USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 30
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Preparations are making to land the expected French army at Rhode-Island; and a variety of circumstances contribute to brighten our expectations of the ensuing campaign.
On Thursday night last a number of armed villains, supposed to be about twelve, broke open the house of Mr. John Holmes, of Upper-Freehold, in Monmouth county, and robbed him of 4 or 500 pounds continental money, a silver watch, a gold ring, silver buckles, a firelock, a pair of pistols, clothing, provisions and ammunition.
Last week John and Robert Smith, charged with the murder of Mr. Boyd, a Collector in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, mentioned under the Philadelphia head, were taken up in Monmouth in this state, and committed to the county gaol, by the son of David Forman, Esq. a youth of nineteen. After receiving the fire of Robert Smith at twenty yards distance, he took them both, and drove them before him to the guard,-since which they have been re- moved to the new gaol in Philadelphia, for trial .- It is said they were on their way to New-York, which has be- come a place of refuge for murderers and villains of every denomination.
On Saturday last about 10 o'clock, A. M. as Mrs. Mor- gan, wife of Mr. Joseph Morgan, of Pensawkin, Mrs. Roker, and one other woman, were going in a market boat from Philadelphia, near the mouth of Pensawkin creek, were overset by a squall of wind; by which unfortunate accident the above persons were drowned. Soon after two of their bodies were taken up, one of them was Mrs. Mor- gan's, which was interred the next day.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
Friday morning last a party of the enemy from New- York made a descent upon Newark, and carried off several inhabitants prisoners. Further particulars have not yet come to hand.
On Saturday last at Mr. Joseph Robins, near Allen- town, was attempting to dock a colt, he received a stroke on the head with the creature's fore foot, by which he was instantly killed.
The account of the execution at Morristown we are obliged to defer 'till next week, for want of room.
By His Excellency the Governor.
A GENERAL Court-Martial of the state, whereof Col. John Neilson1 was appointed President, having been ordered by the Governor for the trial of Col. Syl- vanus Seely, on the 27th day of April last, on the following
1 Colonel John Neilson was one of the most distinguished patriots of New Jersey during the Revolution. He was born at Raritan Landing, near New Brunswick, March 11th, 1745, son of John Neilson, M.D., and Joanna, daughter of Andrew Coeymans. At the outset of the Revolution, John threw himself with all his heart into the struggle and raised a company, of which he was chosen captain, July, 1775. On August 31st, 1775, he was commissioned Colonel of the Battalion of Minute Men in Middlesex county. When the Declaration of Independence was received in New Brunswick, it was read by him to a mass meeting of the citizens called for the purpose. He was made Colonel of the Second Regiment, Middlesex Militia, August 1st, 1776. On December 31st, 1776, he was ordered, by Washington, to call together and organize the militia of the State, which he did very effectively. On February 18th, 1777, he surprised and cap- tured an outpost of refugees about three miles below New Brunswick, and three days later was commissioned Brigadier-General of Militia. During the winter of 1777, General Sir William Howe, the British commander, made his headquarters in Colonel Neilson's house on Burnet street. In 1778 he was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1779 he was again in active military service, and September 20th, 1780, was ap- pointed Deputy Quartermaster-General for New Jersey, which office he retained until 1783. He enjoyed the friendship of Washington and Lafay- ette, both of whom were often guests at his house. In 1787 he was elected a member of the State convention, which ratified the Federal Constitution, and was the last survivor of the forty members of that con- vention. In 1800 and 1801 he was a member of the Assembly. He mar- ried December 31st, 1768, Catharine Voorheese, daughter of John Voorheese. He settled at New Brunswick with his uncle, James Neilson, as a shipping merchant, and at the close of the war succeeded him in the business. He died March 3d, 1833. The foregoing sketch has been for the most part taken from the "History of Union and Middlesex Counties," pp. 468-470.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
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charges against him while commanding the State Regi- ment in Elizabeth-Town, in the latter end of the year 1779, viz.
1. That he suffered goods and merchandize to be landed from the enemy's flag-boat within our lines, thereby per- mitting an illicit trade to be carried on between the in- hibitants of this state and the enemy.
2. That he suffered those who came with a flag, some of whom were fugitives from this state, frequently to tarry all night on shore without any necessity, giving them an opportunity to hold conferences with the disaffected inhabitants, to gain intelligence, transact commercial affairs, and promote desertions from our troops.
3. That he partook of this illicit trade himself, having goods taken out of the flag-boat and carried to his quarters.
4. That of his own authority he gave permission to per- sons to go to the enemy, either to stay with them or return ; and also gave permits to persons of suspected characters to pass his guards, who carried provisions to the enemy.
