Canal, on July 4, 1826. By the year 1834 a total of 673 miles of public
works had been completed, at a time when the credit of the State was
good. But unfortunately too extensive a system was undertaken and the
works were not constructed or managed with economy. The debt of 1834 had
mounted to twenty-three millions. By 1841 it reached forty-two millions,
and the State defaulted even the interest on these bonds and all work
ceased.
----------
French and Indian War Started by Arrival of
Braddock’s Troops February 20, 1755
The French and Indian War opened April 17, 1754, when Ensign Ward was
surprised by the appearance of a large French force, under Contrecoeur,
while he was engaged in completing a stockade at the forks of the Ohio.
The Ensign was obliged to surrender his position to the superior forces
and retreat.
Governor Hamilton strongly urged the Pennsylvania Assembly to organize
the militia and aid the Virginians, but they questioned the right of
Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia to invade the Province of Pennsylvania
and charged his action as impudent.
Virginia raised a force of 300 men, under command of Colonel Fry and
Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, and near the Great Meadows, in
Pennsylvania, a detachment of the French forces, under Jumonville, which
had been sent to intercept the Virginians, was defeated and Jumonville
killed.
Colonel Washington erected Fort Necessity near this point, and upon the
death of Colonel Fry was promoted to the command.
Washington led the small column against Fort Duquesne, but a large
French force compelled the Virginians to fall back upon their stockade.
The French, under M. de Villier, attacked them and, after a desperate
defense, Washington was obliged to capitulate.
In October, 1754, Governor Hamilton was succeeded by Robert Hunter
Morris, who assumed his duties at the same time that a new Assembly was
elected. At the session in December the Governor laid before it the
royal order for a concert of action with the other colonies, commanding
them to act vigorously in defense of their own province and to aid the
other colonies to repel every hostile invasion.
The Assembly appropriated £40,000 of which £20,000 was for the King’s
use, redeemable by the excise in twelve years, the balance to supplant
the torn and defaced bills of former issues.
Great Britain determined to oppose the growing power of France in
America, and ordered two regiments of foot from Ireland, under command
of Colonels Dunbar and Halkett, to Virginia, to be there reinforced;
other troops were ordered to be raised in America, 2000 in New England,
3000 in Pennsylvania, which were to be placed at the disposal of a
commander-in-chief, who would be sent over for that purpose.
Pennsylvania was, in addition, required to supply the foreign troops on
their arrival with provisions and all necessaries for the soldiers
landed or raised in the Province; also to provide the officers with
means for traveling; and to impress carriages and quarter troops. All
the expense of this program was to be borne by the Province; whilst
articles of more general concern would be charged upon a common fund to
be raised from all the colonies of North America, of which the Province
of Pennsylvania would be required to bear its proportionate share. The
Governor of Pennsylvania was also directed to urge the Assembly to
contribute liberally, until a union of the northern colonies for general
defense could be effected. At this late day it would appear that the
mother country depended more on Pennsylvania and Virginia than on all
her other possessions in North America; and more on Pennsylvania than on
Virginia for men and provisions.
Governor Morris and the Assembly fenced for position on the proposition
of a grant of an enormous sum for the King’s use. Neither side would
yield. Finally the Assembly borrowed, on the credit of the House, £5000,
to be expended in the purchase of fresh provisions, for the use of the
King’s troops on their arrival, and appointed a committee to negotiate
the loan. This action was unquestionably arrived at in an effort to
prove to the Crown that their disposition was to assist the mother
government, if treated by the Proprietary as they had a right to expect.
On January 14, 1755, Major General Edward Braddock, Sir John St. Clair,
Adjutant General, and the regiments of Colonels Dunbar and Halkett
sailed from Cork. They arrived at Alexandria, Va., February 20, whence
they marched to Fredericktown, Md.
The place of debarkation was selected with that ignorance and want of
judgment which distinguished the British Ministry. Neither the country
of Maryland nor Virginia could furnish provisions or carriages for the
army, while Pennsylvania, rich in grain and well stocked with wagons and
stock, could readily supply food and the means of transportation
required by officers and men in moving an army to any point.
