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 18
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The Constitution radically changed the form of the existing government. Under the Articles of Confederation there had been but one body in whom both legislative and executive functions were lodged. There had been no executive head, and the powers of government were not well distributed. Under the new Constitution there would be a President, whose duty it was to see that the laws were executed, two bodies of Congress, an upper and a lower chamber, acting as a balance upon each other, in whom were lodged all legislative power ex- press or implied under the Constitution, and a Supreme Court, to decide all questions that arose under the Constitution in relations to the powers of the National Government. The framers of the Constitution were wise beyond their day and generation, and perhaps they themselves did not appreciate to its full meaning the words of the Preamble, which read, "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, do ordain and establish
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this Constitution." These words, "We, the people." distinguished the govern- ment as a government of the people, not a government formed by a cluster of States in their sovereign capacities, but a nation of people separate and dis- tinct from the States considered as sovereign powers. It fortunately formed a government of this Federalistic character without encroaching upon the rights of the States or interfering with their local affairs.
In this city, when the vote was taken for the election of delegates to the Convention called to ratify the Constitution, the Federalists were overwhelmingly triumphant. Their five delegates were James Wilson, Thomas Mckean, Ben- jamin Rush, George Latimer and Hilary Baker. Though Benjamin Franklin had signed the Constitution, he was the leading candidate on the Republican or anti-Federalist ticket. He led in the vote of his party, but was not successful at the election. The Convention of State delegates, consisting of sixty-nine members, met on December twelfth to pass npon the question of adoption and the Federalists polled forty-six votes as against twenty-three by their oppo- nents and the result was received with great acclaim by the people. Guns were fired, "the chimers chimed the chimes," and the bells in all the steeples rang out merrily. New Jersey's ratification came on the next day, December thirteenth. Delaware had been the first to ratify on December seventh. Georgia followed on the second of January, 1788, Connecticut on January ninth, Mas- sachusetts on February sixth, Maryland on April twenty-sixth, South Carolina on May twenty-third, New Hampshire on June twenty-first, and as this last State had the honor of being the ninth in the matter of adoption, the Constitu- tion became effective. Virginia, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Is- land followed in the order named, and "At last," exclaimed John Adams, in a happy phrase, "the thirteen clocks all struck together.'
In Philadelphia, when New Hampshire's vote was made known, the people set about preparing a pageant in honor of the event. There were floats and vessels borne upon wheels, among which was the Federal ship "Union," built of wood taken from a barge which had been on John Paul Jones's ship in his engagement with the "Serapis." All the military and civic societies turned out to take part in the procession. The members of the bar, the clergy, Pro- testant, Catholic and Jewish, walked arm in arm, students of the College of Physicians, of the University, of the Episcopal Academy and other schools were led by their professors and tutors. All the trades were represented. Even the farmers came into town to take part in the affair, and they were led by Richard Willing, who, in a farmer's dress, drove a plow which was drawn by four oxen. The length of the line was one mile and a half, and, at least five thousand per- sons marched in the procession. It was a celebration that did honor to the glorious event of the adoption of the Constitution, the greatest instrument of its kind and the best model of government ever set up and devised by the wit and wisdom of man.
Washington, as was to be expected, was the unanimous choice for Presi- dent. At this time New York was the seat of the National Government, and it was there that he was to be inaugurated. The day set for the occasion was March fourth, 1789, at which time the new Constitution went into operation, but the ceremony was delayed until April thirtieth. By an act of Congress, Phil-
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adelphia was made the capital of the nation from 1700 to 1800, and in this last year the seat of government was permanently located at the city of Washing- ton, on land given for that purpose by the States of Virginia and Maryland. Washington, on his way to New York to be inaugurated, passed through Phila- delphia, and was given the heartiest welcome as the newly-elected President. Hle remained in New York until August thirty-first, 1790, when he retired to Mount Vernon, for a short vacation prior to the meeting of Congress in Phila- delphia, which was to take place in December. He reached this city in Novem- ber, and occupied a dwelling on the south side of Market street below Sixth, which had recently been the home of Robert Morris. It was surrounded by lofty old trees and set in the midst of a large garden, which was enclosed by a high wall. There were stables and carriage houses in the rear of the lot, where the President kept a number of well bred Virginia horses, a cream-col- ored coach, in which he was driven about, a chariot and other vehicles for ordinary use. It was the cream colored coach that gave such offence to many of his democratic fellow-citizens, because it seemed to be too aristocratic in its features. In fact, it is a grave question whether such pomp and state as was assumed by Washington would have been permitted in any other person, but he was so deeply set in the respect and affections of the people, and the confi- dence they had in his integrity and purposes was so firmly established that he could do that which no other person would dare to attempt. When he went to Congress to deliver his message, which he read in person, it was in a coach drawn by six white horses, although his house was only distant abont a square from the chamber where Congress met. On these occasions he was preceded by wand-bearers, and upon his entrance into the Hall, all the members arose and remained standing until he took his seat. In riding through the city, he was always accompanied with footmen and postillions.
