I v1
A^Ti C H I VE S
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
FIKST SERIES
Vol. VIII.
This volume was compiled and edited by authority
of the State of New Jersey; at the request of the
New Jersey Historical Society, and under the direc-
tion of the following committee :
Nathaniel Niles, Chhi,
Marcus L. Ward,
Joel Parker,
W. A. Whitehead.
DOCUMENTS
RELATING TO THE
COLONIAL HISTORY
OF THE
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
EDITED BY
WILLIAM A. WHITEHEAD,
Corresponding Secretary of the New Jersey Historical Society ; Author of
East Jersey Under the Proprietary Governments ; Contributions
to the Early History of Perth Amboy and the Surround-
ing Country ; Editor of the Papers of Lewis Mor-
lis, and of an Analytical Index to the
Colonial Documents of New
Jersey, etc, etc.
^^OLUME VIII.
COMPLETING THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEBNOB
JONATHAN BELCHEB.
1751-1757.
NEWARK, N. J. :
DAILY ADVERTISER PRINTING HOUSS.
1885.
5 1904
D. ofO,
SOtJKCES
WHENCE THE DOCUMENTS IN THIS VOLUME WERE OBTAINED.
Public Record Office, London, England.
Copies of Manuscrij)ts of Governor Jonailian Belcher, in the
Neiv Jersey Historical Society Library.
Manuscripts of the New Jersey Historical Society.
Papers of Ferdinand John Paris, in Neio Jersey Historical
Society Library.
Mamiscripts of William A. Whitehead.
Papers of Robert Hunter Morris, in Library of New Jersey
Historical Society.
Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of
New Yorlc.
New York Colonial Documents in the office of the Secretary
of State, at Albany.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
FAOB.
1751 — Memorial responsive to the representations made by
those concenied in the disturbances in New Jersey.. 1
" Dec. 12. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — relating to Lewis M. Ashfield, David Ogden,
etc. 1
" " 18. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Benjamin Frank-
lin— about an electrical apparatus - - 7
" " 18. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Halifax in
relation to the objections to the appointment of Mr.
Ashfield to be one of the Council 8
1752— Jan. 18. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Brattle —
about the non-success of his electrical cure — Mr.
Pemberton not going to England in the interest of
the new College 9
" " 21. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel John
Alford — about the prospects of the College _ 10
" '• 21. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Walley, re-
ferring to the deficiency in the Treasury; the new
College, etc - 11
" '' 28. — Message from Governor Belcher to the Legisla-
ture 12
" '• 30. — Letter from Kobcrt Hunter Morris, Chief Justice
of New Jersey, to the Lords of Trade — rt4ating to
the constitution of the Council of the Province 13
" Feb. 4. — Memoi'ial of Richard Partridge, agent for New Jer-
sey, to the Loi'ds of Trade — relative to the state of
the Council of that Province 18
" " 12. — Message of Governor Belcher to the Council and
Assembly of New Jersey — on the passage of a bill
for the support of government 31
" " 14. — Letter from Governor Belcher to his nephew, Mr.
Foye — about the character of the Legislature which
has just adjourned 22
" March 11. — Order in Council for the improved government of
the Colonies 23
VI CONTENTS.
PAGE.
1752 — Mar. 12. — Additional Instructions to the Colonial Governors
relative to the revision and transmission of their
laws 37
«« '<■ 12.— Eeport of the Lords of Trade to the Lords of the
Privy Council — relating to the improper publication
in Xew Jersey of an order to their Lordships, and to
some proceedings of the Assembly of that Pro\ince. 28
" '* 20.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. William
Morris — about the establishment of a library at
Trenton 32
" " 30. — Letter from the Earl of Holderness to the Lords of
Ti-ade — enclosing Order of Council of March 11th,
1752.... 32
" April 8. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Par-
tridge— Mr. Ashfield acquitted 36
" " 11. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Andrew Johnston,
one of the Council, and Samuel Nevill, Judge of the
Supreme Court — relating to the imprisonment of
Simon Wyckoff... 37
" " 14. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Judge Nevill —
about the riot at Perth Amboy 38
" " 14. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary
Read — about riot at Perth Amboy 89
'* " 17. — Letter from .Judge Samuel Nevill to Governor
Belcher — informing him of the result of the trial of
Lewis Morris Ashfield 40
" " 24. — Minutes of a Council held at Elizabethtown, April
24th, 1752, in connection with the riot at Perth Am-
boy on the 13th April — with several other papers re-
ferring to the same event 43
" May 1. — Extract from a letter of Governor Belcher to the
Lords of Trade, referring to the riot at Pertli Amboy 52
" " I. — Extract from letter of Governor Belcher to Rich-
ard Partridge, about the riot at Perth Amboy 52
" " 7. — Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council
for Plantation Affairs, referring to the Lords of Trade
a report of His Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor-
General, about the riotous proceedings in New Jersey 53
" " 19. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
— about proceedings of Council. 60
" " 20. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Partridge
—about Provincial matters 61
" June 3. — Circular letter from the Lords of Trade to the Gov-
ernors in America, recommending strict adlierence to
their instructioDS 63
CONTENTS. Vll
PAGE.
1752 — June 9. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — transmitting the accounts of various officers. 65
" " 23. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Rev. George
Whitefleld, England — upon religious topics 84
" " 24. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Countess
Dowager of Huntington — inclosed in the foregoing. . 87
" " 30. — Letter from Governor Belcher to President Burr —
complimenting him on his marriage 89
" July 23. — Report of the Lords of the Committee of Council —
upon the draft of commission for inquiring into the
grievances in New Jersey 90
'• " 26. — Letter from Governor Clinton, of New York, to
Robert Hunter Morris, in England — leave of absence
desired -.. 92
" Aug. 3. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Shippen, of
Philadelphia — about sending an agent to England to
solicit aid for the College 94
" " 5. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Chancellor
Hardwicke — about orders from the King, etc. . 95
" " 5. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Earl Granville —
asking for continued confidence -. -. 97
" " 6. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Halifax —
about the affairs of the Province 99
" " 11. — Message of Governor Belcher to the Council of New
Jersey — relating to the admission of Lewis M. Ash-
field as a member of that body 101
" " 13. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — urging the transmission of orders from the
King, for the preservation of good order in the
Province _._ 102
" " 10,11. — Minutes of the Council of New Jersey — enclosed
in the foregoing letter 103
" " 19. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Messrs. Belcher
and Foye, Massachusetts, about the promotion of
manufactures 108
" " 24. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Alford,
of Boston, thanking him for a subscription to the
College — the manufacture of glass, etc 109
" Sept. 15. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
— relative to his not admitting Lewis Morris Ashfield
to a seat in the Council Ill
" " 15.— Notes of Mr. Warrell, the King's Attorney-General
— upon the Trial of Mr. Lewis Morris Ashfield 112
" Oct. 16. — Lstter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — in reference to the suggested revision of the
Laws 11
Vlll CONTENTS.
PA.GE.
1752 — Nov. 24. — Letter from John Ayscough, Secretary to Governor
Clinton, to Robei-t Hunter Morris, about Provincial
affairs... __. 116
" Dec. 25. — An account of the quantity of Pig and Bar Iron
imported into England from the Colonies, from
Christmas, 1749, to Christmas, 1752 118
1753— Jan. 17-19.— Letter from Governor Clinton, of New York, to
Robert Hunter Morris— referring to Chief-Justice De
Lancey, Mr. Chambers and others 120
" " 18. — Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor
Belcher — disapproving of his course towards Mr.
Ashfield 124
" Feb. 32. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — about proceedings of the Legislature 125
May 28. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — had admitted Mr. Ashfield to the Council,
although not in accordance with his Sixth Instruc-
tion, a copy of which he incloses 126
'* June 7. — Opinion of the Lords of Trade on the Bounda-
lies between New York and New Jersey 128
" " 13. — Letter from Robert Charles, Agent for New York,
to Governor Clinton — about the boundaries between
New York and New Jersey ._ - 135
" — . — Argument that the forks of the Delaware are the
true limits of New Jersey on the north 139
" " 25. — Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher
— desiring him to give all possible assistance to the
Missionaries for propagating the Gospel in New
Jersey 140
" July — . — Question answered referring to the boundai'ies be-
tween New York and New Jersey - 141
■' " — . — Representation of the Lords of Trade to the King,
relative to the repeal of an act passed in 1747-8, for
running a partition line between New York and New
Jersey -. -.. - 144
" Aug. 8. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — transmitting several documents connected
with the meeting of the Legislature of New Jersey in
May and June, and commenting on the state of the
Province 151
" " 18. — Letter from Ferdinand John Paris to Robert Hunter
Morris — complaining of being left without assistance
in securing the approval of an Act i-elative to the
boundary between New York and New Jersey 152
" Sept. 18. — Circular letter from the Lords of Trade to the Gov-
CONTENTS. IX
PAGE.
ernors in America — relative to a proposed interview
with the Six Nations of Indians. 156
1753— Sept. 11.— Letter from Robert Hunter Morris to Ferdinand
John Paris — in answer to his of August 18tli .. . 157
" " — . — Petition of the Proprietors of East Jersey to the
King — asking to be heard against the Representation
from the Lords of Trade recommending the repeal of
the Boundary Act of 1747.. .-.. 160
" " 24. — Letter from Ferdinand John Paris to Robert
Hunter Morris, in answer to his of September 11th.. 183
Nov. 2. — Petition of the House of Representatives of New
Jersey to the King — asking that the Governor may be
permitted to give his assent to a Bill making current
£60,000 in Bills of Credit 183
" " 10. — Letter from Mr. Secretary Read to Robert Hunter
Morris, Chief -Justice of New Jei'sey 186
" Dec. 5. — Report of the Lords of Trade to the Committee of
CouncU for Plantation Affairs, with a draft of in-
structions to the Governors, relative to affairs in the
Plantations in cases of Error 188
" " 28. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — relative to disputes between the people of
New York and New Jersey for want of a dividing
Une 190
•' '• 24. — Letter from Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey, of
New York, to the Lords of Trade — about the diffi-
culties with New Jersey. 193
1754— Jan. 6. — Copy of the King's 95th and 96th Instructions to
the late Governor Sir Dan vers Osborne 194
" Mar. 18.— Rejiort from the Lords of Trade to the Lords Com-
mittee of the Privy Council for Plantation Affairs- —
recommending the King to grant leave to tlie Gover-
nor of New Jersey to give his assent to the BiU au-
thorizing the issue of £60,000 Bills of Credit, asked
for by petition November 3, 1753 196
" " 28. — Bond of Indemnification by Council of Pi-oprietors
of East Jersey to WiUiam Alexander and John Smyth 200
" " 31. — Memorial of the Council of the Proprietors of the
Eastern Division of New Jersey to Governor Belcher,
and other documents received by the Lords of Trade
from Robert Hunter Morris, with his letter bearing
this date - 303
May 15. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade, transmittmg the proceedings of the Council
and Assembly 387
t COKTENTS.
PAGE.
1754 — May 21. — Letter from Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey, of
New York, to the Lords of Trade — about division line
between that Province and New Jersey 288
*' July 5. — Letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, Secretary of
State, to Governor Belcher — in relation to the action
of the New Jersey Legislature to resist the hostile
attempts of the French on the Ohio - . - 292
" " 5. — Resignation of Joseph Warrell, Attorney-General
of New Jersey, and recommending Coui'tland Skinner
as his successor 293
" " 5. —Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher
— commenting upon the action of the Legislature in
not providing resources for the common defence
against the French... 294
" " 5. — Letter from the Lords of Trade to Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor DeLancey — about the boundary between New
York 297
" " 25. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Part-
ridge— requesting his assistance to secure the con-
firmation of Courtland Skinner as Attorney-General
of New Jersey 298
" " 29. — AflSdavit of Thomas Deckay, relative to laying out
a highway through Minisink - 299
PART II.
1754 — Aug. 9. — Letter from the Lords of Trade to Sir Thomas
Robinson, Secretary of State— with a plan of general
concert and mutual defence to be entered into by the
Colonies in America - 1
" " 23. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Schuyler,
informing him that the Assembly voted £15,000 for
the support of his regiment 11
" '• 14. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — transmitting some public papers, and in-
forming them of the choice of a new Assembly and
his expectations therefrom 12
" *' 21. — Affidavit of Samuel Finch, of Minisink^com-
plaining of his having been taken prisoner by a war-
rant from a New Jersey Justice 13
" " IT. — Petition from the House of Representatives of New
CONTENTS.
1754^0ct.
Nov.
Dec.
1755— Jan
PAGE.
Jersey to the King— relative to the Bill for making
current £70,000 in bills of credit 14
26.— Circular letter to the Governors in America from
Sir Thomas Robhison, Secretary of State— urging
enlistments in four new Regiments to be raised 17
29.— Report of the Committee of the Assembly of the
State of New York on border disturbances . . . . . 30
5.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Rob-
inson, Secretary of State— unsatisfactoiy proceedings
of the Assembly, without manifesting a more dutiful
disposition than the previous one 34
6.— Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade— relative to the action of the New Jersey Leg-
islature upon various subjects— the boundary diffi-
culties with New York, etc 26
8.— Extract from the Minutes of the New York As-
sembly—referring to the Report of 29th October 28
12.— Orders for settling the rank of the Officers of his
Majesty's forces, when joined, or serving with the
Provincial forces in North America - 39
33.— Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade, transmitting papers relative to the boundary
question between New York and New Jersey 30
26.— Bill making current £70,000 in Bills of Credit,
transmitted to the Lords of Trade by Governor
Belcher ^^
26.— Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade, transmitting some public papers, and request-
ing action relative to the boundary questions with
New York...- - ''^
15.— Letter from Lieutenant-Governor DeLancey, of
New York, to the Lords of Trade— referring to the
boundary question with New Jersey 74
17.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Rob-
inson, Secretary of State— about affairs of the Prov-
76
mce
28.— Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade, with answers to certain queries relating to
present state and condition of New Jersey 78
—.—Opinion of Counsellor Belcher, as to Bills of
Credit being made Legal Tender in New Jersey 87
3.— Letter from James Alexander to Ferdinand John
Paris— relating to the action of the Council of New
York on questions affecting the boundary line, etc. . 89
23.— Circular letter from Secretary of State Sir Thomas
XII OONtENTB.
PAGE.
llohiitsDii, Uy ll)t< (JovcnioiM in Amorictv — notifyiuj^
IIk'iii (>r tlut Iviiig's iulontion to augnienl tho Regi-
iiioiil.s ill Aiiu<rica 93
17(55— Kol). 'J(l-37. — Mossiigo of (Jov(M-ii()r Holclior to Uio Now Jersey
Assembly, and tin* IVtitioiioJ' (lio Assembly lliereoii. 93
Mamh 17. — Memorial of Hieluml I'artiidgo to llio Lords of
'Prtide. rcliiliiit( (o I he New .lorsoy IJill for Kiiiitiin^
Uid.OOOiii Hills o( Credit., oto i'-'j
" " 19. l\'e|)ieH(>i\tal.iou I'rom (lie Ijords of 'I'rade to tho
Kiiii;-, ii|um the l't<titiou of tho Jloiiso of Assembly
of Now Jersey 100
" • April 13J. — Iveprosenlalion from tho Lords of Trade to tlio
Kiiii:^ — ro(H)mmondiiig Thomas Powmill, Esq., for
liioiilenaiit-Uovernor of New Jersey lOU
"J8. — Lottor from lloveriior liolehor to tho Lords of
Trade — iraiismittiiit;' several publio documents 103
" ■' 30. — liottor from Uovonior Heloher to Sir Thomas
Uobiiison, Secretary of Slatt> — iiiformiiii,' him of the
action tiiken npon sovornl letters received I'rom him. 105
" May 13. — Uraftof the ('oInmis^ion of 'IMiomas I'owimll, Ksij.,
as Ijieutonant-tiovernor of New Jersey, transmitied
to the I joitls Justices liv llu' Lords of Trade 100
" June I'J. — Tho Lonls of Trade to the I iords J usticos — relating
to tho boundary lino b(>t\vecn Now York and Now
Jei-soy 108
vO.— Lottor irom Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts,
to Secretary Sir Thomas i{obinson — the olTci't of an
ap|>lication by him to the licnishituro of New .lersey. Ill
" 'J7. — Letter from (lovornor IVIchor to the Lords of
Tiiido, transmit ling several documents and a letter
from Captain Hradslivot. 113
34. — l*i\)coodings of tho Itoyal I'rivy Council — roconi-
monding tho roponl of the Act submitting the boiin-
dary disi)utos »»f New York and New .lorsoy to the
tinal determination of tho King . 114
" July 0. — Letter from (Jovortuu- Molcher to Lioutenant-(^ov-
enuu' Morris, of Pennsylvania — Indiiin alTnirs .. 110
9. — Lottor from (Jovornor Holcher to Uonoral Miiulilock 117
19. — Letter from Uovornor Belcher to Mr. Secretary
Rend, of Now Joi-sey — relating to the reported defeal
of the army umlor ticiu>ral Bradilock _ 117
31. — Letter fivm Governor Belcher to Mr. Pownnll —
congratulating him on his appointment tobe liieuten-
ant-Govornor of New Jersey — subsoi]\iont intelligence
from Genernl Hratldock's army less gloomy 118
CONTENTS. Xlll
PAGE.
1755— Aug. 1.— Messaf!:c from Governor Belcher to the Council and
Assembly of New Jersey 119
«< " 0. — Let tcr from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Dinwiddle— about military proceedings 132
" " 6.— Letter from the Lords of Trafle to Governor
Belcher— in answer to several received from him 124
<' " 8.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary
John liead— desiring hini to adjourn the Council and
Assembly and call them again to meet him at Eliza-
bethlown ^ -^ - 120
•* " 8. — Let.tcr from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Dc Laiiccy, of New York— about laws to enforce
embargoes 127
" " 9. — Message of Governor Belcher to the Council and
General Assembly of New Jersey - 128
• t »< 12.— Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Sir
Charles Hardy, of New York — recommending the ap-
pointment of {!onimissioncrs to arrange the boundary
diniciUties with New Jersey 129
•« «< 21. — Letter fron\ Gouernor Belcher to his nephew, Mr.
Oliver — about, the condition of the forces on the
frontier... -- 181
.« " 2U. — Representation from the Lords of Trade to the
Lords Justices — with an account of the number of
white inhabitants in the Colonies _ 132
" Sept. ;5.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir John St. Clair
— upon the necessity of driving the French from
America - l*^'^
" " 7. — Letter from Thomas Pownall, Esq., Lieutenant-
Governor of New Jersey to the Lords of Trade — ex-
pressing his obligation on being nominated by
their Lordships for that office 134
" " 17. — Letter from Governor Belchci- to Richard Part-
ridge— about the appointment of a Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor 135
" " 17.— Ijotter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Rob-
inson, Secretary of State— about raising additional
troops - 13 J
" " 18. -Letter from the Lords of Trade to Sir Thomas
Robinson, Secretary of State— recommending the
establishing of packet-boats between England and
the Colonies. - — - 138
•' " 19.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Pownall—
congratulating him on being appointed Lieuten-
ant-Governor of New Jersev 139
XIV
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
1755 — Sept. 27.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Yard, one of
the Commissioners for procuring supplies for the
troops 140
" Oct. 1. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Hardy,
of New York — thanking him for information respect-
ing the expedition against the French 141
" " 2. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Hardy,
drawing his attention, at the request of the Council,
to the long-pending controversy respecting the
boundary line l)etween the two Provinces 142
" " 14. — Letter from Governor Belcher to James Alexander,
New York — referring to the boundary question and
the taking off the prohibition against the exportation
of provisions 142
'* " 16. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Dinwiddie, of Pennsylvania — in relation to the
movement of troops, etc 143
'* " 21. — Letter from the Post Master General to the Lords
of Trade — informing them of the establishment of
regular monthly Packets to the Colonies — 144
" Nov. 3.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Rev. George
Whitefield — informing him of the erection of Nassau
Hall, etc 146
4, — Letter from the Lords of Trade to the Governors
of the Colonies in America — relative to establishment
of packet-boats 146
4. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Rob-
inson, Secretary of State — about military affairs 148
5. — Accounts of the Treasurer of West Jersey from
15th April, 1754, to the 5th November, 1755 150
6. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Allen —
the enemy threatening to invade the Province 156
6. --Proclamation of Governor Belcher to the several
Colonels of Militia Regiments, directing them to
muster their troops - . . - 157
6. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Morris,
of Pennsylvania — referring to the threatened ap-
proach of the French and Indians Iti that Province.. 158
10. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Pownall — about the movement of troops . . 160
10. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Mon-is,
of Pennsylvania — about the condition of military
affairs 161
13. — Message of Governor Belcher to the Council and
Assembly of New Jersey 162
CONTElirTS. XV
PAGE.
1755 — Nov. 13. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Morris of Pennsylvania 165
" 17. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Rev. Aaron Burr,
President of the College 166
*' 20. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Hop-
kins— relating to a Convention of Commissioners
from the several Colonies to be held in New York. .167
*' 20. — Letter from Governor Belcher to General Shirley
— about military affairs ._ 168
" 21. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Pownall — requesting him to attend the Con-
vention to be held in New York 170
" 21. — Account of the Treasurer of East New Jersey from
June 21st, 1754, to November 21st, 1755 171
" 25. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Dinwiddle — relating to military operations 172
" 26. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Colonels of
Regiments in New Jersey — directing them to muster
their trooj^s and march to the Delaware river 174
" 27. — Letter from Governor Belcher to his nephew, P.
Oliver _ 175
" 28. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Ander-
derson — relating to military requirements 176
" 28. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel .Johnston
and other Colonels — directing them, without delay,
to caiTy out his previous order, and recommending
Captain William Skinner 178
" 29. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Joseph
Tuttle — relating to the defence of the frontiers 179
'* 30. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Schuyler
— about marching to Minisink 180
Dec. 1. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Morris
of Pennsylvania — about military movements 180
" 3. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary
Read, directing him to call a meeting of the As-
sembly 181
" 3. — Order from Governor Belcher to the Colonels of
New Jersey Regiments, relating to the defence of
Morris and Sussex Counties 182
" 4. — Letter from Govei'nor Belcher to General Shirley —
referring to the Councils held at Oswego 182
" 4. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Charles Hardy,
Governor of New York — about the Division Line and
building of block houses 183
" 5. — Queries from the Lords of Trade to Governor
xn CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Belcher and his answers thereto — relating to the
state of defence in New Jersey 185
1755 — Dec. 6. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade about New Jersey affairs — Division Line, etc. 187
" 8. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Hardwicke —
about the necessity for capturing Canada 188
" " 10. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Part-
ridge, London — appointment of William Aisleby
[Aynsley] as Chief- Justice of the Province, etc 190
" " 12. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary
Read — about the imprisonment of some Pennsylva-
nia Indians 191
" " 16. — Message of Governor Belcher to the Legislature of
New Jersey, December 16th, 1755 193
" " 17. — Letter from Governor Belcher to General Shirley. 194
" " 18. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Walley, re-
ferring to Rev. Mr. Whitefield 195
" " 19. — Letter from Governor Belcher to his son Andrew. 196
" " 20. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Part-
ridge, the Assembly then in session 197
" " 20. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Consul Dean —
about the progress of the College, etc 197
" " 20. — Message from Governor Belcher to the House of
Assembly — communicating a letter from General
Shirley 198
" '• 23. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Halifax —
concerning Attorney-General Skinner 200
" " 28. — Message from Governor Belcher to the House of As-
sembly— asking for an augmentation to the forces
of the Province _ 201
•' 26. — Letter from Governor Belcher to General Shii-ley —
commenting upon the events of the last compaign,
etc. - 203
1756 — Feb. 5. — Letter from Secretary Ilardinge to the Lords of Trade
— relative to the proper division to be made of a cer-
tain appropriation of Parliament 205
" '• 17. — Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor
Belcher — commending the services rendered by New
Jersey in defending the country 206
•' " 23. — Letter from Governor Hardy to the Lords of Trade
— about the questions of boundary between New
York and New Jersey 207
" March 13. — Draft of Circular from the Hon. H. Pox, Secretary
of State, to the Governors of the Colonies — relative
to the assistance to be rendered bv them to the Earl
coiirTEiirTS. xvii
PAGE.
of Loudon, who had been appointed Commander-in-
Chief of the North American forces 209
1756 — April 13. — Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Hardy
— relative to the appointment of a Commission for
settling controversies between New York and New
Jersey and Massachusetts _ 212
'* " 23. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — inforramg them of the death of James 'Alex-
ander, Esq., one of the Council, and recommending
his son, William Alexander, Esq., as his successor.. 214
■ " May 11. — Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor
Belcher — directing him in case of liis inability to at-
tend any meetings of the Governors appointed by the
Earl of Loudon, to depute Lieutenant-Governor
' Pownall to act in his stead 215
" " 11. — Representation of the Lords of Trade to the King,
on the state of defence of the different Colonies 216
" June 15. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — expressing his gratification that the course of
New Jersey is approved 219
" " 16. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary
Fox — commenting on recent proceedings of the
Government 220
" Aug. 21. — The account of Andrew Johnston, Treasurer of
East New Jersey, of his receipts and payments from
November 21st," 1755, to 21st of August, 1756 223
" Sept. 1. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — relative to the disputed line between New
York and New Jersey, and enclosing a petition of the
Proprietors of Bast Jersey 224
" Oct. 11. — Account of Samuel Smith, Treasurer for West
New Jersey, of receipts and payments from Nov.
8th, 1755, to Oct. 11th, 1756 228
'• Nov. 19.— Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — recommending Samuel Woodruff for the
Council to fill a vacancy caused by the death of John
Rodman 236
1757 — Jan. 13. — Proclamation of Governor Belcher — relating to
the exportation of provisions 237
" Feb. 4. — Circular Letter from Secretary W. Pitt to the Gov-
ernors of the Northern Provinces in America, urging
the raising of additional troops 241
" " 9. — Memorandimi received by William Alexander from
Ferdinand John Paris, as to the character of the
Xviii CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Commissioners to determine the boundaries between
New York and New Jersey 243
1757— Feb. 13.— Letter from William Alexander to Robert Hunter
Morris — relating to the boundary diflBculties between
New York and New Jersey 243
" " 17. — Representation from the Lords of Trade to the
King, with a warrant appointing William Aynsley,
Esq., Chief Justice of New Jersey 247
" May 3.— Letter from tlie Earl of Holdernesse, Secretary of
State, to the Earl of Loudon — removing the em-
bargo upon corn ....- 248
«' " 11.— Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary
Pitt — had summoned the Council and Assembly to
meet as soon as possible in order to ean-y out the
King's views 249
" " 16. — Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary
Pitt — had been informed of the appointment of Rear
Admiral Eolburn to command the fleet in American
waters 251
" " — . — Letter from Captain William Skinner in London,
to his father, the Rev. William Skinner, of Perth
Amboy - 252
'• July 26. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Earl of Hold-
ernesse— in relation to the embargo on grain and the
imprisonment of two Captains of Privateers 354
«< «« 26. — Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of
Trade — relating to the disputed boundary between
New York and New Jersey ..- 256
" Sept. 2. — Letter from Mr. Secretary Read to Lieutenant-
Governor Pownall — informing him of the death of
Governor Belcher 257
" " 7.— Letter from Robert Hunter Morris to the Eail of
Loudon — informing him of the death of Governor
Belcher, and of the objections of John Reading,
President of the Council, to assiune the chief au-
thority 250
" " 10. — Letter from John Reading, President of the Coun-
cil, to Governor Pownall — reasons why he objected
to assuming the Government on the death of Gover-
nor Belcher - - 260
" " 22. — Letter from Thomas Pownall, Tneutenant-Gover-
nor of New Jersey, to John Reading, President of
the CouncQ, in relation to his having refused to as-
sume the chief authority in his absence 261
CONTENTS. XIX
PAGE.
1757 — July 22. — Letter from John Reading, President of the Coun-
cil, to Governor Pownall, in answer to the foregoing 262
" " 26. — Letter from Courtland Skinner, Attorney-General,
to Governor Pownall — with answers to queries sub-
mitted to him by the Council, relative to the au-
thority of John Reading as President of that body.. 264
" " 26. — Letter from Lieutenant-Governor Pownall to the
Lords of Trade, giving an account of his proceedings
on the death of Governor Belcher 266
NEW JERSEY
COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
Memorial responsive to the representations made by
those coucernerf in the disturbances in New Jersey.
[B>om Papers of Robei-t Huuter Morris in N. J. Hist. Lib.. Vol. I, No. 84.J
New Jersey.
[1Y51]
FEOM September 1745 that Province has been under
the greatest Disorders, and the Infection spreading
and gathering Strength, in a Country, w^here, as the
Lords of Trade have reported, ' ' The People are, in a
"particular Manner, by Principle, averse to hingly Gov-
<■'- erninent, and have, always, taken ei^er^ Opportunity
"of trampling upon the Authority of the Crown.'"
THE State of that Province is thus reported, by the
Lords of Trade; " His Majesty's Province of New Jer-
' sey is, at present, in open Bebellion ; and, unless
' some speedy, and effectual Measures are soon taken,
'his Majesty's Government, Laivs, and Authority,
'not only in this, but in the neighbouring Provinces,
'whose Inhabitants, for the most part, are but too
'well inclined to receive the Infection, will, in all
'Probability, be absohdely destroyed.^'
AND, again, a second Time; " This Province is in a
'State of entire Disobedience to cdl Authority of
' Government and Law, attended with Circumstances
' which manifest a Disposition to revolt from their De-
' pendance on the Crown of Great Britain,"
2
.2 ADMIJflSTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1751
THE Pretences, for the Rebellion on foot there, are,
That the Right to the Soil of that Province is in the
native Indians, and Persons claiming under them, and
not in the Crown or its Grantees; that the Grants of
the same, made by the Crown, are fraudulent and
void, and that no Title is good, but that from the In-
dians ; thus unhinging all Property there, denying the
Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown, and setting up
the Indians Right, in Opposition thereto.
THIS was a Doctrine broached, near fourscore Years
ago, and at that time fully exploded, but now again
revived, for the worst of Purposes; It is, in its own
Nature, big with every Mischief to the King, and to
the Subject: It overthrows all Government, Justice,
and Property; and is more particularly dangerous, at
this Time, when the natural Enemy so diligently
watches for, and improves, every Incident, how min-
ute soever, to inflame the Minds and poison the Affec-
tions of the Indians against the British Nation.
UNDER this Pretence, the Mob, great Part of whom
have no Title or Property at all, either under the
Crown, or the Indians, but are meer Freebooters, by
Force and A^iolence, and in great Numbers, of several
Hundreds of Persons, in Arms, enter upon, plunder
and dispossess, whom they please, appoint Captains
and military Officers, form themselves into Companies
and Committees, levy and raise Taxes, burn, plunder,
and destroy any Person's Property; and, as fast as
any of them are sued, or taken up, for the same, break
open the Gaols (which they have done a great Number
of Times) take out the Prisoners in Triumph (even
such as stand charged with Itigti Treason) wound and
abuse the King's Officers, and set all Government en-
tirely at Defiance.
THIS could not have been done, but that the .4.s-
semhlies there, have favoured these Rioters, for, aftei-
repeated Applications to them, time after time, to
strengthen the Hands of his Majesty's Government,
1751] ADMINISTRATION^ OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 3
and after laying before them the fullest Proofs of these
continued Outrages, and the strongest Representa-
tions of the apparent, dangerous Consequences of the
same, they have constantly refused any Assistance,
and resolved, that they could not (in that wealthy
Province) raise Money, even to guard the Goals, that
some of the Rebels might he secured and brought to
Justice, and Peace and Property be thereby restored.
IN Decemhi'V 174s the Members of his Majesty's
Council in New Je rsey and also the Council of Propri-
etors there, thought it their indii-ipensible Duty, to
represent these Matters, by an humble Address, and a
Petition, to his Majesty; and the Matter was referred
to the Lords of Trade, who carefully examined into
the same, and had prepared a fall Report and Repre-
sentation of the Affair.
THE Rioters, and those who acted for them here,
well kiieir that the same was under such Examina-
tion, by his Majesty's Command, and therefore, con-
trived a Scheiiie to prevent, or d/iuf/, that Enquiry,
and any Remedy in Consequence thereof.
FOR that Purpose, the New Jersey Assembly, on
19th October, 1749, framed, and drew up a Petition,
directed to his Majesty: the first Use they made
thereof was, to print that Petition, at full length, and
publish it, in their Votes, of that same Day, in order
to keep up the Spirits of the Mob, by shewing that
they patronised their Proceedings; and, when that end
had beeii answered there, then, more than two Months
after the Petition had been printed, it was sent for
England, to be presented at a proper Time ; it arrived
here in January 1749; but was not ^/ie/i presented, for
the Lords of Trade's Report had not then been fully
settled; at length, in April 1750, when the Report was
fully prepared, and transciibed for signing, then, the
Assembly's Petition was lodged in the Council-Office,
and was, soon after, referred to the Lords of Trade.
4 AD.M1N1STKATH)N OK (4UV KJiXOK HELCHE]{. [1?51
THE Lords of Trade thereupon stopt their Report,
and immediately took the Assembly's Petition into
consideration, and called upon the Assembly's Agent
to make out any one Mattel' alledged in that Petition;
but he desired to be excused from entering into any
Discussion of the Merits, alledging that the Assembly's
Instructions to him, were, not to enter into Proofs,
but only to present their Petition.
ON 1st June 1750, the Lords of Trade made a very
ample, and particular Rejyresentation to the Lords of
the Committee of Council, of the State of the said
Province, wherein the Rise and Progress of these
Riots and Disorders, the Pretence for the same, and his
Majesty's undoubted Right to the Soil, are most ex-
actly set forth; and wherein, they summed up the
whole Matter, and stated the Consequences, in the
Manner herein beforonentioned ; and proposed several
Measures to be taken for his Majesty's Service.
AND that Representation now waits the Consider-
ation of his Majesty's most honourable Privy-Council.
THE Rioters, therL found themselves under a Ne-
cessity of using someof//er Means to prevent, or delay,
the Justice, so long due to their Offences;
AND, in hopes thereof, in October 1750, three long
Petitions from New Jersen, (without any Date to
them) were lodged in the Council Office, of a most ex-
traordinary Nature.
THE first of those Petitions is said to come from
Newark, and Parts Adjacent, and (in Order to shew
the NnmlK^rs of th(? Rioters) has above four hundred
Names put to it; The second Petition is from seven
Persons, as a Coiinnittee of those same Rioters, repeat-
ing much the tike Matters; And the third Petition is
from one single Person, on a Case whicli has no Sort
of Relation to the present Disturbances.
IT may be necessary to mnntion, that those Petitions
come through the Hands of the Assembly\s Agent, who
had before presented the former Petition from the
1751] AD^fTXISTRATIOX OF aOVEHXOR HKLCHER. 5
Assembly : That, although these Petitions were pre-
sented in October, and referred to the Committee, the
Beginning of December last, yet, no Application has
been made, to this Hour, to have the same taken into
Consideration, or to have any preparatory Order made,
nor has any Step been taken on the same; That,
amongst the Ncimes of the Petitoners, j3i(i thereto,
there appear the Names of the Chief Captain, and of
all the Heads and Leaders of the Rebellion, and of
many Persons v7ho stand legally charged with High
Treason for levying War against his Majesty ; such
are many of the Persons, who presume thus to Peti-
tion his Majesty.
BESIDES which, the Names appear to have been
wrote on blank, loose Sheets of Paper, now wafered
together, and it may manifestly appear, on Inspection
of the original Petition (now on the Council Table)
that whole Columns of Names thereto, are all wrote,
by one and the self-same Hand.
IN their Petition they acknotuledge their Guilt ; but,
in Excuse, pretend some Grievances, (which always is
the Pretence, made use of, in every Rebellion, and
which Grievances, of their own Shewing, come out to
be no other, than that his Majesty's oppressed Subjects
fly to the Lcuvs and common ordinary Justice of the
Country, for relief, against these Invaders); their Pe-
tition is full of the greatest Untruths, and Indecencies
[for ivhich Reasons they never applied to have it
brought on;) they own they did not accept of one Par-
don, which the Cxovernor gave them; and they pray,
in one and the same Instant, that his Majesty, will
give them another Pardon, for their Treasons, and
will redress their (general) Grievances ; by which, they
mean, that his Majesty would stop the ordinary Course
and Administration of Justice, and permit those
Rebels to introduce their own Power for deciding of
all Property hj their Club Law.
6 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. [1751
AS to their Pretence of Grievances, it may be
proper to quote the declared Opinion of the ivhole Leg-
islature in New Jersey, as contained in an Act (men-
tioned in the Lords of Trade's Eepresentation,) which
the Assembly past, '"for avoiding Actions of Slander,
" and for Stai/ of Proceeding in other civil Actions,
^^ against the late Rioters, viz.
"WHEREAS, within three Years last past, many
'■^and great Riots and Disorders have been committed,
" within tliis Colony, by Multitudes of People, on
" P/eifewce that they laboured under Grievances and
" Oppressions, and whereas the several Branches of
"the Legislature, at their present Session met, and
"assembled together, heartily disposed to enquire into
"the said Grievances and Oppressions, and to give Re-
^^ lief therein, as far as in them lay, upon mature De-
'^ liberation, do not find but tJie Matters complained of
"are remediable in his Majesty'' s Courts of Justice, of
"Law and Equity, which are open to all, and to which
"the Coinplainers might have Recourse."
BUT those Petitioners are still so hardy, that in the
same Petition, whereby they would pray the King's
Pardon, they iiave the uncommon Boldness to assert,
and maintain their Right to the Soil under the Indians,
in Opposition to his Majesty's Rigid.
IT might reasonably be imagined, from some other
Expressions in their Petitions, that the Rioters, wlien
praying for a Pardo)i, would, at least then, desist from
their forme]- Practices, but no such Matter is by them
done, or intended; but, very far otherwise, for upon
the 1st of December, 1750, (which must, of Necessity,
be three Months, at least, after they had sent Home
their Petition for a Pardon) the Rioters Collector de-
manded Payment, from one Tunis Spire, of a Sum of
Eleven l^)uiids three Shillings, which the Committee of
the Rioters had assessed upon him; and upon Spire's
refusing Payment, their Collector told him, that the
Committee of the Rioters, had agreed, and deiei mined,
1751] A.DMINISTHATION' OF GOVEKNOR HKLCHEU. 7
that whoever did not pay their Assessments, should be
turned out of their possessions, and lose their Lands,
and which, lie must expect, if he did not pay his Rate.
BUT, not to enter, more minutely, into the Matter
of those Petitions, whenever those Petitioners, or their
Agent, sent over on Purpose, shall think fit to make
any Application on their said Petitions (but which
they have not yet done) there is no doubt but his Maj-
esty's Privy-Council, will then do what shall be proper,
with Respect to the same.
BUT, in the mean Time, for the Sake of extinguish-
ing the present Rebellion in New Jersey, saving the
Province, and preserving his Majesty's Authority
there, and the Laws and Justice, Peace and Govern-
ment thereof, and for the Sake of preserving his Maj-
esty's loyal Subjects, and their Lives and Properties,
which, at present, are at the Mercy of those lawless
Rebels,
IT is humbly prayed, that those Petitions, brought
in, meerly to obstruct and delay, and never prosecuted,
but deserted, by those Petitioners, may 7iot have the
intended Effect, to prevent the Applying such speedy
and effectual Measures, as may be judged expedient, in
a Case of such very high Importance to his Majesty's
Sovereignty in America.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Benjamin Franklin
about an electrical apparatus.
[From Belcher Papers in Massachusetts Hist Soc. Library.]
Eliza: Tov^n Dec 18: 1751
Sir
I duly rec'" your kind Letter of 28 Nov with the
Direction about the Electrical Operation & the box
with the Electrical Apparatus came to my hands the
» ADMINISTRA-TION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. [1751
16 Curr* & I am sorry to Inform you that when I came
to open it the Glass Globe was broke all to pieces I
suppose by the rough Convey* of it (in a Waggon)
from BurHngton hither. This is a great misfortune
to me in the delay of what I desired to be done. ' I
have tryed to get another at New York without Suc-
cess— can you Sir, put me into any method to repair it.
* -x- * *
Your assured Friend & Serv*
Mr Franklin J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Halifax, in re-
lation to his objections to the appointment of L. M.
Ashfield to be one of the Council.
[From Belcher Papers In Massachusetts Hist. Soc. Library.]
Elizabeth Town Dec. 18, 1Y51
My Lord
-::• -» -:f *
I have lately wrote to the Lords of Trade &c. (at
which Board your Lordship presides) respecting the
King's Mandamus for M' L. M. Ashfield beiug one of
the Council here that I hope your Lordship will be
perfectly satisfyd with the reasons I have given for
not Admitt"-' that young Gent" while he has been so
flagrantly fly" in the face of His Majesty & of His Gov'.
And yet I have no doubt but that his L^ncle M"" R. H.
Morris will endeavour to colour & palliate his Nep'"
' Electricity had been recommended by Dr. Franklin as a cure for the Gov-
ernor's paralytic disorder, which was manifested chiefly in tremulousncss. He
consulted Dr. Cadwallader by letter on the 7th October as to its being advisable,
in which letter he informs liim that on the succeeding 8th January he would be
seventy years old, and giving him some account of his habits, states that he drank
" besides water and small beer about half a bottle of old Madeira a day."
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHKR. 0
bold & impudent misconduct but his Arts & colour^"
I hope will cast no mist before your Lordships eyes &
that I may intirely depend upon your Lordships jus-
tice & Candour for Approveing all I have done in that
matter.
J. Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Brattle
— about the non-success of his electrical cure — Mr.
Pemherton\s not going to England, etc.
[From Belcher Papers in Mass. Hist. Soc. Library.!
Eliz: Tow^n (N J) Jan 18 1752
My good Fr''
I had in due Course Answered y" of 2'' of Sept but
that I was will*' first of all to make some trial in the
new philosophical Experim' of Electricity w"' I have
lately done once & again & at present without any
success however I intend to persevere in this matter as
I find no inconvenience from it and what you say upon
it as to braceing the Nerves makes me the more fond
[of] it.'
You have doubtless long since heard that the design
of Mr Pembertons going to great Britain in fav"" of
our Embryo College prov'd abortive and this happen d
from the strong opposition his people at York made
against his going nor wou'd any thing persuade them
to part with him & this at present seems to be a great
frown of Providence upon our little Seminary for by Let-
ters M' Presid^ Burr has lately reced from Scotland Our
Fr'^' there are daily expecting some such Person from
us to make Application for the benevolence of the
' Under date of January 30th, Gov. Belcher informs Dr. Franklin of his
intention to persevere with his electrical remedy, but as he could have the use of
an instrument belonging to Mr. Burr, he returned his apparatus with many thanks.
10 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Kirk of ScotlaDd till our Trustees meet I cant say what
may be the next step in this Affair.
If the peace holds with France I doubt not but your
Eastern Neighbours will Continue theirs with you but
shou'd it be Other way es you must expect they will be
playing their old game.
I am fully in opinion with you that had the Act of
Parham^ intirely Damnd all paper Currency in His
Majestys American Dominions it had in the end been
a more Salutary Act to all His Majestys good Subjects
tho' as it is it has put that matter in a much better Sit-
uation than ever it has been since a paper Currency be-
came fashionable. * * *
I am Sir
Your Frd & Most Humble serv'
J. Belcher.
Letter from Oovernor Belcher to Colonel John Alford
— about the prospects of the College.
[From Belcher Papers in Mass. Hist. Sou. Library.]
Jan 21 1752
Mr Alford
My worthy Friend (Extract)
* * * * I thank God & thank you for the gen-
erous & Noble Example you have set at the head of a
subscription in favour of our poor College' w'^'' crawls
along but very slowly if we can by the favour of
Heaven get wherewith to build a proper House & to
support the President & two Tutors I am well satis-
fyed this Seminary wou'd be a great Blessing to these
parts of America & in time would be more probable to
furnish Missionaries to the Heathen Nations than any
other of our Colleges. '^ *
Your Friend & serv'
J. Belcher
' A donation of £100. (See Steams' First Church in Newark, pp. 186-188), Note.—
Ed.
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 11
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Walley — defi-
ciency in the Treasury, the new College, etc.
[From Belclier Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Mr Walley
Eliz Town Jan -n 175ii
[Extract. I
" Altho' I stand well w*'' the Assembly & with the
people of this Province yet the publick Affairs here
are much perplext from a wide difference subsisting
between the Council & Assembly about a Tax Bill &
one for the Support of Governm' by W' means no
money has been supplied to the Treasury for about 2
years & a half past & I wish I was able to guess when
those two Branches of the Legislature may coincide
upon what I have mentioned.
As to Our poor Infant College the well Concerted
design of M' Pembertons going to Great Britain thro'
an unaccountable & unreasonable opposition his people
made to it has prov'd abortive & this I look upon a
Considerable frowm of Providence & the more so since
M' Pres' Burr has lately Let'" from thence giv^ us great
reason to expect the Charity & bounty of the Kirk of
Scotland in Case some suitable person was there to
appear in our fav!"
And what will be the next step in the matter I can't
say till our Trustees have had a meet'g.
* * * 7?- ■«■ *
I am very sorry for the great difficulties <k, distresses
your Ti-ade is reduced to the Acco' whereof I have
from many of my friends but may it not be some
ease for your General Court to make an Emission of
paper Currency conformable to the Act of Parliam' :
indeed considering the wild vagaries the Colonies had
12 ADMTN-ISTRATION OF GOVERXOK BELCHER. [1752
run into of Stamping paper for money it was doubtless
high time for the Legislature of Great Britain to lay
some restriction."
J Belcher
Message from Governor Belcher to the Legislature of
New Jersey.
I From Belclier Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Gentle"" of the Council & of the General As-
sembly
You are well knowing that it is now going on of
three years since any Supply of money has been made
to the Treasury of the Province and which you must
be sensible is a great dishonour to His Majesty's Grov-
ernm' as well as a great hardship on all those that
have demands upon the Province and the longer things
Continue in such a situation it must necessarily bring
on a greater weight of Tax upon the good people of
the Province.
My Duty therefore to the King together w'*' a Ten-
der regard for those Committed to our Care and my
Concern that the Officers with all the other Creditors
of the Province may have Justice done them require
your more frequently meeting than I cou'd otherwise
wish.
Gentle"' of tJie General Asseniblf/
To prevent for the future the danger & difficulties
w'''' must be the Consequence of what I have said I
hope you will diligently apply yourselves to the pass-
ing of a Bill for the Support of Government and for
the payment of the publick debts and another Bill for
the laying a Tax foi- raising money to Answer those
good purposes.
1752] AUMIKISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 13
GentV" of the Council & of the general Assembly
I hope you are now come together with a publick
spirited resohition to become p'fect strangers to any
Animosities or diffei-ences among yourselves in the
Articles I have laid before y° but that you will proceed
in all your debates and Considerations with a single
Aim at the Welfare and prosperity of the Province
w'''' will render y° worthy of the honour of being call'd
the real Father of y' Country.
P. Amboy Jan 2S 1752
Letter from Robert Hauter Morris to the Lords of
Trade — relatiiiy tothe Cottstitntion of the Comicil
of Neiv Jersey.
iKroin P. R. i). B. T.. New Jersey. Vol. ti, G. ittt.]
Letter from Robert H. Morris Esq'" Chief Jus-
tice of New Jersey to the Lords of Trade
dated London Jan"".^ oo"' 1752 relating to
the State of the Council in that Province
and the persons recommended by him.
London Jan^ 80^'' 1752
My Lords
With this I take the Ubeity to send Your Lordshi})s
the Printed Votes of the Assembly of New Jersey in
their last Sessions, extracts of the Journalls of the
Council in their Legiskitive capacity, some Clauses of
14 ADMINISTRATIOK OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
a Bill calld the Support Bill, proposed by the Assembly
and some amendments made thereto by the Council.
I find in the votes of the Assembly of October 23^ a
Memoriall from about four hundred and thirty of the
inhabitants of the v^estern Division; Setting forth,
That by unalienable Privileges granted by the Pro-
prietors to their forefathers. By the terms made at the
surrender of the Proprietary Government, and By the
Kings Instructions, they were entitled to have an equall
number of Councillors for each of the Divisions of the
said Province; That of late but four out of tv^elve had
been appointed for the western Division, That the
places of two of those becoming vacant were filld by
two Gentlemen of the Eastern division, and Desiring
the Assembly to Interpose. — Upon this Mem! Your
Lordships will give me leave to observe. That the num-
ber of signers (tho' great Pains were taken to have as
many as possible) are not a twentyth part of the men
in that Division. — That as to the unalienable Privi-
leges I am extreemly at a Loss to know what they
Mean, never having heard of any such during the
Course of My acquaintance with the Affairs of that
Province. Indeed, the Proprietors of both the Prov-
inces of East and west Jersey, thinking they had all
the Powers of government in themselves, undertook
by Instruments in writing to form Political Constitu-
tions for their Eespective Provinces; but those forms
were so defective in themselves, and not being at all
Calculated for the government of a people, so turbu-
lent and factious as those of New Jersey have ever
been, did not answer the end i)roposed, for many dis-
putes arose Concerning the Right of Government,
which were Carryd to a great highth, and made that
Country a scene of confusion <& Rioting for many
years before the surrender, in so much, that the Crown
was about to interpose and seize the Government into
its own hands, as the Proprietors were not only inca-
pable of Carrying it on, but had divided & subdivided
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 15
it in such a manner as gave room for endless conten-
tions; and it was to prevent such Interposition that
they made a surrender of all their Powers of Govern-
ment to the Crown, reserving to themselves and those
claiming under them, only the soil and what properly
appertained to it.— Immediately upon the surrender,
the two Provinces of East and west Jersey, were
united into one Governm'. of which they became the
two divisions, but the Line of Property — between em
was then unsettled, tho a deed for that purpose had
been long before Executed by the Proj)"; Yet as an
Act of the Legislature was necessary to adjust that
matter. It was Judged proper that the members of the
CounciU and Assembly, should be drawn equally from
both the divisions, that no Injustice might be done to
either in the settlement of that Line, and this it was
that induced the crown to direct, that the members of
the Asseml)ly should be equal for each division, and
that an equall number of men should be recommended
for Councillors, and while that reason subsisted, the
equallity was kept up in the CounciU, as well as in the
Assembly; But in the year 1719 an Act was passd for
running and Ascertaining the Line of Partition be-
tween the Eastern and Westei-n divisions of New Jer-
sey, which is extremely full, not only for settling that
hne, but every dispute that can arrise concerning it.
or between the two divisions; and as that act has Re-
cieved the Royall Approbation, nothing now remains
to be done in that Province, that Can make an equall
division of the Legislature necessary; and from that
time, the govei'nors have recomended Councillors,
without much regard to the places of their residence,
and as no inconveniency has ever arisin, or indeed can
arise from this practice, so no Complaint has ever been
made, till this now under Consideration, and it is plain
that this took its rise from the disappointment of the
Govl and the two men he had recomended. — But
further, — His Majestys Instruction is that the Gov
16 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
shall return the names of twelve persons that he es-
teems best qualified for Councillors, whereof six are to
be of the Eastern, and six of the western Division; but
the' this Instruction may be obligatory on a Gov', yet
it can by no means be esteem'd binding on his Majesty,
or be Construed to tie him down to appoint those only
so return'd, or an equal number in each division, when
the reason for that equaUity has been so long at an
end. — But, should it be thought the Royall intention
to have an equall Number of Councillors for each
Division, that Intention I humbly concieve is not broke
in upon by the Late Appointments, as suggested in
the Mem? there being at this time no less than seven
Councillors of New Jersey, qualified to be members for
the western Division, Viz. John Reading, John Rod-
man, Richard Saltar, Thomas Leonard, James Alex-
ander, And'"' Johnston, and myself, the four first have
not only estates in that Division, but Actually Reside
there; M' Alexander and myself have large freeholds
in that division, as well as the other, and at present
reside in Neither, which makes no Difference, as every
man is in Law an Inhabitant where his freehold is;
and And''' Johnston tho' he resides in East Jersey, yet
is he a Considerable freeholder and one of the Gen'
Proi»rietors of the western Division.
By the Journalls of the Council I find Gov' Belcher
has Refused to Admit M"" Ashfield of the Council for
that province, for some expressions he is said to have
used concerning the Kings Laivs : upon which I beg
leave to say, that when I had the Honour to recom-
end M"" Ashfield to your Lordships for that station , I
esteem'd him a man firmly x\ttachd to his Majestys
person and government, of good life and Character,
and over that would steadily support the Authority
of the Crown, against that turbulent and factious
spirit so prevalent in that Province; and I am still in
hopes upon a full enquiry, he will Appear to be the
Man I have represented him; As to the Mattel- laid to
1752] ADMIXISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 17
his Charge he positively deiiys it, and I take the
Liberty to lay before your Lordships several Affidavits
relating to that affair, and Humbly submit the whole
to Your Lordships Consideration, with only observing,
that it may be of dangerous consequence to Counte-
nance, a Gov": in a disobedience to his Majestys exin'ess
and positive Commands, Let his reasons for it be what
they will; for, if a Gov"" has a right to Judge of the
fitness, or unfitness of the Royall orders, and to exe-
cute 'em or not as he thinks proper, the people there
Cannot have the benefit of his Majestys Justice,
further than a GoV: pleases, which will be depriving
them of what they Justly esteem their Greatest Se-
curity.—Had M"" Ashfield been convicted of what he
was only Accused, it might have been a good reason
for suspending him after Admission, but the bare Ac-
cusation of a rash expression, used (if at all) when
provoked, and probably when in drink, without any
Previous enquiry, seems to be hardly sufficient to Jus-
tify a disobedience to his Majestys Positive Command.
His Excellency is Pleased to be very Angry with the
Councill, for desiring him on this Occasion to shew
what powers he had, that gave him a right to dispense
with the Royall orders. But as the Council are a
Branch of the Legislature, as well as a Court of Er-
rors, and have a right to the Assistance of those per-
sons that the King appoints, they must in Consequence
have a right to know why such persons are hinderd
from giving that assistance, And notwithstanding his
Excellency s warmth in this Affair, I imagin the
Council had a right to go much greater lengths than
they did, as it is a doubt how far their acts are good,
either in their Legislative or Judicial Capacity, while
any of their Members are hinderd from Assisting.
Your Lordships will observe in the Journalls of the
Council as a part of the Legislature, (which are pub-
lick and to which every body has a right to have
3
18 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOB BELCHER. [1752
recourse) there is enterd at large a paper sent them by
the Governor, which appears to be the Eesolutions of
a Committee of his Majestys Council, upon a Report
from your Lordships Board relating to the Atfairs of
New Jersey, This paper I find has been sent not only
to the Governor, but to the Assembly, and has got into
the Hands of the Rioters, who esteem it no less than a
determination of the Kings Ministers in their favour.
And it lias so elated the Assembly, that in the bill pro-
posed by them for the support of the Government,
they put severall clauses in favour of the Rioters, and
not only deny'd the Councils right to Amend that Bill,
but tore the Amendments from it, and Applyd to the
Governor to pass the Bill without the Councils con-
sent; which is going greater lengths, than even a
Jersey Assembly ever Attempted to go before.
I thought it my Duty to lay these Matters before
Yoru' Lordships, and Have the Honour to be
My Lords Your Most Obed'
And Most Humble Serv^
RoBf H: Morris.
Memorial from Richard Partridge, Agent for New
Jersey, to the Lords of Trade — relative to the
state of the Council in that Province.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey. Vol. 6, G. 91.]
To the Lords Comm''^ for Trade and Planta-
tions
The Memorial of Rich*^ Partridge Agent for the
Province of New Jersey
Humbly Sheweth
That the Soil & Governm^ of the said Province were
granted by K: Charles the Second to his Brother James
Duke of Yoik & by him to John L'' Beikeley & S' Geo.
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEENOR BELCHER. 19
Carteret & by them to under Proprietors who entered
into concessions and agreements with the first Setlers
and for certain considerations granted them divers
Unalienable Privileges by virtue of which our fore-
fathers were induced at a great hazard & expence to
cultivate & Improve this then Wilderness Country
That the Province becoming very early by an Agreem*
between the Proprietors two distinct Governments by
the names East & West New Jersey each w"' a sepa-
rate Governor, Council and Assembly and with differ-
ent priviledges Independent on each other as such were
separately cultivated & improved under different Gov-
ernm!! & Interests & continued in this situation many
years
That in the Year 1702 by an Agreement among the
Proprietors of each Division the Powers of Governm^
were Surrendered up to the Crown but the Privileges
the Proprietors had in virtue of the right of the Crown
conveyed to the first setlers remained, And were con-
firmed to them and their Posterity, And the said Prov-
inces became united under one Goverment
That in pursuance of the terms of the said Surren-
der And Conformable to the said granted Privileges
the King in his Instructions to all the Governors ever
since has (as we are Informed) strictly commanded
that the number of the Gentlemen of the Council in
each Division should be equal the reason & necessity
of which is plain that as it is an Instruction to the
Governors to take the Advice of Council in the Nomi-
nation of the several Ofiicers of the Governm? & which
are to be appointed not only in the different Divisions
but in different parts of those Divisions that the Gen-
tlemen of the Council should be acquainted with the
Persons in the several parts of the Province that they
are to be consulted about It being Impossible that
those appointed in the Eastern Division should be
properly Acquainted with persons fit for Officers in the
30 ADMrNISTRATiON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Western Division which is in Several parts more than
a hundred miles distant and the recommending unsuita-
ble persons to Offices of Trust in the Government can-
not but be looked upon a great oppression & Injury to
the people besides the Gentlemen of the Councils' resid-
ing in different parts of the Province will enable them
to inform the Governor of the circumstance of that
part where they reside, Of the Nature of Complaints
against Officers in all parts of the Province, And of
other matters that may come before him in Council,
And as the Council is entrusted with a great Share of
the rights & Priviledges of the People & the Interests
of the Two Divisions are in some cases different from
each other the Inhabitants of either Divisions must
consequently be unequally represented at that hon'ble
board whenever the Numbers from each Are unequal
That for several years past but four Gentlemen out
of Twelve have been Appointed in the Western Divi-
sion And the places of two of these lately becoming-
Vacant are now filled as we are Informed with Two
Gentlemen in the Eastern Division which there is rea-
son to Apprehend was done from the recommendation
of Private Gentlemen of the said Division without any
previous Application to the Governor or knowledge of
his, tho' the Governor being on the Spot & well
acquainted with the People and having as we are In-
formed the Kings Strict commands for that purpose
was not wanting in his duty to the King & Province
in recommending Suitable Persons agreeable to his
Instructions So that of twelve Gentlemen of the Coun-
cil there is now but two appointed in the Western
Division Nine of the said Gentlemen living and having
their Estates principally in the Eastern Division & one
contrary to all precedent & the Kings Strict commands
residing at New York As these are well known
Matters of Pact in themselves obviously injurious &
unequal and Contrary to the Rights and Priviledges
1752] ADMIKISTRATIOK OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 21
granted to Our fore-fathers & their Posterity so we
are well assured from the whole Tenour of Our most
gracious Sovereigns just & equal Administration dis-
tinguished by every mark of goodness to us his faith-
ful Subjects they would soon be redress'd if duly repre-
sented to the Kings Ministers for which reason we
Pray the Honourable House will take the Important
premises into Consideration & pursue such Measures
for our relief therein As shall be thought most con-
sistent with our Duty to the King & the Interest of
the Province
Message of Governor Belcher to the Council cmd As'
sembly~on the passage of a Bill for the support
of the Govern tnent.
[From a ii>l>y ainuug- the B.'lclier Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.j
P. Amboy, Feb 12 1752
Gentlemen of the Council & of the General
Assembly.
I observe with much Satisfaction not only the
Alacrity & dispatch but the good Agreement and Har-
mony w*"" w'^^ you have gone thoro' the business of
this short Session of so much Importance to the honour
& Interest of His Majesty's Government as well as to
the Establishment of Justice and of peace and good
order in the Province.
I therefoi-e in the first place thank you (lent" of the
general Assembly from whom the Bill for Support of
Governm' and for laying a Tax to pay the Charge
thereof must naturally spring.
And in the next place I thank you Gent" of the
Council whose Concurrence with the Assembly is nec-
essary before it can come to me to pass into a Law.
22 ADMINISTRATION OF GOA^EllNOR BELCHER, [1752
Gent" I cou'd have wished this Bill had been further
extended for you must be sensible whenever there is
an empty Treasury my Duty to the King in a just re-
gard to His Government and people obhge me to be
calling you together more frequently than I cou'd
wish as it necessarily multiplies Charge upon the
People and may sometimes incommode your domestick
affairs however I wish what you have now done may
be the forerumier of lasting TranquiUty to this Gov-
ernment & people. And as you are now returning to
your places of abode I hope you will in youi' several
Stations put the Salutary Laws of the Province into
good Execution against all sorts of Immorality & fla-
grant disorders so shall you not only become a ' ' Terrour
to Evil doers" and a praise & incouragement to those
that "do well" but you will also in such av/ay draw
dov*^n Blessings from Heaven on this people & on
yourselves and Families to each of w''' I wish y" in
safety and with much Prosperity in all y"" private
affairs.
J. Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to his nephew, Mr.
Foye — about the transactions of the legislature
just closed.
[From Papers of Uov. Belcher in Libniry of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz Town Feb. 14 1752
Mr Foye
Sir (Extract)
I yesterday returned from a 14 d" Session of the
general Assembly at Amboy w'^'' has been the most
(Comfortable and peaceable of any since my coming
into the Governm^ the Council & Assembly passing
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 23
in each House {^ a great Majority) a Bill for the Sup-
port of Government and in the same Bill Levying a
Tax to raise money for the discharge thereof to the 21
of Nov'" next — this I say is a great satisfaction to me
who have been living near 3 years by running in debt
& paying the Lawful Interest of 7 ^ Ct for some large
Sums but if God shoud spare my life to Nov*" next I
hope to make my Bread and Cheese more than Even
in these parts.
J. Belcher.
His Majestt/s order in Council for the improved Gov-
enrment of the Colonies.
At the Court at S' James's the 11*^ Day of March
1752.
PRESENT
The King's most Excellent Majesty L'^ Presi-
dent E? of Jersey M"" L'^ Chamberlain L'^
Privy Seal E' Cholmondeley M'' Ch?- of the
Exchequer L"^ Chamberlain E^ Bucking-
hamsh L'^ Ch Justice Willes Duke of Athol
E! Harcourt. S'" John Rushont Duke of
Newcastle L*^ Berkeley of Stratton S^ John
Ligonier E^ of Holdernesse L'^ Cornwallis
S^. George Lee.
His Majesty having taken into His Consideration,
the flourishing State, and condition of the Manufac-
tures, Tra,de. and commerce of these Kingdoms, and
also the State and Condition of his Colonies & Planta-
34 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
tions in America and Elsewhere, With Respect as
Well to their Trade & Commerce as to their Civil
Policy & Government. And Whereas it doth Appear
to His Majesty, that the Said Colonies & Plantations
have of late Years been greatly Improved, the Wealth
of His Subjects much increased, and the Navigation of
these Kingdoms extended, by the Mutual Intercourse
between Them and the Said Colonies & Plantations,
and by the Trade & Commerce Arising therefrom; and
His Majesty being sensible of how great Importance it
is to His Crown, and Government, and how much it
WiU contribute to the Satisfaction, Convenience and
Advantage of His Subjects. That all due care be
taken, and proper & necessary Regulations made for
the further Im]Drovement, and Extension of the Man-
ufactures and Commerce of these kingdoms, and for
the Encouragement, Protection & Security of the said
Colonies and Plantations, His Majesty is therefore
Graciously pleased, with the Advice of His Privy
Council, to order, and it is hereby Ordered, that the
Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations do,
with all Diligence, care, and Concern Apply Them-
selves, to a faithfuU and Vigorous Execution, and dis-
charge, of all the Trusts & Powers vested in Them, by
Their Commission Under the Great Seal, and Whereas
nothing can more effectually tend to the Peace, Wel-
fare, and good Government of the Said Colonies and
Plantations, Than the Appointment of Able, Discreet,
and prudent Persons, to be Governors, Lieutenant
Governors & other Officers, and Magistrates: It is
therefore hereby further ordered, that the said Lords
Commissioners for Trade & Plantations do, from time
to time, as vacancies shall happen by Death or Re-
movals, present unto His Majesty in Council, for His
Approbation, the Name or Names of Such Person or
Persons, as the said Comni'.'* from the best of their
Judgment & Information, shall think duly qualified to
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 35
be Governors or Deputy Governors, or to be of His Maj-
esty's Council or His Council at Law, or secretaries in the
respective Plantations; and Likewise to present to His
Majesty for his Approbation, the Names of all other
Officers, which have been, or may be found necessary
for the administration of Justice, and the Execution
of Government there, excepting only such as are or
may be appointed for the Direction and Regulation of
His Majesty's Customs and Revenues, and Such as are
or may be under the Directions and Authority of the
Lords Comm''.* of the Admiralty; and when any Per-
son or Persons shall have been approved by His
Majesty in Council; for any of the abovementioned
Offices, the said Lords Commissioners Shall (unless
His Majty shall otherwise direct) prepare and make
out proper Draughts of Such Commissions, War-
rants or Instructions, as may be thought necessary to
be given to Such Officers, in order to be laid before
His Majesty in Council for His Royal Approbation and
when any Person or Persons shall be presented to His
Majesty for any of the other Offices of an inferior na-
ture not judged necessary to be laid before His Maj-
esty in Council, and yet shall have otherwise received
His Maj'' Approbation The Said Lords Commissioners
shall in those Cases (unless His Majesty Shall other-
wise Direct) prepare and make out proper Draughts of
Commissions & AVarrants necessary to be given to
Such Officers, in order to be laid before His Majesty
for His Royal Approbation Accordingly; and it is
hereby further ordered, that the Said Lords Comm"
for Trade and Plantations, do Execute and perform all
other Things necessary or proper for answering the In-
tentions of their said Commission; and Wliereas the
Governors of all His Majesty's Colonies & Plantations
in America more immediately under His Majesty's
Government, are in particular Cases, as well as in gen-
eral directed by His Majesty's Instructions to transmit
unto His Majesty, by One of His Principal Secretaries
26 ADMIXISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
of State, and to the Commissioners for Trade & Plan-
tations, Accounts from time to time, of all their Pro-
ceedings, and of the condition of Affairs within their
respective Governments; And Whereas it will tend to
the Benefit of the Said Colonies, the Ease and Con-
venience of His Maj'ty's Subjects, and the greater
Regularity and Dispatch of Business, if the Corres-
pondence be Confined to, and pass through but One
Channel; It is therefore further ordered, that the said
Lords Commissioners do prepare the Draught of an
Additional Instruction to be sent to the Governors of
all His Majesty's said Colonies and Plantations respec-
tively Signifying His Majesty's Pleasure, that in aU
Cases, wherein by His Majesty's Instructions they are
Directed to transmit any Particulai-, or general Ac-
counts of their Proceedings, or of Matters relative to
their Governments, They do, for the future, transmit
the Same to the Lords Conmi'." for Trade & Planta-
tions, Only, in order that they may be laid before His
Majesty, Provided nevertheless, that whenever any
Occurrences Shall happen, Within their respective
Governments, of such a nature and Importance, as
may require His Majesty's more immediate Directions
by One of His Principal Secretaries of State, and also
upon aU Occasions, and iu all Affairs, Whereon they
may receive His Majesty's Orders, by One of His
Principal Secretaries of State, the said Governors Shall
in all Such Cases, transmit to the Secretary of State
only, an Account of all such Occurrency's, and of their
Proceedings relative to such Orders And it is hereby
further ordered, that a Copy of this order be trans-
mitted to the said Lords Commissioners for Trade &
Plantations, to be Entered upon the Books of the
Plantation Office, and that the Said Commissioners do
likewise transmit Copies thereof to the Governors of
His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations respectively to
the End that all Persons Concerned may Govern
Themselves Accordingly W. Sharpe.
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 27
Additional instructions to the Colonial Governors —
relative to the revision and transmission of their
laws.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 39, Ent. Book K, p. 291.]
Additional Instructions to Our Trusty and
¥Mlbeloved'
Given at Our Court at S* James's the 12^^ day
of March 1752 ' in the twenty fifth Year of
Our Reign.
Whereas many of the Laws heretofore passed in
Our Colonies and Plantations in America respectively,
have from time to time, been either entirely or in part
repealed, and others of them are expired, altered,
amended or explained by means whereof Persons not
well acquainted with the said Laws may be led into
Mistakes and great Prejudice and Inconvenience may
arise, to Our Service. And whereas nothing can more
effectually tend to promote Order and good Govern-
ment, secure the Properties and Possessions of Our
Subjects, and prevent Litigious Controversies and Dis-
putes than a Clear and well digested Body of Laws, it
is therefore our Will and Pleasure, and you are here-
by required, and directed jointly with Om- Council and
the Assernbly of Our Island of Jamaica, under your
Government, forthwith to consider and revise, all and
every the Laws, Statutes and Ordinances which are in
force within Our said Island, excepting only such as
' A like instruction, mutatis mutandis, was sent to Henry Grenville, Governor of
Barbadoes, William Matthew, of Leeward Islands, Jolin Tinker, of Bahamas, Wil-
liam Popple, of Bermuda, William Glen, of South Carolina, Gabriel Johnston, of
North Carolina, Jonathan Belcher, of New Jersey, George Clinton, of New York,
Wm. Shirley, of Massachusetts Bay, Penning Wentworth, of New Hampshire.
Edward Trelawny, of Jamaica.
'^ Order of Council approving of those instructions. Api-il \4. 1752.— Ed.
28 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
relate to private Property, or are otherwise of a pri-
v^ate nature, and in lieu thereof to frame and pass a
complete and well digested Body of new Laws, taking
especial care, that in the passing of each Law, due Ee-
gard be had to the Method and Regulations prescribed
by our Instructions to you, and that no Law of any
kind whatever, making a part of such new Body of
Laws, be passed without a Clause be inserted therein,
suspending and deferring the Execution thereof, untill
Our Royal Will and Pleasure may be known there-
upon. And it is our further Will and Pleasure, that
when the said new Body of Laws shall have been so
framed and passed as aforesaid, you do forthwith
transmit each Law seperately under the Seal of Our
said Island, together with very particular Observations
thereupon, to Our Commissioners for Trade and Plan-
tations, in order to be laid before Us in Our Privy
Council for Our Approbation or Disallowance.
Report of the Lords of Trade to the Lords of the Privy
Council, relating to tJie improper Publication
made in Neii^ Jersey of an Order of their Lord-
ships, and to some Proceedings of the Assembly
of that Province.
I From P. R. O. B. T. New J(-rsey, Vol. 15. p. 36.->. |
To the Right Hon^'*' the Lords of His Majesty's
most Hon^/'' Privy Council.
March l^''^ 1752
My Lords.
Robert Hunter Morris Esquire, One of His Majesty's
Council & Chief Justice of the Province of New Jersey
in America, hath lately laid before Us, amongst other
1'<'52-] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 29
Papers relative to the State of Affairs in that Prov-
ince, an extract of the Journals of the said Council
transmitted to him by M!" Alexander, a Member there-
of, by which it appears that on the 3? of October last,
.the Speaker laid before the House a Paper, from the
Governor which was read, and being enter'd at length
upon the said Journal, appears to be a Copy of an
Order of the Lords of the Committee of His Majesty's
Council for Plantation Affairs, made in consequence
of Our Report to their Lordships upon the State of
Affairs in that Province, dated the 1^' of June 1750.
M' Morris hkewise laid before Us an Extract of a
Letter from the said Alexander to him, dated at New
York, the 27. of October 1751, in which, speaking of
ihe Journals of the Council, he acquaints him, "'That
" the report of the Lords of the Committee enter'd
"October 31 came from M'" Partridge, Agent to the
"Province, to the Assembly, and instead of being
"against them, they look'd upon it as a Conquest, or
"that the matter was hung up for ever, and in the
" mean time were determined to crush those who had
"complain'd of them"
We thought it Our Duty upon this Information to
call W- Partridge before Us, who has acknowledged
that thinking it his Duty to inform his Constituents of
whatever pass'd here relative to the Affairs of the
Province, and conceiving that the aforemeution'd
Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council was
final, and of a pubhck Nature, he did obtain a Copy of
it, and transmitted it to the Province: And We find by
an authentick Copy of the Journal of the Council of
said Province, lately transmitted to Us by M" Belcher
His Majesty's (xovernor, that on the 3? of October 1751,
the Speaker laid before the House in a Legislative
Capacity, from the said Governor a Copy of the said
Order, which is enter'd at lai-ge upon the said Journal.
We must further beg Leave humbly to inform your
30 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Lordsliips that it appears from the Votes of the As-
sembly of the said Province transmitted to Us by the
said Governor that on the 15^" of Octo'^ 1751 the said
Assembly pass'd a Bill for the support of the Govern-
ment for one year, and sent it up to the Council, who,
on the 2 p.-, return'd it with some Amendments; That
the Assembly not only rejected these Amendments,
but separated them from the Bill, and came to a Reso-
lution to send it up to the Governor, returning the
Amendments to the Council with a Message, setting
forth " that as they were of no use to them, they knew
" of no other method than returning them, keeping
" the Bill in order to be presented to the Governor by
"the hands of the Speaker, which they did in con-
" formity to that august House of Commons of Eng-
"land and the ancient Practices of the Assemblys of
"New Jersey; that their first sending the Bill to the
" Council proceeded from that spirit of complacency
" and hearty desire of doing every thing in their Power
" to proi^agate a good Harmony among the Branches
"of the Legislature, & that, considering the present
" unhapppy Circumstances of the Colony, they were
"willing to suspend some of their Priviledges, when
" that Conduct seem'd most satisfactory to the Coun-
"cil," but the Bill returning with such a Train of
Alterations to the Substance thereof sufficiently con-
vinced them that the yielding their Privileges, was not
the way to establish Harmony, therefore they return'd
the said proposed Amendm'* to the Council, to whom
they seem'd most properly to belong and retain'd the
said Bill in order to present the same by the hands of
their Speaker, to the Governour, to be by him laid
before the Council.
It appears however from the said Votes that the
Governor refused to receive the said Bill so sent up to
him by the Assembly, and that the Assembly there-
upon sent it to the Council, that tliey might consider
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 31
»
whether they ought to recede from or adhere to their
Amendments, and upon the Council adhering to their
Amendments and desiring a Conference, the Assembly
unanimously resolved that the Council had no right to
amend a money Bill, and therefore they refused a
Conference.
We must here observe to your Lordships that this
Claim of the Assembly to exclude the Council from
making any Amendments to money bills was con-
stantly urged by them during the Administration of
the late Governor, but as His Majesty has never allow'd
of such a Privilige in the Assemblies of other Prov-
inces, this Board upon all such occasions earnestly
recommended to the said Governor to continue a vig-
ourous Opposition to such unwarrantable Pretensions.
As some of the Facts abovemention'd relate to the
improper publication of an Order of your Lordships,
and the Proceedings in the Province of New Jersey
appear to Us greatly to affect the future peace of the
said Province, the State of which has been lately under
the Consideration of your Lordships, We thought it
Our Duty to lay these matters fully before your Lord-
ships.
We are &c.
Dunk Halifax Fran: Fane
J: Pitt Ja: Oswald.
C. Townshend.
33 ADMIXISTHATTOX OF ftOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. William Morris
— about the establishment of a Library at Trenton.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soe.J
Eliz: Town Mar 20 1752
Mr Morris
Sir (Extract)
* "" * I have not yet read over what you inclosed
for the Gov' to do for the better EstabUshm* of o'
Trenton Library but you may depend I shall always
be willing to do every thing proper on my part for
promoting & strengthen^ any scheme that may have
a tendency to j)i'opagate & advance Religion and Learn-
ing w*^'' will be of so great advantage to the pr;sent
and future generations.
I am Sir your ready Frd.
J Belcher
Letter from the Earl of Holdernesse to the Lords of
Trade — enclosing Order of Council of March 11,
1752.
I From P. H. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 15.J
Whitehall 30*/^ March 1752
The Lords of Trade
My Lords
An humble Representation, having been laid before
The King, setting forth, the present flourishing State,
of His Majesty's Colonies in America, as well with
regard, to Number of Inhabitants, as to the Increase
of Trade, in those Parts of His Majesty's Dominions,
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 33
& that it is highly necessary, that the greatest Care &
Attention should be had, to the Good Government of,
& regular Administration of Justice, in the said Amer-
ican Colonies, His Majesty was graciously pleased, to
refer the said Representation, to a Committee of The
King's Most Honourable Privy Council, directing them,
to consider of the properest Means for obtaining this
desireable End, & the said Coraaiittee, having made
thereon, their humble Eeport to the King, His Majes-
ty was pleased, to direct an Order of Council, a Copy
of which is herewith inclosed, & to which. Your Lord-
ships will please to conform Yourselves hereafter.
And whereas Your Lordships are hereby directed,
to prepare a Draught of an Additional Instruction, to
be sent'to the Governors of all His Majesty's said Colo-
nies & Plantations, directing them, to correspond for
the Future, with Your Lordships 07ily: excepting in
such Cases, as may require His Majesty's more imme-
diate Directions; I have His Majesty's Command, to
signify to Your Lordships, that it is The King's
Pleasure, You should transmit to One of His Majesty's
Principal Secretaries of State, in order to their being
laid before The King, all such Letters, as shall, for the
future be addressed to you, from any Governor, or
other Person, or Persons, acting as such, in any of
His Majesty's Colonies, or Plantations in America,
which may in any wise, relate to His, or Their Con-
duct towards the Governor, or other Chief Officers, of
any Foreign Prince, Power, or Potentate, whatsoever;
As also such Letters as may relate to the Transactions
of any Foreign Governor, or other Officer, towards
them, or any of His Majesty's Subjects under Their
Direction, & Regulation; And also, that Your Lord-
ships should, in like Manner, transmit unto One of
His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, a Draught
of such Answers, as you shall prepare, to be given to
any such Letter or Letters, or shall fall within the
4
34 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
abovementioned Description, in Order to it's being laid
before His Majesty, for His Eoyal Approbation; And
your Lordships are hereby directed, not to transmit to
any of His Majesty's Governors, or other Person, or
Persons acting as such, any Orders or Directions, re-
lating to His or Their Conduct, so far as it may affect,
or be any vt^ise construed to affect, any Foreign Prince,
Power, or Potentate, whatsoever untill the same shall
have received The King's Approbation, signified to
Your Lordships by One of His Majesty's Principal
Secretaries of State. As to all other Matters of Cor-
respondence, which shaU from hence forward pass,
between Your Lordships, & the respective Governors,
in America, you will please, to proceed in the usual
Manner.
And whereas Your Lordships are further directed,
by the said Order of Council, from Time to Time, as
Vacancies shaU happen by Deaths, or Removals, to
present unto His Majesty, for His Approbation, the
Name or Names of such Person or Persons, as Your
Lordships, from the best of Your Judgment and In-
formation shall think duly quahfied to be Governors,
or Deputy Governors, or to be of His Majesty's Coun-
cil, or of His Council at Law, or Secretaries in the
respective Plantations; And likewise to present
to His Majesty for His Approbation, the Names of all
other Officers, which have been, or may be found nec-
essary for the Administration of Justice, & the Execu-
tion of Government there, excepting only such, as are,
or may be, appointed for the Direction, & Regulation
of His Majesty's Customs, & Revenues, & such as are,
or may be, under the Directions & Authority of the
Lords Commissioners of the Admu-alty. I have The
King's Directions, to inform Your Lordships of His
Royal Intention, as to the Manner of Your Proceeding
herein, viz*. That in all such Cases, where the Names
of proper Persons for any of the Offices abovemen-
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 35
tioned, have usually been laid before His Majesty in
Council, Your Lordships are to follow the same Method
for the future, & in all other cases provided for by this
Order of Council, Your Lordships are to transmit to
One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, to
be by Him laid before The King, for His Majesty's
Approbation, the Names of such Persons, as you shall
judge the most capable, of executing any such Office
or Trust as specified in the abovementioned Order of
Council.
I am My Lords
Your Lordships' Most obedient humble Servant
HOLDERNESSE.
(Enclosed in the foregoing.)
Copy of the Earl of Holdernesse's Circular Let-
ter to His Maty's Gov^.^
Whitehall 30'^ March 1Y52.
Sir
I have His Majesty's Commands, to transmit to you,
the Copy of an Order in Council, calculated for the
future Regulation and Government of His Majesty's
American Colonies, and I likewise send you inclosed,
the Copy of a Letter, which The King has directed me
to write, to The Loi'ds Commissioners for Trade &
Plantations, explaining the Method, in which it is His
Majesty's Royal Pleasure, Their Lordships should put
in Execution the said Order of Council, & You will
accordingly receive an Additional Instruction, from
the said Lords Commissioners for Trade & Planta-
tions, directing You for the future, to address Your
Letters to Their Lordships only, except in such Cases,
as may require His Majestys more immediate Direc-
tions; And it is the King's Pleasure, that you should
for the future, conform yourself to the said Order of
Council.
36 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1751
But whereas it may hapj)en, that Circumstances of
a very high & important Nature may arise which may
require the utmost Secrecy, it is The King's Pleasure,
that if any such should occurr, within the District of
your Government, you should forthwith, with the
utmost Diligence & Exactitude, transmit an Account
thereof to one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries
of State onhj\ And You are in such Case, to follow all
Orders and Directions, which His Majesty shall think
proper, to direct one of His Principal Secretaries of
State, to transmit to You in consequence thereof.
I am Sir Your most
obedient humble Servant
HOLDERNESSE
Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Partridge
— Mr. Ashfield acquitted.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
Eliz: Tow^ April 8 1752
Bro: Partridge (Extract.)
Young Ashfield has lately been try'd upon the In-
dictm' & clear'd by a nicety in Law altho' I believe
every Body tho't him guilty of the Fact I intend soon to
send you a Copy of his Case with further Affidavits
of his Abusing the Gov' w''' things being represented
at the Board of Trade and impartially judg'd of I
think must fully justify my Conduct in the Affair
depending.
I am told that there are Comiss" coming from Eng-
land to make inquiry into the Affairs of the Province.
I wish they may soon Arrive and that I may have
some fresh Advices from you. '-^ * '^ ^'
I remain with kind respects
Sir your lov^ Brother & frd.
J Belcher
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 37
Letter from Governor Belcher to Andrew Johnston,
one of the Council, and Samuel Nevill, Judge of
the Supreme Court — relating to the imprisonment
of Simon Wyckoff.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc. 1
Eliz: Town April 11 1752
Qeyit"
I understand one Cornelius' Wyckoff is Commited
to Gaol in P. Araboy for High Treason and John'
Waller the Gaol Keeper who is now with me says he
has too much reason to believe the s*^ Wyckoff's
Friends will attempt to deliver him out of Gaol by force
I have therefore made out upon the Sheriff the in-
closed Special Warrant that he may take the better
care to have the Gaol well secured that he may still be
safely kept in Custody and as you are Gent" of Super-
iour Order in this His Majestys Government I desire &
expect from you that in your several Stations you do
all in your power to encourage & protect the Sheriff
in his Office that no insult or Outrage bo committed
on His Majestys Authority.
I am with due Respect
Gent"^ Your Fr" & Serv*
J Belcher
To the Hon'"'' And^ Johnston Esq One of His Maj-
esty's Council Samuel Nevill Esq — One of the
Judges of the Supreme Court, Province of New
Jersey.
' Simon in margin. ' William in Letter, John in margin.
38 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEBNOR BELCHER. [1752
Letter from Governor Belcher to Samuel Nevill —
about the riot at Perth Amhoy.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Euz: Town April 14 1T52
Judge Nevill
Sir
I have just now reed yours of this day's date with
the Affidavits and the particular Ace' of the breaking
open of Am boy gaol and taking out from thence Simon
Wickoff who stood there Committed for High Treason
and of the Rioters carrying him clear off w"'' is an Ac-
tion of the highest & most Outrageous Insult upon the
Kings Authority and demands the greatest resentment
of all Persons in power in this Province that every
possible step shou'd be taken for recovering the s''
"Wickoff for the returning him into Gaol.
I must observe that I think the Sheriff after M""
Johnstons and your sending for him has been too in-
dolent & negligent in this matter for I don't find that
he in any measure follow'd Col' Johnston & your Ad
vice in order to repel such a violent proceeding.
To be sure his under Officer Waller was guilty of
the most unwarrantable breach of Duty in suffering
the s' Wickoff to be absent from the Gaol for three
days together & really deserves the severest punish-
ment the Law can inflict upon him.
I think the method you propose for the more sure
recovery of Wickoff is the most rational & feazible
& therefore wou'd have the matter talkt of as little as
may be.
In the mean time I have ordered M' Secry Eead to
Summon all the Members of the Council to meet me
here without delay to advise with them what steps
1752] ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOviERXOR BELCflER. 30
may be most prudent for Supporting the Kings Gov-
ernment of this Province & for bringing all the persons
concerned in this late Outrage to Condign Punishment.
I am with kind respects
Hon*^"^ Sir Your Fr'^ & Serv'
J Belcher.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary Read
— about riot at Perth Amhoy.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Libraiy of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Eliz: Town April 14 1752
Me. Secretary Read.
Sir
Mr Sheriff Deare is now with me and gives me the
Account of the Rioters coming yesterday to Amboy
Goal & in an Outrageous manner rescuing Samuel
Wickoff who stood there committed for High Treason
& of their carrying him clear off.
Upon this Extraordinary insult on the Kings Au-
thority of this Province I think it absolutely necessary
to convene the Kings Council & it is therefore my
order that you send forth a Notification to each Mem-
ber with all possible dispatch that they meet me here
at such a day as you judge the most remote of them
can comply with the time you may set.'
Notwithstanding there is an Order of Council for
their quarterly Meeting yet this is an Affair of too
high a nature to be delayed one day.
I am Hono''"^ Sir Your Fr" & Serv?
J. Belcher
' Meeting was called for April 24th, but only three members attended ; nothing
was done.— Ed.
40 ADMIN'tSTEATIOK' OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. [1752
Letter from Judge Samuel Nevill to Governor Belcher
— informing him of the result of the trial of
Leivis Morris Ashfield.
I From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 17. J
Judge Nevillf Letter relating to the Tryal of
M'' Lewis Morris Ashfield
Perth Amboy, April 17: 1752
May it please Your Excellency
According to Your Request, I herewith send you,
the most particular Account I am capable of Collecting
from my Notes and Memory of the Tryal of M' Lewis
Ashfield at the Supreme Court of Judicature held in
March last at Perth Amboy, upon an Indictment for a
Misdemeanour, in speaking the following words to one
John Hite, a Constable, to wit, God damn you, with
your Kings Laws.
John Hite deposed, That upon a Sunday some time
in the Month of August last, about One or Two
O'clock, as he was coming home from Meeting at
Cranberry, he heard some body swearing profanely
That he went up to them, and desir'd them not to
Swear: That M' Ashfield was in Company; but did not
hear M' Ashfield Swear, and that he seemed to be
sober: That he reprimanded them for Swear-
ing, and told them to have Regard to the King' Laws:
and Ashfield reply 'd, Damn you with your Kings
Laws That he went up to them with Design to dis-
charge his Duty, in reprimanding those that Swore:
and that he did not lay Hands on Ashfield before he
struck him.
Abraham Cottinam, (who then acted as Kings At-
torney) deposed, That the Words, as given to him at
1752] ADMTN-ISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 41
first to draw the Indictment by, were, God damn you,
AND THE Kings Laws too That he afterwards asked
Hite, whether he was sure those were the Words; That
Hite, after some Hesitation, said. That he, (meaning
Ashfield) did not say so; but that he said, God damn
you WITH YOUR King] Laws and this he said before the
Grand Jury
Hite then being ask'd by the Court, What the
Words were, which Ashfield spoke, rephed he was
sure they were Damn you, with your Kings Laws.
Humphry Mount deposed, That he was certain, that
Ashfield said. Damn yon, and the King] Laws.
Jonathan Hankins deposed. That Ashfield said,
God damn you, and your King' Laws too.
The Defendant then produced several Evidences,
who deposed that they were present during the dispute,
as Lookers-on, and no way engaged in the Affray.
That they heard no such words spoken: & if they had
been spoken, they shou'd have certainly taken Notice
of them.
Daniel Connor deposed in particular, That Hite grew
warm, and said, he wou'd carry them (meaning Ash-
field, Vanhorn, and Salter) toAmboy Gaol: That they
Offered him Bail: & Hite said, he would take no Bail:
And that Hite then laid Hands first upon Ashfield; &
Ashfield struck him with his Whip: That Hite then
call'd for Assistance; and then Mount and Hankins en-
gaged in the Affray: That in the Skirmish, Hitef Wife
coming up and received a Stroke upon her Arm with a
Whip from Ashfield Accidentally: And that upon her
teUing M' Ashfield of it, he said, he was sorry for it;
and gave the Woman a five and Thirty Shilling Bill.
The last Particular was own'd by Hite; who said,
M"" Ashfield had made them full Satisfaction, and that
he always took him to be a very Civil Gentleman, not-
withstanding the Dispute which then happened be-
tween them.
42 APMIiflSTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Hite was ask'd, Whether he had not declared, That
he was spirited up by some Persons to accuse M"" Ash-
field in the manner he had done.
Upon which Hite reply'd, He had never said so.
Thomas Duncan then deposed, That John Hite had
declared to him, That he shou'd never have accused,
or said anything against M"" Ashfield, if he had not
been prompted to it by Andrew Gordon and John
Thompson.
Upon the Whole the Court cou'd not in Justice help
observing to the Jury, That out of a great Number of
People then present, not one Evidence appeared in Be-
half of the King, to support the words charged in the
Indictment, except Hite, Mount, and Hankins, who
were all in the Heat of Blood, and warmly engag'd in
the Quarrel; and each contradicted the other as to the
Words said to be spoken by M' Ashfield; which gave
Rise to the Point of Law that Your Excellency heard
arose upon the Tryal, which Your Excellency will find
in 2 Hawk. Chap. 46. Fol. 430 Sect. 36 Tit. Evidence.
The Jury aiter a short Stay, acquitted Ashfield of
the Indictment.
/^u^j^Sijteo
A True Copy of a Letter, from Samuel Nevill Esqr,
One of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the Prov-
ince of New Jersey, so far as relates to the Tryal of
M- Lswis Morris Aslifield, upon the Indictment brought
against him in the said Court. J. B.
' For biographical notice of Judge Nevill see Vol. VI, p. 323.— Ec.
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 43
Papers relating to a riot at Perth Amboy, April 13,
1752.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. G )
Extract of the Minutes of Council y^ 24*.^ of
April 1752, and Copies of several Papers re-
lating to a notorious Riot committed y"* IS**"
of that Month in the City of Perth Amboy,
by some Villians that broke open y® Goal
there, & delivered one who was committed
as a Prisoner for High Treason.
Rec^ with Gov'' Belcher's Letter dated y® 1^.' of
May 1752.
At a Council held at Elizabeth Town on fryday
the 24*.^ day of April 1752.
PEESENT
His Excellency the Governx)r M^ Hude M''
Kemble Mr Ogden
His Excellency Spoke to the Council as follows.
Gentlemen of the Council
I am Sorry for the Occasion of my Calling you to-
gether at this time, Which is to lay before you a
Notorious Outrage Committed upon His Majestys
Authority in this Province, by a Number of Lawless
Villains, in breaking open his Majesties Goal in the
County of Middlesex, and Rescuing from thence One
Simon Wycoff, who Stood there Committed for high
Treason.
The 11'." Instant John Waller, keeper of the said
Goal, w^as with me, and told me he had Reason to be-
lieve that there would be a forceable attempt made to
44 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BKLCHER. [1752
deliver the said Wycoff out of Goal: Upon which I
immediately made out a Warrant to William Deare
Esq!" Sheriff of the said County, to use all possible
means according to Law to prevent any such Outrage
and to keep the said Wycotf in Safe Custody.
And at the same time I wrote a Letter to the hon-
ourable Andrew Johnston Esq One of his Majestys
Council, And Samuel Nevill Esq One of the Judges of
the Supream Court Of his Majestys Province of New
Jersey Particularly advising them of the Matter, and
Inclosed to them the Warrant I made out to the
Sheriff: The Answer to which Letter I. also now lay
before you with some affidavits Relating to this Affair;
And I am not a little Surprized that no Steps were
taken to oppose Such a Violence to be Committed on
his Majesties honour and Government.
In this Extraordinary affair I now ask your advice,
What may be most proper to be done for the Support
of his Majesties Government, for y'' better keeping of
the peace of this Province; and whether it might not
be necessary to Call the Assembly together to have
their Advice and Assistance in this matter, and
Whether any thing Can be done in the mean time to
Express our utter abhorence and detestation of Such
wicked tumults and disorders, and for Suppressing the
Same.
The several papers I now lay before you, I have
Ordered the Secretary to enter upon the Records of
the Governor and Council.
J. Belcher
Elizabeth Town April 24. 1752.
The papers Refered to in his Exc'" Speech are as
follows.
.^L^*) By his Excellency Jonathan Belcher
'*^^,4i'iEsq. Captain General, and Governor in
Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 45
Nova Cesarea or New Jersey, and Territories
thereon Depending in America, Chancellor and
Vice Admiral of the Same.
To William Deare Esqr high Sheriff of the County
of Middlesex.
Judge Read was with me a few days ago and told
me he has ordered one Simon Wykoff (Called a Cap-
tain among the late Rioters) to be Committed to Am-
boy Goal for high Treason; and this Day John Waller,
who keeps the said Goal, has been with me and Says
that he has good Reason to beheve that there will be a
forceable attempt made to deliver the said Wykoff out
of Goal.
These are therefore to require you in his Majesties
name to use all possible means according to Law to
prevent any Such outrageous proceeding, and to Con-
tinue the said Wykoff in safe Custody.
Given under my hand and Seal at arms at Elizabeth
Town April 11'", 1752.
J. Belcher
Gentlemen
I understand one Simon Wykoff is Committed to
Goal at P. Amboy for high Treason, and John Waller
the Goal keeper (who is now with me) Says he has too
much reason to beheve the Said Wykoff's friends wUl
attempt to deliver him out of Goal by force; I have
therefore made out upon the Sheriff the Inclosed
Special AA^arrant, that he may take the better Care to
have the Goal well Secured, that the said Wykoff may
Still be Safely kept in Custody; and as you are Gentle-
men of Superiour Order in this his Majesties Govern-
ment, I desire and expect from you that in your Sev-
eral Stations you do all in your power to Encourage
46 ADMINISTRAtlON OF GOVERIS'^OR BELCHEE. [1753
and protect the Sheriff in his office that no Insult or
outrage be Committed on his Majestys authority,
I am with due Respect Gentlemen
Your friend and Serv^
Elizabeth Town April 11. 1752 J Belcher
To the honourable Andrew Johnston Esq'" one of his
Majesties Council Samuel Nevil Esq'" one of the
Judges of the Supream Court Of his Majestys Pro-
vince of New Jersey
Perth Amboy April 14. 1752
May it please your Excellency
I Received a packet from your Excellency by W-
Waller on Sunday morning last near one o'Clock with
an Inclosed Letter directed to M' Andrew Johnston
and myself; as also your Warrant or order to the
Sheriff of Middlesex, I waited on M- Johnston the
Same morning, and pursuant to your direction we
Sent for the Sheriff and gave him your Warrant, and
at the Same time directed him to be carefuU of his
prisoner and to secure his Goal, in the best manner he
could, letting him know at the same time that he was
already Cloathed by veitue of his office with all the
power we could give him, to wit, that of Raising the
Posse Commitatus
On Monday Morning we received Some flying and
Contradictory Reports that Some people were gather-
ing together in the Country to take Wykoff out of
Goal, and M' Johnston and myself met and Continued
together till the day was far Spent, but heard nothing
further, however about three o'Clock in the afternoon
a ]^J umber of people, about twenty or upwards, with
Clubs in their hands, broke open the Goal, and Res-
cued Wykoff in the manner the Inclosed Affidavits
will Inform your Excellency. Had M' Johnston and
myself been present I conceive we could have been but
1752] ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 47
of little Service: for my real opinion is, that the power
of the Government in New Jersey is at present very
weak as to Subduing Insurrections of this Nature, no
provision being made by the Legislature to Support
that power, though frequent application have been
made by your Excell^' as well as by the late Governor,
to the Assembly for that purpose. This together with
a Seeming Reluctaucy in the people to the obedience
of Authority in the present Case, hath Rendered any
Attempts to Suppress and jDrevent Such like Riots and
disorders in a great measure Impracticable.
I wait for your Excellencys advice and direction
which method will be most prudent to Issue an Escape
Warrant and hue-&-Cry after the Traitor Wykoff, or
delay it for a few days, untill the affair grows Cool.
Some are of opinion that in the latter Case, he will
boldly appear in a short time and be easily taken; But
that if the Country be alarmed he will withdraw and
not be taken at all, or with Great difficulty. Which of
the Schemes is most adviseable, I submit to your Ex-
cellencys wise Consideration, and Refer you for fur-
ther particulars to the Sheriff, who now waits upon
your Excellency for your orders. Instructions and
Commands in this unhappy and Critical affair.
M- Waller, when he waited upon your Excellency,
did not inform You that he had permitted this Traitor
Wykoff to go home privately and unknown to the
Sheriff; and that he, Waller, furnished him with a
horse for that purpose; and that the said Wykoff was
gone from fryday the 3? to Monday the <i'" of this In-
stant April; Which time I doubt not V\^ykoft" employ-
ed in Raising and Spiriting up his friends to Rescue
him from tlie Goal. And Waller did not inform the
Sheriff of those fears and apprehensions of Wykoffs
being Rescued, which he Related to your Excellency.
Of this Affair the Sheriff wiU likewise further inform
youi* Excellency.
48 ADMINISTRATION' OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [I'J'SS
I impatiently wait for your Excellencys further ad-
vice and directions, and shall be always ready to do
every thing in my power for the Security of his Sacred
Majesties person & Governm* (whom God long pre-
serve from all Treasons and Traiterous Conspiracies)
and for preserving the peace of the King's Government
here in New Jersey. I am, Sir, with all due Respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant
Samuel Nevill
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq.
Netv Jersey ss.
James Newell of the City of Perth Amboy Taylor
of full age maketh Oath, that on Monday the 13"' of
April 1752 he this Deponent was told that the Rioters
were Breaking open the Goal in the said City of Perth
Amboy, upon which he went to the said Goal where
he saw a Number of people, about twenty, armed with
Clubs about the said Goal; That the outer door was
then opon, and he heard a great knocking within the
Goal as if it was breaking open Locks; That soon
after he saw one Simon Wykoff brought out amidst a
number of people and mounted on horseback, and
Carried off in Triumph by the Rioters, who huzza'd as
they went away. And this Deponent further Saith
that he Saw one Benjamin Coiie among the Said
Rioters with a Club in his hand. And further this
Deponent Saith not.
James Newell
Sworn this IB^? day of April 1752. Before us
And^^' Johnston
Samuel Nevill
Copy.
New Jersey ss.
Thomas Fox of the City of Perth Amboy Gentl.
maketh oath, that on monday the 13"' of April 1752
he this Deponent was in Company with William Deare
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 49
Esq high Sheriff of the County of Middlesex, when
Some persons came and told the said Sheriff that a
Number of people were Coming to break open the
Goal; upon which the Sheriff desired this Deponent to
go with him to the Said Gaol, to bear witness of what
pass'd; That they went up accordingly, and presently
came up a Number of people with Club in their hands
on horseback; that one of them gave the word of Com-
mand to dismount, whereupon the Sheriff' put himself
betvireen them and the prison door, and demanded what
they came there for; that one of them, a Lusty Man,
and a Dutchman as this Deponent believes, Said they
were come for Simon Wykoff and would have him
out; that the Sheriff' forewarned them from breaking
open the Kings prison ; That they then Cryed out in a
Tumultuous manner that they Loved King George
better than he or any body there, and would have Jus-
tice: or words to that effect; they then Demanded the
keys of the Sheriff, and said if he would not deliver
them they would break open the Goal, and that they
did not want to hurt him or any one else, but they
would have him out; that the Shei'iff refused to Deliver
the keys; That some persons from behind Called out>
Who hath the keys Damn them, whip them till they
deliver them: or words to that Effect; That they then
Said he must give the keys and it would be better for
him; that this Deponent told them that it was as much
as Office or his Life was worth, and that it wa,s a
shame to abuse an officer in the Execution of his
office; they Reply ed they did not Care, they would
have Justice; That this deponent told them that if
they would have patience they would liave Justice;
they Replyed they had Stayed long enough, and now
all was quiet, they had began again with them; that
they then Cryed out again in a Tumultuous nanner
why do you delay, break it open; that they then pro
ceeded to break open the Goal with Iron Instruments,
5
50 ADillXlSTllATIOX OF GOVEKKOK BELCFIEK. [1752
and broke the outer Door, when a Number of the
Rioters Crouded in; and Soon after this Deponent Saw
the Said Rioters bring the aforesaid Simon Wykoff
out of the Goal, and that they mounted him on horse
back, and Carried him off in a Triumphant manner
with Loud Huzzas. And further this Deponent
Saithnot. Tho! Fox.
Sworn this IB"' day of April 1752 Before us
And'' Johnston
Samuel Nevill
New Jersey ss.
WiLLiAiii DearE Esq high Sheriff of the County of
Middlesex maketh Oath that about 3 o'Clock on mon-
day the 13*i' of April 1752 in the afternoon, he this De-
ponent Seeing a great number of people coming into
Town on horse back, and being informed that they
were Coming to take one Simon Wykoff out of the
Goal of the County of Middlesex, who had been Com-
mitted to the said Goal by Judge Read upon an
Indictment found against him for high Treason, he
this Deponent went up to the Said Goal, and Soon
after a Number of persons on horseback came up,
about Twenty, as this Deponent believes, most of them
armed with Chibs, that he this Deponent asked them
wiiat their business was: that some of them Replied
they Came for Simon Wykoff, and demanded the keys
of the Goal, of this Deponent; That this Deponent
Refused to deliver the keys, upon which some of them
said that he this Deponent had better dehver the keys
than have the Doors broke open for they would not
pay for the Locks if they broke them; that this De-
pon' forewarned them from breaking open the kings
Goal at their Peril, that one of the said Company,
who this Deponent believes to be one Hegeman, a Son
of Adrian Hegeman, and a Blacksmith now or lately
living in the Comity of Somerset and province of New
1753] ADMIXISTIIATIOX OF (JOVEKXOR BELCHER. 51
Jersey, went up to the outward door of the Said Goal,
which was fastned with a padlock on the outside, and
with a hammer & Chizell broke open the Said Door,
upon which a Number of the Eioters Eushed into the
Said Goal, and broke open the Entry door, and after-
wards broke open a Door which led into a Room where
the aforesaid Simon W\^koff was Confined; that the
Said Simon Wykoff was Rescued out of this Depo-
nents Custody in the manner afore mentioned, and
was mounted upon a horse and Carried off in Triumph
with Loud huzza's by the Said Rioters. And this De-
ponent further Saith that he Saw one Benjamin Corle
on hoi-seback amongst the said Rioters with a Club in
his hand, and that he Saw another person there whom
he believes likewise to be a Son of the aforesaid
Adrian Hegeman. And further this Deponent Saith
not. W"? Deare.
Sworn this 1?>"' day of April 1752 before us
And" Johnston
Samuel Nevill
His Excellency desired the advice of Council thereon.
The Council were of opinion that as the Disturb-
ances of this Province have for some time past been
under the Consideration of his Majesty and his Minis-
ters, and it is Expected that advices will soon arrive
from home Relating to the Same, this Board were of
opinion that the deferring their advice till their quar-
terly meeting on the lo'!' of May next may be most
expedient; hoping in the mean time his Excels will
Receive directions from his Majesty in those affairs.
52 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOK BELCHER. [1752
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
— relating to the riot at Perth Amhoy.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers iu Ldbraiy of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
May 1 1752
(Extract.)
* " * Your Lordships will see that altho' I early
summond a Council on this matter [the riot at Perth
Amboy] there Appeared only 3 of the Members & they
wou'd give no Opinion in the Affair for want of a
fuller Number of the Council w"' I shall expect to see
the 11^'' of this ins* after which I shall not fail to ac-
quaint y' Lordships what further measures may be
taken for Suppressing this Outrageous insult upon the
King's hon' & Governm*.
I almost forgot to say to your L''ships that after a
few d' Simon Wickoff Volun: returned to his Con-
finem* but this sure can be no Aleviation of the Atro-
cious C*rime of w'^ he & his Accomplices had been
guilty. J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Partridge
about riot at Perth Amboy.
[From Belcher Papers in Libraiy of N. J. Hist. Soc]
May 1 1752
M"* Richard Partridge
Bro: Partridge ( Extiact. »
•X- '.i vj j^ jg with much Concern that I am obliged
to observe to you that a Riot was Committed the 13"'
of last month by a Number of about 20 Lawless Vil-
lains who broke open the Kings Goal at P. Amboy &
deliver'd from thence one Simon Wikoff who was
1752] ADMIKISTRATIOX OF OOVEllXOR BHLCITEK. 53
there Committed for High Treason the Papers relating
thereto I send with the inclosed to the Lords of Trade
whose L' I leave open for y' perusal & then you will
seal & deUver it altho' the Man is since return'd to
Goal yet I am afraid this will give an unhappy turn to
the Affairs of this Province You will see I have done
what was necessary & proper in the matter & when
the Council meets me I shall be able to say what steps
will be further taken in this Vile Affair.
I am Yom' lov^ Bro.
J Belcher
Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for
Plantation Affairs, referring to the considera-
tion of the Lords of Trade a i^eport made by
His Majesty^ s Attorney and Solicitor-General
relating to many outrageous and riotous pro-
ceedings carried on for some years last past by
several inhabitants of the Province of Neiv Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 7, H, No. 7.]
1 L.S. '-
At the Council Chamber Whitehall
= the 7*^ day of May- 1752
By the Right Honourable the Lords of the
Committee of Council for Plantation Af-
fairs.
TVhereas there was this day laid before the Lords of
the Committee of Council, a Report made by His Maj-
esty's Attorney and Solicitor General, upon Consider-
ing a R'eport of the Lords Commissioners for Trade
and Plantations, as also several other Papers relating
to the many gi'eat Outragious and Riotous proceedings
that have been carried on for some Years past by
o4 AnMTNiSTRATIOX OF CtOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
several of the Inhabitants in the Province of New
Jei'sey; And likewise upon Considering three Petitions
of the Possessors of Land in Essex, Middlesex, and
Somerset, being the Persons concerned in the said
Riotous proceedings Setting forth amongst other things
as the cause and Foundation of such their Proceed-
ings, their having been threatned to be turned out of
the Possession of the Lands which had been Purchased
by their Ancestors and themselves from the Indian
Sachems, the Original Possessors of all the Lands
there, several Ejectments having been brought against
them for that Pur])ose— The Lords of the Committee
this day took the said Report of His Majestys Attor-
ney and Solicitor General into their Consideration
together with a Draught of a Commission Pi-epared by
them and annexed to their said Report For making an
Enquiry into the Causes of the Rise Progress and Con-
tinuance of the said Commotions, with Blanks left
therein for the Names of such Persons as His Majesty
should be pleased to Nominate Conuuissionei's for that
Purpose — And the Lords of the Committee are hereby
Pleased to refer the said Report and Draught of
Commission (Copys whereof are hereunto annexed)
to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations
who are to Consider thereof, and of the manner, in
which they conceive the said Commission niay be most
Properly carried into Execution, And Report the same
to this Committee, together with their Opinion there-
upon, W: Sharpe.
To the Right Honourable the Lords of a Com-
mittee of His Majestys Most Honourable
Privy Council
May it please Your Lordships
In piirstiauce of Your Lordships Order of the 30^'' of
July last Setting forth that Your Lordships had taken
175*2] ADMINISTKATIOX OF GOVERXOH BELCHER. 55
into Consideration a Report made by the Lords Com-
missioners for Trade and Plantations upon the State
and Conditicm of His Majestys Province of New Jer-
sey in America; whereby it appears that many and
great outragious & riotous proceedings have been car-
ried on for some Years past by several of the Inhabit-
ants m that Province That the Goals have been broke
open by large Bodys of People and prisoners freed and
set at liberty; and that the Power of the Government
has not been sufficient to put a Stop thereto, in regard
the Assembly did not concurr with the proposals re-
peatedly made to them by the Governor and Council
for strrngthening their hands and bringing the Of-
fenders to Justice — That the Reasons assigned for the
Cause & Foundation of these violent proceedings (as
appear by three Petitions of the Possessors of Land in
Essex Middlesex & Somerset referred by His Majesty
to Your Lordships) are the Apprehensions they are
under of being turned out of the Possession of their
Lands which they alledge to have been purchased by
their Ancestors and themselves from the Indian
Sachems the Original Possessors of all the Lands
there several Ejectments having been brought against
them for that purpose Upon Consideration whereof
Your Lordships were of Opinion that it wiU not only
be necessary but expedient on this Occasion to cause a
strict enquiry to be made into the true and real Cause
& Foundation of these Disturbances. And to that end,
were thereby pleased to Order That we do consider of
proper methods to be taken for enquiring into the
Grievances of the Kings Subjects in that Province re-
lating to their Possessions and to look into the preced-
ents and Commissions that have at any time been
issued on like Occasions, And that We do prepare a
proper Draught of a Commission to be issued for that
purpose leaving Blanks therein for the Names of such
Persons as His Majesty shall be pleased to nominate
56 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Commissioners and lay the said Draught before Your
Lordships with all convenient Speed
We have taken the Matter thereby referred and all
the Papers therewith transmitted to Us into Consid-
eration.
As to the Precedents & Commissions that have
issued upon the like Occasions We have not been able
to find any for enquirino- into Titles and Possessions
either here or in the foreign Dominions of this Crown
not warranted by Act of Parliament — The only One
we have found that bears any resemblance to the pre-
sent Case, is what was Granted by King Charles the
2'^ in the Year 1<5T6 To enquire into the Causes of a
Rebellion in Virginia But as that does not relate to
matters of private Property between the Subjects, It
does not appear to Us a Precedent for an inquiry of
this kind which is only proper for the Conusance of
the Ordinary Courts of Justice
We have therefore prepared the Draught of a Com-
mission in general Terms for an Enquiry into the
Causes of the rise Progress and Continuance of the
Commotions in New Jersey which is annexed to this
Report
But Your Lordships having been Pleased to Order
Us to Consider of proper Methods to be taken for
enquiring into the Grievances of the Kings Subjects in
New Jersey in relation to their Possessions
We beg leave to inform Your Lordsliips that from
the Report of the Lords Commissioners of Tra,de and
Plantations of the 1'' of June 1750 And the three Peti-
tions of the Possessors of Land in Essex Middlesex and
Somerset in the said Order mentioned It appears to
Us that the only Grievance alledged, is an Apprehen-
sion that Injustice wiU be done upon the Tryal of
Ejectm^Mits brought or Threatened to be brought
against Persons who have long been in Possession of
Lands now claimed by others upon the foundation of
175-2] A DMIVISTRATiOK OF OOVERXOR BELCHER. 67
Old Titles: and the Possessors profess only to desire that
the Matter may come fairly before His Majesty in
Council for an impartial Determination And as by
general Verdicts the Merits may be prevented from
coming before Your Lordships upon an Appeale We
humbly Submit to Your Lordships whether it might
not be proper to send an Instruction to the Governor
to recommend to the Judges upon any Tryals of
Ejectments for Lands in Essex Middlesex or Somerset
to have all the Evidence found in the Nature of a
special Verdict by which Means the whole may come
fully and fairly after the Court has given their Judg-
ment before His Majesty in Council upon an Appeal,
who will take every Circumstance of Title Possession
and Improvement into Consideration A Solem deter-
mination once had here will be a Rule for all Similar
Cases And the Nature of the Question being once un-
derstood may Point out the Way to some general
Remedy by Legislative Authority in Case any shou'd
be wanted Or if the Possessor has no Title; nor such a
Possession as any Act of Limitations in New Jersey can
protect; but has by the acquiescence of the Legal
Proprietor been permitted t(i settle the Plantation as if
the Land was his own: That may perhaps be a Ground
to apply to the Court of Equity in New Jersey for an
Injunction to quiet him in the Possession in which
Case Ukewise all the Evidence & Circumstances must
come befoj*e His Majesty in Council upon an Appeal
But We are apprehensive that without Authority to
try or Determine, Commissioners ^\ill not be able even
to State the various Questions which seem to be agi-
tated at present in New Jersey concerning Titles to
Lands; much less to quiet them.
And if it should be thought Expedient to try the
Questions which are alledged to have been the Cause
of the late troubles there in a Summary way for a
limited time; We are of Opinion that such Commission
58 ADMIXISTRATIOX OF GOVERXOR BELCHER. [1752
ought to have the Sanction of an Act of Assembly
there or an act of Parlaiment here — All which is hum-
bly Submitted to Your Lordships Consideration.
D: Ryder
12"' August 1751 W: Murray
George the Second by the Grace of God of
Great Britain France & Ireland Kmg De-
fender of the Faith &c* To Our Trusty and
Welbeloved
Greeting Whereas it has appeared to Us by the Re-
port of Ou]- Commissioners of Trade and Plantations
upon the State and Condition of Our Province of New
Jersey in America that Great Divisions and Distrac-
tions have arisen in Our said Province and many out-
ragious riotous and Treasonable Proceedings have been
carried on for some Years past by several of the In-
habitants of the said Province that the Goals have
been broke open by large bodys of People and Priso-
ners set at liberty and the Publick Justice of the
Province Interrupted and Stopt to the great Injui'y of
Our peaceable and loyal Subjects the disturbance of
Our Government and diminution of Our Royal Au-
thority in those parts We being willing to be informed
of all and singular the premises to the end that We
may apply speedy and fit Remedys and restore Peace
and Orde]' in Our said Province And having great
Confidence in Your Wisdom Diligence and loyalty do
by these presents appoint You
Our Commissioners to enquire
into and Report unto Us a true full and Impartial
State of the Case in relation to the Matters and Things
which may have given occasion to the beginning and
continuing of these Disorders and whether Our Sub-
jects of the said Province have lain or do lye under
any and what Grievances, which may in any measiu-e
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELOHKH. oO
have given rise thereto together with the Opinion of
You or any
of You thereupon to the End that We may
take such Order and give such Directions therein as
may redress all grievances and put an effectuall End
to all Disturbances and secure the future well Govern-
ment of Our said Province And We do hereby give
You or any
of You for the better Execution of Our
Royal Will and Pleasure herein full Power not only to
receive such Informations & Advertisem^f as shall be
brought unto You by or from any of Our Subjects
touching the Premises but also to enquire by the Ex-
amination of witnesses on Oath (which We do hereby
give You or any of You full power to Administei*) or
by such other Ways and Means as You or any
or more of you shall think fit
into the Premises.
And we do further give You or any
or more of You full power
to send for such Persons Books Papers and Records as
may be useful to You or any
of You for the better carrying
on the Service hereby intended Willing and requiring
Our Governor of Our said Plantation his Deputy Gover-
nor and all and every other Our Officers and Subjects
within the said Plantation to be in all things Helpfull
and assisting to You and every of You in the Execu-
tion of this Our Commission And lastly that in the
Execution and Performance of the Powers & Au-
thoritys to You hereby given, You and every of You
do carefully observe and conform Yourselves unto
such Instructions as shall be given and sent nnto You
in writing under Our Sign Manuel and for so doing
this shall be Your Warrant.
GO ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCSEK. [1752
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
about jyi'oceedings of Council.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers iu Library of N. .1. Hist. Soc.J
Eliz: Town May 19. 1752
Lords of Trade
May it please your LordshijJS
I did myself the honour of writing your Lordships
the 1 Currant. Agreeable to what I then mentioned
His Majestys Council met the 11 ins' & I now Cover to
your Lordships what they did on that Occasion by
which your Lordships will see they were against tak-
ing any Steps relating to the late Riot till the Arrival
of His Majestys Orders on this head which are earn-
estly & daily expected by this Legislature & this whole
Province.
I have so often represented to the Assembly of this
Province the unhappy Confusions and disorders that
have here Subsisted for 10 or 12 years past & have so
warmly prest them to Join with the Gov'' & Council in
some suitable Measures for Suppressing & rooting out
the Vile Spirit of Rioting and to no purpose y* when I
shall meet them again I hardly know what to add &
these things I have as often faithfully Represented to
your Lordships nor do I think any thing will stop the
Course of such Seditious and Riotous proceedings but
the Arrival of such Wise Orders as His Majesty shall
think fit to give in an Affair of such Importance for
Supporting the Kings honour and Authority as well as
the peace and Welfare of His Subjects in this Province
& I heartily wish such Orders may soon come to hand.
