This province was first settled in 1628, by a Swedish company, and after passing through the hands of the Dutch and English, changed masters at least ten times in seventy-two years, scarcely contained twenty thousand inhabitants a century after its commencement, and but 100,000 at most when it was first called to participate in the advantages of independence. At present it contains, at least, 280,000. Although the state of New Jersey was constantly the theatre of the revolutionary war, and its losses consequently considerable, its prosperity at this time equals that of the most flourishing states; protected by forty years of peace and liberty, its industry has created it a fruitful source of wealth.
The constitution of New Jersey was discussed and adopted by the continental Congress, held at Burlington on the 2nd of July, 1776. This constitution was preceded by a declaration supporting the following principle.
“All constitutional authority, hitherto possessed by the kings of Great Britain over these colonies, or their other possessions, only existed by virtue of contract by the people, granted it for the common interest of all society. Fidelity and protection being in the nature of things, reciprocal ties, depending equally upon each other, the contract is susceptible of dissolution by the people, when these advantages are withdrawn or refused, and seeing that George the third, has refused his protection to the good people of these colonies; has sought by divers acts to give them up to the absolute power of the parliament, and has himself made war upon them in the most cruel and unheard of manner, for the sole reason that they wished to maintain their just rights, all authority exercised by the king of England is necessarily at an end.”
The constitution of New Jersey also establishes three powers, the legislative, executive, and judiciary, but with this difference, that in this state the governor is always a member of the legislative assembly, and chancellor of the state. He is annually elected by the council and general assembly. He has the right of pardoning, even in cases of treason; is commander-in-chief of the military forces, but has no influence in the appointment of captains and subalterns, which are always elected by the companies of each county. None but the generals and officers of the staff are elected by the council and assembly.
The military force is composed of about forty thousand men, of every description of arms. The militia regulations are very similar to those of Massachusetts.
CHAPTER X.
Entry of Philadelphia: history and constitution of the state of Pennsylvania: commerce, agriculture, &c.: city of Philadelphia: public buildings, public institutions, prisons, &c.
On Monday, the 27th of September, we crossed the Delaware upon a bridge about nine hundred feet long, and entirely roofed, so as effectually to preserve it from the weather. Foot passengers cross on a good side walk; the middle of the bridge is divided into two roads, one of which carriages take in going, and the other in coming, in order to avoid all accidents. It is built after the plan of Mr. Burr, who laid the foundation in 1804; the structure was completed in 1812. At his entrance into Pennsylvania, General Lafayette was received by the governor and his staff, at the head of a number of troops, and citizens of Morrisville; from Morrisville we went to sleep at the arsenal in Frankford, after passing through the charming little town of Bristol. We resumed our march next morning, amidst a still more numerous escort than that of the previous evening; and as we approached Philadelphia, the footmen, horsemen, and carriages, increased our procession so much, that we could not without great difficulty advance. On a plain at a short distance from the city, General Lafayette was received by the civil and military officers, and about 6000 uniformed volunteer militia, drawn up in hollow square, amid the thunder of cannon. After he had reviewed the troops, and they had defiled before him under the command of General Cadwalader, we resumed our march to enter the city. Never could it be more truly said, that a whole population came out to meet Lafayette; none remained at home but those whom age and feebleness detained. Stages had been erected on each side of the streets, as high as the eves of the houses, for the accommodation of spectators. In the principal street of the suburbs by which we entered, the different trades were drawn up in line, at the head of each corps was a workshop, in which were workmen at their employments; a banner accompanied each of these workshops, containing portraits of Washington and Lafayette, with this inscription, “To their wisdom and courage we owe the free exercise of our industry.” The printers were the most remarkable among all these mechanics. Over a press which they had in operation in the open street, was the following inscription, “Liberty of the Press, the surest guarantee of the rights of Man.” From this press, an ode to Lafayette, written by James N. Barker, was thrown into the carriages, and among the crowd, as they passed. After the mechanics, followed the public schools, the masters and scholars all being decorated with a ribband bearing a portrait of the general, and the motto “Welcome Lafayette.” At the head of the procession marched a detachment of cavalry; the nation’s guest followed in a magnificent barouche drawn by six horses, and by his side was placed the venerable Judge Peters, who was the secretary and soul of the war office throughout the revolutionary struggle. Then followed the mayor, city council, and judges, in different carriages; then George Lafayette and myself in a barouche, and behind us four large open cars resembling tents, containing each forty revolutionary soldiers. No one could, without emotion, behold these veterans of liberty, whose eyes half extinguished by age, still poured forth tears of joy at their unexpected happiness, in once more beholding their ancient companion in arms. Their feeble and trembling voices were re-animated by the sounds of the martial music which accompanied them, and acquired a new vigour in blessing the names of Washington and Lafayette. A long column of infantry closed the procession. After passing through the principal streets, and under thirteen triumphal arches, we halted and alighted before the state house. While we rested there a few moments, the representatives and senators of Pennsylvania, the city councils, judiciary, and military officers, assembled in the principal hall, and a few minutes after, under a salute of thirteen guns, we were conducted into the Hall of Independence, and the general having been led to the foot of the statue of Washington, was impressively addressed by the mayor.
In listening to this address, and recognizing this hall in which the declaration of independence of the United States was signed; this hall at whose door he had waited in 1777, with so much impatience to devote his life and fortune to an almost desperate cause, Lafayette felt an emotion he could scarcely conceal, and which several times shewed itself in his eloquent answer.
The people were then admitted to take the guest of the nation by the hand; this greeting lasted for several hours, and presented a picture of the most perfect equality that can be imagined. Mechanics with their hardened hands and uprolled sleeves, advanced to Lafayette; the magistrate and plain clad farmer stood together; the clergyman and player moved side by side, and children sure of having their rights and feebleness respected, marched boldly along before soldiers and sailors. The varieties of dress contrasted singularly with the uniformity of physiognomy, which all expressed the same sentiment of gratitude and admiration.