Evening star., 1932-02-21


Washington's birth focuses atten-
ton upon the historic Liberty
Bell at Independence Hail. Phiadel-
phia, which rang to proclaim to the
waiting and anxious inhabitants OF
the formal signing of the Declaration OF IN
dependence, and which tolled SO despondently
when George Washington died at Mount Ver-
non will be heard tomorrow after having been
silent for 90 years.
The United States George Washington BIZ
centennial Commission is making this an i'm
pressve event, with appropriate ceremonies
that will be heard around the world. Plans
have been completed for a worldwide broad
cast on this date, and President Herbert Hoover
will press an electric button at the White House
which will start the Nations historic bell ring
ing 1t is proposed to have the bell strike
l3 consecutive times, each strike representing
l of the 13 Colonies.
Independence Hall, home of the Liberty Bell.
is. aside from its historical significance, one Of
the foremost architectural assets in the United
States, and Is at the present time occupied as
a historical museum. It was planned and de-
signed by Andrew Hamilton, prominent at
torney of Philadelphia. The Provincial Assem-
bly, of Pennsylvania had been urged to hire
a house annually in which to hold its ire
quent meetings. The Journal records the in
terestng statement that on the lst day OF
Nav 1929 "the House took into consideration
the necessity OF a house of the Assembly 1or
this province to meet in, and 1t was unanl-
mously resolved that two thousand pounds OF
the thirty thousand pounds (sterling) then 70
be emitted in paper currency, should be appro-
priated towards the building of such House.
CCORDING to Philadelphia historians.
n the construction of the State House was
Immediately begun, and 1t was hrst occupied
by the Legislature in the latter part OF Octo-
ber, 1885, at which time Andrew Hamilton was
elected Speaker for the seventh consecutive
time. It was not until 175O, however, that the
Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania Or
dered the erection of q magnificent tower IN
which they later placed the Liberty Bell
resolution was passed whereby 1t instructed the
directors Of Independence Hall to secure one
Immediately. Thomas Leech, Isaac MOTIFS ana
Edward Warner wrote q pleasingly odd letter.
which is regarded as the most treasured scfips
of literature pertaining to the order OF bell.
The letter dated November l. 175l. was al
dressed to Robert Charles OF the CoionAA
Agency at London, England. 1t read as 1oa-
lows:
"Respected friend, Robert Charles:
"The assembly having ordered Us to procure
a bell from ENGLAND to be purchased for ther
use ne take the liberty to apply ourselves to
thee to get Us a good bell. OF about 1000 POUNDS
,ueioht, the cost OF Which we assume may
amount to 100 pounds sterling, on perhaps ao""
charges something more.
1--WE hope and rely on thy care ana osSst-
ance IN this affair, and that thou Dilt procure
and for,card it by the first good opportunttv'
as our worknlen inform Us tt DtlI 0e nahcn JESS
trouble to hang the bell before the scd1olds are
, struck from the building wfeTe we tnfend 20
Mace it. .otich ,oiu not be done TIL the end oJ
merit Summer or beginning OF the F0H. Let tne
bell be cast by the best ,Oorknsen. and examined
carefully before it is shipped. with the tosto'c-
ing words DeH shapen in large letters ground It.
vis: By order of the Assembly OF the Provlnce
of Pennsylvania for the State House in the CITY
of Philadelphia, 1882
"And underneath: Proclaim Liberty through
out the land unto all the inhabitants thereof
Leuticus rrp10' As spe haze experienced
thy readiness to serue this Province on all oc-
casions 1Ue desire it may be our ercnse tor TINS
additional trouble. from thy assured friends.
fSiqned) THOMAS LEECH, ISAAC NOR
RIS. EDWARD WARNER.
"Let the package for transportation be
examined Nth particular care and the full
ualue insured thereon"
The letter was mailed, reached England.
and the instructions of the directors were car
ried out by Robert Charles The bell was cast
by Thomas Lister Of Whitechapel, London. In
spite of the careful instructions Of Thomas
Leech, the bell was injured upon its landing
in America and was q total failure when put
to test on the trusses in the backyard OF the
State House. During its trial ringing the
crown cracked.
DEEM1NG it unwise to return 1t back to
- England for repairs. the directors decided
to give chance to two American workmen
of West Philadelphia, to see what they could
do In the way Of producing q satisfactory bell.
They broke the English-ma bell into hum
dreds of pieces and melted it. They added