The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-10-20 00:00:00, page 2

it. They said they knew their estates were liable ;
aid acknowledged that out of them we ought in jus
tice to be made whole. And we hope none of the
whigs of this state, whether in or out of office, will
ever' fuffer themfclves to be outrivaled in jultice by
the refugees. ~ ,
The constant fatigue and loss of time that many of
us had to bear in the military way ; the being drove
from our homes, and conflantly harraffed by the
refugees and their adherents; icemed to us to be
no very light or inconliderable afflictions. They were
however 'what we expelled to bear without any
atonement. But we considered them as completing
the cup of our fufferings from this quarter, or at leak,
that we were to submit to without compeniation.
For, as we have already observed, we never lo much
as doubted obtaining fatislaltion out of the estates of
those offenders, for the property they should take or
destroy. So much indeed as Ihould be necessary to
make us whole, we considered as our own. We
knew that in case their estates ihould not be forfeited,
our damages would be recoverable at common law ;
and never entertained a thought so unfavourable of
the date, as that it would forfeit their cßates, and
deprive us of our right; nor indeed can we yet lup
pofe, that the community at large would with to do
it. Is it polhblc that New-Jersey, hitherto admired
for her generosity and publick virtue, can have the
lead inclination to alt so unfairly by any; but espe
cially by those who have fuffcred lo deeply in her
cause, and who arejuftly entitled to be ranked among
the warmest and firmeft of her friends? No, gentle
men, we can never believe, that even a fiftieth part
of the good people of this-state, were they conlulted,
would approve of the mcafure: the Tories perhaps
might. It seems indeed reafonaole to suppose, that
they would be pleased with such a denial or right;
not only becaufc it would perpetuate the misfortunes
their friends, the refugees, have brought upon us,
and perhaps through some of their means or procure
ment, but because it would furnilb them with a freih
accusation against the Whigs, to wit, " That they
are capable of withholding justice even from one
another."
We would likewise observe, that it will not be the
lead of our mortifications to fee that property, which
ought to repair our damages, turned into calli and
lodged in the treasury of the state, for the benefit of
the Tories. Indeed, forfeiting those estates so wholly
to the use ofthe state, is a measure we think doubly
• cruel and oppressive; at the fame time that it de
prives many of their just right, it laddies them with
the exper.ee of maintaining a great number of women
and children, beggared (though many of them inno
cent perhaps) by those forfeitures. The husbands of
these wives, and the fathers ofthefe children, plunder
us of our goods, and destroy cur property, because
we are engaged in the service of the state; and the
state (not with a view of rewarding us, we luppofe)
takes the whole estates of these husbands and fathers
to itfelf, and obliges ut Jo maintain their beggared
wives and children.•
Now permit us to ask, whether any people in their
senses, would choose to serve their country upon such
terms as these? Suppose A, being worth five thousand
pounds, was to rob B of one thousand; that C causes
A to be hanged for this offence, and seizes his estate
to his own use; and then, without allowing B one
farthing of restitution, obliges him to maintain Ais
widow and children: Would B, in this case, be fairly
dealt by? Or rather, What mult all good men think
of C?
It had doubtless been better for this country, that
no forfeitures at all had taken place, than that the
estates forfeited should go so entirely to the use of the
state, as to exclude individuals from their right. In
deed the county had better perhaps have flood alone,
that is, wholly unconnected with the other counties
of the ft de, than to lefc so much of her property, in
colifequer.ee of a connexion that afforded her so little
abidance in the hour of her distress. Judice might
then have been done to her fuffering inhabitants, out
ofthe estates of those by whom they Inhered ; and the
surplus, or at lead a fufficiency for that purpose, ap
plied to support the wives and children of the offend
ers; and the refiaue, toward defraying the expence
the county might have been at in tupporting its own
defence: And had the state pmfued this equitable
line of distribution in disposing of tier forfeited pro
perty, we suppose ail would have been fatisfied —be-
cause all must have seen the distribution to bejuft.
Upon the whole, gentlemen, as we conceive the
injustice and opprufiion we complain of, iurnilhes the
greatest and justest cause of complaint, we must en
treat you to reconsider the proviso we have mention
ed, and to enact a law for repealing or amending the
fame, and for enabling all those who have any equi
table demands against the estates of the refugees, or
other offenders, to obtain their right.
BOS T O N, October 4.
r rHE Button Blues, a corps of troops under the
l command of Col. Jackson, marched from this
state for -head-quarters, Providence, Since our last.
NEW-LONDON, Ortober 6.
Lad Thursday a schooner with upwards of 90 hogs
heads of rum, and other articles, arrived at Stoning
ton. Prize to the Shelah, Capt. Efek Hopkins,
NEW-HAVEN, Sept. 19.
Last night arrived here, a sloop with 300 quintals
of fifo, and ten pipes of port wine, prize to the Bea
ver, Young Cromwell and Gates ; die was from St.
