Front Cover
22
[The preceding text was added in the handwriting of Charles Francis Adams]
Inside Front Cover
[MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES, circa SEPTEMBER 1774]
a Guinea to the lame Man
pd. the Barber 2: 5s: 0d. Philadel. 1: 16s. L. M.
6 Dollars. -- pd. 2 Washings. -- pd. for Leather
Straps at Watertown.
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1774.SEPTR. 4. SUNDAY.
Went to the Presbyterian Meeting and heard Mr. Sprout in the forenoon. He uses no Notes -- dont appear to have any. Opens his Bible and talks away. Not a very numerous, nor very polite Assembly.
Dined at our Lodgings at Mrs. Yards, with Major De boor a French Gentleman, a Soldier, Mr. Webb, and another.
Went in the Afternoon to Christ Church, and heard Mr. Coombs [Coombe]. This is a more noble Building, and a genteeler Congregation. The Organ and a new Choir of Singers, were very musical. Mr. Coombs is celebrated here as a fine Speaker. He is sprightly, has a great deal of Action, speaks distinctly. But I confess, I am not charmed with his oratory. His Style was indifferent, his Method, confused. In one Word, his Composition was vastly inferiour to the ordinary Sermons of our How,Hunt,Chauncey,Cooper,Elliot, and even Stillman. Mr. Mifflin spent the Sunday Evening with Us, at our Lodgings.
1774.SEPTR. 5. MONDAY.
At Ten, The Delegates all met at the City Tavern, and walked to the Carpenters Hall, where they took a View of the Room, and of the Chamber where is an excellent Library. There is also a long Entry, where Gentlemen may walk, and a convenient Chamber opposite to the Library. The General Cry was, that this was a good Room,
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and the Question was put, whether We were
satisfyed with this Room, and it passed in the Affirmative. A very few were for the Negative and they were chiefly from
Pensylvania and New York.
Then Mr. Lynch arose, and said there was a Gentleman present who had presided with great Dignity over a very respectable Society, greatly to the Advantage of America, and he therefore proposed that the Hon. Peytoun Randolph Esqr., one of the Delegates from Virginia, and the late Speaker of their House of Burgesses, should be appointed Chairman and he doubted not it would be unanimous. -- The Question was put and he was unanimously chosen.
Mr. Randolph then took the Chair, and the Commissions of the Delegates were all produced and read.
Then Mr. Lynch proposed that Mr. Charles Thompson a Gentleman of Family, Fortune, and Character in this City should be appointed Secretary, which was accordingly done without opposition, tho Mr. Duane and Mr. Jay discovered at first an Inclination to seek further.
Mr. Duane then moved that a Committee should be appointed, to prepare Regulations for this Congress. Several Gentlemen objected. I then arose and asked Leave of the President to request of the Gentleman from New York, an Explanation, and that he would point out some particular Regulations which he had in his Mind. He mentioned particularly the Method of voting -- whether it should be by Colonies, or by the Poll, or by Interests.
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Mr. Henry then arose, and said this was the first general Congress which had ever happened -- that no former Congress could be a Precedent -- that We should have occasion for more general Congresses, and therefore that a precedent ought to be established now. That it would be great Injustice, if a little Colony should have the same Weight in the Councils of America, as a great one, and therefore he was for a Committee.
Major Sullivan observed that a little Colony had its All at Stake as well as a great one.
This is a Question of great Importance. -- If We vote by Colonies, this Method will be liable to great Inequality and Injustice, for 5 small Colonies, with 100,000 People in each may outvote 4 large ones, each of which has 500,000 Inhabitants. If We vote by the Poll, some Colonies have more than their Proportion of Members, and others have less. If We vote by Interests, it will be attended with insuperable Difficulties, to ascertain the true Importance of each Colony. -- Is the Weight of a Colony to be ascertained by the Number of Inhabitants merely -- or by the Amount of their Trade, the Quantity of their Exports and Imports, or by any compound Ratio of both. This will lead us into such a Field of Controversy as will greatly perplex us. Besides I question whether it is possible to ascertain, at this Time, the Numbers of our People or the Value of our Trade. It will not do in such a Case, to take each other's Words. It ought to
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be ascertained by authentic Evidence, from Records .
1774.SEPTR. 6. TUESDAY.
Went to congress again. Received by an express an Intimation of the Bombardment of Boston -- a confused account, but an alarming one indeed. -- God grant it may not be found true.
1774 SEPTR. 7. WEDNESDAY.
Went to congress again. Heard Mr. Duche read Prayers. The Collect for the day, the 7th of the Month, was most admirably adapted,tho this was accidental, or rather Providential. A Prayer, which he gave us of his own Composition, was as pertinent, as affectionate, as sublime, as devout, as I ever heard offered up to Heaven. He filled every Bosom present.
