USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. III > Part 35
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will be made to those who sell again, brimstone, salt, allum, mustard, lamp black, chalk, buff ball, black ball, gun pow- der and flints, rosin, wool cards, snuff, tobacco and pipes, half pint and gill glasses; cambrick and lawn, striped stuffs, black silk, black and white silk gauze, buckram, fine and coarse thread, white and coloured, ribbons, garters, needles, by the thousand, pins, ready made jackets and breeches, stockings; spelling-books and primers, paste- boards, Holman's London ink-powder, writing paper ; earthen ware, such as milk pans, large and small dishes, mugs, bowls and pots; also to be sold cheap, a number of empty flour casks and some tight casks.
Middlesex Publick notice is hereby given to all persons County. who have any claims, interest or demand in or upon the estates of the following fugitives and offenders, against whom inquisitions have been found and final judg- ment entered thereon in favour of the state, viz. Andrew Mercereau, David Gosling, John Perine, John Cook, Robert Martin, Samuel Smith, Samuel Warn, Robert R. Crow, Stephen Skinner, Cortland Skinner, Alexander Watson, Bernardus Legrange, Frederick Wiser, James Collins, John Brown, Robert Campbell, William Steele, George Stainforth, Thomas Hooper, all of Middlesex county ; and Oliver Delancey, of New-York, and Thomas Leonard, of Monmouth, to exhibit their accounts fairly stated in writing to the Judges of the Courts of Common
between 1812 and 1815, on which occasions he was a guest of his brother at that place. Toward the close of 1819 he began to preach regularly to the mariners of Philadelphia, and a church was erected for such meetings, in which he officiated until his death, January 30, 1828. He had one son, Thomas, b. about 1772 or 1773. Contrary to the wishes of his parents, he entered upon a seafaring life and became com- mander of a merchant vessel. Losing his little property by the failure of a mercantile house, by which he was employed, he sailed from the West Indies as a passenger, for Philadelphia, and on the voyage was instantly killed, his head being taken off by a cannon ball, fired from a French ma'n-of-war; he was only 24 or 25 years of age at the time of his tragic death. Having no children, Joseph, in his will, distributed his property among his nephews and nieces and various charitable objects, especially the Mariners' Church, over which he had presided for nine years before his death.
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Pleas for the aforesaid county, within 12 months from the date hereof, for which purpose they will give their attend- ance at the house of Joseph Dennis, at Spotswood, on Thursday the 24th of June.
JOHN LLOYD, - Commis· WM. SCUDDER, sioners.
N. B. All persons who are yet in arrears for land or goods bought at the sales of confiscated estates, are desired to make immediate payment to the Commissioners afore- said.
Whereas the continental ferry is removed to the upper ferry, where there is no house of entertainment kept on either side of the river, which makes it very inconvenient for travellers, but as the lower ferry is yet kept, and a good house of entertainment kept on Pennsylvania shore, and as it is well known that the lower ferry is a good easy ferry and good shores to land on each side of the river, and good attendance is given, where there is no danger of getting upon the rocks as at the upper ferry: Therefore it is hoped that travellers and others will be pleased to favour them with their custom, which will be gratefully acknowledged.
WAS stolen or strayed away from Bottle hill tavern in Morris county, an iron-grey HORSE, scant 14 hands high, between 7 and 8 years old, and has a raw nose and white face, a low neck, his hip bones high and short buttock, his hind legs both white and toes of his hoof much wore, he is shod before and one of his shoes longer than the other; he is thin in flesh, paces, trots and gallops very well. Whoever takes up said horse and secures him that the owner may have him again, shall have twenty dollars re- ward and all reasonable charges paid by the subscriber, living near Shameny ferry.
June 1, 1779.
. PETER GORDON.
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LosT between the 6th and 10th of May ult. on the road leading from Pluck'emin to Springfield in Burlington county, via Sourland meeting-house, Princeton, Allentown, and Arney's town, two loan-office certificates, taken out of the office at Bordentown by the subscriber in his own name, both dated April 10, 1779, one for 2000 dollars, No. 322, and the other for 300 dollars, No. 10,660. Any person or persons into whose hands they may fall, are requested to deliver them either to the subscriber in Somerset county near Pluck'emin aforesaid, to Mr. Joseph Borden, at Bor- dentown, or to the Printer of this Gazette, for which a reward of Forty Dollars will be given.
