Testimony begins today in the Hunterdon County, New Jersey trial of Abraham Hunt charged with Crimes Against The American States. Mr. Hunt is a wealthy merchant and Trenton's postmaster appointed in 1764 by none other than Benjamin Franklin the founder of the Pennsylvania Gazette. Although Mr. Franklin is no longer associated with the Gazette, the Gazette takes a keen interest in anyone who appears to have violated the trust reposed in him by our distinguished Patriot and Statesman. The Gazette has sent long time reporter Priscilla Tripstreet to Trenton to investigate Mr. Hunt and to cover the trial. The following report of Miss Tripstreet was just received by express.

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Jury selection took place yesterday in the trial of Abraham Hunt.

Presiding over the trial is the Honorable Joseph Riggs of the Court of Common Pleas of Essex County. The local Judge, the Honorable Micajah How, being a one-time friend and fellow church member of Mr. Hunt, has recused himself.

Before adjourning court for the evening Judge Riggs instructed the jury not to discuss the case and once more admonished them that Mr. Hunt was presumed innocent. This latter remark drew a snicker from the gallery of spectators many of who consider the evidence of Mr. Hunt's disloyalty to the Patriotic cause to be overwhelming.

Mr. Hunt's troubles, along with every other occupant of the town, began this past December when the path of the American struggle for independence wended its way through Trenton. George Washington and the Continental Army, or the dwindling remnants of it I should say, arrived during the first week of that month having been pursued by the British and Hessian soldiers for nineteen days across New Jersey. Looking more like dispirited refugees than an army, they were cold, sick, and hungry and many of them were shoeless. For some they had only the cover of a blanket to spare them from a complete divestiture of their dignity.

With the British in hot pursuit the Continental Army had to quickly repair to the safety of the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River. On December 8, 1776 as the last of George Washington's boats pushed off from the shores of Trenton, the British appeared just three hundred paces away.

On December 12, the Hessian garrison under the command of Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall arrived for their winter occupation of Trenton. The destruction of the town by the Hessians, who had little regard for a person's property regardless of their loyalties, had begun. Many of the inhabitants fled as if there were an outbreak of small pox.

Little sympathy for Hunt can be found and their dislike for him is understandable. Of the few people that remained they could not help but notice that Mr. Hunt always seemed to be fraternizing with enemy. Most peculiarly his property, unlike everyone else's in town, was treated with respect. His house, except for some pockmarks caused by an errant musket ball or two fired during the Battle of Trenton and no doubt intended for someone else, suffered no damage. The confiscation of Mr. Hunt's property should he be convicted, would bring them immense satisfaction.

According to the inhabitants of this small hamlet Mr. Hunt has a lot of explaining to do. Mr. Hunt, who was a Lt. Colonel in the First Regiment Hunterdon Brigade, failed to report for duty on Christmas night. Instead he was giving aid and comfort to our enemy by hosting a Christmas party for the Hessian Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall. Not even to his long time

friend Isaac Smith, the colonel-commandant of the regiment, has any explanation been offered. Smith, who is still incensed, said: "We needed every available man. Given the setbacks and the deteriorating state of the army, had we lost the Battle of Trenton the 'Spirit of 76' would have wafted away amid the smoke of the battlefield." Isaac Smith is expected to be a key witness at the trial.

Then a month ago, and the reason Mr. Hunt has found himself on trial, a very incriminating document was found on an enemy officer taken as prisoner in the battle. It confirmed that Mr. Hunt had sworn an oath of loyalty to the British.

A copy of the front and back of the document was graciously provided by Richard Howell, the prosecutor.

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The Pennsylvania Gazette is pleased to provide our readers of recently acquired copies of letters and diaries pertaining to the great victory at Trenton.

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"You must be well convinced that it is indispensably necessary to bear the suspicion of being thought inimical; and it is not in their power to assert their innocence, because that would get abroad and destroy the confidence which the enemy puts in them." George Washington in reference to three persons apprehended in New Jersey and thought to be enemy spies.

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"If every nerve is not strained to recruit a new army with all possible expedition, I think the game is pretty nearly up, owing, in a great measure, to the insidious arts of the enemy and disaffection of the colonies before mentioned, but principally to the ruinous policy of short enlistments, and placing too much dependence on militia, the evil consequences of which were foretold fifteen months ago, with a spirit almost prophetic. You can form no idea of the perplexity of my situation. No man I believe ever had a greater choice of difficulties and less means to extricate himself from them. However, under a full persuasion of the justice of our cause, I cannot entertain an idea that it will finally sink, though it may remain for sometime under a cloud."

George Washington to his brother Jack.

Headquarters, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

December 18, 1776

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The following advertisement was put in most public parts of the Jerseys:

His Excellency General Washington strictly forbids all the officers and soldiers of the Continental army, of the militia and all recruiting parties, plundering any person whatsoever, whether Tories or others. The effects of such persons will be applied to public uses in a regular manner, and it is expected that humanity and tenderness to women and children will distinguish brave Americans, contending for liberty, from infamous mercenary ravagers, whether British or Hessians.

