The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 8

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 8

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In the year 1746, an Act was past giving 7.5000 to the King's Use, to be sunk in ten yearly Payments, of 7,500 each, by the Treasurer, out of Money arising from the Excise, yearly payable into his hands. Which Bills of Credit were accordingly made and issued, in Pursuance of the said Act, and applied by Colonel Thomas, then Lieutenant Governor, to an Expedition at that Time on Foot against Canada: So that the whole Amount of Bills of Credit current in this Province at this time is 1.85,000, and no more; which reduced to Sterling Mo- ney of Great Britain is 1.53,333 6 8.

Permit us to add, that our Paper Bills being found by Experience much below the Sum necessary to carry on our Trade, which of late Years has been very much en- creased, especially to Great Britain; and yet should we be deprived of those Paper Bills, small as the sum is, it would in a great Measure disable us from paying the yearly Balance of Trade against us to our Mother coun- try, and consequently oblige us to engage in sundry Ma- nufactures here, which we have from thence. Though our Payments at this Time are chiefly in Gold and Sil- ver, which for several Years have passed current among us at Eight Shillings and Six-pence per Ounce for Sil- ver, and Six Pounds Five Shillings per Ounce for Gold; and at those Rates are continually remitted Home, but must be detained here, if we are deprived of our other Currency.

Submitted to the Correction of the House, by ISRAEL PEMBERTON, THOMAS LEECH, EDWARD WARNER, JAMES MORRIS."

PROGRESS OF LITERATURE IN PENNSYL- VANIA.

(Continued from vol. II. p. 334.)

A writer* on the provincial literature of PennsyIva- nia, to whose researches we have been occasionally in- debted in our progress, states that

"Political pamphlets and essays abounded in the years 1764 and 1765. The great question of expediency, of changing the form of government from a proprietary to a regal one, was one of the first discussed. Then came the subject of the Indian massacre in Lancaster county, and the question of the policy of the government to- wards this race; and lastly, the right to call upon the citizens to bear arms; and, as involved in this, the doc- trine of the lawfulness of war, and the expediency of the system of government, pursued by the Quakers, were vigorously contested. The principal writers were Dr. Franklin, Joseph Galloway, John Dickinson, and Dr. Smith. Franklin opposed the proprietary interest, and in consequence thereof, at the election in 1764, lost his

* Notes on the Provincial Literature of Pennsylvania,

PROGRESS OF LITERATURE.

1829.]

seat in the house, which he had held for fourteen years. The interest which the contest excited, is proved by the number of pamphlets published on these questions. No fewer than thirteen, published in one year, [1764,] re- main in the collection of the American Philosophical . Society. The imposition of the stamp act produced, as may be supposed, great activity in the press. The chief writer was John Dickinson, who acquired great distinction at this period, and of whose Farmer's Letters Dr. Ramsay says, that in this work "he may be said to have sown the seeds of the revolution."

For an account of Dickinson we refer to the American Quarterly Review, for June, 1827, where also, honour- able mention is made of Francis Hopkinson, who, as a satirical and facetious essayist, stands without a rival on our list of authors. His writings throw much light upon the spirit of the times, and though many were elicited by passing events, they will remain lasting memorials of his taste and literary genius. The subjects upon which he bestowed the lash, though passing, were important, and will be as familiar to after ages as to the present .- We may venture to predict, without laying claim to di- vine inspiration, that after perusing the unvarnished de- tail of the historian, the reader will naturally recur to the vivid illustration of the satirist., We seldom obtain a correct view of the tone of the public mind from the pages of the historian; this is to be gathered only from the periodicals of the day, where every topic discussed appears in all its freshness, without disguise. History may be compared to the Egyptian art that preserved the body, but could not retain the spirit. We pass over the life of Mr. Hopkinson, and that of his distinguished co- temporary, Benjamin Rush, as these subjects have re- cently been fully treated :*

"It may surprise many to learn," says Mr. Wharton, "that there are in the city library no fewer than 459 works, printed in Philadelphia, before the revolution. Of these, 425 are original books and pamphlets, and 34 reprints of foreign books and pamphlets. Many were doubtless printed, which were never purchased for the library, and some that were in the library, have been lost or destroyed. Perhaps the third might safely be added to the number in the library, which would give upwards of 600 for the number of works printed in the province."

We learn from Thomas's History, ; that prior to 1775 the following newspapers appeared in Philadelphia. The American Weekly Mercury, already mentioned, which was discontinued about 1747; the Pennsylvania Gazette, conducted by Franklin, which underwent va- rious changes, and was not discontinued until 18 -; the Pennsylvania Journal and the Weekly Advertiser, first published December 2, 1742, by William Bradford, and continued until after the year 1800, when it was discon- tinued; and the True American, a daily paper, was pub- lished in its stead. On the 6th of January, 1767, ap- peared the first number of the Pennsylvania Chronicle and Universal Advertiser, printed by William Goddard. It was ably edited, and Joseph Galloway, a delegate to the Continental Congress, from Pennsylvania, whose name is still remembered, and likely to be so, was a si- lent partner with Goddard; as was also Thomas Whar- ton, a wealthy merchant, both in the tory interest. This paper was discontinued in 1773. The l'ennsylvania Packet, or the General Advertiser, was first issued in November, 1771, by John Dunlap. It afterwards came into the possession of Claypoole, who, about 1784, pub- lished it daily. It was the first daily paper in the United States, and is still published by Mr. Poulson, under the title of the American Daily Advertiser. The Pennsyl- vania Ledger was commenced in January, 1775, and dis- continued in May, 1788. In January, 1775, appeared

* Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Indepen- dence, vol. 2 and 4.

+ History of Printing in America, &c. by Isaiah Thomas.

the first number of the Pennsylvania Evening Post, published three times a week by Benjamin Towne, being the first evening paper printed in Philadelphia. Dr. Witherspoon is said to have written essays occasion- ally for this paper. It was discontinued in 1782. Towne, like many others, was a vacillating politician. IIe was on the side of this country, until the British army enter- ed Philadelphia, when he conducted his paper under the auspices of the British general; but, on the city being evacuated, he again changed his ground, and printed in support of the republican cause. This class of politicians was numerous at that particular juncture, and has not yet become quite extinct among us. In October, 1778, Dr. Witherspoon published a very hu- mourous recantation of Benjamin Towne, which has- been preserved in the works of that author. The last newspaper it was attempted to establish prior to the re- volution, was the Pennsylvania Mercury and Universal Advertiser, by Story and Humphreys. It was com- menced in April, 1775, and was published weekly un- til Dce. 1775, when all the printing materials were de- stroyed by fire, in consequence of which event the pa- per was discontinued: To this list may be added nine or ten newspapers in the German language.

The first literary magazine ever published in the co- lonies was printed and edited by Benjamin Franklin. It was entitled "The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle." The first number appeared in January, 1741; and, according to Thomas, the work was con- tinued only six months. At the same time came out, in opposition to Franklin, the American Magazine, or a Monthly view of the British Colonies, printed and sold by Andrew Bradford. This publication was even shorter lived than its competitor; proving conclusively, that the time for periodical literature had not yet arrived. We meet with no other project of the kind, until October, 1757, when appeared the American Magazine, under the auspices of Dr. Smith, already noticed. The publi- cation of this ceased at the expiration of one year. In 1769 a small paper, of little value, entitled the Penny Post, was published by Benjamin Mecom. His design was to print it weekly, but it came from the press in an irregular manner. The American Magazine, by Joseph Nicola, was commenced in 1769, and ended with the year. To this work were subjoined the transactions of the American Philosophical Society. The Royal Spi- ritual Magazine, or the Christian's Grand Treasury, was begun in 1771, and published monthly, for a few months only, by John Mac Gibbons. In January, 1775, was commenced the Pennsylvania Magazine, or Ameri- can Monthly Museum, for which Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense, was one of the principal writers. It was published by Robert Aitken, upon wliose authority Thomas relates a characteristic anecdote of the indolent propensities of Paine. He had engaged to furnish monthly, a certain quantity of original matter for the Museum; but it was often difficult to make him comply with his engagement.

In one of these indolent fits, while the press was wait- ing, Aitken went to his lodgings, and complained of his neglect. "You shall have matter in time," coolly an- swered the other; but the printer, entertaining doubts, insisted on procceding immediately to business. Paine accordingly went home with Aitken, and was soon seat- ed at a table, with writing apparatus, and a decanter of brandy, "without which," says Aitken, "he would ne- ver write." The first glass put him in a train of think- ing; the printer feared the second would disqualify him, or render him untractable; but it only enlivened his mind, and when he had swallowed the third glass, he wrote with great rapidity, intelligence and precision; and his ideas appeared to flow faster than he could com- mit them to paper. What he penned from the inspira- tion of brandy, was perfectly fit for the press, without any alteration or correction. It may be presumed that his attacks on Christianity were written under similar excitement,

REMINISCENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.

