USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 34
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1 This meeting at Camden was probably the first and last time that the Board of Trustees of the College of New Jersey ever met outside of Princeton, under the pressure of war.
2 Long vacation was held in the autumn. It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that the "Long vacation" commenced in June.
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4. Assurances have been given by the Director General of the hospital and other principal officers, that the sick are to be wholly removed in a few weeks. The College, therefore, will be repaired as speedily as possible, and the whole students may collect safely, and it is hoped be con- veniently accommodated, at the usual time of beginning the winter session, viz. the 10th of November.
5. The Grammar school was begun agreeably to public notice last April and continues to be taught with care. Parents therefore may send their children without delay, as there will be no vacation of the school in the fall this season. The Public may be assured that the utmost care has been and will be taken in this school to lay the founda- tion well in a thorough knowledge of grammar and syntax ; and it is earnestly recommended to other teachers, whose scholars are intended for Princeton College, to attend to this circumstance, and not hasten them on to the reading of difficult Greek and Latin authors while they have a very raw imperfect knowledge of the principles and structure of these languages.
·For several years past great pains have been taken at Princeton to recommend and introduce an accurate knowl- edge of the English language. An attention to this also is requested of the teachers of Grammar schools, who, if they possess such knowledge themselves, may easily communi- cate it by occasional extemporary remarks on the idiom of the language in translating from Greek and Latin, and by periodical exercises in reading, spelling, writing and pro- nouncing orations, but above all by competition in such exercises on public days.
J. WITHERSPOON.
N. B. Board may be had at Princeton and in the neighbourhood on as easy terms as the present prices of provisions will admit.
-New-Jersey Gazette, September 16, 1778, Vol. I., No.'41.
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Salem County, Sept. 11, 1778.
To be SOLD by Public Vendue.
On Tuesday the 22d of this inst, at the house of Nicho- las Keen,1 Inn-keeper in Salem, New-Jersey, About twenty acres of Land and Marsh, pleasantly situated in the town of Salem ; the whole to be divided and sold in lots of about one acre each. Its natural public situation will render the lots extremely well adapted for every kind of public busi- ness. The Vendue to begin precisely at Ten o'clock on said day, where attendance will be given, and the condi- tions, Cash or Continental Loan-Office Certificates will be taken by
THOMAS CARPENTER. -The Pennsylvania Packet, September 17, 1778.
SIX DOLLARS REWARD.
ABSCONDED from the Constable of Allens-town, in the county of Monmouth, East-New-Jersey, on Thursday the 10th inst. (September) a certain PETER BERRY, (by trade a taylor) late a deserter from the enemy when they went through the Jerseys : He is a tall well set fellow, about thirty years of age, very talkative, has lost the mid- dle finger of his right hand, and has black curled hair: had on when he went away, a white linen coat, a red and white chequered jacket, and white ticken overalls, but it is prob- able he may change his dress: he is much addicted to drinking. Whoever secures the said absconder so that the subscriber may have him again, shall receive the above re- ward and reasonable charges, paid by
WILLIAM LLOYD, Constable.
1 For sketch of Keen (Kyn) family see Pennsylvania Magazine of His- tory and Biography, Vol. III.
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N. B. He was seen on the road to Philadelphia, and is supposed to be in or near it.
-The Pennsylvania Packet, September 19, 1778.
New-York, September 21. Yesterday Afternoon a Ser- geant and 6 Men were sent in by Col. Emmericks Dra- goons. They were taken at Tuckeyhoo: one Harrison from Rockey-Hill was wounded .- New-York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, September 21, 1778.
Tears like the dew shall fall on the memory of Heroes. In the action at Monmouth on the 28th of June last fell Lieutenant MACNAIR, of the Artillery, an officer who deserves the tears of his country. Born in North Britain, he came to America, and early embarked in the cause against the tyrant. He served as a private in the first cam-
paign at Boston, and in the course of the war rose gradually through the intermediate offices from a private to a Lieu- tenant, without the least solicitation to obtain that promo- tion, and without the interest of one friend but what his merit gave him. He was humble in spirit, modest in man- ner, and steady in his conduct. His Captain, in a letter of the 25th of August from the Camp at White Plains, writes of him as follows. "I cannot help lamenting the death of so valuable an officer. He was cool, attentive to his duty, intrepid and brave, undisturbed in the hottest engage- ments, and commanded with the firmness and courage of a Roman. He was loved and esteemed by the officers, and loved and feared by the soldiers. He was humane and ex- tremely charitable. He was possessed of the highest sense of liberty, and wished to establish the independence of his country. He had a warm sense of duty to God and lived regularly and religiously. In his life he was loved and esteemed, and in his death much lamented. He died fight- ing bravely for his country against slavery and tyranny. Not less than a cannon ball separated his noble soul from his body. It may be said of Britain what Solomon says of
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Sin. Many hath she cast down wounded, many strong men have been slain by her.
