USA > New Jersey > Minutes of the Council of Safety of the state of New Jersey > Part 8
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Adam Leake & Thos Kellyham appeared before the Board, pursuant to citation & severally took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by law appointed.
Nathaniel Bedson, and Thos Kendry, appeared before the Board pursuant to citation, & severally took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as by Law appointed.
John Taylor appeared before the Board, pursuant to citation, and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as by Law appointed.
Wn Thornhill appeared before the Board, pursuant to cita- tion, & took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegi- ance as by Law appointed.
Thos Willet & Jacob Vandevender, appeared before the Board pursuant to Citation, and severally took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance, as by Law appointed.
John Hagar appd before the Board pursuant to Citation, and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as by Law appointed,
His Excellency was pleased to lay the Board a letter from John Emley of Hunterdon, who was cited to appear before the Board in order that the Oaths might be tendered him, excusing his non-attendance, as he has been for some days past confined to his Room by Sickness.
Jacob Schuyler, John Schuyler Wmn Weir & Philip Cramer of Morris appd before the Board, pursuant to citation, and sev- erally took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by Law appointed.
Dr Aaron Furman of Hunterdon, being brought before the Board, pursuant to warrt, refused to take the Oaths as by Law directed, and the Gov' & Council, deeming him to be too dangerous a person to be suffered to go at Large, upon giving security for his appearance at the next Court of General Q" Sessions of the Peace, in & for the Co of Hunterdon, agreed / that the said Aaron Furman should be committed to close cus- tody in the Common Gaol at Trenton, in the Co aforosd, Whereupon a Warr' of Commitment was made out accord- ingly.
Joseph
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Joseph St Clair, John Allen, & Nathaniel McPherson of Hunterdon, being brought before the Board, pursuant to Warrant, refused to take the Oaths as prescribed by Law, and the Govr & Council, deeming them to be too dangerous persons to be suffered to go at Large, upon giving security for their appearance, at the next Court of Gen Q' Sessions, of the Peace in & for the Co of Hunterdon, Agreed, That the said Joseph St Clair, John Allen, & Nathaniel McPherson be com- mitted to close custody in the common Gaol of Trenton, in the Co afsd, Whereupon Warrts of Commitmt were made out accordingly.
Aaron Large, being brought before the Board pursuant to Warrant, and being one of the people called Quakers, refused to take Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths to the State; and the Gov & Council judging him to be too dangerous a Person to go at Large upon giving security for his appearance at the next Court of Gent Q' Sessions of the Peace in & for the C" of Hunterdon, Agreed that the said Aaron Large be committed to close custody in the common Gaol at Trenton, in the Coy afsd; whereupon a Warrt of Commitment was made out accordingly.
Daniel Cahill appeared before the Board pursuant to Warrant, and the Oaths to Govt being tendered to him he re- fused to take them, but was willing to be bound, with surety, for his appearance at the next Court of Q' Sessions &c, Where- upon the said Daniel Cahill, entered into Recognizance with M' Campbell, his surety, in £300 Each, before the Gov' & Council of Safety, for his appearance the next Court of G' Qr Sessions, of the Peace for the Co of Hunterdon, and in the meantime to be of the Peace & of the good behaviour, and · not depart the Court without Leave; and was thereupon dis- missed.
The petition of Mathias Sharp, Peter Dumont, John Berry, and John Bockman, was read: Setting forth, That some time in Deer & Jany last, when the Continental Army was march- ing through this State; Several horses were taken from them by order of the Commands Officers for the use of said Army; for which they have reed certificates; That they have applied to the Q. M. Gen' for payment, but it was refused, & praying, that this Board would be pleased to take the Matter under consideration & grant relief in the premises.
Ordered, That the said Petition lie on the Table for the perusal & Consideration of the Members.
Adjd to 8 O'clock tomorrow Morning.
Met
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Met pursuant to Adjt
Saturday, July 26th 1.777
Present as before.
John Todd of Somerset voluntarily appeared before the Board, and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by Law appointed
Whereas Howard, and Rodney, who were lately residents in this State, have gone over to the enemy, & notwithstanding have left their families behind them; It is therefore agreed & resolved, That Captu Cornelius Tuni- son, of Somerset be directed to remove Bloomy Howard, wife of the said Howard, and Elizabeth Rodney wife
of the said Rodney, and her two children from the Co of Somerset, afsd to Staten Island, or the South east side of Hackensack River, in order to go into the Enemy's lines. And the said Capt" is hereby ordered to make return to this Board of his proceedings therein, and the expense of such removal.
William Hughes of Morris, appeared before the Board, pur- suant to citation, and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjur- ation & Allegiance as by Law appointed.
