Hesentitimmediately,andIreturn’ditinaboutaweekwithanothernote,expressingstronglymysenseofthefavour。
WhenwenextmetintheHouse,hespoketome(whichhehadneverdonebefore),andwithgreatcivility;andheeveraftermanifestedareadinesstoservemeonalloccasions,sothatwebecamegreatfriends,andourfriendshipcontinuedtohisdeath。
ThisisanotherinstanceofthetruthofanoldmaximIhadlearned,whichsays,"Hethathasoncedoneyouakindnesswillbemorereadytodoyouanother,thanhewhomyouyourselfhaveobliged。"
Anditshowshowmuchmoreprofitableitisprudentlytoremove,thantoresent,return,andcontinueinimicalproceedings。
In1737,ColonelSpotswood,lategovernorofVirginia,andthenpostmaster—general,beingdissatisfiedwiththeconductofhisdeputyatPhiladelphia,respectingsomenegligenceinrendering,andinexactitudeofhisaccounts,tookfromhimthecommissionandofferedittome。Iaccepteditreadily,andfounditofgreatadvantage;
for,tho’thesalarywassmall,itfacilitatedthecorrespondencethatimprov’dmynewspaper,increas’dthenumberdemanded,aswellastheadvertisementstobeinserted,sothatitcametoaffordmeaconsiderableincome。Myoldcompetitor’snewspaperdeclin’dproportionably,andIwassatisfy’dwithoutretaliatinghisrefusal,whilepostmaster,topermitmypapersbeingcarriedbytheriders。
Thushesuffer’dgreatlyfromhisneglectindueaccounting;andI
mentionitasalessontothoseyoungmenwhomaybeemploy’dinmanagingaffairsforothers,thattheyshouldalwaysrenderaccounts,andmakeremittances,withgreatclearnessandpunctuality。
Thecharacterofobservingsuchaconductisthemostpowerfulofallrecommendationstonewemploymentsandincreaseofbusiness。
Ibegannowtoturnmythoughtsalittletopublicaffairs,beginning,however,withsmallmatters。ThecitywatchwasoneofthefirstthingsthatIconceiv’dtowantregulation。
Itwasmanagedbytheconstablesoftherespectivewardsinturn;
theconstablewarnedanumberofhousekeeperstoattendhimforthenight。Thosewhochosenevertoattendpaidhimsixshillingsayeartobeexcus’d,whichwassuppos’dtobeforhiringsubstitutes,butwas,inreality,muchmorethanwasnecessaryforthatpurpose,andmadetheconstableshipaplaceofprofit;andtheconstable,foralittledrink,oftengotsuchragamuffinsabouthimasawatch,thatrespectablehousekeepersdidnotchoosetomixwith。
Walkingtherounds,too,wasoftenneglected,andmostofthenightsspentintippling。Ithereuponwroteapaper,tobereadinJunto,representingtheseirregularities,butinsistingmoreparticularlyontheinequalityofthissix—shillingtaxoftheconstables,respectingthecircumstancesofthosewhopaidit,sinceapoorwidowhousekeeper,allwhosepropertytobeguardedbythewatchdidnotperhapsexceedthevalueoffiftypounds,paidasmuchasthewealthiestmerchant,whohadthousandsofpoundsworthofgoodsinhisstores。
Onthewhole,Iproposedasamoreeffectualwatch,thehiringofpropermentoserveconstantlyinthatbusiness;andasamoreequitablewayofsupportingthechargethelevyingataxthatshouldbeproportion’dtotheproperty。Thisidea,beingapprov’dbytheJunto,wascommunicatedtotheotherclubs,butasarisingineachofthem;andthoughtheplanwasnotimmediatelycarriedintoexecution,yet,bypreparingthemindsofpeopleforthechange,itpavedthewayforthelawobtainedafewyearsafter,whenthemembersofourclubsweregrownintomoreinfluence。
AboutthistimeIwroteapaper(firsttobereadinJunto,butitwasafterwardpublish’d)onthedifferentaccidentsandcarelessnessesbywhichhousesweresetonfire,withcautionsagainstthem,andmeansproposedofavoidingthem。Thiswasmuchspokenofasausefulpiece,andgaverisetoaproject,whichsoonfollowedit,offormingacompanyforthemorereadyextinguishingoffires,andmutualassistanceinremovingandsecuringthegoodswhenindanger。
Associatesinthisschemewerepresentlyfound,amountingtothirty。
Ourarticlesofagreementoblig’deverymembertokeepalwaysingoodorder,andfitforuse,acertainnumberofleatherbuckets,withstrongbagsandbaskets(forpackingandtransportingofgoods),whichweretobebroughttoeveryfire;andweagreedtomeetonceamonthandspendasocialeveningtogether,indiscoursingandcommunicatingsuchideasasoccurredtousuponthesubjectoffires,asmightbeusefulinourconductonsuchoccasions。
Theutilityofthisinstitutionsoonappeared,andmanymoredesiringtobeadmittedthanwethoughtconvenientforonecompany,theywereadvisedtoformanother,whichwasaccordinglydone;andthiswenton,onenewcompanybeingformedafteranother,tilltheybecamesonumerousastoincludemostoftheinhabitantswhoweremenofproperty;
andnow,atthetimeofmywritingthis,tho’upwardoffiftyyearssinceitsestablishment,thatwhichIfirstformed,calledtheUnionFireCompany,stillsubsistsandflourishes,tho’thefirstmembersarealldeceas’dbutmyselfandone,whoisolderbyayearthanIam。
Thesmallfinesthathavebeenpaidbymembersforabsenceatthemonthlymeetingshavebeenapply’dtothepurchaseoffire—engines,ladders,fire—hooks,andotherusefulimplementsforeachcompany,sothatI
questionwhetherthereisacityintheworldbetterprovidedwiththemeansofputtingastoptobeginningconflagrations;and,infact,sincetheseinstitutions,thecityhasneverlostbyfiremorethanoneortwohousesatatime,andtheflameshaveoftenbeenextinguishedbeforethehouseinwhichtheybeganhasbeenhalfconsumed。
In1739arrivedamongusfromIrelandtheReverendMr。Whitefield,whohadmadehimselfremarkablethereasanitinerantpreacher。
Hewasatfirstpermittedtopreachinsomeofourchurches;
buttheclergy,takingadisliketohim,soonrefus’dhimtheirpulpits,andhewasoblig’dtopreachinthefields。Themultitudesofallsectsanddenominationsthatattendedhissermonswereenormous,anditwasmatterofspeculationtome,whowasoneofthenumber,toobservetheextraordinaryinfluenceofhisoratoryonhishearers,andbowmuchtheyadmir’dandrespectedhim,notwithstandinghiscommonabuseofthem,byassuringthemthattheywerenaturallyhalfbeastsandhalfdevils。Itwaswonderfultoseethechangesoonmadeinthemannersofourinhabitants。Frombeingthoughtlessorindifferentaboutreligion,itseem’dasifalltheworldweregrowingreligious,sothatonecouldnotwalkthro’thetowninaneveningwithouthearingpsalmssungindifferentfamiliesofeverystreet。
