USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania > Part 86
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"To H. H. B --- , Esq., President of the Jacobin Society, Professor of. Chivalry, Privy Counsellor to the Governor of Bantam, Poet Laureate to the Herald of Sedition, Biographer to the Insurgents, Auctioneer of Divinity, and Haberdasher of Pronouns, etc."
Another libelous publication about this time was the following:
ECHO FROM COAL HILL.
Have your heard
of the New Press?
Echo
of the Jew Press.
What, is it published,
and by a Jew?
Echo
and by a Hugh.
Of the Aurora
Another edition?
Echo
a mother of sedition.
Jacobinism imaginary is
or is real
Echo
Israel
On all that's military who is Echo
a sarcasm?
Who has done over Echo
Squire Bowler.
What, our
Alexander the Great?
Echo
All eggs under the grate.
Who fills the Judge vacancy, Echo
one of the law bench?
one of the low French.
ask Gazzam (f).
Squire Fowler?
(f) William Gazzam.
1
745
HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.
At Marie's, who was
President on the hill?
Echo
President Tannehill.
Our Judge was at
Cannonsburg frisky.
Echo
Cannonsburg whisky.
Who has always delighted in
mischief?
Echo How would you Echo
requite them?
bite them.
To the circuit his
honor alas! is going down.
Echo
honor alas! is going down.
Finis cum Fistula Echo
Populorum Zig.
Populorum Zig.
One of the most prominent local politicians at the beginning of the nine- teenth century was Alexander Fowler, who had previously been an officer in the Eighteenth Royal Irish regiment of foot. In 1775, while at Boston, he had been severely persecuted by General Gage, owing to his warm espousal of the cause of the Colonists. He had openly declared that he would resign his commission sooner than draw his sword against the injured Americans. He went to London, and there sued General Gage for 5,000 guineas damages for malicious prosecution, but later went to France, where he reported himself to the American commissioners, and asked to be permitted to enroll his name as one of the rebels of the Colonies. Owing to infirmities, he was unable to take active part in the Revolution, but in a short time came to Fort Pitt, and settled near the Monongahela. Fort Pitt was then under the command of Colonel Brodhead, who was called by the Indians Big Moon.
Governor McKean had no sooner been elected than he began to displace persons who had opposed him with his own active supporters. He seems to have anticipated the dictum promulgated at a later date, that "to the victor belong the spoils." James Brison, prothonotary of Allegheny County, was removed, and J. C. Gilkerson appointed in his place. Samuel Jones, register and recorder, was also displaced by Dr. Andrew Richardson. These two changes were the result of the policy adopted and extensively exercised by Governor Mckean. In April, 1800, Mr. Gilkerson having died, Tarleton F. Bates was appointed by the Governor to succeed him.
The success of the Jeffersonian party was a cause of great surprise and chagrin to the Federalists. It was seen in this vicinity as early as 1798 that they were making enormous gains, and that, too, with great rapidity, and the old supporters of Washington and Hamilton looked upon the new departure with amazement and fear. It was well known, of course, that Mr. Jefferson and his supporters had opposed many provisions of the Constitution, and it was argued as unwise to trust that instrument in the keeping and resign it to the control of men who had fought bitterly against its provisions. Mr. Jefferson was supported by James Madison, Dewitt Clinton and many other eminent men of that day who afterward became prominent in public affairs.
The Fourth of July, 1799, was appropriately celebrated. The day was ushered in with a discharge of artillery at Fort Fayette. Captain Brison's troops paraded the principal streets. At three in the afternoon the citizens sat down to a bountiful dinner spread in a bower a mile or two up the Allegheny River. Many appropriate toasts were drunk. Mr. Scull of the Gazette said "federalism and good humor marked the conduct of everyone."
On Wednesday, January 8, 1800, all the citizens of this vicinity turned out to pay their last tribute to the memory of George Washington. The ceremonics were conducted as though the body of Washington were present. Two detach- ments of cavalry, one from Westmoreland County under Captain Lodge, and
this Chief.
