USA > New Jersey > Minutes of the Council of Safety of the state of New Jersey > Part 14
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In consequence of the infirmity of Peter T. Herring.
It is agreed that he be discharged from his parole, until the further orders of the Board concerning him, & that Gabriel Van Norden & Gerrit Demarest have permission to attend him home, the latter of whom to return to this place with all convenient speed-
Agreed that His Excellency be desired by advertisement to recommend to the Magistrates to execute with all diligence An Act of the Legislature passed on the 11 Deer last, entitled "An Act for regulating & limiting the price of Sundry Articles " of Produce, Manufacture & Trade" on pain of their being prosecuted for Neglect of duty in the premises, with the utmost rigour of Law.
Ordered That Mrs Hannah Higgins for coming from the enemy's lines into this State without the License required by Law give security for her appearance at the next Court of Q' Sessions of the peace to be held for the Co of Morris.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
Met pursuant to Adjournment.
Saturday, 17th 1.778
Present, as before.
Agreed That M' Kinney be allowed the sum of 40/- for providing the Council of Safety, with Firewood, Candles, &c, while they sat at his house.
Adjourned till Monday Morning 9 O'clock.
Monday 19th January 1.778
Met pursuant to adjt.
Present His Excellency the Governor Col Fleming Mr Smith Co' Drake
M' Condict
M' Linn
Joseph
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Joseph Morse J' by virtue of Warrant was brought before the Board, & it appearing that he had been into the Enemies lines & returned into this State, without the permission by law required-Agreed that he be committed for trial to Morristown Gaol-
Agreed That John Crane be allowed the sum of $4º for his time & expense in bringing before the Council of Safety, Joseph Morse J' above mentioned.
Agreed That Wm Van Cleaf have an order upon Mr Bald- win in Princeton for 5.000 Cartridges, for the use of the Militia in Monmouth County.
Adjd till tomorrow Morning.
Tuesday, 20 Jany 1.778
Met, pursuant to adjt
Agreed That Deborah Ogden, wife of John Ogden, (who is with the enemy) have leave to go to her husband, together with her Child & wearing Apparel.
Andrew Mills appeared before the Board, & on the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance being tendered to him, he took & subscribed the same & was discharged.
Frederick Cole being brought before the Board, & examined respecting sundry matters laid to his charge
Ordered That he be committed to close Custody, until he give security for the appearance at the next Court of Gen' Qr Sessions of the peace to be held in & for the County of Mor- ris.
Agreed That Harman Rosin, for going into the Enemy's lines since the Treason law, & returning into this State as a spy, have five days to consider whether he will enlist in our service, or be committed for his trial.
Agreed That a Warrant do issue for apprehending & bring- ing before the Board, Enoch & peter Vreelandt, to answer to what shall be objected to them on behalf of the State.
John Francisco being brought before the Board, & denying the facts alleged against him, was remanded to the custody of the Guard, till the Witnesses arrive who are to support the charge.
Richard Lewis for travelling thro' the Country without a passport, was sent before the Board, and on his taking the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by Law prescribed, was thereupon dismissed.
Ezekiel Beech being cited before the Board to take the Oaths to Govt, & refusing to take the same & requesting to go into
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193
into the Enemy's Lines ;- Agreed That he have leave to go according to his request, that he depart this State for that pur- pose in three days from the date hereof, by the way of Eliza- beth Town to Staten Island, & that the commanding officer at Elizabeth Town, be directed to send him over to the Island.
Agreed that M' Condit pay to Major Crane for the use of Co' Seely the sum of £5. 0. 0 for ten quires of paper purchased by Col for the Council of Safety.
Elisha Parker & Joseph Moore, having been examined, & their Examination reduced to writing & sworn to, Gave bond for their appearance in behalf of the State against Joseph Morse Jr, at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer, to be held in & for the Co of Morris.
Agreed that the sum of 20|s be paid to Elisha Parker for at- tending the Council of Safety, as a witness against Joseph Morse Jr & that Joseph Moore be paid the like sum for the like service.
