The Fees of the Custom House are always collected with Difficulty from the Small Craft, & cannot bear any Charge. Bills of Lading are omitted, of which great Quantities are used in the Colonies. Letter from James Parker to Governor Franklin, acknowledging the receipt of His Majesty's Mandamus to be one of the Council of New Jersey. [From the Skinner Papers among Manascripts of W. A. Whitehead, Vol. 1, No. 58.] P. AMBOY October [1764] When Mr. Smyth called here on his way to Burlington he delivered me a letter from Mr. Sherwood inclosing me his Majesty's Mandamus to be of the Council in New Jersey which accounts for my not receiving it from my own Correspondent who I think cannot so well account for his neglect of my request to him to take it up at the Board of Trade. Mr. Smyth's stay at this place was but for one Ev'ning and I have been so Engaged at home & abroad Ever since that I have not Known of any other opportunity that may have offer'd since, which I hope will plead my Excuse for not having given your Excellency this Information sooner and acknowledging myself under the greatest obligation to you for having been the means of my Receiving This honour from His Majesty and as I know nothing can make me more acceptable to Either of you than a faithfull discharge of this trust Reposed in me You may be assured that I shall on all occasions use my utmost Endeavours to obtain that End. I am Sir Your most obedient Humble Servant Letter from Governor Franklin to the Secretary of State, the Earl of Halifax, in relation to illicit trade in New Jersey. [From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 172 (190).] BURLINGTON, Nov! 8, 1764 The Right Honourable the Earl of Halifax. I have not had any Information relative to any Illicit Trade carried on in this Province since I had the Honour of receiving your Lordship's Letter of the 11th of August; nor, indeed, since my Arrival in the Government, except one which I found upon Enquiry to be false and malicious. This Province has a very little Trade to any Place but New York and Philadelphia, where they sell their Produce, and purchase English Goods and other Necessaries. The Surveyor General, and other Officers of the Customs, have, by their Vigilance, as far as I can learn, put a Stop to the greatest Part, if not the whole, of the illicit Trade within this District. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Respect, My Lords, Your Lordships most obedient, & most humble Servant WM FRANKLIN Letter from Governor Franklin to the Secretary of State, Earl of Halifax-relative to measures proposed by the Postmaster-General for improving Correspondence between the several Colonies. [From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 172 [190):] BURLINGTON, Nov! 8, 1764 Right Honble Earl of Halifax My Lord I had the Honour of receiving your Lordship's Letter of the 11th of August, containing His Majesty's Commands relative to the Post-Office in America. Your Lordship may rely that I shall not fail giving all the Assistance that may be in my Power towards forwarding the Measures proposed by His Majesty's Postmaster General, for improving the Correspondence between the Several Colonies on this Continent. There is as yet no Separate Map of this Province published, but as there is one preparing I hope it will not be long before I shall have it in my Power to send it your Lordships. The Deputy-Post-Masters-General of America have sent to the General Post-Office in England one of Evans's Maps of the Middle Provinces with the Post Roads mark'd out thereon, which I saw, and thought very exact. The Posts go now very regularly three Times a week, through this Province, between Philadelphia and New York, greatly to the Convenience and Satisfaction of the Inhabitants. A new Road is lately opened thro' Bergen County to a Ferry over the North River to New York, by which a Bay is avoided of Eight Miles that used frequently to interrupt & delay the Posts: But the Ferries not being as yet properly managed, I shall at the next Sessions recommend it to the Assembly to regulate that Matter, as also to build Bridges where necessary. I shall upon all Occasions be ready to aid and support the Postmasters within this Province in the Execution of their Office. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Respect, My Lords, Your Lordships most obedient, and most humble Servant WM FRANKLIN Letter from Governor Franklin to the Secretary of State, informing him that Frederick Smyth, Esq., had been commissioned Chief-Justice in obedience to His Majesty's Mandamus. [From P. R. O., America and West Indies, Vol. 172 (190).] BURLINGTON, Nov 12, 1764 The Right Honorable the Earl of Halifax. My Lord I have had the Honour of receiving His Majesty's Mandamus, directing me to issue a Commission to Frederick Smyth, Esq' appointing him Chief Justice of this Province, which I have accordingly obeyed. I have likewise recommended him to the principal Gentlemen of the Colony, from whom he has met with a Reception equal to his Wishes. The Profits of the Office are I think, not equal to the Dignity & Importance of the Station, nor to his Merit; though I have procured Fifty Pounds p' Annum to be added to it since my Administration. I shall do all in my power to have it still further augmented, and am not without Hopes that I shall be able to succeed in my Endeavors for that Purpose. I have the Honour to be, with the utmost Respect, W FRANKLIN. Letter from John Pownal to Governor Franklin, enclosing an order for repealing an act for rendering void the lottery lately made by Peter Gordon, etc. [From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 17, p. 190.] WHITEHALL Dec! 7. 1764 To William Franklin Esq Governor of New Jersey. Sir, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to send you the inclosed Order of His Majesty in Council repealing an Act passed in the Province under Your Government in Sep 1762 Entituled, An Act for rendering void the Lottery lately made by Peter Gordon for the sale of certain Lands lying in the County of Middlesex, and to relieve and secure the Trustees and Managers of the said Lottery against any Action that is or may be brought against them concerning the same. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant |