USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume VIII > Part 38
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
of the Committee of Council, in which they advised the Line we pray for, but give New York six Months time to provide for the Expence of settling the final Line, before this Temporary one shall take Effect. A Copy of the Report, and the Reference of the Matter to them by the Lords of the Committee of Council, are herewith: The Matter now lies before that Com- mittee, who I doubt not will be intirely governed by the Lords of Trade: But when the Committee will set is quite uncertain, and so it consequently is when we shall obtain the Order of Council for carrying the Tem- porary Line into Execution, but No Endeavours of mine shall be wanting to hasten it.
I think it my Duty in this place to inform you and the proprietors, with the part that I find M! Pownall Lieut. Gov! of their Province, has acted in this Affair. On his coming over to England the last year, he in a Manner solicited, and afterwards accepted a power by Letter from the Proprietors to solicit this Affair for them; he gave at least some of them Assurances that he would do every thing in his power to serve them, letting them know at the same time, that from his In- fluence here he had it in his power to be serviceable to them, and in Consequence thereof, M' Paris, the Pro- prietors' Agent here, Was- wrote to, to communicate with him in their Affairs, for which purpose he did wait on M! Pownall on his Arrival here: M' Paris was at this time endeavouring to obtain the very Line the proprietors lately petitioned for, and had made great progress in convincing Lord Halifax and the Board of Trade, that it was the most equitable and proper Line that could be fixed on, and had great Reason to think the Lords of Trade would then have advised what they now have, had not M' Pownall one Day at a Meeting with the Lords on this Matter, when M' Paris was pointing out this Line to them, told them, that he believed M' Paris and the pro-
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
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prietors would indeed have great Reason to be satisfied with that Line, as he was sure it gave them at least 50 Miles in Breadth more than they had the least pre- tence to; This intirely overturned M' Paris's Work, and the Lords would never hear of the Matter again, till lately; he has since my arrival here done all in his power to obstruct our obtaining our prayer: But the Lords, and even his own Brother saw that his Opposi- tion was not founded on his Sentiments, but his Temper about the Matter.
I shall inclose you also a Memorandum I received from M' Paris relating to the procuring Affidavits, as to the Impropriety of the Members of some of the Council of the Governments on the Continent being appointed Commissioners for the final Determination of the Dispute between New York and New Jersey, which I think he ought to be furnished with as soon as possible, especially if New York should provide for their part of the Expence of Executing the Commis- sion. I am Dear Sir
Your Most Humble Servant
WM ALEXANDER
Representation from the Lords of Trade to the King, with a warrant appointing Wm. Aynsley Chief Justice of New Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 16, Page 17.]
To the Kings most Excellent Majesty
May it please your Majesty
In Obedience to your Majestys Order in Council dated the 16th Instant We have prepared a Warrant directing and requiring Your Majestys Governor of the Province of New Jersey to cause Letters Patent to be
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
passed under the Seal of that Province for constituting and appointing William Aynsley Esq: Chief Justice of your Majestys said Province, in the room of Robert Hunter Morris Esq" who has resigned. And We hum- bly beg leave herewith to lay the said Warrant before your Majesty, for your Majestys Royal Signature
Which is most humbly submitted
W. G. HAMILTON W. SLOPER
WHITEHALL Feb"y 17. 1757.
DUNK HALIFAX JAMES OSWALD T. PELHAM SOAME JENYNS
Letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, Secretary of State, to the Earl of Loudoun-removing the em- bargo upon Corn.
[From P. R. O. America & West Indies, Vol. 75.]
WHITEHALL May 2ª 1757.
Earl of Loudoun
My Lord,
It being apprehended, that the Embargo, which It has been thought expedient to lay in America, might obstruct the Supplies of Corn, which are, at present, very much wanted in Great Britain, and Ireland, from the bad Crops, in most Parts last year; His Majesty has been pleased to order a Sloop to be dispatched immediately, with Letters to the Several Governors, directing them not only to take off any Embargo, that may now subsist; but also not to lay any future Em- bargo on Ships, loaded with Corn, or any other Species of Grain, for His Majesty's Dominions in Europe; and I send Your Lordship inclosed, for your Information, a Copy of the Circular Letter, I have wrote, by the
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
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King's Command, to the several Governors, for this purpose.
