History of Nova Caesarea - Part 14



APPENDIX II

John Tatham, New Jersey's Missing Governor by john D. McCormick

In 1684, Dr. Daniel Cox, of London, acquired an extensive interest in West
Jersey, and in 1686 one in East Jersey. A late biographer, Mr. G. D.
Scull, of England, says: "After the death of Governor Byllinge, in
January, 1687, he purchased of his fanilly their landed property in West
Jersey, together with the right of government in the Province, under the
grant of the Duke of York to Byllinge. Dr. Cox, in consequence, became
Governor of West Jersey. Shortly after, on September 5, 1687, he addressed
a letter to the Colony, detailing the circumstances connected witli the
transaction, and explaining his views as to the future."

From a paper quoted by Mr. Scull; the original being in the Bodleian
Library, dated about 1688, it appears that "The above menconed Daniell
Coxe, being resolved to sell his interest in Land and Government of the
Collonies of East and West Jersey, the land Amounting, by a moderate
calculacion unto one million of acres, whereof about 400,000 are surveyed
and the Indian purchase paid." "Besides the purchase of ye land many
thousand pounds have been Expended upon the establishing of a whale
fishing, which will bring for ye future very great profit." There were
also large forests of timber suitable for masts for vessels, immense
vineyards for the curing of raisins and the manufacture of wines. Also,
lands underlying which were rich deposits of iron, brass, copper and lead.
Besides these there were oyster beds, fisheries and other industries in
profitable operation.

"Dr. Cox never visited America. This fact is expressly stated by Oldmixon,"
says Scull. He made John Tatham his agent in the Jerseys, the latter being
a resident of Bucks county, Pa., in 1681, where he owned extensive tracts
of land. In the fall of 1687, the Assembly of West Jersey acknowledged Dr.
Cox as Governor. He appointed Edward Hunloke his deputy, but soon after he
commissioned his agent, John Tatham, to be his deputy Governor, and govern
in his name, "who, being a Jacobite, and as such by principle disqualified
him, the Assembly rejected." (Smith's History, pp. 191-92.) It was while
working on a reprint of Smith's History that this quotation first met my
eye, and directed my attention to him. The cause assigned for his
rejection, that he was a Jacobite, leaves no doubt as to his religious
belief. James II, of the house of Stuart, was then upon the throne of
England. His followers were known as Jacobites. To be a Jacobite and a
Catholic were synonymous terms in those days.

The days of the house of Stuart upon the throne of England were drawing to
a close, and party feeling ran high. A study of the affairs of West Jersey
at that period warrants the belief that the reason given for John Tatham's
rejection was only a pretext. Thomas Olive, who had been twice Governor of
West Jersey, led a vigorous opposition to the claims of Edward Byllinge,
on account of a question as to the validity of his title, and also because
of his financial embarrassments. Dr. Cox had inherited the rights of
Byllinge, and it is not unlikely that a desire to annoy Governor Cox was
the chief motive of the rejection of John Tatham. No other objection could
be raised against him but his political affiliations, which also indicated
his religion.

Notwithstanding the action of the Assembly, John Tatham continued to act as
the agent of Governor Cox, and to take part in public affairs. The line of
partition of 1676, dividing New Jersey into East and West Jersey, proved a
source of public dissatisfaction to both sections. It grew to such
proportions that Governor Cox, of West Jersey, and Governor Barclay, of
East Jersey, resolved to remedy the evil. For that purpose they entered
into a joint agreement, dated "London, September 5, 1688," for the final
determination of all difficulties concerning the line of partition.
Nothing came of that contract, however, but more jealousies and feuds.

On the 14th of December, 1687, the Proprietors of West Jersey met at
Burlington, and eleven of their number were elected to act as
commissioners for the ensuing year. The whole government of the Province
was vested in them, and among the Proprietors, I find the name of John
Tatham. He was also elected in that year one of the commissioners who
exercised the above powers of government. The question of settling the
long-disputed division line was entrusted to this commission, acting
jointly with a similar commission from East Jersey. Deep-seated as was the
trouble, I find no further reference to it after that. The first survey
that I can find for him in West Jersey was made in March, 1689 (Hill's
History of the Church in Burlington, p. 11).

