The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-01-13 00:00:00, page 1

NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
For the New-Jersey Gazette.
To the political Disputers, and party Wranglers
in the United States of AMERICA.
THE great plea of a political party is
Liberty and the cause of Justice, when
ever their conduct is called in question
by men of a public spirit: and, left
they should appear approbrious, the
histories of States, antient and modern,
are ransacked by them ; the numerous jars and
diffentions carefully noted :—and when they have
remarked, that no free government was ever secured
against internal broils, will confidently advance, that
parties are essential to the exigence of States ; and
with the former you annihilate the freedom of the
latter.
To this set of reasoners ; to you T would observe :
that though all free nations have been infefted with
parties, in a greater or less degree, these are not the
efficient cause of their freedom; they rather resemble
those natural infirmities, that always attend the most
vigorous constitutions, being an infallible stamp of
their mortality. While parties are moderate the
genius is likely to be improved ; truth is sometimes
laid open, frequently obfeured; and the mind al
ways prejudiced—this is the most to be expected :
but, unless cramped in embrio, they will by their na
tural growth become rank ; and, virtue being banish
ed from the theatre, ingender factions and convul
sions, until annoyed by some usurping power.
Parties are the dangerous diseases of civil freedom ;
they are only the firli stage of anarchy, eloathed in
mild language —-One fide or other is always repug
nant to law; and both commonly excessive. Parties,
jf I may use the expreflion, are the thermometer of
virtue ;as their zeal rises the latter is diminished;
as the former decreases, virtue becomes genuine.
Interest is the only support of parties; and with
it their mode of conduft varies. A few leaders give
life to and invigorate the opposition, dragging a train
of deluded followers—On this popular confidence
they ereft the fabric of their power ; until the eyes
of the people are opened too late for a remedy. To
know the principles on which these contentious
bodies move, we might as well contrive the grand
elixir; but this is certain, their leaders are ever in
fluenced with the worst designs. Sense and ability
will not prevent a person's becoming a partizan. It
is said, that Lord Bolingbrook, tho' endowed with
strong powersof mind, twice changed his political
line of conduct in the reign of Queen Ann. Nor
wilt former evidence of a man's integrity, demon
strate, that he will not be, in future time, a devotee
to party zeal. — Cicero, so famous for his virtue, firft
supported C^far against Anthony; afterwards favoured
Anthony against Casar ; and finally had the meanness,
even to desire a reconciliation with that usurper.
Few, very few, have patriotism enough, to with
stand the inchantments of wealth and honor, that
the influence of a party can propose.
External dangers are more easily discovered and
prevented, than internal ones of this kind : the firft is
open and avowed, the last is secret and lurking: every
class combines in opposing the one ; but as to the
other, that very strength is inconsistent, and divided
against itfelf. Until late, every virtuous tongue has
been employed, and every pen spent in animating
the people of these States to prosecute the present
war. But no sooner have we nearly attained the
summit of our general desire; and extenrive peace
and freedom began to be insured; when our belt
expectations are damped ; surmises and jealousies
created ; some of our belt men impeached ; and even
Congress itfelf, that sacred guardian, wantonly at
tacked.
The leaders of a party commonly have different
principles to influence their conduct. Some, disap
pointed in former expectations, are actuated by the
spirit of revenge : the religious order by a profped
of some advantage, that may redound to their own
feet : and the Statesman is ambitious to signalize
bimfelf in bringing about a political revolution ;
while the officer, under a disguised appearance, aims
at nothing short of universal monarchy and military
government. As to the firft set they are easy, should
the devil reign if they can fatisfy their resentment ;
and when the virtuous object of their passion is re
duced, they fink into silence, and mingle unnoticed
among the crowd. Refpetling the three last clades,
as soon as they have attained the general end of op
position, the diftind t principles, that influenced each
Separately, and operated secretly under the common
colour, now blaze out: and as many new parties
arise to public view, as different sentiments to be
supported. Thus parties always have and ever will
incre^fe, and become eudlefs in society, as long as
[Vol. ll.]
