Independence "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto Galloway, now turned conservative, more radical all the Inhabitants Thereof." These words from leaders were forced to assume the initiative. Leviticus inscribed around the crown of the Men like John Dickinson, eminent lawyer and Liberty Bell still cast their spell upon all who the author of the Letters of a Pennsylvania read them. They remind us of the freedoms for Farmer, that widely read pamphlet attacking the which the patriots fought the Revolutionary constitutionality of the Townshend Acts, and War. They symbolize that central purpose of Charles Thomson, the Irish-born schoolteacher American life, one still to be cherished and and merchant, who became permanent secre­ vigilantly protected. It was the Liberty Bell tary of the Continental Congress, together which was rung on the first reading of the kept Pennsylvania abreast of developments in Declaration of Independence to the citizens of the other colonies. The seat of their extralegal Philadelphia in Independence Square on July 8, activities was City Tavern, one of the historic 1776, and, according to tradition, it cracked sites in the park. Built in 1773, that hostelry when tolled on the occasion of the funeral of quickly became a focus of social, business, and Chief Justice John Marshall 59 years later. political activities for the Philadelphia elite. John Adams called it "the most genteel" tavern The Liberty Bell tolls no more, but the site in in all America. Here on May 20, 1774, came which it is located, Independence National His­ Paul Revere with news from New England that torical Park, is unique among all shrines com­ Parliament had passed a bill closing down the memorating the birth of the United States. No port of Boston. A great company gathered in other cluster of buildings and sites conjures up the tavern's long room and, after a tumultuous for us so many images of great personages and discussion, passed a resolution agreeing to the significant events associated with the com­ appointment of a committee to convey sympathy mencement and progress of the American Rev­ to the people of Boston and to assure them of olution and the founding of the Nation. At this The Market Street houses were designed and built by Benjamin Franklin in 1786-7. Philadelphia's "firm adherence to the cause of Just beyond them, through the archway, is Franklin Court and the site of Franklin's own house. site assembled the two Continental Congresses American liberty." that united the Thirteen States in the conduct of the war and the making of peace. Here was drafted, debated, and signed the Declaration of propelled himself to the top by grit and ability. Here at Franklin Court he died, but not before Independence and the Federal Constitution. In No person was more dreaded by the proprietary signing a memorial to Congress for the abolition short, the momentous decisions establishing party than Franklin, and no figure commanded of slavery—most fittingly, Franklin's last public independence, national identity, and the rule of more prestige in the Provincial Assembly con­ act. law were all made at this historic site. vened at the State House. In his celebrated Autobiography he reveals some of the events Indubitably the most renowned, Franklin was Even long before the issues of the American in which he was a leading actor. but one of a group of Philadelphians who joined Revolution had begun to take form, a remark­ with other radical leaders in setting up a model able statesman shaped the course of events in At what is now Franklin Court this man of many for a revolutionary apparatus combining mass this area. This person was so extraordinarily hats—printer, publisher, civic leader, statesman, involvement and economic warfare. Philadelphia gifted, so triumphant in so many fields that his and world-renowned scientist—built a house in became a principal seat of such operations. The feats dating back a generation before the out­ which he lived intermittently during the early protest demonstrations and the boycott ma­ break of war with Great Britain have cast a years of the Revolution before being sent to chinery developed in response to Parliamentary legendary spell over the sites with which he France to help gain that nation's support for the tax measures were largely centered or created was associated, most of them right here in American cause. To Franklin Court he returned in the area now covered by Independence Independence National Historical Park. Ben­ after his triumphs in Paris, to resume a life of National Historical Park. jamin Franklin, who arrived in Philadelphia enormous influence as President of the Execu­ a penniless waif, disheveled and friendless, tive Council of Pennsylvania and finally as dele­ To circumvent a lukewarm Assembly dominated National Historical Park, Pennsylvania walking up Market Street munching a puffy roll, gate to the Federal Constitutional Convention. by Franklin's long-time political partner, Joseph City Tavern A Tour of the Park First Bank of the United States, Franklin Court is the site of The Liberty Bell Christ Church, built between Not shown on the map are Administration built between 1795 and 1797 the handsome brick home of la 1751 the Pennsylvania 1727 and 1754, is a fine exam­ other areas of the park and a Independence National His­ as the home of the "govern­ Benjamin Franklin, who lived Assembly ordered from Eng­ ple of a colonial church. Seven national historic site: torical Park was authorized by ment's banker," is probably here while serving in the Con­ land a bell for the State House signers of the Declaration of Act of Congress in 1948 to the oldest bank building