The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-07-22 00:00:00, page 1

Conclusion of the Strictures on the Commissioners Letter
to Congress.
lAMI AM extremely sorry to find in your letter
feme sentences which refleft upon the cha
raftcr of his Most Christian Majesty. It cer
tainly is not kind, or confident with the prin
ciples of philanthrophy you profefs, to tra
duce a gentleman's character without afford
ing him an opportunity of defending himfclf; and
that too a near neighbour, and not long lince an in
timate brother, who besides hath lately given you
the most solid additional proofs of his pacific difpofi
tion,and with an unparalleled iincerity, which would
do honour to other Princes, declared to your court,
vnaiked, the nature and effect of a treaty he had just
entered into with these States. Neither is it quite ac
cording to the rules of politeness to use such terms in
addressing yourfclves to Congress, when you well
knew that he was their good and faithful ally. It is
indeed true, as you justly observe, that he hath at
times been at enmity with his Britannic Majelty, by
which we fuffered some inconveniencies ; but these
flowed rather from our connection with you than any
ill-will towards us : At the fame time it is a solemn
truth, worthy of your serious attention, that you did
not commence the present war, a war in which we
have fuffered infinitely more than by any former coa
ted, a fierce, a bloody, I am sorry to add, an unpro
voked and cruel war; that you did not commence
this, I fay, because of any connection between us and
our prelent ally ; but, on the contrary, as I'ocn as you
perceived that the treaty was in agitation, proposed
terms of peace to us in consequence of what you
have been placed to denominate an insidious interpo
sition. How then does the account hand between
us ? America, being at peace with all the world, was
formerly drawn into a war with France, in coufe
fon^nf her union with Gnat-Britain. At present
America, being engaged in a war with Great-Britain,
will probably obtain the molt honourable terms of
peace, in consequence of her friendly connection with
France. For the truth of these positions I appeal,
gentlemen, to your own knowledge. I know it is ve
ry hxrd for you to part with what you have ac
customed yourlelves, from your earlicft infancy, to
call your colonies. I pity your situation, and there
fore I excuse the little alterations from truth which
your letter contains. At the fame time it is possible
that you may have been mifinformed. For I will not
suppose that your letter was intended to delude the
people of these States: Such unmanly, disingenuous
artifices have of late been exerted with so little effect,
that prudence, if not probity, would prevent a repe
tition. To undeceive you, therefore, I take the li
berty of altering your Excellencies, from the very
best intelligence, that what you call '' the present
" form of the French offers to North-America," in
other words, the treaties of alliance and commerce
between his Most Christian Majesty and these States,
were not made in consequence ofany plans of accom
modation concerted in Great-Britain, nor with a view
to prolong this deftrudive war. If you confidcr that
these treaties were actually concluded before the
draught of the bills under which you atl, was font for
America, and that much time must necessarily have
been confirmed in adjuring compacts ofTuch intrica
cy and importance ; and further, if you confider the
early notification of this treaty by the court of France,
and the affiirance given that America had referred a
right of admitting even you to a similar treaty, you
must be convinced of the truth of my aflertions. The
fid is, that when the British minister perceived that
we were in treaty with the greatelt Prince in Europe,
he applied himfelf immediately to counteract the ef
fect of these negociations. And this leads me with
infinite regret to make some observations, which may
possibly be by you confidcred in an offenfivc point of
view.
It ferms to me, gentlemen, there is fometbing (ex
cuse the word) disingenuous in your procedure. I
put the fuppohtion that Congress had acceded to
your propositions, and then I alk two questions : Had
you full power from your commission to make these
propositions? Possibly you did not think it worth
while to confider your commission ; but we Ameri
cans are apt to compare things together, and to rea
foa. The second question I aft is, What security
could you give that the British Parliament would ra
tify your compacts ? You can give no such security,
and therefore we should, after forfeiting our reputa
tion as a people, after you had filched from us our
good name, apd persuaded us to give to the common
enemy of man the precious jewel of our liberties;
after all this, I fay, we should have been at the mercy
of a Parliament, which, to fay no more ofit, has not
[Vol. I.] THE [Numb. 33.]
NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY, July 22, 1778.
