USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > History of Independence Hall : from the earliest period to the present time : embracing biographies of the immortal signers of the Declaration of Independence, with historical sketches of the sacred relics preserved in that sanctuary of American freedom > Part 14
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When the British army invaded New Jersey, the College at Princeton was broken up, and the exten- sive knowledge of Dr. Witherspoon was called to play in a vastly different arena. He was called upon early in 1776 to assist in the formation of a new Con- stitution for New Jersey ; and his patriotic sentiments and sound judgment were then so conspicuous that, in June of that year, he was elected a delegate to the General Congress. After the abdication of the Colo- nial Governors, in 1774 and 1775, provisional govern- ments were formed in the various States, and popular Constitutions were framed, by which they were seve- rally governed under the old Confederacy. Mr. Witherspoon had already formed a decided opinion in favor of Independence, and he gave his support to the resolution declaring the States free forever. He took his seat in Congress on the 29th of June, 1776. On the first of July, when the subject of a Declaration
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of Independence was discussed, a distinguished mem- ber remarked, that "the people are not ripe for a Declaration of Independence." Dr. Witherspoon observed : "In my judgment, sir, we are not only ripe but rotting." On the 2d of August, he affixed his signature to the Declaration.
"Thy spirit, Independence, let me share ! Lord of the lion heart and eagle eye, Thy steps I follow with my bosom bare, Nor heed the storms that howl along the sky. Deep in the frozen regions of the North, A goddess violated brought thee forth, Immortal Liberty, whose look sublime
Hath bleach'd the tyrant's cheek in every varying clime."
Dr. Witherspoon was a member of Congress from the period of his first election until 1782, except a part of the year 1780; and so strict was he in his attendance, that it was a very rare thing to find him absent. He was placed upon the most important com- mittees, and intrusted with delicate commissions. He took a conspicuous part in both military and financial matters, and his colleagues were astonished at his versatility of knowledge. After the restoration of peace in 1783, Dr. Witherspoon withdrew from public life, except so far as his duties as a minister of the Gospel brought him before his congregation. He endeavored to resuscitate the prostrate institution over which he had presided. Although to his son-in-law, Vice-President Smith, was intrusted the active duties in the effort, yet it cannot be doubted that the name and influence of Dr. Witherspoon were chiefly instru- mental in effecting the result which followed. After
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urgent solicitation, he consented to go to Great Britain and ask for pecuniary aid for the College. In this movement his own judgment could not concur; for he knew enough of human nature to believe that while political resentment was still so warm there against a people who had just cut asunder the bond of union with them, no enterprise could offer charms sufficient to overcome it. In this he was correct, for he col- lected barely enough to pay the expenses of his voy- age. About two years before his death he lost his eyesight, yet his ministerial duties were not relin- quished. Aided by the guiding hand of another, he would ascend the pulpit, and, with all the fervor of his prime and vigor, break the Bread of Life to the eager listeners to his message. As a theological writer, Dr. Witherspoon had few superiors, and as a statesman he held the first rank. In him were cen- tered the social elements of an upright citizen, a fond parent,* a just tutor, and humble Christian; and when, on the 10th of November, 1794, at the age of nearly seventy-three years, his useful life closed, it was widely felt that a "great man had fallen in Israel." Among the portraits hanging in the Hall of Independence, that of Dr. John Witherspoon is No. 6. It is a pity that the likenesses of all those distinguished individuals who signed that charter of
* Dr. Witherspoon was twice married. By his first wife, a Scottish lady, he had three sons and two daughters. One of the latter (Frances) married Dr. David Ramsay, of South Caro- lina, one of the earliest historians of the American Revolution. She was a woman of extraordinary piety, and the memoirs of but few females have been more widely circulated and profitably read than were hers, written by her husband.
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our liberties do not occupy conspicuous places in that hallowed and consecrated room,
Where the patriot's eye may turn to see, The hero band of Liberty, Who struck for freedom and their God, And broke the despot's iron rod.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
ROBERT MORRIS.
" Within The hands of men entirely great, The pen is mightier than the sword."
IN the progress of our historical reminiscences we have arrived at one of those patriots whose name stands conspicuously brilliant on the scroll of our country's fame-that of ROBERT MORRIS. As a finan- cier of the Revolution, his qualifications were unex- celled. He was born in Lancashire, England, in Janu- ary, 1733. His father was an able and highly esteemed merchant in Liverpool, and extensively engaged in the trade with the American Colonies. When Robert was a small child, he was left in the care of his grand- mother, and his father came to this country, settled at Oxford, on the castern shore of Chesapeake Bay. Providing himself with the necessary conveniences and comforts of life, he sent for his family, and when they arrived Robert was about thirteen years of age. He was placed in one of the schools at Philadelphia, but the deficiencies of his teacher afforded him but slight advantage in the attainment of knowledge. On being chided by his father for his tardiness in learn- ing, he remarked -- " Why, sir, I have learned all that he could teach me." Young Morris was placed in the
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counting-room of Mr. Charles Willing, one of the leading merchants of Philadelphia, when he was fifteen years old, and about the same time he became an orphan by the sudden decease of his father. A ship having arrived from Liverpool, consigned to Mr Morris, the elder, he invited several friends to an en. tertainment on board. When they retired a salute was fired, and a wad from one of the guns hit Mr. Morris upon the arm. The wound was severe, morti- fied, and in a few days put an end to his existence. Young Morris was much esteemed by Mr. Willing, who gave him every advantage his business afforded; and at the death of his master and friend, he had all the requisite qualifications for a finished and thorough business man. As an evidence of his general good conduct, it is related that Mr. Willing, on his death- bed, said to him: "Robert, always continue to act as you have done."
In 1754 Mr. Morris formed a mercantile business partnership with Mr. Thomas Willing. The firm soon became the most extensive importing house in Philadelphia, and rapidly increased in wealth and standing. After the passage of the Stamp Act and the Tea Act, non-importation agreements became general in the commercial cities of the Colonies. One of the measures adopted by the Colonists to force Great Britain to do them justice, was that of American mer- chants every where agreeing not to import any thing from the mother country. This had a powerful effect upon Parliament, (for in the Lower House the mer- cantile interest was strongly represented,) and led to the modification of several stringent measures. The agreements, of course, seriously affected merchants
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here, and therein their patriotism was made peculiarly manifest. Willing and Morris, notwithstanding the great loss of business it would occasion, not only cheerfully entered into the plan, but did all in their power to induce others to do likewise. But it was not until the tragedy at Lexington aroused the fiercest in- dignation of the Colonists, and extinguished all hope of reconciliation, that Mr. Morris took an active part in public affairs. It is said by Lossing, that Mr. Morris and a number of others, members of the St. George's Society, were at dinner, celebrating the anni- versary of St. George's day, when the news of the bat- tle of Lexington reached them. Astonishment and indignation filled the company, and they soon dis- persed. A few remained and discussed the great question of American freedom: and there, within the festive hall, did Robert Morris and a few others, by a solemn vow, dedicate their lives, their fortunes, and their honor, to the sacred cause of the Revolution. That event called him forth, and in November of the same year, he was elected by the Legislature of Penn- sylvania, a delegate to the General Congress. His business talents were at once appreciated in that body, and he was placed upon the " secret committee,"# and also a committee to devise ways and means for pro- viding a naval armament. In the spring of 1776, Congress chose him a special commissioner to nego-
* The duties of the secret committee consisted in managing the financial affairs of the government. It was a position of great trust, for they frequently had funds placed in their hands to be disposed of according to their discretion, like the " secret service money" of the present day, placed in the hands of the President, with discretionary powers, it being inimical to the general good to take public action upon such disbursements.
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tiate bills of exchange, and to take other measures to procure money for the government.