On November 21st, 1681, the first Assembly of West Jersey under the
Proprietors met at Burlington, and "agreed upon certain fundamentals of
government," in the tenth section of which it appears, "That liberty of
conscience, in matters of faith and worship, shall be granted to all
people within the Province aforesaid, who shall live peaceably and quietly
therein; and that none of the free people of the said Province shall be
rendered incapable of office in respect to their faith and worship."
(Smith's History, p. 128.)

John Tatham, as one of those who were invested with the powers of
government above, is inseparably connected with the establishment of that
religious liberty that was introduced six years before.

AMERICA'S FIRST POTTER.

Governor Cox, in the inventory of his property offered for sale in the
Jerseys in 1688, found in the Rawlinson manuscripts, Bodleian Library,
says: "I have erected a pottery at Burlington, for white and Chiney ware,
a great quantity of ye value £1,200 have been already made and vended in
ye country, neighbor Colonies and ye Islands of Barbadoes and Jamaica,
where they are in great request. I have two houses and kilns, with all
necessary implements, divers workmen and other servts. Have expended
thereon about £2,000." The "white" ware corresponded with the "white
stoneware" produced by William Miles, of Hanley, Staffordshire, England,
and the "Chiney" ware was similar to the "crouch ware" made at Burslem. It
had all the elements of porcelain, and had John Tatham given his kilns a
harder fire his ware would have been semi-transparent. The pottery was
built at the suggestion of John Tatham, who had some knowledge of the
advantages resulting from the combination of clays, and he thus
established the first pottery built on this side of the Atlantic. Two
thousand pounds in 1688 possessed the purchasing power of $50,000 in 1890.
The pottery was located near Mahlon Stacey's mill, on the Assanpink, in
Trenton. The pottery industry in Trenton represents a capital invested of
$2,500,000 in 1890, and is the most extensive industry in the city.

Affairs in East Jersey will now claim attention, in order to follow up the
movements of John Tatham. Governor Robert Barclay died in October, 1690,
and East Jersey was without a Governor. From some cause, the government of
the twenty-four Proprietors became very unpopular, and they were naturally
quite anxious to secure a successor to Governor Barclay who would be
likely to bring about the desired popularity, and to overcome the
prejudices of their opponents. On glancing over the statesmen and public
men of East and West Jersey, they found none who possessed all the
requirements except John Tatham. I will let a distinguished author, W. A.
Whitehead, speak on the subject:

"So averse were the opponents of the Proprietors to the re-establishment of
their authority, that for a time the public sentiment was in favor of a
continuance of this state of comparatively imperfect organization as a
government. For on the arrival of Hamilton in England, and the death of
Governor Barclay, which occurred October 3d, 1690, the Proprietors
appointed John Tatham to be their Governor, and subsequently, in 1691,
Colonel Joseph Dudley, but both nominees the people scrupled to obey, on
what ground is not stated." (Collections N.J. Historical Society, Vol. I,
2d Rev. Ed., p. 185.)

Recent investigations enable us to understand the cause of the unpopularity
of the government of the Proprietors. It was a grievance of long standing,
and had its origin in this way: Some of the settlers in the Jerseys got
title for their purchases of land under the Monmouth patent; others bought
directly from the Indians, and still others under the grant of the Duke of
York to Berkeley and Carteret. These two charters overlapped. The latter
refused to recognize the validity of any title not granted by themselves,
they claiming fuller authority, and demanded rents from all the
landholders alike. A storm of opposition was raised, which broke out into
open insurrection during the administration of Governor Phillip Carteret,
and he was obliged to leave the Colony and take refuge in England.
Concessions were made to the settlers; the matters in dispute were
referred to the chancery courts, but a radical cure was not effected, and
from time to time the trouble would break out anew. It was during one of
these outbursts of popular disfavor that John Tatham was elected governor,
and that was why the settlers "scrupled to obey."

From the foregoing, it is clear that John Tatham was elected to the highest
position in the gift of the Proprietors, that of Governor of East and West
Jersey, for they seem to have been under one Governor then, each Province
having a separate Council. That he entered upon the duties of his office,
and exercised the functions thereof, is equally plain, for he served one
year in office, as is evident from the appointment of Colonel Dudley to be
his successor, in 1691. All the authorities I have examined upon the
subject lament that the records that have come down to us are very meagre,
and throw but little light upon that interesting, period of our Colonial
history. (See East Jersey under the Proprietary Governors, by Whitehead.)

