Gazette Of The United States

PROCEEDINGS relative to the PRESIDENT's PROCLAMATION of NEUTRALITY.

New-Brunswick.

At a meeting of the citizens of the counties of Somerset and Middlesex, in the State of New-Jersey, at the White-hall in the city of Brunswick, on 30th August, 1793—

Delegates from the several townships of the counties of Somerset and Middlesex, attended in consequence of a circular letter from a committee of the citizens of New-Brunswick, dated the 29th of this month, to take into consideration the President's Proclamation, with regard to the Neutrality to be observed by the United States in the present European war.

From the township of Piscataway, Middlesex county—Benjamin Manning, Justice Dunn.

Rocky Hill, western precinct of Somerset county—Henry Van Dyke.

Grigg's Town eastern precinct of Somerset county—Christopher Hoagland, Abraham Van Dosen, John Baird.

Princeton, western precinct of Somerset county—Rev Dr. J. Witherspoon, Enos Kelley, Richard Stockton.

Six Mile Run, eastern precinct of Somerset county—John Stryker, Isaac Ogden.

Upper part of the eastern precinct of Somerset county—Barnabas Garrison, Philip Fullerton, Nicholas Johnson.

Township of Hillsborough, county of Somerset—Nicholas Dubois, Garret G. Garritson, Gilbert D. Low.

Bedminster township, Somerset county—John Bryant, Joseph Annin, John Mehelm.

Bernard's township, Somerset county—Clement Wood, Samuel Haines, Dr. Hugh M'Cowen.

Township of Cranbury, county of Middlesex—David Chambers, George M'Elroy, Richard Handlin, Garret Snidiker, David Williamson.

Windsor township, Middlesex county—Rev. Dr. Samuel S. Smith, Ezekiel Smith, Jonathan Combs, James Anderson.

City of Perth Amboy, Middlesex county—Rev. Azariah Rea, John Ratoon.

Township of South Brunswick, Middlesex county—Isaac Vanpeit.

Township of Woodbridge, Middlesex county—John Conway, John G. Wall.

The city of New-Brunswick, and northward of the township of Brunswick, in Middlesex county—John Neilson, John Bayard, Moses Scott, Anthony W. White, Lewis Dunham.

Col. JOHN BAYARD, was chosen Chairman, and RICHARD STOCKTON, Secretary.

The circular letter from the Committee of New-Brunswick, and the New-Brunswick resolves, were read.

The Delegates of the several Townships above mentioned, appeared and produced their credentials and instructions, which were publicly read and approved of. A number of other citizens of the said counties, and of the city of New-Brunswick, also appeared in their private capacities.

Every person present was called-upon to deliver his sentiments upon the subject of the meeting.

The following gentlemen were then appointed a committee to prepare and report resolutions to be submitted to this meeting, viz.—The Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, the Rev. Dr. S. S. Smith, Col. John Bayard, Col. Lewis Dunham, and Richard Stockton, Esquire.

The committee withdrew to prepare their report—The committee returned, and reported the following resolutions; which, after being first generally and then separately read and maturely considered, were adopted, viz.

Resolved, 1st, That the commercial, agricultural and mechanical interests of these counties, are fully represented in this meeting.

2dly. That we feel ourselves happy under the existing government of the United States, and as far as our observation extends, an entire satisfaction with the present administration prevails among all classes of citizens in the State of New-Jersey.

3dly. That altho' vigilance with regard to the executive departments of government be laudable, and a virtue in republics; yet calumny and faction are vices, and tend to the subversion of that liberty which they profess to support.

4thly. That the proclamation of the President, enjoining on the citizens of the United States a conduct friendly and impartial towards the present belligerent powers of Europe, was a measure well-timed and prudent, just and constitutional: wisely calculated to promote the welfare and preserve the peace of this country.

5th. That an exact and uniform observance of existing treaties, and of the terms of neutrality, enjoined in said proclamation, is both our duty and interest; and that we will use all proper means to discourage and bring to justice, every person who shall contravene the same, and to preserve in its full energy that efficiency of government so necessary to our honor, safety and our happiness.

6th. That the Minister from the French Republic had a right to judge for himself, whether that proclamation in any part was contrary to the rights of France by treaty with us or not; that if he thought it was, he ought to have applied by memorial to the Secretary of State, and if the answer given him was not satisfactory, he had a right to send it to his constituents, and receive their directions for his future conduct. But,

7th. For any Minister to threaten, or attempt an appeal, as it appears has been done, from the constituent authority of this country to the people at large, is an act of the highest insolence and injustice, and an insult, not only to the executive authority, thro' which the Union speaks to such Minister, but to the whole people of the United States.

8th. That we fully expect, and rely for it on the wisdom and fortitude of the Executive of the United States, that such conduct will meet with the treatment it deserves.

9th. That in the present predicament of the United States, no citizen under the pretended right of expatriating himself at pleasure, can legally enter on board any vessel of war with an intention to commit hostilities against any power in amity with us; because, as no law exists acknowledging the right and prescribing the terms of expatriation, the offended power has no means of discriminating the expatriated from the real citizen, and the whole community is liable to be involved for the crime of one; the laws of nature and nations, therefore, and the principles of society, annul such pretended rights, and criminate such actions in the existing circumstances of The United States.

10th. That we sincerely pray for the success of the cause of liberty in France, and in all nations, freed from the evils of licentiousness; but, as it is not in our power to render her effectual aid by embarking with her in the present war, and as we are not required thereto by any treaty, the strictest neutrality is our wisest and most honorable conduct.

11th. That Elisha Lawrence, Esq. Vice President of this State, is entitled to our acknowledgments for his early attention to the proclamation of the President of the United States.

12th. That these resolves be published in the public papers.

Signed by order of the meeting,

JOHN BAYARD, Chairman.