The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-04-14 00:00:00, page 2

present governments were intended to be democratic
republicks ; that is,„.a government in the hands of the
people. We have been happily situated for such a
government: A very great majority of the commu
nity being either independent freeholders or mecha
nicks arid tradelmtn of comfortable circumstances in
life. But if real property must pay both the tax to
retrieve the value of the money, and that to pay the
true national debt, then I am positive the necessary
equilibrium or balance between our commonalty and
gentry will be broke, and the government fall into
the hands of the great; and so change from a demo
cracy to an aristocracy. To make this plain to our
common people, let us recollect the case in New-
Jersey for instance: If the three hundred thousand
pounds, our continental quota for the current year,
be added to the hundred thcufand now levying, then
this state will raise four hundred thousand; and this
whole sum will not pay one half of its quota towards
this year's national expence. Still then our debt in
creases. Those who have amafied thousands and tens
of thousands and thrown it into the loan, must have
their fix per cent, out of the money thus raised, and
pay not one farthing of it towards the tax. If this
method is pursued till our national debt is paid, I
plainly forefee that our case is unavoidably similar to
that of the Egyptians in Joseph's day. We have our
seven years of plenty of money, and a number of
Pharaohs hoard it up. The eleven years of scarcity
will force the generality of farmers and mechanicks
to purchase it from them, to pay the tax for finking
it. First all their money will go; then their cattle
and iierds; next their land; and then their persons.
And do you farmers and mechanicks exped to have
any share in the government of this empire, after an
amazing over-balance of wealth shall have been thrown
into the hands of comparatively a few gentlemen ? if
you do you will be fatally miitaken.—lf the money
be taxed, the nation will remain as it was. A few
individuals may fuffer; but as each will pay only a
proper share of what he has of it, none will be ruin
ed more than are already : And so the necessary ba
lance of wealth between the commonalty and gentry
be preserved, and our democratick governments se
cured.
4. This measure threatens greater imminent danger,
injiead of a remedy, to the national evil ; and therefore
must be exceeding impolitic^. Beside the dangerous si
tuation of all commerce and trade, on account of the
fluctuation of our currency, (which if it holds much
longer, I cannot fee what will become of all our trade
and commerce) —I fay, beside this, the military de
partment of our army are undoubtedly the greatest
fufferers of any active let of men in the whole com
munity. The case is so clear, that I need not point
out particulars. These are the very men who fight
our battles, defend our properties and liberties ; and
so deserve the molt at our hands. And these very
men, who have been so active in amassing and depre
ciating the money, are the chief causes of their dis
tress. What must this part of the army fay or think
if such men meet with the tender care of their coun
try to enhance their unjust acquired riches, while
their ruin is permitted to go on ? And what effect can
the Congress-plan have to remedy their grievances?
Several years must elapse before the effect can be felt.
This is an evil which requires immediate redress.
Should it be by raising all their pay proportionable
to the present depreciation, no one knows how long
the money would stand at the present value. And if
this additional expence was to be paid within the
eighteen years limited by Congress, by a tax on real
property, what would the consequence be? I need
not answer it. —If this tax was laid on the depreciated
money, which has caused the evil, it might be effectu
ally redreded in less than fix months ; money be brought
to its original value ; regulating laves puffed to keep it
there ; justice be done to that part of our army ; com
merce and trade be curried on cuith regularity and fafety.
On a review of the foregoing particulars, I cannot
pretend to judge how it may appear to others ; but to
me it is evident, that the Congress-plan is exceeding
impolitick, and pregnant with insurmountable difficul
ties and pernicious evils to the publich weal. The other
manifeftly founded on good policy, and of immediate
tendency to promote the publick interefi.
I intend also to consider these different plans in
their relation to equity and juflice : But as my chain of
rcafonings has already led me almost beyond the li
mits of a news-paper, I beg leave to defer this to a
future opportunity.
I take the pleasure, Sir, to subscribe myfelf,
Your's and the Publick's true friend and
real well-wiiher, .
A true Patriot.
LONDON, December 16.
* „lIE taxes granted for the current year, in order
X to support the American war, are now coming
round, and pretty severe ones they are, as many
people will Ihortly severely experience ; but what has
been done for all this money this last campaign? is a
qurftion that never fcem o to enter into the heads of the
publick. Why, part has been expended in paying
large fairies to the five commissioners, for doing
(what was previously predicted) nothing at all ; part
has been expended in maintaining an inactive army,
which has done nothing during the whole course of
the fummcr but retreat ; part has been expended in
pampering general officers, contractors, &c. part has
been expended in penfening whores and placemen ;
part has been expended in laying a compeft of cor
ruption in St. Stephen's chapel, from which large
crops are expected next session ; part has been ex
pended to support the dignity of an abandoned, ig
norant, venal administration ; and part has been ex
pended in keeping a band of hireling writers to sup
port them.
