Historical Artifacts Archives - Page 7 of 10

Wentworth Cheswell Documents

Wentworth Cheswell (sometimes Chiswell or Cheswill), from New Hampshire, held some position in local government for half a century, holding a position every year from 1768 until 1817. Below are documents from the WallBuilders library signed by Cheswell during the twelve years he served as Justice of the Peace.

Wentworth Cheswell Document from 1812

Wentworth Cheswell Document from 1813

Wentworth Cheswell Document from 1814

Wentworth Cheswell Document from 1815

Wentworth Cheswell Document from 1816

The USS Arizona sinks after it's bombed during the Pearl Harbor attacks in 1941.

WWII Japanese Leaflets

During World War II, American bombers dropped millions of leaflets over Japan to warn citizens of events such as upcoming bombings and surrender terms. Below is a collection of Japanese language leaflets from the WallBuilders library (translations have been provided when found).

Translation of text on the front:

After establishing strange bases in New Guinea, the American forces made their advance to the Philippines and finally cut the supply lines which link Japan with the Southern Regions.

Translation of text on the back:

Treasure trove of the South Seas
The U.S. military is advancing into Japan every moment. It’s getting close to distortion. Due to the success of the battle to recapture Hishima, Japan the waterway linking Japan to the Southern Ocean was completely cut off. As the strength of the US military in the Philippines continues to grow, the navy extends its influence to Thailand, France, and France, and the air force and the US military extend their influence by sea from the Ryukyu Islands to Saigon, attacking ships and military facilities. On the other hand, on the Japanese side, not only the navy, but the sky is the one that should be protected. As long as this situation continues, it will be absolutely impossible for Japan to reopen the waterway to the South Seas. Only by having enough supplies could the war be continued.

Translation of text on the back:

What good is money in the bank or in bonds? Buy articles you need now and buy articles for future use. The remaining supply is low. As a result of bombing by America, many of your stores will close their doors while others will be open only for limited periods. Buy food, clothing, and other necessities to tide you over these periods. Money will not satisfy your hunger or clothe you. Bonds will not satisfy a baby’s cry. A wise person would buy now, not save his money. The present is not a time for money. It is a period for goods.

Translation of text on the back:

In 1930, when the gumbatsu [a name for a “militarist clique” in Japan] had not yet started the war in China, you could buy the following items for 10 yen: 1) 25 sho of good rice. 2) Or, material for 8 summer kimonos. 3) Or, 4 bags of charcoal. In 1937, after the start of the China Incident, you could buy the following for 10 yen: 1) 25 sho of low grade rice. 2) Or, material for 5 summer kimonos. 3) Or, 2 bags of charcoal. Today, after waging 3 years of hopeless warfare with the world’s greatest powers, you can buy the following for 10 yen: 1) 1.2 sho of good rice on the black market. 2) Or small amount of charcoal, if you can get it. 3) Cotton material, nothing. This is what your leaders call co-prosperity.

Translation of text on the back:

Boasting that their defense was an iron wall, the militarists asserted that the Japanese Navy and Air Force would annihilate all who attacked the homeland. Today, those militarists stand powerless while the U.S. Navy and Air Force attack Japan at will and with increasing fury. It is clear that the Japanese Navy and Air Force cannot defend the homeland. It is also clear that the militarists, whose so-called defense was merely an empty word, are not worthy to be leaders. The full force of the American attack has not yet been felt. When it comes, the destruction will be pitiless and complete. The militarists cannot save Japan by their boasts, but the people can save their country by unconditional surrender.

The translation of the above leaflet is found below (right click on the image to view a larger version).

Translation of text on the back:

Now that American forces are invading your island, your lives are in danger. Beaches will be bombed and shelled in order to weaken the Japanese Army and prepare for American troop landings. However, bombs dropped from planes and shells from battlehsips may land anywhere. Civilians who remain in coastal areas will be destroyed together with Japanese soldiers and installations used by the Japanese Army. If you value your lives, follow these instructions: 1. Stay away from all coastal areas. 2. Stay away from American parachute troops. If you make no signs of resistance, they will not harm you. 3. Wear light colored clothing so that you may be easily identified. 4. Send some representatives to obtain food and water from the Japanese Army. 5. Until further instructions are issued from the American forces, withdraw and seek safety. 6. Those who obey our instructions will get food, clothing and water. 7. Do not hide near your homes or join the Japanese soldiers in caves or houses. 8. Do not approach us until instruction is given. 9. Watch for later leaflets which will tell you how to avoid harm. The American troops do not want to harm you. Therefore it is your duty and to your benefit to follow these instructions.

