Those who were found "adhering to the Enemies of this State" were declared to be guilty of high treason. Anyone who maliciously by preaching, teaching, speaking, writing or printing maintained that the King of Great Britain had or of right ought to have authority or

* Laws of New York. Poughkeepsie: John Holt, 1782, p. 149. J Ibid, p. 215. 3 Assembly Votes. Fish-Kill: Samuel Loudon, 1779, p. 47; Senate Voles Ibid, pp. 16, 30. July 19, 1779.

56 State of New York

dominion in and over the State, or who seduced or persuaded or attempted to persuade or seduce any inhabitant to renounce his or her allegiance to the State, and who himself or herself maliciously or advisedly declared or affirmed allegiance to the King or Crown of Great Britain, was guilty of a felony

without benefit of clergy. But the court had latitude, instead of giving judgment of death, to direct that the convict should serve three years on hoard of any ship of war of the State, or of the United States, or of an ally of the United States. Desertion from such service invited the death penalty.' There were indeed examples of hotheaded disaffection that inspired such legislation. On July io, 1780, a witness accused one of these persons of saying in his presence, " that the French Fleet was come to carry off the Damned Rebel Officer Washington, who was afraid he would be hanged, and the Rebel Congress; that the Whigs were all a set of scoundrels and Rascals, and that he was persuaded the