USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. III > Part 3
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1 For a sketch of Peter Dickerson, see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, 1:123.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. ·
1779]
To be SOLD by the Subscriber,
A Small FARM, containing between 40 and 50 acres, situate half way between Morristown and Chatham, on a very public road, nearly opposite Mr. Stephen Rose's cyder mill; it has on it a good house with three rooms cieled, and an entry on the lower floor, a small building adjoining with a cellar under it, and one under the house ; a barn and new bark house, a pond that is never dry, in the same lot; a spring of good water near the house, an orchard that affords 70 or 80 barrels of cyder, a garden paled in, English and red cherries, peaches and plumbs ; some wood land and meadow. The purchaser by paying one half the money, and good security for the rest shall have an indisputable title from
JAMES TOMPSON.
Strayed or stolen off the commons at Trenton, sometime in October or November, a sorrel mare, with a blaze in her face, between three and four years old, scant fourteen hands high, trots and paces, long mane and tail. Whoever takes said mare and secures her, so that the owner may have her again, shall have Ten Dollars reward, and reason- able charges paid by the subscriber in Trenton.
JOS. CLUNN.1
A VERY handsome CHARIOT to be sold .- Enquire of JOHN LANE, at the North Branch of Raritan, New Jersey. The price Four Hundred Pounds.
-The New Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 57, Wednes- day, January 6, 1779.
1 Joseph Clunn was commissioned Ensign, Captain Fisher's Company, First Regiment, Hunterdon, June 19, 1776 ; Second Lieutenant, ditto, May 10, 1777 ; Captain, ditto .- Stryker's Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolution, Trenton, 1872, 385. In St. Michael's P. E. churchyard, Tren- ton, are the graves of Joseph Clunn, senior, who d. in 1798, aged 59, and of John H. Clunn, who d. 1798, aged 28. In the Presbyterian ground is the grave of Amey Clunn, who d. Dec. 12, 1834, aged 76 .- Hall's Hist. Pres. Ch. in Trenton, 249, 250.
22
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
By a gentleman arrived last Wednesday from New Jersey, we are informed Major General Lee was but slightly wounded in a duel he lately fought with one of Mr. Washington's Aids de Camp, a Mr. Laurens, said to be a son of the late President of Congress, and that there had been no rencountre between that General and Col. Hamilton, as was last week asserted .- The Royal Gazette, No. 238, January 9, 1779.
TRENTON, December 9.
The Honorable the Legislature on the 15th instant, passed an Act, "to raise the sum of £100,000 by Taxation, for discharging the debts, and defraying the necessary ex- pences of the State of New Jersey."-The New-York Jour- nal, and the General Advertiser, Numb. 1807, January 11, 1779.
NEW-YORK, January 11.
By a Gentleman from New-Jersey, we are informed, that a Duel was lately fought at Philadelphia between, Major General Lee, and Mr. Laurens, Son of the Presi- dent of the Congress, and Aid de Camp to General Wash- ington, in which General Lee was wounded in the Side; but the Wound being slight, he was recovered, and was at Elizabeth-Town last Friday, on his Way to Head Quarters at Middle-Brook.1
1 Some time after the Battle of Monmouth, on June 28, 1778, General Charles Lee, having been placed under arrest by General Washington and ordered to be court-martialed, indulged in language which was reported to have been quite as intemperate as that addressed to him by Washington himself on the battlefield. These and similar remarks were repeated from time to time, until at last Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, one of Wash- ington's military aides, challenged Lee. The challenge was accepted and the parties fought a duel in the latter part of December, 1778, a short distance from Philadelphia. At the first fire Lee was slightly wounded, but insisted there should be a second fire. The seconds-Colonel Alexander
23
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
The Wife of Mr. John Byvanck, of this City, lately died in New Jersey .- The New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1421, January 11, 1779.
TRENTON, JANUARY 13.
Sunday last Brigadier General Thompson, Colonels Magaw and Reynolds, having been sometime past out of New York on parole, passed through this town on their return to captivity, in conformity to Requisition of our Commissary General of Prisoners.
Last week five Hessians deserters arrived here from Fort Washington.
