USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
1 This "forward movement" never happened.
109
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1778]
The passage of the river, by the reduction of the two places afore- mentioned has been sufficiently opened to bring up frigates and trans- ports ; but the removal of the cheveaux de frize is postponed to a nore favourable season.
Major General Sir Thomas Spencer Wilson, having represented the very critical situation of his private concerns in England, has my leave to return, and has taken charge of my dispatches to your Lord- ship, by the Eagle packet.
With the most perfect respect,
I have the honour to be, &c. W. Howe.
Return of Ordnance and Stores found in Mud-Island Fort, taken from the Rebels by the King's Troops, the 16th of November. 1777.
IRON ORDNANCE
On travelling carriages. 1 thirty two pounder, 1 twenty four pounder, 7 eighteen pounders, 2 unserviceable, 1 twelve pounder, 2 four pounders.
On garrison carriages. 14 eight pounders, 1 unserviceable ; sunk with a scow, of sorts, 10.
SHOT
Round loose. 1475 twenty four pounders, 843 eighteen pounders, 165 twelve pounders, 1100 eight pounders, 16 four pounders.
Barr. 6 thirty-two pounders, 4 twenty four pounders, 169 eighteen pounders.
Grapequilted. 12 thirty two pounders, 84 eighteen pounders, 20 twelve pounders, 110 eight pounders, 8 four pounders.
Fixed with powder for twelve pounders. 11 case, 9 grape.
Small iron for case. 4 Cwt.
Cartridges paper filled. 65 eight pounders.
Sponges of sorts, 36. . .... Ladles ditto 9. ..... Wadhooks 15.
Aprons of lead 9. ... Linstocks 6. ..... Bridge barrels 2.
Philadelphia, SAMUEL CLEAVELAND
Nov. 18, 1777. Brigadier General commanding the Royal Artillery
Return of the artillery and military forces found in the fort of Red Bank, the 22d of Nov. 1777.
6 Eighteen pounders, 1 unserviceable ; 3 eighteen pounders mounted on truck carriages, 2 unserviceable ; 2 six pounders mounted on ditto, spiked and unserviceable; 1 four pounder mounted on ditto, with elevated screw, spiked ; 3 four pounders mounted on ditto, spiked; 1 three pounder mounted on ditto spiked and unserviceable ; 8 howitzer swivels ; 4 howitzer ditto, carried off by a naval captain ; 3 swivels ;
110
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1778
1 travelling carriage for eighteen pounders ; 5 truck carriages for ditto ; 1 travelling carriage for nine pounders ; 4 ditto for six pounders ; 3 limbers for ditto.
SHOT
Round. 506 twenty four pounders; 818 eighteen pounders; 156 twelve pounders ; 51 nine pounders; 23 six pounders; 1301 four pounders ; 173 three pounders ; 20 one pounders ; 32 half pounders.
Bar. 7 twenty-four pounders ; 25 twelve pounders ; 50 nine pounders ; 65 three pounders.
Grape quilted. 14 twelve pounders; 54 six pounders; 28 four pounders.
Grape in bags, 24
Box of different nature, 1.
Round shot fixed to wood bottoms 5 twelve pounders ; 6 six pounders ;
6 four pounders ; 16 three pounders.
Hand 'grenades, 18
Wadhooks. 1 thirty-two pounder, 1 six pounder.
Sponges. 1 six pounder ; 2 four pounders.
Aprons of lead, 4.
Drag ropes, 3.
Pikes, 93.
Intrenching tools, 30.
Boxes with ball cartridges, 9. Cask with musket balls, 1.
Camp at Wood-
James Pattison
bury Nov. 23,
Commander of the Royal Artillery in N. America.
1777.
-New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 16, 1778.