746
HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.
one from Pittsburg under Captain Brison, one company of light infantry under Lieutenant Magee, and one regiment of troops under Captain Shoemaker, met at Fort Fayette and marched past headquarters in platoons, with arms reversed, while the military bands played a funeral dirge. The soldiers wore white sashes trimmed with black. At the dawn of day sixteen cannon were fired in close succession, and during the day one was fired every half hour, with minute guns while the procession was marching. The Gazette said: "The concourse of people of both sexes was immense, and their countenances were expressive of the irreparable loss. Wednesday last was at this place devoted to the per- formance of funeral honors to the 'father of his country,' the respected and beloved Washington. The houses were shut, all business suspended and citizens of every description united in a becoming manner to express their veneration for the memory of the late President and Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United States. It is computed that upward of 2,000 persons attended the procession which took place on the occasion." The following was the order of the procession: The above mentioned troops; the clergy headed by two of their number robed in black cloaks and representing mutes; bier supported by four sergeants with white sashes trimmed in black, and the pall by the following veterans with similar sashes: Captain Herron, Colonel Neville, General Neville, Major Kirkpatrick, Major Craig and General Gibson; field staff and other officers of the army with same sashes; Society of Cincinnatus; Masonic order; Mechanical Society; civil officers; students of the academy, fifty or sixty in number, headed by their preceptors; citizens generally; unarmed militia. Promptly at 12 o'clock the march through the streets was commenced, the band playing the dead march. The principal streets were traversed by the procession, terminating at the Courthouse, into which the bier was carried. Religious services were read by Rev. Sample and an instrumental dirge followed. Colonel Presley Neville then delivered the funeral oration, and an anthem adapted by the people for the occasion was sung. Another dirge was then rendered, after which the bier was carried out and placed in front of the troops, who were drawn up in front of the Courthouse, facing the east. The orders of President Adams and General Hamilton were then read and the services were concluded with three volleys of small arms.
The meeting held at Smur's tavern resulted in the formation of a company, at first informally organized, authorized to procure the necessary material for the establishment here of the new paper. Although the project had been pro- posed two or three years previously, the pressing necessity for such an organ was not felt here until 1799, when John Scull denied the use of his columns to Mr. Brackenridge and his friends. In August or September, 1800, the new paper, the organ of the Anti-Federalists or Republicans, made its first appear- ance. It was called the Tree of Liberty, and was printed in a building owned by Mr. Brackenridge. The publisher was Mr. John Israel, and the leading editorial writer was Judge Brackenridge.
The Tree of Liberty began its career by placing the severest strictures upon the course and character of opposing politicians. During the campaign of October, 1800, it published libelous articles concerning Messrs. Ross, Woods and Addison, which resulted, after the election, in several lawsuits for damages. Both Ross and Woods secured judgments against Mr. Israel for damages in 1802. Judge Addison accepted a recantation from Mr. Israel, which was pub- lished in the Gazette of November, 1803; and Mr. Israel paid the costs which had thus far resulted in the case. Mr. Israel was a stranger here, having come from Philadelphia at the solicitation of the Anti-Federalists for the purpose of publishing the Tree of Liberty. His enemies made the most of the fact that he was a Jew. The Tree of Liberty was published in what was then called Clab-
747
HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.
board Row, which seemed to be the headquarters of the Anti-Federalists, or Jacobins, as they were popularly designated by their political enemies.
The removal of Federalists from office by Governer Mckean created great rage in the breasts of members of that party. The old Gazette of that period is filled with articles from contributors, which denounced this course on the part of Governor Mckean in the severest terms. In 1801 Alexander Fowler was recommended for Congress at a meeting of the Anti-Federalists or Repub- licans, and Dr. Andrew Richardson for the State Senate. At the ensuing election Mr. Fowler was defcated, but Dr. Richardson was elected to the Senate and George Robinson, William Plummer and Samuel Findley, Anti-Federalists, were elected to the Assembly. To show the growth of the Federal Republican or Jeffersonian movement, it may be stated that in 1800 they lost their candidate for borough inspector by one vote, but in 1801 elected Thomas Bracken to the same position by a majority of over two to one.
On the 4th of July, 1801, a celebration was held by the Republicans on the grounds of Thomas Reed, three miles west of Pittsburg, where a fine repast was partaken under the trees. Alexander Fowler was president of the day and Dr. Andrew Richardson vice-president. General Fowler read the Declaration of Independence and Dr. Richardson delivered an oration "which drew forth bursts of applause." Sixteen toasts were drunk, one of them being "more farmers and fewer land-jobbers." It was said that the "woods resounded with harmony and good humor." Another celebration of the day was held by the Federalists on Grant's Hill. At this time Mr. Fowler was brigadier-general of Allegheny County militia.
