Head Quarters, Morristown, April 29, 1777.
Sir:
The inclosed was intended to be sent with the prisoners mentioned in
the list; but before this could be conveniently done, Mr. Sims, one
of the Chief Justices of the State, came to this town, and informed
me, that the Governor and Council were upon the point of adjourning;
and that the sending of the prisoners to them, would only be an
embarrassment, without answering, at present, any valuable purpose. He
considered himself authorized to take the matter under his direction,
and desired a sight of the papers relating to it. After perusing them,
he determined it was best the prisoners should remain here, until he
should receive your further orders on the subject; and delivered me a
letter for you, containing a representation of their cases, as they
appear to him, in order to know your sense, in what manner they shall
be disposed of.
He admits two of them, Woolverton and Silas Howel, to bail.
In addition to the former, I send you a second list of four others that
have been lately committed to jail. These are high offenders, and among
the number of those who it were to be wished could have an immediate
trial and punishment. Isaac Ogden, in particular, is one of the most
barefaced impudent fellows that ever came under my observation. He
openly acknowledged himself a subject of the King of Great Britain; and
flatly refused to give any satisfaction to some questions that were
put to him respecting one Moses Nichols, an emissary from the enemy;
assigning no other reason for his refusal, than that he had given his
word to be silent.
A spirit of disaffection shows itself with so much boldness and
violence in different parts of this State, that it is the ardent wish
of His Excellency, no delay, which can be avoided, might be used in
making examples of some of the most atrocious offenders. If something
be not speedily done, to strike a terror into the disaffected, the
consequences must be very disagreeable.
Among others, all security to the friends of the American cause will
be destroyed; and the natural effect of this, will be an extinction of
zeal in seconding and promoting it. Their attachment, if it remain,
will be a dead, inactive, useless principle. And the disaffected,
emboldened by impunity, will be encouraged to proceed to the most
dangerous and pernicious lengths.
I have the honor to be, with great respect,
Your Excellency’s most ob’t servant,
A. Hamilton, A. D. C.
To Gov. Livingston.