USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 6
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NORTHUMBERLAND, Jan. 7, 1799.
"DEAR SIR: As you do not complain of the liberty I have takeu, I shall trouble you pretty often in the same way. As my son has probably sailed before this time, I wish you would tell Mr. Gales that he agreed with Mr. Kennedy, the printer in this town, about the printing of my "Comparison of the Institution of Moses," &e., and nudertook to buy a quantity of type for the work, and that I have seen the paper maker; so that if, as he writes to Mr. Degruchy, he has made any agreement with Mr. Gales about the printing of the same work, he must have forgotten what was done here, and that I think myself bound by. If he has agreed with him about the print- ing of the Church History, it is very well, and part of the copy shall be sent to Mr. Gales whenever he chooses.
"You say you wish I were as zealous a friend of America as Mr. Hone is of France. Both Mr. Hone and myself, as well as Dr. Price, and many others, were as zcalous in the cause of America as he now is in that of France. If I had not been so, I should not have come hither, nor am I changed at all. I like the country and the Constitution of your Govern- ment as much as ever. The change, dear sir, is iu you. It is clear to me that you have violated your Constitution in several essential articles, and act upon maxims by which you may defeat the whole object of it, Mr. Adams openly disapproves the most fundamental article of it, viz: the elec- tion of the Executive. But as you say, we cannot see our own prejudices, and cherish them as truthis.
"I may be doing wrong in writing so freely, and I have been desired to be cautious with respect to what I write to you. But I am not used to seereey and caution, and I cannot adopt a new system of eouduet now. There is no person in this country to whom I write on the subject of polities besides yourself, nor do I recollect what I have written, but I do not care who sees what I write, or knows what I think on any subject. You may if you please show all my letters to Mr. Adams himself. I like his address on the opeu-
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
ing of the Congress, and I much approve of his conduct in several respects. I like him better than your late President. He is more undisguised. We ensily kuow what he thinks and what he would do, but I think his answers to several of the addresses, are mere intemperate railing, unworthy of a statesmuu.
"My general maxims of policy are, I believe, peculiar to myself. When I mentioned them to Mr. Adams he was pleased to say that "if any nation could govern itself hy them it would command the world." Of this I am fully persuaded; but he has departed very far from them. All that I can expect is the fate of the poet Lee, who when he was confined in a mad-house and was asked by some stranger why he was sent thither, replied "I said the world was mad and the world said I was mad, and they ontvoted me." My plan would prevent all war and almost all taxes. But if the calamities of war, heavy taxation, the pestilence, or any other evil, be required for the discipline of nations, as I believe that in the present state of things they are, they will be introduced from some canse or other. This country, as well as others, wants a scourge and you are preparing one for yourselves.
"With every gond wish to you and your country, I am dear Sir, (though an alien) yours sincerely,
J. PRIESTLY."
The growth of science is most clearly shown in the sketch of Priestly's life, which is extracted from an address delivered by Professor Henry H. Croft, at the Centennial Anniversary of Chemistry. "Priestly's life may be said to have been two-fold or manifold. He was an ardent investigator of scientifie truths; he was also an earnest, honest, frec-thinking politician." So multitudinons are his works on these and many other subjects; so versa- tile seem his talents to have been, that as, Dumas remarks, we feel almost inclined to believe there must have been two or more Priestly's, just as some have imagined there must have been two bearing the name of Raymond Lullius. Few writers have been more voluminous; but Brougham remarks, few are now less read.
