CARPENTERS' HALL. Ar a meeting of "The Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia," held 21st of July, 1873, Resolved, That Walter Allison, D. Henry Flick wir and Richard K. Betts be appointed a committee to memorialize Congress to celebrate the Centennial Meeting of the First Congress in this Hall on September 5, 1874. October 20, 1874, the Committee presented the draft of a Memorial, which was read and ordered to be transcribed, signed by the President and Secretary, the seal of the Company attached, and the Committee directed to present a copy to the President of the United States and to both Houses of Congress. MEMORIAL. To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled: We, your memorialists, respectfully represent, that, whilst we recognize the fact that our nation's freedom was declared in Independence Hall, yet this Hall, where were heard the deliberate tones of a Hancock, the defiant voice of a Henry, and the persuasive eloquence of an Adams in the First American Congress 5 -than whom a body of greater men never assembled together or crowned a nation's annals-and who bowed here in reverence as the first prayer was uttered in that Congress, deliberately avowing that to the oppressive acts of the mother-country Americans never can submit, and the determination to part with their liberties only with their lives, so patriotically and faithfully adhered to, is held sacred by us as the Nation's birth-place, and must be dear to every patriotic heart; and whereas, The near approach of the one hundredth anniversary of that memorable event renders it befitting that we, the successors of those who freely offered this Hall when even our timehonored State-House was closed against them, should commemorate the nation's advent by our official action; Therefore be it Resolved, That Congress be invited to assemble in this Hall on the fifth day of the ninth month next (1874), the hundredth anniversary of the meeting of the First American Congress, and that such ceremonies take place as they in their wisdom think best suited to that memorable occasion. SAMUEL RAIN, President. may WM. T. FORSYTHE, Secretary. WALTER ALLISON, D. HENRY FLICKWIR, Committee. July 20, 1874, the Committee reported that two of their number, Walter Allison and Richard K. Betts, proceeded to Washington and presented the Memorial to the President and to Congress as directed. Walter Allison offered the following: Whereas, The Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia did present a Memorial to the Congress of the United States, inviting that body to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of the meeting of Congress in this Hall on the 5th day of September, 1874, and Whereas, The Congress of the United States have NOT deemed it expedient to celebrate that event as a national one; therefore, be it Resolved, That in order to celebrate so important an event in our nation's history, a committee of three be appointed, whose duty it shall be to have an oration. delivered in this hall, and any other ceremonies appropriate to the occasion; When, on motion, the preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted, and the following committee appointed: JOHN M. OGDEN, RICHARD K. BETTS. The Committee extended a timely and cordial invitation to the President of the United States and his Cabinet, the Vice-President, and to both Houses of Congress, the Chief-Justice, the Governors of the States, and other distinguished officials and private citizens. Amongst those present were Hon. Henry Wilson, Vice-President, U. S., 66 Jos. R. Hawley, M. C. and President of U. S. Joseph R. Chandler, Ex-Minister to Italy, James H. Campbell, Ex-Minister to Sweden, Henry C. Carey, Alex. McClure, Gen. Robert Patterson, Maj. John O. James, Capt. George A. Smith, Hon. Thomas Cochran, Centennial John Wanamaker, Board of Finance, Fredk. Fraley, Secretary Centennial Board of J. L. Atlee, Lancaster, Leonard H. Davis, Esq., New Jersey. The assemblage was then called to order by John M. Ogden, chairman of the Committee of Arrangements. He nominated for President John Welsh, Esq. On motion of Mr. Walter Allison, Charles S. Ogden, Esq., was then chosen Secretary. Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Davies, Rector of St. Peter's Church, then delivered the following PRAYER. O God, who art the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Almighty Ruler of Nations, who as at this time didst inspire and direct the hearts of our fathers to lay the perpetual foundations of peace, liberty and safety, we adore and magnify Thy glorious name for all the great things which Thou hast done for us. The Lord our God be with us as He was with our fathers; let Him not leave us nor forsake us. We render Thee thanks for the goodly heritage which Thou hast given us; for the civil and religious privileges which we enjoy, and for the multiplied manifestations of Thy favor. Grant that we may show forth our thankfulness for these Thy mercies, by living in reverence of Thy Almighty power and dominion, in humble reliance on Thy goodness, and in holy obedience to Thy laws. Preserve, we beseech Thee, to our country the blessings of peace, and secure them to all the people of the earth. We implore Thy blessing on all in authority over us, that they may have grace and wisdom so to discharge their duties as most effectually to promote Thy glory, the interests of true religion and virtue, and the peace, good order and welfare of our nation. Shed the quickening influences of Thy Holy Spirit on all the people of this land. Save us from the guilt of abusing our blessings, lest we provoke Thee in just judgment to visit our offences with a rod and our sins with Scourges. And while Thy unmerited goodness, O God of all salvation, leads us to repentance, may we |