Primary Source Focus: Protesting the Tax on Tea

December 12, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

FaneuilHallEngravingWith the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party coming up on December 16 and the annual reenactment at Old South Meeting House scheduled for this Sunday, today I’ll be reviewing the events leading up to “the destruction of the tea” (as it was called back then), with a special focus on the first town meeting that Bostonians held to protest the tea tax. This initial meeting took place at Faneuil Hall on Friday, November 5, 1773. The image of Faneuil Hall in this post shows the building as it appeared at that time – half the size it is today. Some background: On March 5, 1770 Parliament repealed all elements of the hated Townshend Acts, except for the three pence per pound tax on tea imported into the colonies. When Parliament passed the Tea Act on May 10, 1773, it gave the East India Company the right to bypass any middlemen and sell their tea directly to the colonies. The company was in financial trouble and had a large inventory of tea, so this strategy enabled them to sell it at a reduced price (which they felt would be very agreeable to the colonists) and still make a profit. However, the lower priced tea included the three pence per pound tax and the colonists felt that purchasing the tea would signify their willingness to be taxed without their consent. As a result, everyone was up in arms when shipments of East India Company tea made their way to Boston; New York; Philadelphia; and Charlestown, South Carolina in the fall of 1773. Tea agents were given authority to sell the tea but colonists knew they must make every effort to get these men to resign their commissions and also take steps to ensure that the tea not be landed. Under pressure, agents in New York and Philadelphia gave up their commissions quickly but Boston was a different story as some of the agents there were relatives of Governor Hutchinson and more difficult to sway.

Press coverage of the first tea meeting at Faneuil Hall appeared in the November 11, 1773 issue of the Massachusetts Spy. Links to that coverage appear at the end of this post. In addition to the coverage of the meeting, the paper contained an interesting extract of a letter from a gentleman in Philadelphia to his friend in Boston. Here is a portion of that letter:

The adventure of the East India Company is the most obnoxious measure that could have been proposed. I have not met one individual who does not resent the very idea. You may expect that the next account will give you abundant evidence of a universally determined resolution to oppose the scheme. We hope the commissioners appointed for the sales will gratify the public by giving up the commission. But should they not do so, it will only be the means of a little trouble, for the present temper is to compel them not to receive the tea, and to prevent its being landed. We hear this is the spirit of Maryland and New York. There are many fears respecting Boston. Some give out, and assert that you have imported tea without any reserve and paid the duties: You may depend not an ounce has paid duties in this port. – But whatever may have been done, it is to be hoped the town of Boston will appear on the present occasion with their usual spirit.

John Hancock moderated the meeting on November 5 and the town developed several resolutions including: “that the duty imposed by Parliament upon tea landed in America, is a tax on the Americans, or levying contributions on them without their consent”; “that the resolution lately come into by the East India Company to send out their tea to America, subject to the payment of duties on its being landed here, is an open attempt to enforce the ministerial plan, and a violent attack upon the liberties of America”; “that it is the duty of every American to oppose this attempt”; and “that whoever shall, directly or indirectly, countenance this attempt, or in any wise aid or abet in unloading, receiving or vending the tea sent, or to be sent out by the East India Company, while it remain subject to the payment of a duty here, is an enemy to America.” Finally, they agreed that a committee be chosen to wait on those gentlemen appointed by the East India Company to receive and sell the tea and request that they immediately resign their appointment. The remainder of the meeting, as well as the one on the following day, was focused on the actions of this committee and a second and the responses from the tea agents – which in short order was unanimously voted to be “not satisfactory” to the town.

Original press coverage of the Faneuil Hall tea meetings on November 5 and 6 from the November 11, 1773 issue of the Massachusetts Spy appears below.

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Idea Starter: Selecting a Title for The President

