did; upon. which the board assured Richard Duncan that what Colonel White did was not by Virtue of any order from this board.

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At a meeting of the Committee, 23^d May, 1776:

Present.

Derk Van Ingan, in the Chaire,

John Cuyler,	Hugh Mitchell,
Harmanas Wendle,	Abraham Wemple,
Garret Lansing.

William James brought before this board a man named Binjamen Right, who acknowledged himself to be a deserter from Captain Veder's company, and that he deserted from a guard who had him in Confinement for suspicion of theft and other misdemenors.

Resolved, that the above named Binjamen Right be Emediatly sent to Albany under a guard of two of the minute men of this Town, and that Captain Veder or the officer Commanding said Company pay each of the minute men six shillings for their Trubble, and that a letter be wrot to Cap^t Veder, or officer Commanding his Company at Albany, desiring his Complyance with this Resolve.

Names of the Guard:

Isaac Canoot,

Robert Smith.

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At a meeting of the Committee, 24^th May, 1776:

Present.

Derk Van Ingan, in the Chaire,

Albert Mabey,	James Wilson,
Harmanas Wendle,	Abraham Wemple,
Garret Lansing,	John Cuyler,
Abraham Oothout,	Hugh Mitchell.

Rec^d a letter from Colonel Dayton, at John's Town, of this day's date, in which he informes this board that he hase orders to aprehend John Munro, and treat him as a Common Enemy to the liberty of America, and requesting this board to aprehend him emediatly, and keep him in Closs Confinement untill he returns from Johnstown.

The board having taken the contents of said letter into Consideration, Resolved, that John Cuyler, Abraham Oothout & Albert Mabey is appointed a Sub-Committe to bring John Munro before this board to-morrow morning.

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At a meeting of the Committee, 25^th May, 1776:

Present.

Derick Van Ingan, in the Chaire,

Harmanas Wendle,	Albert Mabey,
Abraham Wemple,	James Wilson,
Jecobus Teller,	Abraham Oothout,
Hugh Mitchell,	John Cuyler.

The Sub-Committee appointed to bring John Munro before this board have now brought him; accordingly, Resolved, that said Munro be now sent to albany, under guard of a party of our minute men, there to be kep in Closs Confinement untill Colonel Dayton Returns from Tryon County, and that a Coppy of Colonel Dayton's letter, together with one from this board be sent to the Chairman & Committee of Albany, which was don in the following words:

C. C., Schenectady, May 25^th 1776.

Gentlemen: the above is a Coppy of a letter we received last night from Colonel Dayton: in consequence thereof have this morning aprehended John Munro, and as we have no place of Confinement here, we now send him to you under guard, and desire you will Cause him to be kep in Confinement untill Colonel Dayton returns.

I am, &c.,

By order of the Committee,

To the Chairman &	D. V. I., Chairman.
Committee of Albany.

On motion made, Resolved, that Colonel Dayton's letter to this board be Emediatly answered, in the following words:

In Committee Chamber, Schenectady, 25^th May, 1776.

Sir, we rec^d yours of 24^th last night, and have, in Complyance therewith, this morning aprehended John Munro: he is now in Custody, and we are Just going to send him to albany, with proper Directions to the Committee, as we have no place of Confinement here.

I am, &c.,

By order of the Committee,

To	D. V. I., Chairman.
Colonel Dayton
Commander at
Johns Town.

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At a meeting of the Committee, the 25 May, 1776:

Present.

Derk Van Ingan, in the Chaire,

John Cuyler,	James Wilson,
Garret Lansing,	Harmanas Wendle,
Albert Mabey,	Abraham Wemple,
Abraham Oothout,	Hugh Mitchell.

On motion made, Resolved, that the Donation money Colected in this District for the relefe of the poor of Boston, now in the hands of Hugh Mitchell, which is Eighty-Eight pounds six shillings, together with thirty-nine pounds sixteen shillings and sixpence, now in the hands of Christopher Yates, be sent to Boston by Cornelious Van Deberigh, as soon as the above sum can be received fram Christopher Yates, and that said Cornelious Van De Berigh be paid six pounds of the above sum, and sixteen shillings which Abraham Wemple is to collect from Isaac Rossa and Thadeous S^t John, for his trubble of Carreing the money to Boston.

