FRIDAY, JANUARY 1.

1796.

At Philadelphia: Receives from M. Adet, the minister from France, the colors of France, sent by the Committee of Public Safety of the National Convention as a token of friendship to the United States.*

The flag, which was directed to be placed in the archives of the government, is described as follows in the papers of the day: "The flag is tricolor, made of the richest silk and highly ornamented with allegorical paintings. In the middle, a cock is represented, the emblem of France standing on a thunderbolt. At two corners diagonally opposite are represented two bombshells bursting, at the other two corners, other military emblems. Round the whole is a rich border of oak leaves, alternately yellow and green, the first shaded with brown and heightened with gold; the latter shaded with black and relieved with silver; in this border are entwined warlike musical instruments. The edge is ornamented with a rich gold fringe. The staff is covered with black velvet crowned with a golden pike and enriched with the tricolor cravatte and a pair of tassels worked in gold and the three national colors."

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3.

At Philadelphia: "I am not disposed to take any thing less for my flour than it sells at here (allowing for freight and Insurance) for if it is well manufactured, it will pass Inspection in this Market, and of course command the price of other flour, without the credit which is required in Alexandria and would be for my interest to bring it hither, rather than sell at an under rate."— Washington to William Pearce.

"Jany. 1, 1796.-Remarkably mild and pleasant-perfectly clear. Received the National Colours from Mr Adet the Minister Plenipo. to day: Much company visited."- Washington's Diary.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17.

At Philadelphia: “I am under no concern for the fall which has taken place in the price of flour-that it will be up again, and higher than ever in the spring there is but little doubt-indeed some well informed Merchants declare they should not be surprized to find it at twenty dollars p Barrel at that season.

"There can be no question in my mind that herrings will be at 10/. p Thousand and Shads at three dollars at least p hundred for which reason, my advice to you is, not to take less from Mr Smith, or any other who may offer to contract, beforehand.”—Washington to William Pearce.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1.

At Philadelphia: "I feel obliged by the expression of your concern for the attacks, which have been made upon my administration. If the enlightened and virtuous part of the community will make allowances for my involuntary errors, I will promise, that they shall have no cause to accuse me of wilful ones. Hoping for the former, I feel no concern on account of the latter."- Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Governor of Connecticut.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11.

At Philadelphia: "February 13.-Dr. Priestly is here. I drank tea with him at the President's on Thursday evening [February 11]. He says he always maintained against Dr. Price, that old age was the pleasantest part of life, and he finds it so."-John Adams to Mrs. Adams.

Joseph Priestley, LL.D., scientist and dissenting minister, came to America in June, 1794, and settled at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, making his home with his sons who had preceded him. Dr. Priestley often preached at Philadelphia, and in the spring of 1796 delivered in that city a series of "Discourses relating to the Evidences of Revealed Religion," which were published the same year. His friend Richard Price, D.D., LL.D., to whom allusion is made, was the author of a pamphlet entitled

"Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War with America," published at London and Boston in 1776, and of which sixty thousand copies were distributed. Dr. Price also published, in 1785, “Observations on the Importance of the American Revolution and the Means of making it a Benefit to the World." He died in London, England, March 19, 1791.

At Philadelphia: "February 13.-I went with Charles last night to the drawing room. As the evening was fair and mild, there was a great circle of ladies and a greater of gentlemen. General Wayne was there in glory.* This man's feelings must be worth a guinea a minute. The Pennsylvanians claim him as theirs, and show him a marked respect."-John Adams to Mrs. Adams.

Philadelphia, February 8.-On Saturday last [February 6], about five o'clock in the afternoon, arrived in this city, after an absence of more than three years, on an expedition against the Western Indians, in which he proved so happily successful, MAJOR GENERAL WAYNE. Four miles from the city, he was met by the three Troops of Philadelphia Light Horse, and escorted by them to town. On his crossing the Schuylkill, a salute of fifteen cannon was fired from the Centre-square, by a party of Artillery. He was ushered into the city by ringing of bells and other demonstrations of joy, and thousands of citizens crowded to see and welcome the return of their brave General, whom they attended to the City Tavern, where he alighted. In the evening, a display of Fire-Works was exhibited, in celebration of the Peace lately concluded with the Western Indians, and the Algerines; and also, on account of the Peace concluded by France with several European Powers."-Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22.