The Assembly could hardly feel otherwise at such a move, than that
either the British ministry or Major-General Braddock was prejudiced
against the government of this Province, so Dr. Franklin was sent to
General Braddock, to undeceive him.
While Franklin was yet with the army the return of the wagons obtainable
was made to the general, from which it appeared that there were not more
than twenty-five, and not all these serviceable.
Braddock was so thoroughly disgusted with this condition of affairs that
he declared the expedition at an end and exclaimed against the Ministers
who would send him into a country destitute of the means of
transportation. Franklin expressed his regret that the army had not been
landed in Pennsylvania, where such means abounded. Braddock seized his
words and at once commissioned him on liberal terms to procure 150
wagons and 1500 pack horses.
Franklin immediately returned to Philadelphia and circulated
advertisements through the counties of Lancaster, York and Cumberland,
and by a clever address obtained in two weeks all the wagons, 250 pack
horses and much popularity for himself.
Franklin stated in his address that he found General Braddock incensed
at the delay of the horses and carriages he had expected from
Philadelphia, and was disposed to send an armed force to seize
carriages, horses and drivers necessary to the service. But that he,
apprehending the visit of British soldiers in their present temper would
be very inconvenient to the inhabitants and that he was desirous to try
what might be done by fair and equitable means; and that now an
opportunity was presented of obtaining £30,000 in silver and gold, which
would supply the deficiency of the Provincial currency. He expended £800
received from the general, advanced £200 from his own purse and gave his
personal bond for the payment of the value of such horses as should be
lost in the service. The claims made upon him in consequence of this
engagement amounted to £20,000, and were not settled by the Government
until after much trouble and delay.
----------
State Capital Removed to Harrisburg by Act
of February 21, 1810
Very soon after the close of the Revolution there began an agitation
about the removal of the seat of the State Government from Philadelphia.
In March, 1787, the Assembly, then a single branch, resolved that
Philadelphia was “an unfortunate location” and expressed by their votes
its determination to build a State house at Harrisburg on a plot of
ground the property of the Commonwealth, etc., being four and a half
acres, conveyed by John Harris in 1785. Harrisburg was then a town of
nearly 600 inhabitants.
Action was not taken, but again in subsequent sessions, as in 1795, the
House voted thirty-six to thirty-four in favor of moving the seat of
Government to Carlisle. The Senate did not concur.
In 1798 the House agreed to remove to Wrightsville, York County,
“without delay.” Again the Senate refused to concur.
But in 1799 the effort in favor of removal was crowned with success.
Both branches voted this time to remove to Lancaster, then a town of
great importance, by far the most considerable in the interior.
Accordingly, in December, 1799, the Legislature met in Lancaster,
continuing to do so until the spring of 1812, when the seat of
Government was removed to its present location in Harrisburg.
The provisions of the Constitution now require that no removal can
hereafter be made without the consent of the people at a general
election, and, although there have been many attempts made to relocate
at Philadelphia and elsewhere since 1812, it is hardly probable that any
other city or section will ever be acceptable to the citizens.
It appears the choice of Lancaster was not as satisfactory as expected
as agitation for another removal was almost immediately commenced. On
December 9, 1801, a motion was made by Stacy Potts, of Dauphin County,
seconded by Mr. Lord Butler, of Luzerne County, calling for the
appointment of a committee to consider and report on “the most eligible
place to fix the permanent seat of government of this State.” The House
voted to consider the report, January 13, 1802, but nothing further was
done during that session, except an attempt to introduce the measure
under a fresh dress. A measure was introduced for the erection of a
structure for the “safe preservation” of the State papers. Under this
thin disguise, the subject of removal was very skillfully avoided by
those opposed to removal in a debate extending through December, 1802,
and ending latter part of the following January.
Senator Laird, January 4, 1809, presented the petition of sundry
inhabitants of the town of Northumberland, at the forks of the
Susquehanna, setting forth the central situation of that growing town,
and showing the advantages of fixing the State government there,
offering accommodations for the officers of the State and members of the
Legislature, and praying a removal of the seat of government thither.
