USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Paper read before the historical society of Hudson County. 1908 > Part 9
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How many runaways were carried over the Jersey City and Hoboken ferries is not known. It is certain that many of
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the individual operators had passed a thousand fugitives through their care, and that, of something over one hundred thousand slaves who were aided to freedom, more than sixty thousand went through Jersey City. The fact that, as I have said, great secrecy was necessary, and that the movement was carried on after dark, and in covered wagons, prevented the general public from knowing the extent of the business.
The difficulties and dangers to which the small group in Jersey City were exposed can only be imagined now. Often, by the various routes, twenty-five or thirty would reach them in a single night. These had to be provided for with food and shelter, and with transportation; in cold weather, it also meant extra clothing.
John Everett's house became a base of supplies, but his re- sources as well as his ingenuity were frequently taxed to the utmost, in order to provide for his guests. The railroad fare alone sometimes calling for more than a hundred dollars in a single night. But the chain of contributors kept him supplied, though who these contributors were, was not always known even to him.
They are all gone now-these men whose courage and de- votion had no record save in a consciousness of a duty well done; whose belief in a higher law made them defy the written statute, but many a grave in a southern battlefield holds all that remains of their disciples and assistants, for they truly sowed the seed that armed a nation of free men, and led the way to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, and the constitu- tional amendment that forever removed the stigma of Slavery from our country, and made our flag to fly over the homes of the brave, and the land of the free.
The Historical Society of Hudson County.
No. 4.
Organized January 17, 1908.
OFFICERS
President : DANIEL VAN WINKLE.
Vice Presidents : 1st-REV. C. BRETT. 2d-JOHN W. HECK.
Treasurer : NELSON J. H. EDGE.
Librarian : W. H. RICHARDSON.
Corresponding Secretary : Recording Secretary : LOUIS SHERWOOD.
DR. J. C. PARSONS.
Assistant Librarian : EDMUND T. MILLER.
Board of Governors :
ALEXANDER MCLEAN
JOHN J. VOORHEES
M. J. CURRIE
1910 1
DEWITT VAN BUSKIRK DAVID R. DALY
1911
W. J. DAVIS j
W. R. BARRICKLO
DAVID RAMSEY 1912
DR. G. K. DICKINSON BENJ. L. STOWE
VREELAND TOMPKINS J
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vin The Society MAIL 13 1310
anal. K.K aug
HUDSON COUNTY DURING THE REVOLUTION. Paper read before "The Historical Society of Hudson County" by Daniel Van Winkle,
No. 4. Tuesday evening, December 22, 1908.
HE EVENTS that led up to the struggle for Indepen- dence on the part of the Colonists in revolutionary times are too well known to need repetition at this time, except in so far as they relate to local conditions.
In its inception, the most earnest advocates did not con- template a separation from the mother country, but recogniz- ing the injustice with which they were treated by the Home Government, the Colonists asked only the enactment of such laws as would protect them in their rights of property, and government through representation. The unwise and arbitrary action of the Royal Government brought to a culmination a re- sult that was at first scarcely dreamed of. Like many other great events of history "Man's inhumanity to man" developed a condition fraught with far reaching consequences, which re- sulted in the uplift and betterment of mankind.
The Rebellion of the American colonies against the gov- ernment of Great Britain was no sudden uprising, or the spas- modic effort of an inflamed mob because of some fancied injust- ice; but was the result of calm, deliberate judgment after ear- nest and continuous efforts to harmonize the existing differen- ces with the Crown. Throughout all the proceedings of the Council and General Assembly of New Jersey, as well as in the expressions of public speakers in conventions held by the peo- ple, there is found an expressed unwillingness to sever the re- lations between the Colonies and the Mother Country and lam- enting any necessity that would force such action: Yet at the same time the demand for the recognition of their rights, and correction of existing abuses, was adhered to with firm deter- mination.
As early as 1768 the following petition and address to the King was adopted by the House of Assembly of N. J. Touch- ing in its pathos, and almost humiliating in its expressions of loyalty, it shows the earnestness of the petitioners, and their aversion to throwing off their allegiance to the Home Govern- ment.
