NEWS: Newspaper Extracts, 1775, Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Vol. XXXI, pp. 1-47 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________ DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE COLONIAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FIRST SERIES --- VOL. XXXI EXTRACTS FROM AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS RELATING TO NEW JERSEY FOR THE YEAR 1775 EDITED BY A. VAN DOREN HON EYMAN SOMERVILLE, N. J.: THE UNIONIST-GAZETTE ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS, 1923 PREFACE This volume, published by means of a special appropriation by the Legislature of 1922, concludes Newspaper Extracts concerning New Jersey from all available American newspapers published from the year 1704, when the first one was established in Boston, to July, 1782. The reason the year it covers, 1775, has hitherto been omitted, is because the Second Series of "Archives," starting with 1776, was begun and finished before the First Series was ended. Happily, the Extract volumes contemplated are now complete. The late Dr. Austin Scott, recent Chairman of the Colonial Documents Committee of the New Jersey Historical Society, had expected to assist in seeing this volume through the press, but his untimely death prevented his participation in the publication further than to agree with the present Editor that the rules for printing adopted in the latter part of Vol. XXIX, First Series (see Preface in that volume), should be continued. This practice has been followed. In reference to the newspaper credits it may be noted that the titles of the journals quoted are usually abbreviated. The full titles as originally printed were as follows: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet; or the General Advertiser. The Pennsylvania Journal; and the Weekly Advertiser. The Pennsylvania Gazette. The New York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury. The New York journal; or the General Advertiser. Rivington's New York Gazetteer; or the Connecticut, Hudson's River, New Jersey and Quebec Weekly Advertiser. (This newspaper ceased publication Nov. 23, 1775, and did not resume until Oct. 4, 1777). Of course it is well understood that no newspapers were published in New Jersey in 1775. 8 PREFACE Many of the matters herein reproduced appeared in several of the newspapers named above at about the same date, although credited to one only. This is especially true of the advertisements. There have been omitted most of the reports of proceedings of Committees of Correspondence in various counties, and of the General Assembly of New Jersey, because such have already been published by the State in the volume entitled "Minutes of the Provincial Congress and Council of Safety" (1879): a most valuable book of reference, covering much more than its title implies. It is realized that many extracts given herein have very little connection with New Jersey, and others are of the slightest historical consequence. Such include the slave and horse advertisements, chiefly of use as giving the names of their owners. In these cases there have been excised certain totally unimportant features, e. g., in the matter of slaves, a full description of the clothes they wore. In the case of long communicated articles the copyists failed to write them out fully; hence the occasional statement in brackets. If, on the whole, the matters appearing in this volume on the really stirring events of 1775 are fewer in number or less significant that one would expect, it is to be remembered that the newspapers of that day were not informative as now, and that the extracts given are only such as relate to one State, which was outside of that wherein the publication appeared. The need for printing this volume at once has precluded the Editor from taking the time necessary to add footnotes after proper names, so that the work would have the appearance of annotation. However, only months of searching would have sufficed to properly annotate the extracts, and, in the light of the numerous footnotes in the preceding and succeeding volumes, the labor appeared hardly necessary. A. VAN DOREN HONEYMAN. Plainfield, N. J., January, 1923. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 9 Newspaper Extracts From Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, No. 167, Jan. 2, 1775. At a special meeting of the Board of General Proprietors of the Western Division of New-Jersey, at the City of Burlington, on Thursday and Friday, the 10th and 11th days of November, 1774, it was Resolved, That as it is evident the Eastern Proprietors are not disposed to come into the equitable measures proposed by this Board, for settling a true line of partition between them, this Board will assert and maintain their right to the lands lying to the westward of a line, to be run from the mouth of Machackamack, lately established as the Northern Boundary of this province, to the Station Point at Little Egg-harbour, and to the eastward of the ex parte line, run by Mr. John Lawrence. Also Resolved and Ordered, That every Proprietor, or others holding under them, who have a right to locate lands within any of the first four dividends may be allowed to survey the same on any part of the lands within the angle, lying to the Westward and Eastward of the lines before mentioned, subject to the Resolutions of this Board already agreed upon; and provided also, That those who have warrants now to locate, shall locate and return the same to the Surveyor- General, within six months from this time, and all others who may obtain warrants hereafter, within six months from the date of such warrants. Resolved also, That a sixth dividend be granted, to be located within the angle only, at the rate of 1,500 acres to each Propriety, the warrants therefor to be granted by the Council of Proprietors, at their meeting in February next, or any subsequent meeting. At another special meeting of the said Board, on the fifth of December, 1774. This Board having understood that very ungenerous and undue means have been taken by the Eastern Proprietors, or their agents, to induce such persons living within the angle, and who are actually bond fide purchasers under the said Eastern Proprietors, to believe that the Western Proprietors mean and intend to disturb their 10 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 possessions and improvements, and to take their lands from them, this Board do resolve and agree, that they have no such sinister intention, but mean to give to every such purchaser, or those under whom they hold, the full opportunity of covering such their possessions and improvements with West-Jersey rights, at a reasonable and moderate price; and that, in the mean time, such possessions and improvements be secured to them without interruption or disturbance, or until an Act of Assembly can be obtained to regulate the same, and finally determine all matters in controversy between the said Proprietors; but that it is nevertheless to be understood, that no such favor is intended or can be shown to any person whatever, who may hereafter chuse to run the risque of making any future purchases of the Eastern Proprietors, of any of the lands that are contained within the said angle - this Board protesting against any sales of the Eastern Proprietors which they may hereafter think proper to make. The above Resolves are directed to be published, for the information of the General Proprietors, and all others who may be concerned. By order of the Board, DANIEL ELLIS, Register. TO BE SOLD BY JOHN PEMBERTON. PHILADELPHIA, 1st month 2d, 1775. Trenton steel, either in blister or faggot; mill saws, tanners shaving knives, cart and waggon boxes, cogs for wheat fans, &c. One moiety of the steel furnace in Trenton, being a substantial stone building, in good repair; and a house and lot in Bridgetown, New Jersey. SALEM COUNTY, December 26, 1774. By virtue of several writs to me directed, will be exposed to sale, agreeable to adjournment, on the 26th day of January next, at the house of Mr. Peter Louderback, Inn-keeper, in the township of Piles-Grove, a certain plantation or tract of land containing 150 acres, be the same more or less, situate in Upper Penn's Neck, and adjoining lands of Charles Daulbo, deceased; the land has two dwelling-houses on it, and a good piece of meadow cleared and more may be made, the land being well timbered. Any person inclining to purchase may view the premises before the day of sale, by applying to Gabriel Daulbo, on the premises, or to Mr. Lockart, near the same; seized and taken in execution, and to be sold by BATEMAN LLOYD, late Sheriff. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 11 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for the County of Gloucester, on the 19th day of December, 1774, Samuel Harrison, Robert Friend Price, John Hinchman, John Cooper, Joseph Ellis, Isaac Mickle, John Sparks, Joseph Cooper, Joseph Low, Peter Cheeseman, Dr. Benjamin Vanlier, Joseph Hugg, and Marmaduke Cooper, were unanimously chosen as a Committee of Correspondence for said county, who have appointed Robert Friend Price, John Hinchman, John Cooper, John Sparks, Joseph Ellis and Joseph Hugg, as a committee to meet the committees of the other counties, at such time and place as shall be hereafter agreed on; and that three or more of said Committee shall attend for choosing Delegates to serve in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next. By order of the Committee, JOSEPH HUGG, Clerk. BORDENTOWN, 12th month 16th, 1774. Whereas the partnership between Frettwell and Jonathan Wright is dissolved, this is therefore to desire all persons who have any accounts against them since their being in partnership, to bring them in that they may be settled. From the New York Gazette, No. 2772, Jan. 2, 1775. TO THE PUBLIC: THE NEW STAGE COACHES, That constantly ply between New-York and Philadelphia, the one sets out from Powles-Hook Ferry, opposite New-York, and the other from Mr. Little's, in Fourth Street, between Market and Chestnut Streets, at the Sign of the Indian Queen, in Philadelphia, every Tuesday and Friday morning, at or before sunrise, and meet at Princetown the same nights, where they exchange passengers, and return the next day to Powles-Hook Ferry and Philadelphia, so as to perform the journey in two days from New-York to Philadelphia. The price for each passenger in the coach, is thirty shillings, and out-passengers twenty shillings, proc. Each passenger allowed to take 14 lb. baggage, and above that to pay two pence per pound. THE FLYING MACHINE still continues, and sets out every Monday and Thursday mornings from Powles- Hook Ferry, opposite New-York, and from the Sign of the Cross-Keys in Philadelphia, at the corner of Third and Chestnut streets, and meet at Princeton the same nights, exchange passengers, and return the next day to Powles-Hook Ferry, and Philadelphia, so as to perform the journey in two days. The price 12 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 for each passenger twenty-one shillings, and goods as usual; only each passenger allowed 14 lb. The passengers are desired to cross over the Ferry to Powles-Hook the evening before, as the stages set off early. It is hoped that this very expensive undertaking will meet with encouragement from all ladies and gentlemen, as they may depend upon punctual performance, by JOHN MERCEREAU. We the subscribers have imported in the Brigantine Fair Lady, Charles Sprainger, Master, from Bristol, sundry goods as follows: [Names bales of checks and linen handkerchiefs belonging to John and Joseph Shotwell, of Raway]. And being disposed to comply with the association entered into by the late Continental Congress respecting the sale of goods, give this public notice, that the said foregoing goods will be sold at Thomas Doran's, on the 3d of first month, 1775, under the direction of the general Committee. New-York, 12th Month 30th, 1774. HAYDOCK AND BOWNE, JAMES PARSONS, SAMUEL DE LAPLAINE. TO BE SOLD, By William and Abraham Beekman . . . . 