Anditbeingfoundinconvenienttoassembleintheopenair,subjecttoitsinclemencies,thebuildingofahousetomeetinwasnosoonerpropos’d,andpersonsappointedtoreceivecontributions,butsufficientsumsweresoonreceiv’dtoprocurethegroundanderectthebuilding,whichwasonehundredfeetlongandseventybroad,aboutthesizeofWestminsterHall;andtheworkwascarriedonwithsuchspiritastobefinishedinamuchshortertimethancouldhavebeenexpected。Bothhouseandgroundwerevestedintrustees,expresslyfortheuseofanypreacherofanyreligiouspersuasionwhomightdesiretosaysomethingtothepeopleatPhiladelphia;
thedesigninbuildingnotbeingtoaccommodateanyparticularsect,buttheinhabitantsingeneral;sothateveniftheMuftiofConstantinopleweretosendamissionarytopreachMohammedanismtous,hewouldfindapulpitathisservice。
Mr。Whitefield,inleavingus,wentpreachingallthewaythro’
thecoloniestoGeorgia。Thesettlementofthatprovincehadlatelybeenbegun,but,insteadofbeingmadewithhardy,industrioushusbandmen,accustomedtolabor,theonlypeoplefitforsuchanenterprise,itwaswithfamiliesofbrokenshop—keepersandotherinsolventdebtors,manyofindolentandidlehabits,takenoutofthejails,who,beingsetdowninthewoods,unqualifiedforclearingland,andunabletoendurethehardshipsofanewsettlement,perishedinnumbers,leavingmanyhelplesschildrenunprovidedfor。
Thesightoftheirmiserablesituationinspir’dthebenevolentheartofMr。WhitefieldwiththeideaofbuildinganOrphanHousethere,inwhichtheymightbesupportedandeducated。Returningnorthward,hepreach’dupthischarity,andmadelargecollections,forhiseloquencehadawonderfulpowerovertheheartsandpursesofhishearers,ofwhichImyselfwasaninstance。
Ididnotdisapproveofthedesign,but,asGeorgiawasthendestituteofmaterialsandworkmen,anditwasproposedtosendthemfromPhiladelphiaatagreatexpense,Ithoughtitwouldhavebeenbettertohavebuiltthehousehere,andbroughtthechildrentoit。ThisIadvis’d;buthewasresoluteinhisfirstproject,rejectedmycounsel,andIthereforerefus’dtocontribute。
Ihappenedsoonaftertoattendoneofhissermons,inthecourseofwhichIperceivedheintendedtofinishwithacollection,andIsilentlyresolvedheshouldgetnothingfromme,Ihadinmypocketahandfulofcoppermoney,threeorfoursilverdollars,andfivepistolesingold。AsheproceededIbegantosoften,andconcludedtogivethecoppers。Anotherstrokeofhisoratorymademeasham’dofthat,anddetermin’dmetogivethesilver;
andhefinish’dsoadmirably,thatIempty’dmypocketwhollyintothecollector’sdish,goldandall。Atthissermontherewasalsooneofourclub,who,beingofmysentimentsrespectingthebuildinginGeorgia,andsuspectingacollectionmightbeintended,had,byprecaution,emptiedhispocketsbeforehecamefromhome。
Towardstheconclusionofthediscourse,however,hefeltastrongdesiretogive,andapply’dtoaneighbour,whostoodnearhim,toborrowsomemoneyforthepurpose。Theapplicationwasunfortunately[made]toperhapstheonlymaninthecompanywhohadthefirmnessnottobeaffectedbythepreacher。Hisanswerwas,"Atanyothertime,FriendHopkinson,Iwouldlendtotheefreely;
butnotnow,fortheeseemstobeoutofthyrightsenses。"
SomeofMr。Whitefield’senemiesaffectedtosupposethathewouldapplythesecollectionstohisownprivateemolument;butIwhowasintimatelyacquaintedwithhim(beingemployedinprintinghisSermonsandJournals,etc。),neverhadtheleastsuspicionofhisintegrity,butamtothisdaydecidedlyofopinionthathewasinallhisconductaperfectlyhonestman,andmethinksmytestimonyinhisfavouroughttohavethemoreweight,aswehadnoreligiousconnection。
Heus’d,indeed,sometimestoprayformyconversion,butneverhadthesatisfactionofbelievingthathisprayerswereheard。
Ourswasamerecivilfriendship,sincereonbothsides,andlastedtohisdeath。
Thefollowinginstancewillshowsomethingofthetermsonwhichwestood。UpononeofhisarrivalsfromEnglandatBoston,hewrotetomethatheshouldcomesoontoPhiladelphia,butknewnotwherehecouldlodgewhenthere,asheunderstoodhisoldfriendandhost,Mr。Benezet,wasremovedtoGermantown。
Myanswerwas,"Youknowmyhouse;ifyoucanmakeshiftwithitsscantyaccommodations,youwillbemostheartilywelcome。"
Hereply’d,thatifImadethatkindofferforChrist’ssake,Ishouldnotmissofareward。AndIreturned,"Don’tletmebemistaken;itwasnotforChrist’ssake,butforyoursake。"
Oneofourcommonacquaintancejocoselyremark’d,that,knowingittobethecustomofthesaints,whentheyreceivedanyfavour,toshifttheburdenoftheobligationfromofftheirownshoulders,andplaceitinheaven,Ihadcontriv’dtofixitonearth。
ThelasttimeIsawMr。WhitefieldwasinLondon,whenheconsultedmeabouthisOrphanHouseconcern,andhispurposeofappropriatingittotheestablishmentofacollege。
Hehadaloudandclearvoice,andarticulatedhiswordsandsentencessoperfectly,thathemightbeheardandunderstoodatagreatdistance,especiallyashisauditories,howevernumerous,observ’dthemostexactsilence。Hepreach’doneeveningfromthetopoftheCourt—housesteps,whichareinthemiddleofMarket—street,andonthewestsideofSecond—street,whichcrossesitatrightangles。
Bothstreetswerefill’dwithhishearerstoaconsiderabledistance。
BeingamongthehindmostinMarket—street,Ihadthecuriositytolearnhowfarhecouldbeheard,byretiringbackwardsdownthestreettowardstheriver;andIfoundhisvoicedistincttillI
camenearFront—street,whensomenoiseinthatstreetobscur’dit。
Imaginingthenasemi—circle,ofwhichmydistanceshouldbetheradius,andthatitwerefill’dwithauditors,toeachofwhomIallow’dtwosquarefeet,Icomputedthathemightwellbeheardbymorethanthirtythousand。Thisreconcil’dmetothenewspaperaccountsofhishavingpreach’dtotwenty—fivethousandpeopleinthefields,andtotheantienthistoriesofgeneralsharanguingwholearmies,ofwhichIhadsometimesdoubted。
Byhearinghimoften,Icametodistinguisheasilybetweensermonsnewlycompos’d,andthosewhichhehadoftenpreach’dinthecourseofhistravels。Hisdeliveryofthelatterwassoimprov’dbyfrequentrepetitionsthateveryaccent,everyemphasis,everymodulationofvoice,wassoperfectlywellturn’dandwellplac’d,that,withoutbeinginterestedinthesubject,onecouldnothelpbeingpleas’dwiththediscourse;apleasureofmuchthesamekindwiththatreceiv’dfromanexcellentpieceofmusick。Thisisanadvantageitinerantpreachershaveoverthosewhoarestationary,asthelattercannotwellimprovetheirdeliveryofasermonbysomanyrehearsals。
