USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 16
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My Lord
Your Lordship's most humble servants, J BRIDGEWATER PH MEADOWS WY BLATHWAYTE JN.º POLLEXFEN A HILL
Feb'' 23, 169]
.
Account of Disbursements by the Proprietors of East Jersey. [From the Original in the Library of New Jersey Hist. Society.] Accounts of Disbursements by the Proprietors of East New Jersey upon the Publick Affairs of the Province.
£ | s. | d.
James Earle of Perth anno 1683 £2: 10:
Robert Barclay anno
1684 £5: 00:0
84 1: 05: 0
ditto 5:00:0
85 3: 15: 0
85 2: 15: 0
86 : 10: (
86 5: 00: 0
87. 10: 00: 0
Interest for the Seaverall Sumes at 6 p' Cent : p' An'm to 1698 Amounts to
7:08:6
17
8
6
p' G : Moleson to T: G 1697 The Interest at 6 p'Cent
19: 16:
49
5
-
[ ------ ]Viscount of Melfort 1683 £2: 10: 0
Edward Billing Anno
1683 __ £5: 00: 0
84. 2: 10: 0
85 __ 5: 00: 0
87. 12: 00: 0
ditto_ 10: 00: 0
Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698 ___ 11: 05: 2 28
5
2
p' T: Cox p' Dr Coxe
87 __ 15: 00: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent is to
98 __ 24: 18: 0 59
18
I
[ ----- ]Tarbett Anno 1684. £1: 05: 0
* 86 6: 00:
12
3
6
Dr. Wm. Robeson, anno 1685 p'rDB __ £3: 15: 0 The Interest at 6 p'r Cent to 1697 __ 2: 14: 0 More £1: 5 in 85 with Interest_ 1:03: 0 7
12
I
*Not: L'd N Campbell purchased out s'd Tar- bett in anno 1685
1684 £52: 10: 0
Walter Riddell
Interest for 12 years __ 1: 14: 0
2
14
-
[1698
1
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
Arent Sonmans Dec'd his Sonens Peter Sonmans Jo- seph Wright & Joseph Orm- ston for their 5 proprieties & Į anno.
1686 57: 10: 0 1687 20: 15: 0 1688 12: 10: 0 1694 04: 08:
1696 06: 12: 0
.
Thomas Hart for G: Lawrie, anno 1683 £10: 00: 0
ditto 5: 00:0
202
£
s. | d.
William Aikman now -p'D: Barclay 1685 £1: 00: 0
Interest at 6 p'Cent p: An'm .4: 18: 6
to this p' sent 1698 is
2: 04: 0
| Account of Disbursements by the Proprietors of East Jersey Continued.]
CB
To T Gordon in 1697.606: 12: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent p'an'm to 98 07: 12: 3 276
s. 9
d. 3
84 15: 00: 0 85 5: 00: 0 86 15: 00: 0
Robert Burnet Anno 1684. _$7: 10: 0
p' W. Benthall 1688 10: 00:
86 7: 10: 0
87 11: 05: 0
p'rD B in Comp, w'th others, anno 1685 15: 00: 0 The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 98 25: 07: 0
p' ditto 1694 2: 10: 0 96 6: 08: 0 To T: Gordon 1697 2: 04: 0 The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 98 [ -- ] [ --- ] [ -- ] [ -- ][ -- ]
66: 12: 0
Out of this is to be subtracted ) 4€ 4s w'th the proporc'onable part of the Interest for G: Willocks __ _llock's Decct having Payed his proporc'on & - - 6: 14: 5
of all taxes to the 24th
1686 as apears under R: --- hand and seale w'ch amounts to. Remains to R. B
59
17
7
[Walter] Benthall anno 1683 £2: 10: 0
84
7: 10: 0
85.
5: 00: 0
86
2: 10: 0
88 5: 00: 0
94
1: 02: 0
96
1: 02: 0
To T. G. 1697
1: 02: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent : to 98
16: 01: 3 41 17
3
Thomas Rudyard Dec'd has ) Cred't for his Publick Service in ye Province of E: N : Jersey by A Letter Signed by most of the Proprietors for his Propor- c'on of taxes to ye Date of ye S'd Letter in anno 1685 w'ch amounts to The Interest at 6 p'Cent.
