Class illilM 
Book. 



/5-0 



SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT 






PEOCEEDINGS 



N E W J P: K S E Y 



HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



SECOND SERIES. 






VOL. IV. 



1875—1877. 




NEWARK, N. J.: 

PRINTED AT THE DAILY ADYERTISER OFFICE, 

1877. 






E RRAT A . 



Page 8, line 32. after the word •' Library," insert lohich was adopted. 
" 49 and 50 are duplicated. 

'• 64. Hue 24, for ''John Horn," read John Hone. 
'• 141. line 5. for -'1-1. M. Mollisoa." read W. H. Moliisoit. 



Yable of Coiiteiit>'4. 



Page. 

Proceedikgs AT Trenton, January 2l8t, 1876, 

Origin and Signification of Geographical Names, in Monmouth and 

Ocean Counties — by Edwin Salter, ..---- 18 
An interesting memento of Major Andre— by William Nelson. - 27 

Fragmentary History of the New Jersey Indians— by Samuel 

Allinson, ^^ 

Proceedings in Newark, May 2l8t, 1875, ^^ 

A Memorial of the Life and Character of Hon. William L. Dayton, 

Late U. S. Minister to France— by Joseph P. Bradley. - - 69 

Proceedings AT Trenton, January 20th, 1876, - - - - - 119 

Biographical Sketch of Captain William Colfax— by William Nelson. 145 

Proceedings in Newark, May 18th. 1876, ------ 153 

Proceedings at Trenton, January I7th, 1877, 1"3 

Letter of Lewis Morris to the people of Elizabethtowu, July 13th, 

1698, - 

Memoir of Col. Philip Johnson— by Adjt. Gen'l William S. Stryker, 187 

Memoir of John DeHart— by B. W. Throckmorton, - - - - 489 

Memoir of Richard Stockton— by W. A. Whitehead, - - - 194 

Index, 



184 



199 






^ 



^ 



i) 



/ 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 



^ 



ftD l^rseg historical Sonttg. 



SECOND SERIES. 

VolJV. 1875. No. 1. 

Trenton, January 21st, 1875, 

The Society met in accordance with the By-Laws at 12 M., in the 
rooms of the Trenton Board of Trade. 

In the absence of the President, the Rev. Samuel Hamill, D.D., 
one of the Vice-Presidents, took the chair. 

The Recording Secretary having read the minutes of the last 
meeting, they were on motion approved. 



The Corresponding Secretary submitted the correspondence 
since May, and laid before the Society communications from the 
Iowa Historical Society and Numismatic and Antiquarian Society 
of Philadelphia, acknowledging the receipt of the Society's publica- 
tions : — from the United States Commissioner of Education ; Smith- 
sonian Institution ; Rev. Joseph F. Tuttle, of Indiana ; Joseph W. 
Hough of Trenton ; D. C. Hickey, M.D,, of Newark ; iMr. Charles H. 
Hart of Philadelphia ; and Mr. Guy Latourette of Bergen Point, 
accompanying donations for the library ; from Dr. H. W. Elmer of 
Bridgeton, referring to a loan of the sword of Gen. Giles, for the 
Centennial Celebration at that place in commemoration of the burn- 
ing of the Tea at Greenwich in 1774; from Mr. Ralph Voorhees, 
giving some information relating to the Conover family on the Rari- 
l tan ; from Mr. Charles Henry Hart of the Numismatic and Antiqua- 

rian Society of Philadelphia, referring to the Field family of New 
Jersey ; from James Ross Snowden, Esq., of Philadelphia, asking 



F 






Z MEETING IN TRENTON. 

for the loan of the MSS. memoir of Dr. Witherspoon, for the use of 
the committee appointed by the General Assembly of the Presby- 
terian Church to erect, in connection with the Centennial celebra- 
tion, a statue of heroic size of that distinguished representative of 
New Jersey in the Congress of 1776 ; from Mr. Samuel D. Thurs- 
ton of Camden, Ohio, enquiring after the family of that name in 
New Jersey; from Rev. Ravaud K. Rodgers, D.D., the Presi- 
dent of the Society, declining a reelection, having removed to Athens, 
Georgia; from Mr. William Nelson of Paterson, suggesting some 
measures for the collection of State Statistics ; and from Mr. James 
Lawrence of Bloomington, Illinois, a descendant of Mrs. Governor 
Carteret, inquiring for information respecting her. 

The Treasurer being absent, his accounts were presented by the 
Secretary, showing a balance in the treasury on the 31st December 
of $1,177.33, and investments amounting to $12,135.84.* 

The Executive Committee, after referring for details to the re- 
ports of the officers and Standing Committees, stated that they took 
great satisfaction in directing attention to the annually increasing 
evidences of the usefulness of the Society, and to the assurance thus 
afforded that the institution had reached a position that secured its 
perpetuity and should give it a strong hold on the confidence and 
affection of every Jerseyman who loves his State and is proud of her 
historic renown. 

The interest now taken in the history of the State, compared with 
the little manifested before the formation of the Society, is, in a 
great measure, due to the impressions made on the intelligent popu- 
lation of the commonwealth of the value of its publications, and the 
inducements and facilities for historic research offered by its con- 
stantly increasing library. When it is considered how few had been 
the publications illustrating the history of the State, general or local, 
previous to the year 1845 ; the efforts, which these facilities had 
encouraged, to recover what had been lost and to throw light on 
what was obscure, and the service which the " Collections" and 



*See page 11. 



MEETING IN TRENTON. »"> 

" Proceedings" of the Society had rendered in these directions, could 
not fail to be appreciated. The items of local history which now find 
their way so frequently into the columns of our newspapers, and 
which, the Committee were pleased to know, are more generally 
transmitted to the Society for preservation in the library, indicated 
this increased interest and were becoming yearly of greater value, 
. by adding to the resources for that authoritative general history of 
the State which has yet to be written, and whose claims to public 
confidence must measurably depend upon the acquaintance with, and 
the use made of, the local annals of our various communities. 

The Society had had cause since its last meeting to lament the 
loss of one of its most active members, in the death in the 
month of September last, of Mr. Charles C. Haven of Trenton, at 
the advanced age of 84 years. " Mr. Haven," said the Committee, 
'■has been for several years a member of the Executive Committee, 
and notwithstanding his bodily infirmities and impaired eyesight, was 
a regular attendant upon the meetings of the Society and participa- 
ted in its proceedings up to the last meeting ; and it will be remem- 
bered that he then drew the attention of the members to some facts 
bearing upon controverted points of local history, in which he took 
special interest. In Mr. Haven the Society has lost an earnest and 
valued member. 

•'The departure from time to time of those who either organized the 
Society or were among its earlier members, must impress us all with 
a sense of the debt we owe for their active exertions in its behalf ; 
and when the names of King, Doane, Duer, Hornblower, Parker, 
Field, Alexander, Carnahan, Congar and others, who were wont to 
devote their leisure time and their mental abilities to the service of 
the Society, are recalled, we not only lament their loss, but also the 
fact that it is, in a great degree, irreparable — their places, when their 
usefulness is considered, remaining unfilled. The Committee have 
had cause to feel the want of the cooperation which the fathers of 
the Society were ever ready to extend, to give interest to its meet- 
ings, from having failed to secure any special historical paper for this 
occasion. They earnestly request the members to endeavor to place 
at their disposal memoirs, however brief, that may be used to arouse 



4 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

inquiry or furnish information respecting any matter of historical 
interest." 

The Committee on Publications reported the publication of the 
concluding number of the thirteenth volume of the Society's " Pro- 
ceedings," making, with the "Collections," consisting of distinct 
works, twenty-one volumes the Society has issued illustrative of 
the history of the State. 

The Committee on the Library reported the completion of 
several undertakings, and the progress made in others, whereby the 
usefulness of the library had been increased by a more perfect de- 
velopment of its resources. 

The Maps, of which the Society possesses a collection both valua- 
ble and numerous, had all been arranged, numbered and catalogued. 
The duplicates, both of books and pamphlets, had been carefully 
catalogued to facilitate exchanges. The binding of^maHyv^rthe" 
more valuable had been proceeded with and will continue to receive 
the attention of the Committee from time to time as the resources 
of the Society might warrant, and several volumes of newspapers 
had been bound, making some of the files more complete, and ren- 
dering reference to all of them more convenient. 

A new Catalogue had also been commenced, which it was in- 
tended should embody, in the most approved form, thorough infor- 
mation respecting the entire collection of books and pamphlets. 
This was a work which had been long desired, the present cata- 
logues being from various causes very defective ; but its magnitude 
had deterred the Committee from entering upon it until recently. It 
would now be prosecuted to completion, in manuscript, with the hope 
that circumstances might warrant its being put in print at an early 
day. 

Other measures more or less conducive to the convenience of the 
members and good order of the library had received attention. 

Reference having been made to the Society's collection of news- 
papers, and as many of the members had not had opportunities to 
examine it, the Committee presented some of its features in detail as 
follows : 



MEETING IN TRENTON, ^ 

"Of Papers published in New Jersey prior to the present century 
we have — 

The New Jersey Gazette from 1778 to 1785, 
The New Jersey Journal from 1781 to 1818. 
The New Jersey State Gazette from 1792 to 185*2. 
The New Brunswick Gazette, 1787 to 1789. 
Wood's Newark Gazette, 1795 to 1797. 
Sentinel of Freedom, 1796 to 1852. 
The Rural Magazine of Newark, 1798. 

"Of those published during the present century the most complete 
are — 

The Newark Daily Advertiser, 1832 to 1874. 

Trenton Federalist, 1803 to 1805. 

Trenton True American, 1805. 

Trenton Emporium, 1821 to 1827. 

Trenton Emporium and True American combined, 1830 to 1833, 

1837 to 1840. 

New Jersey Advocate, 1848 to 1850. 
New Brunswick Fredonian, 1848 to 1858. 
Paterson Intelligencer, 1848 to 1858. 
Burlington Gazette, 1852 to 1857. 
Burlington Rural Visitor, 1811. 
Morristown Palladium of Liberty, 1810 to 1815. 
Warren Journal, 1848 to 1849. 
Newark Monitor, 1831 to 1834, 
Newark, New Jersey, Eagle, 1820, 1826, 1832. 
Somerset Whig, 1848 to 1850. 
Somerset Messenger, 1848 to 1858. 

Miscellaneous New Jersey Papers published during the Rebellion, 
33 large volumes, presenting the details of operations in numerous 
localities, arranged chronologically :— and other less perfect files. 

"Of those published out of the State prior to the present century, 
we have — 

New York Gazetteer from 1784 to 1787. 
Pennsylvania Gazette, 1757 to 1759. 



6 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

New York Weekly Museum, 1793 and 1794. 

American Farmer and Dutchess County Gazette, 1798 to 1800. 

New England Weekly Journal, 1827. 

Owens' Weekly Chronicle, 1759. 

Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia), 1791 to 1793. 

Porcupine's Gazette, Philadelphia, 1798 and 1799. 

New Bedford Courier, 1799 to 1803. 

Kingston Sun, 1793 to 1798. 

Richmond Advertiser, 1795. 

Litchfield Monitor, 1793 to 1797. 

Philadelphia Minerva, 1797. 

Boston Chronicle, 1767. 

New York Weekly Magazine, 1795 to 1797. 

New York Diary and Mercantile Advertiser, 1797 to 1798. 

'*0f those published during the present century, a large number of 
valuable files from different cities, the most complete being — 

The New York Daily Times, 1854 to 1873. 

The New York Evening Post, 1812 to 1833. 

The New York Commercial Advertiser, 1825 to 1836. 

The National Intelligencer, 1808 to 1813. 

The New York American, 1833 to 1837. 

The New York Mercantile Advertiser, 1812 to 1832. 

" It is scarcely necessary to say that such a collection possesses 
vast interest for all engaged in " copying fair what time has blurred," 
affording items of information and details of events nowhere else 
obtainable, excepting in like repositories." 

In this connection the Committee asked for the influence of the 
members with the conductors of newspapers in their several locali- 
ties, to have files of their respective journals preserved for the 
Society, and transmitted yearly for preservation in the library. Such 
an arrangement would be more satisfactory than their transmission 
daily or weekly, as miscarriage would not be so likely to occur. 
Only two papers were now received regularly from the publishers. 

The Committee stated that the Corresponding Secretary had con- 
tinued his supervision of the library to the present time, but his en- 
gagements being such as render it burdensome, it would be in accord- 



MEETING IN TRENTON, « 

ance with his wishes were the Society at this meeting to appoint a 
Librarian, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Congar 
in July, 1872. A report of the additions made to the library by 
donations was submitted, the total number being 43 volumes and 192 
pamphlets.* 

The Committee on Nominations reported favorably on a number 
of names that were referred to them, and the gentlemen were there- 
upon elected members, and several new nominations were received. 

The chair appointed the Standing Committees for 1875 as follows : 

Committee on Publications — William A. Whitehead, Samuel H. 
Pennington. M.D., John Hall, D.D., William B. Kinney, Joseph N. 
Tuttle. 

Committee on Library — Martin R. Dennis, Edward Sealey, Robert 
S. Swords, Robert P. Ballantine, W. A. Whitehead. 

Committee on Finance — Joseph N. Tuttle, Wm. B. Mott, L. Spen- 
cer Goble, John C. Johnston, Charles E. Young. 

Committee on Statistics—^. N. Halstead, F. W. Jackson, E. M. 
Shreve, Arthur Ward, M.D., William Nelson. 

Committee on Nominations — David A. Hayes, David Naar, Robert 
B. Campfield. 

Judge Nixon, Mr. Richey and Rev. Dr. Sheldon were appointed 
a Committee to nominate officers for 1875, who subsequently re- 
ported the following, who were elected : 

PresicZeni— Henry W. Green, LL.D., of Trenton. 

Vice Presidents — Samuel M. Hamill, D.D., of Lawrenceville, 
Wm. B. Kinney, of Morristown, Peter S. Duryee, of Newark. 

Corresponding Secretary — William A. Whitehead, Newark. 

Recording Seeretary — David A. Hayes, Newark. 

Treasurer — Robert S. Swords, Newark. 

Librarian — Martin R. Dennis, Newark. 

Executive Committee — Samuel H. Pennington, M. D., of New- 
ark ; N. NoRRis Halstead, of Kearney ; John Hall, D.D., of 
Trenton ; John Clement, of Haddonfield ; Samuel Allinson, of 

♦See page 12. 



8 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

Yardville ; Theodore F. Randolph, of Morristown ; Hugh H. 
BowNE, of Rahway ; Joel Parker, of Freehold ; Joseph N. Tut- 
TLE, of Newark — with the officers. 

The Special Committee on Colonial Documents, consisting of 
Messrs. Nathaniel Niles, Joel Parker, Daniel Haines, and W. A. 
Whitehead, was continued. 

Mr, Whitehead offered the following preamble and resolution : 

"Whereas, The Rev. Ravaud K. Rodgers, D.D., who has for two years filled 
the position of President of the Society, has removed from the State, and in 
consequence has declined a re-election to the office he has so acceptably filled ; 
therefore 

Resolved, That the members of the Society, on acting in accordance with the 
suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, by placing another in the position of Presi- 
dent, cannot refrain from expressing their regret at the dissolution of those 
associations which have been the source of much pleasure to them all, and the 
loss of those services which have ever tended to the benefit of the Society, and 
would convey to him assurances of their high appreciation and regard. 

The preamble and resolution were adopted, and the Secretary in- 
structed to transmit them to Dr. Rodgers. 

Mr. Whitehead called up the amendment to the By-Laws sub- 
mitted at the last meeting, relating to the duties of the Committee 
on the Library, viz., to strike out of Article XI the words "in their 
discretion, in the purchase of books and other articles, whatever 
sums may be placed at their disposal by the Society," and insert 
" m the purchase of books and other articles, for binding and inci- 
dental expenses, and for the remuneration of the Librarian and his 
assistants, such sums as in their discretion they may deem necessary for 
the well-being of the Library^ 

Rev. John Hall, D.D., presented for the library the marriage 
license, from Gov. William Franklin, of Jacob Quick of Amwell 
Township, to Jerusha Rose of Hopewell Township, Hunterdon 
County, dated October 28th, 1772. 

Miss S. S. Stafford presented for the cabinet of the Society 
some relics of the Revolution which had been preserved by the late 
Mr. C. C. Haven. 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 



Ex-Gov. Parker made some remarks upon the interesting charac- 
ter of much of the early history of Monmouth County, and stated 
that the early records which he had submitted for the examination of 
the members at a former meeting, were yet in his possession, and a 
copy of them might be obtained for the Society if thought advisable. 

Mr. DuEYEE urged upon the members the obligation to do for their 
respective localities what Gov. Parker had done for Monmouth, re- 
membering that the history of the several counties ante dated that 
of the State, and that to have the latter reliable the former should 
be rescued from the doubts and gloom that now too much prevail. 

It was understood that Gov. Parker would obtain a copy of the 
Records referred to. 

The Society then took a recess, and on reassembling, Mr. Wm. 
Nelson offered the following resolution, which was adopted— 

Resolved, That the Committee on Statistics be authorized, in behalf of this 
Society, to' recommend to the Legislature at the present session, the adoption 
of measures to collect, in connection with the decennial State Census, such sta- 
tistics as will serve to illustrate the progress and present condition of New 
Jersey in agriculture, manufactures, commerce, mining, and other elements of 
its prosperity. 

Mr. Allinson, of Yardville, presented to the Society a very in- 
teresting subscription list for copies of " Mavor's Universal History," 
published in 1803 in twenty-five volumes. The roll had appended 
the signatures of many of the first men of the time, such as 
Richard Stockton and Samuel Stanhope Smith of Princeton, Gov- 
ernor Bloomfield. Judges Paterson and Kirkpatrick of New Bruns- 
wick, Elisha Boudinot, Rev. E. D. Grffiin, Gen. John N. Gumming, 
Alex C. McWhorter, William Halsey and others of Newark, Com- 
modore Truxton of Amboy, John Rutherfurd and Stephen Van 
Cortlandt of Belleville, &c. 

Mr. Allinson also read a very interesting paper detailing the 
intercourse between the State and the Delaware Indians about the 
middle of the last century, which led to the purchase of land for their 
accommodation in Burlington county— their subsequent removal, etc.; 
in all which the course of New Jersey was so marked by considera- 
tion and kindness towards the natives as to lead them to confer upon 
2 



10 MEMBERS ELECTED. 

her the title of " the great arbiter or doer of justice." The paper 
was listened to with great attention, and at its close its facts and 
statements were commented on by Rev. Dr. Sheldon, Messrs. Hayes, 
Buchanan, Clarke, Wilson and others, and, on motion, Mr. AUinson 
was requested to place a copy at the disposal of the Society. 

Mb. Whitehead read a paper received from Mr. Edwin Salter of 
Washington, on " The Significance of Geographical Names in the 
Counties of Monmouth and Ocean and their vicinity." 

Mr. Nelson presented for the inspection of the members a snuff- 
box received from the Duke of York by the Rev. John Deraarest in 
1821, for his services in connection with the removal of the remains 
of Major Andr^ to England, which is now the property of Mrs. 
Blauvelt of Paterson. Mr. Nelson, in connection with its presenta- 
tion, read a paper giving the details which prompted the gift of the 
box to the Rev. Mr. Demarest, a copy of which was asked for after 
some and earnest and appreciative remarks by Mr. W. H. Wilson. 

The Society then adjourned to meet in Newark in May next. 



JAN. 21st, 1875. 

John F. Babcock, Neiu Brunswick. 

Joseph Black, Newark. 

Rev. Allen H. Brown, Camden. 

Peter Cortelyou, Franklin Park, Middlesex Co. 

Rev. Daniel S. Foster, Pennington. 

Rev. John Gaston, D.D., Passaic. 

Rev. Wm. H. Harison, Neivark. 

H. Ellis Hart, Jersey City. 

Henry R. Kennedy, Blocmsbury. 

F. B. Mandeville, M.D., Neivark. 

John C. Mandeville, Newark. 

E. Newton Miller, Newark. 

James Owen, Newark. 

Rev. 0. M. Parkman, Red Bank. 

Alfred Reed, Trenton. 

Clinton G. Reynolds, Orange. 

J. S. Thompson, Swedesboro' . 

B. W. Throckmorton, Jersey City Heights. 

Rev. J. Bloomfield Wetlierill, Newark. 

Alexander Wurtz, Flemington. 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER. 

J. H. Simpson, Brig. Gen^l U. S. A. 

HONORARY MEMBER.- 

Rev. Edward D, Neill, A. M., Mineapolis., Minn. 



TREASURERS STATEMENT. 



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12 DONATION. 



ANNOUNCED JAN. 21st, 1875. 

From the United States Patent Office — The Official Gazette, Vol. 5, 
Nos. 18 to 26. Vol. 6, Nos. 1 to 26. 

General Index to Volumes 3 and 4. 
From Mr. G. A. Voorhees — A fac-simile copy of the Ulster County 
Gazette, Jan. 4, 1800, containing an account of the funeral of 
Washington. 
FVom Essex Institute, Mass. — Collections. Vol. XII, part 3, and Bul- 
letin, June, July and August, 1873; March to August, and Octo- 
ber, 1874. 
From Miss S. S. Stafford — Original manuscript Petition of 74 Free- 
holders and inhabitants of Morris County to Governor Franklin, 
asking for a Law restricting the ranging of Cattle. Date uncer 
tain. 
From Dr. S. A. Green^ Mass. — Harvard Memorial Biographies. 
Cambridge, Mass., 1867. 2 Vols., 8vo. 

American Journal of Numismatics. Vol. VI., Nos. 3 and 4. 
Boston : Januar}'^ and April, 1874. 

Lecture by Rev. Thomas K. Beecher at Elmira, N.Y., Jan. 9th, 
1870. 

Act of Incorporation and By-Laws of Massachusetts Historical 
Society. Boston : 1873. 

Proceedings of the same Society at the 100th Anniversary of 
the destruction of the Tea in Boston Harbor. Dec. 16th, 1873. 

Fifth Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Massa- 
chusetts. Jan., 1874. 1 Vol., 8vo. 

Medical Communications of the Massachusetts Medical Society. 
5 Pamphlets. 

Reports of Massachusetts General Hospital, 1871 and 1873, 
and other medical pamphlets. 

War Powers of the President and the Legislative Powers of 
Congress and War Claims against the United States, by Wm. 
Whiting. Boston : 1873. 



DONATIONS. 1 3 

Catalogue of Lawrence Academy, G-roton. 1873. 

Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton. 1873-4. 

Boston Statutes and Ordinances relating to Public Health. 

Corporal Punishment in Public Schools, by Merrill Wymau, 
M.D. Cambridge: 1867. 

Services for the Installation of Officers and Burial of the Dead 
of the Grand Army of the Republic. Boston : 1873. 

President Greeley in 1872, President Hoffman in 1876, and the 
resurrection of the Ring. Pharaoh Budlong, (Fred B. Perkins). 
Boston: 1872. 

Rules and Regulations in relation to the payment of State Aid. 
Boston, 1872, '73, '74. 

Manual of Public Schools of Boston, 1874, and four other Edu- 
cational Pamphlets. 

Reports (20) of various Charitable Institutions of Boston. 

Proceedings of National Encampment of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. 1873, '74. 

Address before Young Men's Christian Union, by Andrew J, 
Peabody, Feb. 22d, 1874. Boston. 

From Hudson County Bar Association — Obituary Addresses, &c., 

on the death of Abraham O. Zabriskie, LL.D. 1 Vol., 8vo. 
From U. S. Coast Survey — Report for 1870. 1 Vol., 4to. 
From Rev. S. M. Studdiford — Address on the 25th Anniversary of 

the Third Presbyterian Church, Trenton, N. J. 1874. 
From R. S. Swords — Results of the Resumption of Specie Pay- 
ments in England, 1819, 1823; a lesson and a warning to the 
public of the United States, by Henry Carey Baird. 

Speech of Hon. Wm. D. Kelley of Pennsylvania, in the House 
of Representatives, on the way to restore the Revenues, March 
7th, 1874. 

Letters on the Crisis ; Currency ; and the Credit System, by 
Henry C. Baird. 1873. 

Correspondence between Pliny Freeman and Hugh McCulloch 
on Rate of Interest as a Regulator. 

Treasurer's Report of N. Y. Produce Exchange and Annual 
Address of the President, May 26th, 1874. 



14 DONATIONS. 

Annual Report of Trade and Commerce of Milwaukiefor 1873. 

Report of Consolidation Coal Company of New York, 1871, 
1873. 

Recollections of an Old Cartman, by Isaac S. Lyon, Boonton, 
N. J. 1872. 

New Jersey Centennial Tea Party, held' in Trenton Feb. 25th, 
26th, 1874. 

Sermon by Morgan Dix, S.T.D., Rector in IVinity Church, New 
York, Ascension Day, May, 14th, 1874. 

Sixteenth Grand State Pair, New Jersey Agricultural Society. 
1874. 

Sermon by Rev. J. N, Stansberry, St. Mary's Church, Burling- 
ton, May 27ih, 1873. 

Sermon by Rev. Octavius Applegate. St. George's Church, 
Newburgh, N. Y. 
From Rev. Joseph F. TuUle, D.D. — Historic Discourse at Quarter 
Century Anniversary of Second Presbyterian Churcli, Terre 
Haute, Indiana, Dec. 27th, 1873, by Rev. Blackford Condit. 
Cinn. : 1874. 

A Discourse commemorating the Life an-d Character of the Rev. 
Henry Hervey, D.D., Martinsburgh, Ohio, by Rev. Dwight B. 
Hervey, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Mount Vernon, Ohio, 
March 31st. 1872. 

Because and Wherefore : a Baccalaureate Address before 
Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana. 1874. By Joseph 
F. Tuttle, President. 

Essays in Literature and Ethics, by Charles White, D.D., Presi- 
dent Wabash College. Boston: 1853. 
From Wilmington Institute — Seventeenth Annual Report. April, 

1874. 
From Pennsylvania Historical Society — A History of New Sweden, 
or the Setttlements on the River Delaware, by Israel Acrelius. 
Translated by Wm. M. Reynolds, D.D. 1874. 1 Vol., 8vo. 
From Newark Board of Trade — Newark Directory, 1873-4. 
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1874. 
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DONATIONS. 



15 



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Natural History of Minnesota. 1873. 
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Ward Dean. Boston. 

Constitution and By-Laws of the Prince Society. 
Brief History of the New England Historical and Geneaologi- 
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Memoir of Rev. Giles Firman, and of the ejected members of 
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Reported Embarkation for America by Cromwell, by J. W. 

Dean. 

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1874. 
From Edivin M. &Zto- -Newspapers containing items of history of 

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From Philadelphia Telegraph, containing an article on 

the early history of Coal, read before the Historical Society by 

Wm. J. Buck. 

^^om American Monthly Illustrated Magazine, His- 
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Fifth Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Indiana, by 
E. S. Cox, Geologist. 



16 DONATIONS. 

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June 1874. 
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by P. CudraoreLe Seuer, Minnesota : 1871. 
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June 22d, 1815. 
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1870, 1872. 

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Report for 1872. 

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tion of the Grand Encampment of Knight Templars, U. S. A. 

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DONATIONS. 17 

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3 



1<S SKLECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 

From General Jolin Watts De Pyester — Sketch of General George H. 
Thomas, U.S.A., from "Representative Men," and Address upon 
his Life and Character before the New York Historical Society, 
January 5th, 1875. By General J. W. De Pyester. 

La Royale, Part VII., containing Cumberland Church, or the 
Heights of Parmville : the last stricken Field of the A rmy of 
Northern Virginia — with Portraits and Maps. 100 copies only 
printed. 



LAID BEFORE THE SOCIETY JANUARY 21st, 1875. 



Origin and Signification ok Geographical Names 

■in the Counties of Monmouth and Ocean and 

their vicinity, in Neiu Jersey. 

Received from Mr. Edwin Salter. 



MONMOUTH. 



Monmouth County was established March, 1683, and was so 
named by Col. Lewis Morris,* after Monmouthshire, England. This 
county in turn received its name from its shire town, Monmouth, 
situted at the junction of the rivers Wye and Monnow. In a mod- 
ern notice of the town of Monmouth, England, it is said that the 
name is derived from a mountain at the mouth of the river — Mon 
Mouth, Mountain Mouth. From the peculiar and picturesque situa- 
tion of the town this would seem plausible, but older authorities give 
a different origin to the name. 

-W. A. Wliitelicad. 



SELECTIONS FROM OORRKSPONDENCR. 19 

The British Encyclopedia, speaking of its being situated on a 
tongue of land between the Wye and Monnow rivers, says the name 
is from Monnow-mouth, shortened to Mon-mouth. And this is con- 
firmed by Leland, a very ancient English writer, who is endorsed by 
Heath in his interesting description of Monmouthshire, and also by 
the Cambrian Register. Leland says, in quaint, ancient orthography 
and style : 

" Monmouth towne ys waulled and slandeth yn the diocese of 
Hereford between ii ry vers Wy and Mone of which yt taketh name. 
Of these ii ryvers Wy to us standeth lower and Mone higher." 

As the ancient name of the Monnow seems thus to have been 
Mone, and as the town is at the mouth of this river, it seems reasona- 
ble that Mon-mouth is from Mone-mouth, which, says an ancient 
English writer, is euphonia gratia Monmouth. 

colt's neck. 
Howe's Historical Collections says this name is a corruption of 
Call's Neck ; but this is undoubtedly erroneous. The name was 
probably derived from an innkeeper's sign upon which was painted 
the old crest of Mew Jersey, a horse's head within a wreath. Other 
places in our State have been known by innkeepers' signs, as White 
Horse, Black Horse, Red Lion, Blue Ball, &c. 

TINTON FALLS. 

This name is a corruption of Tintern, after which place in Mon- 
mouthshire, England, famous for its abbe}^ it was named.* Heath's 
Monmouthshire gives an interesting sketch of this famed abbey. 

ALLENTOWN. 

Probably after Chief Justice William Allen of Pennsylvania, 
after whom Allentown, Pa., was named. Mr. Allen was a particu- 
lar friend of the Penn family, from whom he derived large grants of 
land. Gov. John Penn married his daughter. His son, James Allen 
of Philadelphia, became heir to his estate. This Allen family was 
interested m laud enterprises in New Jersey. f 



* W. A. Whitehead. fPennsylvania Hi^^tories. 



20 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 

NAVESINK. 

Of Indian origin, meaning high land between waters.* 

EATONTOWN. 

After John Eaton, an early settler, f 

SHREWSBURY. 

This name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and means " a city near 
which were many shrubs. "J 

BARNEGAT — Occan County. 

This name is of Dutch origin and originally written Barende-gat, 
meaning " breakers' inlet," corrupted to Barndegat and finally to 
Barnegat.| 

tom's river — Ocean County. 

One tradition says that this place was named after a noted Indian 
named Tom who lived on an island in the river. This is probably 
incorrect, as Indian Tom was living at the beginning of the Revolu- 
tion, and land records show the place was named Toms River fifty 
years before (1727). 

Another more probable tradition is that it was named after Capt. 
William Tom, who came to this country with the English expedition 
that conquered the Dutch in 1664. He located on the Delaware in 
the fall of this year, and was subsequently appointed to various offices 
of trust, among them that of land agent and collector of quit rents 
from falls of the Delaware (near Trenton) to Cape May. In collecting 
land rents and searching for eligible places for settlers to locate, it is 
said he visited the stream now known as Toms River and induced 
the first English settlers to locate there, and they called the place 
after him. Captain William Tom seems to have been a trustworthy, 
energetic man, and enjoyed the confidence of Governors Nicholls. 

*Webster. \ Webster. 

■{•Gov. Parker's Address, Howe's Collections, &c. ||Brodhead's New York. 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 21 

Lovelace and Andres, of John Fen wick, the noted proprietor, and 
of the Dutch, Swedes, English and Indians.* 

DOVER — Ocean County. 

The name of this Township is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and means 
a ferry, f 

MANNAHAUKiN — Ocean County. 
Of Indian origin, said to mean good corn land. J 

WEST CREEK — Oceau County. 

Of Indian origin, probably from Weos-conck or Waus-conk, a 
place to get meat or eatables. § In old maps the name is variously 
given as Wesconk, Wisconk, Westecunk, &c., and finally settled to 
West Creek. The Indians from West Jersey resorted here for 
oysters, clams, fish, wild fowl, &c. 

NEW EGYPT — Ocean County. 

Tradition says that an old settler named Cowperthwaite Kimmons 
owned a mill here and raised much corn, on which account people at 
a distance jokingly called the place New Egypt. || 

HOWELL — Monmouth County. 

This Township was set off from Shrewsbury in 1801, the last year 
that Richard Howell was Governor of New Jersey, and was proba- 
bly named in compliment to him. 

SQUAN MANASQUAN. 

Howe's Historical Collections (page 512) says: " Manasquan, 
an enclosure with a house therein ; perhaps a fort or place of defence 
on this (Manasquan) river." 

Squan is also a New England geographical name of Indian origin. 
May it not be derived from Squaio-on, " women's place ?" The Indi- 

* Hazard's Annals of Pennsylvania has various quotations from early records 
regarding Captain Tom. 

\ Arthur on Sirnames, "Webster, &c. | Gordon, Schoolcraft, Tradition, Ac. 

§ See Schoolcraft. || Hon. James Cowperthwaite, New Egypt. 



22 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 

ans when starting on the war path would be likely to leave their 
squaws and children in " an enclosure with a house therein" as some 
sort of protection against enemies in their absence. If this sugges- 
tion of the origin of the name Squan is correct, then Mana-squan 
probabl}^ signified " an island with an enclosure for squaws." About 
the time of the first settlements made by the Swedes and Dutch in 
"West Jersey, the New Jersey Indians were occasionally harassed 
by raids made by other tribes, in consequence of which they would 
probably look out for some comparatively safe retreat for their women 
and children. The Indians in West Jersey were well acquainted 
with the various paths to the sea shore, and as their enemies usually 
attacked them in their villages near the Delaware, it would be natu- 
ral for them to send their families to their fiimiliar resorts near the 
sea shore for safety. 

RARITAN CHINGORORA. 

Thomas Gordon in Historical Collections of New Jersey (page 
512) says Raritan means Forked River. This explanation of the 
origin of the name is not satisfactory for several reasons. Accord- 
ing to Reichel in his paper before the Moravian Historical Society, 
1872, based on Zeisberger, Heckwelder and other authorities, the 
Indian word for forked was lechan, and for river or stream hanne. 
The Salem Interpreter in Lossing says the Delaware word for river 
was kitt-hanning or ket-hanning . Hanning is evidently the hanne of 
Heckwelder, and kit means large or main (Reichel, p. 247). Beside 
the fact that it seems improbable that the name Raritan is a corrup- 
tion of Lechan-hanne or Lechan-nanning the Indian words for Forked 
River, there seems to be no good reason why the Raritan should be 
especially called " a forked river." Again, it is well known that the 
last syllable of the name 'R-A.ntan signifies place or locality. Is it 
not more probable that the name Raritan is a corruption, for euphony, 
of Rutte-an, a destroyed place? The New York Colonial Records 
inform us that about the time of the coming of the whites, the Indi- 
ans had settlements along what is now known as Raritan bay, but 
they were compelled to abandon them because every spring their 
couutry was flooded, destroying their maize and doing other injury. 
And if Rari is a corruption of Rutte, then rora in Chingo-rora, the 



SELECTIONS FROM COERESPONDENCE. -Jo 

Indian name for the vicinity of Keyport, is probably of the same 
origin. Chingo means where, what, when, &c., and hence Chingo- 
rora " where destroyed'" — substantially " where the locality is that 
was destroyed," The Indians in this locality had their maize stored 
in holes under ground, which the freshets spoiled and probably made 
their wigwams unfit for habitations.* 

WAACKAACK — wAYCAKE. — Moumouth County. 

This name possibly may be of the same origin as Wachachkeek in 
New York State. A tradition in that vicinity says the name means 
" house land." Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, the learned New York his- 
torian, says of this place, one of the plains of Catskill, N. Y., that 
the name signifies " hilly land" or "high land," from wachon, a hill, 
and keag.\ In same magazine, page 45, another correspondent says 
kaack means goose, and the Salem Interpreter in Lossing's Record 
says the Indian word for goose was rahake, substantially the same. 
This would lead to the supposition that Waackaack might be a cor- 
ruption of ock kaack, a place for geese or wild geese. 

Among the first whites who regularly visited the shores of old 
Monmouth, were men employed by the noted Dutch patroon. Van 
Rensellaer.J Is it not possible that some of these Dutch may have 
named the place after Wachachkeek, N.Y., and that the name proba- 
bly signifies a place for wild geese ? Campanius says the Indian 
word for goose was Hack or Cahack, and De Laet gives it as Cia- 
liack. 

ciNNAMiNSON — Burlington County. 

A correspondent of Historical Record (Vol. I. p. 313,) says there 
are many places of this name in the United States, and asks the 
meaning. In reply another correspondent says : 

"The word cinna signifies stone; minshee is tree, and cinna min- 
shee means stone tree. This name the Indians applied to the sugar 



*For Ruite hock, burned or destroyed land, see Lossing's Hist. Rec, July, 
1872, p. 310; MaUa-ruUi, good for nothing, according to Campanius, &c. 

fHist. Mag., 1859. p. 367. 

:j:See W. A. Whitehead's reference to "A voyage to Navesink by Mr. Krieges 
G-overt Lookermans and others in the Company's yacht, 1663." 



24 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 

maple tree, probably because the sap on being boiled became hard. 
Sin7ie was not only intended for stone but oftentimes for hard ; for 
instance, a person hard to deal with is called Achsinne..* 

This explanation will hardly answer for the New Jersey Cinna- 
minson. Cinna or Sinne, it is quite certain, means stone. But as to 
the sugar maple it was unknown to the Indians of this section. For 
"tree" the Delaware word was Jdttock, as stated in Salem Interpre 
ler, and hitteocke according to De Lact ; others give it as hittoke — 
all three substantially the same. It is therefore decidedly improba- 
ble that the sugar maple had anything to do with giving- the name. 
Is it not more probable that the name originally was cinna-minna-on, 
"the stone island place," the letter " s " thrown in for euphony? 
Hard stones, such as the Indians used for their rude tools, were 
scarce in South Jersey, and any locality where they could be found 
would be noted. Might not the name have been applied to the 
islands or flats in the Delaware near Trenton, once and perhaps still 
noted for cobble stones and the name transferred by the whites to a 
locality farther down the river than the Indians intendea? It is true 
that in years gone by the upper part of the Delaware river has frozen 
over and in shoal places the ice has imbedded stones, and spring 
freshets have brought down huge cakes, some of which have drifted 
ashore and deposited stones brought from a long distance. In Iowa 
the noted Wall Lake receives its name from stone deposited like a 
wall in some places on its bank in successive years, layer after layer, 
by ice. It is barely possible that stones may have thus been stranded 
near what is now known as Cinnaminson — if so, it would have been 
to the Indians a marked locality. But it is more probable that the 
name was given to the little island further up the river. 

The discussions in various periodicals as to the signification of the 
name Manhattan, have pretty well established the fact that among 
the Delawares mona or minna means island. The Indian word for 
place is variously given as on, onk, ong, ank, anke, &c. 

In the quotation above made from the Historical Magazine, it is 
stated that minshee means tree ; this was probably on the authority 
of the Moravian missionaries, Zeisberger and Heckwelder. These 

*M. S. H. ia. His. Mag., Vol. 11. p. 26. 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 20 

men not onlj traveled among the Delawares, but also among the 
Menomonees, and in giving the meaning of Indian names they seem 
sometimes to have confounded the two, as in this case, as minshee 
was not the Delaware word for tree, but was the Menomonee word. 
Mr. Cummings, the Indian Agent,* gives the Menomonee word for 
tree at the present day as me-an-shah — substantially the minshee of 
the Moravians of the last century, f 

MATAWAN MATAVAN MATTEAWAN. 

A tradition in the vicinity of Matteawan, Dutchess County, New 
York, says Matawan means "good furs." Moulton and SpafFord say 
it means "highlands." Schoolcraft in a paper read before the New 
York Historical Society, expresses the opinion that the name is from 
metai, a magician, and wian or loyaun, a skin, and Matawan originally 
meant in substance "a charmed skin;" and Schoolcraft's opinion is 
accepted by Brodhead in his History of New York. 

In regard to Schoolcraft as authority for the signification of geo- 
graphical names of Indian origin, the chief fault found with him by 
critics has been that instead of giving the most simple, evident origin 
of names, he will labor hard to find poetical or fanciful meanings, as 
witness his explanation of the origin of the names Niagara, Manhat- 
tan, Shawmut, &c., and the criticisms thereon in Historical Magazine, 
Lossing's Historical Record, &c. In explaining the signification of 
Matawan may he not again be straining a point ? 

Mata or Matla is a well known Delaware negative word, signifying 
no, not, nothing, not good, bad.J 

The above mentioned Salem Interpreter says the Indian word for 
a dressed skin was Hay, and for undressed skin Hayes, as does Cam- 
panius, which does not correspond with Schoolcraft. Is it not possi- 

*Schoolcraft's Archives. 

fCalvin, the educated Delaware Indian, informed Mr. Samuel Allinson that 
CinnaminsoD meant "the place of tangled roots." — Ed. 

:|:See Gabriel Thomas' History of West Jersey. Indian Interpreter from 
Salem Records in Lossing's Hist. Rec. July, 1872. Reichel's paper on origin of 
Indian geographical names, read before Moravian Hist. Soc. 1872. Campanius' 
New Sweden, &c. 
4 



26 SELECTIONS KKOM CORRESPONDENCE. 

ble that loian, toyaun, or wan may mean a skin used only for the 
special purpose of a kind of coat, being thrown on the shoulders by 
the Indians ? 

The " Salem Interprete? " defines Aquewan as a coat or woolen 
cloak. As to ague in this connection, I find no reasonable interpreta- 
tion, unless from this word in use by the Delawares in Maryland, 
who used it to signify "under" or ''between;"* and it may have 
been used to designate the cheap match coats which the whites sold 
the Indians, and which might at times have been worn under the 
wian or dressed skin. 

Mr. Cummings, Indian Agent, in Schoolcraft's Indian Archives, 
Vol. II., says the modern Delaware word for coat is shah-ko-quee-yun. 
Quee-yun, the word used by the Delawares at present, is probably 
the wian. of two centuries ago. As to shah-ko, is it the same as 
Zeisberger renders scJw-cha, signifiying straight ? (^Shah ko-quee-yun 
— straight coat?) 

After the coming of the whites the demands of their trade made 
it an object to the Indians to secure furs of beavers, minks, otters, 
and other small animals for traflBc, but for the use of the Indians 
themselves, the skins of larger animals like the deer and bear were 
of much more importance, and hence at proper seasons they felt it 
important' to seek localities where they could secure for clothing, 
wigwam use, &c., the skins of larger animals essential to their wants. 
And in many localities where could be found many small animals 
like beavers, otters, &c., to give "good furs" for the white man's 
trade, as may have been the case at Matteawan, N. Y., and Mata- 
wan, N. J., there might have been in these places no larger animals 
to furnish their wyauns or wans, and hence they might term such 
places matta-tvian or matta-wan — no place to get skins for clothing, 
or as some might express it, a poor hunting place. 

*See ^^MM, &c., in Reichel, p. 275.' 



SELECTIONS FBOM CORRESPONDENCE. 27 

AN INTERESTING MEMENTO OB^ MAJOR ANDRfi, 
Read before the Society by Mr. William Nelson. 



Perhaps no one incident of the American Revolution excited a 
profounder or more tender interest among the partisans of both the 
contending Nations, than the capture and subsequent ignominious 
death as a spy (at Tappan, N. Y., a few hundred yards north of the 
New Jersey boundary line, October 2d, 1780,) of the gallant and 
accomplished young Major John Andre, the Adjutant- General of 
the British army. The century that has since well-nigh elapsed has 
not lessened the interest in that tragic event, but has rather, indeed, 
served to intensify the sympathetic emotions with which we read of 
his untimely fate, while we almost wonder now that the exigencies 
of war should have then seemed so urgent as to require the summa- 
ry taking of that chivalric young life, so full of promise of great 
renown. The principal facts of his life and death and place of burial 
are familiar to every schoolboy. The circumstances of the removal 
of the remains, forty years after interment, are not so well known, 
and of that event we have an interesting memento here to-day. 

Two sisters of Major Andre having interested themselves to secure 
the transfer of the remains to England, in 1821 the British Govern- 
ment took measures to comply with their affectionate desire. In 
August of that year a British man-of-war arrived in the Hudson 
river, with His Royal Highness the Duke of York (uncle of the pres- 
ent Queen Victoria) on board. The British Consul at New York, 
Mr. J. Buchanan, joined his distinguished visitor, and the vessel 
sailed up to Tappan, where the Duke of York, Mr. Buchanan, Capt. 
Paul, commander of the ship, went ashore and repaired to the lonely 
grave of the young soldier who had died such a melancholy death in 
the service of his King. The owner of the surrounding farm at the 
time was the Rev. John Demarest, a clergyman of the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church at Tappan. He treated his distinguished 



28 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 

guests with the courtesy due to their social and official station, and 
with the sympathetic consideration which their humane mission de- 
served. The solitary cedar tree that grew above the resting-place 
of the gallant and unfortunate young soldier, forming his only visible 
monument, was removed, and the grave opened. The skeleton was 
found intact, but strange to say, the roots of the cedar had penetra- 
ted to the skull and twined themselves among the bones. The re- 
mains having been exhumed with pious care, were transferred to the 
British vessel, whither, also, was taken the greater part of the cedar 
tree, which found its way, in minute fragments, into hundreds of noble 
British homes, as a souvenir of the lamented young Andre. On the 
arrival of the precious freight in England, the sisters of the deceased, 
hearing of the marked kindness shown by Mr. Demai-est, were anx- 
ious that he should receive some testimonial of esteem in behalf of 
the friends of their brother. The Duke of York, with that kindness 
which ever characterized his conduct, at once took it upon himself to 
see that this was done, and wrote to Mr. Demarest, stating the wishes 
of those interested, and proposing to send him a solid silver com- 
munion service, if agreeable. To this the reply of the unpretending 
Dutchman was that an English communion service would probably 
be out of place in a Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in America, 
and that a simpler gift would be quite as acceptable if His Royal 
Highness insisted upon sending any. In due time there came from 
England through Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Demarest, a snuffhox, which 
merits a full description. 

This box is round, just three inches in diameter externally, where 
the lid and bottom join, and two and a half inches internal diameter ; 
the cover and lid bevel outward from the joint, so that the extreme 
diameter across the top or bottom is three and a half inches ; it is an 
inch and an eighth in thickness, the lid being slightly rounded on top ; 
the snuff receptacle is five-eighths of an inch deep, and the lid, which 
fits over it (without a hinge), is three-sixteenths of an inch deep. 
The box is lined with gold^ the inlaying of the precious metal being 
very thick. The box itself is of wood, of the identical cedar that 
grew over Andre's grave, and which for years had drawn nourish- 
ment from his ashes. The wood shows the heart of the tree, 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDEKCE. 29 

and is exquisitely polished. It shows, moreover, in the lid, a bit of 
bullet which had been buried in the tree many years before the cedar 
was removed, and which had marred the symmetry of its growth on 
that side, and caused a sort of cicatrice in the efforts of nature to 
close the wound. The shrinkage of the wood of the lid has made a 
slight fissure on one side. On the inside of the lid, on the golden 
lining, is the following inscription, exquisitely engraved : 



J^rom 
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS 

tljE ^nh of ^orli 
TO MARK HIS SENSE 

UBmM MTTEMtmM 

Upon the occasion of the removal 
OF THE REMAINS OF THE LATE 

AT TAPPAN 
on the 10th August 

The box is enclosed in a neat and substantial crimson morocco 
case lined with white satin, just as it was sent over, more than half 
a century ago. 

This interesting memento of the Revolution, of a gallant young 
soldier's sad fate, and of Royal gratitude, is now owned by Mrs. Jas. 
I. Blauvelt, of Paterson, daughter of the Rev. John Demarest, (now 
deceased,) who was present at the removal of the remains of Andr^, 
and from whom the incidents connected therewith, as related above, 
have been obtained. She was once offered One Hundred Dollars 
for the souvenir, but in vain. It is too highly prized by her and her 
family to be lightly parted with, and this is probably the first occasion 
on which it has ever been out of the immediate possesion of the 
family-a compliment to the New Jersey Historical Society which will 

doubtless be appreciated. 

William Nelson. 
Paterson, N. J., Jan. 20th, 1875. 



FRAGMENTARY HISTORY 



OF THE 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS, 

BY SAMUEL ALLINSON. 



REA.D BEFORE THE NEW JERSEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 
JANUARY 21st, 1875. 



FRAGMENTAKY HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY 
INDIANS. 



