At a meeting of the Committee of Safety at the City Hall of the City of New-York, on Tuesday, the 11th day of July, 1775 at 9 o'clock, A.M.
A Letter from Gen. [David] Wooster was read, and is in the words following, viz:
Camp near New York, July 11, 1775
Sir Peter Herring the man who last night assisted in conveying on board the Asia, man of war one of the prisoners sent here by the Continental Congress, is now under guard at our camp. I would beg the immediate advice of the Committee of Safety concerning what is best to be done with him his brother is willing and desirous that he should be sent away somewhere, that he may be out of the way of the enraged people; some have proposed that he be sent on board the Asia; others think it best to have him sent to Connecticut with Gov. [Philip] Skeene, who will go off as soon as this matter can be determined. I hope, therefore, to be assisted with your advice as speedily as possible, and am, sir [&c.]
David Wooster
To Peter V. B. Livington, Esq.
Thereupon, an Order to Gen. Wooster was made in the words following, to wit:
Sir Immediately on the receipt of this you are required to send the body of Peter Herring, under safe and secure guard, before the Committee of Safety, at the City Hall of the city of New York, for which this shall be a sufficient warrant. By order of the Committee of Safety.
An answer to General Wooster's letter was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:
In Committee of Safety, New York, July 11th, 1775.
Sir: We this instant received your favour, and took the same into consideration. We think it highly necessary that Mr. Herring should be brought before us in order to be examined touching his accomplices, for which purpose we have enclosed an order of this Board. We are, Sir, [&c.]
To General David Wooster, at the Camp;
P.S. If there are any witnesses, please to send them also.
Ordered, That a copy of said letter and order be signed by the Chairman, and sent immediately.
A Letter from Abraham Lott, Esq., Agent for His Majesty's ships in this port, was read, and is in the words following, to wit:
Gentlemen Having received a demand from John Collins, Esq., Commander of His Majesty's Ship Nautilus, now at Sandy-Hook, for 4000 pounds bread, 300 pounds beef, 500 pounds of pork, 12 bushels peas, 200 pounds butter, 200 pounds cheese, [and] 200 gallons rum, You will be pleased to signify your opinion, whether or no I shall supply the provisions, &c., pursuant to the demand. I am authorized to assure the honourable the Committee that the Nautilus is not going to Boston, but to the southward.
I am, Gentlemen [&c.]
Abraham Lott
To the Honourable the Committee of the New York Provincial Congress.
Ordered, That Abraham Lott, Esq., be at liberty to supply the quantities of provisions and rum above-mentioned to the ship Nautilus for the use of the said ship's company.
A letter from William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, Esquires, was read, and is in the words following, to wit:
[Here is inserted their letter of July 8, 1775]
An Answer to the Letter of William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, Esquires. was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:
Committee of Safety, New-York, July 11th, 1775.
Gentlemen: We have received your favour of the 8th of the last month,3 which came to our hands last night. Our Congress have adjourned for a fortnight from this day, and appointed us a Committee of Safety to act during the recess. We beg leave to assure you, that we will do every thing in our power relative to the schooner which you have described. We are, with much respect, Gentlemen, [&c.]
To William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, Esqs. of Philadelphia.
Ordered, That a copy be signed by the Chairman and transmitted.
Peter Herring being brought before the committee, Gen. [David] Wooster charged and accused him of being aiding and assisting to one Lundin yesterday evening in making his escape from the confinement he was under by order of the Continental Congress. Several witnesses were examined as to the charge, in the presence of the said Peter Herring.
Resolved, That it fully appears to this Committee, by the testimony of sundry witnesses, as also by the examination and confession of Peter Herring, of the city of New York, that the said Peter Herring was aiding and assisting to one Lundin, yesterday evening, in making his escape from the confinement he was in, by order of the Continental Congress; and the said Peter Herring assisted him to get on board the Asia man of war, and was the means of getting him on board of the said ship.
Resolved and ordered, therefore, That the said Peter Herring be sent, under such guard as Gen. Wooster shall appoint, to Connecticut, to be there confined in close goal at the Continental charge, until he shall be thence discharged by the Continental Congress.
A Letter from Burnet Miller, Chairman of the Committee of Southampton, was read, and is in the words following, to wit.5
