The New America Times

From New-Jersey

Princeton, September 11

The Governor's Speech is as follows:

SPEECH of his Excellency WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, Esquire, Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of NEW-JERSEY, and territories thereunto belonging, Chancellor and Ordinary of the same:

To the COUNCIL and ASSEMBLY of the said State, at a Session of General Assembly at Princeton.

Gentlemen of the Council and General Assembly,

CONSIDERING how long the hand of oppression had been stretched out against us, while the most assiduous applications for redress were either totally disregarded or treated with insult:—How long the system of despotism concerted for our ruin had been insidiously pursued, and was at length attempted to be enforced by the violence of war; reason and conscience must have approved the measure had we sooner abjured that allegiance, from which, not only by the denial of protection, but the hostile assaults on our persons and properties, we were clearly absolved. It may, however, afford some consolation to every man duly regardful of the convictions of his own mind, and the honour and reputation of his country, that America deferred this important step till the decisive alternative of absolute submission or utter destruction, announced by a numerous fleet and army, had extinguished all hope of obtaining justice; and the whole continent, save a few self-interested individuals, were unanimous in the separation. In a word, till the most scrupulous conscience could, on the maturest reflection, find itself justified before God and Man, in renouncing those tyrants, who, after having ravaged a great part of Asia, and dissipated in venality and riot the treasures extorted from its innocent inhabitants by the hand of rapine and blood, finally meant to prolong their luxury and corruption by appropriating to themselves the hard-earned competence of the American world.

To be continued.

The Army at New-York

Philadelphia, October 8

A letter from Newark, dated October 5, says, "That a man who left New-York the night of the 3d informs, that another reinforcement was arrived at Sandy Hook, and that Burgoyne's light-horse were among them.—Another person from Staten Island says, that there were 2000 Hessians and 1000 British troops on that island."

We are informed, that a man of war, lying between Bohenna's Island and the low lands of Haerlem, fired upon the low lands at random a few days ago to disperse our foraging party; it had the effect for that time, but our people have been at it again, and brought off wheat, hay, boards, &c.

We are also informed, that as Bergen Point was of no real service to us, but the possession of it made it necessary to keep a large body of men there, which was detrimental to us, it was thought advisable to evacuate it, which had been done accordingly.

Foreign Intelligence

Providence, September 28

On Sunday last Capt. Gideon Crawford arrived here from Nantz, in France, after a passage of eight weeks. He informs that great warlike preparations continue to be made in that kingdom, where every kind of indulgence is shewn to American vessels. He also advises, that he saw an account in a French paper of the Marlborough, a 90 gun ship, being blown up at Plymouth some time in July last, and that great part of the crew perished.

Philadelphia, in Brief

Philadelphia, October 8

This morning, at one o'clock, departed this life, in the 62d year of her age, Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, relict of John Ross, Esq; late of this city, Counsellor at Law.

We hear a large prize ship from Jamaica, taken by the General Montgomery privateer of this port, is ashore on the Cross Ledge, in our Bay; but it is expected she will be got off, by taking out part of the cargoe.

In Council of Safety

Philadelphia, October 8

The Council of Safety this afternoon entered the following:

As it is not improbable that General Howe may detach part of his Army by water from New-York, to invade this State, and as we should be unable to make any defence against them by land in our present unarmed condition; and as not only the safety of this State but the preservation and security of a great part of the military stores belonging to Congress is thereby endangered:

Resolved, That Mr. Rittenhouse, Colonel Bayard, and Mr. Biddle, be appointed to confer with a Committee of Congress on the expediency of having a body of Troops stationed near the City of Philadelphia, for the defence of this State, and that a General Officer of some experience be appointed to have the command of said force.

Congress requiring the public stores to be returned before the militia accounts are paid, and "many poor people who cheerfully turned out in the service of their country" being likely to be long kept from their pay, because the officers of the companies were not acquainted with those resolutions in time, the Council resolved that this State will answer to Congress for the Continental stores not delivered; that the officers of the battalions forthwith apply to the committee of Congress for their accounts, and immediately pay off their men; and that every battalion of Associators which has served return its stores, arms excepted, to Robert Towers, Esq., Commissary.

