[New York] Die Martis, 9 HO. October 3 A.M., 1775.
Capt. John Hamilton, from Liverpool, being called in, gave the following information, to wit:
That he sailed from Liverpool the 8th of August last, and arrived here last night; says that it was reported and believed at Liverpool, and that he saw it in the London papers, that 30 battalions and 4 squadrons of dragoons, in all 10,000 men were to embark at Embden for Boston; that a part of their baggage was already at Embden. That some transports were already arrived at Embden. That by the common report, they were to sail the middle of August. That they were to be commanded by a General Officer of their own country.
Extract of a letter dated Falmouth, July 26th, 1775.
It is confidently said that 10,000 Hanoverians, and some regiments from Great Britain, are to be sent out to Boston, as a reinforcement to Gen. Gage's army; that Gen. Gage is to be recalled, at his own request, and Sir Jeffrey Amherst is to succeed him.
Ordered, That a copy thereof, and also a copy of the extract of a letter from Falmouth, be transmitted to the Continental Congress.2
Captain Thomas Bolton, master of the snow Georgia, being at the door, was called in and examined. He produced the register of the snow, says that the greatest part of the cargo belongs to the owners of the ship: that Archiband Lunde is on board as a factor, and [Walter] Spence, as he thinks, came out to take care of his own goods. Capt. Bolton also produced a manifest of his cargo: that one Mr. [Thomas] Peters from Glasgow, was a passenger on board of his vessel and went on board of the Asia; that Peters is about 26 years of age; that he does not know his business. Capt. Bolton also produced copies of the bills of lading and his instructions from his owners. Capt. Bolton was ordered to withdraw.
After some time spent in consideration of the papers and Information received about the snow Georgia,
Ordered, That Mr. Thomas Buchannan, Mr. Archibald Lunde and Mr. Spence attend this committee at three o'clock this afternoon, and that Mr. Thomas Buchannan be requested to bring with him the seven letters mentioned in the list of letters, from on board of the said snow, directed to him and his partner.
The Committee adjourned until 3 o'clock, this afternoon.
3 ho. P.M. October 3d, 1775.
Mr. Thomas Buchannan attended with seven letters to himself and company and to the co-partners severally; six of them, at his request, were read publicly, and the other read by a committee of two gentlemen.
Mr. Archibald Lunde, attending at the door, was called in and examined, and produced the invoice of his goods; declares that he does not know of any gunpowder on board; that he knew Thomas Peters, a merchant in Virginia; that after the Asia's boat came to the vessel, he declared he was an ensign in one of the regiments at Boston.
Mr. Walter Spence, attending at the door, was called in and examined, and produced the invoice of his cargo; declared that he did not know of any gunpowder on board.3
