USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. I > Part 18
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The fleet, consisting of sixty-eight vessels and six thousand four hundred and sixty-three troops, anchored in the bay of Gaspee, on the south side of the entrance of the St. Lawrence river, to take in wood and water, on the 18th of August, and in the night of the 23d, contrary to the advice of the pilots, they weighed anchor in a fog that was then prevailing, fell in with the north shore, and lost eight transports and eight hundred and eighty-four men upon the island of Eggs.
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. A council of war was held, and they resolved that by reason of the ignorance of the pilots it was impracticable to proceed, and that advice should be sent to Gen. Nicholson against proceeding to Montreal, which was done, and the fleet returned and anchored in Spanish river,* off Cape Breton, on the 4th of September, 1711, and there, in a council of war, it was resolved not to attempt anything against Placentia, ; but to return to Great Britain.
On the 16th of September they sailed for England, and arrived at St. Helens the 16th of October. The Edgar, with the admiral's papers, was blown up. This prevented the expedition from proceeding further, and it was therefore abandoned at a great expense of men and treasure, although having been agitated above three years.
In 1712, Thomas Gardiner. the second of that name, died. He was a resident of Burlington, and has been mentioned several times before. He was a man well acquainted with public busi- ness, a good surveyor, and useful member of society. He was several years a member of the council, treasurer of the western division, and the first speaker of assembly after the union of the governments of East and West Jersey.
. On the 7th of December, 1713, the governor called the as- sembly together, and the next day informed them that he was glad to see them after so long absence, and believed they were not sorry to meet him in so good company ;} that the tender regard Her Majesty had to their quiet, in particular at a time when she had blessed the world with a general peace, called for their pious endeavors, and could not fail of meeting the returns
* Spanish river flows along the base of the LaClocke Mountains, and empties into Lake Huron, nearly opposite the central part of the Great Manitoulin islands.
t Placentia, a seaport town of Newfoundland, on the west coast of the peninsula.
# Meaning the change of councillors. William Pinhorne, Daniel Coxe, Peter Sonmans, and William Hall, who had signed the memorial to the Queen against the assembly had been suspended, and a mandamus had since arrived appointing John Anderson, Elisha Parker, Thomas Byerly, John Hamilton, and John Reading.
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due from the most grateful people to the best and most indulgent princess. That he was persuaded the efforts of such as had been removed from places of trust by the Queen at their request, would be too impotent to destroy the peace, by breaking that mutual confidence or disturbing that harmony that then subsisted between the several branches of the legislature. That full of this confidence, he recommended to their immediate care the providing for past arrears and future support of Her Majesty's government, the discountenancing vice and immorality, the improvement of trade and encouragement for planting and peopling the province. That this could not be better effected than by a law to affirm and ascertain the respective properties of the proprietors and people, if they thought it practicable.
That the gentlemen of the present council, having no views or interests differing from theirs, if they would agree to frequent and amicable conferences with them, or a number of them, upon all matters under deliberation, it would save much time and effectually disappoint all contrivances of their enemies, who, in return for their being at present no councillors, had ridiculously endeavored to persuade some that they were no assembly.
The assembly replied, " That they were indeed glad to meet him in such good company, and as the persons who had hitherto obstructed the welfare of their country were removed, they presumed on the favor oftener than heretofore." They ac- knowledged themselves under the greatest obligations to the best of Queens, and hoped their actions would demonstrate they were not ungrateful.
Among other bills passed at this session was that entitled, " An act that the solemn affirmation and declaration of the people called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an oath in the usual form, and for qualifying the said people to serve as jurors, and to execute any office or place of trust or profit within this province."
The governor having communicated to the house the instruc- tions of the Queen on that subject, the bill was introduced.
The second enacting clause was thought to be designedly left out by the secretary, who had it to engross. In this shape it passed council without being noticed by them, but on reading it
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again in the assembly the omission was discovered, and the secretary made his acknowledgment at the bar of the house, when it was again passed over.
This act continued until 1732, and then was supplied by another similar to the one now in force.
Other laws of importance were also passed, and the session was concluded to the mutual satisfaction of all.
In his concluding remarks at the breaking up of the session, the governor said : "I thank you for what has been done this session for the support of this Her Majesty's government, and do not doubt but that you will receive ample thanks from those who sent you for the many good laws that have been passed.
"Some things that in their nature were acts of favor, I have agreed that they should be made acts of assembly, that your share may be greater in the grateful acknowledgment of your country.
" I hope my conduct has convinced the world (I cannot sup- pose you want any further conviction) that I have no other view than the peace and prosperity of this province. If such a few as are enemies to both are not to be reduced by reason, I shall take the next best and most effectual measure to do it."