Born at Fieldhead, near Leeds, in 1733, of very striet Calvinistic parents, Joseph Priestly, at a very early age, acquired strong religious tendencies ; but, although at first a Calvinist, he soon began to entertain ideas for him- self, and got into a state of doubt, becoming somewhat of a convert to Ar- minianism. At this time we find him devoting himself to the study of not only the ancient languages, such as Latin and Greek, together with the modern ones, but also in aid of his biblical studies, of Hebrew, Arabic, Chaldee and Syrine. His power of acquiring languages, and his memory generally, seem to have been enormous, nud rendered him iu future years a most formidable antagonist in all those polemical discussions, in which he was so prone to engage. His religions opinions were what, at that time, was considered peculiar and beterodox; and, on attempting to enter the minis- try, he was rejected on account of his views with regard to the original sin, the atonement, and eternal damnation, views, which resulting from his own fervent convictions, he maintained openly and fearlessly, aud subsequently, although acting as a preacher at Needham, he failed to become popular, partly on account of an impediment in his speech, but more from his known tendency to Arianism and to Socinianism. To the latter seet, better known under the name of Unitarians, he finally belonged. Brougham sarcasti- cally remarks, that the people of Needham probably thought their privilege of bell-torments to be rudely invaded by their prencher. His disbelief also in the Trinity being notorious, he very soon-at the early age of twenty-five, got into a disagreeable controversy with many purties, and had to leave Needham. At Nantwich he succeeded better, established a school, and commenced his scientific studies, for which however, he had had very little preliminary preparation. These he continued afterwards at Warrington, whither he removed in 1761.
An acquaintance with Benjamin Franklin, led him to turn his attention to electricity, and within the year he produced his "History of Electricity," a work which, although thought much of at that time as a useful compila- tion, does not seem to have added greatly to his reputation; the same may be said, to a greater exteut with regard to his "History of Vision," both works being too rapidly and carelessly written, a common fault with all of Priestly's writings. He made a number of experiments on electricity, which, although not adding much to the science, rendered his name so well known, that he was elected member of the Royal Society. About this time, there was an opportunity of his being appointed chaplain on Captain Cook's second voyage, but here his unfortunate religions opinions came in his way, and he was rejectedl by the admiralty on account of his heteroloxy. While at Warrington, 1761-1769, his pen was most prolific, and among his writ- ings may be mentioned, "A Theory of Languages," books on "Oratory and Criticism," on "History and General Policy," on the "Constitution and Laws of England," on "Education," "A Chart of Biography," "A Chort of History.' In 1767, he removed to Leeds, and became minister of Millhill Chapel, and
wrote many controversial books and pamphlets. In after times he wrote "Letters to a Philosophical Institution," "An Answer to Gibbon," "Disquisi- tions on Matter and Spirit," "Corruption of Chemistry," "Early Opinions on Christ," "Familiar Letters to the Inhabitants of Birmingham," "Two Differ- ent Histories of the Christian church," and a large number of other works. Sufficient have been named to show his great industry and the versatility of his mind. In 1773, he entered the service of Lord Shelburne, afterwards Marquis of Landsdown, as chaplain, and remained with him seven years, leaving with a pension of £150 per annum, and no ill feeling on either side, but probably from the openness with which he expressed, and the pertinneity with which he maintained his views on religious and politi- cal subjects. In Lord Shelburne's company, he visited Paris, and various parts of the continent, and at Paris was present at a discussion between two chemists as to the nature of red percipitate, now known as " mercuric oxide." It is not improbable that what he heard that day led to his future experiments, and hence to this meeting.
Leaving Lord Shelburne, in 1780, he settled in Birmingham, and con- tinned his scientific and theological studies and writings for several years. Unfortunately he entered into a violent controversy with members of the Established Church, and, as he had no hesitation in expressing his views very freely, and did not confine himself to polemical discussion with the above named sect, but equally with Calvinists, Arminians, Arians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Roman Catholics and Swedenborgians, it is not to be wondered at that he got into some disrepute. It was not sufficient for any one to agree with him partially, he must agree entirely; a deviation of a thou- sandth of an inch, either one way or the other, constituted an antagonism. Indeed, it is doubtful whether any one ever entertained Dr. Priestly's belief, except Dr. Priestly himself.
Whatever amount of toleration in religious matters there may be in Eng- land now, there was much less a century ago. The Established Church looked upon all Dissenters with suspicion and dislike; and the government of the day, fearing the introduction of reform and liberal opinions, emanating generally from the dissenting portion of the community, took mneh the same view. So powerful a writer on religion and politics, was an eye-sore to a Tory government. Burke's paper on the French Revolution had been answered by Priestly in such a manner as to arouse the indignation of that statesman, and to cause him to attack Priestly with great virulence, even in the House of Commons. Priestly had rendered bimself obnoxious to the church by his so-called heterodox ideas on religious matters; to the guvern- ment, by his bold advoency of liberal opinions; to the people of England, generally, hy his openly expressed admiration of the French Republic. The popular feeling was at that time very strouy against France; and the fact of a minister of religion expressing his admiration of a system, which ouly three weeks before had been instrumental in cansing those atrocious buteh- eries which disgraced the French Republic, naturally erented a feeling against Priestly, for which, however, he was not in the least accountable, any more than the British nation was guilty of the unwarrantable treatment to which be was shortly submitted, at the hands of a mob, and some prejudi- cial parties.
