USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > An historical account of the old State house of Pennsylvania now known as the Hall of Independence > Part 9
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This communication bears date May 28, 1774, and may justly be regarded as the first official suggestion for an annual Congress.
Sympathy with the Bostonians, coupled with distrust of the Legisla-
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL.
ture, had, as we have seen, induced a popular movement in Philadel- phia, and, as its results, a body composed of representatives from the several counties in Pennsylvania met in convention at Carpenter's Hall on the 15th of July.
" There is," determined they, "an absolute necessity that a Con- gress of Deputies from the several colonies be immediately assembled to consult together and form a general plan of conduct to be observed by all the colonies, for the purposes of procuring relief for our suffering brethren, obtaining redress of our grievances," etc., etc.
This action was formally communicated on the 19th to the Assem- bly, and was followed up on the 21st of July by the appearance of the whole body in the Assembly chamber. With much solemnity they laid before the Speaker in his chair of office their Resolves on the Grievances of the Colonies and their Instructions to their Repre- sentatives in Assembly, together with a request for the appointment of Deputies to Congress. Thomas Willing was Chairman, and Charles Thomson, Clerk.
Thus stimulated, the Legislature pledged Pennsylvania to the Union, and selected from the Assembly the Speaker (Joseph Galloway), Sam- uel Rhoads, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphreys, John Morton, George Ross, and Edward Biddle to be her representatives in the Congress to meet those from the other colonies, leaving, however, the time and place to be selected by the general body.1 John Dickinson, not then a mem- ber of the Assembly, was chosen at the next following election, and immediately added to the Congressional Delegation.2
" The Instructions " of July 23, 1774, to the Committee of Assembly appointed to attend the General Congress, give the cue to their subse- quent action : -
GENTLEMEN : -
The trust reposed in you is of such a nature, and the modes of executing it may be so diversified in the course of your deliberations, that it is scarcely pos- sible to give you instructions respecting it. We shall, therefore, only in gen- eral direct that you are to meet in Congress the Committees of the several Brit- ish colonies at such time and place as shall be generally agreed on to consult together on the present critical and alarming situation and state of the colonies, and that you with them exert your utmost endeavours to form and adopt a
1 Connecticut and Maryland had already selected their representatives, Eight other Colonies followed the example, Georgia alone taking no action at this time.
2 It was Mr. Dickinson who prepared the admirable resolutions of the Provincial Committee which undoubtedly brought Pennsylvania into line.
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PENNSYLVANIA AND THE FIRST CONGRESS.
plan which shall afford the best prospect of obtaining a redress of American Grievances, ascertaining American rights, and establishing that union and har- mony which is most essential to the welfare and happiness of both countries. . And in doing this you are strictly charged to avoid everything indecent or dis- respectful to the mother state. You are also directed to make report of your proceedings to the next Assembly.
Signed by order of the House,
Jos. Galloway Speaker.
The Assembly, however, at the time seem to have made no provision for a Hall for the meeting of Congress, though Philadelphia had already been named as the place. The Assembly chamber itself would be needed early in September, the Legislature having adjourned to meet on the 12th of that month, so that seemed to be out of the question.
Carpenter's Hall, then a new building, had already been used for civic purposes. The Philadelphia Committee and the " Provincial Committee," which both cooperated to bring about this meeting of Congress, had assembled in the lower room, and it was doubtless they who arranged with the Carpenter's Company for the meeting place of Congress.1
On the 5th September, accordingly, assembled that memorable body generally known as THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
Having convened at the City Tavern, the delegates walked to the Carpenter's Hall, where, says Mr. Jolin Adams, " they took a view of the room and of the chamber where is an excellent library ; there is also a long entry where gentlemen may walk, and a convenient cham- ber opposite to the library. The general cry was that this was a good room, and the question was put whether we were satisfied with this room, and it passed in the affirmative. A very few were for the neg- ative, and they were chiefly from Pennsylvania and New York."
It sat with closed doors. After passing a resolution approving of the opposition made by the inhabitants of Massachusetts, to the ex-
1 The Journals of the Assembly indicate that the Province of Pennsylvania bore the expenses " of the sitting of Congress," as well as affording them an official rec- ognition by giving that body " a most elegant entertainment at the City Tavern, the whole House dining with us, making near one hundred guests."
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL. .
