During the centennial year an autograph copy of _Hail Columbia_ was displayed in the museum at Independence Hall, Philadelphia. This copy was written from memory, February 22, 1828, and presented to George M. Kein, Esq., of Reading, in compliance with a request made by him. This interesting manuscript has marginal notes, one of which informs us that the lines:-- "Behold the chief who now commands, Once more to serve his country stands, The rock on which the storm will beat; The rock on which the storm will beat. But, arm'd in virtue firm and true, His hopes are fix'd on Heaven and you. When hope was sinking in dismay, And glooms obscured Columbia's day, His steady mind, from changes free, Resolved on death or liberty," refer to John Adams, who was President of the United States at the time _Hail Columbia_ was written. Mr. Hopkinson also presented General Washington with an autograph copy of his poem, and received from him a complimentary letter of thanks, which is now in possession of his descendants. [Illustration: _THOMAS À BECKET_] _COLUMBIA, THE GEM OF THE OCEAN._ O Columbia! the gem of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free; The shrine of each patriot's devotion, A world offers homage to thee. Thy mandates make heroes assemble When Liberty's form stands in view, Thy banners make tyranny tremble When borne by the red, white, and blue, When borne by the red, white, and blue, When borne by the red, white, and blue, Thy banners make tyranny tremble When borne by the red, white, and blue. When war winged its wide desolation, And threaten'd the land to deform; The ark then of Freedom's foundation, Columbia, rode safe through the storm: With her garlands of vict'ry around her, When so proudly she bore her brave crew, With her flag proudly floating before her, The boast of the red, white, and blue, The boast of the red, white, and blue, The boast of the red, white, and blue, With her flag proudly floating before her, The boast of the red, white, and blue. The winecup, the winecup bring hither, And fill you it true to the brim; May the wreaths they have won never wither Nor the star of their glory grow dim. May the service united ne'er sever, But they to their colors prove true, The Army and Navy forever, Three cheers for the red, white, and blue, Three cheers for the red, white, and blue, Three cheers for the red, white, and blue, The Army and Navy forever, Three cheers for the red, white, and blue. --_Thomas à Becket._