USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 49
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But I have also said that the English have hatred and contempt of other nations. As to this I confess it may seem strange that a hatred or contempt for foreigners should be a national character of the English, since their ancestors were a heterogeneous mass, made up of fugitives or freebooters, from many other European nations, Angles, Saxons, Danes and Normans, who in their turns conquered and possessed the country ; yet it is not more strange than true. There has never been in any age, as far as history can look back, a
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more certain way to raise a popular commotion in England, than to cry out against the admission of foreigners. It was with the utmost difficulty that the wisdom of some of their Kings could introduce manufacturers of different kinds into the country. When King Edward the third brought over some clothiers from Flanders to Eng- land, his clear-headed subjects complained of it as an intolerable oppression, and said they came to eat the bread out of the mouths of the natives, whereas it was to put bread into the mouths and money into the purses of them and their posterity. As late as the year 1518, in Anderson's history of commerce, there is an account of what he calls a shameful riot at London, occasioned by English prejudice against foreigners. I might mention more lately the popular cry against the Jew bill, and other naturalization bills, but instead of giving many examples of this, I refer the reader to a living author of their own, Dean Tucker, of Bristol, who, in his essay on trade, has asserted that a hatred of foreigners is characteristic of the English, and proved it not only by an induction of historical facts, but by English laws. This author indeed seems to think that they imbibe it from the soil, and that those whose fathers were foreigners have it as strong as those whose progenitors have been there for many ages. Now I only ask this plain question, Are all these things true, and yet is humanity the characteristic of the English nation? Is it rea- sonable to suppose that a proud and fierce people, holding all others in contempt or detestation, will treat them with gentleness and humanity, when they fall into their hands as conquered enemies?
The 2d subject of enquiry is, Who are the witnesses in favour of this assertion? Though it is not expressed, I imagine the assertion itself should imply that the truth of it is generally acquiesced in. Humanity, say they, is the characteristic of the English nation. Is not this as much as to say it is the mark by which it is known? Though foreign nations may deny that people the possession of other good qualities, their humanity all must be obliged to confess. But is this really the case? The English have many characters given of them by other nations, some good, some bad, but never that of humanity, taking it in a comparative sense. The English, say some, are a bold, active, enterprising people, penetrating in science, and industrious in arts. If they have the honour of few original dis- coveries, they have carried the discoveries of others, particularly in the arts, to as high perfection in the execution, as any people in the world .- Again, the English, say some, are proud, assuming, sullen and whimsical. They are continually boasting of the happiness of their country, and yet more people put themselves to death in that country, from a disgust at life, than in all the other countries in · Europe put together. It is an observation of foreigners that the very animals of England, such as cocks and dogs, have a fierceness in their nature greater than that of the same species in other climates. It is also said that there are more humourists and persons of an odd, singular and fantastic turn of mind in England, than in all the world besides. Sometimes you may meet with a man who will not.
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shave his beard nor pare his nails, nor do anything as other people do .- Sometimes you will hear of one that has shut himself up in a room, or even confined himself to a bed for many years tho' in per- fect health. It is not yet thirty years since a gentleman in England left a legacy of L.100 a year to a setting dog, which dog, after the testator's death, made a tour of a great part of the island, in a chaise, attended by a livery servant. I myself knew two old maiden ladies in London who kept four and twenty cats, and spent their whole time and pains in ordering the affairs of that amicable society.
