USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 7
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In the establishment of such a plan it was designed that markets be held for wool, woolen yarn, cloth, fine and coarse wool cards, rough and dressed flax, linen yarn, green and whitened cloth, reeds and mounting for looms. wheels, and reels. These markets were to be established monthly at Princeton, at Pluckemin, at Bernardstown, at Bound Brook and at Som- erset Court House. At Princeton, upon April 14th, 1778, the Legislature passed "An Act for granting a Bounty upon Wool, Flax and Hemp raised and sold within the State of New Jersey." This act provided that a bounty should be paid of one shilling per pound for good, merchantable sheep's wool ; nine pence per pound for good, clean, well-dressed flax, and four pence per pound for like hemp, "so raised and sold by any Person residing within this State, to any Inhabitant of the same." This bounty was directed to be paid "to any Person who shall raise and sell any of the aforesaid Articles, over and above the Quantity sufficient for his or her Family's Use." The act was directed to continue in force during a period of two years after its publication and thence to the end of the next sitting of the General Assembly. "New Jersey as a Colony and a State," Vol. II., p. 59; Acts, &c., of Assembly, 1778.
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BURLINGTON, Feb. 25.
To the inhabitants of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mary- land and Virginia.
Friends, Countrymen and Fellow Citizens!
AFTER three campaigns, during which the brave sub- jects of these States have contended, not unsuccessfully, with one of the most powerful kingdoms on earth, we now find ourselves at least upon a level with our oppo- nents ; and there is the best reason to believe that efforts adequate to the abilities of this country, would enable us speedily to conclude the war, and to secure the invaluable blessings of peace, liberty and safety. With this view, it is in contemplation, at the opening of the next cam- paign, to assemble a force sufficient not barely to cover the country from a repetition of those depredations, which it hath already suffered, but also to operate offensively, and to strike some decisive blow.
In the prosecution of this object, it is to be feared that so large an army may suffer for the want of provisions. - The distance between this and the eastern States, whence considerable supplies of flesh have been hitherto drawn, will necessarily render those supplies exceedingly precarious. And unless the virtuous yeomanry of the States of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, will exert themselves to prepare cattle for the use of the army, during the months of May, June and July next, great difficulties may arise in the course of the campaign: It is, therefore, recommended to the in- habitants of those States, to put up and feed immediately, as many of their stock-cattle as they can spare, so as that they may be driven to this army within that period. A bountiful price will be given, and the proprietors may assure themselves that they will render a most essential service to the illustrious cause of their country, and con-
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tribute, in a great degree, to shorten this bloody contest. But should there be any so insensible to the common in- terest, as not to exert themselves upon these generous principles, the private interest of those whose situation makes them liable to become immediate subjects to the enemy's incursions, should prompt them at least to a measure which is calculated to save their property from plunder, their families from insult, and their own persons from abuse, hopeless confinement, or perhaps a violent death.
G. WASHINGTON.
Head-Quarters, Valley-Forge, February 18, 1778.
We hear that an exchange of prisoners is soon to take place between General Washington and General Howe, the latter having consented to give up the point so long in dispute about the prisoners sent out last winter on parole: Most of them were treated so hardly that they died soon after their arrival among us, or were rendered for-ever unfit for service; and consequently were not proper objects of an exchange.
Last Monday a handsome collection of cloathing and linen was sent to the hospital at Princeton, for the use of the sick and wounded, being the seasonable and chiaritable donation of the Rev. Mr. Green's congregation in Hanover, Morris county.
Several deserters have come to this city1 since our last.
The PRINTING-OFFICE is now removing from this Place to Trenton, where Business will be carried on as usual.
