Proclamation by Governor Franklin, in relation to an assault upon John Hatton, Collector at Salem. [From Pennsylvania Archives, IV., 381.] By His Excellency William Franklin, Esq., Captain General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New Jersey, and Territories thereon dedepending in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral in the same, &c. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas I have received Information from John Hatton, Esq., Collector of His Majesty's Customs, for the Port of Salem, &c., in the Province of New Jersey, That on the Eighth Day of November Instant, a Boat's Crew, consisting of Nine Persons, from on Board the Ship Prince of Wales, Patrick Crawford, Master, then riding at Anchor near Cape May, armed with Guns, and other offensive Weapons, in an hostile manner, boarded and re-took, from the said John Hatton, a certain Pilot-boat, late the Property of Jedediah Mills laden with Goods, known to have been clandestinely discharged out of the said Ship Prince of Wales, which said Pilot-boat and her Cargo the said John Hatton had on the same Day seized and taken Possession of, by virtue of his said Office: And that after said Boat's crew had boarded the said Pilot-boat, they most cruelly beat, and dangerously wounded the said John Hatton his Son, and a Mulatto Slave, and robbed the said John Hatton of four Spanish Dollars, three Guns, two Hangers, one rifle barrell'd Pistol, a Pair of Shoebuckles, and some other small Articles. One of the said Nine Persons, who appeared to have Command of the said Boat's Crew, was called Smith, and is a short, thick, well-set Man, supposed to be between thirty and forty Years of Age, and has a fresh cut on the right Side of his Head and Face, made with a Cutlass in the said Affray. Another of the said Persons is named Hughes, and is now in His Majesty's Gaol at Cape-May. The other seven Persons are supposed to be Sailors, belonging to the said Ship Prince of Wales, whose Names are unknown. I have therefore thought fit to issue this Proclamation, hereby requiring, and strictly charging and commanding all Officers, Civil and Military, and other his Majesty's Liege Subjects within the said Province of New Jersey, to use their utmost Endeavours to seize and apprehend the said Offenders, or any of them, so that they may be brought to Justice. And I do hereby promise His Majesty's most gracious Pardon to any one of the Persons concerned in the said Assault and Robbery, (except the aforesaid Smith) who shall inform against and prosecute to conviction any one or more of his Accomplices.' Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at the City of Burlington, the Seventh Day of November, in the Eleventh Year of His Majesty's Reign, Anno Domini 1770. WILLIAM FRANKLIN. By His Excellency's Command, CHA. PETTIT, D. Secretary. GOD SAVE THE KING. 1 See also under date of Dec. 6, 7, 25 and 30, 1770; May 11, July 13, and July 19, 1771, in this volume. Two Warrants for the Apprehension of John Hatton, Collector at Salem, and his slave Ned. [From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 275.] Warrant For John Hatton Esq NEW JERSEY CANEW JERSEUNTY Scals SS. George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c To our Sheriff of the County of Cape May or the Constables of the said County or either of them Greeting. Forasmuch as Jedediah Mills of the said County of Cape May Pilot hath personally come before Us James Whillden, The Learning, and John Leonard Esq's three of his Maj: Justices assigned to Keep the Peace within the said County of Cape May & hath taken a Corporal Oath that he the said Jedediah Mills is afraid that John Hatton Esq' of the said County of Cape May will beat wound maim or kill him the said Jedediah Mills and hath therewithal prayed surety for the Peace and Good Behaviour against him the said John Hatton Esq! therefore We command and charge you jointly and severally or either of you that immediately upon the Receipt hereof you bring the said John Hatton Esq: Forthwith before us the said James Whilden Th° Learning & John Leonard Esq's or either of us to find sufficient Surety and Mainprize as well for his personal appearance at the next General Quarter Sessions of Our Peace or Court of Oyer & Terminer of General Goal Delivery or which ever of said Courts should happen to be held first in & for our said County as also for our Peace and Good Behaviour in the mean time to be Kept toward us and all our Liege People and chiefly towards the said Jedediah Mills that is to say that he the said John Hatton Esq! shall not do nor by any means procure or cause to be done any of the said Evils to any of Our said People and especially to the said Jedediah Mills. Given under Our Hands and Seals this 6th day of Dec in the 11th Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the third of Great Britain &c & in the Year of Our Lord 1770 Signed J WHILLDEN T. LEARNING [LEAMING] Justices Warrant For Ned NEW JERSEY CAPE MAY COUNTY {SS. Seals George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c To Our Sheriff of the County of Cape May or the Constables of the said County or either of them Greeting. Forasmuch as Jedediah Mills of the said County of Cape May Pilot hath personally come before us James Whilden, Thomas Learning, & John Leonard Esq three of His Maj: Justices assigned to keep the Peace within the said County of Cape May and hath taken a Corporal Oath that he the said Jedediah Mills is afraid that a Mulatto Slave called Ned by name belonging to John Hatton Esq' of the lower Precinct in said County of Cape May will beat wound maim or Kill him the said Jedediah Mills and hath therewithal prayed surety for the Peace and good Behaviour against him the said Mulatto called Ned therefore we command and charge you jointly & severally or either of you that immediately on the Receipt hereof you bring the said Mulatto called Ned Forthwith before us the said James Whilden, Tho Learning & John Leonard Esq or either of Us to find sufficient surety or Main Prize as well for his personal appearance at the next General Quarter Sessions of Our Peace or Court of Oyer & Terminer of General Goal Delivery, or which ever of said Courts. should happen to be held first in and for our said County as also for our Peace and Good Behaviour in the mean time to be Kept towards us & all our Liege People and chiefly towards the said Jedediah Mills that is to say that he the said Ned shall not do, nor by any means procure or cause to be done any of the said evils to any of Our said People and especially to the said Jedediah Mills. Given under Our Hands and Seals this 6th day of Dec in the 11th Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the third of Great Britain &c and in the Year of Our Lord 1770 Så JAR WHILDEN THOS LEARNING [LEAMING] Copy of a letter from John Hatton, Collector of Salem and Cohensy, to Gov. Franklin, dated Dec. 7th, 1770, complaining of the action of Mr. Jas. Whilden, Thomas Leaming and John Leonard, Justices at Cape May. [From P. R. Q. America and West Indies, Vol. 257 (275).] I humbly beg leave to inform your Excellency that I am again obliged to fly from and quit my Office, and distressed family by reason that his Majestys laws and my actions in executing them as a faithful servant are |