USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 13
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226
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1781.
shot as spies. Patriotic as was the feeling which in this case guided the insurgents, there were yet doubts that it would long endure.
Entertaining these doubts, Congress wisely bent to the storm. As terms of accommodation, the mutineers were offered, and presently ac- cepted, the discharge of those enlisted for three years or the war; certificates for the deprecia- tion of their pay ; the promise of a speedy set- tlement of all arrearages; and an immediate supply of certain articles of clothing. They then marched to Trenton, where almost the whole line was discharged, without consulting the contracts of enlistment, in regard to which it was deemed expedient not to be too particular. Subsequently, however, these documents were examined, when it was ascertained that, of the men discharged, the greater portion had engaged for the war.
Scarcely was this difficulty surmounted, when, stimulated by the success of the Pennsylvanians, a part of the Jersey line, stationed at Pompton, rose in arms, and advanced similar claims for re- dress of grievances. A committee, previously appointed by the State legislature, offered to ex- amine into their claims, if the mutineers would submit to their officers. Some returned to their duty, but most remained under arms, demanding to be discharged on their own oaths, as the troops engaged in the late revolt had been.
227
MUTINEERS SHOT.
1781.]
Mortified at the termination of the previous in- surrection, Washington determined to crush at once a spirit so threatening to the integrity of the army. Confiding in the fidelity of the eastern troops, he sent from West Point a de- tachment, by which the camp of the mutineers was secretly and suddenly surrounded. Their unconditional submission was then demanded. Intimidated by this prompt and energetic move- ment, they yielded immediately. By their own officers three of the most prominent leaders were pointed out. Arrested and tried by a drum-head court-martial, they were sentenced to death. Mitigating circumstances gained a reprieve for one of the number, but the other two were shot on the field, by a platoon drafted from their own regiment.
Under such discouraging circumstances, Wash- ington prepared for the campaign of 1781. With all his endeavours, the 1st of June found him with but fourteen thousand men in camp. Threatened on all sides by superior numbers, it seemed scarcely possible that he could keep the field for another season.
Meanwhile, from an early period in the year, an active warfare had been carried on in the Carolinas. Having collected a considerable body of troops, Greene, the successor of Gates in command of the southern American army, pre- pared for a vigorous campaign, by despatching
228
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1781.
Morgan, with a thousand men, to harass the British left and rear, lying west of Broad River, in South Carolina. Cornwallis immediately sent Tarleton, his favourite cavalry officer, in pursuit. Retiring before the enemy, Morgan at length took a stand at the Cowpens, where, on the 17th of January, a sanguinary battle was fought, ter- minating in the defeat of Tarleton, with the loss of more than half his troops. Cornwallis now
turned upon Greene, who, having presently ef- fected a junction with the victorious Morgan, for more than a month avoided an engagement ; but, at length, on the 15th of March, both armies joined battle in the vicinity of Guilford Court House, North Carolina. Though victorious, Cornwallis, too much weakened to reap the fruits of his success, fell back upon Wilmington. Greene immediately adopted the bold plan of retaking South Carolina. Advancing rapidly toward Camden, he was met and momentarily checked by Lord Rawdon, at Hobkirk's Hill.
* Adhering to his original intention, however, he finally forced the British from their outposts into the immediate vicinity of Charleston.
Meanwhile Cornwallis, penetrating Greene's design too late to frustrate it, wheeled to the northward, and joined the British troops engaged in ravaging Virginia. After a series of move- ments against Lafayette, who had been sent to oppose him, he retired across James River
229
INVESTMENT OF CORNWALLIS.
1
1781.]
to Yorktown, where, in obedience to the orders of Clinton, who apprehended an attack upon New York, he intrenched in a strong position, to await further directions.
