Tenth volume of extracts from American newspapers relating to New Jersey, Part 16

Author: New Jersey Historical Society; Nelson, William, 1847-1914; Honeyman, A. Van Doren (Abraham Van Doren), 1849-1936
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Paterson, N.J. : Call Printing and Publishing
Number of Pages: 606


USA > New Jersey > Tenth volume of extracts from American newspapers relating to New Jersey > Part 16


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I am led into this Train of Thought, on viewing the hard Lot of the poor tawny Africans, whom we have been so unhappy as to deprive and restrain of that Liberty,


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which they once enjoyed under the Gift of Providence. Liberty! which we boast as the Excellency of our Consti- tution. I have somewhere met with the Observation that Bodies Politic, like natural Bodies, carry about them the Seeds of Disorder and Death, and therefore have as great Need of Medicine and a due Regimen to prolong their Existence, and render it easy and happy whilst it con- tinues. I wish we may in Time practice this physical Prudence, lest Slavery should prove to be one of those Evils, that may convulse the Constitution, both civil and religious, and endanger its Happiness, if not its total Destruction .- Let us not think that, because the Disorder is yet slight, the Number of Slaves among us being com- paratively but few, it is not worth much Attention, especially as a Manumission of those in Possession, who may be fit for it, and an Abolition of the Trade, would rob us of a Profit, by depriving us of their unpurchased Labours, which enrich us with the Gain of Oppression. The more slight a Poison is at first, if its Influence is in- creasing, the more we ought to be alarmed, since the destructive Effects are more insinuating and certain, in Proportion as they are unnoticed. Violent Attacks rouse us to a virtuous Opposition, whilst little Evils scarce awaken us. The Eagle, which soared above despised the grovelling Hog as below his Notice, until she found that, by little and little, this despicable Adversary was able to root up the lofty Oak, which contained her Young, and thereby made them an easy Prey.


When we consider that, thirty Years past, this poor oppressed Part of the Creation had very few Advocates (the despised Benjamin Lay being one of the foremost) and now turn our Eyes to the Number of respectable Characters, earnestly engaged in their Redemption, and read the many well wrote Pieces, which have investigated


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their Right to Liberty, and explored a just Foundation for it, can we hesitate to pronounce, "the Hand of Provi- dence appears evidently on their Side." Let every one therefore be careful how they oppose his Work, for it certainly will go forward against all Opposition, and those who, from mistaken Interest, or ill-judged Policy, shall act contrary to sober Conviction, or the Light of Knowledge, will certainly experience that it is "hard to kick against the Pricks," and must gnaw a File, that will cut their Teeth.


It was with Pleasure I was lately informed, that the several Branches of the Legislature of New-Jersey were favourably disposed to the Rights of Mankind in this In- stance, and that a Bill had actually originated with the Assembly, in order to establish a Plan for changing Slavery into Freedom, upon Principles of general Good; an Object truly worthy of the foremost Rank of Men, and of the Attention of Government, and will I hope be blessed in their Hands; for surely there is a Reward for those, who willingly "open their Mouth, judge right- eously, and plead the Cause of the Poor and Needy."


The Dispensations of Providence are inscrutable. Why he has permitted us to lord it over Negroes is beyond my Comprehension; but let us not suppose it a Mark of his Displeasure or Vengeance against that Race of Men, nor forget that the Israelites, his peculiar People, were once in Bondage. They were not only told, that "the Lord regardeth not Persons nor taketh Reward, that he loveth the Stranger in giving him Food and Raiment," but are admonished, "to love the Stranger, for ye were Strangers in the Land of Egypt." From this State of Slavery, the Almighty delivered them in a marvelous Manner, which Consideration ought to soften our Hearts to those, who are in Bondage to us : And though some of us may pertly


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answer, the Slavery we uphold is very different from the Egyptian; we require not Bricks without Straw, as they did; yet these should consider, that whilst Slavery is sup- ported by the Humane and Worthy amongst us, the Worst are strengthened in their Rights, and though the former will commit no attrocious Act of Violence to a defenceless Negroe, the latter can with Impunity practice great Cruelty, under the Sanction of Laws upheld by the former. Hence the Humane and Good know not the Mischief they do to Justice, by continuing in the Light of Supporters of Slavery.


