Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-12-24
The Old Liberty Bell.

Tho Centennial Almanac, just Is,
sued, gives some interesting facts con-
cerning "tLo Old Liberty Bell" with
the prophetic inscription, which real,
ly did dproclaim Liberty throughout
all the land, unto all tho inhabitants
Thereof" on the 9th Of July, I776. In
1851 the State House at Philadelphia
was approaching completion; tha
lower floor had already been occupied
for some sixteen years, one chamber
by the Supreme Court, and the other
by the Representatives Of the free
men OF the province of Pennsylvania,
then consisting of ono body. By or
der Of the latter committee, of which
Mr.. Speaker Norris was chairman,
was empowered to obtain new bell
for the building.
Tho original letter books of Isaac
Norris cannot now DO found, but, for.
tunately, his descendant, Joseph Par.
ker Norris, had procured copies, and
it appears from these that Robert
Charles, then in London, was CON-
missloncd, Nov, 1st, 1851, TO procure
good bell Of about two thousand
pounds weight, at a cost Of about
fl00 sterling it was to be cast by
the best workmcn, to be examined
carefully before it was shipped, and
to contain, Din well-shaped letters,
round it," BY order of the Assembly
of tho Province Of Pennsylvania, for
tho State House in the city of PhiIa-
delphia, 1852, and underneath, Pro-
claim Liberty throughout all the land
to all the inhabitants thereof. Lovt.
XIV. 10.
The bell duly arrived at tho end of
August, 1852, in apparent good order;
but few days afterwards, notwith-
standing all the cautionary instruc-
tions given, "the 'Supcrintendents had
the modification to hear that it was
cracked by o stroke of the clapper,
without any other violence, as it was
hung up TO try the sound" An Of
fort was then made to send it back by
Captain Budden, who had brought it
oyer in the Matilda, but he could not
take it on board, upon which," Mr..
Norris writes "two ingenious work.
men undertook to cast it here, and I
am just now March 10, 1887 in
formed they have this day opened the
mould, which, l confess, pleases me
very much that we should first vcn-
ture upon and succeed in the greatest
bell cast, for aught know, in Eng
lish- America"
The bell was hung in its place some
time during tho month of April, 1853.
A bill rendered by Edmund Wooley
against "the Province" for sundries
furnished the workmen while they
were raising the frame and hanging
the bell has been preserved. 1t bears
date April IL, 1888. Among the
items are "three gallons rum" and ia
barrel of beer" Potatoes must have
brought prodigious pricO in those
days, or else Mr.. Wooley understood i.
the art of making OUT heavy bills
against the Provincial Government,
for we notice that he charges Is. Cd.
for one peck. There are gentlemen
in our generation who have either in
herited or acquired Mr.. Wooley's
large appreciation of the llberality Of
municipal governments.
II seems that the tone of this bell
was defective. 1t was supposed to
contain too much copper, and the
Philadelphia wits were 80 facetious
over this fact that Messrs. Pass and
Stow insisted on taking it down and
making another essay. II was broken
up and recast, and in Juno 2753, was
placed in position in the State House
steeplc. The following news item
appears in the Maryland Gazette of
July 5, 1853:
"PnILApELpnIA, June 7th, 1853
Last week was raised and fixed in tho
State House steeple new great bell
cast here by Pass and Stow, weighing
2, ,0S0 lbs, with this motto, proclaim
Liberty throughout all the land, unto
all the inhabitants thereof .'"--Lev.
XIV. 10.
For fully fifty years, as nearly as
can be asertaincd, the Liberty Bell
10 celebrate every National
anniversary, and tbcn-it cracked; it
had performed it's mission, and was
mute forever.-Bditimore American.