USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. V > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
We farther learn, that the truly infamous Arnold, through whom this unfortunate gentleman lost his life, has lodged information against sundry persons in New- York, supposed friendly to our cause; in consequence of which, upwards of fifty of them were imprisoned.
TRENTON, OCTOBER 11.
Extract from the Mercury of France, April 22, 1778.
"Monsieur Gerard, late Secretary of the Council of State, and Minister Plenipotentiary at the United States of America, having been appointed Counsellor of State, has taken the usual oath the 18th instant, which was lodged in the hands of the Lord Keeper of the Seals."
The piece signed Z. having come to hand too late for this week's Gazette, will be inserted in our next.
١٠٠
٣ ١٠٠١٠ 1
37
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
JUST PUBLISHED,
And to be SOLD wholesale and retail, by
ISAAC COLLINS,
At the Printing-Office, in Trenton A neat EDITION of THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Printed on a good type, and good paper.
At the same place may be had Dilworth's Spelling Books, Primers, &c.
A List of Letters remaining in the Post-Office at Tren- ton, October 5, 1780.
F RAZER WILLIAM, Rev. Amwell. Glissan James, near Trenton. Hart Noah, Doctor, New-Jersey. Keasby Anthony, Salem County. Vanhorn Joseph, near Sherrard's-Ferry. B. SMITHI, Post-Master.
A N elegant, fashionable CHARIOT to be sold in New-Brunswick, very reasonable for Hard Money. Enquire of PHILIP FRENCH for the terms. Raritan, October 6, 1780.
1
1
٠٠٠
38
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
N OTICE is hereby given, that a Court of Admiralty will be held for the state of New-Jersey, at the house of Isaac Wood in Mount-Holly, on Friday the tenth day of November next, to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of John Hymes, qui tam, &c., against the schooner Sally, Williams, late master, her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo; and also against Negroes Jack and Rippin, taken on board the said schooner (who say they are the property of some inhab- itant of the state of Virginia, and were taken by certain refugees, who were on board said schooner, lately drove on shore on the coast of New-Jersey, at Peek's-Beach, and since got off.) To the end and intent that the owner or owners of the said vessel, her tackle, apparel, furniture, cargo, and the said Negroes, or any other person interested therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of said bill.
By order of the Judge, JOS. BLOOMFIELD, Register. .
N. B .- At the same time and place will be tried the truth of the facts contained in the libel against sloop Revenge, adjourned over from the last Court of Admiralty. October 5, 1780.
WILLIAM LAWSON,
In New-Brunswick, near the Market-House, has for Sale the following articles, viz.
R ICHI mode of the best kind, black gauze, sewing silk, black lace, white ditto, bonnet papers, blue and brown fagathy, callico, silk handkerchiefs, linen ditto, fine and coarse linens, white thread from No. 17 to 48, coarse and fine camblets, brown sugar, white ditto by
:
1
اليه
1
. !
1 1.
٠
39
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
the quantity or single pound; a large assortment of carth- enware, some large pots and pans. Also fine and coarse combs, mohair, buttons, twist and needles; coffee, choco- late, indigo, alspice, tobacco, snuff, salt, allum, brimstone, copperas, pins, hard soap, shoe buckles, shoes, writing paper, sleeve buttons, pins, several sorts of ribbons, prim- ers, tea, &e., de., &e. All of which will be sold at the lowest prices for cash or country produce.
ROBERT SINGER,
Of Trenton has for Sale,
A NUMBER of good broadcloths of various colours, coatings, dowlas, Russia sheeting, chintzes, silk patterns for gowns, checks; a variety of handker- chiefs, rum, sugar, tea, coffee, pepper, alspice, black and white silk for bonnets, carpets for tables or floors, mens stockings, shoe buckles, and various other things to tedious to mention.
Also, a young NEGRO WOMAN, with her child ten months old.
Two Hundred Dollars Reward.
WAS stolen on the night of the 8th instant, by a per- son who had been at work at the house of the sub- seriber in Amwell, the following articles, viz. one light coloured watch-coat, buttons covered with the same coloured cloth, and under one of the sleeves may be seen the letters W. P. and,is but little worn; one new homespun linen shirt, two pair of trowsers, one almost new; one pair thread stockings, one pillow case. His name supposed to be Edward Price, is an English deserter, about five feet ten inches high, black hair and eyes, brown complexion; had on an old light coloured jacket with red lining, tow trows-
1
40.