It was gravely thought by John Scull and by other members of the Wash- ingtonian party that those who opposed the administration of Mr. Adams were enemies of the Republic. They had not yet learned to what extremes partisan rancor could go. It was bewailed by the Gazette and its correspondents that after twelve years of successful administration, during which time the country had been placed on a secure basis before the nations of the world, that it should now pass to the control of men who had fought against the adoption of the Constitution and had opposed the advice and counsel of Washington, Adams, Hamilton and Morris. The election of Mr. Jefferson by the House of Repre- sentatives in 1801 was regarded by the Fedcralists of this vicinity as a national calamity.
In October, 1800, Adamson Tannehill was tried and convicted on two indict- ments of extortion in the office of justice of the peace in Pittsburg, and was reprimanded by the court and fined $50. Governor Mckean promptly remitted the fine, and as the conviction was thought to have disqualified Mr. Tannehill, he was reappointed by the Governor in January, 1801. In 1804 Judge Bracken- ridge was removed by the Assembly from the office of associate justice of the Supreme Court, the vote in the Senate standing yeas 17, nays 2, and in the House yeas 53, nays 22. One of the strongest and most popular methods of the Republicans in 1802 was to denounce the Federalists as aristocrats, and to inflame the poor people of the Western country against them as such. In a large measure the success of the Jeffersonian party in the West was due to this politican maneuver. In September, 1802, at a meeting of the Federal Republi- cans, held at the tavern of Jeremiah Sturgeon, the following recommendations for office were made: For governor, Thomas Mckean; for Congress, John Wilkins, Jr .; for the Assembly, Andrew Richardson, William Plummer and Ephraim Jones, and for commissioner, John Johnston. The meeting asked for the repeal of the tax on salt and brown sugar. In 1802 Mr. Brackenridge was the law printer for the State. In 1802 J. B. C. Lucas was elected to Congress from this district. The three candidates were John Wilkins, J. B. C. Lucas
. 748
HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.
and Alexander W. Foster. The Federal Republican majority in this Con- gressional district in 1802 was 94. Pittsburg polled 566 votes for Mr. Wilkins, 276 for Mr. Lucas and 17 for Mr. Foster. At the election in October, 1802, there were polled in the borough almost 330 votes, while in 1803, although the population had greatly increased, the poll numbered about 280 votes. In 1803, largely through the influence and exertions of Judge Brackenridge, Alex- ander Addison was disqualified as a judge by the State Senate and impeached. He was immediately afterward honored with a public dinner by the citizens of Fayette County, who turned out in large numbers to stamp the act of the Legislature with their disapproval.
In the early days time often changed the objects as well as the names of parties. In 1788 the two parties were called Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and these names were used by both, even though many of the principles had been discarded or new principles had been adopted, until 1801, when it was found that the Anti-Federalists, as well as the Federalists, favored and supported the Constitution which they had previously opposed. The Federalists still clung to their old name, but the Anti-Federalists became generally known as Republi- cans, a name they had adopted at the outset and had since claimed the right to use. From 1799 to 1801 the entire country underwent a complete change in political affairs. The republicans became so numerous as to be able to take control, not only of national, but usually of local affairs. At this time one of the most prominent questions was the advisability of admitting foreigners to national citizenship. The Federalists favored doing so, while the Republicans opposed such a course.
It was customary immediately succeeding the Revolution, as before stated, for all the citizens of a county, or as many as could conveniently do so, to assemble to suggest the names of persons suitable for public office. Later the party spirit arose, and although each faction made desperate efforts to carry all before it, the fact was well known for which division the meeting was held, and the opposers, if they did not wish to break up the meeting, usually remained away. This gave rise in the end to separate meetings of the members of each faction, and soon such meetings were called county conventions of each party. However, at first such meetings were not called conventions. In September, 1804, such a meeting was held in Pittsburg "for fixing upon" suitable characters to fill the various offices within the gift of the people at the ensuing election. Even later than this date such meetings were not called conventions. Early in 1803 much fear was expressed throughout the United States that France, under Napoleon, the "dictator of the terrible republic," would make war on the English and American possessions. For nine years the course of France was looked upon by the citizens here as one of "plunder, depredation and death" (g). It was in 1803 that Henry Baldwin, who was destined at a later day to become so useful and so prominent here, began to attract local attention as a prac- titioner of law and as an orator on public occasions. During the session of 1802-3 the Legislature authorized the Governor to borrow $150,000 to meet current expenses for the ensuing year, which act of alleged improvidence was called to public notice by many of the Federalists throughout the State. On the 30th of April, 1803, by the Treaty of Paris, France sold all of Louisiana to the United States, and thus settled any possible war between the United States and that Government. When the news was received here, great rejoicing was indulged in, and public meetings were held to voice the general satisfaction.