It is probable that Governor Tatham, understanding well the nature of the
situation, has avoided those public acts that would cause irritation among
the people, and allowed affairs to pursue the even tenor of their way, he
contenting himself with simply holding the executive power in abeyance, to
be used only in case there should be urgent necessity for its exercise.
Those who govern best, govern least.

The "scruples to obey" on the part of the people did not mean that they
refused to obey Governor Tatham, and defied his authority. It ouly meant
that the government of the Proprietors was unpopular, and was ouly obeyed
with reluctance. Hence the wisdom of the governor in pursuing the
conservative course that he did.

A JUDGE OF THE COURT.

The Hon. B. F. Lee, Clerk of the New Jersey Supreme Court, called my
attention recently to an old minute-book of the court in his office. I am
of the opinion that Mr. Lee has made an important discovery, and that the
matter contained in the record is of great historical value, and that it
illuminates a peried of New Jersey history that has been shrouded in
comparative darkness. The investigations of Bancroft and the late W. A.
Whitehead failed to fathom that obscure period, and they were left to
conjecture about it. Yet this record shows that the courts were held
regularly at Burlington; we have the names of the judges who sat on the
bench; we know who composed the grand jury, and we have a synopsis of the
cases that came before the court, thus enabling the student of history to
form a pretty correct idea of the state of society at that time.

The record is known as "The Court Booke. Containing the Orders and
Proceedings of the Court at Burlington, and Liberties, Jurisdictions and
Precincts Thereof. 1681." On page 79 we learn that the "Quarterly Sessions
held at Burlington ye first Tuesday in February, the fifth of ye same
month, 1688. Present there John Skene, Edward Hunloke, Wm. Biddle, James
Marshal, Daniel Wills and Wm. Myers, justices present. John Tatham, Esqr.,
was foreman of the grand jury, which included the following: Tho:
Hutchinson, Tho: Folke, Joshua Ely, Peter Rossa, William Budd, Brigall
Sowle, William Hunt, John Lambert, John Bainbridge, Isaac Marriott, Edw:
Rockhill, Robert Wilson and Tho: Scattergood." One of the cases that came
before the court was that of a woman named Pearson, charged as a vagabond
in the indictment. She was convicted and punished. Another case was that
of Christof Snowden, indicted for misdemeanors, in selling liquor to the
Indians. He was convicted. "The court therefore order and hereby prohibit
said Christof Snowden from selling any strong liquors until next Quaxter
Sessions" (p. 79). He had his license revoked.

On June 5th, 1696, he appeared in behalf of Dr. Daniell Cox, plaintiff; vs.
John Dubois, defendant. "At the Court of Sessions, February 26, 1692-3,
Edward Hunloke, Dep. Gov. John Tatham, William Biddle, Daniel Wills, Fran.
Davenport, Mahlon Stacey, Thomas Lambert, Thomas Gardner, William Righton,
Daniel Leeds, Esqrs., justices upon ye bench" (p. 115). This was the first
time that John Tatham performed the duties of a judge on the bench. He
appears on the bench at the Sessions of May 8th, 1693, October 18th, 1693,
October 20th, 1693, May 8th, 1694. He was on the bench at the Quarter
Sessions and Common Pleas, November 8th, 1694, January 19th, 1694,
November 4th, 1695, February 20th, 1695-6, May 8th, 1696, August 8th,
1698, November 3d, 1698. On that date "The Grand Jury returns into court
and presents * * Christopher Wetherill for scandalizing John Tatham, by
calling him a Papist" (p. 158). A session of the court was held soon after
in which it appears that "whereas, the grand jury presented Christopher
Wetherill for scandalizing John Tatham; and whereas, the said Christopher
Wetherill appeared in court and submitted, and was, discharged." John
Tatham was not on the bench at that session, but he appeared, before the
court as counsel for Daniell England (p. 160). The action of the court,
at this session is worthy of note. It establishes the fact that Judge
Tatham was a Catholic; and it also shows that religious liberty was
something real and practical in West Jersey at that time, with William
III. on the English throne.

A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL.

In 1692 Andrew Hamilton returned to America, and became Governor of the
Jerseys. After a time he solicited John Tatham to become a member of the
Governor's Council, and he accepted. We have seen that he was a "Jacobite;
"that is, an adherent of James II., and that he stood by him while there
was any hope. But all hope having been extinguished at the battle of La
Hague, in 1692, John Tatham accepted the inevitable, and took the oath of
civil allegiance to William III.