All these things we hear observed frequently, but who are the wit- nesses in favour of English humanity? The English themselves verily, and no others: On which I only make this remark .- Though we should give them full credit in point of veracity, and believe them sincere, it will be but cold comfort to an American; for from what they have been pleased to call lenity and humanity in their past conduct towards us, we shall be apt to conclude that they do not know the meaning of the terms. I have always thought that senti- ments were a stronger and better proof of character than particular facts. For example-No scene of barbarity recorded in history, ever gave me such an apprehension of the brutality and ferocity of ancient times, as that historians have agreed in celebrating Sesostris, King of Egypt, for his clemency, because he did not put to death those Princes whom he attacked and conquered, without provocation. But on what terms did he suffer them to live? He ordered them to bring him an annual tribute, and on that occasion used to yoke them in his chariot, and make them, in place of horses, draw him to the temple. How much worse than death would this appear at present to a captive Prince? Agreeably to this reflection, I often say to myself, Does the English Court and Parliament blame General Howe for excessive lenity? then miserable indeed must be the case of those who shall be so unfortunate as to taste of their severity.
It remains only now, 3d, to consider how the matter stands in fact, and particularly from the most recent examples. On this part of the subject I shall not lengthen out my discourse, by enumeration of acts of cruelty committed by particular persons, but shall hint at one or two circumstances that seem most directly to point out the national character, and then give a succinct view of what has happened to us in this unnatural war. The laws in England are more sanguinary than those of other nations : Theft, tho' the value of the things stolen be very inconsiderable, and robbing or taking from the purse of the owner the least possible sum, is there punished with death, and indeed so many other crimes, that public executions are amazingly frequent. Both the cause and effects of this makes against the humanity of the people. It can have no other cause but either the multitude and bold- ness of criminals, or the bloody mindedness of those who make the laws, or both; and as to the effect, it must certainly make life seem contemptible to those who see it so lightly and frequently taken away. To this let me add, what I am persuaded will seem quite incredible to those who never heard of it before, viz. That though Great
·
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Britain is a commercial state, if a vessel is cast away upon that coast, and a small part of the crew perhaps have got to the shore, they will run a greater risk of having their goods plundered and themselves knocked on the head, than on the coast of any other coun- try of Europe. Nay, in Great-Britain itself it is unspeakably safer to be cast away in the Orkney Isles, or the Highlands of Scotland, than in any part of England. In the first case, though there are pilferers enough, yet if you can apply to the Minister or the Laird, the one by reason and the other by authority, will protect you en- tirely ; but in the other, neither Minister nor Magistrate will be able to preserve you from the gentle hands of the English nobility.
But what shall we ourselves say, from our own experience. Others may pay little regard to our sufferings, and still less to our com- plaints, but it is probable that our own judgements will be chiefly governed by our own feelings. A man may boast of his clemency as much as he pleases, but if he burns my house, murders my wife and children, and sends myself to starve and rot in a dungeon, telling me I am gently treated, because I am destined to the cord, it will not be easy to induce me to believe him. We, my countrymen, have seen American prisoners exchanged, coming from New-York, and British prisoners coming from Philadelphia. How meagre and ema- ciated the one, how hale and hearty looking the other? Does it need any other evidence to tell us how they have been reciprocally treated ?
It is certainly contrary to the laws of nature and nations, and the dictates of humanity, to burn and destroy where there is no fortress, and when it has no tendency to weaken the resisting force or starve a hostile army ; yet every part of this continent where the English army has been, is marked with desolation. They burnt Falmouth, in Casco-Bay, they burnt Charlestown, in the neighbourhood of Bos- ton, Fairfield, in Connecticut, Kingston, in New-York, Hillsborough. Springfield, and great part of Elizabeth-Town, in this state, many churches and dwellings in Pennsylvania, and Norfolk, the largest town in Virginia. These, my dear friends and fellow-sufferers in New-Jersey, are the fruits of English clemency ; and if your own distresses will suffer you to look back a little more than thirty years, you will find such a scene in the Highlands of Scotland, after all resistance was over, of burning houses and turning out women and children naked to the mountains, as would melt the hardest heart. For my own part, I am a native of that country, which I left in the year 1747, and since that time, as often as I have been present at the church service, I have always added at the end of the litany, the fol- lowing secret ejaculation : And from English humanity to conquered rebels, good Lord deliver us.
I am, &c. ARISTIDES.
