USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 44
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When we speak of the means of terminating this controversy, it is now, and long has been known to every one that we want nothing but a stable finance to bring it speedily to the desired issue. To this defect in the political system all our debilities and embarrassments are referable. Whether it is to be charged to mistakes or abuses, or to unavoidable necessity, is not now the object of consideration. Let us forget for the present the things which are behind, and point every thought forward to the safety of our country. We know the disease, that is half the cure ; and the remainder is not out of reach.
In the act for establishing a fund to sink and redeem the propor- tion of the bills of credit of the United States assigned as the quota of this state, passed the ninth of June last, I contemplate as wise and politick the provision made in the tenth section, enabling the holders
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of the present bills to exchange them for those to be issued agreeably to the resolutions of Congress of the 18th of March next preceding, at a defined rate. The operation of this may be rendered favourable both to the community and to individuals; to the community, by throwing a sum into the tresury equal to that handed out in ex- change, and thus contributing the means of discharging the publick debts and pushing the campaign; and to individuals, because by speedily sinking the present bills, those to be issued are better secured against uncertainty and fluctuation, and because the rate of exchange ascertained in the law is much below the actual depreciation, and therefore in favour of him who gives the present bills for those to become current. I reject every insinuation that the credit of the latter will not be supported. It must be supported, and it will be supported. Therefore the sooner the present bills are out of circula- tion, the better for everybody. Circumstanced as they are in all respects, it is obviously the policy of the state, coincident with the interest of every subject. No position can be clearer than this, and stand less in need of arguments to support it. I avoid discussion in a case where the slightest reflection renders it unnecessary.
The present currency being brought in and cancelled, the bills to be issued will have every advantage to give them a circulation on a level value with silver and gold.
1. The quantity is limited by the resolution of Congress, and by the laws of the respective states, therefore it cannot surpass the present amount.
2. The quantity is small, being only ten millions of dollars for the whole union, our quota of which is six hundred thousand. This is all the paper-credit we can have, for there is no state-currency in New-Jersey.
3. The periods of redemption are ascertained ; and the redemption of principal and interest with specie at the expiration of six years is guaranteed by the union, in case the state, by the events of war, should be rendered incapable to redeem the bills.
4. These periods are early, and yet the assessments cannot be bur- thensome.
5. The funds are precise, productive, and sure; for though real property or coin in bank are more striking pledges of redemption, be- cause more visible, yet in fact as far as these are distinct from taxa- tion, and independent of it, the latter must be preferable. What security can be so certain; what resource can be so productive as the industry of the community ?
6. The bills carry an interest payable in coin or bills of exchange on stated conditions, at the option of the holder.
I can safely confide in the truth and soundness of the principles on which this currency is rested .- But from what has happened in the case of the old, prejudices and jealousies will operate to the disadvantage of the new. To remove these is to render an essential service to the righteous cause in which we fight .-
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I take it for granted that a satisfactory assurance of a punctual payment of the interest annually in gold or silver instead of bills of exchange, would give this money a currency at par with specie, proba- bly above it. I confess I can see no reason against assuming that such an assurance for the first year's interest would produce the effect. Nothing could suggest an additional security but the circum- stances of the case out of which arise the prejudices and jealousies above mentioned. While some think the present stipulations suffi- cient, and others require something further, indecision prevails; and success, which in matters of this kind depends particularly on simi- larity of opinions, is rendered problematical. To effect so salutary a purpose as the decisive establishment of what it is hoped will shortly be the only paper-currency among us, the principles of an association will be submitted in the next Gazette; not because it is thought in- dispensible, but because it may be convenient and useful.
SPERANDO.
-New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. III., No. 139, August 23, 1780.
TRENTON, AUGUST 23.
Captain REILEY's account of the arrival of the second division of the French fleet, mentioned in our last, must be considered as premature, as no confirmation has yet come to hand. We can however assure our readers that such an armament is daily expected on the coast by the knowing ones.
Extract of a letter from Camp, dated Aug. 17.
"We have an agreeable piece of news from the East- ward; which is, that most of the enemy's Quebec fleet are taken and carried into Eastern ports-16 sail have already arrived, and more coming in."