He took part in the organization of Burlington township, and was present at
its first meeting. It appears from the original records that on April 5th,
1694, "the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Said Town being Convened and * *
Did Choose & Elect John Tatham Recorder." Shortly afterwards some
disorders occurred in a liquor saloon on Sunday, that greatly disturbed
the peace and quiet of Burlington, and the moral and law-abiding citizens
thereof brought it to the notice of the town meeting. At its session of
April 22d, 1695, the matter was considered, and disposed of by its
reference to a committee of which John Tatham was chairman. His colleagues
considered him a proper man to promote morality in the community, and to
keep the liquor traffic within lawful bounds. (History of Burlington and
Mercer Counties, by Woodward & Hageman.)

On May 20th, 1697, an "agreement was signed by Governor Hamilton and
his Council and the members of the House of Representatives of West
Jersey," in which they say that "whereas, there has been a horrid and
detestable conspiracy, formed and carried on by Papists and other wicked
and traitorous persons, for assassinating his Majesty's Royal person, in
order to encourage an invasion from France on England, to subvert our
religion, laws and liberty, &c." And "we do hereby further freely and
unanimously oblige us to unite, associate and stand by each other in
supporting and defending the succession to the crown." Soon after, another
address, somewhat similar in wording, was signed, congratulating the Kiug
on his happy escape, &c. (N.J. Archives, Vol. II, pp. 145, 146). John
Tatham, in common with the other members of the Governor's Council, and the
public men of West Jersey, signed those documents. They contain nothing
but an expression of loyalty to the King in the civil order, and of
abhorrence of the crime of assassination.

The plot that gave rise to the expressions of loyalty above proved to be a
genuine plot. Let the reader note well who it was that frustrated it. The
would-be assassins had landed in England, and had laid their plans so well
that the life of King William was in imminent danger. Every detail had
been agreed upon. The plot was revealed and frustrated by "a Roman
Catholic gentleman of known courage and honor named Pendergrass." * * "My
Lord," said he to Portland, "as you value King William's life, do not let
him hunt to-morrow. He is the enemy of my religion, yet my religion
constrains me to give him this caution. But the names of the conspirators
I am resolved to conceal. Some of them are my friends; one of them is
especially my benefactor, and I will not betray them." (See Macauley's
History of England, p. 598.)

Pendergrass had been led to believe that the plan was to simply make a
prisoner of Willlam. At the trial of the conspirators, nothing was found
upon them or elicited in evidence that would criminate James II. or
anybody of note in church or state. The spectacle of a Catholic like
Pendergrass coming forward voluntarily to save the life of the King, and
of John Tatham remaining true to his obligations to the King, were acts
well calculated to disarm their enemies of their hostility.

I now approach the end of John Tatham's public life. "Att a Council held at
Perth Amboy 30th of May Anno Domi 1698, were present Governor Basse and
full Council.

"The Governor administered an oath of Secrecie to John Tatham, Esqr., hee
not being of the Councill of this Province, but of West Jersey, who was,
Accordingly Admitted to this board to Assist them with his Advice."
(Minutes of the Governor and Council, p. 198.)

"After the reading of the late proclamation, signed by Bellamount, Governor
of New York, the 24th of May, 1698, the board were of opinion that Mr.
James Dundas should be sent for, to acquaint them of what he knew of any
order lately come from England to Bellamount concerning our port, who
accordingly came. "And it was agreed by this board that there should bee a
Proclamation issued out, asserting the authority of our Port." (Ibid., p.
199.)

The cause of so much anxiety arose from the fact that New York became
jealous of Perth Amboy as a port of entry, and endeavored to have it
closed. Governor Basse had but just succeeded Governor Hamilton, when this
grave public question was forced upon him. He summoned the ablest men of
New Jersey to his side, and seems to have placed a high estimate upon the
advice of John Tatham, who was the only representative from West Jersey,
where he was a member of Governor Basse's Council, as appears from the
minutes of the Council. His last public service of which we have any
record was performed in defence of New Jersey's rights, and to uphold her
honor.

HE NEVER TOOK THE OATH OF SUPREMACY.

