Among the most enjoyable experiences at our headquarters were the frequent visits of our beloved Lucretia Mott, who used to come from her country home bringing us eggs, cold chickens, and fine Oolong tea.  As she had presented us with a little black teapot that, like Mercury’s mysterious pitcher of milk, filled itself for every coming guest, we often improvised luncheons with a few friends.  At parting, Lucretia always made a contribution to our depleted treasury.  Here we had many prolonged discussions as to the part we should take, on the Fourth of July, in the public celebration.  We thought it would be fitting for us to read our Declaration of Rights immediately after that of the Fathers was read, as an impeachment of them and their male descendants for their injustice and oppression.  Ours contained as many counts, and quite as important, as those against King George in 1776.  Accordingly, we applied to the authorities to allow us seats on the platform and a place in the programme of the public celebration, which was to be held in the historic old Independence Hall.  As General Hawley was in charge of the arrangements for the day, I wrote him as follows: 

     “1431 Chestnut Street, July 1, 1876.

     “General Hawley.

“Honored Sir:  As President of the National Woman’s Suffrage Association, I am authorized to ask you for tickets to the platform, at Independence Hall, for the celebration on the Fourth of July.  We should like to have seats for at least one representative woman from each State.  We also ask your permission to read our Declaration of Rights immediately after the reading of the Declaration of Independence of the Fathers is finished.  Although these are small favors to ask as representatives of one-half of the nation, yet we shall be under great obligations to you if granted.

     “Respectfully Yours,

     “Elizabeth Cady Stanton.”

To this I received the following reply: 

     “U.S.C.C.  Headquarters, July 2.

     “Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

“Dear Madam:  I send you, with pleasure, half a dozen cards of invitation.  As the platform is already crowded, it is impossible to reserve the number of seats you desire.  I regret to say it is also impossible for us to make any change in the programme at this late hour.  We are crowded for time to carry out what is already proposed.

     “Yours Very Respectfully,

     “Joseph R. Hawley,

     “President, U.S.C.C.”

With this rebuff, Mrs. Mott and I decided that we would not accept the offered seats, but would be ready to open our own convention called for that day, at the First Unitarian church, where the Rev. William H. Furness had preached for fifty years.  But some of our younger coadjutors decided that they would occupy the seats and present our Declaration of Rights.  They said truly, women will be taxed to pay the expenses of this celebration, and we have as good a right to that platform and to the ears of the people as the men have, and we will be heard.