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TRENTON, SEPTEMBER 27.
By a letter from Elizabeth-Town, dated the 23d in- stant, we are informed, that "some of Rodney's ships are so out of repair they cannot act, and one is condemned."
The General Election for Members of the Legislature of this State will be on Tuesday the 10th of October next, agreeable to the constitution.
On Tuesday night the 19th inst. Ensign Fitz-Randolph with eight men of the state regiment, visited Staten- Island from Woodbridge, and surprized a picquet of four- teen New-Levies, but took only four prisoners, as the re- mainder of the nimble-footed guard trusted rather to their heels than their firelocks for safety.
ITHE inhabitants on both sides of the river Delaware, contiguous to the continental ferry, are hereby noti-
fied, that Col. Samuel Miles, Deputy Quartermaster for the state of Pennsylvania, and Col. John Neilson, Deputy Quartermaster for the state of New-Jersey, will attend at Patrick Colvin's ferry on Monday the 9th of October next, from 10 o'clock to 12, and at Capt. John Clunn's tavern from 2 o'clock to 4, to consult with such of the said inhabitants as shall attend and determine whether it will conduce more to the public interest to continue the continental ferry where it now is, or have it removed down the river where it formerly was kept.
Trenton, September 25, 1780.
Trenton, September 22, 1780.
W HEREAS the Honourable the Congress, being de- sirous of doing all possible justice to the citizens of the United States, have resolved, That upon report being made to them of the money due in each state to the inhabitants thereof, warrants will immediately issue for the payment of the same:
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Therefore the subscriber requests and hopes, that all persons having any demands against the Quartermasters and Foragers in this state for any debt contracted, or service done, between the 2d day of March 1778, and the 20th day of September 1780, will immediately bring in the same to the person who made the contract or pur- chase, in order that the same may be adjusted and re- ported. And the subscriber being very desirous of ac- complishing this business with all possible dispatch, pro- poses to give attendance at his office in Trenton all the month of October next.
The subscriber also requests all persons within this state, having any publick property in their hands, or knowing of any in the hands of any other person, immediately to re- turn or report the same to the nearest Quartermaster, or to him. Any person secreting publick property after this notice, will be prosecuted according to law.
MOORE FURMAN.
Late D. Q. M. Gen. New-Jersey.
TO BE SOLD.
FOR CASH,
At PUBLIC VENDUE, at the Continental stables in Tren- ton, on Saturday the 30th day of this instant, to begin at nine o'clock in the morning;
Several Cast HORSES, a half-blood-MARE and COLT, old Waggons, Harness, &c. &c.
By M. FURMAN,
Late D. Q. M. G. N. Jersey N. B. All persons having horses or other property in their possession, belonging to the United States, are de- sired to bring in or report the same immediately.
Trenton, Sept. 22.
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TO BE SOLD,
Preremptorily for Cash,
TWO good HOUSES, with their appurtenances, in Tren- ton. Enquire of the Printer. Also some Bed Fur- niture, &c.
ROBERT EASTBURN,
of NEW-BRUNSWICK,
Hath for Sale, for Cash or Country Produce,
Mwo Houses and Lots of ground, situate in the town- ship of Hillsborough, county of Somerset, at the
place called Coughtown; the one a new unfurnished house, with a barn ; the other is rented till next May, but may then be entered upon. Said Eastburn hath also for sale, for cash or country produce, good West-India rum, spirit, wine, Holland gin, molasses, tea, sugar, coffee, . chocolate, alspice, ginger, pepper, snuff, indigo by the quantity, rozin, primers, &c. Also sundry kind of dry goods as usual.
-N. J. Gazette, Vol. III, No. 144, Sept. 27, 1780
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New-York, September 23.
COW CHACE.
CANTO III.
N 'OT all delights the bloody spear, Or horrid din of battle, There are, I'm sure, who'd like to hear A word about the cattle.