1 am with great Respect
My Lord Your Lordships
Most Obedient Humble Servant
J Belcher
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 61
Letter from Ooveiiior Belcher to Richard Partridge.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
May 20, 1752
Mr Richard Partridge
Bra. Partridge
•X- * * * * * * *
I observe you had been at the Board of Trade to set
forth the Irregularity and disproportion of the num-
bers of Councillors fixt in the two districts of this Pro-
vince w'^'" indeed is a violation upon the Original Com-
pact between the Crown & the Proprietors of East &
West New Jersey & which was specially stipulated at
the Sur]*ender of the Government of this Province to
the Crown by the said Proprief-^
I take a particular notice of what you say about
your sending over Copy of the Order of the Privy
Council & I tliink the Step you took by way of Molli-
fication to be quite prudent aftei' a Man' saying to
such great People what he reasonably cou'd for his
Justification if it will not be accepted there's no Con-
tending & I really tliink what you did was very Inno-
cent & what in Duty you owVl to your Constituents.
But I am sorry to tell you that Immediately after
the Order ah*eady mentioned was re'd to the Assembly
it was shown to several Members of the Council by a
principal Meuiber of the House of Assembly by one
who pretends to be y'' fr'' but whom I can assure you
from near 5 years Experience has it not in his nature
to be a Smcere friend to any body nor do I trust him
in any Affairs relating to my Administration nor
shou'd you in any you cou'd well avoid because I am
Satisfy' he wou'd at any time betray you to J. A ' and
' James Alexander. For biogrraphical notice of this distinguished gentleman, see
Vol. IV, p. 399.— Ed,
(52 AD.Mi:SISTR\T10X OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
the rest of the Council under his Influence and to go
on with this man I owe him no sort of Obligation
altho' he is under many to me I therefore wonder how
he cou'd possibly take the Word of Gratitude into his
mouth I say he cautious be cautions about him for
the future.
To whom you wrote the private Letter about your
Conversation with Charles Townsend Esq I know not
but I think you ought to be very Carefull to whom
you write as to my Self I sacredly promise you that
whatever you please to Commit to my Secrecy it shall
remain as lockt up in your own breast for I shall al-
ways rejoice to do you all the good Offices I can &
according to the best of my Understanding avoid doing
any thing that may have a Tendency to your prejudice
or disservice.
Least I shou'd foryet I again caution uou again of
hav^g any thing to do with the Rioters in any way or
manner whatsoever unless you are minded to destroy
yourself & me with respect to this Province. They
are I assure you a sett of Impudent, Lawless Rascals
and there seems remaining among them the same
Seditious Spirit as heretofore and to show it when ever
they judge it a proper Opportunity nor do I think they
will ever be supprest but by some Severe Orders from
the Crown & they carry ed well into Execution.
Your lov- Bro:
J. Belcueij
175'i] ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERXOR BELCHER. 03
Circular Letter to the Governors of His Majesty's Plan-
tations in, America, recommencling them strictly
to adhere to their Instructions, a?id not to pass
any laivs inconsistent therewith, etc.
(From P. R. O. B. T. Plantatious_General. No. 39, Eiit. Book K, p. 318.J
To I Jonathan Belcher] Esq'.' His Majesty's Gov-
ernor of I New Jersey)
Whitehall June :>"' 1 75l>
Sir
Having taken into our Consideration the General
Instructions given by His Majesty to his Governors of
the several Colonies and Plantations in America, We
observed with concern that the Experience of late
Years furnishes too frequent Instances in which many
of those Instructions have been dispensed with and
neglected upon slight and unwarrantable Pretences.
As the Instructions are calculated in general for the
support of His Majesty's Prerogative and the Protection
of His Subjf^cts in their just Rights, for the establish-
ing and preserving good Government in his Colonies
and promoting the Welfare, Quiet and Prosperity of
them, a due and uniform Observance of those Instruc-
tions must greatly contribute to so desirable ends: We
therefore think it Our Duty to recommend it to you
and to all the Governors of His Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations strictly t(j adhere to your Instructions
and not to deviate fronj them in any point but upon
evident necessity justified by the particular circum-
stances of the case, and whenever that happens you
are forthwith to transmit to Us, in the fullest and
most expUcit manner your Reasons for such Devia-
tions But at the same time We must acquaint you, it
is expected that you do apply for previous Directions
64 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
from hence in all Cases when the occasion will admit
of such a Delay.
The passing of Laws in a Method inconsistent with
His Majesty's Instructions, (which has been too often
practised) is manifestly of great Detriment to the pub-
lick Service, and the occasion of many Difficulties, in
as much as those Laws though they contain the most
salutary provisions, cannot receive the Royal Appro-
bation but by His Majesty's dispensing with his In-
structions, We must therefore in a [)articular manner
insist that in the passing of all Laws you haA^e a
proper regard to the Regulations contained in your In-
structions.
And whereas some particular Parts of the Instruc-
tions given by his Majesty to his Governors may, from
the Alteration of Circumstances, have become obsolete
useless, or improper, We desire that you wiU without
delay consider and revise, with the strictest attention
the Instructions given to you, as well the genei-al ones
as those which relate to the Acts of Trade and Naviga-
tion, and transmit to Us your Opinion of such parts of
them as shall appear to you useless, improper or liable
to Objection together with your Reasons for such
Opinion, that We may take those Reasons into Con-
sideration and propose to His Majesty such Altera-
tions as shall upon mature Deliberation appear to be
proper and expedient.
So We bid you heartily farewell and are,
Your very loving Friends
and Humble Servants
DuxK Halifax
J. Gkenville
DUPPLIN
Frax: Fane.
1752] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 65
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
— transmitting the accounts of various officers.
iFrom P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey. Vol. 7, H. 10.]
May it please Youe Lordships
With this, goes DupUcate of my last of 31 Currant,
since which, I have nothing material to Communicate
to Your Loi-dships, respecting the Affairs of this Prov-
ince, any more than that, I have after a long time,
receiv'd from the several Treasurers of this Province,
their Accounts of the Receipts and Payments of
money Viz^
From Andrew Johnston Esq Treasurer of the Eastern
district, his Account from Octoher 1734 to October
1751
And from Samuel Smith Esq Treasurer of the Wes-
tern district, his Account from 1733, to 1751.
As I have formerly Advised Your Lordshij)s, these
Accounts cannot be Attested, by His Majesty Surveyor
General, as the Customs of this Province, he living at
Three hundred Miles distance, and has never been in
this Province, since my Arrival, but Your Lordships
will find, the Accounts Sworn to by the Treasurer of
each district, and are made out, in the best manner.
They can be procured here, and yet I am Sensible
they are very imperfect which I don't wonder at, since
I find the Records, of all the Publick Ofhces here, are
kept in a very loose indifferent way, nor can it indeed
be well otherways, while the Publick Officers, are so
meanly Supported, for the two Treasurers together,
have not an Allowance, of fifty Guineys a year * * -
I remain with Great Respect
my Lords Your Lordships Most
Obedient & Most Humble Servant
J Belcher
Elizabeth Town (N J) June 9: 1752
6
66 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCnER. [1752
Western Division Treasurer's Accounts from
1733, to 1751.
1733 D' the Treasurer of the Western Division
(John Allen Esq"")
To Balance due to the Publick upon Ac-
count of the Support in 1733 As ap-
pears by the Settlement made by the
Committee of Council & Assembly £170.18. 8^
To ballance of the Interest Money remain-
ing in my hands in 1733 as by the re-
port of the Committee . . . 1398. 3. 9
To moneys Received for Support of Gov^
from the Several Counties for the
years 1733, 1731, 1735 as follows Yiz
From the Collector of Bur-
lington County . £369.15.11
the Collector of Gloucester 257. 5.—
the Collector of Salem . 432. G.—
from Ditto Arrears due in
1732 .... 5. 2.—
from-jthe Collector of Cape
May for s'' years a bal-
lance .... 97.19. 6
from the Collector of Hun-
terdon for s*' years and
arrear of 1732 . 222.13. 6
£1385. 1.11
To Interest Money rec'' from the Several
Counties being the remainder of the
first £40,000 as follows fiom the Coun-
ty of Burlington . . £39.13.7
Gloucester . . . 28. 5.6
Salem .... 68.18.8
Cape May . . . . 7. 9.8
144. 7. 5
1752] ADMINISTEATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 67
To Interest Money receiv'd from the Said
Counties On Ace* of the £20,000 Viz
from the County of Bur-
lington . . . 560.10.—
Gloucester . . . 386. 1. 6
Salem .... 654. 9. 6
Cape May .... 133. 0. 6
1734. 7. 6
To the Interest Money rec'' from the s^
Counties on Ace' of the last £40,000
from the County of Burling-
ton ... . 218.10.—
Gloucester . . . 150.17. 8
Salem .... 255. 4. 6
Cape May . . . .53. 8.—
678.
£5510.19. 5i
Per Contra, C
By Moneys paid the Governor and the
Several Affairs of the Governm' from
1733 to 1738 pursuant to the Acts of
Assembly for that pur])ose As per
Account of Particulars laid before the
Assembly 4808.15. 6
1740
To the ballance found by the Committee
of the Council and Assembly appoint-
ed to Inspect the Treasurers Accounts
the 14'" of Llarch 1738 at a General
sessions held at Perth A mboy . 1217. 0. 1
To Interest Money received Since froni
the Several Counties of the Western
Division Viz' Cape May in the Year
1739 .... £24.16.—
On Ace* of the £20,000
Salem . . . . 82. 6,—
68 ADMINISTRATION OF GOV ERNOIi BELCHER. [1752
Gloucester
£72.12. 6
Burlington
.
105.13. 9
Hunterdon
•
61.10.—
£346.18. 3
Cape May .
43. 8.—
Salem
170. 3.—
On Acc^ of the £40,000
Gloucester
,
150.10.—
Burlington
.
218.10.—
Hunterdon
•
128.—.—
790 11
To Money's ReC of Clem'
HaU
one of the
1 ^U. I I —
Commissioners of the Loan Office for
the Co^ of Salem .
*
126. 4. 7
£2410.13.10
1983. 5. 4
By Moneys paid the Governor and the
Several Officers of the Governm- pur-
suant to the Acts of Assembly for that
purpose .....
1742
DR.
To the ballance of the Interest Money in
my hands as by the report of the
Com« in 1740 £483. 8. 4|
To Interest Money rec-' Since from the
Several Counties of the Western Di-
vision VIZ
Hunterdon
.£190. 3.4
Burlington
193.15.2i
£20,000 Gloucester .
. 193.13.4
Salem
246.18.—
Cape May .
. 73.13.6
To ditto recievd
Hunterdon
384. 0.0
Burlington
. 655.10.—
898. 3.4i
1752] ADMlNlSTKATIOK OF GOYERXOR RELCHER. 69
Gloucester . . . £475.14.2
Salem .... 536.13.6
Cape May . . . 160. 4.—
£2312. 1. 8
£3693.13. 5|
To one thousand pounds Rec*^ of Rich'^
Smith and Caleb Raper Esqrs towards
pajring for the Victual'-' and Trans-
porting the Horses raised in this
Colony £1000.—.
CR.
By Moneys paid the Governor and the sev-
eral Officers of the Government pur-
suant to the Acts of Assembly for that
purpose 2358. 5. 8
1740 Aug^.* Sep^ & Octob^ By Sundry pay-
ments for Victualing & Transj^orting
the Horses &c as per Receipts . 1000. 0. 0
1744
DR.
The said Treasurer in the Year 1742 hav-
ing been charged with the Interest
money payable from the Western
Counties for the £20,000 in the year
1740 1741 & 1742 & also the Interest
money due from the s"! Counties for
the £40,000 in the same years
Amount^' to £2583.7.9 and also with
part of the 4000 remaining in his
hands appointed to be cancelled and
destroyed in Bills dated 1724 if to be
found &c which the Committees re-
ported to be the Sum of 253.8.6 &
Likewise reported to be in s*^ Treas-
urers hands the sum of . . .£1973.15. 8f
£407.
8.
T|
602.
1.
3
414.
1.
91
T03.
6.
8
146.
5.
70 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
The s*^ Treasurer further Charges himself
with the Interest money payable from
the several Countes of the West" Di-
vision af! for the years 1743 & 1744.
Hunterdon on the £40,000 & £20,000
Burlington on the s'! Sums
Gloucester
Salem
Cape May
4246.19. 7i
CR.
By Moneys Paid the Governor and the
Several Officers and Charges of Gov-
ernment according to the Acts of As-
sembly for that purpose . . . 2971. 1. 3
1746
DR.
To moneys Received of Isaac Decow Esq
one of the Signers of the Bills of
Credit made Current by An Act of the
General Assembly Entitled an Act for
making Current £10,000 in BiUs of
Credit to enable the Hon'ble John
Hamilton Esq &c .... £5000.00.0
CR.
By Sundry disbursements for Arming &
Cloathing part of the Horses on the
Expedition to Canada which with a
ballance of £1714.9.6. then remaining
in the s'- Treasurers hands made up
the Said Sum in full . . . . 5000.00.0
1747
DR.
To the ballance of the Interest money re-
ported to be in my hands by the Com-
mittee of the Council and Assembly
1753] ADAtlNISTRAl'IOX OF GOVEKN'oR HELCHER. 71
at Burlington in the year 17M includ-
ing the exchanging of 2090 and Hold-
ing of 3 Courts in 1744 viz at Salem
Hunterdon & Gloucester . . . £1392.13.3
To interest moneys recieved of the Com-
misr's of the Loan Office for the
County of Hunterdon for the years
1745. 1746 & 1747 .... 439.00.G
To Interest moneys recieved of the Com-
missioners of the Loan Office for the
County of Burhngton as above . . 750. 4.7
To Interest moneys rec'' of the Com-
missio'rs of the Loan Office for the
County of Gloster as above . . 519.06.3
To Interest moneys rec"? of the Commis-
sioners of Salem as above . . . 883.16.7
To interest moneys recieved of the Com-
missioners of Cape May as above . 182. 6.6
To Sundry Arrearages not then Brought
in . 32.14.9
£4201. 2.5
CR.
By the Governors Salaries and those of
the Several Officers and other Charges
of Government paid pursuant to the
Acts of Assembly for that purjDose 2529. 9.3
1748
DR.
To ballance of the Interest moneys re-
ported to be in my hands at the last
Settlement in 1747 .... 2176.19.8
To moneys Received of the Western Com-
mission'' for Victualling the Horses
&c reported at last Settlement to be
deficient in their hands . . . 7. 1.5
To moneys Rec? ol the Western Comrs
72 ADMINISTBATTON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [175^
for Arm^ & Cloathing the Horses Sec
being the Sum report'^ to be in their
hands £132.18.0
To the ballance of moneys raised for Arm-
ing and Cloathing the Forces &c re-
ported to be in my hands at the last
Settlement 171.19.6
To Interest moneys on the £20,000 and
40,000 Recieved in the year 1748 of
the Several Counties Viz'
Hunterdon . . . £90.00.6
Burlington . . . 169.16.3
Gloucester . . . 94.16.0
Salem .... 198.12.0
Cape May .... 39.19.6
593. 4.3
£3082. 2.10
CR.
By the Governors and the other Officers
Salaries and other Charges of Gov-
ernm' paid According to the Act of
Assembly for that purpose . . 2966. 6.11
1750
DR.
To ballance of the Interest money reported
to be in m}^ hands at the last Settle-
ment in 1747 2176.19.8
To moneys received of the Western Com-
missioners for VictualUng the Horses
&c reported at last Settlement to be
deficient in their hands . . T. 1.5
To moneys rec? of the Western Commis-
sioners for Arming & Cloathing &c
being the Sum reported to be in their
hands 132.18.0
To the ballance of moneys raised for Arm-
ing & Cloathing the Horses reported
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 73
to be in my hands at the last Settle-
ment ....
£171.19.6
To
Interest moneys on the
20,000 and
£40,000 recieved in the year 1748 of
the several Counties Viz!^
Hunterdon
90.00.6
Burlington .
Gloucester
169.16.3
94.16.0
Salem ....
198.12.0
To
Cape May .... 39.19.6
more Interest Moneys rec? from the
593.14.3
Several Counties (to wit)
Hunterdon
. 129.19.0
Burlington .
Gloucester
218.10.6
. 155.l7.3i
Salem ....
144.10 3
Cape May .
28. 5.6
677. 2.6
£3759. 5.4^
CR.
By the Governors Salaries and the several
Officers of the Government and other
Charges paid pursuant to the Act of
Assembly for that purpose . . £3733. 6.2
Memorandum that the Account of 1748 contained in
the last page is included in this. It being then given
in to the Assembly, but not Setled.
1751
DR.
Province of New Jersey to Samuel Smith
Treasurer of the Western Division.
To Cash paid John Brick in full of his Cer-
tiacate £18. 2.0
To Joshua Bispham Ditto . . . 12. 6.0
74
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
[1752
To Aaron Learning in full of his Certifi-
cate
To Ditto Another
To Jacob Spicer in part of his Certif?
To David Hall for two Pennsylvania Law
Books By order of Assembly
To my own Warran N Do
To Ebenezer Hopkins his Certif'
To Dan' Smiths Certif ....
To Ditto another
To Rich'' Smiths Certify . . . .
To ditto another
To the Governors Warrant N 120 .
CK.
1750 By Interest money from the County
of Salem for 1750 . . £111. 2.0
By ditto Cape May . 22. 4.0
£18.12.0
13.10.0
7. 4.0
3.13.6
16. 0.0
12.12.0
15.16.0
12.00.0
15. 6.0
11. 8.0
250.00.0
406.19.6
£133. 6.0
1.10.0
1751
By Cash received of W^ Clayton Esq one
half the forfeiture of a Pedlar .
By Interest money for 1751 from
Salem . . . .15. 1.6
Cape May . . . 14. 8.0
Hunterdon . . . 35.10.0
Gloucester . . . 43. 6.3
Burlington . . . 64. 2.6
232. 8.3
367. 4.3
Burlington Decemb' 16 1751
Pursuant to the Governors Letter of the 10"' of Aug*
last requiring me to transmit into the Secretary's
Office at Burlington with all possible despatch the
1752] AbMINiSTRATION OF GOVERIfOll BELCHER. 75
Account of the Reciepts and payments made by me as
Treasurer or by the Treasurer of the Western Division
of New Jersey for the time being from the year 1726
to that time I have collected the foregoing Ace'* from
the year 1733 which is as far back as is in my Power
to procure with certainty All of them (except my own)
are from the Ace** D'^ in to the Assem^' by John Allen
Esq but as the Settlem'^ from time to time made by the
Council & Assembly are not entered ujDon them they
are not so particular & exact as might otherwise have
been expected
I have recieved also of the Exchange Money of John
Allen Esq Son of the late Treasurer Eight Bags and
Bundles said to Contain in New BiUs and in old
ragged and torn Bills the Sum of Three thousand and
four pounds and Sixteen Shillings.
Sam^ Smith
Be it remembered that on the 16"' day of December
1751 Samuel Smith Esq- Treasurer of the Western Di-
vision of the Province of New Jersey personally
Appeared before me Charles Read Esq"" one of the Jus-
tices of His Majestys Supreme Court of Judicature for
the said Province (Who being one of the People called
Quakers) On His Solemn Affirmation which he took
According to Law did Declare that The foregoing
Provincial Acco*.' were Extracted from Accounts in
possession of the Clerk of y'^ Gen! Assembly being
from time to time delivered to them by the Treasurer
of s^ Western Division & that the same so farr as Has
been Transacted Since His own Appointment to the
Office aforesaid is true Sam^ Smith
Affirmed y*" Day & Year above Before me
Cha Read
fO ADMIXISTR.VTIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHKR. [1752
Eastern Division, Treasurer's Accounts, from
October 1734, to Octob^ 1751.
Province of New Jersey. (To Andrew Johnston
of the Eastern Division) from the time he
was appointed Treasurer
DR
To Sundry Payments from Oct^ 1734 to Mar: 1738 Viz'
His Excellency Governour Cosby,
Sundry Warrants .... £807. 5.0
His Hour Coll" Hamilton President 500. 0.0
Chief Justice .... 600. 0.0
Second Judge 110. 0.0
Treasurer of the Eastern Division . 144.12.8
Attorney Generall . • . . . 40. 0.0
Clerk of the Council . . . 112.10.0
Clerk of the Circuits . . 90. 0.0
Door keeper of the Council . . 25. 0.0
Signers of the Bills of Credit . . 80.0.0
£2509. 7.8
To Sundry Defeciences in the Interest of
the £20,000 and the last £40,000, pay-
able In 1735, 1736, 1737, & 1738 . 291. 6.9
£2800.14.5
To Sundry Payments from March 1738 to May 1710. Viz \
His Excellency Governor Morris Sun-
dry Warrants
£845. 6.0
Gentlemen of the Council
138.18.0
Gentlemen of the Assembly
457.16.0
Chief Justice ....
150. 0.0
The Agent
80. 0.0
Eastern Treasui-ei' ....
70. 0.0
Second Judge
70. 0.0
Clerk of the Council
45. 0.0
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOA'ERN'OR BELCHER. 77
Attoraey Generall .... £30. 0.0
Clerk of the Circuits . . . 35. 0.0
Doorkeeper of the Council . . 17.10.0
Doorkeeper of the Assembly . 17.11.0
Serjeant at Arms to the Councill . 16.10.0
Serjeant at Ai-mes to the Assembly 15. 6.0
Hire of a Room for the Council . 20. 0.0
Hire of a Room for the Assembly 30. 0.0
2038.17.0
To Sundry Payments from May 1740 to Nov^ 1742 Viz*
His Excellency Governour Morris
Sundry Warrants .... £1060. 0.0
Gentlemen of the Council . . 57.18.0
Gentlemen of the Assembly . . 437. 2.0
Chief Justice 175. 0.0
Agent, Salary . . £200. 0. 0
Ditto, Ace" Disburs^ . 88.14.10
288.14.10
80. 0.0
115. 0.0
7.10.0
46. 0.0
10. 0.0
Eastern Treasurer
Second Judge
Clerk of the Council .
Attorney General
Clerk of the Circuits
Doorkeepers & Serjeants at Armes to
the Council & Assembly . 55.14.0
Clerk of the Assembly . . . 65.12.0
Printer 46.14.0
Ace"' of Expenses .... 43.12.0
Hire of a Room &c foi' y''
Council . . . £3.15.0
Ditto for the Assembly . 5. 0.0
8.15.0
An Eiror in a former Settlement . 9. 0.0
Trustees for Victualling & Trans-
porting the Forces Raised for His
Majesty's Service on the Expedi-
78 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BKLCHER. [1753
tion to the West Indies, pursuant
to an Act of Assembly passed in
1740, £1000. 0.0
3506.11.10
To Sundry Payments from Nov^ 1742 to Nov' 1744 Viz^
His Excellency Governour Morris
Sundry Warr*.« .... £1060. 0.0
Gentlemen of the Council . . 45.18.0
Gentlemen of the Assembly . . 385.10.0
Chief Justice .... 150. 0.0
Agents Salary . . . £180. 0.0
Ditto Acc^.' . . . 34.19.8
214.19.8
Second Judge 67.10.0
Eastern Treasurer , . . 90. 0.0
Clerk of the Assembly . . . 64.16.0
Doorkeeper of the Council . . 9. 6.0
Doorkeeper & Serjeant at Amies to
to the Assembly . . . 18.12.0
Printer and bookbinder . . . 50.16.0
Ace'.' of Expenses . . . 34.13.6
Hire of a Koom &c for the Council . 6.15.0
Ditto for the Assembly ... 9. 0.0
2207.16.2
To Sundry Payments from Nov^ 1744 to FeW 1747 Viz'
Three months Salary from 23!^ June
to 23'' Sep!' 1738, part to President
Hamilton & Part to Gov' Morris Jr
Warrant, which was Omitted . £125.00.0
Chief Justice ^i[3 Warrant . . 25.00.0
Second Judge . . . . . 7.10.0
The Agent 20.00.0
Eastern Treasurer .... 10.00.0
Printer's Ace" .... 6.16.0
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHEE. 79
The Com" appointed to Purchase Pro-
visions for His Majestys Subjects at
Cape Breton . . ... . £1000.00.0
The Com'* for VictuaUing the Forces
Raised for His Majestys Service In
the Expedition against Canady . 1442.12.1^
Bounty money paid to three of y^
Company s on s"? Expedition, . 1800. 0.0
Subsistance of s*? three Companys
from the Day of Inhsting to the
Day of Muster .... 308.14.9
The Commissioners for a Second Sup-
ply of Provisions for the Forces . 850. 0.0
The Com""? for a third Supply of Pro-
visions 1000. 0.0
The Com" Appointed for Arming &
Cloathing the Forces . . . T750. 2.3
14345. 15. H
To Sundry Payments from Feb""/ 1747 to Oct^ 1751 Viz*
Exe" of Coll° Hamilton late President
a Warrant £520. 0.0
His Excellency Gov'' Belcher Sundry
Warrants 1590. 0.0
Gentlemen of the Council . . . 214.16.0
Chief Justice 3G3. 1.4
Gentlemen of the Assembly . . 1485. 0.0
Eastern Treasurer . . . 105. 4.5
Money advanced for Subsistance of
the Forces after the Day of Muster
to the time of Imbarkation for
Albany 476. 5.0
Second Judge Sundry Warrants . 156.17.0
Agent Salary . ". . £270. 8.0
Ditto Ace*.' Disb^.* . . 407. 7.5
677.15.5
80
ADMINTTSTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
[1752
Clerk of the Councill
.
£123.18.4
Clerk of the Cn-cuits
15.
0.0
Coll" Schuylar for Provisions
&c at
Albany Supply'd the Forces,
.
623.17.8
Clerk of the Assembly .
.
222.
16.0
Doorkeepers & Serjeants at An
tnes .
76.19.4
Hire of Councill Chambers &c
47.
7.9
Ace"* of Expenses
48.17.3
His Excellency Gov' Belcher
more
Warrants ....
530.
0.0
Gentlemen of y^ Councill
.
25.10.0
Eastern Treasurer
-
80.
0.0
7473.
5.6
Total Dr
.
£32373.
0.0
Contra C
By Sundiy payments from Oct' 1734 to March 1738.
Viz?
A Tax Received from the Several
Eastern County Collectors, for y''
Year 1734 . . . . . £540.13.0
Ditto Received for the Year 1735 . 541.10.6
£1082. 3.6
Interest money Arising from the Loan
of Bills of Creditt In the Eastern
Countys, by Virtue of an Act of
Assembly passed in the year 1723
for Striking £40,000. payable, 1735
Ditto by Virtue of an Act pased in the
year 1730 for making £20,000
Ditto payable in the year 1736
Ditto ])ayable in the year 1737 .
Ditto payable in the year
1738 .... £462.18.9
£14.10.41
508. 9 0
495. 4.3
462.18.9
l'J'53] ADMIlSriSTRATION OF OOVERXOK BELOHER. 81
Ditto by Virtue of an Act
pased in the year 1783
for Making £-l-0, 000 . 954.18.0
1417.16 9
2899. 8.1^
Part of the Deficiencies ^ Contra Re-
ceived 209.12.0
£4191. 3.7i
By Sundry Payments from March 1738 to May 1740 Viz*
Deficiences in the Tax for y': Year
1734 . . . . " . . £0.17.6
Cash on Ace" of Sundry former Defi-
ciences in the Interest Money . 262.15.8
Interest of the £20,(^00 & the last
£40,000 paya*: from the Eastern
Countvs In 1739 .... 1417.17.0
1681.10.2
By Sundry Payments from May 1740 to Nov'! 1742 Viz*
Part of a Ball*; In the late Treasurers
hands £466. 8.6
Part of Deficiences In former Interest 216.11.2
Interest payable from the Several
Countys In the year 1740 . . 1417.17.0
Ditto payable In 1741 . . . 1417. lY.O
Ditto payable . 1742 . . . 1417.17.0
Cash from the Signers of the Bills of
Credit Pursuant to an Act passed
in 1740 1000. 0.0
5936.10.8
By Sundry Payments from Nov'." 1742 to Nov'.' 1744 Viz'
Ball^ in the late Treasurers hands . £309. 6.4f
7
82 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERifOR BELCfiER. [1752
Interest Money payable from the
Eastern Countys in the year 1Y43 £1350. 3.4i
Ditto Payable 1744 1282. 9.9
2941.19.6i
By Sundry Payments from Nov': 1T44 to Feb'^ 1747. Viz ^
Interest Money payable from the Sev-
eral Eastern Countys in the year
1745 £1214.16.1i
Ditto payable in the year 1746 . 1147. 2.6
Ditto payable .... 1747 . . 944. 1.7i
Cash Rec'! from the Signers of the
Bills of Credit Ordered to be Signed
for Victualling the Forces Raised
for His Majesty's Service on the
Expedit" against Canady by an Act
passed in 1746 .... 2000. 0.0
Cash rec'^ from the Signers of the Bills
Ordered for the Second Supply of
Provisions 850. 0.0
Cash Rec"! from the Signers of the Bills
Ordered for the third Supply of
Provisions 1000. 0.0
Repaid by the Victualling Com""' be-
ing a Ball^ in their Hands . . 191. 0.8i
Cash Received from the
Signers of Bills to be Ap-
ply'd to Arming & Cloath-
ing y*: Forces Raised for
His Majesty's Service . £5000. 0.0
Ditto from the Western
Treasury by y*; hands of
the Com" . . . 3475. 0.0
8475. 0.0
Cash Repaid by the Eastern
Com'.^ Appointed for
Armmg & Cloathing the
1753] ADMIXISTRATIOX OF OOVERNOU BELCHER. 83
Forces, being a ball^ in
their hands . . . £99. 2.3
Sundry Eemnants of Cloath-
ing&c . . . 121.18.0
£221. 0.3
16043. 1.2i
By Sundry Payments from feb^ 1747 to Octr 1751 Viz'.
Interest Money payable from the Sev-
eral Eastern County s In the year
1748 741. 0.9
Ditto payable In the the year 1749 537.11.9
Ditto payable 1750 . 412. 9.0
A former Deficiency in Somerset
County 18. 3.0
Interest Money payable . . 1751 277. 1.3
1986. 5.9
Total Cr £32780.10.11
Be it remembered that on the second day of June
1752 Andrew Johnson Esqr Treasurer of the Eastern
Division of New Jersey Appeared before me Rob*
Ogden Esq- and being duly Sworn Declares to the Best
of his Knowledge that the above Account is a true
State of the Receipts and payments by him from
Octo"" 1734 to Oct!" 1751 Excepting that some Part of
the Interest money for which he has Given Credit
is Still Outstanding. An"? Johnston
Borough of Elizabeth ss.
Sworn the Day & year above written before me
RoB^ Ogden
84 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOB BELCHER. [1752
Letter from Governor Belcher to Rev. Dr. George
Wlutefield, England — upon religious subjects.
I From Belcher Papers in I-ibrary of N. J. Hist. Soc.l
Eliz: Town (N-J) June 28 1T52
Dear Mr Whitefield & Worthy Sir
Your Excellently good and religious Letter of the
18*" of Oct. 1750 came to my hands the May following
and which I had Answered long before now But that
your Sudden Motions from place to place made me
quite at a loss how to get a Letter in safety to you and
I now Cover this to the Care of our good Friend Mr
Bradford of Phil for its bettei- Conveyance.
D' Sir how much have you disappointed great
Numb" of your longing Friends by not making a
Stride a Cross the Ocean from Carolina hither of
which we were big with Expect" but we must Submit
believing your great Master Steers & marks out your
Paths so as shall best of all Contribute to the build'' up
and Enlargement of His Kingdom of Grace here and
thereby fitting Multitudes of Souls to be His Subjects
in His Kingdom of Glory thro' the endless Ages of a
Happy Eternity Amen.
I thank youtho' I am quite Ashamed that any thing
of mine shou'd pass under the Correct Eye of the Ex-
cellent & pious Comitess of Huntingdon who is so
Bright an Ornani: nay I may say a C-onsteUation in
the Church of Christ here & who will (I doubt not)
hereafter Shine as the Stai's for ever & Evl & now
thro' your kind interposition I presume to Address
Her Ladyship by the Inclos'd which I leave open for
you to read & then Clap to the Seal and deliver it and
this is an honour I shou'd not venture to do my Self
but that 1 depend upon your Goodness to obtain Her
Ladyships Pardon for the troul)le of this Nature.
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 85
And before I go from this part of my Letter I wou'd
say that I am told there is a Considerable intimacy
between the last Dutchess Dowager of Somerset and
Lady Huntingdon if so and you cou'd Conveniently
mention it to Lady Huntingdon I wou'd venture to
Congi-atulate the Dutchess of Somerset upon the Char-
acter She so deservedly bears among those who are
truly the Salt of the Earth I mean that Dutchess of
Somerset who was not long since Countess of Hertford.
And now, Sir, let me thank you once more for your
kind & generous Concern for the Welfare of the Infant
College in this Province w"*" I assure you creeps along
with great difficulty — the Trustees chose M' Pember-
ton the last Fall to take a Voyage to great Britain in
favour of the College but when the thing came before
his Church and Congregation they wou'd by no means
be prevail'd upon to let him go.
And this Spring M"" President Burr was pitcht upon
for the same purpose but his fear of the small Pox and
the difficulty of finding a person to take the Care of
the College in his absence have rendered a Second
Attempt in this matter abortive however we intend at
the next Meeting of the Trustees to try if some other
person can't be found for this Service which seems to
me must be the dernier resort for Eucourageing and
Establishing this New Seminary nor will I despair l)ut
Conclude with the great Pharisaical D' if it be of God
it cannot be overthrown I heartily ask your Prayers
for its pi'osperity.
O Sir as often as T read your ingenious A: pious Let-
ters they rejoice my Heart and refresh my Bowels and
I am particularly glad to find that you were at good
Lady Huntingdon" with three other Clergy men that
love and i)reach Christ Jesus & that you can give me
the pleasing Account of several Instances where the
Sovereign Grace of God has taken place in the Hearts
of Persons of High Degree how pleasing is the pros-
pect when such are posting to the Celestial Canaan
86 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEHNOR BELCHER. [1752
with theii' faces thitherward when it pleases God to
set up His Kingdom in the Hearts of such he will
Accomplish a great Tribute of praise and honour to his
glorious Name.
Proecepta docent Exempla cogunt.
How sweet Sir must be your Meditation when your
Soul rolls inward to Consider that you are Sincerely
will^' to spend and be spent in the Cause of your
Blessed Lord & Master and may you still go on in His
Strength to win many Souls to Righteousness every
one of which will be a bright Gem in the glorious
Crown with w''' the Great God Man will wreathe your
Temples in the great day of his appear^ Amen and
Amen !
As to me your poor unworthy SinfuU Fr'' I abhor
my Self in every view I can take and desire w"' faith
and prayer humbly to fly to the Blood of the great
Atonem^ to purge and Cleanse me from the Stains and
guilt of Sin & that I may be Cloathed with the Spot-
less Robe of the Righteousness of the Immaculate
Lamb of God and at last be presented faultless before
His Heavenly Father. I have more than Accomplish'd
the measure of Human Life and daily find the decays
of Nature thickning upon me let me then intreat &
injoin you never to forget me when you more piivately
besiege the Throne of Grace that I may be Constantly
hungering & thirsting after the Righteousness of
Christ and may finally approve my Self one of those
Wise Virgins that took Oil in theii- Vessels with their
Lamps that so when the bridegroom came were I'eady
& went in with him to the Marriage Supper of the
Lamb & thus my Friend wrestle with God for me and
still more indear you to
Reverend & Good Sii"
Your greatly Oblig'd Friend & Sei'v'
J. Belchek
Mr Whitetield.
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 87
To THE Right Honourable The Countess
Dowager of Huntingdon
Grace Mercy and peace be Multipl'd from God the
Father & from the Lord Jesus Christ thro' the Influ-
ences of tlie Holy Spirit.
Madam
While I take my Pen in hand and the freedom of
Addressing your Ladyship to whom I am so much un-
known it fills me with wonder & Surprize and yet
when I consider the Account I have rec'' of your
Humility and Condescending goodness to persons of
Low degree I ask a thousand pardons and that you will
let me depend upon your Ladyships goodness to for-
give me indeed I shou'd not have presumd to have
troubled your Ladyship with this Letter till I had thro'
my Amiable Friend Mr Whitefield askd Your Lady-
ship*" leave and the Errand of it is Chiefly to rejoice
with your Ladyship in the account I have from many
of my Friends in the abundant Measure of Grace with
which it pleases God to favour and honour you in the
Conduct of your whole life and which renders you so
bright an Example and Ornament of the Christian Re-
hgion & makes you so ready on all Occasions to es-
pouse <Sz Build up (as much as in you lies) the Kingdom
and Interest of the Dear Redeemer' This Madam dis-
tinguishes you in the best and uncommon light being
a Personage of such high Birth and Rank in the World
for we are told Not many Mighty not many Noble are
Chosen to be the Subjects of the Kingdom of Grace
here and Heirs of the Kingdom of Glory hereafter-
happy, therefore, thrice happy for your Ladyship that
you have I doubt not secur'd the one thing needfull
even an Interest in the saving Mercy of God thro'
Jesus Christ.
Alass most Excellent Lady of how little value are
88 ADMIXISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
the Riches and pleasures of this Transitory Life when
set in Contrast to the durable Riches and the never
ending Joys that flow at the right hand of God for
ever more.
Allow me Honoured Madam to lay before you the
Paragraph of a Letter I lately reced from a Serious
Religious Friend it being I really beheve some descrip-
tion of your Ladyships Case in the Religious World the
Words are these "■ But how much real joy & pleasure
is to be Experienced in a Life of Communion with God
here, which none relish or form any Idea of but the
Soul Sanctyfyd by the Divine Spirit & when he leads
the Soul into intimate Converse with the Holy God &
clears up the Evidence of its Adoption in the Number
of the Child" of God in such Interviews with Heaven
how is the Soul elevated & rais'd above every thing
here below and the Joys possessing the Soul at such a
time is an earnest of that Happiness & Joye into w'''
the Believer enters at Death to be Compleated in the
General Resurrection.
This is a real truth, the Life of a Christian is a hid-
den Life, it is so from a vain World, & it is hid with
Christ in God. How secure & happy then is the be-
liever under all the Changes & Trials that can happen
to him in this Life for the Covenant of Grace fixes him
in this Attitude that Nothing can be otherways than
for his best good according to the Divine promise and
when we shall enter the Heavenly Mansions where
the Immense Volumes of Providence shall be opened
to his view lie will then perceive the Beauty & Har-
mony of all the Divine Dispensations and the Necessity
thereof in Order to prepare him for that Blessed State
and in the enlarged prospect of that Happiness he is
now placed ni the full j3ossession of he will join the
Heavenly Host in Ascriptions of praise to God & Christ
for ever and ever.
God in His great mercy grant that youi- Ladyship
1752] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 89
may live to an extended Age free from pain and Sick-
ness and when in Gods best time the hour of Death
Approaches may it be to you only an easy Transition
from this vain Transitory Life to the Substantial &
never ending Joys of the Paradise of God above & thus
I remain
Most Hon": Lady
Your Ladyships Most Obedient
& Most Humble serv*
J. Belcher.
Eliz: Town (N. J.) June 24: 1752
Lady Huntington.
Letter from Governor Belcher to President Burr —
complimentinn hini on his marriage.
[From Belcher Paper^' in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
Eliz: Tow^n June 30 1752
M"" President Burr
Sir
I have just now reced from you the pleasing notice of
your entring into the Honourable State of Marriage
with the ingenious & vii-tuous Miss Edwards a Daugh-
ter of my Worthy & much esteem' Fr'' Mr. Edwards
of Stockbridge in which I wish you all the Joys & Sat-
isfaction which kindred Souls may reasonably hope
for in such a Change of Life & may you Sir live long
together in nmch Health & ease & as Heirs of the
Grace of Life & in this My Wife heartily joins with
me as also in our best Respects to good Mrs. Edwards
v' now Mother in Law.'
' For particulars relating to this marriage see Steams' First Church in Newark,
p. 190, and letters from J. Shippen. .Jim., to his fatlier. iu Proceedings N. .1. Hist.
.See, Vol. V, p. 169.
90 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Whenever it Suits your Conveniency we shall be glad
to see you at our little Cottage in the mean time if the
Season v^^ill allow we shall take the pleasure of visiting
you at Newark — I am
Eev'^ Sir Your very good Fr*^
J. Belcher
Report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon
the draft of a Conindsion, for inquiring into the
grievances in New Jersey.
[From p. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 15, P. 375.]
To the Right Hon^^® the Lords of the Com-
mittee of His Majesty's most Hon:^^® Privy
Council.
Whitehall July 28', 1752
My Lords
Pursuant to your Lordships Order, dated the 7^!' of
May last. We have taken into Our Consideration a
Report made to your Lordships by His Majesty's
Attorney and Solicitor General upon considering sev-
eral Papers referred to them, relative to the great Riots
& .Disturbances in His Majesty's Province of New
Jersey, and also the Draught of a Commission pre-
pared by them, for making Enquiry into the Causes
of the Rise, Progress & Continuance of these Commo-
tions, upon which your Lordships desire Our Opinion,
and of the manner in which W'e conceive the said
Commission maybe most properly carried into Execu-
tion: Whereupon We beg leave to acquaint your
Lordships,
That We have in Our Report, dated the tirst of June
1750, fully stated to your Lordships not only the Rise
& Progress of the Riots and Disturbances which have
1753] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERXOE BELCHER. 91
been committed in that Province, but also the particu-
lar Grievances which are alledged, in the Papers trans-
mitted to Us from the said Province, to have been the
causes thereof, with the Nature of the Grievances
themselves, and therefore We humbly apprehend that
the Object and View of this Commission, which is
merely to enquire into the said Grievances independent
of any questions which have a relation to Property, is
thereby fully answer'd and that our Report contains
all the Information which can possibly be derived
from it.
If however your Lordships should think it advise-
able that such a Commission should be issued, We
must beg leave to refer your Lordships to a Precedent
of the like kind in the Colony of Virginia, upon Occa-
sion of a Rebellion which broke out there in the year
1670, when it was thought advisable that a Commis-
sion should be given to three Persons sent from Eng-
land to enquire into the grievances which had given
rise thereto; And altlio' tiie Circumstances of that Case
were not all similar to the present, yet the general
view & object of the Commission was the same, and
upon comparing the Commission for Virginia with
the Conmiission now prepared by the Attoj-ney and
SoUicitor General, your Lordships will find the Regula-
tions and Provisions of both to be nearly the same.
As to the manner of carrying this Commission into
Execution, We are of Opinion it must be by the
Appointment of such l^ersons to be commissioners
as shall be men of known Prudence, Temper &
Abilities; that these Commissioners should be chosen
out of some of the neighbouring Colonies or sent from
hence, as your Lordships shall judge most propei-, but
We are inclined to think that Persons sent from hence
would be the least liable to Suspicion of Interest,
Prejudice or Partiality. As the Terms however of this
Commission are very general. We would humbly pro-
pose that proper Instructions should be given to the
92 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Commissioners, marking out to them the method in
which they are to proceed in the discharge of their
Trust, and the particular points to which it may be
necessary they should direct their Enquiry.
As to the questions which have arisen concerning
the Property of Lands, as no Judgment or Determina-
tion has ever been given in the Courts of Law there
upon any one point, it was not possible for Us to state
the same in our aforemention'd Eeport with that pre-
cision which might enable your Lordships to form an
Opinion thereupon, and We submit to your Lordships
whether the Method proposed by the Attorney and
Solicitor General of bringing the particular Claims to a
final Determination in a judicial way, is not a very
prudent and effectual one, & whether it is not advise-
able that Instructions should be sent to His Majesty's
Governor of the said Province conformable thereto.
We are My Lords,
Your Lordships most Obedient and most humble
Servants,
Dunk Halifax.
Charles Townshend
Andrew Stone.
James Oswald.
Ex'!
Letter from Uovernor Clinton, of yew York, to
Robert Hunter Morris, in England — leave of
absence d(7iied.
[From oripriiial in papers of R. H. Morris in Lihr.uy .if X. J. lli-t. Soc. Vol. 1. No. t-l. |
The Hon^'" Rob* H: Morris Esq'
Greenwich. i^«*. Julv 1 7:r2
S-:
To my great Surprize & disappointment, I received,
by the Nebuchadnezar, a Letter from Lord Holder-
nesse, signifying His Majesty's Commands (dated 80
1752] A nMINTISTRATION OF OOVER?irOR BELCHER. ^S
April) for me to remain in my Grovernment, and a hint
that my Leave which expired r' Instant, would not
be renewed. This you may imagine was a very great
Shock to me, as all my Goods were on board the Cen-
taur, and my time of sailing fixed to next Thursday,
in Short, it laid me under such a Dilemma, that I was
in doubt what to do, and believe I should have ven-
tured to have gone away nevertheless, had not M'
Alexander by his persuasions and arguments con-
vinced me of the fatal Consequences of breaking the
King's Orders, [tho I very much doubt His Majesty's
knowing any thing of the matter. ]'
I am positively assui^ed, that there must have been
some clandestine dealings used, even to trick me out
of my Leave, for from the 8(>"' of April (the date of his
Lordship's Letter) I had full two months before it ex-
pired; and what gives me more Surprize is the keeping
the Order so secret, that not one of my Friends gave
me the least intimation of it, tho' it had been whis-
pered about here for this Month or Six Weeks past.
The Livingstons and others here, have Letters from
their Correspondents that the Lords Loodon, Kinowl,
Hume, Tankerville, as w^ell as S' Thomas Robinson &
S' Peter Warren are all laying in to supersede me. So
that the very best and the only j)rospect I have of get-
ting home is to quit my Government and Company,
and very probably to a Person, disagreeable to me and
my Friends here.
It is not unlikely that the Ship, which brings over
my Successor, may be ordered only to touch here to
land him, and proceed on to the West Indies; [or some
other service] What then can I do? divested of my
Government, liable to the insults of a dareing Faction,
and deprived of any means to get home, unless in a
' The words within brackets were added in a duplicate letter bearing the same
date.— Ed.
94 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Merchantman much to the Discredit of His Majesty's
Governor, my Family and the Rank I bear in the Navy.
Only please S"", to reflect how much I am embar-
rassed, and use your utmost endeavours jointly with
all my Friends to extricate me, which I make not the
least doubt you will do all in your power to accom-
plish. I have wrote to M' Catherwood fully on this
Subject, with whom you will be so good as to consult,
what ways and means I may be relieved by.
Your Favour from Bath of 12''' May I received and
am Sorry for the occasion. I would have wrote this
myself but am much indisposed.
I am with great Truth S"^
Your very humble Servant
G. Clinton.
[The duphcate of this letter, with some additional
matter, was received by Mr, Morris, in London, Oct.
21, 1752, and bears this endorsement in his own hand-
writing: "Octo. 25. Dined with Pownall of Sedge".^.
at Gov Shirleys— in the course of y' conversasion
Pownall said there was an Affid' come to the Board,
that Ml" Clinton had taken Money for an office & that
M' Holland had fort}'^ pounds for managing the Matter."
—Ed.]
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Shippen, of Phil -
adelphia — about sending an agent to England to
solicit aid for the College.
I From Belcher Papers in Library of X. J. Hist. Soc.J
Aug. 8 1752
Mr Shippen
Sir
I am sensible you are heartily engagd to promote
the Welfare of our Infant College the Establishment
and growth whereof will but ciawl along for many
1752] ADMlNlStRATiON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 95
years to come unless some suitable person can be found
to go Home and Solicit the Aid & benefactions of our
Friends in England and Scotland and to this end I
have wrote Mr. Hazard' that I think the Rev" Mr Ten-
nent a very suitable person and I desire you to give
him my kind Eespects and let him know I believe it
the general Request of the Trustees that he wou'd un-
dertake a voy^ in favo' of the College.
You will remember that the ICr. of next mo. is to be
the Commencem' at Newark * * * i hope you,
Mr. Tennent & M' Hazard will not fail to come for it is
high time to fix the place for building of the College
and to put it forward without any further delay * *
Sir your Friend & most Humble serv^
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Hardwicke —
about orders from the King.
I From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Hoc]
Aug 5 1752
Lord Hardwicke
May it phase your Lordship
I did my Self the Honour of writing Your Lordship
at large the 3: of Dec' last and which Mr Partridge ad-
vises me was duly delivered and which was a particu-
lar Answer to the honour of Your Lordships Letter of
31 of Aug' preceding and in which Letter Your Lord-
ship was pleas'd to write me of His Majestys late
Order in Council part whereof was for the Issuing of
" a Commission to Inquire into any Grievances of the
' Similar letter to Mr. Hazard, of Philadelphia.— Ed.
d6 ADMrNlSTRATTON OF oOYERKOU BELCHER. [1752
people of this Province relating to their Possessions "
this Commission and any other Order His Majesty had
to give in this Affair I have heen impatiently Expect-
ing from March last to this time but I have not rec*^ a
word relating to it either from the Secretary of State
or from the Lords Commissioned for Trade and Plan-
tations for which I am very sorry as the whole Legis-
lature and the people of the Province seem very
desirous of the Kings Orders & till they arrive I think
it v^rould be only prostituting the Kings honour and
Authority to make new Attempts with the Assembly
as to the long subsisting affair of the Rioters &c. &
His Majestys Council are of the same way of thinking
as will be seen by their Minutes which I duly Trans-
mitted in May last to the Secretary of State and to the
Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations. And
till the Kings Orders Arrive I have no new footing to
go upon with the Assembly or to Act with greater
firmness & vigour as Your Lordship is pleased to
mention,
I doubt not but Your Lordship will have been ac-
quainted that in a Session I held w^ith the Assembly in
Feb' last the Council and they agreed in a Bill & to
w*"' I Consented for raising money to pay all the Debts
of the Province to Nov' next and if upon the Arrival
of the King's Orders some good Law can be projected
& passed for putt^ an end to Rioting this will soon be-
come a happy and flourishing Province nor shall any
thing in my power be left undone to Contribute
to it. * * * *
Thus My Lord I have taken the freedom to lay be-
fore you the present State and Circumstances of this
Province and of my care and fidelity to do every thing
that lies with me for Supporting the Kings honour &
Interest & I wou'd therefoi-e humbly hope for the Con-
tinuance of Your Lordships Patronage and fav"" that
Nothing may be done to my prejudice (and so to my
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 97
Familys) Altho' I am inform'd that the young Mr,
Morris is trying all the ways in his power to hurt me
per fas aut ne fas or as the Poet sayes Flectere si
nequeo superos, Achei-onta movebo
I remain &c
J Belcher.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Earl Granville —
asking for contimied confidence.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J Hist. See]
Eliz^ Town Aug 7, 1Y52
Earle Granville
May it please Your Lordship
* * * I am now to ask pardon for the freedom I
take of Addiessing Your Lordship at this time but so
it is My Lord (and so Your Lordship is Sensible) that
those who are Governours of His Majestys Plantations
have many to please and let their Conduct be never so
Cautious and Unacceptionable some will be displeased
and of Consequence be striking at them with all the
111 Offices in their power and this I understand is in
some Measure the Case with me in this Province and
that Mr Morris now in England and a Son of my late
immediate Predecessor is using all his Arts & Chicanei'v
to Misrepresent my Administration but I humbly hope
Your Lordship nor any of the King's Ministers will
give Ear to his Case and unjust Insinuations for I am
My Lord & will be an honest Man Maugre the Malice
& base Attempts of my petulant Enemies who have
never yet had the Confidence openly and fairly to At-
tack me well knowing that I have done to the LTtmost
of my i)ower from my first Arrival to this Clovei'tim* to
this time for Supporting His Majestys honour & In-
terest & at same time for promoting the Welfare &
8
98 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCnER. [1752
prosperity of His People & which are things very Com-
patible and what His Majesty justly expects from all
His good Serv*.*
I was My Lord Advised the last fall from Whitehall
that there wou'd soon be coming hither some Special
Orders from the King respecting the Riots & Confu-
sions w''' hath at times been Subsisting in this Prov-
ince for a great Number of years past and which
Orders I have been earnestly wishing for tfe so have
the whole Legislature & the whole Province as hoping
they may tend to an entire Suppression of the dis-
orders & Tumults that have been too long & too fre-
quent here and were this once Accomplished I believe
New Jersey wou'd be as flourishing & as fine a Prov-
ince for its bigness as any in His Majestys Dominions.
I again therefore earnestly wish the above mention*^
Orders may soon Arrive.
It was My Lord a privilege under Nero one of the
Roman Tyrants that a Subject shou'd not be Con-
demnd unheard with how much greater Confidence
then may an Enghsh Subject depend upon such a
privilege under the reign of the Wise, just and Gra-
cious Administration of His Britannic Majesty and
enjoy the benefit of the Salutary Laws of His King-
dom if therefore My Lord any thing shou'd be object(^d
to my Administration I think I may justly Expect to
be serv'd with an Authentick Copy of it with full time
to be allowed me to make Answer before there may
be any Censure or Opinion made out against me and
to this end Jet me humbly pray for Your Lordships
favour & Countenance.
I always am with the highest Deference and Respect
My Lord Your Lordships
Most Gracious &c
J. Belchek
1752] ADMINTSTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 09
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Halifax — about
the affairs of the Province.
fFrom Belcher Papers in LiVjrary of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz:Towx Au^e 1Y52
Lord Halifax
May it please Your Lordship
I think I did my Self the honour of writing Your
Lordship in December last on the Affairs of this Prov-
ince and which I understand was put into Your Lord-
ships Hands— but Notwithstanding the hopes I at that
time Conceived of rec*^ His Majestys Especial Orders
relating to the Affairs of this Province I have not to
this day heard any thing of them either from the
Secr'y of State or from Your L(jrdships Hona''''^ Board
altho' the whole Legislature and the people of the
Province in general have been earnestly wishing to
receive them hoping they may have a Tendency to put
an end to the Riots and disorders that have at one time
& another (foi- nearly fifty years past) been subsisting
in this Unhappy Province.
Some months agoe I forwarded to Your Lordship*
office the Journals of the Meeting of the Assembly of
this Province in Feb. last wherein the Council agreed
on An Act to raise Money for Paym' of all th(i [Prov-
ince debts to Nov' next to which I consented & if upon
the Arrival of the King' expected Orders some Meas-
ures shou'd be enterd into by this Legislature for Sup-
pressing the Tumults & disorders that have been too
long & too frequent in this G-ovc^rnment I believe New
Jersey will soon become a flourishing and happy Prov-
ing I therefore once more beg of Your Lordship that
such Orders may be Expedited.
100 ADMIXISTKATIOX OF GOVERNOR Bt.LCHER. [1752
I doubt not but Your Lordship has seen what I
Transmitted to Your Honourable Board of one Simon
Wickoff who stood Committed for High Treason at
His Majesty' Goal at Amboy being delivered therefrom
in a Riotous manner upon which I Summon"* His
Majesty" Council in Order to have their Advice and
Opinion what Steps wou'd be proper to take in such
an Extraordinary Affair & whether to Call the Assem-
bly together but Your Lordship has before this seen
that they tho't it Advisable to do nothing in the mat-
ter till His Majesty Orders above mentioned shou'd
Arrive and which on my part I shou'd gladly carry
into Execution to the Utmost of my power for the
best Support of His Majesty' Authority and Interest in
this Province and for promoting the Welfare & pros-
perity of the people and which things I have made the
Cardinal points of my Administration. And while I
mention this Your Lordship will please to allow me to
say that let the King" Gov" Abroad Conduct their
Administration never so Cautiously yet there will be
some who deliglit in Mischief that will be Carping and
this I am told is in some Measure my Case I wou'd
therefore humbly beg of Your Lordship not to make
any partial Censure or Opirfioo upon my Administra-
tion from the Insinuations of such Whisperers who
t^haps wou'd never be easy unless things wouYl be just
according to their Mistaken Fancies and Imaginations.
My Lord you are sensible that even under Nero one of
the Rojnan Tyrants a Man was never to be Condemnd
unheard surely then every One living under the Gov-
ernm' of His British Majesty who is a pattern foi' all
Christendom of Wisdom, Justice and Clemency can-
not be hurt in his Character or Interest by the base-
ness of his Enemies without being Serv'd with an
Authentick Copy of any Complaint & time Sufficient
given him to make Answer thereto and as Your
1753J ADMINISTRATION OF rTOVERNOR iSKLOHEK. lOt
L'"ship has the great honour of bemg Fam'd for Your
Justice Probity and ImpartiaHty let me humbly ask it
of you as a favour that the purport of this Letter may
have its due Weight with Your Lordship w^hen any
Attempt may be made with You to my prejudice and
which will always oblige me to be & remain as I am
with all possible Esteem & Respect
My Lords, Most obed'.
J Belcher
Message of Governor Belcher to the Council — relating
to the admission of L. M. Ashfield to their body.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Elizabeth Town Aug. 11 1752
Gent"^ of the Council
After what I said to you in Oct' last & is on the
Council Minits I am Surprised at the Motion made
yesterday by M' Alexander relating to the King's Man-
damus for Admitting M' Ashfield into the Council with
which I once more tell you, you have no business or
Concern nor will I hear anything from you about it
this I say to save yourselves or me any further trouble
and if you are minded to show that Young Gen" any
Respect I wou'd Advise you to teach him his Duty in
this matter to the King's Governour and when he
practices it he shall have my Ans'.
J Belcher
102 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
— urging the trruisniission of orders front the King.
(From a copy amoug the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Aug^ 13 1752
To the Lords of Trade
May it please Your Lordships
I wrote you the 9. of June past since which I have
not the hon' of any of your Lordships.
I am now to Advise your Lordships that I met
His Majesty's Council the 10. Ins' and what was then
and there Transacted your Lordships will find in the
inclosed Minits of Council, whereby your Lordships
will see that it is their Opinion that it wou'd be fruit-
less to call the Assembly to lay before them any thing-
Respecting the Riot or to Order a prosecution of any
of the Rioters untill His Majesty shall be pleased to
send His Especial Orders therein and this I think will
Convince your Lordships of the necessity of Expedit-
ing such Orders.
I have the Pleasure of Informing your Lordships
that the publick del)ts of the Province are all punctu-
ally paid up to this time that there is peace and Tran-
quillity among the People, in all things the Affair of
the Rioters Excepted
I have the honour to be with great Respect
My Lords Your Lordships Most obedient
& Most Humble Servant.
J. Belcher.
[In a letter of the same date to Richard Partridge he
said: * * * '* By late Letters I have had I have all
possible reason to believe that Morris [Robert Hunter
Morris] is making his Utmost efforts to have me re
moved you must therefore wait upon the Prime Min-
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 103
ister and all my Frd^ you think may be of Service to
prevent his gratifying his Malice."]
The Minitts of the Council of the Province of
New Jersey on the 10*'' & 11*^ of August 1752
At a Council held at Elizabeth Town on Mon-
day the Tenth of August 1752
PRESENT
His Excellency the Governour The Hono*.'®
James Alexander, Andrew Johnston James
Hude — Peter Kemble Esq'"'
His Excellency made the following Speech to
the Council
Gentlemen of the Council
" This being one of our Stated Quarterly Meetings
"I shall be glad to hear any thing you have to offer
" for His Majestys Service as for the good of the Prov-
"ince and I wou'd now more particularly ask your Ad-
" vice and Opinion whether it maybe necessary or
" Expedient soon to meet the Assembly to see whether
' ' the Governour Council and Assembly can fall into
"any Act or Acts for the Better Suppressing the
"Riots and disorders which has disturbed the peace
" of the Province for a great Number of years past
" (long before my Arrival).
"And also to have your advice whether it may be
" best to give Orders for an Especial and Speedy prose-
"cution of such as have been or may be Apprehended
" for Breaking open the Kings Goals of the Province
"in these things I say I shall be glad of your advice
"and am always ready Chearfully to join with you lq
l04 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
" such measure as may be judgd will most of all
' ' Contribute to the Establishment of the i^eace and
"Tranquihty of the Province."
J Belcher
Elizabeth Town August 10: 1752
The Council taking the same into Consideration are
of Opinion that there is no reason to hope for any Suc-
cess from any Application to the Assembly in Respect
to the Riotts untill His Majesty shall be pleased to send
His Especial Commands therein and therefore cannot
His Excellency to call the Assembly on that Account
only That as to the prosecutions they are of Opinion
that His Majestys Attorney General shou'd proceed
according to the known Laws of the Land and that
they see no Room to give any particular direction
therein.
A Petition from the Mayor Recorder Aldermen and
Common Council of the free borough of Elizabeth in
behalf of themselves and others the Inhabitants within
the said Borough to have their Charters Altered &
some further Privligdes &c^ was read.
A Petition of Joseph Bonney and his Letter of the
20"' of July was read.
The Council are of Opinion that Neither His Excel-
lency or the Council can do any thing in Respect to
the Petition of Joseph Bonney without aid of the Leg-
islature that for anything that appears there may be
relief for him in the Courts of Justice.
The Council taking into Consideration the Petition
of the Mayor Recorder Scc'\ of the Free Borough of
Elizabeth are of Opinion that the same be referred to
M'. Alexandr M": Hude M': Johnston M": Kemble M":
Ogden or any three of them and that the Petitioners or
some of them have Notice to deliver to the Committee
a Draught of the Charter they Petition for.
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHEH. 105
His Excellency was pleased to Nominate John Roye
and Ichabord Tompkins as Justices of the Peace in the
County of Somerset to whom the Council agreed.
Orderd they be added to said Commission.
Also Nominated Stephen Crane and Timothy White-
head to be Justices of the Peace for the County of Es-
sex to which the Council agreed :
Ordered that they be added to the Commission for
said Countys in Rank according to their Appointments.
His Excellency by advice of Council signed the fol-
lowing Warrants.
N? 200. To himself for a Quarters Salary due
this day 250. 0.0
201. To himself for a Quarters House
Rent due this day . . . 15. 0.0
202. To the Hono^-*' James Alexander
Esq' forty one days attendance in
Council between the 7. of Octo-
ber 1743 & the 18: November
1743 12. 6.0
203. To the Hono*'!'' James Alexander
Esq' for one hundred and Seventy
two days Attendance in Council
between 29: of March 1749 to
February 14: 1752 . . . 51.18.0
204. To the Hon'^.'*' John Reading Esq':
for forty three days Atendancein
Council in September and Octo-
ber 1751 6. 8.0
205. To Samuel Nevill Esq!^ Second Jus-
tice of the Supreme Court for
Attending the Supreme Court at
Burhngton in May 1752 and for
Holding the Court of Nisi Prius
and Court of Oyer & Terminer in
the County of Hunterdon on the
Third Tuesday in May 1752 . 10. 0.0
106 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
206. To Ditto for his Salary as Second
Judge of the Supream Court from
the 10: of May to the 10: of Aug-
ust 1752 6. 5.0
207. To Charles Read Esq- for a Quarters
Salary as Clerk of the Council for
the Quarter ended this day . 7.10.0
208. To Ditto for a Quarters Salary as
Third Justice of the Supream
Court for the Quarter ended this
day 6. 5.0
209. To Joseph Warrell Esqr for a Quar-
ters Salary as Attorney General
for the Quarter ended this day 7.10.0
210. To Andrew Johnston Esq- for a
Quarters Salary as One of the
Treasurers of the Province for the
Quarter ended this day . . 10.00.0
211. To Samuel Smith Esq!' foi" Quarters
Salary as one of the Treasurers of
the Province for the Quarter end-
ed this day .... 10.00.0
212. Samuel Smith Esq'" for Copying the
Votes of the General Assembly
and the Laws passed in the Ses-
sions at Burlington in September
and October 1751 Also for Pens,
Ink & Paper .... 10.18.0
213. To John Smith a Quarters Salary as
Clerk of the Circuits for the Quar-
ter ended this day . . . 5.00.0
214. To William Bradford in full of his
Account allowd .... 141. 1.0
215. To Ditto for One Hundred and Sixty
Bound Books of the Laws of the
Province as l^' Act of General
Assembly .... 200.00.0
1752] ADAIIKISTRATION OF GOVERXOR BELCHER. 107
21(). To Anthony Elton for a Quarters
Salary as Door keeper to the
Council for the Quarter ended
this day 2.10.0
M!" Alexander acquainted His Excellency that Lewis
Ashfield Esq^ was at the Door attending with his
Majestys Mandamus to His Excellency for Swearing
and admitting him One of His Majestys Council of this
Province with a Certificate of his Acquital by due
Course of Law of what he had been Chargd with and
allegd as Reason for the Delay of his Qualification and
prayd that he might be calld in.
His Excellency adjourned the Council to Meet to
morrow morning at Ten O'Clock.
TUESDAY AUGUST 11: lY52
The Council Met Present His Excellency the Gov-
ernor The Hon^-^ James Hude, Andrew Johnston &
Peter Kemble Esq'-*
His Excellency gave the following Answer to the
Motion of James Alexander Esq'" of yesterday.
Gentlemen of the Council
"After what I said to you in October last & is on
"the Council Minits I am Surprized at the Motion
"made yesterday by Ml" Alexander relating to the
" Kings Mandamus for admitting M'.' Ashfield into the
"Council wV w'^:'' I once more tell you, You have no
"Business or Concern nor will I hear anything from
"you about it this I say to save Yourselves or me any
"further trouble and if you are minded to show that
" Young Gentleman any Respect I would advise you to
"teach him his Duty in this matter To the Kings
"Governour and when he practices it he shall have
"my Answer."
J Belcher
Elizabeth Town August 11: 1752
108 ADMlJflSTRATrON OF GOVRKXOR BELCHER. [1752
His Excellency laid before the Board for their Con-
sideration a Charter proposed for the Incorporation of
the Five Dutch reformd Churches in the Counties of
Middlesex, Somersett and Hunterdon w'^" being Read
It is Orderd that it be Referrd to their next Quarterly
meeting and that in the mean time the Secretary do
procure the Statute of Mortmain.
Compared w'!' Minitts of Council of the Province of
New Jersey of w''" this is a true Copy
August 12, 1752 Cha Read D Secr^
Letter from Goveruor Belcher to Messrs. Belcher and
Foye, Massachusetts, about the promotion of
manufactures.
[From Papers of Gov. Belcher in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Aug 19. 1752.
Mess"" Belcher & Foye
Gent" (Extract.)
I am fully in opinion with you and my other Friends
in New England that there is no Wiser or better Meas-
ure to go into for retrieving the Miserable Circum-
stances of your Province than to promote Manufactures
among Your selves and at same time to be practising
Economy and all possible Frugality and I have often
wondered that Gentlemen of Substance have not long
before this Set up a Glass House for which you are
much better Accomodated than any one can be in this
Province where such a work has already turn'd out to
great Profit.
But you put me upon a Hard Task to procure you
any Tolerable Information as to the Carrying on of those
Works here in wliich the Managers are very close and
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 109
Secret however I will take all the prudent Steps I can
to make you an Answer in tliis matter and to get a
Sample of the Clay you mention but as I am here at a
great distance fi'om those Works it will require time to
Obtain what I desire for you. * *
I am Sirs Yours &c.
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Alford, of
Boston — thanking him for a subscription to the
College — nianufactare of glass, etc.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Elizabeth Aug* 24 1752
Col Alford Boston
My ivorth Friend
Sir
* ■" As head of the Trustees of our little College I
do in their Names most heartily thank you for your
kind & generous Subscription for the Encouragement
& better Establisem* of this Seminary put forward I
believe for ]jroraoting the honour & interest of the
Kingdom of the Blessed Jesus as well as fen' giving an
Opportunity to the Inhabitants of this & the Neigh-
bouring Provinces to Improve themselves in Religion
& Human Literature. Pi-ay make my Compliments
to Mr [James I Allen with the rest of the Subscribing
Benefactors and I pray God to Reward this their good
Will and bounty plentifully into their own Bosoms,
* * ■::- vr ■::- -;<• -;:- *
I have begun to make Inquiry about the Glass Works
in this Province w'^'' are 130 miles from this Town &
as I know no proper person near them capable of get-
ting the Information you desii'c^ I have hardly a lean
110 ADMIN-ISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
hope of rendring you any Service in that matter in
which the Undertakers are very close & Secret. I was
well Acquainted with one Caspar a German who lived
at Phil-' and was the first and principal Undertaker of
the Glass Works in this Province and with whom I
discours'd particularly about them (5 years ago) and he
Complained to me that the Clay for the Furnace
Bottoms was but poor and often gave way to their
great damage and Complain'd also that they cou'd not
make their Glass so Clear and strong for want of Help
their Works being near two hundred miles from any
Quantity of it.
This Caspar is lately dead and from a very poor man
rais'd and left a Fortune of 20. or 30,000 £ Str. I have
had from others Engag'd in the Works the same Com-
plaint of want of proper Materials for the Mettle and
for the Furnace and as I i-eally think there can be no
good & honest Intelligence gain'd from those Under-
takers were I to Advise you, you shou'd send to Lon-
don for a Head Operator & 2 or 3 Skilfull Assistants
and at same time to bring with them a Quantity of
Sturbridge Clay for your Bottoms if it can by any way
or meanes be got aboard a Ship for its Exportation is
prohibited upon a great Penalty and yet my Fr'^.^ Con-
trived to send me 3 or 4 Hh'?* about 30 years agoe for
the Bottoms of my Copper Furnaces & w'^'' bad defy-
ance to the Hottest fire but it was a very Chargeable
thing to get.
I am told a Glass Undertak*-' is going forw'^ at N.
York & that about a Month agoe they had 5 Skilfull
Work men came to them from Holland or London.
Hono^'" Sir Y' Assured Fr^' &c.
J. Belcher
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. Ill
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade-
relative to his not admitting Lewis Morris Ash-
field to a seat in the Council.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 13.J
Elizabeth Town N J September 15 1752
May it jjlease Your Lordships
Although I have once and again, wrote Your Lord-
ships, respecting the King's Mandamus, for Swearing
and Admitting M' Lewis Morris Ashfield; to be one of
His Majestys Council of this Province, and that an
Indictment for a Misdemeanor, lay against him in One
of the Kings Courts here, and which I judg'd a reason-
able Obstacle, against his being Admitted, but from the
said Indictment, he was Acquitted — in March last, —
through a mear Criticism in the Law, although I sup-
pose there was hardly a person present, but beheved
him truely and really guilty, of the Substance of that
Indictment; and I think it proper, now to forward to
your Lordships —
A letter from the Judge who tryd the matter As also
the Kings Attorney General' Notes, of some Particulars
that past at the Tryal.
These things I pray your Lordships to read, and Con-
sider.
As also M' ^\'illiam Morris' Affirmation, relating to
tlie said Lewis Morris Ashfield^ rude, and Indecent
Treatment of His Majesty, in the Person of His Gover-
nour.
And the said Lewis Morris Ashfield' Recognizance,
For his good Behaviour.
These things. May it please Your Lordships, being
duly weighed, I cannot but Suppose, You will be fully
in Opinion with me, that they are a Just and reasona-
112 ABMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1752
ble Bar, against his setting in Council in this Prov-
ince.
T our Lordships w^ill also please to remember that he
is a Resident in East Jersey, and yet stands in Nomi-
nation to fill up the Vacancy, of a Member wanting in
West Jersey, and which Your Lordships will find,
directly Contrary to His Majestys 6"' Instruction to
me; I therefore again hope upon the whole, Your
Lordships will so far Support the Honour, of the
King' Government here, as not to let The King's Laws,
and the King's Governour be so Vilely treated, by the
Mad freaks of this young Man in which if he be En-
courag'd it must Naturally tend to the Subversion of
good Order, & Government.
I have the Honour to be, with great Respect
My Lords Your Lordship's
Most Obedient & Most Humble Serv*
J Belcher
Notes of Mr. Warrell, the King^s Attorney General
— upon the Trial of Mr. Leivis Morris Ashfield,
received September 15th, 1752.
I From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 7, II. 10. |
Notes received from the Attorney General re-
specting M'' Ashfiek? Tryal & Acquittal
Tis true by a Nice Distinction in Law he was Ac-
quitted of that part of the Indictment relating and
speaking the Identical Words as strictly laid therein
but as he was Convicted of that part that Related to
a Notorious Breach of the Peace by an Assault & Bat-
tery on One of the Evidences a Sworn Constable in the
performance of his Duty came to Reprimand him for
his Irregular & Outragious Behaviour.
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. 113
Thai it appeared thro' the whole Course of his Tryal
that he was far from being a Man worthy of a Seat at
His Majestys Council Board and this may appear by
His coming from his own Bouse with his two
Drunken Companions in the publick Road on the
Lords day and at the time of Divine Service knowing
that a Congregation of Anabaptists were then at their
Meeting House at Eeligious Worship that his Outra-
gious Behaviour was within the hearing of the said
Congregation
His gross Vulgar & unseemly Language to the Con-
stable at first he mistook to be a Justice of the Peace
Such as you M' Black Packet are you not a pretty
Devil of a Justice Scc^ and when he was informed he
was but a Constable Calling him back to Abuse him
and asking him in a Taunting Manner what was to
pay for Swearing and what was the fine telling him
One of his Companions had Swore an Oath & he wou'd
pay for him and pulling out a Six Shilling Jersey Bill
and urging the Constable to take it telling him he need
not give back any Change for that he intended to
Swear the remainder of the Bill out and so he did.
And it appeard by Ashfield? own Witnesses that he
& his two Companions were all much in Liquor but
Ashfield the least of the three
J B
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
— in reference to the suggested revision of the
Laws.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey. Vol. 7, H. 2.i.J
Elizabeth Town (N J) October 10'!' 1752.
May it please Your Lordships
My last was of the 14: of September', to which, (and
to many others, which I have for some time past wrote
' The Orig' dated 15 Sept see H. 13. Duplic do 14 Sep"' see H. :
9
114 ADMI^^ISTRATION OF GOVERXOR BELCHER. [1752
Your Lordships,) I shou'd be glad of an Answer from
Your Lordships at Your leisure, in the meantime, I
am to own the honour, of Your Lordships Letters, of
April 2S".', and June 3'? last past, and which came to
my hands but yesterday, with two Additional Instruc-
tions, dated Whitehall 16^" of April past.
One of them, in Consequence of His Majesty's Order
in Council of 11 'l' of March last. Signifying to me, that
it is His Majesty's express Will & pleasure, that I
shou'd for the future, Transmit to Your Lordships
only, all things relating to the Province of New Jersey,
(except as therein excepted).
The other, respecting a Revisal of the Laws of this
Province wherein it is said, that it is His Majestys Will
& Pleasure, that I shou'd jointly with the Council and
Assembly, of His Majestys Province of New Jersey,
forthwith Consider, & Revise the Laws of the said
Province, in order to frame and pass a Compleat, and
well digested Body of New Laws &c^
To the first of these. His Majestys Instructions, I
shall My Lords, dutifully Conform my Self on all
Occasions.
As to the other, as the Council & Assembly, are to
act Jointly with me, I shall first of all. Communicate
.the Instruction to His Majesty's Council, at their
Stated Meeting the 21^.' of next Month, and then take
their Opinion, as to the time of Calling the Assembly
together, to Communicate the said Instruction to them.
As also the Copy of an Act, Your Lordships have
sent me, pass'd in Virginia in April IT-iO, for a Revisal
of the Laws of that Colony, and Your Lordshijjs may
assuredly depend, I shall Advise in tliis difficult Affair,
with His Majesty's Council, and do all, and everything
in my power, (Consistent with reason and prudence)
that the said Instruction may take Effect, in the better
Support of His Majestys Authority, and Interest in
this Province, and for the better Establishment of the
Prosperity of His People.
1752J ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 115
But I must early Inform Your Lordships, that so it
happens, that the Acts, & Laws of this Province, from
the Surrendry of the Government from the Proprie-
tors, To the Crown, have been lately Eevised, and Re-
printed, this present year, at a Considerable Expence,
and bound up in two to three hundred Volumes, and
this I am afraid will be thrown in the way, as a rea-
son * -5^ * why they may not Conform themselves
to this Instruction.
I take a very particular Notice, of what Your Lord-
ships say, in Your Letter of 3: of June, respecting his
Majestys Instructions in General, to His Governours
of His Plantations in America, and wou'd say as to
my Self, that I question, whether any one of His
Majestys Governours on the English Continent,
reads and observes the Body of His Instructions, so
often, and with so much Care and Circumspection as
I do, and yet they cannot all of them at all times,
be literally and exactly Conformd to. yet I shall when
any Extraordinary Case happens, avoid deviating
from them, without Applying to Your Lordships, for
previous directions, how to proceed in such a diffi-
culty, and when at any time, the Assembly go into a
Method of passing any Law, Inconsistent with His
Majestys Instructions, I shall lay before them, what
You now write me on that head, and do all in my
power, to divert them from such a Manner of Pro-
ceeding.
As to such parts of His Majesty's Instructions, as
from the Alteration of Circumstances, or through
length of time, are become Obsolete, Useless, or Im-
proper, I shall in such reasonable time, as it may re-
quire, Kevise & Consider aU His Majesty's Instructions
lying by me, and humbly report to Your Lordships,
such of them, as I think may bear the Epithets You
have mentioned, and at which time, I believe I shaU
readily gain the honour, of Your Lordships being in
116 ADMINISTRATION^ OF GOVERXOK BELCHER. [175'^
Opinion with me, that Several of the Instructions now
lying by me, are not so well adapted or Calculated, as
they might be for this Province, in its present Situa-
tion and Circumstances.
I have the honour to be with great Esteem & Respect
My Lords Your Lordships
Most Obedient & Most Humble Servant
J Belcher
Letter from John Ayscough, Secretary to Governor
Clinton, New York, to Robert Hunter Morris,
London — about Provincial affairs.
[Prom Papers of R. H. Morris in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc, Vol. I, No. 47.J
Fort George [New York] 24^" November 1Y52
The Hon^'« Robt. H. Morris Escf
S':
His Excellency being taken very ill Lust Night with
his old Disorder, and as the Ship is just upon sailing,
orders me to acquaint you that he acknowledges the
receipt of your kind Letter of !»"' of October, by
Bryant' last Munday, for which he returns his Thanks.
He much ai)i)roves of your Advice of having a pub-
lick hearing by Council, if the Lords of Trade should
send up a Representation upon Wraxall's Complaint,"
which should they do, he thinks it would be the
greatest Ungenerosity, especially before they had given
• Capt. William Bryant was quite a distinguished personage for several years,
being one of the few regular traders between the old and new world. His tomb-
stone is yet standing, although in a dilaiiidatetl state, in St. Peter's Churchj-ard,
Perth Amboy, and records the fact of his having made fifty -five voyages between
New York and Loudon. See notice of his family in Contributions to the Early His-
tory of Perth -Vmboy, p. 1 15, and New York Papers of July 17th. 177"->.— Ed.
' Of not having been admitted by Gov. Clinton to the office of Town Clerk, etc.,
of Albany. See N. J. Col. Docts., Vol. VI.— Ed.
1752] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. lit
him the least Notice of it, that he might have had it
in his power to vindicate his Conduct, and nc»t to have
given their Judgements previous to having heard
what he had to say on it. As to that Board being dis-
pleased with him, it gives him very little uneasiness,
he being not in the least conscious of deserving it, and
as to the Person they send out to succeed or supercede
him, I believe it is equally indifferent to him, could he
but get home, for in short this Climate is as disagreea-
ble to his Constitution as the People of it are different
from his way of thinking, for which reason he begs
you would let slip no opportunity to procure his Leave
of Absence as soon as possible, For if Lord Halifax is
determined, that none but a Nobleman of Fortune, In-
tegrity and Understanding shall be his Successor, he
fears it will be long enough before his Lordship can
procure such a Person to accept of so much inevitable
Trouble and Anxiety as he will be certain to meet
with here in the Administration if they receive no
more Redress and Assistance from home than he has.
By this opportunity his Excellency presses his Leave
of Absence to Captain Clinton for the above reasons.
'* ^ "" His Excellency sends the Minutes of the last
Session of the Assembly to M' Catherwood where you
will see we mett and parted without disagreeing &
Upon their promising to provide for Indian Affairs
next Session he has appointed and issued out a Com-
mission for Commissioners of Indian Affairs.
I am S'' Your most obedient
and very humble Servant
Jn° Ayscough
118
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
[1753
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120 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Letter from Governor Clinton, of Neiv York, to Robert
Hunter Morris — enclosing a notice of Chief Jus-
tice De Lancy.
[From original, among papers of R. H. Morris in the Library of N. J. Hist. Mann
scripts, Vol. I, No. 50.]
THE CHARACTER OF A DISBANDED COURTIER
He was born with an aspiring Mind, by much too
high flavor, for his QuaHty & Estate. His Dexterity
in doing 111 made him thought capable of performing
admirably well, if ever he came to be employed and
entrusted. He was preferred for Ability to high De-
grees of Honour and Office, admitted into the Cabinet
Council made acquainted with all the Secret Wheels
(and could tell how many Cogs there were in each
Wheel) upon which the great Engine of State was
turn'd, and kept in Motion.
His Glory was so eminently conspicuous, that there
were but few Persons below the Crown seemed above
him : ' And nothing was wanting to render his FeUcity
as lasting as Nature intended his Life, but a Heart tha t
knew how to be gratef nil to his Benefactoi-. He thought
all the Favours and Honours he enjoyed were less than
the Reward of his Merit; That Thought puffed him
with Pride; such a Sort of Pride as is commonly at-
tended with an irrecoverable Fall, (which was his For-
tune) And at his Fall, might very well have been pro-
claimed: ^Voe to you, the Inhabitants of the Earth, for
the Devil is come down among you.
Open Revenge against his Sovereign being too dan-
gerous to attempt he promptly resolves upon secret.
He exposes all the Weaknesses and Infirmities of the
Court (from which no Court is free) and when he can
find no real Faults he feigns imaginary ones, and
passes them off for current. By this new and false
1153] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 121
Optick, he represents every Mole-hill of Mistake in the
publick Administration, for a Mountain as tall as Ten-
eriff, and as dangerous as the Top of Etna, Nay, he
multiplies and magnifies the very Miscarriages which
were the Effect of his own evil Council, He arouses
the freest Nation in the Universe, with wild Rumours,
and extravagant Apprehensions of Slavery: under the
Government of a Prince, who, in Acts of Favour,
Mercy and Clemency, has exceeded all his Predecessors.
He fills the Heads of the People full with whimsical
Fears of fantastick Devils (chimeras which only his
Motive has raised) on Purpose to frighten them for
Bedlam, or for Rebellion. He makes the Pretences of
Liberty, the Stirrup to get up and Property the Steed
he rides, in Pursuit of his monstrous Designs. With
these Pretences, he cheats the Innocent and promising
to open their Eyes, serves them as the apostate Angel
did our Parents in Paradise, only blows into them the
Dust of Disobedience, and robs them of the Jewels he
pretends to bestow, (viz) Liberty and Property, which
are both so much talked of, and both so little under-
stood.
Being a Gentleman of little or no Religion himself,
he seems, for all that, to espouse every Division and
Subdivision of it; every Faction and Person, who are
bold enough to stand stiff in Opposition against the
well settled Government. What avails it, that he is,
in his own Nature, a frugal Man? He keeps open
House for Entertainment of all State Male-Contents,
without Consideration either of Qualities or Quahfica-
tions, as he accompanies and carouses, and contracts
Intimacy and Amsty with the lewdest Debauchees,
that he thinks will forward his private Intrigues; He
becomes all things to all men, in the very worst of
Senses; perverting the Design of St Paul, that he may
at least, delude some, to be as bad as himself.
Having lost his Honour with his Prince, and Repu-
122 ADMINrSTRATIOV OF aOVKRlNrOR BELCHER. [1753
tation with the best of Men, he cringes, creeps, and
sneaks, to the lowest and basest of the People, to pro-
duce himself, among them, an empty vain-glorious,
and mideserved Name, the Patriot of his Country.
And lastly, hoping to be made the Little Head of the
Great Rabble, he persuades them to beheve, that they
are all betrayed: Encourages them to strike Home
against the Enemies of the King and Kingdom (point-
ing to the faithfulest and most affectionate Servants
to both) well knowing that the mighty Fabric can
never be shaken, till its main Pillars and Supporters
be, by cunning and sly stratagem, either destroyed or
undermined.
By this, may appear the Weakness of that modern
Piece of Policy, Oblige your Enimies, your Friends you
are sure of already: And the transcendent "Wisdom of
Solomon's Advice, Let thy own Friend, and thy
Father's Friend, never be forsaken.
New York 17 Jan?' 1753
My Dear Sir
I send you the above as a just Picture of C. J. De
Lancey, to make what use of it you think proper and it
Serves as Newes in these dead times when no Vessell
can Stir for y'' great Quantity of Ice, y* frequently
Slayes pass over y" River and much Sevearer than it
was in y* hard winter, y* I believe the very . . be-
gins to be tyred with Slaying, We have had Some days
. . y^ y' . . wouVl not Slay. My desiring M"'
Chambers to sett up for one of y' Assembly (?) has so
frightened him y* he has only been able to eat or drink
for this two days . . affraid of y' C. J. & Ohvers I
told him if Men of his Nature c*c part, was affraid to
appear in their Countryes cause, it must Strike a damp
in Numbers, he Said that things was managed most
scandilously in y' Assembly by Three or four, and y^
every one thing was Settled at Tavern, fii'st & if any
1753] ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 123
of y"^ Country Members offered to oppose their Schemes,
in any shape they were abused & pointed at but so
terrifyed that he dare not attempt it, which makes it
a Common-Saying now amongst y" people y* if Oliver
wou'd but Sett up his Four Coach Horses they would
carry it Can any thing be more scandilous than is C.
J. medling with elections and even Stoops to Common
Council Men & Bellowing out ag*^ Government' far as
he durst Venture, and what he dont he setts on his
Bull Dogs and he has not a more violent one than
James Livingston, but I have complained [of] these
things so much, but leave it to you it is to Succeed
which if you dont curb in England you will find some
difficulties in doing it here. The four old Members
has promised to Stand by one another, but in case
Vanhorn trips as he is in a very fair way, Chambers
has promised to sett up, but I think when it comes to
the fact he will be affraid. I have wrote to M'' Cather-
wood to slacken his SoUicitations to make him a Chan-
cellor, if not done, I fancy you will be of my Mind, if
he should be of y*" Council he will be as much affraid
of y" C. J. then as now, and as fear has made him
braik his first promiss with me, I dont think he ought
to be of y*" Council, besides, I see very plainly he is
greatly govern'd by Joe Eead & he by Hermandam
and all his Wifes Relations are of y'' C J. side (at pre-
sent) for they durst not be otherwise, and untill that
Commission is Superceeded the people will not venture
to oppose him (19"') The weather is gi'own a little
moderate so that y" Vessels will venture out. Major
Vanhorn is very ill & they talk of Setting up either
Oliver or James Livingston, and Chambers will not
venture to oppose them & Sayes he wou'd rather give
£500 than set up. Such a timorous man can be good
for nothing, but shall write again Soon by another
opportunity and will now bid Adieu.
Ct. Clinton.
To the Hon^)^ Robert Hunter Morris Esq^
124 ADMINISTRATION? OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher —
disapproving of his course towards Mr. Ashfield.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 15, p. aS2.]
To Jonathan Belcher Esq*" Governor of New
Jersey.
Whitehall Jan'ry 18 1Y53.
Sir
We have received your Letter of the 4"' of Septem-
ber last, and the sevj papers transmitted with it.
We can by no means approve your Conduct in refus-
ing to admit M-' Lewis Morris Ashfield to his seat in
His Majesty's Council: On the contrary We think you
have proceeded very irregularly, in as much as it is
your Duty to pay Obedience to the Royal Mandamus.
We do not think your Objections to M^ Ashfield
weU founded either on the Proceedings in the Court of
Law upon tlie Indictment preferr'd against him, or on
your Interpretation of the 6^'' Article of your Instruc-
tions, and therefore We desire and expect that you
will immediately admit him to his Seat.
W- Ashfield's behaviour appears to Us to have been
indiscreet, but not such as may justify your refusal
to admit him to that Station to which His Maj'^ has
expressly appointed him. We hope he will for the
future act a more prudent part, but if his future Con-
duct should render liim unworthy to sit at the Council
Board, you will always have it in your Power, with
the Advice of your Council, to suspend him, transmitt-
ing your reasons at the same time in conformity to
your Instructions.
So We bid yon heartily farewell, and are
Your veiy loving friends <k humble Servants
Dunk Halifax
Charles Townhend
James Oswald.
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 125
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
about Messages of the Legislature.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, "Vol. 7, H. 26 )
Elizabeth Town (N J) Febru'ry 22: 1753
May it ^ylease Your Lordships
Agreeable to what I wrote You, the 16'.'' of October
last. I met His Majestys Council 21** of November fol-
lowing, and then Communicated to them the Kings
Instruction, relating to a Revisal of the Laws of this
Province, and asked their Advice upon it, & which
Your Lordships will find in the inclosed Minutes of
that Council, & that they seemed to be Cool and indif-
ferent, as to the time of Meeting the Assembly,
although His Majestys Command to me. Was forth-
mth to Consider and Revise &c^ and I therefore
thought it my Duty to see the Assembly, as soon as I
cou'd, and they accordingly met me here, the 19^'' of
December last, and by their Journals (which I now
Cover to Your Lordships) you will find, I prest that
matter upon them in the best manner I cou'd, and in
which they came to no Conclusion, but by refering the
Consideration thereof, to their next Session which will
not be till the beginning of May next, (being a time
most Commodious to their private Affairs) & when I
shall say to them what I Judge may be further neces-
sary in tliis matter.
Your Lordships will also see, that I earnestly prest
upon them, some new and more Effectual Law, for
the discountenancing of Riots, and to which Your
Lordships will find they gave no reasonable or Satis-
factory Answer, I must therefore Repeat again to
Your Lordsliips, that I have no Expectation of any
thing being done here, in further Check to Rioting
and Mobbing, until the Order from the King shall
126 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Arrive, of which Your Lordships wrote me 27'^ of
March 1751.
Together with the Papers aforementiond, I also
Cover to Your Lordships, the Minutes of Council from
14^'' to 22f of December, which with them, will give
your Lordships a very particular Account, of aU that
has past in the publick Affairs of This Province since
my last.
I have My Lords according to mine of lOV' of Octo-
ber, been looking over the two Bodies of Instructions,
I red from His Majesty at S' James? but am not yet
prepard to Report to Your Lordships, what of them
may be useful!, or Improper, for the future, but shall
still be perusing them, in order to the laying before
Your Lordships the best Judgment 1 can make in this
matter.
I have the Honour to be with gi-eat Esteem & Regard
My Lords Your Lordships
Most Obedient & Most Humble Servant
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
— had admitted Mr. Ashfield to the Council, al-
though not in accordance with hia sixth instruc-
tion, ivhich he incloses.
IFl-om P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey. Vol. 7, H. :.'T.J
Burlington (N J) May 28'" 1753
To THE Lords of Trade
May it please Your Lordships
The 20"' of the last month, I received the honour, of
Your Lordships Letter of the Ls"' of January, relating
to M' Lewis Morris Ashfield, and since Your Lordships
are pleased to think my reasons, for refusing to admit
1753] ADMIXISTKATIOJSr OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 127
him to be a Member of His Majestys Council here, not
Sufficient, I have in Obedience to the Eoyal Mandamus,
admitted him, although Your Lordships will allow me
still to think, that by the several Affidavits I Trans-
mitted to Your Lordships, he had shown great Con-
tempt of the King, and of His Laws, and had treated
His Governour not only Insolently but Impudently.
And I have nov7 the Honour to Cover to Your Lord-
ships, a Copy of His Majestys (Vj' Instruction, respect-
ing my Nomination of persons, to be of His Majestys
Council here, by which I think it must be plainly seen,
that when Vacancies happen, I am Commanded to
take care, the Council shou'd always Consist of six
persons, inhabitants of the Eastern Division, and six
others, Inhabitants of the Western Division, and in
Duty to this Instruction, I always have, and shall for
the future, when Vacancies happen, Nominate persons
of each several Division. — accordingly; but M*" Ash-
field who is an Inhabitant of East Jersey, stands now
a Councillor for the Western Division.
I have the honour to be, with great Eespect
My Lords Your Lordships
Most Obedient & Most Humble Servant
J Belcher.
Copy of His Majestys 6"' Instruction, Extracted
from the Body of His Instructions to His Governour
of His Majestys Province of New Jersey.
And that We may be always Informed of the
Names and Characters of Persons fit to Suppl}^ the
Vacancies that shall happen in Our said Council, You
are to transmit unto Us by One of Our Principal Sec-
retaries of State, and to Our Conmiissionei'S for Trade
and Plantations, with all convenient speed the Names
and Characters of six j^f'rsons Inhabitants of the Eas-
tern Division, and six other persons Inhabitants of the
128 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Westeim Division of our said Province, whom you
shall esteem the best Qualify'd for that Trust, and so
from time to time when any of them shall Dye, depart
out of our said Province, be sworn into Our said Coun-
cil or become unfit, you are to Nominate unto Us so
many others in their Stead, that the list of tivelve Per-
sons fit to Supply the said Vacancies, Viz' Six of the
East and six of the West Division, as aforesaid may
he alivays Compleat.
J. Belcher
Opinion of the Lords of Trade on the Bou7idaries
between New York and New Jersey.
IFrom N. Y. Col. Bocts., Vol. VI, p. 773.J
Opinion of the Board upon the Question of
Boundaries between N Y & N J.
At a Meeting of His Majesty's Commissioners
for Trade and Plantations.
Present — The Right Hon : Horatio Walpole
M'- Pitt M"- Grenville M"- Oswald
Thursday June T"* 1753
Their Lordships took into Consideration the Act
passed in the Province of New Jersey in 174| for run-
ning the Line of Partition between that Province c't
New York and came to the following* opinion and
resolutions thereupon viz'
The Act in Question is An Act passed by the Gov-
ernor, Council & Assembly of the Province of New
Jersey.
The general object of it is to run the Jjine of Pai'ti-
tion and Division between the Provinces of New Jersey
and New York.
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 129
The Considerations which arose upon this Act are of
two sorts, viz'
Such as relate to the Principles upon which it is
founded, & such as relate to the Transactions & Cir-
cumstances which accompany it.
If the Act & the Regulations prescribed by it are
founded upon Principles of Justice, and are consistent
with the estabhshed Forms of the Constitution in such
cases, and can be rendred effectual to answer the
proper and legal purposes of it, the Act ought to be
confirmed.
But if on the contrary it should be found unjust,
unwarrantable and ineffectual, it ought to be rejected.
As to the first, it is an Act of the Province of New
Jersey interested in the determination of the Limits
and in the consequential advantages to arise from it.
The Province of New Jersey in its distinct and
separate capacity can neither make nor estabhsh
Boundaries; it can as little form Regulations for decid-
ing Differences between itself and other Parties con-
cerned in Interest.
The established limits of its Jurisdiction and Terri-
tory are such as the Grants under which it claims have
assigned.
If these Grants are doubtfull and differences arise
either upon the construction or upon the matter of
them, We apprehend that there are but two methods of
deciding them either by the concurrence of all parties
concerned in Interest, or by the regular and legal forms
of Judicial proceedings.
The legal method of proceeding We conceive must be
derived from the immediate authority of the Crown
itself, and be signified by a commission from His Maj-
esty under the Great Seal.
The Commission of subordinate Officers and of de-
rivative Powers are not competent nor adequate to
such purposes.
10
130 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEBNOR BELCHER. [1753
To Judge otherwise would be to set up exparte De-
terminations of incompetent Jurisdictions in the place
of Justice and legal Authority.
If the Act of New Jersey cannot conclude other par-
ties it cannot be effectual to answer the Ends proposed.
That it would not be effectual to form an absolute
decision in this case, the Legislature of that Province
seems sensible, whilst it endeavours to place in the
hands of the Crown the Decision of one point relative
to this matter and of considerable importance to it,
which power th^ Crown c'' not derive from them with-
out their having the power to establish the thing itself
without the assistance of the Crown.
As We think the present Act without the Concur-
rence of other parties concerned in interest unwarrant-
able and ineffectual, the next point to be considered is
what Transactions and Proceedings have passed to-
wards obtaining such concurrence.
The principal Parties interested are the two Pro-
vinces of Wew York and New Jersey and the Crown
The Provinces are interested with respect to their
Government and Jurisdiction and His Majesty with
respect [to] Sovereignty, Seigneurie and Property.
With regard to the transactions on the part of the
Province of New York, We shall only observe, that
whatever Agreements have been made formerly be-
tween the two Provinces for settling their Boundaries,
whatever Acts of Assembly have passed, and what-
ever Commissions have been issued by the respective
Governors & Governments, the Proceedings under
them have never been perfected, the Work remains
unfinished and the Disputes between the two Pro-
vinces subsist with as much Contradiction as ever.
But what we principally rely upon is, that those
Transactions were never properly warranted on the
part of the Crown, that the Crown never participated
in them, nor could be bound with respect to its Inter-
ests by Proceedings so authorized.
1753] ADMINISTRATION- OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. lol
The Interests of the Crown may be considered in
three lights, either as Interests of Sovereignty respect-
ing mere government, of Seigneurie, which respect
Escheats and Quit Rents; or of Property, as relative
to the soil itself, which last takes place in such cases
whether either the Crown has never made any Grants
of the Soil, or where such Grants have by actual Es-
cheats reverted to it. With regard to the former viz^
those of Sovereignty it may be alledged, that they are
not materially affected by the Question, as both Pro-
vinces are under the Immediate Government & Direc-
tion of the Crown, but they stand in a very different
light with respect to the Interest of Quit Rents & Es-
cheats, and we think with respect to them the situa-
tion of the two Provinces makes a material alteration;
for though the Province of New Jersey is not under
Regulations either of Propriety or Charter with respect
to its government, yet it is a Propriety Province with
respect to the Grant and Tenure of its Territory, and
consequently as New York is not in that Predicament,
the Determination of the Boundary in prejudice to
that Province will affect the Interest of the Crown,
with respect to the Tenure of such Lands as are con-
cerned in this Question, it being evident that whatever
Districts are supposed to be immediately held of the
Crown in New York by being supposed to be included
in the Limits of the Province of New Jersey, wiU
immediately pass to the Proprietors of that Province
and be held of them, by which means the Crown will
be deprived of its Escheats and the Quit Rents w^ill
pass into other hands; And as to what has been said
to obviate this difficulty, that the Crown having made
absolute Grants of the whole Territory that can possi-
bly come in Question under the Determination of the
Boundary, and reserved only trifling and inconsiderable
Quit Rents, it does not seem to us conclusive, since it
admits as [an?] Interest in the Crown, the greatness or
i32 ADMINISTRATIOxV OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
smallness of which is merely accidental and does not
affect the Essence of the Question. Though We can-
not help observing that in the case of exorbitant Grants
with inconsiderable Quit Rents and where consequently
it may reasonably be supposed that the Crown has
been deceeved in such Grants by its Officers, the con-
tingent Right of Property in virtue of its Seigneurie,
seems rather to be enlarged than diminished.
This being the Case, it appears to us that Governor
Hunter ought not to have issued his commission for
running the line above mention VI without obtaining
a previous direction of instruction from the Crown for
that purpose, a Commission issued under such circum-
stances can be consider'd with respect to the interests
of the Crown in no other hght than as a mere nulHty;
That even with respect to the Province of New York
we observe the Commission is questionable, as it does
not follow the Directions of the Act of 1717, which
declares that the Commission to be issued shall be
granted under the Joint authority of the Governor and
Council of that Province; But as it has been urged
that the Crown has since confirmed and approved these
Transactions either by previous declarations or by
subsequent acquiescence, and consequently partici-
pated in them so far as to conclude itself. We shall
in the next place consider the circumstances urged for
that purpose. We do not think that any thing has
been transacted in such a manner as to support such
an Inference. It has been urged that the Crown by
giving consent to an Act passed in New York in 1717
for paying and discharging several debts due from that
Colony &c'' concluded and bound itself with respect to
the subsequent Proceedings had under the Commis-
sion issued by Governor Hunter. The view and pur-
port of that Act appear to us so entire & so distinctly
formed for the purpose of raising money and estab-
lishing funds so various and so distinct from any
1753] ADMIlSriSTRATIO]^ OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 133
consideration of the Disputes subsisting in the two
Provinces with respect to the Boundaries, that We
cannot conceive a single clause in so long and so intri-
cate an Act can be a sufficient Foundation to warrant
the Proceedings of Governor Hunter subsequent to it
without a special Authority from the Crown for that
purpose, and there is the more reason to be of this
opinion as the Crown by giving its assent to that Act
can be construed to have assented only to the levying
money for a future purpose, which purpose could not
be effected by any Commission but from itself, and can
therefore never be supposed to have thereby approved
a commission from another Authority at that time
actually issued & proceeded upon previous to that
assent.
With respect to the Transactions between the Prov-
ince of New York and Connecticut, alledged to be
similar to and urged as a Precedent, and even as an
approbation of the Matter now in Question. We think
the two cases materially & essentially different from
each other. Tlie Act passed in New York in 1719 for
running and ascertaining the Lines of Partition and
Division between this Colony and the Colony of Con-
necticut recites, that in the year 16S3 the Govej'nor &
Council of New York and the Governor and Commis-
sioners of Connecticut did in Council conclude an
Agreement concerning the Boundaries of the two
Provinces; that in consequence of this Agreement
Commissioners and Surveyors were appointed on the
part of each Colony, who actually did agree, determine
and ascertain the Lines of Partition, Qiarked out a cer-
tain part of them and fixed the Point from whence the
remaining pai'ts should be run; That the several things
agreed on and done by the said Commissioners were
ratified by the respective Governors entred on Record
in each Colony and in March ITOD approved and con-
firmed by King William's Order in Council & Letter
134 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
to His Governor of New York, from which Recital it
appears to us, that these Transactions were not only
carried on with the Participation but confirmed by the
express Act and Authority of the Crown, and that
Confirmation made the Foundation of the Act passed
by New York for settling the Boundaries between the
two Provinces
As to the Argument which has been urged in sup-
port of the Act, That the Transactions already pass'd
for settling the Boundary have determined the most
material parts of it, and that one point being fixed and
the other left to the Crown to fix at its pleasure the
remainder is of little consequence & of no Difficulty.
We observe in the first place that the Crown has been
no Party to these Transactions, that the Merits and
Execution of them are contested even by those who
were parties to them, that the Crown would by such a
Method be drawn in to give it's Assent to Matters in
which it has never participated, and to authorise future
Determinations upon its Interests, under proceedings
which it may have no opportunity to examine
As therefore it appears to us that the Proceedings
in this affair were not warranted in the first Instance
by proper Authority, and as the Interests of the Crown
may be immediately affected by this Act carried on
without any proper Participation on the Part of the
Crown, We cannot think it advisable to recommend
it to His jMajesty for his Approbation.
Oi'dered that this foregoing Resolution and Opinion
be communicated to the Agents for the respective Prov-
inces, and that the Secretary do desire their Attend-
ance at the Board on Wednesday the -l"' of July
1753] ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 135
Letter from Robert Charles, Agent of the Province of
New York, to Governor Clinton.
[From N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Vol. LXXVIT. p. 106.]
Lansterfields London 13'.'' June 1753
Sir
Upon the success I have had in opposing the Act of
N. Jersey of which I have given a Particular Account
in my Letters to M' Speaker, to which I pray you to
be referred T think it necessary to apply myself to you,
as one able to judge well and soundly for the Publick,
and to lay before you what may not so properly be
communicated to many.
I have acquainted M' Speaker with the Use made of
a Certain Letter whereof your Brother will furnish
you with a Copy. I think I can Easily guess at the
Adviser & Penman of it the Injury resulting to the
Publick from such advice may possibly at a proper
time deserve publick Consideration.
The Injury that may be done to Individuals from
y'' Endeavour to Expose the Minysinck Patent & other
Grants to a ministerial Revision herewith likewise
require Attention. The Book produced on this Occa-
sion consisted of a Collection of Variety Papers,
Draughts & Maps, authenticated on the Oath of James
Alexander Esq'. Part of this Oath was read, & the
Clerk reading further than a Particular place pointed
out to him, I think there is the Oath of R. Hunter
Morris Esq";, likewise in proof of this Collection Some
Copies, of Patents were read, expressing no number
of Acres granted & of others where the Bounds are
left indefinite, & Maps were shown to illustrate these
Grants, of the Validity of which I soon perceived
Doubt came to be entertained but that was not the
136 ADMINISTRATION' OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Business of the Day tho' it might be the kind Intention
of those who had thus staged them for pubhck Review.
I intend to come at a Copy, if possible, of this whole
affidavit tho. I doubt whether it will be granted; but
as the Valuable Collection Contained in this Book is
under the Seal of New York with a Certificate of the
Governor prefixed, I apprehend some Entry must be
made hereof in the Secretary's Office, or stand upon
some Record in Your Government which would be
well worth searching, for I apprehend that a thorough
disquisition into this Affair upon the Spott would bring
no Credit to the Compilers of this Collection
The clandestine Entry on the Records of your Gov-
ernment of the Return of the Jersey Survey 25 years
after the Transaction in Opposition to the Proceedings
in Council for annulling Same should likewise in my
humble Opinion be enquired into & if it can be legally
done that Entry ought to be Expunged.
The Act of New Jersey being now set aside it may
be a Question whether on the Offer I have made in
behalf of New York joyn in a Commission under the
Great Seal for running the Partition Lines the Jersey
Proprietaries will come into the Proposal, for possibly
they may still insist on the Validity of what was done
in 1710. tho' it has received no Confirmation from the
Crown I on the other hand will joyn in no Commission
unless all the Boundaries are left to be ascertained on
the Foot of the Original Grants I have been surprized
to find the Notion so generall in your Colony that the
Latitude of 41 and 40, & not the Bianch of the Dela-
ware, supposed to lye in that Latitude, is the Northern
Boundary of Jersey. The Petition of divers Persons
to Mr President Schuyler in the year 1719 in opposition
to the Jersey Proprietaries Considers it in this Light.
Gov'." Hunter & Council, who joyned in a Memorial in
answer to the objectons made against the Confirma-
tion of your Act of 1717, Consider it in like manner.
1753] ADMINTISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 137
I could wish that you would review these Proceed-
ings, and as in the Petition mentioned is made of divers
Maps & Draughts it would be well that they Could be
Come at and Examined : I have had none sent me that
would bear publick View & have therefore been obliged
in a great measure to grope out my own way.
From the Researches I have made, it is evident to
me that about the time of these Grants Places &
remarkable Land Limits were all laid down much more
Northerly than later Observances have placed them,
this hold true with respect to the Forks of the Dela-
ware, and as that River in my Opinion was then but
httle Known beyond that great and remarkable Divi-
sion lay in 41 & 40; I have indeed yet mett with no
authentic old Maps that fully estabhsh this Construc-
tion but a modern one taken from ancient one has
come into my hands pubhshed by Direction and under
the Inspection of M'' Paris Solicitor for M' Penn in the
Dispute between him and Lord Baltimore (now Sohci-
tor for the Jersey Interest) with a View to M' Penns
Cause; this is said to be "a map of Virginia according
" to Capt John Smiths Map published anno IGOO Also
" of the adjacent Country called by the Dutch Niew
" Niderlant anno lOBO By John Lenex 1735." By
vvhicli map the only remarkable Division of Delaware
there called River May after that of Skuilkill below
Philadelphia is there expressly laid down in the Very
Latitude of 41 & 40 New York then Called New
Amsterdam being laid do^vn in 41 D, I think I shall
be able to trace the Source from where this Map was
taken & besides ray Searches here I have [sent] into
Holland to find out the Draughts and Maps which the
Amsterdam Company had of this Country at the time
it was surrendered to the Crown.
If this Exposition of the boundary can be maintained
the Jerseys will be pared very considerably and to
strengthen this Exposition I hope it may be made out
138 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
that beyond the Forks the River was never called Dela-
ware but Fishkill on which head I send you a few con-
cise thoughts which I drew up and put into the hands
of some friends I am aware that an Objection still lies
behind viz^ that as the Grant by latitude a more north-
ern Boundary on Delaware than on Hudsons River it
must appear strange to make that on Delaware more
southerly, as the Forks are said by modern Observation
to lye nearly in 40 & 40 This has its Difficulty, but as
the Latitude on Hudsons River admits of no dispute,
it must be contended that the Branch of Delaware and
not the Latitude by which that Branch is described is
the true and only Northern Boundary and that the
Date of Grant is limited by Delaware River.
It will give me great Pleasure to have your thoughts
on this Subject as well as on the proper Method for
executing the Commission that may be issued. Much
will depend on the Choice of able men for that Pur-
pose. The Jersey Proprietaries spare .neither Cost
or Pains to carry their Point & i hope your Governm.
will shew themselves Equally resolute to maintain
theirs.
With this Letter committed to Your Brothers Care,
I hope you will find your son & him returned in good
health, I take leave to depend upon your good Offices
in my behalf & assuring you of the sincere and perfect
Esteem which I truly entertain of you am most
heartily Dear Sir
Your obliged & most obd"' humble Servant
R. Charles
1753] ADMIN-ISTRATION OF GOVERN^OR BELCHER. 139
Argument that the Forks of the Delaware are the true
limits of New Jersey on the north.
[From N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary State's office, Albany, Vol. LXXVK, p. 107.]
That the Forks of Delaivare are the Ne-plus
ultra of the Northern Boundary of New
Jersey And that the Latitude 41 Deg &
40 M. on Fishkill River is an erroneous
Boundary, is evident.
1'* Because King Charles's Grant to the Duke of
York is confined to Delaware Bay & River whore that
Bay & River do not exist, this Grant cannot operate.
Now all the Lands from the Forks of Delaware to the
Latitude of 41 & 4 0 on Fishkill River (a Distance of
about 70 Miles on a straie;ht line) are manifestly not
on the Delaware River. For this River is not formed
till the Conjunction of the two Streams at the Fork,
there Delaware River begins, which Exposition is sup-
ported even by our adversaries, for the Return of the
Jersey Survey expressly says that the Fishkill is the
biggest & chiefest Stream that forms the Rivt^r Dela-
ware.
'2^}^' Because the King's Grant to the Dukn giving
him no Lands lying on Fishkill River the Duke could
grant none to the Proprietaries of Jersey
S**!' Because by the Duke's Grant to these Proprieta-
ries the Branch itself and not the Latitude is the
Northern Boundary the Latitude is only descriptive of
the Branch which is said to lye in 41 & 40 & the
Boundary is as far as this Branch but not up the
Branch or to any part of it.
4''*'^ Because the Forks of the Delaware are a most
remarkable natural Boundary which at the time of the
•140 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Grant might be well known & therefore referred to
tho' there might be a mistake of the Latitude in which
they were thought to lye.
gtwy Because these Forks by the ancient Geography
of the Country (only Guide to the Grant are laid down
in 41 Deg. & 50 minutes which clearly made out must
putt an End to the Controversary.
Note — These Forks by modern Observation lye al-
most exactly a Degree to the Southward to Witt, in
the Latitude of 40 & 40.
New York City lies nearly in the same Latitude of
40 & 40 tho' formerly laid down in 41 Deg.
By confining the Northern Boundary to these Forks
instead of the Latitude in which they were thought to
lye a more natui-al and consistent Boundary is Estab-
lished, than that monstrous One contended for by the
Jersey Proprietaries, which on the face of every Map
must appear unnatural and absurd.
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher
— desiring him to give all possible assistance to
the Missionaries for propagating the Gospel in
New Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T.. Xew Jersey, Vol. Vo, p. asi.)
Whitehall June 25"' 1758
To Jonathan Belcher EsqV Governor of New
Jersey
Sir
A Petition having been presented to Us, by the
Agent for the Society in Scotland for propagating
Christian Knowledge, complaining that M'" John Braiii-
ard a Missionary settled by the said Society at Bethell
17o8] ADMIlvriSTRATrOX OF GOVERJfOH BELCHER. 141
ill East Jersey, has been molested and obstructed in
the Execution of his Mission by some of His Majestys
Subjects in that Province, and particularly by the
Indian Traders, who had pursuaded the Indians that
he was sent by crafty men with a view to bring them
into a snai'e and finally deprive them of their Country
and Liberty s; We desire you will make particular En-
quiry into this Affair, and take the most effectual
Measures for the Security and Protection of the said
Missionary, or any other which may be sent by the
said Society to settle within the Province of New
Jersey, and for preventing and restraining the Indian
Traders from any ways molesting or obstructing the
said Missionary, and fi-om such false and injurious In-
sinuations to their prejudice. And We further desire,
that you will give the said Missionary's aU reasonable
Assistance in the Execution of their Missions. So We
bid you heartily farewell and are
Your very loving Friends
and humble Servants
Dunk Halifax,
Charles Townshend,
James Oswald,
J. Greenville.
Question referring to the Boundary between New
York and Neiv Jersey ansivered.
(From N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary of State's Office. Albany. Vol. LXXVIII, p. 11.]
Thoughts upon this Question
How shall the Province of New York take the Bene-
fit of the Eeportsof the Lords Commissioners of Trade
and Plantations made to his Majesty on the 18"' July
1753 ?
142 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
In answer I observe tirst, That according to the
Tenour of their Lordships Report nothin.Ji^- has been
done to bind the Crown in the Points of Jurisdiction,
Seignory, or Property as to its Right of and in the
Province of New York, nor can be done, unless by
Commission issued judicially to determine its Rights
in these Points or agreements between both Colonies
Confirmed by Royal assent.
Secondly, That all the acts of New York and New
Jersey and Governor Hunters Commission, the Tripar-
tite Deed, and the observations of Latitude and
Random in 1719, and all Acts of New Jersey, or Even
of New York (having been Transacted without the
Participation of the Crown, either at that time or be-
fore or since are not Conclusive or binding either upon
the Crown or Parties Claiming in right of the Province
of New York or New Jersey but the Controversy be
tween both Provinces is reduced by their Lordships
Report to just the same state as if the Dukes Grants
to John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret had not
been a Year old. This Second observation is but a
Consequence of the first, but deduced with a more par-
ticular and pointed application.
Thence — I query, whether it will not be the Interest
of the Province of New York to take the first opportu-
nity to declare it's consent to joyn in Application to his
majesty with the Province of New Jersey for a Com-
mission to ascertain that Line and to bear one half of
the Expence.
It seems to be the Interest of both Provinces to
these Ends —
1^> To preserve the public peace.
2''!^ To ascertain the Rights of Jurification & Gov-
ernment.
3"!^ To Fix the Limits of the Seignory and Prop-
erty of the Crown.
4*.' The Private Property of the Lands on each Side.
n53] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER, 143
It seems proper to be clone speedihj because possibly,
!«.' New Jersey will now think it their Interest to
Consent to it tho' every mention of this private Con-
versation for several Years past has been Treated with
Disdain.
2'^!5'. If they refuse it, it will Enable New York to
retort the Charge of Delay on New Jersey and lay the
Consequences of it at their Door.
3*^.'^ It may prevent their attempt (pursuant to the
Memorial of the New Jersey Proprietors to tlieir Gov-
ernours of 20"" November 1753 to Extend their Juris-
diction to the random line of 1719, which if opijosed
will pj'obably occasion Bloodshed or if not opposed
will put a great number of Possessions within this
Province in tlie Power of their Courts and doubtless
occasion an Ejectment of the New York Tenants
against whom they have got Judgements.
4"'.'^ It seems that at no time can be more favorable
to New York than the present time, while the weight
of their Lordships Arguments will be more sensibly
felt both at home and withhi this Province than Prob-
ably hereafter when matters are more ^- * * and
the Present Impression abated or worn out.
5thiy ^ Principal reason is this that New York is less
attentive to its Interest than New Jersey and it is
Evident that within a few Years they have Gained
much Ground of New York and with the utmost Art
vigilence and Expense are settleing themselves along
that Line that they pretend to have settled by their
observations in 1719.
gtwy ]sje^ York can hardly imagine any Conjuncture
more favorable to its Interests than the present when
probably their lordships Eeasons will have their fuU
weight with the Commissio7iers and perhaps may have
some Influence on the Commission itself which may
direct the Line to be run from the Delaware River
where that branch joins the River that hath an Ex-
144 ADMIISISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHKR. [1753
tension to the Latitude 41" & 40"^ and if two or more
branches extend to that latitude then from the North-
ermost of them to the Latitude of 41" on the Hudsons
River. Whether the legal sense of the Words, to the
Branch, or as far as the Branch or v^hether the term
of 41" 40'" on the Branch expresses the Term ad quem
from Cape May, and a quo to Hudsons River may as
well be determined in England as in America, And if
this point pass in favor of New York and the Com-
mission so direct i the Commissioners will have httle
more to do than to fix one Latitude and one Line The
term at the Forks wiU be fixed by Inspection and it
will not be very material which of the Forks is the
Northermost Branch and no Branch is pretended more
Northerly than these.
As to the Commissioners. Care should be taken
that neither New Hampshire Massachusets Bay, Con-
necticut nor Pensylvania furnish any of them.
Representation of the Lords of Trade to the King —
relative to the repecd of an act passed in 1747-48
for running a partition liyie between New York
and Netv Jersey.