Andrew Sergeant & David Sergeant of Morris, voluntarily appeared before the Board & severally took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by Law appointed.
Henry Weaver & Hezekiah Drake of Morris County appeared before the Board pursuant to citation, & severally took & sub- scribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by Law ap- pointed.
Peter Hartsaugh, Abraham Sickel, and Peter Weaver ap- peared before the Board, pursuant to citation, & severally took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as by Law appointed.
Mathias Harris of Morris voluntarily appeared before the Board and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Alle- giance as by Law appointed.
Jacob Van Sickle appd before the Board pursuant to citation, and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance, as by Law appointed.
John Grandin of Hunterdon appeared before the Board, pur- suant to citation, and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjura- tion & AAllegiance as by Law appointed.
Robert Taylor Esq of Hunterdon appeared before the Board pursuant to citation, and produced a certificate of his having taken the Oaths as by Law appointed before Mr Justice John- son on the 28th of May last.
Joseph
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Joseph Drake, Daniel Laurance & Christian Hoffman all of Morris County, appeared before the Board pursuant to citation, and severally took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance, as by Law appointed.
Captn Wm Laurance of Morris voluntarily appeared before the Board, & took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by Law appointed.
M' Paterson had leave of Absence.
The Council adjd to meet at Morristown, on Monday, the 28th of this Instant, July, at 3 O'clock in the afternoon.
After the adjt of the Board, Peter Massig appeared on Cita- tion, and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration and Alle- giance as by Law appointed.
Jacob Evert of Morris appeared before the Board, after Adjt afsd, and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by Law appointed.
Monday July 28th 1.777
Met pursuant to Adjt.
Present M' Camp
Mr Elmer
M' Condict,
There not being a Quorum adjd to tomorrow two o'clock P. M.
Tuesday, July 29th 1.777
Met pursuant to adjt
Present, His Excellency the Governor, M' Hart M' Elmer M' Manning M' Condict
Mr Camp
John Van Orden being called as an Evidence against prisoners from Bergen, in Hackensack, sworn, & he not. know- ing anything material his Evidence was not committed to writing.
Agreed That the Sheriff of Morris remove Wm Newman, a prisoner in the common Gaol, who has the Smallpox to the hospital in Morristown.
John
M
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John Vanorden appeared before the Council, and took & sub- scribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
David Anderson being called to evidence against Bergen prisoners, sworn, but his evidence not being material was not committed to writing, he then took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
Abraham Allen being called as an evidence against Bergen prisoners, was sworn, but his Evidence not being material was not committed to writing, he then took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
Mr Camp has leave of absence on extraordinary occasion.
Adjd till tomorrow morning 9 O'clock.
Wednesday July 30th
Met pursuant to adjt.
Present His Excellency the Governor M' Hart M' Manning
M' Condict
M' Elmer
There not being a sufficient number of members to make a board, Benjin Halsey Esq" one of the Justices of the Peace for the Co of Morris, was called in & took his seat in Council.
Abraham Ogden presented a petition, to the Council, signed by Nicholas Hoffinan, Abraham Ogden & Samuel Ogden, set- ting forth ; That David Ogden Esq late of Newark, who on the 5th day of Jany last went over to Jamaica on Long Island to recover his health, and that the said David Ogden hath not yet recovered his health, so far as to be able to return home ; " Pray- " ing that the Sale of the personal Estate of the said David Ogden " should be deferred until the health of the said David Ogden " will permit him to return to the State of New Jersey, when " by complying with the terms of the Act of Grace or such " others as shall then be thought proper, he may entitle himself "to the protection & confidence of the Govt of New Jersey."
The Council taking the above petition into consideration are of opinion that they cannot grant the prayer thereof without suspending the operations of An Act of the Legislature, which has made no such exceptions, but that if the said David Ogden can produce sufficient reasons why his present Estate though disposed of agreeable to Law, should be restored to him, Ap- plication for that purpose must be made to the Legislature of the State, in whom alone is vested the power of relieving him. Albert
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Albert J. Bogert, appeared before the Council & took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
William Hammill appd before the Council, & took & sub- scribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
Richard Heaton appeared before the Council & took & sub- scribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
Abraham Ely & Gillium Outwater appeared before the Council & took and subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
Ilerman Brays, John Quackenbush, & John Duryee, ap- peared before the Council, & took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
The Council adjd to 3 o'clock P. M.
The Council met pursuant to adjt
Present as before.
