USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. III > Part 30
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372
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1779
It is truly to be wished, that travellers and house- keepers would be more on their guard than they generally have been. Several robberies have been lately committed on both sides of Hudson's river and New-Jersey, by the malignant murdering Tories .- Some days since, in the fore part of the evening, a number of villains came to a house, pretending they were friends, and used flattering . speeches to get in; one of them counterfeited a person who lived a few miles distant, saying he had a letter for the man of the house, upon which he inadvertently opened the door. They abused the family, and robbed the house of cash to a considerable amount .- The Pennsylvania. Evening Post, May 15, 1779.
NEW-YORK, May 17.
We hear, that Gen. Maxwell, at Elizabeth Town, re- ceived Letters last Friday, informing him that a Party of British Troops was landed in Virginia.
A Farm, with some Improvements, belonging to as Refugee .was lately sold at public Sale in the Province of New-Jersey, for the Sum of £3600, to be paid in Con- gerora, when that Amount in soft Dollars was purchased for £175 Currency in Gold and Silver .- The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1439, May 17, 1779.
New-Jersey,
A
T
an Inferior Court of Common
Essex county. Pleas, held for the said county of Essex, on the 13th day of April inst. were returned inquisitions, for joining the army of the King of Great-Britain, and other treasonable practices, found against Duncan Campbel, Cornelius Stager, Isaac Ogden, Thomas Phillips, John J. Crane, Henry Vander-
373
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
hoff, James Blundle, John Coleny, William Brownejohn, Thomas White, John Tabor Kemp, Joseph French, Hugh Wallace, James Jauncey, Vincent Pearce Ashfield, Miles Sherbrook, Luther Baldwin, Daniel Pierson, Sheffield Howard, James Wilson and George Warner; of which proclamation was made at said Court, that if they or any on their behalf, or any persons interested, would appear and traverse, a trial should be awarded; but no traverses were offered-
Therefore notice is hereby given, that if neither they nor any on their behalf, nor any interested shall appear and traverse at the next Court to be held for the said county, the inquisitions will then be taken to be true, and final judgment entered thereon in favour of the State.
Joseph Hedden, jun. Samuel Hayes and Thomas Canfield, Commissioners.
Newark, 18th April, 1779.
-The New-York Journal, and the General Advertiser, Numb. 1825, May 17, 1779.
TRENTON, May 19.
On Friday last the following officers arrived at Eliza- beth-Town from New-York, on parole, viz, General Thomp- son, General Waterbury, Colonels Housecker, Potter, Al- lison and Webb.1 Two Subalterns in the land service and two Captains and some others in the navy, were at the same time exchanged.
1 Brig. Gen. William Thompson, of Pennsylvania, was taken prisoner at Three Rivers June 8. 1776 ; exchanged Oct. 25, 1780 ; d. Sept. 3, 1781. - Brig. Gen. David Waterbury, of Connecticut, taken prisoner at Valcour's Island Oct. 11, 1776; exchanged Oct. - , 1780 ; d. June 29, 1801.
Lieut. Col. William Allison, of the 10th Virginia State Regiment, per- haps is meant.
Col. James Potter, Pennsylvania Militia, perhaps.
Col. Samuel Blatchey Webb, of Connecticut, taken prisoner on the expe- dition to Long Island Dec. 10, 1777; exchanged December -, 1780; d. Dec. 3, 1817.
-
374
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1779
By a gentleman who arrived here yesterday evening from Essex county, we are informed that a considerable body of the enemy landed in Bergen county on Monday last; but their intentions are not yet known.
We hear Mr. Zedwitz,1 late a Lieut. Col. belonging to the State of New York, in the service of the United States, was, a few days ago, taken up near Morris-Town, dressed in women's cloaths. About the time the British army took possession of New-York, he was tried by a Court Martial and found guilty of attempting to give informa- tion to the enemy, for which he was sentenced to imprison- ment during the war. He lately made his escape from Reading, and was thus disguised endeavouring to get to New-York. He will now probably meet the punishment his treachery justly merits .- The Pennsylvania Packet, May 20, 1779.
BY VENDUE.
Will be SOLD at twelve o'clock, on Tuesday the first day of June next (upon the premises) that well known valuable stand for business near the town of Crosswicks, on the creek of that name, where a large store has been kept for many years, consisting of between one and two acres of land under a good fence. A large two story dwell- ing house with cellars and a two story kitchen adjoining; a thirty by twenty-four feet two story storehouse, large stables and hay lofts over them; a smoke house and cedar boarded garden, in which is a well of good water. The buildings are new and in good repair, situate on a naviga- tion to Philadelphia, in a rich and populous neighbour- hood, and acknowledged to be one of the best situations for
1 Major Herman Zedwitz, 1st N. Y., commissioned July 15, 1775; sent to prison Nov. 22, 1776, under sentence to be confined during the war ; released and permitted to leave the United States July 14, 1779. The newspaper report in the text of his escape in May, 1779, was apparently incorrect. But see page 404, post.
