USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 12
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JOHN and THOMAS SCUDDER.
-- New-Jersey Gazette, No. 17, Mar. 25, 1778.
PHILADELPHIA
The King's troops have lost only one man killed since their going into the Jerseys: He was of the Queen's Rangers, and behaved gallantly in a skirmish with the militia, who have had twenty men killed on the spot, and ten prisoners taken, with a French Lieutenant on the re- cruiting service.
By a vessel which arrived here last Monday from Salem, we learn, that the King's troops, now in possession of that place, have collected a great quantity of forage, and that the transports which are now nearly loaded, will be ready to sail in a few days .- The Pennsylvania Ledger, March 25, 1778.
Philadelphia, March 11. On Friday Capt. Wigstaff, with part of his New-Jersey independent volunteers, went down to Penn's Neck, where they were attacked by two armed boats from Christeen, and having nothing but musquetry on board their sloop, were obliged to run her ashore, after exchanging several shot. After Capt. Wigstaff had quitted her, the rebels took out the pro- visions, and burnt the sloop. Capt. Wigstaff proceeded nine miles into the country, and came down to Raccoon Creek, where he and his men got on board a sloop, and returned to town with a quantity of provisions. During the excursion of this party of Captain Wigstaff's com-
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pany, another small party of them went over to Billings- port, marched ten miles into the country, surrounded the house of Capt. Cousins,1 of the militia, took him and his guard prisoners, and brought them to town.
New-York, March 30. A party of six of the rebel plunderers came down as near Powlis Hook, as Prior's mills, last Sunday week, and attempted to carry off a parcel of cattle from thence, but being seen were im- mediately pursued by a party of Col. Turnbull's2 regi- inent, who soon obbliged them to relinquish their plunder, and nothing but good heels prevented their being made prisoners. These gentry are commanded by one Johnston, whom they have chose for their captain, who all take what they can get, and have no commissions, nor orders for any of their proceedings.
On Friday a party of Col. Turnbull's New-York volunteers, under the command of Lieut. Haines, were dispatched towards the English Neighbourhood, in quest of some rebels that were said to be lurking thereabouts, when they seized in the house of one Degroote of that place four men armed, one of them was Lashier,3 who was concerned in the murder of Capt. John Richards, whose watch was found in his pocket, and another a serjeant belonging to Capt. Roorback, in Gen. De Lancey's+ first battalion.
We are told the general assembly of the province of New-Jersey, have repealed a law they lately passed, whereby it was made death for any of their subjects to
1 John Cozens, Captain First Battalion of Gloucester, exchanged as a prisoner of war, December 8th, 1780.
2 George Turnbull, of the Third American Regiment. New York Volun- teers, a Tory regiment. In the attack on Fort Montgomery. October. 1777. he was a Captain of the Loyal Americans, and there. as in the siege of Savannah in 1779, distinguished himself by bravery. At Rock Mount he also three times repulsed Sumner.
3 Lozier.
+ Oliver De Lancey, of New York, a member of a family conspicuous for its staunen Tory spirit. He was born in 1717. served in the French and Indian war, and in 1776 was appointed Brigadier-General in the Royal service. He lost his property by confiscation, dying in Beverley, England, in 1785.
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correspond or trade with the enemy; and that any trans- gression of that kind is to be attoned for by a heavy fine and imprisonment .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 30, 1778.
For the NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
To HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.
SAY-on what hallow'd altar shall I find, A sacred spark that can again light up The muse's ardour in my wane of life, And warm my bosom with poetic flame Extinguish'd long-and yet O WASHINGTON, Thy worth unequall'd, thy heroic deeds, Thy patriot virtues, and high-soaring fame, Prompt irresistibly my feeble arm, To grap the long-forgotten lyre, and join The universal chorus of thy praise.
