USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania in the olden time; being a collection of the memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 26
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1097,
66 517
1736,
241
The Progress of Philadelphia.
number of arrivals, including coastwise, in 1837 was 8185. Val- uation of city, $68,528,742 ; county, $56,521,225. An immense trade with the west-all the principal streets paved from the Delaware to Schuylkill with comfortable foot-pavements, lighted by night with lamps and gas, and the whole city supplied with pure and wholesome water-omnibuses [very few omnibuses are now to be seen, their places being chiefly supplied by passenger railway cars in all directions at the moderate rate of five cents ; cars to Germantown, Manayunk, and Frankford, ten to fifteen cents, 1860] to convey persons from river to river, and railways connected with the northern and southern portions of the county and with the heart of the city. Such is the present state of the city ; how different from what it was at the periods we have al- ready noticed !
That the city has been extending westwardly with great rapid- ity is proved by the following facts :
1. The limits of the wards have been twice altered since the census of 1790-viz. in 1800 and 1825.
2. The number of taxables in the eastern wards between 1828 and 1835 decreased 836, while in the western they increased in the same time 2743.
3. The valuation of property in the eastern wards only increased between 1829 and 1835, $30,061, while that in the western in- creased $3,178,650, as by the following tables :
Eastern.
1829.
1835.
[1841.
New Market,
1,264,469
1,045,398
2,472,818
Lower Delaware,
. 1,593,733
1,653,855
3,357,725
Pine,
1,257,165
1,168,520
2,193,150
Upper Delaware,
. 1,261,635
1,287,141
2,726,150
Chestnut,
3,106,572
3,228,078
6,228,976
Walnut,
2,240,299
2,254,793
4,212,374
High, .
2,949,362
3,192,825
6,865,050
Dock, .
.
1,921,924
1,794,610
4,236,050
15,595,159
15,625,220
32,292,293
Increase, 30,061
16,667,073
Western.
North,
. 1,711,745
2,163,838
4,770,771
S. Mulberry,
. 1,069,534
1,393,006
3,582,218
Locust,
1,655,472
2,004,173
4,222,800
N. Mulberry,
716,918
1,051,050
2,609,205
Middle,
1,357,545
1,858,037
3,785,345
South, .
1,467,345
1,983,305
4,284,954
Cedar, .
629,068
1,332,868
3,957,121
8.607,627
11,786,277
27,212,414
Increase,
3,178,650
15,426,137]
VOL. III .- Q
21
242
Annals of Philadelphia.
4. The population, according to the census of 1830, of the eastern wards was only 5456 greater than of the western.
5. The comparative increase of taxes of the eastern and western wards from 1832 to 1836, as appears by the following tables :
Eastern.
1832.
1836.
New Market,
$6,768.63
$7,113.01
Lower Delaware,
10,260.79
11,095.52
Pine, .
7,145.41
7,859.32
Upper Delaware,
8,049.25
8,676.42
Chestnut,
19,895.03
21,080.68
Walnut,
13,227.21
14,470.87
High, .
19,954.00
20,908.77
Dock,
12,896.44
12,025.96
$98,196.76
$103,230.55
Western.
North, .
$11,391.47
$14,220.61
S. Mulberry, .
7,651.75
9,376.65
Locust,
11,293.88
13,543.60
N. Mulberry,
5,598.39
7,237.67
Middle,
9,581.12
12,393.79
South, .
11,194.29
13,095.06
Cedar,
5,269.79
8,797.42
$61,980.69
$78,664.80
ยท
From the foregoing it appears that the tax on property in the eastern wards amounts to $5,033.79 more in 1835 than it did in 1832, while the tax on property in the western wards has in the same time increased $16,684.11-being in the first case an in- crease of 5.12 per cent. on the taxes of 1832, and in the latter an increase of 26.82 per cent.
There are two causes which naturally lead to the increase of the city westward :
1. The increase of population, and the greater space now re- quired for the transaction of business than formerly, when most of the houses were occupied both as stores and dwellings; whereas now, in many streets, the whole tenement is used entirely as a store, and its former inmates have sought residences in other parts of the city. These, again, by the gradual extension of business, have been compelled to leave what they had first se- lected as private and retired residences for others still farther toward the west.
2. Another reason is the actual increase of business on the western border of the city, of which we shall speak more presently.
That the city must continue to extend in a western directior will, we think, appear from the following remarks:
243
The Progress of Philadelphia.
