USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 35
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While Heaven has thus far smiled upon our just exertions in self- defence, what solemn obligations are incumbent on us to improve our advantages therefrom accruing to us, for the good of society and the glory of the Allwise, Supreme Disposer of human events? Here is afforded me an opportunity of offering some important hints to my fellow-citizens ; perhaps future time may afford me more leisure, or an abler hand undertake it, which will afford me the greatest pleasure. I cannot, however, avoid offering a few.
First to you, the Honourable the Legislature of this State. Consider, Gentlemen, what an important office you fill. You are the representa- tives of a free people. To you they have entrusted their purses, the defence of their lives, and their dear-bought liberty. To you they look up for wholsome laws. To you they have entrusted the appointment of civil and military officers; and to you they have made them re- sponsible. O! what glorious opportunities are put into your hands, to promote the happiness of this people. In the dark ages of paganism, a Lycurgus has taught the Spartans, and a Solon the Athenians, what incomparable benefit wise, judicious, and honest legislators may be to society. It is then undoubtedly your duty, privilege and advantage to study and enact laws, not only just in their nature, but also calcu- lated for the benefit, advantage and safety of the State - - - To take effectual care that the laws are duly executed. Let laws be ever so wholesome, what good will they promote, if not executed? Such neglect is to the State, as the cancer or consumption to the human body ; it sucks the vitals, destroys the vigor, produces a languour in the whole system, and finally causes death. Every Justice, every Judge ought to be noticed by the members of the legislature ; also the Attorney-General. He is now a servant of the State by your appointment. That important post is entrusted to him, not for his private emolument, but for the good of the community. Your duty demands that you take effectual care that the mulcts, which the laws demand, and ought to go in the coffers of the State to alleviate the taxes, be not applied to his own use, by compounding with the guilty, and so screening them from public justice, &c. as has been too much the case under the former government. To you, your constituents look up for the punishment of neglect of duty, or mal-administration. You know where our constitu- tion has lodged that power. Surely your enacting laws is with a view that they should be executed. Fear not the frowns of a negligent or wicked officer. Depend upon having the approbation of God, and the most virtuous part of the community, and also their support, in the most vigorous discharge of your duty. A few examples will be suffi- cient to teach others their duty.
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Permit me also, my fellow-citizens, to address a few hints to you, especially at this time, when your annual election is at hand.1 I en- treat you to consider how much your welfare upon a proper and judicious choice. Only recollect that your property, lives and liberties are to be committed to the custody and disposal of the persons you are about to elect : Therefore do not indolently leave to others to chuse for you. Go, see and hear, and act from noble principles. Be not influenced in your votes by the gaudy appearances of riches, or bribery. Be not swayed by friendships, consanquinity or self-interest, but only by the following motives :
1. The constitution of New-Jersey justly restricts your votes to per- sons professing a belief in the faith of any protestant sect. If the person be otherwise properly qualified, no distinction of protestant denominations ought to influence electors. Whatever denomination of protestants he professes to be of, let him not show by his conduct that he makes religion an engine of state. If he makes not practice of paying homage to the Divine Being, in attending upon publick wor- ship, (which all protestant denominations profess) believe him to be an atheist, or at best, a deist in disguise: For Jews, papists, mahom -. metans and pagans, as well as protestants, profess and practise a publick worship of the Deity. Also those who discover a disposition and inclination to luxury, gaming, drunkenness, extortion, profane swearing, and such like vices, which prove the bane as well of civil as of religious society. Persons of such a character seem to endeavour to betray and deceive their God and the interest of society. And are such fit persons to commit your dearest concerns to? If they really believed a future state of punishments and rewards, would it not in- fluence their own conduct? But their practice shows it does not. What then will influence them, to make them faithful in the important trust you repose in them? All the sacred obligations of oaths and virtue can have no influence on such abandoned minds. As their sensuality and self-interests are chief in their view, so will they most powerfully operate upon the whole of their conduct.
2. Let the past conduct of those who have heretofore, or do now represent you, determine your vote respecting them. Acquaint your- selves, as much as possible, with their legislative character. Carefully peruse the minutes of their proceedings. (I am sorry to say, that from some cause, undoubtedly known to our honourable legislature, those have been published so late, as almost to prevent electors this opportunity.) Those published may serve respecting some. Take notice of their yeas and nays. A few you will find in every proposed case, on the nay side. You have great reason to suspect this proceeds from a temporizing principle. Only consider, it will afford as good a plea to compromise matters with the enemy, to have it in their power
1 Under section III. of the State Constitution of 1776, the general elec- tion for members of the Council (Senate) and Assembly were directed to be held upon the second Tuesday in October, the election being adjourned from day to day should occasion require.
