USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. V > Part 15
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ROBERT EASTBURN. In New-Brunswick,
Hlath for Sale, on the lowest condition that the times will admit of, viz. 1
Good West-India rum, Cherry do. by the hogshead, barrel, or gallon, French brandy, Holland Geneva, Teneriff and sherry wines, Molasses, Fine powdered and muscovado sugars, Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Pepper, Alspice, Ginger, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Cloves, Raisins, Rice, Indigo, Copperas, Brimstone, Rosin, Starch, Chalk, Whitelead and oil, Fine black mode, Taffety, Linens, Millonets, Lawn, Fine and coarse white threads of various kinds, Colour'd ditto, Sewing silk of different colours, Ribbons, Pins, Needles, Black silk lace, White ditto, Coat and jacket metal, wooden & mohair buttons, Shoe and knee buckles, Sleeve buttons, Table and tea spoons, Testaments, Spelling-books, Primers, Almanacks, Mens shoes, Women's stuff and leather ditto, Wool cards, Fine, coarse, and crooked hair combs, Pasteboards, Stay laces and tapes, French and common shoe heels, Pints, half pints and gill glasses. Iron-ware, viz. Large Kettles fit for salt boiling, Large and small pots, Tea kettles & stew pans, Sliding bolts, hasps
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and staples. Earthenware of various kinds, such as, Dishes, Mugs, Bowls, Pots, Tea cups and saucers by the quantity or single article.
TO BE LET,
For one or more years, and may be entered upon the first day of April next, the following Plantations, situate in the township of New- Windsor and county of Middlesex, within one mile of Haightstown, six of Allentown, ten of Crosswick, and twelve of Bordentown, viz.
One containing 75 acres good arable land, with a small orchard, a good log house, and other suitable conveniences; now in the tenure of Mr. Rem Venderbeck, senior.
One containing 250 acres good arable land, with a piece of meadow, a large thriving orchard, a good log house, barn, barracks, stabling, and most other conveniences suitable to a farm; now in the tenure of Mr. Samuel Allen, and joining the above.
One containing 212 acres of good arable land, one large field of which may be kept as a meadow, it being remarkable for good pasture in the season, a good orchard of the best grafted fruit; upon this plantation are a good frame house, a large convenient barn with stables complete, a good well of water, an excellent garden, &c. now occupied by Robert Nixon, and also joining the above mentioned farms.
All the above farms are situated in the heart of a plentiful wheat country, remarkably healthy, and near markets, mills, and meetings, and at present under a good fence. They will be let separate or together, as may suit the appliers. For terms enquire of Jos. Read, Esq. of Mountholly, or John Shields in Philadelphia.
Jan. 19, 1781.
A PAIR OF SPURS.
A few days ago was found in Trenton, a Pair of Spurs. The owner proving his property and paying charges, may have them again, by applying to the Printer hereof.
January 24, 1781.
From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 162, Jan. 31, 1781.
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY.
A supplement to an act, intitled, An Act for establishing a fund for sinking and redeeming the proportion of the bills of credit of the United States, assigned as the quota of this state. Passed Jan. 4, 1781.
[ For this law, see Statutes of Session, Chap. VII.]
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY.
An Act to raise a fund by loan for discharging the bounty to be paid to the troops required by Congress as the quota of this state. Passed Jan. 8, 1781.
[ For this law, see Acts of Session, Chap. XII. ]
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Mr. Collins,
A correspondent will be much obliged to you for republishing from the Pennsylvania Packet of the 23d. instant, a piece on Privateering signed 'Waterman.' It is to be wished the publick attention may be directed to it. The subject is of the highest moment to these states, and the writer has treated it in a clear and judicious manner.
January 26, 1781.
MR. PRINTER,
Our alliance with France, in the year 1778, along with all its benefits brought this evil, that too many of us were lulled by it into a delusive security. The war was believed to be drawing to a close, and great num- ters of us seem to have fondly imagined there was very little need of any further exertions on our part. By this time however, it is pretty clear that we ought not to hope for a speedy and happy end to the war, unless we employ every means in our power for conducting it with vigour.
