USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 8
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133
ALARM OF WEBB.
1757.]
calm's barbarian allies was to attend their march to Fort Edward, some twelve miles distant.
Montcalm made every effort to fulfil his pledges. But dissatisfied with his clemency, and rendered furious by strong drink, the savages fell upon the English as they filed out of their entrench- ments. Without arms, they could make no de- fence. Twenty, or thereabouts, were tomahawk-
ed on the spot. The rest fled; some to the wilderness, others to the French camp. Mont- calm and his officers exerted themselves daringly to stay the slaughter. "Kill me !" cried the mortified general ; " Kill me, but spare the Eng- lish, who are under my protection." In the flight to Fort Edward, a few more were slain or made prisoners by the savages. Six hundred reached there in a body ; many stragglers fol- lowed; and four hundred afterward came in un- der a strong escort of French troops.
All this time Webb was at Fort Edward, with six thousand men under his command, and a nu- merous militia within call. Yet he remained in- active, not daring to sally from his stronghold. Roused at length by his personal fears, he sum- moned assistance. His call was answered promptly. From New Jersey alone a thousand militia hastened toward his camp, while three thousand more were ready to march if it should be necessary. But it was now too late. Satis- fied with the triumph he had achieved, Mont-
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134
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1758.
calm retreated to Canada. Thus disastrously for the English terminated the campaign of 1757.
Meanwhile Governor Belcher had died, worn out with years, and not unregretted. The ex- ecutive duties now devolved for a brief period upon the president of the council, the aged John Reading.
With the opening of the campaign of 1758 a brighter prospect dawned upon the dejected and mortified colonists. William Pitt, the elder, was now at the head of the British cabinet. Unit- ing the same energy and steadfastness to well- formed aims, that had elevated him from a cornetcy in the dragoons to his present lofty station, he determined upon overthrowing- the Gallic dominion in North America. In his pre- parations he exhibited a full and just knowledge of the temper and disposition of the colonists. The obnoxious Loudoun was recalled. The galled sense of honour of the provincial officers was soothed by allowing all, from the rank of colonel downward, an equal command with the British. A powerful fleet and army were despatched to America. To co-operate with these forces, the several colonies were invited to raise such a number of levies as their circumstances would permit. Arms, ammunition, tents, and provi- sions were to be furnished by the crown. The provinces were to pay and clothe their levies,
135
LIBERAL SUPPORT OF THE WAR.
1758.]
but for these expenses even, Pitt promised to endeavour to procure a parliamentary reim- bursement.
The effect was magical. Instead of reluctantly raising five hundred levies, the New Jersey as- sembly, offering a bounty of twelve pounds to each recruit, called for a thousand, and voted fifty thousand pounds for their support. Bar racks, each capable of accommodating three hundred men, were ordered to be built at Bur- lington, Trenton, New Brunswick, Amboy, and Elizabethtown. Nor was a less energetic spirit exhibited by the other colonies. Nearly thirty thousand provincials took up arms. With these and the regulars, Abercrombie, the new com- mander-in-chief, found himself at the head of fifty thousand effective troops.
Three several expeditions were set in motion; Abercrombie against Ticonderoga and Crown Point; Forbes against Duquesne ; and Amherst and Wolfe, in conjunction with Boscawen's fleet, against Louisburg.
Amherst was the first to move. Appearing before Louisburg on the 6th of June, he imme- diately began a vigorous siege. After an ob- stinate defence of seven weeks, in which they suffered severe loss, the garrison, three thousand strong, surrendered as prisoners of war. The whole country around the Gulf of St. Lawrence thus fell into the power of the English.
136
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1758.
Meanwhile, Abercrombie had assembled on the margin of Lake George an army of sixteen thousand men, seven thousand being British regulars, and the remainder provincials from New England, New York, and New Jersey. At early dawn on July the fifth, they embarked on more than a thousand boats, and to the stir- ring tones of martial music, with bright banners and gay uniforms gleaming in the morning sun, moved swiftly down the lake to attack Ticonde- roga. Landing near the outlet of the lake, at nine o'clock the next day, they began their march, over a rough road, and led by bewildered guides. Some confusion took place in the van, during which a scouting party of the French was encountered. The loss of the English was trifling in point of numbers, but among the slain was young Lord Howe, the moving spirit of the army.
