USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. III > Part 11
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CORNELIUS LOTT.
Millstone, Feb 24, 1779.
Imported in the prize ship Love and Unity, from Bristol, and now for sale by
JOHN DENNIS,
At his STORE in New Brunswick,
A SMALL quantity of the very best BLOWN SALT, either by the cask or single bushel, and for the convenience of the purchaser, he will take the emissions of May 20th, 1777, and April 11th, 1778, in payment.
TO BE SOLD,
A LEASE on one saw of Success Saw-Mill, with all the privileges thereto belonging. Said mill is very advan- tageously situated for business in the county of Mon- mouth. For terms apply to the subscriber, near the Black-Horse, in Mansfield.
EDWARD THOMAS.
TO BE SOLD,
At public vendue, on Monday the 29th day of this instant :
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No. 1. THE noted plantation belonging to the estate of Joseph Skelton, Esq. deceased, on Penn's-Neck, near Princeton, at the forks of two roads, one leading from Princeton to Shrewsbury, the other to Allen- town, containing one hundred and fifty acres of good land, thirty of which is in good meadow, with a good stream of water running through the place, a good two-story dwelling-house with a brick front, consisting of a large parlour with five convenient bed-rooms on the lower floor, the second story one large parlour, six good bed-rooms, a good kitchen adjoining the house with three rooms on the floor, a good large barn, store-house, smith- shop and other out-houses with two good cellars under the house convenient for two families; two good bearing orchards the best grafted fruit, a good well of water at the door: This plantation is in good situation for either a merchant or tavern.
No. 2. A small plantation lying one chain distant from the above mentioned tract, containing sixty acres of good land, fifteen of which is in good meadow and more may be made with little trouble, two small dwelling houses, one barn with two stables, two good bearing or- chards of good fruit, two of the finest springs of water that is in Middlesex county either for distilling or tan- ning business, one of the springs is on the highest and most convenient part of the plantation for building a dwelling-house.
No. 3. A plantation containing one hundred acres of good land, with a small house and orchard, grist-mill and saw mill, one pair of stones now in good order for mer- chant or country work; the mill is situate on Cranberry Brook, four miles from Princeton, five to Cranberry town and fourteen to Crosswicks landing.
No. 4. Two hundred acres of woodland, to be sold in lots if requested ; all which is in the county of Middlesex.
The vendue to begin at nine o'clock on said day, when
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attendance will be given, and the conditions made known by me
JOSIAH SKELTON, Executor. -The New Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 6, March 10, 1779.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL CON- CERNED, by the Subscribers, Auditors appointed by a Rule of Court for the County of Gloucester, in a Cause wherein Joseph Ellis,1 Esq; is Plaintiff, against John Hinchman,2 Defendant, upon an Attachment against the said Hinchman, that the Creditors of said Hinchman do meet, at the House of Hugh Creighton,3 in Haddonfield, .on Friday, the 12th Day of March next, in order to adjust the Accounts of said Hinchman, and make Distribution agreeable to Act of Assembly.
JOSEPH COOPER,4 JOHN GRUFFYTH, Auditors. Gloucester, February 24, 1779.
The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 3, 1779.
1 For note upon Joseph Ellis, see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, 1 : 557. 2 This was probably the grandson of John Hinchman, one of the settlers of Newton, old Gloucester (now Camden) county.
3 Hugh Creighton, until 1790, owned the tavern in Trenton now known as the American House, the meeting place of the Legislature and the Council of Safety of New Jersey. It was at this inn that Dorothea Payne Todd was a frequent visitor, and was courted, as a widow, by James Madison, later President of the United States. Subsequently known as Dolly Madison, this beautiful and accomplished Quakeress led the social life of the new federal capital, which in 1800 was removed from Phila- delphia to Washington.
4 This Joseph Cooper, there being several of the name, was probably the son of Benjamin Cooper, who died in 1772. and Elizabeth Cole, his third wife. Joseph Cooper inherited from his father much of the land upon which the northern part of the city of Camden now stands. Joseph Cooper's residence was built at the "Point," near the head of Third street, and was long known as the "I C E-house," owing to the fact that upon the C north end of the mansion were the initials and date I + E, which indi- 1788 cated that the home was built by Joseph and Elizabeth (Haines) Cooper.