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
ers, new shoes, felt hat, and says he is 35 years old. - - Whoever takes up the said thief and secures him in any gaol on the continent, and returns me the goods, shall have the above reward by applying to
WILLIAM POST.
October 9, 1780. -New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. III., No. 146, October 11, " 1780.
NEW-YORK, October 11.
On Saturday morning last the Refugee Post at Bergen Point, under the command of Capt. THOMAS WARD, was attacked by a party of rebel infantry and horse, con- sisting of about 200 men. After receiving a smart fire from the artillery and musquetry of the Refugees, assisted by a cannonade from the gallies, they were forced to re- treat. On the preceding night, as Capt. Frederick Hauser, in the Refugee gunboat was rowing guard, he met near Brown's Ferry, with a detachment of the rebels in five boats, which, it seems were intended for the purpose of making good a retreat for the above mentioned party in case they should happen to be prevented from retreating by the way of Bergen. Upon being hailed, and refusing to give an account of themselves, Captain Hauser immedi- ately fired upon them, when two of the boats struck, in which were made prisoners four of the continental light in- fantry ; the others on board had jump'd ashore, and made their escape. One other boat was sunk, having, it is said, one killed and two wounded left on board by the crew who deserted it, Mr. Charles Homfray with two others and a boy, belonging to the Refugee party, who had landed some time before the Rebels were discovered were taken by some rebel horse; they were immediately pinioned, and other- wise cruelly treated, according to the usual custom of the rebels, when American Loyalists are so unfortunate as to
$1.º
٢٠٠٠٠fit
41
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
fall in their hands, in which cruelties they are likely to per- severe until a full and spirited retaliation shall take place. An inhabitant of Bergen, named Van Waggener, was taken by the Refugees on his return from the rebels. He had gone after reconnoitering the Refugee Post, to give intelli- gence of their situation. It is also said that the rebels have carried off Mr. John Philips, a quiet inhabitant on a sus- picion of his having been friendly to our people.
On Saturday the 30th of last month, died much la- mented, Mrs. GRACE BONNEL, the wife of Isaac Bon- nel, Esq., of Amboy, formerly High Sheriff, of Middlesex in New Jersey, and on Sunday her remains were interred in Trinity church-yard, attended by a numerous and re- spectable company.
-The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1513, October 16, 1780.
For the New-Jersey Gazette.
To Sir HENRY CLINTON.
W IIEN I had the honor to address you on a former occasion, I did not suppose it would have fallen to my part, to have experienced a second time, so singular a distinction. You were then descending from the small degree of eminence you had so difficultly acquired, to mingle your fame with that of your forgotten predecessors. Even your friends beheld you like one of those comets whose faint appearance neither produces fear nor astonishment, and whose course, after a few hours idle curiosity, is only to be seen in the records of the astronomer. The hopes of your flatterers, and the expectations of your enemies, were equally averse from a revival of your reputation. Indolence at one time, parade at another, and a senseless variety of seeming enterprises, half-formed, or terminating without effect, had justly fixed your character, and marked it with that bewildered expression, which it was thought no experience could better. But you have lived to enjoy a triumph over public opinion, and to erect a new fame on the talents of another. With a sub- mission that shews you at least possessed of a certain portion of prudence, you committed the management of your councils to a man of superior abilities. From this moment Mr. Andre became the first minister to his commander, and your affairs felt the influence of such a director. But, Sir Harry, thy sagacity foresaw no evil in his
-
1
1
1
: 1
42
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. - [1780
attempts, nor could his penetration provide against his own ship- wreck. Flattered with the baubles of favouriteism, he gave fresh life to your hopes, and drew you from the closet, where you were sadly anticipating the horrors of sinking authority. What others viewed as impossible, appeared to him as only difficult, and he em- braced your interest from the same passion that made Cæsar a king, and perhaps Brutus an assassin. Such are the errors of ambition, or the madness of elevated minds.
