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VOTES
AND
PROC EE DINGS
O F T H B
General Aflembly
O F T H E
Province of NEW- JERSEY.
At a SESSION of General Assembly, began at BUR-
LINGTON, OSlober 10, 1769, and continued till dx
6th Day of December following.
Being the Firft Seffion of the Twenty-firft Aflembly of iV EW-J E RS E T.
Woodbridce, in NEW- JERSEY :
Printed by James Parker, Printer to the King's Mofl: Excellent Majefty
for the Province.
M.DCCLIX.
* 1 >
HB. **
smmmmmmmmm
' Votes of the General
NAMES of the REPRESENTATIVES.
Cortland Skinner, t/ft*/>n. John L. Johnfton,
John Wetherill, Reune Runyon,
CITY of Perth- Amboyi
Middlefex,
Monmouth,
Effex,
Somerfet,
Bergen,
City of Burlington,
County of Burlington,
Gloucefter,
Salem and Cumberland,
Cape May,
Hunterdon, Morris and Suffex
Robert Hartfhorne,
John Ogden,
Hendrick Fiflier,
Theunis Dey,
Abraham Hewlings,
Henry Paxfon,
Robert Friend Price,
Ebenezer Miller,
Aaron Learning,
John Hart,
Edward Taylor,
Stephen Crane,
John Berrien,
John Demareft,
Jofeph Smith,
Jofeph Bullock,
John Hinchman,
Ifaac Sharp,
Nicholas Stillwell,
Samuel Tucker.
^
N
BURLINGTON, Tuefday, O&ober 10, 1769.
PURSUANT to His Majefty's Writs for electing Reprefentatives, to afiift in
General Aflembly, returnable at Burlington, on the of laft, and to
feveral Prorogations from Time to Time, until this Day, Fourteen of the
Members returned, met accordingly-, and it being late in the Evening, his
Excellency the Governor was pleafed to prorogue the General Aflembly, till To-
Morrow, then to meet at Burlington.
Wednefday, OSiober 11, 1769.
Agreeable to his Excellency's Prorogation of Yefterday, Sixteen Members met.
Mr. Wetherill and Mr. Miller, were defired to wait on the Governor, and inform
him thereof; and defire he will pleafe to appoint fome Perfon or Perfons to qualify
the Members.
Mr. Wetherill reported, that Mr. Miller and himfelf waited on his Excellency
accordingly ; who was pleafed to fay, he had fent the Dedimus Poteftatem by Mr.
Reed, the Secretary.
A Dedimus, authorizing Frederick Smyth, Charles Read, and John Berrien, Efqrs.
Jofeph Reed and Cortland Skinner, Efqrs. and each and every of them, to tender and
adminifter an Oath or Affirmation to the feveral Reprefentatives returned, and to
caufe them to make and fubferibe the Declaration according to Law, was produced
and read ; and then Cortland Skinner, John Johnfton, John Wetherill, Reune Runyon,
Edward Taylor, Hendrick Fijher, Abraham Hewlings, Robert Friend Price, John Hart,
2tad Samuel Tucker, Efquires, were fworn; and Robert Hart/home, Jofeph Smith,
Henry Paxfon, Jofeph Bullock, John Hinchman, Ebenezer Miller, and Ifaac Sharp,
Efquires, being of the People called Quakers, were duly affirmed •, and they all made
ind fubferibed the Declaration according to Law, before Jofeph Reed, Efq;
Mr. Fijher and Mr. Johnfton, were defired by the Members, to wait on his Excel-
lency, and inform him of the Qualification of the Members; and defire Leave to
choofe a Speaker.
Mr. Fijher reported, that Mr. Johnfton and himfelf waited on the Governor accord-
ingly; who was pleafed to fay, the Members might proceed to the Choice of a
Speaker.
Whereupon
( 4 )
Whereupon the Members proceeded to the Choice of a Speaker, when Cortland
Skinner, Efq; was unanimoufly chofen, and placed in the Chair accordingly.
Ordsred,
That Mr. Runycn and Mr. Hartfhorne, do wait upon his Excellency, and inform-
him of the Choice of a Speaker ; and delire to know, when the Houfe fhall attend
his Excellency with their Speaker, for his Approbation.
Mr. Runyon reported, that Mr. Hartjhorne and himfelf waited on the Governor,
according to Order, who was pleafed to fay, he Ihould be in the Council Chamber at
Three o'Clock this Afternoon, and would then inform the Houfe.
The Clerk of the Crown, laid before the Houfe, the fcveral Writs for electing
Reprefentatives,- with tbeiF Returns; which were read.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A MefTage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Reed.
Gentlemen, bis Excellency is in the Council Chamber, and ready to receive the Prefer.tation
ef your Speaker.
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to wait upon
his Excellency ; and being returned-, Mr. Speaker relumed the Chair, and reported.
That the Houfe had waited on his Excellency, and had prefented him as their Speaker;
and that his Excellency was pleafed to approve of their Choice: That he had requefted
of the Governor, that the Houfe might be protected at all Times in their ufual Pri-
vileges-, which was readily granted. Afterwards his Excellency was pleafed to make
a Speech to the Council and Houfe of1 Affembly, of which Mr. Spe.ker faid he had,
to prevent Miftakes, obtained a Copy ; which, by Order of the Houfe was read,
and is in the Words following, viz.
" Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the. Hcufe of Reprefentatives;
A S no immediate Bufinefs of a public Nature, made it neceffary to give
ZJk " an earlier Commencement to the prefent SeiTion, I postponed the
A. -^- " Pieafure of meeting you in General Affembly, till a Seafon that was
" likely to be mofr agreeable, as well as mod convenient to your private Affairs.
" At the lad Sefuon a Bill paffed both the Council and Affembly, " fr making
-' current One Hundred T'hcufand Pounds in Bills of Credit" which was 10 frame1.,
" that I was under a Necefiity of refufing it my Affent. Being however, of Opinion,
" that the emitting fuch a Sum of Paper Monev upon Loan, might be of great
" public Utility, and unwilling that there mould be any unneceffary Belay in a l
" Matter of fuch Importance, I ftrongly reprefented the Expediency of paffing an-
i{ A<ft for the Purpofe, and tranfmitted a Draught of the Bill to the Secretary of
" State for the Anrerican Department, in order to obtain the King's Pieafure there-
" upon. The Directions I have fince received from His Majefty, fhall be commu-
" nicated to you, by which you will find, that in Cafe the actual Necefiity of
;' emitting Bills of Credit upon Loan, to the Amount of One Hundred Thcufand
" Pounds, can be made to appear; and provided effectual Care be taken, that fuch
" Bills fhall not be deemed a legal Tender in Payment for Money, there is the
" greateft Probability, that an Act of this Natuoe, under proper Limitations, will
" meet with his Majefty's moil gracious Approbation.
"Having received Advice from the Honourable Sir William Johnson, Baronet,
" His Majefty's Superintendant for Indian Affairs, that a Treaty was to be held with
" the Six Nations, by His Majefty's Order, for fettling a Boundary Line between
" them and the Sriti/h Northern Colonies; and it being the Opinion of the Council,
'•' ^forthe Reafons fet forth in their Minutes) that my Prefence at the Treaty would be
'■ likely to anfwer very good Purpofes to the Province; I accordingly attended the
;i Conference at Fort Stamvix, accompanied by Mr. Chief Juitice, who, at my
" Requeit, willingly undertook the Service. An Account of the Tranfactions there,
" fo far as they particularly relate to New-Jerfey, will be laid before you, and I hop-
"• will prove fatisfactory. The Six Nations at that grand Meeting, befides having
cvnt»aily agreed on a general Boundary between them and the Northern Colonics*
have
It
( s )
** hive publickly acknowledged the repeated Inftances of our Juftice in bringing the,
" Murderers of- Indians to condign Punilhment, — declared, that they have no Claim
" or Demand on this Province whatever,— and, in the moft folemn Manner, confer-
" red on the Government of Nezo-Jerfey, the diftinguifhing Name of Sagorighwiyogslhat
" cr the great Ai biter or Doer of Juftice. A Name, which at the fame Time thac it
" reflects high Honour on the Province, may prove of Angular Advantage to the
"Inhabitants on our Frontiers, mould a Milunderftanding arifc between the Indians
" and any of the neighbouring Colonies.
44 It gives me great Concern to mention to you the Robbery of theTreafury of the
" Eaftern Divifion ; and the more fo, as it is not in my Power, though lo long a Time
K has fince elapfed, to inform you who were the Perpetrators of that atrocious
44 Villainy, or what is become cf the Money. Every Step, however, has been taken
44 on the Part of Government, which had any Chance of producing a Difcovery, as I
44 believe you will do the Juftice to acknowledge, when you have perufed the Papers
•l relative to that Tranfaftion. If any Expedient can be fuggeftcd which may have
44 a Tendency to fecure the Province from the like Difafter in future, it will not fail
44 of meeting with my moft hearty Concurrence.
44 Gentlemen cf the Houfc of Reprefentatives,
The Aft for the Support of Government being expired, and the Money granted
for thre fiirpifhing the King's Troops here with Ntcefiarics, being expended, I
" rnuft earneftiy recommend it to you to grant a farther Supply for thefe Purpofes.
" As there are ftrong Reafons for expefting that the late Duty Aft, which has
M -iven fuch general DiiTatisfafticn to His Majc-fty's. Subjefts in the Colonies, will be
44 repealed in the enfuing Seffion of Parliament, I cannot but flatter myfelf, that the
44 Reprefcntatives of the good People ox this Province, will conduft themfejves
44 with. Hi c h Wiidom and Prudence at this critical Time, as to avoid every Matter
44 which may, in the fmalleft Degree, tend to widen or continue the unhappy Diffcr-
" ences fubfifting between the two Countries; and that they will, by every Means fti
44 their Power, manifeft a fincerc Difpoiition to promote the Re cftablifhment of that
44 mutual Confidence and Alfcftion fo eftential to the Glory and Safety of the whole
44 &ritijb Empire.
44 Gentlemen of the Council, aid Gentlemen of the Houfc cf Reprefentatives;
" The many Advantages derived to the Province from the Harmony which haSj
44 for fo'me Time paft, prevailed among the feveral Branches of the Legiflature, give
44 me the greateft^Reafcn to cxpeft a Continuance of it during the piefent SelTion*
44 You may always reft alfured, that I iTiall'chearfully co-operate with you in whatever
" may be for His Majefty's Service, or the public Welfare.
" S oSb"r^9. } WILLIAM FRANKLIN."
And the Papers referred to in the faid Speech, being delivered by the Secretary
N° i, 2, 3, thereof, were alio readj and they, with the Speech, were ordered fecond
Readings.
John Ogden, Stephen Crane, and John Demarefi, Efquires, appearing in the Houfc.
were duly qualifita before Cenland Skinner, Efq-,
Ordered,
That Mr. Cgden, Mr. Crane, and Mr. Detntreft, do take their Seats in the Houfc,
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'ClockTo-Morrow Morning.
Ihurfday, OEiob&r 12, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Motion was made by Mr. Fijber, in the Words following, v'12.
Mr. Speaker,
ALT HO* it has been aCuftcm of long ftanding, for the Houfe of AlTemblyof
this Colony, to tranfaft publick Bufinefs with the Doors of the Houfe fhutj
.yet, as at this Time particularly, a contrary Praftice Will be more agreable both to
Hhe Cuftom of Parliament, and the Sentiments of the People of this Province: I
move, That the Doors of this Houfe, agreable to the Praftice of the Houfe of Com-
mons be opened, that all Perfons may, if they think proper, beprefent at any publi*
Debate, under the fame Orders and Rules oblcrved in the Houft of Commons.
B WhtreupejB
( 6 )
Whereupon the Queftion was put, Whether the Houfe agrees to the Motion or not?
And it was carried unanimoufiy in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the Doors be opened accordingly.
Eleven Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from Prifcners for Debt, Seventy-
fix in Number, confined in the feveral Gaols of Middle/ex, Monmouth, EJfex, Somerje:,
Gloucejler, and Hunterdon, letting forth their diftreffed Circumftances; and praying
for an Insolvent Act; all which were read, and ordered to be read a fecond i i .
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Ifaac Mills, jun. lure an Enfign in
the Service of the Province, letting for:h, That during the Campaign of 1761, the
Petitioner received a Wound in his Left Hand, whereby he loft his Thumb, and a
Part of his Fore-finger, which Lois has rendered him unabie to maintain Uimfelf,
together with his Wife and Family of fix fmall Children; and praying fucjh Relief
in the Premifes as the Houfe may think proper to grant-, which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, and read, fromfundry Perfons refiding near
South-River, fetting forth the Advantages that have accrued to them and qtjbers, by
the late Aft for preferving the Filhery \n South- liner, and forbidding the ftqpping of
faid River-, and praying the Aft aforefaid may be continued. And,
A Petition was prefented and read, from fundry Pe ions refiding in Hunterdon, on
the Delaware, fetting forth the Inconveniencies arifing from a Continuance of the
Fifhino-Aft; and praying a Repeal of the fame; both which were ordered fecond
Readings.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of Freeholders and other?,
Inhabitants of the Townflrp of Trenton, in the County of Hunterdon; pray'm.
the Reafons fct forth in the Petition, that a Law may be pafled for repairing the High-
ways of that Townlhip by Tax, mftcad of the preient Mode of mending the famfc
by Day Labour. And,
A Petition was likewife prefente J, from a Number of other Freeholders and Inha-
bitants of that Townfhip, fetting forth divers Reafons, why the Prayer of the above
Petition ought not to be granted -, both which were read, and ordered fecond Readings.
Five Petitions were prefented t© the Houfe, from a large Number of Freeholders
and Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth, fetting /orth the deplorable Condition
of the Province in general, and of that County in particular, occafioned by the
oreat Scarcity of M^ney, Decay of Trade', Multitude of Law Suits, and Abufc of
the Law-, and praying an Aft to enable two Juftices of the iJeace, to try Cr.ufes of
Twenty Pounds and under: That the Reftriftion agajnft holding Courts at Taverns,
be taken off: That the Colts in an Aftion of Debt, may in no wife exceed Three
Pounds: That the Fees of the Surveyor General, may be regulated: That all Actions
for the Value of £. 100 and under, may be prohibited from be ng iued in the Supreme
Court : That only two Courts of Common Pleas may be held annually in that Countv,
but fo as that Caufes may be brought to Kfue in the lame Time as they are now: That
all Bills of Coft may be taxed in open Coii't: That where more than one Perfon is
liable, only one Aftion may be brought for the Whole: That no Aftions for Ffcape
may be brought againft the Sheriff, without Orders in Writing from the Plaintiff:
That lawful fntereft be reduced to 5 per Cent, and fuggefting alio, that the Whole of
our Laws, in feveral Refpefts, feem- to want abridging, amending, &C. which Peti-
tions were read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Floufc adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from William Hugg, Jefeph Httgg, Samuel
Hugg, Samuel Ladd, Jcjeph Clement and Jonathan Morgan, of the County of Gloucejler;
praying Leave, for feveral Reafons therein fet forth, to make Great Timber Creek, in
the faid County, a lawful Fence; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
( 7 )
Grd ■
That Mr. tilfcer and Mr. Smithy be a Committee to infpecl: the M;nutes of the
former Ho life of Aflembly, and report to the Houfe, what Bufinefs was refer, td to
farther Conlideration.
Ordered t!fo, /
That Mr. Wetbtrill and Mr. Ucrtjkorne, be a Committee to infpeft what Laws are
expired, or near expiring, and make Report thereof to the Houfe.
The Papers lent by his Excellency, wh:ch were not read before, were now read the
firil 1 ime; and his Excellency's Speech was read the fecond Time; and with all the
Papers, committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Daniel Cooper, and others, Owners
of Tide Marfh or Meadow Grounds, on Newton Creek, in the County of
G'ouceficr ; praying a Law to enable the Petitioners to flop the Tide out of the (aid
Creek, by a Dam to be erected from Nathan /iibertfon,% WharfF, on the Southwardly
Side, to Be nianun 7 bac kary's Landing, on the Northwardly Side-, and offering fuch.
Compensation to any Perfon aggrieved, as Perfons appointed by the Legiflature, may
th.nk juff. and reafonablej which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition of Ifaac Mills, jun. praying Relief, as an Officer difablcd in the Ser-
vice of the i revmee; was read the fecond Time; which the Houfe taking into Consi-
deration,
'red,
That he make his Application to the Overfeers of the Poor of the Townfhip in
which he render, and the Commiffioners appointed by Law, who are authorized to
relieve him.
: '- ed,
Th a Overton, be appointed Door- Keeper to this Houfe.
Rtfelved,
That the Members, Yeas and Nays, be entered on the Minutes of the Houfe, if
dcfired by any three Members.
Re/olved,
That two Members of this Houfe, with the Speaker, be a fufHcient Number to
meet and adjourn from Time to Time •, but that not lets thaa fixteen be a fufHcient
Number to proceed t cher Bufinefs ; nor lefs than eighteen when any Money is
to be railed or applied.
Refolded,
That a Committee of Grievances do fit every Wednefday, if there be Occafion;
and that faid Committee be a Committee of the whole Houfe.
Ordered,
That 'James Parker do print the Votes of the Houfe, being firft examined and
ligned by the Speaker.
A Petition was pre Tented to the Houfe, from Robert Leake, and ten others,
Claimers of the Common Land allotted to the Patent of Secaucus, in the County of
Bergen; praying the Legiflature weld be pleated to revive the Act for appointing
Commiffioners for finally fettling and determining the feveral Rights, Titles and
Claims to the Common Lands of the Townfhip of Bergen, &c. or pafs fuch other Law,
concerning the Premifes, as fhall feem beft adapted to lettle the feveral Claims, and pre-
vent further Strife and Coritroverfy ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Readino-.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a large Number of the Freeholders
and others, Inhabitants of the County of Salem, fetting forth Reafons for the Re-
eftablifhment of Fairs in the Town of Salem; and praying a Law for the fame. And,
A Petition from a large Number of other Freeholders and Inhabitants of the fame
County, was alfo prefer ted, mewing divers Reafons, why the Prayer of that Petition
ought not to be granted ; both which were read, and ordered to be read a fecond
Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from nine Prifoners for Debt in the Goal of
the County of Salem, letting forth their diftreffed Circumftances; and praying for an
Infolvent Aft; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading,
APeti.
( 8 )
A Petition was prefented to rhc Houfe, from John Meteor, Catharine Williems, A-
Scnnickfon, and Albert Bi'.derback, Owners of the Meadows or Marlh Lands lying on
the hall Side of the River Delaware, in the Townfhip of Lower Perm's Neck, in
the Co .my ot Salem, between the Lands of Allen Congleton, on the North, and the
1 ands ot John Mecom, on the South-, praying Leave to bring m a Bill to drain the
faid M^ows, by flopping out the i idc; and informing, that they have given due
Publ-ck Notice in the Uazettc, of this Application; whkh was read, and ordered a
fecund Reading.
A Petition was pre ented to thf Houfe, from Cornelius Brinclerhojf, and fix others,
Fret-holders and lnhab.tants of the Townfhip or Bergen, in the Count/ of Bergen,
praying Leave to bring in a Bill, for altering Part of the Road from Bergen-Pcint to
Paulus-Hcok, as by an Order cf the laft Houfe they were allowed to do, at the next
Scflion; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe and read, from divers Inhabitants of Suffex,
fettinrr forth, that Wolves are grown fo plenty in ihat County, that they come in
Companies, and deftroy Colts, young Cattle, and Sheep in Abundance-, and praying
an Act to allow a Bounty of Three Pounds for each Wolf's Head killed there-, which
•was ordered a lecond Reading.
A Petition was prcfented to the Houfe, from a large Number of the Inhabitants of
the South Ward of the City of Perth- Amboy, offering divers Reafons, why the Ad
pr.ffed laft Seflion for repairing the Ro?ds within the Corporation of Perth- Ambcy, by
Tax. fh uld be repealed, or at leaft fo much thereof, as relates to the South Ward;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petit on was prcfented to the Houfe, from a Number of the --Inhabitants of the
Townfhip of Bridgwater, iri the County of Scnterfet, praying, for fever.il Reafons
therein fet forth, a Repeal of the Act of Affembly paffed Jail Stflion, for repairing
the Hghways of the Townfhip, by Tax; which was read, ar.d ordered a fecond
Reading. And,
A Petition vas alfo prefented, from a Number of other Inhabitants of that Town-
fhip, praying that the faid late Act may not be repealed; but only an Amendment
made in one Part of the fame ; which was alfo read, and ordered a fecond Pvcading.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday ■, 0 Etcher 13, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Speaker laid before the Houfe a Letter he had received from Nicholas StiiweU,
Efq-, informing, that his iii State of Health will not permit him to attend the Houie
this SefTion.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from divers Freeholders of the County of
Hunterdon, letting forth, that the Third Section of the Act for regulating Carriages
of B.irthen, will be very prejudicial to the Inhabitants of that County, and praying
that the faid Inhabitants may be entirely exempted from the Regulations contained in
that Section-, which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
According to Order, the Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole
Houfe, on his Excellency's Speech, and the Papers fent therewith; and after iome
Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fijker, Chairman of
the Committee, reported, that the Committee had come to fcveral Refolutions; which
he was readv to report, whenever the Houfe will plcai'c to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately.
Whereupon Mr. F'Jber reported the Refclutions of the Committee, as follows, viz.
1. Refohed,
That an humble Addrefs be prefented to his Excellency, in Anfwcr to his favourable
Speech. To which the Houfe agreed.
2. Refolved,
That the Government be fupported for one Tear, from the 21 ft Day of May laft,
to the aift of M*t next. To which the Hauls agreed.
A Peti-
( 9 )
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Jofeph Corfon and others, Inhabitants
of the upper Precinft of the County of Cape-May, praying, that a Law may be
paffed, to enable the two Surveyors of the Highways of that Precinft, to ereft the
Caufeway and Bridge over Cedar-Swamp Creek, into t Publick Highway, two Rods
wide, free from Toll, with Liberty to hang Gates, and to extend the laid Highway
from the End of the faid Bridge, the molt convenient Way r0 the Landing of Nicholas
Stilwell, Efq; &c. which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefenred to the Houfe, from Myndert Johnfcn, of Monmouth
County, complaining of a Hardfhip and Grievance done by John Williams, Execu-
tor to the Eftate of Richard Van Dam, deceased, and praying Redreis ; the fame was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading;
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from William Bayard, fetting forth, that
he conceives himfelf intituled by Law, to all thofe Parcels of the Common Lands,
which were affigned by the Commiffioners (appointed by a former Act of Affembly)
to the Trad called Seacaucus; and that a Suit is now depending in the Supreme Court,
between himfelf and other Claimants of thofe Common Lands; and praying, that
a Law may not pafs, to effect a Divifion upon the Merits of the contelted Claim;
which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition- was prefented to the Houfe, from the Children, Grand-Chi'dren, and
Devizees of Edward Earle, late of Seacaucus, in the County of Bergen, in Behalf of
themfelves and others concerned, fetting forth their Objections agairtft a Law to revive
the Aft for appointing Commiflioners for making Partition of the Common Lands
Of Bergen; and praying, that.fuch a Law may^not be made; whkh Petition was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Miller, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Johnjlon, be a
Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of an Addrefs to his Excellency,- in
Anfwer to his favourable Speech.
Ordered, ....
That Mr. IVetherill, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Price, Mr. Hart, and Mr. Hartfhorne, be a
Committee to prepare and bring in ihe Draught of a R'H. for Support of Government.
The Duplicates of Middl'/rx, Eftx, Somerfet, Bergen, and Monmouth, were laid
before the Houfe.
Ordered, - -
That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Bullock, Mr. tfaylor, Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr.
Smith, and Mr. Hinchman, or any three of them, be a Committee to adjuft all
publick Accounts, which may come before the Houfe this SefTion.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from feven P; ifoners for Debt in Burlingtm
Goal, fetting for h their Diftrefs under Confinement; and praying for an Infolvenc
Aft; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading,
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from 49 of the Inhabitants of the Upper
Precinft of the County of Cap May, fetting forth Reafons, why an Aft fhould not
pafs, to fubjeftthe People of that Precinft to the Maintenance of the B idge .and
Caufeway over Cedar-Swamp Creek, as prayed for by a Petition from Jofeph Cor/on,
and others ; the fame was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourn^ till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Duplicates of Burlington, Gloucejier, Salem, Cumberland, Cape May, Hunterdon,
Morris, and SuJJex, were laid before the Houfe.
Mr. Fijher, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in the follow-
ing Report of Matters referred from the former Affembly, viz.
Petitions and other Matters referred by thelaft Affembly, to the next Seffions.
1. A Bill for the Relief of the Poor.
2. A Petition of John Jones, of Philadelphia, praying a Reward for apprehending
one of the Murderers of the Indians at Moorcs-Town.
C 3- A
( ™ )
2. A Petition of a Number of the Inhabitants of Monmouth and Burlington, praying
a Law allowing a Reward for killing Red Foxes.
4. A Petition of the Inhabitants of Pequanack, in the County of Morris, praying
a Law to repeal the Aft for defraying Damages done by Dogs, as to the faid Town-
fhip of Pequanack.
c. A Petition from the Counties of EJfex and Morris, for lowering the Rates of
Ferriages over the Rivers Pajfaick and Hackinfack; and a Refolve of the Houie, to
take into Confideration the Rates taken at the feveral Ferries in this Colony.
6. A Petition of Cornelius Brinkerboff, praying an Alteration in the Road from
Bergtn-Point to Paultts-Hook.
7. A Petition of divers of the Claimers of the Common Lands allotted to the
Patent of Secaucus, &c.
jS. A Petition from Somerfct County* to re-fettle the Quotas.
0. A Petition from fundry of the Inhabitants of Somerjet, againft the Law for
fettling the Line between Middle/ex and Somerfet Counties.
10. A Petition from the Board of Tuftices and Freeholders of Burlington County,
for a Law empowering them to re-convey certain Lands, and to convert the upper
Room of the Court-Houfe into an Aflembly-Room.
1 1. A Petition for a Law to annex Part of Somerfet to EJfex County.
12. A Petition from the County of Somerfet, for building a new Court-Houfe at
or near Bound-Brook.
13. A Petition from divers of the Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth, pray-
ing a Law to reftrain Luxury. This referred for further Confideration.
The foregoing is all the Bufinefs we find unfinifhed on the Minutes of the laft
AfiembTy. Hekdrick Fisher,
Joseph Smith.
Ordered,
That Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Johnfton, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Crane, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Dema-
reft, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hart,
and Mr. Tucker, be a Committee, to prepare and bring in a Bill for re-fettling the
Quotas of the feveral Counties of this Province.
Ordered^
That Mr. Runyon, Mr. Crane, Mr. Hartjhome, Mr. Price, and Mr. Tucker, be a
Committee, to prepare and bring in a Bill for the Relief" of the Pnor.
Ordered, . ,
That -Mr. Johnfton, Mr. Smith, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Crane, and Mr.
Hinchman, be a Committee, to prepare and bring in a Bill for regulating and fixing
the Fare 'to be taken at the feveral Ferries in this Colony.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from the Juftices and Freeholders of the
County of Burlington, praying a fhort Law to enable them to re-convey a certain
Lot by them purchafed, and alfofor a Sum of Money to be granted for altering the
upper Rooms of the Court-Houfe, fo as to make a commodious Room for the Ufe
of the Affemblyi which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That Mr. Miller, Mr. Hart, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Bullock, and Mr. Sharp, be a Com-
mittee, to prepare 'and bring in a Bill for regulating Roads and Bridges.
Mr. Demareft had Leave of Abfence till Monday Morning.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Saturday i OEiober 14, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr Wttherill, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in the
following Report of what Ads will expire at the End of this Seffion, viz.
1. An Aft, entitled, an Aft to amend and further continue an Aft, entitled, An
Aft for better ieuling and regulating the Militia of this Colony, &c.
( " )
2. An Aft to prohibit the fetting Nets, &c. in the River Ronton and South River i
to obftruft the Fifh going up in the proper Seafonsof the Year, and to preferve the
Fry, &c.
3. An Aft for laying a Duty on the Purchafers of Slaves, imported into this
Colony.
A Petition from divers Inhabitants of Somerfet, was prefented to the Houfe, praying
an Aft to enable Juftices of the Peace to try Caufes of £, 20, and under, and to
reduce Bills of Coft, under proper Reftriftions ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Jefepb Sackett, and fix others,
Claimers of the Common Lands allotted to the Patent of Secaucus, in the County of
Bergen, fetting forth Reafons for the palling an Aft, to revive the late Ad for appoint-
ing Commiflioners, for finally fettling and determining the feveral Rights, Titles,
and Claims to the Common Lands of the Townlhip of Bergen, and for making
Partition thereof, &c. and praying the Legifiature will be pleafed to revive the fame*
with the Addition of fo many other Commiflioners, as fhall be thought proper;
which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That Mr. Runyon, Mr. Crane, and Mr. Tucker, be a Committee, to revive and
amend the Aft, for better fouling and regulating the Militia of this Colony, &c.
Ordered,
That Mr. Wetberill, Mr. Fijher, and Mr. Johnflon, be a Committee, to prepare and
bring in a Bill, for reviving and amending an Aft, entitled, An Aft to prohibit the
fetting Nets, Seins, and ether Devices in the Rivers Raritan and South-River, &V.
Ordered,
That Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Hart, Mr. Hartjhorrie, and Mr. Ogden, be a Committee, to
prepare and bring in a Bill, for reviving and amending an Aft, entitled, An A3: for
laying a Duty en the Purchafers of Slaves imported into this Colony.
Mr. Fijher, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in the
Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Aft to prohibit the fetting Nets, Seins, and other
Devices in the Rivers Raritan, and South- River, *avi,jirn& (;JC ftjh going up in the
proper Seafons of the Tear, and tt preferve the Fry and young Brood of Fifh from
being dejhroyed in faii Rrcers; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading
fbeunis Dey, Efq; appearing in the Houfe, took the ufual Oaths, and made and
fijbfcribed the Declaration appointed by Law, before Cortland Skinner, Efq;
Ordered,
That Mr. Dey do take his Seat in the Houfe.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Monday Morning, Nine o'Clock.
MONDAY, 0&oberi6y 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Fijher, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in the Draught
of an Addreis to his Excellency; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of the Freeholders
and other Inhabitants of the County of Somerfet, fetting forth the great Hardfhips
fuftained by the People of this Colony, from the Scarcity of Caih, and Multiplicity
of Law Suits-, and praying for an Aft to enable Juftices of the Peace, to try Caufes
of £. 15, and under, and for fundry other Regulations; both which Petitions were
read, and ordered fecond Readings.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from the Juftices and Freeholders of the
County of Burlington, fetting forth, That the Fees allowed in the Fee-Bill, to be
taken by Coroners, are inadequate to the Services required from them bv Law; and
praying a Remedy for the fame; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Paxfon, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Aft to revive and amend an Aft, entitled, An AStfor laying a Duty on the
Purchafers of Slaves imported in this Colony, which was read, and oruered a fecond
Reading. The
( 12 )
THe Bill, entitled, An A& to prohibit the fetting Nets, Seins, and other Devices,
in the Rivers Raritan and South River, &c. was read the fecond Time-, and on the
Queftion, whether the fame fhall be engroffed or not? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the laid Bill be engroffed.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefentcd to the Houfe, from Chriftopher Bijhop, and 1 6 others,'
fetting forth, that the Petitioners were born under the Dominion of foreign Powers,
in Amity with Great Britain, but are now fettled in the Province of New-Jerfey, are
all Proteftants, and praying an Aft for their Naturalization ; which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from James Simp/oh, a' poor Prifoner for
Debt, in the County Goal of Gloucejter, fetting forth his Hardfhips ; and praying
an lnfolvent Act And,
Another fro'm' William Forker, a Prifoner for Debt in the fame Goal, was alfo
prefented, containing the like Prayer; both which were read, and ordered to be
read a fecond Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Freeholders, and other Inha-
bitants of Gloucejter County, praying certain Regulations may be adopted, with
Refpect to the Settlement of the Quotas of the feveral Counties in this Colony-; the
fame was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A I etition was prefented to the Houfe, from Samuel Clement, and 23 others,
refiding on both Sides- of GreoLftimber Creek, in the County of Gloucejter, fetting
forth the Inconveniencies fufferea.by them and others, for Want of a Bridge over
laid Creek-, and pra^ingia Bill may be brought in, to build a Bridge there, from
the Lands late George nW-p'e\ deceaf^d, to the Lands late Samuel Clement's, deceafed,
by voluntary Subicription, to be conftrafted in fuch a Manner, as not to interrupt
the Navigation ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The engroffed Bill, entitled. An Act to prohibit the fetting Nets, Seins, end other
Devices, in the Rivers Raritan and South-River, to obflrucl the Fijh going .up in the
proper Seafons of the Tear, and to prefcrve the Fry a»J yeung Brood of Fijh frctn
being dejlroyed in the faid Rivers, was read and compared; and on die Queftion,
Refolved, Nemine Contradiceniey
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fifher and Mr. Johnjlon, do carry the laid Bill to the Council for Con-
currence,
The Addrefs to his Excellency was read the fecond Time, amended in the Houfe;
ind on the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Tuefday^ OElober 17, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The engroffed Addrefs to his Excellency, was read, and compared ;
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart and Mr. Hartfhorne, do attend his Excellency, and defire to know
when the Houfe fhall wait on him with their Addrefs.
Mr. Fifher reported, that My. Johnjton and himfclf, delivered the Bill with them
Yefterday cntrufted, to Mr. Kemble, the Speaker of the Council, the Council not
fitting.
The Petition from the Juftices and Freeholders' of the County of Burlington,
praying a Law to enable the Petitioners to re-convey a Lot, and alfo for a Sum of
Money, to alter the upper Rooms of the Court-Houfe, fo. as to make a Room for
die Sittting of the Affembly, was read the fecond Time; and on the Queftion,
Ordered^
( ?j )
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
Mr. Hart reported, that Mr. Hartjhorne and himfelf waited on his Excellency-
according to Order ; who was pleafed to fay, He fhould be in the Council Chamber
at Three o'Clock this Afternoon, and would then fend for the Houfe.
The Petition from Chrijlcpher Bijhop, and other Foreigners, praying an Aft for
their Naturalization, was read the fecond Time ; and a Certificate was alfo read of
their having taken the Oaths and Affirmations, and made and fubfcribed the Decla-
ration by Law appointed.
Ordered, • .
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill for their Naturalization.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to revive and amend an Aft, entitled, An Aft for
laying a Duty on the Pur chafers of Slaves imported into this Colony, was read the fecond
Time, the Title altered ; and on the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.
The Petition from William Hugg, and others, praying Leave to bring in a Bill to
make Great Timber Creek, in the County of Gloucefler, a lawful Fence, &c. was read
the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill according to the Prayer of their
Petition.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, and read, from David Brant, of the
Borough of Elizabeth, fetting forth, the Injuries he and his Family have fuftained
from a certain John De Camp, jun. of the fame Borough ; for which an Aftion was
brought, {.. 400 Damages recovered, and the faid De Camp confined in Execution
for Non-Payment of the fame ; and praying, that no Aft of Infolvency made this
SeiTion, m.:y extend to the faid De Camp. Three Affidavits relating to the fame
Affair, were alfo read ; all which were ordered fecond Readings.
The Houfe adjourned to Three in the Afternoon.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from Da»id Cooper and others, praying Leave to bring in a Bill for
a Dam over Newton Creek, was read the fecond Time ; and it appearing that due
public Notice has been given of the Application, on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill according to the Prayer of their
Petition.
The Petition of the major Part of the Owners of the Meadows on the Eaft Side
of Delaware, in the Townftiip of Lower Penn's Neck, praying Leave to bring in a
Bill to drain the faid Meadows by flopping out the Tide, was read the fecond Time ;
and it appearing that due public Notice has been given of the Application ; on the
Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill according to the Prayer of their
Petition.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Robert Lettis Hooper, jun. fetting
forth, That he has affigned over all his Eftate to his Creditors, and has been dis-
charged from the Goal of Philadelphia, by an Aft of Infolvency there, fince which
he has beenfued in this Colony, and is in Danger of being imprifoned for Debts he
is utterly unable to pay, and praying fuch Relief in the Premifes as to the Houfe
fhall feem meet ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading. Several Papers
delivered with the faid Petition, were alfo read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition of Cornelius Brinkerboff, praying an Alteration in the Road from
Bergen Point to Paulus Hook, was read the fecond Time.
D Ordered,
( 14 )
Ordered,
That the feveral Parties concerned in the Alteration, be heard before this Houfe on
Friday the 27th Inftant.
A Petition was prelenfed to the Houfe from James Lfjlie, a poor Prifoner for Debt,
in the Goal of the County of Somerfet, letting forth his diftrefied Circumfiances, and
praying for an Infolvent Aft ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Mefiage from his Excellency by the Deputy Secretary.
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, ready to receive the Addrefs
of the Houfe.
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, aid with the Houfe went to wait on his
Excellency •, and being returned, Mr. Speaker relumed the Chair, and reported,
that the" Houfe had prefented their Addrefs to his Excellency in the Words fol-
ing, to wit,
TO His Exfeliency WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Efa; Captain General, Governor and
Commander in Chief in and ever the Colony of New-Jerfey, and Territories thereon
depending in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral in the fame, &c.
The Humble ADDRESS of the Representatives of the laid Colony, in General
Affembly convened.
May it pleafe your Excellency,
rT7"£ His Majeftfs dutiful and loyal Subjecls, the Reprefentatives of the Colony of
r r New-Jerfey, in General Affembly met, beg Leave to return your Excellency our
hearty Thanks for your favourable Speech.
As no material Inconvenience to the Colony, feems to have attended the Delay, We
thank your Excellency, for poftpiffling calling the Affembly to a Time convenient to our
ate Affairs.
The Pains your Excellency has taken in fo fir ongly reprefenting to his Majeftfs Miniflers,
it: great public Utility you apprehended would attend the immediately iffuing a Sum of
Money in Bills of Credit on l.r.fiK, merits car warmeft Acknowledgements, and convinces
us of your good Intentions refpetling a Mcafure Jo generally defired by the good People of
tl'is Cc.'cry. The Terms propofed by his Majefty's Mimfiers appear to be particularly
hard ; we fkall, however, give, the Matter cur mcjl ferious Con/iucra/ion, and if any
Expedient can be dtvifed, by which a Loan Office Bill may be obtained, fo as to anfwer the
defired Purpofes of a Currency, without Inconveni enquiries that will over ballahce the
good that can be expetled, we fhall moft heartily embrace it.
The lettling a Boundary Line between the Indians and the Britiih Northern Colonies,
was undoubtedly an Objecl worthy of his Majeftfs Attention ; and it is very fatisfaclory
to this Houfe, that yeur Excellency, with Mr. Chief Juftice, attended the Conference at
Fort Stanwix, which has given the Indians an Opportunity of teftifying their Senfe of the
Juftice of this Colony towards them, by complementing your Excellency with the Name of
Sagorighwiyogftha, or the great Arbiter or Doer of Juftice.
The Robbery of the public Treafury at Amboy, is a Matter of Importance to this
Province, and it gives us great Concern, that though fo long a Time hath elapfed, no Dif-
covtry is yet made of the atrocious Perpetrators of that Villainy -, fatisfied however, of
the early Care of Government, and of your Excellency's particular Endeavours in
Refpecf, we fhall proeeed to examine the Papers relating thereto, laid before us by your
Excellency, together with every other Particular that may come to our Knowledge ; and
with all pofjible Attention, and in faithful Difcharge of the Truft repofed in us, do what
fhall appear to us confiftent with theftritleft Impartiality and public Juftice, not doubting
your Excellency's Readinefs to comply with any Expedient that may be fuggefted, w
may have a Tendency to fecure the Colony from the like Difafter in future.
As the Reprefentatives of the People of this Colony, have always chearfully fuppcrted
his Majeftfs Government ; We floall not be wanting on our Parts to make fuitable
Provifou for that Purpofe, and fhall pay all due Regard to the other Parts cf your
Excellency's Speech.
* 2'ow
( is )
Tour Excellency's Declaration, that there are the ftrongeft Reafons to expeiJ the late
Duty Atls will be repealed in the enfuing Seffion of Parliament, affords great Pleafure to
us. We hope no Tranfaclion of this Houfe will in the leaft tend to widen or continue the
unhappy Differences fubfisling between Great-Britain and the Colonies, and fincerely wifJj
a Re-efiablifhment of that mutual Confidence and Affection fo effential to the Glory and
Safety of the whole Br i tiff) Empire, and fh all not fail to promote fuch a Difpofition,
with Refpecl to this Colony, by all Means confident with our Duty to our Constituents, and
a due Regard to all our jusl Rights and Privileges.
Seein°- the happy Eff eels, we are convinced of the many Advantages derived from a
perfect Harmony fubfisling between the different Branches of the Legifiature, in tranfatling
the public Bufinefs : Nothing on our Parts fihall be wanting to promote fo good a Purpofe -,
and we hope our Condutl on all Occafions will demonstrate a Difpofition moft cbearfully to
co-operate with your Excellency in whatever may conduce to the general Welfare.
Houfe of Affembly, 7 Signed bY °rder of the Houfe>
October 17, 1769.; CORTLAND SKINNER, Speaker.
To which his Excellency was pleafed to make the following Anfwer :
" Gentlemen,
" T HEARTILY thank you for this Addrefs. The Acknowledgments and Satif-
" J_ faction you have expreffed, and the Affurances you have given refpefting the
" ieveral Matters mentioned in my Speech, afford me particular Pleafure, as they
" indicate a Difpofition the moft likely to be productive of Advantage to your
" Country."
The feveral Petitions prefented this Seffion for an Infolvent Act, were read the
fecond Time.
Ordered,
That Mr. Smith, Mr. Price, and Mr. Ogden, be a Committee, to prepare and
bring in the Draught of an Infolvent Aft.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fifher, Mr. Hart, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Bullock, be a Committee, to
prepare and bring in the Draught of a perpetual Infolvent Aft, at the next Sefnon
of Affembly.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Wednefday, OEiober 18, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from foridry Inhabitants of the County of Hunterdon, for a Repeal
of the Aft of Affembly for regulating the Fifhery in the River Delaware, was read
the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
John Berrien,'E((\i appearing in the Houfe, took the ufual Oaths, and made and
fnbfcribed the Declaration by Law appointed.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien do take his Seat in the Houfe.
Mr. Speaker laid before the Houfe a Letter from Jofeph Sherwood, Efq; late
Agent of this Colony, to the Honourable Samuel Smith, Efqj together with his
Accounts againft the Province ; which were read.
Mr. Speaker alfo laid before the Houfe, fundry Letters to and from the prefent
Agent ; which were read.
Mr.
( *<s )
Mr. Hinchman, in Behalf of the Petitioners, and in Purfuance of the Leave of
the Houfe, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act tt enable fundry of the Owners end
Poffeffors of Meadows or Tide Marjh lying on Newton Creek, to ereEi and maintain a
Bank, Dam and other Water Works acrofs the /aid Creek, in order to prevent the Tide
from overflowing the fame, and to keep the former Water Courfe of faid Creek open and
clear ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hart Mr. Hartjhorne, and Mr.
Price, or any three of them, be a Committee, to join a' imittee of the Council,
to fettle the Eaftern and Weftern Treafurers Account, and burn the cancelled
Money in the Hands of the Weftern Treasurer, and make Report to the Houie-, and
that Mr. Johnflon and Mr. Hewlings, do inform the Council thereof; and defire the
Council to appoint a Committee for that Purpofe, together with the Time and
Place of Meeting.
The Houfe taking into Confideration, the Necefiky of a Bill for ftriking Paper
Money, on Loan,
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Wetherill, M--. Ogden, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Smith,
and Mr. Paxfon, be a Committee, to prepare and bring in a l3iil accordingly.
The feveral Petitions for and againft a Sili for dividing the Common Lands allotted
to the Patent of Seacaucus, were read a fecond 'lime ; and on the Quefton, W';e;her
the Petitioners for the Bill, have Leave to bring in the fame, according to the Prayer
of their Petition, or not ? It pafled in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill.
Upon Motion made by Mr. Hinchman,
Refolved, Nemine Contradicente,
That the Thanks of this Houfe be given to the Merchants and Traders of this
Colony, and of the Colonies of New-Terk and Pennjylvania, for their difinterefted
and public fpirited Conduct, in withholding their Importations ofBritiJb Merchandize,'
until certain Acts of Parliament laying ReltricTaons on American Commerce, for the
exprefs Purpofe of raifing a Revenue in America, be repealed : And that Mr. Speaklt
be directed to write to the refpective Committees of Merchants in faid Colonies,
transmitting them a Copy of this Refolve.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Aaron Learning, Efq; appearing in the Houfe, took the Oaths, and made and
fubferibed the Declaration by Law appointed.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning do take his Seat in the Houfe.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning be added to the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for
fettling the feveral Quotas of this Colony, and alio to the Committee for fettling the
Treafurers Accounts.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from the Board of Juftices and Freeholders
of the County of Middlefex, fetting forth the Difficulties that have attended them in
the Execution of their Office -, and praying fome Compenfation may be allowed them
, «v by Law ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
k Mr:2Dey, in Behalf of the Petitioners, and in Purfuance of Leave granted, brought
,n Q&'lU; entitled, An AH to amend an Act, entitled, An Ail appointing Commiffioners
for finally fettling and determining the feveral Rights, Titles and Claims to the
Common Lands of the Townfhip of Bergen, and for making Partition thereof on
juft and equitable Proportions, among thofe who fhall be adjudged by the faid
Commiffioners to be intituled to the fame ; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
A Peti-
( 17 )
A Petition was presented to the Houfe, and read, from a Number of the Free-
holders and Iphabitants of the County of Middle/ex, fetting forth the deplorable
State of the Province, arifing from the Want of Money and Multiplicity of Law
Suits, and praying that two Juftices may be enabled to try Caufes of Pounds
Value, and for fundry other Regulations ; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The feveral Petitions from Monmouth, Somerfet and Middle/ex, complaining of the
Scarcity of Cam and Multiplicity of Law Suits, &c. were read the fecond Time, and
referred to the Committee of the whole Houie on the Grievances of the Colony."
According to the Order of the Day, the Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of
the whole Houfe on the Grievances of the Colony, and after fome Time fpent therein,
Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, re-
ported, that the Committee had made fome Progrefs in the Matters to them referred,
and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee, do fit again To- Morrow Morning-.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Tbur/day, OElober 19, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr.. Smith, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in the Draught
of a Bill, entitled, An Aft for the Relief of poor dijireffed Prifoners for Debt ; which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
According to Order, the Houfe again refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole
Houfe on the Grievances, of the Colony, and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr.
Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, reported,
that the Committee had made fome further Progrefs in the Matters to them referred,
and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee, do fit again this Afternoon.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from William Gerrard,, of the County of
Glouce/ler, fetting forth the particular Circumftances of his Diftrefs, and praying a
Law to exempt his Perfon from Arreft, for fuch a Number of Years as may be
thought reafonable > which was read and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
According to Order, the Houfe again refolved itfelf into a Committee' of tnfi
whole Houfe on the Grievances of the Colony, and after fome Time fpent thereirf,
Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee,
reported, that the Committee had made fome further Progrefs in the Matters to them
referred, and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee, do fit again To-Morrow Morning.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Friday, OSiober 20, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from William Gerrard, praying a Law to exempt his Perfon from
Arreft for fome Years, was read the fecond Time, and referred to the Committee on
the Infolvent Aft.
Mr. Johnfion reported, That Mr. Hewlings and himfelf, delivered the Meifage of
Wednefday laft, with them intrufted, to Mr. Samuel Smith, one of the Gentlemen of
the Council, the Council not fitting.
* '•' E A Memo-
( i8 )
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe, from Ephraim Terril, Abraham Clark, and
Azariab Dunham, letting forth, That the Memorialifts, with others, were by Law
appointed Commiffioners for viewing the Practicability of fhortening the fevcral
Roads ; and alfo were impowered to raife Money by Lcttery, to defray the Expences \
but that the Lottery failed after the Commiffioners had in Purfuancc of the Law,
put themfelves to fome Trouble and Expencc, and praying a proper Compenfation
may be allowed them for the fame •, which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
According to Order, the Houfe again refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole
Houfe on the Grievances of the Colony, and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr.
Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, reported,
that the Committee had made fome further Progrefs in the Matters to them referred,
and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee, do fit again this Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
According to Order, the Houfe again refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole
Houfe on the Grievances of the Colony, and after fome Tims fpent therein, Mr.
Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, reported,
that the Committee had made fome further Progrefs in the Matters to them referred,
and had come to feveral Refolutions ; which he was ready to report whenever the
Houfe will pleafe to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately.
Whereupon Mr. Learning, reported the Refolutions of the Committee, as fol-
lows, viz.
i. Refohed,
That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that the prefent Mode or Practice of
recovering Debts on Bonds, Bills, Notes, or Affumptions, is not only attended with
great Delay, but alfo with more Cofts than is reafonablc or neceffary. To which the
Houfe agreed.
2. Refolved,
That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that for the more eafy Recovery of fmall
Debts, a Bill be brought in to regulate and ihorten the Practice of the Law. To
which- the Houfe agreed.
3. Refolved,
> That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that for the more eafy Recovery of fmall
Debts, a Bill be brought in to enlarge the Jurifdi&ion of the Juftices. To which the
Hoiife agreed.
Mr. Liaming alfo reported, that a Complaint had been exhibited to the faid Com-
mittee, againft Bemardus Legrange, Efq-, Attorney at Law, for taking exorbitant
Fees in Actions againft Peter Vorhees zxi&'Jacob Vandevertt at the Suit oiDirck Brinker-
hoff, and defire, that Mr. Legrange may have Notice to appear before this Houfe, and
anfwer to the faid Accufation.
Mr. Learning further reported, that Complaint had been made to the faid Com-
mittee, againft: John Forman, Efq-, one of the Juftices of the Peace in and for the
County of Monmouth, for encouraging many litigious Suits at Law before him, and
advifing one Carman to run away, which faid Carman was charged with attempting
to commit a Rape, and for which the faid Forman had uTued a Precept to apprehend
him: And that the faid Committee defired, that Mr. Forman may have Notice t»
appear before this Houfe, and anfwer to the faid Complaint.
Ordered,
That Mr. Wetherill, Mr. FiJher,Mr. Miller, Mr. Price, and Mr. Taylor, be a Com-
mittee, to prepare and bring in the Draught of a Bill for regulating and fhortening
she Practice of the Law.
Ordered,
( *9 )
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Runyon, be a Committee, to p-epare and
bring in the Draught of a Bill for enlarging the Jurifdiction of Juftices of the Peace.
Ordered,
That Notice be given to Bernardus Legrange, and John Forman, Efqrs, and that to
each a Copy of the above Report be inclofed ; and that they do attend this Houfe
accordingly, on Friday next.
The en^roffed Bill, entitled, An A<fl for laying a Duty on the Purchasers of Slaves
imported into this Colony^ was read and compared ; and on the Queftion.
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Paxfon, and Mr. Smith, do carry the fame to the Council, for Con-
currence.
Ordered,
That Mr. Crane and Mr. Johnflon, have Leave of Abfence till Monday next, on
urgent Bufinefs.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Saturday , 0 Sober 21, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Ordered,
That Mr. Paxfon, and Mr. Smith, do inform the Council, that Aaron Learning, Efq;
is added to the Committee of this Houfe for fettling the Treafurers Accounts.
Mr. Fifher, from the Committee appointed for that Furpofe, brought in the
Draught of a Bill, entitled, An ASt for Jlriking One Hundred Thouf and Pounds in Bills
ef Credit ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Wetherill, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in the
Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Acl; for the Support of Government of his Majejiy's Co-
lony of New-Jerfey, to commence the 21JI Day of May, 1769, and to end the zifi Day
of May, 17 jo, and to difcharge the public Debts and contingent Charges thereof; which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Acl to amend an Aft, entitled, An Act appointing Commifji-
oners for finally fettling and determining the fever al Rights, Titles, and Claims to the
Common Lands of the Townfhip of Bergen, &c. was read the fecond Time, and com-
mitted to Mr. Learning, Mr. Berrien, and Mr. Demarefl.
Mr. Sharp, in Purfuance of the Leave granted, and in Behalf of the Petitioners,
brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act to enable the Owners and Poffeffors of the Meadows
and Maries, bounding on Delaware River, between the Lands of John Mecom and
Allen Congleton, in Lower Penn's-Neck, in the County of Salem, to flop out the Tide
from overflowing the fame ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A MefTage from the Council by Mr. Read, informing the Houfe, that the Coun-
cil have pailed the Bill, intitled, An Act to prohibit the fetting Nets, Seins and ether
Devices in the River's Raritan and South River, &c. without any Amendment.
Mr. Paxfon reported, that Mr. Smith and himfelf, delivered the Bill and MefTage
with them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to enable fundry of the Owners and Poffeffors of Mea-
dows otTide Marfh lying on Newton Creek, to ereil and maintain a Bank, Dam and
other Water Works acrefs the faid Creek, &c. was read the fecond Time, and com-
mitted to Mr. Miller, Mr. Price and Mr. Sharp.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Samuel Forman, and three others, fome
of the Creditors of Charles Gordon, praying an A<t to oblige all the Creditors of the
faid Charles, to comply with the Propofals he has made j and fetting forth fundry
Reaions therefor ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The
( *° )
The feveral Petitions from George Reading, Robert Lettis Hooper, jun. William
Hezv'in^s, James Simp/on, William Burnet , James Lejlie, William Forker and William
Brown, tor Redrcfs of"' their diftreffed Circumftanccs, were read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That a Clauie be added to the Iiifolvent Act now before the Houfe, for the Relief
of ilich of them as will not be included in the general Purview of the Aft.
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe, from James Kinfey and Samuel Allinfon,
Efquircs, in Behalf of themfelves and others, Practitioners of the Law in this Pro-
vince, fetting forth, That feveral Petitions have been prefented to the Houfe, from
the Eaftern Part of the Government, complaining of the Multiplicity of Suits, and
the Abufe of the Law, as Grievances-, and as the Memorialifts conceive, obliquely
imputing thofe Grievances to the Praftitioners of the Law, which, in Truth, are
owing to the unlimitted Credit heretofore given, and the prefent Scarcity of Cafh ;
and as the Houfe have taken fundry Refolutions for Bills to be brought in to remedy
the Grievances, they pray Leave to be heard before this Houfe, not only in Anfwer
to the Charges of the Petitions, but to fhew from whence the Oppreffion of the
People really proceeds •, which Memorial was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjorned till Monday next, Nine o'Clock.
MO NT) AT, OBober 23, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from the Juftices- and Freeholders of the County of Burlington,
praying a Compenfation may be allowed to Coroners for their Trouble in the Execu-
tion of their Office, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
. That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Freeholders and Inhabitants of
the County of Middle/ex, fetting forth the Grievances of the Colony, from the Want
of Cafh and Multiplicity of Law Suits ; and praying, that fundry Regulations therein
mentioned, may be adopted ; which was read, and referred to the Committee of the
whole Houfe, en the Grievances of the Colony.
A Petition was prefen-ted to the Houfe, from divers Inhabitants of the City of
Burlington, fetting forth the Inconveniencies arifing from the prefent Mode of repric-
ing the Highways by the Labour of the Inhabitants; and praying a Law may be
paffed for amending the Roads in that City by a Tax ; and that Provifion be therein
made for thofe who prefer the prefent Mode,- by appointing a Method to afcertain
the Value of their Labour •, which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to enable the Owners and Pojfeffors of the Meadows and
Mar/hes bounding on Delaware River, between the Lands of John Mecom and Allen
Cons;leton, in Lower Penn's Neck, in the County of Salem, &c. was read the fecond
Time, and committed to Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Hinchman and Mr. Miller.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Learning, from the Committee to whom was committed th« Bill, entitled, An
Aft to amend an Aft, entitled, An Aft appointing Commiffioners for finally fettling and
determining the feveral Rights, Titles and Claims to the Common Lands of the Townfhip of
Bergen, csV. reported the faid Bill with feveral Amendments thereto; and the faid
Bill was read, with the Amendments in their Places, and the Bill was further amended
in the Houfe ; and on the Queftion, Whether the fame as amended, fhall beetgroffed
or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed.
The Memorial from James Kinfey and Samuel Allinfon, Enquires, praying to be
heard before this Houfe, in Anfwer to the Charges contained in feveral Petitions
againft the Praftitioners of the Law, was read the fecond Time.
QritrtL,
( ai )
Ordered,
That the Memorialifts have Leave to be heard before the Houfe on Wednesday
next, in the Morning.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from five Prifoners for Debt, in the Gaol
of Ejfex, fetting forth their diftrefied Circumftances ; and praying for' an Iniblvent
Aft ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of Freeholders and
other Inhabitants of the County of Cumberland, fetting forth fundry Reafons for the
Re-Eftablifhment of Fairs in that County ; and praying the laid Fairs may be fixed
at Bridgtown ; both which were read, and ordered fecond Readings.
The Petition from fundry Inhabitants of Hunterdon, praying an Exemption for
that County, from the Third Section of the Act for regulating Carriages of Burthen ;
was read the fecond Time •, and on the Queftion, Whether the Prayer of the Petiti-
oners fhall be granted, or not ? It palled in theNegatiye.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Wethtritl, Mr. Demareft, Mr. Hartjhome, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Runyoti, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Price,
- Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hart. Mr. Heivlingi, Mr. Hincbman,
Mr. Olden, Mr. Tucker. Mr. tmiti, Mr. Miller,
Mr . Fijber, Mr. Pa.rfon, Mr. teaming.
Ox'dexed,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Tuefday, Otlober 24, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Three Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of the Inhabitant*
of Morris County, fetting forth the Grievances of the Colony, from large Bills of
Coft, &c. and pray ing for an Act to impower Juilices of the Peace to try Caufes of
Twenty Pounds, and under, and for fundry other Regulations •, which Petitions were
read, and referred to the Committe of the whole Houfe, on the Grievances of the
Colony.
The engrofied Bill, entitled, An A ct to amend an Act, entitled, An Ad: appointing
Commijftcners for finally fettling and determining the jeveral Rights, Titles and Claims to the
Common Lands of the Townfhip of Bergen, and for making Partition thereof in Jutland
equitable Proportions, among thofe who fhall be adjudged by the faid Commijfioners to be
intituled to the fame. ; was read and compared, and on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Bey and Mr. Demareft, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Con-
currence.
A Petition v/as prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of the Inhabitants of the
County of Salem, fetting forth fundry Reafons againft Re-eftablifhing Fairs in the
Town of Salem ; which wa read, and the feveral Petitions prefented this Seffion, for
and againft the Re-Eftabliihment of the Fairs there, were read the fecond Time;
and on the Queftion, Whether the Prayer of the Petition for the Fairs fhall be
granted, or not ? It was carried in the Negative.
YEAS. NAYS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Jobn/on, Mr, Fijber, Mr. Miller, '
Mr. Dey, Mr. Wetberi.l, Mr. Demarejf, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Heivling,, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Tucker. '
Mr. Smith, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Sharp, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Price,
Mr . Learning. Mr. Crane, Mr. Hincbman,
Ordered,
That the Petition for the Re-Eftablifhment of the Fairs at Salem, do lie on the
Table.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
■ F The
( « )
The Houfe met.
A Meflage from the Council by Mri John Smith, in thefe Words :
« Ordei i
'That Mr. Stevens, Mr. Ladd, and Mr. Stockton, or any two of them, be a
' Committee to join a Committee of the Houfe of ~ Afl'embly, to fettle the Eafiern
* and Weftern TreafurerS Accounts, and burn the cancelled Money in the Hands
* of the Weftern Treafurer •, and that the faid Committees meet for that Purpofe, at
« the Houfe of Mr. Treafurer Smith, To-Morrow Morning at Nine o'Clock, and
' that Mr. John Smith do acquaint the Houfe of Aflembly therewith.
Council-Chamber, 1 gy Order of 'the Houfe,
Oaober24> .769.f CHA PETTITj perClerk.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of Inhabitants of Eliza-
beth-Town, and Parts adjacent, praying that certain Alterations therein fet forth,
may be adopted, reflecting the Damages due to thofe whole Sheep are killed by
Dogs •, which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition from fundry Inhabitants of Sujfex, praying a larger Reward may be
allowed for killing of Wolves, was read the fecond Time, and referred to the Con-
fideration of next Sefiion of Aflembly.
Mr. Hewlings, from the Committee to whom was committed, the Bill, f added,
An Act to enable the Owners and Poffeffors of the Meadows and Marjhes I bounding on
Delaware River, between the Lands of John Mecom and Allen Congleton, in Lower
Penn's Neck, in the County of Salem, to flop out the Tide from overflowing the fi \
reported the fame without any Amendment ; and the faid Bill was read, agreed to,
and ordered to be engrolfed.
A Petition was prefmted to the Houfe, from Howel Powel and Mafkel Ewir.g, cf
the County of Cumberland, praying, that the Houfe will not grant the Prayer of the
Petitions prefented this Seffion, for the Re-Eftablifhment of Fairs in that County ;
which was read, and the leveral Petitions for and againft the Re-Eftablifhment of the
faid Fairs, were read the fecond Time ; and on the Queftion, Whether the Prayer of
the Pennons for the Fairs fhall be granted, or not ? It pafled in the Negative.
YEAS. NAYS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. D-v. Mi: Johr.flan, Mr. Crane, Mr. S«W,
Mr. HewUngs, Mr. Wttherill, Mr. Fifier, Mr. Price,
Mr. Sharp, Mr. Ru/tyon, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hirchman,
Mr. Learning. Mr.Tmj/or, Mr. Demarefi, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Tucker.
Ordered,
That the feveral Petitions for the Re Eftablifhment of Fairs in the County of
Cumberland, do lie on the Table.
Mr. Bey reported, that Mr. Dema*eft and himfelfy delivered the Bill with them
in.rufted, to the Speaker in Council.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John Cofman and John Marlin,
fertin_r forth, that they were born under the Dominion of Foreign Powers, in Amity
with. Great -Britain, but are now fettled in this Province, and are defirous of being
naturalized ; and praying Leave to bring in a Bill for that Purpofe ; and a Certificate
was alio prefented of their having taken the Oaths, and made and ftibfcribed the
Declaration by Law appointed ; both which were read.
Ordered,
That their Names be inferted in the Bill now before the Houfe, for Naturalization
of Foreigners.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Wednefday\ OEiober 25, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Mefiage from the Council, by Mr. Stockton, acquainting the Houfe, that the
Council have made fundry Amendments to the Bill, entitled, An AcT: for laying a
Duty
( 43 )
Duty on the Fur chafers of Slaves imported into this Colony ; and defire the Concur-
rence of this Houfe to the faid Amendments •, and Mr. Stockton alfo brought the
faid Bill and Amendments •, which were read in their Places, and the Confideration
thereof referred till To-Morrow Afternoon.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Jacob Weifer, letting forth, That
he has been put to £. 4 : 9, Charges, in attending upon one Barman Rcfecrants,
accufed of counterfeiting the Bills of Credit of this Province, for which he has never
received any Recompence, and praying an Allowance therefor ; which was read, and
ordered afecond Reading.
According to Order, James Kinfey and Samuel Allinfon, Elquires, attending, were
heard before the Houfe •, Jofeph Reed, Efq; was alfo heard, in Anfwer to the Charges
againft the Practitioners of the Law; and the further Confideration thereof is referred
till the Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of Freeholders and other
Inhabitants of the Townfhip of Hanover, in the County of Morris, fetting forth
fundry Reafons for a Revival of the Act of Afifembly to repair the public Roads in
that Town (hip by Tax ; and praying for the fame ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A Petition v/as prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of Freeholders and other
Inhabitants of the Townfhip of Morris, m the County of Morris, offering feveral
Reafons for Leave to bring- in a Bill to repair the public Highways of that Town-
fhip by Tax, inftead of the prefent Mode of amending the lame by the Labour of
the Inhabitants ; which Petition v/as read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
According to Order, the Houfe refumed the Confideration of the Matters heard
in the Morning ; and Mr. Allinfon being heard to fome Charges made by Mr. Tucker,
late Sheriff of Hunterdon ■, and Mr. Tucker in Reply ; the Houfe referred the Con-
fideration thereof until To-Morrow Morning. '
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
¥ku?jrday\ QElober 26, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Three Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from Garret Burn, Thomas Thompfon,
James Grant and Thomas Biggs, Prifoners for Debt in Trenton Gaol ; fetting forth
their diftreffed Circumllances, and praying for an Infolvent Act ; which were read.
Ordered,
That the faid Petitions be further confidered on the fecond Reading of the Bill
before the Houfe, for the Relief of Infolvent Debtors.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Budd, formerly of Salem, fetting
forth the particular Circumftances of his Cafe, and praying that the Legislature will
grant him Permimon to come and refide in this Province free from Arreft, for the
Term of Five Years, in order to collect his Debts and fettle his Affairs ; which was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Bartholomew IVyait, and Nine others,
Owners and Poffeffors of Meadows and Marfhes adjoining to and on both Sides of
Manington Creek, in the County of Salem, fetting forth, that an Act paffed in the
Twenty-fixth Year of the late King, to enable them to flop out the Tide from over-
flowing the Meadows or Marfhes on the laid Creek; and that the Bank made in Pur-
fuance of that Act, is fince broke, and the Act itfelf found defective, and praying
another Act may be paffed, which may be effectual to flop out the Tide from over-
flowing the faid Meadows ; the faid Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petiti-
(, *4 )
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Ifaac Bonnell, Efq-, the prefent Sheriff
of the County of Middle/ex, fetting forth, that the Goal of that County hath been
lately burnt, and that there is not at prefeHt any fufficient Goal there for the Confine-
ment of Prifoners ; and as the Petitioner is daily liable to Profecutions for Efcape, he
prays a Law to exempt him from Actions for Efcape until a good and fufficient Goal
is built, or grant him fuch other Relief in the Premifes as may be moft proper ; which
was read, and ordered afecond Reading.
According to Order, the Houfe refumed the Confideration of the Matters heard
Yefterday, and thereupon a Motion made, that Samuel Tucker, Efq; do withdraw
during the Debate thereon ; on the Queftion, it was carried in the Nagative as follows ;
YEAS. NAYS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnjltn, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Fijber, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Hartlhtrne, Mr. Runym, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Smith, ' Mr. Taylor, Mr. Dtj, Mr. Sharp,
Mr. Price, Mr. Ogdtn, Mr. Demarefi, Mr. Learning,
Mr. Hincbman, Mr. Crane, Mr. Hcwlings, Mr. Hart.
Mr. Miller.
And the further Confideration of the Matter was referred till the Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A'Memorial was prefented to the Houfe from the Hon. Charles Read, Efq; fetting
forth, that he has entered largely into the Manufacture of Iron, and hath introduced
fundry new Branches of Bufinefs in the Iron Way, to the great Emolument of the
Public, and praying that divers Regulations in the faid Memorial particularly men-
tioned, may be adopted, concerning the Premifes ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
The Houfe having refumed the Enquiry, begun Yefterday, Mr. Tucker defired a
further Day, which was granted ; and
Ordered,
That the fame be on Wednefday next in the Afternoon.
Mr. Miller, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, entitled, An
Act to enable fundry of the Oioners^and Poffeffors of Meadows or Tide Marjlo lying on
Newton Creek, to eretl and maintdMtja Bank, Dam and other Water Works acrofs the
faid Creek, &V. reported the fame wKK one Amendment ; and the faid Bill was read,
and the Amendment in its Place ; and on .the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill as
amended, be engroffed or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed.
The further Confideration of the Amendments to the Bill, entitled, An Act for
laying a Duty on the Pur chafers of Slaves imported into this Colony ; was referred till
To-Morrow.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning.
Friday , OElober 27, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Henry Strickland, fetting forth, that
he was born under the Allegiance of foreign Powers in Amity with Great-Britain,
but is now fettled in this Province, and is defirous of bearing Allegiance to the pre-
fent King of Great -Britain, and praying a Bill for his Naturalization ; which Petition
•was read, together with a Certificate of his having taken the Oaths, and made and
fubferibed the Declaration required by Law.
Ordered,
That his Name be inferted in the Bill now before the Houfe for the Naturalization
of Foreigners.
A Petion was prefented to the Houfe from William Winans, of Elizabeth-Town, in
the County of Effex, fhewing, that his Grandfather William Winans the Elder, did in
the
I if )
the Year 1762, devife certain Lands to the Petitioner in Fee Tail ; but that after the
Execution of the Will, Ins laid Grandfather altered his Intention, and directed his
Son Jo/tab Winans, Father to the Petitioner, to caufe a new Will to be written,
wherein the Teftator propofed to devife the faid Lands to the Petitioner in Fee Simple;
but before the Execution of thislaft Will, the Teftator became delirious, and after-
wards died without legally revoking the'firft Will •, and praying Leave to brino- in a
Bill to bar the Eftate fail, and to veft the faid Lands in the Petitioner, his Heirs and
Affigns forever. And an Affidavit was alfo prefented, fworn by Jo/tab Winans, of
the Purport abovelaid ; both which were read, and ordered a fecond Reading
Bernardus Legrange, Efq; attending, purfuant to the Order of this Houfe, delivered
in at the Bar of the Houfe, a written Defence, together with divers Affidavits and
the feveral Proceedings in the Actions againft Voorbees and Vandevere, together with
the original Colts in the feveral Actions; which were read ; and,
John Forman, Efq-, aifo attending, and offering divers Matters in Juftifkation of the
Fafts charged againft him ; and Peter Schenk, being fworn as a Witnefs before this
Houfe ;
Ordered,
That the Determination of the Houfe on the faid feveral Accufations, and Matters
offered in Defence, be deferred Until the Afternoon.
The Floufe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from divers Inhabitants of the Townfhip of
Chcjter, in the County of Birtingtoh, letting forth fome Reafons for an Aft to enable
Juftices of the Peace to try Cauies of Ten Pounds and under ; which was read, and
referred to the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill to enlarge the Juftices Jurif-
diftion.
A Petition was alio prefented to the Houfe from fundry Inhabitants of the Town-
fhip of Northampton, containing a like Prayer for a Fifteen Pound Aft ; and like-
wife defiring, that the tunifhment for Horfe-Stealing, which is now a capital Offence,
may be mitigated ; which Petition was referred to the fame Committee.
A Petition, was prefented to the Houfe, from Richard Brown, and from Samuel
B.ogers and Ifaac Rogers, Executors and Devifees of the laft Will and Teftament of
Samuel Rogers, late of Allen Town, in the County of Monmouth, deceafed, fettino-
forth the particular Circumftances 'relating to the Maintainance of a certain Brido-e
formerly built over Crofswicks Creek ■, and praying an Act: for making faid Brid^ea
pubic Charge ; which was read, with a Copy of the Bond given by Samuel Rogers,
to the chofen Freeholders cf Upper-Freehold and their SuccefTors ; and
Anoiher Petition was alfo prefented from a Number of Freeholders of the Town-
fhip of Upper Freehold, concerning the fame Affair; which was read, and they were
all ordered to be read a fecond Time.
Ordered,
That Mr. Eartfhome and Mr. Taylor, have Leave of Abfence till Tuefday next,
<5n urgent Bufinefs.
Mr. Hinchman, according to the Leave given, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft
to conjtitute and make Great Timber Creek, in Gloucefter County, a good and lawful
Fence, from the Mouth thereof, to the Fork of the fame ; and to build and maintain a
Bridge over faid Creek near faid Fork, from the Lands late Samuel Clement's deceafed,
to the Lands late George Marple's, deceafed ; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The Houfe proceeded to the ConfideratiOn of the Matters charged againft John
Forman, Efq; and of the Matters offered in his Defence } and after fome Time fpent
-.herein ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker, do reprimand the faid John Forman, Efq; at the Bar of this
Houfe ; which he accordingly did in the following Words :
G Mr.
( *6 )
" Mr. Fonnan,
" The Houfe have taken into Confideration your. Conduct in your Office as a
" Juftice of t!ie Peace ; and altho' they unanimoufly acquit you of the Charge of
" advifing a Criminal to abfcond, yet they cannot pafs over without Cenfure your
" Conduct in advertising for the Inhabitants of Dover and Stafford, to meet you at a
" Tavern to, hold your Courts : This is below the Dignity of a Magiftrate ; and the
" holding that Court at a Tavern is exprefly againft a Law of this Province, and has
" a manifeft Tendency to encourage Law Suits : They have therefore unanimoufly-
" directed me to reprimand you for this Part of your Conduct; and I do therefore
" reprimand you accordingly."
The Hoirfc alfo proceeded to the Confideration of the Matters charged againft
Barnardus Legrange, Efq; Attorney at Law, and of the Matters offered in his De-
fence; and after lbme Time fpent therein,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do reprimand the faid Barnardus Legrange, Efq; at the Bar of
this Houfe ; which he accordingly did in the following Words :
V Mr. Legrange,
" The Houfe have taken into Confideration the Charge againft you, and are of
" Opinion, that you have taken two Fees in each of the original Actions, one of
" Four Shillings, for ferving of a Declaration on the Attorney for the Defendant, and
" one of One Shilling and Four Pence, in entering the Declaration on the Roll ; both
" which Fees, upon the Opinion of the Juftices of the Supreme Court, this Houfe
" find unnecefiary in the Profecution of the Suits, and not warranted by the Laws of
" the Province : Therefore, this Houfe have unanimoufly directed me to reprimand
" you, for thefe illegal Charges ; and I do reprimand you accordingly."
The further Confideration of the Amendments to the Bill, entitled, An Act for
laying a Duty on the Pur chafers of Slaves imported into this Colony ; was deferred till
To-Morrow.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Saturday, OElober 28, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Jofeph Haight, of the City of Bur-
lington, fetting forth, that he will undertake to tranfport Pafleugers, Cattle and
Goods from that City to Mc Ilvain's Ifland, at half the Rates now taken for
Ferrying from Burlington to Briflol ', and praying an Act of Aflembly to eftablifh
his Ferry to the faid Ifland, with half of the Fees now commonly taken as aforefaid ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition Was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Freeholders and others, of
the City of Burlington, praying, that the Legiflature will not grant the Prayer of a
Petition prefented this Seflion, for repairing the Highways of that City by Tax ; and
letting forth fome Reafons againft that Mcafurc ; which Petition was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to conjiitute and make Great Timber Creek, in Gloucefter
County, a goed and lawful Fence, from the Mouth thereof to the Fork of the fame, and
to build and maintain a Bridge over faid Creek, Sec. was read the fecond Time, and
committed to Mr. Learning, Mr. Sharp, and Mr. Price.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John De Camp, jun. a Prifoner in
Elizabeth-Town Gaol, together with four Affidavits concerning the Matters fet forth
in David Brant's Petition; and praying that the prefent Petitioner may not be excluded
from the Benefit of the Infolvent Act; the Petition and Affidavits were read.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Houfe refumed the Confideration of the Amendments to the Bill, entitled,
An Act for laying a Duty on the Purchafers of Slaves imported into this CoUny ; which
feeing read in their Places ; on the Queftion,
Refolvei*
( i? )
Refohed,
That this Houfe do agree to the firft and fecond Amendments, and alfo to the firft
Claufe of the third Amendment, and to the fecond, third and fourth Sections of the
third Amendment, with the following Amendments to the Amendments of the
Council, viz.
Firfl. Section 2, Line 5, leave out the Words above the Age of 30 Tears.
Second. Seclion 2, Line it, inftead of the Word One, infert the Word Two:
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijber and Mr. Pax/on, do carry back the faid Bill, with the Council's
Amendments, to the Council, and acquaint them, that this Houfe hath agreed to
the feveral Amendments made by the Council, with two Amendments made by this
Houfe, and defire the Concurrence of the Council.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine o'Clock.
MO N DAT, OElober 30, 1769.
The Houfe met.
And there not being a fumcient Number of Members to proceed on Bufinefs,
adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Speaker laid before the Houfe, a Letter he had received from the Committee
of Merchants at Philadelphia, in Anfwer to the Vote of Thanks of this Houfe i
which Letter was read.
Ordered,
That the fame be inferred on the Minutes of the Houfe ; and the faid Letter is
as follows, viz.
'SIR, .
1 TI TE received your Letter of the 20th Inftaht, and requeft the Favour of you,
* VV to l*y before the Honourable Reprefentatives of the Province of New-
* Jerfey, the high Senfe we have of the Honour they have done the Merchants and
■ Traders of this Colony, in the Vote of Thanks tranfmitted to us. Such an Ap-
* probation of their Conduct, cannot but be exceeding grateful ; at the fame Time
* we hope it will be ferviceable to the Caufe of Liberty, in which we are en<ya»ed,
4 by ftimulating and encouraging every Lover of his Country, to perfevere in a
' Meafure calculated to procure a Redrefs of our Grievances.
* When the Petitions and Memorials of the Reprefentatives of the Colonies, in
' Favour of the Rights and Liberty of America, are feconded by the Endeavours of
c the People, and thofe Endeavours are conducted with fuch Unanimity, Peace, wood
' Order and Refolution, as to merit the Approbation and Thanks of the Reprefen-
c tatives in Affembly met, there is the greateft Reaforl to hope, that notwithstanding
* the Attempts of arbitrary, defigning, or weak Minifters, the united Efforts of the
* Colonies, thus exerted, will in the End, be crowned with Succefs, and prove effec«
4 tual in fecuring to thcmfelves and their Pofterity, the Bleffing of Liberty, and the
* Rights of Freemen, to which they are intituled by the Britifh Conftitution. We
* are, with much Efteem and Refpect, Sir, your obedient humble Servants,
Daniel Benezet, Alexander Hufton, Charles Tbompfon, William Weft, John Maxwell
Nejbitt, James Meafe, Tench Francis, Robert Morris. Thy affured
Friends, William Fijher, Abel James,\Henry Drinker, Samuel Howell, George. Roberts.
Philadelphia, OcJoberz6, 1769.
To CORTLAND SKINNER, Efq-, Speaker of the Affembly of New-Jerfey.
The engroffed Bill, intitled, An Aft to enable the Owners and Poffeffors of the Mea-
dows and Marjhes bounding on- Delaware River, between the Lands of John Mecom and
Allen Congleton, in Lower Penn's Neck, in the County, of Salem, to flop out the Tide
from overflowing the fame ; was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refohed,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered^
( 28 )
0/\!
That Mr. Hinchmah and Mr, Sharp, do carry the faid Bill to the Council for
Concurrence.
' Mr. Fijher reported, that Mr. Pax/on and himfelf, delivered the Bill and Meffage
of Saturday laft, with them intruded, to Mr. John Smith, one of the Gentlemen of
the Council, the Council not fitting.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, the one from divers Inhabitants of
Springfield, and Parts adjacent, in the County of Burlington, the other from divers
Inhabitants of Evefijami in the fame County, praying for an Act to enable Juftices
of the Peace to try Caufes of £. i<5 5 and under, and alfo for an EmilTion of Paper
Money on Loan -, both which were read, and referred to the Committee appointed
to bring in a Bill for enlarging the Juftices Jurifdiction.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Dnnie! Cox and James Kinfey, Efqrs»
letting forth, that the Petitioners, with fundry others, are intitled to a large Trail; of.
Meadow on or near Pequefs Creek, in the County of Sujfex, and praying Leave to
bring in a Bill for draining the faid Meadows, on giving theufual Notice in the public
Papers of Philadelphia ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The engroiTed Bill, entitled, An Aft to enable fundry of the Owners and Poffeffors of
Meadows or Tide Marfh lying on Newton Creek, to eretl and maintain a Bank, Dam and
ether Water Works acrofs the faid Creek, in order to prevent the Tide from overflowing
the fame, and to keep the former Water Courfe of faid Creek open and clear ; was read
and compared; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered, *
That Mr. Hinchman and Mr. Sharp, do carry the faid Bill to the Council for Con-
currence.
Mr. Hinchman reported, that Mr. Sharp and himfelf, delivered the two Bills with
them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Tuefdayy OEiober 31, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from the Owners and PofTeflbrs of Meadows adjoining to andon
both Sides of Manington Creek, in the County of Salem, for an Act to prevent the
Tide from overflowing the fame ; was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly, they having given
due Notice of this Application in the public Papers.
The Petition from Jofeph Haight, praying an Act of AfTembly to eftablifh a Ferry
from the City of Burlington to M'llvaine's IJland, with Half of the Fees now ufually
taken in the Ferry from Burlington to Briflol; was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Petition from the Freeholders of Hanover, in the County of Morris, praying
for the Revival, with fome Amendments of the late Act for repairing the Highways
of that Townfhip by Tax ; was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The Petition from the Freeholders of Morris T'cwn, in the County oiMorris, pray-
ing a Law for repairing the public Roads of that Townfhip by Tax ; was read the
fecond Time.
Ordered,
x the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Seflion of AfTembly,
provided no reafonable Objection fhall then appear againft the fame. The
( ^9 )
The feveral Petitions for and againft a Bill for repairing the Highways of the
Townfhip of Trenton, in the County of Hunterdon, by Tax ; were read the fecond
Time, and referred to the next Seffion of AfTembly.
The Petition for continuing the prefent Act for repairing the Highways of the
Townfhip of Bridgeivater, in the County of Somerfet, by Tax, with one Amendment
to the laid Act ; was read the fecond Time ; and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Petition againft the prefent Act for repairing the Highways of the Townfhip
of Bridgeivater, in the County of Somerfet, by Tax ; was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the fame be referred to the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for the
Regulation of Roads and Bridges.
The Petition from the South-Ward of Perth-Amboy, praying a Repeal of the Aft
for repairing the public Roads of the City of Perib-Ambcy by Tax ; was read the
fecond Time, and referred to the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for the
Regulation of Roads and Bridges.
The feveral Petitions from fundry Inhabitants of the City of Burlington, for and
againft a Bill to repair the Highways of that City by Tax ; were read the fecond
Time •, and on the Queftion, Vv hether the Prayer of rhe Petition for a Bill, be granted
or not ? It paffed in the Negative.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition for a Bill, do lie on the Table.
The Petition from the Juftices and Freeholders of the County of Middkfex, pray-
ing fome Compenfation for their Trouble in the Execution of their Offices ; was read
the fecond Time •, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Hcufe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from the Minifter, Church-Wardens ana
Veitrymen of the Epifcopal Church of St. Michael, in Trenton, and from the Elders,
Deacons and Congregation of the Prefbyterian Church of the fame Place, fetting
forth, that .the faid Churches have been built and fupported for many Years by the
voluntary Contributions of the Members of each ; that they are wholly unable to
fupport the Minilters, purchafe a Houfe and Glebe for each, and make the neceffary
Repairs in the faid Churches-, and praying an Aft to enable the Petitioners to raife
by Way'of Lottery, the Sum of £. 1600, for the Purpofes aforefaid : And that cer-
tain Perfons, in the Petition named, may be appointed Managers ; which Petition
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Wetherill, from the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for re-fettling the
Quotas of this Colony ; made the following Report, viz.
The Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for re-fettling the Quotas of the fe-
veral Counties in this Colony, have ordered me to report, that they have examined
the Duplicate* of the feveral Counties, and have compofed a Table or Lift of all the
Article* and Things made rateable by former Laws ; which Table they beg Leave to
lay before the Houfe, and to requeft their AiTiftance to fettle a Value on all the taxable
Matters and Things therein contained, fo as tb enable the Committee the better to
prepare and bring in the Bill aforefaid.
The Houfe taking the faid Report into Confideration,
Ordered,
That the fame be referred to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
Mr. Sharp, in Purfuance of the Leave granted, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft
to amend an Aft made and faffed in the 26th Tear of the Reign of his late Majefty King
George the Second, entitled, An Aft to enable the Owners of the Meadows and Marjhes
H adjoining
( 3° )
adjoining to, and on both Sides o/Manington Creek, tojiop out the 'Tide from overflowing-
the fame ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition from Ephraim Terril, Abraham Clark and Azariah Dunham ; praying
a Compenfation for their Trouble, in endeavouring to execute the Act for ftraitning
the Roads ■, was read the fecond Time •, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Crane, Mr. Berrien and Mr. Tucker, be a Committee, t©
prepare and bring in a Bill, to enable the Commifiioners appointed by an Act, entided,
An Act for appointing Commijfioners to view the Ground, and report to the next SeJJion of
General Affembly of the Practicability of laying out fir ait Roads through certain Parts of
the Province of New-Jerfey, and for eflablifhing a Fund to defray the Expence of the
fame, to draw the Lottery in the laid Aft mentioned •, and after defraying the Expences
already incurred in trying the Practicability of ftraitning the Roads in the laid Act
mentioned, to apply the Remainder of the Sum fo railed, to the maintaining and re-
pairing the Bridges and Caufeways on the Roads from Trenton to Elizabeth-Town and
Newark, and from Burlington to the Ferry Houfe in the South Ward of Perth- Amboy.
The Petition from fundry Inhabitants of Elizabeth-Town, praying an Amend-
ment to the Act for defraying Damages done by Dogs in this Colony -,' was read the
fecond Time •, on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Petition from Ifaac Bonnel, Efq; Sheriff of Middlefex, praying an Act to'
exempt him from certain Actions for Efcape; was read the fecond Timej
Ordered,
That the Petitioner have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Wednefday> November i, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from John Budd, late of Salem, praying an Act to fecure him from
Arreft for the Term of five Years, in order to fettle his Affairs, and pay his Debts,
was read the fecond Time;
Ordered,
That aClaufe be added to the Insolvent Act, now before the Houfe, to exempt his
Perfon from Arreft, for the Term of two Years.
The Petition from Jacob Weifer, praying Payment of the Charge he has been at
about Harman Rofecrans, was read the fecond Time, and the Confederation thereof
referred to next Seflion of Affembly.
The Petition from Richard Brown, and the Executors of Samuel Rogers, deceafed,
praying that a certain Bridge over Crqfwicks Creek, may be made a publick Charge;
and alfo the Petition from the Freeholders of Upper Freehold, relating to the fame
Matter, were read the fecond Time; and on the Queftion, Whether the Prayer of
the firft Petition be granted, or not? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Chriflopher Robe, a Foreigner, fetting
forth, That he was born under the Allegiance of foreign Powers in Amity with Great
Britain, but is now fettled in this Colony, and is defirous of being naturalized; and
praying Leave to bring in a Bill therefor; which was read, with the uiual Certificate.
Ordered,
That his Name be inferted in the Bill now before the Houfe.
The Petition from the Hon. Charles Read, Efq; praying that certain Regulations
may be eftablifhed with Relpect to his Iron Works, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioner have' Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The
( 3i )
. The Petition from Myndert John/on, of Monmouth Count}' , complaining of an In-
jury from John Williams, Executor to Richard Van Dam, decealed, was read the
fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Petition from V/illiam Winans, for the barring an Eftate Tail, in certain
Lands, and vefting the fame in the Petitioner in Fee Simple •, was read the fecond
Time, and referred to the next Seflion of General Aflembly.
A Petition was prefented to the Houie, from Thomas Drake and Daniel Drake, of
the Townfhip of Hopewell, in the County of Hunterdon, fctcing forth fundry Incon-
veniences arifing from Actions brought on Claims of Dower, in certain Cafe = , and
praying a Remedy for the fame ; with a Poftfcript figned by a Number of Freehol-
ders and others, defiring a general Remedy may be provided for the like Grievances ;
which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition of Cornelius Brinkerhoff, praying an Alteration in the Road from
Bergen Point to Paulus Hook ; was referred to the Confederation of the next Seflion
of General Aflembly.
The Houfe taking into Confideration, an anonymous Letter fent to Berncrdus
Legrange, Efq-, and laid before this Houfe on the Enquiry on Friday laft, in the
Words following, to wit,
To Barnabas Legrange Efq. Attorney at law in NewBrunfwick
Friend Legrange Monmouth October 6th, i j6g. ■
AS I am a Lover of Peace and Concord, there is Nothing gives me greater
' ±\. Pleafure than beholding the fame having a Subfijlenct among Mankind :
* And on the other Hand there is Nothing can give me fo much Pain as to fee any of
4 the human Species become a Nufance to the Commonality of Mankind. Whether
* they become fuch thro' an Aft of Inadvertence or from a felfifh Ambition. As for
'the i ft I heartily bemoan and bewail them (as it may flow from fome natural Paflion)
4 and I think fo ought all confiderate Men rather then ridicule 'em ; for my own Part
'lam always led to pity and lament the Condition of that Man I fee aft 'againft his
* own Peace and well-being here.. And, if it is Ambition, that has made him fuch
* to his Fellow Creatures. Oh wretch indeed ! that Satan jhou'd lift up his Mind,
* that he Jhou'd become the Caufe of his own Ruin, and the Deriflon and hiding of
1 the general Part of his Acquaintance. What has begotten You, the Hatred and
* Averfion of the Public in thefe Parts are belt known to thy felf, and whether de-
* fervedly or undefervedly I (hall not determine ; but one Thing I can aflureyou, that
* thou haft accrued it to the higheft Degree. And, if thou Cornell this Way may God
c Almighty have Mercy on thee, for I am well convinced the People have none, if
* the Lord docs not turn their Hearts from their prelent Refolutions.
* I will let thee know, what I heard the other Day among a Parcel of People, ha-
ving met accidentally with 'em at the Mill at Englifh Town concerning you and fome
more of your Brethren ; thee efpacially they feemed to have the grcatcft Grudge
againft : One of them faid, He w'ijh'd that Fellow Legrange woud come to Court
;his Month, he Jhou'd not efcape from Us out off a back Window as he did before,
4 another of the Company makes Anfwer Damn Him I hear, he is to come and to
* aft as King's Attorney ; but that (hall not fcreen the Rafcal, fays he, Aye, fays he,
4 the Lawyers has done that a purpofe that we might not difturb the Vellain ; but, if
we ratch, him we will Legrange him.
* I hearing the People expreffing themfelves in this Manner, I began to examine
4 them what you had done unto them, that enraged them fo againft you. Why, fays
* one, he fays he wil bring done our Heads and humble Us. They fay, you egged up
* their Creditors to put their Bonds in Suit faying Monmouth people are like all to
* fail, and much more of the like Nature. And, I enquired if they cou'd prove thefe
* Aflertions againft you, they fay, Yes, they can, by fome of their Creditors ; and
1 will if you carry fome Aftion on ; but I cou'd not tearr againft whom or where the
4 Perfon lived. « Yefteriay
(
3-^
4 Yefterday, I was up in'Upper Freehold among'fome Company where, I heard th
c refolve concerning you much the fame as above ; wifhing you might com
' Court, for there uere between feven and eight Hundred of them ready to reee
* you. Nay, I have heard fome of them declare folemnly they wou'd ule yon, as
'Informers were ufed at New-York and Philadelphia. I know, they cclieil,d I
' Monty to porchafc to Barrels or Tarr, and has agreed with a JVian to kale
' Monday •, An ■.' as far as I can learn it is for you. They intend to tarr and Fea
" You, and fo cart you from the Comt Houfe to Yankirk's Miil and back again. ±.\
* Imitation of the Oifter'mah'in New- York.
' 1 JkouJ have taken the Trouble to come, to your Houfe and informed You cf
' the Plotters again ft your Pcrfon 'ere now, only, as I have fome considerable Property
' in this County, I know, they uou'd utterly ruin me if they knew, I deiulged to you
* che leaft Matter.
( rrietvJ. Legrange, you can act as, you think will belt fuit you. OnU' I ivou,d
' advife you as a Friend, to confider- ferioufly the Fury cf an enraged Mob; mad
' with Oppreflion; and think" deliberately with Yourfelf how you expect to efcape
' their Hands; O I befeech You! to ponder well in your own Breaft, the Fate of
* many Kings and Priences, when they became obnoxious or hateful to the People.
' And the Spirit of Rioting feems to increafe in our Day, think of the Fate of Major
' Tames, Ogden and many of the Cuftom Houfe Officers. May, we have daily
' Inftances of One or another falling a Sacrifice to the People when provoked. And
* I can pofuively affirm if thou hadft dwelt in this County there ivou,d not been left
' one Stone on another of your Houle ere now.
Rare antecedentem fcclcjiutn dejtruit pede -pxnaclaudo.
* I or '.ered my Young Man to leave this for you, at your Houfe or Duff's, for thee.'
On the Que (lion ;
R:f^ed,
That the laid Letter is fcandalous and unwarrantable; and that this Houfe -look
upon the fame as manifeftly tending to a Breach of the Publick Peace.
Yeas. yeas. nays. nays.
Mr. Joknflcn, Mr. Herwtirigh Mr. Wetberill, Mr. Bullod,
Mr; Hart/borne, Mi. Smith, Mr. Runycn, Mr. Price,
%%i.Ogdin, Hl-.dr.nr., Mr. Taylor, Mr. J:'iir,
'Ar.CrOne, Mr, Leading, Mr'. Ft/her, Mr. Shm p,
blr.Bcrriin, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Detr.arefl, Mr. Hart.
Mr. Dij; . ,M{- Pvfon,
The Voices being equal, Mr. Speaker gave his Vcpe.for the Affirmative.
