USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey, from its discovery by Europeans, to the adoption of the federal Constitution > Part 33
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 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
On the 17th of July, the provincial Congress resolved, that, " Whereas, the honourable, the continental Congress have declared the United Colonies free and independent States, We, the deputies of New Jersey, in provincial Congress assembled, do resolve and declare, That we will support the freedom and independence of the said States, with our lives and fortunes, and with the whole force of New Jersey." And on the succeeding day they changed the style and title of the " provincial Congress of New Jersey," to that of the "Convention of the State of New Jersey."
.* Journals of Congress, vol. ii. p. 230.
We are careful in noting these circumstances, as Mr. Samuel Adams, in a letter, dated 15th July, 1776, to Richard Henry Lee, observes, " We were more fortunate than we expected, in having twelve of the thirteen colonies in favour of the all-impor- tant question. The delegates of New Jersey were not empowered to give their voice on either side. Their convention has since acceded to the declaration, and published it, even before they received it from Congress." -- Mem. of Richard Henry Lee, vol. i. p. 183. This error has been further promnulged by the following note, in Mr. Sedg- wick's Life of Livingston, page 194 .- "' This delegation, consisting of Witherspoon, Stockton, and others, arrived after the declaration had been signed, but were allowed to fix their names to it." We do not find on the Journal of Congress, the name of any other of the delegates, than Mr. Hopkinson, between the 21st of June, and 4th of July. But the following statement given in the life of R. H. Lee, vol. i. 176, upon, we know not what authority. shows, if correct, that another of the Jersey delegates was present, at the adoption of the declaration. " In the clause of the original draught, that upbraids George III., with the hiring and sending foreign mercenary troops to in- vade America, among those irentioned. the Scotch are specified. It was said that Dr. Witherspoon, the learned president of Nassau Hall College, who was a Scotchman by birth, moved to strike out the word. " Scotch,' which was accordingly done."
The following extract from the life of Mr. Stockton, in the Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, proves, that he, also, was present .- " Mr. Stock- ton immediately took his seat in the continental Congress, and was present at the debates which preceded the promulgation of that memorable charter of national inde- pendence, to which his name is atfixed. It has been remarked by Dr. Benjamin Rush, who was a member of the same Congress, that Mr. Stockton was silent during the first stages of this momentons discussion, listening with thoughtful and respectful at- tention to the arguments that were offered by the supporters and opponents of the important measure then under consideration. Although, it is believed, that, in the commencement of the debate, he entertained some doubts as to the policy of an imme- diate declaration of independence, vet in the progress of the discussion, his objections were entirely removed, particularly by the irresistible and conclusive arguments of the honourable John Adams, and he fully concurred in the final vote, in favour of that bold and decisive measure. This concurrence he expressed in a short and energetic address, which he delivered in Congress, towards the close of the debate." It may be true, but is not probable, that Mr. Stockton doubted, in Congress, upon this measure. It is certain, that he was instructed by the convention, which appointed him, to support it, and in so doing, performed a delegated trust, which he was too honest to betray. This State had decided the question before she sent him to announce her consent.
.
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
203
CHAPTER XIII.
1. Military Proceedings in Canada .- II. Measures adopted in Great Britain .- III. Ob- jects proposed for the Campaign of 1776 .- IV. Operations against New York, and the surrounding Country .- V. Proposals for accommodation, by the British Commissioners .- VI. Condition of the American Forces, at New York-Landing of Lord Howe, on Long Island .- VII, Battle of Brooklyn .- VIII. Retreat of the American Army from Long Island .- IX. Unhappy Effect of the Defeat of the American Army .- X. Lord Howe renews his Attempts for accommodation of the Quarrel-Proceedings of Congress .- XI. Military Movement of the Ar- mies, after the Battle of Brooklyn .- XII. American Army, by advice of General Lce, quit York Island .- XIII, Battle of White Plains .- XIV, Capture of Fort Washington .- XV. Abandonment of Fort Lee, and retreat of the American Army-Its condition-Inhabitants join the British .- XVI. Washington crosses the Delaware-The enemy possess themselves of the Icit bank .- XVII. Cap- - ture of General Lee .- XVIII. New efforts of the Commander-in-Chief -- Tho enemy retire into Winter Quarters .- XIX. Battle of Trenton .- XX. The Bri- tish re-open the Campaign .- XXI. The American Army re-enters Jersey .-- XXII, Battle of Princeton .- XXIII. The American Army retreat to Morris- town-Beneficial results of the late actions .- XXIV. Firmness of Congress .- XXV. Condition of New Jersey .- XXVI. The American Army innoculated for the Small Pox .- XXVII. Measures for reclaiming the disaffected of New Jersey .- XXVIII. License of American Troops-restrained.
