1898.] MINUTES. 51 



A throne with royal arms in Independence Hall ! Words could 

 hardly express a greater incongruity. Yet, to be historically cor- 

 rect, the learned Committee who have charge of the restoration of 

 Independence Hall if they wish to place the ancient Chamber in 

 the exact condition it was in on July 4, 1776 (and I believe that is the 

 intention) will certainly have to introduce a canopied dais or throne 

 in the eastern end of Independence Hall. 



Another apparent historic incongruity'in our old broadside is the 

 legend which gives to General Charles Lee the credit for the cap- 

 ture of the Hessians at Trenton, when, as a matter of fact, that 

 General was then a prisoner of war in the hands of the British. The 

 explanation of this curious statement is that Lee claimed to have 

 sent Washington the necessary information from New York, and 

 formulated the plan of battle which brought about the capture of 

 Rhal's forces. This, it appears, was believed in Europe to have 

 been the case, and the design was evidently made and published 

 before the news of the battle of Monmouth and the subsequent 

 court-martial of Lee reached the continent. 



In closing this paper I repeat the wish that its dissemination may 

 bring to light, either at home or abroad, one of these symbolical 

 compositions so curiously wrought in threads of silk and used in the 

 interest of American Independence, the only description of which, 

 so far as known, is the broadside found in the archives of the 

 American Philosophical Society. Further, the finding of one of 

 these serviettes would give to us the true design of the Throne of 

 Congress, which for years was a feature of Independence Hall. 



Stated Meetiiig, Fthruary Jf.^ 1898, 

 Yice-President Sellers in the Chair. 



Present, 12 members. 



Acknowledgments of election to membership were received 

 from Profs. C.^F. W. McClure and Henry B. Fine. 



The Standing Committees for the 3- ear, appointed by the 

 President, under resolution of the Society, were announced, 

 as follows : 



Finance. — Philip C. Garrett, William Y. McKean, Joel 

 Cook. 