Hiswritingandprintingfromtimetotimegavegreatadvantagetohisenemies;unguardedexpressions,andevenerroneousopinions,deliveredinpreaching,mighthavebeenafterwardsexplain’dorqualifi’dbysupposingothersthatmighthaveaccompani’dthem,ortheymighthavebeendeny’d;butliterascriptamonet。
Criticsattack’dhiswritingsviolently,andwithsomuchappearanceofreasonastodiminishthenumberofhisvotariesandpreventtheirencrease;sothatIamofopinionifhehadneverwrittenanything,hewouldhaveleftbehindhimamuchmorenumerousandimportantsect,andhisreputationmightinthatcasehavebeenstillgrowing,evenafterhisdeath,astherebeingnothingofhiswritingonwhichtofoundacensureandgivehimalowercharacter,hisproselyteswouldbeleftatlibertytofeignforhimasgreatavarietyofexcellenceastheirenthusiasticadmirationmightwishhimtohavepossessed。
Mybusinesswasnowcontinuallyaugmenting,andmycircumstancesgrowingdailyeasier,mynewspaperhavingbecomeveryprofitable,asbeingforatimealmosttheonlyoneinthisandtheneighbouringprovinces。
Iexperienced,too,thetruthoftheobservation,"thataftergettingthefirsthundredpound,itismoreeasytogetthesecond,"
moneyitselfbeingofaprolificnature。
ThepartnershipatCarolinahavingsucceeded,Iwasencourag’dtoengageinothers,andtopromoteseveralofmyworkmen,whohadbehavedwell,byestablishingthemwithprinting—housesindifferentcolonies,onthesametermswiththatinCarolina。
Mostofthemdidwell,beingenabledattheendofourterm,sixyears,topurchasethetypesofmeandgoonworkingforthemselves,bywhichmeansseveralfamilieswereraised。Partnershipsoftenfinishinquarrels;butIwashappyinthis,thatminewereallcarriedonandendedamicably,owing,Ithink,agooddealtotheprecautionofhavingveryexplicitlysettled,inourarticles,everythingtobedonebyorexpectedfromeachpartner,sothattherewasnothingtodispute,whichprecautionIwouldthereforerecommendtoallwhoenterintopartnerships;for,whateveresteempartnersmayhavefor,andconfidenceineachotheratthetimeofthecontract,littlejealousiesanddisgustsmayarise,withideasofinequalityinthecareandburdenofthebusiness,etc。,whichareattendedoftenwithbreachoffriendshipandoftheconnection,perhapswithlawsuitsandotherdisagreeableconsequences。
Ihad,onthewhole,abundantreasontobesatisfiedwithmybeingestablishedinPennsylvania。Therewere,however,twothingsthatIregretted,therebeingnoprovisionfordefense,norforacompleateducationofyouth;nomilitia,noranycollege。
Itherefore,in1743,drewupaproposalforestablishinganacademy;
andatthattime,thinkingtheReverendMr。Peters,whowasoutofemploy,afitpersontosuperintendsuchaninstitution,Icommunicatedtheprojecttohim;buthe,havingmoreprofitableviewsintheserviceoftheproprietaries,whichsucceeded,declin’dtheundertaking;and,notknowinganotheratthattimesuitableforsuchatrust,Ilettheschemelieawhiledormant。
Isucceededbetterthenextyear,1744,inproposingandestablishingaPhilosophicalSociety。ThepaperIwroteforthatpurposewillbefoundamongmywritings,whencollected。
Withrespecttodefense,SpainhavingbeenseveralyearsatwaragainstGreatBritain,andbeingatlengthjoin’dbyFrance,whichbroughtusintogreatdanger;andthelabouredandlong—continuedendeavourofourgovernor,Thomas,toprevailwithourQuakerAssemblytopassamilitialaw,andmakeotherprovisionsforthesecurityoftheprovince,havingprovedabortive,Ideterminedtotrywhatmightbedonebyavoluntaryassociationofthepeople。Topromotethis,Ifirstwroteandpublishedapamphlet,entitledPLAINTRUTH,inwhichI
statedourdefencelesssituationinstronglights,withthenecessityofunionanddisciplineforourdefense,andpromis’dtoproposeinafewdaysanassociation,tobegenerallysignedforthatpurpose。
Thepamphlethadasuddenandsurprisingeffect。Iwascall’duponfortheinstrumentofassociation,andhavingsettledthedraftofitwithafewfriends,Iappointedameetingofthecitizensinthelargebuildingbeforementioned。Thehousewasprettyfull;
Ihadpreparedanumberofprintedcopies,andprovidedpensandinkdispers’dallovertheroom。Iharanguedthemalittleonthesubject,readthepaper,andexplainedit,andthendistributedthecopies,whichwereeagerlysigned,nottheleastobjectionbeingmade。
Whenthecompanyseparated,andthepaperswerecollected,wefoundabovetwelvehundredhands;and,othercopiesbeingdispersedinthecountry,thesubscribersamountedatlengthtoupwardoftenthousand。Theseallfurnishedthemselvesassoonastheycouldwitharms,formedthemselvesintocompaniesandregiments,chosetheirownofficers,andmeteveryweektobeinstructedinthemanualexercise,andotherpartsofmilitarydiscipline。
Thewomen,bysubscriptionsamongthemselves,providedsilkcolors,whichtheypresentedtothecompanies,paintedwithdifferentdevicesandmottos,whichIsupplied。
TheofficersofthecompaniescomposingthePhiladelphiaregiment,beingmet,chosemefortheircolonel;but,conceivingmyselfunfit,Ideclin’dthatstation,andrecommendedMr。Lawrence,afineperson,andmanofinfluence,whowasaccordinglyappointed。
Ithenpropos’dalotterytodefraytheexpenseofbuildingabatterybelowthetown,andfurnishingitwithcannon。
Itfilledexpeditiously,andthebatterywassoonerected,themerlonsbeingfram’doflogsandfill’dwithearth。WeboughtsomeoldcannonfromBoston,but,thesenotbeingsufficient,wewrotetoEnglandformore,soliciting,atthesametime,ourproprietariesforsomeassistance,tho’withoutmuchexpectationofobtainingit。
Meanwhile,ColonelLawrence,WilliamAllen,AbramTaylor,Esqr。,andmyselfweresenttoNewYorkbytheassociators,commission’dtoborrowsomecannonofGovernorClinton。Heatfirstrefus’dusperemptorily;butatdinnerwithhiscouncil,wheretherewasgreatdrinkingofMadeirawine,asthecustomofthatplacethenwas,hesoftenedbydegrees,andsaidhewouldlendussix。
Afterafewmorebumpersheadvanc’dtoten;andatlengthheverygood—naturedlyconcededeighteen。Theywerefinecannon,eighteen—pounders,withtheircarriages,whichwesoontransportedandmountedonourbattery,wheretheassociatorskeptanightlyguardwhilethewarlasted,andamongtherestIregularlytookmyturnofdutythereasacommonsoldier。