Wednesday last His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq. President of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with his Suite, came to this place from Philadelphia, to take the command of the militia of that state; a large body of them being now encamped on the common below the town.
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We hear that another body of Pennsylvania militia have crossed Coryell's ferry.
And on Sunday last Colonel HENRY NEIL, with a num- ber of four-months men, arrived from the Delaware state, and marched yesterday for camp.
Within a week past several persons have died in this neighbourhood by the intenseness of the heat, and drink- ing cold water.
By Capt. Grinnell, who made his escape from the prison- ship at New-York on the evening of the 15th instant, we are informed, that the same day a very hot press took place in the city. Seven hundred men were procured by that means before he canie off ;- among whom were many refu- gees, labourers, and carmen ; and the press continued when he left the prison ship ;- that more lenity was shewn to the prisoners than usual ; and that about 200 were on board the Strumbulo, and 120 on board the Scorpion, from which he escaped,-among them were Capts. M'Gee, Thompson, Keble, Proby, Bester, Spencer, and Venter, besides several others.
Thursday evening last four armed men came to the house of John Black, jun. in Springfield, Burlington county, and robbed him of a considerable sum of hard and continental money, also sundry wearing apparel ; from Mr. Black's they proceeded to the house of Caleb Shreve, Esq. taking along with them a certain Mr. Lloyd as their guide, or to prevent his giving information to the neighbourhood, they robbed Mr. Shreve of a small sum of hard and continental money, but did not take any- thing else ;- from Mr. Shreve's they went to the house of Mr. Cleayton Newbold, whom they robbed of a quantity of plate, a gold watch and money ;- from Mr. Cleayton Newbold's they passed to the house of Mr. William New- bold, where observing a number of people about the house, they feigned themselves to be whigs and in pursuit of horse thieves, and did not attempt to rob. As soon as Mr. Lloyd was released from them he alarmed the neigh-
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bourhood; Col. William Shreve,1 with a number of the inhabitants, immediately set off in pursuit of the villains, and overtook them at Borden's Run, on the verge of the pines, in a thick swamp. Mr. John De Cow observing their centinel, hail'd him, who answered by the discharge of his musket, and ran into the swamp; Mr. De Cow returned the fire, and pursued him so closely that he threw away his gun and plunder, among which was all Mr. Newbold's plate and Mr. Black's continental money and apparel.
One of the robbers it is said is since taken and lodged in Monmouth gaol.
DEATHS. In Essex county : The Hon. Stephen Crane, Esq. Member of the Legislative-Council for that county.2 At New-York: Mr. Walter Franklin, Mr. Elphinstone, the Hon. Joseph Manton, jun. Esq. Mr. Booth, Mr. Dav. Devoor, and Mr. Peter Brower,
We hear that the inhabitants of New-York are very sickly.
TO BE SOLD,
A T Raritan Landing, in the county of Middlesex, a very good Dwellinghouse, with a convenient Store- house and Kitchen almost new, and a large garden all adjoining. The house was lately occupied by the sub- scriber, and is both large and convenient; very suitable for a trader or tavern-keeper, it being in an excellent
1 William Shreve and Moses Ivins advertised in The Pennsylvania Jour- nal, April 10th, 1766, two runaway servants .- N. J. Archives, 25: 80. The marriage of Col. William Shreve to Mrs. Ann Reckless, at Reckless Town (Burlington county), February 21st, 1779, is announced in The New Jer- sey Gazette, March 3d, 1779 .- N. J. Archives, 2d Series, 3 : 109. Stryker gives his military record thus : First Major, First Regiment, Burlington, September 28th, 1776; Lieutenant Colonel, same, March 15th, 1777; Colonel, same, April 18th, 1778.
2 One of the New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence.
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stand for business, and has the advantage of a fine fertile country around it. The purchaser shall, if required, have easy terms for payment.
For particulars apply to the subscriber,
JOHN BRAY.
Raritan, Landing: August 21, 1780.
THE Partnership of ROBERT and JOHN SINGER being dissolved, all persons are desired to make immediate payment; and all those who have any accounts against the partnership are desired to bring them in, that they may be paid.
ROBERT SINGER1 hath for sale,
Rum, Sugar, Tea, Coffee, and a few dry goods. And JOHN SINGER
TAKES this method to inform the Publick, that he has taken the stores formerly kept by Colonel Thomas Lowrey, in Flemington, where he has opened store, and will sell as low as the times will admit.
