USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. III > Part 31
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Bergen county, May 11, 1779.
To all whom it may concern :
New-Jersey, ss. NOTICE is hereby given that a Court of admiralty will be held at the house of Gilbert Barton, in Allentown, on Tuesday the fifteenth day of June next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of Oliver Gleason and Samuel Ball, (who as well, &c.) against the ship or vessel called the Mermaid, lately commanded by Captain Snowball, with her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo: To the end and intent that the owners of the said vessel, or any person or persons con- cerned therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the said vessel and cargo should not be con- demned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge,
JOSEPH BLOOMFIELD, Register. Salem, May 16, 1779.
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Came to the plantation of the subscriber in Amwell, near Ringo's tavern, about the middle of February last, a large red ox. The owner is desired to come, prove his property, pay charges, and take him away.
JOHN SNYDER,
May 14, 1779.
STOLEN or strayed out of the pasture of the subscriber at Rocky-Hill, near Princeton, on Tuesday night last, the following horses, viz. a sorrel horse, 14 and a half hands high, 8 or 9 years old, a snip in his face, a long tail, in very good order, trots, paces, and canters, upwards of half blooded. Also a bay horse, 13 and a half hands high, a small star in his forehead, his hind feet white up to his fetlocks, trots and canters, a switch tail, upwards of 3-9ths blooded, both lately trimmed. If either of them are branded, their brands are not known. Any person taking up the horses and thief or thieves, and informing the subscriber, shall receive One Hundred Dollars, and reason- able charges paid. Sixty Dollars for the horses alone. JOHN BERRIEN.1 -The New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 76, Wednesday, May 19, 1779.
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Mr. COLLINS,
I Find in your 72d No. a piece of Az. Dunham, a Commissary and Superintendent Chief, which seems to verify my apprehensions that an attempt to investigate the causes of our national calamities, would cause pain in the affected members. It appears to me that the spirit of that performance discovers the symptoms of venal and corrupt servants of a state. Its bold and arrogant face seems intended to stifle the most distant advances to a discovery of corrupt and mal- administration in the servants of this empire. It, however, behooves that gentleman to know, that we esteem ourselves as yet a free people, and as such challenge it as our right and duty, in case the state is involved in calamities, by the misconduct of any of its subjects, to offer our well founded suspicions of any class of men, particularly the servants of the state, in order to rouse the com-
1 A note on the Berrien family will be found in New Jersey Archives, 26:208.
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munity, and thereby find out more particularly the authors of their misery. These servants of the public have an extensive field of action, and thousands of opportunities to cloak their villainy, of which citizens may have sufficient evidence of its linking somewhere in such department, without being able fully to fix and prove it upon individuals. It is evident from the whole scope and tenor of my several numbers in your paper, that my charges against the Com- missary department is to be considered in that point of view. And in order to support my charge as far as in this respect bound, I appeal
1. To matters of fact, which by long and common report have become of public notoriety. Let Mr. Dunham, as well as numbers of my fellow-citizens, bear evidence to the truth of the following cases.
1. Whether our army, when at the Valley-Forge, after a severe campaign, have not been in an alarming want of supplies of pro- visions ?
2. Whether provisions were not then as plenty as they have been since ?
3. Whether Congress had not about or before the time of this catastrophe happened to our brave suffering army, fixed and limitted the pay of the gentlemen of this department?
4. Whether the reasons for Congress taking off this fixed and limited pay, and allowing so much per cent. has not been that they could not otherwise get the army properly supplied ?
If these matters are founded in fact, I ask Mr. Dunham what probable reason can be assigned for them, if it be not that fixed salaries give these gentlemen not such favorable opportunities for embezzling the publick money as the other? And what must the community judge of the hearts and views of men who were the causes of such calamities and dangers to our army, while it was in their power to have prevented it?
2. Among a number of probable particular cases I beg leave to mention two, of which I was informed in a manner which [had] all the appearance of truth.
The one was, a gentleman of unquestioned veracity, informed me that a purchaser for the army enquired of him, whether he had flour to spare: After he had told him that he had to the amount of a considerable quantity, without asking a price, offered him double the current, to the surprize and astonishment of the owner, who declared to me, he would never have thought of asking above the half. I ask Mr. Dunham, whether such a step had not a natural tendency to raise the price throughout the whole of that wheat country ; to double its former ?