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to shew by their records that they have opposed all business, as any whatever. It is matter of amazement to me, that true friends to their country, in countries which have suffered much, have not noticed this before now.
3. Let the known and approved abilities and patriotism of the per- son principally sway you. Those that have faithfully served you to the best of their abilities, deserve your grateful acknowledgments, not- withstanding imperfections attending their endeavours, which flow from natural inability or human frailty. Let your choice be directed to men who show to the world, they are determined to rise or sink with their country -- who have embarked their all in this vessel of the state, as independent. Friends and countrymen, the time at this juncture will probably be as trying to your representatives as any we have had; therefore be cautious ; be zealous, and determined in pur- suing your duty. - May kind Heaven direet you, and preserve this distressed country farther in a perilous day, is the cordial wish and prayer of your friend and well-wisher !
A TRUE PATRIOT.
In CONGRESS September 17. 1778
ORDERED that One Million of Dollars be advanced to General Mifflin, late Quarter-Master General, for which he is to be accountable: and that he be directed to render an account of all such sums as are now due from the late Quarter-Master General, in order to their being paid.
Extracted from the Minutes
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
In pursuance of the foregoing order of Congress the Deputy Quarter-Masters, under mentioned, are appointed to settle and pay the accounts of the Districts, respectively annexed to their names. So soon as the cash is received from the Public Treasury it shall be paid to the Deputys for that purpose; of which proper notice will be given them to their several Districts.1
1 This was signed, at Philadelphia, September 23d, by Thomas Mifflin.
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Districts
Middlesex
Somerset
Essex
Morris
Bergen
Hunterdon
New Jersey
.Monmouth Burlington
Gloucester
Salem
Cumberland
Cape May
Sussex in New Jersey
Northampton
Easton
Bucks
Col Mark Bird, Reading
Berks
Pennsylvania
Col G. Ross Jr, Lancaster
Lancaster
Col John Davis at Carlisle
[ Cumberland York
Col Archibald Steel, District of Fort Pitt
Mr Jacob Hiltzheimer at Philadelphia
Philadelphia
City County
Pennsylvania
Chester
County
Mr Nathaniel Cranch
Maryland
at Phila
Delaware State
TRENTON, SEPTEMBER 30.
"On Saturday the 12th instant, was married at Phils- Hill, the seat of Philip Van Horne, Esq. by the Rev. Mr. Beach, STEPHEN MOYLAN, Esq. Colonel-Commandant of the American Light Dragoons, to Miss MARY RICKETTS
Doctor James Caldwell at Elizabeth Town
Israel Morris jun Esq at Gloucester
Col Robert L Hooper
at
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VAN HORNE, eldest daughter of Colonel Van Horne: A Lady possessed of every accomplishment to render the marriage state happy."
We hear that Ezekiel Forman, who was under sentence of death on a conviction for high-treason, is pardoned on condition of his leaving this State in two months, and the United States in six months, from the date of his pardon, and never returning again into any of them.
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to ap- point a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, to be held in the county of Gloucester on Tues- day the seventeenth day of November, and in the county of Salem on Monday the thirtieth day of November next; in the county of Cumberland on Friday the eleventh day of December, and in the county of Cape May on Monday the twenty-first day of December next.
We are informed that on Friday the 18th instant, two armed ships and two brigs, belonging to the enemy, came to anchor close to the bar off Tom's River Inlet, where. they lay all night, and next morning between seven and eight o'clock, they sent into the inlet seven armed boats with between 20 and 30 men in each, who retook the ship Washington, formerly called the Love and Unity, and two sloops which were near the bar, with most of their crews. The Captain of the ship, his Mate, Boat- swain, and three sailors, made their escape in one of the sloop's boats. Soon after they got ashore, a certain Robert M'Mullen, (who some time since was condemned with William Dillon to be hanged for burglary in Monmouth, and both having been reprieved, the former entered him- self aboard of this ship) took the boat and made off to the enemy, huzzaing as he went. Dillon, who also joined them some time before, was supposed to pilot the British vessels into the inlet.