When urg'd by thirst of arbitrary sway And over-weaning pride, a ruthless king Grim spurn'd us, suppliants, from his haughty throne, And in the tyrant all the father lost ; When to our pray'rs, with humble duty urg'd, He, PHARAOH-like, his heart obdurate steel'd, Denouncing dreadful vengeance, unprovok'd, And all the dire calamities of war- No ray of mercy beaming from his brow, No olive-branch extended in his hand ;- A sword unsheath'd, or ignominious yoke, The only sad alternative propos'd- Then with one voice thy country call'd thee forth, Thee, WASHINGTON, she call'd :- With modest blush, But soul undaunted, thou the call obey'd, To lead her armies to the martial field .- Thee, WASHINGTON, she call'd to draw the sword, And rather try the bloody chance of war In virtue's cause, than suffer servile chains, Intolerable bondage! to inclose The limbs of those, whom God created free.
Lur'd by thy fame, and with thy virtues charm'd, And by thy valour fir'd, around thee pour'd AMERICA's long-injur'd sons, resolv'd To meet the veteran troops who oft had borne BRITANNIA'S name, in thunder, round the world.
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With warrior-bands by Liberty impell'd, And all their country glowing at their heart ; · And prodigal of blood, when she requir'd, Tho' destitute of war's essential aids, (The well-stor'd armory, the nitrous grain, The roaring cannon, and death-bearing ball) Thou mad'st the solemn dread appeal to heav'n,- The solemn dread appeal th' Almighty heard, And smil'd success. Unfabled ASTREA weigh'd Our cause in her eternal scales, and found It just : While all-directing Providence, Invisible, yet seen, mysterious, crown'd, And more than crown'd our hopes ; and strange to tell ! Made British infidels, like Lucifer, Believe and tremble. Thou with troops new-rais'd, Undisciplin'd; nor to the tented field Inur'd, hast kept the hostile host aloof ; And oft discomfited : While victory The laurel wreath around thy temples twin'd ; And TRENTON, PRINCETON prove thy bold emprize ; Names then unknown to song, illustrious now, Deriving immortality from thee.
Proceed, heaven-guided Chief, nor be dismay'd At foreign myriads, or domestic foes, (The best have foes, and foes evince their worth) Soon by one danger rous'd, one soul inspir'd, One cause defending, on one goal intent, From every quarter whence the winds can blow, Assembled hosts their Hero shall attend, Determin'd to be free-Them shalt thou lead, To conquest lead, and make the tyrant rue His execrable purpose to enslave ; And teach e'en British folly to be wise. Far as the encircling sun his chariot drives, Thy fame shall spread ; thy grateful country own Her millions sav'd by thy victorious arm ; And rear eternal monuments of praise.
The arduous task absolv'd, the truncheon broke ; Of future glory, liberty and peace The strong foundations laid, methinks I see The god-like Hero gracefully retire, And (blood-stained MARS for fair POMONA chang'd) His rural seat regain : His rural seat Fresh-blooming at his visitation, smiles ; And in expressive silence speaks her joy. There, recollecting oft thy past exploits, (Feast of the soul ne'er cloying appetite) And still assiduous for the public weal ;
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(Incumbent duty ne'er effac'd) amidst Sequester'd haunts, and in the calm of life, Methinks I see thee, SOLON-like, design The future grandeur of confederate States High tow'ring ; or for legislation met, Adjust in senate what thou sav'd in war. And when by thousands wept, thou shall resign
Thy sky-infus'd, and sky-returning spark,
May light supernal gild thy mortal hour, But mortal to translate thee into life That knows not death ; and then heavens all-ruling sire Shall introduce thee to thy glad compeers, The HAMPDENS, SIDNEYS, Freedom's genuine sons ! And BRUTUS' venerable shade, high-rais'd On thrones erected in the taste of heav'n, Distinguish'd thrones for patriot demi-gods, ( Who for their country's weal or toiled, or bled, ) And one reserv'd for thee: There envy's shafts Nor tyrants e'er intrude, nor slavery clanks Her galling chain ; but star-crown'd LIBERTY
Resplendent goddess ! everlasting reigns.