The reduction of Charlestown produced the first change in your character. I will rather suppose that you assumed the command of this expedition from a principle peculiar to men of your spirit, than that the measure was the result of advice. You were sensible that you had not less to fear from the success of another, than from your own mismanagements. To you all victories but your own, brought with them the force of a punishment. And as your com- mission invested you with liberty to act where you pleased in America, you thought this experiment the only one that remained. Ministry feared this, but without limiting your power, they could not guard against your interference. Cornwallis felt the injury, and commenced your enemy, submitted to be a secondary actor, where he should have been the principal, and you succeeded with a force that made it impossible to fail. But the execution of the enterprise, clogged with the characteristics of your character, brought with it consequences you little apprehended. You sat down before a place which you should have carried by assault. With an army of ten thousand men and a competent naval superiority, you invested a town of a large extent, fortified only by sandy entrenchments, raised in two months, without covered way, destitute of outworks, open in several places on the water side, exposed everywhere to an open attack, and defended by a garrison insufficient by one half. To remain forty-tiro days before such a place, with open trenches, and display all the apparel of a regular siege, transfers the whole glory to the garrison. In all this, perhaps, you may have been governed by the rules of prudence, if not of enterprise. But when we con- trast your conduct with that of the American troops, in supporting an incessant fire, subject all the while to the danger of a surprise, and to open attacks, the success of which was almost certain, had you taken proper measures; your very friends. Sir Harry, lose sight of your triumph, in contemplating their firmness and fortitude.
This is the result of your expedition, when stript of the pomp of a long laboured letter, which was to give you a new existence at St. James's, and your ministry a fresh motive for carrying on the war. Any other people but one devoted to punishment from the course of their crimes, knowing the circumstances of your success, would have employed the court to have conditioned for peace. But your nation in pursuing the meteor they have raised, though some new ground was passed over, found themselves no nearer their object. Still they were as children fooled by the amusive figures of a magic lanthorn, and continued vain dupes to the dexterity of their jugglers.
In all courts but that of Great Britain, the capture of Charles-
%
٠٠
٢
٠٠
1
1
43
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
town will have ceased to operate in your favor. The first moment of its impression was yours. The succeeding one a panegyric on America. It was told and talked of by your court and its runners, as if the sudden subduction of at least the Southern States was a natural consequence. In the paroxism of success an elated Ministry, hurried out to the world a gazette extraordinary, to publish your letter where, you speak of Lord. Cornwallis's expected presence on the frontier of North-Carolina, and a small expedition into Cape-Fear river, to favor the revolution you looked for higher up the country." To have made these boastings efficient, they should have been fol- lowed by a second account of cities taken, and provinces subdued. But instead of this, they must read of Vorth-Carolina passing a vote of thanks to Brigadier-General Smallwood, and of Congress pro- moting him to the rank of Major-General for his behaviour in the battle near Cambden, in the state of South Carolina. How will your employers colour their assertions and their own folly, when after such an elapse of time, Cornwallis is so remote from the frontier of North-Carolina. It will not be enough to tell the world. that he gained an advantage where it was led to believe, he had no enemies to oppose. Cornwallis will even lose the honor of a victory, when it is known, that although the American troops were inferior in numbers, they were superior in courage, and that they recovered by the latter what they had lost by the former: Nor after the defection of the militia, did they submit to a retreat, till their enemy were disgraced by their resistance.
But leaving these matters we find you in New-York, returned from your stolen expedition in all the pomp of an Eastern conqueror, swelled with the praises of your parasites, and flattered with the prospect of fresh marks of royal distinction. With such an army as you commanded, you looked forward to an active campaign in this quarter. But prevented from this by the exertions of the States, and confined to your garrison after the engagement at Springfield, you sat down gloomy and disappointed .- You saw the campaign spending itself in abortive perade, when the powers of corruption were called on to close it in eclat.' West-Point was to be the object, and General Arnold its betrayer. From what medium of intelligence you gained a knowledge of his principles, whether you argued from your own heart to his, or received it from himself, we shall leave to the better explanation of time. Nor shall we enquire why one so high in military reputation as Arnold, acquired too under such a splendor of circumstances, as justly entitled him to that rank which he held in Europe, should thus dispose of his fame, and his moral character. For the sake of human nature, it were to be wished that a veil could be thrown over such examples of depravity .- But from time to time, society is disturbed with their appearance .-- In Arnold's situation Cromwell would have acted as Arnold. And could ('live have changed places with Arnold, Clive would have sold America, and Arnold would have exhausted the East-Indies of its
1 *Sir Harry Clinton's letter, dated Charlestown, 4th June, 1780.
