USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Warwick's Keystone commonwealth; a review of the history of the great state of Pennsylvania, and a brief record of the growth of its chief city, Philadelphia > Part 12
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WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTH.
his prayer was not heeded. On the morning of the ninth of June, the whole army, with its trains, crossed the river in perfect military order. This was but a short distance below the mouth of the Yonghiogheny. The British regulars were in high spirits and eager for the fray, as was their Commander. Still not an enemy appeared, and Braddock as he looked into the face of his young and anx- ious Aide, evinced every feature of confidence. Not a red-skin was in sight and the most profound silence reigned over this unbroken wilderness. About noon of the day the troops had crossed the river they were within ten miles of Fort Duquesne, and this was the second crossing that had to be undertaken, because of an acute bend of the river in that locality. The advance party was under the command of Colonel Gage and consisted of three hundred men, and this was closely followed by a party of two hundred, then came the main body of seven hundred, with the artillery and baggage. After a mile and a half's march, the army entered two ravines. These ravines were covered with trees and long grass, just the locality for an ambuscade, but still no scouts were feeling the army's way, no advance guard was ready to give an alarm. Slowly and leisurely, as if time were of no consequence and precaution no necessity, they entered these valleys of death.
The French, however, were apprised by their Indian scouts of every move- ment made by the English army, but the Commandant at Fort Duquesne be- lieved that he had a force too small to meet the opposing foe, and was in doubt whether to retreat or to capitulate. It was then that Captain de Beaujue made a proposition to lead a party of French and Indians to assail from an ambus- cade the advancing English troops. It was his original purpose to attack the advancing column immediately after it had crossed the river, but his spies brought him in reports that Braddock had forded the stream, and it being too late to follow out his original purpose, Beaujue placed his force in the two ravines between which the English would have to pass on their way to the fort.
When the advance troops, under Gage, had reached the ravines, suddenly, and without a moment's intimation, a volley of musketry was poured into their ranks. This was the first notice of the presence of the enemy, but they were not in sight and the only thing to do was to aim at the spot where the smoke had risen, and the English officer gave the command to fire in that direction. Bul- lets ploughed up the earth and cut the bark from the trees, but did little dam- age to the hidden foe. The English troops began to fall back and huddled to- gether in squads in the middle of the road, a living target to the savages in am- bush. Volley after volley the French and Indians poured into these ranks and the slaughter was terrific. Captain Beaujue was killed at the first fire of Gage's troops, and Captain Dumas, who was the next officer in rank, rallied the Indi- ans and sent them down the ravine to attack the British on both flanks. Lfe retained his position in front of the English advance with his French and Ca- nadian troops. The Indians, still concealed behind the trees, tall grass and foliage, poured volley after volley into the ranks of the now bewildered and demoralized British soldiers, who, panic-stricken, refused to obey the com- mands of their officers. If they had been wise enough to take a lesson from the conduct of their enemies, they would have separated and concealed them-
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selves behind trees and opened fire, but all their presence of mind seems to have departed. Braddock, in the front of the fray, for he was a brave soldier if not a wise one, insisted upon forming his troops into platoons and waging a battle as if in an open field. The Indians, gaining confidence by the dismay of their enemies, aimed their rifles deliberately and effectively, bringing down a man almost at every shot.
Washington, notwithstanding the fact that his advice had not been taken, rode everywhere in the narrow field occupied by the troops, and endeavored to retrieve the day. His uniform was pierced with four bullets and two horses were shot under him, yet his body was not touched. He was in the very pres- ence of death and it is miraculous how he escaped destruction. An old chief declared that he aimed deliberately at this conspicuous figure and at last de- sisted, feeling that the man was watched over and protected by the Great Spirit. An eye-witness, who saw Washington in that battle, gives the follow- ing description of his conduct: "I saw him take hold of a brass field piece as if it had been a stick. He looked like a fury. He tore the sheet lead from the touch-hole, he placed one hand on the muzzle, the other on the breech : he pulled with this and he pushed with that, and wheeled it around as if it had been nothing. It tore the ground like a barshare. A powder-monkey rushed up with the fire, and then the cannon began to bark, I tell you. They fought and they fought and the Indians began to holla, when the rest of the brass cannon made the bark of the trees fly, and the Indians began to come down. That place they called Rock Hill and they left five hundred men dead on the ground." After passing through such a hail of bullets it does seem as if Provi- dence had spared Washington for a greater cause.
