collisions, one of which with Colonel Oswald, had serious result.
Eleazer Oswald had been a colonel in the Continental army during the
war, in which he appears to have served with credit; he was a kinsman of
Elizabeth Holt, wife of John Holt, and aided her in conducting the
Journal after the death of her husband, in 1785 and 1786. They sold the
Journal in 1787 to Thomas Greenleaf.
Oswald had an “unpleasantness” with Francis Child, of the New York
Advertiser, and then succeeded in getting himself into a political
dispute with Matthew Carey.
This latter quarrel terminated in a duel, in which Carey was shot above
the knee, a wound that confined him to the house for nearly sixteen
months.
During the interval, Carey seems to have been able to continue his
editorial labors, and, in 1786, with several partners, he started the
Columbian Magazine, but withdrew from this enterprise the following
December, and founded the American Museum, a monthly eclectic magazine,
which he edited with marked ability for six years.
After abandoning the Museum Carey entered into business as a bookseller
and publisher, and among other works issued a quarto edition of the
Bible, called the standing edition—as it was kept in type.
He took an active part in charitable enterprises, and every fortnight
dispensed food and other necessaries of life to hundreds of poor widows.
He was particularly active in works of benevolence during the prevalence
of yellow fever in Philadelphia in 1793, and wrote and published a
history of that epidemic.
In 1793 Carey founded the Hibernian Society and undertook with Hugh
Gaine a system of annual book fairs, resembling the present trade sales.
He was an associate of Bishop William White and others in the formation
of the first American Sunday School Society.
While the War of 1812–14 was kindling he wrote much on political
subjects, and in 1814 the Olive Branch appeared, in which he attempted
to harmonize the contending parties in the United States. It passed
through ten editions.
In 1818 he published “Vindicia Hibernicæ,” which was a refutation of
charges made against the Catholics of Ireland of butchering Protestants
in the insurrection of 1640.
In 1820 he published “The New Olive Branch,” which was in favor of
protection to American industry; and two years later his “Essays on
Political Economy,” were also published in favor of protection. These
publications were widely circulated.
In 1830, under the title of “Miscellaneous Essays,” Carey republished
selections from his writings. There are fifty-eight papers, essays, and
longer compositions, and two hundred pieces collected under the heading
of “Light Reading.”
Carey also advocated the system of internal improvements which led to
the construction of the great canal system in Pennsylvania.
He was active in promoting education, and in forming associations for
the relief of those unable to help themselves.
As Matthew Carey advanced in years, he acquired a fair amount of wealth,
and in consequence of ease and comfortable environment, he became a
prolific writer, but always on subjects which were solid. He gave no
time to the elegancies of literature or fiction.
In this field of literature he was succeeded by his son Henry Charles
Carey, who became well known for his robust works on political economy.
In 1833–34 Matthew Carey contributed his autobiography to the New
England Magazine.
He acquired an enviable social position as well as one of wealth. He
died much lamented at his home in Philadelphia, September 16, 1839.
----------
First Constitution of United States Adopted
in Philadelphia September 17, 1787
The Constitution of the United States, as is well known, was framed
during the summer of 1787, by a convention of Delegates from twelve
States. The convention sat in the old State House at Philadelphia, and
after a stormy session of four months ended its labors on September 17,
1787.
In the preliminary movement to form a nation, only five of the thirteen
colonies were represented. Delegates from New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia, met at Annapolis, Md., September
11, 1786, and after much discussion and consideration, they recommended
that a convention be called to meet in Philadelphia on the second Monday
of May, 1787.
When that day arrived the only delegates to appear at the State House
were those of Pennsylvania and Virginia. At the end of two weeks no
others had arrived except those from Delaware and New Jersey. This fact
indicates how little they appreciated the importance of the event.
Finally, twelve States were represented; the largest delegation was from
Pennsylvania, and consisted of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert
Morris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson
and Gouverneur Morris. General George Washington was elected president,
and William Jackson, secretary. The convention sat with closed doors.