On n celebration of the storming of the Bastile, held at Birmingham, at which, however, Priestly was not present, popular feeling rose to such a hight, that the church nud house of Priestly, and those of many of his friends, were destroyed by the mob. We know what an uureasoning thing a mob is. You, in the United States, are not entirely unacquainted with it. On a recent visit to England, I went to Nottingham and saw the castle, one of the most maguificent edifices of England, in ruins, from some absurd popular outbreak, I believe the Chartists. Priestly, not sure of his life in Birmingham, went to London, and here found the feeling still strongly against him ; a feeling for which I shall not attempt to apologize, as it is something which at this time we can scareely conceive. He had the greatest difficulty in obtaining lodging, the landlord being afraid of his house being burned down. He was shunned by the members of the Royal Society. His life was embittered, and he left England for a land where he was sure his religious and politienl opinions might be freely promulgated, without inter- ference or complaint. He was somewhat wrong; the same odium, which attached to him in the old country, accompaniedl him here to a slighter ex- teut. Clergymen of any other seet looked ou him as a heathen, though, when they came tu know him, acknowledged their transgressions. His po- litical principles found no favor with the Adam's administration, and I am told he was threatened with expulsion from the country. Under Jefferson's reigu, Priestly was at peace, and ended his days, after a continued writing on religious and scientific subjects, here, where we are assembled to-day.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
CHAPTER VIII.
HORSE-RACING-BEAR SHOW-FOOT-RACING-EARLY MANUFACTURES- FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION-FRANKLIN'S LETTERS-DOMESTIC TRAGEDY-SHAMOKIN AND MAHANOY-EARLY TIMES' SCHOOLMASTER- SUNBURY COURT-ETC.
A FEW incidents, amusing and otherwise, have been collected together illus- trative of the men and times of years ago. The amusements entered into show the tastes of our forefathers. The extract from the proceedings of a 4th of July celebration, the patriotic ardor that pervaded the minds of those who so recently had come into possession of the inheritance of a free government ; the schoolmaster's letter, the standard of excellence of perl- agogism ; the difficulties encountered by Mr. Montgomery, the feeling re- garding the innovations of machinery ; the letters from Franklin and others; all show the character of the people composing the pioneer settle- ments of our county.
HORSE-RACING.
Much time was spent in the early days of our county, by our fast old men, in horse-racing, cock-fighting and fox-chasing. Fox-chasing was the favorite amusement, and whenever the condition of the ground would admit of it, many of the gentlemen of the day would he seen flying over the hills and ravines on their blooded hunters, proceeded by a band of forty or fifty hounds in search of poor Reyoard. The first at the death won the brush, aad was entitled to all the whiskey that could be consumed and five publie sippers. Horse-racing also had its devotees, among others one Mr. Grant, who resided nhove Sunbury, and who was the owner of a fast beast recog- nized by the name of Crooked-tail. On one occasion Mr. Grant arranged for a trial of speed between his favorite and a celebrated horse from Lan- custer, and staked $1000 on the race. Su greatly was he excited over the approaching race, that three days before the trial he was prostrated with fever, which terminated fatally a few hours after it was announced to him that his horse was benten.
BEAR SHOW.