December 11, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

An Original Article – Massachusetts Centinel – May 23, 1789Today’s post is another idea starter for teachers. Here is some background for an exercise in colonial political debate for grade school students. In the weeks following the first presidential election, the issue of how to address the President, what his official title should be, arose in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The vote in the House was swift with the members casting the topic of titles aside and recommending that George Washington be referred to simply as “President of the United States”. The situation in the Senate was far different. Vice President John Adams, President of the Senate, became deeply involved in the debate believing that the highest of elected officials should have a title that showed the proper respect for the office and the individual holding it. Early suggestions included: “His Elective Majesty”; “His Highness the President of the United States of America and Protector of the Rights of the Same”; and “His Excellency the Supreme Commander in Chief”. One of John Adams’ main adversaries in the process was William Maclay, senator from the state of Pennsylvania. Senator Maclay was against any titles that denoted nobility, as the Constitution strictly forbade this, while Adams argued that the titles suggested denoted nothing of the sort. David McCullough addresses this debate in the Senate and its impact on the Vice President in his Pulitzer-Prize winning book John Adams. On May 14, 1789, after a few weeks of passionate deliberation, the Senate decided to agree with the House of Representatives and voted that George Washington’s title should be “President of the United States”. The original article pictured in this post is from the May 23, 1789 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel. It is a wonderful primary source document. When your students view it, you might have them picture how people holding and reading this actual paper the day it came out could have reacted to the news. Have half of the students write why they agree with the Resolve adopted by the Senate while the other half writes why they support the opinion of John Adams, perhaps coming up with their own honorable titles for the President. Then – have both sides debate the issue on the Senate (classroom) floor.

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George Washington’s Inauguration – Eyewitness Accounts

December 9, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

GWFedHallI’ve always been fascinated by eyewitness accounts of historic events. I believe they give students a unique perspective and help spark the imagination. During my years collecting original colonial newspapers, I’ve been able to locate and purchase just one issue with an eyewitness account of the first inauguration of George Washington at Federal Hall in New York City. More on that rare item and links to a photo further below. During a recent trip to lower Manhattan, I stood in the exact spot where Washington took the oath of office and photographed the statue of him that appears in this post. That trip made me want to learn more about the inaugural ceremony and track down additional press coverage and eyewitness accounts. Here is a bit of what I discovered… On the morning of Thursday, April 30, 1789 at 9 am, bells in all the churches throughout New York City rang out for half an hour, calling together their congregations to offer prayers for the President-elect. At noon, the troops of the city paraded to the residence where George Washington was staying. At half past noon, with these troops in the lead, the procession moved forward toward Federal Hall followed by carriages containing the committee’s of Congress, the heads of departments and the President-elect in the state coach. Behind that were additional coaches, the foreign ministers and a long line of citizens. About two hundred yards from Federal Hall, the dignitaries stepped from their carriages and passed through the troops who had drawn up on either side of the street, making their way into the Hall and Senate Chamber where George Washington was greeted by Vice President John Adams (already sworn in on April 21), the Senate and House of Representatives. When Vice President Adams stated that all was ready, Washington passed through the middle door of the Hall onto the balcony, followed by the other dignitaries. He looked out on a sea of citizens, estimated by some at 10,000, and bowed in their direction.

By most accounts, on this day Washington wore a suit of dark brown cloth of American manufacture, trimmed with metal buttons with eagles on them, white silk stockings and shoes with plain silver buckles. He also wore a steel-hilted dress sword. Since there were no supreme court justices, the oath prescribed by the Constitution was administered by New York’s highest ranking judge, Chancellor of the State of New York Robert Livingston. Repeating after Chancellor Livingston, Washington said “I George Washington do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” It is unclear whether he then added the words “So help me God”. The excellent blog Boston 1775 has some interesting insight into this. After repeating this oath, Washington kissed the Bible and Chancellor Livingston called out “Long Live George Washington, President of the United States”. For additional details -the best eyewitness account of Washington’s first inauguration I was able to locate is that of Eliza Susan Morton Quincy as told in her book Memoir of the Life of Eliza S. M. Quincy. Elizabeth Susan Morton was born on September 20, 1773 in New York. In 1797, she married Josiah Quincy III, a Congressman, who later became the second mayor of Boston and president of Harvard College. Boston’s Quincy Market is named after him. At the time of Washington’s inauguration, Eliza was 15-years-old.

Recalling the historic event in her memoir, Eliza S. M. Quincy writes:

On the 30th of April, when Washington took the oath of office as President of the United States, the ceremony took place in the balcony of the old Federal Hall, as it was afterwards named, which stood in the centre of four streets. I was on the roof of the first house in Broad Street, which belonged to Captain Prince, the father of one of my school companions; and so near to Washington that I could almost hear him speak. The windows and roofs of the houses were crowded; and in the streets the throng was so dense, that it seemed as if one might literally walk on the heads of the people. The balcony of the hall was in full view of this assembled multitude. In the centre of it was placed a table, with a rich covering of red velvet; and upon this, on a crimson velvet cushion, lay a large and elegant Bible. This was all the paraphernalia for the august scene. All eyes were fixed upon the balcony; where, at the appointed hour, Washington entered, accompanied by the Chancellor of the State of New York, who was to administer the oath; by John Adams, the Vice-President; Governor Clinton; and many other distinguished men.

