The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1780-10-04 00:00:00, page 3

For the Neiv-Jerfey Gazette,
To the FREEMEN of the State of Jersey.
HUMAN wisdom perhaps cannot form a constitu
tion of government more perfect than that which
we ire so happy as to enjoy. The will of the govern
ed is the quill of tbemfelves, expressed by their repre
sentatives, annually and freely chosen. In this con
lifts the very essence of liberty.
But it is in vain to hope for the enjoyment of this
constitution longer than the pulse of freedom beats in
the commonalty of the people. The moment they fink
into luxury and sloth, venality and corruption, that
moment the goodly fabrick of freedom which they
erected, falls ; and perhaps buries every particle of
liberty in its ruins.
The truth of this observation hath been verified in
many ages, and in many nations. Ancient Rome,
in particular, bears full testimony in its favour; nor
is modern Britain less explicit in limilar evidence.
The excellence of the Britilh constitution hath been
celebrated, not only by Britons, but by foreigners.
And it must be confeffed it hath much intrinsic value,
and as a monarchical government, it is allowed to be
equal, if not superior, to any in the world. We,
however, feel no emotions of envy towards it ; we
wifn not a kingly government, though in its molt per
fect form. Such an humiliating fykem may be well
adapted to the genius, prejudices, and characters of
Englishmen, but would be very opposite to that noble
pride, and amiable simplicity, which diftinguilhes
Americans.
But with the decline of publick virtue how does the
spirit of liberty languid! in Britain ? Can it indeed be
said, that there it hath even an exfence ?—The tem
ple of freedom, it is true, remains, but such is its
pollution, that its chaste goddess hath rehnquifhed
it, hath taken her flight, and fixed her abode in the
fair regions of America.
This state, among others, (he animates and blesses
with her presence we forever enjoy her imiles!
May the rude hand of tyranny never offend her ! May
her sacred character ever be regarded ! But I fear her
difpleafure —I dread her absence.
Say not, I possess an uncommon (hare of timidity ;
that my apprehensions are groundless: they are am
ply juftified by the inconstancy and weakness of man
kind. It is to be wished they could be juftified by no
other reason. Ido not desire to clamour, much less
to calumniate. A regard for freedom only opens
my lips.
Our constitution guards the life, liberty, and pro
perty of the fubjedt, by the trialuf a .jury of his peers.
It is said that at the last session of the legislature an
attempt was made to pass a bill, conitituting a body
of five members, to lit during the recess of the assem
bly ; and this board was to be invelted with power,
merely on the suspicion of difaffedion to government,
to banish any, and by consequence, every freeman of
the state to the enemy, with whom he was to conti
nue, or not return without legal permission on pain
of death.
It is scarce credible that any of the guardians of
ou. liberty could so soon have mistaken or forgotten
its principles, and been unmindful of their trust. And
for their honour, as well as that of the state, I hope I
am mifinformed in this particular; but I am appre
hensive there is too much reason to believe it is found
ed on fad. The minutes of the assembly, however,
will teftify in this case, and, if as is represented, I
am charitably inclined to attribute the conduct of the
abettors of the bill rather to inattention than evil de-
Jign ; that they have been governed in this instance by
ignorance, mistaken zeal, or influenced by the so
phistical reasoning of some wicked individual. The
plea of necessity has in it a quality extremely pleas
ing to tyrants, and when uttered by the tongue of
apparent patriotism, a found which charms the ear of
many men of integrity.
But no cry of necefit, can juftify an aft of treason
A or guilt ; no fear of danger can excuse the commihi
on of evil; no exigency of a state can acquit a iub
verfion of its liberties by those who have sworn to
maintain them. Should the plea of necessity be ad
mitted, there would be an end to freedom, and no
potentate, however tyrannical or unconstitutional his
ads, could be deposed, or arraigned at the barofjuftice.
For the preservation of liberty, it is necessary that
those delegated to protect it ihould not only be ac
quainted with its principles, and be possessed of pro
bity, but also of flrengtb to repel the attacks of i:s
foes, of wisdom to difeard and confute the arguments
of subtlety or error, when employed for its deftru&iod.