The French militia have begun to enter their for
tified towns, in order to relieve the regulars, who
are marched toward the Coast of Normandy and
Brittany.
CHARLESTOWN, ( South-Carolina.) Feb. 25.
Extract of a letter from camp near Adam'sfirry, Feb.2o.
" The Upper Ninety-fix regiment, under Colonel
Pickins, consisting of about 400, have acquired great
reputation and honour, having on the 14th inst. de
feated in Georgia between Carr's and Philip's fort, a
large body of the difaffeded, from 6to 8co; killed
Colonel Boyd and Major Moore their leaders, above
20 privates, wounded many, taken 22 prisoners, and
retaken 26 of our people they were carrying alorg
with them. This fortunate event promises to put an
end to toryifm, and prevent any further internal
commotions."
PHILADELPHIA, April 7.
Extract of a letter from St. Euftatia, March 12, 1779.
" A reinforcement of four ships of the line, with a
few soldiers, lately arrived at Martinico, and a very
capital fleet is momently expected, under convoy of
eight fail of the line, which will again give the French
a superiority."
The Captains Deane and Taflor, from this port,
are arrived at St. Euftatia.
Extraft of a letter from Edenton, North-Carolina,
March 19, 1779.
" The circumftar.ee of the British troops landing in
Georgia, and fending 2500 men from this state to the
afliftance of that state and South-Carolina, induced
the difaffe&ed people in the western parts of our state
to aflcmble in arms; their intention was to join the
British troops, and I believe a considerable number
who went off without arms, and in a private manner,
did actually join them. Others mere hardy, collect
ed themselves together to the amount of 70c, in or
der to march in a body; they were met with by about
500 militia hastily collected, who attacked them, and
it is said killed and took prisoners about 200, and dis
persed the others.
" The British troops had penetrated up the coun
try as far as Augusta, in Georgia, but not finding so
many of their friends to join them as they expected,
they made a precipitate retreat down to the town of
Savannah, leaving their friends the tories, and their
sick, to Ihift for themselves. By the last accounts
our army had crossed the river, and were in full march
after them."
Since our last, came to this city sundry prisoners
saved from the Mermaid, mentioned in our last to be
stranded near Egg-Harbour. From them we learn,
that the said ship tailed from Halifax, in company with
fix other transports, having on board all the flank and
light companies of that farnfon : That on board the
Mermaid was the flank company And half the light
company of the 82d regiment. That on the 22d, at
five o'clock in the morning, the Mermaid ran ashore,
where Ihe soon bilged, aid the people on board were
obliged to take to the tops and shrouds, where, for
36 hours, those who wire saved, bore the severest
cold, snow, &c. and while they had day light, the
survivors were almost evey minute shocked with the
falling of some of their unhappy ship-mates, who died
with the cold, from the tops and other parts of the
rigging, where they had eideavoured to secure them
selves from the sea, whicl continually rolled over the
fhip's deck. After having been in this miserable situ
ation from 5 o'clock on Monday morning till noon on
Tuesday, a boat came oftto their relief, and saved a
bout 42 of them, many o' which are much froft bit
ten in their feet, and fom? of them were not able to
help themselves on boardthe boat that came to their
relief; so that a few hour, more must in all probabi
lity have finished the while of them.
Lift of persons on boar! the ship Mermaid, Capt.
Snowball, from Halifax :o New-York : Periihed,
Capt. Snowball, master c the ship; Lt. Snodgrass,
of 8:d light company ; 112fergeants, drums and pri
vates ; 13 women; 7 chldren ; 11 sailors. Total,
145. Saved, 5 sergeants 15 privates; 7 sailors ; 5
officers, viz. Capt. ThornsPitcaiin, Lieuts. Andrew
Rutherford, James Duulp, of grenadiers, James
Maxwell, and Robert Anlerfon, of light infantry of
Bzd regiment. Total, 42
April 8. A gentleman arrived at Baltimore from
Martinico, which he left a out the eleventh of March,
informs, that Count d'Eiang had received a rein
forcement of four blips 0 die line and one frigate,
and that Admiral Barringbi had likewise received a
reinforcement of four orlir hips, and that both fleets
still lay in port watching tie motions of each other.
Extract of a letter fem Baltimore, April 2.
" I have just time to inbrn you of my arrival here
from Martinico, in the focuner Expedition, which
pl^ce I left the iith ult. iiompany with eight other
veffcls, two of which, armdbrigs, convoyed us thro'
the islands, and coming thoigh the pafl'age, betwixt
the Virgin islands and Porbkico, fell in with a pri
vateer brig of 18 guns, oulo Antigua, and took her
after an engagement of 2 minutes, killed 11, and
wounded 14 of her men. Tie loss on our fide was
3 killed and 4 wounded, th was engaged and taken
by one of the brigs, mouitig 14 guns, before the
other could get up."