1. There is but comparatively little room in the eastern wards for further improvements. In 1790, when the first U. S. census was taken, the dimensions of the whole city, divided among the inhabitants, gave to each person 1755 square feet; in 1800 the space to each was reduced to 1216, in 1810 to 933, in 1820 to 786, and in 1830 to 623 feet each. Upon the same principle, the following table shows the average of the western and eastern wards :
Eastern.
Western.
1800-373 square feet.
2109 square feet to each.
1810-349
1359
1820-340
1058
1830-313
979
2. The great and rapidly increasing trade with the West, and the various methods used for extending and accommodating it in the western part of the city, will undoubtedly in a few years cover the already contracted western wards with houses and pop- ulation. That William Penn, in his great wisdom and foresight, regarded such an event as certain is evident from the following expressions used by him in his letter, dated 16th of 6 mo., 1683, to a committee of the "Society of Free Traders " in London. Comparing the two rivers, he says : "Delaware is a glorious river, but Schuylkill, being a hundred miles boatable above the falls, and its course N. E. toward the fountain of Susquehannah that tends to the heart of the Province, and both sides our own, it is like to be a great part of the settlement of this age."
And in 1690 he actually issued proposals for building another city, " upon the river Susquehannah that runs into the Bay of Chesapeake, and bears about 50 miles from the river Dela- ware."
" There" (says he) " I design to lay out a plan for the build- ing of another city in the most convenient place for communi- cation, with the former plantations on the East, which by land is as good as done already, a way being laid out between the two rivers, very exactly and conveniently, at least three years ago; and which will not be hard to do by water, by the benefit of the river Scoulkill, for a branch of that river lies near a branch that runs into Susquehannagh River, and is the common course of the Indians with their Skins and Furrs into our parts, and to the provinces of East and West Jersey, and New York, from the West and North-west parts of the continent from whence they bring them."
" But that which recommends both this settlement in par- ticular and the province in general, is a late pattent obtained by divers eminent Lords and gentlemen for that land that lies north of Pennsylvania, up to the 46th degree and an half, because their
244
Annals of Philadelphia.
Traffic and intercourse will be chiefly through Pennsylvania which lies between that province and the sea. We have also the comfort of being the centre of all the English Colonies upon the continent of America, as they lie from the N. E. parts of New England to the most Southerly parts of Carolina, being above 1000 miles upon the coast."
Although William Penn did not live long enough to see the fulfilment of all his extended and pleasing anticipations, yet we, his descendants, are now realizing and benefiting by their accom- plishment.
We have now, in connection with State canals and railroads, a regular communication with Pittsburg, forming together a length of 401 miles, and thus opening in every direction a trade with the great West to an almost unlimited extent, " passing through the heart of our own State," where but a few years since the savage roamed and murdered the almost defenceless settlers. In 1753 in Pittsburg itself, now called the "Gate of the West," there was not a single white man residing. In 1770 there were but about twenty houses, inhabited by Indian traders. In 1793 the arrival of a keel-boat was considered one of the greatest enterprises ever performed. In 1804 it was a village; in 1805 the first stage crossed the mountains, requiring seven days of hard labor to reach that city. In 1833 there were four daily stages ; in 1834 the journey was performed in fifty-seven hours. It now probably contains 40,000 inhabitants. In 1834 there were 120 steam-engines in operation, and 1634 steamboats arrived and departed, and the city business is estimated at fifteen to twenty millions of dollars per annum. "It communicates with upward of 50,000 miles of steam navigation of the vast and fertile valley of the Mississippi, extending over a surface near 1500 miles square."
Besides the State roads and canals, there are others, or soon will be, in every direction, either uniting with them or entering at other points the western portion of the city [these (or many of them) are now in operation, 1860], among which is the important one just being completed between this city and Baltimore.
With all these facilities of intercourse, and with such an extent of country to be supplied through their instrumentality, who can pretend to limit the extent of business which must ultimately be concentrated in this western quarter of the city? These works and this trade are all comparatively in their infancy. Who can foretell what other channels and sources of business may be developed in the course of their progress which are now un- thought of ?
