USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 80
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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The Messrs. Landis subsequently met the " com- mittee of seven," and again demanded two thousand pounds for the water-right, and threatened to bring suit, which was refused. However, the former at last agreed to the citizens' propo-ition, and on the 25th of April, 1795, Peter. John, and Abraham Landis sold to Stacy Potts, Moses Gillmor, William Graydon, Jacob Bucher. John Kean. John Dentzel, and Alex- ander Berryhill, of the borough of Harrisburg, and conveyed to them their mill, etc., for £2633 48. 6d., "to hold and to have the said two pieces of lands, houses, mills, mill machinery, etc." This sum, as before stated, was raised by taxing the citizens. The . payments were made in three annual installments; . one-half of the amount a>-es-ed was paid in 1794 one-half the balance in 1795. and the balance in 1796. For example, a citizen taxed fonr pounds had to pay two pounds in 1794, one pound in 1795, and one pound in 1796. It may be remarked that some citizens who refused to contribute to the sub-cription were obliged to leave the town. No violence was offeredI to them, but no one would employ them in their several pur- snits, and they at length went elsewhere. The follow- ing list for the years 1795 and 1796 shows the amount assessed :
MILL-DAM TAXES, 1795, 1796.
1795.
1596.
4. d.
£
s. d.
Allan, George ..
..
1
10 0
1
13 10
Armstrong, Andrew
7
6
0
4
3 5
Allen, Jos- ph ...
=
0
=
19
3
Awl, Jacob (estate).
10
0
11
8
Bennett, Thomas.
3
0
0
1
11 6
Buyd, John ...
6
0
15
U
Boyd, Adatu.
13
0
3
10
3
10
2
9
0
5
5
0
14
1
2
9
Bon Han, Chr ..
3
1)
0
0
00 0
Poyd. Widow.
1
4
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
Boader, Henry 4
0
2
12
5
hunkle. Peter
1
10
0
0
Barr. Alexander
17
0
1
3
Kapp, Michael.
U
Brook , James.
1 15
C
5
1
0
10
0
£ s. d.
£
a. it.
Balsley, John ..
6
1
3
3 9 5
Bennage. Lawrence ..
7 10
=
0 0 0
Barr, Robert
0
0
0 0
Burk, Edward
1
4
0
0
Boyer, George
10
0
4
30
0
Bricker, Peter
4
10
3
6
Burkart, Jacob
3
U
0
Benuer, John
1
0
0
7
6
Brenden, Adam
0
0
0
19
0
Brua, Peter ..
1)
0)
0
C
12 10
Hummus, Alexander ....
1
+
0
0
12
0
6
0
Clume, James testate),
10
C
1
6
Cassel, George.
0
19
0
0
Cairns, James Crabb, William
0
6
0
0
0
Connelly. William
1
7
6
Conrad, Henry
n
0
0
O
Catherwinnt, Widow
1
1
0
0
0
Dune in, JaHttps
0
3
18
0
3
0
1
1]
1
6
Dentzel, John
4
10
0
2
5
0
Dickes, Thetnts
J
5
0
C
0
Dritt, Joseph
0
0
0
Dougherty, William
1
=
1
17
6
Favis, Samuel B. (estate )
15
0
0
0
0
1
1
6
Ebbert, John
6
0
16
0
C
15
0
Elliot, James,
1
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
Ermolt. John.
6
8
Elder, Samuel
5
3
0
10)
0
6
Egle, Valentine.
11
0
0
1
11
6
Fisher, George
10
0
0
0
0)
Fulton, Heury
9
10
4
19
Fager, Johu ...
0
19
7
6
Fedder, Jacob.
3
3
12
F
Fridley, George
6
3
0
0
Ford. Henry
U
15
0
0
5
0
Forster, Thomas
10
0
5
3
0
0
0
0
0
Ferry, Puldic
2.6
0
C
0
0
0
Fahnestock, Ched
0
=
0
Fisher. Michael.
13
3
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
Gregg, Thomas
15
0
n
Greenwalt. hristian.