TREASURY OFFICE, Philadelphia,
April 3, 1779.
Ordered, Tiiat all persons who have been entrusted
with public money before the 25th day of March last
(and who are not accountable to the Auditors of the
Army, or the Commissioners of Accounts at Albany)
immediately tranimit their Accounts to the Auditor-
General for settlement, on failure whereof they will
be prosecuted without further notice.
By order of the Board of Treasury,
JOHN NICHOLSON, Clerk.
The several Printers throughout the United States
are requested to insert this notice, and continue it in
their papers fix weeks.
TREASURY OFFICE, April 5, 1779.
Refolded, That the several Commissioners of the
Continental Loan-Offices, Treasurers appointed to
receive Continental taxes, and others, authorized by
Congress to receive, collect, or exchange bills of the
emissions of May acth, 1777, and April iith, 1778,
be refpedivcly directed to fend to the Treasurer of
Loans as soon as may be after the firft of June next,
such of the said bills as they may possess, under the
care of some continental officer and guard, taking
triplicate receipts, agreeable to the following form,
one of which is to be lent to the Treasurer of Loans
by the said officer, and another by some other con
veyance.
" State of day of 177
" RECEIVED of of
" in the State aforefaid, cases (or pack
" ages) marked and said to contain
" dollars, in bills of the emissions of May 20th, 1777,
" and April iith, 1778, which I promise to deliver
" to Francis Hopkinfon, Efg uire, Treasurer of Loans,
By letters from St. Euftatia we learn, that on the
2d ult. the Hibernia, of 14 guns, but had only eight
mounted, Capt. Collins, from this port for Teneriff,
was attacked by a British sloop of war, of 14 guns
and 80 men, who, after running along fide of Capt.
Collins, and keeping up the action for four hours and
a half, thought it mos! prudent to sheer off. He at
tempted at one time to board Capt. Collins ; but
found him too well prepared with close quarters. —
Capt. Collins had almost all his rigging shot away, 1
man killed, bis third mate, gunner, and several others,
wounded. Capt. Collins, lince the above action, has
arrived fafe at St. Euftatia, having sprung a leak soon
after he left this port, which obliged him to alter
his voyage.
Extracts from several letters written by persons who
may be depended on in Martinico.
Feb. 25. " His Majesty's ships le Robufte, of 74
guns, commanded by M. the Count de Grade, Com
modore ; le Magnifique, of 74, by M. de Bruche;
le Dauphin Royal, of 70, by M. de Millon ; and le
Vengeur, of 64, by M. de Retz, which left Brest the
14th of January, arrived at Fort Royal the 20th inst.
They had on board the 2d regiment of Champagne,
850 recruits, and a company of miners."
March 6. " We learn that Admiral Byron on his
fide has received a reinforcement, but we are igno
rant ot the force. He hath not as yet undertaken any
operation, but only made two forties with nine flips
and returned the next day. Ile has not indeed troops
enough to make conquests and keep them. Sickness.
continues to make great ravages among those who'
are at St. Lucie."
March 9. " The convoy so much defined from
France, has just arrived well accompanied.
'' The islands of St. Martin and St. Bartholomew,
which the English had taken from us, are retaken
without difficulty by three of our frigates, which hath
tarnished the triumph of our enemies upon that in
considerable event.
" M. de Kerfin, Lieutenant in the navy, has made
prize of twq vessels last week; one a merchant cut
ter, called the Eliza, of 28 twelve pounders, she had
140 men ; the cargo confided of wine and cloth, to
the value of 25,000 livres. She has a copper bottom.
The other is a privateer of eighteen guns and 76 men.
Some American privateers have font in two prizes
from Halifax, laden with fifh and lumber.
" The Minerva hath carried another English frigate
of 24 guns into Cape Francois. The abilities of the
Captain saved her from being taken by a ship of war
and three frigates, by which she was furprized in a
calm."
The Captain of a sloop, arrived at Baltimore in 22
days from Martinique, informs, that sickness hath
made aftonilhing ravages in the British fleet and ar
my at St. Lucie ; that the squadrons are reckoned to
be of about equal force ; that the French frigates are
continually at sea, and often fight with those of the
English ; that one of the former hath taken a frigate
of 26 guns ; further, that the situation of the French
is in every refpeft fatisfadory to them, and they ap
pear to be perfectly easy upon the success of the ope
rations which Admiral Byron pretends to be about
to undertake.
We are informed from France, by way of Marti
nique, that they learn by a Portuguese ship from In
dia, that the English have commenced hostilities a
gainst the French since the month of April.. A ship
of war and a frigate, at that time attacked le Brillant
of 74 guns, commanded by M. Tronjoly, who drove
them off. We are also informed, that they labour
Lard to repair and arm the forty-five privateers of
force which the royal navy hath taken from the Eng
glifh, and that the greater part of these vessels will
be in a condition to put to sea on a cruize in a short
time.