USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 10
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I believe there never was a subject in any age or country so be- spattered and beplaistered with nonsensical observations as this of our paper money - - - The plain fact is this -- - The Rights of these States are attacked by the ministers and parliament of Great-Bri- tain. The advances were carried on slow at first, and in so desultory a manner that we every now and then entertained hopes of settling the dispute upon terms advantageous to our liberties. But after
flattering ourselves sometime in this way, they assailed us in a more open and hostile manner - - - we were determined to maintain our Rights inviolate, but had not time to raise funds or procure arms, cloathing or military stores. Our harbours were shut up, our ships taken in every quarter, and, by this means, the prices of all things imported increased, occasioned by the risk and diminution of our trade. - - - The only expedient in our power was then to put in prac- tice what we had often before tried with success, namely, to strike paper money-This was done, and it passed as gold and silver- The war went on, the ships of our enemies multiplied on the coast. our trade became more embarrassed, the prices of all imported articles doubled, and as we raised no taxes on ourselves, the constant ex- penditures necessarily increased the quantity of paper, till it has exceeded six times more than is necessary for a medium of trade-It is true the bills express, that "the bearer is entitled to receive Spanish milled dollars, or an equal sum in gold or silver," and some men are so ridiculous or absurd as to expect, after having seen and been con- vinced of the truth of what I have already mentioned, that Congress
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should perform in the very terms of the bills. What is Congress but the Representatives of the United States of America-In fact, the ability of Congress is nothing more than the ability of America- They have not the secret of the philosopher's stone, to turn base metals into gold-they have no other real wealth but the purses, the affection and confidence of the inhabitants of America.
But the question is, what is now to be done in the present emer- gency ?- Are we to sit with arms across and vent our splenetick complaints, like old women ?- Remember the fable of Jupiter and the waggoner, who, having got his waggon into a slough, prayed to Jupiter to draw it out for him-But the God reproved his sloth, and ordered him to clap his shoulder to the wheel.
As no man can doubt the ability of America to be competent to the discharge of the present debt, on supposition of a peace happening soon, there is no reason why the prices of all things should be suffered to increase as they have done, in a ratio so far exceeding the point at which the depreciation ought to be, from the quantity of money emitted-This quantity, as I said before, is about six times more than is necessary for a medium of trade; therefore, the prices at which the produce of this country should sell according to this rule, are as six to one, or six prices-But Congress having a liberal regard to the state of America in general at this time, have recommended twenty prices to be given for "articles of domestick produce, farming "and common labour, the wages of tradesmen and mechanicks, water "and land carriage. Articles imported from foreign parts, to be in "due proportion with labour and the articles as above stated, making "a proper allowance for freight, insurance and other charges-Salt. "and military stores, whether of home manufacture or imported from "abroad, to be excepted from limitation of price."
It is evident from the difference between the present prices now current among us and what they ought to be from the excess of the quantity beyond what is necessary for a medium, I say it is evident how great have been the arts of dishonest and disaffected mnen - - - The taxes this year will be very considerable - - this circumstance and the striking no more bills will, at the end of the next year, without the other aids which Congress are devising, if the present limitations are strictly enforced by several penal laws and carried through in every state, put us on a most enviable footing. Every man will then see the wisdom and policy of the present measure, and feel the benefit arising from it.
CASSIUS.
TRENTON, DECEMBER 22.
Extract of a letter from Baskenridge, Dec. 18.
"I rode out to-day on purpose to take a view of our en- campments. I found it excessively cold; but was glad to
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see most of our poor soldiers were under good roofs. The encampments are exceedingly neat; the huts are all of a size, and placed in more exact order than Philadelphia : you would be surprized to see how well they are built with- out nails. . Headquarters is at Morristown, and the army extends from thence along the hills nearly to this place."
We have authentick intelligence from New-York that between five and six thousand troops embarked there within a few days past, supposed to be bound to Georgia or the West-Indies.
The weather has been intensely cold for many days past, which has entirely stopped the navigation between this place and Philadelphia.
The 6th inst. departed this life, at Woodbridge, in the 34th year of his age, Mr. Samuel-Franklin Parker, prin- ter, after a long and painful indisposition .- His corpse was interred the day following, in the Presbyterian burial ground at that place, with all the honours of war.