An eye witness, cited by Watson in his "Annals," who saw Washington ride in state, says, in referring to his coach, "It was cream colored, globular in its shape and capacious within, ornamented in the French style with Cupids surmounting festoons and wreaths of flowers, emblematically arranged along the panels. It was drawn sometimes by four, but in common by two, elegant Virginia bays, with long switch tails and splendid harness and driven by a German, tall and muscular, wearing a cocked hat, square to the front, seem- ingly in imitation of his principal, but turned a little back upon his long cue, and presenting to the memory . a figure not unlike the one of Frederick of Prussia upon the sign in Race street. He exhibited an important air and evi- dently was proud of his charge."
The same witness further says that "on Sunday mornings, at the gate of Christ Church the appearance of this coach awaiting the breaking up of the services never failed in drawing a crowd of persons, eager, when Washington came forth, for another view, and stamping with their feet in freezing weather upon the pavements to keep warm the while. The indistinct sound of the Vol- untary upon the organ within was no sooner heard by them than the press became formidable considering the place and the day. During the slow move- ment of the dense crowd of worshippers issuing from the open door, and the increased volume of sound from the organ, it was not necessary for the stranger
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visiting the city and straining his vision to behold the General for the first time, to inquire of his jostled neighbor, "Which is he?" llis noble height and commanding air, his person enveloped in what was not very common in those days, a rich blue Spanish cloak, faced with red silk velvet, thrown over the left shoulder, his easy, unconstrained movement, his inimitable expres- sion of countenance * * his gentle bendings of the neck to the right and to the left" charmed the silent crowd of spectators who gently fell back on each side as he approached.
The same witness also states that "One day in summer, passing up Mar- ket street, he was struck with the novel spectacle of this splendid coach with six elegant bays attached, postillions and outrider in livery, in waiting at the President's door * *
* presently the door opened, when Washington in a suit of dark velvet of the old cut, silver or steel hilted small sword at left side, hair full powdered, black silk hose and bag, accompanied by 'Lady Washington,' also in full dress, appeared standing upon the marble steps- presenting her his hand he led her down to the coach with the case and grace peculiar to him in everything. Having also handed in a young lady, the door clapped to, Fritz, the coachman, gave a rustling flourish with his lash, which produced a plunging motion in the leading horses reined in by the postillions and striking flashes of fire between their heels and the pebbles beneath, while
"Crack went the whip, round went the wheels, As though High street were mad."
His journey to Mount Vernon was a procession in itself. He rode in a coach driven four-in-hand and a valet led a saddle horse for his own use if he grew tired of occupying the carriage. But few men had an easier or more graceful seat in the saddle. Born and reared in the country, he had from his early years been devoted to field sports and was considered the best horseman of his day. There was not in all Virginia a finer cross country rider. Before entering the carriage or taking the saddle, his secretaries, who rode on horse- back, stood at the heads of their steeds, holding them by the bridle until he was seated, then they would mount, gallop ahead and lead the cortege.