Myactivityintheseoperationswasagreeabletothegovernorandcouncil;
theytookmeintoconfidence,andIwasconsultedbythemineverymeasurewhereintheirconcurrencewasthoughtusefultotheassociation。
Callingintheaidofreligion,Ipropos’dtothemtheproclaimingafast,topromotereformation,andimploretheblessingofHeavenonourundertaking。Theyembrac’dthemotion;but,asitwasthefirstfasteverthoughtofintheprovince,thesecretaryhadnoprecedentfromwhichtodrawtheproclamation。MyeducationinNewEngland,whereafastisproclaimedeveryyear,washereofsomeadvantage:
Idrewitintheaccustomedstile,itwastranslatedintoGerman,printedinbothlanguages,anddivulg’dthro’theprovince。Thisgavetheclergyofthedifferentsectsanopportunityofinfluencingtheircongregationstojoinintheassociation,anditwouldprobablyhavebeengeneralamongallbutQuakersifthepeacehadnotsooninterven’d。
Itwasthoughtbysomeofmyfriendsthat,bymyactivityintheseaffairs,Ishouldoffendthatsect,andtherebylosemyinterestintheAssemblyoftheprovince,wheretheyformedagreatmajority。
AyounggentlemanwhohadlikewisesomefriendsintheHouse,andwishedtosucceedmeastheirclerk,acquaintedmethatitwasdecidedtodisplacemeatthenextelection;andhe,therefore,ingoodwill,advis’dmetoresign,asmoreconsistentwithmyhonourthanbeingturn’dout。Myanswertohimwas,thatIhadreadorheardofsomepublicmanwhomadeitarulenevertoaskforanoffice,andnevertorefuseonewhenoffer’dtohim。"Iapprove,"
saysI,"ofhisrule,andwillpracticeitwithasmalladdition;
Ishallneverask,neverrefuse,noreverresignanoffice。
Iftheywillhavemyofficeofclerktodisposeoftoanother,theyshalltakeitfromme。Iwillnot,bygivingitup,losemyrightofsometimeorothermakingreprisalsonmyadversaries。"
Iheard,however,nomoreofthis;Iwaschosenagainunanimouslyasusualatthenextelection。Possibly,astheydislik’dmylateintimacywiththemembersofcouncil,whohadjoin’dthegovernorsinallthedisputesaboutmilitarypreparations,withwhichtheHousehadlongbeenharass’d,theymighthavebeenpleas’difIwouldvoluntarilyhaveleftthem;buttheydidnotcaretodisplacemeonaccountmerelyofmyzealfortheassociation,andtheycouldnotwellgiveanotherreason。
IndeedIhadsomecausetobelievethatthedefenseofthecountrywasnotdisagreeabletoanyofthem,providedtheywerenotrequir’dtoassistinit。AndIfoundthatamuchgreaternumberofthemthanIcouldhaveimagined,tho’againstoffensivewar,wereclearlyforthedefensive。Manypamphletsproandconwerepublish’donthesubject,andsomebygoodQuakers,infavourofdefense,whichIbelieveconvinc’dmostoftheiryoungerpeople。
Atransactioninourfirecompanygavemesomeinsightintotheirprevailingsentiments。Ithadbeenpropos’dthatweshouldencouragetheschemeforbuildingabatterybylayingoutthepresentstock,thenaboutsixtypounds,inticketsofthelottery。Byourrules,nomoneycouldbedispos’doftillthenextmeetingaftertheproposal。
Thecompanyconsistedofthirtymembers,ofwhichtwenty—twowereQuakers,andeightonlyofotherpersuasions。Weeightpunctuallyattendedthemeeting;but,tho’wethoughtthatsomeoftheQuakerswouldjoinus,wewerebynomeanssureofamajority。
OnlyoneQuaker,Mr。JamesMorris,appear’dtoopposethemeasure。
Heexpressedmuchsorrowthatithadeverbeenpropos’d,ashesaidFriendswereallagainstit,anditwouldcreatesuchdiscordasmightbreakupthecompany。Wetoldhimthatwesawnoreasonforthat;
weweretheminority,andifFriendswereagainstthemeasure,andoutvotedus,wemustandshould,agreeablytotheusageofallsocieties,submit。Whenthehourforbusinessarriv’ditwasmov’dtoputthevote;heallow’dwemightthendoitbytherules,but,ashecouldassureusthatanumberofmembersintendedtobepresentforthepurposeofopposingit,itwouldbebutcandidtoallowalittletimefortheirappearing。
Whileweweredisputingthis,awaitercametotellmetwogentlemenbelowdesir’dtospeakwithme。Iwentdown,andfoundtheyweretwoofourQuakermembers。Theytoldmetherewereeightofthemassembledatatavernjustby;thattheyweredetermin’dtocomeandvotewithusifthereshouldbeoccasion,whichtheyhop’dwouldnotbethecase,anddesir’dwewouldnotcallfortheirassistanceifwecoulddowithoutit,astheirvotingforsuchameasuremightembroilthemwiththeireldersandfriends。Beingthussecureofamajority,Iwentup,andafteralittleseeminghesitation,agreedtoadelayofanotherhour。ThisMr。Morrisallow’dtobeextreamlyfair。
Notoneofhisopposingfriendsappear’d,atwhichheexpress’dgreatsurprize;and,attheexpirationofthehour,wecarry’dtheresolutioneighttoone;andas,ofthetwenty—twoQuakers,eightwerereadytovotewithus,andthirteen,bytheirabsence,manifestedthattheywerenotinclin’dtoopposethemeasure,IafterwardestimatedtheproportionofQuakerssincerelyagainstdefenseasonetotwenty—oneonly;forthesewereallregularmembersofthatsociety,andingoodreputationamongthem,andhadduenoticeofwhatwaspropos’datthatmeeting。
ThehonorableandlearnedMr。Logan,whohadalwaysbeenofthatsect,wasonewhowroteanaddresstothem,declaringhisapprobationofdefensivewar,andsupportinghisopinionbymanystrongarguments。
Heputintomyhandssixtypoundstobelaidoutinlotteryticketsforthebattery,withdirectionstoapplywhatprizesmightbedrawnwhollytothatservice。Hetoldmethefollowinganecdoteofhisoldmaster,WilliamPenn,respectingdefense。HecameoverfromEngland,whenayoungman,withthatproprietary,andashissecretary。
Itwaswar—time,andtheirshipwaschas’dbyanarmedvessel,suppos’dtobeanenemy。Theircaptainprepar’dfordefense;
buttoldWilliamPennandhiscompanyofQuakers,thathedidnotexpecttheirassistance,andtheymightretireintothecabin,whichtheydid,exceptJamesLogan,whochosetostayupondeck,andwasquarter’dtoagun。Thesuppos’denemyprov’dafriend,sotherewasnofighting;butwhenthesecretarywentdowntocommunicatetheintelligence,WilliamPennrebuk’dhimseverelyforstayingupondeck,andundertakingtoassistindefendingthevessel,contrarytotheprinciplesofFriends,especiallyasithadnotbeenrequiredbythecaptain。Thisreproof,beingbeforeallthecompany,piqu’dthesecretary,whoanswer’d,"Ibeingthyservant,whydidtheenotordermetocomedown?ButtheewaswillingenoughthatI