This petition was referred to a committee consisting of Senators Laird,
Heston, Doty, Hiester and Laycock.
The committee shortly after submitted a report recommending the removal
of the seat of government to the town of Northumberland. The Senate,
however, when the report was under consideration, struck out the word
“Northumberland,” and from that moment onward the subject was constantly
agitated.
On February 17, 1809, the Senate, in Committee of the Whole, endeavored
to have the words “City of Philadelphia,” inserted as the place for the
seat of government, but, on vote, the motion was lost when only eight
Senators supported the motion. Then another effort to insert the name of
Northumberland was made, also Middletown, and Harrisburg. Northumberland
received only seven votes, but when Harrisburg was voted upon the Senate
supported it by a vote of fourteen to ten, but the House refused to
consider the bill during that session. No further action was taken until
February, 1810, when a bill passed both branches of the Legislature and
became a law, February 21, 1810.
This act consisted of ten sections and provided “that within the month
of October, 1812, all the offices attached to the seat of government of
this State shall be removed to the Borough of Harrisburg,” etc.
Robert Harris, George Hoyer and George Ziegler were named in the act as
commissioners to superintend and direct the removal of books, records,
papers and other documents, etc., and to provide good and suitable rooms
and apartments for the accommodation of the Legislature and the State
departments.
The Governor was directed to accept “on behalf and in the name of the
Commonwealth the offer of ten acres of land in or adjoining the said
Borough of Harrisburg, at $100 per acre, made by William Maclay,
adjoining to the four-acre lot formerly appropriated by John Harris for
the use of the State,” etc.
Appropriations were made for the payment of this land and for the
erection of office buildings. The Governor was authorized to appoint
three commissioners to fix upon a site, procure plans for and
superintend the erection of the buildings.
Governor Simon Snyder appointed William Findlay, Richard M. Crain,
George Bryan, John B. Gibson and William Gibbons as commissioners and
they selected Stephen Mills as architect.
A supplement to the act passed February 7, 1812, provided that all the
offices should be removed to Harrisburg during the month of April. A
second supplement passed March 10, 1812, directed “the clerks of the two
houses, on or before the 1st of June next (1812), to remove or cause to
be removed all the papers, records, books and documents belonging to
each house aforesaid, together with whatever furniture may be thought
fit for removal.”
From these records it is ascertained that the Government of the State
was removed in all its departments, in the year 1812, from Lancaster to
Harrisburg, and that the first organization at the latter place was in
December of that year.
The first sessions of the Legislature were held in the old court house.
The cornerstone of the capitol was laid Monday, May 31, 1819, by
Governor William Findlay. The construction was rapidly pushed forward,
and the building made ready for occupancy in December, 1821.
The Legislature met in the new capitol, Wednesday, January 2, 1822, when
proper ceremonies were held in honor of the event. This building was
destroyed by fire February 2, 1897.
The present magnificent capitol building was constructed by a Commission
composed of Governor William A. Stone, Edward Bailey, William P. Snyder,
Nathan C. Schaeffer and William H. Graham. Other officers of the
commission were T. L. Erye, superintendent; Robert K. Young, general
counsel; Edgar C. Gerwig, secretary; Joseph M. Huston, architect, and
George F. Payne, contractor.
The capitol was dedicated, October 4, 1906, when President Roosevelt
delivered the oration, and was entertained at luncheon by Governor
Pennypacker.
----------
Service and Captivity of Captain John Boyd,
Born February 22, 1750
One of the distinguished patriots of the Continental Army during the
Revolution was Captain John Boyd, a frontiersman, who suffered Indian
captivity and lived to rejoin his family and again become one of the
foremost citizens of his time.
The Boyd family gained a foothold in America when John Boyd, the
emigrant from the North of Ireland, landed on these shores in 1744, and
settled in Chester County. He married Sarah De Vane, and they removed to
Northumberland County, where they continued to reside until their
decease. They were the parents of three patriotic sons—John, born
February 22, 1750; Thomas, born in 1752, and William, born in 1755.