By the great body of the people, he had probably never been seen, except as a military hero. The first in war was now to be the first in peace. His entrance on the balcony was announced by universal shouts of joy and welcome. His appearance was most solemn and dignified. Advancing to the front of the balcony, he laid his hand on his heart, bowed several times, and then retired to an arm-chair near the table. The populace appeared to understand that the scene had overcome him, and were at once hushed in profound silence. After a few moments, Washington arose, and came forward. Chancellor Livingston read the oath according to the form prescribed by the Constitution; and Washington repeated it, resting his hand upon the Bible. Mr. Otis, the Secretary of the Senate, then took the Bible to raise it to the lips of Washington; who stooped, and kissed the book. At this moment, a signal was given, by raising a flag upon the cupola of the Hall, for a general discharge of the artillery of the Battery. All the bells in the city rang out a peal of joy, and the assembled multitude sent forth a universal shout. The President again bowed to the people, and then retired from a scene such as the proudest monarch never enjoyed. Many entertainments were given, both public and private; and the city was illuminated in the evening.

The newspaper in my collection that I mentioned at the top of this post is the May 23, 1789 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel. The Boston newspaper contains this original article – an extract of a letter from New York – with an eyewitness account of the inauguration. The article which touches on the emotional impact of the event concludes with these words “… when the Chancellor pronounced, in a very feeling manner, “Long Live George Washington,” my sensibility was wound up to such a pitch, that I could do no more than wave my hat with the rest, without the power of joining in the repeated acclamations which rent the air.” Additional press coverage of the inauguration of George Washington can also be found in the July 16, 1789 issue of the London Chronicle. This original article in the Chronicle is quite special as it also mentions the President’s visit to St. Paul’s Chapel after his inaugural address.

The recent HBO miniseries John Adams included a great scene showing Washington’s inauguration. The video below, from the New York Historical Society, discusses the chair that Washington used during that inauguration.  I’ve also included 2 additional video links: the first shows a portion of the railing from Federal Hall and the second is a clip of a fascinating episode in The History Channel’s Save our History series called The Search for George Washington. You can purchase the DVD here. The full DVD reveals the process used to determine precisely what George Washington looked like at the ages of 19, 45 and 57 (the age he was during his inauguration in 1789).

Video link: Washington’s Inaugural Chair (embedded above)

Video link: Federal Hall Railing (1789 Inauguration)

Video link: History Channel – The Search for George Washington

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King’s Chapel – A Must-See on Your Next Trip to Boston

December 3, 2009 by · 1 Comment 

KingsChapelIn downtown Boston, at the corner of School and Tremont streets, stands a historic treasure called King’s Chapel. Founded in 1686, it was the first Anglican Church in New England and in 1785 it became the first Unitarian Church in America. Today the church has a Unitarian theology and an Anglican form of liturgy. It was originally housed in a wooden building dedicated on June 30, 1689. A growing congregation found this building in disrepair by the mid 18th century, so they acquired additional land, and hired architect Peter Harrison of Newport, Rhode Island to design a new and larger structure. The first block of Quincy granite for the new church was laid in 1749 and the building opened in 1754. A bell cast in England was hung in the church tower in 1772 and lasted for 42 years until it cracked in 1814 while being rung for evening services. It was melted down, re-cast and re-hung by Paul Revere & Son in 1816. The Revere bell at 2,437 pounds is the largest ever cast at the Revere foundry and Paul Revere himself called it “the sweetest bell we ever made”. The bell is still rung today by hand for all church services. King’s Chapel was a Loyalist or Tory church at the time of the American Revolution. It closed for a few months in 1776 after the British soldiers and Bostonians loyal to the king evacuated the town but did reopen that year for the funeral of patriot leader General Joseph Warren who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Press coverage of that event can be seen in this original article from the April 25, 1776 issue of The Pennsylvania Evening Post.