375
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
business in New-Jersey. It is eight miles from Trenton, four from Allenstown and Bordentown.
Those inclining to purchase before the vendue, may apply to Isaiah Robbins1 or Jacob Middleton near the premises ; or Charles Cooke in Philadelphia, who will give an indis- putable title, and immediate possession. May 12, 1779. -The Pennsylvania Evening Post, May 22, 1779.
The clamour among the officers and men is so great at Elizabeth-Town, owing to the little value of their pay, that a deputation went off lately to Head-Quarters, demanding a gratuity of two hundred pounds for each officer, and forty dollars for each private, without which they determined not to serve; in consequence of which it was granted.
A dollar is usually paid a Tonsor to smooth the chin of a poor militia man .- The Royal Gazette, No. 276, May 22, 1779.
Forks, May 18, 1779. TO BE SOLD at Public Vendue,
On the first day of June next, at the Forks of Little Egg-Harbour.
The SLOOP INDUSTRY, burthen about forty tons ; a new Bermudian-built vessel, sails remarkably well, and her sails and rigging very good.
At the same time will be sold, her Cargo of Turks Island SALT, of about four hundred bushels.
JOSEPH BALL2
N. B. The inventory of said Sloop to be seen at the Coffee-house.
1 Isaiah Robbins and Jacob Middleton both resided in Nottingham town- ship, Burlington county, a few miles from Trenton. See N. J. Archives, 2d Series, 1: 534.
2 For a sketch of Joseph Ball, see N. J. Archives, 2d Series, 1: 559.
376
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1779
TO BE SOLD,
For Cash or Loan Office Certificates,
The Farm and Tract of Land called Mount Penn, in Monmouth County, East Jersey, containing twelve hun- dred acres, about fifty miles from Philadelphia. There is a neat new dwelling house on the premises, a well of water at the door, about four hundred apple trees in two orchards, about forty-five acres of swamp lately cleared, which produces good fresh grass, and a quantity of upland cleared. This tract will support a remarkable large stock of cattle, as there is a beautiful plain of salt marsh so laid out by ditches of fresh water that the one half can be pastured, the other for mowing, which may be changed annually to advantage. The south end of the tract is bounded by the bay, whose shores abound with fish, wild fowl and oysters: On the north end is a valuable body of cedar swamp, and convenient to a landing. There is a stone quarry on the premises. The great road from Shrewsbury to Cape May runs through the land within fifty yards of the dwelling-house, where there is a pros- pect of Little Egg-harbour and the shipping at anchor in the Inlet, together with a view of the shipping plying to the northward and southward. And a lot of salt marsh adjoining the above, containing by estimation one hun- dred and three acres, equalled by few lots of marsh, a brook of fresh water bounding it on the west, and is situate on the head of the tide in Burlington county. These two tracts are situated in as healthy a country as in America, and will suit a grazier, tavern-keeper, store-keeper, or a company of Philadelphia merchants for the purpose of expediting their sea-trade. The situation renders it con- venient for carrying on the whale fishing, as swarms of those valuble fish in the season are seen on the coasts. The East Plains are contiguous, so remarkable in the
377
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
Autumn for grasing; also several lots of marsh and rough upland. The whole convenient to a Baptist and Friends meeting houses, and grist and saw-mills. No better titles can be given for lands in New Jersey than will be given for these. Any person inclining to purchase may know the price and particulars by applying to JAMES FREELAND, at the Friends meeting house at Little Egg-harbour, or JOHN DONNELL, at the house of Mr. Lewis Grant, Coppersmith, near the Coffee-house, in Market street, Philadelphia.
Said DONNELL has to dispose of, a small share of property in East-Jersey, having some oak and pine land due on it; a house to rent in Water street, Southwark; and to sell, a few hogsheads of West-India Rum and sundry Dry Goods .- The Pennsylvania Packet, May 25, 1779.
Mr. COLLINS,
By publishing the following remarks in your next paper, you will oblige some of your readers.
