USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. V > Part 19
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2. I add, a due regard for the duties required in the moral law. These are founded in the relation moral agents bear to their Creator, and mutually to each other as members of society ; and therefore is a sense of them coeval with, and inseparable from, the exercise of reason. Of course, a disregard of such laws, a negleet of such duty, must be highly offensive to our Creator, and subversive of the happiness and sweets of society. Pagans, from the meer dictates of conscience and reason, have acknowledged these truths. . A divine revalation has afforded us the clearest views of them : There we find temporal blessings heaped
upon nations morally virtuous : There we discover the most awful calamities threatened, and executed, on nations for their trampling, with impunity, on the moral commands of God. And indeed, here the sin brings its own punishment with it. View the debauchee ; while he wallows in all excess of riot, drunkenness, cursing, swearing, lewdness, &c., while he may yet enjoy wealth, can be enjoy himself, or be of any real advantage to civil society? The covetous oppressor may amass gold, but will his conscience and the frame of his mind permit him to find any true satisfaction in what he thus acquires? While the uncharitable wretch exposes his neighbour to many inconveniences and hardships, providential retaliations often make him sigh and groan. Hence wa ought to be sensible of the vast importance of moral obedience to the welfare of this our new empire. I fear, if immorality should ad- vance as it has commenced, this nation will sink under the weight of it. Let therefore every citizen, whatever his opinions may be with respect to religion, in his respective station by word and example en- deavour to promote moral virtue. If Justices would bestow half of the labour and trouble upon putting the laws against profanity in exe- cution they do upon the paltry trials of disputes among neighbours, they would do their country infinite service.
3. Another national duty I conceive to be, the appointment of proper persons to the reins of government. By proper persons, I mean here, not only such as may be officially qualified for the duties of their ap- pointment, but moreover such as are of a moral good character. What amazing influence the moral conduct of persons in authority has, at all times, upon the community, is obvious to every observant mind. And as the free citizens of America have directly or indirectly the appointment of officers to the civil government, the whole become of course more exposed to the displeasure of God, on account of their neglect in this respect. For in such appointments the community must become accomplices to the aggrevated sins of their exalted stations : and therefore may God, the more justly, punish them by such rulers ; and in permitting such examples to debauch the community, in righteous-
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ness punish the nation with various calamities for its general de- pravity. On this account it has afforded me pleasure, that some of the atheistical scoffers of God and things sacred, whose presence dis- honoured our councils, have been deprived of their honourable seats. And for the same reason I entreat my fellow-citizens, as they regard the welfare of themselves and dearest posterity, to be cautious in their elections, and not commit and entrust their liberities, property, and the importance of good civil government, to debanchees, or persons of immoral and irreligious characters. Let therefore our honourable representatives also well consider these consequences in the appoint- ment of all the officers their constituents have committed to them.
4. The last general duty I shall mention under this head is, that every citizen endeavour sincerely to comply with such religious prin- cipals and duties as he professes to beliere our Creator requires of him, All men are not, nor indeed can be, in this state of imperfection, of one opinion as to the modes or manner of worshipping and serving God. But as we. in the main, are professed protestants, we agree in the funda- mentals of that holy religion which condemns as abominable the sin of hypocrisy : and declares that we have to deal with a searcher of hearts and a trier of the reins of the children of men. Therefore, if we profess to believe that our good works can and must procure the favour of God, let such be sincere and endeavour to excel in them : For if they can thus procure his favour, and still refuse to do it, how inexcusable must their guilt be? and how high the affront to Supreme Majesty ?- If we profess to believe it must and can only be obtained by free grace, through the merits of; a crucified Saviour, we also pro- fess that this grace ought not to be abused to licentiousness ; and those who do, deserve aggravated punishment. Does it not then become such to improve this grace, freely offered, for the curbing vice, and the pro- motion of religion and virtue? and so each one to adorn his profession with an holy conversation? And are not the virtuous of every per- suasion bound by the principals of their own persuasion to seek, by prayer, supplications, and an exemplary conduct, the welfare of the na- tion where they find protection of their property and the exercise of their religion without controul?