1
BY 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;
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS this State, ever ready to support the common cause of American Liberty, and to exert its most strenuous efforts against the unnatural enemies thereof, has made ample provision for furnishing
111
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1778]
the army of the United States, in a legal and reasonable manner, with all the necessaries it is able to spare, and for impressing carriages and horses for transporting the baggage, provisions and warlike stores of the troops: And whereas it has been represented to me that divers persons acting as deputies in the several departments of Quarter- Master and Commissary for the said army, have been guilty of manifold oppressions, and frequently seized by violence and in deroga- tion of all government, what they might have peaceably procured either by the voluntary consent of the proprietors, or in the mode prescribed by law ; and many of the inhabitants, labouring under the said op- pressions are unacquainted with the extent of the authority under colour of which they are exercised as well as with the proper means for obtaining redress, and may by the continuation thereof abate their zeal for the glorious cause in which they have hitherto exhibited the most laudable ardor. And whereas it is the glory and felicity of this State to preserve its laws inviolate, to restrain all illicit exertions of power not warranted by inevitable necessity, and to protect the persons and property of its loyal citizens from all arbitrary insult and violence, under whatever pretence offered or attempted : And whereas the authority of all persons employed as aforesaid to impress carriages, horses, cattle and drivers, and to purchase provisions for the army in this State, is regulated and circumscribed by two certain acts of assembly, one of which is intitled "An Act to explain the law and "constitution of the State of New-Jersey as to the quartering of, and "furnishing of carriages for the army in the service of the United "States of North America, and for making some further provision for "the same," passed the eleventh day of October last; and the other intitled, "An Act for regulating and limiting the prices of sundry "articles of produce, manufacture and trade, and to prevent forestalling, "regrating and engrossing," passed the eleventh day of December last : By the former of which acts any constable, by order of a justice of the peace, upon the application of any commanding officer of any of the troops of the United States, may impress such carriages, draught horses, cattle and drivers as are needed for the transporting the bag- gage, provision or warlike stores of such troops, or any stores or pro- visions belonging to the continental army, provided such carriages, horses, cattle and drivers are not detained in the service longer than three days at any one time, unless with the consent of the owners : And by the latter of which acts the persons so employed as aforesaid are obliged, before they are authorized to seize the articles wanted, to obtain a warrant from a justice of the peace, which is not to be granted till the person refusing to sell them has been summoned to appear before him, and either refuses to appear, or, on appearing, it shall be evident to the justice that he is so possessed of a greater quantity of the articles wanted by the applicant than is necessary for his family's annual consumption. I HAVE THEREFORE THOUGHT FIT, by and with the advice of the privy council, to issue this proclamation in order to render it the more notorious, both to the good people of this State and to the deputies and agents aforesaid, that the impressing of car- riages, draught-horses, cattle and drivers, and the seizure of any private
112
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1778
property by any of the said deputies not authorized by either of the recited acts, is altogether lawless and arbitrary, and that all persons guilty thereof ought to be apprehended and proceeded against in a due course of law. And I do hereby strictly charge all justices of the peace and other officers whom it may concern to be diligent in the execution of the said acts, and to prevent as far as possible the viola- tion thereof, as well by any disaffected inhabitants who shall withhold from the army what they ought, agreeably to the true intent and meaning thereof, to spare and furnish, as by any illegal exactions upon the citizens of this state by any of the said deputies and agents ; and all persons aggrieved by such exactions, and not obtaining redress upon due application for that purpose to the magistrates, are hereby directed to transmit affidavits of the grievances suffered, and of the delay or refusal of justice, to me or to the president and council of safety, in order that the delinquents may be brought to speedy and condign punishment.
AND WHEREAS by a resolution of the honourable the Congress of the ninth day of February last, the Supreme Executive Powers of every State are authorised to suspend from pay and employment, for mis- behaviour or neglect of duty within their respective States, any officer of the staff, or civil continental officer, not immediately appointed by Congress, and to make a temporary appointment in his place if neces- sary, I have further thought fit hereby to request all the citizens of this State, zealous for the weal of America, and abhorrent of all publick mismanagement, peculation, misbehaviour or neglect of duty in any civil continental officer, and able to prove such perpetration or neglect within the same, to transmit the proofs thereof to me, that the same may be duly considered, and the party offending dealt with as the case shall appear to require.
GIVEN under my hand and scal at arms at Trenton, the ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-cight.
By his Excellency's command, ! CHA. PETTIT, Scc. WIL. LIVINGSTON.
Mr. COLLINS,
FROM the easy surrender of your correspondent T. W. No. 13. I should not fear retaking him, if I did not suspect he had in his drawers stronger troops than those Pigmies brought against him by his poetical friend. With your leave, however, I will venture to attack.
