This investigation was done in the presence of one of the commissioners. 2 The board directed search to be made for stolen property, even when the robbery had been committed a long time prior to the apprehension of the thief. 3 When stolen money or other personal property fell into the hands of the board, itwas placed in the custody of the treasurer of the board, or of some officer or citizen designated for that purpose, or was returned by an order to the rightful owner. From the minutes of July 2 7, 1778, we learn that there had been fre- April 2i, 1778. See also April 27, 30, 177S. September 25, 30, 1778. • May 27, 1778.

Introduction 53

quent complaints of robberies committed on the east side of Hudson River, which had "become intolerable". It was believed that the ringleaders might he apprehended, and the board requested Captain Jacob DeForest to collect a company of militia, not to exceed fifty men, "to go in Quest of the Perpetrators" and "apprehend and safely convey them" to the board. He was also authorized to search "in every suspected House for Papers & stolen Goods," whereof he was to make a true return to the board; and "to apprehend all Strangers" who had not "sufficient Authority to he at large in the Compass of the Rout" taken by him and his men. The Helderbergs and adjacent regions were regular nests of robbers and hatcheries of treasonable designs . When a militia contingent seized or plundered the effects of certain people, "scarce leaving them wherewithal to cover themselves", the board wrote the commanding officer "to order the Goods taken" to be immediately returned to the owners 2 .