A correspondent at Pitts-Town, who conversed with many of the principal officers of the Convention troops 1 as they passed through that place on their way to Virginia, informs us, that they appeared to be much cast down, and
Hamilton and Major Edwards-opposed this, and the matter was dropped. There was some conversation between the principals, in the course of which "General Lee acknowledged that he had given his opinion against General Washington's military character to his particular friends, and might per- haps do it again. He said every man had a right to give his sentiments freely of military characters, and that he did not think himself personally accountable to Colonel Laurens for what he had done in that respect. But he said he had never spoken of General Washington in the terms men- tioned-that is, 'in the grossest and most opproprious terms of personal abuse'-which he could not have done, as well because he had always esteemed General Washington as a man, as because said abuse would be incompatible with the character he would very much wish to sustain as a gentleman." With this equivocal explanation, Laurens was content. In other words, the duel settled nothing. As Alexander Graydon says : "And so the affair ended, without the simplest bearing, however, on the point in controversy, to wit, whether General Lee was right or wrong in speaking reproachfully of the Commander-in-Chief, and only established the fact that the combatants could risk their lives with the gallantry and posses- sion of soldiers and men of honor." An account of the affair, dated Decem- ber 24, 1778, and signed by the seconds, is given in Hamilton's Works, edition 1850, 1: 73. See, also, Memoirs of the Life of the Late Charles Lee, London, 1792, p. 47 ; Notes on Duels and Dueling, by Lorenzo Sabine, Boston, 1856, pp. 228, 230; Memoirs of a Life, chiefly passed in Penn- sylvania, within the last sixty years (by Alexander Graydon), Harrisburg, 1811, p. 299.
1 The British soldiers surrendered by General Burgoyne at Saratoga.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
seemed very desirous that an exchange might take place, to facilitate their return to Europe-many of whom de- clared, that, were they once there, they would never return to engage in so fruitless a business as that as attempting to conqueror America. The Hessian officers, in particular, expressed great dissatisfaction-complained that many of them had been deceived, not expecting to have come further than England-and that in every respect, since their arrival in America, they conceived themselves to have been very basely treated.
We hear it is reported in New York, that General Campbell, with about 2000 of the enemy, have landed in Georgia.
Wanted by the Printer hereof, Two Journeymen. They will be exempted from actual service in the militia, and receive handsome wages.
BOSTON, November 30.
The following is a list of ships lost by his Britannic Majesty, since the war with America, --
No. of Guns.
24. The Mercury on the Chevaux-de frise in the North River.
64. Augusta,
32. A Frigate. } In Delaware River.
28. Liverpool, on Long Island
32 Juno,
28 Cerberus,
32 Orpheus,
32 Lark,
20. Rose Burnt and sunk in Rhode-Island.
32. Grand Duke
14 King Fisher
16 Swan, And a Galley
1
25.
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
17791
20 Drake, taken by Capt. Jones, in the Ranger.
32. Syren, cast away on Point Judith.
44 Actaeon,
28, A Frigate, at Carolina.
20 Merlin, drove ashore by Count d' Estaing.
32 Minerva And Their Tenders carried into
32 Active Cape Francois.
18. Thunder Bomb,
16 Senegal, Taken by Count d' Estaing
2S For,
22 Lively Taken and carried into Brest.
14 Alert
64 Somerset, cast away at Cape-Cod, Captain and crew taken.
A Galley cast away near Egg-Harbour.
Hotham tender cast away at Cape Henlopen.
A guard ship, mounting eight 12 pounders, and one 32 pounder, taken in seconet passage, and carried into Groten, by Major Talbot, in a small sloop of two guns.
THE subscriber has for sale a quantity of LANDS on the Ohio River, about fifteen miles below Pittsburgh. The fertility of the soil, the healthfulness of the climate in that quarter, and the variety of fine fish the Ohio River abounds with, are well known to those who have heard of that country. The title will be warranted to the purchaser. Any person inclinable to purchase, may know the terms by applying to the subscriber, in Trenton,
Charles Simms
Trenton, Jan 10, 1772.
26
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1779
TO BE SOLD,
A Valuable plantation, pleasantly situated near Allen- Town, State of New Jersey, containing two hundred and forty acres, on which is a good house, kitchen, barn, waggon-house, a good orchard, about 100 acres of cleared land, the rest good timber land. An indisputable title will be given for the same. For further particulars in- quire of the subscriber, on the premises,
Joseph Brown, jun
Jan 5th, 1779.
Was dropped on the road between the Landing and Trenton, on the 5th instant, a large blanket rolled up, con- taining seven yards of linen and two papers of tea .- Any person giving intelligence of, or delivering the same to Capt. Joseph Clunn, at the Landing, will receive Ten Dollars for their trouble.
Broke into the subscriber's meadow about the 20th of September, a pale red cow. The owner is desired to come, prove his property, pay charges, and take her away.