¿£20: 00: 0 __
14:08:0 __
This belongs to G: Willoks as Adm'r of s'd T Rudyard as also £6: 14: 5: on acco't of J Wil- loks 3-32 parts. G: W : to T Gordon 1698
6: 14: 5 __ 41
2
5
1
13
-
Thomas Barker Anno
1683
£ 2: 10:0
84
6: 10: 0
85
5: 00: 0
86 2: 10: 0
94 1: 02: 0
96 1: 02: 0
1 s.
d.
1697]
DISBURSEMENTS BY THE PROPRIETORS OF E. J.
203
[Account of Disbursements by the Proprietors of East Jersey Continued.]
£
| s. d.
James Brain Dec'd Anno 1683. £5: 00: 0
84_ 10: 00:0
85 10: 00: 0
86 5: 00: 0 88 10: 00:
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698. 27: 18: 0 67
18
-
George Alexander pr D: B: 1685 _£ 1: 05: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698 0: 18: 0
2
3
-
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 98 22: 18: 56
4
-
Robert Blackwood Anno 1686 £ 2: 10: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698. 1: 13: 0
4 3
-
Robt. Gordon Dec'd anno 1684 £ 2: 10: 0
& Augustin Gor: P'D B 85 10: 00: 0
don his son
86 6: 00: 0 87 7: 10: 0
The Interest at six p'Cent }
to this Instant _ year 1698 S
16: 19: 0 42
19
-
Dr. Dan'll Cox Anno 1688 £10: 00: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698 5: 08: 0
15
8
-
p'd to Mr. Sonmans. With one year Interest. 6: 7
5
- 16
7
Sr. J'nr Gordon p D: B 1685 £2: 00: 0
86 1: 00: 0
The Interest to 1698
2: 01: 9| 5 | 1
9
[1697
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
William Bingley Anno 1686 £ 3: 06: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698 2: 04: 0 5
10 8
Thomas Coxe Anno 1683
£5: 00: 0
84. 15: 00: 0 85 7: 10: 0
Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1688 [? 98] __ 21: 02: 0
48 12
-
[. --___ ] Robeson Anno 1685 £2: 10: 0
86 10: 00: 0
2: 10: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698. 10: 01:0
5:00: 0
Dr. Hamilton Dec'd Anno 1688. The Interest_
2: 14: 0
David Lyall, Anno 1697 2: 04: 0
The Interest for 1 year 0: 02: 8
To T. Gordon 1: 02: 0 35
8
To T Gordon 97. £1; 02: 0 The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 98 13: 07: 9 34
3 9
Thos: Cooper for himself & G:L 1683. £7: 10: 0
.84. 7: 10: 0 .85. 5: 00: 0
.88_ 5: 00: 0 .94. 1: 02: 0
.96 __ 1: 02: 0 1
To T Gordon 1697. 1: 02: 0
204
S.
d.
The West Jersey Company ( 96. 5: 10: 0
[Account of Disbursements by the Proprietors of East Jersey Continued.]
£ s. | d.
William Gibson Anno 1683 £5: 00:0
. 86. 30: 00: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698 22: 16: 0| 57 16
Charles Ormston p'D: B anno 1685 _£4: 00: 0 ditto 2: 10:
Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698 4: 07: 6 10
William Penn Anno 1688 £45: 00: 0
97
: 08:
To T. Gordon ditto 2: 04: 0
Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698. 24: 06:0 75
18
-
Clement Plumsted Anno 1683 2: 10: 0
84. 7: 10: 0
85 7: 10: 0
88 5: 00: 0
96 1: 02: 0
To T Gordon 1697. 1: 02: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698 16: 02: 4 40
16
4
84. 15: 00: 0
85 15: 00: 0
87. 10: 00:0
88. 10: 00; 0
98 45: 12: 0
98. 2: 04:0
110 12 2 | 4|
Capt: Hamilton Anno
1684 ___ £6: 05: 0
p D: B: 1685
85 ___
1: 00: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698 is ___
0: 18: 34
2
Richard Mew, Anno 1683 _££ 2: 10: 0
84_
10: 0: 0
17 6 The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 98 is_ __ 9: 18: 0! 22
8
-
Robert Turner p:C Plumsted [?] - __ £ 5: 0: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent: to 1698 - 4: 4: 0|[ --
- -
Ambrose Rig Anno 1684
£5: 00: 0
The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698.
3: 65: 0 8 5
-
William Dockwra Anno
Interest at 6 p: C: to To Thom: Gordon
- Samuel Stanclift Anno 1688 £ 10: 00: 0
- The Interest at 6 p'Cent to 1698. 5: 08: 0| 15
£
S.
d.