Dined with Mr. Miers Fisher, a young Quaker and a Lawyer. We saw his Library, which is clever.
But this plain Friend, and his plain, tho pretty Wife, with her Thee's and Thou's, had provided us the most Costly Entertainment Ducks, Hams, Chickens, Beef, Pigg, Tarts, Creams, Custards,Gellies, fools, Trifles, floating Islands, Beer, Porter, Punch, Wine and a long &c.
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We had a large Collection of Lawyers, at Table. Mr. Andrew Allen, the Attorney General, a Mr. Morris, the Prothonotary, Mr. Fisher, Mr. McKean,Mr. Rodney -- besides these We had Mr. Reed,Govr. Hopkins and Governor Ward.
We had much Conversation upon the Practice of Law, in our different Provinces, but at last We got swallowed up, in Politicks, and the great Question of Parliamentary Jurisdiction. Mr. Allen asks me, from whence do you derive your Laws? How do you intitle yourselves to English Priviledges? Is not Lord Mansfield on the Side of Power?
1774.SEPTR. 8. THURSDAY.
Attended my Duty on the Committee all Day, and a most ingenious, entertaining Debate We bad. -- The happy News was bro't us, from Boston, that no Blood had been spill'd but that Gen. Gage had taken away the Provincial Powder from the Magazine at Cambridge. This last was a disagreable Circumstance.
Dined at Mr. Powells, with Mr. Duche,Dr. Morgan, Dr. Steptoe,Mr. Goldsborough, Mr. Johnson, and many others. -- A most sinfull Feast again!Every Thing which could delight the Eye, or allure the Taste, Curds and Creams, Jellies, Sweet meats of various sorts, 20 sorts of Tarts, fools, Trifles, floating Islands, whippd Sillabubs &c. &c.Parmesan Cheese, Punch, Wine, Porter, Beer &c. &c.
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At Evening We climbed up the Steeple of Christ Church, with Mr. Reed, from whence We had a clear and full View of the whole City and of Delaware River.
1774 SEPTR. 9.FRYDAY.
Attended my Duty upon Committees. Dined at home.
1774 SEPTR. 10. SATURDAY.
Attended my Duty upon the Sub Committee. Dined at home. Dr. Morgan, Dr. Cocks [Cox?],Mr. Spence [Spencer?], and several other Gentlemen,Major Sullivan and Coll. Folsom dined with us upon Salt Fish. Rambled in the Evening with Jo. Reed, and fell into Mr. Sprouts Meeting where We heard Mr. Spence preach.
Mr. Reed returned with Mr. Adams and me to our Lodgings, and a very social,agreable and communicative Evening We had.
He says We never were guilty of a more Masterly Stroke of Policy, than in moving that Mr. Duche might read Prayers, it has had a very good Effect, &c. He says the Sentiments of People here, are growing more and more favourable every day.
1774.SEPTR. 11. SUNDAY.
There is such a quick and constant Succession of new Scenes, Characters, Persons, and Events turning up before me that I cant keep any regular Account.
Page 7
This Mr. Reed is a very sensible and accomplished Lawyer of an amiable Disposition -- soft, tender, friendly, &c. He is a friend to his Country and to Liberty.
Mr. Reed was so kind as to wait on us to Mr. Sprouts Meeting, where we heard Mr. Spencer. These Ministers all preach without Notes.
We had an Opportunity of seeing the Custom of the Presbyterians in administering the Sacrament. The Communicants all came to a Row of Seats, placed on each Side of a narrow Table spread in the Middle of the Alley reaching from the Deacons Seat to the front of the House. Three setts of Persons of both sexes, came in Succession. Each new sett had the Bread and the Cup given to them by a new Minister -- Mr. Sprout first, Mr. Treat next and Mr. Spencer last. Each Communicant has a token, which he delivers to the Deacons or Elders, I dont know which they call em.
As We came out of Meeting a Mr. Webster join'd us, who has just come from Boston, and has been a generous Benefactor to it, in its Distresses. He says he was at the Town Meeting, and he thinks they managed their Affairs with great Symplicity, Moderation, and Discretion.
Dined at Mr. Willings, who is a judge of the Supream Court here, with the Gentlemen from Virginia,Maryland and New York. A most splendid Feast again -- Turtle and every Thing else.
Mr. Willing told us a Story of a Lawyer here, who the other Day, gave him upon the Bench the following Answer, to a Question Why the Lawyers were so increased.
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"You ask me why Lawyers so much are increas'd
Tho most of the Country already are fleec'd
The Reason I'm sure is most strikingly plain
The Sheep are oft sheered yet the Wool grows again
And tho you may think e'er so odd of the Matter
The oft'ner they're fleeced, the Wool grows the better
Thus downy -- china Boys as oft I have heard
By frequently shaving obtain a large Beard."