Agreed that there be paid to Jos Catalin the sum of eight dollars for his time & trouble in serving a warrant issued from this Board, for the caption of Joseph Morse Jun", and that he be paid, for the use of David Smaley & Clarkson Manning the sum of two dollars for Each of them for assisting in the same service, and also that he be paid for the two men employed in carrying the said Morse to Major Crane the sum of 20|s apiece.
His Excellency was pleased to lay before the Board for their opinion therein, a letter from Co' Seely, setting forth that some Tea & Sugar was sent to Mrs Boudinot from her friends at New York, and begging his direction in the premises.
Agreed That the said Tea & Sugar be delivered to Mrs Boudinot.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
Met pursuant to adj"
21st Jany 1.778
e
Present His Excellency the Governor Col Fleming, Mr Smith
Mr Linu
M' Camp
Mr Condit
Leonard Davenport being sent before the Board, & denying the facts charged against him,
Agreed that he be remanded to Custody, until the Evidences appear against him, who are to support the charge.
Abraham
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Abraham Cole for the like reason as above was in like man- ner remanded.
Austin Wright appeared before the Board, and having en- tered into recognizance with Abraham Cole his surety in the sum of £300 Each, for his appearance at the next Court of Gen' Qr Sessions of the peace to be held in & for the County of Morris, was thereupon discharged. .
William Weaver, being brought before the Board, and deny- ing the facts alleged against him, was remanded for further Evidence ---
David & Henry Van Orden for joining the Enemy since the Treason Act & returning into this State, were ordered, into Custody, & five davs allowed them to consider whether they will Enlist into our service during the War, or be tried for High Treason.
Ordered That Abraham Smyth remain under Guard for further Evidence.
Frederick Cole appeared before the Board & Entered into recognizance with John Davenport his surety in £300 Each for his appearance at the next Court of Q" Sessions of the peace in Morris County, he took also & subscribed the Oaths of Abju- ration & Allegiance and was thereupon dismissed;
Abraham Man in like manner entered into Bond with David Man his surety, in £300 Each, for his appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer in Essex County, & took & sub- scribed the Oaths as aforesaid, & was discharged from the Guard-
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
Thursday, 22 Jany 1.778
Met pursuant to adj"
Present, as before.
Ordered, That the Honble Silas Condit pay to George King the sum of five dollars for serving a warrant, (issued from this Board,) upon Cap' Kennedy, & bringing him before the Coun- cil of Safety-
Agreed That Mr Condict pay to Abraham Canfield the sum of 40|s for going on a Message to M' Hart for the Council of Safety.
John Folkenier being Sent before the Board, by Major Groetchius, as having been forced out of the Enemy's lines, into this State, Ordered,
That he be delivered into the Custody of the Guard, until further proof can be had concerning him.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
Friday,
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Friday, 23 Jany 1.778
The Council met, pursuant to adj"
Upon the request of the Attorney Gen1 Agreed that the Mon- mouth [prisoners] now confined in Sussex Gaol, be removed to Frechold for their trial, & that the Sheriff of Sussex be di- rected to Send them thither, under a Sufficient Guard-
Agreed, That a Warrt do issue for apprehending & bringing before the Board, Daniel Layton, for refusing to comply with an Act of the Legislature lately passed for regulating the Prices of Produce, Manufacture & Trade.
Agreed That a Warrt do in like Manner issue, for bringing before the Board, Joseph Smith, to answer for the same Offence as above.
Moses Kilburne appeared before the Board, & Entered into Bond for his appearance at the next Court of Gen' Qr Sessions of the Peace in & for the County of Morris, as a Witness in behalf of the State against Fredk Cole & others.
Agreed That a subpoena do issue to W" Loocey to appear before this Board, to give Evidence in behalf of the State against Joseph Smith.