Mr. Morris was again elected to Congress on the 18th of July, 1776, fourteen days after the Declaration of Independence was adopted; and being in favor of the measure, he affixed his signature thereto on the 2d of August following. His labors in Congress were incessant, and he always looked with perfect confi- dence to the period when peace and independence should crown the efforts of the patriots. Even when the American army, under Washington, had dwindled down to a handful of half-naked, half-famished militia, during the disastrous retreat across New Jersey, at the close of 1776, he evinced his confidence that final success would ensue, by loaning at that time, upon his individual responsibility, $10,000. This mate- rially assisted in collecting together and paying that gallant band with which Washington recrossed the Delaware, and won the glorious victory at Trenton. When Congress fled to Baltimore, on the approach of the British across New Jersey, Mr. Morris, after re- moving his family into the country, returned to, and remained in Philadelphia. Almost in despair, Wash- ington wrote to him, and informed him that to make any successful movement whatever, a considerable sum of money must be had. It was a requirement that seemed almost impossible to meet. . Mr. Morris left his counting-room for his lodging in utter despon- dency. On his way he met a wealthy Quaker, and made known his wants. " What security canst thou give?" asked he. "My note, and my honor," promptly replied Mr. Morris. The Quaker replied : "Robert, thou shalt have it." It was sent to Washington, the
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Delaware was crossed, and victory won! Many in- stances of a similar nature are related, where the high character of Mr. Morris enabled him to procure money when the government could not, and his patriotism never faltered in inducing him to apply it to the pub- lic benefit.
In 1781, the darkest period of the war, Mr. Morris, in connection with other citizens, organized a banking institution in Philadelphia, for the purpose of issuing paper-money that should receive the public confidence, for the government bills were becoming almost worth- less. This scheme had the desired effect, and the aid it rendered to the cause was incalculable. During that year, upon the urgent solicitation of Congress, Mr. Morris accepted the appointment of general finan- cial agent of the United States, in other words, Secre- tary of the Treasury. It was a service which no other man in the country seemed competent to perform, and that Congress well knew. His business talent, and his extensive credit at home and abroad, were brought to bear in this vocation; and upon him alone, for a long time, rested the labor of supplying a famished and naked army and furnishing other necessary sup- plies for the public service. Congress, at that time, could not have obtained a loan of one thousand dol- lars, yet Robert Morris effected loans upon his own credit of tens of thousands. The Bank of North America was put in successful operation, and there is no doubt that these patriotic services of Robert Morris present the chief reason why the Continental army was not at that time disbanded by its own act. And it has been justly remarked, that: "If it were not demonstrable by official records, posterity would
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hardly be made to believe that the campaign of 1781, which resulted in the capture of Cornwallis, and vir- tually closed the Revolutionary War, was sustained wholly on the credit of an individual merchant." At the time Washington was preparing, in his camp upon the Hudson, in Westchester County, to attack Sir Henry Clinton, in New York, in 1781, Mr. Morris and Judge Peters of Pennsylvania, were then at head- quarters. Washington received a letter from Count De Grasse, announcing his determination not to sail for New York. He was bitterly disappointed, but almost before the cloud had passed from his brow, he conceived the expedition against Cornwallis, at York- town. " What can you do for me ?" said Washington to Mr. Peters. "With money, every thing, without it, nothing," he replied, at the same time turning with anxious look toward Mr. Morris. "Let me know the sum you desire," said Mr. Morris; and before noon Washington's plan and estimates were complete. Mr. Morris promised him the amount, and raised it upon his own responsibility.