[From an official copy among: Boundary Papers of W. A. Whitehead. Vol. II, No. 47. ]
To THE Kings most Excellent Majesty
May it ijlease your Majesty
We have lately had under Our Consideration an
Act passed in your Majesty's Province of New Jersey
in 1747-8 intitled,
An act for running and ascertaining the line of Parti-
tion and Division betwixt this Province of New Jersey
and the Province of New York.
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 145
And having been attended by M' Paris, SoUicitor in
behalf of the proprietors of the Eastern Division of
New Jersey, with M^ Hume Campbell and M- Henley
his Council in support of the said Act, and by M-
Charles, Agent for the province of New York, with
Mr Forrester and M- Pratt his Counsel against the said
Act, and heard what each party had to offer there-
upon. We beg leave humbly to Represent to your
Majesty,
That the Considerations which arise upon this Act
are of two Sorts, Viz' such as relate to the principles
upon -which it is founded, and such as relate to the
Transactions and Circumstances which accompany it.
As to the first, it is an Act of the Province of New
Jersey, interested in the Determination of the limits,
and in the consequential Advantages to Arise from it.
The Province of New Jersey in its distinct and sep-
erate Capacity can neither make nor Establish for de-
ciding differences between itself and other parties con-
cerned in Interest.
The Established Limits of its Jurisdiction and Terri-
tory are such as the Grants under which it claims have
assigned. If those Grants are doubtful and diffei-ences
Arise upon the Corstruction or upon the matter of
them. We humbl}^ Apprehend that there are but two
methods of deciding them, either by the concurrence
of all parties Concerned in Interest or by the regular
and legal Forms of Judicial proceedings, And it ap-
pears to us, that the legal method of proceeding nnist
be derived from the Immediate Authority of the
Crown itself, signified by a Commission from your
Majesty under the Great Seal the Commission of sub-
ordinate officers and of derivative powers being neither
Competent nor adequate to such ])urposes. To judge
otherwise would be, as We humble conceive, to set u})
ex parte Detirmination and Incompetent Jurisdictions
in the place of Justice and legal autliority.
11
U6 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
If the Act of New Jersey cannot conclude other
parties, it cannot be Effectual to the Ends proposed:
and that it would not be Effectual to Form an abso-
lute Decision in this Case, the Legislature of that pro-
vince seems Sensible, while it endeavours to leave to
your Majestys Determination the Decision of one point
relative to this matter and of considerable Importance
to it, which proves your Majesty cannot derive from
them, without their having the powei- to Establish the
thing itself without the Assistance of your Majesty.
As We are of opinion that the present Act without
the Concurrence of other parties concerned in Interest,
is unwarrantable and ineffectual. We shall in the
next place consider what Transactions & Proceedings
have passed towards obtaining such Concurrence.
The parties Interested are your Majesty and the two
provinces of New York and New Jersey, Your Maj-
esty is Interested with respect to your Sovereignty
Seigneurie and Property, and the said provinces Vv^ith
respect to their Government and Jurisdiction.
With regard to the Transactions on the part of New
York, We beg leave to observe, that whatever agree-
ments have been made formerly between the two pro-
vinces for settling their Boundaries whatever Acts of
Assembly have passed, and whatever Commissions
have been issued by the respective Governors and
Governments the proceedings under them have never
been perfected, the work remains unlinisbed, and the
Disputes between the two provinces Subsist with as
much Contradiction as ever. But there is a Cu'cum-
stance which appears to us to have still more weight,
namely that those Transactions were never properly
warranted on the part of the Crown: The Crown never
participated in them, and therefore cannot be bound
with respect to its Intei-ests by proceedings so author-
ized.
The Interest which your Majesty has in the Deter-
17o3j ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 147
mination of this Boundary may be considered in three
Lights: either as Interests of Sovereignty respecting
mere Government, of Seigneurie which respect Es-
cheats and Quit Rents, or of property as relative to the
soil itself, which last Interest takes place in such Cases
where either Your Majesty has never made any Grants
of the Soil or where such Grants have by Actual Es-
cheats reverted to Your Majesty.
With regard to the fii'st of these Interests viz, that
of Sovereignty, it has been alledged to Us in Support
of the Act, that it is not materially Affected by the
Question, as both provinces are under Your Majestys
Immediate direction and Government: But they stand
in a very different hght with respect to Your Majestys
Interest in the Quit Rents and Escheats, in both which
articles the Situation of the two provinces appears to
us to make a very material alteration. For altho' the
province of New Jersey is not under regulations of
propriety or Charter with respect to its Government,
yet it is a proprietary province with respect to the
Grant & Tenure of its Territory, and consequently as
New York is not in that predicament, the Determina-
tion of the Boundary in prejudice to that province will
affect your Majestys Interest with respect to the Ten-
ure of such Lands as are concerned in this Question, it
being evident that whatever Districts are supposed to
be Immediately held of Your Majesty in New York,
by being Supposed to be Included in the Limits of
New Jersey, will Immediately pass to the proprietors
of that province and be held of them; by which means
Your Majesty w^ould be deprived of your Escheats and
the Quit Rents would pass into other Hands.
To obviate this objection it has been alledged that
the Crown has already made absolute Grants of the
whole Territory, that can possibly come in Question
under the Determination of this Boundary, and re-
served only trifling and Inconsiderable Quit Rents on
these Grants, But this Argument does not seem to
148 VDMINISTRATTOX OF GOVEKN'Oli BELCHER. [1753
US to be conclusive, since it Admits an Interest in your
Majesty, the Greatness or Smallness of which is
merely accidental, and therefore does not affect the
Essence of the Question, And we beg leave farther to
observe, that in the Case of Exorbitant Grants with
Inconsiderable Quit Rents and where consequently it
may reasonably be Supposed that the Crown has been
deceived in Such Grants by its Officers, Your Majestys
Contingent Right of property in Vertue of Your Seig-
neurie seems rather to be enlarged than diminished.
This being the Case it appears to Us that Governor
Hunter ought not to have issued his Commission for
running the Line above mentioned without having
previously received the Royal Direction and Instruc-
tion for that purpose; and that a Commission issued
without such authority can be considered; with respect
to the Interests of the Crown, in no other light than
as a mere nullity; and even with respect to New York
we observe that the said Commission is Questionable,
as it does not follow the Directions of the above men-
tioned x\ct passed there in 1717 which Declares that
the Commission to be Issued shall be gi-anted under
the Joint Authority of the Governor and Council of
that province.
But it has been further urged that the Crown has
since Confirmed these Transactions, either by previous
Declarations or by Subsequent Acquiesence, and conse-
quently participated in them so far as to conclude itself.
We shall therefore in the next place beg leave to
Consider the Circumstance Urged for this purpose.
It has been alledged that the Crown, by giving Con-
sent to the aforesaid Act passed in New York in 1717
for paying and discharging several Debts due from
that Colony &c., included and bound itself with
respect to the subsequent proceedings had under the
Commission issued by Governor Hunter, But the View
and purport of that Act appear to us entire and so dis-
tinctly formed for the purpose of Raising Money and
1753] ADMIJSriSTRATIO-V OF GOVERXOK BP:LCllfc;i<. 149
establishing Funds so various and so distinct from any
Consideration of the Disputes Subsisting in the two
provinces with respect to the Boundaries, that we can-
not conceive a Single Clause in so long and so intricate
an Act can be a sufficient Foundation to Warrant the
proceedings of Governor Hunter Subsequent to it,
without a special Authority from the Crown for that
purpose; and there is the more reason to be of this
opinion, as the Crown, by giving its Assent to that
Act, can be construed to have Assented only to the
levying Money for a future purpose which purpose
could not be Effected by any Commission but from
itself, and therefore can never be supposed to have
thereby approved a Commission from another Author-
ity which was at that time already issued and Carry-
ing into Execution previous to such Assent.
We further beg leave humbly to represent to Your
Majesty, that the lines of partition and Division
between Your Majestys province of New York and
Colony of Connecticut having been run and Ascer-
tained pursuant to the Directions of an Act passed at
New York for that purpose in the Year 1719 and Con-
firmed by his late Majesty in 1723, the Transactions
between the said province and Colony upon that occa-
sion have been alledged to be Similar to, and urged as
a precedent and even as an approbation of the matter
now in Question. But we are humbly of opinion, that
the two Cases are materially and essentially different.
The Act passed in New York in 1719 for running and
Ascertaining the Lines of partition and Division
between that Colony and the Colony of Connecticut
Recites, "That in the Year 10b3 the Governor and
'' Council of New York and the Governor and Com-
'■ missioners of Connecticut did in Council conclude an
'' Agreement concerning the Boundaries of the two
''Provinces; that in Consequence of this Agreement
" Commissioners and Surveyors were appointed on the
150 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
" part of each Government who did actually agree,
"Determine and ascertain the Lines of partition,
"marked out a Certain part of them and fixed the
"point from whence the remaining parts should be
" run. that the several things agreed on and done by
" the said Commissioners were ratified by the respec-
" five Governors, entered on Record in each Colony,
" and in March 1700 approved and Confirmed by order
" of King William the third in His privy Council and
" by his said Majestys Letter to his Governor of New
"York."
From this Recital it Appears to Us that those Tran-
sactions were not only carried on with the participa-
tion, but Confirmed by the Express Act and Authority
of the Crown, and that Confirmation made the founda-
tion of the Act passed by New York for Settling the
Boundaries between the two provinces; of all which
Authority and Foundation the Act we now lay before
your Majesty appears to Us to be entirely destitute.
Upon the whole it appears to us, that the Act in
Question cannot be Effectual to t!le Ends proposed
that Your Majestys Interests may be materially
affected by it and that the proceedings on which it is
Founded, were not warranted in the first instance by
the proper Authority, but carried on without the par-
ticipation of the Crown. We cannot think it Advisa-
ble to lay this Act before Your Majesty as fit to
receive Your Royal Approbation —
Which is most humbly Submitted
Dunk Halifax
J. Grenville
Whitehall July 18"^ 1753 James Oswald
Andrew Stone
A true Copy from the Original Representation of the
Board of Trade remaining in the Council office
Steph: Cottrell
Witness Danl Coxe
Sam: Kemble
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOTERNOR RKLCHER. 151
Letter from Got^ernor Belcher to the Lords of Trade
— transmitting several documents connected, luith
the meeting of the Legislature of New Jersey in
May and June, and commenting on the state of
the Province.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 7, H, 28.]
Elizabeth Tov/n (N J) August 8'.'^ 1752
To THE Lords of Trade
May it Please Your Lordships
My last was on the 28''' of May, since w"'' I have not
had the Honour of any of Your Lordships favours,
which I am always glad to receive, for my Instruction
in the better Administration of the Affairs of this
Government.
I herewith Transmit to Your Lordships, what past
in a Session of the General Assembly of this Province,
held at Burhngton in May and June last * - *
Your Lordships will please to observe by them, what
I urged relating to a Revisal of the Laws of the Prov-
ince, as also in the Affair of Rioting, and the Assem-
bly? Answer to these things, must plainly show, they
had no Inclination at that time, to do any thing fur-
ther about them.
I am glad to say to Your Lordships, that there ap-
peared at this last Session, a much better Agreement
and Harmony, between the Council & Assembly,
then there had been for a long time, and among other
Acts Your Lordships will See there was one past,
making Provision for Payment of the publick debts of
the Province, and for the future Support of the Gov-
ernment, to the Month of May next.
I think, My Lords, that it is the General Consent of
15^ ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
the Inhabitants that this Province, never was in a
better State of Peace and Tranquihty, then at this day,
nor have I lately had any Account, of any Riotous
Attempts in any part of the Province.
My Lords, I wish the Proprietors (and so I have told
some of them once and again) wou'd bring forward
their Actions of Trespass and Ejectment against such,
as they think Illegally possess Lands, but they dont
seem to incline to it, I have also mentioned to His
Majesty Council, the making out a Peremptory Order,
to the Kings Attorney General, to prosecute such, as
have been Apprehended, and lye under Bonds, (as
Rioters) but this the Council dont seem to fall in with,
and so I am at a loss what further Steps to take, in
these Affairs.
I have the Honour to be with Great Respect
My Lords Your Lordships Most
Obedient & Most Humble Servant
J. Belcher
Letter from Ferdinand John Paris to Robert Hunter
Morris — complaining of being left without assist-
ance in securing the approval of an Act relative
to the boundai^y between Neiu York and New
Jersey.
[From original draft amonp Paris Papers in N. J. Hist. Soc. Lib., Bundle H, No. 58.J
Surry Street London 18. Aug' 1753
To EoB^ Hunter Morris Esq'
Sir
* * * I find my Self in such a Case, as I never
was, in my whole life. Engaged in a matter of vast im-
portance to the p'tys concerned, at such a Crisis as this,
without power to represent them, without Instructions
l7o3] VDMINISTHATrOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 153
what to do for them, without the proof of Facts, w'ch
you might have supplyed, without one penny of provi-
sion for the late very great expense, or that which is to
ensue, without knowing how to write to you, without
knowing who will be Bail or Security, on appealing ag'
the Lords of Trades Report, And yet must do Some-
thing & that instantly too. Or otherwise, that Report
will be confirmed, & (as I fear) much injury arise,
thereby to your & my Principalis.
I had once resolved to do nothing at all, in it, but let
it take its Fate as I was left in such an helpless Condi-
tion, but, when I considered y^ great importance of
the m've, the regard I have, for Every Clyent, soon
made me alter that Resolution.
I now enclose you a Copy of the Lords of Trade most
extraordinary Report, ag* the New Jersey Act for Set-
tling the Bounds towards New York. That Report
was dated the 18'" of July last, and, instead of advis-
ing the Crown, Singly, either to ratify, or to disallow,
the New Jersey Act, It runs into so many extraneous
matters, & comes to such Opinions, upon All those
matters, that you did not expect & will be much Sur-
prised at, when you see, and come to consider the
Report.
The 19^'' of July the King referred that Rep- to a
Com'^^ of his Privy Councill.
On the '26'^ of July (w'ch was the first Com*-^' that
was held, after that Ref""") I moved for leave to have
out a Copy of that Rep-, w'ch was ordered, accord^?^'
On Saturday the 28".' of July, at near midnight, I
got Out a Copy of it.
On Sunday the 29"' of July, I had a Copy, imedi-
ately, made for you. And early on Monday morning,
the 30"' of July, I sent that Copy, to yo' Lodgings &
desired your directions what to do on y" occasion; but
heard that you was gone out of Town, with yo' Sister,
on Sunday, the day before.
154 ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHEH. [1753
That same Night, I forwarded that Copy, with a
letter to you, hoping it might meet you, at Dover, but
it was returned to me, by the post, again, with an
Acco' that you was Sayled from thence.
From that time to the present, I have inquired of
D^ Cox, Mr Stuart M^ Catherwood, M': Furman, M'
Barclay, & every other p'son I could think of, how to
write, either to yourself, or to yo": Sister, but without
Any Success.
In the mean time, the New York Agent who, it
seems, knew you was gone, & imagined (as the truth
really was) that I was wholly uninstructed, gave me a
Notice, so early as on the 4"' Instant (so great a hurry
was never before known, in the like case) that he
would move the Com'^^ of Councill, on the 7'-' Instant,
to confirm the Lords of Trades Report, (I send you a
Copy of the Notice, enclosed).
When the 7'-' of Aug- came, you will Judge what a
Case I was in; I was driven to do One, of two things.
Either, to say that I had no Instructions to oppose the
Confirm'' of that Eeport, In w'ch Case y* whole Report
would have been that Instant, confirmed, by y'' opin-
ion of the Com'°*' of Councill, or else, to say that I
would oppose it, & pray time to prepare a petition for
that purpose.
I chose the latter, and thereby Stopt the Confiriia-
tion then.
And I did so, for the reasons before men*! & also
because you had given me some very general Ord"
(before ever you saw the extraordinary Contents of
the Report) to Oppose it either in M'." Penns name, or
in Ma': Lanes name (as the Leader in the West Jersey
Societys Affairs) or, if neither of those could be done,
then in yo' own Name, but so, as not too much to of-
fend y*" Board of Trade.
I have, since, seen both M"" Penn, & Ma"^ Lane, but
find no inclinac'on in either of them to imbarque in
1753] ADiflNISTKATION OF GOVERNOU BELCHER. 155
such an expensive Affair, & of w'ch they know
so very Httle,
So was obUged to propose a Petition, in the name of
the Councill of Proprietors, ag* the s*^ Report. That
pet° I have layd before M'i Hume Campbell, for him to
Settle; And I enclose you a Copy of it just as I layd it
before him; How, & in what Shape, it will come back,
from him, I cannot tell you: Possibly, he will at least,
alter such p'^ of it as set forth his ownnon attendance.
I think I have dealt as tenderly as I could, with y^
Lords of Trade (who are certainly mistaken in some
facts) & so I have tranciently set forth in y'' Dr* of y*"
pet" w'ch I have prepared, but whether it comes up to
yo"" Spirit, or intention, or whether I have sayd too
much, or too little in yo'" opinion, is impossible for me
to know; If I have erred in it, it has not been by de-
sign, but from the Scituation I wa.s left in, on w'ch
Acco- I hope great allowances will be made, as indeed
there should be.
While M'' Hume is setling the dra- of the Petic'on, I
am hunting abo- to see if M'" Barclay, or any of yo""
Friends will give the Security for costs required by the
Standing Ord' of >* Councill Board, in all Cases where
p'tys, who have been heard as the Board of Trade, pe-
tic'on against their Reports & am in much doubt of
finding any p'son to be such Security, tho' that is re-
quired to be done, before even y'' petic'on is to be
rece'd.
In the mean time I have done my very best, & my
utmost, & stand acquitted in my own breast of the
Consequences, be they what they may.
I beg you would i mediately, on rec' hereof, write me
at large, as well as give me proper Ord'^ for the neces-
sary Supply, for I do not doubt but that will be brought
on, as soon as ever the Lords meet again, in October or
Nov"". & remain with great respec Sir
Your most obed- hu'ble Serv'
Feedlsand John Paris.
156 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERKOR BELCHER. [1753
Circular Letter from the Lords of Tr-ade to the Gover-
nors in America — relative to a proposed interview
to he held with the Six Nations of Indians.
(From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VI, p. 803.]
To Jonathan Belcher Esquire Governor of New
Jersey.
Sir
His Majesty having been pleased to order a sum of
money to be issued for presents to the Six Nations of
Indians and to direct his Governor of New York to
hold an interview with them, for delivering those
presents, for burying the hatchet, and for renewing
the Covenant Chain with them: we think it our duty
to acquaint you therewith, and as we find it has been
usual upon former occasions when an interview has
been held with those Indians, for all His Majesty's
Colonies whose interest and security is connected with
& depends upon them, to join in such interview, and
as the present disposition of those Indians & the at-
tempts which have been made to withdraw them from
the British interest, appears to us to make such a
general interview more particularly necessary at this
time; we desire you will lay this matter before the
Council and General Assembly of the Province under
your government and recommend to them forthwith
to make a proper provision for appointing Commission-
ers, to be joined with those of the other Governments
for renewing the Covenent Chain with the Six Na-
tions and for making such presents to them as has
been usual upon the like occasions. And we desire
that in the Choice and nomination of the Commis-
sioners, you will take care that they are men of char-
ater ability and integrity, and well acquainted with
1753] ADMIXISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 157
Indian Affairs. As to the time and place of meeting
it is left to the Governor of New York to fix it, and
he has orders to give you early notice of it. We
are, Sir
Your very loving friends
and humble Servants
Dunk Halifax
Jam: Grenville
DUPPLIN
Whitehall Septemb: 18 1753
A like letter was sent to the Governors of Virginia,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland and Penn-
sylvania.
Letter from Robert Hunter Morris to Ferdinand John
Paris — in answer to his of August ISth.
I From (irigiual among papers of Mr. Paris iu Hist. yoc. Library, Bmidle H, No. 62. |
To Ferd John Paris Esq''
Spa Sep^ 11 1753
Sir
I came to this place yesterday from a tour I had
taken to the Rhine, and then first saw your letter of
Aug^ 18"*'"-****
You may well remember what pass'd when I was last
with you at the Plantation office, and at other times
when the report of the board of trade was under our
Consideration; when it was agreed between us to
oppose the ap})robation of that part of tlie report,
relating to the Transactions about the station point
upon Delaware, it being a matter that was not properly
before the board; and upon which our Council had
never been heard; and not only so, but because West Jer-
158 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
sey was greatly Interested, and no party to the contest;
This opposition we agreed should be made in the Naaie
of the West Jersey society, or of M' Penn, if they— or
Either of them would consent, and if not, then in my
name or that of the Eastern Prop'' who the Board
knew were represented by me. The reason I gave for
this Method, was, that I was unwilling to offend the
board of Trade, but nevertheless could not suffer a
report that so greatly Affected the Interest of those I
had undertaken to serve, to be confirmed, without
giving it all the opposition, in my power.
In order to induce the Jersey society, to take part in
this affair, I first wrote to their Secretary, and then
waited on Master Lane, to whom I shew'd in what
manner West Jersey, & Consequently the Society
would be affected by the Confirmation of that Report,
and convinced him that it was necessary for them to
appear in the thing, and referr'd him to you who was
fully Master of the Subject, for the proper method of
opposing it: He promised me to lay the matter before
the committee, & to consult you upon the Head, &
made no doubt but the committee would take a, proper
part in the affair. Thus stood matters when I left
England, and was I now upon the spot I could not put
'em upon a better footing, or give fuller instructions.
You say you are without Power, without Instruc-
tions, without Proofs, without money for the past or
future expence, and without proper security.
As to Powers you have Just the same you have
always had in this and other affairs of the Prop" if
more were necessary, why was it not mentioned to
me ? and if I am not greatly mistaken, I have more
than once offered to Execute any Instrument for that
purpose that you thought necessary. As to Instruc-
tions I gave as full as was then, or is now in my
power: and the proof of facts are all in your own
hands; and by your well drawn Petition it appears you
1753] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOK BELCHER. 159
are fully furnished. As to Money you might have had
it, for asking for, as I wrote you upon a former occa-
sion; and as you can't say I have disputed, or neglected
to pay any bill you have sent me, either upon my own
or the proprietors acc- you need not have been so
apprehensive as to the future expence. Security
indeed I gave no directions about nor did I know till
I had yours that it was necessary, and had you men-
tioned it to me either before, or at the time I took my
leave of you, I should have given Proper directions;
however, if Bail be wanted before my return, Inclosed
is a letter to Mess? Barclay & son to be, or procure it.
I have read over the Petition, and think it very fully
& properly drawn, and approve of every step you have
taken in this affair ******
I am surprised that Catherwood should pick up and
tell such an Idle tale of my landing my sister and pro-
ceeding to America, and much more so, that it should
gain any the least, credit with you when I had told
you where I was going, and that I should soon return;
I am at a loss for the reason of your sending such a
letter as yours to America, where you had the greatest
reason to think that I was not, and where it can have
no other effect but to make my friends uneasy con-
cerning my safety, — for as to any thing else I am too
well known in that country to be at all apprehensive
about it.
I propose to Return to England very soon, and shall
be glad to afford my best Assistance in this or any
thing, else that concerns the Interest of New Jersey
in Gen', or that of the Prop" in Particular, and in the
Mean time am Sir
Your Most Obed' Humble Serv'
RobT H Morris
160 ADMINISTRATIOX OF CiOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Petition of the Proprietors of East Jersey to the King
— asking to he heard against the Representation
from the Lords of Trade, recommending the re-
peal of the Boundary Act of 1747.
[From a certified copy amonp Papers of F. J. Paris in N. J. Hist. Soc. Library,
Bundle H.J
To THE Kings most Excell^ Maj^''^ in
COUNCILL
The humble Petition of the Council of Proprie-
tors of the Eastern Division of Your Maj-
estys province of New Jersey
Sheweth
That His late Majesty King Charles the 2"'' in the
year 1603 Granted to his Brother James then Duke of
York in Fee Sundry large Tracts and Territory s in
america and amongst others those which are now
called the provinces of New York and New Jersey To
be held of His said Majesty his Heirs and Successors
as of His Manor of East Greenwich in the County of
Kent in Free and Common Soccage and not in Capite
or by Knights service Yielding 4( » Beaver Skins yearly
when demanded.
That the said Duke of York in June 1(U>4 Granted
away one part of the said Territories (since called the
province of New Jersey) unto the Lord Berkley and
Sir George Carterett in Fee and the Boundary of that
part at present Material to be stated (and which was
to Divide the particular Tract so Granted away from
the Dukes other Territorys which he did not Grant
out) was as follows and (extendeth), "'to the North
" ward as far as the Northernmost Branch of the said
" Bay or River of Delaware which is in 41 Degrees and
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 161
"" forty Minutes of Latitude and Crosseth over thence
" in a Strait Line to Hudsons River in -11 Degrees of
Latitude" — which was a Boundary as plain and Sim-
ple and attended with as Little Doubt or Uncertainty
as the Boundary of any province in America at that
Time was.
Notwithstanding which as both the provinces of
New York and New Jersey afterwards became and for
a Great length of Time were under the Government of
one and the same Governor And New York had the
Greater Strength and Influence of the two New Jersey
hath never been able to get the said Boundary Settled
altho every reasonable Endeavour hath been used in
order thereto and altho the cultivation and settlement
of those parts as well as the peace & Government of
the Inhabitants of these provinces and the Rights and
propertys of persons seating there are all most Emi-
nently concerned therein
But so far otherwise has been the Case that while
the s" Boundary has remained unsettled pretended
Grants have been made by the Governors of New
York of Enormous Quantitys of Land at Minute and
Trifhng Quit Rents And the Grantees of such Quan-
titys (who have been persons of power & Influence in
New York) have by every means obstructed the settle-
ment of the said Boundary In order thereby to have
the better opportunity to Extend such Grants into and
to Encroach upon the property of Your Majestys other
Subjects in New Jersey
That in 1676 Deeds of partition were made between
the said Sir George Carteret on the one part and
William penn Esq' and others (who were the assignees
under Lord Berkeley) on the other part of that whole
Tract which had been before Granted by the Duke of
York into two distinct parts between themselves the
Eastern part of which (since called East New Jersey)
was thereby released unto the said Sir George Car-
12
162 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVEllNOR BELCHER. [1753
terett in Fee and the western part thereof (since called
West New Jersey) was released unto the said William
penn and others the assignees of the said Lord Berkley
in Fee
That by the said Deeds the Division was so agreed
upon by the proprietors of the soil as that the Line of
partition between East & West Jersey was to begin
at & from the station Point on the Northermost
Branch of Delaware Eiver at the Latitude of 41 De-
grees and 40 Minutes (which was the north station
point mentioned in the said Duke of Yorks Grant)
So that West Jersey as well -as East Jersey were both
concerned and Interested in fixing that north station
point
That the said Eastern part of New Jersey having
being Granted out and Conveyed by Sir George Car-
terett unto the said William penn & others to the
number of 24 proprietors (whose Representatives are
still intitled to the same) The Duke of York by his
other Confirmatory Grant of 24"' March 1682 Con-
firmed unto the said 24 proprietors the said Eastern
part of New Jersey by words expressly referring to the
before mentioned Deeds of partition which had been
made as afores*^ between the proprietors of the said
whole province
That from the year 1669 to the year 1684 the pro-
prietors GovF & Council of the Province of New Jersey
purchased from the Indians and granted out to sundry
persons great part if not the whole of the Lands lying
Eastwards up to the strait Line which was to run
cross the Country from the north station point to the
south station i:)oint, and their Grantees settled and
Cultivated the same or Great parts thereof
But in the year 1684 the Duke of York not having
Granted away his other Territory called New York
but Continuing seized thereof and coming to the
Crown his Governor in New York then and afterwards
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 163
took upon him to make Grants (as from New York
Government) of Lands long before Granted out by and
held under Grants from New Jersey
And the proprietors of New Jersey having some
Years afterwards Surrendered their Claim of Govern-
ment there to the Crown the provinces of New York
and New Jersey were for many Years put under one
and the same person as Governor of both provinces
tho' by Distinct Commissions issued under the Great
Seal for the Government of the said respective
provinces
That the two Station points not having been settled
and ascertained and different Grantees under different
Governments claiming the self same Lands it not only
prevented the settling and Cultivating those parts but
also bred Quarrels and Disputes as to Jurisdiction and
property and affected Government itself and was at-
tended with all the other Evils and Mischiefs that
Commonly ensue from uncertain Boundary s & Juris-
dictions.
To put an End to which Evils in the year 1717 when
M' Hunter was Governor of both the provinces of
New York and New Jersey under his late Majesty an
Act of Assembly was first passed in New York to
make a large Number of paper Bills of Credit to be ap-
plied to two several purposes, The first to pay and
Discharge several Debts then already due from New
York to a long hst of persons (all Enumerated in De-
tail in the Body of said Act) And the other purpose
was to raise and put into the Hands of the Treasurers
of New York sev! Quantitys of Plate to be applied to
other the publick and Necessary Uses of that Colony.
And the said Act among other the publick and nec-
essary Uses of New York for which it was making
provision, Recited, That the Partition Lines between
New York and Connecticut and between New York
and New Jersey were necessary to be known and as-
164 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
certained in order that such of the Inhabitants of New
York whose Estates or Habitations were adjacent to
and bordered on the s' partition Lines might peaceably
and without molestation enjoy the Fruits of their In-
dustry and that the Government might not be De-
frauded of the publick Taxes that might Arise and
become due from the said Inhabitants by their pre-
tending that they did not dwell within New York, And
it therefore Enacted that the Quantity of Y50 Ounces of
plate (part of the plate to be left in the Treasurers
Hands) should be applied to defray that part of the
Charge of running Surveying & ascertaining the par-
tition Line Limit and Boundary between New York
and New Jersey which might be requisite for New
York to pay, to be Issued by Warrant under the Hand
and Seal of the Governor of New York for the Time
being by and with the advice and Consent of His Maj-
estys Councill in such parts and proportions as should
be requisite for that Service when the Survey ascer-
taining and running of the said Line Limit a ad Boun-
dary should be begun and carried on by the Mutual Con-
sent and agreement of the Governor and Counsel of New
York and the proprietors of the soil of New Jersey —
And the Sum of 750 Ounces (part of the aforesaid
plate left in the Treasurers Hands) was to be issued as
aforesaid to defray that part of the Charge of running
the partition Line Limit and Boundary between New
York & Connecticut which should be requisite for New
York to pay when the Survey ascertaining & running
of the said Line Limit and Boundary should be begun
and Carried on by the Mutual Consent and agreement
of the Governor and CounciU of New York and the
Governor and Councill of Connecticut — Which Lines
being run ascertained and agreed on by the Survey-
ors and Commissioners of each Colony as aforesaid
It was thereby Enacted should for ever thereafter be
deemed taken be and remain as the partition Line
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 165
Limit and Boundary of the Colony of New York And
all Bodies Corporate & politick and all other persons
whatsoever within the province of New York were to
be for ever Concluded thereby
That when the s'^ Act was Transmitted for the
Royal pleasure great opposition was made here to the
same not only as it was an Act creating paper Mony
but also particular Objections were made to the partic-
ular Clauses of the said Act herein before humbly
Haled And after such particular Notice of that part of
the said Act and one or more Hearings on that Occa-
sion His late Majesty by His Order in Councill of the
19^^ of May 1Y20 was pleased to allow and ratify the
whole and every part of the said New York Act.
That the proprietors of New Jersey (then under the
same Governor with New York) were Extremely
pleased that New York by their said Act passed in 171Y
had led the way in order to a long desired Settlement
of the Bounds in Contest And thereupon in the next
ensuing Year 1718 An Act of Assembly was pass't in
New Jersey of hke Tenor & i^urport with that before
passed in New York with relation to the settUng the
Boundary s.
For it recited that many disputes & Controversies
had then of late happened betwixt the proprietors &
Owners of Lands in New Jersey and the owners of
Lands in New York which lay near to or adjoining
upon the Divison Line as well between the officers of
the Government and a Number of lawless Men there
who eluded the laws of both provinces and paid Taxes
to neither pretending to be Situate in each of them to
serve their evil purposes of Disobedience to the Lawful
Commands and Demands of the officers of the Gov-
ernment.
To prevent which for the future and in Order that
such of the Inhabitants of New Jersey whose Estates
or Habitations were adjacent to or bordered on the
166 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
said partition Line might peaceably and without
Molestation enjoy the Fruits of their Labour and the
Government might not be defrauded of the publick
Taxes that were or might arise or become due from
the said Inhabitants by their pretending that they did
not dwell within New Jersey It Enacted That there
should be two or more Commissioners with the Sur-
veyor General appointed by the Governor of New
Jersey by and with the Consent of the Councill who
should be Impowered by a Commission under the
Great Seal of New Jersey to Join with such Commis-
sioners and Surveyors as sho*^ be appointed on the part
and behalf of New York Which said Commissioners
& Surveyors so appointed & Commissionated as afore-
said sho'' on the part and behalf of New Jersey run
Survey agree on and ascertain the said Line Limits
and Boundarys between New Jersey & New York ac-
cording to the true Limits thereof as near as conve-
niently could be done
And further Enacted That when such Commissioners
as should be appointed by the governor by and with
the advice and Consent of the Councill with the sur-
veyor General of New Jersey had joined with such
Com miss'' and Surveyors as should be appointed for
and on the behalf of New York they should make re-
turn of the same under their Hands and Seals to the
governor of New Jersey for the Time being Which
return should be filed and recorded in the Secretarys
office of New Jersey, Which said Line of Division or
partition betwixt new Jersey and New York being-
ascertained run and agreed on and recorded as afore-
said should for ever thereafter be deemed taken be
remain and Continue the partition Line Limit and
Boundary betwixt New Jersey and New York And all
Bodies politic & Cor])orate and all other persons what-
soever within New Jersey or any Claiming any Right
& pro])erty therein should be Concluded by the same
Any Law Usage Custom or pretence to the Contrary
1753] ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 167
That the said New Jersey Act was Transmitted to
Great Britain for the Royal pleasure and having never
received any Disapprobation is apprehended to be in
full force in New Jersey
That M- Hunter Your Majestys Governor who passed
both the said Acts in New York and New Jersey was
by his late Majestys Royal Commission & Instructions
and had been for along Time before he passed the said
Acts commanded to Transmit to His Majesty a Map
with the Exact Description of the whole Territories in
the said respective Governments under his Command
That in the same Sessions of the New Jersey Assem-
bly in 1718 another act was there passed for running
and ascertaining the Line of partition or Subdivision
between the Eastern and Western Divisions of New
Jersey and for preventing Disputes for the future con-
cerning the same and for securing to the General pro-
prietors of the soil of each of the Divisions and persons
claiming under them their several and respective pos-
sessions right & Just Claims which Act Confirmed
the agreement contained in the Indenture of 1676 as
the partition to be made between the Eastern & West-
ern part of New Jersey But forasmuch as (for want of
the partition Line having been settled) persons under
Western Rights had taken up Lands in the Eastern
parts and so vice versa, therefore the said Line was to
be run as formerly agreed, And if one side had taken
up more Lands of the others than that other side had
taken up of theirs the respective Divisions were to
make allowance to each other for the same but the
settlers and Improvers were to Continue possessed of
their particular Lands and those Lands which had
been taken up by western Rights were to be Consid-
ered as part of the west Division tho' lying in the
Eastern part and so vice versa
That the said several acts of assembly having been
passed in both the said provinces under his late Majes-
168 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
tys Governor for the very necessary purposes aforesaid
Two Commissions issued in his late Majestys name
under the great Seal of those respective provinces for
the settling the said Boundarys in Dispute
The said Commission on the part of New Jersey
issued first of the two upon the 31'-' Day of March 1719
by the Express advice and Consent of His Majestys
Gov'' and Councill of New Jersey and it recited many
of the grants Deeds of partition Acts and matters herein
before humbly Stated and authorized two persons to
be Commissioners for the Eastern Division of New
Jersey and two others to be Commissioners for the
Western Division of New Jersey and the Surveyor
General of both those Divisions in Conjunction with
the Commissioners and Surveyors to be appointed on
the part of new York to do several Distinct matters
that is to say
To Inspect and Survey all such streams of water
that formed the River of Delaware as they should Es-
teem necessary to be Inspected or Surveyed in order to
find out and Determine which of the Streams was the
northernmost Branch of Delaware River and when
such Branch was so discovered they were Carefully
according to the best of their knowledge and under-
standing to discover and find out that part of the said
Northernmost Branch of Delaware River that lay in
the Latitude of 41 Degrees and 40 Minutes which was
the North partition point of New Jersey and the point
as well of the Line of Division between the Eastern
and western Divisions of New Jersey as that place
where the Line of partition between New York and
New Jersey terminated All which the said Commis-
sioners and Surveyors were thereby required distinctly
to Certify under their Hands and seals to the GoYernor
of New Jersey to be filed and recorded in the Secretarys
office there
And then the said Commission Ceased to give any
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 169
further powers to those Commissioners and Surveyors
for West New Jersey as the Western part of New
Jersey had no other concern whatever in the other
parts of the Division which affected only East New
Jersey and New York.
But the said Commission further Impowered the
said two Commissioners and Surveyors for East New
Jersey in Conjunction with the Commissioners and
Surveyors for New York to discover the South Station
point at 41 Degrees on Hudsons River and to run out
the Strait Line from the North Station point to the
South Station point in such manner as therein was
mention all which those Commiss" and Surveyors
were also to return Distinctly under their Hands and
Seals to the Governor of New Jersey to be filed and re-
corded in the Secretary s office there
That as to the Commission issued by New York on
that occasion it appears by Sundry minutes of his
Majesty s Governor and Council of New York Dated
the le*"^ and 23" of April the 2" of May and the 17'" and
20^'' of June 1719 that the said Governor and Council
of New York had this matter under their Considera-
tion and particularly by their Joint Minute of the 2' of
May they jointly ordered that a Commission should
issue under the Great Seal of that province to two
persons therein named as Commissioners and to a
third person therein also named as Surveyor for that
province for running and ascertaining the said Division
Line And by the said Minutes of the 2'' of May and 17"'
and 20"' June and divers other Subsequent minutes the
s'' Governor and Council of New York jointly ordered
out several sums of Money to their s'' Commissioners
and Surveyor on account of the s'^ work
A.nd a Commission issued under the Great Seal of
New York authorizing the said Commissioners and
Surveyor (so appointed for New York) to do in Con-
junction with those for New Jersey All the like mat-
170 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
ters and things as were mentioned and particularized
in the said other Commission from New Jersey
That according as the said New York Commission
now Stands Entered in the Books at New York it
seems as if it had been made to bear Date upon the 1''
Day of the said May which was the Day next before
that when the said Joint Minute of Governor & Coun-
cil ordering the same to issue bears Date But by what
means or mistake soever that small Impropriety in
point of Date now appears upon the New York Entry s
(which appear in themselves to be very incorrect) your
petitioners humbly hope it is abundantly Clear from
the many Minutes of the Gov' and Council of New
York botli before and after the Date of the said New
York Commission that the same issued in exact Con-
formity to the said New York Act of Assembly of 1717
(which was afterwards confirmed by his late Majesty
in Council) and particularly with the Consent of both
the Governor and Council of New York.
That the Bounds in Question were first and precisely
mentioned in the s? Duke of Yorks Grant of New Jer-
sey to Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret to be by
imaginary Lines in the Heavens of 41 Degrees and 40
Minutes on the Northernmost Branch of Delaware
River and 41 Degrees on Hudsons River And the Com"".^
and Surveyors were not authorized nor had any Power
given them to make any Contract or Bargain or to
give or take Lands from the one Province to the other
or to enlarge or diminish either of the Provinces but
solely according to Rules of Art to survey and ascer-
tain upon the Earth that Part of Northernmost Branch
of Delaware River and that Part of Hudson's River
which lay under and corresponded to those respective
imaginary lines in the Heavens and to draw a strait
Line from the one to the other without Prejudice
Favour or affection.
So that your Petitioners most liumbly submit to
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 171
your Maj'ty as the Ascertainment of Boundarys is so
essentially necessary not only to the well being but
even to the Settlement & Cultivation at all of distant
Regions in America and that the leaving the Boundarys
unsettled and undetermined is attended with so many
and great Evils whether your Majesty will not be
graciously pleased to give Countenance to every fair
Endeavour to attain so much good and to avoid so
many Mischiefs More especially considering the nature
of the Boundary now in Question and that the s*^
Comm".^ issued in pursuance of an Act of Assembly to
which the Royal Assent was afterwards given & by
the joint Consent of your Majesty's GovF and Coun-
cils in both your s'' Provinces of New York and New
Jersey.
That the said Comm''.* and Surveyors began their s''
Work and all of them unanimously fixt and ascertained
the North Station Point at the Latitude of 41 Degrees
and 40 Minutes upon the Northernmost Branch of
Delaware River. And when they had so finished that
distinct Part of the Work which concerned all the
three Partys viz^ New York East New Jersey and
West New Jersey they pursuant to the Directions in
their s*? respective Com'"* made a distinct Return of
that separate Matter by a solenju Ind're Tripartite bear-
ing date 25 July 1719 which was executed by every
one of them under their hands and seals whereby they
declared and certified which was the most Northern
Branch of the River of Delaware and the exact & par-
ticular Place upon that Branch of 41 Degrees & 40
Minutes of Latitude Which they described by a great
Number of precise Landmarks so as to fix and ascer-
tain the same in the most clear manner and such their
Return was filed of Record in both the said Provinces
of New York and New Jersey.
That the first Point or North Station being thus
fixed it was most easy to discover where the other
172 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
South Station Point at 41 degrees upon Huison's River
would fall & consequently it presently appeared that
the great and exorbitant Grants which had been made
under New York extended into and encroached upon
the Lands in New Jersey.
And therefore a most extraordinary Method was
contrived to put a Stop to the further Progress as to
the other Station Point & the strait Line from the one
to the other of those two Points.
And in order to stop the further Progress upon the
Residue of the s*^ Work Allan Jarrat the New York
Surveyor alone & without the Concurrence of any one
(even of the New York Cora""-^) presented a Petition to
the President and Council of New York on 24 Sep^ 1719
seting forth that he pursuant to the Trust reposed in
him had in Conjunction with the New Jersey Com"
& Surveyor proceeded to the Latitude of 41 Degrees
and 40 Minutes and had taken sundry repeated Obser-
vations in July then last by a Brass Quadrant of 22
Inches Radius and that that Latitude had been deter-
mined and adjusted after 4 repeated Observations with
the Plumett at each End of the Quadrant which were
found not to differ each from the other above half a
Minute and that the Difference being so small was
adjusted by a mean between the Diffei-ences of the s''
Observations as might appear by a Journal ready to be
produced.
But that from thence they went to a Place nigh to
where they judged the other Station might fall upon
Hudson's River and made Observations in the Month
of August then last in order to adjust the Latitude of
41 Degrees with the s'' Quadrant And that there hav-
ing a good Sun and clear Weather by Observ'"-* made
with a Plumett at the End of the Quadrant and then
with the Plumett at the Middle or two Thirds of the
Quadrant such Observations differed each from the
other about four Minutes That therefore he conceived
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 173
great Difficulty to decide the true Latitude of 41
Degrees in so wide a difference of Observations by so
small an Instrument It requiring a larger Instrument
and the most exquisite Exactness & nicety to deter-
mine Wherefore to vindicate himself from future
Aspersions and being prest upon by the Com"".' to pro-
ceed he laid that Matter before the President & Coun-
cil & prayed them to give him Instructions to direct
his Judgment.
That the s? Jarratts Petition was referred to a Com*^^*
of the Co! of New York who as it is pretended upon
the very same 2-1:"' of Septbr 1719 made some Keport
that Jarratt who had acted in the former Part of the
Work and in the executing the s-' Ind're of 25 July
1719 (all upon his Oath) had sayd then before that
Com'^-^ that the first Observ"* whereby the first Station
had been settled were taken at the Ends of the Quad-
rant & that the Errors & Defects of it had not been
discovered at that Time & therefore that the North
Station Point upon the Fiwlikill was wrong & erro-
neous notw'ithstand'' the Tripartite Ind'res w'*' had
been executed there upon that Occasion.
That the s- Eeport founded entirely upon what Jar-
ratt say'' in opposition to what he and all the rest of
the Com'".* & Surveyor had done signed and executed
under their hands and seals under Sanction ol an Oath
appeared so very extraordinary a Proceeding that such
pretended Report was never confirmed even by the
Council of New York itself that your Petitioners can
discover.
But notwithstanding that and that not one Third
Part of the Work was done & even that as their Sur-
veyor was now made to pretend not rightly neither
yet their Surveyor was amply rewarded for his Doubts
and Scruples For by several subsequent Minutes of
the New York Council the whole 750 Ounces of Plate
or £300 which by the New York Act had been appro-
174 ADMINISTEATIOX OF GOVEKKOR BELCHER. [1753
priated for doing the whole Work was ordered out to
their Com'".^ & Surveyor which rewarded him for his
Doubts.
That New York never procured any larger Instru-
ment to satisfy their own Surveyors Pretence of Doubt
nor would proceed any further to settle the disputed
Bounds The great Grantees under that Government
knowing their own Power too well and dreading noth-
ing more than a just and true Settlement of the
Bounds which would put an End to their Encroach-
ments and great and continual Quarrels and Tumults
arose between the Persons near the contested Bounds
and Bloodshed and Murders were like to ensue And
the Inhabitants of New Jersey from time to time
represented to their Government the great Invasions
made in point of Jurisdiction as well as Property some
of the same even down to Minisinks Island a Place
about 40 Miles below the Noi'th Station Point so fixed
as afs'^ of all which the President and Council of New
Jersey from Time to Time made the most earnest and
reiterated Complaints to the Government of New York
and represented the great Dangers & Mischiefs arising
from the Bounds not being settled and also prest them
by that Duty which both Governments owed to his
late Majesty's Com" and Instructions under the Great
Seal to fix the Limits and Boundaries of both Prov-
inces but all to no manner of Purpose.
Whereupon on the 7"' of Septr 1744 your Pet" pre-
sented a Memorial to your Majesty's Governor of New
Jersey seting forth many of these Matters And pray-
ing that an Act of Assembly might be past and might
be sent home in order to your Majestys Approbation
thereof for running the Eesidue of the said Lines ex-
parte in Case New York would not after so many
Endeavours join in running the same.
After which and all the aforemenf amicable Endeav-
ours had been used an Act of Assembly was passed by
1753] ADMIXISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 175
the Governor Council & Assembly of New Jersey upon
the 18"' of Febry 1747 intitled an Act for running &
ascertaining the Line of Partition & Division betwixt
this Province of New Jersey and the Province of New
York.
Which Act recites the s"? Grant in 1663 from King
Cha* the 2^ to the Duke of York & the s" Duke's Con-
veyance of New Jersey to Lord Berkley and S'' George
Carterett in June 1664 and the s^ Ind're Quintipartite
of Partition in 1 676 made between the Proprietors of
East and West Jersey and recites that the Division
Line between New York and New Jersey not having
been before settled New York past the Act for setling
the same in 1717 and that New Jersey past the like
Act in 1718 And also recites that in the same year 1718
New Jersey past another Act for running the Line of
Subdivision between the Eastern and Western Divi-
sions of New Jersey And recites the said Ind're Tripar-
tite of 25*!' July 1719 executed by all the Com"".^ and
Surveyors for New York and for East Jersey and for
West Jersey declaring where the true North Station
Point was found to be And recites that many Endeav-
ours had been used by the Gen? Proprietors of East
Jersey for proceeding to fix the Latitude of 41 Degrees
upon Hudson's Eiver and running the strait Line from
one point to the other but that all the same had proved
fruitless And that the Persons living near the Places
in Question eluded the Laws in both Governm'.'' paid
Obedience to neither Sometimes pretending to be in
New York and sometimes to be in New Jersey as it
best served their purpose to avoid paying Taxes and
performing such Services as were done by other your
Majesty's Subjects in both Colony's Likewise that
many Persons owners of cons'ble Tracts of Land and
wilhng to improve the same were deterred therefrom
which had proved a great Hindrance to the further
settling New Jersey and had encouraged several Per-
176 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
sons belonging to New York to encroach upon New
Jersey & disturb many People settled under the same.
In Order therefore to prevent those Confusions and
Distuibances which would otherwise unavoidably fol-
low and to encourage further Settlem*? & Improvm*? in
New Jersey & that such Persons as were already set-
tled near the Bounds in Dispute might peaceably enjoy
the Fruits of their Labour according to their several
Eights.
The s^- Bill or Act therefore proposed to Enact That
the Com*"^ and Surveyor appointed or to be appointed
for the Eastern Division of New Jersey pursuant to
the former Act of 1718 should discover and fix the
Latitude of 41 Degrees on Hudson's River and sho"
run the strait Line bet" that Partition Point & the for-
mer Partition Point settled in 1Y19 as afs". And in
order that the same might be done truly and fairly as
well as amicably & in Conjunction with Com'.^ & Sur-
veyors to be appointed by New York The s'l Bill fm*-
ther Enacted that Notice should be given by the GovV
of New Jersey to the Govi" of New York at least nine
months before beginning the same that, that Province
might join if they thought fit But if New York should
not appoint Persons to act or they not meet & Act
then the New Jersey Com"".* to run and ascertain the
same.
And then the s'! Bill recited that Hudson's River in
the Latitude of 41 was ab' a Mile broad & that a
Quest" might arise whe' the Partition Point sho*^ be
on the East or West Side or in the Middle of Hud-
son's River And it Enacted that the Partition Point
should be on the East side of Hudson's River, as near
as possible in the middle between High and low water
mark there.
And the said Bill or Act contained four several pro-
visoes to the following Effect.
1. That the said Act should not affect the Estate
1753] ADJUNISTRATION OF^GOVERNOR BELCHER. 177
Right Title Claim or Demands of any person whatso-
ever to any of the Lands within New Jersey But that
all such Estates Rights Titles Claims and Demands
should be saved and remain to the said persons in the
same manner as if the said Act had never past.
2. That the said Act should not be in force until the
Royal Assent should be had thereto.
3. That if Your Majesty should order that the parti-
tion point on Hudsons River should be in the middle of
that River or on the west side of it or at high or low
water Mark or the middle betwixt them on either side
that then your Majestys Declaration and order should
be Effectual (which your petitioners humbly apprehend
was a Dutiful Submission to your Majestys Royal
Determination to which it certainly belonged of the
only point that could be in Doubt).
4. And the last proviso was That the whole Charge
of obtaining the Royal Assent discovering and fixing
the partition point on Hudsons River and running the
said Strait partition Line (or so much thereof as should
be Incumbent on New Jersey to pay) should be wholly
raised and Defrayed out of the Estates of the General
proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey.
That in order to proceed with the utmost Fairness
after the said Act had been passed and before it was
sent to Great Britain Your pet" Caused Copys of the
same to be Served upon 28'!' June IT-IS upon your Maj-
estys Governor in New York and upon the president
of your Majestys Council and Speaker of the Assembly
there together with a written Notice hoping and desir-
ing that they would save the Trouble & Expence of
an Application to England by joining to Settle and fix
the Station point and run the Strait Line And that in
Expectation of such Consent New Jersey would delay
sending home the act not only for two Months but for
any longer reasonable Time that should be desired.
To which proposal your petitioners could obtain no
13
178 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
sort of Answer whatever either from the Council or
Assembly of New York.
But your petitioners are informed that your Maj-
estys Governor of New York thought himself obliged
on the Occasion to make some Representation to your
Majestys Commissioners for Trade and plantations
about the Y^l' of October 1748 whereby as your peti-
tioners Apprehend he Certified to the said Lords Com-
missioners That many Disorders had been Committed
on the Borders of those provinces Occasioned by the
Lines remaining unsettled That he had been requested
by the late Governor of New Jersey to Join in the Set-
tlement of the Line pursuant to Acts then and Still in
force in both provinces for that purpose which he sh*^
readily have done but upon Enquiry found that the
sum of 300 formerly raised by the New York Act of
1717 had been long ago drawn out of the Treasury and
paid to Conmi'' & Surveyor employed in that Service
who began but never Completed the work and were
since Dead and no other Money had ever been appro-
priated in New York for that Service That he also
found that all the Lands along the Line for many Miles
within New York had been granted away upon trifling
Quit Rents And that as it did not appear to him that
the Interest of your Majestys Crown or of the province
of New York in General were any way Concerned in
the matter but only the patentees of the Lands along
that Line he left it to the particular persons concerned
to take such Steps as they sho'' think proper or to
some such Effect.
That a Bill so necessary to the very being of New
Jersey and so harmless in its Nature as this appeared
to be Your petitioners most humbly hoped migiit meet
with Your Majestys Royal approbation For that with-
out some Settlement of the Jurisdiction no man can
enjoy his property at Quiet in New Jersey or have any
Legal Redress against any Invader thereof The first
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 179
Question on such occasions being whether the wrong
supposed to be done was Committed in New Jersey or
in New York and which Question cannot be deter-
mined until the Boundarys are run to determine the
respective Jurisdictions so that persons are under a
necessity either of giving up their possessions to the
first Invader or else to Defend the same by might as
they can The mischievous Consequences whereof in
a Colony that is SettUng Your pet'"' humbly apprehend
to be great and Obvious.
And the present Act was at least Intended for no
more than to Settle the respective Jurisdictions that
Persons might have the possibility of Defending or
recovering their property by Law and was not intended
to affect or prejudice any persons Kight the said Act
having Expressly saved the Estates Rights Titles
Claims & Demands of all persons in such manner as if
the Act had never been passed.
And therefore your petitioners humbly apphed to
Your Majestys Commissioners for Trade & plant"'
(unto whom Your Majesty had been pleased to refer
the Consideration of the said Act) that they would
report the same as proper for your Majestys Royal
approbation and allowance.
But the agent here for Your Majestys province of
New York desired to be heard before the said Lords
Commissioners against the said Act & prayed Time
after Time for about four Years together to prepare
for such hearing but never filed any memorial petition
or written objection whatever to the said Act or to any
part thereof nor ever declared what any one objection
that he had against the said Act was until the very
instant of hearing upon the same
That at a hearing before the said Lords Com miss"
upon Tuesday the 5"' of June 1753 the persons Em-
ployed on the behalf of New York under Colour of re-
plying in Support of a preliminary objection against at
180 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
all entring into the Merits of the said Act of a sudden
started many high and great points relative to the
Merits of the Act of w^iich your petitioners had never
had any the least Notice and which proceeding deprived
your petit" of the means & opportunity of giving full
answers to those matters so that your petitioners have
not had any Opportunity then or at any time since to
answer the same Much less had the proprietors of
West Jersey any possibiUty of being heard to the same
at all altho the Matters offered were such as very
highly Concern those proprietors who had no Agent
present and who are in the Close of the s'' Act Ex-
pressly Exempted from being at any Charge at all re-
lating to the said Act as they were apprehended not to
be Concerned in the same
That such matters so suddenly offered and by Sur-
prize on the part of New York Your pet" humbly appre-
hend have had great weight with the said Lords Com-
missioners for want of your petitioners Answering the
same for that their Lordships by a Report to Your
Majesty dated IS"' July 1753 have been pleased to Cer-
tify that they do not think fit to lay the said act before
Your Majesty as fit to receive Your Royal Appro-
bation.
And in the said Report the said Lords Commissioners
have stated at large many Reasons for such their
Concluding opinion some of which Reasons (if the
same sho** be approved by Your Majesty) might shake
Antient settlements of property made by New Jersey
and bring into Question most part of the Lands in that
province.
That from the Disorders in that province formerly
represented to Your Majesty and occasioned by setting
up the Title of the Indian Natives to the soil there in
opposition to that under Your Majesty s Crown al-
ready a great part of the property in that province is
questioned and disputed and that in such a manner as
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 181
that the Laws have not their Due force there and the
Declaring the said proceeding had in order to Settle
the Boundarys in 1719 which have relation to and
Confirm the former Deeds of partition of 1676 made
between the proprietors of East and West Jersey to
be null as seems to be reported may (as Your Peti-
tioners have too much Reason to fear) create Infinite
other Suits and Contests relating to Titles there and
may prove so prejudicial to property as to throw all
matter relating to the same into Confusion to the
utter undoing of the proprietors
Your Petitioners therefore most humbly pray Your
Majesty that you will be graciously pleased to take the
Distrest and very particular Circumstances of your
said Province of New Jersey into your Royal Consider-
ation and that the several Matters which are Contained
in the said Report of the 18*" of July 1753 may not be
Confirmed But that Your petitioners may have an op-
portunity of being heard against the same And that
Your Majesty will be graciously pleased on the Cir-
cumstances of this Case to approve of and Confirm the
said New Jersey Act of Assembly of the year 1747 or
to afford Your petitioners such other means of ascer-
taining and Defending their propertysand of Enjoying
the same free from Disturbance as to Your Majesty in
Your Royal Wisdom and Justice shall seem meet
And Your petitioners (as in all duty bound) shall
ever pray e*"
A true Copy from the Original Petition remaining
in the Council Office. Steph Cottrell
Witness Dan"- Cox
Sam Kemble.
182 ADMINISTRATION Ot GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Letter from Ferdinand John Paris to Robert Hunter
Morris, in answer to his of September 11.
[From the original draft among papers of F. J. Paris in Library of N. J. Historical
Society, Bundle H., No. C4.]
To the Hon^.'^ Rob* Hunter Morris Esq'" at Spa
Surry Street London 24. Sept. 1753
Sir
I have your favor of the 11**" Instant, and as the
Answering every part of it, in a minute manner,
might give ye'self & me a good deal of trouble, I shall
deferr that, until I have the pleasure of seeing you.
Had you been pleased to see the Eeport of the Lords
of Trade (vv'ch you acquainted me that you declined,
altho' it was offered to be shewn to you) tfe furnished
me, after that, with any directions, I sho** have fol-
lowed them with great Care, as I usually do: But as
you had not seen it & I found it to contain such very
extraordinary matters, I beUeve, any faithful Agent,
could have found himself, under as much difficulty &
Anxiety, as I was at that Crisis of time, & would have
wrote, as I did, to every place, where he imagined his
L'res might have got to you. I am afrayd the proof
of One very essential part is not in my hands, but
rests with you; I mean, the enormous quantity of
Lands, granted out by the New York Patents, & that
is a Fact w'ch has great stress layd upon it & sh''
have, if Supported in Evedence. * * *
I am glad the pet" is so well approved of, but in case
I had begun such an Opposition, & embarqued in a
large expense therein, of my own head, without
pe'ticular ord", & that that measure had not been
approved of, or had not been afterw*^' attended with
Success, what a Case sho'' I have been then in ? * *
I have got back the Dr*^ of y*' Pet" from IvP Hume,
much approved, & but very little altered, cliiefly, in
that p' (as I expected) where his own Non attendance
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 183
was men" M"" Barclay * * is to give the security,
this day the Pet" is to be lodged tomorrow, & on Wed-
nesday, I expect there will be a general Councill, at
which it may be referred down to y*" Comm'"
To hope for a Continu" of y^ Act, at present, Or for
a direct Reversal of the Report, wonld be very vain,
wherefore I Imagine our endeavor must be, to get the
Report, referred back again, to the Board of Trade, for
Reconsideration. In such Case, it will be easy to shew
them, that they have greatly mistaken y'' Fact in
working up this Report which is the first, of its kind,
that I ever seen
I remain Sir
Your most obed^ h'ble Serv*
Ferdinand John Paris
Petition of the House of Representatives of New Jer-
sey to the King — asking that the Governor may
he permitted to give his assent to a Bill making
current £60,000 in Bills of Credit.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 29.1
To His Most sacred Majesty George the Second
by the Grace of God of Great Britain
France and Ireland King Defender of the
Faith
The Petition of the House of Representatives
of the Colony of New Jersey in General
Assembly met
Most humbly Sheiveth
That the frequent remittances to Great Britain of
the foreign Specie drains this Colony thereof And
renders a Currency of Our own absolutely necessary
which induced the Legislature here in the Years 1730
184 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
and 1733 to pass two Acts of General Assembly for
emitting on Loan £60,000 in BiUs of Credit; to both
which Acts Your Majesty was graciously pleased to
give Your Eoyal Assent on the 4^'' of May 1733 and the
4*'^ of May 1735 and the Bills emitted on the Act of
1730 have long since been sunk according to the Tenor
of that Act And the Currency of those Emitted on the
Act of 1733 expired between Man & Man the Twenty
fifth of March last 0. S. however by the Tenor of s^
Act those of them yet outstanding are to be received
for Six Months after by the Commiss'* of the loan
Office & the Treasurers of the respective Divisions of
this Colony in which time there is no Reason to doubt
but that the small i^art remaining will be fully paid in
according to the Directions of the said Act & then an
end will be put to a Currency which hath constantly
maintained its Credit & been of great Service to the
Publick.
That in Obedience to Your Royal Pleasure signified
by the Duke of Newcastle and thro' a becoming Zeal
for the Success & Glory of Your Majestys Arms in
the late War against the Powers of France & Spain
this Colony hath exerted itself to the utmost of its
ability & beside other Sums advanced on those Occa-
sions is now actually involved in Debt upon Account
thereof the Sum of Fifteen Thousand three hundred
and Two Pounds & four pence which for want of other
Funds wherewith to raise it was discharged by Paper
Bills made Current at different times for that Purpose
yet remaining to be Sunk
That as no sure dependance can be placed on the
foreign Specie for sinking the said Bills so some other
Provision more certain is absolutely necessary to be
made
That as the Interest of the Paper Currency (which
for a long series of time supported the Government)
will henceforth yield no further Relief and as the
1753] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 185
Colony is involved in Debt upon Account of the late
War those Circumstances concurring will render it
unable to support Government so amply as heretofore
unless effectually relieved
That if the Colony is not timely supplyed with a
Paper Currency a Scene of want and deep distress will
enevitably ensue & indeed has already found utter-
ance in the repeated Complaints of a needy People ex-
hibited to this House by sundry Petitions wherein they
represent their distress (who have the truest Sense of
their own wants) and pray for another Emission of
Paper Currency in terms most moving and truly af-
fecting to Your Majestys Pet"^* which excite our Pity
and Compassion towards them and the rather because
We know their Complaints are genuine and unaffected
That such emission of Paper Currency if granted
would not only yield relief in the Premises but might
also prove Beneficial to the British Merchants them-
selves seeing it will not only be struck upon a stable
Foundation & therefore not lyable to sink in Value but
will also enable the Inhabitants of this Colony to dis-
charge their Debts already Contracted for British
Merchandize and likewise enable them to deal more
largely for such Merchandize for the future than they
could otherwise do for by this m ;ans they will be fur-
nished with a Currency of their own not lyable to be
drawn from them untill the legal expiration thereof
and therefore can the better spare that little foreign
Specie of which they are possessed not only m pay-
ment of such Debts already Contracted but also in
purchasing such other of the Bi-itish Merchandize
which they may hereafter need
May it please Your Majesty
For enabling this Colony to Sink the Bills of Credit
aforesaid made Current for the Service of the late War
also for enabling the Colony to Support Government
186 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
as amply as heretofore likewise for relieving the dis-
tresses of a needy People and finally for the real advan-
tage of the British Merchants themselves We Your
Majestys Petitioners with great humility implore You
to grant Your Royal leave to Our Governor to give his
assent to a Bill for making Current £60,000 in Bills of
Credit upon the like footing of those heretofore emitted
within this Colony by Your Majestys Consent And
We assure Ourselves Your gracious Indulgence herein
will be esteemed by those We have the honour to rep-
resent as a singular instance of Your Majestys paternal
care and goodness towards them and be received by us
with the truest Sense of Gratitude who as in Duty
bound shall ever Pray,
Signed Nov the 2'' 1753 in behalf of the House of
Representatives of the Province of New Jersey
Richard Partridge
their Agent.
[Referred to the consideration of the Lords of the
Committee of Council and by their order Dec' 18*''
1753, sent to the Lords of Trade.]
Letter from Mr. Secretary Read to Chief Justice Rob-
ert Hunter Morris.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 35.]
To Robert Hunter Morris Esq'' chief justice of
New Jersey to the Care of M*" David Bar-
clay Merch* at London
Burlington NovF lo, 1753
D'Sir
I hope this will find you return'd from the Spa & at
Leisure to think of your Friends here who I really think
1753] ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 187
have reason to Complain of you on this Account.
You are quite Seusible of the Distress you left us in &
the Matter is little mended. The Sheriff Act is so pro-
ductive of Inconvenience & is such an Infringement on
the Royal prerogative that I should think the Bare
mention of it to the Right Hon"''' the Lords of trade
wrould occasion its Destruction The Acts which made
the Board of Freeholders necessary in the sinking our
paper money are now Expired & their Continuance is
reaUy a Greivance to the People & they are an Ob-
struction to the Decent repair of the Public Buildings
& to every reasonable Expence. There is another
thing which I must press upon You & that is the using
your Interest in the Appointment of two Justices of
the Supream Court. I have been informed that You
either have already or are determined to resign your
Office & there cannot be a more proper person to Sup-
ply your place found here than W Saltar You are no
Stranger to his Abilities & as I have long kept my
office of a Justice of the Bench thro' a persuasion that
No person could act with more integrity or more reso-
lution w'' last is absolutely necessary, at aU, but more
particularly in these times when such a Levelling dis-
position reigns among the populace, I would now
incline to resign as I cannot think the duty I owe the
public should forever keep me in an Office so Detri-
mental to my private Interest I have pressed this thing
upon your friends here who give me no further relief
than by insisting on my Continuance in it till better
times However the Calls of my Duty to my own
family have brought me to a Determination not to
Continue longer than next May term whether any pro-
vision be made for a Successor to you or to me or not.
If we should have the good fortune to have M' Saltar
at the head of the Supream Court then the Eastern
Division will supply you w^'' another
188 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
I thought of M' Kenible but am not certain whether
He would Accept. These things Dr S": Lett me press
upon your Memory as a Duty you owe your Country
I most heartily wish you well & am
D-- S-: Y?- Affectionate &
ffaithfuU Humble Servant
R. H. Morris Esq' Cha Read
Report of the Lords of Trade to the Committee of
Council for Plantation affairs, with a draft of
instructions to the Governors, relative to appeals
in the Plantations in cases of Error.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 39, Ent. Book K., p. 540.1
Additional Instructions To our Trusty and
Wellbeloved Jonathan Belcher Esqy Gov-
ernor of New Jersey.
Whereas it hath been Represented unto Us, that the
Method prescribed by the Instructions given by Us to
the Governors of Our Colonies and Plantations in
America relative to Appeals from the Courts there in
in cases of Error, has by subsequent relations which
have been from time to time made by Us in our Privy
Council relative to such Appeals, become defective
and improper, For remedy thereof for the future, It is
Our Royal Will and Pleasure, that you or the Com-
mander in Chief of Our Province of New Jersey for the
time being, do permit and allow Appeals from any of
the Courts of common law in Our said Province, unto
you or the Commander in chief and the Council of Our
said Province; And you are for that purpose to issue a
Writ in the manner which has been usually accus-
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 189
tomed returnable before yourself and the Council of
Our said Province, who are to proceed to hear, and de-
termine such Appeal, wherein such of Our said Coun-
cil as shall be at that time Judges of the Court from
whence such Appeal shall be so made to you Our
Captain General, or to the Commander in chief for the
time being, and to our said Council as aforesaid, shall
not be admitted to vote upon the said Appeal, but they
may nevertheless be present at the hearing thereof, to
give the Eeasons of the Judgement given by them in
the Causes wherein such Appeal shall be made, Pro-
vided nevertheless, that in all such Appeals, the Sum
or Value Appealed for, do exceed the Sum of Three
Hundred pounds Sterling, and that Security be first
duly given by the Appellant, to answer such Charges
as shall be awarded in case the first Sentence be
affirmed: And if either Party shall not rest satisfied
with the Judgement of you or the Commander in chief
for the time being, and of Our Council as aforesaid
Our Will & Pleasure is, that such Party may then Ap-
peal unto Us in Our Privy Council: Provided the Sum
or Value so appealed for unto Us, do exceed five hun-
dred Pounds Sterling, and that such Appeal be made
within fourteen days after Sentence, and good Se-
curity given by the Appellant, that he will effectually
prosecute the same, and answer the Condemnation,
and also pay such Costs and Damages as shall be
awarded by Us, in Case the Sentence of you or the
Commander in chief for the time being and of Our
Council be affirmed : Provided nevertheless that where
the matter in question, relates to the taking or de-
manding any Duty payable to Us, or to any Fee of
Office, or annual Rent, or other such like matter or
thing, where the Right in future may be bound, in all
such Cases you are to admit an Appeal to Us in Our
Privy Council, altho' the immediate Sum or Value so
appealed for be of less Value; And it is Our further
190 ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
Will & Pleasure that in all Cases where by youi' In-
structions, you are to admit Appeals to Us in Our
Privy Council, Execution be suspended, untill the final
Determination of such Appeals, unless good and suffi-
cient Security be given by the Appellee, to make ample
Restitution of all that the Appellant shall have lost,
by means of such Judgment in case upon the Determi-
nation of such Appeal such Decree or Judgment
should be reversed and Restitution awarded to the
Appellant.
Dec": 5"' 1753.
[Approved by the Committee on 11"' December and
Similar instructions sent to the Governours of Nova
Scotia New Hampshire Massachusetts Bay Pennsyl-
vania Virginia South Carolina Bermudas Bahamas and
Jamaica]
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade-
relative to disputes betiveen the people of Neiv
York and New Jersey for tvont of a dividing line.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 40. J
Elizabeth Town (N J) December 20*'' 1753
To the Lords of Trade
My Lords
The 18*'' of this Month, I recieved by way of New
York, the Honour of Your Lor-dships of the 18"' of
September past, Informing me, that His Majesty had
been pleased to Order a Sum of Money to be Issued
for Presents to the Six Nations of Indians, and to
direct His Governour of New York, to hold an Inter-
view with them, for delivering these Presents; I shall
therefore in Conformity to what Your Lordships are
pleas'd to say, lay this matter (with Your Lordships
1753] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 191
Letter) before the Council, and the General Assembly
of this Province, as soon as I conveniently can, which
must be in the Spring of the Year, as the Winter
Season makes it very difficult for them to Travel from
their remote distances, however I intend to give them
Seasonable Notice, for Meeting on this Affair; the time
appointed by the Governour of New York, to meet the
Indians at Albany, being fixed (as he writes me) to
the 14"' of June next.
As Your Lordships very Wisely observe, consider-
ing the present Disposition of the Indians, and the
continual Tamperings of the French v^ith them, 'twill
most certainly be for Bis Majesty' Honour and Interest
as well as for the Peace and Welfare of His Majesty'
Colonies in these parts, to join in this Treaty, I shaU
therefore press it upon the Assembly of this Province,
to make Provision for Presents to the Indians and for
sending Commissioners to the Treaty ; — but I am sorry
to say, to Your Lordships, that I find by the publick
Records of the Province, that Notwithstanding several
Governours have urg'd the Assemblies here, to join in
such Treaties, & although The Occasions have some
times been Extraordinary, yet they never wou'd Con-
cern themselves, or join in such Treaties.
I now inclose to your Lordships, the Minutes of His
Majesty's Counsel of this Province, to the 22" of the
last Month, wherein Your Lordships will please to
observe, there is mention made of an Answer from
Andrew Johnston Esq', to a Letter of Governour
Clinton', and some Votes of the Assembly of New
York;— This Affair, my Lords, is relating to Quarrels
that have happen'd between the Inhabitants of this
Province, and that of New York, about the Bounds
and Claims of their Lands, where they Border one upon
another, and this Answer with Affidavits to Support
it, I shall Transmit to Your Lordships, as soon as they
can be got ready, & duly Authenticated, in the mean
192 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1753
time, I think it my Duty to inform Your Lordships,
that there has been lately a great Eiot and Outrage
Committed by the People of New York, on some of
the Inhabitants of this Province, and unless the Line
between this Province, and that of New York, shou'd
be soon settled, I am very much afraid, there will be
Blood shed among the People, and I shou'd be glad,
your Lordships wou'd Consider of Wayes and Means
to bring such a Settlement about, in the most Expedi-
tious & Effectual manner, for I see but little Prospect
of the matters being brought about, by any Agreement
that will be made here, between the two Provinces.
I have the Honour to be with Great Respect
My Lords Your Lordships Most Obedient &
Most Humble Servant
J Belcher
Letter from Lieutenant -Goveiiior DeLancey, of New
York, to the Lords of Trade — ahoid the difficul-
ties with New Jersey.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VI, p. 817. J
New York 2-i^" Dec 1753
My Lords (Extract.)
* * * I must beg the favor of your Lo'ps pardon
for any omission I may be guilty of, your Lordships
will be pleased to considei* the Course of my Educa-
tion has lain towards the Law, long Study and use
had made the duty of Chief Justice familiar to me,
this is a new scene to which I have for some time been
a stranger I shall endeavor to give your Lordships sat-
isfaction in it. This you may be assured of I shall
never give your Lordships any wrong impressions I
1753] ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCSER. 193
may be deceived but I shall never impose any thing
for a truth of which I am not myself convinced, I
shall make it my business now the hurry of affairs is
somewhat at an end by the recess of the Assembly to
state to your Lordships the controversy this Province
or rather His Majesty has with the Jerseys I shaU only
give a hint of it now, for it is not possible to give your
Lordships a clear conception of it without Draughts —
There was a Line (antecedent to that which the Jer-
sey Proprietors now contend for) which was esteemed
the Jersey Line and upon this Line some of the New
York Patents of Wawayanda, Minisink and other
bounded so that they cannot be extended further
Southward, and if Jersey does not extend further up
Delaware River than to the Northern Branch which is
the Terminus ad quern and is in my humble opinion
the genuine construction of the Grant from the Duke
of York then all that large intermediate Triangle is
still in the Crown and the Jersey Prop]-ietors are only
intruding on the King, and out of all these Lands
there may a Quit Rent be reserved to His Majesty
which will be a very considerable addition to His Maj -
estys Revenue without depriving the Proprietors of
their possessions and which [His] Majesty may either
annex to this Government or leave to Jersey, there is a
committee of the Council and Commissioners for that
with the Massachusetts Bay that of New Hamp-
shire * * *
I am My Lords Your Lordships
Most obedient & most humble Servant
James DeLancey
To The Right Honorable The Lords Commissioners of
Trade & Plantations
14
194 ADillNlSTRATlON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Copy of the 95th and 96th Instruction to his late Ex-
cellency Sir Danvers Osbor7ie.
I From P. R. O. America & West Indies, Vol. 67.]
Copy of the King's 95*^ & 96*^ Instructions to
tlie late Gov"" Osborne in Gov'" Shirley's
[letter to the Secretary of State] of the 6*^
JanT 1754.
95 Whereas it has been thought requisite that the
General Security of our Plantations upon the Conti-
nent of America be provided for by a Contribution in
proportion to the respective Abihties of each Planta-
tion; And whereas the Northern Frontiers of the
Province of New York being the most exposed to an
Enemy, do require an extraordinary Charge for erect-
ing and maintaining of Forts necessary for the De-
fence thereof, and whereas orders were given by King
William the third for advancing of £500 Sterhng
towards a Fort in the Onondaga Country and of £2000
sterling towards the rebuilding of the Forts at Albany,
and Schenectady and likewise by Letters under his
Royal Sign Manual, directed to the Governors of divers
of the Plantations to recommend to the Councill and
General Assemblies of the said Plantations that they
Respectively furnish a Proportionable sum towards
the Fortifications on y*^ Northern Frontiers of the said
Province of New York, viz
Rhode Island and Providence Plantation . £150
Connecticut ..... 450
Pensylvania ..... 350
Maryland ..... 650
Virginia ...... 900
2500
1754] ADMI^riSTRATlON Of OOVERNOR BELCHER. 195
And Whereas we have thought fit to direct that you
also signify to our Province of Nova Csesaria or New
Jersey that the sums, which we have thought fit to be
contributed by them, if not already done, in propor-
tion to what has been directed to be supplied by our
other Plantations as aforesaid are £250— sterling for
the Division of East New Jersey and £250 sterling the
Division of West New Jersey. You are therefore to
inform yourself what has been done therein and what
remains further to be done, and to send an Account
thereof to our Commissioners for Trade and Planta-
tions as aforesaid in order to be laid before Us; And
you are also in our Name instantly to recommend to
om^ Council and the General Assembly of our said
Province of New York that they exert the utmost of
their Power in providing without delay what further
shall be requisite for repairing erecting and maintain-
ing of such Forts in all Parts of that Province as you
and they shall agree upon.
96 And you are likewise to signify to our said Coun-
cil and the said General Assembly for their further
Encouragement that besides the Contributions to be
made towards the raising and maintaining of Forts and
Fortifications on that Frontier as above mentioned; It
is Our Will and Pleasure that, in case the said Fron-
tier be invaded at any time by an Enemy, the Neigh-
bouring Colonies and Plantations upon that Continent
shall make good in men or mony in lieu thereof their
Quota of Assistance according to the following Repar-
titions viz.
Men
The Massachusets Bay .... 350
New Hampshire . . . ... 40
Ehode Island ..... 48
Connecticut . . . . . 120
New York . . . . .200
East New Jersey .... 60
196 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR SELCHER. [1754
Men
West New Jersey . . . .60
Pensylvania ..... 80
Maryland . . . . .160
Virginia ..... 240
Making together . . * .1358
Pursuant whereunto You are as Occasion requires
to call for the same. And in Case of any Invasion
upon the Neighbouring Plantations, You are upon the
Application of the Eespective Governors thereof to be
aiding and assisting to them in the best manner you
can, and as the condition and safety of your Govern-
ment will iDermitt. And you are withal to signify to
our said Council and the General Assembly of New
York that according to their Behaviour on this Occa-
sion they will Recommend themselves to Our Royal
Grace & Favour.
Report from the Lords of Trade to the Lords Commit-
tee of the Privy Council for Plantation affairs —
recommending the King to grant leave to the Gov-
ernor of New Jersey to give his assent to the bill
authorizing the issue of sixty thousand pounds in
bills of credit, asked for by petition November 2d,
1753.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, No. 15, Ent. Book D.. p. 411.1
To the Right Hon^^*' the Lords of the Committee
of His Majesty's most Hon^*" Pri\^ Council
for Plantation Affairs.
Whitehall March 18*'' 1T54
My Lords
Pursuant to your Lordships orders dated the 18"" of
December last, We have had under Our Consideration
the humble Petition of the House of Representatives
1754] ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 197
of the Colony of New Jersey in general assembly met,
and the humble Remonstrance of Richard Partridge
Agent for the said Colony, to His Majesty, humbly
praying, for the reasons therein contained, "That His
"Majesty will be pleased to grant his Royal leave to
" the Governor to give his assent to a Bill for making
"current Sixty thousand pounds in Bills of Credit
"upon the like footing of those heretofore emitted in
"that Colony by His Majestys Consent;" And hav-
ing been attended by M' Partridge with M' Field his
Counsel, and heard what they had to offer in support
of the Allegations of the said Petition and Remon-
strance, We beg leave to acquaint your Lordships,
That the Bills of Credit created and issued in New
Jersey in the years 1730 & 1733, on the model of which
the Assembly of that Province now pray leave to emit
the further Sum of Sixty thousand Pounds, were lent
out to the Inhabitants upon Land security of double
the Value of the Sum lent, at five '# Cent Interest, and
were made current and a legal tender in all payments
and for the discharge of all Debts and Contracts what-
soever during the term of sixteen years.
That it has been represented to Us, that the issuing
Bills of Credit upon Loan within this Province has
been found to be the least burthensome method of
levying Taxes for the Support of Government, and has
also been of great Service in enabling the Inhabitants
to extend and improve their Trade and Settlements,
and that as they have little or no Silver or Gold circu-
lating in the Province, it would have been impossible
to have carried on their Trade and Dealings without
some such medium; that as the time for the continu-
ance of the Currency of these Bills is now expired,
and the whole of them entirely sunk and destroyed,
pursuant to the direction of the Acts, except about Three
Thousand pounds which is still outstanding tho' with-
out any Currency as a legal tender, the Province wiU
198 ADMIKISTEATIOX OF GOVEE^OR BELCHEK. [1754
be reduced to the greatest distress and disabled from
carrying on Trade or raising supplies for the support
of Government, unless relieved by a new Emission.
From the Evidence laid before Us of the Effect and
Operation of the bills of Credit formerly issued in this
Province, and from the Representation of Persons well
acquainted with the natui-e of Paper Money in general,
We are inchned to believe, that a moderate quantity
issued upon proper security and having a proper Fund
for its redemption within a limited time, may operate
to the advantage of a trading Colony, and serve to im-
prove and extend the Settlement of it, and may also
be the least bru'thensome method of levying money for
the support of Government. But We can by no means
agree in oi)inion with the Petitioners, tliat the making
such Paper money a legal tender in all Payments is
either necessary or proper, but on the contrary has
been declared by Parliament, in a Resolution of the
House of Commons of the 25"' April 1740, to be a frus-
trating of the Act of the 6"" of Queen Ann, for ascer-
taining the rates of foreign Coins in the Plantations,
and to have been a great discouragement to the Com-
merce of this Kingdom, by occasioning a Confusion in
dealings, and a lessening of Credit in those parts: It is
also contrary to the sense of Parliament expressed in
the Act lately passed for restraining Paper Bills of
Credit in the four Colonies of New England. And
therefore if His Majesty, out of His Paternal Regard
and Indulgence to the Ease and Convenience of His
Subjects in New Jersey, and in order to restore the
Peace and Quiet of the Province, and conciliate the
Differences which have long subsisted therein, should
be graciously pleased to allow of a new Emission of
Sixty Thousand pounds in bills of Credit upon the
Terms of the former Emissions, We think it ought to
be made an express Condition, that such bills of Credit
should not be declared to be legal Tenders in Payment
1754] ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 199
of any Debts, Dues, or Demands whatever; We are
also of opinion, that it ought to be made a Condition
of his Majestys consenting to this Emission, that the
Interest arising from the Loan of the Bills shall, dur-
ing their continuance, be appropriated to all the estab-
lished and contingent Services of Government, and be
issued by Warrants from the Governor and Council
only: And that, in order to prevent any future doubts
or objections, a Clause for that purpose be either pre-
pared here to be inserted verbatim in the Act for the
Emission, or that a Draught of the Bill with a Clause
to that effect be transmitted hither before the Gover-
nor be allowed to give his Assent to it.
By such a Provision as this, His Majesty's Service
and the Government of that Province will be support-
ed and carryed on with greater ease and Stability, and
the Charges of it provided for in a better manner than
by the present method of passing temporary or annual
Acts, which sometimes take effect before His Majes-
ty's Pleasure can be known upon them.
If your Lordships should be of this Opinion, We
would propose that an Instruction should be given to
the Governor of New Jersey conformable thereto,
with Directions however not to take any one step
towards the Execution of it, untill all the bills of the
former Emissions in 1730 and 1733 now outstanding
shall be finally sunk and destroyed.
We are. My Lords,
Your Lordships most obedient and most humble
Servants,
Dunk Halifax.
J. Grenville
Fran: Fane
J. Pitt.
200 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Bond of Indemnification by Council of Proprietors of
East Jersey to William Alexander and John
Smyth.
[From Manuscripts in New Jersey Hist. Soc. Library, Bundle P., No. 21 ]
Bond of Indemnification concerning Charge of
Setling bonds between New York & New
Jersey
%\Xm all tUfU by these Presents that We Andrew
Johnston, James Alexander, Thomas Penn, Eichard
Penn — Robert Hunter Morris, Samuel NevOl, Samuel
Leonard, John Burnet Lewis Johnston and James
Parker — Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New
Jersey are held and firmly Bound unto ^Villiam Alex-
ander and John Smyth In the sum of two thousand
Pounds Proclamation money, and for Payment thereof
we do Bind ourselves and Our heirs, Jointly and Sev-
erally firmly by these Presents Sealed with Our Seals
and Dated the twenty eighth day of March In the
Twenty-seventh year of the reign of Our Sovereign
Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great
Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the faith
&c^. Annoque Domini IToi.
W[it (TontUtiOU of the above Obhgation is such that
Whereas there are some hopes that the People of New
York may at Last Consent to the obtaining his Maj-
esty's Commission for Settling the Bounds Between
the Province of New York and Province of New Jer-
sey and to the giving Security to Pay half the Charge
of Procuring and executing the said Commission, upon
the Like Security Being given on the Part of New
Jersey, to Pay the otlier hrilf of the said Charge, And
ivhereas there is Little Probability that Either the Leg-
islature of New Jersey, or the Proprietors of West New-
Jersey Will Willingly Contribute any thing to the
Charge thereof Whereon it will Lye upon the Proprie-
1754] ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHEE. 201
tors of East New J ersey in the first Place to advance
the Charge, Inciunbent on New Jersey, to Pay, — And
ivhereas iVs uncertain when any Persons for New York
will Enter into such Security as before, But whenever
they shall Consent so To do, the Obligors are Willing
to be ready to give such Security on the Part of New
Jersey, and not wait for the next Sitting of the
Council of New Jersey after Such Consent to give it.
Wherefore it's agreed that whenever Security is given,
on the Part of New York for the purpose before, that
any or all of the Obligors or ObUgees may and shall
have full Power by themselves, or any other Persons
they or any of them shall Prevail with to give Like
Security at the same Time on the part of New Jersey
and that the Couiicill of Proprietors of East New Jer-
sey shall from time to Time raise, and Pay all such
sum or sums of money as shall be thought Necessary
to Be Expended for the Purpose aforesaid. And hold
those who shall give such Security on the Part of New
Jersey Harmless and absolutely Indemnified for Being
so Bound. Noiu if the Obligors in the above Bond
their Heirs Executors or administrators, or the Coun-
cill of Proprietors of Eastern Jersey, for the time
Being shall WeU and truly perform the above agree-
ment Then the foregoing obligation to be void other-
wise to Eemain in Force
Lewis Johnston [l. s.] Andrew Johnston [l. s.]
John Burnet [l. s.] Ja: Alexander [l. s.]
James Parker [l. s.] Morris Penn & Richard Penn
by Richard Titus [l. s.]
Rob' H Morris by Ja: Alex-
ander & Rich" Saltar his
attorneys [l. s.]
Samuel Nevill [l. s.]
Sam"^ Leonard [l. s.]
Sealed & Dehvered in the presence of
John Penn
And"^ Smyth
302 ADMINISTRATION OP GOVEBNOR BELCHER. [1754
Memorial of the Council of the Proprietors of the
Eastern Division of New Jersey to Jonathan
Belcher, Governor of tlutt Province, and other
documents received by the Lords of Trade from
Robert Hunter Morris, with his letter dated the
2,1st of March, 1754.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey. Vol. r, H. 33.J
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq"" Cap-
tam General and Governor in Chief of the
Province of New-Jersey, and Territories
thereon depending in America, Chancellor
and Vice Admiral in the same.
The Memorial of the Council of Proprietors of
the Eastern Division of New Jersey.
May it please Your Excellency,
In Obedience to Your Excellency's Order in Council,
of the 22d Day of August last, by which your Excel-
lency ordered the Secretary, to serve upon your Me-
morialists, a Copy of Governor Clinton's Letter of the
first of July last, inclosing a Copy of a Minute of the
Assembly of New-York, of the 2Sth Day of June last:
and to acquaint your Memorialists, that your Excel-
lency expected an Answer thereto, at the Meeting of
the Council on the 21st Day of November then next:
Your Memorialists now beg Leave, humbly to lay
before yom^ Excellency, then- Answerthereto as follows:
I. King Charles the Second, by Letters Patent, bear-
ing Date the 12th of March, ir)r)3-l, granted to his
Brother James Duke of York, in Fee, sundry Tracts
of Land in America, whereof the now Province of New-
York, and the now Province of New- Jersey, were Part.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 203
II. James Duke of York, by Deeds of Lease and Ke-
lease, dated the 23d and 24th of June, 1664, granted to
John Lord Berkley, and Sir George Carteret, in Fee,
the now Province of New- Jersey, described as follows,
viz. " All that Tract of Land adjacent to New-Eng-
"land, and lying and being to the Westward of Long-
" Island and Manhattan's Island, and bounded on the
"East Part by the main Sea, and Part by Hudson's
"River, and hath upon the West Delaware Bay or
"River, and extending Southward to the main Ocean
"as far as Cape-May, at the Mouth of Delaware Bay,
"and to the Northward as far as the northermost
* ' Branch of the said Bay or River, which is in 41° 40'
"of Latitude, and crosseth over thence in a streight
" Line to Hudson's River, in 41° of Latitude."
III. Sir George Carteret, and the Assigns of Lord
Berkley, by Deed quintipartite, dated the first Day of
July 1676, divided New-Jersey between them, by a
Line from Little Egg-Harbour, to the North Partition
Point of New- Jersey on Delaware River; by which
Deeds of Partition the Eastern Part was released to Sir
George Carteret, and the Western to the Assigns of
Lord Berkley; by which it appears, that West-New-
Jersey had no Concern with the Line between New-
Jersey and New- York, except only in the North
Partition Point on the Northermost Branch of Dela-
ware.
IV. East-New Jersey, by Sundry mean Conveyances
under Sir George Carteret, became vested in twenty-
four Persons, commonly called the twenty four Pro-
prietors of East- Jersey; to whom the said James Duke
of York, by Deed dated the 14th of March, 1681-2,
[1682-3] after reciting the said Grant to Lord Berkley
and Sir George Carteret, and the said quintipartite deed
of Partition, released and confirmed East-New Jersey,
according to the Bounds agTeed on by the said Parti-
tion Deed, with all Islands, Bays, Rivers, &c. and all
204 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Eoyalties and Powers of Government, in a more full
and express Manner than they before had been granted.
V. In and before the Year 1671, the Latitude of 41°
upon Hudson's River, was esteemed to extend beyond
Haverstraw, which is about fourteen Miles Northward
from the Mouth of Tapan Creek: For it appears that
the Lands at Haverstraw, and all the Lands fronting
on the West Side of Hudson's River, Southward from
Haverstraw to the Mouth of Tapan Creek, were either
purchased of the Indians as in New-Jersey, or granted
by Patents under the Seal of New- Jersey; and those
Lands were actually settled and Improved, and con-
tinued under the Jurisdiction of New Jersey, 'till the
year 1684.
VI. In the Year 1681, or 1685, Thomas Dougan, then
Governor of New- York, and Gawen Lawrie, then Gov-
ernor of East New-Jersey, with their respective Coun-
cils, met together at or near Tapan; and after Sundry
Observations for finding the Latitude of forty one
Degrees on Hudson's River, agreed that the Station
Point between New- York and New -Jersey, should be
the Mouth of Tapan Creek, where it falls into Hud
son's River, and that a streight Line from the Latitude
of forty one Degrees and forty Minutes, on the north-
ermost Branch of Delaware, Should be run there for
the Partition Line. This Agreement we have often
heard was upon Record in Npjw- Jersey, but after the
utmost Search, your Memorialists cannot find it, but
beheve it must have been recorded in the Minutes of
the Governor and Council of East-New-Jersey, during
the Government of the twenty four Proprietors; which
Minutes none of your Memorialists ever saw, nor are
they to be found in any publick Office in New Jersey,
nor any where else that your Memorialists know of :
But tho' your MemoriaHsts can find no Instrument on
Record of every Part of the above Agreement, yet they
can point to other Matters on Record preparatory to it,
1754] ADMINISTRATION O'F GOVEHNOR BELCHER. 205
and reciting and referring to it, both in New- York
and New-Jersey, within less than two Years of that
Time; which your Memoriahsts think will leave no
doubt but that such an Agreement was, notwithstand-
ing the next following Article.
VII. Andrew Robinson, Surveyor General of West-
New-Jersey, and Philip Wells, Surveyor General of
New York, certify in these Words, ''By two sundry
'* Observations of the Sun's meridional Altitude, made
"the eighth and twenty ninth Days of September
" 1686, it appeared and was manifest to Philip Wells,
" George Keith, and my self. Observers, that the four-
"tieth and one Degree of Northern Latitude upon
"Hudson's River, is one Minute and twenty five Sec-
"onds to the Northwards of Yonkers Mills, and so
" falls upon the high Cliffs upon the Point of Tapan,
" on the West Side of said River." As by the Record
thereof in the Secretary's Office of New- York, in Book
of General Entries 1686, Page 49, appears
Upon which your Memorialists beg Leave to observe,
1st, That no Authority appears to have been given
for taking the two Observations certified.
2dly, It appears not by that Certificate, that it had
any Relation to the Partition Line between New-York
and New-Jersey.
3dly, It appears that the Certificate was made ex-
parte; for Andrew Rol)inson, Surveyor General of
West Jersey, had no Concern with the Partition Point
upon Hudson's River, for Reasons under the third
Article before.
4thly, By actual Surveys Since made, it appears,
that the Place for the Latitude of 41° so certified, is
four miles and forty five Chains South from the Mouth
of Tapan Creek, then lately agreed on for the Station
Point, as by the 6th Article.
5thly, Your Memorialists have Reason to believe,
that the Observations so certified, were made with a
30G ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. [1754
wooden Quadrant; which is quite unfit for observing
the Latitude of a Place to a nearer Exactness than
five Minutes.
6thly, Two Observations were too few, even with a
good Instrument, to draw any certain Conclusions
from, in such a Point.
VIII. In the Year 1717, the Legislature of New- York
pass'd an Act, wherein, amongst other Things, they
appropriated 300 1. for the Charge of running the Line,
with consent of New- Jersey; and other 3001. for run-
ning the Line of Connecticut; and enact, that the Lines
so run shall be conclusive. This Act had the Royal
Assent on the 19th of May 1720.
IX. In the Year 1718, the Legislature of New-Jersey,
pass'd an Act for ajjpointing Commissioners and Sur-
veyors for running the Line with Consent of New
York; and enact it to be conclusive. And another
Act for running the Line between East and West-
Jersey, and for raising the Charge of running both
Lines upon the Estates of the general Proprietors.
X. In May 1719, Commissioners and Surveyors for
New- York, for East-New- Jersey, and for West New-
Jersey, were appointed by Commissions under the
great Seals of the respective Provinces, for running
the Line between New-York and New Jersey.
XI. On the 25th of July, 1719, after many Observa-
tions of the Latitude, all the Commissioners and Sur-
veyors so appointed, did, by Indenture tripartite, fix
the North Partition-point on the Northermost Branch
of Delaware; which they found to be that Branch
called the Fishkill, and exactly describe the Place of
the Point: Which being done the Commissioners for
West- Jersey had no further Concern with the Line;
as by the said Indentures executed by every one of
the said Commissioners and Surveyors, and recorded
in New- York, in East-Jersey, and in West-Jersey,
appears.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERKOU BELCHER, ^07
XII. The Commissioners for West-New-Jersey, hav-
ing no further Concern with the Line, departed; and
then the Commissioners and Surveyors of New- York
and East Jersey, made an Estimate how the Line
should run from the said North Partition-point so
fixed, to the Partition-point on Hudson's River to be
fixed; and esteemed that that Line would fall 120
Chains North-Easterly, on a Perpendicular to it, from
Thomas Swaartwoots, at Mackhackamack, (where
they then were, and from which they had already
traversed to the said North Partition point,) and ap-
pointed John Harrison and John Chapman, two Deputy
Surveyors, to run and mark it to Hudson's River, from
the End of the said 120 Chains; which they did accord-
ingly, marking the .Number of Miles at the End of
each Mile from the said 120 Chains; and which Line
so run and mark'd fell upon Hudson's River, about
five Miles to the Northward of the Mouth of Tapan
Creek, aforesaid.
XIII. In August, 1719, the Surveyors of New York
and East Jersey, went to Corbet's old House on Hud-
son's River, which is about One Mile South from the
Mouth of Tapan Creek, and there made many Obser-
vations for finding the Latitude of 41? But thro'
Sickness, the Commissioners came not; so that no
Agreement was concluded as to that Station-point, By
the Mean of all those Observations, the Surveyor for
East- Jersey, computed that the Place of Observation
was 57 Seconds, and 51 Hun'ds Northward of the Lati-
tude of 41°, and that to be 8i> Chains and 60 Links.
XIV. The Surveyor for New -York, was prevailed on
to decline proceeding in the said Work: And, for a
Colour, sundry Objections were made by him and
other Persons, to what had been done, and to further
proceeding; Copies whereof are hereunto annexed;
(No 1, 2, and 3.) and soon afterwards, the President
and Council of New- York, ordered aU the Remainder
208 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
of the £300. appropriated for that Service, to be paid
to the Commissioners and Sm'veyor of New- York, tho'
little more than Half the Work was done by them;
and they had undertaken to do the Whole for that Sum:
which was fully sufficient for performing the whole
Work.
XV. On the 12th of October, 1719, the Proprietors
of East-New-Jersey, presented a Memorial to the Com-
mander in Chief of New -Jersey, shewing the Weak-
ness and Untruths of the said Objections; which
Memorial was by him, laid before the Council of New-
Jersey, and a Copy thereof ordered to the President of
the Council of New- York; as by a Copy thereof here-
unto annexed. (No. 4.)
XVI. Many Riots and Quarrels happening about
that Time at Mackhackamack, which is Part of Mini-
sinks, between the Swaartwoots, settled under New-
York, and the Westfalls, settled under New- Jersey:
The President of New-Jersey, in 1719, and 1720, wi*ote
sundry Letters to the President of New- York, pressing
the running the Line, to prevent the like Riots and
Quarrels for the future; but they had no Effect.
XVII. In August, 1720, Governor Burnet arrived,
with one Commission to be Governor of New-York,
and another Commission to be Governor of New-Jer-
sey; To whom Complaints were severally made, by
the said Swaartwoots and Westfalls, of the Riots
mutually committed on each other: And after several
Letters from him, I'ecommending to them, mutually
to keep the Peace, to no Effect; he ordered a Hearing
of all Parties before him, in October, 1721, when after
a solemn Hearing of their Pretences, both Sides were
ordered to be bound to their good behaviour; and it
was recommended to both Parties to bring their Ac-
tions at Law; which they accordingly immediately did,
in the Supreme Court of New- York; and wherein
James Alexander, was of Council for the Swaartwoots,
on the Part of New- York.
1754] ADMIKISTEATION" OF GOVERlSrOK BELCHER, 209
XVIII. In October, 1722, one of those Causes came
to Trial, when, by Consent of the Court, and of the
Parties, all the said Causes were referred, by Eule of
Court, to the Determination of Lewis Morris, then
Chief Justice, and to Robert Walter, then Second
Judge of the Province of New- York, which Robert
Walter, had been one of the Commissioners aforesaid,
in Behalf of New-York.
XIX. The said Referees having found, upon the evi-
dence of the said James Alexander, who had been Sur-
veyor for East-New- Jersey, in the Proceedings concern-
ing the Line in 1719, that notwithstanding the Commis-
sioners and Surveyors had estimated the Line of Parti-
tion would run 120 Chains North-Eastward of Swaart-
wootSj as in Article 12 before; that yet, by the
Observations before, in Article 13, the true Line would,
most probably, fall between Swaartwoot's and West-
falls: And the said Arbitrators, finding that Westfalls
had taken away the Grain of Swaartwoots, North-
East wards of the true Line; and that Swaartwoots
had taken away the Grain of Westfalls, to the South-
Westwards of the true Line; they awarded for the
Plaintiffs, in every of the Actions, as by the Aw'ard,
filed in the Term of October, 1728 appears; which put
an End to these Disturbances at Mackhackamack, and
prevented the committing of any more there: Nor did
any Contest afterwards arise concerning the Line,
till the Year 1740, that your Memorialists ever heard of.
XX. The Owners of the Patent of Cheescocks, in
New- York, which bounds for about Sixteen Miles
along the Line between New- York and New-Jersey,
intending a Partition of that Patent; They, in order to
be as certain as possible of the Property of what they
divided amongst them, employed Charles Clinton, their
Surveyor, to discover where the Line would run
abreast of their Patent by the said Observations of
171l>; which he did in April 1738; and no Encroach-
15
310 ADMI2SriSTUATI0S" OF GOYERISrOK BELCHER. [1754
ments have ever since been made on either Side so far
as that Patent bounds.
XXI. Your Memorialists, at their sole Expence, have
since, run most of the Eest of that Line.
XXII. In the Year 1740, the Magistrates of Orange
County, pretending to have received a. Letter from the
Honourable George Clark, Esq; then Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor of New York, a Gentleman considerably inter-
ested in the Minisink Patent; which they pretended,
authorized them to exercise jurisdiction beyond the
said Line, by the Observations of 1719: Under Colour
thereof, they then began to exercise Jurisdiction be-
yond that Line; obliging many People settled under
New-Jersey, to train in the Militia of Orange County,
and to pay Taxes, and do other Duties; and upon their
Refusal so to do, fined and distrained them; which
greatly oppressed the People of New-Jersey, within
some Miles of that Line: A Copy of which pretended
Letter is hereunto annexed. (No. 5.)
XXIII. In the Year 1741, so many Complaints of
these Thmgs were made by the Sufferers by the Dis-
tresses aforesaid, to the Council of Proprietors, both of
East-New- Jersey and of West-New- Jersey, that they
thought it proper to appoint Committees of both the
said Councils, to meet, in order to concert Means for
the Relief of the Distressed, and to prev^ent the like
for the future: And accordingly the said Committees
met; and on the second Day of September, 1741, joined
in an address to the Governor of New-Jersey, repre-
senting the said Complaints, and entreating his Appli-
cation to the Lieutenant Governor of New-York, to
put a Stop to such Proceedings for the future, and to
join in settling the Line, pursuant to the Acts of both
Provinces.
XXIV. In the Spring of 1742, Eight of your Me-
morialist's Tenants, at a Place called Romopock, Some
Miles South- Westward of the Line, by the Observa-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 211
tions of 1719, were served with Declarations in Eject-
ment, at the Suit of Bayard, on the Demise of Henry
Wileman ; the Declarations were tested in October
Term, 1741, to appear in Orange County Court, the
last Tuesday of April following: And as your Me-
moriaHsts were bound to defend the Tenants so served;
they, your Memorialists, had the said Causes removed
from Orange County Court to the Supreme Court at
New- York, where your MemoriaHsts caused Pleas to
the Jurisdiction, to be filed to the said Actions: and
by Affidavit to the said Pleas annexed, set forth, that
the Lands in Question by those suits, were upwards of
Seven Miles Southwesterly from that Line, which was,
in 1719, run and mark'd by Order of the Commission-
ers and Surveyors; as set forth in No. 12, before: After
which the said Actions were no farther proceeded in.
XXV. Your MemoriaHsts having had many more
Complaints from the People settled in New-Jersey,
even from People settled many Miles Southwestward
of the Line, by the Observations of 1719, by the People
of New- York, obliging them to pay Taxes, and train
as in New-York, and distraining for Non-Compliance,
and their using great Cruelties and Threatenings to
them; your Memorialists had an especial Meeting in
June 1742, on those Complaints, and for defending
the said eight Ejectments; when your Memorialists,
on the 2Sth of June 1742, made another Address to the
then Governor of New-Jersey, reminding him of the
said joint Address of September 2, 1741; and acquaint-
ing him with the Continuance and increase of the
Complaints of the People, and those eight Actions in
Ejectment, and intreating his Interposition, to put a
Stop to those Proceedings of the New-York People,
and to use his Endeavours for the running of the Line.
XXVI. In October 1743, the said Orievances contin-
uing, the People in and about Minisink Island, settled
under West New Jersey Titles, presented Petitions to
212 ADMIKISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1764
the Governor, the Council, and Assembly of New Jer-
sey then sitting, representing, they had been quietly
settled there, some for twenty, and many for forty
Years tlien last past; and there was so little Proba-
bihty of their falling into New York, by the Line,
when settled, that a Line from the North Partition
Point, would cut off Perth -Amboy, and above one half
of East Jersey, before it could touch them; and that
yet, notwithstanding of that Improbabihty of their
falHng into New- York, the Officers of Orange County
in New- York, had levied Taxes on them, with such
Circumstances of Cruelty and Injustice, as are hardly
to be parrallel'd; That Solomon Davis, one of his Maj-
esty's Justices of Peace there, had been indicted for act-
ing as a Justice of the Peace there, pretending it to be in
the County of Orange; was thereon apprehended, and
fined Forty Pounds; and to keep himself out of Prison,
was obliged to give Bond for it: That Abraham Vana-
ken, another Justice of the Peace there, for executing
his Office, was apprehended and committed to Orange
Goal, whei'e he was kept in Prison for Twenty four
Days: That many others there had been arrested and
prosecuted as in Orange County, for their executing
the Warrants of the New- Jersey Justices: That Jo-
hannes Hooghtehne, a Constable there, was pursued
by People of Orange County, and in that Pursuit they
shot his Horse under him, took and committed him to
Prison at Goshen, in Orange County; where, at pre-
senting those Petitions, he had been four Weeks in
Prison, and there still remained in close Confinement:
Wherefore they prayed, that a Stop might be put to
the like Grievances, 'till the Line v\ras I'un; and that
the Line might be speedily run. Upon which Petitions
the Council and Assembly recommended it to the then
Governor of New-Jersey, to use his Endeavours with
the Governour of New- York, to put a Stop to those
Grievances, and to join in running the Line.
1754] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 213
XXVII. On the 2ith October 1743. Robert Hunter
Morris, Chief -Justice of New Jersey, and Son to the
Governor thereof, deUvered to his Excellency the Hon-
ourable George Clinton, Governor of New- York, a
Letter from his Father, inclosing a Copy of the said
last Petitions, and Copies of the several Addresses
aforesaid from your Memorialists; and on the 2Sth
waited on Governor Clinton for his Result on those
Matters; who recommended a Meeting between the
said Robert, and the Gentlemen concerned in the
Lands in New- York, on the Line. And accordingly
on the 29th he had a Meeting with a Number of those
Gentlemen, when Nothing was agreed to, but that
they would meet again, and communicate their Reso-
lutions to your Memorialists, which they have never
done, And from the Conduct of one of those Gentle-
men at that Meeting, Mr. Morris was of Opinion, that
he was against running any Line.
XXVIII. Your Memorialists finding all these and
many other their Endeavours, for accomplishing the
nmning the Line, pursuant to the Acts of both Pro-
vinces, to be ineffectual, and remembering that the
Province of New -York had, in the Year 1Y19, made an
Act for running the Lme of Connecticut, exparte, in
Case the Colony of Connecticut would not join amica-
bly in the doing of it; to which Act the Royal Assent
was had, and which Act had induced Connecticut to
join amicably in settling that Line; Your Memorialists
then thought, that that method which New-York took
with Connecticut, would be the most rational method
for putting an End to the Grievances so much and so
often complained of without Redi^ess: And in Order to
it, on the Seventh of September 1744, a Memorial was
presented to the Governor of New-Jersey, by your
MemoriaUsts, signifying their Intention of pursuing
that method, and praying his Recommendation thereof
to the next Assembly, and to order such notice thereof
214 ADMINISTRATION" OF GOYERlsrOR BELCHER. [1754"
to the Government of New- York, as he should think
proper.
XXIX. Your memorialists finding, that some Peo-
ple of New- York, had settled to the Southwestward of
the Line, by the Observations of 1719, claiming the
Lands as in New- York, and being informed that one
Thomas Dekey, Colonel of a Eegiment of the Militia
of Orange County, and one of the greatest Instruments
of the Oppressions complained of, as before, had seated
himself several miles South Westward of that Line,
and was using his Endeavours to persuade others to
do the like; your Memorialists conceived it their Duty
to bring an Action of Ejectment against him, and
some other Actions of Ejectment in every other Place
where People of New- York had made Settlements
Southwestward of that Line; which they did, and had
Judgment by Default in every one of the xlctions of
Ejectment so brought, being about ten in number.
XXX. The said Thomas Dekey being, on the twenty-
sixth Day of July 1745, served with the said Declara-
tion in Ejectment by Daniel Harrison, he, the said
Dekey, thereon beat, abused, and greatly threatned
the said Harrison, and the Judges of the Supreme
Com't of New-Jersey; and, by Force, imprisoned the
said Harrison m the House of him the said Dekey, and
set a Guard over him all the following Night; and the
next Morning he, the said Dekey, with a number of
People armed, carried the said Harrison as a Criminal
to the Goal of Orange County, at Goshen, and there
committed him without any Warrant from any Person
for that Purpose; nor did ever any Warrant of any
kind appear till about Midnight of the 27th of July,
when a Writ of the County Court of Orange, was de-
livered by the said Dekey to the Deputy Sheriff, in an
Action of the Case at the Suit of the said Dekey, Dam-
ages One Thousand Pounds; tho' the said Harrison
owed him nothing, nor ever had seen him before: And
1754] ADMIN rSTUATION' OF rTOVERN"OTl BELCHER. 215
by which Writ the said Harrison was confined many
Days in the said Goshen Goal, seventy miles from
Newark, the Place of his Abode, and would have been
much longer, had he not prevailed on one Charles
Stringham, on the 30th of July, to go Express to the
Attorney at Newark, who had employed him, to ac-
quaint him with the Usage he had met with, and to
procure his Discharge; all of which, and much more,
the said Daniel Harrison made Affidavit on the Six-
teenth Day of August 1745; and thereon an Attach-
ment for Contempt of the Supreme Court of New Jer-
sey, was awarded by that Court against the said
Thomas Dekey.
XXXI. Bail having by the Procurement of your
Memoriahsts Attorney, been given for the said Daniel
Harrison, he was, at length, discharged out of Goal,
and the Cause was removed, by Habeas Corpus, to the
Supreme Court of New- York, where Bail was again
given : But the said Dekey there declared in Trespass
only, and not in Trespass on the Case; and to which
Declaration in Trespass, a Plea to the Jurisdiction, and
Affidavit, were, on the 16th of February 1745, filed,
like to those before mentioned under the 24th Article.
And no further Proceeding has been in that Cause.
On the two last Articles, and the twenty-fourth,
your Memorialists beg Leave to observe the Difference
of the Behaviour of the People of New- York and New-
Jersey: For when Mi' Wileman served eight People of
New-Jersey, with Declarations in Ejectment, as in
Article 24th, no Body in New- Jersey conceived that he
had done any Thing unjust or unlawful in so doing;
but upon the People's bringing those Ejectments to
your Memorialists, they took the proper and legal
Course of Defence, by pleading to the New-York
Jurisdiction, and Supporting that plea by Affidavit;
and tho' the bringing Actions was so first begun by
New-York, and your Memoriahsts had showed them
216 ADMIlflSTRAflON OP GOVERNOR BELCHER. [l754
the rational and peaceable method of defending against
such Actions; had they believed the Lands in Question
were in New- York: Yet, for servipg this one Declara-
tion against Thomas Dekey, the Messenger of the
Court is abused, as before; the Authority of his Maj-
esty's Courts of New-Jersey, and the Judges thereof
contemned; will not appear to plead to Jurisdiction,
because they knew they could not support such Plea
by Affidavit; and rely intirely on Force and Violence,
which, ever since 1740, they had used without mercy,
but with Success, and with Impunity.
XXXII. In March 1745-6, three of your Memorial-
ists Members, having been appointed to confer with a
Gentleman of the Law of New- York, (who had been of
Council for Your Memorialists for many Years) con-
cerning the Actions commenced near the Line: Upon
that Conference he declined being concerned as Council
therein, but signified his Willingness to become a
Mediator in that Affair; which being reported to your
Memorialists, they appointed the said three Gentlemen,
or any two of them, to be a Committee, to treat with
New- York in Writing, by the Means of that Gentle-
man as a Mediator: and accordingly, by Letter of the
10th of April, 1746, they communicated their Powers
to that Gentleman, with sundry Propositions for ami-
cably settling the Line; both which that Gentleman
delivered to the Gentlemen of New-York, concerned
in the Line; in order for their Answer thereto: And
tho' an Answer was often called for from the proposed
Mediator, for above a Year after the Dehvery thereof,
yet he as often declared he had received none; as by
Copies of the said Letter, Powers, and propositions
herewith ■ appears, (No. 6.) But the Oppressions and
Complaints of the People of New-Jersey still continu-
ing, and no Hopes whatsoever, remaining of the
People of New York's agreeing to the settliog of the
Line amicably without an Act; therefore, the Gover-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 217
nor, Council and Assembly of New-Jersey, in Feb-
ruary, 1T47-S, pass'd an Act for running the Line
exparte, if New York would not join in the doing of
it; to be in Force when the Royal Assent was had
thereto; providing, that your Memorialists should be
at the whole Charge thereof. The enacting Part of
which Act, was made agreeable to the said Act of
New- York, for running the Line of Connecticut, Ex-
parte, mentioned in the Twenty-Eighth Article; and
Commissioners were appointed for running the Line,
with Consent of New- York, pursuant to the Act of
171 S, mentioned in the Ninth Article.
XXXIII. The Assembly of New York had no Agent
in London for a Dozen Years before; but on the 19th
of March, 1747, they voted £200, for an Agent; and on
the 9th of April following, the Agent is requested by
them, to use his Endeavours to hinder the Royal As-
sent to the said Act, until they were heard against it:
And £200, has yearly been voted ever since to that
Agent, of the Public Monies of [to] that Province,
which to many People seemed extraordinary; seeing
by the New- Jersey Act, that it was expressly provided,
that the whole Charge of negociating the Royal As-
sent of that [this] Act, should be at the private Ex-
pence of your Memorialists, the Owners of the Soil on
the New- Jersey Side of the Line : And whatever Rea-
son was for your Memorialists to be at the Whole
Charge on that side, there was like Reason for the
Owners of the Soil in New- York, to be at the whole
Charge on that Side.
XXXIV. On the 2Sth June, 1748, two of the New-
Jersey Commissioners for running of the Line, served
the Governor of New- York with a Copy of the Act,
by showing him an Exemplification of it under the
Great Seal of New-Jersey, and delivering him a Copy,
and by showing him their Commission; and at the
same Time dehvered to him a Letter signed by them,
218 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
containing the Purpose of that Service; and request-
ing, if any Objections were to the Assent to the Act,
to communicate them, hoping they could obviate them
to his Excellency: And if in two Months, that Gov-
ernment would signify their Consent to run the Line
amicably, by the Acts of 1717, and 1718, that they
would wait so long, or any further reasonable Time,
before sending home the Act for the Royal Assent.
XXXV. On the same 2Sth of June, 1748, the same
Persons served, in like Manner, the said Act, on the
President of the Council, and the Speaker of the As-
sembly of New- York; and gave to each of them a
Copy of the said Letter to the Governor of New-York,
with a Letter containing the Purpose of the Service,
and requesting the communicating them to their re-
spective Houses then sitting. And on the same Day,
the Assembly of New- York, by their Minutes, own
the said Service; and on the next Day, make a Minute,
deferring the Consideration of the Matter, till their
next Meeting, after the first of September next, with-
out any Desire of enlarging the Time of two Months
before proj)osed, or Offer of communicating any Objec-
tions to the said Act.
XXXVI. Your Memorialists being then left with-
out aoy the least Hopes of getting the Line run
amicably, by Virtue of the Acts of 1717, and 1718,
without his Majesty's Approbation of the said Act,
procured Proofs undei- the Great Seals of New -York,
and New-Jersey, of most of the preceding Facts, and
in the Winter of 1748, transmitted Duplicates of them,
and of the said Act, by the Captains Bryant and
Waddell, to Mr. Paris, their Agent at Londou, in
Order for obtaining the Royal Assent. And tho' Mr.
Paris used his utmost Endeavours for that Purpose,
and to bring the Matter to a Hearing; yet the New-
York Agent got the Time of Hearing put off from
Time to Time, for Four Years running, to the very
1754] ADMINISTRATIO^r OF CtOVRRN-OR BELCHER. 219
great Charge and Delay of Youi' Memorialists; and
which Charge and Delay, its improbable, would have
arisen, if the Charge of procuring those Delays had
been at the private Expence of the Gentlemen con-
cerned in the Line on the New- York Side: And during
all that Time, neither the Gentlemen of New York,
nor their Agent in England, offered any Objections to
the said Act, to your Memorialists or their said Com-
mittee, or their Agent in London; nor made any
Proposition whatsoever, of any other Method more
proper for ascertaining the Line; nor did the New- York
Agent, on the two Hearings before the Lords of Trade,
offer any one Piece of Evidence from New- York, that
the Want of could have given Cause for his said Mul-
titudes of Delays; but insisted on the reporting against
the Act from what appeared on the Face of it, without
any extrinsick Evidence; and upon reporting against
the Proceedings of the Year 1Y19, hereinbefore set
forth, and recited in the said Act: Against both which,
the Lords of Trade were pleased, on the 18th of July
last, to report; and your Memoriahsts learn from Mr.
Paris, that he upon petitioning for a Re-hearing of the
Matters reported before the Lords Committees for
Plantation Affairs, and has given Security accordingly.
