USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. V > Part 23
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In the hour of their insolence, the throne of England had been la vain besieged by your supplications. Offers were now made on their part and rejected, infinitely more favourable to America, than had ever been proposed to her. These offers came too late. Your representa- tives in Congress had resolved to break the political bands which had connected you with England, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station, to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitled you. And for the support of that declaration had pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honour.
Other insuperable objections presented themselves against the accept. anee of the offers of Great-Britain. The most solemn engagements had been entered into by treaty with the King of France, that neither of the contracting parties should conclude either truce or peace with her, without the formal consent of the other; and they had mutually en- gaged not to lay down their arms, until the independence of the United States, which is declared to be the essential and direct end of the alll. ance, should be secured. The two contracting parties likewise engage "to make all the efforts in their power, against their common enemy, In order to attain the end proposed."
It is not my intention to touch upon the cabals and party disputes, with which this country has been distracted, both in and out of Con- gress, which have retarded our exertions. I pass over them with silence and with sorrow. They are to be lamented by us all; and it is the in- terest of all, that they should be buried in eternal oblivion. I am in. duced to trouble you with this address, to remind you, that the stipula- tions which have just been mentioned are mutual. That you are as solemnly engaged to France, as she is to you, to make all the efforts in the power of each of you, against the common enemy, for the pur- pose of securing the independence of the United-States, and that you have not fulfilled your engagements.
With respect to the army, Congress appear to have done every thing in their power. They are not vested with legislative authority : but whenever their requisitions are made for the public good, they ought punctually to be complied with. They called in proper time upon the different states, for a certain number of men, to be furnished by each of them, in proportion to their respective abilities, for the completion of the federal army. The time for opening the campaign draws very near, and this necessary requisition of Congress has not been fully com- plied with. The reinforcement mentioned by the Count de Rochambeau will probably arrive during the course of next summer.
That general officer informed the Assembly of Rhode-Island, that the corps which he now commands, is only the avant-garde of a greater force expected from France. It is certain that the avant-garde has preceeded the main body by an unusual length of time. Unforeseen circumstances may have occasioned this; there is no doubt however, but the latter will come : And when they do, it will be as uncommon a spectacle as it will be disgraceful to us, to see a body of auxiliaries sent from the distance of three thousand miles, exceeding in number the national troops of the country they are sent to assist.
If you are determined not to make those exertions which are neces- sary for establishing your independence, it is an act of cruelty to suffer the war to be continued any longer. In that case you should instruct your representatives in Congress to send a deputation at once to the Court of France, to inform them of your intentions. They should be told, that the solemn assurances which you gave some time ago, to prose- cute the war with with all possible vigour, even to the sacrifice of your lives, and fortunes, for the accomplishment of your independence, were words without meaning, and that you are sorry you ever made use of them. That it is true the English have used you very ill, that they have destroyed a great number of your bravest and most valuable eltl. zens, have burnt your towns, and let loose the savages of the wlider. ness to murder your women and children, and have committed many other acts of the most atrocious nature. That however your hearts are very tender and disposed to forget and forgive ; and that therefore you beg to be absolved from your engagements with the Court of France,
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· that you may sue for, and receive the pardon and protection from the King of England, which he has been graciously pleased to offer to those wbo truly repent.
Dishonorable and criminal, as this proceeding may appear, it certainly would be less so, than the conduct of several of the Legislatures of this kontinent. These Legislatures are of their own creation, and receive tacir political existence from the breath of your nostrils. It behoves Jou therefore to enter into an immediate examination of your conduct, and to Instruct them on those points wherein they may be found to have Wen negligent or deficient.
CASSIUS.
From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 178, May 23, 1781.
