History of Nova Caesarea - Part 9



CHAP. XXI.
A session of general assembly; A second expedition to Canada; Meeting of a
new assembly; They quarrel; Some members designedly absent themselves;
Expelled the house; Several of them again returned, and refused seats; A
fruitful session at Crosswscks; Last session in Hunter's time; An act
passed for running the division line between East and West-Jersey; William
Burnet arrives governor; An uncommon wet harvest; Governor Burnet meets a
new assembly.

Governor Hunter, convened the assembly in the summer, 1711, and, opened
business, with telling them, That her majesty's instructions which he was
commanded to communicate, would discover the reason of his calling them
together, at this time; and that he doubted not the matters therein
contained, would be agreeable to them, and the success profitable.

That the fleet and forces destined for the reduction of Canada, were
arrived in good health and condition, and would proceed in a little time;
that what was required on their parts, was the levying in each division
180 effective private men, besides officers, and to provide for their
encouragement, pay, and provisions, as well as transportation over the
lakes, and other incidental charges attending the service.

The assembly resolved to encourage this expedition, by raising to the value
of 12,500 ounces of plate, in bills of credit,1 to be sunk, together with
the former £.3000, by a subsequent tax; and provided bills for raising
volunteers to go on the expedition, and for emitting the money.

The governor passed the bills, and dismissed them with thanks, for the
chearful dispatch they had given.

This was a second expedition against Canada, and made a formidable
appearance: Nicholson's designs having hitherto, by various
disappointments, failed; he now, under the scheme of reducing all Canada,
and thereby engrossing the cod fishery, so prevailed on the new ministry,
that the regiments of Kirk, Hill, Windress, Clayton, and Kaine, from
Flanders; Seymours, Disney's and a battalion of marines from England,
under the command of brigadier Hill, were sent to him, on this occasion;
they came in 40 transports, under convoy of 12 ships of the line of
battle, commanded by admiral Walker; several frigates, two bomb vessels;
and brought a large train of artillery, under Col. King, with forty
horses, and six store ships; they arrived at Boston early in the summer.

By orders from home, a congress was held at New-London, of all the
plantation governors, north of Pennsylvania, with Nicholson, to adjust the
measures to be fallen upon: Two regiments from the Massachusetts,
Rhode-Island, and New-Hampshire, joined the British forces; while the
militia from Connecticut, New-York, and New-Jersey, with the Indians of
the five nations, under Nicholson, marched by land from Albany, to attack
Montreal: The fleet being retarded at Boston for want of provisions,
occasioned admiral Walker, in a letter to governor Dudley of Boston, to
write, "I concur with the opinion of all the sea and land officers here,
that the government of this colony have prejudiced the present expedition,
instead of assisting it." The fleet consisting of 68 vessels, and 6463
troops; anchored in the bay of Gaspee, on the south side of the entrance
of the river St. Lawrence, to take in wood and water, on the 18th of the
month called August, and the 23d in the night, contrary to the advice of
the pilots, weighed anchor in a fog, fell in with the north shore, and
lost 8 transports and 884 men upon the island of Eggs: A council of war
was called, who resolved, that by reason of the ignorance of the pilots,
it was impracticable to proceed, and that advice should be sent to recall
general Nicholson from proceeding to Montreal; which done, and the fleet
Fleet returning, anchored in Spanish River, off Cape Breton, September 4;
and there, in a council of war it was resolved, not to attempt any thing
against Placentia, but to return to Great-Britain: They sailed for England
September 16, and arrived at St. Helens the 16th of October: The Edgar,
with the admiral's papers, was blown up: This prevented other particulars
of the expedition transpiring; thus concluded, at a great expence of men
and treasure, an affair above three years in agitation.

In 1712 died Thomas Gardiner, of Burlington, several times mentioned
before; he was well acquainted with publick business, a good surveyor, and
useful member of society; several years one of the council, treasurer of
the western division, and the first speaker of assembly after the union of
the governments, East and West Jersey.

The 7th of December, 1713, the governor called the assembly, and next day
informed them, that he was glad to see them after so long absence, and
believed they were not sorry to meet him in so good company;2 that the
tender regard her majesty had to their quiet, in particular at a time when
she had blessed the world with a general peace, called for their pious
endeavours and could not fail of meeting the returns due from the most
grateful people, to the best and most indulgent princes; that he was
persuaded the efforts of such as had been removed from places of trust by
the queen, at their request, would be too impotent to destroy the peace,
by breaking that mutual confidence, or disturbing that harmony, that then
subsisted between the several branches of the legislature; that full of
this confidence, he recommended to their immediate care, the providing for
past arrears, and future support of her majesty's government, the
discountenancing vice and immorality, the improvement of trade and
encouragement for planting and peopling the province; that this could not
be better effected than by a law to affirm and ascertain the respective
properties of the proprietors and people, if they thought it practicable.

That the gentlemen of the present council, having no views or interests
differing from theirs, if they would agree to frequent and amicable
conferences with them, or a number of them, upon all matters under
deliberation, it would save much time and effectually disappoint all
contrivances of their enemies; "who in return for their being at present
no councellors, had ridiculously endeavoured to persuade some that they
were no assembly."

The assembly replied, That they were indeed glad to meet him in such good
company, and as the persons who had hitherto obstructed the welfare of
their country, were removed, they presumd on the favour oftener than
heretofore; they acknowledged themselves under the greatest obligations to
the best of queens, and hoped their actions would demonstrate they were
not ungrateful.

Among other bills passed this session, was that entitiled, "An act that the
solemn affirmation and declaration of the people called quakers, shall be
accepted instead of an oath in the usual form, and for qualifying and
enabling the said people to serve as jurors, and to execute any office or
place of trust or profit within this province."

This bill was introduced by the governor's communicating to the house the
queen's instructions on that head, after it was fully adjusted by the
council and assembly; the second enacting clause was thought to be
designedly left out by the secretary, who had it to engross, it so passed
the council without being perceivd; but on reading it again in the
assembly it was discovered, and the secretary making his acknowledgement
at the bar of the house, it passed over: This act continued 'till the year
1732, and then was supplied by that now in force.

Other laws also passed; this session concluded to mutual satisfaction.

"I thank you, says the governor in his concluding speech to the house, for
what has been done this sessions for the support of this her majesty's
government, and do not doubt, but that you will receive ample thanks from
those who sent you, for the many good laws that have been passed; some
things that in their nature were acts of favour, I have agreed that they
should be made acts of assembly, that your share may be greater in the
grateful acknowledgment of your country.

"I hope my conduct has convinced the world, (I cannot suppose you want any
further conviction) that I have no other view than the peace and
prosperity of this province; if such a few as are enemies to both, are
not to be reduced by reason, I shall take the next best and most effectual
measure to do it."

No historical occurrences intervening, we pass on to the year 1716.
Governor Hunter met a new assembly at Perth-Amboy, in the spring, who
chose Col. Daniel Coxe, speaker;3 being presented and accepted, the
governor by speech informed them, "That the dissolution of one assembly by
the demise of the late queen, of another by the arrival of a new patent
from the present king, constituting him governor of the province, and of a
third by reason of a circumstance well known, together with the long
sessions at York, and his necessary attendance on the service of the
frontiers, had been the occasion of putting off their meeting 'till now;
that on his part he brought with him a firm purpose for the advantage of
the subject and service of the crown; which, (says he) I have ever
pursued, and now bid a fair defiance to the most malicious to assign one
single instance in which I have acted counter to what I now profess,
notwithstanding the false and groundless accusations and insinuations to
the contrary, from two persons on the other side, who pretended to have
been instructed from this; which though they met with that contempt at
home they deserved, I could not without injustice to myself let pass
unmentioned here." The assembly being now conven'd at Amboy, when it ought
in turn to have been at Burlington, were determined to remonstrate against
the infringement of the usual custom of alternately meeting at each of
those places, and accordingly represented to the governor, that in the
year 1709, an act was passed, entitled, An act for ascertaining the place
of the sitting of the representatives, to meet in general assembly; that
in March, 1710, the aforesaid act was confirmed, finally enacted and
ratified by her late majesty, with the advice of her privy council, and
transmitted to him (the governor) by the lords commissioners for trade and
plantations, the 16th of said month.