On the. 18th inst. died at Mount-Holly after a long and painful illness, HENRY PAXSON, Esq. in the 60th year of his age. Next day his remains were interred in Friends
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· burial-ground at that place, attended by a large concourse of people of all denominations.
We hear that John M'Kinley, Esq. late President of the Delaware State, was lately exchanged for W. Frank- lin, Esq. formerly Governor of this State.
Tuesday se'nnight about 3000 of the enemy from New- York landed near Hackensack, where they are plundering the country of forage, &c. To facilitate this business, they have sent a number of vessels up Hackinsack and Passaic Rivers to carry off the plunder; but from the great body of the militia ordered out, and now collecting with all possible dispatch, to reinforce General Maxwell, there is good reason to believe these freebooters will, ere long, be driven to the place from whence they came.
We have this moment learned, that the enemy at Hack- insack are commanded by Gen. Clinton, and that their numbers are daily increasing by troops sent from New- York. As a party of them are bending their course north- eastward, and having sent a number of their ships up the North river, it is apprehended their plan is to cut off the communication between the Southern and Eastern states. - - - - In this we hope they will be disappointed.
READY MONEY is expected for inserting ADVERTISE- MENTS in this GAZETTE.
TO BE SOLD BY PUBLICK VENDUE,
On Wednesday, the 25th Day of November next,
A PLANTATION, containing 410 acres, late the prop- erty of Valentine Ent, late of Amwell, deceased, lying within one mile of Howell's ferry; whereon is a good stone dwelling-house, a good Dutch barn, a large bearing orchard, a convenient tan-yard, with a good stone curry- ing-shop. One half of said plantation is cleared and in
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good fence, fifteen acres of good meadow, and more may be made. The whole is well watered. The conditions will be made known at the time and place of sale, and an indisputable title given by
SUSANNAH ENT, Executrix, PETER MOORE, - Executor.
Amwell, Hunterdon county, Sept. 23, 1778.
TO BE SOLD,
A VALUABLE LOT OF MEADOW LAND, lying at the mouth of Watson's creek, in the township of Not- tingham, generally known by the name of Wood's Island ; containing about six acres mowable, cuts twelve tons of the best kind of hay the season. One uncommon ad- vantage attending it is, that it does not require either bank or drain. Any person inclining to purchase, may apply to the subscriber, near the premises.
JOHN WATSON, jun.
Nottingham, Sept. 26, 1778.
FOUR DOLLARS REWARD.
STOLEN or strayed from the subscriber, on the 17th inst. two COWS, both of them heavy with calf; one mostly white, marked with a crop and a half-penny on the off ear ; the other a red cow, with a white back and face, and a very short tail, has a hole in the off ear, but split out. Whoever takes up and secures the said cows, so that the owner may get them again, shall receive the above reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by
GEORGE HAWK.
Windsor townsh. county of Middlesex, Sept. 30.
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FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
BROKE out of the gaol of Somerset county, on the night of the fourteenth instant, Jacob Fulkerson, about six feet high, straight light hair, about 55 years old, very much addicted to drinking; had on when he went away, a blue coat, tow trousers, and an old wool hat: Also Timothy Flude, about 5 feet 9 inches high, well set, light hair, and of a fair complexion, about 30 years old; had on when he went away, a light jacket without sleeves, and linen breeches, a small rimmed beaver hat; he calls himself a light horseman. Both of said persons were confined for horse stealing. Whoever takes up said Fulkerson and Flude, shall have Twenty Dollars for each, and all reason- able charges paid, by
PETER DUMONT, Sheriff.
Hillsborough, Somerset county, Sept. 15, 1778.
CAME to my plantation the beginning of September, a small brown pony MARE; she has neither brand nor mark. The owner is desired to prove his property, pay charges and take her away.
ISAAC HOWELL.
CAME to the plantation of the subscriber, about the 30th of August last, a dark brown MARE, branded on the off thigh with S. H. or O. H. Also a bay MARE, with one white hind foot, has neither brand nor mark. The owner or owners are desired to prove his or their property, pay charges and take them away.
ROELOFF VOORIIEES. New-Brunswick, Sept. 18, 1778.
FOUND, at Tom's river, Monmouth county, New-Jersey, Sept. 1, 1778, a loaded WHIP, made in May, 1775, with letters I. W. on the head. The owner, paying for this ad-
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vertisement, may have the whip by applying to John Stephenson, at Morris-town .- New-Jersey Gazette, No. 43, September, 30, 1778.
