USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > An historical account of the old State house of Pennsylvania now known as the Hall of Independence > Part 4
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Thus it was David Rittenhouse who regulated the clock, which prescribed the time to the Members of Congress of 1776.
The State House was thus barely finished and fully occupied by all the members of the colonial government, when dissensions began which were destined never to be finally adjusted, under the existing regime. Some of these were peculiar to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania,
33
COLONIAL DISSENSIONS.
others incident to the proprietary form of government, while still the larger portion were such as affected all the colonies of America.
The State House was essentially the place where not only all these questions were debated in the Assembly itself, but the Council Cham- ber, the adjoining " Yard," and even the Banqueting Hall participate in the memories of these events.
Among the causes of dissension between the Governors and the As- sembly were the efforts of the former to obtain supplies for the pro- tection of the Provinces against the French and against the Indians. The peaceable principles professed by a majority of the Assembly were assigned as early as 1745, for not permitting them to join in raising men or providing arms and ammunition. "Yet," say they, in a com- munication to Governor Thomas, "we have ever held it our duty to render tribute to Cæsar," and hence they notified him of a resolution for " appropriating £4,000 to the King's use, to be expended in the purchase of bread, beef, pork, flour, wheat, or other grain, and to be shipped for the King's service, as the Governor shall think most fit."
The Governor, at first indignant, seems to have received an intima- tion subsequently that "other grain " could be construed into gun- powder, which Franklin tells us was accordingly bought, and the Assembly never objected to it.
This evasive compliance thus answered its purpose very well, as long as active measures were pursued from and upon the soil of other col- onies, but " Friends' principles " were more thoroughly tested a few years thereafter, when aggressions took place in Delaware Bay, though even then " an association " for defense was formed, and no aggressive measures as yet were required from the Assembly, who however, in a formal answer to President and Council frankly admitted, in regard to the preparations made for defense of the Province, their difficulty in expressing their sentiments.
"The most of us," say they to the Governor, "as well as many others within this Province, you know have professed ourselves prin- cipled against the bearing of Arms ; and yet as we enjoy the Liberties of our own Consciences, we think it becomes us to leave others in the free Exercise of theirs. The assistance you have thought fit to give the Associators, we make no doubt arose from a Sense of what you believed your Duty. And the zeal and Activity many of them have shewn on the Occasion, we suppose may have arisen from the Love they bear to the Country. And as we are willing to make charitable Constructions on their Conduct, we hope the like charitable Senti- ments will prevail with them concerning us, and others like principled,
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HIALL.
when we have repeatedly declared we cannot in Conscience join with any Preparations of this Kind.
" As we have the honour of representing the whole Province, in which, we know, there are Numbers of People, whose judgments in the Point we have mentioned, do not exactly correspond with ours, we think it no Inconsistency, notwithstanding any Things we have said, to add, that we acknowledge, with Gratitude, the Regard the Lords of the Admiralty are pleased to shew for protecting the Trade of the Province : And also the kindness shown by our Proprietaries in soliciting for it-Nor have we less Grateful Sentiments of the kind- ness of our neighboring Government of New York as we believe their intentions were good, and it may have quieted the Minds of divers of our Inhabitants ; though it is a Favour we could not have asked, being intended for such a Mode of defence, in which we do not place our Confidence."
As the French and Indian war came on apace, the frontiers of Penn- sylvania were threatened, invaded, and the defenceless inhabitants butchered by the Indians. This demanded something more from the peaceable principles of the Assembly, and Governor Hamilton " ear- nestly entreated them " to enable liim " to discharge the indispensable duty of every government to protect and take care of its inhabitants." This entreaty, though reiterated by Governor Robert Hunter Morris, requiring the establishment of a regular militia, met with little effect until 24th July, 1755, when the Governor, having summoned the Assembly in special session, communicated " the melancholy accounts of the defeat of the forces under the immediate command of General Braddock, which," he goes on to say, "you will find is attended with very shocking circumstances ; the General killed, and most of the offi- cers that were in the action are either killed or wounded ; the bulk of the men cut off, the whole train of artillery taken. Colonel Dunbar is now retreating with the remains of the army to Fort Cumberland.
