USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 30
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JOHN BUTLER, Commissioner. Burlington County, August 14th, 1778.
THE Commencement of Queen's-College, in New-Jersey, is to be held at New-Brunswick on Tuesday the 15th day of September. The Trustees are desired to meet at the same time and place. - As some necessary business is to dispatched before the exercises of the day begin, it is ex- pected they will give their attendance early in the morn- ing. It is hoped the Trustees will generally attend, as some important matters respecting alterations and amend- ments in the charter, will be submitted to the considera- tion of the Board.
JACOB R. HARDENBERGH, Clerk.
The Advertisers of the Grammar-School at Raritan, beg leave to inform the Publick, that the price of board therein mentioned was regulated according to the price of provi- sions, as limited by the Regulation Act of this State: But as that act has since been suspended, they count themselves no farther responsible for that part of the advertisement.
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RAN AWAY from the subscriber, in Hopewell, Hunter- don county in the State of New-Jersey, a NEGRO MAN named TOM, short and well-set, his face much cut on both sides and on his forehead; had on a brown regimental jacket turn'd up with blue, a smart cock'd hat and gold band, red jacket, leather breeches and white stockings. Its supposed he is gone towards the army, having an inclina- tion to serve in it, or wait upon an officer. Whoever takes up said Negro, and returns him to his master, or secures him in any gaol in this State, shall receive Forty Dollars reward.
STEPIIEN HUMPHREYS.
Aug. 7. -New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. 1, No. 38, August 26, 1778.
TO BE SOLD,
A PLANTATION containing one hundred and sev- enty acres, in Salem county, about twenty-eight miles from Philadelphia. For particulars enquire of
WILLIAM ADCOCK. -The Pennsylvania Packet, August 29, 1778.
New-York, August 31. Last Tuesday arrived at Sandy- Hook from Cork, the Ship Sybella, with six Sail of Victuallers under her Convoy. She left that Port about the 27th of May.
The following is a List of the before mentioned Victual- lers : Sybella, Parrot, Hero, Blackie, Baltimore, Long- more; Achilles, Edwards; King George, Redmond; Mary, Smith, Fairlee, - -
The above mentioned Ships were attacked off Egg-Har- bour the Day before arrived by 5 Privateers, but beat them off with much Ease, and would have taken them all, had they not made Use of their Oars with uncommon Dexterity.
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The Ship Ambuscade, Capt. Munds, arrived here yester- day in 7 weeks from Oporto: Three Days since he was chased off Egg-Harbour by three Privateers, but out-sailed them.
-- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, August 31, 1778.
August 26, 1778.
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD
STOLEN last night out of the subscriber's pasture, in Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, New-Jersey, a sorrel MARE, about fourteen hands high, with a blaze in her face, and branded lightly with the letters S. C. trots, paces, and canters, though most natural to the former. Whoever secures the said Mare so that the subscriber may get her again, shall receive the above reward paid by MICHAEL TURNER.
TO BE SOLD by Private Sale
A TWO story brick Messuage, in the Town of Penn- ington, Hunterdon County, West-New-Jersey, with four rooms on a floor, a cellar under the whole, a convenient kitchen, two convenient store houses, smoak house, stables, &c. with ten acres of good land, three acres of which is excellent meadow. Also one other Messuage situate in the town aforesaid, one story and an half high, with two rooms on a floor, and a cellar under the whole, with five acres of good land, on which is a young bearing orchard of the best grafted fruit trees. Likewise one other Lot, situate in the town aforesaid, containing five acres, with a dwelling-house, barn, stable, &c. thereon erected. The situation is in a healthful part of the country, and will be sold either separate or together, as may best suit the pur-
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chaser. The first described Lot has an excellent stream of water running through the same. For terms apply to the subscriber living on Market-street wharf, Philadelphia, or Barnabas M'Shean, on the premises
.
JOSEPH BROWN.
-The Pennsylvania Packet, September 1, 1778.
