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 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
It was about this time that in the ranks of the American army were car- ried for the first time the stars and stripes. Betsy Ross, residing in a small house which is now at 239 Arch street, is said to have been engaged by Wash- ington and some members of Congress to make the first flag that should be known distinctively as the American colors. Doctor Oberholtzer, in his inter- esting and exhaustive "History of Philadelphia" says, "There are no more definite claims for anybody in this behalf, and as the distinction manifestly be-
9
.
138
WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTH.
longs to some one, Betsy Ross seems likely to hold the place to which she has been so long assigned."
Although the British had their "Meschianza" in Philadelphia, the Ameri- cans were not without a season of festivity, when they celebrated the alliance with France in May, 1778, at Valley Forge. The French treaty raised high hopes of the Americans and gave them new inspirations and the event was celebrated by a review of the troops and the discharge of cannon. They did not present the military appearance of the British, their clothes were tattered and torn, many of them were barefooted and clothed in different styles of uni- form. Their arms were covered with rust, and many of the guns were without bayonets, indeed, many of them were simply fowling pieces, fit only for the sports of the field rather than for a war like campaign. Tin boxes and cow horns were their powder pouches. Even the officers wore coats of every color and make. Baron Steuben says he saw officers at a grand parade at Valley Forge mounting guard in a sort of dressing gown, made from an old blanket or woollen bed cover.
As the warmer weather advanced there was much rejoicing among the Whigs, because of the rumor that the British contemplated an evacuation of the city. The British commander, in view of the fact that an alliance had been made with France, and for fear that a French fleet would suddenly appear in the harbor of New York, decided to make a hurried departure. Preparation> were made and at last tents were struck, some troops being sent to New York by transports, while others were carried over the river to New Jersey to march across the country. The army of Clinton, at this time, consisted of about sev- enteen thousand soldiers, and they were accompanied by three thousand Tories who feared that if they remained behind, their lives would be in danger upon the return of the American troops. Before noon, on the eighteenth of June, the rear guard of the British Army disappeared, and Philadelphia was for all time relieved from their presence. The patriotic Whigs who had suddenly fled from the enemy, came back to reclaim their own. Watson, in his "An- nals," quoting from the diary of a young lady, says, of the date June 19, 1778: "We have astonishing news that the British have really left Philadelphia. This is delightful. Our army is now about six miles off, on their march to the Jer- seys. I now think of nothing but returning to the city after an exile of twenty months," and in July she further writes, "It has now pleased kind Ileaven to restore us to our home in safety. My heart danced and my eyes sparkled at the news. The very noise and rattle of the city were as music to my senses, so glad was I to be again at home." The Tory newspapers, immediately upon the evacuation suspended publication or else changed their sympathies, while the Whig journals set up their presses and at once issued editions.
But what a sight was presented to the eyes of the returning patriots. The streets were filthy, camp litter had accumulated in every direction, the houses where the troops had quartered had been deprived of their doors and windows, and even the floors were torn up to furnish fuel for the fires. Furniture, cloth- ing, bedding and household articles of every description were destroyed. The State House was so filthy that Congress was obliged to hold its sessions in another building, while the yard in the rear, where the artillery had been
139
WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTHI.
parked, presented the appearance of a ploughed field. "The dirt, stench, filth and flies in and about the city," says Christopher Marshall, "were hardly cred- ible." In the surrounding country districts, the fields were lying in fallow, great forests had been cut down, and the orchards were destroyed and trees stripped of their bark as well as their fruit.
The heat of the summer was intense, there was not a breath of air, and the transports in the Delaware crept slowly down the river towards the bay, depending more on the tide than the wind, but their troubles were nothing as compared with the hardships suffered by the British troops in their march through Jersey. The sun beat down upon their heads pitilessly and the sand under their feet was burning hot, and many of the men in their winter uni- forms, were borne down under the weight of their heavy knapsacks and fell exhausted by the roadside. They were pestered almost to death by swarms of fleas, gnats and mosquitoes, and the farmers shot down the unfortunate lag- gards and stragglers.
