Naval Documents of The American Revolution, Volume 1 ... - Ibiblio

AUGUST 1775 1125
MINUTES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY
[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 until1 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.