Between the years 1713 and 1716 we find no historical matters of interest occurring, as the government under Hunter was con- ducted with such moderation that nothing occurred to mar the peace of the province, but everything worked in the greatest harmony, and all were not only satisfied but pleased with the administration. The old grievances were amicably healed, and peace was restored.
Governor Hunter met a new assembly at Amboy, in the spring of 1716. This assembly chose Col. Daniel Coxe, speaker, who was presented and accepted, when the governor by speech, in- formed them that the dissolution of one assembly by the demise of the late Queen, of another by the arrival of a new patent from the present. King, constituting him governor of the province, and of a third by reason of a circumstance well known, together with the long sessions at York, and his necessary attendance on the service of the frontiers, had been the occasion of putting off the meeting till now. That on his part he brought with him a firm
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purpose for the advantage of the subject and the service of the crown, which he says, " I have ever pursued, and now bid a fair defiance to the most malicious to assign one single instance in which I have acted counter to what I now profess, notwithstand- ing the false and groundless accusations and insinuations to the contrary, from two persons on the other side, who pretended to have been instructed from this, which, though they met with that contempt at home they deserved, I could not without injustice to myself, let pass unmentioned here."
This was the session of the assembly, which should have met at Burlington, but they were convened at Amboy, they therefore determined to remonstrate against the infringement of the usual custom of alternately meeting at each of those places, and accord- ingly represented to the governor, that in the year 1709 an act was passed entitled, " An act for ascertaining the place of the sitting of the representatives to meet in general assembly," that in March, 1710, the aforesaid act was confirmed, finally enacted, and ratified by her late Majesty, with the advice of her privy council, and transmitted to him (the governor), by the lords commissioners for trade and plantations, the 16th of said month. That they were perfectly willing to pay all due regard and obedience to His Majesty's and the governor's commands, so they could not but think it their duty to maintain the known and established laws of this province. And as that law had the royal sanction, and had gone through all the usual forms both here and in Great Britain which were necessary to confirm and perpetuate it, they were of opinion it was still in force, never having been repealed.
The governor replied, "That His Majesty's instructions, which were laws to him, having restored that affair to the just and equal footing upon which it was put by, and at the time of the surren- der of the government by the proprietors, he could not give his consent to any alteration, or give way to anything that might elude the intent and purpose of that instruction without giving juster grounds of complaint against him than he had hitherto given, and that he had reasons of great weight which made it impracticable for him to hold either council or assembly at Bur- lington at this time."
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. The dispute being principally founded on the new commission to the governor upon the accession of King George the First to the throne, the assembly thought proper to submit, and transact the business before them at the place where they were then con- vened.
Matters however did not go on very smooth ; the speaker disliked the governor and influenced many of the members.
The governor saw there was no prospect of their carrying out the design of their meeting at that time, and prorogued them. On the 14th of May he again summoned them, this time to meet at Amboy, only nine members appearing. They waited five days, and then presented an address requesting the governor to take such measures as he might think proper to cause the absent members to attend, whereupon he sent warrants to several of them commanding their attendance, as they would answer the contrary at their peril. In obedience to this summons four pre- sently appeared, there being now thirteen present. The governor sent for them, and recommended their meeting at the house and choosing a speaker, (for their speaker was absent among the rest) in order to enable them to send their sergeant-at-arms for those that were still absent.
On the 21st the thirteen met, and the speaker still being absent, they chose John Kinsey speaker. The house being now organized, the governor delivered his address, as follows :
" Gentlemen :- The last time you were here upon a like occasion, I told you that I thought fit to approve of whatever choice you thought fit to make of a speaker. I now tell you that I heartily approve of the worthy choice you have made.
" As the conduct of that gentleman who last filled the chair* sufficiently convinced you of a combination between him and his associates to defeat all the purposes of your present meeting, I hope, and cannot doubt, but it will open the eyes of all such as by his and their evil acts and sinistrous practices have been mis- led and imposed upon, so that for the future here they will not find it so easy a matter to disturb the peace of the country.
" I must refer you to what I said at the opening of the assem- bly, but harvest drawing near I am afraid you'll hardly have time
* Colonel Daniel Coxe.
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for more business than what is absolutely and immediately requisite, that is the support of government and the public credit.
"You know that the date of the currency of your bills of credit is near expiring, so there will be wanting a new law to remedy the evil that must attend the leaving the country without a currency for ordinary uses as well as trade.
" ROBERT HUNTER."
