USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the Colonial History of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XXVII > Part 8
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Nature and Tendency, must produce Effects infinite- ly more pernicious and destructive than the Dis- tresses they complain of. Designing Men of desper- ate Fortunes, made so, perhaps, by their own Folly and Extravagance, have doubtless taken the Advan- tage of the too general Prejudices, to inflame the Spirit of Contention and Disorder, that they might thereby the better screen themselves, and obtain De- lays of Justice, in Confusions of their own making. These, we hope, will be discovered and treated ac- cording to their just Demerits.
The several important Matters recommended in your Excellency's Speech, to prevent future Offences of the like Kind, and for supporting the Dignity of Government, are under our most serious Considera- tion ; and we assure your Excellency, that we shall pursue every Measure in our Power, that shall ap- pear most likely to answer these valuable Ends. We also join with your Excellency in declaring that we will most heartily unite in any Expedient necessary for the Removal of every real Grievance of the Peo- ple, and at the same Time, that we will give our ut- most Assistance in Support of the Laws, and the reg- ular Administration of Justice.
By Order of the House, STIRLING,1 Speaker.
Council-Chamber
March 20, 1770.
His Excellency's Answer.
" Gentlemen,
YOUR Address contains such Sentiments as
1 William Alexander, of Baskingridge, N. J., claiming to be the Larl of Stir- ling.
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cannot fail of meeting with my Thanks and Appro- bation. I have not the least Doubt but that you will, as you have always hitherto done, afford me every Assistance which may be in your Power, in promot- ing the Welfare, Security, and Happiness of the good People of this Province."
His Excellency's ANSWER [to the Address of the Representatives, the address printed in N. J. Archives, Vol. X, p. 180].
" Gentlemen,
THE Assurances you give me of discounte- nancing riotous Proceedings, and of joining in all ne- cessary Measures to bring Offenders to Justice, can- not but afford me sensible Pleasure, and must, if fol- lowed by a suitable Conduct on your Part, effectual- ly prevent such dangerous Disorders in future."
To COVER
This ensuing Season, at NATHANIEL, HEARD's, at Woodbridge, New Jersey, the noted Horse, called TRUE BRITON,
AT Three Pounds, Proc. for the Season, or Twenty Shillings, Proc. the single Leap. The Money to be paid when the Mares are taken away. Good Grass for Mares.
NATHANIEL HEARD.
AMBOY RACES.
To be RUN for on Tuesday the first Day of May next, at the City of Perth Amboy,
A PURSE OF FIFTY DOLLARS, free for any Horse, Mare or Gelding, not being more
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than half Blood, or more than three Years old, carry- rying eight Stone, the best of three Heats, one Mile and a half each Heat. Also on Wednesday the sec- ond Day of May, a SADDLE will be run for, by com- mon Horses, that has never won a Prise to the Value of Forty Shillings, and on Thursday the 3d Day of May, the Beaten Horses that started for the Purse, to run for the Entrance Money. The Horses to be entered with Elijah Dunham, or William Wright, on or before the Twenty eight Day of April next, pay- ing Twenty Shillings Entrance or Double at the Post : Certificates to be produced under the Hands of the Breeder, of the Blood and Age of each Horse : All Disputes to be determined by proper Judges to be appointed for that Purpose.
March 24, 1770.
By Order of Jonathan Frazee, and Stephen Skin- ner, Esqrs. two of his Majesty's Judges of the Infe- rior Court of Common Pleas for the County of Mid- dlesex : Public Notice is hereby given, that Monday the 16th of April. next, is appointed by the said Judges, to meet at the House of Elijah Dunham, in Perth-Amboy, to discharge Anthony Hansell, and John Green, Insolvent Debtors, they having com- plied with the late Act of Insolvency.
March 24, 1770.
To the PUBLIC.
THE Author of the two Pieces published in Mr. Parker's Paper, of the 26th of February last, and con- tinued in his the 5th Instant, in Vindication of the
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*
Purchasers of Newark, is extremely sorry, that he should be guilty of suggesting to the Public, that "the Magistrates of Newark " should deviate so far from the Principles of Justice, as to imprison any Persons " to gratify the Proprietors." This he con- fesses was a very rash and inadvertant Slip of the Pen, especially in one who has ever maintained the highest Veneration both for the Laws of his Coun- try, and the Officers of Justice. He esteems the one as the grand Diaphragma of our Lives and Liber- ties ; and the other, as important Guardians of our Land and Nation. He would therefore beg Leave, in this public Manner, humbly to supplicate these honourable Gentlemen's Pardon, for an Abuse, which he is conscious justly deserves their Resent- ment.