Washington had been actively preparing to attack New York, in conjunction with the French army under Rochambeau; but, being informed that a fleet might be daily expected to arrive from France, he at once conceived the plan of a combined naval and military as- sault upon the position of Cornwallis. Late in August, De Grasse, with the ardently hoped for squadron, sailed into the Chesapeake. In an in- terview between Washington, De Grasse, and Rochambeau, the plan of operations was speedily arranged. Marching with great rapidity and secrecy, the land forces were already at the head of Elk, before Clinton could believe that any thing more than a feint was intended. By the help of the French transports, the allied armies soon effected a junction with Lafayette, at Williams- burg, whence, in number about sixteen thousand, they marched to invest Cornwallis.
Every arrangement being completed, on the night of October the 6th, the besiegers com- menced their first parallel. During eleven days the attack and defence were both conducted with the utmost courage and skill. Cornwallis, however, could maintain his position no longer ; while his retreat was effectually cut off by De
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230
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1782.
Grasse. If the Americans were to storm his works, he could not doubt but that they would be successful. To save the unnecessary effusion of blood that would attend such an assault, he proposed a cessation of hostilities, and terms of capitulation having been finally agreed upon, the garrison, to the number of seven thousand men, surrendered themselves prisoners of war, on the 19th of October.
From the day upon which Cornwallis capitu- lated, the prospect of a peace, favourable to the independence of the confederated states, grew. every moment brighter. The War of the Revo- lution was virtually terminated. In the south, however, a spirited partisan contest was main- tained for a considerable length of time ; while, under the direction of the New York Board of Associated Loyalists, numerous bands of Tory refugees continued to harass the people of New Jersey, by a series of wanton and sanguinary outrages. Prominent among these was the · murder of Captain Joshua Huddy, a brave and enterprising militia officer from the county of Monmouth-a deed which, though the perpe- trators of it were acquitted by a British court- martial, Carleton, the successor of Clinton, re- probated in the strongest terms.
Early in 1782, a resolution was adopted by the English House of Commons, denouncing as enemies to the king all who should advise or at-
231
SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES.
1783.]
tempt a further prosecution of war on the conti- nent of North America. A change of ministry and propositions for negotiation speedily followed, and on the 30th of November a provisional treaty of peace, to take effect when Great Britain and France should conclude an amicable arrange- ment, was signed by the English and American commissioners at Paris. On the 20th of Janu- ary, 1783, preliminary treaties between Great Britain, France, and Spain, were agreed to. Peace being thus ensured, Congress, on the 11th of April, proclaimed a cessation of hostilities ; and on the 30th of September the independence of the confederacy was formally acknowledged and ratified.
232
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1783.
CHAPTER XIX.
Embarrassed situation of the country-Conditional cession of public lands by Virginia-Objected to-Grounds of New Jersey's objection-Virginia withdraws her condition, and the cession is accepted-Federal impost proposed-Favoured by New Jersey and other states-Defeated in consequence of the opposition of New York-Ill feeling thus created- Embarrassing resolution of the New Jersey legislature-Na- tional convention recommended-Meets at Philadelphia- " New Jersey Plan"-" Virginia Plan" adopted-Constitu- tion submitted to the states-Ratified by the New Jersey convention-Republican and Federal parties-Politics of New Jersey-Washington chosen president-His journey from Mount Vernon to New York-His reception at Tren- ton-Trenton established permanently as the capital of the state-Death of Governor Livingston-William Patterson governor-Is made an associate judge in the Supreme Court of the United States-Resigns the executive of New Jersey -Is succeeded by Richard Howell-New partisan differ- ences-Alien and sedition laws-Decline of the Federalists -Joseph Bloomfield elected governor of New Jersey by the Republicans-Removal of the Brotherton Indians.
ON the return of peace and the recognition of their independence, the people of the United States had expected to enjoy a period of repose and prosperity. But numerous difficulties of the most disheartening character were yet to be surmounted. Burdensome state and national debts were to be liquidated, conflicting interests reconciled, and mutual jealousies allayed. Dis-
233
CESSION BY VIRGINIA.
1783.]
sensions speedily arose; which, for a time, threatened to involve the country in the miseries of anarchy and civil war. Happily, however, eight years of common suffering had so assimi- lated the diverse population of the several states, that all considerations of a sectional or private nature were at length laid aside for measures conducive to the good of the nation, and to the permanent establishment of its independence.