The interior of King’s Chapel is elegant and it is certainly one of the most beautiful churches in New England. The double Corinthian columns are made of wood and elements of them were hand-carved by Boston craftsmen in the 1750s. The wineglass pulpit was built in 1717 and used in the earlier wooden church. It is the oldest pulpit in the United States in continuous use on the same site. The box pews are original – families would pay a yearly rental fee for them and could decorate the pews to their liking. Their high walls kept out the drafts and helped retain the heat from the small foot-stoves that families would bring to church with them. Although the fabric in today’s pews has been replaced over the years, the cushions you can sit on when you visit still contain the original horsehair stuffing! The most famous pew in the church is the Governor’s Pew – once reserved for the Royal Governor and his family. President George Washington sat here on October 27, 1789 while attending an oratorio – a musical composition with orchestra, choir and soloists. At the time, King’s Chapel was generally called the Stone Chapel and press coverage of that event can be seen in this original article from the October 28, 1789 issue of The Massachusetts Centinel. President Washington’s visit to Boston lasted from October 24-29. Money raised from the oratorio (which was likely performed multiple times) was used to fund the addition of a colonnade or portico to the Chapel. This was added in 1790. A steeple was also in the architect’s original plans for the church but it was never built due to lack of funds.

Music at King’s Chapel

Visitors to King’s Chapel today can follow in the footsteps of President Washington by attending one of the many concerts and recitals held throughout the year. The King’s Chapel musical tradition dates back to 1713 when the church became the first in New England to acquire an organ! Here is a current list of recitals – they take place on Tuesdays, last 30-40 minutes and begin at 12:15 pm. Here is a current list of concerts. You can also learn more about music at King’s Chapel and view photos of the choir and organ. The current organ built in 1964 is the sixth in the church’s long history. The carved panels, ornamentation over the pipes, and the gold crown and miters on the present organ once decorated an earlier organ built in London for King’s Chapel in 1756.

Tours/Programs at King’s Chapel

Visitors can elect to go on a self guided tour or participate in one of the special tours/programs that are available. Two of these, the popular Tory Stories and Puritans, Patriots, and Pirates!, are offered during Harborfest. King’s Chapel’s latest journey into the past is the unique Bells and Bones Tour where knowledgeable guides take you to visit the crypt beneath the church and climb with you into the church tower where you have the very rare opportunity to view and photograph the largest bell ever made by Paul Revere! The cost for this tour is $7 per person (or $5 per person for the crypt only). The Bells and Bones tour is offered most weekdays (check with staff); Saturdays, on the hour, from 10 am – 4 pm; and Sundays, on the hour, from 1:30 pm to 4 pm. Learn what King’s Chapel has to offer educators and how you can arrange school group tours and group visits.

Restoring King’s Chapel

In conjunction with the National Historic Landmarks Commission, King’s Chapel is in the midst of a long and involved restoration project. To learn what they’ve already accomplished as well as the restoration work still needed to maintain a building over 250 years old – and how your contribution can help – view The Restoration Project.

Worship Services

Worship Services at King’s Chapel are held on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm and Sundays at 11 am.

Hours for King’s Chapel

Beginning May 3 King’s Chapel will be open from 10 am-5 pm every day with the following exceptions –  the church is closed for recitals on Tuesday  from noon to 1:30 pm; closed for church services on Wednesday  from noon to 1:30 pm; and closed for church services on Sunday until 1:30 pm.

Shortcut to this post: PaulRevereBell.com

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Paul Revere – A Man of Many Trades

December 1, 2009 by · 2 Comments 

© iStockphoto.com/JorgeAntonio

© iStockphoto.com/JorgeAntonio

When most people think about Paul Revere they usually recall his famous Midnight Ride on the evening of April 18-19, 1775 and perhaps his involvement in the Sons of Liberty. When it comes to his work as an artisan however, besides his fine efforts as a silversmith (master goldsmith), few can name any of the other trades this talented craftsman practiced. Paul Revere was a man of many trades – in fact he is rightfully considered one of America’s first industrialists. His entrepreneurial spirit was so strong that he began what might be considered his most daring business venture, opening the first copper rolling mill in North America, when many of his contemporaries were contemplating retirement. Paul Revere loved a challenge and long hours and hard work were nothing new to him. That work ethic started at a very young age when Revere initiated his career as an apprentice in the gold and silversmith shop of his father also named Paul. The elder Revere’s shop was located on Fish Street at the head of Clark’s Wharf. Nineteen-year-old Paul was in the midst of what was likely a seven year apprenticeship when his father died in 1754. At that time, Paul’s widowed mother Deborah Revere may have become proprietor of the family business and supervised the financial end of the operation where Paul, his brother Thomas and others worked. When Paul reached the age of 21, he was old enough to take over the business himself. After volunteering for a summer of service in the French and Indian War in 1756, Paul returned to run the family shop at the Clark’s Wharf location where he produced most of his work in silver, as gold was very expensive.