5
1
7
Gilmor, Moses
5
0
4 10
0
Gillum, Juddin.
3
-1
11
0 0
Glas-, William ..
1
10
0
0
0
0
Gravdon, William
0
0
1
2
6
Grieger, Martin
0
=
1
2
6
Gustine, Joel
3
(
3
3
0
Gilchrist. Jobn ..
5
1 12 6
Gilbert, Jese.
1
10
0
0
0 0
9
0
1 19
0
n
19 0
0 11
3
$150.00
Harris, David.
=! 50 00
Hanna, John A
$100.00
Hess, George.
4 10
1
14
0
Horning, Stopheu.
5
16
0
11 3
- Hamilton, John (estate)
24
9
7
llocker. John.
9
=
0
0
Hocker, Adam.
0
0
0
0
0
Horter, Valentine.
3
12
1 16 0
Hover, George.
19
0
2
15
0
Hill, Samuel
5
0
Hi-e. John
6
=
0
1
6
Hutman, Matthias.
1
1
0
-2
3 8
Hancock, Richard
0
0
1
8
6
House, Joseph ...
15
0
0
15
0
Hartman, George
1
U
0
0
Harris, George.
U
10 0
0
5
0
Henning, Jacob
0
0)
2
12
6
Morning, Conrad.
1
0
15
0
Hautz, Rev. A
0
0
=
Hunt, Dr ..
3
15
0
0
U
0
Howard & Irwin.
0
0
0
13
4
Irwin, Robert
9
0
1)
1)
C
0
Brindle, Philip
12
0
5
9
2
Irwin & Howard
0
Knukel, Christian.
11
0
3 10
Bombanah, Conrad 15 =
1u
0
3
-
3
Kean, John ..
10
Kurtz, Brujamit
1
9
Knutcher, Michael.
"
5
0
0
0 0
0
=
Denig., Peter (estate) Prolly . John .
1
5
0
1
0
3
Ebright, Jacob.
Ettenover, Widow
Elder. Joshua
0
0
Elder, John ...
0
0
3
0
0
1
$
U
Forrest, Dr. Andrew
5
0
3
16
Fahnestock, Detrich 1 10
Falinestock, Peter Fackler, George
1
10
0
0
0
1 17
12 6
Fogelsanger, John ..
Graydon, Alexander
0
Graybill, Peter.
3
7
HC 1
8
0
3
0
Getherson, Reuben.
D
Geiger, Willow
Harris, Robert ..
1 10
0
Egle. Casper
0
10
U
0
0
0
.
Burmeister, Charles .. 0
15
0
Bruner, Henry.
15
0
Isseti, Henry
Iugrun, Witham.
Ki ut-e, J. url Andrew,
1
10
0
Harris, James
3
=
0
0
Iful. Robin ...
0
1)
0
D
Bucher, Jacob
6
3
JungInte, Casper
0
5
0 4
14
Berryhill, sanmel.
0
10
--
£
5
3
0
0
11
0
1
0
0
3
Cupimins, John
Berryhill. Wexander
0
307
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
Kapı, M., Jr ...
12
6
Keen, Laurence gestite
3
11
0
1)
0
kianse, Andrew & ( Filler)
U
1)
0
I
6
Kapıyı, John ..
0
1)
1
12
6
Kunmel, Samuel
0
0
3
18
9
Jeg ph Je Bery
1
G
Jimny Buyers.
15
Kreamer, John ..
0
-
0
0)
0
Capt Krarsley
1
-
Peter Line
Simon Basler.
0
7
Lynch, Ldlward.
5
=
0
0
=
0
Lies, Peter
10
-
0
0
James Willson
1
15
Jacob Zriver
7
6
Light, John,
1)
1
0
0
0
Lies, Jewe ..
U
0
=
3
JAmp4 Willson.
15
=
C. B.
Lantz, Adm.
=
0
1 L
Josenh Kellar.
Laird, Samuel
C
U
1
5
-
1
0
7
9
9
Murray, Patrick
1
=
11
0
0
Mytinger, Ludwick
()
0
0
Thema- MeElhenny.