Translation of text on the back:

The military leaders [suffered?] repeated crushing defeats and began to defend the country by using their own houses as a defensive base. They are trying to hand over responsibility for the defense of the country to the people of the country. How could civilians, non-combatants, carry out a defense operation that had failed when an army with special combat training had failed? When the American army began its offensive against Japanese soil, no matter how stubbornly the Japanese people tried to defend themselves, no matter how hard they tried to defend themselves, they would not be able to [win?]. Attacks based on raw military power are truly frightening, and they completely destroy even the public. The people of Japan are now sacrificing their own lives, not to mention each city, and there is absolutely no hope of saving Japan. The only way left is to surrender unconditionally, and only then could the Japanese population be able to return to the peaceful life of the pre-war era.

Translation of text on the back:

These leaflets are being dropped to notify you that your city has been listed for destruction by our powerful air force. The bombing will begin within 72 hours.

This advance notice will give your military ample time to take the necessary defensive measure to protect you from our inevitable attack. Watch and see how powerless they are to protect you.

We give the military clique this notification of our plans because we know there is nothing they can do to stop our overwhelming power and our iron determination. We want you to see how powerless the military is to protect you.

Systematic destruction of city after city will continue as long as you blindly follow your military leaders whose blunders have placed you on the very brink of extinction. It is your responsibility to overthrow the military government now and save what is left of your beautiful country.

In the meantime; we urge all civilians to evacuate at once.

Translation of text on the front:

The Curtain has Dropped. War Starts.

Translation of text on the back:

AMERICAN AIR FORCE HITS TOKYO.

March 9th. 300 bombers air raided Tokyo again, dropping many incendiary bombs that caused huge fire all over the city.

A few hours after those planes left,central Tokyo become a sea of fire.

This is the warning of thousands of bomber attacking the main land of Japan in the near future.

Before this attack (3/9) Feb. 16/17’s bombing of Tokyo 1200, US Airforce hit a crowded factory area. They have dropped over 200 tons of bombs to military related factory and caused a big blow to them. And they came with the same scale of an attack on power plants, hangars, and an Air plane factory.

These attacks are part of upcomimg attacks to the main land.

While these attacks are happening, US Marines landed on Iwo Jima.

Iwo Jima was a stronghold, since Feb. 19 Marines have been conducting the ferocious attacks repeatedly. They keep attacking despite casuaities and are gaining their territory, the Japanese cannot fight back any longer.

Japanese air force and navy can no longer save the 20,000 force on this island because they are surrounded by Marines.

So the time is near that U.S. force will use this island as a base for attacks against all Japanese military facilities in main land Japan.

Losing the supply lines, losing capability of protection, foretelling Japanese military clique’s downfall.

Japanese Soldiers!!!

Tokyo became the battle field and it’s a begging of many attacks on the home land.
Now is the time you need to realize how this war will end.

Translation of text:

How long will it last? What was the lowest point?

Translation of text on the front:

Left on the small boat, the Army weeps

Translation of the text on the back:

To Japanese Officers
We are not trying to insult or deride the present condition you are in. Rather, with our experiences on the Battle of Bataan as well as Corregidor, we can’t help but feel deep sympathy for you. At the time we didn’t have any other choices but the actions we took. The reason is that the Japanese Navy had control of the Ses of the Philippines. Since then, the reality of the battle has turned. Who do you think has control of the sea near Japan? The supply ships were coming to you with things you needed. Where are they now? You already know our air force, navy battleships, and submarines inflicted huge damages on the Japanese fleet. Is there a ship still active? There might be a few. But have you seen any lately? The navy probably harbors them in a safe port. You are deserted on the isolated island where no supply ship can come. Well you know this reality.

Harvard College Charter

Harvard University was founded in 1636 and was incorporated in May 1650. Many signers of the Declaration of Independence graduated from Harvard, including: John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and others. As did several national leaders, such as Joseph Story and John Quincy Adams.

