The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-02-25 00:00:00, page 4

In the course of our debates upon this fubjeft, I have
heard it said to be unjust that any one man, who has
three times the income of another, should pay less
tax than that other pays. And did he who has that
largest income, possess the property out of which it
rises, the remark would bejuft ; but when that pro
perty is in the hands of others, as farms leafed, and
money let, and there pays tax, the case is evident
ly otherwise Aman may have property in the hands
of other people, to the amount of a million, and
the possessors of that property may have it on such
easy terms, that they can better afford to pay tax for
it than the proprietor. In which case, although the
proprietor ihould draw from those who possess his
property, ten thousand pounds per annum, and pay
no other than a common poll-tax, there would not
be even the shadow of injustice in it. He having
BURLINGTON: Printed by Isaac Collins. All Persons may be supplied with this Gazette at Twenty fa Shilling
per Annum. Advertisements of a moderate Length are inserted for Seven Shillings and Six-dence each the firft Week, and
Two Shillings and Six-pence for every Continuance ; and long Ones in Proportion.
pecially when we eonfider, that many among them
are covered with grey hairs —are persons who have
spent the prime of their days in the virtuous dis
charge of their several duties, as chriftians and fel
low citizens : that many among them are widows,
with large families of children, who they are endea
vouring to bring up in a decent and reputable way,
in order to render them ufeful and honourable mem
bers of society.
Are not the monied part of the community, from
the nature of the times, likely to be fufficiently in
jured, without the assistance of government ? Are we
not all alarmed at the amazing fall of cash ? Had A,
for instance, fold B three horses two years ago, at
thirty pounds a-piece, and taken his bond for the
money, payable at this time ; one of these horses,
according to the general rife of things (or fall of
cash which is the fame thing) would now complete
ly pay that debt. And Ihall A, out of the interest of
this poor pittance, be obliged to pay tax to ease B's
pocket and the pockets of others, who are in like
manner taking advantage of the times, and raising
estates out of the ruins of their neighbours ? Is it not
fufficient that individuals are thus endeavouring to
ruin individuals ? Or would it really redound to the
honour of government, to have a hand in completing
the iniquity?
Here, perhaps, you will fay, that as continental
loan-offices are now open, and as the certificates
bear an interest of fix per cent per annum, were they
to be exempted from taxes, as proposed by some,
the monied part of the community might turn their
cash into that channel, and not only escape the tax,
but, in a great degree, relieve themselves from the
loffe§ and distress I have mentioned. But then you
will confider, that this remedy would be exceedingly
partial; to fay nothing of the total uncertainty of
its continuance. It is not to be supposed that one
tenth, nor perhaps a twentieth part of those who
depend upon the interest of their money for a living,
and who are well affected to the government, would,
or indeed could, without great inconvenience, have
recourse to it. And those that would be molt likely
to avail themselves of the privilege, are generally
such as stand least in need of it. The more parti
cular defers of the remedy however, it might per
haps, at this time, be improper to set forth. I ihall
therefore dismiss the fubjedt for the present.
It is said by some, that a law for taxing bonds and
bills would be popular. And perhaps it might.
But then would not a law for dividing the wealth of
the state equally among the inhabitants, be full as
popular, or perhaps more so ? Only set the thought
on foot, and take a little pains to blow it about,
and you would soon have legions of advocates for it.
An estate of one hundred thousand pounds, would
make-a hundred beggars smack their lips. This
would be levelling with a witness. But then how
ever popular it might be, I dare fay numbers of those
who would fain fapport the former scheme on its
popular ground, would instantly reprobate the argu
ment, was it to be advanced in favour of the latter.
The former is levelled at one part of the commu
nity—the latter would be levelled at another also;
which, you know, might make great odds.
With regard to the real merit of the two schemes,
it may perhaps be hard to determine which would
excel. As levying a two-fold tax on one part of the
property of the state, and not on the other, would
have an appearance of great partiality ; some per
haps, who value an equal administration, would
think the former least entitled to merit; others,
apprehending they should lose most by a division of
estates, would probably judge the latter to be least
meritorious. This, however, may be said in favour
of the latter, that the former will not bear ; it would,
for a time, relieve the state from paupers.
