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 14
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116
In closing this article we beg leave to state to our Baltimore friends, that much exception has been taken to the toll exacted for passing the Maryland Canal. We are informed that arks are charged ten dollars, whether heavily or lightly laden. This is considered a grievance both in amount and manner of exaction .- Lan. Gaz.
REPORT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.
Read in the House of Representatives, Jan. 7, 1829. Philadelphia, Dec. 30, 1828.
Sir,-Agreeably to a resolution of the board of direc- tors of the Pennsylvania Institution for the deaf and dumb, I have the honour to enclose the annual report of said institution, which have the goodness to present to the House of Representatives.
Very respectfully, Your obedient serv't. GEORGE W. TOLAND, Sec'y. NER MIDDLESWARTH, Esq. Speaker, &c.
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Represen- tatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in ge- neral assembly met.
The directors of the Pennsylvania institution for the deaf and dumb, respectfully submit the annual report, required by the 7th article of their act of incorporation.
The receipts and expenditures of the institution, for the year ending the twentieth of December 1828, are exhibited in the accounts of the treasurer hereunto an- nexed marked A. which have been examined and ap- proved by the committee of accounts.
During the official year, twenty-seven pupils have left the institution, and sixteen have been received. The present number is sixty-eight, being forty-two males and twenty-six females. (Admission for twelve have been issued, some of whom are daily expected in Philadel- phia.) The annexed document marked B, shows their residences, the manner in which they are supported, &c.
Of the whole number, thirty-nine are from Pennsyl- vania, supported by the bounty of the commonwealth, three are from New Jersey, supported by that state; two from Maryland are supported by that state; eleven are
supported wholly, or in part by the institution; the re- maining thirteen are paid for by their friends.
Since our last report an act has been passed by the legislature of Maryland, honourable alike to that body and to the reputation and confidence established by this institution, which makes an appropriation for the edu- cation of the deaf and dumb of that state in this institu- tion, at the same rate for each pupil, as is paid for the pupils supported by this state.
Notwithstanding the exertions of the board and the economy exercised in every department of the institu- tion, its funds are still very inadequate to the beneyo- lent objects of its foundation.
The act of assembly for its endowment is almost ex- piring. Upon the continuance of the legislative aid de- pends the duration of the institution, whose benefits have been so long and so clearly displayed as to need no further illustration. A memorial has been presented to your honorable body, for the renewal of this grant, and the board feel every confidence in the acquiescence of the legislature in the request of the memorialists.
Since our last report Mr. George Comstock has from ill health resigned his situation as a teacher in the insti- tution. The two pupils who were retained as monitors have also left it; one has been placed as an apprentice with a respectable printer of the city, the other has re- turned to his friends.
To supply these vacancies, the board have engaged, as a teacher, Mr. George S. Whitehill, a native of Penn- sylvania, and a graduate of Dickinson College, who fur- nished the most respectable testimonials of ability and good character. No other material change has occurred since the last report.
The board are gratified again to express their entire satisfaction with the attention and ability of the princi- pal and his assistants.
The manufactures are continued with advantage to the pupils. The domestic arrangement of the house is still under the charge of Mary Cowgill, who has super- intended it from its first establishment, and whose fideli- ty is undiminished.
The directors in conclusion are bound to acknow- ledge the divine favour extended toward the inmates of the institution, in blessing the means of instruction, and preserving the harmony and health of the family.
By order of the Board, WM. WHITE, President.
GEORGE W. TOLAND, Sec'ry. Philadelphia, Dec. 30, 1828.
A. For moneys received and paid from December 21, 1827, to December 21, 1828.
The Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, in account with John Bacon, Treasurer.
1828 DR.
Dec. 21, To cashı paid to this date, on the following accounts, viz:
4,211 03
Family expenses, Incidental expenses, in- cluding interest on mon- eys borrowed,
1,309 14
Salaries of matron, prin- cipal, five assistant teach- ers, steward and superin- tendant of manufactures, Private pay pupils, ad- vanced for clothing, &c. to be refunded by their parents or guardians, New building improve- ₥ents, 515 10
4,373 83
98 73
Manufactures, raw mate-
rials,
2,080 98
Moneys borrowed tem- Porarily,
5,000
44
PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND_ DUMB.
