Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-07-30
THE GOVERNORS OF PENN.
SYLYANIA.
A SHORT MEMOIR OF THOSE WIG
SERVED UNDER THE CONsTI-
TUITION OF 100.
GOVERNOR MIFfLIN.

IOIION OF IIbUs
GOVERNOR MIFfLrN.
Until the breaking out of the Amer
lean Revolution, Pennsylvania had
been governed by Proprietary Gov.
ernors. When the Provincial Consti-
tuition met in 1776, Committee of
Safety, composed of twenty-five mem.
bers, was appointed to supercede the
Executive department Of State. On
the 9th Of August, l776, this Commit.
tee of Safety organized by electing
Thomas Wharton, Jr., as President.
The new Constitution, which went in.
to effect September 2Sth, provided for
aSuprcme Executive Council OF twelve.
This Council lasted until 1890, and had
as its Presidents, Thomas Wharton, ,Jr.,
George Bryan, Joseph Reed, William
Moore, John Dickinson, Benz. Frank.
lin, Thomas Miillin, and as its Vice
Presidents, George Bryan, Matthew
Smith, VIM. Moore, James Potter, Jas.
Ewing, James Irvine, Charles Biddle,
Peter Muhlenberg, David Redick, and
George Ross.
Thomas Mflin, who had been the
last President OF the Supreme Exeeu-
tive Council, was elected as the first
Governor under the Constitution of
1890, over Arthur st. Clair, Federal,
by a vote of 1925 to 2,s02. Govern.
or Mifflin, who had from an early age
taken an active part in the American
independence, was born in Phiadel-
phia, in l744, Of Quaker ancestry, who
were among the earliest settlers of
Pennsylvania. He passed through q
Collegiate course but his education
was more especially directed to mer-
camille pursuit which, however, he fol-
lowed for only short time. In his
eager desire TO become thoroughly ac-
quainted with his business be spent
some time in Europe, making the tour
of England and France. Shortly af-
ter his return, at the age Of twenty
eight, he was elected as one Of the two
members of the Legislature from Phil
adelphia, and was reelected the sue
ceeding year as colleague of Benz.
Franklin. Gov. Mifilins course from
this date was "onuard and uppard. y
We next find him member of the
first Continental Congress, alongside oi
Henry, Jay, and Adams. After the bat
tie of Lexington, Mifilin mounted the
rostrum and urged the people of Phil
adelpbia to action with his much ad
mIred fervor and eloquence, and upon
Washington assuming command al
Boston, we find Col. Mifln acting as
his first Aid.de-Camp. Washington
afterwards appointed him Quarter
Master General, and on the 10Th oI
May, 1776, he was commissioned by
Congress as Brigadier General. AT
ter the reverscs Of the American army
in I776, Gen. Washington dispatched
General MifIlin to Congress for help
At the request of Congress, Genera
Mifilin made string address
urging upon them decisive action
Congress had such great confidence in
him that they created Board of War
consisting Of Gen. Mifflin, Gen. Gates
Col. Joseph Trimble, Timothy Picker
ing, and Richard Peters, and notified
the COMMANDMENTS Chief of its action
Sometime after this shadow fell upor
Gen. Mifflin. and Congress requested
Con. Washington to make inquiry in
10 his conduct in relation to his acts al
Quarter Master General. Gen. Mifilir
demanded an examination immediate
ly. but being unable to obtain one, re
q turned his commission to Congress
which thoy refused to accept. He wa
' also afterwards charged in connection
with General Gates and Others will
intrigue, with view to displaco Gen
Washington and set up Gen. Gatcsin hi
place; but this Gen. MifIlin denied il
a letter to Col. Delany, which reinsta
ted him in the confidence Of Gen. Wash
ington, as well as Congress and th,
people. Gen. Minlin was elected
member of Congress in 1888, and wa
President of that body when Genera
Washington rendered his resignation
In 1885 General Mifilin was a membcl
of tho Assembly, and was elected il
Speaker. In 1877, he was a membe
Of the Convention which framed thu
Constitution of the United States, ant
to that instrument you will find hi
signature. In 1888, he was Presiden
of the Supreme Executive Council, ant