24, 1776,] when it was approved, not, however, without several very important omissions, if the record of the approved Eeport may be relied on. 1 In its amended form, the Eeport was in the following words :

" Your Committee do report: That there is great " reason to believe that the enemies of American Lib- " erty have a general communication with each other "through this and part of the neighbouring Colonies, " by reason whereof the influence of the British Gov- " ernment is much extended and the minds of the " people poisoned by false reports and suggestions.

" That many ill-disposed people have lately resorted " unto, and a great number dwell in, the southern and " eastern parts of Queens-county ; that there are also " several ill-disposed persons in the City and County "of New York, and in Kings County, and in sundry " other parts of this Colony, many of whom will most " probably take up arms on the part of our foes, when- " ever they shall see a prospect of success.

" That from the various reports and the best intel- " ligence which can be obtained from Europe, as also " from the positive assertions of the disaffected through- " out this and the neighbouring Colonies, and from " such of their measures as have come to the knowl- " edge of your Committee, there is no room to doubt "that a large hostile armament will soon arrive in " this Colony.