[JANUARY
Steward, balance in his hands for petty family ex- penses,
Balance in the hands of the Treasurer,
1,528 73
19,127 77
1827
CR.
Dec. 21, By balance in the hands of the treasurer,
1,068 70
1828
Dec. 21, By cash received to this date on the following ac- counts, viz :
Annual contributions, 286
Donations,
136 33
Life subscriptions,
60
Legacies,
John Grandom 5,000
Daniel Sutter, 100
40 Elizabeth Marsh Elizabethtown 1828 July 16
41 Nathaniel Brittain Monmouth co. Sept 26
42 John Vankirk Middlesex Oct 7
Pupils supported by the State of Maryland.
43 Wm. Workinger Baltimore 1828 Sept 27
44 Samuel Adams Somerset co. Oct 28
Pupils supported by the Institution wholly or in part.
45 Matilda Bollen Washington co 1827 Nov 15
46 Nancy Coulter Washington Oct 2
Her father pays towards her support $50 per annum.
47 George Cooper Philadelphia co. 1828 July 24
His mother contributes towards his support $70 per ann.
48 Charles Leech
Philadelphia co. 1822 Nov 9
49 John Detwiller Lancaster 1824 June 17
50 Charles Miller
York June 17
51 Christo Vancourt
Cumberland July . 1
52 Thomas Wilson
Erie
Aug 6
53 Maria Deraker Philadelphia
Dec 1
54 Margaret Reilly Lancaster May 28
55 Albert Newsam,
pupil to an engraver in this city, supported by the institution.
Pupils supported by their Friends.
56 George W. Steinrod from Virginia
57 Joseph Saeger Pennsylvania
58 Nathaniel H. Wilson
Virginia
59 Joseph Hance
New Jersey
60 Matilda Sowers
Virginia
61 Susannah Veazey
Maryland
62 Christiana Brookes
New Jersey
63 Henry Snyder, jr.
Virginia
64 Robert Gaw, jr.
Virginia
65 Catharine McNutt
Virginia
66 Sabilla S. French
New Jersey
67 Elizabeth S. Ogden
Pennsylvania
68 Elizabeth Wannemaner.
SUMMARY.
Pennsylvania state pupils 39
New Jersey do
3
Maryland do
2
7 Sally A. Histed
do
do
8 Diana C. Whitten do
do
9 Nathan George
Lehigh
Oct 5
10 Wm. Longacre
Union
Oct 8
11 Peter Martin
York
Oct 24
13 Wm. M'Chiskey
Luzerne
Oct 7
14 Andrew Carlin
Philadelphia
1826 Mar 24
15 Daniel Nowlan
do
April 11
16 Mary D. Zinser
do
Oct 6
17 Thomas S. Roberts
do
Oct 6
18 Henry Stehman
Lancaster
Oct 9
19 Eliza Peiffer Philadelphia
20 Benjamin Paulin do
21 Joseph Shipps Philad.
Nov 10
22 James Bradley, jr. do
Nov 20
23 Richard May Allegheny
Dec 22
24 Addison Smith Adams
1827 Mar 9
25 Rebecca Gough Bedford
Aug 28
26 Jane M'Gowen
Allegheny
Sept 23
27 Alexander Kerr
Greene.
Sept 23
28 John Landis Westmoreland
Sept 27
29 Edward Gibson
Philadelphia
Oct 1
30 Polly Hicks Bradford
Oct 2
31 James Falls
Washington
Oct 15
32 Hannah Kirk do .
June 12
33 Stephen D. Connet Pike
Sept 25
34 Caleb G. Merritt, Chester
Oct 13
35 Mary A. Young Philadelphia
Oct 17
36 Martha Jones Chester
1828 Oct 24
37 Jesse Wannemaker Lehigh
Nov 20
38 Daniel Wannemaker do
Nov 20
39 William P. Gunkle Philadelphia Pupils supported by the State of New Jersey.
5,100
Less collateral inhe -.
heritance duty
127 50
4,972 50
John S. Brown, of
Chambersburg, 300
-5272 50
Loan at 5 per cent inter-
- est, for new buildings, Private pay pupils,
200
2,337 44
Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania, for support and
tuition of indigent pupils,
7,459 28
State of New Jersey, do. 402 41
Manufactured goods, sold, 1,905 11
18,059 07
19,127 77
1828
Dec. 21. By balance brought down, 1,528 73
E. E. Philadelphia, Dec. 21, 1828. JOHN. BACON, Treasurer.
Examined and found to be correct, Philadelphia, Dec. 23, 1828.