After the conclusion of peace, Mr. Morris served twice in the Legislature of Pennsylvania; and he was a delegate to the Convention that framed the Consti- tution of the United States. He was elected a Senator under that instrument, and took his seat at the first meeting of Congress in New York to organize the government in accordance with its provisions. In the selection of his cabinet, President Washington was very anxious to have Mr. Morris Secretary of the Treasury, but he declined. Washington asked him to name a candidate, and he at once mentioned Gen- eral Alexander Hamilton. Mr. Morris served a
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regular term in the United States Senate, and then retired forever from public life. By his liberal cx- penditures and free proffers of his private obligations for the public benefit, he found his ample fortune very much diminished at the close of hostilities ; and by embarking the remainder in the purchase of wild lands, in the State of New York,* under the impres- sion that emigrants from the Old World would flow in a vast and ceaseless current to this "land of the free," he became greatly embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs, and it preyed seriously upon his mind, This misfortune, and the inroads which asthma had made upon his constitution, proved a canker at the root of his bodily vigor, and he sunk to rest in the grave, on the eighth day of May, 1806, in the seventy-third
* In consequence of some old claims of Massachusetts to a large portion of the territory of the State of New York, the lat- ter State, in 1786, in order to settle the matter, ceded to the former more than six millions of acres, reserving, however, the right of sovereignty. Massachusetts sold the larger portion of this tract to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham, for one mil- lion of dollars; and in 1790, they in turn sold to Mr. Morris 1,204,000 acres, for sixteen cents per acre. He afterward resold this tract to Sir William Pultney. The original purchasers from Massachusetts, unable to fulfill their contract, surrendered to the State a large tract, to which the Indian titles had been ex- tinguished. This tract Mr. Morris bought in 1796, and after selling considerable portions lying upon the Genesee River, he mortgaged the residue to Wilhelm Willink, of Amsterdam, and eleven associates, who styled themselves the " Holland Land Company." Mr. Morris was unable to meet his engagements, and the company foreclosed, and acquired full title to the land. They opened a sales office in Batavia, Genesee County, which now exists, and they still own large tracts of land in Western Ner York.
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year of his age, leaving a widow with whom he had lived in uninterrupted domestic happiness for thirty- seven years .*
* In 1769 Mr. Morris married Miss Mary White, sister of the late venerable Bishop White, of Pennsylvania.
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CHAPTER XXV.
ELBRIDGE GERRY.
A patriot's valor beamed forth in his eyes, And stern decision marked his every act.
IN gazing upon the many interesting relics in In- dependence Hall, the thoughtful lover of his country's history is pained to see that, while numerous elegant pictures and portraits of distinguished men grace the ample walls, there are many absent which should be there-very many who took active parts in the great struggle for Freedom and Independence-whose like- nesses in some impressive form should have been placed there for the admiration of all who visit this consecrated spot. Among the absent is that of El- bridge Gerry-a man whose sternness and devotion to the cause of Freedom contributed in no small de- gree toward shaping the destinies of the rising Colo- nies, and inspiring the people with increased love for Independence. The birth-place of Mr. Gerry was the town of Marblehead, Massachusetts, on the 17th of July, 1744. His parents were in easy circumstances, his father being largely and successfully engaged in the mercantile business, and, therefore, was well pre- pared to give his son a thorough and useful education. Accordingly, when Elbridge had gone through his preliminary studies, he was placed in Harvard Col-
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lege. In that institution his time was spent in close and vigorous studies, and so well did he apply him- self, that in 1762 he graduated with the honorable title of "Bachelor of Arts." This fitted him for en- tering the world in such pursuits of business as he might deem best calculated to advance his pecuniary interests. But he was not long in choosing what course to pursue. As his father was an extensive merchant, his mind naturally inclined to mercantile matters, and soon after he left college he entered into commercial pursuits, amassed a handsome competency, and was soon, by his own exertions, placed .beyond want, while his intelligence and good character won for himself the esteem of all who knew or had busi- ness dealings with him. Nearly all his fellow-citizens looked to him as an example for emulation, and few measures of public importance were adopted without first having his sanction.