WEDNESDAY, January 13, 1779.
the community are corrupt enough to cherish them.
The conquers of Alexander were divided between
four of his generals: but, by the continual sources
of disputes, that harraffed those monarchies, all,
except one soon fell a prey to the Roman republic.
In the last century, after Cromwell had eftablilhed
his wished for dominion in Great Britain, the diffe
rences among the conquerors advanced to such a
pitch ; that they thought themfeives happy in invit
ing to the throne the heir of that very monarch,
whom they had, but a few years before, beheaded.
But moreover, when diffentious have become fafhion
able, enterprising geniuses will be fertile in invent
ing new causes of opposition: so, by a thouland
jars, government is reduced to chaos.
It is with factions, as with the disorders of the
body, which, if remedies are early applied, may be
cured with ease. A few virtuous patriots properly
dispersed thro' a country, may over-power the firft
dawning of this evil, if they conduct with liability
and zeal : but these are sometimes too diffident, and
often take the alarm too late. —
The impartial American.
Morriflown, January I, 1779.
[fo be continued.]
In CONGRESS, January 2, 1779.
WHEREAS these United States, unprovided with
revenues, and not heretofore in a condition
to raise them, have, in the course of the present war,
repeatedly been under the necessity of emitting bills
of credit, for the redemption of which the faith of
these United States has been solemnly pledged ; and
the credit of which their honor and fafety as well as
justice is highly concerned to support and eftabliih.
And whereas to that end it is efl'entially neceflary to
afeertain the periods of their redemption ; and sea
sonably to eftablilh funds, which, in due time, with
out diftreifing the people, shall make adequate pro
vision for the fame. And whereas, in apportioning
the payments for the laid fund, it is expedient that
an extra fam be called 10, the current year, both on
account of the present case of paying it and to re
duce the surplus in circulation. Therefore,
Resolved, That these United States be called on to
pay in their refpettive quotas of fifteen millions of
dollars in the year 1779, an d of fix millions of dol
lars annually tor 18 years from and after the year
1779, as a fund for linking the emillions and loans of
these United States to the jilt day of December,
1778, inclusive.
That if the continuance and circumstances bf the
war Ihall make any further emissions necetidry, the
year ensuing, they Ihall be funk in the manner and
within the period aforelaid.
That any of the bills emitted by order of Congress,
prior to the year 1780, and no others, be received
in payment of the laid quotas.
That the bills received on the said quotas, except
those for the year 1779, be applied firft for payment
of the interest, and secondly of the principal of loans
made by these United States, prior to the year 1780,
and that the retidue together with those received on
the quotas of the year 1779, be not re-issued, but
burned and destroyed as Congress ihall direct.
And whereas many counterfeits have appeared in
circulation, of various denominations, of the emis
sions of May 20, 1777, and April 11, 1778, and
counterfeits of these emissions have lately been issued
by our enemies at New-York, and are found to be
spreading and increasing faft in various parts of these
United States : whereby individuals are defrauded,
prices enhanced, and the credit of the paper cur
rency greatly injured ; and it is become necelfary for
the security cf individuals and fafety of the public,
that thole two emissions should cease to be a circu
lating medium, and Ibould be called in, and exchang
ed, or otherwise provided for as soon as may be with
convenience to the present holders.—Therefore,
Rcfolved, That the following bills be taken out of
circulation, namely, the whole emiflions of May 2c,
1777, and April 11, 1778.
That they be brought in for that purpose in the
manner hereafter provided by the firft day of June
next, and not afterwards redeemable.
That they be received for debts and taxes into
the Continental Treasury, and into the State Trea
suries for Continental taxes, until the firft day of
June next.
That they be received until the firft day of June
next, into the Continental Loan Offices, either on
loan or to be exchanged at the election of the owners,
for other bills of the like tenor, to be provided for
that purpose.