Another declared to me as a matter of fact, that a certain gentle- man of that department made it his business to purchase flour not only as Commissary, but also as a trader. When he was called upon for a. supply, and the current price probably not enhanced sufficient
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for his view, kept his own in store, and procured from the citizens, even under pretext of pressing it: His own he disposed of to the continent, when advanced prices gave him an opportunity to answer his purposes. I ask Mr. Dunham, what he thinks our citizens have a just right to infer from such conduct?
The truth of these instances I have no reason to doubt; could I have hoped that a regular process against them, would have effected the cure of the general evil, without removing the cause, and my circumstances would have allowed me to travel hundreds of miles for carrying on such a prosecution, I· would have been disposed to have done it.
If I have no other reason than the general murmurs and clamours of the community, I humbly conceive myself justifiable in what I have assertel respecting that department, for they seldom or never happen without some foundation.
3. Permit me to leave to Mr. Dunham himself, the determination of two questions. First, Whether his office as Commissary and Superintendent Chief, has not brought him in within the space of a year or two, a sum amounting to double, treble, or six or ten fold, to what he had made all the foregoing part of his life? If so, whether the duties of his station require so much more fatigue, hard- ship and danger, than officers of superior rank in the army, (who instead of making, have been obliged to sink large sums of their private property ) which in justice and equity require so much more? If the first is answered in the affirmative and the latter in the negative, I submit to the judgment of my fellow-citizens, what influence such unjust and exorbitant demands upon our publick treasury, must have on our national calamities? The esteem of Mr. Dunham, I assure him, affects me very little ; and I cordially submit it to the judgment of my candid fellow-citizens, whether I deserve the character of a general calumniater, though I do not publickly acknowl- edge to have been guilty of a fault, in what I have asserted respecting the Commissary department.
I apprehend it a matter of indifference to Mr. Dunham, where the True Patriot resides, or whether he is a Divine, or a quondam Judge or President. It is of more concern to him to know that I have not limited my charges against Commissaries in the state of New- Jersey in particular, but that department in general. And if that holds true with respect to any of them where-ever they may be, my charges are sufficiently supported.
I find, however, that Mr. Dunham endeavours to take me on the ground that I have levelled the charge against him in particular, because, as he asserts, I have made no exceptions. If I have not excepted him, it is because he must judge himself to be among the guilty; for I have plainly and fully excepted the honest and innocent. What else can be the import of the phraise I made use of-to punish the guilty among them? I candidly own that charity constrains me to believe and hope, that there are a few honest and innocent in that
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department. But Mr. Dunham has my leave to rank himself among the guilty.
Any thought even to suspect one of that department capable of being guilty of any part of the charge, is so vile, with Mr. Dunham, as seems to put him almost to a nonplus for words to express it .- Sir, your passions seems to have thrown your ideas into confusion. Only recollect it must be the misconduct of some in our community, that have brought these calamities upon us. Among twelve Apostles one was capable of being a traitor : But you seem to insinuate that the whole of your fraternity are incapable of having any influence on our present evils complained of. So you attribute a greater degree of sanctity to them than the twelve Apostles .- No wonder that such a man should despise the sanctity of a modern Divine, as well as the importance of a quondam President or Judge .- Some persons must be suspected. I therefore, in order to avoid his severe censure, beg his directions and permission who to suspect.
To Mr. Dunham's knowledge and belief, no part of my charge is true; Yea, he knows the reverse to be true, and can prove it by a thousand instances. O! Stupidity ! Effects of phrensy !- Go on, Sir, prove yourself and all the gentlemen of that department innocent, as to any part of my charge, or else you will be in danger of not sup- porting that good character you insinuate to have deserved. As you, Sir, have here given your belief to the publick, permit me to declare, that I believe you guilty of some part of my charge. It is probable, Sir, that consciousness of guilt has prompted you to this perform- ance, in order thereby (if possible) to avoid more particular suspi- cions. And suppose you should render a full, and, to appearance, just account, I shall not esteem it sufficient proof that you are free and clear of any part my charge.
