USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 17
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Corn. Van Nuys, -
TO BE SOLD,
A Beautiful well made STALLION COLT, rising 3 years old, 3-4ths blood, got by the famous imported horse Whirligigg out of a large half blooded Bullyrock mare. He is a full black, moves well, and promises to be a sure horse for getting colts, as the few mares he covered last season are with foal to him. Any person inclining to purchase, may apply to RANDLE MITCHELL, at Bowhill Farm, near Trenton
TO BE SOLD,
A T Public Vendue on Tuesday, the 21st day of March instant, at the house of Daniel Griggs, at Tom's River, seventy acres of very good young green CEDAR SWAMP, very handy to water carriage, on the branches of Cedar Creek; late the property of John Cow- ard, deceased .- Attendance will be given for several days
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before the day of sale at Tom's River, to shew the prem- ises : The land will be sold as best suits the purchaser as to quantity, and attendance will be given by JAMES RANDOLPH, Execu- TOBIAS HENDRICKSON, tors
TO BE SOLD,
A Plantation in Nottingham township Burlington county, containing 284 acres, lying two miles and a half from Trenton, situated on the road leading from thence to Allentown, about 50 acres whereof is cleared, the remainder woodland, 160 acres of which is exceeding well timber'd. For terms apply to Bernard Hanlin in Trenton.
March 7, 1780.
C YAME to the plantation of the subscriber, a grey HORSE, about 13 hands and a half high, a natural pacer, one hind foot white. Any person proving property, and paying charges, shall have the same, by applying to GARRET SCHANCK, living in Amwell, near Ringo's late tavern.
I WOULD recommend to the three quaking authors of the two illiberal pieces of calumny signed ADAM, here- after, (in their preaching for their father the devil) to deliver the plain dictates of reason in the natural lan- guage of truth, and no longer act the hypocrite to me and their too indulgent country, as it will never admit a doubt what "government is prayed for by the whole triumvirate, while the men are so well known by their friends, and their characters and cause blacker than the slave they want to keep in their debt, and consequently in their service his life time.
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Seeing therefore those miscreants, who having lost all sense of truth and decency, have "rendered their persons fit companions only to runaway negroes, and their con- genial spirits" amiable only to demons, it will be thought justifiable by open design ("for that Doctor who has in his possession from the head of the department, authentic credentials of having "acted in the military hospitals near two years as an industrious, humane and skillful Senior Physician and Surgeon, and always manifested great zeal to the American cause) to "send to eternity, those whom it would disgrace any country to receive, if they give any molestation when it shall be judged best to call forceably, for the unfaithful disobedient negro, which shall be as soon as any gentleman offers able and willing to receive him, and give a just restitution to his master.
David Cowell.
-N. J. Gazette, Vol. III, No. 115, March 8, 1780.
New-York, March 11.
Mr. RIVINGTON, SIR,
Seeing in your paper of the 29th of January 1780, an account of that well known titular Justice Joseph Hedden, of Newark, being safely lodged (en Pro- vost). By giving the following authentic narrative a place in the Royal Gazette, it will not only tend to hold up this man in his proper colours, but very much oblige a number of the Loyal Refugees.
0 N the 13th of March 1777, I was seized early in the morning, by a Rebel sergeant named POST, and twelve others, all armed, and brought to the town of Newark, (fifteen miles from my own house) through mud and dirt the whole way almost knee deep, (my per- secutors being allowed to ride) I was arraigned before Hedden, Burnet, and the Rebel Major Hays. After many speeches being made by Hedden and Hays, and three wit-
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nesses sworn against me, Hedden said if I would make an ample confession, it would be better for me; I told him, I had none to make; he again repeated the same words, with this addition, that if I did not, he would find proof to hang me at the next court, being the second Tuesday in April following: I again told him I had no confession to make: he then wrote a mittimus, and committeed me to the main guard, where I was treated with the greatest indignity till the 18th at night, when I made my escape and got to Staten-Island, and during the time he had me in confinement, being from the 13th to the 18th inclusive, there was no refreshment allowed me but water, and very little of that.
I am, Sir, with very great respect, your most humble servant,
A Jersey Refugee. -The Royal Gazette, No. 360, March 11, 1780.