I shall close this little Offering at the Shrine of Liberty with a mention of the Words of our Saviour, where he gives a Description of the last Judgment, and declares to those, who had lived well, and done their Duty, on their modest Renunciation of the meritorious Act of feeding him when he was hungry, giving him drink when he was thirsty, visiting him when he was sick and imprisoned, &c. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto me." But those who are willing to excuse themselves from so gross a Violation of Duty, as neglecting him their Saviour, he assures, that a Neglect or Act of Injustice to one of the least of their Fellow-men was, in Effect, the same as if done to himself. "Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me."


AMINTOR. New-Jersey, Jan. 29, 1774. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2354, February 2, 1774.


TWENTY ACRES OF MARSH,


SITUATE near the Mouth of Pensocken Creek, on


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the Jersey Side of Delaware, and about five Miles from this City, TO BE SOLD. Enquire of


LAMBERT CADWALADER, in Philadelphia.


December 8, 1773.


RUN away, on the 8th day of November last, from the subscriber, in Upper Alloway's-creek township, Salem county, and western division of New-Jersey, an English servant man, named WILLIAM RICHESON, about 22 years of age, about 5 feet 3 inches high, of a sandy complexion, redish hair, and has lost two of his fore teeth, in the upper jaw, a chimney-sweeper by trade; had on, when he went away, a tow and linen shirt and trowsers, a flowered flannel jacket, scorched with fire in two places on the back, new shoes, with brass buckles, and old felt hat. Whoever takes up the said servant, and brings him home, or secures him in any of his Majesty's goals, so that his master gets him again, shall have a reward of THIRTY SHILLINGS, paid by


GILES LOVERING.


Dec. 4, 1773.


-- The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2354, February 2, 1774. Supplement.


Messieurs BRADFORDS,


ACCIDENTS, that afford useful and beneficial lessons to mankind, should be made as publick as possible : And as the Weekly Papers are the most easy and general way of offering advice, I take that method of conveying to the Public, through your Paper, the circumstances of the fatal catastrophe of two amiable and promising Young Men, the only Sons of a wealthy Farmer in East New-Jersey, as a caution to the living, in expectation, in some degree,


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of its preventing, for the future, accidents of the same kind.


William Smith, near the ancient borough of Elizabeth, among other children, had two sons; the eldest about nineteen years of age, the youngest seventeen: These young men went to bed together hearty and well on Christmas night .- Some Company made it necessary for them to leave their usual lodging room for another, which, in the construction of the house. Mr. Smith had contrived as a place of rest, after the fatigue of a summer's day :- In this, a bed was placed, where he might indulge, in an afternoon. This room was very small, had neither win- dow, nor chimney in it, and the door very tight. To this bed the two young men went, and carried with them a warming pan of live coals: In the morning they were found dead; and, from appearance, they must have been in that state some hours, as their joints were perfectly rigid, and every attempt for their recovery (altho' the best assistance was immediately afforded) proved in vain:


There can be no doubt of the cause of their death; since experiments have evinced, that air, passing through fire, is rendered unfit for animal life: Experiments further teach us, that air, having once passed through the lungs, is rendered unfit for respiration; so that a constant suc- cession of fresh elastic air is necessary for the existence of animals, and that, without it, life cannot be preserved, but for a few moments.


These considerations should induce every person, in the construction of houses, to provide their lodging rooms large; that a chimney, and at least one window be made in each of them: For, in a close room, the above affords a melancholy instance of the fatal effects of fire on con- fined air; and altho' it is impossible to prevent some of the surrounding air from entering, be the room ever so


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tight, yet, in this instance, it was insufficient to preserve the lives of the two young men; and who will undertake to prescribe the exact line of safety.


The only way to prevent such accidents will be to con- struct lodging rooms, in the manner above mentioned : For a room may be so small and tight, that a number of persons breathing in it shall produce the same fatal effect : And unfortunately, both these ways, Death makes its approaches so insensibly, that every chance for a recovery is taken away; that is, in sleep, the persons are deprived of their senses, before inconvenience in breathing excites uneasiness sufficient to rouse them. For those, whose houses are already built, with such close rooms, as will not admit of a free circulation of air, let this accident caution them, not to suffer any persons to sleep in them, or at least, if they should, and such as have accustomed themselves to have their beds warmed, never to suffer the pan of coals to be left in it : But the safest way is either to erect funnels, that may communicate with the external air; or convert those rooms to such uses, as will not en- danger the lives of their fellow creatures.


If these hints, which were afforded by a person on the melancholy occasion, are of importance to the Public, your publishing them will, perhaps, induce others to do the same, to make them more extensive, and excite some abler pen to treat the subject, in a manner suitable to the importance of it. H.


