The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-12-02

was one of those elected. On October
8, 1874, Washington and FitzSimons,
attended the Romish-C Church. The
election of FitzSimons in May and his
serving until July, 1774, as one of the
Provincial Deputies, is the first APP
pointment or election to office known
to have been held by Catholic. When
news of the Battle of Lexington be-
came public, Thomas FitzSimons,
knowing his country's need, organized
a company. He was assigned to the
Third Battalion, under Col. Cadwala-
der. On June 20, the Third Battalion
attended Christ Church, to hear a
Sermon on the Present Situation of
American Affairs" by Rev. William
Smith, hater of the Catholic Religion.
This same minister on April 5, 1857,
had said in a sermon: Behold coun-
try given us-to spread abroad the
pure Evangelical religion of Jesus:
Behold colonies formed in it; Prot
estant colonies-Free colonies-Brit-
ish colonies-Direct your eyes to the
westward-There behold Popish per-
fidy, French tyranny and savage bar
barity." After he had been dead some
years--a roadway was cut through
Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia,
and the grave of Mr.. Smith had to be
removed. His skull was taken to his
former home where it became a nest
for mice. So the skull Of Rev. Will
liam Smith became home for mice.
He had so often prayed: 'Bless all
those who go forth for the Protestant
cause in this American world"
On December 10, 1915, FitzSimons
was appointed by the Assembly, as as
sistant to the Council of Safety. But
at this time he was on active duty at
the Trenton campaign. Early in
March, 1777, the Supreme Executive
Council organized Navy Board Fitz-
Simons was appointed to this Board.
July %, 1777, the Navy Board request
ed FitzSimons to loan it 100000 and
that he pay the money over to VIM.
Webb, Paymaster of the State Navy.
In regard to all affairs pertaining to
commerce, FitzSimons was consulted
by both state and federal authorities.
Alexander Hamilton bears witness to
the help he obtained from FitzSimons,
in establishing the financial policy of
the Government, and in funding the
debt that was incurred in waging the
Revolutionary war. On December 81,
1881, the Bank of North America was
chartered and FitzSimons was one of
FitzSimons was elected a member of
the Congress of the Confederacy. AS
a member of Congress he was very
active. On November 26, 1882, four
days after his election, he proposed
that Commissioners of the United
States, settling accounts with the
states for redemption of paper money,
should be empowered to take up all
outstanding old money and issue GER
tificates to be apportioned on the
states as part Of the public debt May
%, 1887, the Constitutional Conven-
ton met. FitzSimons had been ap-
pointed a member on December 80,
| 1885, Robert Morris was also appointed
on this same day. Benjamin Franklin
received his appointment on March %,
1887. Daniel Carroll, the other Cath
olic signer, was appointed a member
July 9. FitzSimons voted against uni
versal suffrage and in favor of limiting
it to freeholders. The Constitution
was signed September II, 1887, in Phil
adelphia, 'the home of the Union" and
the citadel of the love of one in
divisible country" (Bancroft). The
reporting of the convention was made
by the Father of American Shorthand,
Thomas Lloyd, another Catholic. After
the election of Washington to the
presidency, under the Constitution, an
Address of the Roman Catholics of
America to George Washington" was
issued. This was signed by Bishop
Carroll, Charles Carroll, Daniel Car
roll, Thomas FitzSimons, and Dominic
Lynch. Thomas FitzSimons died on
Monday, August 26, 1911, in the seven
tieth year of his age.
The United States Gazette, for Au-
gust 20, said of him: "He was justly
considered one of the most enlightened
and intelligent merchants in the Unit
ed States, and his opinion upon all
questions connected with commerce
was always regarded with respect, and
even homage. He filled many impor-
tant stations, both in the General and
State Government with great reputa-
ton during the Revolutionary War"
Matthew Carey.
Matthew Carey incurred the hatred
of the English rulers while publishing
''The Volunteer" He arrived in this
country in 1884. In few months he
issued the Pennsylvania Evening Her
add In his first edition he wrote the
following:
From old Hibernia's troubled isle,
Where oft the Graces deigned to smile,
An injured, humble volunteer,
follow Freedoms fortune here,
To guard her rights espouse her
cause,
Assert her claims and aid her laws"
On January 26, 1889, Carey issued
proposal for publishing by subscription
the Douay Bible. He was the first
Catholic publisher, and he published
the first Catholic Bible in this country.
He also issued dozen or more edi-
tions of the Protestant Bible. He was