Your Lordships Dispatch of the 10th March has been received, and laid before His Majesty; but this Sloop being dispatched, in a Hurry, with the Orders above- mentioned, I have not Time to send Your Lordship any particular Answer thereto at present; and can only acquaint you, that Advice having been received, that Four French Ships of the Line had passed the Streights of Gibralter, and were supposed to be destined for North America, His Majesty has directed an Addi- tional Strength, consisting of Three large Ships of the Line, to be forthwith sent to reinforce the Squad- ron under the Command of Admiral Helburne, who sailed from St Hellens, the 16ª past, since which Time no account has been received from Him.
I am &cª
HOLDERNESSE
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary Pitt- had summoned the Council and Assembly to meet as soon as possible in order to carry out the King's views.
[From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 71.]
ELIZA TOWN (N J) May 11, 1757
MR. SECRETARY PITT
Sir,
I have the honour of yours of the 4: Februª last thro' the Care of Sir Charles Hardy, Governour of New York, and which came to my hands the 6. Inst, and I have re'd the same with close Attention; I observe with great Duty and Gratitude, the King's Paternal and
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
Tender Care of His good Subjects and Colonies of North America, and that he has come to a Resolution of acting with the greatest Vigour, the insueing Campaign.
In obedience to His Majesty's Order I summond the Council of this Province, and laid before them your aforesaid Letter, and asked their Advice and Opinion thereon, Copy whereof I have the honour to inclose to you, and In consequence of it I have summond the Council and Assembly to meet me here as soon as pos- sible, when I shall press them in the strongest Manner to comply with the Contents thereof, & so to answer His Majesty's just Expectations from this Province, But I must observe to you that at a late Session, the Assembly granted five hundred men for the Service of the insueing Campaign, over and above what might be necessary for the immediate Defence of this Prov- ince, and they are to join the King's Troops to be under the Command of the Earl of Loudoun, to act as he shall judge most conducive to the Service in general and this Number is the most the Assembly have raised during the War, altho Lord Loudoun demanded as their Quota for this Year One thousand men, but they could not be persuaded to come into it, and I did all in my Power for their Complyance and so did Lord Loudoun himself urge the Assembly to do it, but since they did not his Lordship writes me it wou'd be too late for this Campaign for them to go about it now but wou'd have this Deficiency supplyed by the Militia of this Province upon any extraordinary Emergency, and which I shall endeavour to do in the best manner I can.
I hope all the King's Colonies will exert their utmost Endeavours to second and strengthen the Operations against the French, and the more especially since mea- sures are taken for laying up Magazines of Stores and Provisions of all Kinds at the Expence of the Crown,
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
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and I say I shall use all my Influence with the Council and Assembly of this Province, for the Execution of these His Majesty's Commands.
I have the honour to be with great Respect and Def- erence, Honourable Sir,
Your most obedient & most humble Servant
J. BELCHER.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary Pitt has been informed of the appointment of Rear Ad- miral Holburn to command the fleet in American Waters.
[From P. R. O. America & West Indies, Vol. 71.1
ELIZA TOWN (N J) May 16: 1757
MR SEC'RY PITT
Sir,
The inclosed is Duplicate of what I wrote you the 11: Inst since which I have received the Honor of yours, of the 19: of Februª last and take a particular Notice of its Contents, and I shall duly put in Practice his Maj- esty's Orders therein as far as shall be in my Power and in that of this Government.
I see His Majesty has been pleased to appoint rear Admiral Holburn to Command the Squadron of Ships to whom I shall apply for any Naval Assistance if it shoud be wanted for the Protection of this Govern- ment & I shall take Care to Communicate to the said Comander all such Intelligence as shall come to my Knowledge concerning the Arrival of any Ships of War or Vessels having Warlike Stores on Board, and likewise all such Advices as may concern the motions, or may in any Manner relate to that Part of His Maj-
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
esty's Service, with which the Commanders of the King's Ships shoud be acquainted.
As Rear Admiral Holburn with his Ships will be at a great Distance from this Province I don't expect any Application from him for Seamen, yet if he shou'd very few if any can be raised in this little inland Prov- ince in which there is little or no Navigation or Trade.
I have the honour to be with great Respect and Def- erence, Honourable Sir,
Your most obedient & most humble Servant
J BELCHER
Letter from Captain William Skinner, in London, to his father, the Rev. William Skinner, of Perth Amboy.
[From Skinner Papers among Manuscripts of W. A. Whitehead, Vol. 1, No. 31.]
