USA > New Jersey > Minutes of the Council of Safety of the state of New Jersey > Part 13
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Joseph Skelton, was brought before the Board, and on the Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegi- ance being tendered to him, refused to take or subscribe the same, but having entered into recognizance with Jacob Hyer, his surety, in £300 Each, to appear at the next Court of Gen' Q' Ses- sions of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, was discharged.
Ordered That Majr Potter be directed to remove to Staten Island, Sarah Barron & the wife of William Smith, the wife of John Heard & the wife of Samnel Moore, as well as the wives of such other persons as have returned from the Enemies' lines, without leave, after having been removed into the same by order of the Council of Safety; & make a return of what he shall have done in the premises with all convenient speed.
Agreed that there be paid to Matthew Freeman for himself & Guard & three prisoners from Woodbridge, with a Waggon & 2 horses, and a spare Horse, the sum of £11. 0. 0.
Ordered that in case the persons whose names are hereunto annexed, are or shall be charged with, or committed for any of the crimes or offences, specified in the 1st 2ud or 3rd sections of a certain Act Entitled " An Act to punish Treason & disaffected persons" Or are or shall be charged with, or committed for Mis- prision of Treason, or for any crime or offence specified in the 8th or 9th sections of an act for constituting a Council of Safety, or shall be charged with or committed for, any of the Crimes or Offences specified in the 2nd Section, of An Act entitled an "Act to render certain Bills of Credit a legal tender, within this State, & to prevent the counterfeiting of the Same, & other Bills of Credit," or so many of them as have been So charged or com- mitted, shall be tried for the same in the County of Hunterdon, Altho' the offences they be charged with, or were or shall be committed for, were done or perpetrated in any other County.
The persons in the above order referred to are; viz:
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Lewis Freeman,
John Honeyman,
William Cook,
Charles Friend,
Pricilla Stewart,
Patrick Navins,
John Richmond
Sam' Demarest
John Brown
Hendrick Zabriski
Matthew Wrench
Cornelius Ackerman
John Dey Jacob Bogert
Isaac Stagg John Ackerman
John Willis.
Adjourned to Monday Morning 9 O'clock.
Monday,
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178
Monday, 22 Decr 1.777
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
Present. His Excellency the Governor M' Mehelm M' Imlay M' Smith M' Manning
Mr Speaker.
Richard Stockton Esq", was called before the Board, and the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance being tendered to him, he took & subscribed the Same, & was thereupon dismissed.
Agreed That there be paid to Capt Moore, for himself & the use of 24 men of his Co, for their services in attending the Council of Safety, as a Guard, from the 26th Augt to the 3rd day of September last, the sum of £18. 5. 4. That the said Moore be paid the sum of £6. 7. 6 for removing the wife of Thos Russel to Staten Island ; And also that there be allowed him for his expenses in going to Morristown & Philadelphia with prisoners the sum of £8. 15.
Agreed that there be paid to Lieut Bergen for himself & 13 men, Employed by him as a Guard for the Council of Safety, and the security of the prisoners, the sum of £39. 16. 4. That he also be paid the sum of £28. 0. Bounty money for the said Guard, and that for furnishing them with Wood, Caudles & Sundry other Articles the sum of $14. 11. 6.
Agreed That Andrew MeMackin be paid the sum of £12. 7. 6 for making Cartridges for the Council of Safety.
Ordered that Jonathan Baldwin take charge of the Balls & Cartridges now in the hands of Andrew MeMackin.
Agreed That Co' Ellis be authorized to remove any Cattle, Sheep & Hogs (excepting Milch Cows) from any places where he thinks them in danger, of falling into the Enemy's hands, to places of greater security; upon the Owners refusing to do it, first giving notice to the Owners, who may take care of them at their Expense.
Agreed That the prisoners taken with Richard Stockton & now confined at Carlile be treated as prisoners of War.