5. That he authorized privates in the regiment to ex- ercise command, and to rank and draw pay as officers, contrary to the constitution of the state, the law for rais- ing the said regiment, to the damage and expense of the state.
And the said Court having met and proceeded to the trial of the said Col. Seely, upon the several charges afore- said, pronounced their sentence or judgment, by which they unanimously declare, "that the said Col. Sylvanus "Seely is not guilty of any one or more of the said charges, "but on the contrary, that during his command at Eliza- "beth-Town, he is entitled to the character of a good "soldier, a vigilant officer, and faithful citizen, and as "such deserves the gratitude of his country;" which sen- tence or judgment I do approve of and confirm.
WIL. LIVINGSTON.
Trenton, 27th May, 1780.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
THE TRUSTEES of Queen's College, in New-Jersey, are requested to meet at Hillsborough, in the county of Somerset, on Tuesday the 22d of June next, on busi- ness of importance. By order,
JACOB R. HARDENBERGH, Clk. May 10, 1780.
TO BE SOLD.
A BOUT fifty store SHEEP; also several valuable MARES and COLTS of different ages, sizes, and blood. En- quire of Mr. Samuel Crook, or Mr. John Derick, at Pitts-Town, in the state of New Jersey.
May 30, 1780.
Four Hundred Dollars Reward.
S TOLEN out of the pasture of the subscriber, in the town- ship of Trenton, on the night of the 21st instant, a dark bay or brown HORSE, four years old, 14 hands high, no mark, shod before, trots and canters. Whoever takes up said horse so that the owner may have him again, and secures the thief so that he is brought to conviction, shall have the above reward, or for the horse only, Two Hundred Dollars, and reasonable charges, paid by me
JOSEPH TINDALL.
May 29, 1780.
Two Hundred Dollars Reward.
S TRAYED or stolen from the commons of Trenton on Fri- day night last, a brown HORSE, six years old, about 15 hands high, a natural pacer, but can trot; has four white feet, and a small star, and is shod all round. Whoever takes up said horse, and delivers him to the sub- scriber in Trenton, shall have the above reward and all reasonable charges, paid by
May 27, 1780.
GEORGE BEATY.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
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Six Hundred Dollars, or the Exchange in Specie, reward.
Supposed to be stolen on the night of the 20th inst. a middle sized well made MARE, of a deep blood bay colour, with black mane and tail; she has a short dock, and a lump that looks like a wind-gall or small wen on the hindermost part of one of her thighs; she is half- blooded, pretty old, trots, and is with foal, tho' from the roundness of her body that may not be discernable to everyone at first view. Whoever shall restore the mare and convict the thief, shall be entitled to the above reward, with all reasonable charges, or Three Hundred dollars and charges for the mare alone. SAM. S. SMITH.1
N. B. A servant of Col. G. Morgan eloped the same night, and it is supposed that either he or his accomplice has taken the mare .- I have a few valuable blooded mares to dispose of.
Princeton, May 17th, 1780.
-New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. III, No. 127, May 31, 1780.
T AKEN astray when the army was last in Jersey, a BAY MARE; should it be the property of a Friend to Government, the owners may have her by apply- ing to Lawrence Oldwine, upon the Bloomingdale Road. -The Royal Gazette, No 383. May 31, 1780.
This is to notify the Owners of Repaupo Meadows, lying in the county of Gloucester, in West New-Jersey, to meet the Managers on the first day of July next, at the house of William Eldridge inn-keeper in Greenwich town- ship, in said county, to agree upon a sum of money to be
1 Samuel Stanhope Smith, D.D., LL.D., at this time a Professor in Princeton College, and President of the College, 1795 to 1812.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
assessed and levied to support the banks and water-works, agreeable to the act of Assembly. By order of the Man- agers. THOMAS CLARK, Clerk.
-The Pennsylvania Guzette, June 7, 1780.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Sussex county, New-Jersey, dated May 16.
On the morning of the 12th Instant, Lt. Col. William Bond1 had received intelligence of a person who calls him- self Capt. Land, who was recruiting for the Indians in North Hampton county State of Pennsylvania-And con- cealed his recruits on the Blew Mountains, at Tottamy's Gap, and that in the evening of the said day Mr. Land and his party was to march to join the Indians; in conse- quence of which Col. Bond raised a party of ten men, and way laid the roads where he expected them to march, and fell in with them about eight o'clock in the evening, when a smart firing ensued, but for a short space, the enemy being weaker than was expected, soon gave way. Mr. Land made his escape after receiving some wounds, leaving his hat, knapsack, gun and a large quantity of blood on the ground-Two others which were all we could discover of his party, fell into our hands, one of which is slightly wounded-The party behaved with activity and spirit on this occasion, and deserves all the applause due them as free Men and Friends to their Country.