Upon the whole, in viewing the present state of our national affairs, nothing appears so gloomy and, alarming as the ungrateful return this people has made, and is making, to a kind and indulgent God. Our secular affairs are putting on an agreeable prospect, they seem to prom- ise fair for a happy deliverance from our most pressing difficulties. But, alas ! what may all this avail? If our sins should again bring the frowns of superintending providence upon us? How soon may that blast our most pleasing hopes, and cast us into a labyrinth of unforeseen difficulties and distresses ?- Let us therefore be entreated by the calls of heaven to us revealed in his sacred word; by his kind and indulgent providences in our favour ; by the justice and. goodness of the cause we are engaged to defend ; by the sacred ties of care and ro- gard for the welfare of ourselves, our children, and generations yet un- born ; to be sincerely engaged in removing and preventing every cause of offense to the Supreme Arbiter of the world. Ye Ministers, to whom the dispensation of the oracles of God and the cure of souls is com- mitted, with vigilance and zeal oppose the present torrent of vice. Ye civil rulers, let equity and justice be the chief ingredients of every bill passed into a law ; let helpless and oppressed innocence find you its faithful guardian ; let impartial justice be dispensed at every tribunal ; let the civil sword committed to you ba a terror to evildoers, and a comfort to those who do well. Ye heads of families, regard the education and morals of those committed to your charge: You, above all others, have the oppertunities of curbing vice, and the promotion of virtue. Young and tender minds are committed to your tuition and discipline ; let, therefore, your advice, instruction, care and example, lead them in the paths of religion and virtue. Remember they are to succeed others as members in church and state. Were we a reformed people, I am per- suaded we would soon be a happy people; which is the sincere wish of Jan. 25, 1781. A TRUE PATRIOT.
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, ESQUIRE,
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief in and over the state of New-Jersey, and territories thereunto belonging, Chan- cellor and Ordinary in the same :
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas the United States in Congress assembled, by their Procla- mation, bearing date the twentieth day of March, reciting that "at all times it is our duty to acknowledge the over-ruling providence of the Great Governor of the universe, and devoutly to implore his divine favour and protection : But in the hour of calamity and im- pending danger, when by fire and the sword, by the savages of the wilderness, and by our own domestics, a vindictive enemy persues a war of rapine and devastation with unrelenting fury, we are peculiarly excited with true penitence of heart to prostrate ourselves before our great Creator, and fervently to supplicate his gracious interposition for our deliverance."
Did Therefore earnestly recommend, "That Thursday, the Third Day of May next, may be observed as a day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; that we may with united hearts confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and by sincere repentence and amendment of life appease his righteous displeasure, and through the merits of our blessed Saviour obtain pardon and forgiveness: That it may please him to inspire our rulers with wisdom and incorruptible integrity, and to direct and prosper their councils; to inspire all our citizens with a fervent and disinterested love of their country, and to preserve and strengthen their union; to turn the hearts of the disaffected, or to frustrate their devices; to regard with divine compassion our friends in captivity, affliction, and distress ; to comfort and releive them under their sufferings, and to change their mourning into grateful songs of triumph : That it may please him to bless our ally, and to render the connection formed between these United States and his kingdom a mutual and lasting benefit to both nations; to animate our officers and forces by sea and land with invincible forti- tude, and to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown our joint endeavours for terminating the calamities of war with victory, and success: That the blessings of peace and liberty may be established on an honourable and permanent basis, and trans- mitted inviolate to the latest posterity: That it may please him to prosper our husbandry and commerce, and to bless us with health and plenty : That it may please him to bless all schools and seminaries of learning, and to grant that truth, justice and benevolence, and pure and undefiled religion may universally prevail."
And did thereby further recommend "to all the people of these states to assemble for publick worship, and abstain from labour on the said day."