John Holton, William Drake, Jeremiah Turner, and Jas Pyatt having severally taken & subscribed the Oaths of Ab- juration & Allegiance as prescribed by Law, were severally discharged.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
23 December
isent
179
23 December 1.777
The Council met pursuant to Adjt
Present, His Excellency the Governor M' Manning, M' Imlay M' Speaker,
M' Mehelm Mr Smith.
Agreed That His Excellency the president draw on the Treasurer in favor of M' Imlay for the sum of One Thousand Pounds for the use of the Council of Safety.
Agreed that M" Lott be paid 40's for firewood & Candles provided for the Council of Safety-
Adja to meet at Ringoes next Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday, 24th
The Council met at Ringoes, pursuant to adj"
Present, His Excellency the Governor Mr Smith, Co1 Drake,
There not being a sufficient number of members to proceed on business,
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9. O'clock.
Thursday, 25 December
· Met pursuant to adjt
Present. His Excellency the Governor Mr Smith, M' Mehelm M' Speaker, M' Drake,
There yet wanting one Member to make a Quorum, Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
Ringoes, 26th December 1.777
The Council Met, pursuant to adjt Present as before.
A sufficient number of members not Yet attending, adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 o'clock.
Ringoes,
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Ringoes, 27 Decr 1.777
Met pursuant to Adjt Present as before,
A proper. number of members to make a board not Yet at- tending, adja again till tomorrow Morning.
28th Decr 1.777
The Council met at Ringoes pursuant to Adjt Present, as before.
From the same reasons as above, The Council Adja till to- morrow Morning 8 O'clock.
29th Decr 1.777
The Council met pursuant to adjt Present, as before-
Adjourned till tomorrow, for want of another Member.
30th Decr 1.777
The Council met at Ringoes pursuant to Adjt
A. M.
Mr Condit & M' Linn appeared & Severally took their Seats at the Board-
Present. His Excellency the Governor,
M' Condict Mr Smith
M' Linn Col Drake
M' Mehelm Mr Speaker
Agreed That there be paid to Abraham Brokau, for attend- ing & riding express for the Council of Safety, the sum of £9. 16 .. 3.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
31st Decr. 1.777
The Council met pursuant to adj'. Present as before. The petition of Wm Bowen setting forth that he was desir- ous
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ons of making Camp Kettles & other necessaries, wanted in the Continental Army & praying an exemption of Military Duty, while he shall be thus Engaged- , having taken the same into Consideration,
Agreed, That as it does not appear that the said Bowen is at present under any Engagement, The prayer of his Petition cannot at present be Granted, but if he shall appear before the Council of Safety next Thursday at Springfield, & produce to them any Contract he is under for entering into such service, his petition will be again considered of-
M' Speaker having at this place (before a Quorum of the Council of Safety had met) paid the following respective sums, to wit :
To John Bennet the sum of £1. 16. 3 To John Voorhise the sum of . 7. 1. 9
To Jarod Saxton the sum of . 7. 10. 0
for riding express for the Council of Safety ;
The Board at their present meeting agreed to the several payments made as aforesaid, & ordered that an Entry be made thereof ;
Agreed That there be paid to Silas Condit Esq' for the use of a wounded Soldier in Col Munster's Battalion the sum of £10. 0.0.
The petition of a number of inhabitants of the township of Hopewel, praying an exemption for Jacob Osborn, from two Tours of Military Duty, he being a Weaver by trade, & much wanted in the neighborhood, which being laid before the Board and taken into consideration;
Agreed that the above Petition cannot be complied in :--
Agreed that there be paid to John Hart Esq' for the use of Mary Morshan the widow of Aaron Morshan, lately belonging to the Company of Militia commanded by Capt Benjamin Vau Cleve, who was killed on Long Island, the month of August 1.776 in an Engagement with the British Troops, & which said widow is left with 3 small children in low circumstances, the sum of £15. 0. 0
Agreed That a warrant do issue for apprehending & bring- ing before the Board John Schenk late of Poghkeepsie in the State of New York, that the Oaths of Govt may be tendered to him.
Adje to 3 o'clock P. M.
Met
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Met pursuant to adjournment.