The treatment of the aborigines of our country by the early set- 
tlers and their immediate descendants, is a matter which necessarily 
occupies the attention of the historian, and it is a pleasure when he 
can dwell upon evidences of justice and generous kindness on the 
part of the Europeans, and of amity and hospitality on that of the Indi- 
ans. To such mutual friendship and courtesy, continued through 
the whole intercourse of the parties, perhaps no State in the Union 
can revert with more satisfaction than New Jersey. And though 
the Indian is now to us a vanished race, it is felt to be owing to 
causes which our ancestors could not control — to the adherence by 
the aborigines to the tribal fee of land and savage modes of subsist- 
ence, and their consequent disinclination for patient labor^ It is de- 
sirable to perpetuate a knowledge of the kindly relations which sub- 
sisted, if only as another proof that hostility is not a necessary state 
between comparatively rude and civilized inhabitants of the same 
territor3\ 

A document has come into my possession, from among the papers 
of Samuel Smith, the historian of New Jersey, the constitution of 
" The New Jersey Association for helping the Indians;" to which 
"on the 16th day of the month called April, 1757,"' the names of 
the following "Friends" were signed, as members and contributors: 
Daniel Smith, £20 ; Samuel Smith, £20 ; John Smith, £50 ; Joshua 
Raper, £6 ; Joseph Noble, £5 8s.; Edward Cathrall, £5.8; Will- 
iam Heulings, £5 ; Elizabeth Smith, £16; Richard Smith, £5 ; 
Thomas Wetherill, £4 ; William Hartshorn e, £3 ; Jonathan Smith, 
£.3 ; John Hoskins. £2 ; Hannah Hartshorne, £4.9 ; Daniel Smith, 
Jr., £5 ; Scamon. Rodman, £5 ; Samuel Rodman, £5 ; Patience 
Clews, £1 ; John Woolman, £6. 
5 



34 NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 

The motto adopted by the Society, a very appropriate one, is from 
Isaiah LVIII. 6, 7 and 9. " Is not this the fast that I have chosen? 
* * * to deal thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the 
poor that are cast out to thy house ? When thou seest the naked 
that thou cover him * * * then shalt thou call and the Lord 
shall answer, thou shalt cry and he shall say, ' Here I am.' " 
. The preamble sets forth as "a Truth fresh in the memory of sev- 
eral yet living, as well as evidenced by the concurrent testimony of 
the first settlers in general, that the native Indians of New Jersey 
were remarkably kind to them, not only suffering them to sit down 
and improve their possessions quietly (for which the Indians had a 
consideration), but voluntarily administering to their frequent neces- 
sities, when they could expect no reward, and when, without their 
assistance, some of the first settlers must. have suffered exceedingly; 
and this too at a time when there were many hundreds of them to 
one White, and had they been disposed to crush the growing settle- 
ment, according to the outward appearance of things, nothing could 
have been easier. But so far were they from thoughts of that kind 
that they promoted the welfare of the Whites in almost every in- 
stance where it was in their power, cherished them through many 
distressing intervals, and greatly contributed, under Providence, to 
render an otherwise inhospitable wilderness, pleasant to the European 
strangers. Considering therefore the scattered situation of their 
posterity and the real wretchedness in which many of them are in- 
volved through their own bad conduct, and in part for want of a 
proper place of residence, where they might live comfortably to- 
gether, and by hunting and fishing and what they could raise out of 
the earth, support themselves in a more convenient and reputable 
manner than they have hitherto done, we are desirous to procure a 
suitable homestead for the tribe. This in some instances might have 
the desired effect, but if it should not be the case, gratitude to the 
natural and original proprietors of the soil whereon we reside, who 
treated our predecessors with such a distinguished regard, and to 
whose justice and indulgence then many families, under Providence, 
have reason to acknowledge ^their well being now, seems to demand 
some lasting testimonial of our respect to their posterity, and that, 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 35 

not only for the treatment our ancestors then met with, but for the 
prudential reasons of engaging them by some public act of Christian 
benevolence, to continue unshaken in their friendship to the English, 
to keep them out of the way of danger or of being seduced by 
rambling abroad, and to exhibit to other nations of Indians a stand 
ing memento of justice and kindness, which it may be reasonably 
expected will have a strong and lasting influence on their Councils, 
and conduce to the advantage of us and ours and our neighbors for 
many years to come. At a time therefore when our brethren of 
Pennsylvania,* animated by the like charitable motives, are showing 
their regard by large donations in favor of the Indians of that Prov- 
ince, for the reasons above and others of considerable importance, 
We the subscribers do mutually agree upon the following Articles.'' 
The first article provides " That a tract of about Two Thousand 
acres of the best land tliat can be got, nigh or adjoining the Barrens 
in the counties of Monmouth, Burlington and Gloucester, in New 
Jersey, be purchased as soon as conveniently may be after the sub- 
scriptions are completed." By the second, all the native Indians of 
New Jersey who had not freeholds alread3",with their families and their 
posterity /orever, were to be entiiledto settle and live on said land free 
of rent. The affairs of the Association were to be attended to by six 
Managers and a Treasurer, to be annually elected b\^ the subscribers, 
and they and their successors were to serve without fee or reward. 



*This refers to the action of " The Friendly Association for regaining and 
preserving peace with the Indians by pacific measures," founded in Philadel- 
phia in 1755. When Gov. Morris was about declaring war with the Delawares 
and Shawanese, these "Friends" ofiFered "cheerfully to contribute, by volun- 
tary grants, a much larger portion of their estates than the largest taxes of a 
war could be expected to require, toward the obtaining of peace in the same 
manner, as the unhappy experience of the most martial of the neighboring 
colonies, had, after long and bloody wars, proved it must at last, if ever, be ob- 
tained," i. e., by just purchase of lands, protection from frauds, and considerate 
kindness. Their personal efforts with influential chiefs and with the govern- 
ment, their wise counsels and generous presents did much toward effecting the 
general pacification of the Indian tribes of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and the 
consequent withdrawal of the French from the Oliio. Address from the Asso- 
ciation to Gov. Denuv, 1757. Proud's Hist, of Pa. 



36 NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 

They were to purchase the land, have the oversight of the resident 
Indians and keep a record of them, order their respective settle- 
ments, and adjust all disputes that might happen among them. They 
were directed, prudently to discourage intercourse with foreign Indi- 
ans, and to prevent such from settling among them. The deed was 
to be taken by the managers, in trust, for the subscribers. Any sur- 
plus money was to be expended for the benefit of the Indians, in 
building, fencing, stock or implements, or in providing schools. For 
the sake of preserving harmony and concord, membership in the 
Association was restricted to the Society of Friends. 

No evidence has come to my knowledge that this Association, 
with such praiseworthy objects, ever went into operation. Neither 
in Smith's History of New Jersey, nor in any other record, do I find 
a notice of it. The project was probably found in its development 
to be of too great magnitude for private enterprise and that other 
important objects requiring governmental action ought to be con- 
nected with it. But the persons engaged in the work were not ac- 
customed to fail in a good cause, and their generous plan, I have no 
doubt, foreshadowed and was merged in the action of the provincial 
government the ensuing year. 

The efforts of the French to obtain a controlling power over North 
America, their victory over the English near Fort Duquesne and 
other points and their wide spread intrigues with the Indians, occa- 
sioned a general ferment among the various tribes, affecting portions 
of those residing in Pennsylvania and exciting anxiety and alarm 
even in Northern New Jersey. To ascertain and, as far as possible, 
to remove causes for dissatisfaction, commissioners were appointed to 
confer with the Indians. A Treaty was held at Crosswicks* early 
in 1756, at which several measures were discussed and mutually 
agreed upon, as likely to promote the general benefit of the English 



*D. Brainard preached at the Indian village of Crossweeksung in 1745-6, 
and his labors were blessed by a remarkable awakening of the natives. He 
numbered his congregation March 26th, 1746, and found 130 old and young, 
15 or 20 being absent. Some weeks later the whole body moved to some bet- 
ter lands they owned near Cranbury, that they might be more compact for wor- 
ship and school, and attain better agricultural results. 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 37 

and Indians. A law was passed in accordance with this agreement 
by the Legislature dated March 31st, 1757, restricting the sale of 
all intoxicating drinks to Indians, declaring void all their debts and 
pawns for strong drink, and all bargains any part of the consideration 
for which was strong drink* — forbidding their imprisonment for debt, 
and the setting of traps of steel or iron weighing more than three 
and a half pounds. f The sale of Indian lands was also forbidden 
but upon careful supervision and in prescribed forms, and on reasona- 
ble terms. Andrew Johnston, Richard Saltar, Charles Read, John 
Stevens and William Foster, Bsqs., were appointed Commissioners 
to inquire into the Indian claims to lands and report to the Legisla- 
ture. This actj was limited to two years, and during that time was 
to be read in every Court of Quarter Sessions in the Colony, thus 
insuring for it a wide publicity. 

On the 21st, 22d and 23d of 2d month (February), 1758, another 
treaty was held at Crosswicks, whereof public and timely notice was 
given to the Indians, in which Governor Bernard and the Commis- 
sioners above named, with the addition of Jacob Spicer, represented 
the Colony, and Teedyuscung, King of the Delawares, living on the 
Susquehanna, and George Hopenyoke of the same place, and the 
Indians inhabiting New Jersey, or the major part of them, attended 
and delivered to the Commissioners a list of all the lands they 
claimed, twenty-five dilferent tracts (some of them extensive and 
indefinite), and released to the Proprietors of the divisions of New 
Jersey and the purchasers under them, all lands not so claimed. 
They also executed a power of attorney to Thomas Store, Moses 
Totami, Stephen Calvin, Isaac Stelle, and John Pompshire, Indian 

* The yearly Meeting of Friends held at Burlington in "^^ mo. 1704 directed, 
that " If any among us do sell, barter or exchange, directly or indirectly to the 
Indians, any Beer, Brandy or other spirits or strong liquors, it being contrary 
to y" ancient care Friends have had of those poor ignorant heathen people and 
contrary to this meeting's testimony against it." "Such loose disorderly 
walkers " should be labored with, and if not reclaimed, testified against. This is 
an early testimony in oposition to the rum traffic. 

fThis was to prevent the destruction of deer. 

:t:XeviU's Laws of N. J., Vol. II. p. 125. 



38 NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 

natives, constituting them a committee and empowering them to en- 
ter into an agreement or deed of sale to the Commissioners of New 
Jersey.* I have seen an original letter from these five Indian attor- 
nies, now in the possession of George J. Scattergood of Philadel- 
phia, to " Friend Mr. Israel Pemberton," dated 8th March, 1758, 
two weeks only after their appointment. In good set form they 
state the facts of their case — the Crosswicks treaty, their own ap- 
pointment, &c., and add " as we find we are not able to transact in 
deep things we are at lost what to do, and as we think there is no 
other way to know our just rights only by sarching the records and 
deeds, we desire an oniest friend to see jestice don, and which we 
might hope to obtain by your interposition and assistance." The 
counsel of this honorable friend and his associates probably was to 
ask for a specified tract of land for a residence, in lieu of their ex- 
tensive, though uncertain and contested, claims of unsold territory. 
Such at least was their request at the next meeting, thus carrying 
out the idea of the "New Jerse)'' Association" of the year before. 

The Indian attorneys and a number of their prominent constitu- 
ents, with several delegates from allied tribes in Pennsylvania who 
claimed some rights in the soil of New Jersey, met the Colonial Com- 
missioners in conference at Burlington on the 9th of 8th month 
(August), 1758, and the Indians presented a proposition in writing, 
stating that they were desirous that a tract of land in the possession 
of Benjamin Springer, in the township of Evesham in the county of 
Burlington, should be purchased for the habitation of the Delaware 
Indians living south of the Raritan, for which they unanimously pro- 
posed and agreed to release all the rights of the Indians to lands in 
New Jersey, except the claim of Moses Totami, near the Raritan, 
and such lands as some of them held under English rights. 

By a law passed three days afterward, f the Legislature authorized 
the Commissioners to carry this desire into effect by the purchase of 



*For defraying the expenses of this three days' treaty of the Commissioners 
with the nnmeroos attending Indians, the Legislature subsequently appropria- 
ted the sum of £27.12 5d, ($73.65.) 

•j-AHinson's Laws N. J., p. 220. 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 39 

a convenient tract, "in order that the Indians may be gratified in 
this particular, and that they may have always in their view a lasting 
monument of the justice and tenderness of this colony towards 
them." £1,600 Proclamation money, was appropriated for the pur- 
pose of extinguishing the various Indian claims in the Province, ex- 
cepting the right of hunting and of fishing. The payment for claims 
south of the Earitan was not to exceed one-half of the sum. 

The law also provided " That the lands to be purchased for the Indi- 
ans as aforesaid, shall not hereafter be subject to any tax." With a 
questionable morality, upon which, with all their faults, the present 
generation of legislators has improved, three lotteries were author- 
ized to be drawn in 1759, '60 and '61, to raise the requisite sum of 
money, without burdening the inhabitants with added taxation. 
They were to be regulated as to blanks, prizes, deductions, &c., " as 
nearly as may be, as the public lotteries in the neighboring colo- 
nies." The province itself participated as an adventurer by assum- 
ing all the unsold tickets in each scheme, with the benefits or losses 
resulting thereform. Though there was a statute against unauthor- 
ized lottery dealing, the Legislature still sanctioned this mode of 
raising funds for heneficent piirjjoses, as for erecting a church, building 
a needful bridge, helping Princeton College, or enabling a popular 
cidzen to liquidate his debts. It said to the gambling spirit of the 
times, " Thus far, no further, shalt thou go." But it is not sur- 
prising that the preamble of a very stringent enactment of a few 
years later acknowledges that the good " intentions of the Legisla- 
ture in previous laws had been frustrated." 

The proposed tract in Evesham appears to have been promptly 
purchased. The deed from Benjamin Springer and wife bears date 
August 29th, 1758.* The title is for 1038 acres bought of Benjamin 
Moore, and for three-fourths of two tracts, one of 886, and the other 
of 59 acres, bought of Richard Smith, amounting to 1983 acres, 
but " found to contain within their antient lines, on a more accurate 
and exact survey, 3044 acres;" showing an error of 1061 acres in 
the early measurements. One hundred acres were excepted and 

*Lib. O. of Deeds, p. 394, Office of Secretary of State. 



40 NEW Jersey Indians. 

were to be run off at a designated place, leaving 2944 acres for the 
Indian homestead. £740 was paid to Benjamin Springer and £5 to 
his wife. 

An indenture, now in the oflSce of the Secretary of State, bearing 
date the 12th of September, 1758, was executed at Burlington by 
Thomas Store, Moses Totami, Stephen Calvin, Isaac Stelle and John 
Pompshire, which recites the preliminary proceedings at Crosswicks, 
&c., and in consideration of the home purchased at Edge Pillock, 
conveyed to Francis Bernard, Capt. General and Governor, and to 
Andrew Johnston, Richard Saltar, Charles Read, John Stevens, 
William Foster and Jacob Spicer, Commissioners to settle Indian 
claims in New Jersey, all that part of the tract of land, called New 
Jersey, " Beginning at the mountain of Paoqualin where the same 
joins the Delaware River, thence down said river to the Ocean, along 
the sea shore at low water mark to the mouth of the Rariton, then 
up the middle of Rariton River to the falls of Laometung,* then on 
a strait course to the station first named," except the tract at Coaxin, 
settled on the Indians, and about four acres settled on Thomas Store, 
some lots held by Indians under English Rights, and the claim of 
Moses Totami on the south branch of the Raritan, and also except- 
ing the right, so often referred to and so essential to the Indian, of 
hunting in all unenclosed grounds, and of fishing in all rivers and 
bays. 

The deed was signed by the five Attorneys (Calvin and Pomp- 
shire writing their own names and the others making marks), ac- 
knowledged before Judge Imlay, and witnessed by William Tennent 
and Robert Gumming. On the back of the deed is a memorandum 
dated Easton, 24th of October, 1758, acknowledging satisfaction, 
signed by Teedyuscung, Wonawalechon and Tapiskowothoun, wit- 
nessed by several Six Nation Chiefs and colonists. 

Thus satisfactorily closed the causes for difference with the natives 
south of the Raritan. Arrangements were already in progress by 
Governor Bernard for holding a treaty with those north of that 

*Elsewhere called Alamatung or Alamatunk, referred to in Allinson's Laws, 
] 759, as Allomatunck " in the Indian language," It was at the N. E. corner 
of Hunterdon County. 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 41 

river and their Indian allies in Pennsylvania and New York, and at 
a conference held at Burlington on the 7th and 8th of 8th 
month (August), 1758, the Indian orators proposed to meet at the 
old council fire, " at the forks of the Delaware, the next full moon 
after this," alleging that if held on the eastern side of the river, 
" though they should speak loud, the distant nations could not hear 
on account of the roaring water between them." Gov. Bernard, 
who appears to have been sincerely desirous to effect a lasting peace 
with the Indians, made no objection to this fanciful reasoning, and 
assented to the proposition. A general conference was accordingly 
held at Easton, the minutes of which, so far as they related to New 
Jersey, with the principal speeches on both sides, and bearing dates 
from the 8th to the 26th of October, 1758, are published at large in 
Smith's History of New Jersey. The general pacification of the 
Indians was then a great object in all the neighboring colonies, and 
the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, with six 
members of the Council, a committee of the Legislature, and a num- 
ber of citizens of Philadelphia, principally Friends,* whose presence 
was desired by the Indians, Governor Bernard and the Commission- 
ers of New Jersey, and George Croghan, deputy and Indian agent 
from New York, participated in the proceedings. More than 500 
Indians, nearly half of whom, however, were women and children, 
were in attendance, representing the Six Nations, the Delawares, 
Minisinks, Wapings, and various other tribes. The treaty resulted, 
as was hoped, in a better understanding between the parties, and a 
strengthening of the bonds of friendship. A confirmation deed of 
ceded lands in Pennsylvania was executed b_v the chiefs of the 
United Nations, and handed from Indian to Indian all around the 
house. The deed for New Jersey south of the Raritan was ap- 
proved and confirmed, and a deed for all the remaining land in New 
Jersey was executed by the chiefs of the Munsies, Wapings and 
Pomptons, sixteen in number, and approved by chiefs of Six Nations. 
Some of these tribes had no actual claims to the lands of the Mun- 



*Teedyusciing the previous year declared to the Governor of Pennsylvania 
he would not go to business unless the Quakers were present. Proud's Hist. 
Vol. II. p. 61 Appendix. 
6 



42 NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 

seys, &c., in New Jersey. Yet when the latter were pushed by the 
rapid ingress of settlers, they gradually relinquished their domains 
and removed to Pennsylvania. Being there allowed, perhaps in- 
vited, to share the territory of their relatives, they were in tutelage 
and acted on the advice of their '• uncles." 

The expressed boundary was as follows : "Beginning at the station 
point between the Provinces of New Jersey and New York at the 
northerly extremity of an Indian settlement lying on Delaware 
River, known as Casheitong, about 32 miles on a strait line from 
the mouth of Mackhackomack, near Coles' Fort, thence from Cashei- 
tong, on a line nearly South East, thro' Pinpack to the drowned 
lands, leaving most of them to the S.W. — thence crossing the N.E. 
end of Mount Eve, to the mouth of Tappan Creek * * at the 
North or Hudson's River, down said river, thro' the Narrows, to 
Sandy Hook, thence to the mouth of the river Rariton — thence 
up the same to the forks thereof, thence up the north branch to the 
falls of Alamatunk — then on a strait line to Poaqualin mountain, 
where it joins the Delaware River, thence up said river to Casheit- 
ong ; which said lines from Sand}^ Hook to Paoqualin Mountain are 
the N.E. Boundaries of the tract granted by the Delaware Indians 
to Gov. Bernard, &c. — which grant, bearing date the 12th of Sep- 
tember last, is hereby ratified and confirmed."* As a consideration 
for the relinquishment of the northern claims, Gov. Bernard paid to 
the Indians the sum of one thousand pieces of eight, to be divided 
according to their respective rights. Egohohoun, a Muncy or Mini- 
sink Indian, and Aquawaton, a Waping or Pompton, acknowledge 
on the back of the deed the receipt of £375. 

Teedyuscung, King of the Delawares, requested for an aged and 
infirm Waping chief, the favor of a horse to carry him home. 
Tagashata, a Seneca, chief, made a similar request for himself, both 
of which were granted. Thomas King, an influential Oneida chief, 
also desired that a number of wagons might be sent as far as Wyom- 
ing, where they had left their canoes, to carry such as were not able 
to walk, and the goods which had been given them ; also, that a 

*The original deed is in the office of the Secretary of State. 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 4l-5 

supply of provisions might be put in tiie wagons, sufficient to serve 
them till they got to their respective habitations. He reminded 
Teedyuscung of his promise to return some white prisoners, which 
he ought to have performed, adding, " lo tell lies, does not heeome a 
great man ; a great man always keeps his luord and performs his 
promises.''^ With mutual expressions of good will, and resolutions 
to keep bright the chain of friendship, " the conferences were con- 
cluded with great satisfaction."* 

No subsequent controversy arose with our red brethren, and at 
the treaty at Fort Stanwix in 1769,f attended by (governor Frank- 
lin, the Six Nations publicly acknowledged the repeated instances 
of the justice of the province, in bringing murderers to condign 
punishment, declared they had no claim whatever upon New Jersey, 
and in the most solemn manner conferred upon her the name Sagorig- 
wiyogstha — the Great Arbiter, or Doer of Justice. 

Teedyuscung was a chief of such parts and influence, as to de- 
serve a more extended notice. He was born near Trenton in 1705, 
but for many years resided in the Wyoming region, to which he ap- 
pears to have been much attached. After the death of Tadame.| he 
was elected (1754) King of the Delawares. He keenly felt and 
fearlessly exposed on several occasions the wrongs to which his peo- 
ple were subjected by the cupidity of the whites, and thus incited 
the hostility of the Proprietary party in Pennsylvania. At length, 
on some improper conduct and menaces of a young man from North- 
ampton, named Broadhead, he " was surprised into a war before he 
could think," and in his own expressive language. '• he struck the 
English." On the promised redress of the grievances, he was soon 
pacified and heartily joined in efforts for a general peace. The Six 

* Since writing this article I have had an opportunity to examine the minutes 
of the Trustees of the " Friendly Association," of Philadelphia, and have been 
struck with the wisdom and benevolence of their proceedings. The members 
who attended this treaty were authorized to expend to the amount of £500 for 
the benefit of the Indians. 

fGrordon's History of N. J., p. 152. 

:j:Tadame was probably the King of the Dela wares, living on the Suscjuelianna, 
frequently referred to by Brainard in 1745. 



44 NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 

Nations became jealous of his power and endeavored to degrade him 
at the Easton Treaty of 1758. His violent death in 1763 was at- 
tributed to them. 

In a work entitled, '' An Enquir}^ into the causes of the alienation 
of the Delawares and Shawanese from the British interest," pub- 
lished in London in 1759, it is said that Teedyuscung was chosen 
King by several tribes on the Susquehanna^ on the commencement 
of the quarrel between England and France, and soon found himself 
at the head of a considerable body. A letter from a Philadelphian, 
dated December 11th, 1758 (quoted in the work, p. 183), says of the 
Easton Treaty of that year, " The business was shamefully delayed 
from day to day, which the minutes are calculated to screen, but it 
is well known to us who attended that the time was spent in attempt- 
ing Teedyuscung's downfall, and silencing or contradicting the com- 
plaints he had made ; but he is really more of a politician than any 
of his opponents, in or out of our Proprietaiy council, and if he 
could be kept sober might probably soon become Emperor of all the 
neighboring nations." 

An anecdote published many years ago of Teedyuscung is too 
valuable to be lost. '' One evening he was sitting at the fireside of 
a ' Friend.' Both of them were silently looking at the fire indulging 
their own reflections. At length the silence was broken by the 
Friend, who said, ' I will tell thee what I have been thinking of. I 
have been thinking of a rule delivered by the Author of the Christ- 
ian religion, which, from its e.xcellence, we call the Golden Rule.' 
' Stop,' said Teedj^uscung, ' don't praise it to me, but rather tell me 
what it is, and let me think for ra3^self. I do not wish you to tell 
me of its excellence, tell me what it is.' ' It is for one man to do 
to another as he would have the other do to him.' ' That's impossi- 
ble. It cannot be done,' Teedyuscung immediately replied. Silence 
again ensued. Teedyuscung lighted his pipe and walked about the 
room. In about a quarter of an hour he came to his friend with 
smiling countenance, and taking the pipe from his mouth, said, 
' Brother, I have been thoughtful of what you told me. If the 

*See Miner's Wyoming, p. 47. 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 45 

Great Spirit that made man would ejive him a new heart, he could do 
as you say, but not else.' Thus the Indian found the only means by 
which man can fulfil his social duties." 

In the volume above referred to, " An Enquiry," &c., (said to 
have been written by Charles Thompson, afterwards (Secretary of 
Congress,) the grievances of the Indians are more fully stated than 
I have found elsewhere, yet with apparent truth and candor. One 
complaint made by the Six Nations at Lancaster in 1756, previously 
urged by Ohio Indians, and, according to Benjamin Chews' private 
minutes of the Easton Treaty of 1758, repeated there by Teedyus- 
cung, was probably groundless — the hanging of an Indian chief in 
New Jersey for an accidental murder. Weequehelah, a Delaware 
Sachem, who in 1709 joined the provincial forces under General 
Nicholson for the reduction of Canada, having taken offence at the 
purchase from other Indians, by his neighbor, Captain John Leon- 
ard, of some Cedar swamp to which he laid claim, threatened to 
shoot him, which he accordingly did in the Spring of 1728, as Leon- 
ard was walking in the daytime in his own garden near South River. 
For this, though a wealthy and accomplished man, a large farmer, 
living in English style, a slave-holder, and " frequently dining with 
Governors and great men," he was, after a fair trial, condemned and 
executed.* Probably had the Sachem been privately murdered by 
the friends of Capt. Leonard and his house burned, the event would 
have been forgiven and forgotten. But the quiet examination of 
witnesses, the solemn judicial sentence, and the unimpassioned exe 
cutioD, were more terrible to the Indians, and were long brooded 
over. Other causes assigned for the Indian hostilities — the rapacity 
and evil lives of the rum traders, the treachery of some of the land 
bargains and the absorption of their hunting grounds, can not be 
denied. 

Upon the Edge Pillock tract this remnant of the Lenni Lenape 
nation, now but about 100 in number, continued to reside for many 
years, f Their land was excellent for cultivation. They had a fine 

*See Smith's History, p. 441. 

f Is not this the first instance of an Indian settlement on a specified tract, by 
Government authority ? 



46 NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 

cedar swamp, and a water power and saw mill. Thej were contigu- 
ous to extensive hunting grounds in the Pine Barrens, Swamps and 
Forests, and within a day's journey of the sea coast, where wild 
fowl and shell fish were abundant. The rights of fishing and hunt- 
ing as secured by the treaty were freely used, and also the tradition- 
ary right of felling timber and cutting basket stuff.* mentioned in 
the conferences, but not referred to in the written agreements. A 
number of comfortable dwellings were put up by the Province. A 
meeting-house was built of logs, which continued as a place of wor- 
ship after their removal. Stephen Calvin, an interpreter at the 
Crosswicks and Easton Treaties, f was a schoolmaster. His son 
Bartholomew (who was placed at Princeton College prior to the 
revolution through the influence of J. Brainerd), followed him in 
the occupation and had as many white as Indian scholars. My 
grandfather, Samuel Allinson, who frequently visited the settlement, 
considered him an excellent teacher, and collected money of his 
neighbors to purchase books for the school. But the civilization 
established was of a low order. Persistent industr}'- was not general 
and they did not become a thriving agricultural people. The tribal 
fee of land quenches individual enterprise. On the 2d of Septem- 
ber, 1762, they petitioned the Assembly, stating that ''their provi- 
sion, clothing, and nails for building the year they came to Brother- 
ton, amounted to £106, for which they were still in debt, and that 



*Segughsonyout, or Thomas King, said at the Easton Treaty, "You deal hardly 
with us : you claim all the wild creatures and will not let us come upon your land 
to hunt after them. This is hard and has given us great ofiFence. The cattle you 
raise are your own, but those which are wild are still ours or should be common to 
both, for when we sold the land we did not propose to deprive ourselves of hunt- 
ing the wild deer or of using a stick of wood when we should have occasion." 

Egohohoun, called also Egotchowen, said to Governor Bernard, " Brother, 
we are now thoroughly satisfied and we still retain a friendship for o>ir breth- 
ren the English, and we desire that if we should come into your province, to 
see our old friends and should have occasion for the bark of a tree to cover a 
cabin, or a little refreshment, that we may not be denied, but be treated as 
brethren." Smith's History of N. J., p. 474. 

fSmith, p. 458. 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 



47 



their mill was lately burned," praying that the Province would pay 
the bill, as they had had reason to expect. Five Indians were called 
in and heard, but the petition was referred to the next Session and not 
then called up. In 1796 the condition of the tribe was so unsatis- 
factory that Joseph Saltar, Josiah Foster and Thomas Hollinshead 
were appointed to take charge of the Indian tract, to lease out the 
same in such manner as to conduce to the benefit of the Indians, to 
pay the income to them or the value in necessaries, to those most 
needing aid, and to render an account annually to the Burlington 
County Court of Common Pleas, which was authorized to remove 
the Commissioners on occasion, and to fill vacancies. 

In the year 1801 the Brotherton or Edge Pillock Indians were 
invited by a kindred tribe, the Mauhekunnuks, at New Stockbridge, 
near Oneida lake, to " pack up their mat" and " come and eat out of 
their dish," which they said was large enough for them all, adding, 
with characteristic earnestness, that " their necks were stretched in 
looking toward the fireside of their grandfather till they were as long 
as Cranes."* Concluding to accept the invitation of their grandchild- 
ren, they applied to the Legislature for authority to dispose of their 
land, and by a law passed December 3d, 1801, William Saltar, 
William Stockton and Enoch Evans were appointed Commissioners 
to divide the tract into lots of not more than 100 acres, and to sell 
them at public sale, provided that three-fourths of the Indians were 
consenting. To ascertain this fact, James Ewing and John Beatty 
were appointed. These gentlemen reported to Governor Bloomfield 
March 20th, 1802, that three-fourths of the Indians had consented to 
the sale ; that there were sixty-three adult Indians who had rights 
in the tract, of whom forty were present at Brotherton on the 15th 
of January, and the whole matter being explained to them, thirty- 
eight voluntarily signed the required order to sell ; and that on the 
day of the date of the report, eight others met them at Trenton and 
signed the report. This, it will be observed, made but forty-six con- 
senting Indians, being one and a quarter Indians, or an adult and a 



♦Charles Ellis in 1832 showed me the original letter of invitation, which can 
not now be found. 



48 • NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 

papoose less than the prescribed number; but the Governor accepted 
the report, and nine days after appointed Abraham Stockton and 
Charles Ellis as Commissioners, in place of William Saltar and 
Enoch Evans, who had resigned, ordering them to proceed with the 
sale. An advertisement in the Trenton Federalist, signed by the 
Commissioners, gave notice of the sale, which was to begin on the 
10th of May, 1802. At this time the Edge Pillock tract was dis- 
posed of to twenty-two different purchasers, at prices, I have been 
told, ranging from two to five dollars per acre. The Commissioners 
accompanied their wards, between seventy and eighty in number, to 
New Stockbridge, where characteristic speeches of cordial welcome 
were made to the Delawares and to the Commissioners. The proceeds 
of the sale paid the expenses of the removal and an equitable contribu- 
tion to the treasury of the Mauhekunnuks, the hospitable hosts. 
The balance was invested in U. S. securities for the benefit of the 
New Jersey Indians.* The united tribes continued together in 
New York for more than twenty years, and in 1824 purchased of 
the Menomonie Indians a large tract on the Fox River, between 
Winnebago Lake and Lake Michigan, to which they removed. f 

*By an act of November 28th, 1822, the State Treasurer was authorized to 
receive of Charles Ellis certificates for $3,551.23 in U. S. Stock, held by him 
as Trustee for the Indians, to settle a balance of $230.71 due to him, and to pay 
to Bartholomew Calvin, &c., $1,000 for the use of the Brotherton Indians. 
The Indians by their petition having reported that they expected to purchase 
land in Michigan territory for their future residence, the G-overnor was author- 
ized to draw his warrant on the Treasurer for the balance of said stock or 
moneys, so that it should operate as a payment for said land. Some difiBculty 
occurring, by an Act of December 23d, 1823, John Dow was appointed a special 
agent to proceed to the settlement at New Stockbridge, and cause the moneys 
to be appropriated as directed in the preceding act ; or, if it could prudently be 
done, to pay to the Superintendents of Indian affairs in New York, to be by 
them faithfully applied to the designed end. Thus carefully did New Jersey- 
fulfil her guardianship over the declining tribe. 

•{•Senator F. T. Frelinghuysen kindly undertook to ascertain the subsequent 
career and present condition of the New Jersey Indians. The result has been 
received, as this paper goes to press, in a lucid history of the joint tribes and 
those subsequently confederated with them, and the parental care of the Gen- 



NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 49 

In 1832 our old friends had diminished in their new home on 
Green Bay to about fort}^ individuals, and cherishing in their heredi- 
tary poverty a recollection of their abondoned rights of fishing and 
hunting in New Jersey, deputed Bartholomew S. Calvin.* their oldest 
chief, the Edge Pillock schoolmaster of half a century before, to 
solicit from the Legislature of the State some compensation therefor. 
He presented the claim to a Joint Committee, which was eloquently 
addressed by Samuel L. Southard. Who said, " It was a proud fact 
in the history of New Jersey, that every foot of her soil had been 
obtained from the Indians by fair and voluntary purchase and trans- 
fer, a fact that no other State in the Union, not even the land that 
bears the name of Penn, can boast of." 

A report was made in Calvin's favor and a bill was passed March 
12th, 1832, appropriating $2,000 (the sum named by himself), for 
an entire relinquishment of all Indian claims. His letter of thanks 
to the Legislature may fittingly close this essay : 

" Bartholomew S. Calvin takes this method to return his thanks 
to both Houses of the Legislature, and especially to their Commit- 
tees, for their very respectful attention to and candid examination of 
the Indian claims which he was delegated to present. 

" The final act of official intercourse between the State of New 
Jersey and the Delaware Indians, who once owned nearly the whole 

eral Government. This valuable document will be placed with the Historical 
Society for future reference. I can only here quote, with thanks to the Senator 
and to Edward P. Smith, the Commissioner for Indian affairs, the conclusion of the 
letter of the latter : " Prom the foregoing extracts I am led to conclude that the 
Delaware Indians referred to in Mr. AUinson's letter, removed with the Stock- 
bridges and Munsees, with whom they confederated, west of the Mississippi in 
1840 ; that they have become extinct, so far as refers to those who confedera- 
ted with the Stockbridges of Kansas ; that but few, if any, remain either with 
the Stockbridges in Sliowano County, "Wisconsin, or with the Munsee or Ohip- 
pewas in Franklin County, Kansas. 

Yours Respectfully, 

Edward P. Smith, 
Hon. P. T. Frelinghuysen, Commissioner. 

U. S. Senate. 

*His Indian name was Shawuskehung, or "Wilted Grass. 



50 NEW JERSEY INDIANS. 

of its territory, has now been consummated, in a manner which must 
rebound to the honor of this growing State, and, in all human proba- 
bility, to the prolongation of the existence of a wasted yet grateful 
people. Upon this parting occasion, I feel it to be an incumbent 
duty to bear the feeble tribute of my praise to the high-toned justice, 
which in this instance, and, so far as I am acquainted, in all former 
time, has actuated the councils of this commonwealth in dealing with 
the aboriginal inhabitants. 

" Not a drop of our blood have you spilled in battle* — not an acre 
of our land have you taken but b}- our consent. These facts speak 
for themselves and need no comment. They place the character of 
New Jersey in bold relief, a bright example to those States within 
whose territorial limits our brethren still remain. Nothing save 
benisons can fall upon her from the lips of a Lenni Lenappi. 

" There may be some who would despise an Indian benediction ; 
but when I return to my people and make known to them the result 
of my mission, the ear of the Great Sovereign of the Universe, 
which is still open to our cry, will be penetrated with our invocation 
of blessings upon the generous sons of New Jersey. 

" To those gentlemen, members of the Legislature and others, who 
have evinced their kindness to me, T canuot refrain from paying the 
unsolicited tribute of my heartfelt thanks. Unable to return them 
any other compensation, I fervently pray that God will have them 
in His Holy keeping — will guide them in safety through the vicissi- 
tudes of this life, and ultimately, through the rich mercies of our 
Blessed Redeemer, receive them into the glorious entertainment of 
His Kingdom above." 

*The enquiry was here made by a member, " Is this literally true ?" Several 
speakers believed it to be so. It was stated that there were in the early days 
some murders of Whites and of Indians from private causes, a few skirmishes 
on the banks of the Hudson between the natives and white traders from New 
Amsterdam, and also on the Delaware, but no state of xvar ever existed between 
the English Colonists and the New Jersey Indians. 



f 



JUN 16 J 

PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 



SECOND SERIES. 

Vol. IV. 1875. No. 2. 



Newark, May 21, 1875. 
The Society met in their rooms at 12 M. In the absence of the 
President, the First Vice President, Rev. Samuel L. Hammill, 
D.D., presided, assisted by Bon. Wm. B. Kinney, Second Vice 
President. 

The minutes of the meeting in January were read by the Record- 
ing Secretary and approved. 

The Corresponding Secretary submitted the correspondence since 
the last meeting. Among many others received were letters from 
Rev. R. K. Rodgers, D.D., in response to the resolutions passed at 
the January meeting, on his retiring from the Presidency ; from 
Hon. Henry W. Green, LL.D., acknowledging his election to, and 
acceptance of the office ; from several gentlemen accepting member- 
ship; from Mrs. A. G. Hubbell, of Philadelphia, asking for a copy 
of Fenwick's will, the original of which the Society received from 
her father. Col. Robert G. Johnson, of Salem ; from the Historical 
Societies of New York, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Rhode Island, Vir- 
ginia and Georgia, Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Phila- 
delphia ; United States Bureau of Education, and Harvard College 
Library, acknowledging the receipt of the Society's last publication ; 
from Burlington N. J. Literary Association and Bureau of Educa- 
tion, with enquiries as to the extent and success of the Society's 
labors ; from the Superintendent of Coast Survey ; from Gen'l J. 
Watts Depeyster, of New York, Messrs. John Hone, of Dayton 
8 ♦ 



50 MEETING IN NEWARK. 

Ohio, Henry Phillips, Jr., of Philadelphia, and Kev. J. F. Tuttle, 
D.D., of Indiana, accompan3nng donations for the librar}'^ ; from the 
Department of the Interior, Washington, referring to the Public 
Documents received by the Society from the Government; from 
•' Mr. S. C. Bruce, Philadelphia, relative to a design for a monument 

in commemoration of the Battle of Trenton, found among the pa- 
pers of the late Col. C. G. Childs ; from Mr. B. Aycrigg, of Passaic, 
detailing an incident connected with the death of Major Andre ; 
from Mr. Charles II. Hart, of Philadelphia, and Hon. John Clement, 
of Haddonfield, referring to Revolutionary Documents said to be in 
the basement of the State House at Trenton ; from Mr. J. M. Tower, 
of Jersey City, referring to autographs and other documents in his 
possession, connected with the Peace Conference of 1861 ; from 
Virginia Historical Society an "In Memoriam" of Thos. Hicks 
"Wynne, its Corresponding Secretar}^ ; from Brevet Brig. Gen. J. 
H. Simpson, transmitting an original letter from DeWitt Clinton, 
relating to the Delaware and Raritan Canal ; from Mr. Samuel 
Allinson, referring to some errors in Mr. Gilford's Paper on the 
Aborigines of New Jersey ; from Mr. William Nelson, of Paterson, 
in relation to a projected " History of Roads and Bridges in 
Passaic County," with some specimen pages, and from various other 
parties on matters connected with the operations of the Societ}^ 

The Treasurer reported a balance in the Treasury of $1,471 56. 

The Committee on Publications reported the issue of another 
number of the "Proceedings," being the first of the fourth volume 
of the second series. 

The Committee on the Library reported that the number of addi- 
tions by donation since the last meeting had been 34 volumes, 163 
pamphlets and a considerable number of miscellaneous manuscripts 
and newspapers. The names of the donors and the most valuable 
of the publications were specified in an accompanying list of Dona- 
tions. 

The interest awakened by the statements made at the last meeting, 
of the number and variety of the newspapers already collected, had 
induced the Committee to issue a circular addressed to newspaper 
publishers generally throughout the State, asking them to contribute 



MEETING IN NEWAKK. 51 

a copy of their respective Journals to be transmitted to the library- 
yearly. Several had responded by sending their papers to the 
library as published, and from others, promises to co-operate in the 
way designated, had been received. It was hoped that this measure 
will result in securing files of all the prominent papers of the State. 

The Manuscript Catalogue which was announced in the last report 
of the Committee, as having been begun, had been carried on to 
completion so far as the bound volumes are concerned, only requiring 
examination and verification to be ready for use. Considerable pro- 
gress had also been made with the Catalogue of the Pamphlets, and 
its completion would be urged forward as rapidl)' as possible. 

The Committee stated that the Manuscripts of the late Mr. Alfred 
Vail, of Morristown, so intimatel}^ connected with the discovery and 
introduction of the Electric Telegraph, had been deposited in the 
library ; and so soon as they could be examined and arranged by the 
representatives of the family, would be open to the inspection of all 
interested in the subjects to which the documents refer. A letter 
was read by the Corresponding Secretary, which had been received 
from Mr. J. Cumraings Vail, referring to the papers, and intimating 
an intention of soon arranging them so as to allow of their inspection. 

The Committee regretted that the Board of Trade, with whom 
such pleasant associations had existed for some years, were about to 
vacate the rooms which they have occupied in common with the 
Society. 

Col. Swords stated that the Chairman of the Library Committee 
having been prevented from attending the meeting, had requested 
him to read to the Society a letter which had been received from Mr. 
"W. A. Whitehead, accompanying fifty copies of the revised and en- 
larged edition of his " East Jersey under the Proprietary Govern- 
ments" bound to correspond with the other "Collections" of the 
Society, which Mr. W. wished might be used in making exchanges 
with kindred institutions. The letter was read and on motion of 
Col. Swords it was 

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to Mr. William A. 
"Whitehead, for his very liberal gift of fifty copies of the new edition of his 
History of " East Jersey under the Proprietary G-overnments," and that the 



52 MEKTING IN NKWARK. 

same be accepted to be onlj' disposed of in effecting exchanges with other 
Societies. 

The Committee on Statistics submitted tlie following report : 

"In accordance with the authority conferred by the Societ}^ Janu- 
ary 21st, the Committee met at the rooms on February 10th, and 
agreed upon a bill providing for the collection of certain important 
statistics of agriculture, manufactures, mining and commerce, by the 
local assessors throughout tlie State, at the time thej^ are taking the 
usual decennial State census of population; also providing that the 
Secretary of State shall tabulate and arrange the data thus obtained, 
together with comparisons of the corresponding data of the U. S. 
Census of 1870, and report tho same to the next Legislature. 

" This bill was placed in the hands of the Hon. John Hopper, (a 
life-member of this Society) Senator from Passaic County, and by 
him introduced in the Senate February 14th. It experienced the 
usual vicissitudes of public bills, and having passed the Senate, was 
among the very last to be acted upon in the Assembly, which body 
it passed at two o'clock in the morning of the last day of the session, 
and otily then, through the untiring vigilance of the Hon. David 
Henry, member from Passaic County. The bill passed the Legisla- 
ture precisely as it was drawn up by your Committee, and having 
been approved by the Governor, the Secretary of State promptly 
took measures to have the act carried out, in letter and spirit, and by 
May 1st sent out pamphlet copies of this and the previous census 
acts, with carefully prepared blanks, for the use and instruction of 
the officers charged with tlie execution of the law. 

"In large cities it is desirable that special census takers be appoint- 
ed, in lieu of or to assist the Assessors. This has been done in Pat- 
erson, where, also, the Board of Trade and the manufacturers in 
general have been specially appealed to, to aid in making the statis- 
tics of manufacturers as complete as possible. 

"Your Committee would recommend that the members of the So- 
ciety in the various parts of the State interest themselves in seeing 
that every facility be extended, by local Boards of Trade, municipal 
Boards, associations of farmers, manufiicturers, officers of corpora 
tions, etc., for the taking of this census, which will enable us to pre- 
sent at the Centennial Exposition a complete exhibit of New Jer- 



MEETING IN NEWARK. 53 

sey's material resources. The influence of the press should also be 
enlisted to the same end. 

"Your Committee propose to suggest to the Centennial Board of 
the State, the best means to utilize the statistical data which it is 
hoped to accumulate under the act prepared bj us, and to co-operate 
in this matter with that Board, with their consent, in order that a 
well-matured plan may be presented to the next Legislature. Per- 
haps it would be well for the Society to adopt a resolution specifi- 
cally conferring on the Committee tlie authority to co-operate with 
any and all official bodies for this purpose. 

" All of which is respectfully submitted. In behalf of the Com- 
mittee." 

" WILLIAM NELSON." 
"Newark, N. J., May 20th, 1874." 

The authority asked for by the Committee, was on motion con- 
ferred. 

The Committee on Nominations submitted a favorable report up- 
on a number of gentlemen, whose names had been submitted to 
them, and the}^ were thereupon elected, and other nominations were 
received. 

The Committee on the Centennial Exhibition, submitted the 
following report : 

" The undersigned, a Committee appointed at the May meeting of 
1874, to confer with similar Committees from other Historical So- 
cieties, and report a plan for united action in advancing the objects 
of the Centennial Exhibition, would report, that owing to various 
circumstances, they have not been able to correspond with other 
Societies on the subject, but it is understood that the necessity for 
action to ensure a result commensurate with the interest and import- 
ance of the object, has been recognized b}^ the appointment of a 
Central Committee, charged with the duty of bringing about such 
action, and we would therefore offer the following resolution : 

^'Resolved, That the President, Chairman of the Executive Committee and 
Secretaries of this Society, be appointed a Committee to confer with any com- 
mittee from other Historical Societies in relation to the best measures for ad- 
vancing the interests of the Centennial Celebration to be held in Philadelphia 
in 1876. 



54 MEETING IN NEWAEK. 

"The Committee would ask to be discharged from further consider- 
ation of the subject." 

The resolution was adopted and the Committee discharged. 

Dr. Pennington, Chairman of the Executive Committee, stated 
that the Society had in its possession a portrait of one of the ances- 
tors of Cortlandt Parker, Esq., which that gentleman was desirous 
of having returned to him, and as the member through whom it was 
received had no objection to the Societj^'s making such a disposition 
of it, he offered the following resolution, which was adopted : 

Resolved. That the portrait of William Skinner, Captain in the New Jersey 
forces during the French war, now in the possession of this Society, be return- 
ed to Cortlandt Parker, Esq., to whose family the same belonged when pre- 
sented to the Society. 

Mr. Whitehead drew the attention of members to a passage in 
Beauchaiup Plantagenet's " Description of the the Province of New 
Albion," 1648, in which, when treating of the best locations for 
English settlements he mentions " Mount Ployden, the seat of the 
" Earitan King, on the north side of the Province twenty miles from 
" Sandbay sea. and ninety from the ocean, next to Amara hill, the re- 
" tired Paradise of the children of the Ethiopean Emperour, a wonder, 
"for it is a square rock two miles compasse, 150 foot high, a wall- 
"like precipice, a strait entrance, easily made invincible, where he 
" keeps two hundred for his guard, and under it is a flat valley, all 
"plain to plant and sow." 

To verify the site from this description, had baffled the researches 
of all historians, although the Rev. George C. Schanck, in a paper 
read before the Society in September, 1851, had, in a measure, iden- 
tified the mountain with what are known as the Round Mountains in 
the vicinity of White-house, on the Central Railroad of New Jersey ; 
still Mr. Schanck was obliged to acknowledge his inability to locate 
" Mount Ployden " in juxtaposition with " Amara Hill." 

Mr. W. said that, " through the attention of Mr. Frederick Adams, 
of Orange, he had recently received an explanation of the passage, 
that seemed entirely satisfactory, derived from a very unexpected 
source. The clue was afforded by a passage in Milton's " Paradise 
Lost," In the 4th Book these lines are found : 



MEETING IN NEWARK. 

"Nor where Abassin Kings their issue guard, 
Mount Amara, though this by some supposed 
True Paradise, under the Ethiop hue, 
By NiUis' head enclosed with shining rock, 
A whole day's journey high." etc. 

