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PROCEEDINGS AND ADDRESS

OF' THE

SECOND CONVENTION , ti^

OF

DELEGATES,

HELD AT THE CITY OF TRENTON, ON THE FOURTH JULY, 181*,

TO THE

PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY,

IMIOCEEDINGS

Of a Convention of Delegates of the People of New- Jersey, chosen in the several counties of said state, and held, by public appointment, at the city of Trenton, on the 4th of July, 1814.

The Delegates being assembled at ten o'clock proceeded to the nomination and choice of a President and Secretary, and did unanimously appoint the honorable WILLIAM COXE, Presi- dent, and Franklin Davenport, Esq. Secretary.

On motion. Ordered^ That the names of the Delegates be In- serted in the minutes, as follows : —

BERGEN COUNTY. John Outwater, Robert Campbell.

ESSEX. Aaron Ogden, John N. Camming, Jonas Wade, Philemon Elmer.

MIDDLESEX. John N. Simpson, Daniel Snowhill, Moses Morris, John Vanclcve.

SOMERSET. Richard Stockton, Abraham A. Duryea, Frederick Frelinghuysen, Joseph Annin, Thomas King, John Frelinghuysen, Martin Schenck, Andrew Howeil, Frt'derick Vcrmule, William Worth, James Kinscy, Henry Bl.'.ckwell, John Strykcr, John W. Scott.

MORRIS. John G. Cooper, Mahlon Ford.

MONMOUTH. Thomas Henderson, Elias Conover, William Lloyd, Robert Montgomery, Richard S. Hartshorne, Garret P. Wikoff, Moses Spronle.

HUNTERDON. James Stevenson, William Potts, Ralph H. Smith, Charles D. Greei:, John Phillips, Lewis Phillips, William Maxwell, Aaron D. Woodrutl, Enoch Hunt, Alexander Chambers.. John Scudder, Lucius H. Stockton, Nathan Beakes, Benjamin Yard., Charles Ewing, David Manners, Israel Caxle,

/^:

Richard M. Green, William M'Gill, John Schenck, John Lequear.

BURLINGTON. William Coxe, William Griffith, Charles Ellis, Richard Cox, William Iriclc, Samuel J. Read, William Earl, John Wright, Caleb Earl, Cleayton Newbold, William Pearson, Richard L. Beatty, Benjamin Hollinshead, Samuel Haines.

GLOUCESTER. Franklin Davenport, Joshua L. Howell, Job Eldridge, Dayton Lummis, John Kinsey, John Roberts,

Robert Pearson, Elias D. Woodrufl; Edward Sharp.

SALEM. Clement Acton, Josiah Harrison, Abraham Boyce, Joseph Cook, Philip Freas, Charles Seely, John Tuft.

CUMBERLAND. James Giles, Josiah Seely, Ichabod Compton, William B. Ewing, Richard Campbell.

SUSSEX. Jacob S. Thomson, Robert C. Thomson, Caleb Dusenbery, John Kinney, jun. Ezekiel Dennis.

, CAPE-MAY. Joseph Falkinburge, Robert M. Holme?.

On motion. Resolved, That this Convention will proceed to eonsider on the alarming state of public affairs, and particularly on the means for constitutionally and speedily relieving the peo- ple of this state from the dreadful and increasing evils and dan- gers of mis-government and war.

Whereupon, after full debate on the principles and measures proper to be adopted at this time for the foregoing purpo«es, it was, on motion, ordered that a committee be appointed of thir- teen members, (each county delegation naming one) to report a Ticket for Congress, draft Resolutions and an Address to the People of New-Jersey, in conformity to the instructions and sense of this Convention — and that they report at four o'clock in the afternoon,

Whereupon the following delegates were chosen for said com- mittee : —

i'V Bergen, Robert Campbell.

Essex, Aaron Ogdcn.

Middlesex f John Vancleve.

Somerset^ Richard Stockton.

Monmouth^ Thomas Henderson.

Hunterdon^ Charles Ewing.

Jllorrhf John G. Cooper.

Bur/ingtofif Willianr^ Griffith.

Gloucestery Joshua L. Howell.

Salem^ Josiah Harrison.

Cumberland, William B. Ewing.

SusseXf Caleb Dusenbery.

Cape-Mayj Joseph Falkinburgc.

The Convention adjourned, to meet again at four o'clock in the afternoon.

Afternoon, 4 o'clock. The Convention being assembled again at said hour — present as before — the coi^imittee appointed in the forenoon, made report by Thomas Henderson, their chairman, as follows ;

I. On the subj-ict of a Congress Ticket, that in consequence of the death of the honorable Jacob Hufty, and it being made known to your committee that the honorable Richard Stockton, James Schureman and William Coxe, decHne a re-nomination for the next Congress, it became necessary to form an entire new ticket for the consideration of the Convention.

