USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. V > Part 6
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The peace establishment then will, on an average, be five shillings ster. per head. Whereas was England now to stop, and the war cease, her peace establishment would continue the same as it is now, viz. forty shillings per head; therefore was our taxes necessary for carrying on the war as much per head as hers now is, and the difference to be only whether we should, at the end of the war, pay at the rate of five shillings per head, or forty shillings per head, the case needs no thinking of. But as we can securely defend and keep the country for one third less than what our burden would be if it was conquered, and support the governments afterward, for an eighth of what Britain would levy on us, and could I find a miser whose heart never felt the emotions of a spark of principle, even that man, uninfluenced by every love but the love of money, and capable of no attachment but to his interest, would, and must, from the frugality which governs him, contribute to the defence of the country, or he ceases to be a miser and becomes an ideot. But when we take in with it everything that can ornament mankind; when the line of our interest becomes the line of our happiness; when all that can cheer and animate the heart; when sense of honor, fame, character, at home and abroad, are interwoven not only with the security but the increase of property, there exists not a man in America, unless he be a hired emissary, who does not see that his good is connected with keeping up a sufficient defence.
[The remainder will be inserted in our next.]
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1780] - NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
[No. I.]
To the LEGISLATURE of the State of NEW-JERSEY. GENTLEMEN,
You are now by the free voice of your country chosen to a most Important trust, and permit me to assure you that in the present situation of affairs, you have undertaken a most arduous task, many (perhaps most) of you new to the business of legislation, and the science of government, and in a great meusure unacquainted with the situation and circumstances of the various parts of the state which you are appointed to govern : thus circumstanced, I make no doubt you will accept in a friendly manner, such observations as I may be able to make on the present situation of the state; and if I should go farther, and point out what appears to me the most probable method to extricate us from some of the difficulties under which we at present labor, I hope your candor will excuse me, as my observations will be entitled to your regard no farther than they are supported by reason and your own observation.
Deeply interested as I am in, and penetrated with the distress of my country, I cannot restrain the inclination I feel to contribute my mite to her relief.
Never was a people more unprepared for the prosecution of a war than were the people of this continent at the commencement of the present ; no foreign connections, no arms, no ammunition, no money, nor (being shut out from foreign trade) had we any prospect of procuring it; nevertheless, determined at all risks to be free, we bravely ventured, nothing doubting but that a determined resolution would enable us to surmount every obstacle which could present itself; our internal resources were evidently great, and the spirit of the people was such as rendered it easy to draw them out.
In this situation to supply the exigencies of the times, and furnish the general treasury, until it could be supplied by taxation and other proper methods, Congress fell upon the expedient of emitting bills of credit, on the faith of the United States; an expedient which in sim- ilar cases had been practiced by most of the states with success; at the same time wisely calling on the several states to redeem their proportions of the same at certain fixed periods: But, alas! here we failed ; the several states, instead of securing proper funds for their redemption, left them to mere hazard for support.
The frequent calls on the treasury, in the prosecution of the war, and the backwardness of the several Legislatures to raise money for its supply, made repeated emissions necessary : Congress being but men, and not foreseeing the consequences, nor sufficiently considering with how much more facility they could emit than recall those bills, were perhaps too lavish in their emissions; their purchasers like- wise finding money came free, expended it as freely; the people too finding their pockets stored with cash, which came easily to them, and for which they had little other use (not being inclined to hoard
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it, and no taxes being called for) could not deny themselves the pleasure of possessing whatever they set their hearts upon, be the price what it might. Thus the prices of everything increased in the compound ratio, of the quantity of cash in circulation, and the sus- picion which that increasing quantity (still unfunded) created, that the same would never be fully redeemed, or in other words, the money depreciated in the same proportion. Speculators soon saw the ad- vantage, nor did they fail to make use of it; what they purchased to-day, they could pay for to-morrow with half the value: Thus speculation grew common, and to promote the depreciation became the interest of a considerable part of the community. I am not unaware that many other circumstances have contributed to the de- preciation ; what I have stated, I conceive to be the grand source from which every other spring has taken its rise.