John's bound to New-York. And this morning allo
arrived a brig with 2400 bulhels of salt, and some to
bacco, prize to the above privateers; the was from
New-York bound to Quebec.
Sept, 22. We have received the following intelli
gence, viz. A requisition having been made to Gene
ral De Eancey, of Long-lfland militia, to furnifh
500 men, to parade with their blankets, on the 23d
ult. to march tor Brookline, to be employed in re
pairing and conftrudting new works there; 210 of
which were to be from, the county of Suffolk, who
were aifo to furnifh, add fend to the magazine at
Brookline, the following articles, viz. 5000 lafeines
gleet long, and Rript of leaves ; 25000 pickets from
3to 4 feet long ; 5000 framings or itockades, from 9
to 10 feet long, from 6 to 8 inches thick ; 5000 rail
ing of 6 or 4 feet.
The inhabitants having refufed to comply, the fol
lowing letter was tent to Gen. De Lancey, viz.
and Norwalk, prevented my wishes on this head: —
This I hope will fufficientiy apologize for my delay in
answering your lalt letter.
By letters from France we have intelligence, that
his Cathode Majesty declared war against Great-Bri
tain in June latt ; that the combiner! fleets of France
and Spain, amounting lo more than sixty fail of the
line, have formed a junction, and with 25,000 land
forces, are meditating an important blow 011 the
Britilh dominions in Europe; and that the grand,
fleet of Gid England find it very inconvenient to ven-°
ture far from their harbours.•
In the Well-Indies, Admiral Byron having greatly
fuffcred in a naval engagement, efeaped witn of
his ships in a very mattered condition to St. Chrifto
phers, and covered his fleet under the batteries on
the Riorcs, and 'has buffered himfelf to be intuited in
the road of that island by the French Admiral: Arid
Count d'Eßaing, after reducing the islands of St.
Vincent and Grenada to the obedience of France, de
feating and disabling the British fleet, had failed for
Hispaniola ; where it i »exported he will be joined by
the Spanilh fleet in those seas, and attack Jamaica.
The Rorming your Strong works at Stony-Point,
and capturing the garrison by our brave troops; the
brilliant successes of General Sullivan, against your
faithful friends and allies, the savages ; the furprize
of Paulus-Hook by Major Lee ; the flight of General
Provost from Carolina, and your Shamefully Shutting
yourselves up in New-York and the neighbouring
islands, are so fully within your own knowledge as
scarcely to need repetition.
Mr. Loudon,
I lately obtained a copy of a literary correspon
dence between General Parlous and GovernorTryon;
the low arts of the enemy to accomplish those objects
they find their arms unequal to obtain, in tuio as well
as in innumerable other inßances, are fully manifeß
ed ; and may be of some benefit to be pubiilhed.
Your's, &c. A. O.
SI R, New-York, June 18, 1779.
BY one of his Majesty's Ships of war, which arrived
here latt night from Georgia, we have intelligence
that the Britilh forces were in polteffion of Fort
Johnston, near CharieftoWn, the firft or June.
Surely it is time for rational Americans to with for
a reconciliation with the parent date, and to adopt
such mcaiures as will mod speedily effell it.
I am, Sir, your very humble obedient servant,
WM. TRYON, M. G.
To General Putnam, or in ids
absence to General Parsons.
ANSWE R.
SIR, Camp, Highlands, Sept. 7, 1779.
I should have paid an earlier attention to your popte
letter of the 18th of June, had I not entertained some
hope of a personal interview with you in your de
feents upon the dcfencelcfs towns or Connecticut, to
execute your maker's vengeance upon the rebellious
women, and formidable host of bo) s and girls, who
were induced, by your insidious proclamation, to
remain in thole hapless places; and who, it they had
been fuffcred to continue in the enjoyment of that
peace their age and Jex entitled them to expert from
civilized nations, you undoubtedly fuppoed would
prove the scourge of Britain's veteran troops, and
pluck from you those laurels, with which that fiery
expedition so plentifully crowned you.
But your sudden departure from Norwalk, and the
particular attention you paid to your personal fafety
when ac that place, and the prudent relolution you
took, to fuffer the town of Stamford to efeape the
conflagration, to which you had devoted Fairfield
New-York, 26 August, 1779.
" SIR, I have laid before the commander in chief
your letter, with your inclofure, dating the refufai of
the inhabitants of Suffolk county, to take Share in the
publick works at Brookline : You will please to figni
fy to that county, by lending thither copies of this
letter, that if the requisitions of men and materials
for the purpose above-mentioned, is not immediately
complied with, a detachment of. troops will be im
mediately lent into that diiirilt, and every person who
Ihall have refuted to contribute his afiittance towards
a work, in which the king's service and the intcicit of
the loyal inhabitants are sq eminently blended, Ihall
be turned, without diltindion, out of Long-Bland,
and their farms will be all for the support of those
who have buffered for rcul attachment to government.