Mr COLLINS,
IN perusing your useful papers, those pieces which have a particular relation to the policy of New-Jersey generally draws my most serious attention. The happiness and well-being of its community, which lays near my heart, prompts me to it. I consider the legislative and execu- tive bodies in the State, as also the subjects, for whose benefit laws are made and executed, as fallible and imperfect men ; and therefore esteem any hints offered with deference and prudence to either of them, among the happy means for securing and promoting the happiness of a people, and the liberty of the press, ( the medium of conveying them) one of the greatest advantages to civil society. Hence is evident, that the duty of those who presume to offer their thoughts to the publick, is not to aim at the detraction of their neighbour, raised above them in the esteem and confidence of their country, (such views are hatched in hell) but the real good of their country. I presume their opinions ought to be offered with judgment, prudence and candour, and urged with judicious and solid arguments. If this be confessed, what treat- ment do the labours of such authors deserve, as give us for arguments ridicule, low buffoonery and low surmises of the principles and views of other mens actions? - And the duty of those to whom the argu- ments are addressed undoubtedly is, to peruse them with attention, and reap all possible advantage from them for the regulation of con- duct in their different spheres of action. The man in office, who conceits himself above instruction, or disdains receiving it from any he may regard as his inferior, I hesitate not to pronounce as unfit for office. And it behooves the community at large, particularly in free and popular states, to improve their minds, in order that they may become qualified to serve their country in their turn.
Notwithstanding the general consent to the necessary qualifications in a writer, before mentioned, yet the contrary practice is too much pursued by many, and too eagerly made use of by others to bad pur- poses. I confess if we have under consideration the reasonings of a man who is justly suspected of subtle, designing and disingenuous prac- tices to promote his sinister views to his own private emolument, we have the more reason to examine his arguments, and endeavour to discover their fallacy and expose their tendency ; but to treat even such arguments with mere scurrility and buffoonery, will by no means answer the necessary purposes; and thus to treat the argumentation made use of in the pursuit of truth, equity and justice, deserves the highest contempt. A few pieces, Sir, in your useful paper, have con-
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vinced me that New-Jersey is not free of such contemptuous characters ; and therefore am apprehensive, should I presume to offer my thoughts on any subject, in order to promote justice, equity, truth, and thus the weal of civil society, I may meet with antagonists who will endeavour to confute my arguments only by branding them as selfish. To blunt the edge of such weapons as much as possible before an attack, I beg leave to give some descriptive account of myself, while I, in conformity to the present custom, conceal my name. What I am now about to say is matter of fact, and not a romance. By birth I am an American from generation to generation; so that my ancestors have been among the virtuous few who have had to struggle, in the first settlement of America, with a howling wilderness and its cruel savages. As to civil principles, a real friend to democratical government; one who has interested himself in the present contest, as far as his sphere of action would permit, to the extent of his abilities for the preservation of the liberty and independence of America. As to my circumstances in life, I gratefully acknowledge the favour of possessing a comfortable sub- sistence in real estate, which my own family improves; and I hope what I have due will about adjust and balance the accounts against me. As to offices in the civil or military department, I hold none, and do not expect I ever shall : I have not the least prospect of any per- sonal advantages but such as I may reap in common with the rest of the community ; and therefore if self-interest sways me, it must be such as is the interest of the community; and I frankly own this to be my darling object.
I beg of my readers to excuse the length of my preamble ; I had my reasons for it. I shall now proceed to what I had particularly in view. I have read, Sir, with serious attention, in your 13th number,1 the letter of T. W. to his friend, and also the answer to it by Equal Taxer, in No. 16.ยช I do honestly declare that I know not who are the authors of those performances, nor the friend the letter was addressed to; but I am pursuaded the former gave no cause to the latter for the abusive language he so liberally makes use of in his animadversions on T. W's letter, stigmatising his antagonist with the opprobrius epithets of usurer, in the odious sense of the appellation, a poor soul in which the revolution and independence of these States stuck, giving him leave to vomit it up or choak: A miser, poor creature, whom, he declares, was he to keep on his knees, he would be charitable enough to fling a copper to, to be quit of him, as a Pharisee, whose heart betrays him. Is this the language of a gentleman? Is this the proper method to lead our fellow-creatures to the knowledge and practice of justice, equity and truth? Is this any proof that Equal Taxer is a whig and a friend to his country? I leave the answers to men of candour. The subject in debate is, the equity, justice and propriety of taxing money drawing interest. A subject, perhaps, more important than superficial reasoners may apprehend. The conclusion in the affirmative makes in my favour ; I would, however, always wish to be guided to the side of
1 See page 66, et seq., ante.
2 See page 112, et seq., ante.
L
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equity and justice, and have therefore endeavoured to weigh arguments on both sides : I have duly considered those of T. W. and the animad- versions of Equal Taxer on them ; and beg leave to offer a few obser- vations upon the subject, as treated by these gentlemen.
