Reminds the Legislature that trial by jury is an inalienable right, that not even the Legislature has the power to eliminate it. Says that even though we are at war, and zealously support the cause, our rights must be protected and ensured. Goes on to describe actions taken by the Committee of Retaliators (described above) as essentially criminal and done for personal gain.

To the Honourable Council and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey –

The Petition of a Number of Freeholders Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth – Sheweth. –

That by the Constitution of this State for which the Government thereof is Founded , the laws of England Relating to the tryal by Juries are declared unalterable and to stand without repeal forever; And each Member of the Legislature previous to taking his seal takes an Oath or Affirmation not to agree to any Law, Note or Proceeding Contrary thereto. And in the Laws it is clearly expressed that no Person shall be deprived of Life, Liberty or Property, or be any ways damaged, or destroyed ’till proved Guilty by Full and Clear Evidence, on a fair and impartial tryal by a Jury – Your Petitioners being Zealously attached the American cause; and fully satisfied with the Constitutional Government established in this state, in which our most essential privileges are so well secured that it is not even in the power of the Legislature to deprive us of them. – Therefore notwithstanding our Exposed situation, the constant dangers we are in, the damages and hardships we have and do suffer from an Implacable Enemy; We’re encouraged still to oppose them, and at every Risk to use our Utmost Endeavor to defend ourselves, our Familys, Property and Country, Trusting in the Justice of our cause, and the Felicity we should enjoy under the present Government when clear of our British Enemies – But alas, while the Enemy is yet formidable and almost at our Doors, there is a Tyranny set up amongst us Equally dangerous to Liberty with that which we are fighting against; a set of men assuming the Title of a Committee of Retaliation has formed a combination to trample all Law under foot that clashes with their measures, and under pretence of Retaliating for Crimes Committed, and injuries done by Refugees to any of their Association to plunder any Inhabitants, subjects of this State, at will and pleasure, in such a way, and such amount as they direct; and send out a party to Execute their orders by force of arms, some they have Imprisoned, from some they have taken goods, and from others money to a great amount, and when those injured persons have attempted to right themselves by Law, they have been abused, their Lives threatened, and some unmercifully beaten by those persons who took their property; Officers of Justice have been prevented from doing their Duty and threatened for attempting it –

Goes on to describe the rigging of elections and the suppression of voting by this same committee and requests that the Legislature address the issue for the sake of the principles for which they were fighting.

Some by a set of Resolves published in their Minutes. – But disregarding these Resolves and in open Violation of the Laws & Constitution of their Country, they have continued in those practices ever since, to the very great damage, not only of the Persons they have plundered but to the Country in general in corrupting the morals of the People, Encouraging in any others in plundering for their own gain, and Committing other Crimes with Impunity, depending on being protected by that Committee and their adherents, of which we had striking instances at the Elections, when a Number of Men (some in Arms) appeared in a Hostile manner threatening all such persons as they called Tories or Traders [meaning, Traitors] if they should offer to Vote; a Writing was put up at the Courthouse Door to the same Effect; several Persons were Inhumanly beaten, some of them after they has Voted; and some after they drove away who were legally entitled to Vote, and others went away without Voting, not thinking themselves safe, as they didn’t confine their abuse to persons who they deemed disaffected [Disaffected:against the war or war in general, e.g. Quaker], but beat and abused several whose conduct has been such that there cannot be the least kind of Suspicion of their Disaffection, or want of Zeal in the American cause; and at the close of the Election, One of the Insoectors was Attacked going downstairs and most Barbarously beaten; these proceedings are very discouraging to every considerate person who wishes to see the Laws and Constitution of the Country Supported, and to live under an Equal & Just Government. –

We would further Onserve that those measures do not answer the purposes which they are pretended for; that of deterring the Enemy from Plundering and man-stealing, as it is notoriously known that for more than Sixteen Months since they began, the Enemy has continued whenever opportunity offered, plundering from and taking captive those very Persons who have Adopted these Measures, as well as others. –

Therefore your Petitioners earnestly Request that your Honourable Houses will take these Matters under your most Serious consideration, and grant us some speedy and Effectual relief against so Dangerous a combination, not only to this County but (if continued) to the State also. –