The easiest and most effectual way of distressing the enemy and re- living ourselves, would be to encourage privateering. The trade of Britain is her only strength. This can be no other way so effectually broken as by our privateers. Our only weakness consists in the lack of funds. Privateering requires no publick funds to support it. In the common course of trade, we should soon be stript of seamen by the cap- tures which are continuelly made by the enemy. Privateering is the source from which we are furnished with seamen to give in exchange. The wealth to which we derive from this source is clear gain. The Algerines have long maintained themselves by this business alone. The Buccaneers of South America, a handful of bold privateersmen, for many years supported themselves against the world, without dominion, without territory, without any pretext of Justice. We are indebted to our priva- teers; more than to almost any other means we have tried, for our success hitherto ; and yet the truth is that this important branch of the war bas all along labored under very great discouragements. The only law we have for conducting this business is to be collected from a set of patched up resolutions of Congress, which were made on the footing of mere temporary expedience before our independence, and evidently calculated with a view to the state we were then in. From these resolutions it Is often impossible for any man to distinguish whether he is taking a prize or involving himself in a tedious and expensive law suit. The event. too, of this lawsuit is made to depend upon the consciences of the cap- tured, This own story is to acquit or condemn them ; their papers are of no weight. It is high time that these resolutions were revised by Con- gress, and a uniform, clear system established for the regulation of privateering. In hopes that this business will be attended to, I shall take the liberty of suggesting some things, which I conceive to be nec- essary for the full exertion of our strength in the business of privateer- Ing.
1. It is necessary that the Captain of a privateer should be able to distinguish with some degree of certainty what is prize and what is not prize ; otherwise law suits, disappointments, clamours of seamen, who cannot bear delay, will throw such discouragements in the way as few men will chuse to encounter, and the fact is, that many have renounced the business for this very reason, To attain this certainty it is neces- sary, in the first place, that we discard the scheme of exempting Ber- mudian vessels, and the property of British settlers from capture. The Bermudians do us no service; they supply the British fleets and armies amongst us with refreshments, and they occasion a thousand disputes. The notion of encouraging British people to settle amongst us, was plausible enough whilst we were fellow subjects of the same empire; but in our present state of independency to allow of people coming directly from the ports of an enemy, at open war with us, is perfectly futile. Those few of them who are in earnest about it, come by the way of Holland, or some other neutral state. But the pretence of coming to settle amongst us is
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so easily made, and so easily sworn to, that it may be made and supported by every vessel that is taken, if the people on board have a good under. standing with one another, and are hardy enough to disregard oaths, which is but too frequent.
Another thing essential to the attaining this certainty is to make the papers conclusive evidence : to resolve, that British papers or the destruc. tion or want of papers should be sufficient ground for condemnation. This is the present regulation in France. This would give new life to privateering.
The objection to this plan arises from a source which I blush to think of. People wish to keep the door open for trading with the British under cover of double papers. What must be the feelings of our allies, after all they have done for us, when they see us neglecting them and running to the ports of the enemy ; supporting the trade and strengthening the force of the British in time of open war? the French have acted with generosity towards us. Might they not expect, that we should at least observe the law of nations in refraining from the support of their enemy and ours? the only apology, (and it is a wretched one) is that we have not learnt to consider ourselves as an independent people; that we do not regard, as we ought to do, our national character. It is to be hoped, that the thing is owing to want of thought and not to ingratitude. However, considered in any view, it is the height of bad policy.
2. Another thing absolutely necessary is, that prizes may be tried and condemned speedily and cheaply. Admiralty laws should be made and executed for the benefit of the publick; not for the sake of enriching one or two insignificant individuals. Particularly in the case of small prizes, care should be taken that the whole amoant be not swallowed up in costs. This belongs to the states individually to provide for, excepting in the cases of appeals.
3. Great care should be taken to encourage the bringing in of Prisoners. At present it is a misfortune for a privateer to take a number of pris- oners. Cartels have been usually settled upon the plan of valuing every man at a certain sum of money according to his rank: so as that the balance might be paid in cash : and it is not many ages since the captor had a property in his prisoner, and was allowed to make the most of his ransom. As the prisoners taken at sea by privateers generally belong to the state to which the privateer belongs, I should think that it would answer the best of purposes for each state to pay a reward for every prisoner taken at sea and brought into the state. This would operate at once to cacourage privateering and enable the state to redeem from captivity a number of brave seamen, who often perish in prison or else are under the necessity of enlisting with the enemy.