HORTENTIUS.1
TRENTON, April 1.
Agreeable to a Resolution of Congress, His Ex- cellency the Governor of this state, with the advice of the Privy Council, has appointed Wednesday the 22d instant, to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer.
On Sunday night last a heavy northeast storm came on, and continued till Monday morning.
Last week a brig from Ireland, bound to New-York, with a large quantity of linen, butter, &c. &c. was taken off' Egg-Harbour-and carried into a safe port. The sailors and several other persons, who were made prisoners in the brig, were brought to this town yesterday.
We hear from Somerset County that on Friday the 20 ult. Mr. JOHN GORDON, in the 83d year of his age, was married to Miss SUKEY LANE, a young lady of 18.
1 This prophetic blank verse, from the pen of Governor Livingston, was one of the earliest tributes, of its class, which appeared in an American newspaper.
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Trenton, March 27, 1778.
WHEREAS the Co-Partnership of SINGER and WITT is desolved, they request all persons anyways indebted to said Partnership to pay off their respective accounts.
Likewise all persons indebted to either of them are re- quested to discharge their several accounts. And all those who have any demands against either of them, are de- sired to call and receive payment. .
ROBERT SINGER. FRANCIS WITT.
March 28, 1778.
TEN DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber the 20th instant, a negro fellow named BEN, 22 years of age, remarkably stout and well made: Had on, when he went away, a homespun bearskin coat and jacket, leather breeches, and white stockings. He is supposed to be lurking about the neigh- bourhood of Trenton. Whoever takes up and secures said negro in any gaol so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges paid by
ELISHA LAWRENCE.
Frechold, March 21, 1778.
JOSEPH RUE,
INTENDS to open a Latin school the 13th day of the en- suing month (April) at the house of Mr. Henry Perine, in Freehold, county of Monmouth, New-Jersey: Where
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the scholars shall be accommodated in the best manner, and at the lowest expence. All parents willing to put their children under his tuition, are desired to apply to him before the above day.
Wanted for Employment in Camp,
A good clerk, well skilled in Accounts, and who can produce satisfactory testimonials of his abilities and in- tegrity ; to whom a suitable salary will be given. Apply to the Printer, or at the Quarter-Master-General's Office in Camp.
TO BE SOLD,
By BENJAMIN SMITH, in TRENTON,
GREEN TEA; loaf and muscovado sugar; chocolate; pepper; allspice; cinnamon; allum; needles; mohair ; sleeve buttons; fine and coarse teeth combs; sweeping and scrubbing brushes; tobacco, &c. &c.
LOFTY,
AN imported HORSE from Great-Britain, is in full health and vigour, and stands at the stables of Mr. William Phillips in Maidenhead, in New-Jersey, and will cover Mares the ensuing season at the rate of EIGHT POUNDS each Mare. The proprietors of him have thought proper, the better to serve the public, to limit the number of Mares he shall cover to 40. Those that incline to send Mares for that purpose, will please to signify their intentions to the said William Phillips as early as possible, because the first applications that ex- tend to the above number, will have their mares covered
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by the season, and no others will be received after the list is complete. LOFTY's size, colour and pedigree having been heretofore published, supersede the necessity of repetition.
Also HECTOR an imported Horse, well known in this and the adjacent parts of the country, stands at the same place, and will likewise cover at TEN DOLLARS the season, and FIVE DOLLARS the single leap.
Good pasture for mares will be provided.
Maidenhead, March 21, 1778. .
All persons indebted to the estate of Ennis Graham, late of the city of New-York, deceased, are requested to make immediate payment to Elizabeth Graham, at Bound- Brook, Executrix, or to Mr. Walter Buchanan, at Morris- Town, or to Mr. John Thomson, at Pluckimin, New- Jersey, Executors of said estate. And all persons having demands against the same, are desired to make them without delay to the said Elizabeth Graham.