It appears to me that the Sth article in the Confederation of the States removes the first objection of T. W.
The second objection of T. W. is, the impracticability of the scheme. I think the spirit of his reasoning shows that he does not mean an absolute impossibility, but an impracticability of carrying it into exe- cution with any tolerable degree of equity and justice to the part of the community concerned in it. The animadverter seems to have taken him in the first sense. The bonds, &c. in a desk are to him as his horse locked in a stable, and his improved lands equally known to his neighbours. I can not believe that the greatest favourer of this scheme will be able to give any credit to this assertion. Hard necessity seems, however, to extort from him the concession that it will prove somewhat more difficult to come at the knowledge of bonds, &c. than horses and lands ; and therefore he proposes two ways, by either of which the difficulty might be removed. The first is, let bonds, dc. not given up, be forfeited. But would this penalty bear proportion to that of other taxables? Excessive penalties may become real grievances. Farther, does he mean that every bond not given up, and if all the bonds are given up, but not their whole amount, are all to be forfeited? as under the tyrannic government we have discarded, the least, contraband dis- covered on board, the whole ship and cargo was forfeited. If only the sum not given up, then the poor innocents who are not well acquainted with accounts and tricks might get severely trounced ; but men of a contrary character would find easy means to elude the law. How would the assessor find out that any bonds or notes, &c. were kept back? Suppose he discovered bonds, &c. in a man's desk, to the amount of a thousand pounds, and that man declared that he owed to the amount of the same sum to others. Here the man's word must be taken, or he must either swear to it or produce the counter bonds : The latter is impossible ; because they are not attainable by him unless paid. And as to the former, I hope heaven will prevent such a pro- fanation of oaths among us, as naturally would arise from such tempta- tions to perjury as self-interest affords. The other is, let the borrower pay the tax, and deduct it from the interest. This, I confess, appears the most reasonable : Let it however be considered, what the end in view would be, if the borrower was to have that sum deducted from his tax, there would be some inducement for him to give it up; but if he must still pay the same as if he owed none, will he have any thing to counterpoise the lender's ill-will, and the disagreeable situation of thereby giving an opportunity to all who may see the assessor's dupli- cate, to know how much he is in debt, and avail themselves of it? And yet even this method is not without its insurmountable difficulties. Only let us recollect how many thousands of pounds have been, and doubtless will be, borrowed from persons in other States. In such case the borrower must pay tax for the property purchased with the money : he also must pay for the money it was purchased with, and the lender
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pay for it in the State he lives. Here will be a treble tax for the same property. Our laws bind not in the other State; the borrower comes into that, is there arrested, and the bond and full interest recovered. Will this prove an advantage to the poor borrower, in whose favor Equal Taxer seems so much to plead? If money from other States be exempted, how long will it be till the men of wealth have all their money in other States, and borrowers here owe all there? A few of the middle class among us, whose sums are small, and acquaintances in other States few, will be the only persons who will pay this tax. T. W. corroborates this argument by examples of our predecessors, both in Britain and New-Jersey. The animadverter's answer to this remark appears to me mere scurrility and low buffoonery. His answer plainly amounts to this: The parliaments of George the third have become corrupt, venal and tyrannical ; therefore if T. W. appeals to any of their predecessors, he becomes justly suspected of becoming a tory, the most despicable of the human race ! If such argumentation holds true, what must we judge of that august body the Continental Congress, who have, in their publick declarations, so liberally bestowed the epithets of virtuous, wise and brave upon the predecessors of the present Britons. If he would have enervated this corroboration of the argument, he should have proved that British parliaments, in their purest and best times, did tax bonds, &c. This would have answered his purpose.
