USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 7
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PON the site of the Mechanics National Bank Building, during the American Revolution, stood the Blazing Star tavern, remarkable as the meeting-place of the Congress of the Confederation. By virtue of the exigencies of war, the whims or convenienees of its members, or the influence brought to bear by localities, Congress drifted from one place to another, meeting mostly in Philadelphia and New York. However, at the close of the Revolution, or in June, 1783, prepara- tions were had to select what was called a "permanent residence" for Congress, e by appointing the first Monday of the following October to take into consideration such offers as might be made from aspiring towns. June 18th the Legislature of New Jersey agreed to offer to yield to the United States jurisdiction over any district to the extent of twenty square miles, and to grant £30,000 in specie for the purchase of lands and the erection of buildings.
The result of Congressional action in October was to negative all the offers of the various States. On the seventh of October, Mr. Gerry, of Massachusetts, for whom the political device known as the "Gerrymander " is named, moved "that buildings for the use of Congress be erected on the banks of the Delaware near Trenton, or of the Potomae near Georgetown." Amendments left only the names of the rivers, and a final resolution that the site should be "near the Falls"-that is, near Trenton on the New Jersey side, or in Pennsylvania on the opposite bank. A committee of five was appointed to view the respective situations and report to Congress.
At this time began to appear those scetional jealousies and strifes which culminated in the War for Secession. In the selection of any town north of Mason and Dixon's line, the Southern States felt that their claims for recognition were being slighted. As a matter of fact, the Journals of Con- gress show that upon the day after the appointment of the committee, a motion was made to reconsider the proceedings, "in order to fix on some other place that shall be more central, more favorable to the Union, and shall approach nearer to that justice which is due to the Southern States." This failed of its purpose.
New England favored Trenton, but the resolutions offered by the Southern members show that they were solicitous concerning the growing political and economic importance of the North, and were bent on securing part of the honor of the young Republic. Madison wrote to Randolph, on October 13th, 1783 : "Trenton was next proposed, on which question the votes were divided by
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the river Delaware. The vicinity of its falls is to become the future seat of the Federal Govern- ment, unless a conversion of some of the Eastern States can be effected."
Now came the resolutions providing for a compromise capital, one on the Delaware, the other on the Potomac, and until the buildings were erected, Congress should meet alternately at Trenton and Annapolis. In December, 1783, in obedience to the resolution, Congress met at Annapolis, where the question concerning a Federal city was again discussed. Francis Hopkinson, of Borden- town, in his "Intelligence Extraordinary," described the new mechanism of government as a pendulum vibrating between Annapolis and Trenton.
In the meantime, the citizens of Trenton were active. Dr. David Cowell, who died December 18th, 1783, left £100 to Congress "if they settle themselves at Lamberton," which the "New Jersey Gazette" of that period announces as probably the first legacy ever given to the United States. During August, 1784, to the New Jersey Council was presented a memorial from John Cox and associates, citizens of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, praying ten miles square might be laid out on the Delaware. (Hall. )
It was on the first of November, 1784, that Congress met in Trenton. In six weeks, South Carolina moved for adjournment, and every effort was made to have the alternate session arrange- ment repealed.
The Northern members held their ground, voted $100,000 for buildings and on the twenty- third of December an ordinance was introduced, as follows :
"Be it ordained by the United States, in Congress assembled, That the resolutions of the 20th instant, respecting the erecting of buildings for the use of congress, be carried into effect without delay ; that for this purpose three commissioners be appointed, with full power to lay out a district not less than two, nor exceeding three miles square on the banks of either side of the Delaware, not more than eight miles above or below the lower falls thereof, for a federal town ; that they be authorized to purchase the soil, or such part of it as they may judge necessary, to be paid at proper instalments ; to enter into contracts for erecting and completing, in an elegant manner, a federal house for the accommodation of congress, and for the executive officers thereof ; a house for the use of the president of Congress, and suitable buildings for the residence of the secretary of foreign affairs, secretary at war, secretary of Congress, secretary of the marine, and officers of the treasury ; that the said commissioners be empowered to draw on the treasury of the United States for a sum not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars for the purpose aforesaid ; that in choosing a situation for the buildings, due regard be had to the accommodation of the states with lots for houses for the use of their delegates respectively ; that on the 24th day of December instant, congress stand adjourned to meet at the city of New York, on the 11th day of January following."
