The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-03-11
EBENsBURG, PA, SATURDAY, MARCH II, 1871.


Morton voted ave - and the deed was done.
Thus Pennsylvania, by giving the casting vote,
settled that important question. and from that
circumstance she received the name of "keY-
stone State''-the thirteenth State-the block
OF the arch.
The principal facts as given above in my
article Of May 18Th which are denounced by
the Pbjiadelpliu Telegraph as a "lyolish er~
ron" and stupid mistake, - were first com.
muuioa.ed to ne by the late General Peter
Force, Of Washington, formerly Mayor Of
that city, and the well known author Of the
American Archives" ;" which were published
by authority of Congress a few years ago, iu
several quartO volumes. His extensive and
rare collection Of American documents has
since been purchased 10y Congress for the
Congressional library. His well earned fame
as an antiquarian and historian, would have
justified me in receiving as correct the state
ment he gave me, that the appeIlation of
"heystone State" to Penusy ylvania. had its
origin from the initials Of this State having
been inscribed on the keystone Of the arch
OF the bridge erected over Rock Greek, as
described in my article Under consideration,
without any further evidence. lie had been
a resident Of the city OF Washington almost
hGm IFS Infancy, was familiar with its early
history. and could give with more accuracy
that had trauslired for the last century,
than any man then living. Tie was a lover
OF historic truth, and was not ashamed 10
follow whore lis footprints led him. The
editor If the Philadelphia Telegraph must
therefore, either lmPeaCh my veracIty in THIS
statement, or include him in his deuurcia-
ton Ot-"iOolsG orrOTs," and "6tupid blum
ders,"
have not copy Of the American Ar
chlyes before me to examine whether there
Is anything therein given on this subject.
but ln n work entitled The Seat Of tile Gov
eminent Of the United States" written bg
Joseph 3. Faruum, Jr, aud FIRST published
IN Washington 10 1913, and a second edition
IN 1854, !t Is stated On page 33d Of u edi-
tton. That The names Of the thirteen States
were engraved upon a bridge over Rock
Creek. constructed Of refuse materials taken
from the public buildings, since carried
away That Of Pennsylvania was on the
keystone hence the name 'E6ystone State'
Here then was the publication If the same
fact by IE. Flsnla in lis book on ''Tue
Seat Of Gyverument' published in the city
oi Washington, before had learned Of lis
existence through Gen. Force.
IN volume entitled The Washington
Sketch Book Icy Eiat9r' published IN New
York and Washington in 1864 page z55,
the author says ia speaking ul tie aquc!ucJ
bridge "alca at present crosses Rock Geek:
\ Httlc above IS another bridge, ON the
site where one vas formerly Constructed of
refuse materials from the public buildings.
HE names Of the original thirteen States
were engraved upon the arch that Of Penn
sy}vauia was on the keystone. Hence the
name, keystone State.'n
Each Of these works | have now before
me. and each ascribes the origin Of appella-
alton OF Keystone to eur State, to the same
cause winch Gen. Force hat communicated
10 me The fact that it originated in the
building of the bridge over Rock Creek. had
passed uto history, and was public property.
before I presented it to the readers Of the
G'cI7er in an article on the name of Peau-
syivauia coldteE from historic records. 10
further show that the Information ! there
gave was NOT new 10 all intelligent rea 'crs.
or treated with Iidjcule by the present his
toricat authorities Of the day, | will call tne
attention Of all VINO are interested in this
sutiact, (Which the PhHa&dDhia telegraph
truly says concerns Peuusy y.yanau5 direct
iy' tn the following extracts from the His
toyIcW l3TgGztHe puhljsi ed in New York.
Il Is the most valuable historical periodical
ever published in America, and has long
been edited aud conducted by those distiu-
guishsd for antiquarian and historical ability
and accuracy. 1t is devoted to accurate ne
searches in American history, and admits Of
and invites @ort queries and answers in re-
iatiod To any historical points where any %
IT'S patrons may desire Information from
others. Its readers, as well as the contrau-
tors to its pages. have ever prsed many
Of the most scrutIn Eng aud intelligent his
toriaus of our country. and any attempt to
impose faIschoCd for historic truth upon its
pages would soon be exposed and It's author
denounced.
Ia the October number Of 1861 Of this
magaziue, (voI. Y. No. 10, page 3lG.) the
following query was inserted, referring to a
former one in 1857:
"EEYsroNE SrATg-Iu the Historical Mag
azine for 1851, p. 2T9, " D. iugaIos nhethCr
any one can give Authentic il formation who
il was who first used the phrase The keystone
of the FEDERAL Arch in reference 70 Pennsyi-
vauia-lhe occasion or place where, and the
time when il was so applied.
Can an answer be given by some reader Of
the Magazine j. S. F."
West Chester, Pa
Feeling interested in this item Of Pennsyl-
vapia history. and being desirous that the
account given me Of it by General Force.
and that published of it by Mr.. Yaruum
should pass the scrutiny Of the readers Of The
FtStoftcdt 1fAoyHE'He, L sen 10 th3 edltOr OF
it over my own signature in initials Is. U.,)
which were then well known to hun and
many of his readers. the following answer to
the above query. which was inserted in the
Nov. No. (Vol. V. No. II. page $500
"KETsToNE STATE.-The term / believe,
was adopted about the close Of the last ceutu-
~, in consequence OF the initials Of the State
being engraved on the keystone of the arch Of
the stone bridge that was erected over Rock
Greek, between the City of Washington aud
Georgetown. This bridge, which has since
been destroyed, was built of stones brought to
build the walls oil the first capitol and unused
for IL. Its arch is said to have consisted OF
thirteen stones, The keystone of which had Ell
grnved on It the initials OF Pa and the twelve
others, those Of the other States at that period
one on each. Probably Pa. may have been
put on the keystone from The fact of the bridge
being at the termination Of Pennsylvania Ay-