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 25
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and hardships of the colonists in planting the colony, the blood and treasure which they had expended in defending it, both against the savages-the red men of the forests of New England-and foreigners; to what hardships and perils he had himself been exposed for that purpose, and that it was like giving up his life to surrender the patent and privileges so dearly bought, and so long enjoyed. The calm dignity and firmness of this Hampden of the Assembly, made an impression on the hearers which prolonged the debate until evening, and kept them in suspense. The charter was at length brought out, and laid upon the table where the Assembly were sitting. By this time great numbers of deeply interested people were met, and there were patriots sufficiently bold among them to enterprise whatever might be necessary or expedient. The lights were at once extinguished, and Captain Wadsworth, one of the members from Hartford, in the most silent and secret manner-as Prince Henry removed the crown from his sleeping father's couch- seized and carried off the charter, and secreted it in the large hollow tree fronting the house of the Honorable Samuel Wyllis, then one of the magistrates of the colony. The people appeared all peaceable and orderly, with a demeanor which is not rare on those great occasions. The candles were relighted, but the patent was gone, and no discovery could be made of it, or of the person who conveyed it away. Sir Edmund assumed the government, and the records of the colony were closed at a general court held at Hartford. On the abdication of James, in 1689, and on the 9th of May of that year, Gov. Treat and his associate officers resumed the government of Connecticut, the charter
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having been restored to the colonial executive, and is still preserved in the archives of that State. The tree measured on the ground, in 1823, thirty-six feet in circumference. The hollow in its trunk formerly visible, was closed, " because," remarked a daughter of the late secretary, Wyllis, "it had fulfilled the divine purpose for which it had been opened-to re- ceive the Charter of Connecticut." Several years ago some boys built a fire in the hollow of the tree, which burned out the punk, but it survived, and fresh sprouts sprung out the next Spring. At this time the recess was so large that a fire company of twenty-seven full- grown men stood up in it together. The tree appeared to have lost its upper trunk, as it was not so high as many oaks of more recent growth. The form of the tree was, however, extremely elegant, and its foliage remarkably rich and exuberant. About four or five feet from the ground (according to the Historical Col- lections edited by Mr. J. B. Moore, and published at Concord twenty-three years ago) an enlargement of the trunk commenced, and gradually increased until it met its surface, which caused its enormous size when measured on the ground. The pilgrims to the fallen shrine are innumerable, and bring away with them such relics as Mr. Stewart permits. At the celebra- tion of the landing of the Pilgrims, at Plymouth, the old Charter Oak was never forgotten.
This piece of the Charter Oak was presented to Independence Hall, by J. W. Stewart. And, as we gaze upon it, we realize what an important part the parent from which it was taken performed in perpet- uating the liberties and rights of a sister State. Since its fall many keepsakes and national tokens have been manufactured out of its branches, trunk, etc., in order
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,
that they might be preserved as sacred relics of the early days of the State of Connecticut. A grateful posterity should carefully guard these mementocs. The Hartford Times once spoke as follows concerning this famous tree: "All of our citizens vencrate the Charter Oak, the grand old tree that so completely shielded the written Charter, which continued to be our organic law till 1818. In song and story, the old Oak is made famous, and thousands of strangers from abroad annually visit it. The tree stands upon the Wyllys Place, now owned and occupied by the Hon. J. W. Stuart, who has kindly cared for it. A few years since some boys kindled a fire within its trunk, which burned out most of the rotten parts of it. Mr. S. soon discovered the fire, and at once had it put out. He then, at considerable expense, had the hollow en- . closed by a door, with lock and key. He also had the stumps of branches that had been broken off, covered with tin and painted. The tree, from this time, seemed to be imbued with new life, each succeeding Spring dressing itself in a richer and denser foliage. On the 22d inst., the New Haven Fire Company, who came up to join their brethren in Hartford on the occasion of their annual muster, visited the famous Oak. They were of course kindly received by Mr. Stewart. To show them the capacity of the tree, he invited the firemen to enter the hollow trunk, when twenty-four of the men belonging to Captain McGregor's company, (Neptune, No. 5,) entered together. They came out, and twenty-eight of Capt. Thomas's Company, (Wash- ington, No. 7,) then entered. By placing twenty-eight full-grown men in an ordinary room of a dwelling, one may judge of the great size of the famous old 'Charter Oak.'"
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CHAPTER XLIV.
OLD DOCUMENTS.
" Those old and sacred relics are still precious."
ROGER SHERMAN'S LETTERS.
THE following letters were written by Roger Sher- man, nephew of the able representative in Congress, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, to Benjamin P. Sherman. They are well worthy of a place in this volume, and are correct transcripts of the originals in Independence Hall :
NEW HAVEN, June 9, 1855.
