USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. III > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
.
424
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
never having been able to get such sums as to clear off arrearages and continue the purchases. This interest and the depreciation of the money far exceeds all the envied commisisons I shall receive. My own money is also depreciating, and I have neither time nor disposi- tion to employ it in trade, as I would not wish to give the least occasion for jealousy to my countrymen. Had I not been engaged in the public service, but attended to my private concerns, I could with far less trouble and perplexity than I have now experienced, have gained ten times as much as the whole amount of my commissions. From this explicit account of facts, let the public determine whether I have embezzled or in any way made a criminal application of their property.
My anxiety and exertions to obtain proper supplies for the army are well known to those with whom I have transacted business. Neither the scorching heats of summer, the cold rigors of winter, the severity of tempests, nor the darkness of the night, have repressed my endeavors to accomplish this end, and I have often been happy in giving a seasonable supply. It has been my constant aim to prevent the depreciation of the money, and I have never been so heedless of this consequence as to give forty pounds an acre for an ordinary plantation, nor attempted in a public newspaper to prove that the depreciation was twenty to one.
I averred that I could prove the reverse of what the Patriot said in a thousand instances. As this amounts only to a negative proposition, all that is necessary for me to do is to challenge those I have dealt with to convict me. I must be supposed innocent till they can prove me otherwise. I did not undertake to justify every individual who purchases for the public. Those who are honest and attentive need no vindication, and those who are not so deserve none. Others when arraigned must defend themselves.
One word more to Mr. Timoleon and I have done. If you, Sir, have a mind to divert yourself in trying to prove that they have all "indeed been harpies which have preyed upon our vitals," you may indulge your inclination, and no doubt will meet with the reward due to your extraordinary zeal and labours. You deserve my thanks for your kind offer to give me your name. I shall not trouble you with such a request, as I should be unwilling to know you. It would give me pain to reflect that there was in the list of my acquaintances one man capable of such a grovelling business, as to take pleasure in traducing fair and honest characters-I submit the above to the candour and judgment of the Publick,
And am their most obedient humble servant,
Morristown, May 19, 1779.
AZ. DUNHAM,
-The New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 78, Wednesday, June 2, 1779.
425
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
Mr. COLLINS,
AMONG the various writers who are endeavoring to establish the political salvation of their country, none have been attended with so bad consequences in depreciating the currency, as the writings of your correspondent the True Patriot ; nor has any recommendation of so unjust and impolitic a plan as he has done in his concluding number, in recommending seasonable laws to be made by the Legislatures, that no citizens receive payments for debts contracted before the year 1777,, in this depreciated currency, disregarding those who have already received the money, and that for lands sold and debts contracted before the depreciation of the currency, and probably have not one farthing on loan before the first of March 1778, possessing no land at present, the unjust depreciation having rendered them unable to purchase now. Are these the men to hold a tenth of the stock, ought they not rather to receive the full value of every bill, according to the resolution of Congress, read in the face of it? The injustice of his scheme is so glaring, and is indeed to be wondered at how a person of patriotic principles should undertake it; but when we reflect that men of sanguine tempers, who often start a notion merely as a point of speculation, will think and talk so much about it, as at length to persuade themselves into a firm belief of the reality of what is all the while the creature of their own brains: Strange as this may seem, I am almost tempted to believe this patriotic gentle- man has brought himself to believe that what he has proposed is the most equitable of any scheme possible now to enter into. I dismiss the True Patriot to reflect on the wildness of his propositions, and make my address to the Honourable the Congress, the Governors and Legislative Bodies of the United States : May the Congress once more warmly recommend to and assist them in making laws for the regulation of trade. Necessity calls; fear urges; reason exhorts ; compassion alone exclaims : the whole fabrick appears in danger of falling to the ground, and if so, would bury thousands in its ruins ; I mean the natural death of publick credit. Who can behold this destruction with the remedy in their hands! laws of regulation .- This, and this alone, will pay millions of money for those yet unborn ; this would defeat all the depreciating schemes of the emissaries of Britain, the machinations of the friends of tyranny, and enemies to liberty. In the mean time, let taxes be competent on property of whatsoever kind : * By competent taxes I would be understood to signify a low medium between those who have been so unfortunate as to possess their estates in cash at present, and have a right to call every dollar equal in value to one silver one, and those who have fifteen or twenty for one; the unequal division of property renders
* Should it be practicable to tax cash itself, two pence a year from every dollar will pay or sink the whole, no matter how enormous the sum, in forty-five years.
