[Philadelphia] August 12th [1775].
At a second Meeting of the Committee, in Consequence of the arrival of three Ministerial Officers in the Ship Hope, George Curwin, Mr. from Cork. Present: Benjamin Franklin, Owen Biddle, Daniel Roberdeau, George Gray, Samuel Morris, jun'r., Andrew Allen, Robert Morris, Thomas Warton, jun'r., George Ross, Robert White.
An Order was Issued from this Board to Capt. William Bradford of the 2nd Battalion, for him to take into his Custody Major Chris'r French, Ensign, John Rotton, Ministerial Officers, and Terence McDermot, Cadet in the Ministerial Army, with their attendants, and bring them before this Board.
Resolved, That the Meeting of this Committee be adjourned to 3 o'clock, then to meet at Smith's Tavern, where Capt. Bradford is desired to conduct the above mentioned Officers.
Agreeable to the adjournment of this day, the Members then present met at Smith's Tavern.
In consequence of the orders Issued to Capt. Bradford this day, the officers therein mentioned was taken into Custody, &brought to this Board from Gloucester, And, upon mature deliberation, finding that the said Christopher French, Major in his Majesty's 22nd Regiment of Foot, John Rotton in his Majesty's 47th Regiment of Foot, Ensign, And Terence McDermot, a Voluntier in his Majesty's Army, having designedly came hither with an intention of joining the Ministerial Army at Boston, under the command of General Gage, who is now acting in a Hostile & cruel manner against his Majesty's American Subjects, it is
Resolved, to prevent the said officers & Voluntiers becoming additional Instruments of oppression, That they shall respectively sign the following Instrument of writing, vizt.:
I, Christopher French, Major of His Majesty's 22nd Regiment of Foot, a Prisoner in the Power of the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania, and being kindly treated and protected by them, and enlarged on parole, Do Hereby Solemnly Promise and engage, on the Honor of a Soldier and a Gentleman, That I will not bear Arms against the American United Colonies in any manner whatever, for the space of twelve Months, or untill I may be Exchanged, nor will I, during that time, take any Measures to give intelligence to General Gage, or the British Ministry, or to any Person or Persons whatever, relative to American Affairs, but will proceed with all convenient expedition to the Camp of General Washington, and Submit myself to his further directions, and that I will not directly or indirectly attempt to procure any Person or Persons whatever to rescue me, and that I will not go on board any Brittish Ship of War during the continuance of my engagement not to bear arms.
Philadelphia, 12th August, 1775.
The above engagements being drawn up, were presented to the said Officers and Cadets, were approved of & signed by them seperately. They requesting a Certified Copy of the same; it was agreed to and deliver'd them.
There being imported in said ship Hope, Capt. Curwin, the following Packages of goods, Vizt:
6 Bales for the |
40th Regt. |
|
2 ditto. for the |
40th do. |
|
1 Box for the |
40th do. |
James Morrison. |
1 do. |
45th do. |
Capt. Moore. |
2 do. |
45th do. |
Ensign Percy. |
1 Vallice |
44th do. |
|
6 Bales |
22d do. |
|
1 Chest |
|
|
22d do. |
William Stapleton. |
1 Trunk |
|
1 Chest |
|
22d do. |
George Clighorn. |
1 Trunk |
1 Portmanteau |
1 Box without mark or Number. |
|
Baggage for Lieut. Archd French. |
|
Officers Baggage. |
|
2 Trunks for Major French. |
|
1 Valice for do. |
|
1 Trunk |
|
for Ensign Rotton. |
|
2 Canteens |
|
1 Bed Box |
|
1 Hatt Case |
|
2 Trunks |
|
for Cadet McDerrnot. |
|
1 Bed Box |
|
1 Small Box |
|
1 Valice |
|
Which Goods being for the use of the Army under the Command of General Gage, and baggage belonging to the Officers who came in said ship, it is
Resolved, That the said Goods, brought from said ships in one of the Armed Boats of this Province, shall be stored 'till this Committee shall receive directions from the Continental Congress for the disposal of the same, unless it may be thought necessary by this Committee, before the meeting of the said Congress, to remove or otherwise dispose of them, and that this Committee write to General Washington, informing him of the transactions of this Board relative to the said officers and Goods.
Resolved, That Colo. Roberdeau desire Capt. William Bradford to deliver the Baggage belonging to Major French, Ensign Rotton, and Mr. McDermot, a voluntier, when required.