112 acres of land at Cranberry, in New- Jersey, about 50 of which is cleared, the remainder wood land, on which is a good dwelling-house two stories high, also a small dwelling-house, store house, and several out houses, a well of good water near the house, which is situated along the public road, about the center between this city [New York] and Philadelphia. It is a good stand for trade, a store having been kept there many years with advantage, which is likely to increase by the establishment of a weekly stage through Cranberry. From the Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2402, Jan. 4, 1775. BORDENTOWN STAGE. BORDENTOWN, Dec. 23, 1774. Whereas one of the store-houses belonging to the subscriber was broken open in June last, and sundry wearing apparel was stolen and carried off from thence, whereupon a dispute arose who should bear the loss: In order to prevent any misunderstandings for the future, the subscriber gives this public notice, that he keeps a stage for the conveying of passengers and goods to and from Philadelphia 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 13 and South Amboy Ferry only, and therefore, if any passengers or goods should offer, which are not to be carried through to said Ferry, but only some part of the way, they must take their chance for the conveyance, and not expect, in case the stages are full, to have waggons purposely provided for their accommodation. Neither will the subscriber from henceforth be liable for any articles whatever that may be stolen from his stores, if a real burglary should happen again; the storing people's goods being a service for which he hath no reward. And whereas large sums of money have been frequently forwarded by his waggons, the subscriber further declares that he will not, from henceforth, be chargeable with any cash so entrusted, as his waggons have no place proper for the securing of money, and the risque is thereby very considerable; of which his employers are requested to take notice. JOSEPH BORDEN. PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 28. About three weeks ago died suddenly, in Salem County, New-Jersey, within twenty miles of this city, Edward M'Quirk, labourer, a native of Kilkenny, in Ireland. He was noted for the share he took in the disturbance at Brentford, on occasion of the election for the county of Middlesex, when Mr. Wilkes was chosen Knight of the Shire, for a trial he stood for murder on this account, &c. In this country he behaved very quietly. PHILADELPHIA, January 2, 1775. Public notice is hereby given, That, in pursuance of an Act of Parliament, intituled, "An Act for vesting certain Estates in Pennsylvania, New-Jersey and Maryland, belonging to the Proprietors of a Partnership, commonly called The Pennsylvania Land Company, in London, in Trustees, to be sold," and for other purposes therein mentioned, on the third day of July next, at eight o'clock in the morning, will be exposed to sale, to the highest bidder, by public cant or auction, at the Old Ferry-house, kept by John Hyder, in Water-street, between Market and Mulberry streets, in this City, the following plantations or tracts of land, in Mispillion Hundred, in the County of Kent, viz. . . . Persons desiring further information respecting the premises are desired to apply to the subscribers, in this city. JACOB COOPER, SAMUEL SHOEMAKER, JOSHUA HOWELL, Attornies of the Trustees. 14 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 WEST-JERSEY, ss. - Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern, That the Proprietors of the Western Division of New-Jersey intend to make application to the General Assembly of said Province, at their next sitting, for a law to settle the true lines of partition between the Eastern and Western Division thereof, and such as are interested are desired to make their objections accordingly, if any they have. STOLEN, or went adrift, on the 3d of December last, from the New Ferry, a boat, built like a fishing boat, but has seats in the stern, and a rudder and tiller; had a plate of iron on the stern, and a horse-shoe round the top of it; had four-row-lock-irons, and a piece of chain to the stem. Whoever takes up said boat, and brings her to the subscriber, living at Mantua Creek, Gloucester county, shall have two dollars reward, paid by JOHN ROOM. NEW-JERSEY, December, 24, 1774. Whereas Daniel Moore, now in actual confinement, for debt, in the goal of the county of Cumberland, being unable to pay his debts, intends to petition the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for said county, in order to have the benefit of the Insolvent Act: Public notice, therefore, is hereby given to all his creditors, to meet at the house of Daniel Taylor, inn-keeper, in Bridgetown, on Monday, the 30th of January next, at ten o'clock, to shew cause, if any they have, why he should not be released from confinement GLOUCESTER Co., Dec. 24, 1774. The owners of the Repaupo Meadows are desired to meet the Managers, on Saturday, the 28th day of January next, at the mouth of Repaupo Creek, to claim their properties therein, and to assist in directing the said Managers to raise a further sum of money, towards defraying the expence in banking the said Meadows, and stopping the said Repaupo Creek, agreeable to a Law of the Province of New-Jersey. THOMAS CLARK, Clerk of the Company. THREE POUNDS REWARD. Run away from the subscriber, an Irish servant man, but came from England in December last, named John M'Gork, about 5 feet 6 inches high, well set, speaks good English, and talks very fast, is given to liquor, and lately passed for a freeman in Trenton and New-York; he has been used to work at an iron furnace, and is supposed to be in some part of the Jerseys, as he crossed at Gloucester ferry. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 15 Whoever takes up and secures said servant in any gaol, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward, paid by James Molesworth, at the widow Yarnall's, in Chestnut-street, between Second and Third-streets, Philadelphia. TO BE SOLD, A valuable plantation and tract of land, containing about 190 acres, situate within the town bounds of Gloucester, and province of New-Jersey; on which plantation there are a convenient dwelling-house, with other buildings for the accommodation of a family, a well of excellent water, within 25 feet of the dwelling-house, a commodious barn, with suitable partitions for the stock, and a threshing floor; a small orchard, about 27 acres of excellent meadow along Little Timber Creek, and upwards of 100 acres of woodland. Its distance from the market at Philadelphia being but 6 miles, renders it very convenient for the farmer, in that he may, several times a week, dispose of his produce on the most advantageous terms . . . . Any person inclining to purchase the same may apply to the subscriber, living in Philadelphia. WILLIAM WHARTON. SIX DOLLARS REWARD. Run away from the subscriber, living in the Borough of Lancaster, on Sunday, the 20th instant, an apprentice lad, named John Wort, about 5 feet 3 or 4 inches high, of a thin pale complexion, and wears his own black hair tied; he is a taylor by trade; had on, when he went away, a half worn beaver hat, home-made brown cloth coat, and lappelled waistcoat, with gilt metal buttons on the coat, and basket hair buttons on the waistcoat, half worn buck-skin breeches, mixed coloured ribbed stockings, new shoes, and yellow buckles. As his mother lives in New-Germantown, it is probable he may push that way. Whoever apprehends said apprentice, and secures him in any gaol, so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward, and if brought home, and delivered to his master in Lancaster aforesaid, the same, with reasonable charges paid by ARNOLD BOMBARGER. N. B. New-Germantown is in the Jerseys, near Princeton, and the lad is a taylor and breeches-maker. Run away, about the 10th day of August last, from the subscriber, living in Alloway's Creek Neck, Salem county, a certain indented English servant, named William Richardson, about 22 or 23 years of age, by trade a chimney sweeper; he has red hair, and has lost two 16 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 of his upper teeth, and is very fond of strong liquor, and is very much giving to singing. Whoever takes up the said servant, and brings him to the subscriber, or secures him in any goal, so that his master may have him again, shall receive two dollars reward, and reasonable charges, paid by ISAAC REIGN. Notice is hereby given, that the Subscribers intend to apply to the General Assembly of the Province of New-Jersey, at their next Sessions, for an Act to erect a Dam, and other Water-works, across the South Branch of Penshaukin Creek, at or near a place called the Poplar Landing, in the Township of Chester, County of Burlington. December 17, 1774. THOMAS MORTON, SAMUEL RUDDAROW, JOHN WILLIAMSON. EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD. Run away, on the 22d day of this instant, November, from the subscriber, living in Chesterfield township, Burlington county, West New-Jersey, an Irish servant lad, named Thomas Murphy, about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high . . . . Whoever takes up said servant, and secured him in any goal, so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by JOSHUA BUNTING. From the Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1674, Jan. 4, 1775. TO BE SOLD, A plantation in New-Jersey, Hunterdon county, in Lebanon township, containing 229 acres. There is about 140 acres cleared, known to be good land for wheat and other grain; . . . a never failing stream of water running throw the middle of the place, large enough for a grist-mill, fulling-mill, or saw-mill; . . . a large orchard on the said place, containing near five hundred apple trees of excellent fruit; with a good frame house with several rooms, and a stone kitchen adjoining the house; a good frame barn and out houses. For terms apply to the owner, living on the premises, who will give a good title for the same. MORDECAI M'KINNEY. BOSTON, Dec. 22. Donations received, since our last . . . . From Joseph Ellis, 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 17 Esq., Treasurer of the Committee of Correspondence of Gloucester county, in West-Jersey, for the hands of the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq., 534 Dollars. TO BE SOLD, A brick house and lot of land in the city of Burlington, pleasantly situated on the bank of the river Delaware, near to the town wharf, and is next door to James Kinsey, Esq.; extends to low water mark, and extends back to Wood street, with a good well and pump in the yard, near the kitchen, late the property of Mrs. Catherine Peirce, deceased; also an equal moiety or undivided half part of a tract of land, situate in the town of Cranbury, in the county of Middlesex, adjoining the mill pond, and lays along the stageroad leading to Amboy ferry . . . . Supposed to contain in the whole about four hundred acres. Inquire of Abraham Cottnam of Trenton, Attorney at Law, who will give a good title for the premises to the purchasers. CAPE MAY, December 3,1774. This is to give notice that my wife, Phebe, has very much misbehaved herself, and not acted the part of a dutiful wife. I do forbid all persons trusting of her on my account, for I will not pay any debt of her contracting. ANTHONY LUDLAM. Ran-away, on the 17th inst., at night, from the subscriber, living in Philadelphia, an Irish servant lad, named Edward Dumphy, about19 years of age, a slim fellow, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, fair complexion . . . . Reward of three pounds, and reasonable charges paid by PHEBE MORTON. From the New York Journal, No. 1670, Jan. 5, 171-5. TO BE DISPOSED OF, AT ELIZABETH TOWN, The time of a very likely English servant girl, who has two years and four months to serve. She is capable of any common domestic employment, understands her needle, and has some acquaintance with the mantua making business. W. P. SMITH. TO BE SOLD, The several following Tracts of Land, being Part of the Estate of Doctor Lewis Johnston, late of Perth-Amboy, deceased. Six hundred and eighty-four acres, situate on the west side of, 18 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 and adjoining to Matcheponix river, eleven miles distant from New-Brunswick, and Perth-Amboy, and four from South river landing, in the neighborhood of two mills and two iron works, both ready