George Washington

Trenton, January 1, 1777

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From the Diary of a Hessian Officer

December 13, 1776

We marched to Trenton and joined our two regiments of Rall

Kniphausen, in order to take up a sort of winter quarters here, which are wretched enough. This town consists of about one hundred houses, of which many are mean and little, and it is easy to conceive how ill it must accommodate three regiments. The inhabitants, like those at Princeton, are almost all fled, so that we occupy bare walls. The Delaware, which is here extremely rapid, and in general about two ells deep, separates us and the rebels. We are obliged to be constantly on our guard, and do very severe duty, though our people begin to grow ragged, and our baggage is left at New York. Notwithstanding we have marched across this extremely fine province of New Jersey, which may justly be called the garden of America, yet it is by no means freed from the enemy, and we are insecure both in flank and rear. This brigade has constantly has inconsistently suffered the most of any, and now lie at the advanced point, and as soon as the Delaware freezes we may march over and attack Philadelphia, which is about thirty miles distant. My friend Sheffer and myself lodge in a fine house belonging to a merchant, and we have empty rooms enough. Some of the servants of the inhabitants remain here; last evening I gave one a box on the ear for his sauciness; I bid him bring me a candle, and he replied, if I wanted candles, I should have brought them with me. I was furnished with a candle but nothing else. Here is no wine except Madeira at three shillings and sixpence sterling a bottle. On the third instant Capt. Weitershausen, of the grenadiers, was shot at Brunswick bridge by a rebel, who had concealed himself under the bridge. The Capt. Had wrote by the last packet to his wife, desiring her to follow him to America. On the 13^th General Lee with two other officers, were taken prisoners by the English lighthorse, to the great damage of the rebels.

The 16^th the rebels came over the river in boats, but effected nothing.

The 18^th seventy rebels came over the water, and we were obliged to turn them out. But they only carried off a family who went willingly, with three cows and some furniture.

The 19^th one of the English light-horse was twice badly wounded by a troop of rebels near Maidenhead.

The 21^st a horseman was shot dead.

The 23^rd Count Donop wrote to us from Bordentown, desiring us to be on our guard, for that he was certain of being attacked.

The 24^th the enemy actually attacked our grenadiers last night, but without success, two Highlanders and a grenadier were wounded. We have not slept one night in peace since we came to this place. The troops have lain on their arms every night, but they can endure it no longer. We give ourselves more trouble and uneasiness than is necessary. That men who will not fight without some defense for them, who have neither coat, shoe nor stocking, nor scarce anything to cover their bodies, and who for a long time past have not received one farthing of pay, should dare to attack regular troops in the open country, which they could not withstand when they were posted amongst rocks and in the strongest intrenchments, is not to be supposed.

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From the diary of an Officer on Washington's Staff.

December 25 - Christmas morning. They make a great deal of Christmas in Germany, and no doubt the Hessians will drink a great deal of beer and have a dance tonight. They will be sleepy tomorrow morning. Washington will set the tune for them about daybreak. The rations are cooked. New flints and ammunition have been distributed. Colonel Glover's fishermen from Marblehead, Mass., are to manage the boats just as they did in the retreat from Long Island.

Christmas, 6 p.m. The regiments have had their evening parade, but instead of returning to their quarters are marching toward the ferry. It is fearfully cold and raw and a snowstorm setting in. The wind is northeast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be terrible night for the soldiers who have no shoes. Some of them have tied old rags around their feet; others are barefoot, but I have not heard a man complain. They are ready to suffer any hardship and die rather than give up their liberty. I have just copied the order for marching. Both divisions are to go from the ferry to Bear Tavern, two miles. They will separate there; Washington will accompany Greene's division with a part of the artillery down the Pennington Road; Sullivan and the rest of the artillery will take the river road.

Dec. 26, 3 a.m. I am writing from the ferry house. The troops are all over, and the boats have gone back for the artillery. We are three hours behind the set time. Glover's men have had a hard time to force the boats through the floating ice with the snow drifting in their faces. I never have seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the river, wrapped in his cloak, superintending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected, but very determined. The storm is changing to sleet, and cuts like a knife. The last cannon is being landed, and we are ready to mount our horses.

Dec. 26, Noon - It was nearly 4 o'clock when we started. The two divisions divided at Bear Tavern.

At Birmingham, three and a half miles south of the tavern, a man came with a message from General Sullivan that the storm was wetting the muskets and rendering them unfit for service. "Tell General Sullivan," said Washington, "to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."