William Boyd was a lieutenant in the Twelfth Regiment of the Continental
Line, under Colonel William Cooke. He fell at the Battle of Brandywine.
Thomas Boyd was a lieutenant in General John Sullivan’s command when he
made his successful campaign against the Six Nations in Northern
Pennsylvania and Southern New York in 1779. Lieutenant Boyd was in
charge of a scouting detail on the march when he was captured by the
Indians and Tories under command of Colonel John Butler, near Little
Beard’s Town, in the Genesee.
Boyd was surrounded by a strong detachment of the enemy, who killed
fourteen of his men. He and a soldier were captured and only eight
escaped. When General Sullivan learned of Boyd’s fate the advance was
quickened in the hope they could reach him, but on arriving at Genesee
Castle his remains and those of the other prisoners were found,
surrounded by all the horrid evidences of savage barbarity. The torture
fires were yet burning. Flaming pine knots had been thrust into their
flesh, their fingernails pulled out, their tongues cut off and their
heads severed from their bodies.
John, the eldest brother, was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the
Continental Army in May, 1777, which rank he held until February, 1781,
when he received a captain’s commission from the State of Pennsylvania,
which had resolved to raise and equip three companies of Rangers for the
defense of the western frontier, then sorely distressed by the hostile
incursions of the savages. It was to the command of one of these
companies, that Captain John Boyd was promoted.
In June, 1781, while marching his men across the Allegheny Mountains, he
fell into an ambuscade of Indians near the headwaters of the Raystown
branch of the Juniata River, in Bedford County, and was made a prisoner
with a number of his soldiers, and led captive through the wilderness to
Canada.
Captain Boyd was confined during his imprisonment in Canada on an island
in the St. Lawrence, near Montreal.
In the spring of 1782 an exchange of prisoners took place and he was
returned to Philadelphia with a number of his fellow soldiers.
Previous to his capture he had been engaged in the Battles of White
Plains, Germantown, Brandywine and Stony Point. He was one of the fifty
who composed the “forlorn hope,” led by Mad Anthony Wayne at Stony
Point, who met within the fort. He was at West Point and witnessed the
execution of the unfortunate Major Andre.
At the time of the ambuscade Captain Boyd was wounded during the
skirmish, but after his capture and in spite of his wounds, he made a
desperate effort to escape by running, but was pursued and received
three terrible gashes in his head with a tomahawk when he was
re-captured.
The Indians immediately struck across the country, reaching the West
Branch of the Susquehanna near the mouth of the Sinnemahoning Creek.
They also had another prisoner named Ross, who was wounded even more
severely than Boyd, and could travel no farther. He was fastened to a
stake, with his arms tied behind his back; his body was cut with sharp
points and pitch-pine splinters stuck into the incisions; the fire was
lighted and the savages danced around him in fiendish glee. His tortures
were terrible before death relieved him.
During this tragic scene Captain Boyd, faint from the loss of blood, was
tied to a small oak sapling, in such a position that he could not
refrain from being a silent spectator of the horrible scene; realizing
that he was soon to suffer the same tortures.
He summoned up all his courage and resigned himself to his fate.
Certainly his thoughts must have reminded him of the sufferings of his
heroic brother only two years before, almost in the same manner.
While the incarnate fiends were making preparations to torture him to
death by inches, he sang a pretty Masonic song, with a plaintive air
which attracted their attention and they listened to it closely until it
was finished. At this critical moment an old squaw came up and claimed
him for her son. The Indians did not interfere and she immediately
dressed his wounds and attended to his comfort, carefully guarding him
during their journey to Canada.
This old squaw accompanied Captain Boyd to Quebec, where he was placed
in a hospital and attended by an English surgeon. When he recovered he
was turned out on the street without a penny or a friend.
He found a Masonic Inn and made himself known to the proprietor who
cared for him until he was exchanged.
The old squaw who befriended him belonged to the Oneida tribe. Captain
Boyd remembered her kindly as one of his best friends and frequently
sent her presents of money and trinkets. On one occasion he made a
journey north to visit her in her aboriginal home and personally thank
her for saving his life.