"To this passage, in an edition of Milton's works, edited in 1874 
by David Masson, M.A., LL.D., is appended the follownig note : 

'. Amara, or Amhara, is a tract ofhigh table-land in the middle of Abyssinia, 
whefetheBhie NUe has its head, and where in the old maps the Nile, as a 
who e,t made to rise. Being about half way between the Tropic of Cancer 
Tud the Equator, it may be said to be ' under the Ethiop hue.' Here was the 
dUghtfulmounUin Amara, ' a day's journey high,' with its g-dens and pa - 
aces where, according to the tradition hinted at in the passage (used after- 
wards by D. Johnson in his Rasselas) the sons of the Abyssmian Emperor 
were educated in seclusion. Some thought Amara to have been the ongmal 
Paradise." 

" It was therefore very evident that Beauchamp Plantagenet, Esq., 
was conversant with the classical traditions of the East, some years 
before either Milton or Johnson wrote, and that his allusion to Mount 
Ployden as being " next^' to Amara Hill has reference to its bemg 
" next " in fame or singularity, and not in geographical position. 
Mr. Adams deserved the thanks of our historians for having pointed 
out the explanation of the heretofore mystical passage." 

Mr Henry M. Graves, through Rev. Mr. Pingry, presented a 
four-inch cannon ball, dug up from the Springfield battle-field of 1780, 
Rev James M. Bruen, presented the original manuscript of the 
address for the benefit of the Greeks, which was delivered in Trinity 
Church, Newark, January, 1824, by William W. Miller; which has 
ever been regarded as a remarkably brilliant production of that dis- 
tinguished member of the New Jersey Bar. 

From Miss Gertrude Ogden, was received the original commis- 
sion of David Ogden, to be one of the Justices of the Supreme 
Court of New Jersey, under the Great Provincial Seal, dated May 
18th, 1772. 

Hugh H. Bowne, Esq., presented an original Patent-right to 
James Coxe, for some improvement in the manufacture of Leather, 
dated January 14th, 1800, bearing the signatures of John Adams, 
Timothy Pickering and Attorney General Lee. 



56 MEETING IN NEWARK. 

Mr. Joshua G. Pierson presented copies of the Reports of the 
Increase of the Paterson Manufactories, and on a proposed Raih-oad 
from Paterson to New York, with maps, printed in 1829. 

A recess was then taken, during which the members partook of 
refreshments served in one of the Society's rooms. 

On reassembling, Mr. Whitehead stated that at the meeting of 
the Society in January, 1865, in connection with some resolutions 
passed relating to the death of the Hon. William L, Dayton, which 
had occurred on the 1st December previous, Messrs. J. P. Bradley, 
H. W. Green and Frederick T. Frelinghuysen were appointed a 
Committee to prepare a suitable Memorial of that distinguished 
Jerseyman, to be preserved in the archives of the Society. The 
duty having been assigned to Mr. Bradley, he prepared a paper and 
commenced to read it at the meeting of the Society in May follow- 
ing, but in consequence of indisposition, was unable to proceed, and 
the reading of the remainder was postponed to some subsequent 
meeting. Circumstances, however, had from time to time inter- 
fered therewith, until the present, and now Judge Bradley, not 
being able to meet with the Society, had devolved the duty of read- 
ing the paper upon him. 

Mr. Whitehead then proceeded to read " A Memorial of the Life 
and Character of the Hon. William L. Dayton, late United States 
Minister to France," which was listened to with marked interest, 
receiving the highest commendations for the succinct, but exceeding- 
ly lucid exposition it afforded of the many important events in which 
Mr. Dayton bore so prominent a part. 

On its conclusion, on motion of Col. Swords, it was 

Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary transmit to Justice Bradley, the 
thanks of tlie Society for the pleasure experienced while listening to his ad- 
mirable portraiture of the life and character of our former associate, the Hon. 
William L, Dayton, and that he be requested to place a copy thereof at the 
disposal of the Committee on Publications." 

The Society then on motion, adjourned to meet in Trenton on the 
third Thursday in January next, unless sooner called together by 
the Executive Committee. 



SELECTIONS FROM COKRESFONDENCE. 57 

^dictions from Concs^onbtntt m^ ^ms. 

SUBMITTED MAY 20th, 1875. 



FROM REV. RAVAUD K. RODGERS, D.D. 

Athens Geo. Feb. 5th, 1875. 
Wm. A. Whitehead, Esq., 

Corresponding Secretary, 

Neiu Jersey Historical Society, 

Dear Sir :— Your ftivor of January 22d was duly received 
When I read it, "my eye affected my heart." I feel grateful to you 
and through you to the members of the Society, for the very kind 
interest which it is manifest was taken in me. I was very much 
gratified to find that the Hon. Henry W. Green was chosen to fill 
the chair. He is the right man, in the right place, and I cannot but 
think that he ought to have been placed there two years since. 

I wish it to be very distinctly understood, that although it was 
plainly my duty to leave New Jersey and abide here, that I lose 
none of my interest in the Historical Society of our time honored 
State, and if I can at this distance do anything to promote its wel- 
fare, I will not be backward. 

Present my best respects to our Newark friends, and accept of 
my assurances of my continued esteem. 

From yours very truly, 

R. K. RoDGERS. 



FROM HON. HENRY W. GREEN, LLD. 

Trenton, Jan. 25th, 1875. 
Wm. A. Whitehead, Esq., 

Corresponding Secretary, 

Neto Jersey Historical Society, 

Dear Sir :— Yours of the 22d iust., notifying me of my election, 
9 



58 SELKCTIUNS FKOM GORKKSPONDKNCK. 

as President of The New Jersey Historical Society, for the ensuing 
year, was duly received. 

The infirm state of my health has for a long time prevented my 
attendance upon the meetings of the Society, and there is, at my 
age, no probability of its improvement. My first impulse was there- 
fore to decline the office. But since the receipt of your letter, 
* * * I have concluded to accept the office * * *_ 
Very Respectfully Yours, 

Henry W. Green. 



FROM BREVET BRIG. GEN'L J. HERVEY SIMPSON, U. S. A. 

St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 27th, 1875. 
W/n. A. Whitehead, Esq., 

Corresponding Secretary, 

New Jersey Historical Society, 

Dear Sir : — I have just received your letter of the 22d inst., 

informing me of my election as Corresponding member of the New 

Jersey Historical Society. I feel honored by this election, coming 

as it does from the Historical Society of my native state, and it will 

give me pleasure to do all I can towards promoting the objects of 

the Society. 

Very Respectfully, 

J. Hervey Simpson, 
Col. of Engineers and Brevet Brig. Gen' I U. S. A. 



FROM MR. SAMUEL ALLINSON. 

Yardyille, Feb. 9th, 187 5. 
Win. A. Whitehead, Esq., 

Corresponding Secretary, 

New Jersey Historical Society, 

Dear Sir : — I have to thank thee for thy considerate kindness in 
sending me a copy of A. Gifford's article on the Aborigines of New 
Jersey. Though a rambling essay it is quite interesting. He says 



SKLKCTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 59 

£1000 was the price paid at the Easton Treaty for the Indian claims 
in Northern New Jersey. The history says Gov. B. offered $800, 
and at Tom King's request made it $1,000, and the actual receipt 
in the secretary's office is for "£375" Again he says, "This year 
(1758) completed the exodus of the Delawares from New Jersey 
and Pennsylvania to the country, west of the Allee;hanies leaving 
only about 150 of the Minsees in our eastern section." This conveys 
quite a wrong impression. He seems to admit p. 192 "that the 
natives of New Jersey united with the enemy in 1756." I have 
seen no proof of this, though a few Indians were missing and possi- 
bly joined Teedyuscujig when lie " struck " Pennsylvania iu '54 
or '55. * * * 

Thj' obliged friend, 

Samuel Allinson. 



FROM BREVET BRIG. GEN'L J. HERVEY SIMPSON, U. S. A. 

St. Louis, March 29th, 1875. 
Wm. A. Whitehead, Esq., 

Corresponding Secretary, 

New Jersey Historical Society, 

Dear Sir: — Enclosed, I send you an original letter from Gov. 
DeWitt Clinton, the projector of the great "New York and Erie 
Canal," dated Albany, January 22d, 1828, to my father, the late 
Judge John N. Simpson, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, on " the 
transcendent importance (to use the Governor's language), of a nav- 
igable connection between the Bays of New York and Delaware." 
This letter it seems was written in reply to one from my father, 
setting forth the great benefits to be derived from such a connection, 
and doubtless also advocating that the Canal be undertaken and 
owned by the state. I regret that a copy of this letter has not been 
preserved, so far as I am aware, for I doubt not, that the well known 
study given by my father to this subject for the twelve years pre- 
viously, first as a member of the legislature of New Jersey, and, 
afterwards, as a private citizen, enabled him to present the subject 
to Governor Clinton in a light, and with a cogency of argument and 



60 sf:lecti()ns from correspondknce. 

statistics, that would add doubly to the value of the correspondence, 
and make it still more interesting as a matter for Historical record. 

"The Delaware and Raritan Canal," was the great project of my 
father's life and ambition, and to him more than to any other citizen, 
do I believe the credit to be due, of bringing this improvement, by 
his official acts, in the legislature, and presentation of facts and sta- 
tistics through the press, to the notice of the public, in such a man- 
ner as to make it 2^ fait accomiili. 

It is an interesting fact, and one which shows my father's sagacity, 
that he always asserted that the income from the Canal would exceed 
that to be derived from any railroad which might be built between 
the same termini ; and this, I am assured, is now actually the case. 

As the letter is quite dim from age, I also send you a faithful 
copy. 

Very respectfully, 

J. Hkrvey Simpson, 
Col. Engineers and Brevet Brig. Gen' I U. S. A. 



LETTER PROM 
DeWITT CLINTON TO JOHN N. SIMPSON, 

OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 



Received from Brevet Brig. Gen^l J. H. Simpson. 



Albany, January 22d, 1828. 

Sir : — I was honored with your interesting letter of the 8th 
instant, to which I should have paid immediate attention, had I 
not been under a great pressure of official business, and now my 
time will only permit a slight view of the subjects which you have 
presented to my consideration ; and I hope that this communication 
will reach you seasonably and operate favorably for the praise- 
worthy objects which you have in view. 

As to the transcendant importance of a navigable connexion 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 61 

between the Bays of New York and Delaware, there cannot be a 
scintilla of doubt ; and when it is considered that this communica- 
tion will be extended to the Bay of Chesapeake b}^ the Chesapeake 
and Delaware Canal, and that the whole will embrace within its 
influence, the Hudson, the Delaware, the Susquehannah and the 
Rivers flowing into them and the Chesapeake Bay, the advan- 
tages of the Canal which you contemplate from the Delaware 
to the Raritan must be palpable and incalculable. It is well 
known that the enterprising spirit, which distinguishes our national 
character, is limited only by the realities or prospects of profitable 
adventure. Abroad it is witnessed in every region however remote 
or secluded ; at home, nothing escapes its scrutiny or communion. 
Wherever a market can be found — wherever an interchange of 
benefits can be had, wherever a facile communication can be 
obtained, you will see the products of the soil, of the mines and of 
the forests — the fabrics of manufactures and the importations of 
external commerce. In July 1826, I passed through a remote part 
of this State bordering on the Susquehannah, and a trader there, 
availing himself of a rise of water in a small stream, had just returned 
from conveying a raft of lumber to the City of Washington, with 
ample profits on the sales, and at a distance of seven hundred miles. 
A few weeks afterwards, I was informed at Glean, one of the Head 
waters of the Allegany, that it was not uncommon to convey from 
that place pressed hay in arks to Natches, and lumber to New 
Orleans. The operation of this same spirit will be forcibly and lib- 
erally experienced, when the great markets of New York, Philadel- 
phia and Baltimore are thrown open to the access of a vast 
population, convejnng such immense regions, as will be compre- 
hended by these Canals and the natural waters communicating with 
them. To doubt on this subject would exhibit a scepticism 
approaching dementation. 

I perceive that it is proposed to make the main trunk of the 
Delaware and Raritan Canal forty miles long, sixty feet wide at the 
top, sixty feet deep ; that the entire lockage will be about fifty feet 
on each side of the summit level, and that it is to be supplied by a 
navigable feeder of twenty-five or thirty miles long, thirty feet wide 
at the surface, and from four and a half to five feet deep. 



62 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 

This plan is a judicious one. The main Canal will be susceptible 
of sloop navigation, and the increased width and depth beyond those 
usually adopted, will render the transit of vessels more easy and 
rapid. 

This work can be made without any great physical difficulty. 
The cost will not exceed $1,200,000, and no doubt a loan can be 
obtained for that purpose by your State, at an interest of five per 
cent. I am decidedly of opinion that it ought to be undertaken and 
owned by the State. The financial inducements to this measure are 
as obvious as those which affect the other cardinal interests of the 
communit3^ 

This Canal including its feeder, will be about the same extent as 
the Champlain Canal, and it is a very liberal concession in favor of 
the latter to say that the income will be about the same ; the expense 
of superintendence and repairs will probably be less, and its increase 
of revenue will undoubtedly be more rapid. The interest of the 
loan to effect it will be sixty thousand dollars; the proceeds of the 
Champlain Canal for the last year were $85,000 dollars, and its 
progressive income has been more than ten per cent, per annum. 
The avails of your canal will consequently in a few years extinguish 
the debt, when in all probability the State will derive a clear annual 
revenue of a quarter of a million of dollars, and when we connect 
this consideration, the establishment of town and villages, the crea- 
tion of a dense population, and the acquisition of valuable home 
markets in the vicinity, and along the whole line of the Canal, there 
ought to be no hesitancy about acting promptly and decidedly in 
favor of a measure so abounding with benefits. 

I am very respectfully your most obedient servant, 

DeWitt Clinton. 
John N. Simpson, Esq., 

New Brunswickj New Jersey. 

A true copy of the original, presented to the New Jersey Histor- 
ical Society by 

J. Hervey Simpson. 
Col. of Engineers and Brevet Brig. Gen'l U. S. A. 



DONATIONS. 



63 



§amtwn 

ANNOUNCED MAY 20th, 1875. 

Fro7n the Grand Lodge of Neio Jersey. — Digest of the Laws of the 
Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of New Jersey, and 
Journal of proceedings, 1833 to 1874 inclusive. 5 Yols. 
From Harvard College. — 49th Annual report of the President, 1873, 

1874. 
From Aaron Matthews. — Account of the malignant fever lately pre- 
valent in the city of New York by James Hardie, A. M. New 
York, 1799. — Funeral sermon on the death of President Wash- 
ington, by Alexander Macwhorter, D.D. Newark, N. J., 1800; 
and other valuable papers. 
From the United States Patent Office.— The official Gazette, vol. 7, 
Nos. 1 to 17 inclusive; Vol. 2 complete; No 8 of Vol. 3 ; Nos. 
6 and 12 of Vol. 6. General Index, 1872. Index to Decisions, 
Titles, Etc. 
From T. P. 5ayes.— Portfolio of New England Society of Orange, 
containing prints of the Valley Oak; the Hillyer Elm; the 
Harrison Buttonwood, Avith letter press descriptions. 
From George H. Bruen. — The volume of the writings of Bishop 
Burnett, brought from England by William Davis, minister of the 
Gospel, who died September 16th, 1715. 
From Harmon C. Westervelt. — Georgetown Courier, containing arti- 
cles on '' The Printing Press, &c., connected with the city of New 
York from their earliest stages to more recent times." 
From F. T. Frelinghuysen. — Self government in Louisiana, speech 

in Senate. U. S., January, 1875. 
Fro7n Dr. Benjamin B. Aycrigg. — Simcoes Military Journal, during 

American Revolution. New York, 1844. Large paper copy. 
From Edwin Salter. — Washington Chronicle, containing an article on 

Potomac River. 
From Henry Congar. — Semi-Centennial Discourse on Third Presby- 
terian Church, Newark, N. J., June 14th, 1874, by E. R. Craven, 



64 DONATIONS. 

D.D. — Lists of emigrants to America, 1600 to 1700 by John 
Camden Hotten. 1 Vol., 8vo. 

From Rohert S. Stoords. — Municipal Register of Bridgeport Conn. 
1873. — Fifth Annual Report of the Trade and Commerce of Peoria, 
1874. — Proceedings of the National Convention of the American 
Cheap Transportation Association, Richmond, 1874. — Annual Re- 
port of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, 1873, '74. — 
Report on the Canals of New York by Committee of the Chamber 
of Commerce of New York, 1875. — Annual Report of the Dela- 
ware and Hudson Canal Company, 1874. 

From Amos H. Searfoss. — Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New 
Jersey, 1841, to 1856. — The Young Millwright and Miller's Guide 
in five parts by Oliver Evans, Philadelphia, 1795. 

From W. P. Garrison. — Constitution and By-laws of the New Eng- 
land Society of Orange, N. J. Sixth Edition, 1874. 

Fro77i the Authors. — Address before the Reformed Church, Bethle- 
hem, Pa., by Rev. Joseph H. Dubbs, October, 1874.— Oration of 
Henry Annitt Brown, on the one hundredth Anniversary of the 
meeting of Congress in Carpenter's Hall, 1875. 

From William A. Whitehead. — Volume of the Newark Daily 
Advertiser, 1874. 

From John Mix. — "An Universal History of Arts and Sciences," 
compiled, 1741. Vol., A. to G. 

From John Horn. — Original grant from the Proprietors of East 
Jerse}' to William Pinhorne for 500 acres on the Raritan River, 
dated March 25th, 1698. 

From the U. S. Bureau of Education. — Annual report, 1873. 

From William B. Mott. — Brief history of Christ Church, Shrews- 
bury, New Jersey 

From Daniel O. Scott. — The Royal Magazine or Gentlemen's Monthly 
Companion, — and others, 1766. to 1776. — A Key to the Scripture 
Character of Jesus Christ, London, 1784. — Sermon by Samuel 
Miller, A. M., before New York Missionary Society, 1802. — The 
Traders Sure Guide, by William Leyburn, London, 1741. 

From Eugene A. Smith. — Geological Survey of Alabama, 1874. 

From Rev. Daniel Leach. — Annual report of the School Committee 
of Providence, Rhode Island, 1874. 



DONATIONS. 65 

From Samuel C Perkins. — Proceedings at the laying of the corner 
stone of the New Public Buildings in Pennsylvania Square, Phil- 
adelphia, July 4th, 1874. 

From Rev. Joseph F. Tuttle. — Geological Survey of the State of 
Indiana, 1873. — Sermons, Inaugural and other addresses. 16 
Pamphlets. 

From . Lay Evangelism, a paper read before the Presby- 
terian ministerial association of Cinn. by R. L. .Stanton, D.D., April 
19th, 1875. — Maryland not a Roman Catholic Colony, by E. D. N. 
Mineapolis, 1875. — Oration by John D. Gardiner, Roxbury, New 
Jersey, July 4th, 1807. 

From the Association. — First Report of the Emlen Institution, for the 
benefit of children of African and Indian descent, Phil. 1875. 

From Dr. Scwiuel A. Green. — Annual Reports of schools, charitable 
and other societies in Massachusetts. 89 Pamphlets. 

F7-o)7i the Societies. — Proceedings of the New England Historic and 
Genealogical Society, January and April, 1875. 
The Wisconsin Historical Society, January 1875. 
The American Philosophical Society, June to December, 1874. 
Iowa Historical Society, the Annals of Iowa, 1874. 
The American Antiquarian Society, 1874. 
Bulletin of the Essex Institute. Vol. 6. Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 
Vol. 7. Nos. 1, 2, 3. Essex Historical Collections, Vol. XIII, 
January, 1875. 

The New York Geneological and Biographical Society Record. 
Vol. 2 and Nos. 1, 2. Vol. 6. 

From New Jersey State Agricultural Society. — Annual Report, 1873. 

From Rev. Cortlayidt Whitehead. — The Missionary Manual and Direc- 
tory of the Moravian Church, 1875. 

From the Publishers: — Consecutive Numbers of The Weekly State 
Gazette. Newark Manufacturer. The Centennial. Boston 
Herald, April 17th. 

In response to the circular issued hy the Library Committee. — Consec- 
utive numbers of the Princeton Press ; National Standard, Salem ; 
Passaic City Herald; Hackettstown Herald ; Monmouth Democrat, 
Vols. 40 and 41, 1873, 1874 ; Orange Journal; The New Jersey 
Herald and Sussex County Democrat. 
10 



66 DONATIONS. 

FVom Col. Thomas F. De Voe. — Three years struggle with municipal 
misrule, report of A. H. Green, Comptroller, New York, February 
1875. — Celebration by the Tammany Society, July 4th, 1870. — 
The History of Caranthus the first Sailor King of England by J. 
W. Depeyster, 1858.— The Cultivator. Vols., 5 and 10. 

From Rev. Marshall B. S^mith. — Lossing's Washington and the 
American Eevolution. 3 Vols , 8 vo. 

From William Plume. — New York American, 1831. — Goldsmith's 
England, 1806, and 3 other volumes. 

Fro7n /State Treasurer. — Laws of New Jersey, 1873, 1874. 

From Beach Vanderj^ool. — Report of Commissioners to select a site, 
and build an asylum for the Insane to Legislature, 1872, '73 '74, 
with colored print of the building. 

From A. Q. Keashey. — From the Hudson to the St. John's, 1874. 

1 Vol. 8vo. 

Frovi Gilbert Mollison.—'^ ew York Observer, 1831, '32, '33, '34. 

2 Vols. 

F-om Henry Phillips^ Jr. — Brigade Orders, 1st Regiment New 
Jersey Militia, 1793, 1796, two Broadsides. — Bond, Samuel Tomlin 
and William Tomlin to Alexander Randall, Dec. 20th, 1773. 

From Robert Clark &, Co. — Eighth Re-union ; Societ}^ of the Army 
of the Cumberland, September, 1874. 

From the Mobile Board of Trade. — Alabama Manual and Statistical 
tiegister for 1875. 

F'om Joseph Black. — Book of Common Praj^er, 1690, Cincinnati in 
1859 by Charles Cist. — Sermons by Alexander Macwhorter, D.D. 
Newark, 1803. 2 Vols. 8vo. 

From Robert Clark & Co. — Our barren lands ; the interior of the 
of the United States, by Gen. W. B. Hazen, 1875. — Bibliotheca 
Americana. 

From the Publishers. — The American Bibliopolist, Febuary and 
April.^American Journal of Education, April and May 1875. — 
Old and New, January, 1875. Vol. XI, No. 1. 

F-om C. D. Bradlee. — In memoriam, Rev. James Walker, LLD., ex- 
President of Harvard College, by C. D. Bradlee, 1875. 

From the Association. — In memoriam, Our Heroic Dead, Licking 
County's gallant Soldiers, 1874. 



RESIDENT MEMBERS ELECTED. <)7 

MAY 20th, 1875. 

James M. Baldwin, Paterson. 
John S. Barkalow, 
Joseph D. Bedle, Jersey City. 
John Hart Brewer, Trenton. 
John J. Brown, Paterson. 
A. Gibbs Campbell, " 
Edward L. Campbell, Trenton. 
Henry R. Cannon, M.D., Elizaheth. 
L. L. Carlisle, Neioarh. 
John J. Craven, M.D., Jersey City. 
George S. Duryee, Newark, 
Edward W. Evans, Trenton. 
Garret A. Hobart, Paterson. 
Robert J. Hopper, 
John P. Hutchinson, Bordentowu. 
Willliam O. McDowell. Boonton. 
David M. Meeker, Newark. 
William Pennington, Paterson. 
Edward D. Pierson, Orange. 
Isaac F. Riche}', Trenton. 
James H. Rog;ers, Paterson. 
W. W. Snyder, Orange. ■ 
John H. Stewart, Trenton. 
John Swinburne, Paterson. 
Thomas Terrill, M.D., Elizaheth. 
Rev. P. F. Wilson, Boonton. 
Isaac Van Wagoner, Paterson. 
Frederic Vinton, Princeton. 

HONORARY MEMBERS. 

Rev. Howard Malcolm, D.D., Philadelphia. 
James Ross Snowden, " 



A MEMORIAL 



THE LIFE AND CHAEACTER 



HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON, 

Late U. S. Minister to France. 



BY JOSEPH P. BRADLEY, ESQ. 



Prepared in coDforinit)' witli a ResoliitioD of tlie New Jersej Historical Societj. 



On January 19th, 1865, at a meeting of the New Jersey Histori- 
cal Society, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted : 

WliEREAS, Since the last meeting of the Society, the country has been called 
to mourn the loss of its able representative at the Court of France, the Hon. 
"William L. Dayton, long a member and officer of this Society, a ready and 
cheerful promoter of its objects, and at the time of his departure on his mis- 
sion, one of its Vice Presidents ; therefore 

Resolved, That this Society has to lament, in the death of the Hon. William 
L. Dayton, the loss of one whose place at the Bar, in the Senate, in the Cab- 
inet, and in the recollections of Jerseymen is left vacant, and cannot soon be 
filled. 

Resolved, That we deeply participate in the universal regret at his sudden 
and untimely decease, and that we sincerely sympathize with his family in 
their great and sore bereavement. 

Resolved, That the character and services of Mr. Dayton as a distinguished 
and eminent Jerseyman, long occupying a large space in the public eye, are 
entitled to more than a mere passing tribute at the hands of this Society and 
his native State; and that a Committee be appointed to procure, if practicable, 
the preparation of some permanent and fitting memorial of his career. 

The Chair appointed as the Committee referred to in the last resolution, 
Messrs. J. P. Bradley, Henry "W. Green, and Frederick T. Frelinghuysen. 

On the 18th May, 1865, Mr. Bradley submitted to the Society 
the following paper. 



MEMORIAL. 



"William Lewis Dayton, late Minister Plenipotentiary of the 
United States to France, departed this life, suddenly at Paris, on 
the first day of December, 1864. He not only held an eminent 
official position at the time of his death, but he was a distinguished 
citizen of the United States, and a beloved and honored son of New 
Jersey. As such, and as a member of this Society, of long and 
honored standing, it is highly proper that some appropriate memorial 
of his life and services, should be recorded in our proceedings. 

His own remarks made in this Society some years ago, are proper 
to remember now. 

The Committee on biographies had made a report expressing some 
disappointment at the little success which had attended their applica- 
tions to the descendants of distinguished Jerseymen for sucH sketches 
of their lives as the private or family papers might enable them to 
furnish, Mr. Dayton, in a few remarks made on the occasion, al- 
luded to the importance to the State of securing authentic informa- 
tion respecting those whose names and deeds were indissolubly con- 
nected with her history. No people, he said, could expect to have 
their history written impartially and well by strangers, and not until 
Jersej^men exert themselves more, could they expect to be relieved 
from the injurious efforts of such authorship. Since then, he has 
himself become one of those whose name and deeds are indissolubly 
connected with the history of New Jersey ; and it is the duty of 
this Society, in some way, to preserve a memorial of his career. 

Mr. Dayton was born at Baskingridge, in Somerset County, New 
Jersey, on the 17th day of February, A.D., 1807. He was conse- 
quently, nearly fifty-eight years of age at the time of his death. 
Those fifty-eight years can hardly be surpassed in the world's his- 
tory by any period of equal length in whatever appertains to the 
development of the material interests of society, and the advance- 



72 MEMORIAL OP HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

ment and elevation of the people. During this period the steam- 
boat, the railroad, the locomotive, the telegraph, the photograph and 
the penny press became powers under whose influence the civilized 
world has made such strides in material and political progress, that 
we seem to live in a new and different era compared with that which 
subsisted at the present century. The questioning and energetic 
spirit of the present age, imparts itself more or less to all who live 
in it. And to self-reliant and powerful minds like that of William 
L. Dayton, it furnishes a stimulus Avhich almost infallibly urges them 
on to distinction and usefulness. 

Mr. Dayton was just twenty years the junior of his distinguished 
fellow townsman, the Hon. Samuel L. Southard, and his mother, 
whose maiden name was Lewis, was a cousin of that distinguished 
Jerseyman. Both of them bore the maternal surname in their own 
name, and quite a remarkable parallel existed between their respec- 
tive careers. Both being natives of Baskingridge, they received their 
early training in its celebrated school, Mr. Southard, under its 
founder. Dr. Finley, and Mr. Dayton under his successor, Dr. Brown- 
lee. Both pursued their more advanced studies in the College of New 
Jersey, at Princeton, Mr. Southard graduating at the age of seven- 
teen, and Mr. Dayton at eighteen. Both were admitted to the bar 
of New Jersey as attorneys at about the same age, Mr. Southard at 
twenty-four, Mr. Da3fton at twenty-three, (the latter in the term of 
May, 1830) ; and both took the degree of Counsellor, as soon as 
their three years of probation as attorneys had expired. They both 
moved from their native county to commence the practice of law, 
and were both elected to the State Legislature, from the counties of 
their adoption, Mr. Southard being sent to the House of Assembly 
by the County of Hunterdon, at the age of twenty-eight ; and Mr. 
Dayton to the Legislative Council by the County of Monmouth, at 
the age of thirty ; and both were appointed to the bench of the 
Supreme Court during the first year of their legislative terms. 
They were, afterwards, both elected to the Senate of the United 
States, Mr. Southard at the age of thirty-four, Mr, Dayton at that of 
thirty-five ; and both were afterwards appointed to tho efiice of At- 
torney General of New Jersey. If Mr. Dayton did not, like Mr. 
Southard, become a cabinet minister, he became instead Minister 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 



73 



Plenipotentiary to one of the first governments of Europe, in diffi- 
cult times, which required the performance of duties quite as arduous 
and responsible. Finally, they both died in the full prime of ma- 
ture life— Mr. Southard at the age of fifty-five, and Mr. Dayton at 
fifty-seven ; and during their respective careers both stood out with 
striking distinctness, as the most marked and eminent men of their 
native State. 

Perhaps Mr. Dayton was sometimes conscious of this singular 
parallelism of destinies; perhaps it often awakened his ambition for 
honorable distinction, and stimulated his naturally sluggish energies 
to loftier exertions, more worthy of his great abilities, than he vvould 
otherwise have made. Example is a rare preacher ; and nothing so 
tends to create great men in a nation or a community, as to have the 
example of great men to emulate, and their talents to grapple with 
in the struggle of honorable contest. 

His early and rapid success in life, makes us think that he may 
also have been conscious of the shortness of life and of the necessity 
of working well while the day lasts, in order to accomplish any thing 
good or great. He may have felt that what he had to do he must 
do with all his might. This thought is beautifully and impressively 
expressed in his address before the Whig and Cliosophic Societies 
in September, 1843. He then said to the young men of his Alma 
Mater : 

" "Wait not for the strength of coming years. Experience asks no dehiy 
Now, every day and hour, is the time for effort. The intellect of age is surest ; 
but, strange as it may seem, some of the grandest reaches of human thought 
have been the efforts of youth. Sir Isaac Newton has perhaps enlarged the 
sphere of human knowledge beyond all others. Fancy paints him a sage, as 
venerable for years as for wisdom. It is all a fancy sketch. His grandest dis- 
coveries were the efforts of his youth ; he did little in scientific discovery after 
his meridian. The ground-work was laid before he was twenty-three. * * 
The measurement of time by the oscillation of the pendulum was the discov- 
ery of Gallileo before he had attaind his twentieth year. And although not 
maturing till late in life, we find him at the age of twenty-four in the mathe- 
matical chair of Pisa. * * Alexander the Great died in his thirty- 
third year ; and his famed lament, so often used to point a moral, tells what he 
had done. There is another of our own era, who conquered and destroyed 
more than Alexander ever knew. Yet it was in all the freshness of youth that 
he stood at the foot of the Alps and pointed his ill-fed, ill-clad followers to their 
frozen summit. There is a moral sublimity in the unwavering confidence — the 
11 



74 AtEMORIAL OK HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

stern self-relience of this man and his emphatic order, On ! Over mountains 
covered with everlasting snows ; amidst avalanches and glaciers ; through the 
wild gorges between the Alps and the Apenines, self-sustained, and self-rely- 
ing he led his followers on. * * But it is not in the field alone, but 
in the cabinet, that our own era furnishes illustrations in point. Who among 
the statesmen of the old world has left a brighter name than 'William Pitt ? 
Who in the new than Alexander Hamilton ? Addison had distinguished him- 
self for correctness of style and elegance of diction at the early age of twenty- 
one. Pope's incomparable essay upon criticism was the production of a youth 
scarcely twenty." 

When this was spoken he was already a member of the United 
States Senate, though only thirty-six years of age. Some of his 
friends, disinterested or otherwise, had expressed the fear that his 
progress was too rapid for his own permanent advantage. These 
words of his may be regarded as his own formal defence or apology 
for his early advancement. 

Mr. Dayton's father was not wealthy. Although a man of consid- 
erable character and intelligence, he was a plain mechanic, and had 
to exert himself strenuously to give his children an education — a 
duty which was honorably and faithfully discharged ; two of his sons 
being trained to the bar, and a third being educated as a physician. 
We are not surprised, therefore, that his son William, after leaving 
College, devoted a portion of his time to teaching school at Pluck- 
amin, as a means of replenishing his resources whilst pursuing his 
professional studies. He studied law in the office of Hon. Peter D. 
Vroom, then residing at Somerville ; but the interruptions to which 
he was subjected delayed his admission to the bar till May term, 
1830, five years after he had taken his academical degree. The 
general impression made by him at this period was, that his talents 
were less brilliant than solid ; and that by his mental constitution, 
though capable of much energy and power when roused to exertion, 
he was rather indolent and sluggish, than alert and active. No 
doubt the cause of this impression was the fact that Mr. Dayton was 
always more of a thinker than a mere student of books, and like 
Patrick Henry, was making more progress in his studies whilst mus- 
ing with himself along the trout stream, or the fowling range, than 
in the dusty office, surrounded by the more dusty books. He paid 
sufficient attention to the latter, however, to lay in a sound stock of 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 1o 

common law learning and legal principles, which he ever wielded 
with readiness and tact in the conduct or consideration of any cause 
in which he was engaged. 

Mr. Dayton never became, or made any pretentions to the charac- 
ter of a legal scholar—^ class of lawyers who are often more learned 
than sound, and more knowing than safe. They will tell you about 
all the obscure and recondite cases which have been decided on any 
particular point ; what this judge asserted, and what that judge 
doubted ; and yet be unable themselves to form any sound and defi- 
nite conclusion on the subject— any conclusion for themselves or 
their clients to adopt as a rule. They will still doubt and hesitate,^ 
and fortify themselves with so many "ifs," and "ands," and "buts," 
that they only "darken counsel by words without knowledge," and 
leave those dependent upon them for advice, in greater doubt and 
distress than before. Or. if they happen to be of a positive disposi- 
tion, ever ready to give their opinion at a breath, they are as apt to 
be wrong as right. 

Great learning and great breadth of reading are not by any means 
to be despised ; and if there is enough power of mental digestion to 
assimilate it, and make it contribute to real knowledge and depth, it 
is a great blessing; but if it burdens and overloads the brain, the 
reading had better be more limited, and better understood. 

The law is a science of principles, by which civil society is regu- 
lated and held together, by which right is eliminated and enforced, 
and wrong is detected and punished. Unless these principles are 
drawn from the books which a student reads, and deposited in his 
mind and heart, his much reading will be but a dry and unprofitable 
business. On the contrary, if these principles are discovered be- 
neath the dry husks of the text books and reports, if they are ex- 
tracted, mastered and retained, it will not be so much the number 
of the books studied, as the success with which this digesting and 
assimilating process is pursued in studying them, which will make 
the great and successful lawyer. 

It is precisely in this respect that Mr. Dayton was a profitable and 
successful student of the law. He had a large mind and strong 
common sense, which always led him instinctively to search for and 
seize the leading and governing principle which underlay a book or 



76 MEMORIAL OP HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

case, studied or referred to, or a cause to be argued or tried. This 
trait characterized his reading and studies whilst a student at law, 
and his practice as a lawyer after he came to the bar. In the argu- 
ment of his causes he alwaj^s stood upon some broad general prin- 
ciple, or fundamental and striking view of his case ; he could not 
stoop to mere technicalities. 

The same characteristics distinguished him as a Judge. There 
was nothing he so much abhorred as to decide a cause on narrow 
precedents or minute technical points. This arose from his breadth 
of mind and great good sense. Strong, sound sen.se was the basis 
and most marked feature of his intellectual character. 

His estimate of general principles as comprising the vital sub- 
stance of the law, is well expressed in the address to which refer- 
ence has been made. 

"The law," says he, "is a science enlarged m its compass, and noble in its 
objects. It binds the elements of society together, keeping all its discordant 
materials in place. It has no mysteries, no uncertainties under which imposi- 
tion can protect itself. In litigation there is no quackery, no infallible specific. 
Crowds never follow ignorant pretenders to legal knowledge into courts of jus- 
tice to vindicate their civil rights. Notwithstanding that time out of mind, its 
glorious uncertainty has furnished a theme for the wit of the world ; there is, 
perhaps, no science apart from mathematical truth, more fixed or certain in its 
principles. I speak not of local laws — of mere statutory provisions, but of 
that great system of principles which constitute the common law, and in which 
the science consists. * * They are something, be it remembered, 
apart from the fact in litigation * * They are a body of principles 

reduced from reason and experience — based upon the soundest morals and 
adapted to the varied wants of organized society. These principles are fixed, 
and constitute the science. It ts to the study of these principles you will assiduously 
devote yourselves. Without labour in mastering, and thought in applying them, 
you can do nothing, literally nothing. Genius alone will be of as little avail as 
powder without lead ; though full of it, you are but a blank cartridge; you 
may make a great flash and noise, but will send nothing to the mark." 

I qutote his words thus fully, because they chime in with the lessons 
of his life, and aid us in representing to our own minds a faithful 
image of his intellectual and moral personality. 

After getting his attorney's license in May, 1830, he concluded to 
leave his native county and settle in Monmouth. He first located 
himself at Middletown Point, where he stayed about two years, and 
then removed to Freehold, the county seat; and about this period 



MEMORIAL OF HON. "WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 



77 



was married to Miss Vanderveer, a daughter of Judge Ferdinand 
Vanderveer, of Somerville, who survives her husband. The Mon- 
mouth County courts, especially the circuit for the trial of Su- 
preme Court cases, were at that period, attended by Gen. Wall, 
George Wood, Col. Warren Scott, Chief Justice Green, the late 
James S. Green, and others of equal eminence in the profession, 
besides the local lawyers of the place, Mr. Ryall, Judge Randolph, 
and others. The forensic contests of these men and forensic con- 
test with them, furnished a most excellent school for the develop- 
ment of Mr. Dayton's peculiar powers. He very soon took rank as 
a 3^oung man of great promise.* Gen. Wall, who was a good judge 
of character, detected his undeveloped powers on first coming in 
contact with him; and meeting Mr. Vroom shortly afterwards, 
whom he knew to have been Mr. Dayton's preceptor, made particu- 
lar enquiries about him, and predicted his future eminence. 



. * A newspaper correspondent relates the following incident which took place 
in Freehold, at the November Court, 1833. A friend of the writer had been 
indicted for resenting an insult, and had employed Mr. Dayton, to defend him. 
The result of the case is told as follows: "It so happened that the outgoing 
sheriff, John M. Perrine, Esq., had summoned the grand jury and other jurors 
at the usual time, and that the recently elected and qualified sheriff, Thos. 
Miller, Esq., had made the return of the list or panel to the court, as " duly 
summoned," one sheriff summoning and the other sheriff returning the jurors 
of the term. Here was a nut which counsellor Dayton presented to the court 
to be cracked. He contended that the proceedings in relation to the jurymen 
were illegal and void, and moved the court to quash the mdictment against the 
defendant, our friend Gravatt. Here was "a pretty kettle of fish." If one 
prisoner was discharged or remanded, all others would have the same claim 
upon the court— all indictments of the term would be null. Counsellor Dayton 
made a short, sensible and pointed argument. Attorney General White replied, 
and Judge Kyerson without hesitation, declared the indictment void. The de- 
fendent was discharged upon his own recognizance. 

"All this was followed by a buzz through the then little village of Freehold. 
Toung Dayton's name was upon every body's tongue. You could hear the 
exclamations "Whatl all the indictments quashed?" "No criminal business 
this term?" " That Dayton is sharp." " He knows more than we thought," 
with sundry similar expressions of commendation. From that day Mr. Dayton 
had no lack of clients.'' 



78 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

They soon became warmly attached to each other, and the success 
of the younger advocate was a matter of just pride and gratuhition 
to his generous senior, although he often felt the weight of those 
blossoming talents to his cost. When appropriate notice was taken 
of Gen'l Walls' death in the Supreme Court many years afterwards, 
Mr. Dayton is recorded to have spoken in a feeling manner of the 
character of the deceased ; but when he came to speak of his per- 
sonal relations with Gen'l Wall, the tide of recollection was too 
strong, large tears flooded his eyes, and he resumed his seat. 

So rapidly did iMr. Dayton rise in the public estimation, both in 
regard to talents and character, that in 1837, he was chosen to rep- 
resent the Whig party on their Legislative ticket as candidate for 
the Legislative Council. Monmouth was a strong Democratic 
County, having for five successive years elected the Jackson ticket 
by large majorities. But in 1837 came the great commercial crash, 
consequent upon the expansions, the extravagance, and the reckless 
speculations of previous years, and with it a revolution in the polit- 
ical world, which finally resulted in the defeat of Mr. Van Buren's 
administration, and the election of Gen'l Harrison to the Presidency. 
In 1837, the revolution commenced in New Jersey, and Monmouth 
was one of the counties which completely changed its political front. 
The entire Whig ticket was elected, and Mr. Dayton took his seat 
in the Legislative Council. The Whigs had a majority in both 
houses and retained it for six successive years, each year electing 
William Pennington, Governor. The legislature of 1837-8, of which 
Mr. Dayton was a member, in its Second Session, in February, 
passed one law which had a very important effect on the judiciary 
system of this State. Up to that period we had no county court 
of ordinary civil jurisdiction, except the Inferior Court of Common 
Pleas, so-called because the Supreme Court was a Superior Court of 
Common Pleas as well as a court of criminal and pi-erogative juris- 
diction. The Inferior, or county court was composed of an indefi- 
nite number of judges, from three to a dozen or more, none of whom 
were ever, or rarely ever, selected from the bar, or for any legal 
knowledge they were supposed to possess. This constitution of the 
county courts rendered it necessary to bring all important litigation 
before the Supreme Court, either originally, or by a process of re- 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILMAM L. DAYTON. 79 

moval from the Inferior to the Supreme Court, technically called a 
habeas corpus cum causa. The increasing population and business of 
the State caused to be felt the necessity of a local tribunal, having 
the confidence of the bar, and the people, and bringing justice at mod- 
erate expense home to every man's door. Mr Dayton was chairman 
of the judiciary committee of the Council, and in that capacity, as 
well as in his place as a member of the Council, he advocated the 
bill referred to, entitled, "An act to facilitate the administration of 
of justice," by which a county court of original and unlimited juris- 
diction in civil cases, was created, to be called a Circuit Court and 
to be held by a judge of the Supreme Court, four times a year in 
each county. A circuit had formerly been held twice a year in 
each county, by the Justices of the Supreme Court, for the mere 
trial of jury causes in the Supreme Court ; but the new Circuit 
Court, besides the trial of these causes, was invested with original 
jurisdiction in all civil cases, as before stated, and soon became and 
has ever since remained the most popular court of common law 
jurisdiction in the State. The new duties required of the Supreme 
Court judges by this law, which went into effect on the 14th of Feb- 
ruary 1838, rendered necessary an increase of judicial force, and the 
1st section of the law added two additional judges to the Supreme 
bench. On the 28th of February the legislature in joint meeting, 
elected Mr. Dayton and John Moore White, then attorney general, 
to fill the new seats on the bench which the law had thus created. 
Mr. Field another member of the same Legislature, was appointed 
Attorney General in the place of Mr. Justice White. 

The Supreme Court was originally composed of a Chief Justice 
and two associate Justices, called respectively '2d and 3d Justices. 
In March, 1798, a fourth justiceship had been added, and the Hon. 
Elisha Boudinot of Newark was appointed to fill it ; but on the expi- 
ration of his term of office, in 1806, the legislature repealed the law, 
and left the bench with three judges (a chief and two associates), as 
before ; which constitution remained until the passage of the law of 
1838. 

Judge Dayton, like his relative Judge Southard, was a young man 
for so distinguished a position, being only just turned thirty-one 
years of age ; but it is generally agreed that in the discharge of its 



80 MEMORIAL OP HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

duties, probably no man could haye been selected, who would have 
exhibited greater ability, impartiality, or dignit)^ than he. I have 
not the time on this occasion, to review any of his decisions, or to 
descant on the nature of the questions which came up in adjudication 
before him. But I may make the general remark, that his opinions 
were characterized by the same marks of good sense and sound dis- 
crimination, disentangled from small technicalities and mere matters 
of form, which the general character of his mind would naturally 
lead us to expect. His associates were Chief Justice Hornblower, 
and Justices Ford, "White and Nevius. Justice Thomas C. Eyerson 
was on the bench when he was first appointed, but died in the follow- 
ing August. The Supreme Court of this State, during the time Judge 
Dayton was on the bench, continued to enjoy, as it always has done, 
the highest confidence of the State of New Jerse}^, and the respect 
of her sister states. Our judiciary, at least, is one of the things, to 
which we can point with just State pride. 

On the 18th of February 1841, after three years of honorable 
service on the bench of the Supreme Court, Judge Dayton resigned 
that position, and returned to the practice of the law, in the city of 
Trenton, where he then resided. He had for some time contempla- 
ted this step ; but was dissuaded from it until now by his brethren 
on the bench, and some of the leading members of the bar, " He 
will carry with him," said the leading journal of the State, "to the 
less arduous pursuits of private life, the consciousness and the 
credit of having discharged his public functions with honor to him- 
self and the court." His judicial career having been thus brought 
to a close, we have next to consider him in public life, as the repre- 
sentative of New Jersey in the National Legislature. 

Mr. Southard, after a lingering illness of several weeks, died at 
Fredericksburg on the 26th of June, 1842. He had for the second 
time, represented this State in the Senate of the United States, since 
March 4th, 1833. A little more than one-half of his second term 
had elapsed. Congress being in session, and the State Legislature 
not in session, it devolved upon Governor Pennington to appoint 
Mr. Southard's successor ; and on the second of July, he appointed 
Mr. Dayton, who took his seat on the sixth. I think it may be 
justly said that the appointment was but in accordance with the gen- 
eral feeling and preference, of the Whig party in the State. 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTOV. SI 

Mr. Dayton's senatorial career extended over a period of nearly 
nine years. His appointment to the unexpired term of Mr. Southard, 
was confirmed by the legislature on its first session in October, 
1842 ; and in February 1845, he was re-elected for the full term, 
commencing in March of that year, and ending March 4th, 1851. 

The period covered by these nine years, was a very important 
and eventful one in our history ; and the chief actors in it, with 
whom Mr. Dayton was brought in contact, were historical characters, 
whose names will go down to the latest ages of the republic. Dur- 
ing this period occurred the independence of Texas, its consolidation 
with our Territor}^, the Mexican War, the acquisition of California, 
New Mexico and Arizona; the slavery agitation which ensued upon 
this acquisition ; the compromises of that subject, which were 
attempted, which were made, and which were broken ; the settle- 
ment of our North Eastern and North Western boundaries with 
Great Britain. These were some of the absorbing topics which 
were discussed and disposed of in that interesting epoch, embracing 
the administrations of Tyler, Polk and Taylor, and the commence- 
ment of that of Fillmore. 

When Mr. Dayton entered the Senate, he found there such men 
as Callioun and Preston of South Carolina, Berrien of Georgia, 
Benton, William C. Rives, Silas Wright, Crittenden of Kentucky, 
James Buchanan, Levi Woodbury, Rufus Choate, Evans of Maine, 
Morehead of Kentucky, Willie P. Mangum, Phelps of Ver- 
mont, Robert J. Walker of Mississippi, and others, their fit 
peers and rivals in consultation and debate. Clay had deliver- 
ed his celebrated valedictory, and resigned on the last day of 
March previous, in disgust at the ingratitude of Republics, as 
Benton ill-naturedly says, because his party had preferred Gen'l 
Harrison as a more available candidate. Webster was in President 
Tyler's cabinet, holding the portfolio of foreign affairs. He was 
just then negotiating the Ashburton treaty, which defined our North 
Eastern Boundary, and which was signed the 9th of August. He 
did not resign till the following year. He returned to the Senate, 
however, in 1845. Mr. Clay returned in 1849. In the course of 
his Senatorial career, Mr. Dayton also met in the Senate, Hale of 
New Hampshire, Dickinson, Dix and Seward of New York, John 
12 



82 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

M. Clayton of Delaware, Reverdy Johnson of Maryland, Badger of 
North Carolina, Mr. Duffie of South Carolina, Dawson of Georgia, 
Bell of Tennessee, Corwin, Ewing and Chase of Ohio, Soule and 
Downs of Louisiana, Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, Douglass of 
Illinois, Cass of Michigan, King and Clemens of Alabama, Hamlin 
and Evans of Maine, Fremont and Gwin of California. Mr. Miller 
of our own State w^as his colleague during the whole period. 

