USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. V > Part 18
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That, in a political view, there appears an inconsistancy between our principals of liberty and our conduct in this particular ; and that Providence, who protects the inhabitants of the world, and hath hith- erto, by its manifest interposition, supported us under pressures that otherwise might have sunk us into the depths of slavery, may still longer delay the completion of our hopes, however happy our pros- pects, while we thus contravene his benevolent purposes to mankind in general; For with little propriety can we expect or ask for those blessings for ourselves, which, though able, we are unwilling to bestow on others.
That we feel a degree of mortification that the state of New-Jersey, which has ever distinguished itsself amongst the foremost in the union, for its animated exertions in favor of freedom, should be pre- ceded by any other state in acts of liberality and disinterestedness; at the same time that we venerate the justice and magnanimity of the state of Pennsylvania in this instance.
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That your petitioners are fully assured that arguments in favor of Merty are unnecessary with the free Representatives of a free People ; and therefore beg you to consider, what we have said as an apology Que the urgency with which we would press, and the earnestness with which we expect the total abolition of slavery amongst us: In such manner as you in your wisdom shall think most consistent with the sfrty of the state, and the happiness of those who are to be eman- øpated by it: That from the influence of your example, the mild sunshine of freedom may pervade and illumine every part of the con- Maent, and brighten and animate every countenance of every differ- ent shade of complexion.
And your Petitioners shall continue to pray.
CHATIIAM, March 14.
Ou Monday last about fifty of the enemy made their appearance in Bound-Creek, upon which the militia in the neighborhood assembled and obliged them to retire. After which one Clisby, of Lyon's Farms, discharging his musket, unfortunately killed Mr. John Calhoun, of the same place.
A very considerable movement in New-York is taking place, the particulars of which we have not been able to learn, though some prople, more sanguine than ourselves, imagine a good embarkation is on the carpet, as our Commissary-General of prisoners, a few days ago, was ordered to leave the city.
NOTES TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Upon a careful examination of the piece signed a Militia Officer, the irony was not thought sufficiently pointed, otherwise it would have been inserted agreeably to our note in 163. We shall however be obliged by the author's future correspondence.
The great variety of intelligence and numerous favours from other correspondents, whose productions are less voluminous, prevent us from inserting the several numbers of the Censor, at present.
We would be glad of an interview with the person who lately sent us a New Song.
The Cobler was not sufficiently correct for publication, but we would by no means discourage the author, who appears to want nothing so much as practice in writing.
We wish to convey a line to the author of the piece signed, A Friend to Liberty and Justice.
Mr. Collins,
I find that the Legislature, at their last sitting, have passed an act for emitting a sum of money in small bills for change. It is to be wished these were struck, in order that the continental currency which now serves for that purpose, might be immediately called in. Was it not a mistake or oversight that a very early day was not set by the Legislature to finish the redemption of H? Does It not depreclate, and will It not continue to depreciate? All are sensible of the mischiefs produced by having two kinds of bills of credit, of the same nominal but different current value, circulating among us at the same time. In the nature of things they must
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prejudice each other. No prospect of bringing the old currency to the original rate, remains, and were it practicable, it could not be of any use. but rather the contrary. The sooner therefore it disappears, the better, The date of it was long since fixed to end with the next month, some of the states have wisely fixed it to end with the present. That no incon venience may arise to the holders, especially to those who live distant from the Treasury, they would do well to to recollect this circumstance, and pay it for taxes, or pass it to those who have taxes to pay, that the - trouble of bringing it to the Treasury afterwards may be avoided, and that the quota of the state may be made up and destroyed. Our path will then lie more plain and easy ; and I trust, in due time to see all our papet money gradually and regularly sunk in the mode and at the periods pre- seribed by law. The trade of this country now released from the oppres sions of Great Britain, of freed, and kept free from restraints among our selves, will very soon be fully adequate to furnish us with a sufficient me dium of coin, if it is so already.