Many designing and some deluded people thought matters went on swimmingly, and would fain persuade us that the depreciation was the most equitable tax that could be laid, that it would collect itself, and not only so, but would in the end wipe off the whole load of debt from the continent; nor would they believe a self-evident truth, that we should first ruin a multitude of worthy individuals, and in the end bankrupt ourselves.
Congress at length, alarmed at the amazing depreciation, and con- vinced from what source it sprang, determined to stop further emis- sions, and repeated their solicitations to the several states, in the most pressing manner, to furnish them with the necessary supplies for carrying on the war. The Legislatures of the several states, probably from various causes, went into motives of Congress very slowly (that of New-Jersey however by far too slowly) the conse- quence of which was, the publick treasury was soon exhausted, and credit was necessarily substituted to cash.
New-Jersey at length awakened to see her true interest, determined on taxation with spirit : but, alas, too late ! the public treasury being exhausted, contracts of every kind were made on credit; to secure the payment of which, certificates were issued from the several offices. -Here New-Jersey becomes the sufferer .- The army, which had al- most from the beginning of the war, lain within this state and its vicinity, was our market, and had till now, rendered money plentier in this state, than perhaps any other in the union (which by the way, pointed out the propriety of taxation during that time) had now a quite contrary effect ; the necessaries furnished to, and services performed for them, instead of procuring the cash, procured nothing but certificates, and while other states, at a greater distance from the scene of action, had it in their option, either to furnish the army or turn their labor and produce into some other channel, more for their present interest. Jersey had no alternative, furnish them we must, or abide the consequence: Nay, the remoter parts of the state, out of compassion to their fellow-subjects in the vicinity of an army in want, could not but furnish them with everything in their power. Thus every part of the state is reduced from its former plenty of cash, to a real scarcity, having little else to shew for the produce of their labour but certificates. This is not only a burden in itself, but
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renders the taxes burdensome .- Had they been laid while the money was plenty, they might have been paid with case; but now that the money is drained from us, they are paid (where at all paid) with difficulty and murmuring, many who have certificates to a considerable amount, being so bare of cash as to be unable to pay, without dispos- ing of something materially injurious to their families.
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This then is the present situation of New-Jersey, drained of sup- plies, drained of cash, over-run with certificates, and burdened with taxes; as a state indebted to the continent, at the same time that the continent is immensely indebted to the individuals which com- pose it.
Perhaps this may be called a dreadful picture, but it is neverthe- less true, nor is there anything in it so very alarming, the people have virtue enough, if our rulers have but wisdom and steadiness, to extricate us from all these difficulties, and make us yet the happiest people under the sun. My next shall convey my idea how this is to be done.
SCIPIO.
TRENTON, OCTOBER 25.
Returns of Members of the Legislature, received since our last.
Sussex. Council. John C. Symms, Esq.
Edmund Martin,
Assembly. Hugh Hughes, Doctor Kenedy,
Esquires.
Essex. Council. James Caldwell, Esq.
Assembly.
Caleb Camp, Josiah Hornblower, Daniel Marsh,
Esquires.
Cumberland. Council. Jonathan Elmer, Esq.
Assembly.
Thomas Ewing, Samuel Ogden, Ladis Walling,
Esquires.
Morris. Council. Silas Condict, Esq. 'William Winds, Assembly. 1 John Carl, Col. Lindsley, S 1 Esquires.
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Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, dated 20th inst.
"Letters from the southward mention a brilliant enter- prize performed at Augusta, in Georgia, by Col. Clarke, of South-Carolina, who took a large quantity of goods and stores deposited there by the enemy.
"A number of troops, said to be between two and three thousand, have just embarked and sailed from New-York, supposed to be bound to Cheaseapeake or Carolina."
Congress have recommended that Thursday the 27th of December, be set apart as a day of thanksgiving and prayer, throughout the United States of America.
"We are informed by gentlemen from Monmouth, that a British fleet, with a considerable number of troops on board, have sailed from the Hook within a few days past, said to be bound to South-Carolina.
