Massachusetts would eventually tend to invigorate and establish our Government, and that I conceived the State of Pennsylvania, divided and distracted as she then was in her councils (the large county of Luzerne on the eve of an insurrection), to be in as hazardous a situation as any on the Continent." This instantly brought on a warm fracas, indeed. The cudgels were taken up on both sides; the contest as fierce as if the fate of empires depended on the decision; the attention of the whole company engaged. My little companion was roused, fire sparkled in his eyes, and, like a faithful second, was determined to support me. Right or wrong, he would contradict every thing advanced by my antagonists. At length, victory declared in our favor. Armstrong began to make concessions; Franks, with more reluctance, at length gave up the ground. Both acknowledged the New England States were entitled to an equal share of merit with any in the Union, and declared they had no intention to reflect. We had the satisfaction to quit the field with an air of triumph, which my little companion enjoyed with high relish; nor could he forget it all the way to Philadelphia. But we parted with our antagonists on terms of perfect good humor and complaisance. My companion frequently mentioned, afterwards, the pleasure it gave him to see Armstrong and Franks so completely taken down, as he expressed it, which led me to conclude he was of the party opposed to them in political quarrels at Philadelphia.

Bristol is a considerable town. The houses are built rather in the Dutch style, though generally higher, and not so large on the ground. There is considerable commerce carried on here. Vessels may lie alongside the houses on the bank of the river. The tavern where we dined is a very large pile of buildings, with numerous apartments. It stands on the bank of the Delaware, and has a most delightful piazza on the side next the river, which extends the whole length of the house, and is entirely over the water, affording a most beautiful prospect up and down this majestic river. On the opposite shore (Jersey side) is Burlington, a large, well-built town; a handsome Meeting House, with a steeple; and considerable shipping, at the wharves. In Bristol the only building I observed for worship was a small low church.

From this place to Philadelphia the land is exceedingly rich and fertile, producing a great quantity of excellent fruit, Indian corn, and the finest wheat. In some places I saw fields of corn, the rows of which I judged to be a mile in length. The people do not hoe their corn at all, but plow it both ways. The farmers' houses are very neat, but not large, generally two-stories high, and sometimes three, universally painted. Some of them are built of logs, and these are also painted, and very handsome. Their gardens are well formed and abound. with flowers, as well as fruit trees and esculents. I saw but few laborers in their fields, for the wheat harvest was generally over. The numerous shocks of grain in the field demonstrated the richness of the soil. The face of the country is level, and the roads fine. At almost every house the farmers and their wives were sitting in their cool entries, or under the piazzas and shady trees about their doors. I observed the men generally wore fine Holland shirts, with the sleeves plaited, the women in clean, cool, white dresses, enjoying the ease and pleasures of domestic life, with few cares, less labor, and abounding in plenty.

Five miles from Bristol we crossed a large river, called Shaminy, on a floating bridge. Ten miles further, we passed through Frankfort, a Dutch village; the houses compact on each side of the street for about a mile, but no buildings of consequence. From this to Philadelphia is five miles. Passed over many fine stone bridges, supported by arches.

We arrived at Philadelphia half after six, and my companion conducted me to the Indian Queen, a livery tavern, kept by Thompson. Here we exchanged names, but I was so unfortunate, in less than ten minutes, to lose his name, and can not recollect it. He promised to call on me the next morning. Spent the evening with several members of Congress.

*Now called Neshanimy Creek.

CHAPTER VII.

AT NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA LETTERS TO HAZARD AND SARGENTDIARY OF 1787.

Friday, July 13. This tavern (Indian Queen) is situated in Third Street, between Market Street and Chestnut Street, and is not far from the center of the city. It is kept in an elegant style, and consists of a large pile of buildings, with many spacious halls, and numerous small apartments, appropriated for lodging rooms. As soon as I had inquired of the bar-keeper, when I arrived last evening, if I could be furnished with lodgings, a livery servant was ordered immediately to attend me, who received my baggage from the hostler, and conducted me to the apartment assigned by the bar-keeper, which was a rather small but a very handsome chamber (No. 9), furnished with a rich field bed, bureau, table with drawers, a large looking-glass, neat chairs, and other furniture. Its front was east, and, being in the third story, afforded a fine prospect. toward the river and the Jersey shore. The servant that attended me was a young, sprightly, well-built black fellow, neatly dressed-blue coat, sleeves and cape red, and buff waistcoat and breeches, the bosom of his shirt ruffled, and hair powdered. After he had brought up my baggage and properly deposited it in the chamber, he brought two of the latest London magazines and laid on the table. I ordered. him to call a barber, furnish me with a bowl of water for washing, and to have tea on the table by the time I was dressed. My intention was to have taken a walk, and delivered some of my letters in the evening, but so much time was occupied in shifting my clothes, getting from under the hands. of the barber, and taking tea, I found it too late, and besides felt myself not a little fatigued with my day's journey, which had been 43 miles since 10 in the morning. Distance from New York, 95 miles, and from home, 397.

