County, and fifteen miles west was Fort Allen, and then Fort Franklin,
in Albany Township, Berks County, and nineteen miles west was Fort
Lebanon, also known as Fort William, about a mile and a half from the
present town of Auburn, a short distance from Port Clinton. The next in
the chain was the small fort at Deitrick Six’s, then Fort Henry; then
Fort Swatara, both described in former stories, and then Fort Hunter,
six miles above Harrisburg, and Fort Halifax, both on the Susquehanna
River.
Crossing the river was Fort Patterson, in the Tuscarora Valley, opposite
Mexico, Juniata County; Fort Granville, near Lewistown; Fort Shirley,
near Aughwick Creek; Fort Lyttleton, at Sugar Cabins, and Fort McDowell,
in Franklin County, the last of the line in the Province of
Pennsylvania.
----------
Mason and Dixon Determined Starting Point
for Boundary Survey, December 30, 1763
The dispute over the boundary of the province on the south began with
the acquisition of the charter and continued through the life of William
Penn and his descendants, until almost the end of Proprietary Government
in Pennsylvania.
Charles Calvert, the fifth Lord Baltimore, drew an agreement, defining
the boundaries between Maryland and Delaware and Maryland and
Pennsylvania. On May 10, 1732, John and Thomas Penn agreed to this and
signed the instrument. John Penn and Lord Baltimore then came to
America, and, Baltimore changed his mind and caused every possible delay
in having a survey made of this disputed line.
Commissioners had been appointed by both governments and they did
nothing but wrangle for the eighteen months allowed in the agreement,
and Baltimore believed this made it of no effect.
The Penn family won in court and the conduct of Baltimore was censured.
Frederick, the sixth Lord Baltimore, declined to be bound by any act of
his predecessors, and again many years were wasted.
In 1760 a new agreement was made which was practically identical with
the one of 1732. Commissioners on the part of Pennsylvania were the
Governor, James Hamilton, Richard Peters, Reverend Dr. Ewing, William
Allen, William Coleman, Thomas Willing, Benjamin Clew, and Edward
Shippen, Jr., a selection which assured good and faithful performance.
The first three years were spent by the surveyors employed in marking
the lines of Delaware. The circle around New Castle was drawn by David
Rittenhouse, and added much to his reputation.
This work proceeded too slowly and on August 4, 1763, Thomas and Richard
Penn, and Frederick, Lord Baltimore, then being together in London,
agreed with Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, two well known English
astronomers, “to mark, run out, settle, fix, and determine all such
parts of the circle, marks, lines, and boundaries, as were mentioned in
the several articles or commissions, and were not yet completed.”
Mason and Dixon arrived in Philadelphia, November 15, 1763, and
forthwith engaged in work.
They began their survey by ascertaining the latitude of the southernmost
part of the City of Philadelphia, which they agreed was the north wall
of the house then occupied by Thomas Plumstead and Joseph Huddle, on the
south side of Cedar Street. They determined it was 39° 56' 37.4”. This
was ascertained December 30, 1763, and the actual survey of the boundary
line properly began on this date.
During January and February, 1764, they measured thirty-one miles
westward of the city to the forks of the Brandywine, where they planted
a quartzose stone, six miles west of the meridian of the court house in
West Chester.
With this stone as a fixed point they determined the point from which
they should start to run the horizontal line of five degrees longitude
to fix the southern boundary. This was of course the northeast corner of
the State of Maryland.
From this point they extended the line 230 miles, eighteen chains, and
twenty-one links, or 244 miles, thirty-eight chains, and thirty-six
links, from the Delaware River. This was done during 1766 and 1767.
The Indians could not understand the object of an exploring expedition
that spent every clear night gazing at the stars through big guns, and
they soon stopped their progress. The Penns used their influence with
the Indians and the work proceeded.
The western extremity of Maryland was reached and passed, and the
astronomers were encamped on the banks of the Monongahela, when the
Indians again interposed. Their attitude was so threatening that many of
the servants and workmen of the expedition deserted. But the great
delight and satisfaction of running an astronomical line through
primeval forests raised Mason and Dixon above all fears, and they
pressed on to the Warrior Branch of the great Catawba Indian trail.
This was on the borders of a stream called Dunkard Creek, about the
middle point on the southern boundary line of the present Green County.
Here the Indians took such a menacing stand that Mason and Dixon were
obliged to return, and their Dunkard Creek trail, or Warrior trail,
remained the terminus of their line for many years.
This Mason and Dixon’s line was a great achievement in that day, and a
new thing in science. These two modest but skillful men had made
themselves immortal. Their line was not marked by river, creek or even
mountain range, it was an imaginary one. At every fifth mile a stone was
set up marked on the northern side with the arms of the Penns and on the
southern side with the arms of Baltimore, each intermediate mile was
marked with stones having P. on the one side and M. on the opposite
side.