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New-York, March 3.
Capt. JAMES DUNCAN, in the beautiful brigantine ROSE BUD, a few days ago proceeded on a cruize to the southward, and on the 4th day after his departure from the Hook, took the brigantine Young Achilles, Capt. Augustine Picon, laden with tobacco from Phila- delphia to Bourdeaux; Capt. Duncan brought the prize to the Hook, and is gone to complete the cruize. The Rose Bud is admirably well fitted and manned, carrying 18 double fortified four pounders, sixty good seamen, and thirty five Marines.
Some gentlemen last night from the Narrows declared, they saw two ships at, and three more approaching to the Hook, the latter looming very large, peradventure the. British Fleet which left England last January .- The Royal Gazette, No. 253, March 3, 1779.
To be SOLD by public vendue, at the coffee house in the city of Philadelphia, on Thursday the first day of April next, a Lot of Ground situated in the city of Bur- lington, about 400 yards below the town wharf, com- monly known and called by the name of the Green Bank, bounded as follows, viz. Beginning at the corner of the fence as it now standeth, being the corner of Fourth and Pearl streets, and runs thence in the line of Pearl-street westward 73 feet to a lot now in the tenure of James Vence, then northerly by the line dividing the before mentioned lot 366 feet, thence running an eastward course 23 feet along the garden fence, then northwardly a straight course down to low water mark on Delaware river, thence easterly fifty feet along the said river, and then up Pearl- street to the place of beginning, be the same more or less. There are upon the premises a genteel brick house well finished, two stories high, fifty feet front, two handsome parlours below, and three chambers, besides garrets for
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servants, each room hath a handsome tiled chimney place and marble hearths, a good kitchen, two ovens, a pump of good water in the yard, a milk house and smoke house, a large well built stable and coach-house, the loft of which is capable of holding eight tons of hay, with a great many other useful out buildings. The garden is stocked with a variety of plumb, pear, cherry, English walnut, and other fruit trees, besides currants, rasberries, gooseberries, strawberries, &c. The ground is as rich as any in Burlington, and is now in good order, as it has been turned up with a spade this winter.
To conclude, the healthy and elegant situation, the beauty of the prospect, the convenience of the buildings, and the garden stored with such a variety of fruit, must make it a suitable summer retreat for a genteel family, or the constant residence of a gentleman retiring from business.
Any person may view the premises, by applying to col. Jones who now lives in the house. A good title and im- mediate possession will be given to the purchaser, but the cash will be expected at the delivery of the deed. The emissions that are called out of circulation, will be taken in payment.
Any person inclining to purchase before the day of sale may know the terms by applying to the subscriber, at the New Mills, Burlington county, New Jersey.
March 1. PETER STRETCH.1 -The Pennsylvania Evening Post, March 6, 1779.
NEW-YORK, March 8.
'Tis reported in Jersey, and indeed published in the Rebel Papers, That the Congress has received most agree- able News from Europe in their Favour, which on a
1 For a sketch of Peter Stretch, see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, 1: 516.
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certain Day would be made known throughout the Con- tinent. The Secret is said to be a Loan of Money, or the Introduction of a French Army into the Continent .- From the New-Jersey Journal, of March 2, printed at Chatham, on Passaick River, 11 Miles from Elizabeth- Town, in the County of Morris.
Mr. COLLINS,
IN my last address to my fellow-citizens I observed, Thut while Heaven had thus far smiled on our just exertions in self-defence, the most obligations were laid on us for improving the advantages there- from accruing, to the good of society, and the glory of the allwise Disposer of human events. The substance of this position I have seen warmly held forth by resolves of Congress, proclamations and messages of His Excellency our Governor to our Representatives, and their answers, and also echoed to by many pieces in the public prints .- This produced the most agreeable feeling and encouraging prospects, in the minds of the virtuous part of our community .- I, for my part, flattered myself that this important truth would have had such influ- ence on the minds of our citizens, that in proportions as the clamours and confusions of war should decrease and leave opportunities for cool reflections, we should have vied with each other to be foremost in promoting that happiness of society we had pretended to contend for, and the glory of that Being which has given such remarkable success to our public efforts. But alas ! alas ! how disagreeably am I disappointed. After serious reflection on the prevailing disposition and conduct of this people, we would be almost persuaded it is not the same it was two years ago .- This change truly affects my heart. I see the danger my dear country is exposing itself to, and sincerely lament it, wishing, with the tenderest emotions of my heart, to see it preserved. Providence, however, has been pleased to place me in such a sphere of action, as leaves me no other opportunity for serving my country, save only by offering such warnings and advice as I truly esteem subservient to its happiness and welfare, and my warm- est addresses to the gracious Sovereign of the universe, to preserve it in its bleeding struggles. From a consciousness of honest inten- tions, I humbly hope for the serious attention and candid judgment of those I presume to address.
Nations, like persons, have their birth, growth, manhood, declining age and death, health and vigor, weakness and decay, and the pro- curing causes of both .- Our political birth and existence, among the empires of this world, we have received by the bold and noble decla- ration of the thirteen United States, pronouncing them free and independent .- In our growth and advance to manhood constitutions for civil government have been formed and approved, legislators appointed who have and daily do enact laws for the wholesome gov- ernment of the community, officers appointed and commissioned for
1
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the execution of those laws, and courts of justice and equity opened. Thus is the policy for the preservation of order and the distribution of justice established. As to our growth for common defence, we have the satisfaction to see formidable armies raised, well armed and disciplined, a numerous and determined militia ready for their support, plenty of military stores provided, equitable alliances formed and forming with powerful nations, guaranteeing our independence. And what adds to all this is the valour, intrepidity and bravery of our troops, manifested to the world by their chearful enduring uncommon hardships ; in one campaign forcing the flower of the British army to lay down their arms;1 and in the last. driving their main body out of the field into their lurking holes.2 All which is no small addi- tion to our national strength .- The rapidity of our political growth is real matter of astonishment to the world, and affords us cause to declare this to be the Lord's doings, and to be marvellous in our eyes.
However amazing great this our growth has been in the space of three or four years, yet it is undeniably evident from the present cir- cumstances of our national affairs, that some malignant disorder has seized upon our body politic, and threatens at least an interruption of our advances to manhood, if not political dissolution. - - - As a true friend to my bleeding country, I behold with real grief and concern its convulsive struggles under the severe attacks of the malignant dis- temper, and sincerely wish to see some able physicians step forth and tender the effective remedies for its recovery. - - - A consciousness of inability prevents my ranking myself with able state physicians. However, as some dangerous and violent disorders are frequently cured by common practitioners, the causes of them being easily investigated, and the prescription of their remedies simple, I am thereby em- boldened, and from an impatient desire for the recovery of my country, strongly urged to offer her my best endeavours for that purpose.
In order to proceed in this business, with some degree of regularity, I shall give my fellow-citizens a few incontestable proofs that our new empire labours under some sore and dangerous disorder, and thus point out the several causes, with . prescriptions for remedying them and avoiding their dangerous effects.
To be convinced that this infant empire labours under some fatal and dangerous disorder, let the following particulars be considered, and it is manifest,
1. From that remarkable loss and decay of public spirit and pa- triotism. When these carry sway in a State, we behold the bulk of the community ready to sacrifice their personal ease and private interest to promote the public weal, and to exert their all in its common defence, in which the political body is enabled to exercise its whole force and vigour. As long as the noble Spartans despised riches and inured themselves to all the hardships and fatigues of war, with a view to serve and defend their country, Sparta was invincible. While the citizens of Rome preferred the enriching of