Your committee have performed this delicate and important duty, with entire unanimity, and with all that care of selectioa and respect to local circumstances, that the case seemed to admit of : In regard to local distribution, (which, however, should ev- er be a subordinate consideration) we have confined ourselves to the principle contained in the late district laiv. The names which follow will shew that of the twelve persons proposed as candi- dates,/o«^ are taken from each of those districts. We hope this will meet the approbation of all. Your committee propose the following six persons to be voted for by the " Friends ef Peace" in New-Jersey, as Representatives in the next Congress of the United States, viz :

JAMES GILES, of Cumberland.

SAMUEL W. HARRISON, of Gloucester.

JAMES PARKER, of Middlesex.

JOHN FRELINGHUYSEN, of Somerset.

JACOB S. THOMSON, of Sussex.

JOHN N. CUMMING, of Essex. And as by death, or from other causes, vacancies may occur in this nonunation, we have, (observing the same rule of locality)

rccommciided the following persons as substitutes in such case, in the order stated, viz :

William B. Ewing, of Cunnberland.

Benjamin Champneys, of do.

John N. Simpson, of Middlesex.

Samuel Bayard, of Somerset.

Robert Colfax, of Morris.

John Outwater, of Bergen.

2. Your committee also propose WILLIAM B. EWING, to be voted for by the " Friends of Peace," as a Representative in the Congress of the United States, in the place of Jacob Hufty, Esq. deceased.

3. On the subject of Resolutions and an Address, we report unanimously those which virill be presented by our chairman.

Signed, in behalf of the committee,

THOMAS HENDERSON, Chairman. Whereupon, after some progress made, the Convention ad- journed, to attend, with other public bodies and private citizens, an Address, by Lucius H. Stockton, Esq. at the Presbyterian Church, in Trenton, delivered at the request of the Convention. Adjourned until 8 o'clock in the evening.

Eight o'clock in the evening. The Convention met — present as before. Unanimously Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be given to Lucius H. Stockton, Esq. for the eloquent and able Ad- dress delivered this day before the Convention, at their request ; and that General John N. Cumming, Colonel Joshua L. Howell, and William Griffith, Esq. members of this Convention, do pre- sent this resolution, and request from Mr. Stockton a copy of the Address for publication.

The Convention resumed that part of the report of the com- mittee which respects a Congress Ticket, and after full considera- tion, adopted the same.

Whereupon, on motion, Resolved, That it be recommended to the free Electors of New- Jersey, to support the following six per- sons as Representatives of this state in the next Congress of the United States, viz :

JAMES GILES,

SAMUEL W. HARRISON,

JAMES PARKER,

JOHN FRELINGHUYSEN,

JACOB S. THOMSON,

JOHN N. CUMMINU,

and also to support WILLIAM B. EWING, as Representative in Congress, in the place of Jacob Hufty, Esq. deceased.

And this Convention most earnestly recommends to their fel- low-citizens unanimity and zeal in promoting its success. Con- sidering that to preserve our country from the destroying policy of the men in power, nothing short of a determined and united effort of the people to remove them, can be of any avail. And this Convention doth further recommend, in case of vacancies happening, the substitution of the names of those gentlemen re- ported by the committee, in the order, and from the parts of tlje state, as reported.

The Convention proceeded to consider the Address and Reso- lutions reported by the committee — which being read, debated and amended — on the question whether this Convention do agree to the same, it was unanimously voted in the alBrmative. And fur- ther, it was resolved that the said Address and Resolutions, to- gether with these proceedings, be inserted in the minutes, and be signed by the president and Secretary of this Convention ; that five thousand copies be published and distributed, in a pamphlet form, among the several counties of this state, in such mamner and proportions as may be deemed expedient -, and that Charles Ewing, G. D. Wall and Wm. Potts, Esqs. be a comnxittee to per- form this duty.

Signed, by order of the Convention,

WM. COXE, President F. Davenport, Secretary.

Tr&nton, July 4, 1814.

ADDRESS

OF THE

COJSrVEJYTIOA%

TO THE

FREE ELECTORS OF NEW JERSEY.

FELLOW CmZEJ\'S,

THE a£lual calamities brought on our country by evil councils, and the dangers which furround it, feem to have ar- rived at an extremity demanding the immediate interpofition of the people. The capacity, virtue and policy of the two parties, have had a fair trial ; the people have only to compare the past with the present, in order to decide between them. Professions and pre- tenfions are cafily fet up, and often lead nations as well as individ- uals to diflionour and ruin.