PERICLES. -The Pennsylvania Packet, September 22, 1778.
WHEREAS a certain Timothy Flood parted with a mare some time in August last, to Mr. Gilpatrick, near Veal- town, from whom it is said he stole the said mare, and a few days afterwards, on the 25th of August aforesaid, came to the house of the subscriber, in Reading-town, Hunterdon county, and western division of New-Jersey, and again parted with the same creature. From said Flood's conduct, who is now confined in Millstone gaol, it is reasonable to suppose him not to be her proper owner when he first parted with her. Said mare is near 15 hands high, is a kind of dark sorrel mix'd with gray hairs, bald faced, four white feet, light coloured mane and tail, has neither brand or ear mark, paces and trots, but paces mostly, is about 10 years old. The owner is desired to take her away, after proving his property and paying charges.
GEORGE MERLATT.
Sept. 5, 1778.
Post-Office, Morris-town, Sept. 14, 1778.
TAKEN this day from a suspected person, a likely bay MARE, in good order, which he confesses is not his own, but took her up at Hackensack; she is about 14 hands and an half high, four years old, has a bow neck, and white blaze from her eyes to her nose, her mane hangs on the near side, has a switch tail, with some white hairs on the upper part thereof, her hind feet white, and trots very politely. The owner, by proving property and paying charges, may have her again, by applying to
FREDERICK KING, Postmaster.
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LAST night broke gaol in New-Brunswick, a certain Doctor JOHN HUNT, about 30 years of age, five feet 9 or 10 inches high, long black hair, thick, well set and very likely: Also a certain JOHN WARREN, about 23 of age, and about the same height as the former, very fair com- plexion and bold look, speaks quick and very impertinent : Also a certain JOHN BURROW, about 35 or 36 years of age, about five feet 5 or 6 inches high, swarthy complexion, short black hair, and lived near Bonan-town.1 Whoever secures the above fellows, or either of them, in any gaol of the United States, and gives notice thereof, shall re- ceive 60 Dollars for Hunt, 30 for Warren, and 20 for Burrow, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN VANKIRK, Sheriff of Middlesex.
ALL the legatees of Thomas Olden late of Piscataway, deceased, are hereby notified to meet at Bound Brook, at the house of Daniel Blackford, on Tuesday, the 27th day of October next, in order to receive their dividend out of all such monies as can be by that time collected in; who are also required to ascertain the exact number of the legatees in the said estate. At which time and place due attendance will be given by
DANIEL BLACKFORD, Executors.
JOSEPH BLACKFORD,
Bridgewater, Sept. 16, 1778.
ALL persons indebted to the estate of JOSEPH SKELTON, Esq. deceased, by bond, note or book accounts, are desired to pay them off before the first day of April next; and those having any demands against said estate, are re- quested to bring in their accounts properly attested.
JOSIAH SKELTON, Executor.
1 Bonham town.
.
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TO BE SOLD BY PUBLICK VENDUE,
At the subscriber's house near Princeton, on the 1st day of October next, viz.
HORSES, cattle, sheep, hogs, Indian corn and buckwheat in the ground, 20 tons of hay; household and kitchen furniture; two riding chairs, two waggons, and many other farming utensils; a few remains of a store. - The vendue to begin at 8 o'clock on said day, when attendance will be given and the conditions made known by
JOSIAH SKELTON, Exec.
Sept. 22, 1778.