At the Requeft of Mr. tucker,
Ordered^
That the Confideration of the Enquiry begun on the 25th of laft Month, and
appointed to be heard this Morning, be deferred until the Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Tucker informing the Houfe, that his Witneffes were now come; the Parties
attending, were heard before the Houfe, and divers Witneffes fworn and affirmed on
both Sides; and much Time having been fpent in the hearing;
Ordered,
That the Debate and Determination on the feveral Matters, be had To-Morrow
Morning.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Thttrfday^ November 2, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Houfe reluming the Confideration of the Matters heard" and referred Yefterday,
Mr. Tucker defired Leave to withdraw during the Determination thereon, and he
"""Withdrew accordingly: Whereupon a Debate enfuing, after fome Time fpent therein,
. the Confideration thereof was reterred till the Afternoon.
Eleven
( 33 )
Eleven Petitions were prefented to the Houfe ; the Firft from fundry Perfdfis in
Perth- Amboy, the Second from fundry Perfons in Middlefex; the Third from divers
Perfons in Allen-Town ; the Fourth from divers Perfons in Freehold; the Fifth from a
Number of People in Shrewjhury, the Sixth from a Number of People ;n Neiv-Brua-
fwick; the Seventh from fome Inhabitants of EJJex; the Eighth from fome inhabi-
tants of EJfex and Bergen; the Ninth from Mendom, in the County of Mcrris; the
Tenth from "Trenton, and Parts adjacent •, and the Eleventh from Freeholders and
others of Hunterdon, all fetting forth the Mifchiefs arifing from thv; unfkilful Practice
of Phyfick and Surgery in this Colony, and praying, that the Legiflature will fuffcr
no Peribn to praftifc as a Phyfician or Surgeon, without being firft duly licenced, or
afcertaining his Skill, Knowledge and Ability, in iuch other Way, as by Act of
Afiembly may be thought expedient ; the faid Petitions were read, and ordered to bs
read a lecond Time.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
. A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Mary Roll, Wife of Abraham Roll,
of the Borough ot Elizabeth, fetting forth, That her faid Hufband hath lately had a
Child by one Sarah Davis, and alfo treated the Petitioner with great Abufe; and thac
the Petitioner is feized in Fee of and in a certain Meffuage, the Profits whereof her faid
Hufband at prefent enjoys •, and paying a Law for a Divorce, and to fecure her faid
Eftate; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition from Thsmas Brake, Daniel Drake, and others, praying Relief from
Claims of Dower, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Parker, in thefe Words :
' Ordered,
■' That Mr. Parker, do carry the engroffed Bill, entitled, An A£t for laying a Duty
* on the Pur chafers of Slave's imported into this Colony ; together with the former Bill,
* and the Amendments of both Houfes, to the Houfe of AfTembly, and acquaint
i them, that this Houfe have agreed to their Amendments of the Amendments of this
' Houfe, and have engroffed, examined and figned the fame, ia order that the fame bs
* examined by the Houfe of AfTembly, and figned by their Speaker.
' Ordered alfo,
' That Mr. Parker do acquaint the Houfe of AfTembly, that this Houfe have paffcl
* the Bill, entitled, An_ Adt to enable the Owners and Pcjfejfors of the Meadows and
' Marjhes bounding on Delaware Rrver, between the Lands of John Mecom and Allen
' Congleton, in Lower Penn's Neck, in the County of Salem, to flop out the Tide from
1 overflowing the fame ; and the Bill, entitled, An Act to enable fundry of the Owners
' old Poffeffors of Meadows or Tide Marflj lying on Newton Creek, to eretl and maintain
f a Bank, Dam, and other Water Works acrofs the faidCreek, &c. without any Amend-
* ment/ - By Order of the Houfe,
- Council-Chamber, > CHA. PETTIT, Clerk.'
November z, 1769. J
Ordered,
That Mr. Hewlings and Mr. Bullock, do carry to the Council, the Bill re-engrofTed,
with the Amendments of the Council, together with the Amendments made thereto
by this Houfe, now figned by the Speaker of this Houfe, entitled, An Ad for laying
a Duty on the Pur chafers of Slaves imported into this Colony.
The Petition from the Members of the Epifcopal and Prefbyterian Churches at
Trenton,'m theCounty of Hunterdon, praying Leave to make a Lottery to raife Sixteen
Hundred Pounds, for the Ufe of faid Churches, was read the fecond Time j and on
the Queftiori,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
I The
( 34 )
The Bil!, entitled, An Act to amend an ASc made and paffedin the 26th Te:r of the
Reign of ■ Majefty King George the Second, entitled, An All to enable the
Owners of fchs Mead(iws and Marih.es adjoining to, and on both Sides of Maningtoii
Creek, iSc. was read the. fecond Time, and committed to Mr. MiUsr and Mr. Hinchmcn.
Mr. H reported, that Mr. Bullock and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Confideration of the Matters heard this Morning, and ordered to be further
confidered this Afternoon, was referred till To-Morrow Morning.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday, November 3, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Houfe refuming the Confideration of the Matters heard and referred Yefterday,
Mr. Tucker defired Leave to withdraw during the Determination thereon ; and he
withdrew accordingly : Whereupon the Houfe proceeded to examine the feveral
Matters charged againft the faid Mr. Tucker 5 and firft, the Charge for exacting,
demanding and requiring Fees not warranted by the Laws of the Province, in the
Cafe of Maxwell againft MacFarlin, en the Sale of MacFarlin's Goods, in September,
1768, upon an Execution returned in Aitguji, 1764. In Anfwer to which, Mr.
Tucker produced a Letter from William Morris, Efq; forbidding the Sale, under
which he juibfied his Delay, and pleaded Cuftom for taking the Fees : Whereupon
on
Dr. John Maxwell, in Account with Samuel Tucker,
1764. AuguftTe-m, To ferving Fi. Fa. on Benja. M'Farling's Goods and Chattels, £.0:06:9
Docquet, Pa. z;. Milage on Ditto, - - - - O"
Oftober Term, 1764. ? Advertifmg Vendue firft Time, 15th Scptemper, I764,
Docquet. J Attending, 10s. Cryer, 10s.
10 : o
0 :- 10 : o
1 : 00 : o
To advertising a fecond Time, - 10s. - ~)
1 7 5 - Attending Vendue, noBuyers, - 10s. - J. I : 10
April 25. Cryer attending 1 Day, - - »os. - J
To advertising a third Time, - 10s. ~)
'7 8- Attending Vendue, - - 10s. - i 1 : 10
Sept. 7. Cryer one Day, - - los. -
£5:6:9
Ordered,
That the Confideration of the other Charges againft Mr. Tucker, be deferred till
this Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The
Dr. Sales of Jofeph HowellV Vendue, in Account current with
1765. To Amount of Sundries bought at Jofeph Hoiuelt's firft Vendae. £. 855 : 13:16
Sept. 3. Tolntereit from 3d of Sept. 1765, to the 10th of Sept. 1766, 1 ,
is one Year and fevenDays. . . - J ' • 3 • 4
£.9.16: 17.- 2
To a Ballance due from Richard Reading, - - - £-5l:3:3
Thomas Fryr, jun."V
Joftph
omas Fr^or, jun."j
verfus > Fieri Facias dt Bonis & Tern's.
reph Hoive/I, J
Sheriffs Fees.
Serving Fieri Facias, and Return, - - £.0 : 06 : 09
Milage on ditto. - - - - o : 04 : 00
Advertising the Sale, and putting in the Papers 15 s. - J. , . Q, . on
paid Cryer 10 s.
1 : 05 : 00
Poundage on £.805 : 15 : 1 i-J a 3d per lb. - - 10:01:0^
II : 17 : 01
£. 64 i 00 : .04
( 35 )
on the Queftion, Whether the faid Mr. Tucker hath charged Fees in this Cafe not
allowed by Law ?
Rcjched,
That the faid Samuel Tucker, Efq; hath charged Fees in this Cafe, againft John Max-
wellj the Plantiff, not allowed by Law.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAY.
Mr. Johnflon, Mr. Btrrita, Mr. Price, Mr. Ogden.
Mr- WithenU, Mr. Dey, Mr. Hincbman,
Mr. P.unym, Mr. Demareft, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Hart/borne, Mr. Hctvlings, Mr. Sharp,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Smith, Mr Learning,
Mr. CVa/w, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. rYarf,
Mr. §£*•, Mr. £*;/«*,
/<nd on the further Queition, Whether it appears to' this Houfe, that Mr. Tucker
hath received the faid Fees of the faid John Maxwell?
Refolved,
That it does not appear to this Houfe, that the faid Samuel Tucker hath received
the faid Fees.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnflon, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Wetberill, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Hartjhcrr.e, Mr. Price, Mr. Runytn, Mr. Demarcjt,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hincbman, Mr. Taylir, Mr Pax/on,
Mr. HcivlingT, Mr Miller, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Leaning.
Mr. £/!»//£, Mr. SAar/. ' Mr. Gvj/if, Mr. War/.
Mr.fiyfor,
Ordered,
That the faid Account be entered on the Minutes of this Houfe ; and the fame
is as follows, viz.
■ ■
late Sheriff of Hunterdon, Cr.
I7?8. By Amount of cales, of M'Farling's - 1
Sept. Goods -and Chatties. - - - - J ' rl?
Salhnce due to S. Tucker, late Sheriff, - - 2 : 8 : 10
£.5:6:9
The Houfe refumed the Confederation of the Matters referred this Morning,
whereupon the Houfe proceeded to examine the Account of the faid Samuel Tucker,
for felling the Eftate of Jofeph Howell, at two different Days, in which the faid Mr.
Tucker^ charges for felling the faid Eftate, Poundage and other Fees for Monies he
never recovered for the Plaintiff, to wit, in one Account j£. 13 : 2 : 2, in the other
£. 10 : 1 : 4 j which faid Accounts are as follows, to wit.
. — „ — — _^ _— __ — — _ — «■*« _^__^— ^_ -_ — 1 I*.
Richard Reading, Contra Cr.
1766. By Amount of fecond Sales, £. 864 : 13 : ik
. Sept. io. B7 a Ballance due the nrft Sales, including latere!!, 52 : 3 : $
£. 916 : 17 ; 1
Dr,
36
37
: 11
:o8
L
906
.07
:o8
&
35 ••
03:
'3 =
12 :
05
C
39:
06 :
°>l
Dr. • Thomas Pryor, jun. in Account with Samuel Tucker, late Sheriff
;• ;. To Amount of Richard Reading's Purchafc at firft Vendue, fmce proved Infolvent, 7-
and iince compounded with by 77 lemas Pryer, - fs55:13'10
To Execution Fees, &c. . - - - . . 13:02:02
To Ballahcg due TSomas Pryor, - - - -
•-66. To Cafh fent to Samuel Allinf on. Attorney for 7 bunas Pryor,
Aug. 22. Ballance remaining in the Hinds of the Sheriff,
FJr. Second Sales of ivhat Richard Reading, bought at first Vendue.
To y 'ames Benezet, Mortgage, Principal and Intereft, lotiisept. 1766. £. 807 : 05 : 06
Ballance due to Thomas Pryor, jun. - - - J7:o7:c5
Second Execution Fees in Damage from Richard Reading.
176-*. To Cafti paid Samuel Allinfin, per Receipt, £
Jan. '30. To Cafh paid ditto per JojiphReed, Efq;
To Calh paid Samuel Allinfin,
George Ely's Debt and Ir.tereft 22d Jan. 1768, is two Years, four Months 7
and nineteen Days yet outftanding. - - j
Cafh remaining in Hand collected, due to 7". Pryor,
£.61:01:03
864
: 12
: II
. ii
:'<;
: 00
1 1
: 00
: 00
22
. eo
: 00
H:
>7
:o6
01 :
08:
09 1
Whereupon, on the Queftion, Whether the faid Samuel Tucker charged Fees in this
Cafe, on the firft Sale, not allowed by the Laws of the Provivince.
Refohed, Nemine Contradicente,
That the faid Samuel Tucker hath charged Fees in this Account againft the Plaintiff
Thomas Pryor, jun. not allowed by Law.
And on the Queftion,
Refohed, s
That he hath taken Poundage on £.805 : 15: iii, when he recovered only
/. ljo, for the Plaintiff; therefore he hath overcharged the Plaintiff £. 8 : 8 : 10,
ind £t\ : 5, for advertiung and attending, not allowed by Law.
The Houfe then took into Confideration the faid Samuel Tucker's Charges on the
(econd Sale ; and on the Queftion, Whether the faid fecond Sale was made by
Conient of Parws,
Refohed, ftemwe Contradicente,
■ That it was made by Agreement of the Parties.
It was then moved, that the Queftion be put, Whether the Fees charged in the
faid Accburrt, be according to Law, or not?
: Whereupon the previous Queftion was demanded,- Whether the laid Queftion be
Tut? Jfcjm carried in the Negative. ^^^ ^ a y ^
Mr Johnlion, Mr. WetheriU, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr- Rwyon, Mr. Demartfl,
Mr Hrwling,, Mr. Tayttr, Mr. Pj>f»,
Mr. Smilt. S Mr. Ogden, Mr. Bulbct,
jyj,. prlce Mr. Crane, Mr. Learning,
. Mr! Hinchman, Mr. fijher, Mr. Hart.
Mr. Miller, Mr. Berrien,
Mr. Sharp, . f .,
The Houfe then took into Confideration, the Charges made by the laid Samuei
Tucker, in the Action againft Wifl* at the Suit of Pemberton; which Account of
Charges is as follows :
Ifrael
( 37 )
of Hunterdon, Contra Cr.
176c By Amount of Sales of Jofeph Hi-well's Goods and Chattels at Vendue, ) r
Scpnm. 3. at his Suit, on Fi. Fa. on Credit by his Orders, is'c. - - - } *•• 9°5 : °7 = 8
ByBallance cue, per Contra, - - - - . ^. 37:11:8
1 : 14 : 7-i
By Intereft received by late Sheriff, as per Account, to iSth Augufl, i-?66,
£■ 39 : c6 : 3J
By the Ballance remaining in the Hands of the late Sheriff collected. - - £. 3 : 12 05
Contra Cn
1766. By Amount of Sales, as per Account, - £.864: 13 ; 11
Seftem. 10. By Ballance due to Thomas Pryor, jun. - - - - - - 57 : 07 : 05
By Intereft received on the Goods, as per Account, - - 00 : 1 1 : 04*
By Intereft of the £. 32 : 14 : 1 on the Lands, from 10th Sept. 1766, until! ,
22d January 176S, is 1 Year, 4 Months, and 12 Days, - - - J 3 • °2 • c
£. 61 : 01 : 3*
u# Ballance due Thomas Pryor, - - - - £. 1 ; 08 : 9*
lfratl Pemberton,
verlus
Thomas Weft, and \FL Fa- de Bonh & Terris> AUinf°n> Attorney.
Thomas Weft, jun.
Execution Fees, viz.
Serving two Fi. Fa's, at 6 s. gd. each, - - - • £.0:13:6
Mileage in each, at 6 s. per - - .- - - - - - 0:12:0
Advertifing firft Time, ---- - . . . 0:10:0
Mr. Pemberton put it in the Papers,
Paid Cryer for attending firlt Time, adjourned by Order of Mr. Pemberton, for want 7
of Buyers, _---__ J
Advertifing fecond Time, - o
10 : o
10 : o
Paid Cryer 2d Time, - - - - - - 0:10
Poundage on £ 502 : 19:6, at yet. - - - . 6 . c : 8£
Total, £.9:11:2*
I received /. 5 : 6s : 3, Execution Fees, in Lieu of the above, which, if I remember rioht, was
occafioned by Mr. Pemberton getting the Goods valued, and taking Security for the fame and
the Defendant's being poor, &c.
And on the Queftion, Whether the faid Fees are agreable to Law?
Refolved,
That it appears to this Houfe, that the faid Samuel Tucker levied to the Amount of
the Plaintiff's Debt, and that the Plaintiff received Part, and took Security for the
Remainder of his Debt-, and that the Sum received by Mr. Tucker, is not more than
by Law he was intitled to.
The further Confidcration of the Matter was referred till To-Morrow Mornino-.
Mr. Berrien had Leave of Abfence till Monday Noon.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Saturday , November 4, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Houfe refuming the Confideration of the Matters heard and referred Yefterday;
Mr. Tucker defired Leave to withdraw, during the Determination thereon; and he
withdrew accordingly: Whereupon, after fome Time fpent therein ;
K Refolved,
( 3» )
Refolved,
That it is the Opinion of this Koufe, that the taking of Fees by any Sheriff, or
dther Officer of this Government, other than thofe that are allowed by the Laws of
this Province, is illegal, a high Mifdemeanor, and a very great Grievance.
Refolved,
That it is the Opinion of this Houfe, that the faid Samuel Tucker hath taken excef-
five and illegal Fees, not warranted by the Laws of the Province; and that the fame
is oppreffive, and a very gre.it Grievance.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Jtbnflon, Mr. Hewlirigs, Mr. Price, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Hartfliorne, Mr. Smith, Mr. Miller, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Demarefl,
Mr. Creole, Mr. Paxfort, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Learning,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Hart. p Mr. Ogden,
On the Queftion, Whether this Houfe will proceed to any further Cenfure of the
i Samuel Tucker'? It was carried in the Negative.
YEAS. YEAS". NAYS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. lorn/Ion, Mr. Price, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Crane, Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. Hartjttrne, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Runyon, Mr. £Vy, Mr. Bulloci,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Miller, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Demarefl, Mr. Sharp,
Mr. SwiVi, Mr. Ogden. Mr. Henvlings, Mr Learning,
Mr. Harr,
Then on Motion, the Queftion was put, Whether this Houfe will go into a Con-
fidcration of the Matters charged by Mr. Tucker, againft Samuel Allinfon, Efq-, or
not? It pafled in the Affirmative.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Jolnflon, Mr. Crane, Mr. Smith, Mr. Miller, Mr. Wetherill,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Bulloch, Mr. War^. Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. Hartjhorite, Mr. .Dy, Mr. PriV, Mr. #«r?. Mr. Learning.
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Demarefl, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. 0/i/o>, Mr. Heating;,
The Houfe then proceeded to examine the feveral Matters charged againft Mr.
Samuel Allinfon; and on the Queftion, Whether the charging of Parchment in his Bills
of Coft, as taxed by the Juftices of the Supreme Court in the A&ions of Mr. Tucker,
be allowable by Law or not? It palTed in the Negative.
YEAS. NAYS. N A Y S. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Johnflcn, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Hewltngs, Mr. Sharp,
Mr. Miller. Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Crane, Mr. Smith, Mr. Learning,
Mr Runyon, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Har/.
Mr. Hart/horne, Mr. /)#)■, Mr. Bulloci,
Refolved, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Demarefl, Mr. Pro*,
That the Charge of Parchment is not warranted by Law. And on the Queftion,
Whether the charging Six Shillings per Day, for each Referred, in both the Actions,
Duplicates of their Reports, Rules and Cofts, and a Letter of Attorney, to demand the
Money of Mr. Tucker, was in Coniequence of an Agreement entered into by the Parties.
Refolved, Nemine Contradicmte,
That the faid Cofts were in Confequenceof an Agreement of the Parties.
Refolved,
That this Houfe will make no further Enquiry into the Matter.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Monday next, Three P. M. MO N DAT,
Dr. Andrew Drummond, and Co. of London, to the Province of New-Jerfey,
To Cadi they received of the Lords CommifTioners of the Treafury, being the Proportion 1
due to this Province out of the firft Sum granted by Parliament to the Colonies, as > 9-1 66 : co : 00
per their Letter Augult 23, 1760. - J
Tn ditto out of the fecond Sum, as per their Letterdated 10th April, 1762. 94^4 : 02 : C4
To ditto out of the third Sum, as per their Letter dated r4th Auguft, 1762. - 8861 : 12 : co
To ditto out of the fourth Sum, as pe.- their Letter and the Account, dated } . ,.„.
April 14th, .764. ... - . }'2394-"°4
To ditto out of the fifth Sum, as per their Letter and the Account, dated ZArfi 16
Auguft 11 th, 1764. - - - j4.507.10 0+
£.44474:02: oo
To a Bill remitted by S. Smith, Efq; in Purfuance of an Aft of Aflembly, - 67 : r6 : 04,
Srrori excepted, Noitriler 2, 1769. *._4454' : ' °4-
( 39 )
MONDAY, November 6, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was preferred to the Houfe, from Daniel Howard, a Prifoner for Debt
in Suffix Gaol, fetting forth his Diftrefs, and praying for an Infolvent Aft; which
was read, and referred to be confidered of on the fecond Reading of the Infolvent
Aft, now before the Houfe.
According to Leave, Mr. Pax/on, in Behalf of the Petitioner, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Aft for the further Encouragement of the making Pig and Bar Iron in the
Colony of New-Jerfey ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The feveral Petitions from different Parts of this Province, defiring that no Perfon
may praftife Phyfick and Surgery, without a proper Licence, were read the fecond
Time, and referred to the Confideration of the next Seffion of General AfTembly.
On a Motion made by Mr. Hinchman,
Ordered
That he have Leave to bring in a Bill, more effeftually to preferve Deer, and
prevent the fetting of Traps.
On a Motion made by Mr. Bullock,
Ordered,
That he have Leave to bring in a Bill, for the better Regulation of Swine,
The Houfe adjourn'd till To-Morrow Morning, Nine o'Clock.
Tuefday, November 7, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John Hoof see, John Balthazar Hurff7
and Walter Swoope, Foreigners, praying to be naturalized, with a Certificate of their
having taken the Qaths, and made and fubferibed the Declaration by Law required;
which were read.
Ordered,
That their Names be inferted in the Bill now before the Houfe, for the Naturaliza-
tion of Foreigners.
The Heufe adjourn'd till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Learning, from the Committee appointed to meet a Committee of the Council,
to fettle the Treafurers Accounts, reported, That the Committees had met according
to Appointment, and had fettled and ftated the Account of Andrew Drummond, and
Company; and alfo the Weftern Treafurer's Accounts; and had burned the cancelled
Money in the Weftern Treafurer's Hands; which Accounts refpeftively he now
reported to the Houfe, and to which the Houfe agreed. — And the fame are as follows :
wjm
on Account of Money granted by Parliament to the Colonies. Cr.
By Fees to Clerks and other Charges on receiving the firft Sum, as per their Letter J r , ?
dated Auguft 23d, 1760. .... J£. 52 .• 10 .- o&
By ditto, ditto, on receiving the fecond Sum, as per Letter dated 10th April, 1762. 22 : 18 : 04
By ditto, ditto, on receiving the third Sum, as per Letter dated Auguft 14th, 1762. 20 ; 13 : 08
By ditto, ditto, on receiving the fourth Sum, as per Letter and Account dated 1
April 14th, 1764. - - - - - I 25 : 15 : 05
By ditto, ditto, on receiving the fifth Sum, as per Account dated Auguft 1 ith, 1764, 23 : 19 : 02
£. 146 .-03: 01
By Bills of Exchange drawn by S. Smith, Efq; Weftern Treafurer, - £. 23246 : 07 .• ooi
By Bills of Exchange drawn by A. Johnjion and S. Skinner, Efqrs, Eaftern Treafurers, 21081:11:10*
£. 44474:02:00
By Intereft on the Exchequer Tallies which are credited the Province, but was X 6 ■ 6 •
afterwards obliged to repay ; fee Letter dated oth Feb. 1 765 , alfo Aft of AfTembly. i ^ ' * * °*
£.44541 .• 18:04'
By Order of the Committees, JOHN STEVENS,
AARON LEAMING.
D5.
( 4° )
Dr. Samuel Smith, Efq; Treafure;
To Amount of the Proportion drawn for by the Weftern Treafurer out of the 1 r
Sum allotted Ne-xv-Jcr/ey, from the firit Parliamentary Grant, - 1 ^"^ '
J5
II
To ditto, out of the Second ditto, - - _ 4998 •' 08 : 05
To ditto, out of the Third ditto, - -■ 4619 : 07
01
01 .• 01
To ditto, out of the Fourth ditto, - - - . 4482
To ditto, out of the Fifth ditto, - - 4395 : 04 : o<;\
The Sum drawn for by the Weftern Treafurer, - - - £. 23246 .• 07 : 00
To Cafh received of Dr. More, Tieafurcr of Pennfylvania, in Purfuance of an >
Aft of Aflembly, ..... \ l757 • °3 : 00
Sterling, £. 25003 : 10 : OO
The above Sum of £.25003 : 10 Sterling, at the feveral Rates of Exchange, deducting Charges,
amounts in Proclamation Money, as it pafles mWeft-Jer/ey, to £.42446 : 10 : 4^
Errors excepted, Nov. 22d, 1769.
Dr. Samuel Smith, Efq. Treafurer, Support of Government an£
1765. To a Ballance brought from the Parliamentary Donation Account, - £. 31448 : 17 : 07
Auguft 24. To Calh received of 'James Parker, Efq; on Account of the province 1 o . .
1767. Lotteries, - ... . J
Jsuly \6. T 1 Ditto received of Ditto, - - - - 35 : ©o ; •
Nov. 2. To the Sinking Fund Tax, for the Weftern Counties, for this Year, viz.
Burlington, - - £-473 : 10 : o
Gloucejier, - - - 306 : 05 : O
Salem, - - - - 272 : 12 : 6
Cumber 'and, - - 140 : oe : o
Cape-May, - - 6 J : 10 : o
Hunterdon, - - - - 558 : lo : o
Morris and Suffix. - - - 219:11:11
2035 : 19 : 05
Errors excepted, Nov. 2d, 1769, £. 33601 : 17 : oj
Dr. Samuel Smith, Efq; Treafurer,
176S. To Ballance brought from Account Support of Government and Sinking- 1 r 0
7 Fund Account, - m \ C- 8459 : 07 : £
Nov. 21. To CafhreceiveJ of Daniel Ellis, Efq; for the Duty upon a Negro, - - 9:10:0
1760. Feb. To Calh received of IJaac Pear/on, Efy; being a Forfeiture on the 7
Goal Aft, - - - - \ o : 1 2 : fe
June 16. To Cam received of Wilfon Hunt, in Part of the Ballance due from him 7
to the Province. - - - - - - J 350 : 00 : e
"July. To Calh received of Jofeph Borden, Efq; b?ing the Ballance of his Account, 7
as fettled by the Committee of Affembly, except Articles then unfold, j" 10 '■ °3 '■ °
£■ 8925 : '3 = 7i
MEMORANDUM.
The following Arrears, as reported in 1765, appear to be ftill outftanding.
In Burlington County, an old Arrear in the Loan-Office, as per Report in 1753, - £,. 18 : 08 : n
Ditto, in Ditto, as per Ditto, - -- - - - 13: 07: o**
Ditto, in Cape-May, in 1738, - - - - - 00 : 04 : 07 £
32 : 00 : 09
An Arrear in Burlington, as per Report in 1758. - - - - 1:13:0*
Ditto, in Salem, as per Ditto, Intereft Money, in 1752, - - - 3:00:06
An Arrear outftandin? in Salem Loan-Office, Principal Money, which commene'd either 7 ,
^ t 4° 3 • ®4 • o&
in 1745, 1746, or 1747, - - - - _ - y-r j T
Deficiency in Hunterdon, in /. 6000 Tax, in June, 1752, as per Report in 1758, - - - 6:00:00
Ditto, ih Ditto, as per Ditto, - - - - - - 1:11:9-*;
Errors excepted , Nov. 2d, 1769.
Dr. Samuel Smith, Efq-, Treafurer
1768. To the Sinking-Fund Tax, direfted to be raifed this Year, viz.
November. Burlington, - - 1562:14:07!
Gloucejier, - 977 : 05 : 01 J.
Salem, - - - 873 : 03 : 07;*
Cumberland, - - 442 : 14 : 07 1
Cape-May, - - 208 : 17 : 02.J.
Hunterdon, - » 1772 : 03 : u-J
Morris and Suffix. ----- 694: 10: n*.
Errors excepted, Nomimber 2, 1769. £.6531 .- 10 .• I
( 4i )
Parliamentary Donation Account,
By Cafh paid Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treasurer of the Eaftem Divifion, being the Pro- \ . , k .,
portion due on the Monies received from ConneSicut and Pennfylvania,, - - J 9 9 • *
By a Bill remitted Anareiu Drummond and Co for Cafti they by miftake 7 ? , „ .
over-paid the Province, fee Aft of Affembly . - - - - j °7 : ' b : + i/<rr/'
Exchange 165 per Cent. - - - - 44:01: 7 J
in : 1;
By Ballance reported in the Treafurer's Favour, June 5th, 1765, and directed to be 7
carried, to this Account, - - - - - J99T5:|S
Eallance carried to the Support of Government and Sinking Fund Accounts, - - 31443: '17
' ■-
Proclamation Money, as it partes in Wejl-Jerfey. £. 42 46 : 10 : 04I
By Order of the Committees, JOHN STEVENS,
AARON LEAMING.
Support of Government and Sinking Fund Account. Cr.
By fundry Vouchers from No. 1, to No. 163, inclnfive, all 7 r o . c . a
examined, allowed, and endorfed, the 26th of O Sober laft, J ^ ' * "
By Current Bills of Credit, cancelled by the Jullices and 1
Free-holders, as per their Certificate in May, 1766, and i- 4678 : 00 : 06
burned by the Committees this Day, j
By ditto, cancelled by ditto, as per their Certificate in May, ? o . <
1767, and burned by the Committees this Day, J 72°4 • 03 : 00
By ditto, cancelled by ditto, as per their Certificate in Mav, 1
1768, and burn'd by the Committees this Day, - - J 5004 : oS : 09
Eallance carried to Support of Government Account. i. ^ Sj.-n •' o~ • 37*
By Order of the Committees,
£.33601 : 17 : ooi
JOHN STEVENS,
AARON LEAMING.
Support of Government Account. Cr.
By fundry Vouchers from No. 164, to No. 200, inclufive, all examined, allowed ?
and endorfed, the 26th oiOBober laft, - . . J £• '71 1 : 04 : oSJ
Ballance due to the Province, £, _2I . . og . ^
/ X * " 4-
By Order of the Committees, £' *92S '' '3 : °7*
JO^N STEVENS,
AARON LEAMING.
Sinking Fund Account. Cr.'
By Current Bills of Credit, cancelled by the Juftkes and Freeholders, as per their 7
Certificate in M»y, 1769, and burned by the Committees this Day, J £*4S01 ! 01 '•
00
Ballance, - . 20j0 . 08 : 01
£.6531 : 10 : 01.
By Order of the Committees,
JOHN STEVENS,
AARON LEAMING.
' ■ <■ L ' '> jwry-n^wyrf.niu m— ^—— wap^— '"»,
K Ordered,
( 4* )
Ordered,
That die Memorial charging Mr. Tucker be entered in the Minutes of the Houfe,
and the fame is as follows, viz.
' May it pleaft the Speaker,
' TN Purfuance of the Permiffion granted Us we beg Leave to lay before this
' J_ Houfe, our Sentiments on the Pecitions lately prefented, containing, we appre-
' hend, Complaints againft fome of the Profeflbrs of the Law, in their Confequence
' greatly affecting the whole Body — We acknowledge the Juftice of the Houfe in
i this Permiffion but as we had Notice of it fo lately, We hope the Houfe will excufe
' the Want of Method find Regularity, which the Shortnefs of the Time will not by
' any Means permit Us, to confider.
' We think it proper to obferve, thefe Petitions were preceded by a violent At-
* tempt to hinder the Proceedings of the Courts of Juftice in Monmouth. — That the
' firft Petition take its Rife in that County — That they are all fo nearly fimilar as
* to juftify the Conclufion of their proceeding from One Source — how far therefore
' it may be confident with the Dignity of this Houfe to proceed on Petitions fomen-
* ted by fome People who appear to have attacked the firft Principles ot Government,
* we fubmit to the Confederation of the Houfe.
' We apprehend the Petitions themfelves Ihow in a great Meafure to what thefe
' Complaints are principally owing — They tell the Houfe, they labour under a great
* Scarcity of Money and a Decay of Trade, If this be Cafe, It is not to be admired
' That a Multitude of Law Suits have arifen among a People, labouring under thefe
' Difficulties and who are greatly indebted — We apprehend they ought to feek for a
' Remedy in a future (Economy which may probably prevent Evils arifing from
' Indifcretion.
' The very Foundation of Government appears to Us to Subfift in the Perfor-
* mance of Contracts, If a Multitude run in Debt there muft of Confequence be
* many Creditors, all of whom have a Right to expect their Monies when due. — To
' put a Stop to this Demand by Suit in the Manner pointed out by the Law would
*■ be to deitroy a Contract made on the Faith of Government and denying a Man
•"trHrLiberty of obtaining the Fruits of his Induftry.
' We muft appeal to the Houfe, if Real Eftate fincc the late War hath not moft
* amazingly decreafed in Value, nor do we exprefs ourfelves too largely if we fuppofe
' it funk near a Third in Value, and we apprehend any one who is obliged at once
' to fell, is well off, who meets with no greater Lofs— The frequent Failures among
' the mercantile Part of the Country ; fhews this Calamity to be General and clearly
' evinces the Misfortunes to which the People of this Province are liable, to be at-
* tributed rather to the Times, and the Indifcretion of Perfons running in Debt, than
4 to the Laws or the Profeflbrs.
' In Order to Support the Complaint of the Petitioners as to the Abufe of the
' Law, a Number of Bills of Cofts are produced, fome of which carry an extraordi-
nary Appearance and perhaps are really unjuft, we by no Means appear to juftify
e the particular PraAifers, but tho' they may be really fo, we cannot think the Inter-
' pofition of the Legiflature neceffary becaufe we think the Laws already in being
i have provided a full and Complete Remedy, in giving a Defendant the Liberty of
* having the Bill of Cofts Retaxed at a very trifling Expence, and if that fhould fail,
e by applying to a Grand Jury, both which effectually fccure his property in this
' particular.
' The Attomys Abufe of the Law can be no Reafon to alter that' Law and fuch
e Alteration will onfe.-affejdt.Jthe Confcierrtiqus Part of the Profeffion, for it can never
' be1 expefted 1 hat bad Men will fhew a greater Regard to foeh Alteration than they
' did to the Original, But if the'Law is tuffered to ftand or if a Remedy is applied
c only to the Abufe, the Complaints already made will be fufficient to Induce every
* good Man of the Profeffion to heartily join therein for their own Sakes.
| The. moft material of thefe Cofts are
' i. Three- Judgments Entered on One Bond or fuppofed to be fo.
'■ 2. Two Actions brought on One Bond,
i. A Bill of Cofts of £. 22, yi a Dilpute about a Hog.
'4 Several
( 43 )
* 4- Several Anions of Efcape againft the Sheriff.
' The particular Circumftances of all thefe Matters we are ignorant of, but fubmit
' the following Obfervations to the Houfe.
' As to the Two firft I believe few of the Profeflion do it — and yet in Three
' Inftances it is neceffary, firft where the Parties livi» in Two Counties and theirCircum-
* ltances dubious, to have the Benefit of Two Executions at Once. Secondly, where-
« the Plaintiff orders it, and Thirdly where the Defendant or Defendants have La»ds
4 in different Counties which it may be neceffary to levy on at one time and whick
* one Execution cannot do. Befides when Parties enter into a joint and feveral Bond,
* they know it gives the Liberty of filing one or both at the Pieafure of the Plaintiff
* and if fuch Suits are brought, the Defendants can only blame their Indifcretion in
' Entering into a Contract fubjecting themfelves to thofe Inconveniencies— further
* Debtors are at Home fubject to the fame, and they are content with the Courts who
* admit of a Motion to confolidae fuch Actions and have never applied an Act of
' Parliament to remedy it} for thi Reafon before given, to wir, the Folly of the Deb-
* tors in fubjecting themfelves by fuch Contract. -As to the Third
' A Bill of that kind might be juftly due— Two very litigious Perfons might obfti-
1 nately infift on a Proiecutiort, and indeed on the Face of it, it appears to be fo, by
' Commencing a fuit for a Trifle in the Supreme Court, where the very Commencement
* of the Suit would amount to almoft the Value of the Conteft,
' As to the laft, They almoft wholly arife from the great Neglect and Male Practice
* of the Sheriffs,— of this, Three Inftances are offered, Hoiv againft Moore in Middle/ex,
4 Maxfield v.— In Hunterdon and Prior, &c. v. Amwinem Hunterdon, In the firft, Action
* was commenced againft the Debtor, frequent Requefts to confine Him and at laft with
' a Threat of a Suit, which being commenced and an Execution returned againft the
' Sheriff, Goods to the Value, yet the Plaintiff remains Four Years without his
' Money and under the Danger of Lofing his Debt. — In the fecond, about Three
* Years after the Execution was Levied, on Executing a Writ of Inquiry againft the
* Sheriff he produced an Account of Sales to £.3, odd Shillings and his Execution
1 Fees in this Time, on fo trifling a Sale, amounted to £. 5 and upwards. — The Third
1 was delayed upwards of Five Years after Execution Levied and the Eftatefold in
■ Hunterdon by a late Sheriff.
' In order to fhew the Houfe more clearly from whence this Oppreflion arifes, We
c beg Leave to lay before them Three particular Accounts from which we conceive it
' will abundantly appear That the Execution Fees demanded, are the moft grievous
' OpprefTicn under which the People labour without any Law or even the Colour of
' Law to fupport the Exactions. We would likewife obferve That Sheriffs are obliged
* to lay their Bills before Nobody for Taxation, that on the Contrary, the Lawyer is
' not only obliged to do that, but alfo to file his Cofts in the Office and fuppofino- the
e Sheriff to receive the Bill and his Execution Fees without acquainting the Debtor
* of the Fees charged for the Laft (which we believe to be often the Cafe) the Lawyer
' frequently is loaded with the whole Cenfure.
* To fhew this, Three Accounts are alluded to*
* 1. The Sales of S. Stocktons Eftate.
* 2. Pemberton v. Weft &c. a Sale to Morris Woolverton.
1 3- 7°fepb Hoivells Eftate.
* Before we enter into the Consideration of which It may be proper to obferve We
'• are charged with fome Things as Crimes, the Law admits and that the Propriety
1 of the Charges, in the three above Accounts depends on the Fee Bill, the Words of
* which are nearly of this Purpor*-.
' That the Sheriff for ferving every Execution under Fifty Pounds fhall be Inti-
' tuled to 6s. and all above Fifty Pounds Three Pence in the Pound, to be com-
' puted on the real Debt.
' The Purport of aFi. Fa. is, that the Sheriff fhall make of the Defendants Goods
' &c. the Debt and Cofts and have thofc Monies in Court at the Return of the Writ.
* The Word Serving in the Act, muft mean obeying the Command of that Writ. — •
* Taking the Act of Affcmbly diftindt it may appear too general to have a certain
1 Meaning annexed to it, Connect it with the Execution and there cannot be a Doubt
'of
( 44 )
1 of what is Intended, this being premifed, it may be juftly obferved That the late
e Sheriff charges 6s. gd. on Serving the Execution and alio Poundage on the whole
' fum levied — lb that tor Levying the firlt Fifty Pounds he receives 19s. 3d. which
"■ the Law will by no Means, jullify.--The Words of the Aft are, all above £. 50.
4 Three Pence per Pound, that is all Executions above £, 50 Three Pence in the
« Pound, not that he lhall add Three Pence in the Pound to the 6s. 9A before
' aiveri for thofe under £. 50.— Again If Serving the Execution means-Making
' the Money and having it in Court, the Law can by no Means authorize the
* Charging any Thing for his Attendance at that Sale, becaufe It is a Part of fucn
' Service, It may be objefted, It is the Cuftom and that it is equitable, this we dery
* becau e one large Execution will pay Him for many fmall Ones, but fuppofing it
' to be fo, would not it carrv as fair an Appearance for Us to charge our Attendance
' at the Courts and Horfe Hire ? For tho the Law gives Us 6s. for a Motion and a
* Term Fee yet that is an Expence no Ways provided for, and very confiderable to
c any but thofe whofe Praftice is Extenfive.
' To Pemberton v. Weft or the Sale to Woolverton the fame Objections arife.
' But with Refpeft to the Account of the Sales of Howell, the Fees are far more
' extravagant— for we beg Leave to obferve, That the Lands at the Time of the
* Sale were mortgaged to James Benezet, That the Principal and Intereft of that
' Mortgage amounted to upwards of fix Hundred Pounds, That on the Execution,
' the Sheriff had a right to fell no more than the Equity of Redemption of the Lam is
c fubjeft to that Mortgage, That by the Sheriffs own Account after Payment of the
c Mortgage, about £, 130. at moft, was coming ro the Plaintiff including his Execu-
* tion Fees. And yet he charges, ill Poundage, (befides the 6/9 and every other Fee
' on an Execution under £.50.) (we prefume) on the whole .Amount of the Execution
' which was upwards of £. 8oo--for his Bill confifls only of one Line charging
4 jT 13:2:2 in Grofs, which mult be clearly illegal For if by ferving an Execution.
* as is before obferved is Making the Money due on it and having it at Court the
' PounJa^e ought to be charged on the Real Debt Levied only — and this Conllruc-
' tion appears evidently to us to be the true One, for if another Conftruftion is to be
' made it will follow— That if a fheriff hath an Execution for £. 10,000 and levies
* only 6d he hath a Right to charge Poundage on the whole Debt, which is abfurd.
' Ao-ain, Thefe Lands on Account of the Purchafers being unable to pay, were
* fold a fecond Time and the fum of £. 11 : 17 : 1 more charged, including not only
c Poilndage on £. 805 : 15:11 but alfo a fecond Charge of the 6/9 and other Fees as
' appears by the late Sheriffs Bill of Particulars, in the whole £. 21 : 1 8 : 5 for making
4 the Plaintiff about {,. 100. of his Demand only, All which we conceive to be utterly
* ao-ainlt Law, unauthorized by the Fee Bill and not to be Supported by Reafon or
' Juflice.
' On the whole We offer the Houfe (what we conceive) Three moll: exorbitant Bills
' of Coifo, And this We do with the more Freedom, becaufe the Gentleman is pre-
* fent to exculpate Himfelf— and if the Houfe are of the fame Opinion with Us, we
* prefent them with a proper Objeft to exercife their Juflice on, and doubt not from
' their Candor and Integrity but that they will fhew to the World they are as willing
' to Execute it on a Member of their own Body as others, all which we moft humbly
< fubmit JAMES KINSEY,
24th 08. 1769. SAMUEL ALLINSON,
JOHN LAWRENCE.
Mr. Tucker, having drawn up a State of his Defence, among other Things, inferted
a Letter from Mr. Moore Furman, formerly Sheriff of Hunterdon, to which Objec-
tions being made by divers Members; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Letter be erafed from the faid Defence.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. JolinJIon, Mr. Birrien, Mr. Bullock, Mr. WttheriU,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Dey, Mr. Price, Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Hartjborne, Mr Dtmareft, Mr. Hincbman,
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Henvlings, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Crane, Mi . Smith, Mr. Sharp,
Mr. Fi/btr, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Hart,
Ordered,
( 45 )
Vrdered,
That the faid Defence be entered in the Minutes of the Houfe, at his Requeft;
and the fame is as follows, viz.
' Mr. Speaker,
' I have this Day drawn up and put in Order, the feveral Charges that have been
' laid againft me, as late Sheriff of Hunterdon, by Mr. Allinfon, Kinfey and Law-
t rence, viz. .
"John Maxwell, ~] On Fi. Fa. de Bonis. Cottnam, Attorney.
V. )■ Returned to Auguft Term, 1764.
Benjamin M' Farling; } With Inventory annexed Vallue unknown.
Execution Fees, V. Serveing Fi Fa and Return, - - - £■ o : 06 : 9
Milage on ditto, -- - -- - - . -"0:10:0
ill advertifement Dated ;ith auguft 1764, day of Sale 15 Sep. 1764. - - - o : 10 : o
paid Cryer 1 of Attending Sale and no Buyers lof. - - - - 1 : 00 : o
March 1 4th 1765. Second fale advertifement Day of Sale 25th April 1765 - - o .• 10 : o
Attending Sr.le and no Buyers
Cryer attending One day - - - - - - . 0:10
o : 10 : o
Q
£.3:16 09
■ My Deputy Daniel Pegg Delivered me the following Letter from Wm. Morris
Efq, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas to him which he affigned
for a Reafon that he could not fell.
• Daniel Pegg Trenton 3 M° 18th 1764,
' Benjamin M'Farling has Petitioned for the Benefit of the Acl of Infohency therefore
as lunderftcnd by lis Wife that you are going to fell all he has Take Care to Leave, him
the Vallue cf £. 10— as he is Inlilled to by Law or Expetl that Notite will be taken
thereof I am &c, Wm. Morris
" I made Mr. Cottnam acquainted with the above Proceeding who would not pro-
ceed againft Me for the Reafons aforefaid the Plaintiff Maxwell then got Mr. R
Kerney to bring an Action againft which came to Writt of Inquirey before which I
force'd a Sale of all M'Farlings Goods in order to afcertain their vallue which
amounted at vendue to - - - - £.2 : ly : 11
Advertifing the Third Time Sec. - - - £. o : 10
attending the Sale - - - - - o :
Cryers Fees one Day - - o
o
10 : o
10 : o
£. 1 : 10 : o
the above Execution Fees brought down - 3 : 16 : 9
£ 5 : °6 : 9
1 The whole of which was Proved before the Jurcy of Inquirey, who at the Con-
' feffion of the late Sheriff filled up the Inquifition with Six Pence Damages and no
* Cofts and further that the late Sheriff never Rec'd one farthing of the .2 : 17 : 11
' which MFarlings Goods weir fold for which weir bought by their friends and left
' with them &c Execution fees for Services actually done and neceffary to be done
* fupported by the 4th Section of the Act of Affembly and the long Eftablifhed
' Cuftom under the Act in the County of Hunterdon and which the late Sheriff had
c paid as per fundry Receipts produced together with a Letter from Mr. Moore Fur-
' man in which he afierts the Cuftom of taking Fees in Hunterdon viz. 10/ for
'Advertifing, 10/. for the Sheriffs Attendance Per day and the Cryers Fees when
* there is an actual Sale, and that 6/9 the Fee for Serving the Execution is not fuffi-
* cient to fatisfy the Sheriff for his Time and Trouble.
Thomas Pryor Jun. "iFi Fa De Bonis et Terris Allinfon Att
and John Allen
V • l" Princepaf Sum due ... - £ 7A9 "" "
Jofeph Hoiuell J Intereft from 3d Auguft 1764, -
Ccfts taxed
Levied on goods and Chatties and 148 Acres of Land Mills &c as per Inventory
annexed fubjeft to a Mortgage to Mr. James .5<w;f2fM>rincipal and In t ere ft
amounting to - ■ . ... .. £07 : 05 : 1 1
* 1765 May ift advertize for Sale 2d Day July 1765 attended and no Buyers
c appeareing to Bid above the Mortgage adjourned by Defire of the Plaintiff paid
M 6Ciyer
( 46 )
' Cryer 10/ Printer 5/ advertifed for Sale 3d September 1765 attended and fold in
4 Confeq <ence of an Agreement between the Plaintiff Pryor James Bennezet the
1 Mort^io-ee and the Sheriff who undertook to pay Benezet his Mortgage otherwaies
< the Judgment would have been Entered up by Benezet on the Mortgage which was
«' prevented by the Sheriff being bound to Mr. Benezet for his whole Debt and
* Interett Proved at the Barr of the houfe by By Mr. Benezet on Oath and
Amount Sales at vendue - - - - " " £• 906 = 07 : «8
Richard Reading Purchafl'ed with the Approbation of Pryor and Bennezet - - t>55 : '3 : «°
£. 50: 13 : ie
Before Payment or Securely could be got from Mr. Reading he proved a Bankrupt and
made an Agreement with the Sheriff to make a Second Sale for which Mr Reading was
to make the Sheriff Satisfaction and no Part of which is charged in the firft Sales to Pryor
Sold what Richard Reading purchafed - - - " " £.864:13:11
£.915:07 :?
Neet Proceeds of Howells Sales.
Execution Fees on firft Sales Vizt.
$erveing Fi Fa and Return - - - £. 00 : 06 : 9
Milage on ditto - - - " " 00 : 04 :
advertifeing ift Time 10/ paid Printer 5/ - - 00:15
paid Cryer and no Buyers - - . -~
advertifeing 2d Time 10/ paid Printer 5/ - - - -00:15
paid Cryer 2d Time one Day 10/ - - - 00 : 10 : o
Poundage on £ 906 : 7 : 8 per Agreement 3d - " : °° = 7
£.14:08:0
£aid James Benezet 10th Septm 1 766 Princepal and Intereft - - 807 : 05 : 11
o
: o
o
£.821 : 13 : 11
Due to Thomas Pryor Jun Execution - - £. 93 : 13 : ia>
And what Intereft the Sheriff Rec'd isalfo due to Pryor as per Intereft
Acco't not now at Hand
Paid Pryor and Mr. Allinfon his Attorney viz
Per Edward Pennington Per Rect - - £• 35 : J3 : 10i
to Mr. Allinfon Der Ditto - - - 11 : 15 : 00
to Ditto per Ditto - - - - - 1 1 : 00 : 00
to Ditto per Ditto - - - - - 22:00:00
George Elys Debt and Intereft outftanding
Ball's in the Hand , of late Sheriff " (
The Houfe adjourned till &ine o'Clock. To-Morrow Morning
Wednefday^ November 8, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for jiriking One Hundred Thoufand Pounds in Bills of
Credit ; was read the fecond Time, and committed to a Committee of the whola
Houfe.
The Houfe accordingly refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe on
the faid Bill, and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair,
and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had
made fome Progrefs in the Matters to them referred, and defired Leave to fit again,
to which the Houfe agreed.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft for the further Encouragement of the making Pig and Bar
Iron in the Colony of New-Jerfey ; was read the fecond Time, and committed to Mr.
Ogden and Mr. Sharp.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Support of Government ef his Majeflfs Colony of
New-Jerfey, to commence the 2\ft Day of May, 1769, and to end the Firft Day of
October, 1770, &c. was read the fecond Time, and committed to a Committee of
the whole Houfe.
The Houfe accordingly refolved itfelf into 'a Committee of the whole Houfe on
the faid Bill, and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair,
aad Mr. Fijher, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had gone
through-
( 47 )
through the fevcral Matters referred to them, and was ready to make a Report whea
the Houfe will be pleafed to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made in the Afternoon.
Refolved,
That Dr. Benjamin Franklin, be appointed Agent of this Colony at the Court of
Great-Britain, in the Room and Place of Henry Wiilmott, Efq;
Then the Houfe adjourned to Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Simon Sparks, of Glcucefter County,
fetting forth, that he is an Infolvent Debtor, and in daily Appreheniion of bein°-
confined in Goal, and praying for an Infolvent Aft ; which Petition was read.
Ordered,
That the fame be further confidered, on the fecond Reading of the Infolvent Aft
now before the Houfe.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Ifaac Evans, of the County of Burling-
ton, fetting forth, that he conceives, that an unufual and uncommon Fee hath been
demanded and taken from him by Order of Mr. Charles Pettit, Surrogate of the
Prerogative Office, as may appear by the Bill of Coft and Receipt therewith fent,
and praying a Hearing before the Houfe ; which was read, and referred to the Com-
mittee of the whole Houfe on the Grievances of the Colony.
According to Order, Mr. Fi/her, from the Committee of the whole Houfe on
the Bill for Support of Government, reported the feveral Refolutions of the laid
Committee as follows, to wit.
i. Refohed,
That in and by the faid Bill, when pafied into a Law, there be paid to his Excel-
lency William Franklin, Efq-, at the Rate of Twelve Hundred Pounds, to commence
from the 21ft Day of May laft ; and on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to
faid Sum or not ? It palled in the Affirmative.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr Johr.fion, Mr, Fijber, Mr. Smith, Mr. Miller, Mr. Wetberill,
Mr. Mart/borne, Mr- Dey, Mr. Pox/on, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Ogden, Mr- Demure/}, Mr. Price, Mr. Hart, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Healings, Mr. Hincbman, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Eu'loci;
Mr. Learning,
' Who voted for £.1000.
2. To Frederick Smyth, Efq-, Chief Juftice of the faid Colony, at the Rate of One
Hundred and Fifty Pounds, to commence from the 21ft of May laft; and on the
Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid Sum or not ? It paifed in the Affir-
mative as follows, to wit.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnflon, Mr. Demarefi, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Wetberill, Mr. Hetvlings,
Mr. Hart/borne, Mr. Smith, Mr. Learning, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Ogden. Mr. Price, Mr. Hart. Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Hincbman, Vic. Tucker. Mr. Dey, Who voted for £. 100."
Mr. Fijber ^ Mr. Miller,
3. To Charles Read, Efq-, fecond Juftice of the Supreme Court of this Colony, at
the Rate of Fifty Pounds per Annum, to commence from the 21ft Day of May ; and
on the Queftion, Whether the Houfes agrees to the faid Sum or not ? It paifed in
the Affirmative as follows, to wit.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Jobsjfon, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Dey, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Millet, Mr. Berrien,
Mr. Wetberill, Mr. Crane, Mr. Demarefl, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Leaning,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Heivlings, Mr. Price, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Hart,
Mr. Hartjborne, Mr. Fijber, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hincbman, Who voted for £.75
4. To John Berrien, Efq-, third Juftice of the Supreme Court of this Cohny, at
the Rate of Fifty Pounds per Annum, to commence from the 21ft of May laft ; and
on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid Sum or not ? It paffed in the;
Affirmative.
( 4« )
, V EA5. YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAY.
Mr. Je'.-n/loi, Mr. Fi/ier1, Mr. tefc, Mr. Learning, Mr. Ogden.
Mr. Mr. BtrrUn, Mr. Bulhck, Mr. Hart, Who voted for £. 75.
ton, ■ Dey, Mr. Priee, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Dtmartfi, Mr. Hincbman,
Mr- 7"<5 Mr- Headings, Mr. Aftttrj
Mr. C. . Mr. Smith, Mr. Sharp,
5. T.o Cortland Skinner, Efqv Attorney General of this Colony, at the Rate of
7"!v/7v Pounds, per Annum. To which the Houfe agreed.
6. To Sami and Stephen Skinner, Efquires, Treafurers of this Colony, each
at the Rate of Forty Pounds per Annum. To which the Houfe agreed.
7. To the Clerk of the Council for the Time being, at the Rate of Thirty Po:
per Annum. To which the Houfe agreed.
S. To Dr. 'Benjamin Franklin, appointed Agent of this Colony, at the -Court of
Great-Britain, or to the Agent for the Time being, appointed by the Houfe of
Representatives, at the Rate of One Hundred Pound's per Annum. To which the
Houfe agreed.
9. To Jofeph IVarrell, Efq-, Clerk of the Circuits of this Colony, at the Rate of
Twenty Pounds per Annum. To which the Houfe agreed.
10. To the Dodr-Kceper • — 1
11. To his Excellency William Franklm, Efq-, at the Rate of Sixty Founds, per
Annum, for Houfe Rent, provided he makes Perth- Amboy ox Burlington the Place
of his Refulence. To which the Houfe agreed.
i?. To any one of the Juftices of the Supreme Court, for attending Circuit
Courts, and Courts of Oyer and Terminer, in the Manner prefcribed by faid Act,
the Sum of Ten for each Time. To which the Houfe agreed.
13. To each of the Council, for the Time they may attend at any Sitting of
General AfTembly within the Time aforefaid, Six Shillings per Diem. To which
the Houfe agreed.
1 .;. To Richard Smith, one of the Clerks of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, or any
other Clerk, for his Attendance, the Sum of Ten Shillings per Diem : Alfo Four pence per
Sheet, reckoning Ninety Words to the Sheet, for entering the Minutes fair in the
Book, and copying the Laws and Minutes for the Printer : And to the faid Richard
Smith, the Sum of Twenty Pounds, for Pen, Ink and Paper, and hiring Clerks to
forward the Bufinefs of this Seffion. To which the Houfe agreed.
15. To the Secretary for copying Laws to fend Home, during the Continuance
of this Act, Four Pence per Sheet, reckoning Ninety Words to the Sheet. To
which the Houfe agreed.
16. To each of the Treafurers of this Colony, Six Per.ce per Pound, for exchang-
ing ragged and torn Bills of Credit. To which the Houfe agreed.
17. °To James Parker, or any other Printer, for printing the Laws and Minutes;
filth* Sums as John L.Johnfton, JohnWetherill, Hendrick Fijher, Stephen Crane and
John Ogdepy. Efquires, or any two of them, fhall agree to be paid for the fame.
To which the Houfe agreed.
18. To the Serjeant at Arms for the Time being, who mall attend the Council,
the- Sum of Three Shillings per Diem. To which the Houfe agreed.
' 19. To the Serjeant at Arms, for the Time being, who (hall attend the Houfe of
Reprefentatives, the Sum of Three Shillings per Diem. To which the Houfe agreed.
20. To the Door-Keeper of the Houfe of Reprefentatives for the Time being,
who (hall attend in Manner aforefeid, the Sum of Three Shillings and Six Pence per
Diem. To which the Houfe agreed.
21. To the Speaker,- and every of the Members of the Houfe of Reprefentatives,
for the Time they may attend at any Sitting of General AfTembly, during the
Continuance of the Aft, Six Shillings per Diem. To which the Houfe agreed.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as reported and agreed to, be engrofied.
On Motion of Mr. HartJJjome,
Ordered,
That he have Leave to bring in a Bill for the Prefervation of Oyfters withia this
Gblonv.
The Houfe adjourn'd, till To-Morrow, Three P. M.
T'hurfday.
( 49 )
Thar f day ) November 9, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Smith, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Act for the Regulation of Ferriages to be taken at the feveral Ferries in
this Colony ■, which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Read, in thefe Words :
' Ordered,
f That Mr. Read, do carry the Bill, entitled, An Aft to amend an Alt, entitled, An
« Act appointing Commiffioners for finally fettling and determining the feveral Rights,
» Titles and Claims to the Common Lands of the Townjhip of Bergen, and for making
« Partition thereof in jufl and equitable Proportions, among thofe who fhall be adjudged
« by the faid Commiffioners, to be intituled to the fame ; with the Amendments thereto
« annexed, to the Houfe of AfTembly, and defire their Concurrence to the faid Amend-
« ments, and the Amendment to the Title thereof. By Order of the Houfe,
•Council-Chamber, Novembers, 1769. CHA. PETTIT, Clerk*
And the faid Bill was read, with the Amendments in their Places •, and on the
Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid Amendments, or not? It pafTed in
the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended, be re-engrofled,
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from the Rev. Charles MacKnight, fetting
forth the particular Circumftances of his Cafe, with Refpect to Charles Lucas and his
Wife, Infolvent Debtors, now confined in Gaol at his Suit ; which was read, and
referred to be further confidered of on the fecond Reading of the Infolvent Act, now
before the Houfe.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from James Maffett, a Prifoner for Debt
in the Gaol of the County of Gloucejler, fetting forth his diftreffed Circumftances,
and praying for an Infolvent Act ; which Petition was read, and referred to be further;
confidered on the fecond Reading of the Infolvent Act, now before the Houfe.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John Stevens and James Parker,
Efquires, in Behalf of themfelves, and of the General Proprietors of the Eaftern
Divifion of this Colony •, fetting forth a particular State of the Controverfy with the
Colony of New-Tork, refpecting the Divifion Line between the two Colonies, and
of the Determination lately made therein by the Commifiioners appointed by his
Majefty ; and praying the Legiflature will be pleafed to take this great Caufe under
their Protection, and grant fuch a Sum of Money as may enable the Petitioners to
profecute the Appeal to the King in Council, and fupport the juft Claim of this
Province againft the Encroachments and extravagant Claim of New-Fork ; which
Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Friday ', Novernber 10, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Runyon, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in a
Bill, entitled, An Aft to ereSl and eftablifh Courts in the feveral Counties in this
Colony, for the Trial of fmall Caufes ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Hartjhorne, according to the Leave granted, brought in a Bill, entitled, An
Act for the better prefer ving of Oyflers in the Colony of New-Jerfey ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
According to the Order of the 31ft of laft Month, the Houfe now refolved itfelf
into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on the Settlement of a Table of Rateable!
for the feveral Counties in this Colony •, and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr.
Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fifher, Chairman of the Committee, reported,
that the Committee had made fome Progrefs in the Matters to them referred, and
defired Leave to fit again. To which the Houfe agreed.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
N Xhe
( 5° )
The Houfe met.
The engrafted Bill, Entitled, An Aft for the Support of Government of his Majejtfs
Colony of New-Jerfey, to commence the Twenty-firs! Day of May, One Thoufand Seven
Hundred and Sixty-Nine, and to end the fir si Bay of O&ober, One Thoufand Seven
Hundred and Seventy, and to difcharge the public Debts and contingent Charges thereof;
was read and compared.
Refolved, Netnine Contradicente, That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fiflier, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hinchman, and
Mr. Demareft, do carry the laid Bill to the Council, for Concurrence.
The Houfe a^ain refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on the
Settlement of a Table of the feveral Rateables of this Colony ; and after fome Time
fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fifher, Chairman of the
Committee, by Leave of the Houfe, reported the laid Table, with the Prices fixed
by the Committee, to the feveral Articles therein mentioned. To all which the Houfe
agreed ; which faid Table is as follows, to wit.
A TABLE of RATEABLES in NEW-JERSEY, November 1769.
Si
O
in
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<
0 g
-0 °
« i
0, N
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at /.30 each.
■ j=
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— <vj- £ rt
1 ,5"
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hire, at/. 300 each
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9 iA/?AS: t^.24
33.
Saturday,
t 5* )
Saturday, November u, 1760,
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Daniel Cooper, jun. of Morris County
fitting forth, that he has been put to Ten Pounds Seven Shillings Expend in S'
ingone John Stevens, from Morris to 5«r%/^, to be examined b/his Excellency
the Governor, concerning the Robbery of the Eaftern Treafur,, and pray in. an
Allowance of that Sum ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Readin|
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Freeholders of the TownftiD
of Alexandria, in the County of Hunterdon, praying an Alteration for that Townfhip
f r AUM m ihc, a!f \& °[ tffemhly f°r reg»]^"g of Conftables, which direct
that Conftables fhall be Freeholders, in fuch Manner that the faid Townfhip mav
choofe Houfholders ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading. '
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Thomas Watfon, of Bordentown con-
taining a Complaint of a Grievance in the Sale of certain Lands fold at his Suit bv
James Brooks, Efq; late Sheriff of Middle/ex, and praying Redrefs in th- Premifes •
which Petition was read. *
Ordered,
cJ-ff^'^S'^" by the faid *>»»<" Watfon, to Jams Brooks, Efq; late
Sheriff of Middlefex, and to Richard Carnes, jun. and Elijah Donham, of this Peti-
tion; and that this Houfe will hear the Parties on Wednefday next, in the Forenoon
upon Proof of Service of this Order, and a Copy of the Petition, on the faid James
brooks, Richard Carnes, jun. and Elijah Donham, or either of them.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Daniel Wainwright, complaining of
an Injury done to him by John Anderfon and James Lawrence, Efquires, Judge" of
S;; mom°n PJCaS f°r the C°Unty oi Menmoutb, in difchargmg Robert Stout and
miltam Sears, from Monmouth Gaol, as the Petitioner conceives", contrary to Law •
and praying Redrefs in the Premifes ; which Petition was read.
Ordered,
T^thcJiid 1°hn Anderfon and 7ames Lawrence, Efquires, do attend this Houfe
on Wednefday next, in the Forenoon ; and that a Copy of the faid Petition, and of
this Order be ferved on them.
According to Leave given, Mr. Wetherill, in Behalf of the Petitioner, brought in
aBill entitled, An A^ for the Relief of Ifcac Bonnel, Efr, Sheriff of Middlefex%/,*
Kejpetl to certain Efcapes ; which was read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
Mr. Hinchman, according to the Leave granted, brought in a Bill, entitl-d An
Aft for the more effectual Prefervation of Deer and other Game in this Colony ; which' was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading
At the Requeft of Samuel Allinfon, Efq;
Ordered,
That the following Defence of his Conduct be entered on the Minutes of this
Houfe, viz.
' As I find by the Minutes of the Houfe, a Refolve has pafTed That the charging
of Parchment in the Bills of Coft filed in the Adtions Ex'rs Ebenezer Large d'ee'd
v. Samuel Tucker ECq.-znd Thomas Pryor, Jun. v. The fame, is not warranted by
Law, and am informea That this Houfe had given Liberty tome (as well as to
Samuel Tucker Efq. on his own Behalr) to Enter upon the Minutes a Defence of mv
Conduct-, I accept the Favor, And altho the feveral Particulars in my Bills were
pointed at only one 11 fixed upon as exceptionable by the Votes of this Houfe in
Support of which the following Certificates are the beft Excufe I can offer (to wit)—
'WE Frederick : Smyth Efq; Chief Juftice, and Charles Read, Efq; fecond Juftice
of the Supreme Court of the Province of New-Jerfey, do hereby certify That as no
Provifion is made in the Fee Bill for Parchment, which the Cuftom and Ufage of
the Court of Kings Bench at Home and of the Supreme Court of New-ierfe,
makes neceffary for Drawing up the Rolls and Proceffes of the Court, the Article
of Parchment in aBill of Coft has always been efteerned juft and equitable, more
* cfpeciajly
( 5* )
c efpecially as no greater Fees are allowed the Practitioners of the Law in the -Supreme
' Court than in the inferior Courts of Common Pleas (where Paper only is ufed)
* altho' they are put to much more Expence in their Practice. Parchment has
' therefore always been taxed by Us at a reafonable Price, and We believe by
' every Judge of the Supreme Court fince the Fee Bill without Difpute, We further
4 certify That the Charge of es. 6d. for Parchment in the Adtions Ex'rs Ebemzer
' Large v. Samuel Tucker, Efq-, and Thomas Pryor, jun. v. the fame, in each of which
c Caules there was a long Iffue Roll and Four Proceffes drawn on Parchment, is juft
4 and reafonable. FREDERICK SMYTH
Nov. 7th 1769. CHARLES READ.
' WE the Subfcribers do certify That We have looked over the Bills of Coft drawn
e by Samuel Allinfon in the Actions Exr's Ebenezer Large v. Samuel Tucker Efq;
4 and Thomas Pryor Jun. v. The fame And We do avow the feveral Articles objected
* to in the faid Bills, many or all of which we have charged or fhould charge in any
« Cafe under the like Circumftances. J AMES KINSEY
Nov. 2d 1769. JOHN LAWRENCE
* I have Carefully Infpected the Bills of Cofts above mentioned and think the charges
5 therein made juft and the Services were neceffary.
2d Nov. 1769. RICHARD STOCKTON.
Mr. Ogden, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, entitled, An
Act for the further Encouragement of the making Pig and Bar Iron in the Colony of New-
Jerfey, reported the fame with feveral Amendments thereto ; and the faid Bill was
read, and the Amendments in their Places, and the Bill was further amended in the
Houfe, and the Title altered, the faid Bill being now entitled, An Act for the En-
couragement of the making Iron at the Works in the Town/hips of Evefham and North-
ampton, in the County of Burlington. On the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill as
amended, be engroffed Or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from the Minifter, Wardens and Vcftry-
men of Saint Mary's Church in Burlington, fetting forth fundry Reafons for an Alte-
ration of the Act palfed in the fifth Year of his prefent Majefty's Reign, entitled,
An Act to enable the Rev. Mr. Colin Campbell, the prefent ReSlor of Saint Mary'j
Church, in Burlington, with the Church Wardens and Vefirymen of faid Church, or the
major Part of them, tofellTwo Hundred and Six Acres of Land in Somerfet County, devi-
fed to the Miniflry of faid Church, a nd to enable Truflees to put the fame to Inter eft, until
a convenient Glebe can be purchafed near the faid Church, and other Pnrpofes therein
mentioned." Which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning Nine o'Clock.
MONDAY, November 13, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Bill re-ingroffed, with the Council's Amendment, entitled, A Supplementary
Act to an Act, entitled, An Act appointing Commiffioners for finally fettling and deter-
mining the feveral Rights, Titles and Claims to the Common Lands of ' theTownJhip of Bergen,
and for making Partition thereof in juft and equitable Proportions among thofe who fhall
ie adjudged by the faid Commiffioners to be intituled to the fame ; was read and compared.
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Ogden and Mr. Price, do carry the f " ^ Bill to the Council.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An A&for the Encouragement of the making Iron at the
Works in the Townfhip of Evefham and Northampton, in the County of Burlington j
was read and compared •, on the Queftion,
Rtfolved,
That the fame do pais. Ordered,
CW:)
Ordered,
That Mr. Ogden and Mr. Price, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Con-
currence.
Mr. Learning reported, that the other Gentlemen and himfelf, delivered the Bill
for Support of Government, to the Speaker in Council.
Four Petitions were preferred to the Houfe, from Effex, Bergen, Morris and Prince-
ion, figned by a large Number of Freeholders and others, praying, that no Perfon
may hereafter be fuffered to practice Phyfic or Surgery, without obtaining a proper
Licence from fuch Peribns as fhall be appointed by Authority •, which Petitions
were read, and referred to the Confideration of the next Seffion of General AfTembly.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Freeholders and Inhabitants
of the Townfhip of Nottingham, and Places adjacent, in the County of Burlington,
fetting forth, that the Bridge over Crofswicks Creek, at JVatjWs Ferry, is now in a
ruinous Condition and a public Nufance, and praying Leave to remove faid Bridge,
in order that the former Ferry may again take Place ; which Petition was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Tuefday^ November 14, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Ogden, reported, that Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the two Bills with them
Yefterday intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to eretl and efiablijh Courts in the federal Counties in this
Colony for the 'trial of fmall Caufes ; was read the fecond Time, amended in the
Houfe, and the Title altered ; being now entitled, An Act to erect Courts in the
fever &l Counties in this Colony for the Trial of Caufes of Ten Pounds and under ; on
the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed, or not ? It was
carried in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from divers Inhabitants of the City of
Burlington, praying Leave to bring in a Bill, to explain an Act of AfTembly, paffed
in the Year 17 16, entitled, An Act for explaining and amending an Ail of the General
Affembly of this Province, entitled, An Act for enabling the Owners of the Meadows and
Marfhes adjoining to; and on both Sides of the Creek that furrounds the I/land o/Burling-
ton, to Hop out the Tide from overflowing them ; which Petition was read, and ordered
a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from William Nutt and George Playter,
praying, that if the Bridge over Crofswicks Creek at Watfetfs Ferry, is made a Toll
. Bridge •, they the Petitioners, as being Owners of the Lands on both Sides of the
Creek, may have the Profits arifing therefrom, for repairing the faid Bridge; or if
the Bridge is ordered to be removed, that they, the Petitioners, may have the Profits
of the Ferry ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Bullock, according to the Leave granted him, brought in a Bill, entitled, An
Act for the more effeilual recovering of Damages done by Swine ■, which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition of the Minifler, Church Wardens and Veftrymen of Saint Mary's
Church in Burlington, praying Leave to bring in a Bill, to amend a late Act for the
Sale of Lands in Somerfet County ; was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring ia a Bill accordingly.
O The
( 54 )
The Petition of Mary Roll, praying a Divorce from her Hufband Abraham Roll^
■was read the fccond Time ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Petition from the Townfhip of Alexandria, in the County cf Hunterdon, pray-
ing Liberty to choofe Houfholders Conftables ; was read the lecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Confideration thereof, be referred till next Sefllon of General Affembly.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Wednefday^ November 15, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Bullock, in Behalf of the Petitioners, agreeable to the Leave granted, brought
in a Bill, entitled, An Aft to rebuild and maintain the Bridge over Crofswicks Creek,
near Richard Brown's Mill, and to make the fame a County Charge ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading:.
According to Order, Vlx.Wetherill, from the Committee, brought in a Bill, entitled,
An Aft for the Amendment of the Pratlice of the Law, and more fpeedy recovering
Debts above Ten Pounds and under Fifty Pounds, in the Inferior Courts of Common
Pleas within this Colony ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
According to the Order of the Day, the Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of
the whole Houfe on the Grievances of the Colony, and after fome Time fpent therein,
Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee,
reported, that the Committee had examined into the fubjeft Matter of the Complaint
of Mr. Ifaac Evans, againft Charles Petti t, Efq-, and that Mr. Evans had acquainted
the faid Committee, that Mr. Pettit had made it appear to him, that the Gnevance
complained of, was only a Miftake committed by one of his Clerks.
Refolved,
That the faid Petition be difmified.
Mr. Learning further reported, that the Committee had made fome Progrefs in
the other Matters to them referred, and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee do fit again this Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Mefiage from the Council by Mr. Samuel Smith, acquainting the Houfe, that the
Council have pafled the Bill for Support of Government, without any Amendment.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Jofeph Borden, and many others,
praying for certain Reafons therein^ fet forth, that the Bridge over Crofswicks Creek,
at the Place known by the Name of fFatfon's Ferry, may be made a Toll Bridge for
a certain Numb:r of Years, and that proper Meafures may be purfued to collect the
faid Toll, until a Sum fhall be raifed fufficient to pay for the building the Bridge, and
alio for repairing the fame •, and that the Subfcribers who have paid towards the Bridge
may pals free for a certain Time in Proportion to their Subfcriptions ; the laid
Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
According to Order, the Houfe again refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole
Houfe, on the Grievances of the Colony, and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr.
Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, reported,
That the Committee proceeded to examine into the fubjeft Matter of the Complaint
of Daniel Wainwright, againft John Anderfon and James Lawrence, Efqrs ; and it
appearing, that Mr. Lawrence was abfent in another Colony, fo that Notice could not
be ferved on him, for his Attendance here this Day.
Ordered,
( ss )
Ordered,
That the further Hearing of the faid Complaint, be referred till next Seffion of
General AiTembly, and that Mr. Wainwright and Mr. Anderfon, be excufed from
attending the Houfe at prefent.
Mr. Learning alfo reported, That the Committee had made fome further Pro^refs in
the other Matters to them referred, and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee do fit again on Wednefday next, in the Morning.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Thurfday, November 16, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Nathan Wilkinfon, a Prifoner for
Debt in Morris County Gaol, letting forth his Diftrefs, and praying Relief.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition be read again on the fecond Reading of the Infolvent A£t,
now before the Houfe.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John Richey, of Sujfex, together with
fundry Bills of Coft; praying the Houfe would be pleafed to examine the faid Bills
of Coft, and determine therein as may be thought proper; which Petition and Bills
were read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjoured till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The engro^ed Bill, entitled, An Aft to erect Courts in the feveral Counties in this
Colony, for the Trial of Caufes of Ten Pounds, and under; was read and compared;
On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher and Mr. Paxfon, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Con-
currence.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John Royal and Mary Garrifen, Pri-
foners for Debt in Trenton Gaol, fctting forth their Diftrefs, and praying Redrefs;
which Petition was read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time, on the fecond
Reading of the Infolvent Ad, now before the Houfe.
Mr. Price, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, entitled, An
A61 to confiitute and make Great Timber Creek, in Gloucefter County, a lawful Fence,
from the Mouth thereof, to the Fork of the fame ; and to build and maintain a Bridge
ever faid Creek, near faid Fork, from the Lands late Samuel Clement' s, deceafed, to the
Lands late George MarpleV, deceafed; reported the fame, with one Amendment
thereto; and the faid Bill was read, with the Amendment in its Place, and the Bill
further amended in the Houfe-, on the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill, as amended,
be engroffed or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered, f
That the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed.
Mr. Fijher reported, that Mr. Paxfon and himfelf delivered the Bill with them
intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Petition from John Richey, complaining of a Grievance in feveral Bills of Cofts,
was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That Mr. Jafper Smith, Attorney at Law, do attend this Houfe on Wednefday
next, in the Morning-, and that John Richty do ferve Mr. Smith with a Copy of this
Order, and alfo with a Copy of the Petition.
A Meffage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Pettit.
' Mr. Speaker,
* His Excellency is in the Council Chamber, and requires the immediate Attendance
' of the Houfe.1 Whereupon
(
56
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to wait upon his
Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and reported,
That the Houfe had waited upon his Excellency, who was pleafed to give his Aflent
to the following Bills, enacting the fame, viz.
i . An Aft for the Support of Government of his Majeftfs Colony of New-Jerfey, to
commence the Twenty-jirsi Day cf May, One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Nine,
to end the firs! Day of October, One Thoufand Seven Hundred -and Seventy; and
to dif charge the publick Debts and contingent Charges thereof.
2. An Aft for laying a Duty on the Pur chafers of Slaves imported into this Colony.
3. An Aft to prohibit the fet ting Nets, Seins, and other Devices in the Rivers Raritan
and South-River, to obftrutl the Fifh going tip in the proper Seafons of the Tear, and to
preferve the Fry and young Brood of Fifh from being dejiroyed in the faid Rivers.
4. A Supplementary Aft to an Ail, entitled, An Aft appointing Commiflloners for finally
fettling and determining the fever al Rights, Titles and Claims, to the Common Lands cf the
Townjhip cf Bergen, and for making Partition thereof, in juji and equitable Proportions,
among thofe who Jhall be adjudged by the faid Commiffioners to be intituled to the fame.
5. An Aft to enable fundry of the Owners and Poffeffors of Meadows cr Tide Mar fro,
lying on Newton Creek, to ereel and maintain a Bank, Dam, and other Water-Works
acrofs the faid Creek, in order to prevent the Tide from overflowing the fame; and to
keep the* former Water-Courfe of faid Creek open and clear.
6. An Aft to enable the Owners and Poffeffors of the -Meadows and Marfhes, bounding
on Delaware-River, between the Lands of John Mecom and Allen Congleton, in Lower
Penn's Neck, in the County of Salem, to flop out the Tide from overflowing the fame.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Samuel Sarjant and Tlccmas Skinner,
Barrack-Mailers at Perth- Amboy; praying, for Reafons therein fet forth, a farther
Supply of Money for the Barracks at Perth- Amboy ; which Petitition was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
A Meffage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Pel tit, in thefe Words, viz.
' Gentlemen,
' y ACQUAINTED you in my Speech, at the Opening of the Seffion, that I had,
1 J with Mr. Chief Juftice, by Advice of the Council, attended the late Treaty at
' Port Stanwix, in Behalf of this Province; a Meafure which I have fince had the
' Pleafure to find has met with your Approbation. An Account of our travelling
' Expences on that Journey, will, by my Direftion be laid before you; which, confi-
* dering the long Time we were neceffarily abfent from our Homes, cannot, I believe,
' be thought unreafonable. There were fundry other Articles of Expence paid by
'me; but as they could not, (Iriftly fpeaking, be called travelling Expences, tho'
* folely occafioned by the Journey, I have not made any Charge of them. The Con-
' fidence I have in the Honor and Juftice of your Houfe, will not permit me to doubt
' of your providing for the Payment of this Account, in your next Bill for contingent
* Services. WILLIAM FRANKLIN.'
And Mr. Pettit alfo delivered the Account of Expences, . mentioned in the faid
Meffage; both which were read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
Mr. Miller, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, entitled, An^Ctto
amend an Acl, made and pajfed in the Twenty-fixth Tear of the Reign of His late Majefty
King George the Second, entitled, An Aft to enable the Owners of the Meadows and
Marfhes adjoining to, and on both Sides of Manington Creek, to flop out the Tide from
overflowing them ■, reported the fame, with fundry Amendments thereto; and the Bill
was read, with the Amendments in their Places; and the Bill was further n mended
in the Houfe, and the Title altered ; being now entitled, An Aft for maintaining the
Banks and Sluices, and draining the Meadows on Manington Creek, in the County of
Salem; and repealing an AEl, entitled, An Aft to enable the Owners of the Meadows and
Marfhes adjoining to, and on both Sides of Manington Creek, to flop out the Tide from
overflowing them. On the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill, as amended, be engroffed
or not? It was carried in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended, be engrofied.
The Houfe adjournal till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Friday,
( 57 )
Friday , November 17, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Houfe proceeded to read the Bill, entitled, An Aft for firiking One Hundred
Thcufand Pounds in Bills of Credit, a fecond Time; and fundry Amendments being
made thereto, the further Confideration thereof, was referred till the Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The engrolTed Bill, entitled, An Aft to conjlitute and make Great Timber Creek, in
Gloucefter County, a lavjful Fence, from the Mouth thereof to the Fork of the fame; and
to build and maintain a Bridge over faid Creek near faid Fork, from the Lands late
Samuel Clement's, deceafed, to the Lands late George Marple'j, dteeafed ; was read, and
compared •, on the Queftion,
Refolved,
•That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price and Mr. Jthnfton; do carry the fame tc the Council, for Concurrence.
A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Parker, in thefe Words:
' Ordered,
■ That Mr. Parker do carry to the Houfe of Affcmbly, the Bill, entitled, An Aft
* for the Encouragement of the making Iron at the Works in the Tcwnfhips of Evefham
* and Northampton, in the County c/Burlington ; and acquaint them, that the Council
* has parled the faid Bill, with fundry Amendments to the faid B'll, and one Amend-
' ment to the Tide thereof, and defire the Concurrence of that Houfe to the faid
1 Amendments. By Order of houfe,
* Council- Chsmber, 1 CHA. PETTIT, Clerk.'
' November 17, 1769. J
And the faid Bill was read, with the Amendments in their Places •, on the Que-
ftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid Amendments, or not ? It paffed in the
Affirmative,
Ordered,
That the faid Bill be rc-engrofled with the Council's Amendments.
Mr. Price reported, that Mr. Johnjion and himfclf, delivered the Bill with them
intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe refumed the Confideration ef the Bill for ftriking One Hundred Thoufand
Pounds in Bills of Credit, and fundrv additional Amendments beino- made thereto,
the further Confideration thereof, was referred till To-Morrow.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to rebuild and maintain the Bridge ever Crofswicks Creek,
near Richard Brown' j Mill, and to make the fame a County Charge ; was read the
fecond Time, amended in the Houfe, and on the Queftion agreed to, and ordered to
be engrofied.
The Bill, entitled, An AStfor the better preferving ofOyfiers in the Colony o/New- Jerfey ;
was read the fecond Time, amended in the Houfe ; and on the Queftion, Whether
the faid Bill, as amended, be engrolTed or not ? It was carried in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engrolTed.
The Petition of Daniel Cooper, jun. praying Allowance ®f his Expenees about
John Stevens, was read the fecond Time ; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That he be allowed £. 6 : 3, and that the fame be provided for in a contingent Bill.
Ordered,
That Mr. Johnjion and Mr. Taylsr have Leave of Abfence, till Tuefday next.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
P Saturday,
( 58 )
Saturday, November 18, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Jafper Smith and John Rickey attending, and being defirous that this Tloufe would
determine upon the Matters complained, earlier than the Day appointed.
Ordered,
That the Petition and Bills of Cofts annexed, be referred to the Juftices of the
Supreme Court for their Examination and Certificate thereupon to this Houfe ; upon
which this Houfe will proceed to a further Inquiry.
Alfo Ordered,
That Mr. Hart and Mr. Hinchman do deliver to the Juftices of the Supreme Court,
the Petition and Cofts, and make Report to this Hottfe
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Fifl. litib, Mr. Learning and- Mr.
Miller, be a Committee of Correfpondence, and that they immediately prepare the
Draught of a Letter to the Agent of this Colony.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the more effeflua1. recovering of Damages density Swine-,
was read the fecondTime, amended in the H >ufe, uaJ i. .e icle al ;re being now
entitled, An Ad for the recovering of Damages for Trefpajfes done b > -. on the
Queftion, Whether the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed or not r . . rried in
the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed.
Mr. Hart reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, attendee .iftices of the
Supreme Court, according to Order ; and that they had examined the Bills of Cofts
referred to them, and had marked fundry Articles as overcharged : "Whereupon the
Parties being called in, and heard.
Refohed,
That the Charge cf Six Shillings \i\Auguft, 1764, for the Defendant to plead, as
charged by the late Aaron Doud, and of Fourteen Shillings and Three Pence, for the
faid fafper Smith's moving to be appointed Attorney for the Plaintiff, in the Place
or" Aaron Doud, including a Term Fee and Warrant of Attorney for that Service,
are unneceffary and illegal Charges.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to rebuild and maintain the Bridge over CrofT-
wicks Creek, near Richard BrovvnV Mill, and to make the fame a County Charge ; wi3
read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refohed,
That the fame do pals.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hcrtfoorne and Mr. Bullock, do carry the fame to the Council, for Con-
currence.
A Meffage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Pettit, in thefe Words, viz.
' Gentlemen,
c TTAVING received from the Agents appointed by Act of General Affembly for
' Xj. managing on the Part of this Colony, the Controverfy refpecting a Boundary -
1 Line between the Colonies of New-Jerfey and New-York, a Report of their Procecd-
' ings, and a Copy of the Decree of the Commiflioners appointed by his Majefty, to
* fettle and determine the faid Line, I communicated the fame to the Council, in
' order to obtain their Advice and Opinion thereon. A Copy of the Minute, con-
' taining their Sentiments on this important Matter, which are entirely conformable
' to my own, I think it my Duty to lay before you, and to recommend to your very
* particular Confideration. For however this Controverfy may have been reprefented,
' as a merely private Concern, affecfing only a few Individuals, the Proprietors of
4 Eaft-Jerfey on one Part, and fome ' Patentees under the Crown in New-York
' Government, on the other-, yet nothing can be more obvious, than that the Deter-
' nation of it, agreably to the Claims of either of the Parties, or to ihe Decree of
'the
( 59 )
'« the CommiiTioners, nv.ul eventually affect the Intereft of both Provinces. In this
; View it has appeared to the Legiilature of New-York ; and certainly every Reafora
' which could induce them to interfere and grant their riffiftance in Support of the
v Claimant* refiding in their Province, mult be equally ftrong for a like Interpofition
' and Aid from the Legiilature of this Colony; efpecially as the New-Jerfcy Proprie-
tors are put to a much greater Expence on this Occafion, than they could poffibly
' have foreieen, and their Opponents are enabled by the Afliftance which they receive
' from their Legiflatur?, to put them to ftill farther Expences, in defending their
' Claims, probably far beyond what they otherwife would have done. I cannot
* therefore but be of Opinion, that either a Sum of Money mould be granted to the
' Agents, to affift them in fupporting their Claim, or that your Agent mould be
* directed and impowered to folicit the Matter, and to employ, if necefTary, Council
' learned in the Law, to appear in Behalf cf this Province. However, it may perhaps
c be beft, before you come to any final Determination on a Point of iuch great Impor-
' tance to the future Welfare of this Colony, to have a free Conference on the Subject,
* between a Committee of vour Houfe, and a Committee of his Majefty's Council.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN.'
Which Menage was read, together with fundry Paper, lent therewith, and they
were ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning Nine o'Clock.
MONDAY, November 20, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The engrofied Bill, entitled, An Act for maintaining the Banks and Sluices, and
'draining the Meadows en Manington Creek, in the County of Salem, and repealing an
Atl, entitled, An Act to enable the Owners of the Meadows and Marfhes adjoining to,
and on both Sides of Mannington Creek, to flop out the Tide from overflowing them-, was
read and compared; on the Queftion ;
Refohed,
That the fame do paf;.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Hinchman, do carry the laid Bill to the Council, for
Concurrence.
The Bill re-engroffed with the Council's Amendments, entitled, An Act to grant
certain Privileges to the Owners of the Iron Works in the Townfhips of Evefham and
Northampton, in the County of Burlington, and of the Hibernian Iron Works, in the
Townfkip cf Pequanack, in the County ef Morris ; was read and Compared.
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Hinchman, do carry the faid Bill to the Council.
On a Motion made by Mr. Fifher, for Leave to bring in a Bill for fettling the Line
between Middlefex and Somerfet Counties, at this Seffion ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That he have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Seffion.
The Houfe adjourned till To- Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Titefday, November 21, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was pre fen ted to the Houfe, from John Mountier, a Prifoner for Debt
in Hunterdon Gaol, fetting forth his diftrefied Circumftances, and praying Relief;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading, on the fecond Reading of the Infol-
vent Act.
The Petition of Samuel Sarjant and Thomas Skinner, Barrack-Mafters of Pertb-
Amboy, praying a further Supply for the Barracks there; was read the fecond Time.
Ordwed,
( 6o )
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher and Mr. Berrien, be a Committee to bring in a Bill to make Pro-
vifion for the Barracks, and other incidental Charges.
The engroiTeri Bill, entitled, An Aft for the better preferving of Oyfters, in the
Cokny of New-Jefieyy was read and compared; on the Queftion;
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs..
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Hmrtjhorne, Mr. Dey, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Wetkerill, Mr. Doareft,
Mr. Taylor, Mr HevAings, Mr. Price, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Hart.
Mr. Berrien, Mr. f«*/e», Mr. 7iK*fr. Mr, Fi/ier,
■ Ordered,
That Mr. Hartfherne and Mr. Bullock, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for
Concurrence.
The engrofTed Bill, entitled, An Aft for the recovering of Damages for Trefpajfei
done by Swine ; was read and compared; on the Queftion •,
Refolved.
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hartfiorne 2nd Mr. Bvllock, di> carry the faid Bill to the Council, for
Concurrence.
The feveral Petitions prefented this SeiTi'oh, relating to the Bridge over Croffwicks
Creek, at the Place known by the Name of Watfon'% Ferry, were read the fecond
Time, together with a Letter from J ofeph- Borden, Efq; concerning the fame; on the
Queftion, Whether the Petitioners for making the faid Bridge a Toll Bridge, have
Leave to br.in^ in a Bill, or not? It palled in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the Managers appointed by Law, have Leave to bring in a Bill, for making
the faid Bridge a Toll Bridge, for a Term of Years, Until a fufficient Fund is raifed,
for keeping the Bridge in Repair for ever.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P.M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Hart/borne reported, that Mr. Bullock and himfelf delivered the three Bills
with them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Berrien reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
Intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Petition from fundry Inhabitants of the City of Burlington, praying Leave to
bring in a Bill, to amend the former Aft concerning the Meadows ana Torkfiire
Bridge, was read the fecond Tim* ;
Ordered, ....
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft for the Amendment of the Praclice of the Law, and
more fpeedy recovering Debts above Ten Pounds, and under Fifty Pounds, in the Inferior
Courts of Common Pleas, within this Colony ; was read the fecond Time, and commit-
ted to Mr. Piper, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Stiarp, M'r. Crane, and Mr. Tucker.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Wednefday^ Novemhe?* 22, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Fifher, in Behalf of the Petitioners, and in Purfuance of the Leave granted,
brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft to naturalize Chriftopher Bifhop, tfr. which wa*
Had, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr.
( 6i )
Mr. Wetherill, according to Order, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe
brought in a Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to the AH, entitled, An Ac\ fcr
appointing Commiffieners to view the Ground, and report to the next Sejfion of Gene al
s'ffembly, of the Practicability of laying out ftrait Roads through certain Parts of the
Province of New-Jerfey ; and for efiablifhing a Fund to defray the Expence of the fame,
and to apply the Monies arifing from the Lottery thereby erefled; which was read and
ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Inhabitants of Shrew/bury, in
the County of Monmouth, praying fome Alteration in the Mode of Taxation, parti-
cularly that baw-Mills and Grift-Mills may be lowered ; and fetting forth fome Reaibns
therefor-, the Petition was read, and referred to the Committee appointed tobrino-in
a Bill, for the Re-fettlement of the Quotas of this Colony.
Mr. Hart, in Behalf of the Petitioners, and agreable to the L eave Granted,
brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act to maintain and repair the publick Roads in the
Townjhip of Hanover, in the County of Morris, by a Tax on the Inhabitants of the
fame; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
According to the Order of the Houfe, on Wednefday laft, the Houfe again
refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on the Grievances of the
Colony, and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and
Mr. Fijher, Chairman of the Committee, reported, That the faid Committee had
come to one Refolution, relative to Thomas Watfons Complaint againft James Brooks,
Efq-, late Sheriff of Middlefex-, which he defired Leave to rep»rt, whenever the
Houfe will pleafe to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately.
Which he accordingly made in the Words following, to wit.
Refolved,
That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that the Sale of the Lands of Thomas
Leonard, made by James Brooks, Efq; late Sheriff of Middlefex, to Whitehead Leonard,
is illegal; and that the faid Thomas Watfon have Leave to bring in a Bill to vacate
the faid Sale, and any Conveyance made by the faid James Brooks thereupon. To
which the Houfe agreed.
•&•
_^ A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Ogden, acquainting the Houfe, that the
Council have paffcd the following Bills, without any Amendment, viz. the feveral
Bills, entitled, An Aft to make and conjiitute Great Timber Creek, in Gloucefter
County, a lawful Fence, Sec,
An Aft for the better preferving of Oyfters, Sec. and An Aft for recovering of
Damages for Trefpaffes done by Swine.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr, Fijher, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Aft appointing Commiffioners for fupplying the feveral Barracks ere£led in
the Colony of New -Jerky, with Furniture, and other Neceffaries for accommodating the
King's Troops in, or marching through the fame, for fupplying Deficiencies, and defraying
tther incidental Charges ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Fijher, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Aft to fettle the Quotas of the feveral Counties in this Colony, for the better
levying of Taxes; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Hinchman, from the Committee on publick Accounts, reported the Accounts
-vith the Eftates of Daniel Smith' and William Cooke, both deceafed, as follows, viz.
a
Dr
(
I)r. The EJi-ates of Daniel Smith and William Cooke, Efqrs, diceafed, two cf
Second Year cf the Reign of the late King George the Second, to draw en the Ireafurj
To the Amount of Money in the Hands of Richard Partridge, Efq ; ~\
the then A»ent of this Colony on this Account, after deducting ( - „ .
the Sum of £.733 : 4 : n Sterling, due to faid Agent, as re- f^' +° ' 3 ' J
ported to the Houfe of AITembiy.in May, 1753- Sterling, J
It appears to the Committee, by a Certificate under the Hands >
of two Merchants of Philadelphia, that the Exchange on Lai- /
don, at the Time this Money was drawn for, was 6j\ per Cent, p £• ion : 12 ocf
that is One Hundred and Sixty Seitu Pounds Ten Shillings Cur- (
rency, for One Hundred Pounds Sterling, - J
£.2510:05: fief
And on the Queftion, how much per Cent. Commifilons lhall be allowed? It was
carried as follows, viz.