This list of names is sufficient to show that no council in the 
world at that time, exceeded in dignity the Senate of the United 
States, and certainly no legislative body was charged with the dis- 
cussion of more weighty questions or the settlement of more 
important national affairs. The organization of the national 
power in its ultimate form over half a continent, and the final con- 
solidation of the national territory of this Western Republic, was 
the dut}^ of the day and the hour. 

The United States Senate Chamber at that period, was one of 
the grandest and noblest arenas for the exhibition of oratory and 
statesmanship. I remember well, and can never forget the impres- 
sion made upon my mind, by the appearance and deliberations of 
this body, on the occasion of my first visit to Washington, in Janu- 
ary, 1839. I had the good fortune to witness debates between 
most of the great men of that day, — Clay, Webster, Calhoun. Pres- 
ton, Silas Wright, Benton, Southard, and their associates. I was 
then young, and of course open to vivid and deep impressions. But 
after making due allowances on this account, I must say that noth- 
ing of which I ever read or heard, came up so full}^ to ni}' concep- 
tion of what is august, dignified, and grand in solemn and delibera- 
tive assemblies. Mr. Dayton, I need hardly say to this audience, 
for most of us remember it well, was equal to the place. He was a 
fit representative of the gallant and conservative State from which 
he came. Although becomingly modest among the Nestors 
of the Senate, and although he w^as chary of his speech, deeming it 
the part of wisdom, rather to listen than to be too constantly listened 
to, he soon took rank among the ablest men of the Senate, and ac- 
quired the highest respect and esteem of his associates. And 
whilst his views were fixed and decided on most of the political 
issues of the day, and generally coiucided with those of the party to 



MKMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 83 

which he was attached, he relied, in an eminent degree, as he always 
had done, on his own independent judgment. Hence, when de did 
speak, there was an originality and force of thought, and earnestness 
of expression, which invariably ensured him the respectful attention 
of the Senate. 

One of the first speeches made by Mr. Dayton on the floor of the 
Senate, was in vindication of the national credit, and the public faith 
of the government. It was in Februaiy, 1843. It was at a time, 
when, as some of us may remember, almost every branch of indus- 
try was prostrated, not having yet recovered from the financial crash 
of 1837. The government was without resources; the public secur- 
ities had been offered to foreign capitalists, and had been declined. 
Among those, who for a long course of years had been decrying the 
general government and federal institutions, at the expense of state 
sovereignty, a continual snarl of dissatisfaction and depreciation of 
everything national was kept up, until Mr. Dayton's loyal feelings 
were aroused ; he could stand it no longer. Mr. McDufifie of South 
Carolina, had offered some resolutions, declaring, first, that it was the 
solemn and urgent duty of Congress to adopt without delay, efficient 
measures to revive the crippled and decaying commerce, replenish 
the impoverished exchequer, and await the alarming accumulation of 
the public debt of the United States, (which at that time was less 
than forty millions) ; secondly, that a modification of the tariff to a 
mere revenue basis, so as to meet, in some sort, the free trade inclin- 
ations of Great Britain, and to circumvent the threats of smuggling 
along our Northern frontier was necessary ; and thirdly, that a rigid 
system of retrenchment and reform, was rendered imperative by the 
deplorable state of the public finances. 

Mr. Evans of Maine, had offered an amendment, amongst other 
things, declaring that one great want of the country, was a currency 
of uniform value; and censuring the states which had repudiated 
their indebtedness, as a principal cause of our want of credit, and 
declaring that those debts were binding, and could not be annulled, 
and that it was the duty of the people of those states to take meas- 
ures to pay them. Mr. Dayton proposed instead of this amend- 
ment, a resolution, declaring that the distrust and obloquy cast upon 
the Federal Government, by reason of the failure of those states to 



84 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAyTO>f. 

pay, was an unjust and unfounded imputation upon its credit and good 
faith; that while the government deplores the misguided policj'^ of 
those States, it disclaims all liability, legally, or morally, for such 
delinquency, and in vindication of its own uuhlemished faith and 
honor, it appeals with confidence to its past history. His speech in 
support of this resolution, rings out with a clear sound of unfaltering 
loyalty to, and faith in, our government and country. He hurls back 
upon great Britain, whose bankers and scholars had joined in a 
tirade of abuse against us and our institutions, the charge of faith- 
lessness to public obligations, and shows how the national debt of 
England, of which ours would not pay the discount for thirty days, 
originated in fraud and oppression against the public creditors. He 
takes the President to task for publishing our shame, by sending to 
Congress a public message, detailing his unsuccessful efforts to bor- 
row money abroad, and speaks with scorn of his proposition to offer 
a mortgage on the public lands. 

" Sir,', said he, " I am a citizen of the Federal Government of the United 
States ; I am a citizen of the State of New Jersey ; neither hath ever dis- 
honored their faith by a broken promise. Aside from other objections to this 
plan, my feelings revolt at it as an indignity, as an unmerited imputation. An 
American President recommends to an American Congress, that, in addition to 
our national faith, we give collateral security by mortgage ; that we submit to 
terms in the markets of the world, not asked of other nations ; terms implying 
a distrust of our mtegrity, and our honor!" * * The money could 
have been procured, and has been procured (at home) without any such extra- 
ordinary means. But if it could not have been, taxation was open to us ; 
better that, than negotiating on terms implying a distrust of our "integrity." 
And, again; " Sir, there is no Government in the world, that ought to stand 
higher than that of these United States. There has none — no not one, acted 
with a faith more pure. And how is it with the other sovereignties ? Not one 
can be named which is not staggering under its load." Then, after stating the 
amounts of debts of the principal European powers, he adds : " With these 
budgets of iniquity upon their backs, (the fruits of rapine and war), they stag- 
ger along like the old sinner of Bunyan's Allegory, reading homilies to us, 
doubtmg whether we can follow I We, in lusty youth, carrying the weight of 
a thistle down, and with an inheritance stretching from sea to sea! There is a 
cool assurance in this thing, to which the history of the world has no parallel." 

So he always talked. Such was the stand he always took. Con- 
fidence in his country, love for it, zeal for its faith and honor, 
pride in its institutions, scorn for its secret enemies, those who en- 
deavored to stab its reputation at home, and to hold it up to shame 



Memorial of hon. william l. dayton. 85 

and contempt abroad — undying faith in the greatness, the glory and 
the perpetuity of our nationality, — and at the same time always a 
Jerseyman, such shall we find William L. Dayton, not only in the 
Senate, but to the end of his life. 

In 1843, our State politics experienced a change. The democrats 
carried the legislature and elected the Hon. Daniel Haines, governor. 
The legislature instructed Mr. Dayton to vote for the bill to remit 
Gen'l Jackson's fine, with interest. This was in December, 1843. 
He took occasion, on presenting the resolutions to the Senate, to 
give his views on the subject of legislative instructions. Of course 
he took the conservative ground which was always maintained by 
the party to which he belonged. In a very respectful and proper 
manner, he laid down what he considered the true rule. He said : 

'• But I am unwilling, at this stage of the question, to announce what will 
be my final vote upon the bill I am here for advisement, and so long as a 
single hour remains, — until discussion and deliberation are both exhausted, I 
hold myself " open to conviction." Should I finally doubt^ the instructions of 
a New Jersey legislature would have with me a controlling power. But, sir, 
while I thus, with unaffected sincerity, acknowledge the high estimate I place 
upon the opinions of that body, let me not be misunderstood. I utterly deny 
the binding force of these instructions. I will not shield myself from a just 
responsibility by subterfuge or evasion. I repeat that I utterly deny the bind- 
ing force of these instructions. This chamber was not intended as an automa- 
ton chess-board, nor we as senseless pieces with which others play a game. 
If the legislature of New Jersey go further than to advise me of their wishes, 
— to communicate what they believe to be the sentiments of our common constit- 
uents, they usurp a power which does not belong to them. They were elected 
for no such purpose. I hold my place on this floor, subject to no limitation 
save that affixed by the constitution ; and responsible to no power save that of 
the people. Between them and me, I acknowledge no such "go-between." 
Firmly and yet respectfully, I shall repel every attempt to encroach, in this 
or any other form, upon my constitutional rights. 

" Sir, I was not elected to this body for any specific object, but for general 
legislative purposes. So soon as I assumed my seat, not New Jersey alone, 
but the entire Union was entitled to the benefit of my judgment, of however 
little value it might be. 

"Although New Jersey may be satisfied, as far as it is concerned, to have its 
legislature think for me, will Massachusetts, will Georgia, will Kentucky 
consent? As a Senator of the United States, I have relations with them. If 
I substitute the judgment of a New Jersey legislature in place of my own, 
what becomes of those relations ? how are those duties satisfied ? 

" But, as a member of this body, the initiatory step on my part, was an oath to 
support the constitution of these United States. Has this doctrine of instruc- 



86 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

tions its origin there ? Far from it. The object of that provision which gives 
to the office its duration, was expressly intended to provide against those con- 
stant changes which this doctrine must bring about. This was intended as the 
conservative department of government, a something above and beyond the 
reach of popular impulse, or sudden change ; and yet this doctrine assumes 
that a legislative body, elected annually, may direct us in our official action here, 
or drive us from our seats. If this be so, the constitutional provision is nullified. 
But it is not so ; the very act of resigning sooner than violate one's conscience 
by obeying, admits the whole argument. The reasoning by which this doc- 
trine is attempted to be enforced, if I understand it, is, that senators being 
appointed by the legislature, represent the State — the one as the principal, the 
other as the agent. That wherever the principal, through its legislature, 
chooses to instruct, it takes the responsibility, and the agent is bound to obey. 
And yet these gentlemen who profess to act upon this doctrine, uniformly 
resign when instructed to vote in conflict with their own judgment. And j'et 
the vote to be given is rarel}^, if ever, a question of moral right or wrong ; it 
is a question of judgment only — a mere matter of political expediency. And 
yet upon such a question, and where the principal assumes, as they say, all the 
responsibility, the advocates of the doctrine resign sooner than violate their 
consciences by obedience. Sir, the act of resigning is an admission that, in 
despite of instructions the responsibility is yet with them. If the legislature 
have the right to direct us in our duties here, how on such a question, involving 
no moral principal, can it affect the conscience or the honor to obey ? This is 
one of those difficulties growing out of this doctrine, and the practice under it, 
to which I apprehend there is no satisfactory solution. 

'' My views upon this subject are fortunately not the growth of my present 
position ; they were expressed long ago, and under other circumstances. In 
the year 1838, I had the honor to be a member of the legislative council of 
New Jersey. G-en'l Wall, a highly respectable citizen of that State, then held 
a seat in this body, politically opposed, as he was, to a large majority of both 
branches of our legislature. His friends had, a few years preceding, been lib- 
eral in their instructions to Mr. Frelinghuysen and the late Mr. Southard ; and 
their want of obedience had been denounced wilh the utmost bitterness. But 
the face of things had now changed ; their weapon was in our own hands. It 
was supposed by some that it was our duty to strike ; and that Gen'l Wall 
must obey or leave his seat. I then assumed the position for which I contend 
now — the right to express our opinions, our sense of what we believed to be 
the views of our constituents, but that the same was not, and could not, con- 
stitutionaUy, be hindiiig upon a member of this body. In this modified form, 
resolutions were passed. They were utterly disregarded by Gen'l Wall. ' He 
said they were not instructions. Nor were they in the sense that he understood 
the word. But if we were the principal, and he the agent ; if we were the 
master, and he the servant, — of what importance was the form of expression? 
The servant who knows the will of his master, is as much bound to conform 
thereto as though he had his command. Words are but the sheU ; it is the 
sense which constitutes the kernel." 

In the course of this session, the question of taking possession of 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 87 

Oregon was considerably discussed. B)^ a convention entered into 
between Great Britain and tlie United States, in 1818, and renewed 
in 1827, the two nations held a joint occupancy of the Country, sub- 
ject to be discontinued on a year's notice. Some attempts had been 
made to effect a settlement of the conflicting claims of the parties, 
but without success. As early as 1815, our ambassadors had 
offered to divide the Country by the 49th parallel, although our 
claim extended to the Eussian possessions, in latitude, 54° 40'. This 
offer had been rejected by the English Commissioners. Immediately 
after the conclusion of the Ashburton Treaty ; a further attempt 
was made on our part to get a settlement of the question. In 1843 
the offer of 1815, was renewed by our minister in London, and 
again declined. Meantime the Western States began to get restive 
on the subject, and to insist on a more satisfactory disposition of the 
affair; and in January, 1844, Mr. Semple of Illinois, offered a res- 
olution requesting the President to give the requisite notice for 
terminating the joint occupation of the territory. Bills were also 
introduced to establish a line of military posts from the Mississippi 
to Oregon Territory, for the organization of a territorial government, 
and for guaranteeing to settlers a section of land, etc. 

Mr. Dayton opposed the resolution us uncalled for, improper and 
calculated to involve us in a war with Great Britain, on a question 
eminently proper for negotiation or arbitration. Having discussed 
the titles of the two countries, and shown that whilst our title was 
undoubtedly the strongest, there was nevertheless fair ground for 
difference of opinion on the subject ; he expressed these very states- 
manlike views. 

" But my position is, that, upon principals of national law, the question of 
Oregon is the very question of aU others, properly the subject of nego- 
tiation, and even of arbitration, in preference to war. By reference to 
those writers who treat upon this subject, it will be seen that a dis- 
tinction is made between such rights as are denominated essential rights ; 
or, in other words, rights upon the maintenance of which the safety 
and existence of a nation depends, and such rights of inferior importance 
as concern merely its interests. Tlie latter are always the proper subjects of 
negotiation and arbitration ; the former never. (Vatel, 279.) And the reason 
of the distinction is obvious. Now, it can scarcely be pretended that either the 
safety or existence of this nation, depends upon its possessing all or only a part 
of Oregon. It is therefore one of those questions upon which, should we re- 



88 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

fuse negotiation, and assume an attitude of positive defiance, the sentiment of 
the civilized world would be against us. The power of Great Britain as I view 
the question, is wholly aside the case. There is something more to be dreaded 
than the physical power of all the nations of the earth combined — it is the 
moral power of public sentiment. The one could but waste our substance and 
destroy our people ; the other can take away our good name." 

Mr. Dayton further contended that the Country, in itself, aside 
from its being necessary to our Pacific Commerce, was, by all ac- 
counts, a country hardly worth a contest. His observations on this 
point are, at the present day, curious enough, and illustrate the 
wonderful progress of events within the last twenty years. After 
adverting to the Indian difficulty — showing we would be separated 
from Oregon, by three or four hundred thousand fierce and hostile 
savages, to whom we owed some duties of justice and humanity — he 
dilated on the undesirableness for a long time to come, of having 
Oregon so far filled with settlers, as to take the relation either of a 
State, or an organized territory. 

"But. Mr. President," said he, "aside from all questions of this kind the 
principal one remains. How will the speedy settlement of Oregon effect us ? 
In my Judgment, it must be injuriously. The interests of the nation, the dic- 
tates of a sound, far-seeing policy, are against it. To decide this question, it 
is necessary to fix what is to be the real character of this distant settlement. 
Is Oregon lo be first a Territory, and then one of the States of the Union ? 
Or must it ever remain a distinct government, colonial in its character ? The 
friends of the measure say the former, of course, and they even now have the 
bill on our tables, organizing a vast territorial government. Now, sir, the 
history of the past may justify almost any extravagant expectation for the 
future, but the admission of Oregon as a State of this Union seems to me as 
undesirable on the one hand, as it is improbable on the other. Undesirable 
because, by the aid of the representative principle, we have already spread 
ourselves to a vast, and almost unwieldy extent. I have no faith in the un- 
limited extension of this government by the aid of thai principle. The arch 
has just so much strength as its centre, and no more. Every man must see 
that the inevitable consequence of increasing the number of States, (more 
especially if distant, and with peculiar interests), must increase the number and 
amount of conflicting interests. Upon the admission of the very state which 
the Senator represents, this country was shaken as by an earthquake. "We 
have already conflicting interests, more than enough ; and God forbid that the 
time shall ever come, when a State on the banks of the Pacific, with its inter- 
ests and tendencies of trade all looking towards tUe Asiatic nations of the 
Bast, shall add its jarring claims to our already distracted and overburdened 
confederacy. 

" But it is not only, in my judgment, undesirable, but improbable. Distance 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 89 

and the character of the intervening country, are natural obstacles, forbidding the 
idea. By water the distance around Cape Horn is said to be about 18,000 miles. 
By land, the distance by the only hne of travel is about 5,000 miles from this spot 
to Fort Vancouver, m the valley of the 'Wallamatte ! We are much nearer, 
then, to the remote nations of Europe than to Oregon. And when considered 
in reference to the facilities of communication, Europe is our next door neigh- 
bor. And this state of things must continue, unless some new agent of inter- 
commun,ication shall cast up. The power of steam has been suggested. Talk of 
steam communication — a railroad to the mouth of the Columbia ? Why, look 
at the cost and bankrupt condition of railroads proceeding almost from your 
Capital, traversing your great thoroughfares. A railroad across 2,500 miles 
of prairie, of desert, and of mountains ! The smoke of an engine through those 
terrible fissures of that great rocky ledge, where the smoke of a volcano only 
has rolled before ! Who is to make this vast internal, or rather external, im- 
provement? Tne State of Oregon, or the United States? Where is to come 
the power? Who supply the means? "The mines of Mexico and Peru dis- 
emboweled would scarcely pay a penny in the pound of the cost." Nothing 
short of the lamp of Aladdin will suffice for such an expenditure. The extrava- 
gance of the suggestion seems to me to outrun what we know of modern 
visionary scheming. The South sea bubble, the Dutchman's speculation in 
tulip roots, our own in town lots and multicaulis, are all common place 
plodding in comparison. But the suggestion seems to me properly part and 
parcel of this great inflated whole. Viewing this subject practically, we must 
see that no such communication can ever be made. " It wont pay!" At least 
700 or 800 miles of this travel must ever remain as it now is, rugged mountain 
and barren desert — a great American Sahara, and all the volcanic piles beyond. 
I do not mean to say that they may not be passed ; but I do say they are ob- 
stacles which, in my opinion, forbid that convenient accessibility necessary to 
the intercourse of all that become States of this Union." 

Neither Mr. Dayton nor anyone else then foresaw, that the mines 
of Mexico and Peru — or at at least, mines equal to them, would in 
reality within five years from the time of that speaking be discovered 
near Oregon, and disemboweled from the earth by throngs of many 
thousands, flocking thither from the old states ; and that the railroad 
and the telegraph would become so developed as to annihilate time 
and space, and connect the States on the Pacific with those of the 
Mississippi and the East, by ties as strong as those which ever 
bound the old thirteen together. 

It only remains to say, that notwithstanding all the gasconading 
which was indulged in, for political efTect, about having the whole of 
Oregon up to latitude, 54° 40' or, "a fight,'' no notice was given 
to Great Britain ; but Mr. Polk and his secretary Mr. Buchanan, 
quietly continued the negotiations which Mr. Tyler had commenced, 
13 



90 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

until they resulted in the acceptance of the line of 49° North lati- 
tude as our Northern limit, by the Treaty of June 15th, 1846, 
thus settling this boundary question forever. 

THE TARIFF. 

In this session the Tariff, so long a most fruitful source of discus- 
sion and disagreement in our national councils, came on the tapis 
again. The compromise act of 1833 had prescribed a gradual re- 
duction of all duties to 20 per cent, on the value of the article im- 
ported, no matter what those articles were. This minimum rate was 
to be attained on the 1st of July, 1842 ; and after that, all duties 
were to be collected in cash, and no credits given therefor ; and 
were to be laid for the purpose of raising such revenue as might be 
necessary to an economical administration of the Government, and 
were to be assessed on the value of the goods at the port of entry. 
Such was the Compromise Act — based on the principles of a blind 
free trade — paying no regard to the character of the articles, or 
whether they were articles of luxury or necessity, or whether pro- 
duceable at home or not. This compromise was come to for the pur- 
pose of satisiying the South. It was one of those grand efforts of 
the great compromiser. Clay, which will be better understood and 
accurately appreciated when men's heads become more clear than 
they are yet, from the infiueuce of personal and political attachments 
and from the fears of Southern threats of disunion. 

Long before July 1st, 1 842, arrived, it became very clear that the 
compromise act was neither adequate to raise the required revenue 
of the country, nor suited to the exigencies of its industry or business. 
And, by its terms, after that period such duties were to be imposed 
as should at least meet the former requirement. 

Accordingly, in August, 1842, just alter Mr. Dayton had entered 
the Senate, Congress had passed a new Tariff Act, graduating the 
duties upon different articles with some regard to the manufacturing 
interests of the country, and making them specific or ad valorem as 
seemed best calculated to effect the objects in view. 

Man}' of the duties thus imposed, of course exceeded 20 per cent, 
ad valoj'em. Various efforts were made from time to time to break dovVn 
this tariff, and bring the rates back to the standard of the com pro 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM U DAYTOX. •" 

miseact; but they were unsuccessful as long as the Whig party 
continued paramount in the Senate, which it did during the entire 
administration of Mr. Tyler. After the election of Mr. Polk, the 
tariff of 1842 was superseded by that of 1846, which was far more 
acceptable to the advocates of free trade. 

Mr. Dayton always warmly sided with his party in this question 
of the Tariff, and did all in his power to preserve that which had 
been lately established. In January, 1844, Mr. McDuffie, of South 
Carolina, moved to reduce the duties imposed by the act of 1842 to 
the compromise standard. 

The subject having been viewed and discussed from almost every 
standpoint by the ablest debaters of the country, it seemed hardly 
probable that any new interest could be given to it. But Mr. Day 
ton, in April of this year, in a very able and original speech which he 
made against Mr. McDuffie's resolution, presented it in its relations to 
agriculture, contending, contrary to the general assumption, that an 
efficient protective tariff was a benefit to the agricultural as well as 
to the other great interests of the country. The old argument 
against the tariff had always been that it was calculated to enrich 
the manufacturer at the expense of the farmer. Mr. Dayton com- 
menced his speech as follows : 

"The tariff act of 1842 has realized, more than realized, the expectations of 
its friends. As a means of revenue, it has filled the empty coffers of your 
country As a means of protection to labor, its power has been almost miracu- 
lous; it has raised domestic industry from the dead. A thousand branches of 
industry have sprung up, as it were, in a night. 

"It is my purpose to relieve this act, as far as I can, of the charge of partiality 
in its benefits and operations. It has been charged here and elsewhere that 
the tariff act of 1842, as well as the system of which it is a part, is calculated 
to plunder the agriculturist and enrich the manufacturer ; or in the emphatic 
words of the Senator from New Hampshire (Mr. Woodbury), it is a system for 
skinning the farmer. 

"It is of that interest and to that interest I mean principally to speak. It is 
to the farmers of the country that this system has been most misrepresented, 
and by them I desire that it shall be understood. If it shall be found to be a 
system of robbery, let them deal with those who sustain it accordingly. I 
think it may be demonstrated that the agriculturists are interested in the per- 
petuity of this system, to an extent at least equal to any other class of the com- 
munity, and that from the very beginning they themselves have been the re- 
cipients of its bounty and the objects of its care." 

He made a masterly examination of the subject thus propounded ; 



9- MEMOHIAi. OK HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

after giving a history of the various tariifs, and showing that many 
articles of agricultural production were directly protected by the 
act of 1842, he proceeded to elaborate his principal proposition, that 
the home market afforded to our farmers b)^ the establishment of 
manufactures, far outweighs all counter considerations. The value of 
productions consists not in amount only, but in convenience of mar- 
ket. He also showed from the history and experience of other 
nations that tlie condition of the agriculturist has always been most 
prosperous when the manuflicturing interest was fostered. The gen- 
eral welfare of the country superinduced by an enlarged system of 
manufactures, was urged with great force. On this point he said : 

"But the agriculturists of our country have an interest in the protection of 
manufactures of a more enlarged character. If any interest may specially be 
called the country's, it is theirs. They have a deep interest in this question, as 
a question of political economy — of material wealth. When they are invoked 
to abandon manufactures, and buy and sell abroad, they will count the cost. 

"1. The country is to sink the immense capital now invested in machinery, 
buildings, &c. 

''2. The countr}'^ is to sink the skill of its citizens — something of vast import- 
ance, when you recollect the value of that skill as compared with common labor, 
in the production of national wealth. 

"3. The country is to sink all that power for producing national wealth which 
lies in machinery and its propelling agents, water, wind, steam, &c. — a power 
equal in this country to many miUions of men. All these must be abandoned 
to the foreign manufacturer, while we return to the simple elementary agents 
of production, How much wealth, as a nation, could we thus produce, com- 
pared with what we now produce ? Have a people ever existed who have be- 
come wealthy in the production of raw material alone ? Would not that coun- 
try necessarily become poor which should so engage itself, and exchange the 
productions of its labor for the labor of another country engaged in manufac- 
tures ? It would have to give the labor of at least five men at home in ex- 
change for the more valuable labor of one man engaged in manufactures and 
aided by machinery abroad. 

"In every aspect ot this question, the farmers of this country have personally 
and politically the deepest interest in the perpetuity of this system of protec- 
tion to American industry, and the development of American resources." 

Closely connected with these considerations are those that relate 
to the moral and intellectual advancement of a people. He said : 

"But, sir, this question connects itself, too, with the intelligence and civiliza- 
tion of the country. A high state of mechanical or manufacturing improve- 
ment has ever marked a people of higher intelligence than those engaged in 
producing raw material. Apart from England, already referred to, and looking 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 93 

to the Continent, we cannot forget that those beams of light which first fringed 
with silver the edge of the dark ages, arose from the cities of Germany, the 
early home of mechanical and manufacturing industry. It was from Ghent 
the woolen manufacture came to England. Nay, sir, we might almost say that 
the universities of Germany are but higher emanations of the same spirit. 
Geneva, with its little population of twenty-five thousand, has a fame which 
knows no limit. It was among her artizans that the lights of the Reformation 
found an asylum and a home. Yet her fame rests even more upon her watch- 
makers than her universities. They have grown together, each giving warmth 
and support to the other, without which perhaps both had long since been life- 
less — cold as the waters of their own Leman. I might run round the world 
and upon every spot where mechanical or manufacturing skill has flourished, 
show a people marked for intelligence and civilization. This, sir, is a matter 
for consideration when patriotism is invoked to shut up the manufactory and 
the workshop." 

I do not know that I have ever seen the subject better or more 
forcibly discussed upon its true grounds, than Mr. Dayton discussed 
it in this speech. It can hardly be doubted that the moral as well 
as material interest of every great country, its independence and 
dignity, as well as the happiness of its people, require that it should 
be strengthened and embellished by all the useful and all the liberal 
arts ; and the protection and encouragement of those arts is one of 
the first duties of civil government. Though it should be true 
(which is very doubtful), that the fostering and development of 
manufiictures bore hardly on particular interests and particular dis- 
tricts, yet the general good to the whole nation which would be 
thereby effected would more than counterbalance, even to these par- 
ticular interests or districts, the disadvantages they suffered. 

The compromise to which we have referred, was intended to defer 
to a particular interest and a particular district of the country, at 
the expense of the industrial independence of the whole country. 
No such compromise can ever be permanently successful in accom- 
plishing its objects. 

ANNEXATION OP TEXAS. 

Soon came up the absorbing question relating to the annexation 
of Texas — the first of that long series of measures and events which 
ended in the immense enlargement of our territories, and in the 
almost interminable discussions and disputes respecting the exten- 
sion of slavery ; and finally culminated, in our times, in the late 
gigantic rebellion. 



94 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

Mr. Dayton, like many other of our most sagacious statesmen, 
suspected from the first the motives of the projectors of Texan an- 
nexation, saw the coming danger afar off, and uniformly opposed the 
project. 

The secret history of this project is given by Mr. Benton in his 
Thirty Years' View. His close connection with the events of that 
period, and his intimate acquaintance with all the principal actors, 
gave him eminent advantages for such an exposition. He traces the 
whole plot, most unerringly, to Mr. Calhoun, who set it on foot for 
the purpose, primarily, of effecting his own elevation to the Presi- 
dency, and strengthening the slave-holding interest in the Union ; 
and secondarily, if not successful, of dissolving the Union, and 
forming, together with Texas, a powerful Southern Confederacy. 
The repeal of the tariff of 1842, and the annexation of Texas, or 
disunion, were the burden of speeches and toasts at political meetings 
and fourth of July dinners in vSouth Carolina and elsewhere. The 
subject was started and soon got into politics. Others availed 
themselves of it, as well as Mr. Calhoun, as a stalking horse to ride 
into power. 

Mr. Tyler had recurred to the subject of Texas, and the desira- 
bleness of putting an end to the border warfare kept up between her 
and Mexico, in his annual message of 1843. His language was 
peculiar : " Considering that Texas is separated from the United 
States by a mere geographical line — that her territory, in the opin- 
ion of many, down to a late period formed a portion of the territory 
of the United States — that it is homogenous in its population and 
pursuits with the adjoining States, and makes contributions to the 
commerce of the world in the same articles with them — and that 
most of her inhabitants have been citizens of the United States, 
speak the same language, and live under similar institutions with 
ourselves — this government is bound by every consideration of in- 
terest, as well as of sympathy, to see that she shall be left free to 
act, especially in regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by force, 
and unrestrained by the policy or views of other countries." 

Mr. Webster left the ofSce of Secretary of State in May, 1843. 
Mr. Upshur, a friend of Mr. Calhoun and of the Texan project, was 
appointed his successor, and after his death by the unfortunate acci- 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 95 

dent of February, 1844, Mr. Calhoun himself took the place best 
fitted to carry out his bold designs. On the 12th of April he had 
concluded a treaty of annexation, with the Texan Commissioners, 
which was presented to the Senate on the ■22d. For the purpose of 
rushing the measure through, the idea had been started that England 
was negotiating for Texas, and stipulating for the abolition of slavery 
therein. The ti-eaty was rejected by a vote taken on the 8th of 
June. One great objection to annexation was that it would, if done 
at that time, necessarily involve a war with Mexico. The subject 
entered largely into the discussions of the ensuing political cam- 
paign. Mr. Calhoun had been disappointed in getting, by means of 
the spirit which he had thus raised, the nomination for the Presi- 
dency. But he had prevented the nomination of Mr. Van Buren, 
and Mr. Polk became the candidate of the Democratic party. Clay 
and Frelinghuysen bore the colors of the opposite side. 

In an address to his constituents at Newark in June, 1844, Mr. 
Dayton had warned them that the object of seeking the annexa- 
tion of Texas was to break down the tariff and strengthen the slave 
power by the creation of four new slave states. " The constitu- 
tional compromise," said he, " by which this feature [of allowing 
three-fifths of all slaves in the basis of representation] was engrafted 

into our political system was solemnly agreed to, and we will stand 

• 

by it as long as the Government shall last But it is asking too 
much to bring upon us an entire new country of slaves and slave 
states upon the same terms. We will stand by the compromise as 
it is ; to extend it would be not to extend Liberty but Slavery." 

Mr. Tyler in his next annual message, Dec 1844, strongly advo- 
cated annexation. He said that Mexico would have no right to 
complain, as Texas was actually independent, and we had acknowl- 
edged her independence ; and therefore she had a right to do with 
herself as she chose. 

Early in the session Mr. McDuffie introduced a joint resolution for 
effecting annexation on the basis of the rejected treaty. Other reso- 
lutions and one bill were offered ; and finally a joint resolution for 
direct annexation was offered, which was eventually passed, with 
certain amendments. One of these was offered by Mr. Douglass to 
the effect that in all that part of the territory north of 36° 30', 



96 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

slavery or involuntary servitude except for crime, should be pro- 
hibited. The progress of these resolutions excited much debate. 
One historical writer, speaking of these debates in the Senate, says : 
" Few debates have ever occurred in that body in which has been 
engaged a stronger array of talent, or which have been more highly 
characterized by legislative decorum, or the maintenance of Sena- 
torial dignity. It was one of the most important questions — perhaps 
the most important — ever decided by an American legislature — the 
incorporation of an independent foreign nation into our own by a 
joint resolution — an act which," I still quote, " was regarded uni- 
versally as an exercise of an extremely doubtful power, and by 
many as unauthorized by the Constitution upon any just principle of 
interpretation. Although the question had excited strong party 
feeling, the reported speeches evince entire freedom from acrimony 
and invective." 

Mr. Dayton delivered his views on the subject on the 24th of 
February. He took the ground that the proceeding was unconstitu- 
tional, that the legislative power was incompetent to effect the pro- 
posed object : that the power to admit " new states'" into the union, 
conferred upon Congress by the Constitution related only to such new 
states as should be formed out of territory already belonging to the 
Union, and did not refer to foreign countries ; that all negotiations 
with foreign powers belonged to the President and Senate, and re- 
quired the consent of two-thirds of the latter body, in which all the 
states were represented : that this was a feature of the Constitution 
which the small states had always valued, as one of their chief 
securities against the overwhelming power of the large States : that 
it was an invasion of their rights in this respect, and an enormity in 
itself, to force new partners upon them with equal representation in 
the Senate and greater in the House, by a simple act or resolution 
of Congress : that it created an additional slave state, with the 
privilege of creating four more slave States ; and that the pretence 
of carrying out the Missouri Compromise, by declaring that slavery 
should be prohibited in all that part of the territory north of 36° 30 , 
was an insult to the free states. No part of the territory extended 
north of that line ; and the proviso had the effect of confirming 
slavery in all the territory south of it — which was a clear infraction 



MEMORIAL^OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 97 

of the Missouri Compromise. That compromise had reference to 
the territorj^ then owned by the United States, and not to new terri- 
tories. This project would introduce a vast new country as slave 
territorj^, contrary to the spirit of the pledges ^involved in the Mis- 
souri Compromise. He predicted that this would not be the last 
attempt of the slave power to extend its own area, but that, when 
Texas was filled up, and new free states in the West should ask for 
admission, it would demand still further extension, and not rest until 
it had reached the Pacific. 

The conclusion of this speech is worthy of being repeated here : 

" Mr. President : The integrity of the States of this Union must be preserved 
at any price short of dishonor and impositions on its parts too grievous to be 
borne. "We ask our Southern friends not to press us too far. We feel that 
while the South has always clamored most, siie has had least cause, that the 
government has been almost exclusively in her hands from the beginning. The 
present acquisition we deprecate, tirst, and principally, because it is a violation 
of the Constitution ; and next, because we feel that it can bring with it no 
commensurate good to counterbalance its evils. It is hanging an immense 
State on the very outermost end of the confederacy, and it gives it the advan- 
tage of leverage against the center. If it cannot, on trial, upheave it, it may 
at least break the beam, and carry a large fragment away with it. Sir, we 
want conciliation ; and we want forbearance at the hands of the South. Of 
country, God knows we have " enough and to spare I" Filled from its verge 
to its centre with our free citizens and our free institutions, where in the com- 
pass of light could you find a nation reflecting more of greatness— more of 
goodness 1" 

Before the vote on the resolution was taken, Mr. Walker, of Missis- 
sippi, in order to secure that of Mr. Benton, offered an amendment 
authorizing the President, in his discretion, to open negotiations for a 
treaty with Texas instead of presenting the resolutions themselves 
as a direct proposition for annexation. 

The following account of the final proceedings was given at the 
time of their occurrence : 

" The most intense anxiety has pervaded the pubhc mind for the last three 
weeks, and up to the time at which we go to press with this number, every 
moment adds fresh incident to the topic. • For two weeks tlie United States 
Senate chamber has been the focus. Upon that body the great question de- 
volved. Daily every avenue to the chamber was crammed by persons from all 
parts of the Union. Foreign ministers, agents, and officers of all departments 
of the government were there, citizens and strangers, male and female. All 
seemed impressed with the gravity and importance of the question. The de- 
14 



98 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

bate, for talent and eloquence, as a whole, has seldom had its equal, certainly 
has never been surpassed in either House of Congress. The uncertainity of 
the result — how the vote would be, up to the last moment, served to call out on 
each side the utmost strength of intellect and ardor. There is every reason to 
believe that during the struggle, the majority wavered first to the one side and 
then to the other more than once. * * * * 

"After taking a recess, the Senate met at 6 o'clock to determine the question. 
Mr. Foster proposed an amendment to that of Mr. Walker, which was rejected. 
Mr. Archer then proposed an amendment, directing the President to open 
negotiations with Texas for its annexation to the Union. This was lost by a 
tie vote, 26 to 26. Mr. Walker's amendment then came up and was adopted, 
ayes, 27, nays, 25 , every member being present. The resolution, as amended, 
was then ordered to a third reading by the same vote. The bill was then 
read a third time amidst a profound silence, and without the yeas and nays 
being called, and passed." 

The annexation was consummated on the 4th of July, 1845, by a 
convention of the people of Texas acceding to the terms of the Joint 
Resolution. 

THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The acquisition of Texas involved us in the Mexican War. A 
force was immediately sent to the west of the Nueces, to prevent 
the Mexicans from invading our territory. Gen'l Taylor arrived at 
Point Isabel, on the banks of the Rio Grande, on the 24th of March, 
1846. A fleet of transports reached the same place half an hour 
later. The army of occupation consisted of 3,500 men. About a 
month afterwards, hostilities commenced. On the 11th of May, 
President Polk sent a message to Congress, announcing a state of 
war, which, he said, had been commenced on the part of Mexico, 
whose government '' after a long-continued series of menaces, had 
at last invaded our territory, and shed the blood of our fellow citi- 
zens on our own soil." He invoked the prompt action of Congress, 
to recognize the existence of the war, and to raise the means of 
prosecuting it. A bill for raising the necessary men and $10,000, 
000, of money was immediately reported — and passed with great 
unanimity by both houses. It would have been passed unanimously, 
had not the preamble re-echoed the President's fiction, that the war 
had been begun by Mexico. Senators Mangum, J. M. Clayton and 
Dayton, whilst voting for the bill, on the principal that when our 
country is in a hght, we must stand by bur, right or wrong, had their 
protests against the preamble entered on the journal. 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 99 

Mr. Dayton was consistent, throughout, in his comdemnation of 
the objects and purposes of the war. He invariably voted the nec- 
essary measures to sustain the executive in its prosecution, but 
always under protest. His views were quite fully developed in a 
speech delivered on the bill, called the tenth regiment bill, in Janu- 
ary, 1847. 

WILMOT PROVISO. 

On the first of March, of that year, he contended very ably and 
earnestly for the application of what is commonly called, the Wilmot 
Proviso, to the acquisition of any new territory from Mexico, at 
the termination of hostilities; not being willing to encourage any 
further the system of slavery extension which had been so signally 
developed bv the annexation of Texas. 

This question came up for discussion in the following manner. 
On the 4th of August, 1846, the President had sent to the Senate 
a confidential message, to the effect that he had resolved on making 
proposals for a negotiation with Mexico-having already sent a letter, 
to that country with that purpose ; and asking of Congress an appro- 
priation of money to aid him in negotiating a peace. The object of 
the monev was declared to be, to pay Mexico a fair equivalent tor 
any concessions she might make, in adjusting a permanent boundary 
between the two countries— that is to say— to acquire additional 
territory from Mexico A similar message was sent to the House of 
Representatives on the 8th of August, and a bill was immediately 
introduced appropriating $2,000,000, to enable the President to 
conclude a treaty of peace with Mexico. To this bill, before its 
passage, David Wilmot of Pennsylvania, offered the following 
amendment, which acquired so much notoriety, as the famous 
"Wilmot Proviso." 

''Provided, That, as an express and fundamental condition to the 
acquisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico by the 
United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated 
between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys 
herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall 
ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof 
the party shall first be duly convicted." 



100 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

The amendment wafe adopted, and the bill passed. It failed, how- 
ever, to receive the sanction of the Senate, and Con2;ress adjourned 
without making the appropriation asked for. 

There was a great difference of opinion as to the expediency of 
pressing the "Wilmot Proviso. Mr. Benton and others, including 
many conservative whigs, contended that it was nugatory, inasmuch 
as slavery had been absolutely abolished in Mexico, and therefore 
did not and could not exist in California or New Mexico, the terri- 
tories which it was supposed might be procured in the negotiations. 
Others, on the other hand, pointed to Texas as an illustration of the 
futility of this argument, and as a proof that slavery would force 
itself into any new territories where it could be profitably used un- 
less expressly prohibited. Others, again, among whom where Mr. 
Douglass of Illinois, proposed to extend the Missouri compromise 
line to the Pacific, and thus end the controversy by another com- 
promise. 

Mr. Calhoun, and the extreme Southern party, seized upon it as a 
new cause of ckimor against the North, denouncing it as the greatest 
possible outrage and injury to the slave states. Ac the same time, 
Mr. Calhoun wrote a confidential letter to a member of the Alabama 
legislature, hugging this proviso to his bosom, Mr. Benton says, as 
a fortunate event as a a means of ''forcing the issue," (namely of a 
separation) between the North and the South, and deprecating any 
adjustment, compromise or even defeat of it, as a misfortune to the 
South. 

Considering the ill blood that it was made the occasion of engen- 
dering, it may be deemed to have been a very questionable 
measure. If, however, the Southern leaders w^ere determined to 
" force the issue " at one time or the other — as reall}^ seems to have 
been the case — perhaps the pressing of this Proviso was one link in 
that chain of events, which an over ruling Providence designed to 
terminate in the overthrow of slavery, and the crushing out of the 
dogma of secession. For my own part, I always deemed it an 
inexpedient insistment on the part of the North. 

In the following session, a bill was introduced into the house 
appropriating three millions of dollars, for the same purpose as that 
contemplated by the two-million bill of the previous session^ and 



MEMORIAL OP HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 101 

this Wilmot Proviso was moved as an amendment by Mr. Hamlin 
of Ohio, and adopted. But the Senate instead of waiting for the 
House bill, passed one of its own, without the Proviso, which the 
house finally agreed to on the last day of that Congress, March 3d, 
1847. Whilst the matter was under discussion in the Senate, on 
the 1st of March, Mr. Dayton made the speech, in favor of the 
Proviso to which I have alluded. The New Jersey Legislature had 
passed a resolution requesting its Senators and Representatives to 
support the proviso, and Mr. Dayton very cheerfully complied with 
this request. 

He contended, first, that Congress had the power to impose such 
a restriction, that is, to prohibit slavery in its territories ; and, sec- 
ondlv, that it was its duty to do so now. His argument on the first 
point has always seemed to me unanswerable. Congress is the only 
legislature, the only fountain of law, for the federal territories. If 
Congress, or such territorial legislature as it may delegate for the 
purpose, cannot impose laws upon such territories, there is no power, 
body, or jurisdiction that can — and that alternative is an absurdity, 
for all territory must be subject to some government or other. The 
United States is a government, a sovereign power. If it possesses 
territories, no matter how acquired, it must have the usual gov- 
ernmental prerogative of imposing laws upon them. The con- 
stitution expressly sa3's that Congress shall have power to pass all 
laws necessary to carry into execution the powers granted. It also 
expresely declares that Congress shall have power to dispose of, and 
make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or 
other property belonging to the United States. 

He then examined and demolished the proposition contained in the 
resolutions offered by Mr. Calhoun, that any action of Congress 
which should prevent the citizens of a Southern State from emigrat- 
ing to a new territory or state, with their slave propert}'-, was an 
unconstitutional discrimination against such Southern State. This 
proposition he showed by various illustrations, to be an absurdity. 
In New Jersey he said a dollar bill passes for mone}^ in Missouri it 
does not. Congress had adopted the Missouri plan in the territories, 
prohibiting the use of dollar bills in making payment for any of the 
public lands. Was this an unconstitutional discrimination against 



102 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

New Jersey or her citizens? If Congress held the law making 
power over the territories, it had a right to adopt just such laws for 
their government as it might deem most for their benefit and pros- 
perity, without inquiring what state laws they coincided with, or 
what they differed from. 

So with regard to conditions imposed by Congress upon New 
States on their admission into the Union, he showed that they are 
not only valid in principle, but it has even been the practice of 
Congress to impose them. Congress is not hound to admit any State 
when she applies for admission, and if not, then she may impose 
such conditions of admission as do not conflict with the constitution. 
If, for instance. Congress should impose the condition, that the New 
State should never send any Senators to Congress, such a condition 
would be repugnant to the constitution and would be void. But it 
has always been the practice of Congress, to impose certain condi- 
tions. One of the last conditions so imposed, was in the case of 
Minnesota, to wit : that that state should not impose a tax on the 
public lands for five years after their sale. Another condition usu- 
ally imposed is that the lands of non-residents shall never be taxed 
higher than those of residents. These are merely examples. They 
have always been deemed valid. 

As to the expediency of exercising the power in the case under 
discussion, Mr. Dayton was clear that it should be. "If" said he, 
"we would avoid "future and blacker discord, now, now is the time, 
before any personal interests are involved, before an}- legal rights 
vested, while all is yet in the unpledged, untold future. Sir, if this 
declaration be once made, it will control the conduct of Statesmen, 
— it will regulate the votes, of Senators. If the declaration be now 
made, before God, I believe it will, in its results, end the war. If 
nothing but free territory is to be acquired, depend upon it, a South- 
ern President will scarcely hold it worth the millions of money and 
the blood it will cost to obtain it." 

But the provision was not adopted. The Three-million bill was 
passed without it. California and New Mexico were added to our 
domain ; — and thereupon arose other questions respecting the organ- 
ization, government and status, as to slavery of these new territories 
which shook the country to its centre. Mr. Calhoun and his follow- 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 103 

ers declared that Congress could not prohibit, could not legislate 
about slaver}^ in the territories ; and that any such legislation would 
be good cause of disunion ; the growing anti-slavery party declared 
the exact contrary, and that Congress ought so to legislate ; and a 
large middle party was in favor of some compromise of the matter 
that should end the dispute, and restore quiet to the country. 

When the treaty with Mexico was concluded in February, 1848, 
Mr. Dayton advocated its ratification, being the first whig who coun- 
seled this course ; and in a speech made soon after, (April 11th) he 
justified himself on the ground that the administration was evidently 
determined to have some territory before closing the War, and the 
real question probably was, whether we were to have the territory stip- 
ulated for in this treaty, or more : in addition to this, the territory stipu- 
lated for, was so situated and of such a character, as practically to pre- 
preclude "that wretched question" as he calls it, of the Wilmot 
Proviso. "This line of 32° North latitude, says he, "gives us a 
country which, I apprehend, can never become permanently a slave 
country." * * u x'jiiere is no slavery now in the territory 
acquired by the treaty." " The only remaining question is, can that 
country ever become permanently a slave country. I hold that it 
cannot. Thus then, the adoption of this line practically avoids this 
great evil. I am opposed to all extension of slavery. I am opposed 
to all extention of this principle of representation. But while en- 
tertaining these sentiments, I will never turn fanatic, and set the 
world on fire on account of an abstraction, a mere theory, unatten- 
ded by practical results. Representing a constituency with nothing 
at all of political abolition about them, I rejoice in the termination 
of this war, in a manner which avoids this distracting and dangerous 
question." 

In this fond hope, alas, the Senator was doomed to be sadly mis- 
taken. The question continued to be fomented as a basis of acri- 
monious discussion and contention between the different sections of 
the Union. 

These remarks, show however, that although Mr. Dayton was 
invariably opposed to the extension of slavery, he reflected the con- 
servative feelings of his native State, in desiring to avoid all 
occasions of fanning the flames of controversy on the subject. 



104 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

It is not a little singular that this speech, which was intended to 
bring the Whig side of the House to the support of the treaty and 
of the supplemental measures that were necessary to execute it, 
was mainly devoted to the refutation of a speech delivered on the 
23d of March by Mr. Webster against the treaty and all measures 
auxiliary to it. The papers of the day said that Mr. Webster was 
very much excited and in earnest on that occasion, and produced 
one of his grandest intellectual and rhetorical efforts. But Mr. 
Dayton did certainly submit the logic of Mr. W. to a most 
searching analysis, and proved, I think conclusively, that the true 
course for the country and the Whig party, was to carry out the 
treaty in all its parts. 

It is also not a little singular that in a speech thus devoted to the 
refutation of Mr. Webster, Mr. Dayton laid down and dwelt upon 
at considerable length, the position which Mr. Webster subsequently 
took up in discussing the compromise measures of 1850, namely, 
that California and New Mexico (the new territories acquired b}^ the 
treaty) were entirely unadapted to slave labor, and therefore we 
needed no restriction on the subject of slavery in reference to it. Mr. 
Webster in his great speech of March 7, 1850, it will be recollected, 
declared that it wanted no Wilmot proviso to settle the question of 
slavery or no slavery in those regions — the God of Nature had set- 
tled it at the creation. 

It is not a little singular that Mr. Webster and Mr. Dayton were 
then, also, on opposite sides. 