The South fought this plan, but the ordinance was finally adopted. Congress adjourned on the day after the decision, having acknowledged the attentions of the Legislature of the State and the exertions of the inhabitants of the town in providing the members with accommodations. Congress met in New York on the eleventh of January. By the middle of February, 1785, the three Commissioners were chosen, being Philip Schuyler, of New York ; Philemon Dickinson and Robert Morris. Upon Mr. Schuyler's declining, John Brown was put in his place. None of these were members of Congress. Mr. Dickinson was an inhabitant of Trenton, residing at the "Hermitage," a mile or so west of the town, and Mr. Morris had an estate on the opposite side of the Delaware, now the town of Morrisville, named for the eminent " Financier of the Revolution."
Land speculation became a factor in the problem, and the following advertisement ( "New Jersey Gazette," May, 1785) shows the feeling of the times :
Joseph Higbee offers for sale "a valuable tract of land, containing three hundred aeres, situate within three miles of Trenton, in the county of Burlington and township of Nottingham, and within a mile of Lamberton, where it is expected the Federal town will be built."
The personal influence of General Washington was brought to bear to crush the Trenton capital plan. On the eighth of February, 1785, he wrote from Mount Vernon to Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress, "By the time your Federal buildings on the banks of the Delaware, along the point of a triangle, are fit for the reception of Congress, it will be found that they are very improperly placed for the seat of the empire, and will have to undergo a second erection in a more convenient one."
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On April 5th, 1785, the first appropriation to the Commissioners was called for by the Com- mittee of Supplies-"Federal Buildings, $30,000." Mr. Grayson, of Virginia, moved its refusal, but he was overruled. Then, on motion of Mr. Pinckney, that vote was reconsidered, and the report was recommitted. Here the matter rested until the twenty-second of September, when the appropriation of $30,000 coming before the House, Mr. Gerry moved to make it the whole sum of $100,000. In the meantime, the action of the Southern members had so influenced Congress that none of the States except Massachusetts and New Jersey voted for it ; upon which, on motion of Mr. Hardy, of Virginia, the item was entirely stricken out of the bill. Thus died the project to make Trenton the Capital of the United States, and the Blazing Star tavern, where the debates took place, lapses into history.
It is of further interest to know that in accordance with the Constitution of 1787, which con- tained a provision implying that the seat of government should be placed in a district "not exceeding ten miles square," New Jersey again made an offer. The convention of New Jersey which ratified the Constitution recommended to the Legislature to enter into the competition for the capital, which they did by a bill, September 9th, 1788, offering the requisite territory.
In September, 1789, Mr. Elias Boudinot, in the House of Representatives, once more proposed "the banks of either side of the river Delaware, not more than eight miles above or below the lower falls." It failed by a vote of four to forty-six.
Unfortunately, the subsequent history of the selec- tion of a capital for the United States was undoubtedly a question of barter. The North and South compro- mised on national assumption of debts and a site for the capital, the South consenting to centralizing schemes of financiering and the North voted for the Potomac.
An incident of the session of Congress in Trenton during the fall and early winter of 1784 was the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette, who arrived here from the South on Thursday, the tenth of December, and visited Congress next day. A congressional committee of one from each State, of which Mr. Jay was Chairman, received the Marquis in the Congress chamber. He was assured that Congress continued to entertain the same high sense of his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of America, both here and in Europe, which they have frequently expressed and manifested on former occasions, and which the recent marks of his attention P.G. ca to their commercial and other interests have perfectly confirmed. As his uniform and unceasing attachment WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, GOVERNOR, 1776-90. to this country has resembled that of a patriotie citizen, the United States would ever regard him with particular affection, and would not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honor and prosperity, and that their best and kindest wishes will always attend him.
To these sentiments General Lafayette responded in a well-ehosen address. The Legislature of New Jersey was in session in Trenton, and the members, through Governor William Livingston, President of Council, and Benjamin Van Cleve, Speaker of the House, also presented an address to General Lafayette.