426
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION, [1779
it impossible to do equal justice to every one. The source of degeneracy, so remarkable in free governments, is mostly owing to the practice of contracting debts and mortgaging the publick revenues, by which taxes may in time become intolerable, and all the property of the state be brought into the hands of the publick. Zenophon tells us that the Republick of Athens paid near two hundred per cent for Sums of money, when emergent occasions made it necessary for them to borrow. In popular governments the people, who have the highest offices, are commonly the publick creditors. 'Tis difficult for the state to make use of this remedy, (though it may be attainable on easy terms) which however it may be some time necessary, is always cruel and barbarous, and is an inconvenience which nearly threatens all free governments, especially our own at the present conjunction of affairs. And what a strong motive is this to increase our frugality of the publick money. Ergo, Laws to regulate trade will confirm what was formerly said of Republicks alone, that they are a government of laws, not of men; property would thereby be secured and industry encouraged ; for this the honest farmers and mechanicks are now looking up unanimously to their great servants : The mer- chants, the bane of society, engrossers and forestallers I exclude.
A FARMER.
Letter from Mr. Peter Dubois in New York, to Mrs. Dubois at Second River.
Friday, May 28, 1779.
MY DEAR CATEY,
"I WROTE you on Wednesday, and sent you two pair of heels and the materials for the bonnet, with the news- paper, which hope you will receive in proper time .- Since which I am told Mrs. Hurly and her daughter were in town, and had a note from you for me, I therefore went in search of them, but could not find them out, although I heard of their having been in several places, so that your's by them is not come to hand .- They came in by Paulus-Hook, and there they got a pass to come in and return, so that they have no occasion to call on us, and therefore gave themselves no trouble about delivering your billet .- I hope Chestnut 1 got safe, as he will spare you a little sugar in case Confident 1 should not have for-
.
1 Ciphers for certain proper names.
427
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
warded you any. I have laying ready a few pounds of powder sugar, which shall send you as soon as I can get a conveyance.
"I am anxious to hear of the progress of the continental troops which marched towards the frontiers1-the particu- lar objects of their distination are probably known by this time, if they have thought it expedient to proceed upon their original plan ; but if the Savages should have began any operations, I think it probable they have been diverted from their design. I could wish to hear as soon as possible any thing that may transpire relative to the achievement of either, though I dread to be told of the cruelties that will probably be practised. Indeed we have lately had a scene (which by report has been marked with circumstances of Savage barbarity) transacted, between this and your district, and which I believe is secreted from the commander in chief, whose sensibility and humanity, I am persuaded, would be wounded with the representa- tion-But, notwithstanding, it has its advocates, and could you believe it, the Governor* of your province avowedly patronizes the miscreants. It fills me with horror to reflect on the probable effects of such a temper in a man who declares he is at the head of this association,2 which appears to me to be formed for the purpose of plundering and desolating a country, which reason and maxims of sound policy should induce him to regain the affections of, by treating those whom he subdues with lenity and justice. I am far from wishing to plead the cause of those who are the props and supports of the present unnatural conflict : No! I would have the leading men secured and treated with humanity, but reserved for justice; but the aged and decrepid-the women and the children-the industri- ous peasant and the man unarmed and unarrayed for
* Meaning Mr. Franklin.
1 Sullivan's expedition against the Indians, in which a detachment of New Jersey troops took part.
2 The Association of Loyalists, in New York city.
428
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1779
hostile purpose, should rest in quiet in his own cottage, and pursue the labours of his fields, without interruption ; to him the horrors of war should be unknown, whatever might be his speculative opinions, provided those were not accompanied with open acts of persecution and violence against those who differed in sentiments with him. This, I must confess, is however an idea singular among those who are Jersey refugees,-they breath nothing but fire and sword, and desolation-and those whom an ungovern- able and rapacious soldiery have already plundered, they are for utterly destroying. They put me in mind of the representation given of the Porpoises, who, it is said, when one of their number is wounded, the others fall upon him immediately and devour him,-in this manner they have acted since they have been embodied and headed by their chief-every thing that comes in their way is plunder, and its owner a damned rebel. Poor John Powlesson, the com- panion of my sufferings, and who for his invincible firm- ness and refusal to take the oath, was a prisoner at Mor- ris-Town eleven months, has been plundered for a rebel by these wretches, his horses have been publickly sold, and I yesterday met a fellow in the street with his negro, who, I understand from him, he was going to sell. I hope I shall be able to put a stop to it, if at the risk of grave looks from the Governor.