Agreed that a Subpoena do issue to Kessiah Bayles to appear before the Board at 10 O'clock, on tomorrow Morning, on the behalf of Daniel Layton, at the suit of Peter Morris ;-
Agreed that there be paid to Jas Serring for his expenses in going, for the Council of Safety, to Head Quarters, the sum of £9. 0. 2.
Abraham Cole, Abraham Smyth, Leonard Davenport & W? Weaver, Severally appeared before the Board, & having entered into recognizance with John Davenport, & John Cole, their sureties, in the sum of £300 Each, were severally discharged.
24 January 1.778
Saturday.
The Council met agreeable to adjournment. Present as before,
David & Henry Van Order having enlisted into the first Bat- talion of this State, during the War, were severally discharged from the Guard.
Ordered That Benjamin Pitney be summoned to attend this Board, on Tuesday Morning next at 10 O'clock.
Agreed That his Excellency draw upon M' Jonathan Bald- win, for 500 pounds weight of Bullets of different sizes, if so many
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many can be spared, if not, to make up the Deficiency in Lead to be run into bullets at this place.
David Layton, pursuant to Warrant, Was brought before the Board, and it appearing that he had taken for Grain a higher price than the law allows; Agreed that he be fined for the said Offence as the Law prescribes, and that the proportion belonging to the Overseer of the Poor, Amounting to £3. 0. 0. be paid into the hands of Silas Condit Esq' to be by him paid to the said Overseer.
Adjourned till Monday Morning next 9 O'clock,
Monday, 26th Jany 1777
Met pursuant to Adjournment.
Present as before ..
It being represented to the Board that Mrs Hoffman had propogated thro' the Country an intended invasion of the Enemy into this State; Agreed that she be sent for before the Board, to answer for her Conduct in the premises.
Joseph Smyth pursuant to a Warrant was brought before the Board, & it being proved to them, that he had spoken con- temptuously of a Law lately passed, for regulating the prices of Produce &c; Agreed that he give Bond for his appearance at the next Court of Gen1 Q' Sessions of the Peace for the County of Morris; which he accordingly did with John Smyth his surety in £'300 Each & was thereupon dismissed.
Agreed that there be prid to Cyrus Beckwith the sum of £43. 17. 11 for his expenses in transporting into the Enemy's lines Mrs Barton, Mrs Haggarthe & their families.
Agreed that John Smyth refund to the Widow Pearson the overplus of the money over & above what the Law allows for Wheat, lately purchased by the said Mrs Pearson, from him, And that he produce her receipt for such disbursement within two days from this time.
Enoch & Isaac Vreeland appeared before the Board & took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as pre- scribed by Law.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
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Volume IV.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
Silas Condict,
Caleb Camp,
Wm Paterson,
Theo Elmer,
Jacob Drake, Jonathan Bowen, John Buck,
John Hart,
Benjm Manning,
Wm P. Smith,
M' Cooper,
Edw Fleming,
M' Imlay,
MỸ Crane,
Peter Tallman,
Mr Linn,
M' Fennemore, Mr Cook,
John Mehelm,
Mr Keasby.
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Morristown, 27 Jany 1.778.
Met pursuant to adjt.
Present, His Excellency the Governor
i Mr Smith, Mr Linn Mr Condit, Mr Camp
Co1 Fleming.
Benjamin Pitney being called before the Board, & it being proved upon Oath, that he had spoken disrespectfully of an Act of the Legislature lately passed for regulating the prices of Produce &c ; Agreed that he be bound for his appearance at the next Court of Gen' Qr Sessions of the Peace for the County of Morris, which he accordingly was, with Jas Puff Locey, his surety, in £'300 Each- Agreed further that the Said Pitney be fined £'6. 0. 0 for the breach of the said Law in selling Shoes for more than the stipulated price, and also that he forfeit the sum of four dollars & a half the price the said shoes were sold at.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
28 January 1.778
Met pursuant to adjt Present, as before.