JUST PUBLISHED,
By order of CONGRESS,
And to be SOLD by the Printer hereof,
PROCEEDINGS OF A
Board of General Officers, HIeld by Order of His Excellency
GENERAL WASHINGTON, Respecting JOIIN ANDRE,
Adjutant-General of the British Army,
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
September 29, 1780.
To which are Appended,
The several LETTERS which passed to and from New-York on the occasion, &c.
TO BE SOLD,
A GOOD stone house in Trenton, at a corner very suitable for publiek business, being well accommodated with stores, &e., a large garden, and fourteen acres of land within half a mile of the town .- Enquire of the printer.
Fulling-Mill.
The subscriber takes this method to acquaint his old customers and the Publick in general, that he has taken his fulling-mill into his own care, and works in it himself, and shall endeavour to give satisfaction to all who shall favour him with their custom.
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PHILIP GRANDIN.
Lebanon, October 24, 1780.
Elizabeth-Town Stage
THE subscriber hereby informs the PUBLICK, that he has provided a STAGE-WAGGON, commodiously fitted for pas- sengers, and will set out from the sign of the Cross-Keys at the corner of Chestnut and Third streets, in Philadelphia, on every Wednesday and Saturday mornings, precisely at 10 o'clock, and proceed to Princeton ; there meet the stages who have engaged to be there from Elizabeth-Town and Morris-Town, every Thursday at 12 o'clock, and Sunday evenings. The rout of this stage is from the Cross-Keys on Wednesday to Four Lanes End; Thursday morning proceed to Trenton, to the house of Jacob G. Bergen, there
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION." [1780
breakfast; from thence to Princeton, to Col. Jacob Hyer's, and return to Trenton the same evening; from thence next morning by the Four Lanes End to Philadelphia; Satur- day we proceed from Philadelphia to Four Lanes End, Sunday to Trenton by 12 o'clock, from thence to Princeton ; Monday return from Princeton, dine at Trenton, and pro- ceed to the Four Lanes End; Tuesday morning to Phila- delphia.
All passengers, packages, &e., are desired to be at each - place at the above appointed times .- The price for each passenger from Philadelphia to. Princeton is Two Silver Dollars, or the exchange in Continental, and the same for 150 lb. baggage.
The subscriber will purchase goods for gentlemen at as low a rate as may be had, and charge five per cent. for pur- chasing, and will charge only half the aforesaid price for the freight, provided he has not full loads of passengers and baggage; and in case he has, he will procure teams and will carry the goods at the same rate .- All gentle- men and ladies who will please to favour him with their custom, may depend on punctual attendance, and their favours will be gratefully acknowledged by
The Publick's humble servant, GERSHOM JOHNSON.
N. B .-- Philadelphia and Trenton papers may be had of said Johnson.
October 20, 1780.
To be SOLD by the Subscriber,
On Monday, the 6th day of November next, on the premises, at publiek auction, A HOUSE and LOT of LAND, situate in the city of New Brunswick, adjoining the old Presbyterian Meeting-house, and fronting the river Raritan. It is suitable for either merchant or tradesman. The vendue to begin at ten o'clock in fore- noon, when the conditions will be made known by
WILLIAM VANDERILL.
October 20, 1780.
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Stolen,
O UT of the pasture of the subscriber, in the night of the 18th of October instant, two sorrel horses, the largest about fifteen hands and an inch high, has a blaze in his forehead, a grizzled mane, and is branded on the buttock I. R. and is a natural pacer; the other about fifteen hands high, has a star in his forchead, no brand, and is a natural trotter, but will sometimes pace ; both are stout bodied strong built horses. Whoever will secure the thief so that he may be brought to conviction, and bring the horses to the subscriber, shall have a re- ward of Fifteen Pounds current money of New-York, in specie, or Five Pounds, money aforesaid, for each of the horses, exclusive of all reasonable charges paid by JOHN ROMINE.
Bergen County, New Barbadoes, Oct. 21, 1780.