Signed by . RAUDON, Adj. Gen."
FISH K IL L, September 30.
SI R, Philadelphia, October 4, 1779.
IT gives me very fenlible pleasure to find from the
act of Congress, inclofecL in your Excellency's polite
favour of the firft Infant, that my conduct in the
chair, and in the execution of publick business, has
been honoured by the approbation of Congress. The
testimony given of it by this act, demands my warm
est acknowledgments.
Bepkafed, Sir, to assure the Congress, that my
happiness is inftparable from the welfare and esteem
of my country ; and that my endeavours to promote
the one and merit the other, ihall continue unremit-
PHILADELPHIA.
™ T C ° NGRE SS, Sept. 28, 1779.
CONGRESS having appointed the Hon. John
Jay, Esq. their Mmitter Plenipotentiary, to negoci
ate a treaty of amity and commerce and of alliance
between the United States of America and his Catho
lick Majesty, and he having lignified his acceptance
of that office, and thereupon resigned the chair,
Revived, That Congress proceed to the choice of
a President.
Congests accordingly proceeded to an election, and
she ballots being taken and counted,
The Honourable Samuel Huntington, Esquire,
was elerted.
October 1, 1779.
Rcfolved, That the thanks of Congress be given to
the Honourable John Jay, Esq. late President, in te-
Rimony of their approbation of his conduct in the
chair, and in the execution of public bufmefs. To
which he returned the following answer:
Last Wednesday morning, about one o'clock, made
their e feape from the Goodhope prison Ship, in the
North-River, nine captains and two privates. Among
the number was Capt. James Prince, who has been
confined four months, and having no profpert of be
ing exc hanged, concerted a plan, in conjunction with
the other gentlemen, to make their escape, which
they elicited in the following manner: They confined
the mate, disarmed the centincls, and hoisted out the
boat which was on deck; they brought off nine stands
of arnas, one pair of pistols, and a fufficient quantity
of amauunition, being determined not to be taken a
live. '1 bey had scarce got clear ofthe ship before the
alarni was given, when they were fired on by three
different ships, but fortunately no person was hurt.
Capt. Prince Ipeaks in the highest terms of Captain
Charles Nelfou, who_ccmmanded the prison shin.
ufing-th^prifoners with a great deal qf humanity, in
particular to himfelf.
By the above gentlemen we have collected the fol
lowing intelligence, viz. The firft account that they
received at New-York of Count D'Eftaing's fleet be
ing near the continent, was by the sloop Pollux, a
privateer of 12 guns, that captured a Spanilh ship
from the Havannah, bound to the continent. This
ship was in company with the fleet tyro days before
she was captured, and left them 33 leagues E. N. E.
from Augustine, fleering in weft. As soon as the
captain of the privateer had learnt the intelligence,
they took out the merchant, captain and officers,
and the greatest part of the company; parted with
the prize, and made the best of her way for New-
York. On her arrival, part of the fleet had failed
for the southward, but receiving that account, they
dispatched a frigate to inform them of it, which occa
sioned their return. The merchant of the Spanilh
ship offered 30,000 dollars ransom, but she had not
arrived when the gentlemen came away. The Re
no%vn, of 50 guns, convoy to the fleet bound for
Halifax, was returned, with the loss of her mainmast
and mizenm^ft. She towed in with her two trans
ports, difmafted.
Ships laying at Sandy-Hook.
Russel, 74 guns, Capt. Drake.
Europa, 64 ditto, Capt. F. Edwards.
Railonable, 64 ditto, Sir George Collier.
Renown, 50 ditto, .
Roebuck, 44 ditto, Sir And. S. Hamond.
7 he number of frigates in the harbour they cannot
afeertain with precision ; but, they further add, that
about 9 days since, 5 frigates went out in company.
Last Friday fe'nnight orders were issued by the
commandant of the city, for all the male inhabitants
ofa proper age, to assist in throwing up works on Go
vernor's Island. The number of inhabitants it was
imagined amounted to 400 c, half of whom were to
go on fatigue one day, and the other half the ensu
ing, Sundays not excepted. This our informants
were an eye witness to.
A letter from Admiral Byron's Secretary, dated
Barbarizes, August 27th, fays, " Our Admiral being
very niuch indisposed, has rcligned his command to
Admiral Sir Peter Parker, and embarked this day for
England.—The fleet consisting of Seventeen fail of the
line, two fifty gun ships, betides frigates, is getting
under way, in order to proceed to Jamaica, as it is
imagined Count D'ERaing intends to make an attack
upon uhat island."
Surely it is time for Britons to rouse from their de
lu live Breams of conquest, and pursue such systems
of future conduct as will save their tottering empire
from total deftru ltion. I am, Sir,
• Your obedient fervaht,
SAM. 11. PARSONS.
Major-General Tryon.
NEW - YOR K, O3ober 5.
CHATHA M, O&obet iz.