Agreed that Mrs Spencer (wife of Co' Oliver Spencer) be summoned to attend this Board,
Agreed That Mrs Hannah Ward, for going into the Enemy's Lines, and returning into this State without the permission for so doing required by Law, Give bond for her appearance at the next Court of Gen' Quarter sessions of the peace to be held in & for the County of Morris, and that in the meantime she stay within one mile of Sussex Court House.
Y
Hannah
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Hannah Ward above named appeared before the Board, & having entered into recognizance agreeable to the above order, with James Crane his surety in £'300 Each, was thereupon dis- charged.
Jas Wells appeared before the Board & having entered into Recognizance with Richard Churchwards, his surety, in £'300 Each, Was dismissed.
Thos Van Camp was brought before the Board & it appear- ing that he had asked more for Flour than the Regulated price & that he had also made a distinction between Continental & Hard money, undervaluing the former; Agreed That for the first Offence, he forfeit the Flour, & be fined the sum of £6. 0. 0 & for the latter he be fined the like Sum of £.6 0. 0.
Wm Pace being in like Manner brought before the Board, & its being proved that he had asked more for beef than the law allows; Agreed that he be fined for the Said Offence the sum of £6. 0. 0 and forfeit the said beef.
Joseph Morse Jun' being brought before the Board, & having entered into recognizance with William Pearson his Surety in £300 Each, for his appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer in Essex County, was discharged from his imprison- ment.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
29th January 1.778, Thursday,
The Council met at Morristown.
Present as before.
John Folkiner was ordered before the Board, and gave his parole in writing to the President & Council of Safety to re- . main within three miles of the Court House in Morristown, & was thereupon discharged.
Agreed That Jane Foster have leave to remove into the Enemy's lines.
Agreed That Elias Marsh, John Thomson, Morris Thorpe, and Robert Izalton, be committed to close confinement, in the Gaol at . New Ark, & that Mittimusses do issue to Col Seely for that purpose.
Caleb Avins being charged before the Council of Safety, with having Gone into the Enemy's lines & returning without the Licence prescribed by Law, declared his Willingness to enlist, & did accordingly enlist in one of the New Jersey Divisions, whereupon he was discharged.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
Friday,
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Friday, 30th Jany 1.777
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Mrs Hoffman (wife of Nicholas Hoffman) appeared before the Board & entered into recognizance with Abraham Ogden her surety, in £'1.000 Each for her appearance at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer in Essex County ; Agreed that she re- main within One Mile of the Court House in Morris Town un- til the sitting of the Court above mentioned & that in default thereof, she be committed to prison as a person disaffected to & having dangerous designs against the present Government.
It being represented to the Board that Isaac Blank, Jacob Wortendyck, & John Morris, late prisoners in New York, Are set at Liberty, Agreed That Peter T. Herring, Gabriel Van Norden & Cornelius Bogert, prisoners in Morristown be also set at liberty ; And that Gerrit Demarest, Gerrit Vangieson, John Paulese, & John Van Buskirk the remaining prisoners at Morristown, who were confined to procure the exchange of a like number of prisoners in New York, have liberty to return to their respective homes for one month from the date hereof; in order to procure the release of Thos Bantha, Bernardus Ver- bryck, Samuel Verbryck, & John Hays, & to return to Morris- town if such exchange is not procured within that time ; but if it is, that they are discharged from their Bond & may remain at home ; And that Abraham Van Gieson be liberated on the like parole with David Van Bursen whenever the Nature of Van Bursen's parole shall be made known to this Board ; & that the said Abraham Van Gieson, have also leave to go home for a month.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
31st Jany 1.778
Met pursuant to adjt
Present, as before,
Agreed That Mr William Livingston Jr be allowed at the rate of 30;s p day for his past services in attending the Council of Safety as their Secretary.
Ordered that Mr Condit advance to W" Livingston Jr, for attending the Council of Safety 50 days the sum of €'75-
Agreed, that there be paid to the Revd M' Jones for firewood & Candles provided for the Council of Safety, during their sitting at his house the sum of £'4. 0. 0.