The time is probably not very distant when all the business connected with the West will be transacted in that quarter of the city, and when vessels will at once enter the Schuylkill with their foreign cargoes and receive in return the Western produce ; for it
245
The Progress of Philadelphia.
is not reasonable to suppose that the wholesale stores which sup- ply the groceries and dry goods intended to be sent off by the Western canals and railroads will always be alone found in the eastern portion of the city, when suitable accommodations for their business can be provided in the very quarter from which the goods are to be forwarded to their destination ; especially as the heavy charges of porterage and commissions for forwarding, and the delay in sending merchandise to this point, may be avoided ; each river will most probably have its appropriate sphere of business. In times of a brisk commerce the wharves of the Delaware have been found scarcely sufficient for the ac- commodation of the vessels. We have seen them lying two or three abreast, waiting for their turns for an inside berth; and that day may again arrive. And we already see that the wharves as yet constructed on the Schuylkill afford but partial accom- modation for the small business, compared with what it must before many years be, which it now enjoys; so that both rivers may be necessary to meet the demands of commerce, and both sides of the Schuylkill, if its trade extend as rapidly as it has done for the past ten years.
With such prospects before us, and with all these facts staring us in the face, we cannot but think it would be unwise to erect buildings which are to accommodate the citizens for centuries perhaps to come in the very neighborhood selected when there were but 1621 taxables in the city, and but 105 in the very ward in which the State House stands, and but 117 houses even fifteen years after its erection. If, therefore, we are to regard at all in this matter the future population of the city, as well as the present, the public buildings ought to be placed in some central position, as nearly equally accessible to all as possible ; and we are decidedly of the opinion (without having any personal interest as regards property) that PENN SQUARE is the proper place for them, both with a view to the present as well as future generations ; and for the following reasons :
1. The city already owns that property, and it was given to it for the very purpose; and was no doubt selected by Penn with his usual foresight and wisdom, having regard to the future accommodation of both sections of the city. It is described as follows: " In the centre of the city is a square of ten acres, at each angle to build houses for public affairs." "In the middle of the city, from side to side, of the like breadth in the centre of the city, is a square of ten acres ; at each angle are to be houses for public affairs, as a Meeting House, Assembly, or State House, Market House, Schoolhouse, and several other buildings for public concerns." The inference from which is, that this was the only site designed by Penn, even in these early days, for the public buildings.
2. The price of purchase of another site would be equivalent
21*
.246
Annals of Philadelphia.
probably to the expense of erecting a new building, which the city may as well save.
3. It will probably be as convenient to the present population as any other situation ; for,
1. The greater number of taxable inhabitants reside within the limits of the western wards, as is shown by the following table for the sake of comparison a table of taxables in 1828 is added :
Eastern Wards.
1828.
1835.
New Market,
1452
1472
Lower Delaware,
1501
1285
Pine, .
1020
869
Upper Delaware,
1216
1142
Chestnut,
821
837
Walnut,
1117
739
High,.
914
825
Dock,
863
899
8904
8068
Western Wards.
North,
1393
1710
South Mulberry,
1051
1230
Locust,
1364
1659
North Mulberry,
1011
1470
Middle,
774
1023
South,
599
1103
Cedar,
1446
2186
7638
10381
Thus we see that there are 2313 more taxpayers, and probably property-holders, in the western wards than in the eastern, and that while the western increased 2743, the eastern decreased 836.
2. The largest portion of the population resides in the western wards, as the following table will show, based upon the calculation of five inhabitants to one taxable-which proportion has been ascertained to be about correct-as compared with the census tables. At the census of 1830 there were only 5456 more per- sons in the eastern than in the western wards :
Eastern Wards.
Western Wards.
New Market,
. 7360
North, . 8550
Lower Delaware,
6425
South Mulberry, 6150
Pine, .
4345
Locust, . 8295
Upper Delaware,
. 5710
North Mulberry, .
7350
Chestnut,
4185
Middle, .
5115
Walnut, .
3695
South,
5515
High, .
4125
Cedar,
10930
Dock,.
4495
40340
51905
247
The Progress of Philadelphia.
Showing a difference of population in favor of the western wards of 11,565 in 1835, which has since been increased. What will it be by the time the buildings are finished, if commenced at once ? It is believed, from some examination into the subject, that most of the judges of the courts, as well as lawyers, reside in the west- ern wards. [Since this was written (it is believed) the mode of district voting has been adopted. Before, it was all done at the State House, much to the inconvenience of voters, who had to wait hours perhaps before their turn at the window came. Much confusion and quarrelling frequently occurred, which are now prevented, with the results that the votes are much sooner ascertained at the closing of the polls, and the distance to be travelled by voters is much diminished.]