Passing the night in the wilderness, Aber- crombie returned to the landing-place, and took a new and shorter route, which the energy of Bradstreet, an active provincial officer, had opened to within a mile and a half of the French works. Too impatient to wait for his artillery, he rashly ordered an assault on the front of the enemy's line.
Ticonderoga was held by about thirty-four hundred men, under the command of the watch- ful and sagacious Montcalm. Early informed
137
ATTACK ON TICONDEROGA.
1758.]
of the approach of the English, he had with wonderful activity wellnigh completed his de- fences before they made their appearance. The most formidable portion of his works was that which Abercrombie had determined to storm. It consisted of a breast-work nine feet high, built of huge logs, and guarded in front by felled trees, with their branches sharpened, and pointing outward like lances. Behind this Montcalm posted his troops, with orders not to fire a gun until the storming party should become entangled among the stumps and rubbish of all sorts, by which their advance was impeded.
Having formed in three columns, the British regulars rushed gallantly to the assault. Com- manded to reserve their fire until the breast- work should be carried, they were struggling over the encumbered ground in front, when a deadly and incessant discharge broke from the French lines. Though thrown at once into con- fusion, they fought bravely and long. For four hours they endeavoured with heroic obstinacy, but in vain, to execute the ill-timed and injudi- cious orders of their chief. Finally, having lost over two thousand in killed and wounded, they abandoned the hopeless contest. On the next
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morning Abercrombie conducted a hasty and confused retreat to Fort William Henry.
To balance this ill fortune, in part at least, the energetic Bradstreet presently projected the
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138
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
- [1758.
surprise of Frontenac, a fortress on the Cana- dian shore of Lake Ontario. His success was signal. An immense amount of valuable stores, nine armed vessels, and the command of the lake thus fell into the hands of the English.
The destruction of Frontenac contributed largely to the success of the western expedition under Forbes. Deprived by that event of their wonted supplies, the garrison at Fort Duquesne, upon the approach of the English, set fire to their works and fled precipitately down the Ohio. The charred ruins were yet smoking when Wash- ington with the vanguard of the army took pos- session of the deserted post.
Meanwhile, the triumphs of the campaign had been enhanced by the restoration of peace along the western borders. After several preliminary conferences, Bernard, now governor of the pro- vince, aided by the good offices of Teedyscung, one of their bravest and most eloquent chiefs, prevailed upon the New Jersey tribes to attend " the grand council-fire, kindled at the forks of the Delaware." Here were met the representa- tives of the Iroquois and their subject tribes, to treat with the commissioners of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. "We now take the hatchet out of your hands," said the red man solemnly 'to the commissioners. " It was a French hatch- et We take it out of your hands and bury it in the ground, where it shall rest for ever."
139
FURTHER I EVY OF TROOPS.
1759.]
Many strings of wampum confirmed the truth of their words, and the broken chain of friendship was re-united with strong links.
At a subsequent special conference, the New Jersey tribes sold all their remaining lands to the province. The Delawares presently emi- grated to the country west of the Alleghanies, while the Minnisinks, numbering about one hun- dred and fifty souls, authorized the purchase of three thousand acres, on the eastern shore of Burlington county, where they were removed at the expense of the colony. Here, in possession of fine hunting grounds and convenient fisheries, they remained quietly for many years, under the protection of special commissioners.
For the campaign of 1759, Pitt planned the conquest of Canada; the young and gallant Wolfe being directed to advance against Que- bec, Amherst to take Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and then besiege Montreal ; and a third army, composed principally of provincials under Prideaux, to capture Niagara. Of this plan the colonial assemblies were informed under an oath of secrecy. Pitt gained their willing co-opera- tion by a prompt parliamentary reimbursal of the last year's expenses. By spring twenty thousand provincials were in the field. With less than fifteen thousand fighting men, New Jersey raised a thousand troops in addition to the thousand she had already lost. Her expen-
140
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
[1759.
ditures for their support amounted to almost five dollars for every soul in the province.