Former Governor Pennypacker, in his excellent “Pennsylvania—The
Keystone,” says “Washington presided and the aged Franklin participated,
but the most learned lawyer among them was James Wilson, and, perhaps,
more than any other member, he affected the results reached.”
On the afternoon of the day that the convention finished its labors, the
Constitution was duly signed by thirty-nine of the members. Some
resolutions and a letter from Washington were ordered to be sent to
Congress and to be by it transmitted to the States.
The Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787, and by this action of
the convention a new Nation was born in Philadelphia.
While these things were taking place in a lower room of the State House,
the Legislature of Pennsylvania was in session in a room above, and the
Constitution was read to it on the morning of September 18.
Copies were then given to the press, and the next day the people of
Philadelphia were reading the new plan in the “Packet,” the “Journal”
and the “Gazetteer.” For a few days nothing but praise was heard, but
before a week was gone, it was attacked.
The principal supporters of the plan of the Federal Convention were
former officers of the Revolution, many of whom had served throughout
the entire struggle for independence, while not one prominent soldier of
that war was included among the twenty-three Anti-Federalists who
consistently voted against ratification.
All was not satisfactory, and there was much trouble about the adoption
of the Constitution, which did not go into effect until ratified by nine
States.
Patrick Henry, of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts,
opposed it violently. It also had many opponents in Pennsylvania.
Particularly was this true among the partisans of the State Government.
A draft of the instrument was reported to the Assembly, when a motion
was made to authorize the calling of a State convention to deliberate
upon its adoption.
This body met November 21, and was organized by the choice of Frederick
A. Muhlenberg as president, and James Campbell, as secretary. On
December 12, following, the final adoption of the draft of the
Constitution was carried by a vote of 46 to 23 against it.
The following day the members of the convention and of the Supreme
Executive Council, with officers of the State and the City of
Philadelphia and others, went in procession from the State House to the
old court house, where the ratification of the instrument was solemnly
proclaimed. Twelve cannon were fired and the bells were rung.
The convention returned to the State House, where two copies of the
ratification of the Constitution were signed. According to Hamilton, a
motion was made that all members should sign it as an acquiescence to
the principle that the majority should govern, which was strenuously
objected to by the opponents of this instrument.
Delaware ratified the Constitution December 7, 1787, making Pennsylvania
the second State to ratify. That is the reason that today in all
national processions these States are given the lead.
State after State approved the Constitution, and in several of them
processions had taken place to celebrate, but in Pennsylvania there had
been no celebration of this kind; but it was decided, however, that as
soon as the ninth State acceded to it, measures should be taken for
public rejoicing.
Following Delaware and Pennsylvania came New Jersey, which adopted the
Constitution December 18; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January
9; Massachusetts, February 6; Maryland, April 28; South Carolina, May
23.
On June 21, when New Hampshire, the ninth State, ratified it, it was
determined by the citizens of Philadelphia to celebrate the formation of
the new Union on the evening of the Fourth of July. By that time
Virginia had also ratified the Constitution by vote of June 26.
This pageant was as imposing as it was possible for the authorities and
the people of Pennsylvania in their enthusiasm to make it, and not only
in the metropolis but in every town in the State was the occasion one of
patriotism and splendor.
New York ratified the Constitution July 26, 1788; North Carolina,
November 21, 1789, and the last one of the thirteen original States to
ratify was Rhode Island, which did not accomplish it until May 29, 1790.
The adoption of the Constitution rendered the institution of measures
necessary for the election of members of Congress and electors of
President and Vice President of the United States.
The Anti-Federalists immediately got busy and endeavored to effect a
plan to revise the new Constitution, but were defeated in their
purposes. The actions of this body in Pennsylvania in their convention
in Harrisburg, September, 1788, were denounced by the people.
A new convention was called to meet in Lancaster, which selected
candidates for Congress and electors for President.