3. The valuation of property in the two portions of the city does not present so great a difference as might be imagined.
In 1835 the eastern were assessed at $15,625,220 western 11,786,277
Difference, .
$3,838,943
But it is well known that the most important improvements in the western wards have taken place since that assessment. The assessment now in progress would probably exhibit a very differ- ent result. From 1829 to 1835 the eastern wards only increased in value $30,061, while the western gained $3,178,650.
4. By means of the railroads, which will all centre at this point, it will be more convenient to residents in the northern parts of the city and county, as well as in the southern, to come to Penn Square, than it will be for the inhabitants of the western wards to go to the neighborhood of the present State House; and certainly much more so than it was for the inhabitants at the lower end of the very ward where the State House stands for sixty or seventy years after it was erected.
5. The city has a direct interest in placing the State House in Penn Square besides that of owning it. It will be the means of extending improvements in every direction, by which not only the city revenue from taxes will be augmented, thereby refund- ing the large expenditures heretofore made for paving, lighting, and furnishing water to this portion of the city, hitherto solely for the convenience of the eastern population, but the value of the city property in this quarter will be much enhanced, and they have at this time a large interest here and in the neighbor- hood-viz. the Girard buildings from Market to Chestnut, the city stores, wharves, gas-works, unimproved property, and water- works on the Schuylkill, public squares, Girard College, Will's Hospital, markets, etc. which would all be benefited. [These improvements have been continually advancing west, houses west of Broad street are being converted into stores, and many persons who resided there are moving to Germantown, West Philadel-
248
Annals of Philadelphia.
phia, and other places, it being as convenient by the cars to live there as formerly in the city.]
6. The employment which all the improvements consequent on the occupation of Penn Square would furnish to thousands of mechanics is an important consideration. Independent of those who might be engaged about the public buildings (let them be placed where they may be), the number of private and probably other public buildings which would be erected in the west would give bread to many a mechanic and laborer who knows not where to procure it at present.
7. The erection of these buildings on the prison lot * could not produce any of these effects, except in a very limited degree. There is no city property it would benefit; it might perhaps en- hance a small portion of private property just in the neighbor- hood ; it would furnish little more employment than to those en- gaged about the building, and it could not promote the general improvement of the city. Moreover, the quantity of ground is not sufficient for the purpose, and it is at the corner of streets, from which there would be so much noise as to prevent the trans- action of business by our courts, etc., as is the case now. The location at Penn Square would not injure any public or private property on the eastern front, and being divided into four lots, would admit of a more advantageous disposition of the public buildings for the accommodation of the city, county, and even State, if the Legislature, as they ought, should see fit to remove to the city. Being probably on the highest ground of the city, and having no other buildings near them, they could be so placed as to enjoy the greatest share of light and the freest circulation of air ; from the want of both of which our courts so much suffer. Besides, the grounds might be tastefully improved in such man- ner as to furnish to the citizens in the neighborhood a pleasant and fashionable walk.
8. It has been, I think, suggested, that they might be erected on Independence Square, either pulling down our venerable In- dependence Hall and placing them in the centre, or allowing the hall to remain and occupying the portion toward Walnut street. With regard to the first plan, the great difficulty would be to ob- tain the consent of the citizens. The next objection is, that there is a provision in various acts of Assembly, passed in relation to this Square, which says, " that no part of the ground lying to the southward of the State House should be converted into or made use of for erecting buildings, but that the same should be an open public green and walk for ever." It would at least require the aid of the Legislature, if even the consent of the citizens could be obtained, to occupy with buildings a Square so important to the nealth of so dense a portion of the city.
* This refers to the lot on the south-east corner of Sixth and Walnut streets, on which the City Prison stood .- W. P. H.
249
The Progress of Philadelphia.