Pitt's plan for the campaign was but partially accomplished. Amherst, indeed, obtained easy possession of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, but he moved with such dilatory caution that winter put an effectual stop to his operations, while he was yet lingering at the head of Lake Cham- plain. Prideaux landed successfully before Ni- agara, but was soon afterward killed by the bursting of a cohorn. Sir William Johnson succeeded to the chief command. Twelve hun- dred French regulars, hastening to relieve the beleaguered fortress, were signally routed; and finally, after sustaining a siege of nearly three weeks, the garrison, six hundred strong, sur- rendered as prisoners of war. Destitute of shipping and short of provisions, Johnson was likewise unable to effect the proposed junction with Wolfe on the St. Lawrence. The latter general, however, one of the best and bravest in the British army, with the loss of his life, gained an imperishable renown by winning the most important battle that had ever been fought in the New World. Sailing from Louisburg with eight thousand troops, he landed a short distance below Quebec, on the twenty-fifth of June. Nearly three months were spent in unavailing attempts to bafile the watchfulness of the alert Montcalm. But at length, having secretly
141
WILLIAM FRANKLIN GOVERNOR.
1763.]
scaled the Heights of Abraham, Wolfe drew up five thousand of his troops in battle array on the plain before Quebec. Montcalm hastened to meet him, and a sanguinary battle ensued. Wound- cd twice, Wolfe lived to learn that the French had fled, but no longer. His brave opponent, Montcalm, also received a death-wound in the fight, but did not survive to witness the capitu- lation of the city, an event which took place five days after the battle.
With Quebec fell the power of France in America. In the following year Montreal was surrendered to the united armies under Am- herst ; but peace between England and France was for a time deferred, by the "family com- pact" entered into by the latter country and Spain. The allied powers, however, dispirited by continued defeat, were at length brought to terms, and peace was finally restored by the Treaty of Fontainebleau, on the third of November, 1763. Nova Scotia, Canada and its dependencies, together with the entire com- mand of the country east of the Mississippi, were thus secured to Great Britain.
Meantime, Bernard having been elevated to the government of Massachusetts, trans- ferred that of New Jersey to Thomas Boone. Being presently sent to South Carolina, Boone was succeeded by Josiah Hardy. In 1763, William, the natural and only son of Ben-
142
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
[1763.
jamin Franklin, through the powerful recom- mendation of Lord Bute, was appointed gover- nor of New Jersey, Hardy having been pre- viously nominated as consul at Cadiz.
Soon after the commencement of Franklin's administration, an extensive conspiracy, having for its object the extermination of the whites, was formed by the Indians of Pennsylvania and of the territory north-west of the Ohio. At the head of the conspiracy of red men was Pontiac, the brave, active, and far-seeing chief of the Ottawas. The frontier posts were at- tacked and many of them captured. Scalping parties committed their customary atrocities in the border settlements. On the approach of the marauding parties to the western frontier of New Jersey, Governor Franklin extended the line of fortifications and ordered out the militia. But these were insufficient; the sava- ges presently breaking through the line, and cruelly massacreing a number of families. Pro- vision was immediately made by the assembly for the further protection of the frontier, and troops raised to serve with the northern army against the Indians. ew Jersey, however, was not again molested.
143
COLONIAL EXPENDITURES.
1763.]
CHAPTER XII.
Colonial expenditures during the war-Project to tax Ame- rica-Obnoxious to the colonists-Unanimity of the pro- vinces-Stamp Act proposed-Remonstrance of the colo- nies-Stamp Act passed-Spirited resolutions of Virginia -National Congress recommended-Disapproved of by the New Jersey house-Indignation of the people against their representatives-House again convenes at Amboy-Dele- gates appointed to the Congress-Petition and remonstrance forwarded to England-New Jersey stamp-distributor re- signs-Stamp Tax repealed-Party lines drawn-Oppo- sition to the Quartering Act-Townsend's tax bill passed- Agitation in the colonies-Language of the New Jersey house - Non-importation agreements - Violated by New York traders-Their reception in New Jersey-Repeal of all taxes except the duty on tea-Popular tumults in Mon- mouth and Essex counties-Odious nature of the tax on tea-Rendered nugatory by non-importation agreements -Parliament endeavours to force , tea into America-Tea destroyed at Boston and in New Jersey-Port of Boston closed-New Jersey people sympathize with their Massa- chusetts brethren-National Congress of 1774-Battle of Lexington.