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"We your Majesty's loyal subjects, the representatives of your colony of New Jersey, confiding in Your Majesty's pater- nal affection for your people, humbly implore permission to ap- proach the throne and to present our supplications in behalf of ourselves and our constituents, Your Majesty's faithful and af- flicted subjects.
"Before that happy period in which the Empire of the Brit- ish Dominions was, by favor of Divine Providence, for the feli- city of those Dominions, and of Europe in general established in your illustrious House : our ancestors with the consent of the Crown removed from their native land, then abounding in all blessings-but that perfect security of liberty and that merci- ful spirit of administration which renders your royal family so justly dear to your remotest subjects-ventured with their helpless relatives, through a vast ocean and trusted themselves with their tender companions, to the inhospitable and unknown wilderness of this New World, the horrors of which no consid- eration could render tolerable, but the prospect of enjoying here that complete freedom which Britains never thought could be purchased at too great a price.
"The subjects thus emigrating, brought with them as in- herent in their persons, all the rights and liberties of natural born subjects within the parent State. In consequence of these, a government was formed under which they have been as con- stantly exercised and enjoyed by the inhabitants, and repeat- edly and solemnly recognized and confirmed by your Royal predecessors and the Legislature of Great Britain.
"One of these rights and liberties vested in the people of this colony, is the privilege of being exempt from any taxation but such as is imposed on them by themselves, or by their rep- resentatives, and this they esteem so invaluable that they are fully persuaded no other can exist without it. Your Majesty's signal distinction is, that you reign over freemen : and your pe- culiar glory, that you reign in such a manner that your subjects, the disposers of their own property, are ready and willing when- ever your service calls upon them, with lives and fortunes, to assert your cause"
"We bescech Your Majesty to do them the justice to be- lieve, that they can never fail on any future occasion to demon- strate their devotion to Your Majesty, nor that they can resign without unutterable shame and grief, the honor and satisfaction
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of voluntarily and cheerfully expressing in the strongest manner their circumstances will admit, their unfeigned affection to Your Majesty's person, their distinguished duty to your government, and their inflexible resolution to maintain your authority and defend your Dominion.
"Penetrated with these sentiments, this your people, with the utmost concern and anxiety, observe that duties have been lately imposed on them by Parliament for the sole and express purpose of raising a revenue. This is a taxation upon them from which they conceive the right to be protected by that acknowledged principle of the Constitution : that freemen can- not be legally taxed but by themselves, or by their representa- tives: And that they are represented in Parliament, they not only cannot allow, but are convinced that from their local cir- cumstances they never can be.
"Most Gracious Sovereign. The incessant exertion of your truly royal cares to procure your people a prosperity equal to your love of them, encourages us with all humility to pray that Your Majesty's clemency will be graciously pleased to take into consideration our unhappy circumstances and to afford us such relief as Your Majesty's wisdom shall judge to be most proper."
SIGNED, CORTLANDT SKINNER,
Speaker House of Assembly, N. J., May 6, 1768.
Such were the sentiments of the people of New Jersey many times reiterated, emphasizing continuously their loyalty to their King and asking only guarantee of that liberty and justice, that was of right accorded to every British subject. Notwithstand- ing this temperate attitude, their petitions were successively rejected not only, but new burdens imposed and exacted, until, weary of conciliatory temporizing, demands and threats on the part of the Colonists supplanted remonstrance and petitions. These led to retaliatory measures by Parliament affecting the Colonies, and the Boston Port Act served to hasten their consol- idation.
Gov. Franklin of New Jersey wrote to the Earl of Dart- mouth under date of May 31, 1774: "It is difficult to foresee what will be the consequences of the Boston Port Act. It seems as if the merchants of Philadelphia and New York at their late meeting were inclined to assist or co-operate with those of Bos- ton in some degree. A Congress of members of the several Houses of Assembly has been proposed in order to agree on
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some measures on the present occasion. The Virginia Assem- bly some time ago appointed a committee of correspondence to correspond with all the other Assemblies on the continent, which example has been followed by every other House of Representatives. I was in hopes that the Assembly of this Province would not have gone into the measure, and I took some pains with several of the principal members for that pur- pose, which I had reason to think would have been attended with success. For though they met on the Ioth of November, yet they avoided taking the matter into consideration . . until the 8th of February, and then I believe they would not have gone into it, but that the Assembly of New York had just be- fore resolved to appoint a committee, and they did not choose to appear singular."
