The Committee met on the account of the transport that came up into the harbour, and the report that the Mercury and two other transports are below.

A request in the words following, was sent to the Honble. Hugh Wallace: ²

3 ho. P.M.,February 4th, 1776.

Sir ー The Committee of Safety, now met in the Assembly Chamber at the City Hall, present their compliments to the Honble. Hugh Wallace, and request the favour of him to call on the Committee as soon as possible.

A like request, mutatis mutandis, was sent to his worship, Mr. Mayor.

Ordered, That John Atherton, the pilot who was taken up by some of the inhabitants this morning, and sent to the guard house, be brought down for examination.

John Atherton being examined says, in substance, that he went on board of his boat to lodge; that some persons came on board of his boat and took him on board of Gov. Tryon's ship, and from thence on board of the armed schooner Tender; that he could not avoid piloting her down and up again; that he did not pilot the ship Sally, or the transport Brigantine.

William Frundan of the city of New-York, branch pilot, says, that two or three days [since] he desired John Atherton and Nichs. James, to draw their boat to the shore and haul her up; and that he also desired Wm Marriner and Robt Cocks to speak to them and give them the same advice; that they said the man of war had her in possession, and that they would not do any thing with her; that he has very frequently seen the said John Atherton and Nichs. James going on board of the Phoenix, and that they keep passing and repassing from the boat to the Phoenix every day. That this morning he charged John Atherton that he went down with the schooner Tender; that Atherton at first denied it: that he, the examinant, said to Atherton that he could prove it; that after some time Atherton acknowledged that he had gone down with the schooner, and asked him what could he do, he would starve in the city without employ, and attempted to justify his conduct; that Francis James came and took his cloths off the wharf and has got his boat off, and told his sons there were 200 men on board the brig, but that he, Fundran, thinks there are no troops on board; that the other day after Atherton was sent to this Committee, after he returned Fundran asked him how he had settled with the Committee, and Atherton said he had clubbed with the Committee and settled the account.

Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt came to visit the Committee; he then informed them that Atherton goes frequently on board of the Phoenix; that he told him the other day he would not lose business for any Committee, &c.&c. The substance of further particulars of Mr.Van Zandt's testimony could not be reduced to writing.

Ordered,That Atherton be sent back to the guard house.

The Honble. Hugh Wallace attended, says he has not heard any thing but what he has heard on shore, as to any transports being below. That a midshipman, who came with Capt. [Hyde] Parker [Jr.] on board of the Governor's ship, told him the Mercury is below and from Boston, in about a fortnight, and had letters on board for him. That a gentleman came on board the Dutches with Capt. Parker; the Governor was called out into Harvey's dining room, and that he, Mr. Wallace, was informed that when that gentleman's cloak opened he had red lapels; that he believes this brig is from Boston and a transport; that he heard the address of the House of Commons read, that it re-echoes the King's speech; that he intends to go on board of the Governor's ship this afternoon, and has promised some gentlemen on the bridge that if he hears any thing of importance to the city will inform of it.

Mr. Mayor says that he has not heard any thing but what he heard on the bridge. That he should have waited on the Governor but that the Governor has sent him a card requesting him to wait on him to-morrow. That if he hears of any thing necessary for the safety of the city he will make the best use of it.

William Fundran is directed to proceed immediately to the Narrows, and to take a trusty person with him who can ride, and with a good spy glass; that he stay at Cortelyou's, and that on sight of any fleet he immediately despatch his rider with information to this Committee; and a proper signal to be made in the day, and also a proper signal to be made in the night, in case the weather should not permit to cross the ferry immediately, were fixed on with the said Fundran.

Samuel Isleton the pilot was also called in and directed to proceed immediately with the whale boat and his oarsmen to the Hook, and to keep the best lookout if any fleet is approaching, and to examine, if any fleet appears, whether there are any troops on board, and to give the most immedaite notice of his discoveries to this Committee.

Saml Iselton is to tarry one week, if no fleet appears sooner; is to have the same pay as before, to wit, 10s. a day for himself, and 8s. a day for each of his men. They are to find their own provisions and bear their own expense.

Col. [Alexander] McDougall went to wait on Genl. [Charles] Lee, and to form an arrangement of duty for the night.

Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt came into the Committee and informed them that he has good information and to be relied on, that Genl. [Henry] Clinton has come; but whether it was Genl. Clinton, or his aid-de-camp, who came on board of the Governor's ship he has not yet discovered.

Mr. Mayor came into the Committee and informed that the Governor had sent for him; that he waited on the Governor and saw Genl. Clinton there; that he is authorized by the Governor to assure the inhabitants that no troops are coming here; Genl. Clinton declared the same; that the Governor said Genl. Clinton called to pay him a short visit; that if any transports with troops should by accident or stress of weather put in here, they are not intended to remain here.

Colonel [Abraham] Brasher was despatched to inform Genl. Lee and the gentlemen there assembled, of the information received from his Worship the Mayor.

The Committee conceive it necessary to inform the Continental Congress, through the New-York Delegates, of Genl. Lee's arrival, and of the arrival of the transports and Genl. Clinton of the ministerial troops.

Thereupon a draft of a letter to the Delegates of the Colony of New-York, was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

Gentlemen ー We think it our duty to inform the Continental Congress through you, that Genl. Clinton of the ministerial troops, and one transport, are this day arrived here; but we do not know that she contains any troops. That the Mercury ship of war is near Nutten [sic Staten] island coming into port. We are well informed that those vessels le£ t Boston not more than 14 days ago.

The mayor has this evening declared to us that he was then come from Govr. Tryon, and is authorized by the Governor to assure the inhabitants that no troops are coming here; that Genl. Clinton was present, and said that no troops are coming here; that Govr. Tryon farther told him, that Genl. Clinton had only called to pay him a short visit; that if any transport with troops should by accident or stress of weather put in here, they are not intended to remain here. We do not rely on this information; but if it be true, we conceive that the most natural conclusion is, that he is going to the southward.

Major-Genl. Lee is arrived here this day, (ill with the gout.) He has about 700 men now here, and has sent over for Lord Stirling's regiment. We are, most Respectfully, Gentlemen [&c.]

By order. ³