Yours, &e.
WATERMAN.
TRENTON, January 31.
On Saturday evening the 20th. instant, about 150 privates of the New-Jersey brigade, which were quartered at Pompton, left their huts, and, under conduct of some of their sergeants, marched towards Chatham. The proceedings of the Legislature at their last sitting, constituting commissioners to enquire into the claims of such soldiers of the brigade as conceived themselves entitled to a discharge on ac- count of the expiration of their enlistments, had not then been com- municated to these. The commissioners went to Chatham on Monday, and having read and explained to them the resolutions of the Legis- lature, they immediately agreed to return to their duty. The com- mandant of the brigade, in consideration of their being unacquainted with the measures taken in their behalf, and of their acknowledgments of the offence, granted their request for a general pardon. The com- missioners having appointed a time for settling their claims, they re-
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turned to the orders of their officers. A small part only of the brigade were engaged in this matter, the greater part disapproved of it, and all regret that it happened. To the honor however of these brave men we mention it with pleasure, that when they left their quarters they adopted a solemn resolution to put to death any one who should attempt or even propose to go to the enemy's lines, and hang up with- out ceremony every tory who should presume to say a word tending to induce any of them to do so.
"Departed this life, the 4th. instant, Mrs. Mary Clarkson, wife of Levinus Clarkson, Esq. of New-Brunswick, in her thirty-third year."
* General Dickinson informs the Colonels and other officers, com- manding battalions in the militia of this state, that the Printer will deliver (to those who have not already received them) the number of militia acts allowed to each battalion.
TO BE SOLD, By the Subscriber,
A Tract of Land in the county of Middlesex, about five miles from New-Brunswick and seven from Perth-Amboy, known by the name of the Neck Tract, supposed to contain about five hundred acres, with a dwelling-house and some improvements, and is very convenient for two farms, lying nearly square, one side fronting the river and two sides bounded on creeks, which will save fencing, and on each considerable quantity of meadow may be made, with a good landing for shallops, and a shad fishery. Also one, two or 300 acres of land to be taken off of other lands the subscriber has in that neighborhood, with or with- out a very good mill-seat on an extraordinary good stream, as may best suit the purchaser. The subscriber would also sell a small Farm whereon John Bowne lives, near Princeton, and a Lot of Land by Worth's mills on Stony-Brook, with a large stone dwelling-house, &c. It is a good stand for a store, one has been kept in said house many years. Likewise a House and Lot in Bordentown, in good repair and pleasantly situated ; and two lots of Land in the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia. Any person inclining to purchase any part of the above premises, may be more particularly informed by applying to the subscriber in Bordentown, or for the last mentioned Lots to Thos. Watson, jun. in Philadelphia.
TIIOMAS WATSON.
Bordentown, January 29, 1781.
STAGE-WAGGON.
The subscriber informs the Publick, that he has provided a commo- dious Stage-Waggon, with four horses, suitable for carrying Passen- gers and their baggage, and will set out from the sign of the Bunch of Grapes in Third-street, in the City of Philadelphia, on every Mon- day morning precisely at ten o'clock, and proceed with all convenient speed for Elizabeth-town, passing by the Four-Lanes-End, Trenton,
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Princeton and Brunswick; and will set out from Jecamiah Smith's at Elizabeth-Town precisely at eight o'clock on every Thursday morn- ing, and proceed the same way back again to Philadelphia, without any unnecessary delay.
The price for each passenger from Philadelphia to Elizabeth-Town to be Forty Shillings in specie, or the value thereof in other money, and the like sum for 150 lbs. weight of baggage; and the same sums - for passage and carriage from Elizabeth-Town to Philadelphia : And so in proportion for any greater or less weight. .
All Passengers favoring him with their custom, to be freemen of the United States, and others who can produce proper passes, otherwise they may expect to be refused a passage in this stage. No prohibited goods will be carried at any rate. No sealed letters to be carried by the stage unless they are directed to some commissioned officer be- longing to the United States, to or from Elizabeth-Town.
The subscriber begs leave to return his thanks to all Gentlemen and Ladies who have been pleased to favour him with their custom, and hopes for a continuence of the same, and they may depend on the punctual attendance of their humble servant,
GERSHOM JOHNSTON. Jan. 27, 1781.