in the tinental Congress, the Consti­ to commemorate the 50th Independence (including Ben­ The Deshter-Morris House, assure the preservation of United States. (Open 1976.) tutional Convention, and as atniversary of the Pennsyl­ jamin Franklin) are buried in 5442 Germantown Ave., was several historic buildings President of Pennsylvania. He vania Charter of Privileges, the cemetery and churchyard. erected in 1772-73 and served around Independence Hall in Philadelphia Exchange was died here in 1790; the house the democratic constitution as the home of President the heart of Philadelphia. By designed by William Strickland was torn down about 20 years William Penn granted his St. Joseph's Church, estab­ Washington during the sum­ an agreement in 1950 between and built between 1832 and later. (Open 1976.) colony in 1701. The bell lished in 1733 as the first mers of 1793 and 1794. (Open the City of Philadelphia and 1834. It housed the Philadel­ cracked while being tested, Roman Catholic church in 1976.) the Department of the Interior, phia Stock Exchange for many Second Bank of the United and John Pass and John Stow, Philadelphia, is possibly the the National Park Service years. Only the exterior has States, a fine example of Greek two ingenious workmen" of only church in the United St. George's Church, 235 North administers the Independence been restored. (Not open to Revival Architecture, was de­ Philadelphia, recast it. Be­ States in which Mass has been Fourth St., is the oldest Meth­ Hall group of buildings and the public.) signed by William Strickland cause the tone was not satis­ celebrated continuously for odist Church in the United Independence Square, but the and built between 1819 and factory, they cast it a second more than 200 years. States and, except for the city retains ownership of the property. A superintendent, Bishop White House. Bishop 1824. It houses the park's time. U afterwards served as winter of 1777-78, has been in whose address is 313 Walnut William White, rector of Christ portrait gallery. Pennsylvania's official bell on City Tavern, "the most genteel constant use since 1769. St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, is Church and St. Peter's Church, public occasions until 1835, tavern in America," quickly in immediate charge. and the first Episcopal Bishop Library Hall, built originally for when, according to tradition, it became the social center of Mikveh Israel Cemetery, at of Pennsylvania, built this the Library Company of Phila­ cacked while tolling during Philadelphia. Banquets and Ninth and Spruce Sts., was house in 1786-87. He lived here delphia in 1789-90, has been the funeral of Chief Justice receptions were held here for established in 1738 and is the As the Nation's principal con­ until his death in 1836. reconstructed and is occupied John Marshall. This is the bell the Continental and Federal oldest Jewish cemetery in the servation agency, the Depart­ by the library of the American you see in the Pavilion across Congresses. It has been re­ city. Haym Salomon, a finan­ ment of the Interior has Todd House, built in 1775, Philosophical Society. It is from Independence Hall. constructed as an operating cier of the Revolution, is buried responsibility for most of our was occupied from 1791 to open to use by scholars. 18th-century tavern. here. nationally owned public lands 1793 by John Todd, Jr., and his The Liberty Bell's traditional and natural resources. This in­ wife, Dolley Payne. She later Philosophical Hall. The Ameri­ associations with the events of Graff House was originally Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') cludes fostering the wisest use married President James can Philosophical Society, the American Revolution and built in 1775 by Jacob Graff, Church National Historic Site, of our land and water re­ Madison. founded by Benjamin Franklin its prophetic "Proclaim Jr., a bricklayer. From May to at Delaware Ave. and Swanson sources, protecting our fish in 1743, is the oldest learned Liberty" inscription have made July 1776 Thomas Jefferson St., was built in 1700 and is and wildlife, preserving the Carpenters' Hall was built in society in America. The it the most cherished and rented the two second-floor the oldest church in environmental and cultural 1770 by the Carpenters' Com­ Society erected this building revered symbol of American rooms and there drafted the Pennsylvania. values of our national parks pany of Philadelphia, which between 1785 and 1789 and fieedom, and an emblem of Declaration of Independence. and historical places, and pro­ still owns and maintains it. still occupies it. (Not open liberty throughout the world. The house is a reconstruction. You may obtain further infor­ viding for the enjoyment of life The First Continental Congress to the public.) mation about the park and through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our met here in September 1774. Congress Hall was constructed Thaddeus Kosciuszko National about other areas of the Na­ energy and mineral resources Old City Hall was built in 1790- in 1787-89 as the Philadelphia Memorial. As a Polish military tional Park System at the and works to assure that their New Hall was originally built by 91 as the Philadelphia City County Court House. It served engineer serving with the information counters in the development is in the best the Carpenters' Company in Hall. It was used by the U.S. as the meetingplace for the American forces, Kosciuszko visitor center (Chestnut and interests of all our people. The 1790 and used by the War De­ Supreme Court from 1791 to Federal Congress from 1790 designed and constructed de­ Third Sts.) and in the East Department also