Lawrence Hartwick, brought before the Committee

Capt. John Buchanan says, that he has heard that Lawrence Hartwick is very unfriendly to the liberties of America, and that he frequently went on board of the man of war; and it is reported that he carried the names of persons in this city on board who are active for their country. Capt. Buchanan says that he has heard Lawrence Hartwick declare that he had been on board of the man of war, would go on board again when he pleased, and would see who would hinder him.

Lawrence Hartwick says he wanted a musket, and went on board to buy a musket, and bought one of the armourer and paid the money for it; that the gun was to be sent to him by the pilot, but was not sent, and he went on board afterwards at different times for his money; that when he was on board the ship Asia, Mr. Tylee was there, ² who asked him if he knew Capt. Tylee at the shipyards, and answered yes; and told him that he wanted to speak to him; that he told him he was not yet going on shore, and he might have an opportunity to speak to him; that after he came on shore he found a letter in his pocket directed to Capt. Tylee, which he delivered two days afterwards, but does not know how he received it; that he never showed the letter to Capt. Vandeput, or any of his officers.

Capt. Nat. Tylee says, he received a letter from a prisoner on a Sunday morning in November last; that Hartwick told him Lieut. Tylee had put it in his pocket in the gun room; that the letter had been sealed with a wafer and broken open, and resealed with a very large seal of wax; that on that evening the ship's decks were cleared and some person informed him they expected a party and were in readiness; the letter was read; it has evident marks of being opened and resealed; that he charged Hartwick with breaking open the letter, and Hartwick denied it.

Capt. Tylee gave the same information that was given to the Committee a few days ago, to wit: that Capt. Vandeput told Tylee, the prisoner, in the ship Asia, that he had seen his letter, and his friend had betrayed him; that he would not use him ill, but that he set another sentry over him.

John Rutter says that about the same time, McDonnald and Hampton got on board the man of war, Hartwick came several times from on board of the man of war; that one evening when Hartwick and Leonard came from on board, they were told it was very wrong, and they said they would go on board when they pleased, and they would see who would hinder them; that Hartwick in particular said so; that he has understood in general that Hartwick is very much opposed to the measure of the Congress. Hartwick denies that he told Tylee that the letter was put in his pocket in the gun room.

John Huner says, that Hartwick's wife declared that when he found the letter in his coat pocket, he said he would send it back on board of the man of war.

John Kell says, that one day last fall Lawrence Hartwick told him there was a fine wind, and troops expected; that they would give the whigs a drubbing presently; that he had advised Hartwick not to go on board of the man of war, but he persisted that he would go.