For 2 r per Cent. For 2 \ per Cent. For 3 per Cent. For ■? per Cent. For 5 per Cent.
Mr! Wetherill, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Har'.Jhorne, Mr. Smith, Mr. JoLnflon.
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Crane, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr' Taylor, Mr. Price, Mr. Fijler, Mr. Sharp,
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Miller, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Learning,
Mr. Demarefl, Mr. Tw*fr. Mr. £»y, Mr. tart.
Mr. Hewlings,
Ordered,
That the Exec utors of the faid Daniel Smith and William Cooke, do pay into the
Treafury, the Sum of £. 62: 15 :2f, being the Balance of this Account.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft for the Relief of Ifaac Bonnel, Efq; High Sheriff of
Middlefex, with refpeft to Efcapes, was read the fecond Time, amended in the
Houfe, agreed to, and ordered to beengroffed.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Thurfday^ November 23., 1769.
The Houfe met.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Ifaac Bonnel, Efq; High
Sheriff of Middlefex, with Refpeil to Efcapes ; was read and compared ■; on the
Queftion,
Refolved, '
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Johnflon and Mr. Smith do carry the fame to the Council, for Concurrence,
Mr. Hewlings, in Purfuance of Leave granted, .and in Behalf of the Petitioners,
brought in a Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to the Act, entitled, An MS. fer ex-
plaining and amending an Act of the General Affembly of this Province, entitled, An
Act for enabling the Owners of the Meadows and Marfhes adjoining to and on both Sides
cf the Creek that furrounds the Ijland of Burlington, to flop out the Tick fro?h overflowing
them ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to maintain and repair the public Roads in theTownfhip
of Hanover, in the County of Morris, by a 'Tax on the Inhabitants of the fatr.e ; was
read the fecond Time, amended in the Houfe ; and on the Queftion, agreed to and
ordered to be engroffed.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M. .
The Houfe met.
In Purfuance of Leave granted, and in Behalf of the Petitioner, Mr. Trice brought
in a Bill, entitled, An Aft to vacate the Sale of certain hands in the County c/Middle-
fex, late of Thomas Leonard, jun. deceafed, and for other Ptirpofes therein mentioned ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr.
( 63 )
the Perfons appointed by an Aft of Affembly of this Colony, paffed in the Twenty- Cr,
in England, Jor Money reimburfed on Account of the Canada Expedition.
I7C I . By Ca(h paid Treafurer Smith, at two Payments, and the Province ~)
April 21. credited for this Sum in the Treasurer's Accounts, reported to the C
Houfe of Auembly, Nov. 21, 1760, - - - \
By ditto paid Treafurer Johnfton, and the Province credited for this")
Sum in the Treafurer's Accounts, reported to the Houfe of Affem- S-
bly, December, 1761. - - - J
1-69. Nov. By ditto paid Treafurer Smith, -
By Commiffions on £. 2510 : 05 : 05^ at 5 per Cent.
£-z,io : o5 ; 05 £
WE the underwritten, Three of the Committee appointed to infpect the public Accounts that may be kid.
before the Houfe this Seffion, have examined this Account, and do report it as above itated, and da
fubmit the Commiffions to the Determination of the Houfe.
JOHN HINCHMAN,
21ft Ns-j. 1769. ROBERT HARTSHORN E
JOSEPH SMITH.
1005:
00
CO
'.1340:
00
CO
39:
1*5 .
IO
.05
Mr. Johnfton reported, that Mr. Smith and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to naiularize Chriftopher Bifhop, John Lame Peter
Lame, Henry Lifhman, Francis Ralph, George Saurbeck, Thomas Whifler, John
Martin Fulkemer, Jacob Akeley, Frederick Smith, Matthew Marton, John Bohn,
Gerhart Winter, Peter Brown, Andrew Congle, Peter Slim, John Hartman, Johannes
Hofses, Johannes Bakhafer HarfF, Walter Wob, Chriftopher Rob, John Cofman
John Marin and Henry Stricklin ; was. read the fecond Time ; and on the Queftica
agreed to, and ordered to be engrofled.
A MefTage from the Council by the Earl of Stirling, in thefe Words, viz.
' Ordered,
' That Lord Stirling do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, that the Council have
* patted the Bill, entitled, An Act for maintaining the Banks and Sluices and draining the
' Meadows on Manington Creek, &c . without any Amendment.'
'• Ordered alfo,
* That Lord Stirling do carry the Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to en Aft
' entitled, An Aft to enable the Reverend Mr. Colin Campbell, the prefent Rector of
' Sr. Mary's Church, in Burlington, with the Church Wardens and Veftrymen of faid
' Church, or the major Part of them, to fell Two Hundred and Six Acres of Land
4 in Somerfet County, devifed to the Miniftry of faid Church, and to enable Tmftees
1 to put the fame to Intereft, until a convenient Glebe can be purchafed near the faid
' Church, and other Purpofes therein mentioned ; to the Houfe of Affembly, and
' defire their Concurrence thereto. By Order of the Houfe,
« Council-Chamber, l CHA. PETTIT, Clerk.'
1 November 23, 1769.3 '
And the faid Bill, brought down by Lord Stirling, was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft for the more efeftual Prefervation of Beer and other
Game in this Colony; was read the fecond Time, amended in the Houfe, -and the Title
altered ; being now entitled, An Act for the more effcftual Prefervation of Deer in this
Colony -, and on the Queftion, the faid Bill as amended, was agreed to, and ordered
to be engrofled*
Mr. Barnardus Legrange prefented to the Houfe, a Petition, praying that two Cer-
tificates annexed thereto, may be entered on the Minutes of this Heufe ; which being
read ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Certificates b« entered on the Minutes of this Houfe .
YEAS.
( 64 )
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnflon, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Miller, Mr. Weiherilt,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Dey, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Taylot,
Mr. Heirtjhorne, Mr. Demareft, Mr. Learning, Mr Hetvlings,
Mr. 0£i/ra, Mr. Satj/A, Mr. tfarr, Mr. Bullock,
Mi . Craw, Mr. Fetxfon, Mr. Tucker. Mr. ftv«,
Mr. F^fer, Mr. Himhmtm.
And the fame arc as follows, m.
* IT THERE AS Two certain Bills of Cofts in Two Aftions againft Peter Voerhees
* W and /#«>£ Vanderveer both at the Suit of Dink Brincktrhojf in which Mf.
4 Barnardus Legrange was Attorney for the Plaintiff were laid before me for my
* Opinion as to the Legality of the Charges in the fame Account and upon Inipecting
* the fame, I did conceive that the Charge of Four Shillings for Serving of a Decla-
* ration on the Attorney for the Defendant, And alio One Shilling and Four pence
* for Entering the Declaration on the Roll, were unnecefiary, and that upon Appli-
' cation to a Judge of the Court in which the Actions were proiecuted to have the
i fame Bills of Coft retaxed, agreeable to the Laws of the Province fuch Judge
* perhaps might be induced to ftrike out thofe Charges. But having fince Infpecled
* feveral Bills of Cofts drawn by fome of the oldeft and moft refpe&able Practitioners
* in the Province, I perceive that the faid Charges have been made by them and
* allowed by the Judges of the Supreme and Inferior Courts of this Province. Dated
* at Burlington this Twenty Third Day of November Annoque Domini 1769.
Frederick. Smyth.'
* To the Honourable the Houfe of Reprefentatives of the Province of New-Jerfey
now fitting at Burlington.''
' "\TI WHEREAS I the Subfcriber hereof did certify to the Honorable Houfe That
V V Two Charges in Two of the Bills of Cofts of Barnardus Legrange Efq-, at
c the Suit of Dirck Brinkerhoff againft Peter Voorhees and againft Jacob Vanderveer., to
* wit One of Four Shillings for ferving of a Declaration on the Attorney for the
* Defendant, and One of One Shilling & Four Pence for Entering the Declaration on
* the Roll, were unnecefiary in the profecution of the Suits, and not warranted by the
' Laws of the Province, fince which upon further Examination in Juftice to the faid
4 Barnardus Legrange, I now beg Leave to certify That upon Examining feveral Bills
'of
Dr. Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treafurer
1766. To the old Deficiencies outllanding in Middle/ex, \
June 21. as per Report in 1760. - j
To another Arrearage in Middle/ex, as per ditto
To Arrears in the Intereft, as per the fame Report, viz.
Bergen,
Effex,
Middle/ex,
To a Deficiency in Somer/et, as per ditto, - - - 01 : 05 -. 00
£■
18 :
18 : 0
-1
3 +
25 :
00 : 00
18
°s£
+S •
£
21
72
:o4
: 06
:o9|
■•°si
3«
: 12
■o7i
132
03
IOi
£■ 177 :°7 :°3l
1766. To £. 1 : 1 2 : 3 J, which the Loan Officers of Monmouth, have cancelled, -\
June XI. mrre than their Quota, and ought to be repaid them by the Trea-( r . Q.j
furer, out of the £. 42 : 16 : 00, that yet remains to be funking **' " *♦■
Effex, fee the Report, Dec. 12th, 1761, Page 50, )
To Part of the £. 109 : 3 : 6, that EJjfex was deficient on the £. 40,000, ~)
and £.20,000 principal Money, as per Report, June, 1754, and £42: 16:00
December, 1761, - J
£.44:08:03!
Noxtmltr 22, 1 769. ■■
'ofCofts of other Practitioners I find that the faid Charge of Fo<t Shillings has
' been charged by feveral of the Pra&itioners, and that the Charge of One (hilling
"■ and Four pence has been generally charged by the Practitioners, & that both
' Charges have been taxed by the Judges of both the Superior and Interior Courts
'of the Province, And that upon the whole I find that the above mentioned Bills of
' Colts of the laid Barnardus Legrange are lower and lefs than is generally charo-cd by
'the Practitioners of the Law in like Caies, thofe Charges notwithstanding. Dated
' at Burlington the Twenty Third Day of November 1769.
Charles Read.'
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Samuel Tucker and Thomas IVatfon,
two of the Afiignees of Thomas Leonard, late of Princeton, in the County of Somerfet,
de.eaied, complaining againft Robert Steckton, as having fraudulently fecreted a
Deed (from Judge Leonard, to the laid Thomas Leonard) for a valuable Houfe and
Lot in Princeton aforefaid, which Premifes were fold by the Sheriff as the Judges
Property, on an Execution againft his Eftate; and a Deed alfo fraudulently obtained
from the Petitioners to the faid Robert Stockton, who purchafed at the Vendue for
Three Pounds One Shilling; and praying the Legiflature will be pleafed to pafs an
Act to vacate the Sale aforefaid, and veft the Title in Fee in the Petitioners, as
affignees for the XJfe of the faid Thomas Leonard's Creditors-, which Petition was
read : And
A Petition was alfo prefented from Moere Furman, of the City of Philadelphia,
Merchant, fetting forth, That he is a confiderable Creditor of the faid Thomas Leonard,
deceafed, and is very defirous of an Act of Affembly to vacate the Sale aforefaid, as
prayed for by the above named Affignees; which was read: Whereupon both the
Parties attending, and being defirous of a Hearing before the Houfe on fome Day
in this Seffion,
Ordered,
That the feveral Parties be heard before the Houfe accordingly, on Wednefday
next, in the Forenoon.
Mr. Learning from the Committee appointed to fettle the Treafurers Accounts,
made the following Report of the Eaftern Treafurer's Accounts, viz.
of the Eaftern Divijion of New-Jerfey. Cr.
1766. By feveral old Deficiencies mentioned on the Debtor's Side, which are 1 . _ -
Jxne 21. fully explained in the Report of November, 1760, amounting to j ** ' ' ' ' : **■
Principal,
By the Overplus funk in Monmouth, mentioned on the Debtor's Side of this Account, 01 : 12 : 03 J
By Deficiencies in EJTtx, mentioned on the Debtor Side, and reported in December 12, 7 ,
«76i, Page Si. - - - - - \ 4a = 16: co
£.44:08:03!
Errors excepted by
RICHARD STOCKTON,
AARON LEAMING.
R Dr.
( 66 )
Dr. Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treafurer, :';:
1766. To E.illance of the Parliamentary Donation Account?, - £.32861: 14: 10J
'June 7. To Cafti received from John Anrifin, £. 175 : 03 : 3
To Ditto from Ditto, - 12 : co : 00
To Ditto from Ditto, - - 63 : 02 : c6
-2co : c
24th. To Ditto of Hendrick Fijber, Account of the Lottery, 66 : 05 : co
2j. To Ditto of Timothy Edzuards, - - 16 1 : 07 : 02
I76S. To Ditto of John Arrifon, - - 58 : 14 : 00
April 18. To Ditto of Stephen Crane, - - 198:00:00
To Ditto of Cornelius Httfield, Ball, of his Account, 61 : 10 : 02
To Ditto of Matthias WilliamJ'tn, Ballance of his 1 c
i i- 37 : 02 : co
Account, - - j "
5 : c9
To Cafh received from the County Collectors to
complete the Fund for 1767, viz.
Middle/ex, - - £. 4S7 : 10 : 02
Monmouth, - - 706 : 1 2 : 1 1
Somer/et, - - - Ceo : 10 . 11
Ejfe x, - - - 4 1 8 : 1 5 : 07
Bergen, - - - 354:09:01
-582 : 18 : If
November 22, 1769,
■2567 : iS : 08
£ 36262 : 18 ; ci-j
To Amount of the Proportion allotted the Eaftern Diviflon of the
Province of Neau Jer/ey, out of the Parliamentary Donation,
drawn for by the late Treafurer, being the Sum allotted Ne*ui-
Jerfey, from the firft Parliamentary Grant,
To Ditto, out of the Second Ditto, - - 4599 : '9 : °7
Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treafurer,
£.4361 : 17 : 06
Thefe two Articles were drawn for by Andrew Johnjlon, Efq; arid in the Settlement of
his Accounts delivered over to Stephen Skinner, Efq; prefent Treafurer.
To Amount of the Proportion drawn for by Stephen Skinner, Efq;T
Treafurer, out of the Sum allotted Nevj- Jer/ey, the 3d Parliamen- >£. 4221 : 1 1 : 03
tary Donations, - - J
To Ditto, 4 Ditto, - 41S0 : c6 : C9
To Ditto, 5 Ditto, ... 3S55 : 00 : 08
-8961 : 17 : 01
12256 : 18 : c8
£.21218: 15 : 09
Dri Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treafurer,
To above Ballance, - - - - - £.21081:11:10
To Cafh received of the Colony of Connecticut, ... 5gc : 13 : c2
To Ditto of Samuel Smith, - ..... -62 : 04 : 01
The above Sum of£. 22224 : 9 : ' Sterling, at the feveral Rates ofExchange, at which
the Bills were fold, deducting Charges, amounts in Proclamation Money, as it J. 37221 : 09 : 10
paffes in We/t -Jer/ey, to
: : November 22, 1769,
—
&r7~ Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treafurer,
1768. By fundry Taxes received from the County Collector, to compleat the Sinking Fund
Nov. zi. for 1768, viz.
Middl/ex County, - £. 1 1 32 : 18 : 10J
Monmouth, - 1 642 : 1 S : ojf
Somer/et, - 1395 : 13 : o6|
Effex, - 973 : 04 : 02
Bergen, - 823 : 14 : 09!
. 5968 : 09 : 10
Ncvemier 22, 1769, jC-590^ : 09 : 10
( 67 )
Aicc.ir.i c:trr:;:i with the Province ef New-Jerfey. Cr.
By Ballance of Account fettled by the Committee ef bothHoufes, June 26th, 1766, £-8575 : l8 : ' °l
By fundry Vouchers, from No. 1, to 45 inclufive, all examined, allowed, indorfed, 7 (■,.?.
'the 6th Day of November, 1769, Account of the War Fund, - J 013O : OS : O;.
By fundry Vouchers, from No. I, to 1 37, inclufive, all examined, allowed and } ,
indorfed, the 6th Day of November, ty'oq, Account of Government, j >° • °j • ll
Bv current Bills of Credit, cancelled by the JulHces and Freeholders of Middle/ex, \ ,
being the Amount of the Sinking Fund for 1767, per Certificate;, j >9 : 09 . 10
Ballance due to the Province, including the Sum of £.6^jo .-9:4, P.olen from the ? .
Treafurer, the 21ft of July, 1768, siid* which the Treasurer prays to be allowed, j -9'7 • 1S
£.362 2 : 18 : 01 £•
The Committees beg Leave to recommend to the Counc'l and Affembly, the Examination of the above
Article of £.6570 : 9 : 4, faid to be ltolen from the Treafary, as being improper for the Committee's
Determination.
Errors excepted, by RICHARD STOCKTON.
A ARON LEAMIN G„
Parliamentary Donation Account. Cr.
By /. 13- : 4 : o Sterling; Account of the Tallies charged Stephen Skinner, and in-"]
eluded in the Draught of the late Treafurer Andrew John/ion, Efq; and fettled by > £. 137 : 04 : 00
Samuel Smith, Efq; Weftern Treafurer, - .... J
By Ballance accounted for by Bills drawn by Andrew John/ten, Efq; late Treafurer, ? ,«».,,.,«
and Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treafurer of the Eailern Diviiion, per Account below,
Allotted the Eailern Diviiion as per Dmmmond's Account, - £. 2 1 z i£ .- 1 5 : 09
Parliamentary Donation Accounts, Cr_
By fundry Debts outflanding on this Account, ■ - £ 4359 :. '4 : ' •*
By Ballance carried to General Accounts, - - 32561 : 14: ioi
£.37221 : 09 : 10
The Committees beg Leave to recommend to the Council and Affembly, an Enquiry into the State of the
outftanding Debts contained in the above Article of £.4359 : 14 n|, as the Securities for the Payment
thereof, have not been laid before the faid Committees.
Errors excepted, by RICHARDSTOCKTON,
AARON LEAM1NG.
Sinking Fund Accounts. Cr,
1769. To fundry Bills" of Credit laid before the Juftices and Freeholders of")
May io. Middle/ex, and cancelled by them as per Certificate. Number 1, now }-£,^6^ : 16 : o5
produced, in Part of the Sinking Fund for 1768, not yetburnt, J
To Ballance remaining in the Treafurer's Hands, not yet cancelled, 1402 .-13 : 04
£.5968:09: 1©
Errers excepted, by RICHARD STOCK TO N,
AARON LEAMIN G.
To
( 68 )
To which the Houfe agreed-, except the Articles of the outftaading Debts of the
Parliamentary Donations, and the Article of the Robbery of the Trestfury.
Ordered,
That the Consideration of the faid two Articles above excepted be referred till
Tuelday next.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday , Nvue?nber 24, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Thomas Scattergood, and others,
Owners of the Meadows on the upper Part of the Creek that furrounds the Ifiand
of Burlington., fetting forth the Circumftances of the Caufeway at Yorkfhire Bridge,
and praying the Houfe will take the fame into Confideration •, which was read, and
ordered to be read a fecond Time, on the fecond Reading of the Bill now before the
Houfe concerning the faid Meadows and Caufeway.
The Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to an A5f, entitled, An Act to enable the
Rev. Mr. Colin Campbell, the prefent Retlor of St. Marv'j Chnrch in Bi.rlingicn, -with
the Church Wardens and Veftrymen of faid Church, or the major Part of them, to fell
Two Hundred and Six Acres of Land in Somerfet County, &c. was read the fecond
Time, and feveral Amendments made thereto in the Houfe; and the faid Bill being
the third Time read in the Houfe.
Refolved,
That the fame, with the Amendments, dopafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hewlings and Mr. Jchnjlon do carry the faid Bill with the Amendments
lo the Council, and defire their Concurrence to the faid Amendments.
A Meffage from the Council by Mr. Ogden, in thefe Words, viz.
1 Ordered,
' That Mr. Ogden do carry the Bill, entitled, An Ad to ereil Courts in the feveral
c Counties in this Colony, for the Trial of Caufes of Ten Pounds and under, with the
4 Amendments of the Council thereto, and one Amendment to the Title thereof, to
' the Houfe of Affembly, and defire their Concurrence to the faid Amendments.
c Ordered alfo,
c That Mr Ogden do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, that the Council have paffed
< the Bill, entitled, An Acl for the Relief of Ifaac Bonnel, Ef{; High Sheriff of
' MidJlefex, with refpeel to Efcafcs, without any Amendment.'
'Council-Chamber, November 24, 1769. By Order of the Houfe,
CHA. PETTIT, Clerk:
Whereupon the Houfe taking the faid Amendments into Confideration, and the
faid Bill being read, with the Amendments in their Places; on the Queftion,
Refolvedy
That this Houfe do concur with the Council in the Third and Fifth Amendments
made by them, and difagree to the other Amendments propofed, and adhere to
their BUI.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fifher and Mr. Ogden do carry back the faid Bill to the Council, with
the Refolutions of this Houfe.
Mr. Hewlings reported, that Mr. Johnfton and himfelf delivered the Bill and
Amendments with them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to maintain and repair the public Roads in the
Town/hip of Hanover, in the County of Morris, by a Tax on the Inhabitants of the
fame -, was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs,
Ordered*
( 69 )
Ordered.,
That Mr. Hart and Mr. Tucker do carry the fame to the Council, for Concurrence^
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Hart reported, that Mr. Tucker and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Fijher reported, that Mr. Ogden and himfelf, delivered the Bill and Refolu-
tions with them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from Amos Swan and John Steel, Prifo-
ners for Debt in Scmerfet Gaol, fetting forth their diftreffed C ircumftances, and pray-
ing Relief-, which were read, and referred to be read again on the fccond Reading of
the Infolvent Aft now before the Houfe.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Aft to naturalize Chriftopher Bifhop, John Lame,
Peter Lame, Henry Liftiman, Francis Ralph, George Saurbeck, Thomas Whifler, John
Martin Fulkemer, Jacob Akeley, Frederick Smith, Matthew Marton, John Bohn,
Gerhr.rt Winter, Peter Brown, Andrew Congle, Peter Slim, John Hartman, Johannes
Hofses, Johannes Balthafer HarfF, Walter Wob, Chriftopher Rob, John Cofman.
John Marlin and Henry Stricklin ; was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Rejolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Hartjhorne, do carry the fame to the Council, for Con-
eurrence.
Mr. Berrien reported, that Mr. Hartjhorne and himfelf, delivered the Bill with
thern intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fijher and Mr. Wetherill, be a Committee' to prepare and
bring in a Bill, to compel the Treafurers of this Colony to give Security for the Mo-
nies in their Cuftody.
His Excellency's Meffage of Saturday laft, refpefting the Boundary Line between
the Colonies of New-Jerjey and New-York -, was read the fecond Time, together with,
the Papers relating thereto,
And the Petition from John Stevens and James Parker, Efqrs, on the fame Subjeft j
was alfo read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijh'er% Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Learning, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Hewlings, Mr.
Crane and Mr. Tucker, be a Committee, to confer with a Committee of the Council on
the fubjeft Matter of his Excellency's Meifage, and the Petition of the faid Agents.
Ordered,
That Mr. Johnslon and Mr. Smith, do wait on the Council, and requeft their Con-
currence with this Refolution ; and that they will appoint the Time and Place of
Conference.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Saturdays November 25, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Jehnjion reported, that Mr. Smith and himfelf, delivered the Meffage of the
Houfe, according to Order, to the Speaker in Council.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Read, in thefe Words, viz.
' Ordered,
1 That Mr. Ogden, Lord Stirling, Mr. Read, Mr. John Smith, and Mr. Samuel Smith,
* be a Committee, to confer with the Committee of the Houfe of Affembly, on the
' Subjeft of the Boundary Line between this Province and the Province of New-fork,
S s Ordered,
( 70 )
' Ordered,
' That Mr. Read do acquaint the Houfe of AfTembly therewith ; and that the faid
( Conference be held in the Council Chamber immediately.
« Council-Chamber, 7 By Order of the Houfe,
> November 25, 1769. J CHA. PETTI l, Clerk.'
Mr. Fijher, from the Committee appointed to confer with a Committee of the
Council, on the Subject of his Excellency's Meflage, and the Petition of the Agents
appa n:ed on the Part of New-Jerfey, reported, that the faid Committees had met and
conferred upon the Matters to them committed ; and that the Committee of the
Council were of Opinion, that the fubjeft Matter or the faid iVefTage and Petition
is an Object worthy of the Attention of the Legiftature.
Ordered,
That the lame be taken into Confideration this Afternoon..
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to fettle the Quotas ef the federal Counties in this Cc'-ny
fo- the levying Taxes ; was read the fecond Time, amended in the Houfe ; ana on the
Queition agreed to, and ordered to be engioifed.
The engrolTed Bill, entitled, An Aft for the more effectual Prefervation of Beer in this
Colony ; was read and compared ; on the Queftion.
Rejolved,
That the fame do p?fs.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnflon, Mr. Demarefl, Mr. Hinchman. Mr. WetberiM,
Mr. Hartjbornt, Mr. Hevvliitgs, Mr. Miller, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. 0%den, Mr. Smith, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Paxfott, Mr. Learning, Mr. Fifier,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Hurt.
Mr. Dey, Mr. Price,
Ordered^
That Mr. Hartjbome and Mr. Hinchmany do carry the fame to the Council for
Concurrence.
Ordered,
That the Confideration of the Matter referred in the Forenoon, be further referred
till Tusfday next.
The Bill, entitled, An Act far flriking One Hundred Thoufand Pounds in Bills of
Credit -, was read the fecond Time, amended in the Houfe ; and on the Queftion
agreed to, and ordered to be en gro fifed.
According to Leave granted, Mr. Fijher brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft to repeal
Part of an A3, entitled, An Aft to impower the Inhabitants of the Towvfoips of Bridg-
water and Bedminfter, in the County of Somerfet, to repair their public Highways by
Hin, and to raife Money for that Purpofe ; which was read, and ordered to be read a
iecond Time.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to vacate the Sale of certain Lands in the County of "Mid-
dlefex, late of Thomas Leonard, jun. deceafed, arid for other Purpofes therein mentioned -3
was read the fecond Time, and committed to Mr. Berrien and Mr. Tucket:
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning Nine o'clock.
MONDAY^ November 27, 1769.
The Houfe met.
In Purfuance of Leave, and in Behalf of the Petitioners, Mr. Wetherill brought in
a Bill, entitled, An Aft to repeal an Act, entitled, An AS: for the repairing and amending
the Highways in the South Ward of Pcrth-Amboy, in the County of Middlefex by Tax ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houle adjourned till Two, P. M.
The-
( 7i )
The Houfe met.
The feveral Petitions prefented this Seffion for and againft making the Bridge and
Caufeway at Cedar Swamp Creek, in the County of Cape-May, a public Charge j were
read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Consideration of the fubject Matter of the faid Petitions, be referred till
the next Seffion of General Affembly.
The Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to the Act, entitled, An A<ft for explaining
and amending an Act of the General Affembly of this Province, entitled, An Act for
enabling the Owners of the Meadows and Marines adjoining to, and on both Sides
of the Creek that lurrounds the lfland of Burlington, to ftop out the Tide from over-
flowing them ; was read the fecond Time, and committed to Mr. Berrien, Mr. Crane
and Mr. Sharp.
The Bill, entitled, An Adtto repeal Part of an Act, entitled, An Act to impower the
Inhabitants of the Townfhips of Bridgwater and Btdminfter, in the County of Somerfety
to repair their public Highways by Hire, and to raile Money for that Purpofe; was
read the kcond Time ; and on the Queftion agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to fettle the Quotas of the feverqi Counties in
th:s Colony, for the levying -Taxes ; was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the lame do pais.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Wetherid, Mr. Paxfon and Mr. Hewlings, do carry the faid
Bill to the Council, for Concurrence.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to repeal an Act, entitled, An Act for the repairing and
amending the Highways in the South Ward of Perth- Amboy, in the County of Mid-
dle fx, by Tax •, was read the fecond Time; and on the Queftion agreed to, and or-
dered to be engroffed.
Mr. Ledming, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in a Bill
entitled, An Act ttprefcribe the Mode of Security to be given by the Treasurers of this
. ■: ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Fifher reported, that the other Gentlemen and himfelf, delivered the Bill with
them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
A Mefiage from the Council, by Mr. Ladd, acquainting the Houfe, that the
Council have palled the Bill, entitled, An Acl to maintain and repair the publick Roads
in the ToWnfbip cf Hanover, in the County of Morris, by a Tax on the Inhabitants of
the fame ; and alio the Bill, entitled, An Act to naturalize Chriftopher Bifhop, &c.
without ar;y Amendment.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Infohent Debtors, was read the fecond
Time, amended in the Houfe ; and on the Queftion agreed to, and ordered to be
engroffed.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Mornino-.
Tuefday^ November 28, X769.
The Houfe met.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Aft to repeal Part of an Acl, entitled, An Act to
empower the Inhabitants of the Tcwnfkips of Bridgwater and Bedminfter, in the County
of Somerlet, to repair the publick Highways by Hire, and to raife Money for that
Purpofe, was read and compared; on the Queftion,
Refolved, That the lame do pafs.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to repeal an Acl, entitled, An Act for the
repairing and amending the Highways in the South Ward of Perth- Amboy^ in the
'County of Mddlefex, by Tax, was read and compared; on the Queftion,
Refolved, That the fame do pafs.
Mr.
( 7* )
•_
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher and Mr. Runyin do carry thofc two Bills to the Council, for
Concurrence.
Mr. Hartfoorne reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the Bill with
them intrutted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Fijher reported, that Mr. Runyon and himfelf delivered the Bills with them
hurnfted, to' the Speaker in Council.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. John Smith, in thefe Words, biz.
' Ordered,
* That Mr. John Smith do carry to the Houfe of Afiembly, the Bill, entitled, An
' Aft for the more effeclual Difcovery and Punijhnunt of the Crime of Horfe- Stealing,
* and defire their Concurrence thereto.
' Ordered alfo,
' That Mr. John Smith do acquaint the Houfe of Afiembly, thst the Council have
'receded from their Firft, Second and Fourth Amendments to the Bill, entitled,
' An Aft to erctt Courts in the fever al Counties in this Colony, for the Trial of Caufes of
* Ten Pounds and under; and alfo from their Amendment to the Title of the fame.
« Council-Chamber, November 28, 1769. By Order of the Houfe,
CHA. PETTIT, Clerk:
And the faid Bill, entitled, An Aft for the more effectual Difcovery and Punijhmeni
«f the Crime of Horfe- Stealing, was read the firft Time, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That the Bill, entitled, An Aft to eretl Courts in the feveral Counties in this Colony^
for the Trial of Caufes of Ten Pounds, and under, be re-engrofied, with the Amend-
ments agreed upon by the Council and this Houfe.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P.M.
The Houfe met.
The Bill re engroffed, with the Amendments agreed upon by the Council and
Houfe of Reprefentatives, entitled, An Aft to ereS Courts in the feveral Counties in
this Colony, for the Trial of Caufes of Ten Pounds, and under, having been read and
compared;
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the faid Bill.
Ordered,
That Mr. Dey and Mr. Tucker do carry the fame to the Council.
Mr. Dey reported, that Mr. Tucker and himfelf delivered the Bill with them
intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Fijher from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, entitled, An
Aft for the more fpeedy recovering Debts above Ten Pounds, and under Fifty Pounds, in
the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas, 'within this Coltny, reported the fame, with
fundry Amendments thereto; and the faid Bill was read, with the Amendments in
their Places; on the Queftion, whether the faid Bill, as amended, be engroffed ©r
not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended and agreed to, be engrofied.
A MelTage from the Council by Mr. Samuel Smith, acquainting the Houfe, that
the Council have paffed the Bill, entitled, An Aft to fettle the Quotas of the feveral
Csunties in this Colony, for the levying Taxes, without any Amendment.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from the Members of the Union Society,
at Newark, in the County of EJfex, praying that the Rates of Ferriages over the
Rivers Paffaick and Hackinfack, may be leflened one Flalf : And
A Memorial was alfo prefented from Col. John Schuyler, fetting forth fundry Rea-
fons why the faid Ferriages fhould not be lowered; both which were read, and referred
to be further confidered on the feeond Reading of the Bill now before the Houfe,
for the Regulation of Ferriages. The
( 73 )
The Bill, entitled, An Aft for the Regulation of Ferriages to be taken at the fevered
Ferries in this Colony ; was read the fecond Time, amended in the Houfe ; and on the
Queftion, Whether the fame as amended, {hall be engrofled or not ? It pafled in the
Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the laid Bill as amended, be engrofled.
Ordered,
That the Confideration of the fubjeft Matter of his Excellency's Meflage, and the
Petition of the Agents refpefting the Divifion Line between New-Jerfey and New-York;
which was referred till this Day, be further referred till Friday next.
Ordered,
That the Confideration of the Report of the Eaftern Treafurer's Accounts, which
was referred till this Day, be further referred till To-Morrow in the Forenoon.
Agreeable to the Leave granted, and in Behalf of the Petitioners, Mr. Paxfon
brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft for the maintaining the Bridge over Crofswick's
Creek, on the Road leading from Borden Town to Trenton, by Toll, and for makiw the
Caufeway on the North Side of faid Creek, and adjoining the End of the Bridge, a public
Highway ■, which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Aft to the Ail, entitled, An Aft for appointing
Commiffioners to view the Ground, and report to the next Seffions of General Aflem-
bly, of the Practicability of laying out ftrait Roads, &c. was read the fecond Time,
and committed to Mr. johnfton and Mr. Tucker.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart, Mr. John/Ion and Mr. Berrien, be a Committee, to meet a Com-
mittee of the Council, to examine the Accounts of fuch Barrack Mafters as lhall be
laid before them.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Wednefday> November 29, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The engrofled Bill, entitled, An AGcfor the Relief of lnfolvent Debtors ; was read
and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
YEAS. YEA?. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. John/on, hit. Berrien, Mr. Hinchman. Mr. ffetherill,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Hetvlings, Mr. Miller, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Hsrtjhorne, Mr. Smith, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Hart; Mr. Demarifi,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Learning.
Mr. Fijber, Mr. Price,
Ordered,
That Mr. Price and Mr. Smith, do carry the fame to the Council, for Concurrence.
The Bill, entitled, An Ad: for the more effectual Difcovery and Punifhment of the
Crime of Horfe-ftealing ; was read the fecond Time, and ordered to be read a third
Time.
Mr. Berrien, from the Committee, to whom was committed the Bill, entitled, An
Aft to vacate the Sale of certain Lands in the County of Middlefex, late of Thomas
Leonard, jun. deceafed, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned, reported the fame
without any Amendment ; and the faid Bill was read -, on the Queftion, Whether the
fame be engrofled or not ? It was carried in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as agreed to, be engrofled.
Mr. Price reported, that, Mr. Smith and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them in-
trufted to the Speaker, in Council.
T The
( 74 )
The Bill, entitled, An Act to prescribe the Mode of Security to be given by the Trea-
furers of this Colony ; was read the fecond Time, amended in the Houfe; and on the
Queftion agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.
The Eaftern Treasurer having attended Yefterday, and laid before the Houfe a
State of the Treafury at the Time of the Robbery committed, and anfwered to fuch
Queftions as the Houfe put to him ; fubmitted the Whole to the Enquiry of the
Houfe, in thefe Words, viz.
1 Mr. Speaker,
' Confcious that I have acted according to the Beft of my Underftanding, and with
'■ the greater! Attention to Honour and Honefty, as one of the Treasurers cf this Pro-
' vince, I have now come before you, Gentlemen, for your Examination respecting
' the Treafury being robbed: There is Nothing but the high Opinion I have .of this
4 Houfc, makes me eafy in my prefent Situation.
' I therefore humbly hope, you will be indulgent to my Errors, but defire no
- Mercy for any Guilt ; and with thefe Sentiments I fub'mit myieu to the Houfe:.'
The Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, to confider of the
Report of the Eaftern Treasurer's Accounts ; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr.
Speaker relumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, reported^
that the Committee entered upon the Confideration of the Eaftern Treafury of this
Province, being robbed in the Night of the 21ft of July, 1 76S : That the Drpofi-
tion of the laid Treafurer, proving the faid Robbery, had been read, as likcwife many
other Affidavits corroborating therewith, and tending to confirm the faid Robbery ;
but William Campbell, the principal Evidence, and who firft difcovered the faid Rob-
bery, not being here •, and it being neceffary to examine him and fuch other Evidences
as may be neceffary, before the Houfe •, the faid Committee is of Opinion, that it is
proper to make further Enquiry touching that Matter, at the next Sitting of the
General Affembly at Amboy.
And further, that through the Courfe of the Examination, not any Thing had
appeared to impeach the Conduit or Character of the faid Treafurer. To which the
Houfe agreed.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Samuel Smith, acquainting the Houfe, that the
Council have made fundry Amendments to the Bill, entitled, An Act for the more
effectual Prefervation of Deer in this Colony ; and defire the Concurrence of this Houfe
to the faid Amendments ; and Mr. Smith alfo brought the faid Bill and Amendments.
Ordered,
That the Confideration thereof be referred till To-Morrow Morning.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Bill from the Council, entitled, 'An Act for the more effeclual Difccvery arid
Punifoment of the Crime of Horfe-slealing, having been read the third Time.
Rejolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Ogden and Mr. Johnfton do carry the fame to the Council.
According to the Order of the Day, the Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of
the whole Houfe, on the Petition of the Afiignees of Thomas Leonard, jun. deceased,
an Infolvent Debtor, charging a Fraud on Robert Stockton •, and after fome Time fpent
therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Com-
mittee, reported, that the faid Committee had heard Mr. fucker and Mr. Watfon, in
Support of their Petition, and Robert Stockton, Efq; was heard in his Defence, with
their Evidences ; and the Committee was of Opinion, that no Fraud hath appeared in
the faid Robert Stockton, and that the faid Petition be difmiffed. To which the
Houfe agreed, Nem. Con.
Mr. Ogden reported, that Mr. Johnslon and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adiourn'd till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Thurfday,
( 75 )
'Tburfdayj November 30, 1769.
The Houfe met.
According to Order, the Houfe took into Confideration the' Amendments to the
Bill, entitled, An Aft for the more effectual Prefervation cf Deer in this Colony, and
the fame being read ; on the Queftion, whether the Houfe agree to the laid Amend-
ments or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended by the Council, be re-engroffed.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Thomas Thompfon, complaining of
Francis CosJigin, Attorney at Law, as having charged more Fees than by Law he was
intituled to, and praying Redrefs ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Aft for sir iking One Hundred Thoufend Pounds
in Bills of Credit, was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Berrien and Mr
Rumen, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Concurrence.
Mr. Johnilon, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, entitled*
A upplementary Ad to the ASi, entitled, An Act for appointing Commiffioners ta
view the Ground, and report to the next Seffion of General AfTembly, of the Prafti-
cab.iity of laying out ftrait Roads through certain Parts of the Province of New-Jerfey,
and for eftablifhing a Fund to defray the Expence of the fame ; reported the faid
Bill, without any Amendment, and the faid Bill was read; on the Queftion, whe-
ther the fame be engrcfTed or not ? It pafTed in the Negative.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr lehnflon, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart/borne, Mr. Faxfon,
Mr. Wetberill, Mr. Demarefl, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Learning, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Price,
Mr Crane, Mr. Hart, Mr. %, Mr.fciaia,
Mr. Fijbcr, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Smith, Mr. Sbtuf.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill do lie on the Table.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Ladd, in thefe Words, viz.
' Ordered,
* That Mr. Ladd do carry to the Houfe of AfTembly, the Bill, entitled, A Supple-
« mentary Aft to an At?, entitled, An AS to enable the Rev. Mr. Colin Campbell, the
' prefent Rector of Saint Mary's Church, in Burlington, with the Church-Wardens
' and Veftry-Men of faid Church, or the major Part of them, to fell Two Hundred
' and Six Acres of Land, &c. with the Amendments of the Houfe of AfTembly made
' thereto, and acquaint them, that the Council difagree to the faid Amendments,
• and adhere to the Bill.
' Ordered alfo,
' That Mr. Ladd do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, that the Council have paffed
* the Bill, entitled, An Aft for the Relief of lnfolvent Debtors, without any
' A mendment. By Older of the Houfe,
• Council-Chamber, 1 CHA. PETTIT, Clerk.*
« November 25, 1769. J
Mr. Learning reported, that the other Gentlemen and himfelf, delivered the Bill
wi-th them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Bill re-engroffed, with the Council's Amendments, entitled, An Aft for the
more effetlual Prefervation of Deer in this Colony, having been read and compared,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the faid Bill.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hincbman and Mr. Demarefl do carry the fame to the Council, Mr:
( 76 )
Mc Hinebman reported, that Mr. Demarejl and himfelf delivered the Bill with
them incrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Berrien, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, entitled,
A Supplementary Aft, to the Act, entitled. An Aft for explaining and amer.dnig an Act
of the General AJfem'bly of this Province, entitled, An Aft for enabling the Owners
of the Meadows and Marines adjoining to, and on both Sides of the Creek that
furrounds the Ifland, &c. reported the fame; which being read, and amended in the
Houfe ; on the Queftion, whether the faid Bill as amended, be engrafted or not ?
It was carried in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended, be engrafted.
The enaroffed Bill, entitled, An Aft to vacate the Sale of certain Lands in the County
ef Middleiex, late of Thomas Leonard, jun. deceafed, and for other Purpofes therein
mentioned, was read and compared •, on the Queftion,
Refolved.
That the lame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Smith and Mr. Price do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Con-
currence.
Mr. Smith reported, that Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The engrofTed Bill, entitled, An Aft to prefer ibe the Mode of Security to be giver
by the Treafurers of this Colony, was read and compared; on the Queftion,
Rejolved,
That the lame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Paxfon and Mr. Hewlings do carry the faid Bills to the Council,
for Concurrence.
The Houfe took into Confideration the Amendments made by this Houfe, to the
Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Aft to an Act, entitled, An Act to enable the Rev.
Mr. Ctlin Camnbell, the prefmt Reftor of Saint Mary's Church, in Burlington, with
the Church-Wardens and Veftry-Men of faid Church, or the major Part of them,
to fell Two Hundred and Six Acres, &c. and on the Queftion, whether the Houfe
recedes from the laid Amendments or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs, without the Amendments.
Ordered,
That Mr. Pa»fon and Mr. Hewlings do carry the faid Bill to the Council, and
inform them, that this Houfe have receded from their Amendments.
The engrofTed Bill, entitled, An Aft for the more fpeedy recovering Debts above Ten
Pounds, and under Fifty Pounds, in the Inferior Courts of Common pleas "joitbin this
Colony, was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refohed,'
That the fame do pafs.
YEAS. Y E A 9. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. WetberUl, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Bullock, Mr. John/Ion,
Mr. Runyon. Mr. Berrien, Mr. Price, ' Mr. Smith,
Mr. Hart/borne, Mr. Dey, Mr. Hinebman, Mr. Mrtttr,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Demareft, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Learning.
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Pajcfin, Mr. Tucker.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher and Mr. Hart do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Concurrence.
The engrofTed Bill, entitled, An Aft for the Regulation of Ferriages, to he ttken
dt the fever al Terries in this Colony, was read and compared •, on the Queftion.
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
YEAS.
( 77 )
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
.Mr. Hanjhorne, Mr. Smith. Mr. Miller, Mr. JebrifioK.
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Sharp, Mt.Wetberill,
Mr. Ogdtn, Mr. £«//«*, Mr. Learning, Mr. Runyott,
Mr. F{/Jfr, Mr. ?rj«, Mr. /fart, Mr. Crane,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hmchman, Mr. Tucker. Mr. £9
Mr. Heivlings,
Ordered, . .
That Mr. iv/fcr and Mr. //tf/7, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Concur-
•er.ce.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Mornino-.
Friday > December i, 1769.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from William Tfutt and George Playter,
praying, that if the Houfe do not think proper to put the Profits and Management
of the Bridge over Crofwicks Creek, into their Hands, acco-ding to the Prayer of
their former Petition, yet that a Houfe may not be allowed to be built on the High-
way, nor that the Subfcribers may pafs Toll free ; which Petition was read.
Ordered,
That the fecond Reading of the Bill, entitled, An Aft for the maintaining the
Bridge over Crofwicks Creek, on the Road leading from Borden-Town to Trenton, by
Toll, &c. be had To-Morrow in the Afternoon; and that the Managers by Law
appointed, together with William Nutt and George Playter, do then attend this Houfe.
Mr. Paxfpn reported, that Mr. Heivlings and himfelf delivered the two Bills with
them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The engrofifed Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Aft, to the AS, entitled, An Aft
for explaining and amending an A£i of the General AJfembly of this Province, entitled,
An Ail for enabling the Owners of the Meadows and Marlhes adjoining to, and on
both Sides of the Creek that furrounds the Ifland of'Burfington, to flop out the Tide
from overflowing them -, was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refohed,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Healings and Mr. Bullock, do carry the fame to the Council, for Con-
currence.
Mr. Uewlings reported, that Mr. Bullock and himfelf delivere J the Bill with
them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Fijher reported, that Mr. Hart and himfelf, delivered the Bills with them
intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Bv Leave of the Houfe, Mr. Hart brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft/ur the better
Regulation of the Admiffion of Attornies at Law ; which was read ; and on the Queftion,
Whether the fame have a fecond Reading or not ? It was carried in the Affirmative
as follows, viz.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Jobnfion, Mr. Smi:h, Mr. WetkerM, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Hart/horne, Mr. Price, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Ogden, Mr Hincbman, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Dey, Mr. Learning,
Mr Fijber, Mc.Har:. Mt.Demarefi, Mc. Tucker.
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Tleivtings,
The Voices being equal, Mr. Speaker gave his Vote for the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the laid, Bill be read a fecond Time.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Stockton, acquainting the Houfe, that the
Council have pafTed the Bill, entitled, An Aft for Jlriking One Hundred Thoufand
Pounds in Bills of Credit ; and alfo, the Bill, entitled, An Aft to vacate the Sale of
rertain Lands in the County of Middlefex, late of Themis Leonard, fun. deceafed, &c.
without any Amendments.
U A Memo-
( 78 )
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe, from the Hon. Frederick Smyth, Efq-,
Chief Juftice of this Colony, fetting forth, that he, by Advice of his Majefty's Coun-
cil, did accompany his Excellency the Governor to the Treaty at Fort Stanwix ; which
Expedition was attended with Danger, Fatigue and Expence ; and praying that a
proper Recompence may be allowed therefor ; which Memorial was read, and
His Excellency's Meflfage relating to his own and the Chief Juftice's Expences to
the Treaty at Fort Stanwix, was read the fecond Time ; and they were both referred
to the Committee of the whole Houfe.
According to the Order of the Day, his Excellency's Mefiage with the Petition of
the Agents, and the other Papers relating to the Divifion Line between New-York
and New-Jerfey ■, were read, and referred to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
The Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on the feveral
Matters abovementioned ; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed
the Chair, and Kw. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, reported, tht the Com-
mittee had gone through the Matters to them referred, and had come to two Refolu-
tions •, which he was ready to report whenever the Houfe will pleafe to receive the
fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately.
Whereupon Mr. Learning reported the Refolutions of the Committee as follows, viz.
1. Rejolved,
That the Sum of £ 122-6-9, ^e allowed to his Excellency the Governor, in full
for his own and the Chief Juftice's Expences, attending the Treaty at Fort Stanwix,
\nOclober, 1768. To which the Houfe agreed.
V £ A Si YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr- Jolnfloii, Mr. Smith, Mr. Wetherill, Mr Pax/ox,
Mr..C£i*V», Mr. Miller, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Bullock,
Mil Crone, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Ha'rtjhorne, Mr. Price,
Mr. Fi/hrr, Mr. Learning. Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hincbman.
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart, Mr. Hewling ;,
Mr Dey, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Demartft,
2. Refolved,
That an Act be brought in to impower the Treafurers, or either of them, to take
a Bond from the Agents appointed by Law to manage the Controverfy with the
Province of New-York, for fuch Monies as fhall be drawn out of the Treafury, pur-
fuant to the Act paffed in the Fourth Year of his Majefty's Reign, and to indemnify
the Treafurers ; and that the Agent be directed by the Committee of Correfpondencc,
to folicit and fupport the Claim of this Colony, by a Memorial to his Majefty in
Council. To which the Houfe agreed.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Saturday, December 2, 1769.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from Thomas Tbempfon, complaining of Francis Cojiigin, Attorney at
Law, as having taken illegal Fees, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien do enquire into the Particulars of this Complaint in the Vaca-
tion, and report the Facts as they fhall appear to him, to the next Sefllon of General
Affembly.
The Houfe taking into Confideration the OfEce and Appointment of Coroners in
. the feveral Counties of this Colony; after fome Time fpent therein,
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning and Mr. Berrien do wait on his Excellency, and inform him,
that the Houfe having taken the OfEce and Appointment of Coroners into Confi-
de ation, are of Opinion, that the faid Office is, and ought to be elective, by Writ
iffuingfrom Time to Time, as Occafion may require; that they are induced to be
of this Opinion, as well from the Common Law, »s divers Statutes ; and that the
Coroners
( 79 )
Coroners ou°-ht to be of fufficient Eftate to anfwer, as it appears to this Houfe,
that the County is accountable, and muft anfwer for him; hence the Refonablenefs
of his bein" elected by the People ; and therefore, that this Houfe do requeft of his
Excellency" that Writs may iffue for the electing of fo many Coroners, in the feveral
Counties of this Colony, as maybe necefiary, and fo from Time to Time; that
this Houfe hope his Excellency will grant this Requeft, not only as they apprehend
the Law is fo, but alio, as it has been heretofore, and yet is the Practice in fome
Counties of this Colony.
The Committees appointed to bring in Bills for the Relief of the Poor, and for
regulating Roads and Bridges, not being able to effect the fame at this Seffion.
Ordered,
That Mr. Cran* and Mr. Rutty en be a Committee, to prepare and bring m a Bill
at the next Seffion, for the Relief of the Poor.
Ordered alfo,
That Mr. Johnflon, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Dey, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bullock,
Mr Hinchman, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Learning, Mr. Hart and Mr. Tucker, be
a Committee, to prepare and bring in, at the next Seffion of Affembly, a Bill for
regulating the Roads and Bridges in this Colony.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Ladd, in thefe Words, vise.
1 That Mr. Ladd do carry to the Houfe of Affembly, the Bill, entitled, An Act to
' prefcribe the Mode of Security to be given by the Treasurers of this Colony, with the
' Amendments of this Houfe thereto annexed, and defire their Concurrence to the faid
' Amendments.
*■ Ordered alfo,
■ That Mr. Ladd do carry to the Houfe of Affembly, the Bill, entitled, A Snpple-
< mentary Act to the A3, entitled, An Act for explaining and amending an Act of the
' General Affembly of this Province, entitled, An Act, &c. with one Amendment
« of this Houfe thereto annexed, and defire their Concurrence to the faid Amend-
< mcnt By Order of the Houfe,
« Council-Chamber, 7 CHA. PETTIT, Clerk:
' December 2, 1769. }
Whereupon the Houfe taking into Confederation the faid Amendments, to the
Bill entitled, An Act to prefcribe the Mode of Security to be given by the Treafurers of
this Colony ; on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the fame or not ? It paf-
fed in the Negative.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price and Mr. Smith, do carry back the faid Bill and Amendments, to the
Council, and acquaint them, that this Houfe difagrees to the faid Amendments, and
adhere to the Bill.
The Houfe alfo took into Confidcration the Amendment made to the Bill, entitled,
A Supplementary Act to the Aft, entitled, An Act for explaining and amending an Act
of the General Affembly of this Province, entitled, An Act for enabling the Owners
of the Meadows and Marfhes adjoining to, and oa both Sides of the Creek that fur-
rounds the Ifland of Burlington, to ftop out the Tide from overflowing them ; and
on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid Amendment or not ? It paffed
in the Affirmative,
Ordered,
That the faid Bill be re-ingroffed, with the Council's Amendment.
Mr. Price reported, that Mr. Smith and himfelf, delivered the Bill and Meffage
with them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe being informed by divers Member?, that upon the Delivery of Bills to
the Council, for Concurrence ; the Council received the fame without rifing, as
heretofore has been ufual.
Ordered,
( So )
0; dered,
That Mr. Learning Mr. Fificr, Mr. Hartfoorne,. Mr. Miller, Mr. Pax [on. and Mr.
Berrien, be a Committee to confer with a Committee of the Council on this Matter;
and that Mr. Jchnflon and Mr. Smith, do wait on the Council, and requeft that they
will appoint a Committee to meet a Committee of this Houfe, in a free Conference
on this Matter, and appoint the Time and Place of Meeting ■, and that Mr. Speaker,
be defired to affifl the laid Committee.
The Haute refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on the Bill for
incidental Charges, and aften lb me Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the
Chair, and Mr. Learning, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the 'Com-
mitcee hid gone through the Matters to them referred, and had come to fundry
Rdblutions, which by Leave of the Houfe, he reported as follows^ that is to fay,
i . Refolved,
That the Sum of /. 3 : 2 : 6, be allowed to Charles Pet lit, Efq-, in full of his Ac-
count of Cafh paid for priming Proclamations and Advertifements, relative to the
Robbery of theEaftefn Treafury of this Colony. To which the Houfe agreed.
i Refolved,
That the Sum of £. 5 : 5 : 7, be paid to Mr. Speaker, in full of his Account for
a Book Prefs in the AfTembly Room at Amboy, Poftage of Letters, and Car-
riage of the Affcmbly Boxes. To which the Houfe agreed.
3. Refolved,
Dr. The Province of New-Jerfej', to Hendrick Fifher, one of the
To fundry Diibarfbmerits for the Barracks, from the lit of May, 1768, to the ill of ) r
'dee. 1769. as per Vouchers, .... ] £-524 ■ 12 : C2
o Lis Salary as Barrack Mailer, from ill of May, 1768, to the ill of Dec. 1760,') ,
one Year and feven Months, . - . - . - - j 15 : 10 ; 08
:
December 2d, 1 769.
£.540 : oS : io
Dr. The Province of New Jerfey, to Daniel Ellis, en; of the
To fundry Difburfements from the 2cth of June, 1765, to the 20th of November, 1769, tr\'.
as per Vouchers, - - - - - - S - •"• ' '■ •"
To Commiflions on Sale of the Barrack Furniture, - - - 01 : 07 : 02
To his Salary as Barrack Mailer, from the 20th oi June, 176$, to the 20th of November, }
1769, four Years and five Months, at £. 10 per Annum, - - j" 44 • j • °4
December 2d, 1769. £ . 60 : 1 3 : 04.
Dr. The Province of New- Jerfey, t» John Hofkins, one ef the.
To fundr" Difburfements from the 20th of June, J 76c , to the 20th of June, 1766, 7 , ,'
• ,r , j > • 3> j > 1 > «./".02 : 10 : 00
3s per Vouchers, .... . . j*>
To Commiflions on Sale of the Barrack Furniture, - - - 01 : 07 : o>
To his Salary as Barrack Malter, from the 20th of June, 1765, to the 20th of June, 1766, )
at which Time Mr. Hollinjhcad, was appointed, - - - J
13 : 17 : o3
Ballance due to the Province, - - - - - 09 : 05 : o.
December 2d, 1769. £.23 103:02
( 8« )
3. Refohed,
That the Sum of 7V» Pounds (over and above what is provided for by former
Adts) be allowed to the Hon. Charles Read, Efq; Second Juftice of the Supreme
Court, for holding a Court extraordinary, in the County of Suffex, in December
1767. To which the Houfe agreed.
4. Refohed,
That the Sum of be paid to Jofepb Smith, Efq; in full of his Account
for providing Fire- Wood, Candle?, &c. for the AfTembly, this Sitting. To which
the Houfe agreed.
5. Refohed,
That there be paid to Jofepb Smith, Efq-, Twenty Shillings per Week, during this
prefent Sitting of General Affembly, to pay for Fire-Wood, Candles, and Room
for the Ufe of the Council. To which the Houfe agreed.
Ordered,
'
That the faid feveral Articles be inferted in the Bill for incidental Charges.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee on publick Accounts, made the following
Reports ; to which the Houfe agreed, viz.
Berrcck Majlers for Brunfwick.
By Cafh of S. Skinner,
By Ditto tf Ditto.
By Dittto of Ditto,
Ballance due to Mr. Fijker,
Errors excepted.
Contra
Cr.
£. 129 : 1 j : 06
200 : o~> : co
too : 00 : 00
£-429 : ij :o6
1 10 : 13 : 04.
£.540 : 08 : 10
RICHARD STOCKTON,
JOHN HART,
JOHN L JOHNSTON,
JOHN BERRIEN.
Barrack Majlers at Burlington. Contra
By Cafh he received for Goods fold belonging to the Barracks,
By Calh he received for Rent of the Barracks,
Bailancedueto D. Ellis,
Errors excepted.
JOHN
JOHN
JOHN
JOHN
Cr.
.£-3':i4:o8
15 : 07 : 04
£•47 :o2 :o©
13 : n : 04
£.60: 13 : 04
L ADD,
HART,
L JOHNSTON,
BERRIEN.
Barrack Mailers at Burlington. Contra
By Cafh he received for Goods fold belonging to the Barracks,
Cr.
£.23 : 03 : or
Irrors excepted.
JOHN LADD,
JOHN HART,
JOHN L. JOHNSTON,
JOHN BERRIEN.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
X
The
( 8a )
The Houfe met.
IS'-Biti re-engrofledj with the Council's Amendments, entitled, A Supplementary
jkdt i j the A3, enrtilid, An An for explaining and amending an A6t of the General
Affemblv c:' this Province, entitled, An Aft for enabling the Owners of the Mead
end Marjbts adjoining to, and on both Sides of the Creek that fmrounds the Ifland c;
Burlington, &c. was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Smith- and Mr. Johnfidn do carry the faid Bill to the Council.
Mr. ■Jobn/hii reported, that Mr. Smith and himfelf, delivered the Meflage with
■-.trufted, to Mr. Stockton, one of the Gentlemen of the Council, in the Coun-
Mr. Smith reported, that Mr. Jobnficn and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Learning reported, that Mr. Baric:: and himfelf, delivered the Meffage accor-
ding to Order, to his Excellency the Governor.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft appointing Comrtrffoners for f'-pplying the feveral
Barracks erected in th e Colony of New-Jerfey, with Furniture and other Neceffaries, &c.
was read the fecond Time, and amended in the Houic.
On the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the laid Bill,, as amended, be engrofied.
A Meffiige from the Council by Mr. John Smith, in thefe Words, •:
' Ordered,
' Thit Mr. John Smith do carry the Bill, entitled, An Act for the more fpeedy
*Yec"foerin*~I}ebts above 'Ten Pounds, &c. with the Council's Amendments thereto,
HlouVe of Affembly, and defire their Concurrence to the laid Amendments.
" CL,u:..ii-Chajuber, December i, 1769. Bv Order of the Hcufe,
CHA. PETTIT,' Clerk.'
And M:\ S:nitb alio brought the faid Bill and Amendments.
According to the Order ct the Day, the Bill, entitled, . -n A&for the
idge over Croiswicks Creek, on 'he Road leading from Borden Town to Trenton,
by Toil, ice. was read the fecond Time, and ibme of the Parties not attending; on
the Quafton, whether the Confrderation'thereof, be referred till next Semoh or not :
It paired inthe Affirmative, as follows, viz.
>.' A Y S. NAYS. YEA S. Y E A S.
•Mr. joinjlea, Mr. Uaming. Mr. Wetbcrdl, Mr. Den -
Mr" OMten, Mr. Hart, Mr. Ru/ijon. Mr. Bullock,
-.:•-. t.'srie n, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Hartjhornc, Mr. 'Price,
Mr. Hillings, Mr. Crane, Mr. Hinctifntli;
. Smith, " Mr. Fijhr, Mr. Milter,
Mr. Pax Mr. Dty, Mr. Sharp,
Ordered,
That the Confirmation of the fubjeft Matter of the laid Bill, be poftponed till
riext Sefltdn of the General AlTembly.
The Houfe adiourned till Monday Morning Nine o'Cicck.
M 0 l\ D AT, December 4, 1 769.
The Houfe met, and adjourn' d till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A M efface from the Council, by Mr. S. Smith, acquainting the Houfe, that the
Council have rrraefe fundry Amendments to the Bill, entitled, An A 61 for the Regu-
lation of Ferriages, &c. to which they defire the Concurrence of this Houfe-, and
Mr. Smith brought alio the faid Bill and Amendments.
The Houfe took into Confideration the Amendments made by the Council to the
BilL entitled, An A6t for the mere fpeedy recovering Debts above. Ten Pounds, Sec
read in their Places; on the Queftion,
Refohed,
( «3 )
Refched,
That the Houfe difagrees to the Third, the firft Part of the Eighth, and the
Whole of the Twelfth Amendments, and in thofe Parts adhere to the Bill, but aaree
to all the other Amendments made by the Council.
Ordered,
That Mr. fijher and Mr. Tucker do carry the faid Bill and Amendments to the
Council, and inform them of the Refolution of this Hoife.
The Houfe took into Confideration the Amendments made by the Council to the
Bill, entitled, Ail Ad: for the Regulation of Ferriages, &c. wh.ih being read in
their Places ; on the Queftion, whether the Houie agrees to the Council's Amend-
ments or not ? It palled in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the laid Bill be re-ingroffed, with the Council's Amendments.
Mr. Fijher reported, that Mr. Tucker and himfelf, delivered the Bill and Meffao-e
with them intrufted, to the Soeaker in Council.
The Bill, entitled, An Ad for the letter Regulation of the Admiffton of Attcrnies at
Law, was read the fecond Timej and on the Queftion, whether the fame Ihall be
committed or not ? It paffed in the Negative.
n A v s.
Mr Dsnmrtfl,
Mr. Hnptiigt,
Mr. Prix Jon,
Mr. Hii.cb'i.c.::,
Mr. MM.tr,
Mr. Leamini,
Mr. Tucker.
Ordered,
That the laid Bill do lie on the Tabic.
Ordered,
That the Printer appointed by this Houfe to print the Votes, do print c,SS Sets
of the Votes of this Houfe, and fend 26 to the Treafurer of the Eaitern Divifion,
and 26 to the Treafurer of the Weftern Divifion-, to be diftributed as follows.
YEAS.
Y E A S.
NAYS.
Mr. Jobnjlon,
Mr. J
Mr. Wetkerll,
Mr. Ogden,
Mr. trice.
Mr. Runjon,
Mr. Crane,
Mr. Sharp,
Mr. Uetrtjhcrnt,
Mr. Berrien,
Mr. Hart,
Mr. Taybr,
Mr. Fi/uer,
Mr. Dey,
The Officers of the Council and Houfe, each
Clerk of the Houfe, for the Qie of the
Houfe.
To the Governor £
Each of the Council 2
Agent (
And that the Printer deliver to the Members of the Houfe, or their Order, as
follows :
For Perth-Amboy
Middlefex
Monmouth
Effex
Somerfet
Bergen
City of Burlington
County of Burlington
Ordered alfo,
That the faid Printer do forthwith print 556 Copies of the Laws which may be
paffed this Seffion, and lend 522 as foon as poffible to the feveral Members of thi*
Houfe.
15
40
60
40
40
3°
AO
Gloucefter
Salem
Cumberland
Cape May
Hunterdon
Morris
Suffex
40
30
30
23
H
40
30
For the Ufe of Perth- Amboy
Middlefex
Monmouth
Ejfex
Somerfet
Berzen
City of Burlington
County of Burlington
8
40
47
36
41
3°
8
53
Gloucefter
Salem
Cumberland
Cape-May
Hunter.:
Morris
Suft
To be diftributed in each County as folio-
4i
42
36
24
69
24
33
Tc
( §4 )
To the Members each i Collectors of each Precinct
Clerk of the County i Affeffors each
Clerk of each Precinct i Clerk of each Corporation
Mayors each i Firft Judge of each County
Collector of each County i Each Juftice of the Peace
Which faid feveral Laws are to be left in the Hands of the refpedtive Members, to
be delivered when called for by the refpective Perfons to whom they belong.
And the faid Printer fhall fend the Remainder to either of the Treafurers, to be
given as follows, viz.
To the Governor 4 Attorney General 1
Each of the Council 1 Clerks of the Houfe, each 1
Each of the Judges of the Supreme Court 1 The Agent 4
Clerk of faid Court for each Office 1 The Clerk of the Houfe, for ?
Treafurers each 1 the Ufe of the Houfe 3
Ordered,
That the Printer do fend the Laws and Votes when printed, for the Counties of
Burlington, Gloucejttr, Salem, Cumberland, and Cape-May, to the Care of Samuel
Tucker, Efq-, thofe for Burlington, to be forwarded to Jofiph Stai/b, Efq; at Burling-
ton; and thofe for the faid other Counties, to Samuel Taylor, Bookbinder in Phila-
delphia.
Revived,
That this Houfe will defray the Expence the faid Samuel Tucker is at in forwarding
the faid Laws and Votes.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Tuefday, December 5, 1769. •
The Houfe met.
A Meffage from his Excellency, by Mr, Deputy Secretary Pet tit.
' Gentlemen,
AS your Meffage concerning the Appointment of Coroners, refpedts a Point
of Prerogative, and as the Authorities quoted from Law Books which
accompanied your Meffage, do by no Means convince me that the K ing is excluded
from appointing thofe Officers in the Colonies •, I cannot fuffer myfelf to acquiefce
with your Requeft on that Head, without a farther Confideration of the Matter
' than the Circumftances of this Seffion will now admit of. In the mean Time r,o
Inconvenience can arife from a Continuance of the ancient Ufage in this Province
(which has been deviated from in a few Inftances only) as the Counties cannot, as
you fuppofe, be anfwerable for the Coroner, but where he is elected by the Free-
* holders •, and as I fhall make no Objection to appointing any Perfon to that Office,
4 who may be properly recommended by the principal Freeholders of any of the
' Counties. WILLIAM FRANKLIN.'
On Motion made,
Ordered,
That Mr. Runyon, Mr. Crane, Mr. Fijher, and Mr. Tucker, be a Committee to
infpeel the Securities taken by the Eaftern Treafurer, for the Parliamentary Donations
now outftanding, as mentioned in his Accounts ; and that if the Securities ihail
appear inefficient, that they direct the Treafurer to take fuch further Secur.ty as to
them fhall appear fufficient, and make Report to the next Seffion of General Affembly.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Chief Juftice, in thefe Werds, viz.
* Ordered,
1 That Mr. Chief Juftice do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, in Anfwer to their
* Meffage of Saturday laft, on the Ceremonial of the iv] embers of the Council
* receiving fuch Members of the Houfe of Affembly, who may be charged with
' Bills or Meffages neceffary to be communicated to them, without rifingi That the
' Council at the fame Time that they aflure the Houfe of Representatives, they have not
1 the lead Intention to fhow any Difrefpect to them, cannot allow themfelves to alter
' eftabliihed Cuftoms in carrying on- the neceffary Intercourfe between the two Houfes.
'Buc
( »S )
' But as the Council at prefent coafifts of fo few Members, that any Refult of
♦ rnittees upon a Conference might not be fatisfaftory to the Members ot the
' in general ; they therefore think it would be more eligib c to poftpone all ra«. Ltf
' Consideration of this Matter till another Seffion; by which Time the Feipms which
« have been, and ought to be, obferved onthefe Occafions, may be lettled with ihac
4 decent Propriety, at all Times neceflary in conducting the important Bufineis of
4 the Province. > By Order of the Houfe,
'Council-Chamber, 1 C H A. PE I TIT, Clerk.'
' December 4, 1769. J
A MelTage from the Council, by Mr. Parker, in thefe Words, v'z.
' The Council taking into Confideration, the MelTage from the Houfe of Affem-
' bly of Saturday laft, relative to the Bill, entitled, An Aft to prefcrtbe the Mode of
* Security to be given by the Treafurers of this Colony.
' Refglved,
' That this Houfe do adhere to the Amendments made to the faid Bill.
* Ordered,
s That Mr. Parker do acquaint the Houfe of AiTembly with the faid Refolution.
Council-Chamber, By Order of the Houle,
Dec- 5. 1769- CHA. PETTIT, Clerk:
Mr. Hart, from the Committee on public Accounts, made the following Report.
To which the Houfe agreed.
Dr. The Colony of New-Jerfey, to Reuben Runyon, Barrack Mafter. Cr.
1-69. To Sundries, as per par-> 1769- To Cam received of^
Dec. 5. ticular Accounts and/ Dec. 5. the Treafurer at( r
Vouchers, for the \Jfe\£.^Sg : 10 : 3! fundry Times, asr *"•
of the Barracks at Ar.( per Account,
BrunfzLick, J Sdlance due to Reu-
Lllance due to Reu- J „ -
ben Runyon, \ l*9 ■ *S '■ ll
1769. D*f. j. £-&9-.i<>:-jk
Errors excepted, JOHN LADD,
JOHN HART,
JOHN BERRIEN,
JOHN L. JOHNSTON.
Note. The Treafurer's Accounts of Particulars not being here, the above Credit
muft be examined and compared next Seffions.
The Houfe taking into Confideration the Meffage of the Council, by which they
adhere to their Amendments of the Bill, entitled, An Aft to prefcribe the Mode of
Security to be given by the Treafurers of this Colony.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fifher, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Crane, Mr. Miller, Mr. Psxfon,
Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Hartjhorne, and Mr. Price, be a Committee, to meet a Com-
mittee of the Council, in a free Conference on the fubjeft Matter of the faid Bill and
Amendments made by the Council thereto.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart and Mr. Johnfion, do wait on the Council with this Order, and
defire that the Council will name a Committee to meet the Committee of the Houfe,
and appoint the Time and Place of Meeting.
The Bill, re-ingroffed with the Council's Amendments, entitled, An Aft the more
effectually to regulate Ferry- Men and terries within this Colony ; was read and compared-
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Smith, do carry the faid Bill to the Council.
A MelTage from the Council by Mr. John Smith, in thefe Words :
• The Council taking into Confideration the MelTage from the Houfe of AiTembly
' of Saturday laft, relative to the Amendments made by this Houfe, to the BiH>
• entitled, An Aft for the more fpeedy Recovering of Debts above Ten Pounds, &c.
¥ Refoived,
( 86 )
' Refohed,
4 That this Honfe do recede from the Amendments difagreed to by the Houfe
'of Affembly.
4 Ordered,
4 That Mr. John Smith do acquaint the Honfe of Affembly with the faid Refohuiori.
4 By Order of the Hiufe,
< Councl-Ch^mber, } CHA. PETTIT, Citric
' December 5, 17C9. j
Ordered,
That the faid Bill be re-engrofled, with the Amendments agreed upon by the
Council and Affembly.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Hart reported, that Mr. Johnfton and himfelf, delivered the Meffage with
them intruded, to Mr. Samuel Smith, one of the Gentlemen of the Council.
* I
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Ladd, in thefe Words, viz.
4 The Council taking into Confideration the Meffage from the Houfe of Affembly,
4 defiring a free Conference on the fubjedt. Matter of the Bill, entitled, Jin Aft to
' prefcribe the Mode of Security to be given by the Treafurers of this Colony -, and the
4 Amendments made by the Council thereto.
' Ordered,
' That Mr. John Smith, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Parker, and the Chief Juftice, be a Com-
' mittee,to meet a Committee of the Houfe of Affembly, in a free Conference on the
' faid fubject Matter •, that the faid Conference be held immediately in the Council-
4 Chamber ; and that Mr. Read, the Speaker of the Council, be rcqueited to affait
e at the faid Conference.
' Ordered^
4 That Mr. Ladd do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, with the foregoing Order.
« Council-Chamber, ) By Order of the Hcufe,
•Decembers, 1769. f CHA. PETTIT, Clerk.'
Mr. Learning, from the Committee appointed to confer with a Committee of the
Council, on the Amendments to the Bill, entitled, An Act to -prefcribe tit Mode of
Security to be given by the Treafurers of this Colony ; reported, that the faid Com-
mittee had met in free Conference on that Subject-, and that the Gerund did not
think proper to recede- from their Amendments to the faid Bill.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill do lie on the Table.
A Meffage from his Excellency, by the Deputy Secretary.
1 Gentlemen,
4 1 1 AHE Council and your Houfe not agreing on the Bill prefcribing the Mode
' J_ of taking Security from the Treafurers of this Piovince, I think it neceffary
4 to inform you, that the Treafurers have, of their own Accord, entered into Bonds,
' with ftiteh Sureties as were deemed fufficient by me and the Council, to the fame
* Amount, and on the like Conditions, as mentioned in your Bill -, which Bonds I
1 have, by the Advice of the Council, received, and ordered to be depofiteu among
' the Records in the Secretary's Office. Wm. Franklin.'
Ordered,
That Henry Paxfon, Efq; and Abraham Healings, Efqj be added to the Com-
mittee of Correlpondence.
The Houfe taking into Confideration the prefent State of the Acts cf General
Affembly -pf this Colony, and being of Opinion that a new Collation and Impreffion
thereof is'rieceffary.
Ordered.
( 87 )
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker and James Kinfey, Efq; do collate all the Laws which at the
End of" this Seffion fliall be in Force in this Colony, and examine the fame •, and
for that Pwrpofe infpeft the C riginals, and othei Records and Papers which may be
neceffary ; and that the laid Laws be laid before the General jiflcmbly at the next
Sitting, that Order may be taken for Re-printing the fame together in a Body.
The engroffed'' Bill, entitled, 'An A.ft appointing Commijfioners for Supplying the
fiveral Barracks erefied in the Colony of New Jerfey, with hurniture and othe NeseJJa-
ries, for accommodating the King's Troops in cr marching through the fame, /■ r Jupplymg
Deficiencies, and for defraying incidental Charges ■, was read and compared ; on the
Queftion,
Rcfolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Ogden and Mr. Hart, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Concur-
rence.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
tredhefday, December 6, 1769.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Speaker laid before the Houfe, a Letter received by him, from Peyton Ran-
dolph, E'q-. Speaker of the Houfe of Burgefies of the Colony and Dominion of
Virginia, inclofing the Refolves of that Houfe made in May laft ; which were read,
and ordered a feco.nd Reading;.
The ffill, re-engroffed with the Amendments agreed upon by the Council and Houfe
of Reprelentatives, entitled, An Act for the more fpeedy recovering Debts above Tea
Pounds and under Fifty Pounds, in the Inferior Courts of Common Fleas within this
Colony, was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Crane and Mr. Tucker, do carry the faid Bill to the Council.
Mr. Ogden reported, that Mr. Hart and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them in-
trufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. r-f:;r, according to Order, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft to indemnify
the Trcafurers~ of this Colony for advancing certain Suns of Money to the .-/gents appointed
by Laiv to man ige the Ccntroverfy touching the Settlement cf the Line between New-
Jerfey and New- York, and for other rurpofes therein mentioned ; which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Crane reported, that Mr. Tucker and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intruded, to the Sneaker in Council.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to indemnify the Treasurers ■/ this Colony for advancing
certain Sums cf Mosey, &c. was read the fecond Time; and on the Queftion agreed
to, and ordered to be engroffed.
Ordered,
That Mr. Ogden and Mr. Johnftcn, do wait on his Excellency, and in Anfwer to
his Excellency's Meffage of the 18th November laft pad, inform him, That the Houfe
have taken the fame into Confideration ; that upon inlpecling two Acts of the Legi-
flature of this Colony, paffed in the 4th Year of the Reign of his prerent Majefty ;
the firfl entitled, An Aft for fubmitting the Property of Lands which are held or claimed
by any of h:s Majejiy's Subjects, as lying within this Colony, &c. the fecond entitled,
An Act for fubjecling the Eftates of the General Proprietors of the Eaflern Divtfion of
this Col ny, &c. the Houfe apprehend, that fufficient Provifion is made for fupport-
!ng the Claim on the Part of this Colony •, and that it is the Opinion of this Houfe,
That the Agents appointed by the faid firft mentioned Aft, are direfted to apply to
his
^
( 88 )
his Excellency, and his Excellency is authorized by Warrant, to draw out of the
Treafury, fuch Sums as (hall be neceflary for the faid Service, to be replaced as by
the faid lad recited Act is mentioned ; but as no Provifion is made to indemnify the
Treafurers; to remedy which, and to affid the faid Agents in profecuting the Appeal
made from the CommilTioners Decree, the Houfe have directed a Bill to be brought
in, which it is hoped will be fatisfactory to his Excellency and the Agents ; and that
this Houfe will direct their Agent by a Memorial, ftrongly to follicit his Majcdy in
Council, on the Part of this Colony.
Mr. Ogden reported, that Mr. Johnfton and himfelf, delivered the MefTage of the
Houfe with them intruded, to his Excellency.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to indemnify the Freafurers of this Colony, for
advancing certain Su ms of Money to the Agents appointed by Law to manage the Contro-
vtrfy, touching the Settlement of the Line between New-Jerfey and New- York, and
for other Purpofes therein mentioned, was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refelved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Johnfton and Mr. Hart/home, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for
Concurrence.
A Meffage from the Council by Mr. Parker, informing the Houfe, that the Coun-
cil have parTed the Bill, entitled, An Aft appointing Commiff oners, for fupplying the
fever al Barracks, &c. without Amendment.
The Houfe adjourn'd till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Jafper Smith, Attorney at Law,
praying, that a Certificate may be inferted on the Minutes of this Houfe-, which Cer-
tificate contains a Copy of the Rule of Court, in the Caufe, John Richey adv.
Jofeph Parks. The faid Petition and Certificate were read, and ordered to lie on the
Table.
Mr. "lohnflon reported, that Mr. Hartfhorne and himfelf delivered the Bill with
them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Letter from Peyton Randolph, Efq ; with the Refolves of the Houfe of Bur-
gefifes of Virginia, were read the fecond Time ; and the Journals of the Houfe of
Reprefentatives of this Colony being infpected, whereby it appears that fimilar
Reiolves have been made with thofe of Virginia, except the Third Refolve, in the
Words following, viz.
» Refelved,
4 That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that all Trials for Treafon, Mifprifion
c of Treafon, or for any Felony or Crime whatfoever, committed and done in this
' his Majedy's faid Colony and Dominion, by any Perfon or Perfons refiding therein,
* ought of Right to be had and conducted in and before his Majedy's Courts held
* within the faid Colony, according to the fixed and known Courfe of Proceeding;
* and that the feizing any Perfon or Perfons refiding in this Colony, fufpected of any
* Crime whatfcever, committed therein, and fending fuch Perfon or Perfons to Places
* beyond the Sea to be tried, is highly derogatory of the Rights of Eritidi Subjects,
* as thereby the inedimable Privilege of being tried by a Jury from the Vicinage,
c as well as the Liberty of fummoning and producing Witnefies on fuch Trial, will
* be taken away from the Party accufed.'
Refolved, Nem. Con.
That this Houfe do concur with the faid Houfe of Burgeffes in the faid Refolution.
Ordered,
That Mr. Ogden and Mr. Paxfon do wait on the Council, and defire to know
whether they have any Thing before them; if not, that this Houfe propofes to
apply to his Excellency for a Difmiffion.
Mr.
Mr. OgdeK reported, that Mr. Pasfon and himfelf, waited on the Council accord-
irgh\ who fay, the Houfe fhall hear from them prefently.
A Motion was made by Mr. Jobnjlon, in the Words following,
Mr. Speaker,
« Being well convinced, that great Advantages would accrue to this Colony from
« a direct Exportation of its Produce to foreign IV arkets : I therefore move tnis
« Houfe, for Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Seflions, for the Encouragement of lo
* ufcful a Purpofe, and for the Encouragement of Ship- building in this Colony.'
Ordered,
That Mr. Jebvjlon have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Sefllon accord nglv.
AMeffnge from the Council by Mr. Ladd, acquainting the Houfe, that the Council
have paffed the Bill, entitled, /in Act to indemnify the Ireafurers of this Colony, &e.
.iout any Amendment.
Ordered,
Tint Mr. Fifier and Mr. Hart do wait upon his Excellency, and inform him, that
this Hovfe having gone through all the Bufineis before them, are very delirous that his
Excellency would diimifs them.
A Meffage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Pettit.
* Gentlemen,
* A MONG the Bills fent up to me for my Concurrence, is one for the more
* JL~\ fpeedy recovering Debts above Ten Pounds, and under F if y I cunds ; which
* tho! I approve of the general Defi_.n of it, and of fome of the Regulations it con-
* ta ns, yet as it militates with Two of the Royal Instructions, it is not in my Power
« to pafs it, without a Claufe, declaring it (hall not take Effect until it mail have re-
* ceived his Majefty's Approbation. — Belides, as you have already a Bill before his
* Majeity for regulat ng the Practice of the Law irr this Province, it feems neceffary
* that the Fate of that fhould be determined, before you pa'fs another for the like
* Purpofe ; otherwife, you may have two Laws exifting in the Province at the fame
* Time, which contain very different and in fome Refpects contradictory Regulations.
* If, however, you think the latter Bill would prove mod advantageous to the Colony,
* and will add a Claufe repealing that now before the King, in Cafe it has been co#»
4 firmed, and another fulpending the Effect of the Bill now before me, until his
* Majeih's P.eafure is known thereon, I will not refute it my Affent. '
WILLIAM FRANKLIN?
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning and Mr. Fijber, do wait on his Excellency, and in Anfwer to
his Meffage of this Day, inform him, That the Houfe wifh his Excellency was at Li-
berty to indulge them with a Trial of the Act ; but fince he cannot give his Affent
without a fufpending Claufe, that this Houfe do not apprehend it expedient to follicle
his Majefty's Allowance to a Bill that is only defigned to make an Experiment of its
Utility, and therefore, to continue only for five Years •, and requelt his Excellency's
Application to his Majefty, for Leave to give his Affent to a fimilar Bill at the next
Serlions.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That the Printer do print the faid Bill, and bind the fame up with the Votes.
Y E A 8. JEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Jcbnjlog, Mr. Demartfi,
Mr. Rsnyon, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Hart/borta, Mr. MUier,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Learning.
Mr. Learning reported, that Mr. Fijber and himfelf, according to Order, delivered
the Meffage of the Houfe to iiis Excellency, who was pleafcd to order them, »■ to
• affure the Houfe that he would comply with the Requeft.*
Z A Mefls^
M*. WUkritt,
Mr.
Pax/on,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr.
Bullock,
Mr. Ogdex,
Mr.
Price,
Mr. Fijber,
Mr.
Hincbman,
Mr. Berrien,
Mr
Sharp,
Mr. Dey,
Mr.
Hart.
Mr. Hnvlingt,
Mr,
. tucker.
( 9° )
b ■ I
A- Meflfage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Peltit.
' Mr. Speaker,
c His Excellency is in the Council -Chamber, and requires the immediate At-
''tendance of the Houfe.'
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to wait upon
his Excellency •, who was pleafed to give his Aflent to the following Bills, enacting
the fame, viz.
7. An Act for Jinking One Hundred Thoufand Pounds in Bills of Credit.
8. An Act te fettle the Quotas of the fevtral Counties in this Colony for the levying
Taxes.
■ 9. An Act to ereli Courts in the fever al Counties in thisColony, for the Trial of 'Canfts
of Ten Pounds and under.
10. An Act for the Relief of Infolvent Debtors.
11. An Act appointing Commiffioners for fupplying the fever al Barracks trecled is,
the Colony of New-Jerfey, with Furniture and other Necejfaries, for accommodating the
King's Troops, in or marching through the fame, for fupplying Deficiencies, and ftr
defraying incidental Charges.
1 2 . An Act for the more effectual Difcovery and Punifhment of the Crime of Horfe-
ftealing.
1 1. An Act for the more effectual Prefervation of Deer in this Colony.
.14. An Act for the better preferving of Oyfters in the Colony of New-Jerfey.
15. An Act to indemnify the Treafurers of this Colony, for advancing certain Sums ef
Money to the Agents appointed by Law, to manage the Controverfy touching the Settle*
ment of the Line between New-Jerfey and New- York, and for other Purpofes therein
mentioned.
16. An Act the more effectually to regulate Ferry. men and Ferries within this Ctlony.
17. An Act for recovering of Damages for Trefpaffes done by Swine.
18. An Act to maintain and repair the public Roads in the Townfhip of Hanover,
in the Ccimly of Morris, by a Tax on the Inhabitants of the fame.
19. An Act to grant certain Privileges to the Owners of the Iron Works in the Town-
Jhips of Evelham and Northampton, in the Coutity of Burlington, and of the Hibei nil
Iron Works, in the Townfhip of Pequanack, in the County of Morris.
20. An Act to conftitute and make Great Timber Creek, in Gloucefter County, a
lawful Fence from the Mouth thereof to the Fork of the fame, and to build and main-
tain a Bridge over faid Creek, near faid Fork, from the Lands late Samuel Clement's,
deceafed, to the Lands late George MarpleV, deceafed.
21. A Supplementary Act to an- A8, entitled, An Act to enable the Reverend
Mr. Colin Campbell, the prefent Rector of St. Mary's Church in Burlington, with the
Church Wardens and Veftrymen of faid Church, or the major Part of them, to fell
Two Hundred and Six Acres of Land in Somerfet County, devifed to the Miniftry
of faid Church, and to enable Truftees to put the fame to Intern:, until a convenient
Glebe can be purchafed near the faid Church, and other Purpofes therein mentioned.
2 2 . Aw Aft for maintaining the Banks and Sluices, and draining the Meadows en
Maninorton Creek, in the County of Salem, and repealing an A£i, entitled, An Act to
enable the Owners of the Meadows and Marfhes adjoining to and on both Sides of
Manington Creek, to ftop out the Tide from overflowing them.
23. A Supplementary Act to the AR, entitled, An At! for explaining and amending
an Act of the General Afiembly of this Province, entitled, An Act for enabling the
Owners of the Meadows and Marfhes adjoining to, and on both Sides of the Creek that
fvrrotnids the IJland of Burlington, to flop out the Tide from sverfiowing them.
24- An
( 9* )
24< An Aft to vacate the Sale of certain Lands in the County of Middlefex, late of
Thomas Leonard, jun. deceafed, and for other Purpefes therein mentioned.
25. An Aft for the Relief of Ifaac Bonncl, Efc High Sheriff of Middlefex, with
Refpeft to Ef capes.
26. An Aft to naturalize Chriftopher Bifhop, John Lame, Peter I ame, Henry
Lilhman, Francis Ralph, George Saurbeck, Thomas Whifler, John Martin Fulkemer,
Jacob Akeley, Frederick Smith, Matthew Marton, John Bohn, Gerhart Winter,
Peter Brown, Andrew Congle, Peter Slim, John Hartman, Johannes Hofses, Johannes
Balthafer Harff, Walter Wob, Chriftopher Rob, John Cofman, John Marin and
Henry Stricklin.
And then his Excellency prorogued the General AfTembly to the Firft Day of
January next, then to meet at Perth-Antboy,
BY Virtue of an Order of the Houfe of Repre-
fentatives, I do appoint yames Parker to print
thefe Votes.
CORTLAND SKINNER,
Speaker*
V^
*w
( 9* )
. * ■— - - - - n' *i.hj-i wr-
COPY
Of the Biil ordered to be printed with the Votes..
An ACT for the more fpeedy Recovering Debts above Ten Pounds,
and under Fifty Poundsi in the Inferior Courts of Common
Pleas within this Colony.
Self. i. TTTHEREASthe prefent Mode of recovering Debts in the Inferior
VV Courts of Common Pleas within this Colony, is found by Expe-
rience, to be very grievous to his Majefty's good Subjects within the fame, by Reafon
of the Cofts attending each Action ; for the Remedy whereof for the Future, We
the Houfe of Reprefentatives, do pray that it may be Enacted :
And be it therefore Enabled by the Governor, Council and General Afiembly, now
met and affembled, and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the fame, That from
and after the Firft Day of May next, it fhall and may be lawful for any Perfon or Per-
fons witkin this Colony, in order to recover any Debt or other Demand in the faid Cout
of Common Pleas, in any County of this Colony, for any Sum above Ten Pounds, and
under Fifty Pounds, Proclamation Money, to apply by himfelf or Attorney, to the
Clerk of the faid Court of Common Pleas, for the County where fuch Debtor dwells,
who is hereby authorized, required and commanded, to iffue a Summons, (if againft a
Freeholder) .directed to the Sheriff or Coroner ; which Summons fhall be in the
Words following;.
ff S~> E O R G E the Third, by the Grace of GOD, of Great Britain,
\J France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our
Sheriff of eur County of Greeting. We command you, that you fummoru
A- B. perfonally fo be and appear before the Judges of our Inferior Court of Common
Pleas, to be held at in and for our faid County of on the Tuefday
in next, to anf'joer unto C. D. in a Plea, (if in Debt) that he render unto him
(the Penalty) which he otves, and unjujily detains, '(if in Cafe) of Trejpafs an the Cafe to
his Damage (any Sum amounting lo the Damage) and if any other Abllon, to be varied
according to the' Nature thereof; and have you then and there this Precept, Wicnefs
E- F. Efq-, Judge of our faid Court at afon. faid the Day cf in
the . Y«ar of our Reign.
" - •
A Copy of which Summons fhaVi be ferved on the Defendant, cr left at his
Houfe -or ufual Place of Abode, at leaft one Week before the Return, in Prefence
of one or more white Perfons of the Family above the Age of Fourteen Years j
and the real Debt or Demand fhall be endorfed on the faid Summons and Copy j for
which Service the faid Clerk fhall be intituled to the Sum of Two Shillings, including
the entering of the Action-, and the Sheriff, for ierving the fame, fhall be
intituled to the Sum of Six Shillings, and no Milage, and Nine Pence for the Copy
of the Summons, and no more.
2. Provided always, and be it Enabled by the Authority aforefaid, That if any fuch
Plaintiff fo applying, or any other Perfon for him or her, fhall upon Oath or Affir-
mation, declare, that he or fhe, does fincerely believe, that if fuch Procefs be only
by Summons, he or fhe will be in Danger of lofing the Debt thereby ; then and in that
Cafe, the faid Clerk fhall iffue a Capias, directed to the faid Sheriff, who fhaii on the
Arreft of the Defendant, take a Bail Bond, with good and fufficient Bail for the faid
Defendant's Appearance to anfwer to the faid Demand : And it fhall and may be
lawful for any fuch Plaintiff to proceed, either by Summons or Capias, at his, or her
Election, agarnft any Perfon or Perfens whatfeever, not being a Freeholder.
5. And
Copy of the Bill, &c. 93
3. And be it further Enabled by the Authority aforefaid, That every Plaintiff or
Plaintiffs, fhall within Twenty Days after the Return of the faid Summons or Capias,
file in the Cletk's Office from whence fuch Procefs iffued, true Copies of any Wri-
ting or Writings, on wl ich his or their Action is founded : And in Cafe the Action
fhall have arifen on a verbal Contract or Promife onlv, then and in fuch Cafe the faid
Plaintiff or Plaintiffs, fhall file a fhort State in Writing of fuch verbal Contract or
Promife -, and every Defendant or Defendants in fuch Action, fhall within Twenty
Days thereafter, file his or their Plea in the Clerk's Office of fuch Court, and alfotrue
Copies of all fuch Writings, upon which the faid Plea is founded : And in Cafe
fuch Defendant or Defendants, fhall neglect to file fuch Plea and Copies, Judgment
fhall be entered againft fuch Defendant or Defendants the next Term, by Default.
4. And be it further Enabled by the Authority aforefaid, That no J udgment Rolls
fhall be made up in any Action to be brought in the faid Inferior Courts of Common
Pleas, until after a Writ of Fieri Facias againft the Goods and Chattels of the Defen-
dant has been returned ; and it fhall appear that the Judgment cannot be fausficd
therefrom-, in which Cafe only, it fhall and may be lawful after the Return of fi.ch
Fieri Facias, for the Plaintiff to draw up his Judgment in Common Form, if there
are Lands whereon the faid Execution can be levied.
5. And be it further Enafted by the Authority aforefaid, That in all Actions of
the Cafe, that fhall be hereafter brought in any of the faid Inferkr Co rts of Com-
mon Pleas, wherein the Defendant or Defendants fhall not have filed a Plea, ihe
Court to which fuch Procefs is leturnable, fhall at the Term next afttr ?he fa^d Re-
turn, affefs the Damages and give final Judgment, unlefs the Defendant fhall appear
in Perfon or by Attorney, requefting that a Writ of Enquiry fhall iffue ; in which Cafe,
the Court fhall order a Writ of Enquiry to iffue, returnable to the next Term, and
thereupon give Judgment and award Ex cut;on. Provided nevertkelefs, that no
Execution of any Judgment given by Virtue of this Act, fhall iffue againft any
Defendant in lefs than Two Months after the faid Judgment was obtained, unlefs
the Party in whofe Favour fuch Judgment is given, fhall make it a pear to the
faid Court on Oaih, or .f a Quaker, on Affirmation, that he or fhe, is in Danger of
lofing h:s~ or her Debt, if fuch Delay be allowed •, in which Cafe the faid Court
fhat order Execution to iffue immediately, unlefs the Defendant fhall thereupon give
Security to the Plaintiff, that fuch Defendant fhall appear to anfwer the Plaintiff
■when called for ; and that fuch Defendant's Eftate fhall not be of lefs Value at the
Lna of Two Months,- than at the Time of giving fuch Security.