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PROCLAMATION

Whereas several person, inhabitants of the United States of America influenced by inimical motives, intimidated by the threats of the enemy, or deluded by a Proclamation, issued the 30^th of November last, by Lord and General Howe, styled the King's Commissioners for granting pardon &c (now at open war and invading these States) have been so lost to the interest and welfare of their country, as to repair to the enemy, sign a declaration of fidelity and in some instances, have been compelled to take oaths of allegiance and to engage not to take up arms or encourage others so to do against the king of Great Britain; And whereas it has become necessary to distinguish between friends of America and those of Great Britain, inhabitants of these States and every man who receives a protection from and is a subject of any State (not being conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms) should stand ready to defend the same against every hostile invasion: I do therefore, in behalf of the United States, by virtue of the powers committed to me by Congress, hereby strictly command and require every person, having subscribed such declaration, taken such oaths accepted protection and certificates from Lord and General Howe or any person acting under their authority for them to repair to Headquarters or to the quarters of the nearest General officer of the Continental Army or Militia (until further provision can be made by the Civil Authorities) and there deliver up such protections, certificates and passports and take the oath of allegiance to the United States of America; Nevertheless hereby granting full Liberty to all such as prefer the interest and protection of Great Britain to the freedom and happiness of their country, forthwith to withdraw themselves and families within the enemies lines; and I do hereby declare that all and every person who may neglect or refuse to comply with this order, within Thirty days from the date thereof will be deemed adherents to the King of Great Britain and tried as common enemies of the American States.

Given at Headquarters Morris Town January 25, 1777

George Washington

By His Excellency's command

Robert H. Harrison, Secretary

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George Washington's letter to the Continental Congress

Head Quarters, Newtown

27 December 1776

Sir:

I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon the success of an enterprise which I had formed against a detachment of the enemy lying in Trenton, and which was executed yesterday morning. The evening of the 25^th I ordered the troops intended for this service to parade back of McKonkey's Ferry, that they might begin to pass as soon s it grew dark, imagining we should be able to throw them all over, with the necessary artillery, by twelve o'clock, and that we might easily arrive at Trenton by five in the morning, the distance being about nine miles. But the quantity of ice, made that night, impeded the passage of the boats so much, that it was three o'clock before the artillery could all be got over; and near four before the troops took up their line of march. This made me despair of surprising the town, as I well knew we could not reach it before the day was fairly broke. But as I was certain there was no making a retreat without being discovered and harassed on repassing the river, I determined to push on at all events. I formed my detachment into two divisions, one to march by the lower or river road the other by the upper or Pennington road. As the divisions had nearly the same distance to march, I ordered each of them, immediately upon forcing the out-guards to push directly into the town, that they might charge the enemy before they had time to form.

The upper division arrive at the enemy's advanced post exactly at eight o'clock; and in three minute3s after, I found, from the fire on then lower road, that the division had also got up. The out-guards made but small opposition, though, for their numbers, they behaved very well, keeping up a constant retreating fire from behind houses. We presently saw their main body formed; but, from their motions, they seemed undetermined how to act. Being hard pressed by our troops, who had already got possession of their artillery, they attempted to file off by a road on their right, leading to Princeton. But, perceiving their intention, I threw a body of troops in their way, which immediately checked them. Finding from our disposition, that they were surrounded and that they must inevitably be cut to pieces if they made any further resistance, they agreed to lay down their arms. The number that submitted in this manner was twenty-three officers and eight hundred and eighty-six men. Colonel Rahl, the commanding officer, and seven others, were found wounded in the town. I do not exactly know how many were killed; but I fancy not above twenty or thirty, as they never made any regular stand. Our loss is very trifling indeed, only two officers and one or two privates wounded.

I find that the detachment of the enemy consisted of the three Hessian regiments of Anspach, Kniphausen and Rahl, amounting to about fifteen hundred men, and a troop of British light-horse; who were not killed or taken, pushed directly down the road towards Bordentown. These would likewise have fallen into our hand, could my plan have been completely carried into execution. General Ewing was to have crossed before day at Trento Ferry, and taken possession of the bridge leading out of town; but the quantity of ice was so great, that, though he did everything in his power to effect it, he could not get over, This difficulty also hindered General Cadwalader from crossing with the Pennsylvania militia from Bristol. He got part of his foot over; but, finding it impossible to embark his artillery, he was obliged to desist. I am fully confident, that, could the troops under Generals Ewing and Cadwalader have passed the river, I should have been able with their assistance to drive the enemy from all their posts below Trenton. But the numbers I had with me being inferior to theirs below me and a strong battalion of light infantry being at Princeton above m, T thought it most prudent to return the same evening with the prisoners and the artillery we had taken. We found no stores of any consequence in the town.

In justice to the officer and men, I must add, that their behaviour upon this occasion reflects the highest honor upon them. The difficulty of passing the river in a very severe night, and their march through a violent storm of snow and hail, did not in the least abate their ardor; but when they came to the charge, each seemed to vie with the other in pressing forward and were I to give a preference to any particular corps, I should do an injustice to the others

Colonel Baylor, my first aide-de- camp, will have the honor of delivering this to you; and from him you ma be made acquainted with many other particulars. His spirited behaviour upon every occasion requires me to recommend him to your particular notice.

I have the honor to be, &c.

Go. Washington

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