I Believe there [never] was a country that had a greater plentitude of politicians, than America. The political writings, which are al- most every day exhibited, afford no contemptible proof of this obser- vation. In the publications, that have already appeared, the common misfortunes of this period have been so repeatedly delineated, and our errors described under so many varying colours, that I am not willing to exaggerate those discriptions. There are however some points which have escaped their notice, merely as I suppose because they are of so obvious a nature as not to merit the attention of. such refined Statesmen. Many of the descanters on the evils of the age, have according to their favourite prejudices, or prevailing interests, fixed the causes of our calamities on particular classes of men, in conspicu- ous stations. Against such men, have they levelled charges of guilt without mercy or distinction ; and dealt out censures, in so indis- criminate a manner as was more calculated to make their ill-nature, than to correct the evils they complain of. I am persuaded, it will be found, upon a fair enquiry, that our difficulties and distresses, have a higher origin than is generally imagined. Many of our difficulties arise from necessity, and are inseperable from our circumstances ; and though they produce inconveniences to numbers, they argue fault in none. Few men can separate the idea of misfortune from error ; and when we feel the former, we are not apt to impute it to the latter.
378
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1779
Weak and wicked minds had much rather seek for objects, to arraign as the authors of their miseries, than to support themselves pa- tiently under unavoidable misfortunes. This observation is clearly verified in the numerous opinions and complaints concerning the reasons of the depreciation of our currency. Writers on this sub- ject, instead of reasoning from causes to effects, have argued from effects to causes. Indeed the causes of this unhappy evil have at one time or other, been attributed to almost every profession of men, instead of being imputed to its true cause, the great influx of money.
Those, who are so fond of insinuating themselves into the esteem of their countrymen, by whining over the degeneracy of the times, and taxing administration with a want of oeconomy, and abuse of power, over-shot their mark, and in their zeal prove much more than they and their admirers either expect or desire. For it is a maxim in politics, that the complexion and conduct of the Magistrates of a state, furnish a very just portrait of the people whom they govern. This is peculiarly true in free governments ; and therefore, if there is a general error, it argues a general corruption. The people com- monly elect those for their rulers, whose principles and manners are most likely to coincide with their own. It surprizes me, that the present administration are suffered to govern; or that the executive officers acting under them receive their countenance and support, if either are wanting in abilities or integrity. No nation ever existed, that, considered as a people, were more sensible and virtuous than the inhabitants of America ; but their jealousies being perpetually on the hinge, they are easily seduced by popular declaimers.
Our principal subject of complaint seems to be the system that regulates the great staff departments. It is not my intention to defend or to combat this proposition ; but I sincerely lament, that those who have already warned us of this mischief, have not also prescribed a remedy. To discover and expose errors, is a task which little minds can accomplish. To point out an effectual redress for disorders, and by the foundation of a delivery from these difficulties, shows the man of wisdom and goodness of heart. Without repeating former complaints, or adding any new ones, I will take up the subject where it has been dropt, and propose a plan to regulate those departments, which I think is preferable to the present establishment, and sub- mit the policy and usefulness of this arrangement to the consideration of my readers.
I propose, that the supreme Council of the United States, should appoint officers to preside over the staff departments, who should be respectively constrained to do the duties of those offices, on such terms as may be deemed proper. That those principals should be invested with power to constitute as many deputies as the exigencies of the service may require, who also should be compelled to serve on fixed salaries-that the deputies should be severally authorized to employ as many agents as are sufficient to execute the various branches of their employments, who likewise should be obliged to act for certain
1
379
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
wages-that the heads of the departments should be empowered to appoint three commissioners in each state, on continental expence, who should fix and regulate the prices of all articles wanted for public purposes, and estimate the value of transportation, labour, and the like; and that each respective state should confirm those appoint- ments, and give the sanction of law to all their determinations. The price and value of things being thus estimated, and established by Legislative authority, the people should be bound to the most rigorous compliance with those regulations.
Should this plan be adopted, I could hope to see the most ex- tensive good consequences result from it. The present enormous expences of the staff departments would be contracted, further emis- sions of money rendered unnecessary, and the current expences re- duced to the power and abilities of the States. Such happy con- sequences showing from this system, we may have an opportunity of knowing by its being approved or rejected, whether there is that virtue in the people in general, which we hope and expect there is ; or whether the present evils which we are experiencing, are to be charged to the particular classes of men to whom they have been ascribed. If it is practicable in politics, as I think it is, to compel men to afford their services and commodities for public use, at certain rates ascertained by authority, the people may then have the benefit of applying this principle to their particular circumstances ; and by their own experience, know its propriety and advantage.
New-Jersey, May 15th, 1779.
AN AECONOMIST.
