That the first time the Deponent saw th« said Morris JYiewenhuysen, after they were carried to France, tlie said JVieioenhuysen told him that one Johii Thompson (who was Boatswain of the said Sloop) found some Letters on board the said Sloop directed to France, under cover to some persons in England. That he likewise told him, tlie Contents of the said Letters were to this effect, That if the French would oome to New- York, the place lay in a disorder. That the said John Thompson likewise informed him to the same effect, but that not nnderstanding French, he told this Deponent, he had his information from the said Morris JVieivenhuysen. This Deponent further saith, Tliat lie then askt the said Morris JYiewenhuysen if ]ie knew whose writing tlic said Letters were? To which he answered, They were very like the handwriting of Capt. Faneuil,

PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF ISTIW-YGRK. 431

but there being no Name subscribed to the Letters, he could not certainly tell whose hand-writing they were. That the said Morris Mewenhuysm and John Thompson also told this Deponent, that they tlu-ew the Letters over board for fear they should fall into the hands of the French. ■

John Van Brugh Sworn before a Committee of the Council^ the 24th of Fihruary, 1708.

Geo. Clarke.

'Vety York^ April 29, 1708. The above written is a true Copy of the Original inmy Oifice.

Geo. Cl^^rke.

May it please your Excellency:

In obedience to yoiu- Excellency's Order "in Council of the 12th instant, Keferring to us the Examination of and into a Report lately spread about, concerning some Letter or Letters lately sent to France, giving an account of the condition of this place. We have taken the Deposition of John van Brugh and Muurice Mewenhuysen, which we have hereunto annixt, and whereto we refer.