markets for all kinds of country produce; and has a fine out-let to a large range for cattle and hogs. This tract will be sold together, or divided into three farms: No. 1, containing 255; 2, 231; 3, 198 acres; the lots are laid out every convenient for farms, being all accommodated with water, timber and meadow land. Three hundred and fifty-two acres, lot No. 2, being about one half of the land late the property of Hugh Taylor, about thirteen miles from Perth-Amboy, and New-Brunswick, and adjoins the lands of John Combs and John Johnston. There is on it a sufficient quantity of meadow and is well watered and timbered. Five hundred and fifty acres opposite Perth-Amboy, adjoining the lands of John Stevens, Esq., and the river Raritan. This land is remarkably well timbered, and is so situated that the timber and fire-wood can be very easily transported to New-York, the most distant part of it being not more than two miles from a convenient landing: There is on it about sixty acres of cleared land, whereon is a house and well built barn, and a young bearing orchard of two hundred apple trees, grafted with the best fruit. The improved part, with timber land sufficient to accommodate a farm, and twelve acres of very good salt meadow, will be sold separate. Seven hundred and ninety acres, siutate on the west side of South river, and near Menalapan river; being one half a tract remaining unsold, and held in common with the devisees of Andrew Johnston, Esq., deceased. This tract surrounds the village of Spottswood; is well wooded and timbered and a great part of it fine rich swamp; it adjoins the mill and iron works of Messrs. Perry and Hays, which lies in about the center of it; the nearest part of it is about half a mile, and the most distant about three miles from South river landing, from which conveniency every advantage may be made of the timber and fire-wood. Five lots of wood land: No. 6, contains 251; No. 7, contains 25 1/4; No. 8, contains 20; No. 9 and 10, contains 13 1/2 acres each, all in the county of Middlesex, are very well wooded and timbered, and very convenient for farmers, in the neighbourhood of the inhabitants of New-Brunswick, they being not above four or five miles distant from that city. Whoever inclines to purchase any of the above lands, may apply to the subscribers, JAMES PARKER, ) JOHN SMYTH, ) Executors. HEATHCOTE JOHNSTON, ) Perth-Amboy, Dec. 15, 1774. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 19 RINGWOOD IRON WORKS, New-Jersey, Dec. 10, 1774. Stolen or strayed from the adjacent works on Long Pond, nine draught oxen, branded with LP. on the left horn. If any of the above oxen are taken up as strays, those who have them in custody are requested to give intelligence where they are. Two Dollars a head, and all reasonable charges for wintering, &c., shall be paid on their delivery at these works, by ROBERT ERSKINE. To the Creditors of Joshua Marsh, an insolvent Debtor Notice is hereby given to the respective creditors of Joshua Marsh, an insolvent debtor, of the Borough of Elizabeth Town, and province of New Jersey, that they be and appear at the dwelling house of Samuel Smith, tavern keeper in Elizabeth-Town, on Monday, the third day of April next, by two o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, then and there to exhibit and prove their demands against the said insolvent; in order that we the subscribers, assignees of the said Joshua Marsh, (appointed by a rule of the inferior Court of Common Pleas at Newark, in and for the county of Essex,) may proceed to make a proper distribution of the said insolvent's estate, agreeable to an Act of Assembly of the Province of New-Jersey, passed in the 12th year of his present Majesty's reign, intitled, "An Act for the relief of insolvent debtors." ROBERT FRENCH, ) TIMOTHY OGDEN, ) Assignees. Elizabeth-Town, Dec. 20, 1774. TO BE SOLD, The healthy and pleasantly situated farm, known by the name of Brown's Point in Middletown, East New-Jersey, late the property of James Kearny, deceased. It contains in the whole upwards of 1,050 acres, about 60 of it salt meadow . . . . There is on it a new house and kitchen, and a stone cellar under the house, a barn and out-houses, with the half of a good new saw mill joining the premises, distant about one mile from a landing. Two orchards of good fruit, one of them in its prime . . . . It is near to a church of England, and of sundry of the different Dissenters, where Divine service is performed; lies distant 10 miles from Sandy Hook, 7 from Amboy, 12 from Shrewsbury, and 1 1/2 from Middletown Point, which is the principal landing in the county, and the most advantageously formed for navigation, of which this place is seated at the entrance, where a vessel of 100 tons can lie in a safe harbour, and may be at sea in one hour; Staten-Island, the Narrows, and Long-Island in sight; and gives a prospect of vessels going out and com- 20 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 ing in from sea to New-York and Amboy. It is more particularly formed from its natural qualities, for New-York and Amboy markets, as its distance don't exceed three hours sail from the former, and but one from the latter . . . . Within three hundred yards distance of the house, there is a very convenient place for erecting a tide-mill, with almost every advantage, little expence and great safety, with water enough in common for two pair of stones. It will be sold altogether or a part of it, as it is so situated that it can very conveniently be divided into two or three farms, and may be entered on next spring; the title indisputable. To be sold by the subscriber, living within two miles of the premises, on reasonable terms, as to price and payment. JOHN BURROWES, Executor. Dec., 1774 WOODBRIDGE, 17th Dec., 1774. Taken up and committed to gaol in Perth-Amboy, a man who calls himself James Parsons, is about 5 feet 7 inches high, thin made, dark complection . . . . He says he was born at Kent, and brought up near it, at New-Milford, which he left about 14 days ago, on a bald faced sorrel horse, with one white foot, and the above saddle and bridle, which he bought of Jonathan Johnson, in New-Milford. That from thence he went to Barrington, thence on the road to Boston, through Springfield, and to Spencer, thence took the post road back through Hartford, &c., to New-York. That at Springfield he swapped his horse with one Joseph Blover, for an iron grey horse, which at Leicester, he swapped with John Steins, for a white horse; which at Dudley he swapped with Luke Noble, for a black horse; which at Thompson in Connecticut, he swapped with John French, for a sorrel, with a star in his forehead; which at Hartford, he swapped with Joseph Peters for a black horse; which at Rye he swapped with Joseph Brewer for a large black horse; which at Woodbridge, he swapped with Samuel Jaquess for the horse in his custody when apprehended. He said the price of velverets he had in exchange for his horse of Mr. Brewer, at Rye; that he bought the linen and shaloon of Mr. James Harris, a shopkeeper in Hartford, and the pillow case of a blacksmith, whose name and place of abode he had forgot. He said he was going to York in Pennsylvania. The owner or owners of the goods may have them on application to the subscriber, and paying the legal charges of apprehending, advertising, &c. JOHN CONGER. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 21 TO BE SOLD, At publick auction on Thursday, the 12th day of January next, at Monmouth Court-House, the saw-mills, and about 1400 acres of land at Tom's River, lately the property of Abraham Schenck. . . FULKERT FULKERSON, HENRY REMSEN, ABRAHAM P. LOTT, JOHN LEFFERTS, PETER SCHENCK. Nov. 9, 1774. TO BE SOLD AT PUBLIC VENDUE, The first of April next, by the Sheriff of the county of Essex, the late dwelling-house, lot of land and premises of Uzal Woodruff late of Elizabeth- Town, deceased, containing one acre of land; the house is not large, but very convenient for a tradesman, and is pleasantly situated on the public road leading from Elizabeth-Town to the ferry. There are on the premises a good barn, stable and other necessary out-houses, a small tan yard of about twenty vats, a bark house, bark-mill and other conveniencies for carrying on the tanning business; also a large shoemaker's shop, two stories high, in which the shoemaker's business has been very successfully carried on for a number of years past, and is as good a stand for that business as any in the town. For further particulars inquire of the subscribers. . . ELIAS WOODRUFF, ) OLIVER SPENCER, ) Administrators. Elizabeth-Town, Dec. 12, 1774. FIVE POUNDS REWARD, And all reasonable charges. Run away from the House of Major Prevost, in Bergen County, on the 29th of September last, a negro man and his wife. The fellow is serious, civil, slow of speech, rather low in stature, reads well, is a negro preacher, about 40 years of age; he is called Mark. The wench is smart, active and handy, rather lusty, has bad teeth and a cast in one eye; she is likely to look upon; was brought up in New-London; is called Jenny. . . Reward, and all reasonable charges paid either by Major Prevost, Archibald Campbell in Hackinsack; or Thomas Clarke, near New-York. Stolen out of the pasture of the subscriber, at Hanover, in Morris county, East New-Jersey, on the night of the 26th of November, a sorrel horse, about 14 hands high, coming 6 years old . . . . It is supposed he was taken by one Joseph Bettes, born in New-Eng- 22 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 land, and lately deserted from one of his Majesty's ships of war at Rhode Island . . . . Ten dollars reward, or five dollars for the horse alone, and all reasonable charges, paid by me. Hanover, Dec. 5, 1774. JONATHAN FORD. From Rivington's New York Gazetteer, No. 90, Jan. 5, 1775. To Messrs. S. Crane, John De Hart, William Livingston, W. P. Smith, Elias Boudinot Jo. Riggs, Jun., &c. GENTLEMEN: Your notice to the Freeholders of Essex, of the 28th of November, was conveyed to me by Holt's paper of Thursday last, and as your motive for convening us is declared to be, in conformity to the wise and prudent resolves of the Congress, of which I had before heard, I determined to read their resolves with the greatest attention, and therefore sent Tom, with my best horse, who soon brought me the extracts of the proceedings of the Congress. I eagerly sat down to read them, but, alas! how was I disappointed; instead of wise and prudent, I found nothing but rude, insolent and absurd resolves, calculated to answer no end, but to stir up strife and encrease confusion among us, and to unite every spirited Briton against us. Even Burke and Barre, if they have the least regard for national honour, must be rouzed by the humiliating terms this Congress make a preliminary to Great Britain. When I voted for you, Gentlemen, last summer, and a Congress was appointed and deputies sent, I hoped to hear that something had been done to secure our liberties and make up the breach with the mother country, but by this Congress the liberty we had is taken from us, and the breach widened. Pray, Gentlemen, how can you ask us, nay confidently tell us, that we will "unquestionably carry into execution, etc., the wise and prudent resolutions entered into by the delegates of this continent in General Congress?" Did I think them wise and prudent, or believed that you can think them so, I would unquestionably support them; but when this Congress, instead of healing differences, create confusion; when under the pretence of limiting the power of King, Lords and Commons, they create a power unknown to our constitution, a mere inquisition, what do they make of us? Do you and they apprehend us to be fools? and that we are implicitly to be led as you direct? We know what it is to be governed by acts of Parliament, and never thought ill of them, until we were alarmed into other sentiments," . . . [The rest of a long communication is similar to above.-EDITOR]. A FREEHOLDER OF ESSEX AND REAL LOVER OF LIBERTY. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 23 From Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, No. 168 Jan. 9, 1775. This Day is published, and to be sold by John Dunlap, in Market street, Philadelphia, Gaine's Universal Register, Or American and British Kalender, For the Year 1775; Contents of which are as follows, viz . . . . Government of West Florida, East Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Lower Counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware; New-Jersey, and New-York . . . . Governors of New-Jersey, from the surrender of the government by the Proprietor in 1702, to the present time . . . . New-Jersey Bills reduced to New-York currency. . . and an Estimate (taken in Congress) of the number of souls in the provinces of Massachusetts, . . . New- Jersey. . . . and South Carolina. From New York Gazette, No. 1213, Jan. 9, 1775. TRENTON FERRY. To be let from the first of next March. For terms apply to Daniel Coxe, Esq., at Trenton, or Dr. Redman, in Philadelphia. TO BE SOLD AT PRIVATE SALE, The house and lot of ground on Hunter's-Quay, now in the possession of Mr. Robert Alexander. Also the house and lot of ground adjoining the former, late in the possession of Mr. Herman Gouverneur: Also the lot of ground and wharf directly opposite to the former two lots, containing in front fifty-five feet, and in depth two hundred feet. On which lots are erected in front two large brick houses three stories high, covered with tiles, now in the possession of Messrs. Curson and Seton. In the rear two large store houses, one in the possession of Abraham Lott, Esq., and the other in the possession of Messrs. Curson and Seton; and one dwelling house with a work shop adjoining, in the possession of John Gillilen. And also a large store house and stable in New street, in the possession of James and Alexander Stewart. For particulars enquire of Nicholas Gouveneur, the proprietor, living at Mount Pleasant, near Newark, or Gouverneur Morris, in this city. TO BE SOLD, Pursuant to the last Will of Thomas Robinson, late of the city of New-York, at public vendue, on the ninth day of February next, at the house of William Hicks, innholder, in the city of Perth- 24 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 Amboy; three lots of land with the improvements, situate in said city. The first lot begins on the northerly side of Smith-street, forty foot in front, and one hundred and thirty-two feet in depth; contains the house lately occupied by Andrew Robinson, deceased; the second lot is fifty-eight feet and an half in front, and one hundred and thirty-two in depth, with a blacksmith's shop, and a stable thereon; the third lot is two chains in length, and one in breadth, situate on the north side of Dock-street; also several negroes, household furniture and blacksmith's tools; likewise two lots of land at Middletown Point, the one a corner, the other a blank lot. Title deeds will be shewn, and conditions of sale made known on the day of sale, by ROBERT and JOHN HARTSHORNE, Executors. From the Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2403, Jan. 11, 1775. TO BE SOLD, By the Subscriber, living on Upper Alloway's Creek, in the county of Salem, about 100 acres of land, with allowance for roads, one half cleared, and under good fence, having thereon a good dwelling-house and kitchen, and log-barn. There are several good springs of water on the premises, together with a good orchard, and some meadow, with a run of water through the same. The place is very suitable for a tanner, and is about five miles distance from Salem, and two from the glass-house. Any person inclining to purchase may view the land by applying to DANIEL PENTON. NEW-YORK, January 9. - The schooner Elizabeth, Captain Jenkins, from the West- Indies for this Port, was cast away off the Point of Sandy-Hook, on the night of the 27th ult. in a snow storm; vessel and cargoe entirely lost, and two men drowned, one of which named James Miller, the other Daniel Ramsey. To the Freeholders, Electors for the County of Burlington: As the late Continental Congress, for the preservation and support of American Liberties, have entered into an Association in behalf of themselves and the respective Colonies they represented, and have recommended the appointment of Committees in the several towns and counties to observe the conduct of all persons touching the same; it is therefore thought necessary by the Committee for the county of Burlington, that the freeholders, inhabitants of said county, who are qualified to vote for Members of Assembly, should meet at the Court- House in the City of Burlington on Tuesday, the 14th 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 25 of February next, to choose a Committee for the above mentioned purposes. And it is hoped that the importance of the cause will induce people in general to give their attendance, as the peace and good order of the county may in a great measure depend on the prudent conduct of the persons appointed to this service. Run away, last night, from Cumberland, in New-Jersey, a servant man, named John Gardner, born in East-Jersey, about 5 feet 10 inches high, dark complexion. . . . Four dollars reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by January 4, 1775. WILLIAM BRIGHT. PHILADELPHIA, December 28,1774. At the desire of several gentlemen: Proposals for printing by subscription an American edition of "The Spirit of Laws," by the great and immortal M. de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (so honourably mentioned by the Continental Congress). Translated from the French by Mr. Nugent. Conditions. . . . Subscriptions for this valuable work are thankfully received by John Dean (the Editor), Bookbinder, in Laetitia-Court, . . . . Philadelphia. . . Mr. Isaac Collins, Printer, Burlington; . . . FOUR DOLLARS REWARD. PHILADELPHIA, December 23, 1774. Run away, on the 19th instant, from the subscriber, living in Mansfield township, Burlington county, and Western Division of the province of New-Jersey, a servant man, named Nathaniel Shepperd, this country born, about 25 years of age. JONATHAN MALSBARY. SALEM COUNTY, New-Jersey, December 5, 1774. Was committed to my custody, on the 27th of November last, on suspicion of being a runaway servant, a certain John Smallwood, who, on his examination, confessed himself to be a servant to William Doyl, Inn-keeper, in Doylstown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. EDMUND WETHERBY, Sheriff. From the Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1675, Jan. 11, 1775. THIS DAY IS PUBLISHED, And ready for the subscribers, the second volume of the American edition of the works of Flavius Josephus, (neatly bound and 26 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 lettered, or in blue boards) to be had at William and Thomas Bradford's Book- store, near the London Coffee-House. JOHN M'GIBBONS. TO BE SOLD, By Little and Flower, at their store in Second-street, six doors above Arch- street, sixty ton of Batsto pig iron, . . . Likewise to be sold at the store of Jacob Heston and Company, near Samuel Cooper's Ferry, opposite the city of Philadelphia, a large and neat assortment of wet and dry goods. . . From the New York Journal, No. 1671, Jan. 12, 1775. To the Members of the General Assembly of the Province of New Jersey: GENTLEMEN: It has often mortified me to hear our warmest advocates for liberty (tho' with the best design) recurring to doubtful constitutions, charters, acts of Parliament, and public faith, as the foundations of our reasonable and rightful claims. These, at best, can be but declaratory of those rights. The true foundation of American liberty is in human nature; and the salus populi suprema est lex ought to be written on the hearts as well as the foreheads of every civil magistrate, while the good of society remains to be the end of civil government. This single principle, then, is sufficient to convince you of the sophistry of all those superficial arguments, so often used to prevent your feeling the real interests of this colony. The good people of this continent (as the fountain of power in every extraordinary, unforeseen and necessitous circumstance) have taken all those legal measures at the first appearance of the storm that human prudence could have suggested. The danger was uncommonly great, uncommonly threatning. The desire of our enemies was, that we should run into rash and imprudent measures - divide and impera was their motto. United wisdom, the effect of deliberate consultation, was the most rational mode of affording consolation to our friends, while it hurried the enemies of our dreaded union into consternation and terror. The colonies were accordingly represented in a Continental Congress, in September last, at Philadelphia. It may be justly said, the most important assembly that ever graced the American world. - I consider the place of their meeting (without the least disrespect to the other colonies) as a happy omen of future success - Pennsylvania, the seat of liberty and learning! Pennsylvania! whose wilder- 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 27 ness has been hereby converted into a blooming garden. Here our Congress, the legal representatives of near three millions of English Americans, has proposed and recommended such a prudent system of conduct as promises fair to answer the warmest desires of the numerous sons of freedom. This has been adopted with almost universal satisfaction in most of the colonies. Your constituents are now, in the eagerness of expectation, waiting your approbation of those measures, not doubting but you will do every thing in your power towards accomplishing that desired end. By a prudent and firm adherence to this well-formed system, we profess, as a Christian people, to be looking to the great arbiter of all events for a blessing on our attempts in this common cause. We profess to believe that no human achievements whatever can possibly avail us, without His almighty aid. We acknowledge that, relying on the justice of our cause, we expect His protection, and that we will be directed by the precepts of the Gospel, as far as they are adapted to our present circumstances. One great original principle inculcated there is truly applicable to my present design: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." Upon this principle we call on our elder brethren of Great Britain - we remind them of their own Constitution, formed by the experience of ages, purchased and established by the blood of their ancestors. We hold up this Christian rule and pray them to place themselves in our stead. We urge the words of antiquity, to shew their uniform opinion "that a man hath no property in that which another can by right take from him, without his consent;" that if a right of taking their property, without their consent, is exercised by the supreme power of the nation, they are thereby reduced to a state of slavery, and that slavery to an Englishman is worse than death. Again, we hold up to them the rights of mankind, as men, given by God himself, which no earthly power can justly deprive us of, and that the design of enslaving us is contrary to all the rights of humanity. Blessed be God! our cause will justify these and a thousand arguments more, conclusive to every impartial mind. But, notwithstanding these advantages on our side, will not all be in vain if we are found exercising the same principles of tyranny and oppression when we happen to have the power that we so loudly and justly complain of in others? It becomes us, therefore, carefully to enquire into our own conduct, lest we should inadvertently put the most powerful weapons into the hands of our enemies, and afford them the most unanswerable arguments against ourselves; arguments which may finally prove our ruin. One important part of the recommendations of our worthy Con- 28 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 gress seems to be generally overlooked; a recommendation that does them the greatest honour, and which they wish above all things to be attended to. "Above all things" (say they) "we earnestly entreat you, with devotion of spirit, penitence of heart, and amendment of life, to humble yourselves and implore the favour of Almighty God." In order, therefore, to true penitence of heart and amendment of life, it is absolutely necessary to enquire, whether there may not be some parts of our conduct as a people that call for a total change. It is but too evident