The house then went into an examination of the conduct of their late speaker and the absent members, who, on the question, were at different times severally expelled for contempt of author- ity and neglect of the service of their country, and writs were issued for new elections .*
On the 8th of the following month, and shortly after the exclusion of the speaker, but previous to the expulsion of the other members, the assembly presented the governor the fol- lowing address :
" May it pleasc Your Excellency :
" Your administration has been of a continued series of justice and moderation, and from your past conduct we dare assure ourselves of a continuation of it, and we will not be wanting in our endeavors to make suitable returns, both in providing a handsome support of the government and of such a continuance as may demonstrate to you and the world the sense we have of our duty and your worth.
" The gentleman, our late speaker, has added this one instance of folly to his past demeanor, to convince us and the world that in all stations, whether of a councillor, a private man, or a representative, his study has been to disturb the quiet and tran- quillity of this province, and act in contempt of laws and government. We are sensible of the effects it has had and may have on the public peace, and our expulsion of him we hope
* The following were the names of the members expelled :- Bergen, Henry Brokholst, David Akerman; Gloucester, Colonel Daniel Coxe (speaker), Richard Bull; Town of Salem, Henry Joyce; County of Salem, William Hall, William Clews ; Cape May, Jacob Spicer, Jacob Huling. Spicer was by resolution declared to be incapable of sitting, the others were expelled and declared to be ineligible to be re-elected ; a rather summary way to impeach members.
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evinces that we are not the partisans of his heat and disaffection to the present government. We are very sorry he has been capable to influence so many into a combination with him, to make effectual his ill purposes. But we hope it is rather the ยท effect of weakness than malice, and that their eyes are now so much opened that they'll return to their duty and join with us in providing for the public credit, and whatever else may make this province happy and Your Excellency easy."
The assembly then resolved, " That the late members whom they had expelled should not sit as members of the house if they should be returned on a new election, during this session of the assembly."
Notwithstanding this, several of the same members were re- turned, but were refused seats in the house, and the electors were obliged to choose others in their place.
The governor then prorogued them till the 3d of October. In November the same house met at Crosswicks,* in consequence of the small-pox raging at Burlington. The governor opened the business of the session by telling them, "That the support of the government and public credit required their immediate attention ; that they knew the funds for the first had expired fifteen months ago, and that the other had suffered much by the obstinacy of some in refusing the payment of taxes, or remiss- ness in others in collecting or putting the laws in execution sufficient (if duly executed) to have answered the end, and in a great measure prevented or remedied that evil ; that he doubted not they were now met with a good disposition, as well as in full freedom, all clogs and bars being removed, to pursue to effect the good ends of their meeting, and to make good their engage- ments and promises in several of their addresses ; that the true interest of the people and government were the same, to wit : a government of laws, that no other deserved the name ; that this was never separated or separable but in imagination by men of craft, such as were either abettors of lawless power on the one hand, or confusion and anarchy on the other ; that the first was not the case of this province, and we had well
* The true Indian name of this place is supposed to be Clossweeksung, meaning a separation.
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grounded hopes that all endeavors towards the latter had ceased.
This session continued a long while, more than two months, and was a very fruitful one, they having passed sixteen public and private bills, all of which received the governor's assent.
Samuel Smith, one of the members of assembly for Burlington, died in the year 1718. He had sought happiness in the quiets of obscurity, and was against his own inclination called to the assembly, as well as other public stations, all of which he passed through with a clear reputation. In private life he was mild, inoffensive, benevolent, steady and respected .*
This year was remarkable for an uncommon storm of hail. It fell larger than had been remembered ever before in the provinces, killing many wild pigeons and other birds, besides doing considerable damage, destroying dwellings and other pro- perty, as well as trees and vegetables.
In the beginning of the summer of 1742 another happened, with a strong gust of wind, accompanied with some rain and hail of very uncommon size. In one house it was said to have broken twenty-eight holes through the roof. The damage to the grain in some places was so great that the farmers refused to sell the stock of the previous year for fear they should be in want for bread. At Amwell a boy was said to have been killed, and others were very much injured.
In the spring of 1758 still another happened. This came from the north, the hail in large stones continuing for eight or ten minutes, and abated gradually. In some places it drifted about six inches thick. It went in a vein of about a mile and a half broad. The destruction of green corn and gardens was very great, and the trees had their young leaves shattered to pieces.
In the spring of 1718 Governor Hunter again met the assem- bly at Perth Amboy, but at the desire of the members, on account of their private affairs interfering, he adjourned them to
* He with five of his brothers, John, Daniel, Joseph, Emanuel, and Richard, and one sister, removed from near Bramham, in Yorkshire, at different times, but mostly in and about the year 1691. Daniel served the public several years faithfully in the assembly, and died in 1742. Richard was for twelve years one of the council, and died the latter part of 1750.
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the winter, when again meeting with them he made a speech, setting forth :
"That the revenue nad some time since expired, and that when this came under consideration he desired an augmentation of the officers salaries.