He held weekly receptions in the dining hall, a large and spacious room on the first floor of his home, and here were to be found in attendance upon the levees, members of the leading Philadelphia families, officers of the Cabinet, foreign diplomats, senators, representatives, lawyers, doctors, and distinguished men of all classes. These gatherings made up a brilliant assemblage and they were recognized as the social feature of the city. Upon these occasions he was gen- erally attired in a black velvet coat, short breeches of the same material, silk stockings and low shoes. He wore yellow gloves, silver knee and shoe buckles, and carried at his side a long sword, with a polished steel hilt. His hair was powdered and gathered behind in a large silk bag. His cocked hat, adorned with a black feather, he carried gracefully under his arm. He never shook hands with his visitors, but recognized each one with a polite bow, bending forward gracefully, and yet his manner was kindly and not at all repellent. "He was serious and reflecting," and in the language of Charles Biddle, "he
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was a most elegant figure, with so much dignity of manner that no person whatever could take any liberties with him." Ilis countenance "never wore a frown or a smile," and there is no instance recorded of his having indulged in a hearty laugh nor in the telling of a story. If there was one feature of his character that stood out in bold relief it was his serenity, his dignified con-
GEORGE WASHINGTON AS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
posure. Although naturally irritable in temper he had so calmed and con- trolled it by resolution that he seldom gave way to his wrath. Twice, how- ever, his anger broke over all bounds, once at the Battle of Monmouth, when enraged at Lee's retreat, and again at a Cabinet meeting, when he was chafing under the scurrilous and libelous attacks of the infamous "Gazette." It was fortunate for the colonies that a man with the prudence, the resolution, the judgment, the patriotism and the integrity of Washington could be found to lead their armies. It was even more fortunate for the Republic that such a
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man was found to inaugurate her government. His ambition was measured by his country's good. No crown tempted him, and tyranny was to him a stranger. He seems to have been raised up for the safety of his people and his country. He was the one man of his time especially fitted for the task assigned him. Among all his contemporaries-and it was a day of great men-there was not one who could have filled his place. He was not showy, but sound. Ile did not dazzle with a flash, but illumined with a steady light. He did not promise, but realized. He did not boastfully predict, but modestly and patiently achieved success. Hle trusted in Divine Providence, but madly followed no star of destiny. In the darkest hour his soul was not dismayed. When defeat overwhelmed, he still hoped. When the timid quailed he stood undaunted. Hle was great because his aspirations were noble ; because of his integrity and devotion to truth ; because he appreciated the responsibility of duty; because of his sense of exact justice, and because of his sincere and intense love of coun- try. His motives were pure and his ideals lofty. He sank all consideration of self in his desire to discharge his duty to God, to his country, and to his fel- low-man. There have been more acute minds, keener intellects, but few men have possessed sounder judgment. He reached conclusions slowly, but by safe methods. He was a good listener, and he could weigh with accuracy the suggestions of others, and his judgment enabled him to select the best. So great were the qualities of his mind that the strongest leaned on him with confidence, and the bravest were inspired to enthusiasm. "Plan the battle," cried Mad Anthony, "and I'll capture hell!"
His influence, his wisdom guided the Republic safely through the early years of her life, and left her so firmly established, with her course for the future not only in domestic but foreign policies so clearly defined, that our safety is assured only when we travel the paths marked out by him. Time will see great changes. The selfish ambition of man for power will bring havoc and war, governments will dissolve, and new States will arise. despots will rule and dynasties pass away, revolutions will shake thrones, and Anarchy will raise her hideous form, erect barricades and create confusion, but in al! future ages the great figure of Washington in its grandeur of proportions will rise above the world's tumult and destruction, pointing the way to liberty and to law. His influence will grow as the years increase and his example will live directing and controlling the actions of man and the course of nations yet unborn. Once his sword as a victorious soldier and afterwards his power as a successful magistrate he surrendered willingly into the hands of his coun- trymen. In the face of his life oppressors and usurpers have no defense nor excuse to make for their wicked assumption and exercise of arbitrary power. Selfish and personal ambition will ever be taught a lesson and rebuked by his example.