To be SOLD at VENDUE,
On the premises, on Tuesday, the 21st November, at two o'clock afternoon,
A PLANTATION containing about 120 acres, at Rocky-Hill, in Middlesex County, in possession of Black Will, a free Negro, about a mile from the post road; about 30 acres clear, with a log-house, frame barn, an excellent orchard of bearing apple trees. The payment ready money. Any further particulars may be known on the day of sale, of William Coxe.
November 20th, 1780.
TO BE SOLD, A good Milch COW.
Enquire of the Printer. -N. J. Gazelle, Vol. III, No. 148, October 28, 1780.
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CHIATIIAM, October 18.
By vigilance of the inhabitants, the prisoners mentioned in our last to have made their escape from Morris-Town gaol, are all since taken, except cne.
On Sunday last part of the Cork fleet arrived at Sandy- Hook, the remainder being on the coast, were momently expected.
-The New-York Journal, and the General Advertiser, October 30, 1780. No. 1901.
NEW-YORK, Oct. 30.
The following is copied from the New-Jersey Journal of October 25.
Last Friday there was about 2000 of Washington's Army, between Newark and Elizabeth-Town, with one Piece of Cannon only ; and we hear they intended an At- tack upon Staten-Island that Night, but were prevented by some unforeseen Accident.
-The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, October 30, 1780. No. 1515.
THE PUBLIC ARE HEREBY INFORMED,
That the Continental Ferry, across Delaware, at Trenton, is removed from the Upper to the Lower Ferry, of which all persons in public employ, having occasion to pass the said Ferry, are to take notice: Where good Boats and careful Attendance is continued for the con- venience of private Travellers also .- The Pennsylvania Gazelle, November 1, 1780.
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Mountholly, November 1, 1780.
All persons indebted to the estate of Captain James Dillon, late of Mountholly, deceased, are requested to make immediate payment; and all those who have de- mands against said estate are desired to bring in their accounts, within three months from the above date, in order for settlement.
WILLIAM STRETCH, Executor. The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 1, 1780.
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THE CRISIS.
EXTRAORDINARY
(Continued from our last. )
I DO not imagine that an instance can be produced in the world, of a country putting herself to such an amazing charge to con- quer and enslave another as Britain has done. The sum is too great for her to think of with any tolerable degree of temper; and when we consider the burden she sustains as well as the disposition she has shewn, it would be the height of folly in us to suppose that she would not reimburse herself by the most rapid means, had she once more America within her power. With such an oppression of expence, what would an empty conquest be to her? What relief under such circumstances could she derive from a victory without a prize? It was money, it was revenue, she first went to war for, and nothing but that would satisfy her. It is not the nature of avarice to be satisfied with anything else. Every passion that acts upon man- kind has a peculiar mode of operation. Many of them are temporary and fluctuating ; they admit of cessation and variety: But avarice is a fixed uniform passion. It neither abates of its vigour nor changes its object ; and the reason why it does not is founded in the nature of things, for wealth has not a ;ival where avarice is a ruling passion. One beauty may excel another, and extinguish from the mind of a man . the pictured remembrance of a former one: But wealth is the phonix of avarice, and therefore cannot seek a new object, because there is not another in the world.
I now pass on to shew the value of the present taxes, and compare them with the annual expence; but this I shall preface with a few explanatory remarks.
There are two distinct things which make the payment of taxes difficult ; the one is the large and real value of the sum to be paid, and the other is the scarcity of the thing in which the payment is to
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be made; and although these appear to be one and the same, they are in several instances not only different, but the difficulty springs from different causes.
Suppose a tax was to be laid equal to one half of what every man's yearly income is, such a tax could not be paid because the property could not be spared ; and on the other hand, suppose a very trifling tax was laid to be collected in pearls, such a tax likewise could not be paid, because it could not be had. - Now any person may see that these are distinct cases, and the latter of them is a representation of ours.
That the difficulty cannot proceed from the former, that is, from the real value or weight of the tax, is evident at first view to any person who will consider it.
