USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 13
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TRENTON, FEBRUARY 2.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Elizabethtown, dated January 29.
"The enemy paid us a visit here last Tuesday evening; they were in town between ten and eleven o'clock, under the command of Lieut. Col. Boskirk of the New Levies : The plan was well concerted, and as well executed; they evaded our guards, and were in town before any one knew it .- They have taken forty or fifty privates and several officers, with ten or twelve of the inhabitants, Major Wil- liamson and Capt. Gifford fell into their hands. Mr. Belcher Smith, in attempting to escape was likewise taken. They burnt the Presbyterian church and the court-house, plundered Jeramiah Smith, but no other houses of any consequence, as they were afraid to enter them, and stayed but a little time before they pushed off. The same night they made an excursion to Newark, surprized the guard there, took Mr. Justice Hedden out of his bed, and would not suffer him to dress; they also took Mr. Robert Niel, burnt the academy and went off with percipitation These were chiefly regulars."
The curious may be amused by the following table of the weather for the last month, and we should be pleased to have it in our power to compare it with tables of obser- vations made at some distance; it is hoped some corre- spondent of our brother Printers in the neighbouring states will afford us this pleasure.
156
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1780
Weather.
Wind.
Ther.
Bar.
1
NW
1
28
29,1
Fair.
2
NE
24
30,1
Cloudy.
3
28
28,8
Snow.
4
N W
28
29,5
Fair.
5
E
26
29,6
Cloudy.
6
NNW
26
29,5
Snow at night.
7
W
19
29,4
Lowering.
8
-
20
29,7
do.
10
calm
27
29,9
Lowering. Snow.
12
32
29,5
Fair.
13
16
29,6
do.
14
16
29,6
do.
15
20
29,6
do.
16
30
29,7
do.
17
calm
31
29,5
Cloudy.
18
N W
27
29,6
Fair.
19
variable
20
29,7
do.
20
N W
12
29,9
do.
21
13
29,7
do.
22
23
29,9
do.
23
16
29,9
do.
24
19
29,9
do.
25
19
29,9
do.
26
17
30,0
do.
27
17
29,5
do.
28
20
29,5
do.
29
16
30,2
do.
30
W
21
29,8
do.
31
W
24
29,7
do.
Erratum: In the Regulating Act, inserted in the first page of this, Gazette, No. 107, second column, line 23d, for twenty-five read seventy-five. We were led into this mistake by an erroneous copy.
stands in a hall, the doors of which were seldom opened. *** Light winds were marked thus | brisk breezes thus
-
N. B. These observations were made at half after six in the morning. The glass
11
W
32
29,8
Fair.
9
19
29,6
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
Elizabeth-Town, January 16, 1780.
B Y an order of the fourteenth instant, all officers, soldiers, militia men, and followers of the army, were positively prohibited from plundering or in- sulting the inhabitants of Staten-Island; notwithstanding which many of the inhabitants of this state took advan- tage of the opportunity, while the army kept the enemy within their works, and acted in open violation thereof ; Major-General Lord Stirling therefore positively re- quires, that all persons possessed of any articles of plunder, taken on the island, do immediately deliver the same to Doctor Caldwell, at Springfield, to the end that they may be returned to the proper owners, otherwise they will be proceeded against with military severity : The very few of the soldiery who were guilty of the same misconduct have been already compelled to restore what they had taken, and will be most severely punished. All the good people of this state who know any persons within the above description, are desired to give immediate information thereof.
The Major General thanks the officers and men for the good disposition shewn in this excursion; particularly for the good order so conspicuous on retiring from the island; he is only sorry circumstances did not permit him to avail himself more effectually of their services.
By order of Major-General Lord Stirling WILLIAM BARBER. A.D. Camp.
W HEREAS the honourable the Congress of these United States have lately recommended to the legislatures of the several states to adopt measures for furnishing the supplies of the army upon a different plan from what has been heretofore pursued; and whereas some of the states have already made such regulations as must put the department on a new establishment, it seems therefore indespensably requisite that the accounts on the present arrangement be brought to a speedy and de-
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
cisive close. And whereas some further alteration of sys- tems will probably take place, it will be expedient not only that the accounts be soon adjusted, but that a uniform mode for effecting this be observed, throughout the various districts : I have therefore thought fit to publish this ad- vertisement directing that every deputy or other officer serving in the quartermaster-general's department whose appointment is immediately derived from me or my as- sistants, to call upon all persons employed by them re- spectively, to make out exact returns by the first day of March next, of the sumns of money due in their several districts up to that time.