The election of members of Congress took place in November, and in the
State six of the nominees of the Federal ticket were elected, and two,
David Muhlenberg, of Montgomery, and Daniel Hiester, of Berks, who,
although Federalists, had, with two others of the same politics, been
placed as a matter of policy with the opposition ticket.
The centennial of the adoption of the Federal Constitution was fittingly
celebrated in Philadelphia.
On September 15, 1887, there was a large civic and industrial
procession, a military display on the 16th, and fine Memorial Day
ceremonies in Independence Square on the 17th.
The occasion was celebrated with great credit to Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania and the Nation, as it illustrated the dignity and grandeur
of the Republic.
----------
Labor Riots Follow Civil War; Jay Cooke
Company Failed September 18, 1873
Following the suggestion of Governor John White Geary, the Legislature
on June 2, 1871, adopted a resolution to submit the question of calling
a convention to amend the Constitution to a vote of the people. The
delegates were elected October, 1872, and assembled in the Capitol
November 12, 1872.
Hon. William M. Meredith was elected president and served until his
death, August 17, 1873, when Hon. John H. Walker, of Erie County, was
chosen to fill the vacancy. The convention adjourned November 27 to meet
in Philadelphia on January 7, 1873.
A new Constitution was drafted and adopted, after which it was submitted
to the people on December 16, 1873, and approved by a vote of 263,560 to
109,198.
This new Constitution contained several important changes: An increase
in the number of Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly;
biennial sessions of the Legislature; the election by the people of
sundry officers heretofore appointed; minority representation;
modification of the pardoning power; the term of the Governor made for
four years, and not eligible to the office for the succeeding term; the
office of Lieutenant-Governor created; changes in tenure and mode of
electing Judges of the courts. The new Constitution became effective
January 1, 1874.
The good times which followed the Civil War were in a few years followed
by a financial depression that extended over the whole country and
reduced innumerable financial establishments to ruin.
These financial troubles began in Philadelphia with the failure of the
banking house of Jay Cooke & Co., September 18, 1873. Mr. Cooke’s bank
had given such help to the United States Government during the period of
the war that he was frequently called the “Financier of the Rebellion.”
When this banking institution collapsed there followed a run on other
banks, the effects of which soon spread throughout the United States.
The excellent “Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal,” by Howard M. Jenkins,
says: “The condition of the times was rendered more deplorable by a
series of labor difficulties, extending from 1874–1877. In 1874, there
was a conflict in Westmoreland County between Italian and resident
miners, in which four of the Italians were killed. The same year there
was a railroad strike at Susquehanna on the New York and Erie Railroad.
A number of trains were seized by the mob, and order was not restored
until after the Governor had sent the State militia into that region. In
January, 1875, the miners of the Lehigh and Schuylkill regions began a
strike, which lasted six months. There was but little violence; yet the
Governor found it necessary to order the militia to the scene of the
disturbance.”
In 1877, the spirit of lawlessness increased, culminating in a series of
destructive riots in different parts of the State. The cause of all this
trouble was the railroad strike, which began on July 16, and soon became
general throughout the United States.
In the beginning of July, a circular was issued from the offices of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, announcing a reduction of 10 per cent from
the wages which the men were then receiving. A new schedule of wages was
announced, to take effect on July 16. At all points along the railroad,
there were demonstrations against this reduction. A strike was ordered,
and before midnight of the 16th the immense property of the Baltimore
and Ohio was in the hands of the rioters.
On July 19 the employes of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh
inaugurated a strike, and stopped the passage of all freight trains east
and west. By the evening of the 20th, a large number of freight trains
were tied up in the city. The striking workmen resisted all efforts of
the railroad officials to remove these trains, and threatened acts of
violence. At this time Governor John F. Hartranft was on a trip across
the continent, but upon the call of the Sheriff the Adjutant General
ordered the Sixteenth Division of the National Guard to assist in
restoring order.