Philadelphia, March 7, 1780. To be SOLD at Public Auction.
On Saturday the 18th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Coffee-house.
A VALUABLE PLANTATION situate in Greenwich township, Gloucester county, West New-Jersey, containing one hundred and eleven acres of excellent land, on which are a good dwelling-house and a young bearing orchard, about four acres of cleared meadow and a considerable quantity more may be made, about twenty acres of the up- land cleared and under good fence, the land well timbered with oak and pine fit for sawing, some cedar swamp, and an excellent stream of water running near the house. This place will probably become very valuable, a Glass-house having been lately erected within a mile of it. It is con- venient to several saw and grist-mills, and within about six miles of a good landing on Mantua Creek. The above tract
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is clear of all incumbrances, and binds on land of John Jessops, Benjamin Lodge and Jacob Parks ;
The terms will be made known on the day of sale.
WILLIAM BROWN, Auctioneer. -The Pensylvania Packet, March 11, 1780.
NEW-YORK, March 13.
Thursday was brought in, the Sloop Success, prize to the Vulcan's Tender, loaded with lumber, from Morris River, New Jersey, taken off Barnegat. -The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, No.
1482, March 13, 1780.
CHATHAM, (New-Jersey) Feb. 23.
A small party of the enemy, consisting of about 50, made an incursion to Newark last Saturday night. They entered the town about 12 o'clock, plundered some cattle, and took two of the inhabitants prisoners ; but the alarm guns being fired, the inhabitants were so alert in assembling, that they obliged those freebooters to abandon their cattle and make a very precipitate retreat.
On Sunday night last Mr. Nicholas Dean, an ensign in one of the Scotch regiments at New-York, deserted and came over to our people at Newark; from whom we have obtained a list of regiments, with their strength, stationed on Long Island, Staten-Island, and in New-York.
On Thursday the third of February, 1780, was married at Mount Holly, Colonel THOMAS MAYBERRY, to Miss POLLY SPONG, of Maryland, a young lady, the beauties of whose mind shone with such superior brightness, that the charms of her person lost some share of their in- fluence by the more attractive powers of "innate goodness ;" unaffected wisdom and sanctity of manners.
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During the short space allotted for her stay, with her deeply afflicted partner her virtues brightened with each brightening Sun and like the Sun (in her domestic sphere) shed their sweet influence on all around her, and promised in prospect, a lengthened pleasing scene of conjugal feli- city.
As she lived beloved for her virtues, as a faithful wife, a dutious daughter, a sincere friend, and a valuable com- panion, so she died more beloved and revered for her calm- ness and resignation at the awful close
Finis coronathopus.
The solemn scene is shut, on Saturday the 26th, she ex- changed this life for a better, in the seventeenth year of her age, and on Tuesday evening the 29th, her remains were deposited in a vault, dug for that purpose, in Mount- holly Churchyard.
Consign'd to dust, the tenant of a tomb, Snatch'd from the bridal bed and splendid room,
Maria lies-but ah how changed she lies Late the fond hope of all a husband's joys, So young and yet so good-but soft my soul, Would impotence Omnipotence controul ? Murmers be hush'd shall man of Heav'n complain? Our mortal loss is her immortal gain .-
Whereas my wife, Nancy Davis, having absconded from my bed and board, and otherwise misbehaved, I do hereby forbid all persons trusting her on my account, as I am de- termined on not paying any debts of her contracting from the date hereof.
JOB DAVIS.
Cumberland N. Jersey, March 2, 1780.
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WANTED to PURCHASE.
Within eight miles of the City of BURLINGTON in West- Jersey, or within twelve miles of PHILADELPHIA.
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About forty or fifty acres of improved Land, under good fences, to contain meadow sufficient for eight cows, wood. for the fuel of two fires, a garden, and small orchard, a small brick or stone tenement, sufficient for the comfort- able accommodations of four persons, a small barn or shed, and good water. Any person having such to dispose of, with a good title, may hear of a purchaser and ready cash for the same, by applying to Mr. Samuel Merriot, at the White Horse, in Chestnut-street, Philadelphia.