( 1
7
Jacob. sheesly
1
6
Murray, Thomas
S
1
13
10
Mears, Walliam
3
13
U
0
I
2
6
McAllister, Archibald ..
3
0
0
0
0
Anthony Kelker ..
15
0
66
1 In
0
Robert Bonl
15
=
Read.
1
10
=
Edward Crouch
15
0
C. Smith
1
10
William Stewart
=
15
Kittela ...
1
10
0
Samuel Finny
0
15
0
UNMARRIED MEN PAID IN 1795.
€ 8.
Thomas Elder.
3 15
0
C. Rowan.
0
17
6
S. Laird.
3
0
0
G. Pratton.
0
16
J. Frulley
0 15
=
Alexander Kerr 0
15
0
. John Patterson
1
10
0
P. Gruscluss ..
1 10
0
Pattersom, Galbraith
22
10
0
Potts, William
0
0
0
Porter, William
15
0
17
6
Pellitier & Benust.
0
0
16
G. Wilthat ger.
1
10
1)
William Willis.
1
6
Samuel .\w!
1
10
M. Krehl
13
0
James Montgo mer!
0
15
9 M. Henry
1
17
J. Mc Farlane.
1
10
1) Samuel Pool
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
Rerl, Anthony
12 0
0
0
0
0
0
Ritzell. George
5
=
0
0
4
=
0
10
0
Shaffer, R .:
5
11
U
0
0
Snulei, Simon ..
5
0
0
0
0
Sweeny. Major
5
G
0
0
0
Sees, Baltzer
0
10
0
5
10
=
12
6
2
5
1)
Shoch, Jolin.
1 19 11
3
0
0
Shiutfler. Valentine
10
0
3
Shields, John
5
0
0
0
12
6
3
9
1
1
0
0 0
Seyfert, Anthony
15
U
0 0
-2
8
0
0
0
0
Seybutit, Tobias,
0
0 0
0
0
0
-
Steinmetz ..
6
15
-
0 0
Snowden, Rev. N. R
5
0 0
Smith, Jantes .....
0
15
0
Smith, Nicholas.
0
0
U
0
7
6
Simuch, Nicholls
0
12
0
=
0
0
Tresseurider, Contul.
10
-
=
0
Veldo, Frederick ..
1:2
0
0
Whitehill, George.
3
0
Wayne, Jacob
5
0
Walter, Peter
3
0
0
Whitehill, Robert. Jr.
3
0
0
0
C
0
Wickersham, Widow
10
=
10 0
Weir, Sunnel.
5
0
()
0
0
Wetherh. M.1. Wilow.
5
0
C
0
Wingart, Wilow
0
0
0
0 0
Welshonts, Jacob
15
U
1
0
17
6
Walter, Chit-tito
1
4
0
0
0
Wingart, sinmm.
1
0
U C
Wallace, Benjamin
5
=
0
0
0
Wyeth, John
3
U
7
1
10
0
0
Wasoner, Casper
1
0
1)
Wilhelm, Jacob,
You-e, JJtool 0 0
0
0
Youse, F :- lerick
0
15
0
5
2
12
G
Zollinger, Jacob.
0
Zinn, John. .
5
0
2
10 i)
Zeigier, Casper.
10
0
6
-
Zeigler, George. 1
0
0
0
0
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS PAID IN THE YEAR 1795 DY PERSONS NOT OWNING PROPERTY OR RESIDING IN HARRISBURG.
I. d.
Adam Kritzer 3
9
Jolin Weidman. 15
Kissner, Daniel
0
0
8
9
William Coleman.
3.5
=
John Martin
6
Abrabatu Huey.
1
Jamies Rerd.
6
Lawyer, Adamı.
1
1
0
0
12 10
Jacob lonck
2
=
George luitz
0
3
A stanger ..
=
1
10
Inrob l'etter
7
b
Capt. Clark
15
15
0
Thomas Tron-dale
0
7
6
John Avres
0
3
15
0
R. Freckletun ..
0
15 0
Mitchell, JJames.
