The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-10-07 00:00:00, page 2

against England, every thing being got ready for that
purpose when they left that city, which was last
Monday. They also fay that the Spanish Ambassa
dor, who is coming to our Court, was preparing to
leave Paris, in order to set off for England, so that
his arrival here is hourly expected.”
The devastation which the American war has made
in trade and public credit, can no longer be denied
or disguised. Even the Scotch begin to lament the
loss of tobacco, and their arrears in America. The
trade of Ireland is deeply wounded, and the distres
ses this occasions in that kingdom are very averting.
It is with the greatest difficulty the common people
out of employ, and starving, are kept in any tolerable
order. The relaxations relating to the trade of that
kingdom go but a little way towards fatisfying them,
they demand immediate work and bread : There ne
ver was filch' a failure of trade, and scarcity of money
among the wealthy merchants in England: Stocks
are continually falling; and should there be a war
with France, there is no faying to what they would
fink. The trade of our rivals in the mean time is
greatly increased. Our empire is dismembered ;
Chatham is gone, and where shall we find a genius
to restore what our miniffry have ruined.
CHARLESTOWN, (S. Carolina) Aug. I2 #
Since Friday last, we have had very hard blowing
weather, the wind at E. and N. E. but on Monday,
so violent a storm (beginning at about two o'clock/
in the morning) that, 'till between 3 and 5 in the
afternoon, when the gale fhifted to N. and N. W. a
hurricane was apprehended. In this gale, the ship
Bafmarein, arrived within the bar the day before from
Boston, was driven ashore upon Cumming's-Ifland ;
the privateer ship General Moultrie, upon Haddrel's
point; the French polacre Cleopatre (difmafted,)
schooner Bienheureufe (both ready to fail for North-
Carolina) and nine coasting schooners and a sloop,
upon James-liland; a schooner into the marsh up
Cooper-River; the schooner Ark, upon General Gads
den's wharf; the Spanish schooner St. Antonio, al
most up to the curtain line near Craven's bastion ;
the fliip Lydia, Capt. Moore, (since got off) the ship
Polly, Capt. Earl, and brig Betsy, Capt. Hutton,
(her bowsprit and head carried away) in the space
between Gaillard's and Prioleau's wharves ; the hoop
Joseph and Benjamin, Capt. Dickinson, loaded with
indigo and tobacco, and ready to fail on a voyage,
was bulged and filled, on the north fide of the wharf
before the -Exchange; the brig Washington, at
Pritchard's wharf, also received considerable damage,
as did the schooner Liberty, against the north fide of
Mr. Peale's, and the schooner General Green in the
Market dock. Several other vessels were injured, and
there was great deftrurtion amongst boats and canoes,
trees and fences, and the walls of the house-s burnt
in January last. It is'to BeTeared, that much da
mage has also been done along the fca coast and in
the country. Had the wind continued at E. when
the flood tide should have come in (at which time it
only began to ebb) it is probable, not one vessel in
the harbour would have been saved. The wind was
accompanied with an incessant heavy rain for about
fifteen hours. Notwithstanding the violence of the
wind and rain, and raging of the sea, Gadsden's
bridge, leading from Sullivan's Island to Haddrel's
Point, remains entire, and proves the goodness of
its conftrurtion.
BOSTO N, September 21.
Notwithstanding the pompous accounts given in
the British papers of the number and strength of Ad
miral Kepple's fleet, said to consist of 1 ship of 100
guns ; 5 of 90 guns ; 18 of 74 guns ; 7 of 64 guns ;
amounting to 31 ships of the line, together with 6
frigates, 2 fire-fliips, and a hoop ; there are strong
symptoms of a greater comparative weakness in the
British navy at present, than has been known for many
years past. ' One would have thought that the British
administration, considering how long they have been
preparing this fleet, would have had twice the num
ber of ships equipped, while it is well known that
even these are but weakly manned. This boasted
fleet has ventured over to the coasts of France, but
never, as has been reported, blocked up the harbour
of Brest. They continued on the coast but a short
time, and then returned: The design seems to have
been to maze a parade to amuse the discontented na
tion, and at the fame time to cover the fending off
some of the ships to America to reinforce Lord Howe,
and secure a retreat for their army here to some quar
ter where it may he more serviceable, than in keeping
possession ofa small territory in these states, and at the
fame time in less danger of being totally loft. All their
late movements, and preparations to evacuate New-
York confirm this opinion. The quick return of
Kepple's fleet is'an open confeffion to all the world of
its inferiority to the French armament at Brest; had
not this been the case, it would have remained and
blocked up that port to prevent the fleet of France
from coming out to art on any occasion, and to give an
opportunity of dismissing the militia, in Britain, con
fiding of ufeful hands taken off from neceflary employ
ments, and at a great additional charge to the nation.
It must be not a little humiliating to Britain, not to
have a fleet fufficient for this fingte purpose, when in
former wars it was always done, and at the fame time
a superior naval force maintained in the Mediterrane
an, and in the East and Weft-Indies ; but they were
then fapported by America.