A pocket date book, owned by Washington, and in the possession of the Hunter family of Virginia, shows a human side of a great man's life. It is a little old volume, bound in flexible leather, containing about one hundred pages of rough paper, between the pages of which there is a well used blotter. It contains a number of cash memorandums and was begun on the 25th of March, 1774. Among the items may be found the following: "To cash won at cards
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too, were established in New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts, but the time schedule was very uncertain. Muddy roads in the summer, and snow storms in the winter, delayed progress. In 1722, the "Gazette" says, "We have been these three days expecting the New York post as usual, but he is not yet arrived although three days over his time." In 1729 there was a fortnight post between New York and Philadelphia. In 1753, the delivery of letters by the penny post was first begun. In 1755, however, the Postmaster-General, Benjamin Franklin, announced that hereafter the winter northern mail from Philadelphia to New England would start once a week all the year around. In 1744, John Perkins engaged to ride post haste to carry the mail once a week to Baltimore and to take along or bring back led horses, or any parcels. This was the first time in the history of the country that the Parcels Post was intro- duced. These lines were gradually extended in every direction, and when the Second Congress met in May, 1775, a committee was appointed to report a scheme for a post "for conveying letters and intelligence throughout the Con- tinent," and the Postmaster-General, located in Philadelphia, was instructed "to form a line of Posts from Falmouth, New England, to Savannah, in Geor- gia, with cross Posts where needful." There were relays at a distance of twen- ty-five miles apart. "The postmen were to travel by night and by day, and to be faithful men and true." In 1779, the Post "was regulated to arrive and set out twice a week at the place where Congress shall be sitting, and go as far north as Boston in one direction, and as far south as Charleston in another."
In 1785, during the period which we are considering, Pittsburgh was begin- ning to assume some proportions. It had a population of about four hundred inhabitants, and they lived principally in log huts, but a post rider was sent between Philadelphia and that town at regular intervals .. In this same year of 1785, Philadelphia received the mails from New York three times a week and from Baltimore once a week, the stages set out daily from New York, starting at four o'clock in the morning, stopping to take up passengers at the Indian King and Indian Queen Taverns. Passengers, barring accidents and neces- sary delays were supposed to reach New York the following morning in time for breakfast. Although progress was being made and distances shortened, these were tardy methods at the best and if they had continued it is a grave question whether the Republic would ever have reached its present dimensions. In fact, it was contended that it would be impossible to admit to the Union of States the far western Territories, for the representatives to Congress would have to spend most of their time on the road going to and returning from the sessions.
But at this time there were men of inventive minds who were solving the problems of locomotion by steam. John Fitch was born in Connecticut, in 1743. He was a man without education, but of inventive genius, and seems to have been followed by misfortune from his very cradle. He was an itinerant clock repairer and traveled afoot through the country regulating the old Co- lonial time-pieces. He was a gun-smith and afterwards an army sutler during the Revolutionary War. Then he followed land surveying in Kentucky, where he was captured by the Indians and for seven months was a prisoner of war, when he was exchanged and returned to Bucks County in this State. At this
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point in his life he turned his attention to the construction of a steam engine. He was totally without means, and sought assistance not only from Congress, but from the State Legislatures. He sought the advice of Franklin, but he does not seem to have received much encouragement from that quarter. At last he raised sufficient money to enable him to construct a vessel which he ex- hibited on the Delaware in 1786. It was propelled by twelve oars, six on each side-the idea of wheels had not occurred to his mind-it was a rude, primitive sort of affair, as such beginnings are, but it proved that he had the proper prin- ciple. Driven by the steam engine, his craft proceeded up the Delaware against wind and tide. Several members of the Constitutional Convention were in- vited to take a trial trip in the little vessel, and although they marvelled greatly, at his ingenuity, they were not wise enough to appreciate its utility. Earnestly and determinedly, however, he pushed his work, but so pinched was he for money that he made but little progress. The machinery was not well constructed, delays and accidents would happen, and many wise-acres ridiculed it as a toy, without any feature of practical utility. He went so far, however, as to estab- lish communication between Philadelphia and Trenton Falls, but the enterprise made no adequate financial returns, and at last, overcome by disaster, mis- fortune and disappointment, he took his life by an excessive dose of ano- dynes in the year 1798, in Kentucky. In one of his journals, in a spirit of despair, he entered this pathetic and touching prediction and sentiment : "The day will come when some more powerful man will get fame and riches THE FIRST STEAMBOAT BUILT BY JOHN FITCH. from my invention, but nobody will believe that poor John Fitch can do anything worthy of attention."