TO BE SOLD,
A LARGE NEW DWELLING-HOUSE and forty-six acres of LAND, now in the possession of Henry Waddell at Free- hold, in the county of Monmouth, New-Jersey. The
1 Burlington.
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house contains nine rooms, (seven of them with fire- places) two kitchens with bed-rooms for servants, a fine dry cellar, &c. The out-houses consist of a . small building of three rooms, (two of them with fire-places) built for an office, a bathing-house, a milk-room, a smoak- house, large and convenient stables for horses, a barn, and house for cattle, &c. The land is in good fence, and has on it an apple orchard and a peach orchard, con- taining together about seven hundred trees, also about one hundred and eighty trees, (brought from Prince's famous nursery on Long-Island) being a collection of the best fruit of all kinds, such as apples, pears, peaches, plumbs, nectarines, apricots, cherries, &c. Any person desirous of purchasing the above house and land may know the terms of sale by applying to Henry Waddell, who has also to dispose of one hundred acres of pasture land, lying within three quarters of a mile of the above premises.
Freehold, 7th February, 1778.
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
STOLEN from the subscriber the sixteenth of July last, a chestnut brown HORSE, about fifteen hands high, seven or eight years old, with a bald face, one of his hind feet white, had a small piece of skin sticking out about three quarters of an inch long, on the left side of his breast, occasioned by a rowel. Any person delivering said horse to the subscriber, living near Somerset court-house, in New-Jersey, shall be entitled to the above reward, or Twenty Dollars reward for any person that shall give information where said horse may be had, and all rea- sonable charges paid by
REYNEER VEGHTE.
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[1778
Second month, 23d, 1778.
RUN-AWAY from the subscriber, near Mount-Holly, about the 19th of last month, an apprentice lad named LEVI BISHOP, by trade a taylor, between 19 and 20 years of age, about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, has a down look and bushy hair; had on and took with him when he went away a light coloured homespun coattee with wooden buttons, a home made mixed under jacket, half worn leather breeches, homespun shirts, two pair of grey stockings, one pair ribbed, old neat's leather shoes that had been caped and soaled, with carved buckles, a half worn fur hat, but it is likely he will change his name and cloathes. He was drafted out in the Northampton Militia, with Capt. Weaver, but left him and I hear has gone to the salt works at Squan, where he has a brother that goes by the name of Joseph Bishop. Any person that will apprehend the said apprentice and confine him in Burlington gaol, so that his master shall get him again, shall have ONE SIXTH OF A DOLLAR reward, paid by me JABEZ WOOLSTON.
350 Dollars Reward.
RAN-AWAY the 8th day of February, 1778, from the subscribers, three Negro men, viz. one named NEAN, about 25 years old, a middle sized fellow, has thick lips, and stutters very much in his speech when he speaks in a hurry; had on a brown coat, a blue jacket and buckskin breeches. One named JAMES, about 20 years old, a short chunky fellow, had on a good castor hat, two jackets, the upper one a light grey, and leather breeches, and likes much to play on the fife. --- The other named CUFF, about 30 years old, a well set fellow, about 5 feet 8 inches high ; had on a beaver hat, a blue coat, red jacket, cloth breeches and new shoes, and is very fond of playing on the fiddle. As they were seen near Frankfort, it is sup- posed they are in or near Philadelphia. Whoever takes
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up and secures the said Negroes in Trenton gaol, so that their masters may have them again, shall have the above reward, or an equal reward for either of them.
WILSON HUNT, JOHN HUNT, JOSEPH BURROWES,
Hopewell, February 2, 1778.
Was taken out of a yard between Andrew Mershon's tavern and Pennington, in Hopewell, a black roan MARE, about five years old, English made, with a saddle and bridle; she trots, paces and gallops, her off hind foot white, the other has a little white about the hoof, a black head, mane and foretop, the two latter very bushy. She is about 14 hands high, with a blaze. The saddle has neither housin or saddle-cloth, and otherwise out of re pair; a snaffle bridle with a running rein. The thief, as is supposed, is a short well set man, has dark brown bushy hair, had on a small hat, an old brown coat, leather breeches, a new pair of shoes, and calls himself William Williams. Whoever takes up the thief so that he may be brought to justice, and secures the mare, saddle and bridle so that the owner may have them again, shall re- ceive Twenty Dollars reward and reasonable charges paid by
NATHAN MOORE.
ALL persons indebted to the estate of the Widow Van Allen, late of the city of New-Brunswick, deceased, are hereby requested to pay their respective accounts to the subscriber at Trenton, or to Mr. William Harrison, in New Brunswick: And those that have any demands against the said estate, are desired to bring in their ac- counts properly attested to the above-named persons.