Below is a 1650 incorporation charter for Harvard College from the WallBuilders library. Below is the transcript with corrected spelling and expanded abbreviations:

At the General Court held at Boston in the year. 1642

Whereas through the good hand of God upon us, there is a College founded in Cambridge in the County of Middlesex, called Harvard College, for the Encouragement whereof this Court has given the Sun of £400, and also the Revenue of the Ferry between Boston and Charleston, and that the well ordering and Managing of the said College is of great concernment.

It is therefore ordered by this court and the authority thereof that the Governor and Deputy Governor, for the time being, and all the Magistrates of the Jurisdiction, together with the teaching Elders of the Six next adjoining towns viz. Cambridge, Watertown, Charleston, Boston, Roxbury and Dorchester, and the President of the said College, for the time being shall from time to time have full power and authority, to make and establish all such orders, statutes, and constitutions, as they shall see necessary, for the instituting, guiding and furthering of the said College and the several members thereof from time to time in Piety, Morality, and Learning as also to dispose order and manage to the use of the said College and the members thereof, all Gifts, Legacies, Bequests, Revenues, Lands, and Donations, as either have been, are or shall be conferred, bestowed or any ways shall fall or come to the said College,

And whereas it may come to pass, that many of the said magistrates and said Elders may be absent, or otherwise employed about other weighty affairs when the said College may need their present Help and Counsel,

It is therefore ordered that the greater a Number of the Magistrates and Elders which shall be present with the President shall have the Power of the whole, provided that if any Constitution, or disposed orders by them made, shall be found hurtful to the said College or members thereof, or to the Wealth-Public, then upon the appeal of the Party or Parties grieved unto the Company of overseers first mentioned, they shall repeal the said order or orders (if they shall see cause) at the next meeting or stand accountable thereof to the next General Court.

For the further encouragement and promoting the Weal and Government of the Students in the College, the General Court held at Boston the 30th of May, 1650, made and granted under the Seal of the Colony, this following Charter.

Whereas through the good hand of God many devoted Persons have been and daily are moved and stirred up to give and bestow, sundry Gifts, Legacies, Lands, and Revenues for the advancement of all good Literature, Arts, and Sciences in Harvard College in Cambridge in the county of Middlesex and to the Maintenance of the President and Fellows, and for all accommodations of Building and all of the necessary Provisions that may Conduce to the Education of the English and Indian Youth of the County in Knowledge and Godliness.

It is therefore ordered and enacted by the Court and the Authority thereof, that for the furthering of so good a Work and for the proposed aforesaid, that from hence forth that the said College in Cambridge in Middlesex aforesaid, in New England shall be a Corporation consisting of Seven Persons, viz. a President, five Fellows, and a Treasurer or Purse, and that Henry Dunster shall be the first President. Samuel Mather, Samuel Danforth, Master of Art, Jonathan Mitchell, Comfort Star, and Samuel Eaton, Bachelor of Art, shall be the five fellows, and Thomas Danforth to be present Treasurer all of the time being Inhabitants in the Bay and shall be the first Seven Person of which the said Corporation shall consist and the said Seven persons or the greater Number of them procuring the presence of the Overseers of the College and by their Counsel and Consent shall have power, and are hereby Authorized at any time or times to Elect a new President, Fellows, and Treasurer, so oft from time to time as any of the said Person or Persons, shall die or be Removed which said President and Fellows for the time being, what power here after in Name and Fact become body Politic and Corporate in Law to all Intents and Purposes, and shall have perpetual secession and shall be called by the name of President and Fellows of Harvard College, and from time to time be eligible as aforesaid, and by the name they and their Successors shall and may purchase and acquire to themselves or take and receive upon, free Gifts and Donations, and Land Tenements and Hereditaments within this Jurisdiction of Massachusetts not exceeding the value of £500 per annum, or any goods and sums of money…. [end of manuscript, to read full charter see here]

Philadelphia Bible Society Constitution

The Philadelphia Bible Society, America’s first Bible society, was officially organized on December 12, 1808. Rev. Dr. William White was president of the society and Declaration signer Benjamin Rush was a vice president. By 1816, 121 more Bible societies had been started across the nation.

Below, from WallBuilders’ Collection, is the Philadelphia Bible Society constitution, published in 1809. See also this title page from the first Bible printed by the Philadelphia Bible Society.