By Mr. Peters, written at the Bar and given to a judge Mr. Willing, who had asked the Question at Dinner, in Pleasantry.
Mr. Willing is the most sociable, agreable Man of all. He told us of a Law of this Place, that whereas oysters, between the Months of May and Septr. were found to be unwholesome food, if any were brought to Markett they should be forfeited and given to the Poor.
We drank Coffee, and then Reed, Cushing and I strolled, to the Moravian Evening Lecture where we heard soft, sweet Music and a dutchified english Prayer and Preachment.
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1774.SEPTR. 12. MONDAY.
Attended my Duty on the Committee, untill one O Clock, and then went with my Colleagues and Messrs. Thompson and Mifflin to the Falls of Schuylkill, and viewed the Museum at Fort St. Davids, a great Collection of Curiosities. Returned and dined with Mr. Dickinson at his Seat at Fair Hill, with his Lady, Mrs. Thompson, Miss Norris and Miss Harrison. Mr. Dickinson has a fine Seat, a beautyfull Prospect, of the City, the River and the Country -- fine Gardens, and a very grand Library. The most of his Books, were collected by Mr. Norris, once Speaker of the House here, father of Mrs. Dickinson. Mr. Dickinson is a very modest Man, and very ingenious, as well as agreable. He has an excellent Heart, and the Cause of his Country lies near it. He is full and clear for allowing to Parliament, the Regulation of Trade, upon Principles of Necessity and the mutual Interest of both Countries.
1774.SEPTR. 13. TUESDAY.
Attended my Duty all Day, on the Sub Committee. Agreed on a Report.
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1. and 2. Phil. and Mary. C. 10. ss. 7.
1774. SEPT. 14. WEDNESDAY.
Visited Mr. Gadsden, Mr. Deane, &c. at theirColl. Dyer, &c. at their Lodgings.Gadsden is violent against allowing to Parliament any Power of regulating Trade, or allowing that they have any Thing to do with Us.Power of regulating Trade he says, is Power of ruining us -- as bad as acknowledging them a Supream Legislative, in all Cases whatsoever.
A Right of regulating Trade is a Right of Legislation, and a Right of Legislation in one Case, is a Right in all. -- This I deny.
Attended the Congress and Committee all the forenoon. Dined with Dr. Cox.Dr. Morgan, Dr. Rush,Mr. Bayard, old Mr. Smith dined with us.Dr. Rush lives upon Water Street and has from the Windows of his back Room and Chamber, a fine Prospect of Delaware River, and of New Jersey beyond it. The Gentlemen entertained us, with Absurdities in the Laws of Pensylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. This I find is a genteel Topic of Conversation here. -- A mighty Feast again, nothing less than the very best of Claret, Madeira, and Burgundy. Melons, fine beyond description, and Pears and Peaches as excellent.
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This Day Mr. Chase introduced to us, a Mr. Carrell [Carroll] of Anapolis, a very sensible Gentleman, a Roman catholic, and of the first Fortune in America. His Income is Ten thousand Pounds sterling a Year, now, will be fourteen in two or 3 years, they say, besides his father has a vast Estate, which will be his, after his father.
1774. SEPT. 16. FRYDAY [i.e. THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER].
Dined with Mr. Wallace, with a great deal of Company at a paultry elegant Feast again.
1774. SEPT. 17 SATURDAY.
This was one of the happiest Days of my Life. In Congress We had generous, noble Sentiments, and manly Eloquence. This Day convinced me that America will support the Massachusetts or perish with her.
Dined with old Mr. Smith, with much Company. Visited the bettering House, a large Building -- very clean, neat, and convenient for the Poor Viewed the Gardens, &c.
1774.SEPTR. 18. SUNDAY.
Went to Church, and heard Mr. Coombs read Prayers, and Mr. Duch preach. A fine Preacher, indeed. Dined at home.
Went to Dr. Allisons Meeting in the Afternoon.
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Heard Mr.
a very ingenious Preacher, of Benevolence and Humanity. Spent the Evening at home with General Lee,
Capt. Dagworthy,Mr. McDougall and others. Wrote many Letters to go by Mr. Paul Revere.
1774 MONDAY SEPTR. 19.
Dined with Dr. Rush in Company with Dr. Shippen, and many others.Folsom and Sullivan from N. Hampshire. Mr. Blair &c. &c.
1774 TUESDAY SEPTR. 20.
Had Cards a Week ago to dine with Mr. Maese [Mease] -- but forgot it, and dined at home. After We had dined after 4 O Clock, a view Mr. Maes's Brother came to our Lodgings after Us. We went, after Dinner, and found Mr. Dickinson, Mifflin, Dr. Rush,Mr. West, Mr. Biddle, and Captn. All and Mr. Maes's Brother -- a very agreable Company. Our Regret at the Loss of this Company was very great.