Even before the ratification of peace, Con- gress directed its chief endeavours to liquidate the public debt, which formed the most serious obstacle to the prosperity of the country. Al- ready Virginia had ceded to the confederacy a portion of her public lands, to be appropriated to that purpose; but with the condition that her right and title to the remainder should be fully guarantied. To this condition, however, there was no little objection.
In the protracted struggle for independence, the people of New Jersey had exerted themselves to the utmost of their ability. During nearly the whole period of the contest, the main army of the confederacy being within or on the bor- ders of their state, they were at no time free from the unavoidable evils of war. The inhabit- ants of South Carolina alone had suffered to a similar extent by the depredations of the enemy, while no state had contributed more largely than New Jersey toward supplying the American 20*
234
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1783.
troops with the necessaries of life. Plundered by their foes, they received but little compensa- tion from their friends ; and when paid at all, it was in a currency almost worthless. The de- predations of the former they had resisted by taking up arms ; to the requisitions of the latter they had, in general, acceded with commendable promptitude and willingness.
In view of these facts, the legislature of New Jersey protested against the acceptance, by Con- gress, of the offer of Virginia, with its annexed condition. Wrested from England by the joint efforts of the states, the lands in question, they contended, belonged to the states in common. They therefore urged, as « just and incontroverti- ble," the claim of New Jersey to a " full pro- portion of all vacant territory," the proceeds of the sale of which were to be applied to liquidat- ing her proportion of the national debt. Other legislatures uniting in this protest, Congress re- jected the Virginia cession.
Presently, how- ever, that state magnanimously withdrew the condition annexed to her offer, and it was then accepted. Her example was speedily followed by the remaining states, claiming vacant or " crown" lands, and Congress was thus confirm- ed in the possession of a vast extent of territory. Though the chief object of these grants-the payment of the debt of the confederacy-was not accomplished so soon as it was expected,
235
FEDERAL IMPOST PROPOSED.
1786.]
they yet afforded cheering evidences of a scarcely hoped for harmony of feeling between the seve- ral states.
As another means of lightening the burden with which the federal government was oppress- ed, Congress proposed to the legislatures of the different states, that they should confer upon it the right to levy a moderate specific duty on certain imported articles. New Jersey had al- ready urged the necessity of this measure, while hesitating to adopt the Articles of Confedera- tion ; and now her legislature willingly granted the desired authority. But the concurrence of all the states was necessary to its confirmation ; and, New York steadily refusing her full assent, the measure was finally defeated.
Considerable ill-feeling was excited in conse- quence. Placed between two powerful commer- cial states, from which the greater part of her foreign merchandise was necessarily derived, New Jersey had a grievance peculiarly her own -that of paying the duties which those states severally laid upon the importations she con- sumed. By the proposed federative system of imposts, she had hoped to remove the disadvan- tages that operated against her, in consequence of the position she occupied. Her disappoint- ment at the failure of that measure was extreme, and expressed in strong language. On the 20th of February, 1786, her legislature, by resolu-
236
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1786.
tion, refused positively to pay any more specie into the public treasury, until New York con- sented to the federal impost. This resolution embarrassed the action of Congress considerably, and was deemed of such importance that a com- mittee was appointed for the express purpose of expostulating with the assembly of New Jersey. Visited by this committee in person, the assembly, " being willing to remove as far as possible every embarrassment from the counsels of the Union," at once rescinded the obnoxious resolution, but made no provision for collecting the money which had been called for.
These events, with others of still greater mo- ment, made it evident to the reflecting statesmen of the country, and even to the mass of the people, that some modification, or complete re- organization, of the federal compact was abso- lutely necessary. Virginia had already moved
in this matter. In accordance with a resolution of her.assembly, commissioners from five states, including those from New Jersey, met at Anna- polis, in Maryland, in September, 1786, " to consider how far a uniform system in the com- mercial relations of the United States might be necessary to their common interest, and their present harmony." But, finding themselves few in number, and without adequate authority to adopt any definite and effectual measures, they recommended a convention of delegates from
237
DELEGATES TO CONVENTION.