The federal republicans of thefe dates appeal to facts, con- fcious of pure and ardent attachment to the conflitution and lib- erties of their country, eflabliflied by their oivn hands and coun- cils. L'rofeflions and boviftings made no part of their claim to pub- lic confidence. We reft our abui"ed principles and meafures, fel- low citizens, on yonx senses ; by thefe let the Waihingtot; policy be decided. Under the federal adminiftration of Wafhington i?ndhis fuccelTor, a period of but twelve years, the people of thefe ftates, from imbecility and impoverifhment, rofe to a height of profper- ity, witha rapidity unexampled in the hiftory of nations — a iztk. not controverted by any enlightened citizen. The American nama and charncler were held in honour abroad -, ftrength and union protected and cemented the ccfcileracy ; no fpirit of hoftility or envious feeling were tlien foltered by the men in ofhce, aimin^; deftruclion at the vital interefts of the c;mtnerdal and atlantic states : the profperity of one was that of all. Justice prev;i::ed, both public and private. The fountains of national profperity were laid open. Navigation, commerce and the intcrefl'^ they con)pre- hend — thofe of the husbandman, the merchant, the Ihip owner and

8

the public revenue, all rofe to a fudden and unrivalled perfe£lion. ^eace maintained with all the world, though fl-aken by revolutions and the tempefl: of human crimes and paflions. Wafhington and his council could not be feduced or driven from the uife haven of neutral and impartial juftice. We all remember the loud clam- ors raifed in his time againft Ettglatid by the French or war par- ty in the United States, but he refifted them and faved his coun- try. He would not risk the mij^hty blelTmgs in poflefllon on the chances of war, nor plunge his country into untri-d fcenes of hor- ror and certain evils, on queftionable points of maritime contro- verfy — far lefs, without preparation, and under circumftances rendering failure and dilhonor inevitable. In that period, the whole face of fociety exhibited one progrefTing, fmiling profpecl of general and individual happinefs.

Not only did riches, honeftly acquired In the arts of peace and induftry, flow in upon the citizen, whatever his calling or profef- fion, but the public treasury was made to overflow. Never did any men in office, (notwithftanding the calumnies of the time) eftablifh more truly and firmly the fotwdaticns of public wealth, and provide the means of public juftice. The credit and honour of the nation were untarniflied and every where refpefted. The great departments of government, executive, legiflative and ju- dicial, were filled and dire£led by native Americans, pofleffing the knowledge of their ftations. The men who prefided in our councils^ ftate and federal, purfued a fafe, ftraight and honeft pcltcy. They nought not wars to gratify their palTions, or the purse and the blood of their fellow citizens, as the means for their continu- ance in power. Their meafures and their objeds were purely American. They ftruck out no vifionary theories — were influsnced by no ralh and vindictive palFions, but proceeded on the fure grounds of praHical wiftiom and prudent Itigillation. In a word, who does not remember with pride (and regret that it is paft) the wide exttnded znd substantial happinefs enjoyf.d by the American people, flowing from the pilicy of Wafliington, and thofe whom he loved and honoured with his confidence — the federal repubh- cant of the United States.

Let the rejlecling and candid citizen compare that period with the prefent — the counciJs and policy which then prevailed— tiic men who then poflcfled the confidence and proteded the inter- efts of the people, and the meafures and fuccefs of their admin- iftrations. Let the comparifon be made, and who but muft deep- ly deplore the artr, delufions and incapacity by which American ciiizcHS have been ftripped of their profpcrity, and reduced to all the extteDoitiea which now overwhelm our country-

Let the people of New- Jersey in particular, who have no inter- eft. in this war, eftimate their lolVes by the interdidion of the coaft- ing trade, by war prices, by increafed taxes, and view the prospect before them.

