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 15
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At the time of the opening of the Revolution, Philadelphia had a popula-
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tion of from twenty to twenty-five thousand people. It was famous, too, for its mansions, many of which were not only commodious but elegant, and their interiors, if we may believe the comments of distinguished visiting strangers, were furnished with marked taste.
Franklin's home was located in the block between Third and Fourth streets, north of Chestnut street. The Masters house, which was described as "mag- nificent," stood on the south side of Market street between Fifth and Sixth streets, and it became the home of Washington when he lived in Philadelphia as President of the United States. Joseph Galloway, who was recognized as a leader in society and who, in the Revolution became a pronounced Tory, occu- pied a house in the neighborhood of Sixth and Market streets. Archibald Mc- Call, the leading East India merchant of those days, lived at the corner of Second and Union streets. Then there were three handsome houses occupied by leaders of society, Thomas Williams, Mrs. Byrd, of Westover, and Mrs. Samuel Powell, which ran south between Third and Fourth streets from Will- ing's Alley to Spruce street. The Cadwallader mansion was on Second street, and was described by John Adams as a "grand and elegant house." The Ship- pens lived on Fourth street, Anthony Duche at Third and Pine streets, William Logan, a son of the great James Logan, on Second street. There were many other residences of brick and stone occupied by the successful merchants of the city, and altogether Philadelphia presented an air of prosperity far sur- passing that of any other city in the colonies. The outlying country districts, too, were dotted with comfortable seats, which, in some instances, were maintained as permanent rural residences, and in other cases as summer homes of the well- to-do. "Belmont," the country seat of the Peters', was described by a French traveller as a "tasty little box on the most enchanting spot that nature can em- bellish, and besides the variegated beauties of the rural banks of the Schuyl- kill, commands the Delaware and the shipping mounting and descending it. From whence is the most romantic ride up the river to the Falls, in which the opposite bank is likewise seen beautifully interspersed with the country houses of the opulent citizens of the Capital." Then there were the "Woodlands," "Whitby Hall," "Harriton" and "Lansdowne," most pretentious mansions, and occupied by the Hamiltons, the Coultas, the Harrisons and the Penns, respec- tively. The Lardners had a country seat at Tacony and the Walns one to the cast of Frankford, the Chews one in Germantown, while in the southern por- tion of Philadelphia, in Moyamensing and Passyunk there were a number of fine estates, among which was Wharton's "Walnut Grove," where was held in the days of the Revolution, the "Meschianza." When the delegates to the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, the distinguished men among them were entertained by the leading families, and John Adams, in letters to his wife, could not find adjectives sufficient to describe the elegance of the interior of the homes and the sumptuous banquets that were spread and at the time of his departure it was with regret that he turned his back on "the happy, the peaceful, the elegant, the hospitable and polite city of Philadelphia." Time and again did he refer in his diary to the "splendid and the mighty feasts" that he had seen spread in those homes. No doubt, salt oysters from their native beds, the canvas back and the delicate meat of the diamond back terrapin.
8
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from the eastern shore of Maryland, were to be found in the list of delicacies. In fact, everything that the stream, the field, the farm, the garden and the dairy could supply was of the first order, while the pastry was unsurpassed and the wines were of the rarest vintages.
The fine arts, too, were beginning to be appreciated. The time had been when this was not the case, for in one instance a well known citizen, on his return from Europe had brought with him a cast of a famous Venus, and when he placed it in position in his parlor, it gave such offence to his staid and sombre neighbors that he was compelled to conceal it from public view, and it was only shown to those who professed to have a taste for art and were not shocked by the nudity of the figure. Most of the furniture in the mansions of the opulent was imported from Europe and. was chaste and cor- rect in style.
