USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. V > Part 37
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Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
I will order the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. I rely on your wisdom and publick spirit for such supplies as the cir- cumstances of our affairs shall be found to require. Among the many ill consequences which attend the continuation of the present war, I most sincerely regret the additional burthens which it must unavoid- ably bring upon my faithful subjects.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
In the persecution of this great and important contest in which we are engaged, I retain a firm confidence in the protection of Divine Providence, and a perfect conviction of the justice of my cause; and I have no doubt but that by the concurrence and support of my Parli- ment, by the valour of my fleets and armies, and by a vigorous, ani- mated, and united exertion of the faculties and resources of my people, I shall be enabled to restore the blessings of a safe and honourable peace to all my dominion.
The foregoing has been published in New-York, as the Speech of his Britannick Majesty to his Parliament at their meeting in No- rember last. The following comes to us through another chan- nel; and if it was not SPOKEN, perhaps it might as well have been SPOKEN.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
I HAVE thought proper to postpone your meeting till this late season that I might have something certain to lay before you from our col- onies in rebellion. It is now twice three years since we have main- tained a war, with immense glory to our arms, against that deluded people who, notwithstanding all our measures of lenity and forbear- ance, are still the dupes of their designing leaders. I hoped to have congratulated you, at the opening of the session, on having put an intire period to the war, and having utterly erterminated that rebel- lions faction. It is not so-however, I am happy to inform you that my Generals and Admirals have wonderfully supported the glory of the British name in every quarter of the globe.
I have thought it necessary to chastise the insolence of the Dutch Republiek, who have had the assurance to trade to the same parts of the world with the faithful subjects of this realm, and even to trans- port their wares to their own plantations, without my royal consent. My fleets and armies have taken from them the great and fertile
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island of Eustatia; with infinite gallantry and address they came upon it by surprise, pierced to the very top of its rock, and captured the whole garrison, consisting of at least 50 men and much mer- chandise. But the greatness of the victory is even less than the courage and boldness of the enterprise, on the part of my beloved ministry, which hath shewn the petulent world below that we have - no law of nations but what we are pleased to give. My brave Ad- miral, his lady and son, I have thought proper to make all Peers of this realm, for this his gallent exploit, and to endow them with hon- ourable pensions proportioned to their services and their new dignities. But as our ancient and natural enemies, the French, have robbed him of the profits of this expedition, out of which these pensions were to arise, I doubt not but my faithful commons will make provision for these necessary expences, with their usual alacrity.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
On the side of America, tho' the rebellion is not yet extinguished, yet, one other campaign, and the usual exertions of my loving sub- jects, will give us fair hopes. We have effectually confined the rebel armies to their own continent -- they have not been able to advance one foot into the sea, our own victorious troops possessing that ele- ment. An intrepid General, with a chosen' army, has over-run the southern provinces. With great prudence he took his measures before the rebel force could be collected-with undaunted bravery he executed them, marching all alone through many leagues of dismal and fright- ful woods, filled with serpents and wild beasts-and with such im- mense rapidity, that the armed faction could never overtake him till he arrived safe at the side of the sea. There, indeed, I am sorry to inform you, he lost the town of York, with its brave garrison, after a long and most heroic defence. But if, with the assistance of my Par- liament; I shall be able to put another army in the same place in the spring, we shall be just where we were the provinces will have been over-run, and our troops will be in York. The conquest will be the same as it was when, the last summer, this famous city did celebrate it with such loyal applause.
We refer you to the reasonings of our loving and well affected sub- jects in America, to prove that if we had saved his Lordship and his army, it would have been our great advantage; but to have lost them is infinitely a greater advantage .; Therefore, let our courage revive in new and more desperate efforts: But inasmuch as we cannot spare from this our kingdom at home, nor yet buy from Germany men sufficient to establish an army in every county of the rebel provinces ; and inasmuch as one army cannot hold them all at the same time, we recommend it to your serious consideration in this case to make and provide a low-that as, in an ordinary process, the tap of a constable or sheriff is sufficient to make a man a prisoner, so, in this extraor- dinary one, the passing of a body of men through the rebel countries, or even the landing in any part of them, shall be entitled a conquest,
f The King has seen some of Rivington's papers about the beginning of October last.
