William. "'The committee of safety!' father, who were they?"
Gen. P. "Your inquiry is well suggested. The committee of safety consisted of men of distinction friendly to the liberties of their country. They were appointed in almost every district throughout the land. It was their business to watch over the interest of the country in their vicinity, to obtain information, and, when necessary, to seize upon suspected persons."
William. "Who were the committee at White Plains?"
Gen. P. "The principal man was John Jay, who afterwards went ambassador to England.
"Mr. Young and Crosby were soon on their way to White Plains, which lay but a few miles distant. Crosby was not a little fatigued; but his zeal was now all alive, and made him quite forget his weariness.
"It was near two o'clock, before they reached the quarters of Mr. Jay. He was soon summoned, and listened with deep interest to the tale of Crosby. It was important intelligence—precisely the information desired, he said; and he promised, at early dawn, to call the committee together, and consult what should be done.
"Mr. Young and Crosby now retired to a neighbouring inn. But the door was fastened, and the landlord was fast locked in sleep. They rapped at the door, and called, and, as you say, Master Henry, when you speak Monsieur Tonson—
"'And loud indeed were they obliged to bawl,
Ere they could rouse the torpid lump of clay.'
"The door, however, was at length opened, and after receiving a growl from the landlord, and a snarl from the landlady, that their rest should be thus broken—they were shown to a bed room, where both in the same bed soon forgot the toils of the night, in a refreshing sleep.
"The committee were together at an early hour, as had been promised. Again Crosby told over his story—and when he had finished,—'Are you willing,' asked the committee, 'to accompany a body of horse to the spot, and attempt to take the traitors?'