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DESHLER-MORRIS HOUSE

Part of Independence National Historical Park, Sir William Howe YELLOW FEVER in the NATION'S CAPITAL DAVID DESHLER'S ELEGANT HOUSE In 1790 the Federal Government moved from New York to , in time for the final session of Germantown was 90 years in the making when the First Congress under the Constitution. To an David Deshler in 1772 chose an "airy, high situation, already overflowing commercial metropolis were added commanding an agreeable prospect of the adjoining the offices of Congress and the executive departments, country" for his new residence. The site lay in the while an expanding State government took whatever center of a straggling village whose German-speaking other space could be found. A colony of diplomats inhabitants combined farming with handicraft for a and assorted petitioners of Congress clustered around livelihood. They sold their produce in Philadelphia, the new center of government. but sent their linen, wool stockings, and leatherwork Late in the summer of 1793 yellow fever struck and to more distant markets. For decades the town put a "strange and melancholy . . . mask on the once had enjoyed a reputation conferred by the civilizing carefree face of a thriving city." Fortunately, Congress influence of Christopher Sower's German-language was out of session. The Supreme Court met for a press. single day in August and adjourned without trying a Germantown's comfortable upland location, not far case of importance. The executive branch stayed in from fast-growing Philadelphia, had long attracted town only through the first days of September. Secre­ families of means. One person advertised that his tary of State described what hap­ house would satisfy "any West Indian [planter] or other pened next: gentleman for a pleasant, healthy, and commodious WILLIAM HOWE'S Country Seat." A contagious & mortal fever . . . is driving us all away. . . . Col. is ill of it . . . the President The main street was a locale already well-known HEADQUARTERS set out for yesterday . . . Genl. Knox Javid Deshler to Deshler. An immigrant from the German state of David Deshler had hardly moved into his house is setting out for , & I think to go Baden, whose father had served the reigning prince when war came to Germantown. Lt. Gen. William to Virginia in some days, when and where we shall as aide-de-camp during the War of the Spanish Succes­ Howe took Philadelphia on September 26, 1777, and reassemble will depend on the course of this sion, Deshler came to America in 1730 to join the firm X^/avid Deshler, a prominent Philadelphia followed the as it withdrew north­ malady. . . . of his uncle, John Wister. He frequently visited west of the city. The pursuit ended at Germantown, Wister's "Big House," now known as Grumblethorpe merchant, built the handsome stone house on where Howe encamped on October 2. Then 2 days President , watching the progress of (1744), a scant two blocks from the site he chose as Germantown's Market Square shortly before later, in a surprise movement, Washington's regiments events from Mount Vernon, decided to return in late his own. Looking to the future, he purchased a strip October, if not with safety to the city, then to German- swept down on the unprepared British and carried the the Revolution, and for two decades it was his of land on main street in 1752 and later an adjoining town. He asked Attorney General Edmund Randolph battle with a determination not shown earlier. In a strip, for a total of 2 acres with a 100-foot frontage. to rent him a house there and gave "notice to the country residence. After the battle of German- wild fight, the Americans pressed the British lines Deshler was then 60 years old, with 40 prosperous heads of departments . . . requesting their attend­ back almost to Market Street before Howe, riding up town in the autumn of 1777, the British com­ business years behind him. The reputation that he ance. . . ." Randolph suggested three houses, one of in haste from his quarters in the rear, could rally the mander, Sir William Howe, made his head­ acquired in his store on Philadelphia's High Street them Franks', which Washington chose because it was hard-pressed redcoats. The disorganized Americans quarters in the building. President George inspired a local saying, "as honest as David Deshler." "more commodious for myself and the entertainment He was a leading shopkeeper when he signed the Non- soon retreated, and Howe settled down to live in of company." Washington leased the house in 1793 to escape Importation Agreement in 1765 and was named to a Deshler's house. Washington gave the now tense British formations The President arrived as scheduled on November 1, a yellow fever epidemic raging in Philadelphia committee of enforcement. the date set for the Cabinet to assemble. But when he no peace. For 2 weeks his repeated forays disturbed found that arrangements with Franks were not yet and met here with the heads of the Govern­ Deshler began constructing his house about 1772, their rest. By Howe's admission, as reflected in his complete, he accepted temporary accommodations and when Samuel Wetherill, an insurance surveyor, orders, the regulars had become edgy: ment departments. He presided over a divided looked it over early in 1774, he described it as "Quite elsewhere. Finally on November 16 or 17, 1793, and strongly partisan cabinet, as he deliberated New." Deshler had built himself a minor masterpiece The Commander in Chief is very much surprised to Washington moved into Franks' house. which was "finished in the most elegant manner" and hear that part of the Line got under Arms this morn­ the great issues of the day. The following year ing upon a false Alarm; He desires it may be well embodied the amenities and grace of Georgian archi­ THE CABINET MEETS in Washington returned with his family to spend understood that the Troops are not to turn out tecture. The grounds were "in complete order, with COLONEL FRANKS' HOUSE a few summer months in Germantown's pleas­ convenient back buildings ... a stable and chair house except by Order from Headquarters, or of a General