1.
0
1)
0
Robert Poterfield.
$
George stran
John Joseph Henry
1
10
R Robinson.
15
0
Me-sr -. Ditiran
3
=
Rudolph Kelker, Jr ...
1
0
Hagdans.
1 10
0
Monlecai Mckinney ..
1
0
1 Montgomery 10
. Machay, William . $150
10
0
0
0
Mirkle, Solution
1
10
0
()
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
Mitchell. Andrew.
3
5
1
G
Norton. John ..
8
3
17
0
Nearly, Daniel.
0
0
6
0
0
Ott, Mirhole
10
C
=
0
Petry, Henry
12
0
0
0
0
3
5
0
Peiffer, Jolt.
6
6
0
0
Potts, Stacy.
11
U
0
0
0
D. spangler.
3
=
0
J. Ingram
15
0
J. Weigly W. A Patterson
2
10
-
Gawin Beatty
1
0
Powers, AL xander.
3
C
0
0
1
Patterson. Robert
1
1
0
0
0
Rothroff. Hehry.
1
0
1
5
0
Ritzell, Jacob,
9
Ritz, Julin
1
0
2
Reimuth. Philip.
Roel, Philip
u
0
2
12
6
0 A writer, speaking of the old mill-site, says it was " erected about one-quarter of a mile below Harris- burg, about as low down as the old ' White House,' between the 'old mill road' and the canal ; and the race extended up along, or nearly along, the present route of the Pennsylvania Canal to a lane which ran across the ridge, about the upper line of the brick- yard field opposite Pratt's rolling-mill, where the dam was erected." This would place the mill-dam north of Paxtang Street, not far below Wister's fur- nace.
CHAPTER IV.
The Duke de Rochefoucauld at Harrisburg-Aggressinns of the French Directory-Address of the Citizens of Harrisburg to President Adams, and his Reply-Cuming's Account of Harrisburg in 1807-Erection of the Harrisburg Bridge.
Ix the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 the Duke de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, of France, made a tour of America. In the course of his travels he passed through Dauphin County, making special mention of Middletown, Harrisburg, and Fort Hunter (McAllis- ter's). We give in this place his impressions of Har- risburg :
" Mr. Harris, lord of the manor on which Harrisburg stands, availed himself of Mr. Frey's error to procure his town advantages that the former neglected. No sooner was it in contemplation to form tue tr.ict of country, separated from Lancaster, into a distinct county than he offered to the government of Pennsylvania to sacrifice not only a toll on the Susquehanna, of which he was possessed, ati the profit- of which he lawfully enjoyed, but also several thousand acres of land in and about the town, reserving to himself ouly twenty groun I shares
Snyder, John Stewart, Andrew
4
0
0 0
0
0
0
Shafter, John A
0
Stohr, John
10
-
=
0
0
4
2
17
6
0
3
0 0
Waltz, George
Weir, John .
2 0
=
0
0
=
-
U
2
5
0
12
10
M. Chesney, John.
0
John Eller
0
D
William Allen
15 =
Robert Fleming
Joseph Parks .
t-
6
Montgomery, Rev. Jus, irstate).
U
9
Martin, John.
2
Murphy, Barney
0
0
=
4
0
0
Petfer, George
5
0
0
0
3
0
0
John Biner.
3 0
1)
-
Allen Hays
0
€ 0
G
Lebor, Nicholas
0
6
Leyer, Herman A
William Krebbs.
U Christian Walborn.
6
Muriny, William
1
s. d.
€ 8. d.
2
0
Scarlett, David.
1
0
Sawyer, James
0
Shrom, Jacob.
0
0
Saylor, Henry
10
1
Spes, Christian.
Smith, Ca-per 10
G
)
=
Montgomery, Hugh
2.
.
2
6
1
1
000
0
Redick, George
Jolin 1 ytle.