Many years ago, there appeared at the hostelry of Mr. Prince, who, at that time, kept the once famous hotel where the Court House now stands in Sou- hury, a tall, lank, cadnverous-looking individual, whose twang and garb at once proclaimed him a native of Plymouth Rock, or some spot contiguons thereto, lending an enormous black bear. The bear was fastened in the stable, and handbills put up, announcing that for the small sum of six-and-a-quarter cents, the citizens of Sunbury could examine a specimen of the Zoulogical kingdom yelept a bear. Many visited and admired old Bruin, and, among others, Thomas Robins, a rough, harsh spuken, and harsher appearing indi- vidual, who was the owner of a large bull-dog which he offered at once to pit against the bear for a fight. The Yankee accepted at once, and put up five dollars as n wager, which was covered by Robins, the fight to come off the next day but one. At the time appointed, a large number of people paid their fip-und-n-bit and entered the stable to witness the set-to. Robins, confident of winning the stakes, enme forth with his mastiff, and, at the word, the canine uuule a spring for the bear's nose. A blow, administered with lightning quickness by the sleepy-looking child of the forest, a fierce yell from the dog, and the fight ended. The dog was seen to fly through the air with the rapidity of light, struck the side of the barn with a loud thud, Fell back, und disappeared like a shot from a rifle through the door. Robins, crest- fallen, handed over the stakes, and left swearing vengeance against the timo- rons dog.
EARLY AMUSEMENTS.
John Cowden and David Taggart, two of the early settlers from Ireland, beenme involved io a dispute as to speed and bottom on a foot-race, and it was decided to determine the vexed question by a race. The distance was measured off. Taggart to run over one-hall' of the course, and carry Johnny Dentlar, a pursy little subject with a breath of beam equalling or exceed- ing his keel. Taggert lost, as he claimed, because Dentlar could not ride well. The race excited a good deal of interest, and served to amuse the peo- ple and afford a topic of conversation for sometime.
EARLY MANUFACTURES.
In an article published in the Republican Argus of ilate August 17th, 1808, William Montgomery, a public-spirited citizen of the county, Inhored hand to convince the people of the utility of machinery adapted to manufacture
cloth from wool. His scheme to organize a stock company, the capital of which should be 82,000, divided into one hundred shares, for the purpose of establishing at Danville a woolen factory, met with strong opposition from the fogy element, who argued that the labor of converting the wool into cloth for domestic purposes, was the especial duty of the wives and daughters, and that the introduction of machinery for that purpose would take from women a very important and useful work, resulting in a negleet of a very essential part of young women's education. This argument, wenk as it was, could oot he met by the astute reformer, who appeared in some doubt as to the probability of finding other fields of usefulness for women. Mr. Mont- gomery astounded the people by the prediction that the carding and weav- ing of wool hy machinery would be followed hy machinery to manipulate crude cotton in the same manner. Could this truly philanthrophie man have moved aside the veil that hid from view the developments of a few decules of years in advance, he might well have wondered at the aecom- plishments of the "rising genins of America." The "rising genius" has ever been equal to the emergency, and not a field of usefulness has been monopolized by the fruits of the inventive genius, but that others have been opened, more compatible with the tastes and wants of those whose labor appeared at a discount. Well can it be remembered when the work on the spinning-wheel and loom formed a very important part of the domestic economy, when it was the pride of American girls to equal their mothers in their adeptness at the spinners' and wenvers' art; but those days have passerl, and other and far more important duties have been found for our daughters. They are not the drones our ancestors feared they must beeome, owing to the progress of improvements which drove them from the wheel aod loom, und relieved them from a bondage worse than serfilom. The true status of womanhood, has never been adequately determined, but when a compari- son of the present, is made with their position during the dark ages, much can he seen to excite gratitude to an Omnipotent, who endowed woman with just those elements of character that so eminently fit her for the exalted field of usefulness she now enjoys. After repented efforts, the scheme to establish a woolen factory at Danville, was successful. The plan was some- what on the co-operative principle, furnishing facilities for the woul producers, to have the erude article manufactured into cloth for home consumption. How many years elapsed before the primitive factory was superceded hy others on a more enlarged seale, does not appear. But the old establish- ment was in operation long enough to gain for its operators the confidence of the people, and pave the way to more extended operations, not only in the manufacture of wool, but every other article required by man ; und yet there is room for women, and ample opportunities for the employment of all her talents and energies, in fields much more suited to her tastes and organ- ism than the old tread-mills, that .our ancestors deemed so essential to the proper development of the muscle and brain of our daughters.
4TH OF JULY, 1808.