XXXVII. Numbers of People having, from Time to
Time, settled near to the Line, by the Observations of
1719, without Title from either New-York or New-
Jersey; your Memorialists have, from Time to Time,
obhged such of them as were on the South -West Side
of that Line, either to purchase, or lease the Land
they had settled upon; and such as would do neither,
or such as pretended Title under New- York, brought
Ejectments against them, and obtained Judgments
thereon; as before; and from Time to Time, made
Partitions and Appropriations of those Lands, pursu-
ant to the Laws of New- Jersey, as it was and is lawful
for your Memorialists to do.
220 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
XXXVIII. Complaint having been made to your
Memorialists at their Half-yearly Meeting in March
last, by some of those People settled on the South-
West Side of the said Line, abreast of the Wawayanda
Patent, of their being threatened by the said Thomas
Dekey, (against whom your Memoriahsts have Judg-
ment in Ejectment as before) to be taxed as in New-
York. Whereon, after due Consideration had, your
Memorialists came to sundry Resolutions thereon,
which they conceive it was lawful for them to do, and
their incumbent Duty to do; and which they had
longer than was consistent with Prudence delayed
doing. But that these Resolutions had any the least
Tendency to encroach on New- York, or to any Breach
of the Peace, as is complained of by the Assembly of
New- York, they do deny; and that they have no such
Tendency, will best appear by them; And they are in
these words, viz.
March 30th, 1753.
Richard Gardner, and John Herring, represented to
this Board, that Dekey, and others, of New- York, do
greatly threaten those who have taken or shall take
Leases of this Board, and that they shall be taxed, and
obliged to train in New York, which would be an ex-
treme Hardship to them, to be obliged to those Things
in both Provinces; and desiring the Protection and
Sentiments of this Board on that Head.
Which being maturely considered, this Board rec-
ommends, that Richard Gardner, shall desire the
Lessees First by all Means, to keep the Peace; but that
they refuse to pay Taxes, or train under New-York
Officers, and refuse to serve as within New- York
Province.
Secondly, If the People of New- York will, by Rea-
son of their Refusals aforesaid, distrain the Lessees,
that they suffer the Distress to be taken; but get
1754] ADMIJTISTRATION' OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 221
Friends to buy the Distress, deducting therefrom the
Taxes, Fines, and Charges of Distress.
Thirdly, That at the Time of the Distress, those who
shall distrain, be forewarned of their Danger by com-
ing into New-Jersey to distrain, and that its a Tres-
pass in them, and utterly unlawful; and no Warrant
from any Person or Persons of New-York can justify
them, and that they will be liable to be prosecuted, not
only as Trespassers, but obliged to repay the Money
distrained for, and all Charges and Damages, which
in due Time they may expect to be compelled to pay
by Suits.
Fourthly, In the mean Time that the Persons dis-
trained may not be delayed of their Eemedy; this
Board agrees now to put into the Hands of Richard
Gardner, the Sum of Thirty Pounds Proclamation, out
of which he is to pay to the Sufferers by such Distresses
all their Damages, taking a Receipt for these Pay-
ments, to the Purpose following, viz.
Whereas — ■ holding his Lands by Lease from
the Proprietors of East- Jersey, No. had his Goods
lately distrained by an Officer of the Province
of New- York, for the Payment of ~. to New- York,
by which not only the said Sum but also the Sum of
for the Charges of Distress was levied of his
Goods,by which the said has suffered Damages,
the Sum of Now, I the said do hereby
acknowledge, to have received of Richard Gardiner, in
Behalf of the Proprietors of East-Jersey, the aforesaid
Sum of for my said Damages; and do hereby
assign to the said Proprietors, all my Right of Action
for the same.
Witness my Hand, the Day of 17 —
Witness
Fifthly, This Board agrees to advance what further
sums may be necessary for the Purpose aforesaid, and
desire Mr. Johnston, the Treasurer, or James Alex-
ander, to advance and pay the same.
222 ADMINTSTRATIOlSr OF GOVl^ENOR BELCHER. [1754
Sixthly, That this Board will in like Manner, pay
all Charges and Damages, that any of the Lessees may
be put to, by any Suits of New-York; and if Richard
Gardner advances any Thing on that Head, he shall be
repaid.
Seventhly, That Mr. Gardner, keep a regular Ac-
count of the Monies so paid as aforesaid, and deliver it
once a Year with the Receipts aforesaid, to this Board.
Your Memorialists further, in Answer to the Com-
plaint of the Assembly of New-York, of June 28th
last, beg Leave to say, that they know of no sinister
or irregular Practices of their Agents to the Prejudice
of any one of New- York; nor have the Complainants
pointed out any sinister or irregular Practices they
have been guilty of: And your Memorialists say, That
to the Westward of the Long Pond, from whence
these Complaints have come, they have no Agent but
Richard Gardner, their Deputy Surveyor, in that Part,
who by Profession is a Quaker, and consequently, one
very unlikely to cause any Quarrel or Contention, or
Bloodshed, otherwise than by doing his Duty up to the
Line by the Observations of 1719; over which 3^our
Memorialists never gave him Directions to go: nor do
your Memorialists believe, he has gone or pretended.
Your Memorialists so far agree with the Freeholders
and Inhabitants of Orange County, in their Petition to
the Assembly of New- York, That by Reason of the
Delay in the Settlement of the Line, incredible Hard-
ships have arisen; but these your Memorialists appre-
hend, have been only suffered by the People of New-
Jersey, from the People of Orange County, and often
since the year 1740; and tho' often complained of,
they to this Day, remain without Redress; Some par-
ticular Instances of Multitudes that could be assigned,
are herein set forth; but no particular Instance has New
York assigned, or, we believe,can (with Truth) assign, of
such Bufferings beyond the Line, by the Observations of
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 223
1719, though that be so far Southward of the Line run
and mark'd in 1719, as herein is set forth. And your
Memorialists fui'ther say, that the Delay of running
the Line, can, in no Way, be attributed to your Mem-
orialists, but to the People of New- York; as from this
Memorial they doubt not, will be evident to the
World, from the many Endeavours of your Memorial-
ists, to have the Line settled, and the continual Oppo-
sition of New-York, for above Thirty Years past, to
the setting any Line. And your Memorialists further
say, they believe that those People of New- York, who
have settled in New-Jersey, to the Southward of the
Line, by the Observations of 1719, and against whom
your Memoriahsts have recovered Judgments in Eject-
ment, being conscious that Writs of Possession might,
at any Time for these Eight Years past, have been
served, and they turned out of Possession, have pro-
vided Arms to maintain those Possessions by Force;
which instead of being a Cause of Complaint on their
Part, is an obvious Cause of Complaint on your Mem-
orialists Part: And your Memorialists well hope that
the Government of New- York, will in no wise coun-
tenance those Men, either in the providing or using
that Force; and besides those Persons against whom
Judgments have been had as before, no Cause had any
other Person from your Memorialists to guard his pos-
sessions by Force. And your Memorialists further say.
That would the Owners of the Patents of Minisink
and Wawayanda, have followed the Opinion of the
Judges of the Supreme Court of New- York, in Article
19, before; or the Example of the Owners of the
Patent of Cheescocks, in discovering and not possess-
ing themselves, or op]3ressing others over the Line, by
the Observations of 1719, as in Article XX before; and
had they not been encouraged to pretend over that
Line, by Means of the Letter of 1740, said to be from
Lieutenant Governor Clark, and to oppress the People
224 ADMINISTRATION^ OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. [1754
of New- Jersey, settled to the Southward of that Line,
by distreniing for Taxes of New-York, and for not
training there, &c. (as in No. XXII.) there would have
been little Room for Complaints of Encroachments of
either Side. But its People, under Colour of those two
Patents of Minisinks and Wawayanda, that have been
the chief Aggressors, and who hitherto have been
deaf to the Complaints, of the People oppressed by
them : But now they see a Method fallen upon by your
MemoriaHsts, by their Resolutions of March last; to
call them to an Account by due Course of Law for
their Oppressions, if they continue them; those op-
pressors, for that cry out, and threaten Bloodshed, &c.
and have since put their Threats to that purpose in
Execution, as hereinafter is pointed out in Article XLI.
XXXIX. Tho' your MemoriaHsts, and many of the
Owners of Patents in New York, bounding on the Line
of New-Jersey, have strictly confined themselves on
each Side, in their Settlements, Leases, and Sales, to
the Line by the said Observations of 1719, agreeable to
the Opinion aforesaid, of the Judges of the Supreme-
Court of New York, in the Causes of Swaartwoots and
Westfalls, in Article XIX. before: Yet as to Matter of
Jurisdiction, your Memorialists conceive, that that Line
run and mark'd in 1719, as in Article XII. ought to
stand, be, and remain, as the Temporary Line of Juris-
diction of the two Provinces, until another Line be run
for it, by as great an Authority; tho' that mark'd Line
falls upon Hudson's Rivei-, Seven Miles to the North-
ward of the Line by the Observations of 1719; and tho'
that mark'd Line be on the South-Eastermost Part of
the Wawayanda Patent, Three Miles distant on a Per-
pendicular from the Line by the Observations of 1719,
and on the North -Wester most Part of the Wawayanda
Patent, Two Miles Distance. And your^Memoriahsts
have great Reasons to believe, that' had that mark'd
Line fallen to the Southward of the Line by the Ob-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 225
servations of 1719 it would have been insisted on by
Nev^^ York, not only as a Temporary Line of Jurisdic-
tion, but as a Line of Property ; for they have not so
much as such a Colour for Possession in all the Cases
where your Memorialists have recovered Judgments
in Ejectments, as before; and the Executions of which
Judgments, they have now for many years delayed,
and intended for Peace Sake, to have delayed till the
Line was settled: But if the unreasonable Obstruction
of New York to the Settlement of the Line, and the
Behaviour of some People there, shall be much longer
continued; your Memorialists will think themselves
bound in Duty to alter that their Intention, whatever
be the CoQsequence.
XL. In April 1753, the People of Orange County in
New York, chose one Arnold Basset, (Uving several
Miles South -West ward of the Line by the Observa-
tions of 1719, who holds his Lands by Leave from
your Memorialists) to be a Constable of Orange County ;
who on Notice thereof, refused to serve as such;
whereon about the first of May, 1753, two Justices of
Orange County, sent a Warrant to Anthony Vanatta,
a Constable, to bring the said Basset before them;
whereon the said Basset, told the said Vanatta, (accord-
ing to your Memorialists Directions aforesaid) that
their Warrant was not sufficient to defend him in that
Affair, and advised him as a Friend, not to proceed
without some other Protection; for that the Council of
Proprietors would certainly sue him for all Charges
and Damages that he caused on that Head: Whereon
the said Vannatta, went back to the said Justices, and
told them he was afraid to take Basset, unless they
would defend him against the Proprietors: But he
was answered by them with Threatenings, and that
they would send him immediately to Goal, if he did
not forthwith execute the said Wari-aiit, and take as-
sistance with him, the better to do it: VV hereon the said
16
226 ADMlNtStRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [l754
Basset was taken and brought by Force before the said
two Justices, and refused before them to serve as a
Constable of Orange County; upon which they fined
him Forty Shillings, and committed him to Prison;
and at the same Time, issued an Execution against his
Goods to the Constable of Minisink, for levying of
Four pounds Foui-teen Shillings, which that 9th Day
of May, they adjudged against him the said Basset,
for Fine and Charges, for refusing to be Sworn into
the Office of Constable, and likewise all Cost that
should accrue about that Execution thereafter; and
that he the said Constable, should have those Monies
before them the 12th Day of that Instant: In pursu-
ance of which Execution, while he the said Arnold
Basset remained in Prison, the said Constable came,
and took three Horses of the said Prisoner, while they
were at Work in his Plough, and his Gun, and wear-
ing Apparel, of the Value of above Thirty pounds;
which the said Justices and Constable sold at Vendue,
and out of the Proceeds thereof, kept Ten pounds Six-
teen Shillings and a Penny, for the Four Pounds
Fourteen Shillings in the Execution mentioned, and
the further Cost accrued about that Execution, at
which Sum the said Justices taxed the same; when,
and not before, they discharged the said Basset out of
Prison: And whereupon your Memorialists' Agent,
Kichard Gardner, paid the said Sum to the said Basset,
together with Four pounds Fourteen Shillings and
Three Pence more, for the Damage that the vSaid Basset
had suffered by his Loss of Time and missing of
Planting, and sowing his Oats and Flax seed, &c. at
which Time they chose to perform this extraordinary
Exploit; as by Copies of the said Warrant, Execution,
tax'd Bills of Cost, and Receipts of the said Basset,
will appear.
XLI. On the 20th of July last, as Richard Gardner,
(after having peaceably compleated a Survey of some
1754J ADMINTSTRATTON" OF GOVERJCOH KlitCHER. 227
of your Memorialists Lands near to the Division Line
by the Observations of 1719, ) was travelling along the
King's Highway (in Company with John Herring and
Peter Decker, who had assisted him as Chainbearers,)
about Five Miles Southwest ward of the said Line, by
the Observations of 1719, and near Eight Miles South-
westward of the Line run and mark'd in 1719, as in
Article XI. before; and even above Three miles South-
westward of the Line pretended to by Colour of the
exparte Observations of Robinson and Wells, in Ai'ti-
cle VII. before, he was Way-laid and Stopt by George
Dekey and Jacobus Dekey, Sons of the said Thomas
Dekey; and when their Father came up, they un-
mercifully beat, wounded and robbed the said Richard
Gardner and John Herring, by feloniously taking from
the said John Herring, a Walking-Stick, which they
split to Pieces, in giving the said John Herring about
twenty Blows with it, and thereby wounding him, and
Sheddiag a great Quantity of his Blood, and threaten-
ing with Horrid Oaths, and a Pistol, which the said
Thomas Dekey held to the Breast of the said John
Herring, to fire a Brace of Balls thro' him; also by
violently beating him the said Richard Gardner, and
forcibly taking his Bags from behind him, and opening
and taking thereout a Surveying-Compass, a Surveying-
Chain, a Pairs of Dividers, a Scale, and a Horse BeU; all
which they feloniously took and cari'ied away. This As-
sault and Battery, and Robbery, the said Richard Gard-
ner and John Herring suffered without returning one
Blow^, or offering any Resistance. 'Tis worthy Remark,
that the said Beating, Wounding, Bloodshed, Abusing
and Threatning, were chiefly offered and done to the said
John Herring, an old lame Man of Fifty-five Years of
Age, and who being of the People called Quakers, was
by his religious Tenets, principl'd against making Re-
sistance; but not the least Outrage did they otter to
Peter Decker, an able Man, of Forty Years of Age,
238 AHMiJsriSTEATioif OF goVeenor belcher. [1754
and no Quaker, who had equally assisted Mr. Gardner
with Herring, in making the aforesaid Survey, and
who look'd on during the whole Time.
XLII. To enumerate all the Cruelties and Abuses
committed by People of New-York upon People of
New- Jersey, South-westward of the Line by the Ob-
servations of 1719, since the said pretended Letter in
the Year 1740, mentioned in Article XXII. would
swell this to a large Volume: But your Memorialists
liave chosen only the preceding few Instances, as some
of the most cruel and enormous, of which your Me-
morialists have, and can produce sufficient Proofs;
and of all those before the Year 1748, Proofs were
transmitted to England with the said Act.
XLIII. As the Line run and mark'd in 1719, (as in
No. XII, before,) was run by Order of the proper Com-
missioners and Surveyors of both Provinces, as the
Line of Division, according to the best of their Judg-
ment at that Time; and as no Line before or since was
ever run with equal or greater Authority; its humbly
conceived that Line ought to have remained, and does
now remain the Line of the two Provinces, till another
Line be run for it with equal or greater Authority;
and we know of no other Limit to the Jurisdiction of
both Provinces but that. And tho' your Memorialists,
in affecting their ProjDerties, have not gone farther
Northward than the Line by the Observations of 1719,
which Line has no public Authority, but a tacit Con-
sent of your Memorialists, and of sundiy of the
Owners of Patents in New York Province, joining on
the Line of New- Jersey, (as in No. XX. before,) and the
private Opinion of the Judges of the Supreme Court
of New York, in the cases of Swaartwoots and West-
falls, founded upon the Evidence of the Surveyor of
East- Jersey, (as in No. XIX. before:) For as the Mat-
ters then in Controversy, were referred to them in
their private Capacities, and not in their publick Ca-
1754] ADMIKISTKATION OF GOYERNOK BELCHER. 229
pacities, they thought it just to deviate from the said
run and mark'd Line in 1719, and to examine where
most probably the true Line would fall, and thereon
founded their Award, Your Memorialists say, they
humbly conceive these are no sufficient Eeasons why
your Excellency should not assert and exercise the
Jurisdiction of this Province, up to the said Line, so
run and mark'd in the Year 1719, which falls on Hud-
son's River, about Seven Miles Northward of the Place,
where, by the Observation of 1719, the Line should
fall; and should New-York, think this an Encroachment
on, and prejudicial to them; these Inconveniences
might, and may be easily removed, by running the
true Line. But while they refuse to join in that, and
do absolutely oppose the running any Line, if they
can shew no Line ever run with equal Authority, then
that Line ought in Reason, to remain the Temporary
Line, especially as it was carefully run and mark'd,
and the Places through which it went, are notorious,
and well known to this Day, by all the People inhab-
iting near it; and who have (very few excepted) all
settled there since the Year 1719.
XLIV. If the Line run and mark'd in 1719, is not to
be the temporary Line of Jurisdiction of the two Prov
inces 'till the true Line be finally settled, we should be
glad that New York would show better Reasons for
any other Line to be the temporary Line For, with-
out some certain Line be allowed to be the tempor-
ary Line, it's impossible to judge what is an Encroach-
ment of either side.
XLV^. As your Memorialists have asserted their
Rights only up to the Line by the Observations of
1719, (which is about seven Miles upon Hudson's
River, southward of the Line run and mark'd in 1719)
and as Part of that Line was first run by People of
New-York, as in N" XX. before, and most of the rest
230 ADMIXIBTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
run by your Memorialists, as in N" XXI before; and
as all settled South westward of that Line are either
settled under New-Jersey Titles, or yom* Memorialists
have recovered Judgments against such as have re-
fused to hold under New- Jersey, while your Memorial-
ists extend their Settlements no further Northward
than to that Line, they cannot be justly accused of any
Encroachment on New York. But New-York, by
their Conduct since 1740, have given great Causes of
Complaint to the People of New- Jersey settled South-
westwards of that Line, as by the facts herein before
set forth, appears, and tho' complained of from Time
to Time, as before, yet no Redres is hitherto had,
XLVI. Upon the whole, your Memorialists cannot
help being of Opinion, that the State of Facts herein
before set forth, being duly read and considered, (of
which your Memorialists are prepared to produce suffi -
cient Proofs,) it will plainly appear to your Excellency,
and all other impartial Persons, that the Complaints
of the People of Orange County, to the General As-
sembly of New- York, ai'e vexatious, and without
Foundation; that they themselves have been guilty of
Encroachments, gross Abuses, and Breaches of the
King-s Peace; that encouraged by the Letter from
New- York in the Year 1740. as before mentioned, they
have usurped illegal Power, and arbitrary Government
over Part of his Majesty's Province of New- Jersey;
that they have arbitrarily levied Taxes there; that they
have unjustly fined, and falsly im])risoned his Maj-
esty's Justices of the Peace, and other Officers of this
Province, for what they had done in the execution of
their Office; that they have threatned, beat, abused,
and robbed others of his Majesty's Subjects within the
said Province upon the King's Highway; Nay, that
they even intended Murder; for your Memorialists are
credibly informed, that when they shot the Constable's
Horse under him (as iti N" XXVI. before) they de-
1754] ADMINISTKATIOX OF GOVEENOK BELCHER. 231
clared that they were sorry for the poor dumb Crea-
ture, whom they did not intend to kill, but his Master;
that your Memorialists, throughout the whole Pro-
ceedings, have conducted themselves with the most
friendly and peaceable Behaviour; that they have been
passive, amidst the violent Outrages committed against
them, and those who hold under them, by the People
of New- York; neither making any Reprizals, nor re-
pelling Force by Force; that they have all along sup-
ported their Claim and Right to a Line from the
Northermost Branch of Delaware, which is in 41" 40'
of Latitude, (as in No. 11. before) and which was so
solemnly fixed and established by the Commissioners
for New- York, for East-Jersey, and for West-Jersey,
(as in No. X. and XI. before) to the Station Point upon
Hudson's River, in 41" of Latitude, (as in No. II. be-
fore) by the most legal and warrantable Steps, such as
bringing Ejectments, obtaining Judgments in the
King's Courts of Justice, and pleading to the Jurisdic -
tion of the Government of New- York to the South-
westward of the Line run and mark'd in 1719, as they
have a Right by Law to do: That nevertheless, for
Peace Sake, your Memorialists in their Settlements,
Leases and Sales, have strictly confined themselves to
the Line by the Observations of 1719, (as a temporary
Line, until the true Line can be run and ascertained)
agreeable to the Opinions aforesaid, of the Judges of
the Supreme Court of New- York, in the Causes of
Swaartwoots and Westfalls (as in No. XVIII. before.)
Finally, That the General Assembly of New-York
have been prevailed upon, by the false Reports and un-
just Representations of the People of Orange County,
to make this groundless Complaint against your Me-
moriahsts, and those who hold under them; the said
People of Orange County conceiving no other Method
so specious and prevalent to put a false Gloss upon
their Outrageous, riotous and illegal Proceedings.
232 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR Br LCHER. [1754
All which Matters and Things before set forth, Your
Memorialists do aver, and are ready to prove in such
Manner as Your Excellency shall think fit to appoint:
And are,
May it please Your Excellency,
Your Excellency's most Obedient,
and Most Humble Servants,
By Order of the Council of Proprietors of East-
New Jersey.
Andrew Johnston, President.
Perth- Amboy, November 20, 1753.
P. S. After finishing the above Memorial, Mr. Alex-
ander infoi'med us, that a Meeting of the Minisink and
Wawayanda Partners, beii7g advertised in the News-
Papers several Weeks, to meet at Mr. Willets
in New York, on the 13th Instant; he on that
Day met with them, and renewed the Proposals
(in No. XXXII. herein before mentioned,) and de-
livered them a Copy of that Letter of April 10th,
1746, and of the Projjosals inclosed therein, and by a
Letter from himself to them, both as a Partner with
them, and as one of the Committee, (mentioned in No.
XXXII. befoi'e) pressed upon them in urgent Terms,
the amicable Settlement of the Disputes concerning the
Line; Mr. Alexander, aquainted us also, before that, to
wit on the 8th Day of November, he laid the same
Papers before the Honorable James De Lancey, Esq.,
Lieutenant Governor of Nevv York, (who, with his
Brothers and sisters, are considerably interested in the
Minsink Patent) who returned them on the 12th, with-
out any Objection to them; which Proceedings of Mr.
Alexander, your Memorialists have approved of, and
caused Copies thereof to be hereunto annexed.
By Order of the Council of Proprietors of East-New -
Jersey,
Andrew^ Johnston,
President.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER, 233
Numb. 1.
To the Honorable Peter Schuyler, Esq; Presi-
dent, and the other Gentlemen of the Coun-
cil of the Province of New- York.
The Petition of Allane Jarrat.
HuTnbly Sheweth,
That whereas your Petitioner having been appointed
by his Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq; by Letters Pat-
ent under the Great Seal, Surveyor for the Province of
New- York, and thereby commissionated with full
Power and authority, in Conjunction with the Surveyor
of the Province of New- Jersey, carefuUy and diligent-
ly, according to the best of their Skill and understand-
ing, discover and find out that Place upon the North-
ermost Branch of Delaware River, that hes in the Lati-
tude of Forty -one Degrees and Forty Minutes, and that
to be the North Partition Point of the Province of New-
York and New Jersey; as also carefully, according to
the best of their Skill and Understanding, discover and
find out, as near as may be, that Place on the West
Side of Hudson's River, that lies in the Latitude of
Forty-one Degrees, which shall be the farthest Place of
the Province of New-Jersey, bounded by Hudson's
River; and then in Conjunction with the Commission-
ers of both Provinces, to run a direct Line from those
two Stations, (when determined) to be the Partition
Line between the two Provinces. Now your Petitioner,
pursuant to the great Trust reposed in him, in Behalf
of the Province of New York, by the said Commission,
has, in Conjunction with the Commissioners of both
Provinces, and the Surveyor General of the New-Jer-
sies, proceeded from New- York to Mahacamack; and
from thence in Conjunction with the Surveyor General
of the Jersies, ujj to the Fishkill, to the Latitude of
Forty -one Degrees, Forty Minutes, observed in July
234 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
last, by a Brass Quadrant of about Twenty-two Inches,
or thereabouts, Radius, and the Latitude last men-
tioned, determined and adjusted in this Manner, after
four repeated Observations, with the Plumet at each
End of the Quadrant, found them not to differ, from
each other above half a Minnte, or thereabouts; the
Difference being so small, the Latitude was adjusted by
a Mean between the Differences of the said Observa-
tions; as also, allowing the Obliquity of the Ecliptic, to
be, by a Mean, between 23° 39', [23° 29'] and 23° 20',
[23" 30'] as may more fully appear by a Journal ready
to be produced.
From thence your Petitioner, in Conjunction with the
Surveyor General of the Provinces of New- Jersies, pro-
ceeded to Madam Corbet's, as they adjudged that Place
to be nigh the Station on Hudson's River, made sun-
dry Observations the last month, in order to determine
and adjust the Latitude of Forty-one Degrees, with the
aforesaid Quadrant, more carefully and diligently (hav-
ing the Advantage of a good Sun and clear Weather)
than the former they had up at the other Station ; the
first of which Observations, with the Plummet at the
End of the Quadrant (as it was in all the Observations
at the former Station,) made this Station to fall near
two Minutes to the Northward of the Place of Observa-
tion, or near Tapan C^reek; the last of which Observa-
tions, with the Plummet about the Middle or Two-
thirds of the Quadrant, made the Station fall between
two or three minutes to the Southward of the Place of
Observation, or near opposite to the Yonkers Mills, as
has formerly been reputed to be noav the Station.
Your Petitioner conceiving a great Difficulty to de-
cide the true Latitude of Forty-one Degrees, in so wdde
Differences of Observations, by so small an Instiu-
ment, upon the same Place; and not daring to rely on
his own Judgment in so weighty an affair, that so high-
ly concerns the Care of this Province: For Tapan and
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 235
Sundry other Gentlemens Estates, bordering on the
above mentioned Partition or Division Line, requiring a
larger Instrument, and the most exquisite Exactness
and Niceness to determine, and also to vindicate him-
self from all future Reproaches and Aspersions of being
bribed or byass'd therein; could have no other Recourse
than laying this Matter before the Wisdom of this
Province, and at this Time being press'd upon by the
Commissioners for discharging and executing this great
TiTist reposed in him, and having given Security for
the Performance of the same, and making Matter of
Conscience how to come at the exact Truth by such an
Instrument, that discovers such a Difference in these
Observations; humbly Prays, that this Honourable
Board, would take it into Consideration, and give your
Petitioner such Instructions, to direct his Judgment in
this Affair, as may seem most proper to your great
Wisdom.
And, as in Duty bound, Shall ever pi'ay, &c.
Allane Jarrat.
Numb. 2.
May it please Your Honour,
In Obedience to your Honour's Order in Council of
this Day, refering to us the annexd Petition of Allan
Jarrat; we, have in the presence of Mr. Alexander, Sur-
veyor General of the Province of New-Jersey, and Dr.
Johnston, one of the Commissioners for the said Prov-
ince, fully examined the Petitioner, upon the several
Particulars set forth in his said Petition ; and before we
proceed to declare our Opinion thereon, we take Leave
to report, that the Matters of Fact appeared to us in the
following Manner, to wit.
That by a fair Journal produced to us, by the Peti-
tioner, of all the several Observations taken at the Fish-
kill, and at Madam Corbet's the Observations taken
236 ADMINISTRATION^ OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
near the the Middle of the Quadrant made Use of in
that Service, differed fromtJiose taken at the Ends up-
wards of four Minutes.
That this Discovery was not made until they observed
at Madam Corbet's and that the Petitioner thereupon
immediately declared to the said Mr. Alexander, in the
Presence of several People then on the Spot, he could
neither rectify the wide Errors of the Instrument, nor
take upon him to fix the Station by it, the same vary-
ing so much in itself.
That notwithstanding the methods proposed by Mr.
Alexander, for correcting the said Errors, the Peti-
tioner, declared he could not adventure to settle a Lati-
tude, that could be depended upon, by that Quadrant.
That he being, by repeated Questions put to him, in
all the various Ways we then could think of, ask'd,
whether he could not find Means to proceed with that
Instrument, for fixing an exact Latitude '( he still de-
clared that he could not Take upon him to do it by this
Instrument, for the Reasons above mentioned; but that
in case one of Five or Six Foot Radius could be pro-
cured, certified by able and skillful Mathematicians,
from Great Britain, to be true and correct, he would
then be ready to ascertain the Station according to his
best Skill and that the Observations whereby the Lati-
tude was settled upon the Fishkill, were taken at the
Ends of the Quadrant, and the Errors and Defects
thereof not being discovered at that Time, he affirmed,
that the said North Partition Station upon the Fishkill,
is wrong and erroneous, notwithstanding tripartite In-
dentiu^es mentioned in the said Petition to be executed
there, upon that Occasion.
Upon the whole Matter as the Petitioner was made
Choice of for this Service, as the best and ablest Mathe-
matician of this Province; and he having, not only by
the Declarations in his Petition, but by his repeated As-
surances before us, of the Defect of the Instrument,
1754] ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 837
and also his declaring, the Methods proposed by Mr.
Alexander for correcting them, were not satisfactory
to him; and the Matters being of such Importance, that
it requires not only the best of Instruments, but the
nicest Skill and Exactness to settle; we cannot advise
your Honour, to order the said Surveyor to proceed and
fix the said Latitude by this Instrument; but rather,
that he Should be directed to set forth and certify by
some Instrument, under his Hand and Seal, that the
Station pretended to be fixt at the Fishkill, is wrong
and erroneous, to the End this Province may not, at
any Time hereafter, receive any Prejudice by the afore-
said tripartite Indenture, executed there by the Sur-
veyors and Commissioners, on both Sides, before the
Defects and Errors of the Quadrant by which that
Station was fixt and settled, were detected; and that
all further Proceedings ought to be staid until a correct
and large Instrument, be procui'ed for setting the said
Station; all which is nevertheless humbly submitted by,
Your Honour's most obedient Servants,
A. Depeyster,
Gerard Beekman,
Rip Van Dam,
John Barberie,
Ad. Philipse.
New York, September 24th, 1Y19.
Numb. 3
To the Honourable Peter Schuyler, Esq; Presi-
dent, and the rest of his Majesty's Honour-
able Council for the Province of New- York.
The Humble Petition of several the Inhabitants
of the Province of New-York, for them-
selves and others, Owners and Proprietors
338 ADMINISTRATION OF ftOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
of Lands bordering upon the Partition
Lines between the Province of New-York
and New Jersey,
Sheweth,
That the Assembly of this Provmce, having appro-
priated the Sum of £300, for defraying their Part of
the Charge and Expence, in ascertaining and rmming
the Partition Line, Limit and Boundary, betwixt this
Province and the Province of New- Jersey; the Peti-
tioners had Reason to hope, so great a Work would
have been carried on, and accomplish'd with such re-
ciprocal Justice and EquaUty, that neither Side would
have Reason to complain: But having Grounds to
apprehend, that a due and equal Regard has not been
had, either for the Benefit of this his Majesty's Prov-
ince in general, or for us and others his liege Subjects,
that have an immediate Interest on the Borders of
that Line; they beg Leave to lay before your Honours,
a State of that Case, and the Reasons of their just Ap-
prehensions, reserving to themselves the Liberty of
adding what shall farther occur to their Knowledge,
and of amending and explaining what is herein set
forth ; which they most humbly offer, in the folio wing-
Manner, viz.
That by the Duke of York's Grant to the Proprietors
of the Jersies, they were bounded in the Latitude of
41" and 40 Minutes, on the Northermost Branch of
Delaware River; and on Hudsons River, in the Lati-
tude of 41' Degrees; and as this Grant was made in the
Year 1680, they conceive the Tables then in use, ought
.still to be the Rule in settling those Latitudes; by whicli
Tables, (as they are credibly informed,) the Obliquity
of the Ecliptik, was universally allowed, to be 23 De-
grees and 30 Minutes: that by a Draught of George
Keith, then Surveyor of the Jersies, (ready to be pro-
duced) he lays down the atVrre mentioned Northermost
Branch of Delaware River, about 2^) Miles to tlie
1754] ADMINTSTRAtrOK OP GOVERNOR BELCHER. 239
Westward of the Fishkill: That in the Year 1686, the
Surveyors of New- York and the Jersies, by Consent of
the respective Governors, ascertained the Latitude of
41 Degrees on Hudson's River, to be due West from
Frederick Philipse's Lower Mills: That Col. Andrew
Hamilton, Governor of the Jersies, afterwards did own
the said Latitude of 41 Degrees on Hudson's River,
conformable to a Map made by the Surveyors, to be
due West from the said Mills; as by a Writing under
his Hand, dated the loth of February, 1693^, and
ready to be produced, may appear at large, ' That
' those Petitioners who held Lands to the Northward
' of that Line, by Virtue of Grants or Patents from the
' Jersies; had, by the Justice and Indulgence of this
' Government, new Grants for the same, and at easier
* Quit-Rents, than what they were to have paid to the
'Proprietors: And others having by License of the
'Jersies, purchased Lands from the Indians; and
' suing for Patents, conformable to those purchased,
'were directed to take Patents from New- York; those
'Lands lying to the Northward of the Station then
'fixed.' That after the beforementioned Act of As-
sembly was pass'd here, an Act of the like Nature was
made in the Jersies, and John Johnston and George
WoUocks, Esqrs: were appointed to be Commissioners,
who are known to be Proprietors, and to have taken
up large Tracts on the Borders, whilst this Affair was
in Agitation 'That when it was proposed to name
' Commissioners for this Province, the Gentlemen of
' the Council (as they are informed, were generally of
' Opinion, except those Gentlemen wiio are Proprie-
' tors of the Jersies), That we ought to foUow the same
' Rule; (to wit) in likewise appointing such Persons
'as had an immediate Interest in Lands bordering on
'the Line; that notwithstanding (as they are further
' informed) the Governor commissionated Robert
' Walter and Isaac Hicks, Esqrs: and tho' w^e have a
' due Deference to the Characters and Reputation of
240 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. [1754
' those Gentlemen, we conceive they were not duly
' elected, because our Act of Assembly directs, that they
'should be appointed by the Governor and Council.'
That the Surveyor for this Province, Allane Jarrat,
i^being approved of by the Council) was obliged to exe-
cute a Bond for £100, conditioned, to settle the Stations
and run the Line; and since this was (as they are in-
formed) demanded at the Motion of the Jersey Gentle-
men; and that neither their Surveyor, nor any of the
Commissioners, had the like required of them ; it may
as reasonably be concluded this was executed with a
View of laying him under a Necessity to fix the Lati-
tude, rather to the Disadvantage of this Province,
than subject himself to the Penalty of said Bond:
That the Commissioners and Surveyors of both Prov-
inces, setting out from this City, ' went directly to
' Machacamack and Minisinks, where they met some
'other Gentlemen of the Jersies; and without seeking
' for the right Branch, or tracing of them, (and, indeed,
' almost every Body look'd upon the Season improper
'for so doing) they immediately took Observation
'there, just as if they were resolved to fix the Latitude
'on the Fishkill; perhaps with a View to secure for
'the Jersies the Low^-Lands, at the two Places above-
' mentioned; which could scarcely be draw^n in, if the
' proper Branch had proved so far Westward as Keith's
'Draught lays it down.' That altho' such foggy,
cloudy, and rainy Weather, happened at that Time,
for about 25 Days successively, as the like at that Sea-
son, was not known in the Memory of Man, (just as if
Heaven frowned on the Design) they fixed the Lati-
tude upon the Fishkill, near a small Creek, which they
formed Station Brook; notwithstanding they seemed
satisfied, that the said Fishkill, is the Main-Eiver of
Delaware itself; w^hich Latitude was taken at the
Ends of the small Instrument they made use of: And
altho' an Indenture was executed of their Proceedings
there, they have been so just therein, (as we are in-
17o4J adm:in"istrattox of governor belcher. 241
formed,) as to say, that there Discovery was by infor-
mation: That, indeed, the Commissioners sent Capt.
John Harrison, a Jersey Gentleman on, to look what
Branches there might be betwixt the Rivers of Dela-
ware and Suskahanna, who, upon his Return, reported
that there were none, tho' he was heard to own, that
he met with one so wide and deep, that he was obliged
to make a Float before he could get over it; and we
are credibly informed, that several Christians are
ready to depose, there is one or more considerable
Branches to the Westward of the Fishkill; which, 'tis
possible, Capt. Harrison miss'd, by Reason he set out
about 24 Miles to the Southward of the Latitude: That
after the said Latitude was fixed on the Fiskkill, in
the Manner before mentioned; the Surveyors, and only
the Jersey Commissioners, went to Madam Corbet's,
and made repeated Observations there; but in so doing,
a Discovery was made, that the said Instrument was
erroneous; for that the Latitude taken at the Middle,
differed above four Miles from those taken at the
Ends thereof; and since, at the Fishkill, use was made
of the Ends; its evident beyond Contradiction, that the
Station pretended to be fix'd there, is just so much to
the Northward of the true and real Latitude, as the
above-mentioned Difference amounts to. That Com-
plaints and Remonstrances of such Weight, have been
offered at Home, against the Act of Assembly before-
mentioned, that it is uncertain, whether the same will
be approved or disapproved of by His Majesty, tho' the
same was pass'd here, in the Year 1717: And it is
certain, that in Case of a Disallowance, every Thing
done by Virtue of that Act, will be void: 'But it is
impossible to foresee what Confusion and Mischief
might ensue, if this Affair should be completed, and
the said Act rejected at the same Time: That the fix-
ing these Stations, and running the Line, in the
Manner it has hitherto b(vn caiM-ied on, not only the
IT
342 ADMIKISTRATION OF GOVRRNOR BELCHER. [1754
Crown, but likewise many of your Petitioners, will be
in Danger of being encroached upon; and tho' many
of us have spent their Labour and Substance, upon
their several Imi3rovements, for 30 or 40 Years past;
there seems but Uttle Reason to expect (in such Case)
the hke Justice and Indulgence would be Shewn by the
other Side, as was heretofore extended on the Part of
this Province, (as is hmted above) for these and sev-
eral Reasons, more especially, for the Minuteness of
the Instrument, (being but 22 Inches Diameter, and
its varying so considerable in itself) your Petitioners
offer, they will readily be at half the Charge of an In-
strument to be sent for from London, proper and
large enough for settUng and fixing the true and exact
Station Points; wliich Instrument being first tried and
proved by able and skillful Artists at Home, attested
by them to be true and correct, and the Obliquity of
the Ecliptick settled, as it was universally received
when the Grant was made to the Proprietors; all
Parties must then be concluded by such Determination.
Your Petitioners therefore most humbly pray, that
the Commissioners and Surveyors of this Province
may severally deliver in a Journal of their Proceed-
ings hitherto; and that we may be favored with Copies
thereof; and that all further Pi-oceedings may be
stayed, until his Majesty's Allowance or Disallowance
of the abovementioned Act of Assembly is first signi-
fied and until such an Instrument arrives here, as is
above described:
And Youi' Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, shall ever
pray &c.
Cornelius (his mark) Aker,
Dirick (his Mark) Strats,
Lambert Luis,
Ebenezer Wilson,
Bernard Dis Ver veelen,
Dit is het van Trauswin Salee,
Abraham Haringh,
1751] ADMIN-ISTRATIOlf OF GOVERKOK BELCSEK. 243
Abram (his Mark) Blauvelt,
Jan (his Mark) Hogenkamp,
WilKam De Graaw,
Pieter (his Mark) Bogert,
Gerrit Smidt,
Gideon (his Mark) Vervelen,
Stephen De Lancey,
Anthony Rutgers,
Jacob (his Mark) Kersboom,
Johannes (his Mark) Blauvelt,
Hendrick Blamydt,
Pieter Haering,
Notbrey Heutse,
Cornelius Cozyn,
Isaac (his Mark) Blavelt,
Jacoop Hoominck,
Barent Angels,
Isaac (his Mark) Van Dewsen,
Roeloff Van Howton,
Jacob (his Mark) dey Kleck,
Anna Hooghlandt,
John Van Home,
H. Wileman,
Lancaster Symes,
Daniel de Clerk,
Cornehus Haring,
Heymes Liepserosdyck,
Andries AUyn,
Cornelius (his Mark) Smit,
Jurian Thomas,
Down Talimea,
Resolve (his Mark) Nagel,
Jacobus (his Mark) de Vries,
Klaus Van Huriten,
Jacob (his Mark) Blawvelt,
Maria Catharine (her mark) Boudinot,
Nath. Marston,
Jarvis Marshall.
244 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Numb. 4.
To the Honourable Lewis Morris, Esq; Presi-
dent of His Majesty's Council for the
Province of New Jersey, in Council.
The humble Memorial of the Proprietors of the
Eastern and Western Division of said
Province of New-Jersey.
Most Humbly sets forth,
That they have considered the Petitions of Jarrat and
others, to the President and Council of New- York, and
are very much surprised to find, that the Persons now^
Concerned in that Government, should put a Stop to
the running and asscertaining the Line of Division and
Partition, betwixt that and this Province, upon the
groundless, weak, and untrue suggestions of the Peti-
tioners, and the visionary Whim and Cant of the Sur-
veyor; after the same had been directed to be done by
the Legislatures of both Provinces, and Commission-
ers had been appointed under the Great Seal of each of
them foi' that Purpose; and had made (at a very great
Expence) so considerable a Progress.
They begin with setting forth, that the Duke's Grant
being made in the Year 16S0, the Tables then in use,
ought to be the Rule of settling the Latitude; and that
by those Tables, the ObUquity of the Ecliptick, was
universally allowed to be 23 Degrees, 30 Minutes.
1st, If that Way of Reasoning be conclusive, they
should have mentioned the Grant in the Year 1664,
(there being no such Grant iu the Year 1680, that we
know of,) and the Tables then in use; for if the Lati-
tude mentioned in a Grant in the Year KUU, might be
ascertained by Tables in use in the Year Uiso; they
might as well be settled by any subsequent Tables, if
they were right. The Truth of Tables, and not the
1754] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 245
Hypothesis on which they were made, or the Time of
making them, being to be considered in a Case of this
Nature; When this Grant was made by the Duke, it
was upon a certain knowledge, that there was a Place
on Hudson's River, in the Latitude of 41 ; and another
on Delaware, in the Latitude of 41° and 40' and the
Province of New- Jersey, was, by that Grant, intended
to extend so far North as these Latitudes really were;
and the best and most proper Means for the Discovery
of them, were to be made use of, without Regard to this
or that Table.
2dly, The Authors of some of the Tables in the Year
1880, might be of Opinion, that the Obliquity of the
Ecliptick was '2o and 30; and we suppose, calculated
their Tables of the Sun's Declination accordingly; but
it is the Tables of the Sun's Place that can only be made
use of in this Case; and these Tables have no Concern
with the Obliquity of the Ecliptick, whether made by
those Authors or any else.
3dly, That the Obliquity of the Ecliptick, was, in the
Year 1080, universally allowed to be 23 30' is a Position,
that (with all due Deference to the Credit and Know-
ledge of the Petitioners Informers) we think is not true;
for Mr. Flamstead, long before, found it to be 23 and
29; and about the Year 1680, published his Doctrine of
the Sphere; and through that Book, uses 23 and 29, as
the greatest Obliquity; and so it's used by Sir Isaac
Newton, in his Theory of the Moon: This was in Eng-
land, by two as good Mathematicians as any in Europe :
In France, Monsieur Le Hire, one of the Royal Academy
of Paris, by Observations, of the Sun near the Zenith,
and out of all Danger of Refractions of any Considera-
tion, found it before that Time, to be 23 and 29; and,
about that Time and since, it has been generally allowed
to be so.
4thly, With all due Deference, as before, we have
Reason to think, that the Tables the Petitioners men-
240 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
tion, were not in use in the Year 1680, but decryed ; and
that the Opinions of Flanistead, Newton, and the most
celebrated Mathematicians, of the Obhquity of the
Echptick, being 23 and 29, obtained at that Time: And
if we may use the Method of the Petitioners, to speak
by Information, and reserve to ourselves the Liberty of
altering and amending, we are informed, that in the
Year 1682, (at the End of which, the Duke's Grant of
Confirmation to the Proprietors pass'd) the Tables then
in use, were calculated according to the Obliquity of the
Ecliptick, at 23 and 29; and then, according to what
themselves have advanc'd these Tables ought to be the
Rule of setthng the Latitude.
5thly, Admitting the Obliquity of the Ecliptick to be
23 and 30, or what greater Number of Degrees the Peti-
tioners please; the Advantage or Disadvantage to them,
would not arise from that Obliquity, but from the Time
of Year in which the Observations were made; and had
they been made during the Time of the Sun's Declin-
ation to the Southern Tropick, the Petitioners would
have complained; and according to their happy Way of
Reasoning, inferred that it was intended, by the Duke's
Grant, that the Observations should be made after the
Sun had pass'd tlie vernal Equinox; and before its Re-
turn to the Autumnal, because that Grant pass'd the
14th March, some small Time after the Sun had pass'd
the vernal Equinox.
6thly. The Obhquity of the Ecliptick, Refraction of
Rays and Things of that Kind, were proper subjects of
Debate, between the Commissioners and Surveyors of
each Province, (to whom the Discovery of the Places
of Latitude were instructed) in order to use such
Methods as they should agi'ee to be most just and ef-
fectual for the obtaining of that End ; and accordingly,
such Debates were, and by Agreement, between them,
the Obliquity was settled to be a Mean between 23 and
29, and 23 and 30; and pursuant to that Agreement, the
1754"! ADMINISTKATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 247
Observations made, and the Station settled, though
something to the Disadvantage of your Honour's Mem-
oriahsts, the tme Obliquity being 23 and 29, which
Jarrat cannot chuse but know; and that the Consent
of our Surveyor to any addition to it, was, in Com-
pliance with Jarrat's Capricios, and to promote the Set-
tlement and Discovery of those Latitudes, and the Line
of Partition, by the Legislature, and all the impartial
of both Provinces, so earnestly desired, and not from
any Belief or Knowledge he had, that such an Addition
was just; and aftei' these Matters have been discussed
and agreed upon, and the Station settled, we hope it will
not be in the Power of a few dissatisfied Persons, by
Clamour and Noise, without Eeason or common Sense,
to defeat what is done in so solemn a manner, and pre-
vent what ought to be done, in pursuance of their
Oaths and Conunissions.
The Petitioners second Reason for what they call
their just Apprehensions, that a due and equal Regard
has not been had, &c. is, that by a Draft made by
George Kieth, Surveyor of the Jersies, the norther-
most Branch of Delaware River is laid twenty five
Miles to the Westward of the Fishkills.
1st. We deny that by any Map of George Kieth, any
Branch to the Westward of the Fishkill, is laid down
as the northermost Branch oi Delaware River: There
is a Map made by Philip Wells, Surveyor of New-York,
which is called George Kieth's, that lays down a
Branch to the Westward of the Fishkill, but does not
determine whether that of the Fishkill is the norther-
most Branch.
2dly, If there was or is any such Map made by
George Keith, as they say, we can't see what can be
inferr'd from thence, other than that the maker of
such Map was made beheve, there was such a Branch ;
but will no more prove there was such a Branch in
reahty, or any unfaii" Proceeding, as is suggested, than
24:8 ADMINISTUATIOX OF (iOVERXOR BELCHER. [1754
a Map (of which there are several) that lays down a
large Eiver running fro in Hudson's River into Hack-
insack River, making that Part of Jersey that borders
on Hudson's River an Island, will prove that there is,
in Reality, any such Rivei- or Island as their laid down;
nor will either of these mistakes, prove any Unfair-
ness or Partiality of Proceeding; Had there, indeed,
been such a Rivei-, as is said to be laid down by Kieth,
and had that River been the northermost Branch of
Delaware, and the Commissioners and Surveyors had
fixed the Station 25 miles East of it, there had been
just Reason of Complaint; but to infer an Unfairness
of Proceeding, because a certain Person laid down a
River in a Map, (which has no being in rerum Natura)
is such of Way of Reasoning, as can have no Weight
with any Men of common Sense, not very nmch pre-
disposed in the Petitioners Favour.
3dly, We beg Leave to inform your Honour, tliat if
there had been any such River as is suggested to be
laid down in the Map, the Proprietors of the Eastern
Division, and the Commissioners of the Jersey Side,
would not have failed to have found it out, and fix'd
the Station upon it, it being very nuich their Interest
to have it so: A Station so fix'd, giving to the
Eastern Division of Jersey, above 800000 Acres of
Land, which is worth more than so many Pounds,
whereas the Low-Lands supposed to be acquired by
the Station on Fishkill; and which the Petitioners, by
their low and vile Reflections, suggest to be the motive
of (their imaginaiy ) unfair Dealing, hardly amounts
to 3000 Acres, and that not worth above Sixty Pouuds
per Hundred, which shews how little Ground there is,
for the unreasonable Clamour they are encouraged to
make on that Head.
That m the Year 1080, the Latitude of 41", on Hud-
son's River, was ascertained to be due West from
Frederick Phihpse's Lower-Mills, by the Surveyors of
1754] ADMINISTIIATIOX OF GOVEllXOR BELCHER. 249
New-York and the Jersies, by the Consent of the re-
spective Governours of both those Provinces, is a very-
great Mistake, in fact, no such Thing being to be
found extant, of Record, in either of the Provinces
Indeed, Phihp Wells, Surveyor of the Province of
New York, and one Andrew Robinson, Surveyor of
the Province of West-Jersey, which was then a dis-
tinct Province from East- Jersey, made some attempts
to fix the Latitude of 41° on Hudson's River, and
made a Report that they had so done, in which they
made use of Keith's Name, in the Body of the Writ-
ing, to give a Colour to their Proceedings, but it was
without Keith's Consent, and he never signed it: And
the Latitude so ascertained by them, was not, as the
Petitioners say, due West of the Mills, but one Minute
and 25 Seconds to the Northward of them. How far
Col. Hamilton, by some ungarded Expressions in any
Letter of his, might give occasion to wrest them to a
Construction of owning a Thing that never was, we
know not, but have no Reason to believe it on the
Credit of the Relators, whose many Mistakes in Mat-
ters of Fact, gives us good Reason to believe, they are
misinform'd in this; and it seems very odd, that the
Petitioners for so considerable a Fact as the Agree-
ments of Governors of Provinces, concerning the Set-
tlement of Lines of Partition l)etween them, could
produce no better Proof, than an accidental Expression
in a Letter wrote Seven Years afterwards. Besides,
should it be true, that Col. Hamilton did own what
never was, we can't think the Proprietors are to be
concluded by his mistaken Sentiments, having had no
x\uthority from them to make any such Acknowledge
ment ; And if the Expressions of a Letter can be made
use of, to conclude the Proprietors in an Affair of that
Consequence; will not Col. Dungan's taking out a
Patent from the Province of New-Jersey, {at the Time
he was Governor of New- York) for the Lands he held
250 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
in Staten-Island, with an equal Parity of Reason, con-
clude the Crown as to that Island? This was an Own-
ing upon Record, and an Owning with a Witness,
Though we think that neither of these Ownings
mil conclude the Crown, or the Proprietors, yet we
heg Leave to mention one, that (as we humbly con-
ceive) in Law and Justice, ought to conclude both;
and that is, the solemn Agreement made between Col.
Thomas Dongan, when Governor of New- York, and
Gawen Lawrie, Esq; Governor of East-New- Jersey,
in the Year 1684, who agreed and ascertained the Lat-
itude of 41°, on Hudson's River, to be at the Mouth of
Tappan Creek, in the Meadows where it runs into
Hudson's River: This was an Agreement not to be
charged with PartiaUty, Craft, or Practice; both the
Governors, with the C-ouncil of each Province, or the
greatest Part of them, and several Gentlemen of
Figure, of both Provinces, went on the Spot; the most
eminent Lawyers of both Provinces, attended to ad-
vise, in case any Difficulty should arise in Construc-
tion of the Words of the Duke's Grant. The Surveyor
of each Province were there, who understood astro-
nomical Observations, and were Men skillful in their
Professions; there were others of both Provinces, very
able in mathematical Learning: The Observations they
made were done with Instruments of Six Foot Radius,
two of which they had nicely graduated; the Obser-
vations often repeated in the Presence of both the
Governors, Councils, and Persons there attending; so
that all Pretence and colour of Fraud was taken away.
The Latitude fix'd with the nicest Exactness in that
great Presence, and agreed to by the Persons concern'd^
and is extant of Record in this Province, as (we sup-
pose) it is in that; this is an Owning we conceive, to
be conclusive, and we humbly liope his Majesty's
Goodness and Justice, will induce him to confirm what
was done in so publick and solemn a manner; nothing
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 2.51
SO free from all objection being to be hoped for from a
second Essay. However, we are not without some
Hopes, the Justice and Prudence of the Government
of New- York, in enforcing a Compliance, wHth the Di-
rections and Intentions of the Legislature, will make
Applications to His Majesty, needless on this Head,
and prevent those Measures, we shall otherwise be
under the necessity of taking, and which the Justice
of our Cause will warrant, what the Petitioners say,
with Respect to the naming of Commissioners, by the
Governor not duly elected, is an Arraignment of his
Conduct, and an accusing him of Partiality in that
Affair; but with how much Injustice, may appear
from the Minutes of the Council Book; by which it is
plain, they were appointed by order of Council.
This is another Instance what Credit ought to be
given to what they represent, and shews how^ willing
and ready they are to sacrifice the Reputation of a
Person, who has deserved a much better Treatment.
It is very true, that John Johnston and George Wil-
locks, are Proprietors of East-Jersey, and the Province
of New-York, could not be hurt by them, it being much
more their Interest, to have the North Partition Point
(as is before hinted) fix'd w^here the Petitioners have
placed their imaginary River, than any of the Peti-
tioners, or all of them put together; and that the
Commissioners took up Land on the Borders of this
Province, while this Matter was in Agitation, or some
Years before, is a Mistake; and the Petitioners have
been very much misinformed, as they have been in all
the following Articles.
That there was any obligation on the Surveyor of
New- York, to grant the Bond mentioned, is another
Mistake, for the same was his own voluntary Offer,
and made for this Reason: A little Time after his
being appointed, and after the Commissioners had got
Warrants to receive i:12<>, they were for agreeing with
252 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
him for Twenty Shillings per Day, certain, which he
would not accept, but said he would be upon the same
Footing with the Commissioners, to have a Third of
the £300, appropriated for that Purpose, and they
having got £60, a Piece already if the same could be
procured to him, he would give Secuiity for the Per-
formance of the Work, or to refund the Money; and
in Case of his Death upon the Work, his Executors to
retain in their Hands, so much as should be Satisfac-
tion for the Work he had done; all which was but rea-
sonable, and not for Performance of the Work alone,
as is set forth in the Petition.
It was not without seeking for the right Branch,
that the Resolution was taken of observing upon the
Fish kill, as the Petitioners set forth, but with very
good Reason; for before that Resolution, the Connnis-
sioners and Surveyors had Information from many, of
the several Branches of Delaware, many of whom
were willing to take their Oaths, that there was no
considerable more westerly Branch of Delaware, that
went near so far North as the Fishkill; but not being
willing to trust to that, John Harris<.)n, an East Jersey
Man, and a considerable Proprietor there, and no Pro-
prietor of West-Jersey, (and his being so, was rather
the best Qualification in the World, for him to find a
Westerly Branch) was pitch'd upon, and agreed with,
to go and view all the Branches betwixt Delaware and
Suskehanna River.
And it was no loss to have observed upon the Fish-
kill; for if the Latitude had been found there, and a
more Westerly Branch found, there would have needed
no more, than to have run a true West Line to that
more Westerly Branch: It's another Mistake, that
upon Capt. Harrison's Return, his Report was, that
there was no Branch to the Westward of the Fishkill;
for in his Report he gives an account of several, with
each — of their Breadths; but there was not one of these
1754] ADMINISTRATrON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 253
above 30 Foot wide, whereas the Fishkill, at the Sta-
tion Point, (which, as they own, is above 24 Miles
further North than tlie Way Capt. Harrison went) was
found, by measuring, to be 462 Foot over, and widens
much below that.
As to any Branch that could be betwixt the Place
that Capt. Harrison went from, and the Station Point,
the River was particularly searched by the Commis-
sioners themselves, and no considerable Branch they
found, but one of about two Chains over at its Mouth,
which runs to the West and South, and which even
Capt. Harrison crossed in his Way, he being assured it
was the same, from the Information, both of Indians
that he met with, and of the white Man that was his
Guide, who had gone from that Place where he cross'd
it, down in Canoes, to the Fishkill; and besides, it is
not likely that a Branch of two Chains over, should
run more Northerly, than one of eight Chains ovei",
and which is much deeper, and at the same Time, a
very swift Stream: seeing that the Fishkills Course is
generally North-westerly, and that Branch goes out to
the West, and turns to the Southward.
There was not one of the Jersey Commissioners at
Madam Corbet's, during the Time that the Surveyors
together, took any Observation there; it's true, that Mr.
Wilcocks came, according to his Appointment with the
other Commissioners: After Capt. Jarrat had taken
Observations enough, and was gone to York, and was
present at some Observations made by Mr. Alexandei*,
for his own Diversion; but no one Observation was
taken by Capt. Jarrat, or Mr. Alexander, after Jarrat's
Return.
Its true, there was a Difference of four Miles in some
of the Observations at Madam Corbit's; but from thence
it cannot be inferred that the Instrument is erroneous,
for if the Object Glass of the Telescope of the Instru-
ment be not so plac'd, as that the Axis of the Glass is
254 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
coincident with the Eays of the Sun shining thro' the
Telescope, there will be a Variance, which, to do ex-
actly, is beyond the Art of Man to do; but what ever
that differs from the Truth, may be found out by only
inverting the Telescope, and the Difference between
that and the former Observation halved and added to
the least, and substracted from the greatest, gives the
true Observation, which every one that is tolerably
versed in the Knowledge of Glasses knows to be true,
and this Method was followed at Mackhacamack; and
Capt. Jarrat acknowledges this to be the Reason of the
Variation, but can't conceive what's so notoriously
known; and James Alexander, does positively say, that
he has observed with all the Parts of that Instrument,
and that the Mean of the several Observations at the
same Place of the Quadrant with the Telescope both
Ways, doth not differ one from another above one
Minute and a Half: What they say is evident beyond
Contradiction, is ridiculous in itself, and proves, be-
yond Contradiction, that the Petitioners know nothing
of the Matter; for the Difference of the Observation be-
tween the Fishkill and Madam Corbit's no more prove
that the Partition Point is placed four Miles to the
Northward, than it does, that it's four Miles to the
Southward.
We presume the Petitioners don't know the Differ-
ence between Radius and Diameter, for many of them
have seen it, and could never mistake so far as to call
Twenty-two inches Radius as that Instrument is, but
Twenty-two Inches Diameter, if they did.
As to Arguments offered against the Act, we know
not what they are, but if we may depend upon the In-
formation of those who, we believe, knew much more
of that Matter than any of the Petitioners, they are not
esteemed of Weight sufficient to answer the End in-
tended by them, and are in no likelihood of procuring
the Repeal of it; and we are induced to believe our In-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERXOR BELOHER. 255
formation, not only from the Nature of the Act, but
from the conduct of the Governor, who would not have
recommended the passing an Act of the like Nature to
the Assembly of this Province, had he been under the
least Doubt of the Disapprobation of that at New -York;
nor do we conceive the Consequence attending such
Eepeal, with Respect to this Affair, can be any other
than refunding into the Treasury, the Money spent on
this Occasion; for we presume the Lines and Bound-
aries of this Government may be ascertained, without
the Consent of that Assembly, if any Persons will be
at the Charge of it ; and that your Honour, or such Per-
son as shall be instructed with the Government of this
Province, will be both willing and able to protect us in
the Enjoyment of our Civil Rights.
They say, that by running the Line, the Petitioners
will be in Danger of being encroached upon: Being in
Danger of being encroach 'd upon, is a Reason they
should have blushed at : If they could have made out
they should be encroach 'd on, it might have had some
Weight; but surely they never could so far flatter them-
selves, with the Hopes of putting a Stop to an Affair of
this Consequence, by their being in Danger of being
incroach'd upon, except they had good Assurances,
that, say what they w^ould, it should be effectual, as
we are pretty well assured they had, and shall be rep-
resented in its proper Time and Place: The Petitioners
cannot say, they would be incroach'd upon if the Line
was truly run, they making no Pretence to Land in
Jersey; so that they durst not offer that; and if it was
not truly run, Jersey might be in Danger of being in-
croach'd upon, as well as the Petitioners; and the
natural Petition on that Head should have been, that
the utmost Care should be taken to run it truly, and
not to put a Stop to it.
They make a Flourisli of the Justice and Indulgence
of the Crown; which, we make no Question, all his
25fi ADMrniSTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. [1754
Majesty's good Subjects will, at all Times, feel the
proper and good effects of, according to their Demean-
our; but what they mean by Justice and Indulgence
here, is the Conduct of the Person Governor of New-
York at that Time, and is quite different from what
they are pleased to call it; and we persuade ourselves,
to just and impartial Men, will appear to be what it
really is; to make which appear, we humbly pray, your
Honour to receive the following Information; Some
Dutch Farmers wanting Land, pitch'd upon a Place
called Tapan, and applied to Col. Dungan; who being
informed, the Land they had pitch'd upon, lay mostly
in Jersey, used his Endeavour to alter the Station, by
him so solemnly agreed on, and prevailed on the Sur-
veyor of York and West- Jersey, to join in making the
Report, in the Year 16SG, mentioned before; to which
they could never get the Surveyor of East- Jersey to
join : After, or about the Time of that Report, he grants
the Lands desired, to the People of Tapan, for the Con-
sideration they made him; which Lands lay mostly in
the Jersies; and they settled down by Virtue of those
Grants, and by the Countenance of that Governor (who
had the Vis major,) held them, and do so to this Day.
Some there were who held Lands by Jersey Rights
within this Grant, and these were f orc'd to comply, and
take new Ones from that Government, which he gave
for tlie full Quantity they held before; but to one of
them, who held from Jersey a considerable Tract of
Land, which would interfere with his Grant to Tapan,
and who he was loth to dispossess altogether, lest it
would shake his new Settlement, and bring the Vali-
dity of his Titles in Question, and thereby lay him
under the Necessity of i-efunding the Money he receiv'd,
he made a Grant for the whole Land: and both the
Patents of Tapan and Lockarts lying in the Office to-
gether, he ordered a Day's prior Date to be put to tlie
formei-, wliich was not disccjvered till long after; and so
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 257
they hold the Land to this Day: And what Disputes
that has occasioned between Corbet and Meritt, is no
Secrett. This giving away of the Jersey Lands, con-
trary to the most solemn Agreement made by himself,
as before, and in this Manner, is the so much magni-
fied Justice and Indulgence; and how far it deserves
those Epithets, may one Day be determined.
They come at last to Proposals, and offer to be at
half the Charge of an Instrument proper and large
enough, to be approved and attested to be true and
correct by able Ai'tists, and the Obhquity settled, &c.
As to the Obhquity, enough has been said already to
shew the Weakness of that poor Pretence; and as to
the Instrument, they neither tell what Instrument
they mean by a proper Instrument, nor how large is
large enough, nor who these Skilful Artists shall be
that are to try and attest it; but having reserv'd to
themselves a Power of adding, altering, or amending,
we suppose, they'll think that Reservation gives them
an Authority proper and large enough to make Use of
when this (none-such) Instrument arrives, to render it
as wholly ineffectual for the Purposes of ascertaining
the Station, as they have endeavoui^'d to do this; for
there will be a Necessity of certifying, that these are
skilful artists; and those that certify them such, will
need another Certificate, to certify their Judgments
that so certify, and so on; and notwithstanding such
Certificate of the Correctness of the Instrument, it
wont be safe to proceed upon it till its tried here, and
known to be so or how to correct the Errors of it in
Case its not; and if so, such Certificate is needless;
and with this good Instrument there may and will
Differences happen in the Observations in different
Parts of the Instrument; and all that can be said on
it (though confess'd to be true) will not prove satisfac-
tory to any person resolved not to proceed, and one
Stroke of Cant, that he cannot in Conscience proceed
18
2S8 ADMIKISTRAtiOisr OF GOVERNOR BEtCHEE. [1754
to determine the Latitude by it, overthrows the whole
Affair, and puts Things in the same condition they are
at present; which is all that we expect from the Peti-
tioners, or their proposals; though we shall be always
ready to comply with sincere, just and practicable
Proposals, whenever they appear from the Petitioners
or any else, some of which we think to be, that the
Commissioners and Surveyors proceed according to the
Directions of the Legislature, their Oaths and Com-
missions, till they finish the Work; and if any or all
of these will not or cannot proceed, that some others,
more willing, able, and knowing, be sought out, that
both can and will; tliat the Commissioners and Sur-
veyors of the Provinces concerned in the Station-
Point on Delaware, meet, and try to find the Defects
of the present Instrument (if any such there be) and if
they can, amend them, and rectify any Error occa-
sioned by them; that if they think it impracticable by
that Instrument to determine the Latitude, that then
they stop their Proceedings tiU they get one by which
they can; but that it be not Stoptupon the bare Whim
or Credit of any one Visionary among them: These
Proposals are what we humbly conceive to be just and
reasonable, and what we hope will be complied with;
but if the Opposers of this good Work persist in their
Endeavours to defeat and elude the good Intent of
of those Laws made on that Behalf, and a Stop is put
on the Side of New- York, without the Consent of the
Rest concerned; we become huuible Suppliants to your
Honour, that it may be done on the Part of Jersey,
for v/hich we shaU be ready and wilHng to defray the
Expence.
As to Capt. Jarrat, his whole Conduct while con-
cerned in that Affair, gave but too visible Indications
of his Attachment to that Party, whose Endeavours
have been to prevent the Running of those Lines; so that
little less was expected from him than is come to pass;
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOH BELCHER. 259
and we refer him to that Conscience he seems so ten-
der of, which will not fail faithfully to lay before him
the true Motives that prevailed upon him to make that
Pretence; and with as great a Deference to him, as he
has to that, take Leave to observe, that Tapan Creek
does not he two Minutes to the Northward of the place
of Observation, we are informed, hardly one; and that
Younkers Mill lies about six Miles to the Southward of
it, as we are informed; and if so, even this Extream
of between two or three Minutes to the Southward of
the Place of Observation, cannot reach these Mills:
This is a Matter he can easily determine, if his Con-
science is not disposed to contradict his Eyes.
Notwithstanding that Capt. Jarrat says, there is a
wide Variation in the Observations, to wit, of between
4 and 5 Minutes, yet he is careful to avoid saying, that
the Instrument is erroneous; for he is sensible, that
the best Instrument that ever was, may differ twice
that Number of Minutes in the Observations, and at
the same Time be perfectly good, (viz. as good as
Man's Hands can make it,) for its ten Thousand to
one, if the Glass-Grinder, do so grind the Object Glass
and center it, and the Instrument-Maker so place it in
the Instrument, as to make the Axis of the Glass per-
fectly coincident with the Rays of the Sun; which if
they do not exactly, (and to say its exactly, is beyond
human Art) there must be a Refraction of the Rays;
which made Astronomers, as particularly Buhaldus,
upon the fu-st Use of Telescopes, to such Instruments,
say, that glasses were not at all fit for such Instru-
ments, because we could never know, whether the
Ray came directly or refractedly to our Eye; and, no
Doubt, they would have soon been disused, if a
method had not been found out to discover that;
which since has been, and which perfectly shews,
whether a Ray comes dkectly or not, and (if not)
exactly, how much it is refracted; and that is, by
260 ADMINISTRATION OF GO^TEENOR BELCSER. [1754
having the Telescope moveable, so that if by looking
thro' it, one Way you find your Object of one Height,
so much as this is too high or too low, you can find
out, by turning the opposite Side of your Telescope
uppermost, and looking again to the Object; now so
much as the Object appeared too low the first Way,
so much must it appear too high this Way, et e contra;
and of Consequence, the Difference between the two
Altitudes is twice the Error, which halved, and added
to the least, and subtracted from the greatest, will
give the true Altitude, as weU as if the Rays had come
directly to the Eye.
Now Capt. Jarrat is sensible, that this is the Cause
of the Variation of the Observations, and has owned,
that that Method of correcting, which is so j)lain in it-
self, and which every one that has any tolerable knowl-
edge in Glass, knows to be perfectly true, is true in
Theory, and to be used in Astronomy, for one's own
private Satisfaction; but thinks its not to be put in
Practice in this Case, not because it wiU not do, and
discover as truly the Latitude sought, as if it was per-
fectly correct, but because he is pleased to say, some
Estates are at Stake, so that if he should determine
with that Instrument, he might be hable to future
Eeproaches of being bribed or byass'd; and therefore
desires a larger Instrument, not to determine the Mat-
ter with more Truth, but to vindicate himself from
the Aspersions of being bribed or byass'd; what sug-
gested that Thought he best knows, and from this we
may guess, how likely the Success is to answer the
Expectation.
We are not surprised at this from him, but very
much so at the Report of the Gentlemen of his Majes-
ty's Council of New- York, who advise that Jarrat
should be directed to certify, by some Instrument
under his Hand and Seal, that the Station pretended
to be fix'd at the Fishkill, is wrong and erroneous, to
1754] ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 361
that End, that Province might not, at any Time, re-
ceive any Prejudice by a tripartite Indenture, executed
by the Surveyors and Commissioners, &c. before the
Defects was discovered.
The Reasons which, upon the whole Matter, induced
them to give this Advice, are as extraordinary; and
with due Deference to the Characters of those Gentle-
men, amounts to no more than an implicit Depend-
ance on Jarrat's Word, w^ithout any Proof or Reason
given for the Truth of what he says.
That is to say, Jarrat who was made Choice of, as
the ablest Mathematician, has, by the Declarations in
his Petition, and Assurances before them, Complained
of the Defect of the Instrument.
And has also declared, that the Methods proposed
by Mr. Alexander, are not satisfactory to him.
We humbly submit to your Honour's Judgment,
whether this is any more, either in Words or Meaning
than that Jarrat said so; Jarrat says the Instrument
is defective, and that he is not satisfied with the
methods proposed by Alexander; (and therefore) is this
ground sufficient to set aside all that has been done,
and elude the good Intentions of two Provinces, upon
the Credit of a Man, which, for any Thing they know,
may be in the Wrong, and in all Probability is so?
They say, he declared so in his Petition, and assured
them so; there is nothing like it in his Petition, and
Alexander protests, he does not remember that ever
he told them so; he, indeed, tells them of wide Differ-
ences of Observations, but that does not prove a De-
fect in the Instrument; that may happen many Ways,
and the Instrument be good enough. Has Jarrat said,
these Differences proceed from the Defects of the In-
struments or given them any Proof that it is so? Or
will he presume to say so? If he does, we deske he
may be ask'd upon his Oath, (for his Conscience may
get the better of his Memory) whether he took any of
^63 ADMIJTISTRATTON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
these Observations himself at Corbet's, that made this
Discoveiy, or saw them taken? or knows any Thing
about them, but by Information from another? And
we advise him in this Case, to have some Regard to
his Memory ; because there are Men aUve, that knows
in what Part of the Province he was at that Time; and
we desire these Honourable Gentlemen, together with
their Petitioners, and Mr. Jarrat, to give any Proof if
they can, that this Difference of Observations, pro-
ceeded from the Defect of the Instrument, and not the
Mistake of the Observator; and such a Mistake that,
for any Thing they do, or can know, might have been
rectified by the Penetration and quick Sight of their
able Mathematician Jarrat, had he been present: And
we humbly submit it to the calmer Consideration of
these Honourable Gentlemen, whether it had not been
more prudent, as well as just, when that pretended
Discovery was made, to have referred it to the Exam-
ination and Report of the Commissioners and Survey-
ors of all the Parties concerned, who were instructed
with it, and whose proper Business it was, than to
have made a Report themselves, with so much Pre-
cipitation, in a Matter that not one Man of them are
competent Judges of.
These Commissioners and Surveyors were upon
Oath; and if upon Examination; they had found, that
the Station had been wrong fix'd, would have i-ectified
it; and in Case the Instrument had been so defective,
that they could not with it, do what was intended;
they would have said so; which would have been
authoritative and conclusive: But further, Jarrat de-
clared, what Alexander said was not satisfactory to
him; it may be so, nor to the Gentlemen before whom
he was ; this is a very grave and short Way of answer-
ing any Thing: But can these Gentlemen be assured,
that Jarrat spoke Truth, or what that Dissatisfaction
l^roceeded from, whether from Want of Argument on
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 263
the Side of Alexander, or Capacity on the Part of
Jarrat? If they say the fii-st, then they needed not to
have used the Authority of Jarrat's Declaration, but
have determined upon their own Judgments; which
we presume, would have been upon better Reasons
than a Say so.
Such are the Reasons, and the Advice is correspon-
dent; they advise, that Jarrat be directed under his
Hand and Seal, to give the Lye to himself, and all the
Parties to that Indenture; and upon his single Au-
thority to certify, that the Station at the Fishkill
(which they already caU a pretended One) is wrong.
Here are two Acts of Assembly that make the Deter-
mination of the Parties to that Indenture, binding up-
on both Provinces: Here is a Committee of the Council
of one Province take upon themselves to overthrow
this, by a Certificate of one Man, (without Proof or
Colour of Reason but his say so; and that, as he must
own, not from his own Knowledge, but from the In-
formation of another) to make that Determination bind-
ing upon neither; how far the Success will answer these
Endeavours, Time wiU discover.
Mr. Alexander being present at the Committe, we
have desired him to say what he thinks proper to these
Matters, and is as follows:
'James Alexander declares, he does not remember
'that ever Capt. Jarrat said upon the Spot, that he
'could not rectify the wide Errors of the Instrument,
'nor take upon him to fix the Station by it, the same
'varying so much in it self: He remembers indeed,
'that he was very capricious in this Matter ever since
'he went to Mahackemack, and especially after the
'News of his Excellency's Departure, laying all the
'Blocks in the Way that >ver he could invent, making
'Mountains of Mole-Hills, as in this C*ase: And wiiat-
'ever Dissatisfaction he shewed with any of the Obser-
264 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. [1754
'vations when he came down to York (after the last
'Observation he ever took with it) he declared himself
'to he perfectly satisfied with the Instrument, and per-
'f ectly to understand how to reconcile the Observations
'which was upon Thursday the thirteenth Day of
'August; and we expecting the Commissioners up the
'next Day. I was very loath he should go down to
'York; but he said, he wanted no more Observations,
'and that the next Day he would come up with them,
'and settle the Station: But Capt. Walters being sick,
'the Commissioners thought fit to delay the Time of
'meeting for a Week; so upon the Monday he came up
'again, and paid me the Compliment of saying, he just
'came up to acquaint me of it, and to bring me down :
'Mr. Willocks being there, we three adjourned the
'Time of meeting till the Seventh of September; and I
'went down to York with Caj)t. Jarrat; and we carried
'the Instrument along with us, having no further to
' do with it there, he seeming still perfectly satisfied, as
' before; In the Beginning of September, I saw him sev-
' eral Times, and he having the Gravel, declared, as soon
' as he was able he would be ready to go up and finish
' the Work: And I never heard of any dissatisfaction
' he had, 'till Col. Hicks came to Town for to go up on
'the Line about the Seventh of September; and I then
' being sick. Col. Hicks and Capt. Walters came to see
' me, and told me, that Jarrat was in another of his mad
' Fits, and was saying to every Body the Instrument
' was erroneous, and that it differed four or five Minutes;
' I told them, that I knew, and he knew that long ago,
' and that the Instrument was not one Pin the worse of
' that; but I could scarcely think he was in earnest.
' And further, I being present at the Committee of
' the Honourable the Council of New-York, I don't re-
' member, that Capt. Jarrat said further to the Com-
' niittee concerning what he told me at Mrs. Corbet's,
1754J ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 265
' than that he was dissatisfied with these Differences,
' and that he told me of it before several People; and I
' think it was upon Interrogatories afterward made by
' the Committee, that he declared, he could neither
' rectify the wide Errors of the Instrument nor take up -
' on him to fix the Station by it.'
Whenever another Instrument of five or six Foot
Radius does come, tho' at the same Time it be a very
good One, I could ventui-e to lay the Price of that In-
strument with Capt. Jarrat, there will be four or five
Minutes Difference in the Observations that shall be
taken by it; and for the same Reasons then he cannot
adventure to settle the Latitude by it, and of Conse-
quence never.
It is impossible for the Art of Man, to make an In-
strument perfectly true and correct; and if the Line be
stay'd till one be certified to be so, by able and skiUful
Mathematicians from Great Britain, it will be stay'd
for ever; for the most that able and skilful Mathemati-
cians can do, is to find out the Errors of it, and give a
Table of Equations, how to correct it; which Capt Jar-
rat, if he will but take a Httle Pains, may easily make
himself, for this Instrument; and for the same Reason
that Capt. Jai-rat wants one now, of 5 or 6 Foot Radius;
when such a one comes, he has as much Reason to say,
the Work wants one of 11 or 12 Foot, and so on to 23
or 24 Foot 'Radius.
Upon the whole, tho' it must be confess'd to be the
Interest of both Provinces, that these Stations be fix'd,
and the Lines ascertained; yet, we think, they ought
to be done with Justice and Truth on both Sides; and
it being possible there may be a Defect in the Instru-
ment, tho' no Manner of Proof yet appears for it, we
hope the Council, ^vho have not yet approved of the
Report of ths Committee, will suspend any Approba-
tion of it, till the Commissioners and Surveyors have
examined into the Matter, and made their Report on
266 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
it, and that they do it with all proper Expedition: This,
we pray, your Honour will be pleased to signify to
them.
By Order of the Council of Proprietors,
J. Barclay,
Dep. Reg.
Perth- Amboy, October 12, 1719.
Numb. 5.
New- York, July 7. 1740.
Gentlemen,
Having been informed, that the Governer of the
Jersies has lately erected a new County in his Province,
called by the Name of Morris County, which extends
its Bounds beyond what this Province esteems the Di-
vision Line between the two Governments, so as to
comprehend within it, great Part of the Lands called
the Minisinks; and has accordingly commissioned Of-
ficers, Civil and Military, within tliat Precinct, which
has caused great Disturbance amongst the Inhabitants
there; and that several Persons, who have long been
settled there, under Grants from this Government, have
been threatened to be turned out of their Possessions,
under Colour of such new erected Jurisdiction.
And further, that it has been insinuated, by some ill-
designino Persons, as if I had acknowledged, that the
Minisink Lands, or great Part thereof, did belong to
the Jersies; by Reason whereof, you have been intimi-
dated from exercising your Authority there; I hereby
acquaint you, that the said Report is false and ground-
less.
And these are to signify to you, that I expect you
will do your Duty strictly in the Preservation of the
Peace, and Exercise of your Autliority,in the same Man-
ner as has bean done for the-^o Twenty Years past and
upwards, till the Division Line between the two Col-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 267
onies may be finally fixed and determined: For the
doing whereof, I shall use my utmost Endeavours, with
all possible Expedition.
I desire you'll send your Receipt of this my Letter,
by the first Opportunity, to,
You very Humble Servant,
George Clark,
To William Cool, William Cortragt, Peter Cickendall
Esqrs; Justices of the Peace for the County of
Orange, in New York.
Numb. 6.
Trentox, April 10, 174fi.
Sir,
Inclosed you have a Memorandum of the Matters
which a Committee of the Council of Proprietors con-
ferred with you upon, with a Relation before it, of
our Powers to answer, reply, &c. to the Claims of the
New- York Gentlemen, concerning the Line between
New-York and New- Jersey, of which you'll be pleased
to impart a Copy of to them, and desire their speedy
Answer, to be imparted to us for our Reply.
We beg also, that you would endeavour with them,
to stop Proceedings at the Suit of Westbrook against
Abraham Vanaken; for that Matter whereof the said
Westbrook was indicted in New- Jersey, and there for
some time committed, viz. distraining for Taxes to
New- York, in a Place far within New-Jersey, and in
which he was opposed; and for that Opposition he sued
Vanaken in an Action of Trespass, Damages £19, in
Orange County Court, and in which its said he got a
Verdict at the last Court of that County ; and not satis-
fied with that, he has employed John Crook, of Esopus,
to commence another hke Action against Vanaken and
his Wife, for the Wife's Opposition on that Occasion;
as by a Letter from Mr. Crook to Vanaken, now before
268 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
US, appears: We are well assured, that the Place where
Wesbrook attempted to distrain for New- York Taxes,
was far within New- Jersey; and if so, then Westbrook
was justly indicted, and Vanaken and Wife are abso-
lutely justifiable in opposing that Distress; and West-
brook ought to remember how he got quit of the Jersey
Indictment against him, and out of Goal there, viz. by
an Agreement between the Attorney General here, and
Col. Matthews, on Terms of Keeping the Peace in those
Parts, until the Line could be settled; but no sooner
was Westbrook delivered, but the Persecution was re-
newed, the Agreement laughed at, and Westbrook
brought the Action against Vanaken first before men-
tioned, and now is about to bring a Second for the
same Thing.
We beg also, that they would dissuade Col. Dekey
from putting his Threatenings in Execution, mentioned
in the Memorandum; especially as the Plantation he
lives on, extends, we are well assured, above six Miles
into New- Jersey; and that such a Line as would leave
his Plantation in New-York Province, must hit pretty
low down upon New- York Island, to which we never,
as yet, heard of one to pretend that the Line would
come.
We beg also, that they would persuade Jacobus
Swaartwoot, to be more moderate, and to avoid renew-
ing Provocations and Abuses on the People living in
New- Jersey.
We are in great Hopes, that if the New-York Gentle-
men will accept of your Mediation in this Affair, that
that which has been for many Years a Bone of Con-
tention between the two Provinces may be removed,
and that the Line may be amicably settled.
We are. Sir, Your humble Servants,
James Alexander,
Robert H. Morris,
Samuel Nevill.
To Joseph Murray, Esq;
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 269
Whei^eas on the 25th Day of March last, Mj.\ Chief
Justice Morris reported to the Council of Proprietors of
East-New- Jersey, from the Committee to whom it was
referred to confer with Mr. Murray, (concerning the
Causes relating to the Line between New- York and
New- Jersey, That they had conferred with him long
on that Subject; and laid before the said Council, a
Memorandum of the Points insisted on with Mr. Mur-
ray, containing, particularly, an Offer in Behalf of the
said Council, to lay before him their Reasons for sup-
porting the Line, as its esteemed, to the North Par-
tition Point settled in 1719, if the Gentlemen of New-
York would lay before him their Pretensions against
that, and to any other Line.
Whereupon it was ordered by the said Council, That
Mr. Chief Justice Morris, Mr. Alexander, and Mr.
Nevill, or any Two of them, be a Committee, with
Power to transmit a Copy of the said Memorandum to
Mr. Murray, in order that he may give a Copy of it to
the York Gentlemen, for whom he apprehends he was
first retained; and if they will, according to the Propo-
sition in the said Memorandum, lay their Pretensions
in Writing before Mr. Murray, then, with Power to
answer, reply, rejoin, &c. as they shall think reasona-
ble, to what shall be offered on the Part of New- York.
In Pursuance of which Reference, the said Commit-
tee hereby transmit a Copy of the said Memorandum
to Mr. Murray, for the Purpose aforesaid.
Memorandum of the Points conferred on with Mr.
MmTay, by a Committee of the Council of Proprietors
of East-Jersey, on Saturday the 22d of March, 1745-6.
As the said Proprietors have brought an Ejectment
on the Demise of NeviU against Thomas Dekey, for
Lands far in Jersey, by any Line that ever they heard,
with any Colour of Truth and Reason, was pretended
to; and have requested Mr. Murray's Assistance as
Council therein (upon a general Retainer foi- them
270 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
upwards of twenty Years) by Letter of June 7, 1745,
inclosing a Bill of £3, Proclamation; and Mr. Murray
delays assisting them in that suit, lest it interferes
with another Retainer concerning the Line of York
and Jersey, by some gentlemen, which he suspects
may be prior to the Proprietors Retainer.
Mr. Murray is now entreated, as often before, to
search for that Retainer, to know its Date, to see
whether it be prior, and its Purport, to see how far he
is thereby retained, for surely, if prior, it ought to
have some Limitation. For Example: Suppose they
should claim the Lands of Courtlandt's Heirs, four or
five Miles within New-Jersey, lately tried, would he
think himself bound, by that Retainer, to Support that
Pretence of those York gentlemen? If not, then
whether that Retainer can extend to support their
Claim of Lands as far within New- Jersey ?
Again, if these Gentlemen's Retainer was prior, and
they take Steps concerning that Line, not advised by
him, but ciTiel, barbarous and unlawful in themselves;
does he conceive himself bound by that Retainer, to
support, defend and justify them in those cruel, bar-
barous and unlawful Steps?
Example: Mr. Wileman some Years ago, having
served eight Declarations, in Ejectment, on his De-
mise, in the Narne of Bayard, upon People living at
Romopock, within New-Jersey, to ajDpear at Orange
County Court; in those C'ases the Proprietors thought
Mr. Wileman had done nothing amiss, but taken a
legal Course; and it is believed, that with Mr. Mur-
ray's Advice in Behalf of the Proprietors, those
Causes were removed to the Supreme Court of New-
York, by Habeas Corpus, and Pleas of the Jurisdic-
tion of Jersey, in those Causes pleaded; and tho' Mr.
Murray staid some Time before he assisted, yet it
seems he did not think that Retainer for the York
Gentleman, extended to those Causes.
1754] ADMIl^-ISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 271
Now, that Ejectment against Dekey, is for Lands as
far in Jersey as some of those of Wileman's were, and
it was as lawful, at least for them to brmg that one
Ejectment without Offence to anyone, as it was for
Mr. Wileman to bring the said eight Ejectments: But
yet the Person whom the Proprietors employed to
do that lawful Act of serving that Declaration,
was most barbarously used, was struck, threatned,
bound and pinioned, and carried to goal as a Crim-
inal, by Mr. Dekey himself, and his Sons and
others, and committed, without any Warrant, to
Goshen Goal; and after he had been many Hours in
Goal, no Cause of Commitment appeared; but a Writ
of Trespass upon the Case, Damage £1000, at Suit of
Dekey, procured many Hours after the Commitment,
in Hopes, as is supposed, by holding him to Bail in
that excessive Sum, that he must have long lain there;
and in which goal the IMan did lye, while an Express
was sent to Mr. Ogden, the Attorney on Record with
an Account of his Usage, and until Bail was procured
in Orange County for the Messenger, in that large
Sum.
Mr. Murray is begged to consider, whether the Re-
tainer of the York Gentlemen extended to justify them
in such Actions; and if not, that he would give his
Assistance, in defending the messenger of the Pro-
prietors, against that Sham- Action on the Case, and in
procuring Satisfaction for the said barbarous and un-
lawful Usage,
The said Thomas Dekey, being Colonel of the Militia
of Orange County, has of late summoned several Peo-
ple, settled in New Jersey, at least fifteen miles wathin
the Line, to come and train under him; and threatens,
if they do not, that he will distrain them for their
Fines, by the Laws of New-York, tho' those People
have been listed several Years in the Militia of Jersey,
as by a Certificate of the Captain with whom they
were listed, may appear.
272 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Mr. Murray is begged to consider, whether he con-
ceives his Retainer will extend to oblige him to justify
Mr. Dekey, should he actually distrain those People;
and whether that Eetainer would oblige him to justify
them, if they came to distrain at Bergen, which will
sooner fall into New- York, than the place where these
People live.
Mr. Dekey also threatens, that if any Jersey Sur-
veyor, comes to the Place where those people live, to
survey the Lands, that he will commit him to Orange
Goal.
Does Mr. Murray think his Retainer extends to jus-
tify Mr. Dekey in that?
A Justice of the Peace, living many Miles within
Jersey, was apprehended, brought to Orange Goal,
committed and indicted, and lay there long confined,
to his gTeat Damage; and all this for no other Cause,
than that he exercised the Jurisdiction of a Justice of
the Peace, in New Jersey; but they say, the Place is
in New- York; but it's supposed, that Newark will fall
sooner into New-York,. , by the Line, than the place
where that Justice exercised his Authority.
Does Mr. Murray think his retainer, if prior, ex-
tends to justify them in those doings ? or does he con-
ceive himself, bound by the Retainer of the Proprietors
of East- Jersey, to assist them in procuring Redress for
that iujm'ed Man ?
A Jersey Constable, executing a lawful Warrant
within Jersey, was pursued, fired at, his Horse shot
under him, apprehended, and carried to Orange Goal,
for no other Cause, and lay long there.
Does Mr. Murray think his Retainer, if prior, extends
to justify also that ?
The Rioters of Newark, give out, that Col. Dekey, is
in strict League witli them, and has engaged to bring
his Regiment to Newark, or any where else in Jersey,
to theii' Assistance, when required. Mr. Murray knows,
1*^54] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 273
that those Riots have been committed in Opposition
to the Title of the Proprietors of East-Jersey.
Whether in Case of Proof of such League with, and
Promise of Col. Dekey, Mr. Murray v^ill think him-
self bound, by his prior Retainer, (if such be) not to as-
sist in bringing Col. Dekey to Justice, for such League ?
There are Multitudes of other Instances of Cruelty
and Oppression committed within these four Years, by
the Instigation of Thomas Dekey and Jacobus Swaart-
woot, within New- Jersey, and so far within it, as that
Bergen wiU sooner fall into New- York, by the Line.
Does Mr. Murray think his Retainer, if prior, obUges
him to justify aU those Cruelties ? and if not, wiU he
assist the Proprietors, in obtaining Redress for those
injured People, and all who shall so be injured for the
future ?
The Proprietors have brought another Ejectment on
Demise of Nevill, for Lands, as far in New-Jersey, as
the Lands of the Heirs of Courtland; but pretended to
be within Honan and Hauden's Patent, and in which,
they requested Mr. Murray's Assistance, as Council, by
the said Letter of June 7, 1T45.
Does he conceive his Retainer, from the York Gentle-
men, if prior, obliges him to defend that Action for
them ?
As the Proprietors of East- Jersey, have, ever since
their said general Retainer, upwards of twenty years
ago, chiefly relied on Mr. Murray, in all their Causes;
they hope, that by any prior Retainer, concerning the
Line of New-York and Jersey, if any such should be,
that it wiU not be extended further, than what appears
plain by it, to be the Intent of the Persons retaining, dis-
covered to him, who was thereby retained at the Time;
which the Proprietors are sure, Mr. Murray would never
have accepted to justify them in any Ways of Oppres-
sion and Cruelty; and, therefore, can never be bound,
19
274 ADMINiSTKATIOK OF GOVEBNOR BELCHER. [1754
by such Retainer, for them, in the said cruel and barbar-
ous Causes.
Nor would Mr. Murray ever accept of a general Fee,
to defend them in whatever Line they should be pleased
to pretend was the Line of York and Jersey, but in
such Line only as they should, with Reason and Justice,
claim to be the Line; and in all rational Steps for hav-
ing that Line established; and m that, the Proprietors
of East-New-Jersey, will most heartily join.
Wherefore it's submitted, in order to determine the
Extent of their prior Retainer, if any such be, whether
they should not dehver to Mr. Murray, in Writing,
their Claim, where they would have the Line, with
their Reasons for the Support of that Claim ? That Mr.
Murray, should communicate that Claim and Reasons
to the Proprietors of East- Jersey, for their Answer, and
that Answer to the York Gentlemen for their Reply;
and so to Rejoinder, Surrejoinder, &c. tiU Mr. Murray is
satisfied, what Line is just for the New- York Gentle-
men to insist on, and so far (if their Retainer be prior)
to assist them in all lawful and reasonable Means, to
have that established; and beyond that, to assist the
East- Jersey Proprietors against their Encroachments:
This Method the Proprietors will most readily join in,
for Mr. Murray's Satisfaction; and, it's humbly con-
ceived, the York Gentlemen ought, in like Manner, to
comply with it.
By Order of the said Committee,
Laur. Smyth, Clk.
Numb. 7.
New- York, November 13, 1753.
Gentlemen,
Finding by an Advertisement in the News-Papers,
that the Owners of the Minisinks Patent, and Waway-
anda Patent, are desired to meet here at this Time: I,
1754] ADMINISTRATION OP GOVERNOR BELCHER. 275
as an Owner of 3-46 of the Minisinks Patent, formerly
Fauconier's; and an Owner of a small Share in Waway-
anda Patent, formerly Augustus Oldfield's; thought
it my Duty to attend, to give the best Assistance in
my Power, for the mutual Benefit of the Owners of
those Patents.
I do not know, that I shall differ in Opinion from
the rest of the Partners, in any one Point, but concern-
ing the Line of East- New- Jersey, on which those two
Patents bound; and on that Point, I believe, we shall
differ so much in Opinion, that you won't incline that
I should be present at your Deliberations on that Head:
Wherefore, as soon as you think of entering on that
Point, I shall withdraw, and leave you some of my
Sentiments in Writing, on that Matter, which, Ibeheve,
will be no Prejudice to the Partners of those Patents,
seriously to consider.
Gentlemen,
The North Partition Point of New Jersey, on Dela-
ware, being fixed in 1719, the Surveyors and Commis-
sioners, made an Estimate of the Course that the Line
would run, from the North Partition point on Dela-
ware, to the Partition- Point on Hudson's River; which
Line, by their Order, was run and mark'd, and the
Measure of the Whole was nearly 75 Miles, of which
three Miles is abreast of the Patent to Hardenbergh
and Company; 32 Miles, I esteem, it runs along the
Minisinks Patent; 16 along Wawayanda Patent; 16
Miles more along the Patent of Cheescocks, and the
remaining eight, along Honan and Hauden's Patent,
and the Patents of Tapan: I take even Numbers of
Miles, and neglect the Parts of Miles
Of Minisinks Patent, I am Owner of 3-46, as before;
and of Cheescocks Patent, I am Owner of 7-28; and
these two Patents extend, as before, 48 Miles of the 75
along the Line; so that, tho' I am greatly concerned.
276 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. fl754
that the Line should be settled some Way or other;
yet it veiy little concerns my particular Interest,
whether it be settled as was judged in 1719, or even 50
Miles lower down; the Difference of my Interest, on
the Jersey Side or York Side, I do not esteem equal to
my Proportion of the Charge, that the settling of that
Line has cost, and is like to cost.
In which I am something oddly circumstanced, as I
voluntarily contribute my Proportion in New Jersey
of the Charge, of endeavoring to have the Line settled,
and am compelled m New- York, to pay my Proportion
of the publick Taxes, applied for hindering the Settle-
ment of the Line.
The keeping that Line unsettled, as it's a vast
Prejudice to East-New-Jersey, so, I think, it's not
much less prejudicial to the Owners of New- York
Patents, along the Line; and more especially to the
Owners of the Minisinks Patent, which is suffered to
He undivided, and of very httle Value to the Owners,
tho' it contains, by my Estimation, above 200,000
Acres of Land, were the Line of New- Jersey fixed, ac-
cording to the Observations of 1719.
To me. Gentlemen, it would seem worthy of your
Consideration, to enquire, and be satisfied what that
Line is ? what have been the Causes that that Line has
remained so long unsettled ? what have been, and are
the Obstructions to it ? and how, and by what Means,
those Obstructions may be justly removed ?
As to what that Line is, the Deeds from the
Duke of York, first to Lord Berkley and Sir George
Carteret, aud afterwards to the Proprietors of New-
Jersey, in 1664, 1680, and 1682-3, aUsay of New -Jersey,
that it ' hath upon the West, Delaware Bay or Eiver,
' and extending Southward to the Main-Ocean, as far
' as Cape-May, at the Mouth of Delaware Bay; and to
' the Nortliward, as far as the Northermost Branch of
' the said Bay or Eiver, which is in 41° 40' of Latitude,
1754] ADMINISTRATIOlf OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 277
' and crosseth over thence in a straight Line to Hudson's
^Eiver, in 41° of Latitude.'
As to the Cause of it's not being run, I find, that in
Year 1719, the Settlement of the Line was stopp'd
upon an Allegation of Allen Jarret, the Surveyor for
New- York, that the Instrument was not good; for that
some Observations by it differed four Minutes from
others, and that the North Partition-point was settled,
to the Prejudice of New- York.
From that Difference of Observations, I conceive, it
no Way follows, either that the Instrument was bad,
or that the North Partition-point was settled to the
prejudice of York, more than to the Prejudice of Jer-
sey; but I allow, if it was wrong settled to the Preju-
dice of the one or other, it ought to be discovered,
and if possible amended; and, with Submission I think
it was the Duty of those who made that Objection, to
have taken proper Measures to have proved the Objec-
tion, by getting a better Instrument and better Ob-
servers, to have discovered the Error, and then to have
fallen on Means for the Correction of it: This the
Gentlemen on the York Side then proposed to do, and
the Gentlemen of the Jersey Side, not only approved
of that Measure, but agreed to join in the Expence of
procuring a better Instrument, and had many meet-
ings with the York Gentlemen for that Purpose; but
nothing was concluded on: And the Neglect, now for
above thirty Years, of the York Gentlemen, of all
proper Means to prove that Objection, is some Evi-
dence, and no weak One, that they did not believe
there was Truth in the Objection.
Another Objection to the running the Line, was
some Years ago, started, viz. That the Grants of King
Charles 11. to the Duke of York, were bounded by a
streight Line, from the head of Connecticut Rivei', to
the Head of Delaware Bay; and that as great Part of
New Jersey, was to the Westward of that Line, the
278 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEENOR BELCHER. [1754
Duke of York's Grants so far of New-Jersey were
void.
This Objection was soon after exploded, by a
Pamphlet printed about three Years ago, entitled, Ani-
madversions, by which it was shewn, if that Objection
was good, it would cut off five Times as much from
New- York, as it would do from New- Jersey; and I
verily believe, that the Patents of Hardenbergh, Mini-
sinks, and Wawayanda, are altogether to the West-
ward of that Line, and, consequently intirely void, if
that Objection was good; but that Pamphlet shewed,
it was neither true nor good.
Another Objection I have often heard, that the Line
between New- York and New- Jersey was to go to
what's now called the Forks of Delaware; as to which
there was a Deed from the Duke of York to Sir George
Carteret, in 1674, which granted to Sir George a very
large part of New- Jersey, in Severalty whereas he was
entitled then, only to a Moiety undivided: And Sir
George, in 1676, being made sensible of the Invalidity
of that Grant against hi' Partner Lord Berkley; de-
parted from it, by making a Partition of the Whole,
and giving up a great Part of what was contained in
that Deed of 1674; which Partition was, in 1718, con-
firmed by Act of Assembly; which Act has the Eoyal
Assent: There is some Words in that Deed to Sir
George, that I believe, gave the first Colour for that
Objection: But how that Deed of a Part of New- Jer-
sey, should limit the Bounds of the whole Province,
gi'anted by Deeds, both prior and posterioi-; and what
Right the Duke and Sir George had, witliout the con-
sent of Lord Berkley, to make a Deed, in severalty, of
any Part; and why that place now called the Forks of
Delaware, should be meant by that Deed, rather than
any of some Hundreds of other Forkings of that River,
are matters that require some Proof: Without which,
I suppose, the prior and posterior Deeds will be of
such Force, as if no such Deed had ever been made.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER, 279
That it hath not been the Fault of East-Jersey, but
of New- York, that the Line has not been settled ; I
doubt not, but that the Proprietors of East-New-Jer-
sey, will soon point out in their Answer to the Com-
plaints of the Assembly of New- York in June last;
which ^Answer, I am informed, is to be given to the
Governor and Couucil of New-Jersey, at their next
Sitting, which is appointed to be on the 21st Day of
this Month : And in the mean Time, as I am one of a
Committee of the Council of Proprietors of East Jer-
sey, which has subsisted for about eight Years past, in
order, if possible, to come to an amicable Agreement
concerning that Line; I do herewith communicate to
you, a Copy of a Letter and Paper from that Commit-
tee, delivered to Mr. Murray near eight Years ago, for
that Purpose; which he declared he had delivered to
some of the Gentlemen concerned on the York Side,
for an Answer; and Mr. Murray was often by me
called upon for their Answer, but so often was an-
swered by him, that he had received none.
If you'll seriously consider that Paper, I doubt not
you'll think the means therein proposed, were rational
and amicable; and that would the Gentlemen of New-
York, have opened their Ears to those Propositions,
the great Charges and Trouble about that Line that
both Sides have been since put to, might have been
saved; and if they will still turn a deaf Ear to those
Propositions, I believe the past Trouble and Charge
about that Line, will be but little, compared with what
is very likely hereafter to happen.
The Neglect of those Propositions for near two years
after they were made, obliged the East- Jersey Pro-
prietors to endeavor the obtaining the Act for running
the Line exparte. After it was past, the Commis-
sioners of New- Jersey invited the Government of New-
York, in the most solemn Manner, to communicate
their Objections, if any they had to it, in order to be
280 ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
discussed and obviated: But a deaf Ear was turned
also to that Invitation; which obUged the Proprietors
of East-New-Jersey to send it Home for his Majesty's
Approbation, now about five Years ago.
No one in Behalf of New-York, ever offered any
Objection to the Act, either to the Proprietors of East-
Jersey, or to their Agent in England, till the Hearing
before the Lords of Trade; which hearing was, by the
New- York Agent, got put off from time to time for
four Years I'unning, to the great Expence and Delay
of the Proprietors of East- Jersey; nor upon the Hear-
ing, was any Method offered or proposed by the New-
York Agent, for settling of the Line; but insisted on
the damning of the Jersey Act, and on the damning
the Proceedings of the Year 1Y19, for the settling the
Line: both which points he, in some measure, carried.
The Agent for the Proprietors of East-Jersey, I am
informed, is endeavouring to have a Ee hearing before
the Lords Committees for Plantation Affairs, against
those Parts of the Eeport that affect the Proceedings
of the Year 1719. I make no doubt he thought it his
Duty and for the Interest of the Proprietors of East-
Jersey to do it. But I much doubt if it be to their
Interest to have that Part of the Report altered; be-
cause my real Sentiments are, that the Proceedings in
settling the Line, as done in 1719, were to the Preju-
dice of New- Jersey; and that the North Partition-
point of New-Jersey, is farther Northward than was
then settled.
The New-Jersey Agent insisted, on the Hearing,
That as all the Lands in New-York, for many miles
from the Line, were already granted away, that the
Interest of the Crown was no way concerned, whether
the Line was settled according to the Observations of
1Y19, or for many miles on one Side or the other
thereof. I believed that he could have made good that
Assertion; but now I see, that the Lords of Trade have
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. 281
discovered a Difference which neither the New-Jersey
Agent, nor his Employers, I believe, thought of, viz,
"We beg Leave to observe, that in Case of exorbitant
" Grants, with inconsiderable Quit-Rents, and where,
"consequently, it may reasonably be supposed, that
"the Crown has been deceived in such Grants by its
"Officers, your Majesty's contingent Right of Prop-
"erty, in Virtue of your Seignury, seems rather to be
"enlarged than diminished."
May it not from this be suspected, that if the Line
Should be settled much further Southward than the
Line by the Observations of 1719, some of the New
York Patents along the Line may be in Danger of
being deemed exorbitant.
From whence it would seem to me, by damning the
Proceedings of 1719, the Patents of Minisinks and
Wawayanda, are not a little endangered.
1st, By being all, or a great part thereof, included
in New-Jersey, upon a new Settlement of the Line.
2dly, If the Line be settled much Southward of that
of 1719, of being deemed exorbitant Grants.
Again, if the Proceedings of the Year 1719, be
damned, I do not see how its possible to preserve the
Peace of both Provinces, without agreeing upon some
temporary Line, both of Property and Jurisdiction, or
something tantamount, until the Line be finally settled;
which temporary Line, in my humble Opinion, ought
to be agreed on, with Salvoes of the Right, Property
and Jurisdiction of both Sides, and even of the mean
Profits; and I am well assured, from my Acquaintance
with the Sentiments of the Council of Proprietors of
East-Jersey, and from their never recalhng the Powers
of the said Committee, whereof I am one, that they
will most readily agree to any rational Measures that
can be proposed for that Purpose.
It w^ould seem to me also, that a Committee chosen
by the Owners of the Patents of Minisinks and
282 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Wawayanda, to treat with a Committee of the Coun-
cil of Proprietors of East- Jersey, with the Propositions
of both Sides in Writing, and with a Mediator to be
agreed on, for fixing the temporary Line, the Preserv-
ing the Properties and Claims on both Sides, and
answering for the mean Profits, and for the Means of
finally settling the Line, would be the most probable
Way to attain those good Ends, and in the mean Time
to preserve the Peace.
These, Gentlemen, are my Sentiments, which I
heartily recommend to your Consideration and Reso-
lutions on them.
I intend, in two or three Days, to set out to meet the
Council of Proprietors of East-Jersey where, possibly,
this may be a Subject under their Consideration. If
any thing you resolve on in Consequence of this, and
acquaint me of it before that Time, I will readily com-
municate it to them.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most Humble Servant,
James Alexander.
Affidavits of John Herring;, Eich"^ Gardner &
Peter Decker relative to an Assault made
on them by Thomas Dekey & Sons on the
20 July — received from Kobert Hunter Esq''
by the Lords of Trade in his letter dated 31^'
March 1754.
John Herring, of Newtown, in the County of Sus-
sex, and formerly In Morris County, In New Jersey,
aged fifty six years, as he Believes, In October last,
being one of the people called Quakers, duly afiirmed,
according to Law, on his Afiirmation declared, that,
on the Twenty eth day of July Last, about Two in the
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 283
afternoon, Being a horseback, rideing, peaceably, in the
highway, Leading from Goshen to Newtown aforesaid,
about four or five miles South westward from the Divi-
sion Line, Between New York and New Jersey, and
so far within the said County of Sussex, as he Verily
Believes, Being In Company with Eichard Gardner
and Peter Decker, Both of Sussex County, aforesaid,
all riding towards Newtown aforesaid, and the said
Eichard Gardner Being a Little way before this Affirm-
ant, as this Affirmant came up, he saw Eichard Gard-
ner stopt, and one. Commonly Called Jack Dekey,
whose name is said To be James, Jacob or Jacobus,
Second son of Thomas Dekey, holding the Bridle of
Eichard Gardners horse, in his Left hand, and having
a Large Clubb, in his right hand;
Whereoti, this affirmant asked Eichard Gardner,
why he Stop't? he answered he was Assaulted and
stop't, by that man, the affirmant then Asked Eich-
ard Gardner, for what reason ? Gardner answered, he
Knew not; then, the Affirmant asked the said Jack
Dekey, why he Stop't M' Gardner ? he answered, his
father Would be there, presently, and Let us Know
for What reason ; and. In one, or Very few minutes
after, the said Thomas Dekey, Came up, a horseback,
and Lighted off his horse, and Came u]) To this Affirm-
ant, and presented a pistol To this Affirmants Breast,
and Swore, with an Horrible Oath, that he had a good
mind To Blow a Brace of Balls, thro' this Affirmant,
or Words to that purpose; that the said Dekey then
went To Gardner, and feloniously took his saddle
Bags, from Behind him, the said Gardner; that the
said Dekey feloniously took. Out of this affirmants
hand, a well Seasoned Hickory Walking Stick, about
an Inch Diameter, at the Big End, and Tapering To
the Other end. Belonging to this afirmant, about a
Yard Long; and he, the said Thomas Dekey haveing
the small End thereof In his hand, struck this Affirm-
284 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. [1754
ant on the head, with the big end thereof, with so
Violent a Blow, that, tho' this Affirmant had a hat on
his head, made a Wound In his head, of about an Inch
Long; By which Wound, this Affirmant Lost a Great
deal of Blood, That the said Dekey, afterwards, Con-
tinued Beating this Affirmant, with the said Stick,
Till, by the Blows he, the said Dekey, split the said
Stick, To Shivers, he Believes about Twenty Blows In
all; that this Affirmant, all the time sat on his horse,
and offered no Blow, nor Resistance, to the said Dekey ;
That the said Thomas Dekey, then. Went To Richard
Gardner, and Beat, and abused him. and feloniously
Took, out of the Saddle Bags of the said Richard
Gardner, a Surveying Campass a Surveying Chain,
a Surveying Scale, and a Pair of Dividers, and a horse
Bell, and handed them To his said sons, and George,
the Eldest son of the said Thomas Dekey, and the said
Jack, were present, and, by a Miltitude of Oaths and
Curses, were, during the Whole Time of the Beating
of the said Gardner, and this Affirmant, Encourage-
ing their said father, to do it; this Affirmant says,
that the Blood Run, so Violently, from the said
Wound, In his head, that, To Keep It from falling on
his Cloaths, he held his head To a Side, To Let it Run
On the ground; by reason of Which, he Can't be sure,
what part of the Things, taken out of the Bags, were
Received by Each of the sons. But, after they were
taken out, the said Thomas Dekey, threw the Bags
at Richard Gardner; and, then, the said Dekey, and
his Two sons, Mounted their horses, and rode of,
Carrying with them, the said Compass, Chain, Scale,
dividers, and Bell, and so, as aforesaid, they feloniously
Robbed the said Richard Gardner and this Affirmant;
And this Affirmant says, that, neither he, nor Richard
Gardner, To his Knowledge or Belief, gave any 111
Language, to the said Dekey, Nor his sons, nor offered
any one Blow at them, during the Whole Transaction
1754] admin'isTration of goveen'Or belcher. 285
aforesaid; tliat this Affirmant then thought and Still
thinks, it Very Odd, that the said Thomas Dekey,
should have so abused him the Affirmant, Being, not
only, an old man, But a Cripple, and one who, by his
Religious Principles, Is debarred from using any resist-
ance, Especially, when Richard Gardner, a man aged
about Thirty one years, and Peter Decker, about fourty
Two years of age, were present, and Better able to
have Born such abuse, than the Affirmant, who is not
Conscious to himself of haveing ever given the said
Thomas Dekey, any the Least Just provocation, to
such abuse of him, this Affirmant, and had not. To his
Knowledge, seen him since about the Beginning of
May Last, the said Thomas Dekey was at the Affirm-
ants house, when and Where, he dined with this
Affirmant, and then parted, In friendship, for any
thing this affirmant Knew, and Knows of nothing that
Could have raised Thomas Dekeys resentment, to that
Degree, But this Affirmant having Assisted Richard
Gardner In making a Survey of some Lands, in the
said County of Sussex, Belonging to the Proprietors
of East New Jersey
Jo'' Herring
a true Coppy Examined by Ja: Alexander
Affirmed in CounciU this 23' of Nov^ 1753
Cha Read CI Con
Richard Gardner, aged about thirty one Years,
Being one of the People Called Quakers, and duly af-
firmed, according To Law, on his Affirmation, declared,
that he had. Several Times, heard the Affirmation
aforesaid, of John Herring, read to him, and Verily
BeHeves all the facts, therein related. To have been
done, on the Twentyeth day of July Last, are true, to
the Best of his remembrance; And further says, that
the said Thomas Dekey struck this affirmant, about
286 ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Two Blows, while this Affirmant sat on horse Back;
That, then, the Affirmant aUighted, and run off, a Lit-
tle distance, when, the said Thomas Dekey Called for
his pistol, and swore he would shoot the affirmant, or
Blow a Brace of Balls thro' him; and f mother, this Af-
firmant sayth not;
Rhd. Gardner.
a true Copy Examined by Ja. Alexander.
Affirmed In Councell 23d Nov 1Y53.
Cha Read CI Con
Peter Decker, aged about forty two years. Being
duely sworn. On the Holy Evangelists, On his Oath,
declares that he has. Several times heard the Affirm-
ation aforesaid, of John Herring, read to him, and
Verily Believes, all the facts, therein Related to have
been done, on the Twentyeth day of July Last, are
true, to the Best of his rememberance. Except the
Scale and dividers, which he, the deponent, does not
remember To have seen Dekeys take. But is sure, as to
the Compasse, chain and Bell, and Beheves, as to the
Scale and dividers.
Peters Decker.
a true Copy Examined by Ja. Alexander.
Sworn in Councill 23d Nov 1Y53
Cha. Read CI Con
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 287
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
transmitting the Proceedings of the Council and
Assembly.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 47.1
Right Hon^.^® Lords Comm''.^ for Trade and
Plantations.
Elizabeth Town, (N J) May 15th 1Y54
My Lords
I had the Honour of writing your Lordships, the 20:
of December last, and which I understand got well to
your Hands, and altho' many Ships are since arrived
from England at New York, yet I have recieved none
from your Lordships, respecting His Majesty's Honour
and Interest here, and the Affairs of this Province, I
herewith transmit to your Lordships Transcripts of the
Journals and Minutes of His Majesty's Council of the
V^ and 21'' of February, and 3" of March, and from 23'^
to 30^'' of April last past.
And the printed Journals of the Assembly in their
last Session from 17^'' to 29'" of April.
And these things, my Lords, will give you a full and
very particular Account, of what has been transacted
here, since my last, in this Government, and in which
(I believe) your Lordships will think, I have done every
thing in my Power, to urge the Assembly to a sense of
their Duty to the King, by complying with His
Majesty's most reasonable Orders, for maintaining the
Honour and Interest of the British Crown, as much as
in them lye's and for securing the future Safety and
Happiness of the King's Subjects, Of this and the
Neighbouring Provinces, and yet they seem at present
deaf, to entering into any Measures, to ward of the
Evils they may so justly fear, tiU they arrive at their
288 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
own Doors: Your Lordships will see I am to meet
the Assembly again the first of the next Month, when
I shall urge in the most pungent Manner, their uniting
with the rest of the English Colonies, for the common
Safety.
I have the Honour to be with great Eespect
My Lords Your Lordship's
Most Obedient & Most Humble Servant,
J. Belcher.
Letter from Lieutenant-Governor DeLancey, of New
York, to the Lords of Trade — about division line
between that Province and Neiv Jersey.
[From New York Col. Documents, Vol. VI, p. 838.]
New York 21 May 1754
My Lords (Extract.)
* * * * J jjQ^ send your Lord^^^ some papers
relating to the division line, between New Jersey and
this Province, with a copy of an ancient Map, ' said to
be signed by Andrew Hamilton, who was then Gov""
of East Jersey. I have drawn two lines on the Map,
to distinguish in a triangle, the Lands that are as I
conceive still in the Crown. I shall make no obser-
vations on King Charles Second's Grant to the Duke
of York, but will suppose the Duke had a right to
grant the lands, which he did grant to Lord Berkely
and Sir George Carteret, and then it is to be consid-
ered how far the Duke's Grant to them, did extend up
' Presumed to have been a copy of George Keith's map, who ran a portion of the
Division Line.— Ed.
1754J ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 289
Delaware Eiver. The bounds from Cape May at the
mouth of Delaware River and "extending to the
Northward as far as the Northermost Branch of the
said Bay, or the River of Delaware, which is in forty
one degrees and forty minutes of Latitude." There I
would only observe, that the Northermost Branch of
the said Bay or River is the terminus ad quem, the
place alf which they must stop; the words, as far as,
being the same in source as, usque ad, which is al-
ways exclusive of the place to which you go; so that
from Caj)e May, to the Northermost Bi-anch of Dela-
ware River is the whole extent of the Western boun-
dary of Jersey. As for these words, which is: in
forty one degrees and forty Minutes of Latitude, I do
not take them to be part of the description of the
Boundary, they are only affirmative words of compu-
tation, or rather conjecture of the latitude wherein the
Northermost branch or the Forks of Delaware lye.
For instance, if a grant was made of all the lands from
London Bridge to Greenwich, which is ten miles: here
the mistaken computation made of the distance, will
not carry the grant beyond Greenwich. London
Bridge being the terminus a quo, the place whence,
and Greenwich the terminus ad quem, the place to
which; and these two make the extent of the Grant,
and are always understood to be conclusive. So of
the western boundary of Jersey, the main Ocean at
Cape May at the Mouth of Delaware Bay, is the ter-
minus a quo, and the Northermost branch of the said
Bay or the River of Delaware, is the terminus ad quem,
which make the extent of the Jersey grant on the
West. For Delaware River is formed by the two
branches joining into one Body at the forks of Dela-
ware may properly enough to be said to be the ne plus
ultra, of Jersey on that side. For the mistaken com-
putation of distance or latitude, cannot enlarge the
20
290 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
extent of a Grant, words of that sort being not de-
scriptive but conjectural.
It is said, as the Patents of Wawayanda and Min-
isink aie bounded on the Jersey Une, his Maj'^'" interest
can not be concerned, let the line run where it will,
but this is a mistake; for the Jersey line on which
these Patents were bounded, was the supposed hue
marked in the Map which was at that time understood
to be the line, and they cannot be extended Southward,
even if the real line of Jersey is to run from the Forks
of Delaware, or the head of Delaware Bay, to the
Station on Hudson's Kiver opposite to the lower
Yonkers; the King's intention being to grant lands no
further than the then supposed line.