" This unfortunate and unexpected change in our Affairs will deeply affect every one of his Majesty's Colonies, but none of them in so sensible a manner as this Province which having no Militia, is thereby left exposed to the cruel Incursions of the French, and their barbarous Indians, who delight in shedding human Blood, and who make no distinction as to age or Sex - as to those that are armed against them, or such as they can surprize in their peaceful Habita- tions - all are alike the objects of their Cruelty, - slaughtering the tender Infant and frighted Mother with equal Joy and Fierceness.
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COLONIAL DISSENSIONS.
To such Enemies, spurred on by the native Cruelty of their Tem- pers, encouraged by their late Success, and having now no Army to fear, are the Inhabitants of this Province exposed - and by such must we now expect to be overrun if we do not immediately prepare for our own Defence ; nor ought we to content ourselves with this, but resolve to drive and confine the French to their own just Limits.
" This, Gentlemen, however gloomy the present Appearances of Things may be, is certainly in the power of the British Colonies to do; and this is not only their truest and most lasting Interest but their highest Duty - The Eastern Governments have already gone a great way towards removing that faithless but active People from their Borders ; let us follow the noble Example they have set us, shew ourselves worthy of the Name of Englishmen, and, by a vigorous ex- ertion of our Strength, dislodge the Enemy from our Frontiers, and secure the future Peace and Safety of the Province ; for we may assure ourselves, that while they possess the Countries they have un- justly seized we shall never truly enjoy either." 1687345
The only response given, even now, was the passage of a bill granting £50,000 to the king's use ; but involving a requirement that the estates of the Proprietary should be proportionably taxed. To this the Gover- nor objected as not within the bounds of his authority to assent to.
William Allen, William Plumsted, Joseph Turner, the McCalls, and other public spirited citizens, at once came forward to heal the breach by subscribing the £500 which it was estimated would be the amount of tax to be paid by the Penn family. The names of these gentlemen - and most of them are still represented in our midst, - besides those named who gave one half of the whole, were : -
Samuel McCall, John Wilcocks,
John Kearsley,
David Franks,
Thomas Cadwalader, John Kearsley, Jr.,
Alexander Huston,
John Gibson,
Amos Strettall,
John Wallace,
Joseph Sims,
George Okill,
Samuel Mifflin,
Townsend White,
Joseph Wood,
John Bell.
But this generous offer was unavailing ; the Governor, whose pa- tience seems to have been exhausted, sent a message in writing on the 21st August, stating that he had on 9th " recommended to you to establish a Militia for the safety and defence of the Province, and having frequently before recommended the same thing, but received no
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL.
answer, I then desired you would give me an explicit answer upon the subject. I do, therefore, now call upon you, and insist on a plain and categorical answer, whether you will or will not establish a Mili- tia, that his Majesty and his Ministers may be informed whether at this time of danger the Province of Pennsylvania is to be put into a posture of defence or not."
The Assembly rejoined they had promised to provide for the safety . and defense of the Province already ; but as the elections would soon take place they would adjourn, and leave the question of a Militia to the new Legislature.
But the new Assembly, we find, was taxed by the Governor with having, after " a sitting of six days, instead of strengthening my hands, and providing for the safety and defence of the people and the province in this time of imminent danger, you have sent me a message, wherein you talk of regaining the affections of the Indians now employed in laying waste the country and butchering the inhabitants, and of in- quiring what injustice they have received, and into the causes of their falling from their alliance with us, and taking part with the French," etc.
The House had, however, within these six days, passed a law appro- priating £60,000 to the King's use, for deficiencies in " purchasing pro- visions for the King's forces, erecting and maintaining posts, payment of expenses, clearing of roads, maintaining of Indians, and other heavy charges for the King's use," though some Friends took care to have entered on the journals their names as dissentients, viz. : -
James Pemberton,
William Peters,
Joseph Trotter,
Peter Worrall,
Joshua Morris,
Francis Parvin,
Thomas Cummings.
Several of the principal inhabitants of Philadelphia now thought it time to lay before the House an energetic " representation."
