USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 11
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DIVIDENDS.
Bank United States,
Schuylkill Perm. Bridge Co.
Bank North America,
24
3
3
4
Of the business done during the year, we have no comments to offer. Our coasting business has greatly increased, and by the following statement, it appears that our foreign trade is not in a sinking condition. Dur- ing the last seven years we have had the following arri- vals:
Years.
Foreign.
Coastwise ...
Total.
1822,
494
1212
1706
1823,
482
1018
1500
-1824,
501
981
1482
: 1825,
484
1195
1679
1826,
482
1195
1677
1827,
469
1320
1789
1828,
450
-1847
2297
The number of vessels built during the year is
11 ships, measuring
4658 tons
5 brigs
do.
727
5 schooners do.
448
15 sloops do.
453
1 steamboat do.
230
Total
6516 tons.
In addition to the above, there are 2 ships, 5 brigs, 3 schooners, and 2 steamboats nearly ready for launching. Ibid.
The Lancaster Journal of the 12th December states that "a boat loaded with wood and Locust posts from the Susquehanna, has ascended the Conestogo to that city.
Printed every Saturday morning by Williani F. Ged- des, No. 59 Locust street, Philadelphia; where, and at the Editor's residence, in North 12th st. 3d door south. of Cherry st. subscriptions will be thankfully received. Price five dollars per annum payable in six months after the commencement of publication-and annually, there- after, by subscribers resident in or near the city, or where there is an agent .. Other subscribers pay in advance
" Note-This table includes such grain only as is " water borne" to mar- : ket, and of this it does not embrace the whole quantity.
[ Philadelphia Price Current.
'GRAIN MEASURED.
Account of Grain measured at Philadelphia in the year 1828, per returns of J. P. Færing, Head Measurer.
Totals.
bushels.
729,386
651,665
544,193
510,450
744,242
27,099|
Barley.
bushels.
3,593
9,746
108,942
13,232
21,181
55,738
24,128
15,875
21,230
12,658
16,978
Indian
. Corn.
bushels.
22,881
76,320
90,810
189,795
379,106
388,225
269,684
191,800
144,479
207,626
Wheat.
bushels,
8,263
14,151
85,711
37,155
4th quarter,
1828
1827
1826
1825
1824
1st quarter;
2d quarser, 3d quarter,
1,200
6,748
23,053
32,281
8,999
116,281
21,138
45,604
37,512
17,749
20,763
Oats.
bushels.
7,090
14,235
1,280
Rye.
bushels ..
328,052
471,788
145,280
209,175
COMMERCE OF PHILADELPHIA
,
34 per cent. 2 61-100
Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co. Penn. Co. for insurance on Lives Union Insurance Company,
THE
REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.
DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE.
EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.
VOL. III .- NO. 3. PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 17, 1829. NO. 55.
EARLY HISTORY.
ACCOUNT OF EXPENSES ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.
"In Pursuance of the Order of the House, we have examined the Journals of the Proceedings of the As- semblies of this Province, on what relates to the Charges of Treaties and other Affairs with the Indians, by which we find,
That the Expences on these Occasions were very in- considerable till the Year 1722, there being a Provision made by law to limit them to £50 per Annum; and when Accounts were exhibited to the House of a larger charge on these Occasions, great Caution was used in allowing them.
In the Year 1722 a general Treaty was held at Albany with the Indians of the Six Nations by the Governor's of New-York and Virginia, at which Sir William Keith, then Governor of this Province, with several of his Coun- cil, was desired by the Assembly to attend (in order to satisfy the Indians of the Care and Justice of this Gov- ernment, to punish some Persons, by whom one of them had been lately killed) and the Assembly agreed to ad- vance £230 to defray the Governor's Expences, and the Cost of Presents made to the Indians on that Occasion.
From that time till the Year 1727, there does not ap- pear to have been any Expences on these Affairs paid by the Public, but in that Year an Account amounting to about £70 being exhibited, the Assembly allowed one Half of it, and left the rest to be paid by the Proprie- tary.
In the Year 1728 some unusual Apprehensions of Dan- ger from the Indians appeared, and the Province being at that Time under great Difficulties in other Respects (from some Party Disputes then subsisting) the Assem- bly requested Governor Gordon to hold a Treaty with the Indians, and promised to pay the Expences of it: And this is the first Instance we find of a general En- gagement made by any Assembly of this Kind; and we apprehend, the Circumstances of the Proprietary Fami- ly at that Time induced the Representatives of the Peo- ple freely to contribute more of the Public Money than usual, to answer the pressing Exigencies of, that Occa- sion.