Said Elizabeth Graham has for sale superfine broad- cloths of various colours, casamiers, rattinetts, shalloons, durants, hairbinds, black and scarlet serge desoy for breeches, white crape, cut and uncut Genoa velvets, silk and hair shag velvets, collar velvets, plushes, silks for vests and breeches, silk breeches patterns, embroidered tambour vests, striped Damascus, nankeens, yellow canvas for stays, braid, gold and silver buttons, silk and hair buttons, metal ditto, scarf twist, sewing silks, silk stockings, knee garters, silk ferrits, silver buttons and loops for hats, mens gloves, sleeve buttons, mens thimbles, needles, tapes, livery lace, &c. &c.
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Millstone, March 16, 1778.
TO BE SOLD,
A GOOD FARM, situate in New-Jersey, Somerset county, near New Shannock,1 one mile from the church, and about 15 or 16 miles from New Brunswick, containing 235 acres, has on it a very good stone dwelling house well built, three rooms on a floor, and under it a very good cellar of one half the bigness of the whole house, on the other half a good kitchen, and the out-houses but indifferent; a good orchard; the land is good for wheat and pasture; there is no great deal of meadow, but plenty of woodland. Whoever inclines to purchase may apply to Peter Schenck at Millstone, or Abraham Demott, at said church near the premises, who will agree on rea- sonable terms. The purchaser may have immediate possession.
FINE SAFFRON, PIGTAIL, PLUG and SQUARE CUT TOBACCO, to be sold WHOLESALE and RETAIL, by ISAAC HEULINGS, At his TOBACCO MANUFACTORY in BURLINGTON.
Philadelphia County, March 18, 1778.
RAN AWAY the 24th of February, from the subscriber living in Bibury, a Scotch servant GIRL, named Chris- tiana Gunn, about sixteen years of age, about five feet high, fresh complexion, and dark brown hair, long nose, little eyes, broad shoulders, a little pitted with the small- pox, thin lips, and wide mouth. Had on when she went away, a purple silk bonnet, a mixt duffil cloak, a tow shift and old linsey petticoat, a green upper ditto, a mixt coating jacket, a black handkerchief, blue yarn
1 Neshanic.
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stockings, half worn shoes with low heels, and took with her a tow shift. 'Tis supposed she has gone to Phila- delphia to her mother. Whoever secures the said servant in Burlington gaol, or brings her to me, shall receive TWO DOLLARS reward and charges, paid by
SAMUEL ROBBINS.
STOLEN on the 25th of March 1778, from under the shed of Thomas Bullman, at Pennington, a dark grey MARE, with a saddle and bridle almost new, she is about fourteen hands high, trots and paces, has a blaze in her forehead, was shod before, and has a middling long switch tail. Whoever takes up the thief, so that he may be brought to justice, and secures the mare, shall have TWENTY DOLLARS reward, or TWELVE DOLLARS for the mare only, paid by JOSEPH VANKIRK, living near Pen- nington.
For the NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
Mr. PRINTER,
THE source of malice is inexhaustible; and to this the enemies of mankind have recourse, when all others fail them. A favourite object is to be obtained, however base and ungenerous the means necessary therefor. Hence it is that slander and defamation are so prevalent in the world. The sacred regard ever due to an unblemished reputation is of no farther estimation than as it coincides with the darling scheme : And if the station of any one should interfere, his character will suffer in proportion to the influence of the calumniator.
It has ever been matter of the highest pleasure to me, and, I dare say, to every American feeling himself nearly interested in the fate of his country, that the character of our great Commander has in- variably been held in the most profound veneration. Nothing could give the common enemy more satisfaction than to diminish the esteem and applause le so justly receives. They have made some feeble efforts towards it: Their gazettes, the common vehicles of falsehood, have echoed a language their judgment never approved ; and, no doubt, there are some among ourselves so lost to every principle of honour and integrity, as willingly to aid their diabolic attempts.