CARPENTER'S HALL IN 1774.
ecution of the recent Acts of Parliament, and that, if the same should be attempted to be carried into execution by force, all America ought to support them in their opposition, it determined upon, and the members individually signed, an association sometimes called "the Commencement of the American Union ; " in which they agreed for themselves and their constituents not to export, import, or consume any merchandise from Great Britain. A Declaration of Rights was adopted, as were also an address to the people of Great Britain and another to the King : but they refused to appeal to Parliament.
The patriotism and dignity of this body, its noble and statesman-
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THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
like action, find their best exponents in the never to be forgotten words of Lord Chatham upon the floor of the House of Peers ; they form the eulogium on its individual members : -
" When your lordships look at these papers transmitted us from America, when you consider their decency, firmness, and wisdom, you cannot but re- spect their cause and wish to make it your own. For myself, I must avow, that in all my reading and observation (and it has been my favorite study), I have read Thucydides and have studied and admired the master states of the world, - that for solidity of reason, force of sagacity, and wisdom of con- clusion under a complication of difficult circumstances. no nation or body of men can stand in preference to the General Congress at Philadelphia.
" The histories of Greece and Rome give us nothing equal to it, and all at- tempts to impose servitude upon such a mighty continental nation, must be vain. We shall be forced ultimately to retract ; let us retract while we can, not when we must." 1
The Congress dissolved October 26, 1774, but George III. and his ministry were equally deaf to their appeal and to the advice of the far-seeing Lord Chatham. Pennsylvania in common with the other colonies cordially approved (December 10) the proceedings and re- solves of Congress, which were laid before them,2 and " most seriously recommended to the good people of the Province a strict attention to, and inviolable observation of the several matters and things contained in the Journals of Congress."
They now appointed " Delegates " instead of committees, to rep- resent the colony in the ensuing "Continental Congress." and reit- erated the instructions of the previous July.
Prophets were not wanting to predict the effect that would be produced by the Congress of 1774. A South Carolinian foresees that " eighteen hundred and seventy-four will be a year of triumphant
1 Josiah Quincy, Jr., the youthful patriot, was present, and his report, cor- roborated by Dr. Franklin, also present in the House of Peers at the time, is in these words: " For genuine sagacity, for singular mod- C eration, for solid wisdom, manly spirit, sublime sentiments, and simplicity of language ; for every thing re- spectable and honorable, the Congress of Philadelphia shines unrivaled."
2 It is believed that thirteen copies were actually signed by the members of this Congress for this especial purpose. Two copies are known to be extant ; one of these, which had descended in the family of Matthew Tilghman, is now deposited in the National Museum of Independence Hall.
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL.
jubilee, when medals, pictures, fragments of writings will revive the memory of these proceedings and when, if any adventitious circum- stances can give precedency, it will be to inherit the blood or even to possess the name of a member of this glorious assembly !! "
While Rev. Ezra Stiles prophesied " If oppression proceeds, despot- ism may force an ANNUAL CONGRESS ; a public spirit of enterprise may originate an American Magna Charta and Bill of Rights, sup- ported by such intrepid and persevering importunity as even sover- eignty may hereafter judge it not wise to withstand. There will be a Runnymede in America."
Yes, " the Congress " which proved to be " Annual," assembled in Philadelphia, on 10th May, 1775, and paved the way to the American Runnymede in Independence Hall. But in the meantime occurred some significant events which left their foot-prints in our " State House Yard."
The Battle of Lexington and of Concord was fought on 19th April, 1775. The tidings reached Philadelphia on the afternoon of the 24th. Immediately notices were given for a public meeting, and upon the next day the State House Bell called together " eight thousand people by computation who assembled in the Yard," in order to consider what measures should be pursued. After several " eloquent and pa- triotic speeches," say the newspapers of 26th April, "the company unanimously agreed to associate for the purpose of defending with arms their lives, liberty, and property, against all attempts to deprive them of them."
Thus in the State House Yard originated the first effort on the part of Pennsylvania to raise its quota towards the Army of the Rev- olution, and to assert by force of arms the constitutional rights of its citizens.
It is true thus far it was only a popular movement, but as we shall see presently, the regularly constituted Legislature, whose prolonged controversy with the Governors. on this subject we have traced, soon gave its authoritative sanction.
The Royal as well as the Proprietary interest, in the meantime, sought, through their joint influence in Pennsylvania, to break up the Union of the Colonies, which was being rapidly cemented, and thus growing formidable.