" At a Time when a bold and barbarous Enemy has advanced within about One Hundred Miles of this Metropolis, carrying Murder and Desolation along with them ; and when we see our Country already stained with the Blood of many of its Inhabitants. and upwards of a Thousand Families, who very lately enjoyed Peace and Comfort in their own Habitations, now dispersed over the Province, many of them in the most miserable and starving Condition, exposed to all the Hardships and Severity of the Season : - We say, in such a Situa- tion, we should think ourselves greatly wanting in Regard for our personal Safety, as well as in Compassion for our bleeding and suffering Fellow-Subjects,
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COLONIAL DISSENSIONS.
if we did not thus publicly join our Names to the Number of those who are re- questing you to pass a Law, in order to put the Province in a Posture of De- fence and put a Stop to those cruel and savage Outrages, which must other- wise soon prove our Ruin.
" We hope we shall always be enabled to preserve that Respect to you, which we would willingly pay to those who are the faithful Representatives of the Freemen of this Province. But, on the present Occasion you will forgive us, Gentlemen, if we assume Characters something higher than that of humble Suitors praying for the Defence of our Lives and Properties, as a matter of Grace and Favor on your Side: You will permit us to make a positive and immediate Demand of it, as a matter of perfect and unalienable Right on our own Parts, both by the Laws of God and Man."
Within a few days intelligence came that the Indians had fallen upon the inhabitants of Tulpehocken, and destroyed them, and reit- erated demands were made for a Militia Law. The Assembly, thus pressed, was induced to pass a bill, the imbecility of which is suffi- ciently obvious from its title : " An Act for the better ordering and regulating such as are willing and desirous to be united for military purposes." The very preamble of which declared that the majority of the Assembly were principled against bearing arms, and that any law compelling persons thereto would be in violation " of the fundamentals of the Constitution, and be a direct breach of the privileges of the People."
It was approved by the Governor, though pronounced by him im- practicable; and was " disallowed," by the King, "as in every respect the most improper and inadequate to the service which could have been framed and passed, and seems rather calculated to exempt per- sons from military service than to encourage and promote them."
The Governor now boldly charges the Assembly in the framing of supply bills, professedly for the King's use, with resorting to " a double view, to wit: either wholly to avoid giving money for warlike pur- poses, or by means of the country's distress to arrogate powers which Assemblies here never have, and from the nature of our Constitu- tion, never ought to be in, possession of."
The Mayor of the city, with the Aldermen and Common Council, now laid before the Assembly an earnest appeal : -
" In the most solemn manner before God, and in the name of all of our fellow-citizens, we call upon you, adjure you, - nay, supplicate you, - as you regard the lives of the people whom you represent, to give that legal protection to your bleeding country which ought to be the chief object of all government at such a perilous juncture as this.
.
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL.
and let it be no longer said that, while we are daily hearing so much concerning privilege and right, we are in the meantime deprived of that most essential right, and great first privilege (which God and Nature gave us), of defending our lives and protecting our families."
Thus urged, it was attempted in the Assembly to pass a bill for regulating such soldiers as are raised, paid, and maintained within this Province ; and it was negatived 17 to 13. Franklin, Stretch, Fox, Kirkbride, and others, voting in the affirmative, while staunch James Pemberton, Joseph Trotter, Joshua Morris, Richard Pearne, and others, were still true to their principles under this ordeal, - an ordeal which was but the precursor of what some of them were, within twenty years, to renew even under more trying circumstances.
Franklin, however, who was one of the Commissioners under the act for granting £60,000 to the King's use, represented to the Assembly that there was an absolute necessity for an immediate law for the better regulation of the soldiers ; this induced the adoption of a Bill with two voices still dissenting - James Pemberton and Peter Worrall. These two gentlemen, with four others, finding, as they said, many of their constituents " seem of opinion that the present situation of public affairs calls upon us for services in a military way, which, from a conviction of judgment, after mature deliberation, we cannot comply with ; we conclude it most conducive to the peace of our own minds, and the reputation of our religious profession, to persist in our resolution of resigning our seats."
Among those now elected was one name destined to become famous in the annals of Independence Hall. John Morton was sent as rep- resentative of the County of Chester, June 28, 1756.