Trenton, Aug. 22, 1780.
King's-Ferry, August 16, 1780.
Eight Hundred Dollars Reward.
D
ESERTED from my company of boat-men, one James Lucay, about 19 years old, five feet ten inches high, black hair, dark complexion; formerly belonged to North-Carolina, and supposed to be gone there again. Who- ever will secure said deserter, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by me
SAM. BOND, Superintendent of the Ferry. -New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. III., No. 139, Aug. 23, 1780.
1 For some account of the Singer family, see N. J. Archives, 2d Series, 3: 545.
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New-York, August 26.
The Debates in every Session of Parliament affording us on this side the Atlantic continued proofs of their want of information concerning the real state of the Rebel Army, the Congress, their Financies, d.c. &c .- The Printer with humble deference presumes to address the following sketches found in truth, to the noble and honourable Mem- bers of both Houses in their approaching Session, as well as to the good people of Great-Britain and Ireland at large, and he hopes for as candid a reception of the intelligence produced in his Gazette, as have in too many instances been granted to News-Papers published in other parts of America, craftily qualified, and stating occurrences with monstrous aberrations from truth, serving to impose upon Myriads of their ignorant and credulous constituents on this continent, highly colouring the exploits of their Gen- erals and Armies, describing Mr. Washington, a Turenne, and Mr. Wayne, a Prince of Brunswick, to the Courts of Europe in general, as well as to the Republican Faction, their known allies and abettors, at present too greatly pre- vailing in the Mother Country.
W ITHOUT money and without credit, the rebel in- terest is now supported by depredation and spoil.
No man will now part with any thing for paper money, old or new .- The rebel Commissaries have not credit for a farthing, in any part of the Continent; in every place they take what they want from the farmers, a horse, a cow, grain, hay, straw, and leave a certificate to be paid at Doom's Day, and in spite of all this licentious- ness, Washington's army between Pompton and Tapan are at three quarters of a pound allowance of flour and fresh meat.
At the late irruption of their light horse (about 60) to Bergen, on Sunday the 13th inst. they found the inhabi-
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tants going to the church ; some they insulted, others they robbed, and condescended to such pitiful exploits, as chang- ing hats and cloaths, taking the buckles from their shoes, and in one instance of stripping off a man's breeches, and leaving an old pair of trowsers to cover his nakedness.
The most horrible oppressions are at the same time, used to force the militia to join them in their career to destruc- tion. All their bands are made up of men and boys drafted from an unwilling militia, except the continentals who had been early beguiled to inlist in the continental army, and whose times are not yet out, or who, if they are, cannot get their dismissions .- Who at the opening of the present cam -. paign were about 3 or 4000 in Jersey, and another 1000 in the Highlands, and Fort Stanwix .- They rely for aug- mentations entirely upon a militia, every where a majority abhorring the French, &c. against the protraction of the re- bellion. They have departed from the old practice of class- ing them, forcing a number to produce a man, by extorted contributions, and now class them according to their prop- erty, and not their number of polls .- A man of between five and six thousand pounds estate, is obliged to find a substitute in the Delaware counties, or turn out himself, yet a certain county there, that was to have furnished long since 88 men, had not collected but 24 on the 10th instant.
The loyalists increase hourly, scarce a day passes with- out fugitives to this place, from the barbarities perpetrated by the usurpers in the upper parts of this, as well as from the neighbouring provinces.
Resolutions are forming in divers colonies, to resist the freedoms taken with private property to support what the rebels call their army. In the southern parts of Virginia, certain militia officers have lately laid down their commis- sions ; and several thousands are gone from North-Caro- lina to join the King's troops on the advance into that province. They are doing duty in the interim at Camb- den, where is an abundant supply of all kinds of fresh provisions from the surrounding country.
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Yet for all this Mr. Joseph Reed struts through Prince- Town, boasting that his 500 forced recruits are 3000, cry- ing along the road, our independency is established .- So a drunken beggar calls himself a King, the sober spectators laugh at such a King, and such a President General or Counsellor, or whatever else he is pleased to be stiled, at the head of a mob, notoriously the minority of the province, he plays the tyrant over us, as a little more time will de- monstrate, unless he too can find means for an escape by a Lieutenant Generalcy in France, or in Mr. Dean's path of peculation.