Joseph Lewis having made Application to the Board to have an exemption for himself & a certain number of men Employed by him, in the Commissary Dept, from Military Duty in the Militia-
Agreed that the said Lewis being a Commissary of Issues in the public service, be exempted agreable to his request, and that Nathan Turner employed by him as a Butcher, Nathan Howell employed in his Store, & Alphus Hughs employed by him as a Clerk, be in like manner Exempted while they con- tinue in those respective Employments.
Agreed That there be paid to Co' Chambers for the use of Valentine Ent the sum of £2 10| for drawing 14 hundred- weight of Lead from Amwell to Princeton.
Agreed that Pricilla Harrison have permission to go to her husband in Philadelphia, on condition of not returning into this State during the War.
Agreed That Walter Rutherford & Jas Parker Esqrs be dis- charged from their present confinement in Morristown & suf- fered to return to their respective places of abode, there to con- tinue & within one mile of the same respectively antil the first day of February next, & then to be committed to & confined in prison until the Honble John Fell Esq' shall be released from his confinement in New York, on condition of liberating the said Jas Parker, & Wynant Van Zant on condition of liberat- ing the said Walter Rutherford-
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock,
January 1st 1.778
Present His Excellency the Governor, Mr Speaker M' Linn Mr Smith Co' Drake
M' Condict.
Agreed that His Excellency the president draw on the Trea- surer 'for the sum of $300 -- for the use of the Council of Safety.
Ordered that the sev! sums agreed to be paid the Con- stables & Cryer of Morris agreeable to the order of the 24th Noy 1.777 be paid Silas Condit Esqr for the use of the said Constables & Cryer amounting in the whole to £69. 0. 0.
ifit
It
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183
It appearing to the Board that the sick in the Hospital at Princeton are greatly suffering for want of Firewood, and that when the Commissary is able to procure Wood Cutters (which is Effected with Great difficulty) he has no assurance of their remaining in his service by reason of their being liable to be called out in the Militia, by Means whereof he is frequently un- supplied;
Resolved that Burgoon Updicke, Peter Updicke, Robert Yates, Hendrick Lane, Lawrence Updicke, David Molisson, William Downey, & Peter Archer be exempted from Military duty for the above purpose for the term of 30 days from the date hereof, & that on their producing Certificates from the Commissary of the Hospitals, of their having been employed in such service, they be excused in their next Tour of duty, for so many days as they shall appear to have been so Employed.
.Agreed that there be paid to the Constables for their Extra- ordinary service in Attending the Court of Oyer & Terminer held at FlemingTown for the County of Hunterdon, the num- ber of days affixed to their names, over & above the usual term of Duty, the following Sums viz:
To Rubon Runyon 8 days c 10| p day £4. 0. 0 4. 10. 0) 66
Andrew MeClearly 9 66
Joseph Ross
9
4. 10. 0
Wm Shoudon
6
3. 0. 0
Thos Reider 6
3. 0. 0
Sam' Hulick
6
66
3. 0. 0
Wm Coolback 10
5. 0. 0
John Campbell
10
66
5. 0. 0
£32. 0. 0
John Schenck by Virtue of a Warrant was brought before the Board & having entered into Recognizance with John P. Schenck, his surety, in £300 Each to appear at the next Court of Gen' Q' Sessions of the peace to be held in & for the County of Somerset, Was thereupon dis- missed-
Agreed that there be paid to Jonas Stryker, the sum of €5. 4. 9 for His services as a light Horseman for the Council of Safety.
Adjourned to meet at Springfield, next Tuesday morning 9 O'clock.
Wednesday
184
Wednesday 7th Jany 1.778
The Council met, at Springfield.
Present His Excellency the Governor Co! Fleming, Mr Smith Mr Crane, Col Drake
Mr Condit.
Agreed that there be paid to Samuel Meeker, for sundry Ex- penses attending his furnishing provisions and other necessaries for the support of a Guard, Kept over the prisoners in Sussex Gaol, the sum of £104. 1. 10.