VERBUM SAPIENTI
Mr. Printer,
That species of animals, which we call by the various names of Specu- lators, Dodgers, Silents, Setters, Seramblers, Sharpers, cum multis offu minoris notae* have, for a long time, infested this country, and have done much annoyance to the property of the honest inhabitants. I think a great deal may be effected towards extirpating them by the short and simple means of ready-money contracts. Credit is the scaffolding upon which they play their pranks; out this away, and they must sink with their original insignificance. If they cannot buy on trust, and contrive to pay with quarter or half the value, the craft must languish. The con. tinental currency, while it was a tender, gave a fine scope to their depre- dations. That field being now, in a great measure, shut up, times hare grown dull with them. They do not, however, despair, but like a gang of rats, gnawing at a partition, are busily employed in depreciating the new money. This is their last cast if they do not succeed, they go Hlke ninepins ; and I am mistaken if a proper application of the above-men- tioned would not defeat their, project, and further the riddance of such vermin. RILINO.
Trenton, March 21, 1781.
All persons indebted to Stephen Ely, deceased, are desired to pay off their accounts by the first day of May next; and those having any demands against said Stephen Ely, are desired to bring in their accounts properly attested, in order for settlement.
GEORGE ELY, Administrator.
AT The Journal of the second Sitting of the 4th Session of the Legis- lative Council; the Votes of the Assembly of the last Sitting, same Session ; and the Laws and Votes of the last Sitting of the present Assembly, are printed, and ready to be delivered.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN :
State of New-Jersey, ss.
Notice is hereby given, that a Court of Admiralty will be held for the state of New Jersey, at the Courthouse in the town of Gloucester, in the county of Gloucester, on Thursday the 12th day of April next, at the hour of ten in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged and set forth in the bill of Col.
*Most of which begin with an S, denoting their crooked and serpentine nature.
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Jeph Ellis, (who as well as, &c.) against a certain sloop or vessel @glied the Hannah, lately commanded by Abraham Davis, and said & b taken on her voyage to New York, loaded with pine boards, aAigles, tar, and bar-iron, with her tackle, apparel, furniture and vargo aforesaid : To the end and intent, that the owner or owners of the maid vessel, or any person or persons interested therein, may ap- gear and show cause, if any they have, why the said vessel and her takle, apparel, furniture and cargo, should not be condemned to the raptors thereof, and a decree thereon pass, persuant to the prayer of thr said bill.
By order of the Judge, JOSEPHI BLOOMFIELD, Reg. Haddonfield, March 5, 1781.
All persons who have furnished supplies, or for services done, under the Requisition of his Excellency General Washington, in the county of Hunterdon, are desired without fail to attend with their vouchers, a. follows, viz. At Pennington, the first Tuesday in April; at Henry Morshon's tavern, in Amwell, the second Monday in said month; the das following at Pitts-Town, and the next day following at the White- house tavern. JOSEPH INSLEE.
The Subscriber in Pompton, on the great road from Boston to Philadelphia, has fitted up the YELLOW-HOUSE TAVERN,
Just 20 miles from Morristown, 30 from King's Ferry, and 40 or 45 from New-Windsor,
Where his stables, fit to hold twenty horses, are well supplied and carefully attended, and his house every way well furnished, as far ax the ability of
All the roads for a few miles round us are safe and direct, and every Gentleman who will ride a little while in the evening to reach us, may depend on getting quarters. The Gentlemen, our customers shall be free from noise but what they chuse to make themselves, as we are unincumbered with children, or country custom, being our- selves young unmarried people, and our neighbours chusing to drink beer at their own houses. They shall find the news-papers of three different Printers kept for their perusal, with a small collection of books, and other amusement-though abroad they shall be at home, find English fare in a Dutch country, and the landlord their most humble servant. JOSEPH CURTIS.
The subscriber, in Maidenhead, will expose to sale at publick ven- due, on Friday the 23d of this instant, sundry articles of household and kitchen furniture, consisting of large black walnut tables, lesser tables, chairs, iron pots, kettles, andirons, shovel and tongs, pails and buckets, of different sizes, spinning wheels, big and small, a reel, doughtrough, china, knives and forks, empty black bottles and case and bottles, with many other articles too tedious to enumerate. Also will be sold at publick sale at the same time, a good plough, with the
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necessary irons, harrow, wood-sled, a good English bodied waggon, well tir'd, and a complete sett of gears for two horses, one hogshead of excellent cyder, racked off, a number of empty cyder cask, meat casks, &c. Several bushel of red potatoes, Indian corn and buck. wheat, a side of horse leather, a small quantity of excellent flax ready dressed ; a new milch cow in good order, and two valuable horses, suitable for either draft or saddle.
The above goods will be sold for cash only, and the vendu will begin at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, on the premises, where attendance will be given by
March 16, 1781. FRANCIS DU CLOS.