JOHN ARMSTRONG.
One Hundred Dollars Reward.
1
RAN away from the subscriber, living in Trenton, last Saturday night, a NEGRO MAN named CUFF, about 5 feet 9 inches high, 27 or 28 years of age; he has a small blem- ish in one eye, and marked on his cheek with a circle or round O; is by trade a blacksmith. Had on when he went away, a yellowish brown fustian coat, scarlet vest, tow shirt and trousers, a half worn castor hat; he also carried with him two shirts, one pair of fustian breeches, thread stockings and sundry other cloathing. It is sup- posed he is' gone towards New York in company with another Negro man who went off the same evening. Any person bringing him to the subscriber, or securing him in any gaol so that his master may get him again, shall re- ceive the above reward and reasonable charges.
HEZEKIAH HOWELL.
Trenton, June 8, 1779.
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STRAYED or stolen on Tuesday night, the 25th inst. out of the pasture of Mr. Daniel Ketcham, in Monolopon, a dark brown HORSE, about 14 hands high, has a large star in his forehead, branded G R on his buttocks, a natural pacer, carries middling well. Whoever takes up said horse, and either sends him to, or notifies the subscriber, shall be handsomely rewarded.
ANDREW BOWN.
Middletown, May 31, 1779.
WAS stolen out of the subscriber's pasture, in Basken- ridge township, Somerset county, a dark brown MARE, about 14 hands high, paces, trots and gallops, has a bold face, two glass eyes, one of her hind feet white: Whoever will bring said mare and thief to me shall receive FIFTY DOLLARS and reasonable charges, and for the mare alone, Thirty Dollars and reasonable charges paid by
JOSHUA DOTY.
May 25, 1779.
FOR SALE. All the lands and improvements belonging to the subscriber at Crosswicks landing, in navigation to Philadelphia, in a rich and populous neighbourhood, con- sisting of a large two story dwelling house and kitchen ad- joining, sundry store houses and other buildings, all new and in good repair. Credit, immediate possession, and a good title will be given. Enquire of Isaiah Robbins near the premises, or in Philadelphia to
CHARLES COOKE.
THE Subscribers who are indebted for this Gazette for 1778, will oblige the Printer by discharging their re- spective Arrears. To facilitate this Duty, Accounts have been made out and transmitted to the Gentlemen to whom the Packets were directed, and with whom the Individual Subscribers of each Packet are requested to settle their Accounts.
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PARCHMENT CORKS, and FLOUR of MUSTARD TO BE SOLD at the PRINTING OFFICE.
STEPHEN LOWREY
AT the Rev. Mr. Spencer's, Trenton, gives the highest price for Loan-Office Bills on the Commissioners in France. -The New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 79, Wednesday, June 9, 1779.
Last Monday 25 Continental paper-dollars were sold in this city for 25 English half-pence. The preceding week one Half Johannes at Elizabeth-town purchased thirty paper-dollars.
New-York, June 9.
On Saturday last 20 leagues distance from Sandy Hook; his Majesty's ship Daphne, Captain Chinnery, fell in with, engaged and took the Continental Rebel Frigate Oliver Cromwell, - Parker, Commander .- The Royal Gazette, No. 281, June 9, 1779.
New-York, June 12.
By several persons from Sussex and Elizabeth-Town we learn, that the latter end of May some hundreds of the continental troops and militia, consisting of Hand's & Spencer's corps, &c. left Easttown to cut a road for the passage of artillery through the great swamp to Wioming,
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these were, in this employment, somewhat molested by a large body of Indians, laying in ambush for that purpose, who slew the greatest part of the rebels, the few survivors owed their escape to a precipitate flight. We are told Colonel Spencer was amongst the wounded. A large de- tachment under Mr. Maxwell, who were following the above-mentioned chastised battalions, to cut up the In- dians upon Susquehanna, and proceed to attack Fort Ni- agara, came to a sudden halt, a very prudent pause truly, after the loss of so many of their fraternity, e're they advanced against an enemy ever terrific, but now become immensely formidable from their alarming numbers, as, by a late letter from a dispirited rebel officer Col. Brailey, at East-town, we are assured, that the body of loyalists and Indians, in motion upon the Susquehanna, amount to upwards of Four Thousand; to oppose them Mr. Max- well was ordered up from East-town yesterday, with one Virginia, two New Jersey, & two New-England battalions, four three-pounders and two howitzers. The militia of Elizabeth-town division whose numbers heretofore, were reckoned at one thousand, being last Monday ordered out to be drafted for service, the officers appeared, but not a single private man ; the latter having declared they would no longer leave their families to fight without pay, as the Continental paper bills are depreciated at that capital seat of rebellion, Elizabeth-town, to a ridiculous estimate, a single silver Spanish dollar having there last week pur- chased 30 of the continental paper dollars. N. B. In last Wednesday's Gazette the reader is desired to correct an error under this head, and, instead of Thirty Dollars for an Half Johannes, to read Thirty Continental paper dollars for one Spanish silver Dollar .- The Royal Gazette, No. 282, June 12, 1779.