The Chief whom we behold of late, Near Schral[en]berg haranguing,
At Yan Van Poops unconscious sat Of Irving's hearty banging,
Whilst valiant Lee, with courage wild, Most bravely did oppose The tears of woman and of child, Who begg'd he'd leave the cows.
But Wayne, of sympathising heart, Required a relief Not all the blessings could impart Of battle or of beef ;
For now a prey to female charms, His soul took more delight in A lovely *Hamadryad's arms, Than cow driving or fighting :
A nymph, the Refugees had drove Far from her native tree, Just happen'd to be on the move, When up came Wayne and Lee.
She in mad Anthony's fierce eye The hero saw pourtray'd, And all in tears she took him by The bridle of his Jade.
Hear, said the nymph, O great Commander ! No human lamentations ; The trees you see them cutting yonder Are all my near relation's,
* A Deity of the Woods.
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And I, forlorn ! implore thine aid, To free the sacred grove ; So shall thy prowess be repaid With an immortal's love.
Now some, to prove she was a Goddess, Said this enchanting Fair Had late retired from the Bodies,¿ In all the pomp of war ;
That drums and merry fifes had play'd To honour her retreat, And Cunningham himself convey'd The Lady thro' the street.
Great Wayne, by soft compassion sway'd, To no enquiry stoops, But takes the fair afflicted maid Right into Yan Van Poop's.
So Roman Anthony, they say, Disgrac'd th' imperial banner, And for a gypsy lost a day, Like Anthony the Tanner.
The Hamadryad had but half Receiv'd redress from Wayne, When drums and colours, cow and calf, Came down the road amain.
All in a cloud of dust were seen The sheep, the horse, the goat, The gentle heifer, ass obscene, The yearling and the shoat,
And pack-horses with fowls came by, Befeather'd on each side, Like Pegasus, the horse that I And other poets ride.
Sublime upon his stirrups rose The mighty Lee behind, And drove the terror-smitten cows, Like chaff before the wind.
# A cant appellation given amongst the soldiery to the corps that has the honour to guard his Majesty's person.
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But sudden see the woods above Pour down another corps, All helter skelter in a drove, Like that I sung before.
Irving and terror in the van, Came flying all abroad, And cannon, colours, horse and man Ran tumbling to the road.
Still as he fled, 'twas Irving's cry, And his example too, "Run on, my merry men all-For why?" ¡ The shot will not go thro'.
As when two kennels in the street, Swell'd with a recent rain, In gushing streams together meet, And seek the neighbouring drain,
So met these dung-born tribes in one, As swift in their career, And so to Newbridge they ran on,- But all the cows got clear.
Poor parson Caldwell, all in wonder Saw the returning train, And mourn'd to Wayne the lack of plunder, For them to steal again.
For 'twas his right to seize the spoil and To share with each commander As he had done at Staten Island With frost-bit Alexander.
In his dismay the frantic priest Began to grow prophetic. You had swore, to see his lab'ring breast, He'd taken an emetic.
I view a future day, said he, Brighter than this day dark is, And you shall see what you shall see, Ha! Ha! one pretty Marquis ;
¡ Five Refugees ('tis true) were found Stiff on the block house floor, But then 'tis thought the shot went round, And in at the back door.
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And he shall come to Paulus-Hook, And great atchievements think on, And make a bow and take a look, Like Satan over Lincoln.
And all the land around shall glory To see the Frenchman caper, And pretty Susan1 tell the story In the next Chatham paper.2
This solemn prophecy, of course, Gave all much consolation, Except to Wayne, who lost his horse Upon the great occasion.
His horse that carried all his prog, His military speeches. His corn-stalk whisky for his grog, Blue stockings, and brown breeches.
And now, I've clos'd my epic strain, I tremble as I shew it,
Lest this same warrio-drover, Wayne, Should ever catch the poet.
FINIS.
-The Royal Gazette, No. 416, September 23, 1780.