Had the last twelve years, like the firft, been devoted to a peace- ful policy, and to the attainment of thofe immenfe bt nefits which our neutrality afforded, while all the world befides were in arms. J/ knowing the dangers of war vihtxt power only decides, and ef- pecialiy the danj^ers of a maritime war, defencelefs as we were, and expofed at every point ; — z/, whilft we protefted againft ag- grelTions and violations on fuppofed rights, not endangering our country, nor eflentially checking the career of national greatnefs, we had prepared to aflert them, by fteadily perfevering for a course of years in laying the foundations oi their fupport, cultivating and increafing population, national wealth and national happinefs and union ; — //our neiv rulers had proceeded to build up confidence at home by purfuing the fteady paths of juftice, and exhibiting themfelves in the light of pradical ftatesmen and patriots, gov- erning for the people and not for a party ; — if they had aimed at giving permanency to constitutional principles, had cultivated the intereft and union of the (laces, been the friends of commerce^ of a gradual increafe of naval ftrength and maritime defence ; — if they had with wife and paternal feeling, healed the wounds of par- ty by moderation and equal juftice, confidcring only the general good ; — if they had been fatisfied with the honour of securing and strengthening the nation, by purfuing a cautious and honefl. neu- tralityy giving no offence to contending powers by indire£l aid, irritating partialities, and fetting up pretenfions in the hour of their diftrefs ; — if in (hort, they had pursued the policy which was bequeathed to them when they came into power, and aug- mentcd the mighty ftock of national profperity received at the hands of the federalists j whom they traduced — what nvight now have been the envied condition of America ! The human mind (had fuch men and councils prevailed) could with difHculty efti- mate her progrefs in wealth, in population, in the means and pof- feffion of revenue — in national Ilrength, and in permanent and im- n\ovi}o\e foundations of national glory and individual happinefs.

Thefe ftates, with fuch immenfe boundaries, fo difperfed a pop- ulation, fo rich but expofed a territory and commerce, required many years of peace, before war could be fafe or honorable ; but to the fhame and mifery of our country, no fuch views, feeling or wifdom actuated the councils which succeeded thole of Wafliing- ton. The very condition on which the^ claimed power and ob-

B

10

taincd it, was to overturn the policy which had prrvailed ; and this indeed is the only promife which, fatally for the country, they have kept.

It were ufelefs now to review the a£ts of calumny and the de- lufive pretexts which placed thofe men in power, who for the lad fourteen years have f«//-ruled thefe dates ; and it were endlefs to bring before the American people all thofe enormities of abufed truft, of ignorance, rafli councils, party violence and luft of of- fice, which have at length laid national and individual profperity in fearful ruins. The recollections of the people of this and of every ftate muft fupply ihc particulars of that long, unbroken fe- ries of misrule and abufe of official authority, which has reduced them to this deplorable condition. This convention can only prefent an ouilific, and mod willingly would they be fpared from a retrofpect fo painful and difgufting, were it not for the hope of fome good from the recital. It may conduce to a change of the prefent authors of fo many evils, and ferve in future to wain our country, if once again reftored to its loft bleflings, fiom yielding to specious innovations and promlfes of vifionary reform.

The American people may hereafter fet a greater value on tried friends, on practical wifdom, and on substantial liberty and prof- perity. It is now made evident to us all, and to the world, that the reforms which were promifed have confifted in dangerous and extravagant innovations, in pernicious experiments, and in multiplying offices and grafping at the paltry obje6\s of party in- fluence and official emolument. They have ended as was foretold, in the violation of all found principles of American government and policy, and in the a'flual deftruclion of every great national interefl. Navigation, trade, revetme, increafing wealth, union, public character, conflitutional principles, and all the foHd acqui- fuions which lie at the foundation of permanent national ftrength and independence, have well nigh disappeared. — To fill up the meafure of our calamities, an odious, hopelefs and mofl devour- ing luar^ is entailed on the land The whole btnt and employ- ment of thofe in power for fourteen years, has been to engage men's minds in hopes and fears, from ufelefs and pernicious pro- je£ts of legiflation and politics. Inflead of preserving what had been fecured, and augmenting the national fecuruics and means, in a plain, honeft and uiuleviating courfe of public re£litude and wifdom, thi y have kept the country in one continued flate of fnf- fering and commotion, the more effcdlually to jullify their abfurd felfish and ambitious deligtis.

There fcems to have been no fundamental rights of the Ameri- can people — no nationai intercstSf which in this fhort term have net

11

been violated or facrlficed ; and this by the men who obtained and liave kept power by profefling and promifing to preferve and fe- cure thofe interefts and rights more effe^ualiy than their prede- ceflbrs.

In their hands, the Constitution of the United States, once fo venerated and always io necefl'.try to tJie liberties of the people, has been broken in almofl every article. The fa£ts are notorious.

Military law has been eftabliOie*! to enforce revenue laws.

Private property has been wrefled from its peaceable pofleflbr, without legal procefs, by the military under executive orders.

Innocent citizens^ feized by military force, have been torn from their homes, tranfported to the feat of government, and difcharg- cd without accufation, or redrefs tor ruined chara£lers or fortunes.

Commissions lawfully ifTued and completed, have been illegally withheld from the citizens appointed, by the preceding prefident, only becaufe partizans were to be gratified.