SAMUEL H. SULLIVAN, Administrat.
[1778
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
TO BE SOLD,
On the 12th day of March next, at the house of Mr. Geromus Vanderbelt, in the township of New-Shanneck, and county of Somerset ;
SUNDRY HOUSEHOLD GOODS, Viz. a good eight day clock, beds, chairs, tables and kitchen furniture. The vendue to begin at ten o'clock in the forenoon, where attendance will be given by me,
S. H. SULLIVAN.
To whom it may concern :
THE boat or vessel known by the name of LEWIS'S MILL BOAT, which was lately condemned by a court of ad- miralty in the State of New-Jersey, and sold by Publick Vendue in the city of Burlington, was in September last employed in the continental service for carrying cloath- ing from Philadelphia to Trenton, and from thence was ordered by the commissaries to return with publick stores to that city calling at Bristol for further directions; but by the villainy of the skipper the vessel was run into a dock in Philadelphia on the 26th September last (the day on which the enemy arrived there) from whence she was taken an hour or two afterwards by a party of Glou- cester county militia, together with all the publick stores (having no other goods) on board, which stores were also condemned for the use of the captors.
The above is a true state of facts as they appeared on the trial.
BOWES REED, PRO. REG.
February 18, 1778.
Trenton, Feb. 9, 1778.
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons capable of driving a team, who are willing to enlist for carters in the con- tinental army, to serve for three years; that they shall
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have twenty dollars bounty, six pounds per month from the time of their enlistment, a suit of new clothes every year, and a great coat (if possible) and shoes or boots, by their producing a certificate from their waggon- master of their good behaviour. All persons willing to enlist on the above terms, are desired to apply to me at my quarters in Trenton.
SAMUEL H. SULLIVAN, D. Q. M. G.
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, at Trenton, NICHOLAS PECK, an indented servant, about 18 years of age, dark complexion, marked with the small-pox, about five feet high: Had on, when he went away, a striped linsey coat and jacket, buckskin breeches, a pair of plated buckles and beaver hat. He was spoke with on the road to Philadelphia, said he was going there, and to Head- Quarters to enlist. As there are a number of officers belonging to the army acquainted with the aforesaid Nicholas Peck, it is hoped that none will enlist him, I have the honour to serve them as superintendent of cattle to the light-horse.
ADAM AULBERGER.
-- New-Jersey Gazette, No. 13, Feb. 25, 1778.
Since the detachment of the royal army crossed the Delaware, and went into Jersey, we hear large numbers of the inhabitants of that province have flocked to them. The intelligence of the particular operations there is so imperfect, that we must defer the account to another opportunity. Certain it is, the detachment of the rebel army there, under gen. Wayne are flying as usual, with all their might, burning, destroying, and laying waste
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all in their way. As soon as Mr. Wayne found it neces- sary to retreat he gave the most positive orders for burning all the forage, &c. they should come across, which orders have been strictly complied with wherever they passed, without distinction of friends or foes .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, February 28, 1778.
New-York, March 2. At a Court lately held at Morris-Town, in New-Jersey, 35 Persons received Sen- tence of Death, for their Loyalty to their King; two of which were executed, viz. William Iliff, and John Mec, for inlisting Men for his Majesty's Service. On the Day of their Execution, the Sheriff (Alexander Car- michael) exhorted them to make a Confession of their Crimes, and acknowledge the Justness of their Sentence, in order to satisfy the Public: They answered Mr. Car- michael, very cooly, and told him, they supposed they were to die for being good Subjects, that they knew no other Crime could be laid to their Charge, and that he might do his Duty as soon as possible. The poor Men were immediately executed, the Sheriff doing all that was necessary on the Occasion himself.
Best Salt, in many Parts of Jersey, we are assured, now sells for 50 Dollars per Bushel; one half of which Sum must be paid in Wheat, and the other in Square Dollars.
Adam Gilerist, formerly a Taylor, in Broad-street, in this City, died some Time ago, in New-Jersey: One of his Sons was killed in the Rebel Army .- New-York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 2, 1778.