The third objection of T. W. is the injustice of it. Here the animad- verter assumes an air of argumentation ; but I confess that amidst all the parade and show of geometrical demonstration, I can find no conclu- sion that bears any reference to the matter in debate. The proposition which T. W. proves, is this : If the lender and borrower both pay tax, the one for the money, the other for the property purchased with it, that then the same property pays a double tar. Equal Taxer might as well have tried all his skill in geometry to demonstrate that two lines drawn parallel will meet; and his skill in arithmetick, that two and three do not make five, as to prove the former proposition to be false. It became him then to have acknowledged the proposition; and if he still persisted in his notion of going on with the double tax on such property, to have proved it to be just and cquitable. And here he would have received just as much assistance from the maxims in morality, as in the former from those in geometry. It appears impos- sible to me that men of virtuous principles, who are capable to under- stand the matter, can plead for a thing which is so flagrantly unjust. I acknowledge that men of my circumstances in life, who possess un- encumbered real estates, may reap benefits from such a tax, and such alone can do ; but God forbid that I should call any thing just which in its own nature is unjust, for the sake of lucre or gain.
The animadverter lays down as a maxim, property is defended, there- fore property must be taxed. This is granted; but let him show why this property should pay double tax to what other property does. He endeavours to illustrate the application of the maxim to the case in hand, by this process: B purchases a farm from A for a 1000 l. and gives his bond and mortgage upon the land for the money. B having no money when he purchased it, is supposed that the whole of the
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property belongs to A. Is this any proof that both A and B ought to pay the tax? Is it probable that a double tax will prevent a suit at law to dispossess B and strip his family? Can you pursuade yourself to believe it? In all probability you cannot ; and why then all that combustion and hurly-burly made in consequence of a supposition you yourself do not believe? Perhaps Equal Taxer means that in the case before stated B should pay none, but A the whole of the tax. If this be his meaning he has at least given up that part of the dispute that T. W. proves to be unjust; and then the whole of the remainder is, whether the lender or borrower ought to pay this tax? and in fact this only can be debated by men of virtuous .principles.
Here I beg leave to observe, that in proportion as men have no interest to pay or receive, they become disinterested in this dispute; for, suppose the sum to be raised to 50,0001. will it not be perfectly equal to such men's share of tax in that sum whether the lender or borrower pays, since only the one or the other is to do it.
T. W. offered some reasons to show, that as this property is found in the actual possession of the borrower, he ought to pay the tax; and that it is the business of the legislature so to regulate the interest that he might be able to do it. I was much surprised to find that the animadverter had made no remarks on this part of the argument, which was the only part that left room for fair debate.
(The remainder to be in our next.) . (See page 407, post.) .
TRENTON, SEPTEMBER 2.
We hear several prizes were taken last week, and brought into Egg-Harbour; among which is a vessel front London, with goods to the amount of 20,000 pounds sterling.
Saturday night last the house of the widow Boellisfelt, near the Great Swamp in Amwell, was attacked by seven armed tories painted like Indians, who cruelly robbed her of 700 dollars, threatning that if she made the least noise or resistance they would put her to immediate death. We doubt not but the Gentlemen in authority will exert them- selves to bring those daring villains to exemplary and condign punishment.
It is also asserted, that on Monday se'nnight the British fleet from New-York fell down just without the Hook;
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next day seven topsail vessels, which came in from the southward, supposed to be part of Admiral Byron's squadron, were seen to join them, and in the evening the whole hoisted sail and stood to the eastward, bound, it is apprehended, to Rhode-Island.
Sunday several deserters from the enemy on Staten- Island passed thro' this town.1 They left that place on Thursday last.
The Secretary's office for this State is now kept at Bur- lington, in the usual place.
To be sold at private sale, At the Forks of LITTLE EGG-HARBOUR, A considerable quantity of
Jamaica RUM, SUGAR and COFFEE-Also MAHOGANY, GINGER and ALLSPICE-All of the first quality.
To be sold by public vendue on Friday, the 11th instant September, at ten o'clock in the morning, at May's Land- ing, on Great Egg-harbour,
The prize sloop LUCY,
burthen about 60 tons, with all her tackle, apparel and furniture, as per inventory.
JOHN STOKES, Marshal.
