The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1782-06-19 00:00:00, page 1

e following extract of a letter written from Phi
ladelphia by a gentleman in office, to one of the
principal officers in this Rate, cannot fail to be
acceptable to the publick : we are authorized to
vouch for the authenticity of the fads contained
in it.
" Philadelphia, June 9, 1782.
^° "W have received no intelligence from
n I the French islands which cap re-
W W move or lefl'en our anxiety with re
fpe& to the actions between the
let of our ally and that of our enemy. It is hew
er probable that the broken accounts published by
e latter are true; but we Ihall learn from the
French accounts only, the entire damage sustained
by the British fleet. There are a few among us
who, arguing from the reiterated and bold imposi
tions of the English, and from some contradictions
remarked in their accounts, still doubt the reality
of the vi&ory ascribed to them. For my own part
it appears so natural for 37 Ships of the line to beat
30; and the British publications are so circumstan
tial, that I can no longer doubt that Sir G. Rod
ney has gained a victory; but it is a victory which
can yield him only bitter fruits, and which bellows
on the conduct and courage of the unfuccefsful Ad
miral, the glory of having refilled, for 12 hours,
a force one-fifth superior to his own. Instead of
multiplying conjectures on the consequences of this
event, 1 shall content myfelf with informing you,
that the Frerich fleet, according to all reports, has
joined fifteen French and Spanish Ships of the line,
which awaited it at Hispaniola ; so that even the
victory of the English has not been able to frustrate
this junction, which they were resolved to spare no
efforts to prevent ; and we may confider this disap
pointment to them as an important point gained on
the other fide. But the consideration molt proper
to console us for this event (if any thing can con
sole us for the misfortune of a "faithful and gene
rous ally) is that it has afforded us an occasion of
difylaying a national character, a good faith, a con
stancy and firmnefs worthy of a people who are
free, and determined to perifli sooner than cease to
be so.—Sir Guy Carleton was presenting himfelf
with the olive-branch in his hand at the very mo-
ment when this disagreeable intelligence arrived :
perhaps he had formed so bad an opinion of us as
to suppose that this was a favourable crisis for de
taching us from our allies. He has announced his
plan. He has endeavoured to fend his Secretary
Mr. Morgan to Congress ; and he has perhaps
thought us so base, and so ignorant of what our du
ty, our honour and our interest prescribed to us, as
to be ipfnaicd by the hope of an approaching peace.
But although he has scarcely been a month on th ; s
continent, he mull already have begun to know the
Americans. Four years have elapsed since the date
of the happy alliance which unites us with France;
we had every year received new benefits from this
nation without being able to make any other return
than barren acknowledgments; and like one friend
that is constantly obliged by another without having
it in his power to render reciprocal services, we
waited with impatience an opportunity of demon
strating that our profeffions of attachment and gra
titude were engraven on our hearts, and were not
to be afFeded by the vicissitudes incident to a long
war. This opportunity has happened. The enemy
themselves have presented it to us; and I cannot
exnrefs to you the joy with which 1 have seen Ma
ryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, with emulation
and with unanimity, deciare their fixed resolution
to reject, with disdain, every offer of a separate
peace, and every proposition which would throw
the flighted: stain in our national character, or the
alliance. I have just read, with the fame pleasure,
the resolutions palled by the Aflembly of New-Jer
sey. They breathe a true patriotism. The enemy
can no longer fay that 9-ioths of the Americans
are in their favour. They cannot even fay that
they have a single partisan in the Thirteen States,
since these resolutions are ail unanimous. The U
nited States had for fix years affirmed their rank
<EW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
o^. V.]
WEDNESDAY, June 19, 1782.
flattered herfelf that the two Allies, or at leatt one
of them, might listen to her propositions; that
the other would,hence conceive suspicions; that
difeontent would succeed; and that a rupture
would evidently take place, which would terminate
in our subjugation. Her project has mifearried;
the artifice is deterred; and whilst it difp|ays the
insidious policy which still directs her councils,
serves to evince the mutual fidelity and attachment
of the Allies, and the necedity of an unlimited con
fidence and coufiant communication of every thing
which relates to nur mutual jntere&s.
I am now prouder of the title of an American
than I have ever been. The enemy have without in
termission represented us as a timid and daftaidly
people, without faith and without honour. They
are now undeceived at their own expence. But
there is one point in which our national honour has
too long fullered. We have fufficient firmnefs to
abandon our houses and our habitations to an in
cendiary foe. We have seen them without terror
in flames. We have seen our effeds, our horses
and our cattle swept away, and our sentiments have
remained unshaken. We have rejeded, with con
tempt, overtures of peace, which would have cover
ed us with shame. We have buffered all the cala
mities and wants which afflid exiled citizens, oblig
ed to feck an asylum at a great distance from their
own country. Cur wives have shewn the fame firm
nefs of foul; and sometimes their firmnefs and pa
triotism have invigorated our own. We have Ihed
our blood in the glorious cause in which we are en
gaged ; we ate ready to died the laid drop in its de
fence: nothing is above our courage, except only,
(with frame I speak it) except the courage to TAX
ourfclves.”