Twelve o'clock, Wednesday.
I have nothing to add-but that I am well, and wish to hear you may be so too.
TRENTON, JUNE 9.
*
* *
*
*
* *
Extract of a letter from Elizabeth-Town, May 30.
"The latest account from the enemy at New-York is, that the whole force, supposed to be about 8000 men, col- lected at White Plains, two sloops loaded with fascines
429
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
lay in the harbour opposite the White-hall. Yesterday all the waggons and horses on Staten-Island were pressed into the service, and sent to New York. The 26th, 37th, 1 foreign regt, and Barton's, are on Staten-Island; Gen. Clinton in New-York, Gen. Vaughn and Sir W. Erskine at White Plains."
In consequence of the movement of the main body of the enemy up the North River, our army marched the latter end of last week from their late encampment at Middle- Brook towards Fort Clinton; which it is supposed is the enemy's principal object, from whence we hourly expect important intelligence: This fort is situated in the High- lands, on the West side of the North-River, at a place called West Point.
Since our last the gallant Major LEE,1 with his Corps of Light Dragoons, passed through this town, on his way to join the American army.
Tuesday se'nnight a party of tories from Staten Island landed at Middletown, in Monmouth, plundered several houses and carried off four or five of the inhabitants prisoners.
Wanted immediately by the Printer of this Paper, two good Journeymen; as well as an apprentice Lad, about 14 years of age, who can read and write.
COUNTY OF SOMERSET.
Ar a meeting of the Electors of the county of Somerset, pursuant to notice by advertisements, on Thursday the 3d instant, at the Court-house of the said county,
The business of the meeting introduced and discussed, the following Resolutions were adopted :
1. Whereas, from the concurrence of a variety of causes, the bills emitted under the authority of the United States
1 Major Henry Lee-"Light Horse Harry"-of Virginia.
430
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
in Congress assembled, have greatly depreciated in their value, and an addition to the quantity circulating will tend to encrease such depreciation ; therefore,
Resolved, That a petition be presented to the Legisla- ture, requesting them to make application to Congress on behalf of this state, that the emission of bills of credit be henceforth discontinued.
2. Resolved, That the Legislature be requested to make application as aforesaid, that a plan be adopted and rec- ommended for a general limitation of prices throughout the United States, according to which such prices may be diminished slowly from their present tenour at stated periods, and by small differences, until the quantity of money be reduced by taxation to what is necessary for a circulating medium.
3. And whereas taxation is the most natural and bene- ficial source from which to derive the supplies necessary for supporting the army and carrying on the war ;
Resolved, That the Legislature be requested to make application as aforesaid, that requisitions of taxes be henceforward made on the States for the above purposes ; and that to avoid as far as possible the expence of pur- chasing in the modes hitherto practised and the necessity of such large circulations of money through the publick treasury, a just quota of provisions, forage, and of other necessaries for the army, be laid upon each state in such kinds as they are severally suited to produce, to be paid in the way of tax at regulated prices, by those who raise them, while those who do not, pay a full proportion in money.
4. Resolved, That it be expressed to the Legislature as the sense of this meeting, that in levying all future taxes and aids for the use of the State, or of the Union in gen- eral, the assessments be made according to the value of all property possessed by each individual; it being as reason- able that persons should be taxed for their money, their
431
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
income, the faculty and means of acquiring property, as for any estate whatever.
5. And whereas there is great reason to believe that many persons employed in various branches of the publick departments of the United States, are guilty of mis- management and fraud in executing their trust and apply- ing the publick money ; and there being no ready and regu- lar mode prescribed by publick authority of which such as are disposed may avail themselves to furnish the necessary information to those who have power to correct such abuses, and thereby prevent the unnecessary increase of the public burdens ;
Resolved, That the Legislature be requested to direct some convenient and adequate means of collecting and transmitting to Congress, or to such Board or Committee by them appointed, as may be adequate in point of juris- diction, or to the Executive Power of the State in cases where that is competent, all such authentick evidences and documents as can be procured, that the guilty may be punished, and the faithful servants of the publick be rescued from that undiscriminating censure which the bad and unworthy bring upon all; and that we will exert our utmost endeavours for effecting so laudable a purpose.