This line, fixed after nearly a hundred years of conflict, is more
unalterable than if nature had originally made it. It became the
boundary line between the great sides of the slavery question, and
divided the armies of the North and South in the great Civil War.
The interference of the Indians having arrested further work, Messrs.
Mason and Dixon returned to Philadelphia, where they reported to the
commissioner, and on December 26, 1767, received an honorable discharge.
There were many minor disturbances occasioned by this line, and the
actions of the rough border population were slow to become satisfied. A
surveyor’s transit or astronomy was not enough to determine the limits
of their civil pride. These people had grown accustomed to the temporary
lines which had been run about 1740, which was about one-quarter of a
mile above the true one, and they became as much excited over that
narrow strip as they had been when they hoped to penetrate miles into
Pennsylvania.
The government of Pennsylvania determined to acquire its rightful
jurisdiction and in 1774, a proclamation was issued, which has generally
been considered the final act in the boundary controversy.
The residue of the southern boundary, a little less than twenty-two
miles, was run in 1782 by Robert Andrews, Andrew Ellicott, John Ewing,
David Rittenhouse, and John Hutchins, and completed and permanently
marked in 1784.
----------
First Bank in America Chartered in
Philadelphia, December 31, 1781
Congress again assembled in Philadelphia on July 2, 1778, and on the 9th
the “Articles of Confederation,” engrossed on parchment, were signed by
the delegates of eight States.
Pennsylvania was one of those states which immediately acceded to the
Confederation. The delegation from this State consisted of Benjamin
Franklin, Robert Morris, Daniel Roderdeau, Jonathan Bayard Smith, James
Smith, of Yorktown; William Clingan and Joseph Reed.
The “Articles of Confederation” were submitted to the several State
Legislatures. Slowly the States ratified them, some of them pointing out
serious defects, and all taking time to discuss them. The first State to
ratify, in addition to the eight which immediately signed, was North
Carolina, July 21, but Maryland steadily refused until March 1, 1781,
when the League of States was perfected.
It was soon perceived that under this new Government the Congress had no
power, independent of the several States, to enforce taxation.
Robert Morris, then Superintendent of Finance (Secretary of the
Treasury), proposed the establishment of a bank in Philadelphia, to
supply the Government with money, with a capital of $400,000.
The promissory notes of the bank were to be a legal tender of currency,
to be received in payment of all taxes, duties and debts due the United
States.
But before Congress could act the patriotic citizens of Philadelphia
moved for the establishment of a bank by which means the soldiers in the
Continental Army could be supplied with provisions.
A plan for this bank was prepared in Philadelphia which set forth the
entire scheme of subscription and operation, down to the minutest
detail, even stating that the factor (cashier) “shall provide his store
with rum, sugar, coffee, salt and other goods at the cheapest price to
those who supply him with provisions, that he may gain a preference of
what comes to market.” The provisions were to be purchased for the army
in the field.
This plan named the original board of inspectors, Robert Morris, J. M.
Nesbitt, Blair M'Clenachan, Samuel Miles and Cadwallader Morris. The two
directors were John Nixon and George Clymer and the factor was Tench
Francis.
The subscription list was headed:
“Whereas, in the present situation of public affairs in the United
States, the greatest and most vigorous exertions are required for the
successful management of the just and necessary war in which they are
engaged with Great Britain; We, the subscribers, deeply impressed with
the sentiments that on such an occasion should govern us, in the
prosecution of a war, in the event of which, our own freedom and that of
our posterity and the freedom and independence of the United States are
all involved, hereby severally pledge our property and credit for the
several sums specified and mentioned after our names, in order to
support the credit of a bank to be established for furnishing a supply
of provisions for the armies of the United States; and we do hereby
severally promise and engage to execute to the directors of the said
bank bonds of the form hereunto annexed.
“Witness our hands the 17th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1780.”
There were ninety-two original patriot subscribers, the total pledges of
whom amounted to £300,000 Pennsylvania currency, payable in gold or
silver.
Robert Morris and Blair McClenachan each subscribed £10,000; Bunner,
Murray & Co., £6000; Tench Francis, £5500; James Wilson, George Clymer,
William Bingham, J. M. Nesbitt & Co., Richard Peters, Samuel Meredith,
James Mease, Thomas Barclay, Samuel Morris, Jr., John Cox, Robert L.
Hooper, Jr., Hugh Shiell, Samuel Eyre, Matthew Irwin, Thomas Irwin, John
Philip De Haas, Philip Moore, John Nixon, Robert Bridges, John Benezet,
Henry Hill, John Morgan, Samuel Mifflin, Thomas Mifflin, Thomas Willing
and Samuel Powell, each subscribed £5000.
None of the subscribers pledged less than £1000, and it is a question if
ever a more liberal list of patriots could be found anywhere than this
one.