And lest this measure should be frustrated for want of seasonable supplies of money, I do hereby notify all those who have any demands on any branch of the department, to lay their accounts before the proper persons, with suit- able vouchers, for a complete settlement to the time above directed. In those cases where the demands cannot be paid directly in cash, printed certificates will be given, specifying the sums due to each individual; for which end blank certificates will be struck and distributed among the several agents, who are required to register them in books to be kept for that purpose; copies of which must be immediately sent to camp to be lodged in my office, that I may be enabled to ascertain a just state of the debts due from the department.
NATH. GREENE, Q. M. G.
Morristown, January 25th, 1780.
N. B. The Printers in the several states are requested to insert the above in their respective papers.
To be sold, a plantation containing about 174 acres, 40 acres of which is woodland, and 20 good meadow ground, a good dwelling house, spacious barn, a well of pure water and an excellent orchard; sit- uated within one mile of Somerset courthouse, in Middle-
159
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
bush, New-Jersey-It was formerly the property of Jacobus Stricker. For terms apply to M. Ryan, on the premises.
January 18th, 1780.
W HEREAS David Cowell has advertised in the New- Jersey Gazette, "a Negro man to be sold or ex- changed for a suitable Negro boy."-As he has no legal right to any such Negro man, nor pretentions to claim any but myself, that I know of, duty to the publick (without any desire to expose his conduct) requires me to inform them, that I have a solemn engagement for my freedom for the consideration therein mentioned, written and executed by his own hand, which he has often at- tempted, and still persists in endeavouring to violate, al- though I have very sufficient proof that the said considera- tion is fully paid him: Therefore this is to caution and warn all persons from buying, exchanging, bargaining, or any way being concerned in an assignment for me, as I have fulfilled my part of the aforesaid agreement, and expect that freedom, justice and protection which I am entitled to by the laws of the state, altho' I am a Negro. ADAM.
Trenton Feb. 1, 1780.
One Hundred & Sixty Dollars Reward.
S TRAYED or stolen from the subscriber, in Trenton, about 22d of last January, a dark bay (or rather brown) HORSE, about 13 and a half hands high, eight or nine years old, marked on his hind buttock W C, his mane hog'd but since a little grown, has a remarkable short tail, shod all around, trots & canters well. Whoever takes up said horse and thief, if stolen, so as the horse may be returned and the thief brought to justice, shall have the
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1779-80
above reward, or Sixty Dollars for the horse only, and all reasonable charges, paid by
BERNARD HANLIN. Trenton, Feb. 1, 1780.
A LL persons indebted to the estate of John Bell, late of Raritan, deceased, either by bond, note, or book debt, are desired to make speedy payment to Anna Bell, administratrix, or John Myer, administrator.
Raritan, Dec. 6, 1779.
GENERAL POST-OFFICE, January 8, 1780.
T THE Southern Posts will set out hereafter on Tues- days and Fridays, precisely at 12 o'clock and re- turn on Mondays and Thursdays at noon. The Eastern Posts will set out on the same days at four P. M. and return on Mondays and Thursdays.
Any careful, sober, single person, who is willing to ride as post between Morristown and Fishkill, or between An- napolis and Fredericksburg, producing sufficient testimony of his fidelity to the United States, will meet with good encouragement by applying at the General Post-Office.
N. B. None need apply unless they can provide horses.
R UN away from his apprenticeship, from the subscriber near Pitts-town, about the 7th of November last, SAMUEL LIPPINCOTT, about 18 years of age, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, yellow hair, and a remarkable mark on his forehead resembling a pear.
Whoever takes up said apprentice, shall have TEN DOLLARS reward-and I do forewarn all persons from harbouring or employing him.
DANIEL POTTS.
December 13, 1779.
161
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
Wanted Immediately,
A Few Barrels of good SOFT SOAP-for which cash or salt will be given. Enquire of Printer.
-N. J. Gazette, Vol. III., Numb. LI., Feb. 2, 1780.
