All persons " of neutral and equivocal Characters " were to be summoned before quorums of the commissioners for detecting and defeating conspiracies, whenever they believed any of them to have " influence sufficient to do Mischief," and were to take the new oath of allegiance or, if Quakers, to affirm. By this oath or affirmation they declared, "without any mental Reservation or Equivocation whatever," that the State of New York was of right a free and independent State, and that no authority or power could of right be exercised in and over the State, save such as was granted by or derived from its people. Every subscriber swore to do his duty as became a " good Subject of the said Free and Independent State of New York," to the best of his knowledge and ability. Persons summoned or brought before the commissioners and who refused to take the oath or to affirm, were to be forthwith removed " to any Place within the Enemy's Lines," and names were to be certified their

by the commissioners to the secretary of the State, who was required to record and file the certificates. Neutrals who absconded or absented themselves to avoid the oath, were to be summoned before the commissioners by publication, 'Appendix I: Laws. June 30, 1778.

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Introduction *9

to appear at a designated place within twenty-one days from the date of the said publication in the newspapers. Their default was adjudged equal to a refusal of the oath or affirmation. Those who were removed or who defaulted were declared as banished from the State; if discovered in