TO BE SOLD,
In two acre lots, at publick vendue, by the subscribers, on Saturday, the 3d of October next,
THIRTY acres of CEDAR SWAMP, lying in Monmouth county, within two miles of Ridgeway's saw-mills, on the main branch of Tom's river; 20 whereof are to be sold for-ever, the other 10 to be leased for five years. The whole is good for boards, rails and shingles. The vendue to begin at 9 o'clock on said day; when due attendance will be given on the Premises, and the conditions made know by
FRANCIS CHUMARD, JACOB FOSTER.
N. B. Persons who incline to purchase, are desired to attend early in the morning.
Sept. 21, 1778.
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ON SATURDAY NEXT, the 26th instant, at two o'clock in the afternoon, WILL BE SOLD AT VENDUE,
By the subscribers, at their vendue-store, where Abra- ham Cottnam, Esq. formerly kept his office, near Mr. William's tavern,
An assortment of merchandize; - among which are,
DEER skins and deer skin breeches; shoes; silk and worsted hose, &c. Also household furniture and wearing- apparel. .
They purpose to hold a vendue every Saturday at the place above-mentioned. Goods or cattle for sale will be re- ceived at either of their houses, or at the vendue-store on the day of sale.
FRANCIS WITT, JACOB BENJAMIN.
Trenton, Sept. 21.
TO BE SOLD,
A NEGRO WENCH about 30, and her son about 7 years old, both very healthy, and remarkably stout and strong. The wench is used to all kinds of country work, both in door and out. The price 1200 dollars.
MOORE FURMAN.
Pitts-Town, Sept. 16, 1778.
White house near Trenton.
STRAYED or stolen, out of the pasture of Samuel Henry, on the night of the 15th inst. September, a brown HORSE, four years old last spring, about 14 hands high, trots and paces, but the latter is most natural to him. Any person that will deliver the above described horse to the subscriber, at the White House, shall receive a reward of Eight Dol- lars, paid by
GEORGE MILLER.
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FOR SALE.
JOHN RAMSAY, at Bottle-Hill, (four miles from Morris- town) intending soon to remove to Philadelphia, will dis- pose of the FARM on which he now lives, about thirty acres. It is remarkable for having two orchards of the best grafted fruits - of apples, pears, peaches, plumbs, cherries, mul- berries, &c. a tolerable garden, kitchen adjoining the house, with a well of good water before the door, barn and other out-houses, &c.
A FARM adjoining the same, about sixty acres; having also two excellent orchards just in prime, a good well of water before the house door, and a barn, &c.
A FARM at a short distance, about ninety acres, with two large orchards, a good well at the house, two barns, a cyder- mill with two presses under cover which is constantly em- ployed thro' the season, being handy to convey the cyder from thence to the still-house without carting.
Likewise (either with or without the farm) the same convenient still-house, with two stills and worms as good as new, one of 40, the other of 100 gallons, with hogsheads and cisterns to contain about 300 barrels; the worm tubs supplied with water from an upper spring with a gutter without the trouble of pumping; eighty or ninety barrels of cyder can be distilled weekly. It is well supplied every fruit season with as much as possibly can be distilled, and is now at work; it has every convenience for stilling of cyder or grain spirits.
The premises above-mentioned to be sold at private sale, and will be shewn by the owner at any time when called on. The purchaser of either place, by paying one-third of the value, may have any time that best suits to pay the balance.
He has also for sale, by the quantity, - Indigo, of the best quality ; copperas ; pepper; Geneva and apple spirit ;
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Irish linens; a good mare four years old, with a spring colt, and one or two good draft horses.
September 20, 1778.
-New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. 1, No. 42, September 23, 1778.
New-York, Sept. 28. Sunday Week the Boats of his Majesty's Ship Delaware and armed Brig Halifax, went into Cranberry Inlet, and burnt a Ship of about 200 Tons, and a small Sloop; they also brought out a Sloop with 96 Barrels of Flour.
His Excellency Governor Franklin1 is at length ex- changed for Dr. M'Kinley of the Lower Counties.
Yesterday the Letter of Marque Ship Brilliant, Capt. Priestman, of 20 Guns, arrived at Sandy-Hook in 10 Weeks from Liverpool. On the passage Capt. Priestman was attacked by a Rebel Frigate, which he beat off .- New- York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, September 28, 1778.