[JANUARY

Paine was born at Thetford, in Norfolk, in the year 1737, where he received a common English education, and was brought up to the business of his father, who was a staymaker. By the advice of Franklin he came to America, and arrived in Philadelphia about the close of 1774. His pamphlet entitled "Common Sense," which was written at the suggestion of Dr. Rush, appeared in January, 1776; and the legislature of Pennsylvania re- warded the author with 500 pounds. He also obtained a grant of land in the province of New York. In 1790 he went to London, and in March of the following year, excited some notice by the "Rights of Man," written in answer to Edmund Burke. This drew a prosecution upon him, and he fled to France, where he was chosen a member of the National Assembly; but in the time of Robespierre was thrown into prison and narrowly escap- ed the guillotine. During his imprisonment, which lasted eleven months, he finished his infamous "Age of Reason." After his liberation, he wrote some political pamphlets, one of them a scandalous attack upon the character of General Washington. His political writ- ings were exceedingly popular, and beneficial to the American cause. He returned to America in 1802, and died June 8, 1809. His grave has been outraged, and his bones have been removed across the Atlantic for political purposes. It was no uncommon practice among the ancients, to exhibit the bleeding and marred corpse of a favourite, to excite the popular fury, and it seldom failed of success; but we question whether the same combustible tendency exists in the dry bones of a disorganizing politician. The experiment, in the pre- sent instance, proved abortive. 'It is the first on record, and we trust that it may be the last.

Among the vacillating politicians of the eventful pe- riod of the Revolution, was the reverend Mr. Duche, the assistant minister of Christ church, and St. Peter's, in Philadelphia. He was educated at the Philadelphia College, and was a whig until the British army entered the city. In June, 1775, he preached a military sermon in support of the cause of the colonies; and yet, while the American army was encamped at Valley Forge, he had the presumption to write to General Washington, advising him to renounce what he is pleased to term "a degenerate cause." The bearer of this letter was Mrs. Ferguson, a lady of considerable literary attainments, and who contributed a variety of essays, in prose and verse, to the literature of the day. On receiving a letter of this corrupt tendency, Washington, aware of the machinations then on foot to remove him, if practicable, from his station, perceived the necessity of immediately laying this extraordinary communication before Con- gress, which was. accordingly done, and Mr. Duche left the country. He passed the remainder of his days in England, in obscurity snd neglect. Graydon calls him "a weak and vain, but probably not a bad man." He is also noticed in Galt's Life of West. He published in 1774 a series of letters, under the signature of Tamnoc Caspipina, and also a volume of sermons,

convert the sword into the ploughshare, and return to their allegiance; while others acknowledged the neces- sity of being disengaged from European influence, but in their patriotic dream, ribands of distinction, stars, ti- tles and laced apparel, occasionally obtruded. Such men unquestionably there were, men too of enlightened minds, who did much service, and had their country's good nearest at heart, and let them not be hastily con- demned for a dream of this kind. The most perfect system of civil government then upon earth was that of Great Britain. Monarchies presented themselves wher- ever the eye was turned, and the earth groaned beneath the weight of thrones. It would have been a bold flight of mind, indeed, to have predicted the present condition of America. The human mind may be compared to the young eagle, taken from its nest, domesticated, and its wings clipped. Never having enjoyed its wild liberty in a purer region, it remains satisfied in the haunts of man; but having once tasted of its native freedom, it is beyond the skill of man to tame the full grown bird .- Our course has been through a stream of resistless light for the last half century. It has extended beyond our hemisphere, and awakened from the sleep of centuries the most restless of the human mind; and there is no power on earth that can now lull it to its ancient repose-

R. P. S. Phil. Mon. Mag.

REMINISCENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.

OUR CITY.