1697]
DISBURSEMENTS BY THE PROPRIETORS OF E. J. 205
| 8 -
3
.
1683 £15: 00: 0
206
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1698
Proclamation of Governor Basse, for the Suppression of Vice and Immorality.
[From a copy among the MSS of W. A. Whitehead.]
BY THE GOVERNOR-A PROCLAMATION1
IT being very necessary for the good & prosperity of this Province that our principal care be in obedi- ence to the laws of God & the wholesome laws of this Province to endeavor as much as in us lyeth the exter- pation of all sorts of looseness & prophanitie & to unite & Join in the fear & love of God & of one an- other that by the religious and vertuous carriage & behavior of every one in his respective station & call- ing all heats & animosities & dissentions may vanish, & the blessing of Almighty God accompany our honest & lawfull endeavours & that we may Join our affec- tions in the true support of his majesties Government over us who has so often & so generously exposed his royal person to iminent dangers to redeem us from the growing power of Popery and Arbitrary Government and hath by a singular blessing attending his en- deavors procured our deliverance & a happy & honor- ble peace & is a great example & incourager of Religion and virtuous living I have therefore thought fit by & with the advice of the councill of this Prov- ince of East New Jersey strictly to prohibit all inhabi. tants & sojourners within this Province from cursing swearing immoderate drinking Sabbath breaking & all sorts of lewdness & prophane behavior in word or action and for the true and effectual performance hereof I do by and with the advice aforesaid strictly
1 His first official act, by order of his Council at a meeting held the day after his arrival at Perth Amboy .- See Journal of Proceedings of Governor and Council 1682-1703, p. 197 .- ED.
207
1698] W. J. COUNCIL TO PROPRIETORS IN ENGLAND ..
charge & command all Justices of the Peace Sheriffs Constables & all other officers within this Province that they take due care that all the laws made & Pro- vided for the suppressing of Vice & encouraging of Religion & virtue particularly the observation of the Lord's Day be duly put in execution as they will answer the contrary at their peril. Given under the seale of said Province this eighth day of April Anno Dom. 1698. in the tenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord William the third over England &c. King.
By the Governors Command
Jon Shapes
John Barclay Dep Secr & Regr
The Council in West Jersey to the Proprietors in England.
[From P. R. O. B. T., Vol. 2, B 13, No. 1.]
Coppy of a Lettr sent home by the Councell of West New Jersey.
May it please yo! Hon" BURLINGTON Apr! 14 !! 1698
Our Letter to yo' Hon's of the 23.ª of Decemb! last past may in Some measure evidence our great joy at the appearance here on the 12th inst of ye Honble Coll! Basse in the quality of Governo! for which Post he
208
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1698
brought your Com'ission which the same day he Opened to the Councell & by their advice forthwth published it: But a faithful transcript of those trans- actions, wch passed between the Late Gov!no! & Rep- resentatives on the one part, & ye Councell of the Other - the first designing by all Such Mediums as they thot Safe to make use of, to defeat not only, yor present Com'ission but yor Authority also: for the future, over the province, the other Studious to Obviate & Baffle such designe, wold more Sensibly comemorate ye reasonableness of our Motives for such our Joy: and the Natural & necessary inducements wee had, to applaud and Congratulate or Common happiness; in Soe Seasonable a Change then any expressions our tongues or Pens can pretend to be capable of. On which accot wee Could not forbear to close with the first opprtunity to make you a Cordiall tender of our thanks having plenary assurance yt dureing his Administration, Vertue will be cherished & encouraged merits Discriminated, and Vice Sub- dued, and Such prudent measures taken to promote the generall Welfare of the province in all respects as will prove effectuall in theire Application and that hee will neither abbet, encourage, or connive, at perver- tion of Judgmt in the majesticty, or Suffer oppression to pass unpunished His Conduct & principles & his long experience of the Constitution of this Province, and of the peoples tempers & interest therein, has largely qualified him to answer that excellent perform- ance & raised o! expectations beyond the degrees of hopes even to the enjoyment of an assurance of it. And yett Such rude perversness has seized and Capti- vated that Class of people called Quakers yt not one of that Rank wold set one foot forward to meet him up- on the Road or Conduct him into Town (the notice was given long before of his Coming at a prefixt day) nor pay Soe much Regard to his person or quality as the
-
209
INSTRUCTIONS TO GOVERNOR BASSE.
