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 3
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Viewed in a national light, they saw and anticipated greater consequences. They realized that the price of liberty was to be eternal vigilance, that "no more truly do rising clouds and rumbling thunders foreshadow gathering storms," than did the indications on every side speak of an approaching national tempest. The signs of the times were dark, fearful, and portentous ! The shadows of the approaching outbreak bent luridly above them, with a warning to prepare for the san- guinary strife! The enemies of liberty were more than usually active-they left no avenue unoccupied which might be made auxiliary to their designs- "and stealthily and ruthlessly as the assassin's steel were they driving their death-thrusts at Freedom's heart, and planning destruction to all who gathered around her fair, wide-fluttering standard !" That, then, was no hour for slumbering indifference-no time for supine forgetfulness, of composure and se- curity, when the invading hand of depotism, cunning
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and malignant, threatened to clutch from them their dearest rights, their most sacred liberties, and lay low beneath unsparing rage and trampling feet, the homes of their affections, the altars at which they worshiped, and seal from their gaze the splendor of that divine truth which has since illumined our nation's onward progress, and been the guiding light in its march to elevated worth, prosperity and honor. They realized these truths, and felt how great were their responsi- bilities ! Upon their decision depended the future condition, happiness and prosperity, or servitude and oppression-of the country. . War with its destructive concomitants and still greater despotism, or war with its sanguinary struggles and freedom, was to conclude the final vote of that assembly. Either alternative would be dear and difficult-either would cost years of fighting and hundreds of valuable lives. A nation of freemen, possessed of characteristics belonging to independent sovereigns, each in an individual capa- city, capable of self-government, was to spring up from their judicious deliberations, or they themselves become martyrs to the cause they represented. It was no wonder that they were sleepless at their posts-that they kept constantly in their minds the belief that "the price of liberty was eternal vigilance," and that he who would successfully combat the sneaking foe must bear the whole armor to the fight, and never falter nor turn his eyes from the thickening contest. Their antago- nists were armed-armed for a desperate purpose ! The temples they had reared and dedicated for pacific measures-places whose atmosphere should have been fragrant and glowing with the sweetness of peace-offer- ings and holiness-were made theatres of whispered
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plottings, repositories of tumult's deadly weapons ! These were facts of a startling and threatening cha- racter. They addressed themselves with burning in- tensity to the spirit that actuated those representatives -our forefathers-in that revolutionary struggle, and led to the consummation of the object for which they were called together-the framing of a DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
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CHAPTER II.
PRIMITIVE SETTLERS AND PUBLIC EDIFICES.
"Here the free spirit of mankind, at length, Throws its last fetters off ; and who shall place A limit to the giant's unchained strength, Or curb his swiftness in the forward race ?"-Bryant.
EVERY nation has some particular, some sacred enclo- sure, or consecrated building, which they regard as a Mecca or shrine, at which they pay national oblations and homage. These are generally places where im- portant events have culminated advantageously to the reputation and nationality of the people, or where circumstances of vast magnitude have transpired. Sometimes, too, they are rendered sacred by inhuma- tion of the great, or the expiring throes of heroes on ensanguined fields of valor. England has her West- minster Abbey, France her Hotel des Invalides, and the United States-the great American republic-her Lv- DEPENDENCE HALL. The affections of the people of England and France become more elevated at the baptismal shrines of their respective nations, and swell out with idolizing patriotic intensity. Pestilence and famine-war with its incidental misfortunes may sweep, like a burning sirocco, millions to the dust- yet their survivors will turn to their holy places as the surest refuge to invoke consolation in hours of calamity and danger. The American people are no