About the time, when, in Paris, the head of Louis, 'our august ally," had rolled into the basket; when it had been pronounced before the Convention, 'Lyons is nomore;' when the Abbe Seives had placed in his pigeon holes, (until called for, ) Constitutions for every State in Europe; when our Mr. Monroe had exhibited to Eu- rope 'a strong spectacle;' when the three grinning wolves of Paris had begun to lap French blood; while Lieut. Bonaparte, of the Artillery, was warming his scabbard in the anti-chamber of Barras; when the straw blaze of civil liberty, enkindled in France, by a ('spark from the altar of '76'-which only sufficiently illuminated the surrounding gloom of despotism, to render the 'dark- ness visible,') was fast going out, leaving only the black- ened embers, and a smoke in the nostrils. About this time, almost every vessel arriving here, brought fugi- tives from the infuriated negro in Port au Prince, or the sharp axe of the guillotine in Paris, dripping night and day with the blood of Frenchmen, shed in the name of liberty, cquality, and the (sacred) rights of man. Our city thronged with French people of all shades from the Colonies, and those from Old France, giving it the ap- pearance of one great hotel, or place of shelter for stran- gers, hastily collected together from a raging tempest. The characteristic old school simplicity of the citizens, in manners, habits of dress, and modes of thinking and speaking, on the subject of civil rights, and forms of government, by the square and rule of reason and ar- gument, and the 'rules of the schools,' began to be bro- ken in upon by the new enthusiasm of Caira and Car- magnole. French boarding houses, (Pension Fran- caise, ) multiplied in every street. The one at the south east corner of Race and Second streets, having some 40 windows, was filled with Colonial French to the garret windows, whistling and jumping about, fiddling and singing, as fancy seemed to suggest, like so many crick- ets and grasshoppers. Groups of both sexes were to be seen seated on chairs, in summer weather forming semi-circles near the doors, so displayed, as sometimes to render it necessary to step into the street to get along; their tongues, shoulders and hands in perpetual motion, jabbering away, 'all talkers and no learers." Mestizo ladies, with complexions of the palest marble, jet black hair, and eyes of the gazelle, and of the most exquisite symmetry were to be seen, escorted along the pave- ment by white French gentlemen, both dressed in West

Duche's defection is not to be tried by the tone of thought of the present age, but by the feeling which pre. vailed at the important crisis, when he took the step that destroyed his earthly prospects. The world had long slumbered over the idea of the perfectability of an inherent form of government, and it reposed in the pub- lic mind like an incubus, which it appeared impossible to shake off. A republic was pronounced unfit for the control and prosperity of a popular nation, and it was asserted that the idea could be experimented upon, with a prospect of success, only among the unambitious shepherds, on the snow-clad mountains of Switzerland. Such were the sentiments of some who were instrumen- tal in revolutionizing the human mind. It cannot be sup- posed that all who sat in our councils, or fought our bat- tles, during the war of independence, foresaw the happy result of the enterprise. They were sensible of their own grievances, and many contended, merely with the design to have those grievances redressed, and then to | India fashion, and of the richest materials. Coal black

REMINISCENCES OF PIIILADELPHIA.

1829.]

negresses, in flowing white dresses, and turbans of 'mu- choir de Madras,' exhibiting their ivory dominos, in so- cial walk, with a white or creole-altogether, forming a contrast to the Native Americans, and the emigrants from Old France, most of whom still kept to the stately old Bourbon style of dress and manner, wearing the head full, powdered a la Louis, golden headed cane, silver buckles, and cocked hat, seemingly to express thereby their fierce contempt for the pantaloons, silk shoe string, and 'Brutus Crop.'

The 'Courier des Dames,' of both, daily ogling and 'sighing like a furnace,' bowing a la distance-dang- ling in door ways by day, and chanting 'dans votre lit' by night, under the window, of our native fair ones, be- wildered by the, at that time, novel and delightful in- cense of flattery, so unusual to them in the manner, and offered so romantically by young French gentlemen, (possibly) elegant and debonaire. The Marseilles hymn was learned and sung by the citizens every where, to which they added the American song of Hail Liberty Supreme Delight. Instrumental music abounded in the city every where, by day as well as by night, from French gentlemen, (may be) amateurs, on the hautboy, violin and clarionet, exquisitely played-and seemingly in- tended to catch the attention of neighbouring fair ones, at opposite windows.

The blue, red and white cockade and flag were to be seen in every direction; with varieties of emblems in shop windows of Liberty and Equality; such for exam- ple, as black and white naked children, in fraternal hug. Dunlap's House (in Market street, ) and Garden, the re- sidence of citizen Genet, the French Minister-was one continued scene (for a time, ) of republican revel, civic fete, fire works, and dancing caira round the Pole and Cap of Liberty. Many ultra patriotic citizens, taking into consideration; the coldness of the general govern- ment towards the citizen Genet, had a town meeting called in the State House yard; where the reading of an address, containing 'words that breathed and thoughts that burned,' having been commenced by the chairman; who, possessing but a feeble tone of voice, the assem- bled citizens presently began to be impatient at his want of that 'boiling, bubbling energy,' necessary for the occasion, A loud call was made for Doctor -, who was unanimously voted into the chair; to commence over again, and read their address, which he performed to their entire satisfaction; and which they expressed by shouting and clapping of hands. The Doctor was in person, large and portly, dark suit and ruffles with pow- dered short hair, in appearance gentlemanly, and of san- guine complexion. He had a powerful voice, not unlike the sound from a fallen bar of iron, with which he utter- ed every word and sentiment with truly patriotic fervor; waking the very echo from the neighbouring walls; the whole 'procedure' ending with loud acclamation,