The battle continued for three long hours. Braddock had three horses killed under him, and received a shot through the right arm and the lungs, and was borne from the field. More than half of the British force had been killed or wounded. The Provincials, who had never been trained upon an European battlefield, served as a rear guard to cover the retreat of the Regulars. The loss of the British and Provincial troops had been terrific; of the privates, seven hundred and fourteen were killed, while sixty-three of the eighty-six offi- cers engaged were killed or wounded, but the loss on the other hand, of the French and Indians, was comparatively trifling, it being but forty all told. Many of these were Indians who had ventured out from their amibuscade to scalp their enemies. If they had remained hidden from the foe and resisted the temptation of taking bloody scalps the French loss would not have been as great as it was.
Washington virtually now took charge of the army, conducted the retreat and brought forward the wagons for the conveyance of the wounded. Gen- eral Braddock died on the night of the thirteenth of July and was buried in his military cloak in the middle of the road. Washington, by the light of a torch, read the impressive funeral service of the English Church over his remains.
The defeat was most complete, for after the overthrow of the army in the advance, the rear division under Colonel Dunbar, became panic stricken, de- stroved all the stores, and began a hasty retreat. The battle is not designated by any place as other battles generally are, but is known distinctively in history
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as Braddock's Defeat, and should be taken as a warning for all time that no man should refuse advice from those who are in a position to give it. So con- fident of his own success, proud of the discipline and courage of his army, disregarding all suggestions and relying upon his own judgment, he went down to a demoralizing and humiliating defeat. Fortunately the battle only retarded the final settlement, for ultimately the French were compelled to sur- render Fort Duquesne, and were driven to the Canadian border, and the defeat at last was retrieved when on a starlight night in the Autumn of 1759, Wolfe climbed the rocky heights of the Fortress at Quebec.
By the treaty of peace of 1763, France gave up the whole of her posses- sions in America to England, including all that country lying west of the Ohio in the great valley of the Mississippi, an Empire in itself, the resources and possibili- ties of which French explorers had been the first to appreciate. France, after a century of war, the expenditure of vast treasure, and the shedding of tor- rents of blood, retained out of all her territory only the little barren islands, Miquelon and St. Pierre off the coast of Newfoundland, as spots upon which French fishermen were to dry their nets.
The war settled the fact that America was to become the home of an English speaking race.
CHAPTER IX.
RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE. DANCING AND SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENTS FAVORITE FEATURES. THEATRES. THE CHURCHES OPPOSE DRAMATIC PERFORMANCES. SPORTS OF THE PEOPLE. FISHI- ING, FOWLING, HORSE RACING, FOX HUNTING. MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS. LIGHTING OF STREETS. FURNISHING OF WATER. COUNTRY FAIRS. THE MARKETS. COFFEE HOUSES. STAGE COACHES. SCHOOLS. LIBRARIES. ENG- LAND'S WAR WITH SPAIN AND FRANCE. FALL OF QUEBEC. SCOTCH-IRISH. PAXTON BOYS.
T HE city at this time was escaping from the moralizing influence of the Quakers and the religions spirit that had obtained under the fervid exhortations of Whitefield. Drinking was almost a universal cus- tom, and the ordinaries were filled with tipplers from early in the morning until late at night. The night watch in his rounds, visiting tavern after tavern, generally got into a state of intoxication before the morning dawned, and festive yonng men on their way home often in sheer mischief would upset a watch-box with its drunken occupant.