After which, the first Article of Expence is in 1733, the Year after the Arrival of our Proprietary THOMAS PENN in this Province, at which Time the People paid the Expence of a Treaty with the Indians, being desi- rous of demonstrating their Respect to the Proprietary Family, and of preserving the memory of our first wor- thy Proprietary in the Minds of the Indians, with that Reverence and Respect they have ever professed for him.
And the same Considerations, we believe, induced the Assembly, on the Arrival of our Proprietary JOHN PENN, to defray the Expence of a Treaty with some In- dians, who came down to pay him a Visit.
These, we apprehend, were the Reasons, by which the People were first induced to bear so large a Part of the Expences on Indian Affairs; yet constantly there appear Proofs of the People considering these Contribu- tions as their free Gift: And in several Instances we find they refused to pay more than Half of the Charge on VOL. III. 5
these Occasions, leaving the rest to be paid by the Pro- prietary.
After the Commencement of the late War, the As- sembly thought it proper to demonstrate, that they were not induced by mercenary Motives, to refuse joining in the making any Military Preparations, and therefore con- tributed towards cultivating our Friendship with the In- dians, and on several other Occasions, more largely than before that Time had ever been done by their Predeces- sors.
But the Danger of introducing Precedents of this Kind seems to us very manitest in this Instance; their Liberality in granting these large supplies being now in- terpreted to authorize the fixing' the whole Charge of Indian Affairs on the Public. And as the generous Al- lowances lately made (amounting within four Years past to near £5000) have had the desired good Effect of con- firming our Alliances with the Indians, the present Op- portunity seems to us very proper to enter into the Con sideration of the Proportion the People should pay of such Charges as may hereafter arise on the like Occa- sions; which is nevertheless submitted to the House.
ISRAEL PEMBERTON, junior,
JOHN SMITH,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
MAHLON KIRKBRIDE,
THOMAS CUMMINGS,
CALVIN COOPER, HERMANUS ALRICHS."
Account of Expenses on Indian Affairs paid out of the Provincial Stock by the Treasurer & Trustees of the Loan Office, viz:
Anno 1733
£446 0 8}
1734
13
1 11
1735
143
3
7
1736
59 1
5
1737
359 17
1739
230 12 11
1740
376 13
74
1742
592 10
73
1743
518 0
9
1744
303 10
1745
319 13 0
1746
428 10
4
1748
1,158
8 0
1749
908
3 10
1750
1,249
5 7
1751 (several Acc'ts. not adjusted) 1,259
5 11
£8,366 0 63
[Votes of Assembly.
From Extracts from the Records of New York, authenti- cated under the Great Seal of that Province; in Land Office, Pennsylvania.
A Letter from Capt. Brockholl's* to the Magistrates of St. Jones', (Del.)
New-York, August 30th, 1681.
GENTLEMEN,-I am much surprised at yor. apprehen- sions of my Lord Baltimore's innovating yor. Parts by
* Capt. Anthony Brockhol's was appointed by Sir Edmond Andros Lieutenant Governor during his ab- sence-Sir Edmond was then going to England.
34
MEETINGS ON BOSTON PORT BILL.
[JANUARY
force Signified to me by Lre. from Mr. Justice Whit- well and John Hillyard which I believe he will in noe wise attempt now whatever he hath done formerly there- fore Cann give no other Directions then that you fully assert and maintain your Authority and Rights against any that shall oppose or annoy you, and if any Demand or P'retence made to take noe Notice thereof but Refer them hither and in noe Case admitt any Charge or Alte- ration or any pretended Court or Authority without Or- der from myself Who am Resolved to keep yor. Parts as settled under this his Royll. Highness Governmt. and to the uttermost preserve the Rights and Propertyes of the Inhabitants from any Innovation whatsoever and re- maine Yor affectionate Friend A. B.
The Commander and Council's Decl. on Esqr. Penn's Grant for New Castle, St. Jones' and Whorekill.
By the Commander in Chief and Council, &c.
