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Source: October 1941 Volume 4 Number 4, Pages 92–93

Memoirs of Mr. Phillips of Philadelphia

Phoebe P. Prime

Page 92

The following "family story" is taken, almost verbatim, from my great uncle Mr. David Lewis' account written in 1880 which was handed down in the family, the Mr. Phillips in question being father-in-law to Mr. Lewis. Even in those days, it was "A small world".

Mr. Phillips, having finished his mercantile education in the Counting House of George Meade, grandfather of General Meade, loaded two ships, somewhere about 1794 or '95, at Philadelphia, and sailed (not on both) for Bordeaux. He arrived at such a time of famine that the small portion of flour on board his vessel sold for 55 silver French Crowns a barrel, and when every inhabitant of Bordeaux had his daily ration of bread appointed by the Mayoralty, so that he could procure no other, and the necessary accompaniment to an invitation to dinner was

"Please bring your own bread with you."

He bought some very pretty things in Paris, including watches and jewelry, for it was just after the ransack of the Reign of Terror. Returning to Bordeaux, he loaded his vessels with brandy and sailed, ostensibly for Amsterdam, but really for Guernsey, of which island his memoirs were very curious, especially of the smugglers. From Guernsey, Mr. Phillips proceeded to London with samples of his brandies in order to sell his cargoes to the Admiralty, in which he succeeded.

While in London, he boarded in a house with several other young Americans, among whom were Mr. Daniel W. Coxe, of Philadelphia, Mr. Tabb and some other Virginians quite ready for a lark. One of the most enterprising had an idea, and, as the rest seemed destitute of that rare thing, they seized upon his, which was to go to Court after the newly invented equality fashion without submitting to the aristocratic formality of a presentation. The party went on the first occasion, which I suspect was the "Queen's Drawing Room". They did not carry their republican principles, however, to go "Sans Culottes", "but condescended to hire from the Hoses & Sons of that day second-hand court suits, and swords probably ornamented with large glass jewels, at an expense of a guinea apiece. In this glittering garb, they were conveyed in sedan chairs to the entrance of the Palace and fell into line with the courtiers. I do not remember the number of the party and only the name of one member, Mr. Daniel W. Coxe. They passed in the ring without any notice, but lingering in the room, the Queen observed with royal quickness of eye, that they were something new and strange, and sent a page to investigate the Yankee nation, then in its extreme youth. They took the hint and vanished, but were not deterred from returning to the ball that followed that night.

This was held in a place said by Mr. Phillips to have been very like St. Peters Church (Philadelphia) with its gallery on three sides. He was admitted to the gallery and from there observed the progress of the ball. The King and Queen (George III and Queen Charlotte) entered with their attendants and took their seats, or rather thrones, under a canopy. Then the Royal Family followed in pairs and arranged themselves on each hand of their parents. To understand this proceeding, or rather procession, it must be remembered that at that time, the Royal Pair had their quiver full of fifteen, the youngest at that time 13. In addition, was the young Duke of Gloucester, their cousin, who afterwards married Princess Mary. This young Prince seemed to Mr. Phillips the most enviable of men from his position and appearance. The ball was opened by the Prince of Wales dancing a minuet with his elder sister, followed by the Duke of Gloucester and the other Dukes of the troupe, which was executed with great beauty and grace, as you might have expected from the first gentleman in Europe being the loader.

Page 93

In the meantime Mr. Phillips was seated in the gallery and next to him sat a gentleman who entered into conversation with him, and, seeing he was a stranger, very politely told him he would be glad to give him the names of any persons in the Court that he did not knew. A gentleman happening to enter the ballroom at that time, Mr. Phillips inquired who he was. His new friend told him it was Mr. Pitt, and observed that he must have been in London a very short time not to have known him and then went on to ask him his own country. Mr. Phillips told him he was from Philadelphia, when his new acquaintance seemed to be interested and said that he had been in Philadelphia some years ago and knew a great many persons there. He inquired about many of the ladies and among others was very particular in asking about the Miss Chews, of whom Mr. Phillips gave him every information. His inquiring friend turned out to be Sir William Howe, who commanded the British troops occupying Philadelphia in 1777. Mr. Phillips entered into minute particulars of the scene and the appearance of the Royal Party, but it is hard to imagine how the hard bony homely German Charlotte could have shown very much as the "Captain Jewel of the carcanet", and, as for our oppressor, the Tyrant George, who did such dreadful things in the Declaration of Independence and who comes in for mention every Fourth of July, he was not ornamental in the least.

Some years later, when at a dinner in Philadelphia, Mr. Coxe told this story, an English gentleman at table doubted the possibility of such a going to Court, and a duel was only avoided by some friends getting Mr. Phillips to corroborate the narrative. Not many years after, strict regulations were adopted for admission, in consequence of the celebrated pickpocket Barrington going to Court in the costume of an Irish Bishop and picking his pocket full of jewels off the ladies. After that, such a visit was impracticable.

An American built ship, 1794