shouldstayandhelptofighttheshipwhentheethoughttherewasdanger。"
MybeingmanyyearsintheAssembly,themajorityofwhichwereconstantlyQuakers,gavemefrequentopportunitiesofseeingtheembarrassmentgiventhembytheirprincipleagainstwar,wheneverapplicationwasmadetothem,byorderofthecrown,tograntaidsformilitarypurposes。Theywereunwillingtooffendgovernment,ontheonehand,byadirectrefusal;andtheirfriends,thebodyoftheQuakers,ontheother,byacompliancecontrarytotheirprinciples;henceavarietyofevasionstoavoidcomplying,andmodesofdisguisingthecompliancewhenitbecameunavoidable。
Thecommonmodeatlastwas,tograntmoneyunderthephraseofitsbeing"fortheking’suse,"andnevertoinquirehowitwasapplied。
But,ifthedemandwasnotdirectlyfromthecrown,thatphrasewasfoundnotsoproper,andsomeotherwastobeinvented。As,whenpowderwaswanting(IthinkitwasforthegarrisonatLouisburg),andthegovernmentofNewEnglandsolicitedagrantofsomefromPennsilvania,whichwasmuchurg’dontheHousebyGovernorThomas,theycouldnotgrantmoneytobuypowder,becausethatwasaningredientofwar;
buttheyvotedanaidtoNewEnglandofthreethousandpounds,toheputintothehandsofthegovernor,andappropriateditforthepurchasingofbread,flour,wheat,orothergrain。Someofthecouncil,desirousofgivingtheHousestillfurtherembarrassment,advis’dthegovernornottoacceptprovision,asnotbeingthethinghehaddemanded;butbereply’d,"Ishalltakethemoney,forI
understandverywelltheirmeaning;othergrainisgunpowder,"
whichheaccordinglybought,andtheyneverobjectedtoit。
Seethevotes。——[Marg。note。]
Itwasinallusiontothisfactthat,wheninourfirecompanywefearedthesuccessofourproposalinfavourofthelottery,andI
hadsaidtomyfriendMr。Syng,oneofourmembers,"Ifwefail,letusmovethepurchaseofafire—enginewiththemoney;theQuakerscanhavenoobjectiontothat;andthen,ifyounominatemeandI
youasacommitteeforthatpurpose,wewillbuyagreatgun,whichiscertainlyafire—engine。""Isee,"sayshe,"youhaveimprov’dbybeingsolongintheAssembly;yourequivocalprojectwouldbejustamatchfortheirwheatorothergrain。"
TheseembarrassmentsthattheQuakerssuffer’dfromhavingestablish’dandpublisheditasoneoftheirprinciplesthatnokindofwarwaslawful,andwhich,beingoncepublished,theycouldnotafterwards,howevertheymightchangetheirminds,easilygetridof,remindsmeofwhatIthinkamoreprudentconductinanothersectamongus,thatoftheDunkers。Iwasacquaintedwithoneofitsfounders,MichaelWelfare,soonafteritappear’d。Hecomplain’dtomethattheyweregrievouslycalumniatedbythezealotsofotherpersuasions,andcharg’dwithabominableprinciplesandpractices,towhichtheywereutterstrangers。
Itoldhimthishadalwaysbeenthecasewithnewsects,andthat,toputastoptosuchabuse,Iimagin’ditmightbewelltopublishthearticlesoftheirbelief,andtherulesoftheirdiscipline。
Hesaidthatithadbeenpropos’damongthem,butnotagreedto,forthisreason:"Whenwewerefirstdrawntogetherasasociety,"
sayshe,"ithadpleasedGodtoenlightenourmindssofarastoseethatsomedoctrines,whichweonceesteemedtruths,wereerrors;
andthatothers,whichwehadesteemederrors,wererealtruths。
FromtimetotimeHehasbeenpleasedtoaffordusfartherlight,andourprincipleshavebeenimproving,andourerrorsdiminishing。
Nowwearenotsurethatwearearrivedattheendofthisprogression,andattheperfectionofspiritualortheologicalknowledge;
andwefearthat,ifweshouldonceprintourconfessionoffaith,weshouldfeelourselvesasifboundandconfin’dbyit,andperhapsbeunwillingtoreceivefartherimprovement,andoursuccessorsstillmoreso,asconceivingwhatwetheireldersandfoundershaddone,tobesomethingsacred,nevertobedepartedfrom。"
Thismodestyinasectisperhapsasingularinstanceinthehistoryofmankind,everyothersectsupposingitselfinpossessionofalltruth,andthatthosewhodifferaresofarinthewrong;
likeamantravelinginfoggyweather,thoseatsomedistancebeforehimontheroadheseeswrappedupinthefog,aswellasthosebehindhim,andalsothepeopleinthefieldsoneachside,butnearhimallappearsclear,tho’intruthheisasmuchinthefogasanyofthem。Toavoidthiskindofembarrassment,theQuakershaveoflateyearsbeengraduallydecliningthepublicserviceintheAssemblyandinthemagistracy,choosingrathertoquittheirpowerthantheirprinciple。
Inorderoftime,Ishouldhavementionedbefore,thathaving,in1742,inventedanopenstoveforthebetterwarmingofrooms,andatthesametimesavingfuel,asthefreshairadmittedwaswarmedinentering,ImadeapresentofthemodeltoMr。RobertGrace,oneofmyearlyfriends,who,havinganiron—furnace,foundthecastingoftheplatesforthesestovesaprofitablething,astheyweregrowingindemand。
Topromotethatdemand,Iwroteandpublishedapamphlet,entitled"AnAccountofthenew—inventedPennsylvaniaFireplaces;whereintheirConstructionandMannerofOperationisparticularlyexplained;
theirAdvantagesaboveeveryotherMethodofwarmingRoomsdemonstrated;
andallObjectionsthathavebeenraisedagainsttheUseofthemansweredandobviated,"etc。Thispamphlethadagoodeffect。
Gov’r。Thomaswassopleas’dwiththeconstructionofthisstove,asdescribedinit,thatheofferedtogivemeapatentforthesolevendingofthemforatermofyears;butIdeclin’ditfromaprinciplewhichhaseverweighedwithmeonsuchoccasions,viz。,That,asweenjoygreatadvantagesfromtheinventionsofothers,weshouldbegladofanopportunitytoserveothersbyanyinventionofours;
andthisweshoulddofreelyandgenerously。
AnironmongerinLondonhowever,assumingagooddealofmypamphlet,andworkingitupintohisown,andmakingsomesmallchangesinthemachine,whichratherhurtitsoperation,gotapatentforitthere,andmade,asIwastold,alittlefortunebyit。
Andthisisnottheonlyinstanceofpatentstakenoutformyinventionsbyothers,tho’notalwayswiththesamesuccess,whichI
nevercontested,ashavingnodesireofprofitingbypatentsmyself,andhatingdisputes。Theuseofthesefireplacesinverymanyhouses,bothofthisandtheneighbouringcolonies,hasbeen,andis,agreatsavingofwoodtotheinhabitants。
Peacebeingconcluded,andtheassociationbusinessthereforeatanend,Iturn’dmythoughtsagaintotheaffairofestablishinganacademy。ThefirststepItookwastoassociateinthedesignanumberofactivefriends,ofwhomtheJuntofurnishedagoodpart;