Extract from Rivington's Royal Gazette.
Savannah, (Georgia) Oct. 28. Last Monday died here, greatly lamented by the whole army and inhabitants, the Hon. Lieut. Col. MAITLAND, of the 71st regiment, brother to the Right Hon. the Earl of Lauderdale: and next even- ing his remains were deposited with all the honours of war in the family vault of the Hon. John Graham, Esq .-
New-York, Dec. 15. Friday last was sent in here by his Majesty's ship Roebuck, Sir Andrew Snape Hammond, commander, the ship Lady Washington, Capt. Young, from Philadelphia for Old France, with 220 hogsheads of tobacco, naval stores, &c. The ship mounts 18 guns, and had on board 58 men; also the brig Three Sisters, from the same place, and bound to France also. They were taken last Saturday week, having sailed the day before out of the Delaware, in company with another brig and a cutter.
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N OTICE is hereby given to all persons that are indebted to the estate of Ephraim Quimby, late of Amwell, deceased, are hereby desired to make their appear- ance at the house of the subscribers in Amwell, on Monday the 10th day of January next ensuing this date, to dis- charge and pay their several accounts without any farther notice ; and all persons that have any just demands against the said estate, either by mortgage, bond, book-debt or otherwise, are desired to bring in their respective accounts legally proved, in order to be adjusted: if not, they may depend upon being debarred hereafter, if no debt or ac- count legally proved be brought against the estate above- said.
Cornelius Quick Elizabeth Quick Executors.
N. B. If any person have any demands against the above-named Cornelius Quick, upon other accounts, they are desired to bring themn in.
Amwell, December 10.
To BE SOLD, at the house of ELIZABETH SCARFF, in Trenton, living in the back street, tea pots, sugar dishes, sauce boats, tea cups and saucers, mustard pots, cream jugs, stone mugs, and salt sellers.
-The New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 104, Dec. 22, 1779.
NEW-YORK, Dec. 27.
Last Tuesday Night a Party of General Wayne's Bri- gade attacked the Picquet at Powlis Hook, when several Shot were exchanged; but the Rebels finding the Garrison was prepared to receive them, they thought it most prudent to retreat.
A Fleet of about 130 Sail, under a good Convoy, sailed out of Sandy-Hook last Thursday Morning, with a fair Wind, for England, Scotland and Ireland, &c.
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The Brig L'Constance, Captain Devereaux from Surin- ham for this Port, was taken a few leagues from Sandy- Hook the 27th of last Month, by the Rebel Sloop Beaver, and carried into New-London, which made the 33d Prize the Beaver has taken since the War .- The New-York Ga- zette: and the Weekly Mercury, December 27, 1779. No. 1471.
Mr. COLLINS,
I T is the duty of every honest man in this land of liberty, to en- deavour, as much as possible, to confirm his fellow-citizens in the principles of freedom, essential to their happiness, and to pro- mote the common weal and welfare, by every means in his power.
Of all the rights of a freeman, there is none more invaluable than that of the liberty of the press-It is a cardinal and transcendent right not to be profaned by the touch of the hand of power, but ought ever, like the principles of our holy religion, to be held sacred and inviolate -for on this depends our political salvation.
There have been many attempts made in England by ministers and royal minions, upon the freedom of the press, but the spirit of the nation, though in other instances lulled into insecurity, yet in this has ever been too much awake to the danger, to be cheated out of so es- sential a privilege. Ministers knew too well the uneasy and dangerous consequences of the heats and convulsions such attempts usually bred among the people, to prosecute a matter of this sort to any great lengths. We see in the well-known case of Mr. Wilkes, in what man ner the people have triumphed over ministerial attempts-It is true they prosecuted him even to out-lawry-but this outlaw, this banished man has been for more than ten years a representative in parliament, for the capital city of the kingdom.
This instance, together with some others of lesser notoriety, has taught British ministers some useful lessons of wisdom and pru- dence. The caustick pen and keen satire of Junius, though in the most unequivocal manner applied and directed to the King himself, could not provoke his ministers to vindicate their royal master-They knew too well, that the fire, which animated these writings, was drawn from the very altar of liberty, and that the whole body of the people formed her priesthood.