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aud be sufficient grounds to proceed upon to re-establish our civil gov- ernment and authority there. The way of arms has been found some- what tedious. Let us apply to them the omnipotence of this our Par- liament. Yea, my Lords, why need you fight when you can make laws?
I have next to inform iny faithful Parliament, that the nations of the earth have been vainly attempting to revolt against our sovereign dominion of the sea; and by rebellious combinations stiled neutral confederacies, refusing to acknowledge our undoubted right to regu- late the trade and navigation of the world, though our excellent vivillians have established a mare clausum, and demonstrated our empire on that element, on such clear reasons as no good Englishman can doubt. For as the ocean floweth all round this island, so, vice versa, this island hath a right to flow all round the ocean: And whereas they think to elude our vigilance, and to defraud our treas- ury, our royal wisdom hath thought it expedient to establish custom- house officers and admiralty judges at proper latitudes all over the seas, to put in force against these rebels our excellent maritime juris- prudence in this case provided, for the greater behoof and advantage of the commerce of these kingdoms. Every nation shall confess the authority of our puissant Majesty, or shall feel our power: And I have thoughts of calling the Emperor of China to an account, and of laying an embargo upon the city of Pekin, for not paying our duties upon tea, according to law, to the manifest damage of our treasury, and for not buying their tea from hence, as right would have it, but rebelliously gathering it off their own plantations, to the great loss of our loyal East-India company.
As to the combined fleets of France and Spain, they have not been able to extend themselves farther than the channel. As our victorious armies have kept the rebels from marching across the ocean, abso- Intely restraining them to their own continent, so have our conquer- ing admirals kept these fleets out of the land, and fairly obliged them to confine themselves to the sea.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
The proper estimates for the present year shall be laid before you, and I doubt not but your own fellow feeling in the application of the supplies, will very much help your conception of the necessities of the publiek. You will never let it out of your mind, that the people grow wanton and rebellious, and so the interests of the State suffer under light taxes, according to the doctrine of some of our good counsellors. Therefore, as a wise and gracious king ought to do, let me recom- mend it to you to remember the publick good.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
I shall recommend it to your serious consideration to abolish religion ; we in this real have lived so long, and can live so well without any, that it seems against reason for my people to pay for a thing which they never use, and your own prudence will suggest to you how great a help its revenues will be to the growing expences of our pension list, whither all your eyes are not without reasonable hopes very loyally and lovingly turned. This reverend bench will not
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object to professing as they practice, they shall be the first upon the list, and have the same pensions continued to them for performing the same services which they have done these many years, eating and drinking for themselves, and voting for me. I doubt not, all the world will approve our resolution. For since we have abandoned Christ for Epicurus, the very flourishing state of this empire, and the great success of our arms and councils, sufficiently refute the ancient superstitions of our fathers about proridence and virtue .- My Lords and Gentlemen, we rely on your union and dispatch. Our beloved cousin and treasurer will make known to you our further will.
TO BE SOLD,
By publick vendue, on Saturday the 16th day of March ensuing, if not disposed of by private sale before,
A raluable house and lot of land in Pennington, in the town- ship of Hopewell, and county of Hunterdon, and State of New-Jersey : The house well finished, with four rooms on a flour, and an entry through the whole, with a cellar, and a cistern for rain water that will hold eight hogsheads, within one yard of the kitchen door; a good stable, chair-house and cow-house, &c. The lot contains an half acre of rich fertile land, garden and orchard of good fruit trees; the whole in good repair. Also a lot of five acres of good timber land lying about two and an half miles from the premises. The stand is very convenient for a merchant or tradesman, it being in a place where there has been much business done, and at present is vacant and appears to be a good opening for any one to enter on trade in said place. Any person desirous to purchase the aforesaid, by apply- ing to the subscriber on the premises, may know the terms.
STEPHEN BURROWES.
N. B. As the subscriber purposes leaving the state, requests all persons that have any demands against him to bring in their ac counts, that they may be adjusted, and all persons indebted are desired not to fail coming in by said time to make payment.
Pennington, February 18, 1782.