6. And be it further EnaRed by the Authority aforefaid, That the Sheriff upon aii
Capias's where he takes a Bail Bond, fhall file the fame with the Writ •, which fhall b?
as effectual in Law, to all Intents and Purpofes, as if the Defendant had entered into
fpecial Bail ; and the Action may be proceeded on to Judgment, and Execution fhall
iffue againft the Def ndant as in other Cafes. Provided always, that if Execution
iffues "againft the Defendants, and is returuned ?;on eft, that it fhall be lawful for the
Plaintiff to proceed on the Bail Bond by Scire Facias, as if fpecial Bail had been
filed : And the Bail fhall have the fame Advantage againft the Defendant for whom
he became bound in the Bail Bond to all Intents and Purpofes, as if he had entered
fpecial Bail, any Law to the Contrary thereof in any wife notwithstanding*
7. And be it further Enalied by the Authority aforefaid, That if any Sheriff or
Coroner, fhall wilfully or negligently omit or refufe to confine iny Defendant in
Gaol for Two Months after the Service and Return of the Capias ad fatisfaciendw,ny
unlefs by the Confent of the Plaintiff or his Attorney, or where ihe Execution (hail
be by Fieri Facias, fhall neglect filing a juft and true Inventory of the Goods and
Chattels,Lands and Tenements fo taken in Execution, unlefs fuch Sheriff or Coroner
fhall return tha the hath levied to the Value of the Debt andCofts, cr fhall without fuch
Confent as aforefaid, wilfully ©r negligently delay rendering the Money arifing from
«■ the
94 Copy of the Bill, &c.
the Eftatc and Effects of the Defendant, in the Term next after the Return of the
Execution, he fhall be amerced to and for the Benefit of the Plaintiff, in the Value
of the Debt and Cofts •, which faid Amerciament fhall and may be recovered by
Action of Debt as any other Debt of Record.
8. And be it further EnaHtd by the Authority aforefaid, That upon any Bond^
Bill, Promiffory Note, or other written Agreement entered isto by two or more
Perfons, one Procefs fhall iffue againfl them, but the Plaintiff fhall not be at Liberty
to proceed to Judgment againfl; more than one, unlefs his Debt or Damages fhall
remain unfatisfied after the Execution thereon has iffued for Three Months •, in
which Cafe, it fhall and may be lawful for the Plaintiff to proceed againfl either or
all of the laid Defendants.
<). For avoiding the Delay too frequently happening in the A d. ions commenced
in this Colony : Be it Enafied by the Authority aforefaid, That at fome conve:
Time in every Term, to be appointed by the Judges of the feveral Courts respec-
tively, the feveral Actions depending in faid Courts, fhall be called over in open
Court-, and if it fhall appear, that any Action or Suit has remained undetermined
for more than three Terms, the Attornies in fuch Suits, fhall be interrogated thereon,
and unlefs goodReafons can be affigned to the Court, for fuch Delay in fuch Suit,
fa;d Action fhall be ftruck off from the Docquet, and the fame Judgment and Colts
awarded, as in Cafe of a Non-Suit : And if it fhall appear that fuch Delay was
occafioned by the Negleft or Mifmanagement of the Attorney of either Party, k
fhall be lb entered, and the Cofts awarded to be paid by him accordingly.
10. /'nd be it alfo Enabled by the Authority aforefaid, that the Court may, and
fhall confolidate or join together feveral Actions between the fame Parties, when
the Nature of the faid Suits will permit ; and if any Attorney or Practitioner at Law,
fhall commence or prolecute divers Actions for one and the fame Demand, or where
it fhall appear that the Plaintiff or Plaintiffs in fuch Suits, might receive full Satif-
faction by one Suit only •, then and in fuch Cafe, one Bill of Cofts only fhall be taxed ;
and fuch Attorney or Practitioner at Law fhall lofe the Cofts of fuch vmneceirary
Suits, and become liable to pay to the Defendant or Defendants his or their Cofts
of Defence in the fame, to be awarded by the Court on Motion.
ii. And be it further Enabled by the Authority aforefaid, That in Cafe it fhail
be thought for the Safety of the Creditor, that Judgment fhould be entered up in
the Vacation, on a Bond or Bill, conditioned for the Payment of any Sum above
'Ten Pounds and under Fifty Pounds, when there is a Warrant of Attorney to confefs
faid Judgment-, there fhall be an Entry of the Action made in the Court Records,
fpecifying the Parties, the Date and Condition of the faid Bond or Bill ; and the
Defendant's Attorney fhall file a Copy of his Warrant, with a Confefiion of Judg-
ment thereupon for the Sum due ; a Note of which fhall be entered under the Entry
of the Action, and Execution fhall iffue by Order of any one of the Judges of fhe faid.
Court where the Proceedings .are entered ; and fuch Record and Note thereof, fhall
be received in all Courts as full Evidence of the faid Judgment.
12. /nd be it Enabled by the Authority aforefaid, That this Act fhall be and con-
tinue in Force for Five Years, from and after the Firft Day of May next, and from
thence to the End of the next Seflion of General Affcmblyi and no longer.
sifje.
V O T E S
•4 '-'ict&rf and ft */? 7i o Wi /7/£
PR OCEEDINGS
O F T H E
General Aflembly
O F T H E
Province of NEW-JERSEY.
At a S E SS I O N of General Assembly, began at BUR-
LINGTON, March 14, 1770, and continued till the' 27th
of the fame Month.
'V*
Being the Second Seflion of the Twenty-firft Affembjy of jV E W -J E RS E T.
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Printed by jAtaS PARKER, Printer to the King's Moft Excellent Majefty,
for the Province.
M,DC3%LXX.
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Votes of the General Affembly.
NAMES of the REPRESENTATIVES.
CITY of Perth- Amboj,
Middle/ex,
Monmouth,
Efex,
Somerfet,
Bergen,
City of Burlington,
County of Burlington,
Glcucefter,
Salem and Cumberland,
Cape-May,
Hunterden, Morris, and Sujfex,
Cortland Skinner, Speaker,
John Wetheriil,
Robert Hartlhorne,
John Ogden,
Hendrick Fiiher,
Theunis Dey,
Abraham Hewhngs,
Henry Paxfon,
John Hinchman,
Ebenezer Miller,
Aaron Learning,
John Hart,
John L. Johnfton,
Reune Runyon,
Edward Taylor,
Stephen Crane,
John Berrien,
John Demareft,
Jofeph Smith,
Jofeph Bullock,
Robert Friend Price,
Ifaac Sharp,
Nicholas Stilwell,
Samuel Tucker.
BURLINGTON* TFednefday, March 14, 1770.
URSUANT to His Excellency's fevcral Prorogations of the General Afferrblv,
from Time to Time, till this Day, Fourteen Members met, and there ~\;>t
being a fumcient Number to proceed on Bufinefs, the Houfe adjourned till
Ten o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Thurfday, March 15, 1770.
The Houfe met, and adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
ftrdertd,
That Mr. Smith and Mr. Johnfton, do wait on his Excellency, and acquaint him,
that a fufficient Number of Members to proceed upon Bufinefs, are met, and ready
to receive any Thing he lhall pleafe to lay before them.
Mr. Smith reported, that Mr. Johnfton and himfelf, delivered the Meffage of the
Houfe to his Excellency, who was pleafed to fay, He would fend for the Houfe this
Evening, or To-Morrow Morning.
Nicholas Stilwell, Efq; being returned a Reprefentative, to ferve in the General
Affembly for the County of Cape-May, and now attending, was admitted into ths
Houfe, and took the ufual Oaths, and made and fubferibed the Declaration by Law
appointed, before Cortland Skinner, Efq-, thereto authorized, by Dedimus Poteftatem.
Ordered,
That Mr. Stilwell do take his Seat accordingly.
Mr. Deputy Secretary hid before the Houfe, the feyerai Prorogations of the
General Affembly.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Mr. Smith and Mr. Hartjhorne, be a Committee to prepare and bring in A
Sill to explain and amend the late Infolvent AcL
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from James Simp/on, a Prifoner for Debt,
in the Gaol of Gloucefter, fetting forth his Diftreis, and that he hath not been able to
obtain the Benefit of the laft Infolvent Aft ; and praying Relief; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Peti-
( 4 )
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from William Richards, confined for
Debt in Hunterdon Gaol, fetting forth, that he conceives himfelf intituled to the
Benefit of the late Inlblvent Aft, and has not been able to obtain it ; and praying
Redrefs ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Seven Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from fur.dry Townfhips in Gloucefter
County, praying to be exempted from the Aft, entitled, An Aft to regulate Carriages
ef Burthen within this Colony ; which were read, and ordered to be read a fecond
Time. And, '
A Petition was alio prefented to the Houfe, from the Townfhip of Amwell, in the
County of Hunterdon, defiring an Exemption from the fame Aft ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a large Number of the Inhabitants
of Amwell, in the County of Hunterdon, praying an Aft for repairing the Highways
of that Townfhip by Tax, inftead of the prefent Mode of doing the fame by Day's
Labour; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from the Grand Inqueft of the County of
Monmouth, fetting forth fundry Matters of Grievance in the Practice of the Law,
and praying the fame may be remedied by Aft of Affembly ; which Petition was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Speaker laid before the Houfe, a Letter from the kte Agent; which was read.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday ', March 16, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Ephraim Loyd, and feven others,
Owners of Meadows in Lower Penn's Neck, in the County of Salem, praying an Aft
to make and repair a Sank, Dam, and other Water Works, to begin at Ephraim
Loyd's Point, on Salem Creek, and down the faid Creek to Delaware River, and along
the Shore to Finn's, Point, to join the Bank of Thomas Newark ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Reynier Van defer., Efq; and fundry
Others, (claiming Lands in Secaucus, in the County of Bergen) praying an Aft to flay
Wafte committed on the Common Lands of Secaucus; which was read, and ordered
a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from divers Freeholders in the County of
Middle/ex, praying the Houfe will relume the Confideration of the Grievances and
Abufes in the Practice of the Law, as fet forth in their Petition prefented laft SefiJon;
Which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of Perfons refiding in the
Townfhip of Woolwich, in the County of Gloucefter, fetting forth Deficiencies in the
Law for regulating their Highways; and praying a Remedy for the fame; which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from the principal Freeholders of the
Townfhip of Deptferd, in the County of Gloucefter, fetting forth Reafons why
the Aft for regulating Carriages of Burthen, ought not to be repealed; which was
read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
The Houfe adjourned for an Hour.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Jofepb Forman, late of New-Tork,
Merchant, fetting forth, that he has obtained an Aft ot Affembly in New-2'ork
Government, to exempt his Perfon from Arreft; fince which he has retired to this
Colony, and is now likely to be fued here by fome of his Creditors, who contented
to his Affignment; and praying a like Aft of Affembly in New-Jerfey, to exempt
him from Confinement} which Petition was read, and -ordered a fecond Reading.
According
( 5 )
According to Order, Mr, Smith brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft to explain and
amend an Ail of the General Affembly, faffed in the Ninth Tear of his Majefly's Reipii
entitled, An Ail for the Relief of Infolvent Debtors; which was read, and ordered
a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a large Number of the Inhabitants of
Hunterdon, praying that the faid County may be exempted from the Third Section
of an Aft, entitled, An Aft to regulcte Carriages of Burthen within this Colony ; which
was, read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A MefTage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary.'
Mr. Speaker, his Excellency is in the Council Chamber, and requires the immediate
Attendance of the Houfe.
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to wait upon
his 'Excellency, and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and reported,
That the Houfe had waited on his Excellency, who was pleafed to make a Speech to
the Council and General Affembly, of which Mr. Speaker faid he had, to prevent
Miftakes, obtained a Copy.
Ordered,
That the fame be read in the Afternoon
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
. Mr. Deputy Secretary laid before the Houfe the feveral Papers mentioned in his
Excellency's Speech.
His Excellency's Speech, together with the feveral Papers fent therewith, were
read the firit Time, and ordered a fecond Reading; the faid Speech is as follows, viz;
' Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the General Affembly ;
* "If AM much concerned that there fhould be any Occafion for calling a Meeting
' of the Legiflature, fo foon afcer the late Sefiion: But however inconvenient it
« JL may be to your private Affair', or expenfive to the Province, you will find by
* the Papers which will be laid before you, that it is a Meafure made absolutely
c necefi'ary by the late tumultuous and riotous Proceedings in the County of Monmouth.
* A considerable Body of People of that County, fpirited up by fome faftious
c defigning Perfons, affembled themfelves at Freehold, on the Day appointed for
* holding the County Court there in January laft, and armed with Clubs and other
« offenfive Weapons, did, by their Threats and outrageous Behaviour, fo infult the
4 Magiftrates and Officers of the Court, when on their Way to the Court-Houfe,
' that they judged it neither fafe nor prudent to attempt opening the Court : They
* therefore, after making a Record of the Riot, broke up, and returned to their
* refpeftive Homes; by which Means it has become requifite, before another Court
' of Common Pleas and Quarter Seffions can be held there, that an Aft of Afiembly
' be palled for reviving and continuing the Procefs and Proceedings lately depending
' therein, to the next fucceeding Court, which will be on the Fourth Tuefday of
' the enfuing Month.
' The chief Pretence given out by the Leaders of thefe deluded People, in
' Justification of their riotous and unwarrantable Proceedings, is, I understand, that
' the Lawyers have opprefs'd them with exorbitant Cofts, in bringing Suits for Debt,
* &c. Whether this Charge is well or ill founded, I cannot take upon me pofitivelv
1 to fay; but this I know, let it be ever fo juft, it does not leffen the Heinoufnefs of
e their Offence. If the People are aggriev'd, there are legal Methods of complain-
* mg— there are legal Methods of obtaining Redrefs. For Instance, in the prefent
* Cafe, if the Praftitioncrs of the Law, have really charged the People with excefiive
* and illegal Cofts, the Law has already provided a competent Remedy. They can
' apply to the Judges of the County Courts, and have the Lawyers Bills taxed, and
e even re-taxed if they think it neceflary. If they apprehend any Injuftice has been
' done them in fuch Taxation, they can apply to the Justices of the Supreme Court,
1 who, it is not to be doubted, will reftify any Errors that may be found therein.
' Should it, however, happen, that they conceive themfelves injured by the Deter-
' ruination of thele Officers, or that thefe Officers Ihould deny or delay dfcing them
* Juftice, a Complaint may be made to the Governor and Council, who, they muft
B <bc
ice?.
6 )
be allured, from many late Inftancfc, will pay Attention to the Complaints of the
* meaneft, even tho' they may affeft the higheft Perfons in the Community, and omit
' nothing in their Power to enfure the ftrict and impartial Adminiftration of Juftice.
But even fuppofing the contrary, and that all the Officers of Government mould
neglect or refufe doing their Duty in this Refpeft, Have they not ftill a ©oor left
open for their Complaints in the Houfe of Alfembly, the Reprefentativts of the
People? A Body, who, on fuch Occafions, have an undifputed Right to confidcr
themfelves as the Grand Inqueft of the Colony, to enquire into the Grievances com-
plained of by the People, — and who have it in their Power, by many legal and
conftitutional Ways, and particularly by a direct Application to the King, the
Fountain of Juftice, to procure all the Relief the Nature of the Cafe will admit of.
'How unjuftifiable then is the Conduct of thefc People? They have refufed
taking thofe regular Steps, which the Law and Conftitution have pointed out to
them. 1 heir firft Method of making known their Complaints, was to affemble in
a riotous Manner in July laft, and endeavour to prevent the Lawyers, who are legal
Officers of the Court, from entering the Court-Houfe, and doing their Clients
Bdfinefs. They were, however, at that Time, oppofed with Spirit by the Magi-
ftrates and others, the Riot quell'd, and the principal Ringleaders committed to
Gaol. A Court of Oyer and Terminer was fome Time after held in the County,
and thofe Perfons appearing to have fome Remorfe for their pad Conduct, lenient
Meaiures were thought moft advifable by the Court, and were accordingly adopted,
by which Means none of them were brought to that Punifhment they juftly deferv'd.
— Here it was hoped the Difturbances in that County would have ended, efpecially
as the Houfe of Reprefentatives foon after made a particular Enquiry into their
pretended Grievances, and fpent a confiderable Time therein, without being able
to find any Charges of Confequence proved againft any of the Lawyers complained
of. But it fo happened, as it has often happened before, where Government has
thought proper to adopt lenient Meafures on the firft Commiffioh of Crimes of this
Nature, that the People did not attribute thefe Meafures to any real Difpofnion to
Lenity, but to Motives of Fear and Apprehenfions of Danger. In Fact, they were
thereby encouraged to believe they might fet themfelves up in Defiance of all Autho-
rity, and act in the Manner we are told in Scripture that the Jews did, " In thofe
Days when there was no King in Ifrael,— no Government or Magijlrate that might pit
them to Shame in any Thing,- — but every Man did that which was right in his own Eyes?
The Confequence of which was, they affembled in far greater Numbers, entered
into a Set of Refolves, fome of them treafonable, and at the Time when the
County Court was to have been held in January laft, they, as I have before mention-
ed, entirely prevented any Proceedings in the Bufineis that ought to have been
tranfacted there.
' Befides thefe Riots in Monmouth, there was one of a fimilar Nature in EJfex,
on the 9th of laft January, but by the virtuous and fpirited Conduct of the Sheriff,
Magiftrates, and a Number of the well-difpofed Inhabitants of the County, the
Rioters were fuppreffed, and many of them bound over, to anfwer to the next Court.
■ Upon my receiving Information of thefe audacious Infults to Government, I
fummoned a Meeting of his Majefty's Council at Jmfoy, and by their Advice,
immediately iffued Commiflions for holding a Court of Oyer and Terminer, in the
Counties of Monmouth and EJfex, that the Difturbers of the Peace in thofe Counties
might be brought to as fpeedy Juftice as poffible. And, in order to add Weight
and Dignity to the Commiffions, I appointed a Number of Gentlemen of Rank and
Character to afaft the Juftices of the Supreme Court in the Execution of them.
Several of them very chearfully undertook the Service, tho' at an inclement Sealbn,
for which the Publick is much indebted to them. The Courts have fince been
held, and I have the Satisfaction to acquaint you, that in EJfex the Rioters were
tried, convicted and punifhed according to their Demerits; and every good Purpofc
that could be hoped for or expected from the Commiffion, feems to Rave been
attained. I heartily wifh I could give you the fame Information refpecting Mon-
mouth. But the Grand Jury, for Reafons beft known to themfelves, fpent near a.
Week before they Would make any Enquiry into the Riot of January laft, tho' they'
well knew it was the principal Intent for which the Court was held, and they had
the Bills laid before thesn on the fecond Day %f the Court, and all the Witneftes
c were
( 1 )
\ were attending. The Refuk was, that after altering the Bill, they indicted about
* twenty Men for the Riot; but lb long a Time had elapfed before this was done,
| that the Court, fome of the Members of which were to attend this Seffion (and the
' Defendant's declaring they were not ready for Trial, fome of their Witnefies being
' out of the County) found themfelves under aNeceflity of rifing without bringing
4 them to a Trial at that Time, and the Parties were therefore bound over to the
' next Court of Oyer and Terminer to be held in that County.
' I think it neceffary to mention to you, Gentlemen, that the only Complaint of
* Grievance which has been made to me on this Occafion, is contained in a Petition I
' received fince the lad Riot, from about Thirty or Forty Perfons, who ftile them-
' felves The Freeholders Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth. But this contains
« only a general Charge againft Lawyers in general, unfupported by a fingle Fact
* 2gainft any one of them. How can thefe People expect, that Government will
' take Notice of Accufations of this Nature? What would they think if any Atten-
* tion was paid to fuch general Allegations againft themfelves?
' There is no Man in the Province that would more readily join in any Meafure
* neceffary far the Removal of any real Grievance of the People than myfelf: But at
' the fame Time I flinuld be much wanting in my Duty to the People themfelves, if
* I did not endeavour to have Examples made of thole who, on any Pretence, dare to
* infult the Laws and Authority of Government.— In the preient Cafe however, I
' am by no Means fatisfied, that the Grievance they now particularly complain of,
' has any real Exiftence. On the contrary, it appears to me, that this Cry againft
* the Lawyers, is enly raifed to deceive us, and that the Unwillingnefs of fome, and
* the Inability of others, to pay their juft Debts, are the true Cauies of all their out-
' rageous Conduit, in which they are encouraged. to perfevere by the general Licen-
* tioufnefs of the Times, and the Countenance they receive from fome Perfons who
e are ambitious of becoming popular, even at the Rifqueof diftrcfling their Country.
' The Reafons which among others, incline me to adopt this Opinion are, firft,
' Becaufe you, Gentlemen of the Affembly, notwithftanding you fpent lb much Time,
' and took f > much Pains at the laft Seffion, in enquiring into the Charges againft
1 the Lawyers, were not able to difcover any Thing in their Dif-favour, but what
' was really fo trivial, as to be fcarcely worth Notice, and could not with any Pro-
' priety be deemed a publick Grievance. And, in the next Place, becaufe I am
* credibly informed, that at the Court of Oyer and Terminer, held laft Week for
1 the Trial of the Rioters at Monmouth, tho' the Grand Jury took uncommon Pains
' in fearching lor and enquiring into Facts againft the Lawyers, in order to found
* Indictments againft them, the whole Amount of what they could find to charge
* them all with, was but about Fifty Shillings. Three Practitioners were, however,
' indicted for their Quotas of this trifling Sum. Two of them being piefenr, imme-
' djately put themfelves on their Trials. One of thefe had two Indictments found
' againft him, but the Pettit Jury, in a very fhort Time acquitted him of the Firft,
* and the other was difcharged at the Requelt of the Profecutor, who acknowledged
' himfelf miftaken, and therefore could not fupport his Charge. The Court beino-
' of Opinion that the Matter charged againft the other Gentleman prefent, was not
' indictable, ordered the Indictment to be quafhed. The Lawyer who was abfent
* being fick at Home, could not attend, and is yet to take his Trial.
' Such being the Cafe, our chief Attention at this Time, Ought to be engaged in
c providing for the due Support of the Laws and Authority of Government. °This
' indeed, muft at all Events be done, and with your Afliftance, may be eafily effected.
' For fo defirable a Purpofe, I think it my Duty to recommend to you the paffing,
' lft. An Act for reviving and continuing the Militia Law, which expired at the
'• laft Seffion.
* 2d. An Act for the better preventing Tumults, and riotous AfTemblies, and for
* the more fpeedy and effectual punifhing the Rioters. — In this Act you will probably
: think it expedient for the Security of your own Properties, and thoi'e of the good
: People of the Colony, to add Claufes for punifhing with exemplary Severity, thofe
'who forcibly oppofe the holding or proceeding in the Bufinefs of any Court of
* Juftice, or forcibly hinder the Sale of any Lands or Goods taken in Execution by
' the Sheriffs of the ProTince, — and alfo to enable the Juftices of the Supreme Court.
' on particular and extraordinary Occafions, where Circumftances may make it necef-
' fary
( 8 )
i fary for the publick Peace and Safety, to try Perfons guilty of fuch Crimes in fome
' other County, than that wherein the Offence was committed. A Law of this
* Kind has been heretofore pafs'd in this Province, and in other Parts of the King's
* Dominions, but never on any Occafion more neceffary than the prefent.
' 3d. An Act to compel the Reparation and ftrengthening of Prifons, as often a.?
' may be neceffary, in fome Manner more fpeedy and effectual than at prefent.
4th. An Act to provide a Fund (fome limited Sum) for anfwering fuch contingent
* and extraordinary Expences, as may happen on Emergencies, tor the Service of
c this Province. — They have a Provifion of this Kind in the Colony of New-Tork,
* as well as in feveral other Colonies. Such a Provifion, indeed, ought to be in all
' Governments, at all Times, — but more efpecially in this Province, at this
' Juncture.
* Thefe, Gentlemen, are the principal Matters I have to recommend to your Confi-
4 deration at this Time, and I have been the more particular, as I think them of the
* utmoft Confequence to the future Welfare and Profperity of the Province. The
* riotous Difpofition which too many of the People have lately manifefted in feveral
* Parts of this Colony, particularly in the County of Monmouth, where it firft appear'd,
* is of the moft dangerous Nature, and, if not timely and vigoroufly oppofed and
' fubdued, will in the natural Courfe of Things, fpread itfelf from County to County.
4 Artful and defigning Perfons will take the Lead, who will be every Day inventing
' new Grievances, and rifing higher and higher in their Demands. Laws, the beft
4 Cement of Societies, will be broken with Impunity. The regular Adminiftration
c~ of Juftice, which is of the1 very Effence of Government, will be totally obftructed ;
* Anarchy and Confufion will then enfue, and the moft defpotic and worft of all
* Tyrannies, — the Tyranny of the Mob — muft at Length involve all in one common
'Ruin.
'Council-Chamber, 7 WILLIAM FRANKLIN."
' March 16, 1 770. j
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Saturday, March 17, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from James Brooks, of Middle/ex ;
graying, for fundry Reafons therein given, that his Perfon may be exempted from
Arreft for the Term of Three Years, by Act of General AiTembly ; which was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Freeholders of the County of
Middlejex, praying the Houfe will revive the Confederation of the public Grievances,
as fet forth in the Petitions prefented laft Sefiion of Affembly ; which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Andrew Sinnickfon, William Mecum,
John Marjhal and Thomas Thackery, Owners of Swamps and Cranbery Ponds, in
the County of Salem •, praying that they may be excufed from any Part of the
Expence of draining the Meadows on Salem Creek and the River Delaware, as
petitioned for by Ephraim1 Loyd, and others ; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Freeholders of the
County of Burlington, praying a Law to regulate the Burning of Barren Pine Lands
and Cedar Swamps in that County •, whichwere read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
His Excellency's Speech, with the Papers mentioned therein, were read the fecond
Time, and committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
The Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on his EYcellency';
Speech •, and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and
Mr. Fi/her, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had made
lome Progrefs in the Matters to them referred, and had come to fundry Refblutiorrs,
which by Leave of the Houfe, he reported as follows, viz.
1 . Refolved.
( 9 )
i: Refolved,
That an humble Addrefs be prefented to his Excellency, in Anfwe* to his Speech.*
To which the Houfe agreed.
2. Refolved, ,#
That a Bill be brought in to revive and amend the Militia Act, expired at the
laft Seffion ; on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the fame, or not ? It
parted as follows, viz.
r YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS
Mr. lohnfton, Mr. Crane, Mr. Hvuilings, Mr. Hartlhorne
Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Price, Mr. Pax/en, '
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Stihvell, Mr. Bullock'
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Dey, Mr. Hart, Mr. Smith> '
Mr. O^n, Mr- Danare/i, Mr. TWw. Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. M7/,r.
3. Refolved,
That a Bill be brought in more effectually to prevent Riots in this Colony •, on
the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the fame, or not? It pafled in 'the
Affirmative.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnjlon, Mr. Dry, Mr. Hinchman Mr. Wetherill '
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Demareft, Mr. Price, Mr. Runyon '
Mr. Ogden, Mr Hetvlings, Mr. Miller, Mr. '7W„- '
Mr. Crane, Mr. 5//;//^, Mr. Stilivell,
Mr. .F;/2>«-, Mr. Pr.x/cv, Mr. /Y^rr,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Bullock, Mr. TWf,-.
4. Refolved>
That a Bill be brought in to revive the Prsceffes of the Courts of Common Pleas
and General Quarter Seflions of the Peace in the County of Monmouth. To which
the Houfe agreed.
Mr. Fijher further reported, that the Committee had diredted him to afk Leave to
fit again. To which the Houfe agreed.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Webber ill, Mr. Miller, Mr. Smith, Mr. Paxjon, and Mr.
Hart, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of an Addrefs to his
Excellency.
Ordered,
That Mr. Bey and Mr. Tucker, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a Bill, to
revive and amend the Militia Act.
O, dered,
Tha Mr, Miller, Mr. Crane, Mr. Hewlings, and Mr. Price, be a Committee to
prepare and bring in a Bill, the more effectually to prevent Riots in this Colony.
Ortkred,
That Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Bullock, be a Committee to prepare
and bring in a Bill, to revive the Procefs of the Courts of Common Pleas and General
Quarter Seflions of the Peace in the Cl"--, of Monmouth.
The Bill, entitled, An Ad to explain and amend an AH of the General Affembly,
pajftd in the Ninth Tear of his Majejlys Reign, entitled, An AH for the Relief of
Infolvent Debtors ; was read the fecond Time, and committed to Mr. Fijher, Mr.
Price, and Mr. Tucker.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning, Ten ©'Clock.
MONDAY, March 19, i77o.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from William Wynants, of Elizabeth-Town,
praying Leave to bring in a Bill to bar an Efiate Tail in certain Lands in the County
of EJfex, devifed to him by the laft Will and Teftament of William Wynants, the
Elder, deceafed, and to veft the fame in the Petitioner in Fee-fimple; which Petition
was read, together with an Affidavit relating thereto. On the Quefbon, Whether tne
Petitioner have Leave to bring in a Bill purfuant to the Prayer of his Petition, or
not? It was carried in the Affirmative as follows, viz.
c YEAS.
YEAS. YEAS. NAY ft.
Mr. Hanjhorne, Mr. Demareft, Mr. IVetherUl,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Healings, Mr. Runjon,
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Sw//£, Mr. Paxfin,
Mr. Cra«, Mr. M/7/cr, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. /for/, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Z><?y, Mr. Tar^r. Mr. Stihvelt.
Ordered,
That the Petitioner have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
Whereupon Mr. Crane, in Behalf of the Petitioner, brought in a Bill, entitled,
An Act for barring the EJlate Tail, of William Wynants, Grandfon and Devifee of
William Wynants, the Elder, in certain Lands and "Tenements in Elizabeth-Town, in
the County of Effex, and Province of New-Jerfey ; and alfo for veiling the feme in the
faid William Wynants, the Grandfon, his Heirs and Affigns forever, in Fee-fimple;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John Ogden and Uzal Ogden, of the
County of Effex, fetting forth their LoiTes in Trade, and diftreffed Circumftances;
and praying an Act of Affembly to exempt their Pcrfons from Arreft for any Debts
heretofore contra&ed ; which was read, and ordered a iecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Lemuel Bovjers, ox Morris County,
fetting forth his Diftrefs, and that his Perfon is under Execution for Debt, and praying
Relief; which was read, together with fundry Certificates concerning the lame.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition and Certificates have a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Inhabitants of the County cf
Morris, fetting forth the Circumftances attending the Cafe of Aarcn Burnet, who has
had all his Eftate fold by the Sheriff; and praying an Act of Affembly to exempt
the Perfon of the faid /laron from Arreft, for the Space of three Years, for any
Debts now owing by him; which was read, and ordered a iecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a Number of Freeholders zr.d others
refiding in the County of Morris, fetting forth Deficiencies in the prefent Iniblvent
Act, and praying a perpetual Act, on fuch Principles as are pointed cut in the faid
Petition ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Owners of Barren Pine
Lands and Cedar Swamps, iiithe County of Burlington, praying an Alteration in the
Law againft burning the Woods ; which was read, and ordered a iecond Reaciing.
Three Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, one from Perfons living in Monis
County; another from Mendham, in the County of Morris, and a Third from
Springfield and Townfhips adjacent, in the County of Burlington, all praying to be
exempted from that Part of the Law which requires broad Fellies to the Wheels of
Carriages of Burthen, &c. the faid Petitions were read, and ordered to be read a
iecond Time.
Five Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from thefeveral Townfhips of Morris,
Hanover, Pequanack, Mendham, and Roxhvy, in the County of Morris, and four
from Hunterdon, Amivell, Trenton, and Maidenhead, in the County of Hunterdon,
all fetting forth the Diftrefs of the Province, from the Multiplicity of Law Suits
and great Expence of the Law, and praying a Remedy for the fame •, the Petitions
from Hunterdon alfo exprefiing their Deteftation of the late Riots in Monmouth ■,
which Petitions were read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Fijher, from' the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in the
Draught of an Addrefs to his Excellency; which was read, and commit. ed to a
Committee of the whole Houfe.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Joftah Wynants, Prifq.ner for Debt in
the Gaol of Effex, fetting forth his diftreffed Circumftances, and praying Relief;
which was rend, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Two
( II )
Two Petitions were preferred to die Houfe, from Alexander Bennet and Jofeph
Thomas, Prifoners for Debt in Gloucejler Gaol, fetting forth their Diftrefs, and praying
Redrefs ; which were read, and ordered to be read a lecond Time.
The feveral Petitions from Prifoners for Debt, were read the lecond Time, and
referred to the Committee on the Infolvent Aft.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, and read, from a large Number of
Freeholders, and others, of the County of Monmouth, fetting forth the Diftrefs of
that County, from the Multiplicity of Law Suits, and great Charges in the Profecu-
tion thereof, and praying Redrefs ■, which Petitions were ordered a lecond Reading.
The Houfe again relblved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on his
Excellency's Speech, and alio on the Addrefs to his Excellency; and after fome
Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker relumed the Chair, and Mr. Fijlier, Chairman of
the Committee, reported, that the Committee had gone through the Addrefs, and
had made fundry Amendments to the fame, and had alio come to feveral Refolutions,
all which he was ready to report, whenever the Houie will pleafe to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the faid Report be made immediately.
Whereupon Mr. Fifier reported the Addrefs, with the Amendment-; made thereto
by the Committee.
Ordered,
That the Consideration thereof !:e referred till To-Morrow Morning.
Then Mr. Fijker reported the : of the Committee, as follows, viz:
i. Refolved,
That this Houfe always have, and ever will readily hear, and do all in their Power,
to redrefs any real Grievances in this Colony. To which the Houfe agreed.
2. Refolved,
That the late Riots in the Counties of Monmouth and EJfex, are of the moft dan-
gerous and alarming Tendency, and a moft audacious Infult to Government. To
which the Houfe agreed.
3. Refolved,
That this Houfe will fteadily oppole all Riots and Infults to Government. To
which the Houfe ageed.
4. Refolved,
That every Attack made upon private Property, more efpecially in the Night, is
of the moft alarming Nature; and therefore, that the fetting Fire to the Stabies and
Out-Houfes of the Honourable David Ogden, Efq-, in January laft, is a moft danng
Outrage, a notorious Infult to the Laws, and of the moft dangerous Confequence
to the public Peace. To which the Houfe agreed.
5. Refolved,
That his Excellency be addrelTed to iffue his Proclamation, offering a Reward
not exceeding the Sum of f. 25, for the Difcovery and bringing to condign Punifh-
ment, the Perpetrators of lo barbarous an Act. To which the Houfe agreed.
6. Refolved,
That this Houfe do approve of and highly commend the Magiftrates, Sheriff,
Peace Officers and Inhabitants of the County of EJfex, for their refolute and fpirited
Conduct in apprehending and bringing to Punifhment, the Authors of the late
Riots in their County. To which the Houfe agreed.
7. Refolved,
That a Bill be brought in to fhorten the Practice of the Law, and regulate the
Recovery of Debts above Ten Pcunds and under Fifty Pouvds, in the Inferior Cou::s
of Common Pleas of this Colony. To which the Houfe agreed.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fifoer, Mr. Hevjlings, and Mr. Price, be a Committee to prepare and
bring in a Bill to fhorten the Practice of the Law, and regulate the Recovery of
Debts above Ten PouiTds and under Fifty Pounds, in the Inferior Courts of Common
Pleas of this Colony.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine 0 'Clock To-Morrcw Morning.
Tuefdayy
( ** )
Tuefclay, March 20, 1770.
The Houfe met.
The Addrefs to his Excellency, as reported from the Committee of the whole
Houfe, together with the Amendments thereto, were read, and one Amendment
being made in the Houfe ; on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the
Addrefs as amended, or not ?' It paffed unanimoufly in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the fame be engroffed.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from William Gerrard, of Gloucejler County,'
fetting forth the particular Hardfhips of his Cafe, and praying a Law to render void
all Procefs which now is or hereafter fhall be iffued againft him for Debts conirafted
before this Time, by which his Perfon may be confined, or his future Acquirements
taken in Execution, during the Space of feven Years; and a Certificate was aMb
prefented from Samuel Shivers and Abraham Chattin, his principal Creditors, fignify-
ing their Approbation of the Meafure; both which were read, and referred to the
Committee on the Infolvent Aft.
A Petition vyas prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Inhabitants of Reading Town-
fhip, in the' County of Hunterdon, fetting forth the great Want of Cafh in this
Colony, and fuggefting certain Regulations, which they pray may be adopted; the
faid Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The feveral Petitions for and againft repealing the Law which requires broad
Eellies to Waggon Wheels, were read the fecond Time ; and the Queftion was put,
Whether the Houfe will now go into the Confideration of the Matter, or not ? It
paffed in the Affirmative : Then the Queftion was put, Whether .'a Bill fhall be
brought in to repeal that Part of the Aft which relates to Fellies ? It paffed in the
Affirmative.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Jobnjlon, Mr. Crane, Mr. Hincbmair, Mr. Hartjboriie, Mr. Bullock, .
Mr. Wetberill, Mr. Fijhcr, Mr. Price, Mr, Headings, l\\x. Miller,
Mr. Runycn, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart, Mr Smith, " Mr. Learning,
Mr. Taylor, Mr Dry, Mr. Tucker. Mr. P.. ■ , Mr. Stilwell.
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Demarejl,
Ordered,
That Mr. Runyon and Mr. Price, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the
Draught of a Bill for a Repeal accordingly.
The Petition from Ephraim Loyd, and others, for a Bill to drain certain Meac'ows
in Lower Pemfs Neck, in the County of Sale;;:, together with the Petition from Arid, c-j>
Sinnickfon, and others, concerning the fame, were read the fecond Time ; on the
Queftion, Whether the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill according to their
Prayer, or not ? It was carried in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The Petition from Reynier Van Giefon, and others, for a Bill to ftay Wafte on the
common Lands of Secaucus, in the County of Bergen, was read the fecond Time;
on the Queftion, Whether the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill piirfuint to
thiir Petition^ or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The feveral Petitions prefented this Seflion, for a Law to alter the prefent Aft con-
cerning burning the Woods, were read the fecond. Time ; ©n the Queftion, Whether
a Bill be brought in agreeable to the Prayer of the Petitioner1;, or not : It was carried
in the Negative.
Ordered,
That the faid Petitions do lie on the Table.
The feveral Petitions from the Townfhips of Amwell and Wsohvich, for Laws to
amend their Highways by Tax, were read the fecond Time ; on the Queftion,
Whether the Confideration thereof be referred till next Seflion, or not ? "It pafled hi
the Affirmative.
Ordered,
( *3 )
Ordered,
That the Confidcration of the faid Petitions be referred till next Seflion accordingly,
Mr. Hartfhorne, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in a
Sill, entitled, An Act to revive and continue tbe Procefs and Proceedings lately depend-
ing in tbe Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Quarter SeJJions of the
Peace for the County cf Monmouth ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
In Purfuance of the Leave granted* Mr. Dey, in Behalf of the Petitioners, brought
in a Bill, entitled, An Act to revive an Alt, entitled, An Ail to prevent Wafte from
being committed upon the Common Land allotted to the Patent of Secaucus, in the
Corporation of Bergen ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading;
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from the County of Morris, praying a Regulation in the Mode of
Inlolvent Acts, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Confideration thereof be referred to the next Seflion of General Affembly.
Mr. Miller, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Aft for preventing Tumults and riotous Affemblies, and for the more fpesdy
and effectual punifhing the Rioters; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to revive <*n Ail, entitled, An Ail to prevent Wafte
from being committed upon the Common Land allotted to the Patent of Secaucus, in
the Corporation of Bergen; was read the fecond Time; and on the Queftion, agreed
to, and ordered to be engroffed.
The engroffed Addrefs to his Excellency, was read and compared ;
Ordered.
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Jehnjlon and Mr. Hinchman, do wait Upon his Excellency, and defiret©
know when he will be waited on by the Houfe, with their Addrefs.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to revive and continue the Procefs and Proceedings lately
depending in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Court of General Quarter Sejftons
cf the Peace, for the County of Monmouth; was read the fecond Time; and on th«
Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.
Mr. Dey, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Aft to revive and amend an AS, entitled, An Ac! for better fettling and
regulating the Militia of this Colony of New-Jerfey, for the repelling Invafions, and
fupprcfling Infurrections and Rebellions; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
Mr. Johnflon reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, waited on his Excellency-
according to Order, who was pleafed to fay, The Houfe mould foon hear from him.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John De Camp, jun. Prifoner for
Debt in the Gaol of Effex, praying the Houfe to attend to his unhappy Cafe, as fet
forth in a Petition dehvered at the laft Seflion ; and a Petition was likewife prefented
from his Father, imploring Relief for his Son-, an Affidavit concerning the fame,
was aifo prefented ; all which were read, and erdered to lie on the Table.
Mr. Speaker laid before the Houfe, a Letter from the Speaker of the Houfe of
Burgeffes of the Colony of Maryland, dated the 26th of February laft, inclofing
three Refolves, fimilar to thofe already entered into by the Houfe; which were read.
A Meffage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Petti t.
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council Chamber, ready to receive the Addrefs of
the Houfe.
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went t© wait upon his
Excellency; 'and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and reported,
That the Houfe had waited on his Excellency, and prefented their Addrefs in the
Words following, to wit,
D ■ "To
( 14 )
To His Excellency WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Efq; Captain General, Governor and Com:
tnander in Chief, in and oxer the Colony of Nova-Csefaria, or New-Jerfey, and Terri-
tories thereon defending in America, Chancellor and Vice- Admiral in the fame, ice.
The Humble ADERESS of the Representatives of laid Colony, in General:
AfTembly convened.
May it pleafe your Excellency,
y fEARTILT grieved at the Occafion of our Meeting at this Time; we cannot
r"1 fufficiently exprefs the Concern we feel, that there fkould be Perfons in this
Government, fo lofi to a Senfe of their ineftimable Privileges, as not to diftinguijh
between the Ufe and Abufe of them ; and that becaufe fome may have been, aiid others
imagined themfelves fever ely treated and oppreffed by a particular Sett of Men, that
therefore they would deprive both themfelves and others who never offended them, of one
of the great eft Bulwarks of Englifh Liberty, a Free Court, wherein all Perfons whatever
have, and ought to have an undoubted Right to appear, according to the Mode of our
excellent Conftitution, to bear and be heard, make known their Complaints, and have them
redreffed. There are or have been Abufes in mofl or all Profeffions •, ;/ thefe were id
operate againft their Ufe, what would be the Ccnfequence, but a total Deprivation of all
the Benefits attending the due Execution of them. Where the haw and Conftitution have
provided Remedies in any Cafe ; thefe and thefe only ought to be purfued. With Refpecl
to any Abufes or Oppreffionfrom the Prailitioners of the Law, the legal Modes of Redrefs
are ju/lly pointed out by your Excellency, plain and eafy to the ineaneft Capacity, and
to which in general we know of but one Objeclion, that the People oppreffed are fometimes
■not of fufficient Ability to profecute their Complaints ; but this can have no Exiftence,
when it is confidered, that there are none fo poor but may make known their Diftreffes by
Petition to the Affembly, or to the Members thereof, who live in their County ; and from
the paft ConduEl of this Houfe, it muft be evident, that as the Grand Inqiieft of the Pro-
vince, Attention will be always paid to the Complaints of the People. — There are few
but what have, or may have in future a lawful and honourable, and we think, the beft
Remedy, in their own Hands, againft any Abufes from the Prailitioners of the Law, an
honeft Care to fulfil Contrails ; and a patriotic Spirit of Frugality and Induftry, would
foon make this evident. We are however, and Jhall be at all Times, ready to hear, and
as far as may be in our Power, redrefs every real Grievance that may come to our
Knowledge,
We could not, thro' Concern for thefe deluded People, but thus far lament their unhappy
Miftake. Government muft be fupported, and the Laws duly executed ; from the ftri cleft
Attention to thefe Points, we can never vary ; our Regard for good Order and the Peace
of the Province, calls loudly upon us to thank your Excellency, for the Care you have
taken, that the public Tranquility might be prcferved ; at the fame Time we are well
affured, it is neceffary there fhould be a Regulation in the Praclice of the Law, which
we believe would greatly contribute to quiet the Minds of the People, if not totally prevent
fuch tumultuous Proceedings in future; and we hope, if any Remedy can be provded,
fo that the heavy Expence fometimes attending Law Suits, may be regulated and lejfened,
it will have your Concurrence. And we cannot but exprefs the great Satisfatlion we feel
at the virtuous Condutl and Spirit Jhewn by the Magiftrdtes, Sheriff and People of the
County of Effex, in fuppr effing the firft Appearance of Riot in that County ; had a like
Spirit been exerted in Monmouth, it probably had prevented the Difturbances fince.
We on our Part do affure your Excellency, we Jhall ever difcounten&nce fuch riotous
Proceedings, and will heartily join in all neceffary Meafures to bring every Offender to
condign Punifhment, and for enfuring Obedience to the Laws ; for this falutary Purpofe
we Jhall give due Confederation to what your Excellency hath recommended.
As the Perfons accujed of the late Riots, have been and are in a Way of Trial
according to Law, we cannot think it neceffary at prefent to alter the conftitutional and
eftablifhed Mode of Trial to another County ; nor will it be neceffary at this Time to make
any Provijicti for Expences that may hereafter arife, as the Affembly of this Colony have
always honourably paid the extraordinary Exigencies of Government ; Jo your Excellency
may be affured, Jliould the like Diforders occafion it, we ffall not be wanting in our Duty
to defray the Expence.
We muft take Notice to your Excellency, that the Meeting of the Affembly at thisT'ime,
ought to have been at Amboy, according to eftablifhed Cuftom, and however the Neceffity
nf the Buftnefs now to be done, may excufe cur going into it, we dejire it may not bt
drawn into Precedent. By Order of the Houfc,
March 20, 1770. CORTLAND SKINNER, Speaker.
To
( iS )
To which his Excellency was pleafed to make the following Anfwer :
* Gentlemen,
TpHE Aflurances you give me of difcountehancing riotous Proceedings, and
* of joining in all neceffary Meafures to bring Offenders to condign Punifh-
' ment, cannot but afford me fenfible Pleafure ; and muft, if followed by a fuitabl*
" Conduct on your Part, effectually prevent fuch dangerous Diforders in future.'
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning:
Wednefclay^ March 21, 1770.
The Houfe met:
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from a large Number of the Freeholders
of Great Egg-Harbor, in the County of Gloucejler, praying an Act of Affembly to
prevent Fifh being carried to Philadelphia or New-Fork, from the 20th of June to
the 2Gth of Augujl, yearly; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from William Hewlings, Prifoner for
Debt in Trenton Gaol, fetting forth his Diftrefs, and praying Relief; which was
read, and referred to the Committee on the Infolvent Act.
Three Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from fu'ndry Freeholders, and others,
of the County of Middle/ex, fetting forth the great Want of Currency in the Colony,
and Oppreffion occafioned by Law Charges, and praying a Law to remedy the
fame; all which were read. And..
A Petition from Aniwell, in the County of Hunterdon, to the fame* Purpole, was
alfo read ; the faid Petitions were ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Runyon, from the Committee, appointed for that Purpofe, brought in a
Bill, entitled, An Act to repeal Part cf an Alt, entitled, An AH to regulate Car-
riages of Burthen in this Colony ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to revive and continue the Procefs and Pro-
ceedings lately defending in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Court of General
Quarter Seffions of the Peace for the County of Monmouth, was read and compared ;
on the Queftion,
Refohed,
That the fame do pafs.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to revive an AH, entitled, An Ait to present
Wafte from being committed upon the Common Land allotted to the Patent of
Secaucus, in the Corporation of Bergen, was read arid compared ; on the Queftion,
Refched,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hartfhorne and Mr. Demareft, do carry the faid Bills to the Council,-
for Concurrence.
A Meffage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Pettit.
' Gentlemen,
'. "\ /TR. Read, one of the Juftices of the Supreme Court, has reprefented to me,
' J. VJL triat one Howell, who is accufed of having lately committed a barbarous
* Murder in Pifcataway, within this Province, is apprehended and confined in a
* Gaol in Virginia, and that it is neceffary to fend one or more Perfons to bring the
* faid Howell to New-Jerfey, in order that he may be brought to Juftice. There
' Demg however, no Provision whatever made for contingent Expences in thisGovern-
* ment, no Perfons can be got to go upon this Service, unlefs fome Aflurances are
* given them, that they fhall be paid for their Trouble and Expences on the
' Occafion. I muft, therefore, recommend this Matter to your Confideration, and
* requeft you to make Provifion accordingly. Win, Franklin.'
' Council-Chamber, March zo, 1770.
Which being read,
Refolved,
That this Houfe will make Provifion to defray the Expence attending the bring-
ing the faid Daniel Howell from Virginia, to be tried for the barbarous Murder of
William Daniels. , Ordered,
( 16 )
Ordered,
That Mr. Pax/an and Mr. Crane, do wait on his Excellency, and inform him;
that this Houfe have taken into Conftderation his Excellency's Menage, and will make
Provifion to defray the Expcnee attending the bringing Daniel Howell irom Virginia,
that he may be tried tor the late barbarous Murder of William Daniels, in F if cat away-,
arid requeft his Excellency to direft that the faid Howell may be lent for as foon as
poflibie •, that his Excellency will alfo be pleafed to iflue a Proclamation, offering
a Reward of £. t$, for the Difcovery and bringing to condign Punifhment, the
Perfon or Perfons that fet Fire to the Stables and Out-Houfes of the Honourable
David Ogden, Efq; in January laft.
Mr. Hartjhorne reported, that Mr. Demarefl and himfelf, delivered the two Bills
with' them intrutted to the Speaker in Council.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from the Owners of Meadows on Newton
Back Creek, in the County of Gloucejler, fetting forth the Infufficiency of a former
Law, for regulating faid Meadows, and praying another Aft may be called for that
Purpofe; which Petition was read, and ordered afecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to revive and amend an AH, entitled. An AS fox better
fettling and regulating the Militia of this Colony of New-Jerfey, for the repelling
Invafions, and fupprelTing Infurreftions and Rebellions; was re^d the fecond Pirnr.
and on the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engrafted.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft for preventing Tumults and riotous Affcmbka, and for the
more fpeedy and effectual punifbing tbe Rioters; was read the fecond Time, and com-
mitted to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Paxfori reported, That Mr. Crane and himfeif, had waited upon his Excel-
lency with the Meffage of this Morning, and that his Excellency was pleafed to fay.
Nothing fhould be wanting on his Part.
The engrofled Bill,- entitled, An Aft to revive and amend an Ail, entitled, An AH
for better fettling and regulating the Militia of this Colony of New-Jerfey, for the
repelling Invafions andfuppreffing Infurreftions and Rebellions-, was read and com-
pared; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Dey and Mr. Price, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Concurrence.
The Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on the Bill for
preventing Tumults and riotous Afiembhes; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr.
Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fifher, Chairman of the Committee, reported,
That the Committee had gone through the Bill, and had made fundry Amendments;
which he was ready to report, whenever the Houfe will pleafe to receive the fame.
Orderedy
That the Report be made To-MorrOW Afternoon.
Mr. Miller, in Behalf of the Petitioners, and in Purfuance of Leave granted,
brought in a Bill, entitled, An Aft to enable tbe Owners and Poffeffors of certain
Meadows and Mdrfhes bounding 6n Delaware River and Salem Creek, in Lower Penn's
Keck, in the County of Salem, to flop out the Tide from overflowing the feme-, which
was read, and Ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine ©'Clock To-Morrow Mornir
Tburfdayy March 2 2, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Hendrick Van Arfde!e*, fetting forth
his diftrefted Circumftances, and praying that his Perfon may be exempted from
Imprifonment, for any Debts heretofore contracted; feveral Certificates concerning
him, were alfo prefented •, all which were read, and referred to the Committee on
the Infolvent Aft. A Peri-
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fuudry Freeholders of Monmouth,
fcttino forth fundry Regulations in the Praftice of the Law, which they pray may be
formed into a Law; the faid Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Bey reported, that Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them intrufted,
to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft to enable the Owners and Voffeffors of certain Meadows
and Marfhes, bounding on Delaware River and Salem Creek, in Lower Penn's Neck,
in the County of Salem, to flop cut the Tide from overflowing the fame; was read the
fecond Time-, and on the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.
A Petition, and fundry Papers relating thereto, were prefented to the Houfe, from
Thomas Hehnes, of Sujfex County, fetting forth his Diftrefs, and praying Relief,
which were read, and referred to the Committee on the Infolvent Aft.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Martin. Ryerfon, of Hunterdon,
fetting forth the Hardfhips of his Cafe, and praying an Aft of AiTembly for his
Relief; which was read, and referred to the Committee on the Infolvent Aft.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Thomas Tindal and James Clark, jun.
fetting forth, that they are appointed by Law to drain the Great Meadows of Maiden-
head, in the County of Hunterdon, and that fome of the Owners refufe to pay them
for their Services already done in the Premifes; arid praying an Aft of AfTembly tc
compel the Payment thereof; which Petition was read.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next SefTion of AfTembly-
purfuant to their Prayer^" if no reafonable Objeftion (hall then appear againft the fame.
A Motion was made by Mr. Hartjhotne, in the "Words followiag:
* May it pleafe the Speaker,
i TI THEREAS my Colleague and myfelf, have received Inftruftions from divers
' VV °f our Constituent*, requefting us to ufe our utmoft Endeavours to obtain
' an annual Eleftion of Reprefentatives to ferve in General AfTembly of this Province:
* I therefore do move for Leave to bring in a Bill for that Purpofe, at the next Meeting
' of this Houfe in General AfTembly. '
On the Queftion, Whether Mr. Hartfhorne have Leave to bring in a Bill accord-
ingly, or not? It pafled in the Negative.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr Wetberill, Mr. Berrien, Mr. J ' obnfton, Mr. Fificr, Mr. Smith, Mr. Learning,
Mr. Hart/borne, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Dey, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Stilvucll,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Price, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Demarefl, Mr Hincbman, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Hewing:, Mr. Miller. Mr. Tucker.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Freeholders of the County of
Burlington, praying the Houfe will not repeal that Part of the Law, which requires
broad Fellies to Waggon Wheels; the faid Petition was read; and then the Bill,
entitled, An Aft to repeal Part of an AH, entitled, An Atl to regulate Carriages of
Burthen within this Colony ; was read the fecond Time ; and on the Queftion, agreed
to, and ordered to be engroffed.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Mr. Price and Mr. Bullock, do wait on his Excellency, and defire his Excel-
lency will be plcafed to grant the Requeft of this Houfe, made in the laft Sefllon,
touching the Office and Appointment of Coroners, which his Excellency in his
Anfwer to the faid Meffage, was pleafed to fay he could not then acquiefce in, without
further COnfideration.
The engroffed -Bill, entitled, An AS. to enable the Owners and Pcffeffers of certain
Meadows and Marfhes, bounding on Delaware River and Salem 'Creek, in Lower Penn's
Neck, in the County ef Salem, to flop out the Tide from overflowing the fame ; was
read and compared ; on the Queftion*,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs. E Ordered
( i» )
Ordered,
That Mr. Miller and Mr. Hinchman, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for
Concurrence.
The engrofifed Bill, entitled, An Aft to repeal Part of an AH, entitled, An Ac! to
regulate Carriages of Burthen within this Colony, was read and compared; on the
Queftion,
Refohed,
That the fame do pafs.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Crane, Mr. Demarejt, Mr. John/ion, Mr. Bu.'Uci,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Hartjbornt, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Pr/V?, Mr. Heiclings, Mr. Learning,
Mr. O^n, Mr. ZXy, Mr. War/, Mr. S«*7£, Mr. SulivelL'
Mr. Tucker. Mr. Paxjon,
Ordered,
That Mr. Runyon and Mr, Tucker, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Con-
currence.
According to the Order of Yefterday, Mr. Fijher from the Committee of the
,vhole Houfe, reported the Bill for preventing Tumults and riotous AfTemblies, with
the Amendments made by the laid Committee to the fame; which were read in their
Places; on the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill as amended, be engrofled, or not?
It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engrolfed.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine ©'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday ', March 23, 1770.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Price reported, that Mr. Bullock and himfelf, waited on his Excellency with
the Melfage of the Houfe, according to Order, who was pleafed to fay, He Would
irake the fame into Confideration.
Mr. Miller reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the Bill Yefterday
with them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Runyon reported, that Mr. Tucker and himfelf, delivered the Bill Yefterday
With them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An Aft for -preventing dangerous Tumults a?fd fioteus
Affemhlies, and for the more fpeedy and tffetlual punifhing the Rioters ; was read and
compared; on the Queftion,
Refohed,
That the fame do pafs.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS..
Mr. John/ton, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Learning, Mr. IVetheriH,
Mr. Harljhorne, Mr. Dey, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Stilvjel/. Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Demarejt, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Hart^ P.ir. TaylarK
Mr. Crane, Mr. Heivlings, Mr. Price, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Smith, Mr. Miller,
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Stilwell, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for
Concurrence.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr: Stevens, in thefe Words, viz.
' Ordered, Ceuncil-Chamlcr, March 22, 1770.
« That Mr. Stevens do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, that the Council have
• paffed the Three following Bills, viz.
« The Bill, entitled, An Aft to revive and continue the Procefs and Proceedings lately
« depending in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Court of General Quarter Sejfwns
- cf the Peace, for the County of Monmouth.
« The Bill, entitled, An Aft to revive an AH, entitled, An Ail to prevent Wafte
' from beintr committed upon the Common Land allotted to the Patent of Seccxcus, in
« the Corporation of Bergen.
' And
( *9 )
* And the Bill, entitled,. An Aft to revive and amend an A&, entitled, An ASl for
' the better fettling and regulating the Militia of this Colony of New-Jerfey, for the
« repelling Invafions, and fuppreffing Infurre&ions and Rebellions.
• Without any Amendment. By Order of the Houfe,
1 Cha. Pbttit, Clerk.'
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Wetherill, and Mr. Pax/on, be a Committee to prepare
and bring in a Bill for contingent Charges.
A Meflage from the Houfe, by Mr. Stockton, with a Bill, entitled, An A£t to
provide a more effectual Remedy againjl exceffive Cofls in the Recovery of Debts under
Fifty Pounds in this Colony, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned, defiring the
Concurrence of this Houfe to the faid Bill j which Bill was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
Ordered alfo,
That the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill of a fimilar Nature, be directed
to delay bringing in the fame until further Order.
Mr. Berrien reported, That Mr. Stilwell and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
. A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from John Atkinfon, Prifoner for Debt in
Monmouth Gaol, letting forth his Cafe, and praying Relief ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met. . ,
The Petition from the Owners of Meadows on Newton Back Creek, in the County
of Gloiicefier, iox another Law to regulate the faid Meadows, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Consideration thereof, be referred till next Seflion.
The Petition from Great Egg-Harbour, praying a Law to prevent Fifh from being
carried to Philadelphia or New- York, from the 20th of June to the acth of Auguft
yearly; was read the fecond Time, and referred to the next Seflion of General AfTembly.
The Bill, entitled, An A&. to provide a more effeclual Remedy againfl exceffive Cojls,
in the Recovery of Debts under Fifty Pounds, in this Colony, and for other Purpofes
therein mentioned -, was read the fecond Time, and ordered a third Reading.
And the faid Bill was read the third Time, arid fundry Amendments beino- made
by the Houfe thereto ; on the Queftioh,
Refolved,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engrofTed.
Ordered, . ...
That Mr. Learning and Mr. Fijher, do carry back the faid Bill to the Council,
with the Amendments made thereto by this Houfe, and defire their Concurrence to
the faid Amendments.
Mr. Learning from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in a Bill
for defraying incidental Charges ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Fijher, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, entitled, An
A 51 to explain and amend an Atl of the General Affembly paffed the Ninth Tear of his
Majejly 's Reign, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors, and for other
Purpofes therein mentioned ; reported the faid Bill, with feveral Amendments made
by them to the fame : The Bill was read with the Amendments in their Places, and
the Bill further amended in the Houfe : On die Queftion, Whether the faid Bill as
amended, be engroffed, or not ? It pafied in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the fame be engrofTed accordingly.
Mr; Learning reported, that Mr. Fijher and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning:
Saturday^
( 20 )
Saturday, March 24, 1770.
The Houfe met.
The engrofled Bill, entitled, An Aft to explain and amend en A8 of the General
Affemhly, faffed in the Ninth Tear of his Maje/ly's Reign, entitled, An A£l for the
Relief of Infolvent Debtors, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned ; was read
and compared ; on Queftion,
Refohed,
That the fame do pals.
Y E AS. YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. John/ten, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Stil-vjill, Mr. Wetberill,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Hart, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Crane, Mr. Smith, Mr. Price, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Tejhr.
Mr. Fijber, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Miller, Mr. Zk>,
Mr. Ditaareft.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hinchman and Mr. Tucker, do carry the faid Bill to the Council for
Concurrence.
The Bill, entitled, An Aft for defraying incidental Charges, was read the fecond
Time ; and on rie Queftion agreed to, and ordered to be engrofled.
Mr. Hinchman reported, that Mr. Tucker and himfelf, delivered the Bill with
them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
A Meflage from the Council, by Mr. Parker, in thefe Words:
' Ordered, Ctuncil-Chamber, March 23, 1770.
' That Mr. Parker do carry to the Houfe of Afiembly, the Bill, entitled, An Aft
'■for preventing dangerous Tumults, &c. together with fundry Amendments made
* thereto by this Houfe, and defire their Concurrence to the faid Amendments.
' By Order of the Houfe,
' Cha. Pettit, Clerk.'1
And the faid Bill was read, with the Amendments in their Places ; on the Queftion,
Refohed,
That this Houfe difagrees to the Council's firft Amendment, and in that Parr
adheres to the Bill. ,
Refohed nlfo,
That the Houfe doth agree to all the other Amendments made by the Council.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Hinchman, do carry back the faid Bill and Amendments
to the Council, and acquaint them with the Resolutions of this Houfe.
The engrofled Bill, entitled, An Aft for defraying incidental Charges; was read and
compared ; on the Queftion,
Refohed,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Bullock, do carry the faid Bill to the Council, for Concurrence.
The Petition of Martin Ryerfon, praying a Bill for ftaying the Sale of his Eftate,
was read the fecond Time-, on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That he have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
Whereupon Mr. Tucker, in Behalf of the Petitioner, brought in a Bill, entitled,
An Aft to flay the Sale of the real Eftate of Martin Ryerfon, for fix Months-, which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, F. M.
The Houfe met:
A Meflage from the Council, by Mr. Stevens, in thefe Words:
' Council-Chamber, March 24, 17 70.
1 The Council taking into Confideration the Meflage from the Houfe of Afiembly.,
' of this Morning, relative to the Amendments of the Council, to theBilL entitled,
4 An Aft for preventing dangerous Tumults* &c.
4 Ordered.
( .;.** )
■ Ordered,
, * That Mr. £**<£ Mr. John Smith, Mr. 5/ww and Mr. Parker, be a Committee
* to confer with a Committee of the Houfe of Afiicmbly, on the fubjeft Matter of
' the laid Meffage, — And that Mr. Stevens do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly there-
* with, and dtfire them to appoint a Committee to , meet the faid Committee of the
* Council, in a free Conference on the faid fubjed Matter, at Four o'Clock this
' Afternoon, in the Council Chamber. By Order of the Houfe,
' Cha. PtTTiT, Clerk:
Which being read,
Ordered, . .
That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Rumor., Mr. Crane, Mr. Price, Mr. Dey, Mr. Taylor, Mr.
Hewlings and Mr. Hart, be a Committee, to meet the Committee of the Council in a
free Conference accordingly.
Ordered alfs,. ,..,•..
That Mr. Smith and Mr. Johnjion, do wait on the Council, and inform them thereof.
Mr. Berrien, reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
entrufted, to the Speaker in Council,
Mr. Tucker reported, that Mr. Bullock and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Smith reported, that Mr. Johnjion and himfelf, delivered the Meffage of the
Houfe with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Bill, entitled, An A*ft to Jlay the, Sale of the real Eftate of ?vfartin Ryerfon,
for Six Months; was read the lecond Time, and on the Queftion, agreed to, and
ordered to be engroffed.
The engroffed Bill, entitled, An A& to Jlay the Sale of the real EJiate of Martin
Ryerfon, for Six Months; was read and compared} on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher and Mr. Hart, docarry the faid Bill to the Council, for Concurrence.
The Houfe adjourned till Five, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Fijher, from the Committee appointed to meet the Committee of the Council,
in free Conference on the fubject Matter of the Bill for preventing dangerous Tu-
mults ; reported, that the Committees had met in free Conferenc e accordingly; and
that the Council had receded from their Amendment, and the two C ommittees had
agreed upon an Amendment in Lieu thereof ; which, by Leave of the Houfe, he now
reported ; acid on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Bill be rc-engroffed with the faid Amendment, and the other Amend-
ment agreed upon by the Council and this Houle.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Parker.
' Ordered, Council-Chamber, March 24, 1770.
* That Mr. Parker do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, that the Council have
* agreed to the Amendments of that Houfe, to the Bill, entitled, An Act to provide
* a more effectual Remedy againft excejfive Cojls in the Recovery of Debts, cirV.
* Oi dered alfo,
« That Mr. Parker do carry to the Houfe of Affembly, the faid Bill re-engrofled,
' with the Amendments of that Houfe, in order that it may be figned by their >pcaker.
By Order of the Houfe,
Cha. Pettit, Clerk*
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning, Ten o'Clock.
f MONDAT,
( 12 )
MONDAY, March 26, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A Meffage from the Council by Mr. Ladd, informing the Houfe, that the Council
have paffed the . Bill, entitled, An Aft to enable the Owners and Poffeffors of certain
Meadows and Marfhes bounding on Delaware River and Salem Creek, &c. without
any Amendment.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Samuel Rogers, Ifaac Rogers and
Ricbtrd Brown, praying a Law to maintain the Bridge over Crofs-xicks Creek, below
Richard Brown's Mill, in the County of Monmouth, by a Charge on the County ;
which was read.
Ordered,
That the Consideration thereof be referred to the next Seffion of AfTembly;
and that the Petitioners do advertife their Application in the Gazettes of New-2'ork
and Pennsylvania, at leaft Six Weeks before the faid Seflion.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Jofepb Fofter, Robert Headiy, and
Briant Connely, Prifoners for Debt in Morris Gaol, fetting forth their Diftrefs, and
praying Relief-, which was read,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
Six Petitions were prefented to the Houfe, from the County of Suffex, praying that
the Legiflaturc will not raife the Bounty on Wolves Heads, higher than it now is by
Law; which Petitions were read, and referred to the next Seflion ef Aifemblv.
The Bill, re-engroffed with the Amendments agreed upon by the Council and Houfe
of Reprefentatives, entitled, An Aft for preventing dangerous Tumult; and riotous
AJfemblies, and for the more fpeedy- and effectual punifbing the Rioters-, was read and.
compared; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnjlon, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Pax/or., Mr. LettmiKg, Mr. IVetherill,
Mr. Hart/home, Mr. Dey, Mr. Bullock, Mr. StiUeli. Mr. Rmjob,
Mr. Ogden, Mr. Demarefl, Mr Hinchman, Mr. Hart, Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Crane, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Price, Mr. Tucker,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Smith, Mr. Miller,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Crane and Mr. Hart, do carry the faid Bill to the Coin
Mr. Crane reported, that Mr. Hart and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
;ntrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Samuel Smith
'Ordered, Council-Chamber, March 2-6, 1770.
* That Mr. Samuel Smith, do carry to the Houfe of AfTembly, the Bill, entitled,
' An Aft to explain and amend an AH, &c. entitled, An Ail for the Relief of Infolvent
a Debtors, ifc. with the Amendments made thereto by the Council, and defire their
' Concurrence to the faid Amendments.
4 By Order of the Houfe, Cha. Pittit, Clerk:
Which Bill was read, with the Amendments in their Places; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That this Houfe doth agree to the firft and fourth Amendments made by the Cotmi
Refolved alfo,
That the Houfe difagrees to the fecond and third Amendments, and in thofe Parti
adheres to the Bill.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher and Mr. Crane, do carry back the faid Bill and Amendments to
the Council, and inform them of the Rcfolutions of this Houfe.
The
( *3 )
The re-engroffed Bill from the Council, entitled, An Adf. to provide a more effeclkht
Remedy againfl exceffve Cofts in the Recovery of Debts under Fifty Pounds^ in this
Colony, and for other Purpefes therein mentioned; being read and compared;
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fifher and Mr. Crane, do carry the faid Bill to the Council.
Mr. Fifher reported, that M r. Crane and himfelf delivered the two Bills with them
rntrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
A Meflage from the Council, by Mr. John Smith.
' Ordered, Council-Chamber, March 26, 1770.
4 That Mr. John Smith, do acquaint the Houfe of AfTembly, that the Council haVe
' receded from their fecond and third Amendments to the Bill, entitled, An AcT. to
1 explain and amend an AH, &c. entitled, An Ail for the Relief of Infolvent Debtors, dsY.'
* Ordered alfo,
'That M'. John Smith do acquaint the Houfe of AfTembly, that the Council
' have pafied the Bill, entitled, An Acl: for defraying incidental Charges, without
' Amendment, By Order of the Houfe, Cha. P£tti*t, Clerk'
And the faid Bill, entitled. An Act to explain and amend an AH, &c. entitled, An
Ail for the Relief of Inlblvent Debtors, &V. was read.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be re-engrofled.
The re-en^rofled Bill, entitled, An Aft to explain and amend an Acl far Relief of
Infslvent Debtors, &c. was read and compared;
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Taylor, do carry the faid Bill to the Council;
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Taylor, do wait on the Council, and enquire whether
they hav; any Thing further before them; if not, that this Houfe propoles to apply
to his Excellency for a Difmiflion.
Mr. Tucker reported, that Mr. Taylor and himfelf, delivered the Bill with them
entrufted, to the Speaker of the Council ; and that he informed them, * The Council
* have no other Bufinefs before them.
Ordered,
That Mr. Johnflon and Mr. Smith, do wait on his Excellency, and acquaint hirri,
That the HOufe have gone through the Bufinefs before them, and are very defirous
h.s Excellency would difmils them.
The Houfe adjourned till Six, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Meflage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary Ptttit.
' Gentlemen,
' T T PON confidering of your Requeft, that I would iffue Writs for the Election.
' \_J of Coroners, and not appoint them by Commiffion as I have hitherto done,
' I am clearly of Opinion, that I ought not to comply with it, more elpecially when
* fuch Election is claimed as a Matter of Right. Whatever may be the Practice in
* England in this Cafe, or whether it is or is not founded on the Common er Statute
' Law of that Realm, is I think of no Confequence. The Conftitutions of the
4 feveral Colonies differ in many Refpects from that of England, and from one another'.
' Whatever Rights and Privileges the Crown has thought proper to grant to the People
4 of this Colony, or whatever are given them by Acts of AfTembly ; tho'e are ihey
' intitled to. I believe it will not be pretended, that there is any Law in this
* Province, which gives them the Power now contended for. Hnd it can be eafily
* Ihewn, that from the Surrender of the Government to this Time, the Governors
* have been always authorized by the Crown to appoint all the neceflary Officers of
"* Government, and have conftantly appointed Coroners, except in a few Inftances,
"* where feme of them have thought proper to indulge a County with the Election of
* that
( *4' )
i that Officer. But thofe very Governors have aifo appointed other Coroners by
* Commiflron. Even when the Government was Proprietary, and the People had
* very particular Privileges granted to them, they never pretended any Right to elect
s fuch an Officer. On the contrary, in the ConceJJions which they obtained of thi
* firft Proprietors, for their Encouragement to fettle in the Colony, it is exprefsly
1 ftipulated, That the Governor with his Council, fhould nominate and commiffjonate
* the feveral Judges, Members and Officers of Courts, whether Magiftratical or
c Minifterial, and aMr other civil Officers, Coroners, &c. and their Commiffions,
* Powers, andjAuthorities, to revoke at Plealure.
' I cannot therefore, Gentlemen, but be greatly furprifed at your Attempt to deprive
* mc of a Power, which has been exercifed by every Governor, and acquiefced in by
* every AfTembly from the firft Settlement of the Province to this Time, efpecially
' as it is without any Provocation or Neceffity, I having always appointed fuch Perfons
* to the Office of Coroner, as have been recommended to me either by the Members
e of your Houfe, or other principal Inhabitant." of the feveral Counties % and there is
c not fo much as a Pretence of Complaint againflf any who hat7? been fo appointed.
\Vm. Fkankxin.*
Which Meffage was read;
Ordered,
That the fame have a fecdnd Pleading.
Mr. Johnfton reported, that Mr. Smith and himfelf, waited on his Excellency witk
the MefTage of the Houfe, who was pleafed to fay, ■ He would let the Houfe know
when he was ready.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning, Nine o'Clock.
Tuefday> March 27, 1770.
The Houfe met.
His Excellency's MefTage of Yefterday, relating to Coroners, W2s read the fecond
Time ;
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Hart, dp wait on his Excellency, and in Anfwer to his
Excellency's Meffage of Yefterday, inform him, That this Houfe, by their Meffage,
did not mean to claim any Prerogative of the Crown: That they thought it reafonable
that Coroners fhould be elected, and that as it was the Practice in England, founded
on Common and Statute Law, they requefted that his Excellency would iffue Writs
for the electing Coroners ; and inforced this by fhewing that it was the Practice in
feveral Counties: That as his Excellency at prefent feems to be of a different Opinion
from this Houfe, and the Seffion is drawn near to an End, this Houfe will take his
Excellency's Meffage into further Confideration at their next Meeting, and requeft
that his Excellency will alfo re-confider the MefTage of this Houfe, and grant a Requeft
of the People, which they apprehend will not deprive the Crown of a Prerogative,
or give a Privilege either new or dangerous to his Majefty's Intereft.
Mr. Berrien reported, that Mr. Hart and himfelf, delivered the Meffage of the
Houfe to his Excellency, who was pleafed to fay, ' He would take the fume ::.l .
Confideration.'
The Houfe adjourned till Twelve o'Clock.
The Houfe met, and adjourned till Two, P. M,
The Houfe met.
A Motion was made by Mr. Hartjhorne, in thefe Words :
'TITHEREAS it appears to this Houfe, that fome MagilT rates of Monmouth,
' W w't'1 divers others in July laft, did exert themfelves and fupprrfs a Riot,
* then begun to prevent the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Seffiotfis of the
\ Peace from being held': I move, that this Houfe by a Retolve, do approve of
« their Conduct.'
On the Queftion,
Refolve'd,
That this Houfe do approve of the Conduct of the faid Magiftrates, and thofe
Others who joined them on the faid Occafion.
YSAS.
( *5 )
YEAS.
NAYS.
NAYS.
Mr. Price,
Mr. Wetherill,
Mr Demareft,
Mr. Miller,
Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Stilwell.
Mr. Learning,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Hart,
Mr. f (jSfcr,
Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Dey,
YEAS. YEAS.
Mr. jabtt/im, Mr. Healings,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Smith,
Mr. 0£<&«, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Cra«f, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hinchman,
A Meflage from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secretary P^mV.
jlfr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council Chamber, and requires the immediate
Attendance of the Houfe.
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to wait on his
Excellency, who was p'eafed to give his AfTent to the following Bills, enafting the
fame, viz.
i. An Act to revive and amend an Acl, entitled, An Acl for better fettling and regu-
lating the Militia of" this Colony of New-Jerfey, for the repelling Invasions and fup-
preffing Infurreftions and Rebellions.
2. An Act for preventing dangerous Tumults and riotous Affemblies, and for the more
fpeedy and effectual pmiflring the Rioters.
5. An" Aft to revive and continue the Prccefs and Proceedings lately depending in
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Court of General Quarter SeJTions of the Peace*
for the County of Monmouth.
4. An Aft to provide a more effectual Remedy againft excejjive Cofts in the Recovery
cf Debts under Fifty Founds in this Colony, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned.
5. An Aft for defraying incidental Charges.
6. An Aft to explain and amend an Acl of the General Affemhly, pajfed in the Tenth
Tear of his Majefty's Reign, entitled, An Ail for the Relief of Iniblvent Debtors,
and for other Purpofes therein mentioned.
7. An Aft to revive an AH, entitled, An Acl to prevent Wafle from being com-
mitted upon the Common Land allotted to the Patent of Secaucus, in the Corporation
of Bergen.
8. An Aft to enable the Owners and Poffeffors of certain Meadows and Mar/hes,
bounding on Delaware River and Salem Creek, in Lower Penn's Neck, in the County
of Salem, to flop out the Tide from overflowing the fame.
And then his Excellency was pleafed to make a Speech to both Houfes, in thefe
Words, viz.
"^G^fTltiemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the General Affembly;
STv GANNO T but applaud the Spirit, Prudence and Difp itch you have manifefted
J^ irl.the Bufinefs of this Seffion, and which will, I hope, be produftive of the
' good Effefts intended.
' Letlne recommend it to you, on your Return to your feveral Counties, to exert
1 your Bfeft Endeavours in your refpeftive Stations, to inculcate and promote fuch
' Principles and Difpofitions in the People, as may belt tend to preferve the Peace and
* Quiet of the Province.
' By Virtue of the Powers and Authorities to me given, I do prorogue the General
6 Affembly, to meet at Amboy, on Tuefday the Firit Day of May next, and you are
' accordingly prorogued.'
-~Q»
BY Virtue of an Order of the Houfe of Reprefen-
tatives, I do appoint jfames Parker to print
thefe Votes.
CORTLAND SKINNER,
Speaker.
Jt
j, ?
VOTES
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE
Province of NEW-JERSEY.
Ac a SESSION, began at PERTH-AMBOT,
September 26, 1770, and continued till the 27th of O&ober
following*
Being the Third Seffion of die 21ft Affembly of NEW-JERSET.
Burlington, in NEW-JERSEY,
Printed by ISA A C COLLINS, Printer to the King, for the Province.
M.DCC.LXX.
t J 1
Votes of the General
NAMES of the REPRESENTATIVES.
CITY of Perth-Amboy, Cortland Skinner, John L. Johnfon,
Middle/ex, John Wetherill, Reune Runyon,
Monmouth, Robert Hartihorne, Edward Taylor^
EJfex, Stephen Crane,
Somerfet, Hendrick Fifher, John Berrien,
Bergen, Theunis Dey, John Demareft,
City of Burlington, Abraham Hewlings, Jofeph Smith,
County of Burlington, Henry Paxfon, Jofeph Bullock,
Gloucejler, Robert Friend Price, John Fiinchman,
Saletn and Cumberland, Ebenezer Miller,
Cape-May, Aaron Learning, Nicholas Stillwell,
Hunterdon, Morris and Sujfex, John Hart, Samuel Tucker.
PERTH-AMBOT, TVednefday, September 26, 1770.
PURSUANT to His Excellency's feveral Prorogations of the Ge-
neral Aflembly from Time to Time, until this Day, Nine of the
Members met, and there not being a fufficient Number to proceed
on Bufinefs, the Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Ten o'Clock.
Tburfday, September 27, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A fufficient Number of Members being met, Mr. Miller acquainted the
Houfe, that Jfaac Sharp, Efq; late one of the Members for Salem and Cum-
berland, is deceafed, fince the lad Sefhon ;
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker iffiie his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make
out a Writ for electing a Reprefentative for the Counties of Salem and
Cumberland, in the Stead of the faid Mr. Sharp.
Jofeph Smith, Efq; from the Committee of Correfpondence, laid before
the Houfe feveral Letters from die Agent ; which were read.
John Ogden, Efq; one of the Reprefentatives for the County of EJfex ^
informed the Houfe, that he had no Profpect of retrieving his Affairs ;
and thanking the Houfe for the Favour fhewn him at the lafl Seffion,
defired Leave to reiign his Seat, that the Freeholders of EJfex might have
an Opportunity to elect another in his Place ;
Whereupon the Houfe taking the fame into Confideration,
Refolved, Nemine Contradicente,
That his Refignation be accepted ; and thereupon,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker iflue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, 10 make
out
[ 4- ]
out a Writ for electing a Reprefentative for the County of EJfex, in the
Stead and Place of the faid Mr. Ogden.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Refolded,
That Henry Richards be appointed Door-keeper to this Houfe.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price's and Mr. Taylor, be a Committee to infpecl: the Minutes
of the two' laft Seffions of Affembly, and report to .die Houfe what Bufi-
nefs was referred to further Confideration.
Ordered al/b,
That Mr. Crane, and Mr. Tucker, be a Committee to infpecl: what Laws
are expired, or near expiring, and make Report thereof to the Houfe.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Friday, September 28, 1770.
The Houfe met.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien, and Mr. Smith, do wait on His Excellency, and ac-
quaint him, that a fufficient Number of Members to proceed upon Bufi-
nefs are met, and ready to receive any Thing he ihall pleafe to lay before
them.
Mr. Berrien reported, that Mr. Smith and himfelf delivered the MefTage
of the Houfe to His Excellency, who was pleafed to fay, that the Houfe
fhould hear from him in an Hour.
A Meffage from His Excellency by Mr. Deputy Secretary.
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, and requires the
immediate Attendance of the Houfe ;
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to
wait upon His Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed the
Chair, and reported, that the Houfe had waited on His Excellency, who
was pleafed to make a Speech to the Council and General Affembly ; of
which Mr. Speaker faid he had, to prevent Miftakes, obtained a Copy.
Ordered,
That the fame be read.
Mr. Deputy Secretary laid before the Houfe the Papers mentioned in
His Excellency's Speech.
His Excellency's Speech, together with the feveral Papers fent there-
with, were read, and ordered a fecond Reading ; the faid Speech is as
follows, viz,
" Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the General Affembly,
CQ O INCE tlie laft Seffion I have received His Majefly's Royal
.^\ " Difallowance of the Act " forfriking One Hundred Thoufand
^~* " Pounds in Bills of Credit." The Grounds of this Difallowance
" will be explained to you by the Report of die Board of Trade upon that
" Law. If on Confideration you fhould be of Opinion that a new Act
" may be fo framed as to obviate thofe Objections, and yet anfwer the
" falutary Purpofes intended by the other ; you may be affured it will
" give me Pleafiire to be able to afford it my Concurrence, and that I fhall
" ufe all the Endeavours to obtain His Majefly's Confirmation of it which
" may be in my Power.
et Gentlemen
[ i ]
" Gentlemen of the General AJfembly ;
" I have only to requeft, at prefent, that you would make due Provifion
" for the Support of Government, and for the Supply of His. Majefty's
" Troops ftationed in this Province.
" Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the General AJfembly ;
" The Experience I have had of your good Difpofitions renders it un-
" necefTary to recommend to you a Prefervation of that Harmony and
" good Underftanding which is fo beneficial to the Publick. I have there-
" fore only to wifh that our mutual Endeavours to promote His Majefty's
" Service, and the Welfare of his Subjects in this Province, may be attended
" with Succefs equal to our Intentions.
' «^bCerha2tT;7o. ] WILLIAM FRANKLI N."
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M„
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Samuel F. Parker, fetting
forth, that his late Father James Parker, deceafed, was employed as
Printer to the Houfe of Affembly, and that the Printing-OfBce in Wood-
bridge has devolved on liim ; and praying the Houfe to appoint him their
Printer ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Several Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from Infolvent Debtors,
fetting forth their Diftrefs ; and praying an Act for their Relief ; which
Were read ; and on the Queftion, Whether they have a fecond Reading
or not ?
Ordered,
That the faid Petitions lie on the Table.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Peirfon, of Morris
County, an Infolvent Debtor, fetting forth his Diftrefs ; and praying a
Law for his Relief ; which was read ; and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition lie on the Table.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Saturday, September 29, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Ifaac Collins, fetting forth,
that he having been informed of the Deceafe of the late James Parker,
removed his Printing-Office from Philadelphia to Burlington ; and pray-
ing the Houfe to appoint him their Printer j which Petition was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Price, from the Committee appointed to that Service, made the fol-
lowing Report of Matters referred from the two laft Sefhons of Affembly j
1. A Bill for the Relief of the Poor.
2. A general Road Bill.
3. A perpetual Infolvent Act.
4. A Petition from the County of Morris, for Leave to bring in a Bill
for the Repair of their Roads by a Tax.
5. Trenton Petition for the fame ; alfo a Petition againft it.
6. A Petition of Jacob Weifer, praying Payment for Coft, on Account of
Hafman Rofecrans. B ' 7. A
[ 6 ]
m
7. A Petition of Cornelius Brinkerhoff, praying an Alteration of the
Road from Bergen-Point to Paulus-Hook.
8. A Petition for regulating the Practitioners of Phyiick.
9. Petitions from the Townfhip of Alexandria, for Liberty to choofe
Houfholders Conftables.
10. Daniel Waimv right's Complaint againfl John Anderfon and James
Lawrence, Judges of Monmouth Court.
1 1 . Leave given Mr. Fi/Jjer to bring in a Bill, to fettle the Boundaries
between Middle/ex and Somerfet.
12. That Part of the Eaftern Treafurer's Account refpecling the Rob-
bery of the Treafury.
13. A Bill, for maintaining a Bridge over Crojpwicks by Toll.
14. The Collating the Laws.
15. The Committee appointed to infpect the Security of Money due to.
the Treafury.
March Sessions, 1770 — Matters referred over.
1 . A Petition from the County of Morris, praying a Regulation in the
Mode of Infolvent Acts.
2. A Petition from Amivell and Woolwich, for repairing their Roads by
Tax.
3. The Petition from Egg-Harbour, to prevent the carrying of Fifh
from 20th June to 20th Augujl, yearly.
4. A Petition from Samuel Rogers and others, praying a Law to main-
tain a Bridge over Crojpwicks Creek, below Brown's Mill, by a Tax on the
County of Monmouth.
c. Six Petitions from Sujfex, praying the Legiflature will not raife the
Bounty on Wolves Heads.
6. A Petition from the Owners of the Meadows of Newtown back Creek,
in the County of Gloucejler, for another Law to regulate the faid Meadows*
EDWARD TAYLOR,
ROBERT F. PRICE.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Jofeph Borden, Ifaac Pear/on,
and Robert Pear/on, praying a Law to repair the Bridge over Crdjpwicks
Creek, at a County Charge, or to make it a Toll-Bridge for a few Years,
eir. which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Bullock, and Mr. Hinchman, or any three of them, be a Committee
to adjuftall Public Accounts which may come before the Houfe thisSefllon.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning Nine o'Clock.
Monday, OBober 1, 1770.
The Houfe met.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Leave be given to bring in a Bill more fully to extend the Statutes"
of Limitation now in Force in that Part of Great-Britain, called England ;
and the Statute of 2d William and Mary, Chap. 5. for enabling the Sate
of Goods diftrained for Rent, and the StaUite of 8 Anne, Chap. 14. fur-
ther providing for the fame.
Mr.
[ 7 ]
Mr. Tucker, from the Committee appointed to infpedt what Laws are ex-
pired or near expiring, made the following Report of what Acts will expire
at the End of this Seffion.
i . An Ac~l to ■ revive and amend an Ad, entitled, An Act to raife a Fund
for defraying Damages done by Dogs, &c.
2. An AO. for preventing Frauds by Mortgages, 8cc.
3. An Act to regulate the Method of taking Fifh in the River Delaware, &r;
Ordered,
That Mr. HartJJjorne, and Mr. Price, be a Committee to bring in a Bill,
to continue the Act, entitled, An Aft for preventing Frauds by Mortgages, &c.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, to enable Sheriffs to give Pof-
fefhon to Purchafers on the Sale of Lands by Execution.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Smith, a Prifoner for
Debt in the Gaol of Middlefex, praying an Ad for his Relief; which was
read, and on the Queilion,
Ordered,
That the laid Petition lie on the Table.
Two Petitions and Recommendations were prefented to the Houfe from
a Number of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Middlefex and FJfex, in
Favour of Samuel F. Parker, refpecting his being appointed Printer to the
Houfe ; which were read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fifher be added to the Committee for fettling Publick
Accounts.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
His Excellency's Speech, with the Papers therein mentioned, were read
the fecond Time, and committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
The Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on His
Excellency's Speech ; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker re-
fumed the Chair, and Mr. Fifher, Chairman of die Committee, reported,
that the Committee had made fome Progrefs in the Matters to them re-
ferred, and had come to fundry Refolutions ; which, by Leave of the Houfe,
he reported as follows, viz.
1. Refolved,
That an humble Addrefs be prefented to His Excellency in anfwer to
his Speech. To which the Houfe agreed.
2. That the Government be fupported for one Year from the firfl Day
of Oclober, 1770, to the firfl Day of Otlober, 177 1. To which the Houfe
agreed.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fifher, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Smith, Mr. Paxfon, and Mr. Crane,
be a Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of an Addrefs to His
Excellency, in anfwer to his favourable Speech.
Ordered,
That Mr. Runyon, Mr. Hart, Mr. Hevulings, and Mr. Hinchman, be a
Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of a Bill for Support of
Government.
A
[8]
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from divers Inhabitants of Somer-
fet and Middle/ex, praying a Law to prevent any Fifhing or other Impedi-
ment in Raritci7i River, for Half a Mile above the Mill-Dams near Raritan
Landing ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. HartfJjorne, from the Committee appointed for diat Purpofe, brought
in the Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Aci, continuing An Act, entitled, An
Act for preventing Frauds by Mortgages, -which fli all be made and executed
after the firfi Day of January, One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from Thomas Reading, of
Hunterdon, and fames Saunders, and John Rue, of Somerfet, Infolvent
Debtors, fetting forth their Diftrefs, and praying a Law for their Relief ;
which were read, and on the Queflion, Whedier they have a fecond
Reading ?
Ordered,
That the laid Petitions lie on the Table.
Mr. Fifher, with Leave brought in a Bill, entitled, An &£t to enable
Perfons who are His Majefiys liege Subjecls, either by Birth or Naturalization r
to inherit and hold real Efiates, notivithjlanding the Purchafe, Grant or De-
vife •were made before Naturalization, 'within this Colony ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Tuefday, OBober i, 1770,
The Houfe met.
The Bill, entitled, An Act, continuing an Act, entitled, An Adl for pre-
venting Frauds by Mortgages ; was read the fecond Time ; and on the
Queflion agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of the Owners of
a Quantity of Swamp or Marfh on Engli/fjs Creek, in Mansfield, in the
County of Burlington, and Inhabitants adjacent, praying a Law to enable
them to Bank out the Tide from die faid Creek ; which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from divers Perfons againft
the pafling a Law to Bank out the Tide from Etiglifih's Creek, in Mansfield ;
which were read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Samuel Rogers, Ifaac Rogers,
and Richard Brown, praying a Law to make the Bridge over Croft-wicks
Creek, in the County of Monmouth, below Richard Bro-wns Mills, a County
Charge ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of the Owners
and Proprietors of the Beach at Barnagat, in the County of Monmouth,
praying a Law fubjedling the Owners to certain Regulations refpecling
laid Beach ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Thomas Tindall, fetting forth,
that he, with James Clark, the Younger, were appointed Managers under
an Act pafTed in 4th of Ceo. 3d, for draining the Maidenhead Meadows,
and
For Parker.
For Collins.
For Collins.
Mr. Dey,
Mr. Fijher,
Mr. £«//«,:*,
Mr. Demarejl,
Mr. Berrien,
Mr. Price,
Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Hewlings,
Mr. Hincbman,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. iW/7/*r,
Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. /fort.
[ 9 J
and that feveral Perfons had refufed to pay the AfTefTments made in Pur-
fuance of faid Act, and praying a Law to explain and determine the
Power of die AITeflbrs, eW*. which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition in Favour of Samuel F. Parker, and alfo that in Favour of
Ifaac Collins, to be appointed Printer to the Houfe of AfTembly ; were read
the fecond Time, and on the Queftion, it was carried as follows,
For Parker.
Mr. TVetherill,
Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Hartjborne,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Crane,
Ordered,
That Ifaac Collins do print the Votes of this Houfe, being firfl examined
and figned by the Speaker.
Mr. Fi/her, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in
the Draught of an Addrefs to His Excellency ; which was read, and or-
dered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Frederick Outgelt and others,
foreign ProteftantSj praying a Law for their Naturalization ; which was.
read, and ordered a fecond Reading. •
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
tFednefday, October 3, 1770.
The Members having received a MefTage from the Speaker, informing
them, that he was very much indifpofed, and unable to attend the Bufinefs
of the Houfe, and requeuing that a fufEcient Number of the Members
» "would attend at his Chamber, in order to adjourn the Houfe. A fufEcient
Number attended accordingly, and adjourned the Houfe till To-Morrow
Morning Nine o'Clock.
Thurfday, October 4, 1770.
The Speaker being yet unable to attend the Buiinefs of the Houfe, a
Number of Members fufEcient to adjourn, attended at his Chamber, and
he adjourned the Houfe till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday,. 0 Sober 5, 1770.
The Houfe met.