That as they found themselves entirely inclinable to pay all due regard and
obedience to his majesty's and the governor's commands, so they could not
but think it their duty to maintain the known establish'd laws of the
province. And as that law had the royal sanction, and had gone through all
the usual forms both here and in Great-Britain, necessary to the
confirming and perpetuating of it, they were of opinion it was still in
force.

The governor replied, That his majesty's instructions, which were laws to
him, having restored that affair to the just and equal footing upon which
it was put by, and at the time of the surrender of the governxnent by the
proprietors, he could not give his consent to any alteration, or give way
to anything that might elude the intent and purpose of that instruction
without giving juster grounds of complaint against him, than he had
hitherto given; and that he had reasons of great weight, made it
impracticable for him to hold either council or assembly at Burlington,
at this time.

The dispute being principally founded on the new commission to the
governor, upon the accession of K. George the first to the throne; the
assembly thought proper to let it drop, and pursue what was before them at
the place where they were then conven'd; matters however went heavily on;
the speaker disliked the governor, and influenced many of the members: The
governor saw there was no prospect of their answering the design of their
meeting at that time, so prorogued them.

He summoned them to meet again at Amboy on 14th of May, when only nine
members appearing they waited five days, and then presented an address,
requesting the governor would take such methods as he should see meet, to
cause the absent members to attend the service; he sent warrants to
several of them, commanding their attendance, as they would answer the
contrary at their peril; four presently appeared, and there being now
thirteen met, the governor sent for them, and recommended their meeting at
the house and choosing a speaker, (for their speaker was absent among the
rest) in order to enable themselves to send their serjeant at arms for
those that were still absent.

The thirteen met the 21st, but the speaker still absent; they proceeded to
a new choice, and placed John Kinsey in the chair.

This done, and the new speaker presented, the governor delivered his
speech:

"Gentlemen,

"The last time you were here upon the like occasion, I told you, that I
thought fit to approve of whatever choice you thought fit to make of a
speaker: I now tell you that I heartily approve of the worthy choice you
have made.

"As the conduct of that gentleman who last filled the chair, sufficiently
convinced you of a combination between him and his associates, to defeat
all the purposes of your present meeting: I hope, and can not doubt but it
will open the eyes of all such as by his and their evil acts, and
sinistrous practices, have been misled and imposed upon; so that for the
future, here they will not find it so easy a matter to disturb the peace
of the country.

"I must refer you to what I said at the opening of the assembly; but
harvest drawing near, I am afraid youll hardly have time for more business
than what is absolutely and immediately requisite; that is the support of
the government, and the publick credit, you know that the date of the
currency of your bills of credit is near expiring, so there will be
wanting a new law to remedy the evil that must attend the leaving the
country without a currency for ordinary uses, as well as trade.
"ROBERT HUNTER."

The house then examined into the conduct of their late speaker, and the
absent members, who on the question, were all at different times severally
expelled, for contempt of authority and neglect of the service of their
country, and writs issued for new elections.

The 8th of next month soon after the speaker's exclusion, but before the
other members were expelled, the assembly presented their address as
follows:

"May it please your excellency,

"Your administration has been a continued series of justice and
moderation, and from your past conduct we dare assure ourselves of a
continuation of it, and we will not be wanting in our endeavours to make
suitable returns, both in providing a handsome support of the government,
and of such a continuance as may demonstrate to you and the world, the
sense we have of our duty and your worth.

"The gentleman, our late speaker, has added this one instance of folly to
his past demeanour, to convince us and the world, that in all stations,
whether of a counsellor, a private man, or a representative, his study has
been to disturb the quiet and tranquility of this province, and act in
contempt of laws and government; we are sensible of the effects it has
had, and may have on the publick peace; and our expulsion of him, we hope
evinces that we are not the partisans of his heat and disaffection to the
present government; we are very sorry he has been capable to influence so
many into a combination with him, to make effectual his ill purposes; but
we hope it is rather the effect of weakness than malice, and that their
eyes are now so much opened that they'l return to their duty, and join
with us in providing for the publick credit, and whatever else may make
this province happy, and your excellency easy."

Next the assembly resolved, "That the late members whom they had expelled,
should not sit as members of the house if they should be returned on a new
election, during this sessions of assembly." Notwithstanding this resolve,
several of the same members were returned; but refused seats in the house
and the electors obliged to choose over again.

The governor then prorogued them to the 3d of October. In November the
same house met at Croswicks,4 the small-pox being at Burlington; the
governor opened the business of this session by telling them, That
supporting government and publick credit, required their immediate
deliberation; that they knew the funds for the first had expired fifteen
months ago, and that the other had suffered much by the obstinacy of some
in refusing the payment of taxes, or remisness in others in collecting or
putting the laws in excution, sufficient (if duly executed) to have
answered the end, and in a great measure prevented or remedied that evil;
that he doubted not they were now met with a good disposition, as well as
in full freedom, all clogs and bars being removed, to pursue to effect the
good ends of their meeting, and to make good their engagements and
promises in several addresses; that the true interest of the people and
government were the same; to wit, a government of laws, that no other
deserved the name; that this was never separated or separable but in
imagination by men of craft, such as were either abettors of lawless power
on the one hand, or confusion and anarchy on the other; that the first was
not the case of this province, and we had well grounded hopes, that all
endeavours towards the latter were ceased.

This session proved long and fruitful: It held above two months; sixteen
publick and private bills received the governors assent.

In 1718 died Samuel Smith one of the members of assembly for Burlington;
he had sought happiness in the quiets of obscurity, but being against his
inclination called to this and other publick stations, he passed thro'
them with a clear reputation: In private life he was inoffensive,
benevolent, steady and respected.5

This year was remarkable for an uncommon storm of hail: It fell larger than
had been remembered before in the provinces, it killed many wild pigeons,
and other birds, and did considerable damage.

In the beginning of summer 1742, another happened with a strong gust of
wind, accompanied with some rain and hail of very uncommon bigness; in one
house it was said to have struck 28 holes through the roof; the damage to
the grain in some places was so great, that the farmers began to forbear
selling their last year's stock, lest they should want bread; at Amwell, a
boy was said to be killd, and others very much hurt.

Such another happened in the spring 1758: It came from the north, the hail
in large stones continued for 8 or 10 minutes, and abated gradually; it
drifted in some places 6 inches think, it went in a vein (as it commonly
does) about a mile and a half broad: The destruction of green corn and
gardens were great, and the trees had their young leaves shattered to
pieces.