William Lewis,
October 26th, 1778.
27
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
ROBERT SINGER,
Has for SALE at his STORE in Trenton, the following GOODS, viz.
SUPERFINE brown broad cloth,
Copperas
Fine scarlet ditto
Brimstone
Fine yellow ditto
Allum .
Fine brown ditto
Shoemaker's tools
Fine and coarse Irish linens, 7-8 and yard wide,
Snuff
Pins by the packet
Window glass 7 by 9
Needles by the thousand
Best bohea tea
Best hyson ditto, by the quantity
Best muscovado sugar
Common ditto
Hard soap
Scotch thread
Sewing silks
Mohair and a large assortment of metal buttons
Black, brown and white serge
Knives and forks
Fine and coarse handkerchiefs
Oznabrugs
Chintzes and callicoes
Men's and women's white gloves
Cinnamon
Mace
Pepper
Nutmegs
Alspice Indigo Rosin
Wool cards
Cotton
Earthen ware of all kinds
Also wanted to BUY a NEGRO BOY, about ten or twelve years old.
List of LETTERS remaining in the Post-Office at Tren- ton, January 5, 1779.
COL. Beatty, Commissary General; Major Kelsey; Jonathan Deare, Esq. Capt John Henery; Charles Mc Knight, Surgeon General; Mr. William Mounteer; and Mr. John Robinson, Princeton-General Lewis Morris, at West-Chester county or Princeton-Miss Nancy Bal- lard, Mr. Benjamin Martin, Brunswick-Mr. William Neilson, Pluck'emin-Mr. Joseph Mullins, Captain Charles Lyon, Mount Holly-David Thompson, Forks of
Tobacco
Cambricks, lawn, plain & flow- ered muslin
Black taffety and Persian
White pelong
Green and black ducape
Black, brown, red and light colonial callimancoes and a variety of double folded stuffs
A variety of broad and narrow ribbons
Silver plated shoe, knee and stock buckles
Pinchbeck ditto
Plain and striped white gauze Plain black ditto
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
Little Egg-Harbour-Doctor Samuel Treat, Burlington- Thomas Thorn, Bordentown-Major William Trent, 2, and Doctor Thomas Marshal, Trenton-Miss Polly Barnes and Miss Patty Brown, Bucks County-Miss Sally Mott, near Trenton-Mr. Benjamin Moore, Hopewell.
Camp near Bound-Brook, January 3, 1779.
Commissary of Hides Office.
THE subscriber has on hand a quantity of Continental Neat's hides, which he will exchange for MEN's shoes or Leather,-the preference will be given to the former. All persons in this State having in their possession any hides, the property of the Continent, are requested to give in- formation as above, for which they shall be rewarded, and the favour gratefully acknowledged, by the
Public's devoted servant, WM SHANNON, D. C. of Hides, State of New Jersey,
Having finished the tour, as advertised in this Paper some time ago, and understanding that some accounts are yet unsettled, all those who have demands upon the Quar- termaster General Department from the 5th of October 1776. to the 2d of March 1778, are informed, that Col. Samuel H. Sullivan will attend at Capt. Clunn's, in Tren- ton, from the 19th to the 21st instant-That I will attend at Brunswick the first Tuesday, and at Quibble-Town the first Wednesday in February, and at my own house, in Springfield, every Friday until the first of March, at which time I expect to close the accounts of General Mifflin for the counties of Hunterdon, Monmouth, Somerset, Middle- sex, Essex, Morris and Bergen. Such as live too remote to attend in person, may commit their vouchers to some suit- able person who can settle for a whole neighbourhood .-
29
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
Those who have delivered money to me for the Loan-Office, are desired to call as soon as possible for their certificates. JAMES CALDWELL.1 January 12, 1779.
RICHARD NORRIS,
STAY-MAKER, from LONDON,
BEGS leave to inform the Public, that he makes all sorts of stays and jumps, turned and plain, French and Mecklenburgh, after the newest and neatest fashion. He prevents by a new and approved method, the appearance of any cast or rise in the hips or shoulders, or other defect in the shape of the body, which method has been established by the society of stay-makers of the city of London. Ladies that reside at any distance, by sending their meas- ure, may be supplied on the shortest notice and at as reasonable prices as the times will afford .- He returns his sincere thanks to those Ladies who have already favoured him with their custom, and entreats a continuance of it, and their kind recommendation, which he will make it his study to merit.