The Speaker yet remaining very unwell and unable to attend the Bufi-
nefs of the Houfe ;
Ordered,
That Mr. Fi/her, and Mr. Wetherill, do wait on His Excellency, and
acquaint him thereof ; and requeft Leave of His ExceUency to adjourn till
Monday next.
Mr. Fi/ljer reported, that Mr. Wetherill and himfelf had delivered the
MefTage, with them intrufted, to His Excellency, who was pleafed to fay,
that the Houfe might adjourn till Monday next ;
Whereupon the Houfe adjourned accordingly till Monday Morning next
Ten o'Clock.
C Monday,
[«o]
Monday, OBober 8, 1770.
The Houfe met.
The Speaker continuing indifpofed, and not likely very foon to be able
to attend the Bufincfs of the Houfe, Mr. Fijhtr, and Mr. Wetherill, were
defired by the Members to wait on His Excellency, and acquaint him, that
the Members having certain Information that Cortland Skinner, Efq; the
prefent Speaker, through Indifpbfition of Body* was unable to attend the
Houfe, and to requeft His Excellency would be pleafed to permit them to
choofe another Speaker during the prefent Seflion, or until Cortland Skin-
ner, Efq; may be able to attend the Bufmefs of the Houfe.
Mr. Fi/hef reported, that Mr. Wet her ill and himfelf, had waited on
His Excellency by the Defire of the Members, to requeit Leave to choofe a
Speaker, who was pleafed to fay, he had no Objection to the Houfe making
Choice of a Speaker;
Whereupon the Members proceeded to the Choice of a Speaker, when
Stephen Crane, Efq; was unanimoufly chofen, and placed in the Chair
accordingly. d
Ordered
That Mr. Smith, and Mr. Berrien, do wait upon His Excellency, and
inform him of the Choice of a Speaker, and defire to know when the
Houfe Jhaii attend His Excellency with their Speaker for his Approbation*
Mr. Smith reported^ that Mr. Berrietl and himfelf, waited on His Ex-
cellency according to Order, who was pleafed to fay, that he was ready to
receive the Prefentation of the Speaker immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. Speaker' left the Chair, and with the Houfe went tot
wait upon His Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed the
Chair, and reported, that the Houfe had waited on His Excellency, and
had presented him as their Speaker, and that His Excellency was pleafed
to approve of their Choice : That he had requested of His Excellency,
that the Houfe might be protected at all Times in their ufual Privileges ;
which was readily granted.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe by a Number of the Inhabitants
pf liarnardjlon, m the County of Somerfet, againfl paflihg a Law to regu-
late th# Practitioners of Phyfrck, 6v. which was read, and ordered a fe-
cond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Peter Obert, and George
Obert, Foreigners, praying a Law for their Naturalization j which was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading,
Several Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from Infolvent Debtors,
fetting fordi their Diftrefs, and praying an Ad for dieir Relief j winch
were read, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petitions lie on the Table,
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of the Inhabi*
tants of the Townihips of Grearwich, and Deptford, in the County of
Gloucefier, praying a Law to enable them to build a Bridge and Caufey
over Great-Mantua Creek, &c. and alfo a Petition againfl the pafling fuch
a Law, or that it may be referred to the next Seflions ; which were read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Mprrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Tut/day,
[ II ]
Tuefday, OBober 9, 1770.
The Houfe met.
Several Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from a Number of the In-
habitants of Greenwich, and Deptford, in the County of Gloucejler, againft
the pafung a Law to build a Bridge, &c-> over Greatr-Mantua Creek, <{yc.
which were read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of the Freeholders
and Inhabitants of Haddonfeld, in the County of Gloucejler, praying a
Law againft Swine running at Large in faid Town, &c 1 which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading;
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of the Inhabitants
of Morris County, fetting forth, that Mofes Toung had been at great Ex-
pence in diging a Ditch which has drained a great Quantity of Meadow of
other Perfons, and praying a Law to compel every Owner of Meadow be-
nefited thereby to pay Part of the Expence of fcouring and keeping open
the faid Ditch ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of Inhabitants of
Great Egg-Harbour Towiifhip, againft die pafung a Law to prohibit the
Fifhing Trade, <&c. which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Ifaec Bonnell, Efq; Sheriff of
Middle/ex, praying Payment for his Time and Expences in apprehending
Daniel Bofkerk, and James Harris, jun. charged with the Murder of Wil-
liam Daniels ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Ephraim Darby, of Sufex
County, an Infolvent Debtor, fetting forth his Diftrefsj and praying Relief %
which was read, and on the Queftibnj
Ordered,
That the faid Petition lid on the Tabid.
Mr. Fi/her, from the Committee appointed at the Seflion at Burlington^
m December laft, to bring in a Bill, for regulating Roads and Bridges in
this Colony, reported the Draught of a Bill ; which was read, and ordered
a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Ac*l td enable Perfons -who are His MajeJ/s liege
Subjecls, either by Birth or Naturalization, to inherit and hold Real EJlates, &c.
Was read the fecond Time, and committed to Mr. Hart, and Mr. Tucker.
Ordered,
That Mr. Heiviings, Mr. Hart, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Htnchman, and Mr.
Dcmdfejt) ' or any three of them, be a Committee to join a Committee of
the Council to adjuft the Barrack-Mafters Accounts ; and that Mr. Tuckert
and Mr. Price, do inform the Council thereof, and to defire the Council
to appoint a Committee for that Purpofe, together with the Time and Place
of Meeting.
Mr. Tucker reported, that Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the Menage,
with them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Meffage from the Council by Mr. Skinner, in thefe Words :
* Ordered,
* That Mr. Ogdent Mr. Stevens y and Mr. Skinner \ or any two of them,
'be
[ t* ]
' be a Committee to meet a Committee of the Houfe of AfTembly, to fettle
4 and adjuft the Barrack-Mafters Accounts ; and that the faid Committees
' meet at Wright's Tavern this Afternoon at Five o'clock.
' Ordered,
1 That Mr. Skinner do acquaint the Houfe of AfTembly therewith.
1 By Order of the Houfe,
1 CHA, PETTI T, Clerk:
The Petition from the Owners and Proprietors of the Beach at Barnegat,
in the County of Monmouth, praying a Law fubjecting the Owners to cer-
tain Regulations, <&c. was read the fecond Time.
. Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly ;
Whereupon Mr. Heivlings, in Behalf of the Petitioners, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Act to regulate the Pajluring the Lands, Meadows and Iflands,
in Common, lying on and adjoining to a certain Beach, known by the Na?ne of
Barnegat, or Long-Beach, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petitions for and againft a Law to enable the Owners of a Quantity
of Swamp and Marfh on EnglifFs Creek, in Mansfeld, in Burlington
County, to bank out the Tide from the faid Creek ; was read the fecond
Time, and referred to the next Seflion of General AfTembly at Burlington.
The Petition of a Number of Inhabitants of Morris County, praying a
Law to compel the Owners of Meadows benefited by a Ditch made at the
Expence of Mofes Young, to pay their Proportion of the Expence in fcour-
ing and keeping open the fame, <&c. was read the fecond Time, and on
the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Seflions,
they giving the ufual Notice, and no Objection appearing.
The Petition from the Executors of Samuel Rogers, deceafed, and Richard
Broivn, praying a certain Bridge over Croffwicks Creek, may be made a
publick Charge, or grant fuch other Relief as the Houfe fee meet ; was
read die fecond Time, and on the Queftion, Whether the Prayer of the
Petition be granted or not t It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly ;
Whereupon Mr. Bullock, in Behalf of the Petitioners, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Act to vacate a certain Bond or Obligation given and executed by
Samuel Rogers, late of the County of Monmouth, deceafed, to Richard Ste-
vens,, and Robert Lawrence j which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Wedncfday, OBober io,- 1770.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, en-
titled, An Act to enable Perfons -who are his Majejlys liege Subjccls, either
by Birth or Naturalization, to inherit and hold Real Efates, Sec. reported the
fame with one Amendment ; which Bill, with the Amendment, being
read, was agreed to by the Houfe, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
[ >3 ]
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as agreed to, be engrofled.
The Petition of Jofeph Borden, Ifaac Pear/on, and Robert Pear/on, pray-
ing a Law to repair the Bridge over Crofpwicks Creek, at a County Charge,
or to make it a Toll-Bridge, &c. with William Null's Letter ; were read
the fecond Time ;
Ordered,
That the Confideration of the fame be referred to the nest Seflion of
General Aflembly.
The Petition from the Inhabitants of Somerfet, and Middle/ex, praying
a Law to prevent any Fifhing or Impediment in Raritan River for Half a
Mile above the Mill Dams, near Raritan Landing, &>c. was read the fecond
Time, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Confideration of the fame be referred to the next Seflions of
General AlTembly.
Mr. Fifher, from the Committee appointed in Oclober lafl to prepare and
bring in the Draught of a perpetual Infolvent Act, reported a Draught
accordingly ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Purfuant to Leave given, Mr. Tucker brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act
further to declare and explain the Extenfion of the Statutes of Limitation
concerning Ac! ions, real, perfonal and mixed, &c. which was read, and or-
dered a fecond Reading.
The Petition from the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of
Haddonfield, in the County of Gloucejler, praying a Law againft Swine run-
ning at Large in faid Town, &>c% was read the fecond Time, and on the
Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly ;
Whereupon Mr. Hinchman, in Behalf of the Petitioners, brought in a
Bill, entitled, An Act to prevent Sivine running at Large in the Town of Had-
donfield, in the County of Gloucefter ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
The Petition from a Number of the Inhabitants of Egg-Harbour, pray-
ing that no Law may be pafled to prohibit the Fifhing Trade, &c. was
read the fecond Time, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame be referred to the next Seflion of General Aflembly.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, to continue and amend An Acl,
entitled, An Acl: to revive and amend an Acl, entitled, An Act to raife a Fund
for defraying Damages done by Dogs, in the Province o/'New-Jerfey ;
Whereupon Mr. Smith brought in a Bill accordingly ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition of fundry Inhabitants of Barnardjlon, in the County of
Somerfet, againft the pafling a Law to regulate the Practice of Phyfick ;
was read the fecond Time ; and alfo former Petitions, praying fuch a Law
may pafs, being alfo read, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petitions do lie on the Table,
D The
[ H]
The Petitions for and againft a Law to build a Bridge over Great-Man-'
tua Creek, in the County of Gloueejler, &c. were read the fecond Time,
and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Consideration of the faid Petitions be referred to the next
Seflion of Affembly.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Ft/her, Mr. Berrien,
Mr. Dey, Mr. Demarejl, and Mr. Price, be a Committee to prepare and
bring in a Bill, for regulating the Ferries in this Colony.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
, The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry Inhabitants of Mop*
ris County, fetting forth, that Peter HaJJenclcver and others, known by
the Name of The American Company, were indebted to the Petitioners ; and
that there are none of the faid Company relident in this Colony, but are
gone to Great-Britain ; and praying a Law to fubject the Efta'tes of the
laid Company to the Payment of their Debts ; which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from divers Freeholders and
Inhabitants of the County of Hunderdvn, fetting forth the Want of a
Work-Houfe or Houfes in this Colony, and praying a Law for building
one Or more, for the Reception of the Poor, <&c. which were read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe by John Jacob Faejh, in Behalf
of the American Iron Work Company, praying a Law to lower the Taxes on
lingle Men, &c. which was read, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe by Thomas Mount, of Hunterdon
County, fetting forth, that he is much in Debt, and that he cannot pay
his Debts without he can difpofe of Lands to Advantage, and praying a
Law to enable him to convert his Lands into Money by Way of Lottery ;
which was read, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Ehgroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to enable Perfons ivho are His Ma-
jejly s liege Subjecls, either by Birth or Naturalization, to inherit and hold
Real EJlates, &e. was read and compared, and on the Queftion,
Befolved,
That the fame do pafs.
The Engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act continuing an Ail, entitled, An Act,
for preventing Frauds by Mortgages, &c. was read and compared, and on
the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price, and Mr. Dey, do carry the faid Bills to the Council for
Concurrence.
Mr. Fiflicr, from the Committee appointed to infpect into the Securities
given
[ >5 ]
given by Lord Stirling and others to Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treafurer of the
Eaftern Divifion of this Colony, for Bills of Exchange fold them by the
faid Treafurer, being Part of the Parliamentary Donations to this Colony,
reported, that they had viewed the feveral Lots and Plantations mentioned
in the Mortgage of Record in the Clerk's OfEce, in the County of Hunter-
don ; and were of Opinion the Security given by Lord Stirling was fufE-
cient for the principal Sum mentioned in the faid Mortgage, provided the
Intereft be paid kito the Treafury as it becomes due ; he further reported,
that Meflrs. Uzal and John Ogden had become Infolvent, which made it
unnecelfary to examine into thofe Securities.
According to Order, the Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the
whole Houfe, on the Grievances of the Colony ; and after fomeTime fpent
therein, Mr. Speaker relumed the Chair, and Mr. Fi/Jjer, Chairman of
the Committee, reported, that die Committee had come to one Refolution,
which he faid he was ready to report whenever the Houfe would be pleafed
to receive the fame.
Ordered^
That the faid Report be made immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. Fi/Jjer reported, that the Committee had refumed the
Confederation of the Robbery of the Treafury referred over to this Seflion ;
and after fome Time fpent thereon,
Refolded,
That it was the Opinion of the Committee, that it would be neceflary
to appoint a Day for further Inquiry into this Matter, and that the Trea-
furer have Notice thereof, and that all the Papers relating thereto be then
laid before the Houfe, and that all the Evidences be fent for, that the
Houfe may Judge neceflary ; all which they fubmit to the Houfe. To
which the Houfe agreed.
Ordered, ,
That Tuefday, the 1 6th Inftant, at Ten o'Clock in the Morning, be ap-
pointed to go into this Inquiry ; and that Mr. Speaker do iflue his Orders
to the Serjeant at Arms, to notify William Campbell, Samuel Sarjant, Efq;
Samuel Dimlap, John Blanchard, Thomas Skinner, Reuben Runyoif, John
Smyth, Efq; John Van Norden, jun. Jofeph Vickers, Matthew Sleght, John
Dennis, Richard Stevens, Thomas Bartoiv, Mary Parker, Richard Sharplefs,
Thomas Inglifs, Elizabeth Inglifs, John Richard/on, Phebe Webb, Mary Collins,
Ed-ward Higgins, Alexander Campbell, Margaret Campbell, and Mary Camp-
bell, to Attend this Houfe to give in Evidence what they know reflecting
the Robbery of the Eaflern Treafury of this Colony.
Ordered,
That the Clerk do ferve Stephen Skinner, Efq; with a Copy of this Minute.
Mr. Price reported, that Mr. Dey and himfelf, delivered the Bills widi
them-intrufted, to the Speaker of the Council ; the Council not fitting.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Thurfday, OBober 11, 1770.
The Houfe met.
Two Petitions from a Number of the Inhabitants of Pile/grove, in the
Comity of Salem, praying that no Law may pafs for building a Poor
Houfe^ &c. and that they may be exempt for any Expence therefor, and
be
[ i6 ] .
be allowed to maintain their Poor in the ufual Method, &c. which were
read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to die Houfe from Abraham Marlett, and Derrick
Kennine, Infolvent Debtors, in the Gaol of Somerfet, fetting forth their
Difbrefs, and praying Relief, &c. which Was read, and on the Queftion,
Ordered^
That the faid Petition lie on the Table.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to vacate a certain Bond or Obligation given
and executed by Samuel Rogers, deceafed, to Richard Stevens, and Robert
Lawrence ; was read the fecond Time, and committed to Mr. Paxfon and
Mr. Hinchman.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to regulate the Pa/luring the Lands, Meadows
and I/lands in Common, lying on and adjoining a certain Beach known by the
Name of Barnegat-Beach, &c. was read the fecond Time, and committed
to Mr. Hartfljorne and Mr. Bullock.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to continue in the Wejlern Divifion of this Co-
lony, (the County of Suffex excepted) and to amend an Ail, entitled, An Act
to revive and amend an Ail, entitled, An Act to raife a Fund for defraying
Damages done by Dogs, in the Province of New-Jerf ey ; was read the fecond
Time, and committed to Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Berrien, and Mr. Tucker.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Infolvent s for all Debts here-
after contracted ; was read the fecond Time, and on the Queftion, Whether
the faid Bill be committed or referred to the next Seflion ? It was carried, to
be referred, as follows :
For Referring. For Referring, For Committing.
Mr. Wethcrill, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Fijher,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Smith, Mr. Dcy,
Mr. Hartjhornc, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bullock,- Mr. Hart,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Price, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Detnarejt, Mr. Hinchman*
Ordered,
That the Confederation of the faid Bill be referred to the next Seflion of
General Affembly.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to prevent Swine running at Large in the Town
of Haddonfield, in the County of Gloucefter ; was read the fecond Time,
and committed to Mr. Miller, and Mr. Price,
Mr. Fifher, purfuant to Leave given at a former Sefhons, brought in
the Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Act to alter and afcertain Part of the
Northern Boundary of the County of Middlefex, and the Southern Boundary
of the County of Somerfet ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from divers Inhabitants of Wind-
for, in the County of Middlefex, againft the pafTing faid Law, to afcer-
tain the Boundaries between Middlefex and Somerfet, 8cc. was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners for and againft the faid Bill, do attend before the
Houfe on Wednefday next, at Two o'Clock in the Afternoon, with their
Witneffes, to be heard in Support of the faid Petitions.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr.
[ '7 ]
Mr. Runyon, from the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for the
Support of Government, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act for the Support
of Government of His Majejly s Colony of New-Jerfey, to commence the firjl
Day of October, 1770, and to end the firjl Day o/'October, 177 1, &c. which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition of iundry Inhabitants of Morris County, praying a Law
to fubjecT: the Eftates of Peter Haffenclev er and others, by the Name of
27?^ American Company, now refident in Great-Britain, to the Payment of
their Debts, <&c. was read the fecond Time*
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Dey, be a Committee to prepare
and bring in a Supplementary Act to the Act, entitled, An A£t for the better
enabling of Creditors to recover their jujl Debts from Perfons ivho abfcond
themf elves.
Mr. Hartffiorne, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill,
entitled, An Act te regulate the Pajluring the Lands, Meadows, and I/lands in
Common, lying on mid adjoining to Barnegat-Beach, <&c. reported the fame,
withfeveral Amendments thereto ; and die laid Bill, with the Amendments,
being read, on the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill as amended, be en-
groffed or not ? It palled in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engrofled.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the laying and regulating of the Roads and
Bridges in this Colony ; was read the fecond Time, and committed to a
Committee of the whole Houfe.
The two Petitions from divers Inhabitants in Hunterdon, praying a Law
for building one or more Work-Houfes in this Colony, for the Reception
of the Poor ; and alfo a Petition from Pilefgrove, in the County of Salem,
againfl fuch a Law being palled ; were read the fecond Time, and on the
Queftion,
Ordered^
That the Confederation of the faid Petitions be referred to the nest
Sefhons of AfTembly.
The Petitions of Frederick Out gelt and others, praying a Law for their
Naturalization ; were read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill.
The Petition of Ifaac Bonnell, Efc ; Sheriff of Middlefex, praying Pay-
ment for his Time and Expences in apprehending Daniel Bofkerk, and
James Harris, jun. charged with Murder, &c. was read the fecond Time,
and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition lie on the Table;
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Friday, 0 Sober 12, 1770.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Miller, from the Committee to whom the Bill, entitled, An Act to
prevent Swine running at Large in the Town of Haddonfield, in the County
E of
[ i.8 ]
yGloucefter, was committed, reported the fame, with feveral Amendments
thereto ; and the faid Bill, with the Amendments, being read, on the Quef-
tion, Whether the faid Bill as amended, be engrolfed or not ? It palled in
die Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engrofied.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to regulate the Pafiuring the Lands,
Meadows, and //lands in Common, lying on and adjoining to a. certain Beach,
known by the Name of Barnegat, or Long-Beach, and for other Purpofes
therein mentioned ; was read and compared, and on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Paxfon, and Mr. Taylor, do carry the faid Bill to the Council
for Concurrence.
The Ho\ife refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on the
Bill, entitled, An Act for the laying and regulating of the Roads and Bridges
ivithin this Colony ; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed
the Chair, and Mr. Fi/her, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the
Committee had made fome Progrefs in the Matters to them referred, and
dehred Leave to fit again. To which the Houfe agreed.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Paxfon reported, that Mr. Taylor and himfelf delivered the Bill with
them intrufled, to the Speaker in Council.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Richard Cox, of Burlington
County, an Infolvent Debtor, fetting forth his Diftrefs, and praying Relief j
which was read, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table .
The Houfe again refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe,
upon the Bill, entitled, An Acl for laying and regulating of the Roads and
Bridges ivithin this Colony ; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker
refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fi/her, Chairman of the Committee, reported,
that the Committee had gone through the faid Bill, and had made icveral
Amendments thereto, which he was ready to report whenever the Houfe
would pleafe to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the faid Report be made immediately;
Whereupon Mr. Fi/her reported the faid Bill, with the feveral Amend-
ments ; and the faid Bill, with the faid Amendments, were read in their
Places, and feveral Amendments being made thereto in the Houfe,
Ordered,
That the fame be referred for further Confideration till To-Morrow
Morning.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from Daniel Farnfworth,
and Daniel Carr, Infolvent Debtors, in the Gaol of Hunterdon County, pray-
ing Relief; which were read, and on die Queftion,
.Ordered,
That the faid Petitions do lie on the Table.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Saturday,
; [ ■? ]
Saturday, OBober 13, 1770;
The Houfe met.
Mr. Tucker, from the Committee appointed for that Purpdfe, brought in
a Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act, to an AH, entitled, An KCtfor the bet-
ter enabling of Creditors to recover their jujl Debts fro?n Perfons ivho abfcund
themfelves ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Pax/on, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, en-
titled, An Act to vacate a certain Bond or Obligation given and executed by
Samuel Rogers, deceafed, to Richard Stevens and Robert Lawrence ; re-
ported the fame, with feveral Amendments; which Bill, with the Amend-
ments, being read, on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engroffed.
The Engrofled Bill, entitled, An Act to prevent Sivine running at Large
in the Toivn of Haddonfield, in the County of Gloucefter ; being read and
compared, on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs;
Ordered,
That Mr. Hmchman, and Mr. Price, do carry the faid Bill to the Council
for Concurrence.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for laying and regulating of the Roads and ■
Bridges within this Colony ; was read the fecond Time, and on the Quef-
tion, Whether the faid Bill be engroffed or not ? It palled in die Negative,
as follows :
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Johnjlon, Mr. Hewlings,
Mr. Hart/home, Mr. Miller, Mr. IVetherill, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Hart, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. Bullock, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Dey, Mr. Price.
Mr. Demarejly
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker have Leave to bring in a Bill, to regulate the repairing
of Roads and Highways, in the Counties of Hunterdon, Morris, Sujjex and
Somerfet.
Mr. Hinchman reported^ that Mr. Price and himfelf delivered the Bill
with them intrufted, to the Speaker of the Gouncil ; the Council not fitting.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning Nine o' Clock.
Monday, OBober 15, 1770.
The Houfe met,
And there not being a fufficient Number of Members to proceed on
Buhnefs,
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe from Charles Pettit, Efq; fetting
forth, that he is obliged to perform many Services as Secretary and Clerk
of the Council, for the Payment of which no Provifion is made by Law, and
praying
[ 20 ]
praying a Compenfation, fee. which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to an Ail, entitled, An Act for
the better enabling of Creditors to recover their juft Debts from Perfons iJoho
abfond them/elves ; was read the fecond Time, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame be engroffed.
The Engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to vacate a certain Bond or Obliga-
tion given and executed by Samuel Rogers, late of the County of Monmouth,
deceafed, to Richard Stevens and Robert Lawrence ; being read and com-
pared ; and on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That die fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Bullock, and Mr. Hinchman, do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
The Bill, entitled, An Act further to declare and explain the Extenfton of
the Statutes of Limitation concerning Aclions real, perfonal and mixed, &c.
was read the fecond Time, and on the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill be
now gone into, or referred to the next Senions ? It pafled in the Negative.
Ordered,
That the fame be referred, for further Confideration, to the next Seffions
of General Affembly.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Cornelius Van Voorjl, of Har-
fimus, in Bergen County, praying a Law to eftablifh the Rates to be taken
at the Ferry at Paulus-Hook, &c. which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe from Daniel Cox, Efq; praying
a Law for regulating the Rates of die Ferry at Trenton ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Trick, a Foreigner,
praying a Law for his Naturalization ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
Purfuant to Leave given, Mr. Fi/Jier, in Behalf of the Petitioners,
brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act to naturalize Frederick Outgelt aitd
others ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Draught of an Addrefs to His Excellency in Anfwer to his Speech,
being read the fecond Time, and amended in the Houfe j
Ordered,
That the fame be engroffed.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought in
a Bill, entitled, An Act for the Regulation of Ferriages, &c. which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Bullock reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf delivered the Bill
with them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock,
Tatfday, O&ober i6, 1770.
The Houfe met.
[ 21 ] .
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe by Col. John Schuyler, refpecting
the Roads leading from Bergen-Point to Paulus-Hook, &c which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe, according to Order, went into the Inquiry of the Robbery of
the Eaftern Treafury ; and the Members having previoufly viewed the Trea-
furer's Houfe, and in particular the Room where the Money was depofit-
ed ; and the Witneffes now attending, the Houfe proceeded to the Exami-
nation of the Witnelfes ; whereupon John Smyth, Efq; William Campbell,
Richard Stevens, and Alexander Campbell, werefworn, and examined touch-
ing the faid Robbery ; and Thomas Bartow, Efq; attending, and inform-
ing the Houfe that he knew nothing refpecting the Robbery, the Houfe,
at his Requeft, difmiffed him from further Attendance.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Edward Tejl, Efq; praying
a Law may be paffed to compel John Bndd, Efq; to give Security for
Colts in an Action commenced by him againft the Petitioner ; and that a
Claufe in the Infolvent Act, made for the Relief of faid Budd, may be
fb far repealed as not to affect the faid Petitioner, <&c. which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe proceeded in the Examination of the Witneffes attending,
refpecting the Robbery of the Eaftern Treafury ;
Whereupon Samuel Sarjant, Efq; Thomas Skinner, Reuben Runyon, John
Blanchard, Thomas Inglifs, Ed-ward Higgins, Richard Sharplefs, Mary
Campbell, and Margaret Campbell, were called I in, fworn, and examined; John
Dennis, Jqfeph Vickers, John Van Nor den, jun. and Matthew Sleght, at-
tending, informed the Houfe, that they knew nothing refpecting the
Robbery ;
Whereupon the Houfe, at their Requeft, difmifled them from further
Attendance.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
JVednefday, OBober iy, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A Memorial Was prefented to the Houfe from Thomas Reading, fettirig
forth his Circumftances, and praying Relief, <&c. which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe proceeded td examine Elizabeth Inglifs, who lives with the
Eaftern Treafurer, refpedting the Robbery of the Treafury ; and having
alfo examined Stephen Skinner, Efq; the Eaftern Treafurer, touching faid
Robbery ;
The Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe there-
upon ; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair,
and Mr. Fi/Jjer, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Com-
mittee had made fome Progrefs in the Matters to them referred, and de-
fired Leave to fit again. To which the Houfe agreed.
Ordered,
That the feveral Affidavits taken before the Houfe, refpecting the Rob-
bery of the Eaftern Treafury ; and alfo fuch Affidavits as were read in
the Houfe, taken before the Chief Juftice, be entered on the Minutes j
which are as follow : F John
[ « ]
* JOHN SMYTH, Efq; being examined, depofeth and faith, That
J ' the Morning after the Treafury was robbed, he was lent for by
' Stephen Skinner, Efq; the Treafurer, to advife him what Steps to take
' to detect the Robbers, <&c. that upon his coming into the Room he
' found » the Iron Cheft Handing open, and a drawn Sword on the Table;
' that in the Bottom of the Cheft there was a Number of Bills, one£. 3 Bill, .
' and the Remainder fmall Bills, the whole amounting to £. 170, or there-
' abouts, &t\ as in his Deposition taken before the Chief Juflice, is fet
' forth, &c.
' That there was an Indent on the eaft Window Frame, likewife it had
' been pried open with a Chifel ; that Mr. Skinner told him, that the Efcri-
' toir had been opened, and an old Key he never vded had been taken out
* of the Efcritoir, with which the Iron Cheft was opened ; he cannot tell
' whether the Key was in the Cheft or not when he rirft faw it ; that the
' Point of the Sword lay towards the Window, and the Iron Cheft was
' drawn near the Window ? that he heard Campbell thq Carpenter fay, he
' thought it was probable the Window had been opened by that Means ;
' that he don't remember any Glafs was broke, that he believes the Trea-
' furer ufually lodges as far as his Houfe will admit of from the Room
' where the Robbery was committed ; he don't remember what Sort of a
' Night it was.'
To Mr. Skinners Queftions' (crofs examined.)
' That Mr. Skinner owns feveral Tracts of Land, fomc purchafed of the
' Eftate of Andrew Jobnjlon, one taken for Debt ; that he owns a. large
1 Tract of Land in the Province of Neiv-Tork, given him by his Brother
' "John Skinner, as he has been informed, who got a Grant for it from the
4 Crown ; that he purchafed fome of his Lands in Right of his Wife, in
' Part of her Legacy.
' Mr. Smyth further faith, that he took a particular Lift of the' Money
' remaining in the Cheft ; that he has not got the faid Lift, but thinks he
1 left it in the Treafury at the Time it was taken ; that all the Money re-
' maining was Jerfey Bills, and he believes all new Money ; that the faid
' Bills were cut, and he thinks figned, and fome of them tied up in Bun-
' dies ; that he believes Mr. Skinner 's Apprentice, William Campbell, was al-
' lowed to go into the Room where the Money was kept, both when Mr.
' Skinner was at Home and when he was abient, but don't know that he
' was intruded with the Key of the Cheft ; that he was told there was
1 Money taken out of the Efcritoir, but does not know whether there was
' or not ; that he never heard that William Campbell was intruded with the
' Key of the Efcritoir ; that the Treafurer informed him, that the Money
1 taken out of the Treafury was in Paper and Silver, but moftly Paper ;
* and that the chief Part of the Paper Money was new Bills ; that he does
* not remember that there were any Tracts or Marks of People's Feet on the
1 Shade under Window ; that he did not fee any broken Glafs on the
' Shade ; that he was told the Money taken out of the Efcritoir was Gold,
* but is not certain that it was ; that he don't remember ever to have ieen
1 Mr. Skinner take a Key out of the Efcritoir to open the Iron Cheft.
John Smyth.'
4 TTT1LLIAM CAMPBELL, of full Age, being fworn-, depofedi
W anc^ faith, That he was the firft Perfon he believes that difcover-
4 ed the Robbery of the Treafury '- that on his going to Mr, Skinners Houfe,
' early
[ n ]
early in the Morning, the Day after the Robbery was committed, went
to the Room where the Money was kept, and found the Key in the Door ;
that upon his coming into the Room, he found the Iron Cheft open, and
drawn near the Window ; that there was Money in the Cheft ; that on
his finding die Room in that Situation, he came out and fhut the Door,
and informed Mr. Skinner of it, who then fent him for Mr. Cortland
Skinner and Mr. Smyih ; that he found the eaft Window in the Room
open ; that he ufually faftened the AVindows at Night, but believes the
eaft Window was not opened the Day before the Robbery ; that the
Key of the Room was commonly either left in the Door, or taken out and
hung up by the Side of the Door ; that he don't remember how the
Street Door was faftened that Night ; that Mr. Skinners Negroes were up
when he came to Mr. Skinners, but he was not up himfelf ; that the
Negro Boy went with him to inform Mr. Skinner of the Robbery, and
die Boy, he thinks, took the Sword with him ; that he don't believe Mr.
Skinners Negroes went into faid Room, except they were fent there ; that
he firft obferved that the Efcritoir was open'd ; that he believes fome old
Money was taken out of the Efcritoir ; that the Window Shutters were
ufually faftened with a Bolt and a Ring ; that the Window Shutters were
open when he went into the Room, but don't know whether die Safh
was open or not ; that there was a Mark of a Pry on the Window, but
the Hook, if taken out, had been drove in again before he faw it ; that
he faw no Marks or Tracts of People's Feet on the Shade under the Win-
dow ; that he don't remember of putdng any Thing in the Safh to keep
it down ; that he believes Mr. Skinner kept the Key of the Iron Cheft in
his Defk ; that he does not remember to have feen Mr. Skinner take any
Key out of the Delk in the fame Room the Iron Cheft was in, to open
faid Iron Cheft ; that he never paid any Money for his Sifters ; that Mr.
Skinner finds him in Clothes ; that any Body going through the Entry
of Mr. Skinners Houfe might come at the Key of the Room where die
Money was kept ; that he never gave his Sifters any Money, or bought
any Things for them except Ribbands and Necklaces ; that Mr. Skinner
kept the Key of the Defk ufually in his own Pocket ; that Mr. Skinner
never intruded him with the Key of the Iron Cheft ; that he remembers
Mr. Skinner counted the Money that was in the Cheft fome Time before
the Robbery, and he thinks there was at that Time in the Cheft upwards of
£. 1 1,000 ; diat the Method of counting the Money was to put twenty Bills
of a Sort in a Bundle ; and that all the Money that was cut was bundled
up ; and that he believes the faid Money was all counted, but not all cut at
that Time ; that there was a Stun of Money put up once or twice in a
Handkerchief, which Mr. Skinner put in the Defk in the back Room ; that
he ufed to take an Account of tlu? Money when he counted it, but has no
Account of it now ; that he don't know the Reafon of fo large a Sum
being counted at that Time ; that Mr. Skinner paid Money to the Barrack -
Mafters feveral Times after the» putting up the Money as aforefaid, and
before the Robbery was committed ; that he believes the Negro Boy
brought the Sword down Stairs again after mewing it to his Mafter ; that
he believes Mr. Skinner's Servants might come at the Key of the Room
where the Robbery was committed, and that the Negroes knew which
Room the Iron Cheft was in ; that he don't remember any Sums being
taken out of the Cheft except what was paid the Barrack-Mafters j that
he thinks the Money was counted in the Spring before the Robbery was
committed ; that the Number of Servants Mr, Skinner had in the Houfe
at
[ 24 ] ,
' at that Time were Seven — -three Negro Men, three Negro Women, and a
' white Girl ; that Mr. Skinner paid Money to ieveral Barrack-Mafters,
' but don't remember who they were ; that he does not remember any
4 white People lodging at Mr. Skittneri at that Time, except his own Fa-
' mily, and Betjey Engli/b, the white Girl before-mentioned ; that the
' Shutters In the Room were open, but not taken off the Hinges ; that he
' fometimes cut and bundled up Money when Mr. Skinner was not in the
' Room with him, but Mr. Skinner always gave out the Money to him ;
' that he dunks there was no other Way any Perfon could get into the
' Room, but at the Window or through the Entry.'
Crofs examined by Mr Skinner.
' That the Crofs Bolts to the Shutters were put on fince he came to live
' vidi Mr. Skinner, and he believes to fupply the Place of the Screws which
' were loft, in order to fecure the Windows (he thinks one of the Cafings
1 of the Window was pulhed off;) that he believes Mr. Skinner delivered
' him Money to cut more than twice ; that he cannot remember whether
; the Night of the Robbery was a light or a dark Night.
Willi -\m Campbell.'
THOMAS BARTOW, knowing nothing of the Matter, was not
examined.
RICHARD STEVENS depofeth and faith, That he went to
' Mr. Skinners die Morning after the Robbery ; that he faw
' Mr. Smyth taking an Account of the Money ; that he faw the Cheit
' open, and Money in it fcattered ; that he lives next Door to Mr. Skinner;
' that the Night the Treafury was robbed was a Moonlight Night ; that he
v believes the Moon was at the Southwell, and about two or diree Hours
* high ; that when he went to the Houfe he heard People inquiring what
* Sum was ftolen, and it was laid about £. 6 or 7000 ; that the end Win-
' clow was open, and a Sword drawn on the Table ; that he took a View
' of the Window; that the Hook of the Window appeared to be flarted,
' but not quite out ; that Campbell laid the Marks being on the Window
' might have happened when the Window was put up ; that the Lock of
' the Efcritoir in the Room was flarted ; that when he wrent to Mr. Skin-
4 ;.vr's the Sun was about an Hour high ; that he fpent the Evening at
. * Mr. Iienrneys, came Home and fet at his Door 'till about Half after Eleven,
' when he went to Bed; that he heard no Noife that Night, except a Noife
' made in his Yard by a Cow ; that it was doubtful to the People how
' the Perfons got into the Houfe ; fays.there was a Key he thinks in the
' Chefl, but it was faid that it was a Key that had not been ufed by Mr.
' Skinner. Richard Stevens.'
ALEXANDER CAMPBELL depofeth and faith, He was at
' Mr. Skinner s the Morning after the Treafury was robbed ; that
' when he came there, he looked at the Eafl W indow, which looked as if
' Violence had been ufed to the Window, as if a Pry had been made ufe
' of to open the Shutter ; that he then thought the Perfons mufl have
' come in at the Window ; that the Hooks looked as if they had been
' drawn; that he thinks, by thawing one of the Hooks, a Perfon might
* get into faid Window without breaking any other Part of the Window :
' that
[ *5 ]
that he fecured the Windows, and drove in the Hooks again ; that he
thought the Window was infufficient, and fecured the Whole of it ; that
he don't remember to have told any Body that the Marks on faid Win-
dow might have happened when the Window was made ; the Hook
appeared to be ftarted and to draw eafy ; that he was obliged to put in
Wedges in Order to fallen the Hooks ; that he put on the Iron Bars and
Hooks fince the Robbery ; that he gives his Son Money, fometimes Tivo,
fometimes Three Shillings at a Time ; that he was fent for to repair a
Defk of Mr. Skinner s, which had Marks on it as if broke open; that
he don't remember whether the Bolts in the Infide of Windows were on
them at the Time of the Robbery or not.
Alexander Campbell.'
SAMUEL SARJANT, Efq; depofeth and faith, That about
' five or fix Days before the Robbery of die Treafury, he afked the
Treafurer if he could let the Barrack-Mafters have any Money, upon
which he told this Deponent he believed he could ; that he afked Mr.
Skinner how he opened die Cheft, as there appeared to be no Key-Hole ;
upon which Mr. Skinner opened the Iron Cheft ; and that it was packed
full of Money ; that he took the Key of the Iron Cheft out of a Defk that
flood in the fame Room ; and that he put a Brafs Cock in the Key to open
the faid Iron Cheft ; that the Morning after the Treafury was robbed, he
was fent for by Mr. Skinner ; that he viewed the Eaft Window, and faw
the Mark, as he thought, of a Chifel on the Window ; that he never faw
Mr. Skinner open the Iron Cheft more than once ; that he got Money
of Mr. Skinner the Day before the Robbery, he thinks £. ioo, but does
not remember whether it was Jerfey Money or not ; that he thinks the
Defk appeared as if Violence had been ufed to get it open ; that Mr. Skin-
Tier faid there was fome old Money and fome Half Johannes taken out of
the Defk ; that he heard Campbell fay, that the Marks on the Window
might have been done by the Hooks being over drove at fir ft, or might
have been done fince ; that he dunks a Chifel might have made fuch a
Mark as appeared on the Window ; that he faw Bolts in the Window ;
that he has not taken particular Notice of the Window fince the Robbery ;
that he don't remember anv Tiling particular being faid at the Time how
the Robbery was committed, but that there was different Opinions about
it; that he thinks he faw the Brafs Cock in the Room fome Time before the
Robbery, and at the Day it was difcovered ; and that it was generally
believed the faid Cock was ufed to open the Cheft.
Samuel Sarjant.'
npHOMAS SKINNER depofeth and faith, That the Night be-
•*• ' fore the Treafury was robbed he received £. ioo of Mr. Skinner ;
and that the Morning after the Robbery he was fent for by Mr. Skinner,
when he feen the Iron Cheft open in the Room with fome Money in it ;
that the Money he received of Mr. Skinner was counted out ready for
him when he came for it ; that he never faw the Iron Cheft opened till
the Day after the Robbery ; diat he was employed by Mr. Skinner to go
to Neiv-York in Purfuit of the Stage-Boat, to fearch for the Money
ftolen, but that fome other People, fent by Mr. Skinner, had fearched the
Boat before flie got toAr. York; that he faw fome Marks of Violence on the
Eaft Window, but no where elfe, but was told the Defk was broke open ;
that he thinks the Money he received of Mr. Skinner was Jerfey Money.
Thomas Skinner.'
G
REUBEN
[26 j
REUBEN RUN YON depofeth and faith, that he received
' Money feveral Times of Mr. Skinner ; that fome between the i oth
' and 28th of May, 1768, he received £. 54 or thereabouts ; that on the
' 28th of fime Month he received £. 300 ; that Mr. Skinner feemed
' backward in letting him have the £. 54, alledging, he, iaid Runyon was
' indebted to the Province ; that Mr. Skinner told him he muff have Mr.
* FiJJjers Receipt with his for the £. 300 ; that the iecond Time he ap-
1 plied for the £. 300, he got it of Mr. Skinner in Jerfey Money, all new
' Bills of many Sorts ; at firfl Mr. Skinner told him it was too much, but
' afterwards told him it was equal whether he had' £. 500 at once or at dif-
i ferent Times ; but the Receipt being for but £. 300, Mr. Skinner paid him'
' no more than that Sum. Reuben Runyon.
(Reuben Runyon crofs examined by Mr. Skinner.)
1 That he told Mr. Skinner he had an Order from the Clerk of the
■ AfTembly.'
' JOHN DENNIS being fworn, faith, That he knows nothing of his
J * own Knowledge refpecting the Robbery of the Ti^eafury.'
JOSEPH VICKERS, to the fame Effedt, . &c.
'JOHN BLANCHARD depofeth and faith, That when he ap-
| ' plied for Money to Mr. Skinner, he told him he thought he could not
' let him have the whole Sum he applied for, as the Affembly had found
1 Fault with him, but that Mr. Skinner immediately after paid him the
4 Sum he applied for in new Money Jerfey Bills ; that the Application
' was before the Robbery of the Treafury ; that all the Money he ever
' received of Mr. Skinner was Jerfey Currency, and all new Bills, except
4 the lafl Sum he received, which was old Jerfey Bills, which was fince
' the Robbery. John Blanc hard.' ,
M ATTHEW SLEGHT knows nothing of the Matter. Not fworn .
J O H N V A N N O R D E N, jun. knows nothing. Not fworn.
< /-p HOMAS INGLISS depofeth and faith, That about Eleven or
■*■ ' Twelve o'Clock the Night of the Robber)-, he heard a great bark-
' ing of Dogs, upon which he got up, when he feen his own Dog run
' towards Mr. Skinner 's Houfe, and come back again feveral Times with
* fome other Dogs ; that fome Time after, he went to bed ; that the next
* Morning he heard the Treafury was robbed ; upon which he went to
* Mr. Skinners, who told him to get ready, that he mould want him to
* go fomewhere for him ; that foon after Mr. Sk'mner lent him to Mr.
* Hartjljornc, who got fome* People, who were on Board a Filhing-Boat,
* examined touching the Pvobbery; don't remember whether the Moon
' (hone or not ; that he thinks he had not been afleep when he heard the
« Dogs bark. Thomas Inclis.'
4 Jf7»DWARD HIGGINS depofeth and faith, That he was at Mr.
J~_j ' Skinner's about Eight o'Clock the Morning after the Robbery ;
* that he law the Window ; that he thinks the Hook had been drawn with
* a Chifel ; that the Indent on the Frame appeaivd to him to be frelli, and
' he
[ =7 ]
he thinks muft have been done at that Time, and that the Splinters and
Paint convinced him the Hooks muft have been lately drawn and drove
in again ; that after he found the Hook had been drawn, for his own
Satisfaction, he drew out the Hook, and put his Arm within the Shutter
and Aid the Bolt, when he firft law the Window the Hook was in,
but believes it muft have been drawn, as it was fo looie that he pulled
it out with his Fingers ; that fome Perfons were prefent when he tried
the Window, but don't remember who ; he thinks Campbell was one, but
is not certain. Edward Higgin."
MARY PARKER's Affidavit read.
RICHARD SHARPLESS depofeth and faith, That in the
' Night of the Robbery, between Twelve and One his Son waked
' him up, when he law three Men at the Well ; that they went firft to-
' wards Elias Marjtis Shop, then came back again and went towards Mr.
* Skinners Houfe ; and in about Three Quarters of an Hour he heard fome
* Men return again, which he thought were the fame ; that he thinks one
* of the Men had a Horfe ; he thinks it happened about the riling of the
' Moon ; that he heard of the Robbery about Six o'Clock in the Morning;
His
Richard f Sharpless.'
Mark.
' Ti /TARY CAMPBELL depofeth and faith, She never received any
X v JL ' Sums of Money of her Brother William Campbell at any Time j
1 that he never paid any Money for her on any Account, but for a Riband
' he bought for her.'
MARGARET CAMPBELL knows nothing of the Robbery;
* has received no Sums of Money of her Brother William fince he
' lived with Mr. Skinner ; nor has her Brother paid any Money for her on
* any Account whatever.' '
'"pLIZABETH INGLISS, Daughter of Thomas Inglifs, depofeth
l*j ' and faith, That fhe heard no Noife in the Night of the Robbery,
* but fhe was alarmed the next Morning with being told the Treafury was
\ robbed ; that fhe got up and went down Stairs ; that fhe faw the Iron
' Cheft open, the Defk open, the Drawers of it pulled out, and a drawn
* Sword on the Table ; that fhe cannot tell whether any of the Family was
* up in the Night or not ; that fhe lodged near the Room where Mr. Skinner
1 lodged ; that fhe don't know whether fhe was the laft up that Night or
* not ; that it was Mr. Skinners Negro Boy firft told her of the Robbery.
(Crofs examined.)
c That flie is employed at Mr. Skinner 's to attend Children ; that at the
' Time of the Robbery fhe kept in a back Nurfery ; that fhe heard of the
' Robbery early in the Morning, heard Mr. Skinners Boy tell him of it ;
* that there were no Strangers in the Houfe at that Time, but feveral
' People came after ; don't know that any Body was lick in the Houfe, or
* got up in the Night of the Robbery. Elizabeth Inglis.'
New-Jtrfey, i ' T) ERSON ALLY appeared before me, Fre"-
City of Perth-Amboy, 1 ■*• y < derick Smyths Efq; Chief Juftice of the
' Province
L '8 j
' Province of- New-Jerfey9 this Twenty-fifth Day oi Jul), in the Year of
' Our Lord One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Sixty-eight, Stephen Skin-
1 tier, Efq; Treafurer of the Eaftern Divifion of New-Jetfey, who being
' duly fworn, depofetli and faith, That about Six o'Clock on Friday Morn-
' ing the 2 2d Inilant, he was waked up by his Negro Boy, who told this
' Deponent, that the Office Window was broke open, the Iron Chefl opened,
1 and. the Money taken out, and that this Deponent's Sword was drawn
' and laid on the Table in the fame Room ; upon which this Deponent
* immediately went down the Stairs, and found the Eaft Window of the
* fame RoOm open, and fome Marks of Violence on the Shutter, the Chefl
1 carried from its Place to the faid Window, and there opened with a Key
' that this Deponent hath never ufed, but always kept locked up in a pri-
* vate Drawer of a Defk that flood in the fame Room, which Key was
' delivered to this Deponent by the Executors of Andrew Johnjlon, Efq; the
' late Treafurer, fome Time after he received from them the Iron Chefl
1 abovefaid ; that the Money in the faid Chefl amounted to about Seven '
* Thou/and Eight Hundred and Fourteen Pounds, Nine Shillings, all in Paper
' Money, except about Seven Hundred Dollars, in two Bags ; that the faid
' Paper Money was the Remainder of a larger Sum this Deponent had
' bundled up fome Time in February lafl ; all which faid Paper Money
* was flolen and carried off, except One Hundred and Seventy Pounds left in
' the faid Chefl : And further this Deponent faith, that the faid Defk which
' flood in the faid Room as aforefaid, was broke open, and every Drawer
' fearched ; that in the faid Defk was about Forty Pounds in ragged Money,
* and Five or Six Half 'Johannes'' ', which were alfo flolen; And this Deponent
' further faith, that the Key with which he always opened the faid Chefl
' was commonly (and on the Night on which the Robbery was committed)
' locked up in an Efcritoir in a back Room ; that the Bills flolen are of
' different Denominations, from Six Pounds and under^ but mofl of Fifteen
* Shillings and upwards, figned by Packard Smith, Johnjlon, and this Depo-
' nent ; and are as this Deponent believes of the Emiflions of One Thou-
1 fand Seven Hundred and Sixty-three, and One Thoufand Seven Hundred
' and Sixty-four, except about Five or Six Hundred Pounds of faid Bills,
' which had been current, and were a little worn, and bundled up in faid
' Chefl ; that among the Bills left in the faid Iron Chefl after the Robbery
' aforefaid, there was only one Bill of Three Pounds, the Remainder left,
' of lower Denominations, and moflly fmall Bills. This Deponent further
' faith, that the Money flolen was bundled up Twenty Bills in a Bundle,
* and tied or pinned round with a Piece of a Paper : And further -this De-
' nent faith, that he keeps the Publick Money in Sheets as delivered him
1 by the Signers ; that from thefe Sheets, he, this Deponent, ufually cut the
' Bills from Time to Time, and when fo cut, bundled the fame up Twenty
* in a Bundle as aforefaid ; and, for greater Security, hath always put the
* Money fo bundled up in the faid Iron Chefl ; that the faid Money as
* aforefaid flolen, was by this Deponent fo put in the faid Chefl in February
« lafl, as aforefaid. Stephen Skinner.'
Sworn the 25/i Day of July, 1768,
at Perth-Amboy, before me,
Fre : Smyth.
City of l £ ' T) H E B E W EBB, the Wife of Abraham Webb, of full
Perth-Amboy, y*' g « j^pe who lives in a Houfe under the Hill that
4 fronts towards Mr. Stephen Skinners Houfe, being duly Sworn on the
« Holy
[ 29
1 Holy Evangelift of Almighty God, fays, That me went to Bed after Ten
' o'Clock on Thuifday Night the 21ft of July ; that fhe had not been afleep
' when fhe heard an uncommon barking and howling of Dogs, both above
' and below the Hill for a conhderable Time, when ihe got up and went to
* the Door that fronts towards the Water and Dock, fufbecting that fonie
'■ Perfon might be dealing their Wood, which is in a Stable before the Door ;
' that In about two Minutes after fhe opened the Door, fhe heard a great
' talking of People round the Corner next Mr. Skinners Houfe, and pre-
' fently faw two or three People come down the Hill the New-Road, and
* went on the Dock, upon which, imagining they were Soldiers, fhe fhut
' the Door to a fmall Crack, and faw two others, as fhe thought, join them,
' upon which they turned up towards the New-Road, and went off by
' John Thomfotis and Mar/he s Houfe, to the Northward ; that the Night
* was cloudy and dark, and that fhe could not diftinguifh whether" they
* were Soldiers, Negroes, or what they were ; that fhe j udges it muft have
* been One or Two o'Clock at Night, as fhe did not go to Bed till the Moon
' went down, and near Half a Candle burnt out before fhe opened the
* Door. Phebe Webb.'
' Sworn the fir/} Day of Auguft,
1 1768, before me,
' Fre : Smyth.'
City of l ' "\ /T A R Y PARKER, of faid City, of full Age, be-
Perth-Amboy, J J>- ^yj_ « ing duly Sworn on the Holy Evangelift of
c Almighty God, on her Oath declares, That on Thurfday Night the 21ft
' Inftant, about One o'Clock in the Morning fhe got up out of Bed, it
' being very warm, and threw up the Safli, and put her Head out of the
* Window, when fhe heard a Noife that fhe took to be the laying down of
* Oars in a Boat, that the Noife appeared to her to be to the Northward of
* Elias Marjhes Houfe ; that the above Window is on that Side of die
* Houfe that fronts die Water Side ; that fhe heard the barking of Dogs
* both before and after fhe got out of Bed as aforefaid ; and further faith
' not.'
* Sworn July 30th, 1768,
' before me,
' F re : Smyth.'
City of If ' A/TARY COLLINS, of full Age, being duly
Pcrth-Amboy, $•"' xVJi. ' fworn on the Holy Evangelift of Almighty
' God, fays, That fhe hires a Garret Room in the Houfe John Richardjou
* lives in ; that fhe went to Bed pretty early in the Evening of Thurfday the
' 2 1 ft of July, and about Midnight or after fhe was awakened by the barking
* of Dogs, but that fhe did not get up ; that fhe did not lay awake long,
1 having been much tired with hard Work the Day before ; that the Dogs
* barked very fierce, and fhe thinks fhe heard fome Body fpeak to them,
* but whether it was in the Street or by the Water Side, fhe cannot tell.
The Mark of
« Sworn the firji Day of Auguft, , MaRY X C.OLLINS.'
' 1768, before me,
* Fre : Smyth.'
^y of' 1 « TT'LIZABETH INGLIS, of full Age, being duly
Perth-Amboy, \ M- J"1^ < fwom Qn the Hqj^ Evangelifl- 0f Almighty God,
* fays, That on Thurfday Night die 2 ift of July, fhe went to Bed at about
H ' Nine
■ t 3° ]
' Nine o'clock, but could not get to Sleep ; that after fhe had been a-bec:.
' for about two Hours or more, fhe heard an uncommon barking of Dogs,
' which continued for a long Time, and kept her awake as fhe verily be-
' licves till after Midnight, when fhe heard the Rowing of a fmall Boat,
' and obferved at the fame Time that the Rowing was very fmart, and as
* fhe thought by the Noife of the Oars like the Rowing of a Barge ; that
' fhe had a Mind to get tip, but thought to herfelf, that it would only
' awaken her in fuch a Manner that fhe would not be able to get afleep for
' a long Time ; that fhe judged the Boat was rowing up the River.
The Mark of
Elizabeth L, Inglis.'
1 Sworn this \Jl Auguft,
* 1768, before me,
* Fre : Smyth.'
City of 1 - TOHN RICHARDSON, of full Age, being duly
Perth-Amboy, J-"" J ' fworn on the Holy Evangelift of Almighty God,
' fays, That on Thurfday the 2 1 ft of July, he went to Bed at about Ten
' o'Clock ; that after Midnight, as he imagines, he was wakened by an
4 uncommon barking of Dogs, which feemed to be towards Mr. Skinners
' Houfe, and he thought he could particularly diftinguifh the barking of
* his Neighbour Thomas Inglis's Dog ; that he once thought to get up to
* endeavour to fee the Occafion of the extraordinary barking, but con-
' eluded within himfelf that he had no Wood or any Thing to lofe, and
* fo did not ; he thinks he was awake about One o'Clock.
John Richardson,'
' Sworn the \Ji of Auguft,
' 1768, before me,
' Fre : Smyth.'
The Houfe adjourned, till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Hotife, according to Order, again refolved itfelf into a Committee
of the whole Houfe, on the Robbery of the Eaftern Treafury of this
Colony ; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the
Chan-, and Mr. FiJJoer, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the
Committee had gone through the Matters to them referred, and had come
to one Refolution, which he was ready to report whenever the Houfe will
pleafe to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. FiJJoer reported the Refolution of the Committee, as-
follows :
Refolved,
That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that the Robbery of the Eaftern
Treafury, of the Sum of Six Thoufand Five Hundred and Seventy Founds •,
Nine Shillings and Four-pence, which happened in the Night of the 2 1 ft
of July, 1768, was for want of that Security and Care that was necefTary
to keep it in Safety. To which the Houfe agreed.
The Houfe taking into Confideration the Eaftern Treafurer's Account,
reported 2 2d November, 1769, wherein he prays an Allowance of the Sum
of £. 6570 : o : 4, ftolenfrom the Treafury 21ft of JuIy, 1768.
On
[ 3' 1
On the Queftion,
Refolved, Nem. Con.
That it is the Opinion of this Houfe, the laid Treafurer ought not to
be allowed the faid Sum of £.6$yo -.9:4.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to alter and a/certain Part of the Northern
Boundary of the County of Middlefex, and the Southern Boundary of the
County of Somerfet ; was read the fecond Time ; and the Petitions for and
againft the faid Bill being read ; and die Parties attending and defiring
to be heard, were called in and heard in Support of their Petitions ; but it
being late, and there being a Number of Witnefles to be examined, the
Houfe referred the further Confideration thereof till To-Morrow Morning.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o' Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Thurfday, October 18, 177c.
The Houfe met.
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe from 'John Stevens, Efq; and
the Minifler, Church Wardens, and Veftry of St. Peters Church, in Perth-
Amboy, reflecting the Regulation of the Rates to be taken at the Ferries on
both Sides of Raritan River, in the City of Perth- Amboy ; which was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Memorial of Thomas Reading, fetting forth his Circumftances, and
praying Relief, <&c. was read the fecond Time, and on the Queftion,
Whether the Parties concerned have a Hearing now, or be referred to the
next Seffions ? It was carried in the Negative, as follows :
NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnjlon, Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. JVetherill, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Price,
Mr. Hezvlings, Mr. Miller.
Mr. Smith,
Ordered,
That the fame be referred to the next Seflions of AfTembly.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John De Camp, jun. a Pri-
foner in the Gaol of the Borough of Elizabeth, with fundry Affidavits,
fetting forth his Circumftances and Difbrefs, and praying Relief; and al-
fo a Petition of David Brant, againft granting the Prayer of the Petitioner ;
all which being read, on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition lie on the Table.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from the General Proprietors of
the Colony of Nezv-Jerfey, praying a Law confirming and eftablifhing,
on the Part of faid Colony, the Articles and Terms of Agreement between
the Agents of Netv-Tork and this Colony, reflecting the Partition or Di-
vifion Line between faid Colonies ; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The Houfe refumed the Confideration of the Petitions for and againft
parting the Law, to alter and afcertain the Northern Boundary of the County
of Middlefex, and the Southern Boundary of the County of Somerfet ; and
the Parties being again called in and heard, with their Proofs and Al-
legations ; and the Hoxife being of Opinion, that the Laws already in Force,
for fettling faid Boundaries, are fufficient;
Orderedy
YEAS.
YEAS.
Mr. Hartjhorne,
Mr. Dey,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Hart,
Mr. Fijher,
Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Berrien,
[ 32 ]
Ordered,
That the faid Bill do lie on the Table.
The Petition of John Irick, a Foreigner, praying a Law for his Natura-
lization ; was read the fecond Time, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Petitioner be included in the Act for Naturalization now be-
fore the Houfe.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to naturalize Frederick Outgelt and others J
being read the fecond Time, on the Queftion,
Ordered.
That the fame be engroffed.
The Engroffed Addrefs to His Excellency, was read and compared ;
Ordered,
That the Speaker do fign the fame.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M,
The Houfe met.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien, and Mr. Demaref, do attend His Excellency, and
delire to know when the Houfe fhall wait on him with their Addrefs.
The Engroffed Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to an AH, entitled, An
Act for the better enabling of Creditors to recover their jujl Debts from Per-
fons ivho abfcond themfelves ; being read and compared, and on the Quef-
tion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
The Engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to naturalize Frederick Outgelt,
Leonard Nymafter, Peter Lupp, John Bower, Lawrence Eykeinier, George
Obert, Peter Obertr and John Irick ; being read and compared, and on
the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Heivlings, do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
Mr. Fiffjer, with Leave, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act to alter and
amend the Sixteenth Setlion of the Acl, entitled, An Act to fettle the Quotas
of the federal Counties in this Colony for levying Taxes; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Pleading.
Mr. Tucker, purfuant to Leave given, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act
for the more equitable clearing out, amending and repairing the Public Roads
and Highways in the Counties of Hunterdon, Morris, Suffex and Somerfet,
and for other Purpofcs therein mentioned ;' which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
Mr. Berrien reported, that Mr. Demarejl and himfelf waited on his Ex-
cellency according to Order ; who was pleafed to fay, he would fend for
the Houfe immediately.
A Meffage from His Excellency by the Deputy Secretary.
' Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, ready to
* receive the Addrefs of the Houfe.'
Whereupon
[ 33 ]
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to
wait upon His Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker relumed the
Chair, and reported, that die Houfe had prefented their Addrefs to His
Excellency in the Words following, to ivit ;
To His Excellency WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Efq; Captain General,
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Colony of Nova-Carlarea,
or New-Jerfey, and Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor
and Vice-Admiral of the fame, &c.
The Humble ADDRESS of the Representatives of faid Colony,
in General Alfembly convened.
May it pleafe your Excellency,
TJfE, His Majejlys dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Reprefentatives of New-
*" Jerfey, in General Affembly convened, cannot but be fenfibly affecled
ivith iv hat your Excellency has been pleafed to declare, refpecling the Fate of
the Paper-Money Billfent Home for His Majejlys Approbation : The Afjuranccs
given your Excellency by the Minijlry, of their WiUingnefs to indulge this
Colony ivith a Loan-Office Bill, under certain Rejlriclions, ivas ivhat induced
us to ivave very ejfential Confiderations, in the framing of this Bill, becaufe as
it ivas not our Intention to interfere ivith the Acl of Parliament, Jo ive care-
fully avoided every Thing that ive apprehended might be confrued to militate
againjl it ; but from the Reafon given by the Board of Trade to the King,
againjl this Laiv, communicated by your Excellency, ive are difcouraged at
prejent from attempting another Bill, as ive cannot fee hoiv it can be fojramed
as to obviate the Objecliou, and yet anfiver the Purpofes of a Currency. We,
hoivever, thank your Excellency for your Readinejs to ufe all the Endeavours
in your Poiver to obtain His Majejlys Affent, if a Bill could be Jo framed, and
yet anfiver the good Purpofes intended.
We have under Confi deration, andfloall pay all due Attention to the fever al
Matters recommended by your Excellency, and hope for a Continuance of that
Harmony and good Undeijlanding in tranfacling the Bufmejs of this Sejfion,
ivhich ive have heretofore experienced to be productive of great Advantage
to the Colony,
By Order of the Houfe,
Oaober 18, 1770. STEPHEN CRANE, Speaker.
Mr. Runyon, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in
a Bill, entitled, An Acl: for the Settlement and Relief of the Poor ; which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition of Edivard Tejl, Efq; praying a Law to compel John Budd,
Efq; to give Security for Cofts in an Action commenced by him againfc
the Petitioner, o-*<\ was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the fame be referred to the next Selfions.
The Bill, entitled, An Acl for the Support of Government of His Majefys
Colony of New-Jerfey, to commence the firjl Day oj October, 1770, and to
end the firft Day of October, 177 1, and to difcharge the Publick Debts and
contingent Charges thereof; was read the fecond Time, and referred to the
Committee of the whole Houfe.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee do fit To-Morrow Morning.
I Mr.
" [ 34 ]
Mr. Tucker reported, that Mr. Headings and himfelf, delivered the Bills
with them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Tucker, from the Committee to whom the Bill, entitled, An Act to
raife a Fund for defraying Damages done by Dogs, &c. reported the fame
with feveral Amendments ; which Bill being read the fecond Time, on the
Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended, be engrofled.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday, OBober 19, 1770-
The Houfe met.
The Houfe, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Committee of the
whole Houfe, on die Bill for Support of Government ; and after fome
Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fijloer, Chair-
man of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had gone through die
Matters referred to them, and was ready to make a Report when the Houfe
will pleafe to receive the fame ;
Ordered^
That the faid Report be made immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. FiJJjer reported the feveral Refolutions of the Com-
mittee, as follow, to iv'it,
1. Refolded,
That in and by the faid Bill, when paffed into a Law, there be paid to
His Excellency William Franklin, Efq; at the Rate of Twelve Hundred
Pounds per Annum, to commence from the ill Day of this InRant Ociober ;
and on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to faid Sum or not ? It
palTed in die Affirmative.
YEAS. ' YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnjlon, Mr. Smith, Mr. WetherilL
Mr. Hartjhorns, Mr. Price, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Hinchmah, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Miller, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Dey, Mr. Hart, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Tucker. Who voted for £. iooc.
Mr. Hewlings,
2. To the Hon. Frederick Smyth, Efq; Chief Juftice of faid Colony, at the
Rate of One Hundred and Fifty Pounds, to commence from the lit Day of
this Inftant Ociober ; and on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to
faid Sum or not ? It palled in the Affirmative.
YEAS. , YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. John/ion, Mr. Smith, Mr. Wetherill,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Price, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hinchman, , Mr. Hartjhbrni,
Mr. Dey, Mr. Miller, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Hart, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Hewlings^ Mr. Tucker. Mr. Bullock,
Who voted for £. ico.
3. To the Hon. Charles Read, Efq; Second Juftice of the Supreme Court
of this Colony, at the Rate of Fifty Pounds per Annum, to commence from
the ill Day of this Inftant October. To which the Houfe agreed.
4. To the Hon. Jofjn Berrien, Efq; Third Juflice of the Supreme Court
of this Colony, Fifty Pounds per Annum, to commence from the ift Day
of this Inftant Ociober. To which the Houfe agreed
5. To
'.->'
C 35 J
5. To Cortland Skinner, Efq; Attorney General of this Colony, Thirty
Pounds per Annum, to commence from the ift Day of this Inftant Oclcbcr.
To which the Houfe agreed.
6. To Samuel Smith, and Stephen Skinner, Efqrs, Treafurers of this Co-
lony, each Forty Pounds per Annum, to commence from the ift Day of this
InRaiit- Oclober. To which die Houfe agreed.
7. To the Clerk of die Council, Thirty Pounds per Annum., to commence
ftom the 1 ft of this Inftant October. To which die Houfe agreed.
8. To Benjamin Franklin, Efq; appointed Agent of this Colony, or to
the Agent for the Time being, appointed by the Houfe of ReprefentativeSj
the Sum of One Hundred Pounds per Annum. To which the Houfe agreed.
9. To Jofeph Warrell, Efq; Clerk of the Circuits of this Colony, the
Sum of Twenty Pounds per Annum. To which the Houfe agreed.
10. To the Door-keeper of die Council, Ten Pounds per Annum. To
which the Houfe agreed.
1 1. To His Excellency William Franklin, Efq; Sixty Pounds per Annum,
for Houfe Rent, provided he makes Perth- Amboy or Burlington the Place
of his Residence. To which the Houfe agreed.
12. To any one of the Juftices of the Supreme Court, for attending
Circuit Courts, and Courts of Oyer and Terminer, in Manner prefcribed
by faid Act, the Sum of Ten Pounds for each Time. To which the Houfe
agreed.
13. To each of the Council, for the Time they may attend at any Sit-
ting of General AfTembly within the Time aforefaid, Six Shillings per Diem.
To which the Houfe agreed.
14. To Jonathan Deare, one of the Clerks of die Houfe of Repfefenta-
tives, or any other Clerk, for his Attendance, the Sum of Ten Shillings per
Diem : Alfo Four-pence per Sheet, reckoning Ninety Words to the Sheetr
for entering the Minutes fair in the *3ook, and copying the Laws and Mi-
nutes for the Printer : And to the faid Jonathan Deare, the Sum of Ten
Pounds for Pen, Ink, and Paper, and hiring Clerks to forward the Bufinefs
of diis Seffions. To which the Houfe agreed.
15. To the Secretary for copying Laws to fend Home, during the Con-
tinuance of this Act, Four-pence per Sheet, reckoning Ninety Words to the
Sheet. To which the Houfe agreed.
16. To each of the Treafurers of this Colony, Six-pence per Pound, for
exchanging ragged and torn Bills of Credit. To which the Houfe agreed.
17. To Ifaac Collins, or any other Printer, for printing the Laws and
Minutes, fuch Sums as Hendrick Fi/ljcr, Stephen Crane, Abraham Heivlings,
and Henry Paxfon, or any two of them, iliall agree to be paid for the
fame. To which the Houfe agreed.
18. To the Serjeant at Arms, for the Time being, who fhall attend the
Council, the Sum of Three Shillings per Diem. To which the Houfe agreed.
1 Q. To the Serjeant at Arms, for the Time being, who fhall attend the
Houfe of Reprefentatives, the Sum of Three Shillings per Diem. To which
the Houfe agreed.
20. To the Door-keeper of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, for the Time
being, who iliall attend in Manner aforefaid, the Sum of Three Shillings
and Six-pence per Diem. To which the Houfe agreed.
2 1 . To the Speaker, and every of the Members of the Houfe of Repre-
fentatives, for the Time they may attend at any General Afiembly,
dining the Continuance of the Act, the Sum of Six Shillings per Diem.
To which the Houfe agreed.
Ordered,
[ 3<5 ]
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as reported and agreed to, be engrofTed.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Martin Ryerfon, letting
forth his unfortunate Circumftances, and praying an Act for his Relief;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Smith, be a Committee to prepare
and bring in a Bill for Payment of contingent Charges, &c.
A MefTage from the Council by Mr. Skinner ■
' Ordered,
' That Mr. Skinner do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, that the Council
' have paffed the Bill, entitled, An Act, continuing an Ail, entitled, An h&for
1 preventing Frauds by Mortgages, &c. and the Bill, entitled, An Act to pre-
* vent Swine running at Large in the Toivn of Haddonficld, in the County of
' Gloucefter ; without Amendment.
' ' By Order of the Houfe,
' CHA. PETTI T, D. Clerk:
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Settlement and Relief of the Poor ;
was read the fecond Time, and on the Quellion, Whether the faid Bill
be gone into at this Seflions or referred to the next ? It was carried in the
Negative.
yeas. Nays. nays.
Mr. John/Ion, Mr. Runydn, Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Price,
Mr. Hartjhornc, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Dey, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hart.
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Paxjon,
Mr. Tucker.
Ordered,
That the further Confideration of faid Bill be referred to the next
Seflions of Affembly.
The Memorial of Charles Pettit, Efq; praying a Compenfation for Ser-
vices performed as Secretary and Clerk of the Council, not provided for
by Law ; was read the fecond Time, on the Queflion,
Ordered,
That the further Conhderation thereof be referred to the next Seflions.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to alter and amend the Sixteenth Seclion of an
Ail, entitled, An Act to fettle the ^iota's, &c. was read the fecond Time,
and committed to Mr. Miller, and Mr. Bullock.
The Petition of the General Proprietors of the Eaftern Divifion of the
Colony of Neiv-Jcrfey, praying a Law confirming and eftablifhing, on the
Part of the faid Colony, the Articles and Terms of Agreement between
the Agents of New-York and this Colony, reflecting the Partition or
Divifion Line between faid Colonies ; was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Saturdayy
[ 37 ]
\ Saturday, October 20, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A Meffage from the Council by. Mr. Parker ;
' Ordered,
1 That Mr. Parker do carry the Bill, entitled, An Act to enable Perfons
' who are His Majeftys Liege Subjects, either by Birth or Naturalization, to
1 inherit and . hold Peal Eftates, 8cc. with the Amendment thereto annexed
' to the Houfe of Aflembly, and defire their Concurrence to faid Amend-
' ment ;
' Ordered alfo,
' That Mr. Parker do acquaint the Houfe of Aflembly, that the Council
' have paffed the Bill, entitled, An Act to regulate the Pa/luring the Lands,
' Meadoivs, and I/lands in Common, lying on and adjoining to a certain Beach,
1 hioivn by the Name of Barnegat, <&c. without Amendment.
' By Order of the Houfe,
'CHA. PETTIT, D. Clerk:
The Houfe took into Confideration the Amendment made to the Bill,
entitled, An Act to enable Perfons ivho are His Majefiy s Liege Subjects, either
by Birth or Naturalization, to inherit and hold Real EJlates, &c. and on the
Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid Amendment ? It paffed
in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill be re-engroffed, with the Council's 'Amendment.
The Petition of Martin Ryerfon, fetting forth his unfortunate Circum-
ftances, and praying an Act for his llelief, <&c. was read the fecond Time,
and on the Queftion, Whether the Petitioner be heard at this Seffions, as to
the Matters contained in his Petition, or referred to the next Seilions ? It
paffed as follows':
For a Hearing. For a Hearing.
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Miller.
Mr. Dey, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Price,
Ordered,
That the Petitioner be heard on Tueflay next, at Two o'Clock in the
Afternoon.
The Engrafted Bill, entitled, An Act to raife a Fund for defraying Da-
mages done by Dogs, in the Counties of Somerfet, Hunterdon, Burlington,
and Gloucefter ; being read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien, and Mr. Hinchman, do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
Mr. Fifher, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in a
Bill, entitled, An Act appointing Comtniffioners for /upplying the fcveral
Barracks in this Colony -with Necejfaries, &c. and for defraying incidental
Charges ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Berrien reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the Bill
with them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
K Ordered,
For Referring.
For Referring,
Mr. Wctherill,
Mr. HfwSngs,
Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Hartjhorne,
Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Bullock.
s
E 38 ]
Ordered^
That Mr. Fijfher, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart, Mr. Hartfiome,
Mr. Price, Mr. Dcmareji, and Mr. Tucker, or any three of them, be a
Committee to join a Committee of the Council, to fettle the Eaftern Trea-
furer's Accounts, and tmrn the cancelled Money in his Hands, and make
Report to the Houfe ; and that Mr. Dey, and Mr. Taylor, do inform the
Council thereof, and defire the Council to appoint a Committee for that
Purpofe, together with the Time and Place of Meeting.
The Engrofled Bill, entitled, An Act for the Support of Government of
His Majefys Colony of New-Jerfey, to commence the firfl Day of October,
1770, and to end the firjl Day of October, 1 77 1, and to difcharge the Pub-
lic Debts and contingent Charges thereof; being read and compared ; on the
Queflion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fi/Jjer, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Miller, and Mr.
Hart, do carry the faid Bill to the Council for Concurrence.
The Bill re-engrofled, with the Council's Amendment, entitled, An Act
to enable Perfons ivho are His Majejly 's Leige Subjects, either by Birth or
Naturalization, to inherit and hold Real EJlates, &c. having been read and
compared,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the faid Bill.
Ordered,
That Mr. Dey, and Mr. Taylor do carry the fame to the Council.
Mr. Fiffser reported, that Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Miller, Mr.
Hart and himfelf, delivered the Bill, for the Support of Government, <&c .
with them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Dey reported, that Mr. Taylor and himfelf, delivered the MefTage
and Bill, with them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Johnjlon, in Behalf of the Petitioners, brought in a Bill, entitled,
An Act for efabliflnng the Boundary or Partition Line betiveen the Colonies
of New-York and New-Jerfey, <&c. which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Parker ;
' Ordered,
* that Mr. Ogden, Lord Stirling, and Mr. Stevens, or any two of them,
' be a Committee to join a Committee of the Houfe of AfTembly, to fettle
' the Eaftern Treasurer's Accounts, and burn the cancelled Money in his
1 Hands, and make Report thereof to the Houfe ; that. the faid Committees
' meet for that Purpofe on Monday Morning, at Nine o'clock, in the
' Council-Chamber, and that Mr. Parker do acquaint the Houfe of Aftem-
' bly therewidi.
* By Order of the Houfe,
'CH'A. PETTI T, D. Clerk:
The Houf« adjourned till Monday Morning Nine o'clock.
Monday, October 22, 1770.
The Houfe met.
And
[ 39 ]
And there not being a fufficient Number of Members to proceed on
Bufinefs, the Houfe adjourned till Two o'Clock in the Afternoon.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Richard Groves, of the
County of EJex, fetting forth, that he had by Accident loft Ten Pounds
Ten Shillings, of the lawful Bills of Credit of this Colony ; which Money
was fent in a Boat, that in her Way to Neiv-Tork was- funk, and the faid
Money totally deftroyed, and praying Relief, &c. which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Tu ef day, October 23, 1770.
The Houfe met.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the more equitable clearing out, amending
and repairing the publick Highways, in the Counties of Hunterdon, Morris,
Suftex, and Somerfet, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned ; was read
the fecond Time, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame be engroiTed.
The Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe, on
that Part of His Excellency's Speech, requefting, that a due Provijion be
made for the Supply of His Majeflfs Troops Jlationed in this Colony ; and
after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr.
Fi/Jier, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had
gone through the Matters to them referred, and had come to one Refolu-
tion, which he was ready to Report whenever the Houfe would pleafe to
receive the fame ;
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. Fijher reported the Refolution of the Committee as
follows :
Refolded,
That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that no further Proviiion be
made for the Supply of His Majefty's Troops ftationed in this Colony ;
and on the Queftion, Whether die Houfe agrees thereto or not ? It palled
in the Affirmative, as follows :
For no Allowance. For no Allowance. For fome Allowance. For fome Allowance.
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Price, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Demarejl,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hificbman, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Hewlings,
Mr. Dcy, Mr. Miller, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Hart. - Mr. Berrien, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Bullock,
The Petition of Martin Ryerfon, fetting forth his Circumftances, and
praying Relief, being read ; and the Petition of Ebcnezer Convell, againft it,
being read ; and the Parties attending, according to Order, were called in
and heard, and the fame referred for further Coniideration till To-
Morrow Morning.
The Bill, entitled, An Acl for the Regulation of Ferriages, to be taken at
the fever al Ferries in this Colony ; was read the fecond Time, and on the
Queftion, Whether the fame be engrafted or not ? It was carried in the
Negative ;
Ordered,
That the faid Bill lie on the Table. Mr.
[ 4° ]
Mr. Tucker, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought in
a Bill, entitled, A Supplement to an Act, -making Lands, Chattels, andfubjecl-
ing Real FJlatcs, in the Colony of New-Jerfey, to the P ayment of Debts ; which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M>
The Houfe met.
Mr. Miller, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill, en-
titled, A Supplementary Act, to an Acl, entitled, An Act to fettle the Quota's
in the fever al Counties in this Colony, for the levying of Taxes, reported the
fame with feveral Amendments ; which being read, with the Amend-
ments in their Places, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame be engrofled.
The Petition of Col. John Schuyler, refpecting the Roads leading from
Bergen-Point to Paulus-Hook, praying a Law to compel certain Perfons
to reimburfe him Part of the Expence he has been put to about faid Roads,
&c. was read the fecond Time ;
Ordered,
That the Petitioner have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Sellions,
he giving the ufual Notice, and no Objection then appearing againft it.
The Petition of Cornelius Brinkerhoff, referred from a former Seflions,
praying an Alteration in the Road from Bergen-Point to Paulus-Hook ;
being read and confidered,
Ordered,
That the Petitioner have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Seflions, he
giving the ufual Notice, and no Objection then appearing againfl it.
A Meffage from the Council by Mr. Parker ;
' Ordered,
1 That Mr. Parker do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly, that the Council
c have palled the Bill, entitled, An Act to naturalize Frederick Outgelt and
' others ; without any Amendment.
' By Order of the Houfe,
'CHA. PETTIT, D. Clerk!
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Jf'ed/iefday, 0 Sober 24, 1770.
The Houfe met.
The Engroifed Bill, entitled, An Act for the more equitable clearing out,
amending and repairing the publick Roads and Highways in the Counties of
Hunterdon, Morris, Saflex, and Somerfet ; being read and compared ; on
the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pals.
The Engrofled Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act, to an Ail, entitled,
An Act to fettle the Quotas in the feveral Counties in this Colony, for the
levying of Taxes ;' being read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pals.
Ordered,
[ 4' ]
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker, and Mi\ Price, do cany the faid Bills to the Council
for Concurrence.
Mr. Hart, in Behalf of the Petitioners, brought in a Bill, entitled An
•AQfor the Relief of Thomas Tindall, and James Clark, the Younger, 'and
for other Purpofes therein mentioned ; wnicltfwas read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The Houfe having further coniidered the Petition of Martin Ryerfon,
praying an Act for his Relief ; and alio the Petition of Ebenezcr Cozuell,
againft the palling fuch an Act ;
Ordered,
That the fame be referred to the next Seffions.
The Petition of Ifaac Groves of the County of EJfex, praying an Allow-
ance for Money loft, &c. being read the fecond Time, with the Affidavits
annexed thereto ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the eJlabliJJjing the Boundary or Partition
Line between the Colonics of New- York and New-Jerfey; was read the
fecond Time, and committed to Mr. Fijher, Mr. Pucker, Mr. Hart, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Heivlings, and Mr. Hinchman.
The Bill, entitled, A Supplement to an Act, making Lands, Chattels, and
fubjecling RealEJlat.es, to the Payment of Debts ; was read the fecond Time,
and committed to Mr. Runyon, Mr. Harijhorne, and Mr. Smith.
Mr. Tucker reported, that Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the Bills to
them intrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Runyon, from the Committee to whom was committed the Bill,
entitled, A Supplement to an Ace, fubjecling Real Efiates to the Payment of
Debts, &c. reported the fame with feveral Amendments thereto ; which,
with the Amendments in their Places, were read, and re-committed to
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart, Mr. Paxfon, and Mr. Bullock.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the RelieJ of Thomas Tindall, and James
Clark, the Younger, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned; was read
the fecond Time, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame be engroffed.
The Houfe adjeurned for an Hoiu~.
The Houfe met.
A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Parker ;
' Ordered,
' That Mr. Parker do carry the Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act, to an
' Act, entitled, An Act for the better enabling Creditors to recover their juft
' Debts Jrom Perfons ivho abfeond themfelves ; with the Amendment thereto
4 annexed, to the Houfe of Affembly, and defire their Concurrence to faid
' Amendment.
L ' Ordered
Im ]
' Ordered aljb,
1 That Mr. Parker do acquaint the Houfe of Afiembly, that the Council
' have paiTed the Bill, entitled, An Act to raife a Fund for defraying Da-
' mages done by Dogs, &c. without Amendment.
' By Order of the Houfe,
' CHA. PliTTIT, Clerk:
A
Dr. Stephen Skinner, Trcafurer, in
To Balance of Account fettled by the Committee, 22d November, 17&9, ~p
including the Sum of £.6570 : 9 : 4, ftolen from the Treafury the 21ft > £. 12917 : 18 : oj
July, i76B, -'-','- - - " J
. . £-129x7 : 18 : o|
N. B. The Treafurer3 befides the above Balance, has in his Hands,
Bonds and Mortgages to the Amount of £-4359 ■' 14 : 1I3;, which are
outflanding Debts, on Account of the Parliamentary Donation.
Perth- Amboy, Otlober 22d, 1770.
Dr. Stephen Skinner, Efq; Treafurer,
1769. To Bills of Credit cancelled by the Juftices and Freeholders of "1
Nov. 22, Middlefex, being the Amount of Sinking Fund for 1767, as {-£.5968 : 9 : 10
per Certificates, and credited in Account then fettled, J
To Cafh received from County Collectors, bein°- Amount of? r
Sinking Fund for 1768, 5 & 59°8 : 9 '■ ™
To the Amouut of the Tax for the Eaftern Divifion, to com-? r
plete Sinking Fund for 1769, - - - 5 *>• 59^ • 9 : J®
£.17905 :9: 6
(Jclober 22a, 1770.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee on Publick Accounts, made tne fol-
lowing Reports :
Dr. Hendrick Fifher, Efq; one of the Barrack-Majlers of New-
To Cafh received of Stephen Skinner, Treafurer, per Receipts, £. 310 : o : o
Balance due Hendrick Fijher, - - - - - 64:8:2
■
£■ 374 --8:2
W E, whofe Names are fubferibed, have examined the above Account, and find a Balance
due to Hendrick Fijher, Efq; of /". 64 : 8 : 2.
STEPHEN SKINNER,
JOHN HART,
JOHN H 1 N C H M A N,
ABRAHAM HEWLINGS,
Perth- Amboy, (JBober 2?d, 1770.
. [ 43 ]
A Meflage from the Council, by Lord Stirling ;
' Ordered,
1 That Lord Stirling do acquaint the Houfe of AfTembly, that the Coun-
' cil have palled the Bill, entitled, An AS: for the Support of Government of
' His Majejlys Colony of New-Jerfey, &c. without Amendment.
* By Order of the Houfe,
. 'CHA. PETTIT, Clerk?
' Mr. Berrien, from the Committee appointed to fettle the Eaftern Trea-
surer's Accounts, made the following Report, viz.
Account current with the Province of New-Jerfey. Cr.
By Amount of fundry Vouchers produced, indorfed and allowed, on 1 r
Account of Support of Government, and War Fund, 3 fc*2"4S : 8 : i-s
Balance due to the Province, - - IC072 : q : ic-2-
I
By Order of the Committees,
I- "9*7 : rS : c|
3:
JOHN STEVENS,
JOHN BERRIEN.
Sinkmg Fund Account. Cr.
1770. By fundry Bills of Credit cancelled by the Juflices and Free--^
October 22, holders of Middle/ex, as per their Certificate this Day pro- J
duced, being the Amount of the Sinking Fund for .the '>£. 1 1936 : 19 : 8
Years 1767, and 1768, and burned this Day by the Com-\
mittees, ".">"■•"•
By fundry Bilk of Credit cancelled by the Juflices and Free-~\
holders of Middlefex, as per their Certificate produced,/ r , ,
being in Part of the Sinking Fund Tax for 1769, andr ^ lbob : l' : °
now burned. - j
By Tax outftanding, for which the Trea-
furer is accountable, v'%%. ^
In Middlefex, ~ ~ * £■ 4*9 '■ 5 : 7
In Monmouth, - - 2q"j : 10 : 4
£•716
£. 710 : 15 : 11
By Balance remaining in Treafurer's Hands not cancelled, 3644 : 16 : 11
Errors excepted, JOHN STEVENS,
JOHN BERRIEN.
£. 17905 : 9 •. 6
Brunfwick, ivith the Province of New-Jerfey. Cr.
By Sundries fupplied the Barracks, as per Vouchers produced, examined, and 1 /- fi . R .
allowed, amounting to - - - - - 3 • ° • 2
By one Year's Salary, - - - - _ 10:0:0
£■ 374 ■ 8 : 2
Mr. Fijher informed the Committee, that he had a further Account for fupplying the Bar-
racks with Neceflaries from the ift of September laft to this prefent Time, for which he has no
Receipts as yet; wherefore the Committee refers the fettling thereof until the next Seflions of
the General AfTembly.
Dr.
[ 44]
Dr.
Hendrick Fifher, Eft; one of the Batrack-Mafcrs at
7
5
To Cafh received from the late Treafurer, Andrew Je/mjlon, Efqj deceafed, for ? y- , , '
fupplying the Barracks at Brunfwick, amounting to
Perth- Amboy, Oclober 22, 1770.
Dr. Samuel Sarjaat, one of the Batrack-Majlers of
1768. 7 To Balance of laft Settlement, - - £.3$
April 27, S
To Cafh received from Treafurer Skinner, - - 808
To Cafh received from James Letts, for Part of old Barrack Stores ^
fold him, j - ' - - 3
To Balance due Samuel Sarjant, - - 85
£-929
4 : 2
5 : 9
3 : 1
14 : 1
7: *
Perth- Amboy, Oclober 2.zd, 1 770.
Thomas Skinner, c/j£ 0/" /^^ Barrack-Mafters at
Dr.
To Cafh received of Treafurer Skinner,
Balance due Thomas Skinner,
£- 7°4 : 5 ■■ 8
87 • 17 : 5
I- 792 : .1 : 1*
Perth- Amboy, Oclober 2nd, 1770.
Dr. T2>£ Colony of New-Jerfey, /<? John Blanchard, om^ of
To fundry Difburfements, as per Vouchers, - - - £. 1241 : 10 : 9
Perth- Amboy, October 23^, 1770.
. " [ 45 ]
Brunfwick, ivith the Province of New-JeiTey. Cr.
By Amount of Sundries fupplied the Barracks, as per Vouchers produced, 7
examined and allowed, amounting to - - _ C £>'
121 : i : io
By Cam paid Reuben Runyon, Barrack-Mailer at Brunfwick, and which is',
credited by faid Runyon, in his Account with the Province, fettled in > 236 : 12 : o
June, 1767, ------ J
By his Salary as Barrack-Mafter, from the ift March, 1759, to ift July,!
1765, is fix Years and four Months, - _ _ . ,63:6:8
Balance due the Province, - - . _ _ 0:19:6
£. 422 : o : o
WE, whofe Names are hereunto fubferibed, have examined the above Account, and the
Vouchers relative thereto, and do find a Balance due to the Province of Nineteen Shillings and
Six-pence, STEPHEN SKINNER,
JOHN HINCHMAN,
ABRAHAM HEWLINGS,
JOHN DEMAREST.
Amboy, ivith the Province of New-Jerfey. Cr.
By Sundries fupplied the Barracks, as per Vouchers produced, examined and") r
allowed, amounting to - - - 5 *>' 929 • 7 • x
£-929: 7 ■■ 1
WE, whofe Names are hereunto fubferibed, have examined the above Account, and do find
a Balance due to Samuel Sarjant, of Eighty-five Pounds, Fourteen Shillings and One Penny.
STEPHEN SKINNER,
JOHN HART,
JOHN HINCHMAN,
JOHN DEMAREST.
Amboy, ivith the Province of New-Jerfey. Cr.
By fundry Vouchers produced, examined and allowed, amounting to £. 792 : 3 : i£
£■ 792 : 3 : H
WE, whofe Names are hereunto fubferibed, have examined the above Account, and do find
a Balance due to Thomas Skinner, of Eightv-feven Pounds, Seventeen Shillings and Five-pence.
STEPHEN SKINNER,
ABRAHAM HEWLINGS,
JOHN HINCHMAN,
JOHN DEMAREST.
the Barrack-Mqfters at Elizabeth-Town. . Cr.
1768. 7 fy Qzih received of Stephen Siinner, E(q; - - £-500: o •
o
o
11
1770. By Cafe received of Sarjeant Read, for Glafs broke, - o : 12 : 10
Jan.i^t By Cafe received of Stephen Skinner, Efq; - - 540 : o
By Cafe received of Mr. Campbell, -- - - I : 4
By Balance due John Blanckard, - - - 199 : 13
£. 1241 : 10 : 9
WE, the Subfcribers, being four of the Committee on Publick Accounts, have carefully
examined Mr. John Blanchard's Account and Vouchers relative thereto, and do find a Balance
due to him from the Government, of One Hundred end Ninety-nine Pounds, Thirteen Shillings
and Eleven-pence. STEPHEN SKINNER,
JOHN HART,
JOHN HINCHMAN,
ABRAHAM HEWLINGS.
[ 4<5 ]. ■
Dr. Robert Ogden, Efq; one of the Barrack-Majlers at Elizabeth-
Balance due Robert Ogden, - - - - £. 28 : o : o
\ ' ' '
£. 28 : 0 : g
Perth-Amboy, October 22, 1770.
The Houfe adjourned till To-Morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Thurfday, OBober 25, 1770-
The Houfe met.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Thomas TindalJ,
and James Clark, the Younger, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned ;
being read and compared j on the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered, ,
That Mr. Hart, and Mr. Tucker, do carry the faid Bill to the Council
for Concurrence. >
Mr. Fifloer, from the Committee to whom the Bill, entitled, A Supple-
mentary Act, to an Acl, entitled, An Act fubjecling Real EJlates in the Pro-
vince of New-Jerfey, to the Payment of Debts, and directing the Sheriff in
his Proceedings thereon, was committed, reported the fame with feveral
Amendments thereto ; and the faid Bill, with the Amendments in their
Places, being read, and feveral Amendments being made in the Houfe ;
on the Queftion, Whether the fame be engrafted ? It paffed as follows :
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Jobnjlon, Mr. Price,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Hincbman,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart. Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Dey, Mr. Stnitb,
The Votes being equal, Mr. Speaker gave his Vote for the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill be engrofled.
A Meffage from His Excellency, by the Deputy Secretary :
1 A Message to the Affembly,
' Gentlemen^
' 1 " AM greatly furprized and concerned to find by your Minutes, that
[_ ' you have refolved " That no further Provifion be made for the Supply
" of His Majefty's Troops ftationed in this Colony." As by this Refolution
* you refufe to comply with a Requifition made to you by exprefs Order
' from His Majefty, founded on the higheft Axithority, there can be no
' Doubt but that it will, if adhered to, be attended with very ferious Con-
' fequences to the good People you reprefent. If, therefore, it was not my
' Duty as Governor, I lhould as a Friend, and one who has very lincerely
' the "
[ 47 ]
Town, with the Province of New-Jerfey. Cr.
By Sundries fupplied the Barracks, as per Vouchers produced and allowed, £. 3 : o : o
By two Years and a Half Salary, - - -. - 25 : o : o
£. 28 : 77Z
WE, whofe Names are hereunto fubfcribed, have examined the above Account, and do find
a Balance due to Robert Ogden, of Twenty- eight Pounds.
STEPHEN SKINNER,
JOHN HART,
JOHN HINCHMAN.
ABRAHAM HEWLINGS,
JOHN DEMAREST,
JOSEPH BULLOCK.
* the Intereft of the Province at Heart, recommend it to you to refume the
* Confideration of this Matter, and grant the Supply required. Should
* you, however, after all, determine to abide by your prefent Refolution,
* I mull: delire that you will furnifh me with your Reafons in as plain, full,
' and explicit a Manner as pofTible, to be tranlmitted to His Majefty, that
* he may know from your own Words, and not from my Reprefentation,
' the Motives of your extraordinary Conduct.
1 Oclober 25, 1 7 70. W. FRANKLI N.'
His Excellency's Meflage being read,
Ordered,
That the fame have a fecond Reading.