TO BE SOLD OR LET,
Two valuable plantations, one containing near 400 acres, of which about 100 is wood-land, 50 acres of good tide meadow, and 20 more may be made, all on a branch that runs through the middle of the plantation, and is damed from the river by a short and good bank, which makes a convenient landing that is well situate for business ; there is also on the premises a convenient seat for a saw-mill, about a quarter of a mile from the said landing, a very good orchard con- taining a variety of the best of grafted fruit, a good house, barn, stable, &c. The whole is beautifully situate on the river Delaware, and has a delightful situation for a gentleman's country seat, which may be divided from the farm, if required. The other is in the town- ship. of Shrewsbury, county of Monmouth, containing about 100 acres, with a good house, barn, orchard, &c. Immediate possession
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will be given to both or either places. Payments will be made easy, if security is given. Any person that chuses to treat as above, will be informed the terms, by applying on the first described premises, in the township of Mansfield, between Burlington and Bordentown, by ARTHUR DONALDSON.
Feb. 18, 1782.
WANTED,
A NEGRO WENCH that is a good cook, and that can wash and iron. Apply to the printer.
February 18, 1782.
TO BE SOLD OR LET,
On good terms, and entered on the 25th of March next,
THAT noted stand for business at Nechasackaway Creek, in the town- ship of Alexandria, county of Hunterdon, in the State of New-Jersey, where Mr. John Sherrard has lived seventeen years, and transacted business with great success, being well situated in the heart of a wheat country, on a publick road leading to a ferry in Pennsylvania, not far from the premises, containing one acre of ground. . The buildings thereon are a dwelling house convenient for a family, a large store fifty feet front, adjoining ; cellars under the whole, a. cooper's shop, stables, smoke house, &c. with a good well of water at the door: For particulars apply to the subscriber in Bucks county, in the State of Pennsylvania.
Also to be sold a plantation in the manor of Pennsbury, and a likely negro wench, with a young child.
Feb. 18. 1782.
THO. RICHIE.
The subscriber hereby informs the publick. that he has removed from Princeton, New-Jersey, to Philadelphia, in third street, between Arch and Market streets, to the sign of the Bunch of Grapes, where he in- tends to keep a tavern, or house of entertainment, for all those who please to favour him with their custom; and as he has been in the same business for a number of years in Princeton and Trenton, and has thereby acquired a large acquaintance with a number of gentle- men in New-Jersey and elsewhere, who have been pleased to honour him with their custom. he hopes the continuance of their former favours in this place .-- Ile has excellent good stables for a great number of horses, and means to make it his only business to serve the publick in that way, and their favours will be gratefully acknowledged by their humble servant.
JACOB G. BERGEN.
Philadelphia, Feb. 12, 1782.
N. B. The house lately kept by Jacob Bergen is now kept by Mr. Asher West, of Shrewsbury.
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From the New Jersey Gazette, Vol. V., No. 218, Feb. 27, 1781.
For the New-Jersey Gazette.
His Majesty's most gracious SPEECH to both Houses of Parliament attempted in poetry, by James Helicon, Esq. poet laureat to llis Majesty.
My Lords and Gentlemen, When last we met in Parliament, I plainly told you my intent ; And what my plans of operation, And what the publick situation ;
And that my view, was still my view,
Which was to do, as I would do,
With obstinate determination T' employ the vigour of the nation,
' 'Gainst all the world that should contest My claims to empire east or west, Or my pretensions to the sea, Which every drop belongs to me, As Selden proves in Mare Clausum (Nor could old Grotius come a-cross him) Still persevering in the matter, To fight them all by land or water; For so require from all creation
My Crown, and th' interest of the nation.
To leave one groat beyond th' atlantic, Our wants consider'd, would be frantic ; And till they're thoroughly subjected, All terms of peace must be rejected. But then those cursed imps of France Who first this squabble did commence, Tho' long the rebels stood alone (As oft I've boasted from the Throne) Still take my ships and beat my troops, And Join the insurgents thick as hops ; Prolonging thus this plaguy war And all my peaceful systems mar.
But could I answer what we meant? Or my own aim, or your intent? Or free my kingdom from taxation ? Or ease the burden of the nation ? If to my anxious wish of peace, Or their own temporary case, I should give up the golden view, Of all that trade and revenue Which we expected from subjection ? -
No, it would be so queer an action,
And bring on us so great reflection As would set all the realm on flame And make a by-word of my name.