Whereas his Royll. High's. hath been graciously pleas- ed by Indenture under his hand and Scale bearing Date the Twenty. fourth day of August last past for the Con- sideration therein mentioned to bargain sell Enfeoffe and Confine unto William Penn Esq. his heirs and assignes forever all that the Towne of New Castle otherwise called Delaware, and all that Tract of Land lying within the Compass or Circle of twelve miles about the same, with all Islands and the River and Soile thereof lying north of the Southermost part of the said Circle, and all Rents and Services Royalties Franchises Duties Juris. dictions Priviledges and Libertyes thereunto belonging and by another Indenture of the same date for the Con- sideration therein likewise mentioned hath also bargain- ed sold Enfeoffed and Confirmed unto the said William Penn Esq. his heirs and assigns for ever all that Tract of Land upon Delaware River and Bay beginning twelve miles south from the Town of New Castle otherwise called Delaware, and extending South to the Whore- kills otherwise called Cape in Lopen with all Isles Riv- ers Rivuletts Bays and Inletts Royalties Franchises Pow- ers Priviledges and Immunities whatsoever and in and by the said Indenture appointed and authorised John Moll Esq. and Ephraim Harman Gent. to deliver to him the said William Penn free and actuall Possession of the Premisses as by the said Indentures here produced and shewn to us and by us well approved of and Entred in the public Records of this Province Doth and may more at large appear and we being fully satisfied of the said William Penn's Right to the Possession and Enjoyment of the Premises have therefore thought fitt and neces- sary to signify and declare the same to you to prevent any doubt or trouble that might arise or accrue and to give you your Thanks for your good Services dore in your several offices and stations during the time you re- mained under his Royll. High's. Governmt. Expecting no further acco't. then that you readily submitt and yield all due Obedience and Conformity to the Powers grant- ed to the said William Penn in and by the said Inden-, tures, in the performance and Enjoyment of which we wish you all Happiness. Dated in New York the 21st Day of November 1682. To the several Justices of the l'eace, Magistrates and other Officers at New Castle, St. Jones, Deale, als. Whorekill at Delaware or within any of the Bounds and Limitts above mentioned.
SILK.
We have received from Alexander Reed, Esquire, of Washington, Pa. a piece of manufactured silk, made, from the silk worm to the loom, by a young lady, a mcm- ber of that industrious and enterprising people, the "Harmony Society." This young lady appeared at the Fair held in Washington last fall, clad in an elegant silk dress of her own manufacture, This silk dress was of a quality far superior to the specimen sent us; but as it was all made use of, our friend was only able to send us some of the latter description-this, however, being the
first attempt, is probably even more precious in the eye of the agriculturist than that to which more experience contributed its powerful aid, as it shows to the new be- ginner, what may be done at the commencement. The quality of the specimen of silk sent us, is far superior to any thing we had imagined had been arrived at in our country. It is equal to that of many ladies' dresses, and such as no lady would be ashamed to wear on any occa- sion. This silk is the product of a few eggs sent the young lady three years ago, in a letter, by Mr. Reed, who, as our readers have had occasion to know, is an intelligent encourager of agricultural improvement. In his letter, he says that the stores in Washington county, are selling sewing silk made in Washington County, where four or five years ago such an idea was laughed at. Mr. Reed bestows a well merited eulogium on the Hon. Charles Miner, member of Congress, from West Chester, Pa. who brought the subject before Congress, and adds-"I have no doubt it would afford him plea- sure to know, that we in the "back woods" are trying to make silk.
The Crawford Messenger states that a canal boat was launched at that place on the 28th of November, which was built of materials that were growing on the banks of French creek the day before! The boat left Meadville for Pittsburg on the 30th ult. having on board 20 pas- sengers, and 300 reams of paper manufactured from straw!
COAL TRADE FOR 1828.
T'ons.
By Schuylkill Canal from Mount Carbon, 47,070
By do. from other places, including Union Canal, supposed about, 5,000
52,070
By the Lehigh Company,
30,232
Total, Tons 82,303
MEETINGS ON BOSTON PORT BILL.
At a meeting of between two and three hundred of the respectable inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia at the City Tavern on Friday evening, May 20, 1774. .
Agreed, That a committee be appointed to corres- pond with our sister colonies.
. That John Dickinson, Esq. William Smith, D. D .* Edward Pennington*, Joseph Fox, John Nixon*, John M. Nesbit, Samuel Howell*, Thomas Mifflin*, Joseph Reed, Thomas Wharton, jun .* , Benjamin Marshal, Jo- seph Moulder*, Thomas Barclay*, George Clymer*, Charles Thomson*, Jeremiah Warder, Jun. * John Cox*, John Gibson*, and Thomas Penrose, compose the com- mittee of correspondence until an alteration is made by a more general meeting of the inhabitants.