There is one thing about which I am certain, and that is, that John Tatham
never took the oath of supremacy to William III. We have no record to let
us know what oath he took when he entered upon the duties of Governor of
the Jerseys, but we can show by later occurrences that he only took the
oath of civil allegiance. We have a positive record in the Minutes of the
Governor and Council of the oaths taken by Governors Barclay, Hamilton and
Basse when they assumed office. They all first subscribed to the oath of
civil allegiance, and then to the oath of supremacy. Portions of their
Councils did the same. The name of Governor Hamilton, and also several
members of his Council, appear on the record before me, but the name of
John Tatham is not there. It is true his name is not in the Council first
chosen by Governor Hamilton, because he was selected later on, and it may
be objected that because he was not among the first batch he might have
been overlooked.

But this objection entirely disappears when we approach the administration
of Governor Basse. John Tatham was among the few who turned out to publicly
receive Governor Basse on his arrival in Burlington, as is recorded in the
N.J. Archives. He was among the first Council of Governor Basse beyond
doubt, as is evident from the Minutes of the Council (p. 198), quoted
elsewhere. The name of Governor Basse, and a few of his Council, are
recorded as having taken the oath of supremacy.

But John Tatham is not in the list. If he had taken the oath of supremacy
when he became Governor, he would also have taken it when called to
Governor Hamilton's Council, and be so recorded. He would certainly be
among the subscribers to the oath of supremacy in Governor Basse's
Council, if he took it. His name does not appear as having taken any of
the oaths. But neither do the names of other members of Governor's
Councils who did not take the oath of supremacy. We have the case of
Richard Hartshorne, a Quaker, I think, who objected to the oath of
supremacy when selected upon Governor Basse's Council. He did not take it,
yet he appears upon the list of the Governor's Council in East Jersey at
subsequent meetings.

HIS DEATH.

On July 15th, 1700, John Tatham made his last will and testament. In the
opening clause he said: "I do give my soul to God, hoping for remission of
my sins, through and on account of the pure merits and suffering of my
glorious Lord and blessed Redeemer, and my body to the earth." Judging
from the signature to the original document, I believe that he also wrote
the body of the will with his own hand. It would seem from this that the
strong religious sentiments he expressed were the outpourings of a
Christian heart, and not the mere form common to such documents. His death
soon followed, for the will was admitted to probate July 26th, 1700. The
inventory of his personal effects was made September 27th, 1700. Among
them was a silver-hilted rapier and belt. He has no doubt been a military
man. It is something unusual to find swords mounted with the precious
metals in actual service, and it is probable that he received it in
recognition of deeds of bravery performed upon some bloody field.

JOHN TATHAM'S LIBRARY.

His library was valued in bulk at £50. The total value of his goods and
chattels was estimated at £3,765: 18: 3, an immerse sum in those days. He
made his wife, Elizabeth Tatham, his sole executor. No conditions were
imposed; no restrictions were placed upon her. This fact gives us a
glimpse at his domestic life, and shows it to have been harmonious. She
did not long survive him. Her will bears date October 15th, 1700. It was
admitted to probate May 21st, 1701. The inventory of her own and her late
husband's effects throw much light upon his character. Under the head of
"Church Plate" are the following: "1 handle cup, 1 small plate, 1 box,
£10: 12; 1 small case, £1: 2: 6; 1 silver universal dial, 12s.; 1 silver
grater, 6d.; 1 round armed silver Crucifix, 1 plate of St. Dominique, 1
small silver box with reliques, 1 wooden cross with image of Christ, £1:
12."

The title of every book in his library is given separately. I will quote a
few of them from the original paper: "Pontifical Rome," Sir Thomas Moore's
Works, "Liturgy of ye Mass," "Faith Vindicated," "Theologia Naturali," "No
Cross, No Crown," "Consideration of ye Council of Trent," "Necessity of
the Church of God," "Bibli Vulgati," "A Survey of ye New Religion,"
"Cidroni's Philosophia," "The Following of Christ," "Theologia Moralis,"
"Office of ye Blessed Virgin Mary," in French, "A Mass of Pious Thoughts,"
"Ambrosia Officia," Thomas Moore's "Utopia," "History of Sir Thomas Moore,"
"Defence of Catholic Faith."

There were 478 books, by actual count, in his library, mostly with Latin
titles, some of the works comprising several volumes, making a total of
about 500 volumes. They treat of church discipline, commentaries on the
Scriptures, law, logic, theology, controversy, history, medicine,
metaphysics, music, astronomy, surveying, biography, and kindred subjects.
These show the owner to have been a man of education and culture, and
strong religious tendencies. (See Burlington Wills, 1693-1703.)