There has also been a most signal attempt on the liberty of the press, on this side the Atlantick-I mean the trial of John-Peter Zenger, a printer in New-York, in the Year 1735. This man was prosecuted by information for printing a supposed libel on the then governor, (Cosby) and some of the great men, as they were stiled, of that province-But what was the issue of this prosecution ?- why, a full and ample discussion of the doctrine of libels (in which all the false principles of star-chamber law, and the arbitrary and illegal opinions and proceedings of venal and corrupt judges were detected
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and exposed) the honourable acquittal of the printer, and of course the disgrace of the prosecutors and abettors of the suit against him.
To "think what we please, and speak what we think," is a darling prerogative of human nature-I believe no honest informed man in a free country, will deny me the liberty of speaking my sentiments openly, with respect to publick men and measures-If I may speak them, I may write them ; and if I may write them, I may surely print them-The hindering me from the last, will certainly and suddenly lead to the preventing me doing the first, and whenever this happens, it is a symptom of the most fatal kind, and the catastrophe of liberty is at hand.
HAMPDEN.
TRENTON, DECEMBER 29.
Sunday morning last the General Assembly of this state adjourned to Wednesday the 16th of February next, then to meet at Trenton. During the sitting they passed the following acts, viz.
1. An Act to divorce Christiana Saunders, late Longstreet, from her husband John Saunders.1
2. An Act to dissolve the marriage of William Gifford and Elizabeth his wife.
3. An Act for altering the place of holding the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, in and for the county of Bergen, and for repealing part of the act, in- titled, "An Act to revive and continue the process and proceedings of "the Court of Common Pleas and General Quarter Sessions of the "Peace, for the county of Bergen, and to alter the place of holding "the same."
4. An Act for altering certain parts of the main road leading through the county of Gloucester, from Salem to Burlington.
5. An Act to alter the place of holding the Supreme Court of Judi- cature of this State, and to ascertain the times for holding the same : And also to alter and ascertain the times of holding the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Quarter Session of the Peace, for the county of Hunterdon.
6. An Act for the relief of Joshua Stout, the purchaser of a certain tract of land, in the county of Hunterdon, of Thomas Leonard, now a fugitive with the enemy.
7. An Act to vest the Justices of the Supreme Court, with power to grant process to compel the attendance of witnesses at courts martial.
1 For some account of divorces by act of the Legislature, see New Jersey Archives, XXII. : 123.
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8. An Act granting unto Henry Guest, for a limited time, the sole right of making and selling the blubber by him lately invented.
9. An Act to continue an act, intitled, "An Act to alter the place of holding the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the county of Middlesex."
10. An Act to prevent engrossing, forestalling and enhancing the prices of produce, manufacture and merchandize, within this State.
11. An Act to raise the sum of Three Millions, Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand pounds, in the State of New-Jersey.
12. An Act for limiting the prices of various articles, and to pre- vent the withholding from sale the necessaries of life.
13. An Act to enable the owners and possessors of meadow lying between Mud Creek sluices and Wright's landing, bounding on Salem creek, in the county of Salem, to erect and keep in repair the dams, banks, sluices, and other water-works, to open and keep clear the necessary water courses, and to make such line ditches as are therein described lawful fences.
14. An Act to provide for the payment of the several officers of the government of the State of New-Jersey, to commence the 13th day of October, 1779, and to end the second Tuesday in October, 1780, in- clusive, and to discharge the publick debts and other contingent charges thereof.
15. An Act for regulating the election of the Members of the Legis. lative-Council and Assembly, Sheriffs and Coroners of the State of New-Jersey : And also to direct the election of Delegates to represent the said State, in the Congress of the United States.
16. An Act to empower the Justices of the Peace, for the county of Somerset, to commit offenders to gaol, in any of the neighbouring counties.
17. An Act for procuring provisions for the use of the army, and other supplies for carrying on the war, and for settling the publick accounts of this State.
18. An Act to continue an act, intitled "An Act to prohibit the ex- portation of provisions from the State of New-Jersey."
19. A supplementary Act to an act, intitled, "An Act for granting an annual salary to the Secretary of this State, in lieu of his fees on the commissions of Justices, Coroners and Militia Officers."