That the committee be instructed to write to the peo- ple of Boston, that we truly feel for their unhappy situa- tion, that we consider them as suffering in the general cause, that we recommend to them firmness, prudence and moderation, and that we shall continue to evince our firm adherence to the cause of American Liberty.
That the above resolutions be transmitted by the com- mittee to the other colonies.
That the committee be instructed to apply to the go- vernor to call the assembly of the province.
That they be authorised to call a meeting of the inha- bitants when necessary.
On the day following, those gentlemen of the com- mittee whose names are marked thus * having met, the following letter was drawn up and signed by them, to be immediately forwarded by Mr. Paul Riviere to Bos- ton. Copies of it have also been transmitted to New- York, and most of the southern colonies. The gentle-
* Those marked with (*) after their names, signed the above letter; business and avocations having prevent- I cd the rest from attending.
35
MEETINGS ON BOSTON PORT BILL.
1829.]
men of the committee who did not attend at the first meeting were prevented by necessary business, but the proceedings of that meeting have been since fully ap- proved by them.
A Letter from the Committee of the city of Philadel- phia to the Committee of Boston, sent by Mr. Paul Riviere, May 21st, 1774.
GENTLEMEN,
We have received your very interesting letter, toge- ther with a letter from the town of Boston, and the vote they have passed on the present alarming occasion; and such measures have been pursued thereon as the short- ness of the time would allow. To collect the sense of this large city is difficult; and when their sense is ob- tained, they must not consider themselves as authorised to judge or to act for this populous province, in a busi- ness so deeply interesting as the present is to all British America.
A very respectable number of the inhabitants of this city was, however, assembled last evening, to consult what was proper to be done; and after reading the sun- dry papers you transmitted to us, and also a letter from the committee of correspondence in New York, the en- closed resolves were passed, in which you may be assur- ed we are sincere, and that you are considered as now suffering in the general cause.
But what further advice to offer you on this sad occa- sion, is a matter of the greatest difficulty ; which not only requires more mature deliberation, but also that we should take the necessary steps to obtain the general sentiments of our fellow inhabitants of this province, as well as of our sister colonies. If satisfying the East In- dia Company for the damage they have sustained, would put an end to this unhappy controversy, and leave us on the footing of constitutional liberty for the future, it is presumed that neither you nor we could continue a mo- ment in doubt what part to act; for it is not the value of the tax, but the indefeasible right of giving and granting our own money ( a RIGHT FROM WHICH WE CAN NEVER RECEDE) that is the matter now in consideration.
By what means, the truly desirable circumstance of a reconciliation and future harmony with our Mother coun- try, on constitutional grounds, may be obtained, is in- deed a weighty question: Whether by the method you have suggested, of a general non-importation and non- exportation agreement, or by a general congress of De- puties from the different colonies, clearly to state what we conceive to be our rights, and to make a claim or petition of them to his Majesty, in firm but decent and dutiful terms (so as that we may know by what line to conduct ourselves in future) are now the great points to be determined. The latter method, we have reason to think, would be most agreeable to the people of this province, and the first step that ought to be taken. The former may be reserved as our last resource, should the other fail; which, we trust, will not be the case, as many wise and good men in the Mother country begin to sec the necessity of a good understanding with the colonies, upon the general plan of Liberty as well as Commerce,
We shall endeavour, as soon as possible, to collect the sentiments of the people of this province and of the neighbouring colonies, on these grand questions ; and should also be glad to know your sentiments thereon .- In the mean time, with sincere fellow-feelings for your sufferings, and great regard to your persons. We are, &c.
At a meeting of the Justices, the gentlemen of the bar, Grand Jury, and principal inhabitants of the county of Northampton, held at Easton, on the 21st of June inst .- George Taylor, Esq. in the Chair.
It being considered, that it was necessary for all the counties of this province to join with their brethren of Philadelphia, in expressing their sentiments upon the present interesting occasion, relative to the oppressive Acts of Parliament lately passed in Great Britain, tend-
ing to destroy the liberties of North America, it was unanimously resolved as follows:
1. That the Act of Parliament for shutting up the port and harbour of Boston is an act of the highest oppres- sion, and a violation of the liberties of America.
2. That as we consider the inhabitants of the said town as suffering in the common cause of American freedom, we will assist them to obtain redress by every legal act in our power.