Thursday evening last a party of about 30 refugees, from New-York, landed at Stoney-Point on Raritan River, and from thence went to Woodbridge, where they made Justice Freeman, Mr. Edgar, and six other white persons and two negroes prisoners, whom they carried off to New- York.
1 Captain in Martin's Regiment, New Jersey Militia, July to November, 1776; Captain Fourth New Jersey, November 28th, 1776; resigned De- cember 2d, 1777, and subsequently served as Lieutenant-Colonel, New Jersey Militia.
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Last week 34 of the convention troops, Hessians, were taken up in Monmouth county. They were on their way to New-York, and piloted by a person as yet unknown. These gentry are sent to Philadelphia, where it is hoped they will be taken proper care of.
Early on Sunday morning last Major Van-Emburg of Bordentown, with eight or nine others, being at Tom's river on a fishing party, were surprised while a-bed by a number of armed tory refugees, and put on board a vessel for New-York; but they found means to make their escape.
Extract of a letter from Woodbridge, May 29, 1780.
"Captain Randolph was exchanged on Friday last, after being a prisoner fifteen months, to the great joy of all his friends, but greater mortification to all the traders and tories in this quarter."
Mr. Rivington, in a "Gazette Extraordinary," dated the 29th ult. announces the reduction of Charlestown on the 12th, which, he says, he publishes by authority; but as the twenty-five days have since elapsed without an express having arrived at Philadelphia confirming the account, it may be reasonably presumed that it either took its rise from the surrender of fort Moultrie, or proceeded alone from the fertility of the royal Printer's invention.
To all whom it may concern :
New Jersey, Bur- B Y Virtue of an order from the lington County, ss. honourable the Justices of the Supreme Court of this state, I am directed to certify the Public that courts of Oyer and Terminer, and general Gaol delivery will be held at Bur- lington, in and for the county of Burlington, on Tuesday
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
the 20th day of June (instant,) all Justices of the peace, Coroners, Constables and other officers and ministers of Justice of the said county, are hereby desired, that they be then and there, in their own persons, with their rolls, records, indictments and other remembrances, and all per- sons who will prosecute, or can bear testimony in behalf of the state, against any offenders in the said county, are de- sired likewise to give their attendance on the day and at the place aforesaid.
JACOB PHILLIPS, Sheriff.
June 5th, 1780.
W HEREAS Inquisition hath been had, and final judgment obtained, pursuant to law, against Francis Thomas,
late of Newark, in the county of Essex, and Robert Drummond1 and Jane his wife, of Aquackanack, in said county of Essex: Public Notice is hereby given, that all the real estate of the said Francis Thomas, and Robert Drummond and Jane his wife, in the county of Essex will be sold at public vendue, at the house of Edmund Lester,2 inkeeper at second river, on Tuesday the third day of July next, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, viz. one house and lot of land near second river, lately the property of Francis Thomas, containing about 12 acres, bounded easterly and southerly by Mrs. De Puyster, north by John Kingsland ; also the equal undivided half part of 74 acres of land in the precinct of Aquackanack, the property of Robert and Jane Drummond, being bounded N. W. the mountains, N. E. by John Post, Hendrick Post and Hartland Peeland,3 east by Cornelius V. Houter,4 and south by Hartman Vreeland.
Newark, June
1st, 1780.
SAM. HAYES, and THO. CANFIELD. Commissioners.
1 For a sketch of Major Robert Drummond, see New Jersey Archives, Second Series, 1: 251.
2 Leslie ?
3 Hartman Vreeland.
4 Cornelius Van Houten.
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PUBLIC Notice is hereby given, that three Loan Office Certificates taken out of the New-Jersey Loan Office at Bordentown, on March 15th, A. D. 1779; were all accidentally consumed by fire, together with the late dwelling house of James Drake in Hopewell, who had them in trust; viz. two of them given in favour of Francis Blackwell, sen. the one for 2000 Dollars, No. 306, the other 200 Dollars, No. 7271, and the third given in favour of the Rev. John Blackwell for 600 Dollars, No. 5251.
JOHN BLACKWELL.
Hopewell, June 5th, 1780.