Mr. Dickenson was very agreable.
A Question was started about the Conduct of the Bostonian Merchants since the Year 1770, in importing Tea and paying the Duty. Mr. Hancock it is said has received the Freight of many Chests of Tea. I think the Bostonian Merchants are not wholly justifiable -- yet their Conduct
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has been exaggerated. Their fault and guilt has been magnified.Mr. Hancock I believe is justifiable, but I am not certain, whether he is strictly so. He owned a Ship in Partnership with Geo. Hayley, who is agreed here to be a ministerial Man, and Haley I suppose sent the Tea in the Ship.
1774. WEDNESDAY. SEPTR. 21.
Captn. Callender came to breakfast with Us.Coll. Dagworthy and his Brother Captn. Dagworthy breakfasted with Us. Mrs. Yard entertained Us, with Muffins, Buck Wheat Cakes and common Toast. Buckwheat is an excellent grain, and is very plenty here. -- Attended Congress from 9 to after 3. -- Rode out of Town six Miles to Mr. Hills where we dined with Mr. Hill and Lady, Mr. Dickinson and his Lady, Mr. Thompson and his Lady, old Mr. Meredith, father of Mrs. Hill, Mr. Johnson of Maryland and Mr. Jo Reed.
1774. THURSDAY. SEPTR. 22.
Dined with
Mr. Chew, Chief Justice of the Province, with all the Gentlemen from Virginia, Dr. Shippen, Mr. Tilghman and many others. We were
shewn into a grand Entry and Stair Case, and into an elegant and most magnificent Chamber,
untill Dinner.
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About four O Clock We were called down to Dinner. The Furniture was all rich. -- Turttle, and every other Thing -- Flummery, Jellies, Sweetmeats of 20 sorts, Trifles, Whip'd Syllabubbs, floating Islands, fools -- &c., and then a Desert of Fruits, Raisins, Almonds, Pears, Peaches -- Wines most excellent and admirable. I drank Madeira at a great Rate and found no Inconvenience in it.
In the Evening General Lee and Coll. Lee, and Coll. Dyer and Mr. Deane, and half a Score friends from Boston came to our Lodgings. Coll. Lee staid till 12 o Clock and was very social and agreable.
1774.FRYDAY. SEPT. 23.
Walked along Second Street Southward, untill I got out of the City into the Country. The Uniformity of this City is dissagreable to some. I like it.
Dined with the late C. [Chief] Justice Allen -- with all the Gentlemen from North Carolina, and Mr. Hambleton [Hamilton], late Governor and Mr. Andrew Allen Attorney General.
We had much Conversation, about Mr. Franklin. The C. [Chief] J. [Justice] and Attorney General had much droll Chat together.
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1774 SATURDAY. SEPTR. 24.
Dined with Mr. Charles Thompson, with only Mr. Dickenson, his Lady and Niece in Company. A most delightfull Afternoon we had. Sweet Communion indeed we had -- Mr. Dickinson gave us his Thoughts and his Correspondence very freely.
1774. SUNDAY. SEPT. 25.
Went in the Evening to Quaker Meeting and afterwards went to Supper at Stephen Collins's.
1774. MONDAY. SEPTR. 26.
Dined at old Dr. Shippens with Mr. And Mrs. Blair, young Dr. Shippen, the Jersey Delegates and some Virginians. Afterwards went to the Hospital and heard another Lecture upon Anatomy, from young Dr. Shippen.
1774. TUESDAY. SEPTR. 27.
Dined at Mr. Bayards, with Dr. Cox,Dr. Rush, Mr. Hodge, Mr. Deane,Coll. Dyer.Dr. Cox gave us a Toast "May the fair Dove of Liberty, in this Deluge of Despotism, find Rest to the Sole of her Foot in America."
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1774. WEDNESDAY. SEPT. 28.
Dined with Mr. R. Penn. A magnificent House, and a most splendid Feast, and a very large Company. Mr. Dickinson and General Lee were there, and Mr. Moiland [Moylan], besides a great Number of the Delegates. -- Spent the Evening at Home, with Coll. Lee,Coll. Washington and Dr. Shippen who came in to consult with us.
1774. THURSDAY. SEPT. 29.
Dined at Home, with the Delegates from North Carolina and a No. of other Gentlemen.
1774 FRYDAY [30 SEPTEMBER].
Dined at Mr. Jonathan Smiths -- Dr. Allison, Mr. Sprout and many other Gentlemen.
1774. SATURDAY [1 OCTOBER].
Dined with Mr. Webster. Spent the Evening with Stephen Collins. Went to see the Election at the State House.Mr. Dickinson was chosen.