there are. I shall at present mention but one among many others. Is not the voice of slavery heard in our land? Does not the cry of oppression from half a million of wretched beings daily enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabbaoth? Is the slavery of the unhappy African of a disputable or doubtful nature? Is it not a professed, avowed, absolute slavery in the highest degree, whereby our fellow men, made in the image of God - rational creatures - capable subjects of the same divine grace (horrible to be told) become the subjects of personal property, and are sold as the beasts of the field, not only without the pretensions of even a supposed or virtual consent, but directly contrary thereto? The grand rule of common justice requires "that he who asks equity should himself first do equity." And certainly if he that stealeth a man, shall surely be put to death, and if the great Apostle, in his Epistle to Timothy, numbers men stealers, with murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, it would be prudent for us, while struggling hard against the evil of oppression, and while crying to Heaven for deliverance in this day of adversity, to act a consistent part, and guard against the charge of a solemn mocking of the God of Providence; a charge, however shocking, yet but too just; while we continue, at the same time, to countenance and enforce African slavery throughout this continent. Nor can we, in such a situation, expect a favourable answer to our prayers. I have the authority of the Congress in their second article of the Association to support me in this inference. They considered the slave trade as inimical to the general interest. Many of its members were more deeply concerned in the event of that important question than any of us can pretend to be; yet they hesitated not to cut off a right hand and to pluck out a right eye; let us not then be deceived by the vain sophistry of ingenious but self-interested men, who to answer particular purposes, would, if in their power, enslave us all. Let not the unhappy practice be urged as an evidence of the right. Remember that it will rise in judgment against us. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 29 Divine providence has at last opened our eyes in a way that will carry conviction, sooner or later to every heart. Consider well the state of the dispute between Great-Britain and her colonies; recapitulate the weighty arguments used in our behalf; weigh every principle on which our opposition is founded; put them into the mouth of one of our unhappy slaves, and, if a laudable shame does not cover the face and poignant conviction enter the heart, it must be because self-love hath blinded our eyes and self interest enveloped the whole man in darkness and insensibility. Permit me, therefore, with earnestness to plead the cause of thousands of rational beings, who contrary to all the principles of justice, and, by the most abject slavery, from those who are themselves crying out for that liberty wherewith their Creator hath made them free, are prevented from speaking for themselves. Do you alledge in your own case that freedom is a right of humanity, of which you can not be deprived against your consent by any potentate or power upon earth; and would you be able to persuade a stranger that you were in earnest, when he is told that you have and still are depriving thousands of every shadow of freedom, and exercising over them an authority unheard of under the most despotic tyrants? Show me the monster in any part of the world who ever enacted or countenanced a law that, if any of his subjects, "thro' wantonness or only of bloody mindedness, or cruel intention, should wilfully kill a fellow subject, by paying 15l, into the public treasury, the murderer should go free." (Laws of Barbadoes, 29th Act, p. 125). Yet, astonishing as it must appear, there lately did, and I believe there still does, exist such a law in British America with regard to negroe slaves. Could you suppose that even on the continent of North America, in a colony among the foremost for her patriotism and public spirit, there should be a law authorizing a subject to take the life of a fellow creature, barely for deserting his cruel and tyrannical master's service, yet this is no less true than shocking. (Laws of Virginia, 4th Ann., Ch. 49, §37, p. 22). 1 have seen a public advertisement from a neighbouring colony, offering a reward of 10l. for his runaway negroe's head severed from his body, but, if alive, then only 40s. Can such a people talk of their right to freedom being founded in humanity, or ought they to expect the blessing of that over-ruling Providence, who stileth himself a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble ? I do, therefore, in the name of a very large majority of your constituents, in the name of every true and real lover of his country, in the name of those wretched beings groaning beneath an iron yoke, in the name of our common humanity, and in the awful 30 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 name of that God, whose divine protection we are entreated so devoutly to implore; I do beseech you seriously and feelingly to consider this crying evil, which to many appears as one of the procuring causes of our present unhappy contest. Put not off the consideration under the idea that these poor creatures are treated with more humanity in this colony than in some other parts of North- America; for, however you may think they are favoured, they still are slaves, and every negroe slave in your colony is a living unanswerable argument against your claim to freedom; and as long as this precept stands in full force, "that with the same measure you mete to others, it shall be measured to you again," in vain are your resolutions, associations and non importations, in vain will all your attempts be to enjoy yourselves, what you so unjustly and oppressively refuse to others. I mean not to dictate to you the mode to be used on this occasion, neither do I profess myself an advocate for an immediate abolition of slavery with regard to all those unhappy beings among us, because, as we have been the means of depriving them of their valuable inheritance, we should not rashly add to their misery by exposing them suddenly to poverty and distress, without properly preparing them for supporting themselves. But I would earnestly contend for a beginning in the work of reformation; provide for their rising generation, and in such a way and by such means as you in your wisdom think will be pleasing to heaven, and your country. If I should venture so far as to recommend any mode for this purpose, it would be the one adopted by the Spaniards, "that each negroe should be registered, with his price and his master's name. One day in the week is allowed them for their own use, and whenever the negroe can pay his master one fifth part of his purchase money, he is entitled to two days, and so on, till the whole purchase money is paid, and then the negroe is free." The advantages of this scheme of manumission are too obvious to need a repetition. I will, therefore, conclude this address, with observing, what must be clear to every ingenuous mind, that there is really no inherent difference between a European and an African with regard to the common business of life; bring up the one under the same horrid views of perpetual slavery, subject to the same usurped power without any prospect of benefit from improvement, connected with the same low company and under no greater advantages than the other, and you will find human nature the same in both; the European will be equally stupid, senseless and slothful with the African. "Slavery in all its forms, in all its degrees, is an outrageous violation of the rights of mankind, an odious degradation of human 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 31 nature. It is utterly impossible that any human being can be without a title to Liberty, except he himself hath forfeited it by crimes which make him dangerous to society." May that great advocate of the poor and needy, who regardeth their humble cries, plead their cause in a more effectual manner, and lead you to that path of perfect wisdom, which will render to these unhappy mortals the same strict and impartial justice you require and demand for yourselves. Jan. 3d, 1775. BENEVOLUS. John Collins, lately arrived from Philadelphia, gives the following remarkable account of himself, viz.: "I John Collins, aged 29 years, born in Chapel street, in the city of New York, bound an apprentice to the sea, used the English trade, went from London to Holland, sailed from thence with Capt. Van Giltz on a forced trade; we were attacked by an Algerine corsair, and, after an engagement of 7 1/2 glasses, and having 8 men killed, were taken, carried into Algiers and made slaves. We were in the day time allowed to go out, and allowed victuals for our work; at night, we were always locked up. Our usual work was to carry stones and other materials for building, and to attend the workmen employed on their fortifications. After living near 2 years in this manner, 75 of these slaves, among whom were myself, Capt. Giltz and several of our company, made an attempt to escape on board a galley, in which we embarked and put out to sea; but our flight being soon discovered, we were pursued, and by the time we had sailed 16 miles were overtaken, secured and brought back. We were all tried before the Dey himself, by whom we were sentenced to various kinds of punishments, which were executed upon most of us immediately, without the least regard to the intercessions of the English Consul, who used all his interest in our behalf. "Two men belonging to Newport, Rhode-Island, viz., John Spencer, aged about 37, and William Owen, aged about 33, were sentenced to have their tongues cut out, which was done by first suspending them by the hair of their heads, then seizing their tongues by pincers, drawing them out, with a hooked knife cutting them off near the root. Capt. Giltz was condemned to die by an instrument called the Maid; we most of us understood enough of the language to know our sentences, but they were explained to us by some in waiting, who spoke English, and by the Consul. The Capt. knew he was to die, but not exactly the manner of his death. A wooden figure, curiously dressed, like a woman, was introduced and approached him, seemingly as if going to kiss him; immediately he 32 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 was pressed in her arms till the blood gushed out of his mouth, nose, ears, etc.; at the same time two darts issued out of her breast, intended to penetrate his heart, but it was said they did not, for he lived two minutes and a half. I understood my sentence to be death, but of a most painful and lingering kind, and would gladly have died by the same terrible embrace as the Captain; but, according to my sentence, I was hung up by a hook, thrust thro' the fleshy part of my right arm, above the elbow, and a spike driven thro' the thick part of the thumb. "Thus I expected to hang in torture till death should relieve me; but, after hanging 37 minutes, the flesh and ligaments of my arm gave way and broke thro', and also those of my thumb, as soon as my weight came to bear upon it, and I fell to the ground. I was then seized and fastened to a machine called a rack, where I underwent excruciating tortures, had my collar bone and all my ribs broken except two. After this, I was cruelly dismembered and then delivered into the hands of the surgeons. By these gentlemen I was treated with great skill, humanity and tenderness: my wounds and hurts were carefully dressed and attended, till, in about six months, I was thought capable of work. Two galleys were fitted out, and I was among the number of slaves sent to row them; we were chained four to each oar. After several cruises, we were taken by two men of war of Malta, and carried into Leghorn. From the time we were taken by the Maltese we were used with all the tenderness we might have expected from our friends and relations. The English Consul soon provided passages for 58 to Great Britain or Ireland, and for John Spencer, William Owen and myself to Philadelphia, where we arrived on Saturday, the 17th