USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 23
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3 Isaac Kay, probably a member of that family, descendant of John Kay, an emigrant settler of Newton township, Gloucester county. For a sketch of the Kay family, see First Settlers of Newton Township, by John Clement, p. 167.
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SPEECH of his Excellency WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, Esq; Governor, Captain General and Commander in chief, in and over the State of New-Jersey, and the territories thereunto belonging, Chancellor and Ordinary in the same.
To the Honorable the COUNCIL and the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the said State. Gentlemen,
HAVING already laid before the Assembly by messages, the several matters that have occurred to me, as more particularly demanding their attention, during the present session ; it may seem less necessary to address you in the more ceremonious form of a speech. But conceiving it my duty to the State, to deliver my sentiments on the present situation of affairs ; and the eventful contest between Great Britain and America; which could not, with any propriety, be conveyed in occasional messages, you will ex- cuse my giving you the trouble of attending for that purpose.
After deploring with you the desolation spread through part of this State by an unrelenting enemy, who have indeed marked their progress with a devastation unknown to civilized nations; and evincive of the most implacable vengeance; I heartily congratulate you on that subsequent series of success, wherewith it hath pleased the Almighty, to crown the American arms; and particularly on the important enterprize against the enemy at Trenton ; and the signal victory obtained over them at Princeton, by the gallant troops under the command of his Excellency General Washington.
Considering the contemptible figure they make at present; and the dis- gust they have given to many of their own confederates amongst us, by their more than Gothic ravages; (for thus doth the great disposer of events often deduce good out of evil) their irruption into our dominion, will probably redound to the public benefit. It has certainly enabled us, the more effectually to distinguish, our friends from our enemies. It has win- nowed the chaff from the grain. It has discriminated the temporizing politician, who on the first appearance of danger, was determined to secure his idol, Property, at the hazard of the General Weal ; from the persever- ing patriot, who having embarked his all in the common cause, chuses rather to risk-rather to lose that all for the preservation of the more estimable treasure, LIBERTY; than to possess it (enjoy it he could not) upon the ignominious terms of tamely resigning his country and posterity to perpetual servitude. It has in a word, opened the eyes of those who were made to believe, that their impious merit in abetting our persecutors, would exempt them from being involved in the common calamity. But as the rapacity of the enemy was boundless ; their rapine was indiscrimi- nate, and their barbarity unparalleled. They have plundered friends and foes. Effects capable of division, they have divided. Such as were not, they have destroyed. They have warred upon decripid age; warred upon
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defenceless youth. They have committed hostilities against the possessors of literature ; and the ministers of religion : Against public records; and private monuments; and books of improvement; and papers of curiosity ; and against the Arts and Sciences. They have butchered the wounded, asking for quarter ; mangled the dying, weltering in their blood ; refused to the dead the rights of sepulture; suffered prisoners to perish for want of sustenance; violated the chastity of women ; disfigured private dwellings of taste and elegance; and in the rage of impiety and barbarism, profaned edifices dedicated to Almighty God.
And yet there are amongst us, who either from ambitious or lucrative motives; or intimidated by the terror of their arms; or from a partial fondness for the British constitution ; or deluded by insidious propositions, are secretly abetting, or openly aiding, their machinations, to deprive us of that liberty, without which, man is a beast, and government a curse
Besides the inexpressible baseness of wishing to rise on the ruins of our country, or to acquire riches at the expence of the liberties and fortunes of millions of our fellow citizens, how soon would those delusive dreams, upon the conquest of America, be turned into disappointment? For where is the fund to recompence those retainers of the British army ; those inten- tional pensioners of a bankrupt nation ? Was every estate in America to be confiscated, and converted into cash ; the product would not satiate the avidity of their own creatures ; nor furnish an adequate repast for the keen appetites of their own ministerial beneficiaries. Instead of gratuities and promotion, these unhappy accomplices in their tyranny, would meet with supercilious looks and cold disdain : and after tedious attendance, be finally told by their haughty masters, that they indeed approved of the treason, but despised the traitor. Insulted, in fine, by their pretended protectors but real betrayers, and goaded with the stings of their own con- sciences, they would remain the frightful monuments of human contempt, and divine indignation ; and linger out the re-t of their days in self con- demnation and remorse, and in weeping over the ruins of their country, which themselves had been instrumental in reducing to desolation and bondage.