John Penn in a message to the Assembly, on 2d May, 1775, trans- mitted certain resolutions of the British Parliament, popularly called " Lord North's Olive-branch," which after reciting "an existing rebel- lion in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and that they have been
THE STATE HOUSE YARD AS ENCLOSED DURING THE REVOLUTION.
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THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
countenanced and encouraged by unlawful combinations by several of the other Colonies," professed an inclination and desire to "pay attention and regard to any real grievance." This profession the Governor had the temerity to call "a strong disposition manifested by that august body to remove the causes which have given rise to dis- contents, etc.," and he urged upon them "as the first Assembly to whom this resolution had been communicated and which I have au- thority to tell you is approved of by his Majesty," to contribute their separate proportion to the common defense, and thus secure exemp- tion from duty, tax, or assessment.
But John Dickinson prepared the refusal of the House. " If no other Objection to ' the Plan' proposed occurred to us, we should esteem it a dishonorable Desertion of Sister Colonies, connected by an Union founded on just Motives and mutual Faith, and conducted by General Councils, for a single Colony to adopt a Measure, so extensive in Consequence, without the Advice and Consent of those Colonies engaged with us by Solemn Ties in the same Common Cause." They deprecate the " Calamities of a Civil War," from which the Governor had expressed the hope Pennsylvania would rescue the colonies, but they conclude that while such would be a dreadful misfortune indeed it would be exceeded as such by " an utter Subversion of the Liberties of America."
There were not now wanting voices to supplicate for a grant of a sum of money, - amounting at least to fifty thousand pounds, towards putting the Province in a state of defense, in the most effectual way.
Franklin, the moment of his return from the London agency, was added to the Congressional delegation together with Thomas Willing and James Wilson on 6th May, and a few days thereafter, Galloway, who had already importuned the House "to be excused from serving as a Deputy to the Continental Congress," was " ex- cused from that service." On 13th May the House adjourned to 19th of June.
As has already been intimated, the Second Continental Congress sat in the State House. The tenth of May had been fixed for their meeting ; the Assembly of Pennsylvania was on the eve of adjourn- ment, and now for the first time they relinquished their chamber in the State House for the use of the Representatives of the United Colonies, leaving for that distinguished body all the furniture and equipment of their chamber - the eastern room on the first floor, soon
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL.
to earn and now universally known by the title of " Independence Chamber."
The Assembly frugally ordered " a dozen Windsor chairs," with which they supplemented the furniture of " the Court Room," of which they now took temporary possession for their sessions.1
The Congress of 1775 was essentially composed of the same dele- gates who had been members of its precursor. Its sessions were held from May 10th to August 1st, and from September 5th to December 30, 1775.
Its members were, -
From New Hampshire.
JOHN SULLIVAN.
JOSIAH BARTLETT.
JOHN LANGDON.
From Massachusetts.
JOHN HANCOCK.
JOHN ADAMS.
THOMAS CUSHING.
ROBERT TREAT PAINE.
SAMUEL ADAMS.
From Rhode Island.
STEPHEN HOPKINS. SAMUEL WARD.
From Connecticut.
ELIPHALET DYER.
SILAS DEANE.
ROGER SHERMAN.
From New York.
PHILIP LIVINGSTON.
HENRY WISNER.
JAMES DUANE.
PHILIP SCHUYLER.
JOHN ALSOP.
GEORGE CLINTON.
JOHN JAY.
LEWIS MORRIS.
SIMON BOERUM.
FRANCIS LEWIS.
WILLIAM FLOYD.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
From New Jersey.
JAMES KINSEY. STEPHEN CRANE. RICHARD SMITH.
JOHN DEHART.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.
1 The western room on the first floor, now forming part of the National Museum. They afterwards appropriated and occupied for some years one of the square cham- bers on the second floor, though returning apparently in 1781 or 1782, to the old Court Room, as we shall hereafter see.
INDEPENDENCE CHAMBER. (AFTER RESTORATION.)
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THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
From Pennsylvania.
EDWARD BIDDLE.
THOMAS MIFFLIN.
JOHN DICKINSON.
CHARLES HUMPHREYS.
JOHN MORTON.
JAMES WILSON.
GEORGE ROSS.
ROBERT MORRIS.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
ANDREW ALLEN.
THOMAS WILLING.
.
From Delaware.
CESAR RODNEY. GEORGE READ.