I. The early successes of General Montgomery, had induced Congress to reinforce the army under his command; and on the intelligence transmitted previous to the assault on Quebec, they resolved, that nine battalions should be maintained in Canada .* Nor did the repulse extinguish this ardour. The council of war, of the army before Boston, resolved, that as no troops could be spared from Cambridge, the colonies of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, should forward their regiments to Canada; and Con- gress, in addition to the reinforcements previously ordered, directed four bat- talions from New York. The indispensable articles, blankets, were pro- cured by contributions of householders, from their family stocks, and specie, by the enthusiasm of patriots, who readily exchanged, at par, their Mexican dollars, for the paper bills of Congress. It was resolved, also, to raise a corps of artillery for this service, and to take into pay one thousand Canadians, in addition to Colonel Livingston's regiment, and to place them under the com- mand of Moses Hazen, a native of Massachusetts, who had resided many years in Canada. A stimulating address to the inhabitants, was published by Congress; and a printing press, and a priest, were despatched, that the cause might have the powerful aid of letters and religion. Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Chase, members of Congress, and Mr. Carrol, who was of the Roman Catholic persuasion, proceeded to Canada, with the design of gaining over the people; having authority to promise them admission to the union of' the colonies, upon equal terms, with the full enjoyment of their liberty, and ecclesiastical property. Such was the diligence exerted, that, in despite of the season, the first reinforcements reached the American army, before Quebec, on the eleventh of April, one thousand seven hundred and seven- ty-six.
Notwithstanding these exertions of the United States, their interest in Canada had daily declined, from the fall of Montgomery. The unsuccessful
January 8th, 1776.
204
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
assault on Quebec, had dispirited the friendly Canadians, and Indians. . The small pox, which had been communicated to the army by a woman who had been sent, voluntarily or compulsorily, from the city, so disabled the troops, that, of three thousand men, nine hundred only were fit for duty. The af- fections of the people were aliened by the misconduct of the continental soldicry, which, in many instances, officered by men from obscure life, without education, or morals, abandoned themselves to plunder, and other crimes, not more disgraceful to themselves than injurious to the cause they were sent to support. And, finally, the early opening of the St. Lawrence, and the arrival of the British snccours, compelled the Americans to com- mence their retreat, very early in the month of May, with so much precipi- tation, as to leave their artillery, military stores, and some of their sick, behind. To the last, as well as to such stragglers as were apprehended, or came in, the humanity of General Carlton was exemplary ; and more adapted to injure the American cause, than the cruelty of other British commanders. He dismissed his prisoners, after liberally supplying their wants, with the recommendation, " to go home, mind their farms, and keep themselves and their neighbours from all participation in the unhappy war."
A disastrous retreat was pursued, during which, General Thomas, the chief in command, fell a victim to the small pox. On his death, the direc- tion of the army devolved, first on General Arnold, and afterwards on Genc- ral Sullivan. Brigadier-general Thompson made an unsuccessful attempt on the British post at Trois Rivieres, in which he was made prisoner, though little other loss was sustained. On the first of July, the whole army reached Crown Point, where the first stand was made. The retreat was rendered more painful, by the reproaches of those Canadians, who had united with the invaders, and who were about to be abandoned to the penalties of unsuccessful insurrection, and by the plunder of the merchants of Montreal, by the avaricious and profligate Arnold.