6. And whereas virtue and good morals are not only productive of personal happiness, but have a great and extensive good effect upon the political state of every gov- ernment where they are cultivated ;
Resolved, That we will by our example and influence endeavour to promote these, and will look upon it as the course of duty to support and strengthen the arm of the civil authority in detecting and bringing to deserved pun- ishment all such as are guilty of profanity, immorality, extravagance, idleness and dissipation, of extortion, sharp- ing and oppression, and all such practices as tend to the unjust advantage of individuals and detriment of the com- munity.
432
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779
Ordered, That a representation and petition to the Legislature be drawn up pursuant to these Resolutions, and signed by the Chairman; and that the Representa- tives of the county be requested to lay the same before the respective Houses.
Extracted from the Minutes of Proceedings, and pub- lished by Order,
WILLIAM CH. HOUSTON, Chairman.
THE great Increase of Prices for the Necessaries of Life, as well as for every Article used in the Printing Business, since the Commencement of the current Year, has obliged the Publisher of the New Jersey Gazette to determine to raise the Price, after the first day of July next, to Three Dollars per Quarter-when they fall, that of this Paper will be lowered accordingly .- The Advance, he flatters himself, will be deemed very moderate by his Customers, when they compare it with the former Price of Ten Shillings a Year-and those who will pay for the Packets at the last mentioned Rate in any kind of Country Produce at the old Prices, will more essentially serve the Printer than to pay in Cash at the Rate he here proposes. The accounts therefore will be closed at the End of the present Month, and transmitted for Payment .- The Papers will be continued to all the present Subscribers after that Period who do not desire them to be discon- tinued before it elapses.
ISAAC COLLINS.
June 2, 1779.
N. B. The Price of the Philadelphia News-Papers is Five Pounds per Year, and the one at Fish-Kill 1 is Six Dollars by the Quarter.
1 The New York Journal, by John Loudon, a patriotic newspaper, which was removed from New York on the occupation of the city by the British.
433
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1779]
ROBERT EASTBURN1
Hath for sale in New Brunswick, on as moderate terms as the times will admit, the following articles :
GOOD old French brandy, West-India and country rum, apple brandy and metheglin; molasses, lump, powdered
1 The grandparents of Robert Eastburn, who were Friends, came from England to America in 1714, and probably had several children, as numerous Eastburns appear in the records of Friends' meetings in and about Philadelphia in the early part of the eighteenth century. Among the children was Robert Eastburn, who was b. in England in 1710. He was m. in 1733 to Agnes Jones, of Germantown, in Friends' meeting, to which he and his wife belonged. He continued with Friends until on one occasion he heard the celebrated George Whitefield preach, when he became one of his followers. Mr. Whitefield used to call him his "first fruit in America." A congregation was formed-the Second Presbyterian, of Philadelphia-which called the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, of New Bruns- wick, to be their pastor, and Mr. Eastburn was chosen one of the first deacons. With about thirty tradesmen he marched north in the spring of 1756, toward Oswego, but when the party arrived at Captain Williams' - Fort, near Oswego, on March 26, 1756, they were surprised by a party of Indians, and the next day Eastburn was captured by them and carried a prisoner to Canada, suffering incredible hardships on the way. He was detained a prisoner by the Indians and by the French until July 23, 1757, when he was permitted to sail from Quebec to England, and securing passage thence to the Colonies, arrived October 26, 1757, at Philadelphia, (In his account of his capture he gives the date of his arrival at New York as November 21 and at Philadelphia as November 26. But his arrival at New York was chronicled in the New York and Philadelphia news- papers of October 24-28, 1757. See N. J. Archives 20 : 144.) "The faithful Narrative of the many dangers and sufferings, as well as won- derful deliverance, of Robert Eastburn during his captivity among the Indians," printed at Philadelphia, by William Dunlap, 1758, is one of the rarest accounts of Indian captivities, and owing to its interesting character has been reprinted several times. He d. Jan. 22, 1778; his wife d. Sept. 27, 1784. Issue :
i. Sarah, born 1735; d. 1818.
ii. Hannah, d. 1773.
iii. Thomas, prob. m. Rachel Lupton, Dec. 1, 1783.
