be in a State of Damnation. But take the precious Memorial in their own Words.

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"Whereas Samuel Chew of Kent County, on Dela"ware, was educated amongst us the People called Quakers, and has owned himself in a Public Manner "to be a Member of our Religious Society; yet not"withstanding he has appeared in print, contrary to "the good Order established amongst us, for preserv“ing of Unity in our Society, as also contrary to our profess'd Principles and practices, in relation to Mili"tary Performances; which may be seen in a printed "Book, called, The Speech of Samuel Chew, Esq; dated November 21. 1741. These Things appearing "in publick View, we thought it our Duty to treat "with him in a friendly Manner, in order to bring him "to a Sense of his Error; but could not prevail with

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him to retract any Thing of what he had done; There"fore as we cannot own the Work, we think it need"ful to disown the Author, and do hereby declare, "that the said Samuel Chew is no Member of our "Religious Society, until he find Mercy with God. and "walk in Humility before him, and his Practices bet"ter correspond with our Principles; which that he "may, is our sincere Desire. From our Monthly Meet"ing of Duck-Creek, held at Little Creek the 18th Day "of the 8th Month. 1742. Signed in and by Order of "our said Meeting, by

WILLIAM HAMANS,

Clerk.

Speeches of Governor Morris to the General Assembly, with the Assembly's Address, etc.

[From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. V, F 70.]

The Speeches of Gov! Morris to the Assembly of New Jersey at Burlington, yo 22a [23?] June 1744, with their Address & Message to him; and some Observations from the Votes of the s Assembly. Rec May ye 28th 1745

Saturday, June 23, 1744. His Excellency came to Council, and having commanded the Attendance of the House of Assembly, opened the Sessions with the following Speech.

Gentlemen of the Council and Assembly.

The Accounts we have had for some time past from Europe, give us Reason to believe that a War with France was to be expected; for which Reason I made short Prorogations of the Assembly of this Province, that I might soon meet them after receiving certain and authoritative Information that War was declared, which I have not long since received; and his Majesty's Declaration of War is made publick, and consequently the Necessity known, of putting this Province into as good a posture of Defence as we can, to prevent any Damage from any Attempts the Enemy may make, either by Sea or Land, and to enable us to give all the Assistance in our Power to our neighbouring Provinces, should they stand in need of it, and I am commanded to give upon any such Occasion.

I have more than once recommended the Passing a Law for the better Regulating of our Militia, which I

believe you are not ignorant is not in so good Order as probably it might have been, had the Laws been more strict; or, even loose as they were, had the Officers done their Duty in making Distresses where they were by Law required.

I have received a Petition from the Lieutenant and other Officers about Trenton, against their Captain for his Neglect in that Particular, which the Captain has confess'd; and owns to me, that these Distresses would have amounted to about One Hundred Pounds: But urged in his Excuse for the Breach of his Duty, his being compassionate.

The Money Arising by these Distresses I think) is to be applied for the Use of the Poor (tho in my Opinion not the most proper Application) and had they been levied, the Poor, at least, would have had some Benefit by it; and probably the Persons neglecting their Duty more cautious of offending for the future, and consequently better skill'd in the Performance of what the Law appointed their Meeting for, and the Distresses for neglecting what was thereby directed: But seems not intended to give a discretionary Power to the Officer of making Distresses or not, thereby evading the whole Intent of the Act, and exposing those ready and Willing to do their Duty, to the Scorn and Derision of those who must, if at all, (under God) be protected and supported by their doing so.

I suppose the like Compassion (or something worse) hath prevail'd in the Counties of Burlington and Gloucester; for I have not heard of any Militia Companys meeting in either of those Counties; and have Reason to believe, that men tolerably qualified to exexcute Military Offices, are prevail'd on to decline accepting of them; or when accepting, to neglect performing the Duty of them.

Things of this Nature should not be in this Conditlon, because dangerous to the Publick Safety, and

especially in this Time of War, with an Enemy who is too well inform'd of the Circumstances we are in; and (if we do not take some effectual Methods to alter them) wants neither Knowledge nor Inclination to make use of them to our Disadvantage.

I have more than once spoke to you on this Head, and the last Time we met I laid before you a Letter from the then Lords of the Regency, "Directing me "to employ the most effectual means for putting this "Colony into the best Posture of Defence that should "be possible, and to be constantly upon my Guard "against any Surprize from any Quarter whatsoever." And a Second wherein they further direct me, "To "put the Forces belonging to this Province into such "a Condition, as to be able not only to repel the 'French Forces, if they should attack this Province, "but likewise to be in a Condition, if it should become "necessary, to attack them." What Effect these Letters had on your Consultations you only can tell.

In what Condition we are at present to do either, is not unknown to most here; but that we Should be in as good a Posture of Defence, on this Occasion, as we can be, I suppose will not be denied by any Friend to the present Government. I therefore heartily recommend to you the Passing Such Laws as will render our Militia useful and effectual for our Defence, and that as soon as possible: because we know not when nor where we shall be attacked; tho' we are not ignorant where it is not unlikely we may: And whether some Fortifications be not needful, I refer to your Considertion.

There will be Occasions of Watches in more places than one, and probably of often Expresses; and if it should be needful to march or transport Forces either for our own Defence, or in Pursuit of an Enemy, or for the Assistance of our Neighbours, Care should be taken for Provisions, and Transports for them at the

publick Charge: And there will be a Necessity of often Meeting the Council, which should not be made a Burthen to them.

I should rather this Meeting had been at a Season of the Year when your Attendance on your private Affairs could have been more easily dispens'd with, would the Circumstances of Things have admitted it. But since Things of this kind have been formerly postponed, and will at present admit of no Delay, I recommend the utmost prudent Dispatch to you, that the Season of the Year may prove as little inconvenient to you as possible. And I pray God direct your Consultations. LEWIS MORRIS.

Wednesday, June 27, 1744.

The House of Assembly, in Answer to the above Speech presented the following Address to His Excellency.

To his Excellency Lewis Morris, Esq; Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of New Jersey, and Territories thereon depending, in America, and Vice Admiral in the same, &c.

The Humble Address of the General Assembly of the Colony of New Jersey, in General Assembly Convened.

May it please your Excellency.

We his Majesty's dutiful and loyal Subjects the Representatives of the Colony of New Jersey, beg leave to thank your Excellency for the Care you have taken to so order the Prorogations of the General Assembly, as that upon any Emergency their Meeting