Others there are who, terrified at the power of Britain, have persuaded themselves that she is not only formidable, but irresistible. That her power is great, is beyond question. That it is not to be despised, the "dictate of common prudence But then we ought also to consider her ; as weak in Council, and groaning with debt: Reduced in her trade; reduced in her revenue: immersed in pleasure; enervated with luxury; and in dissapation and venality, surpassing all Europe. We ought to consider her as hated by a potent rival, her natural enemy ; and particularly exasperated at her imperious conduct in the last war, as well as her provoking manner of commencing it: And thence inflamed with resentment; and only watching a favourable juncture for open hostilities. We ought to consider the amazing expence and difficulty of transporting troops and provisions,
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above three thousand miles; with the impossibility of recruiting their army at a less distance, save only with such recreants whose conscious guilt must on the first approach of danger, appal the stoutest heart. These in- superable obstacles are known and acknowledged by every virtuous and impartial man in the nation. Even the author of this horrid war, is in- capable of concealing his own confusion and distress. Too great to be wholly suppressed, it frequently discovers it's self in the course of his speech. A speech terrible in word, and fraught with contradiction : Breathing threatnings, and betraying terror : A motley mixture of magna- nimity and consternation ; of grandeur and abasement. With troops invincible, he dreads a defeat; and wants reinforcements. Victorious in America, and triumphant on the ocean, he is an humble dependent on a petty prince, and apprehends an attack upon his own metropolis: And with full confidence in the friendship and alliance of France, he trembles upon his throne, at her secret designs and open preparations.
With all this, we ought to contrast the numerous and hardy sons of America, enured to toil, seasoned alike to heat and cold; hale, robust patient of fatigue, and from an ardent love of liberty, ready to face danger and death. The immense extent of Continent which our infatuated enemies have undertaken to subjugate. The remarkable unanimity of its inhab- itants, notwithstanding the exception of a few apostates and deserters. Their unshaken resolution to maintain their freedom, or perish in the attempt. The fertility of our soil in all kinds of provision, necessary for the support of war. Our inexhaustible internal resources for military stores, and naval armaments. Our comparative economy in public ex- pence, and the millions we save by reprobating the farther exchange of our valuable staples, for the worthless baubles and finery of English manufac- ture. Add to this, that in a cause so just and righteous on our part, we have the highest reason to expect the blessing of Heaven upon our glorious conflict. For who can doubt the interposition of the SUPREMELY JUST, in favour of a people, forced to occur to arms, in defence of every thing dear and precious ; against a nation, deaf to our complaints, rejoicing in our misery, wantonly aggravating our oppressions, determined to divide our substance, and by fire and sword to compel us into submission.
Respecting the constitution of Great-Britain, bating certain prerogatives of dangerous tendency, it has indeed been applauded by the best judges ; and displays in its original structure, illustrious proofs of wisdom, and the knowledge of mankind. But what avails the best constitution, with the worst administration? For what is their present government, and what has it been for years past, but a pensioned confederacy against reason, and virtue, and honour, and patriotism, and the rights of man? What their governors, but a set of political craftsmen, flagitiously conspiring to erect the Babel of DESPOTISM, on the ruins of the ancient and beautiful fabric of LAW ? A shameless cabal notoriously employed in deceiving the prince, .corrupting the parliament, debasing the people, depressing the most
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virtuous, and exalting the most profligate! In short, an insatiable juncto of public spoilers, lavishing the national wealth, and by peculations and plunder, daily accumulating a debt already enormous! And what the majority of their parliament, formerly the most august assembly in the world, but venal pensioners on the crown, a perfect mockery of all repre- sentation, and at the absolute devotion of every minister ? What were the characteristics of their administration of the provinces ? The substitution of instructions in the room of law: The multiplication of officers to strengthen the court interest: perpetually extending the prerogatives of the King, and retrenching the rights of the subject: Advancing to the most eminent stations, men without education, and of dissolute manners : Employing, with the people's money, a band of emissaries, to misrepresent and traduce the people. And (to crown the system of misrule) sporting with our persons and estates, by filling the highest seats of justice with bankrupts, bullies and blockheads.