thenextwastowriteandpublishapamphlet,entitledProposalsRelatingtotheEducationofYouthinPennsylvania。ThisI
distributedamongtheprincipalinhabitantsgratis;andassoonasIcouldsupposetheirmindsalittlepreparedbytheperusalofit,Isetonfootasubscriptionforopeningandsupportinganacademy;itwastobepaidinquotasyearlyforfiveyears;
bysodividingit,Ijudg’dthesubscriptionmightbelarger,andIbelieveitwasso,amountingtonoless,ifIrememberright,thanfivethousandpounds。
Intheintroductiontotheseproposals,Istatedtheirpublication,notasanactofmine,butofsomepublick—spiritedgentlemen,avoidingasmuchasIcould,accordingtomyusualrule,thepresentingmyselftothepublickastheauthorofanyschemefortheirbenefit。
Thesubscribers,tocarrytheprojectintoimmediateexecution,choseoutoftheirnumbertwenty—fourtrustees,andappointedMr。Francis,thenattorney—general,andmyselftodrawupconstitutionsforthegovernmentoftheacademy;whichbeingdoneandsigned,ahousewashired,mastersengag’d,andtheschoolsopened,Ithink,inthesameyear,1749。
Thescholarsincreasingfast,thehousewassoonfoundtoosmall,andwewerelookingoutforapieceofground,properlysituated,withintentiontobuild,whenProvidencethrewintoourwayalargehousereadybuilt,which,withafewalterations,mightwellserveourpurpose。Thiswasthebuildingbeforementioned,erectedbythehearersofMr。Whitefield,andwasobtainedforusinthefollowingmanner。
Itistobenotedthatthecontributionstothisbuildingbeingmadebypeopleofdifferentsects,carewastakeninthenominationoftrustees,inwhomthebuildingandgroundwastobevested,thatapredominancyshouldnotbegiventoanysect,lestintimethatpredominancymightbeameansofappropriatingthewholetotheuseofsuchsect,contrarytotheoriginalintention。Itwasthereforethatoneofeachsectwasappointed,viz。,oneChurch—of—Englandman,onePresbyterian,oneBaptist,oneMoravian,etc。,those,incaseofvacancybydeath,weretofillitbyelectionfromamongthecontributors。TheMoravianhappen’dnottopleasehiscolleagues,andonhisdeaththeyresolvedtohavenootherofthatsect。
Thedifficultythenwas,howtoavoidhavingtwoofsomeothersect,bymeansofthenewchoice。
Severalpersonswerenamed,andforthatreasonnotagreedto。
Atlengthonemention’dme,withtheobservationthatIwasmerelyanhonestman,andofnosectatall,whichprevail’dwiththemtochuseme。Theenthusiasmwhichexistedwhenthehousewasbuilthadlongsinceabated,anditstrusteeshadnotbeenabletoprocurefreshcontributionsforpayingtheground—rent,anddischargingsomeotherdebtsthebuildinghadoccasion’d,whichembarrass’dthemgreatly。Beingnowamemberofbothsettsoftrustees,thatforthebuildingandthatfortheAcademy,Ihadagoodopportunityofnegotiatingwithboth,andbroughtthemfinallytoanagreement,bywhichthetrusteesforthebuildingweretocedeittothoseoftheacademy,thelatterundertakingtodischargethedebt,tokeepforeveropeninthebuildingalargehallforoccasionalpreachers,accordingtotheoriginalintention,andmaintainafree—schoolfortheinstructionofpoorchildren。
Writingswereaccordinglydrawn,andonpayingthedebtsthetrusteesoftheacademywereputinpossessionofthepremises;
andbydividingthegreatandloftyhallintostories,anddifferentroomsaboveandbelowfortheseveralschools,andpurchasingsomeadditionalground,thewholewassoonmadefitforourpurpose,andthescholarsremov’dintothebuilding。Thecareandtroubleofagreeingwiththeworkmen,purchasingmaterials,andsuperintendingthework,felluponme;andIwentthro’itthemorecheerfully,asitdidnottheninterferewithmyprivatebusiness,havingtheyearbeforetakenaveryable,industrious,andhonestpartner,Mr。DavidHall,withwhosecharacterIwaswellacquainted,ashehadwork’dformefouryears。Hetookoffmyhandsallcareoftheprinting—office,payingmepunctuallymyshareoftheprofits。
Thispartnershipcontinuedeighteenyears,successfullyforusboth。
Thetrusteesoftheacademy,afterawhile,wereincorporatedbyacharterfromthegovernor;theirfundswereincreas’dbycontributionsinBritainandgrantsoflandfromtheproprietaries,towhichtheAssemblyhassincemadeconsiderableaddition;
andthuswasestablishedthepresentUniversityofPhiladelphia。
Ihavebeencontinuedoneofitstrusteesfromthebeginning,nownearfortyyears,andhavehadtheverygreatpleasureofseeinganumberoftheyouthwhohavereceiv’dtheireducationinit,distinguish’dbytheirimprov’dabilities,serviceableinpublicstationsandornamentstotheircountry。
WhenIdisengagedmyself,asabovementioned,fromprivatebusiness,Iflatter’dmyselfthat,bythesufficienttho’moderatefortuneIhadacquir’d,Ihadsecuredleisureduringtherestofmylifeforphilosophicalstudiesandamusements。IpurchasedallDr。Spence’sapparatus,whohadcomefromEnglandtolecturehere,andIproceededinmyelectricalexperimentswithgreatalacrity;
butthepublick,nowconsideringmeasamanofleisure,laidholdofmefortheirpurposes,everypartofourcivilgovernment,andalmostatthesametime,imposingsomedutyuponme。
Thegovernorputmeintothecommissionofthepeace;thecorporationofthecitychosemeofthecommoncouncil,andsoonafteranalderman;
andthecitizensatlargechosemeaburgesstorepresenttheminAssembly。Thislatterstationwasthemoreagreeabletome,asIwasatlengthtiredwithsittingtheretoheardebates,inwhich,asclerk,Icouldtakenopart,andwhichwereoftensounentertainingthatIwasinduc’dtoamusemyselfwithmakingmagicsquaresorcircles,oranythingtoavoidweariness;andI
conceiv’dmybecomingamemberwouldenlargemypowerofdoinggood。
Iwouldnot,however,insinuatethatmyambitionwasnotflatter’dbyallthesepromotions;itcertainlywas;for,consideringmylowbeginning,theyweregreatthingstome;andtheywerestillmorepleasing,asbeingsomanyspontaneoustestimoniesofthepublicgoodopinion,andbymeentirelyunsolicited。
TheofficeofjusticeofthepeaceItry’dalittle,byattendingafewcourts,andsittingonthebenchtohearcauses;butfindingthatmoreknowledgeofthecommonlawthanIpossess’dwasnecessarytoactinthatstationwithcredit,Igraduallywithdrewfromit,excusingmyselfbymybeingoblig’dtoattendthehigherdutiesofalegislatorintheAssembly。Myelectiontothistrustwasrepeatedeveryyearfortenyears,withoutmyeveraskinganyelectorforhisvote,orsignifying,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,anydesireofbeingchosen。OntakingmyseatintheHouse,mysonwasappointedtheirclerk。