308
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
This offer induced the government of Pennsylvania to make this the chief town of the country, though it has neither an anchoring-place for the ships that sail up and down the river, nor can afford them the smallest shelter.
" The new connty obtained the name of Dauphin. The first houses were built here in 1785, aud their unmber at present amounts to three hundred.
"The formation of this town bring of a more recent date than any other, the buildings were from the very first of a better construction than anywhere else ; and such as were not originally good houses have since been rebuilt. Very few log houses are therefore to be found in Harrisburg, but, on the contraty, many substantial and handsone edi- fices: and though this town is smaller and of later establishmout than Reading and many other places, yet it is more compact amt has a much better appearance. A undligunt epidemic fever has made the same bavor in Harrisburg as the yellow fever dul in Philadelphia, and for a whole twelvemonth checked the progress of building. As the fever did not return last year, however, laukding is still going on ; but the prejudice of the town being insalutations still remains, whether it be really so ur, as the inhabitants athrin, merely a scandalous report propa- gated by the jealousy of the neighboring towns. The unhealthiness of the plice bring imputed to the staguation of some water which was made to turn a mill, it was proposed to the miller to throw down the dum, nud an indemnitication was offered him. He demanded last year four thousand dollars, but this sum not having been raised soon enough in his opinion, he this year raised his demand io proportion to the in- creased desire of destroying bis dam, and insisted on the payment of eleven thousand dollars. The inhabitants, enraged at this exorbitant demand, and at the same time earnestly wishing for the demolition of the dam, unanimously resolved to destroy it, and appointe la comuni-sion to award a jus. indeminification to the miller, which has been deter- mined at the sun he first demanded. All the inhabitants seem to have concuried in this proceeding, which, though not to be applauded, is less cen-nrable on account of the miller's enormous rapacity. The unan- imity with which this transaction was accomplished insures its impu- city, and the miller will be cautions of entering upon a prosecution, as the grand jury would certainly throw out his bill He has no one tu blame lat himself for the destruction of his Ham, and the public opinion which by a more prodeat conduct he might last year have en- gaged in his favor, is now decidedly against him ; yet with many of the demolishers themselves it reuttins a matter of doubt whether the de- molition of the dam have any way increased the salubrity of the place. " A prison and a sessions house have been built at Murishure, and a plan is in agitation to form at anchorage for ships. The juhabitants exert their utmost efforts to procure to this place all the advantages of which it is sise ptible, and even indulge a hope that the seat of the gov- ernment of the state will be removedl to theis :ovn. They form a cen- tral point, at least for the population of Pennsylvania, and are less dis- tant from the remote western parts than any other county on this nide of the Susquehanna, and on these local advantages they grown I their hopes. It is, however, to be wished that their notion of determining the seat of the Legislature by a pair of compasses may be confined to men who cannot influence the decision, and that it may be rightly understood how much better it is for the deputies to travel one hundred . miles farther than remove the seat of government from Phil .. b.iphia, which is the most populous city, and the only trading town in Pennsyl- Fabia, and which consequently forms that point where the best infor- mation is in unison with the most naportant interests. The public ex- penibiture necessary in this newis-formed county causes the taxes to be somewhat higher than in the conaties of Lancaster und Berks; the dif- ference may be a shilling in the pound. Unless yon chance to meet with a commissioner of taxes, the exact proportion is not to be ascer- tained, as a general ignorance on the subject rvery where prevails. The taxea, however, are generally deemed very light, even by those who pay them, which is undoubtedly the strongest proof that they are so. The majority of the inhabitantsut Harrisburg consists of Gerinaus and Irish. men, firmly attached to government, sensible and industrious, The number of inns in America is ont of all proportion to that in Europe. This place contains no less than thirty-eight. It has twenty-five or thirty shops, where may be fonul all sorts of merchandise, procured from Philadelphia on twelve and eighteen months' credit, and of which the shopkeepers rapidly dispose at double or telle their prime duei. The price of ground shares in the town of Harriskur; is from one hun- dred and fifty to two hundred dollars. The land in the surrounding country is good ; its price is from darty-two to forty-eight dollars an avre. Day laborers are paid here three shillings and sixpence a day, with their buard, or five shillings without it.