"That in former acts they were so scanty and so retrenched from what they had been, that the officers were not enabled to perform their respective duties.
" That the assembly of New York had passed an act for run- ning the division line between this province, and that upon supposition another for the same purpose would be passed here ; that the justice due the proprietors and the disturbances among the people made such a law an immediate necessity ; that he had formerly recommended their providing for an agent at the court of Great Britain, and now repeated it, that the lords commis- sioners for trade had in several of their letters complained of the want of one, and that this was the only province in His Majesty's dominions that had none.
" That by means of this omission, their business in England stood still ; that what could not be delayed without danger or loss to the public since his administration, had been negotiated by persons employed by him, at his own very great expense, which he hoped they would consider ; that as to projects of trade, he had no reason to change his opinion since they last met, that to this subject he referred them on what he then spoke .*
The assembly said in their address, "That they were not
*" As for the measures of advancing, or rather for giving, a being to trade amongst you, the generality of you has shown such aversion to solid ones, and others such a fondness for imaginary or ruinous ones, that without a virtue and resolution of serving those you represent against their inclination, your endea- vors will be to little purpose. But if anything of that nature fall under deliberation, I cannot think of a better guide than a just inspection into the trade in other provinces where it is in a good and flourishing condition, the means by which it became so can be no mystery; where it is otherwise, or has decayed, you will find the true cause of such decay conspicuous. And it is but a rational conclusion that what has formed trade, or that on which it de" pends, credit in one place cannot but be the most proper means either to begin it or preserve it in another."
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insensible that the present circumstances of the government as well as of the country, made their meeting necessary, notwith- standing the rigor of the season ; that they were not unmindful that the revenue was expired, nor of their duty in a reasonable support ; that they were willing to pass an act for running the division line betwixt this province and New York, but conceived the expense of that affair belonged to the proprietors of the contested lands ; that they were very sensible an agent for the province at the Court of Great Britain was very necessary, but were sorry the circumstances of the province were such that they could not make a suitable provision for so useful an officer, and that they would readily come into any measures that might be effectual to promote the trade and prosperity of the province."
This session passed eleven public and private bills, among which was the one for running and ascertaining the division line between New Jersey and New York, but this act was never put in execution further than fixing the north partition point. This was done by indenture made the 25th of July, 1719, between R. Walter, Isaac Hicks, and Allave Jarret, surveyor general, on the part of New York; John Johnston, and George Willocks, on behalf of East Jersey ; Joseph Kirkbride, and John Reading, on behalf of West Jersey ; and James Alexander, surveyor general, on behalf of both East and West Jersey. These commissioners and surveyors, duly authorized, met at the place appointed, and after many observations of the latitude, unanimously by deed fixed the north partition point on the northwest branch of the Delaware, which they found to be that branch called the Fish Kill.
After this had been done, the West Jersey commissioners thought there was nothing further for them to do; the others though greatly interested in having it settled, left it an uncer- tainty until 1764, when, by acts of assembly of both colonies, it was referred, to be finally settled and determined by commis- sioners to be appointed by the crown.
Another act passed at this time was that for running and ascer- taining the line of division between East and West New Jersey .*
* This was a straight line from the most northerly point or boundary on the northermost branch of the Delaware river, to the most southerly point of a certain beach or island of sand, lying next to and adjoining the main sea on
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The beginning of the summer of this year afforded a fair prospect of a plentiful harvest ; much was expected from a great crop in the ground. A day or two in the beginning proved good weather, but before the grain was secured, showers of rain and a few hours sunshine constantly succeeded each other. Clouds, at first small in appearance, spread widely and rain filled the furrows. The intervals of sunshine encouraged opening the shocks, but were not long enough to dry them. After several weeks came two days and a half of fair weather. What could be dried and saved was now done. The rain then began again, and continued day after day as before, alternate rain and sunshine, for nearly three weeks, so that single ears of corn standing grew. Thus it continued till the grain was gradually reaped. Several lost their corn entirely, others saved but little. This was what they called the wet harvest.
We have now, in the year 1720, come to the end of Governor Hunter's administration. He resigned in favor of William Burnet, (son of the celebrated Bishop Burnet). He at once returned to England, after having occupied the position of gov- ernor of the province for ten years.
Governor Burnet had a ready art of obtaining money ; few loved it more. This foible, it is said, drew him into schemes, gaming, and considerable losses. His address here was engaging and successful. He assented to most of the laws the people wanted, and filled the offices with men of character.
He had before, as early as the year 1705, been appointed lieutenant governor of Virginia, under George, Earl of Orkney, and while on his voyage thither was taken prisoner to France.
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