The first time I saw Washington was in New Haven, in passing from New York to Boston. He stopped over the Sabbath at a public inn kept by Mr. Isaac, one of the most responsible inhabitants. The house stood on the corner where the "New Haven House," now a public-house, is located. In the after- noon he came to my father's, and passing about an hour with the family, we all went to meeting. The general accompanied us, and sat in our pew with father and the family. I again saw him in New York ; and after he became President of the United States, I saw him in Philadelphia, at the "Levee of Mrs. Washington." I was introduced and conducted by his secretary, and after paying my respects to Mrs. Washington, I mingled with the crowd, when I was met by the President and conversed with him for a few moments. He was very particular in his attention
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to every stranger. He associated with the crowd, like other individuals, without ceremony, very much like the meeting at the Merchants' Exchange.
ROGER SHERMAN.
NEW HAVEN, June 9th, 1855.
BENJ'N P. SHERMAN .- Dear Son :
Earl was employed by Mr. Bishop Atling of New Haven, soon after the Declaration of Independence, to take the portraits of all those who signed that in- strument. This design was not completed. After taking a number, of which that of your grandfather, Roger Sherman, was one, the plan was abandoned. This portrait was many years afterward sent to New Haven, without any directions, and delivered to Presi- dent Stiles. On removing a part of the case in which it was enclosed, President Stiles instantly recognized the likeness, and sent it to your grandmother. From this portrait the small engravings and several large pictures have been taken. Sarah, the wife of Samuel Hoar, of Concord, Massachusetts, my youngest sister, and myself, are the only survivors of my father's chil- dren. Should my life be spared, on the 16th day of July next I shall be eighty-seven years old.
Affectionately yours, ROGER SHERMAN.
WASHINGTON'S CARD TO JOHN BROOKS,
Of Massachusetts, Colonel in the Continental Army, afterward Governor of that State :
"The President presents his compliments to Col'n Brooks,
and begs the Favor of his Company at Dinner on Wednesday next, at Four o'clock."
This card was presented to "Independence Hall," by David Kimball, Esq., of Boston, August 10, 1857.
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DECATUR'S COMMISSION.
PHIL'A, June 5th, 1780.
I do hereby certify that a Commission hath issued to Captain Stephen Decatur for the Privateer Brig Fair American, mounting sixteen carriage guns, navi- gated by one hundred and thirty men, of the burthen of one hundred and fifty tons, belonging to Charles Miller & Company, and bearing date the twentieth day of April last.
. W. MATLACK, Sec'y.
WASHINGTON'S INVITATION CARD.
The following is the "Invitation Card" of George Washington to his guests. It is printed in very antique style, but carefully preserved in Independence Hall. The card is taken from the original engraved copy-plate of General Washington, used by him for cards of invitation during his presidency. It was presented to the City Councils of Philadelphia, June 23, 1855, by William Can.
"The President of the United States and Mrs. Wash- ington, request the pleasure of - Company to dine on - next, at - o'clock
“-179. An answer is requested."
WASHINGTON'S BENCH.
Elsewhere we have given an extended account of the bench with the above inscription : but the sub- joined historical paragraph will also be interesting:
In 1835 the interior of that ancient edifice, Christ Church, was about to be modernized. The family pew of General George Washington was presented to Ebenezer Mustin under a promise that a chair or settee should be made therefrom, and preserved as a relic. The bench was therefore made, and placed in Independence Hall.
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CHAPTER XLV.
PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON WOVEN IN SILK, AND OTHER INTERESTING MEMENTOES.
"Such sacred things claim a portion of our attention."
ONE of the curiosities in Independence Hall, which attracts universal admiration, is a portrait of General Washington, woven in silk, on the Jacquard loom at Lyons, France, and presented to the City of Philadel- phia by Messrs. Ponson, Phillippe & Vibert, who manufactured it. The following is the correspondence in reference thereto :
CLERK'S OFFICE, SELECT COUNCIL. - CITY OF PHIL'A, Sept. 17, 1855.
The following is an extract from the Journal of the Select Council of the city of Philadelphia, of Sep't 13, 1855, page 271.
The Clerk of the Mayor being introduced, presented the following message in writing :
MAYOR'S OFFICE, Sept. 13, 1855.
TO THE SELECT COUNCIL :
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor herewith to trans- mit a portrait of WASHINGTON, executed on the Jacquard loom, in Lyons, France, and presented by the manufacturers, Messrs. Ponson, Phillippe & Vibert, to the Mayor and Councils of Philadelphia. Also, a communication from Charles S. J. Goodrich, Esq.,
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U. S. Consul at Lyons, through whom the portrait is presented. Respectfully,
R. T. CONRAD, Mayor.
CONSULATE U. S. OF AMERICA, LYONS, FRANCE.
