Bridgeton pioneer., 1886-11-04
A STATE WITHOUT A GOVERN
MENT

MENT.
In the month of May, 1897, jeremiah
Basse was appointed, by the Proprie-
tors, Governor of West Jersey, and
Andrew Hamilton, some time prev
iously, had been appointed Governor
of East Jersey. In 1893, the Proprie-
tors petitioned the King to allow and
approve of the appointment of Andrew
Hamilton to be Governor. But the
Government refused. as there was a
dispute as to whether the Proprietors
had the right of Government in and by
their letters patent from Charles the
Second. This fact coming to the
knowledge of a certain class of people,
caused great deal of trouble to the
Proprietors and eventually plunged
the Provinces into state of Anarchy.
For three years there was very little
government in the same, as the follow
ing record will show: ''At a Court of
Session of County Court held in Eliza
beth Towne for ye County of Essex on
Tuesday We 12 day of March 1899 100,
Present Mr.. William Sanford Psedt.,
Capt. John Curtis, Mr.. Theophuels
Pearson, Mr.. John Treate, Mr.. Elias
Mckielson, Justs. The Court Being
opened one Samuel Carter appeared in
the behalf Gas he said) of himself and
his Neighbours, and in an Insolent
manner Rallied and disowned the Au
thority of the Court, Calling P'sident
William, a Rascal, and several times
giving the P'sident the Lye [using in
sulting gestures] and grossly abuse the
Kings Attorney General
On account of the General noise
and bowling, with insolent gestures"
the court was compelled to adjourn.
On the third of March, in the same
year, at court held at Piscataway, in
Middlesex county, the Judges at
tempted to hold court, but finding ye'
dooer thereof shut they inquired who
had the keyes" when some of we In
habitants of sd Town" said the house
belonged to their Town and they had
navled the doores' and the Sheriff,
while attempting to force open the
doors was attacked, and William
Slater, of sd Towne layd violent hands
on him." and while they were ''wrest-
ling together ye people called out let
them have room and fair play" The
Judges were compelled to give up
holding a court In letter from An
drew Browne and Richard Hartshorne,
dated East Jersie, Middletown, ye :
23d July, 1700,' they say Coll.
Hamilton hath put Mr.. Lewis Morris
into Commission of his Counsill, and
Justice believing him to be the only
man that can make the province sub
nit to him as Governor without the
Kings aprobation.' Rich
ard Slater was arrested by the Sheriff
when ''some of his neighbors onder-
standing went and met the Sheriff,
banged him, broake his head and sent
him packing" On July 10th Gov.
Hamilton came in Arms to Middle
Towne. ''The people of about an
hundred assemble with sticks, yet had
it not been for the persuation there
would have been broaken heads if not
further mischiefe. THAT throughout
the province theare is six to one against
owneing Col Hamilton Governor"
At session of the Essex County
Court held at Newark on Tuesday,
September 10, 1900, Samuel Carter ap
peared and demanded by what author
ity they sat. Thomas johnson, Sam
uel Carter and Joseph Burwell and.
others attacked the constable, and
Judge William Sanford was pulled off
the bench by Abra Hettfield and Dan
iel Crane and ''his hiatt and wigg
hailed of his head" The Clerk was
struck by John Luker with great vio-
lence with his fist. The Judge ''alsoe
had his sword taken from him and
broke in piecesn "The Rest of the
Justices, Captain John Curtis, Mr..
Elias McKeilson and Mr.. Theophilus
Pearson, had some of their cloths torn
off their backs by the Rabbell of Eliza
beth Towne.n "a Prisoner, Sam'll
Burwell, Resshewed out and made his,
Escape, Judge Sanford alsoe being
struck Three blows, Two of which
ponches in the breast and one in, the
face The Rabble consisted of neere
60 horse" The Court adjourned them
selves to the house of Mr.. Theophilus
Pearson the next day at 6 a clock in
the morning. In letter from Jeremiah
Basse to the Lords Commissioners of
Trade, dated February 81, 100, he
says: That distracted province of East
Jersie, amongst whom the currant
laws are Stopt and not the Shadow of
Government remains * in this
State of Anarchy" ANTIQUARY.