In the spring governor Hunter again met the assembly at Perth-Amboy; but at
the desire of the members, their private affairs interfering, they were
adjourn'd to the winter, when meeting he made a speech, setting forth:
That the revenue was sometime since, expired; that when this came under
consideration, he desired an augmentation of the officers salaries; that
in former acts they were so scanty and so retrench'd from what they had
been, that the officers were not enabled to perform their respective
duties; that the assembly of New-York, had passed an act for running the
division line, betwixt this province; and that upon supposition, that
another for the same purpose would be passed here; that the justice due to
the proprietors and the disturbances among the people, made such a law
immediately necessary; that he had formerly recommended their providing
for an agent at the court of Great Britain, and now repeated it; that the
lords commissioners for taade, had in several of their letters complained
of the want of one; that this was the only province in his majesty's
dominions, that had none; that by means of this omission their business in
England stood still; that what could not be delayed without danger or loss
to the publick, since his administration had been negotiated by persons
employed by him, at his own very great expence, which he hoped they would
consider; that as to projects of trade, he had no reason to change his
opinion since they last met; that to this subject he referred them on
what he them spoke.6

The assembly said in their address, That they were not insensible the
present circumstances of the government as well as of the country, made
their meeting necessary, notwithstanding the rigour of the season; that
they were not unmindful that the revenue was expired, nor of their duty in
a reasonable support; that they were willing to pass an act for running
the division line betwixt this province and New York; but conceived the
expence of that affair belonged to the proprietors of the contested lands;
that they were very sensible an agent for the province at the court of
Great Britain, was very necessary, but were sorry the circumstances of
the province, were such, that they could not make a suitable provision for
so useful an officer; and that they would readily come into any measures
that might be effectual to promote the trade and prosperity of the
province.

This session produced eleven publick and private bills, among them was one
for running and ascertaining the division line betwixt New-Jersey and New-
York; but this act was never put in execution further than fixing the
north partition point; this was done by indenture made the 25th of July
1719, between R. Walter, Isaac Hicks and Allane Jarrat, surveyor general,
on the part of New-York; John Johnston and George Willocks, on behalf of
East-Jersey; Joseph Kirkbride and John Reading, on behalf of West-Jersey,
and James Alexander, surveyor general, on behalf of both East and West-
Jersey; these commissioners and surveyors duly authorized, met at the
place, and after many observations of the latitude, unanimously by the
deed aforesaid, fixed the north partition point on the nothermost branch
of Delaware; which they found to be that branch called the Fish-Kill: This
done, the commissioners for West-Jersey thought they were not further
concerned; the others, though both greatly interested in having it settled,
left it an uncertainty 'till 1764, when by acts of assembly of both
colonies, it was referred to be finally settled and determined by
commissioners to be appointed by the crown.

Another act passd now, was that for running and ascertaining the line of
division between East and West Jersey,7 the conditions here not hitherto
complied with, this line remains in the same uncertainty the act left it;
still a subject of inconvenience and anxiety to many, and seems to call
for exertion in those with whom the powers to settle it, are properly
lodged.

The beginning of the summer this year afforded a fair prospect of a
plentiful harvest, much was expected from a great crop in the ground; a
day or two in the beginning proved good weather, but before the grain was
secured, showers of rain and a few hours sunshine constantly succeeded
each other; clouds at first small in appearance, spread widely and filled
the furrows: the intervals of sunshine encouraged opening the shocks, but
were not long enough to dry them; after several weeks came two days and a
half fair weather; what could be dried and sav'd was now done, the rain
then began again, and continued day after day as before, alternate rain
and sunshine for near three weeks, so that single ears of corn standing,
grew; thus it continued 'till the grain was generally reaped, several lost
their corn entirely, others saved but little; this was what is called the
wet harvest.

We are now come to the end of governor Hunter's administration, he resigned
in favour of William Burnet (son of the celebrated bishop) and returned to
England; he had a ready art at procuring money, few loved it more; this
foible 'tis said drew him into schemes, gaming, and considerable losses;
tho' not in all respects accomplished: His address here was engaging and
successful, he assented to most of the laws the people wanted, and fill'd
the offices with men of character. He had before, so early as the year
1705, been appointed lieutenant governor of Virginia, under George earl of
Orkney, and was on his voyage thither taken prisoner to France.

The assembly at the sessions last mentioned, fixed for salary and
incidental charges 6001. per annum, for two years this had been the
accustomed support, since the surrender, except once in lord Corubury's
time, 5001. was provided in the succeeding administrations, 'till Lewis
Morris, came governor of New-Jersey, separate of New-York; when it was
augmented to 10001. per annum, and 601. house rent, with 5001. addition
the first year, for expences attending his voyage, &c.

Governor Burnet 8 met the assembly soon after his arrival, but little
business was then thought necessary, nor did they very well agree; that
house had been continued a long time, and were now dissolved, and writs
issued for a new election.

The members returned, were convened early in the 1721; they chose Dr. John
Johnston, speaker.9

The governor's speech:

"Gentlemen,
"The choice which the country has made of you to represent them, gives me
a happy opportunity of knowing their sentiments; now when they have been
fully informed of mine in the most publick manner, I have no reason to
doubt, that after so much time given them to weigh and consider every
particular, you bring along with you their hearty resolutions to support
his majesty's government, in such an ample and honourable manner as will
become you to offer, and me to accept; and in doing this, I must recommend
to you, not to think of me,10 so much as of the inferior officers of this
government, who want your care more, and whose salary have hitherto
amounted to a very small share of the publick expence. I cannot neglect
this occasion of congratulating you upon the treasures lately discovered
in the bowels of the earth, which cannot fail of circulating for the
general good, the increase of trade, and the raising the value of estates;
and now you are just beginning to taste of new blessings, I cannot but
remind you of those which you have so long enjoyed and without which all
other advantages would but have encreased your sufferings, under a Popish
king, and a French government.

"You can ascribe your deliverance from these, to nothing but the glorious
revolution, begun by king William the third, of immortal memory, and
compleated by the happy accession of his present majesty king George, to
the throne of Great-Britain, and his entire success against his rebellious
subjects at home, and all his enemies abroad.

"To this remarkable deliverance,by an over-ruling hand of providence, you
owe the preservation of your laws and liberties, the secure enjoyment of
your property, and a free exercise of religion, according to the dictates
of your conscience: These invaluable blessings are so visible among us,
and the misery of countries where tyranny and persecution prevail, so well
known, that I need not mention them, to raise in your minds the highest
sense of your obligations to serve God, to honour the king, and love your
country.
"W. BURNET."

The assembly's address:

"May it please your excellency:
"We gladly embrace this opportunity, to assure your excellency, that our
sentiments and those we represent, are one and the same, chearfully to
demonstrate our loyalty to our sovereign king George, and submission to
his substitute, and readiness to support his government over us in all its
branches, in the most honourable manner the circumstances of this province
will allow; which we hope your excellency will accept of; tho' it fall
short of what the dignity of his majesty's governor and the inferior
officers of the government might expect, were the province in a more
flourishing condition.

"We thankfully acknowledge your excellency's congratulation, and doubt not
when the imaginary treasures (except Mr. Schuyler's) becomes real, the
country will not be wanting in their duty to his majesty in making your
excellency, and the officers of the government partakers of the advantage.

"We doubt not but your excellency will extend your goodness to countenance
any proposal that may tend to the publick utility.

"We hope your excellency will excuse us in falling short of words, to
express our thankful acknowledgements to God Almighty and those under him,
who have been instruments in working deliverance to that glorious nation
to which we belong, from popery, tyranny and arbitrary power, wishing it
may always be supplied with great and good men, that will endeavour their
utmost to maintain his majesty's royal authority, and assert and defend
the laws, liberties and properties of the people, against all foreign and
domestic invaders.

"We beg your excellency to believe the sincerity of our thoughts, that
there are none of his majesty's subjects that entertains hearts more loyal
and affectionate, and desire more to testify their duty, gratitude and
obedience to their sovereign king George, his issue, and magistrates in
their respective degrees, than doth the representatives of his majesty's
province of New-Jersey.
"JOHN JOHNSTON, speaker."