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less superstitiously inclined. They regard the sacred building in which their "Declaration of Human Rights" was vitalized and rendered operative, with as much reverence as did the Scandinavians the fabled well of Mimer. They gaze upon its venerable walls and drink deep inspiration-they feel themselves standing in the focus where concentrate the united efforts and influences of a mighty people-or rather in a centre whence radiate scintillations of freedom over a wide and prosperous continent. From its hallowed dome we can look out upon the illimitable blue of the world around-can see a fertile country stretching away to a point where ceases the scope of human vision, teeming with every thing calculated to increase the happiness and welfare of its inhabitants -we can see the white sails of commerce dotting the noble Delaware, freighted with the products of in- dustry for our transatlantic neighbors, while over the city and over the country hangs a spirit of sublimity and augmenting grandeur. It is not unreasonable, therefore, to suppose that the inhabitants, from the associations which surround them, with all their pecu- liarities and discrepancies of taste, education, senti- ments, private and social habits, national prejudices and preferences, should cling ardently to the early reminiscences of their ancestors. From the mass of mental elements scattered over these fertile regions, is formed a public mind, deep, powerful, and inde- pendent, which will retain its own great interests with a strength and firmness that cannot be shaken by any other elements or powers. Over these hills and val- leys, yet moist with the blood of the Revolution, and consecrated by heroic bravery-no dogmatical forms 4
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and ceremonies, conventional creeds and systems, social deferences or distinctions of wealth, can check the bold inspirations of natural freedom-but thought and fancy are free to roam in all the strength and vividness of their character. Amid the florid beauty that waves over these variegated fields, refreshed by the most delicious dews and breezes-amid the asso- ciations of youth, sacred domes and puritanical restraint, the spirit seems quickening with new and more expansive powers and susceptibilities, while the sweetest melodies of nature, her multiform beauties, boundless and picturesque displays, combine to en- chant the ear, and awaken in the bosom new energies, emotions and enjoyments. There, instead of the narrow streets and pent walls, the dim and smoky atmosphere of large cities or towns, we may feel our- selves free and invigorated by a pure and fragrant atmosphere, and can gaze with a brighter glow of admiration over the expansive scenes, broad land- scapes teeming with spontaneous luxuriance, which strike the view, and make us realize more deeply the harmony that prevails around us. Surely scenes so grand, natural, and free, cannot fail to awaken a more active energy, excite stronger emotions, and inspire the thoughts with bolder or more excursive powers. With such scenes and associations everywhere around this, the cradle of American liberty, it is not strange that the American people should exhibit a natural pride for, and a strong attachment to, the land of their own and the birth of their forefathers.
Historically considered, Independence Hall presents many interesting features. To the student of American archæology, it is one of the most inspiring buildings
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in the country ; its antiquity excites our veneration ; its associations our patriotism ! Standing within the room where the Convention of Delegates assembled, the American citizen feels surrounded with holy in- fluences-he almost hears the pulsatory throbbings of each member's heart while gravely considering the country's welfare in that Convention-for the occasion was one of awful moment. Every portion of the building is equally sacred-the walls, the ceiling, the carvings, recesses and corners, still ring with the voices of the unforgotten dead. We remember, while gazing on them, the sore difficulties experienced by the early settlers of Philadelphia, and feel that it is pleasant and instructive to revive and recreate pic- tures of the incidents which must have engaged them. We can imagine what a bustling, spirited, emulous scene it must have been; and we can transport the mind back to the primitive site of Coaquanock, to wit- ness the busy landing from the ships anchored in the river, of men, women, and children upon the gravelly strand at the foot of the precipitous banks of Dock Creek-the hurrying backward and forward of lighters, discharging from the ships in the stream, the furni- ture, implements and provisions for their future use- then the efforts of men, women, and children en- . deavoring to gain the higher river banks. We may also imagine the mingled emotions of such families- how they must have felt an exhilarating effect in in- haling the pure air, after a confined and irksome voy- age, among the towering groves of spruce pines, which stretched their umbrageous arms abroad-glad, no doubt, to feel themselves again safe on solid land Again, we may behold, on the other hand, those
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newly-arrived settlers, devoid of all the usual com- forts and conveniences of civilization, in a gloomy wil- derness, without a house or shelter; but with the true spirit of heroic. pioneers, impressed with hopes of a glorious and happy future, they set nobly to work to build homes for their wives and children.