The habeas corpus a5i, the only praOical fecurify againfl tyran* nical abufe of perfonal liberty, has been fufpended in time of peace, and this merely to overawe fr.edom of opinion.

Judicial quejlions^ frequently on the revenue laws, often mofl penal in their nature, have been determined by edicts of the execu- tive, contrary to their legal purport and obligation on the citizen.

The independence of the Judges has been taken away by the le- gislature, on the recommendation of the executive. The office of Judge is made dependent on the nvill of prefidents and party majorities, againft the exprefs terms of the confl:itution,jleclaring «' they fliall hold their office during good behaviour." — Thus, by a fingle ftroke of ufurpation, making one independent department of the government subject to the will of the other ; and in effect, fubjedting men's liviss, liberty and property, to judges dependent on party, and not on their " good behaviour" or redlitude in office.

A whole article of the conftitution, and one independent branch of the government has been annihilated, fetting a precedent and productive of confequences, fatal to the rights and liberties of the people, as fecured by themselves.

To perpetuate their ^c/zV/Vrt/ afcendencc, and in violation of the principles and intcrefts of the confederacy, a pernicious aristoc- racy of STATES and persons, has been created. This has been efFeded—

By making neiu states in that quarter of their influence, favour- ble to a fouthern domination and Virginia dynafty.

By employing immenfe fums taken from the trcafury, in the purchase of an useless foreign country., and converting it into ftatca

12

for the fame purpofc of multiplying official dependents, and giv- ing preponderance to Virginia and the fouthern dates, in the na- tional legiflature and councils.

By changing the conftitution in the mode of choofing the pres- ident and vice-prend/rnt, by which the larger dates arc enabled to controul the fraaller, and make traffic of thcfe important offices.

By the monftrous ufurpation of nominating a president and vice president at the seat of government^ in the vortex of intrigue, and under the fmiles and patronage of the candidate propofed, inflead of leaving the nomination to a free and unbought people. '

"Ry proscribing men for their opinions, and banifhing from trull and employment, the friends of Wafliington and his policy, there- by depriving the nation of the counftls and fupport of its wifeft and beft ciiizens, and alienating men's minds from the love of each ctlier and their common country.

By multiplying offices and falaries, and appointing officers civil and military, without experience or knowledge, remarkable chiefly for party violence and incapacity, confequently more dependent on the will and opinions of the prefident, and his weak but rafti advifers.

By conferring high offices on ftrangers, pofleffing no attach- ments but to the party which upholds them, and by thefe inftru- mcnts flrengthening themfelves in office at the rifque of expofing the people to the intrigues, ignorance and paffions of foreign agents — men who it mufl be evident cannot love our country, nor care for or underftand its interefts.

And finally, by violating the freedom of fpeech and opinions, overawing eledlions, and introducing terror and military defpotifm.

Taking a view of legislative and executive conduct, a fcene of weaknefs and deplorable mis-rule unfolds itfelf. The American freeman who reviews all this mafs of political intrigue, imbecility and corruption, may well exclaim " Give us back peace and the honefl policy of Wafhington." Year after year has pafled away in bufy and officious mischief — In holding out falfe hopes — In am- biguous presidential messages — In feigned negociations — In multifa- rious projects, and in contradictory and futile resolutions — In vain boasting, and inflammatory speeches — In imbecile threatening againft one foreign government and abject fubmissions and even aid to another, more infolently a ivrong-doer.

By all this the public mind was kept diftracted, and the great pur- pofes of fteady, ufeful government, overlooked or abandoned. — The fubftantial intereds and profperity of the nation literally and ihamefully facrificcd.

13

Novelties, moft inconsiftent with our ancient habits, and mod injurious to American rights and interefts, have been introducfd and perfevercd in, to the almoil entire fubverslon of the forma of American policy.

Such extraordinary acts of governrtient too, have proceeded from the very men who affected to condemn them as anti-repub- iican and defpotic. Thefe novelties consift —

In secret legishitioti, hiding from the people the opinions and conduct of their agents — Cioied doors and concealment, have be- come habitual, and continued from day to day. The American people at this moment are kept in ignorance on points of vital im- portance to their interefts and honor —

In Presidential Recovimendaiioris, adopted by the legislature, in cafes calling for the moft mature reflection and enquiry, without either. All inveftigation, even oi facts, rrfufed, thereby putting thegreateft national rights on the iiTue of executive veracity, or his infallible judgment, remarkable, perhaps, for neither. Moft of the monftrous and pernicious plans which have funk the coun- try to its prefent condition, came to the reprefentatives of the peo- ple, not for discussion, but adoption —