During his career as a silversmith, Paul Revere supplemented his income in numerous ways including work as a dentist and engraver. He advertised as a dentist in 1768 and 1770, offering to clean teeth and wire in false teeth, and served as a dentist until the Revolutionary War. After his good friend Doctor Joseph Warren was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, it was Paul Revere who was eventually able to identify Warren’s body by the two false teeth he had wired in. A reference to that identification, what may be the first example of forensic dentistry, is made in this original article from the April 25, 1776 issue of the Pennsylvania Evening Post. As a copper plate engraver, one of Paul Revere’s first efforts was the North Battery Certificate produced about 1762. Later copper plate prints include the well-known engraving of the Boston Massacre; the Landing of the Troops – an engraving showing the British troops landing at Long Wharf in 1768; and engraving work for Massachusetts currency, books and magazines. Paul Revere also did lead metal engravings for newspapers including the mastheads of both the Boston Gazette and the Massachusetts Spy.

When the Revolutionary War broke out, Revere learned how to manufacture gunpowder from the owner of a powder factory in Philadelphia. He returned to Boston and oversaw the construction of a powder mill in Canton that would supply gunpowder for the newly formed Continental Army. Revere spent most of the American Revolution as lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts State Train of Artillery and commander of Castle Island in Boston Harbor. Newspaper ads placed by Paul Revere after the Revolution tell us that he moved his silversmith shop multiple times; operated a hardware store as early as 1783; and housed both businesses together in 1787 as this original ad from the June 13, 1787 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel mentions. By 1788, while still operating his silversmith shop (run on a day-to-day basis by his son Paul Jr.) and hardware store, Revere opened a foundry and produced bolts, spikes, and nails for local shipyards. After 1792, he began to cast bells at his foundry in the North End of Boston, and was assisted by his sons Paul Revere Jr. and Joseph Warren Revere. Today some 147 bells made at the Revere Foundry still survive. Most are located in New England.

In 1794, Revere began casting cannon (naval and field pieces) for the Federal government and various state governments. In 1801, at the age of 65, Paul Revere opened the first copper rolling mill in North America. He was the first American to successfully roll copper into sheets. At his mill in Canton, Massachusetts, Revere produced sheet copper for the dome of the new Massachusetts State House in 1802 and for the hulls of many ships. Paul Revere retired in 1811 at the age of 76. Revere passed his copper business, and the good reputation it had earned, on to his son Joseph Warren Revere and two of his grandsons. He spent his final years surrounded by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These young boys and girls surely asked Paul Revere about the events of April 18-19, 1775, but they also knew of his many other accomplishments. Revere died on May 10, 1818 at the age of 83. The notice of his death in the Columbian Centinel included these words “During his protracted life, his activity in business and benevolence, the vigor of his mind, and strength of his constitution were unabated.” He is buried in Boston’s Granary Burying Ground.

Paul Revere was not born to wealth – he was an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. Revere was a patriot, a businessman, an involved citizen, and a popular and well-respected member of his community. Today, the staff at the Paul Revere House is dedicated to preserving Paul Revere’s memory and his place in American history for future generations. Because of their work, the intriguing story of Paul Revere’s Boston is alive and well at the patriot’s former home at 19 North Square. Visit the Paul Revere House and learn more about his work as an artisan, his political and civic connections, and many messenger rides including the one that would make Paul Revere famous thanks to a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. You can see samples of his silverwork on display and also view a 931 pound bell produced at the Revere Foundry in 1804.

For more insight into Paul Revere’s life read:

All are available from the Revere House Museum Shop.

Exciting Changes at the Paul Revere House

One hundred years after it opened to the public on April 18, 1908, the Paul Revere House is in the process of dramatically improving the visitor experience by converting an 1835 building that stands directly behind its property into a 3,600-square-foot Education and Visitor Orientation Center. The facility will include youth and family program space, restrooms, museum shop, midnight ride exhibit and displays. It will also include an elevator offering full handicapped access to all floors as well as to the second floor of the Paul Revere House for the very first time. Click on the graphic at left to learn more and see floor plans. Consider making a Symbolic $76 contribution to this wonderful project and play a part in renewing and expanding this historic treasure!

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