Agreed that Garret Lydecker Esq' be appointed a Commis- sioner for the Ce of Bergen, for the purposes mentioned in an Act of free & General pardon, & for other purposes therein mentioned, in the room of Teunis Dey Esq who refused to act. Whereupon the said Garret Lydecker was commissioned ac- cordingly.
Cornelius D. Blauvelt being called as an evidence against the Bergen prisoners, was sworn & his deposition taken in writing &c,
Abraham J Blauvelt being called before the Council, as an Evidence against the Bergen prisoners, was sworn & his depo- sition was committed to writing.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
July 31 1.777
.Met pursuant to adj"
Present as before.
Collo Philip Van Courtlandt, who had been ordered to re- move several women (being the wives of persons who had gone over to the Enemy) to the south side of Hackensack River, to go into the Enemy's lines made return of the execution of his orders in the words following to wit :
Second River July 24 1.777
Sir,
At bottom you have a return of the women & children, con- veyed
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veyed to the South side of Hackensack River, according to your Excellency's orders of the 11th Instant,
I am, Sir, Your most Humble Sert
PHILIP V. CORTLANDT.
Captn Jos Pierson's return of the women & children sent to the Enemy's Lines to wit :
Mary Kingsland with 2 children
Mary Stages do 1 d.
Felia Riker not sent being near her time.
Frontie Interest with 1 child
Mary Garrabrants with 3 children
Elizabeth Howet 1 child
Martha Hicks
4 children
Mehatabel Houdnot "
1 child.
Hannah Weeks
8 children
Mary Garrabrants 66 2
Jane Drummond 2 do
Lydia Sayres,
Margaret Nichols 66 2
Sara Crawford
1 do
Abigail Ward
1
Libitie VanRiper, her husband returned & has taken the Oaths.
Altie VanRiper, her husband returned & has taken the Oaths. Elizabeth Brown.
John Outwater being called as an evidence against the Ber- gen prisoners, was sworn & his deposition was committed to writing.
Ordered that a warrant be issued to apprehend George Ryerse Esq', who has long been with the Enemy, & has for some time past left them & has returned to his farm, but has not applied to any magistrate for the Benefit of the act of grace ;- Ordered that Jost Zobrisci be subpoenad as a witness.
Adam Boyd was examined as a Witness against John Dem- arest & his evidence reduced to writing.
Adjd to 3 O'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to adj" Present as before.
Cornelius Harring was examined as a Witness against Capt" John Banta, & his Evidence was committed to writing.
Agreed that Garret Vangieson, be apprehended & impris- oned
109
oned in the Common Gaol in the County of Morris, agreeable to an Act of the Legislature of this State, entitled, An act for rendering more Effectual two certain Acts therein mentioned ; in order to induce the enemy to releaze one or more of such of the good subjects of this State as they have taken and still keep in confinement; the said Vangieson to be kept in said Gaol, till thence delivered by order of said Governor & Council,
Adjd to 9 O'clock tomorrow Mornng.
August, 1st 1.777
Met pursuant to adjt
Present, as before,
Agreed, that Christiania Depuyster the wife of William De- puyster, Jun' at present residing near Orange Town, have per- mission to remove with her children, Servants & Effects to the City of New York to her husband.
Agreed, That Lient Jost Zebrisci, of Peramus have liberty to raise a Coy of Volunteers, in the Co of Bergen, consisting of 30 men to be under his command, and that with the said Party he apprehend & send to the Govr & Council of Safety, wherever they shall then sit, all such persons who have gone over to the Enemy since the 4th day of October last, & are since returned without taking the benefit of the Act of Pardon, and without proper Passes from Persons duly qualified to grant the same, and also to apprehend & send to the said Governor & Council, of Safety, such persons as may hereafter go to or return from New York, without proper passes, during his command of the said Detachment, and also to apprehend & send as aforesaid, all persons who have been Guilty of plunder, or who shall plunder the inhabitants of the said Co. during his command, always taking care to send with the prisoners a particular Account to prove their offences, & the witnesses who can prove the same, or their affidavits in writing taken before a Civil Magistrate. In case the said Jost Zebrisci, declines the above Commission, Jabob C. Zebrisci, is hereby authorized to raise and command the above party, and to follow the above directions.
WIL LIVINGSTON.
The above Com" to be in force for one month from the date hereof.
Adja to 3 o'clock P. M.
Met
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Met pursuant to adjt
Present. His Excellency the Governor M' Hart M' Halsey Mr Elmer
M' Condict
Mr Manning.
John Earl of Bergen Co having been apprehended as a sus- picious person, disaffected to the present Govt, was called in & examined & took the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
John Earle appeared before the Council & took the Oaths of abjuration & Allegiance.