Allen-town, January 24, 1774.


TO BE SOLD.


A HOUSE and joiners shop, together with a lot of ex- cellent land, containing one acre, situate in Allen-town, in the county of Monmouth, and province of East New- Jersey, all in good repair, it is an excellent stand for a


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carpenter and joiner, one having lived there for some years past. Any person inclining to purchase, may know the terms, by applying to William Clayton, Esq: in Tren- ton, or to the subscriber on the premises.


THOMAS CLAYTON.


-The Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1626, February 2, 1774.


Princeton, January 24, 1774.


THE SUBSCRIBER intending to leave Princeton in April next, takes the liberty to return his sincere thanks to all his friends in particular, and to all those gentlemen who have been so obliging as to favour him with their com- pany. He requests the favour of all persons that are indebted to him, to pay off their accounts by the first of April, (that he may be enabled to pay those to whom he is indebted) which will infinitely oblige the Public's most obedient humble servant,


WILLIAM HICK. -Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, No. 120, February 7,1774.


To be SOLD.


THE several following TRACTS of LAND, being part of the estate of Doctor LEWIS JOHNSTON, late of Perth- Amboy, deceased;


660 acres situate on the west side of and adjoining to Mateheponix river, eleven miles distant from New- Brunswick and Perth-Amboy, and four from South River landing, in the neighborhood of two mills and two iron- works, both ready markets for all kinds of country produce, and has a fine outlet for cattle and hogs. This place is now in the possession of John Van Schaack, and


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is improv'd by a good house, a Dutch barn, and a young bearing orchard; 300 acres of clear'd land, 20 of which are good meadow, and a great deal more may be made; is very well water'd, the upland well timber'd, and proper for every kind of grain, and may be conveniently divided into two or three plantations; it joins the farms of Nicholas Van Vinckle1 and John Pue.


670 acres, formerly the property of Hugh Taylor, about 13 miles distant from New-Brunswick and Perth Amboy, and adjoins the lands of John Combs, Jacob Sydam, and John Johnston, on which there is a large fram'd house, and fram'd barn, a young orchard of about 200 apple trees, 200 acres of clear'd land and 30 acres of meadow, with a considerable quantity of very good bog meadow, which would be very valuable under proper improvement.


550 acres, opposite Perth-Amboy, adjoining the land of John Stevens, Esq; and the river Raritan: This land is remarkably well timbered, and is so situated that the timber and fire-wood can be very easily transported to New-York, the most distant part of it being not more than two miles from a convenient landing. There is on it about sixty acres of clear'd land, whereon is a house and well built barn, and a young bearing orchard of 200 apple trees, grafted with the best of fruit. The improv'd part, with timber land sufficient to accommodate a farm, with twelve acres of very good salt meadow, will be sold separate.


790 acres, situate on the west side of South River, and near Menalapon River, being one half of a tract remain- ing unsold and held in company with the devisees of Andrew Johnston, deceased. This tract surrounds the village of Spotswood, is well wooded and timber'd, and a great part of it fine rich swamp; it adjoins the mills and


1Nicholas Van Winkel (?).


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iron-works of Messrs. Perry and Hayes, which lay in about the center of it; the nearest part of it is about half a mile, and the most distant about three miles from South River landing, from which conveniency every advantage may be made of the timber and fire-wood.


These several tracts will be sold intire, or divided into such lots as will best suit the conveniency of the purchasor and interest of the concern'd. The title is clear and indis- putable. The conditions of sale will be made known, and proper deeds given, by


JAMES PARKER, JOHN SMITH, and HEATHCOAT JOHNSTON, Executors.


* * * All persons indebted to said estate, are desired to make immediate payment; and those who have any de- mands, to send them in to the executors, that they may be adjusted and paid.


ELIZABETH-TOWN, NEW-JERSEY.


THE visitors of the first GRAMMAR SCHOOL in this place acquaint the public, That Mr. Francis Barber, who for some Months past from an a ictive family event,1 hath been obliged to devolve the care of said school upon his Ushers, has again resumed his superintendence of it.


As he intends to give assiduous attention to the busi- ness, and has heretofore been so happy as to succeed in his methods of government and instruction, and to conciliate the affections of his pupils, he hopes for future encourage- ment.