1 Referring to the surrender of Burgoyne, at Saratoga.
2 Referring to the Battle of Monmouth.
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their state to that of themselves as individuals, Rome was not only unconquerable, but also spread the arms of conquest and dominion over distant nations. Both these nations have seen the day that their disinterested patriotism and public spirit were vanished, and a selfish principle of love of riches, ease, luxury and dissipation succeeded them. The effects of which were defeats, disappointments and finally ruin. Glorious and blessed patriotism and public spirit was, but two or three years ago, the governing principle and distinguishing characteristic of the brave Americans. But what is it now? Directly the reverse. We daily see the busy multitude engaged in accumulating what they fondly call riches, by forestalling, extortioning and im- posing upon each other. Can it be denied but the community at large act as tho' they had agreed to plunder the State between them, each exerting himself to get the greatest share of the booty. Here gov- ernment sits as indifferent. spectators, while Quarter-Masters and Commissaries, the unjust trader, the farmer and the mechanick, are contending for the prey; and they who get the greatest booty, are daily wallowing in dissipation, venality and luxury, at a time wherein thousands are groaning under the weight of intolerable distress .- For evidence to the truths I have here asserted, I appeal to the community at large. To them I leave, it to judge whether such a situation of our affairs can hold long !
2. That this empire labours under some fatal and dangerous dis- order may also appear from the unequal division of property in the space of so short a time. Experience of all ages has proved that a just and equitable increase of property has been the constant reward of continued industry, sobriety and oeconomy. But is this the case with us? Far from it. Thousands of the most honest and respect- able citizens of America, who obtained their possessions by the hard industry, continued sobriety and oeconomy of themselves or their virtuous ancestors, must now behold many men whom they looked upon in the commencement of these troubles (if I may be permitted to use the language of the most patient of men) as such whose fathers they would have disdained to have sct with the dogs of their flock, raised to immense wealth, or at least to carry the appearance of a haughty, supercilious and luxurious spendthrift; while they must look upon their estates as devoted to enrich such, or mortgaged to support their extravagance. The feelings of thousands will attest the truth of this assertion. Can it be possible that such a state is found, who affords or permits such abuse?
3. A third sympton is a general decay and loss of social virtucs, even to the undermining of that confidence which the community ought to place in the august Assembly of their Representatives. Charity, harmony and mutual. confidence are the sinews of society ; individuals are the members hereby united and enabled to exert their force for the benefit of the whole. In proportion as these relax, the state shakes andi trembles under paralytic attacks, until it exceeds a certain degree, and then an incurable national palsy ensues. This dangerous decay will evidently appear from a few examples. When Boston was
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blockaded, what generous exertions were made throughout all the rest of the continent, in order to alleviate their distresses and en- courage them to perseverance? The last year Congress having become sensible of the many opportunities for monopoly, forestalling and extortion, and their pernicious and dangerous effects upon our public affairs, warmly recommended to the Legislatures of the different states, the passing of laws for the regulation of prices; Pennsyl- vania published a bill, New Jersey immediately enacted a law for that purpose. Commissioners were sent from different States, who agreed upon a general plan of regulation. What was the consequence? The middle States, then the only seat of war, who had the supplying of our army with provisions, immediately complied with the general plan. Massachusetts-Bay, though their Commissioners had agreed, refused, with some of the southern States. The only prevailing reason to oppose so necessary and salutary a measure in that critical conjuncture could be, having their ports more open, to be at liberty to improve their opportunities of extortioning upon their suffering brethren, in articles of foreign trade. And if long and general report may be allowed any degree of evidence, even that Boston before- mentioned, was the chief agent in this opposition. Monstrous in- gratitude ! Base uncharitableness ! Pernicious policy ! Under the effects of which America totters and threatens to give her last gasp, if not speedily relieved .- Need I repeat the anecdote and remarks on monopoly and general extortions? I only observe that these mon- strous vices have in a great measure destroyed mutual confidence and charity among us. What advances the vices of malice and discord have made, is evident from the accursed and murderous practice of duelling, of late become so much in vogue among the Gentlemen of our .Army ; and also the many publications filled with personal reflections and virulent invectives. While the impartial publick views and treats their virulence with disdain, they cannot but feel anxiously engaged in the matter of their debates, because they are deeply interested in it. When we read Mr. Deane's address,1 we would