But however absurd taxing money at interest (as
it is termed) may appear when fully considered, there
ikfomething in it, that at firft view seems very plausi
ble. Hence some well-meaning men, who have con
sidered the matter too fuperficially, are warm advo
cates for the measure. And the arguments commonly
advanced in support of it, are,well calculated to take
with the populace —to mislead the unwary and in
considerate part of the people ; who are usually
well pleased with a scheme or an argument, provid
ed it has one fair fide.
THE boat or vessel known by the name of LEW
IS's MILL BOAT, which Was lately condemned
by a court of admiralty in the State of New-Jersey,
and fold by Publick Vendue in the city of Bur
lington, was in September laid employed in the con
tinental service for carrying eloathing from Philadel
phia to Trenton, and from thence was ordered by the
commissaries to return with publick stores to that
city, calling at Bristol for further directions ; but by
the villainy of the skipper the veffei was run into a
dock in Philadelphia on the 26th September last (the
day on whicli the enemy arrived there) from whence
the was taken an hour or two afterwards by a party
of Gloucester county militia, together with all the
publick stores (having no other goods) on board,
which stores were also condemned for the use of the
captors.
The above is a true state of facts as they appeared on
the trial.
2w* BOWES REED, Pro. Reg.
February 18, 1778.
Trenton, Feb. 9, 1778.
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons capable of
driving a team, who are willing to enlist for
carters in the continental army, to serve for three
years ; that they shall have twenty dollars bounty,
fix pounds per month from the time of their enlist
ment, a suit of new clothes every year, and a great
coat (if poflible) and shoes or boots, by their pro
ducing a certificate from their waggon-mafter of
their good behaviour. All persons willing to enlist
on the above terms, are desired to apply to me at
my quarters in Trenton.
3w SAMUEL H. SULLIVAN, D. Q„ M. G.
enabled the possessors of his property to pay tax for it
in his stead, their paying the tax must be evidently
just ; and was he to be taxed for it also, or for its
value, that would be as evidently unjust. It might,
however, gratify those amongst us who behold their
superiors in life with an envious eye, and right or
wrong, would gladly drag them down to a level
with themselves. But this levelling spirit should
never be indulged. It is always dangerous in civil
society—always deftrudive of order and government.
Were all men so generous as to let their money on
the easy terms I have, mentioned, there would be no
need of laws for regulating of interest. Every lender
of money would be so moderate in his demands, as
to enable the. borrower to pay tax for the property
whilst it remained in his hands. But as mankind in
general are more influenced by the love of gain, than
by any feelings of generosity, or principles of jus
tice, were they left to bargain for themselves, with
regard to the interest they should receive, many
would exceed that moderation which I have menti
oned. Laws were therefore found to be neceflary
to check their demands, and keep them within the
bounds of equity and justice. And if the laws of
this state, as they now stand, allow the lenders of
money too great a latitude, let them be altered.
If an interest of seven per cent per annum is too higu,
let it, as I said before, be reduced. But let it never
be said, that New-Jersey has a law for peeping into
old womens drawers and calkets, to discover the
frivolous amount of their bonds and bills.
Thus, in obedience to your command, I have sent
you a few of my thoughts refpeding our new scheme:
and I with I had had a little more leisure, that I
might have done the fuhjeh tmore justice, and sent
you them thoughts in a little better dress. Your
good judgment, however, will enable you to take
up the hints I have dropt, and, at your leisure,
pursue the arguments to their fulleft extent ; and I
am sure your good nature, will readily excuse any
defed on my part.
I remain ^ith the greateJi efleem, &c.
P. S. If once in judgment fir yo've err'd:
If others once yo've taught to stray ;
'Twill learn you how to feel for those
Who judge at random ev'ry day.
But from that error now recede :
'Tis great —'tis good to own a fault :
Returning sinners grace obtain ;
And candour does the mind exalt.
'Tis grov'lin^ fouls alone that spurn
Conviction and resolve to stray ;
That sullen on in error press,
When truth unfolds a better way.
To whom it may concern :
The noble mind with doubts opprefs'd,
Exults and glories in relief;
Joyous steps from wrong to right,
And thanks you for the new belief.
But why those hints ? your mind disdains
A thought so guilty and so low,
As not to catch truth on the wing,
Whether she came from friend or foe.