For North, you know, talk'd strong as mustard How we could eat the rogues like custard ;
And setting thus the mob agig,
It wants some skill to stop their jig Lest they become all over treason'd And seize on North to cut his weasand. You will rejoice and skip like frog That leap the first upon King Log, To hear our triumphs on the main, (Which others say the French obtain)
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And in the east, each brilliant action, Must swell your breasts with satisfaction. I have not this, I own, from Bailey, Nor in such style speaks Hyder Ally, But wheresoe'er my armies go, Destruction must attend the foo, Ard Britons always win the day Or in real. fact, or as we say. Yet as the frog who strove to be An ox, by dint of ensouffle Did blow and swell until he burst on't,
Nor till too late, did know the worst on't,
So I allur'd by loyal stories
To amplify my territories,
( What adverse fate attends the righteous, Wh'en France and Spain and rebels fight us !)
Did send Cornwallis to Virginia,
By length of sword, and charm of guinea,
To try rebellion to subdue
Among the old dominion crew,
For that alone's my peaceful view.
But lack-aday ! my bowels wamble
And you my Lords will quake and tremble
While I recount the dismal story (Alas, alas ! for tory, tory !) How Washington and Rochambeau Did give my fav'rite such a blow (While with his roaring guns de Grasse
Splintered my fleet like shivering glass)
That mangre all his forts and ditches
Ile spoil'd the lining of his breeches ;
And to the allied troops surrender'd
With cas'd, oh cas'd ! the British standard.
Yet I protest before you all (And canon North for witness .call)
That I have spar'd nor thought nor action
To quench this dev'lish insurrection,
Which by the French was first maintain'd,
After it had for three years reign'd ; Or to convince by argument The whole deluded continent. That without yeilding to our sway
They're gone for ever and for aye; Devoted to a thousand curses For not presenting us their purses ; And still I hope to flog them so That they no longer shall say no. But that confounded deadly stroke
Of which, with grief, I just now spoke, Calls very loud for your assistance
To save the next campaign, our distance, And frustrate the designs of Louis Which on my word, my only view is.
In the last session you were told Ilow you might make East-India gold, And with great pleasure did I see Your progress in that chymistry,' Nor need I now each member tell To take again his crucible, And melt and smelt, and puff and blow, Till from the ore the metal flow. Pray recommence the operation Of mining for th' impoverish'd nation ;
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And happ'ly plan how all Indostan Or those who can be most impos'd on, May be persuaded, without battles, To give us all their goods and chattels ; And that the natives cannot be Or rich or happy, great or free, Until each Omra and each Nabob Remits us, every man, his gay cob ;
And, for their own advantage, find us
With all the gold and gems of Indus; To prove that all those tawny races (As plain as nose on a man's face is) May have their chains completely broke By fixing round their necks our yoke.
"Tis true for all this work, so fine O! We want supplies of ready rhino, And I before the commons lay The bill of fare they'll have to pay, Which, tho' it seems a mighty score,
You ought to wonder is no more. All righteous wars such reck'nings bring (Reck'nings regretted by your King) But when you take in contemplation The secret service of the nation, With my own knack at propagation I'm sure you'll think it scarce enough And give as free as men give snuff ; For neither you nor can ourself Pay fleets and armies without pelf ; And he that must to battle call Should doubtless have the wherewithal.
As 'tis the mode on like occasion To mix religion in th' oration, I do rely on Providence,
But place in you more confidence ;
And as my lads are us'd to clubbing,
Tho off' they get a dreadful drubbing,
I hope that ev'ry mother's son
Will to the royal standard run,
("Tis not the standard that's here meant
Which Washington to Congress sent)
And cuff and bruise, and claw and clatter,
And fight like punk by land and water To finish this confounded matter. }
The humble ADDRESS of the Lords and Commons in co-partnership assembled.
Most gracious sovereign. LAike fawning slaves as ever crawl'd We reho back what you have bawe'd ; We thank you for your information, Tho' known before to all the nation ; We'll do and say as you require Most gracious and majestick . sire. We'll stand for ever by the King, And tax and tax like any thing, Be always ready at your call And for the people d m them all.
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TRENTON, Feb. 27.
Extract of a letter from an officer in the Southern army, dated Camden, December 18, 1781.