1787.]
the several states, to meet at Philadelphia, in the following May, and then adjourned.
Congress acquiescing in this call for a conven- tion, the states, moved, probably, by an alarm- ing insurrection in Massachusetts, speedily agreed to it. Virginia first, and then New Jer- sey, appointed delegates; the latter naming William Livingston, David Brearley, William Patterson, Jonathan Dayton, Abraham Clark, and William C. Houston.
At the time and place appointed, delegates from twelve states assembled. Washington was unanimously chosen president of the convention, which, with closed doors, immediately entered upon the important business before it. During the long and stormy period of its session, three distinct plans were brought up for discussion. The first of these, introduced by Patterson, of New Jersey, and known as the "Jersey" or " State-Rights Plan," proposed, simply, that the Articles of Confederation should be so amended as to confer increased authority upon Congress, without disturbing the original equality of the several states in that body. As a majority of the convention favoured an entire remodelling of the federative system, this scheme was rejected, as was also that introduced and advocated by the celebrated Alexander Hamilton, who proposed the establishment of a purely national govern- ment. The " Virginia Plan," a species of com-
238
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1787.
promise between the two rejected schemes, and of a mixed federal and national character, was then taken up, and made the basis of our present constitution, as finally adopted on the 17th of September, 1787.
Submitted to Congress, the new constitution was presently transmitted by that body to the several legislatures, with a recommendation that state conventions, of delegates chosen by the people, should be called to decide upon its ap- proval or rejection.
The New Jersey convention met at Trenton, on the 11th of December. With grave delibe- ration, the new instrument of union was read over section by section. Scarcely any discus- sion took place, and no amendments were offered. On the 18th, the constitution was ratified by the unanimous voice of the convention; and, on the following day, the members proceeded in solemn procession to the court-house, where the result of their deliberations was made known to the assembled people. New Jersey was thus the third state to accept of the constitution, having been preceded but a few days by Delaware and Pennsylvania.
The sanction of six more states was necessary, however, to render the new instrument binding upon the confederacy. From the first, the de- legates of New Jersey had been decided friends to the doctrine of states-rights ; but only, per-
239
RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION.
1787.]
haps, so far as the one question of equal repre- sentation was concerned. On most other points they appear to have been favourable to a strong national government. Franklin's amendment to the " Virginia Plan," by which, in the higher branch of the confederative legislature, the re- presentation of the several states was rendered equal, had removed their principal objection to the constitution as finally adopted. But, by a considerable proportion of the people of the country at large, amounting, indeed, almost to a majority, a somewhat broader ground of objec- tion had been taken. Many contended that Congress and the president had been invested with powers altogether too extensive; and that these powers had been taken from the individual states. Others went still further, declaring that the new constitution would lead to a breaking up of the Union, and that the convention which framed it had transcended their authority, which was to amend, merely, the old Articles of Con- federation. But, at length, New Hampshire having accepted of the constitution, the required number of states was completed, and it thus be- came the fundamental law of the republic.
As has just been intimated, the whole people of the United States, on the question of adopt- ing or rejecting the federal constitution were at once organized into two widely differing parties. On the one side were the Federalists, who not
240
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1789.
only declared themselves in favour of accepting the new compact, but also; in some instances, contended that it ought to have been rendered still more centralizing. Between these and their opponents, who presently took the name of Re- publicans, a warm political warfare was kept up, even after the ratification of the constitution by all the states.