1698]
civillity of a visit at his Lodgings: the Other people both from the town and Country received him with unanimous demonstrations of Joy, & their hearty con- gratulations, & all the Instances of their regard & deference they were Capable to express. Wee shall not presume to enlarge further now then to wish yo" health & prosperity & to request yr Leave to Subscribe May it Please y. Hon's
Yo' Hon's most faithfull and Obedt Servants In the Behalf of the Rest JOHN TATHAM THO: REVELL JOHN JEWELL EDWARD RANDOLPH
Instructions to Governor Basse, London 14th April, 1698.
[From Grants and Concessions, p. 220.]
Further Orders and Instructions to JEREMIAH BASSE, Esquire, Governor of the Province of EAST NEW JERSEY, in AMERICA, sent from LONDON, by the Committee of the Proprietors, there to be observed by the said Governor, VIZ.
IMPRIMIS, You are not to call a General Assembly of the said Province, until at least two Months be past, after the Receipt of these Orders and Instructions, but after the Expiration of the said Time, they meet with all convenient speed.
II.
Whereas George Willocks, our Fellow Proprietor, is appointed our Agent or Commissioner for selling our 15
.
210
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1698
Quit-Rents, and recovering and collecting the Arrears of the same as by his Article and Instructions more at large appears, to which we referr you. You are to give him all possible Assistance therein, and in every Thing else, wherein he is employed in the Proprietors concern, pursuant to their Agreement with and In- structions to him.
III.
That after the sale of at least, one half of the Value of the Quit-Rents, then at the General Assembly's desire you consent to a Law, for securing the Tittle to all Purchasers of Quit-Rents, against all such Pro- prietors, or Sharers in Proprieties, as have not, or shall not have signed the Commission or Articles and In- structions to George Willocks. As also the said Law do make Provision for securing the Purchase Money, to such Persons according to their respective Interest and Shares each one has in Proprieties.
IV.
You are to use your endeavour to oblige the General Assembly to raise a grateful Sum of Money, to be remitted to London, toward some ease of the great Charge these Proprietors have paid, and the great trouble and expense of Time, which they have been at in struggling many Years for the Freedom of the Port of Perth-Amboy, for Navigation and Trade, which is now obtained at last, Free from the Encroachments and Pretensions of any Neighbouring Colony, the Benefits and Advantages whereof will chiefly redound to the Inhabitants of the said Province.
V.
You are also to endeavour to get a law passed by the Representatives of the General Assembly for es- tablishing a good lasting Fund, for Support of the Charge of the Government.
211
INSTRUCTIONS TO GOVERNOR BASSE.
1698]
VI.
That upon the Peoples Purchasing at least one half of the Value of the Quit-Rents, and the Purchasers paying all their Arrears in ready Money, as also upon the establishment of a sufficient Fund for the Support of the Government, to be done by the Representatives of the People of the said Province in a General Assem- bly; You then consent to a Law (at their desire) to grant them the Privileges following, (viz) That an- nually on a certain Day, a General Assembly shall be called by you to meet and sit at the principal Town of Perth Amboy, in the said Province, and that the said Representatives have Liberty to Name double the number of Persons to serve as Justices of the Peace necessary for each County, and shall present their Names in Writing to you the Governor, out of which you are to chuse half the said Number, which shall be Commissionated by you to serve as Justices of the Peace, in the respective Counties of the said Province: And the like priveleges of Naming double the Number of Coroners and Captains, and other inferior Officers of the Militia, for Military Service in the Province, you the Governor to chuse one half out of them, and grant them Commissions accordingly: Which Jus- tices of the Peace, Coroners and Military Officers so Commissionated by you, are to continue in their re- spective Offices at least for one Year, unless found Guilty of Maleversation in his or their respective Office, and may be continued for any longer time, without new Nomination, unless you the Governor shall require the Representatives in General Assembly as aforesaid to make a new Nomination; but it is to be understood, that all the Members of the Provincial Council, shall be first commissionated for Justices of the Peace from Time to Time within the said Province. Nevertheless if the Major Part in Number of Persons, or Value of Quit-Rents, in any Town or County, refuse
212
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1698
to pay their Arrears, and Purchase their Quit-Rents, such Town or County shall have none of the said Priviledges granted them, but such Officers and Jus- tices shall be appointed to be over them and commis- sionated as was formerly accustomed by you the Gov- ernor only. PROVIDED ALWAYS, that a Clause be inserted, if such law be passed for Priviledge to the Representatives for Nomination of double the Number of Officers, as abovementioned, that such Priviledges shall continue and be in force no longer time than the General Assembly do continue a sufficient Fund to Maintain and Support the Charge of the Government.