• In preventing free debate^ whereby the reprefentatives of the peo- ple oppofed to the meafures of adminiftration, under an arbitrary rule of the majority, have been deprived of their eHential rights, and the rights of the people to the opinions and fervices of their reprefentatives violated —

In repressing the right and freedom of petition zgz\n?i grievances. The people's remonftrances and requefts being ordered to lit on the table, or contemptuously thrown aside to a diftant day —

In the invention of permanent fyftems of embargo, mn-impor' tation, and non-intercourse, by land or water, even along our ovrn coafts — Perfeveringly followed up for near the term of two presi- dencies—Syftems firft introduced by the tyrant of France, and to him ufeful in promoting his grand fchemes of univerfal conqueft, but to America, novel and deftructive to the laft degree — Syf- tems calculated to bear down and impoverifh the commercial ftates, to deprcfs our own products and raife the price of foreign — toex- tinguifli national revenue, (hips and failors' rights, to encourage fmuggling and immoral evasion and breach of the laws. Syfterae of legiflation, in (hort, fatal to induftry and the productive arts of life, and beyond all queftion more injurious to thefe ftates than luar itfelf, in as much as the fuffering fell wholly on curselves — other nations looking on unhurt by thefe infatuated acts of felf- deftruction, rejoicing to fee this fihis and profperouj country.

14

which aimed death at them, falling the victim of its own wrath and folly.

With refpect to the public refources and wealth that have been annihilated —

The men in power, who profcflbd economy, have far exceeded not only the preceding adminiftrations in expenditure, but any which ever before fquandered the fubftanceof a patient and confi- ding peopl©.

Before this war,th«y had received not lefs than two hundred mil- lions of dollars into the treafury : all this (except about 30 millions paid on the old debt) was fpent or fquandered without ftrengthen- ing the nation, or adding a fingle important item to the stock of American fecurities. Not even a frigate was added to the federal navy, but offices and falaries were continually multiplied.

Fifttftn millions paid for ufelcfs territory, and to fill the coffers of Bonaparte.

Vaft fums expended in fruitlefs or injurious cmbaffies, and oa diplomatic favourites.

The navy, army and civil lift expenfes, were enormous, and yet inefiicient.

Untold thoufands were drawn from the treafury in proje^ls ufe- lefs and difreputable to the nation.

In building, equipping and maintaining gun-boats.

In secret fervice monies.

In torpedo experiments, and in paying English impostors ior the purpofe of calumniating Ameuczn patriots.

In (hort, the expenditures of peace were little lefs than thofc which might have fupported a fuccefsful war.

In onr foreign relations, the fame infatuated policy prevailed. — The ufurper and tyrant was countenanced, obeyed, and all his pro- jc£ls admired.

France, jacobin France, was courted and aided, whilft fiie in- fulted and plundered us, and her enormities as much as polTible concealed.

England was threatened and iiritatcd — treaties with her rejcd- ed — her ambaffadors deceived and fent away, and every means adopted to create and keep alive refentment, and prepare for her dcftrudion by a long fought war, when the propitious moment (hould arrive.

Spain, fighting againft the tyrant for her liberties, caufed no fympathy : Spain, tliat fought for American liberty, poffefled not even their good wiflies. On the contrary, they wilhed fuccefs to her deftroyer. They denied her hread, refufed her ambaflador, and

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and in her dlftrefs f«i2eci upon her territories, and countenanced the invafion of her provinces, placed as they were under the fafe- guard of American faith and honour-

"With Tripoli, Algiers and tlie Indian tribes, there has fcarcely been a ceflation from wars, tribute and expense.

The invafion of the Indian country and burning their towns in 1810, lighted up the vengeance, and brought upon our frontier all the horror of the united favagc tribes.

Thus did the adminiftration condu6l with foreign governments, getting deeper into European quarrels. They exhaufted and waft- ed the refources of our country, in contemptible fchemes for ftar- ving colonifts, or raifing infurreflions among European manufac- turers. In pafTing laws conditioned to make them keep the peace^ or go to war with us ; thus entangling ouifelves in nets of dc- flru£lion made by our own hands.

This race in the road to ruin feemed nearly run — but one enor" imiy yet remained ; and finally, after exhaufting the national refources in twelve years of prodigal waftefulnefs, wearing out the national fpirit, creating difunion of the ftates, and general dif- afFedion to their fchemes of mrfrule, without preparation, and fcarcely with a real pretext^ they DECLARED WAR againft Great-Britain.

Fellow Citizensy we have not language to depift the fenfe we entertain of this death blow to the beft hopes and interefts of our beloved country.