N. B. He now resides opposite Mr. STACY Potts's, in Trenton, and will also give good encouragement to TWO JOURNEYMEN.
ALL persons possessed of receipts or vouchers for horses taken by General Wayne, and the officers under his com- mand, in and about the month of March last, are desired to present the same at my Office in Chestnut-street, for payment.
John Mitchell, D. Q. M. G.
Philadelphia, Dec. 28, 1778.
-The New Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 58, January 13, 1779.
1 For a sketch of the Rev. James Caldwell, of Elizabethtown, see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, 1 : 147.
30
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
New-York, 15th Nov. 1778.
Mr. Rivington,
C APTAIN Duncan, late of the Rose Letter of Marque, with his crew, who so bravely distinguished them- selves in a severe action with a French frigate, arriving here last night in a Flag of Truce from Elizabeth- Town, several of those gallant seamen were by mistake detained at their landing, in order to be put on board the ships of war; but Admiral Gambier being informed thereof, he was pleased to direct, that they should imme- diately be set at liberty, and to give express orders, that no prisoners returning from captivity in future, shall be obliged to serve on board the King's ships. I therefore think it my duty to request, that his Majesty's faithful subjects may be made acquainted therewith, through the channel of the Public News-Papers.
I am, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, James Dick, Commissary for Naval Prisoners.
NEW YORK, January 13.
Sir Henry Clinton's march from Philadelphia through Jersey is much spoken of here as an exceeding good piece of Generalship; and I am sorry the orders from govern- ment made it necessary for him to get to New-York before the French squadron arrived; had it been otherwise we doubt not he would have come to an engagement with the rebel army, which I have reason to believe would have been a fatal stroke to Washington, and Co."-The Royal Gazette, No. 240, January 16, 1779.
31
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
Correspondence relating to appointment of Perth Amboy Commissioners.
[Letter of Sir Henry Clinton to Gen. Washington dated Nov. 10th, 1778 .- Letter of Geo. Washington to Sir Henry Clinton, Nov. 14th, 1778; also Nov. 27, 1778 .- A resolve dated Nov. 19, 1778 signed by Chas. Thomson, Secre- tary .- Letter of H. Clinton, dated Dec. 2, 1778, to Gen. Washington .- Letter of Gen. Washington to Col. Robert Hanson Harrison and Lieut. Col. Alex. Hamilton, dated Nov. 30, 1778 .- Letter by Cols. O'Hara and Hyde, to Lieut. Cols. Harrison and Hamilton, Dec. 12, 1778 .- Letter of Harrison and Hamilton to O'Hara and Hyde, in answer to the foregoing, dated Dec. 12, 1778 .- Report of Cols. O'Hara and Hyde to Sir H. Clinton, Dec. 15, 1778. -In The Royal Gazette, Jan. 16, 1779.]1
Mr. COLLINS,
THOUGH I am a poor writer, and not quite perfect in spelling, yet I call myself a tolerable good reader ; and being warmly attached to the American cause, I have perused your Gazette for near a year past, to find out the several proceedings of the Army of the United States, the Representatives of the United States in Congress, and those of this state in Council and Assembly. I have also taken much pleasure in reading the several pieces offered to the publick by those who have thought proper to serve their country that way; and have long de- sired to imitate their worthy examples, by publishing a piece on some interesting subject, but have been prevented partly because I had not the command of a style for composing any thing that would perfectly represent my thoughts and feeling, but principally because I had not the use of the pen so as to perform it decently. But a circumstance at present offers itself in which, I presume, a few words may be of service.
There has been a report circulated in this neighbourhood, that a motion was made at the last sitting of the Legislature in the honourable Council of this state, to confiscate the estates of those who took pro- tection under and subscribed allegiance to the King of Great-Britain, which has created an uneasiness in the minds of some people : The in- tent of these lines is to quiet their apprehensions, by assuring them that such an act will certainly (in all probability) never take place. 'Tis my opinion that if the people of this state were to give in their votes (excluding all who have, or who are related to or connected with any who had taken protection) that more than three-fourths would appear against the measure. I was just going to state the matter, by supposing it should pass, and then marking the consequences; But
1 See Sparks' Writings of Washington, 6: 508.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
the nature of the thing is so absurd and ridiculous, and therefore so impossible, that it will hardly admit of such a supposition. Never- theless, we may reflect on the report and converse on the subject.