"I congratulate you on the happy change of our political affairs in this country-the enemy have withdrawn themselves into Charlestown, General Greene is at the Round O-his movement southerly has made them tremble for Savannah, which they have reinforced with 500 men from Charlestown. A tory Colonel and Captain have made their escape, and thrown themselves upon the clemency of their country-the pro- tection-men pour out in shoals from the town, to reap the advantage of the Governor's proclamation-never was a more general military ardour displayed during the war, than at present by the militia of this state .- America, and especially the southern states, can never sufficiently acknowl. edge the services done by that great officer General Greene, who with a mere handful of men has resisted a torrent of difficulties, and rose at length : superior to them all-whilst in the rapidity of his conquest. he has discovered the intrepidity of a Caesar ; in the eguinimity of his mind, he has displayed the disinterested virtue of a Cato. General Sinclair, with the army designed to reinforce General Greene, is at Charlotte, in the state of North Carolina, a few days will complete a junction and give us a vast superiority in this country."
We hear that a vessel is arrived at Baltimore, which brings the agreeable intelligence that Captain Gillan, of the Charles-Town Packet, had arrived at the Havanna, with five very valuable prizes, which he had picked out of the Jamaica fleet.
PURSUANT to the last will and testament of Thomas Stackhouse. late of Bristol township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, deceased, will be exposed for sale, by way of publick vendue, on the premises, the 14th day of 3d month ; a valuable plantation situate in the township aforesaid, adjoining Pennsbury-Manor and lands of John Pemberton. within two miles of a good landing on Delaware river, containing 160 acres, about 100 acres cleared and in good repair, 25 acres of meadow, and near as much more may be made, a large bearing orchard, the fruit noted for making good cyder. There is on said plantation a frame dwelling-house, two rooms on a floor, cellar, kitchen, and a well of good water; also a frame barn, stables, and other convenient out- houses, all in good repair. Due attendance will be given, and con- ditions made known at the time and place of sale by
JOHN BROWN.
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WILL STACKHOUSE,
tors.
TO BE SOLD,
By private sale, and may be entered upon the first day of April ensuing,
A Valuable plantation in the township of Hopewell, where Samuel Baker lately lived, near Pennington, containing 50 acres of land, well watered and timbered, with meadow, and an excellent orchard, a good house, barn, &c. The whole in good repair. For terms apply to Mr.
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John Ketcham, near the premises, or Mr. Isaac Rittenhouse, in the township of Amwell, in the county of Hunterdon, and state of New- Jersey, who will agree on terms, and give an indisputable title for the same.
February 23, 1782.
TO BE SOLD, at publick Vendue,
In Essex county, within 2 miles of Elizabeth-Town, on Monday the first day of April next, at two o'clock in the afternoon, if not disposed of at private sale at any time before,
THE farm of the late Mr. John Clawson, deceased, lying upon the main road towards Brunswick. It contains fifty acres of good land. There is on the premises a large dwelling-house, two stories high, barn, and out-houses, an apple orchard of 200 trees of the best grafted fruit, 15 acres of good meadow land; the whole is well watered. Any person inclining to purchase the above farm, may know the terms by applying to the subscriber on the premises, who will give an in- disputable title.
Feb. 24, 1782.
ANTIIONY CLAWSON.
WANTED, A Journeyman Fuller,
To whom good wages and constant employ (if suitable) will be given by ABRAM. SKIRM.
Nottingham. 224 of 2d Month, 1782.
WHERAS Thomas Pap detains a note of hand from me to him, dated in 1777, illegally : I forbid any person or persons taking an assign- ment on said note, as it will not be accepted by me.
JOEL MIDDLETON.
Crosswicks, Feb. 24, 1782.
TO BE SOLD,
ALL that tract of land or farm formerly belonging to Benjamin Jones, now in the possession of Stephen Dunham, adjoining the stone meeting-house, in the township of Kingwood, and county of Hunter- don, containing two hundred and eighty-three acres of which there is a sufficiency of woodland, and some good meadow, and a conveniency of making more, with a good dwelling-house, barn and orchard; the fences in tolerable good order. For further particulars and terms of sale apply to Anthony White, at the Union Farm, or Nehemiah Dun- ham of said township.
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