For the NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
There is hardly any thing in the United States that has been the rause of so many publications as the depreciation of our bills of credit, nor has any been attended with such horrid injustice. It must be called the accursed thing; it has already ruined great numbers of the most virtuous citizens of this as well as the other states in the union: In short, the continental money has almost made its exit, being now de- preciated to that degree that I am ashamed to mention it. What is brcome of those piddling polititions that continuelly filled our news papers with their performances in favour of the depreciation of our paper money, pointing out the many advantages we should avail our- wolves of by the depreciation, &c. &c. Since our Legislature has made up the depreciation with great propriety and justice to our army, they Brem ashamed. Let them alone, they have spit their venom and done all the mischief they could, I only wish they had never appeared in print. But, Mr. Printer, the same set of monopolizers, Silents and Dodgers, are endeavouring with all their powers and faculties to act the same tragic scene over again with our state money. The common conversation is, that it is already at two or more for one in hard money, and Indeed in almost every kind of merchandize; and unless our Legis- lature speedily interpose, and by law' put a stop to those gentry, I am really afraid our state money, altho. funded on the most permanent se- curity, will share the same fate of the Continental .- This I apprehend Is an task. Men may be divided into two classes, viz. creditors and debtors ; no depreciation ever did or over will originate with the former. Perhaps you will ask why? The answer is ready, because it is the best Interest of creditors to keep it good. The depreciation of money always did and will originate with debtors for the same reason, because it is their interest to depreciate. Has not the most careless. observer ex- perienced this to be true within the last four years? How many have made fortunes by running in debt, and keeping their creditors out of their money until the depreciation was five or ten times as much as when the debt was contracted, then perhaps pay with one tenth of what the thing purchased sold for? To finally cure this malignant disorder, let a new law be enacted that in case a depreciation should take place, every debtor contracting any debt shall pay up the depreciation which may happen between the time of contracting and the time of paying. This will be a dodge upon the dodgers, and let this be the only tender of our state money. By this means you will make it the interest of debtors as well as creditors to keep the money good ; and surely when it becomes the interest of all men to comply with a law, that law will be carried Into effect. Long arguments are unnecessary, for Interest governs all men. However, I have but little expectation of anything being done effectually until a self-denying ordinance is adopted in all our Legis- latures, supreme and subordinate, excluding every member from holding any post of profit or honour during the time of his being a member in either Congress, Council or Assembly. This was done in a former revolu- tion, and perhaps one as important as that of these United States. The minds of all men are Hable and subject to a blas, and therefore it is
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become necessary in politieks as well as in religion, to lay asside every weight, and the selfinterested views that so easily beset us. The ex. perience of past transactions has taught us (not to mention or hold up to publick view the particular names) that it is now become necessary that every member before he is admitted to his seat, make oath, that he does not, directly or indirectly, hold any post of profit or honour, and that he will not accept of any such post during the time he may continue to be a member ; then and not till then, may we expect our publick affairs will be conducted as they ought to be: then may we - expect a law in favour of doing justice to the widow, the orphen, and the aged, by making up the depreciation to them as well as the army, &c. For how can we look up to the Great Governor of the universe, for his blessing, until our publick measures are so conducted as to coincide with that great command, Do Justice, love Mercy, and walk humbly ! This is the sincere desire and prayer of April 28, 1781. A TRADESMAN OF NEW-JERSEY.
TRENTON, May 30.
The last Chatham papers gives an account of some depredations committed on the 25th. ult. by a party of Indians piloted to the neigh- bourhood of the Minisinks by two tories; but as we have heard no more of it, we flatter ourselves it will prove premature.
The Hon. the General Assembly of this State are now sitting at Princeton, for the despatch of publick business.
At the annual election held on the 2d inst. in the state of Rhode- Island, His Excellency William Greene, Esquire, was re-elected Gov- ernor ; and the lon. William Ellery, Ezekiel Cornell, Daniel Mowry, and James M. Varnum, Esquires, were appointed to represent that state in Congress.
TRENTON AND ELIZABETH-TOWN STAGE.
The subscribers take this method to inform the publick, that they have erected a complete Stage-Waggon to go from this city to Trenton and Elizabeth-town, passing through Bristol: They flatter them- selves that the mode they have taken to complete the journey, with ease and despatch, cannot fail giving satisfaction to those who please to favour them with their custom. The Stage to set off from the Conestogoe-Waggon, in Market-street, between Fourth and Fifth- streets, Philadelphia, every Monday and Thursday mornings, precisely at six o'clock, and to reach Princeton the same day, there to meet another stage, change Passengers, and reach Elizabeth-Town the next day, and so complete the journey in two days.
The Price for each Passenger is Thirty Shillings Specie, or the value in other money, and the same for any Baggage weighing 150 1b. EDWARD YOUNG, and ICHABOD GRUMMOND.
N. B. No run goods to be admitted in this Stage, nor sealed let- ters, unless directed to gentlemen of the army of the United States.