Curious Tales of Doubloons and Old French Plate, being found in large quantities in hogsheads of coffee and sugar, sold at the auctions, supposed to have been shipped off by the Island owners, in haste and at a ven- ture: they intending to follow, but prevented by a bloody gash in their throats by the negroes. Every thing of the Old School had almost gone out of vogue with the majority, in dress, politics and religion. Many of the ultra patriotic citizens (at the time) used to ineet at stated times, of evenings, in the Old Academy to 'take note' of the movements of Washington, Jefferson, Ha- milton and Knox: whether or no, these 'Solomons' and 'Samsons,' were in danger of being seduced from the strait line of duty by the-gold of England-and if so. to sound an alarm to the people through the new politi- cal trumpet, ('Surgo ut prosim,') by the grandson of Franklin-about this time the French frigate Ambus- cade, Citizen Bompard, commander, came up the-Del- ware, and anchored off Callowhill street. This added fresh straw to the blaze; the officers being much on shore, and huzza'd by boys and men; French cockades selling at six pence a piece. For some offence offered / fastened down by clamps of iron;

to the person of the captain, white in the city, the whole crew or nearly, came on shore one day to revenge the indignity on the offenders, said to have been offered by some English sailors. They landed in boats, and having formed in higgledy piggledy order, they marched up hill, when wheeling to the left, they marched down Front street-officers and men all vociferating together and armed with swords, pistols, hatchets and long pikes; a few armed stragglers following on the pavement on each side. Matthew Clarkson, the Mayor, having col- lected the constables and some citizens in a bouly, per- formed the solemn farce of marching 'down town,' after them. Not finding their English enemies and without injuring any one, they re-embarked in thicir boats, which had followed them down the river to South street wharf; from whence, they returned to the ship, singing the Mar- seilles Ilymu, in full chorus all the way.

Sometime afterwards the frigate went down the bay, and out to sea, having been challenged by the British frigate Boston. . The engagement took place off Sandy Hook, in which both captains were killed, and both ships claimed the victory; but as neither was taken, it was considered a drawn battle. Among the many, and va- ried expedients resorted to to 'raise the wind,' by some, and recruit the finances, by others of the multitudes of emigrants residing in the sea ports, the balloon and car of citizen Blanchard was the most talked of and most remarkable, it being the first 'ærial flight' that had been projected on American ground, by any one. So great was the excitement produced by it among the citizens, and in the mind of Washington, among others, as to in- duce him to give to Blanchard, a certificate, (as Presi- dent of the United States, ) to all and every one among whom he should alight from his car. The prison yard, on Sixth street, was the scene of operation, so as to give the people outside a fair view from 'Potter's Field,' op- posite, which, on the day of ascension was completely jammed with spectators, and from whence the one half of the balloon was visible, in appearance not unlike a monstrous water melon, reeling to and fro, in a water tub. From the willow tree, which then stood near the Seventh-street part of the field, which, at the time, ran through to Spruce street, 'Lady' Washington was seen to drive rapidly up in her cream coloured coach, drawn by four Spanking Virginia bays. She had hardly adjust- ed herself at the coach window, when the balloon as- cended rapidly, but steadily, to a great perpendicular height, with Blanchard in the car beneath, waving his flag. He then passed away to the south east, through immense flocks of wild pigeons, in flight at the time, which opened to the right and left, as he passed, they seemingly frightened at the wonderful stranger. He finally vanished into thin air as from a point, and landed safely in the Jerseys, near Woodberry; having caused great alarm, as he descended among the country people. He returned the same evening to the city, and by a spe- cial invitation, (as was said,) presented himself, at No. 190 High street, near Sixth, (now a fruit store, ) where, at his residence, as President of the U. States, George Washington, was in the habit of holding a weekly le- vee for his friends and strangers of distinction. About this time, and for years afterwards, a remarkable sailor, whose lower rigging on the larboard side, had been shot away, used to traverse the streets and markets on crutcli- es, vending ballads and extra accounts of famous battles between the French and Austriaus, every now and then twanging out, with sonorous tone, Bloody News! but he has passed away, as also the 'Republic Francaise,' and the heroes of those battles and the effects of themn; the Consulship, and the Throne Imperial; which had been swayed by one

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The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 8

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440