The Documentary history of the state of New-York; arranged under direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, secretary of State. By E. B. O'Callaghan ...

HON. JAMES DUANE. 1069
of the present day, in regard to the members of a presidential
convention.
The Massachusetts members of Congress started early fronm
their homes and arrived at New-York before Mr. Duane and his
colleagues had set out. We have, therefore, some notices of the
subject of this sketch in the journal of John Adams, recently published from which it is apparent that Mr. Duane was the most
prominent man in the New-York delegation; that Mr. Adams'
attention was especially directed to him and that he was viewed
with some distrust. To those who know his previous history,
his constant employment in the suits and controversies against
our eastern neighbors, and that the Massachusetts delegates
fell at once into the hands of Mr. Scott, cooled towards Mr.
Duane by the election contest above noted, the early observations made by Mr. Adams are no matter of wonder. It is
pleasing, however, to find that the mutual services of these patriots in the cause of their country, wore off the prejudices of Mr.
Adams from whatever source derived.
Mr. Duane set out for the Congress of 1774 on the 31st of
August, accompanied from his house to the foot of Broad street,
(whence he took the ferry boat) by a great procession, with
music playing and colors flying. On arriving at the Exchange,
then in that street, the procession halted and he addressed the
citizens. He was present on the 5th September, the very day
appointed for the meeting of the Congress. The members assembled at Smith's Tavern, and as the Speaker of the Pennsylvania
Assembly had offered the use of the State House, and the
Carpenters their Hall, it was agreed to view both. Carpenters'
Hall was the first visited, and Mr. Lynch moved that it should
be fixed on as their place of meeting without further inquiry.
Mr. Duane objected to adopting this resolution until they had at
least viewed the State House; as it had been offered by the
Speaker, it was but respectful to him to inquire whether it was
not equally convenient as the Hall, and if it were, it ought to
be preferred as it was a Provincial, instead of a private, house.
The resolution, however, was carried to hold their meetings in
Carpenters' Hall. This little incident displays the superiority,
both in sagacity and habitual propriety of perception of the