| Citation |
NJG-T.783.015
21 May 1783:32 (6/282)
Roads-Town, Cumberland county, N. J. April 24. Thursday
being appointed by the Sheriff for publishing his Excellency
the Governor's proclamation, the day was ushered in with
firing of cannon, and a display of flags of the United
States and our illustrious allies. From Roads-Town the
sheriff, attended by a respectable concourse of inhabitants,
proceeded to the court-house, where the proclamation was
read, and succeeded by joyful acclamations of the people.
The company, joined by many gentlemen and ladies of Bridge-
Town, returned to an elegant entertainment prepared under a
laurel bower, erected for that purpose, in the skirt of a
neighbouring wood, where thirteen patriotick toasts were
drank, and accompanied with [ ] charge of artillery.
To heighten the entertainment, the following piece, among
others, composed on the occasion, was set to musick, and by
several gentlemen and ladies, sung with great harmony.
1. Let ev'ry age due honours pay,
And swell with joy the grateful lay,
To hail returning peace:
Accept, sweet maid, the votive strain,
And bid your corals fill the plain!
Since thou hast loos'd the prisoner's chain,
And bid war's horrors cease.
. . [6 more verses]
The evening was embellished with illuminations of houses
and exhibitions of well executed fireworks; a brilliant ball
concluded the amusement. . . [4 more lines]
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