How can thofe in the (late or general government, who fo rafh- ly plunged their country into war, unprepared, and againfl; an en- emy fo powerful, anfwer to God or to the People for the dreadful coNSEctyENCEs. Surely they (hould no longer be trufted by their fellow men.

This war, as was mbft certain it muft, in fuch hands, under fuch circumftances and on fuch grounds, has progrefled in (hame, lofs and difappointment. It has been conduSled with a folly and prof- ligate wastefulness of the people's blood and money, in fo (hort a time unexampled in the annals of the world.

What do we all bear witness to but

A fickle, divldc«t and difonayed cabinet.

Ufelcfs armits employed on th' lakes and devouring the land.

Militarf ccmmatidii-s without skill, facriiicing brave men, cap- tured, defeated or difgraced at every point, throwing the blame on the adminiftration, and the adminiftration on them !

An exhaufted if not a bankrupt treafury.

A deftroyed commerce and agriculture.

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A capturej or blocked up navy.

Our coafting ved'els and trade demoliftied on two thoufand miles of feaboard.

Immenfe Loans — government receiving eighty-five dollars, and pledging the people to pay one hundred to the lender !

Multiplied and increafing taxation on all the neccllrries of life — the excife fyftem mofl; inequitably bearing on the poor.

Double duties, war prices, the exportation of fpecie, and no export of our own products, giving difconttnt, and wc fear a dif- folving confederacy^.

A defperate adminiftration who refufe peac* and are (bedding the blood and fpending the fubftance of Americausy on queftions about the rights of Englifh faiiors and emigrants.

A pe'.ple impoveriflied, di{tra£led with apprehenfions, expofed to fire and fword, torn from their homes, and bleeding at every point on a circumference of five thoufand miles.

A ftupendous fyftem of public frauds and delinquency among contradling army agents, and the hoft of retainers upon govern- ment.

Yet, not a s'wgle national obje£l fecured !

Is not all this the fruits of tivo years of ivar^ and prefent to our fenfes .'* — And is Great-Britain humbled ? is Canada taken, after the lofs of ten thoufand men and one hundred millions of dollars, with all the other more dreadful mifchiefs of this war ; or are we not bafHed and diftionoured by the mifcondu6l of the men who govern atid command ^ By thofe men who are calling on us even yety to fupport them and their measures ! Have we eftablilhed fallor's rights, or any right, or has It ever been made known what we arc fighting for .'' On the contrary, are we not now merely fcrambling for our lives and firefides, and in the wonderful prov- idence of God, left alone on the theatre of the world, abandoned of every nation, and contending with or rather trufting to the tncr- ty and magnnnimlty of the nation ice aitachd, invaded, and meant, with the aid of the tyrant, to dcftroy.

Fellow ciiize/ts, we ceafe this catalogue of public ivces — of fo many dreadful evils brought on us by ttieri who were to amend znd. improve our condition — men who fcorned the fafe and profperous policy of Wafliington and liis friends ; and promised to the people that they fliould be without wars, taxes, navies, armies, public <lcbts, loans and numerous officers of government. Inftead of which, they have done nothing else but create and incrcafe all thefe evils.

We ceafe to fpeak of this long courfe of downward and de- ftruflive mif-government. But IJiail we interpofc no remedy ? —

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Are fuch tnen and nieafures longer to be upheld ? Surely it 13 time to think of a remedy ; and what other prefents iifelf, what other ought we to take, but to make a general and tlwrough chatige.

All governments, at times, arc forced to change the men in ad- niinlftration, or pcrifh by their faults and continuance.

What caufes or complaints to be compared with thofe we have enumerated, induced us to raife thefe men into power who com- plained and promifed fo much ? and to put thofe out of power who under Wafhington had made us great and proipcrous ?

It is full time for a people who have fo patiently endured fuch evils, and defire at length to efcape from tliem, to put their affairs in other hands. Let us, fellow citizens, endeavour to get back to Peace and to the Wafliington policy.

Even fhould a forced peaca on paper be announced, let us take care to maintain and improve it by placing in evei-y department of the general and fbite governments the Friends of Peace.

The men in power have forfeited all conhdence. They found us in peace and profperity — their courfe was foretold — they have involved us in difunion, lofl: rights and poverty.

Should this direful conteft unhappily be ccniiinied, can this na- tion longer truft her honor, fafety and exiftence in fuch feeble hands ? Our greatefl: enemies could not have devi.fed plans more injurious to American interefts.

Whether we have war or peace, let us restore to our councils the experience, the wifdom and the policy, which raifed our nation to fuch exalted greatnefs.