Clothes, too, except among the Quakers, were of the latest cut and in some cases came from the shops of England, fashioned by tailors and haber- dashers whose boast was that they were makers to His Majesty, the King, and to the Prince of Wales. In fact, so expensive and elegant was the dress of both ladies and gentlemen at the receptions given to the visiting delegates that John Adams refers to the wearers as "the nobles of Philadelphia." The men wore coats and waistcoats of the most brilliant colors, knce breeches, silk stockings, pumps with silver buckles and ruffied shirts, while the women were models of the latest fashions. In truth, a ball room in one of the handsome residences of Philadelphia in those times closely resembled a salon at Versailles in the days of Louis XIV.
When John Hancock came to Philadelphia to preside as President over the deliberations of the first Congress, he wore a scarlet coat and cocked hat, with a black cockade, and Thomas Jefferson, notwithstanding his democratic views, and his objection to ostentatious display, wore, upon a state occasion, a long waisted white cloth coat, scarlet breeches and vest, a cocked hat, shoes and buckles and white silk hose.
Watches were in common use among the well-to-do, but were generally made of silver. The chains were steel and silver, or else fobs were worn. A gold watch was an exception. Bridge spectacles, or those that were held in place by nipping the nose, were introduced at an early day, and it was not until some years afterwards that temple spectacles came into use. Snuff boxes, many of them made of precious metals, were quite the vogue. Quitasols, or parasols, were carried by ladies to keep off rain as well as to protect against the heat of the sun. Umbrellas, too, at this date were introduced. Dr. John Morgan, a leader in fashion, is said to have been the first man who had the temerity to carry one in public, although he divides the distinction with Dr. Chancellor and the Reverend Mr. Duche. Of course such an innovation was subjected to the ridicule of men and boys, but the umbrella was soon found to be so useful an article that even the gibes of rowdies could not prevent its gen- eral introduction. When, however, umbrellas were carried in the summer season to ward off the rays of the sun, the bearers were denounced as being effeminate. Mr. Bingham, on his return from the West Indies, says Watson, was attended when he went abroad by a Mulatto boy bearing his umbrella, but
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his example was not followed, and he soon himself abandoned the custom. The umbrellas were clumsy articles as compared with what are in use to-day. They were made of oiled linen of various colors, and stretched over rattan sticks. Prior to their introduction, small capes were used in some instances in rainy weather which were thrown over the shoulders, but as a rule men faced the storms without any artificial protection.
On April 24, 1775, at five o'clock in the evening, a messenger dashed into the town bearing news from Massachusetts that "On Wednesday morning, April 19th, near ten of the clock, a brigade consisting of about a thousand or twelve hundred men landed at Cambridge and marched to Lexington, where they found a company of our colony militia in arms, upon whom they fired without any provocation whatever, killed six and wounded four others." The bearer of these tidings was Trail or Israel Bissell who was sent out from Mas- sachusetts and "charged to alarm the country quite to Connecticut" and all persons were desired to furnish him with fresh horses as they might be needed. The news from Massachusetts created the greatest excitement in the city and it came at a time when the delegates were arriving to attend the ses- sions of the Second Continental Congress. It was the first shot that had been fired, and the first blood that had been shed in the cause of independence and it proved the truth of Josiah Quincy's prediction, when he said at a meeting assembled in Boston, in 1774: "We are not to hope that we will end this con- troversy without the sharpest, sharpest conflicts. We are not to flatter our- selves that popular resolves, popular harangues, popular acclamations and pop- ular vapor will vanquish our foes. Let us weigh and consider before we ad- vance to those measures which must bring on the most trying and terrible struggle this country ever saw." The hour had come for the fulfillment of that prediction. The first scene of the drama was set on Lexington Green in Mas- sachusetts, seventy sturdy yeomen, described in English accounts as "a rabble in calico frocks, with fowling pieces," stood face to face with a thousand Brit- ish regulars. A flash of musketry, and eighteen of the yeomen lay weltering in their blood. The shot which broke the quiet of that April morn was heard around the world, and marked the dawn of an era in human freedom.