John Quincy Adams Graduates from Harvard

Harvard University was founded in 1636 and was incorporated in May 1650. Many of America’s early leaders graduated from Harvard – including John Quincy Adams. Below is a broadside from the WallBuilders library that lists the graduating class of 1787 (John Quincy Adams is listed in the first column) along with the thesis topics of that class.

Benjamin Rush Letter to Elisha Boudinot

Below is a letter that WallBuilders came across from Benjamin Rush (Declaration signer) to Elisha Boudinot, brother of Founding Father Elias Boudinot. Rush wrote this letter on September 8, 1797 in condolence for the loss of Elisha’s wife. Notice the specifically religious content in this letter.

benjamin-rush-letter-to-elisha-boudinot-2

Philad. September 8^th. 1797.

My dear Sir:

Permit me to join in the general sympathy your late bereavement has excited in the breasts of all your friends. “Is Dr. Mather still in the land of the living” said one of his friends who inquired after him at his door in his last illness. “No (said the aged saint who overheard the inquiry) he is in the land of the dead, but he is going to the land of the living.” Yes – my dear friend, we live among the dead; and in a valley of human bones. Every newspaper we pick up is an obituary of departed friends, or fellow citizens. At the present awful moment, the passing hearse, the shut up houses, and the silent streets of our city, all proclaim that we are made of the dust, & that we are doomed to return to it. But let us not complain as those who have no hope. The grave shall ere long be robbed of its prey. Even Hell itself shall give up its prisoners. The Conquests & Grace of Jesus Christ extend to the utmost limits of fire & misery, & all all shall in due time be made to partake of the benefits of this infinite Atonement. Your late excellent consort will I doubt not be among the first fruits of his glorious resurrection. Let those considerations comfort you under your present affliction. My dear Mrs. Rush shares deeply in your grief, and joins with me in respectful & affectionate [comfor^ts] to your aged and afflicted parents Mr. & Mrs. Smith. She joins likewise in love to all the children with my D^r Sir your sincere friend.

Benjm Rush

PS: The fever increases, but it is confined chiefly to one part of the city. I have hitherto been preserved, except from a light attack of it, which confined me but one day. “Brethren pray for us.” – Mrs. Bradford continues to mend but slowly.

A Defence of the Use of the Bible in Schools

The following is part of the transcript from a letter written in 1791, which was published by the American Tract Society in 1830. To purchase the whole text of Dr. Rush’s letter, see The Bible in Schools pamphlet that can be found in the WallBuilders store.

Dear Sir:
It is now several months since I promised to give you my reasons for preferring the Bible as a schoolbook to all other compositions. Before I state my arguments, I shall assume the five following propositions:

That Christianity is the only true and perfect religion; and that in proportion as mankind adopt its principles and obey its precepts they will be wise and happy.
That a better knowledge of this religion is to be acquired by reading the Bible than in any other way.
That the Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world.
That knowledge is most durable, and religious instruction most useful, when imparted in early life.
That the Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life.

My arguments in favor of the use of the Bible as a schoolbook are founded,
I. In the constitution of the human mind.

The memory is the first faculty which opens in the minds of children. Of how much consequence, then, must it be to impress it with the great truths of Christianity, before it is preoccupied with less interesting subjects.
There is a peculiar aptitude in the minds of children for religious knowledge. I have constantly found them, in the first six or seven years of their lives, more inquisitive upon religious subjects than upon any others. And an ingenious instructor of youth has informed me that he has found young children more capable of receiving just ideas upon the most difficult tenets of religion than upon the most simple branches of human knowledge. It would be strange if it were otherwise, for God creates all His means to suit His ends. There must, of course, be a fitness between the human mind and the truths which are essential to it happiness.
The influence of early impressions is very great upon subsequent life; and in a world where false prejudices do so much mischief, it would discover great weakness not to oppose them by such as are true. I grant that many men have rejected the impressions derived from the Bible; but how much soever these impressions may have been despised, I believe no man was ever early instructed in the truths of the Bible without having been made wiser or better by the early operation of these impressions upon his mind. Every just principle that is to be found in the writings of Voltaire is borrowed from the Bible; and the morality of Deists, which has been so much admired and praised where it has existed, has been, I believe, in most cases, the effect of habits produced by early instruction in the principles of Christianity.
We are subject, by a general law of our natures, to what is called habit. Now, if the study of the Scriptures be necessary to our happiness at any time of our life, the sooner we begin to read them, the more we shall probably be attached to them; for it is peculiar to all the acts of habit, to become easy, strong, and agreeable by repetition.