Washington, believing this was his opportunity, followed the retreating British, and brought them to an engagement at Monmouth, on June 28th, 1778. This battle would have been a signal victory had it not been for the defection of General Charles Lee. As it was, the British forces were glad to escape and hasten their march to New York. This was the last battle of import- ance that was fought on northern soil, for the war was now transferred to the south. A British expedition attacked and captured Savannah, Georgia, in De- cemiber, 1778.
In the summer and autumn of that year, the massacre at Wyoming oc- curred, and the most atrocious cruelties were perpetrated by ferocious savages, under the leadership of their chiefs and Tory captains.
In 1779, in the north, there seemed to be a lull in the conflict, both armies standing at bay, but operations in the south were continued under the leader- ship of Cornwallis.
In September, 1780, Benedict Arnold, the trusted and confidential friend of Washington, turned traitor. After the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, Arnold had been put in charge of the city. He was a brave soldier, and fought with gallantry at the Battle of Saratoga, and was seriously wounded in that engagement. In fact, there was as much credit given to him for the winning of the fight as to General Gates, his superior officer and the Com- mander-in-Chief. Arnold was a haughty and an ambitious man, and apparently did not care to win popular esteem, and his conduct, while in charge of the city of Philadelphia, gave great offence to the citizens. Even his integrity was assailed, and there was reason for this because of his manner of living. Ile rode almost in state through the streets of the town, in his sumptuous coach, and he lived on Market street in the house known as that of Richard Penn, where he entertained extensively and extravagantly. Ile subsequently removed to Mount Pleasant, on the brow of the Schuylkill, considered one of the finest country seats in the colony. Ile openly visited the houses of the leading Tories, and married Peggy, the daughter of Edward Shippen. So ostentatious was he in his style of living that he cansed suspicion in the minds of the people and called down upon his head the condemnation of the whole community. ile
140
WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTH.
was charged with having appropriated money committed to his care at the time he was put in charge of the city, and with being concerned in certain shady commercial transactions. The judgment of the people, perhaps, may have been too severe, and he may have suffered unjustly under the general con- demnation, but that is no excuse for his subsequent conduct. The abuse, how- ever, no doubt, soured him and induced him for gold to attempt to betray his country. His treason has coupled his name with that of Judas Iscariot. For- tunately, his plot was discovered, and he was compelled to flee. He took refuge on a British ship lying in the Hudson, and ended his days in London, an exile and an outcast.
The winter of 1780 and 1781 was most severe, and the sufferings in the American camp at Morristown were almost as great as those that were endured at Valley Forge. Several victories in the south, how- ever, cheered the nation and gave the people fresh hope. Cornwallis moved to Yorktown in July, 1781, hoping to get relief by sea from New York, but suddenly, to his surprise, appeared a French fleet of warships in the harbor, under the command of Count De Grasse, and this cut off his expected relief by sea from New York. Washington, on the Hudson, gave the British Commander in New York every reason to believe that he was mak- ing preparations to attack him, but suddenly, after having received financial aid through the exertions BENEDICT ARNOLD. of Robert Morris, he pushed his army rapidly across the country" to the head of the Chesapeake Bay, and then transported them by water to Yorktown. With the French ships blockading the harbor, and the American troops assailing the fortifications, Cornwallis was between two fires, and was at last compelled to capitulate, his troops marching out of the town on October 19, 1781, with bands playing "The World's Upside Down." This victory virtually ended the war, but a final treaty of peace was not signed between Great Britain and this country until 1783.
The news of the surrender at Yorktown was brought to Philadelphia at midnight by a horseman, and the night watchmen were informed, and in their rounds called out in the early hours of the morning the glad news that Corn- wallis was taken.
CHAPTER XIII.