JOHN VAUGHN,
ALEX. HENRY,
Committee of Accounts.
B.
List of Pupils supported by the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, resident in the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, on the 21st of Dec. 1828.
Names.
Where from. When admitted.
1 Joab Capron
Susquehanna co. 1824, Dec 15
2 Abigail Richards Bradford
1825 Feb 29
3 Cyrus Morse Susquehanna 1824 Dec 15
4 Anna Baker
Berks 1825 May 25
5 Elizabeth Horton Wayne Sept 26 6 Mary J. Histed Erie Oct 3
Private instruction pupils
11
Paying pupils 13
68
12 Arthur Kelly, jr.
Luzerne
Oct 7
PITTSBURG, JAN. 7.
The Weather .- We have had a few days of cold wea- ther. Our rivers are closed-so is the navigation. We have eight Steamers frozen in, now lying at the wharf. The roads are in a fine state-Wagoners say that they were never better. Goods and merchandise from Phila- delphia and Baltimore, are accumulating rapidly upon us-Open on the 9th.
Oct 9
Oct 24
Dec . 1
10 23
-17,599 04
45
PHILADELPHIIA AND COLUMBIA RAIL ROAD.
1829.]
PHILADELPHIA AND COLUMBIA RAIL ROAD.
Mr. POWELL'S REMARKS in the Senate, upon the follow- ing resolution, which was unanimously adopted:
" Resolved, That the committee on roads, bridges, and inland navigation, be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill giving to the canal com- missioners, authority to construct the rail road from the stationary engine near Judge Peters' farm, 'to some point on the Schuylkill, affording a complete communi- cation with the ocean,' and following the western side of the river, but leaving to the community the option of crossing at the said point, or at some other point be- tween the upper bridge and Market street, by means of bridges to be constructed by companies to be duly con- stituted by law."
I am aware of the difficulties which must be met, in moving a resolution directly involving the interests and prejudices of a respectable body of men. And, sir, I am not unmindful of the grounds of accusation which fretful malice, or sordid calumny may assume, to defeat me in the path, wherein I am sustained alike, by sense of duty to my constituents, regard for consistency, and devotion to the public weal.
I am interested, I have said so, throughout. But no man will attempt to prove, that by interest, I have ever been made to swerve from my duty, or to clandestinely urge any private or political end.
Let it be remembered, that it was I, who in direct op- position to my interest, caused the amendment to be in- troduced, making it imperative upon the commissioners to carry the rail road to the city, thus forcing it from the district wherein my property lies. I then voted, as I shall again vote, to advance the interests of the state- to promote the objects of my constituents, requiring that it shall not stop on the western side of the Schuyl- kill, but be so continued, that the country may be served.
Which of us is not directly or indirectly interested in this question? My excellent friend, the chairman of the committee on Inland Navigation, who reported the bill in the other House which I caused to be so amended, is a director of the Union Canal Company, and he has a large quantity of ground, in the county, which would be most advantageously affected by the proposed cir- cuitous route. Yet sir, I have never insinuated-no man ought to insinuate that this honourable gentleman has been influenced in his opinions, or directed in his movements, by any sordid or selfish view.
How many of us are elected purposely to press ap- propriations, avowedly to urge public measures to pro- mote sectional objects, wherein as representatives of districts, we must be directly or indirectly concerned. It is difficult to draw the line, and more difficult to pur- sue it without conflict in practice, in political, as well as in private life.
He whose prospects are founded on political advance- ment-he whose vocation is politics-he whose pursuits, whose rewards, whose hopes, and whose fears, rest on the voice of his constituents, may be more sordid in press- ing a definite object, to satisfy the cravings, or appease the jealousies of a few leading men, than he who should directly, but indiscreetly, vote for the improvement of his property, much less important to his happiness, and ulterior objects, than the plans of a demagogue, court- ing popularity by extraordinary means. 1 shall give no such vote.
Thus much for taunts on the grounds of interest, by which any honest and fearless legislator may be assailed from those, who knowing well, that where there is dan- ger of being overwhelmed by detection, safety may be found in the storms of passion, excited by gross insinua- tion, harsh invective, or slanderous abuse.