MR. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN :- Two years ago, by a singular coincidence, while one class of our artisans in France were preparing implements of war for the East, a portion of another class were prepar- ing a memorial of peace for the West. In the silk goods manufactory of Messrs. Ponson, Phillippe & Vibert, of this city, a set of artisans were weaving in silk, for our three great cities, the portrait of him who was " first in war and first in peace," our Washington. That elaborate work of art has just been finished, Messrs. Ponson, Phillippe, & Vibert, who are among the most eminent, enterprising, and successful of the merchants of Lyons, procured, as a guide for their artists, an engraving, life-size, from our own Stuart's painting of Washington, now owned by the Boston Athenæum; and their workmen, as the result of two years' employment thereupon, have procured as faith: ful a portraiture of the lineaments of the face of that great and good man, as at once to evince their unsur- passed skill, and at the same time exhibit the perfection to which this department of art, originating in the genius of Jacquard, has been brought in this city of his birth, life, and death. Messrs. Ponson & Co., flatter- ing themselves that this first silk-wrought portrait of the "Father of his country"-the specimen of the art with an American subject-will be justly appreciated by the countrymen of that great man, have resolved to dedicate it, multiplied for that purpose, to the three chief commercial cities of the Union-New York, Philadelphia, and Boston-and have charged me, in their names, to present it to the constituted authorities thereof, trusting that it may not be deemed unworthy of a place among the mementoes of that country's
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greatness, to which the immortal subject of the picture so largely contributed. Your honorable body will please accept the gift of the liberal donors, through your obedient servant and fellow-citizen,
CHAS. S. J. GOODRICH, U. S. Consul.
Which was read and laid on the table, when Mr. Perkins offered the following :
Resolved. That the likeness of Washington, woven in silk, this day presented to the Councils of the city of Philadelphia, through his honor the Mayor, from Messrs. Ponson, Phillippe, & Vibert, of Lyons, France, be accepted, and placed in the "Hall of Independence," and that the Mayor be requested to communicate to Messrs. Ponson, Phillippe, & Vibert, the high appre- ciation Councils entertain for that enlarged good feeling and courtesy which prompted them in making their very acceptable offering; and to assure them it shall be carefully preserved, not only as a memento of him whose memory is ever "first in the hearts of his countrymen," but also as illustrative of the perfection to which they have brought their time-honored art, as rivaling the pencil in the truthfulness and beauty of its delineations.
Which was twice read, considered, and unanimously adopted.
Attest : JOSEPH WOOD, JR., Clerk of Select Council.
PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS.
Near this admirably wrought portrait is a photo- graph of the original miniature, taken from life, of George Washington, by Archibald Robertson, in January, 1792. The original was, at the time this photograph was taken, in possession of his grand- daughter, Matilda Robertson, of New York. It was presented to Independence Hall, by Jno. W. C. Moore.
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There is also another of Martha Washington, taken at the same time, and presented by the same person. They are striking illustrations of the original minia- tures, and are worthy of being preserved here.
ORIGINAL CHARTER OF PHILADELPHIA.
There is a photograph copy of the original Charter of Philadelphia, carefully taken and preserved, but it can scarcely be read, in consequence of many of the words and sentences being illegible. Probably their antiquity has rendered the paper upon which it was engrossed somewhat decayed. However, what does remain of it, is suggestive of many incidents recorded in the preliminary chapter of this work.
On the south side of the room, is a very chastely wrought frame, bearing the insignia of the " Corpora- tion of Philadelphia." It is cut from solid Parian marble, and bears the arms of the city. Over this hovers an eagle with outstretched wing, holding an Olive branch in one talon, and a quiver of arrows in the other. In its beak is the motto : " Declaration of Independence, Phil'a, July 4, 1776."
There are numerous other interesting relics which have almost lost their identity, and to the stranger their histories are unknown. Such is the case with the Chair in which JOHN HANCOCK sat when he signed the "Declaration of Independence," and thus bade defiance to the imperious authority of despotism. This chair stands upon the left, in front of Washing- ton's statue, as it is approached from the door ; and, on the right, stands the one which was occupied by Mr. Thompson, when he engrossed the " Declaration
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of Independence." These ought to be properly labeled, in order to point out to visitors which were respectively occupied by the individuals referred to.