Upon the next following election four " Friends " were still re- turned ; but say they, promptly, "understanding that the ministry have requested the Quakers, who from the first settlement of this colony have been the majority of the assemblies of this province, to suffer their seats. during the difficult situation of the affairs of the col- onies to be filled by members of other denominations. in such manner as to prepare without scruple all such laws as may be necessary for the defence of the Province, therefore we request to be excused, and to be permitted to vacate our seats." Permission was given accord- ingly.
Even now, differences between the Governor and the Assembly pre- vented the adoption of a satisfactory militia law, though the require- ments of the Province, and its duty as a sister colony in detaching troops for general protection, seem to have been unhesitatingly ad- mitted by the House.
-
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UNION OF THE COLONIES.
It was at this epoch, and for the purposes of mutual protection against the Indians and the French, that the plan of Union of the Colonies was first broached 1 within the walls of the State House.
The suggestion emanated from Governor George Clinton, of New York, and was first laid before the House on 5th September, 1745, by Governor George Thomas in a message warmly approving of a union of all the British Northern Colonies, in which Virginia and Maryland were to be included. Governor Clinton invited Pennsylva- nia to send Commissioners to Albany to treat with other Commis- sioners "upon concerting measures for our mutual security, defence, and conduct during the present war."
The Pennsylvania Legislature in its reply to the Governor, prom- ised cheerfully to concur, if the scheme were generally acceded to by the other colonies. Governor Thomas reiterated his request on 20th May, following, to which the Legislature responded, " it does not appear to us that a meeting of Commissioners for New York, Massa- chusetts, and Pennsylvania only, would be of any great service ; there- fore, as formerly, we think it best to postpone our particular resolu- tions in the affair until the determination of the other colonies be made known to us."
The Governor again pressed the point, and desired to be enabled to cooperate with the four northern governments, by the appointment of Commissioners, expressing the belief that it was not to be doubted but that the two southern governments would readily accede to it.
The former were to meet on the 20th of July, 1746 ; but the Assem- bly again demurred, assigning as a reason the belief that their coopera- tion would not be needed ; " besides which," say they, " the Governor must be sensible that men of our peaceable principles cannot consist- ently therewith join in persuading the Indians to engage in the war."
Thus, for the time being, the project failed ; but it was renewed again during the first administration of Governor James Hamilton, and at the instance of no less a person than the Earl of Holdernesse, and the Lords of Trade, who employ the phrase " at the King's command." " I have it," says the former, " particularly in charge from his Majesty to acquaint you that it is his Royal will and pleasure that you should keep up an exact correspondence with all his Majesty's Governors on the Continent, and in case you shall be informed by any of them of any
1 The earliest plan or scheme for a union of the colonies in a representative body, and for general intercolonial purposes, was suggested by William Penn, as early as 1698.
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HIALL.
hostile attempts, you are immediately to call together the General Assembly within your government, and lay before them the necessity of a mutual assistance." The Lords of Trade were even more explicit
By His Majesty's Command. 119 Hoberrett.
in directing the subject to be laid before the Assembly, and to recom- mend forthwith a proper provision for appointing Commissioners to be joined with those of the other governments, etc.
Simultaneously with this important scheme for combined action, pregnant with future greatness, the name of WASHINGTON was first uttered in this Hall.
Governor Dinwiddie reported, upon February 14th, 1754, the well- known mission of Major Washington to the French fort on the Ohio, with its results, - the response of Monsieur Legardeur de St. Pierre, and the avowal of the commencement of hostilities on the part of France.
The Pennsylvania Assembly complied with the royal instructions, so far as to authorize the Governor, if he should think it may be for the interest of the Province, to appoint Commissioners, etc. Where- upon the Governor appointed, with the sanction of the House, Messrs. JOHN PENN and RICHARD PETERS, of the Council, and Messrs. ISAAC NORRIS and BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, of the Assembly.
The ground now taken, though in this case only applicable to Indian affairs, was ever afterwards steadily maintained, that no prop- ositions for the Union of the Colonies can effectually answer the good purposes or be binding further than they are confirmed by laws en- acted under the several governments comprised in that Union.