The Author will eagerly embrace the first Oppor- tunity to make a Recantation of the Category against the two Gentlemen, whose Names he ventured to make free with, in the last of the above Pieces, when- ever he is sufficiently convinced of their Innocency.
Newark, March 22, 1770.
-N. Y. Gazette or Weekly Post Boy, No. 1421. March 26, 1770.
To be SOLD,
By the subscriber living on the premises, at public vendue, on Saturday the 28th day of April next, if not sold by private sale before, a valuable lot of land in Perth-Amboy, containing four acres ; bounding on the river, together with a good dwelling-house, a currying shop, a shoe maker's shop, bark-house, a
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beam-house, and tan-yard, all new and in good re- pair, said tanyard is very valuable as there is a good spring, and no other tan-yard within several miles, nor any other spring in the town convenient for that purpose : A good title will be given by the sub- scriber
JOHN CROW -N. Y. Journal or General Advertiser, No. 1421, March 29, 1770.
CHARLESTOWN, South Carolina.
March 9. The Rev. Hezekiah Smith, with a col- lection of about {.300 sterling, for the intended col- lege in Rhode Island ; and the Rev. James Caldwell, with {.700 more for that at Prince Town in New- Jersey, are set out on their return to their respective homes.
FOUR POUNDS Reward.
BROKE out of Trenton goal, the twenty-first instant, at night, an Irish servant man, named DANIEL CARR, about 5 feet 9 inches high, round faced, fresh colour'd, broad shoulders, a well sett man, yellow or brownish hair, commonly wears a false cue. Had on when he went off, a new beaver hat, blue coat, red jacket, leather breeches ; he has been a foot pedlar of late. Whoever takes up said CARR, and brings him to Trenton goal, or secures him in any other of his Majesty's goals, so that he may be had again, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by
PETER HANKINSON, goaler. -Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1425, March 29, I770.
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BURLINGTON.
The SPEECH of his Excellency WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Esq ; Captain General, etc. etc.
Gentlemen of the Council and Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
I AM much concerned that there should be any Occasion for calling a Meeting of the Legislature so soon after the late Session. But however incon- venient it may be to your private affairs, or expen- sive to the Province, you will find, by the Papers which will be laid before you, that it is a Measure made absolutely necessary by the late tumultuous and riotous proceedings in the County of Mon- mouth.1
Besides these Riots in Monmouth, there was one of a similar Nature in Essex, on the 9th of last January ; but by the virtuous and spirited Conduct of the Sheriff, Magistrates, and a number of the well disposed Inhabitants of the County, the Rioters were suppressed, and many of them bound over to answer to the next Court.
Such being the Case, our chief Attention, at this Time ought to be engaged in providing for the due Support of the Laws, and Authority of Government. This indeed, must, at all Events be done, and with your Assistance, Gentlemen, may be easily effected. For so desirable a Purpose, I think it my Duty to recommend to you the Passing,
I. An Act for reviving and continuing the Militia Law, which expired at the last Session.
1 This speech is given in full in N. J. Archives, X., 172.
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2. An Act for the better preventing Tumults, and riotous Assemblies,
3. An Act to compel the Reparation and Strength- ening of Prisons,
4. An Act to provide a Fund (some limited Sum) for answering such contingent and extraordinary Ex- pences as may happen on Emergencies, for the Ser- vice of this Province,
These, Gentlemen, are the principal Matters I have to recommend to your Consideration at this Time,
Council Chamber, March 16, 1770.
To his Excellency WILLIAM FRANKLIN Esq; Captain General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of New- Jersey, and Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral in the same, &c.
The humble ADDRESS of His Majesty's COUNCIL for the said Province.
May it please your EXCELLENCY,
To receive #our hearty Thanks for calling this Meeting of the Legislature, which appears, at this Time, to be highly necessary, to concert proper Measures for the due Support of the Dignity of Gov- ernment, and the Maintenance of the Laws and Con- stitution of this Colony. The spirited and prudent Steps taken by your Excellency.to suppress the tumultuous and dangerous Attempts of a Number of infatuated People, in Obstruction of the due Admin-
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istration of Justice, must afford a sensible Pleasure to every Well-wisher of the Peace of the Province.
