XIII. During five years, nothing worthy of historical notice, occurred in the province. The Assembly was occasionally convened, and passed such laws as were required. These were few and simple, relating solely to the internal policy of the colony; the peace of Utrecht, 31st of March, 1713, having put an end to hostilities between Great Britain and France, and terminated a merciless war upon the American continent. Some leaven of the political spirit, which had been engendered during the administration of Cornbury, still worked, at times, among the people, and in the Assembly. Gersham Mott, and Elisha Lawrence, members from Bergen, who had been of Cornbury's party, having entered on the minutes of council, reasons for voting against aiding the expedition to Canada, were severally expelled the House of which they had become members, "for having arraigned the honour of the representative body of the province." This would seem to have been a party vote, scarce warranted by circumstances. In the interval, we have mentioned, one Assembly had been dissolved, by the demise of Queen Anne, on the 1st of August, 1714; another, by the arrival of a new commission to the governor, from her successor George I.; and a third, by some cause which is not apparent. A new Assembly was convened at Amboy, on the 4th of April, 1716, in which there was a temporary majority, against the late ruling party; and the party which had suffered for adhesion to Cornbury, seemed about to regain its ascendency. Col. Daniel Coxe was chosen Speaker, and several of the most odious members of Cornbury's council, were members of the House. They contrived to delay the business of the session, until the governor, wearied by their procrastination, prorogued them.

XIV. He summoned the House again, on the 14th of May, when nine, only, out of twenty-four members appeared. These adjourned from day to day, for five days, receiving no accession to their numbers. When it became apparent, that the absentees, intended by desertion to prevent the exercise of the legislative authority, now indispensable to renew the supplies for the support of government, and to provide for the re-emission of the bills of credit, the nine applied to the governor to enforce, by some means, the attendance of the absent members. He issued writs to several of them, commanding their presence, as they would answer the contrary at their peril. Four immediately appeared, making a majority of the House, to whom he recommended the choice of a new Speaker, (Col. Coxe being of the absentees), that they might despatch their sergeant-at-arms to enforce the attendance of others. Mr. John 'Kinsey of Middlesex, was placed in the chair, and the Assembly proceeded with its usual business. They also entered upon an examination of the conduct of the Speaker and his associates, all of whom they expelled, for contempt of authority and neglect of the service of their country; and resolved that they should not sit, if returned on a new election, during the then session. Several of such members, however, were returned; but being rejected, the clectors were compelled to choose again.

A subsequent session of the same House, was holden at Crosswicks,* in consequence of the small pox being at Burlington, at which sixteen public and private bills were enacted. The next session commenced on the 8th of April, 1718, but continued a few days only; being adjourned by the governor, at the request of the House, to the following January, a less inconvenient season of the year; when, also, many acts were passed; among which were, one for ascertaining the division line betwixt New Jersey and New York, and

the Swedish traveller, Kalm, that Great Britain "was not earnestly disposed to drive that power from the continent, preferring to retain it as a check upon the colonists, whom, they feared, would otherwise become powerful and independent."

* October 3d, 1716.

another for running the line between East and West Jersey. The commissioners under the first act, fixed the northern station point, on the 25th July, 1719, in latitude 41° 40', in the manner we have already stated. But nothing was done under the act for determining the line between the East and West Jersey proprietors.

XV. This was the last session of the Assembly during Governor Hunter's administration. He had grown tired of his residence in America, or was called, thence, by his affairs in Europe; expressing his intention, however, with his Majesty's permission, to return. He left New York on the 13th of July, 1719, and on his arrival at London, exchanged his government with William Burnet, Esq., son of the celebrated bishop of that name, for his office of comptroller of the customs. Perhaps none of the colonial governors have earned a more excellent or more merited reputation than Brigadier Hunter. Preserving all the firmness which the dignity of his station required, and maintaining the royal authority in full vigour, he conciliated the people of both provinces, in a very remarkable degree, and obtained from both, in the form of legislative resolves, the most enviable testimonials.