If a person made a visit to a friend it was a cause for comment if the flask and glass were not brought out before his departure. At elections, public cele- brations, weddings, christenings, and the laying of corner stones, even of churches, liquor flowed like water. Farmers, while plowing their land, sowing seed, cutting hay or harvesting the grain, always had hidden in a shady place, a jug of whiskey, apple jack, or rum, and frequent draughts were had to encour- age the farm hands at their work. As soon as a man rose in the morning he took what was called an "eye-opener," then one after breakfast to give him encouragement for the day's work, then one before dinner as an appetizer, one after dinner to digest the meal, one before and after supper for the same pur- poses as those that were taken before and after dinner, and upon retiring a "night- cap" was taken to give one pleasant dreams. These were the stated or regular drinks that did not interfere with those taken in the intervals.
Worldly amusements, too, were beginning to be introduced. In 1738, a dancing master announced that he was ready to teach "all sorts of fashion- able English and French dances after the newest and politest manner practiced in London, Dublin and Paris." He also offered "to give all young ladies, gen- tlemen and children that pleased to learn of him the most graceful carriage in dancing and genteel behavior in company that can possibly be given by any dancing master whatever." Amusements and acquirements so light and friv- olons were considered not only worldly but useless in the eyes of the Quakers and the ultra-religious, and were most severely condemned, but that did not prevent the young folks from indulging in their frivolities.
In speaking of dancing, no sketch of Philadelphia would be complete with-
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out some reference to the famous Assembly. This was not a legislative body, as its name might imply, but simply an association devoted to the innocent diversions of dancing and social entertainment .. It was organized in the winter of 1748 and 1749 by fifty-nine subscribers at 40s. each. In describing one of its meet- ings, Richard Peters, in a letter to Thomas Penn, said, "By the Governor's en- couragement there has been a very handsome Assembly once a fortnight at Andrew Ilamilton's house and store, which are tenanted by Mr. Ingliss, which make a set of good rooms for such a purpose." It will be seen that in those early days the dancing halls were in a warehouse. The rooms were lighted by candelabra and by candles placed in sconces attached to the wall, the tallow often dripping, no doubt, on head-dress and shawl as the stately dames and beautiful belles walked through the graceful figures of the minnet. The re- freshments were punch and cake. So popular and select did the Assembly become that it was considered a social distinction to receive an invitation from the managers. In those days the only requisites for admission to the chosen circle were respectability and a purse deep enough to pay the subscription price. It was not a question of lineage nor of location of residence. Strange to say, it made no difference whether the invited guest lived north of Market Street or south of it. From these plain and simple beginnings developed a social or- ganization which claims to be one of the most exclusive, seclusive and fashion- able of its kind in this country, to which is annexed a genealogical bureau to pass upon the lineage and the eligibility of its members. A tomb stone may be a patent of nobility. It does seem to be in the nature of an assumption for a coterie of people to set themselves up as the elite and chosen in Israel, but such a society is harmless, for while it gives satisfaction to the elect it often gives inter- est and amusement to the outer world.
In 1749, a music master from England opened a house in Fourth Street and advertised to give lessons upon "the violin, hautboy, German flute, com- mon flute and dulcimer." He would also give lessons at the homes of his pupils if it were so desired, and for a price he would furnish music for balls and other entertainments. In time there also came along a fencing master who advertised to give lessons in sword practice. His art was condemned as a de- testable vice and as inducive to strife and bloodshed. There were not many places of public amusement but on some of the streets were side-shows. One enterprising individual had on exhibition "a strange and surprising crea- ture called a mouse, about the bigness of a horse." It had "a face like a mouse, ears like an ass, neck and back like a camel, hind parts like a horse, tail like a rabbit and feet like a heifer." It was said to be able to jump to a height of six feet. Judging from the description given, this must have been a bull moose, but at that time these animals had not grown into public favor so as to be used in distinguishing a political party.