Adjd till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to adjt Present as before,
with M' Manning-
Major Dally Made Application to the Board to have a cer- tain number of men, to be employed by him as teamsters and Woodcutters in the Continental Service Exempted from serving in the Militia, during the time they shall be so employed ; which being taken into consideration,
Agreed that such exemptions tending to drain this State of the Militia, by employing them in the Continental service, does not fall within the meaning of the Act vesting Authority in the Govt & Council of Safety to exempt men from doing duty in the Militia, & cannot therefore be complyed with.
Rune & John Runyon, applied for leave to go into the Enemy's lines, to procure the will of their father, who went over to & died among the Enemy.
Agreed That they have permission to enquire by letter con- cerning the said Will, and if there is any probability of pro- curing it, the matter will then be further considered of.
Adja till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
t Thursday, 8 Jany 1.778
Met pursuant to adjt
Present, His Excellency the Governor Col Drake Mr Condit
Col Fleming, M' Manning, Mr Smith
Agreed
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Agreed that there be paid to Col Seely for the use of Philip Harder, for riding Express for him the sum of £6. 2. 6
Agreed that there be paid to John Hunt for his expenses in riding Express from Aunwell to Springfield the sum of 37|6-
His Excellency was pleased to lay before the Board a letter from Gen' Washington urging the expediency of removing the cattle & forage that lay near the Enemy, out of their reach-
1
Agreed that his Excellency direct Co' Ellis to remove all the horned Cattle, Sheep, Hogs and all Cows which do not give Milk, from the vicinity of the Jersey Shore in the Counties of Burlington, Gloucester & Salem, that may be within the reach of the enemy's foraging parties, except such as may be really essential for the inhabitants (the owners refusing to do it on notice given to them for that purpose) and that the Gen' be in- formed that the powers lodged in the Council of Safety are inadequate to the requisition of having the Forage removed, & that it be recommended to him to exercise his own authority in having it Effected-
Agreed that there be paid to Brigdr Gen1 Winds, for ex- penses accrued to him by order of the Council of Safety, the sum of £63. 5. 2.
Ordered, That in addition to the orders already given to M' Caldwell, with respect to the erection of Beacons for the pur- pose of alarming the County in case of Invasion, he be further desired to direct that one be set up at Morristown and another at Longhill, and one or two to the Northward of New Ark, and that he be requested to appoint proper persons to take the care of & attend them & that the person so provided, Shall be exempted, when known, from Military duty-
Adjourned to meet at Morristown, tomorrow-
Friday, 9th January 1.777
The Council met at Morristown,
Present. His Excellency the Governor Mr Smith, Mr Condit Co' Fleming
Co1 Drake,
M' Manning
Agreed that Alex' Edwards & John Yalter, Millers, & Joseph Smith, & W" Reynolds, Coopers, employed in the Mill in Nottingham Township, and Daniel Edwards & Patrick Puecell,
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Puecell, Millers & Charles Crossley, Paterson Doyle & Samuel Crossley Coopers employed at the Mill near Bordentown, & John McCartney & Richard Glue Millers at Mount Holly (which Mills are employed in furnishing the Army of the United States with Flour) be exempted from Military duty for the space of 30 days from the date hereof, provided they con- tinue in such employment-
Agreed that His Excellency write to M' Emely for the sum of £500. 0. 0. in part of the order which he has on the Trea- sury for £1000. 0. 0.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
Saturday, 10th Jany 1.778
Met pursuant to Adjournment.
Present His Excellency the Governor Mr Condict, Mr Smith M' Manning Col Fleming
Co1 Drake.
Agreed that a Warrant do issue for apprehending and bring- ing before the Board Archibald Kennedy Esqr, that an Enquiry be made into his past conduct, and that the Oaths of Govern- ment may be tendered to him.
Agreed That the following persons, vizt: Joseph Morse, Joseph Morse Jr, Esther Morse, Joshua Wynants, Johiah . . . Morse, and Anthony Morse, for being, aiding & assisting in attempting to carry beef to the Enemy on Staten Island, be brought before the Board to answer for the said Offence.