As to the spirit and composition of this performance, and his sneer at the farmers and tradesmen, and my flattery of them, I leave him to reap all the benefits from, he has a right to expect.
A TRUE PATRIOT.
April 23, 1779.
Mr. COLLINS,
Please to give the following observations a place in your Gazette,
TO THE JERSEY FARMER.
Sir,
I AM much obliged by your second publication, which I have now before me, and shall endeavour to bring all my brother electors into your measures for securing our happy constitution from any further innovations, by leaving out at the next election every member who has accepted any office of profit under the present government, let his qualifications in other respects be ever so great, as being the only
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sure means to preserve our constitution from every suspicion of cor- ruption.
But what shall be done to prevent the further depreciation of our bills of credit. It is lamentably true, as the True Patriot justly observes, that publick virtue seems to have left almost all ranks of people among us, except the officers and soldiers of the continental army, whom I hold in the highest veneration. They endure every hardship, and expose themselves to every danger, and even to death itself, with a patience and suffering (some few excepted) that is hardly to be paralleled in any history now to be met with; whilst people of almost all ranks in the United States are become engrossers, speculators and forestallers, some of the quartermasters and com- missaries of purchase not excepted. It has been often said that the quartermaster's department is very lucrative; that they will return to citizenship with the fortunes of Nabobs or Sultans, which I am induced to believe, as I see persons of all ranks and characters fond of becoming deputies in order to partake of the emoluments of that very beneficial office. I was always of opinion that every servant of the publick ought to have an adequate or rather a generous salary annexed to their several offices ; this in all free governments is rea- sonable, and which I apprehend is right ; but is the present apportion- ment right? This is the enquiry. I am informed the Quartermaster General, with his two assistants (whose characters are unexception- able) draw a commission of one per cent. on the amount of all money paid in their department. They appoint a Quartermaster-General in each state-he draws one and a half per cent. on all money paid by him. He then appoints deputies at each post, and assistants almost without number, either on commissions or monthly pay, on all which the commissions are taken. Can this be right? I must submit it to that honourable body under whose government I wish to live.
In the next place, let us in general, if I may use the expression, besiege the Congress of the United States with our petitions, praying that they will (amidst the many dissipating scense, jaunts of pleasure, luxury and fashions of our enemies, that are eagerly gone into by almost all ranks of people among us) adopt the salutary measure, constantly practiced by our enemies, to prevent monopolizing and extortion. No sooner do they get possession of a small island, but an ordinance is immediately published, limiting the price of all kinds of produce, manufactory and merchandise. Surely the Supreme Power that governs the United States, can with one resolution, draw the line of limitation for all the prices of internal produce, manufactory and labor, leaving importation free, only restraining engrossing, &c. This, together with annual taxes equal to the expenditure of the current year, is a measure I believe will (like the Cortex of Peru in a fever) be a sovereign remedy for restoring our bills of credit to the value mentioned on the face of them. On this criterion depends the trial of whig and tory. The true whig will most cheerfully submit, and endeavour to carry the regulation into effect, by
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every means in his power; whilst the tory, altho' chagrined to his very soul, will seemingly grin an applause. This is a measure that our enemies are using every means in their power to prevent taking effect, well knowing it would destroy their pernicious plan for enslav- ing us.
I am well aware, and expect to hear the old trite observation, that trade will regulate itself. I know it will in ordinary cases, but we are concerned in an extraordinary one; a cause of the first magni- tude, in which the lives, liberties, and every thing dear to three millions of people, are at stake. The means are in our power, and surely where inevitable necessity is contended for, the dispute must be short, long arguments are unnecessary. If what has been already published will not alarm and convince, I shall conclude that the delusion will continue, altho' one should be sent from the dead. Here let me drop the language of a Cato, and cry out, O Liberty ! O my Country ! O my Friends ! Or that of a Cato's son-
"Is there not some chosen curse,
Some hidden thunder in the stores of Heaven, Red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man Who owes his greatness to his country's ruin."
I could not remain any longer a spectator, and have just mentioned what I sincerely wish may be improved and carried into effect. That the independence of the United States may be finally established, is the sincere desire and prayer of
May 18, 1779.