December, in the ship Rebeka, Capt. Watson. Spencer and Owen were well known at Philadelphia, from whence they are not yet arrived. We were there kindly treated; a small contribution was raised to support me to New York; at Trenton Governor Penn paid my passage to New York, and when I went to pay Mr. Mercereau, he generously returned one half of the money." Notice is hereby given, to all the Creditors of James Saunders and John Leforge, insolvent Debtors, now confined in the Gaol of the county of Somerset. [Usual insolvent notice]. ELIZABETH TOWN, 12th Jan., 1775. I, The Subscriber, being an insolvent debtor, and now in actual confinement in the goal of the free borough and town of Elizabeth, do hereby notify all my creditors, that I intend to present a petition 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 33 to the General Assembly of the province of New-Jersey, at their present session, for an Act to be relieved from my confinement and debts; of which all concerned are desired to take notice. SAMUEL SERRING. The following verses were spoken by a boy at opening of the Academy at Newark, in New-Jersey, upon the fourth instant, addressed to the gentlemen concerned in building that elegant structure: Amidst the ranks why try by diff'rent ways, To purchase honours or to merit praise, The God-like man how rare! how few like you Disinterested paths to fame pursue? You who have lavish'd sums (the fruits of peace) To bless the present and succeeding race! To sing your praise my infant muse is weak, But what she cannot let this fabric speak; Yet deign t'accept the tribute of my lay, For thanks is all a poet has to pay. O may your labours with success be crown'd, And Newark still for lit'rature renown'd; So shall fair science bless our happy land, And in fame's roll, your names immortal stand. Newark, 6th January, 1774. TO Z. "An honest man's the noblest work of God." - POPE. When a person departs from principles he has heretofore, on a similar occasion, openly avowed, it makes people suspect that there is some secret motive to influence him. I would just beg leave to ask you, Why this sudden change in your politics? In the time of the memorable stamp act, you was one of the foremost to espouse the cause of your country; you was not that sycophant to men in power, not that enemy to meetings of the people, to consult for the preservation of their rights and liberties that you now are; for then you attended one with the rest of your profession, at which you held forth, and denied the omnipotence of the British Parliament; neither were the names of delegate or Congress ungrateful to your ear. At the time above alluded to, you attended a convention of the representatives of your colony at a publick house for the express purpose of appointing delegates to meet in Congress; and even went so far (if I am not misinformed) as to act as their clerk. But now the case is altered; meetings of the people and apointments of committees, in your opinion, are illegal; delegates and Congresses are unconstitutional, and the resolves and proceed- 34 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 ings of the best and wisest men in America, entered into upon the noblest principles, the good of their country, are not to be regarded, or adhered to. But on the other hand Acts of Parliament, or rather edicts of the British ministry, for blocking up the port of Boston, for robbing the people of Massachusetts Bay of their charter (which is, and ought to be, as sacred as Magna Charta), depriving those people of the trial by jury, the palladium of British liberty, and for carrying them to Great Britain to be tried for offences committed in America (an Act made to shelter villains from the hands of justice), and the Act for introducing popery and French laws in America, meet with your warmest patronage and support; and I make no doubt that if the ministry and British Parliament should in their great wisdom take it in their heads to pass an Act for abolishing Christianity and introducing the Alkoran and Mahometan religion into America, it would likewise partake of your approbation; for, as it is a proverb among the Turks that one renegadoe is worse than ten Turks, so it has always been one among the Christians, that one apostate is worse than ten infidels. In your last performance, inserted in Rivington's paper of the first of last month, addressed to the people of New-Jersey, you endeavored to set the proceedings of the Congress in a ridiculous light; you say: "That chosen on one side, they seem to have had nothing else in view than to please their electors and forward confusion among us." What you mean by chosen on one side I cannot divine, but if you mean that a few placemen did not give their votes for them, or that the inhabitants of your great city did not attend any of the meetings for choosing committees, tho' nine-tenths of them approve of what was done, and of the opposition to the Acts of Parliament; I say, if either of these be your meaning, I readily agree that they were chosen on one side. But at the same time you know, and must confess, that never men were chosen with more honour to themselves than the Congress were, or executed the great trust reposed in them by their constituents, with more wisdom, spirit and integrity. And it has been a matter of surprise to me, as well as to others, that you, in your all-sufficiency, have not issued your mandate, to convene together all placemen and pensioners, the only friends of government (as you stile yourselves), when you might form a monarchical Congress, in opposition to the grand continental republican Congress; then you could in the plainest language represent to your masters, the ministry and Parliament of Great Britain, that you were a set of the cleverest, the worthiest, the loyalest and the honestest fellows in America; that the rest of your fellow-subjects in America were a 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 35 parcel of republican traytors; that their grievances were ideal, and bad no existence, but in their own clamours. Then you might form a system by which the present differences might be solved; but what sort of a system it would be I leave your "friends and countrymen, the people of New Jersey" to judge; for my part, I am afraid it would be a system of slavery. In the next place, you seem to be apprehensive that the people of Great Britain will receive the appeal to them with disgust, because (as you say) the Congress have overlooked their legislature with sovereign contempt, and ask whether that people will not take offence at the indignity so manifestly shewn them. I answer you, they will not. They will receive it with that conscious dignity becoming freemen, appealed to by a brave and spirited people, tenacious of their just rights and liberties, and who are oppressed by the machinations of a wicked and abandoned ministry, aided by a corrupt and venal part of their legislature. I shall pass over the rest of your performance unnoticed, as every person possessed of the least discernment can see your drift, and that it is a piece of mere declamation, manifestly intended to create jealousies and divide the people in the colonies, who, I am sure, have more understanding and integrity than to be led away by the idle fears and apprehensions of any anonymous ministerial writer, especially when opposed to the united wisdom of the Grand Continental Congress. But, before I conclude, I shall just beg leave to ask, how, in the name of wonder, you came to let the following sentence drop from your pen? "All changes in government, my brethren, are dangerous to the people." There I agree with you; it is what the people of America are now guarding against, and the cause in which the brave Bostonians are now suffering; those eleven words have overthrown all you have already written, or hereafter shall write, on the disputes between the colonies and the mother country: But truth, tho' involuntary, will come out, and I shall not hereafter look upon you to be that enemy to the liberties of your country, that you have affected to seem, but rather as an opposer of the tyrannical measures of the British ministry. As the Congress, in all their proceedings, have done what they ought to have done, and you, in all your's, have done what you ought not to have done, let me intreat you, as a friend, and as you regard your reputation and the approbation of your American brethren, to reform and turn from your evil ways; for, believe me, you will not, for your doughty performances, be closetted by your Sovereign, nor be made a Privy Counsellor; you will neither be 36 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 made a Knight of the Garter, a Knight Banneret, nor a Knight of the Bath; neither will you be made even one of the poor Knights of Windsor. You will not receive the thanks of the House of Lords or Commons; nor if I had my will, should you get (what you are seeking after and expect) either place or pension. Elizabeth Town, Jan. 5th, 1775. Y. From Rivington's New York Gazetteer, No. 91, Jan. 12, 1775. PROPOSALS FOR PRINTING By subscription, a free and impartial weekly newspaper, to be entitled The Pennsylvania Leidger, or the Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey Weekly Advertiser, upon the following conditions, viz.: I. That it be printed on good and neat Type, and on a good Demy Paper. II. That it be published every Saturday Morning, as early as possible, and delivered to the inhabitants of this City and liberties at their houses, and to be sent by every the first opportunity to distant subscribers. III. The first number to be published as soon as one thousand subscribers have entered their names. IV. That every subscriber pay, on entering his name, five shillings; at the end of the first year, five shillings, and for every year after, ten shillings per year. V. Advertisements to be inserted on the same terms as is usual with the other papers in this City. The subscriber being solicited by a number of worthy and reputable gentlemen of this City to establish a free and impartial newspaper, open to all, and influenced by none, has thought proper to put out these proposals, hoping they will meet with that kind encouragement from the public as will enable him to proceed in the undertaking. As the general design of this newspaper is both to amuse and instruct, the Publisher's chief care and attention will be to render it as useful as possible for those purposes; to which end, every article of news, and all other matters of importance will be faithfully inserted; and he doubts not of being able to give satisfaction, through the kind assistance which many of his friends have promised him; and, at the same time, he humbly hopes and requests the aid and assistance of the learned, ingenious and curious (hereby assuring them, that whatever essays they may please to favor him with, for the promoting of useful knowledge, and the general good of man 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 37 kind, shall be gratefully inserted). He must also except and declare against everything injurious to religion, to good sense, or good manners, against public or private scandal, and against all party libels. JAMES HUMPHREYS, Junior. Subscriptions are taken in by said Humphreys at his printing-office the corner of Black Horse Alley, Front street, Philadelphia; by Mr. James Rivington, and Messrs. Hodge and Shober, Printers, in New-York. The Creditors of John Toft, an insolvent debtor, now confined in the gaol of the borough of Elizabeth, are desired to meet at the house of William Hick, tavern-keeper at Perth Amboy, on Tuesday the 21 day of February next, (and not at the Court House on Monday the 16th of January, as before advertised by mistake) to shew cause (if any they have) before two of the judges of the Supreme Court of the Province of New-Jersey, why an assignment of the effects of the said Toft should not be made for the benefit of his creditors, and his body released from confinement. TO BE SOLD, At Public Vendue, the 18th day of January next, by the subscriber, the House he lately lived in, with one hundred acres of land, including fifteen acres of wood-land, and three of salt meadow; it joins the sea, and the place near a tavern, at Long Branch. The vendue to begin at twelve o'clock at noon, and will peremptorily be struck off to the highest bidder. . . EBENEZER WARDELL. From the New York Gazette, No. 1214, Jan. 16, 1775. Pursuant to an order of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas held at Newark, in and for the county of Essex, notice is hereby given to the respective creditors of John Van der Pool, an insolvent debtor, now confined in the goal of the county aforesaid, that the said creditors appear before John Ogden, and Daniel Pierson, Esqrs., or any two of the judges of said court, on Monday the 20th day of February next, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, at the court house in Newark aforesaid, to shew cause . . . . [Usual insolvent debtor's notice]. WANTED IMMEDIATELY, Two or three single men, that understand the nailing business in all its branches, may meet with good encouragement by applying to Robert Neil, Jun., in Newark, New-Jersey. 