The New-York papers mention Rear-Admiral Parker arriving at Sandy Hook, August 28th, with six 74 gun ships, being part of Byron's squadron. It was said the Admiral's and some other ships were lost in a storm - probably in that which damaged Count d'Estaign's fleet, and saved Lord Howe's from Capture .- The South-Caro- lina and American General Gazette, Thursday, October 1, 1778.
New-York, October 3. An account of the Action at Tappan, Sunday night, the 27th ult.1
The Second Battalion of Light-Infantry led the Col- umn, supported by the 2d of Grenadiers, with the 33d and 64th Regiments ; these, commanded by Major-General Gray, marched from the New-Bridge at nine o'clock on Sunday Evening, and between One and Two in the Morn- ing arrived at the Rebel Cantonments ; Major Straubenzie had been detached with Six Companies of the same Bat- talion of Light-Infantry, the other Six under the Honour- able-Major Maitland, Kept the Road, by which Manœuvres the Enemy's Patroll, consisting of a Sergeant and about a Dozen Men, was entirely cut off. Major Straubenzie moved on with the 71st Light Company, and in a Small Village surprised a Party of Virginia Cavalry, stiled Mrs Washington's Guards, consisting of more than an Hundred, commanded by Lieut .- Col. Baylor, who, with Major M'Leod, and two other Officers; upon forcing the Door of an House, attempted to get up a large Dutch Chimney : the Two former were mortally wounded, the Third killed, and the Fourth made prisoner; from hence a Part of Sir
1 This was one of the most disgraceful affairs occurring during the Revolution. In barbarity, on the part of the British troops, it exceeded the affairs at Hancock's Bridge and Osborne's Island.
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James Baird's Company was detached to a barn where 16 Privates were lodged, who discharged 10 or 12 Pistols, and striking at the Troops sans effet with their Broad Swords, Nine of them were instantly bayoneted and seven received quarter. - - - - Major Maitland's Force coming up at that Time attacked the Remainder of the Rebel Detachment, lodged in several other Barns, with such Alertness as pre- vented all but three Privates from making their Escape. The Troops lay on their Arms till Break of Day, when, moving forward, the Light-Infantry fell in with a Volun- teer Company of Militia in a very Thick Wood and Swamp, these gave one Fire, which the 40th Company, commanded by Capt Montgomery, returned, and drove them off, leaving 6 Dead, but afterwards scampering across the Road, in Front of a Company of Grenadiers, three more were killed by them. The Light Infantry, in pur- suing them, up to Tapan, where they were INTIRELY dispersed, took Five Prisoners, all of them wounded. The whole Loss on this Occasion was one Private of 2d Bat- talion Light-Infantry killed.
Upon entering the above mentioned house one of the Rebel Officers demanded the Name of the Corps which had attacked them, was answered, "the British Light-In- fantry," on which he exclaimed, - - -- Then we shall be all cut off.
New-York, October 5. A sloop with Tobacco, Prize to the Amazon's Tender, was retaken by a Privateer, and car- ried into Egg-Harbour last Tuesday.
By a person who lately left Virginia we learn that Gen- eral Arnold1 was very busy in raising Troops to send to Jersey, in order to repel the British Army; that the Militia of Jersey was collecting very fast, there being in and about Elizabeth-Town and Woodbridge not less than 2000 Men, under the Command of Gen. Maxwell.
1 Benedict Arnold.
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General Washington, with his Army, we hear crossed the North-River, near Dobb's Ferry, into New-Jersey, last Saturday; and the Day before a large Body of Militia, and some continental Troops, marched from Woodbridge, Elizabeth-Town, &c. under the Command of the Generals Maxwell and Heard, for Hackinsack.
Among the Rebel Prisoners lately taken in New-Jersey, and brought here, is a Major Van Beuren, from Albany, who is well known by many respectable Refugees now here, for his Activity in apprehending and imprisoning the Loyalists. He was Master of the Ceremony at the Declara- tion of Independence in Albany ; at the Close of that Day, he conducted with great Pomp, the burning of the King's Arms, formerly deposited as an Ornament in the Court- Hall, and expressed monstrous Indignity on that Occasion, against the King and his Friends: In short, he has been instrumental to many Acts of Tyranny and Oppression to the King's Friends; as a Reward for his meritorious Deeds - to encourage the Spirit of Rebellion, and to dis- courage that of Loyalty, and on the Principle to return Good for Evil, perhaps some pretended Friend to Govern- ment may intercede for his Release .- New-York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, October 5, 1778.