I wrote to Gov' Belcher to propose a hne of peace be-
tween the two provinces, to put a stop to the disputes
and disorders that are committed on the Borders; in
which letter I thought it my duty, as his Majesty's
servant, to tell him my opinion that the forks of Dela-
ware, were the ne plus ultra of Jersey on that side.
This paragraph has drawn upon me a pretty extraor-
dinary proposal from the Jersey proprietors; which
was delivered to me by M!" Alexander I shall make
no reflections on it, but submit the propriety of it to
your LordPP' consideration. I must inform your Lord'^^
that M' Alexander is a Member of his Maj^- '' Council
for this Province and for the Province of Jersey, and a
considerable proprietor, and chief Manager in behalf
of the Jersey proprietors, I leave it to your Lord^P' to
consider how consistent this is, while there is this con-
troversy subsisting between the two Provinces, and
between the Proprietors and his Majesty. I inclose
the Eeport of a Committee of his Majesty's Council on
the disturbances between the people living on the bor-
ders of the two Govern'' and the opinion of the Com-
mittee for establishing a line of peace, until the parti-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 291
tion line be fixed between both provinces, and M'
Alexander's reasons for his dissent to the said Report.
Your LordPP' will perceive the opinion of His Maj*'"'"
Council to be, that the line of peace, should run ac-
cording to the supposed Hne, and the reasons upon
which they ground their opinion, and if they appear
satisfactory, I hope directions will be given to the
.Gov" of the two provinces, that the line be so fixed &
ascertained as a line of peace, until His Maj'' '' right be
finally settled in such a legal course, as his Majesty
shall think proper.
I am very backward to take any steps to protect the
Freeholders and Inhabitants in the quiet enjoyment of
their possessions up to the supposed line, as the
Council advise. The Reason, My Lords, is, that I am
concerned in the Minisink Patent, and so are my
Brothers and Sisters, as Devisees of my Father, who
held two shares in that Patent, Nor shall I take any
steps without the advice of the Council. I beg your
LordPP^ will be pleased to direct me on this head
I am. My Lords,
Your LordPP' most obedient
& most humble servant
James DeLancey
20*
292 ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, Secretary of State,
to Governor Belcher — in relation to the action of
the New Jersy Legislature to resist the hostile at-
tempts of the French on the Ohio.
[From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 74.1
Whitehall 5*? July 1754.
Govr of New Jersey.
Sir
Your Letter of the 10"' of November last, acknowl-
edging the Receij)t of the Earl of Holclernesse's of the
28*^ of August last, having been laid before the King,
I am to acquaint You, that His Majesty does not doubt,
but that You w^ill have kej^t up the exact Correspond-
ence, which You mentioned, with all the other British
Colonies, and that You will consequently have had full
Information of the late hostile Attempts of the French
upon the River Ohio, under these Circumstances, You
will certainly have called tegether, as You intended,
the General Assembly of Your Province, and by laying
before them the urgent Necessity of mutual Assistance,
You will have engaged them to grant Supplies accord-
ingly; But as You have not hitherto transmitted any
Account, with regard to these Points, the King will
expect to hear, that You have executed His Com-
mands, and that His Subjects, under your Care, have
taken the proper Steps for their own, and the general
Security, In the meantime I am to enforce to You, by
the Kings express Command, the Directions of the
28*^ of August last, in the strongest manner, and to ac-
quaint You that His Majesty expects your immediate
Observance thereof.
I am &c''
T: Robinson.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOYfiRNOR BELCHER. 293
Resigitation of Joseph Warrell, Attorney -General of
New-Jersey, and nominating Courtland Skinner
as his Successor.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 49.]
Bellville July 5: 1754.
To His Excellency The Gov":
Hon^ S';
As I have all the Reason in the World to make my
greatfull Acknovs^ledgments to your Excellency for all
the Favours & Friendships I have continually recievd
from your self & good Family & especially for your
good Wishes & kind Promises to serve me on any proper
occasion to make my declining Part of Life comfortable
I now take the Liberty of begging your Excellency^ Con-
currence of accepting my free Resignation of the Of-
fice of Attorney General of this Province of New^ Jersey
in favour of Courtland Skinner Esq'.' whose inexcep-
tionable Character & regular Education under his
Father in Law M! Kearney will no doubt make him
meet with Your Excellency^ Approbation & be accept-
able to the Province; & that the long Fatigue of up-
' For notice of Mr. Skinuer see "Contributions to Tlie Early History of Perth Am-
boy," p. 101. He was the oldest son of the Rev. William Skinner of Perth Amboy, and
became eminent in his profession, for which he was educated in the office of David
Ogden of New York. During the early stages of the struggle for Independence, he
was strongly opposed to the encroachments of the British Ministry upon the liberties
of the colonies, but eventually identified himself with the royal cause and left the
the province in 17"6. He was immediately appointed Brigadier General with
authority to raise five battaUons from among the disaffected in New Jersey. He
succeeded in getting only about five hundred men. He finally took a house at
Jamaica, L. I., and gathered his family again within it, and after the Revolution he
took them with him to England. He received from the government compensation
for his forfeited estate and the half pay of Brigadier General during his life. He died
March 10th, 1799, aged 71, and his tombstone could be seen a few years since in St.
Augustine's Church. Bristol. - Ed.
294 A DMINISTRATIOJSr OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
wards of twenty Years Service without any just Im-
putation of Failure in my Duty under the Disad-
vantage of too small a Support from the Assembly (&
no likely hood of its increasing) will plead for the
reasonableness of my Request to Your Excellency for
a Quietus at my Age I beg my sincerest Respects to
Your Lady & all the Family & am Sir
Your Excellency? most obhged
& obed- humble Servf
J. Warrell.
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher —
commentmg upon the action of the Legislature in
not providing resources for the common defence
against the French.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, No. 15, Ent. Book D., p. 429.]
Whitehall July S^.*" 1754
To Jonathan Belcher Esq^, Governor of New
Jersey.
Sir,
It is a great Concern and surprize to Us to find by
the Letters We have lately received from you, that the
Assembly of New Jersey have been so regardless of
their own Interest and Security and of His Majesty's
Orders, as to have absolutely refused for the present
either to raise any Supplies for the common Security
and Defence of the Colonies against the Hostile En-
croachments of a foreign Power, or to make provision
for sending Commissioners to the meeting appointed
to be held this Summer with the six Nations. We are
at a loss to guess at the motives for so extraordinary a
Conduct at this time, when the proceedings of the
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 295
French make it the common Interest of all the Northern
Colonies to unite and exert their most vigorous En-
deavours for their mutual Defence; the sending Com-
missioners to the meeting at Albany would have great-
ly facilitated such a measure, and some plan of Opera-
tion might probably have been struck out by them; but
should it have failed of having that effect, yet the great
Security and advantage which is derived to all the
Northern Colonies from the Friendship and Alliance of
these Indians, independent of Commercial Considera-
tions, is so great as certainly makes it a common con-
cern; and therefore the Argument of the Assembly,
that they have no Commercial Connections with them,
is frivolous and without foundation. The late Trans-
actions of the French upon the Ohio in taking posses-
sion of a Fort built there by His Majesty's Order will,
we hope, awaken them to a proper sense of tlieir In-
terest and situation, and convince them of the Neces-
sity of immediately concurring in measures for the
general Defence of the whole.
The Instruction relative to the Revisal of the Laws
is so evidently calculated for the Advantage and In-
terest of the Colonys, that We are surprized to find the
Assembly should have refused Obedience to it upon
such trifling considerations; nothing can be more desir-
able in a well regulated Community than a well di-
gested Body of Laws, freed from perplexity and con-
fusion, and wherever that is wanting, frequent mis
takes, Controvorsys and Confusion will necessarily
arise.
It gives Us great Pleasure to find by your Letter of
the 8^^ of August last, that the Province is in so peace-
able a state with respect to the Riots and Tumults, by
which it has of late Years been so greatly disturbed.
We entirely agree with you, that if the Proprietors
would avail themselves of this peaceable Disposition
to bring on their Action of Trespass and Ejectment
296 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
the Points, upon which these Disputes and Riots have
arisen, might come to a final Determination: and We
desire you will urge this Point to the Proprietors in
the strongest manner you can, and that you will give
proper directions to the King's Attorney General to
prosecute such Rioters as have been apprehended, and
lye under Bonds, that appearing to Us to be a very
proper and necessary measure, if the Colony is in that
state of Peace and tranquihty you describe it to be.
It gives Us great Concern to find by your Letter of
the 20"' of December, that any Riots and Outrages
have been committed on account of the Dispute be-
tween New York and New Jersey relative to the Line;
We think it highly necessary for the preservation of
the peace, that some temporary Line of Jurisdiction
should be established by His Majesty's Authority, un-
till the true Line of property can be ascertained; and
We shall shortly take this matter into our Considera-
tion and lay our Thoughts upon it before His Majesty;
in the mean time We earnestly recommend to you, as
We have akeady done to the Governor of New- York,
to take every prudent and legal method to promote
Peace and Quiet amongst His Majesty's Subjects. So
We bid you heartily farewell and are
Your very loving Friends and humble Servants
Dunk Halifax
James Oswald
Andrew Stone.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 297
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Lieutenant-Gover-
nor De Lancey — about the boundary betiveen New
York and New Jersey.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VI, p. 845.]
To James Delancey Esq?" Lieut* Gover^ of
New York.
Sir (Extract.)
^t ***** * rpjjQ papers you have sent us
relative to the points in dispute between New York
and the Neighbouring Provinces with respect to Boun-
dary s, more especially with respect to the line of divi-
sion between New York and New Jersey and the
observations which you make in your letters upon
these disputes will be of great service to us when that
point comes under our consideration it appears to us in
the general light in which We see this affair at the
present that it will be for his Majesty's service and for
the peace and interest of both Provinces that a tem-
porary line of Jurisdiction should be established by his
Majesty's authority until the true line of property can
be ascertained and therefore we shall shortly take this
matter into Our consideration and lay our thoughts
fully upon it before his Majesty. In the mean we do
earnestly recommend to you as we have also done to
Governor of New Jersey to [take?] every legal and
proper measure that can be thought of to preserve the
publick peace in those parts and prevent that mischief
we have reason to fear might be occasioned by this
unhappy dispute *********
Your very loving friends and humble Servants
Dunk Halifax
James Oswald
Andrew Stone
Whitehall July 5 1754
!J98 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Partridge —
requesting his assistance to secure the confir?na-
tion of Courtland Skinner as Attorney -General of
New Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 48-49. |
Elizabeth Town (N J) July 25: 1754
To Richard Partridge Esq"" In London
Brother Partridge
I few days ago Mr Warrell, late Attorney General of
this Province, wrote me a Letter of Resignation of
that Office, of which the Inclosed is Copy, — And I
have since appointed Courtland Skinner Esq!", to suc-
ceed the said M[ Warrell, & this I write at the Be-
quest of the said Mr Skinner, to desire your best
Friendship & Assistance to him, in Case there shou'd
be anything necessary to be done for his Confirmation
at Home, he is a young Gentleman bred to the Law,
& esteem'd of good Knowledge in his Profession, &
any Service you may do him will be kindly taken by,
Sir Your loving Brother
J Belcher
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 299
Affidavit of Thomas Dekay — relative to laying out a
highivay through Minisink.
[From N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Vol. LXXIX, p. 4.1
City of New York — Thomas Decay EsqT one of
his Majesties Justices of the Peace and Collonell of
the Militia in Orange County being duly sworn de-
poseth and saith that Heniy Simpson one of the Com-
missioners of the High Way in Sussex County some
time last Month being in Conversation with the depo-
nent at the dwelling House of this Deponent Informed
him that the Commissioners of the High Ways for the
said County Sussex (being a County Lately Erected by
the Government of Jersey) had Laid out a High Way
throughout Minisinck and that he the said Henry
should soon be obhged to go and View the Highway in
order to make a return thereof. And this Deponent
further saith that for some time before he left Home
he was every Night Obliged to Naill up all his doors
Excepting one at which he placed a guard for fear of
being Surprised in his bed by the people of New Jersey
who as this deponent is Informed have Sundry times
declared they were resolved to take him prisoner and
Carry him into New Jersey, And further this depo-
nent saith not
Thomas Dekay
Sworn this twenty ninth of July 1754, Before me
Jn° Chambers.
NEA¥ JERSEY
Colonial Dociinients
Vol. VrTT-P»ait TT.
NEW JERSEY
COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Sir Thomas Robin-
son, Secretary of State, tvith a plan of general
concert and mutual defense to be entered into by
the Colonies in America.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 39, Ent. Book K., p. 368.1
To Sir Thomas Robinson One of His Majesty's
Princii^al Secretaries of State.
Whitehall Auciust 9"' 1754
Sir
In Obedience to His Majesty's Commands; signified
to Us by your Letter of the l-t*'' of June last, We have
prepared a Plan of General Concert to be entred into
by His Majesty's several Colonies upon the Continent
of North America, for their mutual and common De-
fence, and to prevent or remove any Encroachments
upon His Majesty's Dominions, which Plan We here-
with inclose to you, together with Our Representation
to His Majesty upon it, which We desire you will be
pleased to lay before His Majesty.
We are, Sir,
Your most Obedient and most humble Servants,
Dunk Halifax And: Stone
Jam: Grenville Jam? Oswald
Fran: Fane Rich^ Edgecumbe
Tho^ Pelham
\I)MIJsISTKATI<)\ OF UOVEyjXOK BELCHE1{. [1754
To THE King's most Excellent Majesty,
May it please your Majesty,
In Obedience to your Majesty's Commands signified
to Us by Sir Thomas Robinson, one of your Majesty's
Principal Secretaries ot State, in his Letter dated the
14"' ot June, last, We have prepared and herewith
hunil)ly beg leave to lay before your Majesty, the
Draught of a Plan or Project of General Concert to be
entered into by your Majesty's several Colonies upon
the Continent of North America, for their mutual and
common Defence, and to prevent or remove any En-
croachments ujion your Majesty's Dominions.
This Plan consists of three distinct Parts or Propo-
sitions, viZ:
r* That a certain and permanent Method be estab-
lished for maintaining such Forts as are already built
upon their Frontiers, or may be further necessary to
be built, for supporting proper Garrisons in such Forts,
for defraying the expence of the usual and necessary
Presents to the Indians, and other contingent Charges,
and for establishing and subsisting Commissarys in
such of the Forts as shall appear to be necessary for
the management of Indian Services.
2"! That upon any Attack or Invasion upon any of
Your Majesty's Colonies, Provision be made for rais-
ing such a Number of Troops over and above those
upon the ordinary Establishment as; may be necessary
to oppose and rejiel such Invasion oi- Attack.
31 That the Command of all the Forts and Garrisons
and of all Forces raised u])on Emergencies, and the
sole Direction of Indian Affairs, be placed in the hands
of some one single Person as Commander in Chief to
be appointed by Your Majesty, who is to be author-
ized to draw upon the Treasui-er or other proper officer
of each Colony, for such Suras of Money as shall be
1754] ADMINISTHATTON OF GOVERNOU BELCHER. 3
necessary as well for the ordinary as extraordinary
Service, according to the Quota settled for each Colony,
The two first Points are proposed to be established
by the mutual Consent and Agreement of the Colonies
themselves to be finally ratified and confirmed by your
Majesty, it appearing to Us that this Method might be
liable to the least objection, and perhaps the speediest
in point of Execution.
With regard to the manner in which the Colonies
ai-e to proceed in deliberating upon and settling such
parts of it as depend upon them, the view and object
of the Measure, and the general Plan of it is precisely
stated to them, the Points upon which they are to de-
liberate, and for which Provision is to be made on
their part, the method of Proceeding in settling those
points, and of finally ratifying and confirming them,
when settled are ascertained, as the Preliminaries upon
which they are to proceed.
The Necessity of this Union and the Security and
Advantage which will arise to the Colonies from it are
so apparent, that, We hope no Difficulty will occur on
their part: If however it should be found upon Trial,
that this Measure should bo defeated by any of the
Colonies either refusing or neglecting to enter into a
Consideration of the Points referred to their Delibera-
tion, or, after they are settled, by refusing to raise
such Supplies as are proposed by this Plan to be the
Fund for the Execution of it. We see no other Method
that can be taken, but that of an Apphcation for an
Interposition of the Authority of Parliament.
The Execution of the third and last Proposition of
this Plan, so far as regards the Power which the Com-
mander in Chief will have over the Forts and Garrisons.
and over all Troops raised in the Colonies, and in tlie
management of Indian Services, depends singly upon
your Majesty, who may, as We humbly Apprehend,
legally and by virtue of your own Authority, invest
4 ADMIXISTKATIOX OF fiOVEKXOl} BELCHEK. [1754
any Person your Majesty shall think proper with such
Power.
In order however to the proper and effectual Exer-
cise of this Power, it is proposed, that it should be
agreed and settled by the Colonies, that he should be
authorized under certain Regulations and Restrictions
to draw upon the Treasurer or other proper Officer of
each Colony, for such Sums as shall be settled to be
paid by them, for the ordinary as well as the Extraor-
dinary Services.
We shall not take up your Majesty's Time in entring
into any Arguments to prove the Propriety and Nec-
essity of an Appointment of this kind, as We humbly
apprehend it will evidently appear to your Majesty,
that circumstanced as the Colonies are, divided into
seperate and distinct Provinces, having little or no
Connexion with, or Dependence upon each othei",
neither this, nor any other Plan of Union could be
effectual unless the Command of the Forts and Troops
and the Management of Indian Affairs and Services
should be put under one general Direction.
These are the principal Observations which have
occurred to Us, as necessary to be submitted to your
Majesty upon this Plan, to which however your Ma-
jesty will permit Us to add, that as it is proposed, that,
in order to settle the several Points, the Commissioners
nominated by the Colonies should meet at such time
and place as your Majesty should appoint. We hum-
bly submit it to your Majesty, whethei' it may not be
adviseable, that the City of New York should be the
place of meeting as being the most cential, and there-
fore the most convenient in point of situation.
Upon the whole however, We must observe to your
Majesty that from the delay which must necessarily
attend the Execution of any new Plan for an Union of
the Colonies, it cannot be made to answer the purpose
of a present Exigency: whatever Circumstances there-
1754] .\I)>nXISTi;ATIOX (Jl- fiOVERXDi; P.ELfllEU. .")
fore of Danger or Exigency may subsist at this time,
such Danger must be guarded against, and such Exi-
gency provided for, by an AppUcation of such means
of Strength and Force, as can be procured in the most
expeditious and most effectual manner under the di-
rection of some proper Person to be appointed by your
Majesty Commander in Chief of all your Majesty's
Forts and Garrisons in North America, and of all
Forces raised therein or sent thither, and hkewise
Commissary General for Indian Affairs, which for the
Eeasons We have already given, appears to Us to be
absolutely necessary and expedient for your Majesty's
Service.
All which is most humbly submitted
Dunk Halifax AndY Stone
Jam^ Grenville Jam* Oswald
Fran: Fane Rich'' Edgcumbe
Thos* Pelham.
Whitehall Aug'' 9*'' 175-1:
The Draught of a Plan or Project for a General Con-
cert to be ent'red into by His Majesty's several Colonies
upon the Continent of North America for their mutual
and common Defence, and to prevent or remove any
Encroachments upon His Majesty's Dominions.
It is proposed. That a circular Letter or Instruction
be forthwith sent to the Governors of all the Colonies
upon the Continent of North America, to the following-
purport and Effect viz'
To set forth the Danger, to which they are exposed
from the Encroachments and Invasions of a foreign
Power
That the only effectual method of putting a stop to
these Encroachments and Invasions and preventing
the like for the future, will be forthwith to agree upon
a Plan for maintaining and supporting a pi'oper Num-
ber of Forts upon the Frontiers, and in such other
6 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Places as shall appear to be necessary for the general
Security of the Colonies, For raising and subsisting
regular Independent Companies for Garrisoning such
Forts ; For making provision for defraymg the Ex-
pences of Presents for the Indians, and for the other
contingent Charges of that Service, and for putting-
Indian Affairs under one general Direction, and for
raising and maintaining Troops for the general Se-
curity, Service and Defence of the whole upon any
attack or Invasion.
To state the urgent Necessity there is of an imme-
diate Union of the several Colonies upon the Continent
for this purpose.
To direct the Governors forthwith to recommend
these points to the serious Consideration of their re-
spective Councils and Assemblies, and to propose to
them to appoint proper Persons, (one for each Colony)
subject to the Governors Approbation, to meet at such
time and Place as His Majesty shall ai)poiiit, in order
to treat and deliberate upon this Mcitter.
That the Persons appointed to be the Commissionefs
for this purpose, be instructed to consider in the first
place of the Number of Forts necessary to be main-
tained and supported, and what Number of regular
Forces will be sufficent for Garrisoning such Forts, and
to prepare an Estimate of the Annual Expence thereof.
And of the Expence of Presents for Indians and other
contingent Charges attending this Sei'vice.
That Provision be likewise made in such Estimate
for maintaining Commissaries to be establisli'd by His
Majesty, in such Forts as shall be thought pro])er for
tlie Regulation and Management of Indian Alfairs.
That in order to Settle these Estimates with the
greater exactness, the Commissioners be furnished
with A.uth('nticat(Ml Account^ of the particular Expence
which each Colony has been at for twenty Years last
past for these Services, and in what manner the Money
has been applied and disposed of.
1754] ADMIN ISTRATIOX OF GOTEKXOR TiKLCHEK. 7
That when the Estimates shall have been settled,
the Commissioners do agree upon the Quantum of
Money to be supplied by each Colony for defraying the
Expence of this Service.
That in settling such Quantum regard be had to the
Number of Inhabitants, Trade, Wealth and Revenue
of each Colony, for which purpose the Commissioners
are to be furnished with very full and authenticated
x\ccounts of these particulars, and of the state of each
Colony respectively.
That the said Commissioners do agree, that, in case
of any Emergency by Invasion or otherwise, whereon
it may be necessary to raise Troops for the general
Defence of the whole, beyond the Number upon the
ordinary Establishment, the Expence thereof shall be
defrayed by each Colony, according to the Proportion
each Colony is to bear of the ordinary established
Charge for Forts &c-'
Tliat the Govei'nors do signify to their respective
Councils and Assemblies, that His Majesty wall ap-
point a proper Person to be Commander in Chief of
all His Majesty's Forts and Garrisons in the Colonies
in North America, and of all Troops already raised
thei-e or which may hereafter be raised or sent thither
upon any Emergency, and also Commissary General for
Indian Affairs, and that Provison be made in the Esti-
mate for the ordinary established Service for a proper
Salary for such Commander in Chief.
That it be settled and agreed by the Commissioners at
the General meeting that the said Commander in Chief,
and Commissary for Indian Affairs be impowered,
from time to time as occasion may require, to draw
upon the Treasurer, Collectoi-, Receiver or other proper
Officer a])pointed to receive the Taxes or Duties levy'd
and raised in each Colony respectively, for such sums
of Mone}^ as shall be necessary lor maintaining and
sup[)ortiiig the several Forts and Gariisons, making
8 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERKOR HELCHER. [1754
Presents tu the Indians, and all other contingent
Charges, according to the genei-al Estimate agreed
upon for the ordinary establish'd Service, and in pro-
portion to the Quantum settled for each Colony, taking-
care to transmit annually to each Colony a pai"ticular
Estimate, expressing the particular Service for which
such Draughts are made.
That in all Cases of Attack or Invasion, whereon it
may be necessary to raise Troops for repelling * such
Invasion or Attack beyond the Number on the ordinary
Establishment, the Estimate of the Charge of such
Troops, of extraordinary Presents to the Indians, and
of the other Contingent Expences shaU be formed by
the Governor, Council and Assembly of the Colony
invaded or Attacked, and immediate notice thereof
transmitted by the Governor of such Colony with a
Copy of the Estimate so prepared as aforesaid, to the
Governors, Councills and Assemblys of the other Colo-
nies upon the Continent, and that it be settled and
agreed by the Commissioners at the General meeting,
that upon such Notice so sent, a Commissioner shall
be forthwith nominated and appointed by each Colony
respectively to meet at such Place as the Commander
in Chief shall appoint, in order to take into Considera-
tion and deliberate upon the afore mentioned Estimate
so prepared by the Colony invaded, with full Power to
alter the same in such manner as shall be tbought ex-
pedient, and that when the same shall have been
agreed upon by the Majority of the Commissioners
who shall be there present, any five of which shall
make a Quoi'um, the Commander in Chief shall be im-
powered by them to draw upon the Treasurer or other
proper Officer of eacii Colony for the respective quotas
each Colony is to bear of such Exi)ence, in proportion
to the Ordinary Estal>lislied Estimate for Forts &c'!
That the Draughts of the Conunander in chief, as
well for the ordinary as extraordinary Service, ho paid
1754] ADMIXISTKATIO?^ OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 9
by the Treasurer &c''- of each Colony respectively, out
of any Money lying in his hands, in preference to all
other Services whatever, and that in case it shall so
happen, that the Treasurer of any Colony shall not
have in his hands a sufficient Sum to answer such
Draughts, he be impower'd by the general Agreement
to borrow such a Sum as shall be necessary, for repay-
ment of which, Provision is to be forthwith made by
the Assembly.
That it be signified, that the said Commander in Chief
will be directed to transmit to each Colony once in
every Year, an Account upon Oath of all his Disburse-
ments for the publick Service, and that he will be
obliged to account in His Majesty's Exchequer for all
Money received and disposed of by him.
That each Colony may appoint a Commissioner to
view and inspect from time to time as they shall think
proper, the state of the several Forts and Fortifications
and of the Repan-s made thereon, and to make Report
thereof to the Governor, (Jouncil and Assembly of such
Colony respectively: and that each Colony may like-
wise make Representations from time to time to the
Commander in chief of the state of such Colony, and
propose to him such measures as shall occur to be
necessary for the general Good of the whole.
That when the Conmiissioners have deliberated upon
and settled the foregoing Points, they do transmit to
His Majetys's Secretary of State and to the Commis-
sioners for Trade and Plantations to be laid before His
Majesty, attested Copies of all their Miautes and Pro-
ceedings, and tliat they do prepai-e a Project or Draught
of a general Convention upon the foregoing points and
transmit Copies thereof to the respective Colonies, to
be forthwith laid before the Governors, Councils and
Assemblies, wdio ai-e to take the same into immediate
Considerati(jn, and having made such Alterations
therein or Additions thereto, as they shall think nee-
10 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
essary, shall return them to the Commissioners within
two Months, and when all the Copies shall have been
returned, the Commissioners shall resume their Delib-
erations; and having finally settled the whole, the
Convention shall be fairly drawn up and signed by
each Commissioner, and transmitted hither, in order
to be laid before His Majesty for his Approbation.
And in case it shall so happen, that any of the Colo-
nies shall neglect to appoint a Commissioner to be
present at the general meeting, or such Commissioner,
when appointed, shall neglect or refuse to attend, such
Neglect or Refusal shall not prevent the Commissioners
present, (any seven of which to be a Quorum,) from
proceeding upon the Consideration of the foregoing-
Points, but that the Convention shall be proceeded
upon and finally settled and agreed by a Majority of
tlie Commissioners, and when so settled and ratified
by His Majesty, shall be binding upon the whole.
That the Governors l)e directed to signify to their
respective Councils and Assemblies, that His Majesty
does not intend to withdraw that part of the Expence
which the Crown has been usually at, for the Security
and Protection of the Colonies, but that he will be
gTaciously pleased to continue to maintain and subsist
such a Number of his Troops as shall appear to be
necessary to be stationed in America, and does also
consent, that whatever Sums of Money have been
usually given by His Majesty for Indian Services, shall
be deducted from the generall Estimate, as the share
His Majesty is willing to bear of the ordinary Estab-
lishment for this Service, and that upon any great
Emergency they shall receive such Support from His
Majesty, as shall be thought reasonable upon a due
Consideration of the Nature of the Case, and of what
the Circumstances and Conditions of the Colonies shall
seem to require.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERXOR BELCHER. 11
Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Schuyler —
ill forming him that the Asseinbltj had voted an
additional £'15,000 for the siqjport of his Regi-
ment.
Eliz. Town Aug' 23: 1754.
Sir
I have your several Letters of July 9 & of (5"' & 7"'
piesent the first fiom Schenectady which I laid hefore
the Assenihly the last Week when I urged them to
raise an additional number of men which they con-
sidered but did not come into — however they chearfuUy
voted fifteen thousand Pounds as a further Provision
for your Regiment untiil the Month of May next and
the Commissioners will take ( ^are to be sending you
the necessary Supplies.
I shall endeavoui' the Shoes may be made wliereyou
desire.
I observe what yon say about your Adjutant, &
when you make an Ace' of his Pay 1 will join with you
in recommending him to the Assembly who I doubt
not will allow that Chiu-ge and not suffer it to lie
upon you.
As it will be necessary for his Majesty's Service and
Interest and to the advantage of you and your Regim'
I shall be expecting to hear from you as often as
you can.
I am glad that you and your Regiment are in so good
Health and Spirits in which may Uod keep you — pro-
tect & bless you with Success against the Enemy— I
am Sir
Your Assured Fr' & Serv'.
Col' Schuvler J Belcher
12 ADMINISTRATION 01- GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
transmitting some public papers and informing
them of the choice of a neiv Assembly, and his ex-
pectations therefrom.
I From P. E. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 5:1)
Elizabeth Town (N J) August 14: 175-4.
To THE LOEDS OF TeADE
My Lords
My last to Your Lordships was on the 14: of May
past, & covering the pubHck Papers of this Province,
& to which I ask Your Lordship's Eeference.
And I now liave the Honour to cover to Youi- Lord-
ships, what i^assed in a Session of the general Assem-
bly of this Province, from the 3'| to the 21*' of June,
viz* the Laws past by the whole Legislature, —
Transcripts of the Journals & Minutes of His Maj-
esty*: Council, —
And the printed Journals of the Assembly, — all
which will fully inform your Lordships in the Affairs
of this Government, to that Time, since which there
has been a Choice of a new Assembly, & as I am to
meet His Majesty? Council the 21: Instant, I shall take
their Advice when It may be most for His Majesty?
Service & Interest, to convene this New Assembly, &
I shall then urge them to come into an^Union with the
rest of the Colonies, for defending His Majesty?
Honour & Interest in His Provinces on this Continent,
& according to the best Judgement I can make, I
think they are likely to fall into the practice of their
Duty, in what I have mentioned, <k, I shall not fail to
acquaint Your Lordships as soon as possible, of the
result.
I have lately reciev'd from Ml Secretary Pownail
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 13
His Majesty? Eoyal Instruction in Consequence of a
Petition of the Assembly here, for an Emission of
60,000 Pounds in Paper Money, which I shall com-
municate to the Assembly when they meet, altho' I
believe they vdll not accept of any Emission on the
Conditions mentioned in the said Instruction.
I am with the greatest Respect My Lords
Your Lordships Most obedient & Most humble
Serv* J. Belcher.
Affidavit of Samuel Finch, of Minisink — complaining
of his having been taken prisoner by a tvarrant
from a New Jersey Justice.
[From N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Vol. LXXIX, p. 14.]
City of New York, S. Samuel Finch one of the
Constables of the Precinct of Minisinch In the County
of Orange being duly sworn deposeth and Saith that
on Fryday the Sixteenth of the Instant month of
August, While he was at work in his shops F . . .
In the County of Orange about three quarters of a
mile from the Line of Usher County and sixteen Miles
from the Lower End of great Minisinch Island he was
taken by Cornelius AVestfall, Solomon Cartwright,
Petrus Westfall, Jacobus Westfall & Urian Westfall
by virtue of a warrant from Richard Gardner a New
Jersey Justice as they Informed this deponent and
upon his refusal to Obey said Warrant was draggei from
his shoji by force by the said Cornelius Westfall, Solo-
mon Cartwright, Petrus Westfall Jacobus Westfall
and Urian Westfall near a Quarter of a mile through
bushes and Swamps by which means he was greatly
bruised in Several parts of his body and verily believes
that had he not been rescued by Jacobus * * * *
14 ADMINISTHATIOX OK (iOVKRN'OK HELCHEK. [1754
one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace In the County
of Orange In the Province of New York that they
would have Carried him Sussex Gaol In New Jersey
unless he could have got security for his Appearance
at the next Court of Sessions to be lield In the County
of Sussex aforesaid In East New Jersey and further
this deponent Saith not
Samuel pinch.
Sworn the twenty first Day of August 1754—
Before me
James Livingston
Justice.
Petition of the House of Representatives of New Jer-
sey to tJie Kf)if/ — relation to the Bill for maldng
amount of £70.()()0 i}i bills of credit.
iFn.m P. R. i ), i;. T.. Xow Jersey. V..i. ;. H. TO. |
To The Kings most Excellent Majesty.
The Petition of the House of Representatives
of the Colony of New Jersey in General
Assembly met.
Most Hvmhhi Sheireth
That nothing Imt the pressing necessity of the times
and the Impossibility of complying with Your Majesty's
late Instructions to His Excellencv Your (Tovernor
could have induced us to have given Your Majesty
this additional trouble on tlie Subject of a Paper
Currency.
Sensible of the many blessings We enjoy under Your
Majesty's benevolent reign, and determined to Act as be-
come a gratefull Peo]de it is a matter of no small con-
cern to be thus obliged to renew our application, but not
1754] ADMINISTRATION' OF GOVEKiNOK HKI.CHEK. 15
doubting the continuation of Your Majesty's paternal
regard and calling to mind the gracious reception which
the complaints of a needy People have always hitherto
met with, We are encouraged humbly to lay before
your Majesty, that the making the Bills of credit in-
tended to be emitted, no lawfull tendei- would as We
conceive entirely defeat their Intentions, the nature of
their emission being such as require land or other real
security of double and treble the value to be first given
before they can be taken out of the respective Loan
offices, and the ffreeholders of this Colony in general,
quite unacquainted with the Natm-e of bank BiUs or
any currency of that Kind would not We apprehend
mortgage their Lands for a specie which it is uncertain
that they can ever Part with.
As it is chiefly the merchants of New^ Yoi'k and
Philadelphia that give life to our trade, our mone}^
must consequently sometimes Pass through their
hands, and would ( We conceive ) be very unlikely to
give credit to a currency from Us, which is so uiuisu;il
in the Colonies. Around us, and not obligatory on the
Inhabitants to be mutually taken between man and
man in our own government, for these and other rea-
sons a Paper currency on the footing prescribed in
Your Majesty's Instructions, We humbly conceive
would not be practicable, and therefore have been ne-
cessitated to have recourse to another expedient, which
that your Majesty's royal Intentions might be as nearly
complied with as possible, we have agreed upon the
draught of the annexed bill for making current Sev-
enty thousand pounds in Bills of credit upon the foot
ing of those hei'etofore emitted in this Colony, saving
only, that the whole Interest thereof is now Appro-
priated to Your Majesty's use, Excepting the necessary
charge Attending the Emission, and so much as will
sink the sum of Thirteen thousand seven hundred,
seventy one Pounds sixteen shillings and three Pence
16 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
half Penny, now outstanding in this Colony in Bills of
Credit, being Part of what were ihade current for
Your Majesty's service in the late War, Ten thousand
Pounds of the first money to be struck by the said
Bill is immediately to be applied as Your Majesty shall
please to direct for Assisting the neighboring Colonies
in dispossessing the French from Your Majesty's
Lands on the Ohio, which is afterwards to be sunk as
the Interest Money from the remaining Sixty thous-
and Pounds will come in, and when those two sums
are sunk, there will annually arise a considerable sum
of Interest money for Your Majesty's use, subject only
to future appropriations for the defence of the fron-
tiers of this and the Neighbouring Colonies.
May it therefore Please Your Majesty in Considera-
tion of the premises and to encourage a Spirit of In-
dustry among us to enable the Inhabitants to go on
with their Improvements and pay their taxes towards
the necessary and lionorable support of the Govern-
ment, that Your Majesty would be graciously pleased
to signify Your royal Approbation of the Bill hereto
annexed for making current the sum of Seventy thou-
sand Pounds, and give leave to the (xovernor of this
Colony to enact the same.
October the 17''' 1754,
Signed by order of the House of Representatives,
Robert Lawrence, Speaker.
A true Copy Examined & Compared with the or-
iginal, by Robert Lawrence, Speaker.
1754] ADMIKTISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHES. 17
Circular letter to the Governors in America, from Sir
Thos. Robinson, Secretary of State — urging en-
listments in four new regiments to be raised.
[From p. R. O. Am. & W. Indies, No. 74.]
Whitehall, Octi" 26'!^ 1754.
Circular to the Governors in North America.
Sir,
Having informed you, in my Letter of July 5'?, that
the King had under His Royal Consideration the State
of Affairs in North America: I am now to acquaint
you, that amongst other measures, that are thought
proper for the Defence of His Maj'^'^ just Rights, &
Dominions, in those Parts, The King has not only been
pleased to order Two Regiments of Foot, consisting of
500, Men Each, besides Commissioned, & non Com-
missioned Officers, commanded by Sir Peter Halkett,
& CoP Dunbar, to repair to Virginia; & to be there
augmented to the Number of 100., Each; but, likewise,
to send Orders to Gov"" Shiiiey,' & Sir Wilham Pep-
perel], to raise Two Regiments, whereof They' are
respectively, appointed Colonels, of 1000. Men Each;
And, also, to sign Commissions foi* a Number of
Officers to serve in the said Two Regiments, & who
will forthwith, repair to North America, for That
purpose.
Whereas there will be v^^aiiting a considerable Num-
ber of Men to make up the designed Complements of
the said Four Regiments; It is His Maj'-'^ Pleasure
that you should be taking the previous Steps, towards
conti'ibuting, as far as you can, to have about 3000.
Men in Readiness to be enlisted; And It is His Maj':"
Intention, That a General Officer, of Rank, & Capacity,
' 111 Circular to Governor Shirley, the word "you" inserted instead.— Ed.
2
18 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOK BELCHER. [1754
to be appointed to Command in Chief all the King's
Forces in N" America, a Deputy Quarter Master Gen-
eral, & a Commissary of the Musters, shall set out, as
soon as conveniently may be, in order to prepare Every
Thing for the Arrival of the Forces abovementioned
from Europe, & for the Raising of the Others in
America.
You will receive from that General, & the other
Officers just mentioned, a full & exact Account of the
Arms, Cloathing, & other Necessaries, to be sent, upon
this important Occasion, as likewise of the Ordnance
Stores, & of the Oiiicers, and Attendants, belonging
thereto. All which being ordered for this Service, are
such Proofs of His Maj^^'' Regard for the Security, &
Welfare of His Subjects in those Parts, as cannot fail
to excite You to exert yourself, & Those under Your
Care, to take the most vigorous Steps to repel your
common Danger; & to shew, That The King's Orders,
which were sent you, last year, by the Earl of Holder-
nesse, & were renewed to you, in my Letter of the 5'."
July, have, at last, rouzed that Emulation, & Spirit,
which Every Man owes, at this Time, to His Maj'^
the Publick, & Himself: The King will not, therefore,
imagine. That Either you, or the Rest of His Gover-
nors, will suffer the least Neglect or Delay, in the
Performance of the Present Service, now strongly
recommended to you: particularly, with regard to the
following Points: viz? that you should carefully pro-
vide a sufficient Quantity of fresh A'^ictuals, at the
Expence of Your Government, to be ready for the
Use of the Troops, at their Arrival.
That you should likewise, furnish the Officers, who
may have Occasion to go from Place to Place, with all
the necessaries for Travelling by Land, in Case there
are no Means of going by Sea. And
That you should use your utmost Diligence, &
Authority, in procuring an exact Observance of such
Orders, as shall be issued, from Time to Time, by the
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 19
Commander in Chief, for Quartering Troops, Impress-
ing Carriages, & Providing all Necessaries for * *
such Forces, as shall a^rrive, or be raised, within your
Government.
As the Articles abovementioned are of a Local &
peculiar Nature, & arising entirely within Your Gov-
ernment, It is almost needless for me to acquaint you,
That His Maj'r will expect, That the Charge thereof
be defrayed by His Subjects belonging to the same.
But, with regard to such other Articles, whicli are of
a more general Concern, It is the King's Pleasure,
That the same sliould be supplied I>va Common Fund,
to be established for the Benefit of all the Colonies.
Collectively, in N° America; For which purpose, you
wiU use your utmost Endeavours to induce the Assem-
bly of your Province, to raise, forthwith, as large, a
Sum, as can be afforded, as their Contribution to this
Common Fund, to be employed, provisionally, for the
general Service of North America, (particularly for
paying the Charge of Levying the Troops to make up
the Complements of the Regiments abovementioned,^
until such Time as a Plan of general Union of His
Maj*?'* Northern Colonies, for their Common Defence,
can be perfected.
You will carefully confer, or correspond, as you
shall have Opportunities, upon Every Thing, relative
to the present Service, with the said General: Sir
William PeppereU, & Goif Shirley,' or Either of
Them; & as It is the King's Intention to give all
proper Encouragement to such Persons, who shall
engage to serve upon this Occasion, You will acquaint
all such Persons, in the King's Name, that They will
receive Arms & Cloathing from hence, & that They
shall be sent back (If desired) to their respective Hab-
itations, when the Service in America shall be over.
' See note on page 17.
20 ADMIXISTKATIOX OF GOVERNOR BIJXHER. [1754
As the several Governors, in all The King's Pro-
vinces, & Colonies, in N° America, will receive, by this
Conveyance, a Letter to the same Effect, with This,
whicli I now send you, They will be prepared, at the
same Time, to obey His Maj*?'" Commands: — And I am
to direct you. To correspond with all, or Either of
Them, occasionally, as you shall find it expedient for
the General Service.
I am &c^
T. Robinson.
Report of the Committee of the Assembly of New
York on Border disturbances.
(From N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Vol. LXXIX, page 68.]
Assembly Chamber the 29*.*' October 1754.
M' Nicoll from the Committee to whom was Re-
ferred the Memorial of sundry of the part owners &
proprietors of the Patents Minisink and Wawayanda
and the other Patents within this Province bounded on
the Jersey Line in behalf of themselves & the other
part owners and proprietors of the said Patents; Com-
plaining of all the Hardships the people of this Prov-
ince, living near the said Jersey line labour under from
the Encroachments of the people of that Province;
reported.
That it ajjpeared to them that in the year 1(;8<», two
Stations were fixed as the Terminating Points of the
line of Division to be Run (tho the same as far as they
can discover was never run) between the Provinces of
New York and New Jersey, viz'. The one on the Noi-th-
ward most Branch of Delaware River in 41'. 40"' north
Latitude & the other on Hudsons River in 41° North
Latitude which is due west from the lower Yonkers
Mills.
1754] ADMINISTRATION- OF GOVERNOR HELCHER. 21
That the stations so fixed as aforesaid, were settled
& adjusted hy the Surveyors of hoth Provinces, by
virtue of the Authority of their Respective Govern-
ments, and with the Consent & approbation of the Pro-
prietors of East New Jersey. That as to the stations
on Hudsons River it appears so certahily designated by
names of places well Known as may easily be found
As to that on Delaware River notwithstanding it ap-
pears to have been fixed in 41^ 40'" North Latitude, on
the most northwardly Branch of Delaware River; yet
which is the most Northwardly Branch of that River
or what part thereof is in the Latitude of 41"! 40"' they
Cannot Certainly discover. However they find that
Minisink (a place well known) and the Lands to the
Northward thereof have been held under this Province
by Patents granted by the Government thereof for
near seventy years, and which are bounded south by
New Jersey.
That the Governments & Inhabitants of both Prov-
inces esteemed the southward bounds of those lands,
both at the time of their being granted, and for many
years after to be Bound betw^een them
That the Government and inferior Civil and Military
officers of this Province in the Extention of their Juris-
diction & Command and the Inhabitants of this prov-
ince in the Extention of their possessions have ever
since the settlement of the stations aforesaid in the
Year 1686 advanced Southw^ard as far as and limited
themselves as near as possible by the Bounds aforesaid.
That the people of New Jersey for many yeai's after
the Fixation of the said stations in the settlement of
their Lands did not extend northward beyond the said
bounds; nor did the Government of New Jersey or its
inferior officers ever till of late years, pretend to Exer-
cise Jurisdi("tion to the Northward of the said Bounds.
That the people of New Jersey have from time to
time, for a considerable time past Collected themselves
in large Bodies and with violence have ousted divers
23 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER, [1754
of his Maj'* Subjects holding Lands under this Prov-
ince to the Northward of the said Bounds and taken
possession of their Lands; and do now forceably hold
the same.
That the Government of New Jersey hath within a
few years past erected a new County Called Sussex a
great part of which they have Extended many miles
to the Northward of the Bounds aforesaid.
That Justices of the peace & other officers both civil
& Military have been and are from time to time ap-
pointed in the said County ; and do from time to time
Exercise Authority and Jurisdiction over the Persons
& possessions of a great number of his Maj'' Subjects
holding their Lands under and paying a submission to
the Government of this Colony.
That in Consequence of the Exercise of Such au-
thority & Jurisdiction, His Majesties Justices of the
Peace and other Subordinate ofhcers and Ministers in
& for Orange County, have been repeatedly beaten,
insulted, prevented in the Execution of their Respec-
tive offices taken prisoners and Carried in to parts of
New Jersey Remote from their Habitations and the
opportunitie of Being Relieved and have been thrown
into Goal and to Excessive Bail and Prosecuted by
Indictment and that others of his Majestie's Subjects
belonging to Orange County have also met with the
same Treatment.
That the people of New Jersey have also from time
to time and as often as they are able possessed them-
selves of the Vacant Lands in Orange County.
That they frequently beset the Houses of His Maj"
Subjects in Orange County by night and attempt to
Seize and take Prisoners such of his Majesties Sub-
jects; and are Encouraged to do this by the offer of
Rewai-ds made to them, and are also actually kept in
pay for that purpose by the proprietors of East New-
Jersey.
That the Comniissioneis of Highways for the said
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. 23
New County have laid out a Highway through Mini-
sink aforesaid; which now by the abovementioned
Conduct of the people of New Jersey is almost if not
entirely I'educed to a Subjection to the Government of
New Jersey.
That the Publick officers of New Jersey assess and
Raise Taxes upon the People dwelling to the North-
ward of the said bounds, by which means many have
been prevented from Paying their Proportion of the
Taxes of Orange County for more than a year past,
some of them have been obliged to desert their posses-
sions & retire into the more Northwardly parts of
Orange County; while a few, more Resolute than the
rest are Reduced to the Necessity of Converting then-
Dwellings into places of Defence, and go armed for
fear of some sudden attack. That tho' the Committee
could produce many Instances of this Kind they Chose
to Confine themselves to one, which has happened
very lately. Thomas Deckey Colonel of the Militia &
a Justice of the Peace of Orange County, whose plan-
tations are Claimed by New Jersey to be within the
aforesaid New Jersey Northward of the said Bounds,
tho he and those under whom he Claims have held
them, and been settled upon them under New York
nigh fifty years, finding himself Extremely vexed, dis-
turbed, and disgusted, by the People of New Jersey
went to James Alexander- Esq one of his Maj'*' Council
for this province, and also for New Jersey Province
and who is one of the proprietors of the Eastern Devi-
sion of New Jersey of great Interest there and Es-
teemed one of the most active persons among them to
endeavor to come to some agreement with him in order
that he might remain in quiet untill the line between
New York and New Jersey should be finally settled.
But the said Alexander absolutely Refused to consent
to any thing of that kind unless the said Deckey would
agree to hold his Lands under New Jersey, become a
Jersey man and fight (as he Expressed it) for New
24 ADMINISTEATIOK OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Jersey against New York People: and told him at the
same time if he would do so he should neither want
money nor Commissions; and that if he would not do
so he should soon he dispossed of his Plantations, This
Col' Deckey refusing to Comply with, some short time
after a number of armed men from New Jersey came to
the House of the said Col. Decky, who observing them
approach in such a manner, shut himself up in his
house, on wiiich they drew up before his Door and
some of them Cock'd their Guns and presented them
towards the windows where Coll Dekey Stood sw^ear-
ing they would shoot him thro' the Heart, that they
would starve him out, or Burn the House over his head;
and if Man, Woman or Child attempted to Escape they
would shoot them down that they had strength enough
to take all Goshen and w^ould do it in time. How-
ever they then withdrew without further violence; and
upon their departure, one of them said to Col. Dekey
take Care of yourself for we will have you yet.
A true Copy taken from the Journal of the House
and Examined by me
Abr" Lott jun. Clk.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Robin-
son, Secretary of State — unsatisfactory Proceed-
ings of the Assembly, without manifesting a more
dutiful disposition than the provinces oive.
[From P. R. O. America & West Indies, Vol. 07. 1
Elizabeth Town (N J) Nov! 5^", 1754.
SiE Thomas Eobinson
S'
The 26: of the last Month, I reef the Honour, of your
Letter of 5 : of July last, whei'cin you are pleas'd, to
tell me you had laid my Letter, of 10: of Novr last,
before the King: since which, I have in duty to His
1754] ADMiNisTUATlox OF govp;hnok bkloheu. 25
Majesty, kept up, an exact Correspondence, with all
such, of His Majesty's Colonies, from whence, I have
had any Informations, of the Hostilities of the French,
upon the River Ohio; & have accordingly (once &
again.) call'd together, the Assembly of this Province,
& laid before them, the urgent Necessity, of their Aid,
& Assistance. — & I some Months agoe, dissolv'd an
Assembly, because they would not come, into proper
Measures, for answering, His Majesty's just, & rea-
sonable Expectations, upon the Present Emergency, &
extraordinary Circumstances, of the King's Colonies,
on this Continent; and as soon as the Time^wou'd
allow, I order'd the Election, of a New Assembly,
which I met the 3'' of the last Month, & then press'd
upon them, the Danger, of His Majesty's Colonies, by
the violent Incroachments, Depredations, & Murders,
committed on them, by the French, with their Indians;
and their Answer to me, with the whole Proceedings,
of the Assembly, I have directed, the Secry: of this
Province, to prepare, in the most Authentic Manner,
& to brmg me, without Delay, when I shall, by the
very first Opportunity, in obedience to His Majesty's
Royal Order, of the 10: of April 1752, transmit them,
to the Right Honourable, the Lords Commissionars,
for Trade & Plantations, in Order to be laid before the
King. When I think it will appear, that this Province,
has done nothing, in present* Relief, of the Extraor-
dinary Situation. & Circumstances of the Neighbour-
ing Colonies: — And yet the Present Assembly, of this
Province, seems to have shewn, a more dutifull dispo-
sition to His Majesty's Royal Orders, than the last. —
And I shaU be hoping, to recieve the King's deter-
minate answer, to a Petition, this Assembly have sent,
to his Majesty, in which they have proposed, the aiding,
& assisting, the Neighbouring Colonies, on the Present
Emergency: — upon which, when 1 have the Honour to
20 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
recieve, the King's further Orders, I shall carry them,
into Execution, with all Duty, & obedience, to the
utmost of my Power, & am with great Respect.
Honourable Sir,
Your most obedient & Most humble Serv^,
J. Belcher.
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
relating to the action of the New Jersey Legisla-
ture upon various subjects — the boundary difficul-
ties with New York, etc.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 54.]
Eliza: Town (N J) Novf 6: 1T54
To the Lords of Trade
3Iy Lords
The 26: of the last Month, i rec^ (by the Way of
Virginia,) the Honour, of Your Lordship's Letter, of
the 5 : of July last, & for which, I humbly thank your
Lordships, as it confirms in me, my own Opinion, of
the piesent state, & Situation, of the Affairs of this
Province, & of the male Conduct, of the late Assem-
bly, in such a critical Juncture, & youi- Lordship's
Letter, will also serve, "for the better Guidance of my
Administration. — & Your Lordship's will see, in the
Coui'se, of all my Letters, to this Time, how much &
how often, I have urg'd, upon the Assembly, to give a
lielping hand, in Defence, of the Neighbouring Colo-
nies, which are so barbarously treated, by the perfidi-
ous Incroachments, Depredations, & Murders, com-
mitted by the French, & their Indians, upon His
Majesty* Lands, & upon His good Subjects; but after
waiting, too unreasonably, on the late Assembly's
Deliberations, they did but turn, a deaf Ear, & obliged
1754] ADMI.VISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 27
me, to dissolve theiti; & I immediately issued, the
King's Writt, for the Choice, of a new Assembly,
which I met. the 3'} of the last Month, &, by their
Present (.*omplexion, they seem to be better disposs'd
to His Majesty's Honour. & Interest, & to the Com-
mon, 6c their own particular Safety, than the last. —
the Secry : is preparing Authentic Copies, of all things,
that past, in the last Session, of this new Assembly, &
I hope, to have them ready, to transmit to Your Lord-
ships, by a Ship, that will be going, from N York, in
about three Weeks, from this Time, & when they get
to Your Lordsliips Hands, you will make Your own
Judgment, how nmch, what the Assembly has pro-
pos'd, may tend, to His Majesty's Honour, & Interest,
& to the common Defence, & Safety, of His Colonies,
on this Continent, but on this head, I shall be more
particular, when I send away, the Publick Papers.
Your Lordships will be pleas'd, to allow me to say,
that I have no Expectation, even from this new As-
sembly of their falling in, with the King's Instruction,
relative to the Revisal, of their Laws.
His Majesty's Council, are to meet me. the 21: of
this month, when I shall lay before them, what of
Your Lordship's Letter, respec^ts the Prosecution, of all
sucli Riotei's, as have been apprehended, A: are liow
lying, undei- Bonds, & again take their Advice, in giv-
ing proper Directions, to the Kings Attorney General,
for the Prosecution of them. — & I am still, fully of
Opinion, that these things, must go through, the whole
( 'ourse of the Law, here, before there can be, a dernier
resort, to His Majesty, upon them; I sliall therefore
urge this Point, upon His Majesty's Council, (some of
whom are large Pi-oprietors,) in the strongest manner.
I can —
My Lords
As to the Dispute, that has been, so long depending,
between the Government of N:York, & tliat of this
28 ADMIXtSTRATJON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Province, relative to their Boundaries; I believe the
Controversey, to be still as strong as ever, & altho' I
have been for near twelve Months Past, nrging bhe
Government of N: York, from time to time, to coin-
cide with this Government upon a Temporary Line, of
Jurisdiction, yet I am sorry to say, they seem to shew;
no hearty Disposition, towards it:^ — & I am afraid
Riots, & Outrages will still break out, on this Head,
even to fatal Consequences, unless His Majesty, shall
be pleas'd, to send. His Royal Orders, to the Govern-
ment of N : York, in this Matter, for N : Jersey, seems
fully inclin'd, to a Temporary Line, untill the true
Line of Property, can be ascertained.
I have the Honour, to be with great Respect,
My Lords, Your Lordships,
Most obedient, & Most humble Servant,
J. Belcher
Extract from the Minutes of the New York Assem-
bly— referring to the Report of 29th of October.
[From N. Y. L'ol. MSS. in Secretary State's office, Albany. Vol. LXXIX, p. 74. |
Assembly Chamber.
Die Veneris 9h. A. M. the 8^^ November, 1754.
The Order of the Day being Read, for taking into
Consideration the Report of the Committee on the
Memorial of Sundry of the Parte wners & proprietors of
the Patents of Minisink & Wawayanda and the other
Patents within this l^rovince bounded on the Jersey
Line in behalf of themselves and other Part owners
& proprietors of the said Patents; Complaining of the
Hardships the people of this province living near the
said Jersey line labour under from the Encroachment
of the People of that province"
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 29
And the Said Report being Read;
Ordered that Col' Beekman & Capt Winne wait
upon his Honour the Lieu' Gov? and lay before him
the said Report with the Evidences, Relating to the
Outrages & Insults — Complained of and desire that he
will be pleased to use the best means in his power for
protecting his Majesties subjects of this Province &
their Possessions from such insults & outrages and to
Exercise the Jurisdiction of this province as far South-
ward as the Bounds described in the said Report untill
a final settlement can be made & his majesty shall be
pleased to declare his pleasure with Respect to the
future Jurisdiction of this Province.
By order of the Genl Asssembly
Abr** Lott jun Clk,
Orders for settling the rank of tJie Officers of his
Majestj/s forces, luken joined, or serving ivith
the Provincial forces of North America.
(Fi-om P. R. O. Ameriea \- West Indies. Vol. 74. |
GEOPtGE R.
itt'ltcrc JVSi some Doubts have arisen with regard to the
Rank and Command, which Officers and Troops raised
bv the Governors of Our Provinces in North America,
should have, when joined, or serving together with
Om- Independent Companies of Foot, doing Duty in
Our said- Provinces. In order to fix the same, and to
prevent for the future all Disputes on that Account,
We are h^i-eby pleased to declare, that it is Our Will
& Pleasure that all Troops serving by Commission
signed by Us, or by Oin- General commanding in Chief
in North America; shall take Rank before all Troops,
which may serve by Commission from any of the
30 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCnER. [1754
Governors, Lieutenant or Deputy Governors, or Presi-
dent, for the time being, of Our Provinces in North
America: And it is Our farther Pleasure, that the
General & Field Officers of the Provincial Troops, shall
have no Rank with the General and Field Officers,
w^ho serve by Commission from Us; But that all
Captains, and other inferior Officers of Our Forces,
who are, or may be employed, ia North America, are
on all Detachments, Courts Martial, or other Duty
wherein they may be joined with Officers, serving by
Commission from the Governors. Lieutenant oi' Deputy
Governors, or President foi' the time l)eiug <^f the said
Provinces, to command & take Post of the said Provin-
cial Officers of the like Rank, tho' the Commissions of
the said Provincial ( )fficers of the like Rank, should
be of elder Date.
Given at Our Court at S? James's this 12':*' Day of
November 1754. in the Twenty Eighth Year of Our
Reign.
By His Majesty's Command
T: Robinson.
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
transmitting papers relative to the boundary ques-
tion between New Jerseij and New York.
[From P. R. O. B. T.. New Jersey, Vol. 7, H. 55.'
Right Hon''.'*' Lords Commiss''^ for Trade &
Plant°^
Eliza: Town (N J) Nov^' 2:3:' 1754.
My Lords
I beg leave to inclose to Your Lordships, Copies of
two Letters, which I send this day, to the LGov^ of
N: York; the Propositions whereof, if complied with,
on his part, I make no doubt, will preserve the Peace;
1754] ADMI]SriSTRATIO>' OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 31
but if not, it does not appear to me, how its possible,
that the Peace can be preserv'd, between the two
Provinces.
I send herewith also to Your Lordships, a printed
Copy, of the Memorial, of the Proprietors, of East
Jersey, of Nov^ 20: 1753 with sundry Papers, annex'd
from N? 1: to IT:, inclusive, containing a full Accf, of
the Dispute, concerning the Bounds between N: York,
& N: Jersey, which I beseech Your Lordships, to
Consider.
I send Your Lordships also, a Copy of some Remarks,
made this Day, by the Council here, on those Papers;
& on the Proceedings of N: York, since the Publishing-
there of; by which Your Lordships will percieve, a
further Proof, of the Reality of the Scheme; of N:
York, against this Province, set forth in Page 50: of
N? 16:
If Gov^ De Lancey, will not agree to the Proposals,
in my s*? Letter, I expect no less, than an actual War,
by N: York, upon this Proviuce, pursuant to the Votes
of Credit, by the Assembly of N : York, of the 8 : Inst?
to their L:Ctov^ to make it, & I expect much Bloodshed,
& Murders, in the carrying it on; & know of nothing,
that can so soon, put an end to it, as an Order from
His Majesty to LGovf De Lancey, to join in the meas-
ures propos'd, to him, in my s"? Letters; or otherwise.
His Majesty's Order to issue, that the Line run, &
mark'd in 1719, (as set forth in Articles 12 & 43, of
said Memorial) shall be Temporary Line, or that Your
Lordships, will still recommend, the Act mention'd in
Article 32, for the royal Assent, which Order i doubt
not, will immediately restore Peace, & preserve it, till
the Bounds between the two Provinces, be setled by
His Majesty'*: Conjraission, to be obtaind, for that Pur-
pose.— I have the Honour to be, with great Respect,
My Lords,
Your Lordships most obedient, & most humble
Serv? J. Belcher.
32 ADMIN"ISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Letters from the Governor of New Jersey to the Lieut.
Oovernor of New York inclosed in the Papers.
Sir
On the twelfth day of Sept!" last, I wrote to Your
Honour, since which I have receiv'd no Answer from
you.
I have a Letter before me, from the Lords Com-
missioners, for Trade & Plantations, dated the 5 : Day
of July last, Copy of one Paragraph whereof, I send
you, in which their Lordships, recommend the Preser-
vation of the Peace, of the Provinces of N: York, &
N: Jersey, upon their present Disputes, concerning the
Line, of Division: which I shall do my utmost, to
comply with, consistent with my Duty, to His Maj-
esty, & the Trust he has reposed in me, for the Pro-
tection of the People, of this Pro\ince, committed to
my Care.
I am heartily sorry, that the Agreement of February
2? last. No: >(, annexed to the Memorial of the Pro-
prietors, of East Jersey, was not approvVl off, by you,
'k the Council of N: York, as it was by me, & the
Council of N: Jersey, as appears by N" !):, & that the
Irruption of 17: May last, by People of N: York, shoud
have been made, into tliis Province, in Breach of the
said Agreement, a< appears by Nv IT:, Page 55:; it also
gives me no small Concern, that the People of your
Province, still continue, to decline their joining, in
Endeavours, t(^ obtain His Majesty"; Commission, for
determining that Dispute, as was requested by N? 15,
which Delay, adds not a little, to the Presumption,
that such a Scheme was projected, & is still carrying-
on as is set forth, in Page 50:, of N? K!:.
There seems so much Difference, in Opinion, con-
cerning what shall be, the temporary Line, that I hav^e
little Hopes, that the Peace of both Provinces, will be
17o4J ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 33
presei'v'd, without entering into an Agreement, of the
Nature of that of February 2: by which both Parties,
were to remain in Quiet, under the Laws of their re-
spective Provinces, & unless they do, also consent to
join, in obtaining the Commission, as was propos'd, by
N? 15, both which Matters, as they have been hereto-
fore, so they are now ready, to be agreed to, on the
Part of N: Jersey, which, with noli prosequis mutually
to be granted, & actually carrying Commission, bona
Fide, into Execution, seem to me, the most probable
Means, of restoring & preserving the Peace, of both
Provinces, especially, as the running a streight Line,
from either of the disputed Places, on Hudsons River
to any part of Delaware, w^ill affect, & greatly injure,
many of the honest Purchasers, & Settlers, near the
Line, & to run to the southward of Minisinck, on Del-
aware, will include may hundreds of Families, in N :
York Government, who have long held, & possess'd
their Lands, under N: Jersey Title: I beg your Honour,
will consider, of the above Matters, & give a speedy
Answer to; —
Sir, Your most humble Servant
J Belcher
Elza: Town (N J) Nov-; 23: 1754
L: Gov^ De Lancey —
A Paragraph of the Opinion & Advice of the Council
of N: Jersey, to His Excellency Jonathan Belcher
Esq^, Governour &c^ Nov': 23: 1754
And whereas the pretences of N: York, as to the
Bounds of N: Jersey, on Delaware River, are so various,
• as by the N: York Attorneyes, to be pretended, to
little Minisinck Island, above thirty miles below the
Lattitude 41: 40:, discover'd in 171U; by the Council of
N: York, to some Place, they know not where, but so
that it includes Minisink, a Comitry of large Extent,
wiiereof the greatest Part of it, in N: Jersey, which
smallest Part, extends above 50 Miles, on Delaware,
3
34 A^MIirISTRA!tloN Of governor belcher. (^1754
below the Lattitude 41: 40: discovered in 1719, & they
have desired, the L: Gov': of N: York, to exercise the
Jurisdiction, of N: York, as far southwards, as those
Bounds; as by theii^ Votes, of Oct' 29:, & Nov!' 8: last,
apj)ears.
And whereas by the Memorial, ife other Publications,
of the Council of Proprietors, of East N: Jersey, long
since published, & particularly by N'?16:, it appears,
to be averred, & not hitherto deny'd by N: York, that
from the Lattitude 41:40: discover'd on Delaware, in
1719, along a Line, to the Lattitude 41:, on tludsons
River, by the Observations of 1719, all the Settlements,
southwards of that Line, were originally made, under
N: Jersey Titles; & so have been, ever held, with a
very few Exceptions, tfe for 45 miles thereof, from
Delaware, without any Exception, now but of two
Plantations, whereof, one was taken from the N:
Jersey Owner, by Force, *k the other was settled but
last Year, & for other 16: miles, of the s'! Line, viz: a
Breast of Cheesecocks Patent, without any Exception,
which with 45 Miles, makes 01 of the 75 Miles, the
whole Length of that Line, & shou'd the Desires of
t)ie Assembly, of N: York, be put in Execution, many
hmidreds, if not Thousands, of Families, of IS^: Jersey,
may be subjected to N : York, to their utter Ruin. And
whereas the Protection, of the People settled under
the Jurisdiction of j^: Jersey, is by His Majesty's
Commission, committed to Your ExceUency, & there
we humbly concieve, (as far as in your Power is,)
they ought to receive, that Protection, against the In-
vasion, desired, as aforesaid And w^hereas, we have
great Reason, to believe, as well from the above Pro-
ceedmgs, of N: York, as from the Affidavit of Colonel
Dekay, of Oct'; 24:, that one, or more Invasions, will
speedily be upon the People, settled under, & yielding
Obedience, to this Province, south westwards or the s;'
Line, by the Observations of 1719; wherefoie we are
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 35
humbly of Opinion, that Your Excellency, shoud ac-
quaint Abraham Van Camp, Colonel of the Regiment
of Militia, & Judge of the County of Sussex, with the
Premises, with Orders to him, to acquaint all Officers,
civil & Military, within the said County, with the
same, & that they be diligent, in their several Duties,
for the Protection of the People, settled under, &
yielding Obedience, to N: Jersey, south westwards of
the si Line, by the Observations of 1719; but at the
same time, that they be carefuU, not to disquiet, any
Persons settled under N: York, northeastwards of the
said Line, & do yield Obedience, to N: York, tho'
within this Province, untill further Orders.
And we are further of Opinion, that your Excel-
lency send, to the L: Gov'; of N: York, a Copy of Your
Excellency Order, to Col° Van Cam, hoping that he
will give the like Orders, to Orange County, & that
thereby, the Peace of both Provinces, may be pre-
serv'd, which in our Opinion, according to the Advice,
of the Lords of Trade, to Your Excellency, is the most
''prudent & Legal method, to preserve Peace &
"Quiet, among His Majesty' Subjects."
Eliza Town Nov!' 23: 1754
Sr
Above you have a Copy, of the Advice of the
Council to me, relative to the Disputed Line, between
this, & the Colony of N: York, & I desire, & order
you, to conduct yourself agreeable, to the Matters
therein recommended, for your Care & Management. —
J. Belcher
To Abraham Van Camp Esq' Col? of the Regiment
for the County of Sussex —
S^
Above you have, agreeable to my Letter herewith,
to you Honour, a Copy of my Orders, & Directions to
Col? Van Camp.—
L Gov^ De Lancey J Belcher
36 ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Bill making current £70,000 in Bills of Credit, trans-
mitted to the Lords of Trade by Governor Belcher,
November 26, 1754.
[From r. R. O. B. T.. New Jersey. Vol. 7, H. 60.1
AN ACT for making current Seventy Thous-
and Pounds in Bills of Credit, for Assisting
his Majesty and the Neighbouring Colonies
to dispossess the French from His Majestys
Lands on or near the River Ohio, and for
Providing a Fund for the Defence of the
Frontiers of this and the Neighbouring
Colonies hereafter, and for Sinking the
Sum of Thirteen Thousand Seven Hundred
& Seventy one pounds Sixteen Shillings &
three pence half penny, yet Outstanding in
Bills of Credit made Current for his Majes-
tys Service in the Late War.
Whereas the Currency of the Bills of Credit emitted
on Loan in this Colony is now expired According to the
Tenor of the Respective Acts which gave them Emis-
sion, By which means, and the Ex})ortation of Gold
and Silver from Amongst us to Great Britain and Else
where, the Inhabitants of this Colony are Reduced to
Great extremities for want of a Sufficient Currency to
Carry on the Necessary Trade with their Mother
Country, to honestly discharge their Contracts, To
Improve their Lands, or to Answer Even the Common
Necessaries of Life, and it being expedient in this time
of Common Danger, from the encroachments of a
Powerful Enemy, That a fund be provided to assist
his Majesty and the Neighbouring Colonies in Remov-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 37
ing the French from his Majestys Dominions. For
these Reasons, and for Sinking Such of the Bills of
Credit yet outstanding in this Colony as were made for
his Majesty's Service in the Late War, against France
and Spain, We the House of Representatives do pray
that it may he Enacted.
And Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and
General Assembly and it is hereby enacted by the
Authority of the Same, that Bills of Credit to the
Value of Seventy Tliousand pounds Current money of
America, According to an Act of Parliament made in
the Sixth year of the Reign of the late Queen Anne,
Entitled an Act for Ascertaining tlie Rates of foraign
Coins in her Majestys Plantations in America Shall be
printed made and prepared as folio vveth viz* one
Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty Bills each of the
Value of Six pounds, or Seventeen ounces ten penny
weight of Silver, Three Thousand five Hundred Bills
each of the Value of Three pounds or Eight ounces fif-
teen penny weight of Silver, Seven Thousand Bills each
of theValue of one pound Ten Shillings, or four Ounces
Seven penny weight Twelve Grains of Silver, fourteen
Thousand Bills each of the Value of fifteen Shilling" •
or two Ounces three penny weight eighteen grains of
Silver, Twenty one Thousand Bills each of the Value
of Twelve Shillings, or one Ounce fifteen penny weight
of Silver Twenty one Thousand Bills each of the Value
of Six Shillings or Seventeen penny weight Twelve
Granes of Silver, Twenty eight Thousand Bills each of
the Value of Three Shillings or Eight penny weight
Eighteen Grains of Silver Thirty five Thousand Bills
each of the Value of one Shilling & Six-pence, or four
penny weight nine Grains of Silver and Forty five
Thoustiud five hundred Bills each of the Value of one
ShilUng or two penny weight Twenty-two Grains of
Silver.
And Be it Further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
38 ADMIXISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
said that the Whole Number of the Bills aforesaid
shall be printed on good paper and Impressed with the
Arms of Great Britain on the Left Side near the bot-
tom thereof, and near the Top and Bottom the Value
of Each Bill so hereby made Current shall be Expressed
in Proclamation, and the said Bills Shall be Indented
and Contain the words following viz* This Bill by Law
Shall Pass Current in New Jersey for Ounces
Penny weight and Grains of Silver.
March 25. And for preventing any fraudulent prac-
tice during the Printing of the said Bills the printer
thereof, Shall before his printing them have a Copy of
the following Oath or Affirmation delivered to him by
the Inspectors herein after appointed. — "I, A: B do
Declare that from the Time the Letters were Set and
fit to be put in the Press for the Printing the Bills of
Credit now be me dehvered to you untill the Bills were
printed, and the Letters unset and put into the Boxes
Again, I went at no Time out of the Eoom in which
the said Letters were without Locking them up so as
they could not be come at, Without Violence, a false
Key, or Other Art then Unknown to me. and there-
fore to the best of my Knowledge no Copies were
Printed of but in my Presence and that aU the Blotters
and Other Papers whatsoever Printed by the said
Letters whilst set for Printing the said Bills to the
best of my Knowledge are here delivered to you to-
gether with the Stamps for the Indents & Arms and
that I have not at any time been privy or Consenting
to any or more Bills being Struck than I now Deliver
to you, and that in all things Relating to tiiis Affair I
have and Shall Demean my self according to the true
intent and meaning of the said Act, to the best of my
knowledge and understanding.
And after the said Printer Shall Print the said Bills
he shall take the SauKi Oath or Affirmation if one of
the People called Quakers, that he may Govern him-
1754] ADMIlSriSTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 39
self Accordingly. Provided always that if any Unfor-
seen Accident has happened, he may have the Liberty
of making an Exception thereof in his Oath he Declar-
ing f ally how it was, and he is hereby Directed to Con-
fine the Bills so to be made not to exceed two Inches in
Breadth and four Inches in Length so that there may
be no Necessity of folding to wear them out.
And Be it Further Enacted that the said Sura of
Seventy Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit as afore-
said when Printed, Shall be by the Printer thereof
delivered together with the Stamps for the Indents
and Arms, unto John Johnston, John Stevens,
Samuel Smith, and Hugh Hartshorne Esq'* or any
three of them to be Numberd Signed and Indented as
fast as they are printed of, and the said Signers as
Soon as they shall have finished the Sum of Ten
Thousand Pounds, shall pay the Same to the Treas-
urers of this Colony or Either of them to be apphed as
his Majesty Shall Direct for the Dispossessing the
French from his Lands on or nigh the River Ohio, and
for Keeping Possession of the same; and the said
Treasurers or Either of tliem are hereby Impower'd to
pay the Same Ten Thousand Pounds (or such part
thereof as Shall be drawn for) to any Person or Per-
sons Whatsoever, who Sliall Produce to them or
Either of them his Majestys Order under his Royal
Sign Manual, and the Receipt of Such Person so Pro-
ducing the said Order, with the said Order Shall be
Sufiicient to Discharge them the said Treasurers or
Either of them their or Either of their Heirs Execu-
tors, Administrators or Assigns for the Sum so paid,
and the said Treasurers Respectively are hereby
Directed and Commanded not to pay the said Ten
Thousand Pounds nor any part thereof out of the
Treasury witliout such Order under his Majesty's said
Sign Manual togetlier with a Receipt for the said Sum
or so much thereof as shaU be received being Dehvered
to him or them,
40 ADMINISTRATION' OF GOYEKNOE BELCHER. [1754
And Be it further Enacted by the Autliority Afore-
said that in Case it Should so happen that the said John
Johnston or John Stevens should happen to die refuse
or Otherwise be disabled before the Bills of Credit Afore-
said Should be Signed that then and in that Case John
Smith Esq-" is hereby Appointed a Signer in lieu of
Such Person so dying refusing or being Disabled and
if any two of the said three Signers should refuse die
or Otherwise be Disabled, then Thomas Barton Esq' is
hereby Appointed a Signer of the said Bills of Credit.
And in case of the death refusal or Other Disability of
Samuel Smith or Hugh Hartshorne then Abraham
Houlings Esq- is hereby Appointed a Signer in the
place or Stead of the said Person so dying refusing or
being disabled. And if any two of the three last
named Signers should refuse die or Otherwise be Dis-
abled then Joseph HolUngshead Esqr is hereby Ap-
pointed a Signer. Which Signers so Appointed in Case
of the Refusal or Disabilities before mentioned hap-
pening Shall be and are hereby vested with all the
powers and Authorities which by this Act are Vested
in the first named Signers.
And Be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that the Printer on delivery of the said Bills to
the Signers when printed Shall take the Oath (or
Affirmation if a Quaker) herein before directed in the
presence of the said Signers or any two of them And
Before any of the said Signers Shall begin to Sign any
of the Said Bills, they Shall take an Oath (or Affirma-
tion if Quakers) before^ any one or more of the In-
spectors hereafter Mentioned (to Administer which
Oath or Affirmation the said Inspectors are hereby Im-
powered) for the true Signing of the said Bills of CJredit,
and that they will Sign no more than by this Act is
directed; and that to the best of their Skill they will
perform what by this Act they are enjoined as their
duty.
1754] ADMINISTRATIOJf OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 41
And Be it further Enacted by the Authority afore-
said that so soon as the said Bills to the Value of Sixty
Thousand Pounds (being the Remaining Sum after the
Ten Thousand Pounds is Applied as aforesaid) are
Signed the said Signers shall deliver to the Commis-
sioners of the County of Bergen for the use of the said
County the Sum of Three Thousand Nine Hundred
and fifty four pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Essex for
the use of the said County the Sum of four Thousand
Six Hundred and Seventy two Pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Middlesex
for the use of the said County the sum of Two Thous-
and four Hundred and thirty Eight Pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Monmouth,
for the use of the said County the Sum of Seven
Thousand Eight Hundred & Eighty Six pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Somerset
for the use of the said County the Sum of Six Thous-
and Seven Hundred Pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Sussex for
the use of the said County the Sum of Eleven Hundred
and Twelve pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Morris for
the use of the said County the Sum of Two Thousand
two hundred and twenty two Pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Hunterdon
for the use of the said County the Sum of Eight
Thousand five hundred & Six pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of BurHngton
for the use of the said County the Sum of Seven
Thousand and five hundred pounds.
To the Commissioners of the Count}'' of Gloucester
for the use of the said County the Sum of four Thous-
and Six hundred and ninety pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Salem for
the use of the said County the Sum of four Thousand
One hundi'ed and ninety-two pounds.
42 ADMIXISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
To the Commissioners of the County of Cumberland
for the use of said County the Sum of two Tliousand
one Hundred and Twenty Six pounds.
To the Commissioners of the County of Cape May
for the use of the said County the Sum of One Thous-
and two pounds.
For which respective sums, the Commissioners of
the respective Loan Offices to whom the said Bills
Shall be Delivered shall give their receipts to the said
Signers, which receipts to them their Heirs Executors
and Administrators shall be Sufficient Discharges for
the Bills so delivered.
And Be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that as soon as may be Conveniently After this
Act takes place the Secretary of this Colony is hereby
required to notify the same to some three Justices of
the Peace of each County in this Colony of which one
of the said Justices in each of the Countys shall be of
the Quorum who on the receipt of the said Notice are
hereb}^ required forthwith to Issue their precepts to
the Constables of the respective Townships or Pre-
cincts in each County Commanding them to give no
tice to the Other Justices in each of the said Counties,
and to Summons all the ffreeholders Chosen for that
year in the said Townships & Districts, to meet to-
gether at some day and place in the said precept to be
Appointed in the said County not exceeding twelve
days, nor to be Less than eight, then and there by the
Majority of the Voices of the said ffreeholders in each
respective County in concurrence with tJiree of the said
Justices Quorum Unus to Chuse and they are hereby
commanded so to meet and Chuse Two Substantial
Freeholders to be Loan Officers in every County of
this province who are to have the management thereof
in the County for which they are respectively named
& Appointed; and After they have taken their Quali-
fications According to the Dii-ections of this Act, they
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 43
shall be and are hereby declared to be Bodies Politick
and Corporate in Succession, in Fact & in Law, that
is to say
The Commissioners chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Bergen shall be one Body Politick and Cor-
porate by the Name of the Commissioners of the Loan
Office of the County of Bergen.
The Commissioners Chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Essex Shall be another Body Politick and
Corporate, by the name of the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of Essex.
The Commissioners Chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Middlesex shall be another Body Politick
& Corporate, by the name of the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of Middlesex.
The Commissioners chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Somerset shall be Another Body Politick &
Corporate, by the name of the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of Somerset.
The Commissioners Chossn as aforesaid for the
County of Monmouth Shall be another Body Politick
& Corporate, by the name of the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of Monmouth.
The Commissioners chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Sussex Shall be another Body Politick and
Corporate, by the name of the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of tlie County of Sussex.
The Commissioners Chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Morris Shall be another Body Pohtick and
Corporate, by the name of the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of Mori'is.
The Commissioners Ciiosen as aforesaid for the
County of Hunterdon Siiall be Another Body Pohtick
& Corporate by the name of the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of Hunterdon.
The Commissioners Chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Burlington shall be another Body Politick
44 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVRBNOH BELCHER. [1754
and Corporate, by the name of the Commissioners of
Loan Office of the County of Burlington.
The Commissioners Chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Gloucester shall be another Body Politick
and Corporate by the name of the Commissioners of
the Loan Office of the County of Gloucester.
The Commissioners Chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Salem shall be another Body Politick and
Corporate by the name of tlie Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of Salem.
The Commissioners Cliosen as aforesaid for the
County of Cumberland shall be another Body Politick
& Corporate, by the name of the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of Cumberland.
The Commissioners Chosen as aforesaid for the
County of Cape May Shall be another Body PoHtick
and Corpoi'ate, by the Name of the Commissioners of
the Loan Office of the County of Cape May.
With full power to every of the said Bodies PoUtick
to use a Commom Seal, & by & in the Name thereof
as aforesaid to Grant Receipts receive Mortgages, and
Again to Grant the Same away, to Sue and be Sued,
and Generally with all Such Powers as are necessary
to be used for the due Execution of the Trust reposed
in the Said Commissioners by this Act.
And Be it further Enacted l)y the Authority afore-
said that before the said Connnissioners of the respec-
tive Loan offices that shall be so chosen within this
province or Either of them, do enter upon their said
office of Commissioners, every of them shall take the
following oath or affirmation if a Quaker before some
one Magistrate of the i-espective County * " * ' ' L
'' A B -^vill According to the best of ray Skill & Knowl-
' ^ edge, faithfully Impartially & truly demean myself
"in discharge of the Trust committed to me, as one of
"the Commissioners of the Loan office for the County
" According to the purport true Intent
1754] ADMIKTSTKATION OF GOVERXOR BELCHER. 45
"& meaning of this Act of General Assembly, so as
"the Public may not be Prejudiced by my Consent
" Privity or Procurement.''
And Be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that
the Magistrate who shall Administer to the Commis-
sioners aforesaid the Oath or Affirmation herein di-
rected by them to be taken Shall giv^e to them respec-
tively a Certificate under his hand that the said oath
or Affirmation has by him been Administered to &
taken by them, and the Clerk of the County shall
Likewise give them respectively a certificate that such
Commissioner has given Bond \vith Security Approved
as by this Act is hereafter directed, therein mention-
ing the date sum &. names of the Securities, and that
the same is filed with him, which Certificate together
with the receipt of the said Commissioners Shall Suffi-
ciently Warrant tlie Signers aforesaid to Deliver to
each of them the said Commissioners their propor-
tional parts of their Quotas Assigned to the Several
Counties for which they arc Respectively named.
And Be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that
each of the said Commissioners shall give Bond to his
majesty his Heirs and Successors with Such Sufficient
Secmity as shall be Approved of by any three or more
of the Justices of the Peace of the County Quorum
Unus, together with three of the Freeholders of the
Same County Elected by Virtue of an Act Entitled an
Act for Raising of money for Building & repairing of
Goals & Court Houses in Each respective County of
this province in the full Sum by this Act Committed to
his Charge with Condition for the true and faithful
performance of his office & duty & that without favour
Malice or Partiality which Bond being taken & A])-
proved of as Aforesaid Shall be Lodged with the
County Clerk, and in case of the forfeiture thereof
Shall by the Justices and ff reeholders of the County
be put in Suit & on recovery thereof the monies re-
46 AD.MIXISTHATIOX OF OOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
covered shall be Applied to the use of the County in
Consideration of the Counties making good the Defi-
ciency of the Borrowers in the same as in this Act is
hereafter derected.
And Be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that
when the said Commissioners respectively have Quali-
fied themselves as by this Act is directed, and received
the said Bills of Credit Such Bills of Credit shall be let
out to such as Shall Apply for the Same & can and
will give Security to the said Commissioners by Mort-
gage on Lands Lots Houses or other Valuable Im-
provements Lying in the Same County they the said
Commissioners first giving Publick Notice (as in other
Cases directed by this Act for Notices) by Advertize-
ments set up that on a Certain day at least Ten days
after Setting them up and at a Certain place therein
Mentioned, they will be ready to receive Borrowers
QuaUfied According to the direction of this Act, and as
on that day Borrowers do Offer their Names and Sums
they Demand Shall be Orderly Entered down in the
minute Book of proceedings and every one Shall be
Served According to the Priority of their demand if
reasonable objection be not Against the Title and
Value of the Lands offered to be Mortgaged or some
other Sufficient reason, which shall be entered Also in
the minute Book of Proceedings.
Provided Always that if upon the first day so many
Borrowers do offer as to demand a greater sum than
the whole Sum in that County to be Lent out, Then
and in that Case every Such Borrower Shall be Abated
of the Sum he Demanded proportionally.
And Be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that
the said Commissioners respectively before they Ac-
cept of any Land Lots Houses or Other Improvements
m Mortgage for any of the said Bills; they Shall first
view what is so offered in Mortgage or make due En-
quiry into the Value thereof, and then Shall Examine
1754] A.DMINISTIIAT10N OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 47
the Titles thereto by perusing the Deeds Patents Sur-
veys & Other Writings & Conveyances by which the
Same is held, And the said Commissioners respectively
are hereby Also impowered & required to Administer
to all persons applying for any of the said Bills as
Aforesaid, the following Oath or Affirmation if
Quakers to wit,
"I A: B. am bonafide Seized of the Lands Tene-
" ments & Hereditaments by me proposed to be Mort-
" gaged in my own right & to my own Use and the
"Same were not Alienated in trust to me for the use
"of any Person nor with intent to raise any Sum or
"Sums of money upon the Same by way of Loan or
"other wise for the use of any other Person or Per-
" sons whatsoever and the Premises are free and Clear
"from any Other or formei- Gift Grant Sale Mortgage
" Judgment Recognizance or other Incumbrance what-
"soever to my Knowledge except the rent Issuing
"thereout to our Lord the King & the Proprietors
" Quit rent if any there be."
And Be it Enacted hy the Authority Aforesaid that
the Commissioners for each of the said Counties re-
spectively upon finding Borrowers Qualified and they
the said Commissioners being Satisfied as aforesaid are
hereby required and by Virtue of this Act have full
power to let out the Value of the said Bills to them
Delivered as Aforesaid at the Interest of five per Cent
per Annum for the Term of Sixteen years from the
date of the said Bills, in Sums not exceeding One Hun-
dred Pounds to any one Person, and not under Twelve
pounds Ten shillings to any one Person, The said
Commisssioners for each of the said Counties respec-
tively taking Security for the Same by way of Mort-
gage as aforesaid in at Least double the Value in Lands
Tenements & Hereditaments Appearing clear of In-
cumbrances except Pents as aforesaid and in at Least
thi'ee times the Value in Houses within the said re-
48 ADMINIStRATIOJSf OF GOVERKOE BELCHER. [1754
spective Comities as aforesaid and administering an
Oath or Affirmation to the borrower as aforesaid,
which Mortgage when Executed before two or more
Lawfull Witnesses, and the Substance thereof Minuted
in a Book to be by the the said Commissioners pro-
vided & Kept for that purpose in each respective
County at the Charge of the Mortgager, the Charge
not exceeding Eight Shillings, an Attested Copy of
which Deed so minuted & Certified under the hands of
the said Commissioners Shall and is hereby declared
to be matter of Record & shall be good Evidence of
the said Mortgage any Law usage or Custom to the
Contrary Notwithstanding.
And Be it further Enacted by the Authority afore-
said that the Several Sums of money Lent out in
pursuance of this Act Shall be paid in Again in
manner following, (that is to Say) each Borrower Shall
Annually and Every year After the Time of his Bor-
rowing on the Twenty fifth day of march in each year
pay into the Loan office one Sixteenth part of the Sum
borrowed, together with the Interest of so much of
the Principal as was the year past remaining in the
Borrowers Hands Computed at the Rate of five pounds
per Centum per Annum untill the whole Sum bor-
rowed with the Interest Annually Computed at the
rate aforesaid Shall be paid in. Provided always that
it shall and may be Lawfull for any Such Borrower at
any of the Annual Times of payment Aforesaid, to
pay in the whole Sum borrowed if such Borrower shall
so think fit in the Same manner as they used to do
by Virtue of former Acts of this Colony, and the
money so paid in Shall again be Let out by the said
Loan Officers to any Person or Persons who may in-
cline to borrow the Same at the Interest aforesaid, so
that such Borrower or Borrowers shall pay in Such
equal and proportional parts of the Sum borrowed,
that the whole Sum so again Let out may be repaid
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 49
with Interest Computed as Aforesaid at the Expira-
tion of- the Time Limitted for the Currency of the said
Bills.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid
that all the Suras of Principal money that shall be so
paid in by the Borrowers during the first Eight years
of the Time Limitted for the Currency of the said
Bills of Credit, but not After may and Shall be An-
nually re-emitted by the said Loan officers respectively
upon Loan to any person or persons Whatsoever, and
at the Interest Aforesaid they the said Loan officers in
Re-emitting or Lending out again the said principal
Sums so paid in taking Such Security & observing the
Like Rules as are directed in relation to the first Lend-
ing threof , so always that care be taken therein from
time to Time that the whole Sum so Re-emitted Shall
be again paid in in Equal Proportional Parts that the
whole thereof and the Interest Annually Shall be Re-
paid at the Time Limitted for the Currency of the said
Bills.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that in C>ase any Commissioner or Commissioners
of the Loan offices Aforesaid do or Shall Neglect
delay or Refuse, or by death or removal omit per-
forming the duties enjoined him or them by this Act
or Shall behave him or themselves in his or their office
with favour Affection or Partiahty whereby the Pub-
lick or any Private Person may be injured; upon
Report or Complaint made thereof to any three of the
Justices of the Respective Counties to which they be-
long (Quorum unus) the said Justices are hereby re-
quired and Commanded to Issue out their Precepts
According to the Direction of this Act to Call together
the Justices and ffreeholders chosen in each Town or
Precinct to meet at such Time & place as by the said
Justices in their Precept Shall be appointed to hear
and Determine Sunnnarily the said Complaint, aud
4
50 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
upon Sufficient proof made to any three of the said
Justices (Quorum Unus) with the major part of the
said Freeholders in and for the said County of any
failure or neglect in his or their said Office as Afore"'
then & in that case the said Majority of the said ffree-
holders with Concurrence of three Justices as afore-
said, Shall proceed to Elect & Choose and are hereby
required & Commanded to Elect & Chuse a Person or
Persons in the room and Stead of Such Defaulter
or Defaulters, which Commissioner or Commissioners
so Chosen by the Justices and ffreeholders as before
having entered into Bond & been Qualified in like
manner as the Other Commissioners as in and by this
Act is Directed, Shall have all the Powers Privilidges
& Advantages, and be Subject to all the pains Penal-
ties and forfeitures which any of the said Commission-
ers of the County for which he is so Appointed are
Vested with Entitled to Charged with or Subject to by
Virtue of this Act.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that if any of the Commissioners to be Chosen by
Virtue of this Act Shall at any Time hereafter desire
to be Discharged of and from the said Office he or they
Applying him or themselves to the Justices of the
Peace of the County or any three of them whereof
One to be of the Quorum and the Majority of the Free-
holders before mentioned, and rendring an Account of
his or their Proceedings in the said Office and it Ap
pearing upon Examination that the said Com nis-
sioner or Commissioners hath or have faithfully
demeaned him or themselves in the Discharge of the
said Office According to the true intent & meaning of
this Act, then and in such Case Sucli Commissioner or
Commissioners Shall be by the said Justices & free-
holdei's Discharged oii" and from the said Office, and
another or Other fit Person or Persons Appointed to
Supply that place or places who Shall take tlie Same
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOK BELCHER. 51
Oath or Affirmation, give the like Security, be under
& Subj 3(. r to tlie same ristrictions & regulations, and
receive the Same Salaries & Advantages whatsoever
as the Other Commissioners for that County may or
ought to do by Virtue of this Act.
And be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that
if Any Person or Persons who shall borrow money out
of the Loan Office of any of the respective Counties of
this Province Shall neglect to bring in and pay or
Cause to be brought in & paid yearly and Every year
on the Last Tuesday of March or within thirty days
thereafter on one of the days which the Commissioners
Aforesaid are herel)y directed to attend tlie respective
Loan Offices, the part or parts of the Princi})al and In-
terest become due by the Mortgage or Mortgages given
as aforesaid then & in such Case the Commissioners
of the Loan Office to which the Same Mortgage or
Mortgages were Granted Shall be Seized of an Abso-
lute and Indefeizable Estate in the Lands, Houses,
Tenements and Hereditam^' thereby Mortgaged to
them their Successors and Assigns to the uses in this
Act mentioned, and the Mortgagor or Mortgagors, his
her or their Heirs and Assigns Shall be utterly fore
Closed and barred of all Equity of redemption, of the
Mortgaged Premises Any Law usage custom or prac-
tice in Courts of Equity to the Contrary Notwith-
standing.
And be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that
the said Commissioners respectively Shall forthwith
after the thirty days before mentioned yearly & Every
year give Sufficient directions which they are to take
Care Shall be Observed for fixing up advertize ments
at three of the most publick Places in at least three or
or more Distinct Towns or precincts of the County
where the Premises are Situate of all the Lands Con-
tained in the Mortgages whereof the Equity of Re-
demption is foreclosed as aforesaid Describing the
52 ADMIN^ISTKATION OF GOVEllNOR BELCHER. [1754
Quantities & Situation of the Same, and that on the
Second Tuesday of June thereafter they are to be sold
at the Court House of the respective County where the
Lands he by way of Pubhck Vendue to the Highest
Bidder.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that the Commissioners of the respective Counties,
Shall on the Second Tuesday of June yearly expose
the Lands Contained in the Mortgage or Mortgages
(Whereof the Equity of redemption is foreclosed as
afores'') to Sale by Way of Public Vendue and upon
Sale Shall Convey them to the buyer or Buyers thereof,
who shall pay for their Deeds no more than five Shil-
lings which Deed Shall be in the form following.
This Indenture made the day of in the
year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the
Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France
and Ireland King, defender of the faith &c Anno.
Dom: One Thousand Seven Hundred and Between
the Commissioners of the Loan Otiice of the County
of of the One part, and of the Other part
Witnesseth that the Commissioners of the Loan Office
of the County of for and in Consideration of the
Sum of to them in hand paid, whereof they Grant
the receipt and Discharge of the said his Heirs
Executors and^Administrators thereof for ever Have
Pursuant to an Act of the General Assembly of this
province, entitled an Act for making Ciu'rent Seventy
Thousand pounds m Bills of Credit for Assisting his
Majesty & the Neighboring Colonies to dispossess the
french from his Majestys Lands on or near- the Kiver
Ohio, and Other purposes therein mentioned, Granted
bargained Sold released enfeoffed & Confu'med; and by
these Presents do Gi-ant Bargain sell release enfeoff
and Confirm unto the said his Heirs and Assigns
forever. All that together with all & all manner
of woods under woods Trees Mines Minerals Quaries
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERKOR bELCHER. 53
Hawkings Huntings f owlings fishings Buildings fences
Improvements Hereditaments and Appurtenances
whatsoever to the Same belonging or in any ways
Appertaining, and all the Estate Right Title Interest
Claims possession property and Demand whatsoever
of the Commissioners of the Loan Office of the County
of and their Successors, to the Above bargained
premises and every part thereof, to Have and to Hold
the Above Bargained premises and every part thereof,
with the Appurtenances to the said his Heirs
and Assigns to the sole and only proper use benefit
and behoof of the said his Heirs and Assigns
forever. In Witness Whereof the Commissioners of
the Loan Office of the County of have hereunto
Set the Seal of their Corporation together with their
Hands the day & year Above Written.
Sealed & Delivered In the Presence of
And when the said Lands & Hereditaments Shall be
Sold as aforesaid the Person or Persons to whom they
shall be Sold Shall and may Hold and Enjoy the Same
with their Appurtenances for such estate as they were
Sold, Clearly discharged and freed from all Benefit &
Equity of Redemption and all Other Incumbrances
made & Suffered by the Mortgagor his or her heirs or
Assigns, and Such Sales Shall be Available in Law &
Equity.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that the Money or price for which the said Lands
shall be sold, upon the Sale thereof Shall be paid in to
the Said Commissioners, out of which they shall re-
tain in their Hands what has not before been paid in
of the whole principal Lent together with the Interest
that has become due thereon untill the day of the Sale
thereof, as also the Expence of the Advertisements &
of the Sale, the sum not Exceeding fifteen ShiUings
and the remainder (if any be) the Commissioners Shall
pay to the Mortgagor his or her Heirs or assigns and
54 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
in Case such Sale Shall happen during the first Eight
years Currency of the said Bills but not after, the said
principal Sums so received on the Sale Shall be re-
emitted in the manner herein before directed in Eespect
to the Sums of money paid in to the said Loan Officers
during the first Eight years Currency of the said Bills.
Provided Always that in Case the Buyer or any
Other Person or Persons have then an Inchnation to
borrow the whole or any part of the Principal so paid
in (which ought not to have been sunk before that
Time) upon the Terms herein before mentioned the
Commissioners being Satisfyed of the Security to be
given by him or them in manner Aforesaid may either
Lend him or them the Same or let the buyer retain it
in his hands upon giving- Security by Mortgage as
Aforesaid.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid
that if after any Lands Tenements or Hereditaments
are Mortgaged to any of the Aforesaid Commissioners
of the Eespective Loan offices in this Province Accord-
ing to the directions of this Act, it Shall Appear to the
Same Commissioners upon Good Sufficient Grounds
which they Shall insert in the Minute Book of their
proceedings that the Mortgagor had no good Right or
Title to the Lands Tenements or Hereditaments or
any of them so Mortgaged as Aforesaid so that the
Publick may be in danger of Loosing the monies or
any part thereof Advanced in Loan upon the Credit of
the said Premises it shall & may be Law full to and for
the said Commissioners & they are hereby required &
Impowered to Commence any Action or Actions of
debt or Covenant upon the said Mortgage against the
said Mortgagor his oi- her Heirs Executors or Admin-
istrators, & the Same to Prosecute to Judgment &
Execution in any Court of Record within this province
or any Other of his Majesty's Governments for the
recovery of the whole monies Lent upon the said Mort-
1754] ADMIN ISTUATIOX 01' GOV KKXOR UKLCH KK. 56
gage and Interest become due with Cost, & Charges
by all Lawfull ways and means whatsoever. In which
Action or Actions the Defendant Shall be held to Spec-
ial Bail, and the Court or Courts in whi(3h the Same
Action Shall be brought are hereby Authorized and
Directed to give Such Short days for the Rules of
pleading therem, that Judgment, or a Trial & final de-
termination of the said Actions may be had the first
Court After the Court before which the Defendant
Appeared to the Same Action, and Such Actions (if
the Defendant can be found within this Province)
Shall be brought in the County where the Cause of
Action Arises.
And Be it further Enacted by the Autliority Afore-
said that the Bills of Credit by this Act to be made
Shall be & continue Current for and during the Term
of Sixteen years from the date of the said Bills be-
tween Man & Man but shall be received by the Com-
missioners aforesaid & the Treasurers of the Respec-
tive Divisions of this Colony for the Space of Six
months thereafter & no Longer. Which said Bills so
made Current Shall be received and paid for the Value
Expressed upon each Bill, for Lands, Goods, Chatties
or any Other thing bought or Sold by all Persons
whatsoever residing in or passing through this Colony,
and a Tender of the said Bills at any Time during their
Currency made to any person or persons whatsoever
in the said Colony for the payment or Discharging of
any debt or debts Bargains Sales of Land or Other
things Bonds Mortgages Specialties and Contracts
Whatsoever Already made, or hereafter to be made
either for Sterling money Silver money of America or
any Other Species of Gold Silver or any Other Quan-
tity of plate or Gold, Shall be as Effectual in Law to
all Intents & Purposes as if the Species Contracted for
had been Tendered for the Same.
And Be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid t'hat
56 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. [1754
if any Person or Persons Creditor or Creditors, Obligee
or Obligees, Any Party or Parties to any Contract,
Covenant Bargain or Agreement Whatsoever already
made or hereafter to be made at any time during the
said Sixteen years, that said Bills are made Current
for Shall upon Tender made before Two LawfuU Wit-
nesses of all or any their debts dues & Demands what-
soever (Provided the said Tender be made of the whole
debt or Demand that is due from any One Person, and
not of a part) in the Bills of Credit made Current by
this Act, refuse to Accept or Receive the said Bills of
Credit in Discharge of the said Debts dues or Demands
According to their Values or rates, he She or they so
refusing to accept the said Bills of Credit in Discharge
as aforesaid, Shall Loose the said debt or Debts, Sum
or sums of money so refused, and they and Every of
them, they and Every of their Heirs Executors and
Administrators shall for ever be barred from bringing
his her or their Actions for Recovery of the said Debt
or Debts Sum or Sums of money so refused as afore-
said, and the Defendant may plead this Act in barr to
any Action or Actions that shall be so Commenced.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that if any Pei'son who is an Inhabitant in this
Province Shall in any Other Government Sue or Arrest
Another Inhabitant of the Same for any Debt Con-
tracted in this Province it Shall & maybe Law full for
tlie party Sued to make a Tender in Bills made Cur-
rent by this Act, which Shall be deemed good & Law-
full, and the party refusing said tender shall be Liable
to the penalties of this Act as in Case of a Tender
made in this province.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that if any person or Persons Whatsoever shall
Counterfeit or be Aiding or Assisting in Counterfeiting
or Altering any of the said Bills of Credit made Cur-
rent by this Act so as to make them pass or Appear to
1754] ADMIXISTHATIOX OF rrOYERXOK HELOHEH. 57
be of Greater Value thau they were made Current for,
or utter or Cause to be uttered any Bill or Bills Know-
ing the Same to be Counterfeit or Altered as Aforesaid
and be thereof Legally Convict he she or they so
offending Shall incur the Pains and Penalties of Felony
without Benefit of Clergy, and shall Suffer Death
Accordingly.
And to the end the Intents of this Act may not be
eluded. Be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that
if any Person or Persons Shall at any Time hereafter
be Apprehended or taken into Custody on Suspicion
of having Counterfeited any of the Bills of Credit now
Current in this Colony or which by this Act Shall be
made Current, in such the Prosecutor on the part of
the Crown in the Indictment Exhibited against the
said Person or Persons Shall AUedge the fact or facts
to be done, where in Truth the Same was done; and if
upon the Tryal thereof Sufficient Proof doth appear that
the same was done in the place where it is so aledged
in Such Indictment or Indictments, or in any Other
Place, the Party or Parties duly Convict thereof shaU
Suffer in Such and the Same manner as if the Same
were Alledged & proved to have been done in Some
County of this Colony, and the Juries on the Tryals
of all Such foreign Issues Shall be Returned from
the Bodies of the Counties of Burlington or Middlesex
or one of them. Any Law Usage oi' Custom to the
Contrary Notwithstanding.
And Be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that the respective Loan Officers of this Colony
shall be kept at the Court House of each respective
County or at some Other Convenient place near the
same (or in Such Counties where there is no Court
House nigh the place where the same is to be fixed:
but if that cannot be Agreed on then as three Justices
(Quorum Unus) in Conjunction with the Major part
of the Freeholders Chosen for said County Shall Di-
58 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
I'ect; and the said Commissioners Shall so soon as the
Bills are Signed & Delivered to them, set up Advertise-
ments of the first day of their Attending the Loan
Office as aforesaid, and Shall duly Attend the Same on
that first day and on every Tuesday and Wednesday
in each week for the Space of two months thereafter
if there be Occasion for their Sitting so long, and Af-
terwards they Shall Attend the said Loan Office every
year to receive the Monies by this Act Directed to be
paid in to them upon the Last Tuesday in March &
thereafter on the Tuesday in each Week for the Term
of three weeks, and it Shall and may be Lawf ull for
the Several Loan Officers to Keep and Eetain in their
Hands out of the Interest money Arising on the Bills
hereby made Current so much thereof as will pay them
the Salaries Annually due and Appointed by this Act
and the Residue Shall be Annually & Every year
within three months After the receipt thereof paid
unto the Treasurers of the respective Divisions of this
Colony for the Time being to be disposed of in manner
following that is to say, the Whole Interest Money
Arising from the said Sixty Thousand pounds, after
paying the Several Charges Attending the Sum made
Current by this Act Shall be Applied as follows, (to
wit) the sum of Ten Thousand pounds towards Sink-
ing & Cancelling so much of the Bills of Credit now
made Current for Assisting his Majesty to dispossess
the French from his Lands on the Ohio; Also the Sum
of Thirteen Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy one
pounds Sixteen Shillings & three pence half penny
towards Sinking & Cancelling the Bills of C^-edit made
for his Majesty's Service in the Late war and yet out
Standing, and the Whole of the Remainder of the said
Interest Money as the Same Shall arise. Shall be given
to his Majesty his Heirs & Successors, to be Applied
hereafter by the Governor, Council and General As-
sembly for the Defence of the Frontiers of this & the
Neighbouring Colonies on the Continent of America.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 50
And the said Treasurers on Receiving the said Inter-
est money from the Respective Loan Officers Shall
give a receipt for the Sum or Sums received v^hich Shall
be Sufficient to discharge them the said Loan Officers
their Heirs Executors & Adm'' for the said Interest
money; and in Case the said Loan Officers Shall Neglect
delay or Refuse to pay the said Interest money unto
Them the said Treasurers at the Several days & times
herein before Appointed the said respective Treasurers
are hereby required Sz Commanded, on any such Neglect
delay or Refusal forthwith to Prosecute the Defaulter or
Defaulters, and on Conviction each Loan Officer so Of-
fending Shall for each Offence forfeit the Sura of Twenty
pounds, to be Recovered with Costs of Suit by the said
Treasurers of the Respective Divisions, who shall Sue
for the same to Effect by Action of debt, Bill plaint or
Information in any Court of Record in this Colony
where the Same shall be Cognizable, one half to the
use of the Lord the King that now is his heirs and Suc-
cessors for the Support of his Government to be
disposed off as the Governor Council & General As-
sembly Shall hereafter direct, the Other half for the
use of him the said Treasurer.
And be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that
the said Treasurers respectively shall Lay the said In-
terest money by them so received yearly & Every year
before the Justices & ffreeholders of the Counties of
Middlesex or Burlington to be by them Inspected can-
celled, Bundled up tyed Sealed, and a Certificate of the
Quantity so Sealed left with the Treasurer of the re-
spective Division to be by him laid before the General
Assembly in Order that the said money may be finally
Sunk and Destroyed.
Provided Always that the said Treasurers shall Lay
no more of the said Interest money before the said
Justices and ff'reeholders than will make up the Sum
of Twenty three Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy
60 ADMINISTRATION' OF GOVERKOK BELCHER. [1754
one Pounds Sixteen Shillings & three pence half
penny but Shall Keep the remainder as it is paid in to
be hereafter Applied as before Directed.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that the Act of Assembly of this Province
Entitled an Act for Levying a fund at Different Periods
by Provincial Taxes for Sinking the Sum of fifteen
Tliousand three hundred & two pounds & four pence
Now Out Standing in Bills of Credit made Current for
his Majesty's Service in the Late War, Be and is
hereby repealed made null & Void to all intents & pur-
poses Whatsoever.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that the yearly Salaries of the said Coinmisioners
of the said Loan Offices for the Services required by
this Act Shall be as follows.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Ber-
gen Chosen as Aforesaid the Sum of fifteen Pounds.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Essex
Chosen as Aforesaid the Sum of Sixteen pomids Eleven
ShiUings & Eight pence farthing.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Mid-
dlesex Chosen as aforesaid the Sum of Nineteen
Pounds Six Shillings & one penny.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Mon-
mouth Chosen as aforesaid the sum of Twenty Seven
pounds Nineteen Shillings & ten pence half penny.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Som-
erset Chosen as aforesaid the Sum of Twenty three
pounds fifteen Shilling & eight pence farthing.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Sus-
sex Chosen as Aforesaid the Sum of Ten Pounds.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Morris
Chosen as aforesaid the Sum of Ten Pounds.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Hun-
terdon Chosen as aforesaid the Sum of Thirty pounds
three Shillings & Eleven pence.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 61
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Bur-
lington Chosen as aforesaid the Sum of Twenty Six
pounds twelve Shillings & Six pence.
To each of the Loan Officers for the County of Glou-
cester Chosen as aforesaid the sum of Sixteen pounds
Twelve Shillings & Eleven Pence three farthings.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of
Salem Chosen as aforesaid the Sum of Seventeen
Pounds.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Cum-
berland Chosen as aforesaid the Sum of Ten Pounds.
To each of the Loan Officers of the County of Cape
May Chosen as Aforesaid the Sum of Ten Pounds.
And be it Enacted By the Authority Aforesaid that
the said Commissioners on the Second Wednesday in
May Yearly before the Justices of the peace of the Re-
spective Counties or any thi-ee of them (Quorum Unus>
and the Majority of the ffreeholders Elected for the
Same County by Virtue of an Act of the General Assem-
bly of this Province entitled an Act for Raising of
money for Building and Repairing of Gaols and Court
Houses within each respective County of this province
Shall Lay the whole Accounts of the Bills of Credit
Aforesaid by them to be Inspected & Considered of
together with Such parts of the })rincipal Lent as
aforesaid which are directed to be paid in yearly in
Bills of Credit which Accounts and Bills being
Carefully Examined Inspected and Counted, the
bills Shall be Cancelled by Laying some Number f)f
them Orderly one above Another, and Cutting a
Triangle from the Top of them, which Separated
from the Bill will appear in this form
and all the Bills aforesaid being so Cut,
the Triangles cut out Shall be burned &
Destroyed in Presence of the said Justices & ffree-
holders & the remaining part of the said Bills Shall be
Carefully put up and tied & Sealed with the Seals of
62 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. [1754
the Said Justices ffreeholders and Commissioners, and
the Sum in each Bundle and the day & year the Same
were Cancelled with the Name of the County en-
dorsed thereon and a Certificate under the Hands of
the said Justices and ffreeholders of the Sum of the
Bills so Cancelled Shall be Sufficient for the Commis-
sioners to Account with the General Assembly in
that Affair, and which bundles so tied & Sealed as
aforesaid shall be by the said Commissioners yearly
Delivered to the Treasurer of the Division to which
they belong', at the Time they pay to him the Interest
money Arising by this Act; Which Ti-easurer Shall
give his receipt for the Same Mentioning therein the
Number and Marks of the Bundles and Shall Carefully
preserve them in Order that they may be Inspected by
the General Assembly of this Colony, and Compared
with the- Certificates Aforesaid of the Justices & ffree-
holders; And if any Suspicion Should thereafter Arise
of fraud or of Counterfeits, that the Same may be de-
tected and Such Course taken therein as to the General
Assembly Shall Seem meet.
And be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that
in Case the Sum of Bills so Cancelled as Aforesaid do
happen to be less than the Sum of Bills by this Act di-
rected to be at or before that Time paid in & Cancelled
in the Kespective Counties as aforesaid, the said Jus-
tices and ffreeholders are hereby Strictly Charged &
Commanded to Cause the Sum that is wanting to make
up the Same to be Levyed of the Inhabitants of such
County in Such manner, and According to Such
Methods as are directed by an Act, Entitled an Act for
Raising of money for building and Repairing of Gaols
Court Houses within each respective County of this
province, and the Same being so Levyed, Shall Cause
to be Cancelled in manner Aforesaid on that day
twelve months, on which it should have been Can-
celled. And in Case the Justices and ffreeholders
1754] ADMIN^ISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 63
Aforesaid Shall on any Pretence whatsoever Neglect
Causing the whole Sum that is wanting to be Levied,
Every of them Neglecting their duty herein Shall for-
feit to his Majesty the Sum of Ten pounds to be recov-
ered in any Court of Record within this province, one
half to the use of such Justices & ff j'eeholders of the
Same County endeavoring to perform their duty herein
who will Sue and Inform Against the Rest and Prose-
cute their Suit to Effect; and the Other half to be Ap-
pHed towards Cancelling the Bills of Credit in Such
manner as Shall be Directed by the Governor Council
and General Assembly, and in Case none of the Jus-
tices and ffreeholders Aforesaid Shall within three
months After Such Neglect Sue and Inform Against
the rest or Shall by Coven or- Collusion delay prosecu-
ting their said Suit to Effect, then every of the said
Justices and ffreeholders are hereby Declared to be
equally Guilty of the said Neglect and Every of them
Shall forfeit the said Sum of Ten ])ounds to be Recov-
ered by Any Person or Persons who will Sue for the
Same in any Court of Record within the Colony, One
third part to the use of the Prosecutor; and the Other
two thirds to be applied towards Cancelling tlie Bills of
Credit.
And in Case the Interest of the said Sixty Thousand
pounds to be hereby emitted on Loan Should After De-
ducting the Salaries and Charges attending it, for want
of borrowers or by any Other means fail of being paid
fully into the Treasury: It is hereby Enacted and De-
clared that the Counties respectively Shall make up the
Deficiencies of the Interest of their Quotas in the Same
manner and under the Same pains and penalties as be-
fore directed.
Provided Always that no Sum or Sums of money
Shall be Levyed to make good Deficiencies upon the
Inhabitants of any County or Counties, before a Sale
or Sales Shall be made of the Premises Mortgaged
64 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
(cases where it appears the Mortgagers or any of them
have no Title to the Premises Mortgaged only Ex-
cepted) pursuant to the Directions of this Act and upon
Such sale or Sales at any time made, and any Defi-
ciency or Deficiencies happening, the Commissioners
of the Loan Offices Shall forthwith Acquaint the Jus-
tices & ffreeholders thereof to the end Such Deficiency
or Deficiencies may then be Levied on the Inhabitants
of the said Counties respectively, so as that the money
may be ready to pay unto them the said Commission-
ers on or before the twenty fifth day of March Next
following such Sale or Sales.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that Wheat if Offered in any of the ijayments
Aforesaid, Shall be received at the rate of four pence
less in Value for Every Bushel, than the Market Price,
which wheat when so paid into any of the said Loan
Offices Shall be Sold for the Bills of Credit hereby to
be made Current, and the money disposed of in Such
Manner as if the payment had first been made in the
said Bills. And also all Gold and Silver Coins men-
tioned in the Aforesaid Act of the Late Queen Anne
for the Ascertaining the Value of the said Coins, Shall
and may be received at the rates in the said Act Men-
tioned, if paid in the first eight years Currency of the
said Bills to be let out at Interest in Such manner as if
the Same had been paid in the Bills of Credit afore-
said; and if paid in after that Time then to be paid in
to the Treasury in Order to Exchange for BiUs of
Credit or be otherwise Disposed off as the Governor
Council and General Assembly may hereafter direct
and Appoint.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said, that not any of the money or bills by this Act di-
rected to be Let out at Interest Shall be Let out in
Sums Exceeding One Hnndied pounds Xor less than
Twelve pounds Ten Shillings to any one person unless
1754] ADMINISTRATION' OF (40VEIJX0K BELCHEK. ('^■'>
it should remain in the hands of any ot the said Loan
Officers for the Space of Six months, for want of bor-
rowers; in which Case it Shall and may be Lawfull to
let out the Same on good Security as aforesaid to any
Person who will borrow the Same in Sums not exceed-
ing Two Hundred pounds to any one person.
And to prevent frauds that may happen by Execu-
tors or Administrators in their non payment of any
part of the money borrowed as aforesaid by the respec-
tive Testators or Intestates, Be it further Enacted by
the Authority Aforesaid, that if any Person or Persons
Shall borrow any of the Bills of Credit which by Virtue
of this Act Shall become Current, and Shall After make
his or their Last Will and Testament in due form of
Law, thereby Devising the Premises so Mortgaged to
any Other person or persons leaving personal Estate
Sufficient to pay his or her Debts, with an Over plus
not Otherwise in the said Will Disposed of, and not
Expressly providing in Other manner by the said Will,
in Such Case it Shall be understood that the Devisor
intended that the Mortgage money in Arrear at the
Time of his death should be paid out of his personal
Estate and his Executor or Executors Shall be Ac-
cordingly compelled the Same thereout in Aid of Such
Devisee or Devisees, But in Case the Last Will was
before the premises were Mortgaged, then it Shall be
understood that the Testators Intent was (unless
Otherwise Expressed in Such Will) the Devisee or
Devisees Should pay the Eesidue of the Mortgage
money in Arrear at the Time of Such Testators Death ;
and in Case any Executor or Executors contrary to the
Intent of this Act having Effects Sufficient Shall per-
mit a Sale to be made of the premises Mortgaged,
Such Devisee or Devisees may Immediately have his
her or their x\ction either in proper person, or by Guar-
dien or next friend if undei- Age Against Such Execu-
tor or Executors and i-ecover double the Damages
66 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCnER. [1754
Sustained with Costs of Suit, and in Case any Executor
or Executors Shall in Such Case be a purchaser of the
premises so mortgaged or Any Other in Trust for him
or for his use, he or they Shall be Deemed duly Seised
of the Premises for the use of the said Devisee or
Devisees and Such Executor or Executors are hereby
Disabled from making any Conveyance thereof from
Such Devisee or Devisees, and if any Such Conveyance
Should be made the Same is hereby Declared fraudu-
lent and Void Against Such Devisee or Devisees.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that in Case any Such Mortgagor shall die intes-
tate the mortgage money aforesaid or any part thereof
being in Arrear and unpaid and Leaving personal
Estate Sufficient to pay his debts with an Overplus,
his heir at Law being under age when any part of the
said Mortgage Money shall become due, in such Cases
the Mortgage money shall be paid out of the Personal
Estate if Sufficient, and the profits of the premises
Mortgaged Shall be AppUed towards the repayment of
the said money to Such person or Persons as may be
Entitled to the Same where it so happens that the part
of the Said personal Estate coming to the Said Heir at
Law is not Sufi^cient to discharge such Mortgage.
and in case the profit of the said Mortgaged jwemises
Shall not be Sufficient to make Such repayment, the
Heir at Law Shall be compelled to make it up with
Interest when he she or they comes of age: and where
any Such Sales Shall happen to be made pursuant to
the Tenor of this Act After the Death of the Testator
or Intestate because of the Deficiency of the Personal
Estate of the Intestate or Testator his or her Heirs or
Devisees being then under Ago in Such Case the money
Arising by such Sale After the Deduction of the Prin-
cipal Interest & Costs due to the Loan Office Shall be
placed out at Interest by the Executors or Adminis-
trators for the benefit of such heir or Devisee or Per-
sons Entitled to such Land.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 67
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that the Loan Officers Aforesaid before they Lend
out any of the Bills by this Act to be made Current,
Shall be provided with Books of Blank Mortgages
Printed & bound up in the form following Viz.
