The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-10-15


ALEX. P. KERR, Principal.
The following is copy of letter
written by Gov. Morris, nearly two hum
dred years ago. The original is in the
archives OF the State Historical Society.
For this copy we are indebted to Mr.. J.
A. Woodward, of New Hope, Pa. The
spelling, &c, Is as in the original: Z
TRNroN, July 18th, 1898.
Upon notice had that you were De-
sign'd to Solicit his Majesty, l was very
glad you were resolute TO alter the present
Circumstances, aud / would wish the
Other towns Of this unhappy province
were rs Sensible OF their condition as you
are, / must confess. l should moi be
much troubled were those who believe
the propers love their Govern
ment, the only persons hurt by it. But
Since there are others that are Involved
(by the folly and sluggishness of the
former, under the same Calamity OF be-
ing governed by base Uncomfortable per-
sons, who really have not the right to
Govern, think 1t is hard.
Nay Even among the Mock Lords pro-
prietors.
There are Some that deny the use OF
arms. A tenat not the Safest to be held
by those that pretend right to govern.
1t leaves us naked and defenceless. A
pray to any bold Intruder, Subject to all
the Rage of Cruel Enemy, and the
Barbarous Insults OF the prefideous Heath
en- that are round about US. l have said
the proprietors have not the right to
govern.
And 1t is from these reasons:
LIST. 1t was only Granted to the Duke
and Could not be granted by him to them
Especially 1t could not be purchased by
them as property, for II 1t could be pur-
chased by "a, these "a might Divide, Sub
divide, and so we shall have "a or 2400
ports, for they pretend to have purchased
both, and they Claim the ports as their
property, as well as the Government and
they have Like right to both.
The power of Erecting ports being In
the Lords, &C., and the power OF Govern
ment in the Nation OF England, who never
sold ii to the proprietors Believe, and II
the King (of whom they pretend to have
purchasedl, can sell any OF the Govern
ment, he can sell the whole 10 o Subject,
| or to a foreigner, for know no law that
restraints the one and Tolerates the other,
SO may Sell the Kingdom of England to
the King of france, tomorrow, and II
Seems to me Contradiction to have the
property of Government, and at the same
time be subject. 2dly. II the Cover
ment is Alienable, l cannot find that II
Ever was Aliened to the "a, nor so much
as Liberty given them to Govern Gas they
do), or Otherway. The Kings Subjects
for the "a NATURAL Bodys of Thomas
Hart, Peter Sonmans and the rest, were
Never by the King Incorporated, and
made one body pclitique, by any name
nor OF any place, nor none of their grants
have words Sufficient in the Law to make
them so, Urgo no right to govern, &c
humby Conceive 1t is not Expedienl
they should for the following Reasons
They are both Judges and party, which
Cannot be safe for the people.
2dly. II 1t was possible to Obtain q
Judgement against them, they have no Ell.
fects, nor are their bodys, here, and II
they were how would and proper, is 1t to
keep the Governor and proprieters In pri.
son aud the Gover'nt and propri'r, by
their Warrants, Levy and Distress upor
the Gover'nt and propri'rs goods.
3dly. In case any tax be Levied the
prop'r lands pays nothing which would be
Remidied II we were Under another Gov.
erm't
4thly. All that purchast Land of the
Indians by Governor Nuholas, Leave
would pay them no Quit rents, which
would keep money in the Country.
5thly. While the proprirs keep tue
the Goverm't, 1t keeps up the price oil
their own Land and Leaves that of the In
habitants.
6thly. Their Keeping the Said Govern.
ment make the Quit rents OF twice the
Value that Otherwise they would be.
7thly. There is no Believing any thing
they say, or write as may be Seen In the
| following Instances:
ntradiction-Imprimus They pretend
| TO ports as purcias by them. Mr.. Coll.
Bass, their Cover, in his Last proclama-
ton, says, It's appointed by the Lords, &c.
Afiirmaton--ln their Concessions they