Perth Amboy evening news., 1904-03-19
THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

Although Perth Amboy had been the
capital of New Jersey, when the State
was a. colony, for more than half a cen
fury, no provision vas made for a
subernatorial mansion until 1762.
Land had been set apart for this pur-
pose when the town was planned, but
no action was taken to consummate this
idea until the P%roprietors became alarm
ID at the.growing rivalry of Burlington.
This latter city Governor William
Franklin had made his home, only
visiting Perth Amboy when his official
duties demanded it, and to make an in
lucement for a change, a building was
erected which was called the Govern
nent House."
r The first occupant was Frederick
Smyth, the chief justice of the colony.
10 was o resident of this city, an emf
tent lawyer and q v%estryman of st.
Peters church, He was appointed
Judge when thirty-two years ofsage, the
appointment coming from George Ill.
While sympathizing with the Americans
In their opposition to theIStamp Act he
teprobated all violence. In 17;6 he re-
moved to Philadelphia where he died
IN 1915.
The excitement which eliminated
alter in the Revolution caused Governor
Franklin in 1774 to write to the Earl of
Dartmouth, then Prime Minister of
England, Gas times are likely to be-
| Tome more and more difficult and will
consequently require more frequent
meetings of the Council l have resolved
IN moving to Amboy where [ can with
/ greater ease assemble themithan at Bur
lington, my present residence. 1t is in.
Iced in every respect a place better
adapted to the s%eatssof government than
my other in the province" These
reasons were approved in England and
in October the governor occupied the
| ,fficial residence in this city.
William Franklin, the Ison .of Benja
min Franklin, was the companion of his
father in his literary and scientific pur
suits; accompanied him to Europe il
1857 and occupied thesposition of comp
%troller of thelpost office when his father
vas postmaster general. He became
member of the London,bar and received
the degree of A. NJ. from Oxford Uni
versity. His appointment as governor
when he was thirty-two years of age
created a scandal in America ant
against it many protests were made.
The officials and citizeus, however
warmly received him on his arrival from
England in the winter of 1863. He wa
escorted to the Council House at TIN
northeast corner of Market street ant
the Square and responded to the ad
dress of welcome. A New York pape
in speaking of the Inauguration said TIN
ceremony was conducted with a
much decency and good decorum as TIN
severity of the season could possibl.
admit Of" When.eleven years later h.
left Burlington to reside here, that cit,
gave him a public reception and pre-
sented a farewell address, thanking hin
for his courtesy and department. ant
regretting his departure.
The days were growing darker. TIL
Continental Congress in session a
Philadelphia protested.against the actioI
OF Great Britain with the Colonies
Governor Franklin in January, 177t
sent an address to the Council an
Assembly warning them that to coir
eide with such action twill conduct 20
Ito anarchy, misery and all the horror
of civil war" While the Council coir
cided with these views, the Assembl
unanimously supportedlthe Congress.
In the midst Of the excitement Bel
iamin franklin returned from Eurol