TO BE SOLD OR LET.
A Ilouse and Lot of Land, in Kingston, New-Jersey. There is four rooms on a floor, besides the kitchen. The lot contains one acre. It is well situated either for a store or tavern, having been occupied lately by persons following those callings. It is situated on a publick road to head-quarters, in a healthy part of the country ; a number of industrious rich farmers in the neighbourhood.
Also To Be Sold, a lot of Land in Nicomixen township, Bucks county, state of Pennsylvania, containing about twenty-five acres, with a log house and stable, and sundry fruit trees; about half under fence. Three miles from Sherard's ferry, on a publick road, and will suit a tradesman. Apply to George Douglass at Point-Breeze, near Bordentown.
March 20. 1781.
The Whig inhabitants of the Western Precinct, (Somerset county,) are requested to meet at the house of Henry Harrison, at Rocky-Hill, on Tuesday, the 3d of April next on business of importance; to which time and place the last meeting adjourned.
By order of the meeting, THO. EGBERT.
Princeton, March 12, 1781.
From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 170, March 28, 1781.
TRENTON, MARCH 28.
Advices were received in Philadelphia on Monday last, from the southward, of a battle being fought on the 15th. instant, between General Green and Lord Cornwallis, at Guilford courthouse, in the state of North-Carolina ; that General Greene retired a small distance, with intent to renew the engagement next day, but the weather proving unfavorable, prevented any farther operations for that time. These were all the particulars received, and those not authentic.
An action hath also happened on the 16th instant, between the French and English fleets, which was maintained with great spirit and gallantry by both parties for an hour and a quarter. The
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enemy's line was then thrown into disorder, several of their ships baving suffered in their rigging, and one so considerably, that her fire crased, and was obliged to bear away before the wind. The French ship Le Conquerant, which led the van of the line, having sustained the fire of three of the enemy's ships, received so great damage as not to be in a condition to renew the action. We hope to have the satisfaction of giving a minute relation of the above land and naval combats to the public in our next.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.
At a Court-Martial held by the appointment of Brigadier-General Heard, on the 19th. of January last, at the house of James Drake, in the city of Brunswick ---
Ensign Morford, of the third battalion of Middlesex militia, was tried for parading in arms with the men belonging to Capt. Perine's company, and marching from their post in mutiny, and found guilty, and adjudged to be cashiered and rendered incapable of serving in the militia as an officer during the war.
And at a Court-Martial held by the appointment of Brigadier- General Heard, at the house of Jacob Hyer, in Princeton, the fifteenth day of March, instant, the following officers were tried :
Lieutenant Charles Fisher, of Col. William Scudder's regiment of Middlesex militia, with disobeying the orders of his Colonel, in re- fusing to march with a detachment of the said regiment to Morris- Town in June, 1780, found guilty of unofficerlike behaviour, and ad- judged to be fined in the sum of five pounds lawful money, to be recovered and applied as directed by the militia law.
Ensign Lewis Baremore, for refusing to march with the regiment under Major Nixon, in January last, on the revolt of the Pennsyl- vania line, found guilty of unofficerlike behaviour, and adjudged to be cashiered and reduced to the ranks, agreeably to the act of assembly.
Lieutenant David Gilliland, of Col. Scudder's regiment, for dis- obedience of orders in not marching with Capt. Perine for the relief of Capt. Stout, when stationed at Monmouth, in February 1779, and for not marching with Capt. Perine to South-Amboy, in October 1780, acquitted on the sufficiency of his reasons for not marching.
All which sentences, and the said acquittal, I do approve of, ratify and confirm.
Given under my hand the twenty-third of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one.
WIL. LIVINGSTON.
Flemington, New-Jersey, March 20, 1781.
Doctor Gregg's House, Land and Improvements thereon, situated in Flemington, are now For Sale, and immediate possession given. The conveniences thereto, with the situation of the place, renders it commodious for any kind of publick business. The title is indis- putable. For terms apply at the premises.
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The Members of the Whig Society of Somerset, are requested to attend at Hillsborough, at the house of Andrew Mershon, tavern. keeper, on the second Friday of April next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon.
March 25, 1781.
JOHN TAYLOR, Sec.