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I have therefore thought fit, by and with the advice of the Honour- able the Privy Council of this state, in pursuance of the said Procla- mation, as well as from a deep sense of the pious duty thereby recom- mended, to appoint Thursday, the said third day of May next, to be observed as a day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer throughout this state, in the manner, and for the purposes in the said Procla- mation mentioned ; and do hereby recommend it to the Ministers of the Gospel of every denomination in this state to perform divine service, and to the people committed to their charge to attend on public worship on the said day, and to abstain thereon from all servile labour and recreations inconsistent with the duties and solemnity thereof.
Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Trenton, this twenty-eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and in the fifth of the Independence of the United States of America.
WIL. LIVINGSTON.
By Ilis Excellency's command,
BOWES REED, Sec'ry.
GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.
We hear, that the Honourable the Congress of the United States have agreed to recommend to each of the States immediately to sus- pend or repeal all tender laws, from a conviction of their injurious effects, not only upon our paper money itself, but upon the agriculture, commerce and morals of our country.
On Sunday, the 18th. inst. departed this life, after a long continued illness, the Reverend John Brainerd, Pastor of the Presbyterian church at Deerfield, New-Jersey, in the 62d year of his age; and on the Wed- nesday following, his remains, attended by the neighboring Ministers and a numerous concourse of people, after a discourse, well adapted to the occasion, had been delivered by the Rev. Dr. Sproat, of Phila- delphia, were interred.
The memory of this exemplary worthy man of God, needs no eulogium-it will long be endeared by all who had the happiness of an acquaintance with him, in the various relations he sustained.
Let it therefore suffice to say, that for many years he was a most laborious Missionary among the Indians-an eminently useful Trustee of New-Jersey College,-he excelled in recommending religion in pri- vate conversation-was distinguished for his punctuality and Catholic spirit-a most tender husband, an affectionate father, a kind master, and a generous sincere friend.
He died with great calmness and serenity of spirit, in sweet and certain hopes of eternal glory, greatly lamented by many people of various denominations.
"Blessed are the dead. that die in the Lord."
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TRENTON, APRIL 4.
Thursday last a party of the enemy from New-York attempted to carry off the Honourable Josiah Hornblower, Esq. Speaker of the Assembly of this state .- They were in the habit of peasants, and personated Jersey militia. In this manner they came to the ferry nearly opposite his house in Essex county, and called for the boat, which was carried over to them, the people not suspecting their villainy. The ferryman, on his arrival, observed G. R. on their car- touch boxes, and therefore on his return with some address, let the boat fall down stream with the tide, in order to give a hint to Mr. Hornblower's family that all was not right. This had the desired effect ; Mr. Hornblower escaped out of the back door a few minuits prior to their coming in at the front. Two of the villains pursued him and were taken, the others got off, after making Mr. Hornblower's son-in-law, Mr. Cape, prisoner-Who has since returned on parole. 1
The last Post from Morris-Town brought no Eastern Papers, the rider having been made prisoner by the tories, as is supposed, in the Clove, and carried off to New-York with the mail.
Whereas at a late arbitration held between Nicholas Egbert of the one part, and David Cock of the other, both of Readington, con- cerning a black mare; it was asserted to the arbitrators and before a large number of spectators, that George Alexander, of Flemington, had sold said mare to Nicholas Egbert, of Readington, for the sum of Fourteen Pounds, and that said Alexander had said he could take his oath of it: These are to certify to whom it may concern, that the subscriber did buy the mare of Joseph Smith, nailer, of Flemington, for Twenty Pounds, and is able to prove it by good evidence.
NICHOLAS EGBERT.
Readington, March 22, 1781.
SPELLING-BOOKS
By the Thousand, Dozen or Single, To Be Sold, At the Printing-Office in Trenton, Also, The Laws of the last Sitting.
TO BE SOLD.
For any current Money.
A Negro Man and Woman with two Children, one a girl two years old; the other a boy on the breast. They will be sold cheap to any person who will take the family. The only cause of selling them is the owner's wanting to lessen his family. For terms and particulars apply to Mr. Abraham Hunt, Trenton, or the owner at Bowhill farm, Nottingham township, Burlington county.
RANDLE MITCHELL.
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WHEAT.
