Identifier: columbianmagazin17861787phil (find matches)
title of image: a north-west view of the state house in philadelphia, taken in 1778. Title of source publication: the columbian magazine: or, monthly miscellany, july 1787
year: 1787 (1780s)
subject: pennsylvania state house (independence hall), philadelphia, pennsylvania, united states
publisher: philadelphia: t. Seddon, w. Spotswood, c. Cist & j. Trenchard
description in text:
the columbian magazine, for july, 1787. Account of the state-house of pennsylvania. The annexed plate presents a view of the state-house of pennsylvania; a building which will, perhaps, become more interesting in the history of the world, than any of the celebrated fabrics of greece or rome. The foundation was begun within a century after the rude savages had quitted the soil on which it stands; and that august body which pronounced the freedom and sovereignty of the united states was assembled beneath its roof within 150 years after the emigration from europe under the venerable [william] penn. At this hour, it is the scene of a most important and singular transaftion; and what-ever may be the result of the foederal convention [constitutional convention], it must still be remembered, that in the same hall which enclosed those patriots who framed the declaration of independence, at the distance of little more than ten years, a national council peaceably deliberated upon a general and comprehensive system of government: nor will posterity easily determine whether greater gratitude is due to those citizens whose courage originally asserted the liberties, or to those whose wisdom afterwards provided the means for perpetuating the happiness of america. This building (which besides the council chamber, the house of assembly, and several unoccupied rooms contains the hall in which the supreme court is held) is situated in chestnut-street, between fourth and fifth streets. It is ornamented with two elegant clocks, placed on the east and west sides; but the steeple, which is preserved in the engraving, was taken down soon after the british troops evacuated this city. On the east wing a foundation has been lately laid for an elegant court-house [congress hall]; and the american philosophical society have made some advances in erecting a stately building [philosophical hall] on the north-west corner of the state house yard, which was presented to that body by an act of the legislature. The state-house yard has been highly improved by the exertions of mr. Samuel vaughan, and affords two gravel walks, shaded with trees, a pleasant lawn, and several beds of shrubs and flowers. Contributing library: university of pittsburgh library system
digitizing sponsor: university of pittsburgh library system
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click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book. Date: July 1787 (but depicting a 1778 image of the Pennsylvania State House/Independence Hall).
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