CHAPTER VII. AT NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA LETTERS TO HAZARD AND SARGENT DIARY OF 1787. Friday, July 13. This tavern (Indian Queen) is situated in Third Street, between Market Street and Chestnut Street, and is not far from the center of the city. It is kept in an elegant style, and consists of a large pile of buildings, with many spacious halls, and numerous small apartments, appropriated for lodging rooms. As soon as I had inquired of the bar-keeper, when I arrived last evening, if I could be furnished with lodgings, a livery servant was ordered immediately to attend me, who received my baggage from the hostler, and conducted me to the apartment assigned by the bar-keeper, which was a rather small but a very handsome chamber (No. 9), furnished with a rich field bed, bureau, table with drawers, a large looking-glass, neat chairs, and other furniture. Its front was east, and, being in the third story, afforded a fine prospect toward the river and the Jersey shore. The servant that attended me was a young, sprightly, well-built black fellow, neatly dressed-blue coat, sleeves and cape red, and buff waistcoat and breeches, the bosom of his shirt ruffled, and hair powdered. After he had brought up my baggage and properly deposited it in the chamber, he brought two of the latest London magazines and laid on the table. I ordered him to call a barber, furnish me with a bowl of water for washing, and to have tea on the table by the time I was dressed. My intention was to have taken a walk, and delivered some of my letters in the evening, but so much time was occupied in shifting my clothes, getting from under the hands of the barber, and taking tea, I found it too late, and besides felt myself not a little fatigued with my day's journey, which had been 43 miles since 10 in the morning. Distance from New York, 95 miles, and from home, 397. Being told, while I was at tea, that a number of the Mem bers of the Continental Convention, now convened in this city for the purpose of forming a Federal Constitution, lodged in this house, and that two of them were from Massachusetts, immediately after tea, I sent into their Hall (for they live by themselves) to Mr. Strong, and requested to speak with him. We had never been personally acquainted, nor had I any letter to him, but we had both of us an hearsay knowledge of each other, and Mr. Gerry had lately mentioned to Mr. Strong that he daily expected me, in consequence of a letter he had received from Governor Bowdoin. Mr. Strong very politely introduced me to Mr. Gorham, of Charlestown, Mass; Mr. Madison and Mr. Mason and his son, of Virginia; Governor Martin, Hon. Hugh Williamson, of North Carolina; the Hon. John Rutledge and Mr. Pinckney, of South Carolina; Mr. Hamilton, of New York, who were lodgers in the house, and to several other gentlemen who were spending the evening with them. I spent the evening with these gentlemen very agreeably. Mr. Strong and Mr. Gorham insisted on my sitting a while with them, after the other gentlemen retired, that they might inquire with more freedom and more minutely into state affairs in the Massachusetts. We sat until half after one. They both of them very politely offered to wait on me to any part of the city, and to introduce me to any gentleman of their acquaintance I should wish to see. But I assured them that my business with Congress required so speedy a return to New York that I should be able to spend very little time in Philadelphia, and that my introductory letters were so numerous that I doubted whether I should be able to deliver them all. Mr. Strong proposed going with me in the morning to Mr. Gerry's, as early as I pleased, and so wished them good-night. I rose very early this morning, and the servant assigned me * Hon. Caleb Strong, LL.D. Governor of Massachusetts. Born at Northampton, Mass., 1745; graduated at Harvard, 1764; studied law; a member of Massachusetts Legislature during the war. In 1787, aided in forming the Constitution of the United States. Eight years in the Senate of United States. Governor from 1800 to 1807, and 1812-15. He died 1817. A man of sound piety, exemplary habits, and firmness.-Dr. S. P. Hildreth. came into the chamber before I was dressed, to know my commands. Mr. Strong was up as early as myself, and we took a walk to Mr. Gerry's,* in Spruce street, where we breakfasted. Few old bachelors, I believe, have been more fortunate in matrimony than Mr. Gerry. His lady is young, very handsome, and exceedingly amiable. She appears to be possessed of fine accomplishments. I should suppose her not more than 17, and believe he must be turned of 55. They have been married about eighteen months, and have a fine son about two months old, of which they appear both to be extravagantly fond. Mr. Gerry has hired a house, and lives in a family state. I was surprised to find how early ladies in Philadelphia can rise in the morning, and to see them at breakfast at half after five, when in Boston they can hardly see a breakfast table at nine without falling into hysterics. I observed to Mrs. Gerry that it seemed to be an early hour for ladies to breakfast. She said she always rose early, and found it conducive to her health. She was inured to it from her childhood in New York, and that it was the practice of the best families in Philadelphia. Mr. Gerry had received a letter from Gov-. ernor Bowdoin, requesting that he would wait on me to Dr. Franklin's in person, when I arrived in the city. Although