The last New Jersey Assembly declared to him in their Address, "Your administration has been a continued series of justice and moderation, and from your past conduct, we dare assure ourselves of a continuation of it; and we will not be wanting in our endeavours to make suitable returns, both in providing a handsome support of the government, and of such a continuation as may demonstrate to you and the world, the sense we have of our duty and your worth." The Legislature of New York addressed him thus

"Sir, when we reflect upon your past conduct, your just, mild, and tender administration, it heightens the concern we have for your departure, and makes our grief such as words cannot truly express. You have governed well, and wisely; like a prudent magistrate-like an affectionate parent;and wherever you go, and whatever station the divine Providence may please to assign you, our sincere desires and prayers for the happiness of you and yours, shall always attend you. We have seen many governors, and may see more; and as none of those who had the honour to serve in your station, were ever so justly fixed in the affections of the governed, so those to come will acquire no mean reputation, when it can be said of them, their conduct has been like yours. We thankfully accept the honour you do us, in calling yourself our countryman; give us leave, then, to desire, that you will not forget this as your country, and if you can, make haste to return to it. But, if the service of our sovereign will not admit of what we so earnestly desire, and his commands deny us that happiness, permit us to address you as our friend, and give us your assistance, when we are oppressed with an administration the reverse of yours."

Like all other men, who have been in any way remarkable for political success, Governor Hunter selected his associates and agents, with much judgment; and instead of forcibly opposing the public will, sought, successfully, by gentle means, to guide it. In New Jersey, Colonel Lewis Morris, a popular favourite, and chief justice, was his principal adviser; and in New York, he was sustained by that gentleman, and by Messrs. Robert Livingston, De Lancy, and others, of high character, and influence. The province of New Jersey gave him a salary of £600, per annum; commonly, by acts limited to two years. The whole expense of the government, about £1000, per annum, was raised by a levy upon real and personal estate, by an excise on wines and spirituous liquors, and a duty on

The

the importation of Negro and Mulatto slaves-the last, laid, probably, as much with design to prohibit the traffic, as for the sake of revenue. extraordinary expenses, such as those for the military expeditions, were met by bills of credit, or loans, payable from the surplus of the ordinary revenue. The debt of the province at this time, amounted to eight thousand pounds.

CHAPTER VII.

Containing Events from the arrival of Governor Burnet, to the Death of Governor Morris, 1719-1746.-I. Governor Burnet-Notice of his Character.-H. Meets the Assembly-Proceedings.-III. Paper Currency-an Account of its Rise and Progress.-IV. Bill proposed against denying the Trinity, &c.-V. Governor Bernard removed to Massachusetts.-VI. Is succeeded by John MontgomeryHis Administration.-VII. Death of Colonel Montgomery, and Presidency of Colonel Lewis Morris-Arrival of Governor Cosby-Harmony of the Province during his Administration-His Death.-VIII. Presidencies of John Anderson, and John Hamilton, Esquires.-IX. Lewis Morris, Governor of the Province of New Jersey, it being separated from New York-Gratification of the Province.X. He ceases to meet the Council, in Legislation.-XI. Salaries of Officers.-XII. Unpopular Conduct of Governor Morris.-XIII. War with Spain-Aid required by Great Britain, from the Colonies-promptly afforded by New Jersey -Further disputes between the Governor and Assembly.-XIV. Disingenuous Conduct of the Governor, relative to the Fee Bill.-XV. Opposes the views of the House, on the Bill relative to the Paper Currency-on that, circumscribing the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.-XVI. Assembly refuse to provide for the Salaries of the Public Officers.-XVII. Efforts at Accommodation-defeated by the discovery of the duplicity of the Governor-Death of Governor MorrisJohn Hamilton, Esq., President.-XVIII. Biographical Notice of Governor Morris.-XIX. Application made by his Widow, for arrears of Salary-refused.

I. Governor Burnet, as we have already observed, was a son of the celebrated Bishop Burnet, whose piety and erudition, but more especially, whose zeal and activity, for the revolution and protestant succession, in Great Britain, has rendered his name illustrious in English story. The son was a man of sense and breeding, a well read scholar, and possessed a sprightly and social disposition, which his devotion to study restrained from excess. He cherished, successfully, the arts of popularity-had none of the moroseness of the scholar, but was gay and affable, avoiding all affectation of pomp, and mingled freely with the reputable families of his government, paying great attention to the ladies, by whom he was much admired. His fortune was very inconsiderable, and had been impaired by adventuring in the South Sea scheme; yet, he was not avaricious, nor importunate, as most colonial governors were, with the people, for a permanent salary.* His intimacy with Mr. Hunter, enabled him, before his arrival, properly to appreciate both persons and things in the province, and thus to obtain many of the advantages of experience. He connected himself closely with Mr. Lewis Morris, and with Dr. Colden, and Mr. Alexander, men of learning, good morals, and sound judgment. Mr. Hunter had recommended to him all his former friends; and few changes, consequently, were made in the colonial offices.