Some gentlemen abroad having been discouraged from sending their sons to this place, from the consideration of the expence attending their board and tuition during the number of years usually spent in preparing youth for admission into our colleges, Mr. Barber proposes to any


1The death of his wife, Mary (Ogden), October 7, 1773.


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gentlemen who choose it, instead of the ordinary course, to agree with them upon the following plan: He will engage to qualify any young gentleman, or any lad ( not under twelve years of age) so as to be unexceptionably admitted into the Freshman class in any American college, at the price of forty five pounds, New-York currency, in- cluding their board, which will be provided in good families.


His security from loss upon this plan must principally depend upon the success of the peculiar mode of instruc- tion he has adopted after long experience, and the ex- traordinary pains designed to be taken with the scholar ; tho' at the same time burdening him with any severity of application will be carefully avoided. From the small sum proposed it will naturally be concluded that a lad must be fitted in half the time usually employed in school for admission into college: But as some respect must also be had to the genius of the youth, Mr. Barber will require a trial of six weeks, to judge of his capacity; for if found to be inferior to the common standard, he could not receive such an one, but in the usual way.


The visitors propose to attend constantly at the quar- terly examinations of the youth, which have been hereto- fore held in this school, and will be continued for the future, on the last Wednesdays in February, May, August and November; at which times if any of the Parents and Guardians of the Lads, or any other gentlemen should choose to attend, it would be very agreeable to the visitors and Mr. Barber; and might be of particular use in creating a greater emulation of improvement among the scholars. -Rivington's New York Gazetteer, No. 47, March 10, 1774.


To be SOLD.


A lot of land as pleasant and well situated as any in


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Hackinsack, for a shop-keeper or tradesman, especially for a saddler, as that trade has been followed many years on the place; there is on it at present a convenient shop for that business, which joins the road; also a good house with two rooms and an entry, a convenient kitchen. linter,1 and cellar, a cyder mill and press, a very commodious barn and barrack, an orchard that will yield in a good season 100 barrels of cyder. The lot contains about 24 acres meadow and upland, joins the river on the east, the stage and Albany post road on the west, and Mr. Provost's landing on the south. A boat makes a trip to New-York from said landing once a week.


There will also be sold with the above lot, or separate, as may best suit the purchaser, 22 acres of wood, and II acres of cleared land, a small distance from the before mentioned lot, very agreeable, for fishing and fowling. Any gentleman having a mind for a country seat, this situation is so agreeable, and the price so reasonable, that of course he will conclude the bargain. The conditions of sale may be known by applying to Jacob Roome, living on the premises, who will give a good title for the same .- The New York Gazette; and The Weekly Mercury, No. 1163, February 7, 1774. Supplement.


Philadelphia, February 8, 1774. TO BE SOLD


A TRACT of LAND, containing 315 acres, lying in Sussex county, West New-Jersey, near Musconetcunk river, about ten miles from. Pitt's-town; there are about thirty acres of said land cleared and in good fence, with a dwelling-house and barn thereon; there is great plenty of limestone on the tract, and two runs of water, on which may be made a sufficient quantity of meadow.


1Lean-to.


1


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Also, to be sold, Twenty-one acres of MARSH, capable of being made into good meadow, situate near the mouth of Pensocken Creek, and bounded by said creek and the river Delaware, on the Jersey side, five miles from this city.


Likewise, Twenty acres of WOODLAND, in Burling- ton county, adjoining lands of Evan Reynolds, and Hugh Runyan, a mile and a half from Trenton; late part of the estate of Elizabeth Biles, deceased. Apply to


LAMBERT CADWALADER.


West-Jersey, ss.


February 4, 1774.


WHEREAS the line of partition and division between the eastern and western division of New-Jersey hath not yet been legally run : And whereas an act of the Legisla- ture of the colony of New-York, and a similar act of the colony of New-Jersey, have passed, fixing the North Station Point. And as a final settlement of the said line is a matter of importance, and greatly concerns the gen- eral Proprietors of West-Jersey; therefore the Council of Proprietors, at their present meeting, did agree to give public notice, that on Friday, the Eighteenth of February instant, there should be a general meeting of the Pro- prietors of the said western division, in order to consult on suitable measures to be taken to obtain a speedy settle- ment of the said line. This is therefore to request a gen- eral meeting of the Proprietors of West-Jersey, on the said day, at the house of JOSEPH HAIGHT, in the city of Burlington, at II o'clock in the forenoon, for the purposes aforesaid.