It is reported that a flpop from Hifyaniola, in^
BraLpaffage, has brought an account that a large
Spans'll fleet had arrived there with upwards of 8000
troops ; and tha > hey were designed for Jamaica.
According to a late register of Lloyd's,blocks in
England have fallen from 158 to 106 ; and the conso
lidated fynds from 88 to 62.
The war between France and England is at last be
gun in earnest ; and the French have given out Let
ters of Marque in Europe and the Weft-Indies.
We hear the Minerva a privateer ship, has arrived
in a fafe port with several prizes ; flic has taken, it is
said, eight or nine this cruize, mod of which are ar
rived.
Friday night last arrived a vessel at Pifeataqua, in
forty days from Nantz in France, with dispatches for
his Excellency Count D^ftaign, Commander of his
Mod Christian Majesty's squadron on this Ration ;
which dispatches went down to hi< Excellency yester
day ; the contents of which have not yet transpired.
The accounts brought by this vessel are, that on the
27th of July last, a naval engagement happened off
Ufhant, between the squadron of his Most Christian
Mpjefty, commanded by Mons. de Chaffault, and that
of the British tyrant's, commanded by Admiral Kep
ple, which lasted three hours ; there being 67 vessels
engaged, viz. 33 French, and 34 English, frigates in
cluded on both sides, in which the fleet of his,Moft
Christian Majesty got the advantage, by taking one
frigate (which was the only one loft on either fide)
when the British gave way, and were pursued by the
French to the channel of England, as far as was
thought prudent. After which the French fleet re
turned into port, had refitted, and was to fail in two
days after these advices came away. 'Tis reported
Admiral Kepple was killed in the engagement, and
that Mons. de Chaffault was badly wounded in one
of his arms.
Last Monday returned into port from a cruize, the
private armed ship General Hancock, late commands
ed by Capt. Ishmael Hardy. On the gthinftant, she
fell in with the Le Vant English frigate, of 32 guns,
who about two o'clock, P. M. hoiked a blue English
ensign, jack and pendant, and gave a bow gun. The
Hancock hoiked continental colours, and got ready
for engaging. The Le Vant then gave two guns,
and came along fide the Hancock, upon which she
hailed her, but they made no reply ; the fire then
became general; at quarter palt 2 o'clock the Le
Vant's enfign-ftaff wasfhot away, when they were
asked if they had Bruck; t^eir answer was no, no,
fire away ; at half past two, Captain Hardy received
a wound in his right shoulder, by a musket-ball,
which lodged in the vertebras of his neck, he fell,
and was carried below. The First Lieutenant then
took the command, and engaged broadside for broad
side, 'till 4 o'clock, when the Le Vant blew up, part
of which fell on board the Hancock. The boats were
got out, and saved-their boatfwafn and 17 hands, 10
of whom were wounded. They informed that the
Le Vant was navigated with 97 seamen, exclusive of
landsmen and boys, commanded by Capt. John Mai
tin.—She was from Morant Bay, in Jamaica, bound
to Bristol, and loaded with 380 hogsheads sugar, 180
puncheons rum, 10 tons fuitick, a quantity of ma
hogany, and had on board 20,000 pounds sterling in
bills of exchange, and 17,000 dollars in specie : Also,
that 5 months ago, they cruized off South- Carolina,
in pursuit of. the Randolph frigate, in w,:ich time
they took eleven prizes. The Hancock h e tour men
killed, exclusive of the Captain; 2 loft their arms,
and one loft his leg, besides 18 badly wounded.
STATE or NEW-JERSEY.
An Art for the case and relief of fueb persons as are
scrupulous of taking an oath avitb the ceremony of
touching and kifing the Book of the Gospels, by al
looving that of bolding up the band in lieu thereof.^
FORASMUCH as many well disposed persons, in
habitants and lubjerts of this State, and zealous
ly attached to the government thereof, as established
under the authority of the people, prefefs to enter
tain religious scruples against taking an oath with the
ceremony of touching and killing the Book of the
Gospels, and that they cannot, confidently with a
good conscience, conform thereto; whereby, as no
other is deemed and admitted legal, they are ex
cluded from many essential privileges of society, and
are liable to frequent imprisonment and grievous
fines, by process of contempt issuing out of the Courts
of Law, to the manifeß dißrefs of themfclves and fa
milies, the State as well as individuals being in she
mean time deprived of their evidence : And forafmuch
as the ceremony of holding up the hand in making
oath, which such persons pray may be allowed them
instead of the usual one, hath no tendency to dero
gate from the solemnity or obligation of an oath, and
such indulgence is agreeable to the spirit and princi
ples of the Constitution of this State: Therefore,
Sect. I. Be it enabled- by the Council and General
Assembly of this State, and it is hereby enacted by the au
thority of tbe fame, That from and after the passing of
this ad, any and every person within this State who
shall be permitted or required upon any lawful occasi
on to take an oath in any case, where, by any law of
this State, an oath is allowed or required, shall and
may be permitted to take the fame with the ceremo
ny of lifting up the hand, inßead of that of touching
and kissing the Book of the Gospels ; and an oath so
taken shall be deemed and adjudged, and is hereby
enabled and declared to be of such and the fame force
^ effect to all intents aad purpofc§ m all Courts of
To the P UB L I C.