20. An Act to revive and continue an act, intitled, "An Act to pro- vide for the better subsistence of the troops of this State, in the service of the United States."
21. A Supplement to the act, intitled, "An Act to explain and amend an act, intitled, An Act to prevent the subjects of this State, from going into or coming out of the enemy's lines, without permission or passports, and for other purposes therein mentioned."
22. An Act for augmenting the fees of certain civil officers and others, and for raising the fines and forfeitures to which they are liable for neglect or refusal of duty, and for suspending parts of sundry acts therein mentioned.
23. An Act for defraying sundry incidental charges.
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At the late sitting of the General Assembly at Mount- holly, JAMES EWING, Esq. was appointed Auditor of publick accounts for the State of New-Jersey.
Yesterday Mrs. WASHINGTON passed through this town, on her way from Virginia to Head-Quarters at Mor- ris-Town; when the Virginia troops present (induced through respect ) formed and received her as she passed in a becoming manner.
The Legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia have, in compliance with a requisition of Congress, agreed to raise 760,000 dollars monthly, for the supply of the Con- tinental Treasury.
-The New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 105, Dec. 29. 1779.
We the Subscribers, Trustees appointed in and by an Act of Assembly entitled, "An Act for vesting the estate of William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, within this State, in Trustees, to discharge, by the sale thereof or as much as may suffice, the debts and incumbrances affecting the same, and to convey to him the remainder, if any there be," passed at Trenton, in New Jersey, the thirty-first of May last, DO, in pursuance of the directions of the said Act, hereby notify all whom it may concern, That on the twentieth day of September now last past was, agreeably to the same Act, sold at public vendue at Potter's Town, four farms or lots of land, situated, lying and being in the township of Tuexberry and county of Hunterdon, in New Jersey aforesaid, viz. One farm containing 183 acres, in possession of Archibald Aurison: One other farm containing 420 acres, in possession of Joseph Ever- ett : One other farm containing 179 acres, in possession of Jacob Tyger: One other farm containing 223 acres, in pos- session of Christopher Teets: Also one half of 55 acres in- cluding the town spot of Potter's Town. Also on Monday the twenty-seventh of September now last past was, agree- ably to the same Act, sold at the house of William Davi-
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son, at Pitts-Town, in Hunterdon county aforesaid, one farm or lot of land, situated, lying and being in the town- ship of Alexandria, in said county, containing 261 acres, in possession of Daniel Syms: One other farm contain- ing 192 acres, in possession of Benjamin Jones, junior : One other farm containing 240 acres, in possession of Philip Palmer; One other farm containing 168 acres, in possession of William Craig: One other farm containing 273 acres, in possession of Jacob Achman: One other farm, containing 219 acres, in possession of Daniel Brink: One other lot containing 51 acres, in possession of Frederick Jorden : One other farm containing 145 acres, in posses- sion of - Epgart: One other lot containing 4 acres, in possession of Hongohout: One other lot contain- ing 68 acres, being one half of 136 acres, in possession of John Martin. Also on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of October now last past was, agreeably to the same Act, sold at Conger's tavern in the county of Morris, and at Britton's tavern at Baskenridge, in the county of Somerset and State of New Jersey aforesaid, sundry lots of land, situate, lying and being in the Great Swamp, in said county of Morris, as follows, viz. Twelve lots con- taining 98 acres each, adjoining each other, in said swamp : Also twelve other lots adjoining, containing 86 acres each. Also on the sixteenth of October now last past was, agree- ably to the same Act, sold at said Conger's tavern, eight other lots on the north-east part of said swamp, containing from 50 to 65 acres each: Also one other lot, on which there is an old forge, containing 125 acres of land, ad- joining the aforesaid eight lots on the north east part of said swamp. Also on Monday the first of November now last past was, agreeably to the same Act, sold at the house commonly called Steel's Tavern, near Middle-Brook in Somerset county, a tract of land containing about 1000 acres, on the west branch of said Middle-Brook, between the first and second mountain in said county. Also on Wednesday the third of November now last past was,
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agreeably to the same Act, sold at Phillips's tavern at Pluckemin, a tract of land containing about 800 acres, adjoining to or near the Artillery Park at Pluckemin, in said county of Somerset. Also on Monday and Tuesday the fifteenth and sixteenth of November now last past was, agreeably to the same Act, sold at Levy James's tavern at Hackett's Town, in the county of Sussex, a tract of land containing about 2500 acres, being one half part of a tract of 5000 acres commonly called Lord Stirling's and Livingston's Tract adjoining to and lying near said Hackett's Town, in Sussex county aforesaid. Also on Wednesday the first of December now last past was, agree- ably to the same Act, sold at Crosswicks, a part of the 526 acres of land adjoining Plumstead's and Willcock's land in Upper Freehold, in Monmouth county. Also on the fifteenth of December now last past was, agreeably to the same Act, sold at Britton's tavern in Baskenridge aforesaid,.eleven lots of land in the Great Swamp afore- said, containing 678 22-100 acres. Also on the sixteenth of December now last past was, agreeably to the same Act, sold at Conger's tavern in Morris county aforesaid, fourteen lots of land in the Great Swamp aforesaid, con- taining 578 53-100 acres.