38 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 From Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, No. 169, Jan. 16, 1775. Just published, and to be sold by Joseph Crukshank, at his printing office in Market street, between Second and Third streets, and opposite Elbow Lane, Philadelphia. Poor Will's Pocket Almanack, for the year 1775, containing, besides the usual Astronomical Calculations, the times of holding Courts in Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, New-York, . . . Governor, Council and Representatives of New-Jersey; . . . TO BE SOLD, SALEM COUNTY, November 23, 1774. Between this and the first of March next, one hundred and forty acres of land in Salem county, the whole well watered. There is on the premises a good house and shop, two wells of water, and two orchards. For terms of sale apply to GEORGE KATTS. From the Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1676, Jan. 18, 1775. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. Whereas I the Subscriber, Northrup Marple, did obtain a bond of performance of David Paul, relating to two tracts of land, lying in the township of Great Egg Harbour and county of Gloucester, in West New-Jersey, which bond I lodged in the hands of Samuel Clement, of the province aforesaid, as a security for a certain sum of money: These are therefore to forewarn all persons from having or taking any assignment on said bond, without my leave, as it shall be void and of no effect. And further I do forewarn the said David Paul from receiving the said bond from the hands of the said Samuel Clement, or any other person under him, as it shall be deemed a fraud. Given under my hand this 4th day of January and year 1775. NORTHRUP MARPLE. TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC VENDUE, On Wednesday the first day of February next, the house and lot of Hartshorne White, late deceased, of the township of Freehold, in the county of Monmouth and eastern division of the province of New-Jersey. The house has been kept for this many years past for a public house, and will ever be the best stand in said county, for that use; it is suitable for a merchant or a tanner (as there is a tan-yard on said lot) or any other tradesman; it lays within 80 yards of the county house: There is in said lot about 30 acres of land, about the half of it is in apple orchard. . . . January 18. JOHN FORMAN, Executor. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 39 A sober person, who perfectly understands the nailing business, to take the charge of a shop, and instruction of a couple of lads in said business, may meet with good encouragement, by applying to ISAAC MORRISON, of Newark Mountains. NEW-BRUNSWICK, Jan. 6, 1775. Agreeable to the Association of the Continental Congress, two chests and ten casks of merchandize, which arrived at New-York, in the Lady Gage, after the first of December, consigned to Griffiths and Scott, marked G. F. S., and sent hither by the Committee of New York, were sold in this City, at public vendue, under the direction of the Committee of Observation for the Eastern Precinct of Somerset county. From the New York Gazette, No. 1215, Jan. 23, 1775. This is to give public notice, that an application will be made at the next sitting of the General Assembly at Amboy for a division of the county of Hunterdon in the province of New-Jersey. All concerned are therefore to take notice. Run away from the subscriber, on the fifth day of this instant, an apprentice lad named James Russel, about five feet eight inches high, is about nineteen years old, by trade a weaver. Springfield, January 14, 1775. JAMES BLACK. [Extract of a Letter from Philadelphia, Jan. 14, 1775]. Last week a certain Ann Harper was convicted at the Mayor's Court for stealing sundry goods, the property of different persons in this City, for which she was sentenced to be whipped publickly, on three different Market days. Last Saturday she received her first whipping, to-day her second, and on this day se'nnight she is to receive her third. She came lately from North-Carolina, to which place she travelled from Charlestown, South-Carolina, by land, in her carriage and pair, with her two negro men to attend her. She had not been in this City but a few days, before she took to her old practice of going to different shops, under the appearance of a fine lady, with her gold watch by her side, where she cheapened and examined a variety of goods, pocketed and secreted many, and went off with some of them, among which was a remnant of rich satten, which, being missed by the shopkeeper, soon after she left the shop, she was apprehended, and a search warrant taken out to examine her apartment, at her lodgings, where three trunks of goods 40 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 were discovered, and opened by the constables, in one of which was found the satten she stole and many other things, for some of which owners have appeared. There are many articles which have not yet been claimed. It is supposed she brought them with her from Carolina, and that they are stolen. One of her negroes, on her being taken by the constable, jumped out at a back window, and went off, but was since taken at or near Princeton, New-Jersey, and is secured with the other in our goal, in hopes their proper owners may appear for them. It is said this Ann Harper is well-known in New-York, and on Long Island, where she has gone under the different names of Clarke and Heysham, at different times; and it is supposed she will travel that way again, after she is released from our goal, as she was taking a place in one of the stages for New-York, when she was apprehended. Whereas there was sent to Mr. Elsworth's, at Powles-Hook, about the middle of November last, a black leather trunk, containing some wearing apparel, and directed on a card for Mr. Isaac Dubosse, at Philadelphia, to be forwarded by the stage coach, which has not come to hand: any person who gives information of it to the printer hereof, or to Mr. Samuel Dellap, at Mr. Robert Bell's, bookseller in Philadelphia, shall be handsomely rewarded. JOHN HINDE. TO BE SOLD AT PRIVATE SALE, A plantation lying and being in the township of Middletown; containing about 200 acres of land, a good house, barn and orchard, and a large quantity of woodland, about half a mile from a good landing at Shrewsbury river . . . . JOHN MOUNT. TO BE SOLD AT PUBLIC VENDUE, On the premises, the twenty-second day of April inst. or at private sale any time before, the farm lately belonging to Mr. Andrew Myer, about two miles and a-half from Elizabeth-Town, on the lower road that leads from said town to Newark; the farm containing between 30 and 40 acres, five acres of which is fresh meadow; also two good orchards, containing between two and 300 choice fruit trees, with a house and barn; and at the same time and place, sundry cattle and household furniture. Also to be sold at public vendue (if not by private sale any time before) the 26th day of April next, a house and lot of ground in New York, lying in Dock- street, between the Coenties and Old Slip Markets: The house lately occupied by Capt. Benjamin Davies, and 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 41 now occupied by Mr. Nichols, lately arrived from London. The stand and situation of this house for business is equal to any other part in the city, and has always been the constant practice of doing business. For further partculars apply to Capt. Alexander M'Donald, on Staten-Island, who alone has power to dispose of and grant deeds for the above farm and houses, etc. From the Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2405, Jan. 25, 1775. TEN DOLLARS REWARD. Run away, on Monday, the 16th instant, from Aision Forge, in the township of Evesham, and county of Burlington, John O'Neal, a native of Ireland; he is about 23 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high . . . . LAWRENCE SALTAR. TO BE SOLD, Four hundred acres of land, on Pond Run, in Burlington county, 3 miles from Trenton (60 acres cleared, and 60 capable of being made good meadow) with a log house and barn thereon. This tract will be divided if required. Also a plantation, on Shabbakunk creek, in Hunterdon county, 2 miles from Trenton, having a frame house and barn, and a good bearing orchard thereon; on this tract 50 acres are cleared and in good fence, and 20 acres of improved meadow, and more may be made. Likewise 315 acres of woodland, lying in Sussex county, New Jersey, near Muskonetcunk river. For terms apply to Trenton, Dec. 10, 1774. ACHSAH LAMBERT. TO BE SOLD, A messuage, plantation, and tract of land, containing about 240 acres, known by the name of the Warren Tavern, on the Lancaster Road . . . . Likewise a Tract of Woodland in Gloucester county, New-Jersey, of 120 acres, within 3 or 4 miles of a Landing on Raccoon Creek. For terms apply to John Lardner, in Second- street. TWELVE DOLLARS REWARD. Run away from the subscriber, living in Hopewell township, Cumberland county, the 31st Of July last, an Irish servant man, named John Pursley, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, 23 years of age. . . . GEORGE CUNNINGHAM. 42 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 From the Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1677, Jan. 25, 1775. A LIST OF LETTERS Remaining at the Post-office in Trenton. William Allen. Robert Booth, Thomas Bowman, William Berry. Henry Crouch, Nathanial Combes, Anthony Conway, Thomas Curles, Matthew Clunn, Samuel Carman. John Fraser, Robert Fitzsimmonds. William Gingless, William Gordon. John Hardcastle, Catherine Hanna. John Kearens Joseph Ker. Samuel and John Lyle, Joshua Lambert, Joseph Lihins, Andrew Lake (2), Thomas Lihen (2). Barnard Murphey (3), Benjamin Martin, Rebecca Margerem. Patrick Neill, Hugh Newell. Robert Or, Alexander Ogg. Robert Patterson, Abraham Prall, Daniel Price. John Renouf, Elizabeth Ramadge, John Reed, Esq. Aaron Starce, Thomas Silverthorn, Moses Sproul, Catherine Scot. Reverend William Tennent. John Van Brahle. John Wells (2). From the New York Journal, No. 1673, Jan. 26, 1775. NEW-JERSEY. At a full meeting of the Committee of Observation for the Free Borough and Town of Elizabeth, at Elizabeth Town, New-Jersey, January 16th, 1775: Resolved, That in order to increase the number of sheep, as recommended by the Seventh Article of the Association, entered into by the Continental Congress, no lambs be killed, or sold for the purpose of killing, before the first day of August next, and that no ewes be killed or sold for that purpose, under four years old, within the district of the said borough of Elizabeth. The same day were sold (agreeable to the Resolves of the Congress) at public vendue, under the inspection of said Committee, one hogshead and two casks of goods, marked M. W., imported from Bristol, since the first of December last, by Matthias Williamson, Esq., in the ship Fair Lady, Capt. Sprainger, sent here by the Committee of New-York. 