Minutes of the Commissioners for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York
them and make out recognizances at Ballston. 1 Moreover, the board objected to the over-zealous action of certain whigs who, not authorized by law, attempted to order disaffected persons " to move off", and who threatened them in
case they procrastinated. The board adjudged that such Appendix I: Laws, June 30, 1778. * Laws of New York. Poughkeepsie: John Holt, 1782, p. 25. * Assembly Papers -- Miscellaneous, vol. 1, pp. 49-62. See also for Shakers, who refused to bear arms, July 7,11, 17, 24, 26; August 26; December 4, 1780. April 15, 1778.
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disaffected persons must be brought before the commissioners, accompanied by the charges against them. 1 When in doubt as to the propriety of permitting particular persons to take the oath of allegiance, the commissioners resolved to take the opinion of the judges of the supreme court. 2 The board could issue a mittimus to a sheriff for committing a prisoner; and also abrogated and voided a mittimus so as to enable judges to issue habeas corpuses. 3 Judges and magistrates were prevented by law from bailing any person committed by a mittimus issued by the commissioners. Paroles were issued, and at times provided with restrictions upon opinion of the governor. Paroles were also disallowed. 4 Petitions were received from prisoners, heard and disposed of. and were sometimes referred by the legislature.® The board took cognizance of defamation of military officers or its own members, by binding the guilty party, or exacting a satisfactory concession. 7 When General Stark discharged a negro, a prisoner of war, and said he had done it by consent