has a major partment in 1791-92. Now 1800 and by the municipal to 1800. During the 19th cen­ fense works during the Revolu­ Wing of Independence Hall. responsibility for American reconstructed, it houses the government and courts during tury it housed Federal and tion. The fortifications he had Indian reservation commu­ U.S. Marine Corps Memorial the 19th century. local courts. built at Saratoga contributed For Your Safety nities and for people who live Museum. significantly to the American Do not allow your visit to be in Island Territories under U.S. victory there in 1777. This Independence Halt was orig­ spoiled by an accident. While administration. Pemberton House was once inally constructed between house served as his Philadel­ every effort has been made to the home of Joseph Pember­ 1732 and 1756 as the Pennsyl­ phia residence in 1797-98 dur­ provide for your safety, there ton, a Quaker merchant. It has vania State House. Until 1799 ing a second visit to America. are still hazards which require National Park Service been reconstructed and is now it served as the meeting place your alertness and vigilance. U.S. Department of the Interior occupied bv the Army-Navy of the provincial and state gov­ Free Quaker Meeting House, The 18th-century brick side­ Museum. ernments. The Second Con­ built in 1783, is the oldest walks are sometimes rough tinental Congress and the meetinghouse in Philadelphia. and uneven. Walk with caution. Constitutional Convention held The Free Quakers, unlike the their sessions here. In Inde­ main body of Quakers which pendence Square, then the remained pacifist, supported State House Yard, the Declara­ and fought for the American tion of Independence was first cause in the Revolutionary War. read publicly on July 8, 1776. From these informal debates in City Tavern the the embodiment of the "United Colonies," Con­ April 1776, John Adams had sagely observed: spicuous both for his eloquence and his ex­ groundwork was laid for the Revolution in Penn­ gress picked one of its own delegates, George "The management of so complicated and tremist views was Alexander Hamilton of New sylvania. When the governor refused a request Washington, present in the uniform of a colonel mighty a machine as the United Colonies re­ York, whose influence proved far more effective of the populace to summon the Assembly, the of the Virginia militia, to serve as commander quires the meekness of Moses, the patience of in securing the Constitution's ratification than popular leaders had committees set up in every in chief of "all the continental forces." A few Job, and the wisdom of Solomon, added to the in its drafting. Of Virginia's James Madison one county in the colony. Soon a de facto popular days later, Congress pledged "the twelve con­ valour of David." In the absence of such men as delegate wrote: "Every person seems to ac­ government by committee began to supplant federated colonies" to support the bills of credit Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams himself, Con­ knowledge his greatness. He blends together and erode the lawful Assembly. The Philadelphia it now resolved to issue. Making a final conces­ gress had to perform to the best of its abilities. the profound politician with the scholar." Self- Committee of Observation, Inspection, and Cor­ sion to the peace faction, Congress adopted appointed scribe of the Convention, Madison respondence, as it was called, operating out of John Dickinson's "Olive Branch" petition, What Congress needed most of all was a con­ left us the most detailed and accurate record of its headquarters at City Tavern, proposed that a the last appeal of the colonies to the King. Any stitutional structure that would confer upon the the debates. Congress of the Thirteen Colonies convene in notion that George III might have had about the central government powers commensurate with September 1774. Where else but Philadelphia weakening of Congress' intentions to continue its responsibilities. The Articles of Confedera­ Among the most treasured pieces in the park's the struggle were quickly dissipated by the sub­ seemed more suitable? tion that Congress adopted in 1777 (but which collection is the high-backed President's chair. sequent adoption of the "Declaration of the were not ratified by all the Thirteen States until The occupant of this chair, for the nearly 3 Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms," Twelve of the Thirteen Colonies (Georgia ex­ 1781) fell considerably short of this objective. months of the Federal Convention's continuous wherein Dickinson and Thomas Jefferson, co- cepted) dispatched delegates to Philadelphia in Lacking a strong executive, or an effective tax­ sessions, was George Washington. Already a drafters of the document, solemnly declared: the early fall of 1774. Joseph Galloway, as ing power, the Articles of Confederation re­ legend, a commanding if generally silent pres­ "Our cause is just. Our union is perfect." Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, offered quired the affirmative vote of 9 States for the ence, he presided over the deliberations with the representatives the use of the State House adoption of measures of the first importance both vigor and tact. Old Benjamin Franklin, in which to hold their deliberations. But the Ahead lay some of the climactic movements of and a unanimous vote to amend the document bringing to the assemblage an aura of benevo­ delegates shunned Galloway's offer and chose the drama to be played out in Independence itself. lence and the wisdom of great years, looked up instead Carpenters' Hall, a private edifice serv­ Hall. On May 15, 1776, Congress, in language at the President's chair in the closing moments ing the activities of the Master Carpenters of drafted by John Adams, called upon the col­ Mute testimony to the weakness of the central of the Convention and, as Madison records it, Philadelphia. That decision amounted to an onies to organize their own governments as government was the abandonment of Philadel­ observed a sun with out-stretched rays on its open repudiation of Galloway and his conserva­ States. A crucial decision, it still fell short of a phia by Congress toward the very end of the back. "I have," he remarked, "often and often tive faction. It also forecast a cluster of radical formal assertion by Congress of independence war. Save for the period of the British occupa­ in the course of the session and the vicissitudes actions, measures which were in no small and nationhood issued by the colonies collec­ tion of the city (1777-78) Independence Hall had of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at degree influenced by the persuasive backstage tively; that declaration remained to be drafted, housed the deliberations of Congress until in that behind the president without being able to tactics of the indefatigable New England adopted and proclaimed to the world. June 1783 mutinous threats by local militiamen tell whether it was rising or setting. But now at cousins, Samuel and John Adams. made it expedient for the delegates to begin length I have the happiness to know that it is a Working at his desk in the second-floor parlor their peregrinations, first to Princeton and then rising and not a setting sun." Carpenters' Hall was now the stage of a stirring of the home of a young German bricklayer to Annapolis. It was at Annapolis that Congress if brief drama played out between conserva­ named Jacob Graff (the site of which, though ratified the victorious peace by which Great After the great debates about the Constitution tives and radicals. The former made a last- some distance from Independence Hall, is Carpenters' Hall Britain recognized the independence of the had ended and the document was signed and ditch effort to adopt a plan of union proposed under the park's jurisdiction). Thomas Jefferson United States and the new Nation was endowed ratified, this site would once again be, for by Galloway. Rejected by a close vote, the con­ wrote the Declaration of Independence in 2 These were grave responsibilities and, as more with a territorial domain vaster than ever before almost a decade, the seat of the new Federal servatives abandoned any serious opposition to weeks. Despite trifling alterations by Franklin and more leading public figures left Congress embraced by a republic. Government. Here at the County Courthouse the measures of the radical faction. The First and John Adams and the deletion by Congress for the theater of the war, to take up posts in (Congress Hall) convened the new Congress Continental Congress adopted a sweeping non­ of the condemnation of slavery and the slave the State governments, or to serve their country If Philadelphia was abandoned as the seat of under the Constitution, while the old City Hall importation, nonexportation, and nonconsump- trade, the Great Declaration was the product of abroad, Congress at times proved barely equal the central government during the years of the was the forum for the Supreme Court of the tion agreement. The delegates approved an the mind and pen of Thomas Jefferson. Adopted to its responsibilities. Writing to James Warren Confederation and New York was to play host United States in its early years. At Congress eloquent "Petition to the King" asserting the on July 4, 1776, and signed by most of the of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in to the Continental Congress, Independence Hall Hall President Washington was inaugurated for right of the colonies to regulate their internal his second term, and this, too, was the scene affairs and claiming for the populace the rights, *** ****** ****** ******* ****** ******* ****** ****** ******* ****** ***** ******* of the peaceful transfer of the Presidency to liberties, and immunities of Englishmen. Before *** ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* John Adams in 1797. *** ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* adjourning, the delegates recommended that a *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** second Continental Congress convene at Phila­ *** *** *** *** *** ******* ******* ******* *** *** *** *** ******* *** *** *** *** ******* *** *** *** *** *** ******* ******* ******* *** *** *** *** ******* *** *** *** ******* Standing on the hallowed ground of Independ­ delphia in the spring of 1775. Thus Carpenters' *** •** *** *** *** ******* ****** ******* *** *** *** *** ******* *** *** *** *** ******* ence National Historical Park one may still re­ Hall saw the initial steps taken by delegates of *** *** *** *** *** *** *•* *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** capture those stirring moments when the people *** *** *** ******* ********** ******* *** *** ******* ******* *** *** ******* ******* 12 colonies to assert national sovereignty. *** *** *** ******* ******* *** ******* *** *** ******* ******* *** *** ******* ******* of Philadelphia cheered the reading of the Great *** ****** ****** ********** ******* *** *** ****** _*******_*** *** *.**.** _****.*-*.