On the application of Joseph Lewis,
Agreed That W" Jones employed by him as a Clerk in the Commissary depart be exempted from serving in the Militia for the space of 30 days from the date hereof.
Adjourned till Monday Morning 9 O'clock.
Monday Mor's 9 O'clock
The Council met pursuant to Adj" Present, His Excellency the president, Mr Condit Mr Smith M' Manning Co' Fleming
Co1 Drake.
A
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187
A petition was presented from sundry of the inhabitants of the township of Woodbridge, which having been considered it is ordered, That pursuant to the prayer of said petition, Major Potter do permit the Wives of Wm Smith & Philip Goss, who are with the Enemy, to stay among us, upon Mrs Smith's Giving Security to remove to her Father's family, & there to continue till the further order of this Board, (the order of the 20th December 1.777 to the contrary Notwithstanding) and that in all other respects the said order of the 20 December be carried into immediate execution.
Ordered That the following persons (prisoners here) to wit, Enoch Allen, James Wells, Abraham Man, John Edeson & W" Reed, be brought before the Council to hear & consider their respective Circumstances agreable to their petition;
The Said prisoners being brought before the Council, & their Several cases Considered, It is ordered,
That Enoch Allen be discharged on his Enlistment in one of the New Jersey Regiments.
That James Wells do Either Enlist, or give Security for his appearance at the Court of Quarter Sessions for the County of Middlesex.
That Abraham Man do Either Enlist, or give security for his appearance at the next Court in Essex,
And That John Edeson & Wm Reed remain in custody until the further order of this Board.
Adjourned to 9 O'clock tomorrow Morning.
Tuesday, 9 O'clock A.M.
Met according to adjournment.
Present, His Excellency the President
M' Condit Co1 Fleming
Mr Manning- Mr Smith
Col Drake M' Linn,
Capt" Archibald Kennedy pursuant to Warrant was brought before the Board, & he being heard & sundry Affidavits transmitted to the Council, respecting his conduct being read and considered,
Resolved,
That Capt Kennedy be permitted to return to his own house and do attend this Board in 14 days from this time ;- And that in the meantime a letter be written to Gen' Washington respecting
188
respecting the nature of Capt Kennedy's Parole & that copies of the Affidavits relative to his conduct be also transmitted with the Same.
Jehiel Morse by virtue of a warrant was brought before the Board, who having been examined, & his Examination committed to writing, was delivered to the custody of the Guard-
George Michaldeed appeared before the Board, & being ex- amined upon Oath relative to a Hogshead of Flaxseed given to his care by Anthony Morse, to be conveyed to Staten Island, & his deposition committed to writing, was thereupon dis- missed.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
Wednesday 14 Jany 1.778
Met pursuant to adjournment-
Present His Excellency the Governor Col Fleming M' Linn Mr Condit Co' Drake
Mr Smith
Samuel Lawrence appeared before the Board & having given bond in the sum of £100. 0. 0 for his appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer in Essex County, to give Testimony in behalf of the State against Joseph Morse Jun". Anthony Morse and Esther Marsh was thereupon dismissed.
A letter from Co! Seely was read & answered ;-
Agreed that the following persons have permission to go to their husbands in the Enemy's lines, viz: Lydia Gorman, wife of John Gorman, with her four children, and Sarah Copinger wife of Wm Copinger & her three children.
A letter from the Revd M' Caldwell was read & an- swered-
Azariah Clark and Abraham Badgley entered into recogni- zance in the sum of £100 Each, for their appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer in the Co of Essex, as witnesses in behalf of the State against Joseph Morse Jr, Anthony Morse & Esther Marsh.
Agreed that there be paid to Henry Insley, the sum of £4. 14. 3 for riding express in the service of this State.
Adja till 3 o'clock P. M.
Met
189
Met pursuant to adj"
Present as before.