II. Notwithstanding the universal resistance, in America, to the measures of the ministry, the Parliament and people of Great Britain, could not be made to believe, that it would be maintained against a determined spirit on the part of the government, and a few thousand troops to aid the established authorities. This erroneous opinion was confirmed by the royal officers, who were, probably, themselves deceived by their wishes. The military operations, therefore, of the year 1775, were adopted, more to strengthen the civil authority, than to support a contest for empire. But the battles of Lexington, Breed's Ilill, and the measures subsequently adopted by Con- gress, awakened the nation from this delusive dream, and produced an ear- nest resolution, at all hazards, to establish its supremacy over the colonies.
The speech from the throne, on the opening of the Parliament, twenty- fourth October, 1775, declared, that his Majesty's subjects, in America, " meant, only, to amuse, by vague expressions of attachment to the parent state, while they were preparing for a general revolt;" " that the rebel- lious war, now levied by them, was become more general, and, manifestly, carried on for the purpose of establishing an independent empire; and that it was become the part of wisdom, and in its effects, of clemency, to put a speedy end to these disorders, by the most decisive exertions." The senti- ments of the speech were echoed in the addresses of both Houses of Parlia- ment, but not without a spirited protest in the Lords. Nineteen dissenting members declared the approaching war to be " uujust and impolitic in its principles, and fatal in its consequences," and that they could not approve an address " which might deceive his Majesty and the public, into a belief of
* On the 4th.
--
205
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
their confidence in the present ministers, who had disgraced Parliament, de- ceived the nation, lost the colonies, and involved them in a civil war, against their deprest interests, and on the most unjustifiable grounds, wantonly spilling the blood of thousands of their fellow subjects."
With the sanction of Parliament, estimates for the public service were made on the basis of operations against a foreign armed power. Twenty- eight thousand seamen and fifty-five thousand land forces were immediately voted; authority was soon afterwards given to employ foreign mercenaries; and to give full efficacy to these measures, an act of parliament * interdicted all trade with the Americans; authorized the capture of their property, whether of ships or goods, upon the high scas; and directed, " that the mas- ters, crews, and other persons found on board captured American vessels, should be entered on board his Majesty's vessels of war, and there considered to be in his Majesty's service, to all intents and purposes, as if they had en- tered of their own accord. And this, worse than Mahommedan slavery, was insolently represented, as a merciful substitution of an act of grace and favour, for the death which was due to rebellion. This bill, also, authorized the crown to appoint commissioners, with power to grant pardon to indivi- duals, to inquire into general and particular grievances, and to determine whether any colony or part of a colony was returned to that state of obe- dience, which might entitle it to be received within the King's peace and protection; in which case the restrictions of the law were to cease. In the debate on the bill, Lord Mansfield, whose ability and legal knowledge were known and admired in America, declared, " that the questions of original right and wrong were no longer to be considered-that they were engaged in a war, and must use their utmost efforts to obtain the ends proposed by it-that they must either fight or be pursued-and that the justice of the cause must give way to their present situation." This declaration, justified by circumstances, from the mouth of a ministerial partisan, excited the asto- nishment, and aided to cement the union, of the colonists; and the act was, justly, characterized by a member of the opposition, as " a bill for carrying more effectually, into execution, the resolves of Congress." By treaties, ap- proved by Parliament, with the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, the Duke of Brunswick and the hereditary prince of Hesse Cassel, t sixteeen thousand of their subjects were engaged to reduce the rebellious colonies to submission.
In the selection of a general for the royal forces, the command, as a matter of right, was offered to General Oglethorpe, the first on the list of general officers. To the surprise of the minister, the gallant veteran readily accepted the proffer, on condition, that he should be properly supported. A nume- rous and well appointed army and fleet were promised him. " I will assume the charge," replied he, " without a man or vessel of war, provided. I am authorized, to proclaim to the colonists, that you will do them justice." "1 know the people of America well," he added, "and am satisfied that his Majesty has not, in any part of his dominions, more obedient and loyal sub- jects. You may secure their obedience by doing them justice, but you will never subdue them by force of arms." A commander-in-chief, with such opinions, was unacceptable to the ministry, and the command was given to Sir William Howe.