When Great Britain commenced oppressing the people of this country, the solicitude of Mr. Gerry was warmly enlisted on the side of the Colonists, and he expressed himself very decidedly and strongly against the usurpations of the mother country. For these tokens of patriotism the citizens of Marblehead honored him with an election to a membership in the General Court of the Province, in 1773. Being of an ardent and versatile temperament, ingenious in de- vising plans of operation, and exceedingly cautious in their execution, he became a bold and energetic leader. From that time he was one of the most active and effective politicians in Massachusetts. In conjunction with John Adams and others, he was successful in carrying through certain resolutions which had been
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presented in the General Court, having reference to the removal of Governor Hutchinson from office. It appears that the Governor had become very ob- noxious to the people because of the discovery of some letters of his to the English Minister, recom- mending the enforcement of rigid measures against the Americans, and the curtailment of the privileges of the Colonies. These letters were put into the hands of Dr. Franklin, the Colonial Agent in Eng- land, and by him they were immediately transmitted to the General Court of Massachusetts. They pro- duced great excitement, and a petition was adopted and forwarded to the Minister, asking for the re- moval of Hutchinson .*
Until the war commenced, Mr. Gerry was a leading spirit in all political movements. He was a member of the first Provincial Congress of that Province, and opposed the arbitrary measures of Governor Gage in a most vigorous and persistent manner. The night preceding the battle of Bunker's Hill-or more prop- perly, Breed's Hill-he slept in the same bed with General Warren, and in the morning they hade each other an affectionate farewell, Mr. Gerry to go to the
It was on the occasion of Dr. Franklin's presenting this petition to the English Privy Council, that he was so violently assailed by Wedderburn, the Solicitor-General. Franklin made no reply, but in going to his lodgings, he took off his suit of clothes, and declared that he would never put it on again until he had signed " America's Independence and England's degra- dation." Ten years subsequently, after he had attached his signature to the treaty of peace between the two governments, he again put on that suit of clothes, and expressed himself satisfied that his wish had been accomplished. The old Nestor of Patriots gloried in the elevation of America, and the downfall of England's pride.
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Congress, then sitting at Watertown, and General Warren to fall in his country's defense upon the field of battle.
Mr. Gerry was elected to the Continental Congress, in January, 1776. In this new convocation, the most important convention that had ever met in the New World, his commercial attainments were highly use- ful, and he was put upon many committees where such knowledge was necessary. Previously he had been elected a Judge of the Court of Admiralty, but he declined the appointment because of his desire for a more active life. When Mr. Lee presented his reso- lution declaring the United States free and indepen- dent, Mr. Gerry supported it with many strong and urgent reasons. He signed the Declaration on the 2d day of August after it had been adopted. In 1777 he was appointed one of a committee to visit Wash- ington at Valley Forge. He was instrumental in drawing up a report concerning the condition of the Commander-in-Chief, that had a great effect upon the deliberations of Congress, and caused more efficient aid to be given to the support of the army. He re- tired from the position of Congressman in 1780, for the purpose of looking after his own private affairs; but his usefulness in that body was indispensable, and he was again elected in three years afterward. Mr. Gerry was indefatigably and earnestly engaged in all the financial operations of that body, until he finally retired to private life from its bustling scenes, which he did in 1785, and located his residence at Cam- bridge.
At the time of the adoption of the present Constitu- tion of the United States, Mr. Gerry was a member
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of the Convention of his native State. Many of its leading features he opposed, and because of these ob- jections he refused to sign his name to it-neverthe- less, after it became the fundamental basis of the Government, he did all within his power and influ- ence to carry out its provisions. Under it he was twice elected to the House of Representatives of the United States, and having served out his time in an acceptable manner to his constituents, he again re- paired to his private home to enjoy the blessings of quietude and rest. But his public services and busi- ness qualifications would not permit him to remain in private life long. Mr. Adams, while President, was aware of his abilities, and appreciated him for his worth. He therefore called him from his domestic retirement, and designated him as one of three envoys to France, in the year 1798. For some reason or other, this joint commission was not received by the French Government, but, Mr. Gerry was honored by an acceptation ; and this created considerable ill-feel ing against him, by very many citizens of the United States. Mr. Gerry felt it his duty to remain, and did
so. This joint commission was composed of Elbridge Gerry, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and John Mar- shall, the late Chief Justice. At that time the rela- tions between the two governments presented an un- friendly antagonism, and Messrs. Pinckney and Mar- shall were ordered to leave the country, but Mr. Gerry was urged to remain. The Federalists of the United States being strongly opposed to the French, con- demned Mr. Gerry for remaining, while the Repub- licans, sympathizing with the French Revolutionists, applauded him. After his return from France, the
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