His Excellency's Meflage being read the 'fecond Time, the Houfe refolved
itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe thereon ; and after fome
Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fifhery
Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had gone
through the Matters to them referred, and had come to one Refolution,
which he was ready to report whenever the Houfe would pleafe to receive
the fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. Fifher reported the Refolution of the Committee, as
follows :
Refolved,
That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that a Sum not exceeding
Five Hundred Pounds, over and above what is already provided, be al-
lowed for the Ufe of His Majefty's Troops {rationed in this Colony; and
on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees thereto or not ? It pafled in
the Affirmative, as follows :
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. John/ion, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Hartjhorne,
Mr. WetheriU, Mr. Smith, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Price, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Hart.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Bill re-engrofled, with the Council's Amendments, entitled, A Supple-
mentary Ad io an Act, entitled^ An Aril for the better enabling of Creditors
to recover their jujl Debts from Perfons who abfcond themfelves ; having
been read and compared ;
Ordered,
[ 48 ] ' •
Ordered,
That the Speaker do fign the faid Bill.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart, and Mr. Tucker, do carry the fame to the Council.
Mr. Hart reported, that Mr. Tucker and himfelf, delivered the Bills
with them intrufted, to the Speaker of the Council ; the Council not
fitting.
The Speaker informed the Houfe, that Aaron Learning, Efq; one of
the Members for Cape-May, has been lick lince the 1 9th of September laft,
as by a Letter from him, dated the 9th of this Month.
Mr. Smith, by Leave, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act for making a
further Provifion of Five Hundred Pounds for furnifoing His Majejiys
Troops Jiationed 'in this Colony ivith Neceffaries, and alfo for defraying incident
tal Charges ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Fifher, from the Committee to whom the Bill, entitled, An A&for
eflablifhing the Boundary or Partition Line between the Colonies of New- York
and New-Jerfey, was committed, reported the fame with one Amendment ;
and feveral Amendments being made in the Houfe, the faid Bill was read
the fecond Time, with the Amendments in their Places, and on the
Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame as amended, be engrolTed.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday, October 26, 177c
The Houfe met.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for making a further Provifton of £. 500 for
furnifhing His Majejiys Troops, &c. and for defraying incidental Charges ;
was read the fecond Time, and on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame be engrofTed.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to an Acl, entitled, An
Act fubjecling Real EJlates to the Payment of Debts, &c. being read and
compared, on the Queftion, Whether the fame do pafs or not \ It was
carried as follows :
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. John/ion, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Wetherill,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Miller, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart. Mr. Smith,
Mi-. Dey, Mr. Price,
Mr. Dzmarejl, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Tucker.
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. HartfJjorne, and Mr. Demarefl, do carry the faid Bills to the
Council for Concurrence.
The Accounts of Jofeph Sherivood, Efq; formerly Agent of this Pro-
vince, being read, together with a Letter from the faid Sherivood, praying
an Allowance of the Sum of £.43; 1$: 1, the Balance thereof ; on tile
Queftion,
C 49 J
Queftion, Whether the faid Sum be allowed or not: It palled in the
Negative, Nem. Con.
Mr. HartJJjsrne reported, that Mr. Demareft and himfelf, delivered the
Bill with them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien, and Mr. Prke, do wait on Kis Excellency, and, in
Anfwer to His Excellency's Meflage of Yeflerday, inform him, that the
Houfe, agreeable to His Excellency's Requeft, have refumed the Confidera-
tion of fupplying His Majejly 's Troops jlationed in this Colony ivith Ne-
ce/faries, and agreed to make fome further Provilion for that Purpofe,
altho' they cannot but efteem it a particular Hardfliip, that this Requilition
fhould be renewed at a Time when they are denied a Loan-Office Bill,
framed, as is apprehended, upon the moft reafonable Principles ; thereby
deprived of all Means of complying with the Royal Requilition, without
introducing new Taxes on a People already grievoufly burthened by their
2eal for His Majelty's Service during the late War ; and fince which,
has incurred a very heavy Debt on the Colony, and nearly exhaufled the
Treafury ; that diey have already expended very large Sums, that the Peace
of the Colony might not be interrupted, and have been induced to comply
with His Excellency's Requilition at this Time, in Hopes that they fhall
not be hereafter called upon for further Aids ; and to requeft His Excel-
lency would be pleafed to ufe his Influence that this Colony may be eafed
of a Burthen fo exceffively grievous.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Meflage frcm the Council by Mr. Skinner;
' Ordered,
1 That Mr. Skinner do carry the Bill, entitled, A Supplement my Act to
' an ASi-, entitled, An Act to fettle the Quotas in the federal Counties, &c.
' with the Amendments thereto annexed, to the Houfe of Aflembly, and
' defire their Concurrence to the faid Amendments.
* By Order of the Houfe,
1 CHA. PETTIT, D. Clerk:
The Engrofled Bill, entitled, An Act for making a further Provi/ion of
Five Hundred Pounds for furniflmig His Majefys Troops Jlationed in this
Colony ivith Neceffaries, and alfo for defraying incidental Charges, and for
other Purpofes therein mentioned ; being read and compared, and on the
Queftion, Whether the fame do pafs or not ? It was carried as follows :
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. John/Ion, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Hartjhornt,
Mr. IVetberill, Mr. Smith, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Fijber, Mr. Price, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Tucker Mr. Hart,
Rejolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. FifJjer and Mr. Runyon, do carry the faid Bill to the Council
for Concurrence.
The Houfe taking into Coniideration the Amendments made to the Bill,
entitled, A Supplementary A&. to an Acl, entitled, An Act to fettle the Quota's
hi the federal Counties, &x'. and on die Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees
to the faid Amendments ? It palled in the Affirmative.
N Ordered,
f
■ [ So ]
Ordered,
That the faicl Bill be re-engrolTed with the Council's Amendments.
Mr. Berrien reported, that Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the Mel-
fage with them intruded, to His Excellency.
Mr. Fifoer reported, that Mr. Runyon and himfelf, delivered the Bill
with them intruded, to the Speaker of the Council, the Council not
fitting.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act for ejlablijloing the Boundary or Par-
tition Line bet-ween the Colonies of New- York, and Nova-Csefarea or New-
Jerfey, and for confirming the Titles and Poffeffions of certain Lands adjacent to
or near the faid Line ; being read and compared ; on the Quedion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Dey, do carry the faid Bill to the Council
for Concurrence.
The Re-engrolfed Bill, with the Council's Amendments, entitled, A
Supplementary Act to an Acl to fettle the Quotas in the feveral Counties,
&.c. having been read and compared,
Ordered,
That the Speaker do fign the faid Bill.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart, and Mr. Johnjlon, do carry the fame to the Council.
Mr. Tucker reported, that Mr. Dey and himfelf, delivered the Bill with,
them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Hart reported, that Mr. Johnfton and himfelf, delivered the Bill
with them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Saturday, October 27, 1770.
The Houfe met.
A Meflage from the Council by Mr. Stevens ;
* Ordered,
' That Mr. Stevens do carry the Bill, entitled, An Acl for ef abiding the
' Boundary or Partition Line between the Colonies of New- York, and Nova-
1 Casfarea or New-Jerfey, &c. with the Coxmcil's Amendments to the fame,
' to the Houfe of Aflembly, and defire their Concurrence to the faidAmend-
1 ments.
* By Order of the Houfe,
(CHA. P E T T I T, D. Clerk:
The Hotife taking into Confederation the Amendments made to the Bill,
entitled, An Act for efiablijhing the Boundary or Partition Line between the
Colonies of New- York, and Nova-Caefarea or New-Jerfey, <&v . and on the
Queltion, Whether the Houfe agrees to faid Amendments ? The Houfe
agreed to the fird and fecond Amendments made by the Council, and
rejected the Third.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fifljer and Mr. Tucker, do carry back the faid Bill to the
Council, and inform them thereof.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
A
[ Si ] -
The Houfe met.
A Meflage from the Council by Mr. Stevens ;
' Ordered,
' That Mr. Stevens carry back to the Houfe of AfTembly the Bill, en-
' titled, An Act for ejlablifhing the Boundary or Partition Line between the
' Colonies of New- York, and New-Jerfey, <&c. and ?xquaint them that the
* Council having taken into Confideration the Meflage of the Houfe of
' Aflembly of this Dav, do recede from the third Amendment to the faid
' Bill.
' By Order of the Houfe,
'CHA. PETTIT, D. Clerk:
The Bill re-engroffed, with the Council's Amendments, entitled, An Act
for eftablifJnng the Boundary or Partition Line between the Colonies of New-
York, and Nova-Caefarea or New-Jerfey, <&c. having been read and com-
pared, and on the Queftion, Whether the fame as amended and re-engrof-
fed do pafs or not ? It was carried as follows :
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. John/ion, Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Wetherill,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Hewlings,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Miller, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart, Ml. Hincbman.
Mr. Dey, Mr. Tucker.
Refolded,
That the faid Bill do pafs.
Ordered,
That the Speaker fign the fame ; and that Mr. Berrien and Mr. Dey,
carry it to the Council.
Mr. Berrien reported, that Mr. Dey and himfelf, delivered the Bill to
them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe being informed, that a Number of the Books of the Original
Conflitutions of the Colony remain in the Hands of the Eaflern Trealurer,
which belong to the Province ;
Ordered,
That tbfc faid Treafurer deliver to each of the Members, one of the
faid Bo^Bjivhen called for.
Ordered,
That the Printer, appointed by this Houfe to print the Votes, do print
604 Sets of the Votes of this Houfe, and fend 26 to the Treafurer of the
Eaftern Divifion, and 26 to the Treafurer of the Weflern Divifion ; to be
diflributed as follows :
To the Governor 8 The Officers of the Council and Houfe, each 1
Each of the Council 2 Clerks of the Houfe, for the Ufe of the?
Agent 6 Houfe, each Clerk 2 5
And that the Printer deliver to the Members of the Houfe, or their
Order, as follows:
F.or Perth-Amboy
15
Gloucejler
40
Middle/ex
40
Salem-
40
Monmouth
60
Cumberland
So"
Effex
40
Cape-May
23
Somerfet
40
Hunterdon
63
Bergen
3°
Morris
40
City of Burlington
iS
Sujfex
30
County of Burlington
40
Ordered,
L 52 1
Ordered alfo,
That the faid Printer do forthwith print j;6y Copies of the Laws which.
may be patted this Seffions, and fend 522 as foon as poflible to the feveral
Members of this Houfe.
For the Ufe of Perth- Amboy
8
Gloucejler
41
Middle/ex
40
Salem
49
Monmouth
47
Cumberland
36
Effex
tf>
Cape- May
24
Somerfet
41
Hunterdon
59
Bergen
3°
Morris
3°
City of Burlington
8
Suffex
40
County of Burlington
53
To be distributed in each
County as follows :
To the Members each
Collectors of each Precinct
1
Clerk of the County
Afleflors each
1
Clerk of each Precinct
Clerk of each Corporation
1
Mayors each ]
Firlt Judge of each Covinty
1
Collector of each County 1
Each Jultice of the Peace
1
Which faid feveral Laws are to be left in the Hands of the refpective
Members, to be delivered when called for by the refpective Perfons to
whom they belong.
And the faid Printer fhall fend the Remainder to either of the Treafurers,
to be given as follows, viz.
To the Governor 4 Attorney General i
Each of the Council 1 Clerks of the Houfe each 1
Each of the Judges of the Su- 7 The Agent _^ 4
preme Court 5 The Clerks of the Houfe, for""
Clerk of faid Court for each Office 1 the Ufe of the Houfe,'
Treafurers each i each Clerk 2
Ordered,
That the Printer do fend the Laws and Votes, when printed, for the
County of Middle/ex, to the Care of Andrew Gordon, at Cranbury.
For the Counties of Monmouth, Effex, and Bergen, to be fent by the
Stage to Nenv-Tork, to the Care of William Sherer, at White-Hall.
Ordered,
That Mr. HartJJiornc, and Mr. Hinchman, do go to the Council and
dehre to know if they have any further Bufinefs before them, if not, the
Houfe intend to apply to His Excellency for a Difmiffion.
Mr. HartJJjorne reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the
Menage with them intruded, to the Speaker in Council.
A Mefiage from the Council by Mr. Skinner ;
' Ordered,
1 That Mr. Skinner do acquaint the Houfe of AiTembly, that the Council
* have palled the Bill, entitled, An Act for making a further Provi/ion of
1 Five Hundred Pounds for furnijhing His Majeftys Troops, &c.
' By Order of the Houfe,
' CHA PETTIT, D. Clerk:
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher, and Mr. Wethcrill, do wait upon His Excellency, and
acquaint him, that the Houfe have gone through the Bufinefs. before them,
and dehre His Excellency will be plealed to dihnii; them.
Mr. Fijher reported, that Mr. Wctherill and himfelf, had waited- on
Hi-
[ 53 ]
His Excellency according to Order, who was pleafed to fay, the Houfe
£hould hear from him.
A Meflage from His Excellency by die Deputy Secretary, informing
the Houfe, that His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, and required
the immediate Attendance of the Houfe ;
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to
wait upon His Excellency ; who was pleafed to give his Aifent to the fol-
lowing Bills, enacting the fame, viz.
i . An A€tfor the Support of Government of His Majejlys Colony of New-
Jerfey, to commence the Firjl Day of October, One Thoufand Seven Hundred
and Seventy, and to end the Firjl Day of October, One Thoufand Seven
Hundred and Seventy-one, and to difcharge the Public Debts and contingent
Charges thereof
i. An Act for making a further Provifion of Five Hundred Pounds for
furnifhing His Majeffs Troops Jlationed in this Colony ivith Neceffaries, and
alfo for defraying incidental Charges, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned.
3. An Act for ejlablifhing the Boundary or Partition Line betiveen the
Colonies of New- York, and Nova-Cxfarea or New-Jerfey, and for confirming
the Titles and Poffeffions of certain Lands adjacent to or near thefaid Line.
4. A Supplementary Act to an Ail, entitled, An Act to fettle the Quota's in
the feveral Counties in this Colony for the levying of Taxes.
5. An Act continuing an Ail, entitled, An Act for preventing Frauds by
Mortgages, which Jhall be made and executed after the Firjl Day of January,
One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Sixty-fix.
6. A Supplementary Act to an Ail, entitled, An Act for the better enabling
of Creditors to recover their jujl Debts from Perfons ivho abfcond themfelves.
7. An Act to raife a Fund for defraying Damages done by Dogs, in the
Counties of Somerfet, Hunterdon, Burlington, and Gloucefter.
8. An Act to regulate the Pafiuring the Lands, Meadows, and I/lands in
Common, lying on and adjoining a certain Beach known by the Name of Bar-
negat or Long-Beach, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned,
9. An Act to prevent Swine running at Large in the Town of Haddonfield,
in the County of Gloucefter.
1 o» An Act to enable Perfons who are His Majejlys Liege Subjeils, either
by Birth or Naturalization, to inherit and hold Real EJlates, notwithjlanding
the Purchafe, Grant or Devife, were made before Naturalization vuithin this
Colony.
11. An Act to naturalize Frederick Outgelt, Leonard Nymafter, Peter
Lupp, John Bower, Lawrence Eykeinier, George Obert, Peter Obert, and
John Irick.
And then His Excellency prorogued the General AfTembly to Wednefday
the Fifth Day of December next, then to meet at Burlington.
BY Virtue of an Order of the HOUSE of REPRE-
SENTATIVES, I do appoint Ifaac Collins to print
thefe Votes.
STEPHEN CRANE, Speaker.
O
t
V
Ct/,
VOTES
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE
Colony of N E W-J E R S E Y.
At a SESSION began at BURLINGTON,
JVcdnefday, April 17, 1 77 1, and continued till t*t*s 2 *
Being the Fourth Seffion of the 21ft Aflembly of NEW-JERSEY.
qj/^ZZ^s itfjty /i^ft — }
BURLINGTON,
Printed by IS A AC COLLINS, Printer to the K 1 n g, for the
Province of Neiv-lerfey.
Mdcclxxi.
M
caj
Votes of the General AJfembly.
NAMES of the REPRESENTATIVES.
CITY of Perth- Amboy, Cortland Skinner, John L. Johnfton,
Middle/ex, John Wetherill, Reune Runyon,
Monmouth, . Robert Hartlhorne, Edward Taylor,
Ejfex, Stephen Crane, Speak.
Somerfet, Hendrick Fifher, John Berrien,
Bergen, Theunis Dey, John Demareft,
City of Burlington, Abraham Hewlings, Jofeph Smith,
County of Burlington, Henry Paxfon, Jofeph Bullock,
Gloucejler, John Hinchman, Robert Friend Price,
Salem and Cumberland, Ebenezer Miller, Grant Gibbon,
Cape-May, Aaron Learning,
Hunterdon, Morris and Sujfex, John Hart, Samuel Tucker.
BURLINGTON, JFednefday, April 17, 1771.
PURSUANT to His Excellency's feveral Prorogations of the Ge-
neral Affembly from Time to Time, until this Day, the Speaker,
with fundry Members met, when they were informed, That His
Excellency the Governor had been pleafed to prorogue the General
AiTembly till To-Morrow.
Thurfday, April 18, 1771.
Agreeable to Flis Excellency's Prorogation of Yefterday, the Houfe
met.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijloer, and Mr. Wetherill, do wait on His Excellency, and
acquaint him, that a fufficient Number of Members to proceed upon
Bufinefs are met, and ready to receive any Thing he may pleafe to lay
before them.
Grant Gibbon, Efq; being duly returned a Reprefentative in Aflembly,
for the Counties of Salem and Cumberland, in the Room and Stead of
Ifaac Sharp, Efq; deceafed, and now attending, was called in and took
the ufual Oaths before John Berrien, Efq; duly authorized to adminifter
the fame by Dedimus Poteftatem.
Ordered,
That Mr. Gibbon do take his Seat in the Houfe.
Mr. Fi/her reported, that Mr. Wetherill and himfelf waited upon the
Governor according to Order, who was pleafed to fay, the Houfe mould
hear from him in about an Hour.
The
[ 4 ]
The Houfe adjourned for an Hour.
The Houfe met.
A Meffage from His Excellency by Mr. Secretary Pettit.
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, and requires the
immediate Attendance of the Houfe ;
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to
wait \ipon His Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed
the Chair, and reported, that the Houfe had waited upon His Excellency,
who was pleafed to make a Speech to the Council and General Ailembly;
of which Mr. Speaker faid he had, to prevent Miftakes, obtained a
Copy ; and the fame, by Order of the Houfe, was read, and is as
follows, viz.
Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the General AJfembly ;
44 rX",HE Sum granted at the lad SefTion for the Supply of His Ma-
J[ " jelly's Troops ftationed in this Colony, was fo much below
" what had been annually expended for the like Service before, that a
" longer Recefs than you have had could not be reafonably expected.
" Gentlemen of the General AJfembly ;
" The Barrack-Mailer's Accounts, with their feveral Vouchers, I
" fhall order to be laid before you, when I hope it will appear to you
" that the Money entrufled to the Difpofal of the Governor and Council
" has been managed with the utmoft Care and Frugality. Some of
" the Barracks being greatly out of Repair, and in Want of Bedding
" and other Necelfaries, I mull recommend it to you to grant a fufHcient
" Sum for fupplying thefe Deficiencies, as well as for providing the
" Troops with their ufual Allowance.
" The principal Reafon given by you, Gentlemen, for not granting a
" larger Sum at your lad Meeting was, your having been denied an Act
" for a Paper Currency. "But as that was a Meafure to which (as I am
" aflured) the King would not have with-held his Royal Concurrence,
" if it could have been given without violating the Law and the Confli-
" tution, I fhall hope that you will not again urge a Point that mufl now
" appear neither becoming nor decent, but that you will as cheerfully
" and readily as heretofore make due Provifion for this neceffary Ser-
" vice. Belides, when you confider, that upon the firfl Appearance of
" a Rupture between the Crowns of Great-Britain and Spain, I received
" Affurances that in cafe Matters mould, contrary to His Majefly's jufl
" Expectations, come to Extremities, the Security of his American Do-
" minions fhould be a principal Object of His Majefly's Care and At-
" tention, you cannot, I think, but be impreffed with the moft lively
'• Sentiments of Gratitude, and be happy in an Opportunity of mani-
" felling them by correfponding Actions.
" Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the General AJfembly ;
" During the late Profped of a War, the defencelefs State of this
"», Province muft no Doubt have occurred to you, and to the People in
" general. His Majefly's uniform Willies to preferve the public Tran-
" quility may not always be fuccefsful. A Time of Peace, however, is
1 certainly the befl Time to prepare for War, and there is no knowing
" how foon fuch an Event may happen. This is therefore a Matter
" worthy
a
a
n
u
cc
is i
" worthy of your particular Attention. For my Part, I know of No-
" thing we have to rely on, under God, for our Protection againft the
" fudden Attempts of an Enemy, but the Regiment of Regulars which
" His Majefly has been fo kind as to afford us, and the Militia. From
" the fcattered Refidence of the latter, and their Want of Difcipline,
" much cannot be expected from them on fuch Emergencies.- — I have
fome Time ago, indeed, fent Orders to the Commanding Officers of
the feveral Regiments, to have their Men as frequentlv exercifed and
as well difciplined in every Refpect as may be in their Power, and to
be particularly careful that they be provided with the Arms and Am-
munition required by Law ; but you muft be fenfible, that while the
Law allows of fo few Days of Mufter, the People cannot be brought
into proper Military Order. Whether therefore it would not be better
to adopt fome fuch Regulations for the Militia as are now eflabliihed
in our Mother Country, I fubmit to your Confideration. In the mean
Time, as His Majefly has been gracioufly pleafed to order the feveral
Battalions now ferving in America to be completed as foon as poffible,
you have an Opportunity, by giving fome additional Bounty, or other
Encouragement that may induce a Number of His Majefly 's faithful
Subjects of this Colony to engage in the Service, not only of demon-*-
fixating your Loyalty and Gratitude, but of providing in the mod
effential Manner for the Security and Defence of the Province.
" The Indians of the Six Nations, and their Allies and Confederates,
having lately complained of the Abufes and Violences committed by
the Traders and Frontier Inhabitants of feveral of His Majeily's Co-
lonies, and intimated the bad Confequences which are likely to hap-
pen, if they are not redreffed, His Majefly has thought proper to
fignify his Pleafure that I fhould reprefent this Matter in the ftrongeft
Manner to you, and urge you in his Name to fall upon fome Means
of putting Indian Affairs under fuch Regulation as may have the
Effect to prevent thofe Abufes of the Trade, and thofe Violences and
Encroachments of the Frontier Inhabitants of which the Indians fo
juflly complain. — The Governments of Virginia, Pennfylvania, Neiv-
York and Quebec, have, as I underfland, already appointed Commif-
fioners, who are to meet together, and form fome Plan for tins defira-
ble Purpofe. And though this Colony has little or no Concern in the
Indian Trade, and the Indians have not fuftained any Violences from
our Frontier Inhabitants but what they have received ample Satisfaction
for, yet as we muft be eventually interefted in whatever may affecl the
Welfare and Safety of our neighbouring Colonies, I cannot but re-
commend this as an Object deferving your mofl ferious Confideration.
" 1 have lately received two Orders of His Majefly in Council, which
fhall be communicated to you ; the one difallowing an Act paffed in
June 1765, entitled, " An Act for regulating the Practice of the Law
and other Purpofes therein mentioned," (which Act was rendered
unneceffary by a fubfequent Act of the Legiflature of this Province ;)
the other confirming an Act paffed in May 1768, entitled, " An Act
for chooling Repreientatives in the Counties of Morris, Cumberland
and Sujfex, and directing the Morris County Taxes to be paid into the
Ealtern Treafury of this Colony."
"«ClX*?^ I WILLIAM FRANKLIN."
B Ordered,
«
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it
a
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u
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[ « ]
Ordered,
That His Excellency's Speech have a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
His Excellency's Speech was read the fecond Time, together with
fundrv Papers communicated to the Houfe from the Governor, and
committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe ;
The Houfe accordingly refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole
Houfe, on the faid Speech and Papers ; and after fome Time fpent
therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fijher, Chairman of
the Committee, reported, that the Committee had made fome Progrefs
in the Matters to them referred, and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee do fit again To-Morrow Morning.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from James Maffett, a Prifoner
for Debt, in Gloucejier Gaol, fetting forth his Diftrefs, and praying Relief;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe and read, fiom fundry Inhabi-
tants of Somerfet County, fetting forth the great Want of Bills of Credit
in this Colony, and praying a Sum may be ftruck and let out on Loan;
which Petition was ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of the Inhabi-
tants of Pequanack, in the County of Morris, praying that the Law for
maintaining their Roads by Tax, may be fuffered to expire ; which was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday, April 19, 1771.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Learning acquainted the Houfe, that Nicholas Stilivell, Efq; one
of the Members for Cape-May, is deceafed fince laft Seflion.
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do iffue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to
make out a Writ for the Election of a Reprefentative for Cape-May, in
the Stead of the faid Mr. Stilivell.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from feveral Prifoners for Debt
in the Gaol of Hunterdon, fhewing their Diftrefs, and praying Relief;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe again refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole Houfe,
on His Excellency's Speech ; and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr.
Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fijher, Chairman of the Committee,
reported, that the Committee had gone thro' the Matters to them refer-
red, and had come to two Refolutions, which he was ready to report
whenever the Houfe will pleale to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. Fijher reported die Refolutions of the Committee as
follows, "viz.
1. Refolved,
c 7 i
1. Refohedy • ,
That an humble Addrefs be prefented to His Excellency in anfwer to
his Speech. To which the Houfe agreed.
2. Refolded,
That it is the Opinion of the Committee, that the Colony is not of
Ability to make any further Provifion for the Supply of His Majefty's
Troops ftationed in this Colony. On the Queftion, Whether the Houfe
agrees to the Reiblution or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative as follows,
to tuit,
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Johnjlon, Mr. heirien, Mr. Price, Mr. Skinner,
Mr. Wetberill, Mr. Pey, Mr. Miller, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Ltmareft, Mr. Gibbon, Mr. Bullock.
M . Hanjborne, Mi. HttuUngSi Mr. Learning,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Paxjon, Mr. Hart,
Mi. Fijhcr, Mi. Himhmarii Mr. 7 ticker.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Waherill, Mr. Fi/her, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Hart/home, and Mr. Miller, be a Committee to prepare and bring
in the Draught of an Addrefs to His Excellency, in anfwer to his Speech.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Parker, Agents on the Part of this Colony, laid
before the Houfe a Law of the Province of New-York, lately paffed,
entitled, An Act for efabliJJjitig the Boundary or Partition Line beh> een
the Colonies of New- York, and Nova-Cadarea or New-Jerfey, and for con-
firming Titles and Pojfefftons ;" and prayed that a Law fimilar thereto,
may be paffed here ; which Law of Neiv-Tork was read, and the fur-
ther Confideration of the Matter referred till next Seffion of Affembly.
Ordered,
That the Members for Bergen do publifh a Copy of this Minute in one
of the Neiv-Tork News-Papers, at lead Six Weeks before the next Seffion.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry Prifoners in the
Gaol of Burlington, fetting forth their Diftrefs, and praying Relief ; which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John De Camp, jun. Pri-
foner in Elizabeth-Toivn Gaol, fetting forth his Cafe, and praying Relief;
feveral other Petitions, Certificates and Affidavits relative thereto, were
alio prefented ; all which were read, and on the Queftion, the further
Confideration thereof is referred till next Seffion.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Thomas Tindall, and James
Clark, jun. praying an Amendment to the Law for draining the Maiden-
head Meadows in the County of Hunterdon ; the fame was read, and the
Confideration thereof referred to the next Seffion;
Mr. Learning, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought
in the Draught of an Addrefs to His Excellency j which was read, and
ordered to be read a fecond Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Frederick Fan Rype, and
Frederick Cadmus, praying that if a Law paffes here fimilar to the late
Neiv-Tork Law, for eftabuibing the Partition Line between Neuu-Jerfey
and
[ 8 ]
and Neiv-York, they the Petitioners may be fecured in their Rights and
Privileges •, which Petition was read, and referred to the next Seffion of
AfTembly.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'clock To-Morrow Morning.
Saturday, April 20, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
The Draught of an Addrefs to His Excellency, was read the fecond .
Time, amended in the Houfe j and on the Queftion agreed to, and
ordered to be engrofled.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Dey, Mr. Gibbon, Mr. Skinner,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Demareji, Mr. Learning, Mr. John/ion,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Hart, Mr. Hewlings,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Price, Mr. Bullock.
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Miller,
The feveral Petitions prefented this Seffion from Infolvent Debtors,
were read the fecond Time, and referred to the next Seffion of Aflembly.
The EngrofTed Addrefs to His Excellency, was read and compared ;
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Gibbon, do wait upon His Excellency, and
defire to know when he will be waited on by the Houfe with their
Addrefs.
The Eaftern Treafurer attending, informed the Houfe, that he had
purmant to a verbal Direction of the Houfe at laft Seffion, attended the
Sale of the Lands mortgaged by John Ogden, Efq; and had purchafed the
fame, and taken a Title from the Sheriff for the Ufe of the Colony. To
which the Houfe agreed, and approved of the Conduct of the Treafurer.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe and read, from the Hon. John
Stevens, Efq; and the Rector, Church-Wardens and Veftrymen of St.
Peters Church, in Perth-Amboy, Owners of the Ferry on both Sides of the
River Raritbn, at Amboy, praying a Law to eftablilh the Rates of the faid
Ferry agreeable to a Lift annexed to the Petition ; the Houfe taking the
fame into Confideration,
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner, in Behalf of the Petitioners, have Leave to bring
in a Bill at the next Seffion.
Mr. Tucker reported, that Mr. Gibbon and himfelf waited on the Go-
vernor, according to Order, to know when he will be waited on by the
Houfe with their Addrefs, who was pleafed to fay, the Houfe fhould
hear from him in about an Hour.
The Petition from Somcrfet, for ftriking Bills of Credit, was read the
fecond Time, and referred to the next Seffion.
The Petition from Pequanack, in the County of Morris, againft the
Law for maintaining their Roads by Tax, was read the fecond Time,
and referred till the next Seffion.
The
[ 9 ] •
The Petition from Col. John Schuyler, prefented at laft Seffion, pray-
ing a Law to compel certain Perfons to re-imburfe him Part of the
Expence he has been put to in repairing the P».oad from Newark to the
Road leading from Bcrgen-Point to Paulus-Hook, was now read ;
Ordered,
That the Petitioner have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Seffion,
upon giving the ufual Notice, and no reafonable Objection then appear-
ing againil it.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Ephraim Phillips, the
Gaoler at Burlington, fetting forth, that the Provifion of Six-pence per
Diem for Criminals is too fmall, and praying an Addition thereto ; which
was read, and the Confideration thereof referred till next Seffion.
A Petition was prefented to the Hdufe from James Saunders, confined
for Debt in Burlington Gaol, fejting forth his Gircumftances, and pray-
ing Relief; which was read, and referred till next Seffion.
A MefTage from His Excellency, by Mr. Secretary Pettit ;
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, ready to receive
the Addrefs of the Houfe ;
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to
wait upon His Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed
the Chair, and reported, that the Houfe had waited upon His Excellency
with their Addrefs, in the Words following, to ivit ;
To His Excellency WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Efq; Captain General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majefty s Colony of
Nova-Casfarea, or New-Jerfey, and Territories thereon depending in
America, Chancellor and Vice- Admiral in the fame, &c.
The Humble ADDRESS of the Representatives of the faid
Colony, in General Affembly convened.
May it pleafe your Excellency,
JJT'E, His Majejlys dutiful and loyal Subjecls, the Reprefentatives of
*' the Colony of New-Jerfey, in General Affembly convened, have taken
into our ferious Confideration your Excellency s Speech at the Opening of this
Seffion, and can truly inform your Excellency, that the State of this Colony
is not altered for the better fince the lajl Seffion at Perth-Amboy, at ivhich
Time this Houfe infor tried your Excellency, that they could not grant further
Supplies for His Majefys Troops without laying neiv Taxes on the good
People of this Colony, ivho are already burthened -with a heavy Debt con-
tracted for His Majejlys Service during the late War. We, therefore, can-
not, coiifflent with the Duty we owe our Conjlituents, comply with your
Excellency's Requifition at prefent.
The Militia Law now in Force, we conceive, may be fufficient for all the
Purpofes intended thereby.
We would, on all Occafions, do the Jlricleft Jufiice to, and cultivate the
Friendfhip of the fever al Indian Nations, but they have received full Satis-
faction from this Colony, and publicly acknowledged it ; AND WE, hav-
ing no Trade or Traders among any of them, cannot conceive it neceffary to
appoint Commiffioners on the Part of this Colony.
C We
■ . [ .o ]
We are truly thankful to our Mojl Gracious Sovereign for confirming the
Law for choofing Reprefentatinjes for the Counties of Morris, Cumberland
and Suflex, by which the good People of thofe Counties will be equally
reprefented.
Houfeof Affembly, ~> By Order of the Houfe,
April 20, 1771. 5 STEP HEN CRANE, Speaker.
To which His Excellency was pleafed to make the following
ANSWER:
CC SHALL take your Addrefs, Gentlemen, into Confideration,
_§_ " and acquaint you with my Sentiments thereon by a Meffage
" in Writing."
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met,
And adjourned till Monday Mdrning Ten o'Clock.
Monday, April 22, 1771.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Bullock, had Leave of Abfence on extraordinary
Occafions.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Robert Lettis Hooper, fen,
fetting forth, that he is in the Cuflody of the Sheriff of Hunterdon, on
fundry Executions, and praying an Act of Aflembly to releafe him from
Confinement, and alfo to exempt his Perfon from Executions for any
Debts hitherto contracted ; which Petition was read, and the Confidera-
tion thereof referred to next Seflion.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from nine Prifoners for Debt,
in Sujfex Gaol, fetting forth their Diflrefs, and praying Relief ; which
was read, and referred to the next Seflion of Affembly.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Secretary laid before the Houfe the Barrack Mailers Accounts.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry principal Credi-
tors of John Budd, late of Salem, praying a Repeal of the Act which
protects the Perfon of the faid Budd, from Arrefts ; the Petition was
read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Jofeph Fox, Abel James,
Henry Drinker, Richard Wells, and Clement Biddle, fetting forth, that
the Legiflature of Pennfyl'uania, have lately paffed an Act for rendering
the River Delaware more navigable, and defiring the Afliftance £>f this
Colony therein ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry Owners and Pof-
feffors of Tide Marfh, in Lower-Alloways Creek, in the County of Salem,
praying an Act of the Legiflature to drain the fame ; the Petition was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading. (
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from divers Freeholders and
Inhabitants of the Townfhip of Manington, in the County of Salemy
praying a Law to maintain their Highways and Bridges by Tax ; which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading. A
[ II ]
A Petition was prefented to die Houfe from fundry Inhabitants of
Alloivays Creek in the County of Salem, praying that the Legiflature
would be pleafed to grant the Prayer of the Petition from the Owners
and Poffeffors of Marfh there for draining the fame ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Five o'Clock.
The Houfe met.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Heivlings, Mr. Gibbon, and Mr.
Tucker, be a Committee to infpect the Account of the Monies granted at S
lafl Seffion for the Ufe of the King's Troops quartered in this Colony, and
report the State thereof to the Houfe.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Tuefday, April 23, 1 77 1.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Speaker informed the Houfe, That the Writ for the Election of a
Reprefentative for Ejfex, in the Room of John Ogden, Efq; who refigned
his Seat, hath not yet iffued, purfuant to the Order of the Houfe at
lafl Seflion.
Ordered,
That the Clerk of the Crown do attend this Houfe immediately, to ""
inform the Houfe why the faid Writ hath not iffued, and that the Clerk
of this Houfe do ferve the Clerk of the Crown with a Copy of this Minute.
The Houfe adjourned till! Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Two Petitions for a Law to drain the Meadows on Loiver-Allo-
ivays Creek, were read the fecond Time, and referred till the next Seffion.
The Petition from Manington, for repairing their Highways by Tax,
was read the fecond Time, and referred to next Seffion.
In Obedience to the Order of the Houfe of this Morning, the Clerk of
the Crown attended and informed the Houfe, that he had made out a
Writ for the Election of a Member for Ejfex, as he was directed; but
that His Excellency had declined fealing die fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien, and Mr. Hart, do wait on the Governor, and re-
quefl His Excellency would be pleafed to feal the Writ for the Election
of a Member for Ejfex, in the Room of John Ogden, Efq;
Mr. Berrien reported, That Mr. Hart and himfelf waited on the Go-
vernor, Recording to Order, who was pleafed to fay, that he would take
the Mdmge into Confideration.
The Houfe adjourned till Five o'Clock.
The Houfe met.
A MESSAGE from His Excellency, by Mr. Secretary Pettit ;
' Gentlemen,
TT is not without much Uneafinefs and real Concern that I find my-
J_ ' felf under a Neceffity of animadverting on that Part of your
' Addrefs which relates to the Royal Requifition, and theRefolve of your
Houfe
[ 12 ]
Houfe on which it is founded. My Duty to His Majefty, and my
ilcgard for his Subjects in this Province, will not permit me to pafs
over in Silence a Matter in which his Intereft and their Welfare are
fo greatly concerned.
' The Refolve aiferts in pofitive Words, " That the Colony is not of
Ability to make any further Provifion for the Supply of His Majefty's
Troops ftationed in this Colony." The Addrefs refers me to your
Mellage at the la ft Seffion at Perth-Amboy, as containing your prefent
Sentiments, and you are pleafed to fay, that you " can truly inform
me, that the State of this Colony is not alter'd for the better fince that
Seilion." You do not, however, pretend to fay that it is altered for the
ivorfe. But whether the State of this Colony has, or has not improved
within the laft fix Months, is a Queftion of great Nicety, and which
I believe, neither you nor I are poilefled of fufficient Data to deter-
mine, nor, if we were, is it a Matter of any Confequence to the Point
\mder Confideration. If I was to hazard an Alfertion on the Subject,
it would be, that the Colony muft be in a fomewhat better State than
at that Time, as it has been, for many Years paft, in a gradual Courfe
of Improvement, and nothing particular has fince happen'd to it's De-
triment or Difadvantage .
' But the Point really neceffary to be confidered, Gentlemen, is, Whe-
ther the State of the Colony, as fet fordi by the Houfe at the laft Sef-
fion, is juftly and truly reprelented to me in their Meffage \ I muft con-
fels that I did not then, nor do I now view it in that Light ; but as
you neverthelefs granted a Sum of Money for the Purpoie requefted,
I was content at that Time to let it pafs over without any Obferva-
tions ; tho' not without Hopes, indeed, that before another Seilion you
would be fenfible of my Kindnefs in this Refpecf, and by a fubfequent
Conduct evince that you wifhed to have it forgotten.
' However, Gentlemen, as that is not the Cafe, and you ftill rely on
the Declarations contained in that Meffage, I fhall firft ftate them,
and then candidly examine whether they are or are not founded on
Fails. The Meffage fets forth " That as the Houfe were denied a
Loan-Office Bill they were thereby deprived of all Means of complying
with the Royal Requifttion, without introducing new Taxes on a
People already grievoujly burthened by their Zeal for His Majefty's
Service during the late War ; — that Jince the War die Colony has in-
curred a very heavy Debt and nearly exhaujled the Treafury ; that
diey have already expended very large Sums that the Peace of the
Colony might not be interrupted ; — that the Houfe were induced to
comply with my Requifition at that Time in hopes that they ihould
; not be afterwards called upon for further Aids ; — and that they re-
' queft that I would be pleafed to ufe my Influence that the Colony may
' be eafed of a Burthen fo excessively grievous."
' I cannot but remark here, how very different this lamentable De-
fcription of the State of the Colony is, from the one given by you in
the Act for fettling the Quotas of the feveral Counties, paffed no long-
er ago than in December, 1760. The Reafon given for that Act, in
the Preamble, is, that " Since the laft Settlement of the Quotas by the
' Act paffed in the 26di Year of King George the Second, 1753, the
' Circumftances of this Colony are much altered by the great Improve-
' ments made therein, by its Increafe and Population, and the Erection
of
*773 =
4:
6
2156 :
3 =
6
4359 ••
14:
11
[ '3 ]
; of a new County, whereby it has become necefTary that a new Set-
; tlement be made, &c." And indeed, this muft, I think appear
a very juft Reprefentation to whoever will confider that the Price of
Wheat has rifen, fince the Commencement of the late War, from Four
or Five to Seven Shillings a Bulhel, and the reft of our Produce in
nearly the fame Proportion, and that we find a ready Sale and ready
Money for all we can carry to Market.
' Your Aflertion that by being denied a Loan-OfEce Bill you were
deprived of all Means of complying with the Royal Requifition without
introducing new Taxes, does, I own, greatly aflomfh me. Could
you, Gentlemen, have been ignorant that there was at that very
Time upwards of Ten Thoufand Pounds at the Difpofal of the Legifla-
ture of this Province, befides feveral Balances of unfettled Accounts
to a confiderable Amount, being Part of the Surplus Money made cur-
rent for His Majefly's Service during the late War, for which no new
Tax could be anyways necefTary, as the Sinking of it had been long
before provided for by Law ? Above Half of this Sum was then ac-
tually in the Treafury, ready for immediate Ufe, and the Remainder,
though not there, might be called in whenever the Occafions of die
Province made it necefTary. The prefent State of the Funds at the
Difpofal of the Legiflature, as I have it from the Treafurers, is
' In the Eajlern Treafury, Cafh in Hand, - - £.
i In the Weflern Treafury, Ditto,
* Debts afcertained, and for which Securities are taken, ~)
' befides the unfettled Balances before mentioned, 3
" Total, £. 8289 : 2:11
1 Of this Sum there is only about Half a Year's Sup-
port of Government, and the Money formerly referved
by Law to be apply'd by the Committee of Correfpon-
dence, which can be faid to be appropriated ; and if
we allow for this, and the Incidental Charges which
may arife, - - 22^0 : o : o
flill there will remain at our Difpofal, - £. 6039 : 2:11
' Now we have Reafon to think, from the Experiment which has been
made fince the Difpofal of the Money for furnifhing the Troops has
been left to the Governor and Council, that it will not (when the
Barracks are properly repaired and furnifhed) take a Sum exceeding
Twelve Hundred Pounds Currency per Annum, to fupply the fame
Number of Men as at prefent with all the Articles required by Law ;
tho' there has been heretofore, as I underftand, near double that
Sum expended for this Purpofe, whereby the Province muft probably
have paid feveral Thoufand Pounds more than was necefTary. If we
therefore only deduct from the Money actually in the Treafury,
viz. - - - £. 3929 : 8 : o
the Sum requifite for the remaining Half Years Support
of Government, £. 1250 : o : o
and for completing the Year's Allow- ~) 700 : o : o 1950 : o : o
ance to the Troops, 5 ' "
we yet fhall have in Hand, without calling in ~) r . o .
a Farthing of the Sums outftanding, \ *' °'° '
D * But
t '4 J
* But when it is considered that the Whole of our Paper Money was
' originally made current for His Majefty's Service only (as you have
* repeatedly acknowledged in your Support Acts, and particularly in
' your laft Quota Act) with what Colour of Reafon can you, Gentlemen,
* refufe to apply it to His Majefty's Ufe upon proper Requifitions being
4 made to you in his Name for thatPurpofe: For the Money, I appre-
' hend, while any of it remains in the Treafury, ought to be appropri-
' ated as his immediate Service may, from Time to Time, require.
' Your Denial of the Sum requefted is, befldes, altogether inconfift-
' ent with the repeated Declarations made by the late Affembly
' at the Times of the Stamp and Duty Acts. In a Refolve of the
1 30th of November 1765, they declare " That His Majefty's Sub-
" jecls inhabiting this Province are, from xhtjlrongeji Motives of Duty,
" Fidelity, and Gratitude, inviolably attached to His Royal Perfon and
" Government, and have ever fhewn, and they doubt not ever ivill^
" their utmojl Readinefs and Alacrity for acceding to Conflitutional Re-
" quifitions of the Crown" In an Addrefs to the King on the Repeal of
* the Stamp Act, they " ajfure His Majefty that as they have heretofore
" granted Aids to the Crown, fuitable to their Circumftances ; fo ivhen-
" ever P«.equisitions are made for that Purpofe, in the ancient and
" accuftomed Manner, their Duty to His Majefty, and Concent for the
" Glory and Interejl of Britain, will ever induce them cheerfully to com-
" ply therewith to the utmojl of their Abilities." And in their Addrefs to
* me on the 23d of June 1767, they fay that " His Majefty's graci-
" ous Reception of their Addrefs, and Approbation of the Behaviour
" of this Colony, is truly agreeable to the Houfe, and cannot fail of
" infpiring the Inhabitants of this Colony with Refolutions to improve
" every Opportunity of meriting it from the beft of Sovereigns." The
' fame Sentiments are likewife repeated in the Petition to the Crown in
' May 1 768 ; but how to reconcile them to your Conduct on the pre-
' fent Occafion, is not in my Power. Inftead of manifefting that Duty,
' Fidelity, Gratitude, Readinefs, Alacrity, cheerful Compliance, zyc.
' of the Inhabitants of this Colony, of which your immediate Prede-
' ceffors in Affembly fo much boafted, you now tell me that you can-
* not, confident with the Duty you owe your Confituents, comply with
* the Requifttion which I have made to you by Order of His Majefty.
' After this, can you reafonably expect that the King will ever pay Re-
* gard to any Declarations from the Affemblies of this Province I
' You alledge, however, in excufe, that " the People are already
" grievoufly burthened by their Zeal for His Majefty's Service during the
" late War." I am far, Gentlemen, from wilhing to depreciate any
' Merit that this Colony may have acquired at that Time ; — but when
' you fpeak in fuch a Tone of Diftrefs of the excefjively grievous Bur-
1 then that it fuftains, and urge that as a Reafon for not complying
1 with the prefent Requisition from the Crown, you make it neceffary for
* me to enquire more particularly into the Foundation there is for fuch
* an Affertion.
' It appears that the Sum of £. 347,500 was ftruck during ten Years,
4 on Account of the laft War with France, and the one which followed
' with the Indians. Had this Sum been funk within that Time, it
* would have been neceffary to have raifed on the People £. 34,750
* Currency per Annum by Taxes ; but upwards of twenty-nine Years
(from
[ P5 1
(from IJSS to f 783 both inclufive) are allowed by Law for finking
that Sum, in the following Proportions, viz.
' In the 2 firfl Years none of the Money current was allowed to be
funk.
1 For 2 Years afterwards there was ordered to be funk £. 5000 per Annum, 10,000 : 0 : o
2 Ditto - 10,000 per Ann. 20,000 : o : o
j 1 Ditto - - - 12,500 Do. 137,500:0:0
12 Ditto - 15,000 Do. 180,000 : o : o
29 Total> £■ 347'5°o : o : o
* The greateft Part of this Money was not, by Law, to begin to
fink until it had been current feveral Years, fome of it for 17 or 18
Years. From the Ufe of fo much Money for fo long a Time the
Colony muft have received very confiderable Advantages. Befides, it
fhould be confidered, that as a large Sum muft of courfe be deftroved
and loft by Accidents, it is fo much clear Gain to the Province ; for
the Money raifed for finking of it may be apply'd towards the future
Support of Government, whereby Taxes for that Purpofe, to fuch an
Amount, will not be neceflary. But will any Man who knows the
true State of this Colony pretend to fay that Fifteen Thoufand Pounds,
Currency a Year, which is the greateft Sum to be raifed, can be a
grievous Burthen on the People \ This Year's Tax amounts to £. 12,500,
and I am well affined that there is not a County in the Province where
the Tax will come to above Six-pence in the Pound on Land and Stock,
and in many not above Four-pence ; tho' none but profitable Land is
rated, and the beft upon an Average in a Townfhip, at not above, if
fo much, as Twenty-five or Thirty Pounds per Hundred Acres, but by
far the greateft Part confiderably under. In Burlington County, where
I refide, the Affeffors are reftricted by Law from valuing any Tract of
Land at above £.45, or under £.6 per Hundred Acres which is much
above feveral other Counties, and as high a Limitation as that of any
others (except Somerfet and Salem, where die higheft Sum allowed is
£. 50.) yet no Lands in this County are rated, on an Average in any
Townfhip, at above Twenty Pounds per Hundred Acres, and the Tax
comes to little more than Four-pence in the Pound ; nor would the
Amount of the Tax paid for all the Certainties, as they are called, if it
was likewife laid on the Land, make it Six-pence in the Pound even
at its prefent low Valuation. Compare this, Gentlemen, with what
is paid by our Fellow Subjects in England on their landed Property,
which is Four Shillings in the Pound, befides innumerable other Taxes
unknown to the People of this Country. Compare it even with the
Taxes paid by fome of the New-England Governments or with thofe
paid by our neighbouring Colonies New-York and Pennfylvania, and
you will find it fo much below them, that I am convinced you will
be afhamed ever to mention the Words grievous Burthen again on any
fuch Occafion. But when it is known that the Donation you received
from the Parliament during the War, amounted to £. 79,668 : 2 : o,.
Part of which, being appropriated to your Sinking Fund, exempted
you from any Provincial Taxes for near five Years, and another Part
is the Money you have in Debts outftanding on Security, your grievous
Complaints muft appear very extraordinary indeed i
What you mean, Gentlemen, by faying that the Province has incur-
red a very heavy Debt fince the War, I cannot conceive, as I know
* of
[ »<* ]
of no Debt the Province owes but what is included in the £. 347,500
mentioned in the Quota Act to have been " flruck in the laji War with
France for die Ufe of the Crown." Of this Debt there remained to
be funk from the Time when diat Act. paffedin 1769, to the Year 1783,
about £. 190,000. Nor can I comprehend what is meant by the
very large Sums expended, that the Peace of the Colony might not be
; interrupted." If the Money annually granted for the Supply of the
Troops in the Barracks fince die War, is here alluded to, I have only
to fay that that alfo was taken out of the Sum ftruck in the lafl War
for the Ufe of the Crown ; and that if you are ftill difpofed to pre-
ferve the Peace of the Colony, you will immediately apply a Part of
the Remainder of that Fund to the fame Purpofe.
4 There are many other Reafons which I could urge on this Occa-
fion, but as I have already, I hope, fully fhewn to your Satisfac-
tion, That your Houfe has the Means of complying with the Royal
Requifition without introducing nezv Taxes — that the People are not
grievoujly burthened on Account of the late War — that the Colony is
of fufficient Ability, even if a neiv Tax was neceffary, to make further
Provifion for the Supply of His Majefty's Troops, I cannot therefore
but flatter myfelf that you will, on mature Confideradon, recede from
your late Refolution, and grant the Sum required.
' But if you mould, neverthelefs, obflinately perfevere in fetting your-
felves up in Opposition to the King and Parliament, when you have
not even the Affembly of any neighbouring Colony to countenance
your Proceedings by a fimilar Conduct, you will, I believe, in the Opi-
nion of every fenfible Man, act a Part extremely rafh and imprudent,
and big with Mifchief to your Conflituents.
April 23, 1771.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN.'
Ordered,
That the faid MefTage have a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Budd, praying to
be heard before the Houfe againft the Petition of his Creditors prefented
this Seflion ; the faid firft Pedtion was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'clock To-Morrow Morning.
Wednesday, April 24, 1771.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Jonathan Pitney, Infol-
vent Debtor, in the Gaol of Sujfex, and from feveral of his Neighbours,
fetdng forth his particular Situation and Diftrefs, and praying Relief}
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Hicks, Practitioner in
Phyfick, praying a Law to exempt his Perfon from Arreft for the Term
of four Years ; and another Petition was prefented from John Stout, John
Clarke, James Murray, and Thomas Smith, Creditors of the faid Hicks,
defiring that die Prayer of his Petition may be granted ; bodi which
Petitions were read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
His
[ '7 ]
His Excellency's Meffage of Yefterday Afternoon, was read the fecond
Time, and committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe ;
The Houfe, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Committee of
the whole Houfe, on His Excellency's Meffage of Yefterday Afternoon ;
and after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and
Mr. Fifher, Chairman of the Committee, reported, That the Committee
had taken into Coniideration His Excellency's Meffage to them referred,
and had come to two Refolutions thereon, which they had ordered him
to report, whenever the Houfe will pleafe to receive the fame ;
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately ;
"Whereupon Mr. Fi/her reported the Refolutions of the Committee as
follow, viz.
i. Refolved,
That the Committee is ftill of Opinion that this Colony is not of Abi-
lity to grant further Supplies for His Majefty's Troops quartered in this
Colony. To which die Houfe agreed.
i. Refolved ',
That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that an Anfwer mould be
prepared to His Excellency's Meffage of Yefterday. To which the Houfe
agreed.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fi/her, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Tucker,
Mr. Berrien, and Mr. Heivlings, be a Committee to prepare and bring
in the Draught of an Anfwer to His Excellency's Meffage of Yefterday.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met, and adjourned till Nine o'clock To-morrow Morning.
Thurfday, April 2$, 1771.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from the Subfcribers thereto,
Inhabitants of the Townfhip of Hanover, and County of Morris, pray-
ing Leave to bring in a Bill to compel the Owners and Poffeffors of cer-
tain Swamps, lying between Great Pinch Ditch, and Black Brook, and
on each Side of that Brook, to drain the fame Swamps in fuch Manner
as is pointed out in the faid Petition ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Mofes Young of Hanover,
in the County of Morris, fetting forth that he hath been at a great Ex-
pence in digging a Ditch Ten Feet wide and Three Feet deep, more than
a Mile long, through the Pinch-Bog Swamp, whereby he hath drained
many very valuable Tracts of Swamp belonging to other Perfons, and
praying a Law to compel the Owners to pay their reafonable Quotas of
the Expence he hath been at ; which Petition was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Six Inhabitants of Hano-
ver, in the County of Morris, praying an Act for draining the Meadows
upon Black Brook, from the Mouth of Muddy Run up the Brook, to the
South-weftermoft Part of the Hammock ; which Petition was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
E Mr.
[ i8 ]
Mr. Learning, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought
in the Draught of an Anfwer to His Excellency's MefTage of Trie/day laft ;
which was read, amended in the Houfe, and upon the Queftion agreed
to, and ordered to be engrofled.
The Houfe adjourned 'till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Jofepb Sackett, jun. fet-
ting forth his diftreffed Circumftances, and praying Relief by Act of Af-
fembly or otherwife ; the fame was read, and ordered to be read a fe-
cond Time.
The Houfe adjourned for an Hour.
The Houfe met.
The engroffed MefTage to His Excellency, was read and compared.
Ordered Nem. Con.
That Mr. Price, and Mr. Dey, do wait upon His Excellency, with
the faid MefTage, and the fame is as follows, viz.
May it pleafe your Excellency,
TH E State of this Colony is juftly and truly reprefented in our
MefTage to your Excellency at the laft Seflions ; yet, neverthelefs,
as at that Time the Winter was approaching, and we being in Hopes
that you would ufe your Influence to have the Burthen removed, and
that the Houfe fhould not be called upon for further Aids, on that
Account we granted a Sum of Money for the Purpofe requefled.
We cannot but remark here, how very different your Excellency's
Defcription of the State of the Colony is, from the One given by you in
the Bill, entitled, " An Act for flriking £. 100,000 in Bills of Credit,"
paffed no longer ago than in December 1769. The Reafon given in the
Preamble of that Bill is, Whereas the great Diftrefs in which this Co- .
lony for feveral Years pafl hath been involved in for Want of a fufH-
cient Currency, both as a Medium of Commerce, and to pay Debts,
hath compelled very many of the Inhabitants to fell their Eftates, or
fuffer them to be fold at an accumulated Expence by the Sheriffs, fre-
quently for lefs than Half the Value, by which the Merchants, Manu-
facturers and Traders in Great-Britain, and other Creditors have been
great Sufferers ; which Grievance in all Probability will much increafe,
if not fpeedily remedied. That Bill failed, and the Circumftances of
this Colony are not fmce altered for the better ; Lands have continued
and ftill do continue to fink in Price, and are fometimes fold for lefs
than one third Part of the Value they were fold for a few Years ago.
The high Price of Wheat is owing in Part to there not being enough
to fupply the Demand, occafioned by the Failure of the Crops, the Con-
fequence of the Land being much worn, and the Badnefs of the Seafons ;
fo that a Farmer, notwithftanding this high Price, does not get as much
now for his Year's Labour as he formerly did when he had a full Crop.
But there are not one fourth Part of the Houiholders in Neiv-Jerfey that
raife Wheat to fell, moll of the Reft buy that neceffary Article ; and the
high Price that Bread Corn, and other Provifions now fell at, has reduced
large
[ '9 ]
large Numbers of the Inhabitants of this Colony to great Diftrefs, and
is very fenfibly felt by many more. How your Excellency happened to
account the high Price of Wheat at this Time among the Riches of this
Province, and from that Error, give the State of the Colony in the Man-
ner you have done, we cannot account for, otherwife than by the Afto-
nifhment you confefs yourfelf in when you drew that Meffage.
Your Excellency's Arithmetic ftrengthens our Argument by proving
that in the Treafuries of Neiv-'Jerfey there is no more than £.3929:8:0
in Cam. This fmall Sum is now charged with upwards of Seven Months
Support of the Civil Government, Payment of the Incidental Charges,
£.44 to the Executors of Mr. Parker, £.50 to difabled Soldiers, about
£. 150 to the Barrack-Mailers of Neiv-Brunfwick, £.200 to the Agent,
£. 1000 liable to be drawn by the former Committee of Correfpondence,
and near £. 100 by the prefent Committee, above £.2000 liable to be
drawn by the Eaftern Proprietors ; Bounties on Hemp and Flax.
We can by no Means confider what is due to the Treafury, as Money
in our Power. The Reafon of that Money being outllanding, is be-
caufe the Debtors cannot poflibly procure it without the Sale of Lands
greatly under Value, and is one of the many Proofs of the Diftrefs
of this Colony.
Our refilling the Demand is no Way inconfiftent with the Reafon
given by you in the Preamble of the A61 for fettling the Quotas palled in
December 1769. Between 1753 and 1769, the Circumllances of the
Colony might be much altered, great Improvements made therein by
it's Increafe and Population, and one new County erected : And thefe
Circumllances might and did occafion a new Regulation for railing
Taxes, but that does not prove that this Province is not now in diftreffed
Circumltances, and the Inhabitants borne down with Debts ; on the
contrary, that is a Fact notorious to the whole Colony.
This Denial does not interfere with the Affembly's Refolve of the 30th
of November 1765. The Conduct of the late and prefent Houfes of
Affembly refpe<5ting thefe Troops proves that Refolve to be true. They
and we, from the llrongeft Motives of Duty, Fidelity and Gratitude,
and inviolable Attachment to His Majefty's Royal Perfon and Govern-
ment, have provided for the Subfiftence of the Troops in Queftion, at
above £. 2000 per Annum, including the Articles fupplied the Barracks
for their Ufe for feveral Years paft, and even at the Time of palling
the Law to give £. 500 to the Governor for their Supply, there was
Wood in the Barracks to the Amount of more than £.200 that had
been purchafed by the Barrack-Mafters, and has been expended fince
your Excellency had the Management ; fo that in the Five Months they
have coft us above £. 700, befides many Repairs that the Barrack-Maf-
ters added in that Time, and do continue to add. The Diftreffes of
this Colony having arifen to a great Height, and the late Appearance of
a War being now over, we do think that Expence ought not to be con-
tinued upon us indefinite.
Nor does this Denial contradict the AddrefTes and Petition your Excel-
lency mentions ; there is nothing in any of them that alters the Confti-
tution ; there is no Reafon to think that Affembly intended it fhould ;
it was not underftood that it did. The Words do not bear that Inter-
pretation. Refolves and AddrefTes cannot alter the Conftitution. Thofe
concerned in them Tranfaclions were not fo weak as to fuppofe it. No-
thing
[ 2° ]
thing leis than an Act of the whole Legiflature can do it. But on the
contrary, the Affembly was left in full Poffeffion of their ancient Right
of judging on that Subject, and the whole Conftitution in its full
Efficacy as it was before that Period.
To your Excellency's Queftion, " Whether we expect the King will
" ever pay Regard to any Declarations from the Affemblies of this Pro-
" vince ?" We anfwer, we hope He will. We are determined to do every
Thing in our Power to deferve his Love, and his Confidence. The
Queftion comes untimely and improperly from your Excellency, and
doing fo makes it ferious. We mould be glad of good Reafons to hope
that your fubfequent Conduct will evince that you wifh to have it
forgotten.
Your Excellency's elaborate Hiftory of the Appropriations to the late
War has not the Effect you intend. It only proves the Duty and Loyalty
of this Colony to His Majefty ; that when it was neceffary we entered
fo zealoufly into His Majefty 's Meafures, and provided fo largely for
his Forces, that in a few Years we mortgaged ovir Pofterity down to the
Year 1 783 ; and that your Excellency defires us to make that Burthen
yet heavier.
To judge of future Events by the paft, in this Cafe, is a good Rule ;
and we hereby affure His Majefty, that when fimilar Ciieumftances
fhall occur, we fhall freely, as heretofore, exert our utmoft Abilities in
his Service.
Your Excellency has ftrangely blended the Taxes in this Province
with thofe in England, as if they were raifed on the fame Plan. Their
Taxes are raifed on the Pound Value or the annual Rent of their Lands ;
ours on the Pound Value of the Capital. But what is your Excellency's
Obfervations on that Head to the Purpofe ? If they pay higher Taxes
than we, muft we run ourfelves in Debt for the Sake of paying as high
Taxes as they do I that's a ftrange Way of demonftrating Loyalty.
Your Excellency fays, that in. this Province " none but profitable
Land is rated." We believe that one Half of the Land in Neiv-Jerfey
that is taxed is not profitable to the Owner ; for if a Man owns ever fb
much in a Tract, if any Part of it is improved the whole Tract is rated.
The Reafon that your Excellency and we give fuch different Accounts
of the Riches of the Province, is eafy to account for : You fee nothing
but Affluence, we fee the Diftreffes of the People: Therefore we have
the beft Right to Credit, as we have the beft Means for Information.
Your Excellency's laft Claufe is alarming, as it's plainly calculated to
fet us in a bad Light with our Sovereign, by impreffing an Idea that we
are obftinately fetting otirfelves up in Opposition to the King and Par-
liament, and obliquely intimating that we are defirous of the Countenance
of other Colonies to fupport us. Sentiments that we difavow in the
ftrongeft Manner. We are firmly attached to our Moft Gracious Sove-
reign King George the Third, and think our judging of the Abilities
of this Colony, and the Application of the Public Money ought not to
be reprefented as fetting ourfelves up in Oppofition to the King and
Parliament.
Houfe of Affembly, ~> By Order of the ffoufe,
Afrilzs, i77i- 5 RICHARD SMITH, Clerk.
Mr.
[ 21 ]
Mr. Price reported, That Mr. Dey and himfelf waited on His Excel-
lency, according to Order, with the MefTage of the Houfe, and that
His Excellency was pleafed to fay, " He would take the MefTage into
" Confideration."
The Committee appointed to infpect the Accounts laid before this
Houfe, by Order of His Excellency, of Monies difburfed for furnifh-
ing Neceflaries for the Soldiers quartered in this Colony, from Novem-
ber I, 1770, to March 27, 177 1, inclufive, Reported, That they had
examined the faid Accounts and Vouchers, and find that according to
the faid Accounts there has been expended £. 50 1 : 1 1 : 7, which is
£. 1:11:7 more than was provided for by Law.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Friday, April 26, 1771.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from the Creditors of John Budd, and alfo the Petition
of the faid Budd, were read the fecond Time, and referred to next Sefiion
of Affembly.
The Petition from Jofeph Fox and others, Commiflioners on the Part
of Pennfylvania, for clearing the River Delaware, praying the Aflif-
tance of this Colony therein ; was read the fecond Time, and referred
over to next Sefiion.
The Petition of Jonathan Pitney, Infolvent Debtor, in Sujfex ; was
read the fecond Time, and referred to next Sefiion.
The feveral Petitions from Dr. Hicks, and from John Stout and others,
for a Four Year's Exemption from Arreft ; were read the fecond Time,
and referred to next Sefiion.
The Two Petitions from Hanover, in the County of Morris, and the
Petition from Mofes Young, all relative to the Meadows there ; were read
the fecond Time, and referred to next Sefiion.
The Petition from Jofeph Sackett, jun. Infolvent Debtor, in Somerfet ;
was read the fecond Time, and referred to next Sefiion.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Taylor do go to the Council and acquaint
them, that this Houfe have Nothing before them, and if the Council
have Nothing in Hand, the Houfe propofes to apply to His Excellency
for a Difmiflion.
Mr. Tucker reported, That Mr. Taylor and himfelf waited upon
Lord Stirling, one of the Council, the Council not fitting, who faid
that the Council would fit this Morning, and then the Houfe ihould
hear from them.
A Meflage from His Excellency by Mr. Secretary Pettit ;
' Gentlemen,
' TN Anfwer to your Meflage of the 23d Inftant, I am to inform you
J_ ' that when the Clerk of the Crown, at the laft Sefiion at Perth-
' Amboy, brought me the Writ for the Election of a Member to ferve in
' Aflfembly for the County of EJfex, which he had made out, in Purfu-
F ' ance
[ aa ]
' a nee of a Warrant he had received from your Speaker, I laid the
* fame before His Majefiy's Council for their Opinion ; the Council,
' after taking fome Time for Confideration, were unanimoufly of Opi-
' iiion, that it was not proper for me to feal the Writ at that Time, and,
' as this intirely coincided with my own Judgment, I directed the
' Clerk of the Crown to acquaint the Speaker with my Refufal and the
' Reafon of it, which he accordingly did by Letter, on the 26th of Oc-
1 tober, the Day before the Houfe was prorogued. I expected this Let-
' ter would of Courfe have been put on your Minutes, as it was in
' Nature of a Return to the Warrant he had received from the Speaker
' iflued by your Order. But no Notice is taken of it in either the Mi-
' nutes of the laft or prefent SefTion. The Speaker on the 23d Inflant
' only informs the Houfe in general Terms, " That the Writ had not
" yet iflued purfuant to the Order of the Houfe at the laft Seflion ;"
' Whereupon the Houfe orders the Clerk of the Crown to attend in or-
' der to inform them why the faid Writ hath not iflued, which he
' did ; and not only acquainted them with his having wrote the before-
' mentioned Letter to the Speaker, but read a Copy of it to the Houfe
' as containing the Reafon of my Rufufal. You, however, take no
' Notice of this Circumftance on your Minutes, but only fay, " That
" he informed the Houfe that he had made out a Writ for the Election
" of a Member for EJfex, as he was directed, but that his Excellency
" had declined fealing the fame," whereby it appears as if my Refufal
* was merely arbitrary, for which no Reafon had been afligned or com-
' municated to the Houfe. This Procedure, Gentlemen, I do not look
' upon to be Regular, and have therefore annexed to this Meflage a Copy
' of that Letter and of the Minutes of Council concerning Mr. Ogdetis
' Refignation, to which I have only to add that neither I nor the Council,
' on a fecond Confideration of the Matter, at this Seflion, have feen Caufe
' to alter our former Opinion.
• WIL LI AM FRA NKL IN.'
' At a Council held at Perth- A?nboy, on Wedne/day, Oclober 17, 1770,
PRESENT,
His Excellency the GOVERNOR,
Peter Kemble, Efq. James Parker, Efq.
David Ogden, Efq. The Chief Justice,
The Earl of Stirling, Stephen Skinner, Efq.
John Stevens, Efq.
* T_T I S Excellency informed the Board, That the Clerk of the
"X ' Crown, purfuant to a Warrant from the late Speaker of the
4 Houfe of Aflembly, had applied to him to order the Great Seal to be
_ * affixed to a Writ for the Election of a Member to ferve in the General
' Aflembly of this Province, for the County of EJJ'ex, in the Room of
' John Ogden, Efq; who hath refigned, with the Leave of the Houfe.
* And His Excellency doubting of the Legality of fuch Refignation, de-
' fired the Opinion of the Council Whether it would be proper to order
' the faid Writ to be fealed or not?
' The Council taking the fame into Confideration, defired fome Time
' to confer thereon, and examine Precedents.
'At
[ =3 1
' At a Council held at Perth-Amboy, on Friday, October 26, 1770.
PRESENT,
His Excellency the GOVERNOR,
Peter Kemble, Efq. James Parker, Efq.
The Earl of Stirling, The Chief Justice.
John Stevens, Efq.
' r a t H E Board having refumed the Confideration of the Matter re-
J_ ' ferred to them by His Excellency on the 17th Inflant, relative
' to the Sealing a Writ for the Election of a Member to ferve in the
' General AiTembly in the Room of "John Ogden, Efq; who hath relio-n-
' ed, were unanimoufly of Opinion, That the voluntary Refip-nation of
* a Member of the Affembly without any legal Caufe of Diiability to
'.continue his Attendance in the Houfe, being afligned, may be intro-
' ducTive of great Inconvenience to the Province, and, £0 far as appears
' to them at prefent, is a Proceeding totally unfupported by any Prece-
1 dent from the Ufage of Parliament. The Council therefore advifed
' His Excellency to defer the fealing or ifTuing a Writ for the Election of
' a Member for the County of Effex, in the Room of the faid John
' Ogden, Efq; till farther Light can be obtained on the Subject of the
' prefent Doubt.
' A trtie Copy extracted from the Minutes of Council,
' CHA. PETTIT, D. Clerk.'
' Copy of a LETTER from the Clerk of the Crown to the Speaker
' of the HOUSE of ASSEMBLY.
' Perth-Amboy, October 16, 1770.
'SIR,
' T N Obedience to the Warrant of the late Speaker of the Houfe of Affem-
■*■ ' bly of New-Jerfey, / have made out a Writ for the Eleclion of a
' Member to ferve in the faid Houfe for the County of Salem, in the Place
' of Ifaac Sharp, Efq; deceafed ; and alfo a Writ for the Election of a
' Member to ferve in the fame Houfe for the County of Effex, in the Room
1 of John Ogden, Efq; who hath refigned. The former of which, His
1 Excellency hath been pleafed to allow and feal, but hath refufed to feat
* the latter; as he is not fatisfied of the Legality of fuch Refignation.
' / am, Sir,
* To Stephen Crane, Efq. 1 < Your mofi obedient, humble Servant,
Speaker of the Houfe I
of Affembly of Mu/- [ 'CHA. PETTIT.'
Jerfey. J
The faid MefTage and Papers were read, and the Confideration there-
of referred till the Afternoon.
A MefTage from the Council by Mr. Skinner, informing the Houfe,
That the Council have no Bufinefs before them.
Mr. Price had Leave of Abience, on fpecial Bufinefs, till Monday
Morning next.
The
[ H ]
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Houfe taking into Coniideration His Excellency's MeiTage of this
Day,
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Paxjon, do wait on His Excellency, and
acquaint him, That upon infpecting the Laws of this Province, this
Houfe doth find, that by the Act of the Affembly of this Colony of the
7th. of Anne, Chap. 4th. for regulating the Qualifications of Reprefen-
tatives, <&c. it is declared " The Perfons elected to ferve as Reprefenta-
" tives in the faid General Affembly, fhall have One Thoufand Acres
" of Land in his own Right, or be worth £. 500 Current Money of
" this Province in Real and Perfonal Eftate." And " That all or every
" Perfon or Perfons elected and chofen Reprefentatives, for the Counties
" aforefaid, fhall be Freeholders in that Divifion for which he or they
" fhall be chofen to ferve in General Affembly as aforefaid ; And that
" no Perfon who is not a Freeholder as aforefai^l, fhall be capable of
" electing or being elected, nor of fitting in General Affembly ; and
" that the Houfe of Reprefentatives elected and chofen as aforefaid,
" when met in General Affembly, are and fhall be Judges of the Qua-
" lifications of their own Members."
And by one other Act paffed in the Tenth Year of the Reign of His
prefent Majefty, entitled, " An Act to explain and amend an Act of die
" General Affembly paffed in the Tenth Year of His Majefty's Reign,"
entitled, " An Act for the Relief of Infolvent Debtors, and for
" other Purpofes therein mentioned," it appears, That John Ogdeny
Efquire, at the Time of his Refignation, and the Acceptance there-
of by the Houfe, was Infolvent, and that all his Eftate, Real and Per-
fonal, was before that Time affigned for the Benefit of his Creditors, or
that the fame had been feized and taken in Execution for their Benefit,
fo that the faid Ogden was not a Freeholder in that Divifion for which
he ferved ; whereupon Mr. Ogden, on the 27th of September, 1770, in-
formed the Houfe of Affembly, that he had no Profpect of retrieving
his Affairs, and defired Leave to refign his Seat, that the Freeholders of
EJfex might have an Opportunity to elect another in his Place. Where-
upon the Houfe, taking the fame into Consideration, Refolved Nemine
Contradicente, That his Refignation be accepted ; and it was ordered,
That Mr. Speaker iffue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make
out a Writ for electing a Reprefentative for the County of EJfex, in
the Stead and Place of the faid Mr. Ogden. That Mr. Ogden not being
a Freeholder, difqualified him from fitting in the Houfe of Affembly ;
and the Houfe of Aflembly was die fole Judge thereof.
At the laft Sitting, when the Secretary brought the Governor's Mef-
fage, requiring the Houfe to attend him to be difmiffed, Mr. Petttt
delivered to the Speaker the Letter mentioned by His Excellency, fo that
the Houfe had no Time to confider whether it was proper to be entered
on their Minutes or not ; but, upon confidering that Matter, find, that
as the Governor could not legally refufe to feal the Writ, the Letter itfelf
was improper.
And,
[ 25 ] ' ,
And, laftly, That the Houfe again defires His Excellency will be
pleafed to feal a Writ for electing another Member to ferve in this Houfe
for the County of EJfex, in the Room of Mr. Ogden,
On the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid MefTage or
not ? It was carried in the Affirmative, as follows, -viz.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Skinner,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Dey, Mr. Miller, Mr. Johnjlon,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Learning, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Hart, Mr. Gibbon.
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Tucker.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Anne Jay, Prifoner for
Debt, in the Gaol of Monmouth, fetting forth her Diflrefs, and praying-
Relief ; which was read, and the Confideration thereof referred till next
Seffion.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Pax/on, do wait on His Excellency, and
inform him that the Houfe have no further Bufinefs before theni, and
defire he will pleafe to difmifs them.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning
Saturday, April 27, 1771.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Tucker reported, That Mr. Pax/on and himfelf waited on His
Excellency, according to the Order of Yefterday Afternoon, and that
His Excellency was pleafed to fay, the Houfe fhould hear from him.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from the principal Owners of
Meadows on bodi Sides the Head of North River, that runs between
Shrewsbury and Middletoivn, praying a Law to make a Bank for the
Benefit of the faid Meadows ; which Petition being read,
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next Seffion,
on giving the ufual public Notice, and no reafonable Objections then
appearing againfl the fame.
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe, and read, from feveral Pro-
prietors of low Lands, in the Counties of Bergen, EJfex, and Morris,
praying a Law for clearing the Pajfaick, and other Rivers, in Order to
benefit the faid low Lands j
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill at next Seffion, on
giving the ufual public Notice, if no reafonable Objection fhall then
appear againft the fame.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met,
And adjourned till Nine o'Clock on Monday Morning.
Monday, April 29, 1771.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from James Clunn, Prifoner for
G Debt
£ *6 }■
Debt, in Trenton Gaol, fetting forth his Diftrefs, and praying for an
Infolvent Act ; the Petition was read, and referred to next SeiTion.
The Houfe adjourned till One, P. M.
The Houfe met,
And adjourned for Half an Hour.
The Houfe met.
A MefTage from His Excellency, by Mr. Secretary Pettit ;
Gentlemen,
' T LITTLE fufpected when I fent you my Menage of the 23d In-
' ftant, that it could poffibly have given you fuch Offence, or
' fubjected me to receive fuch Language from a Body of Men whom I
' have always treated with Refpect. If I know my own Heart, that
' MefTage was dictated by the truefl Regard for the good People of this
' Province, and I do not yet defpair but that fuch of them, who have
1 Difcernment enough to fee their own true Intereft, will at fome Time
* or other view it in that Light, notwithstanding the Cloud of Duft you
' have at prefent raifed may conceal from them the true State of the Pro-
' vince. I mall not, however, return Railing for Railing, nor take
1 thofe Advantages which the Manner of your Anfwer fo frequently
* throws in my Way, nor, indeed, fhould I give myfelf the Trouble
4 of making any Observations on the Matter of it, if I could avoid it
' confidently with my Duty.
' When by His Majefty's Order I called upon you to grant a Supply
* for the Troops, you, I thought, rather too precipitately refolved not to
' comply with the Requifition, and referred me to your Meffage at the
* lafl Seffion for your Reafons. That Meffage contained nothing but ge-
' neral Affertions, in fupport of which not a fmgle Fact was offered.
' To have returned only general Affertions to the contrary could have an-
' fwered no valuable Purpofe. The Point mufl ftill have remained as un-
* decided as before. I therefore judged that the befl Way to come at the
* Truth in a Matter of fuch Confequence to the Publick, would be to
' Rate the Facts as they appeared to me, that if I was miftaken in any of
* them you might fet me right, or if otherwife that you might be in-
' duced to recede from a Refolution which feemed to threaten Mifchief to
' your Country. If you had pointed out to me any fuch Miftakes I
' ihould very candidly have acknowledged them, and thanked you for the
' Information. But, inftead of purluing this Plan, you have for the moft
' Part contented yourfelves with repeating your Affertions, and where you
* have ventured to have Recourfe to Facts you have either miftated or mii-
' reprefented them ; a Conduct no ways becoming any one, but much
' lefs fo refpectable a Body as the Reprefentatives of a free People. That
1 I do not fay this, Gentlemen, without proper Foundation, will, I
1 doubt not, fufficiently appear in the Courfe of the Obfervations which
' you have put me under a Neceffity of making on your Anfwer to my
* Meffage.
' You fet out with declaring that the State of the Colony is juftly and
4 truly reprefented in your Meflage at the laft Seffion, and endeavour to
' prove diis by lhewing that it is hmilar to " the one given by me in the
" Preamble to the Bill for ftriking £. 100,000 paffed in December 1769."
1 This is the firft Time I believe, Gentlemen, that ever a Governor was
' fuppofed
■ i *? ]
fuppofed accountable for the Truth of any Reprefentations contained
in a Preamble. The Doctrine appears entirely new and you ought to
have the Honour of being the firft Promoters of it. It has hitherto
been a generally received Opinion, that a Preamble contained the Rea-
fons which the Houfe where the Bill originated thought proper to give
to the other Branches of the Legiflature for obtaining their Affent, and
which Reafons might or might not be die real Motive to the others for
confenting to pafs it into a Law. It is, accordingly, a very frequent
Practice in the Houfe of Commons in England, and in the Affemblies in
the Colonies, to conclude the Preamble of a Bill with a Prayer that it may
be enafted, which would be highly abfurd if the Preamble was fuppofed
to be given by the King or the Governor. As to the £. 100,000 Bill
I do moft folemnly declare that I had no Concern in writing the Pream-
ble, nor were the Reafons you have quoted thofe which induced me
to give the Bill my Affent, nor indeed were they fuch as I urged in my
Difpatches to the King's Minifters, when I recommended it as proper
for the Royal Confirmation. I knew it was true that a Number of Per-
fons in different Parts of the Province were (fome by their own Impru-
dence, and others by unavoidable Misfortunes) involved in Diftrefs,
but I never fuppofed it was much, if anything, owing to the Want of
a fufEcient Currency, as I obferved every Labourer could get a good
Price in Money for his Labour, and every Farmer the fame for his^ Pro-
duce. At die fame Time, however, I was of Opinion that a moderate
Quantity of Paper Money ifTued on Loan at the ufual low Intereft taken
by the Publick, might be of Service to fuch of them as had any real
Property left and were difpofed to be induftrious. To others it did not
appear to me that it could be of any Advantage, were die Quantity
ever fo great. But had I known d}e Province to have been in a far more
nourilhing State at that Time than even what I deem it to be in at pre-
fent, I mould neverthelefs have been a Friend and Well-wifher to that
Bill, and mould have exerted myfelf as much as I have done in its Be-
half; there being fcarce any one Thing of which I am more fully con-
vinced, than that a moderate Addition to our prefent Currencv, even
on the Terms on which the Crown can permit it, would make the Co-
lony ftill more nourilhing, and be likewife productive of confiderable
Benefit to Great-Britain. What View you could have, therefore, in
mendoning the Preamble of that Bill, I am at a Lofs to imagine. If I
had really wrote it, and it had actually contained my Sentiments at
that Time, yet the Facts I produced in my laft Meffage plainly fhew
that whatever may have been or is ftill the Cafe with a Number of In-
dividuals, the Province on the Whole, is and has been for many Years
paft in a State of Improvement. Your quodng it then on diis Occafi-
on can only ferve to fhew what, perhaps, would have been full as
much to your Credit to have concealed, that you were capable offend-
ing me two Bills at the fame Seffion containing directly contrary Ac-
counts of the State of the Colony.
' The Reafons you give for die high Price of Wheat do not appear to
me to be fatisfactory. It is true that the Crops do fometimes fail when
the Seafon happens to be bad or where the Land is much worn. But
will any Man pretend to fay that the Quantity of Wheat raifed through-
out the Colony, and of every other Kind of Produce which we fend to
Market, does not annually increafe? If he has any Doubt about it, let
' him
[■28/]
him only inquire into the Number of new Farms which are annually
fettled, and the Improvements made and making on the old Ones ; or
let him afk the Merchants and others who purchafe our Produce at
Neiv-Tork and Philadelphia for Exportation or Home Confumption,
and he will be Satisfied that the Increafe is very considerable. I have
frequently made Inquiries of this Nature, and am well convinced that
the Quantity of our Produce carried to Market is much beyond what it
was formerly, but that the Demand having increafed in a ftill greater
•Proportion, has occalioned the high Prices we receive. — Whether there
are not, as you fay, above one fourth Part of the Houfholders in Neiv-
Jer/ey who raife Wheat I know not, nor is it of any Confequence to
my prefent Argument. The Inhabitants of the Colony are certainly
for the mod Part Farmers, and tho' they raife different Kinds of Pro-
duce according to the Nature of their Land and other Circumllances,
yet if what I advanced, and which you do not contradict, be true,
that the Prices of all Kinds have rifen in nearly the fame Proportion as
Wheat, it can make no Difference. For if a Man who does not raife
that Article is obliged to give more for it than heretofore, fo like wife
does he get a proportionably greater Sum for what he does raife. It
feems therefore to be a flrange Pofition " that the high Price which
' Bread Com and other Provifions now fell at, has reduced large Numbers
' of the Inhabitants of this Colony to great Di/lreJ's" But I am not fur-
prized (flrange as it is) that this Pofition fhould be advanced by you ;
for you, Gentlemen, tho' the Colony confifts chiefly of Farmers, can
even wonder at my " accounting the high Price of Wheat at this Time
' among the Riches of this Province !"
' I fhall next confider your Remarks upon what you are pleafed to call
my Arithmetick, which you fay Strengthens your Argument, by
proving that there is no moreCalh in theTreafury than^. 3929 : 8 : o.
This Sum you fay is charged with
1 No. 1. To the Executors of Mr. Parker, - £. 44 : o : o
2. To difibled Soldiers, - - - 50:0:0
3. To the Barrack-Mafters at Netu-Brunfwick, 150 : o : o
4. To the Agent, - - - 200 : o : o
5. To the former Committee of Correfpondence, 1000 : o : o
6. To the prefent Committee, - - - 100:0:0
7. To the Eajl-Jerfey Proprietors, - - 2000 : o : o
£. 3544 : o : o
Befides the Support of Government for feven
Months, Incidental Charges, and Bounties on
Hemp and Flax, for neither of which you
have allotted any particular Sum.
' But, Gentlemen, Is this a candid Reprefentation of the Matter ?
' Are not you confeious that the only Articles of all thefe, for which
* Sums can with any Propriety be faicl to be actually appropriated, are
* the two firft Articles, the Support of Government, and the One Thou-
* /and Pounds to the Committee of Correfpondence, and that for both
* the latter I made a Deduction in my State of the Account ? And are
' you not fenfible that even this very £. 1 000 (which is only ordered to
* be kept in the Treafury 'till it may happen to bo wanted) may by a
1 ihort
f *? ]
fhort Act be applied for the Support of the Troops immediately, if you
think proper ? Towards the Article No. 3, the Sum of 1 10 /. was paid
feveral Months ago and therefore cannot remain a Charge againft the
Balance in the Treafury, and for the remaining 40 /. no Accounts are
yet exhibited to the Houfe, or at leaft none yet fettled or allowed ; and
whether any Thing will be wanted for the Bounties on Hemp and Flax
is uncertain, it depending on Events which may or may not happen,
and, if they fhould, they are only to be paid out of the current Money
which may be at the Time in the Hands of the Treasurers. For thefe
no Money in the Treafury can be properly faid to be yet appropriated,
tho' the Legiflature may hereafter think fit to make Provifion for the
Payment of them, and therefore they ought not to be brought into
the prefent Account. But even if they were, yet the Balance of the
£. 1970 • 8 : o mentioned in my Meflage is probably more than fuffici-
ent to difcharge them, and the 1 000 /. to the Committee befides.
The Allowance to the Agent, the Sum payable to the prefent Com-
mittee, and the Incidental Charges, are all conlidered in the^. 1250 I
allowed for the Support of Government for the remaining Part of
the prefent Year. The lafl Article No. 7, is a large one indeed ; but
how you could poffibly think of reckoning it as an appropriated Sum
which you were obliged to keep in the Treafury, and venture to men-
tion it as one of the Proofs of your not having it in your Power to
comply with the Royal Requifition, is beyond my Comprehenfion.
You muft know, Gentlemen, as well as I do, that the £. 3000 Subject-
ed to the Difpofal of the Eaftern Proprietors were only allow'd to be
taken from Time to Time as it might become neceflary, " out of the
publick Monies in the Treafury," i'o that if none happens to be actu-
ally there when wanted, the Province is not bound to furnifh it in any
other Manner. But fuppofing they had really drawn the whole Sum
out of the Treafury, yet not only all the Eftates of the General Propri-
etors are made liable by Law to indemnify the Colony for the faid
Sum, but a certain Number of them are obliged to give Bonds to the
Treafurer " conditioned for the Replacing fuch Sum or Sums of Money,
' without Intereft, into the Treafury, when demanded by fuch Trea-
: furer by Order of the Houfe of Ajembly." This needs no Comment ;
for a Man muft be wilfully blind who does not fee that it cannot
make the leaft Difference to the Province whether this Sum is in or
out of the Treafury.
* You " can by no Means, you fay, confider what is due to the Trea-
fury as Money in your Power." If you had faid that there was no
NecefTity of calling it in immediately, I could readily have agreed with
you. The Intereji alone due on the tivo Sums called Debts afcertamed,
for which you have Mortgages, is nearly fufficient to replace in the
Treafury the Sum now wanted. And if the outftanding unfettled Ba-
lances due to the Province (which for Reafons beft known to yourfelves
you have not chofento mention) were likewife brought into the Treafury,
as they ought to be, there would then be a Sum at your Difpofal more
than fufficient to anfwer all the prefent Demands. There is one Debt
befides, amounting to upwards of £. 1200 due from the Eftate of the
late Col. Schuyler, for which a Bond was given fome Time ago, and
the Money, I am told, is now ready to be paid into the Treafury.
H « What
[ 3° ]
' What you alledge concerning the Reafon given by me in the Preamble
of die Quota Acl, and the diflrefTed Circumftances of the Inhabitants,
has been already fully anfwered. Nor need I take any Notice of your
AfTertion, that the Denial of a Supply for the Troops is not contradic-
tory to the Affembly's former Refolve, AddreiTes, and Petition. If you
cannot fee what is fo glaringly evident to others, nothing I can offer tp
convince you of it can be of any Avail. I fhall therefore proceed to
confider what you fay concerning the Barracks.
4 Your Reprefentation of this Matter is more unfair, if poflible, than
any Thing I have yet animadverted upon ; but, to do you Juftice, ijt
mufl be allowed that you have not manifelted a greater Want of Can-
dour than of Gratitude on this Occafion. — At the laft Seflion at Perth-
Amboy, a Majority of your Houfe appeared much difpleafed with moft
of the former Barrack-Maflers Accounts ; and when it was agreed to
grant £. 500 towards the Supply of the Troops, you choie rather to
leave it to the Difpofal of the Governor and Council, than to put it
into the Hands of the Perfons before entrufted. The Money has fince
been expended with the utmoft Faithfulnefs (as you mult have obferved
by the Accounts and Vouchers laid before you) and by our Manage-
ment a considerable Saving has been made to the Province. It feems,
however, that you are not difpofed to let this be known to the Pub-
lick. Inflead of thanking us for our Care and Trouble (not a little of
which fell to my Share) or even making a bare Acknowledgment of
them, you endeavour to have it appear, that though I mentioned it
would not take above £. 1200 Currency per Annum to fupply the uliial
Number of Men with the NeceiTaries required, yet it has cofl the
Province, under our Management, at above the Rate of £. 700 for
five Months, befides Repairs, g&. To make this out you fay " there
was Wood in the Barracks to the Amount of more than £. 200," which
is not the Cafe, the Quantity received of the former Barrack-Maflers
by the one I appointed being exactly 228 Cords, which if we reckon at
1 5/61. light Money per Cord (the Medium Price he purchafed at) amounts
to only £. 151 : 17 : 34. Proclamation. But you take no Notice that the
five Months above-mentioned were the Whiter Months, and that dur-p
ing the remaining feven Months little more than half the Wood, and
but a fmall Quantity of Candles, will be wanted. The Sum of 500 /.
would therefore, I doubt not, be found fufEcient to fupply the Barracks
for that Time, if there fhould happen to be no confiderable Addition
to the Number of Men j but as an Augmentation of 20 Men to a
Company is ordered, I afk'd for 700 /. which I was in hopes might
anfwer the Purpofe. \f this had been granted, and any Part of it
fhould have remained at the End of the Year, it would have been
accounted for. But, Gendemen, if you really think it more to the
Advantage of th^s Province, that " above 2000 /. per Annum'" (which
you acknowledge the fupplying of the Troops has heretofore coft the
Colony) fhould be expended by fome of the Members of your Houfe
and dieir Connexions, than about 12 or 1400/. under the prefent
Management, I fhall not make the leaft Objection ; but I fliall hope
then to hear no more of the Poverty, of your Conflituents.
' The next Paragraph to the one I have juft obferv'd upon, with all
' them Tranfactions," <&c. mentioned in it, I muft beg Leave to pafs
over ; as, except the firft Line which is already anfwered, I do not fee
* ' that
[ 3' ]
c that it is at all pertinent to any Thing contained in my Meffage. And
' if the four Paragraphs immediately following, which only contain
1 Declarations, no ways correfponding with your prefent Actions, are
' treated in the fame Manner, you will have no Reafon to complain.
' By defiring you to compare the Taxes of this Province with thofe
c paid in England, I meant no more than to intimate that you would
' find a great Difproportion. For tho' they may not be railed on the
' fame Plan, theirs being, as you fay, on the Pound Value of the annual
1 Rent of their Lands, and ours on the Pound Value of the Capital, yet
1 the Difference will be found on Examination to be little more than
* nominal. The Valuation put by the Affeffors on the Lands throughout
' a County will, I believe, in very few Cafes, if any, be found on an
* Average to exceed the Value of the annual Rent or Income. Many
* Tracts I am convinced are rated at lefs. But be that as it may, I de-
* fired you likewife to compare our Taxes with thofe of feveral neighbour-
' tug Colonies (where they are raifed on a fimilar Plan with our own) but
* this it feems did not fuit your Defign.
" But you afk, What are my Obfervations on this Head to the Purpofe ?
" If they pay higher Taxes than we, muft we run ourfelves in Debt for
1 die Sake of paying as high Taxes as they do f that's a ftrange Way
* of demonftrating Loyalty." Indeed, Gentlemen, this is a fbrange Way
of arguing, and what I have not been much accuftomed to. Did I
aik you to run yourfelves in Debt for the Sake, as you call it, of pay-
ing high Taxes ? Did I even afk you to run in Debt at all ? Nay, did I
not plainly ihew you that ycu might demonftrate your Loyalty with-
out any new Taxes whatever ?
* If I have been miftaken in faying that " none but profitable Land
1 is rated," I was led into it by the exprefs Words of the Law, which
are—" All prof table Tracts of Land held by Deed, Patent, or Survey,
1 whereon any Improvement is made, the whole Tract fhall be valued at
' the Difcretion of the Affeffors." There are many Parts of a Man's
Farm which tho' not cultivated, yet afford fome Profit, and I appre-
hend that the Valuation put on them by the Affeffor is only in Propor-
tion thereto ; at leaft that feems to be one Thing which is left by die
Law to his Difcretion. Many Perfons who have larger Tracts than
what they think proper to occupy, fever by leafe only a Part of them
for Farms, and let the Reft lie wafte ; by which Means they only pay
Taxes for what they actually receive a Profit from.