II, Governor Burnet met the Assembly of New Jersey, soon after his arrival. The session was short, little business was done, and the House being soon after dissolved, writs were issued for a new election. In this respect, the governor's policy, in New Jersey, differed from that which he

* "Whether an alteration in sentiment, or instruction, or both, was the cause, must be left to conjecture; but while governor of Massachusetts Bay, his conduct was different; there he insisted for several years with the greatest firmness, for an indefinite support, and pursued it through the plantation board, and privy council, to the Parliament, when his death prevented its coming to a conclusion."-Smith's New Jersey.

pursued in New York; where he continued the Assembly, which he found existing at his arrival, until the people, apprehensive that their representatives might be corrupted, by executive favour, clamorously demanded a dissolution.

The new Assembly met early in the spring of 1721, and chose Dr. John Johnson, of Amboy, their Speaker. The House continued in being, during the whole of the administration of Governor Burnet, until December, 1727; changes being made only in the Speakers; first, consequent on the illness of Mr. Johnson, when Mr. William Trent was chosen; and again on the death of Mr. Trent, in 1725, when Mr. Johnson was re-elected.*

III. The most remarkable acts of this Assembly, were, that for the support of government, in which the salary of the governor was fixed for five years, at £500 per annum; and that, authorizing the issue of £40,000, in bills of credit, with the view, principally, of increasing the circulating medium of the colony. The country, as the preamble to this act sets forth, had been wholly drained of a metallic medium of exchange, and was without any means of replenishment; inasmuch, as the neighbouring colonies of New York and Pennsylvania, to which its produce was exported, had no other than paper currency; and as this was not a legal tender, in the payment of debts, in New Jersey, much vexation and embarrassment of trade, was produced. The payment of taxes was occasionally made, in broken plate, earrings, and other jewels; and the law authorized their payment in wheat.

The expedient of paper currency had been long since resorted to by Massachusetts, New York, and South Carolina; but in these provinces, its benefits had been decreased by the want of due provision for its redemption, and by over issues. In Pennsylvania, the measure was introduced in 1723, by Governor Keith, with signal success. New Jersey wisely adopted in the same year, the plan of the last, which preserved her currency from much depreciation. Yet, as from the limited nature of her trade, it was less convertible into gold and silver coin, than that of the adjacent colonies, it was, at times, at a discount in Philadelphia and New York. Small amounts had already been issued to meet the expenses of the Canadian expedition, but the bills on these occasions, were in form, treasury notes, based on the faith of the state, and redeemable by taxation only.

Forty thousand pounds in such bills, in value from one shilling, to three pounds, were issued by the government to borrowers, on the pledge of plate, or real estate, at 5 per cent per annum. Loans on plate were made for one year, and on lands, lots, houses or other valuable improvements, for twelve years; the applicant deposing that the estate offered, was held in his own right, and had not been conveyed to him for the purpose of raising money on loan for others; and that it was free from all incumbrance. The amount loaned to any individual was not less than twelve pounds ten shillings, nor more than one hundred pounds, unless there remained bills in the hands of the commissioner, six months after issue; when two hundred pounds might be loaned, to be repaid in twelve annual instalments, with the interest; or the whole, at any time, at the pleasure of the borrower. In default of payment, for thirty days after any instalment became due, the mortgage was to be foreclosed. All bills thus paid in, were to be destroyed, or when prematurely paid in, to be loaned to others. The whole sum was specifically apportioned to the counties, in which, loan-offices were established, under commissioners named in the act, and created a body politic. The bills were made current for twelve years; were a legal tender in payment of all debts and contracts, under penalty of extinction of the debt, or a fine

* See Appendix, U.