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 43 NEW-YORK, Jan. 26. - On Tuesday 10th instant, at Millstone, in Somerset, Mr. Frederick Frelinghuysen, Professor in Queens College, was married to Miss Gitty Schenk, daughter of Hendrick Schenk, Esq., deceased, late merchant in that place; a young lady of a truly amiable character. FOUR DOLLARS REWARD. Run away from the subscriber, living near Sussex Courthouse, New-Jersey, on the 3d instant, an Irish servant lad, named Edward Moffat, about 16 years of age. . . . Jan. 14, 1775. THOMAS ANDERSON. NEW JERSEY, Sussex County - Notice is hereby given to the creditors of Matthias Clark, an insolvent debtor, now confined in the common gaol of the County of Sussex, that they appear before Hugh Hughes and Samuel Lunday, Esqrs., two of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the county of Sussex, aforesaid. . . . [Usual insolvent debtor's notice.] [Another notice appears later giving date Apr. 6th next.] Jan. 10, 1775. From Rivington's New York Gazetteer, No. 93, Jan. 26, 1775. THE QUAKERS IN PENNSYLVANIA Much alarmed at the present distracted proceedings of the Colonies, in the opposition making to the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain, foresee the most fatal consequences, both to themselves and the parent country, have thought it necessary to address their Brethren in the adjacent Provinces, and have published the following epistle, declaring their disapprobation of the measures prosecuting for obtaining redress, and earnestly requesting all of their communion to avoid joining in such measures as are totally inconsistent with their religious principles: An epistle from the Meeting for Sufferings, Held in Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the 5th day of the first Month, 1775. To our Friends and Brethren in these and the adjacent Provinces: DEAR FRIENDS: During the troubles and commotions which have prevailed, and still continue in this once peaceful land, much seasonable and weighty advice hath been frequently communicated, and particularly by our late Yearly-Meeting, exhorting Friends in every )art of their conduct, to act agreeable to the peaceable principles and testimony we profess; which we fervently desire may be duly at- 44 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 tended to, and put in practice. Yet, as some public resolves have been lately entered into, with the concurrence and approbation of some members of our religious society, the nature and tendency of which are evidently contrary to our religious principles, our minds have been deeply affected with affliction and sorrow, and we have in much affection and brotherly love, been engaged to use our endeavors to convince these our brethren of their deviation; in the discharge of which duty, so far as we have proceeded, we have had the evidence of peace. And, dear Friends, we are now constrained in the renewings of true love to intreat and exhort all, with humility and reverence, to bear in mind that our real welfare and preservation on the foundation of our religious fellowship and communion depends on our faithfully adhering to the doctrines and precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ, who expressly declared, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." John xviii, 36. Which, ever since we were a people, we have publickly professed should be religiously observed by us as the rule of our conduct. As divers members of our religious society, some of them without their consent or knowledge, have been lately nominated to attend on and engaged in some publick affairs, which they cannot undertake without deviating from these our religious principles, we therefore earnestly beseech and advise them, and all others, to consider the end and purpose of every measure to which they are desired to become parties, and with great circumspection and care to guard against joining in any for the asserting and maintaining our rights and liberties, which, on mature deliberation, appear not to be dictated by that "Wisdom which is from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy and good fruits." James iii, 16. Every instance of conduct, inconsistent with our Christian profession, tends to violate the testimony we ought to maintain of the sufficiency of that divine principle of light and grace, by a steady attention to which our ancestors were led, in time of great commotion and difficulty, to an humble, patient waiting for that relief and liberty, which, after a time of deep suffering, was granted them. And as they were often engaged with Christian fortitude and freedom to remonstrate to those who were in power, whenever under sufferings they could safely do it, without fear of being reproached for any part of their conduct having ministered just occasion of offence, or for having ever been concerned in any kind of conspiracies, or combinations against the government under which they lived, should any now so far deviate from their example, and the practice of faith- 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 45 ful Friends at all times since, or manifest a disposition to contend for liberty by any methods or agreements contrary to the peaceable spirit and temper of the Gospel, which ever breathes peace on earth and good-will to all men, as it is the duty, we desire it may be the care, of Friends in every meeting, where there are any such, speedily to treat with them, agreeable to our Christian discipline, and endeavour to convince them of their error; in which labour let all be done in true charity and brotherly love, and the effect will be happy to those who receive it in the same spirit. This religious care steadily maintained will clearly testify the sincerity of our desires to "guard against being drawn into measures, which may minister occasion to any to represent us as a people departing from the principles we profess; and will likewise excite such, who have been so incautious as to enter into engagements, the terms and tendency of which they had not duly considered, to avoid doing anything inconsistent with our principles;" and constantly to remember that to fear God, honor the King, and do good to all men, is our indispensible duty. And, dear Friends, in a degree of that Divine love which unites in Christian communion and fellowship, we tenderly salute you, desiring that we may more diligently press after and seek for an establishment on that Rock, against which the gates of hell shall never prevail, that we may be supposed steadfast, when storms and tempests, which for the trial of our faith and the more thoroughly purging us from those things which are of a defiling nature, are permitted; for the Lord, whom we desire to serve tenderly, regards His depending children, and all His chastisements are in mercy directed to redeem and preserve them from evil. Signed in, and on behalf of said meeting, by JOHN PEMBERTON, Clerk. [Extract of a letter from Shrewsbury, dated Jan. 18]. In consequence of an anonymous advertisement fixed up at this place, giving notice to the Freeholders and others, to meet on Tuesday, the 17th instant, in order to choose a Committee of Inspection, etc., etc., between thirty and forty of the most respectable freeholders accordingly met, and, after a few debates on the business of the day, which were carried on with great decency and moderation, it was generally agreed (there being not above four or five dissentient voices) that an appointment of a Committee was not only useless, but they were apprehensive would prove a means of disturbing that peace and quietness which had hitherto subsisted in the township, and which they were extremely desirous and would continue to use their utmost endeavours to preserve; and to guard themselves against run- 46 NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1775 ning upon that rock, on which, with much concern, they behold others, through an inattentive rashness daily splitting. From the Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2405, Jan. 25, 1775. PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK STAGE-WAGGON, To ply constantly, Winter and Summer, sets out from Joseph Vandergrift's, at the sign of the Cross Keys, the corner of Chestnut and Third streets, every Monday and Thursday, precisely at six o'clock in the morning, and proceeds to Princetown, where it meets the New York Stage, exchanges passengers, and returns next day to Philadelphia and the other to New York. Each passenger to pay Twenty shillings to New York, and to be allowed 15 pounds weight of luggage. It is one of the best carriages of the kind that ever traversed the road, and will insure the public of as good, careful and sufficient a driver as any upon the continent of America. The subscriber returns his sincere thanks to the public for their past favours, and hopes for a continuance from his former friends and the public in general, and is their most obedient and humble servant, CHARLES BESSONETT. From Dunlap's Penna. Packet, No. 171, Jan. 30, 1775. LIST OF LETTERS Remaining in the Post-Office, Philadelphia, Jan. 5, 1775. Thomas Clark, Esq., Great Egg Harbour. Dr. Archibald Dick, Salem, New Jersey. Ebenezer Howell, Salem, New Jersey. John Nicholson, Salem, New Jersey. Josiah Stoughborough, Salem County. Edmond Wetherby, Salem County. TO BE SOLD, By the subscriber, at private sale, the following houses and lots of land in Princeton, in the province of New Jersey: The house the subscriber now lives in, built of stone, two stories high, 53 feet in length and 30 in breadth; there are on the first floor five rooms, with a fire place in every room, one of which was formed for a store, and is excellently adapted for that purpose, being 18 feet in front and 30 in depth; the second floor contains six rooms, with fire places in three of them. A commodious cellar runs under greater part of the building, and a large convenient garret over the whole. This house may easily be converted into two distinct tene- 1775] NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. 47 ments. A kitchen 22 feet long and 16 wide, a negro-house, a well, a garden, and convenient yard; a barn, a stable and a chair house under one roof, 50 feet long and 20 wide, fixed on stone pedestals, and covered and enclosed with cedar. A brick house, two stories high, two rooms on the first floor and three on the second; a good garret and a cellar-kitchen that extends under the whole house. To this belongs a lot containing one acre of land. A small farm house, with a well and garden. Forty-eight acres of good cleared and well improved land adjoining the said town. The land is divided into four fields, in proper fence, twelve acres of which is meadow, yielding yearly about twelve tons of hay, chiefly clover and spear grass. The rest of the land is equally good for pasture or tillage. A constant stream of water runs through the meadow ground, which may, at little expense, be so turned as to wash and fertilize every part of it. Little need be said of a village so well known as Princeton; situated about midway between the cities of New York and Philadelphia and in the heart of a fertile, thriving country; its advantages in point of trade must necessarily be many and great. This cannot fail of recommending it to traders. Nor is it less inviting to persons fond of an elegant retreat, or of having their children pass through a course of education under their own immediate care and inspection. Princeton is seated on a beautiful eminence commanding an extensive prospect, and so remarkably healthful that several gentlemen, perhaps on that account chiefly, have made choice of it as the place of their abode. Surrounded, too, by an agreeable set of neighbors, it has every requisite to render retirement easy and delightful. The stone house already described, consisting of several apartments, and being within a hundred yards of the College, would suit extremely a person disposed to let lodgings and to take in boarders. The purchaser of the whole, or any part of the premises, must pay down one half of the purchase money; for the other half easy payments will be given. The title is unquestionable. The subscriber hath for sale an assortment of dry goods, which he will dispose of at a low rate for cash, country produce, or short credit. Also a negro man and two negro boys. The subscriber requests all persons indebted to him on bond, note or book accounts, to make immediate payment. He is desirous of quitting business and of closing his affairs. To pay those to whom he is indebted, it is necessary that those should first pay who are indebted to him. RICHARD PATERSON.