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NEW-YORK, June 14.
Last Thursday Night a Party of Loyal Refugees landed at Shrewsbury, in New-Jersey, and brought off Cols. Hendrickson and Wyckoff; Ma. Vanbrunt, Captain Chad- dock, Captain McKnight (who broke his Parole here some Time ago) one of the Militia and a Continental Soldier. The first five were Tory Persecutors. About 9 o'clock on Friday Morning in returning to their Boats they were attacked by a Body of the Militia, whom they repulsed, after killing three and wounding 14; they then brought off their Prisoners, and a considerable Number of Cattle, Sheep, &c. the Particulars of which we expect to insert in our next.
John Haviland, a Lieutenant of the Militia and a Cap- tain of one of the Rebels Guard Boats, was taken at his House in Elizabeth Town last Saturday Night, by Mr. Cornelius Hetfield, a loyal Refugee, and five others, and brought to Town yesterday .- The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1443, June 14, 1779.
ADDRESS of the Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the re- formed Dutch Church at Raritan, presented to His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquire, Com- mander in Chief of the Armies of the United States of North-America.
May it please your EXCELLENCY,
WE the Consistory of the Dutch reformed Church at Rari- tan, beg leave to embrace this favourable opportunity, to declare to your Excellency the real sentiments of our hearts.
As we would wish to adore the directing hand of Provi- dence, so we are bound to acknowledge that spirit of
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patriotism, which has induced your Excellency to sacrifice the sweets of an affluent domestic life, to put yourself, and your amiable and virtuous Comfort, to repeated and affect- ing separations, for no other reasons than defending the just Rights and Liberties of your bleeding Country-Here, Sir, permit us to express our grateful sense of your Ex- cellency's vigilance and care for this part of our country, in the trying winter of the year 1777: when, after two memorable victories, your Excellency by masterly strokes of generalship, defended us with a handful of undisci- plined militia against the depredations of a formidable army of our enemies, collected and quartered in our vicinity.
We cannot help admiring that gracious Providence, which has made the success and victories of your arms to bare down the remembrance of discouraging disappoint- ments. And we cordially hope, that the agreeable prospect of a speedy termination of the present troubles in favour of our distressed nation, may fully answer your and our wishes, and support your Excellency under the present weight of perplexing cares and concerns, inseparable from your station.
Though quartering of armies among citizens, is always attended with unavoidable inconveniences to the latter, yet we are agreeably constrained to acknowledge that your Ex- cellency has been pleased to take particular care throughout the course of this last winter, to prevent and alleviate these calamities as much as possible .- Your Excellency's con- cern for the support of civil government, in its just and equitable execution, has endeared you to your fellow citi- zens : And the strict discipline which the gentlemen officers under your Excellency's more immediate command, at this place, have observed, not only at head-quarters, but also throughout the body of this army, we are persuaded has merited the approbation and applause of the good people of this neighbourhood.
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We beg your Excellency will do us the justice to believe us sincere, when we declare our affection and true regard for your person, and the deep sense we entertain of the important services your Excellency and the gentlemen officers and soldiers under your command, have rendered their country in the course of this severe contest: And when we assure you, Sir, that we shall ever deem it both our duty and privilege to make our warmest addresses to the God of Armies, for the preservation of your health, an invaluable life, as also that of the brave officers and soldiers of your army ; praying that indulgent Heaven may direct your councils, and crown your exertions the ensuing campaign with such victory and success, as shall compel a haughty, cruel, and relentless enemy to consent to terms of a safe, honourable and lasting peace.