Benjamin Wynants & Robert Clark, appeared before the Board & having given bond in the sum of £100-Each for the appearance of George Michaelleed at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer in Essex County, were thereupon severally dis- charged-
Joshua Winants entered into recognizance with Benjamin Wynants & Robert Clark, his security, in £300 Each, for his appearance at the Court aforesaid-
Anthony Morse in like Manner gave bond, with Benjin Wy- nants his surety in £300, to appear at the same Court.
Agreed That David Star be paid the sum of £4. 1. 3 for his expenses in attending the Council of Safety as an Ex- press-
Benj" Wynants entered into Bond in the sum of £100. for the appearance of Jehiel Marsh, at the Court above-mentioned, in order to Give Evidence against Joseph Morse Jr, Anthony Morse, & Esther Marsh, in behalf of the State.
Agreed That Esther Marsh be committed to the Gaol in this place for High Treason.
Agreed That there be paid to Azariah Clark for his time & trouble in taking up & securing a number of persons detected in trading with the Enemy £12. 7. 6.
And That there be allowed Abraham Badgley the sum of £3. 0. 0. for assisting the said Clark in the business above- mentioned.
Ordered That a Warrant do issue for apprehending and bringing Joseph Morse Jr before the Board.
His Excellency having reed by Express the sum of £500 0. 0 which the Board had directed him to draw upon M' Emely for, the said Money was by him delivered into the hands of Mr Condit as Treasurer of the Board-
Jacob Wood, John Gibeson, & Hezekiah Gibeson three of the Green coat new levies, deserted from the Enemy, have permission to consider till tomorrow morning whether they will Enlist into our service or be committed for High Trea- NON.
Jas Wells & Abraham Man were ordered before the Board, & on their refusing to Enlist into the Continental Army,
Ordered, That they be remanded to prison, until they find security for their appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Ter- miner in Essex County.
Adjourned till to-Morrow Morning.
Mol
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Met pursuant to adjournment.
Thursday 15th. 1.778
Present His Excellency the Governor Col Fleming M' Linn
M' Condict Col Drake
Mr Smith.
Agreed, That Col Drake be refunded $3.00 which he paid to an express while at Ringoes, for bringing papers from Trenton.
Agreed, That Enoch Allen be exempted from paying for the Rations which he drew while a State prisoner in Morristown Gaol.
Upon application,
Agreed That John Yatter and Alexander Edwards Millers, and Joseph Smith & William Reynolds Coopers employed at the Mill in Nottingham Township; Daniel Edwards & Patrick Puessel Millers, & Chas Crossley, Paterson Doyle & Samuel Crossley, Coopers, employed at the Mill near Borden Town, & John M Cartney & Richard Glue, Millers, at Mount Ilolly, who were by a former resolution of the Board exempted from serv- ing in the Militia, for the space of 30 days from the 9 Jany last, are further exempted to the 9th March next.
A letter from Jonathan Elmer Esq' was read & answered- Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'Clock.
Friday, 16 Jany 1.778
Met pursuant to Adj'.
Present, as before.
Ordered, That a Warrant do issue for apprehending & bring- ing before the Board Ezekiel Beech.
Agreed That Edward Taylor's Bond to the State of New Jersey, & also the Bond of Rich' Jones & Tho' Parker be de- livered into the hands of Silas Condict Esq".
Agreed That the Honble Silas Condit Esq' repay to Col Drake the sum of £147. 17. 11. advanced by him to the Board while at Ringoes Tavern Jany 1 1.778
A letter from the Rovd M' M&Whorter respecting the New Modelling the Militia, was laid before the Board, Whereupon Agreed,
That the plan contained in the above letter be laid before and recommended by this Board, to the Legislature at their next sitting-
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In
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In addition to the Exchange Agreed to on the 1st December 1.777, it is further agreed,
That Gabriel Van Norden, and Cornelins Bogert now prison- ers in Morris-town' be added to the list & be set at liberty upon the release of David Van Borson and John Hays, now prisoners in New York, and that the said Gabriel Van Norden have leave to be absent a reasonable time for negotiating the proposed Exchange.
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