A TRADESMAN OF NEW JERSEY.
TRENTON, MAY 26.
The detachment of the enemy that landed in Bergen county on Monday the 17th instant, consisted of about 1000 men, composed of several different corps, under the command of Col. Van Buskirk. Their path in this in- cursion was marked with desolation and unprovoked cruel murders. Not a house within their reach, belonging to a whig inhabitant, escaped. Mr. Abraham Allen and George Campbell fell a prey to these more than savage men. Two Negro women, who were endeavouring to drive off some cattle belonging to their masters, were also murdered. Mr. Joost Zabriskie was stabbed in 13 differ- ent places .- Col. Van Buskirk, altho' he was formally acquainted with those barbarities, yet he did not think proper to take the least notice of the perpetrators .- Hav-
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ing in some measure satiated their appetite for blood and plunder, and dreading the vengeance of our militia, which by this time was collecting in considerable numbers, the enemy precipitately retreated to their boats, and went off to New-York.
SIS Mr. DUNHAM to Mr. TIMOLEON in our next.
Several articles of intelligence and new Adver- tisements are omitted this week for want of room.
COLONEL Edward Thomas,1 of the New-Jersey militia, being tried by a Court-Martial composed of continental and militia officers, held by order of General Maxwell, at Elizabeth-Town, the 9th day of March last, on the charges of cowardice and neglect of duty; the Court, after duly considering the evidence produced, was unanimously of opinion that he was not guilty of cowardice, and acquitted him with honour .- And were also of opinion that the charge of neglect of duty was not supported, and acquitted him thereof .- And I having maturely considered the evi-
1 Edward Thomas, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel Heard's battalion, "minute men," Feb. 12, 1776; Colonel First Regiment, Essex, Feb. 23, 1776; Colonel, battalion "Detached Militia," July 18, 1776; resigned March 13, 1777 .- Stryker's Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolution, 356. Thomas was descended from one of the early settlers of Elizabethtown, and took an active part in public affairs from the beginning of the Revolution. On Dec. 6, 1774, he was appointed by the town on a com- mittee to prosecute the measures recommended by Congress. He was Lieutenant Colonel (under Col. Elias Dayton) of the militia of the town, who captured the ship "Blue Mountain Valley," Jan. 22, 1776. He was one of the barrack masters of the town at this time. In February, 1776. he was in command of a squad of militia assigned to guard the coast against attacks of the enemy. St. John's Church chose him to be a member of its vestry for several years. In 1784 he advertised the famous "White House," Governor Philip Carteret's former residence, for sale. He was named as overseer of the poor in the new town charter in 1789. When a subscription was started for a Library Association, in 1792, he was among the first to sign it. The ferry to New York came into his possession in 1790, and was long known as "Thomas's Ferry." For several years prior to 1795, he served as alderman. He died February 27, 1795, in his 59th year. His wife died Feb. 27, 1824, aged 86 years. -Hatfield's Elizabeth, passim ; Duer's Life of Lord Stirling, etc.
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dence produced on the several charges, do, as Commander in Chief of the militia of this State, confirm the above judgment and acquittal:
WIL' LIVINGSTON.
Trenton, 20th May, 1779.
State of New Jersey, WHEREAS Inquisitions have been Hunterdon county. found against John Tabor Kemp, Grace his wife, and Charles McEvers, of the city of New York, and returned to the last Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the said county :- Notice is hereby given, that if they or some person or persons in their behalf, does not appear at the next Court of Common Pleas to be held at Trenton, in and for the said county of Hunterdon, and put in a plea to traverse the said inqui- sitions, final judgment will be entered thereon in favour of the State.
JARED SEXTON, NATHANIEL HUNT, PETER. BRUNNER,
Commis- sioners. May 24, 1779.
A FULLING-MILL in Allentown, New-Jersey, will be put in good order, and let to a good workman that can be well recommended provided such a man applies in season, other- wise the materials will be sold, consisting of a good copper screw and press, two pairs of sheers, stock, &c. Any per- son inclining either to purchase or rent, may know the terms by applying to
ARTHUR DONALDSON.
Allentown, May 24, 1779.