' The Reafon afligned by you, why our Accounts of the Province differ
fo much is, that I " fee nothing but Affluence, and you fee the Dijlref-
' fes of the People." I know not whether you allude here to my
Affluence, or to that of the Gentlemen of the Colony with whom I
am acquainted. If you mean the former, I have only to fay that if
I do live in Affluence I muft at leaft fpend among the People all I re-
ceive from them, to which I prefume they cannot have any material
Objection. For fo fmall is the Allowance to a Governor in this Province
(much below that of any other of the King's Colonies) that confidering
the increafed Expence of Living, efpecially to one in that Sation, it i%
impoffible for him to lay up a Farthing, unlefs he lives in a Manner
that muft difgrace his Commiflion. This the People, for their own Hce
nour, would not like I believe, even if they were in the diftreffed Si-
tuation you reprefeos them* — The Truth i*, Gentlemen, I found my
* Account
J
[' :3*'.J
Account of the Province on Facts, which it is not in your Power to
controvert. I know that there are but few People of great Fortunes in
it, but at the fame Time I am convinced, that there is a very confide-
rable Number in affluent Circumftances, and tho' there are here, as in
every other Country, fome diftreffed Perfons, yet the Bulk of the In-
habitants are enabled to live well if they think proper. It gives me
Pleafure to fee this, and fo far as I can contribute to promote their Wel-
fare I ihall do it, as I always have done, with the utmoft Readinefs. It
cannot be in any Way my Intereft to overate the Ability of the Colo-
ny, or to do any Thing which may increafe it's Burthens. I may,
with Propriety enough, call myfelf a Farmer of Neiv-Jerfey, and my
Farm, which is no inconsiderable one, mufl pay Taxes as well as
yours. It is here, if I return to a private Station, that I propofe to
fpend the Remainder of my Days.
' You do me great Injuftice, Gentlemen, infuppohng that I had any In-
tention to fet your Conduct in a bad Light with your Sovereign. No
Governor, I believe, has ever taken more Pains to make an AfTem-
bly appear to Advantage than I have done with refpect to you,
whenever a proper Opportunity offered. Of this I have the flrongeft
Proofs in my Poflefhon, and fome of them appear on your Minutes;
and I flill hope, however we may differ at prefent, that I fhall have
Occafion to do it again. Your Conduct indeed at this Time does ap-
pear to me alarming, and I think you are unneceffarily rifquing the
future Peace and Happinefs of this Colony. — I have no Motive in fo
warmly urging your Compliance with the Requifition, but what ought
equally to influence you and your Conftituents. You have notwith-
standing again refolved not to comply, and informed me that you
are defirous of being difmiffed. I could not, however, think of part-
ing with you until I had given you my free Sentiments on the Subject,
that you might, if you thought proper, communicate them to your
Conftituents, and confult them on a Matter in which they are fo
deeply interefted, and which is really of as great Importance as any
Thing that ever came under their Confideration. Tho' the Recefs I
can allow you for this Purpofe is but fhort, yet I fhall hope it will
be fufficient for you to fee the Expediency of receding from your Refo-
lution, and thereby reftoring that Harmony which is fo neceffary to
the publick Welfare.
'JJ>n/2o, 1771. WILLIAM FRANKLIN.'
Which was read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
In the Evening of Monday, the 29th of April, 1771, His Excellency
the Governor was pleafed, by Proclamation, to prorogue the General
Affemby to Tuefday the 28th of May next, then to meet at Burlington
without further Notice.
BY Virtue of an Order of the HOUSE of REPRE-
SENTATIVES, I do hereby appoint Ifaac Collins
to print thefe Votes.
STEPHEN CR^SfE, Speaker.
Burlington, April 30, 1771.
vtfjU.
.ILIIMUjm
VOTES
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE
Colony of N E W-J E R S E Y.
At a SESSION of GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
began at B UR L I N GTO N, Wednefday, the 1 7th of
April 1 77 1, and continued by Adjournments and Proroga-
tions till the 1 i ' <ff~. Day of >£)-«^^^-.lFollowing.
Being the Second Sitting of the Fourth Seffion of the 21ft AfTembly of
NEW- JERSEY.
BURLINGTON,
Printed by IS A AC COLLINS, Printer to the K 1 n g, for the
Province of New-Jerfey.
Mdcclxxi.
Votes of the General AJfembly.
NAMES of the REPRESENTATIVES.
CITY of Perth- Amboy, Cortland Skinner, John L. Johnfton,
Middle/ex, John Wetherill, Reune Runyon,
Monmouth^ Robert Hartfhorne, Edward Taylor,
Effex, Stephen Crane, Speak.
Somerfet, Hendrick Fifher, John Berrien
Bergen, Theunis Dey, John Demareft,
City of Burlington, Abraham Hewlings, Jofeph Smith,
County of Burlington, Henry Paxfon, Jofeph Bullock,
Gloucester, John Hinchman, Robert Friend Price,
Salem and Cumberland, Ebenezer Miller, Grant Gibbon,
Cape-May, Aaron Learning,
Hunterdon, Morris, and Sujfex, John Hart, Samuel Tucker.
BU RLINGTO N, Tuefday, May 28, 1771.
AGREEABLE to His Excellency's Proclamation, whereby he
prorogued the General AQembly till this Day, the Speaker
with fundry Members met and adjourned the Houfe till Nine
o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Wednefday, May 29, ijyi.
The Houfe met,
And, for Want of a fufficient Number of Members to proceed upon
Bufinefs, the Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fi/her, and Mr. Paxfon, do wait upon His Excellency, and
inform him that a fufficient Number of Members, to proceed upon
Bufinefs are met, and ready to receive any Thing he may pleafe to lay
before them ;
Mr. Fi/her reported, That Mr. Paxfon and himfelf waited on the
Governor, according to Order, who was pleafed to anfwer, That the
Houfe fhould hear from him prefently.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Sampfon Crocker, a Prifoner
for Debt, in Monmouth Gaol, fetting forth the particular Circumftances
of
[ 3<S ]
of his Diftrefs, and praying Relief; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Obadiah King, Gaol Keep-
er at Perth-Amboy, praying an Act of Affembly for further Allowance
to the Crown Prifoners ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from. Chrijiian Herpel, Prifoner
for Debt, in the Gaol of Neiv-Brunjkvick, praying to be delivered from
Confinement, upon rendering all his Eftate to his Creditors ; the fame
was read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
Two feveral Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from Lodoivick Ru-
dolph and William Roivan, Prifoners for Debt, in Salem Gaol, fetti'ng
forth their Hardfnips, and praying Relief; both which were read, and or-
dered fecond Readings.
The Houfe adjourned for Half an Hour.
The Houfe met.
A MefTage from his Excellency by Mr. Secretary Pettit ;
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council Chamber, and requires the
immediate Attendance of the Houfe;
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to
.wait upon his Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed the
Chair, and reported, That the Houfe had waited upon His Excellency,
who was pleafed to make a Speech to this Houfe, of which Mr. Speaker
faid he had, to prevent Miftakes, obtained a Copy ; and the fame by Or-
der of the Houfe was read, and is as follows, viz.
Gentlemen of the General Affembly ;
CC T HAVE called you together at this Time for no other Purpofe
than to requeft you would make fuitable Provifion for the Sup-
" ply of His Majefty's Troops ftationed in this Province. This being a
" Matter which you have already had an Opportunity of confidering
" with all that Attention its Importance demands ; I fhall hope that you
" will now, by a ready Compliance, manifeft your Duty to the King,
" and your Regard for your Country.
« Council Chamber, 7 W. FRANKLIN."
" May 29, 1 77 1. J
Ordered,
That His Excellency's Speech have a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Tburfday, May 30, 1771.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Benjamin Vander Linden,
fetting forth, that he is poffefTed of a Tract of Land in Bergen, through
which the late Divifion Line is run between New-York and Netv-Jerfeyy
and that the Petitioner is fearful of loofing that Part of his Property
which falls into York Government, and praying fuch Relief in the Pre-
mifes as may be thought proper ; the Petition was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A
t 37 ]
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Barent Cole, Gerret Wef-
tervelt, Tfack Wijlervelt and Albert Wejlervelt, Purchafers of Lands un-
der Neiv-Tork, which by the late Line fall within Neiv-Jerfey, fetting
forth their Infecurity under the Acts lately pafled for Confirming the
Line, and praying a Claufe to be added for protecting their particular
Property ; the faid Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from the Grand Jury of the
County of Burlington, aflembled at the lail Supreme Court, fetting
forth the Inconveniencies attending the prefent Mode of maintaining
the Poor, and praying a Law to impower the Juflices and Freeholders
of that County to purchafe Land, and erect Buildings for the Recep-
tion of all the Poor in the County ; the fame Petition was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
His Excellency's Speech was read the fecond Time, and referred to a
Committee of the whole Houfe ;
The Houfe accordingly refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole
Houfe on His Excellency's Speech, and after lbme Time fpent therein,
. Mr. Speaker relumed the Chair, and Mr. Fi/her, Chairman of the Com-
mittee, reported, that the Committee had made fome Progrefs in the
Matters to them referred, and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee do fit again this Afternoon.
The Home adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Houfe, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Committee of
the whole Houfe, on His Excellency's Speech, and after fome Time fpent
therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fi/Jjer, Chairman of the
Committee, reported, That the Committee had made fome further Pro-
grefs in the Matters to them referred, and defired Leave to fit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee do fit again To-Morrow Morning.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Elnathan Davis, and
others, Owners of Marines between Stoiv Creek, and Alloivays Creek, in
the County of Salem, praying the Houfe will not pafs an Act for Banking
thofe Marines, as lately prayed by fome of the other Owners ; the faid
Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Friday, May 3 1 , 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of Freeholders,
and other Subfcribers thereto, Inhabitants of Somerfet, Middle/ex, and
places adjacent, praying an Alteration or Repeal of the late OyfterAct j
which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe again, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Commit-
tee of the whole Houfe, on His Excellency's Speech, and after fome
Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. Fi/her,
Chairman of the Committee, reported, That the Committee had gone
thro1 the Matter to them referred, and had come to two Refolutions,
K which.
[ 38 ]
winch, by their Order, he was ready to report whenever the Houfe will
pleafe to receive the fame ;
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. Fijlier reported the Refolutions of the Committee
as follow, viz
i. Refohed,
That an humble Addrefs be prefented to His Excellency, in Anfwer
to his Speech : To which the Houfe agreed.
2. Refolded,
That it is the Opinion of the Committee, that this Colony, in its pre-
fent Circtmiftances, is not of Ability to make any further Provifion
for the Supply of the Troops ftationed in this Province, and adhere to
the Refolution of the Houfe of the 24th of April laft, on that Subjecl ;
On the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the Opinion of the
Committee or not ? It palled in the Affirmative, as follows, viz.
YEAS.
YEAS.
YEAS.
NAYS
Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Hartjhorne,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Fijher,
Mr. Dey,
Mr. Demareji,
Mr. Hetvlings,
Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Price,
Mr. Miller,
Mr. Gibbon.
Mr. Learning,
Mr. Hart,
Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Skinner,
Mr. John/Ion,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Bullock,
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fif/jer, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Heivlings, and Mr.
Gibbon, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of an Ad-
drefs to the Governor.
The Houfe adjourned till Xwo, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from fundry Inhabitants of
Middle/ex, praying, That South River may be made a lawful Fence j
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Motion made by Mr. Skinner ;
Mr. Speaker, I move that a Bill may be brought in for ftriking One
Hundred Thoufand Pounds in Bills of Credit on Loan, in all Things fi->
milar to the Bill paffed at Burlington, in the Tenth Year of His Majefty's
Reign, entitled, " An MS. for ftriking £. 100,000 in Bills of Credit"
only leaving out the 49th Section of faid Bill, and altering the Words of
the Bills of Credit inferted in the fame.
On the Queftion, whether Mr. Skinner have Leave to bring in the faid
Bill or not ? It was carried in the Negative, as follows, viz.
YEAS. NAYS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Runyon. Mr. Demareji, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Johnfton, Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Gibbon,
Mr. Smith, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Learning,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Tucker,
Mr. Dey, Mr. Price.
Refolved,
[ 39 ]
Refolved,
That it is the Opinion of this Houfe, that unlefs the faid Bills of Cre-
dit are a legal Tender in the Loan Offices, they will not anfwer the
good Purpofes defired,
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Miller, Mr. Skinner,
Mr. Hartjborne, Mr. HevAings, Mr. Gibbon, Mr. John/ion^
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Learning, Mr. £ot/7/5>.
Mr. /7/Zw, Mr. Bullock, Mr. /&/-/,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Tucker,
Mr. D<7, Mr. iVw*,
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fifher, Mr. AfzV&r, Mr. Henvlings, Mr. Zfcr-
«Vh, Mr. Hinchman, and Mr. Gibbon, be a Committee to prepare and
bring in the Draught of an Anfwer to His Excellency's MelTage to this
Houfe of the 29th of April lafl.
The Houie adjovirned till Nine o'Clock, To-Morrow Morning.
Saturday, June 1, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met,
And adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine o'Clock.
On the Evening of Saturday, June ill, His Excellency the Governor
was pleafed, by Proclamation, to prorogue the General Aflembly, to
Wednefday the Tenth of July next, then to meet at Burlington.
BY Virtue of an Order of the HOUSE of REPRE-
SENTATIVES, I d o appoint Ifaac Collins to print
thefe Votes.
STEPHEN CRANE, Speaker.
Burlington, June 1, 1771.
vV>?&i
i
>
V
O
T
AND
E
S5
p
R
O C E
E D
I N
G S
OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
:
OF THE
Colony of NEW-JERSEY.
At a SESSION of GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
began at BURL ING TO N, Wedncfday the 17th of
April 1771, and continued by Adjournments and Proro-
gations, until the 21ft Day of December following.
Being the Third Sitting of the Fourth Seffion of the ziHAssembly
of NEW- JERSEY.
m.
rim
BURLINGTON,
Printed by ISAAC COLLINS, Printer to the King, for
Province of Neiv-Jerfey,
MjDCCLXXl.
the:;
(3 )
Votes of the General AJfembly.
NAMES OE THE
REPRESENTATIVES.
CITY of Perth- Amboy,
Middle/ex,
Monmouth,
Effex,
Somerfet,
Bergen,
City of Burlington,
County of Burlington,
Gloucejier,
Salem, and Cumberland,
Cape-May,
Hunterdon, Morris and Sujfex,
Cortland Skinner,
John Wetherill,
Robert Hartfhorne,
Stephen Crane, Speaker,
Hendrick Fifher,
Theunis Dey,
Abraham Hewlings,
Henry Paxfon,
John Hinchman,
Ebenezer Miller,
Aaron Learning,
John Hart,
20
John L. Johnflon,
20
Reune Runyon,
20
20
20
20
Edward Taylor,
20
John Berrien,
22
20
John Demareft,
20
20
Jofeph Smith,
20
20
Jofeph Bullock,
20
20
Robert Friend Price,
21
*S
Grant Gibbon,
20
Jonathan Hand,
20
20
Samuel Tucker.
20
BURLINGTON, Wednefday, November 20, 1771.
URSUANT to His Excellency's feveral Prorogations of the
General Affembly from Time to Time until this Day, the
Speaker with fundry Members met, when, there not being
Members fuflicient to proceed upon Bufinefs, the Houfe ad-
journed till Ten o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Thurfday, November 21, 1771.
The Houfe met.
Ordered,
That Mr. Fijher, and Mr. Wetherill, do wait upon His Excellency,
and acquaint him that a fufEcient Number of Members to proceed upon
Bufinefs are met, and ready to receive any Thing he may pleafe to lay
before them.
Jonathan Hand, Efq; being duly returned a Reprefentative in Aflem-
bly, for the County of Cape-May, in the Room of Nicholas Stil-well, Efq;
deceafed, and now attending, was called in, and took the ufual Oaths
before Cortland Skinner, Efq; duly authorized to adminifter the fame by
Dedrmus Potejlatem.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hand do take his Seat in the Houfe.
Mr. Fi/Jjer reported, that Mr. Wetherill and himfelf waited on His
Excellency
[ 4 ]
Excellency, according to Order, who was pleafed to lay, the Houfe
lhonld hear from him in the Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Meflage from His Excellency, by Mr. Secretary Pettit ;
" Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council Chamber, and requires
the immediate Attendance of the Houfe ;"
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe went to
wait upon His Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed
the Chair, and reported, that the Houfe had waited on His Excellency,
who was pleafed to make a Speech to the Council, and General Affem-
bly ; of which, Mr. Speaker laid he had, to prevent Miftakcs, obtained
a Copy ; and the fame, by Order of the Houfe, was read, and is as
iollows, viz.
Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the General AJfembly ;
ri$f* HIS being the Sea Ton judged moft convenient for your
\ " Attendance on Public Bufmefs, I have called you together
" that you might have an Opportunity of tranfa cling fuch Matters as
" may appear to be neceflary or advantageous to the Province.
" I mall order to be laid before you His Majefty's Royal Difillowance
" of two Acts of Alfembly, which I lately received. One entitled
" An Act to erecl Courts in the fever al Counties in this Colony for the Trial of
" Cavfes of Ten Pounds and under. The other An Acl to explain and amend
" an Act for the Relief of InJol'vent Debtors, &c.
" Gentlemen of the General AJfembly ;
" The Acl for the Support of Government having expired on the
" Firft of Otlober, I mult recommend that Matter to your immediate
" Attention. Such other Bufmefs as I have to lay before you mall be
" communicated by Meifage.
" Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the General AJfembly ;
" Nothing can be more conducive to the Intereft and Welfare of the
" Province than a perfect Harmony between the feveral Branches of
" the Legiflature. You may be alfured of my Determination to pro-
'' mote every Thing which may be likely to have that Tendency, and I
t' flatter myfelf with the Hopes of finding you equally actuated by the
t* lame good Difpofition.
" Cr>-C,L Chamber'| WILLIAM FRANKLI N."
i\ov. 21,1771. 3
Ordered,
That His Excellency's Speech have a fecond Reading.
Mr. Secretary laid before the Houfe the Papers mentioned in the Go-
vernor's Speech, which were read.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Friday, November 22, 1771.
The Houfe met.
C 5 ]
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry Inhabitants of
Somerfet County, praying that the Roads of the Townfhip of Bridg-
ivater, may be repaired by Mens' Labour, in fuch Mode as is therein
pointed out ; the Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Ifaac Rettinghotis, fetting
forth a Grievance he lies under for Want of a Road from and to his
Lands, in the Townfhip of Kingivood, in the County of Hunterdon,
and praying Redrefs ; and a Supplementary Petition was alfo prefented
from a Number of the Freeholders of Hunterdon, praying an Alteration
in the late Act of Affembly for laying out Roads ; the fame were read,
and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
His Excellency's Speech was read the fecond Time, and committed
to a Committee of the whole Houfe,
•* The Houfe accordingly refolved itfelf into a Committee of the whole
Houfe on His Excellency's Speech, and after fome Time fpent therein,
Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and Mr. FiJJoer, Chairman of the Com-
mittee, reported, that the Committee had gone through His Excellen-
cy s Speech, and had come to two Refolutions thereupon, which he
was ready to report whenever the Houfe will pleafe to receive the fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately ;
Whereupon Mr. FiJJoer reported the Refolutions of the Committee as
follow, viz.
i. Refolved,
That an humble Addrefs be prefented to His Excellency in anfwer to
his favourable Speech. To which the Houfe agreed.
2. Refolved,
That the Government of this Colony be honourably fupported for
One Year, from the firft Day of Oclober, 1 77 1 . To which the Houfe
agreed.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Fiffjer, Mr. Skinner, and
Mr. Berrien, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of
an Addrefs to His Excellency in anfwer to his Speech.
Ordered,
That Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Hart, Mr. Tucker, Mr. HartJJjorne, and Mr.
Smith, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of a Bill
for Support of Government.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Bullock, and Mr. Runyon, be a
Committee to inquire what Laws are expired, or are near expiring ; and
alfo what Buhnefs has been referred over to this Seihon, and to make
Report thereof to the Houfe.
Refolved,
That a Committee of Grievances do fit every Wednefday, if there be
Occalion, and that fuch Committee be a Committee of the whole
Houfe.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berriev, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hartffjorne, Mr. Heivlings, Mr.
Hart, Mr. Bullock, and Mr. Hinchman, or any three of them, be a
B Com-
[ 6 ]
Committee to adjuft all Public Accounts which may come before the
Houfe this Selhon.
In Purfuance of Leave heretofore granted, Mr. Skinner, in Behalf of
the Petitioners, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act for the Regulation of
the Rates to be demanded and received at the Ferries on the North and
South Sides of Raritan Rivei\ ivithin the Corporation of Perth-Amboy j
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from David Rogers, and Jo-
feph Rogers, Owners of the Caufeway lying to the Weftward of and
adjoining to Pajfaic River, on the Road leading from Newark to the
Road leading from Bergen-Point to P auhis-Hook, letting forth Reafons
againft the Bill prayed for by Col. "John Schuyler, to compel the Owners
of Caufeways in thofe Parts to reimburfe him Part of the Expence he
has been put to in making and repairing Part of laid Road ; the faid
Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Skinner, with Leave of the Houfe, brought in a Bill, entitled,
An Act to Repeal an Ail pq/fed in the Tenth Tear of His Majefty s Reign,
entitled, An Act for the Relief of Infolvent Debtors ; which was read,
and ordered a iecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Hicks, of the County
of EJfex, praying an Act of Aflembly to exempt him from Arrefts, for
the Term of four Years ; which was read,
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from four Prifoners for Debt}
in Trenton Gaol, fetting forth their Diftrefs, and praying Relief by an In-
folvent Act ; the faid Petition was read, and on the Queftion, whether
the fame have a fecond Reading or not ? It palled in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition be read a fecond Time.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. ill.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was presented to the Houfe from a Committee chofen by
the Inhabitants of the Townlhip of Deptford, in the County of Glou-
cefier, praying a Renewal of the Lav/ for repairing their Highways by
Tax ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to Repeal an Act paffed in the Tenth Year
of His Majefiy s Reign, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Infolvent Deb-
tors ; was read the fecond Time, and on the Queftion agreed to, and
ordered to be engroffed.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from "John Hart, and John
Polhemus, praying a Law for the Erection or Reparation of a Mill-dam,
on the River Raritan, in the County of Someifet ; and another Petition
■ was prelented from a large Number of People refiding thereabouts,
for the fame Purpofe ; both which were read, and ordered fecond
Readings.
Two Petitions were prefented to the Lloufe from a Number of Free-
• holders and others, on and near the River Raritant in the County of
Somerfet,
I 7 1
Somctfet, fetting forth various Reafons againft the Petition of Meflrs.
Hart and Polhemus, for the Reparation of a Mill-dam there ; the faid
two firft Petitions were read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry Inhabitants of
Ltrwer Perm's Neck, in the County of Salem, praying an Act of Affem-
bly to enable the Inhabitants of Lower Penn's Neck, to maintain a Bridge
and Caufeway over Salem Creek, from Stony IJland unto the Marfh
formerly belonging to Richard Woodnut, deceafed, by a Tax on the In-
habitants of Loiver Penns Neck only, and continuing the Toll already
affixed on Perfons not refiding there ; which Petition was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Saturday, November 23, 1 77 1.
The Houfe met.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to repeal an Acl pajfed in the
Tenth Tear of His Majejlys Reign, entitled, An Act for the Relief of
Infolvent Debtors ; was read and compared, on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Hartfhorne, do carry the fame to the Coun-
cil for Concurrence.
Mr. Skinner, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe,
brought in the Draught of an Addrefs to His Excellency ; which, by
Order of the Houfe, was read ; and the fame being amended in the
Houfe, was agreed to, and ordered to be engrolTed.
The feveral Petitions of MefTrs. Hart and Polhemns, and the Petition
in favour of them, together with the ,two Petitions againft them, were
read the fecond Time,
Ordered,
That the Parties be heard before this Houfe, on Thurfday next, at
Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon, and that Mr. Hart do ferve a Copy of
this Minute upon the Reverend Mr. Hardenbergh, and Abraham Van
Nejle, Efq ; at leaft two Days before the Hearing.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Regulation of the Rates to be de-
manded and received at the Ferries, on the North and South Sides of Rari-
tan River, ivithin the Corporation of Perth-Amboy ; was read the fe-
cond Time, and committed to Mr. Wetherill, and Mr. HartfJporne.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning Nine o'Clock.
Monday, November 25, 1771.
The Houfe met,
And adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The
[ 8 ]
The Engrafted Addrefs to His Excellency, was read and compared,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Hinchman, do wait upon His Excellency,
and defire to know when he will be attended by the Houfe with their
Addrefs.
Mr. Skinner reported, that Mr. Hart/Jjome and himfelf delivered the
Bill, with them intrufted, on Saturday lafl, to the Speaker in Council.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from James Maffett, a poor
Prifoner for Debt, in Gloucejier Gaol, fetting forth his Diftrefs, and
praying Relief ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Budd, of Salemy
praying that the Act of Alfembly in his Favour, may be extended to the
Term of feven Years ; and another Petition was prefented from fome
of his Creditors, dehring that the Prayer of his Petition may be granted,
upon a Condition therein mentioned ; both which were read, and or-
dered to be read a fecond Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a large Number of Free-
holders, of the County of Salem, praying the Legiilature will, by Act
of Aflembly, enable Whitten Crips to lay out a new Road, from Lower
Penris Neck, through Manington, to the Town of Salem ; the faid Peti-
tion was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Northrop Marple, Prifoner
for Debt, in Gloucejier Gaol, praying for an Infolvent Adl ; which
Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John George Daveus,
Prifoner for Debt, in Gloucejier Gaol, fetting forth his diflreffed Con-
dition, and praying Relief; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from William Gerrard, of the
County of Gloucejier, an Infolvent Debtor, fetting forth the Particulars
of his unhappy Condition, and praying fuch Relief as he lately enjoyed
by an Act of Affembly, which hath been difallowed by the King in
Council ; feveral Certificates and Papers were prefented therewith ; all
which were read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
Mr. Skinner reported, that Mr. Hinchman and himfelf waited on His
Excellency with the Meflage of the Houfe, who was pleafed to fay, the
Houfe fhould hear from him in Half an Hour.
A Meffage from His Excellency by Mr. Secretary Pettit ;
" Mr. Speaker, His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, ready to re-
" ceive the Addrejs of the Ho?Je,"
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the Houfe, went to
wait upon His Excellency ; and being returned, Mr. Speaker refumed
the Chair, and reported, that the Houfe had waited on His Excellency
with their Addrefs, in thefe Words, viz.
To
t 9 ]
To His Excellency WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Efq ; Captain General,
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majejlys Colony of
Nova-Casfarea or New-Jerfey, and Territories thereon depending in
America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral in the fame, &c.
The Humble ADDRESS of the Representatives of the faid
Colony, in General Aflembly convened.
May it pleafe your Excellency,
T/ffE, His Majejlys dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Reprefentatives of
*^ the Colony of New-Jerfey, in General Affembly met, beg Leave to
return your Excellency our Thanks for calling us together at this Seafon>
the mojl defired by us to tranfacl the Public Bufinefs of the Colony.
The Repeal of the Acls your Excellency has laid before us, particularly
that " for erecting Courts in the feveral Counties of this Colony for the
" Trial of Caufes of Ten Pounds and under," gives us very fenfbh
regret. This Law ivas calculated for the eafy Recovery of frnall
Debts for little Cojl, and in the Execution of it, in our Opinion, dur-
ing the fhvt Tim: it has been permitted to be in Force, has anfrvered
the Ends propofed, and proved beneji cial to the People we reprefent ;
we cannot therefore but ivifl) that his Majejlys Minijlers had advifed
an Allowance rather than a Repeal of it.
As an honourable Support of Government is necejfary for the Welfare
of the Colony, it fhall be an Object of our immediate Attention ; — And,
fatisfied that nothing can be more conducive to the Interejls of the People
than Harmony between the feveral Branches of the Legflature, your
Excellency may be affured, that, as we heartily concur with you in Sen-
timent, ive fhall endeavour to take every Meafure which may be likely
to have that Tendency, and evince to your Excellency that ive are equally
acluated by the fame good Dijpofition.
By Order of the Houfe,
House of Assembly, J STEPHEN CRANE, Speaker.
AW. 25, 1 77 1. 5
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'clock To-Morrow Morning.
Tuefday, November 26, 1771.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Price, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought
in the following Report of what Laws are expired, or near expiring,
and of what Bufinefs ftands referred over to this Sitting of Aflembly, viz.
Laws that will expire at the End of this Sejfons :
1. The Militia Law.
2. The Act to repair Roads in the South Ward of Perth-Amboy.
3. The Act to enable Creditors to recover Debts from joint Partners.
4. The Act to repair Roads in the Town of Pequannack.
5. The Act for Greenwich, Deptford, and Woolwich, to repair Roads.
6. The Supplementary Act to prevent Wafle of Timber and Cedar
Poles.
Matters referred over at the laft Seflions, at Perth-Amboy.
1 . The Petitions for and againft banking out the Tide on Engli/Fs
Creek.
C 2. The
[ io ]
2. The Petition from Somerfet, and Middle/ex, againfl fifhing at the
Mill-dam.
3. The Petition from Egg-Harbour, praying that Fifhery may not
be prohibited.
4. The Petitions for and againfl building a Bridge over Great
Mantua Creek.
5. The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Infolvents, for all
Debts hereafter contracted.
6. Two Petitions from the County of Hunterdon for building a
Work-houfe, and a Petition from Piles Grove againfl it.
7. The Bill for extending the Statutes of Limitation.
8. The Petition of Ed-ward Tejl, Efq; for John Budd, Efq; to give
Security for Cofl.
9. The Bill for the Support of the Poor.
10. Memorial from Charles Pettit, Efq;
1 1. The Petition from James Clark, jun. and Thomas Tindall.
12. The Petition from Frederick Van Rype, and Frederick Cadmus, to
fecure their Right.
13. The Petition from Somerfet, for ftriking Bills of Credit.
14. The Petition for draining Meadows, on Loiver Allovoays Creek.
15. The Petition from Manington, for repairing Highways.
16. Two Petitions from Hanover, for a Law to clear Swamp in the
County of Morris.
17. The Petition from Mofes Young, of Hanover, Morris County.
18. The Petition from fix Inhabitants, in Hanover, Morris County.
19. The Petition from the Commimoners of Pennfylvania, for clear-
ing the River Delaware.
20. Petitions from Benjamin Vander Linden, and others, Purchafers
under Neiv-Tork, to fecure their Rights.
21. The Petition from the Grand- Jury, of the County of Burlington,
for an Amendment of the Poor Law.
22. The Petition from the County of Salem, againfl banking the
Marfh between Stoiv and Alloivays Creek.
23. The Petition from Somerfet, and Middlefex, for a Repeal of the
Oyfler Ad.
24. The Petition for South River to be a lawful Fence.
25. A Number of Petitions from Infolvents.
26. The Petition of Jofeph Borden, Ifaac Pearfon, and Robert Peaifon,
for a Bridge over Crojpwicks Creek. REUNE RUNYON,
ROBERT F. PRICE,
JOSEPH BULLOCK.
The Petition from the Committee of the Townfhip of Deptford, for
a Renewal of the Law for repairing their Highways by Tax ; was read
the fecond Time,
Ordered,
That Mr. Price, and Mr. Hinchman, do bring in a Bill for that Pur-
pofe, agreeable to the Prayer of the Petition ;
Accordingly Mr. Price brought in a Bill, entitled, An A6t to impoirer
the Inhabitants of the Tovunjhtp o/"Deptford, in the County of Gloucefler,
to repair their public High-ways by Hire, and raife Money for that Pur-
pofe ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr,
[ « ]
Mr. Pax/on, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought
in a Bill, entitled, An Act for the Support of Government of His Majefty's
Colony of New-Jerfey, to commence the firfl Day of October, One Thoufand
Seven Hundred and Seventy-one, and to end the frfl Day of October, One
Thoufand Seven Hundred and Seventy-two, and to difcharge the public
Debts, and contingent Charges thereof ; which was read, and ordered to
be read a fecond Time.
The feveral Petitions for and againft Dr. John Budd, of Salem ; were
read the fecond Time, and Dr. Budd attending, was called in and
heard before the Houfe in Support of his Petition,
Ordered^
That Dr. Budd have Leave to bring in a Bill for a Seven Year's Ex-
emption from Arrefts, according to the Prayer of his Petition.
Mr. Wetherill, from the Committee to whom the Bill, entitled, An
Act for the Regulation of the Rates to be demanded and received at the
Ferries on the North and South Sides of Raritan River, within the Cor-
poration of Perth-Amboy, was committed, reported the fame, with feve-
ral Amendments thereto ; and the faid Bill was read, with the Amend-
ments in their Places, on the Queftion, whether the Bill as amended,
be engrofTed or not f It palled in the Affirmative,
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended, be engrofTed.
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe from William Fofler, Efq;
of Burlington County, praying the Legiflature would, by a fhort Act of
Affembly, impower a Juftice of Peace, with the two chofen Freehold-*
ers of each Townfhip, to affix Directors at the Parting of public
Roads ; which Memorial was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Three Petitions were prefented to the Houfe from Henry Dorrell,
Daniel Wheaton, and Edward Jones, Infolvent Debtors, in the Gaol of
Salem, fetting forth their Diflrefs, and praying Relief; which were read,
and ordered fecond Readings.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Memorial was prefented to the Houfe from Ephraim Terrill, Azari-
ah Dunham, and Abraham Clark, praying a Compenfation for their
Services performed by Authority of an Act of Affembly for furveying
fome of the public Roads ; the Memorial was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Robert Johnjlon, and
four other Perfons, praying a Law for building a Bridge over the River
Mufconetcung, between the Counties of Hunterdon and Suffex, near
Robert Johnjlon 's Mills ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Bard, Elizabeth
Valleau and Fauconnier Valleau, Reprefentatives of Peter Fauconmer,
deceafed, fetting forth their Claim to certain Lands, on the Weft Branch
of Hackinfack River, and praying, that, if an Act paffes for confirming
the! late Partition Line between New-York and New-Jerfey^ provifion
may
[ «» ]
may be made in the fame for preferving their Right as aforefaid ; die
Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Samuel Harrifon, and
others, Owners and Poffeffors of the Meadows lying on the Southerly
Branch of Newton Creek, commonly called the Fork Creek, in the County
of Gloucejler, praying an Act of Affembly to maintain the Water Works
over faid Creek ; which Petition was read, and ordered to be read a
fecond Time.
The two Petitions from Salem, relative to a Road from Loiver Penris
Neck, through Manington, to the Town of Salem ; were read the fecond
Time, and fome of the Parties for each Petition attending, were called
in and heard, in Support of their feveral Allegations,
0 rdered,
That the Matter be referred to further Confederation.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Mart/home, and Mr. Price, or any three of them, be a Committee
to join a Committee of the Council, to fettle the Eaftern and Weftern
Treasurers Accounts, and burn the cancelled Money in the Hands of
the Weftern Treafurer, and make Report to the Houfe ; and that Mr.
Berrien, and Mr. Heivlings, do inform the Council thereof, and deflre
them to appoint a Committee for that Purpofe, together with the Time
and Place of Meeting.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe in March, 1770, from the
Owners of Meadows on Newtown back Creek, in the County of Glou-
cejler, for an Act to maintain Water Works acrofs the faid Creek ; was
now read, and it being fuggefted that fome Perfons were likely to
oppofe it,
Ordered,
That the Parties for and againfl the faid Act be heard before the
Houfe on Tuefday Morning next, at Ten o'Clock, and that the Members
for Gloucejler do ferve a Copy of this Minute upon Daniel Cozens, at
leafl two Days before the Hearing.
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Dey, be a Committee to prepare and bring
in the Draught of a Bill for the Continuance and Amendment of the
Militia Act.
Ordered, That Mr. Fijher, Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Wetherill, be a
Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of an Act to enable
Creditors more eafily to recover their Debts from joint Partners.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Hartjloorne, be a Committee to prepare
and bring in the Draught of a Bill to continue the Supplementary Act,
for preventing the Wafte of Timber, Pine and Cedar Trees, and Poles,
and to lay a Duty upon all Pipe and Hogfhead Staves exported to any
of the Neighbouring Colonies.
Mr. Skinner, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe, brought
in a Bill, entitled, An Act to continue and amend an Acl, entitled, An Act
for better fettling and regulating the Militia of this Colony of New-Jerfey,
for
[ '3 1
for the repelling Invafons, and fuppreffing Injur reclions and Rebellions ;.
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till To-morrow Morning Nine o'Clock.
Wedncfday, November 27, 1771-.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Fi/ljer, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought
in the Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Act to continue an Acl, entitled,
An Act to enable Creditors more eafily to recover their Debts from joint
Partners tvithin the Colony of New-Jerfey ; which was read, and or-
dered a fecond Reading.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Hand, and Mr. Hartfloorne,
be a Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of a Bill to
amend the Act for the more effectual Prefervation of Deer in this
Colony.
Mr. Tucker, in Behalf of the Petitioner, and in Purfuance of Leave
^granted, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of John
Budd, of Salem ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to impoirer the Inhabitants of the Toivn-
fjjip of Deptford, in the County of Gloucefter, to repair their public
Highways by Hire, and raife Money for that Purpofe, was read the
fecond Time, and on the Queition, agreed to, and ordered to be
engroffed.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Mr. Fi/her, Mr. Paxfon, Mr. Miller, Mr. Bullock, and - Mr.
Hartfoorne, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of
a Bill for regulating Roads and Bridges.
The Petition from Ifaac Rettinghoufe, and other Freeholders of
Hunterdon, praying an Alteration in the General Highway Act, was
read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the fame be re%rred to the Committee on the faid Bill.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Jofeph Rue, a Debtor
in the Gaol of Middlefex, fetting forth the Particulars of his Cafe,
and praying an Acl: of Affembly to fet afide a Judgment, or afford
fuch other Relief as may be thought proper. The Petition was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker, Mr. Hand, Mr. Fifljcr, and Mr. Paxfon, be a
Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of a perpetual
Infolvent Act.
The Memorial from William Fofer, Efq. for fetting up Directors
at the Parting of Public Roads, was read the fecond Time ;
D Ordered^
[ H 1
Order ed^
That die fame do lie on die Table.
Mr. Tucker, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought
in the Draught of a Bill, entitled, A Spplementary Adl to the Acl,
entitled, An Ac~l for preventing the Wafle of Timber, Pine and Cedar
Trees, and Poles, ivithin this Province of New-Jerfey ; and to lay a
Duty upon all Pipe and Hog floe ad Staves exported out of the fame, to
any of the neighbouring Colonies ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Andrew Sinnickfon
and Ephraim Loyd, praying an Alteration in the Mode of Punifh-
ment for not keeping a Bridge and Caufeway, in Salem County,
in Repair, provided the Prayer of their former Petition, relative to
the Premifes is not granted. The fame firfl Petition was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill for Support of Government was read the fecond Time,
and committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Menage from the Council, by Mr. Skinner.
' Council-Chamber, Nov. 27, 177 1.
'• Orderedy.
' That Mr. Stevens, Mr. Stockton, and Mr. Coxe, or any two of them,
* be a Committee to join a Committee of the Houfe of Affembly,
' to fettle the Eaftern and Weflern Treafurer's Accounts, and burn
c the cancelled Money in the Hands of the Weftern Treafurer, and
' make Report thereof to the Houfe ; and that the faid Committees
' do meet at Five o'Clock this Afternoon, at the Houfe of Samuel
* Smith, Efq. in Burlington.
' Ordered,
' That Mr. Skinner do acquaint the Houfe of Aflembly therewith.
' By Order of the Houfe,
' C H A. PETTIT, D. Clerk:
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act for the Regulation of the
Rates to be demanded and received at the Ferries on the North and
South Sides of Raritan River, ivithin the Corporation of Perth-Amboy,
was read and compared. On the Queftion,
Rejblved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Runyon and Mr. Dey do carry the faid Bill to the
Council, for Concurrence.
Mr. Runyon reported, That Mr. Dey and himfelf delivered the
Bill with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry Inhabitants
of Great-Egg-Harbour, in the County of Glouccfter, praying an Act
of AlTembly to form that Townllup, and Lit tie-Egg-Harbour, into
a County ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A
[ »$ ]
A Petition was prefented to die Houfe from Benjamin Collins and
Richard Davis, Infolvent Debtors in Gloucejler Gaol, letting forth,
their Diftrefs, and praying Relief ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
The Houfe, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Committee
of the whole Houfe, on the Bill for Support of Government ; and
after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair, and
Mr. Fifloer, Chairman of the Committee, reported, That the Com-
mittee had made fome Progrefs in the Matters to them referred,
and delired Leave to lit again.
Ordered,
That the faid Committee do fit again.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Thurfday, November 28, 1 77 j .
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a large Number of
Freeholders in the Counties of Middle/ex and Somer/et, praving Leave
to erect a Lottery for repairing the Bridge over Raritan River, at
Bound-Brook ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to impoiver the Inhabitants of
the Toivnfhip o/*Deptford, in the County of Gloucester, to repair their
public Highways by Hire, and raife Money for that Piupofe ; was read
and compared. On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price and Mr. Bullock do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from three Hundred and
Twenty-two Perfons from Middlefex, Somefet and other Places, pray-
ing a Law to erect a Bridge over Raritan, at a Place called The
Landing ; which Petition was read, and ordered to be read a fecond
Time.
Mr. Price reported, That Mr. Bullock and himfelf delivered the
Bill with them entrufted, to Mr. Read, one of the Gentlemen of
the Council, the Council not fitting.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Adrian Manley,
Abraham Marlatt, and Ifaac Veal, Infolvent Debtors in the Gaol of
Somerfet, praying Relief for then" Perfons ; which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Mofes Butterivorth,
Ed-ward Turner, Robert Scott, and Jofeph Coivgill, lbme of the Cre-
ditors of William Gerrard, of Gloucejler, praying to be heard before
the Houfe againft die Petition of the faid Gerrard for Relief ; which
firfl Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe and read, from 'John
Chejler,
[ '6 ]
Cheflsr, of Cape May, praying a Divorce from his Wife, for certain
Realbns therein fet forth.
Ordered,
That the faid Petition do lie on the Table.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Hinchman, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe,
brought in the Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Act for the Pre-
fervation of Deer and other Game, and to prevent Trefpaffing ivith
Guns ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Tucker, with Leave of the Houfe, brought in the Draught
of a Bill, entitled, An Ad: for the Settlement and Relief of the Poor ;
which was read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
Mr. Tucker, in Purfuance of Leave granted by the Houfe, brought
in a Bill, entitled, An Act to enable Mofes Young to recover his juft
Demands from certain Perfons, Owners and Pojfeffors of a certain Swamp,
in the Town/hip of Hanover, and in the County of Morris, called the
Pinch Bog Swamp ; for digging a Ditch through the fame, and enable
the feveral Oivners and Pojfeffors thereof to cleanfe and keep open the
fame ; alfo to enable the feveral Oivners and Poffeffors of certain Swamps
lying between the Mouth of faid Pinch Ditch, and a certain Brook
called Black Brook, to dig a Ditch through the fame ; and alfo to
enable the Owners and Pojfeffors of Lands lying upon faid Black Brook
and Whiponong River, to clear out the fame ; and other Purpofes
therein mentioned ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The four feveral Petitions for and againft the Prayer of Meflrs.
Hart and Polhemus, for repairing a Mill Dam over the River Ra-
ritan, in the County of Somerfet, were read the fecond Time, and
the Parties for and againft the faid Dam attending, according to
Order, were called in and heard before the Houfe, in Support of
their feveral Allegations, with their Papers and Witneffes, viz. Peter
Tenyke on the Part of the Petitioners for the Dam, and George
Middagh and Rinier Van Nefte, jun. againft them, duly fworn before
John Berrien, Efq. The Parties then withdrew, and the Houfe
taking the fame into Conlideration,
Ordered,
That the further Conlideration thereof be referred till To-morrow
Morning.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Friday, November 29, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
The Petition from Glouccfer, praying a Law to maintain certain
Water Works acrofs the foutherly Branch of Newton Creek, com-
monly called the For^ Creek, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
A
[ '7 ]
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from William Lawrence, of
Gloucefler County, letting forth the Particulars of his Cafe, and pray-
ing the Houfe will fhew no Countenance to the Prayer of William
Gerrard, for an Exemption from Arreft ; which Petition was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to continue arid amend an Aft, entitled,
An Acl for better fettling and regulating the Militia of this Colony of
New-Jerfey, for the repelling Invajions, and fupprefjing Infurreftions and
Rebellions, was read the fecond Time, and, on the Queftion, agreed
to, and ordered to be engrafted.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from James Abraham, of
the South Ward of the City of Perth-Amboy, fetting forth, That,
in cromng over Raritan River, on the twenty-firfl of Auguf laft,
he loft fundry Bills of Credit of this Colony, and praying Relief
in the Premiles. The fame was read, and ordered to lie on the
Table.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to continue an Aft, entitled, An Act
to enable Creditors more eafdy to recover their Debts from joint Part-
ners, -within the Colony of New-Jerfey, was read the fecond Time,
amended in the Houfe, and, on the Queftion, agreed to, and or-
dered to be engrafted.
The Bill, entitled, An Ad to continue an Aft, entitled, A fupple-
mentary Aft to the Aft, entitled, An Acl for preventing the Wafie of
Timber, Pine and Cedar Trees and Poles, ivithin this Province of
New-Jerfey ; and to lay a Duty upon all Pipe and IlogfJjead Staves
exported out of the fame, to any of the neighbouring Colonies, was read
the fecond Time, and on the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to
be engrafted.
The Petitions prefented laft Seftion, and referred to the prefent
Seflion, for and againft a Dam over Englifos Creek, in the County
of Burlington, were read.
Ordered,
That the Parties be heard before the Houfe, on Wednefday next,
at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon ; and that Jofeph Englifjj do ferve
a Copy of this Order on Abednego Wright, at leaft two Days be-
fore the Hearing.
The Confideration of the Petitions for and againft the Reparation
of a Dam acrofs Raritan River, was referred till the Afternoon.
The Bill, entitled, An Ad for the Prefervation of Deer and other
Game, and to prevent Trefpaffing -with Guns, was read the fecond
Time, amended in the Houfe, and, on the Queftion, agreed to,
and ordered to be engrafted.
The Houfe adjourned till Three, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Daniel Pierfon and
others, Truftees of the Road and Ferries leading from Newark to
P aulus-Hook, praying that Col. John Schuyler may not be indulged
with a Law to compel a Reimburfement of Monies by him ex-
pended on the Caufeway and Ferry leading from Newark to Paulus-
Hook. The Petition was read, and ordered a. fecond Reading.
E A
[ •« ]
A Meflage from His Excellency, by Mi'. Secretary Pettit.
" Gentlemen,
" AN Application having been made to me, by feveral of the
" ■**- principal Indians fettled in this Province, for Leave to leafe out
" their Proportion of the Lands at Brotherton, for a Term of
" Years, I promifed them to lay their Propofals before your Houfe,
" that you might, if you thought proper, pafs a Law for that
" Purpofe. The Particulars of what palfed between me and the
" Indians, on the Occafion, are contained in the Minutes of Coun-
'■ cil fent herewith.
" Nov. 29, 1771. WILLIAM FRANKLIN."
Which was read, together with the Minutes of Council mention-
ed therein, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
A Meflage from His Excellency, by Mr. Secretary Pettit.
" Gentlemen,
" 'YO.fflV OGDEN, Efq; one of the Reprefentatives of the County
" J of Effex, having lately accepted of an Office of Profit, by which,
" according to a Law of this Province, he has vacated his Seat
" in the Alfembly, I think it proper to inform you, that I have,
" agreeably to the faid Law, ordered a Writ to be iflued for a
" new Election.
" Nov. 29, 177 1.
"WILLIAM FRANKLIN."
Which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to enable Creditors more eafily
to recover their Debts from Joint Partners, ivithin the Colony of
New-Jerfey, was read and compared.
On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to continue and amend an Acl,
entitled, An Act for better fettling and regulating the Militia of this
Colony of New-Jerfey, for the repelling Invaftons, and fupprefjmg In-
Jiirreclions and Rebellions, was read and Compared.
On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Hcwlings, Mr. Hartjhorne,
Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Price, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Learning, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Fijber, Mr. Hand, Mr. Paxfoti,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Bullock,
Mr. Dey, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Demarejl, Mr. Miller.
Ordered,
That Mr. Dey and Mr. Hand do carry the fiid Bills to the
Council, for Concurrence.
Mr. Berrien had Leave of Abfence, till Monday next, on urgent
Affairs.
According to Order, the Houfe refumed the Confideration of the
Petitions
[ '9 ]
Petitions for and againft a Law to authorize Meflrs. Hart and Pol-
hemus, to repair a Dam over the River Raritan. Mr. Hart with-
drew, and Debates enfued thereon ; and, on the Queftion, whether
the Confideration of the Matter be referred till To-morrow Morn-
ing, or not ? It was carried in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the Matter be further confidered To-morrow Morning.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Saturday, November 30, 177 J.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Dey reported, That Mr. Hand and himfelf, delivered the two
Bills with them entrufted, to Mr. Stevens, one of the Gentlemen of
the Council, die Council not fitting.
His Excellency's Menage, relative to the Indians at Brotherton,
was read the fecond Time, together with the Minutes of Council
fent therewith. The Houfe taking the fame into Confideration,
Refolved,
That as the Lands at Brotherton, were purchafed for the Indians,
and originally intended to be referved for them, and not to be
aliened, this Houfe is of Opinion, that granting the Requeft of the
Indians, will anfwer no good Purpofe, but tend to defeat the In-
tentions of the Legislature, in the Purchafe.
' A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Coxe, acquainting the Houfe,
' that the Council have paffed the Bill, entitled, An Act for the
1 Regulation of the Rates to be demanded and received at the Ferries
* on the North and South Sides of Raritan River, ivitkin the Corporation
4 of Perth-Amboy, without any Amendment.'
The Houfe again, according to Order, refumed the Confideration
of the Petitions for and againft a Law to authorize Meffrs. Hart
and Polhemus, to repair a Dam over the River Raritan. Mr. Hart
withdrew, and, after fome Time fpent therein,
Refolved, Nemine Contradicente,
That it is the Opinion of this Houfe, that the Laws of this
Colony, as they now ftand, fully provide for the Relief of the
Petitioners.
Refolved alfo,
That it is the Opinion of this Houfe, that the pulling down and
deftroying, in a forcible Manner, any ancient Mill-Dam, may be
attended with great Confufion, and much Damage to His Majefty's
liege Subjects ; and that it is the Duty of the Peace-Officers to
prevent, as much as in them lies, fuch dangerous Practices.
YEAS.
Y E A S.
NAYS.
Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Bullock,
Mt. WetkeriU,
Mr. Fifier,
Mr. Hiv.chman,
Mr. Hartfoortte
Mr. Dey,
Mr. Price,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Hand,
Mr. Demarefl,
Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Healings,
Mr. Miller,
Mr. Learning.
Mr. Learning, from the Committee appointed to fettle the Weftern
Treafurer's Accounts, made die following Reports, to which the
Houfe agreed, viz. Dr.
[ 20 ]
Dr. Samuel Smith, Efq; Trea —
1769.
Nov. 2. To Balance reported to the Council and AfTembly, this Day, £. 2030 : 8 : 1
To the Sinking Fund Tax, directed to be raifed this Year, viz.
Burlington, £. 1 562 « 14 : 7 : 5-8ths.
Cloucejler, 977 : 5 : I i
Salem, 873 : 3 : 7!
Cumberland, 442: 14: yk
Cape-May, 208 :17 c 2*
Hunterdon, I 77 2: 3: II \
Morris and Suffex, 694 : 10 : 11 + 6531 : 10 : 1
1770.
Novem. To the Sinking Fund Tax directed to be raifed this Year, viz.
Burlington, £. 1339 : n : o
Cloucejler, 953 : 18 : o
Salem, 849 : io : O
Cumberland, 481 : 13 : o
Cape-May, 208 : 13 : o
Hunterdon, I7°4: '6: O
Sujfex, 741 : 12 : o 6279 : 13 : o
/. 14841 : 11 : 2
Dr. Samuel Smith, Efq; Trea —
1769.
Nov. 2. To Balance reported to the Council and AfTembly, this Day, £. 7214 : 8 : 10*
13. To Cafh received of Daniel Smith, Executor of Daniel Smith,~~)
deceafed, on Account of Money drawn for, by 1Villia7n Cooky 39 : it : oi
and Daniel S?nith, on Behalf of the Province, j
29. To Cadi of James Parker, Efq; on Account of the Province Lotteries, 28 : 10 : o
/. 7282 : 13 : 11*
MEMORANDUM of Articles, — minuted here to preferve the Memory of them,
until Payment is made, by the Parties from whom they are due.
The following Arrears, as reported in 1765, appear to be Jlill out/landing.
In Burlington County, an old Arrear in the Loan-Office, as per Report in 1753,/- 18 : 8:11
Ditto in ditto as per ditto 13 : 7
Ditto in Cape-May, in 1738, 4
24
/. 32 : o : 9
An Arrear in Burlington, as per Report in 175S, 1:13: 8
Ditto in Sale>n, Intereft-Money in 1752, 3:0:6
An Arrear outftanding in Salem Loan-Office, Principal Money, which commenced? ,
either in 1745, 1746, or 1747, j 4 3 • 4- °
Deficiency in Hunterdon, in /. 6,000 Tax, in June, 1752, as per Report in 1758, — 6: o: o
Ditto in ditto, as per ditto, 1:11: 9 x
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock, Monday Morning.
Monday, December i, 1771.
The Houfe met.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, A Supplementary A& to the Aft, en-
titled, An Ad for preventing the Wafle of 1 imber, Pine and Cedar
Trees, and Poles, ivithin this Province of Ncw-Jerfey ; and to lay a
Duty upon all Pipe and Hog fin ad Staves exported out of the fame, to
any of the neighbouring Colonies ; was read, and compared. On the
Queflion,
Refolved,
21
finer ; Sinking Fund Account ,
1770.
May 9.
1771.
May 8.
By Current Bills of Credit, cancelled by the Juftices and Free-"
holders, as per their Certificate in May, 1770, and burned by^
the Committees this 29th Day of November, 1771,
By Current Bills of Credit, cancelled by the Juftices and Free-"
holders, as per their Certificate in May, 1771, and burned by)
the Committees this 29th Day of November, 1 771,
Balance. . , .
/•5653
7004:
2183
Cr.
•7
Errors excepted, Nov. 29, 1771.
By Order of the Committees,
£• i+«4i : 11 :
JOHN STEVENS.
AARON LEA MING.
furer ; Support of Government,
1771. By fundry Vouchers, from No. 1 to No. 205, inclufive ; all ex- 7
amined, allowed, and endorfed, the 27th November, 1771, 3
Balance due to the Province, including the Weftern Moiety \
of One Thoufand Pounds, which the Treafurers are di- I
reeled, by AcT: of Affembly of 31ft of George the Second, \
to retain in their Hands, for the Ufe of the Committee I
of Correfpondence, J ■
Errors excepted. Nov. 29, 1771.
By Order of the Committees,
Cr.
/. 6454 : 2
828
/. 7282 : 13 : Hi
JOHN STEVENS,
AARON LEAMING.
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Taylor and Mr. Demarefl do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a great Number of
the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Counties of EJfex and Bergen,
praying a Repeal of the Act of Aflembly relative to fetting of
Nets in the Rivers Paffaic and Hackinfack ; which Petition was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
F Mr. Tucker,
[ ** y
Mr. Tmker, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe,
brought in the Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief
of Infolvent Debtors ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading..
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Price, in Behalf of the Petitioners, and in Purfuance of the
Leave granted, brought in the Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Act
to enable the Owners and Poffefjors of the Meadoivs lying on the
foutherly Branch of Newton Creek, commonly called the Fork Creek,
in the County of Gloucefler, to repair and maintain a Bank, Dam,
and Water Works, heretofore creeled and made acrofs the /aid
foutherly Branch of Newton Creek, and to keep the Water Courfe of
the faid Creek open and clear ; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Henry Davis, fen.
an infolvent Debtor in Gloucefler Gaol, praying an infolvent Act ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe again, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Com-
mittee of the whole Houfe, on the Bill for Support of Government,
and, after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker refumed the Chair,
and Mr. Fifher, Chairman of the Committee, reported, That the
Committee had made fome further Progrefs in the Matters to them
referred, and defired Leave to fit again ; to which the Honfe agreed.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Tuefday, December 3, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
The EngroflTed Bill, entitled, An APtfor the Prefervation of Deer
and other Game, and to prevent TnfpaJJtng ivith Guns ; was read and
compared. On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hartfloorne and Mr. Hinchman do carry the fame to
the Council for Concurrence.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Nicholfon, of
Salem, letting forth Reafons why Dr. Budd\ Prayer for an Exemp-
tion, for feven Years, from Arreft, fhould not be allowed ; which
was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry Inhabitants
of the County of Morris, praying further Regulations in Relation
to maintaining a certain Road which goes by the Hibernia Fur-
nace, in the County of Morris. The fame was read, and ordered
a fecond Reading.
4 A Meflage from the Council, by Mr. Lawrence, informing the
' Houfe that the Council have palled the Bill, entitled, An Act to
1 impoiver the Inhabitants of the Toivnfoip (y'Deptford, in the County of
' Gloucefler,
t >s ]
* Gloucefter, to repair their Highways by Hire, and raife Money for
* that Purpofe ; without any Amendment.'
Ordered,
That Mr. Heivlings, Mr. Hart, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Hinchman, and
Mr, Demarejl, or any three of them, be a Committee to join a Com-
mittee of the Council, to adjuft the late Barrack-Mafters Accounts,
and alfo the public Lottery Accounts ; and that Mr. Tucker and
Mr. Price do inform the Council thereof, and defire the Council
to appoint a Committee for that Purpofe, together with the Time
and Place of meeting.
According to Order, the Parties for and againft an Act to main-
tain Water Works acrofs Newton Back Creek, in the County of
Gloucejler, attending, were called in, and heard before the Houfe.
The Confideration thereof was referred till the Afternoon.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Taylor reported, That Mr. Demarejl and himfelf, delivered
the Bill with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Hart/home reported, That Mr. Hinchman and himfelf deli-
vered the Bill with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from John Swinfea, in-
folvent Debtor in Cumberland County Gaol, fetting forth his Dif-
trefs, and praying Relief ; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Thomas Reading, of
Hunterdon, fetting forth his diftrefled Circumftances, and praying
Relief ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Samuel Nicholfon,
John Majon, William Hancock, jun. and Thomas Hancock, praying
Leave to bring in a Bill to regulate certain Meadows in Elfinbo-
rough, Salem County ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fe-
cond Reading.
The Houfe refumed the Confideration of the Matters heard this
Morning, and referred to this Afternoon.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners for a Bill have Leave to bring in the fame.
Mr. Learning, from the Committee on the Weftern Treafurer's
Accounts, made this further Report, viz.
The Committees of the Council and Affembly proceeded to ex-
amine when the two Deficiencies in Salem (mentioned in the Re-
port of this Seffion) commenced, and find that the Deficiency of
£.3:0:6 was Intereft-Money ; and had its Rife in 1752, as by
the Report in 1753, Page 408 of the Affembly-Books.
And that, by the Report in 1747, Lib. D, 446, it appears that
Salem was deficient on one or both Emiffions of Principal that ought,
to have been funk, £. 1081 : 6 : 6.
And,
[ H 1
And, by the Report in 1753, they were deficient £. 1371 : 17 : o,
including the laid £. 108 1 : 6 : 6. — See Lib. E, 410.
By the Report in 1758, that Deficiency was reduced to £.743 : 18 : 6.
See Lib. F, 320.
By the Report, November 21, 1760, it appears the faid Deficiency
was reduced to £.463 -.4:6. See Vol. F, 421 ; at which it now
remains.
By which it appears, that the fame originated in one of the
Years 1745', 1746, or 1747 ; and it's uncertain whether on the
£. 20,000 or £. 40,000 Emiffions ; thofe Funds being blended to-
gether : and as (it's faid) the Loan-Officers were the fame, it's im-
material.
John Stevens,
Aaron Leaming.
Ordered,
That the Executors of the late Commiffioners of the Loan-Office,
for the County of Salem, or whom elfe it may concern, Do, with-
out Delay, pay into the Weflern Treafury of this Colony, the faid
£.3:0:6, Interefl-Money ; and alfo, That they do caufe the
faid £. 463 : 4 : 6 to be cancelled, according to the Loan-Office
Laws, in any Bills of Credit of this Colony, the feveral Funds be-
ing funk promifcuoufly together, and paid into the faid Treafury.
And in Cafe this Order is not complied with, by the 15th Day
of June, 1772, then the King's Attorney-General of this Colony is
hereby required to afk His Excellency's Permiffion to profecute the
Delinquent.
Ordered,
That Mr. Leaming, Mr. Fifloer, and Mr. Pax/on, be a Committee
to inquire what Monies are due to the Colony, and make a par-
ticular Report of the State thereof, to the Houfe.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to enable the Owners and Poffejfors of
the Meadozvs lying on the foutherly Branch oj Newton Creek, com-
monly called the Fork Creek, in the County of Gloucefer, to repair and
maintain a Bank, Dam and Water Works, heretofore erected and made
acrofs the faid foutherly Branch of Newton Creek; and to keep the
Water Courfe of the faid Creek open and clear ; was read the fecond
Time, and, on the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engrailed.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
TFednefday, December 4, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Samuel Rogers and
Ifaac Rogers, Executors and Devifees of the Laft Will and Tefta-
ment of Samuel Rogers, deceafed, and Richard Bronvn, praying an
Act for making a certain Bridge over Crojfwicks Creek a public
Charge. The Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Act /V the Relief of Infohent Debtors, was
read the fecond Time, and committed to Mr. Hart, Mr. S?nith,
and Mr. Price.
The
t 35 ]
The feveral Petitions prefented this Seffion, from infolvent Debtors,
were read the fecond Time, and committed to the Committee on
the Infolvent Bill.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Jofeph Ellifon, ano-
ther from Jofeph Ivins, and eight others ; a third from Thomas
Craft, and fix others ; and a fourth from Jofeph Garwood, and four
others ; all praying that there may be no Dam erected over Engli/h's
Creek, in the Townihip of Mansfeld, and County of Burlington ;
which Petitions were read; and,
According to Order, the feveral other Petitions, for and againft
an Act for banking out the faid Creek, were read the fecond Time,
and, the Parties all attending, were called in and heard before the
Houfe, in Support of their feveral Allegations. On the Queftion,
Whether the Petitioners for a Bill have Leave to bring in the fame,
or not ? It was carried in the Affirmative, as follows, viz.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Learning, Mr. Wctkerill,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hart, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Dey, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Hartfiorne,
Mr. Hcwlings, Mr. Fijher,
Mr. Smith, Mr. DemareJ},
Mr. Price, Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. Miller, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Hand.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners for a Bill have Leave to bring in the fame
accordingly.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
' A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Parker, acquainting the
* Houfe, That the Council have pafled the Militia Bill, without any
' Amendment.'
Mr. Tucker reported, That Mr. Price and himfelf delivered the
MefTage of the Houfe, with them Yefterday entrufted, to Mr. Smith,
one of the Gentlemen of the Council ; the Council not fitting.
Mr. Miller, in Purfuance of the Leave granted, brought in a Bill,
entitled, An Act for the better fupporting, maintaining, and keeping
above the Floiv of the Tide, that Part of the Road from Little-
Timber Creek, over Newton Creek, near the Mouth thereof, to Coo-
pers Ferries, which lies between the Fajl Land, late John BuzbyV,
now Keziah Tonkin'/, and the north-eaflerly End or Foot of the Toll-
Bridge, over faid Newton Creek ; which was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
* A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Skinner, informing the
* Houfe that the Council have pafled the Bill to enable Creditors
i more eafily to recover Debts from Joint Partners, without Amend-
1 ment.'
G
A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Skinner.
1 Council-Chamber, Dec. 4, 17 71.
* Ordered,
* That Mr. Parker, Mr. Ccx-f, and Mr. Lawrence, or any two of
them, be a Committee to join the Committee of the Houle of
Alfembly, to adjuft the late Barrack-Mafters Accounts, and the
public Lottery Accounts ; and that the laid Committees do meet
for that Purpofe, at the Houle of John Shaw, in Burlington, at
nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning ; and that Mr. Skinner ac-
quaint the Houfe of AfTembly therewith.
* By Order of the Houfe,
' C H A. PETTIT, Z). Clerk:
1 A Meffage from the Council by Mr. Coxe, acquainting the
' Houfe, That the Council have palled the Bill for preventing
* Wafle of Timber, without any Amendment.'
The Houfe again, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Com-
mittee of the whole Houfe, on the Bill for Support of Govern-
ment, and, after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker relumed the
Chair, and Mr. Fi/her, Chairman of the Committee, reported, That
the Committee had made fome further Progrefs in the Matters to
them referred, and delired Leave to fit again j to which the Houle
agreed.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-Morrow Morning.
Thurfday, December 5, 1 77 1.
The Houfe met.
The Engrofied Bill, entitled, An Act to enable the Owners and
Poffeffors of the Meadows lying on the foutherly Branch of Newton
Creek, commonly called the Fork Creek, in the County of Gloucefter, to
repair and maintain a Bank, Dam, and Water Works heretofore erecled
and made acrofs the faid foutherly Branch of Newton Creek, and to
keep the Water Coutfe of the faid Creek open and clear, was read
and compared. On the Queltion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price and Mr. Hartjhorne do carry the faid Bill to
the Council, for Concurrence.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Henry Scott, and
fix others, Owners and Polfeflbrs of Meadows and Marfhes
lying on both Sides of the Creek Affijkunk, in the City of Burling-
ton, praying an Act of Alfembly to erect a Dam over the faid
Creek, any where between the Barracks, and the Lot of William
White ; which Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Hewlimrs, in Behalf of the Petitioners, and in Purfuance of
the Leave granted, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act to enable
fundry of the Owners and Pojfejfors of Meadows and Tide Marfh lying
on Englifh'j Creek, in the County of Burlington, to erect and maintain
a
■ [ *7 ]
a Bank, Dam, and other Water Works acrofs the fald Creek, in
to prevent the Tide from overflowing the fame, and to ieep rl. ,
Water Courfe of faid Creek open and clear ; which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
His Excellency's Meflage of the 29th of November lad, relat ye
to the Eflj'ex Election, was read the fecond Time. The Koufe, taking
the fame into Confideration,
Refolved,
That it is the undoubted Right of this Houfe to judge of the
Qualification of its Members ; and, in Cafe of the Death or legal
Difability of any Member, it is the fole Right of this Houfe co
declare his Seat vacant, and order a Writ to iliue for electing
another Perfon in his Room :
Refolved,
That the Writ for electing a Representative for the County of
EJfex, inftead of John Ogden, Efq; (who having become infoi ent,
his voluntary Refignation was accepted by this Houfe) ought to
have been fealed by Virtue of the Order of the Speaker of this
Houfe, and not to have been iflued in Coniequence of any other
Jurifdiction whatever.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That the Weftern Treafurer do demand of John Stevens, James
Parker, Henry Cuyler, William Donaldfon and Walter Rutherford,
Efquires, or the Survivors of them, fuch Sums of Money as chey,
or any of them, have drawn out of the Treafury of this Colony,
in Purfuance of an Act, entitled, An Act to indemnify the Treafurers
of this Colony for advancing certain Sums of Money to the Agents ap-
pointed by Law to manage the Controverfy touching the Settlement
of the Line between New-Jerfey and New- York, and for other Pur-
pofes therein mentioned.
Ordered,
That the Clerk of the Houfe do ferve a Copy of this Order
upon the Weftern Treafurer.
The Petition from Robert Johnflon and others for a Bridge over
Mufconetcung, between the Counties of Hunterdon and Sujjex, near
Robert Johnflon 's Mills, was read the fecond Time :
Ordered,
That the Members for Hunterdon, Morris and Suflfex do bring in
a Bill for that Purpofe.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the better fupporting, maintaining,
and keeping above the Flow of the Tide, that Part of the Road from
Little Timber Creek, over Newton Creek, near the Mouth thereof, to
Coopers Ferries, which lies between the Fafl Land, late John Buzby'j,
novo Keziah Tonkin'/, and the ncrth-eajlerly End or Foot of the Toll
Bridge over faid Newton Creek, was read the fecond Time, and
committed to Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Price, and Mr. Smith.
The Petition from Great-Egg- Harbour, praying that the two
Townfhips"
[ *» ]
Townfhips of Great and Little- Egg- Harbour may be erected into a
County, was read the fecond Time. On the Queftoin,
Ordered,
That the fame do lie on the Table.
The feveral Petitions from Col. John Schuyler for, and others
againft, reimburfing him Monies expended on a certain Gaufeway
and Ferry, on a Road leading from Newark to Paulus-Hook, were
read the fecond Time, and the Confideration thereof referred to
the next Seflion of Affembly.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Price reported, That Mr. HartfJjorne and himfelf, delivered
the Bill with them entruited, to Mr. St?iith, one of the Gentlemen
of the Council, the Council not fitting.
The Petition of Abraham Clark, Azariah Dunham, and Ephraim
Terrill, praying Payment of their Account for furveying certain
Roads in this Colony, was read the fecond Time. On the Queftion,
Whether the Petitioners be paid out of the public Money in the
Treafury, or by Way of Lottery for that and other public Ufes ?
It was carried for the former, as follows, viz.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Skinner,
Mr. Hart/liorne, Mr. Price, Mr. Wetherill,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Miller, Mr. Berrien,
Mr. FiJIier, Mr. Learning, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Smith, Mr. Hand, Mr. Demarejl,
Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Hart, Mr. Hvwlingf.
Mr. Tucker.
Ordered,
<s- oV.y^ That the Payment of the faid Account be provided for in the
?//siw, j^o.. Support Bill.
7- A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Lawrence.
1 Council-Chamber, Dec. 5, 177 1.
* Ordered,
* That Mr. Lawrence do carry the Bill, entitled, An Acl: for the
' Prefervation of Deer, &c. with the Amendments thereto annexed,
* to the Houfe of Affembly, and defire their Concurrence to the
* faid Amendments.
' By Order of the Houfe,
' C H A. P E T T I T, D. Clerk:
Whereupon the faid Bill was read, with the Amendments in their
Places, and, on the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid
Amendments, or not ? It paffed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended, be re-engrofTed.
Mr. Treafurer Smith informed the Houfe, that Twenty-fix of
the fecond Volume of the New-Jerfey Laws, and Eighty-two of
the New-Jerfey Conflitution-Books, remain in his Hands.
Ordered,
That they be diflributed as follows, viz.
Of
[ *9 3
Of the fecond Volume of Neiv-Jerfey Laws,
To His Excellency, the Governor, . r
To each of the Members of this Houfe, one, 24
To the Deputy-Secretary, 1
26
Of the New-Jerfey Conftitution-Books,
To His Excellency, 2
To each of the Council, two, 24
To each of the Reprefentatives, two, 48
To the Agent, 1
To the Deputy-Secretary, 1
To Cumberland 2, to Morris 2, to Sujfex 2, — 6
82
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of John Budd, of Salem,
was read the fecond Time, and committed to Mr. Price and Mr.
Hart.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Friday, December 6, 1771.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from Henry Scott and others, for an Act to erect a
Dam over AJJijkunk Creek, in the City of Burlington, was read the
fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
Mr. Price, from the Committee to whom the Bill, entitled, An
Act for the Relief of John Budd, of Salem, was committed, reported
the fame, with feveral Amendments thereto ; and the faid Bill was
read with the Amendments in their Places. On the Queftion,
Whether the Bill, as amended, be engrailed or not .? It was carried
in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended, be engrafted.
The Petition from Samuel Rogers, Ifaac Rogers, and Richard
Bronvn, praying that the County of Monmouth may be obliged to
maintain a Bridge over Crojpwicks Creek, was read the fecond Time,
and upon the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame do lie on the Table.
Mr. Treafurer Smith laid before the Houfe, a Letter to him, from
John Stevens and James Parker, Efquires, relative to the Demand
of Money lent them and others, as Agents ; which was read.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Ploufe met.
H The
[ 30 ]
The Petition from Morris, praying that a Road there may be
flipported by a County Charge, was read the fecond Time, and
referred to the next SeiTion of AlTembly.
The Petition from the Commimoners of Pennfylvania, for clearing
the River Delaware, praying the Affiftance of this Colony therein,
was read the fecond Time, and referred to further ConGderation.
The Engrofled Bill, entitled, An A61 for the Relief of John Budd,
of Salem, was read and compared. On the Queition,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
NAYS.
Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Miller.
YEAS.
1
E A S.
Mr. Skinner,
Mr.
Heiulingj,
Mr. Welherill,
Mr.
Smith,
Mr. Hartjlyorne,
Mr.
Paxfon,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr.
Hinchman,
Mr. Fijher,
Mr.
Price,
Mr. Berrien,
Mr.
Hand,
Mr. Dey,
Mr.
Hart,
Mr. DemareJI,
Mr.
Tucker,.
Ordered,
That Mr. Smith and Mr. HartJIoorne do carry the faid Bill to
the Council, for Concurrence.
A MeiTage from the Council, by Mr. Skinner.
' Council-Chamber , Dec. 6, 1 7 7 1 .
' Ordered,
* That Mr. Skifiner do carry the Bill, entitled, An Act to enable
* the Oivners and Poffeffors of the Meadows lying on the foutherly
1 Branch of Newton Creek, &c. to repair and maintain a Dam, 8cc.
' with the Amendments made thereto by the Council, to trie Houfe
' of AfTembly, and defire their Concurrence to the faid Amend-
1 ments.
1 By Order of the Houfe,
CHA. P E T T I T, D. Clerk:
And the faid Bill was read, with the Amendments in their Places,
and, upon the Queftion, the Houfe agreed to the faid Amendments.
Ordered,
That the Bill, as amended by the Council, be re-engroifed.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee on the Infolvent Bill, reported the
fame, with feveral Amendments thereto j and the faid Bill was read
with the Amendments in their Places ; and the Bill was further
amended in the Houfe. On the Queftion, Whether the Bill, as
amended, be cngrolfed or not ? It palled in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended, be engrofted.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to enable fundry of the Oivners and
Poffeffors of Meadows and Tide Marfh, lying on English's Creek, in
the County of Burlington, to erecl and maintain a Bank, Dam, and
other Water TVorks, acrofs the faid Creek, in order to prevent the
Tide from overflowing the fame, and to keep the former Water Courfe
of
[ v 3
of faid Creek open and clear, and to make the /aid Dam, ivben erected,
a public Landing, was read the fecond Time, and, on the Queftion,
agreed to, and ordered to be engro£Ted.
The Petition from Thomas Tindall, and James Clark, jun. for an
Amendment to the Act for regulating the Maidenhead Meadows,
in the County of Hunterdon, was read the fecond Time. On the
Queftion,
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordinglv
The Petition from EJfex and Bergen, for a Repeal or Alteration,
of the Law relative to fifhing in the Rivers Pafaic and Hackmjack,
was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill for the Pur-
pofe aforefaid, at the next Seffion of Aflembly, provided no reaion-
able Objections fhall then appear againft the fame.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Saturday, December ~j, 1 77 j .
The Houfe met.
The feveral Petitions prefented laft Seffion, and referred to the
prefent Seffion, for and againft building a Bridge over Great Mantua
Creek, in the County of Gloucejler, were now read.
Ordered,
That the Parties be heard before the Houfe, on Wednefday next,
at Ten o'Clock in the Morning ; and that Archibald Maffet do ferve
a Copy of this Minute upon David Cooper and Jonathan Chew,
at leaft two Days before the Hearing.
The Engrofled Bill, entitled, An Act to enable fundry of the Own-
ers and Pojfejfors of Meadows and Tide MarfJj, lying on Englifh'j- Creek,
in the County of Burlington, to erecl and maintain a Bank, Dam, and
other Water Works acrofs the faid Creek, in order to prevent the Tide
from overflowing the fame, and to keep the former Water Courfe of faid
Creek open and clear, and to make the faid Dam, •u hen creeled, a
public Landing, was read and compared. On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hewlings and Mr. Smith do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
Mr. Smith reported, That Mr. Hartfljorne and himfelf delivered the
Bill with them entrufted, to Mr. Parker, one of the Gentlemen of
the Council; the Council not fitting.
A MeiTage from the Council, by Mr. Parker.
1 Council-Chamber, Dec. 6, 1 7 7 1 .
' Ordered,
1 That Mr. Parker do carry to the Houfe of Aflembly, for Con-
currence,
c currence, the Bill, entitled, An Act to revive and continue two Ails
' therein mentioned.
' By Order of the Hotife,
' C H A. PETTIT, D. Clerk:
And the faid Bill was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Meifage from His Excellency, by Mr. Secretary Pettit.
"A Message to the ASSEMBLY.
" Gentlemen,
£( "I" LAY before you an Account which I lately received from
His Excellency General Gage, Commander in Chief of
"-His Majefty's Forces in North-America, for the Expences incurred
" for the Supply of the Troops lately quartered in this Colony
" with the Necelfaries allowed them by Act of Parliament, from
" the twenty-eighth of March to the fourth of November, during
" which Time there was no Provincial Fund appropriated for that
" Purpofe. By this Account, and what has been already laid be-
" fore your Houfe, it will appear, that the whole Charge for
" furnifhing the Troops with the above-mentioned NecefTaries from
" the firft of November 1770, to the fourth of November 1 7 7 1,
" does not amount to £. 1100 Proclamation Money, viz.
" Expended by Mr. Bonnell, Barrack-Mailer, hO
" Calh, by Order of the Governor and> £. 501 : 11 : 7
" Council, j
" Alfo 228 Cords of Wood received from the ~
" former Barrack-Mailers at Bnmfivick and
*' EUzabeth-Toivn, which, if valued at 15J6*
" Light Money per Cord (the Medium
" Price Mr. Bonnell purchafed at) is, in
" Proclamation
" Expended by Order of the General
"£.452 : 10 : 3 Neiv-Tork Currency, S 418
" which is in Proclamation
151 : 17 : 3*
" Total — ■ £, 107 1 : 11 : 3^
" From the Experience I have had I am convinced, that, with
" proper Management, the Expence of fupplying a Regiment, on
" the Peace Eftablilhment, with the feveral Articles required by Law,
" need but feldom if ever exceed a Thoufand Potinds Currency per
" Annum. Now as a Regiment cannot well avoid fpending at leafl
" eight or ten Times that Sum in the Colony where it is Rationed,
" and as the whole is chiefly laid out for the Produce of the
" Country (which on that Account fetches a better Price than it
" otherwife would) and is likewife the Occafion of a confiderable
" Addition to our circulating Cafh, I think that Intereft, if there
" was no other Motive, llioukl be a fufficient Inducement for us
" to defire the continued Refidence of a Regiment in this Province.
*' But were the Protection they would afford againft Hidden In*
" vafions,
[ 33 ]
" vafions, &c. duly confidered, I believe no one, who has the real
" Good of his Country at Heart, would grudge the Expence even
" tho1 it was much greater. However, Gentlemen, I ihall not at
" prefent urge any Thing further to you on this Head. If what
" I formerly reprefented to you, and your own Reflections on the
" Subject:, are not fufEcient to make you fee the Advantage re-
" fulting from having Troops conftantly ftationed among us, I
" hope that you will at lealt think it proper to make Provision
" for difcharging the fmall Arrear that is due for the Support of
" thofe lately quartered here, and for furnilhing the few lick Men
" left behind with Barrack Neceffaries, until they are enabled to
" join their Regiment, which is embarked for Eajt Florida. — It
" is probable that you will not foon be called upon again for
" anv Expence of this Kind ; but, however that may be, I think
" it proper to inform you, that your Non-compliance with the for-
" mer Requifkion I made to you for this Purpofe, has given great
" Offence to His Majefty and his Minifters, and that your perfift-
" ing in your Refufal will, in all Likelihood, be attended with very
" dilagreeable Conlequences to the Province.
" Dec. 7, 1 77 1. WILLIAM FRANKLI N."
The Secretary alfo laid before the Houfe, fundry Papers relating
to the Matters mentioned in the Meffage ; all which were read, and
ordered to be read a fecond Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Hance Lambfon, and
another from Andrew Sinnickfon and Ephraim Loyd, praying that the
prefent Road from Stony //land to Mannington and the Town of
Sak?n, may remain ; which Petitions were read.
Ordered,
That the fame do lie on the Table.
Mr. Hart, according to Order, brought in the Draught of a Bill,
entitled, An Act to impoiver and require the Jufices and Freeholders
of the Counties of Hunterdon and Sulfex, to raife the Sinn of Fifty
Pounds on each County, to be applied towards erecting a Bridge acrofs
Mufconetcung Creek, near Robert JohnftonV Mitts ; which was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning, Ten o'Clcck.
Monday, December y, 1 77 i .
The Houfe met,- and adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Lloufe from fundry Owners and
Poffeflbrs of Marfh and Meadow, within the Bank of the Town
of Salem, praying an Act for the Regulation of the faid Meadows,
and to repeal an Act, entitled, A Supplementary Act to the Act to
enable the Oixmers of the Meadows and MarfJjes belonging to the Town
of Salem, to keep out the Tide from o'verfoiving the J'ame ; which
Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
I The
[ 34 ]
The Bill re-engrofTed, with the Council's Amendments, entitled, An Acl
to enable the Oivners and Pojfejfors of the Meadows lying on the foutherly
Branch of Newton Creek, commonly called the Fork Creek, in the
County of Gloucefter, to repair and maintain a Bank, Dam and Water
Works, heretofore erecled and made acrofs the faid foutherly Branch of
Newton Creek, and to keep the Water Courfe of the faid Creek open
and clear, was read and compared.
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
The Bill re-engroiTed, with the Council's Amendments, entitled,
An Acl for the Prefervation of Deer and other Game, and to pre-
vent trefpajfing ivith Gzins, was read and compared.
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. HartfJjorne do carry the faid two Bills
to the Council.
The Engrolfed Bill, entitled, An Acl for the Relief of Infohent
Debtors, was read and compared. On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. IVetherill,
Mr. Hartfljorne, Mr. Hinchmart, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Price, . Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hart, Mr. Dey,
Mr. Healings, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Demarefl,
Mr. Miller,
Mr. Learning,
Mr. Hand.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. HartfJjorne do carry the faid Bill to
the Council, for Concurrence.
Mr. Heivlings reported, That Mr. Smith and himfelf delivered the
Bill with them entrufted, on Saturday laft, to Mr. Smith, one of
the Gentlemen of the Council ; the Council not fitting.
Mr. Heivlings, in Purfuance of the Leave granted, and in Behalf
of the Pedtioners, brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act to enable the
Oivners and Poffejfors of the Meadoivs and MarJJoes, lying on both
Sides of Affiflcunk Creek, in the County of Burlington, to Jtop out the
Tide from overfoiving the fame ; which was read, and ordered to
be read a fecond Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from Martin Ryerfon of
Hunterdon, praving an Act of AfTembly to relieve him in his
diftreffed Circumftances. The laid Petition was read, and ordered
a fecond Reading.
Mr. Tucker reported, That Mr. HartfJjorne and himfelf delivered
the three Bills with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Skinner, in Behalf of the Petitioners, and in Purfuance of the
Leave granted, brought in the Draught of a Bill, entitled, An Act
for
[ 3S ]
for the Relief of Thomas Tindal and James Clark, the Younger ;
and for other Purpofcs therein mentioned ; which was read, and or-
dered a fecond Reading.
The Petition from Middlefex, Somerfet, and other Places, for a
Bridge over the River Raritan, at a Place called The Landing, was read
the fecond Time, and referred to the next Seffion of Aifembly.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Tuefday, December 10, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
The Petition from Salem, for regulating the Meadows within the
Town-Bank, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly :
Whereupon Mr. Hinchman, in Behalf of the Petitioners, brought
in a Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to the Act, entitled, An Act
to enable the Owners of the Meadows and Marjhes belonging to the
Town of Salem, to keep out the Tide from overflowing the fame ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe refumed the Confederation of the Petition from the
Pennfylvania Commiifioners for clearing the River Delaware ; and
fome of the Commimoners attending, were called in and heard
before the Houfe.
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner, Mr. Learning, and Mr. Tucker, be a Committee
to prepare and bring in a Bill fimilar to the Pennfylvania Act of
Aifembly for improving the Navigation of the River Delaware.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to revive and continue two Acts therein
mentioned, was read the fecond Time. On the Queftion, Whether
the fame be committed or not ? It palled in the Affirmative, as
follows, viz.
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Stinner, Mr. Smith, Mr. Wetherill,
Mr. Runyon, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Hartjhorne, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Demarejl,
Mr. FiJIoer, - Mr. Price, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Miller, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Dey, Mr. Learning,
Mr. Healings, Mr. Hand.
Ordered,
That the laid Bill be committed to Mr. Skinner and Mr. Learning,
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Ifaac Andrews and
five other Perfons, Tanners, in this Province, for fundry Reafons
therein fet forth, praying an Act of Aifembly to regulate the
Tanning of Leather, and caufmg all Perfons who, in Future, fhall
follow that Bufinefs, to ferve an Apprenticefhip of feven Years
thereto ;
thereto ; or otherwife, as may be thought proper. The Petition was
read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
His Excellency's MefTage, of Saturday laft, relative to the Troops,
together with the Papers accompanying the fame, were now read
the fecond Time.
The Queftion was put, Whether the Houfe will allow any Part
of the Account exhibited by His Excellency General Gage, and laid
before the Houfe by His Excellency the Governor, or not \ It was
carried in the Negative, as follows, viz.
For fome Allowance. For no Allowance.
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Paxfin,
Mr. Fijber, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Hartjljorne, Mr. Learning,
Mr. Demareft, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hand,
Mr. Henulings, Mr. Dey, Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Sjnith,
Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Price,
Mr. Hart.
Ordered,
That Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Dey, and Mr. Paxfon, be
a Committee to prepare and bring in the Draught of an Anfwer
to His Excellency's Meffage above-mentioned.
Mr. Skinner, from the Committee to whom was committed the
Bill, entitled, An Act to revive and continue ttvo Acts therein men-
tioned, reported the fame, with one Amendment thereto : And the
faid Bill was read, and the Amendment in its Place ; and, upon
the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the faid Bill, as amended, do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Smith and Mr. Price do carry the faid Bill and
Amendment to the Council, and defire their Concurrence to the faid
Amendment.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from a Number of Per-
fons refiding in the County of Gloucejler, fetting forth Reafons
againft building a Bridge and Caufeway over Great-Mantua Creek,
in that County ; which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Learning, from the Committee appointed to enquire what
Monies are due to the Colony, made the following P«.eport, viz.
Aaron Learning, from the Committee appointed to trace the old
Arrears to their Origin, reported,
That the /,'. 18 : 18 : 5^, and the £. 2 c due from the County
of Middle/ex, as reported in 1760 [See Aifembly Minutes, Lib. H, 167.]
are explained in the Report of 1760, Lib. F, 404, 405.
To which this Committee now add, That the faid £, 18 : 18 : ^x
firit took its Rife in 1722, in the Townfhip of Pi/cataivay ; and was
occafioned by the Collector of that Townfhip eloping with the
greatett Part of the Money payable from that Townfhip for the
fad Year, in his Hands. See the Report of the 5th of February, 1727,
Lib. C : At which Time the Deficiency of the faid County was
reported
[ 37 ]
reported to be £. 2$ : 14. : 5 5 : That William Euers was then Trea-
surer, and Mofes Rolph Collector, of Middle/ex ; who confeffed the
Accounts of the laid Deficiencies were true: That the 17th July,
1730, another Report was made; at which Time the Committees were
of Opinion, that the faid Deficiency ought to have been raifed in
1726. So they charged the County Debtor with the Sums that
County was to raife by Law in 1726, 1727, 1728, and 1729,
making the Sum of — £. 337 : 15 : 10
To that they added the faid Deficiency, 25 : 14 : 5 *
They gave the County Credit for the Sum the
Collector had paid the Treafurer, being
£• 3^3 = 10 : 3
344 : II : 10
And reported the County in Arrear die Sum of £. j8 : 18 : ji
at which it has remained ever fince ; and which Arrear they
placed to the Year 1726, though it originated in 1722. For a
fuller State of thefe Taxes, fee Lib. F, 404, 405.
To (hew the AfTembly, of thofe Times, had the Recovery of all
Arrears in View, fee Minutes of the Houfe, March 14, 1738, Lib.
C, 82, where Richard Smith and Jojeph Cooper were ordered to col-
lect the Papers. See alfo Lib. D, 33, 40, and 219. And for the
Reafons why the Profecutions were not carried on, fee the Attorney-
General's Report, Lib. D, 62. See alfo Lib. F, 334.
That the other Arrear in Middle/ex, of £. 38 : 12 : ji was Inte-
reft, and took its Rife in the following Manner. Upon examining
the Books it appears, that in the Report made the 14th Day of
March, 173^, Lib. C, Page 80, Michael Kearney is charged with re-
ceiving £. 174: 13 from the Loan-Officers of Middle/ex, which was
a full Difcharge of all the Arrears of Intereft reported in 1733,
to be due from them. In the fame Page 80, Middle/ex is charged
to be in Arrear of Intereft, arifen on the three Emiffions between
1733 and 1738, £. 156 : 6 : 9 i.
By the Report in 1740, Lib. C, 173, that Deficiency was reduced
to £. 38 : 12 : 7-i, at which it has remained ever fince : So that it
originated in 1733 or 1740, or fome Year between thofe Times.
That the Deficiency ftill outftanding in Bergen, of £. 21 : 4 : o'i,
as reported in November, 1769, Lib. H, 167, originated in or be-
tween the Years 1733 and 1738, and was Interelt-Money that arofe
on one of the three Emiffions, [See Report, March 14, 1738, Lib.
C, Page 80.] and has been noted , in all the Reports fince.
The 14th of March, 1738, Lib. C, 80, EJJex was reported to be
in Arrear in the Intereft of the three Loans, the Sum of £. 80 : 6 : 5 |
that had arifen fince the Year 1 733 : That by the Report in 1740,
Lib. C, 173, that Deficiency was reduced to £. 72 : 6 : 5 t : at which
it has been reported ever fince.
November 25, 1743, EJfex was reported to be deficient £. 206 : 17:6
of the Principal that ought to have been cancelled on the £. 20,000
Emiffion in 1742 and 1743.
In the Report, December 9th, 1748, Lib. E, 38, that Deficiency
K was
[ ^ ]
was added to all the Principal that ought to have been funk on
both Emillions in and before 1748, and Credit given for what
had been cancelled ; and a Deficiency of £. 24 : 8 : 6 reported as
due from EJfex of Principal. But this Committee cannot fix it to
any particular Year, nor even to one of the Emimons more than
the other, that not being explained. If the Commiflioners were
the fame from 1742 to 1748, both inclufive, it's not material.
In the Report of June 21, 1754, Lib. E, 443, the lad mentioned
Deficiency of £. 24 : 8 : 6 was added to the Sums of Principal that
EJfex ought to have funk on both Emimons in and after the Year
1749; and Credit given for what was cancelled; and a Deficiency
of £. 109 : 3 : 6, reported from that State of Accounts, without
fixing it to any particular Year or Emiffion, the whole being
blended together.
By the Report made December 11, 176 1, Lib. G, 51, it appears
that Arrear was reduced to £. 42 : 16, at which it has been re-
ported ever fince.
The Hon. David Ogden, Efq; fome Years paft collected the Ac-
counts and Vouchers relative thereto, and produced them to the
then Affembly, whereby he made appear, that there was a Miflake
in thofe Reports. The faid Accounts were depofited in the Box of
the Clerk of the Houfe, and are not now to be found. The Com-
mittee recommends a further Enquiry when Mr. Ogden can attend.
In the Report of 1753, Lib. E, 406, the Interefl arifing in Somerfet,
on the two Emillions, from 1748 to 1753, inclufive, are cafl up
together ; and a Deficiency in that County, of £. 73 : 14 reported
to be outftanding in fome of thofe Years, on the £.40,000.
By the Report in June, 1754, Lib. E, 452, it appears that De-
ficiency was reduced to £.17.
By the Report in November, 1760, Lib. F, 404, it further appears
that Deficiency was reduced to £. 1 : 5 ; at which it was reported in
1769, Lib. H, 167, and now remains due ; which this Committee
believes was payable by Jeronhnus Vaneji and John Corl, the lafl
Loan-Officers of Somerjfct.
Ref peeling the Burlington Deficiency of £. 18 : 8 : 1 1, as reported
2d November, 1769, Lib. H, 137, on tracing the fame, it appears
to have originated in 1730, 173 1, and 1732, and was Part of the
Taxes payable for Support of Government. By the Report made
the 1 ith of Au?ujl, 1733, Burlington was charged in Arrear on the
faid Taxes, in thofe three Years, the Sum of £. 29 : 19 : 1, Lib. C.
By Report, March 14, 1738, Lib. C, 78, Burlington was charged
with the fame Arrear, and alio 6j'y more, amounting to £. 30 : 5 : 8.
This Deficiency was continued in the Report of the 26th June,
1740, Lib. C, 169.
By the Report made the 19th November, 1742, Lib. D, 75, it
appears that Deficiency was reduced to £. 18 : 8 : 11, which has
been reported ever fince, and is now due.