At Philadelphia: "February 23.-Yesterday being the anniversary of the birth-day of the President of the United States, when he entered into the 64th [65th] year of his age, it was ushered in here by the firing of cannon, ringing of bells, and other demonstrations of joy. In the course of

* Gained by his victory over the Indians on the banks of the Miami, August 20, 1794.

the day, the members of both houses of Congress, the Senate and representatives of this state,* the heads of departments, foreign ministers, the clergy of every denomination, the Cincinnati, civil and military officers of the United States, several other public bodies, and many respectable citizens and foreigners, waited upon the President according to annual custom to congratulate him on the occasion. Detachments of artillery and infantry paraded in honor of the day, and in the evening there was perhaps one of the most splendid balls at Rickett's amphitheatre ever given in America."-Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser.

"Philadelphia, February, 1796.-On General Washington's birth-day, which was a few days ago, this city was unusually gay; every person of consequence in it, Quakers alone excepted, made it a point to visit the General on this day. As early as eleven o'clock in the morning he was prepared to receive them, and the audience lasted till three in the afternoon. The society of the Cincinnati, the clergy, the officers of the militia, and several others, who formed a distinct body of citizens, came by themselves separately. The foreign ministers attended in their richest dresses and most splendid equipages. Two large parlours were open for the reception of gentlemen, the windows of one of which towards the street were crowded with spectators on the outside. The sideboard was furnished with cake and wines, whereof the visitors partook. I never observed so much cheerfulness before in the countenance of General Washington; but it was impossible for him to remain insensible to the attention and compliments paid to him on this occasion.

"The ladies of the city, equally attentive paid their respects to Mrs. Washington, who received them in the drawing-room up stairs. After having visited the General, most of the gentlemen also waited upon her. A public ball and supper terminated the rejoicings of the day."-ISAAC WELD, JUNIOR, Travels through the States of North America during the Years 1795, 1796, and 1797. London, 1799.

* "February 22.-At noon Speaker [Robert] Hare of the Senate, and Speaker [George] Latimer of the House, with their members, called on President Washington to congratulate him on his birthday. He stood in the centre of the back room, where he bowed to each member as he passed into the front room, where wine and cake were served. At night the ladies and gentlemen had a dance at Rickett's riding place, southwest corner Sixth and Chestnut Streets."--Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29.

At Philadelphia: " February 29.-We are informed THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES intends visiting the Theatre this Evening; and, the Entertainments are by his particular desire." *-Gazette of the United States.

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"March 1.-Yesterday [February 29] the President sent his carriage for me to go with the family to the theatre. The Rage and the Spoiled Child were the two pieces. It rained and the house was not full. I thought I perceived a little mortification. Mr. George Washington and his fair lady were with us. † .. After all, persuasion may overcome the inclination of the chief to retire. But, if it should, it will shorten his days, I am convinced. His heart is set upon it, and the turpitude of the Jacobins touches him more nearly than he owns in words. All the studied efforts of the federalists to counterbalance abuse by compliment don't answer the end." -John Adams to Mrs. Adams.

FRIDAY, MARCH 4.

At Philadelphia: "If the people of this country have not abundant cause to rejoice at the happiness they enjoy, I know of no country that has. We have settled all our disputes, and are at peace with all nations. We supply their wants with our superfluities, and are well paid for doing so. The earth generally, for years past, has yielded its fruits bountifully. No City, Town, Village, or even farm but what exhibits evidences of increasing wealth and prosperity; while Taxes are hardly known but in name. Yet by the second sight,-extraordinary foresight, or some other sight attainable by a few only, evils afar off are discovered

* "NEW THEATRE [north side of Chestnut, above Sixth Street]By Particular Desire. On MONDAY EVENING, February 29, Will be presented, A celebrated COMEDY (written by the Author of the Dramatist) called THE RAGE! To which will be added, A FARCE in two acts, called THE SPOIL'D CHILD. The Public are respectfully informed, that the Doors of the Theatre will open at a quarter after FIVE o'clock, and the Curtain rise precisely at a quarter after SIX-until further notice." -Gazette of the United States, February 27.

† George Steptoe Washington, a nephew of the President, son of his brother Samuel. He had recently married Lucy Payne, daughter of John Payne, of Virginia, and a sister of Mrs. James Madison.