It would afford an unhappy patient, in the agonies
of death, no consolation to inform him that the fatal
potion which occasioned his dissolution was miniftred
by inattention or ignorance, and not by wickedness.
The effect to him would be the fame ; and it must add
to his unhappiness to reflect that he hath loft his life by
tbougbtlefsh entrusting it with a person of negligence
or unfkilfulnefs in his profeffion.
That the life and vigour of our body politick may be
preferred, it concerns us to be extremely attentive to
whose care we entrust it.
The preceding observations will tend to assist us in
our judgment, at the ensuing election, of the ability
of those who shall offer themselves for this trust.
Yearly, at least, wisdom calls upon us to advert to
the original state of floridity and health of this body,
and to compare it with its present appearance, and if
we perceive its constitution impaired, as its malady
can only be attributed to a defeat of conduCt in those
o whose management it was committed, we Ihould
immediately employ that most sovereign remedy within
our power, — a change of our servants.
A Freeman.
To beSOLD at publick Vendue,
On Wednesday, the 25th instant, at two o'clock
in the afternoon, at the fubferiber's Potting-work
in Trenton,
A TRACT of LAND containing two hundred
and sixty acres, all wood land except fifty acres,
which is mostly cleared. There is an incumbrance
of a lease on said fifty acres of a female's life, who
is now upwards of eighty years of age. It has an
improvement on it of a small house, stable and
orchard, and lays within two miles and a half of
Trenton, situate on the road from the upper ferry to
Alien-town. It will be let up in one or two lots, as
may belt suit the purchasers, A good and lawful
title will 6e given, and any person inclining to view
the premises before the day of sale may apply to the
fubferiber, who will receive lawful or continental
money in payment : and will likewise take in part
New-Jersey Quartermasters certificates.
B. HANLON.
Trenton, October 4th, 1780.
B~E S-O-LIT
By publick Vendue, ,
On Saturday the 28th of October, inst. at the house
of William and Robert Chambers, in the town
ship of Windsor, and county of Middlesex;
A N elegantblack COVERING HORSE, y-Sths
- 1 - 1 blooded; milch Cows, one yoke of working
Oxen, Sheep, a light Pleasure Waggon, Ploughs
and Harrows, with a variety of other farming uten
sils too tedious to mention. Od. 2, 1780.
State of New-JerJey, Gloucester Count),
September 19, 1780.
To be fold at publick Vendue,
On Saturday the 4th of November next, at three
o'clock afternoon, at the house df Hugh Creigh
ton, innkeeper, in Haddonfield,
A Certain House and Lot in said town, (where
said Creighton lately kept tavern, and now in
the tenure of the widow Bifpham) with a piece of
meadow thereunto belonging ; being late the proper
ty of John Hinchman, during the natural life of
said John and his wife Elizabeth Hinchman. Also
about three acres of cedar swamp on Proffer's pond
branch, in the township of Gloucester, being late
the property of said Hinchman; confifcated, and to
be fold for the use of the state, by
John Sparks, and ) Commif
w*i Samuel Kaighn, ) fioners.
On or about the 15th instant, from the plantation
of Gen. Lewis Morris, near Rocky-Hill, Somer
set county,
A DUN MARE, near fourteen hands high, a
natural pacer, about five or fix years old,
and has a fear upon one of her flanks. Whoever
returns the above mare at the said plantation, or
gives information so that die may be recovered, shall .
be handsomely rewarded, and all reasonable charg
es paid at the above place. ,w*
September 28th, 1780.
To be SOL Dat public Vendue,
On Tuesday the 17th day of October instant,
at the house of the Widow Marlatt, in the
township of Mansfieldwoodhoufe, Sussex county,
near Squires-Point :
HORSES, colts, oxen, cattle, sheep, ploughs
and harrows, one waggon, many farming
utensils, late the property of John Marlatt, deceased.
All persons that have any demands on the said
estate are requested to call on
. Garret Rapalje,? r
l}kxecutors.
2T Wm. CREVELING, 5
Five Hundred Dollars Reward.
BROKE out of Trenton gaol last night, a certain
Matthias Simcock, of a small Nature, about 45
years of age ; also one John Van Hife, a low Dutch
man, near 6 feet high, and 48 years of age. Who
ever takes up said persons, and delivers them to the
fubferiber, shall have the above reward, or Two
Hundred and Fifty Dollars for either, paid by
3* PETER HULICK, Gaoler.