Reflecting the £. I /\ : 7 : 2, as reported the 2d November, 1769,
Lib. H, 137, this Committee finds it to be Interefl-Money that arofe
as follows: By Report made the 7th July, 1730, Lib. C, (not paged)
Burlington was charged in Arrear, arifing the firfi five Years, on the
firlt
[ 39 1
firft £. 40,000, the Sum of £. 3 : 13 : 10 i. This Arrear was con-
tinued in the Report of the 1 it& of Auguji, 1733, Lib. C.
By the Report the 7th March, 1738, Lib. C, 78, that Deficiency
was added to die other Intereft arifing on the laid £. 4c : ,0, and
on the £. 20,000 Emiffions, and the Treafurer charged T ebtor with
it all ; and he had Credit in that Report for a Deficiency then
outitanding on that general Account, of £. 17 : 1 o i.
By Report, 26th June, 1740, Lib. C, 168, 169, that Arrear was
reduced to £. 13 : 7 : 2 \ ; and which Report declares u io Intereft
that arofe on the firft £. 40,000. This £.13:7:2-1 has been re-
ported ever fince, and is now due.
By the Report in Auguji, 1758, Lib. F, 333, Burlington is charged
with being in Arrear of Intereft that arofe in 1753, the Sum of
£.1:13:8, which is now due, and has been continued in the
Reports ever fince.
That the 4/74 with which Cape-May is charged, was Intereft
that arofe on the firft £.40,000, in one of the Years 1730, 1731,
or 1732, and was firft reported the 11th Auguji, 1733, Lib. C, and
has been continued in all the Reports fince, and is now due.
Hunterdon remains deficient in the Tax of June, i-JS-, £.6:0:0
Hunterdon is alfo deficient in the Tax for Support of
Government, in 1753, when John Qarritjbn
was Collector, > 1 : 1 1 : o x
See Report in Auguji, 1758, Lib. F, 333. .
1-.ii-.9i
For the Salem Deficiency of 3:0:6
and 463 .-4:0
fee the Report made December 3, 1 7 7 1 .
466 : 4 : 6
The Report November 22, 1769, fhews that Monmouth had cancelled
£. 1 : 12 : 3 i more than their Quota, which the Committee is of
Opinion, ought to be paid to the Loan-Officers of Monmouth, out
of the Principal that yet remains to be liink in Salem County.
From all which it appears, that the general State of die old
Deficiencies ftand thus :
Middlesex.
The Arrear of £. 18 : 18 : 5*
originated in 1722, in the
Taxes for Support, — 18 : 18 : 5 1
• Do.
The £. 25 commenced in 1730,
and was Part of the fame
Taxes. See Lib. C, Auguji
U, 1733, alfo Lib. F, 405. 25 : 0:0
The other Arrear in Middlejex,
was Intereft-Money that
arofe in or between 1733
and 1740. See Lib. C, 80.
Ibidem, 173. — . 38:12:7 +
£. 82 : 1 1 : p §
[ 4° ]
Brought over, — £.82:1101
Bergen
Arrear of £. 21 : 4 : 9 5 was In-
tereft that arofe in or be-
tween 1733 and 1738. See
Lib. C, 80. — — — - 21: 4:9*
Essex.
An Arrear in the Intereft reported to arife between
1733 and 1738, — — —
Do.
An Arrear in the Principal of the £. 20,000 and
£. 40,000 Emiflions, Part of which arofe in
1742 and 1743, and Part in or after 1749 ;
or indeed it is uncertain, from the Accounts,
in which Year, or on which Emiflion, the lait
Part of the Deficiency arofe. It mufl be ihewn
the Sums that ought to have been cancelled,
on both Emiflions in EJfex : Credit given for
what was funk, and the Arrear charged, be-
ing — — 42 : 16 : o
Somerset.
A Deficiency that arofe in the Intereft of the two
Emifhons in or after 1748. See Lib. E, 406.
Ibid. 452 — Lib. F, 404. — 1 : 5:0
Burlington
Deficiency of £. 18 : 18 : 11,
was Part of the Taxes for
Support that ought to have
been raifed in 1730, 1731,
and 1732. See Lib. C, Augujl
11, 1733. lb. 78, ib. 169.
Lib. D, 75 ; when it was
reduced to £, 18 : 8 : 11
Do.
The £. 13 : 7 : 2 i was Intereft,
£.3 : 3 : ioi of which arofe
in the firft five Years, on the
firft £. 40,000. Lib. C,
Augujl, 1733. The Re-
mainder arofe on the firft
£. 40,000 and £. 20,000
Emiflions, in or between
1733 and 1738. Lib. C,
78. ibid. 168, 169. 13 • 7 : 2«
Do.
The Arrear of £. 1:13:8
was Intereft that arofe in
1753, Lib. E, 333. 1:13: 8
33: 9:95 ,
r 181 : 6:7
[ 4' ]
Brought over, £. 1 8 1 : 6:7
Cape-May.
The 4/7 *, charged on that County, was Intereft
that arofe in 1730 and 1731 or 1732. Lib. C,
Augujl ir, 1733. . 4:7x
Salem
Deficiencies of — £. 3 : o : 6
and — — — 463 : 4 : o
466 : 4:6
was Intereft. See the Report, December 3d, 177 1.
Hunterdon,
In the Taxes of 1752 and 1753 — — — 7 : 1 1 : of
£> 65S ? 7:6
N. B. The feveral Reports mentioned in this Draught, are to be
found in their Order of Time, thus : — The written Minutes of AfTem-
bly Lib. C, 7th of July, 1730. Ibid, nth Augujl, 1733. [So far
the Pages of the Book are not numbered.] Ibid. 14th March, 1738,
Page 80. Ibid. 168, 169. Lib. D, 33, 40, 62, 74, 130, 206, 207,
219, 444. Lib. E, 38, 406, 452. Lib. F, 329 to 334, 404. Lib. G, 48
to S3* 397- Lib. H, 137, 167.
Errors excepted.
AARON LEAMING.
December 12th, 1771.
THE Committee proceeded to examine the State of the Defici-
encies that arofe fince the Commencement of the War in
*755>
Jojeph Hollinjljead, Efq; a Balance reported
September 25, 1762, Lib. G, 116, due to the
Colony — — — £. 161 : o : 1
Stephen Crane, Efq; by Re-
port, June 26, 1766, Lib. 6,396,
is charged with a Balance of — £. 334 : r : i
and prays Al-
lowance for the
Sum of — £. 135 : 18 : 9
1768, Apr. 18,
he paid Trea-
furer Skimier — 198 : o : o
333 : 18: 9
If the Houfe makes faid Allow-
ance, the Balance due is —
£.161
[ 4* ]
Brought over, — £.161: 2 : 5
The final Determination on this £. 135 : 18 : 9,
■was deferred, by the late Affembly, for Mr. Crane
to produce Credentials to prove that Lofs.
John Arifon, by Report, May 4, 1768, Lib. H, 72,
charged with a. Balance due to the Colony£.20o : o : 1 1
The greatefl Part is paid to the Treafurer : For the
Remainder, two Bonds are lodged in the Attorney-
General's Hands ; one for £. 100, which is in Suit ;
and another of about £. 50 or £. 60, which will be
lued if Payment is not fhortly made.
John Ogden and Theums Dey, Efquires, by Re-
port, May 7, 1768, Lib. H, 86, are charged with a
Balance due the Colony, £. 23 : 7 : 9
John Hofkins, by Report, December, 1760, Lib.
H, 185, — Balance due the Colony — 9 : 5 : 6
Uzal Ogden, Efq; by Report
May 6, 1768, Lib. H, 82, has
charged, as Mufter-Mafler, one
and a half per Cent . Commifhons,
•when, by Law, he ought to have
charged only one per Cent.
The firft Article is — £. 2 1 : 1 : 3
2d ditto — 20 : 7 : o
41 : 8: 3
Drawback thereon due the Colony, 13 : 16 : I
Theophilus Severns received £. 385 : 16, as a Com-
miffioner for building the Barracks, and abfeonded
without rendering any Account. See June 5, 1765,
Lib. G, 278.
By a Law, pa fled in the Tenth Year of His Ma-
jefty's Reign, Abraham Van Campen, and other In-
habitants of SuJ/ex, borrowed of the Weftern .-Trea-
furer, £. 200. The Committee is informed that
Actions, for Recovery thereof, are now carrying
on againfb the Debtors. 200 : o : o
£.407 : 11 : 9
A Balance due from the Eftate of Col. Schuyler,
deceafed, on Bond. See June 14, 1766 : See alfo
Lib. G, 400. £.1133: 9: of
Another Balance due from the Eftate of Col. Schuy-
ler. See Lib. G, 400 : See alfo March 6, 1762. — 2j8 : 8:11
Sundry Debts outftanding in the Eaftern Divifion,
on Land-Security. See the Report, November 2 2d,
1769, Lib. H, 170, amounting to — 435° : H : JIf
It
[ 43 ]
It is faid that fome Money is outstanding, arifing
from the Lotteries : And Committees are now ap-
pointed to examine and report the fame.
Lent the Agents of the Eaji Jerfey Proprietors, — £. 700 : o : o
Errors excepted.
AARON LEA MING.
December 12, 1 77 1.
Houfe of Ajfcmbly, December 12, 177 J.
Middle/ex Deficiency, — — — £.18:18:51
Ordered, by the Houfe,
That this Sum be paid by the County.
Ditto. *-*> £. 25 : o : o
Ordered,
That this Sum be paid by the County.
Do. The£. 38 : 12 : 7 i, It's Ordered, That if the Juftices and Free-
holders of MiddleJ'ex do not recover that Money from the Heirs
or Executors of the late Loan-Officers of Middle/ex, by the firfl Day
of June, 1773, that then the faid Sum be levied on the faid
County, in the Taxes of the Fall then next enfuing.
Bergen Arrear of — — — £. 21 : 4: 9*
The fame Order as laft above.
EJex, of Intereft, — £. 72: 6: 5 J
Principal, — ■ 42 : 16 : o
£. 115 : 2 : ^
The fame Order on thefe two, as on the two laft above.
Somerfet on the Intereft, £. 1 : 5 : o
The fame Order as laft above.
Burlington in the Taxes, £. 18 : 8 : 11
Ordered,
That this Sum be raifed on the County, in the Taxes pay-
able in November, 1772.
Do. In the Intereft £. 13 : 7 : 2 -J
Ordered,
That if this is not paid into the Treafury, by the 1 ft June,
1773, that it be levied in the Taxes of Burlington, pay-
able in November, 1773.
Btirlington, in the Intereft, in 1753, £. 1 ■ 13 : 8
The fame Order as laft above.
Cape-May, in the Intereft in 1730, 4: 7 i
The fame Order as laft above. ,
Hunterdon, in the Taxes in
1752, £.6:0:0
Do. in Do. 1753, I : II : 9*
£.7:11: 9 5
Ordered,
[ 44 ]
Ordered,
That thefe two Deficiencies be raifed in Hunterdon, in the
Taxes payable in November, 1772.
Monmouth having funk more than their Quota,
in the Principal of £. 1 : 12 : 3 i,
Ordered,
That the fame be repaid out of the Sum that yet remains
to be funk in Salem.
Salem. — A Deficiency in the Intereft, £. 3:0:6
Do. Do. in the Principal, 466 : 4:^6
See Report, December 3, 1 77 1 .
TH E Houfe then proceeded to examine the Balance reported to
have arifen fince the Commencement of the War in 1755.
Stephen Crane, Efq; prayed Allowance for £. 135 : 18 : 9, for the
Lofs of Provifion on the Frontier, as per Report of 26 June, 1 76,6,
[Lib. G, 396.] and fufEcient Proof appearing to this Houfe of the
faid Lofs, on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the faid Allowance be made.
Ordered,
That the faid Stephen Crane, Efq; pay into the Treafury, Tivo
Shillings and Four-pence, being the Balance of his Account.
Jofeph Hollinjhead, an Arrear reported due to the Colony, Sep-
tember 25, 1762, Lib. G, 116. £. 161 : o : 1
On Error fuggefted,
Ordered, by the Houfe,
That Abraham Heivlings, Jofeph Smith, Henry Pay/on, and Jchn
Hinchman, Eiquires, or any three of them, be a Committee to re-
fettle this Account, and make Report to the next Sitting of Affembly.
John Ogden and Theunis Dey, in the Report of May 7, 1768,
Lib. H, 86, are charged with a Balance due the Colony,
of — £. 23 : 7 : 9
Mr. Dey being prefent, informs the Houfe, that he had no Part
of that Money, though he figned the Receipt, Mr. Ogden having
negociated that Affair, and queries whether the faid Sum is not in-
cluded in the Securities given, by Mr. Ogden, to the Eaflern Trea-
furer.
Ordered,
That this Account be particularly enquired into at the next Sit-
ting at Amboy.
John Hojkins, a Balance of £. 9 : 5 : 6
Ordered,
That he pay the fame to the Treafurer.
Uzal Ogden, Efq; a Drawback due the Colony, £. 13:16: 1
Ordered,
That he pay the fame into die Treafury by May 1, 1772, or
that he be fued lor the fame.
Abraham
t 45 1
Abraham Fan Campen and others, borrowed £, 200 : 0 : o
A Suit is now carrying on againft the Debtors.
Col. Peter Schuyler is charged Debtor on one
Account, £. 1 133 : 9 ; oi
A Suit is carrying on for Recovery thereof.
Anodier Balance due from Col. Schuyler. See Report. See Lib. G,
400. See alfo March 6, 1762. £. 258 : 8 ; 11
Ordered,
That the King's Attorney-General, for this Colony, do recover
the fame.
Sundry Debts outftanding, on Land Security. See Report Novem-
ber 22, 1769. Principal, £. 43J9 : 14 : 11 j
The Recovery thereof, with the Interefl, is provided for in the Sup-
port Bill of this Seflion.
Monies arifing from the Lotteries : ■ —
Ordered,
That the Committees thereon, proceed without Delay.
Lent the Agents of the Eajl-Jerfey Proprietors, £. 700 : o : o
The Houfe taking into Confiderat.on the above Article, and the
Letter from the Agents, laid before the Houfe by Mr. Treafurer
Smith, requeuing a longer Time for Payment of the Money, be-
ing again read,
Ordered,
That the Weftern Treafurer do defift from the Demand he made
of this Money, in Purfuance of the Order of the Houfe, of Decern'
ber §xh, until further Order from this Houfe : And,
Ordered,
That the Clerk of the Houfe do ferve the Weftern Treafurer with
a Copy of this Order.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Wednefday, December 11, 1771.
The Houfe met.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Jeffery Chew, fetting
forth, That a certain Road has been run through his Plantation in
Gloucefer County, which has been and remains a great Damage to
him, and praying Redrefs ; which was read, and ordered a fecond
Reading.
The Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to the Act, entitled, An Act
to enable the Owners of the Meadows and Marjhes belonging to the
Town oj Salem, to keep out the Tide from overflowing the fame,
was read the fecond Time, and, upon the Queftion, agreed to, and
ordered to be engrolfed.
According to the Order of the Day, the feveral Petitions for and
againft a Law for building a Bridge and Caufeway over Great-Mantua
Creek, in the County of Gloucejlcr, were read the fecond Time, and
the Parties attending at the Door, were called in and heard before
the Houfe, in Support of their feveral Allegations.
M The
[ 4^ ]
The Queftion was put, Whether the Petitioners for the Law have
Leave to bring in a Bill, or not ? It palled in the Negative.
Ordered,
That the faid Petitions for a Law do lie on the Table.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Mr. Smith reported, That Mr. Price and himfelf delivered the Bill
and Amendment, with them entrufted, to the Speaker of the Council ;
the Council not fitting.
Mr. Hinchman, from the Committee to whom was committed the
Bill, entitled, An Act for the more effectual maintaining and keeping
above the Flow of the Tide, that Part of the Road, or Caufeway^
between the Toll-Bridge over Newton Creek, and the Fajl Land of
Keziah Tonkin, reported the fame, with feveral Amendments there-
to ; and the faid Bill was read, and the Amendments in their
Places. On the Queftion, Whether the faid Bill, as amended, be
engroffed, or not ? It was carried in die Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill, as amended, be engroffed.
A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Parker.
' Council-Chamber, Dec. II, 1771.
* Ordered,
1 That Mr. Parker do carry the Bill, entitled, An Act for the
' Relief of John Budd, of Salem, with the Amendment made thereto,
' to the Houfe of Affembly, and defire their Concurrence to the
' faid Amendment.
' By Order of the Houfe,
C H A. PETTIT,D. Clerk:
And the faid Bill was read, with the Amendment, in its Place.
On the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the faid Amend-
ment, or not ? It palfed in the Affirmative.
Ordered,
That the faid Bill be re-engroffed, with the Council's Amendment.
Mr. Skinner, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought
in a Bill, entitled, An Act declaring the River Delaware a common
Highway, and for improving the Navigation in the faid River ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to enable the Owners and Poffeffors of
the Meadows and Maijhes, lying on both Sides of Affifkunk Creeky
in the County of Burlington, to Jtop out the Tide from overflowing the
fame, was read the fecond Time, and, upon the Queftion, agreed
to, and ordered to be engroffed.
Refolved,
That Dr. Benjamin Franklin be, and he is hereby appointed,
Agent of this Colony.
A Petition was presented to the Houfe from Ebenezer Cowell,
praying that Martin Ryerfon and Thomas Reading may not have Be-
nefit
r 47 ]
nefit by any Act of Affembly, for the Relief of infolvent Debtors.
The Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe again, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Com-
mittee of the whole Houfe, on the Bill for Support of Govern-
ment and, after fome Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker relumed
the Chair, and Mr. Fijher, Chairman of the Committee, reported,
That the Committee had gone through the faid Bill, and had come
to fundry Refolutions, which he was ready to report, whenever
the Houfe will pleafe to 'receive die fame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediate! v.
Whereupon Mr. Fijher reported the Refolutions of the Committee,
as follow, viz.
i. Refolved,
That in and by faid Bill, when paffed into a Law, there be paid
to His Excellency William Franklin, Efq; Governor of this Colony,
at the Rate of Twelve Hundred Pounds per Annum, Proclamation
Monev, to commence the firft Day of Oclober kit. On the Queftion,
Whether the Houfe agrees to the fame, or not ? It was carried
in the Affirmative as follows, viz.
YEAS. YEAS. N A Y S.
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Hillings, Mr. Wetherilt,
Mr. Hartfcornt, Mr. Smith, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Fi/r-er, Mr. Hinckman, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Price, Mr. Pax/bn,
Mr. Dey, Mr. Miller, Mr. Learning,
Mr! Dcmarejl, Mr. Hart, Mr. Hand.
Mr. Tucker. Who voted for locol.
i. To Frederick Smyth, Efq; Chief Juftice of this Colony, at the
Rate of One Hundred and Fifty Pounds per Annum, Money aforefaid,
to be computed from the Time of his Return to Neiv-Jerfey, and
taking upon himfelf the Execution of that Office. On the Queftion,
Whether' the Houfe agrees to the fame, or not \ It paffed in the
Affirmative, as follows, viz.
YEAS. YE A S. NAY S.
Mr. Skinner, who Mr. Hinchnan, Mr. Wetherill,
voted for the full Mr. Price, Mr. Runyon,
Salary from ift Mr. Miller, Mr. Hartjhorne,
Oclober, 1771. Mr. Leaning, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Hand. Mr. Dey,
Mr. Berrien, who Mr. Hart, Mr. Pay/on, who
Toted for the full Mr. Tucker. voted for £. ico.
Salary, as afore-
faid.
Mr. Demarejf,
Mr. Hefulings,
Mr. Smitn,
3. To Charles Read, Efq; fecond Juftice of the Supreme Court
of this Colony, at the Rate of Seventy-Jive Pounds per Annum, Money
aforefaid. On the Queftion, Whether the Houfe agrees to the fame,
or not ? It was carried in the Affirmative, as follows, viz.
YEAS.
c 48 a
YEAS. YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Pax/on, Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. HartJIiorne, Mr. Price, Mr. Z)^,
Mr. Ej/for, Mr. Miller, Mr. Demarejl,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Learning, Mr. Tucker, who
Mr. Heivlings, Mr. Hand, voted for £. 50.
Mr. Smith, Mr. .rYrf/7.
4. To yo&n Berrien, Efq; third Juftice of the Supreme Court of
this Colony, at the Rate of -fr/?/ Bounds per Annum, Money afore-
faid ; to which the Houfe agreed.
5. To Cortland Skinner, Efq; Attorney-General of this Colony, at
the Rate of Thirty Pounds per Annum, Money aforefaid ; to which
the Houfe agreed.
6. To Samuel Smith and Stephen Skinner, Efquires, Treafurers of
this Colony, each at the Rate of Forty Pounds per Annum, Money
aforefaid ; to which the Houfe agreed.
7. To the Clerk of the Council, for the Time being, at the Rate
of Thirty Pounds per Annum, Money aforefaid ; to which the Houfe
agreed.
8. To Doctor Benjamin Franklin, Agent of this Colony, at the
Rate of One Hundred Pounds per Annum, Money aforefaid ; to which
the Houfe agreed,
9. To the Clerk of the Circuits, for the Time being, refiding in
this Colony, at the Rate of Tiventy Pounds per Annum, Money
aforefaid ; to which the Houfe agreed.
10. To the Door-Keeper of the Council of this Colony, at the
Rate of Ten Pounds per Annum, Money aforefaid ; to which the
Houfe agreed.
11. To His Excellency, William Franklin, Efq; at the Rate of
Sixty Pounds per Annum, Money aforefaid, for Houfe-Rent, provided
he makes Perth-Amboy or Burlington the Place of his Refidence j
to which the Houfe agreed.
12. To any one of the Juftices of the Supreme Court, for attend-
ing Circuit Courts, and Courts of Oyer and Terminer, in the Man-
ner prefcribed by faid Ac~t, the Sum of Ten Pounds for each Time ;
to which the Houfe agreed.
13. To each of the Council, for the Time they may attend at
any Sitting of General-AfTembly, within the Time, Six Shillings per
Diem ; to which the Houfe agreed.
14. To Richard Smith, one of the Clerks of the Houfe of Re-
prefentatives, or any other Clerk of this Houfe, for his Attendance,
the Sum of Ten Shillings per Diem, for the Time he hath or fhall
attend at any Sitting of General Alfembly, during the Continuance
of this Act ; alfo the Sum of Four-pence per Sheet, reckoning ninety
Words to the Sheet, for entering the Minutes of any Sitting,
during the Continuance of this Act, fair in the Book kept for
that Purpofe, and copying the Laws and Minutes for the Printer ;
and to the faid Richard Smith, the Sum of Twenty Pounds for Pen,
Ink and Paper, and hiring Clerks to forward the Bufinefs of this
Seflion ; and to the faid Richard Smith, the Sum of Tivo Pounds,
vine Shillings, and Ten-pence, for Freight of the Alfca'-bly-Box, a. id
for
[ 49 1
for the Charges of printing and publifhing the Ferry Law ; to
which the Houfe agreed.
jj\ To Charles Pettit, Efq; Deputy-Secretary, for copying public
Laws, to fend home to England, during the Continuance of this
Act, Four-pence per Sheet, reckoning ninety Words to the Sheet ;
to which the Houfe agreed.
1 6. To Charles Pet tit, Efq; Fifty-two Founds, for Expreffes to
fummon the General Affembly, in September, 1770 ; for Expreffes
to Cape-May, to fummon Juftices, in February, 1 77 1, on efpecial
Occafion ; and for Expreifes to fummon the General Affembly, in
April, 1 7 7 1 , and in November, 1 77 1 : And to the faid Charles Pet tit,
the Sum of Twenty-Jive Pounds for feveral extraordinary Services ;
to which the Houfe agreed.
17. To Thomas Polgreen Heivlings, Twenty Shillings per Week,
to pay for a Room, Fire-Wood and Candles, for the Council ; and
alfo a Sum not exceeding Twelve Pounds, to pay for a Room,
Fire-Wood and Candles, for the Ufe of the Houfe of Reprefen-
tatives, during any Sitting within the faid Term ; to which the
Houfe agreed.
18. To Abraham Clark, Azariah Dunham, and Ephraim Terrill,
fuch a Sum, not exceeding Forty Pounds, as Stephen Crane, John
Wetherill, and Reune Runyon, Efquires, or any two of them, mall
think proper to allow for the Payment of their Account againfl
die Colony ; to which the Houfe agreed.
19. To each of the Treasurers of this Colony, Six-pence per Pound
for exchanging the ragged and torn Bills of Credit of this Colony ;
Xo which the Houfe agreed.
20. To Ifaac Collins, or any other Printer hereafter appointed,
for printing the Minutes of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, of any
Sitting, during the Continuance of this Act ; and for printing the
Laws, paffed at any Sitting as aforefaid ; or any other Printing ;
fuch Sums as Hendrick Fijher, Stephen Crane, Abraham Heivlings, and
Henry Pax/on, Efquires, or any two of them, fhall agree to be
paid for the faid Service ; to which the Houfe agreed.
21. To the Serjeant at Arms, for the Time being, who fhall
attend the Council, the Sum of Three Shilli?igs per Diem ; and to
the Serjeant at Arms, who ihall attend the Houfe of Reprefenta-
tives, the Sum of Three Shillings per Diem ; to which the Houfe
agreed.
22. To the Door-Keeper of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, for
the Time being, who fhall attend the Houfe in Manner aforefaid,
the Sum of Three Shillings and Six-pence per Diem ; to which the
Houfe agreed.
23. To the Speaker, and every of the Members of the Houfe of
Reprefentatives, for the Time each of them lhall attend at any Sit-
ing of General Affembly, during the Continuance of the Act, Six
Shillings per Diem ; to which the Houfe agreed.
Ordered,
That the Bill for Support of Government, as reported and agreed
to, be engroffed.
N The
[ 50 ]
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Thurfday, December 12, 1 771.
The Houfe met.
The Engroffed Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Act to the Acl, en-
titled. An Act to enable the Owners of the Meadoivs arid MarfJjes
belonging to the Town of Salem, to keep out the Tide from overflow-
ing the fame, was read and compared. On the Queflion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart and Mr. Hinchman do carry the faid Bill to the
Council, for Concurrence.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
A Meifage from the Council, by Mr. Lawrence.
4 Council-Chamber, Dec. 12, 177 1.
' Ordered,
1 That Mr. Lawrence do carry to the Houfe of Affembly, for
' Concurrence, the Bill, entitled, A Supplementary Acl to the Aclt
' entitled, An Act for appointing Commiffioners to "view the Ground,
* and report to the next Seffion of General Affembly, of the Pracli-
1 cability of laying out Jlraight Roads through certain Parts of the
1 Province of New-Jerfey ; and for ejlabliJJnng a Fund to defray the
' Expence of the fame.
* By Order of the Houfe,
' C H A. P E T T I T, D. Clerk:
And the faid Bill was read, and ordered to be read a fecond
Time.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe, from certain Freeholders
of the Counties of Hunterdon and Burlington, and another Petition
from fundry Inhabitants in and about Neiv-Brutifivick, praying an
Act of Affembly to regulate the Practice of Phyfic and Surgery
in this Colony ; both which Petitions were read. On the Queflion,
Ordered,
That the fame have a fecond Reading.
Mr. Hart reported, That Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the
Bill with them entrufled, to the Speaker in Council.
On a Motion made,
Ordered,
That the Members for Middlefex and Sotnerfet do prepare and bring •
in a Bill for the repairing and maintaining the Bridge over Stony-
Brook, near Worth's Mill, between the faid Counties, in the Place
where it now (lands.
The Bill, entitled, An Act declaring the River Delaware a com-
mon Highway, and for improving the Navigation in the faid River,
was read the fecond Time, and, upon the Queflion, agreed to, and
ordered to be engroffed.
The
I Si ]
The Bill, entitled, An Act to impoiver and require the fuflices and
Freeholders of the Counties of Hunterdon and Suffex to raife the Sum
of Fifty Pounds on each County, to be applied towards erecling a Bridge
acrofs Mufconetcung Creek, near Robert Johnfton'i Mills, was read
the fecond Time, and, upon the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to
be engrafted.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Friday, December 13, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
* A Menage from the Council, by Mr. Coxe, defiring the Concur-
* rence of this Houfe to a Bill paffed by the Council, entitled, An
1 Act to extend the Jurifdiilion of the federal Counties in this Colony,
* ivhich are divided by Rivers, Creeks, and Bays."
The faid Bill was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Bill re-engrofled, with the Council's Amendment, entitled,
An Act for the Relief of John Budd, of Salem, was read and com-
pared.
' Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Price do carry the faid Bill to the
Council.
The Engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act declaring the River Delaware
a common Highway, and jor improving the Navigation in the faid
River, was read and compared. On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
The Engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to enable the Owners and
Pojfejfors of the Meadows and MarfJjes, lying on both Sides of Affif-
kunk Creek, in the County of Burlington, to fop out the Tide from over-
flowing the fame, was read and compared. On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
The Engroffed Bill, entitled, An Act to impoiver and require the Jufices
and Freeholders of the Counties of Hunterdon and Suffex, to raife the
Sum of Fifty Pounds on each County, to be applied towards erecling a
Bridge acrofs Mufconetcung Creek, near Robert Johnfton'j Mills, was
read and compared. On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Price do carry the faid three Bills
to the Council for Concurrence.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fifloer, and Mr. Paxfon, be a Committee
to prepare and bring in a Bill for enforcing the Payment of the
old Arrears, o*c. due to this Colony.
Mr.
t 5V ]
Mr. Tucker reported, That Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the
four Bills with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from fundry Neighbours
and Friends of Martin Ryerfon, praying the Houfe will pals an A 61
in his Favour. The Petition was read, and ordered a fecond Read-
ing.
The Petition from Middle/ex and Somerfet, for rebuilding a Bridge
over Raritan River, at Bound-Brook, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered.
That Mr. FifJjer do bring in a Bill for the Purpofe aforefaid,
The Bill from the Council, entitled, A Supplementary A61 to the
Aft, entitled, An Act for appointing Commiffioners to view the Ground^
and report to the next Seffion of General Affembly, of the Praclicabi-
lity of laying out Jlraight Roads through certain Parts of the Pro-
vince of New-Jerfey, and for eflablifhing a Fund to defray the Expence
of the fame, was read the fecond Time. The Queftion was put,
Whether the faid Bill do lie on the Table, or not I And carried in
the Affirmative.
Ordered, 4
That the faid Bill do lie on the Table.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from fundry Tanners in this Colony, praying an
Act for the Regulation of the Tanning Bufinefs, was read the fecond
Time.
Ordered,
That the fame be referred to further Consideration.
The feveral Petitions for an A6t of Affembly to regulate the Prac-
tice of Phyfic and Surgery in this Colony, were read the fecond
Time. On the Queftion, Whether the Petitioners have Leave to
bring in a Bill, or not ? It palfed in the Negative.
Ordered,
That the faid Petitions do lie on the Table.
Mr. Learning, from the Committee appointed for that Purpofe,
brought in a Bill, entitled, An A6t more effeclually to enforce the
Payment of feveral old Arrears due to the Treafury of New-Jerfey,
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Petition from feffery Cheiv, complaining of a Road run
through his Plantation, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the fame do lie on the Table.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Settlement and Relief of the
Poor, was read the fecond Time, and referred to next Seffion of
Aifembly.
The Bill from the Council, entitled, An Act to extend the Jurif-
diclion of the feveral Counties in this Colony, •which are divided by
Rivers, Creeks and Bays, was read the fecond Time, and ordered a
third Reading.
Mr..
[ 53 1
Mr. Riinyon, frcm' the Committee appointed to that Service",
brought in a Bill, entitled, An Act to rebuild, and thereafter to
repair and amend. the Bridge over Stony-Brook, near Worth'j ill;//,
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe from Ephraim Phillips,
Gaoler, at Burlington, praying an Addition to the prefent AIlov -
ance of Six-pence per Day, for Criminals ; which Petition was read,
and ordered a fecond Reading.
' A Meffage from the Council, by Mr. Parker, with the Bill re-
1 engroffed, with the Amendment of this Houfe thereto, entitled,
* An Act to revive and continue tiuo Ails therein mentioned, for the
1 Speaker to fign the fame.'
The faid Bill was read and compared.
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign die fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hinchman and Mr. Hart do carry back the faid Bill to
the Council.
Mr. Fi/Jjer, according to Order, brought in a Bill, entitled, An
Act to impoiver certain Perfons therein named, to take in Subfcnptions
to rebuild and repair the Bridge over Raritan River, near Bound-
Brook, knoivn by the Name q) '"Queen1 's Bridge, and for other Purpofes ;
which was read, and ordered a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Saturday, December 14, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to impoiver certain Perfons therein named,
to raife a Sum of Money by Subfcription, or by Taxation, to rebuild and
keep in Repair the Bridge over Raritan River, near Bound-Brook,
knoivn by the Name of Queen's Bridge, was read the fecond Time,
and, upon the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee appointed to fettle the late Bar-
rack-Mailers Accounts, made the following Reports, to which the
Houfe agreed, viz.
Province of Neiv-Jerfey, to Hendrick Fijljer, on Account of Brurfivick-
Barracks,
Dr. Cr.
1771.
Dec. 1 3. To Sundries fupplied the
Barracks, including
72-1 Cord of Wood,
Work done, isc. as
per Vouchers pro-
duced, examined, and
allowed, amounting,
in the Whole, to /. 79 : 1 : 5
By Balance due on
lafl Settlement, — o : 19
Balance due to Hen-
drick Fiflicr, — 78 : I
£■19
W
E, the Committee to whom the Settlement of the Barrack-Matters Accounts were re-
ferred, have examined Mr. Fijber's Accounts and Vouchers, relative thereto, and do
O find
[ 54 1
find a Balance due to Mr.
exclusive of any Allowance
Burlington, December 13, 1771
Tijher, of Seventy-eight Pounds One Shilling and Eleven-pence,
as Barrack-Mailer.
JAMES PARKER,
DANIEL CO X E,
JOHN HART,
JOHN H I N C H M A N,
ABRAHAM H E IV L I N C S.
The
Dr.
1768.
Province of Neiv-ferfey, to Ifaac Pearfon Rodman, one of the
Barrack-Mailers at Burlington,
Per Contra Cr.
To my Salary as Barrack-
Mafter, from the 10th
of May, 1768, to the
6th December, 1 769,
is one Year, fix Months,
and twenty-fix Days,
at £. 10 per Year, —
To ditto, from the 6th
of December, 1769, to
the 27th of Oclober,
1770, is ten Months
and twenty Days, at £. 5,
[5 : 14;
— 4 : 8 : 10
By one Year's Rent of the
Hofpital, 4 : o
By Rent of John Regions, — 15
By one Year's Rent of the
Hofpital, 4 : o :
o
o
/. 8:15
£. 20 : 3: of
Errors excepted per Isaac Pearson Rodmak.
TH E Committee appointed to fettle the Barrack-Mailers Accounts, having met together
this 1 2th Day of December, Anno Domini 1 77 1 , and examined the above Account,
do report the fame as above Hated, and find a Balance of Eleven Pounds Eight Shillings
and One Half-penny, due, from the Province of Ncw-Jerfey, to the above-named Ifaac Pear-
fon Rodman.
JOHN LAWRENCE,
JAMES PARKER,
JOHN HART,-
ABRAHAM HE IV LINGS,
JOHN H INC H 31 A N,
The Bill, entitled, An Act to rebuild and hereafter to repair and
amend the Bridge over Stony-Brook, near Worth' J- Mill, was read
the fecond Time, and, upon the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered
to be engrofled.
The Engrofled Bill," entitled, An Act for the more effetlual main-
taining and keeping above the Flow of the Tide, that Part of the
Road or Caufevuay betit'een the Toll-Bridge over Newton Creek, and
the Fajl Land of Keziah Tonkin, was read and compared. On the
Queflion,
Refolve d,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hinchman and Mr. Tucker do carry the laid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
Mr. Hinchman reported, That Mr. Hart and himlelf, delivered the
Bill with them Yefterday entrufted, to Mr. Skinner, one , of the
Gentlemen of the Council, the Council not fitting.
Mr.
[ SS ]
Mr. Hinchman reported, That Mr. Tucker and himfelf delivered
the Bill with them entrufled, to the Speaker in Council.
The Bill from the Council, entitled, An Act to extend the Juris-
diction of the feveral Counties in this Colony, which are divided by
Rivers, Creeks, and Bays, was read the third Time. On the
Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart and Mr. Taylor do carry back the faid Bill to
the Council.
' A Meflage from the Council, by Mr. Lawrence, informing the
4 Houfe, That the Council have palled the Bill, entitled, An Act
* to enable fundry of the Owners and Poffeffors of Meadows and Tide
1 Marjh, lying on Englifh'.r Creek, in the County of Burlington, to erecl
* and maintain a Bank, &c. and alfo the Bill, entitled, A Supplementary
* Act to the Acl, entitled, An Act to enable the Owners of the Mea-
1 dows and Marfhes belonging to the Town of Salem, to keep out the
' Tide from overflowing the fame, without any Amendment.
' And Mr. Lawrence alfo brought the Bill, entitled, An Act to
* impower and require the fuflices and Freeholders of the Counties of
' Hunterdon and Suflex to raije the Sum of Fifty Pounds on each County,
4 to be applied towards creeling a Bridge acrofs Mufconetcung Creek,
' near Robert Johnfton'j- Mills, with fundry Amendments made by the
* Council to the fame, defiling the Concurrence of this Houfe to
' the faid Amendments :
Whereupon the faid Bill was read with the Amendments in their
Places, and the Queftion put, Whether the Houfe agrees to the
faid Amendments, or not ? It pafled in the Negative.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price and Mr. Hartfhorne do carry back the faid Bill
and Amendments to the Council, and inform them, That this
Houfe do difagree to the faid Amendments, and adhere to the
Bill.
Mr. Wetherill, from the Committee appointed to that Service,
brought in the Draught of an Anfwer to His Excellency's Melfage
relative to the Arrears ; which Draught was read, and ordered a
fecond Reading.
A Motion made by Mr. Skinner,
Mr. Speaker,
I move for Leave to bring in a Bill for the Recovery of Debts
above Six Pounds, and under Ten Pounds, in the County Courts of
this Colony for fmall Fees.
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner have Leave accordingly ;
Whereupon Mr. Skinner brought in a Bill, entitled, An Actyor the
Speedy recovering of Debts above Six Pounds, and under Ten Pounds,
in the County Courts of this Colony, for fmall Fees, which was read
and ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr.
. [ S6 ]
Mr. Hart reported, That Mr. Taylor and himfelf delivered the
Bill with them entrufted to the Speaker in Council.
The Houfe adjourned till Monday Morning Nine o'Clock
Monday, December 16, 1771.
The Houfe met.
The Petition from Ephraim Phillips, the Gaoler, at Burlington,
praying an Addition to the prefent Allowance of Six-pence per Day
for Criminals, was read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That Mr. FifJjer and Mr. Berrien do prepare and bring in a Bill
for a further Allowance to the feveral Gaolers throughout this Colony,
for the Maintenance of Crown Prifoners.
The Erigrofled Bill, entitled, An Act to impoiver certain Perfons therein
named to r aife a Sum of Money by Subscription, or by Taxation, to
rebuild, and keep in repair, the Bridge over Raritan River near Bound
Brook, knoivli by the name of Queen's Bridge, was read and compared ;
on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. FifJjer and Mr. Tucker do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
Mr. Price reported, that Mr. Hartjhorne and himfelf delivered the
Bill and Amendments with them entrufted, on Saturday laft, to the
Speaker in Council.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act for the Support of Government
of His Majeflys Colony of New-Jerfey, to commence thtfirjl Day of
October One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Seventy-one, and to end the
firft Day oj October One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Seventy-ttuo,
and to difcharge the public Debts and contingent Charges thereof, was
read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the lame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Wet her ill, Mr. Miller and Mr. Pax/on, do
carry the faid Bill to the Council for Concurrence.
' A Meflage from the Council by Mr. Skinner informing the Houfe,
4 That the Council have pafled the Bill, entitled, An Act declaring the
4 River Delaware a common Highivay, and for improving the Navigation
4 in the faid River, without any Amendment,
' And another Meflage from the Council by Mr. Skinner, acquaint-
' ing the Houfe, that the Council do adhere to their Amendments
4 made to the Bill, entitled, An Act to impo%i>er and require the
4 Jujlices and Freeholders of the Counties of Hunterdon and Suflex to
4 raife the Sum of Fifty Pounds on each County, &c.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The,
[ 57 ]
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to rebuild and hereafter to repair
and amend the Bridge over Stony Brook, near Worth 's Mill, was read
and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Runyon and Mr. Taylor, do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
Mr. Learning reported, That the other Gentlemen and himfelf deliver-
ed the Support Bill, according to Order, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Fi/Jjer reported, That Mr. Tucker and himfelf delivered the
Bill, with them entrufted to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Runyon reported, That Mr. Taylor and himfelf delivered the
Bill, with them entrufted to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Hart and Mr. Tucker, with Leave of the Houfe, brought in a
Bill, entitled, An Act to enable and direct the Jujlices and Freeholders,
of the County of Hunterdon, to raife the Sum of Fifty Pounds ; and the
Jujlices and Freeholders, of the County of Suffex, to raife the like Sum of
Fifty Pounds ; to be applied towards completing a Bridge acrofs Muf-
conetcung Creek, near Robert JohnftonV Mills ; which was read, and
ordered a fecond Reading.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee appointed to fettle the late Barrack-
Mafters Accounts, made the following Report, viz.
The Province of Neuu-Jerfey, to Reuben Runyon, one of the Barrack-
Maftcrs for the Neiv-Brunfwick Barracks,
Dr. Cr.
To Wood and fundry Ar-
ticles fupplied for the Ufe
of the Netv-Brunf-wick
Barracks, per Vouchers
examined and allowed, —
To one Year's Salary as Bar-
rack-Mailer, ending the
October, 1770.
295 : 15
/• 3°5 : '5 : I0
1769.
Dec. 23. By Cam received of S.
Skinner, Efq; Eaft-
ern Treafurer, — 1 00 : o
1770.
Mar. 23. By ditto, received of
ditto, 100 : O
Aug. 4. By ditto, received of
ditto,
Balance due to Reuben Runyon,
50 : O : o
55 : 15 : 10
/.305 : 15 : 10
WE, the Committee to whom the Settlement of the Barrack-Mafters Accounts was referred,
do report, That we have examined the Vouchers relative to the aboie Account, and
find a Balance due to Reuben Run\on of Fifty-five Pounds Fifteen Shillings and Ten-pence.
We do further Report, that in the Account laid before us, by the faid Reuben Runyon, there
are feveral Articles, amounting to £, 12 : %•'. I, for which no Vouchers have appeared to us ;
a Lift of which Articles is herewith delivered in, and which, as no Vouchers have been pro-
duced to us, we don't think ourfelves authorized to allow in Account : All which is fubmitted.
Burlington, December 14, 1771.
JAMES P A R K E R,
JOHN LAWRENCE,
JOHN HART,
JOHN D E M A R E S T,
JOHN H I N C H M A N.
A Lift
[ 5« ]
A Lift of Articles charged in Reuben Runyons Account, againfl the
Province, for which no Vouchers have been produced, viz.
1769. Oclober 3. Rope for Barrack Well, £. o : 9:9
25. Mending Forms and Hoop-Pails, O : 10 : 6
Making and mending Forms, — Board Nails, 1 : 10:0
Boards and Labour and Nails, — Barrack Fence, — 1 : 5:0
Marring. Boards, Labour and Nails, — Barrack Fence, o: 7:0
April 10. Bo.irds, Labour, — Barrack Wood, yd. 1 : 3:0
Boards, Labour and Nails, — Barrack Gate, o : 10:6
May — To Labour, — my own Hands, 4 : 0:6
25. To cleaning Chimneys, 1:11:8
To White-warn Brufnes, O : 10:6
June — To making Forms, Boards, Nails, 1:10:0
Augtift 22. To Boards, Nails, and Labour Barrack Fence, o : 14:0
At 8/. the Oz. — £. 14 : 2:5
/. 14 : 2 : 5, at 8 s. the Oz. is Proclamation, £. 12 : 2:1
JAMES PARKER,
JOHN H J NCH M AN.
Ordered,
That the faid Articles, amounting to £. 12 : 2 : 1, be further exa-
mined into at the next Sefhon of AfTembly at Amboy.
Mr. Learning, by Order of the Houfe, brought in a Bill, entitled,
An A6t for defraying Incidental Charges ; which was read, and ordered
a iecond Reading.
Mr. Fi/Jjer, from the Committee appointed to that Service, brought
in a Bill, entitled, An Act to grant further Allowance to the federal
Sheriffs of this Colony, for the Subfjlence of Prifoners confined for Felony
and other Crimes ; which was read, and ordered to be read a fecond
Time.
The MefTage to His Excellency was read the fecond Time ; and,
upon the Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engrofTed.
NAYS.
Mr. Skinner,
Mr. Fifier,
Mr. Berrien,
Mr. Denarcjl,
Mr. He-w lings,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Price,
Mr. Hart.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Speedy recovering of Debts above
Six Pounds, and under Ten Pounds, in the Inferior Courts of Common
Pleas of this Colony, for fmall Fees ; was read the fecond Time, and
committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
The EngrofTed MefTage to His Excellency was read and compared,
and the fame is as follows, viz.
House of Assembly, Dec. 16. 177 1.
Ordered,
THAT Mr. Tucker and Mr. Dey do wait on His Excellency and
acquaint him, That this Houfe hath confidered His Excellency's
MefTage of the 7th Inftant, touching the Supply of the Troops lately
quartered in this Colony, and is flill of Opinion, that this Houfe
cannot comply with that Pv.equifition without occafioniug new Taxes :
That
YEAS.
YEAS.
Mr. Wetherill,
Mr. Miller,
Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Learning
Mr. Hartjhorne,
Mr. Hand,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Dey,
Mr. Paxfon,
[ 59 ]
That the Treafury is now fo nearly exhaufted, that it's necefTary to call
in all the outstanding Arrears due thereto ; and even with that Supply,
and the borrowing £. iooo. applied by Law to another Ufe, it will
be difficult to collect Money fufficient for Support of Government,
fo as to make the Payments at the Periods they will become due :
That the Paper Money Bill being condemned in England, deprives
this Colony of every Refource fave that of Taxes : That this Houfe
is fincerely concerned to be fo often preifed by His Excellency on that
Head, as we know it would be extremely difagreeable to the good
People we reprefent, to have new Taxes added to the heavy ones they
muft annually pay, on Account of the late War.
By Order of the Houfe,
RICHARD SMITH, Clerk.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Thomas Tindal and
James Clark the Younger, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned,
was read the fecond Time, and upon the Queftion agreed to, and or-
dered to be engroffed.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock, To-morrow Morning.
Tuejday, December 17, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
Mr. Tucker reported, That Mr. Dey and himfelf delivered the Mef-
fage with them entrusted, to His Excellency, who was pleafed to fay,
that he would take the fame into Consideration.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to enforce the Payment of feveral old
Arrears due to the Treafury of New-Jerfey, was read the fecond Time,
and upon the Queftion agreed to, and ordered to be engroifed.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Thomas Tin-
dal and James Clark the Younger, and for other Purpofes therein menti-
oned, was read and compared. On the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner and Mr. Hart do carry the faid Bill to the Coun-
cil for Concurrence.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to enable and direct the Juf ices and Freehold-
ers, of the County of Hunterdon, to raife the Sum of Fifty Pounds ;
and the Jujlices and Freeholders, of the County of SufTex, to raife the
like Sum of Fifty Pounds ; to be applied toivards completing a Bridge
acrofs Mufconetcung Creek, near Robert Johnfton'j Mills ; was read the
fecond Time, and upon the Queftion agreed to, and ordered to be
engroffed.
The Houfe took into Consideration the Petition from Jofeph Borden,
Ifaac Pearfon, and Robert Pearfon, referred from laft Sellion, praying
a Law to repair and maintain the Bridge over Crofpwicks Creek by
way of Toll, or by public Charge.
Ordered^
[ 6° ]
Ordered,
That the Petitioners do give public Notice at leafl fix Weeks before
the next Seilion of Alfembly for doing public Bufinefs, in what Manner
they propofe to repair and maintain the laid Bridge, and if no reafbn-
able Objection (hall then appear againft the fame, that they haveLeave
to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to enable and direcl the Jufti-
ces and Freeholders, of the County of Hunterdon, to raife the Sum of
Fifty Pounds ; and the Jujlices and Freeholders, of the County of
Suffex, to ra'ife the like Sum of Fifty Pounds ; to be applied towards
completing a Bridge acrofs Mufconetcung Creek, near Robert Johnfton'j
Mills ; was read and compared ; on the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart and Mr. Hinchman, do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee appointed to fettle the late Barrack-
Mafters Accounts, and the Public Lottery Accounts, made the fol-
lowing Reports ; to which the Houfe agreed, viz.
The Province of Neiv-Jeifey, to Abraham Hunt, one of the Bar-
rack-Matters for the Trenton Barracks,
Dr.
Cr.
To Sundries fupplied for Re-
pairs, and for the Ufe of
the Barracks, from Octo-
ber, 1765, to March,
1 77 1, per Vouchers ex-
amined and allowed. —
To fourYears Salary as Bar-
rack-Matter, from Octo-
ber, 1765, to Oclober,
1769, at /. 10 per An-
num,
To one Year's Salary, from
Ottober, 1769, to Oclo-
ter, 1770,
25 : O : lOi
40 : o :
/. 70 : o : io|
By fundry Neceflaries be-
longing to the Barracks,
fold at public Vendue,
and Rent received of fun-
dry Perfons, from April,
1766, to April, 1 771,
per Account,
21 : 10 : 10:
Balance due to Abraham Hunt, 48 ? 10 :
/. 70 : o : 10 £
WE, the Committee appointed to fettle the Barrack-Matters Accounts, do report, That ve
have examined, and compared the above Account with the Vouchers, and do find the
above Balance of Forty-eight Pounds Ten Shillings, due to Abraham Hunt.
Burlington, December 16, 1 771.
JAMES P 4 R K E R,
JOHN LAWRENCE,
JOHN HART,
JOHN HINCHMAN,
JOHN D E M ARE ST.
The
[ <Si ]
Tbe Province of New-Jerfey, to Alexander Chambers, one of the
Barrack-Mafters for the Trenton Barracks,
Dr. Cr-
By Cafh received of fundry
Perfons, for Rent of the
Barracks, from the 28th
Day of April, 1768, to
the 2 1 ft of Oftober, 1 77 1, — 9: 8:0
Balance due to Alexander Chambers, 26 : 3:6
To Sundries fupplied for
Repairs of the Barracks,
per Vouchers examined
and allowed,
To three Years Salary as
Barrack-Mafter.from the
7th Oftober, 1766, to the
7th Oftober, 1769, at
£. 10 per Annum,
^Toone Year's Salary as Bar-
rack-Mafter, ending the
7th Oftober, 1770,
3°
5
o . o
o : O
£. 36: 11 :6
/. 36 : 1 1 : 6
WE, the Committee appointed to fettle the Barrack-Mafters Accounts, do report, That
we have examined and compared the above Account with the Vouchers, and do find a
Balance of T<wenty-fix Pounds, Three Shillings and Six-pence, due to Alexander Chambers.
Burlington, December 16, 1 77 1.
JAMES PARKER,
JOHN LAWRENCE,
JOHN HART,
JOHN H INC H MAN,
JOHN D E M ARE ST.
WE, the Committees appointed to fettle the Accounts of the
Managers of the Province Lotteries, do report, That no Ac-
counts have been laid before us but by Mr. Ft/her, one of the
Managers ; from an Infpeclion of which we are of Opinion, That
an Account of one of the Managers cannot be properly reported
without comparing it with the Whole, as we conceive the Accounts
muft vouch for each other. And as, from the belt Information
we can obtain, there will be a Confiderable Balance due to the
Province, We beg Leave to fuggeft to the Houfe, that the propereft
Method to be taken to complete the Settlement of faid Accounts,
would be by a Committee appointed for that Purpofe, with Power to
appoint a Day for all the Managers, or their Reprefentatives, to meet
together, at fome Place appointed by them, and to make Report there-
on at the next Seflions of Aflembly : All which is humbly fubmitted.
JAMES PARKER,
Burlington, Dec. 16, 1771. JOHN LAWRENCE,
JOHN HART,
JOHN H INCH MAN,
JOHN DEMAREST.
y
The Houfe taking the foregoing Report, relative to the Lottery
Accounts, into Confideration,
Ordered.
That the faid Committee do fettle the faid Accounts, and make
Report, as foon as poflible, to this or the next Seffion of Aflembly.
CL The
[ 6z ]
The Bill, entitled, An Act to enable the Proprietors and Otvners
of the Meadows and Sivamps lying on Pinch-Ditch, dug by Moles
Young, Black-Brook, and Part of Whiponong River, in the County
of Morris, to clear, deepen, and dig Ditches, for the more effectual
draining the Meadows and Sivamps adjoining the fame, arid Jor other
Purpofes therein mentioned, was read the fecond Time, and, on the
Queftion, agreed to, and ordered to be engrafted.
Mr. Hart reported, That Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the
Bill with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Petitions of Martin Ryerfon and Thomas Reading, feverally, were
read the fecond Time.
Ordered,
That the lame do lie on the Table.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
JTednefday, December 18, 1 77 I .
The Houfe met.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to enforce the Payment offeveral
old Arrears due to the Treafury of New-Jerfey, was read and compared.
On the Queftion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Price and Mr. Hand do carry the faid Bill to the Council
for Concurrence.
Mr. Skinner reported, That Mr. Hart and himfelf delivered the Ei'.l
with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Price reported, That Mr. Hand and himfelf delivered the Bill
with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to grant further Allowance to the feveral
Sheriffs oj this Colony, for the Subfifance of Prifoners confined for Felony
and other Crimes, was read the fecond Time, and, upon the Queflion,
agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.
The feveral Petitions relative to the Line between Keiv-York and Neiv-
Jeifey, were read the fecond Time, and referred to the next Sefhon of
Affembly.
The Petition from the Townfhip of Bridgetvater, in the County of
Somerfet, praying a Repeal of the Act for maintaining their Roads by
Tax, was read the fecond Time ; on the Queftion,
Ordered,
That the fame do lie on the Table.
The Petition from Samuel Nicholfon and others, for an Act to regulate
certain Meadows in Elfinborough, in the County of Salem, was read the
fecond Time,
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill for the Purpofe at
next Seftion of Affembly for doing public Bufmefs, provided they give
public
[ 63 ]
public Notice thereof at leaft fix Weeks before the faid Seflion, and that
no reafonable Objection fhall then appear againft the fame.
Mr. Fi/Jjer, from the Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for re-
gulating Roads and Bridges, reported, That the Committee had not
been able as yet to go through the Matter to them referred, and defired
further Time for that Purpofe.
Ordered,
That the Committee do bring in the faid Bill at the next Seflion.
The Managers for the Culture of Silk, having fent to the Speaker
an Account of the Cocoons purchafed at the Filature in Philadel-
phia, from 25th June to the 15th of Augufl, 177 1 ; the fame was
read, and the Houfe being of Opinion that the Culture of Silk is
a Matter of great Confequence to the Intereft of this Colony ; for
the Information and Encouragement of the Inhabitants of this
Colony,
Ordered,
That the faid Account be inferted in the Minutes of this Houfe ;
and the fame is as follows.
COCOONS purchafed at //.?£ Filature in Philadelphia, from June 25,
to July 3, 1 77 1.
OF fundry Perfons,
Of do. do.
Of do. do.
John Roberts, Philadelphia County,
John Burgefs, Bucks,
Edward Gibbs, Jerfey,
Jofeph Lippincott, Jerfey,
Moles Patterfon, Kent on Delaware,
James Barns, of Bucks County,
Rachel Perry, do. do.
Grace Beale, Chefter County, - —
Rhoda Hibbort, Jerfey,
Thomas Dutton, do.
William Hall, Philadelphia,
John Bigonie, Philadelphia County,
Mary Parker, Darby, -
Grace Fiih, Jerfey,
Ifaac Hornor, do.
Elizabeth Atkinfon, do.
Sarah Bifpham, do.
Mary Pearfon, Darby,
Elizabeth Peacock, Jerfey,
Lyndon Brown, Bucks County,
Adam Luz, Philadelphia, —
Henry Clemens, Jerfey,
Abigail Davis, Chefter,
lb.
oz.
7i
8
29
1 1
12
2
12
13
27
6
4
1
40
6
10
24
8
4
2
11
8
21
9
10
52
2 •
10
v.
44
13
25
61
13
8
21
7
8
15
2,
3
4
6
3
3
S*9
10
Brought
f 64 ]
Brought over, oq
Of Mary Pearfon, Darby, ,£
Jofeph Morgan, Penfawkin, 62
Sarah Fordham, Darby, 5
Mary Branfon, Jerfey, I3 ,
Aquilla Jones, do. 2C? g
lb. oz.
10
12
4
23
Ann Cole, do. - ? g
Seneca Lucan, Philadelphia County— 30 8
Samuel Davis, Lancafter, 7 g
John Afbridge, do. j, JQ
Hefter Johns, Jerfey, ^ g
Total 817 15
Purchased from July 4th, to July 10th, 1771.
Of John Shivers, Jerfey, . , lQ
Mary Wood, do. , 20
Ann Cochran, Darby, — 2,. I2
Mary Longftreath, Philadelphia County, 17
Rebecca Worrel, Philadelphia, 6
MaryLufh, do. 29
Rachel Hays, Darby, x\ I2
Mary Ofler, Jerfey, 6 g
James Millhoufe, Chefter County, r2
Elizabeth Roberts, Philadelphia County, 1
Sarah Roberts, do. . * 7
Ifaac Newton, Jerfey, i 1Q
Hannah Fenimore, do. g g
Caleb Johnfon, Lancafter, 44
Mary Shoemaker, Philadelphia, 71 6
Hannah Brown, Jerfey, I4
Robert Carle, Pennfylvania, 2 I2
Mary Richardfon, do. i , j f
Elizabeth Patten, do. £ .
Titus Fell, Bucks County, 00
Elizabeth Roberts, Philadelphia, do. 18
Ann Davis, Chefter County, 2 , r
Elizabeth Bonfal, do. - 5
Mary Davis, do. 2
Sarah Dicks, do. 47 ^
John Etwine, Northampton County, no
Francis Miller, Philadelphia County, 13 I3
Total 580 7
From
1
[ 68 ]
From July nth, to the 18th, 177 1.
lb. oz.
Of Catharine Evans, Chefter County, — 14
William Henry, Lancafler, — 16
Mary Jones, Chefter County, 19 12
Prifcilla Fentham, Maryland, 27
Mary Luft, 5
Frederick Walper, — 4 1 1
Jofeph Fifher, — 2 o
Jacob Myers, 3 10
Benjamin Leghman, 9
Total 92 io*
Purchased from July 18th, to July 24th, 1771.
lb. oz.
Of William Henry, Lancafler, 1 8
Sundry Perfons, 7 6
Sarah Wilfon, Philadelphia, 3 8
Ifaac Whitlock, Lancafler, 4 o
Sarah Dutton, Philadelphia County, 10 9
Jane Davis, Chefter, 28 12
Jacob Worral, do. — 2
Mary Thorn, Jerfey, 67 13
Anna Wetherill, do. 4 8
Marmaduke Watfon, 33
Margaret Reiley, Chefter, n ro
Total 1 74 10
From July 25 to Auguft ift, 177 1.
lb. oz.
Of Jofeph Lippincott, Jerfey, 4
Edward Siddon, do. 12 2
John Hoops, Chefter, 23 10
Ifaac Evans, Jerfey, 2 12
Henry Thomas, Chefter, 8 6
Total 47 2
From Auguft 8th, to the ij"th, 177 1.
lb. oz.
Of Nicholas Garrifon, Northampton County, 41 8
lb. oz.
Purchased from June 25 to July 3, 177 1. 817 15
from July 4 to July 10 580 7
from July n to 18 92 ioi
/row 18/0 24, 174 10
from 25 to Auguft ift, 47 2
/ro«j Auguft 8 to Auguft 15th, 41 8
Total 1754 4j
R The
[ 66 ]
The whole Quantity of Cocoons brought to the Filature was
about 23001b.; upwards of 17001b. were bought by the Mana-
gers, the Reft were reeled for the Owners. 6191b. of the 17001b.
were raifed in Neiv-ferfey, and the Proprietors of them, in com-
mon with thofe raifed in Pennfylvania, by way of Encouragement,
received at leaft one-fifth more than the real Value. Befides this,
two-fifths of all the Premiums paid by the Managers, were to Per-
fons in NevJ-Jerfey. Thefe Expences, together with furniihing the
Filature with proper Utenfils, hiring Reelers at very high Wages
to teach others, and fuch Accidents and Difappointments as are
incident to all new Undertakings, have £0 diminiihed their Capital,
that the Managers found it neceflary, to petition the Aflembly of
Pennfylvania, in September laft, for their Aid and Encouragement ;
but as it was near the End of the Year that AfTembly could do no
more, than recommend it to the particular Notice of the fucceeding
Aflembly, as a Matter of very great Confequence to the Interefl of
this Province.
. The prefent AfTembly has not yet met to do Bufinefs, but the
Managers cannot doubt of a hearty Difpofition in the Houfe, to
patronize the Culture of Silk in Pennsylvania. As that is all
which can be expected from them, and the Managers Funds being
too fmall to grant either Bounty, or Premiums, another Year :
Therefore thefe Fads are refpecTfully fubmitted to the Confideration
of the Legiflature of Neiv-Jerfey, hoping fo public fpirited a Defign,
will meet with fuch Encouragement in that Province, as the Trials
already made may feem to warrant.
Philadelphia, Dec. 9, 177 1.
FRANCIS ALISON,
CHARLES MOORE,
BENJAMIN MORGAN,
EDWARD PENINGTON,
ISAAC BARTRAM,
R. STRETTELL JONES,
SAMUEL MILES,
THOMAS CLIFFORD,
ABEL JAMES,
CADWALADER EVANS.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act to grant further Allowance
to the feveral Sheriffs of this Colony, for the Subf fence of Prifoners
confined for Felony and other Crimes, was read and compared. On
the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning and Mr. Paxjon do carry the faid Bill to
the Council for Concurrence.
Mr.
[ 6; ]
Mr. Learning reported, That Mr. Pax/on and himfelf, delivered
the Bill with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
A Meflage from the Council, by Mr. Skinner.
* Council-Chamber, Dec. 18, 1771.
* Ordered,
* That Mr Skinner do carry the Bill, entitled, An Act for the
* Relief of Infolvent Debtors, with the Amendments thereto annexed,
* to the Houfe of AfTembly, and defire their Concurrence to the
* faid Amendments.
4 By Order of the Houfe,
'CHA. P E T T I T, D. Clerk:
Whereupon the faid Bill was read, with the Amendments in their
Places ; and, upon the Queftion,
Ordered,
That Mr. Hart and Mr. Hinchman do carry back the faid Bill,
and Amendments, to the Council, and inform them that this
Houfe agree to all the Amendments, except the 2d, 5th, nth, 41ft,
42d, and 43d ; and, as touching thefe Amendments, that this Houfe
defire a free Conference with the Council thereupon, and that Mr.
Wetherill, Mr. Fijher, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Skinner, Mr. Learning, Mr.
HartfJjorne, Mr Tucker, and Mr. Paxfon, are appointed a Committee,
on the Part of this Houfe, to confer with a Committee of the
Council, and to defire that they will appoint a Committee of their
Houfe, and the Time and Place of Conference.
1 A Melfage from the Council, -by Mr. Parker, informing the
* Houfe, that the Council have paffed the Bill for Support of
* Government.'
A Melfage from the Council, by Mr. Coxe, acquainting the Houfe
that the Council have paffed the five following Bills, without any
Amendment, viz.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the more effectual maintaining and
keeping above the Floiv of the Tide, that Part of the Road or Caufe-
•way betiveen the Toll-Bridge over Newton Creek, and the Fafl Land
of Keziah Tonkin.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to impower certain Perfons therein named,
to raife a Sum of Money by Subfcription, or by Taxation, to rebuild and
keep in Repair the Bridge over Raritan River, near Bound-Brook,
known by the Name of Queen's Bridge.
The Bill, entitled, An Act to rebuild, and hereafter to repair
and amend the Bridge over Stony-Brook, near Worth' j Mill.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Thomas Tindal and
James Clark the Younger, and for other Purpofes therein mentioned.
And the Bill, entitled, An Act to enable and direcl the Juf ices and Free-
holders, of the County of Hunterdon, to raife the Sum of Fifty Pounds;
and the Jujlices and Freeholders, of the County of SufTex, to raife the
like Sum of Fifty Pounds ; to be applied toivards completing a Bridge
acrofs Mufconetcung Creek, near Robert Johnfton'j Mills.
A Petition was prefented to the Houfe and read, from the Town-
fhip
[ &s ]
fliip of Dcerfeld, and another from the Townfhip of Hopewell, in
the County of Cumberland, praying a Law to build a Bridge acrofs
Cohanfey Creek, Straight from the main Street of Bridge-Town, to
the public Landing on the oppofite Side.
Ordered,
That the fame have a fecond Reading.
Mr. Hart reported, That Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered the
Bill and Amendments with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
A Menage from the Council, by Mr. Lawrence.
* Council-Chamber, Dec. 18, 177 1.
' Ordered,
' That Mr. Stevens, Mr. Parker, Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Coxe, be a
Committee to meet a Committee of the Houfe of AfTembly, in
a free Conference on the Amendments made to the Bill, entitled,
An Act for the Relief of Infolvent Debtors ; and that the faid Com-
mittees do meet for that Purpofe, at the Houfe of "John Shaiv,
in Burlington, at feven o'Clock this Evening ; and that Mr. Law-
rence do acquaint the Houfe of Affembly therewith.
' By Order of the Houfe,
'CHA. P E T T I T, D. Clerk:
A Menage from His Excellency, by Mr. Secretary Pettit.
"I
CI
(<
u
" A Message to the A SS EM BL Y.
Gentlemen,
N your MefTage of the i'6th Inftant you acquaint me, that
you are " ftill of Opinion that your Houfe cannot comply
with the Requifition without occasioning new Taxes." This Opinion
is the more extraordinary, as it is a well known Fact, that
excluiive of the Money in the Treafury, and exclufive of the Balances
of fundry Accounts due to the Province, there are Debts afcertained
for which Securities are taken to the Amount of £. 4359 : 2 : 1 1
belides the Intereft. And if we allow only - 1 6co : o : o
as Cafh in the Treafury which may be applied to
the Expences of Government from the firft of Oclo-
ber, the Sum at our Difpofal, exchifive of the above-
mentioned Balances and Interejl, will be - £. S9S9 : 2 : 1 1
" Now if the Support of Government for the enfuing Year ihould
even amount to - - - - £. 2600 : o : o
And there ihould be allowed for the General's Account
for the Supply of the Troops - - - - 418:2:5"
it
" Yet the whole Sum wanted would be but - £. 3018 : 2 : 5
To make up which there need only be called in, within the Year,
about £. 1400 of the £. 4350 : 2 : n and the other outftanding
Debts.
" But fuppofe, Gentlemen, there was not a Farthing in the Treafury,
nor any Debt whatever due to the Province, furely you will not
lay that this Colony cannot bear an Addition of Three Thoufand
Pounds a Year to it's prefent Taxes, which, although you are
" pleafed
[■«*']
" pleafed to call them heavy, do not amount to above Siic-pence in
" the Pound on fo low a Valuation of the Capital as does not
" much, if anything, exceed the annual Rent or Income : More
tl especially when you confider that fome of the neighbouring G o-
" vernments, who make no fuch Complaints, have long paid Taxes
" to at leafi four Times that Amount, without having been ex-
" empted for near five Years from Taxes as we were by the
V Parliamentary Donation.
" As to the Paper Money Bill, you well know it was difallowed
" as being inconiiitent with the Act of Parliament. But it is not
" impracticable, I think, to frame one in fuch a Manner as mall
" obviate that Objection, and yet anfwer the fame falutary Purpofcs.
" Your Houfe cannot be more " fincerely concerned at being fo
" often prefled " to comply with the Requihtion for the Troops than
" I am at your putting me fo often under the Neceflity of doing it
" by your Non-compliance. However, Gentlemen, let me intreat
" you once more, for the Sake of the Publick, to refume the Confide-
" ration of this Matter, and put an End to all further Altercation
" about it, by granting the Money required. So fmall a Sum as
" £.418 cannot hurt the Good People you reprefent ; and if we
" may judge from there being only a Majority of one in your Houle
" againft the Meafure, and the Probability that even the Majority
*' would be on the other Side if all the Members were prefent, there
" is not much Reafon to fuppofe your Compliance would be fo
" extremely difagreeable " to your Conftituents as you feem to appre-
" hend. But let that be as it will, if you perfilt in your Refufal,
11 the Province rnuft. neceiTarily be put to a much greater Expence
" than the Sum demanded, for I muft perfevere in making the
11 Requifition, and, if it is not granted, prorogue you in order that
" you may have Time for due Consideration of your Conduct, and
" in Hopes that you will be induced to alter it.
" Burlington Dec. 18th, 1771.
W. FRANKLIN."
Ordered,
That His Excellency's Menage have a fecond Reading.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock, To-morrow Morning.
Thurfday, December 19, 1771.
The Houfe met.
The EngrolTed Bill, entitled, An Act to enable the Proprietors and
Poffejjors of the Meadoivs and Sivamps lying on Pinch-Ditch, Black-
Brook, and Part of Whiponong River, in the County of Morris, to
clear, deepen, and dig Ditches, for the more ejfeclnal draining the
faid Meadoivs and Sivamps, and for other Purpofcs therein mentioned,
was read and compared. On the Queftion,
Refolved,
That the fame do pafs
S Ordered,
[ 70 ]
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr, Price do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
Mr. Wetherill, from the Committee appointed to meet a Committee
of the Council, in a free Conference on the Bill for Relief of in-
folvent Debtors, and the Amendments thereto made by the Council,
to which the Houfe difagreed, reported,
That they had met in a free Conference, at the Time and Place
appointed by the Council ; That the Committees had agreed to an
Amendment of the Council's fecond Amendment, and an additional
Claufe to prevent Creditors fecured by Mortgage, Pledge, or other
Security, whereby they will or may have a Preference, from being
deemed petitioning Creditors ; and to an Amendment to follow the
1 9th Section ; and that the Council had receded from their Amend-
ment touching the Continuance of the faid Act, and had agreed
to a Limitation of five Years ; That the Committee had alfo con-
ferred upon a Claufe repealing the prefent Infolvent Act, but the
Committee of the Council not being inflructed on that Head, had
promifed to inform the Council thereof ; and that this Houfe
ihould be fatisfied on that Matter, either by the Council's pafling
the repealing Act fent up, or amending the prefent Bill, by adding
a repealing Claufe.
Mr. Tucker reported, That Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the
Bill with them entrufled, to the Speaker in Council.
A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Skinner.
' Council-Chamber, Dec. 19, 1 77 1.
' Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner do carry the Bill, entitled, An Act for the
' Relief of Infohent Debtors, to the Houfe of AfTembly, together
1 with the Amendments to the faid Bill, propofed by the Committees
' of both Houfes, in a free Conference, and agreed to by this
* Houfe. .
' By Order of the Houfe,
' C H A. P E T T I T, D. Clerk:
Ordered,
That the faid Bill as amended and agreed upon by both Houfes
be re-engrofled.
The Houfe, according to Order, refolved itfelf into a Committee
of the whole Houfe on the Bill, entitled, An Act for the Speedy
recovering of Debts from Six Pounds to Ten Pounds, in the Inferior
Courts of Common Pleas of this Colony, for Jm a! I Fees, and after fome
Time fpent therein, Mr. Speaker rcfumed the Chair, and Mr. Fifhery
Chairman of the Committee, reported, That the Committee had
gone through the Bill, and had made fundry Amendments thereto,
which he was ready to report whenever the Houfe will pleafe to
receive the lame.
Ordered,
That the Report be made immediately;
Whereupon
C 71 ]
Whereupon Mr. Fi/her reported the faid Bill and Amendments,
and the fame being read in their Places ; on the Queflion,
Ordered,
That the Bill as amended be engroffed.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The two Petitions from Deerfield and Hopewell, in the County of
Cumberland, praying a Law for building a Bridge over Cohanfey Creek,
were read the fecond Time ;
Ordered,
That the Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill at the next
Seffion of Affembly for doing public Bufinefs, provided they give
public Notice thereof at leaft fix Weeks before the Seflion, and no
reafonable Objection fhall then appear againfl the fame.
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'clock To-morrow Morning.
Friday December 20, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
The EngrofTed Bill, entitled, An Act for the Speedy recovering of
Debts from Six Pounds to Ten Pounds, in the Inferior Courts of com-
mon Pleas of this Colony, for fmall Fees, was read and compared ;
On the Queflion,
Refolded,
That the fame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner and Mr. Price do carry the faid Bill to the
Council for Concurrence.
A MelTage from the Council by Mr. Lawrence, informing the
Houfe that the Council have paffed the three following Bills, with-
out any Amendment, viz.
The Bill, entitled, An Acl to enforce the Payment of feveral old Ar-
rears due to the Treafury of New-Jerfey.
The Bill, entitled, An Acl to grant further Allowance to the feveral
Sheriffs of this Colony for the Subfiflence of Prifoners, &c. And
The Bill, entitled, An Acl: to enable the Proprietors and Pojjefbrs
of the Meadows and Swamps lying on Pinch Ditch, &c.
His Excellency's Meffage of Wednefday lafl, relative to the Demand
made for the Troops quartered in this Colony, was read the fecond Time ;
and, on the Queflion, Whether the Houfe will refume the Confideration
of the faid Demand or not \ It was carried in the Affirmative.
The Houfe thereupon refumed the Confideration of the faid De-
mand, and, on the Queflion, Whether the Houfe will allow Some-
thing or Nothing \ It was carried for Something, as follows, viz.
YEAS. NAYS.
Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Wetberill,
Mr. Price, Mr. Runyon,
Mr.' Miller, Mr. Hart home,
Mr. Learning, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Hart, ' Mr. Bey,
Mr. Tucker. Mr. Paxfon,
Mr. Hand.
Thereupon
or
Nothing
Y
E A S.
Mr.
Skinner,
Mr.
Fifloer,
Mr.
Berrien,
Mr.
Demarejl,
Mr.
Healings,
Mr.
Smith,
[ 7* ]
Thereupon Refolved,
That the Sum of £. 318 : o : 6 be allowed.
YEAS.
Mr. Skinner,
Mr. Fijher,
Mr. Berrien,
Mr. Dentarcji,
Mr. Heiulings,
Mr. Sw/V/S,
YEAS.
Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Price,
Mr. /¥//Arr,
Mr. Learning,
Mr. /for/,
Mr. Tucker.
NAYS.
Mr. Wetherill,
Mr. Runyon,
Mr. Taylor,
Mr. Zty,
Mr. Pax/on,
Mr. #W.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning and Mr. Skinner be a Committee to prepare and
bring in the Draught of an Anfwer to His Excellency's Meifage above-
mentioned.
Mr. Hartfljorne, being indifpofed, had Leave of Abfence during the
Remainder of the Seflion.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
The Bill re-engrofled, with the Amendments, agreed upon by the
Council and this Houfe, entitled, An Act for the Relief of Infolvent
Debtors, having been read and compared,
Ordered,
That Mr. Speaker do fign the fame.
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner and Mr. Price do carry the fame to the Council.
Mr. Hart, from the Committee appointed to fettle the late Bar-
rack-Mailers Accounts, made the following Report, to which the
Houfe agreed, viz.
WE, the Committee appointed to fettle the Barrack-Mafters
Accounts, do report, That we have examined the Account
of Edivard Thomas, one of the Barrack-Mafters for the Barracks at
Elizabeth-Town, and compared it with the Vouchers, by which we
find that he has expended and laid out in Repairs, for the faid Bar-
racks, the Sum of Ten Pounds Tivo Shillings and Three-pence.
Burlington Dec. 20, 1 7 7 1 .
James Parker,
John Lawrence,
John Hart,
John Hinchman,
John Demarest.
Mr. Skinner reported, That Mr. Price and himfelf, delivered the
two Bills with them entrufted, to the Speaker in Council.
Mr. Learning, from the Committee appointed to that Service,
brought in the Draught of a Meffage to His Excellency, which
was read, amended in the Houfe, and, upon the Queftion, agreed
to, and ordered to be engrailed.
The Engrafted Melfage to His Excellency was read and compared,
and the fame is as follows, viz.
Ordered,
[ 11 ]
Ordered,
That Mr. Skinner and Mr. Hinchman do wait on His Excellency and
inform him, That this Houfe have, upon His Excellency's Meffage
of the 1 8th, refumed the Confideration of the Demand made by
His Excellency on the 7th Inftaut relative to the Troops quartered
in the Barracks of this Colony ; and after mature Deliberation
have refolved to allow the Sum of £. 318 : o : 6, and will make ^
Provifion by Law for the Payment of die fame ; that the Articles
charged for a Wood IfTuer the Houfe cannot think reafonable,
and therefore have difallowed. That the Pay of the Barrack-Mafter
the Houfe cannot allow, not only becaufe < it is a very high Charge,
but alfo that, in their Opinion, the paying him ought not to be
required of them, he being an Officer of the Army, and confequently
^provided for by the Crown. That the Houfe, to evince their Dif-
pofition to Peace and Harmony between the Branches of the
Legiflature, and in Obedience to a Requifition they look upon as
from their Sovereign, to whom they always have and will by every
Ac~r. in their Power fhew their Duty and Affection, have granted
every admimble Article of the Requifition : And as the Burthen of
maintaining Troops in this Colony is a Charge the Houfe are of
Opinion is unequal, they rcqueft and have a Confidence that His
Excellency will fully reprcfent to His Majefty's Minifters the great
Debt the Colony now lies under incurred by the late War, and
that their Conftituents may be relieved from the Burthen of main-
taining Troops for the future.
By Order of the Houfe,
RICHARD SMITH, Clerk.
Mr. Skinner reported, That Mr. Hinchman and himfelf, delivered
the Meffage of the Houfe to His Excellency.
Mrs. Hannah De Cow, Daughter-in-Law of Ifaac De Cow, Efq;
deceafed, one of the Signers of the Bills of Credit, dated March
25th, 1737, by Abraham Heivlings and. Henry Paxfon, Efquires, laid
before this Houfe a Bundle of Bills, fome of them dated March
25, 1737, and figned by Ifaac De Coiv only.
Ordered,
That Mr. Learning, Mr. Fifjjer, Mr. Paxfon, and Mr. Price be a
Committee to join a Committee of the Council, to infpecf and
count the fame, and enquire into the Circumftances thereof, and
the Ufes they were printed for, and, if they find Caufe, to burn
the fame, and report their Proceedings therein to the Houfe.
Ordered,
That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Dey do inform the Council thereof,
and defire them to appoint a Committee for that Purpofe, and a
Time and Place of Meeting.
The Bill, entitled, An Act for defraying incidental Charges, was
read the fecond Time, and, upon the Queftion, agreed to, and or-
dered to be engroifed.
The Engroifed Bill, entitled, An A<Sifor defraying incidental Charges,
was read and compared. On the Queftion,
T Refolved,
[ 74 ]
Refolvcd,
That the lame do pafs.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Smith do carry the faid Bill to the
Couneil for Concurrence.
Mr. Berrien reported, That Mr. Smith and himfelf, delivered
the Bill with them entrusted, to the Speaker in Council.
A MefTage from His Excellency, by Mr. Secretary Pettit.
" A Message to the ASSEMBLY.
" Gentlemen;
(,(, \ S the Money due to the Treafury, if it fhould be all collected
J~\ " in, would probably not be more than enough to an-
fwer all the Exigencies of Government for another Year after the
one you have provided for by your prefent Support Bill ; and
as you have (for good Reafons I fuppofe) thought proper to allow
a longer Time for the Paying in Part of thofe Debts than you
at firft intended, I fubmit it to your Confideration, whether it
would not be mod expedient for you at this Sefhon to prepare
and pafs a Bill for fupplying the Treafury with a Sufficient Sum
of Money to anfwer the publick Purpofes of the Province for
the fucceeding Years. — You muft be fenfible, Gentlemen, that it
may poffibly happen, notwithstanding the prefent Profpect, that
the Money outstanding may not all be received into the Treafury
in due Time, and that it is by no Means prudent for any
Government to rifque the having it's Treafury totally exhaufted.
The fooner fuch Provifion is made the more Time your Constituents
will have to prepare themielves for it, and the better it muft
likewife be on many other Accounts which need not be mentioned
as they will readily occur to you whenever this Matter comes
under your Confideration.
" Dec. 2.0th, 177 1.
"WILLIAM FRANKLI N."
Which was read, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
Mr. Tucker reported, That Mr. Dey and himfelf delivered the
MefTage of the Houfe, according to Order, to the Speaker in Council.
A MefTage from the Council, by Mr. Skinner.
' Council-Chamber, Dec. 20, 1 77 1 .
' Ordered,
* That Mr. Parker, and Mr. Stevens be a Committee to join a
' Committee of the Houfe of AfTembly to infpect and count certain
' Bills of Credit laid before the Houfe of AfTembly by Mr. Headings
' and Mr. Pax/on, and enquire into the Circumstances thereof,
' and the Ufes they were printed for, and if they find Caufe, to
* burn the fame, and report their Proceedings therein to the Houfe.
' That the faid Committees do meet for the Purpofes aforefaid, at
' the Houfe of John Shaiv, in Burlington, at feven o'clock this
' Evening.
[ 75 ]
' Evening. And that Mr. Skinner do acquaint the Houfe of Aflem-
1 bly therewith.
' By Order of the Houfe,
' C H A. P E T T I T, D. Clerk:
The Houfe adjourned till Nine o'Clock To-morrow Morning.
Saturday December 21, 1 77 1 .
The Houfe met.
Mr. Learning, from the Committee Yefterday appointed for the Pur-
pofe, made the following Report ; to which the Houfe agreed.
The Committees of the Council and Affembly appointed to infpect
the Bills of Credit laid before the Houfe of Affembly by Mrs.
Hannah De Coiv, proceeded to examine the faid Bills, and find
them all dated March 25, 1737 ; fome of them being figned by
Jfaac De Coiv, Efq. only, and the Refidue not figned.
Upon infpecHng the laft £. 40,000 Act do find there was ordered
to be printed £ 10,000 for exchanging ragged and torn Bills, and
by the 3 2d Section thereof, one Half Part was to be lodged in die
Hands of one of the Signers in the Weftern Divifion (not being
Treafurer) by him to be figned occafionally, of which the Committees
have good Reafon to believe the aforefaid Bills are Part, and there-
fore the Committees caufed them to be burned according to Law ;
their Amount being as follows :
1 Bill
1 do.
£6:
0
— 3 :
0
132 :
0
156:
0
128 :
8
- 65:
H
o4 •
— -5 '•
1
- 17 :
14
88 do. — 30 j. each —
208 do. — 15 J. do. —
214 do. — 12 S.
219 do. — 6 s. —
230 do. — 3.C —
334 do. — \s.6d.
354 do- — l s-
£068: 7
December 20, 1 77 1 .
By Order of the Committees,
John Stevens,
a a ro n le am i ng.
' A Meflage from the Council by Mr. Laivrence informing the
' Houfe, That the Council have palled the Bill, entitled, An Act for
' defraying Incidental Charges, without any Amendment.'
His Excellency's Meflage of Yefterday, concerning the Supply of the
Treafury, was read the fecond Time ; on the Queftion, Whether this
Houfe will go into providing Ways and Means for fupplying the
Treafury
[ 7« ]
Treafury at this Time or not I It paffed in the Negative as fol-
lows, -viz.
YEAS. NAYS. NAYS.
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Wctherill, Mr. Pax/cn,
Mr. Fijher, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Hinchman,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Taylor, Mr. /V/Vf,
Mr. Tucker. Mr. D^, Mr. Miller,
Mr. Hcwlings, Mr. Learning,
Mr. 5»u7j, Mr. /raW,
Mr. //urt.
Whereupon the Draught of a Menage to His Excellency v/as read,
and the fame as agreed to by the Houfe is as follows, viz.
Ordered y
That Mr. Miller and Mr. Tucker do wait upon His Excellency
and inform him, That the Houfe have taken His Excellency's
'Menage of Yefterday into Confideration, and are fenfible that Ways
and Means muft be fallen upon for the Support of Government
after the Expiration of the prefent Year, yet they hope, when His
Excellency confiders that three Counties are not fully reprefented,
he will be pleafed to give the Province a new Reprefentation before
there may be a Neceffity of levying additional Taxes on the People.
Mr. Miller reported, That Mr. Tucker and himfelf delivered the
Meffage of the Houfe, according to Order, to His Excellency.
The Houfe adjourned till Two, P. M.
The Houfe met.
Ordered,
That Mr. Hewlinjs and Mr. Hinchman do wait on His Excellency
and inform him, That the Houfe have taken into Confideration his
Meffage of the 29th Day of November laft pail, relative to the Appli-
cation made to His Excellency by fome of the Indians fettled at
Brotherton, for Leave to leafe out their Proportion of the Lands for
a Term of Years ; and that, as the Lands at Brotherton were purchaf-
ed, and originally intended to be referved for the Indians, and not to
be aliened, it is the Opinion of this Houfe, that granting the Requefl
of the Indians will anfwer no good Purpofe, but rather tend to defeat
the Intentions of the Legiflature in making that Purchafe.
Mr. Headings reported, That Mr. Hinchman and himfelf delivered
the Meffage of the Houfe, to His Excellency.
Ordered,
That Mr. Berrien and Mr. Smith do go to the Council and enquire
whether they have any Buiineis before them, if not, That this Houfe
propofes to apply to His Excellency for a Difmiffion.
Mr. Berrien reported, That Mr. Smith and himfelf went to the
Council, according to Order, who laid the Houle fhould hear from
them.
' A Meffage from the Council by Mr. Coxe, informing the Houfe,
' That the Council have paffed the Bill, entitled, An Act for the Speedy
' Recovery of Debts from Six Pounds to Ten Pounds, &c. without any
' Amendment.'
Refolved,
[ 77 }
Refolded,
That this Houfe will make Provifiori, at the next Seflion of Af-
fembly, for fuch Council Fees as fhall be necefTary to be given by
the Attorney-General to two Council to be engaged by him to af-
fift in profecuting the Demands of the Colony againft the Eftate of
the late Col. Peter Schuyler.
1 A Meflage from the Council by Mr. Coxe , informing the Houfe,
' That the Council have Nothing before them.'
Ordered,
That Mr. Dey and Mr. Hart do wait upon His Excellency and
inform him, That the Houfe have gone through the Bufinefs be-
fore them, and dehre His Excellency will pleafe to difmils them.
Mr. Dey reported, That Mr. Hart and himfelf, waited on His
Excellency, according to Order, who was pleafed to fay the Houfe
fhould hear from him prefently.
A Meffage from His Excellency, . by Mr. Secretary Pet tit.
" Mr. Speaker,
" His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, and requires the
" immediate Attendance of the Houfe."
Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and, with the Houfe,
went to wait upon His Excellency, who was pleafed to give his
Aflent to the following Bills, enacting the fame, viz.
I. An Act for the Support of Government of His Majeftys Colony
of New-Jerfey, to commence the firfl Day of October, One Thoufand
Seven Hundred and Seventy-one, and to end the fijl Day of October,
One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Seventy-two, and to difcharge the
public Debts and contingent Charges thereof.
i. An Act to continue and amend an Acl, entitled, An Act for
better fettling and regulating the Militia of this Colony of New-Jerfey,
for the repelling Invafions, and fuppreffing Infurreclions and Rebellions.
3. An Act: for defraying Incidental Charges.
4. An Adt for the Speedy recovering of Debts from Six Pounds to
Ten Pounds, in the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas of this Colony, for
fmall Fees.
5. An Acl to enforce the Payment of fever al old Arrears due to
the Treafury of New-Jerfey.
6. An Act for the Prefervation of Deer and other Game, and to
prevent trefpajjing with Guns.
7. An Acl: declaring the River Delaware a com?non Highiuay, and
for improving the Navigation in the faul River.
8. An Acl to revive and continue two Acts therein mentioned.
9. An A<ft to enable Creditors more eafly to recover their Debts
from Joint Partners, within the Colony of New-Jerfey.
10. An Acl to grant further Allowance to the fever al Sheriffs of
this Colony, for the Subjifience of Prifoners confined for Felony and other
Crimes.
II. A Supplementary Acl to the Acl, entitled, An Act for prevent-
ing the Wajle of Timber, Pine and Cedar Trees, and Poles, within
U this
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this Province of Ncw-Jerfey,' and to lay a Duty upon all Pipe and
Hogfljcad Staves, exported out of the fame to any of the neighbour-
ing Colonies.
12. An Act to extend the Jurifdiclion of the fever al Counties in
this Colony, •which are divided by Rivers, Creeks, and Bays.
13. An Act for the Relief of Infolvent Debtors.
14. An Act to enable and direcl the Jufices and Freeholders, of the
County of Hunterdon, to raife the Sum of Fifty Pounds ; and the Juflices
and Freeholders, of the County of Suflex, to raife the like Sum of Fifty
Pounds ; to be applied towards completing a Bridge acrofs Mufconet-
cung Creek, near Robert Johnfton'j Mills.
15. An Act to impoiver certain Perfons therein named, to raife a Sum
of Money by Subfcription, or by Taxation, to rebuild and keep in Repair
the Bridge over Raritan River, near Bound-Brook, known by the
Name of Queen's Bridge.
1 6. An Act to rebuild, and hereafter to repair and a??iend the
Bridge over Stony-Brook, near Worth'* Mill.
17. An Act for the Regulation of the Rates to be demanded and
received at the Ferries on the north and fouth Sides of Raritan Ri-
ver, •within the Corporation of Perth-Amboy.
18. An Act to impoiver the Inhabitants of the Townflj'ip of Dept-
ford, in the County of Gloucefter, to repair their public High-ways by
Hire, and raife Money for that Purpofe.
1 9. An Act to enable the Owners and Poffeffors of the Meadows lying
on the foutherly Branch of Newton Creek, commonly called the Fork Creek,
in the County of Gloucefter, to repair and maintain a Bank, Dam and
Water Works, heretofore erecled and made acrofs the [aid foutherly Branch
o/rNewton Creek, and to keep the Water Courfe of the faid Creek open and clear.
20. An Act to enable the Proprietors and Poffeffors of the Mea-
dows and Swamps lying on Pinch-Ditch, Black-Brook, and Part of
Whiponong River, in the County of Morris, to clear, deepen, and dig
Ditches, for the more effetlual draining the faid Meadows arid Swamps,
and for other Purpofes therein mentioned.
2 1 . An Act for the more effetlual maintaining and keeping above the
Flow of the Tide, that Part of the Road or Caufeway between the Toll-
Bridge over Newton Creek, and the Fajl Land of Keziah Tonkin.
22. A Supplementary Act to the Acl, entitled, An Act to enable the Ow-
ners of the Meadows and Marfhes, belonging to the Town of Salem, to keep
out the Tide from overf owing the fame.
23. An Act to enable fundry of the Owners and Poffeffors of Mea-
dows and Tide Marfli, lying on Englilh'^ Creek, in the County of Bur-
lington, to erect and maintain a Bank, Dam, and other Water Works
acrofs the faid Creek, in Order to prevent the Tide from overflowing
the fame, and to keep the former Water Courfe of faid Creek open and
clear, and to make the faid Dam (when erecled) a public Landing.
24. An Act for the Relief of Thomas Tindal and James Clark the
Younger, and for other Purpofes therein tnentioucd.
25. An Act for the Relief of John Budd, of Salem.
After which His Excellency was pleafed to make a Speech to the
General Assembly in thefe Words, viz.
Gentlemen
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Gentlemen of the G e K£ r a l Assembly,
CC \ LTHOUGH it would have been more agreeable to me
f\ " had you thought proper to allow the whole of the
" Account for the Support of the King's Troops, yet I cannot put an
" End to this Sefhon without acknowledging the Satisfaction you
" have afforded me by the Difpatch you have given to the public
" Bufinefs in general, and the Attention you have Ihewn to the
" Prefervation of that Harmony between the Branches of the Legifla-
" ture on which the Intereft and Happinefs of the Province fo much
" depend.
" You may be afTured, Gentlemen, that notwithftanding I do
" not agree with you in Opinion with refpect to the Maintenance of
" Troops in this Colony, yet I fhall not fail truely to reprefent to
" His Majefty's Miniflers the Debt the Province now lies under
" incurred by the late War, and to give your Sentiments on the
" Subject their full Weight and Importance. And fuch is His
" Majefty's Paternal Goodnefs to all his Subjects, however remote,
" that you may with Confidence expect that he will always be in-
" clined to relieve you from every Burthen which can be difpenfed
" with confiftent with the public Welfare.
" I fhall take your Meflage of this Day refpecting a new Election
" into Confideration, and do therein whatever His Majefty's Service
" and the Good of the Province, may appear to me to require.
« Council Chamber, 1 W> FRANKLIN."
" Dec. 21, 1771. 3
And then His Excellency prorogued the General AfTembly to the
Eighth Day of January next, then to meet at Perth-Amboy.
BY Virtue of an Order of the Houfe of Reprefen-
tatives, I do appoint Ifaac Collins to print thefe
Votes.
STEPHEN CRANE, Speaker.
\