Mr. KOLLOCK,
If you think the following thoughts worthy the perusal of the public, you will please to communicate them through the medium of your journal, and oblige, your humble servant, STANDFAST.
"And shall we tamely yield ourselves to bondage, "Bow down before these holy purple tyrants, "And bid them tread upon our slavish necks ? "No ;- let this freeborn American hand "First dig its grave in innocence and honour ; "And though I found but one more thus resolved, "That honest man and I would die together.
ROWE.
N
TOTHING but a hearty desire for the speedy recovery of my wounded country, in whose service I have long suffered, could induce me to stand forth in this way. I am conscious my abilities are insufficient for doing justice to the subject I am undertaking; but as no other person better qualified has offered their service, I can no longer sit an idle spectator, and see my countrymen led astray by a set of petty politicians, who are constantly imposing upon the public some erroneous and villainous scheme for the appreciation of our currency, which they would persuade us is so far lost, as to admit of no remedy but that which their emperical pens are prescribing; which schemes are the only ones which could be desired for its downfall. The productions of the True Patriot, in the Jersey Gazette, and those of your correspondent Eumenes,
11
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
I should suppose were wrote at the instigation of the Brit- ish emissaries, had I no evidence of their proceeding from reverend heads, whose mouths are daily employed in peti- tioning the Almighty in fervent prayer for the establish- ment and welfare of these United States. Their plans of taxation are unprecedented, and evidently calculated to ruin us. Let not then the name of an athenian patriot delude us, or the evidence of arithmetical calculation per- suade us, that political knowledge is annexed thereto. They may, for ought I know, be well enough acquainted with church government; but sure I am, they have very little knowledge of the government of states, and the prin- ciples of national policy. Their schemes are directly con- trary to the plan pursuing by our wise rulers, who only have any real right to direct. The honourable and august legislature of America, upon whose wisdom and fidelity we have, and may, with propriety, risque our all, have adopted a judicious, rational, and, as near as possible, equitable plan, for the defraying our necessary expences, which, at the same time, supports our national credit. What then is left for us to do but press forward with a chearful compliance in the road which is pointed out by them ? We are not wont when our illustrious general orders us to march upon any expedition, to stand and cavil with him, and say, such and such a procedure would be attended with less difficulty, and prove more advantageous to the service. This would immediately spread anarchy through the army; and cavilling at legislative bodies, is not often attended with much better consequences. The only effectual way to surmount great difficulties, is to unite our efforts, and press forward with a determined resolution of overcoming. A patient labouring under any chronic disorder, does not usually reprobate the prescriptions of his physician, though he may not at first receive any sensi- ble advantage. All drastick medicines are attended with bodily maladies for a time, though they frequently prove the most salutary in the end; as such we may reckon the present taxation to the body politic.
163
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
Did Eumenes ever read the confederation of these United States ? Did he ever read the solemn, rational, and important address of Congress to their constitutents ? Surely, if ever he did, he has forgot their import, or he never would assume the impudence of proposing schemes so diametrically opposite, and endeavour to lead the ignor- ant and unweary into a belief of his hiterogenious doctrine. Did he ever read the consequences thereof to France, in the reign of Lewis XIV, with respect to his paper currency, which has not to this day recovered its former credit? I would advise him to think a little more attentively upon these matters, before he imposes any more of his logic upon the public.
The True Patriot, after depreciating the predominancy of vice, and evil practices, like a good christian, proceeds to assert the most palpable falsehoods, fraught with every evil, viz. That our currency was exchanged for silver and gold, and other articles of commerce, at a discount of twenty for one, when the discount [at this] very time [was] only ten for one. A fa[1] sehood too notorious to [admit] of an [answer]. How far his productions tended to lessen the value of our currency, and increase the dis- count, can [on]ly be estimated by the influence his writ- ings had upon the minds of the public.
Eumenes, so far as he has followed any plan, has pro- ceeded in the same erroneous manner, and imposed upon the public under the specious pretence of doing justice to individuals. I confess there is so[me] injustice in having twenty dollars made good in the hands of the person who received them only for one dollar; yet, if we extend our ideas as far as that period, we shall find, that he will pay nearly as much of his money out of his hands in order to redeem it in the present mode of taxation, as in any other way; and more indeed, if [h]e [h]as is generally the way with speculators and disaffected perso[ns] [realized] his money. These persons then at whom they rail so bit- terly, and are desirous of swea [r]ing so largel[y], are
164
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1780
almost the only persons who will be benefitted by [their plan.] [They have made a terrible [mistake ?