The Members of the Whig Society of Somerset are requested to at- tend at Hillsborough, at the house of Andrew Mershon, innkeeper, on the second Tuesday of February next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon. JOHN TAYLOR, Sec.
Jan. 27, 1781.
TO BE SOLD,
At Samuel Cooper's Ferry, at 9 o'clock on Thursday the first day of February next, The Schooner, General Clinton, Her furniture, tackle and apparel. By order of the Judge, J. BURROWS, Marshal.
Elias Bland, who had obtained a proper passport to go to Great- Britain, lately died at New-York, as I am informed, intestate; and having before before he left New-Jersey empowered me to settle his affairs, I am desirous that every thing should be done for the benefit of all persons interested in his estate: And as it appears to me neces- sary that his creditors should meet as soon as may be, in order to con- sult what steps may be most proper to be taken on the occasion, I propose that a meeting be held on Tuesday the 20th. of February next, at twelve o'clock, at the dwelling-house of the deceased in Woodbridge ; at which time and place all persons interested are desired to attend, with a state of their several demands, for the purposes above- mentioned. JAMES PARKER.
January 17, 1781.
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TO BE SOLD,
A plantation lying in the township of Alexandria and county of IIun- terdon, on the road that leads from Samuel Everett's mills to Sher- rerd's ferry, now in the possession of Wm. Taylor. It may be laid out to contain 263 acres. There is a good orchard and a sufficiency of meadow on the place, and the buildings and fences are in good order. Whoever inclines to purchase, may apply to James Parker near Pitts-Town, by whom an indifferent title will be given for the same.
This is to give notice that the Partnership of Downing and Cham- bers is dissolved :- All persons having any demands against them are desired to make application to Robert Chambers; and those indebted to the partnership are requested to make speedy payment, to prevent further trouble.
Trenton, Jan. 27, 1781.
Rockyhill, Somerset county, January 24th, 1781.
All persons who bought Tickets in the Third Class of the United States Lottery from the subscriber, may have them renewed whether blank or prize, (except the five hundred dollar prizes) in the Fourth Class of said Lottery, by applying within six weeks from the date hereof.
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HENRY VANDIKE. N. B. It is necessary that all those who apply should produce their tickets of the third class as vouchers. ·
Whereas a certain Thomas Kelly has long been supported as one of the poor of the township of Trenton, is frequently stroling about in the neighboring counties, either begging or sponging on the inhabitants notwithstanding a proper place is provided for his maintenance, with- out burthening any ; wherefore these are to request all persons where- ever he may come, not to harbour or encourage him in so troublesome and unbecoming a practice. And whoever shall take up and deliver him, the said Thomas Kelly, to either of the Overseers of the poor of said township, shall receive One Hundred Dollars reward.
JOS. BRITTON, Overseers of EBENEZER ROSE, S the Poor.
Trenton, January 29, 1781.
ISAAC MICHAEL,
At his Store at Bound-Brook, hath for Sale, as cheap as times will allow, viz. Rum, Wine, sugars, Linens, Checks, Coffee, Tea, Tobacco, Snuff, And sundry Dry Goods.
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Trenton, State of New-Jersey, Jan. 31, 1781.
The Trenton Library Company being desirous to renew the same, request all such Members, and every other person in this state who may have any of the Books belonging thereto, to deliver or send them immediately.
R. WILLIAMS, Libr.
N. B. Any person living at a distance, and having books, the ex- pense of transportation will be paid by the Librarian.
Bucks county, Pennsylvania, Jan. 30, 1781.
The wife of the subscriber (late widow of Robert Taylor, jun. and generally known by the name of Hannah Taylor) has absconded from his dwelling without any just cause; And there being no hopes of her returning, notice is hereby given to all persons not to trust her on his account, as he will pay no debts of her contracting from the date hereof. Those with whom she may have already run him in debt, are desired to render their accounts immediately.
JOIIN ANDERSON.
From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 163, Feb. 7, 1781.
CHIATIIAM, January 31.