In this manner was the real sentiment of the people mis- understood or at least misinterpreted and their temper under- estimated. On the 21st of July following, a Convention of the Committees of the several Counties of New Jersey was held at New Brunswick to nominate delegates to the Congress to be held in the city of Philadelphia. There were seventy-two members present at this Convention, and the following reso- lution was adopted: "That the Inhabitants of this province are and ever have been, firm and unshaken in their loyalty to His Majesty King George III, and that they detest all thoughts of an independence on the Crown of Great Britain. Accord- ingly we do in the most sincere and solemn manner recognize and acknowledge His Majesty."
The people of Bergen, June 25, 1774, adopted the following : "The meeting being deeply affected with the calamitous con- dition of the Inhabitants of Boston, etc.
"Resolve, that we think it our greatest happiness to live under the government of the illustrious House of Hanover" still "we conceive the late acts of Parliament declarative of their rights to impose internal taxes on their subjects of Amer- ica, as manifold encroachments on our national rights and privileges as British subjects, and as inconsistent with the idea of an American Assembly.
"We acknowledge King George III to be our lawful and rightful sovereign, to whom under his royal protection in our fundamental rights and privileges we owe, and will render all due faith and allegiance. We think the several late acts of Par-
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liament for shutting up the Port of Boston-invading the char- ter rights of the Province of Massachusetts Bay-and subjecting supposed offenders to be sent for trial to other colonies, or to Great Britain-the sending over an armed force to carry the same into effect and thereby reducing many thousands of in- nocent and loyal inhabitants to poverty and distress-are not only subversive of the undoubted rights of His Majesty's Am- erican subjects, but also repugnant of the common principles of humanity and justice."
Even at this late date it is readily perceived how repugnant the people were to openly declare a separation from the moth- er country. At the meeting alluded to, delegates to represent N. J. to attend the Continental Congress to be held at the city of Philadelphia on or about the first of the following Septem- ber were appointed for the purpose as stated, "to meet, consult, and advise with the Deputies from the other Colonies and to determine upon all such prudent and lawful measures as may be judged most expedient for the Colonies immediately and unitedly to adopt, in order to obtain relief for an oppressed people and the redress of our general grievances."
A petition to the King was adopted by the Congress at Philadelphia and rejected. News of the affairs at Lexington and Concord were received at New York April 23d, and forward- ed at once to Trenton and Philadelphia, and on May 31, 1775, following resolution and circular was adopted in Provincial Congress, and sent to the several counties of N. J.
"In Provincial Congress, Trenton, N. J., June 1, 1775.
Anxiously desirous to promote as far as possible a union among the inhabitants of this Colony, we have thought proper to recommend to them the enclosed association which we desire may be immediately signed by the good people of your town- ship
"We the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the Township of in the County and Province of New Jersey, having long viewed with concern the avowed design of the ministry of Great Britain to raise a revenue in America, be- ing deeply affected with the cruel hostilities already commenced in Massachusetts Bay for carrying that arbitrary design into execution : convinced that the rights and privileges in America depends under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants, do with hearts abhorring slavery and ardently wishing for a re-
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conciliation with our Parent State on constitutional principles : solemnly associate and resolve under the sacred ties of virtue, honor and love to our country, that we will personally, and as far as our influence extends, endeavor to support and carry into execution whatever measures may be recommended by the Continental and Provincial Congress for defending our Consti- tution and preserving the same inviolate," with a further agreement "to support civil officers and observe the directions of the Committee acting according to the Resolutions of the Provincial and Continental Congress."
These were endorsed and adopted by the different townships of N. J.
It is interesting to note here an extract from a letter of the Earl of Dartmouth to Gov. Franklin of N. J., dated June 7, 1775, which explains itself.