Men in high stations, however exalted their accomplishments, are always subject to the ill-natured censures of restless mortals, who expect to derive certain advantages from their own iniquity. There is a species of ambition, unawed by patriotism, uncurbed by reason, endued with the faculty of converting emulation into envy. People
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under the influence of this unruly passion, anxious of obtaining an exalted boon, and conscious of their unworthiness to possess it, direct their malevolence against those whose virtues they admire but cannot imitate. Detraction is substituted for proof of weakness, and false insinuations for wickedness of heart. This kind of artifice may impose upon the credulous and confirm the base, but will ever fill the un- biassed mind, actuated by noble sentiments, with indignation.
It is a fact universally admitted, that publick confidence is requisite to support publick characters. The man who has no fixed interest in the publick opinion cannot rise in competition with him who hath.
In the beginning of this controversy, it is well known that General Washington was the only man to whom every part of America looked as a leader capable of conducting them through the impending storm. His uncommon abilities, his patience, fortitude and humanity have furnished the most convincing proofs that Heaven directed their choice. The many seemingly insurmountable difficulties he has encountered, attended with trifling misfortunes, serve to display his illustrious great- ness and demonstrate indisputably that conquest, upon equal terms, could never sufficienty brighten the path of glory he was destined to pursue. A single victory, gained by lucky circumstances and followed by happy events, may immortalize a man of common abilities moving in a subordinate sphere ; but, should his pride and vanity carry his ambition beyond its proper bounds, a single misfortune will render his condition infinitely worse than if he had never been successful : For, instead of sinking into desirable obscurity, his name will live in universal abhorrence and contempt.
That man alone who conducts with equal prudence and fortitude in prosperity and adversity ; who possesses resources within himself for all occasions ; who despising the malicious censures of wicked and designing men, places a love of fame in real magnanimity; whose patriotic sentiments and conduct induce him to submit to the toils and hardships of the military life from an insatiable love to his country, is qualified to command the armies of America. That man is the virtuous Washington; and that man will be dear to millions yet un- born, when the page of history will record some for their insignificance only, who now dare speak disrespectfully of him.
Go on illustrious Chief ! to lead thy chosen bands, With increas'd numbers, to the field of Mars ;
There, snatching victry from the British foe, Give peace and plenty to a bleeding land. Then-heaven approving thy exalted deeds,
While grateful millions hail thee father, friend- Return with laurels to thy happy mount, And taste a-new the sweets of private life.
Rekindled in thy breast, the pure, the tender flame, Endear'd by wedlock's holy, sacred rites, Enjoy, in social converse and connubial love,
The most enrapturing charms that e'er adorned the fair.
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When all the earthly joys that mortals can possess, Or heaven bestow on patriotic minds,
Shall cease to please; and thy great soul,
Impatient of delay, shall burst the brittle shell Which holds it here,-expanded as the light of morn Oh! may'st thou then ascend on wings seraphic, To thy native skies : where smiling angels, Crouding to behold the conquering Hero,
Shall lead thee, all immortal, all divine,
Up to the throne of God ; there, freed from all thy toils
On earth, and crown'd with never fading glory,
Eternity itself employ'd shall make thee happy !
A CITIZEN.1 Princeton, March 7, 1778.
-New-Jersey Gazette, No. 18, April 1, 1778.