In this, the Centennial year of our existence as a nation, it may be inter- esting to know something of the feelings that prompted those who lived seventy years ago-for the 4th of July, was then, as now, n national holi- day-a day to call forth the patriotic sentiment of the country-a day on which the people could commingle together and duly commemorate the na- tive day, sending the .interchange of good fellowship, re-affirm their adher- ence to the truths enunciated by the glorious old patriots, who on the 4th of July, 1776, proclaimed the United Colonies, free and independent.
On the 4th day of July, 1808, the good people of Northumberland as- senihled themselves together, and proclaimed to the world the following sen- timents, being embodied in seventeen tonsts :
Firat. The sovereign people-nature never made a slave. Six cheers. Second. The day-and all true patriots and philanthrophists who honor it. Six cheers.
Third. The National Government of the United States-may it he as last- ing as time, and its administration always pure and upright. Nine cheers; tune, Hail Columbia.
Fourth. The Democrats of Pennsylvania, and their brethren in the sister States-may vigilance and firmness he their motto; virtue their guide, and the public weal their objeet; Six cheers that indicated the politienl senti- ment of the assembly.
Sixth. The memory of Franklin and Washington, and other departed heroes and snges, whose councils and military virtues contributed so ahly to the establishment of our Independence-may every true American shed a tear over their hallowed tombs. A solemn pause; tune Roslin Castle.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Seventh. The right of suffrage, and the purity of election-may they never be impaireil or infringed.
Eighth. Public and private schools-the diffusion of knowledge promotes general happiness,
Teuth. The liberty of the press, and freedom of speech. on public men, and publie measures.
Twelfth. Commerce untrammeled hy the tyrants of the ocean-until then we bail the embargo. Tune, Yankee Doodle.
Thirteenth, The respective States of the Union-inny they preserve their respective sovereignties, sufficiently to secure the people's rights.
Fourteenth. The President und Vice-president of the United States, and the heurls of departments, who have, with effeet, opposed European annny- ance and tyranny. Twelve cheers; tune, Jefferson's March.
Seventeenth. The American ladies-may we duly appreciate the virtuous matron and modest virgin, who prefer their homespun attire, to importedl gewgaws. Twenty-four cheers; tune, in praise of the fair.
The sovereign people of the United States- may they bear in mind, that they are the only legitimate source of power, and always be prepared to hun- ble the arrogant, who affect to despise them.
The Government of the United States- may it be confined to national purposes only. State government-the best for local purposes.
American manufactories-may it be the pride of every American citizen to appear dressed iu homespun.
INCIDENTS.
[Copies of letters addressed to Major Lawrence Keene, Prothonotary of Northumberland County, then residing in Sunbury, Pa. 1784.]
[DR. BENJAMIN RUSH TO MAJOR KEENE.]
PHILADELPHIA, September 6th, 1784.
"DEAR SIR :- I take plensure in recommending to your good offices, Dr. Andrew Ross, a gentleman of excellent charneter, extensive learning and great eminence in the profession of physic. He was introduced to my acquaintance by a letter from Dr. Franklin, the original of which I send you. He intends to settle in Sunbury, if he finds the plnre agreeable. His views are not only to practice physie mul surgery, but to improve his fortune by purchasing lands. I need not suggest to you how great an acquisition such a man will be to a village, or a county. Indeed, I coujure the whole State as enriched by such a citizen. Muy I beg the favor of you to meution his name, and show Dr. Frankliu's letter to all your friends. He will require your advice in procuring lodgings. I hope my good friend, Mrs. Keene, will afford her aid to detain bim iu your woods. I am sure she and your family will derive grent benefit from him in case you should be visited again with billions, or any other kind of fevers. The doctor will entertain her in return for her kindness, with stories of Genton, Turkish and Egyptian hulies, for he has not only seen, but resided several years in Constantinople, Egypt, and the West Indies.
" Please to present my compliments to Mr. Joseph Wallis, and tell him that I would have written to him in favor of Dr. Ross, but I hope he will consider this letter as addressed to him as well as yourself.
"With compliments to my good friend, Mrs. Keene, I am, dear sir, with grent regard, your sincere friend and humble servant,
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