USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Bridgeport > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > West Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
WESTERN STAR LODGE, No. 36, F. AND A. M.
Chartered December 27, 1866. The Fairfax (Washington), Ecolite (Union- town), and Golden Rule (Waynesburg) Lodges were taken at different times from this lodge.
BROWNSVILLE LODGE, No. 51, 1. O. O. F.
Original charter August 20, 1832. N. G., William Corwin; V. G., John Garwood; Secretary, Thos. S. Wright; A. S., Daniel DeLancy, Jr. ; Treasurer, Thomas Duncan.
Brownsville Lodge No. 51. 1. O. O. F. is one of the oldest lodges of the order in the United States. Odd Fellowship was introduced into this country from England in 1819, the first American lodge having been organized in Baltimore by Thomas Wildey and a few associates who had been made Odd Fellows in England.
In 1872 Brownsville Lodge was visited by a destructive fire which de- stroyed all the books of record, hence but little of its carly history is known. The older inembers, however, speak of many difficulties and trials which beset the early years of the organization.
Joseph T. Rogers One of the Early Settlers and Business Men of the Three Towns
Hon. Thomas Duncan Twice Judge of Fayette County and Prominent Business Man
Geo. W. Lenhart Veteran Insurance Agent of the Three Towns
Wm. Chatland The Originator of the "Famous Brownsville Water Cracker"
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Brownsville Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F.
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First Iron Bridge in United States, Across Dunlap's Creek Between Brownsville and Bridgeport
The first meeting place was in the upper end of Brownsville. After several years they moved to a room in a building situated on the now vacant lot between the Monongahela Bank and the Railroad station. After a time the Union Grocery building was purchased; another story was added and thus the present Odd Fellows building came into existence. While these repairs were being completed the lodge met in the Wilkinson Building.
At the time of purchasing and remodeling the grocery property consider- able debt was incurred but by prudent and conservative management every dollar of the obligation has been paid, while the treasurer's statement shows a very satisfactory cash balance.
The lodge is now in a very prosperous condition and has bright prospects for a future continuance of the success which has marked its past history.
Within a few years the last two surviving Charter members passed away namely, Brother Morrison and Brother J. A. Hill. Of those who joined shortly after the institution many have died; among them Thomas Duncan, H. J. Rigden, William S. Lafferty, J. W. Jeffrey, James Cope, S. Roberts, Henry Delaney, J. H. Bulger. J. M. Hutchinson, and Joshua Mechem.
Among the survivors whose membership dates back fifty years more or less are Jacob Grasier, Daniel Delaney, William B. Burd, A. D. Lockhart, and L. C. Waggoner. The present officers are: G. W. Hall, N. G .; Frank Wright, V. G .; Albert Weller, Warden: Daniel Delaney, Secretary; L. C. Waggoner, Treasurer; H. II. Griggs, Chaplain, and Trustees, E. S. Delaney. W. B. Burd, and H. C. Fox.
Prof. Jno. A. Brashear The Well-Known Maker of Astronomical Instruments, Who Spent His Early Days in Brownsville
Percival Phillips War Correspondent of the London Daily Express to Japan, Was Born in Brownsville
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Capt. Samuel S. Brown Who Owns a Stock Farm Just Above Bride- port-the Home of "Troubadour." The Area of this Farm is 99912 Acres, Underlaid With Coal
Al. G. Fields Who Embarked in the Show Business When Quite Young, in Brownsville. He and His "Pals" Used the Stable for a Theatre
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Monongahela Lodge, No. 1305, G. U. O. of O. F.
Ice Going Out of Monongahela River
MONONGAHELA LODGE, No. 1305 G. U. O. OF O. F.
The first lodge of the G. U. O. of O. F., west of the Allegheny mountains, was established in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1866, by Joseph C. Bustle of Unity Lodge, of Philadelphia, with a charter membership of twenty- one, as follows:
s. N. G. Terrell, T. T. Baker, B. W. Arnett, Henry Smith, Baker Moore, Phenton Plummer, Sydney Banks, S. C. Honesty, Moses Bolden, Samuel Jackson, Jerry Cain, Wilbert Craig, R. R. Bolden, Jas. E. Simpson, Loyd Demus, Samuel Mossett, Samuel D. Honesty, William Crable, Chas. Mossett, Wm. Johns, and J. C. Alexander.