We befeech you, fellow citizens, to lay afide mere party attach- ments, and look at the flate of the country. Reflefl that fuch continued and great evils could not have come on us but by the moft egregious folly and misrule. Indeed the path of wifdom and fecurity feemed plain. Let a thorough change be ma^lc : fear not that it can be worfe for us. The friends of Wafliington and peace will not betray or defert their country. Give them the means of direding and aiding it, by your fuffrages, and they will, not dlfappoint your hopes.

This Convention addreffes itfelf to the People of New-Jcrfey. — Thefe ruinous meafures, and this hateful, moft unneceflliry and wafteful TiJ^r, cannot be laid to thcticcount of the people : we know on the contrary that they are diflatisfied, injured, and defire to be relieved from fo many prefent fufferings and expected dan- gers. Thefe meafures, and this war, and all thefe miferies, flow from a weak, infatuated admiuistratio/i— from men in ^^-r, upheld

C

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by delufions and promifes, and whofe intcrcfts and obftinacy com- bine to encourage and maintain plans and principles which have proved, as was foretold, the bane of public profperity.

It is our duty to be plain. — We repeat our unfeigned belief that there muft be an entire removal oi vifionary men and the friends of this war, in every flate and department of legiflation, before the blefTuigs of peace and of good government can be reftored. The remedy is in our own hands. Let us all firmly resclve (how- ever we muft endure the existing evils with fortitude and patience) that the freedom of suffrage fhall finally re-eftablifh the Friends of Peace and the Policy of Waihington.

Signed by order of the Convention,

WILLIAM COXE, Prtsident.

V, Davenport, Secretary.

RESOLUTIONS

PASSED BY THE CONVENTION

DEEPLY afFe£led by the gloom which furrounds the deftiny of thefe dates, reduced to a condition fo precarious, by a courfe of mtsrule not to be paralleled, this convention neverthelefs, con- fiding in the final difcernment and virtue of the people^ do not defpair of the republic. We will not confound the people and the men in office. This convention is free to declare they believe the peopky of whatever party, mean the good and the profpcrity of their country. It is to a virtuous and independent body of citi- zens thefe proceedings are addrefled. We are perfuaded they will not uphold an adminiftration or fet of men in oflice, if convinced of their unfimefs and mif-government. Errors and deceptions have been thickly fown, and produced the greateft calamities.— Happy if becoming wife by our experience and misfortunes, wC Jhall all at length perceive the cause of them — the weak, violent and fatal meafures of the men in power, and turn for redrefs as is done in fuch extremities, to a new and a better adniinistraiion^: Wherefore

Resolvedj That at the enfuing ele£lion for Reprefentatives in Congrefs, it be recommended to the Free Ele£lors of New-Jerfey to fuppqrt with their united exertions, the following Ticket :

JAMES GILES,

SAMUEL W. HARRISON,

JAMES PARKER,

JOHN FRELINGHUYSEN,

JACOB S. THOMSON,

JOHN N. GUMMING, and alfo WILLIAM B. EWING, as Representative in the Con- gress of the United States, in the place of Jacob Hufty, Esq. de- ceased.

To thefe, the country may confidently look for the fupport of its true honour and profperity. They will reftore peace if it can now be obtained without national degradation, or if war muft be continued, they will not difgrace Americans : And in rcfpetTl to Reprefentatives for the State Legislaiuref this convention do earn-

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eftly recbnimcud it to the people in each county to hold mceti:igs, make noiriinations, and ufe all diligence and prudence io prevent the reeledlion of the advocates of the loavy and of fuch a ruinous £ourfe of policy ; and in their places to return men known to be attached to peace and to the Wafhingion policy.

Whereas the right of the people to express their opinions upon the condiicl of men in office^ their ability and motives, is brought in- to qucftion, the perfons now in ofhce and their adherents denom- inating it "moral treafon" and "enmity to the country" for the people to fpcak and vote againft them and their meafures ; as if in their ruinous and changing acls, opinions and policy, were to be found American liberty and independence —

We the Convention of Friends of Peace in New-Jerfey, for ourfeJves and tl\e great numbers of freemen whom we reprefent, do PROTEST againft fuch flavifli and anti-republican principles.

W~e hold it the firft and mod precious of all rights, that the people enjoy perfecSl freedom of opinion, of speech y2inA of suffrage. No matter who the men are, or ivhat their meafures, nor with what pretences of purity, wifdom and patriotifm, they claim pow- er, or profecute their fchemes of policy and government : every citizen and every clafs of men in fociety may freely examine the condu6l and ability of thofe entrufted with their deareft rights, and adl according to their honeft convictions. Thcfe rights are fo necef- fary and undoubted, this convention will not impair their ineflima- ble value fo much as to debate their exigence or extent.