1774. SUNDAY. SEPT. OCTR. 2.
Went to Christ Church and heard Mr. Coombs upon "Judge not according to the Appearance, but judge righteous judgment."Went to Mr. Sprout's in the Afternoon and heard Mr. Tenant [Tennent].
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Spent the Evening at home with Mr. Macdougal, Mr. Cary of Charlestown, Mr. Reed and Coll. Floyd.
1774 MONDAY OCTR. 3. 1774.
Breakfasted at home with Coll. Dagworthy of Maryland, Captn. Dagworthy his Brother, Major De Bois, Mr. Webb, Dr. Clopton &c. The hurry of Spirits I have been in, since my Arrival in this City, has prevented my making Remarks in my journal as I wished to have done. The quick Succession of Objects, the Variety of Scenes and Characters, have rendered it impracticable. Major De Bois says he went will drink Dispute this Morning. The Congress not come to Decision, yet.
Dined at home. This Day Charles Thompson and Thos. Mifflin were chosen Burgesses for this City. The Change in the Elections for this City and County is no small Event. Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Thompson, now joined to Mr. Mifflin, will make a great Weight in favour of the American Cause.
1774 TUESDAY. OCTR. 4.
Dined with Mr. Alexander Wilcox, with all the Delegates from N. York, and several other Gentlemen. -- This Evening General Lee came to my Lodgings and shewed me an Address from the C. [Congress] to the People of Canada which he had.
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1774 WEDNESDAY OCTR. 5TH.
Dined with Dr. Cadwallador, in Company with Governor Hamilton,Gen. Lee, Mr. Henry, Mr. Pendleton,Mr. De Hart, and many others -- Mr. Maese and others. -- Spent the Evening at Home with Mr. McDougal, and Mr. Sherman -- in sad and solemn Consultation about the Miseries and Distresses of our dear Town of Boston.
1774 THURSDAY. OCTR. 6.
Dined with Mr. Hodge, Father in Law to Mr. Bayard.
1774 FRYDAY OCTR. 7.
Dined with Mr. Thos. Smith, with a large Company, the Virginians and others.
1774 SATURDAY OCTR. 8.
Dined with Mr. George Clymer -- Mr. Dickinson and a large Company again.
1774. SUNDAY [9 OCTOBER].
Went to hear Dr. Allison, an Aged Gentleman. It was Sacrament Day and he gave us a sacramental Discourse. This Dr. Allison is a Man of Abilities and Worth, but I hear no Preachers here like ours in Boston, excepting Mr. Duch.Coombs indeed is a good Speaker, but not an original, but a Copy of Duch.
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The Multiplicity of Business and Ceremonies, and Company that we are perpetually engaged in, prevents my Writing to my Friends in Mass. as I ought, and prevents my recording many Material Things in my journal.
Phyladelphia with all its Trade, and Wealth, and Regularity is not Boston. The Morals of our People are much better, their Manners are more polite, and agreable -- they are purer English. Our Language is better, our Persons are handsomer, our Spirit is greater, our Laws are wiser, our Religion is superiour, our Education is better. We exceed them in every Thing, but in a Markett, and in charitable public foundations.
Went in the Afternoon to the Romish Chappell and heard a good discourse upon the Duty of Parents to their Children, founded in justice and Charity. The Scenery and the Musick is so callculated to take in Mankind that I wonder, the Reformation ever succeeded. The Paintings, the Bells, the Candles, the Gold and Silver. Our Saviour on the Cross, over the Altar, at full Length, and all his Wounds a bleeding. The Chanting is exquisitely soft and sweet.
Page 20
1774 MONDAY. OCTR. 10TH.
The Deliberations of the Congress, are spun out to an immeasurable Length. There is so much Wit, Sense, Learning, Acuteness, Subtilty, Eloquence, &c. among fifty Gentlemen, each of whom has been habituated to lead and guide in his own Province, that an immensity of Time, is spent unnecessarily.
Johnson of Maryland has a clear and a cool Head, an extensive Knowledge of Trade, as well as Law. He is a deliberating Man, but not a shining orator -- His Passions and Imagination dont appear enough for an orator. His Reason and Penetration appear, but not his Rhetoric.
Galloway, Duane, and Johnson, are sensible and learned but cold Speakers.Lee, Henry, and Hooper [are] the orators.Paca is a deliberater too. Chase speaks warmly. Mifflin is a sprightly and spirited Speaker.John Rutledge dont exceed in Learning or oratory,tho he is a rapid Speaker. Young Edward Rutledge is young, and zealous -- a little unsteady, and injudicious, but very unnatural and affected as a Speaker. Dyer and Sherman speak often butand long, but very heavily and clumsily.