The first officers were: B. W. Arnett, N. G .; S. C. Honesty, V. G .; N. T. Terrell, P. N. G .; J. Cain, O. G .; T. T. Baker, E. S .; S. Mossett, P. S. ; Wm. Crable, treasurer; R. R. Bolden, warden; J. C. Alexander, I. G.
Monongahela Lodge No. 1305 has established several lodges in Pittsburg and other points west of the Allegheny mountains and is styled the mother of all lodges this side of the mountains, which at this time number between three and four thousand.
In 1894 the lodge purchased a lot and erected thereon a building 27x56 feet, three stories high, consisting of a fully equipped kitchen, pantry and dining room on the first floor; an entertainment hall on the second floor and
James Mitchell Bridgeport, Age 89 Years
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Wm. Graham Brownsville, Age 93 Years
Squire Rob't Mckinley West Brownsville, Age 84 Years
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Redstone Old Fort Encampment, No. 70, I. O. O. F.
lodge room on the third floor. The building cost about $3,000, and at this time is used by several lodges.
The present officers are, J. M. Lanon, N. G .; Roy Smith, V. G .; Benj. Tilghman, P. N. G .: T. Carson, N. F .; H. W. Mossett, P. N. F .; C. Hinton, A. D. V .: T. W. Wood, treasurer; Benjamin Arnett, P. S .; A. Davis, E. S .: Wm. Stewart, chaplain. Trustees, J. Yates, R. Kennedy, H. W. Mossett.
REDSTONE OLD FORT ENCAMPMENT, No. 70, 1. O. O. F.
Original charter granted December 29, 1847. First officers: John J. Rathmell, C. P .: Jacob Grazier, H. P .; James Storer, S. W .; Thomas Shuman, J. W .: Daniel Delaney, Secretary ; Thomas Duncan, Treasurer.
TRIUMPH LODGE, No. 613, I. O. O. F.
Chartered November 19, 1867. First officers: U. L. Clemmer, N. G .; Florence Bernhert, V. G .: J. R. Thornton, Secretary ; John R. McCune, A. S. : Chas. T. Hurd, Treasurer. Later officers: T. S. Wood, N. G .; Charles Gabler. V. G .; G. B. Clemmer, Secretary; H. H. Hawley, Asst. Secretary ; C. T. Hurd, Treasurer. Charter surrendered long since.
NEMACOLIN TRIBE, No. 112, IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN.
Twentieth Sun of the Buck Moon, G. H. D. 379. Charter members: J. M. Hutchinson, D. P. Swearer, E. N. Coon, James B. Vandyke, A. V. Smith, R. 1. Patton.
BROWNSVILLE LODGE, No. 357, K. OF P.
Chartered May 28, 1872. S. B. P. Knox, James M. Hutchinson, James B. Vandyke, Thomas Duncan, Nathan Crawford, Van B. Baker, John L. Wise, Samuel A. Clear, James A. Hill, charter members.
KEYSTONE TEMPLE OF HONOR, No. 4.
Chartered May 9, 1850. Charter members: John S. Pringle, Oliver C. Cromlow, Robert K. Coulter, Hugh Kennedy, Henry C. Drum, George C. Isherwood, Freeman Wise. D. W. C. Harvey, William England, John H. Lindey, James M. Hutchinson, Samuel Voorhis, Charles T. Hurd, James Corwin. Moses Moorchouse, Thomas B. Murphy, William L. Faull, A. G. Minchart, Thomas Craven, Thomas Banks.
Templar's Hall was bought by the Keystone Temple of Honor in 1857. and destroyed by fire in 1861. Present building (Wilkinson Building) was erected the same season and was used by K. of P., Red Men, I. O. O. F. and others for some time.