Signed by order of the Consistory,
JACOB R. HARDENBERGH,1 V. D. M.
June 1, 1779.
HIS EXCELLENCY'S ANSWER.
To the MINISTER, ELDERS and DEACONS of the Dutch reformed Church at Raritan.
Gentlemen,
To meet the approbation of good men cannot but be agreeable .- Your affectionate expressions makes it still more so.
In quartering an army, and in supplying its wants, distress and inconvenience will often occur to the citizen .- I feel myself happy in the consciousness that these have been strictly limited by necessity, and in your opinion of my attention to the rights of my fellow citizens.
1 For some account of this distinguished clergyman, see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, 2 : 116.
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I thank you, Gentlemen, sincerely for the sense you entertain of the conduct of the army, and for the interest you take in my welfare.
I trust the goodness of the cause and the exertions of the people, under divine protection, will give us that honour- able peace for which' we are contending. Suffer me, Gentlemen, to wish the reformed Church at Raratin, a long continuance of its present Minister and Consistory, and all the blessings which flow from piety and religion. G. WASHINGTON.
Mr. COLLINS,
THERE is no question oftener handled by the writers who have furnished publications for your Paper than that respecting the regulation of the Prices of our own and foreign commodities-A variety of measures hath been proposed to remedy the many and great inconveniences arising to the community from the high price of labour, of our own productions, and of all the articles imported from abroad.
There is not, perhaps, any subject whatever that requires more extensive knowledge and enlarged thought than that which I have here mentioned-It is so complicated and interwoven with a variety of interests ; the connections and dependencies of things are so extremely nice and intricate that a single illjudged measure may be productive of infinite disadvantage to the state. I have seen nothing as yet suggested but partial remedies for general evils, paltry, wretched expedients for the cure of diseases which have very extensive influence and have taken deep root in this country.
Empericks in politicks, like those in medicine, if they see anything, see but a part-their perception, like the vision of the smallest insects, cannot comprise in its view more than one object at a time, and that very minute. Some with whom I have conversed, having con- siderable landed property, are ever exclaiming against the rapacity and extortion of the merchant and trader. These are perpetually finding fault with the high price of provisions and the articles which they are obliged to purchase of the farmer; and the tradesman execrates them both, and thinks there is a general conspiracy against him. They all severally justify themselves in their own minds and openly to the world, and loudly call for justice and vengeance on each other's heads.
I am not a stranger to the origin of these evils: I know from whence they sprang-But as a recapitulation of grievances will not at this time, perhaps, be very acceptable to the publick, after the repeated nauseous doses administered by the writer who calls himself A true Patriot, I shall rest satisfied with the facts which may be
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garbled from this mass of things, and the general knowledge my fellow-citizens, and countrymen have of these matters.
In order to a general plan, I would propose that the Speaker of the Assembly of this state be directed by vote of Assembly to write to the Speakers of Pennsylvania and New York Assemblies, and as many others as may be thought proper, and propose that a committee of the most intelligent members or other informed persons out of the House, be appointed to meet as early as possible at some fixed place, to regulate the prices of labourers, horses and cattle, and all com- modities of every kind whatsoever-These prices at first should not be too low ; some regard should be had to the quantity of money in circulation and the real scarcity of particular articles. In pursuance of this principle it will be necessary that the said committees inform themselves as minutėly as possible of the current prices of all things within their respective States, and of the causes of the different prices of the same articles in different places-whether these are owing to a real scarcity, to the expence of carriage, or to a spirit of monopoly and extortion, &c. Let these committees form a general plan of regulation, to take place on a certain day in the several states, and let them be empowered mutually to pledge the honour of their respective Assemblies for the true and faithful execution of the several parts of the stipulations entered into with each other, as far as in them lies.
This mode of regulation, upon so broad and firm a basis, may possibly answer some good end, and be productive of real benefit to the community. A partial plan of any kind will by no means answer the purpose .- For instance, suppose the prices of grain should be fixed higher in Philadelphia than in this state, will not the farmer send his grain to that market? Or suppose the prices of foreign com- modities should be higher in this state than at Philadelphia, will not the people there, as is the practice at this time, bring their goods on this side of the Delaware for sale.