Theyearfollowing,atreatybeingtobeheldwiththeIndiansatCarlisle,thegovernorsentamessagetotheHouse,proposingthattheyshouldnominatesomeoftheirmembers,tobejoin’dwithsomemembersofcouncil,ascommissionersforthatpurpose。TheHousenamedthespeaker(Mr。Norris)andmyself;and,beingcommission’d,wewenttoCarlisle,andmettheIndiansaccordingly。
Seethevotestohavethismorecorrectly。
——[Marg。note。]
Asthosepeopleareextreamlyapttogetdrunk,and,whenso,areveryquarrelsomeanddisorderly,westrictlyforbadthesellinganyliquortothem;andwhentheycomplain’dofthisrestriction,wetoldthemthatiftheywouldcontinuesoberduringthetreaty,wewouldgivethemplentyofrumwhenbusinesswasover。
Theypromis’dthis,andtheykepttheirpromise,becausetheycouldgetnoliquor,andthetreatywasconductedveryorderly,andconcludedtomutualsatisfaction。Theythenclaim’dandreceiv’dtherum;thiswasintheafternoon;theywerenearonehundredmen,women,andchildren,andwerelodg’dintemporarycabins,builtintheformofasquare,justwithoutthetown。Intheevening,hearingagreatnoiseamongthem,thecommissionerswalk’douttoseewhatwasthematter。
Wefoundtheyhadmadeagreatbonfireinthemiddleofthesquare;
theywerealldrunk,menandwomen,quarrelingandfighting。
Theirdark—colour’dbodies,halfnaked,seenonlybythegloomylightofthebonfire,runningafterandbeatingoneanotherwithfirebrands,accompaniedbytheirhorridyellings,form’dascenethemostresemblingourideasofhellthatcouldwellbeimagin’d;therewasnoappeasingthetumult,andweretiredtoourlodging。Atmidnightanumberofthemcamethunderingatourdoor,demandingmorerum,ofwhichwetooknonotice。
Thenextday,sensibletheyhadmisbehav’dingivingusthatdisturbance,theysentthreeoftheiroldcounselorstomaketheirapology。
Theoratoracknowledg’dthefault,butlaiditupontherum;
andthenendeavoredtoexcusetherumbysaying,"TheGreatSpirit,whomadeallthings,madeeverythingforsomeuse,andwhateverusehedesign’danythingfor,thatuseitshouldalwaysbeputto。
Now,whenhemaderum,hesaid’LetthisbefortheIndianstogetdrunkwith,’anditmustbeso。"And,indeed,ifitbethedesignofProvidencetoextirpatethesesavagesinordertomakeroomforcultivatorsoftheearth,itseemsnotimprobablethatrummaybetheappointedmeans。Ithasalreadyannihilatedallthetribeswhoformerlyinhabitedthesea—coast。
In1751,Dr。ThomasBond,aparticularfriendofmine,conceivedtheideaofestablishingahospitalinPhiladelphia(averybeneficentdesign,whichhasbeenascrib’dtome,butwasoriginallyhis),forthereceptionandcureofpoorsickpersons,whetherinhabitantsoftheprovinceorstrangers。Hewaszealousandactiveinendeavouringtoprocuresubscriptionsforit,buttheproposalbeinganoveltyinAmerica,andatfirstnotwellunderstood,hemetwithbutsmallsuccess。
Atlengthhecametomewiththecomplimentthathefoundtherewasnosuchthingascarryingapublic—spiritedprojectthroughwithoutmybeingconcern’dinit。"For,"sayshe,"Iamoftenask’dbythosetowhomIproposesubscribing,HaveyouconsultedFranklinuponthisbusiness?Andwhatdoeshethinkofit?
AndwhenItellthemthatIhavenot(supposingitratheroutofyourline),theydonotsubscribe,butsaytheywillconsiderofit。"
Ienquiredintothenatureandprobableutilityofhisscheme,andreceivingfromhimaverysatisfactoryexplanation,Inotonlysubscrib’dtoitmyself,butengag’dheartilyinthedesignofprocuringsubscriptionsfromothers。Previously,however,tothesolicitation,Iendeavouredtopreparethemindsofthepeoplebywritingonthesubjectinthenewspapers,whichwasmyusualcustominsuchcases,butwhichhehadomitted。
Thesubscriptionsafterwardsweremorefreeandgenerous;
but,beginningtoflag,IsawtheywouldbeinsufficientwithoutsomeassistancefromtheAssembly,andthereforepropos’dtopetitionforit,whichwasdone。Thecountrymembersdidnotatfirstrelishtheproject;theyobjectedthatitcouldonlybeserviceabletothecity,andthereforethecitizensaloneshouldbeattheexpenseofit;andtheydoubtedwhetherthecitizensthemselvesgenerallyapprov’dofit。Myallegationonthecontrary,thatitmetwithsuchapprobationastoleavenodoubtofourbeingabletoraisetwothousandpoundsbyvoluntarydonations,theyconsideredasamostextravagantsupposition,andutterlyimpossible。
OnthisIform’dmyplan;andaskingleavetobringinabillforincorporatingthecontributorsaccordingtotheprayeroftheirpetition,andgrantingthemablanksumofmoney,whichleavewasobtainedchieflyontheconsiderationthattheHousecouldthrowthebilloutiftheydidnotlikeit,Idrewitsoastomaketheimportantclauseaconditionalone,viz。,"Andbeitenacted,bytheauthorityaforesaid,thatwhenthesaidcontributorsshallhavemetandchosentheirmanagersandtreasurer,andshallhaveraisedbytheircontributionsacapitalstockof—————value(theyearlyinterestofwhichistobeappliedtotheaccommodatingofthesickpoorinthesaidhospital,freeofchargefordiet,attendance,advice,andmedicines),andshallmakethesameappeartothesatisfactionofthespeakeroftheAssemblyforthetimebeing,thatthenitshallandmaybelawfulforthesaidspeaker,andbeisherebyrequired,tosignanorderontheprovincialtreasurerforthepaymentoftwothousandpounds,intwoyearlypayments,tothetreasurerofthesaidhospital,tobeappliedtothefounding,building,andfinishingofthesame。"
Thisconditioncarriedthebillthrough;forthemembers,whohadoppos’dthegrant,andnowconceiv’dtheymighthavethecreditofbeingcharitablewithouttheexpence,agreedtoitspassage;
andthen,insolicitingsubscriptionsamongthepeople,weurg’dtheconditionalpromiseofthelawasanadditionalmotivetogive,sinceeveryman’sdonationwouldbedoubled;thustheclausework’dbothways。Thesubscriptionsaccordinglysoonexceededtherequisitesum,andweclaim’dandreceiv’dthepublicgift,whichenabledustocarrythedesignintoexecution。Aconvenientandhandsomebuildingwassoonerected;theinstitutionhasbyconstantexperiencebeenfounduseful,andflourishestothisday;andIdonotrememberanyofmypoliticalmanoeuvres,thesuccessofwhichgavemeatthetimemorepleasure,orwherein,afterthinkingofit,Imoreeasilyexcus’dmyselfforhavingmadesomeuseofcunning。