When the news reached Philadelphia, a banquet was being held at which Robert Morris was presiding. When the herald entered the hall, there was so much excitement created that the guests upset the table. The bells tolled, and men and boys paraded the streets throughout the night, and in the morning a great mass meeting was held in the State House yard, at which meeting the people resolved that they would bind themselves together for defence. Early in May, Benjamin Franklin arrived from England, where he, at every point, had protected the interests of the colonies. He was given a glorious welcome, and proclaimed as the hero of two continents.
A number of delegates from Virginia, the Carolinas, and Maryland rode up from the South in a cavalcade and having been met by a body of troops were-given an escort into the city amidst the general enthusiasm. A few days later the delegates from New England, and also from New York began to arrive and were given a like reception. As they came into the city all the bells began to ring and chime, people lined the sidewalks and gave a hearty welcome
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to the distinguished visitors. Of course, the Massachusetts men were especi- ally honored and received with an ovation, because upon the soil of that col- ony had been shed the first blood of the Revolution.
Upon the assembling of the Congress, its first act was to choose one of its members, George Washington, of Virginia, to be Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Armies. He assumed command of the troops and hastened at once to the seat of war.
Early in 1776, Congress "recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of the United Colonies where no government sufficient to the exi- gencies of their affairs had been established, to adopt such government as that in the opinion of the majority of the people will best conduce to the happi- ness of their State in particular and America in general." Under this res- olution, a new state government in Pennsylvania was established and the Assembly superseded.
On June 6th, 1776, in the Conti- mental Congress, Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, offered a resolution, which was seconded by John Adams, of Mas- sachusetts, "That these united colon- ies are and of right ought to be free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be to- tally dissolved." This was the first RICHARD HENRY LEE. positive act on the part of the dele- gates looking to the severance of all connection with the Mother Country. Even as late as 1775, Jefferson said ex- pressly : "We have not raised armies with designs of separating from Great Britain and establishing independent states. Necessity has not driven us yet to that des- perate measure." Even Washington, when he took command of the Army at Cambridge, had not made up his mind that the object of the war was to be the independence of the colonies, and the Assembly of Pennsylvania had actually passed a resolution instructing its delegates and forbidding them to favor a separation from Great Britain. At first the colonies were struggling against oppression and tyranny, with no intention of severing the tie that bound Amier- ica to England. Whenever the colonists opposed a measure, it was designated as a Ministerial Measure, they felt that the great body of the English people were their friends and they did not believe that the King was unjust to them nor in any way antagonistic to their interests, and they always insisted upon, and frequently exercised their right of petition to him directly and personally. They were deceived in so far as his friendly interest in them was concerned, for the King was the very head and centre of the scheme of American taxa-
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tion. But now the colonists had taken the final step and had decided to sever all connection with the Mother Country.
Lee's resolution of June sixth, in favor of independence was passed on the second day of July, 1776, and referring to this fact in a letter to his wife, dated July third, John Adams said: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of de- votion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore." The second of July was not chosen, however, as the National Anniversary, but the fourth of July, which was the day when the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
A committee to frame a declaration of independence was named, con- sisting of Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia; Benjamin Franklin, of Pennsyl- vania: Roger Sherman, of Connecticut, and Robert Livingstone, of New York. Upon consultation, they all gave their views and opinions in the framing of this important document, but the task of preparing the paper was assigned person- ally to Thomas Jefferson. At this time Jefferson lived in the second story of a brick building belonging to a German bricklayer named Graff, situated at the southwest corner of Seventh and Market streets. The great statesman only slept here and walked down to the City Tavern, located on Second street above Walnut, for his meals. The house at Seventh and Market streets was on the outskirts of the built-up section of the city, and was in a quiet and retired neighborhood, and here it was that the immortal Declaration of Independence was written. The site at Seventh and Market streets is now occupied by a bank, on the outer wall of which is a brass or bronze tablet announcing the fact that it was in the building formerly located on this site that the Declara- tion was penned. It was unfortunate that there was not enough public spirit in the city to have removed the building, so rich in its associations, to Fair- mount Park, as was done in the case of the Penn house. The building was of the Colonial style of architecture, its material was sound and could easily have been taken down and set up elsewhere and thus could have been preserved one of the great relics of the Revolution.