3. That it is our opinion the most constitutional and effectual method for obtaining such redress is, by hav- ing a General Congress of Committees, to be composed and chosen out of the members of the different assem- blies of each colony.
4. That a Committee be formed in this county, con- sisting of six persons, namely, William Edmunds, George Taylor, Lewis Gordon, John Okely, Peter Kachlein and Jacob Orndt, Esquires, to correspond with our bre- thren in Philadelphia, and the other counties of this province, and to co-operate with them in such mea- sures, as shall be judged most proper for the general good.
5. That the Committee be desired to receive the sub- scriptions of such charitable persons in this county, who shall incline to support the distressed and suffering in- habitants of the town of Boston; and resolved, that it is the duty of every inhabitant of this county to contri- bute, according to his circumstances, to relieve their suffering brethren; the monies raised by such subserip- tions to be disposed of for the use of the inhabitants of the said town of Boston, in such way as the Committee shall think fit.
6. That William Edmunds, Esq. the Representative in Assembly for this county, be required by his brethren of the Committee of Correspondence now appointed, to attend and meet the other Representatives of Assem- bly of this province, in case the Speaker of the House shall think proper to eall them together upon this deep- ly interesting and alarming occasion; and that it is the opinion of his constituents here, that he do give his at- tendance accordingly.
York-Town, June 24, 1774.
In consequence of a letter from the Committee of Philadelphia, the inhabitants of this town met on Mon- day the 21st nlt. Michael Swope, Esq. was appointed Chairman, who explained the design and cause of the meeting; the distressed state of the inhabitants of Bos- ton; and the nature and tendency of the Acts of Par- liament lately passed. After due deliberation, the fol- lowing Resolves were come into, nem con.
1. That we will concur with our brethren of Phila- delphia and Sister Colonies, in any constitutional mea- sure in order to obtain redress.
2. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the in- habitants of Boston are now suffering in the common cause of liberty.
3. It is directed, that to obtain the sense of our fellow inhabitants of York county upon the present important and alarıning occasion, notice shall be given to the inha- bitants of this county, that they, or such as shall be de- legated by the several townships in the county, do meet at the Court-house in York-Town, on Monday the 4th of July next, at one o'clock in the afternoon, to enter into such Resolves as may be for the publie good, and tend to restore the liberties of British America.
A Committee of thirteen persons were then chosen for this town, to remain till altered by another general meeting, which they were authorised and directed to call.
A letter from the Committee of Correspondence in the Pro- vince of Pennsylvania, to the Committee of Correspon- dence in the Province of Massachusetts Buy.
PHILADELPHIA, June 28, 1774.
Gentlemen-Your favour of the 28th ult. communi- cating to us, by order of your House, the act of Parlia-
36
MEETINGS ON THE BOSTON PORT BILL.
[JANUARY
ment, "To discontinue in such manner, and for such time as are therein mentioned, the landing and dis- charging, lading and shipping of goods, wares and mer- chandize at the town and within the harbour of Boston, &c." is now before us, and we shall take the earliest op- portunity to lay it before the House of Representatives of this province.
We cannot consider this measure in any other light than an additional proof of a resolution in the mother state to draw a revenue from the subject in America without his consent. And on this principle we conclude that every British American colony will esteem them- selves intimately connected in it. Under this idea of the intention of Parliament, it certainly behoves us coolly and dispassionately to meditate on the conse- quences; and to leave no rational or probable means unessayed to avoid them, and to obtain that relief which our rights as English subjects entitle us to demand.
What those means ought to be, we think the several branches of the American Legislature, in which the peo- ple are constitutionally represented, and who are vested with their whole powers, ought to determine. We therefore only presume to give you our private senti- ments, which must ever be subject to the amendment and control of the body of which we are only members when we again mix with them,
We hope and earnestly recommend, that the great cause of American rights may be left to the management of the Representatives of the people in every colony, as they alone are vested with a constitutional power of in- quiring into and redressing those grievances under which the subject may at any time be oppressed. Until this measure shall be fairly attempted, and a failure shall ensue, we cannot conceive the present dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies can with any propriety or prudence be assumed by any other persons whatever, or that in other hands any good consequences can be rationally expected: And as we are in a state of society, where order, reason, and policy ought to pre- vail, every measure which can only serve to irritate and not convince, every act of violence, or even the appear- ance of it, should be carefully avoided, as they cannot, under our present circumstances, obtain us that relief we desire, and have a right to expect, but on the con- trary may involve all America in difficulties which no after wisdom or prudence can surmount.
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