The Governor's speech to the Assembly in the Council Chamber, on 7th August, 1754, - transmitting the plan adopted, at the instance of Dr. Franklin, by the Commissioners for this purpose, - closes for the present our trace of " the origin of the Union." He said : -
" After a due and weighty reflection on these several matters, the
In ASSEMBLY Sept. 24 1756
T HIS is to certify, that Benjamin Franklin. has attended as a Member of Affembly for the City of Philadelphia. 108 Days, at Six Shil- lings per Diem, for which there is due to him the Sum of Thirty hoo Sounds, Light Shillings
Signed, by Order of the House, $/106 Horas Speakers The Treafurer of the County of Philade for the time Being To
Re of W Leech Thirty Pounds Jap. b. " Four Shillings Stenpense of the F-2: S Orthin Order
Prankles Rio the Remainder
Franklin
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UNION OF THE COLONIES.
Commissioners thought it necessary to consider and draw up a rep- resentation of the present state of the colonies. And from thence judging that no effectual opposition was like to be made to the de- structive measures of the French, but by a UNION of them all for their mutual defence, they devised likewise a general plan for that purpose to be offered to the consideration of the respective legislatures. " And as both these papers appear to me to contain matters of the utmost consequence to the welfare of the Colonies in general and to have been digested and drawn up with great clearness and strength of judgment, I cannot but express my approbation of them and do there- fore recommend them to you as well worthy your closest and most serious attention."
The Assembly declined notwithstanding to entertain the plan; it met with no more favor from the other colonies generally nor yet from the " Home Government."
On 15th April, 1756, the Governor announced to the Assembly that he had declared war against the Delaware Indians - stating that the Commissioners under the £60,000 Act had proposed to him to offer rewards for taking Indian prisoners and scalps - a proposition which we find was subsequently carried into effect and Indian scalps were actually paid for by the Government.
On 3d February, 1757, occurs an entry in the Journal : " Mr. Speaker and Mr. Franklin being called upon by the House to declare whether they would comply with the request of the House in going home to England to solicit a redress of our grievances, Mr. Franklin said that he esteemed the nomination by the House to that service as an high honor, but that he thought that if the Speaker could be prevailed upon to undertake it [the Speaker having practically just declined in consequence of ill health], his long experience in our public affairs and great knowledge and abilities would render the addition of another unnecessary. That he held himself honored in the disposition of the House and ' was ready to go whenever they should think fit to require his services.' ""
Unanimous thanks given, etc., and Benjamin Franklin was appointed Agent of the Province. William Franklin had leave to resign his position as clerk to accompany his father. An interesting relic of this period is here presented - the certificate for pay of Dr. Franklin as a member of the Assembly, with his endorsed receipt for part on ac- count, and the receipt of Deborah Franklin, his wife, for the residue, after Franklin had gone to England.
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL.
Considerable alarm was soon afterwards produced by the success of the French arms ; their army, estimated at 11,000 Regulars, Cana- dians, and Indians, and a large train of artillery, after a successful attack upon Fort William Henry, was threatening Albany and even New York city. The Governor, addressing himself to the Assembly, declared, August 16th, 1757 : -
" It is not my intention to aggravate our present Distress by a painful Review of what is past; but can I, Gentlemen consistent with my duty, for- bear to mention that this Province has been the unhappy seat of a cruel War for upwards of two Years groaning under the bloody Outrages of a most barbarous Enemy, the Troops sent to our protection defeated and destroyed, our Borders pillaged and laid waste, great Numbers murdered and carried into Captivity, and Eleven Thousand of the Enemy at this instant in the Heart of a Neighboring Province, at present carrying all before them ; while we amidst this Series of Misfortunes, are neither put into a Sufficient Posture to defend ourselves, nor have Power or authority out of the vast number of fighting Men this Government contains, to send a single Man of them to the relief of our Neighbors, without calling in the ranging parties that are con- stantly out and evacuating the few Garrisons we have on our Frontiers now more than ever necessary for their Defence. These things Gentlemen are so surprizing in their Nature, that they would exceed all Credibility, if the Facts were not too Flagrant and too fatally felt. Let me therefore entreat you if you make a distinction between Liberty and Slavery, between your inestima- ble Privileges as Englishmen, and a miserable Subjection to arbitrary Power, to embrace this opportunity, perhaps the last to retrieve as much as possible, former Errors and act vigorously, as your All is now at stake."
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