From such a nation, (though all this we bore, and should probably have borne for a century, had they not avowedly claimed the unconditional disposal of life and property) it is evidently our interest to be detatched. To remain happy or safe in our connection with her, became thenceforth utterly impossible. She is, moreover, percipitating her own fall, or the age of miracles is returned; and Britain a phoenomenon in the political world, without a parallel.
The proclamations to ensnare the timid and credulous, are beyond ex - pression, disingenious and tantalizing. In a gilded pill they conceal real poison. They add insult to injury. After repeated intimations of com- missioners to treat with America, we are presented, instead of the peaceful olive branch, with the devouring sword. Instead of being visited by plenipotentiaries to bring matters to an accommodation, we are invaded with an army, in their opinion, able to subdue us, and upon discovering their error, the terms propounded amount to this: "If you will submit " without resistance, we are content to take your property and spare your "lives; and then (the consummation of arrogance !) we will graciously "pardon you, for having hitherto defended both."
Considering then their bewildered councils ; their blundering ministry ; their want of men and money; their impaired credit, and declining com- merce; their lost revenues, and starving islands; the corruption of their parliament, with the effeminacy of the nation-and the success of their enterprize is against all probability. Considering farther, the horrid enormity of their waging war against their own brethren expostulating for an audience, complaining of grievances and supplicating for redress; and waging it with a ferocity and vengeance unknown to modern ages, and contrary to all laws human and divine, and we can neither question the justice of our opposition, nor the assistance of Heaven to crown it with victory.
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Let us, however, not presumptuously rely on the interposition of provi- dence without exerting those efforts, which it is our duty to exert ; and which our bountiful Creator has enabled us to exert. Let us do our part to open the next campaign, with redoubled vigour ; and until the United States have humbled the pride of Britain, and obtained an honourable peace, chearfully furnish our proportion for continuing the war. A war, on our side, founded on the immutable obligation of self defence; and in support of freedom, of virtue, and every thing tending to enoble our nature, and render a people happy. On their part, prompted by boundless avarice, and a thirst for absolute sway ; and built on a claim, repugnant to every principle of reason and equity : A claim, subversive of all liberty, natural, civil, moral, and religious; incompatible with human happiness, and usurping the attributes of Deity ; degrading man, and blaspheming God.
Let us all therefore, of every rank and degree, remember our plighted faith and honour, to maintain the cause with our lives and fortunes. Let us inflexibly persevere in prosecuting to a happy period, what has been so gloriously began, and hitherto so prosperously conducted. And let those in more distinguished stations, use all their influence and authority, to rouse the supine ; to animate the Irresolute; to confirm the wavering; and to draw from his lurking hole, the skulking neutral, who leaving to others the heat and burden of the day, means in the final result, to reap the fruits of that victory, for which he will not contend. Let us be peculiarly assiduous in bringing to condign punishment, those detestable parricides, who have been openly active against their native country. And may we, in all our deliberations and proceedings, be influenced and directed by the Great Arbiter of the fate of nations, by whom empires rise and fall; and who will not always suffer the sceptre of the wicked to rest on the lot of the righteous; but in due time, avenge an injured people on their unfeeling oppressor, and his bloody instruments.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.
Haddonfield, 25th February, 1777.
-The Pennsylvania Packet, March 4, 1777, No. 277.
Extract of a letter from an officer of distinction, dated at Chatham (between Morristown and Elizabeth-town, New-Jersey) February 3, 1777.
" We have hemmed the enemy in, and begin to pinch them. On the 23d ult. we trimmed two regiments near to Woodbridge, killed thirty privates, and several officers. Had Col. - , who commanded behaved well, we should have destroyed one regiment. He is now under an arrest. We lost no men that day."
