two o'clock
`` 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 .