N. B. Wanted to exchange, a neat sulkey, almost new, for a sociable or handy one horse chair, equally good. En- quire as above.
-The Pennsylvania Journal March 15, 1780.
TO THE PUBLIC.
Nassau-Hall, Princeton, New-Jersey, Feb. 24, 1780.
A S the college and grammar-school in this place are now begin- ning to recover from the desolation they have suffered in con- sequence of the war; as the scholars are collected from the most distant parts of the continent, and even the West-India islands ; and as the Trustees and Faculty are now exerting them- selves with great diligence for the improvement of the seminary ; there are some things which I think it of much importance on my part to communicate to schoolmasters and parents. This would not have been done in a newspaper if it had been possible to find any other way as easy, speedy and effectual.
Schoolmasters are entreated to be as careful as possible to make the boys intended for college, accurate in their preparatory studies. If they come here ill-founded in classic learning, and obtain admis- sion it will be impossible for us fully to remedy that defect by going back to the first principles : and there are many cases in which to reject them for the fault of their teachers, and not their own, would seem very hard, besides other circumstances that often plead strongly in their behalf. There is the greater necessity of attending to this,
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that the Trustees of the college have seen it proper to allow of ad- mission into the junior class when they enter on the study of the sciences ; and though they are kept reading a part of their time in the higher classics, it is plainly impracticable to enter so minutely into the principles of grammar and syntax as would be necessary for those who have these matters yet to learn. I will therefore take the liberty of recommending a few particulars.
1. Let effectual pains be taken, and early, to teach them readily to apply the rules of syntax ; for which purpose there are many excellent 'books published. Rudiman's Grammatical Exercises for beginners, and Mair's Introduction for those farther advanced, are among the best ; but any of them will do well enough in the hands of a skillful master. It ought to be remembered that it is of much more conse- quence to make them understand the grammar and structure of the language well, than to make them by force of memory or application, translate passages of the classics either in poetry or prose. Experi- ence tells us, that if they intermit their studies but a month or two they will soon forget what they have learned, unless the foundation is well laid, as above.
2. In prosecution of the same plan, it were to be wished that masters, instead of pushing boys forward to the higher classics, or making them change their books often, would not only make them perfect in the construction, but give them a very extensive vocabu- lary of the language by the use of easy books and such as they have ideas sufficiently comprehensive to understand. By these I mean Corderius, Erasmus, Esop's Fables, Selectæ e Veteri Testamento Historiæ, all of which were written or collected by great men, in order to facilitate the instruction of youth. To this should be added translating always back from English to Latin as well as from Latin to English, and writing versions of both kinds. For want of this, nothing is more common than to meet with boys who say they have read Virgil or Horace who yet cannot speak three sentences in Latin upon the most common subjects, and cannot explain two pages of Corderius or Erasmus unless they have read them lately ; nay, will very simply answer, if they be desired to do it, that they have not read them of a long time. This is just as absurd as if in arithmetic they should say they could do the rule of three, but had forgot numeration and addition, not having applied to them for some time past. I am persuaded that were boys taught the whole construction of the Latin language from such books as Corderius or Erasmus's Colloquies, and could they express everything readily in classic Latin that might be expressed by the words to be found in these books, they would be better Latin scholars than many who have finished their college course. Let a scholar so qualified open any book what- ever, he would understand almost everything he saw, and of the little he did not understand he would know very well in what manner by a dictionary he might be speedily informed.
3. It is earnestly recommended to masters to teach the boys to read and pronounce properly, paying attention to the quantity of the
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syllables. They should from the beginning be made to lose their place in the class as certainly for a false quantity as for a wrong word. If this is neglected at first, and they are suffered to contract a vicious habit of pronouncing, it will be in vain to think of correct- ing it afterwards by teaching them the rules of prosody.
4. Masters of grammar schools are requested by frequent occa- sional or rather periodical exercises in reading, spelling, speaking and writing, to make the scholars accurate in their knowledge of their mother tongue. Certainly this is of the first importance, and will be thought so by all parents whose approbation is worth seeking for. You will say this ought to be done in English schools; un- doubtedly it ought ; But what knowledge they acquire there ought to be preserved and increased in every stage of their progress. There is an advantage in a grammar-school and college for this purpose, for when they are learning the principles of grammar in general in order to obtain a knowledge of the dead languages, it will not hinder but promote and facilitate their improvement to point out to them the idioms of different languages, and particularly wherein their own agrees with, or differs from that which they are endeavouring to acquire.