Six Hundred Dollars Reward.1
S TOLEN from Plukemin, on Wednesday night the 31st of May, a red roan Horse, fifteen hands high, nine years old, a natural trotter, shod all round, has some white hairs on the fore part of his nose, occasioned by the halter when first broke; he is in good order, has been used to the waggon for some time past, is marked with the collar and trasses.
Whoever secures the horse, so that the owner may have him again, shall receive four hundred dollars, and for thief and horse the above reward and reasonable charges.
Wm. M'DONALD. -New-Jersey, Somerset County, June 3d, 1780.
1
Trenton, June 1st, 1780. THE Subscriber having lately moved to his house in this town, opposite to Mr. Lowrey's, carries on the hosier business, where persons who choose to favour him with their custom, may depend on having their mitts, stockings and breeches-patterns wove with care in the neat-
1 Continental money.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
est and best manner, and with the quickest dispatch possi- ble, at the old rates for country produce, or the exchange of that in hard or continental money.
JAMES CUMINGS.
N. B. The greatest care shall be taken that the owner have the remainders of stuff.
One Hundred Dollars Reward.
S TRAYED Or STOLEN from the Subscriber, in Borden- Town, on Thursday evening the 25th instant a sorrel
horse, about 10 years of age, natural pacer, better than 14 hands high, with a bald face, roach back, long switch tail, one or both of his hind feet white, had lost one of his fore shoes.
Whoever takes up said horse, and brings him to the subscriber, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by SAM. ROGERS.
Borden-Town, May 31, 1780.
T HE Subscriber takes this method to inform the public, that he has a large quantity of best German steel, and
that he intends to apply himself wholly to making axes in the neatest manner, which will be warranted. Any person who will apply may depend on being supplied at as cheap a rate as the times will permit.
Amwell, June 2, 1780.
JOHN OTT.
Amwell, Ringo's Tavern, May 26.
CAME to the place where the subscriber now lives, a sorrel horse mixed with grey hairs, with a blaze in his face, fourteen hands and a half high, paces and trots. The owner is desired to prove his property, pay charges, and take him away.
HENRY MERSHON. -- New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. III, No. 128, June 7, 1780.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
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LOST
The following LOAN OFFICE CERTIFICATES, contained in a pair of saddle bags, on the 23d of March at Paramus, in New-Jersey, and found by the enemy at the time of their attack of that post and carried into New- York, viz.
No. 1542, 1543, 1544, 1545, 1546, 1547, 1548, 1549, for 500 dollars each, dated, Philadelphia, November 19, 1778, payable to Josiah Crane.
No. 1198, for 1000 dollars, dated January 14, 1779; No. 3548, for 600 dollars, dated January 14, 1779; No. 7103, for 300 dollars, dated February 10, 1779; No. 6490, for 400 dollars, dated November 19, 1778. Payable to Josiah Crane, Hook, and Matthias Keutsch.
Notice being given to the Loan-Office, to prevent the payment of the above Certificates, all persons are HEREBY CAUTIONED not to negotiate them, but are desired to stop, and forward them to JOHN WILCOCKS. Philadelphia, or JOSIAH CRANE, at Albany, for which a handsome reward will be given.
TO BE SOLD,
SIX Hundred acres of LAND, situate about three miles below Oldman's Creek, Salem county, in West New- Jersey, the greatest part of which is swamp, well tim- bered, and within a mile of a good landing on the river Delaware.
Four hundred acres of March, situated on Hope Creek, below Alloway's Creek, in Salem county aforesaid, bounded by the said river Delaware.
And eleven hundred acres of Land, situate on Pasaick river, about six miles from Morris-Town, and twenty-two from Elizabeth-Town. This tract has a large quantity of timber on it, and the greatest part is capable of being made into excellent meadow. For terms apply to
PETER MILLER.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1780
FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.
Stolen out of the pasture of the subscriber, living near Moore's-town, Burlington county, West-New-Jersey, a large light coloured bay HORSE near fifteen hands high, seven years old, paces and trots, but inclines mostly to the pace, branded with the letter I on his near shoulder and thigh, and has no natural mark. The thief is supposed to be a small sized pock-marked man with a light blue coat, who will probably endeavour to dispose of the horse. Whoever takes up the said horse and thief, and secures them, so that the horse may be restored to the owner, or give information thereof to WILLIAM MILNOR, at the Old Ferry in Philadelphia, shall have the above reward, or Two HUNDRED DOLLARS for each, paid by
EDWARD FRENCH. -The Pennsylvania Packet, June 10, 1780.