Thomas Welcher of Morris County having lately been with the Enemy on Staten Island, was apprehended, and brought before the Council, upon his Examination Saith, That he left the Enemy with an intent to claim & receive the benefit of the Act of free & General Pardon ; and altho' since he came over his conduct has been very imprudent, and suspicious, yet de- claring that his true design was to come in and deliver him- self up, being fully convinced of his Error in going over to the Enemy, and that it was his duty & interest to defend his country in future, was admitted the benefit of the said Act, by taking the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance agreeable to the directions of the same,
Adj'd till tomorrow Morng 9 O'clock.
Saturday 2 Augt 1.177
Met pursuant to adj"
Present His Excellency the Governor M' Condict M' Halsey
M' Hart M' Elmer
M' Manning.
Capt" John Banta appd before the Council & after examin- ing he agreed that he upon his taking the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance and giving security for his appearance at the next Court of General Sessions of the Peace to be holden & for the County of Bergen Co the Oaths were tendered accord- ingly & he took & subscribed the same, and the said John Banta & David Duryee Entered into Recognizance in the sum of £300 Each.
Adjd till Monday 2 O'clock P. M.
Monday
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Monday, Aug' 4, 1.777
The Council met pursuant to Adjt
Present His Excellency the Governor. M' Elmer M' Halsey Mr Manning M' Condict
John Mehelm
Agreed that Hyram Hayward a Wounded Soldier belonging to Morris Cº Militia, have the sum of £7 10| towards his sub- sistence.
David Bruin who had been Committed here by Captn Wm Chambers, stationed at Pompton, for passing 2 Counterfeit $30 Bills, made in imitation of the Continental Currency, to Abra- ham Manning of Pompton, was called before the Board & confessed his passing the Bills, but denied his knowing them to be counterfeit; declaring that they were given to him by of New York to purchase An horse ; Confessed Also, That he had lately been at Staten Island, Long Island & New York, and returned from the Enemy's Lines to Bergen County about 3 weeks ago, without any permission or passport for either going or returning & declared his willing- ness to Inlist on board the Continental Fleet.
Ordered, That the said David Bruin be committed to the Gaol of the Co of Morris, for passing the said Counterfeit Bills, & if acquitted on his trial of the charge, that he have the benefit of the Act respecting the other Offence, by going on board the Continental Navy.
Whereupon a Warrant of Commitment was made out for said Bruin.
Andrew Van Buskirk appd before the Board, and confessed on Examination, that he had sold provisions to the Enemy since he took ye Oaths to the State.
Ordered That sd Andrew Van Buskirk be committed to New Ark Gaol & a Warrant of Commitment was thereupon made out for said Vanbuskirk.
Adjd till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
Tuesday August 5 1.777
ye Council met pursuant to Adjt
Present. His Excellency the Governor. M' Condict M' Halsey M' Ehner M' Manning M' Mehelm David
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David Vanbuskirk a prisoner from Bergen Co appeared before the Board and on examination declared his innocence & offered to take the Oaths to the State, and no evidence nor any par- ticular charge, appearing Against him, He was discharged after taking & subscribing the Oaths as by Law appointed.
Adja till 3 O'clock P. M.
The Council met, pursuant to Adjt Present as before.
Examined a number of the Bergen prisoners & referred then to a further Opportunity.
Adja till tomorrow Morng 9 O'clock.
Wednesday, Augt 6th
The Council met, pursuant to Adjt,
Present. His Excellency the Governor. Mr Condict Mr Mehelm
M' Elmer Mr Halsey
Mr Manning
Ordered that Sam' Wells & his wife be cited to appear before the Govr & Council of Safety, on Friday next at 10. O'clock in the forenoon, & that Jonathan Dunn be subpoenaed to give Evidence against Mrs Wells.
M' Yost Zabriska, being called as a Witness against the Bergen prisoners, was sworn.
Derick Banta, Jobn Degroot, Seba Blinkerhoof, Lawrence Ackerman, Michael Smith & Cornelius Ab" Herring, prisoners from Bergen Co, appeared before the Board, and on Examin- . ation declared their innocence, and offered to take the Oaths, and no Evidence nor any particular charge appearing Against them, they were discharged upon taking and subscribing the Oaths as by Law appointed.
Yost Zabriska upon Oath Charged John Demarest Esq' Lawrence E. Acreman, Dr Jas Vanburen, John Zabriska, Gabriel Van Norden, John Banta, Casparus Westervelt, Cap. Demarest, Cornelius Herring Esq', John Debarre, Peter J. Herring, John Duryea, David J. Duryea, Peter Bogert, Cor- nelius Banta, Simon Simonson, John Powelson, Cornelius Bogert, Samuel Lydecker, Jacob Demot, Peter Degroot, John Degroot, Garret Van Gieson, & John Buskirk, with being disaffected to the Govt of this State.