I conclude with taking notice that the art of teaching any science whatever to advantage, is built upon two great principles. 1. That the learner should be made as perfect as possible in one thing before he be carried forward to another. 2. That the steps of transition should be as inconsiderable, or in other words, as easy and gentle as possible. The first of these I suppose will not be disputed by anybody, and is as easy in its application, as it is just in its nature. There are masters, however, who carry boys through the grammar with any thing less than half learned, so that in their lessons they are stammering and guessing, saying one word right and two wrong, by which the master's time is wasted, and yet the profit of the scholar very small. The second principle is as visably just as the other, but of much greater compass, variety and difficulty in the application. It may be illustrated by the way now frequently taken in teaching the art of writing. Some masters have analysed the whole into a certain number of simple strokes, each of them easily observed and imitated by itself; and after they have learned these perfectly one by one, they join the whole together with the utmost facility as well as accuracy. Something of this kind should be con- stantly in the view of the master of a grammar-school; and he is the most accomplished teacher who can make the steps by which the pupil proceeds the most easy, natural and obvious.
I shall now offer a few advices to parents who send their children to a grammar school or college.
1. That they would not attempt to force their children on faster than is for their real advantage. It seems to be a very general object of desire or ambition with parents to have their children taught in as little time as possible in the grammar-school, and entered as high as possible in the classes in college. Nothing can be more prepos-
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terous than this; for certainly it is more honourable as well as pleasant for a boy to be at the head of one class, than at the bottom of the one immediately superior to it. Besides it makes their work difficult, and their improvement or success uncertain. If parents are desirous that their children's education should be soon finished, that they may not arrive at the stature of men before they have com- pleated the work of boys, it is a most laudable purpose. But the true way to obtain it is to begin early, that they may have time to be taught in a proper and effectual manner. If this opportunity is already unhappily lost, I would recommend altering the object of the instruction, and instead of giving them a regular course, making them perfect in some of the most essential branches and omiting . others.
2. It is of much consequence that children be regular and constant in attendance. If they are called home on trifling occasions, or suffered to go home on frivolous pretences, the hurt that it does them is much greater than is commonly apprehended. It gives them an idle turn, and takes their heads off from their books: It breaks the thread of their instruction, and throws them behind their class, which extinguishes their emulation, and often produces a despondent in- difference and sloth. They generally tell you when requesting this licence that they will study hard to make up the time of their ab- sence ; but experiance tells me that the very reverse is commonly the case. Nay, though they were in some degree to perform their promise it would be of little avail; for if parents expect that masters will take the trouble of extra attendance in such cases, and add to the fatigue perhaps already too great, I believe they will be gener- ally mistaken.
In the last place, parents are requested to support, countenance, and co-operate with the moral government of the seminary. It will be wholly in vain to expect boys to profit in their studies if they are allowed to be loose in their morals. I look upon it as certain that the past prosperity and success of the college of New-Jersey has been capitally owing to the strict attention paid to this circumstance by the Trustees from its first foundation. Now it is easy to see how injurious it must be to boys, if the system of government and ex- ample at home is different from, perhaps directly opposed to, that of the seminary where they receive their instruction. We say they shall not be suffered to play at cards or dice, to swear and speak profanely, or . take their diversion abroad on the Lord's day, and withal endeavour to persuade them that these courses are the road to perdition. But when they return home to their parents, all these things are done frequently, openly, and without reserve. Perhaps I shall hereby expose myself to the reproaches of that honourable class of men the Free-thinkers of the age. This gives me very little concern, and does not shake my opinion in the least degree. There are, however, some even of them who readily admit that children and youth should be kept from such practices in a seat of learning, though they make no scruple of defending the same indulgences in
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persons of riper years. The consistency of this I leave them to make out at their leisure, and shall only say, that at any rate those par- ents who approve of the system of education practised, should, for their own sakes, be very cautious of counteracting or defeating it either by discourse or example.