THOMAS MCKEAN.
From Maryland.
MATTHEW TILGHMAN. JOHN HALL.
THOMAS JOHNSON, JR. THOMAS STONE.
ROBERT GOLDSBOROUGH.
ROBERT ALEXANDER.
WILLIAM PACA.
JOHN ROGERS.
SAMUEL CHASE.
From Virginia.
PEYTON RANDOLPH.
RICHARD BLAND.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
PATRICK HENRY.
THOMAS NELSON, JR.
RICHARD HENRY LEE.
GEORGE WYTHE.
EDMUND PENDLETON.
FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
From North Carolina.
WILLIAM HOOPER.
RICHARD CASWELL.
JOSEPH HEWES. JOHN PENN.
From South Carolina.
HENRY MIDDLETON.
JOHN RUTLEDGE.
THOMAS LYNCH. EDWARD RUTLEDGE.
CHRISTOPHER GADSDEN.
From Georgia.
LYMAN HALL. NOBLE WIMBERLY JONES.
ARCHIBALD BULLOCH. JOHN HOUSTOUN.
JOHN J. ZUBLY.
Upon the re-assembling of the Pennsylvania Legislature, the citi- zens of Philadelphia knocked at their door with the renewed request for a vote of credit, that suitable pay and subsistence might be prom- ised to such officers and soldiers of the military association already
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL.
formed as should solemnly engage to go into actual service if required, and for the purpose of supplying needful arms and ammunition for any emergency.
The House, now hearkening to the voice of the blood which cried unto them out of the ground of Lexington and of Concord, at once cor- dially approved the military association already entered into by " the good people of this Province " in defense of their lives, liberty, and property. They undertook "to provide for and pay the necessary expenses of the officers and soldiers, when called into active service, in case of invasion or landing of British Troops or others made in this or the adjacent Colonies, during the present Controversy."
They recommended and enjoined the raising of Minute men for any emergency, to be held in readiness to march to the assistance of any Colony, and selected as a committee - giving them full powers to secure the Province against any hurt from within as well as from without - some of their staunchest patriots (names soon to become distinguished in the field, and in the na- tional councils), John TEN SHILLINGS, Dickinson, Anthony Wayne, Benjamin According to the RESOLVES of the As- [38 70 ] SEMBLY Franklin, William Thompson, Edward of Penn- Silvania, and Owen Biddle, made on the 30th Day of June, In the 15th Year George Ross, John Cadwalader, Robert of the Reign of His Majefty Morris, Thomas Will- ing, Daniel Roberdeau GEO. III. Da ted at Philadel- and others. To pro- phia, the 20th Day of July, 1775. vide the necessary TEN SHILL. 1 funds they ordered to John Bieneres be issued bills of credit Damitmorris for thirty-five thousand Lamb:babwakabem pounds " according to the Resolves of the As- sembly of Pennsylva- nia, made on the 30th day of June, in the fifteenth year of his Majesty GEORGE III."! ! - and these bills, unlike their predeces- sors generally, bear the royal arms, instead of those of Penn and of Pennsylvania.
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ACTION OF THE LEGISLATURE.
The bills were ordered to be delivered to Michael Hillegas, who was appointed Treasurer. Provision was made for their redemption by a tax to be levied on all estates, real and personal, by the asses- · sors, who were "enjoined, and required to raise, levy, and recover, and pay the same as they regard the Freedom, Welfare, and Safety of their Country."
The House, however, was not unmindful of what was due to " Friends," for "taking into consideration that many of the good people of this Province are conscientiously seru- pulous of bearing Arms, it is earnestly recom- * mended to the Asso- No. 701 ciators for the defence SIXTEEN Skillings, of their Country, and According to an Act of General Afembly of Penn. fylvania, paffed ings? XVI s. the 15th Year of others, that they bear a tender and brotherly regard towards this class the Reign of His of their fellow-subjects Majefly GEORGE the Third Dated and countrymen ; and to these conscientious the 25th Day of March, 1775, A people, it is also recom- mended, that they cheer- fully assist, in propor- 0000ft tion to their abilities. Charles Wharton Wishart such Associators as can- not spend their time and substance in the public Sixteen Shillings. service without great injury to themselves and their families."