As his fears in the first objection arise wholly from his ignorance. they will be removed by informing him, that by the Confederation of the United States, Art. 8, the quota of each state is to be "in propor- tion to the value of all land within each state, granted to, or surveyed for, any person, as such land and the building and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the United States in Congress assembled shall from time to time direct and appoint." Consequently the quota of this state will not be affected by a law
113
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1778]
which will drag to the light from the dark desks of usurers, a list of their wealth.
The second objection is, that the measure is impracticable. This is the only objection I ever heard on this subject, that deserves serious attention, or that can any way impede the legislature. Our objector ranks bonds among things invisible-and I really believe the good man is under the influence of thesc invisible things. But let us rub our eyes-True, they are not as big as a horse or a cow ; but our Assembly will hardly appoint men to offices who are so blind that they cannot by the help of spectacles be able to see a bond. Aye, but they are locked up in drawers, and who would be a pimp, especially a legal pimp-and my horse is locked up in my stable ; and I think the business as low and dirty to search a stable as a desk. Few assessors either count a man's stock, or measure his land ; and why not take a man's word for his bonds? because, you say, the neighbours know how much land, &c. a man has. And I believe neighbours will generally guess as near the amount of a man's money upon interest, as the acres of his improved land, or number of his flock. Let money, not returned, be forfeited, and the assessor will have as honest a list of bonds as other articles. But the objector himself has proposed a plan for ren- dering practicable this impracticable business, and one too which he calls just and equitable-let the borrower pay the tax out of the interest due to the lender.
The usurer has gone so far in his reasonings upon this head, as to afford strong grounds to suspect he had something more in view than to save his bonds from being taxed. What can be his views in magni- fying the experience and wisdom of Britain for legislation! Can Americans say amen to this? Why does he intimate his wish, that we should imitate, especially in taxation, that band of bought slaves ! Why wish for bearing the burden upon the same shoulder ! Alas ! poor soul, the revolution and independency sticks in his weak stomach ! Let him vomit or choak.
Under this head also we hear of the novelty of the proposed scheme for taxing bonds. Can a monied American be so unacquainted with the police of the several states? In this province he may call it new, because heretofore those monied gentry have had interest and integrity enough to cast the burden off themselves upon their poorer neighbours. But this was not the case in the other provinces. In South-Carolina the measure now talked of and wished for by the inhabitants of this state in general, was carried to its fullest extent ; and I never heard even the monied men complain of it as impracticable or unjust, although I have talked with them very particularly on that head; they were more generous and just.
The honest usurer objects against the measure, in the third place, as unjust. A charge so heavy must call our attention. The maxim of all writers, favourable to liberty, is, that property must pay the taxes, because property is defended. The demand of government then must be upon the owners of property. And if common sense and common
8
114
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1778
honesty does not require that each one pays in proportion to his property, we have lost the use of words and rules of proportion. The question now is, not how we shall come to the knowledge of mens property, and whether villains may not elude our scrutiny. We are enquiring what is just. For however strange it is, to this bar the miser hath appealed. And is not this equitable and just, to pay in proportion to property owned? And does the monied man own prop- erty? If he does, why not pay for its defence? Having his property in money, rather than land or any thing else, is his own choice. If he thought he should be a gainer by turning it into land, he would undoubtedly do it. His property in money is as much defended as another man's property in land ; yet it is unjust to tax his property, because he can hide it in his desk, and will not be honest enough to tell of it-nay, will swear false to prevent the knowledge of it, and will call a man a pimp if he looks for it.
Suppose we should try the usurer's illustration, perhaps it may help us to see to which side the scale of justice inclines. B purchases a farm from A for 1000s. and gives his bond and a mortgage upon the land for the money. When B made the purchase, he was worth noth- ing. He gave as much for the land as it was worth. Has he by this bargain acquired any property? But B is taxed-the justice of this is not scrupled. By and by A, the real owner, for he has a bond and mortgage, by a suit at law dispossesses poor B, recovers the land, and strips his family into the bargain. Yet monied A all this time pays no tax for his property. Is this your idea of justice, Mr. Usurer? Kind heaven ! deliver my country, now escaped the snare, from such legis- lators.
