The senate, on February 12, 1779, passed the following order, 2 viz: "Whereas the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies, are by Law required to keep regular Minutes of all their Proceedings, in Order that the same may be submitted to the Consideration of the Senate or Assembly; and although no Complaints have been made to this Senate of any Misconduct in the said Commissioners, or any of them, nor has this Senate any Reason to believe there are any Grounds for such Complaint, yet as the Execution of their Office is of the utmost Importance to the Weal of this State at this critical Juncture. Laws of Sew York. Poughkeepsie: John Holt, 1782, pp. 46-47. » Ibid, p. 80. •Senate Voles. Fish-Kill: Samuel Loudon, 1777, p. 173.

Introduction 21

" Ordered, therefore, That the said Commissioners lay their Proceedings before this Senate, with all convenient Speed, to the End, that the Legislature may make further Provision, if necessary, with respect to dangerous and disaffected Persons within this State." The act of June 30, 1778, in so far as it bade immediate removal within the British lines, worked harshly in some cases. By the act of February 17, 1779, the legislature sought to hold open the door of recantation from toryism to the last moment, averring it as a " sound Policy and common Charity " to permit every person, who had refused or might thereafter refuse to take the oath or affirmation, and who would voluntarily offer to take it " before the Commencement of his or her Removal," to be fully and wholly absolved from the penalties of the law; except persons detained or confined as exchanges. This act also recited the continuation of the commissioners in the terms of the act of October 29, 1778. When the bill was under discussion in the Senate, on February 12, it contained a paragraph in amendments submitted by the assembly, which directed the treasurer of the State to advance to the commissioners, or any three of them, such further sum or sums as they should from time to time require, not exceeding three thousand pounds.