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JOSEPH INSLEE Ilas For Sale, At Pennington, A few Tierces of best Liver Oil, Also, Pepper and Alspice. By the IIundred Weight or less Quantity.
Whereas publick notice was given last year in the Chatham papers, desiring all persons who have any demands against the estate of Sam. F. Parker, deceased, in Woodbridge in the county of Middlesex, on bond, bill or note, to bring them in, therefore I have given you notice once more if you do not bring them in by the last day of June next, or you may depend on being dealt with as the law directs, as I am determined to settle all I have to do with it; and all those who are indebted to the said estate are requested to make payment or expect trouble, and to come to the house where he deceased, to have them settled.
May 3.
ELIAS WINANS, Executor.
From the New Jersey Garette, Vol. IV., No. 179, May 30, 1781.
TRENTON, May 29.
The members of the Whig Society of Somerset will be pleased to recollect, that the society will meet on Friday the 8th. of June at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, at the house of Mr. Mershon, tavern keeper, at Hillsborough. JOIIN TAYLOR, Sec.
TO BE SOLD,
By the subscriber in Crosswicks, a General Assortment of Mer- chandize ; Cedar. Boards and Shingles; also a healthy Negro Girl, about fourteen years old.
JOIIN VAN-EMBURGII. Crosswicks, May 30th, 1781.
EIGHT SILVER DOLLARS REWARD.
Ran away last night from the subscriber, in Middletown township, Bucks county, an Apprentice Lad, named William Worstill, about 19 years of age. 5 feet 6 inches high, light complexion, well-set and full- faced; he is remarkably fond of playing on the fife; by trade a miller : had on and took with him, a light-coloured coat, corded jacket and breeches, a corded coattee, and sundry clothes not known. He went off with one Joseph Gillam, a weaver, and John Twining, a labourer, and it is supposed they are making for New-York. Who- ever will take up said apprentice, and secure him in any gaol, so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges paid by JOSEPH JENKS.
May 26, 1781.
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THIRTY SPANISH MILLED DOLLARS REWARD.
Ran away from the subscriber, about five weeks ago, a Mulatto Fellow, named Jack, about five feet two or three inches high, fair complexion, black bushy hair : Had on when he went away, a drab coloured cloth-coat, leather breeches, a red surtout coat very large for him. Ile is a good tempered fellow when sober, but sulky and quarrelsome in liquor; he is well acquainted with the country, having been two or three times at Boston, and was servant to Dr. Hutchinson when the army were at Valley-forge. He is a good taylor, and probably may be skulking in some part of the country, working at that trade. Whoever takes up said fellow, and delivers him to the subscriber at Philadelphia, or George Davis at Trenton, shall have the above reward; and all persons are forbid harbouring him, as by so doing, they will be prosecuted as the law directs.
ANDREW CALDWELL.
N. B. Said fellow would have been advertized before, but as he had a trick of absenting himself for two or three weeks at a time and returning home, it was thought he might do the same now. May 18.
The publick are informed, that the Continental ferry, at present kept across Delaware river at the lower landing, will be discontinued after the sixth day of June next ensuing; and that attendance will be given at the upper or old ferry below the falls, for transporting the publick across from the seventh day of the aforesaid month of June. Trenton, 30th May, 1781. JOIIN NEILSON, D. Q. M. New-Jersey.
From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 180, June 6, 1781.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, ESQUIRE,
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in in Chief in and over the state of New-Jersey, and territories thereunto belonging, Chancellor and Ordinary in the same.
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, by a certain act of the Legislature of this state, intitled, An Act to amend 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 at Trenton the seventeenth day of November last, it is enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for the Governor and Privy Council, immediately after the passing the said act, and thereafter, from time to time, as often as the same may be thought necessary, to ascertain and declare the general current rate of exchange between the continental cur- rency and specie, as by the said act may more fully appear.
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I have therefore thought fit, by and with the advice of the Hon- ourable the Privy Council of this state, to issue this proclamation, to declare and make known to the citizens of this state, that the said Governor, and Privy Council have, on the day of the date hereof, ascertained and declared, and do hereby ascertain and declare the present exchange between continental currency and specie to be One Hundred and Seventy-Fife for One.
Given under my hand and seal at arms, Princeton, the second day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and in the fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
WIL. LIVINGSTON.
