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PHILADELPHIA: CRADLE OF INDEPENDENCE,
FOR SOME
We emerged into the light and heat of mid-morning from the dark,
underground cavern of the high speed train station. Philadelphia, 8th
and Market Street, at the edge of the historic downtown section of the
city. We had visited this cradle of United States independence two years
ago and much was unchanged. The noise and confusion of heavy traffic,
taxis blowing their horns and brazenly darting through traffic. Bicycle
messengers boldly snaking in and out of four- wheeled vehicles on the
street and pedestrians on the sidewalk to safely deliver their packages.
Street vendors selling hot dogs, lemonade, and Philly cheese steak
sandwiches. The rainbow of colors of people thronging the sidewalks and
streets: black, brown, red, yellow, white and all shades in-between.
We walked down to the Visitors’ Center at 6th and Market
to get oriented to the history surrounding us. There, the exhibits brought
the historic city and its citizens to life. A video told us of the
improvements that Benjamin Franklin had made to the city, such as
lightening rods, street lights, and an organized fire department, as well
as his courage and diplomatic efforts on behalf of the new republic. The
different styles of architecture of the city were pictured and described.
Places of importance in the era of the American revolution were located on
large maps: the Liberty Bell, Franklin Square, Carpenter’s Hall and
Independence Hall, the free Quaker meetinghouse and old Christ Church, the
City Tavern, the Betsy Ross house, Elfreth’s Alley, and others. Many of
these we had explored on our previous visit.
But recent changes in historic downtown Philadelphia are obvious. A new
African-American Museum has been added to the many other points of
historic interest in the city. It celebrates the contribution of both free
and enslaved blacks in the history of Philadelphia.
For, while the white citizens of Philadelphia discussed, voted and
prepared for independence, the majority of the black citizens of the city
remained enslaved. Thomas Jefferson’s lofty words in the Declaration of
Independence did not include them: "We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these rights are
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...." Even though trapped
in slavery, African-Americans were an active and valuable part of the city’s
history during the era of the Revolutionary War .
A new memorial is proposed at "The President’s House" near
the Visitors’ Center. Excavations currently underway are revealing
previously unknown facts and stories. George Washington, first President
of the new nation, lived here temporarily and presided from an office in
this building as the proposed new capital city at Washington, D.C. was not
yet ready. Washington is reported to have declared this house "the
best single family dwelling in the entire city." So, in 1790, it
became his temporary home and the presidential office.
The excavations there have uncovered artifacts, such as china
fragments, metal and pottery pieces and archeologists are attempting to
date them. Foundations of unknown walls, wells, outhouses and a major
addition to the house have been revealed.
Previously unknown stories, too, are emerging from the excavation.
Apparently, the household of George Washington included at least six black
house slaves. When he moved to Philadelphia from his home in Virginia, he
took those servants with him. Pennsylvania, however, had recently passed
laws forbidding the importation of enslaved blacks into the state.
Furthermore, any enslaved black who lived in Pennsylvania for six months
was to be freed.
Mr. Washington, President of the United States, smuggled those six
slaves into "The President’s House" secretly. He then created
"business" which required each of them to return temporarily to
his Mount Vernon, Virginia plantation before their mandated six months of
slavery were up. Thus, he secretly avoided the freedom provision of the
Pennsylvania law! Nevertheless, two of his most valuable slaves, his chef
and a female servant, did manage to escape during their stay in
Philadelphia. They were never found.
Documents now coming to light record the history of a very active Free
African-American Society in Philadelphia. It was organized by two men who
purchased their own freedom and then studied for the ministry. They
established churches which continue to the present day and carried out an
extensive charitable ministry in their communities.
The African-American community of Philadelphia is no longer
historically invisible. The 18th century costumed interpreters
of the city’s history roaming the streets of the historic downtown now
include both black and white persons. Our understanding of our nation’s
history is enriched by their presence. Philadelphia was the cradle of
independence for our nation, and for its white citizens. But for
African-Americans, 18th century Philadelphia was just another
chapter in a long history of enslavement. They would have to wait nearly
another century for their independence.
7/28/07 - mshr
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