For the whole text of Dr. Rush’s letter, see the WallBuilders store to purchase the The Bible in Schools pamphlet.

John Hancock – A Brief – 1788

This is a brief issued by Governor John Hancock on June 20, 1788. It includes his request for the people of Massachusetts “to contribute to their abilities, in money, public securities or other property” to the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North-America who had originally requested a brief be issued. The transcript below has been changed to reflect modern spelling and grammar.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By His EXCELLENCY

JOHN HANCOCK, Esquire,

Governour of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A Brief.

The society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North-America, lately incorporated by an Act of this Commonwealth, having requested and petitioned that a Brief should be issued to make collections in the several Religious Societies for these important purposes, which request was complied with by the General Assembly:

I DO THEREFORE, in pursuance of the recommendation of the said General Assembly, and with the Advice of Council, hereby earnestly recommend to the good people of this Commonwealth, to contribute to their abilities, in money, public securities or other property, to this benevolent design, a design which early employed the attention of our venerable fore-fathers. I do request that all money or other property collected, may be paid into the hands of JONATHAN MASON, Esq. Treasurer of the said Society, as a fund to be employed the Society for the purpose of propagating the knowledge of the Gospel among the Indians and others in America, and furnishing the means of religious instruction to those places in this Commonwealth, which are now destitute of the same.
And I do further request the Ministers of the several religious Societies within this Commonwealth to read this Brief to their respective Congregations, upon the first Lord’s day after they shall receive the same, and to propose a collection on the Lord’s day next following.

GIVEN under my Hand and the Seal of the Commonwealth aforesaid, this Twentieth day of June, Anno Domini, 1788, and in the Twelfth Year of the Independence of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.

JOHN HANCOCK.

By his Excellency’s Command,
With the Advice and Consent of the Council,
JOHN AVERY, jun. Secretary.

To the Honorable the Senate and the Honorable House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North-
America, beg leave to show, That one design of our venerable Fathers in emigrating to this land, was professedly to extend the knowledge of our Glorious Redeemer among the Savage Natives; that this design was expressed and enjoined under both the charters, granted by the parent state to this Colony, and is, in the opinion of the Society, necessary and suitable at all times to be pursued, by a people who profess Christianity.

That the end for which this Society was instituted by the Legislature, was to attend to this important circumstance, and prove to the European World, who are at a great expense in pursing this object among us, that we were not inattentive to it. It is the desire, the design, and the ambition of the Society, to pursue the ends and purposes for which they were incorporated.

The want of Funds alone prevents them from exerting themselves in propagating the Gospel among the Indians, and extending the means of Christian knowledge among those of the inhabitants of this land, who are now destitute of them.

They humbly request your Honors, to recommend to his Excellency the Governor, to issue a Brief to be read in all the Churches of this Commonwealth, requesting the said of all piously disposed persons, in carrying on this truly benevolent design, and asking their contributions, in Specie, Public Securities, or any other property, to enable the said Society to send the knowledge of our Glorious Redeemer, among those who are now perishing for lack of vision, and to extend the means of instruction to our fellow citizens in the eastern and other parts of the State, who are now destitute of them.

The Society are not insensible of the difficulties and embarrassments of the present day, and they are sorry to ask the aid of their fellow citizens at a time so distressing, but they cannot be easy to remain any longer inactive from pursuing the great objects of their appointment. The collections upon this occasion will be free, and they do not wish them to be so large as to cause distress to any. A mite thrown into the Treasury of the Society by every individual in the State, would amount to a large sum, and would enable them to publish the glad tidings of great joy, among those who are now sitting in darkness and in the region of the shadow of Death.

Your Honors will pardon the Society for addressing you on this occasion, and requesting this favor at your hands; they can scarcely suppose, however, an apology to be necessary for applying to Christian Rulers, upon a subject which relates so immediately to the honor of the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Your Honors will be pleased to observe, that the Society are not asking a favor for themselves, but are supplicating for those, who now suffer in their best interest: They are beseeching your Honors to pursue a design of which our venerable Fathers never lost sight, and to do what may be highly acceptable to that Being, upon whom the welfare of States and Empires essentially depends.