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
WHEREAS a certain William Eleten road off a small black horse, with no white on him except a little on one of his hind heels, his mane hanging on the near side, a switch tail, and very lengthy according to his size, with a saddle and bridle, the saddle ripped in the seat, the saddle cloth striped lincey, and the bridle new, and black reined: The said man is big and lusty, had on a round hat, brown coat, woollen check shirt, tow trousers and new stockings. Who- ever takes up said man and horse, and brings them to Col. Hillman's at Little Timber Creek Bridge, in New-Jersey, shall receive the above reward, paid by
JOSEPH WOODFIELD.
-The Pennsylvania Packet, September 29, 1778.
1 Last colonial Governor of New Jersey.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
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Mr. COLLINS,
IN taking a review of those pieces in your Gazette, which have a particular relation to the policy of New-Jersey, I found that T. W. was the friend, to whom the letter in your thirteenth number, was addressed, and not the author. I beg your readers to excuse my inad- vertency. - In this review my attention was particularly attracted by the two essays of the Elector, in your 14th and 28th numbers; as also the remarks of a Whig on the sentiments and advice he gave his coun- trymen respecting offices somewhat lucrative to be given to gentlemen in legislative or executive authority within this State, on supposition that the Elector's sentiments were unjust and prejudicial to the State. Was the language this Whig makes use of, the best calculated to con- vince the Elector of his error, and to expose the dangerous tendency of his tenet to publick view? What could that gentleman have aimed at, in comparing this performance of the Elector to a mendicant brief ? In so strongly expressing his suspicion of the author's veracity? The one declares he never had any post of honour, nor never expected any. The other cannot help thinking he is already a representative, or expeets to be one at the next election, de. Do you, Sir, intend the promotion of publick good by such prostitution of charity? Supposing it to be as you suspect, will that alter the nature of the thing? If it is just, equitable and beneficial to the community in its own nature and tendeney, its being affirmed to be so by a representative or Justice of the Peace will not make it to the contrary. I heartily detest such treatment of authors and arguments ; and am sorry to see a good sub- ject thus abused. - I do assure the Whig, that I know not who is the author of the pieces signed an elector. (He is at his liberty, if virtue will permit him, to suspect my veracity.) If I, however, may be permitted to judge from the performances of both authors, I beg to be indulged with the full persuasion, that the Elector knew full as well that pro aris et fois was a metaphorical expression, and what the literal translation of it was, as the Whig his poetry; and that he slipt it in upon his readers with much more propriety, in the chain of his reasonings, than the Whig his criticisms.
Though I esteem many of the hints this author gives to those in authority, and to subjects, just, equitable, and proper; and hope they may be duly noticed and improved to valuable purposes : Yet, I must confess, I was sorry to see the one that Mr. Whig has animadverted upon, amongst the rest.
To deliver my sentiments with candor and sincerity on that subject, I must acknowledge that it does not appear unjust to me, to entrust the legislature with other offices. As those gentlemen are supposed (at least in the opinion of those who elect them) to be the wisest and most virtuous in the community, it seems just and prudent to entrust them with other the most important offices in the State. And it appears probable, that this has led our author to his hints on this head. - If this matter be, however, maturely considered, and traced in its natural tendency and consequences, I humbly conceive it will be found very impolitiek and exceeding dangerous to the safety and well-
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being of the State. To make this evident, let the following particulars be considered :
I. The property of the community is entrusted in the custody of their representatives. If they should have the distributing of the lucrative offices among themselves, consequently the salaries annexed to them also ; which, in fact, would be saying, Friends take as much as ye need. Common prudence dictates our duty not to lay such powerful tempta- tions before the most virtuous men, to whom such important trust is committed.
2. The offices in a state ought to be distributed in such a manner as would make it the interest of the individuals who bare them, to keep a jealous watch over each other, and so prove a spur to a faithful discharge of their duty. This proves the most powerful preservative against corruption; and may always be effected, if these matters are properly regulated and directed. But such engrossing of officers by the legislature would have the directly contrary effect. It is obvious to every one, how natural it is to excuse a fault, if it may tend to promote our interest : And what wide door would this open for collu- sion and corruption? For the same company to have the command of the publick's purse, and themselves become entitled to receive it.
