The Respect to the United States intended by the Legislature of Pennsylvania

Found some interesting reading for a rainy Saturday evening in The historic mansions and buildings of Philadelphia: with some notice of their owners and occupants (1877):

Upon coming to Philadelphia, Vice-President John Adams secured the mansion of Hamilton at Bush Hill. In a letter to her daughter upon taking possession, Mrs. Adams said: "Although there remains neither bush nor shrub upon it, nor very few trees except the pine grove behind it, yet Bush Hill is a very beautiful place ; but the grand and sublime I left at Richmond Hill. The cultivation in sight and the prospect are superior, but the Schuylkill is no more like the Hudson than I to Hercules."

Vice-President Adams did not remain at Bush Hill during his whole term. During the yellow fever of 1793 the Bush Hill mansion which he had occupied was vacant, and the citizens of Philadelphia took possession of it for a hospital, and held it for that purpose until the epidemic had ceased. It was unfit after that time for the purposes of a dwelling-house. 

The city directory for 1796 places Adams in that year in South Fourth street, at the house of John Francis, who kept the Indian Queen Hotel. Upon his election to the Presidency it was necessary for Mr, Adams to obtain better accommodations than he had hitherto needed. He therefore negotiated for the lease of the mansion which had been occupied by his predecessor, and obtained it.

And here it may be proper to advert to a circumstance sometimes  alluded to in connection with the life of Washington, and usually misrepresented. It is in reference to what was called the President's House, in Ninth street south of Market street. It had been built by the State of Pennsylvania by virtue of a law passed in 1791, in response to a petition by the corporation of the city of Philadelphia suggesting, among other things, that a suitable mansion should be erected for the use of the President of the United States. 

The corner-stone was laid on the loth of May, 1792, when, according to this inscription upon it, "the State of Pennsylvania was out of debt." Twenty thousand pounds were appropriated for the purpose. The lot cost £549l. The building went on very slowly, and, it was soon discovered, would cost more than the balance on hand. 

Washington is credited in story with having refused to live in this house because it was too grand for his occupation. There is no truth in such representation. The house was not finished while Washington was in office, and he never had a chance to accept it or reject it. 

The building was not entirely finished when John Adams was inaugurated President, but it was sufficiently near that consummation to justify Governor Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania in offering the use of it to the latter. This was done on the 3d of March, 1797, the day before the inauguration. 

Governor Mifflin then said that the house would be completed in the course of a few weeks, and said: "Permit me to tender it for your accommodation, and to inform you that although I regret the necessity of making any stipulation on the subject, I shall consider the rent for which you might obtain any other suitable house in Philadelphia (and which you will be pleased to mention) as a sufficient compensation for the use of that now offered." 

Mr. Adams replied on the same day: "As I entertain great doubts whether by a candid construction of the Constitution of the United States I am at liberty to accept it without the intervention and authority of Congress, and as there is not time for any application, I must pray that you will apologize for me to the Legislature for declining the offer."

A president reluctant to act without Congressional authorization?  My, how quaint.

Selah.