[October 20, 1775 - March 31] 2
Every thing again went on quietly in the Custom House line, (and the Collector was often employed to go on board the Governor's Ship with messages &ca) until December when General Lee and the Connecticut Troops took possession of the Town; 3 The Collector then obtained leave from the New York Congress to send his Family to New Jersey, and leaving his own house in the Country Lodged in Town and still continued doing his duty without interruption till March 1776, when he received from Captain Parker of His Majesty's Ship Phoenix a Copy of the Act of Parliament stoping all Trade with the revolted Colonies, and being the same day warned with others to assist at the Fortifications, he immediately applyed to Lord Sterling then Commanding at New York for Leave to join his family in New Jersey which was granted with a boat and Officer to see him off; The Collector to prevent suspicion of his carrying off Papers (which he could not have done as he was going amongst the Rebels) did not go to the Custom House, but with a Servant and a small open trunk went on board the boat for Amboy in New Jersey having previously directed his deputy to lock up all Papers and Books that were in the Custom House.
1. Andrew Elliot Papers, Box I, folder 6, NYSL.
2. Dates fixed by day after delegation of the New York Congress called on Elliot (October 19, 1775) and the day the Act of Parliament restricting all trade was received in New York. Elliot specifies this as in March, it could have been no earlier than the 31st of that month, since Shuldham, off Boston, did not receive it until March 24, 1776, by H.M.S. Milford.
3. Lee arrived in New York February 4, 1776; not in December, l 775.
