| Citation |
SCGCJ.766.080
5 Aug 1766:23 (34)
Philadelphia, June 12. On Wednesday the fourth instant, a
large number of reputable inhabitants of Philadelphia, the
Northern Liberties, District of Southwark, &c. in pursuance
of a previous agreement, met on the banks of the river
Schuylkill, to celebrate the King's birth-day, and to
testify their gratitude to his Majesty and Parliament, for
their condescension in repealing the Stamp-Act.
At nine o'clock in the morning, the Franklin Smack, joined
by the large new White Oak Barge, upwards of 50 feet in
length, came up the river, beautifully decorated with
variety of colours flying, and anchored in the stream,
opposite the place of entertainment. About the same hour,
the Old White Oak Barge, upwards of 40 feet long, fixed in a
cradle, on four wheels, in the same manner ornamented; a
number of reputable ship-carpenters, with their oars, and
several musicians, with their instruments of music, being
seated under a canopy, were drawn through the most public
streets in the city, by seven stately horses, the music
playing. Several salutes were fired from the barge in
sundry parts of the city, and every demonstration of joy
appeared as they passed. On their arrival at the place of
entertainment, another salute to the company there met was
fired. -- At two o'clock 430 persons dined at tables, fixed
in a beautiful grove, near the river. After dinner the
following healths were drank, and guns fired by the City
Artillery, the Franklin Smack, and the New and Old White Oak
Barges, viz.
1. George the Third, King of Great-Britain, &c. After which
was fired by the Artillery a Royal salute of 21 guns,
answered by the Smack with 15, by the New White Oak with 5,
and by the Old White Oak, on land, with 5: Then was sung,
by a select company, "God save Great George our King, " the
Music, &c. joining in the chorus.
2. The Queen. The artillery saluting with 15 guns,
answered by the Smack and Barges. Song, "She comes, Queen
Charlotte comes."
. . . [28 lines, 15 more toasts]
Several songs were interspersed throughout the whole,
concluded with "Fame, let thy Trumpet Sound, " &c.
Night approaching, the company marched in the following
order, to a place appointed near the city, for the
discharging a number of rockets. . . [20 lines, procession,
including the Old White Oak barge as before.]
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