But our miser is turned penitent. The plea of justice failed him, and instead of merit he supplicates for mercy. He is poor. He who at one time seems vain enough of the epithet, a monied man, now begs publick alms. His money is depreciated, and will not bear a tax. Miser like, to save a penny, will tell you long stories about losses and hard times. Poor creature ! if he would keep upon his knees, I would fling him a copper to be quit of him, but like the Pharisee, his heart betrays him, and he still seems disposed to make a plea of right. This is his intention, when, under the fourth head, he asserts that money is always taxed in the hands of the borrower. He should have said, when the borrower is pleased to lay the money out in articles that are taxed- for farther than this his assertion can not be true. One who was a stranger to the subject would suppose usurers had no securities for their property. But it was solely in the possession of the borrower, and not in the power, nor for the emolument of the lender. Let these humane men alone for that. Desolated families and long imprison- ments have taught many otherwise.
It cannot be the duty of any state, especially these in America, which so greatly need the personal service of every member, to en- courage usurers. The man who by industry and frugality acquires more than his annual consumption, and lends that upon interest, without relaxing in industry, is a useful member in the community ; but the man who lives upon the interest of his money, what advantage
115
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
. 1778]
is he to the state? When he dies what injury hath the state suffered? He is, if we listen to our author, to pay no taxes. He does no labour. Is the state then by his death either poorer or weaker? He cannot carry with him his bonds or cash. He was a meer consumer. Rats and mice will answer the same purpose, with this in their favour, that they do not take up the room, nor stand in the way of industrious inhabitants.
I believe, Mr. Collins, you need not lament I had not more time to have written more largely upon this subject. I wish I could have spared time to shorten your labour ; but I was under the necessity of sending this by the return of the post who brought me your paper, and through the day so crouded and interrupted by other business, that I could not correct. Your inserting it as it is, will probably oblige other of your customers, besides your friend and humble servant,
EQUAL TAXER.
TRENTON, March 18.
From a New-York (British) Paper.
By Major-General James A. Robertson, Commandant of New-York, &c. &c.
WHEREAS I am informed, that a number of sailors on Friday evening attacked, and with knives wounded and defaced three Hessian soldiers, and that several acts had been perpetrated, tending to raise a spirit of discord be- tween nations, who have always lived together, whether in camp or garrison, with remarkable cordiality and affection.
Observing with great satisfaction, that General Schmidt, and the principal officers of the Hessian army, are taking every step to prevent or punish any insult from the part of their troops.
In like manner, I do require all that come into this city, to treat the Hessian troops with the civility due to strangers, and the kindness we owe to faithful allies and friends, and declare, that every attempt to destroy the cordiality that happily subsists between the two nations, will be considered as most prejudicial to the King's ser- vice.
116
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1778
Any person who will discover to me the author of the cruel attack on the Hessian soldiers, shall receive twenty pounds.
Given under my hand, this ninth day of February, one thousand and seven hundred and seventy-eight, and in the eighteenth year of his Majesty's reign.
JAMES ROBERTSON, M. G. And Commandant of New-York.
["When I consider," says our correspondent Hor- tentius, "the infinite art of this crafty Scotchman, I am not a little surprised to find General Robertson pub- lishing to the whole world, that the British sailors and Hessians in New-York are ready to cut each others throats whenever they meet. We were indeed sufficiently ap- prized, that between the English Tars and German Boors there subsisted an irreconcilable animosity. 'Till, hou- crer, it was published by authority, their Printers re- mained at liberty to deny it with the same effrontery that they contradict every other the most notorious and in- dubitable truth-But after this explicit acknowledg- ment, I suppose they will not presume, notwithstanding their proneness to print the thing that is not, to give the lie to the Commandant of New-York-they will at least once in their lives be compelled to acquiesce in silence with the publication of truth; as Milton says of Satan, that he was on a particular occasion for one moment stupidly good."]
The following donations were lately received at the hospital in Princeton, viz. From the Rev. Mr. Harden- burg's1 congregation at Raritan, 180 pairs stockings, 62
1 Reference is here made to the Rev. Jacob Rutsen Hardenburg, a member of a conspicuous family in New York and New Jersey. Before the age of 21 he had married the widow of the Rev. John Frelinghuysen and had become installed as the pastor of the four United Congregations of Raritan. North Branch, Millstone and Neshanic. Distinguished for his devotion to the Whig cause that a price was put upon his head. Following the war he was active in affairs of state, and became President of Queens, now Rutgers College, in New Brunswick.