VII.
That you do not consent to a Law for imposing or asscertaining the Yearly, Quarterly, or any other Sallary, Tax, or Allowance for the Maintainance of any sort of Preachers or Ministers of whatsoever Per- swasion they be of in Matters of Religion.
VIII.
That you do not consent unto any Law, that may lay any Tax or Imposition whatsoever, upon any of the uncultivated Land in the said Province.
IX.
That you endeavour to get an Act of Assembly passed for recording all Deeds, Grants, and Convey- ances of Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, within the said Province in the Publick General Regis ter in the Secretary's Office, for the better Security of Posterity, and the greater Satisfaction to all Purchas- ers, when all such Titles, as well those heretofore, as those that come after, shall appear upon publick Record.
X.
That you lay before the Assembly the great Advan- tage that will redound to the Trade of the Province in General, to cause the publick Road to pass through
·
213
INSTRUCTIONS TO GOVERNOR BASSE.
1698]
the Port Town of Perth Amboy, from New-York, &c. to West-Jersey, and Pennsylvania, to which good end, that you endeavour to get an Act passed to lay a Tax on the Country, to bear the Charge of a Work tending so much to the publick Benefit of the Province.
XI.
That you consent to pass a Law or Act of Assembly that no Attorney or other Person be suffered to Prac- tice or plead for Fee or Hire, in any Court of Judica- ture, in any Suit or Cause or Process in Law what- soever, but such as are admitted to Practice by Licence of the Governor of the Province for the Time being.
XII.
That you cause all the laws already made in the Province to be effectually put in Execution, or that new Acts be pass'd to confirm or enforce the same.
XIII.
You are to cause Copies of all the Laws of the said Province, that shall be made hereafter, to be trans- mitted to the Committee of Proprietors in London, by the next Ships bound for England, from Time to Time.
XIV.
You are to cause these Instructions to be entered upon the publick Records of the Province.
A. Campbell. Thomas Hart. Thomas Fullerton. Thomas Barker. Walter Rid- SEAL. dle, David Lyell. John Burnett, for my Father, Robert Burnett. Joseph Ormston. Walter Benthall. Thomas Gordon. William Bing- ley, for my self, and Anthony Sharpe. Thomas Cooper. Clement Plumstead, William Dockwra, Secretary and Register.
214
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1698
1
From Governor Basse to Secretary Popple, announcing his arrival in New Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Proprieties, Vol. 2, B 13.]
L're from Mr. Basse, Gov! of the Jerseys, to the Secry
Perth Amboy yee .
April 1698.
S!
I cannot Omit giving you an Acco" that after a long and tedious voyage I at length arrived at New Yorke in Company of the Earle of Bellamont1 and forthwith went over to the Jersies, and by the advice both of the Councill there & his Excellencye Published my Com'ission from ye Proprietors & ye Kings Com'is- sion for the takeing the Plantac'on Oath, which I accordingly did haveing as preparatory there- unto before his Excellency, taken the Oaths Appointed in ye Roome of the Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacie & Signed ye test & Association' :- how I was Received by the People you will perceive by the inclosed letter to the Proprietors by the Councell of the Province, since my arrival nothing of moment hath happened but that on ye 9th of Aprill, a Pyrate, came into Sandy Hooke landed Some men & killed Sevrall Hoggs; some of the men being met with by the Country inhabitants informed them that they belonged to Road Island, & that foure or five of the Red-Sea Pyrates, were, or wold bee soon on this Coast-I imediately sent advice of it to the Earle of Bellamont but the Sloop hearing
1On April 2d. See following letter .- ED.