But I have one thing further to mention, which is, that the success of the measure will altogether depend on the liberality, general knowledge and good sense of those who are to be sent on this business. -It is not sufficient that a man is honest and upright in his views- if he is incapable and wants discernment, he will, with the best intentions, probably do more harm than good to the State he may represent.
I remember a very honest Irish Gentleman who had lived in Dublin, and been a Member of the Corporation in that city-he had studied the constitution of it with great assiduity, and held it in so great esteem that he thought there was no political frame of govern- ment in the world to be compared with it .- I have often heard him in conversation try the disputes between the great powers of Europe by the rules of the Corporation of Dublin, and I have seen his passions swell into anger and wrath, because his opponent would not admit the full force and scope of his arguments; altho' I could not
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help loving and esteeming the qualities of this man's heart, yet I could admire those of his head; and I have often thought, had he lived in these times, his zeal in this great and good cause would have been so ill directed, and the consequences so severely felt by his neighbors, that any person unacquainted with the uprightness and honesty of his views would have deemed him one of the most mischievous and ill intentioned men in the world.
CRITO.
TRENTON, JUNE 16.
At a Joint-Meeting of the Legislative Council and As- sembly of this State, on Thursday last, Lieut. Col. David Brearley1 was elected Chief Justice, in the room of the Hon. Robert Morris,2 Esq. who hath resigned-, at the same time Enos Kelsey, Esquire, was elected Clothier for the State.
We are credibly informed that some evil-minded per- sons, in order to evade the salutary purposes the virtuous citizens of Philadelphia have entered into to prevent the further depreciations of the continental currency, are, by giving presents over the limited prices of goods, and other ways clandestinely obtaining articles, contrary to the re- solves of their town meeting, bringing them into this State,
1 For a note on Col. Brearley, see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, 1:329.
2 Robert Morris was a natural son of Chief Justice Robert Hunter Morris and a grandson of Governor Lewis Morris, of New Jersey. He is said to have been born in New Brunswick in 1745. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney September 19, 1770, licensed as a counsellor at the November term, 1773, and was called up to be a sergeant at law at the May term, 1780. He was appointed Chief Justice of New Jersey, February 5, 1777, to fill the vacancy caused by the declinations of Richard Stockton and John De Hart, and so was the first to fill that position under the State Constitution of July 2, 1776. From letters of his to Governor Livingston, he appears to have been intelligent, zealous, independent and fearless in the discharge of his duties, at a time when it was exceedingly difficult and indeed perilous to travel on the long circuits then necessary. He probably found the work too irksome, and resigned in June, 1779, being succeeded by David Brearley, who was appointed by the Legislature in joint meeting on June 10, 1779. In 1790 Morris was appointed by President Washington to the office of United States District Judge for New Jersey, and he continued in that position until his death, at New Brunswick, June 2, 1815, although for a considerable time before his decease his health was so impaired that he was unable to hold court.
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for which they ask exorbitant prices-It is therefore high time for the people of this State to be roused, and to do something to prevent those blood-suckers from preying on the vitals of the most necessitous of our inhabitants.
The last accounts from the North river, mention, that the enemy are very busy in fortifying at a place called Stoney Point, on the hither side of the river, near King's ferry. . It is supposed, by this manœuvre, that they have two objects in view, the one to make a strong hold in order to enable themselves to send out detachments into Jersey to plunder and forage; the other, by committing those depredations, to draw the attention of our army from covering the fort at West Point, and thereby facilitating an attack against it, which, it is said, is the enemy's main object. But in this we flatter ourselves, they will be dis- appointed.
Friday last 200 American sailors and masters of vessels were exchanged at Elizabeth-Town; by several of those, who arrived here on Monday, we learn, that an embargo has been lately laid in New York in consequence of several of our frigates cruizing off Sandy-Hook, and most of the enemy's vessels of force being either up the North river or gone to sea: that they have drafted every sixth man in New-York and on Long Island from 16 to 20 years of age, and those who do not turn out are put into the Provost; that a number of Hessians, left in New York as a garrison, lately mutinied, many of whom having absolutely refused to do duty; and that our prisoners on board the prison ship suffer beyond description, being turned down in great numbers below decks, where they are obliged to languish in stench and dirt, by which cruel treatment many have fallen sacrifices to diseases and the cruel hand of op- pression.
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