James Rumsey and Oliver Evans were also turning their attention to the problems of steam locomotion, not only on water but on land. It remained, however, for Robert Fulton who at that time was a resident in Philadelphia, whose house according to the Directory was located at the corner of Second and Walnut streets, and his vocation given as that of a miniature painter, to impress the world with his later invention which had the advantage of being an improvement over the prior primitive ones, and to him is given the honor of being the first builder of a successful steamboat.
From these humble beginnings has developed a system that has revolution- ized the early methods of travel and transportation. The Constitution inade us a united people, while steam and electricity have been the means to bind us more closely and to bring within easy communication the most distant parts of our vast empire. Indeed, without their aid, the building of the empire itself might not have been possible. The sailing vessel, the packhorse, the stage coach, the Conestoga wagon have been supplanted as means of transportation by the steamship and the locomotive. A letter that took days to reach its des- tination can now be mailed in the morning and delivered before nightfall.
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The new National administration started well on its career, and under the guidance of Alexander Hamilton, one of the ablest financiers this or any other country ever produced, provision was made at once for the raising of revenue. He established the credit of the government by providing for the payment of the money due to France that we had borrowed during the Revolution and to pay the debts we owed to the soldiers and to those citizens who had made loans to the Government during the war. The United States Bank was cre- ated in 1791, and a Mint was established at Philadelphia in the following year. Money was soon put into circulation which became the coin of the realm and had a like purchasing value in all the States of the Union. In 1790 the first census was taken, and showed a population in the whole country of nearly four millions, while that of Philadelphia was 42,500 and if including the out- lying districts of Northern Liberties, Southwark, Moyamensing and Passyunk 45,000.
CHAPTER XIV.
STATES-GENERAL MEETS AT VERSAIL ES. OPENING OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. CITIZEN GENET, MINISTER OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC REACHES TIHS CITY. FETED AND BANQUETED. OFFENSIVE CONDUCT OF THE FRENCH MINISTER INDUCES HIS RECALL. PUBLICATION OF "THE AURORA." , YELLOW FEVER VISI- TATION. STEPHEN GIRARD SERVES AS NURSE IN THE HOSPITALS. A REIGN OF TERROR IN FRANCE. INDIAN INSURRECTION. WAYNE'S VICTORY AT THE FALLS S OF MIAMI. EXPIRATION OF WASHINGTON'S SECOND TERM. JOIN ADAMS ENTERS UPON HIS ADMINISTRATION. WASHINGTON TAKES HIS DE- PARTURE FOR MOUNT VERNON. AMERICAN MINISTERS INSULTED BY FRENCH AGENTS. . WAR DECLARED BETWEEN FRANCE AND UNITED STATES. WASHI- INGTON APPOINTED COMMANDER-IN-CIHEF. RECURRENCE OF THE YELLOW FEVER. DEATH OF WASHINGTON.
A BOUT the time the new government was being inaugurated in America, the States-General met at Versailles in France. It was composed of members chosen from the nobility, the clergy and the common peo- ple, the delegates of the latter order representing what was called the third estate. Under the Bourbon regime, France had been reduced to a condition verging upon actual bankruptcy, and an appeal had to be made to the King to call the Three Orders together to provide some method to meet the payment of the current expenses of the government. The Bourbon princes had waged useless and expensive wars, and had impoverished the people by their profligacy and extravagance. The brilliant and corrupt court, to maintain its luxury, had imposed so oppressive a taxation that the people had been reduced to poverty and starvation. For centuries these conditions had prevailed, every year going from bad to worse. The injustice and tyranny of the ruling classes produced a revolution that was one of the most violent upheavals recorded in the history of governments among men. "The French Revolution," said De Tocqueville, "was least of all a fortuitous event. It is true that it took the world by surprise and yet it was only the completion of travail most prolonged, the sudden and violent termination of a work on which generations had been laboring." The States-General, unable to bring the orders together, was trans- formed into a National Assembly, composed of representatives of the third estate, and a small number of the nobility and the clergy. The convention was immediately organized and an oath taken by the members. not to separate until they had established a Constitution for France. They proceeded at once to make rapid and sweeping changes. First was issued a Declaration of Rights, then followed among other things the abolition of all titles of nobility, the con- fiscation of Church property, the issuance of assiquats and the funding of the public debt.
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