Numerous petitions were sent to this last session of the legislature during the war, requesting that certain persons, who had adhered to the British cause, and who in consequence had been removed by order of the commissioners for conspiracies and in accordance with the law, might be permitted to return. In ever)' case, so far as ascertained, the legislature rejected the prayer of the petitioners by a unanimous vote. 1

• For example, a number of petitions were signed by a considerable number of inhabitants of the districts of Claverack, Kinderhook, Hillsdale and Kings, and presented in senate on March 13, 1783. -- Senate Votes (sixth session), p. 140.

Introduction 33

The execution of the duties imposed by extraordinary laws upon the commissioners for detecting and defeating conspiracies, involved most uncongenial tasks. How they operated from time to time, as revealed in the proceedings of the Albany County board, the most important and active part of this official body of the State, is the subject-matter of the next chapter.

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Operation of the Function of the Commissioners as Revealed by the Proceedings of the Albany County Board.

General Statement of Organization -- Counterfeiters -- Deserters Murders -- Passes -- Prisoners -- Protection -- -- Rangers Relations With Other Boards and With Local Committees -- Robberies and Plunder -- Toryism and Disaffection -- Treason.

The men, who from time to time had been empowered to exercise the judicial function as commissioners for conspiracies in the several boards of this inquisitorial body, were persons fitted by former service for the new tasks. Several of them had already gained experience as members of committees or other bodies organized earlier in the war for the suppression of disaffection. Among their number were judges of various courts, and those who were, or had been, recorders, court clerks, coroners, surrogates and county, city or town clerks.