194 EARLY HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY. 



the right of the Society, through their acknowledged agent, Dr. 

 Johnson, of Perth Amhoy, not only in the Natural Privileges, but in 

 the unlocated land in the whole county. Spicer, although he did 

 not attempt or desire to prevent the people from using and occupy- 

 ing these privileges as they had heretofore done, received for his 

 share in the transaction a large amount of obloquy and hostile feel- 

 ing, which required all the energy and moral courage he possessed 

 to encounter. He was publicly arraigned by the people ; the follow- 

 ing account being from his own pen. 



"Went to hear myself arraigned by Mr. Aaron Leaming and 

 others before the Public, at the Presbyterian Meeting-house, for buy- 

 ing' the Society's Estate at Cape May, and at same time desired to 

 know whether I would sell or not. I said not. He then threatened 

 nie with a suit in chancery to compel me to abide by the first asso- 

 ciation, though the people had declined it, and many of the original 

 subscribers had dashed out their names. I proposed to abide the 

 suit, and told him he might commence it. If I should see a bargain 

 to my advantage, then I told the people I should be inclined to sell 

 them the natural privileges, if I should advance myself equally 

 otherwise ; but upon no other footing whatever, of which I would 

 be the judge."* » 



The following is Aaron Learning's version of the affair. 



'■ March 26th, 1761. — About forty people met at the Presbyte- 

 rian Meeting-house to ask Mr. Spicer if he purchased, the Society's 

 reversions at Cape May for himself or for the people. He answers 

 he bought it for himself; and upon asking him whether he will 

 release to the people, he refuses, and openly sets up his claim to the 

 oysters, to Bassea' titles, and other deficient titles, and to a resurvey, 

 whereupon the people broke up in great confusion, as they have been 

 for some considerable time past."f 



Jacob Spicer, at his death in 1765, left these privileges which 

 seemed to be so exciting to the people, to his son Jacob, who, about 



» Spioer's Diary. -j- A Learning's Memoirs. 