We hear young Mr. Bogart son of Nicholas Bogart, merchant, of New York, was a few days ago inhumanly killed by the enemy in New-Jersey .- The Pennsylvania Packet, October 6, 1778.
TO THE PUBLIC.
As our domestic enemies now despair of succeeding against the liberties of their country by the power of Britain, they are going to change their ground, and en- deavor by secret sap to undermine the foundation of our constitution .. Apprehending a day of vengeance when
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the enemy shall have quitted the country, they are pre- paring to avert the punishment due to their crimes by a new arrangement in the Legislature of the State, which they mean shall be composed of your half-tories, your moderate men, and your nothings at all; and from which every spirited whig is to be excluded. Such Legislatures are expected to appoint, and doubtless would appoint, . officers of the same cast, and thus these gentry will not only be exempted from the just indignation of their country for their adherence to the cause of the enemy, but in a short time engross the whole direction of our public affairs. To facilitate the execution of this project, they are already endeavouring by various calumnies to asperse the characters of the most active whigs in every department. But it is hoped our honest citizens will not suffer themselves to be thus imposed upon to endanger the vessel of the commonwealth, now to all appearances so near the haven of safety; nor to requite with ingratitude those to whose labours and exertions, during the storm, we are under so great obligations for our deliverance.
That the leading tories have concerted such a plan, there are too many concurrent reasons to entertain any doubt; and to disappoint their devices, is the indispens- able duty of every real friend to his country to appear at the ensuing election, and exert himself as for his political salvation, to prevent those miscreants from sowing their tares among the wheat.
PUBLICOLA.
Mr. COLLINS,
As our annual election is coming on, please to give the Twentieth Section of our excellent Constitution a place in your next Gazette; for it cannot be too often read, or be made too public.
Sect. XX. "That the legislative department of this Colony may, as much as possible, be preserved from all suspicion of corruption, none of the Judges of the Supreme
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or other Courts, Sheriffs, or any other person or persons possessed of any post of profit under the government, other than Justices of the Peace, shall be entitled to a seat in Assembly; but that, on his being elected and taking his seat, his office or post shall be considered as vacant."
How often has our Legislature broken this barrier against corruption ?1 I shall only remind them of an Attorney-General, a Judge of the Supreme Court, Judge of the Court of Admiralty, a Clerk of a County, and several Loan Officers have been permitted to hold their seats without the least objection. 'Tis true those who have had several appointments by the Legislature have declined the next election. But is this keeping the legislative de- partment as free as possible from all suspicion of corrup- tion ?- Cæsar's wife was not only to be virtuous, but she was to be free from all suspicion .- I expect to be treated by those interested, as Lord North's battalion, in the English Parliament, treats the reasoning of a Burke, a Barré, a Wilkes, and a Luttrel, that is give it a hearing. Although I allow that Lord North's battalion is the best disciplined of any in the world, yet we have some apt Scholars in this State as well as in Pennsylvania, and perhaps the same absurd and cruel reason given, to wit, the depreciation of the Bills of Credit. Was ever paper money emitted in the universe on better security ? Never. Why then is it not secured from depreciation by the several Legislatures of the United States ?
"But where interest fortifies an argument,
"Weak reason serves to gain the will's assent ;
"For souls already warp'd receive an easy bent.' You shall hear from me again occasionally.
A JERSEY FARMER. Oct. 3, 1778.
1 See page 500 post.
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TRENTON, OCTOBER 7.
On the morning of the 27th of September General Maxwell received intelligence that General Clinton had come from New-York to Staten-Island the evening before -That a large body of the enemy were lying on their arms on the Island-That a number of armed vessels and flat-bottomed boats were collected; and that it was ex- pected they would land at Elizabeth-Point, at 11 o'clock. At half past ten they appeared in sight, standing for Crane's ferry, with 11 or 12 sail of brigs, sloops, and gallies, and their flat boats behind. The weather being hazy, and the General not able to see their rear, supposed them to be coming in force, and therefore ordered the alarm guns and signals to be fired. The militia turned out-the General with his brigade marched down with his usual spirit to meet them. But they turned about and went up to Newark bay, and thence up Hackinsack river. The enemy have some days past desolated the county of Bergen as far as their power extended - -- - They have thrown up some works on the other side of the New- Bridge beyond Hackinsack.
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