In 1824, forty years after this Trenton eelebration, General Lafayette returned to the United States. In his tour he arrived in Trenton on Saturday, the twenty-fifth of September. Next morning he attended public worship in the church ; afterward he visited Joseph Bonaparte, at Bordentown, and returned to spend the night. He breakfasted here again July 16th, 1825.
President Monroe (who was wounded in the battle of Trenton), on his tour of 1817, arrived here on Saturday, June 7th, and attended worship the next day in the Presbyterian church.
In 1799, Trenton had the honor of again becoming the seat of the national government. The yellow fever had almost decimated Philadelphia, in consequence whereof the Secretary of the Navy urged President Adams to follow his Cabinet, remarking that "the officers are all now at this place,
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and not badly accommodated." The President was reluctant to come. He had written in 1797 of the " painful experience " by which he had learned that Congress could not find "even tolerable accommodation " here. However, he promised to go by the middle of October, submissively assuring his correspondent, "I can and will put up with my private secretary and two domesties only, at the first tavern or first private house I can find." He arrived on the tenth, and on the next day was greeted with fireworks. He found "the inhabitants of Trenton wrought up to a pitch of political enthusiasm that surprised him," in the expectation that Louis XVIII. would be soon restored to the throne of France. ("Works of John Adams, " vols. IT., VIT., IX. ) Adams had at this time a conference of six days with Hamilton and other members of his Cabinet before they could agree on the French business. ( Randall's " Life of Jefferson, " vol. II., pp. 496-8. ) The above citations are made from Hall's "History of the Presbyterian Church."
The final attempt made by Trenton to be erected into the seat of government was made upon December 2d, 1801, when the House resolved unanimously, "that the members representing this state, in the Congress of the United States, be and they are hereby requested, if Congress should resolve to move, for the purpose of better accommodation, from the city of Washington, to use their best efforts to procure their removal to the city of Trenton ; and they are hereby authorized to proffer, in the name of this state, the State House and other public buildings belonging to the state for the use of congress and their officers, for any length of time that the congress shall wish to occupy them, and that his excellency, the governor, be requested to transmit a copy of this resolution to the members of congress from this state, to be used by them as occasion may offer."
CHAPTER VIII.
WASHINGTON'S RECEPTION BY THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY IN 1789.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED AND WASHINGTON BECOMES PRESIDENT-HE LEAVES ALEXANDRIA, AND ITIS PHILADELPHIA WELCOME-HIS ADVENT IN TRENTON AND THE PREPARATIONS FOR INIS RECEPTION-THOSE WHO TOOK PART THEREIN-WASHINGTON'S LETTER -TRENTON COMMEMORATES THE DEATH OF GENERAL WASHINGTON-BENJAMIN HARRISON, ONE HUNDRED YEARS AFTER, FOLLOWS IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WASHINGTON -- ACTION OF THE NEW JERSEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
RENTON'S part in the American Revolution is rendered doubly interesting by virtue of subsequent events. The thirteen Colonies, in the adoption of the Con- stitution, threw aside their sovereignty and became the United States, whose first President was George Washington. In 1776, General Washington had turned the tide of battle, and in 1789, upon the sixth of April, the American Congress declared him to be the Chief Executive of the infant nation. In obedience to the demands of his country, the hero of the Revolution left his plantation on the banks of the Potomac to guide the civil government and assume new duties as the Father of his Country. His progress northward from Alexandria was marked by spontaneous demonstrations of popular affection. Ovations at all the large towns testified to the gratitude of the citizens of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. New Jersey, whose soil had been reddened with the blood of patriots, outvied her neighbors in her enthusiasm. The news that General Washington was the guest of the City Tavern, in Philadelphia, upon the afternoon of April 20th, attracted many Jerseymen to the metropolis of the Delaware Valley and prepared the way for a welcome, truly royal, which New Jersey gave him upon the following day. The event is thus described by General Stryker :
"About ten o'clock on the morning of April 21st, 1789, he left Philadelphia in the midst of a disagreeable rain. He was now riding in a close carriage, having as his companions Lieutenant- Colonel David Humphreys, an aide-de-camp on his staff during the war and for some months a member of his own household at Mount Vernon, and Mr. Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the late Continental Congress. The Philadelphia Troop of Light Horse escorted them beyond the limits of the city.