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1774 TUESDAY OCTR. 11.
Dined with Mr. McKean in Markett Street, with Mr. Reed, Rodney,Chace, Johnson, Paca,Dr. Morgan, Mr. R. Penn, &c.
Spent the Evening with Mr. Henry at his Lodgings consulting about a Petition to the King.
Henry said he had no public Education. At fifteen he read Virgill and Livy, and has not looked into a Latin Book since. His father left him at that Age, and he has been struggling thro Life ever since. He has high Notions. Talks about exalted Minds, &c. He has a horrid Opinion of Galloway, Jay, and the Rutledges. Their System he says would ruin the Cause of America. He is very impatient to see such Fellows, and not be at Liberty to describe them in their true Colours.
1774. WEDNESDAY. OCTR. 12.
Dined with Captn. Richards with Dr. Coombs.
1774 THURSDAY. OCTR. 13.
Dined with Mr. Dickenson with Chase,Paca, Low, Mifflin,Mr. Penn and General Lee, at six o Clock.
From 10 O Clock
untill half after four, We were debating, about the Parliamentary Power of regulating Trade. 5 Colonies were for allowing it, 5. against it,
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and two divided among themselves, i.e.
Mass. and Rhode Island.
Mr. Duane has had his Heart sett upon asserting in our Bill of Rights, the Authority of Parliament to regulate the Trade of the Colonies. He is for grounding it on Compact, Acquiescence, Necessity, Protection, not merely on our Consent.
1774.FRYDAY. OCTR. 14..
Went in the Morning to see Dr. Chevott [Chovet] and his Skelletons and Wax Work -- most admirable, exquisite Representations of the whole Animal Economy.
Four compleat Skelletons. A Leg with all the Nerves, Veins and Arteries injected with Wax. Two compleat Bodies in Wax, full grown. Waxen Representations of all the Muscles, Tendons &c., of the Head, Brain, Heart, Lungs, Liver,Stomack,Gutts, Cawl -- Bladder, Testicles. This Exhibition is much more exquisite than that of Dr. Shippen, at the Hospital. The Doctor reads Lectures, for 2 half Jos. a Course, which takes up Four Months. These Wax Works are all of the Drs. own Hands.
Page 23
Dined with Dr. Morgan, an ingenious Physician and an honest Patriot. He shewed us some curious Paintings upon Silk which he brought from Italy which are Singular in this Country, and some Bones of an Animal of enormous Size, found upon the Banks of the River Ohio. Mr. Middleton,the two Rutledges, Mr. Mifflin and Mr. Wm. Barrell dined with Us. Mrs. Morgan is a sprightly, pretty lady.
In the Evening We were invited to an Interview at Carpenters Hall, with the Quakers and Anabaptists. Mr. Bacchus is come here from Middleborough, with a design to apply to the Congress, for a Redress of the Grievances of the Antipaedobaptists in our Province. The Cases from Chelmsford, the Case of Mr. White of Haverhill, the Case of Ashfield and Warwick, were mentioned by Mr. Bacchus.
Old Israel Pemberton was quite rude, and his Rudeness was resented. But the Conference which held till 11 O Clock, I hope will produce good.
Page 24
1774 SATURDAY. OCTR. 15.
Dined at Mr. Wests with the Rutledges and Mr. Middleton. An elegant House, rich furniture, and a splendid Dinner.
1774 SUNDAY. OCTR. 16.
Staid at Home all day. Very busy in the necessary Business of putting the Proceedings of the Congress into Order.
1774. MONDAY OCTR. 17.
Dined at Home.
1774 TUESDAY. OCT. 18.
Dined at Stephen Collins's.
1774 WEDNESDAY. OCTR. 19.
Dined at Home.
1774 THURSDAY OCTR. 20.
Dined with the whole Congress at the City Tavern, at the Invitation of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pensylvania, the whole House dined with Us, making near l00 Guests in the Whole a most elegant Entertainment. A toast was A Sentiment was given, "May the Sword of the Parent never be Stain'd with the Blood of her Children." Two or 3 broadbrims, over against me at Table -- one of em said this is not a Toast but a Prayer, come let us join in it -- and they took their Glasses accordingly.
Page 25
1774.FRYDAY. OCT. 21.
Dined at the Library Tavern with Messrs. Marcoo's [Markoes] and a dozen Gentlemen from the W. Indies and N. Carolina. A fine bowling Green here -- fine Turtle, and admirable Wine.
1774. SATURDAY. OCTR. 22.
Dined in the Country, with Mr. Dickinson, with all the Delegates from N. England. Mr. Duane, Mr. Reed, Mr. Livingstone &c.