Ordered That there be paid to Benoni Hathaway, for repair- ing Carriages & Moving Field pieces by the order of the Council of Safety the sum of £4. 18. 3.
Jacob
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Jacob FitzRandolph appeared before the Board, and it ap- pearing that he had been providing the Enemy with pro- visions, & that he was disaffected to & had dangerous designs against the present Govt, Whereupon agreed, That he be com- mitted for high Treason, to Morristown Gaol, and That a War- rant of Commitment do issue for that purpose.
Agreed that M' Condit pay to Isaac Clark for bringing the above Fitz Randolph before the Board the sum of £1. 17. 6
Agreed That for the like offence as above, Tho' Vancamp & Wn Pace be in like manner Committed to Morristown Gaol, for their trial.
The Board being informed by his Excellency Gen' Washing- ton, by letter of the 20th Instant, that he considers Captn Archibald Kennedy as a State prisoner, & that therefore he does not think that he has any right to interfere in the matter; & the Board conceiving the said Capt" Kennedy disaffected to the present Govt, and his residence at his present place of abode dangerous to the State; Ordered, That he remove with- in 8 days from the date hereof, into the County of Sussex, & there remain within one mile of the Court House at Newtown till the further order of the Board respecting him.
Ordered that M' Condit pay to Caleb Howell for his expenses in transacting business for the Council of Safety the sum of £'3. 15. 5.
Agreed That there be paid to David Ogden for expenses in attending the Council of Safety, as a light Horseman, the sum of £2. 9. 9.
Agreed that his Excellency the Governor have two light Horsemen to attend him, till the meeting of the Assembly, as well as a Guard to his person, as for the purpose of being em- ployed'as expresses.
Upon the application of Joseph Lewis,
Agreed That Wm Jones employed by him in the Commissary Dept be exempted from Military Duty in the Militia during his continuance in that Employment.
Adjourned till the Meeting of the Legislature.
15th Feby 1.778
The Council of Safety met at Trenton.
Present, His Excellency the Governor M' Speaker M' Camp M' Manning
M' Condit
M' Imlay.
Agreed
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Agreed that Capt Tacker be directed to order a detachment of the Militia of Hunterdon of 16 men, with a trusty Officer to attend the President & Council of Safety & Guard the prisoners in the Gaol of Trenton.
Agreed That Jacob Fitz Randolph discharged from the Custody of the Sheriff of Morris, upon his Entering into a Bond with Surety to his Excellency the Governor for the use of the State in the Penalty of £2000-to remain at the House of Hartshorn FitzRandolph at Mondham or within one mile thereof until the further order of the Council of Safety.
Agreed that Sarah Man have leave to go into the Lines to her husband, with her three children, to wit, David, Thomas & Mathias, & that Elizabeth Cadington have the like permission with her five children, to wit, Margaret, Violet, Moses, Isaia, & Elizabeth.
The Council met at Trenton.
17th Feby 1.778
Present, His Excellency the Governor,
M' Crane
M' Imlay
M' Cooper M' Manning
M' Condit M' Tallman
Mr Hart.
Agreed that Major Hoagland be directed immediately to impress Waggons horses, Teams, Carriages & drivers & cause to be transported to this place the pork at Isaac Reckless', & at M' Talman's, and at John Tomlinson's in the possession of Co1 Knot, belonging to the publick, and to be delivered to Jas Paton at Trenton,
[In the original, the proceedings of the 18th Feb'y follows the 27th, with a statement that they were omitted in their proper place.]
18 Feby 1.778
The Council met at Princeton.
Present. His Excellency the Governor
M' Manning
M' Imlay
M' Condit M' Tallman
Col Fleming Mr Drake
M' Elmer,
M' Camp.
Agreed That. Mr Peter Gordon be authorized to impress Waggons, & Teams, with suitable drivers to transport pro- visions
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visions from this place to the Continental Army, & in case of need to apply to any Militia Officer to afford him the necessary aid for that purpose.