AS onr domestic enemies how despair of fuccccd
ing against the liberties of their country by the
power cl Britain, tecy are going to change their
ground, and endeavour by feciet sap to undermine
the foundation of cur cenftitutron. Apprehending a
day of vengeance when the enemy shall have quitted.
the country, they are preparing to avert the puniffi
m'ent due to their crimes by a new arrangement in
the Legislature of the State, which they mean shall
be competed of your half-tories, your moderate men,
and your nothings at all; and from which every foirit
ed whig is to be excluded. Such Legislatures are
expected to appoint, and doubtless would appoint,
officers of the fame cast, and thus these gentry will
not only be exempted from the just indignation of
their country tor their adherence to the cause of the
enemy, but in a short time engross the whole direc
tion of our public affairs. To facilitate the executi
on of this projert, they are already endeavouring by
various calumnies to afperfe the characters of the most
active whigs ip every department. But it is hoped our
honest citizens will not filler themfclves to be thus
imposed upon to endanger the vessel of the common
wealth, now to all appearances so near the haven of
fafety; nor to requite with ingratitude those to whose
labours and exertions, during the Borm, we are un
der so great obligations for our deliverance.
That the leading tories have concerted such a plan,
there are too many concurrent reasons to entertain
any dourt ; and to disappoint their devices, is the
indifpenfabibduty of every real friend to his country
to appear at the ensuing election, and exert himfelf as
for his political fidvalion, to prevent those mifereants
from lowing their tares among the wheat.
PUBLEC OLA.
^^a^^zroirara§ 3c+rn~wß<mf.at? > ?i <-^t^%-sx^tG:> ^ .wrnh^ ut#<oto,<,-__.#„.., mB Q,.& mq
Mr. copLiNs,
A S our annual election is coming on, please to
- 1 give the 1 wentieth Sertion of our excellent
Cor,dilution a place in'yeur next Gazette; for it
cannot be too olten read, or be made too publick.
Sert. XX. “ That the legiilative department ofthis
Colony may, as much as possible, be preserved from
all suspicion of corruption, none of the Judges of the
Supreme or other Courts, Sheriffs, or any other per
son or persons possessed of any post of profit under
the government, other than Justices of the Peace,
shall be entitled to a feat in Assembly ; but that, on
his being ele&ed and taking his feat, his office or post
ihall be considered as vacant."
How often has our Legislature broken this barrier
against corruption ? I shall only remind them of an
Attorney-General, a Judge of the Supreme Court,
Judge of the Court of Admiralty, a Clerk of a Coun
ty, and several Loan Officers have been permitted to
hold their feats without the least objection. 'Tis true
those who have had several appointments by the Le
gislature have declined the'next exertion. But is this %
keeping the legjflative department as free as possible
from all suspicion cf corruption ? —Ctefar's wife was
not only to be virtuous, but she was to be free from
all fufpicioh.—l expert to be treated by those inte
rested, as Lord North's battalion, in the English
Parliament, treats the reasoning of a Burke, a Barre,
a Wilkes, and a Luttrel, that is, give it a hearing.
Although I allow that Lord North's battalion is the
best disciplined of any in the world, yet we have
some apt scholars in this State that learn very faft ;
and 1 dare fay we shall soon hear of thousands annex
ed to salaries in this State as well as in-Penniylvania,
and perhaps the fame absurd and cruel reason given,
to wit, the depreciation of the Bills of Credit. Was
ever paper money emitted in the universe on better
security? Never. Why then is it not secured from
depreciation by the several Legislatures of the United
States?
" But cohere interef fortifies an argument,
" Weak reafonferves to gain the fill's assent ;
" for fouls already ovarp'd receive an easy bent."
You shall hear from me again occasionally.
Geb 3, 177^ A Jersey Farmer-
Justice and other places, where an oath is lawfully al
lowed or required, within this State, as if the fame
had been taken with the usual ceremony: And all
perlons who are, or shall be, authorized or required
to tender and adminißer an oath, shall be, and are
hereby authorized and required, on request of the
party to be sworn, to administer the some accordingly.
, And, tor the obviating of all doubts which other
wise might arise, Whether in any case wherein by
any future art of the General Assembly of this State,
an oatli shad be allowed or required, the fame may
be taken as aforefaid, unlefe in such art express pro
vision be made for that purpose ; Be it enacted by the
authority aforefaid, That in all cases wherein by any
art of the General Assembly hereafter to be made, an
oath mail be allowed or required, the fame shall, en
the request of the party to be sworn, be taken with
she ceremony of holding up the h@nd, instead of
that of touching and kissing the Book of the Gospels,
altho' no provision for that purpose shall in such ad
be made.
#s 3. And be it enacted by the authority aforefaid, That
if any person, sworn as afmefaid, 'fhall teftify that
which, if sworn in the usual manner, would have a
mounted to perjury, such person shall to ail intents
and purpoles be deemed guilty of perjury, and be
ing thereof legally convirted, shall fuller accordingly.
Faffed at Princeton, October 1, 1778.
JOHN HART, Speaker of the General Aflembly.