LONDON ye 17th May 1759 Revª WILLIAM SKINNER Dr Sir
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that wee are now in London, having come over from France (about ten days past) with the Officers that were there, upon our Paroles' to return in three months if wee can't find Officers prisoners in England, of Equall Rank to send to France in our Room which wee find attended with a great deal of Difficulty, for there are not a Suffi- cient number of French officers here for us, so that wee shall be Obliged to return to France if wee cant gett our Time prolonged which I am in hopes we
1 Captain Skinner belonged to the detachment under Col. Schuyler from New Jersey, which took part in the battle of Oswego, 14th August, 1756; was there made prisoner and taken to France. He was also in the campaign of 1755. For a bio- graphical sketch of Captain Skinner see "Contributions to the Early History of Perth Amboy," pp. 112-119 .- ED.
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1757]
shall, for as soon as I got here, I waited on Lady Warren2 and told her who I was. Acquainted her with my Scituation and beg'd her Interest, she told me she wou'd Assist me all she could, and gave me a letter to M' Bell, (one of the Commissioners of the Sick and Wounded Office where the Exchange of Prisoners is transacted) who told me that there were not French Officers for us all, but that they had wrote to the Court of France to know whether they wou'd Accept of a Number of Soldiers in Exchange for us, or prolong our time. * * I waited on ME Partridge the Agent of our Province and told him the scituation I was in, who told me he wou'd Introduce me Lord Halifax, and many others who he thought wou'd be of Service to me in regard to the Service I had done, but at the same time told me nothing could be done, till I was Exchanged, which I find to be the Case, for a great number of Officers have sent in Memorials to the Secretary of War, and Rece'd that Answer, so that my fate cant be known yet
I told you in every letter I wrote you that Coll. Schuyler gave us a letter Creditt for £200 Sterling, half of which is Expended, but are both Cloathed * * ** if we are Obliged to return to France wee shall surely want *
Dear Sir y! Dutifull Son
Will turner
LONDON ye 6th June 1757
D' Sir
The above is Copy of my last since which I waited on Lord Barrington, who told me he wou'd do me all the Service [that] lay in his power, and Desired me to
2 Lady Warren was a daughter of Stephen De Lancey, of New York, who married an aunt of Captain Skinner, and therefore was his cousin.
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
[1757
Draw out a Memoriall, which I shall present to his Lordship the next Levy Day, and gett it back'd by Admiral Buscoven, and Lord Powerscoate, two great Friends of her Ladyship, the Event of which I hope to acquaint you very soon. * * * and am as before Yours
WM SKINNER
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Earl of Holder- nesse, Secretary of State-in relation to the em- bargo on grain and to the imprisonment of two captains of privateers.
[From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 71.]
ELIZA TOWN, N J July 26: 1757
Earl of Holdernesse My Lord
I am honoured with your Lordships Letter of the 2. of May past, and which came to my hands the 6. Currt under the Care of L. Governour De Lancey of New York wherein I observe that the failing of the Crops of Corn in Great Britain and Ireland, make a Supply much wanted, and that Orders have been sent to purchase large Quantities in America, and that therefore it is His Majesty's Pleasure, immediately upon the Receipt of this your Letter to cause any Em- bargo that might be subsisting within this Govern- ment to be taken off from all Vessels laden with any Species of Grain for Great Britain or Ireland, and that no further Embargo should extend to .Vessels so load- ed, but that all proper Encouragement and Assistance be given to Persons who should be employed in pur- chasing Corn for the Supply of His Majesty's Domin- ions in Europe &cª agreeable to an Act of Parliament past, this Session, entitled an Act to prohibit for a
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1757]
limitted time the Exportation of Corn Grain &cª and which Act I have received from the Lords Commis- sioners for Trade & Plantations .- In answer to these things I am to inform your Lordship that no Embar- go was subsisting in this Government at the Receipt of your Letter, and that for the future I shall carefully conform myself to the King's Orders and to the afore- mentioned Act of Parliament in this behalf.