On Saturday evening, the 20th. instant, about one hundred and sixty soldiers, of the Jersey brigade following the example of the Pennsyl- vanians, left their buts and proceeded to this place, under the direction of their sergeants. They were unacquainted with a late resolution . of the legislature, appointing commissioners to enquire into their en- listments ; but as soon as the commissioners, who met them here the Monday following, had read and explained that resolution to them, they immediately agreed to return to their duty. The commandant of the brigade. in consideration of their great penitence, and of their being unacquainted with the measures adopted for settling the dis- putes respecting the enlistments, promised full pardon to all who im- mediately returned to and continued in their duty. But upon the way to, and after their arrival at the huts, a few of the ringleaders, en- couraged by emissaries from Sir Harry, and perhaps by the too great clemency of granting them a general pardon, again became in- solent and mutinous. A detachment from the main army, under the command of General Howe, which had been sent on to quell the mu- tineers, arrived about this time, when those who had forfeited the pardon, by not performing the conditions, were apprehended by order of the General, and David Gilmore, sergeant in the 2d. regiment, and John Tuttle, private in the 1st. were tried, found guilty, and immedi- ately executed. Every mark of penitence and respect for order was manifested by the others who had offended, and entire order and sub- ordination took place in the brigade.
Last week the enemy hung, at Bergen-Point, one Ball, an inhabitant of Rahway, who was suspected of being a spy.
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Last Friday, General Robertson, with between two and three thou- sand troops came from New-York to Staten-Island. It is supposed be has it in contemplation to make an incursion into this state, as some of their dirty productions, to poison the minds of the soldiery, were found last Saturday at this place .-
We would recommend it to Sir Harry to silence the clamorous hire- lings of Hesse, to whom he is fifteen months in arrear, before he makes overtures to our soldiery.
The brig Fame, Capt. Treen, about fourteen days ago, took the privateer-schooner Cock, Capt. Brooks, bound from New-York on a cruize to Chesapeak-Bay, and sent her into a port in New-Jersey.
TRENTON, February 7;
At the adjourned Courts of Over and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery held in Monmouth the 23d ult. Robert James was convicted of high treason, and Humphrey Wade and John Parker were con- vieted of horse stealing, and all are sentenced to be executed next Friday. At the same courts, John Van Mater, Israel Pennington, Francis Borden, David Knott, William Morton, Walter West, Cornelius Clayton. Joseph Randolph, sen. Levi Conrow, David Allen, Peter Pat- terson, Daniel Bray, Thomas Fields, David House, jun. Jonathan Stout, Patrick Baily, Edward Doughty, Joseph Price and Jane Milligan were convicted of misdemeanors.
The refugees within the British lines have been so elated with the prospect of peace, at the expence of the liberties of the United States, in consequence of some late events, that numbers of them purchased merchandize in order to set up housekeeping in this state, and went so far as to fix upon their respective places of abode .- Poor deluded wretches !
Extract of a letter from Holland to a gentleman in this state, dated September 20, 1780.
"The same causes which have hindered this republiek from openly con- necting itself with America, anl from protecting its own commerce, still continue in a great degree. She has hitherto suffered herself to be in- sulted, ill treated, and pillaged with impunity by the English. But the grand point with respect to America which we have gained is, that the English party have not succeeded in their endeavours to engage her in this contest in favour of your enemies; and as to her own commerce, tho' she has not had enterprize sufficient to protect it alone, she will have prudence enough to appear among the foremost in the fleets forming by the confederated maritime powers.
"I felicitate you on the glory which your troops and militia have gained in repulsing the British incendiaries from the village of Spring- feld. You will have learned, before the receipt of this letter, of the capture of the English East and West Indian fleets by the combined fleets of France and Spain, between Cape St. Vincent and Madeira. A very Important stroke in its consequences ; for there were 5 ships for the East Indies, 18 for Admiral Rodney, 13 for Jamalca, and 28 for New-York and Charlestown, with troops, money, ammunition and provision, the loss of which must derange the operations of the enemy on all sides.
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"We think it unfortunate for America that Mr. Laurens has met with so many delays in executing the commission Congress had given him for this country ; however, the good work shall not be entirely stop'd on that account. I have lately received letters of thanks from the Ministers of the United States of America, both in France and Spain, in consequence of my acceptance of bills in the absence of this gentleman, and shall esteem myself always happy when I can promote the interest of so glorious a cause as that in which America is engaged."
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