Captain Boyd, in partnership with Colonel William Wilson, operated a
mill on Chillisquaque Creek, Northumberland County, for many years.
He was one of the surviving officers who enjoyed the provisions of the
act of Congress, May, 1828.
He was a delegate to the convention which ratified the Federal
Constitution December 12, 1787.
He was an elector of President and Vice President in 1792, when he voted
for Washington and Adams. He was appointed by President Washington
Inspector of Internal Revenue for Pennsylvania. He also served as
Register and Recorder of Northumberland County.
Captain Boyd married May 13, 1794, Rebecca, daughter of Colonel John
Bull, famous Revolutionary officer. They were the parents of five
daughters and two sons. He died February 23, 1831.
----------
Simon Girty, the Renegade, and Indians
Attacked Fort Laurens, February
23,1779
Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, who had been sent by Congress and
General Washington to restore peace on the harried western frontier of
Pennsylvania, relieved General Edward Hand of his command at Fort Pitt.
A treaty of peace with the Delaware Indians was concluded September 17,
1778, and General McIntosh immediately prepared an expedition against
the British post at Detroit.
On October 1, the army, consisting of 1300 troops, of whom 500 were
regulars of the Eighth Pennsylvania and Thirteenth Virginia, marched
from Fort Pitt down the Ohio, to the mouth of the Beaver.
Four weeks were occupied in building a fort within the present town of
Beaver, which was named Fort McIntosh, in honor of the commanding
officer.
A herd of lean cattle arrived at Fort McIntosh November 3, and on the
5th the army began its march, but they did not reach the Tuscarawas
River until November 19.
In accord with a provision in the treaty with the Delaware, General
McIntosh was pledged to erect a protection for the Indian women and
children. During the march to the Tuscarawas a Delaware chief was shot
by a Virginia militiaman, and many Indians deserted the American force.
General McIntosh, with great reluctance, determined not to continue the
campaign so late in the year, and to employ the troops and make a show
of enterprise, he began the construction of a stockade fort at
Tuscarawas, where the army then encamped and from which place it would
again set out in the spring on another attempt against Detroit.
The fort was named Fort Laurens, in honor of the President of the
Continental Congress.
Before this fort was finished General McIntosh realized he could not get
forward a sufficient quantity of provisions to maintain his large force
in the Indian country long enough even for an expedition against the
Sandusky towns.
The Virginians were enlisted only until the end of the year, the weather
became intensely cold, starvation and deep snows threatened, which
seemed enough to discourage any commander and the general was forced to
march his army to the Ohio.
He left 150 men of the Thirteenth Virginia, under command of Colonel
John Gibson, one of the stoutest-hearted of the frontiersmen. Colonel
Daniel Brodhead, of Northampton County, with a detachment of the Eighth
Pennsylvania, formed the winter garrison at Fort McIntosh, while General
McIntosh took up his quarters at Fort Pitt much chagrined over his
disappointments.
The little garrison at Fort Laurens experienced a terrible winter. They
were short of food and clothing. The troops hunted until driven out of
the woods by the hostile Indians.
The erection of this fort in the very heart of the Indian country
greatly provoked the Wyandot, Miami and Mingo tribes, and they plotted
its destruction. Early in January, 1779, they began to prowl about the
post.
General McIntosh promised to send provisions to the post by the middle
of January, and Captain John Clark, of the Eighth Pennsylvania, was sent
from McIntosh with fifteen men to convoy the pack horses loaded with
flour and meat to the relief of the post on the Tuscarawas.
This detail reached the fort January 21, and two days later set out on
their return to the Ohio. Three miles from the fort the party was
attacked from ambush by seventeen Mingo Indians, under the leadership of
Simon Girty, the renegade and Tory, and two soldiers were killed, four
wounded and one captured.
Captain Clark was forced back to Fort Laurens, but a few days afterward
he again started and led his little detail through without molestation.
Girty led his captive soldier to Detroit, and while there raised a much
larger force and returned to the vicinity of Fort Laurens, where he
arrived about the middle of February.