Beverly Robinson Esqr: appeared before the Committee of ^appointed by^ the Convention ^of the^ State of New York for inquiring into Detecting and Defeating all conspiracies that may be formed against the Liberties of the Same and the Board of Commissioners appointed by the Convention for the Same purpose. Present

John Jay Esqr. Chairman		Members of the Committee.
Judge [Lewis] Graham
Natha: Sackett
Colonel Swartwout		Commissioners
Egbert Benson
Malancton Smith

he was interigated in the following manner Vizt: Mr: Jay. Sir you having observed an Equivocal Neutrality thro the Course of your conduct the Committee is at a Loss ^to know^ how to Rank you.

Mr. Robinson. Sir it is True, at first I offered my Servis to the publick but they did not think proper to Chuse me Since which Time I have made my Self Prisoner on my farm in order to keep myself from a necessity of Expressing my Sentiments.

Mr: Jay. Sir your Son has gone to New York to the enemy.

Mr: Robinson. No Sir he is gone to Long Island.

Mr: Jay. Sir this Committee is informed that when your Son was about Taking a Commission you was much Displeased at it.

Mr: Robinson. I was not Sir, but I believe that committees thro’ their Severity have made a Great many Tories for it is natural when a man is hurt to kick

Mr: Jay. Sir we have passed the Rubicon and it is ^now^ necessary every man Take his part, Cast off all alliegiance to the King of Great Britain and take an oath of Aliegiance to the States of america or Go over to the Enemy for we have Declared our Selves Independent.

Mr: Robinson. Sir I cannot ^Take the Oath^ but should be exceeding Glad to Stay in the Country, to Inable me to stay in the Country, and Expecting that there wold be a great Deal of Trouble about the forts in the Spring ^have^ already sent some of my goods ^farther Back in the Country to^ patersons further back and I Should be extreemly unhappy in being obliged to go over to the enemy for I have no way of ^to^ mentaining my familey there but I have here. If I go ^to the enemy^ can I carry with me any of my effects. and it is very uncertain who will Rule yet for the matter is not Determined.

Mr. Jay: yes Sir undoubtedly ^you can carry your effects^ but we Don’t Desire you Sir to give your answers now we would Chuse that you Should take Time to Consider the matter before you give your answer for I can assure you Sir without flattery we should be exceeding happy to have you with us.

(Mr: Benson then Laboured much to Shew Mr: Robinson the propriety of the measures and the great pleasure it would give us, to have him with us.)

Mr: Robinson. how Long before I must give my answer a Day or Two:

Mr: Jay. no Sir you need not hurry your Self you can Take a month or Six weeks.

Mr: Robinson. you Gentlemen are not Ingaged on Sundays Will you come and see ^me^ one Sunday

Mr: Jay. I am obliged to you Sir, but I don’t Expect to be Long here.

Mr: Benson. I am much obliged to you Sir and will Do myself the Pleasure of coming to See you one Sunday. Mr. Robinson then Retired.