CONDITION OF THE CITY AFTER WITHDRAWAL OF THE BRITISH TROOPS. SIEUR GERARD APPOINTED FRENCH MINISTER TO THE UNITED STATES AND WARMLY WELCOMED IN THIS CITY. FORT WILSON RIOT. FRENCH TROOPS UNDER THE COMMAND OF COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU PASS THROUGH THE CITY. SURREN- DER OF CORNWALLIS AT YORKTOWN. BRITISH VESSEL "THE GENERAL MONK" CAPTURED BY JOSHUA BARNEY AND BROUGHT TO THIS CITY. TREATY OF PEACE IN 1783. CONVENTION MEETS IN MAY, 1787, IN THIS CITY TO FRAME A NEW CONSTITUTION. ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION. PHILADELPHIA MADE THE SEAT OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. WASHINGTON IS INAUGURATED PRESI- DENT. TAKES UP HIS RESIDENCE IN THIS CITY. SURROUNDED BY STATE, HIS CHARACTER. IIIS INFLUENCE. HIS WISDOM. HIS UNSELFISH AMBITION. ILIS STATE RECEPTIONS. VICE-PRESIDENT ADAMS ARRIVES IN THE CITY AND ALSO THOMAS JEFFERSON. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. DEATII OF FRANKLIN. POST OFFICE ESTABLISHED. PITTSBURGH AND ITS GROWTHI, STEAM NAVIG.1- TION.
A FTER the evacuation of Philadelphia, that city was no longer the storm centre of the Revolution in so far as warlike operations were concerned. It was reckoned that the damage done to private prop- erty and public property by the British during their occupancy reached nearly two hundred thousand pounds, a very large sum of money at that period.
The Whigs now turned their attention, with a vindictive spirit to harry the Tories, and they began a system of inquisition and oppression. When the British retired from the city the officers advised the Tories who remained behind to make the best terms possible with their enemies for, of course, they could expect no assistance now from their British friends. Oaths of allegi- ance were required to be taken, and those who refused were in many cases attainted of treason, while fines, imprisonments and forfeitures were imposed in every direction. A list of traitors was published, which contained the names of some of the most distinguished citizens, as well as men of all classes and of every occupation. Spies and deserters were hanged or shot on the commons and it became a daily recreation for the people to turn out en masse to witness the executions. Crowds of men and boys marched through the streets follow- ing the condemned to the scaffold. In some instances the prisoners passed through the city seated upon their coffins in carts, with ropes around their necks. It was a day of general reckoning and retribution. The Quakers, too, came under investigation. They would not take the oath of allegiance nor would they directly nor indirectly, aid the cause of the Colonies in their war with the Mother Country. They maintained their views in the face of persecu- tion, but they were careful to make no disloyal utterances that might arouse the anger of the mob or would subject them to prosecution at the hands of the
141
142
WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTHI.
authorities. Chief Justice McKean held court even during the summer months to hear testimony against the traitors. \ grand entertainment was given at the City Tavern by a committee of patriotic citizens and care was taken to see that no invitations were sent to the belles who had played a part in the pageant of the "Meschianza."
In the summer of 1778, Sieur Gerard, the first of the French Ministers to the United States, arrived in the city. He was given a hearty public recep- tion, and the people turned out in great crowds to welcome and to do honor to the representative of that state that had so materially aided the colonies in their war for independence. Shortly after his arrival the birthday of the French King, Louis XV1., was celebrated and the Members of Congress called in a body to congratulate the Minister upon that auspicious occasion. To show how deeply the patriots drank to the health of the King, we may state that at a banquet given in the City Tavern at which two hundred and seventy gentle- men sat down, five hundred and twenty-two bottles of Madiera, about two bottles to each guest,-one hundred and sixteen large bowls of punch, nine large bowls of toddy, six large bowls of sangaree and twenty-four bottles of Port were consumed. Nor did the managers of the feast forget to provide for the artillerists who fired the salutes, for they were furnished with two tubs of grog and it is reasonable to suppose, judging from the quantity of wine drunk at the banquet table, that the tubs that held the liquor for the soldiers were by no means small. Gerard was succeeded the following year by a new Minister, M. de la Luzerne, and the drinking and the feasting continued, ban- quet after banquet, night after night. While this revelry and dissipation went on, the armies were suffering for the bare necessaries of life, at times having nothing to eat but a crust of bread. These things gave deep concern and anx- iety to the minds of Washington and his Generals and in strong terms they expressed their disapprobation of the luxury and extravagance indulged in at these entertainments. The soldiers in the field munching their hard tack be- came discontented when they heard of these sumptuous feasts. The people, too, were restless. Paper money was worthless, there was no gold nor silver in circulation and the prices for necessaries had risen to exorbitant figures.