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"On the first instant, three thousand of the enemy, under command of Sir William Erskine, came out of Brunswick to forage-They had eight pieces of cannon- Several of our scouting parties joined, to the amount of six hundred men, under command of Col. Scott, of the Fifth Virginia regiment. A disposition was made to attack the enemy. Col. Scott with ninety Virginians on the right, attacked two hundred British grenadiers, and drove them to their cannon. The other parties not marching so briskly up to the attack, the Colonel was engaged ten minutes by himself; and, three hundred fresh men being sent against him, was obliged to give way, and formed again within three hundred yards of the enemy. By this time, two other divisions had got up with the enemy ; but superior numbers at last pre- vailed. Our troops retreated about a quarter of a mile, formed again, and looked the enemy in the face until they retreated. The enemy had thirty-six killed, that the country people saw, and upwards of one hundred wounded. We have lost three officers and twelve privates killed, and have about as many wounded."-The Penn- sylvania Gazette, March 5, 1777.
Extract of a letter from Morris Town, March 3.
Last week I informed you of an action which happened the 23d. since which several deserters are come here, who says, and one of them asserts, that he heard Major French tell General Vaughan, that their loss in killed and wounded amounted to 509; that it was impossible for them with 1900 or 2000 men and 6 field-pieces to do any thing against an innumerable number of rebels, who attacked them in front, rear, and flank at the same time ; it is true they were attacked in that manner, but not by more than 600-The enemy were extremely cruel in their retreat, they seeing a poor countryman standing at
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his door, laid hold of him, he showed a protection signed by Gen. Howe's secretary, they damned him and his protection, and said those who had taken protections, were as damned rebels as those who had not, and im- mediately sent a ball through his body, which not prov- ing instant death, they stabbed him with bayonets. After such an instance, it is not to be wondered at their beating the brains out of our wounded, one of whom they served in that manner last Sunday.
General Howe arrived at Brunswick on Friday night, the 21st instant, being sent for to settle a dispute between the British and Hessian troops, which had nearly termi- nated, in blows.
Yesterday was brought to town twenty prisoners, which with forty, brought a few days before, makes the number of sixty prisoners since our last .- Pennsylvania Journal, March 5, 1777.
Extract of a letter from Morris Town, Feb. 26, 1777.
" General Howe still continues to threaten your city ;- a reinforcement is arrived at Amboy, consisting of the 10th, 37th, 38th, and 52d regiments, one battalion of grenadiers, and one of light infantry, the whole amount- ing to about 2000 men ; they were out on Sunday last upon a foraging party with three field pieces, when they were attacked by about 600 of our people at eleven in the morning near Spank-town. The firing continued from that time with some short intermission until night, by the best accounts we can get the enemy's loss amounted to upwards of an hundred men killed and wounded ; we took ten prisoners ; our loss was eight killed and wounded. They came with about fifteen or twenty waggons, a con- siderable part of which were employed in carrying off their dead and wounded ; some of the waggons were so piled, that the dead fell off, and were left in the road. A few such
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affairs will make them sick of foraging at so expensive a rate. The enemy killed two of the inhabitants ; one with his protection in his hand, had his brains blown out while he was offering it to an officer ; the other was run through the body with a bayonet; both were killed for not getting their waggons ready as speedily as they were wanted to remove the dead out of the way."-Pennsylvania Journal; and The Weekly Advertiser, No. 1779, Wednes- day, March 5, 1777.
A Post Office is just opened and kept by Hugh Smith, Esq ; at Head Quarters in Morristown, New-Jersey, through which we receive the Philadelphia mail once a week. The post arrives at Fish-Kill, on Wednesday, and sets out again for Morristown on Thursday morning.
By a gentleman from Newark, we are informed that a certain James Nutman, who had been Captain of the militia in that town, when the British troops landed on the Jersey shore, was so exceedingly pleased, that he in- vited his friends and neighbours to keep thanksgiving, as he termed it by spending the day and taking dinner with him, on the happy occasion, often saying with much seeming satisfaction his dear brethren and protectors were come; frequently repeating the question to his guests, An't you glad that they are come? The next day they arrived in Newark, and his dear friends and protectors stripped him of all his moveable property, even to his shoes and stockings; and the poor wretch of a Tory was under the necessity of begging from his neigh- bours something to cover his nakedness.
Extract of a letter from Morriston, Feb, 23.
