Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-11-08


upon our shores, OF that wise and intrepid, and
Viriuous, LAwGIvER, 10 whom the settlement of
this State, a distinct Province, is owing. That
those years have been periods OF prbllc liberty,
domestic virtue, and general pros pcry, degree
eX,mpled in the history OF other communities, Is,
under Providence, mainly due 10 The principles OF
civil and religious freedom and strict morality,
upon whose broad and enduring basis the Common-
wealth was erected, and to the personal character
AMI example of the great FOUNDER and his assu-
elites. Few nations owe heavier debt OF graft
tlse to their prugenitorS, and there axe sui lever
to whom the contemplation of the character and
actions of their Ancestors affords satisfaction
free from alloy. The recoliec ions of those excel
lent who for conscience and freedoms sake,
and with the courage of fortitdde and endurance
far more rare and praseworthy tian the courage OF
action, laid the foundation OF this COmmonw ealth
IN the Wilderness, have usen nevertheless suffered
TO pass INFO comparative oblivion While the
Anniversary of the Birth Day OF independence
ioy iuly aud Justly celebrated by the people of
every village In the Slate, that OF the landing OF
Penn, epoch no less remarkable, and subject
oil hardly less ehcitous remembrance, was for near
~ century and half unnutced. AT length In
1921, our Termed and venerable fellow citizen, Mr..
DupOnceau, in DISCOURSE delivered before the
American Philosophical Society, proposed the
Annual Comnemoration of the day. The sugSes-
tiOn made deep Impression, but owing 10 crCum-
stances, not acted upon uuti 1921, when
few gentlemen assembled at the house, in LGtia
Court, once occupied by the Proprietary, now
respectable Inn, kept by MIR John Doyle. An
instructive and animal ed discourse then deliver
ed by Mr.. Dlponceau, and the company afterwards
dned together, having determined to form socie-
~ for TIE perpetual commemoration of the event
At a subsequent meeting, held at the same place in
February following, Constitution was reported
aud adopted providing the first article declares,
For the purpose OF wonhily commcalorating the
Penn, on the American Shore, on the 9th OF Dc
toter, 1862; and transmitting his and the me-
mory of bis virtues, with due honour, to the CRATE
iu remembrance of our posterity.' IL after
wal!s determined that the first public comnemora-
tioa, should be celebrated on the 2lth Of October,
1925, by public discourse and festival.
Accordingly, on Monday last, at noon, a dis
course uacommoaly able and eloquent, was read 10y
Charlie, Jared Ingerso, Esq. oil the Directors
OF the Society, AT the Uni ersity. The audience
numerous, and composed of most eminent
and enlightened citizens. a number OF ladies also
gratiied The Society with their presence. On the
platform, with the Orator, and the Committee of
Arrangement seated, The President of tie
Uni ed States, His Serene iii.hness the Duke Bar
nGrd OF Sake w elmar, Judge Washington, Of The
SIpsene Count OF the United States, and Judge
Peters, President ui the Society. On the entrance
OF the President, the whole Assembly rose and
greeted him with very distinct expression OF their
respect and regard The Orator, after paying
deserved tribute TO the illustrious Founder and MS
comuatriots, catered iato minute but very crafty
ing and satisfactory picture of the existing coadi-
ton and resources Of Pennsylvania, and especially
OF Philadelphia, the cheering results OF our happy
lis.itdtionS, Tor the main principles OF which we
arc indebted TO he iar-sghted sagaciiy, the regi-
Gus and political doctrines of William Penn.--
Many Passages Of this discourse, ere distinguish
ed for the felicity Of the conception and eNpre,son
aud few OF the assembly away from il without
feeling their love o! country strengthened and purf
ed by the recOectlons of the virtues and suferugs
of their ancestors and The contemplation of their
existing blessings and beueliIst
At o clock in the afternoon, the Society, with
several invited guests, sat down 10 an abundant and
well furnished dinner, prepared at the Masonic
Hall. There present the President OF the
United States, the Duke Bernard of SAKE Weimar
Edward Livingston, Esquire, Member of Congress, |
from Louisiana, Mr. Brent of Department of State,
Col. NJ Lane, and George Read, Esquire, from the
State of Delaware, and about seventy Members of
the Society, The venerable Judge Peters, who,
with the recollectons of the provincial and reyolu-
tionary history, possesses tie mental and physical
vIgor OF the meridian OF his life, presided assisted
by Peter Stephen Duponceau, Esquire and Joseph
w ,tson, Esq. Mayor OF the City, as Vice Presi-
dents. Alter he Dinner, tie following toass were
dr1nk:
I. Tie memory of our illustrious Founder and
Llwgiver William Penn
The company was then favoured by James N
Barker, ESQ. one OF the Members of the Society,
with the following Ode, written by himself for the
occasion:--
THE PILGRIMS OF PENNSYLVANIA. !
M James ": Bay&er, Esq
Twas beneath The broad Elm that once tower'd by !
yon food,
The erst met, their mild warfare 10 wage;
Where The conquest was gain'd without battle or
blood,
And Tie savage how'd down to the sage
The tim long past, and the cabin and cave
W'r-e oT .oreiithcrs d.9elt, are no more,
And r4eH- a. d palaces margin the wave,
That I'D bat the desert before
BIT ne'cr small their ,nem'r be lost in the land.
That tnertOls to their oIspr ne bequeath'd;
And of shall each name Of the pa,,iot band.
IL praise aud J." blessing be- breath'd
And 800 shall be sacred The spot where il stood
TIE Elm ia It's lime ionuur'd 4lc,
Where PENN won the land without battle or blood
Aud the savage bow down TO the sage
3 The President fihe United States.
Previous 10 announcing Isis to,si Judge Peters
remarked thar ne congratulated Ihe Society on the
iotandc event Of Their being honoured with The
Company of Tie Pres lent OF the U.iled States
8 III (sud he venerable Chairman an auspi-
ciO17 announcement Of the dule Of Our institution
Ihslate Province nov $ ate Of Pennsylvania
p" '' among me most Jealous OIL the Founders Of
our heyouion. The political arrangements, the
laws, and the republican pnacipiee it possessed
required lile alteration 20 accommodate them 10
tue ppy change hat glorious Revolution requir-
ell PEN laid tae foundation OF our present en.og.
A vote oftbanhs was passed by the Society for
.uisexce.ient and instructive discourse, which, by
.aa.L request, will shortly be Published by Mr.