Others, who had started on their way to join Brant, reported, returned to their abodes and were placed under a recognizance and bail for their appearance at the next supreme court of judicature to be held at some were closely confined. the city hall of Albany, whilst Not a few of those whom the board released, and who returned to their homes, were afterwards implicated in robberies or proved to be otherwise troublesome. The board even granted a gratuity to a deserter from Brant and Butler for important information imparted by him and for his offer to go out again as a spy, to discover the future movements of the enemy 2 . Deserters, who had joined Burgoyne, requested reinstatement in their country's favor and took the oath of fidelity, or were put under a recognizance for their future good

behavior and monthly appearance before one or more of the commissioners. Similarly, Hessians and other deserters from Burgoyne's army, or other British attachments, upon taking the oath, were given a pass to go at large in Albany County; were put under a recognizance or, when considered dangerous to the State, were confined. Intercession on behalf of these persons was sometimes made by some of the principal people of a locality, who requested that a domicile

'January 4, 12, 13, 1779. 'For examples see October 31; November 4, 21; December 4, 1778; May 27, 1779.

40 State of New York

amongst them be granted. Some of the Hessians to whom favor had been shown, were later discovered as perpetrators of robberies, and were recommitted. The board would not liberate one of Burgoyne's German allies, because he was a prisoner of war and " under the direction of the Military power." Deserters from the American army were turned over to the military authorities .