I had several introductory letters to the Doctor, yet I wished for the company of some gentleman of my acquaintance when I paid my respects to that venerable sage. Mr. Gerry expressed a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in having the opportunity of introducing me to the Doctor, and sup * Elbridge Gerry, born in Marblehead, Mass., July 17, 1744. Graduated at Harvard University, 1772. In the State Legislature in 1773; in the Provincial Congress, 1774; and from thence was sent to the Continental Congress. Signer of the Declaration of Independence. After the peace of 1783, served in the Congress of Confederation. Member of the Constitutional Convention. In 1797, envoy to France. Subsequently chosen Governor of Massachusetts; and afterward Vice-president of the United States, in which office he died at Washington City, November 23, 1814.-Am. Biog. (Samuel L. Knapp). Mrs. Gerry was a daughter of James Thompson, and was as distinguished by her beauty and personal worth as by her family and social connections. She died in 1849.—The Republican Court. posed the best time would be about five in the afternoonwhich was agreed on. Mr. Strong went with me, after breakfast, to Dr. Morgan's, in Pine Street, to whom I had letters from Dr. Warren, of Boston, and his brother, at Princeton. The Doctor received me with politeness, and I had the pleasure of introducing Mr. Strong to him, who had not been acquainted with him. But we were very soon interrupted with an urgent message to the Doctor to visit, instantly, a person in a desperate situation. The Doctor, however, while his carriage was getting ready, went with us to Dr. Clarkson's, in the same street, where he and Mr. Strong left me. Dr. Clarkson is one of those fine, accomplished, benevolent characters which inspire the most exalted ideas of human nature. I found him fully to answer the character I had received of him. My letters to him were from his much-esteemed friend, Mr. Belknap, and his brotherin-law, Mr. Hazard. When he had read my letters, he received me, not merely in the common formalities of politeness, but with the warm affection and friendship of an intimate acquaintance that had been long absent. When he found my stay in the city must be very short, he dismissed all his business, sent his servant to inform his patients that it was not probable he should be able to see them on that day or the next; if any thing' special occurred, he must be particularly informed, and devoted himself entirely to wait on me. I was formally introduced to his son, who had just before received Episcopal Ordination from Dr. White, the Bishop of this State, and is about to be settled in one of the churches in this city; and to his three little daughters. Mrs. Clarkson was confined above stairs by a nervous weakness of long standing, which prevented my seeing her. After engaging me to dine with him, he ordered his Phaeton to be harnessed, that we might take a general view of the city, etc. We rode out of the city on the western side, toward the Schuylkill, and passed by the Hospital and Bettering-house. We continued our route, in view of the Schuylkill, and up *Gerardus Clarkson, M. D., an eminent physician of Philadelphia. Commenced practice as early as 1774. Died in September, 1790, aged 53 years. Dr. S. P. Hildreth. the river several miles, and took a view of a number of Country-seats, one belonging to Mr. R. Morris, the American financier, and who is said to be possessed of the greatest fortune in America. His country-seat is not yet completed, but it will be superb. It is planned on a large scale, the gardens and walks are extensive, and the villa, situated on an eminence, has a commanding prospect down the Schuylkill to the Dela ware. We returned to the northern side of the city, and passed through the principal streets in the longest direction of the city and parallel with the Delaware. We also passed up and down most of the streets in the cross direction. This gave me an opportunity of seeing the whole of the city, of viewing it in several directions, and observing all the public buildings. In this tour I delivered most of my letters, but had only time. to deliver them, for the Doctor waited for me in his carriage. I was therefore obliged to inform them that my stay would be very short in the city, and was obliged to decline all their invitations. We returned to the Doctor's house about twelve, having rode, by the Doctor's computation, near twenty miles. His horses were very large and fine, and he had as much as he could well do to rein them. After refreshing ourselves, we took a ramble on foot, called on Doctor Rush, whom we fortunately found at home. The Doctor is the complete gentleman, and one of the first literary characters in America. After reading my letter, and usual ceremony, he expressed much satisfaction in having an opportunity to see me, and told me he had for some time wished for a correspondence. He thanked me very particularly for my Botanical Paper in the Memoirs of the American Academy, and said that Dr. Franklin and he had desired the printers of the Columbian Magazine to publish the extracts from it, which had appeared in that publication. He approved of my plan, and appeared very anxious that I should pursue it. He observed that they were endeavoring to raise a fund for establishing a Botanical Garden in that city, which he hoped they should be able to effect, and assured me that I was the only person who had been in nomination to take the super |