IN the long contest but lately terminated, the assistance England had received from her colo- nies was important. More than thirteen thou- sand provincials had perished by the sword and the diseases of camps; and more than three millions of pounds were expended by the differ- ent colonies. During nearly the whole period
144
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
[1763.
of hostilities, New Jersey alone had maintained a thousand troops in the field, at an outlay amounting to over three hundred thousand pounds. Of all the money thus furnished, scarce- ly one-third had been reimbursed by Parliament.
The promptitude with which the provinces had advanced means, and the little apparent in- convenience they suffered from the large de- mands made upon them, created in the minds of the English ministers an exaggerated opinion with regard to the wealth and resources of the colonists. England herself had expended im- mense sums in prosecuting the war. Some por- tion of this outlay was properly chargeable to the American colonies, and to them, therefore, the ministry were early led to look for reim- bursal. With this pretext they immediately pre- pared to execute a design, conceived indeed long before, but which the necessity of a good feeling on the part of the colonists had hitherto prevented from being prominently brought for- ward. This was to impose upon them a tax for revenue, thus at once opening a source of emolument and asserting the prerogative of the crown.
Yet the execution of this design was fraught with danger, which, however, but few foresaw. Individually the colonies had on all previous oc- casions expressed their abhorrence of measures involving the principle of unrepresented taxa-
145
STAMP DUTIES PROPOSED.
1764.]
tion. During the late war, the clashing inter- ests that had hitherto divided them were in some degree harmonized. The idea of union in a common cause had become familiar. Nothing could have been better calculated to strengthen that idea than an undue assertion of the royal prerogative. Nor were the colonists illy pre- pared to resist that assertion. They had be- come accustomed to arms, and to the discipline of the camp and the field ; and by their recent intercourse with one another they had gained a knowledge, hitherto unknown, of their mutual resources and capabilities in the emergency of war.
Notwithstanding the quiet yet pertinacious re- sistance of the colonies, Parliament had in va- rious ways wielded a sort of power over them, highly obnoxious to some, and greatly detri- mental to the interests of all. That which was the most odious-the levying of taxes for reve- nue-though frequently claimed, had never been exercised. Urged on by Grenville, the English chancellor, Parliament prepared to vindicate its asserted claim. After the adoption of several · offensive measures, the House of Commons, in March, 1764, resolved that " it might be proper to charge certain stamp duties in the colonies." In accordance with this resolve a bill was coun- selled, imposing a duty on stamps, by which va- rious legal and other papers, to be valid in courts
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146
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
[1765.
of law, were to be drawn up on stamped paper, sold by public officers appointed for that pur- pose, and at prices which levied a stated tax on every such document.
In America every effort was exerted to pre- vent the passage of this proposed act ; but re- monstrances, petitions, and denunciations were equally unavailing. On the twenty-second of March, 1765, it was passed with slight opposi- tion by the Commons, and by the Lords without a division. At the same time an act called the Quartering Act was passed, authorizing the mi- nistry to maintain a standing army in America, the several provincial assemblies being directed to supply the troops with quarters, fuel, lights, drink, soap and bedding.
On receiving intelligence of the passage of these acts, the colonies became agitated by the keenest indignation. With singular unanimity they took bold and determined steps to prevent their effective operation. Virginia was the first to move. By the house of burgesses of that province resolutions were adopted, reciting in the most spirited language the rights and griev- ances of the colonists. Massachusetts followed, and recommended a National Congress, to meet at New York on the first Tuesday of October.
On the twenty-ninth of June this recom- mendation was laid before the New Jersey as- sembly. Few in number, on the point of ad-
147
DELEGATES TO CONGRESS.
1765.]
journment, and influenced probably by Franklin, who was an ardent supporter of the prerogative, the house paid but little attention to it, and somewhat hastily signified their disapproval of the proposed convention. Their conduct, how-
ever, was keenly censured. So strong was the popular indignation, that Ogden, their speaker, found it necessary, in order to preserve the peace of the province,'to convene the members, by circular, at Amboy. In defiance of Franklin's denunciation of their proceedings as « unprece- dented, irregular, and unconstitutional," they accordingly met and appointed Joseph Ogden, Hendrick Fisher, and Joseph Borden to be de- legates to the National Congress.