The Compact
. Signed in the Cabin of the "Mayflower," Nov. 11th, Old Style, Nov. 21st, New Style, 1620.
"In the name of God, amen, we whose names are underwritten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc and Ireland king, defender of the faith, &c., haveing undertaken, for the glorie of God, and advancemente of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and countrie, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly and mutualy in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politick, for our better ordering. and preservation and furtherence of the ends aforesaid; and by vertue hereof to enacte, consti- tute and frame such just and equall laws, ordenances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the general good of the colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cap-Codd the 11 of November, in the year of the raigne of our soveraigne lord, King James of England, Franc and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, ANo Dom 1620."
JOHN CARVER. WILLIAM BRADFORD.
JOHN TILLY.
THOMAS WILLIAMS,
EDWARD WINSLOW. WILLIAM BREWSTER, ISAAC ALLERTON.
THOMAS ROGERS,
EDMOND MARGESON,
MYLES STANDISH.
JOHN RIDGOALE.
RICHARD BRITTEKIDGE.
JOHN ALDEN. SAMUEL FULLER.
FOWARO FULLER, JOHN TURNEF.
RICHARD CLARKE.
FRANCIS EATON,
KICHARD GARDINER.
JAMES CHILTON.
JOHN ALLERTON.
JOHN CRACKSTON.
THOMAS ENGLISH.
RICHARD WARREN. JOHN HOWLAND,
JOHN BILLINGTON,
EDWARD DOTY,
MOSES FLETCHER, JOHN GOODMAN.
EDWARD LEISTER.
STEPHEN HOPKINS
EDWARD TILLY,
DEGORY PRIKST,
FRANCIS COOKE,
GILBERT WINSLOW.
THOMAS TINKER.
PETER BROWN.
GEORGE SOULE.
. CHRISTOPHER MARTIN. WILLIAM MULLINS WILLIAM WHITE.
This paper wa male by band in issf.
Kindly loaned us by Mr. Roland C. Rogers
184
Keystone Temple of Honor, No. 4
KEYSTONE TEMPLE OF HONOR, No. 4, UNION SOCIAL DEGREE.
Chartered December 13, 1850. Charter members as follows: C. Harvey, Emma Minehart, D. Cromlow, Lydia Voorhis, John S. Pringle, F. Wise, G. C. Isherwood, Martin H. Kennedy, R. K. Coulter, J. Corwin, M. Moorehouse, C. Drum, W. L. Faull, J. C. Lindsey, C. F. Hurd, A. G. Minehart and O. C. Cromlow.
TEMPLE OF HONOR, No. 4, COUNCIL.
Original charter December 15, 1851; re-chartered May 19, 1853: John S. Pringle, Freeman Wise, G. C. Isherwood, John S. Lindsey, charter members.
JOHN E. MICHENER POST, No. 173, DEPT. OF PA., G. A. R.
This post was chartered May 13, 1880, with the following-named charter members: B. F. Campbell, William A. Barnes, N. W. Truxal, William Mc- Coy, Daniel Campbell, Samuel Wright, William H. Shaffer, James Smith, George W. Jenkins, John G. Jackson, Charles E. Eckles, Thomas Feuster, N. P. Hormell, William Wright, Henry Minks, George W. Arrison, J. W. Mc- Intyre, R. N. Chew, Henry Drake, S. Williams, F. T. Chalfant, Hugh Mc- Ginty, W. A. Haught, J. H. Gibson, J. T. Wells, J. D. S. Pringle, John D. Hart, Enoch Calvert.
MIRROR THAT HUNG IN THE MAYFLOWER.
The old mirror from which the picture on opposite page was made is now the property of Mrs. Morgan West of Damascus, Ohio. It was brought over in the Mayflower in 1620 by one of Mrs. West's remote ancestors and has been hannded down through many generations, as a precious heirloom. The faces that were reflected in this mirror as it hung on the walls of the cabin of the Mayflower as she was rocked on the waves of the Atlantic, have long since passed away, as have many generations after them, but the religious liber- ties that were dearer than life to them, and the principles to maintain which they crossed the stormy Atlantic, have grown and flourished until today they are as a mantle of protection spread over this glorious nation.