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EXTRACTS from His Excellency's Message to the GENERAL ASSEMBLY.1
Gentlemen,
Considering the multiplicity of business that will require your at- tention at this setting, and how much was left unfinished at the last, I am persuaded that your zeal for the publick interest will not suffer you to rise till you have dispatched every matter of moment that shall require your deliberation.
As the completing our battalions demands your speedy consideration, I herewith lay before you a state of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the four New-Jersey regiments according to the weekly return of the 5th of January last. By this you will be convinced of the necessity of the most expeditious and vigorous measures for in- creasing those regiments to the full complement of men of which, according to the establishment, they ought to consist. I am confident I need not use any arguments with you to shew the importance of our having a respectable army to open an early campaign before the enemy can be strengthened by reinforcements from Europe. What- ever expectations we may have of a rupture between Great-Britain and France, which is doubtless highly .probable, it is surely not the part of wise men to depend upon uncertain contingencies. We ought under God to rely solely upon ourselves and our own resources; and act as though we had no expectations of foreign succours, because we may. for anything that can be known to the contrary, be disappointed, . how rational and well-founded soever such expectations may at present appear. If, however, in addition to our own preparations, we should derive any advantage from a declaration of war against the enemy by the king of France, or any other potentate, such coadjutant power will facilitate the final establishment of our independence. But in a work so glorious, and thus far so happily achieved without foreign aid, it will neither be consistent with our honour or safety to be in a condition that will make such assistance necessary.
From the repeated blunders of our enemies in what they vainly imagined a sufficient force to reduce us to vassalage, and the insup- portable disgrace of their arms in the attempt, it is to be presumed that they will be stimulated to prolong the war by indignation and disappointment. And as they may continue it another year without being totally ruined, nor will ever come to their senses till they are, and it is well known to be a profitable job to the principal agents employed in carrying it on, and to a numerous set of dependants, who cannot otherwise be provided for, they will doubtless strain every nerve both at home and abroad to raise and procure as early as possible all the troops they can collect for reducing us to absolute submission. To put ourselves in a proper posture of defence is therefore evidently both our duty and our interest.
1 Presented to the Legislature sitting in Trenton, February 11th.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1778
I also lay before you a memorial of Col. Shreve 1 of the second, and Lieutenant-Colonel Brearly 2 of the fourth New-Jersey regiments. As this memorial is addressed to the Council and Assembly as well as to me, it will of course obtain your consideration. But as it is presented by authority and in behalf of the whole of the troops raised in this state, and I conceive the matters contained in it to be of great im- portance to the army, I cannot but recommend it as a matter worthy of your early attention to remedy the evils complained of.
I am now to request your attention to a very solemn act of Congress of the 8th of January, for suspending the embarkation of Lieutenant- General Burgoyne and the troops under his command, till a distinct and explicit ratification of the Convention of Saratoga shall be prop- erly notified by the Court of Great-Britain to Congress. The reasons for adopting this measure are set forth at large in the act which I herewith lay before you. As the Congress, after long and mature consideration, judged the measure to be indispensably their duty, and equally justifiable and necessary, they are confident their resolutions will be confirmed by the approbation of all their constituents in these United States, who are most nearly concerned. They conceiving it an act of such solemnity, as to deserve the concurrence of all these States in the union, though they are doubtless competent to the business of ratifying or disapproving any, capitulations made by their Generals, I doubt not it will meet with your confirmation.
I am further to acquaint you, Gentlemen, that Congress, conceiving it expedient to promote a speedy reformation in the army as well for the purpose of discipline as œeconomy, and the number of officers being already out of all proportion to that of the privates, to avoid further embarrassments in this respect, they have recommended it to the governments of the several states by a resolution of the 31st of De- cember, to suspend filling up any vacancies in their respective regi- ments until they shall hear farther from Congress on the subject.