Adjutant General James W. Latta arrived at Pittsburgh on July 21, to
take personal charge of all the troops ordered out. The First Division
of the National Guard was also called into service, and on the forenoon
of the 21st, the troops took position upon the hill overlooking the
tracks at Twenty-eighth Street.
At 2 o’clock in the afternoon the troops from Philadelphia arrived, and
they at once proceeded to open the road. As they approached
Twenty-eighth Street, the crowds pressed in upon them and stones were
thrown by the mob.
There was considerable firing on both sides, and in the melee twenty
soldiers were wounded. In the evening the soldiers withdrew to the
roundhouse and adjacent buildings. At midnight the rioters determined to
drive them out by burning the freight cars in the vicinity. The result
was a great conflagration, in which vast quantities of freight were
consumed and all the rolling stock and buildings of the Pennsylvania
Railroad at Pittsburgh were destroyed.
Hastening from his trip, Governor Hartranft reached Pittsburgh on July
24. After a consultation with the leading citizens he went to
Philadelphia to confer with Generals Hancock and Schofield, of the
United States Army.
Arrangements were made to forward a detachment of the regular army to
Pittsburgh, there to join the State troops which the Governor collected
on the way.
A large force was soon gathered at the scene of the disturbance, and,
with Governor Hartranft in personal command, order was restored in a few
days and railroad communications were opened with all parts of the
country. In the meantime there were serious riots in other parts of the
State.
The lawless spirit in Philadelphia and Harrisburg was quelled by the
prompt action of the officials, but in Reading the work of destruction
was almost equal to that in Pittsburgh. The railroad bridge over the
Schuylkill was burned, and the mob virtually controlled the city.
As the authorities of Berks County were unable to suppress the riot,
General Reeder was sent there with a division of the National Guard. On
the evening of July 23 there was a severe street fight between the mob
and the soldiers, in which some of the latter were wounded, while eleven
of the crowd were killed. The next day a detachment of the United States
troops arrived and the railroad was opened to traffic.
The contagion of lawlessness affected the miners of Luzerne County, and
on July 25 they began a general strike. All railroad traffic was
suspended in that region, and at Scranton the rioters attempted to drive
the workmen from the shops. The Sheriff with a number of aides dispersed
the crowd, but he was seriously wounded and three of the mob were
killed.
As the conditions became more threatening, it was necessary to forward a
division of the National Guard to the coal regions. Early in August all
disorder was suppressed, and in a few weeks all the railroads in the
State were running on schedule time.
----------
Indians Defrauded by Deceptive Walking
Land Measure, September 19, 1737
From the time of William Penn’s arrival, in 1682, while he was a lowly
Christian himself, he had followers who did not have the same fear of
God in their hearts, and who did not hesitate to excite the cupidity of
the unsophisticated children of the forest, and by any and all means
take advantage of them.
William Penn formed many treaties with the Indians and concluded many
purchases, no one of which was well and accurately defined as to its
actual boundary.
Penn and his agents were ignorant of the topography of the wilderness in
the interior of “Penn’s Woods,” and in their earlier purchases had been
in the habit of defining the boundaries of land by well-known streams or
highlands, or well-known natural objects.
They often indicated their extension into the unknown region by such
vague terms as: “To run two days’ journey with a horse up into the
country as the river doth go,” or “Northeasterly back into the woods to
make up two full days’ journey,” or “far as a man can go in two days
from said station,” etc.
The first purchase of land from the Indians above the Neshaminy, in
Bucks County, made by William Markham, the agent of William Penn, was in
1682. This purchase was to be bounded by the River Delaware on the
northeast, and the Neshaminy on the northwest, and was to extend as far
back as a man could walk in three days.
It is stated that Penn and the Indians began to walk out this land,
commencing at the mouth of the Neshaminy, and walking up the Delaware;
in one day and a half they got to a spruce tree, near Baker’s Creek,
when Penn concluded this would be as much land as he would want at
present. A line was drawn and marked from the spruce tree to the
Neshaminy.