] our money has depreciated more rapidly than usual since the commencement of the present war. I shall therefore make it my business, in some future paper, to shew it is partly real, and partly ideal, and there- fore by no means desperate, but what will be easily re- lieved by a strict adherence to the prescriptions of our political physicians, and proceed to make some observa- tions on credit in general, and the nature and delicacy of public credit in particular. In the mean time, I hope, my readers will unanimously subscribe my name1
STANDFAST.
TO THE TRIBE OF SWEARERS.
A S you are an object of pity, to every generous spirit, it is the dictate of humanity to labour for your reformation. To effect this you must be convinced that profane swearing is absolutely inconsistent with honour, or politeness. Honour is derived from a conduct directed by reason, and an imitation of the most sublime examples. He who honours Almighty God, is a man of honour, because such a conduct is the dictate of the highest reason, and conformable to the example of the sublimest geniuses. Politeness, comprehends modest, easy, and gen- tle manners -- is studious not to offend the virtuous; and without these, no man has any just pretensions to the char- acter of a gentleman. Let the rude swearer, who pours out his filthy language in all companies, reflect how distant his character is from that of a man of honour, and a gentle- man. There are not two things in nature more opposite. A haggard-fury may as well claim the charms of a fine lady, as a noisy swearer make pretensions to honour or politeness. It will be said, that some persons have used
1 Words and letters in brackets conjecturally supplied.
165
1780]
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
profane language, who were eminent for their shining accomplishments. A man may possess something that is amiable, although his character is in general infamous ; and a character may in general be respectable, that is de- filed by some vice, if the vice is not habitual; but however seldom the crime is committed, it is a deep stain, and a blot of infamy. No talents can secure the swearers from disgrace; the enlightened and virtuous will view them with mingled pity and contempt. And even the profane themselves, will view them in the same light, in their moments of reflection. As "It is not in folly not to despise a fool." It may be asked, "If this vice be attended with no advantage, and has infamy and ruin in its train, how can we account for its prevailing ? Pride, is the cause men love distinction ; and to be singular, even in vices, gratifies the low pride of some grovelling minds. And a wish to appear heroic and fearless, leads many into crimes which otherwise they never would commit. In defiance of all the sober sense of mankind, to blaspheme the name of God, appears to them a mark of a daring mind, which is superior to vulgar fears. These two motives, equally vile and con- temptible, are the first inducements to this low language. Another motive is, to prevent chasms in their conversation ; for barren souls that want ideas, often endeavour to stun us with oaths, that we may not observe their vacant minds. These several causes, at first produce swearers, and then they are multiplied by imitation The vices of great men (as they are called) have a mighty influence. When by dint of wealth, friends, or other accidental cause, a man is made great by holding a post of honour, if he is vicious, he is a public curse, by propagating vice; and by his example, will make more swearers than a thousand preachers can reform. The herd of s[ ]cophants, and all the inglorious throng, who never lift a thought to Heaven, or stretch be- yond the narrow scale of human life, will catch the tone, and copy the dirty language of the vilest wretch that ever rode in the car of wealth or power. Thus are vices propa-
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
gated, until innocence and virtue become blushing stran- gers in the land, and every numerous circle is defiled with infamous characters.
The great question is, What will stop this raging pesti- lence? To reason against it is vain, for the guilty mind is dead to reason, before this vice can find admittance, other- wise men would not incur temporal and eternal infamy- for nothing !- I therefore write for the sake of the living, to prevent them from joining this congregation of the dead. AN AMERICAN. -The New-Jersey Journal, Vol. I., Numb. LI., Wednes- day, February 2, 1780.
CHATHAM, FEBRUARY 2.