Peace to all such, and wisdom too :
And may my foul with theirs unite,
Explore the ways from error free,
And easy move from wrong to right.
February 2, 1778.
TO BE SOL D,
By public vendue on Monday the 2d day of March,
at 11 o'clock in the forenoon on the premises,
AN elegant COUNTRY-SEAT in Bucks county,
fourteen miles from Philadelphia, containing
one hundred and eight acres, bounding on the river
Delaware and on Bristol road, with as elegant a house
as any in the county, two barns, stables, and all
kind of out houses well built and partly new ; there
are about twenty acres of meadow, and wood in pro
portion to the place, an old orchard of good com
mon fruit, a young orchard of the best grafted fruit
been planted about fix years, a great variety of pear
trees, peach trees, plumb trees, and cherry trees
all grafted of the best fruit : The whole plantation is
fenced with red cedar posts and white cedar rails ;
there is a front on the river of one hundred rods, and:
the house on a fine eminence about twenty rod from
the river, in a genteel neighbourhood and remarkably
healthy.
On the fame day will be fold, all the stock, houf
hold goods, and farming utensils ; consisting of cows,
horses, Iheep, hogs, hay, wheat, rye, Indian corn^
buck-wheat, potatoes, grain in the ground, and &
number of other things too tedious to insert. Thr
place will be struck off precisely at three o'clock,,
that the purchaser, if he chufes, may have an op
portunity of buying any of the stock or other articles
The condition of sale will be made known on the day
and attendance given by the subscriber, who live .
on the place. Any gentleman that has a mind to
purchase the place, I shall be ready to shew it t<»
him any time before the day of sale.
4^ JOSEPH PENROSE.
The trad is well watered and timbered, with
several pieces of natural meadow thereon. For fur
ther particulars inquire of
3wf WILLIAM HEULINGS.
WHEREAS sundry persons, upon various pre
tences, have made a practice of going from
this city and eounty into the city of Philadelphia,
whereby much injury has and still may accrue to the
state of New-Jersey contrary to the tenor of an aft of
afTembly of said state ftri&ly prohibiting any intercourse
with the city whilst in the possession of the enemy:
Thisis therefore to give notice that the magistrates of
said county are determined to put in execution the
aforefaid law with the utmost rigour; and if any
person or persons, be their pretences what they may,
shall be deteded in an attempt to go into the city
of Philadelphia, or ihall go into and return again
from said city, they may depend upon incurring the
penalties in said law fpecified, unkfs such person or
persons can produce a pass or license from His Ex
cellency General Washington, or some other person
authorifed by law for so doing.
By order of the court,
City of Burlington, )_
Fel&m, ms: $ FRANKLY Davenport, CW.
TO BE SO L D,
By way of public vendue, cn the premises, Tuesday
the 24th of March next,
A Certain GRIST MILL and LOT of LAND
adjoining, situate at Horner's-Town, in the
townfllip of Upper Freehold, and county of Mon
mouth, late the property of James Nealan, and fold
by virtue of a writ of attachment, issued out of
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the said
county of Monmouth, against the goods, chattels,
rights and credits of the said James Nealan, at the
suit of Thomas Emley. The vendue to begin at 11
o'clock, when attendance will be given by
ABRAHAM HENDRICKS, ? .
4w* PETER IMLAY, j Auditors.
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, at Trenton,
NICHOLAS PECK, an indented servant,
about 18 years of age, dark complexion, marked
with the small-pox, about five feet high : Had on,
when he went away, a Eriped linfey coat and jacket,
bucklkin breeches, a pair of plated buckles and bea
ver hat. He was spoke with on the road to Phila
delphia, said he was going there, and to Head-
Quarters to enlist. As there are a number of officers
belonging to the army acquainted with the aforefaid
Nicholas Peck, it is hoped that none will enlist him,
I having the honour to serve them as fuperintendant
of cattle to the light-horse.
ADAM AULBERGER.
Burlington, February 16, 1778.
TO BE SOL D,
A TRACT of 418 acres of unimproved land,
situate in the townffiip of Roxborough, and
county of Morris, lying between the head of the
Little Pond and Andover Forge, adjoining on the weft
tide of the line run by John Lawrence for theldivifion
between East and Weft Jersey, and adjoining land of
Daniel Smith, and land surveyed to John Reading,
Esquire.