If it be admitted, that some Individuals of the Community had been oppressed by unnecessary and excessive Costs, charged by some of the Professors of the Law ; yet surely that cannot be deemed a suf- ficient Justification for raising a Clamour against the whole of that Profession ; much less can it possibly excuse such riotous Proceedings as have been lately " manifested, to the endangering of the public Peace, Credit, and Happiness of the Colony. Yet such have been frequently the Effects of a foolish Credul- ity, raised and promoted by artful and mischievous Men, who under specious Pretences of the best De- signs, and of promoting the most amiable and glori- ous Cause, have deceived the Thoughtless into those very Follies and Crimes, which, at first, they might have intended to oppose and defeat. History abundantly confirms the Truth of this Observation, and the present Subject of our Deliberations, affords a very striking additional Proof. A Number of Men (some of whom perhaps meant well at first) with their Passions raised by a popular Cry of Griev- ances, instead of taking the legal and constitutional Measures enumerated by your Excellency, have en- tered into Combinations, under Pretence of redress- ing those Grievances, which, from their very Nature and Tendency, must produce Effects infinitely more pernicious and destructive than the Distresses they complain of. Designing Men, of desperate For- tunes, made so, perhaps, by their own Folly and Ex- travagance, have doubtless, taken the Advantage of
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the too general Prejudices, to enflame .this Spirit of Contention and Disorder ; that they might thereby the better screen themselves, and obtain Delays of Justice, in Confusions of their own making. These, we hope, will be discovered, and treated ac- cording to their just Demerits.
The several important Matters recommended in your Excellency's Speech, to prevent future Offences of the like Kind, and for supporting the Dignity of Government, are under our most serious Considera- tion ; and we assure your Excellency, that we shall pursue every Measure, in our Power, that shall ap- pear most likely to answer those desirable Ends. We also join with your Excellency, in declaring that we will most heartily unite in any Expedient neces- sary for the Removal of any real Grievances of the People ; and, at the same time, that we will give our utmost Assistance in Support of the Laws, and the regular Administration of Justice.
By Order of the House,
Council Chamber,
STIRLING, Speaker.
March 20, 1770.
His EXCELLENCY's Answer.
GENTLEMEN,
YOUR Address contains such Sentiments, as cannot fail of meeting with my Thanks and Approbation. I have not the least Doubt but that you will, as you have always hitherto done, afford me every Assistance which may be in your Power, in promoting the Welfare, Se- curity and Happiness, of the good People of this Prov- ince.
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After Governor FRANKLIN'S Speech, and the COUN- CIL's Address, &c. were put to Press, the Address of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of New-Jersey came to hand, and is as follows.
To his Excellency WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Esq ; Captain General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Colony of Nova-Caesarea, or New-Jersey, and Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral in the same, &c.
The humble ADDRESS of the REPRESENTATIVES of the said Colony, in General Assembly convened.
May it please your EXCELLENCY.
HEARTILY grieved at the Occasion of our Meet- ing at this Time, we cannot sufficiently express the Concern we feel, That there should be Persons in this Government so lost to a Sense of their inestima- ble Privileges, as not to distinguish between the Use and Abuse of them: And that because some may have been, and others imagined themselves severely treated and oppressed by a particular Sett of Men, that therefore they would deprive both themselves and others, who never offended them, of one of the greatest Bulwarks of English Liberty, a free . Court, wherein all Persons whatever have, and ought to have, an undoubted Right to appear, according to the Mode of our excellent Constitution, to hear and be heard, make known their Complaints, and have them redressed. - - - There are, or have been, Abuses in most or all Professions ; if these were to operate against their Use, what would be the Conse-
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quence but a total Deprivation of all the Benefits at- tending the due Execution of them? Where the Law and Constitution have provided Remedies in any Case, these, and these only, ought to be pur- sued. With respect to any Abuses or Oppression from the Practitioners of the Law, the legal Modes of Redress are justly pointed out by your Excel- lency, plain and easy to the meanest Capacity, and to which in general we know of but one Objection ; that the People oppressed are sometimes not of suf- ficient Ability to prosecute their Complaints ; but this can have no Existence, when it is considered, that there are none so poor, but may make known their Distresses by Petition to the Assembly, or to the Members thereof, who live in their County; and from the past Conduct of this House, it must be evi- dent, that, as the grand Inquest of the Province, At- tention will be always paid to the Complaints of the People. - - - There are few but what have, or may have, in future, a lawful and honourable, and, we think, the best Remedy, in their own Hands against any Abuses from the Practitioners of the Law; an honest Care to fulfil Contracts, and a patriotic Spirit of Frugality and Industry, would soon make this evi- dent. We are, however, and shall be, at all Times ready to hear, and, as far as may be in our Power, redress every real Grievance, that may come to our Knowledge.