In 1804 the vote for Congressman here was as follows: General O'Hara, 352; J. B. C. Lucas, 240; George Robinson, Abner Lacock and Jacob Machlin,
(g) Gazette, January, 1803
749
HISTORY OF PITTSBURG. 1
Republicans, were elected to the State Legislature. In Allegheny County General O'Hara received 814 votes and Mr. Lucas 959. This one item shows how this strong county of Federalists had been changed to the cause of Jeffer- son. O'Hara at that time was one of the most popular men in the county, and the fact that his vote fell much short of that received by Mr. Lucas proves to what extent the stampede had taken place to the Jeffersonian party. William McCandless, also a Republican, was elected sheriff. Among the Federal- Repub- licans at this time were Isaac Craig, Nathaniel Bedford, Joseph Barker, John Darragh, John Simrall, Eliphalet Beebe, Steele Semple, Thomas Collins, John Hancock, Robert Magee, Samuel Mercer, John McBride, John Coulter and Jacob Ferree. However, it must be observed that at this time partisans wavered very greatly in their fidelity to any party, and inen often changed from one cause to another within a few months.
In July, 1804, news was received of the death of Alexander Hamilton, who had been killed in a duel by Aaron Burr. Public meetings were held to lament that deplorable occurrence. The 4th of July, 1804, was celebrated here with great enthusiasm. The artillery at Fort Fayette was fired at intervals during the day. A dinner was spread out under the trees at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, about a mile from town, where toasts were drunk and eloquent addresses delivered. It was stated that there were present a number of citizens who, in the "times that tried men's souls," were the companions of General Washington on the field. In 1804 this Congressional district comprised the counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Crawford and Erie. The act of the people of West Florida in declaring their independence in August, 1804, kindled various opinions here regarding the wisdom of their conduct. Some favored and some opposed their proceedings. At the close of 1804 or the beginning of 1805 the Tree of Liberty became extinct, and soon thereafter the Commonwealth was established in its place as the organ of the Republicans. It was a strong supporter of Mr. Jefferson, and was edited by William Brown. Following is the vote for governor in 1805:
Thomas Mckean. Simon Snyder.
Pittsburg
210
I25
Plum
22
65
Mckeesport
83
22
Elizabethtown
I32
39
Mifflin
85
98
Fayette.
106
93
Moon
63
65
Ohio
14
50
Robinson
35
54
Pine
46
92
Deer
55
I7
Pitt
I44
77
St. Clair
I30
II4
1,125
9II
In 1805 the vote for State senator was as follows: James Martin, 1,000; Samuel Ewalt, 996; Thomas Morton, 40.
Mr. Cuming, who visited Pittsburg in 1807, thought the two parties calling themselves Federal Republicans and Democratic Republicans, but shortened to Federalists and Democrats, "argued their opinions with more warmth and thus produced more rancor and violence in Pittsburg than perhaps in any other part of America."
At the Congressional election held in 1810 Adamson Tannehill received in
. 750
HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.
Allegheny County, 1,390 votes; Abner Lacock, 349, and Samuel Smith, 99. Lacock received a small majority in the district and was elected. The vote for sheriff in this county was as follows: William Westhoff, 1,095; William Steele, 695; Thomas Jones, 290. In 1812, the principal issue between the two parties was on the question of a war with Great Britain. The peace party nominated Dewitt Clinton for the Presidency, and the war party selected Mr. Madison. At a public meeting held September 17, 1812, in Pittsburg, on which occasion Captain Nathaniel Irish, a Revolutionary soldier, presided, and John M. Snow- den served as secretary, resolutions were adopted, favoring the prosecution of the war. One of the resolutions, presented by William McCandless, chairman of the committee, was as follows: Resolved, That this meeting has viewed with great regret the attempts now making in different parts of the Union to sow discord and disunion among the people, weakening their just confidence in the measures of their own Government, and thereby affording to the enemy encour- agement for procrastinating a war which the exertions of a united people would bring to a speedy and honorable issuc" (11).