COW-CHACE
Canto II. will be inserted on Wednesday next. -- The Royal Gazette, No. 408, August 26, 1780.
A letter from an officer of the American army at Head Quarters, Pracanness, dated July 22, 1780, contains the following, viz.
"The following is an extract from General Orders :- It is recommended to the officers of the American army, to have black and white cockades, a black ground with a. white relief emblematic of the expected union of the two armies.
HEAD-QUARTERS, July 20, 1780.
The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to congratu- late the army on the arrival of a large land and naval armament, at Rhode-Island, sent by his most Christian Majestey, to co-operate with the troops of these States against the common enemy; accompanied with every cir- cumstance that can render it honourable and useful: The generosity of this succour, and of the manner in which it is given, is a new tie between France and America: The lively concern which our allies manifest for our safety and independence, has a claim to the affection of every virtuous citizen. The General, with confidence,
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assures the army, that the officers, and men of the French forces came to our aid, animated with a zeal founded in sentiments for us, as well as in duty to their Prince; and that they will do every thing in their power to promote harmony and cultivate friendship: he is equally per- suaded on our parts, we shall vie with them in their good disposition; to which we are excited by gratitude, as well as by a common interest: and that the only con- tention, between the two armies, will be to excel each other in good offices, and in the display of every military virtue: this will be the pledge of the most solid advan- tage to the common cause, and of a GLORIOUS ISSUE to the campaign."
NEW-YORK, August 23.
Yesterday were brought to town a Colonel and Major Smock, of the Monmouth county militia, one of these was of the associated community of Retaliators upon the Tories, who were mentioned in one of our late papers.
The following Compositions of Mr. William Living- ston, the Titular Governor of New Jersey, may serve to shew his real Opinion of the French Nation.
Extracts from the Journals of the Assembly of New-
York, while he was a Member of it, and held the Pen for the House, as many on both Sides of the Lines can attest. See a List of the Members in the printed Jour- nals, on Gen. Forbes's Success against Fort Du Quisne, now Pittsburgh, 31st of January 1759-the Assembly to the Lieutenant Governor in their Address:
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A S the Preservation of his American Colonies was his Majesty's paternal Motive, for entering into the present Quarrel with France, we should be justly chargeable, with the greatest Ingratitude and Insensibility, did we not, to the utmost of our
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Power, contribute to its vigorous Prosecution, and exert ourselves with the greatest Alacrity, in aiding our Sovereign in his most righteous and heroic Pur- poses, of chastizing the Insolence of so unprovoked and perfidious an Enemy.
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After speaking of the Success in Canada, 11th De- cember following, they add,
"Events which ought to inspire every benevolent Breast, with suitable Anticipation of the general Hap- piness of Mankind, and to rejoice every loyal Subject in particular, for the illustrious Triumphs of his Country, over the unjust and merciless Designs of its Enemies; as well as universally to excite, the most ardent Gratitude to Almighty God, for enabling our Sovereign so effectually to chastize the Ambition of France, and to adorn his auspicious Reign, with so many, and such splendid Trophies."
After the Reduction of Canada, at the Assembly, 29th of October, 1760, these are the words of the House; "A Conquest replete with innumerable Advantages to the Nation in general, and which has delivered these Colonies in particular, from the Devastations of a cruel and barbarous Enemy-an Enemy rather bent on the Destruction of Mankind, than waging War 66 either for their own Defence, or even from Motives of Ambition or Conquest. The Reduction of such an Enemy to his Majesty's Obedience, attended with almost insuperable Difficulties, from the natural Sit- uation of the Country, with so little' Effusion of human Blood, has added fresh Lustre to his Majesty's Arms :- And, by the generous Use made of our Su- periority, the World is furnished with an Instance of Clemency, that has made British Mercy, even to tri- umph over British Valour.
