Mr. [John Sloss] Hobart laid before the Committee a Letter from the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York in the recess of the Provincial Congress, dated New York, July 14, 1775, directed to him, containing information that George Youngs and his son, John Brush, and one [Cornelius] Conkling, were concerned in Provisions in such manner as they must inevitably serve to supply General [Thomas] Gage's Fleet and Army at Boston; and inclosing notes taken from two witnesses on that subject, which were read. Messrs. Youngs, Brush and Conkling being present, acknowledged that they had sent two Sloops loaded with Provisions to the eastward, but it was in consequence of an agreement with the inhabitants of Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire; that upon their arrival in the harbour of Portsmouth, they were taken by two English men-of-war; and though Governor [John] Wentworth and the Committee of the Town claimed the Provision as theirs by contract, they were sent, very much against their inclination, to Boston, where they were obliged to sell their Provisions under great disadvantages, and at a great loss; since which they have discontinued their trade to the eastward, nor have they at present any thoughts of resuming it.² In confirmation of all which, they produced Timothy Titus, who was mate of one of the sloops, who deposed as follows, viz:

Timothy Titus deposeth: that he was mate of the Sloop Elizabeth, whereof Cornelius Conkling was master, for the two voyages she lately made to Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire; that about the latter end of April last, being at Portsmouth aforesaid, when John Conkling, in a sloop loaded by John Brush of Huntington, was there, he was knowing to a contract made by the said Cornelius Conkling and John Conkling, with the Inhabitants of Portsmouth, to deliver two cargoes of Provisions there, with all convenient speed, provided they could clear out from New-York; that on the 18th of May following, said two sloops sailed from the east end of Long-Island, and on the 21st they arrived within a few hours of each other in Portsmouth harbour, where they were taken by the Canceaux and Scarborough men-of-war; and notwithstanding the application of Governour Wentworth and the Committee of Portsmouth, they were sent to Boston under convoy of the Sphynx sloop-of-war, where they were obliged to sell their cargoes at the price the agents were pleased to give; after which they were permitted to come away. And this deponent further saith, he has never heard any persons concerned in the aforesaid voyage propose to send their sloops upon another voyage to the eastward.

Sworn the 21st July, 1775  Before me, John Sloss Hobart, Justice of the Peace.

The Committee taking the premises into consideration, came to the following Resolution, viz:

Resolved unanimously, That the said Youngs and his son, Brush and Conkling in this matter have not contravened the Association, nor in any wise disobeyed the recommendations of the Continental or Provincial Congresses.

Whereas, it appears that great uneasiness prevails in the minds of many people upon this subject, arising from a laudable zeal to prevent any Provisions being sent to the instruments of tyranny and oppression at Boston,

Ordered, That the parties concerned be allowed a copy of the Minutes for publication.

Thomas Wickes, Chairman