Sundry bills were prepared this sessions, among these, one had a title too
singular to be omitted, An act against denying the divinity of our saviour
Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the blessed trinity, the truth of the holy
scriptures, and spreading atheistical books: Assemblies in the colonies
have rarely troubled themselves with these subjects, perhaps never before
or since; it probably arose from the governor's motion, who had a turn
that way, and had himself wrote a book to unfold some part of the
apocalipse; the bill was however rejected on the second reading in the
assembly: The sessions continued near two months, the support was settled
5001. a year, for five years; the governor after passing that, and several
other bills, dismissed the house with the following speech:

"Gentlemen,
"I have so many reasons to thank you for your proceedings in this affair,
that should I mention them at all, time would not suffice me; two I cannot
but acknowledge in a most particular manner; the acts for the chearful and
honourable support, and for the security of his majesty's government in
this province.

"I cannot but say, that I look upon the latter as the noblest present of
the two; as I think honour always more than riches: The world will now see
the true cause of our misunderstandings in the last assembly, and that we
met in the innocency and simplicity of our hearts: that the enemy had sown
such seeds of dissention among us, that defeated all our good purposes,
and made us part with a wrong notion of one another.

"It has pleased God now to discover the truth, and no man in his sober
senses can doubt that the hand of Joab was then busy, as it is now certain
that it has at this time. It is a peculiar honour to me to be thus
justified in all my conduct by the publick act of the whole legislature;
and God knows my heart, that I am not fond of power, that I abhor all
thoughts of revenge, and that I study to keep a conscience void of
offence towards God and towards man.

"After the publication of the acts, I desire you to return to your house,
and after having entered this speech in your minutes, to adjourn
yourselves, to the first day of October next; that tho' it is not probable
we should meet so soon, it may not be out of our power if occasion should
be.
"W. Burnet
"May 5, 1722."

Governor Burnet, after this, continued to preside over New-York and
New-Jersey, 'till 1727; when he was removed to Boston, and succeeded by
John Montgomerie, Esq; he continued 'till his death, which happened in the
summer 1731: To him succeeded William Cosby, Esq; he continued 'till his
death in 1736: The government here then devolved on the president of the
council, John Anderson, Esq; he died about two weeks afterwards, and was
succeeded by John Hamilton, Esq; (son of Andrew Hamilton, governor in the
proprietors time) he governed near two years. In the summer, 1738, a
commission arrived to Lewis Morris, Esq; as governor of New-Jersey,
separate from New-York; he continued 'till his death in the spring 1746;
he was succeeded by president Hamilton; he dying, it devolved upon John
Reading, Esq; as the next eldest councellor; he exercised the office 'till
the summer 1747, when Jonathan Belcher, Esq; arrived; he died in the
summer 1757, and was succeeded by John Reading, Esq; president. Francis
Bernard, Esq; arrived governor 1758; was removed to Boston, and succeeded
here by Thomas Boone, Esq; in 1760; he was removed to South-Carolina, and
succeeded here by Josiah Hardy, Esq; in 1761; he was removed, and
afterwards appointed consul at Cadiz, &c. and succeeded here in the spring
1763, by the present governor, William Franklin, Esq.

1 Equal to £.5000 currency, at that time.

2 Meaning the change of councellors, William Pinhorne, Daniel Coxe, Peter
Sonmans and William Hall, had been suspended, and a mandamus since
arrived, appointing John Anderson, Elisha Parker, Thomas Byerly, John
Hamilton, and John Reading.

3 The members:
Town of Burlington: Daniel Smith, Samuel Smith.
County of Burlington: Jacob Doughty, Jacob Hewlings.
Gloucester: Colonel Daniel Coxe, Richard Bull.
Town of Salem: William Hail, Henry Joyce.
County of Salem: William Clews, Dickinson Shephard.
Cape May: Jacob Spicer, Jeremiah Bass.
Perth-Amboy: William Eirs, John Harrison.
Middlesex: John Kinsey, Charles Morgan.
Essex: Josiah Ogden, Joseph Bonnell.
Bergan: David Akernian, Henry Brockholst.
Monmouth: Elisha Lawrence, William Lawrence.
Somerset: Benjamin Clark, Thomlas Hall.

4 The true Indian name of this place is supposed to be Clossweeksung, a
separation.

5 He with five of his brothers, John, Daniel, Joseph, Emanuel and Richard,
and one sister, removed from near Bramham, in Yorkshire, at different
times; but mostly in and about the year 1691. Daniel served the publick
several years faithfully in assembly, and died in 1742. Richard was 12
years one of the council, and died the latter end of 1750.

6 The paragraph was as followeth:

"As for the measures of advancing or rather for giving a being to trade
amongst you, the generality of you has shewn such aversion to solid ones;
and others such a fondness for imaginary or ruinous ones, that without a
virtue and resolution of serving those you represent against their
inclination, your endeavours will be to little purpose; but if any thing
of that nature fall under deliberation, I cannot think of a better guide,
than a just inspection into the trade in other provinces, where it is in a
good and flourishing condition, the means by which it became so, can be no
mystery; where it is otherwise, or has decayed, you will find the true
cause of such decay conspicuous: And it is but a rational conclusion, that
what has form'd trade or that on which it depends, credit in one place
cannot but be the most proper means either to begin it or preserve it in
another."

7 Vid. Laws of the province, vol.1, p. 63, &c.

8 The members of council in his instructions were: Lewis Morris, Thomas
Gordon, John Anderson, John Hamilton, Thomas Byerly, David Lyell, John
Parker, John Wills, John Hugg, John Johnston, Jun., John Reading, Peter
Bard.

9 The members of this house were:
Town of Perth-Amboy: John Johnston, Andrew Redford.
County of Middlesex: John Kinsey, Moses Rolph.
Somerset: Robert Lettis Hooper, Thomas Leonard.
Essex: Josiah Ogden, Joseph Bonnel.
Bergen: William Provost, Isaac Vangezon.
Monmouth: William Lawrence, Garrat Schank.
Town of Burlington: John Allen, Jonathan Wright.
County of Burlington: William Trent, Thomas Lambert.
Gloucester: Samuel Cole, John Mickell.
Town of Salem: John Mason, Thomas Mason.
County of Salem: Isaac Sharp, Bartholomew Wyatt.
Cape May: Humphrey Hughes, Nathaniel Jenkins.

10 Whether an alteration in sentiment, or instructions, or both was the
cause, must be left to conjecture; but while governor of the Massachusetts
Bay, his conduct was different; there he insisted for several years with
the greatest firmness on an indefinite support, and pursued it through the
plantation board, privy council and to the parliament, where his death
prevented its coming to a conclusion.

CHAP. XXII.
Occurrences since the year 1721.

Having now gone through the accounts proposed to the limited period; what
follows are partly matters incidental; the rest tho' not a regular course
of events, nor perhaps more important than others omitted, may
nevertheless assist in a future Volume, and in the mean time possibly be
of some historical service here. December 29, this year [1724], died
William Trent, Esq; chief justice of New-Jersey: He was several years
member, and part of the time speaker of the assembly; and being a large
trader at Trenton, when that place was laid out for a town, it from him
took its name, being before significantly called Little-Worth: He had been
also speaker of the assembly of Pennsylvania; he bore the character of a
gentleman.

In November [1726] a small earthquake was felt, it began between the hours
of ten and eleven at night.

In this year [1727] the following act was passed, which, tho' but short,
will probably hereafter be found of great importance.

An act for the limitation of actions, and for avoiding suits in law.

"For quieting men's estates, and avoiding of suits:

"Be it enacted by the governor, council, and general assembly of this
province, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That all
the statutes now in force, in that part of Great-Britain, called England,
concerning the limitation of actions, real and personal, shall, and are
hereby declared to be in force in this province from the publication
hereof, as fully and effectually, as if every of them were herein at length
repeated and enacted; any law, usage or custom to the contrary in any
wise notwithstanding."