To be sold at publick vendue, at the Forks of Little Egg-Harbour, on Thursday, the 10th inst. September, at ten o'clock in the forenoon,
The schooner JOHN and SALLY,
about 90 tons burthen, with her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo; consisting of
100 puncheons of Jamaica spirit, AND 9 tierces of Muscovado sugar.
JOHN STOKES, Marshal.
1 Trenton.
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Old Jamaica SPIRIT and Barbados RUM, By the hogshead or less quantity ; Best London lump WHITE LEAD; black HORN BUTTONS; - And An excellent FARM of about 500 acres, lying at Raritan, To be sold by ABRAHAM LOTT, at Beverwyck, near Morris-Town From whom may also be had, in exchange for all kinds of Country Produce, The very best ROCK SALT. August 29, 1778.
To be sold for cash, at publick sale, on Tuesday, the 15th of September, a TRACT of LAND, situated on Burling- ton road, about two miles above Monmouth court-house ; containing between fifty and sixty acres. Said tract is well supplied with water, meadows and timber; also a stock of horses amongst which are a pair of half-blooded, and several others fit for saddle or carriage; milch cows and cattle fit for fattening; some farming utensils; a quantity of nails, iron, and sundry other articles. The vendue to be held where the subscriber formerly lived, and to begin at one o'clock in the afternoon.
THOMAS HENDERSON.
Freehold, August 26, 1778.
EIGHTY DOLLARS REWARD.
STOLEN out of the pasture of Obadiah Howell, near Trenton, on the night of the 30th of August, two HORSES, viz. one a bright bay, about fifteen hands high, five years old, has a thin mane and tail with a small star in his fore- head, shod only before. The other a black mare, about fourteen hands high, a natural pacer, with a large star in her forehead, a thick mane and tail, part of the mane
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trimm'd off on the right side, shod only before. The per- son that stole the above horses was seen riding on a grey horse and leading the two stolen ones. - Any person that will apprehend the thief, with the two horses, and bring them to the subscriber living in Amwell township, Hunter- don county, shall receive the above reward, and for the horses only Sixty Dollars.
STEPHEN HOWELL.
Amwell, Sept. 1, 1778.
For SALE in Trenton,
A STONE DWELLING-HOUSE, with two good rooms on a floor, two stories high and a good garret, with a kitchen in the cellar, standing in the main street1 nearly opposite Stacy Potts's: Likewise a Lot of Land of a little more than ten acres, adjoining the garden lately belonging to General Dickinson2 on the river road, and is bounded by the river; pleasantly situated; with about four acres of good meadow that may be part watered, and an orchard of about one hundred good bearing trees of grafted fruit of the best kind; also a spring of water that never fails, a little above the meadow; all in good fence most part new, about half a mile from Trenton. Any person inclin- ing to purchase, may know the terms by applying to the Printer of this paper, or to the subscriber,
JOHN PLASKETT.
August 31, 1778.
1 King (now Warren) street.
2 General Dickinson resided at the "Hermitage," now within the limits of the city of Trenton.
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Was taken out of the pasture of the subscriber, at Englishtown, when the army left it,
A BAY HORSE about fourteen hands high, 12 or 13 years old, a natural trotter .- Was left in the same pasture at the same time, a brown MARE, about 14 hands high, with a blaze in her face, a natural pacer, and judged to be six or seven years old-If the owner of the mare has taken the horse thro' mistake, he is desired to return him and take his own-If the mare has been left by any other per- son, the owner is desired to pay charges and take her away; and if the horse has been stolen, a reward of Eight Dollars and reasonable charges will be allowed to any per- son that returns him, unless so abused as to be unfit for service.
JOHN HENDERSON.
Englishtown, Aug. 24, 1778.
Now in the possession of the subscriber living in Evesham, Burlington county,
A HEAVY moulded white HORSE pretty much flea-bitten, 12 or 14 years old. Supposed to be the same that was taken from the waggon of a person coming from Egg- Harbour with continental stores in May last. The owner is desired to come, prove his property, pay charges, and take him away.
JOSIAH FOSTER. New-Jersey, Aug. 22.
ANY person that understands the Silversmiths business, or that of Repairing Watches, and inclines to work journey- work at either, will find good encouragement by applying to JOHN DICKERSON, at Morris-Town.
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