A quantity of good merchantable Wheat is wanted; for which ready money will be given. Inquire of the Printer.
By the United States in Congress assembled. A PROCLAMATION.
[ For this Proclamation appointing Thursday, May 3, "as a day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer," see Journals of Congress under date of March 12, 1781. |
From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 172, April 11, 1781.
Number II
Mr. Collins,
In my former number I have endeavoured to prescribe some remedies against the procuring or meritorious cause of our disease; will now presume to offer some against the efficient cause. In No. III of my former essays I have laboured to show that the chief was the depreciated state of our currency, with the different authors and causes of it. It has afforded me much pleasure to see the several remedies, prescribed for its cure, applied in succession, with encouraging success .- Commis. sions on purchases of the Quarter-Masters and Commissary departments have ceased-Those departments called to regular settlements of accounts -Laws enacted against forestalling .-- Calls by Taxes made on the citizens for the support of the war, the money press stopped-Resolves and laws passed, for sinking the enormous sum of continental money, at its current value ; and to supply its place by new emissions, on proper and safe funds for the support of its value .- Let the honest among those who have the management of our publiek affairs now say whether their pros- peet of carrying on the contest is not much more encouraging (notwith- standing the yet remaining difficulties) than it was a year and half ago? Though my former lucubrations exposed me to insult and abuse; yet I felt happy, in a consciousness of my sincere and honest pursuits of my country's welfare ; and now feel an additional happiness, in seeing the main of my sentiments, then delivered, justified by the publiek and general conduct of the United States. Beholding thus my dear native country emerge from the labyrinth of ruin, how can I forbear interesting myself in her future preservation and welfare? I therefore hope my fellow- citizens will indulge me in offering some important remedies against a relapse into the same, or a worse catastrophe, which I shall endeavor to do, with like liberty and candor. These preservatory remedies I shall reduce to the following heads.
1. Let every friend to his country erert himself to prevent the deprecia- tion of the new currency. The necessity of this is so well attested, that it requires no farther proof. This remedy is the more urgent, as numerous enemies will be again employed for the base purpose of depreciation, Government has made use of probable means to prevent it, and give the new emissions a ready circulation. . But former losses, particularly on outstanding debts and distant payments, have so intimidated the com- munity, that probably necessary precaution will deter them from any trust, unless it be unavoidable. I submit it to the wisdom of the Legislature, whether an additional clause, that if the money should again depreciate against all our efforts, that in such case the debtor should be obliged to pay the true value at the time of contraction, would not, in some measure, remove this difficulty, and prove a bar against depreciators, who have found it greatly to their Interest, In paying off debts with a small part of its true value. If any such or a similar remedy cannot provide, we must bear this inconvenience till our money has again es. tablished its credit. Much will depend upon the due execution of the
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laus. I therefore wish to see the example of some counties in New- Jersey, imitated by all others, namely, that some prudent and judicious gentlemen, of approved attachment to their country, associate for these purposes ; and, agreeable to their pledged honour, to promote, without favour or affection, the due execution of such salutary laws. Such aids, added to the small quantity which is to be in circulation ; the pledged faith of the different states to redeem it at the price of gold and silver ; the Interest it bears, which will induce the holders, in case it should be undervalued, to preserve it until so redeemed, which will still diminish the quantity, and again force an appreciation ; I say, all these together, afford a well founded prospect, of the preservation of its value. It is undoubtedly the interest of every citizen, not devoted to the detestable business of speculation, to preserve the value of the new emissions. lat. therefore, every one freely part with what is needed and he can spare, at the current market price. Some may reply, tories who have only sold for hard cash, have been gainers. I answer, if whigs had not been so much intoxicated with a love for great quantities of continental, forles had never been such gainers.