Suspended from the centre of the room is the same Chandelier that was hung there when the hall was first built, in all its beauty ; the only change that has been made in it, has been to insert gas into it, in the place of candles, as was originally the case. In other re- spects it is the same as when it shed its light upon the more than Amphyctionic Council that met there dur- ing the stormy debates of our early struggles for freedom.
There is also a piece of the step on which Mr. Thompson, the Secretary, stood when he read the Declaration of Independence.
Such are the sacred relics which have thrilled our thoughts with their impressive associations, and filled our hearts with patriotic emotions. Carefully should they be preserved.
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CHAPTER XLVI.
CONCLUSION.
Oh, who can gaze upon the relics here, And not their sacred memories revere ? Who can behold the figures of our sires, And not be touched with Freedom's hallowed fires ?
THOSE who feel an interest in the scenes where important events have taken place, can realize the emotions we have experienced while tracing the his- tory and associations connected with Independence Hall. The. learned and sensitive of all nations pay reverence to the memory of Rome, for they know that in that city the arts and sciences were carried to great perfection, and wisdom radiated its influences over the world. They feel as though they were treading the Appian avenue
"Of monuments most glorious, palaces, Their doors sealed up and silent as the night, The dwellings of the illustrious dead."
They may still look out toward the Tiber, and see its classic waters glide gently on-they can also fancy Horace on his uncouth mule, as he perambulated the streets-in imagination they climb the Palatine with old Evander, where Virgil read aloud his thrilling verses, until " his voice faltered and a mother shed tears of delight." All these, with a thousand other recol- lections, come vividly to their minds, and they invol-
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untarily exclaim : " We are in Rome !" Yes-they know, that
" Here Cincinnatus pass'd, his plow the while Left in the furrow, and how many more, Whose laurels fade not, who still walk the earth, Consuls, Dictators, still in curule pomp Sit and decide ; and, as of old in Rome Name but their names, set every heart on fire !"
But here, in Old Independence Hall, where greater victories than the world ever before realized, were achieved, the thoughtful patriot may think down ages. Here his eye falls not upon tinselled trappings of imperial courts and liveried minions of despotic royalty -he gazes not upon the trained retinues attending sovereign authority-he beholds no mockery of justice by the pride and insolence of power. He realizes him- self standing in the Holy Temple of Freedom, where human rights were promulgated by men of uncom- promising integrity and decision of purpose-where the first successful impetus was given to the establish- . ment of civil liberty and religious toleration. And his mind goes back, "to days long past," and busies itself with other times,
"-As in memory's bark we glide To visit the scenes of our boyhood anew, Though oft we may see, looking down on the tide, The wreck of full many a hope shining through, Yet still as in fancy we point to the flowers, That once made a garden of all the gay shore,
Deceived for a moment, we'll think them still ours,
And breathe the fresh air of life's morning once more."
Yes-here, in this consecrated room, we can realize more than at Rome. We can fancy that the heroes
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of the past are before us, in all their imperial sovereign- ty and resolution-and rejoice that our country is AMERICA ! Oh, how deep a spell that little word contains! Its mention strikes terror to the hearts of European despots. Its remembrance acts as a soothing balm to the weary laborer, the manacled slave, the exiled patriot of the Old World. Some one has said, and the language is germain here, that all true lovers of freedom look forward to the day when the homes of their childhood, the land of their birth, will follow in the wake of the guiding constellation of the West -than which, since the creation of the world, never did benignant Heaven smile on a more brilliant galaxy. Three quarters of a century have elapsed since our country became an independent nation. What has enabled her to obtain this proud pre-eminence among her sister nations ? It is the foresight with which she laid the foundations of her government. Her consti- tution, like the altar of a Druidic Temple, may be caused to vibrate by the hand of a child, yet it is so finely equipoised that, though the waves of fanatic rage and fury beat upon it, they beat in vain. These only recoil on the heads of those who lash them on- and may it so continue forever. Yet, at this very moment, there are those who believe in the "divine right of kings," who delight to sneer at our govern- ment, and would rejoice in the failure of our experi- ment, if such a thing were possible, so that they might proclaim to those countries of the East that aspire to follow the example set them, "man's incapacity for self-government." From 1776 until the present time, our beloved country has gloried in a name revered by her friends and respected by her enemies. From the
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shores of the Pacific to those of the Atlantic -from the chain of Lakes to the Rio Grande and Gulf, her beauti- ful valleys, her extensive plains and western prairies, teem with the fruits of industry and enterprise. Her flag, "The Star Spangled Banner," floats in every breeze, and her Eagle overshadows with his protecting wings her citizens, in whatever clime they roam-her commerce whitens every sea with its unsullied canvas ; and
"No longer Britain rules the wide domain."