"We have received an account through the channel of a private ship sent on purpose, as we conceive, by the Provincial Congress assembled, of a skirmish between a detachment of the King's troops and some rebels in the neighborhood of Bos- ton : this account, as you will readily believe, is made up with a view to create alarm here and answer the ends of faction, but as we have not yet any intelligence from General Gage, I can only say with great satisfaction that it has failed of its object and has had no other effect than to excite that just indignation that every honest man feels, at the measures adopted in North America for supporting by acts of open rebellion a resistance to the laws and authority of this kingdom."
On the 4th of July, 1775, Gov. Franklin wrote to the Earl of Dartmouth from Perth Amboy: "It is reported that a thousand of the New Jersey militia are ordered to march to the city of New York to join the common people now there under the command of one Wooster . .. Ever since the Lexington affair, as Your Lordship will see by the public papers, hostile measures seem to engross the attentions of the whole conti- nent."
In his reply the Earl of Dartmouth states: "In this situa- tion therefore it is the King's firm resolution that the most vigorous efforts should be made, both by sea and land, to re- duce his rebellious subjects to obedience."
Aug. 2, 1775, Gov. Franklin notified the Earl of Dart- mouth of the formal declaration and preparation for carrying
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on war. And on Sept. 5 following, complained that his des- patches were opened at the post office, and that the Provincial Congress, which lately met at Trenton in this Colony, had taken upon themselves the entire command of the militia and ap- pointed officers. That Lord Stirling, though one of His Majes- ty's Council for this Province, has accepted a colonel's com- mission from the Provincial Congress of New Jersey.
A strange infatuation seemed to possess the minds of the English Government and officials. From the present stand- point it would appear as though a judicious and conciliatory policy might have avoided the strife, and after effects, result- ing from the unwise and arbitrary action of the Home Gov- ernment. There seemed to be on their part a stubborn unwill- ingness to realize the actual conditions, and although the Colo- nists repeatedly expressed their loyalty and presented their grievances in a respectful manner, their appeals were unheeded and petitions disregarded. As late as March 28, 1776, Gov. Franklin of New Jersey, even after his arrest by order of Lord Stirling, wrote to Secretary Lord George Germain as follows: "I have been told that a majority of the Provincial Congress, which lately met at Brunswick, appeared to be inclined to adopt an independency should it be recommended by the Continent- al Congress at Philadelphia, but I do not imagine that would be the case with the present members of the New Jersey As- sembly. Notwithstanding it must be allowed that the minds of a great number of the people have been much changed in that respect, since the publication of a most inflammatory pamphlet in which that horrid measure is strongly and artfully recommended."
And yet on this very date the Committee of Safety an- nounced: "Considering the critical situation of the city and province of New York, we do order and resolve that three battalions of militia be drafted out of the militia of this Prov- ince, included in which are from Middlesex 100 men, from Monmouth 140 men, from Essex 220 men, and from Bergen 200 men, forming one of the battalions." On the 29th of June the British fleet appeared at Sandy Hook and shortly after landed the troops on Staten Island. Gen. Howe writes to the Home Government: "We landed on this island to the great joy of a most loyal people, long suffering on that account un- der the oppression of the rebels stationed among them."
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"There is great reason to expect a numerous body of the inhabitants to join the army from New York and the Jerseys and Connecticut."
During these activities the General Congress at Philadel- phia was discussing what John Adams pronounced "The greatest question that will ever be debated in America and as great as ever was, or will be, debated among men," and on the 2nd of July passed unaminously a resolution that "these Colo- nies are and of right ought to be free and independent."
The die was now cast, and although the action of Congress had been feared, as well as anticipated, it was welcomed by the patriots as extinguishing the hopes of those obstructionists who were holding out hopes of a reconciliation as a justification for their inaction and indifference toward the patriot cause. Washington accepted it as ending the perplexing hindrances to military action : because of the prevailing uncertainty, and is- sued an order stating "that this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and soldier to act with fidel- ity and courage."
Meanwhile the British forces were augmenting, and an army of 30, 000 men was gathered in the vicinity of New York.