Philadelphia, May 24. In CONGRESS, May 22, 1780.
Ordered, That the letter of the 13th of May, from Gen. Washington, and the letter of the 16th from the Marquis de la Fayette, with the resolution passed in consequence thereof, be published.
Head-Quarters, Morristown, May 13, 1780.
THE Marquis de la Fayette will have the honour to deliver you this.
I am persuaded Congress will participate in the joy I feel, at the return of a gentleman who has distinguished himself in the service of his country so signally ; who has given so many and so decisive proofs of his attachment to its interests, and who ought to be dear to it by every motive. The warm friendship I have for him conspires with considerations of public utility to afford me a double satisfaction in his return.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS,
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During the time he has been in France, he has uni- formly manifed the same zeal in our affairs, which ani- mated his conduct while he was among us, and has been, upon all occasions, an essential friend to America.
He merits, and I doubt not Congress will give him, every mark of consideration and regard in their power.
I have the honour to be, with perfect respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON. -The New-York Gazette, and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1495, June 12, 1780.
Camp, near Morris-Town, June 3, 1780.
One Thousand Dollars Reward.
Stolen out of the Pasture of Mr. John Logan, in Mend- ham township, Morris county, on the night of the 30th of May last, a Black MARE, four years old, fourteen and a half hands high, shod all round, with three white feet, a star in her forehead, trots and hand gallops remarkably well, very high spirited. Whoever takes up said Mare and the Thief, so that the subscriber may have the Mare, and the Thief be brought to punishment, shall have the above reward, or Five Hundred Dollars for the Mare only, by ALEXANDER PARKER Capt. 7th. Penn. Regt. -The Pennsylvania Packet, June 13, 1780.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1780
Philadelphia, June 14.
Extract of a letter from Morristown, June 9.
"The day before yesterday the enemy came out from New-York, via Staten-Island, and landed at Elizabeth Town, about 5000 .- Our army all moved to meet them : The militia turned out with spirit-skirmishing in abund- ance; one militia Captain with 4 men took 16 British. It is said the enemy intended for this town :- They have been between Connecticut Farms and Springfield and burnt every house in the former except one :- They have been drove back to Elizabeth-Town Point, where they lie behind our entrenchments :- Our army is at the Short Hills, on this side Springfield. The militia are near the enemy, and keep a constant popping at them .- I believe New-York is very bare of troops. The tories were so sure of the enemy's succeeding, that they sent word to their friends at Elizabeth-Town, that they should pay them a visit the day after the enemy came over : They are baulked .- The affair is not settled yet. Mr. Ludwig, of your city, and Baker General of the army, was in the action, and took a prisoner."
Extract of a letter from an intelligent Gentleman in the neighbourhood of Morristown, dated June 9, 1780.
"Although extremely fatigued, I catch a moment to in- form you that I have just returned from Elizabeth Town, where I have been reconnoitring the enemy's situation and strength.
To give you any tolerable idea of their ravages and cruelty is beyond my descriptive abilities-They came out in force on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and landed in Elizabeth before day. Most observers differ in the account of their numbers; from my own observation, I suppose them about 5000, with 17 pieces of artillery, and every preparative for a lengthy march.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
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They advanced to Connecticut Farms, about five miles distance, very early in the morning of Wednesday; and altho' they observed great discipline and decorum in Eliza- beth Town, yet at the farms, every step was marked with wanton cruelty and causeless devastation .- They set fire to and entirely destroyed the Presbyterian church, and 14 dwelling houses and barns, so that there are (I think) but two dwelling houses remaining in that fertile settlement. But, alas, Sir, this is only one part of the horrid scene!
"In this neighbourhood lived the Rev. Mr. James Cald- well, whose zeal and activity in the cause of his country had rendered him an object worthy of the enemy's keenest resentment.
"His vigilance and attention had always evaded every attempt to injure him, and therefore it was now deter- mined to wound him in an unguarded part: Following the absurd principles of too many of our incautious coun- trymen, he left his wife and family at home, trusting to the politeness and humanity of the enemy towards an amiable woman, and a number of helpless and innocent children, tho' he did not think it prudent to trust them with his own safety: but alas, his confidence in their benevo- lence towards the helpless has been his destruction. Soon after their possessing themselves of the neighbourhood a soldier came to the house, and putting his gun to the window of the room where this worthy woman was sitting (with her children and a maid with an infant in her arms, along side of her) he shot her through the lungs dead on the spot : Soon after an officer with two Hessians came in and ordered a hole dug, and her body thrown in, and the house to be set on fire.
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