CHAPTER XII.
THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA ON THE FOURTH OF JULY IN THE SUMMER OF 1776. PASSAGE OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. PUBLIC READING OF THE SAID DECLARATION ON JULY 8TH. BRITISH DRIVEN FROM BOSTON. BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. RETREAT OF THE AMERICAN ARMY, FORTIFICATION OF WEST POINT. BATTLE OF TRENTON. GENERAL HOWE INVADES PENNSYLVANIA. THE BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. BRITISH ENTER PHILADELPHIA. BATTLE OF KEGS. WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE IN WINTER QUARTERS, MESCHIANZA. GREAT SUFFERING AMONG THE AMERICAN TROOPS. FARMERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TRADE WITH THE CITY AND PROVISIONS WERE AT AN EXORBITANT HEIGHT. LYDIA DARRAGH, OUTBREAK OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. CLINTON HAVING BEEN NAMED THE SUCCESSOR OF HOWE TOOK HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, BENEDICT ARNOLD MADE MILITARY COMMANDANT OF THE CITY. THE SURRENDER OF YORKTOWN.
L ET us imagine, gentle reader, that we are strangers visiting Philadel- phia in the summer of 1776, or, to be more particular, on Thursday, the fourth day of July of that year. We have spent the night at the City Tavern, on Second street above Walnut, which has the reputa- tion of being one of the best inns in the country. The weather is hot and sul- try, but the hotel being located in close proximity to the Delaware, the cool breezes from the river made the temperature bearable during the night, although the mosquitoes were almost intolerable. Leaving the hotel, we stroll up Sec- ond street to High, which is the principal thoroughfare of the city.
It is an eventful period in the history of the colonies for they have already taken up arms against the Mother Country, and their representatives are in session in the State House holding under discussion the all-important question of making a declaration of freedom. There is nothing in the city to show that anything unusual is happening or about to happen. The stores are open and their goods displayed in an attractive manner, young ladies wearing dainty summer gowns, and carrying retienles, are out for a morning's shop- ping, while the ubiquitous "boy, with satchel, and shining morning face, ( creeps) like snail unwillingly to school." The blacksmith's anvil resounds under the stroke of his hammer, the hucksters cry their wares and the chimney sweeps announce their coming with a song all their own, Great Conestoga wagons burdened with their freight, the bells on their horses ringing merrily, come rum- bling along, while occasionally may be seen a stage coach with its weary an l travel-stained passengers and jaded horses, arriving in town after a long jour- ney. Vehicles of all kinds go to and fro, raising at times great clouds of dust, for the streets are not paved except in some localities. A few soldiers mingle with the people and give color to the scene, while the drums beating and the fife squealing at the recruiting stations are the only indications that war is in the land.