1774. SUNDAY. OCTR. 23.
Heard Mr. Piercy, at Mr. Sprouts. He is Chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon. Comes recommended to Mr. Cary of Charlestown, from her, as a faithful servant of the Lord. No Genius -- no Orator.
In the Afternoon I went to the Baptist Church and heard a trans Alleganian -- a
Preacher, from the back Parts of Virginia, behind the Allegany Mountains. He preached an hour and an half. No Learning -- No Grace of Action or Utterance -- but an honest Zeal. He told us several good Stories. One was, that he was once preaching in Virginia and said that those Ministers who taught the
Page 26
the People that Salvation was to be obtained by good Works, or Obedience, were leading them to ruin. Next Day, he was apprehended, by a Warrant from a Magistrate, for reviling the Clergy of the Church of England. He asked for a Prayer Book and had it. Turned to the 18 or 20th. Article, where the same sentiment is strongly expressed. He read it to the Magistrate. The Magistrate as soon as he heard it, dash'd the Warrant out of his Hand, and said sir you are discharged.
In the Evening I went to the Methodist Meeting and heard Mr. Webb, the old soldier, who first came to America, in the Character of Quarter Master under Gen. Braddock. He is one of the most fluent, eloquent Men I ever heard. He reaches the Imagination and touches the Passions, very well, and expresses himself with great Propriety. The Singing here is very sweet and soft indeed. The first Musick I have heard in any Society, except the Moravians, and once at Church with the organ.
Supped and spent the Remainder of the Evening, at Mr. Jo. Reeds with Coll. Lee, Dr. Shippen, Mr. Cary, Dr. Loring &c.
Page 27
1774. MONDAY. OCTR. 24.
In Congress, nibbling and quibbling -- as usual.
There is no greater Mortification than to sit with half a dozen Witts, deliberating upon a Petition, Address, or Memorial. These great subtle, refined Witts, these subtle Criticks, these refined Genius's, these learned Lawyers, these wise Statesmen, are so fond of shewing their Parts and Powers, as to make their Consultations very tedius.
Young Ned Rutledge is a perfect Bob o' Lincoln -- a Swallow -- a Sparrow -- a Peacock -- excessively vain, excessively weak, and excessively variable and unsteady -- jejune, inane, and puerile.
Mr. Dickinson is very modest, delicate, and timid.
Spent the Evening at home. Coll. Dyer, Judge Sherman and Coll. Floyd came in and spent the Evening with Mr. Adams and me. Mr. Mifflin and General Lee came in. Lee's Head is running upon his new Plan of a Battallion.
1774 TUESDAY [25 OCTOBER].
Dined with Mr. Clymer. General Lee &c. there.
1774. WEDNESDAY [ 26 OCTOBER].
Dined at Home. This Day the Congress finished. Spent the Evening together at the City Tavern -- all the Congress and several Gentlemen of the Town.
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1774. THURSDAY. OCTR. 27.
Went this Morning with Mr. Tudor to see the Carpenters Hall, and the Library, and to Mr. Barrells and Bradfords, and then to the State House to see the Supream Court sitting. Heard Mr. Wilcox and Mr. Reed argue a Point of Law concerning the Construction of a Will. Three Judges,Chew, Willing and Moreton.
1774 FRYDAY. OCTR. 28.
Took our Departure in a very great Rain, from the happy, the peacefull, the elegant, the hospitable, and polite City of Phyladelphia. -- It is not very likely that I shall ever see this Part of the World again, but I shall ever retain a most greatefull, pleasing Sense, of the many Civilities I have received, in it. And shall think myself happy to have an opportunity of returning them. -- Dined at Andersons, and reached Priestly's of Bristol at Night, twenty miles from Phyladelphia, where We are as happy as We can wish.
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1774. SATURDAY. OCTR. 29.
Rode to Prince Town, where We dine, at the sign of Hudibrass.Vacation at Nassau Hall. Dr. Witherspoon out of Town. Paine recollected the Story of Mr. Keiths joke upon him at Howlands of Plymouth, where Wideterm the Time of the Stamp Act. Paine said he would go to making brass Buckles. Keith said he might do that to great Advantage for his Stock would cost him nothing.
Lodged at Farmers in Brunswick.
1774. SUNDAY. OCTR. 30.
My Birthday. I am 39 Years of Age. -- Rode to Elizabeth Town in New Jersey, where We are to dine. Rode down to Elizabeth Town Point, and put our Carriage and all our Horses into two Ferry Boats. Sail'd or rather rowed, Six Miles to a Point on Staten Island where We stoped and went into a Tavern. Got to Hulls in New York, about 10 O Clock, at night.
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1774 MONDAY. OCT 31
Mr. McDougall, Mr. Scott, Captn. Sears, Mr. Platt, Mr. Hewes came to see us. All but the last dined with us. Walked to see the new Hospital, a grand Building. Went to the Coffee House. Mr. Cary and Dr. Loring dined with us.