WILLIAM HEULINGS, CIK. Burlington, January 31, 1774. FIVE POUNDS Reward.


ELOPED from his service, belonging to the subscriber


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in Burlington, an indented servant man, by name THOMAS GRIFFITHS, a native of England; in the former part of his life, when resident in his Mother Country, kept a tavern in the city of London, known by the sign of the King's Arms, in Leaden-hall-street, but for some years before he left England rented a considerable farm near Bristol. This advertisement implies, that whoever secures him in any of his Majesty's goals in America, and will give in- telligence to his master in Burlington, shall receive the above reward. He is a well-looking man, between the age of 30 and 40, of a middle stature, stoops in his walk, and cannot with the smallest degree of effrontery look a man in the face; has an easy, soft, smooth manner of speaking : Was habited in an old dove-coloured coat and waistcoat, with metal buttons, and old pair of leather breeches, and flopped hat. Had with him a bag of clothes, which the subscriber supposes may contain 3 or 4 shirts, an old brown coat, a red waistcoat, stockings, &c.


BALDWIN WAKE.


Salem County, February 2, 1774.


IS in excellent order, That famous HORSE BOHEMIA, whose stock is allowed to be equal if not superior to any one horse in America; and will cover this season, till the First of August next, at the stable of JOHN DICKINSON, in Salem, West New-Jersey, at Forty Shillings the season for each Mare. Good pasturage will be provided, at 2s. 6d. per week, and proper attendance, by the subscriber.


Also will cover this season, at the place above men- tioned, until the first of August, a thorough bred Country HORSE, at Twenty-five Shillings the season per each Mare; he is an excellent dark bay, full 16 hands high, and equal in proportion, rising ten years old, his two hind feet white, with black legs, a star and snip, a very swift pacer,


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trots remarkably well, with ease to the rider, spirits and gaiety of carriage, and is allowed by good judges to be the finest Country Horse, that ever yet appeared in this province. Pasturage and attendance will be provided as abovesaid, by


DAVID HENRY.


For the PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE.


For a FREEMAN to be Tenant at Will of his LIBERTY! I will Not agree to it. . . . It is a Tenure not to be found in all Littleton.


COKE.


To the JUDGE of the HIGH COURT of ADMI- |RALTY, at PHILADELPHIA. SIR,


THERE is no Occasion to make any Apology for con- sidering you as the Writer of a Piece, published in the Pennsylvania Journal last Week, under the Signature of Civis, in which an Attempt was made to vindicate your Commission.


Your Insinuation, that I had looked only among News- papers for a Copy of a Commission from the High Court of Admiralty, conveys a Sneer, altogether unworthy of your Character. You must therefore give me Leave to look down upon it.


Having thus finished my Observations on the Defence of your Commission, I shall add a few Words in Confir- mation of the Objections made in a former Letter. You have, Sir, original Jurisdiction in Causes arising within the Provinces of New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania the Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Consequently you may call before you any Person from the farthest Part of either of those Colonies, together with all the Witnesses in the Cause; and for want of Obedience,


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may fine, imprison, and strip them of their Estates. Under the Appearance of exercising the Power vested in you by your Commission, you may harrass the whole Country at your Pleasure. Nor can it be pretended that a Prohibition will lie from one of the other Colonies, to stop your Proceedings in this. As a Judge, you are by no Means, on a Footing with the Sages of the Law in Eng- land, to whom you have thought proper to compare your- self. They do not hold their Commissions during Pleasure, as you do, but during Life and have besides . fi.red Salaries, paid by the Crown.


[ Signed ] RUSSEL.


Messieurs HALL and SELLERS.


HAVING lately been solicited to sign a petition to the House of Assembly, requesting the removal of the eastern Treasurer first, and then trying him, I refused it, as a matter that seemed to me unjust, having been ever told, and always believed, that by the laws of our country every man is to be esteemed innocent until the contrary is shewn on a fair trial; to this it was answered, that our Repre- sentatives could not get the Treasurer tried, with insinua- tions that he was screened by government. As this did not seem to correspond with a memorial of the Treasurer's at the last session, I determined to enquire into his conduct at this session, and find that he has presented the follow- ing memorials to the House; and as they are intirely satis- factory to me, so I doubt not they will be so to others, and shew those, that greedily swallow every tale that is told, how cautious they should be in believing stories propa- gated to serve particular measures, and that by signing too hastily these petitions, they have set a bad example for punishing men without a trial by the Laws of their country.




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