By His Excellency's command,
BOWES REED, Sec'ry. God Save the People.
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A Quantity of WRITING PAPER
To be Sold cheap for Ready Money, at the Printing-office in Trenton.
THREE POUNDS IN GOLD OR SILVER REWARD
Ran away on Sunday night last, the 27th of this instant, from the subscriber living in Newtown Buck's County, Pennsylvania ; a Negro woman named Fann, a short thick wench, about 18 or 19 years of age, very black, thick lips: had on a short gown and petticoat made of linsey, black and white stripes, a large bundle of other cloths for herself and female child, about three years old; it is expected she has been assisted by some negro or mulatto. Whoever takes up and sreures said Negro wench and child, so that her master may have them again, shall receive the above Reward paid by
May 29, 1781. SAMUEL YARDLEY.
FORTY POUNDS HARD MONEY REWARD.
Escaped from the guard at Hillsborough in the county of Somer- set, in the morning of the 30th. of May last, Joseph Brown and Andrew Lintnor; the first formerly went by the name of Joseph Hubbs, is about 35 years of age, six feet high, and of slender make, he has brown hair, and is remarkable for having two spots of white hair on the crown of his head. The second, to wit, Andrew Lintnor, is about five feet six inches high, close well set, brown hair, and about 30 years of age. Whoever apprehends the above persons and delivers them to the subscriber, shall have the above Reward, or one half if only one of them be taken and delivered as aforesaid.
April 1st, 1781. PETER T. SCHENK, Sheriff.
Was taken up a drift in the river Delaware, the 11th of May, ult. a raft of thirty white pine logs about 12 or 13 feet long, and two 36 feet long. Any person or persons proving his or their property,
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and paying charges, may have them again, by applying to the sub- scriber, at Burlington,
BRYEN DOREN.
N. B. If no application is made for them, they will be sold on the 25th instant June.
Strayed or stolen from the subscriber in Trenton, on the 31st of May, a Bay Mare, scarce fourteen hands high, six years old, both hind feet white, a small star in her forehead, short dock and small tail, and some saddle marks. Whoever takes up said mare and de. livers her at Mr. Hunt's store in Trenton, shall receive Four Spanish Milled Dollars, by ROBERT ROBISON.
From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 181, June 13, 1781.
TRENTON, June 13.
On Sunday last arrived at Philadelphia the brig Allday, from Cork, late commanded by Capt. Stewart. She was taken by the Fair Amer- ican privateer, has a valuable cargo of provisions, &c. on board, and sailed from Cork the 28th of March.
Wanted immediately, A BLACKSMITH,
Who understands his business well-to whom good wages and con- stant employment will be given. Enquire of the Printer.
Taken up by the subscriber on Monday the 4th. instant, at Raritan Landing, a brown Horse, about fourteen hands high, a natural pacer, without any artificial mark, about five years old. The owner is re- quested to come and prove property, pay charges and take him away. JOIIN BRAY.
June 11, 1781.
THOMAS LEIPER, Tobaconist,
Ilas removed from Spruce and Water-streets, to the East side of Water-street, the seventh door above Market-street, where he has for Sale, Scotch Snuff and Manufactured Tobacco of the first Quality. Philadelphia, May 26, 1781.
TO BE LET, And may be entered on immediately,
A large and commodious dwelling-house in Bordentown, with stable, chair house, a large garden and pasture lot, all in good repair. - For terms apply to Joseph Carson, in Philadelphia, or Joseph Potts in Bordentown.
Said Potts has for sale, an excellent light waggon, covered with leather, almost new, and a strong two horse waggon.
June 3, 1781.
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From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. IV., No. 182, June 20, 1781.
Number V.
M: Collins,
The several preservatory remedies I have prescribed in the course of my foregoing numbers, I submit to the candid consideration of my @flow.citizens; I hope they will indulge me, when I make bold to add daother, which seems in a natural deduction to follow from the former. $. Let erery citizen freely contribute his proportion of the taxes necessary for the support of the war .- Here I mention a subject of the last im- portance to our political salvation and a matter of uneasiness to some of our citizens (though friends to their country) because not well under- stood ; therefore hope I shall be excused in treating this subject somewhat more fully, in the course of this number.
