The power of this Committee, by act of Assembly, extends only to prisoners of war, to provide for them, and to treat them with humanity, according to their rank, &c., and the Committee met with little difficulty in ordering the prisoners, except with Governour Skeen and Captain McKay, until the late successes of the British arms, which has elated the prisoners and Tories, and some of them, in consequence thereof, are grown saucy and troublesome. Not to punish this insolence will be imputed to timidity, and improved to dishearten our own people; and to make orders for their punishment without executing them is worse than nothing; and the Committee must execute their own orders themselves, unless they can persuade somebody to do it for them, or suffer the mortification of seeing them despised, for they are not invested with power to command any civil or military assistance. Martial law is almost the only law they are acquainted with, and a military force what they most dread. I am desired by the Committee to represent to your Honour, in their name, that some further regulations are necessary, and that the Committee have power to command assistance, to order a guard at the gaol, or over any of the prisoners when needed, and to punish such guard for neglect on duty, &c., &c., &c. There is now a guard kept at the gaol, but we are obliged to beg and plead to get them; and behave as they will, we have no power to punish them. The Tories of our own State are busy at the gaol with the prisoners, and of such we have no power more than other individuals, &c.

1. How does “this committee” feel about the extent of their power?
Personal answer

2. Do they have enough or too little?
personal answer

3. Where does this committee say they are receiving their power?
Personal answer