The Council has also published the following:

In COUNCIL of SAFETY, Oct. 8, 1776.

This Board, taking into their consideration the advanced prices of almost every necessary of life, and upon a proper representation from the CHEVEAUX DE FRIZE PILOTS, respecting their situation, Do hereby Resolve, That the said Pilots, in addition to their pay from this State, be allowed, from the date hereof, FIVE SHILLINGS PER FOOT for every vessel they conduct thro' the Cheveaux de Frize, to or from Chester, to be paid by the Captains or Owners of such vessels.

Extract from the Minutes, JACOB S. HOWELL, Secretary.

In Congress

Philadelphia, October 8

Two letters from General Washington, of the 4th and 5th, were this day laid before Congress and read.

For raising the new army, the States which have regiments in the continental service, at New-York, Ticonderoga or New-Jersey, are desired forthwith to send committees thither, with full powers to appoint the officers of their regiments under the new establishment, that the men now in the service who incline to re-inlist during the war may be inlisted immediately. The committees are to advise with the general officers, to promote those officers who have distinguished themselves, especially by their attention to military discipline, and to appoint no officer who is absent from his station without leave.

Congress then resumed the consideration of the reports of the committees on the General's letters, and of that which went to the camp; whereupon,

Resolved, That, for the farther encouragement of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers who shall engage in the service during the war, a suit of cloaths be annually given each of the said officers and soldiers, to consist, for the present year, of two linen hunting shirts, two pair of overalls, a leathern or woollen waistcoat with sleeves, one pair of breeches, a hat or leathern cap, two shirts, two pair of hose, and two pair of shoes, amounting, in the whole, to the value of twenty dollars, or that sum to be paid to each soldier, who shall procure those articles for himself, and produce a certificate thereof, from the captain of the company to which he belongs, to the pay master of the regiment.

The States from Virginia to New-Hampshire, inclusively, are desired to complete their proportions of the levies for the war by the 10th of November, each man well cloathed, armed, accoutred, and furnished with a blanket, and to make draughts from such counties, towns or districts as have not then completed their proportion. As the army has greatly suffered through the defect of some of its regimental officers, the States are also desired to use their utmost endeavours that all officers hereafter appointed "be men of honor and known abilities, without a particular regard to their having before been in service."

Congress has also made public the following, of the 17th of August, on General Wooster's conduct in Canada:

In CONGRESS, August 17, 1776.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee, to whom was referred Brigadier General Wooster's letter, requesting an enquiry into his conduct, while he had the honour of commanding the Continental forces in Canada, which was read as follows: "That Brigadier General Wooster produced copies of a number of letters which passed between him and General Schuyler, and of his letters to Congress, from which it appears, that he, from time to time, gave seasonable notice of the state of the army under his command, and what supplies were, in his opinion, necessary to render the enterprise successful. That a number of officers, and other gentlemen, from Canada, who were acquainted with his conduct there, and who happened occasionally to be in this city, were examined before the Committee, to which letters, and the minutes of the examination of the witnesses herewith exhibited, the Committee beg leave to refer the Congress for further information; and report as the opinion of the Committee, upon the whole of the evidence that was before them, that nothing censurable or blame-worthy appears against Brigadier General Wooster. The report being again read was agreed to.

Extract from the Minutes, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

Convention of this State

Philadelphia, September 28

At its last sitting the Convention of this State, the Constitution being signed by the President and every member present, committed it to the Council of Safety, to be delivered to the General Assembly at their first meeting, as soon as they have chosen their Speaker. The Council is to prepare materials for printing paper currency against that meeting; commissions are to issue to General Roberdeau and General Ewing as first and second Brigadier-Generals of this State; and Mr. Cannon, Mr. Rittenhouse and Colonel Matlack are to draw up an address to the public, setting forth the reasons of the several ordinances and resolves passed in the sitting.