This bank opened its doors on July 17, 1780, in Front Street,
Philadelphia, two doors above Walnut.
To show the mode of doing business an old advertisement says: “All
persons who have already lent money are desired to apply for bank notes;
and the directors request the favor of those who may hereafter lodge
their cash in the bank, that they would tie it up in bundles of bills of
one denomination, with labels, and their names indorsed, as the business
will thereby be done with less trouble and much greater dispatch.”
The bank continued in operation till the establishment of the Bank of
North America, December 31, 1781, and was the first banking institution
in America.
The plan for the bank for the Government was approved by the Continental
Congress, May 26, 1781, and this financial agent of the Government was
chartered by the Congress December 31, 1781. The capital stock was
divided into shares of $400 each, in money of gold and silver, to be
procured by subscriptions.
Twelve directors were appointed to manage the affairs of the bank, which
was entitled by the Congress “The President, Directors and Company of
the Bank of North America.”
Alexander Hamilton, observing the prosperity and usefulness to the
commercial community and the financial operations of the Government of
the Bank of North America, in Philadelphia, and of the Bank of New York,
and the Bank of Massachusetts, which were afterward established, and
which three banks held the entire banking capital of the country before
1791, recommended the establishment of a Government bank in his famous
report on the finances (1790), as Secretary of the Treasury.
Hamilton’s suggestion was speedily acted upon, and an act for the
purpose was adopted February 8, 1791.
President Washington asked the written opinion of his Cabinet concerning
its constitutionality. They were equally divided. The President,
believing it legal, signed the bill.
The bank was named “The United States Bank” and its charter limited to
twenty years.
This bank was soon established, with a capital of $10,000,000, of which
amount the Government subscribed $2,000,000 in specie and $6,000,000 in
stocks of the United States.
The measure was very popular. The shares of the bank rose to 25 and 45
per cent premium, and it paid an average dividend of 8½ per cent on its
capital. The shares were $400 each, same as the Bank of North America.
The United States Bank was chartered February 25, 1791, and established
at Philadelphia, with branches at different points. Its charter expired
without renewal March 4, 1811.
INDEX
A
Aaronsburg Lottery, 276
Abduction of Colonel Timothy Pickering, 438
Abe Little, 236
Abercrombie, Lieutenant Colonel James W., 307
Abington, 736
Abolition Society, 46, 114
Abraham, 540
Abraham, Heights of, 498
Absentz, George, 284
Academy, 45, 882
Academy, Germantown, 283
Academy of Music, 41
Acrods, Benjamin, 190
Adams County, 181, 218, 244, 264, 288, 416, 582, 596, 698, 811, 853
Adams, John, 53, 139, 191, 200, 263, 383, 459, 789, 791, 816
Adams, General John, 583
Addison, Alexander, 605
Address, Lincoln’s Gettysburg, Story, 810
Adet, 789
Adjouquay, 394
Adler (of Reading), The, 191
Adlum, John, 11, 731, 732
Agnew, General James, 691
Agriculture, Department of, 88
Agrippa, Cornelius, 151
Alabama, 8
Advocate, 866
Albany, 45, 491
Albany Township, 918
Albright, General Charles, 49, 109
Alden, Mason F., 906
Alexander, Captain Charles, 324, 713
Alexander, Major General, 854
Alexander, Mrs. Catherine, 369
Alexander’s Tavern,
Allan, Mrs. Elizabeth R. P., 204
Allegheny, 300
Allegheny County, 64, 87, 131, 147, 156, 180, 181, 200, 208, 216, 223,
262, 596, 598, 687, 775, 896
Allegheny Episodes (quoted), 391
Allegheny River, 11 etc.