SNUFF BOX THAT CAME OVER IN THE MAYFLOWER.
Another old heirloom that is now in the hands of Hunter Beall and that is highly prized, is an old snuff box that was brought over in the Mayflower by Moses Fletcher in 1620 and has been handed down through many genera- tions, coming to Mr. Beall from his great-grandmother, Nancy Beall whose maiden name was Fletcher, and who was also the great-grandmother of J. Percy Hart, the publisher of this book. Mr. Beall prizes it so highly that he remained at the art gallery or studio of our artist, W. D. Pratt, while it was being photographed and when a good negative had been obtained, took it away with him.
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Mirror that hung in Cabin of the Mayflower Snuff Box that was brought over on the Mayflower
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Peter Hunt's Famous Skating Rink
PETER HUNT'S FAMOUS SKATING RINK.
One of the most famous pleasure resorts here some forty or more years ago, was the skating rink of Peter Hunt who was himself a unique and interesting character. This rink was located on what was for many years known as the second bottom and stood near the fill and stone bridge of the Connellsville Central R. R., now building up Dunlap's Creek. Mr. Hunt flooded his rink every day during the winter taking water from the mill race and thus provided an excellent skating surface. He had a little house well provided with stoves in which skaters could warm and put on or take off their skates.
The old Grooms Band led by Dr. Grooms furnished excellent music, and many was the merry lad and lass who glided over the smooth surface of that rink to the enchanting strains of Dr. Grooms' music, who would now be much at a loss on the steel runners, while many others who were then the gayest of the gay, like Mr. Hunt and his rink, have wandered away to other lands or passed down over the great divide.
Outside the door of the little house, Mr. Ilunt kept a thermometer and an old Scotchman who usually swept the rink, attached much importance to this thermometer. If it indicated extreme cold he would go in often to warm but if the mercury was above freezing he was positive it was not cold
William Dodds Secretary United Mine Workers of America, District No. 5
James Campbell Born at Albany, one mile below Brownsville. Was Pres. of the Universal Federation of Window Glass Workers of the World John Mitchell National President United Mine Workers of America Patrick Dolan President United Mine Workers of America, District No. 5
Theodore J. Shaffer Pres. Amalgamated Assn. of Iron and Steel Workers of America. Once lived in Brownsville and was Pastor of M. E. Church
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188
The Old Wooden Bridge
no matter how he felt. Not infrequently the boys played tricks on the old man. They would hold the bulb of the thermometer in their hands till the mercury would climb up into the sixties and it is said that one cold day the old man was almost frozen but when he looked at the thermometer and saw that the mercury stood far above freezing, he shambled, shivering, back to his work murmuring that he did not know what was the matter with him as he could not stand the cold as well as he once did.
THE OLD WOODEN BRIDGE.
There was no communication by bridge across the Monongahela river from West Brownsville to Bridgeport until the year 1833, all the traffic across the stream at this point being accommodated by the ferries up to that time. More than twenty years earlier, however, the project of bridging the river at some point near the mouth of Dunlap's Creek was agitated by some of the most prominent men of the vicinity on both sides of the river. In 1810 an act was passed (approved March 20th in that year) "to authorize the Gover- nor to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the Monongahela river at or near where the road leading from Brownsville to the town of Washington crosses the same," thus authorizing the location of the bridge at Brownsville or Bridgeport, as might be decided on. The act designated and appointed "Neal Gillespie, Jr., Parker Campbell, and Thomas Acheson, of the county of Washington, Jacob Bowman, Thomas Mason, Charles Shaffner, Samuel Jackson, David Ewing, and Michael Sowers, of the county of Fayette," commissioners to receive subscriptions to the stock of the company to be formed. It was provided and required by the act that the bridge should be so constructed as not to obstruct navigation (except so far as might be donc by the erection of the two abutments and three piers in the river), "or in any manner to obstruct the passage over the usual fording placc, which shall at all times be open as heretofore to persons desirous of passing through the same." The company was of course authorized to collect tolls. The bridge to be commenced in three years and finished in seven years from the passage of the act, under penalty of forfeiture of rights and franchises Reference to the probable carly commencement and completion of the bridge are found in the newspapers of that time; but no work was ever actually done on it, nor does it appear that the bridge site was definitely determined on or the necesary amount of stock subscribed.