The Associators shortly afterwards complained of the lenity shown towards persons professing to be conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms, and they say " that people sincerely and religiously scrupulous are but few in comparison to those who, upon this occasion as well as others, make conscience a convenience," and they beg the Legislature to establish some decisive plan by which it might not be left to niere inclination, but that every one should contribute a fixed and determined proportion either in men or money - and this request was strongly endorsed by the Committee of Safety of which Franklin was now President - but the House adjourned a few days afterwards,
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HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL.
on 30th September, recommending these Applications " to the serious attention of the succeeding Assembly."
The new House assembled on 14th October, 1775, and Robert Mor- ris is now returned for Philadelphia County. The important subject referred to this House is promptly entered upon. " The people called, Quakers " at once addressed them by petition, personally presented, and after endeavoring to show that William Penn's glorious grant of universal toleration, together with the chartered rights of liberty of conscience, would be impinged upon by taxes or otherwise for warlike purposes, they assert " the power of judging respecting our sincerity, belongeth only to the Lord of our Consciences, and we hope, in a Province heretofore remarkable for the preservation of religious and civil liberty, the Representatives of the People will still be conscien- tiously careful that it may remain inviolate."
Counter petitions, showing the fallacy of these claims, were now presented by the Committee of the city, by the Officers and by the Privates of the Military Association.
At this important juncture, there was a renewed effort to open the doors of the Assembly Room to " Freeholders," that they might hear the debates on a question that vitally concerned the whole community, -- but the motion was negatived eighteen to nine. Among those vot- ing in the affirmative were Robert Morris, George Ross, and George Taylor.
The sessions of the Legislature had always been strictly private.1
In February, 1764, however, a petition was presented from a num- ber of the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia, praying "that the House would be pleased to make a standing Order that the Freemen of this Province shall have free access at all seasonable times in future, to hear their Debates, as is the Custom in the House of Commons in Great Britain, and elsewhere in his Majesty's Dominions." This caused considerable debate, and it was finally ordered, that a commit- tee should " examine the Journals of the House of Commons, and report the Usage and Practice thereof, in respect to the Privilege petitioned for by the said Inhabitants, and to enquire likewise what the Practice is in the other American colonies."
It was not, however, till the October sitting of 1770 that a resolu- tion was introduced and passed " to set open the doors of the Assem- bly Room for the admission of the Freeholders and other reputable
1 This is a mistake. The public were at times admitted to the house as early as 1758. In that year Dr. William Smith was called to the Bar of the House, and some of the citizens present became so demonstrative that they were arrested .- [Editor of Second Edition.]
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END OF THE COLONIAL LEGISLATURE.
inhabitants, at seasonable times, to hear the debates," etc., etc. Even this limited privilege was not conceded without a long debate, and upon the first noticeable occasion. five years afterwards (4th March, 1775), it was not deemed " seasonable " to open the doors. The question for debate was then the Governor's message of February 21, 1775, on the only proper and constitutional mode of obtaining redress of American grievances, viz., by humble representation to his Majesty by the sev- eral Assemblies. Eighteen members were then adverse; among them Galloway, Humphreys, and John Morton. Thirteen in favor, - Mifflin, Wayne, Thompson (all of them afterwards Generals in the Army of the Revolution), Charles Thomson, and George Ross.
The debates upon the Memorial of the Associators were protracted, but their requests were finally concurred in. The Assembly recom- mended all " male white persons," between the ages of sixteen and fifty, " who are not conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms," to join the military association, whose rules and regulations were ratified ; they provided that all those who should and would not associate for the defence of the province should contribute an equivalent in money, " ministers of the Gospel of all denominations, and servants purchased bona fide, alone excepted."
They also directed the sum of £80,000 additional to be issued for the exigencies of the service. It was now stated to the House that for the first time " some persons not sufficiently attending to the import- ance of preserving public credit at this critical juncture, scruple re- ceiving the bills," of the commission for military purposes, by which means they feared depreciation.1
The House adjourned on 25th November, 1775, to meet on 12th of February following. Then assembling, they held a session which terminated on 6th April, during which time they determined to raise ten battalions of riflemen, and one of musketmen, consisting of 500 each, and to issue £85,000 in paper money to pay these troops, and to meet other expenses. Their next session covered the period from May 20 to June 14, 1776.2
The celebrated Resolution of Congress of 15th May, recommending in certain cases the establishing of new Governments under " the au- thority of the People," would possibly, at the outset, have been taken into consideration by the Assembly, but promptly a protest against
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