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In our saunterings through the town, we come at last to the State House. A number of people are gathered around its main entrance, while others are scattered in groups over the pavement, but there is no semblance of what might be called a crowd. The tailor is there, having left his shop in charge of his boy, while he ran around the corner to hear the news; the cobbler is there, with last in hand; and the wheelwright who has left his forge; as well as the mechanic with his leathern apron. The wiseacre, too, is there, who is always found in such gatherings, giving his views upon the public questions of the day. The doctor, who has left his chaise at the curb, and the lawyer with brief in hand, have stopped for a moment to ask if any decision has yet been reached. There is no excitement, there are no exultant crowds; the people wait in quiet expectation, although anxious for the news from the hall. The State House bell rings out the hours as they pass, but still no announcement is made of the deliberations. As the day wears on the heat increases, all the windows of the Hall are open, and occasionally from the street may be had a glimpse of the distinguished men, as they move about the Hall, or stand at the windows to catch a breath of air. Often, too, their voices may be heard in earnest debate. The doors of the hall are closed, for the Congress is in executive session. As nightfall approaches, news at last comes that the Declaration, after heated and vehement controversy, has been adopted. There is no little flaxen haired, blue eyed boy to announce the glad tidings, and run up the stair-case shouting to the bellman in the tower, "Ring! Grandpa, ring!" Unfortunately, that story only finds itself in romance. Nor did the bell itself at this time ring out the glad tidings to the world. The representatives, deeply impressed with their day's work, emerge from the hall, wend their way to their respective homes and lodgings, and the people who have gathered in the immediate neighbor- hood, quietly disperse. And we, gentle reader, we who in imagination have witnessed the scenes just described, will retire to our rooms at the Hotel.
It was a day big with events, and so solemn in its import that it did not in- duce to a spirit of exultation. The Declaration, as it has been said was "merely the assignment of reasons for an act which had been previously determined upon," that is, the passage of the resolution of Lee severed connection with the Mother Country, and the Declaration merely set forth those reasons that in- pelled the separation. Be that as it may, the Declaration was the announce- ment to the world of the action of the colonies, and was one of the most im- portant papers ever issued and signed by a deliberative Assembly.
It was not until high noon Monday, the eighth of July, that the paper was publicly read, and Colonel John Nixon was chosen for that important task. A large crowd assembled in the State House yard, which was composed for the most part of apprentices, journeymen and idle loungers. We can picture them in their shirt-sleeves, knee breeches and queues, forming, as "Debby" Morris describes, a motley assemblage. From her patrician point of view, she de- clares that but few of the leading citizens and men of distinction were to be found in the multitude. She stood at the fence of her father's house, which was located at the southeast corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets, and heard distinctly the voice of Colonel Nixon as he read the all-important document. The reader was in full regimentals, and stood on a wooden platform, which
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was high above the ground and which had been used by the American Philo- sophical Society in its observation of the transit of Venus, in 1760, and read with a loud voice and with distinctive emphasis the living words of that im- mortal paper. In the night bonfires were lighted and the bells of the city rang out in joyful acclaim, the State House bell enunciating the inscription upon its side: "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants there- of."
Although the Declaration was adopted on Thursday, the fourth of July, it was not signed until some time afterwards, in fact several of the members
SIGNING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. APPROVED JULY 4TH, 1776. SIGNED THE FOLLOWING AUGUST 2ND.
did not append their signatures until the following August. A number of the delegates, refusing to sign, were supplanted by others, and some delegates signed the paper who were not representatives in the Congress, at the time of the passage of the Declaration. The members who represented Pennsylvania in the Congress at the time of the adoption of the Declaration were Robert Morris, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, John Dickinson, James Wilson, Charles Humphreys, Edward Willing, Thomas Willing and Andrew Allen. Of these men Benjamin Franklin, John Morton and James Wilson voted in favor of the Declaration. Robert Morris thought it was premature, but subsequently signed it. Dickinson and Humphreys voted against it and the others absented themselves from the sessions. After the changes were made in the complexion of the representation, the signers were Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benja- min Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson and George Ross.
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The British having been driven from Boston, they determined to strike their next blow at New York, thus hoping to secure a position that would separate the New England colonists from those south of New York, thus prevent- ing them from rendering assistance to each other. The battle of Long Island resulted in the defeat and the retreat of the American army, and Washington led his forces up the east side of the Hudson River, intending to fortify West Point, as the principal strategic position in that portion of the country. Wash- ington, however, unable to hold his ground against Cornwallis was compelled to retreat. Ile left a large portion of his army under the command of General Charles Lee, and when he was sorely pressed by the enemy, he sent for Lee's assistance, but for some reason or other that officer disobeyed the command.
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