*_. Declaration. One may catch echoes of the For some 6 weeks between September and response of a sobered Congress hearing dis­ October 1774 Carpenters' Hall resounded with patch after dispatch from General Washington great oratory carrying both nationalist and rev­ delegates a month later, the Declaration was once more destined to house a great as­ remonstrating on the lack of funds and supplies olutionary overtones. Most eloquent of all the lifted the struggle from self-interested argu­ semblage. Here on May 25, 1787, the Constitu­ for his starving and half-naked soldiers, or the delegates, Virginia's Patrick Henry declared: ments over taxation to the exalted plane of tional Convention convened. With some notable shock of the news of the treason of Arnold and "The distinction between Virginians, Pennsyl- human rights. It proclaimed the self-evident omissions, like John Adams and Thomas Jeffer­ of the capitulation of Charleston. There were vanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are truths of equality, unalienable rights, and the son who were holding diplomatic posts abroad, heartening messages as well: the victory of no more. I am not a Virginian, but an Ameri­ people's right to alter their governments when Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee who de­ Saratoga, the news of the French alliance, of can." Considered a more cautious spokesman a "long train of abuses" threatens "to reduce clined to serve, and John Jay who was passed the arrival of Rochambeau with French troops than the radical Henry, John Jay, a young them under absolute despotism." over by his State in favor of an anti-nationalist and naval forces, the climactic triumph at York- New York lawyer, warned the people of Great candidate, the 55 men who convened at Phila­ town, and of the Preliminary Peace which in Britain that "we will never submit to be hewers Since Congress was both an executive and a delphia constituted an intellectual elite perhaps effect ended the war and was to bring the United of wood or drawers of water for any ministry or legislative body, and. in the sense that it had never again assembled to deal with public States recognition from all the great powers. nation in the world!" jurisdiction over cases of capture on the high affairs in the history of the country. As Louis seas, a judicial tribunal as well, Independence Otto, the French charge d'affaires, commented In his first Inaugural Address delivered in New Speaking at the Virginia Convention on March Hall stood at the center of the wartime business to his superiors at home: "If all the delegates York, Washington had summed up the glorious 23, 1775, Patrick Henry warned: "Gentlemen of the Continental government. Congress dis­ named for this Convention at Philadelphia are epoch in which he and his associates had been may cry, 'Peace! Peace!'—but there is no patched commissioners abroad to seek out present, we will never have seen, even in principal actors, and, in these stirring and cau­ peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale foreign aid. It ratified the treaties of amity and Europe, an assembly more respectable for the tioning phrases, challenged his fellow Americans that sweeps from the north will bring to our commerce and of military alliance with the talents, knowledge, disinterestedness, and to participate in the new era: "The preservation ears the clash of resounding arms!" Indeed, be­ King of France and. in turn, formally received patriotism of those who compose it." of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of fore the Second Continental Congress convened the French minister Conrad Alexander Gerard. the republican model of government, are justly on May 10th at the State House (now Independ­ The Congressional delegates wrestled with Visitors to Independence Hall may view the considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked ence Hall), two blocks west from Carpenters' mounting fiscal problems, drawing upon foreign chamber in which the Constitution was framed. on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the Hall, Henry's prophecy had been fulfilled. The and domestic loans, requisitions from the States Sitting in Windsor chairs around green baize- American people." shooting war had broken out at Lexington and and printing press money, and, finally, drafting covered tables were such principal architects Concord in Massachusetts. Now arguments over the astute Philadelphia merchant banker Robert of the Constitution as Pennsylvania delegates Composed almost two centuries ago, Washing­ constitutional theories of empire which had Morris to serve as Superintendent of Finance. James Wilson and Gouverneur Morris, the latter ton's articulation of America's purposes, its absorbed so much of the First Continental Con­ Morris made heroic efforts to maintain Con­ chiefly responsible for the final styling and ar­ responsibilities, and its specialise as a symbol gress' attention gave way to the hard facts of gress' fiscal solvency in the face of mounting rangement of the document. Nearby sat Roger of the democratic way of life both at home and war. \ debt and runaway inflation. His dazzling opera­ Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, Connecticut abroad constitutes a message and a reminder tions enabled him to finance the Yorktown cam­ delegates, who proposed the Great Compromise to those who visit this historic place where the The Second Con ental Congress responded to paign which resulted in the surrender of providing for equal voting in the Senate and people of the United States fireasserted their the challenge. iously regarding itself as Cornwallis. proportional representation in the House. Con­ sovereign right to control thejjj^rj destiny.

Richard B. Morris Renderings by Lynn Gallagher

Supreme Court Independence Hall (Pennsylvania State House) Congress Hall For sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U S Government Printing Office Washington DC 20402 S/N 024 005 0060 1 OCGPO 197o885440 111