We could not, through Concern for these deluded People, but thus far lament their unhappy Mistake. Government must be supported, and the Laws duly executed. From the strictest Attention to these
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Points we can never vary. Our Regard for good Order, and the Peace of the Province, calls loudly upon us to thank your Excellency for the Care you have taken, that the public Tranquility might be pre- served ; at the same Time we are well assured, it is necessary there should be a Regulation in the Prac- tice of the Law, which we believe would greatly con- tribute to quiet the Minds of the People, if not total- ly prevent such tumultuous Proceedings in future ; and we hope, if any Remedy can be provided, so that the heavy Expence sometimes attending Law Suits may be regulated and lessened, it will have your Concurrence.
And we cannot but express the great Satisfaction we feel at the virtuous Conduct and Spirit shown by the Magistrates, Sheriff, and People of the County of Essex, in suppressing the first Appearance of Riot in that County. Had a like Spirit been exerted in Monmouth, it probably had prevented the Dis- turbances since.
We, on our Part, do assure your Excellency, we shall ever discountenance such riotous Proceedings, and will heartily join in all necessary Measures to bring every offender to condign Punishment, and for ensuring Obedience to the Laws: For this salu- tary Purpose, we shall give due Consideration to what your Excellency hath recommended.
As the Persons accused of the late Riots have been, and are, in a Way of Trial, according to Law, we cannot think it necessary, at present, to alter the Constitutional and established Mode of Trial, to an- other County, nor will it be necessary, at this Time,
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to make any Provision for Expences, that may here- after arise. As the Assembly of this Colony have al- ways honourably paid the extraordinary Exigences of Government, so your Excellency may be assured, should the like Disorders occasion it, we shall not be wanting in our Duty to defray the Expences.
We must take Notice to your Excellency, that the Meeting of the Assembly, at this Time, ought to have been at Amboy, according to established Custom ; and however the Necessity of the Business now to be done, may excuse our going into it, we desire it may not be drawn into Precedent.
By Order of the House,
March 20, 1770. CORTLAND SKINNER, Speaker.
To which His EXCELLENCY was pleased to return the following ANSWER.
GENTLEMEN,
THE Assurances you give me of discountenancing riotous Proceedings, and of joining in all necessary Measures to bring Offenders to condign Punishment, cannot but afford me sensible Pleasure, and must, if followed by a suitable Conduct on your Part, effectual- ly prevent such dangerous Disorders in future .- Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2153, March 29, 1770.
This Morning the large Steer, raised by John Tonkin of Springfield, in Burlington County, New- Jersey, was killed by George and Benjamin Wilport ; and on Saturday Morning the same will be weighed and sold at their Stall, No. 45, in the Market, where they will be glad to see their Friends and Cus- tomers.
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CUSTOM HOUSE, Philadelphia, OUTWARDS. Sloop Hetty, J. Burnam, Salem.
To be SOLD, by public Vendue, on the premises,
On Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of April next, A VALUABLE plantation, and Tract of land, situate in the township of Northampton, in the county of Bur- lington, in West-Jersey, containing about 270 acres of land, 70 or 80 acres whereof is good meadow, and more may be made, a dwelling-house, barn, stables, and other convenient buildings thereon, a good well of water near the door, with a pump in it, a good bearing orchard, the woodland is well timbered, it is situate about 3 miles from Mount-holly, and the same distance from the new mills, and about 21 miles from Philadel- phia .... There will be likewise sold, at the same time and place, 150 acres of woodland, nearly adjoining the above ; as also 60 acres of cedar swamp, within 5 miles thereof. Any person inclining to purchase, may apply to William Wells, at the Old Ferry, in Philadelphia ; or John West, living on the premises, at any time be- fore the day of sale, and be shewn the premises. The sale to begin at 10 o'clock in the forenoon of said day, when the title and terms will be made known, and at- tendance given, by
WILLIAM WELLS.
March 13, 1770. -- Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2153, March 29, I770.
From a Correspondent.