And every person who has, by mortgage or otherwise, any just claim or demand upon the said farms, tracts and lots of land, or' either of them or any part of them, or against the said William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, is hereby warned and desired to put in his or her claim to the subscribers, within three months from the date of this advertisement, in order that the same may be settled and adjusted agreeable to the Act aforesaid.
Given under our hands in New Jersey, this twentieth day of December, 1779.
RICHARD STEVENS, living near Pitt's Town, in Hunterdon county. JOHN MEHELM, near Potter's Town, in said county.
-The Pennsylvania Packet January 1, 1780.
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"HE Refugees from the county of Middlesex, and T Essex, in New-Jersey, are requested to leave their names and occupations at Broughton Reynold's, at Whitehall.
NEW-YORK, Jan. 3.
Last Tuesday night we had a severe gale from the N. E. accompanied with rain, which did considerable damage to the wharves, and some of the shipping; the privateer Britannia, which lay near the Hook, dragged her anchors and drove ashore on the Jersey coast, amongst a large field of ice, which prevented any assistance getting to her until the crew who were quite fatigued with the exertions they used to save the vessel, were made prisoners by the rebels. It is thought, however, that most of her stores will be saved.
-The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1472, January 3, 1780.
Was taken up, and is now confined in Trenton gaol, by the subscriber, living in New-Germantown, Hunterdon County, State of New-Jersey, a young Negro Man, who says his name is Peter; he is nearly six feet high, of a slender make, speaks and understands very little English, and appears to have been but a short time in America, had scarce any cloathing. The owner is desired to apply, pay charges and take him away.
Dec. 2. GODFREY RHINEHEART -The Pennsylvania Packet January 4, 1780.
CAME to the plantation of the Subscriber, a BLACK MARE, has neither brand or mark, is a natural pacer, about 14 hands high, and 6 years old. Any person prov- ing property and paying charges, shall have the same by
-
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applying to the subscriber, living about two miles from Princeton, on the road to Trenton.
DAVID HAMILTON. December 22, 1779.
Fish-Kill, December 16.
Dec. 23. We learn that on the 12th inst. 110 vessels sailed from Sandy Hook with troops, supposed for the West-Indies.
PHILADELPHIA, December 15.
Jan. 1. By an express from Shrewsbury we learn, that on Sunday last upwards of 100 transports, conveyed by three ships of force, sailed out of Sandy-Hook, and it is said, General Clinton is on board.
Extract of a letter from Morristown, dated Dec. 26.
"The fleet which I mentioned in mine of yesterday, consisting of upwards of 100 sail, which left New York the 23d inst. is the homeward bound trade, under convoy of a 74, and two small ships .- The transports with the troops on board are still at the watering place, 50 or 60 sail; it is conjectured these transports are waiting the last hour for the intelligence by the October packet, which has been expected impatiently some time.
"N. B. My letter of the 25th mentions the troops to be about 6000, and bound to the West-Indies.
TRENTON, JANUARY 5.
Extract of a letter from Baskenridge, Dec. 28, 1779.
"Two fleets of above one hundred sail each have just sailed from New-York, the first, I think, on the 23d, the last on the 26th inst. It is said the Generals Clinton and Cornwallis have both sailed with them. Whilst I am
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