1
1780]
:
1.
E
١١٠٠
1.
٠ ٠١٠٠٠٠
·:
1
11:
i!
11 !。
1
44
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
.
wealth, and bribed the British parliament to suffer him to spend a few years in wretchedness and infamy. In these we see the comi- position of certain spirits, which as conjunctures point, are con- sidered as the ornament or the disgrace, the pride or the pestilence of mankind.
By the defection of Arnold America has one enemy less, and you are not sure of one new friend. He that submits to one sale, may be tempted to another. If your nation can be pleased with this purchase, it must lately have experienced a conversion in favor of traitors. And should your army submit to his company, it is no longer at enmity with dishonor, perfidiousness is become sacred, and you must fear for your own safety. Such is the man you have bought, and it were wrong did America envy you his possession. But the exuitation you enjoyed on this occasion was not that of a mo- ment. It was desultory and fugitive as the faint hopes of a dying sinner, whilst the capture of Major Andre, your Adjutant-General, under the circumstances of a spy, and the failure of your scheme, burst upon your head like the discovery of a plot on that of a traitor's .- It was a dagger ready to be plunged into the heart of your enemy, planted in your own .- Were the succeeding hours of your Excellency's life to be burnished with the smiles of your sovereign, they could not repay the distractions that followed .- But they were distractions for yourself, in which Andre had no share. But for this, and had you felt but one pang for his fate, there might have been those who would have even pitied your horrors.
It is not easy, Sir Harry, to estimate the loss you have suffered in Major Andre. Your enemies were not insensible to his worth. Men of genius sympathized with him, and lamented that misguided zeal in the service of his prince, which led to his punishment .- Those who have toiled heretofore to betray the liberties of America, could lye-but he could deceive. Others might display cunning- but he discovered wisdom. The utmost of your efforts was a bribe- but he possessed a power that was superior, that of seduction. His talents were beyond most mens virtue, and he had no enemy but in the field of action. But great abilities have their fluctuations and limits, nor are they at all times of the same temper, his failed him at that point which would have completed his fortune, and created you a fame to which you had no title. It is curious by what little incidents and unforeseen combinations great events are decided. But for three armed peasants of the state of New-York. West-Point and its dependencies would have been at this hour in your possession. For it is not probable with an enemy within, and your army without, that it could have been saved .-- Let this instance of honesty rescue human nature from infamy, and serve as a lesson to mankind. And let the names of Pauling, Van Vert and Williams, who rejected an immense bribe with a grandeur of soul infinitely superior to the baseness with which Arnold received one, be remembered when the trophies of pride and the monuments of false glory are trampled on or neglected.
-
-
1. 1
וגיוי
て
.
1
٠٠
٠٠
45
1780] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.,
Mr. Andre's rank and talents, made his case peculiar. Your army I am told loved him. General Washington's admired him. The latter shed tears at his death, while you, Sir Harry, scarce con- descended to shew the cold formalities of an affected condolence. There remained but this to complete your character, the torpor in which you heard the circumstances of his capture, and your unani- mated efforts to save him. His faithful services surely claimed your utmost interposition ; your own fame required it, and your supposed friendship demanded it from you as a right .- But a vain self- importance filled your heart, and you remained during the suspension of his fate, in all the imagined majesty of your native sullenness. If you were with-held by a punctilio from being more forward, I would not have possessed your place for a kingdom. But policy, (for who will serve you in future) what you owed to Major Andre, (for his abilities supported your character) and the general expecta- tion of your army, dictated every possible expedient in his favor. The very army of your enemy wondered at your total privation of sensibility, and while they complied with the laws and usages of nations, did justice to his magnanimity .- Be my witnesses, said he to them, while I acknowledge the propriety of my sentence, I die like a brave man.