A party of the enemy consisting of about 300 infantry, under the command of Col. Van Buskirk, of the new levies, and about 60 dragoons, said to be under the com- mand of Capt. Steward, of the 17th light dragoons, with several refugees, the whole, in number, near 400, crossed on the ice from Staten-Island to Trembley's Point, about three miles from Elizabeth-Town, last Tuesday night. From thence they were conducted by Cornelius Hetfield, Job Hetfield, and Smith Hetfield, their principal guides, the nearest and most retired route to Elizabeth-Town. They entered the town, in two divisions, before the alarm was sounded. As soon as the troops that were in town, (consisting of about sixty men) perceived their danger, they retreated; however they took a major, who was com- mandant of the place, and two or three captains, that lodged in town that night, and a few troops. They then set fire to the presbyterian meeting and court house, which were consumed; plundered, insulted, and took off some of the inhabitants, and retreated, with great precipitation, by the way of De Hart's Point, whose house they likewise consumed.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
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The same night another party of the enemy, consisting of draughts from the different regiments stationed in New- York, passed over the North River, in sleighs, to Powles- Hook, from thence through Bergen, the nearest way to Newark. They entered the town in three divisions, and immediately proceeded to the academy, where they sur- prized and took about fifteen men, being all the troops that were on duty in town. A lieutenant, notwithstand- ing he was twice a prisoner with the enemy, by his vigi- lance, effected his escape. They then set fire to the acad- emy, which they consumed; during which time a party was detached to several of the inhabitants houses, which they rifled of the most valuable effects; that which was not portable they destroyed. They took off Justice Hed- den, and Robert Neil, jun. two of the inhabitants. The former gentleman was taken out of his bed, and without any other cloaths on except his shirt and a pair of stock- ings, carried off, notwithstanding the strongest solicita- tions of Mrs. Hedden, to the officers, for permission for her husband to dress himself, who received two wounds with a bayonet, one in the face, the other in her breast, by those mighty veterans of fallen Majesty.
They continued in town about fifteen or eighteen min- utes. A few militia being hastily collected, pursued their rear, by which means five of the enemy fell into their hands. Two of them died a short time after with the intense cold.
We are informed, that Justice Hedden is so frost-bit, that it is thought he will lose both his legs.
Last Sunday evening, about 8 o'clock, a party of the enemy landed at Rahway and carried off near a dozen of the inhabitants.
The church in town not intimidated nor discouraged by the barbarous impiety of the enemy, met last Sabbath, when Mr. Caldwell preached to them from 1. PET. i. 7 and GAL. vi. 9 and sung the following verses :
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
With flames they threaten to destroy The children in their nest, "Come, let us burn at once they cry, The temple and the priest." And shall the sons of earth and dust That sacred pow'r blaspheme ? Will not thy hand that form'd them first, Avenge thine injur'd name ?
Think on the cov'nant thou has made, And all thy words of love ;
Nor let the birds of prey invade, And vex thy mourning dove. Our foes would triumph in our blood, And make our hope their jest ; Plead thy own cause, almighty God, And give thy children rest.
TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS Reward.
W AS stolen out of the subscriber's shop, in Elizabeth- Town, on the 16th ult. a silver milk pot, with the upper part of the handle broke off, and three silver shoe buckles, not quite finished. Whoever will give information, so that the above goods may be recovered, shall receive the above reward, or in proportion for any part of them. All silver-smiths are particularly requested to stop the above articles, should they be offered for sale, as it will have a tendency to prevent their own shops from being robbed.
WILLIAM THOMAS.
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ยท NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
THIRTY DOLLARS Reward.
S YTRAYED or stolen from the plantation of Joseph Crane, at Springfield, on Saturday the 15th ult. A BAY HORSE COLT, with a sorrel mane and tail; he has a blaze in his forehead, and his two hind feet are white. Whoever takes up said colt, and returns him to the subscriber, near Springfield, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOSEPH BADGELEY, sen. Feb. 1, 1780.
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS Reward.
R UN-AWAY from Martin Wyckoff, in Reading town- ship, Somerset county, New Jersey, a negro boy named WILL, about five feet high, between 15 and 16 years of age. Said negro boy left his master's house under pretence of going to Jacob Wyckoff's, in Mendham, Morris County. He had on when he went away, a linsey woolsey waistcoat, a white under flannel ditto, flannel shirt, buckskin breeches, good shoes, black stockings, and a round hat with yellow binding round the crown. He likewise took with him, a red waistcoat, and a large brown linsey woolsey coat. Whoever takes up said negro, and returns him to either of the subscribers, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by MARTIN WYCKOFF, or JACOB WYCKOFF.
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