III. It was resolved, to open the campaign with a force that would look down opposition, and produce submission without bloodshed; and to direct it to three objects: 1. The relief of Quebec; the recovery of Canada ; and the invasion of the adjacent provinces: 2. The chastisement of the southern colonies ; and-3. To seize New York with a force sufficient to keep pos-
* 20th Nov. 1775.
t Feb. 29th, 1766.
206
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
session of the Hudson river, to maintain the communication with Canada, or to overrun the adjacent country. The partial success of the first we have already noticed. The execution of the second, was committed to General Clinton and Sir Peter Parker, and eventuated in their repulse, from Charles- ton, by the vigorous efforts of the colonists, at Fort Moultrie ; and the exer- tions of General Lec, who had charge of the southern department. The third, which involves the operations in New Jersey, asks from us particular detail.
IV. The command of the force, consisting of about three thousand men, destined against New York, was given to Admiral Lord Howe, and his brother, Sir William, officers, high in the confidence of the British nation; who were, also, appointed commissioners for restoring peace to the colonies. On evacuating Boston, General Howe, as we have seen, retired to Halifax, designing, there, to await reinforcements from England. But his situation proving uncomfortable, and the arrival of succours being delayed, he at length (June 10th, 1776) resolved to sail for New York. On the fourth of July his whole force was established on Staten Island, where he resolved to await the arrival of the troops from Europe. The inhabitants received him with great demonstrations of joy, took the oath of allegiance to the crown, and embodied themselves under the command of the late Governor Tryon. He received, also, strong assurances from Long Island, and the neighbouring parts of New Jersey, of the favourable disposition of the greater proportion of the people to the royal cause. Admiral Lord Howe, after touching at Halifax, arrived, with the fleet and auxiliary forces, on the twelfth of the same month.
It had early been conceived by General Washington, that the British would endeavour to possess New York. Its central position, contiguity to the ocean, and capacity of defence, made it highly desirable to both parties. While the English were yet in Boston, General Lee had been detached from Cambridge, to put the city and Long Island in a posture of defence. As the departure of General Howe from Boston became certain, the probability of his going to New York, increased the necessity of collecting a force for its defence. By a resolution of a council of war, (March 13th, 1766) five regiments, with a rifle battalion, were marched upon it, and the states of New York and New Jersey, were requested to furnish-the former two thousand, and the latter one thousand men, for its immediate defence. General Wash- ington soon afterwards followed, and carly in April, fixed his head quarters in that city.
The experience which the American commander already had of the mate- rial that must necessarily compose his army, determined him to pursue the Fabian mode of war, a war of posts; to hazard nothing, but to hover round the enemy, watching his motions, cutting off his supplies, and perpetually harassing him with small detachinents, until his own army had became accus- tomed to military fatigue and danger. With this view, works were erected, in and about New York, on Long Island, and the heights of Haerlem. Con- gress on the opening of the campaign, had a force far inadequate to its objects. And though feeling the inconvenience of the temporary armies formed of the militia, on short tours of service, they, or the country, probably both, were not prepared to enlist men for periods that would render them efficient sol- diers, and therefore they adopted middle expedients. They instituted a flying camp, composed of one thousand men from the states of Pennsylvania, Dela- ware, and Maryland, engaged until the first day of the ensuing December, and at the same time, called out 13,800 of the ordinary militia. The ranks of the first were chiefly filled, but great deficiencies occurred in those of the second. The ditliculty of providing the troops with arms which had hitherto
.
207
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
been distressingly great, was now much increased. By the returns of April, . the garrison at Fort Montgomery in the Highlands, composed of two hundred and eight privates, had only forty-one guns fit for use; and that at Fort Con- stitution of one hundred and thirty-six men, had only sixty-eight guns. Flints were scarce, and the lead for musket balls was obtained, by strip- ping the dwellings.