At the time and place appointed, delegates from nine provinces assembled, and presently adopted a declaration of rights, in which it was forcibly contended that the colonies could not be taxed unless by their own consent. Eloquent memorials to both Houses of Parliament, and a petition to the king, spirited but respectful, were next agreed to and signed by most of the dele- gates present. To these, however, Ogden of New Jersey, and Ruggles of Massachusetts, re- fused to attach their signatures, on the ground that the approval of the several assemblies was first necessary. Ogden's conduct was severely censured at home. He was burned in effigy by
149
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
[1765.
the people, and finally forced to resign his place as speaker of the house.
The proceedings of the National Congress were approved without a dissenting voice, by the assembly of New Jersey, which met early in the following month. Reiterating the sentiments adopted in the convention, the house protested strongly against the late Act of Parliament as utterly subversive of their ancient privileges. For this they were sharply reprehended by the governor, and immediately prorogued.
Meanwhile steps of a less legitimate character had been taken to resist the operation of the Stamp Act. Associations designed to unite the people in forcible opposition to it, springing up in New York and Connecticut, and calling them- selves the "Sons of Liberty," had extended rapidly into the adjoining colonies. Riots be- came frequent and alarming. Many of the stamp- officers were frightened into resignation. Others, among whom was Coxe of New Jersey, volun- tarily threw up their commissions. And when, on the first of November, the act went into ope- ration, neither stamps nor stamp-officers could be found. The obnoxious measure was in effect nullified.
A change having meanwhile taken place in the British ministry, the colonists were encourag- ed to maintain their bold and determined stand. Besides, their agreement to import no more
149
DISTINCTION OF PARTIES.
1766.]
British goods until the Stamp Act should be re- pealed, began to be felt seriously by the trading interest of England, which was thus led to fa- vour their cause. The eloquence and zeal of Pitt were also exerted in their behalf. Finally, with a show of liberality, but in reality as a matter of expediency, the new ministry procured the repeal of the odious act, in March, 1766. But in order to soothe the irritation of its friends, a bill was previously passed, asserting the power and right of Parliament "to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever." This, however, was dis- regarded by the colonists in the joy they expe- rienced at their signal victory.
To the New Jersey assembly, which presently met, Governor Franklin offered his congratula- tion on the repeal of the Stamp Act. This I a cutting reply. Franklin's strenuous efforts to prevent that desirable event were not forgotten. Still the assembly were willing to be grateful to the king and to Parliament for having relieved them from the burden of an " impolitic law."
While with the mass of the colonists satisfac- tion was the prominent feeling, there were not wanting occasions for angry discussion in regard to the respective rights of the crown and the colonial assemblies. Party lines began to be strongly drawn; such as advocated the royal prerogative being known as Tories, while the op-
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150
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
[1767.
ponents of parliamentary taxation received the · name of Whigs.
Among other causes for the discontent which soon manifested itself was the enforcing of the Quartering Act. Partially complied with in Massachusetts, in New York it was wholly dis- regarded. In New Jersey a full compliance with its provisions was refused. by the house, who declared that they considered it as much an act for levying taxes as the one recently repealed.
Rockingham's ministry was speedily overturn- ed. With the formation of the new cabinet the aspect of colonial affairs became still more cloud- ed. Charles Townsend, a man of brilliant ta- lents, but with no fixed principle of action, oc- cupied the post of chancellor of the exchequer. Exasperated by the taunts of Grenville, he rashly declared in the House of Commons that he dared to tax America, and forthwith introduced a new scheme for drawing a revenue from the colonies, by a bill imposing custom-house taxation on glass, paper, paints, and tea. With scarcely a show of opposition, the bill was carried through Parliament, in June, 1767.
Justly viewing this measure as identical in principle with the Stamp Act, the colonists at once began to agitate against it; pouring in upon the ministry a continuous stream of peti- tions and remonstrances, and by essays and le- gislative resolves expressing the deep conviction
151
1767.] NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENTS.
that their liberties had been invaded. Though couched in less fiery language than on the pre- vious occasion, these documents were character- ized by logical acumen, a clear sense of the rights of the colonies, and a calm but fixed determina- tion to resist all and every attempt at parlia- mentary taxation.
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