On the 16th of March, 1830, the Monongahela Bridge Company was in- corporated, with a capital of $44,000. The corporators were George Hogg, James L. Bowman, Valentine Giesey, and Robert Clarke, of Fayette County; Daniel Moore, Jesse Kenworthy, Ephraim L. Blaine, John Ringland, and Thomas MeKennan, of Washington County. By the terms of the incor- poration William Davidson, George Craft, Isaac Meason, and Andrew Oli- phant, of Fayette County, and John Park, Jr., William Berry, and John Watson, of Washington County, were appointed commissioners to locate the site of the bridge. These men, taking into consideration the great amount of travel and traffic then coming to the river over the National Road, fixed
Residence of Samuel E. Taylor, Brownsville
Residence of Chas. 1. Snowdon, Brownsville
Residence of Samuel H. Pearsall, Dec'd, Bridgeport
190
Visit of General LaFayette
the location at the point where that road strikes the river in Bridgeport, and where the bridge now spans the stream.
Books were opened for subscriptions to the stock in July, 1830, and the requisite amount was soon obtained. The contract for building was awarded to Messers. LeBaron & DeMond, at $32,000, with $5,000 additional for the approaches. They commenced work in the fall of 1831, and on the 23d of November received the first payment of $500 on the contract. Apparently the work was not pushed very vigorously, for the bridge was not completed until 1833, the first tolls being received on the 14th of October in that year.
The bridge is a covered structure, of wood, six hundred and thirty feet in length, in three spans, standing on two piers in the river between the abut- ments. For nearly three-quarters of a century it has stood firm against the ice and numerous great floods in the Monongahela, the most remarkable of which was, perhaps, that which reached its most dangerous point on the 6th of April, 1852. The bridge has always been a very profitable investment to the stockholders, but more particularly so in the palmy days of the National Road, before the railways had diverted its travel and traffic into other channels.
The first officers of the company were George Hogg, president; Thomas McKenna, secretary; James L. Bowman, treasurer.
The present officers of the bridge company are, George W. Lenhart, President; W. A. Edmiston Secretary and Treasurer; C. L. Snowdon, S. S. Graham, Chas. W. Bowman, M. R. Jacobs, Roland C. Rogers, Joseph Bailey.
VISIT OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE.
The visit of the Marquis de LaFayette to Brownsville, in May, 1825, was a memorable event in the annals of the borough. Having started in 1824 from the eastern cities on an extended tour of the United States, he was at that time mentioned moving castward from the Ohio on his return. On the evening of the 25th of May, he arrived at Washington, Pa., where he was to pass the night, and in the morning proceed to Brownsville and Uniontown. The reception committee of the last-named place were at Washington to meet him, and it appears that he considered himself as in their charge from the time of his leaving Washington. The message sent forward from that place in the evening of the 25th was, "He will leave here tomorrow morning early, will breakfast at Hillsborough, dine at Brownsville, and sup and lodge at Uniontown."
In accordance with this arrangement, General LaFayette, accompanied by his son, George Washington LaFayette, and his private secretary, set out from Washington at a very early hour in the morning of the 26th, and took the road to the Monongahela river, escorted by the reception committee and others from Fayette County. The scenes attending the arrival of the party at Brownsville were described in an account written a few years later by one who witnessed them, as follows:
"The citizens of Brownsville had also made preparations to give the General a very warm reception. At that time there was no bridge over the
Residence of Chas. W. Bowman, Brownsville
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Residence of Mary Hogg. Brownsville
Residence of Roland C. Rogers, Bridgeport
192
Visit of General LaFayette
Fred. S. Chalfant, Dec'd. Ex-Sheriff of Fayette County
Monongahela at Brownsville, and communication was kept up between the two counties of Fayette and Washington by means of a flatboat ferry. This ferryboat was magnificently fitted up by the citizens of Brownsville for this grand occasion, being nicely carpeted and decorated with beautiful arches. A company of volunteers, commanded by Capt. Valentine Giesey, was present, each member of the company having the following appropriate motto printed and attached to his cap, 'Welcome General LaFayette.' About the time of LaFayette's arrival on the opposite side of the river, the volunteers, accompanied by twenty-four ladies dressed in white, representing the then twenty-four states in the Union, entered the ferryboat, and were soon landed on the opposite side of the river, where the first general reception given to La Fayette by the citizens of Fayette County took place, on the ferry- boat on the west side of the Monongahela River.