That the bills lodged in the said offices to be so
exchanged, be there registered, and indented certiti
THE
cates thereof given to the owners by the refpedive
Commiflioners of the said offices.
That the Commissioners of the Loan-offices make
returns to the treasury board, immediately after the
firft day of June next, of the amount of the bills re
ceived into their refpedive offices to be exchanged
as aforefaid, and that proper bills to exchange the
fame be furnifhed and ready to be delivered out at
their said offices, within 60 days from and after the
said firft day of June.
That the firft mentioned bills, as they are brought
into the Treasuries and Loan-offices, be immediately
crofted and struck through with a circular punch of
one inch diameter, to be afterwards examined and
burned, as Congress shall direct.
Extract from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
W A RSA W, September 14.
W E have it reported here, as certain, that a peace
will ensue between the Turks and Ruffians, and
that 30,000 troops of the latter will join the Pruflian
army.
Leipfic, Sept. 19. The Austrian Huflars have been
guilty of the greatest irregularities, in demanding
contributions in open villages, and taking hostages in
some parts of this electorate, though the inhabitants
are unable to furnifh a tenth part of their demands.
However, by some frefh movements of the Prussian
grand army, their cruelties and exactions are greatly
put a flop to.
Leyden, Sept. 28. The capture of the French East-
Indiaman, named the Duke de Fitz James, is con
firmed. She was taken off the Azores, and sent for
Plymouth. Sire is valued at two millions of livers,
Tournois.
LOND O N, October 3.
We learn, by the last mails from Holland, that the
armies of the King of Pruffa, and Prince Henry,
have at length effected a junction, by a series of the
most masterly manoeuvres ; and that, on this occa
sion, Prince Henry, in particular, has displayed a
generalship which exceeds even his most dittinguifned
operations during the course of the last war. By this
means, and the present position of the royal army,
the Austrians have been obliged to abandon their
impregnable camp, in order to cover Prague ; and,
should the Prussians come up with them in the plains,
before they can take pofieffion of the strong grounds
in the neighbourhood of that city, we may soon ex
ped to hear of one of the most bloody and dteifive
battles which have been fought for many centuries.
The fame letters fay, that the Count of A. the
great favourite of the King of Prussia, was in dis
grace, and soon to be tried for disobedience of orders.
He had been sent with a detachment from the King's
camp, to join the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick,
who, soon after his arrival, ordered him to go, at the
head of some troops, and occupy some rising grounds.
The Count, however, declined the service, alledging
that, as Aid-de-camp-General, he could receive no
orders but from his Majesty in person ; and, during
this demur, the happy moment was loft, and a party
of Austrians took possession of the heights. The
Prince put him immediately under arrest, and sent
him with a strong guard to the King, who has order
ed him to be close confined in the fortrefs of ——,
till a proper Court-martial can be appointed to take
cognizance of his crime ; and it is generally thought
he will be shot. What renders this affair the more
extraordinary is, that, till this unlucky period, he
was always confidcred as a very gallant officer.
The almost total ruin of the city of Smyrna, the
centre of the Levant trade, has occasioned a loss of
many millions to merchants of Marseilles.
Extras of a letter from Po r tsmouth, Sept. 30.
" This morning arrived at Spithead the Squirrel
man of war, Capt. Harvey, from the coast of Guinea,
and a Targe snow from St. Domingo for America,
laden with rum, sugar, &c. firft taken by the Savage
sloop of war, who put people on board to bring her
to England, but they were 'overpowered by the A me
ricans left on board, and afterwards was retaken by
the Squirrel."
Intelligence being received that a number of ships
were loading up the Baltic, with all kinds of naval
stores for the French fleet, the Admiralty have order
ed an additional number of cruizers into the North
Seas, to intercept them on their passage home.
Every article furnifhed by Smyrna has got up near
20 per cent, since the account of the dreadful earth
quake and fire in that city.
It was yesterday morning strongly reported in the
city, that two more homeward bound French India
mcn are taken within a few leagues of port I'Orient,
[Numb. 58.]