[Extract]

This Morning one Duncan Campbell at first an half pay Officer lately promised a Compy Commd who married in this Province and setled in Dutchess County in N. York was brought before the Comee of Safety of this Province; He and one Sims a Lieut under him and a Sarjunt and about twenty Privates were on Board a Transport from Boston which was cast away at little Egg harbor; they were going to N. York to enlist Men for Genl Howe; the Wretch had sometime ago enlisted 60 Men and carried them to Boston, and had engaged a Number of others in the County he lived in. It is said that he has £ 1500 in Cash with him; a Parcel of Guns and Powder they have thrown over board; the Guns we hope to get again . . .

With Regard to the Voyage [to Bordeaux for powder] proposed by the Depy Govr, I have wrote to his Honor twice by Order of the secret Comee of which I am Chairman and every thing necessary upon our Part is ready and I hope the Voyage is undertaken before this time.

I have seen the Examinations of Capt Campbell, his Lieut. and some Marines; the Privates swear or at least say but I think swear that the Capt and Officers promised them 200 Acres of good cultivated Land each out of the forfeited Estates; Campbell denies this: his Instrus from Genl Gage, which I have also seen, amongst other Things directs him to encourage the Scotch and other Nations to enter into the Kings Service; the Regiment to which he belongs is 72d now raising called the royal f ensible Americans.