The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-08-29
Quaker City Correspondence.
PHILADELPHIA. August 81 1877

PHILADELPHIA, August 81, 1871.
Edito, Register Perhaps a few
jottings from this town might bo invested
with some little interest to Vermonters,
and especially to those Of Addison county,
inasmuch as business and social relations
are more limited and circumscribed than
with either Boston or New York. Con.
sequently they are less familiar with the
personal history, and present status of
this great central city of the union, than
either of the other cities alluded to.
Philadelphia as is well known, was planned
and settled by William Penn, accompa.
MED by colony of English Friends or
Quakers in 1852, after regular purchase
from the Indians ratified by treaty in
due form. The name of Philadelphia
(brotherly love), was given by Penn, both
in reference to the ancient city of that
name in Asia Minor, and from its en-
bodying principles he had so much at
heart. The first Congress preparatory to
the Revolution, met in Carpenters Hall,
building still standing in court back
of Chestnut street below Fourth, Septem-
Der 4th 1874. The declaration of indie.
pendence was first read publicly, from
stand in the State House yard, by John
Nixon, July s. l776. The Convention
that formed the present Constitution of
the United States, met in Philadelphia
May 1877. Here resided the first Pres
ident OF the United States in a building
in Market St. below sixth, and here Con-
gress assembled for nearly ten years after
the adoption of the present Constitution.
A census was taken in June 1878 by
order Of Lord CORVALLIS, showing the
population to be 81 1884, exclusive of the
army and strangers, the whole Of the
Wing citizens being also absent.
The present population is about 700,-
900. The streets are at right angles
nearly without an exception, of great
length and beautifully shaded. The
first point Of interest that almost intui-
lively suggests itself to a stranger, es-
pecially if he be an American, is Inde-
pendence Hail. located in Chestnut St.
between Fifth and Six Streets. As one
enters its portals, he nstinctively feels
that he is treading on holy ground; as
you enter the large hall where the deolar.
alton of Independence was signed, the
eye meets an array of portraits that is
well calculated to inspire feeling of awe
and almost generation. There are about
l40 ia number, mostly revolutionary
patriots including statesmen army officers,
naval heroes &c, by Peale, Inman and
others. The old chandelier used by the
Continental Congress, hangs in its usual
place. Rush's 6po statue of Washington
adorns the east end of the hall. The
liberty bell which bears the motto cast in
raised letters, proclaim liberty through.
out the land to all the inhabitants
thereof" and which did proclaim it on
the first celebration of Independence in
'76, is placed Oh a decorated pedestal in
this room on the apex of which is placed
a large stuffed eagle. In the center Of
the room stands the veritable table on
which the declaration was signed, in q
perfect state Of preservation; over it il
suspended copy of the original draft BY
Jefferson, of the declaration in . glasl
case with its erasures, interlinings 10
At the west end Of the room stands On
unique shaped sort Of . sstt>s With