You will also be pleased to turn your thoughts to a very important resolution of Congress of the 3d of December last, earnestly recom- mending it to the legislative authorities of the respective states, forth- with to enact laws requiring all persons within their respective states who may be possessed of any bills of credit struck under the sanction and authority of the King of Great-Britain on or before the 19th day of April 1775, forthwith to deliver in the same to a commissioner or commissioners for that purpose to be appointed in each county of the respective states, authorising such commissioner or commissioners to give in exchange for any sum so paid in continental money or bills of credit of their respective states, and to declare in the laws so enacted, that all bills of credit under the description above-mentioned, which shall not be so delivered in within such reasonable time as the re- spective states shall for such purpose limit, shall thenceforth become
1 Israel Shreve. For sketch see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, Vol. I .. p. 103.
2 David Brearley. For sketch see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, Vol. I., p. 329.
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utterly irredeemable .- A law to this purpose must be so evidently con- ducive at once to abolish the infamous practice of making a difference between what is called the old and the new money, and to increase the value of the continental currency, (under both which views I recommend it to you before I was honoured with the last mentioned resolution of Congress) that I doubt not it will receive your ready approbation. And should such an act be accompanied by a tax at least of £.100,000, the effect it will have in supporting the credit of our money, and reducing the price of provisions, cannot but strike the most inconsiderate mind.
I also submit to your consideration a number of most momentous resolutions of Congress of the 20th of December, upon the immediate adoption of which, and the enacting them into a law, the safety of this state appears most intimately to depend, and which I therefore hope will meet with that dispatch, which their importance will appear to you to deserve.
Your attention, Gentlemen, is farther solicited by a resolution of Congress of the 15th of January last, accompanied with a letter from the Board of War of the 19th of the same month .- As good steel is an article so indispensably necessary not only for the purposes of war, but those of internal husbandry, and it is said that the Andover 1 iron is better suited to this business than any other in America, I doubt not you will readily comply with the expectations of the Congress in this respect.
I cannot upon this occasion help remarking that as no articles what- soever can with less difficulty be dispensed with in military operations than iron and steel, you will find upon the slightest recollection, that none of our citizens are more generally disaffected than those who are interested or employed in the manufacturing of iron. A strong presumption that the enemy has been particularly industrious in cor- rupting these men, with a view to distress us in a most essential point. And as I suppose one of the first things that will engage your atten- tion will be the confiscation of the estates of our internal enemies, recommended to you at the last sitting, this requisition may be carried into execution by the general bill of forfeitures.
From the difficulty of having recourse to the number of separate acts into which our military code is already branched, I would recom- mend to you a revision of all our military laws,2 and to have them comprised in one. In forming this digest, I hope the procuring of substitutes, of which we have experienced the fatal consequences, and which must at last inevitably ruin our militia. will be repealed.
1 For sketch of Andover Iron Works see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, Vol. I., p. 388.
2 This recommendation was the first of a long series, suggested from time to time by various governors. In such confusion were the statutes regulating the militia that as late as March 24th, 1778, the Legislature passed "A supplementary act to an act entitled 'An act to explain and amend an act entitled "An act for the better regulating the militia and the supplemental act thereto." '"
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In lieu of calling out the militia to be statedly posted in such parts of the state as are more particularly exposed to the incursions of the enemy, I would recommend a plan both more effectual against hostile irruptions, and attended with much less expence to the public.
I would propose two state regiments properly officered, and by the best officers, to be raised for a year, and not liable to be called out of it, except by the authority appointed to call out the militia. As these corps would be better disciplined than the common militia, they would of consequence be better troops, and more formidable to the enemy .- The time that is at present lost by the militia's going from and returning home in their monthly tours, would be saved. The posts to be occupied by them would not be vacant, till there was reason for wholly quitting them, as it now frequently happens (in great measure) by the monthly reliefs. The bounty which is now paid monthly in addition to the continental pay, would in all probability raise the regiment for a year. Such men as could best be spared from home would be most likely to enter into the service, and the more industrious farmer remain at his husbandry, except in case of an actual invasion. The disorders and depredations so often committed by the militia on the property of their fellow citizens, which is principally to be im- puted to the connivance of such worthless officers by whom they are sometimes commanded. as have not the spirit to maintain a proper subordination, would be prevented. The superiority of this plan to our present practice of harassing the husbandman in a state subsisting by agriculture, needs I think to be mentioned, in order to be approved.
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