. A troop of strolling players visited Philadelphia in 1749. It is thought they gave performances here during the continuance of several months. They were under the direction of two men, Murray and Thomas Kean. It is not known whether the latter was an ancestor of the great Kean who subsequently won such distinction in the theatrical profession. There were also women in the cast, which fact gave rise to much criticism and, in some quarters, to a deal
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of condemnation. They produced such plays as "Richard the Third," "The Spanish Friar," "The Beau's Strategem," "Cato," "Busybody," and "The Beg- gars Opera," not by any means an uninteresting repertoire. Indeed, it was far superior to much of the light, frivolous and indecent trash produced on the modern stage. Towards the close of their engagement, they were invited by the authorities to leave the city, and they shortly afterwards gathered up their effects and journeyed to New York, where they were given a warmer welcome. In 1754, an English company of actors under Lewis Hallam came to the city. They had been travelling in the south, had also given a number of perform- ances in New York and were heralded as a most competent company. They obtained a license from Governor Hamilton, under the promise that nothing "indecent or immoral" should be placed upon the stage. Their first presenta- tion was "The Fair Penitent," followed by a farce called "Miss in Her Teens." The plays were well received, and a number of benefits were given for charit- able purposes. The performances took place three times a week, beginning at seven o'clock in the evening, and the prices of seats were Os. for the boxes, 4s. for the pit, and 2s. 6d. for the gallery. In 1759, under the management of David Douglas, the Hallam Company was reorganized and a new frame build- ing in Southwark was constructed for the sole purpose of theatrical represen- tation, and this may be considered as the first building erected exclusively for dramatic purposes in Philadelphia. The fact of its becoming an established place of amusement aroused the antagonism of the Quakers, the Presbyterians, the Lutherans and the Baptists, and they denounced the theatre as an "inlet to vice and a degeneracy from that conduct in which the people have heretofore proclaimed the favor of God and regard of good men." Against views >o narrow the majority of the people protested, the play house remained, had its close and open seasons and gradually became an established institution known as the Southwark Theatre, and was a popular resort until after the Revolution.
Angling has always been a favorite sport, especially from the days of Izaak Walton, the father of the gentle art, but never were there streams where game fish were more abundant than in the waters of Pennsylvania. Especially may this be said of the Schuylkill River. Rock fish or striped bass in the Spring and Fall gave plenty of sport to the ardent fisher. Whether or not the anglers lured the denizens of the deep with artificial bait I have not been able to dis- cover. We today, when fish are so scarce, can hardly imagine the teeming quantities that were to be found in the streams in those early times. A num- ber of the devotees of the rod and line organized a company and built a house for club purposes at the Falls of the Schuylkill, and they named the building Fort St. Davids: the majority of the members were Welsh, hence the name. The house was made of rough logs and was located on the eastern bank of the river. Another fishing society was established in 1732, and was called "The Colony in Schuylkill." Its name was subsequently changed. when the Revolution effected our severance from England, to "The State in Schuylkill." The club house was below the Falls on the western bank of the river, just north of the present Girard Avenue Bridge. When Fairmount Dam was erected, it de- stroyed fishing in the neighborhood because the fish could not ascend the stream, and so the club house was carried to the eastern side of the river near
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Gray's Ferry Bridge. It subsequently removed to Andalusia on the Delaware River. No longer does the site where it is located afford good fishing, and it has simply become a club without a purpose save the giving of shad dinners in season.
Ilorse racing has always been a favorite amusement among the English speaking people, and in 1766 a Jockey club was formed "to encourage the breeding of good horses and to promote the pleasures of the turf." Purses were offered, prizes were given and entries were made at the Indian Queen, and the races were run in May and September, about the time of the May fairs, when the city was filled with visitors. The track was located in the neighbor- hood of Centre Square about half a mile from the outskirts of the city.
In 1766, a Fox Hunting Club was formed, and it boasted of having in its kennels "sixteen couple of choice fleet hounds." The whip or the keeper of the hounds, was an old negro named Natt. The cross country run in those days must have been rare sport indeed. Foxes were in plenty and it was sel- dom the hunters ever went out that they did not strike a scent of old Reynard. There were not so many fences to take as to-day, but there were obstacles enough that served as hurdles to give zest to the sport. The young bloods who followed the hounds had a uniform all their own. They wore dark brown cloth coatees, buff waistcoats, breeches, high boots and black velvet jockey caps. Tuesdays and Fridays were the days they followed the chase. In the early days of the settlement the Chase began from Centre Square, now the spot where the public buildings are located. The club subsequently transferred its hunting ground to Gloucester County, New Jersey, and when it did so it changed its name to the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club.