The Sons of Liberty are in the Horrors here. They think they have lost ground since We passed thro this City. Their Delegates have agreed with the Congress, which I suppose they imagine, has given additional Importance to their Antagonists
1774. TUESDAY. NOVR. 1.
Left Brother Paine at New York to go by the Packett to New Port. Rode to Cocks at Kings bridge to break fast, to Havilands at Rye to Dinner, and to Knaps at Horse Neck in Greenwich to lodge.
1774. WEDNESDAY. NOVR. 2.
Rode to Bulkleys at Fairfield to dinner, and to Captn. Benjamins of Stratford to lodge.
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1774. THURSDAY. NOVR. 3.
We design to Great Swamp to day. 42 miles.
At Newhaven, Coll. Dyer, Deane and Sherman, Mr. Parsons, the new Speaker Williams, Mr. Trumbull and many other Gentlemen came to see us at Beers's as soon as we got in. Coll. Dyer presented the Compliments of the Governor and Council to the Massachusetts Delegates and asked our Company, to spend the Evening. I begged Coll. Dyer to present my Duty to the Governor and Council, and my Gratitude for the high Honour they did us, but that We had been so long from home and our affairs were so critical, We hoped they would excuse us if we passed thro the Town as fast as possible.
Mr. Sherman invited us to dine, but Mr. Babcock claimed a Promise, so we dined with him.
2 or 3 Carriages accompanied us, a few Miles out of Town in the Afternoon.
We had the most pressing Invitations from many Gentlemen to return
thro N. London, Windham &c. &c. &c., but excused ourselves. The People had sent a Courier to N. Haven on Purpose to
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wait for our Arrival and return to inform the People we were coming.
Twenty miles from Middletown We met two Gentlemen from thence who came on Purpose to meet us and invite us to dine tomorrow at Middletown. We excused ourselves with great Earnestness.
1774..FRYDAY. NOVR. 4..
Dined at Hartford, at Bulls, where we had the Pleasure of seeing Mr. Adams's Minister Mr. How, who is supposed to be courting here. Lodged at Dr. Chafy's [Chaffee's] in Windsor. Very cordially entertained.
1774. SATURDAY. NOVR. 5.
Break fasted at Austins of Suffield. Went to see a Company of Men exercising upon the Hill, under the Command of a green coated Man, lately a Regular. A Company of very likely stout men.
Dined at Parsons's of Springfield.
Captn. Pynchon and another Pynchon, and Mr. Bliss, came in to see Us, and at last
Coll. Worthington. Worthington
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behaved decently and politely. Said he was in Hopes we should have
staid the Sabbath in Town and he should have had the Pleasure of waiting on us, &c.
Captn. Pynchon was of the late provincial Congress and gave us some Account of their Proceedings.
Arrived, about 7 O Clock at Scotts of Palmer alias Kingston, where We are to lodge. Scott and his Wife are at this instant, great Patriots. Zealous Americans. Scotts faith is very strong that they will repeal all the Acts, this very winter. Dr. Dana told Us all America, and G. Britain and Europe ow'd us Thanks and that the Ministry would lay hold of our Consent that they should regulate Trade, and our Petition and grant us Relief this Winter. -- But neither the Doctors nor Scotts Faith are my Faith.
1774. SUNDAY. NOVR. 6.
Went all day to hear Mr. Baldwin a Presbyterian Minister at Kingston. We put up at Scotts. Mr. Baldwin came in the Evening to see us.
Hor. B. 3. O. 2. Pueros ab ineunte tate assuefaciendos esse rei militari et Vitx laboriosae.
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We walked to Meeting above 2 Miles at Noon. We walked 1/4 of a Mile and staid at one Quintouns an old Irishman, and a friendly cordial Reception we had. The old Man was so rejoiced to see us he could hardly speak -- more glad to see Us he said than he should to see Gage and all his Train. -- I saw a Gun. The young Man said that Gun marched 8 Miles towards Boston on the late Alarm. Almost the whole Parish marched off, and the People seemed really disappointed, when the News was contradicted.
1774. MONDAY. NOVR. 7.
Dined at Rice's of Brookfield. Major Foster came to see us, and gave us an Account of the Proceedings of the Prov. [Provincial] Congress.
Lodged at Hunts in Spencer.
1774. TUESDAY. NOVR. 8.
Breakfasted at Coll. Henshaws of Leicester. Dined at Woodburns of Worcester. Furnival made the two young Ladies come in and sing Us the New Liberty Song.
Lodged at Coll. Buckminsters of Framingham.
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1774. WEDNESDAY. NOVR. 9.
Break fasted at Reeve's of Sudbury.
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