And we may, at the same time, feel that some leading member of that Christian community, after piously returning thanks to the Almighty for their safe landing, and asking His blessing on their future efforts, begins himself the good example of the toil before them, like Christian David, the pioneer Mora- vian settler at Hernhuth, by striking his axe in the first tree, and exclaiming: "Here hath the sparrow found a house, and the swallow a nest for himself- near thine altar, O Lord God of hosts!" Yes-there, in the sweet quietness of the wood, free from the hurries and perplexities of Europe, they could not but remember they were quite removed from per- secution,
"Not like their fathers, vexed from age to age, By blatant bigotry's insensate rage."
In imagination we still behold the men and the boys, with their implements for clearing away the forests on their shoulders, starting off to select places for temporary huts, cabins or caves in the side of the hill; and while some excavate the earth, three or four feet, near the margin of the river, others ply the axe to clear the underwood, or to fell trees, whose limbs and foliage were used to supply sides and roofs to their humble dwellings. Again we see others engaged in
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digging sods, which they employ in forming sides to their huts, and when these are completed, chimneys of grass or kneaded clay are set up, and the house is finished ! In the meantime the women have lighted fires on the ground, and "having their kettle slung between two poles, upon a stick transversed," their humble and frugal meal is quickly prepared; all gather around and partake of it with light and happy hearts. Then, each family begins to convey to their new-made residence their goods and furniture, and they all feel settled for a season. Thus their frail hovels became occupied, and the families located close to each other for self-protection ; and
"Soon homes of humble form and structure rude, Raised sweet society in solitude."
And then the busy scene began! No sooner had the surveyor, with much labor, by felling trees and dragging away the brushwood, made an imperfect passage, along which to draw his "lengthening chain," than he formed the "city plot." With what alacrity and earnestness did the men start off to prepare the ground for permanent improvement? The echoing wood resounded with the ringing voices of the wood- men's axes and the crash of falling trees-the Indians looked on amazed and affrighted at this, the first sounds of civilization that had ever reverberated on their ears. Starting here, and flying there, beasts and birds, were killed in large quantities, and served as excellent food for the people while they were clearing away the deep embarrassments of the soil. "Even the reptiles, deadly and venomous, then first felt the
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assault of the primeval curse, and the serpent's head was crushed."
So soon as the permanent buildings had been gen- erally started, and the forests disappeared, the rude original outlines of the city-not then as now-began to be apparent, and we may well imagine the cheerful greetings which passed between those pioneers, while contemplating the steady progress each had made. And often, too, we fancy how reciprocally they must have aided each other at their "raisings," and other heavy operations requiring many hands and much physical strength. A mutual dependence upon each other was felt by all. Self-interest and self-protection led to this policy. With that sublime conception of revelation which inspires the heart to live out the precepts of an overruling Providence, they permitted no dissension or evil report to mar the steady prog- ress of their purposes. Thus it was that, not only the solitudes of the wilderness were converted into safe and pleasant retreats, but the rude denizens of the forests themselves were tamed into submission by the superior civilzation of the white man. Time passed on, and their little colony spread its dimensions in various directions. Smiling fields, rich with virgin crops, appeared where the "heavy oak and chestnut- trees stood."
We remember, too, that, at that time, the first houses lay chiefly south of what was called High-now Market-street, and on the northern bank of Dock Creek-then called the Swamp. At the mouth of this creek was the Ferry from the Blue Anchor Tavern- the place where William Penn first landed in a boat from Chester, when he visited his province in Penn-
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sylvania-leading over to "Society Hill," before the Causeway at Front street was formed. The first bridge, and their then first means of a cart-road leading west- wardly, was a wooden structure laid across the water " where the tide ebbed and flowed," at Hudson's alley and Chestnut street. Dock Creek then traversed Fourth and High streets, and on the north side of Iligh street, formed a pond, which was surrounded with shrubbery, and was an excellent resort for wild fowl and geese, where they were easily captured. On examining old documents, we find that another great duck pond lay in the rear of Christ Church, and the first Baptist Meeting House. Tradition relates that, at that place an Indian feast was held; and in order tó amuse William Penn and exhibit their agility, the Indians peformed a foot-race around the entire pond. From Dock Creek at Girard's Bank, diverging in an- gular directions, ran a water-course through what was subsequently designated "Beak's Hollow," near Sixth and Walnut streets, and terminated in another duck pond. All these places were regarded with peculiar interest by the inhabitants, who, during the summer- time, frequently watched the deer, as they came down to drink and eat the " spatterdashes," which grew luxu- riantly around their borders.