TO BE SOLD,
Any time between this and the 20th of April next ; and if not sold then, to be rented ;
A Lot of good Land, situated in the township of Hillsborough, Som- erset county, containing ten acres; about one half of which is good meadow, firewood and rail timber belonging to it to serve for some time. There is some fruit trees on the same, such as peach, apple and cherry ; a good house, small barn, hay barrack and waggon house, Lays in the neighborhood of several places of worship and mills, and would suit for any publick business, being in the heart of a thick settled country, near the South branch of the Raritan. For terms apply to Mr. Jerome . Vanderbelt, near New-Shanick church, Mr. Minne Voorhees, near New-Brunswick, or the subscriber, opposite Garrison's tavern, who has some other lots to dispose of.
SAM. HI. SULLIVAN.
Hillsborough, March 20, 1781.
TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC VENDUE,
At the house of Daniel Reeder, in Trenton, on Wednesday the 4th. of April next, the following articles, viz. Cattle, horses, plough and harrow with the necessary irons and teeth ; a good English bodied waggon well tir'd, and gears for two horses. Also will be sold at the same time an assortment of waggon boxes, a good musket and brace of pistols, a man's saddle and bridal, a good steel trap, and a number of good cyder cask, spinning wheels, an assortment of carpenters' tools, a few bushels of red potatoes, and sundry articles too tedious to mention. The vendue to begin at ten o'clock of said day, where attendance will be given, and the condi- tions made known.
March 27, 1781.
WILL BE RENTED AT VENDUE,
On Saturday the 7th. of April next, by the subscriber in Maidenhead, The Plantation whereon Peter Covenhoven now lives, containing 140 acres of land, situate in a pleasant part of the country, lying on the great road from Philadelphia to Elizabeth-Town, and is a good stand for a tavern. There is on said place, a good dwellinghouse with four rooms on a floor; also a good barn with stabling, and a bearing orchard with a good well of water by the door. The vendue will be held on the premises, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, where attendance will be given and the conditions made known by
March 22, 1781.
JOSEPH BROWN, Sen.
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PRINTING PAPER.
Of different Size and Quality, By the Ream, or Hundred Reams, Bookbinders and Bonnet Pasteboards, Wrapping Paper, &c. Made and to be Sold or Exchanged for Rags, By Stacy Potts, in Trenton.
Whereas sundry white oak saplings have been cut and carried off the subscriber's plantation, with a number of fence rails, without his leave, by some evil minded person or persons: These are therefore to warn all such from committing the like offences in future, as they will be prosecuted with the utmost rigour of the law. And a reward of two hundred continental dollars will be given for a discovery of the offender or offenders, if they are brought to justice, paid by BENJAMIN GREEN.
TO BE RENTED,
A Farm containing between two and three hundred acres of land ; a considerable part of which is cleared, with a comfortable house and barn, situate two and a half miles from Princeton, and half a mile from the main road leading from Princeton to Rock-Hill. There is a tolerable orchard, and some good meadow may be made. For terms apply to Mrs. Stockton, at Princeton, or to the Printer hereof.
March 26, 1781.
TO BE SOLD,
By the Single, Dozen, Gross or Thousand, by Isaac Collins, At the Printing-Office in Trenton, The New Testament, Printed on a good Type, and good Paper.
From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 171, April 4, 1781.
Number 1.
Mr. Collins,
About two years ago I gave, through the channel of your Gazette, my sentiments of our national disease, and the remedies necessary for its cure, with the liberty and candour becoming a true Patriot. The pre- scribed medicines, though the only which could effect a cure, were how- ever found exceeding nauseous to the disordered stomach. Some of the less disagreeable specificks were tried first, to afford some relief to the more Immediate troublesome symptoms, while the roofed disorder was permitted to carry on its rage; till at last the state-patient was forced, by the law of self-preservation, to take the nauseous dose, though with a few palliating ingredients, which weakened in some measure the sovereign power of the remedy : And while it thus become slower in producing Its happy effects, It left the patient longer struggling under a slow recovery from a dangerous languor, frequently subject to fits or convulsive disorders. of the nerves. However, If a humorsome patient cannot be prevalled upon to take a sovereign remedy withent palllatives wulch, retard the cure, he
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must blame himself for all the intermediate distresses ; which, perhaps, may produce the happy effects of making such patient more cautious in guarding against a relapse, and more prudent in improving preservatory prescriptions. - .