PHILADELPHIA
Nothing can be a stronger proof of the disaffection of the inhabitants of New-Jersey, to the interest of rebellion, than their behavior to the troops, who went from this city on the eleventh ult. under col. Mawhood. When they landed at Salem, none was found to oppose or impede them from collecting forage, excepting a few, who had been prevailed upon to abandon their houses, and, on the third day after the landing of the troops, to shew them- selves in arms, but the number being insignificant, they were easily crushed, and the whole killed or taken prisoners. Some days after, information was received, that a party of the rebels were collecting at a place called Hancock's bridge, on which the Queen's rangers were 2
1 Probably a contribution from John Witherspoon.
2 In spite of the flippant character of this description of the most famous of the various raids along the Delaware river, the entire affair was highly discreditable to the Anglo-Hessian arms. According to military records the descent upon Salem county was made by Anglo-Hessian troops from Philadelphia, assisted by detachments from New Jersey's loyalist regiments and unorganized bands of refugee robbers. A detached regiment from Philadelphia, under the command of Colonel Charles Mawhood, hav- ing come down the river and encamping at Sharptown, marched into Salem City. Failing to surprise Colonel Anthony Wayne and a small body of
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troops, the British, recruiting a party of Tory adherents, known by their uniform as "Greens," resolved to "chastise the insolent rebels," among 'whom were three hundred militia at Quinton's Bridge, three miles from Salem City. The Whig commander at this place was Colonel Benjamin Holmes. Resolving, with Spartan-like courage, to protect the people of the southern part of the county, Colonel Holmes made such preparations for his defense as the situation afforded. Early upon the morning of the 18th of March the British advanced undiscovered to within half a mile of Quinton's Bridge, secreting themselves in a swamp and in nearby tim- ber, which lined the bank of Alloway's creek. A small party of light · horsemen then advanced as if to challenge the Whigs. The ruse was successful, and from the opposite shore the militia, under the command of Captain William Smith, rushed without military order across the bridge and into the ambuscade. In spite of Captain Smith's effort to rally his men, the timely appearance of Colonel Hand with the Cumberland militia. and the personal heroism of Andrew Bacon, who cut the draw of the bridge and in the midst of a galling fire held the King's troops in check, the Whig militia was decimated.
Thus defeated by a body of raw troops, who were in a state of exulta- tion over their success. Major Simcoe, appealing to Colonel Mawhood, was reinforced by all the troops that could, with safety, be sent from Salem City. The night had been devoted to strengthening the position of the Whig militia, which, under the direction of Colonels Holmes and Hand, controlled the front and both flanks of the advancing British regulars. So galling was the fire that the King's troops were thrown into confusion and retreated to Salem City.
Failing in his purpose of plundering, Colonel Mawhood adopted new tactics. Addressing a letter to Colonel Hand, he proposed that the militia at Quinton's Bridge lay down their arms, promising that after paying in sterling for all cattle, hay and corn, he would re-embark for Philadelphia. Otherwise Colonel Mawhood declared he would burn and destroy the homes of the Whigs, giving over their wives and children to the tender mercies of the refugees. To this was annexed a list of those in Salem county who would be first to "feed the vengeance of the British nation." To the letter Colonel Hand made a bold and spirited reply, characterizing the communication as the "cruel order of a barbarous Attila," refusing to lay down arms and promising retaliation if property was destroyed.
Unable to cope with the Whigs of Salem county, either by open attack or by threats, Colonel Mawhood determined upon a midnight assault against a body of four hundred militia who had been stationed at Hancock's Bridge. Conveyed thence by boats, followed by a short, forced march, with orders issued from headquarters : "Go! spare no one-put all to death-give no quarter !" Major Simcoe was detailed to put into execution a fiendish plot, in which the most notorious of the local Tories participated. Fortunately, however, the main body of the militia had departed, leaving only a small guard stationed to guard the bridge, the headquarters being the Hancock mansion. Forcing the house, the owner of the premises, Judge Hancock, a party of non-combatant Quakers and the guard of about twenty-five men, were massacred as they slept or bayonetted as they fought for freedom. A few escaped or were taken prisoners by the enemy. This ended the expedition, and within a few days the Anglo-Hessian troops returned to Philadelphia, their vessels laden with plunder. It will be noticed that no reference whatever is made to the affair at Quinton's Bridge.
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