America /-what charms cluster around thine honored name. America ! exclaims the Poet-
"I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills, My soul with rapture fills, At thy blessed name."
In what does our country compare with other nations ? Wherein consists Britain's self-assumed superiority ? Does she boast her ancient- castles, with their hoary walls verdant with creeping ivy ? Her works of dear- bought grandeur ? The seniority of her architectural ruins ? We can point to our stentorian Niagara ; our craggy Natural Bridge; our colossal Mammoth Cave ! These far excel any work of art -- they are the workmanship of the great Divine Architect of the Uni- verse, and of an antiquity coeval to that when Great Britain lay submerged beneath the waves. Does the Old World pride herself on her magnificent gardens -her Alpine scenery-her Italian sunset ? America points to the magnificence of her peerless autumnal forests-her landscapes of transcendent beauty-her trackless pleasure grounds of the broad prairies. Her
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rivers for size and length far excel those of the Eastern continent. Where are those that can compare with her Mississippi, her queenly Amazon, her far-famed Hudson ? In every feature of her topography, she excels any other country. This is why we love our Native Land. Civilized or savage, man feels the same strong, unalterable devotion to the soil and clime which gave him birth, and though it may be in the icy North, or amid the sands of the Tropics, he clings to it as the kindest and brightest spot on earth. No time' nor distance can efface the impression; and whether he be through life a dweller in the place of his nativity, or from infancy an exile or wanderer in strange climes, his heart will yearn toward and long for his native land. The sentiment is as universal as the human race. Other lands than our own may lure us with their bright skies and varied scenes for a time ; we may eat the bread and drink the waters or wines of foreign climes, and be merry even in the house of the stranger; but, when the novelty of change is past, and the banquet of excitement palls, the memory of the first home-hearth breaks in upon the heart with a light mellow and rich as the glow of the setting summer sun. God has written this holy love in the heart of man for wise and beautiful purposes. With- out it man would be a rover and a robber, having neither society, civilization, government, nor country. To-day he would pitch his tent and dig a grave in the desert-to-morrow his home would be in the wilder- ness. Wherever there was most to tempt the passions of his nature, thither would he go, building his hearth without care for the future, and leaving it without thought or regret for the past. To him, history,
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associations, and old landmarks, would have no charms -like Cain, he would be an outcast and a wanderer in the earth. But there are none such: every man feels irresistibly drawn toward his native land where -. ever he may be. Toward that spot and the blessed scenes of his childhood he turns his eyes, as the Hebrew does toward the East, the Moslem toward his Mecca, and the Magian toward the Sun. It fills his day vis- ions and his night dreams-his prayers, his memories, and his hopes. It makes him a patriot, a martyr, a friend, and a fellow-loving, civilized man. These are the feelings we have often experienced while meditat- ing in Independence Hall. All the past scenes and incidents in our country's history come vividly to our memory, and make us feel as though we were standing in a temple consecrated to Liberty, and sanctified by the heroic deeds of our ancestors. A deep and silent awe pervades this sanctuary of our freedom, and its impressive influences subdue the thoughts to reverence. Emotions which cannot be suppressed take possession of the mind, and before we are conscious of the fact, we are lost in serious reflections. Heroes, philoso- phers, statesmen, soldiers, and Christians, come before our memory's eye, like the beautiful changes in an intricately wrought kaleidoscope. We can gaze upon the pictures here, and rejoice that efforts have been made to rescue the physiological features of some of those great men from oblivion. But, there is much yet to be accomplished. There should be a monument reared in Independence Square, in close proximity to this immortal room, by the free hands of a grateful posterity, that will appropriately commemorate the deeds of those heroes who bought the inheritance for
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us. We say, however, as Pericles said to the Athen ians : " Oh Americans, these dead bodies ask no mon. uments : their monument arose when they fell, and so long as Liberty has defenders, their names will be imperishable. But, it is we who need a monument to their honor. We, who survive, not having yet proved that we, too, could die for our country, and be im. mortal. We need a monument, that the widows and children of the dead, and all the shades of the departed, and all future ages may see and know that we honor patriotism, and virtue, and liberty, and truth ; for, next to performing a great deed, and achieving a noble character, is to honor such character and deeds." Years may change many of the relics preserved in Independence Hall, but oh, may they ever be kept sacred from desecration-may this sanctified Fane of our national pride never be devoted to any other pur- pose than that of pure patriotism. May it ever be preserved as the Mecca of our land, where the great and the good from every quarter of our common coun- try may come and pay homage to the place where Freedom was born and defended, and where they can look upon the figures of those who took part in the first great struggle for Independence.
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