117
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1778]
good shirts, 43 do. in part worn, 20 pair linen trousers, 5 do. breeches, 2 do. jackets, 11 shirts, 50 wollen jackets, 25 do. pair of breeches, 17 coats, 4 blankets, 5 pair of shoes, besides a quantity of old linen and wollen for hospital use. And from the Reverend Mr. Chapman's 1 congregation in Newark Mountains, 10 blankets, 19 sheets, 45 shirts, 9 coats, 40 vests, 27 pair breeches, 105 pair of stockings, 2 pair of shoes, 3 surtouts, 3 watch- coats, 15 pair of trousers, 94 yards of new linen, 5 yards of linsey, 1 and a quarter yards cloth, + pillow-cases, 1 coverlet, 1 table-cloth, and a quantity of old linen .- The donors of the above, and those who before contributed, and may contribute in the same way, are hereby informed, that a proper assortment of all kinds of cloathing will be kept in the hospital for the entertainment and refresh- ment of the sick and wounded soldiers in general of the Continental army, who shall be sent to this hospital, and the residue will be distributed to them who are fit for service, paying a particular attention to the regiments of this state, whether in hospital or camp.
About three weeks ago a number of cattle, having been sent from this state, intended for our camp,2 the enemy, getting intelligence thereof, and by the assistance of the Tories, way-laid and took them, with several of the guard, in Pennsylvania, about sixteen miles from Philadelphia.
Near the same time Mr. Richard Borden, a peaceable inhabitant of this town, returning from our camp, where he had been on business of a civil nature, was overtaken by a party of the British light horse; and, although he
.
1 This was the Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, who took upon himself "the Solemn Pastoral Charge of ye Church and Congregation of ye people of Newark Mountains," July 22d, 1766, four years after graduation from Yale College. With Mcwhorter of Newark, Caldwell of Elizabeth and Green of Hanover, he was an uncompromising patriot. in a parish abound- ing with Tories, and during the Revolution, not only appealed to his own congregation, but acted as volunteer chaplain in the army. In 1800 he l'esigned his charge in Orange, and at the age of 60 entered into missionary work in the then wilderness of Western New York, residing in Geneva. He died May 22d. 1813. For an extended sketch of this remarkable man see "History of the Oranges." by Stephen Wickes, M.D., 1892.
2 Valley Forge.
118
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1778
was unarmed, and consequently incapable of making any resistance, yet these heroes inhumanly shot him in the shoulder, of which wound he soon after expired-leaving a widow and son to lament his loss.
Tuesday se'nnight Brigadier-General Maxwell arrived here from head-quarters-and the day following Briga- dier-General Count Pulaski set out from this place to wait upon His Excellency General Washington.
Desertion we hear has taken deep root among the enemy. Scarce one day passes, but two or three of the British or Hessian soldiers come out.
On the 10th instant the commissioners from the Ameri- can and British army were to meet at Germantown in order to settle the terms of an exchange of prisoners.
We learn that on the 12th instant a fleet of transports, under convoy of several vessels of war, arrived at Phila- delphia from Rhode Island. On their passage up the Delaware, two of the transports, viz. the Katy and Mer- maid, with forage, one of which mounting six four pounders, being at some distance a-head, were attacked by eight of our armed boats under the command of Captain Barry, who, after a smart but short engagement, obliged both of the ships to strike. Soon after the armed schooner Alert, mounting eight four pounders and ten howitz, came up, when another action commenced, and the Alert, notwithstanding she bravely defended herself, was also obliged to submit. The other armed vessels, which were convoying the remaining part of the fleet, observing at a distance the fate of the ships and schooner, made haste to their assistance, but our people having taken out the passengers, &c. and stripped the ships, set fire to them, by which they were destroyed. Captain Barry intended to have run the schooner into Christiana Creek,1 but finding himself too closely pursued by the enemy, he put her ashore near Hamburgh a little below Newcastle, where he got out most of the valuable articles .- Col.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.