This Indenture made the Day of in the
year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George
the Second of Great Britain France & Ireland King
Defender of the ffaith &c Anno Dom, One Thousand
Seven Hundred and Between of the County
of of the one part, and the Commissioners of the
Loan Office of the County of of the Other part
Witnesseth that the said for and in Consideration
of the Sum of by the Commissioners of the Loan
Office of the County of to him well and Truly in
hand paid whereof he grants the receipt and acknowl-
edges himself to be therewith contented, and for him-
self his heirs Executors and Administrators Releases
and Discharges the Commissioners of the Loan Office
of the County of and their Successors thereof for
ever. Hath Granted bargained Sold Released Enfeoffed
and Confirmed, and by these Presents does Grant Bar-
gain Sell Release Enfeoff e and Confirm to the Com-
missioners of the Loan Office of the County of
and their Successors and Assigns forever, all that
Together with all and all manner of woods under
woods Trees, Mines, Minerals Quaries hawkings hunt-
ings fowUngs fishings Buildings fences Improvements
Hereditaments & Appurtenances whatsoever to the
Same belonging or in any ways Appertaining, and all
the Estate Right Title Interest possession property
Claim and Demand of the said and his Heirs to
the above Bargained premises and every part thereof
To have and To Hold the Above Bai'gained premises
and every part thereof, with the Appurtenances to the
Commissioners of the Loan Offixe of the County of
their Successors and Assigns forever, to the Uses
68 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
and purposes mentioned in an Act of the General
Assembly of this j^rovince passed in the year of
his Majestys Reign Entitled an Act for making Cur-
rent Seventy Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit for
Assisting his Majesty and the Neighbouring Colonies
to dispossess the French from His Majestys Lands on
or near the River Ohio, and Other pui-poses therein
mentioned, and the said for himself his heirs
Executors and Administrators does Covenant Grant
bargain and Agree to and with the Commissioners of
the Loan Office of the County of and their Suc-
cessors that at and before the Time of the Sealing and
Delivery hereof he the said Stood Lawfully Seized
of the Above Bargained Premises of a good Sure per-
fect and indefeazable Estate of Inheritance in the Law
in ffee SimjDle, and that the Same then were free and
Clear of all former and Other Gifts Grants Bargains
Sales Leases releases Judgments Extents Recogniz-
ances Dowers Entails and Other Incumbrances in the
Law whatsoever. Provided always, and these presents
are upon this Condition that if the said his Heirs
Executors Administrators or Assigns do pay or Cause
to be paid to the Commissioners of the Loan Office of
the County of the above Sum of in the Pro-
portion and at the times following (to wit) the Sum of
on the 25'" day of March One Thousand Seven
Hundred and and the Sum of on the 25"' day
of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and — — and
the Sum of on the 25*'^ day of March One Thou-
sand Seven Hundred and and the Sum of on
the 25"' day of March One Thousand Seven Hundred
and and the Sum of on the 25"' day of March
One Thousand Seven Hundred and and the Sum
of on the 25"' day of March One Thousand Seven
Hundi-ed and and the Sum of on the 25'" day
of Mai'ch One Thousand Seven Hundred and and
the Sum of - — on the 25"' day of March One Thou-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 69
sand Seven Hundred and and the Sum of on
the 25*." day of March One Thousand Seven Hundred
and and the Sum of on the 25'?' day of March
One Thousand Seven Hundred and and the Sum
of on the 25V' day of March One Thousand Seven
Hundred and and the Sum of on the 25"' day
of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and ^ — and
the Sum of on the 25'.'' day of March One Thou-
sand Seven Hundred and — — and the Sum of on
the 25'." day of March One Thousand Seven Hun-
dred and and the Sum of on the 25'.^ day
of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and
and the Siun of on the 25'." day of March
One Thousand Seven Hundred and and Shall
at every of the said Terms of payment pay to the
Commissioners of the Loan Office of the County of
the Interest at the rate of five per Cent of the said
])rincipal Sum of and of the parts thereof remain-
ing unpaid before the said respective teims of payment
According to the true Intent and meaning of the said
Act of General Assembly of this province, that the
above Grant Bargain and Sale and every x^rticle and
Clause thereof Shall be Void, but if failure is made in
any of the payments above mentioned, then the above
Bargain & Sale is to remain in full force & A'^irtue and
the said for himself his Heirs and Assigns doth
Agree to be Absolutely barred of all Equity of Re-
demption of the Premises within thirty days after
Such failure; And the said for himself his Heirs
Executors and Administrators does Covenant Grant
bargain promise and agree to and with the Commis-
sioners of the Loan Office of the County of and their
Successors well and truly to pay to them all and every
the Sums of money above mentioned at the times on
which the Same ought to be paid as aforesaid, and
that tlie above Bargained premises upon the Sale
thereof pursuant to the directions of the said Act will
70 ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
yield the principal and Interest Aforesaid remaining
unpaid at the time of Such Sale; together with the
Charges of Such Sale. In Witness Whereof the Par-
ties to these present Indentures have Interchangeably
set their Hands and Seals the day & year above
Written.
Sealed & Delivered In the presence of
Which Mortgages shall be by them respectively filled
up as Occasion shall require and for the filling up and
taking of each Mortgage the said Commissioners of the
Loan Office Shall take the Sum of three Shillings and
no more, and the said Commissioners Shall in like
manner be provided with Books of Clean Paper Bound
up to minute their proceedings and Accounts relating
to the BiUs by this Act to be made Current, in Such
manner and form as heretofore hath been Customary
in this Colony, together with a Sufficient Number of
Spare Blank Mortgages in the form aforesaid; which
Books so to be provided shall be printed and Bound up
by the same person who Shall print the Bills of Credit
by this x\ct to be made Current.
And be it further Enacted by the authority afore-
said that John Wetherill Henry Fisher William Forster
& Joseph Yard Esq''* or in Case of either of their Re-
fusal Death or Other Disability then Joshua Bishpham
& Tliomas Barton Esq'-* shall with the Others not
dying or Refusing, be Inspectors of the press, and they
or any three of them are to take care that the printer
of the Bills of Credit doth duly peiform tlie duty
hereby enjoined him, and that the Books of Mortgages
& Books to minute the proceedings of the said Loan
Officers and Keep their Accounts relating to the said
BiUs are made of tit Size, & printed Bound up and De-
livered to the said Loan Officers.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority Afore-
said that it Shall and may be Lawfull foi- Samuel
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEBNOR BELCHER. 71
Nevill, Charles Eead, Jacob Dehart, and Joseph Noble
or any three of them, and they are hereby required to
Agree with a printer for printing the Bills of Credit
and Books aforesaid at as Reasonable a Rate as they
can, and at Such place as any three of them shall
see meet.
And Whereas it is Necessary that some provision
Should be made for Defraying the Expences that may
Arise on the Bills of Credit to be made Current by
Virtue of this Act.
Be it Enacted by the Authority Aforesaid that the
Treasurers of this Colony or Either of them Shall pay
out of the first Interest money that Shall be paid into
the Treasury by Virtue of this Act Viz: To the Signers
who are to sign the Bills of Credit as aforesaid to be
made Current by this Act, each the Sum of Seventy
Pounds Money Aforesaid for Numbering Signing and
Indenting the said Bills. To the Inspectors, for In-
specting the press when the said Bills Shall be printed
each the Sum of fifteen pounds. To the Printer who
Shall print the Bills of Credit the Books of Mortgages
& Other Books directed to be provided and Bound up
for the Commissioners of the Loan Offices by this Act
so much money as Samuel NeviU Charles Read Jacob
Dehart and Joseph Noble Esq'' or any three of them
Shall agree with the Printer for doing the said Ser-
vices, for which they Shall each receive the Sum of
five pounds. All which Sums Shall be paid out of the
Interest money as abovesaid, by the said Treasurers or
Either of them by Virtue of Warrants to be passed in
Council; and the said Warrants when Produced and
Indorsments thereon Made by the Persons to whom
the same may be respectively made j)ayable Shall be
Sufficient Vouchers for the said Treasurers or Either of
them their Executors and Aduiinistrators for so much
of the said Interest money.
October the 17'!' 1754. This Bill was proposed and
72 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVEKNOK BELCHER. [1754
Agreed to by the House of Representatives, to be
passed into a Law, If his Majesty Should be pleased
to give his Governor of this Colony leave to Enact it.
Signed by Order of the House.
Robert Lawrence, Speaker.
A True Copy from the Original Draught.
Compared by,
Abra: Clark jun" Clerk of the Assembly.
Letter from tTOvenior Belcher to the Lords of Trade,
transmitting some public papers and requesting
action relative to the boundary questions with
New York.
I From F. R. O. B. T. New Ji-rsey. Vol. r. H. .'■IS. )
Eliza: Town (N J) Nov".^ -jc.'!' 17.54.
Right Hoii^'.''' Lords Commiss'"^ for Trade &
Plantations.
My Lords
I had the Honour of writing Your Lordships, 28:
Inst*, by the Way of N: York, with a Number of pa-
pers relative to the Dispute, between this Governm': &
that of N : York, about the Bounds, between the s '■
Provinces; to which I humbly pray Your Lordships,
speedy Attention, for Matters in that Affair, seem to
be come to a Crisis; & I am in much pain, least there
shou'd be Bloodshed, among the Borderers, before the
King's Orders, can arrive; which I humbly lio])e. will
be dispatch'd, as soon as possible.
Altho' the Governni: of this Province, is in a ready
Disposition, to come into a tempoi'ary Line, for estab-
lishing Peace, & good Oi-der. between the two Prov-
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF (iOVERNOR BELCHER. 73
inces; yet the Governing of N:York, seem to shew no
Inclination, towards it. I now inclose to Your Lord-
ships, the following papers in the Publick Affairs of
this Province; past ia a Session, of the General Assem-
bly of this Province, the last Month * * * *
these things my Lords, will give you a very full &
particular Ace ;, of what has been transacted, since my
last. — & I am sorry this Asssembly, cou'd be brought,
into any Aid or Assistance of the neighboring Colonies,
in their present distress'd Circumstances.
In duty to the King & from a just Regard to His
People committed to my Care, I think proper to say,
to Your Lordships as to the Bill, for a future Emis-
sion, of a paper Currency.
That large Emissions, of Paper Currencies, have
always proved very injurious, to the People of the
Colonies; as the Bills are constantly depreciating, — &
if this Bill shoud pass into a Law, there will be a Cir-
culation, of near double the Value, of paper Curl•enc3^
to what has generally l)een at any one time in this
Province—
I wou'd therefore humbly propose, in order to pre-
vent the Depreciation of it, that there shou'd be, an
effectual Clause added to the Bill, that it shou'd be
absolutely contin'd, to the Act of 6: of Queen Ann, for
ascertaining the Rates, of foreign Coins, in Her Maj-
esty's Plantations; & that if the Bills of Ci'edit, shoud
at any Time depreciate, from what they are, at the
first going out, that the Province, should be obUged to
make good, at all Times, such Deficiency, to the Pos-
sessors of "them:— & this being done, I think there can
be no Injury, or Injustice, in making the Bills, a
Tender in all Payments, (publick & Private)— I hope
Your Lordships, will, as soon as possible, in the
Spring, let me have His Majesty's Determination, on
the Petition of the Assembly, in this Matter;— for till
it arrives. I have not the least hope, of the Assembly's
74 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVEUXOR BELCHER. [1754
taking another Step, to answer His Majesty's just Ex-
pectation, of their joining with the other Provinces,
for driving the French from the Ohio, Scc'^
I have the Honour to be, with great Respect,
My Lords, Your Lordships
most Obedient, & most humble Serv!
J Belcher
Eliza: Town (N J) NoV; 26: 1754
Right Hon^!'' Lords Commiss'^^ for Trade & Plantations.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor De Lancey, of New
York, to the Lords of Trade, referring to the
boundary question ivith New Jersey.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VI, p. <J25.]
15 Dec' 1754
My Lords (Extract).
*****-»]; should be glad if the observa-
tions I have made on the disputes between New York
and New Jersey can be of any service; His Majesty is
greatly concerned in that controversy, and I am sur-
prised, that the construction I put on the Duke of
York's grant of Jersey, had not been taken notice of
before, since it appears so very obvious. I hope a
temporary line of Jurisdiction will soon be settled by
His Majesty's authority, that so the Mischief which
is justly apprehended from the heat and violence of
the Jersey Proprietors may be prevented. I inclose
your Lord^^' a printed copy of the Report of the Coun-
cil on the steps taken by the Jersey Proprietors, to
whom I had referred the consideration of these matters
and your Lord""' will find in pages 20 and 21, of the
printed proceedings of the Assembly, the Report of a
Committee of that house on the Jersey line, and in
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 75
page 37, the Message of the house to me on that
subject; which seems to me to evince the necessity of
the speedy settlement of a temporary hne; and from
these papers it will appear, that both the Council and
Assembly advise me to exercise the Jurisdiction of
this Govern* up to the supposed line of the year 1686,
which I shall endeavour to do in the best manner I
can, yet so as to avoid if possible any mischief.
By an Act of this Colony passed so long ago as the 13*''
of William the 3^^. it is enacted that Waghackemack, '
and great and little Minisink should be annexed to
the County of Ulster, and that the Inhabitants thereof
should give their votes for Representatives in the
County of Ulster, so that it evidently appears that
these places were setled above fifty years ago under
this Province; and can anything be more unreasonable
than that the Proprietors of Jersey should remove
these ancient settlers upon a bare claim, and before
any proof of rights. This Act 13. Will"" 3'' is entituled:
"An Act for the more regular proceedings in the
Elections of representatives for the several cities and
Counties within this Province" and was not made
with a view to any dispute with the Jerseys, but on
disputes which had arisen between the County of
Orange, which lies next to Jersey, and the County of
Ulster which lies to the Northward of Orange. Your
LordPP* will see the readiness of this Province to come
to a final Decision of the Controversy by the Act
inclosed. * * * ^ ^r- -;<■
I am My Lords Your Lord^''' most obedient and most
humble servant
James De Lancey.
» The Patent of Waghaghkemick was granted to Thomas Swartwout and others
in 1697. It lies on the Neversink River, in Orange County, N. Y.—Dr. O'Callaghan.
76 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1754
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Robinson,
Secretary of State — about affairs of the Province.
[From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 08.|
Sir T. Robinson
S'; ELizt Town (N J) Dec'; IT: 1754
I wrote you the 5 : of the last Month, by way of N :
York, & DupUcate of which, is since gone; both com-
mitted to the Care, of Mr Partridge; & was as full &
particular, an Answer, as I could give, to yours of 5 :
of July preceeding.
I am now, Sf, to own the Honour, of yours of 25: &
26: of Oct!' past, which came to my hands. Yesterday,
by the way of Boston,— & I shall now answer, accord-
ing to the best Information, & Judgment, I have had,
or can make, of the Circumstances of the Affairs, of
this Province, relative to your Letters, above men-
tioned; & in which I shall with aU care, practice my
Duty, to His Majesty, to the utmost of my Power.
I observe, the King has been pleased, to appoint
James Pitcher, Esq!" to be Commissary, of the Musters,
of all His Majesty's Forces, that are, or shall be em-
ploy'd in His Majesty*: Colonies, & Provinces, in North
America.
I shall therefore, in Obedience to His Majesty's
Orders, on my Part, be aiding & assisting, to the s'l
James Pitcher Esqf, in the Execution of his Duty.
I have read yours, Sf, of the 26: of Octf past, with
the most sedate Attention, to every Article, contain'd
in it, — & I shall summon, His Majesty's Council, to
meet me here, as soon as they can; most of them, be-
ing at Distances, of 20 to 50 Miles, & the Roads very
difficult in the Winter season; when they come. 1
shall communicate to them, the Letters 1 have rec'!
1754] ADMINISTK.VTTOX OF GOVERNOK BELCHER. 77
from you, & ask their Advice as to what can be done,
at present, for his Majesty^: Service, & Honour, in
such an important Exegency, & whether it may be
expedient, & of any Utihty, in the Affair, to call the
Assembly together, who have been lately sitting, on
this very affair.
As to my own sentiments, I must in Duty & Fidel-
ity, to His Majesty, say, I have little or no hope, or
Expectation, that the Assembly of this Province, will
afford any Aid, or assistance, till they receive a full
answer, to the Petition they lately sent, to be laid be-
fore His Majestv in which they propose, to grant to
His Majesty's Use & Service, in this Matter, the Sum
of about Six thousand Pounds St!'
I shall therefore, be impatiently expecting, His
Majesty's Determination on the said Petition, & His
further Orders, in this great Occasion. — & I shall in
the mean Time, be punctually corresponding with the
King's Governours, of the neighbouring Provinces, in
every way & Mannei-, that may contribute to His Ma-
jesty's Honour, & Interest.
I have, Sf, the quickest & strongest sense of His
Majesty's Paternal Regard, for these Parts of His
Dominions, so that I need no stimulating, for pressing
this Assembly, to their Duty; but after all, the Grant
of Money & Supplies, is with them.
As anything new & material, may occur, in this
capital Affair, in this Province, I shall be duly writing
you.
I have the Honour to be, with great Deference and
Regard, Honourable Sir,
Your most obedient, & most humble Servant,
J. Belcher.
78 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BKLCHER. [1754
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade^
ivith answers to certain queries relating to the
present state and condition of New Jersey.
I From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey. Vol. 8. 1. 4.]
To THE Lords of Trade
ELizt Town (N J) Dec^ 28 1754
My Lords
I have for several Months past, had lying before me,
a Number of Queries, rec^ formerly, from Your Lord-
ships Board, respecting the State & Circumstances, of
this Province, & into which, I have been inquiring with
all the Care and Thought, I possibly cou'd, of such
Persons, in the several Parts of the Province, as I
judged capable, of giving me, the best Information ; &
to this, joining my own Observations, for several Years
past, I have now made Answer, to each Query, in the
most Intelligent, & best manner I can, & have the
Honour to inclose them, to your Lordships.
I am with great Eespect,
My Lords, Your Lordships
Most Obedient, & most Humb? Servf
J Belcher.
Queries From the Board of Trade.- to Jona-
than Belcher Esq:, Governour of New
Jersey.
Query 1 What is the Situation of the Province,
under Your Government ( The Nature of the Coun-
try ? Soil ? ite Climate ? the Lattitude and Longitude,
of the most considerable Places in it t or the neighboring
French, or Spanish Settlements i have those Lattitudes
been settled by good Observations, or only by common
Computation '( and from whence are the Longitudes
computed ?
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 79
Aiiswer The Bounds express'd in the Deed from the
Duke of York, to the Proprietors of New Jersey, in
the Year 1664, 1674, 1680, & 1682-3, best answer this
Question, & they are these,
"All that Tract of Land, adjacent to New England,
"& lying & being, to the Westward of Long Island,
"& Manhattans Island, & bounded on the East part,
"by the main Sea, & Part by Hudson's River, & hath
" upon the west Delaware Bay, or River, extending
"southwards, to the main Ocean as far as Cape May,
"at the Mouth of Delaware Bay & to the Northward,
" as far as the North ermost Branch, of the said Bay, or
"River, which is in 4P 40' of Latitude & crosseth over
"thence, in a streight Line, to Hudson's River, in 41
"of Latitude."
The southermost Part of New Jersey, to wit, much
the greatest Parts, of the Counties of Cape May, —
Gloucester, — Cumberland, Burlington, & Monmouth
are Pine & barren, sandy Lands, also a considerable
Part, of Middlesex County, is of the same Nature; tho*
each of those Counties, have a considerable Quantity
of good Arable Land; the Counties of Bergen, Essex, —
Somerset, — Salem, — & Hunderton, & the northermost
part of Middlesex, & Burlington, are generally good
arable, & meadow land, yielding great Quantities of
Grain, of all kinds, & Cattle.
The County of Morris was lately divided, into two
Counties, viz:, Morris & Sussex, are chiefly mountain-
ous, rocky Land, which yields plenty of Iron Ore, &
Timber; & there are now three Furnaces within them,
which yield, a considerable Quantity, of Pig Iron, & a
great Number, of Forges, for melting Bar Iron, of the
Pigs, & a considerable Number of Forges, or Bloom-
eries, which make Bar Iron, out of the Oar; These
Counties, are so well timber'd, that they can supply
Coal enough, for a long Time, for those, & many other
Ii'on Works.
80 ADMIXrSTRATlOX OF GOVERNOK BELCHER. [1754
The Line between N: York, & N: Jersey, cuts whats
caird, the drowned Lands, esteemed about 20,000
Acres, leaving about three Miles thereof, in N:
York, and about ten Miles thereof, in Sussex County,
in N: Jersey; which, by Reason of the Disputes,
about the Line, have hitherto, been of no Use, to
either Province, but were the Line settled, & those
Lands drained, (which its suppos'd might be done for
about £1000 Charge, in widening and deepning the
Mouth of the River, that runs thro' them, ) its suppos'd
they would be fit, for raising Hemp, which with the
Iron, that Sussex County can make, might greatly en-
large the Exportation of those Commodities, to Great
Britain.
The Climate of N: Jersey, is good & healthy, tho"
some Places there are, subject to Fevers & Agues, in
the Fall of the Year, & to Plurisies, in the Spring; but
as the Country has been clear'd, & Marishes drain'd, it
has grown more & more healthy.
By the 6: Vol:, of the Abridgement of the Philo-
sophic Transactions, Pag: 414 2'}, the Latitude of N.-
York, is said, to have been formerly determined, 41°
40', but that is esteem'd only a round Number, from
many Observations, that have been made, it is nearest
40° 42'; & in the same Book, pag: 414, & in the follow-
ing page, (calld 413) the Longitude of N: York, is by
Observations, computed to be 4'' h'o^ or 74' 4' west
from London; N: York is situated on the southermost
Part, of Manhattan's Island, in Hudson's River, which is
Part of the East Boundary, of N: York; &, from N:
Yoi'k, N: Jersey may extend is Northward, upon
Hudson*: River.
In the year 1719, the Latitude of 41" 40', upon Dela-
ware, was settled by Commissioners, & Surveyors,
appointed by N: York, & N: Jersey, by Virtue of Acts
of Assembly, of both Provinces, & certified by them,
by Tripartite Indentures, under the Hands & Seals, of
1754J ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 81
all, as the north Partition Point, between East N:
Jersey & West N : Jersey, and a Line was run, &
mark'd by order, of the Commissioners, & Surveyors,
to Hudson's River, & many Observations, were then
taken, by several Surveyors, for discovering the Lati-
tude of 41 on Hudson's River, & tho' the Surveyors,
had Observations enough for discovering & Setthng it,
yet it was finally settled, by Deed, as the north Parti-
tion Point was, & it remains unsettled, to this Day;
as to the other Parts of N: Jersey, the Longitudes &
Latitudes thereof, Lewis Evansf Map points them out.
2. What are the reputed Boundaries? & are any
parts thereof, disputed? what Parts? — & by whom?
.1. The Reputed Boundaries, of N; Jersey from the
Year 1664, untill this last Year were according to the
Bounds, describ'd in the Deeds thereof, under the
Answer, to the first Question; always esteem'd to ex-
tend, from the Latitude of 41° 40', on Delaware River,
to the Latitude 41 on Hudson? River; but last Year, &
this, the Owner of twoN: York Patents, of Minisink&
Wawaganda, have made sundry Pretences, to the con-
trary, to justifie some Incroachments, they had made,
on N: Jersey; by which Pretences, they denied the Lati-
tude 41° 40', to be a mutual Limitation, on Delaware,
between the two Provinces, of N: York & N: Jersey,
& as by one of these Pretensions, on the Part of New
York, it was endeavour'd to carry New York, above
•sO Miles down, into New Jersey, so in Answer, on the
part of N: Jersey, it was endeavour'd to show, that
laying aside, the Limitation of the Latitude of 41° 40',
as attempted on the Part of N: York, the Words of the
Deed, of N: Jersey, must carry it, to the Head of Del-
aware; which is above 80 Miles, above the Latitude of
41" 40', especially as the Deeds, of New Jersey, are all
from one Subject, to other Subjects; — the Proprietors
of New Jersey, have expended several thousands of
Pounds, in endeavouring to have the Line settled; &
6
8? ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERISrOR BELCHEB. [1754
on the other Hand, the Assembly of N : York, has ex-
pended, near as much, of the Money of that Province,
in obstructing the Settlement, of the Line; the En-
deavours of both Sides, appear by a Memorial, of the
Council, of the Proprietors of East N: Jersey, of Nov^
20: 1753 & by sundry Papers, annex'd to it, from N? 1,
to 17 Inclusive, all printed in 59 Pages, folio; to which
I refer, for the Reasons of this dispute; I having al-
ready sent sf Papers, to Your Lordships.
3. What is the Constitution of the Government?
A. Its nearly the same, as that of N: York, viz. A
Governour and twelve Councellors, appointed by the
Crown; & twenty four Representatives, chosen by the
People, to represent them, in the Legislature,
The Proprietors of New Jersey, exercised the Gov-
ernment, from 1664 to 1702, when they Surrendered
their Government, to the Crown; & before the Sur-
render a Sett of Instructions were settled, & agreed
on, between the Crown, & the Proprietors, for the
better Preservation, of their Properties: which In-
structions, have been duly continued, to all Governours,
of N: Jersey, ever since the s'! Surrender; & the Dif-
ference, between the Constitution, of N: York, & N:
Jersey, chiefly consists, in those Instructions.
4. What is the Trade of the Province^ The Number
of Shipping? — Their Tonnage^ — And the Number of
Seafaring men? — with the respective increase, or Dimi-
nution, within ten Years past?
A. The Exports in Trade, are in Provisions & Lum-
ber, exported to Europe, & the West Indias; carried
on by about twenty Vessels; their Burthen about fif-
teen hund'l Tuns; & navigated by about, one hund'' &
sixty Men; very little Increase, in the Trade, for ten
Years past.
5. What Quantity, & Sorts, of British Manufactury
do the Inhabitants annually take from hence?
A. It is computed, that the Province takes from
1754] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 83
Great Britain, in Woollens, — Cutlary, — Haberdashiry,
— Braisery, — Hats, — East India Goods, — annually, to
the Value of twenty five thousand Pounds Sterling;
but this is guess Work, & a certain, for an uncertain
Sum.
B. What Trade has the Province, under your Gov-
ernment, with any foreign Plantations? or any part of
Europe, besides Great Britain? — How is that Trade
carried on? — What Commodities do the People under
your Government, send to, or receive from foi-eign
Plantations?
A. The Trade except to Great Britain, is chiefly
(carried on, by N: York, & Phil');) is confined to Lisbon,
Cadiz, Gibralter. the western and Canary Islands, &
to Ireland; & the Commodities sent from hence, are as
in the Answer to the fourth Query; — there is no Trade,
carried on from hence, witli foreign Plantations, but
what is illicit, & clandestine; & I beheve, very little
of that.
7. What Methods are thei-e used, to ])revent illegal
Trade? — and are the same effectual?
A. His Majesty has three Collectors, of the Cus
tomes, viz. at the Ports of Burlington — Perth Amboy,
— tfc Salem, who, (by all I can learn) are faithfuU &
diligent, in their duty; & yet, as there are many
Creeks, & Rivers, at Distances fn^m them, illegal
Trade may be carried on. beyond their Power, to pre-
vent it.
s. What is the natural Product of the Country?
Staple Commodities, & Manufactures? & what Value
thereof, in Sterling Money, may you annually export?
A. The natural Product, & Staple Commodities, of
the Province, are Timber, (as Oak, — Pine, — Cedar
Walnut, & many other Sorts;) Beef,— Pork, — Mutton;
Flaxseed, —Rye, — Wheat, — Barley, & Oats, & of these
things, may be exported Annually, perhaps about
thnty Thousand Pounds Sterling.
84 ADMINISTIIATIOX OF GOVERXOR BELCHER. [1754
9. What Mines are there?
A There are many valuable Mines, both of Rock, &
bog Iron Ore, & three very valuable Ones, of Copper;
& of these Sorts of Mines, new Discoveries are made,
every now & then.
10. What are the Number of Inhabitants, Whites &
Blacks?
A It is computed, there may be, of Whites nearest
Eighty Thousf Souls; of Blacks, scarce fifteen hundf;
but as to these things, Your Lordships must imagine,
they are pretty much, conjectural.
11 Are the Inhabitants increased or decreased within
the last ten Years? — how much? — & for what Reasons.
A It is thought by the best Judges, the Inhabitants
of the Province, are mcreas'd, in the last ten Years,
above fifteen thousand Souls, — & which may be attri-
buted, to the healthyness of the Climate, & to the
Province's being safeguarded, northeastward with N:
York, & w^est with Pensylvania, & therefore the less
expos'd 10 the Indian Enemy; & so the Inhabitants,
not drawn out, (as from other Provinces,) in Times of
War.
12 What is the Number of the Militia^
A This I judge may be upwards of ten Thousand,
effective men, (from sixteen to sixty,) there are eleven
Regiments, in the Province; to the several Colonels
whereof I have lately issued, my Orders, for a General
Muster, & a strict Scrutiny; & am expecting, their
several Returns, whereby I may be enabled, to give
Your Lordships, a more certain. & pai'ticular Answer,
to this Query.
13 What Forts & Places of Defence are theie, within
your Government? — & in what Condition?
A Not one Fort, or Place of Defence, (that 1 know
of) in the whole Province, nor ever has been.
14 What Number of Indians have you?— t'fe how are
are they inclin'd ?
A The Indians are mostly retired, back into the
l?o4] AOMIXISTKA I ION' OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 85
Wilderness; but very few remaining, in this Province,
I believe hardly one hundred Families, & they in small
Divisions, & at remote Distances, one from another;
what there are, behave peaseably, & in good Order.
15 What is the Strength, of the Neighbouring
Indians?
A The Six Nations, (^Alhes of the Crown of Great
Britain) are the most Neighbouring Indians, to this
Province; but with whom, we have no Trade, or Com-
merce, so that it wou'd be only guess Work, for me to
say, their Numbers, but of this, Yom- Lordships may
have the best, & most particular Ace? , from the Gov-
ernm* of N: York, who are constantly conversing, &
commercing with them.
16 What is the Strength, of your Neighbouring
Europeans? — French or Spaniards?
A There are no French, or Spaniards, bordering on
this Province, which (as before) is inclos'd between N :
York, on the northeast and Pensylvania, on the west,
so that this Query, can be more properly ansf, by them,
but I humbly concieve, the just state of that Matter,
made by the Commissioners, at the Congress at Al-
bany, in July last, renders all other Answers, to this
Question, needless.
17 What Effect, have the French, or Spanish Settle-
ments, on the Continent of America, upon His Majes-
ty? Plantations? — especially on your Province?
A What I have said, in answer to the immediately
preceding Query, may serve in Part, for an Answer to
this; but the coiitinual Incroachments, made by the
French, on His Majesty's Territories, in North Amer-
ica, as on the River Ohio, & the cruel Depredation &
Mm'ders, committed there, & in other Places, may
serve as an additional Answer; altho* indeed, these
Things, have at present but distantly affected this
Province, (^in a particular Manner).
18 What is the Revenue, arising within your Gov-
ernm' ? And how is it appropriated?
S6 ADMINTSTRATION OF GOVRRNOR BELCHER. [1754
A There is not at present, (or ever has been, that I
can learn,) any stated Revenue, to the Crov^n, in this
Province, but the Govf, Council, & Assembly make a
fresh Grant every Year, to His Majesty for the Sup-
port of the Government, and it is rais'd, by a Tax.
19 What are the Ordinary & Extraordinary Ex-
penses of your Government?
A The Expenses of this Government, (ordinary &
extraordinary) from my Arrival, to this Time, (up-
wards of Seven Years,) have not been (communibus
annis) eleven hundred Pounds Sterling.
20 What are the Establishments, Civil & Military,
within your Government? — & by what Authority, do
the Officers hold their Places i
A The Civil Officers, are appointed thus, —
The Secretary by Letters patent, under the great
Seal, of Great Britain.
The Collectors, for the Kings Customs, by Warrants,
from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.
The other Civil Officers, of the Province, by the
Governour & Council, under the Seal of the Province,
tested by the Governour.
There are no regular Forces, or Military Establish-
ments, in this Province; — but only Regiments, of com-
mon, or ordinary Militia; the Officers whereof, are
appointed, by Commissions, from the Governour,
under his Hand & Seal, at Arms,
The foregoing, is humbly offer'd, to yoiu- Lordship^;
(Inspection & more particular Information,) by
My Lords, Your Lordships
Most obedient, & Most humble Serv*
J. Belcher.
Eliz^ Town (New Jersey)
Decern'?'" 27: 1754
To the Right Honourable, The Lords Commissionei's,
for Trade & Plantations.
1754] ADMINISTRATION OF aOVERXOR REL( ITEE.
Opinion of Counsellor Belcher— as to Bills of Credit
being made Legal Tenders in New Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey. Vol. 7, H. ai.\
Objec: ag^* the Act relating to Bills of Credit in
Tenders for paym*^ being obligatory.
Reply The Clause relating to Tenders is of absolute
consequence to the Credit & currency of the Bills of
New Jersey for to make the Bills current & yet to
leave all psons at liberty to accept or refuse them in
Tenders as they think proper, is in effect to establish
y^ End without the means & altho' y*" Act has a retro-
spect to all past Contracts, yet it obliges y* Creditor to
no more than what he w'' have been bound to, even at
Comnicm Law by former Acts of that Province, & by
y" reasons & policy of every civil Gov'"mt, it must be
granted that Parties have no Original Right to stipulate
contracts m contradiction & defiance of the Laws of a
whole Comunity, for its a Universal Maxim & must
extend to all Political Constitutions Convent io privu-
torum Juri Publico n unquani potest derogare ;" & its
plain that Contracts of this nature fly in y"^ face of the
Province & y'' Legislature there, for whilest former
Acts of Assembly approved by his Maj'.^ have declared
in y*^ same manner as y" Act in question, that y'' Bills
of the Province shall have Credit & be current w*''
every private pson & shall be accepted in all Tenders
whatever, These Contracts declare that they shall have
no credit, shall not be curr' & that a Tender & refusal
of them shall not be a Legal payni; It can hardly be
alledged at Comon Law that an obligor to a Bond con-
ditioned for paym' in Foreign Coin ( w"' respect to
New Jersey all money except y'' curr' Bills of y''
Province must be deem'd foreign) sh' not at y day
of paym* be at liberty to make Tender Moneta Legali
Anglice, & that a refusal of such a Tender W' not
88 ADMiNtSfRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER, [1754
amount to paym', The Language of y' Reports &
Lawbooks is quite otherwise, & in Daviss Reports
p: IS its expresly declared that if a ffeofm' upon
Condition (or Mortgage) is made at a time when
purer or more weighty Metal is curr', & before y*"
day of paym\ Coin of a baser Alloy is estabhshed
by Proclama, ye Mortgagor shall be at liberty to
make tender of y' baser Coin & shall be good, Tho'
y'' Contract was made while a more valuable Money
was curr\, & y* Creditor depended upon paym!^ in y'
same Specie. The Law is by no means ex post Facto
because former Acts as effectually establish'd y' Credit
of y* Subsisting Bills & as much obhg'd all parties to
accept them in Tenders as y*^ present; & if Contracts
have been enf^ into since y^ making of former Acts to
y' exclusion of y* curr' money of y' Province in paym'',
such Contracts can hardly be thought valid & originally
binding upon y*= Obligor as they are directly opposite
to y" Law of y® Province, & Quod contra Legam fac-
tum est pro infecto hahetur.^' This Clause of Tenders
is merely declaratory of former Acts & of y'' Law of
New Jersey in other Cases, or rather y^ Clause has no
operation at all, since former Acts are still in being, &
this Clause makes no new provision & does but express
what former subsisting Acts had done before; what is
imply'd in y' very consent of y'^ People by their Repre-
sentatives to y' currency of y*" Bills or in y' Authority
of y^ Legislature to give them a Credit & circulation:
Expressio eorum quce Tacite in sunt nihil operatur.''''
The Clause cant be said to establish any new Contract
between Man & Man or to release parties from Con-
tracts they had ent' into previous to y'' act it self, but
y'' Obligees (doubtless from an Advantage over y^ nec-
essity of their Obligors) have obtained Bonds Condi-
tiond for paym' in a particul' Specie to y* Exclusion of
y'' curr' money of y' Province contrary to y'' Law^ of y"
Land to y' reason & nature of things And w"" sh'^' they
once bind, must bring their Money into absolute dis-
1755] A DMINIStR.VTIOlsr OF UOVERN'OH BELCHER. 89
credit & (from y" great Scarcity of Silver, Gold & other
Coin in the Province) throw y*^ debtor into inexpressible
difficulties & make it impossible for him ever to dis-
charge his Contract; the nature of y*" contract remains
the same (even upon supposition y' former Acts had
not made y'' same provision for Tenders as y*" present)
for y' Clause does not make a direct condition of the
Bond collateral to y' Bond it self, It only requires y"
Parties shall receive Lawful Money in Lieu of Lawful
Money; that instead of 17. ounces 10 penny weight of
Silver; they shall receive Six pounds equal to 17:
ounces 10 penny weight of Silver & if this is to change
y' nature of Contracts, then all Acts of Parliam' &
Proclama^ here that make foreign coin in y" current &
Lawful money of y' Realm, change y" nature of pre-
vious Contracts, for there can be no doubt y' a Tender
of such money will be good in all paym'* even of Stipu-
lations before those Statutes or Proclamaf If a refusal
of these BiUs in private contracts sh'' be allowed it
must be destructive of y'' Pubhc Faith, & y" Medium
of Commerce in y* Province, & render their credit w'''
y^ Inhab'.* intirely precarious & uncertain.
Letter from James Alexander to Ferdinand John
Paris — relating to the action of the Council of New
York on questions affecting the boundary Line.
[From copies among the mamiscripts of W. A. Whitehead, Vol. IV, compared
with an original among the Paris Papers in N. J. Hist. Society Library, Bun-
dle K. No. 8.]
To Ferd. John Paris, Esq'* London
New York January 2'' 1755
Sir (Extract.)
* * ^ * * * Qj^ ^\^Q j^jii. Qf December the
Council of New York broke Silence at last as to the
many Applications and referrences to them and made
90 ADMIXISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
a Report, of which I immediately Demanded a Copy
from M"; Bangor Clerk of the Council but have not ob-
tained it to this day — but I have been more Successfull
with the printer and got some Copies from him
■■' ■" "■ * "" * whether I shall have time to make
proper remarks on this Report before this Ship goes I
know not, other than that they agree not to the pro-
poseals appearing by the Orders to Coll. Van Camp of
November 23'? last for the preservation of the Peace
and Advise Vigorous Measures for Subjecting as much
as they can of New Jersey to the Jurisdiction of New
York, how far they would go they take care not to
Limitt. — if whats thereby advised be attempted, there
will be an actual warr upon the Borders which when
once kindled God only knows the End of it the People
of New Jersey near the Line are Convinced that they
have a Just Cause and many of them will Soon
Loose their Lives as give up their Estates to New York
which they are Satisfied is the Consequence of Submit-
ting to the Jurisdiction of New York, on the other
hand the Majority of the People of New York near the
Line beheve that the Proprietors of Minisink and
Wawganda - "••■ * '■• * " are in the wrong and
abhor their proceedings and act only by Compulsion,
and heavyly Complain of the oppressions they them-
selves suffer by keeping up a Watch of 25 or 80 Men at
Coll. Dekeys house and another ^Vatch at Goshen
Goal, from whence we have reason to hope that the
People of New Jersey may make them repent the
kindling of the Warr, if they Attempt it, as I believe
they will.
■:f -::- * * * v> j ^^^^ j-^q^ growin Old and by the
Course of Nature will before long be disabled to give
the Proprietors of East Jersey such Assistance in
their Affairs as I have done for many Years past, and
when I shall be so, then the care of their Affairs (by
1755] ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 91
what I now see) must Chiefly Devolve upon Gover-
nour Morris' and my Son.
We have talkt Severall times at the Council of Pro-
prietors that you must be well Advanced in Years, and
of the Difficulties they should be under were they De-
prived of your Assistance in their Affairs and Espe-
cially in this Differences with New York wherefore they
would be well pleased you should give a handsome fee
to some Gentleman you can Depend upon to take the
Trouble to inform himself of what you know concern-
ing their Affairs to assist You in case of Sickness and
to supply your place in Case of other Disability, for we
see little prospect of a speedy End to this New York
Dispute, and if even a Commission were ordered at
Equall Charge we are apprehensive that as long as our
Antagonists can by the Assembly have Command the
purse of the whole Province of New York against us
that all blocks whatsoever will be laid in the way of
a Determination in order finally to weary us out, and
by some base Composition to prevail on us to give up
great part of our Eights, which neither I nor any
other (I believe) of the Proprietors has the least thought
of doing because we are fully Satisfied of the Justice
of intent we Insist on, which I believe the other side
cannot with a good Conscience say.
****** * * * -::- *
I am Sir Your most humble Serv'
' Chief Justice Robert Hunter Morris was appointed Governor of Pennsylvania
May 14tli, 1754, and entered upon his duties in October of that year. See Penn
Archives, Vol. VI.— Ed.
92 ADMINISTRATIOX OF ftOVERXOK BELCHER. [1755
Circular letter front Secretary of State, Sir Thomas
Robinson, to the Governors in America — notifying
them of the King^s intention to augment the Regi-
ments in America.
IFrom P. R. (). America & West Indies. Vol. 74.)
Whitehall Janry SSi 1755.
Circular to the Governors in North America.
Sir,
The King, being determin'd that Nothing shall be
wanting, towards the Support of his Colonies & Sub-
jects in N° iVmerica, has commanded me to signify to
you His Majesty's Intention to augment the Regiments
in British Pay (viz' not only Sir Peter Halkets, & Col
Dunbar's but, likewise those, which are now employed
in Nova Scotia,) to the Number of 1000 Men, each;
to which End, you will correspond with Major General
Braddock, or the Commander of the King's Forces for
the time being, from whom you will receive Directions
for the sending such Contributions of Men, as shall be
wanting, and to such Places where the same shall be
quarter'd, or employed, under his Command.
As there is, probably, a considerable Number of Per-
sons, as well among the Natives of America, as among
such Foreigners, who may be arrived there from dif-
ferent Parts, particularly from Germany, who will be
capable and willing to bear Arms upon this Occasion;
the King does not doubt, but that you will be able by
Care and Diligence, to effect this intended Augmenta-
tion, and to defray the Charge of levying the Same
from the Common Fund, to be established for the
Benefit of all the Colonies collectively in N" America,
pursuant to His Majesty's Directions, signified to you,
by my Letter, of the 26"' of October last, for that pur-
pose: And as an Encouragement to all such Persons
1?55] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 93
who shall engage in this Service, it is the King's In-
tention (Which you will assure them, in His Majesty's
Name) that they shall receive Arms and Cloathing, at
the King's Expence, and that they shall not only be
sent back, (if desir'd) to their respective Habitations
when the Service in America, shall be compleated &
ended, but shall be entitled, in every respect, to the
same Advantages with those Troops which may be
already raised in Consequence of your former Orders.
I am &c?
T. Robinson.
Message of Governor Belcher to the New Jersey
Assembly.
(From N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary of State's Office. Albanj-. Vol. LXXX. |
Gentlemen of the General Assembly.
Since the opening of this Session I have received the
following Letters from Mr. Shirley Gov' of His Maj-
esty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New Eng-
land dated Boston Feb' 7: 1755. & another from Mr. De-
Lancy L Govf of His Majesties Province of New York
dated Feb'; 22'? 1755. both of them enclosing the sev-
eral Acts of those Provinces for prohibiting the Ex-
portation of Provisions &,"'•': to any of the French Colo-
nies in America in this time of imminent danger from
the French & wliich I think are so prudent & reasona-
able that I have no doubt of your readily falling into
an act of the same Nature.
And further I hope you will by an Addition to the
Militia Act enable me to send a good number of men
to New York f r their Assistance & Relief in Case
they should be attak'd by the French who if they
should succeed in it will soon make a Prey of this
Neighbouring Province
J. Belcher.
Eliz^ Town Febv: 26: 1755.
94 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
Action of the Assembly thereon.
Ordered that M' Johston & M' Holmes do wait on
his Excellency & acquaint him that this House hav-
ing taken the important Matters recomended in his
Excellencys Message of the 2<i: inst: Into their most
Serious Consideration are of Opinion that if the City
of New York shou'd be attacked by the French His Ex-
cellency may by a legal Construction of the Militia Act
now in Being "send a good number of men for their
Assistance and Relief," not only from the words of the
Act but from the Reason of the thing it being certain
that if such an Invasion should succeed, it must
greatly affect the Inhabitants of this Province who are
therefore in several parts as actually Interested in op-
posing such an Invasion as if it was attempted on some
part of this Province
And that as to the Article i^elating to the Prohibition
of Provisions &c'': This House had before they re-
ceived: His Excellencys Message gone into the neces-
sary Measures for making an effectual Bill for the
Purposes recomended which with the other Bill that
we have passed this Session we hope may receive His
Excellency's Assent when laid before Him,'
By Order of the House
Abr"" Clark, Jun, Clk.
Feb' '11: 1755.
'The Bill at length is on record in Secretary of State's Office at Albany, Vol.
LXXX.
1755] ADMIN ISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 95
Memorial of Richard Partridge to the Lords of
Trade, relating to the New Jersey Bill for Emit-
ting £70,000 in Bills of Credit, etc.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 7. H. 61.]
To the Lords Commissioners for Trade &
Plantations
The Memorial of Richard Partridge Agent for
the Colony New Jersey humbly Sheweth
That your Memorialist begs leave further to lay be-
fore you the following Observations relating to the
New Jersey Bill for emitting £70,000 in Bills of Credit
which the Assembly of the said Colony conceived to be
as nearly conformable to the Terms of the Eoyal In-
struction sent over to their Governor last year for issu-
ing £60,000 as they could well come into.
That the principal Objection which your Memorialist
humbly apprehends to the passing the present £70,00(t
Bill is, that the Bills of Credit are thereby to be made
legal Tenders in payment contrary to the said Eoyal
Instruction, & which according to a Resolution of the
House of Commons of the 25"' April 1740 is "Declared
"to be a frustrating the Act of the O"" of Queen Ann
"for ascertaining the Rates of Foreign Coin in the
' ' Plantations and to have been a great discouragment
•"to the Commerce of this Kingdom by occasioning a
' • Confusion in dealings & a lessening of Credit in
"those parts tfec.
In answer to which your Memorialist conceives that
unless the Act for the Emission now prayed for be
made as to the said Bill Stands with the condition in it
as usual for the said Money Bills to be lawfull Tenders
in payments there will be Uttle or no probability of
their being lent out on the Security of the Lands
06 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
which is to be double the Value as it is Stipulated by
the Act, or if there should; yet on the Terms of the
said Bills being restrained as not Legal Tenders, it will
tend greatly to depreciate their value & consequently
make a wide difference in the Exchange much exceed-
ing what can be imagined, and quite defeat the good
purposes intended by the Act, & will not only be a
great discouragement to the Inhabitants there, but
prejudicial to the British Merchants here, who Trade
to those parts
That the aforesaid Resolution of the House of Com-
mons was very probably come into merely on the great
Complaints there were at that time against the four
Colonies of New England when the difference of Ex-
change on their Money bills arose to a very extrava-
gant Eate; for altho' the accounts of the State of
Paper Currency of all the Northern Colonies were
called for by Parliament, yet in looking over the Votes
about that time, it appears there was a petition to the
House of Commons from Era* Wilks & Ch'' Kilby the
Massachusetts Agents representing the distressed Con-
dition that Province was in for want of a New Emis-
sion on diverse occasions, praying to be heard in
relation to the State of the i^aper Currency before the
House came to any Eesolution therein, and that one of
them was examined at the Bar accordingly; But there
was not the least Complaint against Pennsylvania or
New Jersey on that head whose Money Bills were
always of such Credit that their Exchange scarce
differ'd 40 p Cent in forty Years, neither was there
then any opposition to the proceedings of the House
by either of the said Provinces by Petition or other-
wise, and therefore is humbly hoped from the known
Justice of the House of Connnons that they ^vould not
intend by their said Resolution to envolve the Inno-
cent with the Gilty especially without hearing them in
their defence.
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 97
That it is presumed the Bills of Credit of New Jersey-
are of equal Credit & Reputation & maintained as in-
avariable a Currency as those of Pensilvania in all
respects, which is a fact acknowledged by every body
whom your Memoriahst hath conferred with ac-
quainted with those Provinces,— & it is further evident
that the aforesaid Resolution of the House of Com-
mons in 1740 could not properly, or in any Degree
affect New Jersey as to the fallowing words mentioned
therein viz That the said Bills of Credit have been
a great discouragement to the Commerce of this King-
dom by occasioning Confusion in delays and lessening
of the Credit in those parts. For that the Merchants
themselves here in London Trading to Pensilvania &c'^
in their Petition to the House of Commons incerted in
the Votes of the 22'! March 174s say expressly (among
other matters) '■'That such paper Bills (meaning Pen-
silvania Bills) ''having been issued there in an advan-
' ' tageous manner and under real Security, & the Fund
"not misapply'd, the Petitioners apprehend the same
"have greatly Contributed not only to the setthng of
' ' that Colony, and to the Convenience of People there
"as a Medium in dealings amongst themselves, but
"have also enabled them to send hither their Gold &
"Silver, & thereby to enlarge their Trade with this
" Kingdom, and to take off much greater quantities of
" Goods and Manufactures from hence then otherwise
"they could have done, & that the said paper Bills
"have not as the Petitioners conceive been Injurious
" to any person whatever."
And moreover it is humbly apprehended that the
said Resolution of 1740 ought not now to affect either
of the said two Provinces because when the State of
the paper Money in the Northern Colonies came under
their consideration in the year 1748 &. 1750 the House
of Commons after a more Strict Examination of that
Affair in general, they did not fault either of the said
7
98 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BKLCHER. [1755
provinces of Peusilvania or new Jersey in the least,
but in 1750 passed an Act to Regulate and restrain
paper BiUs of Credit & to prevent the "same being
" legal Tenders in payments of Money; Confirming the
' ' said Act of the four new^ England Governments only
"viz the Massachusetts, New Hanishire, Connecticut,
" and Rhode Island."
That as an other Condition in the said Instruction to
the Governor that the Interest arising from Loan of
the BiUs should "during their Continuance be appro-
" priated to all the EstabUshed and contingent Services
' ' of Government, and be issued by warrant from the
" Governor and Council only.''
To which youi' Memorialist would observe that altho
the Appropriation of the said Interest money be not
mentioned in that manner in the present Bill yet the
same is all appropriated for Public Services of the
Colony; And that the said established and contingent
Services of Government, such as paying the Governors
Salary & house Rent, as also the Salaries of the Judges,
the Council the Attorney General, the Treasurer, the
Several Clerks, their Agent &c* all which amount to
be but about £3000. Currency must undoubtedly of
Com-se be raised by a particular Act by it self, as was
done in the 26*'' year of the present King which com-
menced from the 21. of November 1752 & ended the
21 of May 1754— And respecting the warrants for issu-
ing the Money for the said Contingent Services to be
from the Governor and Council only.
Your Memoriahst humbly hopes that the Assembly
shaU not now be abridged of the Priviledge which they
have all along hitherto enjoy'd in that respect of hav-
ing a Share in the Disposition of the pubhck Money
ever since the Resignation of their Charter to the
Crown, Especially in as much as it appears by a Re-
port of the Lords'^ of Trade dated 2 Ocf, 1701. To the
then Lords Justices, that part of the Terms proposed
1755] AD>tIXISTI{ATI<")V OK r.OVEKXOH liKI.f 'II KK. 'J'.l
in the Surrender are ''for securing to the proprietors
" and Inhabitants all their properties & Civil Eights in
'' as full and ample manner as the like are enjoyed by
" any Plantation under Governors appointed by liis
'' Majestys imediate Commission."
That as to the other Condition proposed by the said
Royal Instruction for Transmitting a Draught of the
Bill before the Governor be allowed to give his assent
to it; It is complied with accordingly by the Bill now
laid before you at the Board.
That there is a present urgent necessity which the
Colony is under for raising a Supply to answer what
has been demanded of them by the Royal Order Signi-
fied to the Governor by the Earl of Holdernesses Let-
ter and considering the Assemblys chearfulness in a
grant to the Crown of Ten Thousand pounds for that
pm'pose — And that this is the only practicable Method
of raising the Money, as also for carrying on Trade to
encourage a Spirit of Industry amongst the people to
enable the Inhabitants to go on with the improvements
of their Lands, pay their Taxes to the Government,
and their just Debts for the British goods & Merchan-
dize which are consumed among them. That the
present Troubles in those parts call aloud for an im-
mediate public Supply — & that there is not now time
to send over for any alteration in the Bill.
Your Memorialist therefore humbly prays in behalf
of the said Colony of New Jersey that you would be
pleased to Commiserate their Case & to report on the
said petition to the King in favour thereof as the said
Bill now stands for his Royal Approbation
All which is humbly Submitted
Rich? Partridge
London 3!* mo: or March 17*!* 1755
100 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCBER. [1755
Representation from the Lords of Trade to the King,
upon the Petition of the House of Representatives
of New Jersey.
(From P. R. O. B. T.. New Jersey Entry, Vol. 15. pp. 437^42.]
To THE King's Most Excellent Majesty.
May it please your Majesty,
We have lately received from M' Richard Partridge
Agent for your Majesty's Colony of New Jersey, a Pe-
tition of the House of Representatives of the said Colo-
ny to your Majesty, humbly setting forth the Reasons
for which they have thought it inexpedient to frame a
Bill for emitting Sixty thousand pounds in paper Bills
of Credit, conformable to the Plan prescribed in the
Instruction given by your Majesty in April last to
your Governor of the said Colony, and humbly pre-
senting to your Majesty the Draught of a Bill which
they have prepared for making current the sum of
Seventy thousand pounds in Bills of Credit, and pray-
ing that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to
signify your approbation of the said Draught, and per-
mit your Governor to enact it. We therefore humbly
beg leave to lay before your Majesty the said Petition
and Draught of a Bill, and at the same time humbly
to represent to your Majesty thereupon,
That in your Majesty's Instruction to your Governor
of New Jersey, by which your Majesty was graciously
pleased to allow him to assent to an Act for emitting
Sixty thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit under cer-
tain Regulations therein prescribed, the principal
Points in View were,
1'^ To Take care, that such Emission was made con-
formable to the Sense of Parliament, with regard to
such Bills not being declared to be legal Tenders, so
1755] ADMIKISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 101
fully expressed in the Resolution of the House of Com-
mons of the 25^'' day of April 1740, and in the Act
passed in the 24"' Year of your Majesty's Reign for re-
straining Paper Bills of Credit in the four Colonies of
New England.
2''° To secure to the Province during the Continu-
ance of such Paper Bills a certain Establishment for
the ordinary Support of the Government, which was
one of the principal purposes for which this Emission
was represented to be necessary.
The Assembly however in framing this Bill, tho'
fuUy apprized of your Majesty's Directions to your
Governor, have not thought it adviseable to make it
conformable thereto; The Bills being, by the express
words of the Act, declared to be legal Tenders in all
Payments; and the whole of the Interest, except what
is applied to discharge a Debt incurred on account of
the expeditions to Canada and Cape Breton in the
year 174:5 and 174(5. (whi(;h debt was provided for by a
Fund establish^ by a former Law, which this Bill if
enacted would repeal,) is directed "to be applied here-
'•^ after by the Governor Council and General Assem-
"'bly for the defence of the Fi'ontiers of this and the
'' neighbouring Colonies on the Continent of America."
We cannot however omit observing to your Majesty,
that the Assembly have in one part of this Bill shewn
a proper Sense of their Duty and attention to your
Majesty's Commands, by directing the Ten thousand
pounds proposed to be emitted over and above the
Sixty thousand pounds allowed by your Majesty, to
be applied, " as your Majesty shall direct for dispossess-
" ing the French from your Majesty's Lands on or
*'near the River Ohio, and foi' keeping Possession of
'"the same."
How far this circumstance may in the present situa-
tion of affairs in North America induce your Majesty
to permit your Governor or to assent to a Bill, so con-
102 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
trary in every respect to the Direction of your Majes-
ty's aforementioned Instruction to him, must be hum-
bly submitted to youi' Majesty.
Wliich is most humbly Submitted.
Dunk Halifax
J: Grenville
James Oswald
R. Edgecumbe
Whitehall March 19"^ 1Y55 Ex"
Representation from the Lords of Trade to the King —
recommending Thomas Poivnall, Esquire, as Lieu-
tenant Governor of New Jersey.
I From P. R. O. B. T.. New Jersey, No. 15, Ent. Book D.. p. «3. |
To THE Kings most Excellent Majesty.
May it please your Majesty,
Jonathan Belcher Esqf Governor of Your Majesty's
Province of New Jersey being very Old and infirm,
and there being no Person upon the Spot appointed by
your Majesty to be Lieutenant Governor of that Pro-
vince, or any Person properly qualified to take the
Administration of the Government in case of the
Death of your Majesty's said Governor, We humbly
beg leave to propose that Thomas Pownall Esq!" ' may
be appointed Lieutenant Governor of your Majesty's
' Thomas Pownall, of Bvertoii House, Bedfordshire, was son of William Pownall.
Esq., and was boru in 1720. He came first to America as Secretary to Sir Danvers
Osborne, in 1753. He returned to England in 1755, and through the influence, it is
presumed, of his brother, the Secretary of the Lords of Trade, was appointed Lieu-
tenant-Governor of New Jersey, with a view to his succeeding Governor Belcher :
but as he did not die as soon as was expected, Mr. Pownall was, in 1757, appointed
Governor of Massachusetts, to succeed Governor Shirley. Governor Belcher, how-
ever, died the same year, and as Deputy-Governor. Mr. Pownall visited New Jersey
in order to assume the government of the province, by virtue of his commission cou-
feiTed in 1755, but as he found it impracticable to retain the administration of both
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 103
said Province of New Jersey, he appearing to Us to be
a person every way qualified to serve your Majesty in
that Station.
Which is most humbly submitted.
Dunk Halifax Fra: Fane
J: Pitt R: Edgcumbe
J: Grenville Ja: Oswald Ex^
Whitehall April 22^ 1T55
Letter from Oovernor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
transmitting several public documents.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 7.|
To THE Lords of Trade
ELizf Town (N J) April 28: 1755
My Lords
I find I did myself the Honour, of writing your
Lordships 2S: of Dec'! last past, inclosing Particular
Answers to sundry Queries, Your Lordships liad sent,
relating to this Province^ which Letter I hope Your
Lordships have rec*!, to which, & to many others pre-
ceding: I shall esteem Your Lordships Answers, at
your most convenient Leisure.
In Febru'; last I call'd the Assembly of this Province
together again, & laid before them, the pressing Ne-
cessity, of their Joining with the other Provinces, for
provinces at the same time he returned to Boston. He was subsequently, in 1750.
nominated Governor of Soutli Carolina, but it does not appear tliat he ever entered
on the duties of that office. lie became a member of Parliament, and filled at
different times, several prominent positions. Governor Pownall possessed great
knowledge of the geography, history and politics of the several American Colonies
and wrote several works bearing thereupon. He was a member of several learned
societies, and a contributor for many years to the •'Gentlemen's Magazine." prin-
cipally of papers relating to archoeologj-. He died at Bath. England, on the twentj-
fifth day of February, 1805, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. Dr. E. B. O'Cal-
laghan, N. V. Col. Docts, Vol. VI. p. 100!»; Force's Amer, ArcWves, 4 Series 1, pp. 74,
1600; Minot's Massachusetts, etc.— Ed.
104 ADMIXISTKATIOX OF (40VEKN0K BELCHER. [1755
driving the French from their Incroachments, on His
Majesty's Territories, on this Continent, and I have
now the Honour of covering [conveying] to Your
Lordships, the Particulars of what Pass'd in the si
Session. ***** ^ * *
These things, My Lords, will inform you Particu-
larly of the Publick Transactions, of this Governm' , to
that Time, & by which Your Lordships will see, the
Assembly still insisted to have an Answer, to their
Petition, & Bill they sent to be laid before His Majesty,
before they wou'd take any Steps of Aid and Assist-
ance, with the rest of the Colonies, respecting the
French Incroachments, already mentioned; I wou'd
therefore humbly Pray Your Lordship, that there
may be a particular Answer, in that Matter, as soon as
Your Lordships can conveniently do it.
These things, notwithstanding, I am glad to tell you,
that in the Session I have lately held for about eigh-
teen days past, this Legislature has come into an Act
for raising five hundred men, at their own Charge, &
to be under the direction of his Excelly: General Brad-
dock, & I hope to have the men ready to march, some
time the next Month, under the Command of Col!
Peter Schuyler, a very Worthy Gentleman, & on all
hands agreed to be the most capable of such a Service,
of any man in this Province.
And Your Lordships may depend, I shall leave no
Stone unturn'd, for giving the necessary dispatch, in
all things, for His Majesty* Honour and Interest, on
this Emergency.
I have ordered the SecH to prepare all things, as
soon as may be, relating to this Session, that I may
transmit them to Your Lordshi]), to wliom, I have the
Honour to be, with great Res];ect.
My Lords,
Your Lordships Most obedient
and most humble Servant
J. Belcher
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 105
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Rob-
inson, Secretary of State — informing him of the
action upon several letters received from him.
[From P. R. O. America & West Indies, Vol. 68.]
Eliz^ Town (N J) April 30 1755
Sir Thomas Robinson
Sir,
Since mine of the 17"' of Dec';, I rec'} the Honour of
your several! Letters of Nov^ 4:, Dec^ 81:, and two of
Janua^ 23: last past, the first via Virginia in favour of
Sir John S\ Clair, whom the King has been pleas'd to
appoint, deputy Quarter- master Generall, of His Forces
in N. America, & have in Conformity to the Kings
Pleasure, given S!' John, the Assurance of aiding and
assisting him, in the Execution of his duty for the
King? Service.
Your two last letters I rec'? by hands of Gov!' Shirley,
with the Printed Copies of the mutiny Bill, pass'd last
Year, & the Articles of War founded thereupon, to-
gether with Copy of a Clause inserted in the mutiny
Bill, by Parliament, this Session, enacting that all
Troops in America, whilst in Conjunction with the
British Forces, under the Command of an Officer
Bearing His Majesty? immediate Commission, shall be
liable to the same martial Law and Discipline, as the
British Troops are.
I take a very particular Notice, & (as all the Colo-
nies ought to do, ) with the highest Gratitude, that the
King has determind that nothing shall be wanting,
towards the Support of His Colonies & Subjects, in N.
America to which End His Majesty intended to aug-
ment the several British Regiments, in these Parts, to
one Thousand men each, in answer to this, I am oblig'd
in duty & Fidelity to His Majesty to say, that in This
106 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Governm* where I have the Honour to preside, there
is no Money raised for defraying the Charge of the
Augmentation, of the British Regiments, the King is
so graciously indined to; nor is there any Likelyhood
of the Assembly's raising any Money here towards a
Common Fund, till they have reef an answer to a Pe-
tition sent to His Majesty in Novf last, and of which I
have before wi^ote you; nevertheless if any of the
British Officers, apply to me, I shall give them Beat-
ing Orders, throughout this Province, on this head.
And I am glad, Sr, to inform you that in a Session
of the Assembly of this Province, held a few Days ago,
I .prevailed upon them to raise a Regiment of five hun-
dred men, at their own Expence, to join with the rest
of the Forces raised in these Colonies, for assisting in
the General Operation, for His Majesty? Service, in
the ensuing Summer. — & I shall go on, diUgently pur-
sueing His Majesty? Honour & Interest, to the utmost
of my Power, in this Govern ml^ — I am with the
greatest Deference and Respect,
Honourable Sir, Your most Faithfull,
most obedient & most humble Servant
J Belcher
Commission of Thomas Poicnall, Esq., as Lieutenant
Governor of New Jersey.
I From P. R. O. B. T.. New Jersey. Eiiti-y. Vol. l."). p. 441. |
By the Lords Justices.
To Thomas Pownall Esq!"
Greeting. — We being well iuform'd of your Loyalty,
Courage and Prudence do l)y these Presents, in His
Majestys Name, constitute and appoint you to be His
Majesty's Lieutenant Governor of the Province of
Nova Ca3sarea or New Jersey in America; To have,
1755] ADMIXISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 107
hold, exercise and enjoy the said Place and Office dur-
ing His Majesty's Pleasure, with all Rights, Privileges
Profits, Perquisites and Advantages to the same be-
longing or appertaining: And further in case of the
Death or Absence of His Majesty's Captain General
and Governor in chief in and over the said Province
of New Jersey now and for the time being, We do
hereby, in His Majesty's Name, authorize and im-
power you to exercise and perform all and Singular
the Powers and Directions contained in His Majesty's
Commission to His said Captain General and Governor
in Chief, according to such Instructions as are already
sent or hereafter shall from time to time be sent unto
him, or as you shall receive from His Majesty and
from His Captain General and Chief Governor of His
Majesty's said Province of New Jersey now and for
the time being: And all and Singular His Majesty's
Officers and Ministers and other His Majesty's loving
Subjects of the said Province whom it may concern,
are hereby commanded in His Majesty's Name to take
notice hereof, and to give their ready obedience ac-
cordingly.
Given at Whitehall the [13th] day of [May] 1755 in
the Twenty Eighth Year of His Majesty's Reign.
By Command of the Lords Justices.^
' For a summaiy of Mr. Pownall's public career, with references to authorities,
of Mr. O'Calla^han. see New York Col. Documents, Vol. VI, p. 1000.
108 ADMIXISTRATJON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER, [1755
The Lords of Trade to the Lords Justices — relat-
ing to the boundary line betiveen New York and
New Jersey.
I From New York Col. Documents. Vol. VI, p. 9.'j2.J
To their Excellencies the Lords Justices
May it please Your Excellencies
We have had under our consideration, an Act passed
by His Maj'^'"* Province of New York in December last,
intituled :
' ' An Act for submitting the controversy, between
the Colonies of New York and New Jersey, relating to
the partition between the said Colonies to the final de-
termination of His Majesty" —
And having been attended by M' Charles Agent for
the Province of New York, and by M' Paris Agent
for the proprietors of East New Jersey, and heard,
what each party had to offer upon this Act, we beg
leave humbly to represent to your Excellencies:
That the controversy between the provinces of New
York and New Jersey, concerning the true boundary
line between them, from which this Act takes its rise,
has subsisted many years, and various x\cts and pro-
ceedings have at different times been had, and done
thereupon, with a view to ascertain this boundary, but
without effect. In the year 1 748, the Legislature of
New Jersey passed an Act, entitled:
"'An Act for running and ascertaining the line of
partition and division betwixt this Province of New
Jersey and the province of New York ■" — but it appear-
ing to us, upon a consideration of this Act after hear-
ing of the parties interested by their Counsel, that the
proceedings on which it was founded, being not war-
ranted by His Maj'- "' Autliority, it could not be effectual
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF ftOVERNOR BELCHER. 109
to the ends proposed by it, and the object of it being
to set up an ex parte determination it would be unjust:
we did in our representation of the is^'^ of July 1753,
humbly lay it before his Maj'' for his Royal disallow-
ance, humbly offering it as our opinion, that the only
method, by which the matter hi dispute could be prop-
erly and effectually decided, would be, a Commission
to be issued by His Majesty for that purpose.
It appears from the letters and papers, which we
have since received from the Governors of New York
and New Jersey, that great outrages have from time
to time been committed on the frontiers of the Two
provinces, to the prejudice of His Maj'- ' service and
the disturbance of the public peace: and although va-
rious propositions have been made by persons author-
ised on both sides, for determining the controversy,
yet none of them have had effect, nor is there any
room to hope that the parties interested will concur
in any effectual measure for deciding the dispute.
The Act, which we now humbly lay before your
Excellencies appears to us to be liable to several ob-
jections: \it is improper as the method of determination
which it proposes is unusual and contrary to the con-
stant practice in cases of the like nature: questions of
disputed boundary, whereby private property may be
affected, having never been determined by the Crown
in the first instance but always by a Commission from
His Maje*^' with liberty to all parties which shall think
themselves aggrieved by the Judgement of the Com-
miss", to appeal to His Maj'- from their decision. It
is also improper, because, altho" the very object of the
Act is to submit the matter in dispute, as far as pri-
vate property is concerned, to the determination of
His Maj'' yet, it previously ascertains in some degree
the limits of private Right and property, by declaring
that certain patentees, therein mentioned shall not ex-
tend their claims beyond a limit therein described; and
110 ADMINISTRATION OF (JOVEKKOR BELCHER. [1755
if it was not liable to these objections, yet it would be
ineffectual, as the Proprietors of New Jersey, have not
consented to the method of decision therein proposed.
For all which reasons we humbly beg leave, to lay the
said Act before your Excellencies, for your Excellen-
cies disallowance
We beg leave further to represent to your Excellen-
cies, that it appears to us to be of the greatest impor-
tance to the peace and tranquility of the two Provinces,
that some certain line of property and Jurisdiction
should be speedily settled between them, which, as we
conceive, can only be done by a Commission to be is-
sued in the same manner and under the same regula-
tions as that issued in the year 1737, for running the
boundary between the Provinces of the Massachusetts
Bay and New Hampshire, with liberty to either party
who shall think themselves aggrieved, to appeal to His
Majesty in his Privy Council. The Agent for the
Proprietors of New Jersey declared himself willing to
concur in this measure, and has offered to give ample
security, that the said Proprietors shall and will defray
one half of the expence of such a Commission, but the
Agent of New York, not being authorised by his Con-
stituents has declined entering into such an agreement.
We would therefore humbly propose to your Excellen-
cies, that an additional Instruction be given to His
Maj*-'" GovF of New York directing him to recommend
it to the Assembly of that province to make provision
for defraying one half of the expence of obtaining and
executing such Commission, as aforesaid, whenever
his Maj'^ shall be graciously pleased to issue it
All which is most humbly submitted
Dunk Halifax
J Grenvillle
James Oswald
Fran: Fane
Whitehall, June 12 1755.
1755] ADMINISTRATION OP GOVERI^OR BELCHER. Ill
Letter from Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, to
Secretary Sir Thomas Robinson.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VI. p. !»53.|
Boston, New England, June 20"' 1755
Sir (Extract. )
"" * * "'^ " ■'■ '• After I parted w^ith the Gen-
eral [Braddock in Virginia] I found from the defici-
ency of Sir William Pepperell's levies that there was
no prospect of his raising more than 600 men by the
time, that tlie troops destined for Niagara must begin
their march, and as two of the Companies of his regi-
ment were order 'd to be posted at Oswego upon an
exjDectation tliat the French would attack it which will
reduce them to 1400 men, and that force would in the
general opinion as well as ray own be too weak an one
to secure the pass at Niagara; on my return thro' the
Government of New Jerseys, I apply 'd to the Assem-
bly there, which was then sitting to permit the Eegi-
ment of 500 men which they had lately voted to raise
for the expedition against Crown Point, to join their
forces under my command in the reduction of Niagara,
and prevail'd with them and Gov' Belcher to pass an
Act for that purpose, by which means my troops were
augmented to 1 900. " " ^^ * -' ••' "
I am with the greatest regard Sir
Your most humble and most obedient servant
W. Shirley.
The Right Honourable Sir Thomas Robinson one of
His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State.
112 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVKRNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
transmitting public documents and a letter from
Captain Bradstreet.
fFrom P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 9.1
Right Hon^3^ Lords Commiss'^' for Trade &
Plant""
My Lords
My last was on the 28: of April, the Original by way
of N: York, and its Duplicate by way of Phil.'', carry-
ing in it all the Particulars, relating to this Govern-
ment, to that Time, & which I hope your Lordships
will duly receive.
Since that, (although many Ships are arrived from
London,) I have not had the Honour, of any of your
Lordships, but which I hope I may, at Your own con-
veniency. I now cover to Your Lordship, what has
lately occur'd in this Legislature. * * "^ - * *
I think it my duty, to say to Your Lordships, that
the Regiment raised in this Province, are a Number of
as likely men, as (I believe) any that have been rais'd
for His Majesty's present Service, & have been for
some time past, at Shenectady, the Place of General
Randezvous, & from thence they will be marching, in
conformity to General Braddock's Orders, to Niagara,
where may God send them well, & give the desired
Success.
As anything material comes to my knowledge, re-
lating to His Majesty's Service, in the present Arma-
ment on this Continent, I shall do myself the Honour,
of keeping your Lordships duly acquainted therewith.
I am in the meantime, & always, with great Respect,
My Lords, Your Lordships? Most Obedient & Most
humble Servant
J. Belchek.
Eliza: Town (N J) June 27: 1755
1756] ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 113
[Enclosed In foregoing.]
Letter from Captain Bradstreet to Gov.
Belcher.
Sir,
I think it my duty to give you the earliest Notice,
that in my Way to this Place, Col? Johnston & I ex-
amined a French man, who deserted from Canada,
with his wife, who inform 'd us, that the French had
actually sent nine hundred & fifty men to the Ohio, in
four Detachments, the last of which he saw at Cata-
raque, & they pass'd this Place about the Time he ex-
pected, and that on my Arrival here, the 27: Ins\ I
made it part of my Business, to examine into the
Truth of this, from Indians who are constantly com-
ing here, from all Quarters, who agree entii'ely with
his Account; since which the Movements & Activity
of the French, make it still more necessary I should
lose no time in letting you know what has pass'd, &
the accounts I have, viz* that on the 25: of this Month,
twelve Battoes pass'd this place, with men & Pro-
visions; the 27V' Eleven, & this day Eleven, which
latter had on board nine small C^annon, & they carry
one with the other ten men, & I am well informed,
there are more men preparing to set out from Cata-
raque, & others daily expected from Mountreal there;
& the French are using all their Power & Artifice, to
get as many Indians with them, to oppose General
Braddock, as they possibly can, & openly declare to
the Indians, they will send the whole Force of Canada,
but they will carry their point.
I must also inform )^ou there are many Indians here,
& Numbers are daily expected, >k they appear to be
very attentive to the Proceedings between the French
& us, and that I concieve there never was a Time,
when the giving Provisions to such as are in real
Want, & well chosen Presents to the Principal People,
8
114 ADMIIS'ISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
than at this time, & that great Good might, & I be-
Ueve wou'd result from it.
I have sent an Express, with, these Accomits, this
day to the General, across the Country, & have wrote
to the several Governours from N:York to Virginia
also.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant
Oswego 29*}' May 1Y55. Jn° Bradstkeet ,
To his Excellency Jonath" Belcher Esq- Govr of New
Jersey.
Proceedings of Privy Council — recommending the
repeal of the Act submitting the boundary dis-
pute of New Jersey and Neiv York to the final
determination of the King.
JFrom N. Y. Col. MSS. in Secretary of State's Office. Albany. Vol. LXXXT. p. in}
At The Council Chamber Whitehall.
the 24^ day of June 1755
Present
The Lords Justices Lord Chanceller Lord
Steward Duke of Dorset Sir Thomas Rob-
inson Lord President Lord Berkeley of
Stratton Duke of Queenberry Lord Chief
Justice Ryder Earl of Buckinghamshire
Sir George Lee.
^t^hfVfil^ by Commission under the Great Seal of
Great Britian the Governor Council and Assembly of
His Majesties Province of New York, are authorized
and empowered to make constitute and ordain Laws
Statutes and Ordinances for the Publick Peace Wei-
1755] ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVEEKOR BELCHER. 115
fare and Good Government of the said Province which
Laws Statutes and Ordinances are to be as near as
conveniently may be agreeable to the Laws and Stat-
utes of this Kingdom and to be transmitted for His
Majestys Royal Approbation or Disallowance,
And Whereas in pursuance of the said Powers, An
Act was passed in the said Province in December 1754
and transmitted Entitled as follows. Viz* —
"An Act for submitting the controversy between
''the Colonies of New York and New Jersey relating
"to the Partition between the said Colonies to the
"final Determination of His Majesty."
Which Act together with a Representation from the
Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, pro-
posing the repeal thereof having been referred to the
Consideration of a Committee of Lords of His Maj-
estys most Honorable Privy Council for Plantation
Affairs. The said Lords of the Committee did this
day Report to the Lords Justices as their opinion,
That the said Act ought to be repealed — The Lords
Justices taking the same into Consideration were
pleased with the advice of His Majesties Privy Coun-
cil, to declare their Disallowance of the said Act.
And pursuance to the Lords Justices Pleasure there-
upon expressed, the said Act is hereby repealed de-
clared Void and of none effect Whereof the Gover-
nour or Commander in Chief of His Majesties Province
of New York for the time being and all others, whom
it may concern are to take Notice and Govern them-
selves accordingly.
W. Sharpe.
116 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Morris, of Pennsylvania — Indian affairs, etc.
[Fi-om Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
Eliz: Town July 9. 1755
L. Gov. Morris
Sir
Last night I rec" your honours favour of the 4: ins'
and which I have read with Attention & shall take the
freedom to extract from your Letter what may be
necessary to send to the Officers in the several Ports
of this Government to prevent as much as possible the
Exportation of Provisions for the present & when our
Assembly meets (next month) I shall earnestly recom-
mend to them the making a prohibitory Law in this
Affair.
I thank you. Sir, for the Particulars of the latest In-
telhgence you have of General Braddock' Motions &
which seems to be something Cloudy — may God Al-
mighty succeed him.
I think the Barbarous scalping & Captivating of the
poor Virginians, Marylanders & Pensylvanians should
raise in them a Spirit of Indignation against the Per-
fidious French & of Compassion to their Neighbours
by exertmg all in their Power to raise men & money
in Assistance of General Braddock & the keeping open
the Communication witli him so very necessary to the
King's Service.
With mine & Mrs. Belcher's Compliments' I am
Sir Your Honours most Obedient &c.
J Belcher
'The "'young man" frequently alluded to by Governor Belcher in terms of dis-
paragement to his correspondents in England in ITril-S, having been appointed
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, he is now entitled to all compliments.— Ed.
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 117
Letter from Oovenior Belcher to General Braddock.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz. Town July 9. 1755.
General Braddock Gov'* to L. Gov"" Morris.
Sir
My last was 16: of June coV to M' Dinwiddle &
which I hope your Excellency has received.
I am now to own your Favour of the 9: of last
month which came to my hands 7: Ins^ by way of N.
Y. & Albany the Purport whereof I answered in mine
of 5 : of June CoV to L. Gov. Morris of Pensylvania &
which I hope got well to hand — the putting of the
Regiment of this Province under the Command of
Gov' Shirley I think a very prudent Step for his As-
sistance in the Attack to be made on Niagara & yet I
shou'd not have done it without your ExcelP' particu-
lar Direction.
As you are His Majesty's General of all his Forces
in N. America I shall carefully observe such Instruc-
tions as I shall from time to time receive from your
ExcelP in Employment of any Troops raised or to be
raised in this Province. I am with great Respect,
Sir, Your ExcelP' Most Obedient & Most humble
Serv'. J. Belcher.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Secretary Bead, of
New Jersey — relating to the reported defeat of the
army under General Braddock.
(From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Eliz: Town (N J) July 19: 1755.
Mr Secretary Read
The very melancholy Acer I have just now reel' by
Express from Phil' of tlie killing General Braddock—
the intire Defeat of the Army under him — the taking
118 AfiMlN-lSTEATlON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1765
the Artillery ifec. these things I say make it absolutely
necessary for the Assembly to meet me as soon as pos-
sible to consult what is to be done for his Majesty's
Honour & Service & for the necessary & real Safety of
this poor Province on whose Frontiers we may expect
the French and Indians in Scouting Parties so that a
Moment is not to be lost in the Assembly's Coming on
this arduous and momentous Occasion and as things
will require the greatest Dispatch I am determin'd that
the Assembly shall meet me at this Place & in 10 days
or sooner if possible so you must send away Expresses
directly on rec" of this — I am
Sir your Assured Friend & Servant.
J. Belcher.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. PoivnaU — con-
gratulating him on his appointment as Lieut. -
Governor of Neiu Jersey, etc.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
July 21 1755
Mr Pownall
Sir
I just now rec'' your Letter of the 18 & 19 Curr^ by
M' Clopper and as you are entring by his Majesty's
Favour into an honourable Station in this government
I am glad to see you so ready in your duty to the King
in handing to me what occurs for His Majesty's Ser-
vice & Interest.
The first Account of General Braddocks defeat &c.
was very shocking but what you write me alleviates
& in Part dissipates the Gloomy Prospect which came
by the first Acc^— and I hope Almighty God wiU upon
this fatal Incident animate & iuvigoi-ate the Southern
Colonies to the raising three or four thousand men and
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 119
with all possible dispatch to march and be put under
the Command of the brave General Braddock for as
the matter is begun it seems to be now or never to
make a strong Push that we may know whether King
George or the French king is to be finally Master of
this Continent.
I have order'd the Assembly of this Province to meet
me the next Week when I shall earnestly press them
to the raising their Proportion of men and money for
the occasion I have mentioned.
I very readily take a just notice of the Honour you
do yourself in cheerfully offering your duty to the
King in any Services you may be capable of on these
extraordinary Occasions & I shall be glad to see you
here and to find out anything that I may be able to do
for your Service and Interest. -^^ * * While you
remain at Phil-' I hope you will not fail of keeping me
in a constant Intelligence of all things you can learn
at any time for His Majesty's honour & Service & to
the Welfare of these Provinces. I am
Hon'''^ Sir, your Friend & Serv\
J. Belcher
Message from Governor Belcher to the Council and
Assembly of Netu Jersey.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Gentlemen of the Council & of the General
Assembly.
Upon the Advices I have lately reC^ of an Action be-
tween the Kings Troops under the Command of the
late brave General Braddock & a Body of French and
Indians on the Banks of the River Monongaliela &
upon which the English Troops have been obliged to
120 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
retreat and this Extraordinary Event has been the Rea-
son of my CalHng you together something sooner than I
Intended — the ace" of this matter have been very
various but the most authentick is a Letter from M'
Orme Aid de Gamp to General Braddock wrote to Gov'
Morris of Pensylvania which shall be communicated
to you and as this matter may Produce fatal Conse-
quences to this and the Neighbouring Provinces I
have thought it necessary that this whole Legislature
should enter into the EarHest and most Sedate Consul-
tations for preventing the Evils that may accrue & to
do all in our Power for the best Defence and Safety of
this Province & those of our Neighbours and before I
leave this Subject you will give me leave to recom-
mend to you the passing of a Bill for restraining the
Exportation of Provisions & warhke stores out of this
Province for some reasonable Time.
I think it is storied of the Pelican that she sucks out
her own Blood to nourish & support her young.
An uncommon Storgee' in Nature I and in a good
Degree a fine Pattern of Imitation for all true Fathers
and Lovers of their country— how unnatural a Perfidy
is it then for any Persons or People from a voracious
Thirst after filthy Lucre to be supplying their Enemies
with Food and Raiment & warlike Stores thereby en-
abling them to subsist & to be continually annoying
their Neighbours who thus support them and if I am
rightly informd this has been the Case, too often, of
some of our neighbouring Provinces in supplying the
French in the manner I liave mentioned or many of their
settlements must have been broke up long ago & altho'
we have had certain advice of a large Fleet of French
Ships and Land Forces arrived at Cape Breton and at
Canada yet we are at the same timeluform'd that tliey
are in great Streights for want of Provisions we shall
'Sic— Ed.
1755J ADMIXISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 121
therefore honour our selves in passing such an Act as
I have mentioned which may greatly distress the
Enemy and have a good Tendency to the better Safety
of all the English Colonies.
Gentlemen, I have lately rec*^ a Letter from M"" Din-
widdle Gov' of Virginia relating to the arms with
which he supplied us as also a Letter from Col' Peter
Schuyler respecting the Troops of this Province under
his Command both which Letters I shall order to be
laid before you that you may do upon them what may
be necessary in support of the Honour and Justice of
this Governm'.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly
As the raising of monies for defraying all the past
Charge of what has lately been thought necessary and
expedient to be done together with the usual Support
of the Government belongs to you to begin upon I
shall not doubt your giving the best dispatch to what
may properly belong to be done by your House.
Gentlemen of the C*ouncil and of the General
Assembly
If you can think of anything else for advancing the
Kings honour & Interest and the Weal and Prosperity
of N. Jersey I shall upon your suggesting it to me cheer-
fully piomote it to the utmost of my Power.
J. Belcher
Eliz^ Town Council Chamber Aug' 1 17r>5.
[Message of Governor Belcher to the House of Assembly, sent with the foregoing.]
Oentlemen of the General Assembly
In answer to your message of this day I am well
pleas'' that you are come to an unanimous Conclusion to
do the necessary Business at this Time as well as to
consider duly the important Matters I have recom-
mended to you. You cannot but be sensible as well as
122 A DMISriSTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
I what a critical Conjuncture this is with respect to
the Safety and Welfare of the Province you will
therefore give all possible Dispatch in all Affairs that
lye before you — as to the other Part of your message I
must assert the Kings Right and Prerogative and say
that the Calling you hither is absolutely Consonant to
the Kings Royal Orders to me.
However the old Romans wisely considered that
while Hannibal was at their Gates all Dispute and
Contention shou'd subside and as I look upon the Prov-
ince in the Present Situation of Affaii's to be attended
with much Difficulty and Hazard in answer to your
Request I have order'd the Secry to adjourn your
House to morrow the 2: Ins* to meet at P. Amboy.
J. Belcher
Eliz^ Town Council Chamber Aug' 1 1755.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Dinwiddie — about Military Proceedings.
(From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
Eliz: Town Aug 6. 1Y55
Lieut Gov Dinwiddie
Sir
I wrote you very particulai'ly the 16: of June past
by the Post and which I hope got to your hands altho'
you mention nothing of it in yours of 29: of July
which I rec'^ this day by Express confirming to me the
melancholy ace' of the defeat of the late brave Gen'
Braddock with the Kings Troops under his Command
in the Action between him & the French (the 9 : Ult)
on the Banks of the River Monongahela.
This unhappy Affair I am afraid will give a gi-eat
Check to the plan of Operation as to Crown Point &
Niagara.
1755] ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 123
As we have lately no particular Acco'' of the pro-
ceedings of the Troops since there being at Skenectady
no Judgment can be formed as to their Attempts
whither they are destined God grant they may find
better Success than what the Troops have hitherto met
with.
The Constant good Accounts we receive from the
Eastward of the Success of the Kings Ships and Land
Forces in some measure alleviate the gloomy Prospect
we are entertained with in these Southeiii Colonies —
for the three only Forts the French had in Nova
Scotia are reduced and are now garrisoned with Eng-
lish Troops so that that Province is entirely evacuated
by the French and His Majesty has a fine Fleet of 20
Ships of the Line Commanded by Admiral Boscawen
cruising about Nova Scotia and Cape Breton to watch
the motions of the French and to prevent as much as
Possible their being supply 'd with Provisions or war-
like Stores.
Your Letter of the 2: of June I have laid before our
Commissioners who have the Care of our Part of the
present Armament and they tell me they have made
the Remittance to Mr. Hanbury as you directed &.
shou'd observe your farther Orders in that matter.
As the Asserabhes of Pennsylvania and of N. York
are now Sitting yom' honour will doubtless have an
Ace* from the several Gov" of what they are like to do
in this Critical Conjuncture — the Assembly of this
Province met here the ^}} Ins* when I pressed upon
them the absolute necessity of exerting themselves to
the utmost on this important Occasion for his Majestys
honour and Service as well as for their own Safety and
Welfare & that of their Neighbours & I really think
the Colonies (take them all together) ought immedi-
ately to get together a Body of at least 20,000 men in
order to theii' making a Rational Efilort in what they
have already began or otherwise their poor Inhabitants
124 ADMINISTRATTOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
must expect to be Continually sacrificed to the Depre-
dations & murders of the mercyless French and
Indians from whom may God almighty defend and
dehver them.
I remain with much Eespect
Sir Your Honours Most Obed'
& Most humble Serv!^
L. Gov. Dinwiddle. J. Belcher
Letter from The Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher
— in ansiver to several received from him.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey. Vol. 16. p. 1.)
To Jonathan Belcher Esq*^ Governor of New
Jersey.
Sir
Since our letter to you dated July the 5V' 1754 We
have received yours of August the 14*'' and 24*^ No-
vember, the G*" 23'' and 2H"', December the 28V' 1754,
and April the 28"' 1755, together with the several Pub-
lick Papers transmitted \^^th them.
It gave Us great pleasure to find by the last of these
Letters, that the Assembly of New Jersey were at
length awaken'd from that extraordinary inattention
to then' own Security, & that of the Neighbouring Col-
onys, which you had so justly complained of in youi'
former Letters, and that tliey now seemed disposed to
shew a proper sense of His Majestys paternal regai'd
to them, by an exertion of their Strength in Conjunc-
tion with the other Colony s for the defence of Eis Maj-
estys Territorys against the Inci'oachments and Inva-
sion of a Foreign Power.
It would have given Us great satisfaction, if the
Bill prepared by them for the emission of 70000 £ in
paper Bills of Credit had been so framed, that We
could, consistent with Our Duty, have laid it before
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 135
His Majesty for His Approbation; but as it did not in
any one Provision of it conform to His Majestys In-
structions to you upon that head, We could do no
otherwise than report our opinion against it; the rea-
sons for which you will find fully contained in our
Eeport upon it, a Copy of which was sent you some
time since, together with His Majesty's Order in
Council respectmg the Bill.
We have read and considered the Papers you trans-
mitted to Us, relating to the disputes between New
Jersey and New York concerning the Boundary Line;
and are now clearly convinced, that this Question can
never be adjusted or determined but by Commission
from His Majesty; the Act passed by New York for
submitting the controversy to His Majesty appeared to
Us to be very improper and ineffectual for that pur-
pose; and therefore We laid it before His Majesty for
His Disallowance, and proposed a Commission; but
as the Agent for New York declined entering into any
Agreement to pay his part of the Expence of taking it
Out, We were under a Necessity of proposing that an
Instruction should be sent to the Governor of New
York to recommend it to the Assejubly to make imme-
diate Provision for that Purpose, and We hope it will
have its Effect, and that this dispute will soon be
brought to a final Issue: for it gives Us the greatest
concern, that the internal peace of His Majestys Col-
onys shou'd be disturbed by disagreement amongst
themselves upon Questions of this kind, at a time when
an exertion of their United Strength is necessary in
Vindication of His Majestys Rights and in defence of
His Territorys. So We bid you heartily farewell,
and are
Your very Loving Friends and humble Servants,
Dunk Halifax
J. Pitt
J. Grenville
Whitehall August 6"' 1755
136 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEENOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary John
Read — desiring the Council and Assembly to meet
him at Elizabethtown.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers In Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Mr. Secretary Read.
Aug. 8 1Y55
Sir
The Advices I have rec'' this morning make it neces-
sary I shou'd see the Council & Assembly here to im-
part them to them it is therefore my Order that when
this Comes to hand you adjourn them accordingly to
meet me at this Place tomorrow as what I have to say
cannot be so well done by Message.
It is now Eight days since the Opening of the Ses-
sion a great Part of which time has been spent in pass-
ing between this Place and Amboy and the Case must
still be so to the great Expence of the Province and to
the Delay of the Publick Affairs while the Kings Gov-
eniour is in the Providence of God disabled from trav-
elling-.
You know, Sir, I have been for near twelve months
out of Pocket for Expresses sent for the Safety of the
Province tho' I know no reason why it shou'd be so
or that the Kings Serv'^ shou'd advance money while
pursueing the weal and prosperity of the People but
there shou'd be always a Provision in the Treasury for
Contingencies and more especially during the present
Crisis of Affairs.
I have been expecting to hear from your House re-
specting the Choice of a Speaker pro tempore in Mr.
Lawrence's Absence. I have particular Matters to lay
before His Majesty's Council in which the Attendance
of the Sec'ry will be absolutely necessary.
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 127
My kind Respects to His Majesty's Council & to the
House of Assembly to whom you may Communicate
this Letter. I am
Hono''^* Sir Your ready Friend
J. Belcher.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieut. -Governor De
Lancy, of New York, about Laws to enforce em-
bargoes.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
Eliz: Town Aug s 1755
L. Gov^ Delancey
Sir
* * * As the Assembly is now sitting I shall press
upon them the passing a Law as mentioned in my last'
for your Honour is sensible that altho' Governours
may issue Proclamations of Imbargo yet without a
Law they can impose no mulcts or Fines for the
Breach of them.
If the Assembly here finally come into Resolutions
of doing what is proper in the difficult Situation of
Affairs I agree with you that it will be best to do it by
raising of more men & with the greatest Dispatch to
be sent to Coll Schuyler for reinforcing Genl' Shirley.
I am with much Esteem & Respect
Sir Your Honours Most Obed' &
jVIost humble Servant.
J. Belcher.
1 July 30, 1755, he wrote to Lieut. Gov. Delancey: "I am to meet the Assembly
of this Province to-morrow, when I shall press upon their doing sometliing effectual
for restraining the Exportation of Provisions and warlike Stores for such Time as
may be judged necessary."— Ed.
128 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Message of Governor Belcher to the Council and Gen-
eral Assemhly of Netv Jersey.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Gentlemen of the Council & of the General As-
sembly
Since the opening of this Session by my Speech of
the first Ins*. I have a Letter from L. Gov' Delancey
of N. York with several Papers of great Importance
to this and all the English Colonies in North America
and these things the Secretary shaU deliver you.
As the Province of the Massachusetts are raising
w^ith all expedition five hundred fresh Recruits and N.
York four hundred I am fully of Opinion the best aid
and assistance we of this Province can give wiU be in
the raising of as many men as we possibly can and to
send them with the greatest Dispatch to join Coll
Schuyler's Regiment under the Command of General
Shirle}^.
We must not sink under the Gloom of the late un-
happy event but as becomes true English men our
Spirits must rise with our Difficulties and we must
make them more strong and vigorous Push to emerge
out of them.
Upon reading the Gov' of Nova Scotia' Letter to the
Gov"^ of the Massachusett's I think it my Duty to repeat
& press upon you the Passing a Law without delay in
strict Prohibition of the Exportation of Provisions of
any kind from this Province foi- three Months to come,
the Act to be so restricted and qualified as may be the
least detrimental to our selves or Neighbours for altho'
the Gov' may issue a Proclamation of Embargo yet it
is the Legislature only that can impose mulcts & Fines
on such Offenders as shall presume contrary to Nature
k Reason to supply our Enemies with Provisions and
thereby prevent their falling a Prey into our hands.
1756] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 129
Altho' I have once and again recommended to you
the revising and amending the MiUtia Bill yet I must
now again recommend it to your serious Consideration
as a thing absolutely necessary to defend and save the
Poor People of this Province on the Frontiers from the
merciless depredations and Cruelties of the French
and Indians, for as we have no regular Troops we have
(under God) no force or hope but what we may expect
from the Militia of the Province and it ought therefore
to be put under a better regulation than it might be
on common Occasion.
Gentlemen, as any thing new comes to my Hands I
shall be communicating it to you and I pray God to di-
rect your Deliberations into the best measures for
lengthning out the welfare and Prosperity of the good
People under our Care.
J. Belcher
Eliz: Town Council Chamber Aug' 9. 1755.
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Sir
Charles Hardy, of New York — recommending the
appointment of a Commissioner to arrange the
boundary difficulties ivith New Jersey.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VI, p. 960.]
[Tho. Centaur, Hardwfcke, C. Granville, T.
Marlborough, C. P. S.]
Additional Instruction to Sir Charles Hardy
Knight Captain Gen' and Gov"" in Chief in &
over His Maj'^'^ prov*"® of New York and the
territories dei^ending thereon in America ; or
in his absence to the Lieut* Gov'', President
9
130 ADMINISTKATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
of the Council, or Commander in Chief of the
said province for the time being. Given at
Whitehall the 12*'' day of August 1755, in the
29**^ year of His Maj*^' Reign
A^Hiereas it has been represented unto us, that a
controversy has for many Years subsisted between his
Majesty's Provinces of New York & New Jersey con-
cerning the true line of partition between the said pro-
vinces, on account of which great outrages have from
time to time been committed on the frontiers of the
said provinces, to the prejudice of His Maj'^'^ service
and the disturbance of the public peace, and whereas
it is of the greatest importance to the tranquility and
welfare of the said provinces that a line of property
and Jurisdiction should be speedily settled between
them, which can only be done by a Commission to be
issued by His Majesty for that purpose, with liberty
to all parties who shall think themselves aggrieved by
the Judgment of the Commissioners thereby to be ap-
pointed, to appeal from such Judgment to His Majes-
ty in his privy Council; and whereas the Agent for the
Proprietors of New Jersey, has declared himself will-
ing to concurr on their behalf in this measure, as the
only proper and effectual means of determining the
matter in dispute, and has offered to give ample secu-
I'ity that the said proprietors shall and will defray one
half of the expence of obtaining and executing such a
Commission: You are therefore hereby authorized and
required earnestly to recommend it, in His Majesty's
name, to the Assembly of the Province of New York,
under your Govern', that they do make speedy and
effectual provision for defraying the othei- moiety of
the expence of obtaining and executing such commis-
sion, as aforesaid, whenever His Majesty shall be gra-
ciously pleased to issue the same.
1755] ADMIiriSTRATIOK OF GOVEENOR BELCHER. 131
Letter from Governor Belcher to his nephew, Mr.
Oliver — about the condition of the forces on the
frontier.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Aug 21 1755
Me. Oliver
Sir
* * * I think a Gloom at Present hangs over his
Majestys Colonies on this Continent nor do I conceive
any great hopes about Crown Point or Niagara but
rather think the Kings Troops tor both those Attempts
are too short in Numbers and too late to do anything
this Year.
The Colonies this way have made strict Prohibitions
of the Exportation of Provisions of any kind yet I
have but a lean hope of thats bringing forth so great
an Event as we wou'd fain feed our selves with espec-
ially if what we have by a Vessel at PhiP of 20: of
June from Lisbon be true that a fleet of 2-1 Sail of
French Ships was ready to sail for America and that
S' Edward Hawk was to follow them with a strong
Squadron.
The present Complexion of Affairs seems to forbode
this Continents being the Seat of War. Detis avertat !
I am
Hono^'* & dear Sir Your affectionate Uncle.
J. Belchek
132
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER,
[1755
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1755] ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 133
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir John St. Clair
— upon the necessity of driving the French from
■ America.
fFrom Belcher Papers in Libraiy of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliza: Town Sep'^ 3 1755
Sir Jn^ St Clair
Sir
Your Favour of the 12: of Aug^ came to my hands
30"\ The unfortunate Affair you mention of the 9: of
July has drawn a melancholy Gloom over the Proceed-
ings of the Kings Troops this way and it seems to me
that the rest of the Plan & Operation will hardly be
carryed into Execution this Summer in any one article
and if so the French will have gain'd a vast Advantage,
however, I agree with you that our Spirits shoud rise
with our difficulties and we must this Winter be re-
doubling the Number of Troops & early in the Spring
to pursue the Plan of Operation as it has been form'd.
But I wou'd carry my thoughts still further & say
Carthago est delenda Canada must be rooted out or
the Crown of Great Britain may soon lose all it at
Present Enjoys in these Colonies of N" America and in
Order to this I think it absolutely necessary (& worth
the while) for the Several Colonies (from Nova Scotia
to Georgia) to raise twenty five thousand men & five
thousand more to be sent from Great Britain to be In-
corporated with them & thus to pursue the Matter of
extirpating the French or they will in the Course of a
little Time drive all his Majestys Subjects into the Sea,
for they seem already to have drawn a Line of Cir-
cumvallation about us confining us to very narrow
Limits. I was very sorry ro hear you was wounded
but rejoiced at same time that you did not meet the
same fate with many othei- brave Gentlemen that fell
134 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
on the fatal day. May God Almighty heal your
Wounds and restore you to perfect health & Strength
for the Service of your King & Country to your still
greater honour and if at any time I may be capable of
rendering you any Services you may with Freedom
dispose of
Sir Your very humb: Serv.%
J. Belcher
Letter from Thomas Fownall, Esq., Lieut. -Governor
of New Jersey, to the Lords of Trade — expressing
his obligations in being recommended by their
Lordships for that office.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 14. 1
To y* Right Hon^^^ the Lords Commissioners
for Trade & Plantations
N York Sep^ 7. 1755.
My Lords
I have receiv'd by S-'' Charles Hardy, His Majestys
Commission appointing me Lieutenant Governor of
New Jersey, to which Post & Honor it has pleased
Your Lordships to recommend me to His Majesty.
Permitt me, My Lords, to make my Acknowledge-
ments & return my most gratefull Thanks for so high
& so undeservd a Favor; And to assure Your Lord-
ship's that what is not in my power. Abilities equal to
so great a Trust, I will endeavor to supply by a faith-
full Attention to His Majestys Service with Assiduity
and Industry. I have y*" honor to be. My Lords
Your Lordships most Obligd most Gratefull &
Obedient Servant
T. POWNALL
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOH BELCHER. 135
Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Partridge
— about appointment of Lieutenant-Governor.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
Eliz: Town Sep' 17 1755
Bro: Partridge (Extract.)
As to the Appointment of a Lieu* Gov for this
Province it is quite a new thing & you must be watch-
ful at the Offices in a silent manner so as to know if
any Attempt shou'd be made to my Prejudice to be
early with L — C — to preyent any severity or hardship.
When you think it may be of Service it will be well
to put my Speeches into the PubHck Prints. "''' * *
Sir, Your loving Brother
J. Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Robinson
— about raising additioyial troojjs, etc.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Librarv of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
Sepr: 17 1755
Sir Thomas Robinson
Sir
My last was on the 30*'' of April and I hope it got
well to your hands.
I am now to own the honour of yours of 16 : of April
& 19: of June. * "' * In these Letters I observe
with duty and gratitude his Majesty's Early and
Paternal Care and Goodness in sending a Squadron of
Ships of War under the Command of vice Admiral
Boscawen in Protection of His Colonies on the Con-
tinent of North America & this the said Admiral has
136 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
also lately wrote me from Nova Scotia that upon the
first advice I shoii'd send him of any approaching
Dan.i^er of the Enemy on the Coasts of these Colonies
he should endeavour to give all the Assistance he cou'd
for their Defence & Protection and I shall be sedulous
and vigilant on all Occasions to get what Intelligence
I can of the Motions of the Enemy & transmitt them
to the said Admiral so as may best of all conduce to
his Majesty's Interest and honour & to the Safety &
Welfare of these his Provinces.
I shall, Sir, strictly conform myself to the Purport
of Your Letter of 19: of June and not draw any Bills
upon the Paymaster General — His Deputy or any
other Person nor shou'd I have presumed to have done
it without such a Caution unless I shou'd have had
His Majestys special direction of Leave so to do.
I am glad to repeat to you, Sir, that the Assembly of
this little Province have in a late Session made ample
Provision in Support of a Regiment of five hundred
men till May next & this they have done with great
Alacrity & Unanimity and I doubt not they will stiU
go on to do their Proi^ortionable Share in further Sup-
port of his Majesty's Interest and honour and of the
Welfare & Safety of this Colony & those of their Neigh-
bours. And now, Sir, you wiU give me Leave to say
that the Defeat and death of the late brave and Gallant
General Braddock at first drew a Gloom over the
Operations of the Kings Troops as to the Places they
were destined to but God be thanked the several Bodies
of the Kings Troops are again roused and in good Spirits
pursuing the plan of Operation with all the Prudent
Expedition they can & yet I hardly think any great
matter of advantage against the Enemy will be ob-
tained this Year for We find the French and their
Indians every where more numerous and Strong than
we imagined.
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 137
Will you then, Sir, indulge me while I say I think
unless Quebeck and the whole Canadian Country be
reduced to His Britanick Majesty's Obedience the
French will in the Course of a few Years be Masters
of all North America (& make it a fine Empire) I
wou'd therefore humbly propose that there shou'd be
raised from Nova Scotia to Georgia (thirteen Enghsh
Provinces) Twenty five Thousand effective men & His
Majesty to send five Thousand British Regulars to be
incorporated with them and so to make the whole
Body Thirty thousand men & also to send a Strong
Squadron of Ships to the Gulph of S* Lawrence to as-
sist in the Reduction of Quebeck & this whole Arma-
ment to be ready by all the Month of May next to
proceed upon the Business, Carthago est delenda, or
we do nothing to the Purpose — but what I propose I
believe will not be effected without the Assistayice of
the British Parliament to mark out & ascertain the
several Quotas or Proportions of men & Money to be
raised in each several Colony or Province.
If I am too forward in what I have suggested I shall
humbly hope for his Majesty's Pardon since it springs
from an ardent desire that His Majesty and His Royal
house may in future Ages sway the Scepter over all
N. America.
I am with the greatest Deference & Regard
Honb'*' Sir, Your most Faithful &c.
J Belcher
Sep' IT. 1755
Sir Thom: Robinson.
138 ADMINISTRATIOX OF PtOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Sir TTiomas Rob-
inson, Secretary of State — recommending the
establishing of packet-boats between England
and the Colonies.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 39, Ent. Book K, p. 426.]
To the R* Hon^'f^ S'- Thomas Robinson, one of
His Majesty's principal Secretaries of
State.
Whitehall Sepf^ 18, 1755
Sir,
Having thought it our Duty humbly to represent to
His Majesty the Expediency, arising from the present
Situation of Affairs, of establishing Paquet Boats be-
tween this Kingdom & His Majesty's Colonies and
Islands in America, in order to prevent the Prejudice
which must necessarily arise to His Majesty's Service
from the precarious and uncertain Method, in which
the Correspondence to and from the Plantations is
carried on by Merchant-Ships, We beg leave to inclose
to you Our Representation to His Majesty upon that
Subject, and We desire you will be pleased to lay it
before His Majesty, We are, &c
Dunk Halifax.
J. Pitt.
J. Grenville.
Andrew Stone.
To THE King's most Excellent Majesty.
May it please Your Majesty,
The great Delays, Miscarriages and other Accidents,
which have always, but more especially of late, at-
tended the Correspondence between this Kingdom and
Your Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America
from the very precarious and uncertain Method, in
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHKR. 139
which it is usually carried on by Merchant Ships, have
been attended with great Inconvenience and Prejudice
to Your Majesty's Service and to the Trade and Com-
merce of Your Majesty's Subjects; And as it appears
to Us to be of the highest importance, that Your Maj-
esty should, in the present Situation of Affairs m
America, have early, certain and frequent Intelhgence
of what is in agitation there, and of the true State of
your Colonies, We think it our Duty humbly to pro-
pose, that Paquet-Boats should be forthwith estab-
lished between this Kingdom and the American
Colonies and Islands, in like manner as was done in the
last War for the Islands; and tliat there should be two
or more, as shall be tliought most advisable, estab-
lished for the Colonies on the Continent, to be em-
ployed in going and returning between Falmouth or
some other of the Western Ports and New York, which
is nearest Centre of Your Majesty's Colonies in North
America.
Which is most humbly submitted.
Dunk Halifax.
J. Pitt.
J. Grenville
Andrew Stone.
Whitehall Sepf: 18. 1Y55. Ex^
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Poivnall— con-
gratulating him on being appointed Lieutenant-
Governor of New Jersey.
Eliz: Town Sep' 19 1755
Mr Pownall
Sir,
Yesterday I rec'' yours of that date which gives tne
the Notice that His Majesty has been graciously pleased
to do you the honour of appointing you to the Lieu-
140 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
tenancy of this Province on which I hereby send you
my Congratulatory Comphm'' and agreeable to your
Desire I have directed the D: Secry to send Expresses
for summoning his Majesty's Council to meet me here
as soon as they can on Monday the 22 : Ins* in Order to
your Quahfication in the said Post before the Gov' in
Council.
My Compliments to Mr. Alexander who I hope will
come with you.
I am with Esteem and Respect Hono^'"
Sir Your Friend & Most Humble Serv?
J Belcher.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Yard, one of
the Commissioners for procuring supplies for
the troops.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. See]
Eliz™ Town Sept 27 1755
Sir
Mr. Johnston of Amboy is now with me & has
brought S' John S' Clair with him who brings me a
Letter from Col' Dunbar from Phil' telling me he in-
tends to be at Trenton on Wednesday the first of the next
Month with the Troops under his Command being near
seventeen hund'' men (officers included) and for which
Sir John S' Clair tells me will be wanting — Thirty
seven Wagons for their Baggage — Twenty one horses
for di'awing the Cannon <k Amunition — Waggons — and
Ninety Saddle Horses, & for each man a day, a Pound
of meat and a pound of Biscuit (or Flower) So that
you and Mr. Johnston must with all dispatch possible
make this necessary Provision — I say there must be no
delay least the King's Service shou'd greatly suffer.
I am Sir your ready Friend & Serv*
J Belchek
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 141
Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Hardy of
New York.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Oct. 1 1755
GovER'" Hardy
Sir
I doubt not but your Exc^: duly rec*^ mine of the 5:
of Sep* as I since did yours of 5: & 14\** of the same
month and your Exc^ may depend I shall in duty to
His Majesty as well as with Pleasure to my self keep
an Exact Correspondence with you in all things rela-
tive to His Majesty's Service & Interest and to the
Welfare & Prosperity of this and the neighbouring
Colonies more especially in this critical Conjuncture of
Affairs.
I thank your Excell"' for the Acco' you inclosed me
of the Action between General Johnston and the
French & I return your Compliments of Congratulation
on the Success of His Majesty's Troops in that Occa-
sion & as Major General Johnston (when the Recruits
get to him) will make up near seven thousand men I
hope we shall in due time receive good News from
Crown Point. I was heartily glad to find your Excell^
imbarking for Albany where I am sensible your Pres-
ence and best Advice must greatly contribute to His
Majesty's Service,
If you can at any time point out to me the doing
your Excell- any Personal acceptable Service I shall
imbrace it with Pleasure being
Sir Your Excell- ' most obed' &c.
J Belcher
142 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Hardy, of
New York, about the Boundary Line.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. See]
Governor Hardy.
Oct 2 1Y55
Sir
I wrote your Excel!'' yesterday in Answer to your
last Favours and I now again write you at the especial
Bequest of His Majesty's Council respecting the long
Dispute about the Line between this and His Majestys
Province of N. York in which Affair I understand
your Excell^' may soon receive his Majesty'' Eoyal
Orders and which I doubt not you will execute on
your Part with the strictest Justice & Impartiality &
you may most assuredly depend on my doing the same
that this Controversy may soon be brought to a just
and happy Conclusion.
I put this under Mr. Alexander's Cover to be for-
warded to you and who will at same time furnish your
Excell'' with all the Papers relating to this Affair. I
am with much Esteem & Respect
Sir Your ExcelF^ Most Obed' &c.
J Belcher
Letter fro)t I Governor Belclier to James Alexander at
New York.
I From Belcher Papers iu Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
Mr Alexander
Sir Oct. 14 1755
* * I shall not forget to write the Lords of Trade
in the affair depending between N. Jersey and N. York
p the first Vessel from your Place to London.
1755] ADMIXISTRATIOK OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 143
As your Governm* have taken off the Prohibition of
the Exportation of Provisions I shall do the like here.
I thank you kindly for the Book you have sent me of
Docf Cheynes on the Gout of v^hich I shall be very
carefulland return it in due time. I am Hono*"'^ Sir
Your' &c.
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieut. -Gov. Dinwid-
dle, of Peymsylvania — in relation to movements of
Troops, etc.
Lt Gov Dinwiddie
Sir Oct 16 1755
I have now lying before me your Honour's Favour
of the 20: of the last month.
As to Col' Dunbar* moving from Fort Cumberland
to Albany he wrote me from Phil' it was in Con-
formity to the Orders he had reC* from General Shirley
& the General himself writes me the same.
I expect the Frontiers of these southern Colonies
will be continually harassd and distressd by the bar-
barous French & Indians and yet as they are very well
able to defend themselves I believe the King expects
they shou'd do all they can in their own Protection
and your Honours raising 1000 men in defence of your
own Province sets a handsome Example to your
Neighbours.
General Johnston with the Troops under his Com-
mand behaved bravely in tlie late Action between him
and the French & which makes us some amends in
the unfortunate Affair upon the Monongahela and
since that I dont hear our Forces have been in Motion
altho' we have at Albany near 2000 — at Oswego up-
wards 2000— with General Johnston 6000 make in all
144 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
about ten thousand men & yet I understand all further
operations are put off tiU the next Spring & a poor
Campaign to be recorded in History! God grant we
may do better the next Year.
When any thing occui's within my Knowledge for
the Kings Service I shall hand it to your Honour & be
expecting the same from you. I am in the mean time
& always Sir Your Honours Most Obed* &c.
J Belcher
Letter from the Post Master General to the Lords of
Trade — informing them of the estahJishment of
regular monthly Packets to the Colonies.
[From P. R. O. B. T., Plantations General, No. 13, O., 130.]
To the Eight Hon^.^'' Lords Commiss'".^ of Trade
& Plantations.
General Post Office the 2P* October 1755.
My Lords,
We have in obedience to His Majesty's Commands,
provided Vessells for the carrying on a regular Monthly
Correspondence with His Majesty's American Islands,
& his Colonies on the Main, and we jDropose to dis-
patch one for the Islands in the beginning of next
Month, so that the mail to go by her, may be sent
from the Office on the 8"' She will take the usual
course of Barbados, Antego, Montserrat, Nevis, S'
Christopher's & Jamaica, and so home.
It is intended the Vessel for the Continent shall sail
for New York, about the middle of next month, so as
the mail may be sent from the Office on the l.V''
These Vessells are to be kept intirely to the Service
of correspondence, and on this Account We must give
the Pubhck as early an Account as We can, of this
1755] ADMIIS'ISTRATIOTS" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 145
Establishment. We must therefore desire to be in-
form'd whether the time propos'd for this first Dis-
patch will suit that branch of His Majesty's Affairs
under Tour Lordship's direction, or that a lono;er time
may be requir'd.
It is intended two other Packet Boats, one for the
Islands, and one for the Main shall depart in one
Month after each of these, and so on, for the support
of a regular Monthly dispatch, with which it shall be
our endeavour that nothing, except unavoidable Acci-
dents shall interfere, and Your Lordships shall con-
stantly have the earliest notice of every intended Dis-
patch.
As this is the first step that has been taken in the
Establishment of a regular correspondence with the
Main of His Majesty's American Dominions, We have
made a provision for a longer stay of this Vessell at
New York. It is express'd in the Contract, that she
shall remain there 20 days, but she is to stay longer if
His Majesty's Affairs shall require it, upon a dimorrage
stipulated, and We have used all the means which
have offer'd, to give our Deputy for the Continent
notice of this intended Establishment, that he may
make the best dispositions there, the time will admit
of, for carrying His Majestys' intentions into execu-
tion.
The Vessells contracted for, on the Island Service
are to be of 150 Tuns & 26 men Capt" & Officers
included. The two We have taken at freight for the
Continent are of 200. Tuns & 30. men, all are fitted
for War. We hope & think this will be found suffi-
cient for the Service.
We are with great truth & respect My Lords
Your most obedient humble Servant
EVERARD FaWKEKER.
10
UG ADMIXISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BKLCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Rev. George White-
field — informing him of the erection of Nassau
Hall
(From Belcher Papers in Ijibrary of N. J. Hist. Soc.J
ELizt Town (N J. Nov 3 1755
Dear Mr. Whitefield
* * -A- -X- * * ■» *
I humbly thank him [God] & bless his holy Name
that he smiles on the Infant College of this Province
so far as that Nassua Hall is erected & rooft & is going
on to be finished with all Expedition. * * *
If it be the Will of God to waft and bear you as the
Eagle does her Young to these obscure Parts of
America 0 how cou'd I embrace you! "■• * * but I
hardly expect it and desire to be resigned to his holy
Will in this and all things else. * * *
Rev" & Dear Sir
Your Bro: in Christ Jesus.