An attempt \vas now made to organize territorial governments for 
Oregon, California and New Mexico. Various amendments being 
offered, and the slave question being again brought up, a compromise 
committee was appointed, to whom all the bills were referred. Mr. 
Clayton was chairman, and the other members were Messrs. Bright, 
Calhoun, Clarke, Atchinson, Phelps, Dickinson and Underwood. 
They were appointed July 11th, 1848, and on July 19th reported an 
omnibus bill of thirty-seven sections, to establish the territorial govern- 
ments of Oregon, California and New Mexico. This bill, so far as re- 
lated to Oregon, continued in force the provisional laws enacted by the 
people of that Territory (which prohibited slavery), until three 
months after the first meeting of the territorial legislature, and so far as 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L DAYTON. 105 

related to California and New Mexico, it left the question of slavery 
in statu quo, and prohibited any action on the subject by the provi- 
sional legislative bodies created by the act, leaving that question, as 
the committee said, to be settled by the Judges, with an appeal to 
the Supreme Court. If the right to carry and to hold slaves in those 
Territories really existed, the Court would so decide ; if not, not. 
And in this way the committee believed the question would settle 
itself without further agitating the country. 

Mr. Dayton voted against this bill. He was opposed to any leg- 
islation, actively to he adopted by Congress, which should continue in 
doubt the status of those new territories as to slavery. He was also 
especially opposed to any legislation which should throw the ques- 
tion upon the Supreme Court. On this last point his observations 
are noteworthy. He said : 

'• But, again, for one, I feel an utter aversion, an invincible repugnance to 
throwing, unnecessarily, the decision of this exciting question upon the Supreme 
Court of the United States. Let us blow ofif our own pohtical steam, and that 
of our excited constituents, if we can. That Court is the sheet anchor of the 
hopes of conservatism in this country ; if public feeling be excited — as it is 
said to be— I do not wish unnecessarily to see that Court stagger under the 
weight of this quesHon. I do not want to see that Court forced into a position 
where it will have to decide an exciting question, having fifteen States of this 
Union upon one side, and fifteen upon the other. Drag that Court and your 
Judges into this scene of political strife, and the consequences may yet be de- 
plored by us all. 

" We cannot even hope, if we judge of the mind of the Supreme Court from 
the contrariety of opinion we have had here, that there will be unanimity upon 
that bench ; and if not unanimity, this question will be tried over and over 
again. Appointments to the bench will be made in reference to it. Ton will 
then, sir, have dragged this tribunal — our last, our only hope — into the scene 
of political strife, and the end may be that you will see its dead body fastened 
to the triumphant car of one pohtical party, as it shall ride over the prostrate 
principles and down-trodden battlements of the other." 

The bill passed the Senate the same day (July 26th, 1848) 33 to 
22 ; but in the House, it was contended by leading Whig members 
A. H. Stephens of Georgia in the number, that all the bill did was 
to postpone the question, not to settle it, or to give any peace to the 
country ; and two days afterwards it was laid on the table by a vote 
of 114 to 96. This session passed without effecting any legislation 
for the new territories. A territorial act was passed for Oregon in 
August. 
15 



106 MEMORIAL OF HON, WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

In the second session of the thirtieth Congress, ending March 3d, 
1 849, being the first session after rhe discovery of gold in California, 
and after the rush of an immense emigration thither, an attempt was 
made to admit California and all of New Mexico west of the Rio 
Grande, as a State. This Mr. Dayton, as well as the committee to 
wnoni tlie matter was referred, opposed. He thought the country 
was not yet prepared for a State Government, that the boundaries 
proposed were too extensive and vague, and that Congress could not 
constitutionally create, although it might admit, a new State. That 
the proper course was to establish first a territorial government, and 
when the population came, admit them as a State. An attempt was 
also made to extend the constitution ove,- those territories and all 
such general laws of Congress as might be applicable to their condi- 
tion. This Mr. Dayton opposed, on the ground that the constitution 
could not be extended by a mere law over territories where it did 
not operate joro/wib vigore ; and that so to extend it, if it could be 
done, would, according to the views of Southern men, alter the 
status of the territories as to slavery. He would not have any such 
alteration made until the proper time should come for affixing a 
definite form to the institutions or government of those regions. 

Nothing was done for the new territories at this session, except to 
extend the revenue laws to California, and direct that all infractions 
thereof should be tried in the District Court of Oregon, 

Thus we are brought down to the administration of Gen. Taylor, 
and to the last session of Congress in which Mr. Dayton occupied a 
seat in the Senate. The duty of settling the grave and solemn 
questions which had been gathering to a head for several years was 
thus thrown upon the new administration. The President called 
around him as liis constitutional advisers Messrs. Clayton, Meredith, 
Crawford, Preston, CoUamer, Reverdy Johnson and Ewing. He 
was a Southern planter, and a blunt honest soldier, and true patriot. 
If ever man wished to do right, and that which was best for the 
whole country it was Zachary Taylor. 

The final conflict came and the great and enduring compromise 
(as it was then supposed) was made at the first session of Congress 
which assembled under his administration. 

Congress met as usual, on the first Monday in December, but the 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. lOV 

house was not organized till Saturday the 24th of December, when 
Howell Cobb was elected speaker over Mr. Winthrop, by a plurality 
vote of 102 to 99, with 20 scattering. 

The first message of President Taylor, was presented on the 24th. 
In it the President stated that the people of California, impelled by 
the necessities of their political condition, had recently met in Con- 
vention, (September, 1849) for the purpose of forming a Constitution 
and State Government ; and it was believed they would shortly 
apply for admission into the Union as a State. Should they do so, 
he recommended their application to the favorable consideration of 
Congress. 

The people of New Mexico, he stated, would also probably soon 
ask for like admission into the Union. 

By awaiting tlieir action, all causes of uneasiness might be avoided, 
and confidence and kind feeling preserved. With the view of main- 
taining the harmony and tranquility so dear to all, we should abstain, 
said the President, from the introduction of those exciting topics of 
a sectional character, which have hitherto produced painful appre- 
hensions in the public mind ; and he repeated the solemn warning 
of Washington, against furnishing any ground for characterizing 
parties by geographical discriminations. 

But, notwithstanding this attempt of the President to nullify the 
political elements, they soon began to gather themselves preparatory 
to a terrible storm, and the compromise bills were not finally passed 
until the following September. 

This session of Congress, the first and only one under President 
Taylor's administraton, as it was one of the longest, it was one of the 
most eventful and exciting ever held. It continued until the last 
day of September, 1850. It comprised all the great statesmen of 
that generation. Clay, Webster and Calhoun were there at its com- 
mencement, and each partook largely, and bore an important part, 
in its deliberations. Berrien, Benton, Cass, Chase, Douglass, Phelps, 
Seward, Badger, and Sam Houston were there. New Jersey was 
worthily represented by Messrs. Dayton and Miller. Mr. Calhoun 
made his last great efforts in this session, and died on the last day 
of March. The death of the President occurred on the 9th of July, 
and Mr. Fillmore left the Senate to assume the duties of the presi- 



108 MEMORIAI^ OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

deiicy ; and on the 2'2d, Mr. Webster was called to preside over the 
Deparlmeut of State. Mr. Clay remamed until the adjournment. 
The work of this session seemed to be the summing up of the great 
drama in which he and his illustrious compeers had so long been 
the chief actors. 

The problem to be solved, if it could be solved, was, the settle- 
ment of the contest between the ahherents of slavery, and those 
who desired to abolish or restrain it. It involved several distinct 
questions. One was. whether slavery should or should not be per- 
mitted in the new territories acquired from Mexico. Another related 
to the true boundary of Texas. A third was as to the abolition of 
slavery and the slave trade in the district of Columbia. And the 
fourth, was the demand of the South for the passage of a more 
stringent law, for the rendition of fugitive slaves. 

The first of these questions, had become ramified into several 
branches. It was well understood, and conceded, that Texas was 
slave territory ; but the boundaries of Texas were disputed. Sla- 
very had been abolished by Mexico ; and hence it was contended 
by the anti-slavery portion of Congress, that all those territories 
which came to us directly from the recent cessions of territory by 
that country, were free. A.nd although the extreme Southern ele- 
ment insisted that the citizens of slave states, had a constitutional 
right to emigrate with their slave property, as well as their other 
property, into all the government territories, yet they did not like to 
yield a certainty of right in whatever territory Texas was justly 
entitled to. Hence the settlement of the boundaries between Texas 
and New Mexico, was one of the difficult things to be determined. 
Again, the anti-slavery members insisted on the insertion of the 
Wilmot Proviso, into any acts passed for the government of Utah 
and New Mexico. As for California, her people had adopted a con- 
stitution prohibiting slavery forever, and early in the session her repre- 
sentatives applied for her admission into the Union. The President 
communicated this constitution and request to both Houses of 
Congress, on the 13th of February. He had alluded to the subject, 
as we have seen, in his annual message, and had recommended the 
admission of the State, without waiting for New Mexico and Utah. 

This indicated the policy of the administration, to settle each 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 109 

question upon its own merits as it arose. But this was not satisfac- 
tory to the South, nor to many of those who wished to effect a 
general compromise of the whole subject. Mr. Calhoun strenuously 
insisted that the Southern States could not remain in the Union 
with safety or honor, unless they had sufficient guaranties for the 
protection of their institution ; and that no guaranties would be 
sufficient short of an amendment to the constitution. A large party 
led by Mr. • Clay, deemed it feasible (as had been done by the 
Missouri Compromise) to allay the whole agitation by a general 
system of compromise measures, embracing all the subjects of con- 
troversy. Deferring, for this purpose, to those who advocated the 
Southern interests, they were opposed to the admission of California, 
with the constitution adopted by her, without at the same time 
maturing satisfactory dispositions of the other contested subjects. 

On the 29th of January, Mr. Clay, who was not very ardently 
disposed to co-operate harmoniously with the administration, intro 
duced a series of resolutions which in the main, formed the basis of 
what was afterwards agreed to. They declared that California ought 
to be admitted as a State, with the constitution which she had adop- 
ted ; that governments ought to be organized in the other territories, 
without any restriction whatever for or against slavery ; that Texas 
should extend Westerly to the Rio Grande, and Northerly to a line 
drawn from El Paso, to the South West angle of the Indian terri- 
tory ; (this was afterwards extended farther North) that the slave 
trade should be prohibited in the District of Columbia, but that 
slavery should not be abolished therein without the consent of Mary- 
land ; that a more effective law for the surrender of fugitive slaves 
should be passed. Mr. Cla}' sustained these resolutions, both at the 
time of their introduction and afterwards, by some of his ablest 
efforts. On the 4th of March, Mr. Calhoun made his great speech 
on the subject, which was read by Mr. Mason. On the 7th of 
March, Mr. Webster delivered that magnificent speech, which, it has 
always appeared to me, was his greatest senatorial effort. 

Bills were introduced on the various subjects referred to, and a 
general committee was, finally appointed, with Mr. Clay at its head, 
who recommended their passage. In the end, however, they were 
all passed as separate laws, except those relating to the boundary of 



110 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

Texas and the boundaries and government of New Mexico, which 
were united into one bill. Perhaps the fugitive slave law excited 
more opposition than any of the others. 

Mr. Dayton, in these discussions, advocated generally the views 
of the President, — rather than the compromise projects oi Mr. Clay 
and others. He expressed the belief that when the excited state of 
public feeling could be a little becalmed, there was really but little 
to quarrel about, and no necessity for a grand effort at compromise- 
His speech on the 23d of March, contained a very able argument in 
favor of the admission of California with the Constitution, which she 
had adopted. It also contained a strong argument against many of the 
features of the proposed fugitive slave bill. As to the other territo- 
ries, New Mexico and Deseret, he thought there was no occasion to 
be in haste to provide governments for them. Let them stand as 
they are. As to what he should do when bills should be presented 
for that purpose, he remarked as follows : 

"Well, Mr. President, I shall be asked, what then? will you vote for the 
Wilmot Proviso ? Is that your principle ? My answer is, that I am willing 
for the present — to stand upon the doctrine of "non-intervention" as to New 
Mexico and Deseret. But if you force me to a vote on this question; if a terri- 
torial bill be presented, and the ordinance of 1789 is moved, I will vote for it; 
but if voted down, I may yet vote for the bill ; that will depend upon other 
circumstances. I have no doubt that the power to insert the ordinance exists. 
The power has beeu often exercised, but I do not care to see it exercised now 
in this case, if you are willing to stand opon the doctrine of " non-intervention. 
But then it will be asked, do you think slavery will go into the territories'? If 
you do not, why should you vote for the Proviso ? I do not think that slavery 
will go into these territories as a permanent or principal institution. Still, I 
think that if you will fill Texas with slaves up to the line, they will go over, 
just as they went into Illinois, where, at the last census, there seemed to be 
still some three hundred and twenty-odd. But if there were doubt in my mind, 
I confess a strong repugnance to having my vote stand on the record against 
the application of the ordinance of 1787, to territory now free; posterity wiU 
not stop to analyze very closely our reasons, or scrutinize our motives, but the 
vote will stand on record, carrying with it its own malconstru-^tion. If it is 
understood that slavery cannot reach that country, it seems to me that the 
question has come down to a small point indeed. Why not insert the Proviso ? 
We are told that it wiU offend the South ; that it will touch their sensibilities. 
Now I do not want to do that ; and yet if it be a question of sensibility 
between the North ana the South, I suppose that I may say that there are as 
manj^ persons in the North whose sensibilities will be touched by its omission, 
as there are persons in the SoutH whose sensibilities will be touched by its 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. Ill 

insertion. But now this great question (if it be admitted that slavery cannot 
go there) is whittled down to a point like this — a question of delicacy, a point 
of etiquette between the North and the South, and we have had all this war 
of words and intense excitement about a question of this kind. Why, 
California out of the way, never was there such an insignificant cause for sucn 
an uproar. We have the North and South contending with each other to des- 
peration, upon the small chance (an admitted decimal only) of slavery going 
where it is said it cannot — into these territories now free. The subject matter 
is not worth the eflfort ; " the play is not worth the candles." * * * 

" Let us dispose of California first, and then the fugitive slave bill ; we will 
thus have gotten rid of two of the greater elements of excitement. Then as 
to New Mexico and Deseret, let them alone ; the South cannot very well secede, 
because we do nothing. In the meantime Nature will work off the disease 
itself. It is true the country will be fevered a little longer by this process, 
but that is better than any legislative pill or bolus, " warranted to kill or cure." 
Let nature take her course, and she will work her way through without ulti. 
mate injury to the constitution of the patient. The territories will take care 
of themselves." * * * 

"I have no idea, Mr. President, that any considerable portion of the people 
of this country, desire disunion. At the North I am sure they do not; and 
the South, I think, can have no wish, with a view of gettiug rid of trivial 
evils, to rush into a state of things that will multiply them a thousand fold." 

On the 11th and 12th of June, 1850, Mr. Dayton addressed the 
Senate on the compromise measures ; objecting that they really 
effected nothing, but left the main question of difference, viz., slavery 
in the territories, to be disputed about and determined hereafter. 
He took strong ground in favor of the President's recommendation 
to treat the admission of California as a separate and distinct meas- 
ure, standing on its own merits ; and to consider and decide upon 
the establishment of territorial governments in Utah and New 
Mexico, and the establishment of the Texan boundary, as questions 
distinct from the other. He regarded the union of these measures 
into one bill (as recommended by Mr. Clay's committee), as a log- 
rolling device, intended to avoid the application of the Wilmot Pro- 
viso to the new territories, and thus to evade the most vital question 
of the day. He warned the Senate that the principles of this Pro- 
viso could not be quietly laid and disposed of in this manner. As 
to the necessity of territorial governments for these territories at 
this time, he doubted it ; and he utterly repudiated, and by very 
strong argument disproved, the title of Texas to any part of New 
Mexico, for which it was proposed to give her several millions of 



112 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

dollars. He also condemned the seventy of the Fugitive Slave 
Law reported by the committee, and pointed out its unjust features 
and arbitrary character : that it gave a claimant power, on his own 
affidavit, taken exparte in a slave state, to seize a colored person as 
his slave in a free state, without trial by judge or jury ; and thus 
conpromitted the dignity of the free states and took from them that 
prerogative of protection over their own citizens and inhabitants, 
which no state, whatever its obligations to other states, can surren- 
der without dishonor. 

This speech made a deep impression upon the Senate. Senator 
Foote, of Mississippi, very broadly hinted that in delivering it Mr. 
Dayton's eye was fixed on the other end of the avenue, and the re- 
wards an administration always has at its command. " Whatever 
impression," said he, "the Honorable Senator from New Jersey may 
have made upon this body, or at this end of the avenue, in regard to 
the general soundness of his views, or in relation to the loftiness of 
his own motives (which I certainly shall not for a moment call in 
question), I feel certain that within the last twenty-four hours the 
Honorable gentleman has said enough, in that very able and elo- 
quent speech to which we have been listening for the greatest part 
of two da3^s, to establish the strongest and most lasting claims to 
the respect, friendship, and gratitude of certain official personages 
to be found at the other end of the avenue, in behalf of whom, and 
in defence of whose policy he has displayed a zealous devotedness 
which, if it should not be adequately requited in some way, I will 
think worse of human nature as long as I live. I say, sir, and I 
say it with profound sincerity and seriousness, that if the Hon- 
orable Senator from New Jersey shall not find hereafter that his 
generous exertions on this occasion are gratefully appreciated in a 
certain high quarter, he will, in my judgment, have much reason to 
complain of the coldness and injustice of those to whose rescue he 
has come at a moment when it was so necessary that they should 
be defended against the furious assaults which they are constantly 
receiving here and elsewhere." 

Mr. Dayton replied with becoming dignity : 

" I wish," said he, " to say in reply, but a word or two, and that will be only 
to express my entire ignorance of what the Senator means by his allusions to a 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 113 

proper appreciation elsewhere of the value of my services, or by political 
rewards; and further to express my great regret, that the Senator from 
Mississippi should have thought it necessary and proper to refer here to any- 
thing of the kind. I repeat, sir, I do not know what the Senator means. I 
am profoundly ignorant of the point or intent of his insinuation. I can only 
say sir, that I have spoken my own sentiments, and not the sentiments of 
another. I have not been much in the habit of intruding them frequently 
upon the Senate, perhaps as rarely as most gentlemen of this body. I have 
spoken earnestly, for that, is my temperament and habit; but I trust, with 
sufficient modesty, and a due regard to others, seeking no political rewards, and 
no recognition of services, valuable or otherwise, and caring notliing for such 
recognition one way or the other." 

The speech, as I have said, produced a profound impression. It 
contained a great deal of solid argument, and sound sense ; and 
much attention was given by subsequent speakers, who advocated 
the omnibus bill, to attempts at answering its positions. 

The result of it all was, that although the omnibus bill of Mr. 
Clay was defeated, separate bills were passed and became laws on 
the 9th day of September, 1850. which embodied most of the pro- 
visions of that bill ; and on the 18th of the same month, the fugitive 
slave bill; and on the 20th, the bill to suppress the slave trade in 
the District of Columbia, also became laws. 

Thus was effected the third Great Compromise between the North 
and the South— all of which, as we have seen, have failed to ward 
off that awful conflict which has been enacted in our own days. 

It may be well questioned whether Mr. Dayton was not right in 
counseling action in each case as it might arise, and meeting it man- 
fully under a sense of duty to the country and the constitution. 

In reviewing Mr. Dayton's senatorial career, we may briefly say : 
that he always frankly expressed, and ably enforced his own convic- 
tions on all the political issues of the day ; that he was original in 
his conceptions, independent in his positions and dignified and cour- 
teous in his bearing ; and, withal, was devotedly attached to the 
honor and dignity of his country, and to the inviolability of the 
Union. He fitly represented the noble state which ' selected him, 
and achieved for himself an honorable distinction among her many 
worthy sons who have occupied the same position. 

For several years after his return to private life, Mr. Dayton 
assiduously devoted himself to the pursuits of his profession, being 
16 



114 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

almost invariably emplo3-ed on one side or the other of every im- 
portantant cause litigated in the state courts. 

In 1845, he was selected as one of the revisers of the state laws, 
in connection with Chancellor Green, Hon. P. D. Vroom and Judge 
Potts. The work of this commission was issued in 1847, in the 
volume of Revised Statutes, then published. In 1857, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney General of the State, and occupied that position 
until he assumed the duties of minister plenipotentiary to France. 

In 1856, he received the nomination of his party for Vice Presi- 
dent, on the same ticket with Col. Fremont, being the first presenta- 
tion of a National ticket, by the Republican party. Mr. Dayton 
was well understood to be conservative in his views, and perhaps it 
was on this account that he was chosen, to counter-balance in some 
measure the supposed radical tendencies of Col. Fremont. But the 
ticket was unsuccessful. Mr. Buchanan was elected President, and 
we had one more Presidential term, in which the politicians of the 
South were assiduously deferred to, and every attempt made to 
conciliate its people. 

But all to no purpose. The great political whirlwind of I860, 
carried into office the representative of the new party, and the 
southern states were goaded on by the inflammatory appeals of their 
political leaders, to carry out their long continued threats of disunion. 

Mr. Dayton's part in the events which followed was a most im- 
portant and trying one, and one which fitly became the crowning 
glory of his life ; yet to which the nature of this address, will allow 
us to devote but a limited space.* 

In March 1861, he was appointed by President Lincoln, minister 
plenipotentiary to France, at that time one of the most responsible 
positions in the gift of the Government. He arrived at his post on 
the 11th of May, and immediately put himself in communication 
with the French Government, then represented in the bureau of For- 
eign affairs by Mr. Thouvenel. He applied for an early presentation to 
the Emperor, which was granted on the 19th of the same month. 



* A more detailed account of Mr. Dayton's services as minister to France, 
is given by Mr. Elmer in his " Sketches of the Bench and Bar of ISTew Jersey," 
pubUshed by the Society since the preparation of this address. 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 115 

This interview was very satisfactory to Mr. Dayton. The Emperor 
after a courteous welcome and some remarks personally complimen- 
tary to himself, said, in substance, that he felt great interest in the 
condition of things in our country ; that he was very anxious our 
diflSculties should be settled amicably, that he had been and yet was 
ready to offer his kind offices, if such offer would be mutually agree- 
able to the contending parties, that whatever tended to affect injuri- 
ously our interests was detrimental to the interests of France, and 
that he desired a perpetuation of the Union of the States. From 
this time forward until his death, Mr. Dayton's personal relations at 
the French Court were of the most agreeable kind. He very soon 
acquired the entire confidence of the Emperor and of his ministers 
in his candor and truth, so much so, that it has been known more 
than once to occur, when our affairs were under discussion between 
the Emperor and his minister of foreign affairs, and any question 
arose as to the e.xact state of facts, the minister would say — "I know 
it must be, so your majesty, for Mr. Dayton told me so." This refer- 
ence was always considered satisfactory. The anecdote speaks well, 
not only for Mr. Dayton, but for the Emperor's just appreciation of 
honorable character. Personally he always received the most 
uniform kindness and consideration at the hands of the Court. 

Mr. Daj^ton's sound sense and discriminating judgment undoub- 
tedly stood the Country he represented in good stead throughout 
the entire period of his ministry. The most unreserved confidence 
subsisted between him and M. Druyn De L'Huys. Mr. Dayton 
never hesitated in impressing upon our government at home the 
truth of any representations made to him in their intercourse. Nor 
was he deceived. He had too much of the respect of M. Druyn De 
L'Huys and the Emperor, to be made the object of deception. 

The course taken by the imperial government in recognizing with 
England the belligerent rights of the South, was not satisfactory to 
to Mr. Dayton, nor to our government, it is true, but it was frankly 
communicated, and the reasons for it plausibly urged. 

We have great reason to be gratified at the manner in which our 
foreign affairs were managed at Paris, as well as in England. Such 
was the eagerness of the English and French people to do us injury, 
and to profit by our misfortunes, that any thing else than very 



116 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

able, efficient, and assiduous representatives, on our behalf, at the 
English and French Courts, must have resulted in disastrous conse- 
quences. 

Mr. Dayton lived to receive the welcome news of the victorious 
progress of our arms under Generals Sherman and Thomas in the 
South West ; and the firm grasp which General Grant, with the 
army of the Potomac had secured on the central power of the Con- 
federacy at Richmond. The dire civil strife in which the country 
had been so long engaged, was nearly over, and the friends of the 
Union had begun to congratulate themselves upon the approaching 
restoration of the national authority, and return of peace. But Mr. 
Dayton, who had the ultimate triumph of the cause so much at heart, 
was not permitted to see the end. On December 1st, 1864, he died 
suddenly at Paris whilst making an evening call at the rooms of a 
friend. His death, so sudden, so unexpected, produced a painful 
shock both in France and in this Country, and most of all, in this 
his native State. What a mysterious Providence ! In the full vigor 
and maturity of body and mind, in the very culmination of his large 
intellect, he instantaneously dropped out of this busy scene. There 
was no decline of his powers, physical or mental. His sun went 
down at noon-day. Without a warning, without a farewell to his 
family or his friends, he ceased to live. Is this, or is it not, a happy 
termination of earthly existence ? It may be deemed a difficult 
question to decide. But it leaves one very forcible impression on 
the mind — this cannot be the end. It cannot be possible, that such 
faculties, and powers of action and enjoyment can be instantly 
annihilated. Either there is no Supreme Ruler and Governor of all, 
or the soul must be immortal. 

It is unnecessary to attempt a portraiture of his character. If 
successful in sketching his life, I have sketched bis character. 
Every man's life is the true expression of his character. He draws 
it himself. There it is, as he made it. And that of our deceased 
friend needs no touches of the pencil to embellish his. 

The estimation in which he was held at home is well known to us 
all. Neither dues anything need to be added on that subject. But 
it is proper, perhaps, to call attention for a moment to the estimation 
in which he was held abroad. 



MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 117 

The Paris "Constitutional," on announcing Ms death in a semi-oflB- 

cial notice, said : 

" Mr. Dayton, prematurely removed from the esteem of all who knew him, 
carries away universal regret. As we have already said, the honorable diplo- 
matist was one of the inheritors of the wise and noble traditions bequeathed 
to their country and to history by the founders and the chief statesmen of the 
American Republic. He belonged to the school of Washington and Franklin. 
A Minister in France while his country was passing through the most terrible 
crisis, and amid delicate circumstances, Mr. Dayton avoided, by the courtesy of 
his manners, the prudence of his language and the moderation of his mind, 
many complications and embarrassments. The United States lose in Mr. Dayton 
an eminent citizen, and to-morrow we shall accompany with respect the cofSn 
of the wise politician and the honest man." 

The Paris " Debats " speaks as follows : 

In a delacate position, the representative of a country torn by civil war, and 
often impeded by skillful adversaries, we find Mr. Dayton acting with a pru- 
dence and measure that cannot be too highly praised. It must be admitted, 
too, that he found in M. Druyn De L'Huys a minister of foreign affairs who 
had not forgotten the old traditions of friendship between France and the 
United States, and that the greatest difficulties are easily settled when there is 
on both sides perfect candor and a sincere desire to mutually avoid everything 
that can envenom excellent and old-established relations. But we shall be con- 
tradicted by no one when we affirm that the upright conduct and frankness of 
Mr. Dayton contributed to a great extent to the cordiality which has prevailed 
between the two countries. 

The "Opinion Nationale," after giving a sketch of the deceased 
Minister's life and public services, added : 

" The honorable gentlemen fulfilled his diplomatic functions with a rectitude 
and tact which procured him the esteem of even his political adversaries; and, 
assuredly he had to take an active part in a whole series of important and 
deUcate questions. It will suffice to mention the aflair of the Trent — the 
repeated visits of the Confederate war vessels to ports of France — the different 
phases of the Mexican expedition — the offers of European mediation rejected 
by the United States — and the building of war vessels for the South at Nantes 
and Bordeaux. In all these difBcult circumstances he always had a safe rule 
of conduct, an infallible guide — political probity." 

These eulogies give but a fair indication of the esteem in which 
our deceased friend was held by the eminent statesmen with whom 
he came in contact, in the country to which he was accredited. 

His name has indeed been inscribed on the roll of the Honobable 
Dead. 



118 MEMORIAL OF HON. WILLIAM L. DAYTON. 

Mr. Dayton at the time of his death, was fifty-seven years of age. 
Though not old in years, his life was a full, well rounded life. 
Depending, from the first, mainly on his own exertions, and ever 
faithful to his own cherished doctrine of the virtue of self-reliance, 
he performed his part ably and well. By his own efforts he advanced 
progressively from one degree of eminence and dignity to another. 
His influence on his generation was healthful and beneficent. He 
left his children a legacy of honor in the heritage of an unsullied 
name, and of inestimable value, in the lessons of his own self-reliant 
life. To his State and Country, his career adds another to that roll 
of bright examples, which so gloriously illustrates the excellence of 
our free institutions, in producing the highest and purest forms of 
individual character and exalted public virtue. 




t/ 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

J^eto ^txsq historical ^ocietg. 



SECOND SERIES. 

Vol. IV. 1876. No. 3. 



Trenton, January 20th, 1876. 
q']^' The Society held its annual meeting in accordance with the By- 
Laws at 12 M. in the rooms of the Trenton Board of Trade. The 
President being absent, the first Vice President, the Rev. Samuei, 
M. Hamill, D. D., took the chair 

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. 
Mr. W. A. Whitehead, the Corresponding Secretary, presented 
the correspondence since May. Among many others received were 
letters from numerous gentlemen accepting membership ; from the 
Hon. Henry W. Green, LLi.D., the President, declining a reelection 
on account of ill health ; from the Historical Societies of Long 
Island, Iowa, New York. Vermont, Maine, Delaware, Georgia, Mis- 
souri, Montana, New England Historic Genealogical, American 
Antiquarian Society, Smithsonian Institution, Yale College, Amer- 
ican College of Heraldry, Medical Society of New Jersey, and 
American Numismatic Society, either acknowledging the receipt of 
the Society's publications or transmitting theirs for the library ; from 
Mr. James Swinburne, of Paterson, enquiring for the true Arms of 
the State ; Mr. James Grant, of Philadelphia, desiring copies of 
poetical contributions of the ornithologist Alexander Wilson 
to the Newark Centinel in 1801, when he was residing at 
Bloomfield; the Hon. John Clement, of Haddonfield, relating 
to his researches into the history of the West Jersey 
Society, and transmitting a copy of a rare manuscript; 
17 



120 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

from the U. S. Bureau of Education asking for the statistics of the 
Society ; from the Department of the Interior with fifty volumes of 
Public Documents and the U. S. Statistical Atlas ; from Mr. Samuel 
Hood, of Philadelphia, asking for a publication of the Society for 
the Magie College of Londonderry, Ireland ; from Messrs. W. H 
Molleson, of Bound Brook; George L. Catlin, of Paterson ; Henry 
H. Browne, of New York; Rev. J. F. Tuttle, of Wabash College; 
A. Remsen Thompson and 0. S. Baldwin, of New York; Thos. G. 
Bunnell, of Newton Herald ; Cheswell and Wurtz, of Paterson 
Press ; C. C. Dawson, of Plainfield ; State of Delaware and General 
Watts DeDeyster, with donations for the librar}^ ; from Mr. James Ri- 
ker, Waverly, N. Y., wishing a copy of George Carteret's will ; from 
American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, regretting their ina- 
bility to furnish some of their publications ; from the Trustees of 
the Boston Public Library with memorial to Congress asking for an 
appropriation to print a topical index to the Public Documents ; 
from Major C. W. Robinson, of the British Army, seeking informa- 
tion relative to the services of the " Queen's Rangers " during the 
Revolution ; from Mr. Ross Spooner, of Reading, Ohio, relating to 
a projected genealogy of that family ; from Mr. Reginald Wilson, of 
Brooklyn, L. I., enquiring after one John Wilson, who emigrated to 
New Jersey from the North of Ireland; General Wm. S. Stryker, 
relative to the familj' of Col. John Dought}^ of Morristown ; John 
S. Clark, referring to the descendants of Daniel Clark, of Windsor, 
Conn. ; H. G. Ashmead, making enquiries after the Scull, HuUfish 
and Whitlock families ; Cornelius C. Baldwin, of Balcony Fall. Va., 
seeking information of the Baldwins in New Jersey ; from Nathan- 
iel Niles and John C. Barron, of New York, referring to the 
Barron legacy ; and from various other parties in relation to the 
business of the Society. The extent and character of the corre- 
spondence showed that the relations of the Society with kindred 
associations and with gentlemen engaged in historical researches, 
were becoming of more and more importance, and productive of 
beneficial results that were ever increasing. 

The Executive Committee presented their report as follows : 

"The Executive Committee have the satisfaction of formally 
reporting, what the members present may have had opportunities to 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 121 

observe for themselves, that, the year which has passed has not sub- 
tracted anything from the estimation in which the Society is held by 
all familiar with its workings. Both within and without the State it 
is recognized as an efficient instrument in preserving and perpetua- 
ting the recorded history of New Jersey, in a way both satisfactory 
and effectual. We gather facts and illustrations, not simply to in- 
dulge our own antiquarian or historical tastes, but, with the view of 
placing them where they can be rendered most subservient to the 
ends of those who, in their endeavors to promote the future well- 
being of the communities their ancestors helped to establish, would 
draw from the past all available lessons of warning or encourage- 
ment. The reports of the Committees and of the officers that will 
be submitted, will present the details from which a correct judgment 
may be formed of the progress which has been made, quietly and 
unobtrusively, in . furthering the aims of the Society. 

" It is gratifying to the Committee to be authorized to announce 
to the Society an occurrence, which they trust is to be followed by 
man}'' others of a similar character, alike conducive to its welfare and 
honorable to those concerned. By the will of the late Mr. Thomas 
Barron, of New York city, who died on the 31st of August last, 
the Society is entitled to receive from his estate the sum of five 
thousand dollars, untramelled by any provisions, a legacy, as unex- 
pected as it is liberal. Mr. Barron, although a Jerseyman by birth, 
was not identified with the Society until May, 1871, when he was 
elected a corresponding member. To that circumstance may be at- 
tributed his remembrance of us in his will. From his long residence 
beyond the precincts of the State it is probable that he was known 
to only a few of our members, and the Committee are therefore 
pleased to be able to furnish a brief sketch of the career of one 
whose name will ever be associated with the distinction of having 
been the first to aid the Society in so substantial a manner. 

" Thomas Barron was born in Woodbridge, Middlesex county, 
on June 10th, 1790. Both his father (Joseph) and grandfather (Sam- 
uel) were prominent citizens of the village, and at the age of ten or 
twelve he entered upon his mercantile career in the country store that 
his father then kept. Before he had attained to man's estate he 
formed a project for engaging in commercial pursuits on the waters 



122 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

of the upper Mississippi, with a view of trading thence to New Or- 
leans, but was deterred by the solicitation of his parents, and on 
reaching his majority engaged in business in New York on his own 
account. He had several vessels sailing between that city and 
West Indian ports, and on one occasion made a voyage himself to 
Martinique. At the close of the war with England, Mr. Barron car- 
ried out his early intent of connecting himself with the traffic of the 
Mississippi by establishing himself in business at New Orleans, and 
soon secured for himself the confidence of the community and even- 
tually amassed a handsome property. For the first ten years he re- 
mained in New Orleans without ever visiting the North, although at 
that time the yellow fever was an annual visitor, but thereafter 
made a visit once a year to his native town. He became a director 
of the branch of the old United States Bank at New Orleans, and 
was frequently solicited to accept positions of honor and trust, which 
he generally declined. 

" To Mr. Barron must be accorded the credit of having by his fore- 
sight and energy opened an avenue to mercantile renown at the 
South which many from Rahway, Newark, and other places fre- 
quently travelled. It is believed that the success which crowned his 
exertions first induced the establishment at New Orleans of branches 
of several manufacturing houses from New Jersey, and laid that 
foundation upon which in after years such an extensive and noble 
superstructure of business qualifications and relations was erected. 

" He returned to New York in 1836, and established a bankiug 
house, from which, however, he retired the ensuing year — foreseeing 
the financial difficulties approaching, and carrying out the views ex- 
pressed b}^ him in a letter to his father, written in 1827, on hearing 
that a former partner whose interest he had purchased for fifty thou- 
sand dollars, had failed, and involved his family in distress. 
' " When I reflect," he wrote, that all the money I have paid him and 
which I earned with much fatigue and anxiety, is lost, and his fam- 
ily have now nothing to depend upon, I feel sorry ; and think how 
much better it is to retire from the hazardous pursuits of trade as 
soon as a person is able to do so." ' 

" Although his good judgment and remarkable insight into financial 
matters were generally recognized, rendering his cooperation in 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 123 

business enterprises often desired. Mr. Barron preferred leading 
a retired life, devoting much of his time to books, he had a very re- 
tentive memory and conversed well on most scientific subjects, 
towards the close of his life taking an especial interest in astronomy. 
He was of a very modest and retiring, but of a highly genial dispo 
sition — quiet, affable and popular in his manners, generous in his 
impulses and benevolent in his acts. His private benefactions were 
numerous and liberal, and were bestowed so unostentatiously that 
the knowledge of them seldom extended beyond their recipients and 
himself. One of his intimate acquaintances of forty years, says of 
him : 

" ' If I knew of any one needing assistance he took it as a favor to 
be informed of the case and to be allowed to share in its alleviation. 
I had only to suggest some object worthy of his charitable regard to 
enlist his prompt and generous action. There was a daily beauty in 
his life through all the years of our long acquaintance. To see him 
anywhere, at home or abroad, to listen to his kindly greeting, and 
feel the warm pressure of his friendly hand, was like a benediction. 

" ' The charm of his character was its evident truthfulness and sin- 
cerity. His temper was naturally quiet and strong, but I never saw 
him for a moment mastered by it. A cheerful serenity was his 
habitual manifestation, no matter how disturbing the circumstances 
which tested its equability.' " 

" 'He wrote much,' says Mr. John C. Barron, anephew, to whom 
the Committee are indebted for much of the foregoing information, 
" not only keeping a daily journal, but jotting down whatever struck 
him as worth recording. I have in my possession his journals cov- 
ering nearly thirty years. He also kept for his private accounts a 
full set of double-entry books. I mention these particulars to show 
how much he accomplished and yet had time for necessary exercise 
and amusement, energy and painstaking characterizing ever}^ thing 
he did ; and if we believe with Euskin that 'genius is a talent for 
taking pains," then he had genius. His favorite amusement was 
angling, in which he excelled, and he fished with as much zest at 
eighty-three as at forty-years of age. At one time he kept a boat 
and man at Trenton, and would leave the city in the morning, re- 
turning in the evening, after a day's amusement with the rod. At 



124 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 



Other times he would drive to Hackensack Bridge or to McCorab's 
Dam for the same purpose.' " 

" From the beginning of the civil war Mr. Barron performed his 
duty as an American citizen with a full appreciation of his respons- 
ibilities, notwithstanding the aifiliations and influences of so many 
years of his life spent at the South. He gave freely to the Sanitary 
Committee and toward the outfit of several regiments in New York, 
and also defrayed the expense of sending a company from his na- 
tive town. At the darkest period of the struggle he subscribed 
largely to the public securities and used his influence effectually in 
inducing others to follow his example. 

" Mr. Barron never married. He left a large estate, bestowing 
several liberal sums upon a number of charitable and literary insti- 
tutions and bequeathing to the town authorities of Woodbridge fifty 
thousand dollars for a public library. He was buried quietly and 
simply in accordance with his request at the home of his childhood 
and with his kindred, and quoting the language of Mr. John C Bar- 
ron, we may say, ' although his mortal remains are laid to rest and 
are ever dead to us, 3'^et loving memories in human beauty, made 
grateful for his teachings, his example and his loving kindness, will 
long survive him.' 

" Mr. Barron also verbally, requested that a portrait of himself 
when about fort}^ years of age, should likewise be presented to the 
Society, and it now adds to the attractions of our rooms at Newark. 
It was painted by Durand, of whose celebrity as an artist his fellow 
Jerseymen may be proud. 

" Since the last meeting the members of the Society have had to 
lament the death of their friend and associate, Mr. David A. Hayes, 
of Newark, whose name will be found enrolled among the original 
members of 1845. He was elected Recording Secretary in January, 
1849, and was always active and eflScient, regular in his attendance 
at our meetings and solicitous to advance in every way the interests 
of the Society. He died on the 11th of November last, after a brief 
illness." 

" The Committee commend the interests of the Society to their 
fellow members. A debt of gratitude is due to its founders which 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 125 

can only be repaid by a devotion to its advancement such as they 
exhibited." 

The Committee on the Library reported a constant increase of 
volumes in the Library, and that additional accommodations for 
present and prospective accumulations are imperatively demanded. 
A large number of pamphlets and files of valuable newspapers re- 
quired binding, and the written catalogue was nearly in a state to 
be printed, calling for some additional monetary resources upon 
which to draw. 

The Committee reminded the members, as had frequently been 
done in previous reports, that a valuable service can be rendered to 
the Societ}^ by rescuing manuscripts and newspapers from the lum- 
ber in many unexplored garrets in the State. Letters were formerly 
made the vehicles of information respecting local affairs and private 
undertakings, which to-day — to too great an extent perhaps — is 
found in the newspapers, and consequently many collections of old 
manuscripts, that have laid undisturbed for years in old boxes and 
trunks, abound in references to individuals and events, which are no 
where else to be found, and to all such the Society would ever ac- 
cord a gracious reception. 

Nor is it too late even to look for new documentary evidence 
touching important facts in our early history, and the Committee 
were pleased to acknowledge the receipt of one such since the last 
meeting from the Hon. John Clement, a member of the E.xecutive 
Committee. 

Through the researches of Judge Clement, it became known, not 
long since, that in some subterranean recesses of the State House 
at Trenton, there were many old manuscripts which, by the remiss- 
ness of some unknown officials in other years, had been left there to 
moulder and decay. These had recently been disentombed, and 
among them was one of peculiar interest, of which they had secured 
a copy. 

•' It is well understood," said the Committee in their Report, '"that 
NicoUs, the first Governor of the Duke of York was much chagrined 
at his master's parting with the province of New Jersey to Berkley 
and Carteret, conceiving it to comprise as he expressed himself, 
' all the improvable part ' of the Duke's patent, and that he was in 



126 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

favor, after the transfer was made, of effecting an exchange with 
them, giving them instead of the province as described in their grant 
from the Duke, " all that tract of land to the West side and East 
side of Delaware River, which was recovered to His Majesties do- 
minions from the Burgemasters of Amsterdam, which was twenty 
miles distance from each side of the River." (N. Y. Col. Docs. Ill 
p. 114.) 

" Within a few years, by the publication of the correspondence of 
John Winthrop by the Massachusetts Historical Society, it has be- 
come known that in 1669 an agreement was entered into, whereby, 
in the language of the letter of Samuel Maverick, communicating 
the intelligence, ' New Jersey is returned to His Royall Highnes, 
by exchange for Delawar, as Sir George Carterett writes to his 
cousin, the present Governour , some tract of land on this side the 
river & on the other side, to reach to Maryland bounds.' (Mass. 
Hist. Soc. Coll. VII., 4th Series, p. 319.) Circumstances, the full 
particulars of which .are wanting, caused this agreement to fail 
of consummation, and, from the light thrown upon it by the newly 
discovered document, it was a fortunate result. 

"This document is an informal draft, in the handwriting of James 
BoUen, Secretary of the Province under Carteret, of the conditions 
agreed upon between the Duke of York and Berkley and Carteret ; 
giving them to us at length for the first time. They may be briefly 
summarized as follows : The jurisdiction of New York was to be 
extended southerly along the coast of New Jersey to ' the first en- 
trance on the northeast of Barnegat,' which description must have 
been intended for Manasquan Inlet. All South of that to Delaware 
Bay and up on both sides of that bay and river to the ' uttermost 
spring or springs that descend into the said river beyond the falls,' 
— on the south and west sides, ' all lands, &c., not already granted by 
his Majesty,' and on the east side forty miles in width from the river 
— was to become the territory of Berkley and Carteret. 
Should the forty miles in width ' come within the com- 
pass of any part of Pisaihak river,' there should then be 
five miles allowed of common or neutral ground between the two 
territories, but all eastward of this boundary, and all the towns then 
settled — Bergen, New Barbadoes, Newark, Elizabethtown, Wood- 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 127 

bridge, Shrewsbury, Middletowa and New Piscataway, being partic- 
ularly mentioned — fell to the lot of the Duke, while the towns, forts, 
&c., on the Delaware became the possessions of Berkley and Car- 
teret. 

" It is evident that this agreement was framed in accordance with 
the representations of Nicolls, which have been referred to, and the 
extent of the confusion which would have arisen from such ill-de- 
fined boundaries, and the clashing interests that would inevitably 
have existed had it been carried out cannot possibly be imagined." 

The Committee concluded their report by announcing that through 
the courtesy of the Hon. F. H. Teese, the set of Public Documents 
placed at the disposal of the Member of Congress from the Fifth 
District, for deposit in any public library or institution which he 
may designate, will continue to be sent to the Society during his 
term of office, thus contributing to the further perfection of the col- 
lection which is now complete for more than thirty years. 

Since the May meeting of the Society 137 bound volumes, 225 
pamphlets, 10 manuscripts, and the consecutive issues of thirteen 
newspapers of the State, together with other manuscript files, had 
been received from various donors. Many of these donations were 
very valuable and interesting.* 

The Committee on Publications reported the issue since the last 
meeting of another number of the Society's- Proceedings, being No. 
2 of Vol. IV., 2d Series, and bringing down the transactions to the 
present time. This number contained the interesting memoir of the 
the Hon. William' L. Dayton, by Justice Bradley, and has been 
sent to all members not in arrears at the time of its publication in 
accordance with the rule governing their distribution — adopted in 
May, 1853, which is as follows : 

" Resolved, That hereafter the Periodical shall not be sent to any person un- 
less previously paid for, and that resident paying members, not in arrears, and 
those that shall hereafter be elected, shall on the payment of their annual dues 
receive the numbers for the year without charge ; and to such members the 
back volumes, and to the Honorary, Corresponding and Life members the fu- 
ture volumes shall be furnished at their cost price." 

* See subsequent page for List of Donation. 

38 



128 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

The Committee urged the members to supply themselves with the 
volumes composing the Series of the Society's " Collections," while 
obtainable, as there are only a few copies left of some of them. 

The Committee on Finance submitted the Treasurer's statement 
of the financial condition of the Society, showing a balance of cash on 
hand, December 31st, 1875, of $1,483.60, and invested assets amount- 
ing to $12,435.57.* In view of the fact that the Newark Board of 
Trade had removed from the rooms of the Society, thereby entailing 
an increased expenditure for rent, the Committee thought it probable 
that the financial result of the coming year would not prove as satis- 
factory as those of the last two, but it was hoped that the income 
from the legacy of Mr. Barron, when invested, would go far towards 
replacing any deficiency in income from other sources. Keferring 
to some incongruities in the By-laws as to the relative powers of the 
Executive and Library Committees, the Committee suggested the 
adoption of the following resolution : 

Resolved, That until otherwise ordered, the Library Committee are authorized 
to draw upon the Treasurer for such sums of money as they may deem requi- 
site, to be expended in their discretion, for the purposes of the Library. 

The Committee also gave notice of an amendment of Article XI. 
of the By-laws, to insert after the words " the Librarian and his 
Assistants," the words-j-awf? /or the payment of rent — in order to ob- 
viate the incongruity alluded to. As there was, apparently, a con- 
siderable amount of annual dues in arrears, which might be owing 
to the virtual separation from the Society of many of its members, 
the Committee also recommended the adoption of the following reso- 
lution : 

Resolved, That the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Corresponding 
and Recording Secretaries and the Treasurer, be a Committee to revise the Hst 
of Resident Members, with authority to drop from the rolls the names of such 
who, having been in arrears for three years, shall neglect or decline further 
payments after due notice. 

Both resolutions were adopted. 
* See page 133. 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 129 

The Committee on Nominations reported favorably upon a num- 
ber of gentlemen whose names had been referred to them, who were 
duly elected, and other nominations were received. 

The Chair announced the following Standing Committees for 1876: 

Committee on Puhlications — William- A. Whitehead, Samuel H. 
Pennington, M.D., John Hall, D.D., William B^ Kinney, Joseph N. 
Tuttle. 

Committee on Library — Martin R. Dennis, Robert S. Swords, 
Robert F. Ballantine, W. A. Whitehead, and Abram Coles. 

Committee on Finance — Joseph N. Tuttle, Wm.' B. Mott, L. 
Spencer Goble, Charles E. Young, E. Newton Miller. 

Committee on Statistics — N. N. Halsted, F. W. Jackson, E. M. 
Shreve, Arthur Ward, M.D., William Nelson. 

Committee on Nominations — Robert S. Swords, David Naar, 
Robert B. Campfield. 

Messrs. Dr. Sheldon, Alex. Wurts and S. K. Wilson were ap- 
pointed a Committee to nominate officers for the ensuing year, and 
subsequently reported the following, who were duly elected : 

President — Rev. Samuel M. Hamill, D.D., of Lawrenceville. 