It has been objected that many of our public buildings and in- stitutions are in the eastern part of the city-such as the Custom- House [it now occupies the old Bank of the United States build- ing; then it was in Second below Dock. The government has lately purchased the building of the Bank of Pennsylvania in Second street for a post-office, and the bank has purchased the late United States Hotel for a new bank on Chestnut street be- tween Fourth and Fifth streets. It is, however, proposed to place the Custom-House in the old bank, and take the Custom-House for the Post-Office. 1856], Exchange, banks, Library, etc. With regard to the Custom-House, we are now attempting to procure a new and permanent one. Let it, then, be located farther west, for in a few years it will be required for the business of both rivers ; besides, as most of the merchants reside in the west, and visit their stores daily, they can suffer little inconvenience on this score. So also with the Exchange and banks. But all these institutions or others will find locations where the wants of the greater por- tion require them, and if any of the present institutions require removal, the value of property in the eastern wards will no doubt increase with the increasing business and population, so as to justify their removal elsewhere. But many of our public insti- tutions are already in the west. Of sixty-seven churches, twenty- eight are west of Seventh street, some having been driven west by the crowded and noisy state of the city, and others in pursuit of their congregations ; and most of these are the largest and most ornamental in the city. Most of the fashionable as well as best schools, as well private as public, are in the west. The Univer- sity, Mint, Masonic Hall, Musical Fund Hall, Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institutions, Pennsylvania Hospital, Almhouse, Pres- ton Retreat, Orphans' and Widows' Asylums, Wills' Hospital, etc. etc., are all in the west, some of them seeking retirement, from disturbance by a progressive population, in the country near the city.
That the time for erecting new buildings has arrived is, I take for granted, admitted by all. Judges, juries, lawyers, everybody, seem to say so. Some think it too soon to place them in Penn Square, but we certainly will be thought more wise than our fore- fathers were when they planted the present building where it is- inaccessible probably six months in the year. We are in precisely opposite circumstances from them. Placed at the State House when first erected, scarcely a house might be seen; placed now at Penn Square, nothing else can be seen because of the houses. It is convenient of access by day or by night; good pavements, lights by night, omnibus or railroad cars in every direction to suit those who choose not to walk-of all which our forefathers knew nothing. [The commissioners appointed to fix the location of the public buildings decided, July 6th, 1860, to place them on Penn Squares. Yeas .- Judges Stroud, Allison, Thompson, and Trego
250
Annals of Philadelphia.
Nay :.- Cuyler, Henry, and Ludlow. Resigned, Judges Shars- wood and Hare, two of the original commissioners.]
Having now, at much more length than I at first intended presented my views on the subject, I shall submit it to those whose province it is to decide the question after hearing the ex- pressed sentiments of their constituents.
The population of Philadelphia city and county (which latter comprised the city proper and the districts of Northern Liberties, Spring Garden, Penn Township, Kensington, Southwark, Moya- mensing, Passyunk, and the rest of the county-viz. Blockley, Bristol, Byberry, Frankford, Germantown, Kingsessing, Lower Dublin, Moreland, Oxford, and Roxborough) was by the census of-
1790, 54,391, or 1 person to every 1755 sq. ft.
1800, 81,009, 1
1216
In the city
1810, 111,210, 1 933
1820, 137,097, " 1 66 786
proper.
1830, 188,961,* " 1
623
1840, 258,037,
1850, 408,762,
1860, 568,034,
1870, 674,022,
1876, 817,448.
In the last named year the number of dwellings was 143,936.
(For a thorough table of population of the city and county to 1830, see Hazard's Register, viii. 65-72; and see Amer. Jour. Med. Science, i. 116, for the medical statistics of Philadelphia, by Dr. Gouverneur Emerson.)
* An increase of 37.83 per cent. or 3.25 per cent. per annum, doubling in every 21.61 years.
251
Robert Morris.
ROBERT MORRIS. BY MRS. ARMINE NIXON HART. (Centennial Collection.)
In presenting a brief memoir of the life of Robert Morris, it is impossible to forget the biting sarcasm and sharp wit of Rufus Choate's memorable toast : "Pennsylvania's two most distinguished citizens-Robert Morris, a native of Great Britain, and Benjamin Franklin, a native of Massachusetts." It is to portray the life of one of these " citizens" that I have been in- vited here to-day.
Robert Morris, the Financier of the American Revolution, was born in Liverpool, Kingdom of Great Britain, on the 20th or' January, 1733-34, old style, or what would be, according to the modern method of computation, January 31st, 1734. His father, also Robert Morris, came to this country and settled at Oxford on the eastern shore of Maryland prior to the year 1740. He was there engaged in the tobacco trade as the factor of Fos- ter Cunliffe, Esq., of England. His tombstone in Whitemarsh burial-ground, Talbot County, Maryland, records that "A sa- lute from the cannon of a ship, the wad fracturing his arm, was the signal by which he departed greatly lamented, as he was es- teemed, in the fortieth year of his age, on the 12th day of July, MDCCL."
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