New-York, September 30.
We have the pleasure to assert, that two of his Majesty's Frigates left the Fleet bound from hence for Great-Brit- ain, well, last Monday se'nnight, two hundred leagues advanced on their passage-they departed from Sandy- Hook the 5th of May last.
-The Royal Gazette, No. 418, September 30, 1780.
1 Miss Sussannah Livingston, daughter of Governor Livingston.
2 The New-Jersey Journal.
INDEX.
43 (673)
INDEX.
A.
Abeel, James, D. Q. M. G., horses strayed from, 639 ; notice to
persons having against, 170, 64S.
demands Aberdeen, Earl of, 654.
"Abigail," sloop, taken, 343.
Absecon creek, petition to etc., 436, 437.
Absecon bridge, 636.
bank, Accidents :
drowned, 401, 609. fire, 61, 123, 129, 182, 409. killed by a colt's kick, 402.
Account books for sale, 656. Achman, Jacob, sale of land in the possession of, 119, 263.
Ackerman, Derrick, loyalist, 77. John J., loyalist, 77.
Acquackanonk, 19, 170, 193; con- fiscated land in, to be sold, 408. Act to prohibit the exportation of provisions from the State of New Jersey, 58-59; revived and continued, 448. Adam, negro man, asserts his free- dom, 159, 213, 218.
Adams, Andrew, tavern-keeper and country attorney, member of Congress, 211.
Samuel, malster, member of Con- gress, 211.
Addison, Joseph, quoted, 42.
"Address to the afflicted friends of American liberty in the State of New Jersey," 458-460.
Address to "Worthy Citizens of New Jersey," 594.
"Admiral Rodney," privateer brig, disabled in fight, 491.
Admiralty, holding of a court of, 40, 247, 250, 354, 372, 382, 398, 438.
Affieck, Capt., arrival of, 646. Alarm-gun at Princeton spiked up, 434, 439. Albany, 411, 517. "Alcide," British warship, 646. Alexander, William, Earl of Stir- ling, 670; land of, for sale, 13, 35, 36, 118, 262; notice to creditors of, 120, 264; bitter letter to, 176, 177. See Stir- ling.
Alexandria township, 197; land sold in, 119, 263.
Allen, Isaac, of Trenton, loyalist.
notice to debtors and creditors of, 249.
Allentown, 46, 58. 147, 215, 218, 402; court of admiralty to be held at, 247; land for sale near, 236.
"Alliance," vessel, arrival of, 624. Allison, Burges, 130.
Allowances to stop on persons ceasing to be in office, 292. Alloway's creek, land for sale be- low, 411, 420.
Almanack, United States, for 1780, to be published, 24; just pub- lished, 67.
Almanacks for 1780 for sale, 92. 133.
Alner, James, Bohea tea for sale by, 431.
"Amazon," privateer brig taken. 343.
Amboy, 20, 92; confiscated land for sale in, 303, 329, 330; few or none of the Continental Army from Newark to, 567; house and effects of "John, the Painter," destroyed at, 497; meeting of Commissioners for exchange of prisoners at, 257. "America," British war vessel, 580. American army headquarters at Morris-Town, 97.
American Colonies, preservation of the, 603.
"American," criticism by, on pro- fanity, 164-166.
American demagogues, frauds prac- tised by, 560; loss in fight near Fort Lee, 523 ; naval suc- cesses, 608 ; oppression of the people, 601 : patriotism, ap- peal to, 255 ; prisoners, good treatment of, 664.
Americans escape from the prison ship at New-York. 434: zeal and alacrity of, 135.
Amerman, Daniel. executor, land for sale by, 217.
Jolin, executor, land for sale by, 217.
Nicholas, deceased, 217.
Amiel, Mr., appointed major of brigade, 471.
Amoritta, Maria, alias, runaway negro wench, 517.
676
INDEX.
"Amphitrite," British frigate, 580. Amsterdam (Holland), letter from, 540-542.