In 1751, the city had a population of about 15,000 people and there were in the neighborhood of two thousand dwelling houses. The colony numbered about 220,000, and it was estimated by Franklin that one third were Quakers, one third Germans and one third Scotch-Irish. The city had made wonderful strides but did not yet present the appearance of a metropolis. The foot walks were not paved, except in those places where it had been done by individual owners of property. The streets did not have a hard surface and in both sum- mer and winter they were dusty, and in very wet or rainy days they presented the appearance of mud ditches. There was no underground drainage and in stormy weather the surface water gathered in pools. The line of demarkation between the footway and the cartway was a row of posts fixed and standing upright in the ground to keep the wagons from encroaching on the pedestrians. Steps were taken to light the city, for it was with great difficulty that people, after sunset, could, with safety, find their way through the streets, lanes, and alleys of the city. It was provided that a sufficient and convenient number of lamps should be set up. Whale oil was used as an illuminant, and it smoked to such a degree that it obscured the light, and it was not until Franklin sug- gested a remedy that the lamps were of any practical use. He used four panes of glass instead of a globe, and left the lamp open at the top and bottom to create a draught, but it was at the best a very dim light, and would only burn when the weather was propitious, or, in other words, when the wind was not too high and the rain not too heavy.
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The water supply was increased and improved by erecting an additional number of pumps.
The fairs in May and November were interesting features of Colonial life. They brought to town many people from the adjoining country districts. Men and women travelled on horseback, their baggage tied up in a bundle and fastened to the saddle behind. Public entertainments, in which dancing was indulged, were given in many of the Inns and the young city bloods had great opportunity to carry on flirtations with the country belles. Tumblers, jugglers, clowns, dwarfs and mountebanks amused the people by their performances, while the sharper watched for his victim among the unwary and unsophisti- cated countrymen. The fairs resembled those held at . St. Bartholomew in England and those which we today call our country and agricultural fairs. All sorts of merchandise were exposed for sale, from cheap jewelry to handsome ma- terial for women's gowns. At the time of the opening proclamation was made as follows: "Oyez. and silence is commanded while the fair is proclaiming upon pain of imprisonment." The Mayor of the city, in the King's name, strictly charged and commanded all persons trading and negotiating within the fair to keep the King's peace, that no person or persons whatsoever shall pre- sume to set up any booth or stall for the vending of strong liquors, that no person or persons shall presume to bear or carry an unlawful weapon or to gallop or strain horses within the built parts of the city. That if any person shall receive any hurt from another he shall repair to the Mayor and his wrongs shall be redressed. That the fair shall continue three days and no longer, and then, as a grand finale to the proclamation the herald cried out, "God save the King."
The semi-weekly markets were the places where the people congregated in numbers, and a visitor from England, William Black by name, in giving a de- scription of the market place, said: "One may be supplied with every necessary for the support of life," and declared: "it was both extraordinary good and reasonably cheap and could be purchased throughout the entire year." With great delight he seems to have watched the young ladies "traversing the place from stall to stall." Some had their maids behind them bearing baskets to carry home the purchases, others were there to buy a little fresh butter or cot- tage cheese, for Philadelphia was as famous for her dairy products in those days as she is today, or a dish of green peas, and under such circumstances, they were their own porters. Iron chains were stretched across the street to prevent horses and wagons from interfering with the business of the market. In the summer the market was open from sunrise until ten o'clock and until eleven o'clock during the winter months. The opening and closing were an- nounced by the ringing of a bell. Farmers brought in their produce not only from the surrounding counties but also across the river from Jersey. The markets were such a feature of High Street that the principal thoroughfare in consequence changed its name to its present designation.
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