Extracts from the proceedings of the house of assembly of the colony of
New-Jersey, John Montgomerie, Esq; governor.

"Die Jovis, 9th of January, 1728: A motion being made, whether the having
a distinct governor for New-Jersey, be in the opinion of the house for the
adyantage of the province, or not? A debate arising thereon, and the
question being put, the previous vote was demanded, whether that question
be now put or not? it was carried iu the affirmative; and then the
question was put, whether the having a distinct governor for New-Jersey,
be in the opinion of the house, for the advantage of the province, or not?
it was earned in the affirmative: Then the house adjourned 'till three,
o'clock, P. M.

"Three o'clock, P. M. the house met according to adjournment. Resolved
nemine contradicente, that the house will enter into consideration, what
may be the most effectual method for obtaining a distinct governor for
this province hereafter; and it is ordered, that Mr. Kinsey, Mr. Stacy,
Mr. Lambert, Mr. Eaton, Mr. Sonmans and Mr. Bonnell, wait on his
excellency and council, with this and the last resolve, and desire their
concurrence therein, and a conferrence touching the manner most likely to
effect it; and withal, to signify to the governor and that board, that it
is in no wise the intention of this house, to give him the least
uneasiness (were it in their power) during the time he may continue in
commission; but only to take such measures as may best conduce to the end
aforesaid, when his commission may determine by the king's pleasure or
otherwise; and this they conceive a duty incumbent upon them: Then the
house adjourn'd 'till to-morrow, nine oclock, A. M."

"To the king's most excellent majesty.

"The humble petition of the representatives of the province of New-Jersey,
in America, in general assembly convened.

"Most gracious sovereign,

"We, your majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the representatives
of your province of New-Jersey, in general assembly convened, by the early
care your majesty has been pleased to shew for the general benefit the of
all your people, are animated to believe, that nothing which may
contribute to the advantage and prosperity of this, (though small and
distant) part ot your dominions, will be denied us; we therefore beg leave
thus to approach your royal presence, in discharge of that duty we owe to
your majesty and to our country, in the most humble manner here to
represent:

"That the inhabitants of this colony, (formerly a proprietary government)
since the surrender thereof to the crown, have always been under the same
governor with your majesty's province of New-York; that we humbly
apprehend it would much more conduce to the benefit of this province, and
no prejudice to that of New-York, were their governors, as are the
governments, distinct.

"It is a peculiar happiness many of our fellow subjects enjoy, to be near
your royal person, and to partake of the immediate influence of so good a
government; but since our distance deprives us of that great benefit, it
might, (we humbly conceive) in some degree be recompenced, by having a
person cloathed with your majesty's authority constantly residing amongst
us: This we cannot expect while under the same governor with New-York;
that government necessarily taking up so much of our governor's time, that
but a small part of it can fall to our share; and his residence being
chiefly there, renders applications to him from hence, on ordinary
occasions, difficult and in extraordinary cases (however willing) he may
be unable to relieve until the affairs of that province will permit his
coming into New-Jersey.

"Under the like difficulties, (and, for the like reason) we have laboured
in respect to our principal officers, who have formerly been inhabitants
of that colony; which not only renders them less useful in their several
stations, but by spending their salaries there, drained us of money, which
would otherwise have circulated amongst us.

"Our having the same governor with the colony of New-York at first, was
(as we humbly conceived) because this province was then in its infancy,
the inhabitants few, and it might justly have been thought too heavy a
burthen to maintain a governor of our own; but since we are now much more
numerous and are as able and willing to support one, as divers of our
neighboring colonies, who enjoy that benefit, we are humbly of opinion,
the granting this colony such a governor, might tend to encrease our
wealth, and put us in a condition to emulate our neighbours in trade and
navigation.

"We entreat your majesty to believe, that nothing we here say, proceeds
from any dissatisfaction to our present governor; on the contrary, we are
well pleased with his government, and desire it may continue during your
royal pleasure; but all we humbly ask, is, that when your majesty shall
think fit to put a period to his government, you will then graciously
condescend to bestow a distinct governor on this your colony of New-Jersey.

"That your majesty may long live to enjoy the crown you wear, with ease
and delight, exceeding in honour your illustrious ancestors; that when you
part with an earthly diadem, it may be to receive a crown more permanent
and glorious, and that Great-Britain and these your dominions, may be
always happy in a sovereign, whose virtues are so conspicuous (as in duty
we are bound) shall be the prayers of; may it please your majesty, Your
majesty's most dutiful and most loyal subjects.

"By order of the house,

"JOHN KINSEY, jun. speaker.

"Divers of the members of this assembly being of the people called
quakers, concur to the matter and substance of this aaddress but make
some exception to the stile." Report of the lords of trade, relating to
the separating Report of the government of the province of New-Jersey,
from New-York.

"To the right honourable the lords of the committee of his majesty's most
honourable privy council.

"My Lords,

"We have considered the humble petitions of the president and council, the
speaker, and several members of the assembly, of his majesty's province of
New-Jersey; of the grand jury of the said province, and Mr. Richard
Partridge, agent for New-Jersey; together with two other papers annexed to
the last mentioned petition; all of them referred to us by your lordsliips
on the 24th day of May last; humbly praying, for the reasons contained,
that when his majesty shall nominate a governor for the province of New-
York, the province of New-Jersey may not be included in his commission,
but that his majesty would be graciously pleased to appoint a separate
governor for the said province of New-Jersey.

"We have considered the reasons given by the petititioners for this
separation, and upon the best information we have been able to procure, we
take leave to acquaint your lordships, that the allegations of the several
petitions appear to be of great cousequence; and we cannot doubt but that
a separate governor, whom the province is willing to support, would be a
means to give a quicker dispatch to their publick affairs, to increase
their trade and number of people, and very much advance the interest of
the province.

"Wherefore we are humbly of opinion, that his majesty may be graciously
pleased to comply with the prayer of these petitions.

"We are, my lords, your lordships most obedient and most humble servants.
"T. PELHAM.
"ORL. BRIDGMAN.
"JA. BRUDENELL.
"Whitehall, Aug. 5, 1736."

In this year [1730] died John Hugg, Esq; of Gloucester County: He was about
ten years one of the council: Riding from home in the morning, he was
supposed to be taken ill about a mile from his house; when getting off his
horse, he spread his cloak on the ground to lie down on; and having put
his gloves under the saddle girth, and hung his whip through one of the
rings, he turned the horse loose, which going home, put the people upon
searching, who found him in this circumstance speechless; they carried him
to his house, and he died that evening. In the spring this year [1731],
died in an advanced age, John Barclay, brother of Robert Barclay the
apologist; He bore the character of a good neighbour, and was serviceable
to the publick in several capacities; but more particularly in Amboy,
where he lived and died: He came over early among the Scotch settlers
to East-Jersey.

On the 5th of September 1732], about noon, a small shock of an earthquake
was felt.

On the 6th of September [1732], died in the seventy-first year of his age,
Dr. John Johnston, of Amboy: He was an early settler in East-Jersey; 13
years member of assembly, and ten of the time speaker; he went through
several other important offices with reputation. In his practice as a
physician, he was knowing and useful, and did many charitable acts; for
the poor were generally the object of his particular care.