Vice Presidents — Wm. B. Kinney, of Morristown, Peter S. 
DuRYEE, of Newark, John Clement, of Haddonfield. 

Corresponding Secretary — Wm. A. Whitehead, of Newark. 

Recording Secretary — Adolphus P. Young, of Nmvark 

Treasurer — Robert S. Swords, of Newark. 

Librarian — Martin R. Dennis, of Newark. 

Executive Committee — Samuel H. Pennington, M.D., of Newark; 
N. NoRRis Halsted, of Kearney ; John Hall, D.D., of Prince- 
ton ; Samuel Allison, of Yardville ; Theodork F. Randolph, 
of Morristown ; Hugh H. Bowne, of Rahway ; Joel Parker, of 
Freehold; Joseph N. Tuttle, of Newark; Marcus L. Ward, 
of Newark. 

Mr. Buchanan brought to the notice of the Society a project 
which had been suggested as worthy of attention during the nation's 
Centennial year, the collecting of local histories ; and after some 
discussion, on motion of Col. Freese it was 



130 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

Resolved, That the President be authorised and requested, with the advice of 
the Committee on PubHcations, to appoint some person in each county to pre- 
pare a centennial history thereof to be deposited in the archives of the Society. 

The Society then took a recess for dinner. 

On reassembling, the Rev. Dr. Sheldon drew the attention of 
the members to an ijitended celebration of the Centennial Year at 
Princeton. He offered a resolution authorizing the Executive Com- 
mittee to cooperate with the citizens, and requested Mr. Hageman, 
of Princeton, who was present, to state to the Society what were 
their views respecting the celebration. 

Mr. John P. Hageman said that no one could question the pro- 
priety of Princeton's celebrating, in a becoming manner, the one 
hundredth anniversary of the First Constitution of New Jersey, 
which was adopted on the 2d of July, 1776, two days before the 
nation's Independence was declared, when it was recollected how 
much was done to shape the policy of the struggling colonies by the 
man}^ prominent men who then resided there or in its immediate 
vicinity. It had furnished two of the signers of the Declaration 
from the State, Stockton and Witherspoon, and a third, Hart, from 
its immediate neighborhood. The sessions of the Committee of 
Safet}', the Provincial Congress and the G-eneral Congress had at 
different times been held there, and one of the rare open ground fights 
took place there. Washington had stemmed the tide of war at 
Trenton, but it was at Princeton, that he met the enemy in a fair 
open field and turned back the tide by a decisive engagement ; and 
Princeton's church and college had been used as barracks by both 
friends and foes. For these and other reasons, which he stated, it 
seemed appropriate that Princeton should be recognized as a most 
fitting place for the contemplated celebration. 

Col. Freese stated that a similar celebration was intended to be 
held in Trenton, not as commemorating solely the events incidental 
to that place but, as a State celebration, and thought it therefore 
improper that the Historical Society should give its countenance es- 
pecially to Princeton. He moved therefore that the resolution be 
laid upon the table, but withdrew it at the request of Dr. Sheldon, 
who made some further remarks. 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 131 

Mr. "Whitehead then moved to amend the resolution so as to 
have it refer to both places, and it was thereupon adopted as 
follows : 

Whereas, The Society has heard, with deep interest, that the citizens of 
Trenton and Princeton are arranging for a worthy Centennial Celebration of 
the Country's History, in this section of the State, which was a scene of con- 
flict and legislation, and to a large degree the centre of patriotic counsel during 
the period of the revolution : therefore 

Resolved, That the Executive Committee devise some plan for the cooperation 
of this Society in the arrangement, and its proper representation in the proposed 
celebration, and report at the May meeting. 

Mr. Dennis offered the following resolutions . 

Resolved, That the members of this Society record with deep regret the death 
of David A. Hayes, one of its founders, and for more than a quarter of a cen- 
tury its Recording Secretary. In his death they deplore the loss of a Christian 
gentleman and a warm friend as well as a faithful servant of the Society, and 
they desire to testify to their appreciation of his character and his services, and 
to express a sense of their own sorrow at his removal. 

Resolved, That the foregoing resolution be entered on the minutes of the 
Society. 

After appropriate remarks from Messrs. DeVeuve, Nelson, 
Swords, and the President, the resolutions were adopted. 

The Society then listened with much interest to a Memoir of the 
Rev. John Witherspoon, D.D., b}^ the Rev. John Maclean, D.D 
of Princeton. In the absence of Dr. Maclean the paper was read by 
the Corresponding Secretary. The prominent position of Dr. Wither- 
spoon as the sixth President of Princeton College, and his fidelity 
to the interests of his adopted country from 1768, when he arrived 
from Scotland, to 1794, when he died, afforded abundant incidents 
for Dr. Maclean's paper. 

Some pertinent remarks were made by Col. Swords, the Rev. 
Messrs. Sheldon and Campfield and the President, and a vote 
of thanks was directed to be transmitted to the author. 

Mr. William Nelson then read a brief sketch of General 
William Colfax, at one time a Captain of Gen. Washington's body 
guard, whose remains lie deposited in the vicinity of Pompton, in 



132 RESIDENT MEMBERS ELECTED. 

this State. This was received with thanks and referred to the Com- 
mittee on Publications. 

On motion of Col. Swords a resolution was passed thanking the 
Board of Trade, and the Young Men's Christian Association of 
Trenton, for their courtesy in placing their rooms at the service of 
the Society. The Society then adjourned to meet in Newark on 
the third Thursday of May next. 



JANUARY 20th, 1876. 

Mrs. Thomas W. Adams, Newark. 
Henry F. Belden, Summit. 
James A. Coe, Newark. 
Andrew H. Cogswell, New Brunswick. 
Samuel Colgate, Orange. 
Frederick B. Condict, Newark. 
Lewis B. Condict, Neioark. 
Edwin Cortlandt Drake, Newark. 
Rev. Benjamin Franklin, Shrewsbury. 
Hugh Henderson Hamill, Laiorenceville. 
A. A. Hardenbergh, Jersey City. 
Charles H. Harrison, Netvark. 
T. D. Hodges, Elizaheth. 
Rev. W. C. Roberts, D.D., Elizaheth. 
William Sargent, Summit. 
Rt. Rev. John Scarborough, Trenton. 
C. S. Stockton, Newark. 
M. C. H. Vail, Newark. 
Anna Matilda WoodhuU, Newark. 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER. 

L. C. Voorhees, Netv York. 

HONORARY MEMBER. 
Wm. Potter Ross, Port Gihson, Ark. 



TREASURER S STATEMENT. 



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SUBMITTED JANUARY 20th, 1876. 



FROM HON. HBNRT W. GREEN, LL.D. 

Trenton, Jan. 12th, 1876. 
Wm. A. Wliitehead, Esq., 

Corresponding Secretary, 

New Jersey Historical Society, 

Dear Sir : — "Wishing to contribute all that lay in my power to the 
usefulness of the New Jersey Historical Society, I accepted the 
office of President, conferred upon me by the Society in January 
last, hoping that my health and strength, might be so far restored as 
to enable me to perform all the duties of the office acceptably to the 
Society and satisfactory to myself. 

That hope has been signally disappointed. I have ceased to hope for 
any such improvement in the state of my health as will enable me to 
perform the duties of President acceptably to the Society or satisfac- 
torily to myself. 

I deem it therefore a duty which I owe to the Society to resign 
the office — the resignation to take effect at the next annual meeting 
of the Society, to be held in the current month. 

With earnest wishes for the continued prosperity of the Society, 
and with sentiments of respect and esteem for yourself, 
I remain, yours truly, 

Henry W. Green. 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 135 

PROM MR. J. SWINBURNE. 

First National Bank of Paterson, N. J., 
Oct. 18th, 1875. 
Wm. A. Whitehead, Esq., 

Corresponding Secretary, 

New Jersey Historical Society, 

Sir : — Will you kindly advise me if there is any information ob- 
tainable from our archives regarding the Coat of Arms of this State 
(not the seal). The National Bank Note Company are about making 
a new draft for us, bearing the State Arms. I find such a variety of 
them, I wish to learn which form is correct. 

Please favor me with a line upon the subject and oblige, 
Very respectfully yours, 

J. Swinburne. 



ANSWER OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY TO THE 
FOREGOma. 

New Jersey Historical Society, 

Newark, Oct. 21st, 1875. 
John Swinburne, Esq., 

Cashier, &c., 

Paterson, 

Dear Sir : — I have delayed answering your letter of the 18th 
inst., until I could ascertain whether my impressions as to the " Coat 
of Arms" of the State were correct. Examination of the sources 
of information within ni}' reach confirms them. 

It is somewhat singular that no law was ever passed establishing 
the Seal of the State. A simple resolution adopted in 1776 ap- 
pointed a Committee to prepare a seal ; and their report, made under 
date of October 3d of that year, specifying the size, &c., of the one 
they had authorized, appears to have been considered all sufficient 
to establish its legality. As you may not have ready access to a 
copy of that report, I transcribe it for you. 
19 



136 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 

" The Joint Committee appointed by both houses, to prepare a 
" great seal, beg leave to report — That they have considered the 
" subject, and taken the sentiments of several intelligent gentlemen 
" thereon, and are of the opinion that Francis Hopkinson, Esqr., 
" should be immediately engaged to employ proper persons at Phila- 
" delphia, to prepare a silver seal, which is to be round, of two and a 
"half inches diameter, and three-eighths of an inch thick; and that 
" tJic Ar7ns shall be three ploughs in an escutcheon, the supporters 
" Liberty and Ceres, and the crest a horse's head. These words to 
" be engraved in large letters round the arms. viz. : ' The Great Seal 
" of the State of New Jersey.' '' 

" By order of the Committee, 

"Richard Smith, Chairman.'" 

This is the seal that is now in use in the Secretary of State's 
office, and the report, is the only document I am aware of, that 
alludes to the "Arms" of the State after which you particularly 
enquire. 

Very respectfully yours, 

W. A. Whitehead, 

Cor. Sec. N. J. Hist. Society. 



DOCUMENT FOUND IN THE STATE HOUSE CELLAR 



From the original in the handwriting of James BoUen, Secretary 
under Gov. Carteret. 

[Eeferred to in Report of Committee on the Library.] 

Conditions agreed vpon between his R H and B & C 

1st That the bounds of New Jersey Is to begin along the Coast 
from the first Entrance on the N E of Barnagat to Cape May being 
on the East Side of the Entrance In to DeLawarr Bay and from 
Cape * * * which is on the W Side at the going in to the said 
Bay — and from thence to goe vp on both Sides of the said Bay and 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 137 

Riuer called De Lawarr Riuer to the first and vttermost Spring or 
Springs that decends Into the said Riuer beyond the falls. 

2nd That noe part of R H Teritories shall come any nearer than 
within 40 miles on the E Bay or Riuer and 

the Spring or Springs beyond Excepting along the 

Coast this his R H bounds is to come no farther then to the first 
entrance into Barnagat as afores'' 

3d That all the maine Land on both sides of the bay and Riuer 
up to the falls and Springs aforesaid With all the Inletts — harbors 
— Riuers — Creeks — Islands — "Woods — Marshes — Lakes — Meadows 
&c shall remaine to B & C for ever as also all the lands — riuers &c 
on the West side of the said Bay — Riuer and Springs That is not 
alredy graunted by his Ma"'' to any p^'ticuF person or persons. 

4th That all the Townes, plantations, fort or forts — Artilery — 
arms — ammunition — cartriges and all other materialls belonging to 
the Malitia or otherwise that are now In his R H posession and 
In present being vppon the said Riuer or in an}^ other place — Shall 
be deliuered vp vnto B & C and that the Souldiers that are Now 
there In pay to the number of 15 shall be Continued vnder the 
the command of B & C for the sum of at his R H 

charge. 

5th That his R H Is to procure a pattent from his Ma"" for all 
that Tract of Land Which he made a conquest of from the Dutch 
on the W Side of the Said Bay and Riuer and the same to make 
ouer to B & C. 

6th That his R H is to Cleare all pretences and claimes that my 
Lord Baltimore can make to any part of the said Land, Bay & 
Riuer from the two Capes aforesaid. 

7th Tliat it Shall and May be LawfuU for B & C or any person or 
persons vnder them — or trading thither To passe with their merchan- 
dize, goods and cattle to and from any Seas, harbors, Riuers or 
Creeks trough any of his R H Teritories — Either by land or by 
Water Into any parts of the Teritories belonging to B & C without 
being Loyable to pay any tax of Custom or Imposition whatsoever 
— Excepting such goods as shall be disposed of Within his said 
R H teritories. 

8th That all Grants of Land, Charters, and priuiledges granted 



138 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 

to Generall Corporations by sale (?) are to be Confirmed, and also 
all grants of Land to p'ticul'' persons and the Lands dew to B & C 
and other persons w^ Liberty to dispose thereof as they shall 
think fit. 

9th That all arrears dew to B & C for quit rents & all arrears dew 
to the Gouernor and Officers are to be forthwith paid by Virtu of 
the Gouemors Warrant without any service of proces Li Law, the 
quit rent to be accompted at ^ penny p'" acre from the 25'" of March 
1670, to the 25*'> of March 1672. 

10th That Whereas It is said that the his R H is not to Come 
Within 40 miles of De Lawarr Ba}^ or Riuer It is to be Vnderstood 
that iff the Said 40 miles should come Within the Compass of any 
part of Pisaihak Riuer that then there shall be 5 miles distance laid 
out the said Riuer adjoining here vnto 

Which Land Is to Remaine In Common both parties 

for Ever, but that all the Townes and plantations hereafter Men- 
tioned and Now Settled are fully and Wholly to remain to his R H. 

11th To Name the Time of surrender on both sides for the Con.- 
veniencie of that Gouernor and his Officers that is to Remove 
in Exchange Whereof his R H Is to have all the Lands on ye 
West Side of Hudsons Riuer from the Entrance into the Bay to the 
Raritan Riuer, and as far Landward into the Country till it comes 
within 40 Miles of the De Lawarr Bay, Riuer and Springs, the Coast 
from the first Entrance into Barnagat, and the provisoes In the 10th 
article before mentioned only Excepted. With all the Townes Now 
settled and planted Namely — The Corporation of Bergen, New 
Barbados, Newark, Blizabethtowne, Woodbridge, Shrewsbury, Mid- 
letowu and New Piscataway, together with all the plantations within 
the Com pas of the said tract of Land Now belonging and in poses- 
sion ol B & C. 



DONATIONS. 139 

§aMtmB 

ANNOUNCED JANUARY 20th, 1876. 

From E. G. Paterson. — Eeport of United States Court Survey, 1874. 

From 8. L. M. Barloxo. — Pac simile of letter of Christopher Columbus 
describing his first voyage to the North Western Hemisphere ; 
one of 50 copies printed. 

From A. Remsen Thompson. — The Geneva (Breeches) Bible, Edition 
of 1577. Proceedings of the American Association for the ad- 
vancement of Science, ]84S to 1873, 19 vols. Report on the 
Natural History of New York, 1850. Memoir of the construction 
of the Croton Aqueduct. L3rers Lectures on Geology. Eeport 
of the Regents of the University of New York, 1851, together 
with 40 miscellaneous pamphlets and newspapers. 

Frovi Ediooj-d A. Strong. — An original Despatch of John F. Pickett, 
Confederate States Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico, dated 
Vera Cruz, Feb. 1862, to Robert Tombs, Secretary of State at 
Richmond — giving Mr. Pickitt's views, as to the intentions of the 
Allied Powers, England, France, and Spain, then in possession of 
Vera Cruz. 

Rev. Joseph F. TufAle. — In Memoriam Rev. Henrv Goodrich, D.D. : 
In Memoriam Samuel S. Fisher. The Social Problem. Rev. A. 
A. E. Ta3-lor. Galenism. Theophilus Parvin, M.D. The Pro- 
gress of Peace Principles read at Geneva, 1874, by Edward 
A. Lawrence, D.D., of Marblehead, Mass. A Lawyer's Readings 
of the evidences of Christianity, by Daniel P. Baldwin, LL.D. 
A discourse in Franklin, Iowa, Nov. 29, 1874. 

From United States Patent Office. — Official Gazette, Vol. 7., 18 to 
26 inc. Vol. 1 to 25 inc. Index to Decisions, Vol. 7. General 
Index. 1874. 

Provi the United States Bureau of Education. — Circulars of Informa- 
tion. 

From United States Department of the Interior. — Statistical Atlas, 
parts, 1, 2, 3. The President's Message and accompanying Doc- 
uments. Public Documents of both Houses of Congress, 
1872-3, 1873-4, 51 vols. 



140 



DONATIONS. 



From A. F. Wilmans. — Eighteenth Annual Report of the "Wilraing. 

ton Institute, 1875. 
From Edwin M. Stone. —Thirty-third Annual Report of the Ministry 

at large in Providence, 1875. Report of the School Committee 

of Providence, 1875. 
Froyn Echoin Salter. — Daily Fredonian, containing article entitled 

" Travelling two centuries ago." 
From J. Cummings Vail. — Newark City Directory, 1844-5. 
Froyn P. W. Sheaf er. — Historical Map of Pennsylvania, 1875. 
From Hon. Joseph P. Bradley. — Brigade, Regimental and Standing 

Order Book, 1776-1778, at Marcus Hook, Philadelphia, Allen- 
town, N. Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Elizabeth, Middlebrook and 

Valley Forge ; presumed to have belonged to Charles Craig, 

A.D.C. 
From E. 1. Cox. — Geological Survey of Indiana, 1874. 
From Albert H. Hoyt. — Memoir of Daniel Pierce, of Newbury, 

Mass., 1638-1677. 
From Dr. S. A. Green. — Seven Miscellaneous pamphlets. 
From Isaac F. Wood. — Six Miscellaneous pamphlets. 
F-om Joseph Black. — Manuscript copy of the Oration by Alexander 

C. Mac Whorter, in Newark, N. J., July 4, 1794. 
From J. R. Freese. — Manuscript Deed for Land in Huntington, L. I. 

John Ingersol, and wife to Alfred Bryan, Oct. 2, 1710. 
From John L. Kanouse. — Annual Report of the Trustees of the 

Public Schools in Boonton, N. J., April, 1875. 
From H. H. Browne. — Insurance Maps of property in Newark, N. J. 

2 vols., folio. 
From J. H. Gibhs. — Coat of Arms of the Bouck (Buck) Family. 

Inlaid in Colors. 
From Gusiave Albrecht. — Family Records of Passaic Valley, N. J., 

by John Little. 
From William Nelson. — Report of the Board of Education, Paterson, 

N. J., 1875. Historical and Statistical memoranda relative to 

Passaic County. Proceedings of the Board .of Freeholders of 

Passaic County, 1874-5. Newspapers containing local Historic 

items. 
From Rev. Nathaniel West, Cin. — Sermon in memoriam of Thomas 

Ebenezer Thomas, Dayton, Ohio. 



Donations. 141 

From Stephen Wicks, M.D. — Jeiferson's Notes on Virginia, 1 Vol. 
Facts and documents relative to the death of Alexander Hamilton, 
1 Vol. First Church, Orange, N. J., 150th Anniversary, 1869. 
Manual of Second Presbyterian Church, Oaange, N. J. 

From H. M. Molleson. — A Discourse on Faith, by Samuel Mather, 
1740. Dutch Bible, printed in Dordrecht, 1676. The New Tes- 
tament and Psalms, Dordrecht, 1731. The Messiah, in fifteen 
books, by Joseph CoUyer, printed b}' Shepard KoUock, in Eliza- 
bethtown, N. J,, 1788. An Old Book in Dutch, printed at Ams- 
terdam, 1743. A parchment deed for land in Bound Brook, 1764. 
New York Tribune, May, 1872, to December 31, 1875. Full 
account of the Democratic Convention held in Philadelphia, 1866. 
Partial Files of the Fasten Express, 1872. The New York 
"World, 1868. Somerset Argus, 1869. Somerset Messenger, 
1870 to 1875. The Detector, 1871. The Circular, 1870. Twenty- 
four miscellaneous pamphlets, and a package of old newspapers. 
Sundry Banners used in the Clay and Frelinghuysen Campaign of 
1847. Two Indian relics and the Company Flag of the "Somerset 
Light Horse Troop" of 1812. 

From Joel Muyisell. — Valedictory Oration before the College of New 
Jersey, 1794, by John Bradford Wallace. Catskill Presbyterian 
Church, 25th Ann. Sermon, by George A. A. Howard, D,D. 
The Rise of Protestantism with the growth and Doctrines of the 
Lutheran Church, Sermon at Albany, by Irving Magee, D.D., 
and ten other miscellaneous pamphlets. 

From 0. 8. Baldwin. — Baldwin's Monthly. 

From J. D. Vermilye, — 33rd Annual Report of the Board of Edu- 
cation, N. Y., 1874. 

From Grand Lodge of Free Masons of JSF. J. — Proceedings, 1785 to 
1873. 5 Vols. 

Fro77i R. S. Sivords. — Newark City Directory, 1874-5. Seventh 
Annual Report of the Board of Trade, Newark, 1874. Manu- 
script collection of Poems, by Richard B, Davis, of New York, 
about 1790-97, understood to be in the author's handwriting. 
Proceedings of the National Board of Trade, 1875. Ten miscel- 
laneous pamphlets. 

From Miss Kate L. Burnett. — American Annals of the Deaf and 



142 DONATIONS. 

Dumb, January, 1875, containing notice of John Robertson 
Burnett, deceased. 
From N. J. State Librarian. — Tiie Revolutionary Soldiers of Dela- 
ware. 
Brcym State of Pennsylvania (through Governor Hartranft) — Pennsyl- 
vania Archives, Second Series, Vol. 1. 
From the Authors. — History of the District Medical Society of the 
County of Hunterdon, N. J., by John Blane, M.D., 1821 to 1871. 
Portraits and Busts in the possession of the American Antiqua- 
rian Society and other Associations at Worcester, Mass, by 
Nathaniel Paine. 
. The Market Assistant, by Thomas F. DeYoe. 

Quarto Centennial of the House of Prayer, Newark, by Wm. 
Vanderpool. 

Address at the Dedication of the new Court House, Hampden 
County, Mass, by Hon. W. G. Bates. Westfield, Mass., Jubilee, 
1869. 

Anniversary Address before Third Army Corps Union, 1875, 
by Gen. J. Watts De Peyster. 

Geneology of the Tenney Famil}^ by Horace A. Tenney. 
The Historical relation of New England to the English Com- 
monwealth, by John Wingate Thornton, 1874. 
Electro Motive Force, by H. M. Paine. 
Dawson Family Record, by C. C. Dawson. 
The Relation of the Patent Laws to American Agriculture, 
Arts and Industries, by Jas. A. Whitnej^ 

Live and Lively, Reminiscences and Experiences, by Wm. H. 
Winans. 
From Yale College. — Obituary Records of Graduates, 1875, and 

Catalogue, 1875-6. 
From Harvard College. — Report of the Proceedings, 1874-5. 
Froin John C. Mandeville. — Pompton Plains Memorial. 
From H. A. Chambers. — The Church Almanac, 1875. The Pro- 
testant Episcopal Almanac and Directory, 1875. The Methodist 
Almanac, 1875. 
From Newark Daily Advertiser. — Ten miscellaneous pamphlets. 



DONATIONS. 143 

From Mrs. Charles T. Gray. — Laws of the State of New Jersey 

revised and published by William Paterson, 1800. 
From Sta7iford Swords. — An Order for Four Cents, drawn by the 
York and Jersey Steam Boat Ferry Company on the Newark 
Banking and Insurance Company, June 1, IS 16. 
F7-om the Various Societies. — The Missouri Historical Society, Con- 
stitution and By-Laws. 

Journals of American Numismatic Society, Vols. 7-9. 

Record of New York Genealogical and Biographical Society 
for July and October. 

Twenty-second Annual Report of Wisconsin Historical Society, 
Jan. 1876. 

Collections of New York Historical Society for 1875. Lee 
papers 1778-1782. 

Register of New England Historic and Genealogical Society for 
July and October. 1875, and January, 1876; and Centennial 
Orations, 1874-75. 

Proceedings of Rhode Island Historical Society, 1873-74 ; and 
from the same Society, Reports of Boards of Education Public 
Schools, 1873 — of State Valuation, 1874 — of Railroad Commis- 
sioner, 1873 — of Banks and Savings Institutions, 1873 — of State 
Auditor, 1873 — of Insurance Commission, 1873 — and Acts and 
Resolves of the General Assembly, 1874. 

Proceedings of New Hampshire Historical Society, 1874-5. 

Proceedings of Massachusetts Historical Society, 1873-75. 

Annual Report of the Young Men's Christian Association, 
Worcester, Mass. 

History of Company D, 13th Regiment New Jersey A'^olunteers. 
from the D Society. 

Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution, 1873-74. 

Semi-Centennial of St. Paul's Church, Paterson, N. J. 

Reports of Meetings of Virginia Historical Society, Jan., 1876 

Haskell's Port folio of New England Society of Orange, N. J. 
October, 1875. 

Bulletin of the Essex Institute, April and May, 1875. 

The Newark Aqueduct Board Report, 1874. 

20 



144 DONATIONS. 

Seventeenth Annual Report of the Brooklyn Mercantile Library, 
18V5. 

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Association, Jan. 
to June, 1875. 

Long Island Historical Society : Memoirs of, Vols. 1 and 2 ; 
and Annual Reports, 1866-69, together with Early History of 
Suffolk County, 3 copies 

Account of the Incorporation of American Antiquarian Society, 
1812. with Proceedings, May and October, 1843, and April, 1875. 
Transactions of the Society, Vols. 3, 4, 5. with various other re- 
ports and addresses. 

Transactions of the New Jersey Medical Society, 1859-74, 

4 vols. 
From the Publishers. — Consecutive numbers of the Centennial 
American Journal of Education. National Standard. Orange 
Journal. Newark Manufiicturer. Hackettstown Herald. Weekly 
State Gazette. Princeton Press. Passaic City Herald. Arling- 
ton Journal. Essex County Press. The Printing Press, Chicago, 
Bloomfield Record. American Literary Bureau. Bibliopolist. 
Nos. 75, 76, 77. New Jersey Tom's River Courier, 1874. 
Paterson Daily Press, Vol. 23, 1875, bound. 



|orm 0f a §t\i'm ax gepest to ihj S^cittg. 

I give, devise and bequeath, to the " New Jersey Historical So- 
ciety," chartered by the Legislature of the State in 1846, for the 
use of Society, the sum of dollars. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

OF 

WILLIAM COLFAX, 

CAPTAIN OF WASHINGTON'S BODY GUARD. 

BY WILLIAM NELSOK 

Read before the New Jersey Historical Society, Jan. lOth, 1876. 



The Pompton Valley is one of the most charming localities m 
Northern New Jersey and abounds in interesting historical reminis- 
cences. There is scarcely an acre of the country for miles round 
about but can boast that it has been trod by the patriots of the Rev- 
olution, who had much reason to praise the fruitfulness of that re- 
gion which afforded them such generous forage in the days when 
Washington's little band was on " short commons." " Sunnyside," 
the summer residence of "Marion Harland," was occupied by a por- 
tion of the army in. tliose days, and not far away are the unmarked 
graves of the two unfortunate men who were made examples of at 
the time of the mutiny of the sorel}'' -tried Jersey Line (January 
27th, 1781). The Marquis de Chastellux and Surgeon Thacher re- 
late various interesting incidents happening in this neighborhood, 
and Washington's Orders, the Journals of the Committee of Safetj^, 
and other records, published and unpublished, show that at various 
times this was an important locality to the American army.* 

But Pompton had a history before the days of the Revolution. 
As long ago as 1695 it was coveted by the whites, and in June of 
that year a great tract of land thereabout was bought by several 
New York gentlemen, chief among whom were Captain Arent 

*Thacher's Military Journal (ed. 1854). 156, 251-2; Moore's Diary of the 
Revolution, II., 374; Travels in North America, by tlie Marquis de Chastellux, 
I., 100, 341-4; Washington's Revolutionary Orders, 114; Gordon's N. J., 311. 



146 BrOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM COLFAX. 

Schuyler and Col. Anthony Brockholls '(Commander-in-Chief and 
acting Governor of New York, 1677-8, 1681-2), who were doubt- 
less glad to find rest here, under the protection of •' Jersey Justice," 
after the troublous times of the Leisler usurpation in New York, 
when Brockholls was denounced as "a rank Papist," and had a 
price set on his head by the unfortunate, over-zealous acting-Gover- 
nor of that Colony. 

A granddaughter of Brockholls (Miss Susanna French, daughter 
of Mr. Philip French, of New Brunswick, in this State), made a 
most excellent wife to William Livingston, our famous " War-Gov- 
ernor" during the Revolution, and was the devoted mother of Hen- 
ry Brockholst Livingston, who sat on the Bench of the United 
States Supreme Court, 1806-1823.* 

On the sites of the houses built by Brockholls (or Brockholst) and 
Schujder are now two spacious and inviting country mansions, occu- 
pied, the one by the venerable Dr. William Washington Colfax, and 
the other by his nephew, Major William Washington Colfax. 

A short distance above the doctor's residence, in an enclosed 
field, and but a few feet from the roadside, is an unostentatious white 
marble pyramidal shaft, about five feet high, resting on a simple 
brownstone base, and bearing this inscription : 

GENERAL WILLIAM COLFAX, 

CAPTAIN OF 

WASHINGTON'S LIFE GUARD. 

That simple legend at once arouses the interest of the passer-by. 
Anything pertaining to Washington is of interest in these Centen- 
nial days, and surely we cannot l)ut wish to know something of one 
who was in such close contact with the Commander-in-Chief of the 
American armies during the Revolution, as the Captain of his Life 
Guard. It is to be regretted that there is so little information to 
be gleaned concerning him. 

William Colfax was of the staunchest New England stock. An 



*East Jersey Records, Liber E., 233, 306 ; N. Y. Colonial MSS., IV., 98 ; 
Doc. Hist. N. Y., II., 20, 35-42 ; N. Y. Hist. MSS., English, 205, 238-9 ; N. Y. 
Civil List for 1869, 14; Sedgwick's Life of Wm. Livingston, 59; Princeton 
College During the 18th Century, 111. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM COLFAX. 147 

ancestor of the same name was one of the early settlers of Weath- 
ersfield, Conn., and the births of four of his children are recorded as 
occurring in that ancient village about 1653-9. He was probably 
the grandfather of John Colfax, of New London, Conn., who mar- 
ried Ann Latimer, September 3d, 1727, the young couple being ad- 
mitted to the church in New London on profession of their faith, 
and their son George (born December 25, 1727) baptized, March 17th, 
1728. (Mr. H. P. Haven, of New London, to whom I am indebted 
for this information, referring to this rapid succession of events, re- 
marks in the note to me accompanying the facts, " Such things did 
happen in old times as well as modern. In this case I looked up the 
old record from which it was taken and verified the dates." The records 
also note the birth of these other children of John Colfax : Ann, 
born May 16, 1728; (?) Jonathan, 1736 ; John, 1739; William, 1748. 

George, the first-born, married Lucy, daughter of Ebenezer Avery, 
April 13, 1749, and their children were: 1. Sarah, b. 30 January 
1750; 2. George, b. 9 February, 1752; 3. Ebenezer, b. 18 Septem- 
ber, 1753; 4. Lucy, b. 21 March, 1755; 5. William, b. 3. Jul}^, 
1756; 6. Jonathan, b. 12 March, 1758; 7. Ann, b. 12 April, 1760; 
8. Robert, b. 26 December, 1761 ; 9. John, b. 21 November, 1763; 
10. Mar}^, b. 8. January, 1766. Captain George Colfax, the father 
of this numerous progeny, died in 1766, leaving an estate of £807. 
Lucy, his widow, survived him nearly forty years, dying in Septem- 
ber, 1804, aged seventy -five. 

Of the early life of William, son of Captain George, we know 
nothing. Doubtless it was the same as that of every other young 
farmer in New England — full of the rugged toil and self-depend 
ence that taught the Yankees their power, and made them the readier 
to exercise it when the time came for them to assert their right to 
their independence, their ability to maintain which had long been 
evident. 

He often used to tell his family that he participated in the battle 
of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. It is probable that he never left 
the army from that day till the liberties of his country were secured. 
He appears to have enlisted in a Connecticut regiment, and in the 
records of the Comptroller's office of that State he is credited with 
service in the Continental Army to January 1st, 1780, £184, 35., 



148 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM COLFAX. 

lie?. On January 1, 1781, he received forbalanceof service £106, 
Is., Ad. Strange to sa}'', these two scanty financial entries appear to 
be the only records Connecticut has of this distinguished son of 
hers. 

While the American army was encamped at Valle}'' Forge, Wash- 
ington issued an order dated March 17,1778, directing that "one 
hundred chosen men are to be annexed to the Guard of the Com- 
mander in-Chief, for the purpose of forming a corps, to be instructed 
in the manoeuvres necessary to be introduced into the Army, and to 
serve as a model for the execution of them." These men were to 
be taken from the various States, and were required to be from 5 ft. 
Sin. to 5ft. lOin. in height, from 20 to 30 years of age, of "robust 
constitution, well-limbed, formed for activity, and men of established 
characters for sobriety and fidelity." They were to be American 
born,* and the motto of the Guard was, " Conquer or Die." 

Into this honorable corps young Colfax was drafted, doubtless at 
this time. His fine appearance and gallantry in the field soon made 
him a favorite with the General, and it was not long ere he became 
a Lieutenant of the Guard, subsequently succeeding Caleb Gibbs, 
of Rhode Island, as Captain Commandant, though it appears that he 
was never commissioned a Captain. He was thrice wounded in bat- 
tle — once dangerously. One of these wounds was received at the 
battle of White Plains, N. Y., in October, 1776. 

Upon one occasion, when he was in the act of giving the word of 
command to his men, a bullet struck his uplifted sword, shattering 
the blade, and glancing, skinned one of his fingers. 

In another engagement, a bullet struck his forearm, severing the 
integuments and passing between the bones, without touching them. 

Again, while riding on horseback in an exposed position a bullet 
was sent through his body, just above the hip and below the bowels, 
entering in front and coming out behind. The long buff waistcoat 
he wore at the time is preserved by his grandchildren, and the hole 
is apparent, made by the almost fatal shot. In the excitement of 
the battle the impetuous young hero did not notice the wound, but 
still galloped from point to point over the field delivering orders. 



♦Washington's Revolutionary Orders, 35. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCH OF WILLIAM COLFAX. 149 

Some Hessian soldiers^ who had been taken prisoners, saw the blood 
streaming from his side and into his boot, and gleefully exclaimed, 
" Mein Gott ! de Captain is wounded again." As he kept on in the 
fight some of his own men saw the crimson flow and cried to him, 
" Captain ! the blood is running out of your boot !" Glancing down, 
he perceived his condition for the first time, saw that it must be ser- 
ious, and rode over toward the field hospital. Dr. Ledyard looked 
at the wound and bade him go at once into the hospital, and stay in, 
the latter order being needed to keep the fiery Captain indoors. 
The excitement over, the wounded man succumbed to the loss of 
blood and grew faint and weak as a child. After hurriedly examin- 
ing and dressing the injury, Dr. Ledyard subsequently asked, " Do 
you want to be cured quickly, or to let this thing linger along .?" 
Said the Captain, "As quickly as possible." The Surgeon promptly 
applied the bistouri, tore tho wound open and dressed it, whereupon 
it soon healed. However, recovery was attended by an eruption of 
boils, covering the patient from head to heels, and afflicting him as 
sorely as they did Job of old. 

Washington seeing the state of his trusted Captain, remarked to 
him, " You are in a deplorable condition ; T will give you a fur- 
lough that you may go home dll you recover." Colfax persisted in 
staying with the army till they went into winter quarters at Morris- 
town, in the winter of 1779-80. During that season he went home 
to Connecticut, riding all the way on horseback, the snow being so 
deep in March that he rode over the fence-tops. He returned greatly 
improved in health, and was with the army till the close of the war. 

At the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in October, 
1781, at his own particular request Colfax was permitted by Wash- 
ington to occupy a prominent position, on horseback, near his be- 
loved General, and he was never tired of describing in after years 
that memorable scene. The American and French armies were 
drawn up in line, facing each other, Washington at the bead of one, 
and the Count de Rochambeau at the head of the other, the British 
column passing between. Colfax said they marched to the tune of 
" Yankee Doodle." The British commander (Gen. O'Hara repre- 
senting Cornwallis, who plead indisposition) was loth to yield his 
sword to the "rebel," and as he reached the head of the allied 



150 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM COLFAX. 

armies he tendered the blade to the French General. But that gal- 
lant and truly courteous officer resented the insult to the American 
Commander, and fiercely frowning, exclaimed : " Me not Washing- 
ton. Me Rochambeau." The mortified prisoner then, with the best 
grace possible, surrendered his sword to the General-in-Chief.* 

Colfax was a man of fine presence ; about five feet ten inches in 
height, large frame, well proportioned, and weighing about 190 or 
200 pounds. He had dark hair, a clean-shaven face, with massive, 
square-set under jaw, a clear, florid complexion, and beautiful blue 
eyes. His hair was powdered and worn in a cue, tied with a black 
ribbon, till his later years. A pretty miniature of himself, painted 
about the end of the Revolutionary War, for his sweetheart, shows 
that his coat was dark blue, with collar and facing of scarlet, large 
gilt buttons ornamenting the facing ; his waistcoat was doubtless 
buflf, although the color is now faded ; a ruffled shirt bosom over- 
flows the upper part of the waistcoat and there appears to be a black 
cravat about his neck, with a white collar turned partly over it. 
This neatness of dress characterized his appearance all his life. 

He was a personal favorite of Lady Washington, as well as of the 
General, and the family still preserve a sort of net for his cae, knit- 
ted of linen thread by her for the Captain. 

They also have one of a brace of pistols given to him by Wash- 
ington, the other having been lost a few years ago. It is about ten 
inches long, single barrel, flint lock, of iron or steel ; wooden stock, 
ornamented with silver filagree work, the butt mounted with German 
silver, and having sunk in it a hideous face with mouth wide open, 
displaying horrid teeth. The pistol is inscribed " Amsterdam" on 
one side and " Thone'' (doubtless the maker's name) on the other. 

While the army was at Pompton Plains the citizens showed the 
officers various courtesies. About a quarter of a mile above the 
Pompton Steel Works, the road to Wanaque and Ringwood leaves 
the old Hamburgh turnpike, and at the southeast corner of these 
roads stands an ancient yellow frame house, two stories high in 



*The foregoing and other of these personal reminiscences of Colfax were re- 
lated to the writer hereof in the summer of 1872, by Dr. Wm. W. Colfax, the 
only surviving son of the General. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM COLFAX. 151 

front, with roof sloping almost to the ground in the rear ; a covered 
verandah in front, quaint half-doors, and various other unmistakable 
evidences of belonging to a past age. This was the residence dur- 
ing the Revolution of Casparus (Dutch for Jasper) Schuyler, (b. 10 
Dec. 1735) grandson of Arent Schuyler, mentioned above. His 
home was the scene of many a festive gathering a century agu, in 
which Washington and his suite participated. The young officers 
found here a great attraction in the charming daughter, Hester (who 
in accordance with a custom of Dutch families, was named after her 
grandmother, Hester, daughter of Isaac Kingsland), and the valiant 
young Colfiix, brave as he was in battle, surrendered at discretion 
before the flash of her bright eyes. Soon after the war he took up 
his residence at Pompton and married Hester Schuyler, 27 August, 
1783. 

There for more than half a century he lived the quiet, peaceful 
life of a country farmer, seeing his children grow up around him, 
and witnessing the wonderful development of the nation for whose 
existence he had fought so long and well in his youth. He was 
honored, trusted and revered by his neighbors, and was repeatedly 
elected or appointed to various responsible positions in the town, 
county or State. He was appointed by the Legislature a Justice 
of the Peace and Common Pleas Judge for many years. He was 
elected to the General Assembly from Bergen county in 1806-7-9-10- 
11 and to the Legislative Council in 1808-12-13. He was always in- 
terested in military aifairs, and in 1811 was Brigadier-General of the 
Second Division of Infantry, Bergen Brigade. 

In the AYar of 1812 he had a command at Sandy Hook. 

At the elaborate and enthusiastic celebrations of Independence 
Day, which were customarv half a century ago, the presence of Gen- 
eral Colfax was deemed indispensable at the demonstrations in his 
neighborhood. 

In 1824 or 1825, on the occasion of the great parade in Newark 
in honor of Lafayette, Colfax participated as one of the most con- 
spicuous Revolutionary heroes of the day. 

He preserved his faculties to the very last, and died after but a 
few days' illness, 9 September, 1838, aged eighty-two years and 
two months. He was buried on his own estate, with military hon- 
21 



152 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM COLFAX. 

ors, the militia of Paterson and vicinity turning out on the occasion, 
with martial music, under the command of General Abraham God- 
win, the 3^ounger, and Colonel Cornelius G. Garrison, both of Pat- 
erson. The services were held in the Reformed vDutch Church, at 
Pompton, the Rev. Isaac S. Demarest officiating, while the people 
came by hundreds from all the country around, to testify by their 
presence to their respect for one whom they had so long reverenced 
and admired. 

Colfax left six children : 

I. George Washington, b. 3 November, 1784; m. Eliza Colfax, 
his cousin, 11 December, 1811. 

II. Lucy, b. 18 November, 1789; m. Henry H. P. Berry, 3 Au- 
gust, 1815. 

III. Schuyler, b. 3 August, 1792; m. Hannah Delameter Stry 
ker, of New York, 25 April, 1820. (He was the father of Schuy- 
ler Colftix, Vice President of the United States, 1869-73). 

IV. Elizabeth, b. 8 August, 1794; m. James L. Baldwin, 30 
July, 1816. (Her children live at Troy, N. Y.) 

V. William W., b. 26 April, 1797; m. Hester Mandeville, 2T 
May, 1826. (He graduated at the University of New York, School 
of Medicine, 27 Feb., 1817, practised a few years at Acquackanonk 
and Paterson, and for half a century at Pompton and vicinity. As 
this is being writen he is dying.) * 

VI. Maria, b. 3 July, 1800 ; m. Abraham Williams, a lawyer, of 
Orange, 14 January, 1822. 

The writer has had the miniature of Gen. Colfax, mentioned 
above, photographed, and a copy, appropriately colored, will be hung 
in the rooms of the New Jersey Historical Society, where all may 
thus see an excellent counterfeit presentment of the fine-looking and 
gallant Captain of Washington's Body Guard. 



*While this article was in the printer's hands, Dr. Colfax died, February 28, 
1876. For a sketch of his life see the New York Herald of March 1. 



b.^'V 








PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 



rseg Jbtetcal ^ocietg. 



SECOND SERIKS. 

Vol. IV. 1876. 



No. 4. 



Newark, May 18th, 1876. 

The New Jersey Historical Society held a regular meeting in 
their rooms at 12 o'clock M., which was numerously attended by 
gentlemen from various parts of the state. The Rev. Samuel M. 
Hamill, D.D., President, and Mr. Peter S. Duryek, one of the 
Vice Presidents, presided. 

The minutes of the last meeting were read by Mr. A. P. Young, 
Recording Secretary, and approved. 

Mr. William A. Whitehead, the Corresponding Secretary, sub- 
mitted his report of the correspondence since the las' meeting and 
laid upon the table among others, letters or communications from 
Hon. John Clement, acknowledging his election as a Vice Pres- 
ident of the Society and from Hon. Marcus L. Ward, as a member 
of the Executive Committee ; from the Hon. Wm. P. Ross, of 
Port Gibson, Ark., accepting an honorary membership; from Rt. Rev. 
John Scarborough, Hon. A. A. Hardenbergh and others, acknowledg- 
ing their election as resident members; from the Penns3^1vania His- 
torical Society in relation to the Publication E"'und of that Society ; 
from Mr. Edward Herrick, Corresponduig Secretary of the Bradford 
County, Pa., Historica,! Society, inquiring after the Linley family, 
who were among the early settlers of Newark ; from Mr. E. Carhart 
of Oxford, Pa., similar inquiries after the Carhart family, who were 
located, at an earlv period, in the neighborhood of Elizabeth; from 
the Missouri Historical Society, suggesting a national convention of 



154 



MEETING IN NEWARK. 



Historical Societies at Philadelphia on the first of August next ; 
the Historical Societies of Iowa, Minnesota, Maine, New York, 
Georgia, and Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio, acknowl- 
edging the receipt of the last number of the Society's Proceed- 
ings. The Delaware Historical Society, New York State Library, 
U. S. Coast Survey office. Rev. Allen H. Brown, of Camden, Gen'l 
G. Watts DePeyster, of New York, Rev. Dr. Tuttle, of Indiana, Mr. 
J. D. Sergeant and S. W. Pennybacker, of Philadelphia, and Mr. R. 
A. Brock, Corresponding Secretary of the Virginia Historical Society, 
transmitted donations for the library ; from Gen. Wm. S. Stryker, 
there were several communications relating to the contributions of 
the Society to the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, and from 
various other parties letters relating to the business operations of 
the Society. 

Colonel Swords, the Treasurer, reported that the legacy of the 
late Thomas Barron of 15,000 had been received and temporarily 
invested, and that the balance of cash in the treasury was $1,392.80, 

The Committee on the Library reported that the additional 
shelving to meet the constant accumulations in the library, the 
necessity for which was alluded to in their report at the last meeting, 
had been supplied, and, in conjunction with a commodious closet, 
contributed at the expense of the owners of the building, afforded all 
the accommoaation at present required. The rooms, in consequence, 
wore a more systematic and convenient aspect than ever before. 

The additions to the library, since the last meeting, had been 
thirty-five bound volumes, one hundred and forty pamphlets, seven 
manuscripts, two maps, sundry newspapers and two oil paintings. 
Some few of the books were obtained through exchanges, and the 
Committee invite the attention of the members to the services they 
might render to the Society, by availing themselves of the duplicate 
works in the library, to secure such others as are wanted, when not 
obtainable gratuitously. The donations, since the last meeting, of 
which a special report was presented, were all in keeping with the 
objects of the Society, and some were especially valuable. 

The Committee referred especially to a bequest of the late Mrs. 
Matthias W. Day, of a valuable marble mantel clock, coeval with the 



MEETING IN NEWARK. 155 

French Revolution and bearing devices incidental to that period, 
which adds not a little to the completeness of the librar}^ ; and an 
oil painting on panel, four feet by three, representing an entire fam- 
ily of husband, wife, mother and several children — five sons and two 
daughters — in the costume of the beginning of the seventeenth cen- 
tury. This painting was considered by the late Mr. Day, who pur- 
chased it nearly half a century ago in New York, as representing 
Hendrick Hudson and his family, but the Committee regretted that 
they had not been able to confirm this traditionary belief. The pic- 
ture is evidently of Dutch origin, the ages of the different personages 
represented being given in that language, but there is nothing where- 
by the name of the artist or the age of the picture can be ascertained. 
"It is a noticeable circumstance." said the Committee in their re- 
port, " that Hudson's name and position in history are due to the 
events of only four years of his career, from 1607 to 1611, nothing 
being known definitely of his birth and early life, or of the number 
of his children. His biogra.phers have assumed that one John Hud- 
son, whose name appears among the seamen he had with him on two 
of his voyages, was a son, and the Committee hoped that the eldest 
child in the picture, represented as twenty -four years old, might 
afford a clue whereby its identity with the Hudson family might be 
arrived at, but it was found that for John Hudson to have been at 
that age, the picture must have been painted in 1610, when Hudson 
was not in Holland, it being certain, according to his biographers, that 
although his voyage to America and discovery of the Hudson was 
made while in the employ of the Dutch East India Company in 1609, 
he did not return to Holland with his vessel, but landed from her on 
the English coast in November of that year, when on his return voy- 
age. Another circumstance which militates against the supposition 
that our picture represents Hudson and his family, is the failure on 
the part of his biographers and others, after thorough search, to learn 
of the existence of any portrait of him. The Committee hope that, 
although foiled in their endeavor to connect the painting with Hud- 
son's family, they may yet be able to ascertain what other it repre- 
sents. That it was one of distinction there can be no doubt." 
The report also stated that — 
" In accordance with the request of the Directors of tlie Centennial 



156 MEETING IN NEWARK. 

Exhibition at Philadelphia, and the earnest solicitation of Gen. Wni. 
S. Stryker, acting for them, the Committee have consented to place in 
their charge several of the valuable original documents in the posses- 
sion of the Society, for exhibition in Memorial Hall. Among these 
are the original grants from the Duke of York for East and West 
Jersey, and other early instruments connected with the first settle- 
ment of the provinces, of dates from 1664 to 1682, which cannot fail 
to add interest to the collection." 