In order to give the reader some idea of how rare it was to find a library
of 500 volumes in the Jerseys at that time, I will quote from an address
of Hon. Charles D. Deshler, at the celebration of the Bi-Centennial of the
first Legislature of New Jersey, delivered at Trenton, March 1st, 1883. He
says: "If their means of intercommunication were few and rude, their means
for moral and intellectual culture were fewer still. There were few
churches and no school-houses. There was no post-office and no newspaper.
* * The publication of books and pamphlets in this country was not merely
discouraged, but was prohibited, and even in England the publications were
few and far between."

What an intellectual centre John Tatham's house has been! I feel safe in
saying that he has had more books in his library than there were in the
combined libraries of all the rest of the people of West Jersey put
together. I have examined the "inventories" of many of the Proprietors and
settlers of West Jersey, and have good ground upon which to base such an
opinion. He probably had the largest library in either East or West Jersey.

JOHN TATHAM'S HOUSE.

Gabriel Thomas, in his History of Burlington, published in 1698 [sic],
says, after speaking of other things: "Besides the great and stately
palace of John Tatham, Esq., which is pleasantly situated on the North
side of the Town, having a very fine and delightful Garden and Orchard
adjoining it, wherein is variety of Fruits, Herbs, and Flowers, as Roses,
Tulips, July Flowers, Sun Flowers, Carnations, and many more." It will be
interesting to trace the history of the beautiful property briefly
described above. On October 17th, 1712, the "Society for the Promotion of
the Gospel in Foreign Parts," an Episcopal organization whose headquarters
were in London, purchased the "Great and Stately Palace" of John Tatham,
for £600. The report of the Society for that year says that the property
was to be known henceforth as "Burlington House." It was fitted up as a
residence for the Rev. John Talbot, first rector of St. Mary's Episcopal
Church, Burlington. He was afterward consecrated Bishop. "Burlington House"
subsequently took fire and was partially destroyed. It was refitted up as a
residence for the Governor of New Jersey, but was allowed ultimately to
fall into ruin and abandonment. (See Hill's History of the Church in
Burlington, p. 15.) On July 23d, 1881, while some workmen were engaged in
making an excavation in Tatham street, Burlington, to lay a water main,
the foundation walls of the "Great and Stately Palace" were discovered.

OVERLOOKED AS GOVERNOR.

I have examined many books of reference that give lists of New Jersey's
Governors, and find no mention of him. There is a blank between the
administrations of Barclay and Hamilton. I have searched for several years
for some sketch of him that would guide me, but only found one of half a
dozen sentences. He seems to have been entirely overlooked. His name is
never mentioned. He is known to but a few investigators. This should not
be so.

Of his enterprise, his executive ability, his versatile talents and his
integrity, we have ample proof in the fact that he was the agent and
enjoyed the confidence of Governor Cox to the last. From his reports to
Governor Cox we learn that he had a correct knowledge of the mineral
resources of New Jersey, as will be apparent to anybody who examines our
geological reports. He introduced and established many industries,
including the potter's art. His public services were of the first order,
both in Colonial and local affairs. A high public official under Cox, he
succeeded Governor Barclay and governed both Provinces for a year during a
turbulent period, owing to the rebellion of Jacob Leisler in New York. A
judge of the court for many years, he administered Jersey justice with
impartiality. He acted upon the Councils of Governors Hamilton and Basse,
and seems to have risen above those factious disputes that at times almost
paralyzed public affairs. Like Samuel Jennings, Thomas Olive and Thomas
Revell, he enjoyed the confidence of the people when others were retired
to private life.

Closely identified with the establishment of religious liberty, his work
forms the basis of our constitution and laws. Intellectually he was the
peer of any of his cotemporaries. He propagated morality, temperance and
respect for the Sabbath. From the days of Cartaret down to those of Leon
Abbett, our present honored Executive, there is probably no State in the
Union that possesses such a long and unbroken line of wise statesmen and
patriots as New Jersey's Governors. John Tatham is well worthy to be
placed where he belongs in that honored roll. The historians and the press
of New Jersey will see that it is done. His name has been brought forth
from the obscurity in which it has remained for nearly two hundred years,
and will never again be forgotten.
TRENTON, July, 1890.