'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 .

Murders -- It does not appear that the commissioners had

extra-judicial authority over persons suspected of murder. They were concerned with their arrest, and ordered the release upon recognizance of such a person who had been indicted, tried and acquitted 2 .

Passes -- The commissioners issued passes to enable persons to enter an American camp or place under patriot control, whether in or outside of the State. They also made operative passes to Canada that had originated with military officers, but which, meanwhile, had lapsed. Upon receiving a request for a pass from a wife, for herself and family, to go

into the British lines of New York City, the board gave her a certificate, which stated that the commissioners did not object to the granting of her request for removal. In another case, a pass was refused because the granting of it lay properly with General Stark; yet the board recommended to Stark that the person be given permission " to go to Cherry But the Valley to fetch from thence his Family and Effects." board refused an appeal from a tory's wife, on the ground that no permit or indulgence could be given '* to any part of a Family whereof the Husband or Master" had "so far deviated from humane principles as to associate with Barbarians & as- For examples see April 14, 15, 16, 18, 29; June 1, 9, io, 15, 25, 29; July 16; August 12, 13, 15, 21; September 4, 14; November 17, 21, 1778; January 25; February 2, 12; June 2, 3, 5, 9, 30; July 2, 9, io, 1779; July 5; August 26, 1780. * June 13, 17, 1778.