Philip Roth’s first public appearance, as far as is known, was in 1771 at the benefit concert of John M’Lean, when an overture composed by him “for the occasion” was performed.[234] This piece was, perhaps, the first of importance composed by a German in Philadelphia. The advertisement speaks of him as “Master of the Band, belonging to his Majesty’s Royal Regiment of North British Fusileers.” However, as will be shown later, he was undoubtedly a true German. From 1771 to 1785 we lose sight of Roth, but then he appears as a music teacher in Philadelphia.[235] It is quite likely that he was here still earlier. He lived in Philadelphia from 1785 on until his death in 1804. The importance of Philip Roth lies in the fact that it has been claimed by some, that he is the composer of “The President’s March” to which the song “Hail Columbia” was set. Others claim that Philip Phile was the author. The claims of Philip Roth, which at the most are meagre, rest upon an article in a newspaper of 1829, written by Wm. McKoy, twenty-five years after Roth was dead. This article, as will be shown, contains one error, and may contain others. The article in question reads thus: “The seat of the Federal Government of the thirteen United States being removed to Philadelphia, and in honor of the new President Washington, then residing at No. 190 High Street, the March, ever since known as the President’s March, was composed by a German Teacher of Music, in this city, named Roth, or Roat, designated familiarly by those who knew him, as ‘Old Roat.’ He taught those of his pupils who preferred the flute, to give to that instrument the additional sound of the drone, while playing in imitation of the Scotch Bagpipe. His residence was at one time in that row of houses back from Fifth, above Race street, at that time known as ‘The Fourteen Chimnies’ some of which [1829] are still visible in the rear ground, north eastward of Mayer’s Church. In his person he was of the middle size and height. His face was truly German in expression; dark gray eyes, and bushy eye-brows, round pointed nose, prominent lips, and parted chin. He took snuff immoderately, having his ruffles and vest usually sprinkled with grains of rappee. He was considered an eccentric and a kind of drole. He was well known _traditionally_ at the Sampson and Lion, in Crown Street, where it seems, his company, in the Olden Time was always a welcome addition to the Pewter Pint Customers, gathered there, at their Pipes and Beer, while listening to his facetious tales and anecdotes, without number, of High Life about Town, and of the Players: Nick Hammond, Miss Tuke, Hodgkinson, Mrs. Pownall, and Jack Martin of the Old Theatre in Southwark. This said President’s March, by Roat, the popular songs of Markoe,[236] the City Poet, in particular the one called ‘The Taylor done over,’ and the beautiful air of ‘Dans Votre Lit,’ ... were sung and whistled by everyone who