TRENTON, MAY 19.
Saturday last about two o'clock in the morning, a party of near 200 of the enemy landed at Middletown, in Mon- mouth county, on a picarooning expedition. But from the alertness of our militia in collecting, and bravery in re- pelling those invaders, they were soon driven on board their boats, by which they were prevented from doing any other mischief than plundering two or three families.
Saturday last Capt. Collins arrived at Philadelphia, via Egg Harbour, from the West Indies. On his way round he retook and brought in a brig belonging to Boston, which the enemy had captured on her way from the West-Indies to Boston, and had ordered her for New-York, laden with upwards of 100 hogsheads of molasses, and some sugar and coffee.
380
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. R [1779
We hear, that last week three vessels belonging to the enemy, were captured off the Jersey coast, and ordered for ports to the eastward. -
On Tuesday the 11th instant, departed this life at his seat in Hopewell, JOHN HART,1 Esq; one of the Represen- tatives in General Assembly for the county of Hunterdon, and late speaker of that House. He had served in As- sembly for many years under the former government, taken an early and active part in the present revolution, and continued to the day he was seized with his last ill- ness to discharge the duties of a faithful and upright patriot in the service of his country in general, and the country he represented in particular. The universal ap- probation of his character and conduct among all ranks of people, is the best testimony of his worth, and as it must make his death regretted and lamented, will ensure lasting respect to his memory.
The TRUE PATRIOT to Mr. DUNHAM, in our next.
STEPHEN LOWREY,2
AT the Rev. Mr. Spencer's, Trenton, gives the highest price for Loan-Office Bills on the Commissioners in France.
1 For a sketch of John Hart, see New Jersey Archives, 10: 269, and 2d Series, 1: 213. The obituary notice above fails to mention the most striking fact in Mr. Hart's career-that he was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
2 Stephen Lowrey m. Sarah, dau. of the Rev. Elihu Spencer, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Trenton ; she d. May, 1780, in her 25th year. Mr. Lowrey had been a merchant in Maryland, but was in Trenton at least as early as 1769. After his marriage he resided for some time at the parsonage. See also Vol. I., ante, 268, note.
381
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
TO BE SOLD,
At the PRINTING OFFICE in Trenton, the following BOOKS, stationery, MEDICINES, &c.
TESTAMENTS,
Journals of Congress, the first 2 vols.
A law library consisting of 61 vols.
Black lead pencils, Wafers in boxes, Black sealing wax,
History of New-Jersey,
Vicar of Wakefield,
Ivory folders,
Pocket books,
Inkstands of different sorts,
Ink powder,
Lampblack,
Best grey hair powder,
Rhubarb in the gross or powdered,
Jesuits bark, ditto,
Brimstone,
Senna,
Gum assafœtida,
Tartar emetic,
Epsom's salts,
Bateman's drops,
British oil,
Godfrey's cordial,
Turlington's balsam,
Anderson's and Hooper's Pills,
Gum myrrh,
Camphor,
Sweet oil in flasks,
Corks, &c., &c.,
Writing paper,
Also a quantity of men's shoes.
Blank bonds,
Apprentices' indentures, Powers of attorney,
Quills, dressed and undressed,
Allinson's edition of the body of laws of New-Jersey,
Clark's Cordery,
Schoolmaster's assistants,
Dilworth's spelling books,
Oeconomy of human life,
New England, Manson's, and Woolman's primer,
Croxall's Aesop's fables,
Relly's Christian hymns,
Daniel Stanton's Journal,
Clerks' vade mecum,
Negotiators' magazine,
Clark's Suetonius's history of the XII Cæsars, in Latin and English,
The voyages and adventures of Mons Viaud,
Watt's divine songs for children,
The mighty destroyer displayed, Horn books,
TO BE SOLD,
A HEARTY strong WENCH, with a young child at her breast, has had both small-pox and measles; is a good cook, and can do all kinds of house work. For terms en- quire of the subscriber in Trenton.
RENSSELAER WILLIAMS.1
May 18, 1779.
1 For a note on Rensselaer Williams, see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, 1 : 8.
382
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
WAS left at the house of the subscriber, by one Capt. Minson, of the New England Troops, the 23d of Septem- ber, 1777, a bay mare. The owner is desired to come pay the charges and take her away, or she will be sold in three weeks after this date, by
GEORGE CORYELL.
Amwell, May 17, 1779.