"When I perceived in a late CHRONICLE, the Proposals for printing by Subscription the Poetical
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Works of the late Reverend Mr. NATHANIEL EVANS, it gave me a sincere Pleasure. I was re- joiced to see that so valuable, so virtuous, and so sensible a Person's Name should be had in Remem- brance, and that his great Abilities and good Name would not be suffered to die with his Body. His sweet amiable Disposition, his Honesty of Heart, his sincere Friendship and true genuine (but not noisy) Piety, rendered him agreeable and dear to all that were so happy as to have an Acquaintance with him.
" Every one I will dare to say that shall subscribe to his Works will, when they come to read his Poems, be highly delighted, and will think their SMALL SUM well laid out. It is to be hoped that every one now who have professed a Friendship for the deceased GENTLEMAN, will delay no longer, but immediately give in their Names to Mr. Brad- ford, at the London Coffee House.
" As soon as a sufficient Number of Subscriptions are obtained to defray the Expence of Printing, &c. they will be put in the Press. The Price of the Book will be FIVE SHILLINGS, one Half to be paid at the Time of subscribing, and the other on the Delivery of the Book."-Pennsylvania Chronicle, No. 169, April 2-9, 1770.
Philadelphia, March 26. Saturday Afternoon one of the Ferry-Boats overset in the Delaware, as she was crossing from the New Ferry Wharf to the Jer- sey Side, . whereby two Negro-Ferrymen were drowned. Two Passengers, a white Man and a Ne- gro, were taken up by a Boat from the Shore.
.
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New-York, April 2. The following Resolutions were passed by the General Assembly of the Province of New-Jersey, on the 19th of March last :
1. Resolved, That the House always have, and ever will readily hear, and do all in their Power to redress any real Grievances in this Colony.
2. Resolved, That the late Riots in the Counties of Monmouth and Essex, are of the most dangerous and alarming Tendency, and a most audacious Insult to Government.
3. Resolved, That this House will steadily oppose all Riots and Insults to Government.
4. Resolved, That every Attack made upon private Property, more especially in the Night, is of the most alarming Nature ; and therefore, that the setting Fire to the Stables and Out Houses of the Honourable David Ogden, Esq ; in January last, is a most dar- ing Outrage, a notorious Insult to the Laws, and of the most dangerous Consequence to the public Peace.
5. Resolved, That his Excellency be addressed to issue his Proclamation, offering a Reward not ex- ceeding the Sum of £.25, for the Discovery and bringing to condign Punishment, the Perpetrators of so barbarous an Act.
6. Resolved, That this House do approve of and highly commend the Magistrates, Sheriff, Peace Officers and Inhabitants of the County of Essex, for their resolute and spirited Conduct in apprehending and bringing to Punishment, the Authors of the late Riots in their County.
And on the 27th his Excellency was pleased to
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give his Assent to the following Bills, enacting the same, viz.
I. An Act to revive and amend an Act, entitled, An Act for the better settling and regulating the Militia of this Colony of New-Jersey, for the repell- ing Invasions, and suppressing Insurrections and Re- bellions.
2. An Act for preventing dangerous Tumults and riotous Assemblies, and for the more speedy and effectual punishing the Rioters.
3. An Act to revive and continue the Process and Proceedings lately depending in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Court of General Quarter Ses- sions of the Peace, for the County of Monmouth.
4. An Act to provide a more effectual Remedy against excessive Costs in the Recovery of Debts under Fifty Pounds, in this Colony, and for other Purposes therein mentioned.
5: An Act for defraying Incidental Charges.
6. An Act to explain and amend an Act of the General Assembly, passed in the Ninth Year of his Majesty's Reign, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors, and for other Purposes therein mentioned.
7. An Act to revive an Act, entitled, An Act to prevent Waste from being committed upon the Com- mon Land allotted to the Patent of Secaucus, in the Corporation of Bergen.
8. An Act to enable the Owners and Possessors of certain Meadows and Marshes, bounding on Dela- ware River, and Salem Creek, in Lower Penn's
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Neck, in the County of Salem, to stop out the Tide, from overflowing the same.
And then his Excellency was pleased to make a Speech to both Houses, in these Words, viz.
Gentlemen of the Council and Gentlemen of the General Assembly.
"I CANNOT but applaud the Spirit, Prudence, and Dispatch you have manifested in the Business of this Session, and which will, I hope, be productive of the good Effects intended.
Let me recommend it to you, on your Return to your several Counties, to exert your best Endeav- ours in your respective Stations, to inculcate and pro- mote such Principles and Dispositions in the People, as may best tend to preserve the Peace and Quiet of the Province.
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