"It was about two o'clock that day when the carriage arrived at the old stone ferry-house at Colvin's Ferry, now Morrisville. Here Patrick Colvin, the owner of the ferry, took charge of the Presidential party and personally ferried them over the Delaware river. At the Trenton landing, near the tavern of Rensselaer Williams, the party was met by General Philemon Dickinson, Major Richard Howell, afterward Governor of the State, Rev. James F. Armstrong, Chief Justice David Brearley, Dr. Israel Smith and other leading citizens of Trenton. He was greeted also by 'an admiring concourse' of the inhabitants of Bloomsbury and Lamberton, who had gathered on the river bank. Captain Bernard Hanlon's battery fired a salute, and the troop of horse, commanded by Captain Isaac Carle, the light infantry companies of Captain Hanior, Captain
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Munn, Captain Abraham Claypool and Captain Albemarle Collins, formed the escorting column into the village of Trenton. General Washington and his suite here mounted horses prepared for them, and in this manner proceeded up the Ferry road and thence toward the bridge over the AAssunpink creek.
" The column started from the ferry at just three o'clock, and the following was the order of the procession :
" Party of Horse. "The Light Infantry.
" His Excellency on horseback, attended by Mr. Secretary Thomson and Colonel Humphreys. " The Light Horse. " The Gentlemen of the town and neighborhood on horseback.
"At the bridge over the creek the ladies of Trenton had formed a plan to testify to General Washington their appreciation of his noble deeds and the love which the whole nation felt for its great deliverer. Here he had captured a body of Hessian mercenaries, under Colonel Rall, who had done all that bad men could do to injure the good people of the Jerseys. On this very spot he had withstood for hours the advance of the British, and afterward had performed one of the masterly movements of the war. During these eventful two weeks he had nearly freed the entire State of an insolent foe. In grateful memory of the successful issue of the Revolutionary struggle, the ladies prepared for Washington a reception which was peculiar in the good taste displayed, and which certainly was intensely gratifying to him.
"On the north side of the bridge an arch about twenty feet high was raised, supported on one side by seven and on the other by six pillars. The arch was nearly twenty feet wide and about twelve feet in length. Each of the thirteen pillars was entirely covered with masses General Philemon Dickinson of evergreens and wreaths of laurel, and the arches above were closely twined about with the same material, and festooned inside with long ropes of laurel and the flowers of early spring. On the south side of the archway, the side which first appeared to the Presidential party, an inscription in large gilt letters on a blue ground was fastened, and beautifully ornamented with flowers :
'THE DEFENDER OF THE MOTHERS WILL BE THE PROTECTOR OF THE DAUGHTERS.'
"Above this arch was a circlet of laurels and flowers, wreathing the dates of those two events just referred to :
'December 26, 1776-January 2, 1777.'
"On the top of this mass of evergreens was a large sunflower, which was intended to emblemize the American people, who turned toward him as the only Sun which would give life and warmth to the body politic.
"The structure had been erceted the day previous by workmen in charge of Benjamin Yard, and the ladies had been busy all the morning putting in position the wreaths and emblems which they had with such taste prepared. Beneath this arch General Washington must pass to enter Trenton.
"As he came to the high ground on Mill Hill, some two hundred yards below the creek, the beautiful triumphal arch appeared. But as he passed through the archway with uncovered head a still more lovely sight greeted him. On the one side of the arch he saw six little girls dressed in white carrying baskets of flowers ; on the other side, thirteen young ladies to represent the several States, who were dressed in a similar style, and also had baskets filled with flowers. Behind all these a number of the matrons of the town and neighboring villages.
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"As Washington entered the arch the six little girls began to sing a beautiful ode which had been written by Major Richard Howell, and which, under the instruction of Rev. James F. Armstrong, they performed with exquisite sweetness :
" Welcome, mighty Chief ! once more Welcome to this grateful shore ! Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow- Aims at thee the fatal blow.
"Virgins fair, and Matrons grave, Those thy conquering arms did save, Build for thee triumphal bowers, Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers- Strew your Hero's way with flowers !
"The first four lines were sung by both matrons and young ladies, the young ladies sang the fifth line, the matrons the first part and the young ladies the last part of the sixth line, then both sang the next two lines, the matrons the ninth, the young ladies the tenth line.