On motion made, Resolved, that Hugh Mitchell is appointed to receive the money from Christopher Yates, and deliver the whole to Cornelious Van De Beregh, and take his Receipt for the same.

On motion made, Resolved, that a letter be wrot to the Committee of Safety at Boston, desiring them to Direct M^r Van De Beregh to who he shall deliver the money sent by him.

James Ellice made aplication to the board for a pass to go up as far as the German Flatts, to see what is become of some Battaus and goods of his which was stoped there. The board having taken into Consideration the request of James Ellice, Resolved to give him a pass for the above purpose.

On motion made, Resolved, that Harmanas Wendle is appointed to dispose of the Ball in his hands, which is 5^cwt. 3^qr. 0^Ib and pay the money arising from the saile of said Balls to Margaret Van Antwerp, Excepting forty shillings of said money, which he is to pay into the hands of the succeeding Committee,---- said Margaret Van Antwerp having already received that sum from this board. Resolved, that Harmanas Wendle is also appointed to receive four pounds from Frederick Visgar for Ball sold him last Summer, and pay the same to the afore named Margaret Van Antwerp,

On motion made, Resolved, that Hugh Mitchell is appointed to receive the amount due to this board for slades &c. employed in the Expedition to Johnstown last winter, and pay the same to the several people to whom its due.

On motion made, Resolved, that the following papers be delivered to the succeeding Committee; viz.---- The association papers; the articles signed by the officers of Militia; a letter wrot by the reverand M^r Stewart at Fort Hunter, to John Manur at Albany; Joseph Kingsley's and George Ramsey's Bond; the affidavits of Robert & James Ellice and Lieu^t Pendelton; seven Resolves of the Committee of Albany; viz., one of the 27^th March, two of the 29^th March, two of the 12^th AprI., one of the 20^th Aprl., one of the 10^th May.

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At a meeting of the Committee, 27^th May, 1776:

Present.

Derick Van Ingan, in the Chaire,

John Cuyler,	Albert Mabey,
James Wilson,	Abraham Wemple,
Garret Lansing,	Abraham Oothout,
Harmanas Wendle,	Hugh Mitchell.

On motion made, Resolved, that the minutes and papers belonging to this board be lodged in the hands of Hugh Mitchell, and that any of the members of the new Committee may have the perusal of them at his House.

On motion made, Resolved to pay William White three pounds out of the publick money now in the hands of this board, for his boy's services in attending on the Committee; also, to pay him two pounds Eighteen shillings & Six pence out of said money, for necessaries furnished to the Indians that came to meet General Schuyler.

On motion made, Resolved, that Hugh Mitchell pay twelve pounds four shillings and sixpence to the succeeding Committee, as soon as he receives payment of the accounts due to this board, being public money in the hands of this board.

Received of Cap^t Cornelious Van Dick, thirty-nine pounds sixteen shillings and sixpence, being the Donation money Colected for the poor of Boston, which was in the hands of Christopher Yates.

Having sent for the members of the new Committee, and delivered up to them sundry papers, they requested to have the minutes delivered also; upon which the board Resolved they may have them to peruse for one week, upon the Chairman giving a recept to Return them to Hugh Mitchell, without taking any Coppys of them, and may at any time after, have the perusel of the minutes at his house; and if the new Committee do not Chuse to axcept of this proposal, and Insist on having the minutes, Resolved, that it be determined by the Committee of Albany, whether the minutes is to be delivered up or not.

On Examination of the Cash in hand, the board findes there will be non left to pay William White for his boy's services in attending on the Committee, thereupon Resolved, that as soon as Hugh Mitchell gets payment of the amount due to this board for waggons &c., that he pay three pounds to William White out of said money for his boy's services.