These ancient reminiscences inspire us with deep emotions, for by them we learn how patiently the founders of the city of Philadelphia toiled amid in- terposing difficulties to open a way through the deep forests of Pennsylvania for the progress of civilization. Each effort of those struggling pioneers is regarded with peculiar interest, as they were directed toward the establishment of institutions from which should
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flow the choicest blessings to humanity-the blessings of Freedom and Independence.
Looking at these things through the medium of historical contemplation, we remember that, "as buildings and comforts progressed," the early settlers turned their attention to Pablic Edifices, and one of their first measures in this respect was, the erection of a place of worship. This building was known as the Friends' Meeting House. It was built at the Centre Square, and lay far beyond the then verge of popula- tion. Frequently when the settlers were following the cart-path from the town, they saw it traversed by wild game, deer and turkeys, and often that less welcome visitor, the bear, would show himself to the people. The next public building required was a place of confinement for violators of the peace; and they rented a building from Patrick Robinson for that purpose, until the young city had provided itself with one better adapted for the emergencies of the times. This was soon erected, and was situated on a spot of ground opposite William Penn's Mansion in Lætitia court, before which stood "his gate" to the space of ground surrounding it, and before which he made his royal proclamation to the people. Opposite this mansion was then
" A grassy sward, Close cropt by nibbling sheep,"
which were pastured there until fit for market, when they were sold from the movable shambles. Con- spicuous, too, was the residence of Edward Shippen, the first Mayor of the city, which "surpassed his
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cotemporaries in the style and grandeur of its appur- tenances"-for, having crossed the water, he located himself in that venerable building subsequently known as the "Governor's house," but upon the site of which is now situated "Waln's Row," in South Second street, "on the hill near the town, where he had a great and famous orchard, and where he also had tame deer. His house appeared to have been located on an eminence, for the hill beautifully descended in a green bank in front of his house to Dock Creek, and no intervening object prevented the prospect to the Jerseys and the river." Cotemporaneously with these, the citizens erected the first Christ Church, under the supervision of Rev. Mr. Clayton - " a wooden building, of such declining eaves that a by- stander could touch them."
Pre-eminent, however, at that period, and often visited as a curiosity and for its grandeur, even then, was the Swedes' Church, with its steeples. This was built upon the site of the old log church in which were "loop-holes" for firearms, as in a block-house, for which purpose it was to have been used in cases of necessity. There was also built a most magnificent structure designated the "State House." The location of this building was at the corner of Second street and Norris' alley, and in 1700 was occupied by William Penn, and is now known as William Penn's house. This building is still standing, and is desecrated by being occupied as furniture and clothing stores. About the same time, Capt. Finny became the purchaser of Samuel Carpenter's Coffee House, on Second street, . near Walnut, which was demolished in 1854, to give room for other improvements. In close proximity
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to the old proprietors building, were built "the first crane and the first wharves for vessels. The first and only landing places were the low and sandy beach on the north side of the Drawbridge, another at the Penny Pothouse, on the north side of Vine street, and the third was a great breach through the high hill at Arch street, over which an arched bridge extended, (from which circumstance the street took its name,) letting carts and people descend to the landing under its arch." But,
"While we retrace, with memory's pointing wand, That calls the past to our exact review, "
we can imagine the condition those hardy pioneers were placed in-the advantages and disadvantages they experienced-how they struggled through mis- fortune with brave and heroic hearts-how mutually dependent they were upon each other; and how re- ciprocally they interchanged labor for labor, or for food. None were strangers, and all were friends. There was no distinction of caste; none felt himself superior to his neighbor-and none of those con- ventional formalities which now make strangers, and oftentimes enemies, of families upon the same soil, in the same city, were felt or practiced by them. What great revolutions have taken place since then !