J Belcher
Circular from the Lords of Trade to t/te Gover-
nors of the Colonies in America — relating to
the establishment of packet-bocds, etc.
(From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 39, Ent. Book K., p. 4;i5.1
To Charles Lawrence Esq'" U: Gov!' of Nova
Scotia.
Whitehall Nov' 4. 1755
Sir,
The Post Master Genei-al having in obedience to His
Majesty's Commands jDrovided Vessels for the carrying
on a regular monthly Correspondence with His Maj-
esty's America Colonies, I am directed by the Lords
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 147
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to acquaint
you therewith, and that the first of these Vessels will
be dispatched for the Continent on the 15*'' of this
Month, to go and return between Falmouth and New
York, where the first Vessel is to remain twenty days.
And as it is of great importance to His Majesty's Ser-
vice, that their Lordships should have frequent and
certain Intelligence of the true State of all His Maj-
esty's Colonies and Plantations in America, their
Lordships desire, that you will not fail of acquainting
them by the Return of every Paquet with all publick
Occurrences, which may happen in the Province under
your Government; and likewise transmit to their
Lordships all such pubHck Papers as are required to be
transmitted.
I am, Sir, Your
most obedient humble Servant,
John Pownall, Secry.
A hke Letter was writ to all the other Gov'.* of His
Majesty's Colonies on the Continent of America. And
a like Letter to the Gov':* of His Majesty's Islands in
the West Indies, except that instead of the Words,
"For the Continent on the 15'.^ of this Month, to go
" and retm-n between Falmouth & New York, where
" the first Vessel is to remain twenty days," the fol-
lowing Words were used, "For the Islands on the 8'!'
"of this Month, and will take the usual Course of
"Barbados, Antiqua, Montserrat, Nevis, S* Christo-
"phers, & Jamaica."
148 ADMINISTRATION OP GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Thomas Rob-
inson— about military affairs.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers iu Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Nov. 4 1755
Sir T. Robinson
Sir
The last I had the honour to write you was on the
IT: of Sep* and went by way of Boston & its Duplicate
by the Way of Phil*^ and which I hope have got well
to hand & I humbly referr you thereto.
I am now to own the Honour of your Letters of 26:
of July & 28: of Aug* which came to my hands yester-
day by the way of Boston the Contents whereof I ob-
serve with close Attention— The French Embassador
withdrawing from the British Court in an inceeremo-
nious manner & His Majesty'' having order'd the
English Sec'' at Paris so to leave the Court of France
give Reason to think there may be soon an open rup-
ture between the two Crowns and I shall in Obedience
to his Majesty give immediate Notice thereof to all his
Majesty^ Subjects within this Governmen* that they
may take the necessary Care and Circumspection in
the present Conjuncture and I shall at all times be
diligent in transmitting to you for the King's Infor-
mation everything material that may come to my
Knowledge of the Motions and Proceedings of the
French about this and the neighbouring Colonies.
I take Notice the Lords Justices have ordered that
Major (general Shirley shall take upon him (in the
Place of the late General Braddock) the Command of
the Kings Troops in N. America with Hke Powers with
which Major General Braddock held the same — I shall
therefore Correspond with Major General Shirley in
all things as I did with his Predecessor & regularly
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 149
observe such Directions as I shall receive from him
from time to time and shall look over such Letters as
I at any time wrote General Braddock & duly transmit
him what may be necessary & material for His Maj-
esty? Service.
I think it my duty, Sir to tell you that I last night
rec'l an Express from M' Morris L. Gov of Pennsyl-
vania with an undoubted Acc"^ of the March of Fifteen
hundred French & Indians to attack the Frontiers of
Virginia & Pensylvania & which has put all the In
habitants into the utmost Consternation and Distress
& Gov Morris seems to be in great Pain and Anxiety
with Eespect to Pensylvania where the Assembly seem
deaf to the Shrieks and Cries of their Neighbours who
are barbarously murdered from day to day nor will
that Assembly raise any men in defence of their
Country altho' its said they are able to raise twenty
Thousand effective men — but if they will obstinately
stand still I see no Reason why the French & Indians
may not proceed & take Possession of the City of
Phil'Hhe Capital of that Province; but of these things
I doubt not Gov' Morris writes you more particularly.
I have summon'd the Assembly of this Province to
meet me the 12'" Ins? when I shall communicate to
them your Letters and such others as I have rec*^ re-
specting the Situation of Aff" in this & the neighbour-
ing Provinces & press them to do all in their Power
for their own Safety & in aid and Assistance of their
poor distressed Neighbours.
And now, Sir, let me pray your Particular Notice
of what I wrote in my last respecting Quebec for untill
that be reduced with the whole Country of Canada the
King's Territories in N. America will be continually
subjected to the Page & Depredations of the savage
French and Indians— & its generally thought the
Provinces here coud raise & spare twenty five thou-
sand men His Majesty furnishing Arms and the money
l6o ADiiixisTRAfioN Of governor belcher, [1755
for paying them & the men being raised here will save
the vast Charge of Transportation.
I again ask pardon for thus repeating this Matter &
am with the greatest Deference iSz Regard — Hono^''^
Sir Your most Faithfull &c.
J Belcher
Accounts of the Treasurer of West New Jersey from
fifteenth of April, 1854, to the fifth November, 1755.
IFrom P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 19.]
Account of cancelled money received by Sam^
Smith Treasurer.
4*'' mo or Aprill 27 1754 From Cape May by
Aaron Learning Esq'' one Bundle seal'd
said to contain 154. 2.6
5th j^o ^i 2754 From Salem by W'" Hancock
Esq one Bundle said to contain . 416, 7.0
Octo"" 21 1754 From Cape May by Aaron
Leaming one Bundle said to contain . 1.17.6
gth ^o ]^9 ]^755 j^roni Salem by W"' Hancock
Esq one Bundle said to contain . 211.11.6
Province of New Jersey to Sam^ Smith Treas-
urer of the Western Division.
DEBTOR.
4'" mo or April 15 1754 To Cha Read Esq his
War'J-J. 279& D°N275 . . . £13.15.0
To my own War* N 278 . . . . 10. 0.0
To W-" Hancock Esq his Certificate . . 10. 4.0
To Jn° Reading Esq his War* N 204 . 12.18.0
To Ch Read Esq his Certif 11. 2.0
To Rich^ Saltar Esq his War* 284 . . 9.12.0
1755] ADMlXlSTRATION OF GOVERNOU ftELCHER. lol
To Jos Warrell Esq his War^ N 276 . . £7.10.0
To W" Hancock Esq his Certif . . 13.1(;.0
To W™ Mickle Esq his Certif . . . 11.14.0
To R^^ Wood Esq his Certif . . . 13.16.0
To Jos ElUs Esq his Certif .... 6.18.0
To Jacob Spicer Esq his Certif . . 10.10.0
To Sam' Nevill Esq his War^ N 201 . . -10. 0.0
To Ch Read Esq his Certif . . . 12.6.0
To Jonathan Thomas his War* N 304 . . 7.18.0
To Sam' Nevill Esq his War* N 289 . 6. 5.0
To BarziUai Newbold Esq his Certif . . 10.16.0
To W"' Mott Esq his Certif . . . 10. 4.0
To John Reading Esq his War* N 250 . . 6. 0.0
To Rob* Ogden Esq his Certif ... 9. 6.0
To Ditto his War* N 321 .... 1.0.0
To Anth Elton his War* N 315 . . 5. 0.0
To Ch Read Esq his War* N 300 . . . 7.10.0
To D" . . . - 312 . . 7.10.0
To D° . . . - 290 . . . 4.13.0
To my own War*" N 299, N 310 . . 20. 0.0
To Aaron Leaming Esq his Certif . . 7.16.0
To Eben-^ Miller Esq his Certif . . 8.14.0
To my own Certif 7.10.0
To BarziUai Xewbold Esq his Certif . 7.10.0
To R" Saltar Esq his War* N 308 . . 7. 6.0
To Joseph Warrell Esq his War* N 297 . 7.10.0
To Henry Paxson Esq his Certif . . . 7.10.0
To Jacob Spicer Esq his Certif . . 8. S.O
To John Ladd Esq his Certif ... 8. 2.0
To Sam' Nevill Esq his War* N 307 . 6. 5.0
To D° his Certif 4. 4.0
To Joseph Yard Esq his Certif . . 6.12.0
To Peter Midlagh Esq his Certif . . . 7.10.0
Decem'- 9 1754 To R^' Saltar Esq his War*
N 329 6. 5.0
To John Deacon Esq his Certif . . . 11.14.0
To Jos Warrell Esq his War* N 326 . 7.10.0
153
ADMINISTRATION OP GOVERNOR BELCHEB.
[1755
To Sam' Nevill Esq his War* 324
To D"^ N 325
To James Holmes Esq his Certif
To D" Another
To Sam' Clement Esq his Certif
To the Gov" War* N 335 )
D" 336) •
To Anth Elton his two War*' N 332 & 344
To my own War* N 328
To D° 340 .
& to my Certificate ....
To Jacob Spicer Esq his Certif
To Aaron Leaming Esq D° .
To James Holmes Esq his D° .
To E" Saltar Esq his War* N 338 & 349
To Ch Read Esq his Certif
To W"^ Hancock Esq his Certif .
To D° another
To D° another ....
To Eben Miller Esq his Certif .
To D" another ....
To Jacob Spicer Esq his Certif
To John Lacld Esq his Certif
To D" another
To Joseph Yard Esq his Certif
To D° another . . . ,
To Aaron Leaming Esq his Certif
To Ch Read Esq his Certif
To my own Certif
To Henry Paxson Esq his Certif
To D*^ another ....
To Rob* Lawrence Esq his Certif .
To D" another ....
To Sam' Nevill Esq his Certif
To BarziUai Newbold Esq his Certif
To D° another
To Tho^ Leonard Esq his War* N 350
£6. 5.0
20. 0.0
11. 2.1
6.12.0
6.12.0
265. 0.0
5. 0.0
10. 0.0
10.
4.
6.
6.
0.0
4.0
0.0
6.0
3.12.0
12.11.0
4.16.0
8.14.0
5.14.0
8. 2.0
9. 0.0
6.12.0
9.16.0
5. 8.0
7.16.0
8. 2.0
5. 8.0
10. 4.0
7.10.0
5. 2.0
5. 2.0
3.12.0
3.18.0
7.10.0
6.18.0
4.16.0
3.12.0
7. 4.0
£6.
5.0
]0.
0.0
24.12.0
5.
8.0
8.
8.0
9.
6.0
8.
8.0
9.
6.0
8.
2.0
8.
2.0
6.18.0
265.
0.0
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 153
To Judge NeviUs War* N 354 .
To D"^ another 355 ....
To Judge Leonards War* N Y6
To Sam' Clement Esq his Certif .
To D^ ano^
To Eben^ Miller Esq his Certif .
To Aaron Learning Esq his Certif .
To Jacob Spicer Esq his Certif
To Henry Paxson Esq his Certif
To Barzillai Newbold Esq his Certif .
To my own Certif
To the Gov" War* N 364 N 365 .
To James Holmes Esq his Certif . . 7.10.0
To Cash paid Josep Yard Esq to pay for
Transporting &c Col Dunbar & his
Horses through the Province . 200. 0.0
CR.
4*" m° or ApriU 27 1754 By Cash of Aaron
Leaming Esq one of the Comrs of Cape
May £1. 0.0
Nov' 4 1754 By Cash of Jeremiah Leaming
Esq Collector of Cape May in full of
their Quota to the Provincial Tax paya-
able 21^^* Ins* 33. 8.4
Nov' 15 By Cumberland Ditto . . . 70.16.9
20 By Morris D° 74. 1.8
22 By Salem D° 139.14.2
28 By Hunterdon D" 2S3.11.0
Dec 9 1754 By Burlington D° . . . 250. 0.9
20 By Gloucester D° 156. 7.2
Province of New Jersey in the Sinking Fund
Tax.
DR.
5 m° or May 14 1755 To the whole money
then in my hands rec'' on the Sinking
Fund Tax then sunk according to Law 607. 0.0
154 ADMIXTSTRATrOX OF aOVERNOR BELOHRR. [1755
CR
Nov' 4 1754 By Cash from Cape May In fuU
of their Quota payahle y"" 21^' Instant . 25,11. 5|
1 5 By Cumberland Ditto In full . . 54. 3.10i
20 By Morris D " In full . . . . S5. 0. H
21 By Sussex D" In full .... 37. 1. 0
22 By Salem D" In full . . 106. 16. Hi
28 By Hunterdon D" In full . . . 216.11. Hi
Decern' 2o 1754 By Gloster D" In part . . 81.14. 6
Septem^ 18 1755 By Burlington D° In full 191.15. li
Province of New Jersey In the first Expedition
Money 1755.
DR
5th j^o ^^. yj^^y. 24 ]^755 rp^ Q^gi^ pg^i(]^ Jqs Yard
& Jos HolHnshead &c for Bounty Money
to Capt Woodwards Comp' being 100
men 150. 0.0
26 To Cash p" Ab' Hewlings for paying Cap'
Woodward for Leather Breeches . 330. 0.0
28 To Cash p" Aaron Learning Jos HolHns-
head & Abr™ Hewlings Esq""' to pay for
Transport^ Cap Woodwards Company to
Amboy & for Cloathing . . . 171.10.0
6 m° 7 1755 To Cash p'' Jos Hollinshead &
Jos Yard two of the Comrs to pay for
making Cloaths & Shoes . . . 100. 0.0
10 To Cash p' Abr Hewlings to pay for
Check' Linen &c 122.10.0
14 To Cash p'^' Abr Hewlings & Jos Hollins-
head for paying for sundry Cloathing
bo' at PhiP & Powder Lead Kettles &c 1,163. 7.0
-th j^o 29 1755 To Cash p^' Abr Hewhngs &
Jos Hollinshead to pay for provisions
&c to the Eastward .... 1406.10.0
CR
5ti. j^o Qj, ]^^y 24^1755 By Cash of Dan' Smith
Jun' one of the Signey .... 480. 0.0
1755] ADMIXISTUATrOli OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 155
28 By D" of Abr Hewliiigs Esq . . 171.10.0
6 ra or Juiie'2 1755 By D " of Abr Hewlings
& Dan' Smith J' 441. 0.0
By D" at same time 336. 0.0
14 By D^ of D" 608.17.0
7"' m 24 1755 By D" of D" . . . 1406.10.0
Province of New Jersey in the second Expedi-
tion Money 1755.
DR
Sepr 27. 1755 To Jacob Spicer Esq One of
the Commissioners to pay for Cloaths 768.12.0
Octo"" 6 1755 To Jacob Spicer Esq to pay for
Cloaths
18 To D" for pay for Cloathing &c .
28 To Henry Paxson Esq for sigTiing the
BiUs \ .
Nov"" 5 1755 To Jacob Spicer Esq to pay for
Provisions
CR
Sep"" & Octo"" 1755 By Cash rec'' of Henry
Paxson Esq
Be it remembered that on this present 5**" of Nov""
1755 Personally appeared before me Rob' Smith Esq
One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for
the County of Burlington Sam' Smith Esq One of the
Treasurers of New Jersey, and on his Solemn Affirma-
tion According to Law did declare that these five
Sheets of Paper contain a true Account of his receipts
& disbursem*^ as Treasurer from the fifteenth day of
the 4"" mo caUed Aprill A D 1754. To this time to the
best of his knowledge & belief.
Sam"- Smith
Affirmed to the day & year above before Rob'' Smith
574.
2.6
55.
7.0
15.
0.0
753.15.0
7500.
0.0
156 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Allen — the
enemy threatening to invade the Province.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Euz^ Town Nov^ 6: 1755
Col'' Allen.
Sir
This day at one o'Clock I received yours of yester-
day' Date p the Post with the Inclosed from Col' An-
derson & highly approve your duty to your King &
Country in giving me the earliest Acc- of the Approach
of the French & Indians towards this Province upon
which & other Intelligences I have order'd Col' Stout
to muster His Regiment immediately to be in a readi-
ness upon the fu-st Notice that shall be had of the
Enemy's entring this Province and the said order I
now inclose you and hereby direct you to carry it im-
mediately to your Col' who will communicate to you
its Contents & in which I order and Direct you to be
aiding & assisting with your utmost Power for His
Majesty' Service & honour and for the Safety of this
Province and tell Col' Stout to send to Col' Anderson
an Acc' p Express of what I have ordered and I expect
from you constantly p Expresses, if necessary an acc?
of the Proceedings of the Enemy
I am Sir, Your ready Friend
J Belcher
P. S. As I have sent my Orders p' Expresses to every
Col! of the Province respecting the present Exigency of
Affairs, Col' Stout' is gone among the the rest.
1755] ADillNISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 157
Proclamation of Governor Belcher to the several
Colonels of Militia Regiments — directing them to
muster their troops.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N J. Hist. Soc]
By His ExcelF Jonathan Belcher Esq"" Cap*
General and Governour in chief in and over
His Majesty's Province of Nova Caesarea
or New Jersey and Territories thereon de-
pending in America, Chancellor and vice
Admiral in the same
To the Hono''^® Andrew Johnston Esq*" Col' of
the Regiment of Militia in the County of
Middlesex or to the Commanding Officer of
the said Regim* for the time being.
Having received for two days pas* p Expresses from
M'' Morris GoV of Pensylvania very particular and
undoubted Accounts of the near Approach of the
French and Indians to several of the Frontier towns of
that Province and cautioning me that there may be a
Probability of their falling upon this Province, and
these Accounts being confirmed to me from other Per-
sons, I do hereby in duty to His Majesty & for the
better safety of His good subjects of this Province di-
rect & command you to muster your Eegiment imme-
diately and strictly examine them whether they are
equipt with Arms and Annnunition According to Law
<Sc upon the first Notice of the Enemy's entring this
Province to march with all possible dispatch w^ith your
Regiment to meet and repell them; and that you keep
me constantly advised of all your Proceedings in this
Matter.
158 ADMINTSTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Given under my Hand at Eliz* Tow^n this sixth day
of Nov^ in the twenty ninth year of His Majesty*
Reign. J. B.
Annoq: Domini 1775.
[On the 12th of November an additional Proclama-
tion directed that the troops should be kept in readi-
ness to march to the borders of the Province w^ith
those of Pennsylvania.]
The Same to — Colonel Abraham Vankempen, of the
County of Sussex — John Low, Essex — Joseph Stout,
Hunterdon— Nicholas Gibbon, Cumberland & Cape
May. Joseph Tuttle, Morris — Charles Read, Burling-
ton. Cornelius Vanhorne, Somerset — John Read,
Monmouth. John Schuyler, Bergen.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Morris of
Pennsylvania — referring to the threatened ap-
proach of French and Indians on that Province.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz'^ Town Nov 10 1755
L GovERNOUR Morris
Sir
I rec' p Express your several Letters from New
Castle and PhiV' of Octr 25)"' and the first and second
Ins!^ & another without date, with the several Lettei's
they inclosed giving an Ace* of the Apj) roach of the
French & Indians towards your Piovince and in their
way committing the most Barbarous outrages in mur-
dering and Captivating the Inhabitants as they come
along — and all this without Resistance! surely your
Assembly will no longer be deaf to the shrieks & Cries
of their murdered neighbours.
1 have summoned the Assembly of this Province to
1754] AiDMINISTRATION OF aOVERKOR BELCHER. 159
meet me here on Wednesday next the 12: Ins- when I
shall lay before them what you have sent me respect-
ing the Present Exigency of Affairs, but if Pensyl-
vania who may readily raise twenty or thirty thousand
men will do nothing for the defence of their Country
or for saving the lives of their Wives & Children I am
afraid the Assembly of this poor Little Province will
hardly think it reasonable to send their People out of
the Province in defence of their Neighbours and so
leave themselves to the Incursions and depredations of
the Enemy in this Time of Common danger.
We have no arms in this Province belonging to the
Crown & indeed but very few and but little Amuni-
tion belonging to the Inhabitants or I shou'd readily
answer your Kequest on that Head.
General Shirley has under his Command at Albany,
Oswego & near Lake George eight or nine thousand
men that I shou'd think it wou'd be prudent for you
in this time of Distress to make early and Pressing ap-
phcation to him to send for His Majesty's Service &
Honour & for the Safety of these Colonies two or three
thousand of those Troops till they shall be more wanted
elsewhere.
I observe in yours of the 2'1 Curr: that the French and
Indians are making rapid Marches to these Colonies.
And I have therefore this day sent my Orders p Ex-
press to every Col' in this Province immediately to
muster his Regim*^ and to have them in the best readi-
ness for marching, & repelling the Enemy if they
shoud enter this Province which it is well known is in
a miserable Defenceless State.
I wish you and your Province the Favour and Pro-
tection of Almighty Clod and am,
HonolV' Sir Your most obedient humble Serv^
J Belcher
160 APMIlv^ISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieut. -Gov. Poivnall
— about the movement of Troops.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers In Tjibrary of N. J. Hist. Soc]
ElizI Town Nov 10 1755.
Lieut. Gov. Pownall.
Sir
I yesterday rec" your Letter dated at Albany 29: of
Ocf and have consider'd its Contents.
As General Shirley' Notifications to the Gov' of Pen-
sylvania and Maryland were to pass thro' this Province
and even thro' this town if it was desired that I myself
or any Body for me shou'd attend the Congress you
mention, I believe you will think with me that I ought
to have had the Proper and same Notification that all
the other Gov" have had, without which I can see no
Propriety in doing what you have mentioned.
Inclosed I send you Copy of an Affidavit relating to
the near Approach of the Enemy to this Province
wherein it appears to me that the People call'd Mora-
vian are as Snakes in the Grass and Enemies to King
George and His Subjects and if upon further Enquiry
what is in the aforementioned Affidavit be confirmed
I shaU immediately give orders that all the Arms ct
Amunition among the Moravians in this Province be
seized & kept in safe Custody with aU their Publick
Paper still further Orders & of this I write Gov' Morris
hoping he will do the same.
And as by the latest Advices there is great reason to
apprehend the French and Indians may soon be upon
the frontiers of this Province, I did a few days ago
send Expresses to every Col' in this Province imme-
diately to muster his Regiment & to see that they be
equipt with Arms & Amunition according to Law &
to be ready to march to any Part of the Province from
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BKLCHER, 101
.whence they may receive Advices of the Enemy's
coming in.
With my Comphments to the several Gov" at the
Congress I am, Sir Your Honours
Friend & Most humble serv*
J. Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Morris, of
Pennsylvania — about the condition of military
affairs.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz Town Novr lO: 1755
Governor Morris
Sir
My last was the 6 : Ins* — I am now to ovni your
Honours Favour of the same Date which came to my
hands p Express on the 8 : with further Acc'^ of the
Approach of the Enemy to the Frontiers of Pennsyl-
vania &c. as also Your Honours Message to your
Assembly of the 5: Ins* & their Answer which to me
seems full of Chicanery and Evasion.
I am sorry for the unhapp)^ Situation Your Honour
is in without men, money or Arms to do any thing in
Defence of His Majesty's Honour and Interest and of
the Safety of the Poor People under your Care — as
things cannot hold in this way but with the utmost
Hazard of the Kings losing a fine Province, I think it
high time that the Gov"" & Councill shou'd address the
King to take the Govern m* into His own hand, (& if
no other Way) to be done by an Act of the British
Parliament & I shoud think it the wisest measure tlie
Proprietors cou'd go into to join in such an Application
for its very plain they are not able to defend their
Province & really, Su-, the present Constitution seems
to me to stand upon a very farraginous System.
11
163 ADJllNtSf RATIO-^ of governor BEtcSER. [1755
iDclosed I send Your Honour Copy of an Affidavit I
rec'! last Night from M' Sec'ry Read by which you will
find the httle Province of N. Jersey is alive, alert &
exerting & p the Ace" I have rec'' from the Frontiers
if the Enemy enter this Province they may happen to
meet with a warm Reception.
I think p this Affidavit the Moravians are a perfidi-
ous Crew and if this Ace* shoud be farther Confirmed
to me I shall order that all the Arms & Amunition
with their Publick Papers be immediately seized and
kept in safe Custody till my further direction — & I
believe your Honour will think it prudent & reasona-
ble so to act with the Moravians in your Governm*. at
Bethlehem and elsewhere — I am
Sir, Your Honours Most obed' &c.
J Belcher
Message of Governor Belcher to the Council and As-
sembly of Nezv Jersei/, November I'dth, 1755.
[From a coi')y among tbe Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soe.]
Gentlemen of the Council & of the General As-
sembly.
The present Situation of Affairs in this time of com-
mon danger has made it necessary for His Majesty's
Honour & Interest and for the better Safety of this
Province to call You together at this time to Commu-
nicate to you sevc ral things I have received since I last
met you and I shall order them to be laid before you
for your more Particular Information, viz. "White-
hall May 13: 1455. The Lords Justices Order upon
Your Petition to His Majesty & the Bill you had Pro-
jected for emitting 70,000£. in Paper Currency.— Also
the Lords of Trade Representation to the King of the
19: of March on the same Affair.
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 163
Whitehall July 26, the Right Honourable Sir Thomas
Robinson' Letter of the Expectation that France wou'd
proceed to an open Rupture with Great Britain, &c.
Halifax Oct 1: 1755 Admiral Boscawen' Letter to L^
Gov'" Phips as to a Prohibition of the Exportation of
Provisions &c. — Ca rap at Oswego Sep* 9'"^ 1755. General
Shirley's Letter of the present State of things respect-
ing the King's Troops under His Command & of the
Expediency of Commissioners from this & the neigh-
bouring Governm*' to meet at N. York the 15. Inst in
a General Consultation for His Majesty's Service & for
the Safety of the Provinces.— New Castle & PhiP Oct
29: & Nov' 1: 1755 Gov' Morris' Letter with Particular
Accounts of the Barbarous Murders & depredations
perpetrated by the French and Indians on the Poor
distressed People of Pennsylvania.
Nov. 7: 1755. James Anderson's Affidavit of an
Alarm in the County of Sussex on the Approach of
the French & Indians towards Easton in Pennsylva-
nia, &c. These things Gentlemen you will carefully
deUberate upon & which I think must produce your
wise Resolutions of exerting all in Your Power for
maintaining the Kings Interest & Honour & for the
Safeguard of the good People of this Province & in
Aid & Assistance of our poor distress'd Neighbours if
it shou'd finally be found absolutely Necessary.
I think it wou'd be highly prudent to appoint with-
out Delay a Commissioner to meet the Commissioners
of the other Governm'.' at N. York the 15: Ins^
You will see by Admiral Boscawen' Letter the Starv-
ing Condition of the French at Cape Breton & Canada
that I wish the Governments woud still continue their
Prohibitions of the Exportation of Provisions & War-
like Stores.
I do in Justice to Col' John Anderson of the County
of Sussex mention His great Alacrity in raising four
Hundred men & marching them to the Defence of
164 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Easton in Pennsylvania & which I hope will inspirit
the other Officers & private men of the Province to
exert themselves in defence of their People in Case the
Enemy shou'd enter into any Part of this Province &
I am glad to say to You that the People in general
seem resolved by the Help of God to give the Enemy
a warm Reception whereever they may come.
I wou'd inform you that upon the Repeated Advices
I rec'! I sent my Orders per Express last Week to every
Col' in the Province to muster his Regiment & to see
they be w^ell equipt with Arms & Amuuition according
to Law & to be ready to march on the first Notice of
the Enemy' Approach to any Part of our Frontiers & I
must not leave this Article without earnestly recom-
mending to you the passing a Bill of all possible en-
couragement to such Brave men as shall voluntarily
engage in the Service of their King & Country.
Altho' it is two mouths ago since His Majesty'
Troops under the Command of tlie brave Major Gen-
eral Johnston and the brave Major General Lyman
gave the French & Indians such a Remarkable Defeat
yet I must now first of all for this give Praise to the
God of Armies & then congi^atulate you on this happy
Occasion & at same time give my thanks to those pru-
dent and brave Officers & to the men that Fought
under them with so much Courage and Intrepidity.
As the AVinter is just at hand which may i^revent
the further Proceedings on the Plan of Operation for
the Troops tiU towards the Spring I shall not doubt
your good and kind Care that the Regiment of this
Province be now & always well & seasonably supplied
with good Provisions & all warlike Stores to enable
them the better to Encounter the Enemy,
God Almighty grant that in the time of this In-
creasing Danger that not only the three Parts of the
Legislature may act in great Harmony but that aU th^
1755] ADMIinSTRATIOX OF GOVERNOK BELCHER. 165
Private members of the Common Wealth may unit-
edly act for the defence of themselves & of their
Neighbours. J. B.
Eliz'' Town Coui<tcil Chamber Nov' 13. 1755.
[Under date of November 14th the Governor re-
minded the Assembly that there was no money in the
Treasury for Incidental expenses, and that, conse-
quently, he was debarred the privilege of sending any
intelligence by express, however urgent the necessity.
—Ed.]
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Oovernor
Morris of Pennsylvania.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town. Nov 13*.'' 1755
L. Gov^ IMORRIS
Sir
I wrote you at large 10: Ins* p the Post which I hope
got well to your hands — since which I have rec'' fur-
ther Intelligence of the Motions of the Enemy and of
the Behaviour of the Moravians — the Particulars
whereof Your Honour will find by the Inclosed Peti
tion & Affidavit of Josiah Broadwell & others. I have
also several Letters confirming these Accounts relating
to the Enemy & u})on these repeated IntelUgences I
expressed Orders the C: Ins- to every Col' of this
Province to muster His Regiment &c. & repeated them
again Yesterday, Copy of which I send you herewith.
I hope when your People see the Readiness of this
little Governm' to do all in their Power for the Com-
mon Safety of the Kings Subjects that they will exert
themselves & join in it with the greatest Alacrity —
I am
Sir, Your Honours Most Obedient &c.
J. Belcher.
166 ADillNISXEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Rev. Aaron Burr,
President of the College.
[Fi'om a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town Nov 17. 1755
Mr Pres^ Burr
Sir
The Situation of the Affairs of the College seems at
present to put on an unpleasant Complexion, for we
have had & still have considerable demands for Money
which I think should stimulate Us to the greatest
Care & diligence in Securing and pressing in what
Monies are due to Us.
T am a little Surprised that p the Arrival of so many-
Ships at Boston, Phil'' & N. York we have no L3tters
to tell Us what has been collected in Scotland &
Ireland.
I think it high time to secure and gather in what is
still outstanding on Acc^ of the Lottery.
And that we plead our necessity to have the Boston
Subscription remitted us as soon as possible.
From these several Funds I believe we may mod-
estly expect upwards of Seventeen hundred Pounds
(Proc) we must therefore be alive and exert to the ut-
most or we may, before we are aware be plunged and
brought to a stand for want of Money, which wou'dbe
a sad Misfortune. I dout write to you, Sir, as one
wanting Care and Concern for Our Welfare and Pros-
perity because I know you are always (I thank you)
full of Spirit on that Head, ct: yet we inust stirr up
ourselves & one another. I salute you very kindly &
am ReV Sii-
Your Friend & Serv^
J Belcher
1755] ADMINISTRATIOX OP GOVERNOR BELCHER. lo'
Lztter from Govarnor Bzlcher to Governor H^p^uis
— relating to a Convention of Commissioners for
the several Colonies.
Nov 20, 1755
Gov* Hopkins
Sir
I received the Act of your Assembly relative to a
Convention of Commissioners from several of His Maj-
estys Governments appointed by General Shirley to be
held at N. York the latter End of this Month.
General Shirley notified me of this Matter two
months ago. I called the Assembly. I laid before
them the General's Letter & presc upon them the send-
ing a Commissioner from this Government, but they
wholly declined it yet they otherwise exprest a good
Spirit in the Common Cause.
I observe with much satisfaction (tho' a melancholy
Detail) the particular good Reasons which make this
Convention necessary for most certainly our publick
Affairs, after all our fruitless Efforts the Year past
wear but a gloomy heavy Complexion & altho' my
broken Health will not allow me the Honour of being
present at the Congress of the several Gov" yet I have
desired Mr. Pownall His Majesty? Lieu^ Gov'' of this
Province to repi'esent me at the Congress. * "'' *
I am with Esteem & Respect
Sir Your Honours Most obed' &c.
J Belcher
168 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to General Shirley —
about military affairs.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Ldbrary of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Nov. 20, 1755
General Shirley
Sir
I duly received by way of N. York the Honour of
of your Excelleucys Letter dated from Albany ll**"
Inst, and am glad to find you so fully coincide with
me as to the Deletion' of Carthage. I say it, Sir, with
great Deference to much wiser heads that I think we
are but playing a small Game at a vast exigence of
Blood & Treasure while we are intending to Attack
the Number of the Enemy' small Forts certainly we
had better at once be at the necessary (and smallest)
charge of attempting their Capitol on this Continent
and in duty to His Majesty & from a tender Regard to
these his Colonies I have wrote the Secry of State my
real opinion in this Matter — the People of the Provinces
seem so well spmted that I really think it wou'd not
be difficult to raise thirty thousand men if the Crown
will furnish money to pay them & with Arms & Amu-
nition & also send five thousand Regulars to mix
with them with Eugineers Bombardeers &c. and a
Stout Squadron of the Line at same time to go up the
Gulph of S' Lawrence— if we wou'd hew the Tree
down effectually the sacred Pages tell us we must lay
the Ax to the root.
Things look to me as if the coming year will be the
Criterion whereby we shall be able to conclude whether
the French shall di'ive us into the Sea or whether
King George shall be Emperom* of N. America which
• Sic— Ed.
1755] ADMIKISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 169
in Time to come will be a glorious Empire and in the
Exigency of the present Affairs well worth the Hard-
est and most noble struggle of all the King's North
American Subjects.
I observe your Excellency expects a meeting of
several of the King' Gov'? at N. York the last Week in
this Month to consult upon a General Plan of operation
for the insueing year where your Excell^ desires me to
be if my health woud admit of it and did not my par-
alytick Disorder forbid I shou'd esteem it an Honour
to attend so honourable a Convention. When David
invited old Barzillai to his Court he excused himself &
desired him to accept of his Son Chimham in his stead.
& I hope your Excellency will be pleased to let Mr
Pownall Lieut Gov' of this Province represent me at
the said meeting & I now write him agreeably there-
unto.
At your Leisure I shou'd be glad of the Minutes of
the Councils of War held at Oswego.
I have no Reason to doubt of bringing the Assembly
of this Province into a Continuance of Col' Schuyler
with His Eegiment agreeable to your Desire.
Upon the Accounts I sent Home to the King's Min-
isters of what had passt in this Goverm' relating to the
Common Cause I have lately rec"^ a Letter from White-
hall couch'd in very handsome Terms with Respect to
this Province.
Agreeable to your Excell'' desire I met the Assem-
bly of this Province the 12: Ins*, when I laid your
Letter before them of the 9: of Sep' for a Commissioner
to be sent from hence to N. York and urged the
Matter upon them but they wou'd not come into it
and yet I believe they are very well spirited in Gen-
eral for the good of the Common Cause altho Penn-
sylvania sets them so vile an Example. ^' '^ * *
I am Sir youi- Excelly' Most obedient &c.
J. Belcher
170 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Governor
Pownall — requesting his attendance at the Conven-
tion of Governors in New York.
Nov 21 1T55
Lieut Gov"" Pownall
Sir
I hope you duly rec'' mine of the 10: Ins* in Answer
to your Honours of tha 29: of Ocf from Albany since
which I have a Letter from General Shirley desiring
me if my Health wou'd allow to be at N. York the last
Week ill this month where a Congress is to be held by
the Gov'^ of several of His Majesty's Colonies but as
my paraiytick Disorder will not admit of my being
personally present at it I very well approve of Your
Honours appearing there & representing me as Gov"" of
His Majesty's Province of N. Jersey and where I doubt
not you will do all in your Power for advancing the
Kings Honour & Interest and the Welfare & Prosperity
of His Majesty's Provinces in General and of this in
Particular to which you and I have the Honour to
stand so nearly related and these are all the Instruc-
tions I can give you till I have from General Shirley a
particular Account of the Occasion of this Congress
and which he has promised soon to transmit me. I
am in the mean time and always with Esteem and
Kespect
Sir, your Honours assured friend & most humble
serv\ J. Belcher
1755]
ADMIXISTRAIION OF GOVEENOE BELCHEE.
171
Accounts of the Treasurer of East New Jersey from
June 21, 1754, to November 21, 1755.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 20.]
Province of New Jersey to Andrew Johnston
Treasurer of the Eastern Division.
DR.
To Sundry Payments from the 21*' June 1754 to the
21'.' November 1755. Viz'
His Excellency Gov'! Belcher Sundry War-
rants £1060. 0.00
Gentlemen of the Council . . . 112.16. 0
Gentlemen of the Assembly. . . 335. 8. 0
Attorney General 7.10. 0
Judge of the Supream Court. . . . 16. 5. 0
Eastern Treasurer . . . . 60. 0. 0
Clerk of the Council 7.10.0
Clerk of the Circuits 10. 0. 0
Clerk of the Assembly T5. 2.10
Doorkeepers and Serjent at Arms, . 21. 3. 0
Acco" of Expence for Express &c . . 23. 0. 7i
Hire of Roomes for the Council & for the
Assembly 20.16. 6
The Commissioners for Paying the Ex-
pence of his Majestys forces Travel
mg through this province.
, 300. 0. 0.
£2049.11.11
CR.
By Ballance of Acco" on 21*^.' June 1754. £1158.
By a tax payable by the Several Countys
Eastern, on the 21'=' November 1754,
Viz'.
5. 5
173 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Middlesex County . . £181. 5. 5
Monmouth .... 262.17. 4
Sussex 155.14:. 3
Somerset. . . . . 223. 6. 2
Bergen . . £131.16. 0
Ditto for last Years
Deficiency. . 197.13.11
£329. 9.11
£1152.13. 1
£2310.18. -6
Andrew Johnston Treasurer of the Eastern Division
of New Jersey Appeared before me Thomas Bartow
one of the Aldermen of the City of Perth Amboy and
being duely sworn Declares (to the best of his knowl-
edge) that the Above Accco^' is a True State of the
Receipts and Payments by him from 21!! June 1754 to
the 21!! November 1755.
And')' Johnston
Sworn the 26. Novf 1755 Before me
THOf Bartow
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Dimviddie — relating to the military operations.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Nov 25':" 1T55
Lieut Gov Dinwiddie
Sir
I was Yesterday favour'd with your Letter of the
12: Curr' — if I had had the Honour to have been at the
late Councils of War I cou'd by no means have agreed
to have order'd Col' Dunbar with sixteen hundred
men to have come from Fort Cumberland in long and
tedious Marches to parade it all Winter at Albany —
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 173
when nothing less could be expected by then- with-
drawing than continual Murders & Depredations on
these Southern Colonies and by a Letter I have from
Gov' Morris of the 17. Ins^ the Enemy have past the Sus-
quehannah & had fallen upon Tulpichochin one of the
finest Settlements in Pennsylvania & I am daily ex-
pecting to hear of their coming over the Delaware to
harrass & distress the Frontiers of this Poor little
Province I have therefore issued Orders to every
Col' &c. * * * *
Gov' Sharpe call'd on me about a Fortnight ago and
told me the people of Maryland were lulling them-
selves into the same stupid false Security [as those of
Pennsylvania.] What shall we say Sir, — Quos Deus
vult perdere prius dementat.
One of the most glorious Campaigns the great Duke
of Marlborough ever made was in a severe Winter and
when he did not quit the Field till the Month of Janu-
ary— and I shou'd really have thought our little Army
of 8 or 10,000 men might have made an Attempt on
Crown Point — but that Matter is over at Present <&
God Almighty grant Wisdom Spirit & Resolution for
better conducting the Operations of the next Cam-
paign & to be early in the Field is a most essential
thing — I mean to have the Forces at their several
Places of Rendezvous so as to be ready to march to the
Places of their Destination by the Beginning of May
& had it been so this Year Fort Duquesne had in all
probability been ours.
By letters to the 9V' of last Month from England it
was still uncertain when a War wou'd be declared.
I respectfully salute you and am
Sir, Your Honours Most Obed' &c.
J Belcher.
174 ADMIXISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter of Governor Belcher to the Colonels of Regi-
ments in Neiv Jersey — directing them to muster
their troops, and march to the Delaivare river.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq
Cap' General and Gov"" in chief in & over His
Majestys Province of Nova Caesarea or New
Jersey and Territories thereon depending
in America Chancellor & vice Admiral in
the same.
To the Hono^'^ Joseph Tuttle Esq'' CoP of the
Regiment of Militia in the County of Mor-
ris in the Province afores''; or to the Com-
manding Officer of the s'^ Eegiment for the
Time being
Sir,
Having about an Hour ago rec" p Express several
Affidavits of the French & Indians burning a town at
the Forks of Delaware and murdering all the People —
& from which I am in Hourly expectation to hear of
their coming into this Province— these are to require
you in His Majesty' Name forthwith to muster your
Regiments & to see they be well furnished with Arms
Amunition vfe Provisions & to march with them imme-
diately towards the River Delaware & to endeavour to
get the best Information you can where you may meet
them either in this Province or Pennsylvania & to
repell & destroy them in the best manner you can &
for which this shall be your Warrant.
Given under my hand & Seal at Arms at the Borough
of Eliz"^ this 2G: day of Nov' in the twenty ninth Year
of His Majesty" Reign Annoq Domini 1755.
1755J ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 175
(The same to Joseph Stout Esq^ Col*^ of the Regi-
ment of Militia in the County of Hunterdon to Hono^''^
John Schuyler Esq. Col' of the Regiment of Militia &
also of the Regiment of Horse in the County of Ber-
gen.— Also to Col° John Low of the Regiment of
Mihtia in the County of Essex.)
Letter from Governor Belcher to his nepheiv, P. Oliver.
[From Belcher Pajjers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Elizabeth Town Nov[ 27, 1755
Mr. P. Oliver
My Dear Nepheiv,
Sir, I have duly rec'' your very good Letters of 20: of
Sep^ & of 10:Curr' I am too old to accost my Rela-
tion & Friends in Compliment or Adulation therefore
what drops from my Pen proceeds from the most
secret Recesses of my heart in great Integrity and
Sincerity.
I have feasted and Regaled myself once & again
v/ith your fine ingenious Letter of 20: of Sept too full
of Gratitude for the little Instances of Love and Affec-
tion I was capable of shewing you and your Wife in
your late Visit to your Uncle Broken with Age. The
Sacred Pages tell us, the desire of a man is his Kind-
ness and altho' I cou'd not entertain you politely in
this rustick obscure Part of the Globe yet what I cou'd
do I did most heartily & your kind Visit greatly re-
fresht my Bowels & rejoiced my heart.
I thank you, Sir, for the Share you are pleased to
take in the Pleasure and Comfort God pleases to Grant
me in the Ease of my Administration among a People
who love me and I love them & I have reason to be-
lieve that were this Governm* Elective nineteen in
176 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
twenty wou'd give me their Voices — indeed I believe
it is a Government of the least Profit of any in His
Majestys Gift on the English Continent and yet per-
haps many a man in my Station wou'd have made
much more of it than I dare (and at same time might
have thought he did it with a good Conscience) the
Publick Records of this Pi"ovince will always shew to
a Shilling what I have received in this Government.
I thank God who has inabled me to keep my hands
empty and clean and my Fingers from all Corruption
by the unrighteous Mammon. ***** * *
I am much pleased with the fine Description you
give of the dreadful Storm you met with off New
London and I thank God that he who holds the Winde
in his Fist & makes His Thunders and his Lightnings
exactly fulfill his Pleasure was your Covert in the
mighty Tempest & safe guarded you to your Habita-
tion, Children and Friends where may you always live
as weU as speak his Praises. ********
I wish you and your Family all the Blessings of this
Life and a better and am obliged for all your kmd de-
sires for me and mine & thus I remain,
Dear Sir, Your aged, loving Uncle
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Anderson —
relating to Military requirements.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Ilist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town Nov 28 1T55
Coll Anderson
Sir
Yesterday about 4 o'clock in the Afternoon I rec'' p
Express yours of 2(): CLirr\ together with a Particular
Account from Mr Russell of the Present distrest Con-
1755] ADMIN ISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 17?
dition of the Inhabitants of this Province from the
near Approach of the Enemy to our Borders: Upon an
Apprehension of this I issued my Orders the 12: Inst
to every Col' of this Province to muster his Eegiment
&c * * *
I hear Col' Stout and Col' Vancampen Mrere getting
together a Number of men and near three Thousand
marcht Yesterday from Morris County and Col' Low
of the County of Essex and Col' Schuyler of the
County of Bergen are to march on Monday next the
first of Dec'^ v^ith five hundred men more, and I am
this Morning sending Expresses to several other Col"
to march with their Quotas that I hope we shaU soon
have a Body of two thousand men ready to give the
French & Indians a Warm Reception upon their
Approach.
As to a Garrison and men to keep it that must be
done by the Assembly who must also supply the Fire-
locks and A munition you mention and I shall caU
them together as soon as possible to lay before them
the present deplorable condition of the Province. I
am very well pleased & so is every Body else at your
good Eesolution & Readiness to the Service of your
King & Country. May God Almighty keep and pro-
tect you & your Neighbours from the Barbarities and
Cruelties of the French and Indians who are making
their utmost Attempts to drive all the King's Subjects
from of this Continent. I am, Sir, your good Friend,
J. Belcher
12
178 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1765
Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Andrew
Johnston — directing him, without delay, to carry
out previous orders.
Eliz^ Town Nov 28: 1755
Col"; Johnston
Sir
As I am daily receiving Expresses of the near ap-
proach of the French and Indians to the Frontiers of
this Province you must have recourse to my Order of
the 12: Inst, and put it in Execution without any
Delay. I mean to detach three hundred effective men
out of your Eegiment and to march at the Head of
them yourself or if you are not able, to put them under
the Command of an able and good Officer who must
go forward upon the best Intelligence he can get to
meet, repel and destroy the Enemy wherever he can
find them. The bearer hereof Cap* W™ Skinner' offers
his Service to go in any Suitable Command upon this
Occasion and I desire he may be incouraged as I
think him a Young Gentleman very capable of the
Service, I am,
Hono''" Sir Your Friend, &c.
J Belcher
' William Skinner was the third son of the Rev. William Skinner, of Perth Am-
boy, and entered into the Provincial service early in life. He was at Oswego in
September, 1755, and again in 1756, when the fortress was smrendered to the
French. As a prisoner of war Captain Skinner was sent to France, and remained
there till the May following, and was exchanged in September. Through many in-
fluential friends he was promoted into tlie regular service. He was gazetted Cap-
tain August, 1759, and, as Major of Royal Volunteers, was in the expedition to Belle
Isle in 1761. In 1762 he accompanied the army to Port Royal, and in 1763 received
his promotion as Lieut. -Colonel; sliortly after which he returned to England, and
had risen to the rank of Colonel previous to the Revolution. He died in England
about 1778. Colonel Skinner married a daughter of Lady Warren, and his only
child, Susannah, married Henry, 3d Viscount Gage; and her son, Henry Hall Gage,
a few years since was the possessor of the title and estate of the parent. See
" Contributions to the Early History of Perth Amboy and adjoining country," pp.
112-119.— Eu.
1755J ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 179
Letter from Governor Belcher to Colonel Joseph Tut-
tle — relating to the defence of the frontier.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town Nov 29 1755.
Col"- Tuttle
Sir
I have your Letters of 27: and 28 Ins*, with what
you inclosed from Col' Vancampen informing of the
present difficult Situation the Province is in with Re-
spect to the Approach of the Enemy and that you had
detacht about three hundred men which were marcht
under the Command of Col' Ford.
I Hke well the Proposal of raising a thous'' Volun-
teers to be under the Command of such Officers as
shall be pleasing to the men to march and scour the
Frontiers and even to proceed to Shamokin in Penn-
sylvania and to captivate kill and destroy all the
Indians & French joined with them in the Barbarities
& Murders they are daily committing on His Majesty's
good Subjects & if men shou'd appear to go at their
own Charge I am content they shou'd choose their own
Officers. As to Garrisons or Forts, that's a Charge the
Assembly must defray which I shall press upon them
at their next meeting, in the mean time the sooner
this Affair be pusht forward the better & when they
are ready to march let me have Expresses with Par-
ticular Accounts of their Proceedings & when they go
I shall write to the GroV" of Pennsylvania to raise and
march a good Number of men to join them. I am
Sir, Your ready Friend.
J. Belcher
180 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Letter from Governor Belcher to Col. Schuyler — about
marching to Minisink.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town Nov' 30 1755
Col"- Schuyler
Sir
I have just now rec"^ yours of this Date with a Par-
ticular Ace* of the number of the Enemy that have
done the mischief at Minisinck which exceeds what we
imagined I therefore well approve of your taking
under your Command the two (or three if you Please)
northermost Companies of Essex Eegiment that you
may go strong & inclosed is my Order to Col' Low in
Conformity. I desire you to make all possible Dis-
patch & let me be constantly hearing from you. I am,
Your assured ¥y'\
J. Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Governor Morris, of
Pennsylvania — about military movements.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.]
Eliz^ Town Dec 1 1755
Governor Morris
Sir
My last was the 25"' of Nov^ f the hands of Doc'
Shippen since which I have your Honours of 29 of
same month with the Papers inclosed giving a Partic-
ular Ace' of the Motions of the Enemy and I am glad
this httle Province are in good Spirits and readiness to
assist your People who I hope will return it to them as
there may be Occasion for their help in this Province
where I am daily expecting the Enemy who I doubt
1755] ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 181
not you will have heard have a few days ago burnt a
town at Minisinck and put the Inhabitants to Death
and by reason of the constant Accounts I have rec*^ I
have had between two and three Thousand men the
Week past marching & Countermarching towards the
Borders of this Province but as yet we have seen none
of the Enemy.
I am glad the Proprietors have contributed £5000
towards the Defence of your Province and that the
Assembly had passed a Bill for £60,000 for the like Ser-
vice and to which you have given your Assent — it is a
very handsome Supply and will enable you in this time
of Distress to raise a good Body of men for the De-
fence of your Frontiers in which I wish you much
Success & am
Sir Your Honours Most^ Obedt- &c.
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary Read
— directing him to call a meeting of the Assembly.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town Dec^ 3 1755
M"- Sec^y Read
Sir
From the Accounts I am daily receiving of the Dis-
tress & Danger the Inhabitants of the Frontiers are in
from the near approach of the Enemy & of Numbers
of them withdrawing from their Habitations on the
Frontiers I thought it proper to call the Council who
met me here yesterday & in a full Council unani-
mously advised me to see the Assembly as soon as
possible this is therefore to direct you to summon them
to meet me here on Monday the fifteenth day of this
month I am Sir
Your ready Fr'!
J Belcher
182 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Order from Governor Belcher to the Colonels of New
Jersey Regiments — relating to the defence of Mor-
ris and Sussex Comities.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc. I
Dec. 3 1755
Proclamation of Gov*" Belcher.
To Col' John Low of Essex — you are hereby com-
manded to order one Cap^ and one Subaltern to march
forthwith with fifty men to the House of Col' Abra
ham VanCampen of Sussex there to put themselves
under the Command of such Person as I shall appoint
Commander in chief of the Forces to be employed in
the immediate Defence of the Frontiers of the Prov-
uice in the Counties of Morris and Sussex,
The Same to Col' Vanhorn of Somerset Co. for ■!() men
Col' Stout of Hunterdon for . Of)
Col' Johnston of Middlesex for 45
Col' Tuttle of Morris for . . 40
Col' Schuyler of Bergen for . 30
Col' Low of Essex for . . 50
265
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to General Shirley —
referring to the Councils held at Oswego.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc. J
Eliza Town Dec 4 1755
General Shirley
Sir
I did my self the Honour of writing you on the 20:
of last month and sent it to the Care of Mr Alexander
of N. York & to which 1 ask your Eeference.
1755] ADMIIflSTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 183
I am now to own the Honour of your Excell^' of the
2'^ Currt. which came to my hands yesterday ^ Col'
Peter Schuyler with the Minutes of two Councils of
Warr your Excell'' lately held at Oswego which I have
read and the Advices therein seem to be well founded
good and rational — had my health allowed I shou'd
have been glad to have made one of the Number of
the King's Govern ours at the intended Congress at
N. York, but as it wiU not Lieut Gov^ PownaU will
attend in my Stead and I wish the best Measures may
be pitcht upon for the Success of the next Year's Cam-
paign, and if we hope to do any good the taking the
Field as early as possible will doubtless be advisable
for had the late General Braddock been at Fort Du-
quesne a month or six Weeks sooner he & the Troops
under him had not met with the fatal Defeat they did.
As to this httle Province I am taking all possible
Care for the Defence and Protection of the Inhabitants
of which Lieut Gov' PownaU who was here with the
Governour & Council Yesterday will give Your ExcelP'
the Particulars with my Compliments to the several
Governours at the Congress, I am with much Respect
Sir, your Excellency' Most Obed-, &c.
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Sir Charles Hardy,
Governor of New York — about the Division Line
and building of Block Houses.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliza Town Dec 4 1755
Gov Hardy
Sir
I have now lying before me your Excellency* Fa-
vour of the 30. of the last Mo. wherein I find you had
received Instructions from the Lords Justices relative
184 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
to the dispute of the Line between this Province and
N. York and that you wou'd recommend to your
Assembly their dutiful Complyance vdth what His
Majesty justly expects from them for settling Peace
and Tranquility between the two Provinces in bring-
ing this long Controversy to a final Issue. I thank
your Excellencys good Intention in this Matter assur-
ing you I shall do all in my Power that N. Jersey may
continue in their good Disposition to have this Matter
finisht according to the Eules of right Reason and
Justice.
I thank your Excellency for the Account you give
me of the Steps you have taken upon the Mischief done
by the Enemy at Minisinck upon the first Intelligence
whereof I ordered Col' John Schuyler to march with
four or five hundred men, which he accordingly did &
I am daily expecting to hear from him — this little
Province is alive and in about fourteen days past we
have had near two thousand men in several Bodies
ranging the Woods & Frontiers and Yesterday the
Gov' & Council came into a Resolution of building
Forts and Block houses where it shou'd be judged
most proper on this Side the River Delaware into
which to distribute about 800 men & this matter I am
pursuing with all the dispatch I can as Lieu* Gov^
Pownall was here Yesterday with the Governour and
Council I desire to referr your Excels to him for the
more particular Account of these Steps.
As New Jersey is entering into such a measure it will
be expected that your Excellency shou'd propose to the
other Branches of your Legislature the sending some
proper Persons to join with those of this Province to
go and view and make report how many Block houses
may be necessary to be built and at what Places and
Distances and how many to be built in N. York in
order to guard down along upon the River Delaware
& as this is judged the best Method to be gone into for
1755] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. 185
discouraging the Enemy from their Inroads and de-
predations on this Province & yom^s I shall not doubt
your good and hearty Concurrence with Us in this
Matter. I am with much Esteem, Sir,
Your Excellency's Most Obed* &c.
J Belcher.
Col' Schuyler is returned from Minissinck & I have
just now a message from him informing me that the
Affair of Minissinck was a mistaken Alarm that there
had been no Mischief done, nor any Enemy seen there.
Queries from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher
and his ansivers thereto — relative to the state of
defence in Neiv Jersey.
[Fi-om P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 18.J
Queries from the Board of Trade, to Jonathan
Belcher Esqr Governour of New Jersey.
If What is the actual State and Quanity of the
Canon, Small arms, Ammunition, and other Ordnance,
and Military Stores, belonging to the Province of N.
Jersey, either in the Pubhc magazines; or in Posses-
sion of the Mihtia, or other Private Persons, together
with the true State of all Places, already fortified, or
may be further necessary to be fortified; and in what
Manner His Majesty may further Contribute, to the
Security and Defence of the S'! Colony ?
Ans''': There are no Canon, Small arms or other Ord-
nance, or Military Stores, belonging to the Province of
N. Jersey, only such as every Private man in the
Militia, is obliged by a Law of the Province, to furnish
himself with. There is not in all the Province one
186 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Fortification, or Place of Defence, nor can I find tliere
ever was. I have laid before His Majesty's Council,
to consider what may be necessary, to be done in this
Article; & in what manner, His Majesty may further
contribute, to the Security and Defence of this Province;
& as they are to meet me in ten days, I shall therefore
give a more particular Answer, to the last Part of this
Query.
2'1 What Number of Inhabitants, Whites and Blacks,
& how many of the former, are able to bear Arms ?
A. By the nearest Computation, there may be about
eighty thousand souls: (Whites,) of which about six-
teen thousand, may be able to bear Arms. And of the
Blacks, the Number is judged to be from fifteen to
eighteen hundi-ed.
3? Of what Number the Militia is composed ? how
armed ? mustered and trained ?
A. From a Keturn made me the last Year, from the
Col'? of the several Regiments, the Number appear'd
to be about thirteen thousand effective men, who are
obliged, by a Law of the Legislature, to be mustered
and trained, every six months, and to appear every
man, with a good Firelock &c. fit to march against an
Enemy.
These Queries, my Lords, your Lordships will find
mostly and more particularly answered, among my
Answers to the Queries sent Your Lordships 27: of
Dec[ last, and which Your Lordships say, in yours of
6: of Aug!^ past, you had duly received.
I am with great Respect,
My Lords, Your Lordships
Most obedient and Most humble Servant,
J Belcher
Eliz'I Town (N. J.) Dec-: 5: 1755
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 187
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
about New Jersey affairs. Division Line, etc.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
ElzI Town Dec 6: 1755
Lords of Trade
My Lords, (Extract.)
I believe it must give Your Lordships Pleasure to
find the Assembly of this Province have in a good
measure fallen into their duty m this time of common
Danger by raising a Kegiment of five hundred men in
defence and Protection of themselves and their Neigh-
bours & altho' they had at first provided for their Pay-
ment and Subsistance only for six months they have
since continued the same Provision for six Months
longer.
In a late Session I communicated to the Assembly
Your Lordship's Eeport and the King's Order relative
to their Projected Bill of emitting seventy thousand
Pounds in Paper Cm-rency which had they drawn con-
formable to what I wrote your Lordships of 26: Nov.
1Y54, I shou'd have thought His Majesty's giving
Leave to His Gov"^ to give his Assent to such a Bill
wou'd have been of considerable Service & Ease to His
Majesty's Subjects of this Province in this time of com-
mon danger & wou'd have led them into Bis Majesty's
Honour and Interest with greater Alacrity and Zeal.
I am humbly thankfull to your Lordships in be-
half of this Province for the Good & kind Care Your
Lordships have taken in Order to bring the long con-
troverted Line between this Province and N. York to
a final Settlement, in Consequence of which the Govi: of
N. York writes me he had received the King' Instruc-
tion touching the said Affair and that he shou'd soon
lay it before the Assembly of that Province. As your
188 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERKOR BELCHER. [1755
Lordships observe it is of great Importance that all
matters of Dispute shou'cl fully subside among the
King's Provinces in this time of General Danger when
their united Strength is so necessary to be exerted in
vindication and defence of His Majesty s Rights and
Territories. *****
I have the Honour to be with great Respect
My Lords, Your Lordships
most obedient & most humble Serv'
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Lord Hardiuicke —
about the necessity for capturing Canada.
Eliz^ Town Dec 8 1755
Lord Hardwicke
My Lord (Extract.)
* * ^ As to this little Province where I have the
honour (thro' Youi- Lordship' Favour and Kindness) to
preside they are alert and have exerted in good Pro-
portion for the King's honour and Service and for the
Safety and Welfare of themselves and their Neigh-
bours, and as to myself I am much obliged to Your
Lordshij) for the Confidence You express of my real
disposition & Zeal for His Majesty's Interest and Hon-
our and for the good of His N. American Colonies and
this I am sure I shall go on to practice as long as God
holds me in life and Reason.
And now will your Lordships forgive me and give
me Your Patience while I say I think unless Quebeck
and the whole Canadian Country be reduced to His
Britannick Majesty's Obedience the French wLU in the
Course of a few Years be masters of all N. America
(and make it a fine Empire) and if this be the Case to
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 189
prevent it in time why should not the Enghsh
Provinces from Nova Scotia to Georgia (thirteen) raise
thu'ty thousand effective men and seasonably apply to
His Majesty to send six thousand British Regulars to
be incorporated v^ith them & so to make the whole
Body thirty six thousand men and also to send a suf-
ficient Squadron of Ships to the Gulph of St. Lawrence
to assist in the Reduction of Quebeck & this whole
Armament to be ready by all the month of June next
to proceed upon the Business Carthago est delenda and
which will be doing the thing effectually & the Prov-
inces canfwith Ease i-aise and. spare the number of
men I have mentioned — but I believe this thing will
not be effected without the Aid and Assistance of the
British Parliament to mark out and ascertain the
several Quotas or Proportions of men and Money to be
raised by each several Colony or Province and besides
the six thous'^ Regulars Artillery, Small arms & Amu-
nition must come from Great Britain foi' they are not
to be had here. I wou'd say it my Lord with great
Deference to the King's Ministers, that I think we are
but playing'at small Game (at a vast Expence of Blood
& Treasure) while we are attempthig to attack the
Number of the Enemy's small Forts, therefore wou'd
it not be better at once to be at the necessary (and
smallest) Charge of attacking the Metropolis of Canada;
and this Matter I ventured to hint to the Secry of State
some Weeks ago — the People of the Provinces seem so
well spirited to raise the Troops I have mentioned that
I think there wou'd be little Difficulty in it, and, my
Lord, if we wou'd hew^ the tree down effectually the
sacred Pages tell us we must lay the Ax to the Root —
the present Complexion of Affairs in N. America seem
to say the coming Year will be the Criterion whereby
we shall be able to conclude whether the French shall
drive us into the Sea or whether King George shall be
Emperour of N. America which is of so great Use and
190 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
Importance to the Mother Country it self as well as to
aU the British Islands.
The Troops being raised on this side the Water will
save the vast Expence of Transportation, delay, Sick-
ness of the Passage and many other difficulties &
Dangers.
May the omniscient all wise Governour of the Uni-
verse constantly inspire Your Lordship with the
Greatest Degrees of Wisdom and Knowledge to the
best advantage of your King and Country — with my
highest Compliments of Respect to good and Excellent
Lady Hardwicke and with the greatest duty, Deference
& Gratitude I am
My Lord Your Lordships Most obhged &c.
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Partridge,
London —appointment of Chief Justice Aislehy.
fFrom Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Dec 10 1Y55
Brother Partridge (Extract.)
* * * I observe Mr W™ Ailesby is appointed
Chief Justice of this Province whither he may be com-
ing in the Spring and I hope he has a good Salary from
the Crown for the Assembly voted but about £25
Str. a Year in their last Allowance to the Chief Jus-
tice of this Province.
* -X- * * * <f * *
I would have you very vigilant with the Lord C r
and at the Publick Offices that nothing may be done
to my Prejudice for I am apprehensive & not without
Reason that my Second in this Government' w^ont
' Lieutenant-Governor Pownall.— Ed.
1755] ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 191
scruple to attempt anything he may think for his Ser-
vice and Interest.
Yesterday my Son the Chief Justice of Nova Scotia
gave me the great Pleasure of imbracing him here
where he intends to spend the Winter— he is in good
health ife Spirits God be thanked & I hear discharges
himself in his Station v^ith Reputation and Honour.
* * * * Sir, Your Lo:Bro
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary Read
— about the imprisonme^it of some Pennsylvania
Indians.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N, J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town Dec 12 1T55
M" Sec'ry Read
Sir (Extract.)
* * * I thank you for the Copy of the Letter
you wrote to Mr Salter and Morris respecting the In-
dians taken up and confined in the Gaol at Trenton
which was a wrong Step as they were belonging to
the Province of Pennsylvania not but that under our
Present Difficulty with the Indians it wou'd have been
prudent enough to have taken them up & sent them
under a Safeguard to the Gov' of Pennsylvania who
call'd on me two days ago in his Way to N. York &
talkt with me relating to those Indians & for which he
desired my Order of Releasement and Delivery to him
self which I told him he shou'd have on his return
But as the time of his Honours Coming from N. York
is all together uncertain and that it may be of ill con-
sequence to hold the Indians in Goal at Trenton in-
closed you have my Order to M"^ Salter and M' Morris
192 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER, [1755
to deliver them to the Government of Pennsylvania, &
say to the chief Magistrate in Phil?* & to treat them
kindly in all Eespects — what ever the Charge may be
till their getting into Pennsylvania Province will
doubtless be paid by our Assembly — the Order to Mr
Salter & Morris you must send ^ Express as soon as it
gets to hand.
I have signed an Adjournment for Gloucester Court
on the very good Reasons you give therefor & M"^
Ogden forwards it to you ^ this Express. I hope the
Assembly will come together full of Inclination to the
Rehef of the Poor distrest People on the Frontiers of
this Province otherwise they will all desert their Habi-
tations and thereby make every Town a Frontier.
I am well pleased at the Accounts you give me of
your having two hundred men of your Regiment in
Readiness to march upon my First Orders & that if
necessary, you will go and Comand them yourself, but
I think the present Face of Affairs does not re-
quire the putting the Scheme in Practice wherein they
were to assist.
Mr. Ogden orders the Express to ride Night & day
that these Matters of so great Importance may the
sooner reach you and give you time to be at the As-
sembly the first day of their Meeting. I am with kind
respects Hono'"'* Sir
Your very good Friend,
J Belcher
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 193
Message of Governor Belcher to Council and Assmhly
of New Jersey, December 16, 1755,
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Oentlemen of the Council & of the General
Assembly.
From my last parting with you I have been con-
tinually receiving ace** of the barbarous Murders &
Cruelties committed by the Indians on our Neighbours
of Pennsylvania & the poor People of this Province
living on our Frontiers praying at same Time for De-
fence & Protection in this time of Eminent Danger,
and in Consideration of these things I directed His
Majesty's Council to meet me to have their Advice
what was most necessary & expedient to be done,
and they were unanimously of Opinion that the As-
sembly shou'd meet & the whole Legislature enter into
a joint Consultation upon the present Situation of Af-
fairs; the Particular Proceedings of the said Council I
have ordered to be laid before you together with a
Proclamation Issued by their Advice
The poor People living on our Frontiers being in con-
tinual Danger and distress fearing soon to be attackt
by the Enemy as you will find by many Letters and
Petitions which shall be laid before you, it seems ab-
solutely necessary that a Number of Blockhouses be
built without delay on the River Delaware & to be
furnisht with three of four Hundred men & with
Arms, Amunition &c. which Provision must be made
by you Gentlemen of the General Assembly, & for
which charge I beheve you will find your Constituents
very desirous to be taxt, & since they are willing to
part with a Reasonable Share of their estates to save
the rest with the Lives of themselves, their Wives &
13
194 ADMINISTRATION^ OF GOVERlSrOR BELCSER. [1755
Children I think you cannot balance the thing in any
delay but immediately grant a Supply for defraying
the Charge of doing what I have mentioned.
Gentlemen of the Council and of the General As-
sembly,
I hope all the Branches of the Government wiD act
in the best Union and Harmony in the present Emer-
gency for maintaining the Safety and Welfare of the
Province always considering, if the Inhabitants of the
Frontiers are forced to leave their Habitations the
Towns that seem now to be in less Danger will soon
become Frontiers to the Ruin of the Province, to pre-
vent which nothing in our Power shou'd be wanting.
J. Belcher
Eliz'^ Town Council Chamber Dec 16 1755.
Letter from Gove7mor Belcher to General Shirley.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. See]
Eliz-^ Tow^n Dec 17 1755
General Shirley
Sir (Extract.)
* * ^ The House of Assembty have just now sent
me a Message, Copy whereof I now cover to your
Excell^' * * * I heartily join with the General As-
sembly that the Eegiment raised by this Province &
paid by them shou'd be employed for the Defence of
this Province till such time as Your Excell^ shall want
them elsewhere & I hope there will be no difficulty
about this Reasonable Request for shou'd there, I am
afraid it would check and impede the Present Alacrity
of this Province in their future Proceedings in the
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 195
General Cause for the Safety & defence of the King's
Provinces.
For the better dispatch in this Matter I have desired
the Assembly to send tvv^o of their Members to wait on
Your Excell'' & to bring me an Answer to this Letter.
I am with great Esteem & Respect
Sir Your Excell^' Most Obedient &c.
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Walley — referring
to Rev. Mr. Whitefield.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
[Eliza Town] Dec 18. 1755
Mr Walley
Sir
I blush and am quite ashamed so late to say that I
duly rec'' your very kind Favour of 11 Nov 1754 which
I hope you will forgive while 1 tell you that the past
Year has been full of Motions and Commotions that
have crowded me beyond what is common.
And yet I have often regaled myself with the pleas-
ing Acct you give me of the extraordinary Reception
the dear and ad mirable Whitefield met with at Boston
so contrary to the Fears and Expectations of many of
his Friends, tho' I must say I was of a Contrary Opin-
ion for God will not forsake those that sincerely put
their Trust in him even beyond their Hopes — after he
left my House I rec" several Letters from him in his
Journey to Georgia full of Blessings & Praise to God
for the crowded Audiences that attended his Preaching
thro' the several Provinces & that he charitably hoped
some that were before Strangers to the new Birth
were Savingly brought home to Christ, and he writes
196 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BEtCHER. [1755
me from London with the same Thanksgiving of such
Instances there, — may he go on in the Strength of
Christ to pull clown the Strong Holds of Sin & Satan
to the Honour and Glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom
— Amen.
As to myself, Sir, I am feeble and sore-broken and
yet God gives me a reasonable measure of Health and
Strength &c. * * *
I am, Worthy & Dear Sir your friend &c.
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to his son Andreiv.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town Dec 19. 1755
Mr Belcher
Son Andrew (Extract.)
Altho' the Affairs of this Government crou'd upon
me very much yet I wou'd own your good Letter of 9:
Ins* '^ the Post and am thankfull to God the great
Preserver who so kindly preserved you your Wife and
Family and Substance in the time of the late awful
and amazing Earthquake.' I pray God to sanctifye to
you such a terrible Warning by leading you into a
more strict and religious Walk with himself — consid-
ering the Horrour and Affright you must have been in
at the tremendous agitation I readily over look your
not answering my two last Letters so particularly as
you intend. * * *
Your very aff : Father.
J Belcher
' Felt in New York and surrounding country, November, 1755.
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 197
Letter from Governor Belcher to Richard Partridge —
the Assembly then in session.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliza Town (N J) Dec 20 1755
Mr Partridge
My good Brother (Extract.)
* * * The Assembly of this Province is now sit-
ting here dehberating upon Ways and Means for se
curing and protecting the People on our Borders where
we are daily expecting the Enemy & for about six
Weeks past I have had between two & three thou-
sand men traversing & patroHng the whole length of
our Frontiers & if the Enemy cross the Delaware to
this Province I believe they will meet a warm Kecep-
tion for really, Brother, N. Jersey is well alive & ex-
erts to the Honour & Interest of their King & Country
& the whole Legislature (Gov"", Council, & Assembly)
are in great Union & harmony among themselves &
for these thiugs God's holy Name be praised — With
my kind wishes for your health Ease & Welfare I am
Sir, Your Loving Bro:
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Consul Dean — about
the progress of the College, etc.
(From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc.j
Dec' 20 1755
Consul Dean
My Worthy Friend
I wrote you the 21: of Dec' last and which my
Brother Partridge writes me was duly forwarded to
you and I hope it had the Pleasure of kissing your
198 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
hands — since that your Favour of 1-i: Oct. 1754 I rec"
the 31 : of Jan following by the Rev" Mr Tennent. Mr
Da vies on his Return hither told me how kindly you
rec*^ him & of your great Friendship for the Interest of
our College & for which I send you my most gratefull
Acknowledgemen'^ The generous Benefactions We
found on your side the Water have enabled Us to get
forward with the Building of the College and which I
believe will be ready the next Year for receiving a
good Number of Students & 1 hope by the Favour of
God this Society wiU become a great Blessing to the
present & future Generations.
My paralytick Disorder (as well as yours) increases
upon me, and I am otherwise environed with the In-
firmities of 74:— Si great Age I— I pray God to teach me
so to number my Days as to apply my heart unto
Wisdom. * * *
I am, My Worthy Friend
Yours- in much Love & Affection,
J Belchee
Message of Governor Belcher to the House of As-
sembly— communicating a letter from General
Shirley.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Gentlemen of the General Assembly.
I have an Answer from General Shirley to the Let-
ter I wrote him at your Request (and which was com-
municated to you) several Paragraphs of which Ans""
being coucht in the following Terms "The distin-
guished Zeal and Spirit of the Assembly for promoting
His Majesty's Service and the General Good of his
Colonies on this Continent in what His Majesty es-
1755] ADMINISTRATIOli OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 199
teems and really is a most essential Part of the Expe-
dition he has been pleased to order."
'' Nothing shall be wanting in me to represent in a
just Light to His Majesty the signal Service which
His Province of the New Jerseys hath done at this
Critical Conjunction for their King and Country."
"Your ExcelF must be sensible how greatly the
Success of that will depend upon as early a Campaign
as is possible and that it is necessary that the Troops
shou'd Imbark for Albany by the first day of March
next without fail."
" Col' Schuyler whose Command of the>,New Jersey
Regiment hath made it more beneficial to me than
it cou'd otherwise have been to whose Assistance
of me in every Part of His Majesty's Service at Oswe-
go I am greatly indebted and who wou'd be an Honour
to the Service in any Corps will wait upon your Ex-
celP' & let you particularly into the Circumstances of
the Soldiers. I understand they have Cloths & Stores
now at Albany or Schenectady but it is impracticable
to get them back here at this Season and indeed I be-
lieve it wou'd be greatly to their Prejudice if they
were to make Use of them before their Imbarkation
from Schenectady — they will Hkewise want Tents &
some Muskets & perhaps some other matters as he
will inform you."
"I have given Orders to Col' Schuyler to employ
the Regiment under His Command as your Excellency
shall direct untill the Time of their March to Albany
for the next Campaign."
These things Gentlemen of the General Assembly I
lay before you that you may see how likely you are to
ingratiate yourselves with His Majesty by the In-
stances you have given of your Duty & Loyalty to His
Service & Interest as well as to the General Safety
and Protection of the Provinces & I mention it to your
honoui" you have done it with Alacrity & dispatch.
200 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEBNOR BELCHER. [1755
You will see, Gentlemen, the General has readily
and fully ans'' your Request of employing the Regim'
of this Province under the Comand of Col' Schuyler
for the Defence of our Frontiers but as they are want-
ing of Tents, arms and other things & that the time of
their being remanded will soon be here you may per-
haps upon mature deliberation think it hardly worth
while to have them alter'd from their present Situation
but rather to make Provision for the Defence of the
Province by raising a new Corps of men on which we
may have a more lasting dependance.
As I am still receiving fresh Acc^' of the Distress of
our Frontier Inhabitants I hope you will lose no time
in making such Determinations as shall best of all ad-
vance the King's Honour (k Interest & the safety &
Quiet of his good Subjects under our Care.
J. Belcher
Eliz^ Town Council Chamber Dec' 20: 1755
Letter fr^om Governor Belcher to Lord Halifax — con-
cerning Attorney-General Courtland Skinner.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc. J
DeC^ 23 1755
Lord Halifax
My Lord
It is with Uneasiness & Regret and with humbly
asking Pardon for this Interuption while I make my
Petition to Your Lordship in behalf of Courtland Skin-
ner Esq' whom I some time since appointed His Maj-
esty" Attorney General of this Province & who is a
Young Gentleman of good Virtue and Understanding
& esteemd as good a Master of his Profession as most
1755] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 201
in these Parts & has served his King & Country in
his present Station with Integrity & Honour & much
to the Satisfaction of the Government & of the People
in General.
These things notv^ithstanding, my Lord, I am told
there are Pains taking to supplant him in his office
but which I hope will not succeed — there is no Salary
or Allowance made by the Crown nor any from this
Province but what the Assembly are pleased to vote
from Year to Year, and for several Years past it has
not been more than Seventeen Pounds Str. a Year — so
that the Character of it is in a Manner all the Benefit
an Attorney General reaps from the office & in which
I again humbly request Mr Skinner may be continued
& Confirmed— This, my Lord, I shall esteem a particu-
lar Favour & am with great Esteem & Eespect
My Lords
Your Lordships most obedient, &c.
J Belcher
Message from Governor Belcher to the neiv Assembly
of New Jersey — asking for an augmentation to
the forces of Netv Jersey.
[From a copy among the Belcher Papers in Library of N. J Hist. Soc. |
Gentlemen of the General Assembly.
His Excell-' General Shirley having by his Letter of
the 18: Inst'informed me that it wou'd be greatly for
his Majesty's Service in the Insueing Campaign if his
hands cou'd be strengthened by an Augmentation to
the Regiment of this Colony under the Com'and of
Col' Schuyler I wou'd have you exert yourselves as far
as the Circumstances of the Colony will admit as his
Majesty proposes to do everything for your Defence &
202 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOll BELCHER. [1755
that I may be able to give the Com'ander in Chief of
His Majesty's Forces Information of what augmenta-
tion from this Colony may be depended on. I recom-
mend it to your House (with whom all these Supplies
take Rise) the making a Provision for raising them
when they shall be required.
As the People of this Colony are greatly uneasy at
the Neighbourhood of any Indian Familes & suspect
the whole of them I must apply to you to provide for
the Maintenance of such of them as shall be committed
to the Goals either on Suspicion or to secure them from
the Outrages of the People.
The Distresses of the unhappy Sufferers on the Fron-
tiers are doubtless very great & may be attended with
the Ruin of many Families I hope you will make
some Conditional Provision for such as cannot support
themselves as they cannot be regularly relieved under
any Law now in being.
The seasonable Provision which this Province made
for the Supply of His Majesty's Regular Troops thro'
this Governm* served two very good Purposes as it
expedited their March & prevented them from the
necessity of supplying themselves with Carriages &
other things in a way which wou'd have been ungrate-
ful to themselves & greatly distressing to the People
of the Colony I cannot omit inserting on this Occa-
sion the handsome mention which is made of that
Provision in a Letter I had the Pleasure of receiving
from the Hono"* Col' Dunbar the Commanding Officer
of those Troops in the following Words — viz.
''Sir,
It gave me the greatest Concern I cou'd not when in
your Governm' have the honour of waiting on your
Excell- to make my most grateful Acknowledgments
for the great Civilities the Troops under my Command
rec" in their March thro' your Governm' from every
Body when we past from Trenton to Amboy."
1755] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 203
I earnestly recommend these Interesting Matters to
your Consideration that by providing for them at this
time I may not be obhged to call you together sooner
than the general Business of the Governm' wou'd in-
cline me to do.
J. B.
Eliz^ Town Council Chamber Dec' 23 1755.
Letter from Governor Belcher to General Shirley —
commenting upon the events of the last cam-
paign, etc.
[From Belcher Papers in Library of N. J. Hist. Soc]
Eliz^ Town Dec 26 1755
General Shirley
Sir
I duly rec'l the Honour of Your Excellency's Favour
of 18 Currt "^ Mess'-* Stephens and Johnston with an
Extract of the King's Instruction relating to the Coun-
cil of War, & since that |? the hands of L' Gov'
Pownall Copy of the Minutes of a Council of War held
by Your Excell^ &c. the 12. Ins* at the City of N.
York which Minutes I have read once & again— it
wou'd be too tedious and Unnecessary for me to enter
into all the Particulars of the Council of War but as
far as I am able to make a Judgment the Plan of Op-
eration for the next Campaign seems to be well con-
certed in Conformity to His Majesty's Intentions & in
the best Manner for His Majesty's Honour & Interest
& for the Safety of His Colonies — I believe I have in
a Letter formerly said to Your Excell^' that had we the
last Year been in the Field two Months sooner to have
made the several Attempts intended, the Campaign in
the Issue had not put on such an Unfortunate Com-
204 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1755
plexion, but as I see Your Excell'' (with the Council of
Warr) is resolved that You take the Field as early as
possible I need say no more on this head,
I am glad to find your Exc'' so well pleased w*'' Col'
Schuyler & as Your Excell^ does him great Honour in
Your Letter I laid that part of it before the Assembly
which may be to his future Service. — I also made a
Message to them relating to an Augmentation of the
Regiment of this Province under the Comand of Col'
Schuyler Copy of which Message & the Assembly's
Ans"^ I herewith send You & by which your Exc^ will
find there is no Likely hood at present of any Addition
to the Regiment.
I am obliged to you for the Orders you have given
Col' Schuyler for employing His Regiment as I shall
think proper for the Defence & Protection of this
Province till such Time as Your Excel!'' shall think it
necessary to remand him — I lay'd before the Assembly
Col' Schuyler' List of what his Regim^ wanted in Arms
&c. & they have made the necessary Provision that
they be supplied therewith.
I am glad the Regiment of New Jersey was of so
good Service to His Majesty's Honour & Interest in the
past Campaign & wish they may still be more so in
the Insueing.
This whole Legislature have a gratefull Sense of the
honour Your Excell^' does this little Province in their
exerting for the Kings Interest & for the Safety &
Defence of themselves & of their Neighbours.
I am glad so good a Judge as Your Excell?' so fully
coincides with me as to any Pretentions the Lieut
Gov of this Province cou'd have of sitting as a Member
in the late Congress of Governours held at N. York on
the 18: Curr' — I should be glad of a Copy of what was
done at the s'' Congress. * * *
Sir Your ExceU>' Most Obedient &c.
J Belcher
1756] ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 205
Letter from Secretary Hardhige to the Lords of Trade
— relative to the pr^oper division to he made of a
certain appropriation of Parliament.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts.. Vol. VH, p. 33.]
My Lords
The house of Commons having resolved that the
sum of one hundred and fifteen thousand pounds be
gi^anted to his Majesty upon account to be distributed
in such proportions as his Majesty shall in his wisdom
think fit, to his Majesty's Colonies of New England,
New York and Jersey in America, as a Free gift
and reward for their past services, and an encourage-
ment to them to continue to exert themselves with
Vigour in Defence of His Maj"' Just Eights and Pre-
tentions, the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's
Treasury desire that Your Lordships will be pleased to
consider what part of the said sum of one Hundred and
Fifteen thousand pounds may be properly allotted to
each of the said Colonies, and favour them with Your
opinion thereupon, and also that Your Lordships will
repeat Your opinion to what persons the same should
be consigned: that the respective Colonies may have
the f uU benefit thereof. ' I am My Lords
Yom^ Lordships most
Faithful humble Servant
N Hardinge.
Whitehall Treasurer Chambers S'*" ffeb" 1756
1 On the 12th of February the Lords of Trade designated the Governors of the
Colonies as the proper persons to receive the consignments; the sum being divided
as follows:
Massachusetts Bay £54,000
New Hampshire 8,000
Connecticut 2 ,000
Rhode Island 7,000
New York 15,000
New Jersey 5.000
£115,000
-Ed.
206 A DMIIflSTRATION OF GOVEENOE BELCHEE. [1756
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher —
commending the services rendeixd by Neiv Jersey
in defending the country.
[From P. B. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 16, p. 4.]
To Jonathan Belcher Esq^ Governor of New
Jersey.
Sir,
Since Our Letter to you dated the 6'^ of August last
We have received Your Letters to Us dated the 27''' of
June, and G'*" of December last, with the Papers therein
referred to.
The Zeal and Spirit which the Province under your
Government has shewn in raising a Regiment of five
hundred Men for the Expedition under the Command
of Governor Shirley in providing for the Defence of
the Frontiers and in supplying the King's Troops with
necessarys and Refreshments in their March through
New Jersey, is greatly to be commended and We doubt
not but that the sense which His Majesty has mani-
fested of their past Services by freely giving them so
large a Sum of Money in Consideration thereof, will
animate them to exert themselves for the future in
aiding and assisting all his Measures for the Defence of
America and for distressing the Enemy.
We have the satisfaction to acquaint you, that His
Majesty has appointed the Earl of Loudoun to be
Commander in Chief of all his Forces in America, and
has ordered two Battalions of his Troops to be forth-
with sent over, and four others to be raised there, and
We think it our Duty earnestly to recommend to you
1756] ADMIN-ISTKATIOX OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. 207
to use Your utmost Endeavours to give his Lordship
all the Assistance in your Power in whatever may be
necessary for the Good of the Kings Service:
We are, Sir,
Your most Obedient &
most humble Servants
Dunk Halifax
Fran Fane
James Oswald
J. Talbot.
Whitehall February 17, 175G.
Letter- from Governor Hardy to the Lords of Trade —
about the questions of boundary between New
York and New Jersey.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VH, p. 37.]
Fort George New York 23^ Feb^ 1756
My Lords (Extract.)
* * * I have some time ago laid before the As-
sembly his Majestys Instructions for making a provi-
sion for defraying the charges of His Matys Commission
for determining the Line between this & the Province
of New Jersey. They express to me great difficultys
they are under to make the Provision directed and
urged the great expence it would draw on this Prov-
ince (as other Lines are equally disputed but more par-
ticularly between us & the Massachusetts) and at this
time when they are at such heavy expences for the
public Service, I have argued and urged the Point
strongly with the Speaker, and many of the Members,
but at present notliing has been done in it.
208 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERKOR BELCHER. [1756
I have endeavored to inform myself of the merits of
this dispute, between the two Provinces, and find all
partys agree the determination of the Line depends
altogether upon the construction of the Duke of Yorks
Grant I beg leave to refer it to your Lordships opinion
if this Point may not be better discussed, and more
equitably determined by persons under his Matys
Commission in England than by Commissioners ap-
pointed abroad. On the side of this Province His
Matys Interest is greatly concerned should the deter-
mination be made in favor of and confirmed [accord-
ing] to the Claim of New York by which His Maty
would have a great acquisition of ungranted Lands
that would be readily taken up — agreeable to His
Majestys Instructions, and I am informed might pro-
duce Quit Eents to the Crown of near £2000 Sterling
per annum; on the other hand should the Claim of
New Jersey be confirmed, the acquisition of this un-
granted Land would fall to the Proprietors of East
New Jersey. As His Matys Interest is so principally
concerned in this Dispute, I thought it my duty thus
briefly to lay it before your Lordships. •» * *
I have the honor to be Your Lordships
most obedient & most humble Servant
Chas: Hardy
1756] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 209
Draft of a Circular from the Hon. H. Fox, Secretary
of State, to the Governors of the Colonies — relative
to the assistance to be rendered by them to the Earl
of Loudoun, who had been appointed Commander-
in-Chief of all the North American forces.
[From P. R. O. Am. & W. Indies, No. 75.]
Whitehall March n'^ 1756
Governors of New Hampshire New York Con-
necticut Massachusetts Bay New Jersey,
Rhode Island.
Sir
The Earl of Loudoun, whom the King has appointed
Commander in Chief of all his Forces whatsoever in
North America, being preparing to set out v^ith all
possible Expedition together v^ith two Regiments of
Foot, a Train of Artillery and a sufficient Quantity of
Warhke Stores, which His Majesty has been pleased
to order for the Public Service in those Parts, I am
commanded to signify to you the King's Pleasure;
that you should be ready to give His Lordship, and
the Troops from England, all the Assistance in Your
Power on their Arrival in America, agreable to the
Orders sent You in Sir Thos. Robinson's Letter of
October 26*^ I'? 54, and you will correspond with and
apply to the Earl of Loudoun, on all occasions, in the
same manner as you were directed to do with the late
General Braddock, and Major General Shirley.
It being of the greatest Importance, that the King's
Regiments already in North America, (as well the
Three stationed in Nova Scotia, as the Four in the
Province of New York should be recruited as soon as
possible, to their full Complement of I.OOO Men each,
14
210 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
It is His Majesty's Pleasure that you should forthwith
call together, the Council and Assembly, of the Prov-
ince under your Government and that you should
press them, in the strongest manner, to make the most
early, and effectual Provision for raising, and assisting
His Majesty's Officers to raise, such a Number of Men,
as shall be sufficient to recruit the King's Regiments
nov^ stationed, or to be stationed in North America, up
-to their Establishments, and You wiU acquaint them,
that the King, in order to encourage His FaithfuU
Subjects to engage in a Service, so essential for their
own Defence, and Preservation, does consent, that
such Recruits, shall not be obliged to serve any where
but in North America: — That they shall be discharged
when Hostilities shall cease; And that each of them
shall have a Grant of 200 Acres of Land, free from the
Payment of Quit Rents for Ten Years, either in the
Province of New York, New Hampshire, or Nova
Scotia, at their own choice, which Lands shaU be
granted them, on jDroducing their Discharge from tlie
Commander in Chief, to the Governor of either of the
said Provinces respectively. And in case they should
be killed in the Service, their Widows, and Children,
shall be entitled to the said Lands, in such Proportion
as the Governor and Council of the Province, wherein
such Lands lye, shaU direct. You will acquaint the
Council and Assembly, with His Majesty's Great Good-
ness, in having recommended their Case to the Con-
sideration of His Parliament who have granted the
Sum of £115,000, to be distributed in such Proportions,
as the King shall think proper, to the four Provinces
of New England, and those of New York, and New
Jersey, and thereby enabled His Majesty, not only to
manifest His Sense of their past Services, but also to
encoui'age them for the future to exert themselves, in
the Service, with Spirit and Vigor: — that His Majesty
therefore expects, that they will heartily and zealously
1756] ADMINISTKATIOK OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 211
concur in every Measure, which shall be thought ad-
visable for carrying on the War in North America, and
that they will forthwith raise the same Number of
Men, in each Colony, as were raised last Year (whereof
as great a Proportion as maybe, to consist of Rangers,)
to act in Conjunction with the King's Troops, in such
operations, as shall be undertaken for annoying the
Enemy, and recovering His Majesty's just Rights:
This Service will be the less burthensome to them, as
the raising of the Men, their Pay, Arms & Cloathing,
will be all that will be required of them, Measures hav-
ing been already taken for laying up Magazines of
Stores, and Provisions of all kinds at the sole expence
of the Crown; and you will use your utmost Endeav-
ours to induce the Council and Assembly, to give the
necessary Orders for raising their Quota of these Men,
with the greatest Expedition, so that they may be
ready to march to such Place as the Commander in
Chief, shall upon his Arrival direct.
It is also His Majesty's Pleasure that you should par-
ticularly recommend it to your Assembly to make
Provision out of such Funds as already exist, or may
hereafter be raised for the King's Service, for repaying
the Master's of such Indented Servants, as shaU en-
gage in His Majesty's Service the Money paid by the
said Masters upon the Original Contract, in propor-
tion to the time, such Indented Servants have to serve;
And you will at all times discourage the harbouring,
concealing, or assisting such as shall desert the Service,
and also use all means for discovering, and appre-
hending such Deserters, You wiU likewise use Your
best Endeavours to prevail on your Assembly to ap-
propriate such part of the Funds now raised, or which
shall be raised for the Public Service, to be issued and
applied to the General Service, in such manner as
the Commander in Chief shall direct.
The King would have you recommend it in the
212 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
strongest manner to your Council and Assembly, to
pass effectual Laws for prohibiting all Trade and Com-
merce with the French, and for preventing the Expor-
tation of Provisions of all kinds to any of their Islands
or Colonies.
I am &c't
H. Fox.
Letter frorn Lords of Trade to Oovernor Hardy— re-
lating to the appointment of Commissioners for
settling controversies between Neiv York and New
Jersey arid Massachusetts.
[From N. Y. Col. Docts., Vol. VII, p. S'J.J
To Sir Chas Hardy Kn* Gov'' of New York.
Sir (Extract.)
Since our letter to you dated 29"' of March we have
received your's of the 12"' of January, and 23'' of Febr'^''
last and the papers transmitted with them * * *
Another circumstance in your letter which gives us
great uneasiness is, the refusal of the Assembly to
make provision for the expense of a Commission for
determining the controversies with New Jersey and
Massachusetts Bay concerning their boundaries, the
unsettled state of which has already been productive
of so much mischief, and is an evil every day increasing.
We had hopes that a matter of this nature, and which
so essentially concerns the internal peace and quiet of
Govern^ would not have met with any difficulty, and
we can not but still be of opinion, that, when they
seriously and impartially consider the case, they will
comply with what has been so properly recommended
to them.
We have considered your proposal for settling tem-
1756] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 213
porary lines of Jurisdiction, as a means of putting a
stop to Acts of Violence and oppression, but as the
Crown has by the Charter to the Massachusetts Bay,
granted the Jurisdiction as well as the property, it does
not appear to us, that such a measure can take place
with respect to that part of the dispute. In the case
of New York and New Jersey, it undoubtedly may be
done; but even that could not be done without in some
degree affecting private property, and would be inef-
fectual, unless provision be made for the expense of
running out and making such a Une, when determined
upon.
As to the appointing Commissioners here for de-
termining the controversy upon a supposition that it
depends entirely upon the words of the G-rant to the
Duke of York, the establishing such a Jurisdiction is
altogether without precedent, liable to numberless ob-
jections, and might be attended with very bad conse-
quences; besides it could not be done without as great, if
not much greater, expence than that which has been pro-
posed, and therefore upon the whole, we are of opinion,
that the only proper and effectual method of determin-
ing these disputes will be by a Commission, in the
nature of that, upon which the limits between Mas-
sachusetts Bay and New Hampshire were settled; and
we desire you will acquaint the Assembly that, as this
is a matter of high concernment to the peace and quiet
of Govern' and the lives and properties of His Majesty's
subjects, His Majesty does expect, that they will
forthwith make a proper provision for the expence of
such a Commission, and give their Agent here proper
Instructions thereupon, that there may be no further
delay upon a matter of so great Importance.
We are Sir
Your most obedient humble servant,
Dunk Halifax
SoAME Jenyns
13 April 1756 EiCH'' Eigby
2li ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
informing them of the Death of James Alexander,
Esq., one of the Council and recommending his
son William Alexander, Esq., as his successor.
[Fi-om P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 26.J
Eliz^ Town (N J) April 23 1758
My Lords
In Duty to His Majesty, I am to advise You, that
the hono^l" James Alexander Esq^ of New York, died
the 2f Insf and as he was one of his Majesty's Council
for this Province his death makes a Vacancy; and his
only Son William Alexander Esq-' of N. York, has
applyed to me to recommend to Your Lordships his
filhng up his late Father's Place; and I can with much
Freedom say, he is a very worthy Gentleman, & every
way qualified according to His Majesty's 8':' Royal In-
struction to me, in that behalf; but I think his Ap-
pointment wou'd militate with the King's 6*" Instruc-
tion, Copy whereof I have the Honour now to inclose
to Your Lordships, and humbly submit the Matter to
Your Lordships just and wise Determination, and am
with great Regard,
My Lords,
Your Lordships most obedient and
most humble Servant,
J Belcher
' William Alexander, afterwards known (by courtesy) as Earl of Stirling, became
a Major-Generalin the Continental Army. See his life by his grandson, Wm. Alex-
ander Duer, LL. I)., in Vol. II, of the "Collections of the New Jersey Historical
Society." See also the Stirling Papers, in New York Historical Society Library,
and copies in the Library of the New Jersey Historical Society, many of which are
printed in the Proceedings of the Society. Vols. V, VI and VII. -Ed.
1756] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 215
Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher —
directing him, in case of his inability to attend
any meetings of the Governors appointed by the
Earl of Loudoun, to depute Lieut. -Governor Pow-
nal to act in his stead.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 16, Page 7.]
To Jonathan Belcher Esq^ Governor of New
Jersey
Sir
As the Earl of Loudoun Commander in Chief of His
Majestys Forces in America may have frequent Occa-
sion to call together the Governors of His Majestys
Colonys to advise and Consult with them upon such
measures as may be proper, to be taken for their gen-
eral Interest, and Security, and as We are sensible
that your Age and Infirmity may make it very pain-
full and hazardous if not impractible for you to attend
such Meetings, We think it for his Majesty's Service
to desire that you will upon all such Occasions when
you are unable to attend Yourself authorize and depute
Thomas Pownall Esq^ His Majestys Lieut- Governor to
attend such meetings with full powers to act in every
respect as representing the Provmce of New Jersey.
We are, Sir Your most Obedient,
and most humble Servants
Dunk Halifax T. Pelham
I. Talbot James Oswald
SoAME Jenyns Rich'" Rigby
W G. Hamilton
Whitehall May 11^" 1756
^16 ADMINISTRATIOJf OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. [1756
Representation of the Lords of Trade to the King on
the state of defence of the different colonies.
(From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 40, Ent. Book L, p. 41.]
To the King's most Excellent Majesty.
May it please your Majesty,
As it appeared to Us to be of the greatest Import-
ance, at a time when your Majesty judged it necessary
to take vigorous Measures for asserting and maintain-
ing your just Rights and Possessions in America, and
for protecting your Subjects there against the En-
croachments of a foreign Power, that your Majesty
should be truly & exactly informed of the State of De-
fence of your several Colonies & Plantations, We
thought it Our Duty in Sept"^ last to direct the respec-
tive Grovernors tiiereof to prepare and transmit to Us,
with all possible dispatch, an Account of the actual
Quantity and State of the Cannon, Small Arms, Amu-
nition and other Ordnance Stores belonging to their
respective Governments, either in the pubUck Maga-
zines or in the Possession of the Militia or other private
Persons, as also the true State of all Places either al-
ready fortified or which they should judge necessary
to be fortified, together with their Opinions respec-
tively in what manner your Majesty may further con-
tribute to the Defence and Security of such Colony:
And having lately received Returns from your Maj-
esty's Governors of New Hampshire, Rhode Island,
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Georgia, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, and the Vir-
gin Islands, We humbly beg leave, without delay, to
1756] ADMIITISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 317
lay the same before your Majesty, and shall think it
Our Duty humbly to represent to your Majesty the
State of Defence of the rest of your Majesty's Plan-
tations, so soon as we shall have received the Uke Re-
turns from the respective Governors of them.
[Here follows accounts of the Provinces of New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and New York.]
New Jersey.
Your Majesty's Province of New Jersey appears to
be in the most naked and defenceless Condition.
For Jonathan Belcher Esq', yom- Majesty's Governor,
in his Letter dated the 5"' of December last, acquaints
Us, That there are no Cannon, Small Arms or other
Ordnance or MiHtary Stores, belonging to the said
Province, and that there is not, nor (as he is informed)
ever was in all the Province, one Fortification or Place
of Defence. That he has recommended it to your Maj-
esty's Council to consider, what may be necessary to
be done for the Defence and Security of the said
Province, and in what manner your Majesty may con-
tribute thereto ; and when he has received their Advice,
he shall make a further Representation to Us there-
upon.
With respect to the Number of the Inhabitants and
of the Mihtia in your Majesty's said Province, M'
Belcher informs Us,
That there may be about 80,000 Whites, of which
about 16,00 may be able to bear Arms, and that the
Number of Blacks is computed to be between 15 & 1800.
That from the return made the last year by the
Colonels of the several Regiments, the Number of the
Militia appeared to be about 13,000 effective Men, who
are obhged by a Law of the Province to be muster'd
218 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
and train'd every six months, and to appear every Man
with a good Firelock, &c. fit to march against an
Enemy.
[Here follov^r accounts of Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Georgia and Jamaica, &c.J
All which is most humbly submitted.
Dunk Halifax. T. Pelham.
James Oswald. Soame Jenyns.
Rich'? Rigby. W. G. Hamilton.
I. Talbot.
Whitehall, May 11*" 175^.
[Under date of June 1'* the following additional in-
struction was sent to each of the Governors,]
Additional Instruction to Our Trusty and Well-
beloved
Wher^eas by our Declaration dated the 17'^ day of
May last, We have thought fit to declare War against
the French King, His Subjects and Vassals; and
whereas We have been informed, that heretofore in
times of War Our Subjects in several of Our Colonies
and Plantations in America have Corresponded with
Our Enemies and supplied them with Provisions and
warhke Stores, whereby Our Service has been greatly
prejudiced, and the safety of Our Dominions endan-
gered; It is therefore Our express Will and Pleasure,
that you do ivith the Advice of Our Council omitted iu
take the most speedy and effectual Measures ^^^ instruc-
to hinder all Corresix)ndence between any of ^°"o of con-
Our Subjects inhabiting Our [Province, necticut-
Colony or Island or Island of ] under your Pennsylvania
Government and the Subjects of the said Maryland.
French King, and to prevent any of the Colonies or
Plantations belonging to Our Enemies or other Places
possess'd by them in America, being supplied, either
1756] ADMiNIf5TRATI0N OP GOVERNOR BELCHER. 319
by Land or by Sea, from [our said Province Colony
or Island] under your Government v^ith Provisions or
warlike Stores of any kind.
And in Case you shall find it necessary to have An
Act pass'd for the Purposes above mentioned, you are
earnestly to recommend it in Our Name to totheLegis-
Our Council and to the Representatives of c on n-. &
Our said [^Province Colony or Island'] to pre- Ri^ode is-
pare and pass such Act.
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade-
expressing his gratification that the course of Neiv
Jersey is approved.
[From p. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. •^.]
Eliz^ Town (N J) June 15, 1756
My Lords,
The last I had the Honour of writing Youi* Lord-
ships was on the 27. of April past by the Earl of Lei-
cester Packet. — and I am now to own the Receipt of
Your Lordships Favour of 17. of Feb!' which came to
my hands 7. Ins- by the Packet to N. York.
And it is with much Satisfaction and Gratitude
that I own the kind Sentiments Your Lordships are
pleased to express of the Conduct and Behaviour of
this Government towards the Support (according to
their little Power) of His Majesty^ honour & Interest
on the present emergent Occasions of his Territories
and of His People in N. America, and I do assure Your
Lordships they express the most gratef ull Sense of His
Majesty? great Goodness and Bounty they are expect-
ing in the Propoi-tion of a handsome Sum of Money
granted by Parliament to several of His Majesty's
220 ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
Colonies, & I hope His Majesty? steady Paternal Care
will more & more animate this Province to their Duty
in the King's Service.
I observe by your Lordships Letter that His Maj-
esty has appointed the Earl of Loudon to be Com-
mander in chief of all His Forces in America — the
same Account I have from one of His Majesty- Prin-
cipal Secretaries of State and that my Lord Loudon
with the Troops that are with him may be daily ex-
pected at N. York. — and when His Lordship arrives
Your Lordships may intirely depend on my using my
utmost Endeavours to give His Lordship all the Assist-
ance in my Power for the Good of the Kings Service
I am now to advise Your Lordships that I held a
Session of the General Assembly of this Province from
20. May to 2. Ins' in which they did what I judged
necessary to recommend to them with great Alacrity
and Unanimity, & I have ordered the Secretary to
make a particular Account of their Proceeding to be
transmitted to Your Lordships as soon as may be.
I am with great Deference & Kespect,
My Lords, Your Lordships Most
obedient & Most humble Serv*
J Belcher
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary Fox —
commenting on recent proceedings of the Govern-
ment.
[From P. R. O. America & West Indies, Vol. TO.J
Eliz^ Town (N J) June 16, 1756
To the Right Honourable Mr Secretary Fox
Sir,
The 10. Ins' I recieved the Honour of your Letters
N° 1. 2. both under the Date of 18. of March last,
1756J ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 221
which were sent me by Col- Webb, from New York,
and to these I shall now make the most particular
Answer I can.
I see His Majesty has appointed the Earl of Loudon,
Commander in chief of all His Forces in N. America,
whither he was preparing to set out with all Expedi-
tion, and when his Lordship arrives with the King's
Troops, I shall endeavour to give him all the Assist-
ance in my Power, and shall do myself the honour of
corresponding with him, as heretofore with the late
General Braddock.
I shall, as soon as conveniently may be, call together
the Council and Assembly of this Province, and press
them in the strongest Manner, to aid and assist His
Majesty's Officers, in raising such Numbers of men, as
may be sufficient to recruit the King's Regiments in
North America, up to their Estabhshments; and to this
End I shall issue a Proclamation, and therein set forth
the Encouragement His Majesty offers to such Recruits.
I have already acquainted the Council & Assembly
with His Majesty's great Goodness, in having recom-
mended their Case to His Parliament, and who in
answer thereto, had granted a considerable Sum of
Money, to be distributed as the King should think
proper; and among whom this Province might hope
to expect a Proportion; and this account they received
with great Gratitude to His Majesty,— and have con-
tinued the Support of the same Number of men as
they raised the last year, and it will certainly be an
additional Encouragement that His Majesty takes up-
on himself, to supply the Troops raised in America,
with Provisions of all kinds.
I shall recommend to the Assembly the repaying the
Masters of such indented Servants, as shall engage in
His Majesty's Service, the Money paid by them, for
such Servants; but in this, I have very little Hope of
Success, or of persuading the Assembly, to have any
233 ADMIJSriSTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
of the Moneys they may raise, to be applyed to the
General Service, in such Manner as the Commander
in chief may direct. In a Session of the Assembly
about fourteen Days ago, they passt a Law in Prohibi-
tion of the Exportation of Provisions of all kinds, a
Copy of which Act I transmit, according to His Maj-
esty^ stated Royal Order to me, to the Lords of Trade
and Plantations; and when the Assembly comes to-
gether again, I shall tell them the necessity of making
this Act still stricter, if it shou'd be thought at all in-
sufficient, to answer the good ends proposed thereby.
I take Notice the King has directed, till the Arrival
of the Earl of Loudon, or Major General Abercrombie,
that Colonel Webb is to take upon him the Command
of the King's Forces in North America, & of this also
Colonel Webb advises me from N. York; and in an-
swer I have assured him of all the Assistance in my
Power, for the King's Service.
As His Majesty has directed Troops to be raised from
among certain foreign Protestants, settled in North
America, if any of the King's Officers of that sort,
should come into this Province, I shall do my best for
assisting them, in the Execution of the Service they
are engaged in.
When the Earl of Lowdon arrives, I shall, with the
Assistance of His Majesty's Council, collect and lay
before him the most particular Answer I can, as to the
Forces, Cannon, Small-arms, Amunition and other
Ordnance and Military Stores, with the Number of the
Militia &c^ belonging to this Province. I have the
Honour to be, with great Deference & Regard,
Honourable Sir,
Your most obedient and most humble Servant,
J Belchek
1756] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHEE. 223
The Account of Andrew Johnston, Treasurer for East
Netv Jersey, of receipts and payments from 21st
of November, 1755, to 21st of August, 1756.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 35.1
Province of New Jersey to And"^ Johnston
Treasurer of the Eastern Division.
DR.
To Sundry Payments from y? 21^/ of Nov^
1755 to y? 21«? of Aug^ 1756,
His Excellency Gov^ Belcher Sundry
Warr'.« . . . . . £530. 0.0
Gentlemen of the CounciU . . 94.16.0
Gentlemen of the Assembly . . 190. 4.0
Attorny GeneraU . . . 15.00.0
Judge of the Supream Court . . 78.15.0
Eastern Treasurer . . . 30.00.0
Clarke of the Assembly . . . 34. 2.0
Doorkeepers & Sarjents at arms . 33. 5.0
Acco" of Expences, Assembly & Coun-
ciU Chambers . . . . 24. 9.0
Printer. .... 61. 7.0
£1091.18.0
CONTRA CR.
By Ball? of Acco*' y" 2r.' NovV 1755 . . £261. 6M
By a Tax payable by the Several Eastern
Countys on the 21''.' Nov' 1755, viz!' .
Middlesex . . . £27l.l8.1i
Monmouth . . 394. 6.0
Essex .... 233.ll.4i
Somerset . . 334.19.3
Bergen . . . 197.14.0
£1432. 8.9
£1693. 15. 3i
224 ADMINISTEATIOlf OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
Andrew Johnston Treasurer of the Eastern Division
of New Jersey, appeared before me Samuel Nevill Esq'
Second Justice of y'' Supreani Court, and being duly
Sworn declares, to the best of his knowledge, that the
above Acco" is a true State of the receipts & pay-
ments by him, from the 21'* of Novr 1755 to y^ 21^' Aug
1756, on Account of the Support of Government.
And^ Johnston
Sworn the 12*'' Day of October, 1756. Before
Samuel Nevill
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
relative to the dispided line between New York
and New Jersey, atid enclosing a petition of the
Proprietors of East Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1, 31.1
Eliz" Town (N J.) September 1 1756
My Lords,
It is now nine years since my Arrival to this Gov-
ernment in which Time I have been often writing to
your Lordships relative to the disputed Line betwixt
this and the Province of New York, and have also often
wrote to the Goverm* of New York on the same Head,
but in which Important Article nothing is yet brought
to a Conclusion.
I now at the Request of the General Proi^rietors of
the Eastern Division of this Province cover to Your
Lordships Copy of their Petition to the Kmg in which
they set forth that notwithstanding Sir Charles Hardy,
the present Governor of New York laid beiore that As-
sembly the King's especial Instruction respecting this
Affair, yet nothing is done in it to this Day. — I there-
fore wou'd humbly refer Your Lordships to what I
wrote you upon it of 6. of November 1754, as also to
1756] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. 225
the inclosed Petition, & which are so particular for
Your Lordships full Information, that I have only to
add that the Assembly of New York seems to shew an
Indisposition or Aversion to come to a Settlement ac-
cording to the King's Instruction.
I do therefore in Duty to His Majesty's as weU as
from a just Regard to His good People under My Care
humbly intreat Your Lordships to give this important
Affair the speediest Consideration & Dispatch you can,
for if nothing be soon done in it I fear Riots and Out-
rages if not Bloodshed will be committed on the Borders
between the People of each Pi-ovince which would be
a melancholy Affair especially at this Critical Conjunc-
ture, but I hope Your Lordships seasonable Interposi-
tion will prevent the fatal Consequences a further Delay
may produce.
I have the honour to be with great
Deference & Respect, My Lords Your Lordships
Most obedient & Most humble Servant
J Belcher
To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty in Council
The Petition of the General Pi^oprietors of
the Soil of the Eastern Division of the
Province of New Jersey in North America
In behalf of themselves and those Claiming
Under them
Most Humbly Sheweth
That Whereas their Excellencys the Lords Justices
on Account of the Many and Great Outrages which
had from Time To Time been Committed on the Front-
iers of this and the Neighbouring Province of New
York for Want of the Establishment of a Line of
property and Jurisdiction between them, were pleased,
on the Twelfth Day of August Last to Give an Ad-
15
236 ADMINISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
ditional Instruction to Sir Charles Hardy your Maj-
estys Governour of the Province of New York therein
Declaring it to be of the Greatest Importance To the
Tranquility and Welfare of the said Provinces that
Such Line of Property and Jurisdiction should be
Speedily Settled between them, and that it Could only
be Done by a Commission to be Issued by your Majesty
for that Purpose, and that their Lordships had Ke-
ceived from the Agent of your Petitioners Assm'ances
of their Concurance and an Offer of Ample Security to
Defray one half of the Expence of Obtaining and Exe-
cuting Such a Commission and Therefore Authorizing
and Requiring the said Governour of New York Ear-
nestly to recommend it in your Majesty's Name To the
Assembly of that Province that they would make
Speedy and Effectual Provision for Defraying the Other
Moiety of such Expence.
And Whereas your Majesty's said Governour Did
Lay the said Instruction before the said Assembly, and
pressed them to make Immediate jirovisions that an
End might be Speedily and Effectually put to the Out-
rages that had been Committed, So much to the preju-
dice of your Majesty's Service, and the Disturbance of
the Public Peace; yet so it is, may it Please your Maj-
esty That the said Assembly have not hitherto Yielded
a Due Obedience To the said Instruction, and the Con-
duct of the persons Interested In the Lands Lying on
the Disputed Line, Gives but too much Eeason to be-
lieve that they Do not Intend to Concur with us In the
Measures prescribed by your Majesty's said Instruc-
tion, as the only one that Could Remove the Founda-
tion of the said Riots and Disturbances.
Wherefore your Petitioners are put under the Ne-
cessity of Imploring Your Majesty's Immediate inter-
position for a Temporary Line of Juiisdiction, being
Apprehensive that this Disregard of your Majesty's
Royal Listruction Will Involve the Two Proviuceo In
1756] ADMINISTRATION^ OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 227
Great and Endless Contentions, and Occasion much
Bloodshed, at a Time when all your Majestys Subjects
should be United and Exert themselves against the
Common Enemy: and Most Humbly Pray, that Your
Majesty would be Graciously pleased, for the Preserva-
tion of the Peace of your Majesty's Subjects Living
upon the Borders of the two Provinces, to Issue your
Royal Order, that a Streight and Direct Line, Extend-
ing from a Place on Hudson's River Eighty Nine Chains
and Sixty Links South of the Old house Late belong-
ing to John Corbet Deceas'd to the Station point upon
the Northerraost Branch of Delaware River Settled and
Agreed upon by the Commissioners and Surveyors of
both Provinces in the Year 1719 — Be and Remain the
Line of Jurisdiction between this Province and the
Province of New York, Untill the True Line of Prop-
erty and Jurisdiction shall be finally Settled, Run and
Marked under a Commission from your Majesty to be
Issued and Carried Into Execution at the Joint and
Equal Expence of your Petitioners and the said Prov-
ince of New York.
And your Petitioners, further to Induce your Maj-
esty to Issue your Order for fixing the said Line for
the Temporary Jurisdiction, Humbly beg Leave to set
forth, that the said Station Points upon Hudson's
River and the Northermost Branch of the River Dela-
ware, to and between which the said Temporary Line
is Proposed to be Drawn, were In the said Year 1719,
After a Variety of Observations made by the Surveyors
of both Provinces under the Authority of Acts of As-
sembly, Judged to be Very Near, if not Exactly In
the Respective Lattitudes on the said Rivers, through
which the True Line of Partition must run, and the said
Line for Sixteen Miles, has been Run and Acquiesced
In many Years by the Owners of the Lands in both
Provinces and by far the Greatest part of the Re-
mainder thereof has been Surveyed and Marked out
228 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1756
by your Petitioners; and the Lands on the Jersey side
thereof have been peaceably Possessed By them and
those Claiming under them, Until the Year 1740,
when the late Disturbances Concerning that Line
began.
And Your Majesty's Petitioners as in Duty Bound
shall Ever Pray &c &c
AndY Johnston
RoB"^ H. Morris Rich? Peters for
Mary Alexander by Mess''.' Penn—
her Attorney John Stevens
Samuel Nevill Samuel Leonard
John Burnet Lewis M. Ashfield
James Parker W"? Skinner by his At-
Courtland Skinner torney
Lewis Johnston
The foregoing is a true Copy of the Original, being
examined and Corrected by me
John Smyth Regv
Account of Samuel Smith, Treasurer for West New
Jersey, of receipts and payments from November
8, 1755, to October 11, 1756.
fFrom P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. .36.J
Province of New Jersey in the sinking Fund
Tax To Sam^ Smith Treasurer.
D?
5th -^o Qj, jy^ay 12 1750 To Cash then Sunk ac-
cording to Law .... 507.18.0
Nov' 18 1755 By Cash of Alex' Moore Col-
lector of Cumberland in full of their
Quota to the Tax due the 21'' Ins' 54.03. iOi
1756] ADMINISTRATIONT OF GOVERXOR BELCHER. 239
19 By Cash of Jacob Ford Esq Collector of
Morris in full of their Quota to the
Tax due j' 21'' Ins' . . . 85.00.03^
22 By Cash of Jeremiah Learning Col-
lector of Cape May (by Josiah
Hand) in full of their Quota of the
2r*Ins' 25.11.051
26 By Cash of Wilson Hunt CoUector of
Hunterdon In full of theirs of the
2r'Ins' 216.11.11i
Decern^ 1 1755 By Cash of Tho^ Scatter-
good Collector of Burlington In fuU
of their Quota to the 21'* of last
Month 191.15.01i
1' M" 13 1756 By Cash of Edw'^ Keasbey
Collector of Salem in full of their
Quota to the 2r' Nov 1755 . 106. 16. Hi
16 By Cash of Eben"^ Hopkins Collector of
Gloster in part of their Quota of
last Year 17.04.00i
& by ditto in full of their quota due y*
21^* Nov-- 1755 .... 119.n.08i
Province of New Jersey in the first Expedition
Money 1755
Nov' 8 1755 To Abe Hewlings & D Smith
Jun' for signing £15 each . . 30.00.0
2 m 16 1756 To Jos Yard & Jos HoUinshead
Esq" in part of Commissions . . 30.00.0
4*'' M 5 1756 To Cash p'^ Hendrick Fisher &
Jacob Deharts Order for fitting out
the Forces (by Minne Fisher) . . 530.12.0
By Cash return' by Abra Hewlings Esq . 612.10.0
230 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOB BELCflER. [1756
Province of New Jersey in the Second Expedi-
tion Money 1755
Dec"" 5 1755 To Jacob Spicer Esq for sup-
plies of Provisions .... 573,15.0
To my own Wages as Signer . . . 15.00.0
17 To Jacob Spicer Esq for Supplies for the
Forces 554.00.6
1 M or Jan>' 19 1756 To Col Schuylers Order
for Pay of his Regiment by Lieut^
Ward 1000.00.0
3 m 5 1756 To Jacob Spicer Esq to pay for
Tents, Kettles &c . . . . 526.10.0
19 to Col Schuyler order for Pay of his Regi-
ment by Lieuten* May . . . 2500.00.0
3 m 24 1756 To Hend'' Fisher's order paid to
his Son 337.13.0
29 Jacob Spicers Order p^^ J Carty . . 25.00.0
5tb ]y[o ^ ;|^Y56 To Jacob Spicer Esq for
Lead &c 100.00.0
Province of New Jersey in the Exchange Money
made Currant in 1756.