Being told, while I was at tea, that a number of the Mem

*

bers of the Continental Convention, now convened in this city for the purpose of forming a Federal Constitution, lodged in this house, and that two of them were from Massachusetts, immediately after tea, I sent into their Hall (for they live by themselves) to Mr. Strong, and requested to speak with him. We had never been personally acquainted, nor had I any letter to him, but we had both of us an hearsay knowledge of each other, and Mr. Gerry had lately mentioned to Mr. Strong that he daily expected me, in consequence of a letter he had received from Governor Bowdoin. Mr. Strong very politely introduced me to Mr. Gorham, of Charlestown, Mass; Mr. Madison and Mr. Mason and his son, of Virginia; Governor Martin, Hon. Hugh Williamson, of North Carolina; the Hon. John Rutledge and Mr. Pinckney, of South Carolina; Mr. Hamilton, of New York, who were lodgers in the house, and to several other gentlemen who were spending the evening with them. I spent the evening with these gentlemen very agreeably. Mr. Strong and Mr. Gorham insisted on my sitting a while with them, after the other gentlemen retired, that they might inquire with more freedom and more minutely into state affairs in the Massachusetts. We sat until half after one. They both of them very politely offered to wait on me to any part of the city, and to introduce me to any gentleman of their acquaintance I should wish to see. But I assured them that my business with Congress required so speedy a return to New York that I should be able to spend very little time in Philadelphia, and that my introductory letters were so numerous that I doubted whether I should be able to deliver them all. Mr. Strong proposed going with me in the morning to Mr. Gerry's, as early as I pleased, and so wished them good-night.

I rose very early this morning, and the servant assigned me

*Hon. Caleb Strong, LL.D. Governor of Massachusetts. Born at Northampton, Mass., 1745; graduated at Harvard, 1764; studied law; a member of Massachusetts Legislature during the war. In 1787, aided in forming the Constitution of the United States. Eight years in the Senate of United States. Governor from 1800 to 1807, and 1812-15. He died 1817. A man of sound piety, exemplary habits, and firmness.-Dr. S. P. Hildreth.

came into the chamber before I was dressed, to know my commands. Mr. Strong was up as early as myself, and we took a walk to Mr. Gerry's,* in Spruce street, where we breakfasted. Few old bachelors, I believe, have been more fortunate in matrimony than Mr. Gerry. His lady is young, very handsome, and exceedingly amiable. She appears to be possessed of fine accomplishments. I should suppose her not more than 17, and believe he must be turned of 55. They have been married about eighteen months, and have a fine son about two months old, of which they appear both to be extravagantly fond. Mr. Gerry has hired a house, and lives in a family state. I was surprised to find how early ladies in Philadelphia can rise in the morning, and to see them at breakfast at half after five, when in Boston they can hardly see a breakfast table at nine without falling into hysterics. I observed to Mrs. Gerry that it seemed to be an early hour for ladies to breakfast. She said she always rose early, and found it conducive to her health. She was inured to it from her childhood in New York, and that it was the practice of the best families. in Philadelphia. Mr. Gerry had received a letter from Governor Bowdoin, requesting that he would wait on me to Dr. Franklin's in person, when I arrived in the city. Although I had several introductory letters to the Doctor, yet I wished for the company of some gentleman of my acquaintance when I paid my respects to that venerable sage. Mr. Gerry expressed a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in having the opportunity of introducing me to the Doctor, and sup

* Elbridge Gerry, born in Marblehead, Mass., July 17, 1744. Graduated at Harvard University, 1772. In the State Legislature in 1773; in the Provincial Congress, 1774; and from thence was sent to the Continental Congress. Signer of the Declaration of Independence. After the peace of 1783, served in the Congress of Confederation. Member of the Constitutional Convention. In 1797, envoy to France. Subsequently chosen Governor of Massachusetts; and afterward Vice-president of the United States, in which office he died at Washington City, November 23, 1814.—Am. Biog. (Samuel L. Knapp).

Mrs. Gerry was a daughter of James Thompson, and was as distinguished by her beauty and personal worth as by her family and social connections. She died in 1849.-The Republican Court.