Came to the plantation of John Lanning in Maidenhead, on Wednesday the 12th day of May, inst, a large bay horse, about fifteen hands high, supposed to be thirteen
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years old, with a large star and a snip, branded P. A. on the near thigh, shod all round. Any person proving their property and paying charges, may have him of me. JOHN LANNING.1
To be sold at Publick Vendue, at Pitts-Town, on Mon- day the 31st inst. May, sundry cost 2 horses, a Mare and Colt, and several Mares with foal, Sale to begin at ten o'clock.
FURMAN YARD, Q. M.
Twenty Dollars Reward.
STRAYED or stolen on Saturday the 8th instant, a small chestnut sorrel horse, about 14 hands high, branded all round with the letters s c. paces and trots, his back has
1 John Laning is said to have served as a guide during the Revolution, but the Adjutant General's office of New Jersey has no record of such service. There is a record of the service of one David Laning as a guide. John Laning, of Maidenhead, Hunterdon county, being "weak and sick," made his will February 6, 1811, but survived for more than five years thereafter, his will not being admitted to probate until November 28, 1816. He gave to his wife, Rachel, some household goods, his negro woman, Dinah, and a share of the remainder of his estate; to his son Edward he gave twelve acres of woodland adjoining Nathaniel Hunt, Esq., and "two upper fields down as far as the place where the old fence stood formerly except a road through the same from my homestead to my woodland ;" also a meadow lot in Great Meadows, called the five-acre lot. To his daughter Elizabeth Hart, his field adjoining Ephraim Phillips and George Bullock, except "four acres which is to be cut off of said field along the great Road leading from Trenton to Princeton," during her life, then to be sold and proceeds divided equally among her children when of age. To his daughter Mary Lawrence. land bought of Samuel Updike, during her life, then to be sold and the proceeds to be equally divided among her children. To his daughter Abbe Hooper, his lot in the meadows called the one-acre lot, and $266.67 to be paid to her by his son Edward. To his daughter Charity Allen, $333.33. To. his daughters Sarah, Martha and Susanna Laning, each bed, bedding, linen and an equal share with his wife in the residue of his estate. Executors-Friend John Floch, son-in-law Thomas Hooper, and daughter Martha Laning. Witnesses-Daniel Agnew, Theophilus Phillips and Samuel Hunt. His estate was inventoried No- vember 25 and 26, 1816, and appraised by Daniel Agnew and Theophilus Phillips.
2 Cast, or condemned.
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been lately hurt with the saddle near the withers. Who- ever delivers said horse to the subscriber, shall receive the above reward.
JOHN ALLISON, Lieut-Col. 1st Virginia State regt.
Middle-Brook, May 17th, 1779.
STRAYED or stolen from Camp at Middle-Brook, a sorrel ·horse, about fourteen hands and a half high, hanging mane and switch tail, branded on the near buttock I. B. I will give Twenty Dollars to any person that will deliver the said horse to me, or give such information that I may get him again.
WM. CAMPBELL, Capt. 1st V. S. R. General Muhlenberg's Brigade. Middle-Brook, 17th May, 1779.
Two Hundred Dollars Reward.
STRAYED or stolen on Friday night the 21st inst. May, out of the pasture of the subscriber, living at the Six Mile Run, a sorrel horse, between 8 and 9 years old, a star in his forehead, 14 hands high, and lately shod all round. Also a brown mare, five years old, about 15 hands high, one of his fore feet and both hind feet white, and is half blooded, very lengthy, and branded with an O. They are both in very good order. Whoever takes up said horses and secures the thief so that he may be brought to justice, shall receive the above reward, or for the horses only One Hundred Dollars, or fifty for either of them, and all reasonable charges paid by me.
JOHN HAGEMAN.
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Eighty Dollars Reward.
STOLEN from the subscriber in Baskenridge, Somerset county, a brown mare, four years old, 14 hands high, with a star in her forehead, 4 white feet, and branded with an S on her fore shoulder. Whoever takes up said mare and secures her so that the owner may have her, or advertises her in the Trenton or Chatham newspapers, shall have Fifty Dollars, or the above reward for thief and mare, and all reasonable charges paid by W. COLLWELL.
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