Allegheny & Portage Railroad, 201
Allen, Andrew, 308, 661
Allen, Anne, 107, 393
Allen, Christopher, 531
Allen, John, 510
Allen, General Ethan, 848
Allen, Lieutenant, 759
Allen, Massacre of Family, 344
Allen, Nathaniel, 340
Allen, Nicholas, 110
Allen, Peter, 392
Allen Rifles, 277
Allen, Samuel, 150
Allen, William, 107, 392, 513, 682, 779, 782, 867
Allentown, 81, 277, 384
Allentown (Pitts), 201
Allison, Benjamin, 209, 674
Allison, Dr. Francis, 224
Allison, Dr. J., 10
Allison, James, 827
Allison, Robert, 441
Allison, R. W. Francis, 782
Allison, William, 623
Allman, J. T., 88
Allemewi, 424
Alliance with Indians, Unholy, 654
Alloqueppy’s Town, 320
Allummapees, 255, 283, 301, 437, 449
Almanac, Lancaster County, 678
Almanac, Poor Richard’s, 45
Alricks, Jacob, 667
Alricks, Peter, 447
Altona, 667
Altoona, 40
Alumingh, Falls of, 666
Amatincka, 71
Amboy Railroad, 21,
American Company, 271
American Ethnological Society, 54
American Magazine, The, 642
American or Know Nothing Party, 389
American Philosophical Society, 385
American Rebels, 831
Americans, Royal, The, 236
American Sunday School Society, 642
American, The, 75
American Weekly Mercury, 897
“Americanus,” 594
Amherst, General Jeffrey, 346, 372, 538, 587, 703, 710
Ancient Order Hibernians, 47
Anderson, John, 102
Anderson, Major, 39
André, Major John, 91, 138, 271, 347, 348, 607, 669, 709
Andrew (Indian), 437
Andrews, Mrs. (quoted), 811
Andrews, Robert, 662, 708, 921
Andrews, Robert A., 182
Andries, Gunla, 396
Andries, Lace, 792
Andros, Governor Edmund, 447, 610, 792
Anders, Christiana, 826
Anders, Gottleib, 826
Anders, Joanna, 826
Angelica, 835
Angle, The, 455
Annals of Buffalo Valley, 27, 445
Annals of Philadelphia, 900
Annapolis, 337, 364
Annapolis, Jail, 823
Anne, Princess, 763
Anne, Queen, 44, 118
Antes Burying Ground, 337
Antes Fort, 335
Antes Gap, 555
Antes, Heinrich, 31
Antes, Henry, 31, 32, 33, 312, 336, 512, 514
Antes, John, 33
Antes, Johan Heinrich, 31
Antes, John Henry, 335, 819
Antes, Mary Elizabeth, 31, 336
Antes Mill, 31
Antes, Philip Frederic, 31, 335, 336, 380, 731, 732
Antes, William, 336
Anthony, Captain, 859
Anthracite Coal, 110, 111, 112
Antoinette, Marie, 892
Anti-federalists, 518
Anti-Masonry, 182, 518, 567, 568, 850, 855, 868
Anti-Masonic Era, 839;
Story, 850, 855
Anti-Masonic Convention, 568
Anti-Masonic Investigation, Story, 889
Anti-Masonic Party, 518
Anti-Slavery Society, Female, 7
Anti-Slavery Society, National, 6, 7
Anti-Slavery Society, World’s, 7
Antrim, County of, 23
Anvil, The, 628
Apollo, 167, 201, 263
Appoquincinnik Creek, 437
Arbor Day, First, 735
Archer, Elizabeth, 510
Archer, General Stephen, 452
Archer, John, 510
Archives of Pennsylvania, 302, 429, 880
Ardanda, Count de, 914
Argall, Captain Samuel, 589
Argus, Northumberland, 546
Argus Republican, 876
Armbruster, Gotthan, 899
Arms, King’s, 383
Armstrong, Alexander, 255
Armstrong Creek, 16
Armstrong County, 147, 156, 181, 185, 208, 596, 597, 775
Armstrong, Edward (Lieutenant), 525, 526, 619
Armstrong, James, 73, 254, 400, 630
Armstrong, John, General, 27, 67, 69, 178, 259, 268, 319, 381, 504,
525, 526, 545, 587, 597, 619, 690, 703, 711, 722, 762, 820, 828,
829, 830, 911
Armstrong, John (Jack), 254
Armstrong, Joseph, 320
Armstrong, Thomas A., 735
Armstrongs, 370, 393
Arndt, Captain Jacob, 541, 575
Arnold, Benedict, General, 3, 89, 90, 91, 188, 222, 309, 418, 461, 635,
509, 709
Arnold Expedition to Quebec, 699, 708
Arnold (quoted), 811
Arnold (ship), 324
Arnold, Woodward, 254
Arsenal, 5
Articles of Confederation, 5, 45, 570, 872, 873, 921
Ashburn, Elizabeth, 79
Ashburn, Zillah, 79
Ashburn, Joseph, 79
Ashcom, Charles, 151
Ashland, 1, 49, 107
Ashmead, John W., 8
Askey, Lieutenant, 305, 306
Assarandongnas, 701
Astor, Mrs. John Jacob, 220
Astor Place Theatre, 251
Astoria, 54
Asylum, Story of, 892
*Aetna (ship), 324
Atlee, Colonel Samuel John, 155, 545, 908
Attaock, 506
Auburn, 918
Auchmuty, Miss, 348
Audubon, J. J., 581
Aughwick (Old Town), 322, 525, 619
Aughwick Creek, 918
Aughwick Valley, 322
Augsburg Confession, 609
Augusta County, 660
Augusta Fort, see Fort Augusta
Augusta Regiment, 393, 685
Augustus (Indian), 575
Augustus (ship), 671
Aurora, The, 434, 791, 877
Australian Ballot System, 87
Austria, 22
Averills, General William W., 521
Awl, Dr. R. H., 820
B