And I now go on to own the Honour of Your Lord- ships Letter of the 20: of May past, and which came to my Hands via New York by the Halifax Packet, the 19. Current, with sundry Papers relating to Rich- ard Hadden, Capt of a Privateer fitted out of New York, and one Snook, Capt of another Privateer fitted out of Halifax, and of their Behaviour to the Span- iards, which letter and Papers I have carefully re'd over once and again, and observe the King, being de- termind that the most rigorous Justice shou'd be put in Execution against such notorious Acts of Violence, has directed the Governours of New York and Nova- Scotia to prosecute the two Privateers before men- tioned .- And that it is His Majesty's Pleasure, in case either or both of them, shall put into any Port in this Government, that I detain them and cause immediate Notice thereof to be given to the Governours of New York and Halifax, that I may recieve their Directions thereupon; and that I also, for the future, deliver to any Privateer that shall come into this Province, Copy of His Majesty's Royal Instruction of the 5, of October 1756, for their better Conduct and Government .- I shall, my Lord, in duty and Obedience to the King, endeavour carefully to observe His Royal Orders on this important Article.
I have the Honour to be with great Respect and Deference, My Lord,
Your Lordships
Most obedient Most faithful & Most humble Servant J BELCHER
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade- relating to the disputed boundaries between New York and New Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 45.]
ELIZA TOWN (N J) July 26: 1757
To the Lords of Trade
My Lords,
My last to Your Lordships was on the 11: of May last since which I have the Honour of Your Lordships Letter of the 10. of March past and which came to my hands via New York ? the Halifax Packet, the 19: Currt and wherein I. take Notice Your Lordships had received my Letters to the 19: of Novemb last, with the publick Papers, therein referred to, and that your Lordships were glad to find from them that the Con- duct and Service of the People of New Jersey, and the steps taken by them &cª wou'd recommend them to His Majesty's Favour: But I am sorry to tell your Lordships that in a late Session the Assembly would not exert themselves with that laudable Zeal for the King's Ser. vice, which Lord Loudoun so reasonably presst upon them, & for a more particular Account of this Matter I refer Your Lordships to the Assembly's Journal I send herewith.
I take a particular Notice of Your Lordship's Report of 27: of Januª last, to the Lords of His Majesty's Privy Council, relative to the disputed Boundaries be- tween New Jersey and New York, and which being ap- proved and confirmed by His Majesty's Royal Order in Council, I hope will be a means to put an End to the Dispute now subsisting, and which I doubt not this Government will chearfully fall into,and I beg of
-
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1757]
Your Lordships that this Affair may be expedited & finisht as soon as possible.
Agreeable to what your Lordships write, M' Wood- ruff brought me the King's Mandamus to be one of the Council for this Province and was accordingly ad- mitted Yesterday. *
I have the Honour always to be with great Respect and Deference, My Lords, Your Lordships most obe- dient & most humble Servant,
J BELCHER
Letter from Mr. Secretary Read to Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Pownall, at Boston, acquainting him with the death of Governor Belcher.1
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 51.] NEW JERSEY.
ELIZABETH TOWN Sber 2, 1757
His Excellency Gov! Pownall
Sir,
On the thirty first Ultimo, Governor Belcher died, of which I esteem it my Duty to give You Notice.
I take this Opportunity to give You Joy of Your Safe Arrival at Boston, and to wish You an agreeable Administration. I am Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant
CHA READ
1 Endorsed by Lieut .- Gov. Pownall. "Received at Boston Sepr 17th 1757 & for warded to me at N. York & Receiv'd there Sepr 24. 57."
17
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
Letter from Captain William Skinner, in London, to his brother, Cortlandt Skinner.
[From original in the Skinner Papers among the Manuscripts of W. A. Whitehead, 1 Vol. I, No. 32.]
LONDON 8th Sept 1757
[Cortlandt Skinner, Perth Amboy.]
Dear Brother
In all Probability some of my people will gett to America Soon, for they are Exchanged and now in England, I have applyed to My Lord Barrington for their Subsistence and an Order to send them to America but he told me he had nothing to do with them, but advised me to write to M' Pitt Secretary of State, which I have done, but have not as yet had an Answer, the people are now at Plymouth, with Capt Rusco, Booker, Walters, and Ogden, of Coll Schuylers Regt and are Subsisted by the Government, through a Mis- take made by the Secretary of War's Clerk, who tak- ing them to be Regulars ordered them to be Subsisted which is not Contradicted as yett. I waited on Lord Barrington yesterday and asked his Lordship whether the King had spoke to him about me, he told me that he had, and that I might make myself Easy for I shou'd be provided for soon, so that my particular Busi- ness had a good Aspect, my Brother is gone, a Volun- teer in London Regt under the Care of Sir W" Boothly, who has been so kind as to promise he wou'd take care of him, which I hope will be agreeable to my Father and Mother, for I thought it was better for him to go, than to stay here at this Damned place where there is nothing but Debauchery going forward
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1757]
I have the pleasure to tell you that I have my Ex- change which I Rec'd yesterday, I have not as yet Rec'd a letter from you, other people Receive letters by every ship * *