In October, 1779, the "Fort Wilson" riot occurred. Wilson resided in a large brick house at the corner of Walnut and Third streets. lle had de- fended a number of Tories in the treason trials, and was suspected by the peo- ple of being disloyal to the American cause. A mob of men, dragging with them two pieces of cannon, started out to attack Wilson's house. Hearing of their coming, he gathered about him a few friends and was determined to stand in defence of his home. The crowd, however, armed with crow bars and sledge hammers broke open the doors and a skirmish took place upon the staircase. The authorities aroused to action dispersed the mob, by charging with a body of horse after one man in the house had been killed and three wonnded.
Prices for the necessaries of life rose as rapidly as the paper money de- clined in value. Although it was at par in 1777, in 1781 it had become unterly worthless. A witty old gentleman, quoted by Watson, declared a fast trotting horse could not keep pace with it. A common workman would ammise a
143
WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTHI.
group of friends by lighting his pipe with a ten dollar note. Watson states that a stuffed Paddy was suspended in Philadelphia wholly covered with bilis of various denominations while a barber papered the walls of his shop with the worthless notes or "shin plasters" as they were called.
In January of 1781, Colonel Allen MeLane purchased of W. Nicoll, a tradesman, a number of articles, among which were a pair of boots, for which he paid in paper money $600, in addition he bought 634 yards of calico, at $85 a yard, $752; 6 yards of chintz, at $150 a yard, $900; 41 yards of Morine at $100 a vard, $450.50; 4 handkerchiefs at $100 each, $400; 8 yards of quality binding at $4 per yard, $32; I skein of silk $io. These articles including the boots reached a total of $3, 144.50 in paper money. The same bill could have been settled for less than £20 Sterling.
At this time, French troops under the command of Count de Rochambeau, passed through the city on the way to join the army of Washington in Vir- ginia. Dressed in their gay and brilliant uniforms bearing their silk flags and marching with the steps of trained soldiers, they were in marked contrast to the shabby appearance of the American troops, and their coming excited the wildest enthusiasm. When the news of the capture of Yorktown reached the city there was a general illumination, and for some time a season of merry- making, and the winter of 1781 and 1782 was one of the most brilliant the city had ever seen. Minister Luzerne's house was the centre of attraction and the French officers and their wives for a time came to the city and entered with spirit into all the entertainments. Washington, too, accompanied by his wife, came to Philadelphia in November, and of course was welcomed with the greatest acclaim. The surrender of Cornwallis seemed to be accepted as the conclusion of the war, although it was two years before a peace treaty was signed at Paris. A sort of desultory warfare was carried on, but there was no great and energetic campaign waged. A notable naval engagement, however, took place in 1782, in the Delaware. A British war vessel called the "General Monk" had given great annoyance and trouble to the shipping of this port. She guarded the approaches to the city, and it was with difficulty that any trad- ing vessel could safely reach the harbor or depart from it. It was decided by a number of business men, at a secret meeting, to fit out a vessel of suffi- cient tonnage and capacity to give battle to the British brig, and if possible, to capture her. A vessel equipped for the purpose was placed under the command of Captain Joshua Barney. He was furnished with a crew of one hundred and ten experienced sailors. His vessel, which had been christened the "Hyder Ali" passed down the river with all sails set, disguised as a merchantman. He was accompanied by several vessels which he was to convoy to the capes, in order that they might safely reach the open sea. When in the Bay, he saw a brig that was pointing her prow in his direction and had cleared her decks for action. He ordered the vessels in his convoy to turn about and proceed up the Bay to the mouth of the river, but while going about, one of them, called the "Charming Sally," ran aground, and the vessel which proved to be the "General Monk" at once bore down upon her and opened fire. Barney waited for his opportunity, however, and when he came up to the "General Monk" he poured a heavy broadside into her, and so terrific was the fire that in half an hour the
144
WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTH.
British flag was lowered and the "Monk" was a prize to be carried back to the port of Philadelphia. The "General Monk" lost twenty men killed and thirty- three wounded, while Barney's loss was only four men killed and eleven wounded. When he rode into the harbor of Philadelphia bringing his prize the whole city went wild with excitement, and he received a vote of thanks and a sword from the State Legislature.