1 Silas Deane, while representing the United States at the court of France, and agent under the Congress committee of secret correspondence, entered into conventions with a number of foreign officers whereby they were to receive commissions in the American army which would cause them to outrank meritorious American officers who had been fighting for a year or more in behalf of their country. Congress repudiated this agreement. declaring that Deane had no authority to make such conventions, and on November 21, 1777, ordered his recall from Paris. On his return to this country Congress, in August, 1778, desired him to give an account of his transactions in France, as well as a particular state of the funds entrusted to his care. They were not satisfied with his reports, and on December 1 resolved to hold night sessions to consider the subject, and so notified Mr. Deane. But he, instead of attempting to satisfy their curiosity as to his financial transactions abroad, published in the Philadelphia news- papers of December 4, 1778, "An address to the free and virtuous citizens of America," in which he bitterly assailed the Congress, reflected upon the integrity of some leading members, and insinuated that there was a design to break faith with France, &c. The matter was threshed out in Congress
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readily conclude that there was some formidable scheme of treason hatching against us, which is ready to burst upon us, with all the attendant train of misery and ruin. That Mr. Deane had discovered the plot, and as a true friend to America, had endeavored to reveal it to Congress, but that Congress had been so much engaged in more important matters, that he had not been able to obtain an audience for that purpose, during all the time from his arrival until the publica- tion of his address. Mr. Paine, on the other side of the question, charges Mr. Deane of endeavoring, by many unjust means, to make a present of Two Hundred Thousand Pounds an American debt. He also insinuates, that Congress received the evidence of this intended fraud, together with the treaty entered into with France, but that their attention was so entirely taken up with the treaty, that they became wholly inattentive to this atrocious fraud .- Can it be possible that such publications should fail of filling the minds of a free people with jealous suspicions and perplexing concerns? There certainly is a possibility of both charges being true. Are there not many in- stances of accomplices in villainy getting to loggerheads, and then dis- covering each other? It is highly probable that there is villainy lurk- ing somewhere. What appears to me more alarming than either or both of the charges (supposing them to be true) is, that they must retort upon Congress .- They are appointed as the guardian of the liberties, lives and properties of the people. In committing the care of such invaluable treasures to them, they confide in their vigilance and integrity. It must needs appear unaccountable to the judicious among them, that Congress should be engaged from the time of Mr. Deane's arrival to the publication of his address, in matters more important than those he published. Are treasonable practices against the State to be ranked amongst trivial affairs? How could Congress know what was of it without an inquiry? How long a time would it have required to have found out the purport of what Mr. Deane had to communicate in the audience he had frequently requested ? How could they know that the matters he had to communicate were trivial or of the last importance, without such inquiry? As to the other charge, what intricate importance was there in this noble and equitable treaty, that could so entirely engross their attention, as to make an intended fraud in the sum of £200,000 foreign debt, to escape it, even when they had just received the evidences of it, and this in- attention to have continued till the publication of Deane's address ? Add to these, the immense debt we are involved in, in the space of four years. When the community beholds the conduct of Quarter- Masters, Commissaries, and the whole host of their Deputies, the
and in the public prints, Tom Paine, in particular, in his incisive and trenchant style, under the signature of "Common Sense," showing the insincerity and essential falsity of Deane's charges, and the urgent need he was in of clearing his own skirts from the taint of incapacity, dishonesty and corruption. A very good summary of the controversy is given in Gordon's History of the American War, 3: 38, 216. The fullest account is in the Deane Papers, Vol. III., N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll., 1888.
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immense sums it is generally reported and believed they engross, induces them to ask, Are these not the servants of Congress? Is Congress only ignorant of these abuses, which the whole publick be- holds with grief and concern? Does Congress know what becomes of the public money .- Can it be possible that even the greatest part of our national debt has been accounted for? The investigation of answers to such queries would add too much fuel to the suspicions already kindled in the breasts of my- fellow-citizens, than that I shall attempt it .- The strict secrecy which Congress seems to enjoin on its Members, with respect to almost all its business, is by no means calculated to remove the conceived suspicions. A jealous community is fearful, and diffident, and if this takes place with respect to the persons on whom the greatest tranquil confidence is required, .it un- hinges in a great measure society, and places it as it were on a dangerous precipice.
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