State of Neco-ferfey.
IN order to encourage and promote the manufac
ture of paper in this State, for the purposes of
printing and education, and for other uses;
1. Be it Enacted by the Council and General As
sembly of this State, and it is hereby enabled by the au
thority of the fame, That at each and every mill or
works erected or to be creded, and carried 011 in
this State for the purpose of manufacturing paper,
there be exempted from actual service in the militia
four men besides the owner or occupier, which ex
empts fliall be employed only and solely at such mill
or works under the regulations and restrictions here
in expressed.
2. And it is HEREBY FURTHER ENACTED, That
the said men dial! be armed and accoutred, and shall
attend monthly musters and regimental reviews in
the companies and regiments or battalions within the
bounds of which they are Severally employed, and
shall moreover be faxed as other exempts, agreeably
to the directions of the ad, intitlcd, An Act for the
regulating, training and arraying of the militia, pas
sed the fourteenth day of April last, but shall not be
fubjed to any call into actual service, unless the
county in which they are employed as aforefaid,
shall be invaded.
Puffed at Princeton, sane 20, 1778.
JOHN HART, Speaker of the
(Copy) General Assembly.
STATE of NEW-JERSE Y.
An Ad to prohibit the exportation of provisions from
the State of New-ferfey.
WHEREAS it is highly expedient to preserve a
mongst ourselves such articles of produce as
may be wanted for our own coufumption, or for t^
treated us with too great tenderness. It is quite
needless to add, that even if that Parliament had ra
tified the conditions you proposed, hill poor America
was to lie at the mercy of any future Parliament, or
appeal to the sword, which certainly is not the most
plcafant business men can be engaged in.
For your use I subjoin the following creed of every
good American. I believe that in every kingdom,
Rate or empire, there must be, from the neceflity of the
thing, one lupremc legifiativc power, with authority
to bind every part in all cases, the proper objects of
human laws. I believe that to be bound by laws, to
which he does not consent by himfelf or his represent
ative, is the direct definition of a slave. Ido therefore
believe, that a dependence on Great-Britain, howso
ever the fame may be limited or qualified, is utterly
inconsistent with every idea of liberty, for the defence
of which I have solemnly pledged my life and fortune
to my countrymen; and this engagement I will sa
credly aahere to so long asl shall live. Amen.
Now if you v. ill take the poor advice of one, who is
really a friend to England and Englishmen, and who
hath even some Scotch blood in his veins, away with
your fleets and your armies, acknowledge the inde
pendence of America, and as Ambassadors, and not
Commiflioners, solicit a treaty of peace, amity, com
merce and alliance with the rising Stars of this western
world. Your nation totters on the brink of a stu
pendous precipice, and even delay will ruin her.
You have told the Congress, "If, after the time that
" may be neceflary to confider this communication,
" and transmit your answer, the horror# and devafta
" tions of war should continue, we call God and the
" world to witness, that the evils which must follow,
" are not to be imputed to Great-Britain," I wish
you had Spared your protestation. Matters of this
kind may appear to you in a trivial light, as mere or
namental flowers of rhetoric, but they are serious
things registered in the high chancery of heaven. Re
member the awful abuse of words like these By Ge
neral Burgoyne, and remember his fate. There is one
above us who will take exemplary vengeance for every
insult upon his Majesty. You know that the cause of
America is just. You know that she contends for that
freedom to which all men arc entitled —that she con
tends against oppression, rapine, and more than fi.
vage barbarity. The blood of the innocent is upon
your hands, and all the waters of the ocean will not
wash it away. We again make our solemn appeal to
the God of Heaven to decide between you and us.
And we pray that in the doubtful scale of battle we
may be fuccefsful, as we have justice on our fide, and
that the merciful Saviour of the world may forgive our
oppressors. I am, my Lords and Gentlemen,
The friend #f human nature,
And one oho glories in the title of
An AMERICAN.
An A&, for encouraging the manufacture of paper in the
STATE of N E W-J ERSE Y.