" The Susquehanna near Harrisburg is about three quarters of a mil" in breadth ; in summer it is frequently fordable, The unvigation isex- tremely dangerous for several months in consequence of some raged currents, and never safe except in spring and autumn, when the water is sufficiently high to cover the rocks, which become name numer went the point where the Juniata falls into the Susquehanna, nine mile+ above Harrisburg, and greatly sucreases the dangers of the navigation The government of Pennsylvania has offered eight hundred thousand dollars for clearing the river of these rocks from the above point down to Middletown, but hitherto no one has ventured upon this enterprise I entertain no doubt, however, but that this vast nadertaking will shortly be accomplished, though the sum hitherto offered may not be sufficient, but must probably be increased. The industry and prosperity of Pennsylvania will in time overcome this, as well as many other dis. advantages which have heretofore been deemed wusuperable. A French- man resides at present at Harrisburg who was born in France, bot came hither from Martipico. He is a physician, and though he speaks but little English, and has resided here only a few months, enjoys already considerable practice.
" We had a letter to Gen. Hanna, and as we intended to stop here but a few hours, we delivered it as soon as we alighted from our horses. Gen. Hannn is a man of about thirty-six or thirty-eight years of age, and brigadier-general of militia. He was a member of the Senate for Pennsylvania, but went out by rotation last autumn. Before he was engage l in the service of the State he was a lawyer, but he has since relinquished that profession, and has commenced farming He married a daughter of old Mr. Harris, the founder of the town, and appears to be an upright, worthy character. Not being prepared to give us a dinner. as we came unexpectedly. he uttered to attend u- to our evening quar- tera, seven miles from this town, as some token of respect for the letter of introduction which we brought him As our horses wanted shoeing. we were obliged to make him want some tine, which we passed in the tru- American style, quaffing a bottle of Madeira and smoking segars. The general is not for of them, but prefers chewing tobacco : yet from motives of tuditeness hesmoked with us. Being at our lodgings we pro- posed as a toast ' The President,' upon which he immediately gave ' La- fayette ' I noticeil this trifling circumstance to introduce once more the remark that Lafayette is constantly toasted next to the President, which in my judgment redects honor on America."
The aggression upon American commerce, com- meuced by the French Directory in 1797, and sub- sequent in-ults offered our ambassadors, aroused such great indignation in our country that Congress, on the 28th of May, 1798, passed an act authorizing the President to raise a provisional army. Gen. Wil- liam Irvine was appointed by Governor Mittlin as commander-in-chief of the quota of eighty thou- sand militia requested from Pennsylvania, and took active measures to organize hi- troops. When the Directory became aware that their conduct would not be tamely submitted to, they began suddenly to retract their measures, and there was no neces-ity for bringing the provisional army into the field. At this period the people in all sections became aroused. \ meeting of the citizens of Harrisburg was held at Andrew Berryhill's on the evening of May Ist, and an address was unanimously agreed upon and signed by all present, to which the signatures of other- or the inhabitants as were not present were secured. and the whole transmitted to President Adam>. Thi- address is as follows :
"HARRISBURG, May 2.
" At a respectable meeting of the inhabitants of this Borough, last rien- ing, at Mr. Andrew Berryhill's; the following white- was umani- mously agreed upon, and signed by all present to the number of 51. SIX gentlemen were appranted to procure as early as po -- ble the sig- matures of such of the inhabitants is did not attend, and to transmi.t the address when completed to the President.
.
309
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
" To the President of the United States .