The Council adjd untill 3 O'clock P. M. Met
113
Met pursuant to Adjt
Margt MeLean & Joanna Wood being called to give Evidence against William Wright & his wife, was sworn & their Evidence Comitted to writing.
Adjª till 8 o'clock tomorrow Morning.
Thursday, Augt 7th
The Council Met.
Present as before.
Dr .James Vanburen, & Henry Kingsland prisoners from Bergen C° appeared before the Board & produced such Evidence to the Board as induced them to discharge them upon their taking the Oaths and entering into recognizance to appear at the next General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, to be held for the County of Bergen. Peter Zabriska was security for Van Buren, & Jnº Zabriska for H. Kingsland.
Peter Bogert a prisoner from Bergen, upon taking the Oaths, by Law app", was discharged.
Mrs Williams was sworn as a Witness against Mr & Mrs Wright but her Evidence not being material was not com- mitted to writing.
Adja to 3 O'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to adjt.
Jacob Dey a prisoner from Bergen, was discharged upon taken & subscribing the Oaths appointed by Law.
Mrs Hannah Wright wife of William Wright was brought before the Board, and charged on the Oaths of Margaret McClean & Joanna Wood, of an Offence Against the third sec- tion of An Act, Entitled An Act to punish Traitors & dis- affected persons.
Ordered that Hannah Wright be committed to the Gaol of New Ark; Whereupon a Warrant of Commitment was made out accordingly.
Mesheck Walker was brought before the Board, and charged upon his own Confession of High Treason.
Ordered That the said Mesheck Walker be committed to the Gaol at New Ark, Whereupon a Warrant of Commitment was made out accordingly.
Whereas The Board has recd information that John Troop, Peter Saunders, & James Moody, are recruiting for the Enemy within this State.
Ordered That Col John Munson & do forthwith apprehend & bring before the Governor & Council of Safety, the said John Troop, Peter Saunders & James Moody.
Adje to 8 O'clock tomorrow Morning. The
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The Council met pursuant to Adjt.
Present. His Excellency the Governor. M' Elmer M' Manning
Mr Condict M' Mehelm
M' Halsey.
The Offices of Lieut Col & first & Second Majors of the first regiment of Foot Militia in the Co of Essex, commanded by Co1 Potter, being vacant, the following Gentlemen were ap- pointed to said Offices, vizt Moses Jaques for Lieut Col, Jacob Crane first Major, & Ezekiel Woodruff Jr 2nd Major.
Ordered that Commissions be made out Accordingly. Adja till 3 O'clock P. M.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
Present as before.
Henry Shight from Sussex, having produced a certificate of his having taken the Oaths & entered into Recognizance with Richd. Johnson for his security to appear at the next Gen' Qr Sessions, of the Peace for the Co aforesaid, and in the mean- time to be of Good behaviour.
Also John Zabriska & Arent Schuyler, prisoners from Ber- gen, took the Oaths to the State, and Entered into Recogni- zance for their appearance at the next Court of Gen' Qr Ses- sions, of the Peace for the Co of Bergen.
John Demarest appeared before the Board & entered into recognizance with Peter Zabriska, his surety in the sum of £300, to appear at the next Court of General Q' Sessions of the Peace to be held for the Co of Essex, at New Ark, and in the meantime to keep the peace & be of Good behaviour.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morng 8 O'clock,
The Council met pursuant to adj"
Present His Excellency the Govr M' Elmer M' Manning M' Halsey
Mr Mehelm
The members met, were informed by a letter from M' Con- diet, that he is thro indisposition prevented attending, & there not being a Sufficient number to proceed on business, the members adjourned till Monday at 3 O'clock P. M.
Monday,
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Monday, Augt 11th
Met pursuant to adjt
Present. His Excellency the Governor Mr Elmer Mr Manning
M' Halsey . M' Mehelm
There not being a sufficient Number to proceed on business & a member being wrote for, who is not expected before Wed- nesday, Adjd until Wednesday Morng 9 O'clock.
Wednesday Morng, the Council Met pursuant to adjt.
Present His Excellency the Governor. M' Elmer Mr Mehelm --
Mr Hart. M' Manning
M' Halsey
Mr Reuben Randle, being apprehended & sent to the Coun- cil, by Major Sealy, on suspicion of Carrying on a Correspond- ence with the Enemy, & no Evidence of such appearing he was discharged on taking ye Oaths.
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