was the last assembly gathered in that Hall, then
just dedicated to the service of Freedom. Its fifth session, on
the 17th of May, 1838, was held, calmly and deliberately, while
the shouts of an infuriated mob rose around the building,
mingling with the speakers' voices, and sometimes overwhelming
them; while stones and other missiles crashing through the
windows imperilled the persons of many of the audience. The
presence of an assembly of women was supposed to be a partial
protection against the fury of the rioters; and believing that
the mob would not fire the building while it was thus filled, a
committee of anti-slavery men sent a request to the Convention to
remain in session during the usual interval between the afternoon
and evening meetings, if, with their knowledge of their perilous
surroundings, they felt willing to do so. The President laid the
request before the Convention, and asked, Will you remain? A few
minutes of solemn deliberation; a few moments' listening to the
loud madness surging against the outer walls; a moment's unvoiced
prayer for wisdom and strength, and the answer came: _We will_;
and the business of the meeting proceeded. But before the usual
hour of adjournment arrived, another message came from the
committee, withdrawing their request, and stating that further
developments of the spirit pervading the mob and the city,
convinced them that it would be unwise for the Convention to
attempt to hold possession of the Hall for the evening. The
meeting adjourned at the usual hour, and, on the next morning,
the burnt and crumbling remains of Pennsylvania Hall told the
story of Philadelphia's disgrace, and the temporary triumph of
the spirit of slavery.

The experience of that morning is very briefly mentioned in the
published "Proceedings," which state that "the Convention met,
pursuant to adjournment, at Temperance Hall, but found the doors
closed by order of the managers"; that they were offered the use
of a school-room, in which they assembled; and there the
Convention held its closing session of six hours. But they who
made a part of the thrilling history of those times well remember
how the women of that Convention walked through the streets of
this city, from the Hall on Third Street, closed against them, to