In the spring this year, died Peter Sonmans [1734]: He was sometime one of
the council for New-Jersey, appointed by queen Anne; but being suspended,
he was afterwards twice chosen in the assembly for Bergen; he was agent to
some of the proprietors of East-Jersey, surveyor general there, receiver
of the quit rents, and ranger of the forests, as well as sea coasts, &c.
He was son to Aarent Sonmans, one of the states of Holland; who having
purchased a considerable share of propriety in East-Jersey, had intended
to have come over; and embarking for that purpose, arrived in England; and
riding in company with Robert Barclay for London, was shot by a highway-
man, supposed to be an effect of the party confusion in Holland, relating
to De Wit: His estate falling to Peter, he became a great proprietor: He
had before finished his studies at Leyden, and had borne considerable
offices in England, under king William: About 1705 he came over hither to
settle, it being his second voyage: He continued much engaged in the
business of his offices; but being no oeconomist, he was greatly
embarrassed in his private affairs: We have before seen by the publick
charges, other imputations he lay under. He published a long vindication
of his character; but with what success, is a question not now easily
resolved.

In November this year [1737], came to these provinces, by land from Boston,
(where he had arrived from London) Sheck Scidit, a native of Berytus, in
Syria, (about 60 miles north of Jerusalem). He was said to be Prince of
Syria; but the credentials he produced under the sign manual and privy
signet, called him Unus ex nobilibus civitatus Berytus; having letters of
safe passport, and recommendation to the charity of those where he past.
He was reported to have suffered much for his religion in his own country,
being by profession a member of the eastern church, tho' situate under the
Mahometan or Turkish government, and a tributary prince of that empire:
His pretence was: That a greater quota of soldiers was exacted from him
than he was able to furnish, having other tribute to pay, and his country,
by several years distress from locusts, and blasts of other kind, so
impovershed, that both quota and tribute could not be collected; That the
grand segnior taking umbrage at this, sent for his head; of which he, by
means of the Czarian ambassador, having received private intelligence,
fled to the Czarina's court; That in the mean time his country was seized,
and his wife and children kept prisoners: while there, the Czarina gave
him expectations, that in her treaty with the Turks, she would take care
and provide for him when peace was made: That after some stay at the
Russian court, he obtained letters recommendatory to their ambassador at
London; and being by his means, taken notice of; he obtained the
credentials aforesaid, with which he travelled through most of the
corporations in England, where it was thought he collected two thirds or
three fourths of what was due from him to the grand segnior; but was
nevertheless encouraged to come to America, where he also received
considerable.

Contributions were made for him in New-York and New-Jersey; he was
every where received with distinguished respect; it was said, he received
from the different congregations in and about Philadelphia, two hundred
and fifty pounds. He was a well proportioned lusty man, with a grave
aspect, and clothed after the eastern manner, with a turbant on his head,
and wore whiskers, spoke and wrote the arabick language; his conversation
and deportment was graceful and easy, and seemed to be-speak him of a
noble education. At Philadelphia he met with a handsome entertainment, his
expences were borne while he stayed, and provision was made for him in the
vessel he went.

The 7th of December [1737], this year, at night, was a large shock of an
earthquake, accompanied with a remarkable rumbling noise; people waked in
their beds, the doors flew open, bricks fell from the chimnies; the
consternation was serious, but happily no great damage ensued.

In this year [1738] died Robert Lettice Hooper, Esq; chief justice of New-
Jersey; in which post he had continued many years with a good character.

In the spring this year [1739], died at Trenton, Daniel Coxe, Esq; one of
the justices of the supreme court: He was son of the great proprietor and
governor Dr. Coxe, of London: He had gone through several other publick
offices in New-Jersey, to which, from his father's character and
influence, he came with great advantages: His differences with governor
Hunter, and the assembly, and the share he had in the publick
transactions, being all occasionally related before, renders further
addition here unnecessary.

About the 22d of the month called February [1741], appeared to these
provinces, in the east, and continued upwards of six weeks, a comet or
blazing star, with a long bright tail; it was supposed to be near the
equinoctial at its first appearance, but moved five degrees near north, in
twenty-four hours, and continued moving 'till it disappeared; towards the
last it was very much encreased in length of tail and bigness.

In the spring this year [1746]; died Lewis Morris, Esq; governor of
New-Jersey: To our relief, we find his character in great part already
drawn, by an able hand,1 to whom we have before been obliged: He was a man
of letters, and tho' a little whimsical in his temper, was grave in his
manners, and of penetrating parts; being excessively fond of the society
of men of sense and reading: He was never wearied at a sitting, 'till the
spirits of the whole company were dissipated. From his infancy he had
lived in a manner best adapted to teach him the nature of man, and to
fortify his mind for the vicissitudes of life: He very early lost both his
father and mother, and fell under the patronage of his uncle: Being a boy
of strong passions, he gave frequent offence to his uncle, and on one of
these occasions, through fear of his resentment, strolled away into
Virginia, and thence to Jamaica, in the West-Indies; where to support
himself, he set up for a scrivener: After several years spent in this
vagabond life, he returned again to his uncle, who received the young
prodigal with joy. In New-Jersey, he signalised himself in the service
both of the proprietors and the assembly; the latter employed him to draw
up their complaint against my lord Corubury, and he was made the bearer of
it to the queen: Tho' he was indolent in the management of his private
affairs, yet through the love of power, he was always busy in matters of a
political nature; and no man in the colony equalled him in the knowledge
of the law, and the arts of intrigue. He was one of the council of
New-Jersey, and a judge of the supreme court in 1692. Upon the surrender
of the government to queen Anne, in 1702, he was named to be governor of
that colony, but the appointment was changed in favour of lord Cornbury,
the queen's cousin.

He was several years chief justice of New-York, and a member of assembly
there; in whatever post he is named, activity must be supposed; for he was
among the foremost on all occasious; he was the second councellor for New-
Jersey, named in lord Cornbury's instructions; suspended by him in 1704;
restored by the queen, and suspended a second time in the same year; was
chosen in the assembly here in 1707, re-apappointed of the Council in
1708; suspended by the lieutenant governor Ingoldsby in 1709; appointed
again in 1710, and so continued 'till 1738, when he succeeded Cosby as
governor of New-Jersey, separate from New-York: The proceedings during his
administration in this capacity, will be found the labour of many pages;
but too voluminous to have justice done them in an abridgement here; his
favourite monopoly of doubts and disputation, however amusing in
mechanical and metaphysical subtilties, but illy agreed with the dispatch
and management necessary in a publick station; accordingly the whole
transactions of that period are chequered with great variety of debates,
some of them curious; qualified to hold up a side from long experience, no
argument he thought proper to espouse, was to be yielded, unless
mathematically wrong; in this but few apparent convictions attended,
either for want of candour in acknowledging, or antagonists sufficiently
skilled in the science: Had those who managed the controversy against him,
found patience enough to have let his own arguments gone to their proper
lengths, they had probably sometimes gained their points, and saved
themselves great fatigue in attendance, and the expence it often
occasioned; but having a trust, they opposed, refused, and disputed his
measures; he replied, rejoined, and demurred, and kept them in unmanly
suspence and attendancies for months together, with scarce a prospect or
means of accommodation; and yet nothing but that to do; frequent formal
angry dissolutions ensued, in which nothing was gained but increasing
firmness in the points contested, and a popular turn against the
government. In this uncertainty things were left at his death, and
restored to their original footing in the next administration: But
whatever were his faults, it must be remembered, that the province owed
much to his early patriotism and abilities; scarce an instance of
inordinate love of money is to be found in his private conduct; he
inherited a large estate from his uncle, and appeared moderate in adding
to it: He was besides in his way, a kind husband, and indeed had uncommon
cause to be so; an affectionate parent; had the satisfaction of a
promising offspring, and lived to see most of them married: The following
are extracts from the singular preamble of his will:

"IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN: God's will be done; but what I will or desire
should be done after my decease, and how I would have what estate God has
been pleased to bless me with, disposed of; is contained in what follows:
But before I give any directions concerning the disposition of my body or
estate, I think it my duty to leave the following testimonial of my sense
of the goodness of God to me, in protecting and wonderfully preserving of
me, from my infancy to this present time, now in an advanced age. My
mother died when I was about six months old, and my father not long after,
in New-York, where I was left an orphan, entirely in the hands of
strangers, who were appointed by the government to take care of me.
Sometime after that, the Dutch took the place, and I was put by their
magistrates into the hands of trustees, by them appointed to take care of
me, and of what effects their soldiers had left unplundered; and after the
surrender of New-York to the English, my uncle came into these parts of
America, and kindly took care of me until I came to man's estate; and he
then dying, what he had fell into my hands, being his sole and only heir.
He had made a will, in which were found several material interlinations and
erasures; which will, when exhibited before the governor and council of
New-York to be proved, of six subscribing witnesses to the said will, only
two of them could make oath in due form of law; and they knew nothing of
those erasures and interlinations; and one William Bickley, a quaker, who
wrote the will, said, that he wrote the will, and made them; but knew not
why they were made. My uncle by that will having bequeathed his plantation
over against the town of Haerlem, to his wife; but for what estate, did
not appear; the words being scratched or erased out so as not to be read,
and instead of what was so erased, there was after the words, Mary Morris,
(which was the name of his widow) these words, viz. (her heires and
assignes forever, the lands thereof) interlined. The widow died about a
week after her husband, (the will having been in her and Bickley's keeping
all that time) and after, or about the time of her death, I was told of
this erasure by Miles Forster, one of the executors in the will named.
This will was dated the 12th of February, 1690, but a little before my
uncle's death, and exhibited for proof the 15th of May following, at which
time the erasure, and reason for making of it, must have been fresh in the
memory of the writer, who declared he knew of it; and must have been fresh
in the memory of the witnesses, had any such thing been shewn unto them.
That Bickley should know of; and make this erasure and interlination, and
not know or remember the reason of making it in so short a time after it
was done, appeared strange to all present; and most were of opinion, that
the words erased out, were of different import from those interlined, or
there had been no necessity for making the erasure and interlination; but
as the writer of the will, either could not, or would not tell for what
end they were made, tho' it appeared to be done with intent to vest an
estate in fee simple in the widow which it is probable the words erased
did not do; and only two witnesses being able to make oath in due form,
and these not knowing any thing concerning it; administration was
committed to me, with the testament annexed; and I have since purchased
releases from the heirs and legatees of the widow, and have been in quiet
possession above fifty three years.

Thus, by the sole goodness of almighty God, my benign creator, the designs
against me were rendered ineffectual, without any contrivance or act of my
own. Whether my uncle was persuaded, or really intended to give that
estate to his wife and her heirs; or whether he had given it to her for
life, and so intended, and the words interlined were done after his death;
or if he did intend to give it her in fee, and the writer had not made
use of proper words for that purpose (tho' he had done it in every other
case where an estate was given to me in fee) and discovered it to my
uncle, and made the alteration during his life, and by his consent; or
discovered them after his death, and then made the erasure and
interlination; is what I know nothing of; and what the writer of the will
either could not or would not say any thing about; but it is evident on the
face of the will, that every bequest to me, either of lands or chattels,
even of my mother's jewels, and what in the will was mentioned to belong to
her, and did only belong to me, was given (as the writer of the will called
it) with restriction and limitation (meaning as I suppose with this
condition) that I should submit myself wholly and absolutely to every
thing contained in that will; and it was therein determined, that if I, or
any body claiming under me, should under pretence of right from my father,
whether by partnership with my uncle or otherwise, make any claim or
demand of the estate left by my uncle, or any part of it; that in such
case the bequests to me were to be void. The drawer of that will had
purchased and read (with all the judgment he had) a book, entitled
Orphan's Legacy, in order to qualify him for that performance; and so
apprehensive was the contriver or contrivers of that will of my making
such claim and that the law might determine in my favour; that by a
clause in that will it was directed, that if any doubt or controversy
should arise, by reason of imperfection, defect, or any other cause
whatsoever of; or in any words, clauses and sentences in his last will and
testament, or about the true intent and meaning thereof; that in such
case, his executors, or any three of them, should expound, explain,
interpret, and finally decide the same, according to their wisdoms and
discretions.

There had been articles of agreement and partnership entered into between
my uncle and my father, and executed by both the parties; in which amongst
other things, it was covenanted and agreed between them, that if either of
them died without issue, the survivor, or issue of the survivor (if any)
should take the estate. Upon the death of my father, that part of the
agreement executed by my uncle, with other my father's papers, came into
the hands of my uncle, and upon his death into Bickley's (as I suppose)
who kept the keys of his scruitore: That part of the agreement executed by
my father, I had seen often, and it came into my hands; but that part
executed by my uncle, was made away with; who destroyed it, I can't say;
but believe my uncle was too just a man to do any thing of that nature. It
appears from all this, that there was a design formed to deprive me of the
greatest part of the estate my uncle died possessed of; and that this
design was defeated. That this might be accounted for from natural and
obvious causes, such as the erasure of the will and the like, may be; but
what confounded the understanding of the writer so as to make the erasure
in that particular place, and in the manner he did, and to pretend not to
be able in so short a time after it was done, to give any account why it
was done, I attribute only to the over-ruling providence of the Almighty,
who has wonderfully protected and preserved me hitherto; and I doubt not
will continue his goodness to me 'till he thinks fit to call me hence,
tho' I am unworthy of the least of his favours. I now proceed to
directions concerning the disposal of my body and estate; and first, I
will, that my body shall be buried by the bodies of my uncle and my
children that lie at Morrisania, if it can be conveniently done. I would
be buried in a plain coffin of black walnut, cedar, or mahogany, without
covering or lining with cloth, or any other material of linen, woollen, or
silk; my age and the time of my death may be put upon it in such manner as
my executors shall think fit: I forbid any rings or scarfs to be given at
my funeral, or any man to be paid for preaching a funeral sermon over me:
Those who survive me, will commend or blame my conduct in life as they
think fit, and I am not for paying of any man for doing of either; but if
any man, whether churchman or dissenter, in or not in priest's orders, is
inclined to say any thing on that occasion, he may, if my executors think
fit to admit him to do it. I would not have any mourning worn for me by
any of my descendants; for I shall die in a good old age; and when the
divine, providence calls me hence, I die when I should die, and no
relation of mine ought to mourn because I do so; but may perhaps mourn to
pay the shop keeper for his goods, should they comply with (what I think)
the common folly of such an expence. I will, (if it be not done before my
death) that a vault of stone be built at or nigh the place at Morrisania,
where my good uncle lies buried; and that the remains of my relations
lying there, be collected and put into coffins in it; and my executors may
get a tomb stone for me if they think fit. - - - - - What the state of the
dead is, I know not; but believe it to be such as is most suitable for
them, and that their condition and state of existence after death, will be
such as will fully shew the wisdom, justice, and goodness of their great
creator to them. As to what estate it has pleased God to entrust and bless
me with, I will and dispose of it as follows: First, I will as the law
wills, that all my debts and funeral charges be justly paid and
discharged, &c."

In this year died Joseph Cooper [1749]: He was at eight successive
elections chosen to represent Gloucester county in assembly, and continued
in that station 19 years; he had steady principles, and a nobility of
disposition and fortitude, superior to many: At one of the tedious
sessions, in Col. Morris's time, when contrariety of sentiments had long
impeded business, that governor casually meeting him in the street, said,
"Cooper, I wish you would go home and send your wife." "I will," says he,
"if the governor will do the same by his:" An anecdote deservedly
expressive as to those good women.