"Trade has changed the scene ! where scatter'd hamlets rose, Unwieldy wealth and cumbrous pomp repose- And rural mirth and manners are no more !"
Another structure which claims our attention, and
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which excites our patriotic admiration whenever we pass it, is that venerable edifice which stands back from Chestnut street in a little court, known as "Car- penter's Hall." Although ostensibly built for a hall in which the Society of House Carpenters could hold their meetings, it is distinguished by the fact that, in it the first Congress of the country met, for the pur- pose of deliberating upon, and maturing incipient measures in reference to a separation of the colonies from the authority of the mother country. For several years subsequently, however, it was used as the first "Bank of the United States," and is now oc- cupied as an auction-room, where its associations and hallowed inspirations are insulted by the selfish pur- poses of traffic. The thousands of fashionable citizens who daily throng the sidewalk on Chestnut street, behold in front of this venerable edifice articles of merchandise, and large placards announcing them for sale, and then pass on, regardless of the sacred influ- ences which the Hall is calculated to excite. Often have we, while gazing upon it, and wandering through its apartments, recalled the language and experienced the same emotions of that noble Virginian, who, in 1829, paid the following beautiful tribute to this building :
"I write this from the celebrated Carpenters' Hall, a structure that will ever be deemed sacred while rational liberty is cherished on earth. It stands in a court at the end of an alley leading south from Chest- nut, between Third and Fourth streets. It is of brick, three stories high, surmounted with a low steeple, and presents externally rather a sombre aspect. The lower room, in which the first Congress of the United
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States (perhaps I should say Colonies) met, compre- hends the whole area of the building-which, how- ever, is not very spacious. Above are the committee- rooms, now occupied by a very polite school-master, who kindly gave me permission to inspect them. Yes! these sublime apartments, which first resounded with the indignant murmurs of our immortal an- cestors, sitting in secret consultation upon the wrongs of their countrymen, now ring with the din of urchins conning over their tasks; and the hallowed hall be- low, in which the august assembly to which they be- longed, daily convened, is now devoted to the use of an auctioneer ! Even now, while I am penning these lines at his desk, his voice stuns my ear and distracts my brain, crying 'How much for these rush-bottom chairs ? I am offered $5-nobody more ?- going ! going !! gone !!! ' In fact, the hall is lumbered with beds, looking-glasses, chairs, tables, pictures, ready- made clothes, and all the trash and trumpery which usually grace the premises of a knight of the hammer. The building, it is gratifying to add, still belongs to the Society of Carpenters, who will by no means part with it, or consent to any alteration. It was here that the groundwork of our Independence was laid-for here it was, on the 4th of September, 1774, after the attempt on the part of 'the mother country' to tax the colonies without their consent, and the perpetration of numerous outrages by the regulars upon the de- fenseless inhabitants, the sages of America came together to consider of their grievances. Yes ! these walls have echoed the inspiring eloquence of Patrick Henry, 'the greatest orator,' in the opinion of Mr. Jefferson, 'that ever lived'-the very man who 'gave
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the first impulse to the ball of our Revolution!' In this consecrated apartment, in which I am now seated -this unrivalled effort of human intellect was made ! -I mark it as an epoch in my life. I look upon it as a distinguishing favor that I am permitted to tread the very floor which Henry trod, and to survey the scene which, bating the changes of time and circum- stances, must have been surveyed by him. O, that these walls could speak !- that the echo which pene- trates my soul as I pronounce the name of Patrick Henry, in the corner I occupy, might again rever- berate the thunders of his eloquence! But he has long ago been gathered to his fathers, and this hall, with the ancient State House of the 'Old Dominion,' I fervently hope may exist for ages as the monuments of his glory."
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