Itwasaboutthistimethatanotherprojector,theRev。GilbertTennent,cametomewitharequestthatIwouldassisthiminprocuringasubscriptionforerectinganewmeeting—house。ItwastohefortheuseofacongregationhehadgatheredamongthePresbyterians,whowereoriginallydisciplesofMr。Whitefield。Unwillingtomakemyselfdisagreeabletomyfellow—citizensbytoofrequentlysolicitingtheircontributions,Iabsolutelyrefus’d。HethendesiredIwouldfurnishhimwithalistofthenamesofpersonsI
knewbyexperiencetobegenerousandpublic—spirited。Ithoughtitwouldbeunbecominginme,aftertheirkindcompliancewithmysolicitations,tomarkthemouttobeworriedbyotherbeggars,andthereforerefus’dalsotogivesuchalist。Hethendesir’dI
wouldatleastgivehimmyadvice。"ThatIwillreadilydo,"saidI;
"and,inthefirstplace,Iadviseyoutoapplytoallthosewhomyouknowwillgivesomething;next,tothosewhomyouareuncertainwhethertheywillgiveanythingornot,andshowthemthelistofthosewhohavegiven;and,lastly,donotneglectthosewhoyouaresurewillgivenothing,forinsomeofthemyoumaybemistaken。"
Helaugh’dandthank’dme,andsaidhewouldtakemyadvice。
Hedidso,forheask’dofeverybody,andheobtainedamuchlargersumthanheexpected,withwhichheerectedthecapaciousandveryelegantmeeting—housethatstandsinArch—street。
Ourcity,tho’laidoutwithabeautifulregularity,thestreetslarge,strait,andcrossingeachotheratrightangles,hadthedisgraceofsufferingthosestreetstoremainlongunpav’d,andinwetweatherthewheelsofheavycarriagesplough’dthemintoaquagmire,sothatitwasdifficulttocrossthem;andindryweatherthedustwasoffensive。Ihadliv’dnearwhatwascall’dtheJerseyMarket,andsawwithpaintheinhabitantswadinginmudwhilepurchasingtheirprovisions。Astripofgrounddownthemiddleofthatmarketwasatlengthpav’dwithbrick,sothat,beingonceinthemarket,theyhadfirmfooting,butwereoftenovershoesindirttogetthere。Bytalkingandwritingonthesubject,Iwasatlengthinstrumentalingettingthestreetpav’dwithstonebetweenthemarketandthebrick’dfoot—pavement,thatwasoneachsidenextthehouses。This,forsometime,gaveaneasyaccesstothemarketdry—shod;but,therestofthestreetnotbeingpav’d,wheneveracarriagecameoutofthemuduponthispavement,itshookoffandleftitsdirtuponit,anditwassooncover’dwithmire,whichwasnotremov’d,thecityasyethavingnoscavengers。
AftersomeinquiryIfoundapoorindustriousman,whowaswillingtoundertakekeepingthepavementclean,bysweepingittwiceaweek,carryingoffthedirtfrombeforealltheneighbours’
doors,forthesumofsixpencepermonth,tobepaidbyeachhouse。
Ithenwroteandprintedapapersettingforththeadvantagestotheneighbourhoodthatmightbeobtain’dbythissmallexpense;
thegreatereaseinkeepingourhousesclean,somuchdirtnotbeingbroughtinbypeople’sfeet;thebenefittotheshopsbymorecustom,etc。,etc。,asbuyerscouldmoreeasilygetatthem;andbynothaving,inwindyweather,thedustblowninupontheirgoods,etc。,etc。
Isentoneofthesepaperstoeachhouse,andinadayortwowentroundtoseewhowouldsubscribeanagreementtopaythesesixpences;
itwasunanimouslysign’d,andforatimewellexecuted。
Alltheinhabitantsofthecityweredelightedwiththecleanlinessofthepavementthatsurroundedthemarket,itbeingaconveniencetoall,andthisrais’dageneraldesiretohaveallthestreetspaved,andmadethepeoplemorewillingtosubmittoataxforthatpurpose。
AftersometimeIdrewabillforpavingthecity,andbroughtitintotheAssembly。ItwasjustbeforeIwenttoEngland,in1757,anddidnotpasstillIwasgone。andthenwithanalterationinthemodeofassessment,whichIthoughtnotforthebetter,butwithanadditionalprovisionforlightingaswellaspavingthestreets,whichwasagreatimprovement。Itwasbyaprivateperson,thelateMr。JohnClifton,hisgivingasampleoftheutilityoflamps,byplacingoneathisdoor,thatthepeoplewerefirstimpress’dwiththeideaofenlightingallthecity。Thehonourofthispublicbenefithasalsobeenascrib’dtomebutitbelongstrulytothatgentleman。Ididbutfollowhisexample,andhaveonlysomemerittoclaimrespectingtheformofourlamps,asdifferingfromtheglobelampswewereatfirstsupply’dwithfromLondon。
Thosewefoundinconvenientintheserespects:theyadmittednoairbelow;thesmoke,therefore,didnotreadilygooutabove,butcirculatedintheglobe,lodg’donitsinside,andsoonobstructedthelighttheywereintendedtoafford;giving,besides,thedailytroubleofwipingthemclean;andanaccidentalstrokeononeofthemwoulddemolishit,andrenderittotallyuseless。
Ithereforesuggestedthecomposingthemoffourflatpanes,withalongfunnelabovetodrawupthesmoke,andcrevicesadmittingairbelow,tofacilitatetheascentofthesmoke;bythismeanstheywerekeptclean,anddidnotgrowdarkinafewhours,astheLondonlampsdo,butcontinu’dbrighttillmorning,andanaccidentalstrokewouldgenerallybreakbutasinglepane,easilyrepair’d。
Seevotes。
Ihavesometimeswonder’dthattheLondonersdidnot,fromtheeffectholesinthebottomoftheglobelampsus’datVauxhallhaveinkeepingthemclean,learntohavesuchholesintheirstreetlamps。But,theseholesbeingmadeforanotherpurpose,viz。,tocommunicateflamemoresuddenlytothewickbyalittleflaxhangingdownthro’them,theotheruse,oflettinginair,seemsnottohavebeenthoughtof;andtherefore,afterthelampshavebeenlitafewhours,thestreetsofLondonareverypoorlyilluminated。
ThementionoftheseimprovementsputsmeinmindofoneIpropos’d,wheninLondon,toDr。Fothergill,whowasamongthebestmenIhaveknown,andagreatpromoterofusefulprojects。Ihadobserv’dthatthestreets,whendry,wereneverswept,andthelightdustcarriedaway;
butitwassuffer’dtoaccumulatetillwetweatherreduc’dittomud,andthen,afterlyingsomedayssodeeponthepavementthattherewasnocrossingbutinpathskeptcleanbypoorpeoplewithbrooms,itwaswithgreatlabourrak’dtogetherandthrownupintocartsopenabove,thesidesofwhichsuffer’dsomeoftheslushateveryjoltonthepavementtoshakeoutandfall,sometimestotheannoyanceoffoot—passengers。Thereasongivenfornotsweepingthedustystreetswas,thatthedustwouldflyintothewindowsofshopsandhouses。