OR.
gth j^^o -^Y56 Received of Hugh Hartshorne
one of the Signers .... 1749. l.G
Province of New Jersey in Money made Cur.
rent for Building Block Plouses &c on the
Frontiers.
DR.
V m or Jan^ 9 1756 To John Wetherill Esq
for paying off the Provincial forces
on the Frontiers .... 1002. 0.0
1756J ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 331
3 M° 18 1756 To Jonathan Hamton's Order
by Jos Yard 500. 0.0
& to Jos Yard one of the Signers . . 10. 0.0
16 To John Wetherill Commissary for pay-
ing the Troops on the Frontiers (by
his Son) 1500. 0.0
4 M 10 To Jonathan Hamton's order in
favour of Jas Yard Jun' for Pay of
Provisions &c 1000. 0.0
6 M 8 1756 To Jona Hamptons order in
favour of Jos Yard p" to Ch Pettit 600. 0.0
6 M 9 1756 To Jona Hamtons Order in
favour of Jos Yard Esq . . . 374. 3.0
9 To Jos Holhnshead Esq for signing in part
He having reciev'dthe Eemaining £6.
3. of Jos Yard Esq-" . . . 3. 17.0
By Cash of Jos Holhnshead Esq one of the
Signers 5000. 0.0
540. 0.0
Province of New Jersey in the £17,500 Money
of 1756
^th ^o Qj. j^iy 20"^ 1756 To Nicholas Gibbon
one of the Com mis" to pay for Cloath-
ing
6 m 6 1756 To John Allen for Pay of the
Forces 1692. 0.0
Sep' 1'* 1756 To Hugh Hartshorne for Sign-
ing the Bills & Inspecting the Press . 27. 0.0
I't — r^Q jQg Holhnshead for Signing the
17,500 17.10.0
To myself for signing the Exch Money 3.10.0
Sep' 4 1756 To John AUen for Pay of the
Forces on the Frontiers . . . 600. 0.0
332 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 1756
Octo 5. To Nicholas Gibbons ord in Favour
of Ch Read 19. 0.0
6. To John AUen Esq for Pay of the Forces
on the Frontiers .... 1000. 0.0
By Cash of Hugh Hartshorne and Jos Hol-
linshead the Signers .... 8711.11.6
By Ditto of Ditto 38. 8.0
£8749.19.6
Province of New Jersey for Support of Govern-
ment.
DR.
Nov. 8 1755 To Judge Nevill his Warr' N 381 100.00.0
To Cash p'^ an Express for Councellor Kem-
ble by order of Assembly . . . 0. 7.6
To Rich" Saltar Esq his War'^ N
356
D° 386
D° 367 .
To Jos Yard Esq in full of his Certif
To the Gov''« War*^ N 392 D" 393
To W" Bradford his War' N 401 D
other 373 ... .
To John Ladd Esq his Certif
To Anth Elton his War* 402 & N 374
To R'' Partridge Esq his War* N 383
To Ch Read Esq his War* N 375
is £9. 4.0
Ditto Another 371 . . 7.10.0
D? 342 . . 7.10.0
D? 360 . . 7.10.0
D? 399 . . 7.10.U
39. 4.0
£ 6.5.0
14.8.0
6.5.0
26.18.0
8. 2.0
265.00.0
itto an-
,
70.15.0
^ ,
8.14.0
~ ^
5.00.0
285. 5.4
1756]
ADMINISTRATIOK OF GOVERNOR BELCHER.
233
To my own War*^ N 368 & N 358 & 396
To W"" Hancock Esq his Certif
To Ditto Another ....
To Eben^ Miller Esq his Certif.
To Sam' Clement Esq his Certif
To Henry Paxson Esq his Certif
To Courtland Skinner Esq his War»« N 339
3T0. 333
To W'" Hancock Esq his Certif.
To Sam' Clement Esq his Certif.
To Jos Yard Esq his Certif.
To Jacob Spicer Esq In full of two Certif s
To Aaron Learning Esq his Certif
To my own Certif ....
To R" Saltar Esq his War^ N 408
To Ch Head Esq his War' N 412 .
To Ditto his Certif ....
To my own War^ N 409 .
To Henry Paxson Esq.
To Anth Elton his War' N 414
To Barzillai Newbold Esq. his Certif .
To Anth Elton Esq his War! N 362
To R" Saltar Esq his War' N 395
To Jos Yard Esq his Certif
To my own Certif ....
To W" Cook Esq his Certif
To John Ladd Esq his Certif.
To Barzillai Newbold Esq his Certif
To Aaron Leaming Esq his Certif.
To W" Hancock Esq his Certif
To Eben^ MiUer Esq his Certif .
To Ditto Another ....
To Aaron Leaming Esq his Certif
To the Gov" War! N 417 & N 418 .
To Jacob Spicer Esq his Certif. .
To Jos Yard Esq his Certif.
30.00.0
8. 8.0
9.18.0
10. 4.0
8. 8.0
7. 4.0
22.10.0
5. 8.0
4.16.0
3.18.0
15.00.0
3.12.0
4. 4.0
6. 5.0
7.10.0
4. 4.0
10.00.0
4. 4.0
2.10.0
7. 4.0
2.10.0
6. 5.0
6.18.0
7. 4.0
11.14.0
4.16.0
4. 4.0
5.14.0
7. 4.0
5.14.0
7.10.0
6.12.0
265.00.0
7.16.0
5.14.0
234
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER.
[1756
24.12.7
26. 5.0
13.10.0
69.3.11
7.10.0
4.16.0
4.16.0
6.00.0
2.10.0
To John Smythes 5 War^« N 331. 372. 343
361. & 378 p" C Read
To Judge Nevills 2 War'.' N 419. 433
To Ch Reads War* N 424 & his Certif
To D"^ liis War* N 432
To Lewis M Ashfield Esq his War^ N 296
To my own Certif .....
To Henry Paxson Esq his Certif
To Josh Bisphams War^ N 437
To Anth Eltons War* N 426
To James Hohnes Esq his Certif £5.14.0
D° Another . . . . 7.16.0
D° ... 5. 8.0
18.18.0
To John Ladd Esq his Certif. . . 6.12.0
To Barzillai Newbold Esq his Certif. . . 4.16.0
To John Ladd Esq his Certif . . . 3.18.0
To Eb' Miller Esq his Certif . . . 5. 2.0
To Barzillai Newbold Esq his Certif . 3.12.0
To Jacob Spicer Esq his Certif. . . . 5. 2.0
To Henry Paxson Esq his Certif . . . 3.12.0
To my own Certif 3.12.0
To John Smyth Esq his War* N. 400 . 5.00.0
To Courtland Skinner Esq his War* N 398 7.10.0
To Ch Read Esq his Certif. . . . 3.12.0
To my own War* N 421 . . . . 10.00.0
To R" Saltar Esq his War* N 420 . . 6. 5.0
To D^ Another 429 . . 12.12.0
To Benf Biles his War* 434 . . . 6.2.8
CR.
Nov^ 18 1755 By Cash of Alex' Moore Col-
lector of Cumberland in part of their
Quota to the Tax due y' 21 Ins* . 100.17. U
By Cash the same day which is in fuU . 5. 8.00
19 By Cash of Jacob Ford Collector of Mor-
ris in full of their Quota due the 21'*
Ins 111. 2. 6
1756] ADMIKISTRATION OP GOTERNOR BELCHER. 235
22 By Cash of Jeremiah Learning Collector
of Cape May in full . . . 50. 2. 6
22 By Cash of Tho^ Woolverton Collector of
Sussex in part of their Quota . . 53.13. $
26 By Cash of Wilson Hunt Collector of
Hunterdon In full . . . 425. 6. 6
Decern"' 1'.' 1755 By Cash of Thomas Scatter-
good Collector of Burlington in Part 362. 9. 6^
1 m 9 1756 By Cash of Tho' Woolverton in
full of the remainder of Sussex Quota 1.17.10
13 By Cash of W" Keasley CoUector of Sa-
lem In full of their Tax due y* 21
Nov^ 209.11. 3
16 By Cash of Eben' Hopkins CoUector of
Gloucester in full of their Tax due y^
21^.' Nov last 234.10. 9
3^ m 18 1756 By Cash of Tho^ Scattergood
in full of BurHngton Deficiency of
Nov 2r' Last 12.11. 7
Burlington ss
Personally appeared before me Joseph Noble Esq
one of the King's Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas, Samuel Smith Esq Treasurer of the Western
Division of the Province of New Jersey and on his
solemn Affirmation according to Law did declare that
these two Sheets of Paper contain a just & true state
of his Accounts as Treasurer from the fifth day of No-
vember 1755 to this present Eleventh of October 1756.
Sam^ Smith
Affirmed to the day & year above before Joseph Noble
$36 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCBER. [1756
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
nominating Samuel Woodruff for the Council, to
, fill a vacancy caused by the deatli of John Rod-
man.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 87.]
Eliz^ Tov^n (N J) Nov^ 19: 1756
To The Lords of Trade
My Lords,
I did myself the Honour of writing Your Lordships
the 30. of the last Month, covering the Publick Papers
relating to this Province, which went via New York by
the Packet, & the Duplicate by one Cap' Cooper,
since which nothing new has occurr'd relating to this
Province.
But I am now to inform Your Lordships, that a few
Months ago died John Rodman Esq"" late of his Maj-
estys Council of this Province, & I wou'd now in Obe-
dience to His Majesty's 6"' Royal Instruction, nominate
to Your Lordships Samuel Woodruff Esq!" for filling
up this Vacancy, & I do with all Freedom recommend
him to Your Lordships, as a Gentleman of strict Vir-
tue of good Ability, & of a good Estate; He is & has
been for several Years Mayor of this Town, and one of
the Judges of the County Court; of great Loyalty and
Zeal for advancing His Majesty's Interest & Honour,
at all Times, nor do I know a more worthy Person to
supply the said Place. ' M^ Woodruff wi^ites M' Part-
ridge to wait on Your Lordships on this Occasion, and
I have the honour to be with great Respect and Defer-
ence, My Lords, Your Lordships
most obedient & most humble Servant
J Belcher
' Under date of March 1st there was issued an order of Council appointing Mr.
Woodruff to the position.
1757] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVEKNOR BELCHER. 2S7
Proclamation of Governor Belcher — relating to the ex-
portation of provisions.
[From p. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 42.]
/I ' Uoyal '. p
'J \ Anns / -1-^
By His Excellency
Jonathan Belcher, Esq ; Captain General,
Governor and Commder in Chief, in and
over his Majesty's Province of ISTovge-
Csesarae, or New Jersey, and Territories
thereon depending in America, Chancellor,
and Vice Admiral in the same.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS it hath been represented to his Majesty,
that the several Islands and Colonies belong-
ing to the French in America, have, in Times of War,
been frequently supplied v^ith Provisions of various
Kinds, by Means of the Trade carried on from his Maj-
esty's Islands and Colonies, to the Colonies and Settle-
ments belonging to the Dutch, and other neutral
Powers ; and thereupon, it is his Majesty's Royal
Order that an Embargo be immediately laid, during
his Majesty- s Pleasure, upon aU Ships and Vessels
clearing out with Provisions from any Port or Place
within this Government, except those as shall carry
Provisions to any other of his Majesty's Islands and
Plantations: In Obedience therefore to his Majesty's
Royal Order, as aforesaid, I have thought fit, by and
238 ADMINISTEATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
with the advice and Consent of his Majesty's Council of
this Colony, to lay, and I Do hereby lay a Prohibition
and Embargo, during his Majesty's Pleasure, on all
Ships and Vessels laden or to be, laden, with Provisions
(except such, and so much, as shall be absolutely nec-
essary for the Use of such Vessel, and the Maintenance
of her Crew, during her intended A^oyage) and clear-
ing out of any of the Ports or Places of New Jersey,
agreeable to the Directions and Instructions by me re-
ceived from his Majesty for that Purpose: And I do
hereby order and direct, the Collectors of his Majesty's
Customs, and naval Officers of the several Ports and
Places within this Government, not to clear out any
Ships or Vessels, laden with Provisions, from any
Port or Place within this said Government, except
those which shall be employed, in carrymg Provisions,
to any other of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations,
or shall be employed by the Government for the Sup-
ply of his Majesty's Army and Fleet which shall be
allowed to sail from Time to Time; Provided, That such
Master and Masters, or Owner and Owners, of all and
every such Ships and Vessels, so excepted as aforesaid,
shall and do, before they are permitted to take any
Provisions on board, enter into Bonds (with two Sure-
ties of known Kesidence within this Colony, and of
Ability to Answer the Penalty) with the Collector of
the Customs of the Ports or Places from whence such
Ships or Vessels shall set sail, in the Penalty of One
Thousand Pounds, if the Ship be of less burthen than
One Hundred Tons; and in the Penalty of Two Thou-
sand Pounds, if above that Burthen; the Conditions of
which said Bonds, shall be, That the Cargoes of such
Ships or Vessels (the Particulars whereof are to be ex-
pressed in the Bonds) shall not be landed in any other
Ports or Places, than such as belong to his Majesty, or
are in the Possession of his Subjects: And that they
will, within Twelve Mouths after the date thereof,
1757] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 239
(the Danger of the Seas excepted) produce Certificates,
under the Hands and Seals of the principal Officers of
the Customs at such Ports or Places for which such
Ships or Vessels are cleared out, that the said Cargoes
(the Particulars whereof shall be expressed in such
Certificates) have actually been landed at the said Ports
and Places for which the said Ships or Vessels were so
cleared out as aforesaid. And if there shall be Cause
to suspect, that any of the Certificates as aforesaid, are
false and counterfeit, the said several Collectors as
aforesaid, are hereby further ordered and directed, to
take especial Care that such Security or Bond be not
cancelled or vacated, until Information can be had
from such principal Officers of the Customs, as afore-
said, that the Contents of the said Certificates are just
and true; and the said several Collectors as aforesaid,
are hereby further ordered and directed, that no
Person be admitted to be Security for another, who
hath any Bond or Bonds standing out undischarged,
unless he the said Bondsman shall be esteemed respon-
sable for more than the Bonds so entered, or to be
entered into as aforesaid. And in order more fully to
answer his Majesty's Intention, of distressing the
Enemy, and to render his Orders herein the more ef-
fectual, I do hereby further order and direct, the
several Collectors and Naval Officers as aforesaid, to
take Care, that in Case the Masters or Owners of any
such Ships or Vessels having cleared out from the
Colony as aforesaid, laden with Provisions, for any of
his majestys Colonies, Islands, Army or Fleet, as
aforesaid, shall be detected of causing collusive Cap-
tures to be made of such Cargoes, the said Collectors
and naval Officers, do forthwith transmit to me, a full
Account of every such Discovery and Detection, with
the Proofs thereof, that every such Offender or Of-
fenders, may be immediately ]n-osecuted for the same,
and the several Penalties inflicted upon him or them,
that the Laws will in such Cases admit of.
240 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
And every Collector of his Majesty's Customs, and
naval Oflficer in this Colony, is hereby strictly charged
and commanded, to take especial care, that this Prohi-
bition and Embargo, and every Clause or Title,
and thing herein contained, be punctually observed,
and put in Execution, until his Majesty's Pleasure
herein, shall be further known: And also that the
Laws be put in Force against all and every such Master
and Masters, Owner and Owners, of such Ships or
Vessels, who shall break or violate any of the Laws of
Trade, or any Ways offend in the Premises.
And aU his Majesty's liege Subjects, are hereby
strictly charged, enjoined, and commanded to be aid-
ing and assisting to the Collectors of his Majesty's Cus-
toms, and naval Officers of this Colony, in the Discharge
of their respective Duties. And I do hereby request
aU his Majesty's liege Subjects within this Govern-
ment, who shall or may discover any Ship or Vessel,
privately or clandestinely, loading or unloading in any
of the Out-Bays, Creeks, or Rivers within the same, or
thereto adjacent, and against the Purport of this Pro-
hibition and Embargo, to give immediate Information
thereof, to the Officers of his Majesty's Customs, that
the Offender or Offenders may be dealt with according
to law.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at the
Borough of Elizabeth, this 18"' day of January, in the
Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and
Fifty -Seven.
J. Belcher
By His Excellency's Command,
Charles Read, Secretary
God Save the King.
1757] ADMINISTRATIOK OP GOYERNOR BELCHER. ^41
Circular Letter from Secretary W. Pitt to the Gover-
nors of the Northern Provinces in America^ urging
the raising of additional troops.
[From New York Col. Documents, Vol. VII, p. 216.]
Whitehaix Feb'' 4, 1Y5Y
Sir
The King having nothing more at heart, than the
preservation of his good subjects & Colonies of N.
America, has come to a resohition of acting with the
greatest vigor in those parts, the ensuing campaign,
and all necessary ^^reparations are making for sending
a considerable reinforcements of Troops, together with
a strong squadron of Ships, for that purpose, and in
order to act offensively against the French in Canada.
It is His Maj'^'' pleasure, that you shall forthwith
call together your Council & Assembly, and press them
in the strongest manner to raise, with the utmost ex-
pedition, a number of provincial Troops, at least equal
to those raised the last Year, for the service of the en-
suing Campaign, over and above what they shall
judge necessary for the immediate defence of their
own province; and that the Troops, so raised, do act
in such Parts, as the Earl of Loudoun or the Com-
mander in Chief of His Maj*'" forces for the time
being, shall judge most conducive to the service in
general; and the King doubts not but that the several
ProV"^' truly sensible of his Paternal care, in sending
so large a force for their security, will exert their ut-
most endeavours to second, and strengthen, such
offensive operations against the Frencii, as the Earl of
Loudoun, or the Commander in Chief for the time being
shall judge expedient, and will not clogg the enlist-
ments of the men or the raising of the money for their
pay ettc, with such limitations, as have been hitherto
16
342 ADMINISTRATION OP GOVERNOE BELCHER. [175?
found to render their service difficult and ineffectual,
and as a further encouragement, I am to acquaint you,
that the raising of the Men, their pay, arms and cloath-
ing will be all, that will be required on the part of the
several provinces; measures having been already taken
for laying up Magazines of Stores and provisions of all
kinds at the expence of the Crown.
I cannot too strongly recommend it to you, to use all
your influence with your Council and Assembly for
the punctual and immediate execution of these His
Maj'^' commands I am ettc.
WPiTT
[Similar letters were sent to New Hampshire, Mas-
sachusetts Bay, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York,
and New Jersey.]
Memorandum received by William Alexander from
Ferdinand John Paris as lo the character of the
Commissioners to determine the boundaries be-
tiveen New York and New Jersey.
[From N. J. Manuscript of W. A. Whitehead, Vol. 1, No. 89.J
9"' Feb>- 1757
The last Eequest which M' Paris made to the late
M' Alexander and which seems necessary now to be
attended to, was
To have a short Affidavit or Affidavits, from some
proper persons, specifying what Objections the Pro-
prietors of New Jersey have to the Councillors of any
particular Province in America, Or to any particular
Members of any one such Council, against their acting
as Commissioners to settle the Boundaries between
New Jersey and New York.
1757] A DMIKISTRATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 343
And that such Affidavits should be return'd under
the Great Seal of some Colony.
If the persons making the Affidavits can with truth
go so far as to say, that they verily beheve in their
Consciences, that the Councillors in such and such
Provinces, or the particulai- Members of any particular
Council, so objected to, will not, for the particular Rea-
sons assigned, be even, equal and indifferent Judges
between New Jersey and New York in the Dispute re-
lating to their Boundaries, it ought by no means to be
omitted in the Affidavits
[Enclosed in letter to Robert Hunter Morris Feb. 12,
1Y57, which see. — Ed.]
Letter from William Alexander to Robert Hunter
Morris—^relating to the boundary difficulties be-
tween New York ayid New Jersey.
[From roigrinal among N. J. Mamiscripts of W. A. Whitehead, Vol. I, No. 88.J
London feb: 12, 1757.
The Hon^^® Robert Hunter Morris Esq'" or the
President of the Council of Proprietors of
the Eastern Division of the Province of
New Jersey
Dear Sir
I would before this time have wrote to you on the
affairs of the Proprietors of the Eastern Division of
New Jersey, and informed you of the progress of their
Petition for a Temporary Line, but waited in hopes of
giving you some account of its Effect, which I now
have the pleasure of doing. Some few Days after my
Arrival in England, the Petition was delivered in to
244 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [l757
his Majesty in Council; On the 19*^ of Nov' it was re-
ferred to the Lords of the Committee of Council for
Plantation Affairs, who took it into Consideration on
the 24'.^' of that month, which is the only Day that
Committee lias sat since August last : They referred it to
the Lords of Trade who appointed the 21'' of Dec"" for
a hearing on it at their Board, and Notice was given
of it to M' Paris and M' Charles, here we expected
to meet with the long practized Opposition and Eva-
sions on the part of New York, and therefore prepared
for them, by determining to make our Offers so ample
and fair, as to put it out of then* jDower to make any
Objections to the doing something or other effectual.
After reading over the Petition, and proving the De-
Uvery of a Copy of it to the President of the Council
of New York; we told their Lordships that if they had
any Objections to the granting the prayer of the peti-
tion for a Temporary Line, and chose rather to have
the Matter determined by a Commission for running
the final Line: And as the only Objection that now
remained to the issuing such Commission, was, that
the Province of New York had not provided for their
Moiety of the Expence, we would advance the Money
necessary for the whole Expence of seeing out the
Commission and carrying it mto Execution, provided
their Lordships would advise that in the Commission
it might be ordered that the Commission should award
one half of the Expence to be repaid by the Province
of New York to the Proprietors of East Jersey. These
we thought we might venture to offer, rather than
leave them the least pretence for any further Delay;
and it had the effect we wished ; for it convinced their
Lordships that the proprietors were honestly disposed
to put an End to the Contest. M'' Charles had noth-
ing of Consequence to object, but declared to their Lord-
ships that he had never before heard of this petition;
that he had no Instructions relating to it, but was in
1757] ADMINISTEATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 246
hopes he should have by the next packet, and therefore
prayed for time 'till after the Holydays. We replyed,
that several Mouths had passed since the Copy of the
petition had been served on the province of New York;
that they had had time enough to instruct him, if
they had thought that proper; that perhaps they did
not intend to send him any Instructions about it; and
that it would be very hard that we should be put off
vdth Expectations of Mr Charles, which had no foun-
dation. However their Lordships thought Keasonable
to give him some time to consider of the petition and
agreed to put the Matter off till after the Holy days,
but told M"" Charles, that if he then had no Instruc-
tions from New York, he was not to expect that would
be allowed a pretence for any further Delay.
After the Holy days we got the 18'!' of Jan?' ap-
pointed for a hearing, which notwithstanding what
had passed at the Board of Trade the last hearing, M'
Charles had the Modesty to request it should be put
off on pretence of his ex|3ecting a Ship every Moment
from New York; And I beheve their Lordships would
have again comply ed with his Request, had not Mf
Paris's Answer to it shamed them. Accordingly a hear-
ing was had on the 18'.'' M'' Paris and M"' Forrester
attending in behalf of the proprietors, and M"" Charles
in Behalf of New York; the Latter had nothing to ob-
ject that was, to the purpose; he said he had no
Instructions from his principals relating to this peti-
tion, but that he was confident on a full Enquiry into
the Matter it would be found that the Mouth of the
West Branch was the true Station on Delaware &c.
&c. However their Lordships saw the Necessity there
was of restoring Peace between the two Provinces at
this time and the reasonableness and fitness of our Re-
quest for that End, in so strong a Light, that they
determined to delay the Matter no longer: And ac-
cordingly on the 27"' made their Report to the Lords
34fi ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
of the Committee of Council, in which they advised
the Line we pray for, but give New York six Months
time to provide for the Expence of setthng the final
Line, before this Temporary one shall take Effect.
A Copy of the Report, and the Reference of the Matter
to them by the Lords of the Committee of Council, are
herewith: The Matter now lies before that Cona-
mittee, who I doubt not will be intirely governed by
the Lords of Trade: But when the Committee will set
is quite uncertain, and so it consequently is when we
shall obtain the Order of Council for carrying the Tem-
porary Line into Execution, but No Endeavours of
mine shall be wanting to hasten it.
I think it my Duty in this place to inform you and
the proprietors, with the part that I find M'" Pownall
Lieut, Gov' of their Province, has acted in this Affair.
On his coming over to England the last year, he in a
Manner solicited, and afterwards accepted a power by
Letter from the Proprietors to solicit this Affair for
them; he gave at least some of them Assurances that
he would do every thing in his power to serve them,
letting them know at the same time, that from his In-
fluence here he had it in his power to be serviceable to
them, and in Consequence thereof, M'' Paris, the Pro-
prietors' Agent here, Was wrote to, to communicate
with him in their Affairs, for which purpose he did
wait on M'.' Pownall on his Arrival here : W Paris was
at this time endeavouring to obtain the very Line
the proprietors lately petitioned for, and had made
great progress in convincing Lord Halifax and the
Board of Trade, that it was the most equitable and
proper Line that could be fixed on, and had great
Reason to think the Lords of Trade would then have
advised what they now have, had not M'' Pownall one
Day at a Meeting with the Lords on this Matter,
when M"' Paris was pointing out this Line to them,
told them, that he believed M' Paris and the pro-
1757] ADMINISTKATION OF GOVERNOE BELCHER. 247
prietors would indeed have great Reason to be satisfied
with that Line, as he was sure it gave them at least 50
Miles in Breadth more than they had the least pre-
tence to; This intirely overturned M- Paris's Work,
and the Lords would never hear of the Matter again,
till lately ; he has since my arrival here done all in his
power to obstruct our obtaining our prayer: But the
Lords, and even his own Brother saw that his Opposi-
tion was not founded on his Sentiments, but his
Temper about the Matter.
I shall inclose you also a Memorandum I received
from M- Paris relating to the procuring Affidavits, as
to the Impropriety of the Members of some of the
Council of the Governments on the Continent being
appointed Commissioners for the final Determination
of the Dispute between New York and New Jersey,
which I think he ought to be furnished with as soon as
possible, especially if New York should provide for
their part of the Expence of Executing the Commis-
sion. I am Dear Sir
Your Most Humble Servant
W" Alexander
Bepfesentatiou from the Lof^ds of Trade to the King,
with a ivarrant apjjotnting Wm, Aynsley Chief
Justice of New Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 16. Page 17. J
To the Kings most Excellent Majesty
May it please your Majesty
In Obedience to your Majesty s Order in Council
dated the 16"' Instant We have prepared a Warrant
directing and requiring Your Majestys Governor of the
Province of New Jersey to cause Letters Patent to be
248 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
passed under the Seal of that Province for constituting
and appointing William Ajmsley EsqV Chief Justice of
your Majestys said Province, in the room of Robert
Hunter Morris Esq' who has resigned. And We hum-
bly beg leave herewith to lay the said Warrant before
your Majesty, for your Majestys Royal Signature
Which is most humbly submitted
W. G. Hamilton Dunk Halifax
W. Sloper James Oswald
T. Pelham
Whitehall Feb'^ 17. 1757. Soame Jenyns
Letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, Secretary of
State, to the Earl of Loudoun — removing the em-
bargo upon Corn.
[From P. R. O. Amerioa & West Indies, Vol. VS.]
Whitehall May 2'* 1757.
Earl of Loudoun
My Lord,
It being apprehended, that the Embargo, which It
has been thought expedient to lay in America, might
obstruct tlie Supplies of Corn, which are, at present,
very much wanted in Great Britain, and Ireland, from
the bad Crops, in most Parts last year; His Majesty
has been pleased to order a Sloop to be dispatched
immediately, with Letters to the Several Governors,
directing them not only to take off any Embargo, that
may now subsist; but also not to lay any future Em-
bargo on Ships, loaded with Corn, or any other Species
of Grain, for His Majesty's Dominions in Europe; and
I send Your Lordship inclosed, for your Information,
a Copy of the Circular Letter, I have wrote, by the
1757] ADJIINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 249
King's Command, to the several Governors, for this
pm*pose.
Your Lordships Dispatch of the lO'"" March has been
received, and laid before His Majesty; but this Sloop
being dispatched, in a Hurry, vdth the Orders above-
mentioned, I have not Time to send Your Lordship any
particular Answer thereto at present; and can only
acquaint you, that Advice having been received, that
Four Fi-ench Ships of the Line had passed the Streights
of Gibralter, and v^ere supposed to be destined for
North America, His Majesty has directed an Addi-
tional Strength, consisting of Three large Ships of
the Line, to be forthw^ith sent to reinforce the Squad-
ron under the Command of Admiral Helburne, who
sailed from S' Hellens, the 16'? past, since v^hich Time
no account has been received from Him.
I am &c*
HOLDERNESSE
Letter fr 07)1 Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary Pitt —
had summoned the Council and Assembly to meet
as soon as possible in order to carry out the
King\s views.
[Prom P. R. O. America aud West Indies, Vol. 71. |
Eliz^ Town (N J) May J 1, 1757
Mr. Secretary Pitt
Sir,
I have the honour of yours of the 4: Febru? last
thro' the Care of Sir Charles Hardy, Governour of New
York, and which came to my hands the 6. Ins-, and I
have re'd the same with close Attention; I observe with
great Duty and Gratitude, the King's Paternal and
250 ADMIIflSTRATIOK OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
Tender Care of His good Subjects and Colonies of
North America, and that he has come to a Resolution
of acting with the greatest Vigour, the insueing
Campaign.
In obedience to His Majesty's Order I summond the
Council of this Province, and laid before them your
aforesaid Letter, and asked their Advice and Opinion
thereon. Copy whereof I have the honour to inclose
to you, and In consequence of it I have summond the
Council and Assembly to meet me here as soon as pos-
sible, when I shaU press them in the strongest Manner
to comply with the Contents thereof, & so to answer
His Majesty's just Expectations from this Province,
But I must observe to you that at a late Session, the
Assembly granted five hundred men for the Service of
the insueing Campaign, over and above what might
be necessary for the immediate Defence of this Prov-
ince, and they are to join the King's Troops to be under
the Command of the Earl of Loudoun, to act as he shall
judge most conducive to the Service in general and
this Number is the most the Assembly have raised
during the War, altho Lord Loudoun demanded as their
Quota for this Year One thousand men, but they could
not be persuaded to come into it, and I did all in my
Power for their Complyance and so did Lord Loudoun
himself urge the Assembly to do it, but since they did
not his Lordship writes me it wou'd be too late for
this Campaign for them to go about it now but wou'd
have this Deficiency supply ed by the Militia of this
Province upon any extraordinary Emergency, and
which I shall endeavour to do in the best manner
I can.
I hope all the King's Colonies will exert their utmost
Endeavours to second and strengtlien the Operations
against the French, and the more especially since mea-
sures are taken for laying up Magazines of Stores and
Provisions of all Kinds at the Expence of the Crown,
1757] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 25l
and I say I shall use all my Influence with the Council
and Assembly of this Province, for the Execution of
these His Majesty's Commands.
I have the honour to be with great Eespect and Def-
erence, Honourable Sir,
Your most obedient & most humble Servant
J. Belcher.
Letter from Governor Belcher to Mr. Secretary Pitt —
has been informed of the appointment of Rear Ad-
miral Holhurn to command the fleet in American
Waters.
I From P. R. O. America & West Indies, Vol. 71.]
Eliz^ Town (N J).May 16: 1757
Mr Sec'ry Pitt
Sir,
The inclosed is Duplicate of what I wrote you the 11 :
Ins' since which I have received the Honor of yours,
of the 19: of Febru** last and take a particular Notice of
its Contents, and I shall duly put in Practice his Maj-
esty's Orders therein as far as shall be in my Power
and in that of this Government.
I see His Majesty has been pleased to appoint rear
Admiral Holburn to Command the Squadron of Ships
to whom I shall apply for any Naval Assistance if it
shoud be wanted for the Protection of this Govern-
ment & I shall take Care to Communicate to the said
Comander all such Intelligence as shall come to my
Knowledge concerning the Arrival of any Ships of
War or Vessels having Warlike Stores on Board, and
likewise all such Advices as may concern the motions,
or may in any Manner relate to that Part of His Maj-
25^ ADMIJS^ISTEATION OF GOVEENOR BELCHER. [1757
esty's Service, with which the Comniauders of the
King's Ships shoud be acquainted.
As Rear Admiral Holburn with his Ships will be at
a great Distance from this Province I don't expect any
Application from him for Seamen, yet if he shou'd
very few if any can be raised in this Httle inland Prov-
ince in which there is little or no Navigation or Trade.
I have the honour to be with great Respect and Def-
erence, Honourable Sir,
Your most obedient & most humble Servant
J Belcher
Letter from Captain William Skinner, in London, to
his father, the Rev. William Skinner, of Perth
Amboy.
[From Skinner Papers among Manuscripts of W. A. Wliitehead, Vol. 1, No. 31. J
London y*^ 17"^ May 1759
ReV^ William Skinner
D'- Sir
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that wee are
now in London, having come over from France (about
ten days past) with the Officers that were there, upon
our Paroles' to return in three months if wee can't
find Officers piisoners in England, of Equall Rank to
send to France in our Room which wee find attended
with a great deal of Difficulty, fof there are not a Suffi-
cient number of French officers here for us, so that
wee shall be Obliged to return to France if wee cant
gett our Time prolonged which I am in hopes we
' Captain Skinner belonged to the detachment under Col. Schuyler from New
Jersey, which took part in the battle of Oswego, 1 1th August, 175G; was there made
prisont^r ami taken to France. He was also in the campaign of 17.j5. For a bio-
graphical sketch of Captain Skuiner see " Contributions to the Early History of
Perth Amboy," pp. 113-119.— Ed.
175'J'] ADMIN-ISTRATlON OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 263
shall, for as soon as I got here, I waited on Lady
Warren "" and told her who I was. Acquainted her
with my Scituation and beg'd her Interest, she told
me she wou'd Assist me all she could, and gave me a
letter to Mr Bell, (one of the Commissioners of the
Sick and Wounded Office where the Exchange of
Prisoners is transacted) who told me that there were
not French Officers for us all, but that they had wrote
to the Court of France to know whether they wou'd
Accept of a Number of Soldiers in Exchange for us, or
prolong our time. '■■ •' " I waited on M^ Partridge
the Agent of our Province and told him the scituation
I was in, who told me he wou'd Introduce me Lord
Halifax, and many others who he thought wou'd be
of Service to me in regard to the Service I had done,
but at the same time told me nothing could be done,
till I was Exchanged, which I fuid to be the Case, for
a great number of Officers have sent in Memorials to
the Secretary of War, and Rece'd that Answer, so that
my fate cant be known yet
I told you in every letter I wrote you that Coll.
Schuyler gave us a letter Creditt for £200 Sterling, half
of which is Expended, but are both Cioathed '•' '" *
if we are ObUged to return to France wee shall surely
want * ■'^' *
Dear Sir y'.' Dutifull Son
London y" 6^'' June 1757
D^ Sii-
The above is Copy of my last since which I waited
on Lord Barrington, who told me he wou'd do me aU
the Service [that] lay in his power, and Desired me to
» Lady Warren was a daughter of Stephen De Lancey, of New York, who married
an aunt of Captain Skinner, and therefore was his cousin.
254 ADMINISTEATION OF GOVEENOR BELCHER. [1757
Draw out a MeDioriall, which I shall present to his
Lordship the next Levy Day, and gett it back'd by
Admiral Buscoven, and Lord Powerscoate, two great
Friends of her Ladyship, the Event of which I hope to
acquaint you very soon. * * * and am as before
Yours
W" Skinner
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Earl of Holder-
nesse, Secretary of State — in relation to the em-
bargo on grai7i and to the imprisonment of two
captains of privateers.
[From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 71.]
Eliza Town, N J July 26: 175Y
Earl of Holdernesse
My Lord
I am honoured with your Lordships Letter of the 2.
of May past, and which came to my hands the 6.
Curr* under the Care of L. Governour De Lancey of
New York wherein I observe that the failing of the
Crops of Corn in Great Britain and Ireland, make a
Supply much wanted, and that Orders have been sent
to purchase large Quantities in America, and that
therefore it is His Majesty's Pleasure, immediately
upon the Receipt of this your Letter to cause any Em-
bargo that might be subsisting within this Govern-
ment to be taken off from all Vessels laden with any
Species of Grain for Great Britain or Ireland, and that
no further Embargo should extend to Vessels so load-
ed, but that all proper Encouragement and Assistance
be given to Persons who should be employed in pur-
chasing Corn for the Supply of His Majesty's Domin-
ions in Europe &c^ agreeable to an Act of Parliament
past, this Session, entitled an Act to prohibit for a
1757] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 355
limitted time the Exportation of Corn Grain &C'' and
which Act 1 have received from the Lords Commis-
sioners for Trade & Plantations. — In answer to these
things I am to inform your Lordship that no Embar-
go was subsisting in this Government at the Receipt
of your Lettei-, and that for the future I shall carefully
conform myself to the King's Orders and to the afore-
mentioned Act of Parliament in this behalf.
And I now go on to own the Honour of Your Lord-
ships Letter of the 20: of May past, and which came
to my Hands via New York by the Halifax Packet,
the 19. Current, with sundry Papers relating to Rich-
ard Hadden, Cap* of a Privateer fitted out of New
York, and one Snook, Cap- of another Privateer fitted
out of Halifax, and of their Behaviour to the Span-
iards, which letter and Papers I have carefully re'd
over once and again, and observe the King, being de-
termind that the most rigorous Justice shou'd be put
in Execution against such notorious Acts of Violence,
has directed the Governours of New York and Nova-
Scotia to prosecute the two Privateers before men-
tioned.— And that it is His Majesty's Pleasure, in case
either or both of them, shall put into any Port in this
Government, that I detain them and cause immediate
Notice thereof to be given to the Governours of New
York and Halifax, that I may recieve their Directions
thereupon; and that I also, for the future, dehver to
any Privateer that shall come into this Province, Copy
of His Majesty's Royal Instruction of the 5, of October
1756, for their better Conduct and Government. — I
shaU, my Lord, in duty and Obedience to the King,
endeavour carefully to observe His Royal Orders on
this important Article.
I have the Honour to be with great Respect and
Deference, My Lord,
Your Lordships
Most obedient Most faithful & Most humble
Servant J Belcher
256 ADMINISTKATION OF GOVEKNOB BELCHER. [1757
Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade —
relating to the disinited boundaries bettveen New
York and Neiv Jersey.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 45.J
Eliz^ Town (N J) July 26: 175Y
To the Lords of Trade
My Lords,
My last to Your Lordships was on the 11: of May
last since which I have the Honour of Your Lordships
Letter of the 10. of March past and which came to my
hands via New York |^ the Halifax Packet, the 19:
Curr* and wherein I take Notice Your Lordships had
received my Letters to the 19: of Novem^ last, with the
publick Papers, therein referred to, and that your
Lordships were glad to find from them that the Con-
duct and Service of the People of New Jersey, and the
steps taken by them (Scc'^ wou'd recommend them to His
Majesty's Favour: But I am sorry to tell your Lordships
that in a late Session the Assembly would not exert
themselves with that laudable Zeal for the King's Ser-
vice, which Lord Loudoun so reasona])ly presst upon
them, & for a more particular Account of this Matter
I refer Your Lordships to the Assembly's Journal I
send herewith.
I take a particular Notice of Your Lordship's Report
of 27: of Janu'- last, to the Lords of His Majesty's
Privy Council, relative to the disputed Boundaries be-
tween New Jersey and New York, and which being ap-
proved and confirmed by His Majesty's Royal Order in
Council, I hope will be a means to put an End to the
Dispute now subsisting, and which I doubt not this
Government will chearfully fall into, and I beg of
1757] ADMINISTRATION OP GOVERNOR BELCHER. 257
Your Lordships that this Affair may be expedited &
finisht as soon as possible.
Agi-eeable to what your Lordships write, M^ Wood-
ruff brought me the King's Mandamus to be one of
the Council for this Province and was accordingly ad-
mitted Yesterday. * * ^
I have the Honour always to be with great Eespect
and Deference, My Lords, Your Lordships most obe-
dient & most humble Servant,
J Belcher
Letter from Mr. Secretary Read to Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Pownall, at Boston, acquainting him with the
death of Governor Belcher. '
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 51. J
New Jersey.
Elizabeth Town S^?' 2, 175Y
His Excellency Govr Pownall
Sir,
On the thirty first Ultimo, Governor Belcher died,
of which I esteem it my Duty to give You Notice.
I take this Opportunity to give You Joy of Your
Safe Arrival at Boston, and to wish You an agreeable
Administration. I am Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant
Cha Read
' Endorsed by Lieut.-Gtov. Pownall. " Received at Bo.ston Sep' 17th 1757 & for
warded to me at N. York & Receiv'd there Sep' 34. .57."'
17
258 ADMINISTRATIOK OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
Letter from Captain William Skinner, in London, to
his brother, Cortlandt Skinner.
[From original in the Skinner Papers among the Manuscripts of W. A. Whitehead,
Vol. I, No. 32.]
London %'^ Sept' 1Y5T
[Cortlandt Skinner, Perth Amboy.]
Dear Brother
In all Probability some of my people will gett to
America Soon, for they are Exchanged and now in
England, I have applyed to My Lord Barrington for
their Subsistence and an Order to send them to
America but he told me he had nothing to do with them,
but advised me to write to M'.' Pitt Secretary of State,
which I have done, but have not as yet had an Answer,
the people are now at Plymouth, with Cap- Rusco,
Booker, Walters, and Ogden, of Coll Schuylers Reg-
and are Subsisted by the Government, through a Mis-
take made by the Secretary of AYar's Clerk, who tak-
ing them to be Regulars ordered them to be Subsisted
which is not Contradicted as yett. I waited on Lord
Barrington yesterday and asked his Lordship whether
the King had spoke to him about me, he told me that
he had, and that I might make myself Easy for I
shou'd be provided for soon, so that my particular Busi-
ness had a good Aspect, my Brother is gone, a Volun-
teer in London Reg? under the Care of Sir W" Boothly,
who has been so kind as to promise he wou'd take
care of him, which I hope will be agreeable to my
Father and Mother, for I thought it was better for him
to go, than to stay here at this Damned place where
there is nothing but Debauchery going forward * * *
1757] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 259
I have the pleasure to tell you that I have my Ex-
change which I Rec'd yesterday, I have not as yet
Rec'd a letter from you, other people Receive letters
by eveiy ship * * *
D-- Bror Y' Most Affec^ and
Very humble Serv*
W" Skinner
P. S. poor Coll Schuyler is Detained at Quebeck' also
Doctor Stokes, for Reasons unknown to them or any
body else.
Letter from Robert H. Morris to Earl of Loudoun —
informing him of the death of Governor Belcher,
and of the objections of John Reading, President
of the Council, to assume the chief authority.
[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 49.]
Eliz^ Town Sep' 7"" 1757
To the Earl of Loudon
My Lord,
I had the Honour to write to Your Lordship on
the 29*?^ Ultimo, soon after which M^ Belcher died, &
I was in Hopes, as the Government devolved upon
Mr Reading, that he wou'd have taken upon him the
Administration, and informd Your Lordship of that
Matter.
By His Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal
to the Late Governor in Case of His Death the Powers
of Government devolve upon the Eldest Councillor, if
there be no Lieut. Governor on the Spot, & the Council
' Colonel Schuyler continued in Canada until October 29th, 17,57, when he waa
permitted to make a visit to his family on parole. He returned to Canada in July,
1758, and on the 8th of November following was released by the capitulation of
Fort Frontenac— Ed.
260 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
have in the strongest Manner, pressed M*" Reading
(who is fii'st upon the List of Councillors for this Prov-
ince) to take the Administration upon him; but he
persists in his Refusal, which will throw the Province
into very great Confusion, as no Act of Government
can be done, nor can the other Branches of the Legis-
lature proceed without him.
His Majesty's Council have requested me to inform
Your Lordship of these Matters, & I have the Honour
to be, My Lord,
Your most obedient,
and most humble Servant
RoB^ H. Morris.
Letter from John Reading, President of the Council,
to Governor Pownall — reasons why he objected to
assume the govemme^it on the death of Governor
Belcher.
IFrom P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 52.J
Sepf 10^'' 1757
To His Excell?' Governour Pownall
May it please Your Excellency
Upon the late Governor Belcher's Death, I have
taken upon myself the Administration of the Govern-
ment of the Province of New Jersey, as eldest Coun-
cillor residing and Qualified thereto; tho' at the same
Time, hare heard, that Your Excellency has a Com-
mission of Lieutenancy for the 'said Province; But as
Your Excellency did not reside and the Assembly were
then sitting, and cou'd not rise without an Adjourn-
ment from a Person qualified to the Administration of
the Government, I have adjourned them for ten Days
to Burlington, and design to continue them by Short
1757] ADMINISTKATIOX OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 261
Aijournments, to a Longer Time, if nothing of Emer-
gency happens, This I thought was of absohite neces-
sity to be done, and that Anarchy and Confusion
might be thereby prevented.
I hope Your Excellency will take into your Consid-
eration, that as I am an aged and infirm Person, and
not fit to bear the Weight or Burthen of Government,
it woa'd be extreamly grateful to me, that I might be
superseded and relieved by an appointment of some
Person in my Stead, immediately to be made, (if con-
sistent with Your Excellency's Commission,) for I
have been for some Time past, and now am, (in Order
to cure an old Distemper,) under the Care and Direc-
tions of a Doctor, in Preparation to undergo a Course
of Physick, which is Directly to be enter'd into.
I am, Sir, with strictest Regards, Your Excellency's,
most obed* humble Serv*
Jn° Reading
Letter from Thomas PoionaU, Governor of Neiv Jer-
sey, to John Reading, President of the Council —
in relation to the latter^s declining to assume the
government on the death of Governor Belcher, in-
closed in Governor PownalVs letter to the Lords
of Trade, dated Sept. 16, 1757.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, 1. 54.1
Teenton Sep* 22^. 1757.
To the Hon^^^ John Reading Esq' President of
His Majesty's Council of New- Jersey
Sir
As to the Administration of the Government of His
Majesty's Province of Nova Cesaria or New Jersey,
Doth, upon the Decease of His Excellency Jonathan
262 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHEK. [175?
Belcher &c by Virtue of His Majesty's Commission to
me as Lieu' Governor of the same, devolve on me, and
in Case of my Absence from the Province, on you, as
His Majesty's eldest Councellor, I do desire of Your
Honour to acquaint me whether you have refused to
take upon you the Administration thereof, or have
persisted in such Resolution during any Part of the
Time from the Death of the late Governor Belcher to
this 22^^ Day of Sept- the Day of my taking upon me
the Administration of the Government.
I have the Hon-' to be Sir
T. POWNALL
Letter from John Reading, President of the Council,
to Governor Poimiall in answer to the foregoing.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 55.]
Trenton Sep!' 22 'I 1T57
To Lieu'' Gov^ Pownall
Sir,
In Answer to your Honour's Letter of this Evening
I am to inform you, that it was on the late Governor's
promise that I shou'd be at Liberty to resign as soon
as he became acquainted with the affairs of this Colony
& Dispositions of the Principal Inhabitants that I was
prevailed with to Qualify to his Instructions and upon
his Removal to Elizabeth Town I requested his leave
to resign the Seat his Majesty had Honour'd me with
at the Council Board & Acquamanted him witli the
Bodily infirmities which rendered it inconvenient to
me to attend.
Governor Belcher never gave me his Permission to
Resign positively and thus Matters stood till his late
Excellency's death when It was notified to me 1 re-
1757] ADMIKISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 263
turned for Answer that it was not in my Power to
execute the Government in a Time of Such Import-
ance & peril and requested the Council that my Resig-
nation Menconed to Governor Belcher might take
place — I was afterwards informed by Letter both from
the Council and Secretary that the Legislature were
Sitting and things wou'd run into great Confusion if
the Colony shou'd remain without a Commander in
Chief and pressed my coming to Elizabeth to Qualify,
to this I answered that I desned to be released from
the duty which had Devolved on me Expecting that
they might have Consented and that Consent been
Legal and assuring them that I wou'd Execute any
More formal Resignation or Release if they cou'd agree
on the words thus things Stood from the Governor's
death till the Day of my Qualification and even on that
day. Should not have Complyed if my Duty to the
Execution of His Majesty's Commands and the Pres-
ervation of Peace & Tranquilty to the Province had
not prevailed. I beg Leave to assure your Honour
that it was vdth the utmost uneasiness & reluctancy
that I did take upon myself the Administration and it
will give me great Pleasure whenever I am released
from it.
I am Honourble Sr
Your Honours Most Obedient
and Most Humble Servant
Jn° Reading
To the Honourable Thomas Pownall Esq^ Lieutn
Governor of New Jersey.
364 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
Letter from Cortlandt Skinner, Attorney -General^ to
Governor Pownall — with queries, submitted to him
by the Council, relative to the authority of Mr.
Reading as President of the Council.
I From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I, 50. |
Perth Amboy 26 Sep- 1757
His Excellency Tho^ Pownall Esq*"
Sir
In Obedience to Your Excellency's Commands, I
have taken the first Opportunity to transmitt a Copy
of the Answer delivered by me to the Council, upon the
Queries put by them to M- Kearny, M' Smith & myself-
What W Kearney's Opinion was I do not now rec-
ollect; only this I remember, that upon hearing it read,
I told him I cou'd not join it: So did M! Smith; &
therefore drew and deliver'd another to the Council, of
which the enclosed is a Copy. I am, with the greatest
Eegard.
Your Excellency's most obedient,
& most humble Servant,
CoRT° Skinner
Attorney General
Copy of Questions &.ca put by the Council.
Quest. 1. Whether it be in the Power of a Coun-
cillor to resign, relinquish, or vacate his Seat, without
Leave from the King or Governor i If Yes.
2. Whether M?" Reading's Letters amount to a Res-
ignat, Vacat, &ca i
3. If he was a Councillor at the Time of the Death
of the Governor, Whether he can resign or relinquish
his Seat; or being first named in the King's Instruc-
tions, can decline the Administration; & whether the
Council can accept of such Resignation, or consent to
such Rehnquishment ?
1757] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR ITELCHER. 26o
4. If he shou'd refuse to take the Oaths of Office,
necessary to be administered, previous to his entering
upon the Administration, what can and ought the
Council to do in such Case i
We have perused the Copy of a Clause in the Late
Gov"" Belcher's Commission, and in Answer to the
Questions proposed, humbly submit the following Sen-
timents to the Consideration of the Honble Board.
1. We conceive clearly that the Exercise of the
Powers of Government in this Province is devolved
upon Mr Reading — That by the Commission he is in-
vested with an Office of Great Trust.
2diy We are also of Opinion, that this Office may be
resigned, but we are inclined to the Opinion, that the
Validity of such resignation depends upon His Maj-
esty's Concurrence, which the Council cannot give.
Henc it results.
3".'y That till His Majesty's Pleasure in this Respect
is known M' Readings Investiture still continues.
These Observations contain our Answers to all but
the last Question proposed; with Respect to which. We
conceive: That if M'' Reading refuses the Qualifica-
tions necessary to his Entrance upon the Exercise of
the Powers contained in the Commission, the — Gentle-
men of the Council will think it their Duty, as the
most distinguished Servants of the Crown in this Prov-
ince, to take upon themselves the Managemt of the
Aifairs of the Government, as nearly conformable to
the Commission and Instructions, as the present State
of Things will admit. As to the Propriety of any
Particular Member taking upon himself the Chief
Command, we are in Doubt. And W Reading's Con-
duct appears to us to be a Contingency not foreseen or
provided for by the Commission and Instructions.
We are the Councill's most obed' &ca
C. Skinner Att'y Gen.
W? Smith Jun?
Eliz^ Town, 5^" Sep"" 1757
266 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. [1757
Letter from Governor Pownall to the Lords of Trade
— giving an account of his proceedings on the
death of Governor Belcher.
[From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 48.]
N York Sep^ 26. 1757
To the Lords of Trade
My Lords
Governor Belcher died on the 31" of August, I re-
ceived no Account of it from His Majestys Council,
nor the Secretary. On Saturday September the 10"",
I was first acquainted w^ith it from the New York
Newspapers. I had Reason to imagime, from the
State of His Majestys Council in New Jersey, that the
Administration, if not the Whole Government must
be in great Confusion. I was from several Private
Hands informed, that the President had not qualified;
That His Majesty's Council were in great Confusion;
That the Administration was at a Stand. I knew,
that if they determined amongst themselves, that M'
Reading cou'd resign; that M' Morris, as next Coun-
cillor, must take upon him the Administration of the
Government. I was sensible how improper that
wou'd be in the Present State of the Province, It was
from the Troubles in the Province, betwixt the Pro-
prietors and Land Holders, when the Proprietors held
the Government, that they were forced to resign it
into the Hands of the Crown. These Matters are yet
in Dispute, and M' Morris is one of the Principal Man-
agers of the Proprietors and of the Council of the
Proprietors. Moreover, the Governor is alway Chan-
cellor, and Keeper of the Broad Seal; There is a Chan-
cery Suit of great Importance & great Interest now
1757] ADMINISTRATION" OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 267
depending, in which, as one of the East Jersey Pro-
prietors, M"" Morris is interested.
I therefore determined, (as it was in the Recess of
the General Coui-t at Boston, and all Danger from the
French was at present so removed, that my Service at
Boston might be spared a Little) to set out forthwith
for the Jerseys. On Sunday Night I received an Ex-
press from Lord Loudoun, "Acquainting me with the
" Transactions of the Council since M'" Belcher's Death,
"& that the Situation of the Province was very bad,
" & that how it cou'd be remedied was more than he
"cou'd see, unless I cou'd come and set things right
"amongst them.'' On Monday I called a Council, and
set out on Tuesday, arrived at New York on Saturday,
continued Sunday and Monday with Lord Loudoun,
and proceeded for the Jerseys.
I must beg Leave here to trouble Your Lordships
with the Accounts I received. At M"" Belcher's Death
the Assembly were sitting. M"" Reading, the Eldest
Councillor, on whom, in my Absence, the Government
must devolve, was confined at Home with a bad Leg.
The Council wrote to him to come to Elizabeth Town,
& take upon him the Administration. (Your Lord-
ships will here observe, that if the Assembly was not
held at Amboy or Burlington, it might as well be ad-
journed to Readiogstown, on account of the President's
Ill-Health, as it was called together at Elizabeth Town,
on account of M'' Belcher's Ill-Health.) The President
wrote Letters, begging that if it cou'd any Way be
contrived that he might be excused, that he was wilUng
to resign. Whether tlie Couiicil was willing he shou'd,
or not, I have no Right to determine; Perhaps your
Lordships may be able to judge by the steps they took.
They understood his Letters as an absolute Refusal,
and a persisting in such Resolution. They requested
M- Morris to write so to Lord Loudoun. They cou'd
draw Nothing from Lord Loudoun; but he very prop-
268 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER, [1757
erly judging, that he had Nothing to do (No I) with it,
sent the Copy of the Letter to me. They suffered
themselves, contrary to the Express v^^ords of the Com-
mission and Instructions, to douht whether the Presi-
dent cou'd abdicate, & whether, in such Case, it might
not devolve on Mr Morris ; and tho' Ml" Morris bie
Chief Justice; M^ Salter, another of the Council, Judge,
W- Ogden, another of the Council, one of the Principal
Lawyers in the Province, they took the (N*^ II) Opinion
of Lawyers, (the Attorney General & a Young At-
torney of New York, who chanced to be there,) upon
several Queries they laid before them. Seeking thus
Eemedies of their Own Invention, and never once this
whole Time, applying to the proper Provision, which
His Majesty had made by appointing me Lieutenant
Governor, with an Express Clause in my Commission,
in Case of the Death of the Governor in Chief, to exe-
cute the Commission and Instructions; of which all
His Majesty's Officers and others were commanded to
take Notice, all which was upon Eecord in their
Council Books. They neither wrote to me nor di-
rected the Secretary to write. The Secretary acquaints
me that he did write, but the Letter was too late for
the Post, so cou'd not be arrived at Boston, when I
came away. I have since received it here. However
the President, (N° III) after some Days, did qualify, &
wrote me Word.
In this Situation I found Things, according to the
best Accounts I cou'd learn. — I understood that the
President lay ill at Trenton, I proceeded forthwith to
Trenton, I issued out Summons to the Council, to
attend me there. I called myself upon all that lay in
my way, and took them on with me, that I might be
sure of a Council. I waited on the President, and
concerted Matters with Him, as will appear in the
Letter I wrote him, upon leaving the Goveriunent in
His Hands. On Thursday, the 22'! I liad sufficient
1757] ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCHER. 269
Members to make a Council. I qualified & received
the Commission, Instructions, & Seals. I (N" 4.) gave
my Assent to a Resolve of Both Houses for raising a
Hundred Rangers for the King's Service under Lord
Loudoun, & acquainted His Lordship of it; having
given Directions for Issuing the Commissions, and
raising the Men forthwith. I laid before them an Ad-
ditional Instruction from His Majesty, dated at S*
James's, ll*?" Jan'- 1757. — respecting the Conduct of
Privateers & Vessels with Letters of Marque in the
Gulph of Naples.
That I might be properly informed in whose Hands
the Government had been since the Death of MJ
Belcher, (N" 5.) I wrote in Council the following Letter
to the President. (N° 6.) I received from him the en-
closed Answer.
The next Day Sep' 23'! the Council waited upon me
with an Address. After this, having, as I said, con-
certed Matters with the President, I asked the Council,
whether they knew of any Matter or Business, that
might further require my immediate Presence in the
Province. They acquainted me that they knew of
None. I then informed them, that the necessity of His
Majesty's Service in the Government of the Massa-
chusetts Bay, required my Returning to Boston as soon
as possible: That I shou'd leave the Administration in
the Hands of the President; That I had deliver'd to him
the Commission, Instructions & Seals, and had wrote
him the (N" 7.) following Letter, & that I wou'd ac-
cording to what I had promised in that Letter, return
whenever my Presence shou'd be wanted. I came
away directly, and returned to this Place. — And thus
the Government of New Jersey now stands.
I must acquaint Your Lordships, that M^ Reading,
the President, is an Old Gentleman of 76, is very bad
of a Sore Leg, and when I saw him, was, by the Doc-
tor's Advice, under a Kind of a Salivation, which they
270 ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELCnER. [1757
mean by a Course of Physick. What may be the
Event of His Health I know not. If he shou'd die, the
Government devolves upon M'' Morris. How to act in
such Case, I am under the greatest Difficulty. Mr
Morris is a very sensible and good Man. I have had
an Old Acquaintance with him: I am clear, that it is
altogether improper that the Government of the Jer-
seys shou'd fall into his Hands at Present. It is im-
possible for me to attend the Administration. If the
President shou'd die, it must devolve upon M!" Morris,
unless I shou'd suspend him, which wou'd be a harsh
Measure, and hard for an old Acquaintance to do.
However, my Lords, I will do the King's Business,
whatever becomes of myself, and will do it vt^ithout
Fear, Favor, or Affection. In the Mean Time, I hope
Your Lordships will recommend to His Majesty some
Person that has no Connections with this Country,
and that such may come over here without Delay. I
shall think myself very happy to be so superceded in
my Command.
In all the above, I must beg for Your Lordship's
kind Interpretation of my Conduct, and favorable
Representation of it to His Majesty.
I have y*" honor to be My Lords Your Lordships
most Obedient & Most Humble Servant
T. POWNALL.
P: S: As there is or may be a Vacancy in his Maj-
esty's Council of N Jersey, 1 beg leave to recommend
to Your Nomination Doctor Lewis Johnston of Amboy
a Gentleman of fortune & Learning & for w^hose In-
tegrity I can be answerable. T P
INDEX.
INDEX
PART FIRST.
Account of the receipts and payments
of mone3% C5. — Warrants for pay-
ments signed by the Governor, 10.).
Alexander: James, member of Council,
16, 20, 103, 105.— Papers authenticated
by, liiS.— Bond of lude >mity, 200.—
Counsel for Swaartwoots, 208.— Sur-
veyor for East Jersey, 209.— Referred
to, 221, 232, 253, 254, 261, -His decla-
ration concerning Jarrat's surveying
instruments, 203.— Memorandum con-
cerning line between New York and
New Jersey, 267, 269.— Referred to,
290.
Alexander: William; Bond of Indemnifi-
cation to, 200.
Alford: Colonel John, Letter to, from
Governor Belcher in regard to the
C'oUefre, 10.— Letter from the same
thanking him for a subscription to
the College, 109.
Allen: James, referred to, 109.
Allen: John, Treasurer of Western Divi-
sion, accounts from 1733 to 1751, 66,
75.
Ashfield: Lewis Morris, Letter concern-
ing from Governor Belcher to Lord
Halifax, 8.— Refused admission to
Council by Governor Belcher, 1 6, 17.
—His acquittal announced to Mr.
Partridge by Governor Belcher, 36. —
An account of his trial by Judge
NeviU in a letter to Governor Belcher,
40. — Message of Governor Belcher re-
lating to his admission to the Gouncil,
101.— He appears at the door of the
(Council praying admission, 107. — The
Governor's refusal to admit him dis-
approved by the Lords of Trade, 134.
— His admission to the Council, 136.
Assembly: ^Messages to, from Governor
Belcher, 12, 21. - • Proceedings of,
transmitted to Lords of Trade, 287.
Ays^^ough: John, Letter to R. H. Morris,
116.
B.
Barclay: Mr., Referred to, 1.54, 155.
Barclay & Son, Messrs., referred to, 159.
Basset : Arnold, Constable of Orange
County, New York, 225.
Bayard: Referred to, 211, 270.
Belcher & Foye: Letter to, from Gov-
ernor Belcher, 108.
Belcher: Governor, Letter to Benjamin
Franklin about electric apparatus,
7.— Letter to Lord Halifax, objecting
to the appointment of L. M. Ashfield
as a member of the Council. 8. — Let-
ter to Colonel Brattle about electrical
cure, 9.— Letter to John Alford. 10.—
Message to the Legislature concern-
ing support of Government, 12, 21.
— Letter to his nephew, Mr. Foye,
22.— L 'tter to Wm. Morris, about a
Library at Trenton, 32.— Letter to
Richard Partridge on acquittal of
Ashfield, .'0. — Letter to Andrew
Johnson and Samuel NeviU on im-
prisonment of Cornelius Wyckoff,
37.— Letter to Samuel NeviU about
the riot at Perth Amboy, 38, 39.— To
Andrew Jolmson and c>amuel NeviU,
regarding Wyckoff and Waller, 45. —
To Richard Partridge, concerning
riots at Perth Amboy, 52.— To Lords
18
of Trade concerning riots in New
Jersey, 60. — To Richard i artridge,
concerning James Alexander, 61. —
Letter to Dr. George Whitefield, 84.—
Letter to Countess of Huntingdon,
87.— Letter to Mr. Shii pen concern-
ing College of New Jersey. 94.— Let-
ter to Lord Hard wick, desiring the
King's orders, 95. — Letter to Earl
Granville, asking for continued confi-
dence, 97.— Letter to Lord Halifax
about the affairs in the Province, 99.
Message to CouncU. rel.'iting to ad-
mission of L. M. Ashfield, 101.— Let-
ter to Lords of Trade, lu-ging trans-
mission of orders from the King, 102.
—Extract from letter to Partridge
concerning Mr. R. H Morris, 102.—
Speech before Council. lO'i. — Letter
to Belcher & Fo.ve, 108.— Letter to
Colonel Alford, concerning College
of New Jersey, also tbe manufacture
of glass, 109.-"- Letter to the Lords of
Trade, relative lo his not admitting
Lewis Morris Ashfield to a seat in
Council. 111.— Letter to the Lords of
Trade, in reference to a revision of
the Laws. 113.— Letter from Lords of
Trade, disapproving his course to-
274
INDEX.
wards Mr. Ashfleld, 1S4.— Letter to
the Lords of Trade, about proceedings
of the Legislature, 13,5.— Letter to the
same regarding the admission of Mr.
Ashfleld to the Council, 136.— Letter
from Lords of Trade in behalf of Mr.
John Braiiiard, a Jlissionary, 140.—
Letter to Lord.s of Trade, comment-
ing on the state of the Province, 151.
—Circular Letter to. from Board of
Trade, 15C. — Instnictions to, from
Lords of Trade, 188.— Letter to Lords
of Trade, relative to disputes be-
tween New York and New Jersey for
want of a dividing line, 190.— Me-
morial of the Proprietors of East
New Jerse.y to, 203.— Letter to the
Lords of Trade, transmitting pro-
ceedings of the Council and Assem-
bly, 287.— Letter to, from Sir Thomas
Robinson. 292.— Letter to, from the
Lords of Trade, in regard to defence
against the French, 294.— Letter to
Ricliai'd Partridge in behalf of Court-
landt Skinner as Attorney-General,
298.
Bills for the support of Government, 11,
12, 21, 30.— Petition asking the King's
assent to a a bill making current
£60,000 in Bills of Credit, 183.
Bonney: Joseph, Petition to the Council,
104.
Boundai-y line between New York and
New Jersey: Opinion of the Lords of
Trade on, 128.— Letter of Robert
Charles, agent of New York, con-
cerning, 135.— Argument that the
forks of the Delaware are the true
limits of New Jersey on the north,
139.— Question referring to.answered,
141.— -Representation of the Lords of
Trade to the King, relative to, 144.—
Letter from Ferdinand J. Paris, rela-
tive to, 152. — Answer to the same,
157.— Petition of the Proprietors of
East Jersey against the repeal of the
Boundary Act of 1747, 160.— Letter of
Ferdinand J. Paris, relative to, 182. —
Disputes between the people of New
York and New Jersey, concerning,
190. — Difficulties with New Jersey
complained of to the Lords of Trade,
192.— Bond of Indemnification con-
cerning charge of settling bounds,
200.— Memorial of the Council of Pro-
prietors of the Eastern Division of
New Jersey, concerning, 202.— Me-
morial of the Proprietors of the
Eastern and Western Divisions, con-
cerning, 244. — Letter from Lieuten-
ant-Governor De Lancey to the Lords
of Trade, concerning, 288.— Answer
thereto from the Lords of Trade, 297.
Bradford: Mr., Referred to, 84.
Brainard: John, a Missionary, molested
in his work. 140.
Bryant : Captain William, a note con-
cerning, 116.— Referred to, 218.
Buckinghamsh: Earl of, 23.
Burlington "bounty: Money received from
the Collector, 66, 67, 68.— Interest
moneys from, 73, 74.
Burnet: Governor, referred to, 208.
Burnet: John, Bond of Indemnification,
200.
Burr: Rev. Aaron, President of the new
College, 11.— Unable to go to Great
Britain in behalf of the College, 85.—
Complimented on his marriage by
Governor Belcher, 89.
C.
Campbell: Hume, 145, 155.
Canada: Expedition to; disbursements
for. 70, 79.
Cape May County : money received from
Collector of, 66, 67, 68.— Fi-om Com-
missions, 71. — Imterest money from,
73, 74.
Caspar: A German manufacturer of
glass, 110.
Catherwood: Mr., 94, 117, 123, 154, 159.
Chambers: Mr., 132, 123.
Chapman: John, Deputy Sm-veyor, 207.
Charles: Robert. Letter to Governor
Chnton, 135.— Referred to. 145.
Cheesecoeks: Patent of, 209, 275.
Cholmondeley: Earl of, 23.
Clark: George, Lieutenant-Governor of
New York, 210.— Letter to the Jus-
tices of the Peace of Orange County,
N. Y., 266.
Clajrton: William, 74.
Clinton : Charles, Surveyor, 209.
Clinton: Governor George, Letter to Rob-
ert H. Morris, leave of absence de-
nied, 92.— Taking money for an office.
94.— Letter to Robert H. Morris, en-
closing a notice of Chief-Justice De
Lancey, 130 -Referred to, 191, 213.
Clinton: Captain, 117.
Crane: Stephen, made Justice of the
Peace, 105.
College (of New Jersey): prospects of,
10.— Expected aid for, from the Kirk
of Scotland, 11.— An agent for, to be
sent to England. 94.— Subscription to,
from Colonel Alford. 109.
Colonies and Plantations: Order of the
King for the improved government
of, 23. — Additional instructions to
the Colonial Governors, relative to
the revision and transmission of their
laws, 27.— Letter from the Earl of
Holdemesse to the Lords of Trade,
concerning, 32.— Circular Letter to
the Governors, 35, 63.— Circular Let-
ter from the Lords of Trade to the
Governors in America, 156.— Report
of the Lords of Trade relative to Ap-
peals in the Plantations in Cases of
Error, 188.— Copy of the King's 95th
and 96th Instructions, in regard to
the general security of the Planta-
tions, 194.
Connecticut: Contribution to fortifica-
tions on tlie Northern Fi-ontiers of
New York, 194.— Quota of assistance,
195.
Conner: Daniel, Witness, 41.
Corle: Benjamin, a rioter, 48.
Cornwallis: Lord, 23.
Cosby: Governor, payments to, 76.
Cottinam: Abraham, Affidavit, 40.
INDEX.
275
Council of New Jersey: Message to,
from Governor Belcher, 12.— Memo-
rial of Richard Partridge relative to
the state of, 18, 21.— Proceedings of,
laid before the Lords of Trade, 60.—
Message to. relating to the admission
of Mr. Ashfleld, 101.— Minutes of Au-
gust 10th and 11th. 17,52, 103, 10T.~
Memorial to, of the Proprietors of
the Eastern and Western Divisions
of New Jersey, 244.— Proceedings of,
transmitted to Lords of Trade, 287.
Council of the Province of New York:
Petition of Allan Jarrat, 233.— Reply
thereto, 235.— Petition of the inhabi-
tants of New York, bordering upon
the partition between that Proviuce
and New Jersey, 238.
Cox: Dr., 154.
Crane: Stephen, made Justice of the
Crook: John, of Esopus, 267.
Davis : Solomon, Justice of the Peace,
212.
Deare: William, Sheriflf, 44.— Writ to,
from Governor Belcher, 45. 48.— Affi-
davit in regard to breaking gaol at
Perth Ambov, 50.
Decker: Peter, 283.— Affidavit of. 286.
Decows: Isaac, Moneys received from, 70.
Dekey: Jack, 283, 284.
Dekey: Jacobus, 227.
Dekey: Thomas, Colonel of Militia of
Orange County, N. Y., his abusive
treatment of Daniel Harrisoc, 214.—
His threats to tenants of the Propri-
etors of East Jersey. 220.— His beat-
ing and robbing Richard Gardner
and John Herring, 227, 268.— Eject-
ment against, 269, 271.— Further
threats. 272.— Affidavits against, 282,
285, 286.— His affidavit relative to
laying out a highway through Mini
sink. 299.
De Lancey : James. Pictiu*e of, by George
Clinton, Governor of New York, 122.
—Letter to the Lords of Trade about
the difficulties with New Jersey, 192.
—His interest in the Miuisink Patent,
232.— Letter to the Lords of Trade
about the division line between New
York and New Jersey, 288.— Letter to
him from the Lords of Trade about
the same, 297.
Delaware River: Forks of, the northern
boundary of New Jersey, 139.
Disbanded Corn-tier: Character of a, 120.
Dongan: Thomas, Governor of New
York, 204, 249, 250.
Duncan : Thomas, Witness, 42.
Dutch Reformed Church in Middlesex,
Somerset and Hunterdon Counties,
108.
E.
East New Jersey: Quota of assistance to
New York northern frontier, 195,
Edwards: Rev. Jonathan, 89.
Edwards: Esther, 89.
Elizabeth: Free Borough of. Petition
from, 104.
Elton: Anthony, 107.
Essex County: Petition of the possessors
of lands "in, 54, 55, 56. —Justices of the
Peace for, 105.
Forrester: Mr., 145.
Fox: Thomas, Affidavit in regard to
breaking open gaol at Perth Amboy,
48.
Foye : Mr. , Nephew of Governor Belcher,
22.
Franklin, Ben.iamin, Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, about an electri-
cal apparatus, 7.
French: Hostile attempts of the, on the
Ohio. 292.— Letter from the Lords of
Trade, commenting on the action of
the Legislature in not providing re-
sources for the common defence
against the, 294.
Furman: Mr., 154.
G.
Gardner: Richard, Complains of Dekey
and others of New York. 220.— In-
trusted with moneys to relieve per-
sons distrained, 221, 222.— Beaten and
roblied by Thomas Dekey, 226, 227.—
Affidavit against Dekey and sons, 285.
Glen: William; 27.
Gloucester County: Money received from
Collector of, 66, 67, 68.— From Com-
missions, 71.— Interest money from.
73, 74.
Governor: Moneys paid to, 67, 68, 69. 70.
71. 72. 74. 76, 77, 78, 79, 105.
Granville: Earl, 27— Letter to, from Gov-
ernor Belcher, 97.
GrenvUle: Henry, 87.
276
INDEX.
H.
Halifax: Lord, Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, 99.— Referred to, 117.
Hall: Clement, Moneys received from,
6H.
Hamilton: Andrew, Governor of East
Jersey, on the boundary line, 239,
38S.
Hankins: J .nathan. Deposition, 41.
Harcourt: Earl of, XJ3.
Hardeubertrh's Patent, 378.
Hardwick: Lord, Letter to, from Gover
nor Belcher, 95.
Harrison: Daniel, Ejectment Case, 314,
SI.-), 21G.
Harrison: John, Deputy Surveyor, 207.—
Sent to examine what branches might
bo between the Delaware and the'
Susquehana, S41, 252, 353.
Hazard: Jlr., 95.
Henley: Mr,, 145.
Hegeman: Adrian; his son breaks open
the gaol at Perth Ambov, 50.
Herring: John, 220, 237.— Atedavit in re-
fard to the assault upon him by
homas Dekey and sons, 382.
Hertford : Countess of, 85.
Hicks: Isaac, 239, 264.
Hite: John, Deposition, 40, 41, 42.
Holdemesse: Earl of, 33.— Circular Let-
ter of, to his Majesty's Government,
35, 92.- Referred to, 292.
Holland: Mr., 91
Honan and Hauden's Patent, 273.
Hooghtehne : Johannes, a Constable, 212.
Hopkins: Ebenezer. Certificate, 74.
House of Representatives of New Jersey,
Petition to the King, asking that the
Governor may be permitted to give
his assent to a bill making current
£60,000 in Bills of Credit. 183.
iHude: James. 43, 103, 104, 107.
Hume: Lord, 93.
Hunter: Governor, On the boundaries
between New York and New Jersey,
132, 133, 13G, 142, 148, 149, 167, S33.
Hunterdon ( 'ounty : Money received from
Collector of, 66, 67, 68 —From Com-
missioners, 71, 74.
Hmitingdon: Countess of, 84.— Letter to,
from Governor Belcher, 87.
Indians: Six Nations of , Proposed inter- I Iron; Pig 'and Bar, imported into Eng-
vlew with, 156. I land from the Colonies, 118, 119.
Jarrat: Allan. New York Surveyor, 172.
—His petition to a Committee of the
Colony of New York, 173.— Petition
to President Schuyler, 233. 235.— Re-
ferred to, 247, 253, 254, 258, 259, 360,
202, 203, 2(54, 265, 277.
Johnston : Andrew, Letter to, from Gov-
ernor Belcher, relating to the im
37.— Referred to. 38, 44.— Account as
Treasurer of Eastern Division, 65,
76.— Afifidavit, 83.- Referred to, 103,
104, 105, 106, 107, 191.— Bond of In-
demnification, 200.— Referred to, 221,
232.
Johnson: Gabriel, 27.
Johnston: John, 239.
prisonment of CorneUus Wyckoff, I Johnston: Lewis, Bond, 300.
f
Kemble: Peter, Member of Council, 43, I Keith: George. Surveyor, 205, 238, 247, 249.
10.3, 104, 107. I Kinowl: Lord, 93.
Lane: Mr., 1.54, 158.
Lawrie: Gawen, Governor of East New
Jersey, 204.
Laws: Revision of, 27, 113.
lieaming: Aaron, Certificate, 74
Lee, Sir George, 23.
Legislature of New Jersey: Message of
Governor Belcher, 13.— Proceedings
of, laid before the Lords of Trade by
Governor Belcher, 125.— Letter of Sir
Thomas Robinson, in relation to the
action of, to resist the hostile attempt
of the French on the Ohio, 393.—
Comments of the Lords of Trade
upon the action of, in not providing
resources for the common defence
against the French, 294.
Lenex: John, 137.
Leonard: Samuel, Bond, 300.
Leonard : Thomas, 16.
Ligonier: Sir John, 23.
Livingston: James, 123.
Livingstons: The, 93.
Lords of Trade: Letter to, from Robert
Himter Morris. 13.— Report of. on the
improper publication made in New
Jersey of an order of their Lordships,
28.— Letter of Earl of Holdernesse to,
33.— Letter to, from Governor Belcher
relating to the riot at Perth Amboy,
,53— Letter to, from the same, about
proceedings of Coiuicil, 60.— Letter
to, from the same, i ransmitting ac-
counts of various officers. 65. — Let-
ter to, from the s^anie, relative to
not admitting Lewis Morris A.ihfield
to a seat in the Council. 111. — Letter
to, from the same, in reference to
the suggested revision of the Laws,
113. — Letter from, to Governor
Belcher, disapproving of his course
towards Mr. Ashfleld, 124.— Letter to,
from Governor Belcher, about pro-
ceedings of the Legislature. 125. —
Letter to, from Goveror Belcher,
INDEX.
277
relating to his admission of Mr. Ash-
field to the Council, 126.— Opinion of,
upon the question of the boundaries
between >»ew York and New Jersey.
128.— Letter from, to Gov. Belcher,
desiring him to assist the Mis-ion-
aries for propagating the Gospel in
New Jersey, 140.— Representation of,
to the King, relative to partition line
between New York and New Jersey,
IW.— Letter to, from Gov. Belcher,
transmitting documents, 151. — Circu-
lar from, to the Governors of Amer-
ica, relative to the Six Nations of
Indians, 156.— Report of, to the Com-
mittee of Council for Plantation
Affairs, 188.— Letter to, from Gover-
nor lielcher, relative to disputes for
want of a dividing line, 190.— Letter
to, from Lieutenant-Governor De
Lancey of New York, about the DiflB-
culties with New Jersey, lit2. — Report
from, to the Lords rommittee for
Plantation affairs, relative to the
is.sue of £60,000 in Bills of Credit,
19G.— Letter to, from Gov. Belcher,
transmitting the proceedings of the
Council and Assemby, 2ii7. — Letter
to, from Lieutenant-Governor De
Lancey of New York, about the divi-
sion line between that Province and
New Jersey, 288.— Letter from, to
Governor Belcher, on not providing
resources for the common defence
against the French, 294— Letter from,
to Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey,
about the boundary line between
New York and New Jersey, 297.
Loudoun: Lord, 93.
M.
Mackhackamack, 207— Riots near to, 208.
Manufactm-es: Promotion of, 108, 109.
Maryland: Contribution to the fortifica-
tions on the northern frontier of New
Y''ork, 194.— Quota of assistance, 196.
Massachusetts Bay: Quota of assistance
to New York northern frontier, 195.
Matthews: Colonel, 268.
Matthew: William, 27.
Middlesex County: The gaol of, broken
open, 43.— Petition of the possessors
of land in, 54, 55, 56.
Minisinks Island: 174, 193, 208, 210, 224,
232, 266, 275, 276, 281, 290, 291.
Morris: Lewis, 209.— Memorial of the
Proprietors to, 244.
Morris: Robert H., 8.— Letter to the
Lords of Trade relating to the Con-
stitution of the Council, 13.— Papers
relative to the state of affairs in the
Province, 23.— Referred to, 94, 97.—
Suspected of seeking the removal of
Governor Belcher, 102.— Referred to,
135.— Letter to Ferdinand J. Paris,
157.— Bond of Indemnification, 200. —
Referred to, 213.— Committee of the
Council of Proprietors, 268, 269.
Morris: William, 32, 111.
Mount: Humphrey, Deposition, 41.
Murray: \V., Solicitor General, to a Com-
tee of his Majesty's Privy Council
concerning riotous proceedings in
New Jersey. 58.— Referred to, 270,
271, 272, 273, 274, 279.
N.
Nevlll: Samuel. Judge of Supreme Court,
37, 38.— Letter to Governor Belcher,
concerning trial of Ashfleld, 40.— Re-
ferred to, 44. — To Governor Belcher,
regarding Wyckoff, 16.-Bond, 200.—
Memorandum concerning line be-
tween New Y'ork and New Jersey,
267.— Referred to, 269.
Newell: James, Affidavit in regard to
breaking open gaol at Perth Anaboy,
48.
New Hampshire: Quota of assistance
to New York northern frontier, 195.
New Jersey: Disturbances in, 1.— Land
titles in, 57. — Divisions and distrac-
tions in, 58, 60, 90.— Property of lands,
92.— Riots and confusions. 98, 99, 103,
104.— Revisal of the Laws, 114.— Laws
re-printed, 115. — Boundaries be-
tween it and New York, 128.— Clan-
destine entry on the Records of, 136.
— fi'orks of the Delaware, the north-
ern boundary of, 139, 141, 144.— Peti-
tion of the House of Representatives
of, to the King, to make current
£60,000 in Bills of Credit, 183.— Report
of the Lords of Trade on said petition,
106.
New York: Boundaries between it and
New Jersey, ]28.— Quota of assistance
to its northern frontier, 195.
O.
Offieers of Government: Moneys paid to, I Osborne: Sir Dan vers. The King's In
67, 68, 69, 70. 71, 72, 76, 77, 7«, 79, 105. | structions to, 194.
Ogden: David, Member of Council. 43.— | Oswald: Mr.. 128.
Referred to, 271. i
278
INDEX.
Parker: James, Bond, 200.
Paris: Ferdinand J., Solicitor for East
Jersey, 137, 115.— Letter to Robert
Hunter Morris, relative to boundary
line between New York and New
Jersey, 1.5;,'.— Letter to R. H. Hunter,
18-3.— Referred to, 218, 219.
Partridf,'e: Richard, Memorial from, re-
lative to tlie state of the Council in
New Jersey. 18.— Referred to, 29.—
Letter tu, from Governor Belcher,
about riot at Amboy, 53.— Referred
to, 102.
Pemberton: Rev. Mr., Not going to Eng-
land, etc., 9.
Penn : Richard, Bond of Indemnification,
200.
Penn: Thomas, Referred to, 137, 154,158.
—Bond of Indemnification, 200.
Pennsylvania: Contribution to fortifica-
tions on the northern f i ontier of New
York, 194.— Quota of assistance, 196.
Perth Amboy: Riot at, 38, 39, 43, 52.
Pitt: Mr.. 128.
Popple : WilUam, 27,
Pownall: John, 94.
Pratt: Mr., 145.
Proprietors of East Jersey; Petition of,
asking to be heard against the repre
sentation from the Lords of Trade,
recommending the repeal of the
Boundary Act of 1747, 160.— Bond of
Indemnification by the Coimcil of, to
William Alexander and John Smyth,
200.— Memorial of, to Gov. Belcher,
202.— Memorial of, to the Coimcil, 244.
Read: Charles, 38.— Letter to, from Gov-
ernor Belcher, about riot at Perth
Amboy, 39.— Letter to Robert Hunter
Morris, 186.
Read: Joe, 123.
Reading: John, Councilor, 16,
Rhode Island: Contribution to fortifica-
tions on the northern frontier of New
York, 194.— Quota of assistance, 195
Riot and Disturbances : Memorial respon-
sive to the representations made by
those concerned in, 1.— At Perth Am
boy, :B8, 39, 43, 52.-Order of the Lords
of the Con)mittee of Council for
Plantation Affairs, relating to out-
rageous and riotous proceedings in
New Jersey, 53.— Letter of Governor
Belcher, about the proceedings of
the Council in respect to, 60.— Report
of the Lords of the Committee of
Council, relating to, 90.— Letters of
Governor Belcher, referring to, 99,
102.— His speech to the Coimcil, con-
cerning, 103.
Robinson: Andi-ew, Surveyor-General of
West New Jersey, 205.
Robinson: Sir Thomas, 93.— Letter to
Governor Belcher, in relation to the
hostile attempts of the French on
the Ohio, 292.
Rodman: John, Councilor, 16.
Roye: John, made Justice of the Peace,
105.
Rushout: Sir John, 23.
Ryder: D.. Attorney-General, to Com-
mittee of liis Majesty's Privy Coimcil,
concerning riotous proceedings in
New Jersey, 54.
Salem County : Money received from
Collector of, 66. 67, 68.— From Com-
missioners, 71.— Interest moneys
from, 73, 74.
Saltar: Richard, 16.
Schuyler: Peter, President of Coimcil of
New York, 130.— Petition of Allan
Jarrat to, 233,— Petition to, of inhabi-
tants of New York, 237.
Shirley: William, Governor of Massachu-
setts, referred to, 27, 94.
Skinner: Courtlandt, Nominated as At-
torney-General, 293.
Skinner: Rev. William, Sketch of. in note,
293.
Smith: Captain John, 137.
Smith: Samuel, Treasurer of Western
Division: his account from 1733 to
1751, 65, 73.
Smyth: John, Bond of Indemnification
to, 200.
Somerset County: Petition of the pos-
sessors of land in, 54, 55, .56.
Somerset: Duchess of, 84.
Spire: Tunis, 6.
Stuart: Blr., 154.
Swaartwoots: Thomas, 207, 208, 224, 228.
Tankerville: Lord, 93.
Tapan's Patent, 275,
Tennent: Rev. Mr., 95.
Tinker: John. 27.
Tompkins : Ichabord, Made Justice of
the Peace, 105.
Townsend: Charles, 62.
Treasurers of the Eastern and Western
Divisions: Accounts of. 65.
Trelawny: Edward, 27.
Trenton Library. 32.
INDEX.
279
Vanaken : Abraham, Justice of the Peace,
21:3, 267.
Vanatta: Anthony, Constable, 335.
Vanliom: Major, 133.
Virginia, 91, 114.— Contribution to the
fortifications on the nortliern fron-
tier of New York, 194.— Quota of as-
sistance, 196.
W.
Waddell: Captain, 218.
Waller: John, Gaol-keeper, 37, 43, 46, 47.
Walpole: Horatio, 138.
Walter: Robert, 209, 239, 264.
Warrell: Joseph, Attorney, Notes upon
the trial of Lewis Morris Ashfleld,
113.— Resignation as Attorney-Gen-
eral, 29:3, 398.
Warren: Sir Peter, 93.
Wawayanda: Patent of, 193, 234, 233, 375,
2S1, 290.
Wells : Philip, Surveyor-General of New
York, 205, 247, 249.
Wentworth: Penning, Governor of New
Hampshire, Instructions sent to, 27.
Westbrook: Suit against Vanaken, 267,
268.
Westfalls, 208, 224, 228.
West New Jersey: Quota of assistance to
New York northern frontier, 195.
Whitefield: Rev. George, Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, upon religious
subjects, 84.— Referred to, 87.
Whitehead: Timothy, Made Justice of
the Peace, 105.
Wilcocks: Mr., 353.
Wileman: Henry, 211, 215, 270, 271.
Willes: Lord, Chief Justice, 23.
Wollocks: George, 239.
Wraxall's Complaint, 116.
Wyckoff: Cornelius (alias Simon), Com-
mitted for high treason, 37, 3«, 39, 43,
46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51. 52.
PART SEOOISTD.
Abererombie: Major General, 222.
Alexander: James, Member of the Coun-
cil, 23.— Letter from, to Mr. Paris, re-
lating to the action of the Council of
New York on the questions affecting
the boundary line, 89- Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, 142.— Referred to,
183.— Death of, 314.
Alexander: William, Recommended as a
successor, in the Council, to his fa-
ther, James Alexander, 314. — Mem-
orandum received by, from Mr. Paris,
in regard to the boundary line, 343.—
Letter to Robert Hunter Morris, in
regard to the same, 343.
Allen: Colonel, Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, 156.
Anderson: James, 163.
Anderson: Colonel John, 156, 163.
Assembly of New Jersey: An appropria-
tion of £15.000 made by, for the sup-
port of Colonel Schuyler's regiment,
11. — A new one chosen, 12. —Unsatis-
factory proceedings of, 24, 26.— Mes-
sage of Governor Belcher to, 93.— Ac-
tion of, thereon, 94.— Message to, 119,
— A meeting of, desired by the Gover-
nor, 136— Messages of the Governor
to, 128, 162.— A meeting of, called, 181.
—Messages of the Governor to, 193,
198, 201.
Aynsley (Aisleby, Ailesby): Wilham,
Spoken of by Governor Belcher as
having been appointed Chief-Justice,
190. --Warrant for his appointment,
247.
B.
Barrington: Lord. 2.58.
Barton: Thomas, Signer of Bills of Credit,
40.— Inspector of Press, 70.
Beekman: Colonel, 29.
Belcher : Andrew, Letter to, from his
father. Governor Belcher, 196.
Belcher: Governor, Letter from, to Col-
onel Schuyler, 11.— Letter to the
Lords of Trade, informing them of a
choice of anew Assembly, 12.— Let-
ter to Sir Thomas Robinson, Secreta-
ry of State, 34.— Letter to the Lords
of Trade, on the boimdary difficulties
with New York, etc., 36.— Letter to
the Lords of Trade, relative to boun-
dary question, 30.— Letter to Gover-
nor De Lancey, ;32.— Opinion and ad-
vice of the Council to. 3:1— Bill mak-
ing current £70,(100, transmitted by,
to the Lords of Trade, 36.- Letter to
Lords of Trade, transmitting papers
relating to boundary question, 72. —
Letter lo Sir Thomas Robin.^on, about
affairs of the Province, 76 —Letter to
the Lords of Trade, relating to con-
dition of New Jersey, 78.— Alessage
to the New Jersey Assembly, in re-
gard to danger of an attack on New
York by the EYench, 93.- Becoming
old and infirm, 102.— Letter to the
280
INDEX.
Lords of Trade, transmitting docu-
ments, 103.— lietter to Sir Thomas
Robinson, lO.").— Letter to the Lords
of Trade, transmitting documents,
ll!i. — Letter to Lieutenant-Governor
Morris, about Indian affairs, 116.—
I-etter to General Braddocli, 117.—
Letter to Secretary Read, relative to
reported defeat of General Braddock.
117. -Letter to Mr. Pownall, congrat-
ulating him on his appointment, 118.
— Message to tlie Council and Assem-
bly, 11!).— Letter to Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Dinwiddie, about military pro-
ceedings, lv>a.— Letter to, from the
Lords of Trade, 1;^.— Letter to Mr.
Secretary Read, desiring a meeting
of the Council and Assembly, 126. —
Letter to Lieutenant-Governor De
Lancey, about laws to enforce em-
bargoes, 127.— Messa,ge to the Council
and General Assembly, 128.— Letter
to his nephew, Mr. Oliver, about the
condition of the forces on the frontier
131. -Letter to Sir John St. Clair, on
the necessity of driving the French
from America, 133 —Letter to Rich-
ard Partridge, about appointment of
Lieutenant-Governor, 135. — Letter to
Sir Thomas Robinson, about sending
additional troops, 135.— Letter to Mr.
Pownall, congratulating him on be-
ing appointed Lieutenant-Governor
of New Jersey, 139.— Letter to Mr.
Yard, one of the Commission for pro-
curing supplies for the troops. 140.—
Letter to Governor Hardy, of New
York, 141.— Letter to the same, about
the boundary Une. 14.3.— Letter to
James Alexander, thanking him for
Dr. Cheynes' book on the Gout, 143.
— Letter to Lieutenant-Governor
Dinwiddie, in relation to the move-
ment of the troops, 143.— Letter to
Rev. George Whitefield, informing
him of the erection of Nassau Hall.
146.— Letter to Sir Thomas Robin-
son, about military affairs, 148. —
Letter to Colonel AUen— the enemy
threatening to invade the Province,
156.— Proclamation to the several col-
onels of militia regiments, directing
them to muster their troops, 157.—
Letter to Governor Morris, referring
to threatened approach of French
and Indians, 1."j8.— Letter to Lieuten-
ant-Governor Pownall. about the
movement of troops, 1(30. — Letter to
Governor Morris, about the condition
of military affairs, 161.— Message to
Council and Assembly, 102. — Letter
to Lieutenant-Governor Moi-ris, 165.
— Letter to Rev. Aaron Burr, on af-
fairs of the College, 166.— Letter to
Governor Hopkins, relating to a Con-
vention of the Colonies, 167. — Letter
to General Shirlej-, about military
affairs, 168.- Letter to Lieutenant-
Governor Pownall, requesting his at-
tendance at the Convention of Gov-
ernors in New York, 170. — Letter to
Lieutenant-Governor Dinwiddie, re-
lating to military affairs, 172.— Letter
to the colonels of militia, directing
them to march to the Delaware river,
174.— Letter to his nephew, P. Oliver,
175.— Letter to Colonel Anderson, re-
lating to mihtary requirements, 176.
—Letter to Colonel Andrew Johnston,
directing him to carrj' out orders,
178.— Letter to Colonel Joseph Tuttle,
relating to the defence of the frontier,
179.— Letter to Col. Schuyler, about
marching to Minisink, 180 —Letter to
Gov. Morris, about military move-
ments, 180.— Letter to Mr. Secretary
Read, directing him to call a meeting
of the Assembly, 181.— Letter to the
colonels of the New Jersey Regiments
relating to the defence of Morris and
Sussex Counties, 182.— Letter to Gen-
eral Sliirley , referring to the Council
held at Oswego, 182.— Letter to Sir
Charles Hardy, Governor of New
York, about the division line and
building block houses, 183,- Queries
to, from the Lords of Trade, relative
to the defence of New Jersey, 185.—
Letter to the Lords of Trade, 187.—
Letter to Lord Hardwicke, about the
necessity of capturing Canada, 188. —
Letter to Richard Partridge, about
the appointment of Chief-Justice
Aynsley, 190.— Letter to Secretary
Read, about the imprisonment of
some Pennsylvania Indians, 191. —
Message to the '. 'ovuicil and Assem-
bly, 193.— Letter to General Shirley,
194. —Letter to Mr. Walley, referring
to Rev. Mr. Whitefield, 105.- Letter
to his son. Andrew Belcher, 196. — Let-
ter to Richard Partridge, 197.— Letter
to Consul Dean, about the progress
of the College, 197.— Blessage to the
Assembly, communicating a letter
from General Shirley, 198.— Letter to
Lord Halifax, concerning Attorney-
General Skinner, 200.— Letter to the
Assembly of New Jersey, asking for
an augmentation of the forces, 201. —
Letter to General Shirley, on the
events of the last campaign, 203. —
Letter to, from the Lords of Trade,
commending the seiwices rendered
by New Jersey, 206.— Letter to the
Lords of Trade, informing them of
the death of James Alexander, and
recommending his son, William Alex-
ander, as his successor, 214.— Let-
ter to, from the Lords of Trade, in
regard to the meetings of the Gov-
ernors, 215.— Referred to, 217.— Letter
to the Lords of Trade, on their ap-
proval of the course of New Jersey,
819.— Letter to Mr. Secretary Fox,
on the recent proceedings of the
Government, 220.— Letter to the
Lords of Trade, in regard to the dis-
puted line, 221.— Letter to the Lords
of Trade, nominating Samuel Wood-
ruff for the Council, 236.— Proclama-
tion of, relating to the exportation of
provisions, 237.— Letters to Mr. Sec-
retary Pitt, 249, 251.— Letter to the
Earl of Holdernesse, in relation to the
embargo on grain, 254.— Letter to the
Lords of Trade, relating to the dis-
puted boundaries, 256.— Death of
Governor Belcher, 257, 259, 260, 262,
261, 267, 2C9.
ills of Credit: Opinion concerning them
as legal tenders, 87.
INDEX.
281
Bishpham : Joshua, Inspector of the
Press, 70.
Boothly: Sir William, 258.
Boseaweon: Admiral, 12.3. 135, 163,234.
Boundary line between New Jersey and
New York; 30, W, T4, 89, 108, 114, lJi9,
14-i, 207, 224, 242, 243, 256.
Braddock: General Edward, 104, 111, 113,
116.— Reported defeat of, 117.— Let-
ter to, from Governor Belcher, 117.—
Referred to, 119, 136, 148, 149, 183, 209,
221.
Bradstreet: Captain John, Letter to Gov-
ernor Belcher, 113.
Broadwell: Josiah, 165.
Burr: Rev. Aaron, Letter to, from Gov-
ernor Belcher, about the College, 166.
C.
Canada: The necessity for capturing of, j
188.
Cartwright: Solomon, 13. 1
Charles: Robert, Agent for Province of ;
New York, 108. 2-14, 2-15.
Cheescock Patent: 34. j
College of New Jersey: Letters about the j
affairs of, from Governor Belcher, ,
1C6, 197. j
Colonies: A plan for the defence of. 1.— |
Number of inhabitants in, 132.- The
establishment of packet-boats to. 138,
144, 146.— Convention of Commission- j
ers for, 167, 170.— Circular Letter to I
the Governors of, relative to assist-
ing the Earl of Loudoun. Commander-
in-chief, 2C9.— Representation to the
King, relative to the defence of, 216.
—Circular Letter from Secretary
Wm Pitt, urging the raising of addi-
tional troops, 241.
Council of New Jersey: Message of Gov-
ernor Belcher to, 119.— A meeting of,
desired by the Governor, 126.— Mes-
sages of Governor Belcher to. 128, 162,
193.— Summoned by the Governor,
249.— Queries submitted by, to the
Attorney-General, 264.
D.
Dean: Consul, Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, about the progress of the
College, 197.
DeHart: Jacob, To agree with printer
for printing Bills of Credit, 71.
Dekey : Thomas, Seeks protection of
James Alexander, 23 —Referred to,
34, 90.
DeLancey: James, Lieutenant-Governor
of New York, 31.— Letter to, from
Governor Belci.er, 32.— Letter from,
to the Lords of Trade, relating to
boundary question, 74.— Letter to,
from Governor Belcher, about the
laws to enforce embargoes, 127. — Re-
ferred to, 128.
Dinwiddle : Robert, Governor of Vir-
ginia, 121.— Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, about military proceedings,
122.— Letter to, fn^m the same, in re-
lation to the movement of the troops,
143. (In the title to this letter Gover-
nor Dinwiddle is, in the manuscript,
called Lieutenat-Governor of Penn-
sylvania.) Letter to, from the same,
relating to military operations, 172.
Dvmbar: Colonel Thomas, Referred to,
17. 92, 140, 143, 202.
E.
East Jersey: Memorial of the Proprie-
tors of, relative to the disputed line
between New York and New Jersey,
225.
F.
Fawkener : Everard, Postmaster-Gen-
eral, Letter from, to the Lords of
Trade, informing them of the estab-
lishment of monthly packets to the
Colonies, 144.
Finch: Samuel, of Minisink, Affidavit
complaining of being taken prisoner
by a New Jersey Justice, 13.
Ksher : Henry, Inspector of the Press, 7'0.
Ford: Colonel, 179.
Foster: William, Inspector of the Press,
70.
Fox: Hon. H., Circular to the Governors
of the Colonies, relative to the as-
sistance to be rendered by them to
the Karl of Loudomi, 209.— Letter to,
from Governor Belcher, on the recent
proceedings of the Government, 220.
French: 'I'he, An act for making current
£70,000 in Bills of Credit for assisting
to disposses.s, 30.— Necessity of driv-
uig them from Canada, 1-33.— Decla-
ration of war against, 218.
H.
Hadden: Richard, Captain of a priva-
teer, 255.
Halifax: Lord, A letter to, from Gover-
nor Belcher, concerning Attorney-
General Skinner, 200.— Referred to,
246,253.
Halkett: Sir Peter, 17, 92.
Hardinge : N., Letter to the Lords of
Trade, relative to the division of a
certain appropriation of Parliament,
205.
Hardwicke : Lord, Letter to, from Gov-
283
INDEX.
emor Belcher, about the necessity of
capturinK Canada, 188.
Hardy : Sir Cliarles, Governor of New
York, Letter to, from Lords of Trade,
concerning the boundary difficulties
with New Jersey, 1:^9.— Referred to,
134. — Letters to, from Gov. Belcher,
141, 142, 183.— Letter from, to the
Lords of Trade, about the boundary
line, 207.— Letter to, from the Lords
of Trade, appointing Commissioners
to settle controversies, 312.— Referred
to, 224, 249.
Hartshome : Hugh, Signer of Bills of
Credit, 39.
Hawk: Sir Edward, 131.
Holbum: Admiral, 251, 253.
Holdernesse: Earl of. Letter from, to the
Earl of Loudomi, removing the em-
bargo on corn, 248.— Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, on the same sub-
ject, 254.
HoUingshead : Joseph, Signer of Bills of
Credit, 40.
Hopkins: Governor, Letter to, from Gov-
ernor Belcher, relating to the Com-
missioners for the several Colonies,
1G7.
Houliugs: Abraham, Signer of Bills of
Credit, 40.
House of Representatives of New Jersey:
Petition of, to the King, in relation to
the Bill for making amount of £70,-
000 in Bills of Credit, 14.— Represen-
tation to the King in relation to said
petition, 100.
I.
Indian Aflfair.s: IIG.— The imprisonment of some Pennsylvania Indians, 191.
Johnston: Andrew, Colonel^of the regi-
ment of militia of Middlesex County,
order to muster his troops, 157.—
Order relating to the defence of Mor-
ris and Sussex Counties, 183.
Johnston: John, Signer of Bills of Credit,
Johnston: Dr. Lewis, Recomended to a
vacancy in the Comicil, 270.
Johnston: Major General William, Com-
mander of the Colonial troops from
New England, New York and New
Jersey, 141, 143, 164.
Kearney: Mr., 264.
Kilby: Charles, Massachusetts' agent, 96.
Lawrence: Robert, Speaker of the House,
126.
Lords of Trade : Letter from, to S^ir
Thomas Robinson, regarding a plan
of mutual defence between the Colo-
nies of America, 1.— Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, concerning the
choice of a new Assembl.y, 12.— Let-
ters to, from Gov. Belcher, relating
to the boundary difficulties, 26, 30.
73.— Letter to, from tlie same, relat-
ing to the present condition of New
Jersey, 78. — Memorial of Richard
Partridge, relating to the Bill for the
emission of £70,0i)0 in Bills of Credit,
95.— Representation of, to the King,
on the petition of the House of Rep-
resentatives of New Jersey, 100. —
Representation to thn King, recom-
mending Thomas Pownall as Lieu-
tenant-Governor of New Jersey, 103,
—Letter to, from Governor Belcher,
transmitting documents, 103.- -Rep-
resentation of, to the Lords Justices,
relating to the boundary between
New York and New Jersey, 108.— Let-
ter from (iov. Belcher, transmitting
papers, 112.— Letter from, to Gover-
nor Belcher, 124.- Letter from, to
Sir (.'harles Hardy, recommending
the appointment of Commissioners
to arrange the boundary difficulties.
129.— Letter to, from Thomas Pow-
nall, expressing his obligations, 134.
—Letter from, to Sir Thomas Robin-
son, recommending the estabhsh-
ment of packet-boats between Eng-
land and the Colonies, 138.— Letter
to, from the Postmaster-General in
regard to the same, 144.— circular
from, to the Governors of the Colo-
nies, 146.— Queries from, to Governor
Belcher, relative to the state of de-
fence m New Jersey, 185.— Letter to,
from Governor Belcher, about New
Jersey affairs, 187.— Letter from
Secretary Hardinge, relative to an
appropriation of Parliament, 205. —
Letter from, to Governor Belcher,
commending the services rendered
by New Jersey, 206.— Letter to, from
Governor Hardy, about the boundary
question, 207.— Letter from, to Gov-
ernor Hardy, relating to the aj>point-
ment of Commissioners. 212.- Letter
to, from Governor Belcher, announc-
ing the death of James Alexander;
and recommending William Alexan-
der as his successor. 214.— Letter
from, to Governor Beklier, respect-
ing the meetings of the Governors,
215.— Representation of, to the King,
on the state of defence of the differ-
ent Colonies, 216.— Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, expressing his
gratification, 219.— Letter to, from
INDEX.
283
the same, relative to the disputed
boundaries, 224— Letter to, from the
same, nominating Samuel Woodruft'
for tlie Council, 230.— Representation
of, to the Iviug, with a warrant ap-
pointing William Ayusley Chief-Jus-
tice of New Jersey, 247.— Letter to,
from Governor Belcher, relating to
the disputed boundaries, 2.50.
Loudomi (Lowdon, Loudon): Earl of,
Commander-in-chief of all the King's
forces in America, Referred to, 206,
209, 21.5, 220. 222, 241.— Letter to, from
the Earl of Holdernesse. removing
tlie embargo on corn, 248. — Referred
to, 250.— Letter to, from Robert H.
Morris. 2.59.— Referred to, 207.
Low: Colonel John, 17"), 177, 180, 182.
Lyman: Major General*Phineas, Second
in command to Major General John-
ston, 164.
M.
Massachusetts: Commissioners to settle
controversies between it and New
York and New Jersey, 212.
Military Affairs: Letter from Governor
Belcher, concerning, 122.— The law
to enforce embargoes, 127.— Condi-
tion of the forces on the frontier,
131.— Raising additional troops, 135,
—Procuring supplies for the troops,
140.— Tlie movement of the troops,
143.— Letter from Governor Belcher,
concerning, 148.— Proclamation of the
Governor to the several Colonels of
militia, 157.— Threatened invasion of
the French, 158.— The movement of
the troops, 160.— Letters from Gover-
nor Belcher on the condition of, 101.
168, 172.— Directions of Gov. Belcher
to the Colonels of regiments, 174.—
Military requirements, 176.— Orders
to be executed without delay. 178.—
The defence of the frontier, 179,—
Marching to Minisink, 180.— Order
from the Governor, relating to the
defence of Morris and Sussex Coun-
ties, 182.— Councils of war held at
Oswego, 182. — Building of block-
houses, 183. — Queries and answers,
relative to the state of defence of
New Jersey, 185. — The necessity for
capturing Canada, 188.— Letter from
Governor Belcher to General Shirley,
194.— Comments of Governor Belcher
on the events of the last campaign,
203.— Military services of New Jersey
commended by the Lords of Trade,
206. — Earl of Loudoun appointed
Commander-in-chief of all the North
American forces, 209.— Proclamation
of Governor Belcher, relating to the
exportation of provisions, 237.— The
raising of additional troops urged by
the King, ail.— The embargo upon
corn, 248.— Rear Admiral Holbum,
appointed to command the fleet
in American waters, 251.— The em-
bargo on grain, 2&1.
Minisink: Memorial of the Proprietors of,
20.— Highways laid out through, 23.—
Referred to, 28.— Claimed by New
York, 33, 75.— Referred to, 180.— A
town burnt in, 181, 184, 185.
Moravians, 160, 165.
Morris : Robert Hunter, Governor of
Pennsylvania, 91.— Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, on Indian affairs,
116.— Referred to, 117, 149, 157, 160,
163, 173.— Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, about military movements,
180.— Referred to, 191, 192.— Letter to,
from Wilham Alexander, 24;3.— Re-
ferred to, 248, 206, 267, 268, 270.
N.
Nassau Hall: Erection of, 146.
Nevill: Samuel, To agree with printer
for printing Bills of Credit, 71, 224.
New Jersey: Petition of the House of
Representatives of, to the King, re-
lating to the Bill for making amount
of i;70,000 in Bills of Credit, 14.—
Opinion and advice of Council of, to
Governor Belcher, 33. — Letters of
Governor Belcher about the affairs
of, 76, 78.— Action of the As.sembly in
regard to danger of an attack on
New York by the French, 94.— Me-
morial relating to the Bill for emit-
ting £70,000 in BiUs of Credit, 95.—
Petition of the House of Representa-
tives laid before tlie Kuig by the
Lords of Trade, 100 —The Lords of
Trade to the Lords Justices, relating
to the boundary line between New
York and New Jersey, 108.— Queries
and answers, relative to the state of
defence of New Jersey, 185.— Letter
from Governor Belcher about the af-
fairs of, 187.— Mihtary services of,
commended by the Lords of Trade,
206.— Commissioners to settle contro-
versies between New York and New-
Jersey and Massachusetts, 212. —
Moneys received and expended, 228.
—Boundary difficulties with New
York. 2-12, 243, 256.
New^York: Report of the Committee of
the Assemblv of, on border disturb-
ances, 20.— Extract from the Minutes
of the Assembly, in regard to the
Minisink and other patents, 28.— Ac-
tion of the Council of, relating to the
boundary line, 89. — The Lords of
Trade to the Lords Justices, relating
to the boundary line between New
York and New jersey, 108 —Act for
submitting the controversy between
New York and New Jersey to the
determination of the King, repealed,
114.- Boundary difficulties with New
Jersey. 129, 142, 207.— Commissioners
to settle controversies between New
York and New Jersey and Massa-
chusetts, 212.— Boundary difficulties,
242, 243, 250.
Noble: Joseph, to agree with prmter for
printing Bills of CJredit, 71.
284
INDEX.
Oflflcers of the Army: Orders for settling I Orme : Mr., Aid-de-eamp to General
rank of, 29. | Braddock, 120.
Ogden: David, Member of Council, 192, I
Packet-boats to the Colonies: The estab-
lishing of. 139, IM, 146.
Paris: Ferdinand John, Letter to, from
James Alexander, 89. — Agent for
Proprietors of East Jersey, lOS. —
Memorandum in regard to the boun-
daries between New York and New
Jersey, 213— Referred to. 214, 240, 247.
Partridge: Richard, 76.— Memorial to the
Lords of Trade, relating to emitting
£70,000 in Bills of Credit, 95.— Letter
from Governor Belcher about ap-
pointment of Lieutenant-Governor,
135.— Letter to, from Gov. Belcher,
about the appointment of ('hief -Jus-
tice Aisleby (Aynslej), 190.— Letter
from Governor Belcher, 197.— Refer-
red to, 253.
Pitcher: James, Commissary of the mus-
ters, 70.
Pitt: WilHam, Circular Letter to the Gov-
ernors of America, urging the raising
of troops, 241.— Letter to, from Gov-
ernor Belcher, 249.— Referred to, 258.
Peperell: Sir Wilham, 17, 19, 111.
Pownall: John. Secretary to the Lords
of Trade, 147.
Pownall: Thomas, Recommended by the
Lords of Trade as Lieutenant-Gover-
nor of New Jersey, 10^.— Commis-
sioned as such, 106.— Letters of con-
gratulation to, from Gov. Belcher,
118, 139.— Letter of thanks from, to
the Lords of Trade, 134.— Referred to,
167, 109.— Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, 170. -Referred to, 183, 203.—
Deputed to meetings of the Gover-
nors, 215.— Referred to, 240.— Letter
to, from Secretary Read, announcing
the death of Governor Belcher, 257. —
Letter to, from John Reading, ob-
jecting to assume the Government,
260.— Answer to the same, 261.— Sec-
ond letter to, from John Reading,
202.— Letter to, from Court landt Skin-
ner, relative to the authority of John
Reading, 264.— Letter from, to the
Lords of Trade, giving an account of
his proceedings on the death of Gov-
ernor Belcher, 366.
Proprietors of East Jersey: A petition
of, to the Lords of Trade. 234.
Read: Charles, 71.— Letter to, from Gov-
ernor Belchei", relative to the defeat
of General Braddock, 117.— Letter to,
from Governor Belcher, desiring the
Council and Assembly to meet him
at Elizabeth, 126. (In the title to this
letter he is, in the manuscript, called
John l^ead).— Referred to, 162.— Let-
ter to, from Governor Belcher, direct-
ing him to call a meeting of the As-
sembly, 181.— Letter to, from the
same, about the imprisonment of
some Pennsylvania Indians, 191.—
Letter from, to Governor fownall,
acquainting him with the death of
Governor Belcher, 1.57.
Reading: John, President of the Council,
objects to assuming the cliief author-
ity on the death of Governor Belcher,
259.— Letter from, to Governor Pow-
nall, giving his reasons for declining
to assume the Government, 260. — Let-
ter to, from Governor Pownall, on
the same subject, 261. -Letter from,
in replyj 262.— Letter from Court-
landt Skmner, relative to Mr. Read-
ing's authority as President of the
Council, ^'04.- Referred to, 306, 369.
Robinson : Sir Thomas, Secretary of
State, Letter to. from the Lords of
Trade, 1. — Circular Letter to the
Governors of America, m'ging enlist-
ments, 17.— Orders for settling the
rank of the officers of his Majesty's
forces in North America, 29.— Letter
to, from Gov. Belcher, about the af-
fairs of the Province, 76. — Circular
Letter from, to the Governors in
America, in regard to augmenting
the regiments, 92.— Letter of informa-
tion to, from Governor Belcher, 105.
—Letter to, from Gov. Shirley, 111.—
Letter to. from Gov. Belcher, about
raising additional troops, 135.— Letter
to, from the Lords of Trade, recom-
mending the establishment of pack-
et-boats, 138. — Letter to, from Gover-
nor Belcher, about military affairs,
148.— Referred to, 1C3. 209.
Rodman: John, Member of the Council,
death of, 236.
Rusco: Captain, 258.
Russell: Mr., 176.
Salter: Richard, Member of the Council,
191, 193, 268.
Schuyler: John, Colonel of the regiment
Referred to, 177.— Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, 180.— Referred to,
182, 184. 185.
of militia in Bergen County, 175.— ! Schuyler: Colonel Peter, Letter to, from
INDEX.
285
Governor Belcher, 11.— Referred to,
104, 131, 127, 183, 199, 200, 201, 201, 253,
258. 250.
Sharpe: Horatio, Governor of Maryland,
173.
Shirley: William, Governor of Massachu-
setts, Commander-in-chief of the
Colonial forces, 17, 19.— Letter from,
to Sir Thomas Robinson. 111.— Re-
ferred to, 117, 127, 143, 148, 159, 160,
163, 167.— Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, about military affairs, 108.—
Letter to, from the same, referring
to the Councils held at Oswego, 182.
Letter to, from the same, in regard to
the New Jersey Regiment, 194.— Let-
ter from, communicated to the Gen-
eral Assembly. 198.— Referred to, 201.
— Letter to, from Governor Belcher,
commenting on the events of the
last campaign, 203.— Referred to, 306,
209.
Skinner: Courtlandt, A letter concern-
ing, from Governor Belcher to Lord
Halifax, 200.— Letter to, from Wil-
liam Skinner, 258.— Letter from, to
Governor Pownall, relative to the
authority of John Reading, as Presi-
dent of the Council. 264.
Skinner: Captain William. 178.— Letter
from, to Rev. William Skinner, 252.—
Letter from, to his brother, Court-
landt Skinner, 258.
Skinner. Rev, William, 178.— Letter to,
from his son, 253.
Smith: John, Signer of Bills of Credit,
40.
Smith: Samuel, Treasurer of West New
Jersey, account from 15th of April,
17.54, to 5th of November, 1755, 150.—
Receipts and payments to October
11. 17.50. 228.
Smith: William, Jr., 20,5.
Snook: Captain of a privateer, 255,
St. Clair: Sir John, Deputy (Quartermas-
ter-General, 105. — Letter trom Gover-
nor Belcher, 133.— Referred to. 140.
Stevens: John, Signer of Bills of Credit,
39.
Stout: Joseph, Colonel of the militia of
Himterdon County, 156, 158, 175, 177,
182.
Treasurer of East Jersey: Accounts of,
171, 223.
Treasurer of West Jersey : Accounts of,
150, 228.
Tuttle: Joseph, Colonel of the regiment
of militia of Morris County, 174. —
Letter to, from Governor Belcher,
relating to the defence of the fron-
tier, 179. -Orders to, 182.
Van Campen : (Van Cam, Van (Jamp, I the County of Sussex, 35,— Referred
Van Kempen) Abraham, Colonel of to, 90, 177, 179.
the regiment of militia and Judge of | Van Horn: Colonel, 182.
W.
Waghackemack: 75.
Walley: Mr., Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, 195.
Warren: Lady, 2.53.
Wawayanda: Memorial of the Proprie-
tors, 20.— Referred to, 28.
Webb: Colonel, of New York, 221, 222.
Westfall: Cornelius. 13.
Westfall: Jacobus, 13.
Westfall: Petrus, 13.
Westfall: Urian, 13.
I WetheriU: John, Inspector of the Press,
70.
Whitefleld : Rev. George, Letter to, from
Governor Belcher, informing him of
the erection of Nassau Hall, 146.—
Referred to, 195.
Wilks: Fi'ancis, .Massachusetts agent, 96.
Winne: Captain, 29.
Woodruff: Samuel, Recommended for
the Council, 236.— Admitted to the
Coimcil, 357.
Yard: Mr., Letter to, from Governor
Belcher, on procuring supplies for
the troops. 140.
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