Amwell, 58, 114, 196, 218, 317, 321, 340, 410, 509; house to let in, 205; negro wench for sale in, 437 ; Presbyterian Church graveyard, 340n.
township, 356; land for sale in, 12.
Anderson, Capt. David, man de- serted from, 657.
Joshua, executor, merchandise for sale by, 186; sheep strayed from, 203.
Mrs. T., 487.
Andre. Major John, D. A. G., 523, 524, 629; capture of, 587n .; "Cow Chace," by, 585, 587, 610, 645, 668, 671.
Andrews, Capt. Isaac, children and servants of, burned up, 129.
Angell, Col. Israel, loss sustained by, at Springfield, 456, 464, 481, 483, 568; good behaviour of Rhode Island regiment of, 475; thanks of, to regiment of, 474.
Annapolis, 160, 298.
Anspach and Hessian corps, raia on New Jersey by detachments from, 152.
Anspach deserter, cruel treatment of, 643. regiment sails, 313.
Anstruther, Capt., wounded, 254.
Antigua, Island of, 546n.
"Appeal to the Public, in behalf of the cause of Truth," 649-650. Aplin, Captain, ship of, locked in the ice, 470. Apprentice boy wanted, 327. Aquachinunk, 19.
Aquakenonk, 170.
Arbuthnot, Vice-Admiral, 346 : of
the blue,
&c., address of Refugees to, 100, 101; answer by, 101 ; arrival of, at Sandy Hook, 458; at Rhode-Island, 558 ; departure of fleet of, 468; return of, to New York, 580.
Arbuthnot, Mt., 101.
Ardesoif, Captain, ship of, locked in the ice, 470.
"Argo," American brig, captured by the British, 353. "Argo," privateer brig, 372.
"Aristides," communication by, on
humanity of the English, 660- 664; criticism of, on British policy, 531-537.
Armstrong, Capt., wounded, 468. John, prisoner, 252.
John, surveyor, member of Con- gress, 212.
Army, condition of, at Morris- Town, 113; flour requested from New Jersey for the, 154; movements of, 84, 85; pinched for provisions, 635; shortage of flour by, S4; supplied with provisions, &c., 139 ; supplies, plan for furnishing, 157.
Arnett, Isaac, tea for sale by, 92, 171.
Arnold, Capt., stray horse to be returned to, 592.
Gen. Benedict, designs of, on Quebec, 111; British losses at The Lake, by, 450; passed through New Barbadoes, 434. Jacob, house of, as army head- quarters, S4; horse strayed or stolen from, 426.
Samuel, 426n .; tavern of, 426n. Jacob, 647.
Col. Jacob, biographical sketch of, 426n.
Arnot, Capt., 324.
Artillery for sale, 148.
Artillery Park, Pluckemin, land
sold near, 120.
Ashfield's tract, notice to persons interested in, 170, 193.
Ashmead, Captain Jacob, 556n.
Ashmore, Robert, horses strayed or stolen from, 543.
Thomas, freights taken by, 510.
Assanpink creek, 279.
Assembly votes printed and ready for delivery, 542.
Assiskunk creek, notice of proposed improvement of, 645.
"Associated Ladies for public do- nations," address to, 640-642. "Associators of. Essex," meeting of, 592
Assunpink, 49n. Atkinson, Captain, 385.
Aurison, Archibald, sale of land in the possession of, 118, 262.
Austin, Jacob, horse strayed or stolen from, 420. Joseph, captured, 153.
Axes for sale, 410.
Ayres, Nathaniel, barn of, burned, 182. .
"Bachelor's Meditation in a Love- Fit Hour,", 400. Bacon's Neck, horse stolen near, 659.
B.
Badgeley, Joseph, sen., horse to be returned to, 169. John, goods stolen from the
house of, 479.
677
INDEX.
Bagues, Lieut. James, hanger lost by, 289.
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