To New Jersey the constitution ensured peace, prosperity, and freedom from the ap- prehensions of becoming the prey of her more powerful neighbours. Consequently the mass of her people sided with the Federalists, though they do not appear to have been carried into that current of partisan animosity by which their brethren in other parts of the Union were so vi- olently agitated. In Virginia and New York, however, the republicans held an undoubted ma- jority. By these states it was proposed to call a second national convention. But, the Con- gress of 1789 having adopted certain amend- ments to the constitution, this proposition was not agreed to by any other state. In the mean time, moreover, Washington, who, though no partisan, was an avowed friend of the new Fe- deral compact, had been elected to the office of President of the United States, and for a brief period there was a lull in the political tempest.
From Mount Vernon to New York, where his
241
WASHINGTON AT TRENTON.
1789.]
inauguration was to take place, Washington had desired to proceed without display or cere- mony. But the whole course of his journey was marked by splendid receptions and entertain- ments, warm congratulations, and whatever could exhibit the deep veneration and sincere gratitude of the people with whom he came in contact. Though not so magnificent as at other places, nothing could have been more touchingly appro- priate than his reception at Trenton, where, twelve years before, he had appeared under cir- cumstances so widely different. On the same bridge over the Assunpink, which he had crossed the night previous to the battle of Princeton, was erected a triumphal arch, supported by thirteen columns, twined with evergreens and flowers, and bearing the inscription-" The De- fender of the Mothers will be the Protector of the Daughters." Underneath this arch, Wash- ington, as he entered the town, was met by a procession of matrons, intermixed with whom were young girls-their daughters-clad in white, and each carrying a basket of flowers. When the president drew near, they began to sing the following little Ode, which had been written for the occasion, by Richard. Howell, Esq .:-
" Welcome, mighty chief, once more, Welcome to this grateful shore ;. Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow, Aims at thee the fatal blow. 21
242
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1793.
Virgins fair and matrons grave, Those thy conquering arm did save, Build for thee triumphal bowers ; Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers ! Strew your hero's way with flowers !"
As they sung the last line of their song, suit- ing the action to the words, they strewed before him a profusion of flowers from their baskets.
Little of marked historical importance occurred in New Jersey for a number of years after the election of Washington to the presidency. Dur- ing the session of the legislature, in 1790, the seat of government of the state was permanently established at Trenton. In July of the s year, the old and tried governor of the common- wealth, William Livingston, died while yet in office, deeply lamented by all parties. Chosen when the government was first organized, he had remained at his post, without shrinking, during the entire period of the perilous struggle for in- dependence. Having assisted in framing the federal constitution, he became its zealous sup- porter, and his influence had been exerted with great effect to procure its ratification by the state. He died on the twenty-fifth of July, and was succeeded as governor by William Patterson, who continued in office until March, 1793; when, having been appointed an asso- ciate judge in the supreme court of the United States, he resigned. Governor Patterson was
243
NEW POLITICAL ISSUES.
1798.]
succeeded by Richard Howell, who remained in service until October, 1801.
During the period of Governor Howell's ad- ministration, a great change took place in the condition of the two political organizations of the state and nation. The original point in dispute had been dropped, and new questions, both of foreign and domestic policy, were brought up, inflaming to the highest degree the animosity of partisans.
Emerging from a bloody revolution, France had proclaimed herself a republic, and, soon after, declared war against England. By the new and ill regulated government, the United States, during a period extending from 1793 to 1798, were subjected to many mortifying insults and grievous injuries. Siding with the French, the Republicans or Democrats, as they now began to be called, advocated the inter- ference of the American government in favour of France, either by taking up arms in her behalf, or by fulfilling the conditions of a treaty made with the late empire, which provided that French privateers and their prizes, but not those of any country at war with France, should receive shelter in the ports of the United States. Deeming this treaty no longer binding, and wish- ing to preserve the country from the miseries of a foreign war, Washington, supported by the Federalists, issued a proclamation of strict neu-
244
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY [1800.
trality. Shortly subsequent, several French privateers, fitting out in American ports, were seized by the Federal authorities. Against these seizures, Genet, the minister of the Directory of France, entered a warm protest, and, en- couraged by the sympathies of a large portion of our citizens, violently assailed the prudent course of the administration. But, with the re- call of Genet, the excitement thus created par- tially subsided.
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