But I have still to relate to you the most happy
circumdance in this affair: At the time the ,if
femblies were passing their wife and noble refoluti-.
ons, Congress received inf=ution that the mod
Deducing propositions had beta mad^to our ally by
a British .Agent fertt to Veri^'T. that concerns
had been offered the bed adapted to seduce a pow
er influenced either by avarice, >by ambition, or by
a sense of weakness. But the Agent refufed to
treat at the fame time of the independence of the
United States. Gur Allies answered limply, that
this independence formed the balls of their system,
and the negociation went no other. Ihe conduct
of the French has been so uniform and so upright
through the course of this war, that this answer ex
cited no furprize in us ; nevertheless it is not to be
denied that a power which proceeded with a lcfs,firm
step in the path of justice and wisdom, might easily
have fuffered itfelf to be led away by the dazzling
offers which were made.
This was the proper condud both on our part
and that of France, to do honour to the two nati
ons. It is happy fej their mutual glory, that with
out any communication, wiA^u. any :~ r t, and
without any consultation, they have both, from
the fame innate rectitude, adopted the fame reso
lutions against separate negociations.—What was
the object of their propositions fectetly and sepa
rately made to the two.parties ?—lf Great-Britain
had been actuated by good faith, ihe ought to have
apprized France that Ihe meant to treat with us,
and to acknowledge to us that Ihe was endeavouring
to treat with France. But Ihe hoped that by flaw
ing feeds of jealousy and didrutt t 6 divide us; she
among independent nations.' From this zra they
will hold a distinguished ph among nations the
most celebrated for their generosity, their firmnefs
and their virtue.—Thanks to our enemy, who in
endeavouring to fix an indelible blot or. our nation
al character, and to infnare us into an ignominious
perfidy, have enabled us to display thole qualities
which are the foundation of the glory and happi
ness of dates. Europe wilt at length know us —
England herfelf will perhaps learn to judge less un
favourably of us ; and finding that we are a&uated
by principles ofjuftice, of constancy and fidelity, will
relinquish the scheme of degrading and debating us,
that file may in the end enslave us.
THE
STATE of NEW-JERSEY.'
An Ad to extend the power of justices of the peace
in the several counties in this date to try cattles
to the amount of T welve,Pounds; and to prevent
adions under Fifty Pounds being brought in the
Supreme Court, and for other puipoies therein
mentioned.
WHEREAS a number of inhabitants 'of this
state have, by their petitions presented to
the Legifiature, requeued that the powers of jufli
ces of the peace may be extended further than is
limited and expressed in the !&, intided, " An Aft
" to ere& and eftablilh courts in the several counties
“ of this colony for the trial offmall causes, and .1^
“ repeal the former ^R f)i that purpose;" passed
the i ith day of February, One 1 houfand Seven
Hundred and Seventy-five: "nd it appearing that
such extenficn would be berehcial to thejnhabitaots
of this state ; therefore,
Se&. I Be it FnaTed by the Council and Gene
ral Assembly of this State, and it is hereby Enabled
by the Authority of the fame, 'I hat from and after
the publication of this a&, all actions of debt and
other demands for and under the value of Twelve
Founds in gold or flver (except such cases as are
excepted in the thirteenth fe&ion of the before re
cited ad, and excepting cases of attachment) fliall
be, and they hereby are made cognizable before any
justice of the peace of any of the counties within
this state in which the defendant may be or refide*
and the said justices are hereby refpedively empow
ered and requited, upon application to either of
them made for the recovery of any such d. bt or de
mand, to iffae a summons or warrant, as the case
may require, and to proceed in all other refpeds as
directed in the like case in the said recited Ad.
Provided aliiThat T:~.. a jury A^ ll hjde
manded in any suit brought before a justice of the
peace in consequence of the directions of this Aft
for any fun exceeding Six Pounds, such jury Ihall
consist of twelve men, and the venire Ihall be issued
accordingly Provided Mfo, That where the plain
tiffin any case shall sue or prosecute before a juflice
of the peace for any firm above Six P,unds, and
shall demand a jury of twelve men, and a verdict be
given in favour of the said plaintiff for a sum above
Forty Shillings, and not exceeding Six Pounds,
the costs of the jury shall be paid equally by the
plaintiff and defendant.
2. And be it further Ena&ed by the Authority
aforefaid, 1 hat when any judgment given by virtue
of this aft shall exceed the sum of Six Pounds, mo
ney aforefaid, no execution shall iflue in Jess than
three months; and that all such cases be Fable to
the fame reftri&ion^ and conditions as are expressed
in the said recited aft for funis exceeding Forty
Shillings.
3. And be it also Enabled by the Authority
aforefaid, 1 hat in all causes where a jury of twelve
men ihall be summoned by virtue of this Ad, the
constables shall be entitled to two-fold the fees al
lowed in the aforefaid recited Act.
4. And be it further Enacted by the Authority
aforefaid, That if any person shall commence, sue
or prosecute any suit or suits for any debt or De
mand made cognizable as aforefaid, in other man
ner than is dire&ed by this a&, and ihall obtain a
verdict or judgment thereon for debt or damages,
which without costs of suit shall not amount to
more than Twelve Pounds, money aforefaid, such
person so prosecuting shall not recover or have any
more cost in such suit than he would have recovered
had he prosecuted Iris suit agreeably to the directi
ons of this aft, any law, usage or custom to the
contrary in anywise notwithfhnding.
5. And be it alfo.Enabled by the Authority
aforefaid, 1 hat if any person or persons from and
after the publication of this A& shall commence,
sue or prosecute any suit or suits for any debt or
demand in the supreme court of this state, and shall
obtain a verdict or judgment thereon for debt or
P&M8.234.]