" After a general welcome was extended to General LaFayette by the large concourse of people assembled on the shores, the ferryboat returned to the Brownsville side of the river, and the distinguished visitor was escorted, amidst the most unbounded enthusiasm, to what was then called the Brashaer
193
Letters from Andrew Jackson
Hotel, kept by Colonel Brashear, where a most sumptuous dinner had been prepared for the occasion. LaFayette's reception at Brownsville, in the language of one of the survivors of that memorable occasion, was affectionate and touching. So urgent were the citizens of that place for the General to remain that the committee from Uniontown, of whom George Craft, then sheriff of Fayette County, was one, were compelled to remind him that a very large concourse of the citizens of the county was awaiting his arrival at Union- town. Upon being thus reminded. the General very pleasantly remarked to the citizens by whom he was surrounded that he was now in the custody of the sheriff, and that they must excuse him.' "
LETTERS FROM ANDREW JACKSON.
The following letters from Andrew Jackson to a committee that had charge of the reception tendered the General when passing through the Three Towns, is well worth a place in any history.
Though written nearly a quarter of a century before the question of state rights, inflamed by the agitation of the slavery question, involved the country in a bloody war, it will be observed by the tenor of the letter, that there was in the mind of General Jackson a fear or premonition that at some time there would be an attempt made to disrupt the Union, and also that Jackson who is the patron saint of Democracy, stood philosophically and firmly for the Union.
We are indebted to our fellow-townsman James Risbeck for Jackson's letter and the comments on members of the committee.
STEAMBOAT "WM. WIRT." Ohio River, March 17, 1837
GENTLEMEN : 1 seize the first leisure moment, to express my gratitude to my fellow-citizens of Brownsville and Bridgeport for the warm and flattering manner in which I was received by them, through you as their organ, during the few minutes I had the pleasure to spend with them on the 14th inst. on my journey to the Hermitage.
If my public services have contributed in and degree, to elevate the char- acter of our country, or to perpetuate our liberties, it will be the cherished and proudest consolation of my declining years, during the few remaining days, which may under Divine Providence, be allotted to me on carth.
Relieved as I now am, of the cares of public life, and retiring into that retirement, to which I have looked forward with so much anxiety and anticipated pleasure, I shall not cease to feel an ardent attachment to my country, and an anxious desire for the preservation in all its purity and vigor of that constitution under which these states are united, That constitution. under a wise administration of public affairs, must continue to make us in all future time what we now are, a just, prosperous and happy people.
I have long entertained the opinion, that upon the preservation of the Union of the States depends the last hope of the world, for rational self- government among men. This opinion is not weakened by a long life of experience and observation of the practical operation of our system.
191
Letters From Andrew Jackson
And it is with pleasure that I bear my testimony to the fact, that no por- tion of my fellow-citizens, have manifested a more firm attachment to the Union, than the people of the great State of Pennsylvania, a portion of whom you represent, and my parting admonition to all my countrymen is, to preserve the Union at all hazards.
The testimonial which my fellow-citizens of Brownsville and Bridgeport, have given me through you, of their approbation of my efforts to serve my country, and of their personal esteem, is more gratifying to me, now that I have become a private citizen, and have ceased to exercise authority; and I beg you to assure them, that I will bear with me to the Hermitage the recollection of the kind opinions which they have been pleased to convey to ine.
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