In the summer this year [1749], three natives of Greenland, passed through
the province, dressed in seal-skins, with the hair on after the manner of
their own country; they were two young men and a young woman, converted to
the christian religion by the moravian missionaries: They had left
Greenland about two years before, in a Moravian ship (which had carried a
house ready framed, for worship, to be erected there, that country
affording no wood for building) and had since visited the brethren in
several parts of Europe; as England, Holland, and Germany: Their eyes and
hair were black, like the Indians here; but their complexion somewhat
lighter: Two Indian converts from the moravian mission, at Barbice, near
Surrinam, were also with them: They together went to the Moravian
settlement at Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania; there they met with some
Delaware and Mohickon Indians; converts also of the Moravians; and tho'
their native lands are so vastly remote as the latitude of 5, 41, and 65
[degrees] north; yet what they observed of each other's hair, eyes, and
complection, convinced them that they were all of the same race; they
could find however, no similitude in their several languages.

The 9th of November [1751] died, in the 53d year of his age, Richard Smith:
He represented Burlington in assembly near twenty years, through a great
variety of difficult business: He maintained a fair reputation, was
instrumental in procuring considerable provincial benefits; and hence
acquired the love of many, who had no opportunities of knowing him, but in
a publick character. He was cool and even in his temper, impartial and
conscientious in the discharge of his duty, kind and careful in every
paternal relation, and generous in both sentiment and conduct.

The 18th of November [1755], at four o'clock in the morning, was a
considerable shock of an earthquake, which lasted about two minutes; the
weather for seven days successively before, had been remarkably clear and
still, and all that night was so, with a clear full moon-shine; the two
days following, continued also very still and clear, not a cloud to be
seen, 'till towards evening of the second day after it happened: It did
not begin with so much of a rumbling noise as that in 1737, but was
thought not to fall short in the concussion.

Early in this year [1756] died at New-York, James Alexander, Esq; where he
had long borne the office of provincial secretary, and afterwards many
years one of the council. He was also long surveyor general of both East
and West-Jersey, and several years of the council in New-Jersey. He was
bred to the law, and tho' no speaker, at the head of his profession for
sagacity and penetration; and in application to business, no man could
surpass him: With his knowledge he was ready and communicative; and having
by candid practice, and ingenuous industry and diligence, acquired a great
estate in his latter years, remained a generous source of instruction for
the advantage of younger practitioners, and many others.

In this year [1757] died, in the seventy-sixth year of his age Jonathan
Belcher, Esq; governor of New-Jersey: In this station he arrived in 1747.
He was a native of New-England, and in his youth falling heir to great
acquisitions, got early upon the wing, in the gay world; a handsome
exteriour, a fondness for it, and for dress, equipage, and popular eclat,
insensibly betrayed him into a scence of show and expence, which at length
proved inconvenient to his patrimony; with this turn he travelled, kept
the first rate entertainments and company, and received marks of
distinguished notice and respect in the electorate of Hanover.2 He went
over agent for the Massachusetts Bay, on the long contest with governor
Burnet, on the subject of an indefinite support; on his death came over
governor of that colony, and long insisted on the same demands his
predecessor had done, and with the same success: He continued governor
there for a considerable time, and had great opportunities of indulging
his favourite taste; but carrying a high hand in the administration,
disgusted men of infinence; and at one time putting a negative on several
councellors, occasioned so many voices to unite in their applications
against him, that he was removed from his government. Here he witnessed a
reverse of fortune, being obliged to wait at a great expence several years
before an opportunity presented of getting again into office; at length the
government of New-Jersey falling vacant, early notice, properly used,
procured him that: He was now advanced in age, yet lively, diligent in his
station, and circumspect in his conduct, religious, generous and affable:
He affected splendour, at least equal to his age and fortune; but was a
man of worth and honour; and tho' in his last years, under great debility
of body from a stroke of the palsy, he bore up with firmness and
resignation, and went through the business of the government in the most
difficult part of the late war, with uuremitting zeal in the duties of his
office.

In this year [1762] died Andrew Johnston, esq; aged 67: He succeeded his
father in representing Amboy in assembly, and was speaker several years;
long one of the treasurers: The last 15 years of his life he was in the
council, and a diligent attender on the business there, he had great
equality of temper, circumspection of conduct, an open, yet grave engaging
mein, much goodness of heart, and many virtues both publick and private.

The 30th of October [1763], between four and five in the afternoon, was a
very considerable shock of an earthquake; which directed its course to the
eastward.

In the beginning of this year [1764] died Robert Hunter Morris, Esq: He was
near twenty-six years one of the council, and chief justice of New-Jersey,
and some time lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania: He had strong natural
powers, an elevated quickness of apprehension, a memory tenacious, read
much, and was uncommonly furnished in conversation on most subjects; he
gloried in the rational privilege of free disquisition; in his motives to
action, disdain'd to resemble the floating log 3 that went with the tide;
yet the other extream had a snare of too delicate concealment to be always
avoided: He came young into the office of chief justice, stuck to
punctuality in the forms of the courts, reduced the pleadings to precision
and method, and possessed the great qualities of his office, knowledge and
integrity, in more perfection than had often been known in the colonies:
Had no other stations engrossed his attention, his character had remained
without dispute, more light than shade; inheriting from his father,4 or
imbibing a turn at starting more difficulties, than himself or others
could easily solve, introduced debate, in which often appeared a seemingly
constitutional delight; but being brought up under the tuition of an
excellent mother, the bias here was qualified in part, with the advantages
of this, the father's experience, and much of his own, in variety of
situations: He had a liberal education, a comely respectable person, easy
address, smooth flow of words, a commanding influence in his manner, and
was a warm friend, but formidable enemy, not partial or oppressive as a
judge, in several private relations generous and manly, in none
avaritious, in some inconsiderate, in many his own original or his
father's copy, often singular, sometimes whimsical, always opinionated,
and mostly inflexible.

The 20th of the month called July [1764], at about 40 minutes past seven in
the evening, an uncommon ball of fire was seen in the north-east, about
fifty degrees above the horizon; it took its course near north-west; its
diameter seemed as large or larger than the sun, especially at one time,
when it opened so as to seemingly separate: It appeared like sheets of
fire inclining together; its sound as it went in some places, was said to
resemble that of a great fire urged by a strong wind; it kept near one
height all the way, 'till it had crossed the meridian to the north about
twenty degrees; there a small cloud seemed to attract it; mounting higher,
just as it appeared the outward edge of the cloud, it appeared to shatter
into innumerable pieces.

1 History of New-York, p. 125, 126.

2 Prince, in the dedication to him, of his chronology, speaks of this in
the following strain: "Upon this occasion his excellency will forgive me,
if for the honour of his country, as well as for his own; we boast of one
among us, who inspired with zeal for the succession of that illustrious
house, even in the joys of youth, twice brake away, viz. in 1704 and 1708,
and passed a double ocean; that he might with rapture see, and in his
country's name, express the ardour of their vows to that most important
family; in which under Heaven, all the welfare of three mighty nations,
and even of all the protestant states and kingdoms in the world, as well
as the liberty, religion and felicity of these colonies and provinces were
involved. A celebrated instance peculiar to himself alone, that I presume
no other American can pretend to; and for the fatigue and pains, I suppose
no other subject of the whole British empire; which redounds to the glory
of the land that bred him, that parted with him, and received him with
applause; and the happy consequence whereof, at the head of his country,
he now enjoys."

3 He was apt to apply this expression in contrast to a sentimental choice.

4 See above, &c.