Had you aught of sentiment, Sir Harry, there would be no end to your afflictions. Had you a magnanimity like Andre's, you would at least have sacrified to your commission, could that have preserved his life .- If to be great is to be unfeeling, I ask not for greatness. If to see one's best friend suffer without a tear is characteristic of dignity, give me lowliness. If high stations teach men to believe that the abilities of others were only formed to forward their designs, and that friends should be no longer protected than they are thought to be useful, place me in a cottage and obscurity, and let me forever be secluded from such men .- But, alas! it is the nature of power to attract and deceive, and, perhaps, there is no country without its Clinton.
But I leave yon, Sir Harry, to sullen reflection. Your fame is finished, and I wish not to renew my address.
October 4th, 1780. Z.
PHILADELPHIA, October 10.
Extract of a letter from Camp, Tapan, October 2.
"You have had the particulars of Traitor Arnold's con- duet, before his getting on board the Vulture sloop of war, which lay near Stoney-Point; but his conduct, since he went into New-York, is a still greater proof of his villainy, (if greater villainy was possible). At his arrival with the
٦٠
١١٩,٧ ٢٠٠١
11
1.
1
1.
٠٠٠٠ ٠٠٠١
٫٠
٥
1
£
46
1 NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780
British, he had upwards of fifty of our warmest friends in New-York taken up, and put into dungeons and other places of confinement. But there is a providence attending the unhappy friends to their country, that puts it out of his power to injure them, other than imprisonment .- Such was the precipitate flight he made, to save his neck from the halter, that he had no time to move off a single paper, or any other matter which can be a testimony against those he would otherwise ruin in person and estate. General Robertson came up yesterday to Dobb's Ferry, with a flag, which was soon dismissed, it being of so trite a nature, viz. to entreat his Excellency General Washington, at the re- quest of Sir Harry Clinton, to use lenity to Major Andre- it had the effect to respite him for some hours, as the flag did not return till after five o'clock, which was the hour fixed in general orders for his execution. This day at 12 o'clock it took place, by hanging him by the neck. Per- haps no person (on like cecasion) ever suffered the igno -. minious death, that was more regretted by officers and sol- diers of every rank in our army; or did I ever see any person meet his fate with more fortitude and equal conduct. When he was ordered to mount the waggon under the gal- lows, he replied, "He was ready to die, but wished the mode to have been in some more eligible way, prefering to be shot."* After he opened his shirt collar, fixed the rope, and tied his handkerchief over his eyes, he was asked by the officer commanding the troops, if he wished to say any- thing ? He replied, "I have said all I had to say before, and have only to request the gentlemen present, to bear testimony that I met death as a brave man."
"The flag mentioned to have come out with General Rob- ertson, was received by General Greene and Colonel Ham- ilton ; and what is curious, Arnold sent his resignation, by desire, that General Washington should forward it to Con- gress, with an insolent letter, intimating he never would
*He was dressed in full uniform; and after the execution his serrant domanded his cloathing, which he received. His body was buried near the gallows.
٤٠١ ٠١٠٢
٠١٢٠٢
١٠١٠٠١
!
1
.:
:!
1,4:
47
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1780]
serve Congress any more, nor need they expect it. And moreover, that if Major Andre should be executed by order of General Washington, that he would strike a blow on some of his friends on the Continent, that should suffici- ently retaliate for his loss to his Prince. General Greene, when he read the letter, treated it with contempt, and threw it on the ground, before General Robertson, which he might return to the Traitor, if he thought proper. The hanging of Major Andre, one of the most eminent officers and polite men in the British army, and the second life of Clinton, shews we are not detered by great menaces, but determined to extirpate our enemies one by one, until peace shall be restored to our country."
TRENTON, OCTOBER 18.
On the 7th instant the Honourable the Legislature of this State rose, having completed the 4th Session. During the sitting the following Acts were passed, viz.
1. A supplemental Act to the Act, intitled, An Act for es- tablishing a fund for sinking and redeeming the proportion of the bills of eredit of the United States, assigned as the quota of this State.
2. An .let to enable the several township collectors to recover the monies from constables, by them received for taxes.
3. An Act to amend an Act, intitled, An Act to establish courts in the several counties in this colony for the trial of small causes, and to repeal the former Aet for that pur- pose, and to confirm sundry proceedings of the Justices of the Peace in this State.
4. An Act to confirm a copy of the last will and testa- ment of James Pew, late of the township of Middletown, in the county of Mommouth, and State of New-Jersey.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.