THE CHE MAW A AMERICAN
7
and lifted on to the car carrying the relic, that they could feel the bell
they could neither see nor hear.
"In another little town school children came out with great armfuls
of flowers which they pelted piously at the relic. It was the most won
derful trip I ever took in my life. I shall never forget it."
It is probable that no bell in the world has been associated with any
more events of importance to the people than this famous old bell of
Independence Hall of Philadelphia. !
The bell was ordered brought to Philadelphia from England in 1751
to be used to call together the sessions of the assembly of Pennsylvania
and to announce the openings of the courts. It did not arrive, however,
until late in August, 1752.
At that time on it was inscribed in large letters, "By the order of
assembly of the province of Pennsylvania for the state' house in the city
of Philadelphia, 1752; proclaim liberty throughout the land unto the
inhabitants thereof."
Soon after its arrival it was cracked by a stroke of the clapper and
had to be recast. This was done by Pass & Stow in Philadelphia, but
it had to be cast again, then rehung in 1753.
In the afternoon of August 27, 1753, the bell was rung for the first
time to call the assembly together. It was at this session that the as
sembly resolved to make and continue the issue of province money; not
withstanding the order of the lords justices of the crown.
It was again rung May 17, 1855, to convene the assembly and on
February 3, 1757, it was rung to convene the session when Franklin was
sent to England to state the grievances of the colonists. From that
date until 1765 it was rung to gather the members of the assembly to
discuss questions which eventually led to the war of the revolution.
On October 5, 1765, the bell was muffled and tolled when the ship
"Royal Charlotte," bearing stamps for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
Maryland, came up the Delaware river. On October 31, 1765, when
the stamp act became effective, the bell was again muffled and tolled.
On July 30, 1768, it was rung to call a mass meeting of citizens to
consider conditions which were becoming critical because of the actions
of England. It was again rung for a meeting September 27, 1770, again
February 4, 1771, and on October 18, 1773.
At 10 o'clock the morning of December 27, 1773, it was rung and the
largest crowd ever assembled to that time responded. The people filled
the state house and the square. A resolution was passed protesting
against the landing of the tea ship Polly, and the tea ship did not land.
When the port of Boston was closed June 1, 1774, the bell was again
muffled and tolled, and on June 18, 1774, the residents of Philadelphia
met at the ringing of the bell and pledged the city to the common cause