1. Be it enacted by the Council and General As
sembly of this State, and it is hereby enabled by the au
thority of the fame, That an embargo be, and it here
by is laid, to prohibit the exportation of wheat, flour,
rye, Indian corn, rice, bread, beef, pork, bacon,
live-Stock and other provisions irom this State, from
and after the publication of this aft until the fifteenth
day of November next. Provided always, That no
thing in this aft shall be construed to prevent the
taking on board such provisions as shall be necessary
for the Stores only of any ships or veffcls of war, or
others trading to and from this State.
2. And be it enacted by the authority aforefaid.
That if any wheat, flour, rye, Indian corn, rice,
bread, beef, pork, bacon, live-stock or other pro
visions whatfeever, except as before excepted, shall
at any time hereafter be iaden or found on board any
Ship or veffcl in any port of this State, contrary tg
the true intent and meaning of this aft, it shall and
may be lawful for the colleger, or other custom
house officer of such port, or their deputies, or any
other person or persons whatsoever, to seize futh
wheat, Hour, rye, Indian corn, rice, bread, beef,
pork, bacon, live-stock or other provisions, together
with the ship or veflel in which the fame shall be so
laden and found ; and such veffcl, together with such
of the aforefaid articles as shall be so laden or found
on board her at the time of such Seizure, are hereby
declared to be forfeited, one third part thereof to
the use of the State, one third part to the use of the
collector or other cuftom-lioufe officer making such
seizure, and the remaining third part to the use of
the informer or informers on whose information the
fame shall be so Seized.
Paged at Princeton, June ao, 1778.
JOHN HART, Speaker of the
(Copy) General Afembly
T C) be fold by the fubferiber, near Kingston, in
l Middlesex county, a very good four horse Team.
The price nine hundred dollars. It is now entered ire
the service at Trenton for fix months, and offered
to fell for no other reason than the want ofa driver.
1* Robe rtPett E.
TAKEN out of Isaac Crane's pasture, at Turkey,
l in Essex county, a Horse of a red roan colour,
fix or seven years old, fourteen hands high, trots and
paces. Whoever takes up said horse, is desired to ap
ply immediately to the fubferiber, and shall have
Fifteen Dollars reward, and reasonable charges.
June 15. Isaac_CrAne.
SIXTEEN DOLLARS REWARD..
STRAYED or stolen, from the fubferiber, living in
English-town, the morning the army marched for
Bruirfwick, a chefnut sorrel Horse, five or fix years
old, about fourteen hands and one inch high, branded
with 36 on the near shoulder and thigh, a natural trot
ter ; it is not certain but the fame brand may be on
the off fide also. Whoever secures said horse that the
owner may get him again, shall have the above rewards
and all rcafonable charges, paid by
Margaret Tinney.
English-town, July 5, 1778. i||
LOST the morning of the a&ion near Monmouth
Court-house, a Pistol, brass mounted, the barre!
about fix inches long, marked on the lock GABBI
TAS. Whoever delivers said pistol to Col. Hyer, ire
Princeton, shall be well rewarded. 2§
T EFT on the plantation of David Chambers, in
' Amwell, Hunterdon county, a black STEAR.
The owner is desired to pay the expence, and take
him away. July 12. 1*
LO ST between Princeton and Beverwick, eight
miles from Morris-town, a dress Sword, the hilt
chafed work and of solid silver, a red belt with swivels,
one half of the fliell broken off. Whoever will leave
said sword with Mr. Lott, at Beverwick, or Mrs. Li
vingston, at Princeton, shall receive Ten Dollars re
ward. July 10, 1778. _ s||
CTOLE N out of the stable of the fubferiber, at
° Baptist-Town, the night of the sth inst. (June)
a bay STALLION, about, 14 hands high, well made,
and in good order; paces, trots and canters, and
carries well, with two white feet, one the near hind
foot, the other the off fore foot. Whoever takes up
the said horse and thief, so that the man be brought
to justice and owner have his horse, shall receive &
reward of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars, or Oar
Hundred Dollars for the horse only, and all reap*
able charges, paid by me JOHN CW^ ' .an'
use of the United States of America: And whereas
the restraining of the exportation of provisions may
have a tendency to distress our'enemics, and greatly
to weaken their operations against us, by with-hold
ing from them the fupplics they obtain by capturing
our vessels ; Therefore,