The report of the committee on the complaints of the mutinous soldiers of Colonel Miles's battalion was again read, and referred to the Council of Safety.

On motion,

Resolved, That those Associators who have neglected or refused to march into Jersey and serve agreeable to the resolution of the honourable Congress and this Convention, or who have returned without having served six weeks, or having a regular discharge, be considered as Non-Associators, and fined and assessed as such by the Commissioners and Assessors appointed by an Ordinance of this Convention respecting Non-Associators.

Then the Convention rose.

Convention of New-York

Fish-Kill, October 4

The committee to which the Convention of New-York referred the letter of the Committee of Cumberland county, of which in our last, has reported. That letter, as the report states it, reserved to the inhabitants a right not only of rejecting any form of Government which might not agree with the instructions to their Deputies, but even of separating from this State and uniting with the Massachusetts-Bay. The committee is nevertheless satisfied "that the letter does not convey the sentiments of the majority of the good people of the County of Cumberland".

The Convention has accordingly voted 6,412 dollars and two eighths, the remainder of the bounty money and a month's wages and rations due to the four companies of Rangers of Cumberland and Gloucester counties under Major Joab Hoisington, to be forthwith transmitted for their use. Messrs. Sessions and Taylor, with Colonel Marsh, are to see it done, and to represent to the Committee of Cumberland "the wisdom and propriety of a revision of the said letter, and of an unreserved submission of the said County to the jurisdiction of this State." Three thousand flints go to the two counties.

Fish-Kill, October 5

It being represented on behalf of Henry Livingston, Esq., Clerk of Dutchess County, that Tuesday next is the stated day for holding the County Court at Poughkeepsie, and he asking whether he shall issue any precept for summoning a Grand Jury, it was

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention that Henry Livingston, Esq., do not issue any precept to summon a Grand Jury, or any other precept whatever, until a new Government is formed, or further order of this Convention.

A memorial of Isaac Paris and upwards of one hundred others of the inhabitants of Tryon County complains that Hundrick Frey, Frederick Young, "and other very suspected persons, have been permitted by the County Committee to return to the County", and sets forth some of the "inimical expressions and declarations" of the said Frey and Young. It is referred to the Committee for detecting Conspiracies.

From the Eastward

Boston, September 26

Of the Jamaica ship taken by the General Greene and the Harlequin privateers (her cargo was given in this paper of Monday last), the Boston account adds: "This ship we hear sailed in company with a large fleet, convoyed by two men of war, one of which was soon to leave them, the other, said to be a dull sailor, was to proceed with them to Europe."

Yesterday morning a sloop, laden with dry fish, was carried into Salem, by Captain Waters, in the schooner Dolphin, mounting only 6 swivels.

Newbury-Port, September 27

Yesterday was carried into Portsmouth, a ship of between 2 and 300 tons, laden with about 250 hogsheads of sugar, 50 of rum, and some wine. We also hear that a schooner of about 90 tons, laden with salt, linen and household furniture, has been carried into Ipswich.

Advertisements

THREE POUNDS Reward.

RUN away, on Friday, the 6th of September, from the subscriber, living in Pilesgrove, one mile below the mud Meeting-house, in Salem county, West-Jersey, a Mulattoe man, named Peter, about 35 years of age, from 5 feet 6 to 7 inches high, stout and well made, is fond of strong liquor, and when drunk very saucy and talks a great deal of his abilities, as a farmer; he formerly lived with David Franks, Esq; of the city of Philadelphia, and was purchased of him about 5 years ago, by his present master; as he was seen going towards Salem, it is probable he may make for Penn's Neck; he had on, and took with him, a light mixed superfine cloth coat and waistcoat, a red hair plush jacket, a white jacket with a belt before, green calimancoe breeches, a holland shirt, 3 stocks, a pair of white cotton stockings, plain, a pair of light coloured silk ditto, a pair of tow trowsers, one red spotted and one black silk handkerchief, a pair of pumps, one of which is patched on the side, square silver shoe buckles, and an old hat. Whoever secures the said fellow in any goal, so that his master may have him again, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charges, if brought home, or to Samuel Purviance and Sons, in Philadelphia.