J. WITHERSPOON.
CHARLESTOWN, February 4.
The fleet which we have had frequent intelligence of col- lecting at Sandy-Hook, sailed from thence on the 24th of December last. It is said to have consisted of more than 140 sail, about 50 of which were empty victuallers and merchantmen bound to Europe. By what we can learn, the Russel and Robuste, of 74 guns, the Europa, Defiance, and Raisonable, of 64, the Renown of 50, the Roebuck and Romulus, of 44, and two frigates, sailed with the fleet. Of the transports three, viz. the brig Lady Crosby, and the sloops Swift and Henry, have been brought in here. Off Cape Hatteras, about four weeks since, they met with a severe storm, which separated the fleet, and obliged the two sloops, as well as most other vessels having horses, to throw them overboard.
TRENTON, MARCH 15.
Commissioners from the American and British armies met last week at Perth-Amboy, in order to settle a general cartel for the exchange of prisoners. The Commissioners on our side are Major-General St. Clair and Lieut. Col- onels Hamilton and Carrington : On the side of the Brit- ish, Major-General Phillips and Lieut. Colonels Gordon and Norton.
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For the New-Jersey Gazette.
The INDIAN'S ODE to HOPE.
Hail, heav'nly HOPE, divinely fair ! Inspir'd by thee now let me soar ; High o'er the starry course ascend To seek th' calm elysian shore ;
The seats eternal of the just, That happy land where Indians go,
The brave, the gen'rous and the wise, Who practice all the good they know ;
In rural walks, and flow'ry fields, For ever green, for ever gay,
In lovely groves and blooming bow'rs, To pass the cheerful time away.
Sweet birds, melodious, too shall sing Their warbling notes the groves among,
While crystal streams roll gently by, And murmur music to each song.
There winter's chill, nor summer's heat, Nor storm shall rise, nor thunders roll, For all the land is fill'd with peace, And rapture glows in ev'ry soul.
Ascend, O heav'nly HOPE ascend ! And anchor there the soul secure, To ride this boist'rous sea of life, And gain at last that peaceful shore.
State of New-Jersey, Sussex County, March 14, 1780. TN pursuance of an act for forfeiting and vesting in the State of New-Jersey the real estates of certain fugi- tives and offenders in said state, will be sold at public vendue, at the times and places herein after men- tioned, the following tracts or parcels of lands in said county ; the vendue to begin at 10 o'clock each day.
On Monday the 17th of April, at the house of Samuel Daker, in the township of Wantage, the farm on which
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John Finch now lives, containing 139 acres with a small improvement thereon; a tract of woodland containing 46 acres; a farm containing 64 acres, with a small improve- ment; and near Deep Clove, another farm containing 136 acres, with a small improvement thereon, now in the pos- session of Spencer Elstone: All late the property of Oliver Delancy. The small tract of land called Barton's Flat- brook farm, containing 50 acres, a considerable part of which is excellent meadow; also 35 acres, with a small improvement thereon, both late the property of Joseph Barton. Twenty-two acres with a small improvement thereon, late the property of Thomas Woolverton.
On Tuesday the 18th, at the house of Joseph Parry, a valuable tract of land containing 223 acres, with consid- erable improvements thereon, lying between Williamsnod- gracs's and Vanhautan's farm; another tract containing 67 acres, with a small improvement thereon, lying near William Holly's at Poccukunk; also three small tracts containing 126 acres, opposite Mascotkill.
On Wednesday the 19th, at the house of Isaac Carey, Esq. two tracts of woodland near Col. Soward's containing 207 acres. The farm called Colled's Plains, having a small improvement, containing 150 acres.
On Thursday the 20th, at the house of Francis Price, in Newtown, a farm containing 58 acres, lying near Hugh Heggarty's, having considerable improvements thereon ; and near Zachariah Price's another farm, having also con- siderable improvements thereon, containing 130 acres ; also the farm on which Daniel Peterson lived, containing 54 acres : All late the property of Oliver Delancy. Like- wise the farm on which Barton's new mill lately stood, containing 50 acres. Late the property of Joseph Barton.
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