They take the liberty to observe, that the peace and harmony which prevailed in general between the Indians bordering on the northern States of the Union, and the citizens thereof, during the late war, may in a good measure be attributed to the exertions of the Missionaries who were supported among them: And that perhaps it may not now be an object of less political consequence, to continue and encourage their exertions; as the British are practicing every art to induce the Indians to retire from among us, into the more interior parts of the continent, that they may secure to themselves exclusively the benefits of the fur trade, and their alliance in any further rupture.

The Society cannot doubt the attention of the Honorable Court to a subject so important; they hope for a compliance with their request, and as in duty bound shall ever pray.

FRANCIS DANA, ⎬ In the name and by order of the Society.
EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH, ⎬ [In the name and by order of the Society.]
PETER THACHER, ⎬ [In the name and by order of the Society.]

July 4th Prayer

In response to Benjamin Franklin’s call to seek God that was made on June 28, 1787,¹ the Rev. William Rogers prayed² before the service that was held at the Reformed Calvinist Church in Philadelphia on July 4th of that year. The below text is taken from The Massachusetts Centinel on August 15, 1787.

On the 4th ult. the anniversary of American Independence was celebrated at Philadelphia, in the Reformed Calvinist Church, by the Pennsylvania Society of Cincinnati, in presence of the Federal Convention, many distinguished characters, and a most brilliant assembly of ladies and gentlemen – when in Oration, commemorative of the great event, was pronounced by JAMES CAMPBELL, Esq. after the delivery of an Introductory Prayer by the Rev. WILLIAM ROGERS, A. M. – A copy of each was obtained of the Press, and with pleasure we take the earliest opportunity of presenting to our readers, through the medium of this Gazette, the Introductory Prayer, verbatim, not doubting but the sentiments therein contained, will meet the approbation of all the FEDERAL and PIOUS inhabitants of the State of Rhode Island, as expressed by ONE OF HER SONS. –

INTRODUCTORY PRAYER.Supremely great and infinitely glorious Lord our God! From everlasting to everlasting Thou art the same! Unchangeable in thy nature, in thy word, in all thy works! – Cloathed with light as with a garment, and with majesty as with a robe! Who maketh the clouds thy chariot, and walkest upon the wings of the winds! Possessed of every adorable ATTRIBUTE and divine PERFECTION!

We, thy unworthy but dependent children, assembled on this joyful occasion, humbly desire to approach the THRONE of thy GRACE, in and through the merit of thy coequal SON, our EVER BLESSED SAVIOUR! For HIS sake, be pleased to pardon our manifold sins, and to blot out all our transgressions! Justify our persons through IMMANUEL’S righteousness, and sanctify our natures by the powerful influences of thy most HOLY SPIRIT! May we wholly be devoted to thy service, and live uniformly to thy praise!

With united hearts and uplifted voices, we render unfeigned thanks to thy name, O THOU SOVEREIGN RULER OF ALL WORLDS, for those numberless mercies wherewith we have been and continue to be visited! We adore thee for thy creating power, preserving goodness, and redeeming love! Suffer us never to forget any of thy favours, as we are altogether undeserving, even of the least! Particularly, O God! Are the inhabitants of these States, on THIS DAY, under the strongest obligations to bless THY NAME, for that Liberty, civil and religious, which they so fully enjoy! We would join the general body, and ascribe praise and thanksgiving to thy ADORABLE MAJESTY, for this AUSPICIOUS Anniversary, a DAY long to be remember by us and future generations! A DAY, whereon this extensive continent was, by the representatives of a numerous and oppressed people, DECLARED FREE AND INDEPENDENT! HEAVEN approved the declaration, our arms were crowed with success, sweet peace hath visited our borders, the soldier once more became the citizen: Retiring, without regret, from stations of command, our military officers returned with cheerfulness to the several duties of domestic and tranquil life! Our ears are not more pierced with the confused noise of war, our eyes are no longer pained with the horrid fight of garments roll’d in blood. – While we thus thankfully acknowledge thy reiterated favours in our political hemisphere, we beg leave also to mention thy providential smiles in crowning the YEAR with thy goodness, and causing thy paths to drop fatness: “Our pastures are cloathed with flocks, our fields are covered over with corn and wheat, our husbandmen shout for joy – yea, they also sing.”

