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 importation of Negro and Mulatto slaves-the last, laid, probably, as much with design to prohibit the traffic, as for the sake of revenue. The 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.-II. 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.

4

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.

for refusal, of not less than thirty shillings, nor more than fifty pounds, as the case might be. Forgery of the bills was made felony, and punishable with death. If, at the expiration of the term, for which they were made current, any portion of the amount, respectively, allotted to the counties remained unpaid, the county became responsible for it.

For the better credit, and sooner sinking of these bills, and for the additional support of the government, a tax of one thousand pounds a year, was imposed for ten years. Four thousand pounds of the product were appropriated to the redemption of the bills of credit formerly issued; and the interest on the money loaned under the act was applied to the sinking of bills, thereby issued; and as the interest and principal of the sums loaned, when paid in, would much more than pay the bills, the balance was devoted to the support of the government, in such manner as the governor, council, and General Assembly might direct.

In 1730, another act added twenty thousand pounds to this medium, which were made current for sixteen years; and in 1733, the act of 1723, for the issue of forty thousand pounds was renewed; the amounts being loaned upon the same principles as under the first act, and kept in circulation by re-issues, and subsequent issues of such sums as were necessary to supply the place of torn bills. All these issues were fully and duly redeemed.

At

An additional and floating debt was subsequently contracted by the issue of bills, from time to time, to defray the war requisitions of the British ministry, and other exigencies. This debt bore heavily upon the province, as it was payable solely by taxation; and the Legislature frequently sought relief by the issue of new bills, the interest of which would supply the means of ordinary expenditure, and was cheerfully paid by the enterprising and industrious borrower, who received an adequate consideration. But the English ministry, for many years, could not be prevailed upon to assent to this measure. one period, they reluctantly consented to the framing a bill for the issue of sixty thousand pounds, with condition that it should receive the sanction of the King; but when the bill had passed the colonial Legislature, that sanction was refused. The governors were uniformly instructed to pass no such act, unless with a clause suspending its operation, until confirmed by the crown. In 1758, a second bill for sixty thousand pounds was sent for the royal approbation, which was rejected by the board of trade on three grounds, which obstructed the passage of every other bill of this character. 1st, That the Assembly reserved to itself, not only a participation with the governor and council, in the disposal of the money granted by the bill for his Majesty's service; but, also, the right to judge of the propriety of its application. 2d, That the surplus of interest from loans, after paying a specific grant to the crown, was appropriated to the redemption of bills before omitted, in lieu of taxes; and 3d, That the bills of credit were made a legal tender, in payment of all debts and contracts. Without these conditions, the inhabitants of the province did not deem the currency worth having, and with them, it could not be obtained; so that no other money bills were issued for a long period, unless based on taxes that would redeem them in five years.

Sound policy certainly required that the paper currency should be kept within narrow bounds, lest over issues should embarrass the commerce of the country with the parent state. But this danger could scarce be dreaded from the small amount required by New Jersey, and we must look to other causes for the pertinacious refusals of the crown. These we shall, probably, find in the independence which the colony acquired by a certain and easy revenue, which it as pertinaciously resolved to keep within its own control. Repeated attempts were made, by the colonial Legislature, to bend the will of the