His refusal of these conditions was, by the decree of the war committee, to be punished with death.

This committee had a number of armed men as the instruments by which they enforced their decrees.

The three envoys gave the Captain one hour to consider their proposal.
At the expiration of the hour Margaret Godfrey and her husband came into the room where the rebels were seated.

Margaret asked them how her husband and family should be able to join General Washington; "Would they not be arrested as spies or enemies of the New England colonists if they attempted to pass over among them ?" One of the rebels answered her, "If you will go and join General Washington, we will give you a pass into New England, and as soon as we can consult with the war committee we will bring or send you the passport." Margaret trembled lest her husband would suddenly object to the proceeding, as nothing definite had been arranged during their hour of debating the situation, only that they must escape if possible.

She was well aware of her husband's sterling loyalty.