Trenton, October 3, 1780.
To be fold at publick vendue,
On the 9th day of O&ober instant, at the house
of William Compton, deceased, Monmouth
county, Upper-Freehold,
APLAN TATION of 200 acres of good
land, containing very good buildings, a great
quantity of meadow, an excellent orchard, and
good water by the door.
Also, horses, cows, oxen, sheep, and all forts of
farming utensils too tedious to mention, by
John Compton, ) n
±ln > Executors.
14 Ichabod Compton, J
TO BE SOL D,
In TRENTON,
A few very large and elegant
Looking-Glafles,
a Milton Carpet,
And sundry other things.
,v* Enquire of the Printer.
Let the Public beware !
^^7Hekeas Capt. David Anderson obtained a
VV note from the fubferiber, for the payment of
the sum of one thousand pounds continental money,
bearing date the 14th of September last, payable in
two or three weeks after date : 1 hefe are therefore
to forwarn all persons not to take an assignment of
the fame, as I am determined not to pay the fame,
it being obtained illegally, without value received.
Given under my hand, at Chefterfield, the 3d of
Odober, 1780.1
gw^ John Wood, jun.
The NEW ERECTED
STAGE-WAGGON
From Philadelphia to Trenton,
W r ILL set out from the Cross-Keys, in Phila
delphia, every Tuesday morning, and proceed
to Trenton fame day ; and set out from Trenton, at
the sign of the Thirteen Stars, next morning, and
proceed back to Philadelphia that day. All pallen
gers, &c. are desired to attend at each place early in
the morning. Their favours will be gratefully ac
knowledged by the Publick's humble servant,
JONATHAN SKOFFIELD.
TO BE SO LD, by
JAMES SCHURMAN,
In New-Brunswick,
At the lowest rates for calh or produce ;
BEST Weft India Deerikins,
rum, Earthenware,
Mufcovado sugar, Shore salt,
Best bohea tea, Pipes,
Coffee, chocolate, Tobacco,
Pepper, allspice, Snuff,
Brimstone, Pasteboards,
Indigo, Nutmegs,
Sewing silks, Spelling books,
1 hreads, tapes, Primers,
Kniting needles, Powder and shot.
Silk handkerchiefs, 3J
S T R A Y cows.
CAME to the plantation of the fubferiber, a
bout the 10th of August last, two cows, one
a brindle with a hit in the right ear, and a crop off
the left, the' other a red one without mark ; they
have since both calved, and I have taken them into
pasture. The owner is requested to prove his pro
perty, pay.charges, and take them away.
SAMUEL HILL.
Amwell, September 28, 1780. fl
Four Hundred Dollars Reward.
STOLEN out of the pasture of the fubferiber,
in Amwell, Hunterdon county, near Henry
Merlhon's tavern, (formerly Ringo's tavern) on
Monday the 25th of September ult. at night,<
grey draught HORSE, fourteen years old, about
14 hands and 2 inches high, a natural trotter, witt
a fear in his forehead. Any person that secures th
thief and brings me the horse, or gives informatic
so that I may have him again, shall have the abov
reward, or Iwo Hundred Dollars for the horse.
with reasonable charges.
Oa. 2, 1780. 3* John Lequear.
TO BE SOLD,
For Hard Money or Continental,
A TRACT of LAND containing about 1000
acres, lying in, the Corporation of New-
Brunswick, on South-River, joining the island be
longing to John Lawrence, Esq. late Mayor of
Philadelphia : The place is well situated, having a
good house and excellent orchard on it, and frefh
meadow that will cut yearly at least one hundred
loads of hay, a fhad-fifhery within thirty yards of
the house, where great quantities of them are
taken in the season, with other fifh. The land is
well timbered and convenient for the New-York
market, having commodious landing places for
boats of ten cords, from which place a number
were employed to the New-York market. For
further particulars enquire of Levinus Clarkfon,
at New-Brunfwiek, Jacobus Van Zandt, at Morris-
Town, or Joseph Milnor, at Trenton, who will
agree for the lame. An ihdifputable title will be
given. Odober 1,1780. 3*