Agreed That a Warrant be issued for John Dixon of Bottle Hill to appear before the Council of Safety.
25th Feby 1.778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present His Excellency the Governor Mr Condit M' Crane
M' Linn M' Elmer
Mr Cooper
John Dixon was brought before the Board, & it appearing that he had spoken contemptuously of the Law of this State regulating the prices of Produce Manufacture & Trade.
Agreed that he give Bond for his appearance at the next Court of Gent Qr Sessions, of the peace for Morris County, which he accordingly did with Daniel Bedford his surety in £'300 Each, & was thereupon dismissed.
Ordered That Warrants for apprehending & bringing before the Board John Thomson & Elias Marsh
Mathias Isilton and Norris Thorpe appeared before the Board, and it appearing they had attempted to go into the Enemies' Lines without any Lawful permission obtained there- for; It was agreed That they should be committed to Gaol for their trial.
The following persons to wit : Jacob Londy, Elijah Londy, Henry Widdonfield, & Henry Parker of the people called Quakers, were taken up, upon suspicion of their going into the Enemies lines & upon examination it being found the sd sus- picion was ill-founded, they were discharged from the Guard, & had permission to return to their respective homes.
26th Feby 1.778
The Council met.
Present His Excellency the Governor M' Cooper M' Condit M' Imlay M' Elmer
Mr Imlay. Agreed
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Agreed that there be advanced to M' Pettit the sum of £1. 2. 6 paid by him to an Express at Princeton.
Agreed that Co! Reed be desired to send the following prisoners to the Council of Safety, to wit : William Lippincott, Stacy Atkinson, Wm Corstron, John Osborne, Nathaniel Smith, Thomas & Nicholas Rice, who were taken up for trading with the Enemy.
P. M. The Council met.
Present His Excellency the Governor M' Crane Co! Drake M' Manning M' Linn M' Elmer
Ebert Mount was brought before the Board, and it appear- ing that he had Enlisted into the Service of the Enemy Since the Treason Law, passed in this State ; time was thereupon allowed him to consider whether he will Enlist into our Service or be committed to Gaol for his trial.
Four deserters from the British Army were in like manner brought before the Board, Whereupon Agreed That they be delivered over to the disposal of Gen' Pulaski, and that they be allowed Sixty dollars for four Stand of Arms brought with them from the Enemy.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning.
27th Feby 1.778
The Council met pursuant to adjt
Present His Excellency the Governor
M' Elmer M' Crane
Col Drake,
Mr Buck
M' Manning
Mr Condit
Agreed That Mr Condit pay to M' Liddle the sum of £25. 2. 1 for sundry expenses while in service and on express by order of Gen' Dickinson.
Agreed That M' Condiet pay to John Goldsmith the sum of Three pounds by order of the Council. .
Agreed That Mary Kerder, a Woman from Sussex County, whose husband.is with the Enemy, have permission, together with her daughter to Go to Staten Island.
Agreed
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Agreed that there be paid to Wm Vandyke the sum of £7. 11. 3 for his trouble & expenses in bringing 4 deserters from Staten Island to this place from Elizabeth Town.
M' Buck left his seat at the Board & M' Camp took his place.
Evert Mount appeared again before the Board, & enlisting into our Service & taking the Oaths of Abjuration & Alle- giance prescribed by Law, was dismissed.
Agreed That there be pd to Jas Paxton, the following sums expended by him in hiring expresses, vizt
To William Rosin the sum of £3. 7. 6
To William Roscow -do-
2. 5. 0
& to Richard Bordon -do- .
1. 10. -
An application was made to the Board, by Jas Paxton, to have the following persons, employed in the Commissary Dep' in this Town, excused from Military Duty, in the Militia, which being taken into consideration,
Agreed That one Cooper be exempted, from his next Tour of Duty, in the Militia, Agreeable to the above Application.
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