SAMUEL PURVIANCE.

TO BE SOLD,

A MULATTOE SLAVE, about 30 years of age, understands all plantation business, and is handy to mend any thing that breaks, or hoop a tub, &c. upon occasion, or do any thing in the house; he is a healthy able-bodied fellow, and very suitable for a Farmer. Enquire of the PRINTERS.

To be sold by public vendue, on the 31st day of this inst. October, on the premises,

A CERTAIN LOT of good GROUND, containing about ten acres, situate in Newtown township, Chester county, about 14 miles from Philadelphia, on the road leading from the Great-Valley to Chester and Darby, and another leading to Concord and the new Lancaster road, they all intersect in in the said piece of ground; one half woodland.

Likewise one other piece of land, between 20 and 30 acres, on the road leading from Goshen to Philadelphia, well watered, and about three acres of meadow and five of woodland well timbered. Any person inclining to view either of them, before the day of sale, may apply to the subscriber, living on the premises, and be informed of the terms by

JOSEPH JAMES.

OFFICE for the Sale of REAL-ESTATES.

SUNDRY valuable LOTS, in and about this City, are to be sold for CASH; they are mostly in the best Situations for Improvement, either in a mercantile Way, or for the Residence of Gentlemen and Tradesmen, apply to

MATTHEW CLARKSON, or EDWARD BONSALL.

SIX DOLLARS Reward.

DESERTED from Captain Matthew Smith's company, Sept. 28, 1776, from Princeton, a certain James Mellone, about 50 years of age, a dark looking fellow, about 5 feet 10 inches high, wears a brown hunting shirt and trowsers, without fringe, an old felt hat, old shoes; brown hair, hollow eyes, has been fighting, and has a black eye. Whoever secures said deserter, so that he may be brought to the regiment at Kingsbridge, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by

MICHAEL SIMPSON, Lieut.

SIXTEEN DOLLARS Reward.

DESERTED from Captain Samuel Hines's company, of the first battalion of flying camp, of Philadelphia county, commanded by Colonel John Moore, two soldiers, viz. William Bell, an Irishman, about 5 feet 8 inches high, 21 years of age, a stout well made fellow; had on, when he deserted, a white hunting shirt and trowsers; he was enlisted out of Captain Mercer's company of the Lancaster county militia, and it is probable he will try to get to Lancaster county. And John Cooper, a middle aged man, about 5 feet 7 inches high; his clothes not remembered; he has a scar above one of his eyes, is very talkative, has been in the service nine months at Boston. Whoever secures the said deserters, and sends them to the company at Perth-Amboy, shall have the above reward, or Eight Dollars for either, and reasonable charges, paid by

SAMUEL HINES, Captain.

TWENTY SHILLINGS Reward.

WAS LOST, out of Mr. Shewell's Dock, the 19th of September, at night, a LONG-BOAT, with a small YAUL fast to her, both payed with turpentine; the Long-boat had about four fathom of four inch rope in her, and a small piece of her starboard bow stove, with no thaughts; the Yaul had in the fore and after thaughts, with a squarer stern than common, about ten feet keel. Whoever takes up said Boats, and delivers them to BOWYER BROOKE, Boat-builder, near Race-street wharff, shall have the above reward, or 12/6 for the Long-boat, and 7/6 for the Yaul.

WENT out of the stable yard, 27th of Ninth-Month, 1776, a small brown COW, near three years old, some white about her head, part of her tail was lately cut off by some wicked body, she gave a good deal of milk. These are to request all Tanners to take notice of such a hide, if offered for sale, or if she may come to any body's place, any one giving information where she is, shall be well rewarded by ISAAC ZANE.