The Committee on Publications reported the issue of another num- 
ber of the Society's "Proceedings," bringing down the printed record 
of its operations to the present time. They drew attention lo a res- 
olution adopted in May, 1869, authorizing the publication of "The 
Paris Papers" — the correspondence of John Ferdinand Paris with the 
proprietors of East Jersey, during the early part of the eighteenth 
century — which had never been acted upon, and expressed a hope 
that circumstances would soon warrant its being carried out. In this 
connection the Committee referred to the advantages flowing from 
the establishment of a publication fund that would allow of publica- 
tions at regular periods, such as had been established by several so- 
cieties, and which had been suggested as long ago as 1860 — "being 
impressed," said the Committee, "with a sense of the obligation rest- 
ing upon the Society, not only to collect materials for history, but 
also to facilitate access to them b}^ putting them in print when prac- 
ticable, with a view to their wider dissemination and usefulness." 

The Committee on Nominations reported favorably on the names 
of several gentlemen referred to them, and they were thereupon bal- 
loted for, and duly elected members. 

Rev. Marshall B. Smith, with some remarks verifying its iden- 
tity, presented a fragment of the keel of the notable Ship of the Line 
" Royal George," of one hundred guns, which through mismanage- 
ment, was sunk off Spithead, in August, 1782, with eight hundred 
souls on board, and raised in 1839. 

Mr. Ernest E. Coe presented an original copy of the Boston Ga- 
zette of March 12th, 1770, containing an accountof the funeral servi- 
ces of those who fell in the affray with the English soldiers on the 5th 
of March, 1770. 



MEETING IN NEWARK. 157 

Rev. Dr. Abeei. presented an autograph letter from Charles Pettit 
to Col. James Abeel, Deputy Quartermaster General, at Morristown, 
dated Philadelphia, Jan. 6th, 1779, and a large voluminous atlas, of 
great interest, printed during the last century. 

Mk. William Nelson drew the attention of the Society to a very 
able article, by Mr. Isaac Craig, in the Pittsburgh Telegraph of April 
21st, refuting a statement in a Cincinnati paper to the effect that 
"Washington's Life Guard was composed of Germans, not one of 
whom understood a word of English." As Mr. Nelson, at the last 
ineeting of the Society, read a paper on William Colfax, of Pompton 
who was Captain of the Life Guard, this refutation of statements, 
originating in an erroneous confounding of two distinct corps, was 
highly important. Mr, Nelson presented a copy of the paper re- 
ferred to. 

After a bountiful repast, spread for the members in the Society's 
Document room, President Hamill read an interesting sketch of 
Lawrenceville, Mercer county. 

On motion of Col. Swords, and after some remarks by Mr. Dur- 
YEE upon the many events of the Revolution, and the prominent 
men connected with the section of the State in which Lawrenceville 
is situated, it was 

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society are due to the Rev. Dr. Hamill for 
his entertaining paper, and that he be requested, if not inconsistent with his 
intentions, to place a copy at the disposal of the Committee on Publications. 

A number of old and interesting documents, referring to business 
transaction in Essex county, in the early part of the last century, 
were received from Mr. William John Potts, of Camden, and 
Mr. Henry Congar presented a large collection of deeds and sur- 
veys and other papers relating to early transfers of property in this 
part of the State. 

A telegram was received from the Rev. George Sheldon, D.D., of 
Princeton, asking for the appointment of delegates from the Society 
to the Princeton Centennial celebration on the 29th of June, which, 
on motion of Mr. Whitehead, was referred to the Executive Com- 
mittee, which, by a resolution adopted in January, had been charged 
with the consideration of all co-operative measures. 



158 



MEMBERS ELKCfED. 



After a desultory interchange of views, reminiscences, etc., in 
whicli Messrs. Voorhees, of Middlebusli. Aycrigg, of Passaic, 
Duryee, Sykes, Baldwin, Swords and others participated, the Society 
adjourned, to meet at Trenton on the third Thursday of January, 
1877. 



Elected May 18. 1876. 



EDWARD L. CAMPBELL. 
WILLI A.M H. GILL. . 
HENRY C. KELSBY. . 
HENRY S. LITTLE. . 
BENJAMIN P. LEE, 
ERNEST L. MEYER, . 
BENJAMIN C. PARKER, 
W. W. L. PHILLIPS, M.D., . 
JOHN M. RANDALL 
STEPHEN W. WILLIAMS. 



TRENTON. 

ELIZABETH. 

TRENTON. 

. TRENTON. 

TRENTON. 

ELIZABETH. 

SHREWSBURY. 

. TRENTON. 

EAST ORANGE. 

WEST ORANGE. 



jffnararg llnnber. 



HENRY C. MURPHY 



BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



DONATIONS. 159 



§amtxan 

ANNOUNCED MAY 18th, 1876. 

From the Various Societies. — The Historical Society of Delaware. 
The Revolutionary soldiers of Delaware, by William G. Whitley, 
1875. 

The Minnesota Historical Society, Annual Report, 1875. — 
The grasshopper ravages in Minnesota. — Report of the Centen- 
nial State Board. 

The New England Historic and Genealogical Society, Proceed- 
ings, 1876.— Brief history of the N. E. H. & G. Register, and 
the number for April. 1876. 

New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Record for 
January and April, 1876. 

The Virginia Historical Society. — A newspaper containing 
an article on Virginia libraries in Colonial Times. — Photograph of 
Thomas B. Wynne, deceased, late Secretary of the Society. — 
Newspaper account of Proceedings. — Earl}- voyages to America; 
1520,1573, by Conway Robinson. — Washington's private diaries, 
1789 to 1791. — Virginia Historical Reporter, Vol. 11, part 1. — 
Sketches of the Political Issues of the Revolution. — Discourse 
before Virginia Historical Society, R. M. T. Hunter, 1854. 

The Georgia Historical Societ}'. Address b}' Charles C. Jones, 
Jr., on Sergeant William Jasper, 1876. 

American Antiquarian Societ}'' — Proceedings, October, 1875.-^ 
Transactions of the Societ}^, Vols. 5 and 6. — Thomas' History of 
Printing in America, 2d edition, 1874. 
From Neio York State Library. — Boundaries of the State of New 
York. — Reports of State Museum of Natural History, 1872, and 
N. Y. State Library, 1875. 
From Robert Clark. — Ninth Reunion of the Society of the Army of 

of the Cumberland, 1875. 
From Samuel Nichols. — The first six pages of the Book of Minutes 
of "Newark Fire Company, No. 1," December 30, 1799, to Feb- 
ruary 6, 1801. 



160 DONATIONS. 

From the Authors. — Genealogical Notes relating to the family of 
Scull, compiled by G. D. Scull. 

Nashville, the Decisive Battle of the Rebellion, by General J. 
Watts De Peyster. 

Historical Address at the one hundredth anniversary of the 
dedication of the Congregationalist Meeting House. Amherst, 
Mass., 1870, by William B. Towne, Milford, N. H. 

The Ministry at Large, by Rev. Edwin M. Stone. 

The Voyage of Verrazzano — a chapter in the early history of 
maratime discover in America, by Henry C. Murphy, 1875. 

Historical Address in First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, 
Indiana, Nov. 30th, 1874, by Judge D. D. Banta. 

History of the Presbyterian Church in Delphi, Carrol county, 
Indiana, Nov. 28th, 1875, by Rev. Joseph A. Ranney. 

Treatment of Amputations by the Open Method, by F. S 
Dennis, M. D. 

Description of the Atsion and Waterford estates. — Burlington, 
Camden and Atlantic Counties, N. J., by W. H. B. Thomas. 

The Bergen family and other Long Island families, by Teunis 
G. Bergen. — Early account of Petroleum, by William J. Buck. 
From Rev. William Stevens Perry, D.D. — Historical papers of the 
American Colonial Church, volume for Massachusetts. — Debates 
in the House of Deputies of Protestant Episcopal Church, 1871. 
— Journal and Digest of the Canons, 1874. — Annual Convention 
of Diocese of Western New York, 1875. — Journal of 92d Con- 
vention of the Diocese of New York, 1875. — Diocese of Albany 
Convention Journal, 1875. — Diocese of Massachusetts Conven- 
tion, 1875. — The complete issues of the Historical Club of the 
American Church, 1874-5 — and fifteen Pamphlets, Speeches, 
Reports, etc. 
From William Roome. — Old newspapers,' 1800, 1808, 1822. — A 

specimen of New Jersey Currency, dated April 16th, 1764. 
From Joseph F. Tuttle, D.D.— Address of General T. C. H. Smith, 
at the dedication of the Washington County Soldiers' Monument, 
Marietta, Ohio, 1875. — Historical Sketch of the Schools of Day- 
ton, by Robert W. Steele. — Civil and Military Engineers of 
America. — Sidney Centennial, 1872. — Manual of the First Pres- 



DONATIONS. 161 

byterian Church, Chicago. — Defense of Presbyterian Doctrine and 
Order, by Thomas H. Skinner. — History of the half century 
celebration of the First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Indiana. — 
Iq memoriam James S. Seymour, by Charles Hawley, D.D. — 
History of the First Presbyterian Church, Auburn, N. Y., by 
Charles Hawley, D.D. — Fifteenth Anniversar}'^ of the Brick 
Church, Rochester, N. Y., 1875. 

From Beach Vanderpool — Report of the Commissioners to select a 
site and build an asylum for the Insane, 1875. 

From United States Patent Office. — Official Gazette, Vol. 9, Nos. 1 
to 16 mclusive. 

F-07n Dr. Samuel A. Green. — Sanitary Condition of Boston, 1875, 
and other Pamphlets. 

From W. P. Ga/rrison. — Constitution of the New England Society 
of Orange, N. J., 7th edition. 

From Mrs. James J. Carter. — Duplicate list of the taxes levied in 
Newark, 1823, 1831 and 1834.— Tax lists South Wark, 1833, 
1834 and one year without date. — Poll lists 1840, 1841 and 
1842. — The number of Inhabitants given in 1834 is 12,725. 

From Samuel W. Pennypacker. — Penn Monthly, February, 1876, 

From William A. Whitehead. — The Alleged Atheism of the Consti- 
tution. — Miscellaneous pamphlets and maps. 

From Charles G. Rockwood. — The National Temperance Advocate. 
— History of Foly's Gold Pens. 

From Mrs. Robert Gray. — Revolutionary manuscripts. 

From United States Coast Survey. — Report of the Superintendent, 
1872. 

Froyn E. D. Ilalsey. — Two numbers of the Iron Era, containing 
items of local history. 

From Astor Library. — Annual Report of the Trustees, 1876. 

From Amos H. Searfoss. — Copy of the testimony read in the case 
of Horace H. Day vs. Charles Goodyear. — Minutes Grand Lodge, 
I. O. O. F., of N. J., 18 pamphlets. — Minutes Grand Encamp- 
ment, I. 0. O. F., of N. J., 11 pamphlets. 

From John A. Gifford. — Badge worn at the funeral ceremonies of 
ex-President Jackson, 1845. 
23 



162 DONATIONS. 

Fro7n H. Phillips, Jr. — Newspaper notice of the earliest American 
expediiions to the Arctic regions. 

From Sheldon Smith. — Washington Astronomical and Meteorological 
Observations, 1873. 

From William Foster Dodge. — The Industrial Interests of Newark. 

From Francis Barher Ogden. — By-Laws, etc., of the Cincinnati of 
New Jersey, 18 Y 6. 

F-om the Publishers. — Consecutive numbers of the National Standard. 
— Hackettstown Herald. — Bloomfield Record. — Orange Journal. 
— Weekly State Gazette. — Princeton Press. — Centennial. — Amer- 
ican Journal of Education. — Newark Artizan. — The American 
Bibliopolist. 

From United States Bureau of Education. — Circulars of Information. 

From Rev. Allen R. Brown. — Minutes of the Sessions of the Synod 
of New Jersey, 1873, 1874 and 1875. 

From William M.Lee. — Almanac, 1770, by Nathaniel Low, Boston, 
Mass. — Connecticut Journal, February 23, 1803. 

From Mrs. William Grummon. — Manuscript copy of a division of 
lands among the first lot right settlers of Elizabethtown, 1699, 
1700, certified as a true copy taken by me, Caleb Jeffreys, April 
4, 1736. 

From R. S. Swords. — The Outward Business of the House of God. 
— Sermon by G. Z. Gray, 1875. — Memorial of the Opening of the 
New York and Canada Railway, 1875. — Annual Report Delaware 
and Hudson Canal Co., 1875. — Constitution of the New York S. 
P. C. A., 1876.— Laws of New York relating to children, 1875. 

FVom Henry J. Yates. — Message as Mayor of the City of Newark, 
with Reports of City Officers, 1876. 

From R. A. Brock of Richmond, Va. — The vestry book of Henrico 
Parish, Va., 1730, 1773. — Publications of the Virginia Historical 
Society, New Series, No 1. — Report of the Commissioners ap- 
pointed to ascertain the Boundary between Maryland and Virginia, 
1873. — Report of the Internal Improvement Company, 1875. — 
Report of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, 1873, and 19 miscellane- 
ous pamphlets. 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 163 

Trenton, January 18th, 1877. 
The New Jersey Historical Society held its thirty-third an- 
nual meeting in the Rooms of the Board of Trade, at 11:30 A. M., 
which proved to be one of its most interesting gatherings, many 
prominent gentlemen from different parts of the State being pres- 
ent, the Rev. Samuel M. Hamill, D.D., President, and Hon. John 
Clement and Mr. Peter S. Duryee, Vice Presidents, presiding. 

The Recording Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting, 
which were approved. 

The Corresponding Secretary made his report on the correspon- 
dence since the meeting in May. Hon. Henry C. Murphy, of 
Brooklyn, L. I., acknowledged his election as an honorary member. 
Messrs. William Nelson and Benj. Aycrigg accepted their appoint- 
ments as representatives of the Society at the Princeton Centennial 
celebration. Messrs. C. H. Hart and J. A. Woodward, of Phila- 
delphia, Rev. J. F. Tuttle, D. D., of Indiana, Miss Henrietta A. 
Day, of Newark, Messrs. F. E. Mather and 0. S. Baldwin, of New 
York, Rev. C. D. Bradlee, of Boston, Mr. P. Cudmore, of Min- 
nesota, Mrs. E. Mulford Palmer, of Camden, Grand Lodge of Iowa, 
U. S. Department of Interior, U. S. Medical Bureau, and Academy 
of Natural Sciences, Davenport, Iowa, transmitted donations for the 
library. The Historical Societies of Delaware and Vermont, and 
Mr. Thos. C. Murray, of Baltimore, were desirous of obtaining the 
Society's publications. Messrs. Samuel Briggs, of Cleveland, Ohio, 

B. P. Davenport, of Boston, W. F. Beach, of Macon, Missouri, 

C. J. Hubbard, of Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N. H., Wm. 
Kelley, of New York, and Rev. G. T. Riddell, of Harrison, Maine, 
made Genealogical enquiries after families with whom they were 
connected. Rev. David Craft wrote in reference to an intended 
history of Bradford county. Pa., and the Rev. G. S. Mott, D. D., of 
a proposed history of the Presbyterian Church at Flemington, N. J. 
Gen. W. S. Stryker, of Trenton, communicated information respect 
ing the Society's exhibits at the Centennial. Mr. LaFayette An- 
gleman, of Plainfield, asked for definite information as to the char- 
acter and extent of the Society's Library. The American Anti- 
quarian Society, of Worcester, expressed their thanks for a volume 



/ 



164 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

of their Collections returned to them, and letters from John F. Ha- 
gaman, of Princeton, Hon. John Clement, of Haddonfield, Mr. B. 
W. Throckmorton, of Jersey City, and other gentlemen had refer- 
ence to various topics connected with the Society's operations. 

The Treasurer submitted his report, * showing a balance of cash 
in the treasury of $907.17, with $638 due from members in arrears. 

Dr. Samuel H. Pennington submitted the report of the Execu- 
tive Committee, in which they referred to the reports of the officers 
and special committees for the details of their several departments 
during the months that had elapsed since the last meeting of the 
Society, and cordially approved of the recommendations which 
would be presented by the Library Committee relating to the publi- 
cation of a catalogue and the introduction of sundry improvements. 
Although the whole burden of the rent of the rooms had now to be 
borne by the Society, no other association sharing it as heretofore, 
it was hoped that the current receipts, and the liberality of individ- 
ual members, would supply all the means needful for the successful 
prosecution of the various contemplated projects. 

As reported by the Committee on the Library at the last meet- 
ing, the request of the Commissioners to place some of the Society's 
valuable historical relics in the Centennial Exhibition at Philadel- 
phia, had been complied with, and the following duly forwarded : 
No. 1. Portrait in oil of Aaron Burr, presumed to have been 

painted by Stuart. 
No. 2. Exemplified copy of the Grant from Charles IL to James, 

Duke of York, for New York and New Jersey, March 12th, 

1664. Made for John Fenwick and brought to West Jersey 

in 1674. 
No. 3. Original Lease for a year from James, Duke of York, to 

Lords Berkley and Carteret, for the whole of New Jersey. 

Dated June 23d, 1664. 
No. 4. Original Release of the same, dated June 24th, 1664. 
No. 5. Original Lease for a year from James, Duke of York, to Sir 

George Carteret, for the Northern part of New Jersey, 

dated July 28th, 1674. 

*See subsequent page. 



MEETING IN TRENTON, 165 

No. 6. Original Release of the same, dated July 29th, 1674. 
No. 7. Original Quintipartite Deed between Sir Carteret, William 
Penn, Nicholas Lucas, Gawen Lawrie, and Edward Byllinge, 
dated July 1st, 1676, dividing the province into East and 
West Jersey. 
No. 8. Original Release of Elizabeth, widow and Executrix and the 
Trustees of Sir George Carteret to the first Twelve Proprie- 
tors of East Jersey, dated January 1st, 1681-2. 
No. 9. Original Release of James Duke of York, to Edward 
Byllinge, William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, 
John Eldridge and Edmond Warner, for West Jersey, dated 
August 6th, 1689. 
''These parchments and portraits" — said the Committee — "were 
properly framed and boxed, and entrusted to the special care of the 
commissioners charged with their exhibition, with the understanding 
that they were to be returned in the same good condition free of all 
charges and expenses, and with the scarcely needed admonition that 
their loss would be irreparable. For a time our contributions 
were not available for want of a proper place to display them within 
the Exhibition grounds, but about the 1 st of July they were by per- 
mission of the Committee, taken to the fire proof apartments of the 
Academy of Fine Arts and added to the collections of a like charac- 
ter received from other States and Historical Societies, where they 
attracted the attentiont hey deserve. A recent letter from Col. Frank 
M. Etting, Chairman of the Commemorative Commission, brings the 
information that it is intended, if possible, to keep the collection 
together until Spring, and permission is asked to retain the contri- 
butions of the Society for some time longer. The Committee 
submit the request for the action of the Societ}'." 

" Since the last meeting Death has struck from our roll of mem- 
bers two gentlemen who were identified with the Society from its 
organization — Ex-Chancellor Green and Mr. Alofsen. 

" Henry W. Green was present and active in tne formation 
of the society, at the meeting held in the City Hall, Trenton, on the 
27th of February, 1845; became one of the Executive Committee 
in 1851 ; was elected one of the Vice Presidents in 1862, and in 
January, 1875, succeeded the Rev. Dr. Rodgers as President. The 



166 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

state of his health, however, obliged him to decline a re-election in 
1876. While in the enjoyment of good health he was an attendant 
upon our meetings whenever his public duties permitted, and partici 
pated in the discussion of various topics that at such times called for 
the action of the Society, 

"By birth a Jersey man, Mr. Green received his early training in the 
educational institutions of his native State, and spent his whole life, 
professional and official, in her service ; and it may be affirmed w'ith 
justice that none of her sons has more worthily or with greater dis- 
tinction, adorned her annals, or labored more assiduously to promote 
the enterprises that have served to advance her prosperity and ele- 
vate the moral condition of her population. Her noble works of 
philanthropy found in him a friend and advocate ; and her higher in-' 
stitutions of learning will cherish in grateful remembrance his coun- 
sels and efforts, as among the most effective agencies to which are 
due their enlarged facilities and their present deservedly high repu- 
tation. 

" Of the bench and bar of New Jersey he was a distinguished or- 
nament. To an intellect of rare capacity, a temperament that 
prompted to the intent application of his mental powers to the work 
before him, a conscientious sense of the requirements of duty to his 
clients and the public, he added the results of careful culture, ex- 
haustive research and profound thought ; qualities which, united with 
a fluent and impressive diction, made him eminently successful in 
his earlier forensic efforts, and were even more conspicuous in those 
opinions and decisions from the seats of judicial authority — models of 
righteous judgment, varied learning and stern logic, expressed in 
language pure, terse and forcible — that have secured him an exalted 
rank among the jurists of the State and the country. 

" Nor were his virtues in the more private relations of life, though 
less conspicuously demonstrated, less worthy of commemoration. 
Constitutionally ardent and of warm sympathies, his attachments were 
strong and enduring ; and those who were admitted to his friendship 
will hold the memory of the privilege among their most precious 
recollections. In his religious sentiments, he was earnest, though 
simple-hearted and unobtrusive. Tolerant and respectful of the 
opinions of others, he loved the church of which he was a member 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 167 

and office bearer, contributed liberally to her beneficent enterprises, 
and was ever ready to aid her with his judicious counsels. His tastes 
no less than his regard for official propriety, kept him aloof from the 
strifes of political parties ; but his sincere love of country did not 
permit him to be an indifferent observer of current events. His keen 
insight of character, his sagacious perception of the bearings of agi- 
tated questions of State and National polity, and his strong sense of 
right, led him to the adoption of decided opinions of public men and 
public measures, which were not concealed from those who enjoyed 
his confidence, nor without their influence, silently exerted, on the 
popular sentiment. 

" Mr. Green was born in Lawrenceville, in this State, on the 20th 
of September, 1804. After careful preparation under the care of 
the Rev. Isaac V. Brown, D.D., in the excellent classical institution 
in his native village, he entered the College of New Jersey and 
graduated thence, with high honor, in the year 1820, at the early age 
of sixteen with a class distinguished for the number of its members who 
have risen to eminence in the Church and the State. He began the 
study of law under the late Chief Justice Ewing and completed his 
preparation for the Bar under Hon. Garret D. Wall. He was elected 
to the popular branch of the State Legislature in 1842, and in 1844 
was chosen a member of the convention that formed the Constitu- 
tion of the State. He was the same year appointed by Chancellor 
Pennington Reporter of the Court of Chancery. In 1846 he was 
nominated by Governor Stratton Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court, and renominated by Governor Fort for the same office in 1853, 
receiving in both instances the unanimous confirmation of the Sen- 
ate. While occupying this position he received from his Alma Ma- 
ter the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. After a service of fourteen 
years, with great distinction, in this position, he was in the year 1860 
nominated by Governor Olden Chancellor, which office he held with 
like distinction till his retirement in 1866. 

" The premature failure of health which caused his retirement, was 
doubtless due to his intense application, without proper relaxation, to 
the unrelenting demands of official duty. Wisely yielding to the warn- 
ing intimation so far as to withdraw from public life, he still 
continued to perform valuable service to the church and common- 



168 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

wealth as a member of the board of trustees of "The Theological 
Seminary of the Presbyterian Church," at Princeton, to which he 
was elected in the year 1833, and of which he became the honored 
President in the year 1859 ; and as a trustee of the College of New 
Jersey, to which office he was chosen in the year 1850. To his 
counsels and influence, while holding this important position, are 
largely due the present advanced rank of that seminary of learning 
and the munificent benefactions that have adorned the historic soil of 
Princeton with spacious and elegant structures, which will ever 
associate his family and ancestry with the fame and usefulness of his 
venerable Alma Mater. Chancellor Green departed this life at his 
residence in Trenton on the 19th of December, 1876, in the 72d 
year of his age. 

" SoLOMEN Alofson's name is on our records among the original 
members of 1845, and from that time until his final departure from 
the country in 1871, there was scarcely a meeting of the Society 
at which, by donation or otherwise, he did not manifest the warm 
interest he felt in its prosperity. From 1860 to 1867, he filled the 
office of Treasurer, declining a re-election when about to visit the 
country of his birth. He first came to this country as Secretary to 
the Dutch Legation, and subsequently became connected with a 
prominent banking house in New York, and married a lady of Jersey 
City. His donations to the Society were both of money and books. 
Among the latter were over six hundred distinct works relating 
to our Civil War, mau}^ of them rare and difficult to obtain, and 
several busts and portraits of distinguished men. 

" Mr. Alofsen was a gentleman of education and culture, the pos- 
sessor of a large and valuable library, which he took with him to 
Europe, but which, much to his regret, he was obliged to sell, about 
a year ago, in consequence of his having no permanent abode, his 
time being spent between Paris, the residence of an only daughter, , 
Arnhem, Amsterdam and other places in Holland. In 1871 he 
spent a few months in the United States renewing his associations 
with his old friends, and the many literary institutions in which he 
had taken an interest. He died suddenly at Arnhem, on the 19th 
of October, 1867, aged 67." 

After some remarks by Col. Swords, Judge Nixon, and the 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 



169 



President, on motion of the first-named gentleman the motion was 
accepted and referred to the Committee on Publications. 

Mr. Whitehead, from the Committee on Publications, reported 
that the transactions at the last meeting of the Society were in press 
and would be published without delay, in connection with those of 
the present meeting, making another number of the regular printed 
"Proceedings," which extend back to the organization of the 
Society in 1845. 

But few kindred societies could prevent a like continuous history 
of their doings in print. The numbers of the " Proceedings " were 
distributed gratuitously to the resident members who might not be in 
arrears when they were issued. Some of the volumes of the Society's 
"Collections" were nearly exhausted, and members desirous of 
having complete sets were urged to secure those they required with- 
out delay. 

In the absence of the Chairman, the Corresponding Secretary read 
the report of the Committee on the Library. 

They submitted a list of the additions made by donations since 
the last meeting, amounting to eighty -five volumes, two hundred and 
ninety-seven pamphlets, regular files of seven newspapers, five man- 
uscripts, etc. 

" These accessions," said the Committee, " and the fact that a lar- 
ger number than usual of historical inquirers have frequented the 
rooms, testify to the continual interest taken in the Society and the 
recognition of its usefulness. 

" Some additional progress has been made since the last meeting 
in the preparation of the Catalogue, and it is hoped that before long 
it will be ready for publication. It is scarcely necessary to say any- 
thing in demonstration of the actual necessity that exists for its com- 
pletion. To any library a catalogue is essential, but especially so to 
one like our own, a depository of the waifs of Time— of books and 
documents whose existence even may not be known to the histor- 
ical inquirer, and yet may be of great interest and essential value to 
him in his researches. The catalogue, therefore, becomes itself a 
history of unknown as well as known facts, a complete hand-book 
of the sources whence those facts may be derived. Of vast impor- 
22 



170 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

tance is it, therefore, that our library, so firmly established and bid- 
ding fair to grow indefinitely by additions of the greatest variety, 
should be rendered thoroughly accessible and serviceable by having a 
comprehensive, properly arranged catalogue of the treasures it pos- 
sesses. The more perfect its arrangement, the more perfect will be 
the arrangement of the books themselves, in order that the changes 
consequent upon accumulations in certain departments may not inter- 
fere with, or encroach upon, the limits of others. Already has our 
library by its growth required several re-arrangements, and such will 
probably continue to be the case until we shall possess a proper edi- 
fice of our own. The Committee hope that, when ready for the 
press, no hesitation on the score of expense will be felt by the So- 
ciety about ordering the publication of the catalogue. 

" Projected improvements are being considered, whereby our cabi- 
net of historic relics and curiosities will be rendered more attractive, 
and our collection of Manuscripts, many of which have not been 
properly arranged, may be more readily consulted. 

"The Committee would renew their appeal to the members gener- 
ally, to use their influence to secure for the library all the memorials 
of our past history of which they may have information as probably 
obtainable. Many a garret, or other repository of so-considered val- 
ueless papers, oftentimes contains, when submitted to the inspection 
of a historical explorer, very interesting documents answering impor- 
tant ends, when least expected furnishing data for verifying doubtful 
events or showing tiie fallacy of traditional fables. 

"A recent very valuable and comprehensive work contains ac- 
counts of two interesting events in the early history of East Jersey, 
exceedingly pleasant to read, and not impossible, but far from prob- 
able, although coniing to us with such favorable surroundings, as no 
authorit}^ is given for the statements. One of these events is the 
meeting between Gov. Carteret of East Jersey, and Grov. Nicolls of 
New York, on the arrival of the former to take possession of the 
province in 1664. The interview is described most graphically, all 
the particulars being given for the first time as artistically as if a 
modern reporter had been present. The other event is the settle- 
ment of Elizabethtown and the reception by Gov. Carteret shortly 
after his arrival, of a deputation from Long Island, representing the 



MEETING IN TKENTON. 



171 



Nicolls' patentees. Time, place and circumstances are minutely 
given and a speech, full of exalted figures of rhetoric which it is im- 
possible that he could have used, being put in the mouth of the head 
of the embassy ; the notes of the stenographer, supposed to be pres- 
ent, never having been put into print until now, when they come to 
us embellished with two hundred years of family traditions that will 
not bear the scrutiny which all histor}' should be able to bear. The 
pleasing incident in New England Revolutionary history which has 
given the name of Paul Revere such extended celebrity, has ver} 
recently been modified in some of its particulars — the church where 
the lights were displayed for the government of the adventurous ri- 
der and the name of the person who displayed them, being found to 
differ from the formerly received accounts, through the researches of 
the Rev. John Lee Watson, of Orange, New Jersey ; and our own 
experience, since the last meeting, in receiving an old, but well au- 
thenticated cop3^ of a letter written in 1698 by Lewis Morris to the 
people of Elizabethtown, relating to the difiiculties that then existed 
in the Province, throwing new light on the views of that prominent 
man on controverted points at a ver}^ eventful period of our history 
— is confirmatory of the fact that it is not too late, even now, to 
discover new authentic evidence relating to the earliest events of our 
history, to establish or refute what may be already known, or to reveal 
additional information heretofore unknown." 

The Committee on Nominations reported favorably on the names 
of several gentlemen which had been referred to them, and they 
were elected by ballot. New nominations were received and referred 
to the Committee. 

The Chair appointed the Standing Commitees for 1877, as follows : 

Committee on Finance — Joseph N. Tuttle, "William B. Mott, 
L. Spencer Goble, Charles E. Young, Elias N. Miller. 

Committee on Publications — William A. Whitehead, S. H. Pen- 
nington, M..D., John Hall, D.D., William B. Kinney, Joseph N. 
Tuttle. 

Committee on Lihrary — Martin R. Dennis, William A. Whitehead, 
Robert S. Swords, Robert F. Ballantine, Abrara Coles, M.D., 



172 MK.KTINO IN TRKNTON. 

Committee on Statistics — N. N orris Halsted, F. W. Jackson, E. M. 
Shreeve, Arthur Ward, M.D., William Nelson. 

Corumittee on Nominations — Robert S. Swords, David Naar, 
Robert B. Campfield. 

Mr. A. G. Ritchie, Rev. Dr. Sheldon and Gen. W. S. Stryker 
were appointed a committee to nominate officers for the ensuing 
year. They subsequently reported the following, who were duly 
elected : 

President — Samuel M. FTammill, D.D., of Lawrenceyille. 

Vice-Presidents — John T. Nixon, of Trenton, Peter S. Dubyee, 
of Newark, John Clement, of Haddonfield. 

Corresponding Secretary — William A. Whitehead, Newark. 

Recording Secretary — Adolphus P. Young, of Newark. 

Treasurer — Robert S. Swords, of Newark. 

Librarian — Martin R. Dennis, of Newark. 

Executive Committee — Samuel H. Pennington, M.D., of New- 
ark ; William B. Kinney, of Morristown ; John Hall, of Trenton 
Samuel Allinson, of Yardville; N. Norris Halsted, of Kearney 
Joel Parker, of Freehold ; Marcus L. Ward, of Newark 
Joseph N. Tuttle, of Newark ; George Sheldon, D.D., of 
Princeton. 

Donations to the library were pre.sented by Mr. Hageman, 
Judge Buchanan and Miss Stafford ; the latter also exhibited 
the original, and deposited with the society a certified copy, of the 
letter from the Marine Committee, dated Philadelphia, December 13th, 
1784, accompanying "'Paul Jones' starry flag of the Bonne Homme 
Richard, which was transferred to the Alliance," a boarding sword 
and a musket captured from the Serapis, which the committee 
bestowed upon Lieut. James Bayard Stafford, her father, and which 
are still in her possession. 

Mr. Whitehead stated that among the interesting features of 
the exercises in Philadelphia, in July last, commemorative of the 
adoption of the resolution of Independence in 1776, was the presen- 
tation in old Independence Hall, by gentlemen selected from all 
parts of the country, of brief memoirs of the Signers of the Dec- 
laration, and other distinguished men of the time. Of course the 



MEETING IN TRENTON. 173 

names and services of several of New Jersey's noble patriots were 
duly commemorated by gentlemen from the State, of whom he had 
the honor to be one, and he had hoped that before being given to the 
press — as he understood was the ultimate intention of the Commis- 
sion — the several papers might have been communicated to the 
Society. He had succeeded, however, in securing only one, beside his 
own, and introduced B. W. Throckmorton, Esq., of Jersey City, by 
whom a sketch of one of the prominent Jerseymen of the time had 
been prepared. 

Mr. Throckmorton then read a brief memoir of John DeHart, 
of Elizabethtown, who was a member of the First Congress of 
1774-5, and otherwise identified with the patriotic measures of that 
and subsequent periods of the revolution. 

On motion of Col. Swords, it was resolved that the thanks of 
the Society be presented to Mr. Throckmorton for his interesting 
paper, and that he be requested to place a copy at the disposal of 
the Committee on Publications. 

Adjutant General Stryker presented and read a paper on Col. 
Philip Johnson, of New Jersey, who was killed at the battle of Long 
Island, August 27th, 1776. 

After some remarks from the Rev. Dr. Mott, of Flemington, on 
motion of Judge Buchanan the paper was referred to the Committee 
on Publications. 

On motion of Mr Whitehead, it was, in accordance with the sug- 
gestion of the Executve Committee : 

Resolved, That the Committee on the National Centennial Com 
memoration in Philadelphia be allowed to retain the Society's 
contributions to their exhibition, until the 1st day of May next. 

Mr. Whitehead then read a memoir of Richard Stockton, one of 
the signers of the Declaration from this State, and submitted there- 
with, for the inspection of the members, the original minutes 
of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey on the 22d of June, 
1776, containing the instructions of that body to their representa- 
tives in the Continental Congress. 

On motion of Dr. Pennington the thanks of the Society were 



174 MEETING IN TRENTON. 

voted to Mr. Whitehead, and he was requested to place a copy of 
his paper at the disposal of the Committee on Publications. 

The Society then took a recess until 3.30 P. M., and on reassem- 
bling Mr. Ritchie offering the following resolution : 

Resolved, That the Rev. Dr. Mott be requested to furnish the 
Society with a paper on the histoiy of Hunterdon county, to be read 
at the next meeting of the Society. 

Dr. Mott was understood to accede to the request to prepare the 
paper, but would not engage to have it ready for the next meeting. 

Rev, Dr. Sheldon made some remarks upon the value of the 
numerous historical papers, addresses and sermons which the Cen- 
tennial year had produced, and presented the following resolution, 
which was adopted : 

Rosolved, That the Corresponding Secretary be requested to 
present to the Society at the meeting in May next, to be placed on 
our records, a condensed statement of the various celebrations, civic, 
and military, that were held in various places in the State during the 
past year, in commemoration of the Centennial of our National In- 
dependence. 

In furtherance of the same object, on motion of the Rev. Mr. 
Brown, it was : Resolved that the Society issue a call requesting that 
copies of all historical discourses delivered in New Jersey during 
the Centennial year may be forwarded to the library. 

The Hon. John P. Hageman, of Princeton, then read an exceed- 
ingly interesting and valuable paper on " Princeton in the Revolu- 
tion," containing much information relating to that eventful period 
that Mr. Hageman's researches have elicited from original sources, 
which was listened to with much satisfaction. 

On its conclusion, Judge Nixon, after some complimentary re- 
marks, offered the usual vote of thanks, accompanied with a request 
that, should it not conflict with Mr. Hageman's intentions, the vSoci- 
ety would be pleased to have a copy placed at its disposal. It was 
understood, however, that the paper constituted a portion only, of a 
work he is preparing for the press on the history of Princeton. 

After a vote of thanks to the Board of Trade and Young Men's 
Christian Association for the use of their rooms, the Society ad- 
journed to meet in Newark on the third Thursday of May next 



TREASURER S STATEMENT. 



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176 DONATIONS. 



f0nations 

ANNOUNCED JANUARY 18th, 1877. 

From Joseph L. Tuttle, D.D. — Historical Discourses; Inaugural Ad- 
dresses and Miscellaneous Pamphlets, one hundred and two in all. 
From George W. Seward.— "Y^he Pulpit of the American Revolution, 

by J. Wingate Thornton. 
From Hon.. F. H. Teese. — President's Message and Documents, 

(abridgment) 1875-6. 
From R. S. Swords. — Eighth Annual Report of the Board of Trade, 
Newark, N. J. Proceeding at 8th annual meeting of the Na- 
tional Board of Trade, 1876. Rules and Regulations 18th Fair 
N. J. Agricultural Society. 
FVom Thomas F. DeVoe. — Rode's New York City Directory, 1854-5. 

Trow's do., 1856-7. 
IVom State of Michigan. — Sketches of the History, Resources and 

Industries of Michigan, 1876, 
From Edmund Quincy. — Speeches of Josiah Quincy, 1805-1813. 
From the Authors. — Historical Discourse in Presbyterian Church, 
Perth Amboy, July, 1876, by Rev. Aaron Peck. Speech on the 
Admission of New Mexico, 1876, by P. H. Teese, M.C. 

The Conference at Bonn, 1875, by Wm. Stevens Perry, D.D. 
Historical Address, Groton, Mass., second edition, by Samuel 
A. Green, M. D. 

Oration and Centennial Proceedings, Jersey City, N. J., b}^ C. 
H. Winfield. 

The Civil Government of the States and the Constitutioual His- 
tor}^ of the United States, by P. Cudmore, second edition, 1875. 
Sermon before Prot. Epis. Convention, N. J., 1876, by George 
Morgan Hills, D.D. 

Sermon in the church at Harrison Square, Dorchester, 1876, 
and Thoughts for Christmas, 1873, by C. D. Bradlee. 

A Century of Beneficence, 1769-1869, Historical Sketch of the 
Corporation for the relief of the Widows and Orphan children of 



DONATIONS. 



177 



Clergymen in the Frot. Epis. Church of Pa., by John Wtn. 
Wallace, Phila., 1870. 

Sermon before the last convention of the undivided Diocese of 
Western New York, 1868, by Geo. Morgan Hills, D.D. 

Memoir of Sir. Wm. Penn, Knight, etc., by P. S. P. Con- 
ner. 

The Reed Controversy, by Wm. S. Stryker. 

Historical discourse, Wyalusing Pres. Church, 1869, by Rev. 
D. Craft. 

Family record of Robert Bond and Jacob Price, by Mrs. 

Daniel Price. 

History and description of Cedar Lawn Cemetery, by William 

Nelson. 

Indiana in the war of the Rebellion, by H. H. Terrell. 

Historical discourse Presbyterian church, Madison, N. J., 1865. 
Rev. Robert Aikman. 

Historical and Statistical memoranda relative to Passaic County, 
N. J., by William Nelson. 

The Bible in the past one hundred years, by Rev. William J. 
R. Taylor, D.D. 

A memorial of Increase Allen Lapham Reall, before Wiscon- 
sin Natural History Society, by Charles Mann. 

Memoir of John Maclean. M.D., the first Professor of Chemis- 
try in the College of New Jersey, by his son John Maclean, D.D. 
Privately Printed, 1876. 
jr^.Q^n —Donations to the people of Boston, 

suffering under the Port Bill, 1774-77. The Garrison Mob, 
Edited by Theodore Lyman. The Sanitarian, Dec, 1876. 
From Henry Phillips, /r.— Newspaper slips containing "A Pre- 

Historic Pompeii." 

From Dr. S. A Green. — Thirteen miscellaneous pamphlets. 

From Rev. W. S. Perry, D.D.— Ten miscellaneous pamphlets. 

From the Publishers.— The Irish Citizen, June 24th.— Consecutive 
numbers of Princeton Press.— National Standard.— State Gazette 
—Orange Journal— Bloomfield Record— American Bibliopolist— 
American Journal of Education— Hackettstown Herald— Newark 
Artizan— American Literary Bureau, July, 1876, 2 copies— 
23 



178 DONATIONS. 

American Library Journal, Vol, 1. — Penn Monthly, Sept., 1876. 

From. Mr, Morehouse. — School Laws of Michigan — Anniversary of 
the Baptist church, Portland — Course of study in Public schools, 
Portland. 

From the Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. Masons of N. J. — Proceed- 
ings, 1874-76. 

From United States Patent Office. — Official Gazette, Vols. 9 and 10. 
General index, 1875. 

F)-om Edmund D. Halsey. — Fac simile of the original " Morristown 
Ghost," as published in 1792. 

From H. E. Sibley. — Sermon before Protestant Episcopal Conven- 
tion, 1876, by George Morgan Hills, D.D. 

Fro7n George F. Tuttle. — William Tuttle of New Haven, 1635. 
Address at the Tuttle gathering, by Joseph P. Tuttle, D.D. 

From Frederick Mather. — The Dewitt Dispensary. Annual reports 
1851-1876. 

From Rev. John L. Watson, LL.D. — The Paul Revere Signal Lan- 
terns shown from Christ church, Boston — Memoirs of the Mars- 
tons of Salem, reprint from N. E. Gen. and Biog. Reg., 1873. 

From Miss Henrietta Day. — Newark Gazette, No. 1, Vol. 14, 1798. 
— True American, July, 1802. 

From R. A. Brock. — Virginia newspapers, containing historical 
articles. 

From United States Coast Survey Office. — Report, 1873. 

From Pennsylvania Cnmmissioners of Public Charities. — Sixth 
annual report, 1876. 

From United States Engineer Department. — Report of explorations 
across the great Basin of Utah, by Capt. J. H. Simpson. 

From Mrs. William H. Hussey. — Taxation of Women, by William 
L. Bowditch, and other pamphlets — Memoir of Isaac Collins, 
Historical discourse, Springfield, N. J., by Rev. H. W. Teller. 

From the Brazil Centennial Commission. — The Empire of Brazil at 
the Universal Exhibition in Philadelphia, in English, French and 
German. 3 Vols — Agricultural instructions for those who may 
emigrate to Brazil — Catalogues, etc., 7 pamphlets. 

From William Nelson. — Proceedings of the Board of Freeholders 



DONATIONS. 179 

of Passaic County, 1876— Reports of city officers, Paterson, N. J., 
1876 — Report of the Board of Education of Paterson. 

Fro7n Robert Clark. — Pre-Historic Remains, Cincinnati. 

From Rolert Clark & Co. — Bibliotheca Americana. 

From William R. iJwryee.— Centennial of the Inhabitants of Com- 
munipaw and Lafayette, N. J,, 1876. 

From Vernon Royle. — Report of tha Board of Education of Paterson 
N. J., 1876. 

From Worcester Young Men's Christian Association. — Abstract of 
the President's report, 1876. 

From United States Department of the Inietior. — Thirty-six volumes 
Congressional documents — Public Libraries in the U. S., Part 1. 

From J. Swinburne. — Third annual report of the Paterson Board of 
Trade, 1876. 

From Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen.—M.eA\c?i\ and Surgical His- 
tory of the Rebellion, Vol. 2. 

From William A. Whitehead.— Yorty pamphlets— Broadside— news- 
paper slips, etc.— Historical sketch of Key West, Florida, 1876. 

Frora Yale (7oZ%e.— Catalogue of Officers and Students, 1876--7— 
Obituary record, 1876. 

From Mercantile Library of New TorA;.— Catalogue of English prose 
fiction in the Library. 

From the Essex Institute. — Bulletin Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 of Vol. 7, Jan- 
uary and February— Historical Collections, April to July— Cata- 
logues, etc. 

From the Neii) York Genealogical and Biographical Society — The So- 
ciety's Record, July and October, 1876, Jauuary, 1877. 

From American Philosophical «S(yc'iei!y. —Proceedings, Vol. 16, No. 97. 

From Neiv England Historic and Geneological Society.— Register 
for July and October, 1876, January, 1877. 

From Georgia Historical Society. — Proceedings at the dedication of 
the Hodgson Hall, 1876. 

From Chicago Public Library — Fourth Annual Report. 

From Davenport Iowa Academy of Natural Sciences. — Proceedings, 
Vol. 1867, 1876. 

From Historical Society, Minnesota. — History of St Paul. 

From Historical Society of Pennsylvania. — History, Manners and Cus- 



180 DONATIONS, 

toms of the Indian Nations, by Rev. John Heckewelder, new 
edition, 1876 — Catalogue of Charities conducted by women — Bio- 
graphical sketch of William Penn. 
From Massachusetts Historical Society. — Proceedings, 1875-6. Vols. 

2 and 3. 
From Maryland Historical Society. — Journal of Charles Carroll of 

Carrollton, 1776. 
From New England Society of Orange, N. J. — Scenery, No 1, 1876. 
From Vermont Historical Society. — Address by Hon. Edward _ A. 

Sowle, 1876. 
From Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio. — Reports, 1874, 

1875-6. 
From Smithsonian Institihtion. — Contributions to Knowledge. Vols. 
20 and 21. Reports, 1863, '65, '68, '69, '70— The Empire of 
Brazil at the Univei'sal Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. 
From the Grand Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. of N. J. — Minutes of session of 

1876. 
From Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of loioa. — Proceedings, 
Vols, 1 to 6. Proceedings of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., Iowa, 
Vol. 1 and 2. Catalogue of the Library of the Grand Lodge of 
Iowa, 1873 — 9 volumes. 
From Henry Congar — Historical Discourse, Springfield, N. J., by 

Rev. H. W. Teller. 
From Abraham Van Fleet. — History of the Presbyterian Church, 

Flemington, N. J. — 2 copies. 
From Dr. Samuel Lilley — China and Her Neighbors, in Chinese Lan- 
guage, by Rev. Young J. Allen — Four Numbers of a Periodical 
in the Chinese Language, January 3d,10th, Sept. 7th,14th, 1874. 
From 0. S. Baldwin — Baldwin's Monthly. 
From James D. Broxvn. — One dollar note of Confederate States of 

America, 1862. 
From George R. Sivords. — Sharks Teeth from fossil beds in the 

Ashley River, S. C. 
From Angus McDonald. — Arrow Head found at Culpepper, Va. 
From Charles J. Williams. — Three dollar bank note, Manufacturers' 
Bank, Belleville, N. J., 1836. 



DONATIONS. 181 



From Charles Henry Hart, Philadelphia. — Three manuscripts. 
From William Grumman, H. J. — Deed Tabitha Wood to Ichabod 
Grummon, 1762, for Land near Elizabeth. 



S^siknt Pfmbtts (BMt^. 

January 18th, 1877. 

Rev. John Ewing, Clinton, Hunterdon Co. 
Josiah P. Huntoon, Paterson. 
Leslie D. "Ward, M. D., Newark. 
Henry M. Crowell, Newark. 

Cormpniring limber. 

Wharton Dickinson, Scranton, Pa. 



182 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 

LAID BEFORE THE SOCIETY, JANUARY 18th, 1877. 



Letter from Lewis Morris to the People of Elizabethtown. 
Received from Mr. J. A. Woodward of Philadelphia. 



*:^,* The events of the year 1698 were of peculiar interest to the inhabitants 
of East Jersey. The difficulties attendant upon the government of the Pro- 
prietaries had become yearly more manifest. With a portion of them in Eng- 
land, having no personal acquaintance with the effects of their own measures, 
and another portion in the province, having different views as to what would 
most conduce to its welfare, it was impossible to secure the harmony of action, 
without which progress in the essentials of prosperity could not be made . 
Jeremiah Basse had arrived with his commission as Governor — defective from its 
not having the King's approval, and the assent of a sufficient number of the 
proprietaries, sixteen being requisite, whereas, he had only ten — and had 
placed himself at once in an antagonistic position to many prominent men of 
the province, who had the boldness to call his authority in question. Lewis 
Morris, one of these, he had turned out of the Council and caused to be fined and 
imprisoned for contempt of one of his courts, and the following letter, writ- 
ten while Morris was yet burning with indignation at the treatment he had re- 
ceived, will be found to contain much respecting the proprietaries as a body 
that differs materially from his usual course, which was to sustain them 
in the prerogatives they claimed; and ten years later he rendered them essential 
service in England, whither he went to advance their interests in the settlement 
of the momentous questions, involved in the surrender of the government to 
the Crown. [See East Jersey under the Proprietors, pp. 196-199, 211-219.] 
The letter as here given being printed from a copy of a copy, the author 
should not be held accountable for many pecularities, especially of orthography 
and punctuation, and it is very evident that the copyist has failed to decipher 
correctly some of his sentences. — Ed. 