TO BE SOLD,
A Very good house in Albany street, in New Bruns- wick, two stories high, a brick front, two rooms on the lower floor, with an entry, and three rooms above, where also is an entry; a cellar under the whole, a good kitchen with an entry adjoining it, with a linter to the house for a shop fit for any business. The lot is fifty feet front, and one hundred and fifty feet. back, on lease for about 52 years to come, with a ground rent of Two Pounds, Ten Shillings per annum. For terms of sale enquire of the subscriber in New Brunswick.
DIRK VAN VEGHTEN.
Bergen county, State of New Jersey, May 19, 1779.
TAKEN up on his way from the enemy's lines and com- mitted to the gaol of said county, a NEGRO MAN, who says that his master's name is John Howlet, that he resides in Gloucester county, near Popplespring church, Virginia ; that he deserted his master's service and joined Lord Dunmore upwards of three years ago. Notice is hereby given that unless the master of the said negro, or some per- son in his behalf, come within eight weeks from the date hereof, prove his property, pay the charges and take him away, he will be sold to pay the cost.
ADAM BOYD, Sheriff.
383
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
TO BE SOLD,
By the SUBSCRIBER,
MOLASSES, coffee, tea, snuff, tenpenny and twelvepenny nails, and indigo. By taking a quantity of either, allow- ance will be made.
THOMAS MOODY.
Princeton, May 11, 1779.
STRAYED or stolen from the subscriber in Trenton, on Monday week, à small bay MARE, with a star, 8 or 9 years old, is marked by a halter on her nose with white hair, and has a black streak all along her back. Whoever delivers her to the subscriber, shall be handsomely rewarded for their trouble.
WILLIAM KELLY.
May 18, 1779.
Public notice is hereby given to all persons that have any demands either on bond, note, mortgage, book or other- wise, against the persons whose names are hereunto an- nexed, to bring them to two of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Essex, within six months from the date hereof, in order to have them settled. And likewise notice is hereby given to all persons that have any goods, wares, merchandize of any kind, or owe on bond, note, mortgage or otherwise any sum or sums of money to any of the offenders whose names are hereunder written, and shall neglect to make discovery thereof to one of us the subscribers, within one month from the date hereof, may expect to be dealt with as the law in that case directs .- The names are as follows, viz. Cavilear Jewit,1 William Luce, John Smith Hetfield, Broughton
1 Jouet.
384
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1779
Reynolds, Richard Miller, John Wills, James Hetfield, James Frazee, James Moore, Jonathan Oliver, David Oliver, Job Hetfield, Daniel Moore, Samuel Smith, John Morse, Isaac Stanbury, Thomas Burrows and John Falker. John Clawson, } Commis- Daniel Marsh, - sioners.
Essex county, New-Jersey, May 10th, 1779.
New-Jersey, AT an Inferior Court of Common Pleas
Essex county, ss. held in and for said county, on the nineteenth day of April last, were returned inquisitions for joining the army of the king of Great Britain, and other treasonable practices found against John Stites, jun. Isaac Mills, George Marshall, John Lee, jun, James Frazee, jun. Ichabod Oliver, John Slone, Robert Gault, Oliver Delancy, Thomas Bradbury Chandler, Cornelius Hetfield, jun. John Acley and John Marsh, of which proclamation was made in said court, that if they, or any in their behalf, or any person who thought himself interested, should ap- pear and traverse the same, a trial should be awarded, but no traverses were offered ; Therefore notice is hereby given, that if neither they, or any in their behalf, nor any inter- ested, shall appear at the next court to be held for said county, and traverse the same, the said inquisitions will be taken to be true, and final judgment entered thereon in favour of the State.
John Clawson, ) Commis- Daniel Marsh, ( sioners.
Elizabeth-Town, May 10th, 1779.
BROKE GAOL
BROKE out of gaol at Hackensack, in the night of the 10th inst. for apprehending and securing of whom the following respective rewards will be given: Sixty dollars for apprehending and securing Elias Holmes, a mulatto,
385
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
aged about 35 years, is lame in his left foot, about 5 feet 11 inches high. He was indicted for high treason at the court of this county. Fifty dollars for apprehending and securing Henry Wormel, has red hair, aged 41 years, about 5 feet 11 inches. He was lately committed for high
treason. Eight dollars for apprehending and securing Robert Johnson and Charles Chambers, aged between 30 and 40 years; the former about 5 feet 8 inches high, the latter about 5 feet 9 inches; committed on suspicion of going into the enemy's line; or Four Dollars for either of them. Any person apprehending and securing any of the above persons, upon giving notice to the subscriber, so that they may be remanded back to the said gaol, shall receive the reward prefixed to them respectively, from me. ADAM BOYD, Sheriff.
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