2 See Proceedings of Governor of Council, April 7th, 1698 .- ED.
215
1698]
GOVERNOR BASSE TO SECRETARY POPPLE.
of the alteration of the Government: both at New Yorke, and in this Province, putt away to Sea, I cod most hartily wish that Some methods might bee fallen upon to Suppress these Sea Woalves, and Secure our East India trade, Another thing prejuditiall to his Matie that I have observed is the illegal tradeing to Corasee, & Madagascor wch his Excell! I prceive takes all due Methods to Discourage: I am of the Opinion that a Small Fortification placed at Sandy Hooke, with tenn or twelve men, one of wch ought as a Weighter to bee put on board every vessell bound up ye Bay, & Sent down pr the next: wold doe better Service for this end, & the preventing Smugling then the more charg- able maintenance of a Man of Warr: I have comuni- cated this to Esq' Randolph the Surveyor Gen! who Seems much to approve of it, I must also begg leave to remind you yt in Order to end the various Contro- versies between ye Provinces about the imposeing of Rates & duties on goods exported & imported: it might not be amiss to bring all to an equall Levell by an Act of Parliam' & I have just cause to believe no other means can prove effectual, the Severall Assemblies being very hardly brought to such a Complyance, & it being the only Method to reduce the trade of the sev- erall Provinces to a greater degree of Eqallity S' I can- not but hope yt you will excuse what is amiss & if in anything I may bee capable of Serving his Mate that you will be pleas'd not to be unmindfull of
S! Yo! most Hum !! Servit J BASSE.
216
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1698
Earl of Bellomont to the Lords of Trade. [From New York Col. Docts., Vol IV., p. 305.]
To the Right Honourable the Lords of the Council of Trade.
MY LORDS
In my letter of the eighth of January last I gave your Lordships an account of my arrival at Barbadoes.
On the ninth of March I left that Island and on the second of April I landed at the City of New York, and entered on the Goverm! * * * * * I presume your LordsPPs will likewise thinke it worth your serious consideration that the Govern' of the Jerseys have obtained leave to make two Ports for trade in their Governt which will be a destruction to the Trade of the City and province of New York, who have established laws, for Customs by which a consid- erable revenue is raised to support the Governt but if the said ports of the Jersies are permitted to lade and unlade ships free from such impositions, all Merchants will resort thither, being but twenty miles distance, which will be the ruine of this the King's Govern' which is the Bulwark, defence, and support of His Majties neighboring provinces, and the laws of this province that exacts customes & imports of goods do expire this next year, and I fear it will be difficult if not impossible to get them revived, or that the people will be willing to lay that Clog on their trade which the Jersies will be freed from, so that a revenue which well managed may advance six thousand pounds or £7000 pr annum will fall and nothing be left to support the Government.
I would not permit proclamations to be printed in this City establishing Perth Amboy and Burlington to be free ports: until I made your Lordships acquainted with this matter, and received His Majtys further
217
COMMITMENT OF LEWIS MORRIS.
1698]
pleasure about it: I am assured that the Assembly of this province at their meeting will fully represent this matter to your Lordships, to be laid before his Majty with all the fatal inconveniences that attend it1
* *
My Lords Your Lordships most humble &
New York May 8th 1698.
faithful servant BELLOMONT.
Commitment of Lewis Morris? for Contempt of Court.
[From the Original among the manuscripts of the New Jersey Historical Society.]
Att the Court of Com'on Right held at Perth Amboy ye 11th day of May 1698. The Court orders That Lewis Morriss Esq' for denying ye Authoritie of this Court, And other his contempts, shall be fined fifty pounds, and be committed to prison till paid.3 By order of ye Court
EDWARD SLATER Clerke. To ye Sheriff of ye County of Middx. A. True Coppy. JOSEPH ROLPH, Shrife
1 A similar paragraph in Letter to the Lords of the Treasury under date of May 25th 1698. N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. IV. p 318 .- Ed.
2LEWIS MORRIS, whose name for so long a time is found connected more or less intimately with every important event affecting the government of the Province of New Jersey, was born in 1671 at Morrisania in New York. His first entrance into public life was in 1692, when only twenty-one years of age, being appointed one of Governor Hamilton's Council and a Judge of the Court of Common Right. He soon exercised great influence in public affairs, his legal attainments and great sagacity particularly qualifying him to become a wise counsellor to those in authority, until he became, himself, the Governor. Jeremiah Basse arriving to assume the government of the province in 1698 with the concurrence of only ten Proprietaries, instead of sixteen, Mr. Morris ranged himself with the opposition, and in consequence he was arrested and imprisoned by virtue of the instrument given in the text. Future references to him in these volumes will throw light upon his career, and see "Papers of Lewis Morris, Governor of the Province of New Jersey from 1738 to 1746," forming Vol. 4 of the Collections of the New Jersey His- torical Society .- ED.
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