Though reason dictates that the community should support its officers in a dignity becoming their different stations ; yet prudence directs, that they should not squander the publick money in support of luxury, or to give them an opportunity to amass estates for themselves and families. Besides, that this is betraying the trust reposed in them, it . is the most powerful temptation for the worst of men to seek the offices from wicked principles, and with pernicious views; and after obtained, to neglect their duty and abuse their power. If the misery and ruin of states are candidly traced in history, this will be found to be their genuine and universal source.
It thus appears from what has been observed on this subject, that the prohibition of the legislators enjoying any other office of profit in the constitution of New-Jersey, was founded in prudence, and calcu- lated for the safety of the State. I have therefore been much sur- prized at some of the reasons the Elector gives in support of his opinion, viz. Lucrative offices are to be given as a reward or indemnifi- cation to legislators. Amazing error in politicks ! Why should other offices be more lucrative than the legislative? Whence do lucrative offices derive their income? Is it not from the community? Why then this round-about way to reward our legislature? Must they first add such salaries to those offices, as will reward them after they get them? Be perhaps one year a legislator, in order to obtain the office, and then decline, to improve the opportunity for lucre or gain by it. Must thus the door be opened for the State to maintain hundreds of such, by their lucrative offices ? - I desist !
I here also observe, that it would be prudence in our legislature to avoid giving offices of profit to their families. As it is natural for a parent to provide for a child, it exposes them in a degree to the same dangers, at least to the suspicion of their constituents.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
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Our community has never been sufficiently sensible to what danger they were exposed under the former government; where the King had the gift of all the offices, and the period of their assembly was seven years. The present drained and ruined state of Britain shows to what you are liable, even exclusive of all the tyrannick acts passed since 1763. I cordially congratulate you on your happy deliverance from such great and imminent danger. Heaven has now placed you in the possession of as many and valuable civil and religious privileges as ever a people enjoyed : A gracious reward for your partriotic defence of your lives, liberties and property. It is now become a matter of undoubted fact, that our savage enemy despairs of subjugating the free- born sons of America by force of arms. Their whole soul is now bent upon bribery, flattery and deceit; and their whole view is only to disarm us, and then to do with us what seemeth good in their eyes, Their present conduct has frequently brought me to recollect that of Philip the IId, King of Spain. After he had carried ruin and destruc- tion, unheard of murder and slaughter throughout the Dutch United Provinces, finding, however, that they collected strength and had become determined, he began to view his success as doubtful; and unable to prosecute the war to effect, he and his court bent themselves upon cunning and deceit. They proposed to the Dutch, by the Duke of Parma, the full enjoyment of all their liberties, privileges and fran- chises. Thereupon a treaty was set on foot and concluded. In this was granted to the States General whatever they demanded. And for the security of the Dutch, this treaty was not only signed and solemnly swore to by the Duke, but also sent to Spain, and signed with the King's own hand, and it was called The eternal Edict. What was the consequence? Towns and fortresses were given up to the King's pos- session : And from that very moment their infernal plans were laid to renew their former practice, in perfect disregard of this solemn treaty. Immediately the war broke out again, and burnt with redoubled fury. The Dutch had to recover, at the expense of blood and treasure, what they had given up by this treaty. An event which the patriotick Prince of Orange had plainly foretold them, laying it down as a maxim, that crowned heads never look upon themselves as bound by any treaties with subjects they deem rebels, longer than they see an opportunity to revenge the pretended injury offered to their crown and dignity. - If America ever returns to a dependence on the crown of Great-Britain, I doubt not but she will have the same game to play, let the treaty be ever so plausible. An event which, I am pursuaded, never shall happen, unless God intends it as the greatest of punishments for our manifold and aggregated national sins. It affords me a heartfelt pleas- ure to see that all the golden apples of the shadow of liberty and peace held forth by the Commissioners, treated by Americans with utter disdain ; and that they remain determined not to part with their inde- pendence but at the hazard of their lives and fortunes. Let the briber, Governor Johnstone, resign ; let him gratify himself in his phantom, that great numbers among us are thirsting for such a peace: I, how- ever, rejoice in being fully assured that there are none among John-
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stone's number, no, not even in those parts which have most severely felt their galling yoke, and remain most exposed to the fury of their resentment, but only such as throughout the whole course of this con- test proved to be either dastardly cowards, or abandoned traitors: And so will every friend to his country regard the man, that dare open his mouth in favour of such a peace.
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