HERO WHO DEFENDED THE
WILL PROTECT THE
DA UGH
WASHINGTON'S RECEPTION AT TRENTON.
"His horse paced slowly through the arch, and as the last two lines of the ode were sung the pathway was strewn with flowers by the young ladies and little girls. General Washington bowed frequently on either side in response to this novel greeting, and his deep emotion could not in the least be concealed.
"From all the information which could be obtained from one of the participants in this recep- tion who was living in the year 1850, from one who died in 1864 and another in 1871, from others who remember to have seen it, and from tradition in the families of Trenton, it is believed that the following were the matrons who assembled at the house of James Ewing, now the southwest corner of Broad and Lafayette streets, and who took charge of the beautiful ceremonies on that occasion :
"Mrs. Susannah Armstrong, Mrs. Mary Borden, Mrs. Susannah Calhoun, Mrs. Elizabeth Chambers, Mrs. Esther Cox, Mrs. Mary Dickinson, Mrs. Elizabeth Ewing, Mrs. Sarah Furman, Mrs. Susannah Gordon, Mrs. Mary Hanna, Mrs. Sarah How, Mrs. Keziah B. Howell, Mrs. Mary Hunt, Mrs. Esther Lowrey, Mrs. Sarah Milnor, Mrs. Ann Richmond, Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Rachel Stevens, Mrs. Annis Stockton, Mrs. Catherine Stockton, Mrs. Jane Tate and Mrs. Grace
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Woodruff. The thirteen young ladies who represented the States were Miss Eleanor Armstrong, Miss Elizabeth Borden, Miss Elizabeth Cadwalader, Miss Catherine Calhoun, Miss Esther Cox, Miss Mary Cox, Miss Mary Dickinson, Miss Maria Furman, Miss Mary C. Keen, Miss Mary Lowrey, Miss Maria Meredith, Miss Sarah Moore and Miss Margaret Tate. The six little girls who sang the ode of welcome were Miss Sarah Airy, Miss Jemima Broadhurst, Miss Sarah Collins, Miss Sarah How, Miss Sarah B. Howell and Miss Elizabeth Mimnor. After the tribute of respect at the arch- way, the escort proceeded to Samuel Henry's City Tavern, on the southwest corner of Second and Warren streets, where General Washington dined with the principal citizens of the place and held a reception in the parlors of the inn.
"Late in the afternoon he took carriage for Princeton, the Rev. Mr. Armstrong accompanying him that far on his journey. It is generally understood that they spent that night at the residence of the President of the college, the Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon.
"During the afternoon a copy of the song with which the little girls had greeted him at the Trenton bridge had been given him, and he handed Mr. Armstrong that evening the following letter :
General Washington cannot leave this place without expressing his ac: knowledgements, to the Matons and young Ladies who received himin so hoval a grateful a manner at the Triumphal auch in Trenton, for the exquisite sensation he experienced in that affecting moment. - The astonishing contrast between his former and ac: tual situation at the same shot. the elegant taste with which it was adorned for the present occasion. and the innocent appearance of the white- voted Chown whe met him with the gratentary tong, have made such impressions on his remembrance as , he offices them will never be effacer .-
Trenton April 21 5/-
1789
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"This letter was read the following afternoon at an assemblage of the 'white-robed choir' at the residence of Dr. Isaac Smith, on King, now Warren, street, the property now covered by the American Hotel.
[The letter, being afterward printed and cach lady receiving a copy, was preserved in the original in the families of Dr. Smith, Chief Justice Ewing and the Rev. Dr. Armstrong.]
"Leaving Princeton, General Washington met William Livingston, the War Governor of the State, and they rode on to Woodbridge, where they spent the night, it is generally thought, at John Manning's inn.
"On the morning of Thursday, April 23d, a number of military companies marched to Bridgetown, lower Rahway, and, with a considerable number of the citizens of the neighborhood, met the General and escorted him into Elizabeth Town, where he 'received a federal salutation.' After a popular reception, he received a committee of Congress at the home of the Hon. Elias Boudinot and thence repaired to Elizabeth Town Point, attended by a vast concourse of people. He then reviewed the escorting troops and took leave of the party of Jerseymen.
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