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"No Consideration shall induce us to regret the " Blood and Treasure expended in facilitating this in- estimable Acquisition, save only (to which we are
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confident the Honour of the Nation will ever disdain to submit) the Surrender of this most important Con- quest; which, in the Possession of the Crown, must prove to Britain the Source of immense Riches-to so perfidious a People, would only expose us to the keen Revenge of a defeated Enemy-Who, unre- claimed by one Example, and by our Clemency un- softened, would doubtless relapse into their native Barbarity, and retaliate our Levity with more signal Acts of Inhumanity and Bloodshed."1
Speech to the Assembly at Haddonfield, in New-Jer- sey, 25th February, 1777.
"We ought to consider her (Great Britain) as hated by a potent Rival, her natural Enemy, and par- ticularly exasperated, at her impervious Conduct in the last War, as well as her provoking Manner of commencing it-And thence inflamed with Resent- ment, and only watching a favourable Juncture for open Hostilities.
NEW-YORK, August 28.
General Washington, the Marquis de la Fayatte, Gen- erals Green and Wayne, with many other Officers, and a large Body of Rebels, have been in the Vicinity of Bergen for some Days past. They have taken all the Forage from the Inhabitants of that Place, and left them destitute of almost every thing for their present and Winter Subsist- ance. Their Officers were down as low as Prior's Mills last Friday, but did not seem inclined to make any Attack : Their Artillery, save some Field Pieces, with their Bag- gage, are about 20 Miles in the Country.
The Rebels on Saturday burnt Col. William Bayard's
1 See Journal of the Votes and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Colony of New-York, 1743-1765, reprinted by Hugh Gaino, New-York, 1765, 2:584, 586, 604, 637-8.
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new House and Barn, at Castile, on the North End of Hobuck, and destroyed all the Forrage and Timber to be found there to a very large Amount: They went off on Saturday Night or yesterday Morning, and have not been since heard of.
Yesterday the ship Therese, Capt. Haggie, arrived here from Lisbon in 7 Weeks. Last Thursday 4 Leagues W. N. W. off Block-Island he heard a very heavy Cannonade, and the Day he came into the Hook he was chased by two Rebel Privateers.
-The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1506, August 28, 1780.
TO BE SOLD,
TWO FARMS.
The one on which the subscriber lives, containing two hundred and seventy three acres of land, forty acres of which is good mowing ground, thirty acres more is sowed with grass seed and will be fit to mow the ensuing year ; eighty acres is covered with fine white oak timber; the remainder is good arable land, fit for raising all kinds of grain ; the whole under compleat fence, (chiefly new rails ) and in small enclosures, and well watered: There is on said farm a good dwellinghouse two stories high, almost new, a large and commodious new kitchen with a well of good water by the door, a large Dutch barn, new cyder works compleat, smokehouse, barracks, cowsheds, &c. a large apple orchard in full growth, a young apple orchard containing near three hundred trees of the best grafted fruit, a number of peach-trees and a peach nursery that will be fit to plant out next spring. The purchaser may be accommodated with an ample quantity of all kinds of
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farming utensils, horses, cattle, sheep, logs, &c. grain and roots for a family, and forage for the stock.
N. B. There is cut into proper lengths and piled up on this farm as much good wood as will be sufficient for two years fuel.
The other farm joins this and contains one hundred and sixty-three acres, about one third of which is well timbered woodland, fifteen acres of it mowing ground, the rest good arable land: There is on it a good farm-house one and a half stories high, has three rooms on a floor, a good kitchen, with a well of good water at the door, a shop and a good English barn, two fine Apple orchards, which annually pro- duce a large quantity of cyder, a number of peach, cherry and pear trees. This farm was rented in February 1778, for seven years, at fifty pounds per year rent, and the pro- prietor to have half the fruit that the orchards produce every year; the tenant is bound to have the whole farm en- closed at the expiration of the lease under a fence of eight rails high with stakes and riders, and the clear land di- vided into seven fields and under fence of seven rails with stakes and riders. Both farms lie at sixteen miles distance from Brunswick Landing, and twenty-two miles from Elizabeth Town. For terms apply to Mr. Alexander Stew- art, Merchant, in Philadelphia, or the owner.
JOHN SHAW.
Bernard's Town, Somerset County, New-Jersey. -- The Pennsylvania Packet, August 29, 1780.
By late advice from New-York, we are informed that near two hundred sail of transports, victualed and watered, lay ready to take troops on board .-
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