It is so much the propensity of human nature, rather to preserve present property, than part with it for distant advantages, which they, with the community, in a future day would enjoy, that it too often blinds them, and lays them under a cloud of prejudices, against the clearest and most demonstrative arguments. This I have experienced in my former Incubrations on finance. I therefore beg my candid readers to lay all such prejudices aside ; and impartially consider, what I shall endeavour to offer on this important subject.
1. It is self-evident, that a war cannot be carried on against the rage and fury of a powerful enemy, without expence. Such are we necessarily and unavoidably involved in. Can we then expect to be defended without an army ?- To have an army without pay, provision and clothing ?- To bave the supplies of the army conveyed by extensive land-carriages ?- I way, can we expect to have all this, without proportionate expences? What was the last French war with an insignificant Canada, in com- parison with the present, when we were only as auxiliries to the powerful
empire of Britain? And how many thousand had we then to pay? New-Jersey has paid part of her quota only in the course of this war.
2. Had we military aparatus and a well stocked treasury at the com- meneement of the present contest ?
None. We undertook it without arms ; without ammunition ; without funds. As our cause was just, we appealed to Heaven ; and our civil guides rolled on the virtue of the people, who most sacredly pledged their honour, by a general association, to support the cause of liberty and property (the motto on almost every Liberty-Pole) of the risk of our lives and fortunes. This association I consider as the very foundation . on which the exorbitant demands of Britain were boldly refused ; and a dangerous war entered into, for the preservation of every thing dear and valuable to us in this world, with an humble reliance on the kind interpositions of Providence in our favour. Whither or to whom, then, must our civil rulers look for the necessary supplies in this war? - To us; only to us; free citizens of America, whom the relentless fury of our enemies has not been able 10 Impoverish. We are now as amply able to support the war as when it begun. To us must' they look, who have pledged our word and honour, that our lires and property should be devoted to the support of so glorious a cause. To this has been since added our duty and oaths of allegiance. Do we thus owe allegiance to the state? then we owe that part of our property to it, which is required for its defence. Therefore those, to whom we commit the management of the war, have a right to demand a sufficient supply, to be levied in taxes; and we their con- stituents, lay under the most solemn obligations to pay them.
3. And as much as is sufficient for these valuable purposes (if properly applied) we are able to pay. It is true, many of our citizens have suffered much by the savage depredations of our enemies, but these are not irreparable ; our lands, the source of our abilities, they have not. been able to destroy. The destruction of our superfluous and luxurious wealth, does not disable us to support the war. Let us only act as we ought to do, and all things will go smooth and easy. Let us forbear purchasing thousands of the superfluities, and the less necessaries of
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life, and at the end of the year compare things, whether we are not as healthy, and have been as well fed, and as warmly clothed, as when we had them-Whether, what is so preserved, falls much short of the whole share of our tax? I have tried it, and find what I have thus spared, has been more than double my tax in the course of the present year, and I never have lived, as to the superfluities of life, above my neighbours : Add to this, how much the present circumstances assist la the paying of taxes, Formerly nothing but wheat, and sometimes Indian- corn, beef and pork, at dull markets, could discharge our debts or pay our taxes : Now we have nothing but there is a demand for, either for the support of the army, or a necessary supply to our neighbours, which pays for what we want of them, so that it appears clearly manifest, the man who paid 1.5 tax in the year 1773, towards the sinking fund, if he will be frugal and prudent, may now (being in equal circumstances) pay thirty or forty, without materially injuring himself or family ; and he who will not retrench the superfluities, for the preservation of his liberties and properties, deserves to be distressed for the recovery of his taxes: Add to the foregoing, that the continent allows four and a half dollars for an hundred weight of flour, and all other produce In proportion, which is upon an average double to what it was at the period before mentioned ; and it is highly probable to me, that foreign markets would allow our traders to give higher, if there was a pos. sibility to glut their extortionate appetites. Now, whatever forelgn markets allow more for our produce, is clear gain to us; if these profits were properly distributed, and not embezzled by a few, we would soon experience the advantageous effects. Whatever we raise the price of the produce we sell for the army, eventually proves the disadvantage of the farmers ; but at foreign markets the contrary. If the taxes were collected in the produce of the country, and all the remainder would sell at foreign markets, so as would enable our traders to give double and treble what it formerly was, it is clearly to be seen, how easy the taxes may be paid.
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