"SIR,-AT a time, when the minds of men are so intoxicated with ideas of reforin, and visionary schemes for meliorating the condition of humanity, as to be fatally inattentive to their own security, and regard- Iess of considerations which have hitherto bren deemed the most sacred and obligatory-there may ben propriety in the declaration of sentiments, which in more settled times, might at least be thought su- perfinous : From the generality also, of the practice of expressing appro- bation of the measures of government at the present crisis, motives unght he attached to the omission of it, less honorable than a disincli- uation, to intrude upon the managers of the public concerns, or a reluc- tance to suppose that in the resistance of outrage and maintenance of national independence, they would not receive the Support of the vir- toous and unprejudiced part of the community. Under these impres- sions, we the subscribers, inhabitants of the Borongh of Harrisburg, beg leave to declare, that we are too highly sensible of the prosperity we enjoy, to le willing to relinquish it without an effort for its preservation; and that in our wishes for the happiness of others, we have not lost sight of our country & ourselves. That in our opinion, the conduct and designs of the French Republic iscarcely aggravated or miade more ap- parent by the profligacy of their avowal) are such as to produce alarm and indignation in every breast which feels for the honor and happiness of America, and to excite the apprehensions of every man, of whatever oution or country, who may place a sense of justice. of morality, and piety among the ornaments of his nature and the blessings of society. That under this persuasion, we hold it wise to be prepared for every event, and shall therefore most cheerfully acquiesce in such measures of defence, as may be adopted by you, sir, and the other branches of the administration, at the present momentuna period. And that as your past conduct has invariably commanded the respect and approbation of every ingennens mind, so we have the most perfect reliance, that in future it will continue to be influenced by the purest motives and clearest perceptions of the public good.
". We beg you to accept our cordial wishes for your personal welfare and happiness."
To this address President Adams sent the following characteristic reply :
" To the inhabitants of the Borough of Harrisburg, in the State of Pennsyl- ranin :
"GENTLEMEN,-Your address has been presented to me hy MIr. Hart- ley, Mr. Sitgreaves, and Mr. Hanna, three of your Representatives in Congress.
" I knew oot which to admire most, the conciseness, the energy. the elegance, or profound wisdom of this excellent address.
" Ideas of reformation, and schemes for ameliorating the condition of humanity, should not be discouraged when proposed with reason and pursued with Diodleration : but the rage for innovation, which destroys everything because it is established, and introduces absurdities the most monstroos merely because they are now, was never carried to such a pitch of madne-s in any age of the world, as in the latter end of the boasted eighteenth century, and never produced effects so horrible upon saffering humanity.
"Among all the appearances, Portentous of evil, there is none mire incomprehensible than the professions of Republicanismi among those who place not a sense of justice, morality, or piety, among the orna- ments of their nature, and the blessings of society. As nothing is more certain ur demonstrable than that free Republicanisti cannot exist with- out these orpatient- and blessings, die tendency of the times is rapid towards a restoration of the petty military despoti-mis of the feudal anarchy, and by their means a return to the savage state of barbarous life.
"How can the press prevent this, when all the presses of a nation. and, inderd, of many nations at once, are subject to in imprimatur by a veto upon pain of configration, banishment, or confiscation :
"That Anterie may have the glory of a testing this torrent of error. vice, and impostare, is my fervent wish : and if sentiments as great as those from Harrisburg should be found universally to prevail, as I doubt nut they will, my hopes will be as anguine as my wishes. " JOHN ADANA.
.. PHILADELPHIA, 12th May. 170%."
Until the year 1804 the business of the town and county was conducted in " pounds, shillings, and pence." On the 4th of February that year, on settling
the accounts of the county treasurer, Adam Boyd. the statement made by the county auditors was as fol- lows :
Cash on hand 1133 - Outstanding debt .. . £ d. 5
632 14 51 .;
1766 2 101.,
Equal to ..................... $4709.71.
From that time onward the accounts were rendered in dollars and eents. The change to American cur- rency was at the same time made in the financial ac- counts of the borongh.
In 1807, Francis Cuming made a tour to the West. In his journey he passed through this section, and gives in his interesting narrative his impressions of the places and people.
Mr. Cuming forwarded his baggage by a Conestoga wagon for Carlisle. The wagon made fifteen miles a day. He traveled about twenty-five. and on the 13th of January, 1807. he arrived at Lancaster. Remain- ing at Lancaster several days, he continues his ac- count :
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