I foresee the greatest danger from the gentlemen merchants and trad- ers. The cramped and dangerous situation of the American trade, affords them so great an opportunity for extortion. Few of our ports are open, ind therefore a vast extent of country must resort to them. Those from a distance must be supplied, let the price be what it may, so the extortionate price, becomes the current. Those of one state must be sup- plied at the port of another. The money of this state is no legal tender there; nor are the laws of this against the depreciation, in force there. Perhaps the only remedy against these dangers may be. Let us resolve, and put our resolution into execution, to buy nothing but what is a necessary convenience of life, and be as frugal as possible in the use of that, leave all the rest in their stores .. This would soon teach the extravagant, frugality ; make the extortioner court custom : and save millions to our distressed country. And if the merchants of those ports, by frivolous pretences, should begin to under-value the money of neighbor- Ing states, then it will behove those Legislatures to provide effectual remedies. Per example, those of New-Jersey might effectually provide for itself and the state of New-York. Her harbours are full as com- modious and advantageous as those of Philadelphia, in such case she ought at all events, to procure her necessary importations, and prevent as much as possible, any intercourse with those merchants.
Another danger is, the foreign traders bring more valuable cargoes, and as the articles for their return, are more scarce than heretofore, more bulky and of less price, these gentlemen, generally keep a balance of our eurraney in their hands: rather than entrust it to the care of others or take it with them, they will give more than the current exchange. This immediately becomes a precedent to others. Though it is not to be supposed, that foreign merchants would choose to suffer personal in- convenience or loss, for the sake of our publick advantage; yet these gentlemen, while here, must be subject to our laws, and ought in no wise to be skreened from punishment, in a matter of such importance to the United States.
Here, my fellow countrymen, is one of our greatest dangers. O! that we might become wise, espy our danger, and prevent it while in our power.
2. Another such remedy I conceive to be, that all our publick measures are so conducted, as to deprive our enemies, as much as possible, of all hopes of conquest. This might spare millions of money, and oceans of blood ; the inseparable concomitants of the long continuance of war. . On this subject our most serious attention ought to be drawn.
1. To the Army. It seems evident, that every nerve should be exerted, to fill the respective corps by inlistments during the war, to their full complement. Inlistments for short periods, creates an enormous expense ; -fills the lines continelly with raw and undisciplined troops ; - and leaves the commander in chief frequently in sad delemmas. Such cir- cumstances feed our enemies with sanguine hopes, that they will sooner
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or later prove our ruin. Also every precaution should be used to prevent all wellfounded and just causes of murmurs and complaints in the army. No promise or engagement should be made to it, but what was possible to perform, and punctually accomplished. I conceive it as a matter of importance to proper military discipline, that officers treat their soldiers with the strictest justice and humanity ; this undoubtedly affords energy to the execution of martial law, and creates reverence and respect instead of hatred and malice mixed with slavish fear .- The late discontents in our army, have undoubtedly afforded our enemies additional hopes of its dissolution, and of course, an easy conquest. I hope such disagreeable experience will teach prudence for the future.
2. No less than the army does the accomplishment of our solemn con- sideration demand our most serious attention. The unaccountable delay of this important matter, may one day prove of fatal disadvantage to the nation : and our enemies probably recollect the fate of the seventeen United Provinces, in their struggles for Liberty with Spain; when the intrigues of that then court found ways and means to draw ten of them from the union, and again subject to slavery and insupportable miseries. And when the height of debates, concerning the interest and advantage of particular provinces, infected the remaining seven to such a degree, as caused insufferable loss and eminent danger to the whole nation- When ever the heroick Prince of Orange was almost drove to despair, and offered to resign his command and retire. To such extremes did paltry views of particular interests reduce such a people, and the dis- tressing, though the strongest and clearest motives of self preservation, urged them to the solemn and indissoluble confederation ; which, forever after, has proved the impregnable bulwark to that republiek .- And must the same bitter root of particular interest produce such destruction to us? The unjust claims of one state, obstinately maintained, may cost that dear, and cause the others to partake of the bitter cup, It is possible, that, while danger lays at every door, members of one state can persevere in a claim at such dreadful hazard; which, if obtained, would unavold- ably cause it to sink under the weight of its own burthen. I wish the accomplishment of this Important matter may suffer no longer delay, as a buoy to the sinking hopes of our enemies. Add to this,
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