The 20th inst. four Hessian and two British soldiers came over to us. Yesterday twelve Tories and one Eng- lish Captain were brought to Head Quarters. This morn-
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ing we have received an account of twelve lighthorse being taken by our brave and vigilant scouts .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, March 6, 1777.
New-York, March 10. By a Person that left Morris Town, last Sunday week we learn, That Mr. Washington was then at that Place, but that his Army was gone towards Bound Brook, Quibble Town, and the Parts adjacent. That Beef sold at Morris Town for 1s. per Pound, Butter 4s. Geese and Turkies at 8s. and that their Salt was almost expended.
Two Men belonging to one Cook's Battalion, in the Rebel Army, came into Bonham Town, a few Days since, with their Arms, and joined the King's Troops: They say many more will follow them, when they can effect an Escape.
On Wednesday last a Party of Soldiers, with Waggons, &c. went out from Amboy to a considerable Distance, and brought in a large Quantity of Forage without any Molestation.
We were mistaken in our last Week's Paper. It was Ensign, not Captain Hall, who was killed in the Skirmish.
In the Night of the 28th Ult. a large Party of the Rebels entered the House of Mr. Stephens,1 Collector of East Jersey, at Spring Hill, near Perth Amboy ; where they committed great Violence, plundered his Effects to a large Amount, and threatened to set Fire to his House, &c. Mr. Stephens was fortunately with the King's
1 Stephen Skinner is meant, second son of the Rev. William Skinner; he kept a general store at Perth Amboy for some years prior to August, 1767, when he sold out. He was Treasurer for East Jersey for many years. On July 22d, 1768, the pub- lic money· chest in his possession was robbed of £6,000 or £7,000, which led to an angry altercation between Gov. Franklin and the Assembly, the latter body urging that Skinner should make good the loss. He resigned the office February 23d, 1774. He was elected a member of the Provincial Congress April 28th, 1775. In July, 1776, he was arrested as an enemy of the country ; soon after, he escaped to the British, in New York. The fire mentioned above was accidental, it was declared at the time .- W. N.
1
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Troops, where he had taken Refuge for near two Months. before, but Mrs. Stephens and the Family were at Home, and greatly terrified by their cruel Behaviour. His Ex- cellency General Vaughan, as soon as he was informed of their Distress, sent an Escort, and removed them and their remaining Effects into the Garrison of Amboy.
Last Thursday Week, Major Tympany crossed from Staten Island to Elizabeth Town, with about 60 Men, where he was attacked by a Body of the Rebels, two or three of whom were killed on the Spot, and four or five taken Prisoners. The Major returned safe, without hav- ing a Man hurt, and brought with him ten Head of Cattle.
Saturday last about 250 of the Rebels made an Attack upon the Light-House at Sandy-Hook. By the Bravery of the Men posted there, and by the Cannon of the Syren at Anchor near the Spot, they were beat off with some Loss. The Troops had not a Man either killed or wounded. Two are said to be missing. From the many Attempts of the Rebels upon this Light House, it seems. a favourite Object.
T OST some time since in a schooner that was destroyed between Amboy and Brunswick, the account books of the 33d Regiment. Whoever will deliver them to Hugh Gaine, shall receive Five Guineas reward, and no questions asked .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mer- cury, March 10, 1777.
To be sold by William Calvert in Mountholly, and may be entered on immediately, a HOUSE on a lot in said town, containing four square perches. The Kitchen part of the house, with a room adjoining, is in repair ; a two story house adjoining the kitchen, about sixteen feet square, not fully finished, a cellar under the whole. It
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is pleasantly situated, and fit to accommodate a small family in the kitchen part, until the other part is finished. For terms of sale apply to the said owner or to John Shields, merchant in Second street, Philadelphia. The title is good.
Gloucester county, March 10, 1777.
To be sold, by public sale, the 22d. of this instant, on the premises, about four hundred acres of WOOD LAND, in small parcels, or otherwise, situate on the road that leads from Cooper's Ferry to Great Egg Harbour, about one mile and a half from Haddonfield, and about three miles from a landing either on Cooper's Creek or the north branch of Great Timber creek. The title indis- putable. Any person having a mind to purchase, is desired to attend early in the day, where due attendance will be given by
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