Tinton, July 13th, 1698, 

Gentlemen: — Upon notice I had that you were Design'd to 
solicit his Majesty ; I was very glad you were resolute to alter the. 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 183 

present Circumstances, and I could wish the other towns of this un- 
happ3^ province were as Sensible of their Condition as you are. I 
must confess I should not be much troubled were those who believe 
the prop'rs C— ts & f— s' & love their Government the only persons 
hurt by it. But since there are others that are Involved (by the 
folly and sluggishness of the former) under the same Calamity of 
being governed by base inconsiderable persons, who really have not 
the right to govern I think it is hard. 

Nay even amonge the mock Lords proprietors, there are some that 
deny the use of arms, a tenat not the safest to be held by those that 
pretend a right to govern ; It leaves us Naked & Defenceless a pray 
to any bold Intruder, Subject to all the Rage of a Cruell Enemy and 
the Barbarous Insults of the perfideous Heathen that are round about 
us — I have said the proprietors have not the right to govern. And 
it is from these reasons : 

1st. It was only Granted to the Duke and Could not be granted 
by him to them : Especially it could not be purchased by them as a 
property, for if it could be purchased by 24, these 24 Might Divide 
& Subdivide and so we shall have ?A or 2400 ports for they pretend 
to have purchased both, and they Claim the ports as their property, 
as well as the Government, and they have a Like right to both. 

The power of Erecting ports being in the Lords &c., and the 
power of Government in the Nation of England who never sold it 
to the prpprieters I Believe : and if the King (of whom they pretend 
to have -purchased), Can sell any of the Goverumen the can sell the 
whole to a subject, or to a foreigner for I know of no law that Restrains 
the one and Tolerates the other, & so may sell the Kingdom of Eng- 
land to the King of France to Morrow, — and it seems to me a Con- 
tradiction to have the property of Goverment: and at the same 
time be a subject. 

2dly. If the Goverment is Alienable, I cannot find that it ever was 
aliened to the 24 ; Nor so much as liberty given them to Govern 
(as they do) or Otherways. The Kings Subjects, for the 24 Natural 
Bodys of Thomas Hart, Peter Sonmans and the rest were never by 
the King Incorporated, and made one body politique, by any name 

'So in the copy, but tlie meaniug is uot apparent. 



184 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 

nor of any place, Nor none of their grants have words Sufficient in 
the Law to make them so, Urgo no right to govern &c. After all 
granting it Lawfull for the proprietors to govern, I humbly Conceive 
it is not Expedient they should for the following Reasons : 

Impr" they are both Judge & party which Cannot be safe for the 
people. 

2dly. If it was possible to Obtain a Judgment against them they 
have no Effects nor are their bodys here, &; if the}-" were, how would 
and proper, ■■' is it to keep the Goven'"' & propri'" in position and 
the Govern'' &; propri'" by their Warrants Levy of Distress upon 
the Gover''* & preprie'"'^ goods. 

3dly. Li case any tax be Levied the propr'" lands pays Nothing 
which would be Remidied if we were under another Governm". 

4thly. All that purchast Land of the Indians by Gove" Nicholas 
Leave would pay them no Quit rents, which would keep money in 
the Country. 

5thly. While the propri'" keep the Govern" it keeps up the price 
of their own Lands and Leaves that of the inhabitants. 

6thly. Their keeping the said Goverment makes the Quit rents of 
twice the Value that otherwise they wonld be. 

Vthly. There is no Believeing any thing they say, or write, as 
may be seen in the following instances : 

Contradiction — Imprimus They pretend to ports as a property 
purchast by them, Mr. Coll Bass their Gove'"' in his last proclama- 
tion says tis Appointed by the Lords, &c. 

Affirmation — In their Concessions they say Lands possest seven 
years shall not be subject to any Resurvey. 

Contradi'" — Their Surveyor Resurveys and they patent Land 
after three times Seven Years possession. 

Affir'" — They say in their last letter (when Mr. Willocks signs as 
one of them) that the Act of parliment Disabled Coll. Hamilton Be- 
cause a Scotchman &c. 

*Contr'° — Thomas Gordon, Esq'r no more an Englishman than 
Coll. Hamilton is their Secretary and Mr. Willocks (as I am Inform 'd) 
one of the Councill and their Surveyor Generall. 

" The copyist here evidently at fault. 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 185 

What need, I instance more, here is say and unsay enough and I 
know you are very sensible of them so must Ever\- Body Else that 
will give themselves Liberty to think, and if it be Either Safe or 
Honorable to live under Such masters then I mistake. 

They that like the proprieters Govern" may say what they please 
of the King's G-overn" and of the Taxes & Burdens &c.. But as the 
worthy Mr Hamilton said its much better to be Govern'" by the head 
than by the feet. Their quit rents are an unjust tax upon us & our 
heirs forever, and their Surveyors pinching here a bitt and there 
a patch out of the Lands of honest men, which they have wrought 
very hard to pay for is not the most pleasing thing that Ever was 
done. 

And as much as they Cry out against New York and the great 
hurt it will be to the people to be under the King's Govern" — yet if 
Mr. Willocks Sells the Quit rents and the people Refuse to main- 
taine some Lousy fellow that they send for a Governor they'l be the 
first that will put us there to be under all the Hardships af ores'" tis 
what they have often threatened us with though they dare as well 
Eat fire as to do it till they have gott what they Can out of us, which 
they Expect to be £6000 pounds, and then they'l do it not for our 
punishment but their own Conveniency, for God knows they Care not 
one straw whether the King or the Devil has the Govern 't, if they 
have the Money in it. Wretches that Consider not what will be- 
come of this poor Country (for such it will be with a witness if ever 
the propri'" gett the half of 6000 Pounds, out of it) so as their 
Voracious Appetites be but satisfied. 

I would be glad to hear of any of their Admirers Instance but one 
good thing the propri'" have done for the Country, show where they 
have performd any of the Many promises they have made in their 
Consessions & by their Gover" — what trust, what faith is there, in 
them, what truth in their Letters where is their Integrity, Justice, 
Honesty & fair Dealing with the Country. Instance you that can 
for I cannot. 

Now after all shall we Lye in the Ditch and Cry help Lord. There 
is a fable in JEsops of a Country Man that had Cart Mired and 
pra3'ed to Jubiter for help, Jubiter being Easily Entreated bid the 
23 



186 SKLECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 

Swaine put his Back to the wheels, and Immediately his Oxen be- 
ing sent forward drew his Cart out of the mire, We are m the 
Swaine's Case Deeply in the Mire and a heavy Load upon our Backs, 
and we pray and pra}^ and pray again, we are never like to gett out 
Except we pay as well as pray, we must all put our shoulders to the 
wheels or twont do. The poet is much in the right when he says 

We to our selves are Gods, they thrive who dare. 
Aud forbear is a too ' to Sloughfull prayer. 

My Zeal for the cause I fear has made me tire your patience. I 
shall conclude by telling you I believe Mr. Nichols* will be the fittest 
man to serve you. If he declines it as I hope he will not, if you 
will Except my service I will do my endeavour to serve you to 
Effect, and will raise two hundred pounds to help bear my Expenses. 
But whatever you do Gett Mr. Nichols and let not a small sum part 
you from him, and so I profess myself to be gentlemen 

A Zealout to your true Interest and 
Your most Humble Servant, 

LEWIS MORRIS. 

A Copy taken Signed 
Samuell Whitehead. 

A Copy of Do taken, 

By Hugh Hartshorne. 

Endorsed "A Copy of Coll. Morris's Letter to Elizabeth-town." 



' So in copy. 

^ Presumed to be William Nichols of New York, who had been engaged as 
Council in the case of Jeffrey Jones vs. Pullerton on an appeal to the King in 
Council 1696-7. See N. J. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 2d series, vol. 1, page 175. 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCK AND PAPERS. 187 

COLONEL PHILIP JOHNSON, 

BY 

adjutant general wm. s. stryker. 
Read before the Society January 18th, 1877. 



One of the first New Jersey officers who gave his life for the 
liberties of his country in the war of independence was Colonel 
Philip Johnson, of Hunterdon County. His father was Samuel 
Johnson, who held a commission as magistrate, in that part of the 
colony, for more than thirty years prior to the breaking out of the 
Revolutionary War. His mother was of French descent, her 
maiden name being Mary Casier. Judge Johnson erected a stone 
dwelling at Sidney, massive in size and appearance, very strongly 
built, and it was regarded as a kind of rendezvous for all the neigh- 
borhood in case of an Indian invasion, a place suitable in every par- 
ticular for refuge and defence. In the spacious rooms of this dwell- 
ing he was accustomed to hold his court and administer justice to the 
people of that section, of what is now Hunterdon and Warren 
Counties. As may be supposed he was possessed of large wealth, 
and this he dispensed freely in charity, and in the cause of religion. 
He was during his life one of the strongest supporters of the well 
known Bethlehem Church. Judge Johnson had seven children older 
than Philip, by his first wife Sarah Oakley, formerly a resident of 
Trenton, She died on the first of June, 1739, and he married again, 
as stated, the following year. Philip Johnson was born at Sidnej^ 
August 27th, 1741. In the year 1755 he entered the College of 
New Jersey, but after a few months spent there he abandoned his 
studies for a military life, and connected himself with the New Jer- 
sey Battalion, in the French War. For several years thereafter he 
saw much active service, and gained some reputation as a brave 
soldier. He is spoken of as a very handsome man, very tall, of 



188 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 

great physical strength, and of great personal courage. His wife 
was a Miss Rachel Martin, a connection of the South Carolina family 
of that name. They had three children, Mary, Rachel and Elizabeth.. 
The eldest, Mary, married Joseph Scudder, of Monmouth County, and 
she became the mother of the distinguished missionary family of that 
name. When the Revolutionary War broke out he was ready with 
patriotic zeal to fight for the freedom of his country from British 
rule. On the 3d of June, 1776, the Continental Congress resolved 
that the Colony of New Jersey be requested to furnish thirty-three 
hundred men to re-inforce the army at New York. Under this call 
for troops five battalions were organized, and brigaded under Briga- 
dier General Nathaniel Heard. Stephen Hunt was commissioned 
Colonel of one of these battalions, consisting of three companies from 
Somerset County, and five companies from Hunterdon County, and 
Philip Johnson was made Lieutenant-Colonel of the same, June 14th, 
1776. On the I'ith of July Colonel Hunt resigned on account of 
disability, and Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson was promoted Colonel, 
August Isl, 1776. Colonel Johnson commanded his battalion of 
twenty-two officers and two hundred and sixty-nine enlisted men for 
only about three weeks, in the month of August, when he was ordered 
with Major General John Sullivan's division, to the field on which 
was fought the terrible battle of Long Island. Here he did good 
service for liberty's cause, resisting on the right and centre of the 
line the fierce assault of Colonel Dorp's battalions of Hessian yagers, 
ritieraeu and grenadiers at the redoubt at Platbush Pass, until the 
fatal bullet started his life-blood. On his very birth-day, August 
27th, 1776, thirty-five years of age, he gave his life for the indepen- 
dence of America. In the manuscripts of General Jeremiah Johnson 
we find the following mention of this soldier : '• In the action of Long 
Island, Colonel Johnson of General Sullivan's division behaved with 
remarkable intrepidity and heroism. By the well directed fire of 
his regiment the enemy were several times repulsed, and lines were 
made through them, till he received a ball in his breast which put 
an end to the life of as gallant an officer as ever commanded a bat- 
talion." General Sullivan who was riding near him when he was 
killed, said of him, " No officer could have behaved with greater firm- 
ness and bravery throughout the action than Colonel Johnson." The 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 189 

manuscript referred to closes the allusion to him with these words, 
"He sacrificed his life in defence of his country, and let his memory 
be dear to every American heart, as long as the spirit whicli led him 
to the field shall actuate the sons of freedom." 



MEMOIR 

OF 



Since tlic foregoing sketch was printed it has been discovered 
that llie Colonel signed his name '-Johnston," iilUioiigli in all 
the records it appears as given in the skelcii. 



U- 



cated Jerseymen, whose pride in their native state is justly stimulated 
by careful study of her old Colonial and Revolutionary history. 
Even among the many, who seldom pursue historical investigations 
with vigor, his name is not unknown as that of a man of high cul 
ture, and unimpeached integrity of character. Yet, strange to say, 
history has recorded but little respecting him, and aside from meagre 
outlines preserved in books, one searches in vain for any well au- 
thenticated tradition or anecdote connected with his career. 

John DeHart was born in the year 1729, at Elizabethtown, New 
Jersey. His birth-place remains to this day scarcely altered, a ven- 
erated land mark ; quaiat, almost prosaic, in spite of its associations. 
His boyhood and youth were uneventful. He began active life 
as a lawyer in early manhood. His abilities in this exalted field 
soon became recognized, and several years of successful practice fol- 
lowed. The time however ere long arrived when the lawyer lost 
his identity in the Patriot. 

The passage of the famous Stamp Act in 1764 excited the utmost 



190 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 

indignation in all the Colonies. None felt it more keenl)'" than New 
Jersey. To her lawyers belong the honor of having been the first 
to adopt measures for a systematic opposition to the use of Stamps.' 
During the September term of the Supreme Court held at Amboy 
in 1765, a meeting of the bar was held. After full and earnest dis- 
cussion a unanimous agreement was reached that they would not 
consent to use the stamps under any circumstances, for any pur- 
pose whatever. 

The effect of this resolution if carried out could easily be foreseen. 
It would put a stop to all legal transactions Yet the responsibility 
of advocating and sustaining the measure, and the loss and incon- 
venience that followed, were cheerfully borne by the patriot DeHart. 

Ten years rolled on with their varying events, when the Parliament 
of Great Britain excited the passionate opposition of the Colonists by 
the passage of the Boston Port Bill, and the act for raising a revenue 
in America without granting the colonies representation. A flame of 
wrathful indignation swept over the land like fire driven by the 
wind across the prairie. Its scorching breath aroused the people of 
New Jersey. Meetings were held in every part of the Province. A 
call signed jointly by John DeHart and Isaac Ogden. was issued 
June 7th, 1774, to all the inhabitants of Essex County, notifying 
them to meet in Newark on the 11th inst, to " consult and deliberate 
and firmly resolve upon the most prudent and salutary measures to 
secure and maintain the constitutional right of his Majesty's Subjects 
in America." 

The meeting designated in the call was duly held, and the feelings 
of the assemblage found expression in a series of emphatic resolu- 
tions, recommending among other important things, " the freeholders 
and inhabitants of other counties in the Province to convene them- 
selves together, * * * particularly * * * in order to 
nominate and appoint deputies to represent this Province in general 
Congress." 

John DeHart was a conspicuous member of the Committee of 
nine, unanimousl}^ chosen to carry these resolutions into effect. 

On the 21st of July, 1 774, the general convention of the Province 

' Field's Provincial Courts of N. J. 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 191 

met in New Brunswick, and continued in session three days. " Its 
assembling was the first organized act of Revolution by the patriots of 
New Jersey.'" The resolutions adopted without dissent; indeed 
with a surprising unanimity of senument, are models of clearness 
and patriotic determination, and redown to the credit of the repre 
sentative body of men who framed and endorsed them. Among the 
five delegates selected by this convention to represent New Jersey 
in the first Continental Congress, we find the name of John DeHart. 

The people of the Province kept strict watch over the delibera- 
tions of this Congress ; frequently holding meetings and publicly de- 
bating upon the conduct of her representatives, in connection with 
the general state of the country. That the course of John DeHart, 
in the Congress of 1774, was satisfactory to his constituents and the 
people of the Province at large, is shown by the fact that the Gen- 
eral Assembly, held at Perth Amboy, January 24th, 1775, unani- 
mously re-elected him to that body. 

Prior to this time DeHart had acted as a member of the important 
" Committee of Correspondence '' in Essex Count}^, to which honora- 
ble position he was again unanimously chosen at a meeting of the 
Freeholders of Elizabeth-town, held December 6th, 1774. 

The Congress of 1775 will ever be memorable. In all its early 
important deliberations John DeHart took part. He signed with 
forty-eight other members the petition to the King, dated September 
1st, praying his majesty to adopt measures of conciliation toward the 
Provinces ; but on the 13th of November following, he addressed a let- 
ter to the General Assembly of the Colony of New Jersey, in which 
he requested that another might be appointed to attend the Continental 
Congress in his stead, urging as a reason •' the peculiar circum- 
stances of his family." On November 22d, the Assembly resolved, 
that the reasons assigned by Mr. DeHart were "satisfactory," and 
accepted his resignation. 

By his earnest and exemplary life, and patriotic course, he retained 
his hold upon the confidence of the people, and on February 14th, 
1776, was again unanimously elected to the Continental Congress by 



' Sketch of the Provincial Congress of N. J. 1775 (C. D. Deshler). 



19? SELKCTIOXS FROM CORRKSPOXDKXCK AND PAPKR?. 

the Assembly of the Province. He resigned from that body 
June 13th. 

It has been supposed by some that DeHart, with the rest of the 
New Jersey delegation in Congress at this time, was willing to avoid 
the responsibility of a direct decision upon the momentous question 
of the independence of the Colonies.' But whatever his motives 
for resigning, there is no doubt that they were not only reasonable, 
but high-minded : and that he lost nothing of the lofty esteentin 
which he had been held in his native Province, his unanimous elec- 
ton, at a joint meeting of the Legislature, September 5th, 1776. to 
be Chief Justice of New Jersey, bears ample testimony. It also 
evinces the estimation in which his learning and abilities as a lawyer 
were regarded. 

For some reasons, which have never been ascertained, although 
DeHart accepted the appointment in a letter in which he gratefully 
acknowledged the the high honor conferred upon him. he subse- 
quenth' refused to qualify for the office, and Robert Morris was ap- 
pointed in his stead. 

From this time onward, he doubtless devoted himself mainly to 
his profession, and won thereby additional distinction and wealth : 
Still throughout his remaining years, in all matters affecting the public 
interests, he was an active participant. He was especially energetic 
in promoting the causes of education and religion. 

The Borough of Elizabeth, by act of Legislature, received Novem- 
ber 28th, 1789. a new charter. DeHart was elected the first Mayor, 
and continued to hold that office until his death. June 1st. 1795, in 
in the sixty-seventh year of his age. 

Thus ended the career of a man whose life, as recorded, contains 
no line of reproach. Of vigorous intellect, of powerful will, and fer- 
vent, patriotic impulses, he subjected all to a remarkable conserva- 
tion that yielded to nothing save a paramount sense of duty. Dis- 
tinguished for his learning and culture both in and out of his profes- 
sion ; his whole life devoted to the service of his country, his state, 
his church, the cause of education, and his fellow-men ; the recipient 
of high honors ; acquitting himself with sternest integrity in every 

J Mulford's Hist, of N. J., p. 325 ; Gordon's N. J., p. 201. 



SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDEXCE AXP PAPERS. 



193 



position of important public trust to which he was called : and dying 
while Mayor of the town in which he was born and had lived for 
sixty-seven years ; his death is chronicled in " The New Jersey 
Journal," published at Elizabeth-town, June 3d, 1795, in these 
words, without another line to call attention to the fact, " Died on 
Monday, John Deliart. Esq., Mayor of the Borough of Elizabeth." 

His remains lies buried in the shadow of the venerable St. John's 
Church, at Elizabeth, of which he was a member and oflBcer from the 
time it received its charter, July 20th, 1762, until his decease, be- 
neath an unpretending granite slab, on which is engraven : 

In memory of 

John DeHart, Esquire, 

Counsellor at Law and Mayor 

of this Borough, 

Who departed this life, June 1st, 1795, 

Aged LXVI years. 

His worth in private life was 

truly great ; 

Nor will his public virtues 

be forgotten ; 

His name being recorded on the list of 

Chosen Patriots, 

Who composed the memorable Congress 

of 1775. 



25 



194 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 



SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF 

RICHARD STOCKTON, 

ONE OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF 
INDEPENDENCE FROM NEW JERSEY, 

BY W. A. WHITEHEAD, 

Read before the New Jersey Society, January 18th, 1877. 



*^* On the presentation of this paper Mr. Whitehead submitted for the in- 
spection of the members, the Original Minutes of the Provincial Congress of 
New Jersey containing the following entry under date of Saturday, June 22d, 
1776, 3 P. M.: 

" The Congress proceeded to the Election of Delegates, to represent this 
Colony in Continental Congress, when Richard Stockton, Abraham Clarke, John 
Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Esq"" & Doct'^ John Witherspoon were elected by 
Ballot to serve for one Year unless a new Appointment be made before t];at 
Time. 

"Resolved,' That the Following Instructions be given to the Delegates elected 
as aforesaid, viz." : 

" To Richard Stockton, Abraham Clarke, John Hart & Francis Hopkinson, 
Esq'" & the Reverend Doc'"' John "Witherspoon Delegates appointed to repre- 
sent the Colony of New Jersey in Continental Congress. — 

The Congress empower <fe direct you in Name of this^ Colony to Join with 
the Delegates of the Other Colonies in Continental Congress in the Most Vigorus 
Measures for Supporting the Just rights and Liberties of America, and if you 
shall Judge it necessary or Expedient for this purpose We Impower you to 
Join with them In declaring the United Colonies independent of Great Brittain 

' Here the hand writing is changed from that of William Paterson the Secretary. 

' Here it changes again to, probablj', that of the mover of the resolution, 
whose name does not appear. 



SKI.KCTIONS FROM COERESPONDENCK AND PAPERS. 195 

entring into a Confederacy for Union and Common Defence making Treaties 
with foreign Nations for Commerce and Assistance and to Take such Other 
Measures as may Appear to them and you ' Necessary for the great ends promis- 
ing to support them with the whole force Of this Province. Always Observing 
that whatever plan of Confederacy you enter into the regulating the internal 
police of this Province is to be reserved to the Colony Legislature." 

Richard Stockton was born at Princeton, New Jersey, Octo- 
ber 1st, 1730, his ancestors having been identified with that locality 
for half a century. After acquiring the rudiments of his education 
in the place of his birth, he was placed at an academy in Maryland, 
then under the charge of the Rev. Samuel Finley, D.D., subse- 
quently President of the College of New Jersey, and finished his 
collegiate course at that college, then located in Newark, under 
President Burr ; taking the first honors at the first Annual Commence- 
ment of that institution, in 1748; thus manifesting his eminent men- 
tal abilities at the early age of eighteen. 

Having decided to adopt the legal profession, he entered upon his 
studies under the supervision of David Ogden of Newark, at that 
time one of the most prominent lawyers in the Province. He was ad-- 
mitted to the Bar in 1754, and attained to the grade of Counsellor in 
1758. He commenced the practice of Law at Princeton, and soon 
attained such celebrity as to be frequently selected to conduct im- 
portant cases in Pennsylvania. In 1763 he received the degree of 
Sergeant-at-Law. Three years thereafter he sailed for England, 
where his intellectual acquirements, his professional and personal 
character, and the possession of a competent fortune, gave him ad- 
mission to the most eminent and refined circles. This visit occurring 
just after the repeal of the Stamp Act, he was made the bearer of an 
address to the King from the Trustees of the College of New Jersey, 
acknowledging the favor the colonies had thus received, which he de- 
livered in person to George III ; and frequent occasions were afforded 
and improved by him to express to the distinguished men with whom 
he was brought in contact, his opinions of the policy most likely to 
succeed in keeping the colonists united to the Crown ; declaring his 
belief that they would never submit to taxation by a British parlia- 

1 Here is erased in the original, the words " upon the Best Information." 



196 SKLECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 

ment. Thus anticipating the brilliant part he subsequently took in 
declaring the United Colonies free and independent States. 

Mr. Stockton also visited Ireland and Scotland, performing in the 
latter country an acceptable service to the College of New Jersey 
and to the country at large, by overcoming the objections of Dr. 
Witherspoon to accepting the Presidency of the college, to which he 
had been elected, and for a time declined ; little anticipating that by 
so doing, he was securing a most worthy associate and influential 
colleague in the momentous services he was to render his country. 

His return to America in 1767 was the prelude to further eleva- 
tion in his political and professional career. In August, 1768, he 
was recommended by Gov. Franklin to the Crown, for a position in 
the Provincial Council, and was appointed thereto on the 2d of Nov- 
ember following. During the existence of that body his legal attain- 
ments rendered him a very influential member. In 1774 he was 
appointed one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the Province, 
and for sometime had for an associate his old legal preceptor David 
Ogden. 

There were only two members of the Council besides himself — 
Lord Stirling and John Stevens — who, by their acts and influence, 
openly evinced their allegiance to the Colonial cause. Lord Stirling, 
in September, 1775, accepted a commission in the Continental 
Army and was suspended, but Mr. Stockton and Mr. Stevens con- 
tinued members as long as the Council existed, the arrest of^Gov. 
Franklin on the 17th of June, 1776, putting an end to all pretences of 
government under British authority. 

On the 22d of June, 1776, he was elected by the Provincial Con- 
gress a Representative of New Jersey in the Continental Congress, 
and soon after took his seat therein. The precise day is unknown, 
but it was some time prior to the adoption of the resolution of Inde- 
pendence, and towards the close of the debate thereon he made a 
brief speech in its favor, in full accord with the instructions he and 
his colleagues had received, to concur with the other representatives 
in declaring the United Colonies independent of Great Britain. On 
the 30th of November, the Convention of the State of New Jersey — 
the title assumed by the Provincial Congress on the 18th of July — 



SELECTIONS FKOM CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS. 197 

confirmed his appointment and reelected him as a Representative 
for one year. 

During Mr. Stockton's service m Congress his abilities were so 
manifested as to secure the utmost confidence of his associates and 
the country at large, and among many special duties assigned to 
him in consequence was the inspection of the Northern Army in the 
Autumn of 1776, in conjunction with George Clymer, of Pennsyl- 
vania. He had just returned from this expedition when the retreat 
of Washington through New Jersey, followed by the enemy, ren- 
dered it necessary that his family should be removed to a more re- 
tired and safer place than Princeton, and while providing for their 
accommodation in Monmouth County, he was captured on the 30th of 
November by a party of royalists, dragged from his bed at midnight 
and carried to New York by the way of Perth Amboy. At the 
latter place he was confined in the common jail and subjected to 
such ignominious treatment that, in conjunction with extreme cold 
weather and subsequent sufferings in New York, his health was per- 
manently impaired. Congress on the 3d of January, 1777, directed 
"Gen. Washington to send a flag to Lord Howe, to expostulate 
against the treatment Mr. Stockton was receiving, and he was soon 
thereafter released ; but the state of his health, the loss of his prop- 
erty and other afflicting dispensations, rendered the remainder of 
his life a period of trial, closed only by his death, which occurred 
at Princeton, February 28th, 1781. 

Mr. Stockton's forensic and literary attainments, and his personal 
character, as well as the manner in which he performed his oflBcial 
duties, ever commanded the highest respect of all with whom he 
came in contact. Previous to the revolution, his ample pecuniary 
resources enabled him to gratify his fondness for society in the most 
satisfactory manner, and his house was always renowned for a gen- 
erous hospitality. The lines of Shakspeare, descriptive of Cardinal 
Wolsey, have been very rightly used by one of his biographers as 
aptly delineating his salient characteristics : 

" He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one, 
Exceeding wise, fair-spoken and persuading, 
Lofty and stern to them that loved him not, 
But to those who sought him, sweet as Summer." 



198 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDKNCK AND PAPERS. 

His manners, dignified yet simple, were in keeping with his stalwart 
form, which was nearly six feet high. As a speaker he was at all 
times remarkable for his solidity and perspicuity, and as a Lawyer 
and Judge secured by his opinions and decisions a conspicuous 
eminence among the most distinguished legal minds of his day. It 
is said of him that he would never engage in any cause that he 
knew to be unjust, and was always ready to defend the helpless and 
oppressed ; in these respects exhibiting the characteristics of that 
Christianity, in which, in his last Will, he announced himself to be 
a firm believer; in beautiful language recommending it to his chil- 
dren, concluding with a fervent injunction, prompted by the fulness 
of a father's affection, " to remember that the fear of God is the 
beginning of Wisdom." 



INDEX 



Abeel, D.D., Gustavus, Donation from, 

157. 
Adams, Fred'k, Explanation of Amara 

Hill, 54. 
Aikman, Robert. Donation from, 177. 
Albricht, Giistave. Donation from, 140 
Allinson, Samuel. 50, Donation from, 9 

Paper on New Jersey Indians, read 

by, 31. 
Allentown, Origin of name, 19. 
Alofsen, Solomon. Notice of death, 168. 
American Antiquarian Society. 15, 65, 

144, 159, Donations from, 163. 
Numismatic Society. Dona- 
tion from. 143. 
Philosophical Society, 120. 

Donations from, 16, 65, 147, 179. 
Andre, Memento of Major, 27. 
Angleman, Lafayette, 163. 
Ashmead, H. G. 120. 
Astor Library, Donation from, 161. 
Aycrig, B. 50, 163. Donation from 63. 

B 

Baldwin, O. S. 120, 141, 163, 181. 
Baldwin, CorneUus C. 120. 
Banta, D D., Donation from, 160. 
Barnegat : Origin of name, 20. 
Barlow, S. T. M. Donation from, 139. 
Barron, John C. 120. 

Thomas. Legacy left by, 121. 



notice of, 121. 

Bates, W. G. Donation from, 142. 

Bayes, T. B. Donations from, 63. 

Beach. W. F. 163. 

Bergen, Tennis B. Douatiou from, 160. 

Black, Joseph. Donations from 66, 140. 

Blane, John. Donations from, 142. 

Boston Public Literary, 120. Dona- 
tion, from 14. 

Bowne, Hugh H. Donation from, 55. 

Brings, Samuel. 163. 

Bradlee, C. D. 163, Donations from, 
66. 176. 

Bradley, Joseph P. Memoir of Hon, 
Wm! L. Dayton, 56, 69, thanks to 
56. Donation from, 140 

Brazilian Centennial Commission. 
Donations from, 178. I 



Brock, R. A. 154, Donations from, 
162, 178. 

Brooklyn Mercantile Library. Dona- 
tion from, 144. 

Brown A. H. 154, Donation from, 
162, offers re,solution, 174. 

Brown, Henry A. Donation from, 64. 

Browne, Henry H. 120, Donation 
from, 140. 

Bruen, George H. Donation from, 63. 

Bruen, James M. Donation from, 55. 

Bruce, S. C. 5(i. 

Buchanan, J. 10, 129, 170, 173. 

Buck, Wra. J. Donation from, 160. 

Bunnell, Thos. G. 120. 

Burnett, Kate L. Donation from, 141. 

By-laws, amended. 128. 

C 

Campfield, Robert B. 131. 

Carhart, E. 153. 

Carter James J. Donations from, 160 

Catlin, George H. 120. 

Centennial Exhibition. Contributions 

to 154, 164. 
Chambers, H. A. Donation from 142. 
Chicago Public Library. Donation, 
i from 179. 
Chingarora, Origin of name, 22. 
Cheswell and Wurtz. 120. 
Ciunaminson. Origin of name, 23. 
Clark, John S. 120. 
Clarke, Robert. Donations from, 17, 

66, 159, 179 
Clement, John. 50, 119, 125, 153, 163, 

164. 
Chuton, DeWitt. Letter from, to John 

N. Simpson, 60. 
Coe, Ernest E. Donation from, 156. 
Colfax, Gen'l William. Memoir of, 131, 

read by Wm. Nelson. 145. 
Colts, Neck. Origin of name, 19. 
Congar, Henry. Donations from, 63 

157, 180. 
Conner, P. J. P. Donation from, 177. 
Constitution. Amendment of, 8. 
Committee on Statistics, to appply to 

Legislature. 9. 
Committees. 1875-7, 8, 1876-129, 1877- 

178. 



200 



INDEX. 



Craft, David. 163, Donation from, 177. 
Cox, E. T. Donation from, 140. 
Cudmore, P. 163, Donations from, 16, 
176, 180. 

D 

Darcy, Henry G. Donation from, 15. 
Davenport, B. F. 163. 
Dawson, C: C. 120, Donation from, 142. 
Day, Mrs. Matthia.s W. Donations 

from, referred to, 154. 

Miss Henrietta A. 163, 

Donation from, 178. 
Davton, William L. Memoir of, by J. 

P. Bradley, 69. 
Dean, John Ward. Donations from 15. 
DeHart, John. Memoir of. by B. W. 

Throckmorton, 189. 
Delaware Historical Society. Donation 

from, 159. 

State of, 120, 154. 

Dennis, Martin R. Offers resolution on 

death of D. A. Hayes, 131. 
Dennis, M.D., F. S. Donation from, 160. 
DePeyster. Gen J. W. 49, 120, 154, 

Donations from 18, 142, 160. 
DeVeuve, Printiss. 131. 
DeVoe, Thomas F. Donations from 

66, 142, 176. 
Document found in State House Cellar, 

136. 
Dodge, Wni. Foster. Donations from. 

16, 162. 
Donations, announced Jan. 21, 1875, 

12, May 20, 1875, 63, Jan. 20, 1876, 

133, May 18, 1876, 159, Jan. 18, 

1877, 176. 
Dover, Origin of name, 21. 
Drake, Samuel G. Donations from, 16. 
Dubbs, John H. Donation from. 64. 
Durj-ee, Peter S. 9, 153, 157, 163. 

William R. Donation from, 

179. 



E 



Eatontown. Origin of name, 20. 
Elmer, Dr. H. W. 1. 
Emlen Institution. Donation from, 62. 
Essex Institute. Donations from. 12, 
65, 143. 179, 



Frelinghuysen, F. T. Donations, from, 
63, 179. 

Freese, J. R. 129, 130, offers resolu- 
tion on County histories, 130, Dona- 
lions from, 1 40. 



G 



Garrison, W. P. Donations from, 64, 

161. 
Georgia Historical Societv. Donations 

from, 157, 179. 
Gibbs, J. H. 140. 

Gifford, John A. Donations from. 161. 
Grand Lodge, of N. J. Donations from. 

63, 141, 178, 180. 
Grant, James. 119. 
Graves. Henry M. Donation from, 55. 
Gray. Mrs. Charles T. Donation from. 

143. 
Gray, Mrs. Robert. Donation from, 161. 
Green, S. A, Donations from, 12, 65. 

140, 161. 176, 177. 

Henry W. 49, 119, Letters from, 

57, 134, notice of death, 165. 
Grummon, William. Donation from, 

181. 
Grummond. Mrs. Wm. Donation from, 

162. 

H 

Hageman, John F. 164, 170, Remarks 
on Centennial Celebration at Prince- 
ton, 130, Reads a paper on Princeton, 
174. 

Hall, D.D., John. Donation from, 8. 

Halsej^, P]dmund D. Donations from, 
161, 178. 

Hardenbergh, A. A. 153. 

Hamill, D.D.. Samuel M. 1, 49, 119. 
131, 153, 163, 169, Reads a paper 
Lawrenceville, 157. 

Hart, Charles H. 1, 50, 163, Dona- 
tions from, 17, 181. 

Harvard College. Donations from. 63, 
142. 

Hayes, David A. 10, Death announced, 
124, Resolution referring to, 131. 

Haven, C. C. Death of, announced, 3. 

Herrick, Edward, 153. 

Hickey, M.D., D. C. 1, Donation from, 
17. 

Hill, D.D., Geo. M. Donations from, 
176, 177. 

Hone, John. 49, Donation from, 64. 

Hood, Samuel. 120. 

Hough, Joseph W. 1. 

Howell. Monmouth Co. Origin of 
name, 21. 

Hoyt, Albert H. Donation from. 140. 

Hubbard, C. J. 163. 

Hubbell, Mrs. A. G. 49. 

Hudson Co. Bar Association. Dona- 
tion from, ] 8. 

Hussey, Wm. H. Donations from 178. 



201 



Iowa Academy of Natural Sciences. 
163. Donation from, 179. 

Grand Lodge, 1 63, Donations 

from, 180. 
Historical Society. Dona- 
tions from, 15, 65. 
Indians. Fragmentary History of, 33. 



Johnson, Col. Philip. Paper on, by 
Wm. S. Stryker. 187. 

K 
Kanouse, John L. Donation from, 140. 
Keasbey, A. Q. Donation from, 66. 
Kelley. William. 163. 
Kinney, William B. 49. 



Latourette, Guy. 1, Donation from, 17. 

Lawrence, James. 2. 

Leach, David. 1, Donation from 64. 

Lee, WilHam M. Donation from, 102. 

Licking County Association. Dona- 
tion from, 66. 

Lilley. Samuel. Donations from, 180. 

Lindsley, M.D.. J. Berrien. Donation 
from, 16. 

Thomas. Donation from, 17. 

Long Island Historical Society. Dona- 
tion from, 143. 

M 

Maclean, D.D., John. Memoir of John 
Witherspoon, D.D., by, 131, Dona- 
tion from, 177. 

McDonald, Angus. Donation from, 
180. 

Mann, Charles. Donation from, 177. 

Mandeville, .John C. Donation from 
142. 

Mannahauken. Origin of name, 21. 

Manasquan. Origin of name, 21. 

Maryland Historical Society. Donation 
from, 180. 

Massachusetts Historical Society. Do- 
nations from, 143, 180. 

Matawan. Origin of name, 25. 

Mather, F. E. 163, Donations from, 
178. 

Matthews, Aaron. Donations from, 63. 

Meetings: at Trenton, Jan. 21, 1875, 
at Newark, May 21, 1875, 49. at 
Trenton. Jan. 20, 1876, 119, at New- 
ark, May 28, 1876, at Trenton Jan. 
18, 1877, 163. 

26 



Members Elected : Jan. 21, 1875, 10- 
May, 20, 1875, 67-Jan. 20, 1876, 
132-May 28, 1876. 158-Jan. 18, 
1877, 181. 

Michigan, State of. Donation from, 196. 

Minnesota Historical Society. Dona- 
tions from. 14, 159, 179. 

Academy of Sciences, Dona- 
tion from, 15. 

Missouri Historical Society. 153, Dona- 
tion from, 143. 

Mix, .John. Donation from, 64. 

Mobile Board of Trade. Donation from. 
66. 

MoUison, Gilbert. Donation from, 66. 

W. H. 130. Donations from. 

141. 

Monmouth County. Names in, 18. 

Morehouse, Mr. Donations from. 177. 

Morris. Lewis. Letter from, to people 
of Elizabethtown, 1698, 182. 

Mott, D.D., G. S. 163, 173, requested 
to prepare history of Hunterdon Co. 
174. 

William B. Donation from, 64. 



Mount Ploj'den. Explanation respect- 
ing, 54. 

Munsell, Joel. Donations from, 141. 

Murphy, Henry C. 163, Donation from. 
160. 

Murray, Thos. C. 163. 



N 



Nayesink. Origin of name, 20. 

Nelson, William. 2, 10. 50, 53, 131. 
163, Paper on Memento oC Major 
Andre, 27, Sketch of Gen'l William 
Colfax, 131, Donations from. 140, 
177, 178, Remarks on Washington's 
Life Guards, 157. 

Newark Aqueduct Board. Donation 
from, 143. 

Board of Trade. Donation 

from, 14. 

Daily Advertiser. Donation 

from, 142. 

New Egypt. Origin of name, 21. 

New England Society of Orange. Do- 
nations from, 14 3, 180. 

Hist, and Gen. Society. Do- 
nations from. 17, 65. 143, 
159, 179. 

New Hampshire Hist. Society. Dona- 



tion from, 143. 

New Jersey Agricultural Society. Do- 
nation from, 65. 

Medical Society. Donation 

from, 144. 



202 



INDEX. 



G^rand Lodge of. Donations 

from, 63, 141, 178, 180. 

State of. Donations from, 

66, 142. 

Volunteers. Society of. Do- 
nation from, 143. 

New York Historical Society. Dona- 
tions from, 143. 

Gen. and Biog. Society. Do- 
nations from 17, 65, 143, 
1.59,179. 

State Library. 154, Dona- 
tions from, 139. 

Mprcantile Library. Donation 

from, 179. 

Universit}', Regents of. Do- 
nation from, 16. 

Newspapers in Society's Library. 5. 

Michols, Samuel. Donation from. 1 59. 

Niles, Nathaniel. 120. 

Nixon, John T. 168. 174. 







Oakley. M.D.. L. W. Donation from. 
15." 

Ocean Gountv, names in. 20. 

Officers Elected. 1875. 7-1876, 129. 

Op;det), Frances B. Donation from. 162, 

Mis<; Gertrude. Donation from, 

55. 

Ohio Hist, and Phil. Society. Dona- 
tions from, 17, 180. 



Paine, Nathaniel. Donation from, 142. 
Paine, H. M. Donation from, 142. 
Palmer, Mrs. E. Mulford. 163. 
Parker, Joel. 9. 

Parvin, Theo. S. Donations from, 16. 
Paterson, E. T. Donation from, 139. 
Peck, Aaron. Donation from, 176. 
Penn.svlvnnia. State of Donation from. 

142."' 

Hist. Society. 153. Donations 

from, 14, 179. 
Pennington, M.D., Samuel. 54, 183. 
Pennybacker, S. W. 154. Donation 

from, 161. 
Perry, D.D., Wm. Stevens. Donations 

from, 176, 177. 
Perkins, Samuel C. Donation from, 65. 
Phillips, Jr., Henry. 50, Donations 

from, 66, 162, 177. 
Pierson, Joshua G. Donation from, 56. 
Plume, William. Donations from, 68. 
Potts, Wm. John. Donations from, 157. 



Price, Mrs. Daniel. Donation from, 

179. 
Preble, U. S. N., Geo. H. Donation 

from, 17. 
Publishers. Donations from, 16, 65, 

66, 144. 162, 177. 

Q 

Quincy, Edmund. Donation from, 196. 

R 

Ranney, Joseph A. Donation from 160. 
Raritan. Origin of name, 22. 
Reports: of Corresponding Secretary, 

1, 49, 119, 153, 163; of Treasurer, 

2, 11, 50, 133, 154, 164, 175; Exec- 
utive Committee, 2. 120, 164; on 
Publications, 4, 50, 127, 156. 169; 
on Library, 4, 50. 125, 174. 169; on 
Nominations, 7. 53, 129. 156, 171: 
on Statistics. 52 ; on Centennial Ex- 
hibition, 53 ; on Finance, 128. 

Resolutions: Relating to Rev. R. K. 
Rodgers, 9, to collecting statistics. 
9; thanks to W. A. Whitehead, 51 ; 
appointing a committee of conference 
on Centennial. 53 ; authorizing the 
return of a portrait, to 0. Parker. 
54; thanks to J. P. Bradley. 36; 
authorizing Library Committee to 
draw money for the library, 128; to 
to revise list of members, 128; on 
Count)' histories, 130; on celebra- 
tions at Princeton and Trenton, 131 ; 
of thanks to President Hammill, 157; 
to continue Centennial exhibits, 173: 
to obtain Centennial celebrations and 
addresses, 174. 

Rhode Island Historical Society. Do- 
nations from, 143. 

Riddell, G. T. 163. 

Riker, James. 120. 

Ritcliie, A. G. 170, 174. 

Robinson. Major G. W. 120. 

Rockwood, Charles G. Donations from, 
161. 

Rodgers. D.D., Ravaud K. 2, 49, Res- 
olution respecting Letter from, 57. 

Roome. William. Donations from, 160. 

Ross, William T. 153. 

Royle, Vernon. Donation from, 179. 



S 



Salter, Edwin. Paper received from, 

10, 18, Donations from, 15, 63, 140. 
Scarborough, R't. Rev. John. 153. 
Scott, Daniel 0. Donations from, 64. 



20c 



Scull, G. D. Donation from, 160. 
Searfoss, Amos H. Donations from, 

17, 64, 161. 
Sergeant, J. D. 157. 
Seward, George W. Donation from, 

176. 
Sheafifer, P. W. Donation from, 140. 
Sheldon, D.D., George. 10, 129, 130, 
131, 157, 170, offers resolution about 
Centennial Celebrations, 774. 
Sibley, H. E. Donation from. 178. 
Simpson, Gen'l J. H. 50, Letter from, 

59. 
Skinner, William. Portrait of, returned 

to C. Parker, 54. 
Smith. Eugene A. Donation from, 64. 

Marshall B. Donation from, 

66, 156. 

Sheldon. Donation from, 162. 

Smithsonian Institution. Donations 

from, 16, 143, 180. 
Snowden, James Ross. 1. 
Spooner, Ross, 120. 
Squan. Origin of name, 21. 
St. Paul's Church, Paterson. Dona- 
tion from, 143. 
Stafford, Miss S. S. Donations from, 

8, 12, 170. 
Staples, S. B. 16, Donation from, 17. 
Stone, Edwin M. Donations from, 140, 

160. 
Studdleford Rev. S. M. Donation from, 

13. 
Strong, Edward A. Donation from, 139 
Stryker, Wm. S. 120, 154, 163, 170, 
reads a paper on Col. Philip John- 
son, 173, 187, Donation, from, 177. 
Swords, George R. Donation from, 180. 

R. S. 51, 56, 131, 157, 168, 

173, Donations from, 13, 64, 
132, 141, 162, 176. 

Stanford. Donation from, 143. 

Swedenburg Publishing Company. Do- 
nations from, 16. 
Swinburne, James. 119, Letter from, 
and answer, 135, Donation from, 179. 



Taylor, D.D., Wm J. R. Donation 

from, 177. 
Teese, F. H Donations from, 176. 
Tenney, Horrace A. Donation from, 

142. 
Terrell, H. H. Donation from, 177. 
Thomas, '.V. H. B. Donation from, 

160. 
Thompson, A. Remsen. Doualious from, 

129. 



Thornton, J. Wingate, Donation from, 

142. 
Throckmorton, B. W. 163, reads a 

paper on John DeHart, 173, 189. 
Thurston, Samuel D. 2. 
Tinton Falls. Origin of name, 19. 
Tom's River. Origin of name, 20. 
Tower, J. M. 50. 

Towne, Wm. B. Donation from, 160. 
Tuttle, George F. Donation, from, 178. 
Tuttle, D.D., Joseph F. 1, 50, 120, 

154, 163, Donations from, 14, 65, 

139. 160, 176. 
Tuttle, Joseph N. Donation from, 16. 

U 

United States Patent OfQce. Donations 
from, 12, 63, 139, 161, 178 

Coast Survey. 1 54, Donations 

from 13, 161, 178. 

Bureau of Education. 50, 120, 

Donations from, 16, 64, 139, 
162. 

Department of the Interior. 

50, 120, 163, Donations from. 
139, 179. 

Medical Bureau. 163. 

Engineer Department. Dona- 
tion from, 178. 



Donations from. 
Donation from. 
Donation from. 



Vanarsdale, Mrs. Jacob. Donation 
from, 17. 

Vanderpool, Beach. 
66, 161. 

Vanderpool, William. 
142. 

Van Fleet, Abraham. 
180. 

Vermilye, J. D. Donation from. 141. 

Vermont Historical Society. Donation 
from, 180. 

Virginia Historical Society. 50, Dona- 
tions from, 143, 159 

Voorhees, G. A. Donation from, 1 2. 

Voorhees, Ralph. 1. 

W 

Waackaack. (Waycake) Origin of name, 

23. 
Ward, Marcus L. 153. 
Watson, John Lee. 171, Donations 

from, 178. 
Whitehead, W. A. 8, 54, 131 157 

170, Donations from, 16, 51, 64, 161, 

179, Resolution of thanks to, 61, 



204 



173, Reads Mr. Bradley's memoir of 
Hon. W. L. Dayton, 56, Letter to 
Jas. Swinburne, 135, offers resolu- 
tion about Centennial contributions, 
173, Reads paper on Richard Stock- 
ton, 173, 174. 

Whitehead, Cortlandt. Donation from, 
65. 

Whitney, James A. Donation from, 
142. 

Wickes, D. D. Stephen. Donations 
from, 141. 

Wilmans, A. F. Donation from, 140. 

Williams, Chas. J. Donation from, 180. 

Wilmington Institute. Donation from, 
14. 

Wilson, Henry W. 10. 

Reginald. 120. 

S. R. 129. 

Winans, Wm. H. Donations from, 142. 

Winfield, C. H. Donation from, 176. 



Wisconsin Historical Society. Dona- 
tions from, 65, 143. 

Witherspoon D.D., John. Memoir of 
read, 131. 

West Creek. Origin of name, 21. 

West, Nathaniel. Donation from, 140. 

Westervelt, Harmon C. Donation 
from, 63. 

Worcester T. M. C. A. Donations 
from, 143, 179. 

Wood, Isaac F. Donations from, 140. 

Woodward, J. A. 163. Donation from, 
182. 

Wurtz, Alexander. 129. 



Tale College. Donations from, 15, 142, 

179. 
Yates, Henry J. Donation from, 
Young, A. P. 153.