When the enemy penetrated New Jersey, the people were caught in a lamentable surprize. Many made shift to pass the Delaware and join the army, while others could by no means in their power make their escape. Hard usage, and a knowledge of the enemy's inhuman conduct which they had exhibited since they landed on our shores, caused them to apply the remedy in their power. What with age and what with infirmity, many were not able to undergo the hardships of a winter's flight. Many families were visited by sickness- perhaps an affectionate child or a tender wife lay in a low and languishing condition, exposed to the lawless outrages of inhuman foes ; liable every hour not only to see the dear father or the loving husband dragged into a miserable captivity, but to feel the violence of personal abuse to a degree which might put a speedy period to their lives. What man then in this situation would not have applied for relief where it might be found? The sons and heirs of such persons as these were, at the same time, risking their lives, and suffering almost insur- mountable hardships and difficulties in the support of our cause : For all which patriotic exertions, must their fathers estates (which may be considered as theirs) be confiscated, and they reduced to poverty and want? God forbid! The enemy violating their promises, the people thought themselves no longer bound; and have since been restored, both officers and soldiers, to their former places ; many of whom have fought gallantly in the battles of America, and earned laurels for the United States. And now are their property and liberty to be taken from them! What manner of proceeding is this? Can we think it has ever been moved for by the guardians of an infant state, appointed by the people to support and maintain righteous gov- ernment ? Let us conclude rather that it is only a false report, circu- lated by some who wish not well to our cause; and are desirous to reflect disgrace upon that Honourable Body : For who but such as seek to destroy, would be the authors of a thing which can be consid- ered (I think) only as the foundation of destruction. But if we are forced to believe that it has originated in the Honourable Council, then, my countrymen, let us act in our astonishment as well as we can ; let us act, I say, with care and prudence, with true allegiance and manly resolution. And ye who are able penmen and well wishers to your country, I expect will take the matter in hand, and represent it in a clearer light then I can.
A YOUTH, and a Friend to our YOUTHFUL State.
P. S. Electors watch with careful eye, Nor ever let New Jersey die, Peruse the minutes, there you'l see, By persons' conduct, what they be. At next election then appear, And do your country service there.
33
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, Esquire,
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of New Jersey, and the Territories thereunto belonging, Chancellor and Ordinary in the same:
PROCLAMATION.
·
WHEREAS application has been made to me in Council for the aid and advice of the Board, for drawing forth all the forage that can be spared in this state, for the use of the army now quartered therein .- I have therefore thought fit, by and with the advice of the Honourable the Privy Council of this state, to issue this Proclamation, hereby re- quiring all the Justices of the Peace of this state to be attentive to the application of the several persons employed in collecting forage for the troops, and vigorously to exert themselves in executing the law for that purpose made and provided. And I do hereby recommend it to the said Magistrates to pay due regard, in the execution of this duty in the premises, to the wants of the inhabitants, and not to exact- more grain or other forage in any district than the neighbourhood can safely spare, due consideration being had to all inhabitants of such district.
GIVEN under my hand and scal at arms at Princeton, the fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-ninc.
WIL LIVINGSTON.
By His Excellency's command,
WILL LIVINGSTON, jun. D. Sec.
GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.
TRENTON, JANUARY 20.
A correspondent from Mansfield informs us, that on the 2d instant a certain Joseph Castle of Philadelphia, was apprehended at that place on his way to the enemy in New-York via Shrewsbury, without any passport; and vas committed to the gaol in Burlington. He had a num- ber of letters with him from tories in Philadelphia to their friends in New-York; by some of which it appears that a constant correspondence is kept up, and traffic car- ried on, between the refugees in New-York, and dis- affected persons in this state and Pennsylvania, chiefly 3
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
by the way of Shrewsbury. Magistrates and other officers would do well to examine suspicious people travelling to and from that place.
THE Subscribers having heretofore addressed the good women of this State, intreating them to save all the rags that they possibly could in their families, the smallest pairing being useful in the manufacturing of paper, which, as friends to their native country, the subscribers hope they have paid attention to. Therefore as a farther inducement to them they now promise one shilling per pound for all clean linen RAGS they deliver at any of the places mentioned in the former advertisement.
They would offer to the consideration of those mothers who have children going to school, the present great scarcity of that useful article, without which their going to school would avail them but little; which the sub- scribers hope to have it in their power to remedy shortly, if aided by their exertions in procuring that fundamental article, rags; the utility of which is evident to every thinking mind, and needs but few words to convince them of it.
STACY POTTS,1 JOHN REYNOLDS.
N. B. As it is in the power of the Storekeepers in the upper part of this State to collect a great quantity of rags, by receiving them of the country people as they bring them in, the subscribers would be glad to supply them with any kind of paper or pasteboard in exchange for the rags.
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