Since our state-patient has made trial of the prescribed remedies, though mixed with retarding ingredients, it affords manifest indications of a sound recovery from the gates of political death, and promises fair for a restora- tion to health and vigour, unless prevented by unsuspected causes. As a relapse is generally more dangerous than the primitive disorder, I hope my fellow-citizens will indulge me with offering a few preservatory pre. scriptions, which, if duly observed, may prevent a relapse, and promote the political health and vigour of this nation. Curatory remedies must be adapted to the removal of the causes of a disorder, but the preserva. tory to prevent a return of them. Those I shall now presume to offer are to be of the latter kind.
I considered, in my former essays, the causes of our national disease in a twofold point of view ; the one meritorious ; the other the efficient cause. I As to'the meritorious cause, I endeavoured, No. II, to prove it to be, the ungrateful conduct of this nation towards God, our kind bene. factor, and just arbiter of the universe .--- I would feel exceeding happy had I sufficient reasons to believe this cause had been removed, and the prophet's counsel become acceptable to us, "that we had broken off our sins by righteousness, and our iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." I would wish to hope, that some attempts for a national reformation have been made. But alas! how ineffectual many of the attempts! how slow the advance ! I fear the lamentations of Jeremiah may be justly applied to us, saying, "Thou hast tricked them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than a rock, they have refused to return.""
As also that of another prophet, "for the people turneth not unto him who smiteth them .; " The lovers of our country may well lament its judg- ments, saying, "Why should you be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more."# Notwithstanding our just deserts, yet has a gracious God, from the abundant riches of his forebearing goodness, "in wrath remem- bered mercy," and therefore "we are not consumed." If then we wish a
preservative against the return of perhaps greater calamities, let us attend to the counsel given, Jer. III. 22, 23, "return ye backsliding children and I will heat your backslidings : Behold," says repenting Israel, "we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains. Truly in the Lord our God is the salvation, of Israel." Not only people who had the divine revelation but also Pagans, have acknowledged and believed that kingdoms and dominions, with all their vicissitudes, were at the disposal of the Supreme Being : If' so, then it undoubtedly becomes such a people to endeavour to procure his favour, and the continuence of it, by true re- pentance for sins past, and a course of due obedience to his commands ; which above all remedies, secures a nation's welfare. I will not here as. sume the business of the clergy, in pointing out the necessary qualifica- tions for a well grounded hope of eternal bliss, but that of a citizen, shew. ing the national duties respecting the Deity, requisite for the hope of his favour in the enjoyment of national blessings. And these I humbly con- ceive to be ----
I A solemn acknowledgment of God in his publick worship. This is a duty founded in the nature of things. For he who acknowledges a God, acknowledges a Creator, and consequently an object of divine worship. He then who refuses him this, denies him to be God. Hence have all nations, in all ages, agreed in this principal. HIence have Christians, instructed by a divine revelation, chosen rather to suffer the most exquisite torments than forego or neglect this duty to their Creator. A duty also necessary for the well being of civil society. Suppose a nation in which the worship of the Delty Is totally neglected ; what consequences must unavoidably ensue? Stupid Ignorance must envelope the multitude ; the sense of sin and guilt be obliterated; the sanction to all laws be only the terror of
*Jer. V. 3. fIsa, IX. 13. #Chap. 1. 5.
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punishments ; the civil government become a set of herdsmen, and their subjects next to a flock of brates : For what would such as knew no law of God regard the law of man? What wild tumult and disorder would soon seize the body politick ?- As then the publick worship of a Supreme Being is reasonable and necessary, so ought the time to be appropriated . for that purpose, to be esteemed sacred. For if the time set apart for the worship of God, is taken up in the pursuits of secular affairs, carnal recreations or indolent idleness, how soon will this publick worship be- come neglected, and the ends of it frustrated? Ilence then it is evident, that the civil government is in duty bound to guard against the profana- tion of a Christian Sabbath, if not from principals of Christianity, at least from their obligations to promote the good of society. And also how unfit and worthless such Magistrates must be, who can see this sacred time profaned with the neglect of the law in their hands. Hence also appears the awful guilt of this nation in their general neglect of that publick homage which is due to our God. Do we wish for the smiles of Providence and the blessings which flow from it; let us conscientiously wait upon God in his publick ordinances; let neither government nor subjects, rich nor poor, esteem themselves excluded from the obligation of this duty to their Creator. No one among us, whose atheistical pro- fanity has induced him to an habitual neglect of this duty, ought to be considered as a true friend to his country, or safe to be entrusted with any of its concerns.
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