Officer. ant surroundings. [small carriage house], and a pump in the yard. The Between November 18 and 28 Washington held four lot [contains] a great variety of the best grafted fruit On October 18 Howe ended the suspense and ordered cabinet meetings in Franks' house. The discussions trees, a large garden inclosed with pails." his tired army back into lines established around concerned issues raised by the war between Great Deshler died in March 1792, and a few months later Philadelphia. He left Deshler's house when the scene Britain and France, this country's ally during the the house passed into the hands of Col. Isaac Franks, of war shifted south of the city, but he maintained a Revolution. Ever since Washington had proclaimed a Philadelphia broker and a veteran of the Con­ tenuous hold on Philadelphia by troop and fleet opera­ the United States neutral in that conflict, he had had C. A. Lesueur's sketch of Germantown's Market Square in the early 1820s. tinental Army. tions along the Delaware. to endure the aggressive designs of the French minister plenipotentiary, Edmond C. Genet. The convening of as penned in Franks' house and read by him before THE OTHER YEARS Congress in 2 weeks also overshadowed the meetings. Congress on December 3, reflects his own judgment: SHELLS and UYSJLRS "At present I am occupied in collecting and arrang­ In this posture of affairs, both new and delicate, I Colonel Franks and his family lived in this house ing the materials for my communications to Congress," resolved to adopt general rules which should conform until 1802, when he sold it to Elliston and John Perot, wrote Washington in late November. This address to to the treaties [concluded in wartime with France] Philadelphia merchants, who used it as a country place. Congress, his fifth annual, was the most complex and and assert the privileges of the United States. It rests When Elliston Perot died in 1834, the house was sold tedious he had yet prepared. The secretaries all pro­ with the wisdom of Congress to correct, improve, again, this time to Samuel B. Morris, a son-in-law and posed important subjects that they wished covered. or enforce this plan of procedure. merchant. The house remained in the Morris family until Knox dusted off a perennial favorite which he had Hamilton Jefferson Randolph Knox willed to the United States by Marriott C. Morris. His The cabinet meeting on the 28th took up passages advocated since 1779: the establishment of a military Washington once congratulated himself that in his son, Elliston P. Morris, confirmed the bequest in 1948. academy. Jefferson "objected that none of the specified dealing with defense and messages to Congress on relations with Great Britain and France. Jefferson's cabinet he was "supported by able Coadjutors, who powers given by the const[itutio]n to Congress would harmonize extremely well together." But by 1793 the authorize this," and Washington "did not want to draft texts caused further clashes. Although he "whittled down" some sections, "struck out" others, two great adversaries of the early Republic, Secretary bring on anything which might generate heat & ill of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treas­ Edward Savage's 1789 painting of the . humor." "softened some terms," and "omitted some sentiments," the texts still did not satisfy Hamilton. Washington ury , were locked in controversy, The President had a good reason for soothing Con­ finally decided "emphatically" in Jefferson's favor. often of a personal nature, over basic constitutional gress, for he was undecided on the best way to explain and political issues. Jefferson was frequently supported at GERMANTOWN his proclamation of neutrality to that body. Many On the troublesome business of Genet—who in by Attorney General Edmund Randolph, and Hamilton DESHLER-MORRIS Congressmen regarded the proclamation as an usurpa­ defiance of the President had armed and equipped found a ready ally in Secretary of War . "My public avocations will not . . . admit of more tion of authority and as an infringement upon privateers in American ports and openly courted Con­ While Knox stood fast, Randolph tried to steer an than a flying trip to Mount Vernon for a few days this HOUSE Congress's power to declare war. Washington under­ gress and the people—the Cabinet divided again. independent course, leaving the Cabinet divided, as Summer; this not suiting Mrs. Washington I have taken standably wanted his deed presented in the best Hamilton, playing on the President's ruffled feelings, Jefferson put it, 2l/z to IVi and giving "the shells to a house in Germantown to avoid the heat of the City possible light. To Randolph, draftsman of the proc­ demanded that Genet be cut adrift then and there. him and the oysters to Hamilton." Before little more in the months of July and August." It was not until lamation, he gave the task of preparing the draft of Jefferson feared France's reaction and counseled going than a year had passed in his second administration, July 30, 1794, that Washington was able to move to his message. Randolph's try, one of the first orders of slow. Randolph had the final say. He observed drily three of the four secretaries resigned, and his coalition Germantown. Their adopted children, Eleanor Parke business in the November 18 cabinet meeting, pro­ that Genet "at present . . . was dead in the public cabinet was near the point of dissolution. Custis and Parke Custis, came duced much heated discussion. opinion, if we should but leave him so." William Maclay, Senator from Pennsylvania, saw with the couple, and two loads of furniture from the Throughout the November 21st meeting, the Cabinet Presidential mansion on Philadelphia's High Street WASHINGTON'S STAY three of the Cabinet in this light: remained divided on the classic issue of the proper way followed soon after. The family behaved with civility to interpret the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton in GERMANTOWN Hamilton has a very boyish and giddy manner . . . toward their neighbors. They attended the German maintained "with great positiveness" George Washington found Colonel Franks' house Jefferson