This was the only boundary which was ever settled by Penn in person, and
Penn wrote of this trip, saying that they frequently halted to converse,
smoke and eat.
Lines measured in that manner would often have extended far beyond the
expectations of the contracting parties, so more definite terms were
soon employed to define limits of land grants. But about 1718 the
settlers, maintaining the authority of the original lines, pushed their
improvements beyond the designated lines, much to the dissatisfaction of
the Indians.
That act nearly precipitated war, had not wiser counsels prevailed, but
encroachments continued until a general meeting of the Iroquois was held
and their chiefs determined to put an end to the bickerings, and sent
their chief sachems to Philadelphia. There they renewed old treaties, by
the signatures of twenty-three of their chiefs, and deed to Penn’s heirs
“all the said river Susquehanna, with lands lying on both sides thereof,
to extend eastward as far as the heads of the branch or springs which
run into the said Susquehanna, and all lands lying on the west side of
the said river, northward, up the same to the hills or mountains.”
That did not even stop the unscrupulous land seeker and much additional
land was taken from the natives, which in consequence provoked trouble.
After the death of William Penn a copy of one of those walk-deeds was
found by Thomas and John Penn, who, at a council in 1733, fifty years
after it had been executed, presented it to the Indians and received
from them an acknowledgment of its validity, and under that an
arrangement was made for a walk of one day and a half to settle the
boundaries.
The Penns, although strict Quakers, did not shrink from using means
about the honesty of which there could be some question, and they
advertised far and wide for the fastest walkers, offering five hundred
acres of land and five pounds in money to the man who would walk the
greatest distance in the allotted time.
Every facility was furnished them, a direct line was run, underbrush was
cleared away, refreshments were placed at convenient distances, all
arranged so that there might be little or no delay. Indeed, the
preparations for a modern marathon race could hardly be more carefully
made.
The persons selected by the Governor were Edward Marshall, James Yeates
and Solomon Jennings. One of the Indians was called Combush, another
Neepaheilomon, also known as Joe Tuneam, and his brother-in-law, Tom.
The time appointed for the walk was the morning of September 19, 1737,
when the days and nights were equal. The walk was to commence at a
chestnut tree just above the present site of Wrightstown Meeting House,
under the supervision of Timothy Smith, sheriff of Bucks County, and
Benjamin Eastburn, surveyor general.
Marshall was a noted hunter, chain carrier, etc.; Yeates was a tall,
slim fellow, very agile and fleet of foot; Jennings was remarkable for
his strength, but was of very stout build.
A great crowd of spectators gathered at the starting point. The walkers
were accompanied by a number of persons who carried refreshments and
otherwise encouraged the walkers to greater efforts.
They walked moderately at first, but soon quickened their pace, so that
the Indians frequently called to them to walk and not to run. Those
remonstrances produced no effect, and most of the Indians left them in
anger, saying they were being cheated. A number of persons had collected
about twenty miles from the starting point to see them pass.
First came Yeates, stepping as lightly as a feather. After him, but yet
out of sight came Jennings, with a strong steady step, then far behind
him came Marshall, apparently careless, swinging a hatchet and eating a
biscuit. Bets ran in favor of Yeates.
In two and a half hours they arrived at Red Hill, in Bedminister, but
the pace by this time was too hot for Jennings and two of the Indians
and they gave up the contest. The other Indian, Combush, continued with
Marshall and Yeates, and when they arrived at the fork of the road, near
what is now Bethlehem, Combush laid down to rest a moment, but on
attempting to rise was unable to proceed farther.
Marshall and Yeates continued alone and by sunset arrived on the north
of Blue Mountain. At sunrise the next morning they started again, but
when crossing a stream at the foot of the mountain near Lehigh Water
Gap, Yeates became faint and fell. Marshall turned back and supported
him until some of the attendants came up, and then continued to walk on
by himself. At noon, the hour when the walk was to terminate, he had
reached a spur on the Second or Broad Mountain, estimated to be
eighty-six miles from the starting point.