2. iv. Robert.
v. John, d. 1806. Children : Sarah Eastburn and Maria Wells.
3. vi. Joseph, b. Aug. 11, 1748, in Philadelphia.
2. Robert2 (Robert1) Eastburn located at New Brunswick before the Revolution, and seems to have been a prominent merchant there. His will, made August 10, 1815, when he was "sick and weak," was proved August 29, 1815. The numerous bequests indicate that he owned a considerable estate. He refers to his wife as deceased, and gives legacies to his children as follows: Robert Eastburn, $250; Thomas Eastburn, $775; Joseph Eastburn, $500; Mary Ann, a certain interest yearly during life, the principal to be divided among her children at her death; Abigail Boyer, $104 per year if she does not live with her husband, James
28
434
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1779
and brown sugars, hyson and bohea tea, coffee, chocolate, pepper, alspice, ginger, nutmegs, cinnamon, mace, cloves, tamarinds, a quantity of good indigo, for which allowance
Boyer ; grandson Robert Boyer, $100. Other legacies were left to Mary Taylor, $50, "for her care during the sickness of Robert Boyer, my grandson ;" to Elizabeth Smith, $450, "the faithful nurse of my wife and myself ;" William Jobs (son of William Jobs, of South Amboy), $25; to brother John's widow, $100; brother Joseph Eastburn to have the care of about $100 "to hand out as needed ;" Susannah Hunt, daughter of Samuel Noe, of New York, $100, "she being a goodly woman, indisposed and poor in estate ;" to Elizabeth Evans, $50. He directs that his house on Dennis street shall be rented or sold. To John Vial, $75, to be paid in small sums ; to the Humane Society of New Brunswick, the interest of $300; towards building a Friends' Meeting House in New Brunswick, $200; to the city of Philadelphia and to the city of New York, each $200, to be used in providing a school for the education of white and colored children alike; to the New Jersey Bible Society, $50, to be paid John Neilson, Esquire, for the use of the Society ; to Joseph Clark, of Phila- delphia, and Dr. Conover C. Blatchley, of New York, each $50, to pur- chase religious tracts and circulate them ; to charities in New Brunswick, $50. Executors-my friends, William P. Deare and Dr. Augustus R. Taylor. Witnesses-Jona. C. Ackerman, Robert Dennis, J. W. Scott. In a codicil dated August 17, 1815, he gives $75 to the corporation for the relief of poor children in the city of New Brunswick, and $25 in addition to his previous legacy to William Jobs, son of William Jobs, of South Amboy. The estate was appraised August 25, 1815, by Dower D. Williamson and Asa Runyon. The inventory mentions cash delivered to . executors by T. Eastburn, on sale of oil, $26.31. Among the debtors are William Jobs, on bond ; David Allison, due bill for books ; note due from John Metcalt, insolvent; note due from John K. Joline; due bill from Lewis Dunn; debt due from Jeremiah Parsell, 5th mo., 3, 1815; Michael Pool, Feb. 11, 1806; Gideon Voorhees (insolvent), 1807; Garret Nefie, 1808; Jacob Probasco, 1810; Moses Jones; John Dill, 6th mo., 27, 1814. It also mentions household goods, wine, contents of shop, etc.,
etc. Issue :
i. Robert, m. --- -; ch., Joseph. -
ii. Thomas.
iii. Mary Ann, m. William Jones, Dec. 30, 1800. iv. Abigail, m. James Boyer, ch., Robert.
3. Joseph, b. August 11, 1748; he followed his father to northern New York in 1756, and was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort Oswego by the French and Indians. He had the good fortune to rejoin his father while a prisoner in Canada, and they remained together there- after during their captivity. On returning to Philadelphia he resumed his trade as a cabinet-maker; he m. Agnes Owen, of that city, June 12, 1771, in the Second Presbyterian Church of that city; she d. June 21. 1811, aged 66 years. He performed two or three tours of duty in the Revolutionary War, and was at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777. At an early age his attention was turned toward religious subjects, and he was very anxious to go into the ministry, but owing to his lack of education was refused a license by the Presbytery. However, he was encouraged to take charge of prayer meetings in the Second Presbyterian Church, and proved so acceptable a speaker that in 1805 he was granted a qualified license. He preached at New Brunswick frequently,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.