transgresses on the extreme of stiff gentility Reformed Church across the square, and Washington both a comfortable residence and a suitable place to or lofty gravity. Knox is the easiest man and has found time to pose for . But little else the const[itutio]n. having given power to the Presi- the most dignity of presence. can be said reliably about this stay. On September 20 receive the Cabinet. It probably met in the large ABOUT YOUR VISIT—The Deshler-Morris House is lo­ d[en]t. & Senate to make treaties, they might make the change of seasons allowed Washington to return room to the left upon entering. The two dinners which Now in his 39th year, Hamilton was of "small stature cated at 5442 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. a treaty of neutrality which would take from Con­ to Philadelphia. This time he paid Franks $201.60. gress the right to declare war in that particular case, the President gave for the Cabinet, on the 18th and and lean ... of a clear and strong judgment . . . con­ ADMINISTRATION—The Deshler-Morris House is ad­ and that under the form of a treaty they might the 28th, would have been served in the room across vincing, and engaging in his eloquence." but impetuous. During his second stay, Washington managed to ministered by the , U.S. Depart­ the hall, where Mrs. Franks kept a 72-piece set of exercise any powers whatever, even those exclu­ Jefferson at 50 was tall and well-proportioned, uncon- keep public business at arm's length. He arranged ment of the Interior, as a unit of Independence National Nanking china. Washington had come to Germantown tentious but a dogged upholder of principle. Knox, sively given by the const[itutio]n. to the H[ouse]. of to receive communications wherever he might be, but Historical Park. It is maintained and exhibited by the with only his private secretary and two servants, but whom Jefferson called "the shadow of Hamilton," was representatives. . . . elected to perform the duties of office in Philadelphia. Germantown Historical Society under the terms of a once there he hired enough staff to take care of his at 43 a portly giant. If in the Cabinet he was largely Before Washington could unpack, the news of the cooperative agreement. Inquiries may be addressed to Jefferson in his turn guests. Charles Byerly, a citizen of Germantown, a follower, he nevertheless championed military pre­ , an insurrection by backwoods the Superintendent, Independence National Historical insisted that in giv[in]g. to the Pres[iden]t. & Senate cooked for him, and David Meredith baked. On paredness, on his own initiative. The scholarly and farmers in western Pennsylvania in protest of the Park, 313 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106. a power to make treaties, the const[itutio]n. meant November 28 Washington "pd Wm Bockius per accot statesmanlike Randolph, just turned 40, impressed enforcement of certain excise taxes, reached German- only to authorize them to carry into effect by way of in full for dinners liquors etc furnished at German- everyone with his "most harmonious voice . . . fine town. On August 7, after meeting with Gov. Thomas THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR—the Nation's principal treaty any powers they might constitutionally exercise. town . . . 50.46." person and striking manners." But his scruples and his Mifflin and the cabinet in Philadelphia, Washington natural resource agency—bears a special obligation to as­ sure that our expendable resources are conserved, that our For his hours of poring over state papers, Washing­ nonpartisanship amid the overheated politics of the times issued a proclamation which ordered the insurgents to He acknowledged weaknesses in both positions, but renewable resources are managed to produce optimum ton had the small room on the second floor that earned him little appreciation among his colleagues. "disperse and retire to their respective abodes." A believed benefits, and that all resources contribute to the progress adjoined the large bedchamber. Here was located the Washington at 61 presented to view the "mild steady flow of private letters mirrors the peaceful mood and prosperity of the United States, now and in the future. in every event I would rather construe so narrowly house's only writing desk. philosophic gravity of expression" so well defined in prevailing in Germantown. Between conferences and as to oblige the nation to amend and thus declare By the end of November the yellow fever epidemic his portraits. One contemporary noted a "circumspec­ negotiations, Washington found time to advise his what powers they could agree to yield, than too had abated. "I spend part of my time in the City," tion . . . accompanied by discernment and penetration "dear Betcy," his granddaughter Elizabeth Parke Cus­ U.S. DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR broadly and indeed so broadly as to enable the Washington wrote a correspondent on November 24. . . . from the judicious choice he has made of persons tis, not to "look for perfect felicity before you consent National Park Service executive and senate to do things which the con- Intending to remain at Franks' only "until Congress to fill public stations, he possesses the two great req­ to wed. Nor conceive, from the fine tales the Poets st[itutio]n. forbid. get themselves fixed," Washington moved back into uisites of a statesman, the faculty of concealing his and lovers of old have told us, of the transports of own sentiments and of discovering those of other men." mutual love, that heaven has taken its abode on earth When the meeting closed, Washington was still uncom­ Philadelphia on either November 29 or 30. His brief U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1966 0—238-952 . . . love is too dainty a thing to live upon alone." mitted, so the direct and vigorous tone of his address, stay cost him $75.56 in rent. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Part of Independence National Historical Park, Pennsylvania RANDOLPH PORTRAIT COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE LIBRARY Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 10 cents