Events now followed each other with great rapidity. Wash- ington had accepted and assumed command of the Continental Army, troops were being enrolled and organized, and prepara- tions were hastened to resist the expected descent upon New York City by the British fleet. In pursuance of a plan of de- fence determined upon, Lord Stirling was assigned to the com- mand of the forces on the west bank of the Hudson. That part of Hudson County known as Paulus Hook was recognized from its location and conformation to be an important point of vantage. It was a point of upland extending out some distance into the Bay and comprising practically the territory now con- tained within the boundary of Essex Street on the South, Hud- son to Morris on the East, thence irregularly to and along Green to just above the Pennsylvania Railroad, thence in a northwesterly course to about the junction of Warren Street and Newark Avenue, and thence along Warren to Essex, the southerly boundary line.
This section was almost isolated, being separated from the high ground whereon Bergen was located, by deep marsh- es, which were intersected with salt holes and lagoons, and at
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certain stages of the tide was entirely covered with water and at all times difficult to cross. A short distance to the west a sand hill rose from the marsh in the territory now bounded by Barrow, York, Brunswick Streets and Railroad Avenue, while to the North were the hills of Aharsimus, reaching from about Fifth Street to the Erie Railroad, and from Henderson to Cole. In the distance Castle Point at Hoboken loomed up against the horizon, while to the south, Mill Creek Point and Communipaw, with its few boueries, connected with the main land at Bergen by a narrow neck of sand, could be seen.
Lord Stirling, recognizing the importance of holding this territory, determined upon the building of fortifications at Pau- lus Hook and, in order to establish communication with the main land, he proposed a good road from Powles Hook to Brown's Ferry on the Hackensack River, near the present Plank Road bridge, and also one for the northern end of the County from Weehawken to the Hackensack River. To guard against the danger of incursions by the enemy from Staten Island, he suggested that fortifications be erected on Bergen Neck. These suggestions were acted upon, and a portion of the Bergen, Es- sex and Middlesex militia were assigned to the work.
Hugh Mercer of Virginia, a warm friend of Washington, and his associate during the disastrous Braddock campaign, threw in his fortunes with the American army. He was an ardent patriot, a member of the Committee of Safety, and had been instrumental in the organization of the Virginia militia. On the 5th of June Congress granted him the commission of Brigadier General. The flying camp was about being formed in New Jersey, and the Pennsylvania militia was being trans- ferred to that State. Lord Stirling having been transferred to New York, General Washington gave the command to Mercer and ordered him to Paulus Hook to receive and assign the raw troops as they arrived. Mercer entered upon his duties with his accustomed energy, and through frequent consultations with Governor Livingston, who resided at Elizabethtown, con- certed plans to repel the expected invasion. He at once strengthened and improved the fortifications at Paulus Hook, and early became impressed with the necessity of watchfulness over the enemy stationed on Staten Island, because of the fa- cility with which they might from that point, make incursions in New Jersey. He disposed his flying camp to prevent such
action. Redoubts were thrown up on Bergen Neck, on the high ground located at about 45th Street and Avenues B and C in Bayonne. . A fort was here likewise erected, which was maintained throughout the war-although held for only a short time by the American forces-until the evacuation of Paulus Hook. He also stationed guards at the ferries on the Hacken- sack and Passaic, and as the Pennsylvania militia arrived, they were assigned to the post on Bergen Neck.
General Mercer, discovering that aid and information was being freely furnished by the inhabitants of Bergen to the British forces on Staten Island, stationed a force at Bergen Point and issued orders that no intercourse should be held be- tween these points, but the temptation to turn their farm pro- duce and provision, into golden crowns led many to disregard these orders, and as opportunity offered the sturdy burghers under cover of the night, continued their nefarious traffic re- gardless of the penalties threatened. Candor compels us to admit, that in the old township of Bergen there were extreme- ly few who so deeply sympathized with the patriot cause as to forego the opportunities for personal advantage. Nor was this lukewarmness and disloyal sentiment confined to our locality, for Washington wrote: "The known disaffection of the people of Amboy and the treachery of those on Staten Island, who after the fairest professions have shown themselves our most inveterate enemies, have induced me to give directions that all persons of known enmity and doubtful character should be re- moved from those places," and Governor Livingston stigma- tizes his own neighbors as being composed of "unknown, un- recommended strangers, guilty-looking Tories, and very knavish Whigs." This disloyalty was at the inception of the war one of the greatest difficulties confronting the Patriot army, for every contemplated movement was in danger of being revealed to the enemy, unless carefully concealed.
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