The war now was fast drawing to a close and commissioners were arrang- ing the terms of settlement.
The signing of the treaty of peace at Paris in 1783, recognized the Repub- lic and secured its independence. The cessation of hostilities with the Mother Country did not end the troubles of the colonies. The articles of confedera- tion, as a tie to bind, were as "a rope of sand" and had no power to keep intact the Union that was so essential to the integrity of the Nation. During the war the States had been held together by a common danger. They were united in a contest against a common foe, but now that they were loosened from obliga- tions to each other, and the imminent peril had passed away there were signs in every direction of disintegration. Each State, jealous of its sovereignty, was loath to relinquish it or vest any portion of it in a central government. Congress, under the Articles of Confederation, had no power to levy taxes, to collect revenue, to enforce its decrees nor to exercise any legislative func- tion in opposition to the wishes of the States. In every direction the political atmosphere was filled with a discordant note, and it did look as if the Union that had accomplished so much for the liberty and independence of the people was about to be dissolved. - The government was without money, and what was worse, without credit. The smaller States feared the influence of the larger, and the latter feared the power of each other. Many of the leading men, however, with a clear vision as they looked out into the future, recognized the fact that if the colonies did not form a perpetual union the very liberty and independence they had secured by the loss of so much blood and treasure would be in jeopardy. The question on all sides was whether there was to be one or thirteen Nations, one Republic, or thirteen separate and distinct States.
Congress was unable to provide back pay for the soldiers, and the latter, in some quarters, evinced a spirit of mutiny. A body of troops came from Lancaster to make a demand. They were comparatively a mere handful of men, but they were determined and for the time being terrorized the city as well as Congress. The men were finally persuaded, under promises, to return to their barracks, but they issued forth again in increased numbers and in- sisted upon an immediate compliance with their demands, Washington, in this juncture, being called upon for assistance, sent fifteen hundred Continental troops to subdue the mutineers, and fortunately they were soon brought under subjection. Some of the ring leaders were publicly whipped, and two were sentenced to be shot, but on the eve of execution they were pardoned.
Congress having shown its utter incapacity to meet conditions, a convention, consisting of fifty-five members assembled in Philadelphia in May, 1787, to frame a new Constitution. Washington was chosen to preside over their delib- erations. The Convention held secret sessions for four months. The debates were stormy and at times it seemed an impossibility to agree upon a plan or to
145
WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTHI.
effect a compromise that would meet with the approval of the delegates, so di- verse were they in their views and so jealous of their sovereignty.
The question of the representation of States in Congress gave the utmost concern to the smaller States, for if it was based on population, the larger States would necessarily have a controlling influence in legislation. To balance this matter it was decided that there should be an upper chamber called the Senate, which should be composed of two representatives from each State, thus giving, in the upper chamber, the same representation to the smaller States as was given to the larger. The question, too, whether or not slaves should be com- puted, as a part of the population, arose, and after much discussion, it was finally agreed that three fifths of the slaves should be counted, althoughi, of course, they were neither represented nor taxed. Fortunately, there was a spirit of compromise among the delegates, and if it had not been for the domi- nating desire to effect a Union, the Convention would not have been able to reach any result.
The proposed form of government was adopted on September 17th, signed by all the members of the convention and an adjournment took place at once, and the delegates returned to their homes to render an account of their stew- ardship. The men who had exerted the greatest influence in framing the Con- stitution were Washington, Hamilton, Wilson and James Madison.
The Convention had been in continuous executive session and the people had not been made in any wise familiar with the features of the new form of government, and when it was submitted publicly it necessarily called forth a storm of censure and even abuse. The Anti Federalists who opposed a cen- tralization of government, claimed to find in it a return to monarchical condi- tions, that the national government exerted a dominating influence and that if the States adopted the instrument it would mean a loss of the liberty of the people. It was contended that the instrument showed the handiwork of such political craftsmen as Hamilton, Morris and Madison, three of the leaders of Federalism. Blatant demagogues appealed to the people and argued that the Constitution, if passed in its then present form would be the death knell of Democracy. The Constitution, however, was submitted to the votes of the sev- eral States, and after it had been adopted by a majority of the same, it became the fundamental law of the land.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.