an interesting bit of history: ITEM #74986 July 9, 1788 The Pennsylvania Gazette Grand Federal Procession. PHILADELPHIA, JULY 9. ON FRIDAY, the 4th instant, the citizens of Philadelphia celebrated the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, made by the Thirteen United States of America on the 4th of July, 1776, and the ESTABLISHMENT of THE CONSTITUTION, or Frame of Government proposed by the late General Convention, and now solemnly adopted and ratified by Ten of those States. The rising Sun was saluted with a full peal from Christ Church steeple, and a discharge of cannon from the ship RISING SUN, commanded by Captain Philip Brown, anchored off Market street, and superbly decorated with the flags of various nations. Ten vessels, in honor of the Ten States of the Union, were dressed, and arranged through the whole length of the harbour, each bearing a broad white flag at the mast-head, inscribed with the names of the states respectively, in broad gold letters, in the following order --- New Hampshire, opposite to the Northern Liberties ---- Massachusetts to Vine street, ---- Connecticut to Race street, --- New Jersey to Arch street, ---- Pennsylvania to Market street, ---- Delaware to Chestnut street, ---- Maryland to Walnut street, ---- Virginia to Spruce street, ---- South Carolina to Pine street, and Georgia to South street. The ships at the wharves were also dressed on the occasion; and as a brisk south wind prevailed thro' the whole day, the flags and pennants were kept in full display, and exhibited a most pleasing and animating prospect. According to orders issued the day before, the several parts which were to compose the Grand Procession began to assemble at eight o'clock in the morning, at the intersection of South and Third streets. Nine gentlemen, distinguished by white plumes in their hats, and furnished with speaking trumpets, were Superintendants of the Procession, viz. General Mifflin, General Stewart, Colonel Proctor, Colonel Gurney, Colonel Will, Colonel Marsh, Major Moore, Major Lenox, and Mr. Peter Brown. The different companies of Military, Trades and Professions, had previously met at different places in the city of their own appointment, where they were separately formed by their Officers and Conductors, and marched in order, with their respective flags, devices and machines, to the place of general rendezvous. As these companies arrived in succession, the Superintendants disposed of them in the neighbouring streets, in such manner as that they might easily fall into the stations they were to occupy in forming the General Procession, as they should be successively called upon. By this means the most perfect order and regularity were effectually preserved. After a strict review of the streets of the city, it had been determined that the line of march should be as follows - To commence along Third street to Callowhill street - thence up Callowhill street to Fourth street - thence along Fourth street to Market street - and thence to UNION GREEN, in front of Bush-hill - WILLIAM HAMILTON, Esq; having kindly offered the spacious lawn before his house at Bush-hill for the purposes of the day. The street Commissioners had the evening before gone through the lines of march, directed the pavements to be swept, the trees to be lop'd, and all obstacles to be removed. About Half after Nine o'Clock THE GRAND PROCESSION began to move, of which the following is as correct a detail as could be procured: I. Twelve Axe-men, dressed in white frocks, with black girdles round their waists, and ornamented caps, headed by Major Philip Pancake. II. The 1st City Troop of Light Dragoons, commanded by Colonel Miles. III. INDEPENDENCE. John Nixon, Esq; on horseback, bearing the staff and cap of Liberty, under the cap a silk flag, with the words, "4th of July, 1776," in large gold letters. IV. Four Pieces of Artillery, with a detachment from the Train, commanded by Captains Morrell and Fisher. V. FRENCH ALLIANCE. Thomas Fitzsimons, Esq; on horseback, carrying a flag of white silk, having three fleurs-de lays and thirteen stars in union, over the words, "6th of February, 1778," in gold letters. The horse he rode belonged formerly to Count Rochambeau. VI. Corps of Light Infantry, commanded by Capt. A.G. Claypoole, with the standard of the 1st regiment. VII. DEFINITIVE TREATY OF PEACE. George Clymer, Esq; on horseback, carrying a staff, adorned with olive and laurel, the words "3d of September, 1783," in gold letters, pendant from the staff. VIII. Col. John Shee, on horseback, carrying a flag, blue field, with a laurel and an olive wreath over the words - "WASHINGTON, THE FRIEND OF HIS COUNTRY" - in silver letters - the staff adorned with olive and laurel. IX. The City Troop of Light Dragoons, Captain William Bingham, commanded by Major William Jackson. X. Richard Bache, Esq; on horseback, as a Herald, attended by a trumpet, proclaiming a New Aera --- the words "NEW AERA," in gold letters, pendant from the Herald's staff, and the following lines, Peace o'er our land her olive wand extends, And white rob'd Innocence from Heaven descends; The crimes and frauds of Anarchy shall fail, Returning Justice lifts again her scale. XI. CONVENTION OF THE STATES. The Hon. Peter Muhlenberg, Esq; on horseback, with a blue flag the words "17th of September, 1787," in silver letters. XII. A Band of Music, performing a grand March, composed by Mr. Alexander Reinagle for the occasion. XIII. THE CONSTITUTION. The Honorable Chief-Justice McKean. The Hon. Judge Atlee, The Hon. Judge Rush, (in their Robes of Office) In a lofty ornamented Car, in the form of a large eagle, drawn by six horses, bearing THE CONSTITUTION, framed, and fixed on a staff, crowned with the cap of Liberty - the words, "THE PEOPLE," in gold letters, on the staff, immediately under the Constitution. Description of the Car, made by George and William Hunter --- The carriage painted light blue, 20 feet long, hind wheels 8 feet, and the front 6 12 diameter. The body, fixed on springs, was 13 feet high, in the shape of a Bald Eagle, from head to tail 13 feet long, the breast emblazoned with 13 silver stars in a sky blue field, and underneath 13 stripes, alternate red and white --- The dexter talons embraced an olive-branch, the sinister grasped thirteen arrows.