On the 12th of August, 1812, a large meeting of the Democratic Republi- can citizens of the county was held at the house of William McCullough, sign of the Cross Keys, for the purpose of taking the sense of that party on the question of the war. Colonel John Neel was elected chairman, and Ephraim Pentland secretary, and the following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That a committee of five persons be appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments of this meeting respecting the measures of the General Government and the proper course to be pursued preparatory at the ensuing general election." The chairman appointed such committee, as follows: William McCandless, John Cunningham, James Alexander, William Brown and Ephraim Pentland, who were directed to report at an adjourned meeting the
following day. On that occasion resolutions were adopted endorsing the conduct of the Government toward the powers of Europe, declaring that an appeal to arms was consistent in order to maintain national honor and dignity; asserting that the war was one in defense of our most sacred rights; insisting that the conduct of the British Government in turning loose the Indians on the border "deserved the execrations of the civilized world;" stating that all persons, irrespective of party, should obey the laws and help carry them into effect, announcing that all citizens here were ready to submit to any system of taxation to carry on the struggle and gain satisfaction from the "common enemy of mankind," and pledging the members of the meeting to support the reëlection of James Madison to the Presidency and Elbridge Gerry to the Vice- Presidency. The action of the Governor of this State, concerning the war, was endorsed. The following committee of correspondence, to make generally known the action of this meeting, was appointed: James Evans, James Riddle, William Brown, Samuel Neely, Charles Johnston, Hugh Fleming and John Cunningham. Joseph McClurg and Matthew Stewart were appointed mem- bers of the committee of vigilance. Prominent Democratic Republicans at this time were: William McCandless, Abraham Watkins, Joseph McClurg, Benja- min Brown, George Cochran, John Spear, James Gibson, William B. Irish, Archibald Shaw, John Feariss, William Leckey, John Johnston, P. M., Ephraim Pentland, Matthew Stewart, George Robinson, Abner Updegraff, James Kerwin, Thomas Fairman, John Hannan, James Arthurs, John Carson, Isaac Roberts, John Marshall, John Stevenson, Henry Ray, Laurence Kingsman, Thomas Baird, Samuel Douglas, John Gorman, Dennis S. Scully, Joseph Wilson and James Young. It is next to impossible to give the politics of any individual with certainty at this time, because many who were the supporters of Mr. Clinton
(h) Gazette, July 3, 1840.
753
HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.
in August, 1812, voted for Mr. Madison in October. The old party of Federal- ists had been almost annihilated, and nearly all former political distinctions were merged into the war question. In October, 1812, the Clinton ticket was as follows: For Congress, Adamson Tannehill; for Senator, Walter Lowrie; for the Assembly, William Marks, Jr., Joseph Reed, James Scott and George Cochran. John Wilson was also a candidate of a faction of the Democratic Republicans for Congress. John Woods was the candidate of the Federalists for Congress. The vote in Allegheny County for this office was as follows: Tannehill, 875; Wilson, 300; Woods, 1,029; for State senator, Lowrie, 847; Power, 399; Gilmore, 962. At this election the few Federalists voted for the Democratic Republican candidates for the county offices. The Madison ticket was as follows: For Congress, John Wilson; for the State Senate, Samuel Power; for the General Assembly, William McCandless, Alexander Snodgrass, Davis Coon and Eliakim Anderson.
At this time there was a strong division in the ranks of the Democratic Republicans over what was called the delegate system. By the party the system had been previously adopted, but a faction arose which desired to break away from that method of conducting elections. What made the division hopeless was the fact that each wing of the party claimed to be the regular organization, and each presented a so-called delegate ticket. This question was afterward destined to cause considerable trouble here in the ranks of the Democratic Republicans. In 1812 Adamson Tannehill was elected to Congress from this district. The Presidential vote in 1812 in Allegheny County was as follows: James Madison, 966; Dewitt Clinton, 645. Mr. Madison was triumphantly elected and the Government thus stood pledged to carry on the war. In December, 1812, Abner Lacock was elected United States Senator from Penn- sylvania.
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