| Citation |
NYJ-P.777.004
21 Jul 1777:212 (1759)
Philadelphia, July 5. Yesterday the 4th of July, being the
anniversary of the Independence of the United States of
America, was celebrated in this city with demonstrations of
joy and festivity. About noon all the armed ships and
gallies in the river were drawn up before the city, dressed
in the gayest manner, with the colours of the United States
and streamers displayed. At one o'clock the yards being
properly manned, they began the celebration of the day by a
discharge of thirteen cannon from each of the ships, and one
from each of the thirteen gallies, in honour of the thirteen
United States. In the afternoon an elegant dinner was
prepared for Congress, to which were invited the President
and Supreme Executive Council, and Speaker of the Assembly
of this state, the general officers and colonels of the
army, and strangers of eminence, and the members of the
several continental boards in town. The Hessian band of
music, taken in Trenton the 26th of December last, attended
and heightened the festivity with some fine performances
suited to the occasion, while a corps of British deserters,
taken into the service of the Continent by the state of
Georgia, being drawn up before the door, filled up the
intervals with feaux de joie. After dinner a number of
toasts were drank, all breathing independence, and a
generous love of liberty, and commemorating the memories of
those brave and worthy patriots who gallantly exposed their
lives, and fell gloriously in the defence of freedom and the
righteous cause of their country. Each toast was followed
by a discharge of artillery and small arms, and a suitable
piece of music by the Hessian band. The glorious fourth of
July was reiterated three times, accompanied with treble
discharges of cannon and small arms, and loud huzzas that
resounded from street to street through the city. Towards
evening several troops of horse, a corps of artillery, and a
brigade of North Carolina forces, which was in town on its
way to join the grand army, were drawn up in Second-street,
and reviewed by Congress and the general officers. The
evening was closed with ringing of bells, and at night there
was a grand exhibition of fire-works which began and
concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the
city was beautifully illuminated. Every thing was conducted
with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and
gladness was universal. Thus may the fourth of July, that
glorious and ever memorable day, be celebrated through
America, by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time
shall be no more. Amen and amen.
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