That we may continue to enjoy these important blessing, be pleased, O Lord, to visit all the nations of the earth, and incline their hearts to peace and love; shower down upon them thy heavenly grace; may they know THEE as the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS! In an especial manner, DO THOU visit our land, graciously regard our country, protect and defend our infant, but hitherto highly favoured Empire, bless our CONGRESS, smile upon each particular State of the UNION: May those who are in authority rule in thy fear, prove a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them who do well! As this is a period, O LORD! big, with events, impenetrable by any human scrutiny, we fervently recommend to thy fatherly notice, that august Body assembled in this city, who compose our FEDERAL CONVENTION; will it please THEE, O THOU ETERNAL I AM! to favour them from day to day with thy immediate presence; be thou their wisdom and their strength! Enable them to devise such measures as may prove happily instrumental for healing all divisions, and promoting the good of the great WHOLE; incline the hearts of all the people to receive with pleasure, combined with a determination to carry into execution, whatever these thy servants may wisely recommend; that the United States of America may furnish the world with ONE example of a free and permanent government, which shall be the result of human and mutual deliberation, and which shall not, like all other governments, whether ancient or modern, spring out of mere chance, or be established by force. – May we triumph in the cheering prospect of being completely delivered from anarchy; and continue, under the influence of republican virtue, to partake of all the blessings of cultivated and civilized society! In tender mercy bless this Commonwealth, the President, Vice President, and Supreme Executive Council, our Legislative Body, and the respective Judicial Departments!

Finally, we commend to thy paternal regard, all orders of men, all seminaries of useful learning, the Ministers of the gospel of every denomination, the Church of CHRIST, and all for whom we ought to pray. – With heart-felt gratitude we anticipate the GLORIOUS ERA, when instead of the thorn, shall come up the fir-tree; instead of the briar, shall come up the MYRTLE-TREE; and WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE shall be the stability of the times, both in church and state.

Prepare us, O LORD, MOST HOLY! For ever dispensation of thy righteous Providence; for life, for death, for judgment, and the joys of Paradise – Humbly intreating THY gracious assistance, in suitably discharging all those enjoined us by thy word, and enforced by thy authority, we close this, our solemn address, by saying, as our Lord and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST hath taught us –

OUR Father, who art in Heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. AMEN.³

Endnotes

¹ See “Franklin’s Appeal for Prayer at the Constitutional Convention,” WallBuilders.
² “William Rogers,” University of Pennsylvania, accessed December 18, 2023.
³ The Massachusetts Centinel, August 15, 1787, 1.

Manumission – Christopher Johnson – 1782

I Christopher Johnson of Campbell County being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural rights of all mankind & that it is my duty to do unto others as I would desire to be done by in the like situation & having under my care five negroes names & ages as followeth – Ieary aged fifty-six years, Succy aged fifty six years, Charles Nappier aged forty years, Hannay thirty six, Allen Ginnery thirty nine. I do hereby emancipate & set free the above names slaves & I do for my self, my heirs Execters Administers religioquick all of my right tittle interest and claim as Retentions of Claim whatever either to their persons or to any estate they may hereafter acquire of having also seven negroes more in their minority under my care of the following names of ages whom I also emancipate & set free & I do for my self, my heirs, executors, administers relinquicsh all my right title interest & claim or pretention of claim whatsoever, either to their persons or to any estate they may acquire after they share arrive to the age at twenty one or eitgheten years (their names & ages as followeth. Molly sixteen years & nine months, Peggy thirteen years & four months, Robert eleven years & nine months, Lacey seven years & nine months, Mary five years & seven months, Penelope three years & seven months, Charles nine months) when these negroes & their posterity are to enjoy their freedom in as ample & full a manor as if they had been born of free parents without any interuption from me or any persons claiming for by or under and in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand of seal this third day of the tenth month 1782
Christopher Johnson

BACK
Johnson to Deed Sundry Slaves Recorded 7—
At a Court here for Campbell County October 13, 1782.
This manumission was acknowledged by Christopher Johnson Party thereto and order to be recorded.
Estate The. Alexander c.c.c.

Explore

Engage

Initiatives

Categories: Historical Artifacts

Wentworth Cheswell Documents

WWII Japanese Leaflets

Harvard College Charter

Philadelphia Bible Society Constitution

John Quincy Adams Graduates from Harvard

Benjamin Rush Letter to Elisha Boudinot

A Defence of the Use of the Bible in Schools

John Hancock – A Brief – 1788