D' Bro! Y' Most Affece and Very humble Servt
WM SKINNER
P. S. poor Coll Schuyler is Detained at Quebeck1 also Doctor Stokes, for Reasons unknown to them or any body else.
Letter from Robert H. Morris to Earl of Loudoun- informing him of the death of Governor Belcher, and of the objections of John Reading, President of the Council, to assume the chief authority.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 49.]
ELIZA TOWN Sepr 7th 1757
To the Earl of Loudon
My Lord,
I had the Honour to write to Your Lordship on the 29th Ultimo, soon after which M! Belcher died, & I was in Hopes, as the Government devolved upon M: Reading, that he wou'd have taken upon him the Administration, and informd Your Lordship of that Matter.
By His Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal to the Late Governor in Case of His Death the Powers of Government devolve upon the Eldest Councillor, if there be no Lieut. Governor on the Spot, & the Council
1 COLONEL SCHUYLER continued in Canada until October 29th, 1757, when he was permitted to make a visit to his family on parole. He returned to Canada in July, 1758, and on the 8th of November following was released by the capitulation of Fort Frontenac .- ED.
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
have in the strongest Manner, pressed M' Reading (who is first upon the List of Councillors for this Prov- ince) to take the Administration upon him; but he persists in his Refusal, which will throw the Province into very great Confusion, as no Act of Government can be done, nor can the other Branches of the Legis- lature proceed without him.
His Majesty's Council have requested me to inform Your Lordship of these Matters, & I have the Honour to be, My Lord,
Your most obedient, and most humble Servant ROBT. H. MORRIS.
Letter from John Reading, President of the Council, to Governor Pownall-reasons why he objected to assume the government on the death of Governor Belcher.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 52.]
Sept" 10th 1757
To His Excell' Governour Pownall May it please Your Excellency
Upon the late Governor Belcher's Death, I have taken upon myself the Administration of the Govern- ment of the Province of New Jersey, as eldest Coun- cillor residing and Qualified thereto; tho' at the same Time, have heard, that Your Excellency has a Com- mission of Lieutenancy for the said Province; But as Your Excellency did not reside and the Assembly were then sitting, and cou'd not rise without an Adjourn- ment from a Person qualified to the Administration of the Government, I have adjourned them for ten Days to Burlington, and design to continue them by Short
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
1757]
Adjournments, to a Longer Time, if nothing of Emer- gency happens, This I thought was of absolute neces- sity to be done, and that Anarchy and Confusion might be thereby prevented.
I hope Your Excellency will take into your Consid- eration, that as I am an aged and infirm Person, and not fit to bear the Weight or Burthen of Government, it wou'd be extreamly grateful to me, that I might be superseded and relieved by an appointment of some Person in my Stead, immediately to be made, (if con- sistent with Your Excellency's Commission,) for I have been for some Time past, and now am, (in Order to cure an old Distemper,) under the Care and Direc- tions of a Doctor, in Preparation to undergo a Course of Physick, which is Directly to be enter'd into.
I am, Sir, with strictest Regards, Your Excellency's, most obed humble Serv!
JNº READING
Letter from Thomas Pownall, Governor of New Jer- sey, to John Reading, President of the Council- in relation to the latter's declining to assume the government on the death of Governor Belcher, in- closed in Governor Pownall's letter to the Lords of Trade, dated Sept. 16, 1757.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 54.]
TRENTON Sept 22ª 1757.
To the Honble John Reading Esq: President of His Majesty's Council of New-Jersey Sir
As to the Administration of the Government of His Majesty's Province of Nova Cesaria or New Jersey, Doth, upon the Decease of His Excellency Jonathan
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
Belcher &c by Virtue of His Majesty's Commission to me as Lieut Governor of the same, devolve on me, and in Case of my Absence from the Province, on you, as His Majesty's eldest Councellor, I do desire of Your Honour to acquaint me whether you have refused to take upon you the Administration thereof, or have persisted in such Resolution during any Part of the Time from the Death of the late Governor Belcher to this 22ª Day of Sept' the Day of my taking upon me the Administration of the Government.
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