V. Notwithstanding independence had been declared, the British com- manders and commissioners resolved before commencing military operations, to try the influence of their powers for pacification. On the 14th of July, Lord Howe sent on shore, by a flag, a circular letter, addressed severally, to the late governors under the crown, enclosing a declaration which he re- requested them to publish, announcing to the people his authority to grant pardon to all, who having departed from their allegiance, would, by speedy return to duty, merit the royal favour; to declare any colony, town, port, or place, in the peace, and under the protection of the crown, and excepted from the penal provisions of the act of Parliament, prohibiting trade and intercourse with the colonies; and to give assurances, that the services of all persons aiding in the restoration of public tranquillity, should be duly considered. These papers were transmitted to Congress, who caused them to " be pub- lished in the several gazettes, that the good people of the United States might be informed of what nature were the powers of the commissioners, and what the terms," offered by them. About the same time, his lordship addressed a letter to "George Washington, Esq.," which the general refused to receive, he- cause his public character was not, thereby, recognised, and in no other, could he have intercourse with the writer. This reason, unquestionably sound, was approved by the Congress. The commissioners, earnest in their purpose, sent Colonel Patterson, adjutant-general of their army, to the American com- mander, with another letter, directed to "George Washington, &c. &c. &c." When introduced to the general, he addressed him by the title of " Excellen- cy;" and presented the regrets of General Howe, for the difficulty which had arisen with respect to the direction of the letter; observing, that the mode adopted was deemed consistent with propriety, and was founded on prece- ·dent in cases of diplomates, when disputes had been made about rank; that General Washington had, in the preceding summer, addressed a letter to "the honourable William Howe;" that the commissioners did not mean to dero- - gate from his rank, or the respect due to him, and that they held his person and character in the highest esteem; but that, the direction, with the addition of &c. &c. &c. implied every thing which ought to follow. The colonel, then, produced a letter, which he said was the same that had been before sent, and which he laid upon the table. But the general declined to receive it. He still urged, that, the address of a letter to one in a public character, should indicate such character, and remarked, that though the et ceteras im- plied every thing, they also implied any thing: That, his letter to General Howe was an answer to one he had received from him under a like address, and that he would decline any letter relating to his official station, directed to him as a private person. During the subsequent conference, which the adjutant-general wished to be considered as a first advance towards concilia- tion, he remarked, that "the commissioners were clothed with great powers, and would be very happy in effecting an accommodation." But he received for answer, that "from appearances, they had power only to pardon those, who having never transgressed, sought no forgiveness." Soon after this interview, a letter from General Howe respecting prisoners, properly address- ed to General Washington, was duly received.
These seductive efforts of the British agents were repaid by Congress in kind. A resolution of the 14th of August, offered to all foreigners who should
208
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
leave the armies of his Britannic Majesty in America, and become members of any of the states, protection in the free exercise of their religion, the en- joyment of the privileans of natives, together with fifty acres of land.
VI. The amount of the American force rendered the British comman- ders cautious in commencing their operations by land. Their fleet, how- ever, gave them great advantages, and soon demonstrated the total ineffi- ciency of the American obstructions to the passage of the North river. Frigates and smaller vessels passed the batteries of New York, Paules Hook, Red Bank, and Governor's Island, alnost with impunity. The American army in the vicinity of New York, on the 8th of August, consisted of not more than seventeen thousand men, mostly new recruits, distributed in small and unconnected posts, some of which were fifteen miles distant from others. It was soon after increased by Smallwood's regiment from Maryland, two regiments from Pennsylvania, and a body of New England and New York militia, to twenty-seven thousand; of whom, however, onc-fourth were un- fitted for duty by sickness. A part of this force was stationed on Long Island, where Major-general Greene had originally commanded, but becom- ing extremely ill, had been succeeded by Major-general Sullivan.
As the defence of Long Island was intimately connected with that of New York, a brigade had been stationed there, whilst the army was assembling ; and had taken a strong post at Brooklyn, where an extensive camp had been marked out and fortified. The village.is on a small peninsula, formed by the East river, the Bay, and Gowan's Cove, into which a creek empties itself. This encampment fronted the main land of the island, and the works stretch- ed quite across the peninsula, from Waaleboght Bay in the East river, on the left, to a deep marsh on the creek emptying into Gowan's Cove on the right. The rear was covered by the batteries on Red Hook, Governor's Island, and on the East river. In front of the camp was a range of hills, crowned with thick woods, which extended from cast to west, near the length of the island; and though steep, they were every where passable by infantry.
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.