The amount of the quota of taxes for this state for the present year. 1780 (and so in proportion for every other state) is twenty millions of dollars, which at seventy for one is but sixty-four thousand two hundred and eighty pounds three shillings sterling, and on an average is no more than three shillings and five pence sterling per head per annum, men, women and children, or five pence per head per month. Now here is a clear positive fact, that cannot be contradicted, and which proves that the difficulty cannot be in the weight of the tax, for in itself it is a trifle and far from being adequate to our quota of the expense of the war. The quit rents of one penny sterling per acre on only one half the state, come to upwards of fifty thousand pounds, which is almost as much as all the taxes of the present year, and as those quit rents made no part of the taxes then paid, and are now discontinued, the quantity of money drawn for publick service this year, exclusive of the militia fines, which I shall take notice of in the process in this work, is less than what was paid and payable in any year preceeding the revolution, and since the last war; what I mean is that the quit rents and taxes taken together came co a larger sum then than the present taxes without the quit rents do now.
My intention by these arguments and calculations is to place the difficulty to the right cause, and shew that it does not proceed from the weight or worth of the tax, but from the scarcity of the medium in which it is paid; and to illustrate this point still farther, I shall now shew, that if the tax of twenty millions of dollars was of four times the real value it now is or nearly so, which would be about two hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling, and would be our full quota, that this sum would have been raised with more ease, and less felt, than the present sum of only sixty-four thousand two hundred and eighty pounds.
The convenience or inconvenience of paying a tax in money arises from the quantity of money that can be spared out of trade.
When the emissions stopt, the continent was left in possession of two hundred millions of dollars, perhaps as equally dispersed as it was possible for trade to do it. And as no more was to be issued, the rise or fall of prices could neither increase nor diminish the quantity. It therefore remained the same through all the fluctuations of trade and exchange.
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Now had the exchange stood at twenty for one, which was the rate Congress calculated upon when they quoted the states the latter end of last year, trade would have been carried on for nearly four times less money than it is now, and consequently the twenty millions would have been spared with much greater ease, and when collected would have been of almost four times the value they are now. And on the other hand, was the depreciation to be at ninety or one hun- dred for one, the quantity required for trade would be more than at sixty or seventy for one, and though the value of the tax would be less. the difficulty of sparing the money out of trade would be greater. And on these facts and arguments I rest the matter, to prove, that it is not the want of property, but the scarcity of the medium by which the proportion of property for taxation is to be measured out, that makes the embarrassment we lie under .-- There is not money enough, and what is equally as true, the people will not let there be money enough.
While I am on the subject of the currency, I shall offer one remark which will appear true to everybody, and can be accounted for by nobody, which is, that the better the times were, the worse the money grew ; and the worse the times were, the better the money stood. It never depreciated by any advantage obtained by the enemy. The troubles of seventy-six, and the loss of Philadelphia in seventy-seven, made no sensible impression on it, and everyone knows that the surrender of Charlestown did not produce the least alter- ation in the rate of exchange, which for long before, and for more than three months after stood at sixty for one. It seems as if the certainty of its being our own made us careless of its value, and that the most distant thoughts of losing it made us hug it the closer, like something we were loth to part with; or that we depreciate it for our pastime, which, when called to seriousness by the enemy, we leave off to renew again at our leisure .- In short our good luck seem to break us, and our bad make us whole.
Passing on from this digression, I shall now endeavor to bring into one view the several parts I have already stated, and form thereon some propositions, and conclude.
I have placed before the reader, the average tax per head paid by the people in England; which is forty shillings sterling.
And I have shewn the rate on an average per head, which will defray all the expence of the war to us, and support the several gov- ernments without running the country into debt, which is thirteen shillings and four-pence.
I have shewn what the peace establishment may be conducted for, viz. an eighth part of what it would be, if under the government of Britain.
And I have likewise shewn what the average per head of the present taxes are, namely, three shillings and five-pence sterling, or , five-pence per month; and that their whole yearly value in sterling is only sixty-four thousand two hundred and eighty pounds. Whereas our quota to keep the payments equal with the expences, is two hundred and fifty thousand pounds. Consequently there is a de- ficiency of one hundred and eighty-five thousand seven hundred and
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