of Paul Revere; the barrel of the gun which is said to have killed King Philip; a chair over 200 years old, which belonged to Governor Treat, of Connecticut; and a Bible which belonged to John Alden, who came over in the Mayflower. The Salem collection embraces portraits of John Endicott and Simon Bradstreet, the first and last Governor of the Colony under the first charter; of Sir Richard Saltonstall, one of the patentees of Massachusetts; John Leverett, Governor of Massachusetts; Timothy Pickering, and others, while above them are draped the flags of the Colony. In the cases of the Essex Institute are exhibited a number of very interesting documents and memorials, including the Royal charter, under the great seal of England; manuscript record of the witchcraft trials, in the handwriting of Rev. Samuel Parris; the Christening robe of Governor Bradstreet, worn in 1588, and many others of value. In the northeastern corner of the room is the collection made to illustrate the career of Washington, and which includes a number of original portraits by Stuart, Peale, Pine, and other well-known artists. There are also scenes of Mount Vernon, and a picture of the room in which Washington died. The case contains the miniature of Washington worn by Mrs. Washington after his death; the profile miniature on copper by the Countess de Brehan; the beautiful miniature by James Peale belonging to the Artillery Corps Washington Grays, and a number of others. Also, his spectacles, surveying instrument, silver cup and salver, portions of the dinner china which he used, and, possibly most interesting of all, a letter from his mother, Mary Washington, written to her brother in 1759, in which she speaks of "George" having left the army. There are but two letters of Mary Washington known to be in existence, and this the only one mentioning "George." Benjamin Franklin is represented by an extremely interesting collection, embracing a number of well-known portraits, the bust by Ceracchi, and a painting representing him when he appeared as the representative of the Colonies at the Court of Louis XVI. In the case is the original commission he received from Congress to represent the Colonies in France, together with his "Letter of Instructions," each signed by Henry Laurens, President, and attested by Charles Thomson, Secretary; also his Air-Pump and Insulating-stool, given by him to Francis Hopkinson; and many other personal memorials. Maryland and Virginia are represented by a number of portraits of persons who bore an important part in their early history. Among these are portraits of Sir Walter Raleigh, Pocahontas, Lord Baltimore, Governor Spottiswoode, and Patrick Henry. Near by are cases containing a number of curious relics, including the lines written just before his execution by Sir Walter Raleigh, in his own handwriting, and interesting letters from, among others, William Penn, George Fox, Sir Jeffrey Amherst, Rev. George Whitefield, Generals Braddock and Wolfe, Baron de Kalb, General Burgoyne, Lord Rawdon, and Admiral Howe. In another case are exhibited the Strong Box of Robert Morris, with his original appointment as Superintendent of Finance; the silver shoe-buckles worn by Sam. Adams when he signed the Declaration of Independence; the Desk upon which Jefferson wrote the original draft of the Declaration; the wine-glasses presented to Hancock by John Wilkes, bearing the motto "Success to Wilkes and Liberty;" the spectacles of Wm. Ellery; the watch of Charles Carroll; a miniature of John Nixon, who read and proclaimed the Declaration of Independence publicly to the people for the first time July 8th, 1776, from the Observatory in the State House yard; the commission of Benedict Arnold; the MS. parole of Major André when a prisoner at Lancaster, Pa., February 23d, 1776, together with other souvenirs of this unfortunate and inte resting officer, and of many other characters of the Revolution; while, in still another case, are brought together costumes of the last century, household china and glass of the same period, and the communion service presented to Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, by Queen Anne. The committee for the historical "National Centennial Commemoration," having charged itself with the duty of distinctly marking the historical epochs leading up to that which the United States Centennial Commission was formed to celebrate, and having commemorated the 7th of June, prepared to commemorate duly the 2d of July, the day on which was passed the Resolution for Independence, the reasons for which were adopted two days later. As early as the 25th of October, 1875, the Committee on the Restoration of Independence Hall had addressed to the most prominent American authors and historical students the following invitation. Το "INDEPENDENCE HALL. PHILADELPHIA, October 25, 1875. SIR: The Committee on the Restoration of Independence Hall have resolved to invite the presence of American Historians, Biographers, and Literati at that place on the second day of July, 1876. They desire that a Biographical sketch of every individual, whose memory is associated with this Building during the early days of the Republic, may be prepared and deposited on that day among the Archives of the National Museum. You are respectfully requested to be present at Independence Hall on the day above mentioned, and to bring with you a sketch of the life of or in case of a preference for another subject, to communicate the fact. It is desired that these sketches should not exceed two pages of foolscap. With great respect, FRANK M. ETTING, Chairman of the Committee.” It was thought appropriate for the two committees to unite their efforts, and accordingly it was decided that on the adjournment of the meeting in Independence Hall, there should be commemorative exercises in the State House yard; and a programme was arranged, and accomplished speakers invited to make addresses. These proceedings commemorative of the 2d of July form the second part of this publication, which is designed as a memorial of the Centennial anniversary of the introduction and passage of "Certain Resolutions respecting Independency." |