I appeal to you as the guardians of the public weal, as the representatives of this commonwealth, engaged in a stupendous work destined to carry the products of this great state to a maritime port, not to a territorial
point possessing no advantages but the protection of a corporation; to a point reached neither by the population of the city nor by its trade.
The canal commissioners have not decided to take the rail road over the Schuylkill opposite to Belmont farm, but they have wisely resolved to put under contract the road formation of the line only from that point westward -leaving to the legislature to determine whether the interests of the commonwealth-the objects of the far- mers-the purposes of the traders, and the wishes of the friends of internal improvements, will be best met, by giving direct means of communication with the ocean, through a navigable river, by affording landing places on the western side of the town where property is cheap, or by carrying the produce to a greater distance to a point in its centre, where ground is much more dear; thus running from a navigable river, at the time we are expending millions for the sake of a navigable canal.
It is so evident that competition among purchasers on the seaboard, warehouse holders, and the proprietors of wharves, promotes the interests of the farmers, and inha- bitants of the interior, however it may detract from the profits of the few, that it would be futile to enlarge up- on this point.
The canal commissioners at their last session, appoint- ed a committee to investigate various routes, which had been suggested; after mature deliberation they reported to the board, among other things:
" It is not conceived that the termination of the rail road, at one territorial point, unconnected by a branch or branches reaching navigation, (and the larger front the better,) can accommodate the road. The committee conceive that a branch from the lower level at Belmont down to tide water opposite, (i. e. to the city) will be absolutely necessary to accommodate the trade which may be expected to pass over the line.
" The committee do not wish to interfere with the confirmation of the line to Broad street by a bridge over the Schuylkill, but they do not apprehend they can commit an error in estimating the branch down the Schuylkill from Belmont, as entitled to the earliest con- sideration"-Making thus this route the one which re- quires attention before all others.
Well might they condemn the termination at " one territorial point," anticipating as they do, that this rail road will conduct to market, quite as much produce as the Union Canal, and no doubt believing that it is not less important to the interests of Chester, Delaware, Lancas- ter, and all the western counties; however powerful the means which have been found to frustrate the wishes, or to render abortive the efforts of those who think that all portions of the state ought to be consulted, in matters wherein all are alike concerned.
The commissioners were told that if the rail road crossed the Schuylkill between the Fair-mount dam and the permanent bridge, that the improvements on the eastern side of the river as well as the regulation of the streets near to its margin, would make such loca- tion ineligible, if not impracticable and absurd.
The statement of the city regulator, Samuel Hains, the formal opinion of William Strickland-and the let- ter of Canvass White, both accomplished engineers, prove that they were led into error, and it may be shown hereafter, that this misapprehension misled the commis- sioners in their report, notwithstanding the integrity and zeal with which it is believed they and their engineer performed their arduous tasks.
They have not said where the bridge shall be located. It is well known to all persons, who are intimate with the proceedings of the board of commissioners, that the terms "confirmation" and "location," are mere words of form not obligatory upon them-intended but as de- claratory of their view at the time, subject to their future decision, and open, not only to the direction of the le- gislature, but to the objections and cavils of all persons who shall be concerned.
46
PHILADELAHIA AND COLUMBIA RAIL ROAD.
[JANUARY.
They state in their report, " it is believed that a line of railway leading to a large city, cannot exert its full ca- pability, without the construction of branch lines near its point of termination, by means of which the trade may be conveniently diffused. It would be difficult for the board to fix the localities of such branch lines, as they must occupy, in some degree, the streets of the city, and otherwise interfere with its internal regula- tions."
They close their remarks with a strong recommenda- tion of the Schuylkill ronte.
" While considering this subject, they have been struck with the importance, in a commercial point of view, of a line from the stationary engine near Judge Peters' to some point on the Schuylkill, affording a complete communication with the, ocean. As such a line must follow the west side of the river, the difficulty before suggested would not be felt; and but for want of authority under the existing law, the board would be pre- pared to direct its construction.
Language more emphatic than this, could scarcely be found to manifest their opinion of the advantages of the Schuylkill route.
Whilst they now refuse to carry the line over the Schuylkill'at Judge Peters' farm, which they have au- thority under the existing law to do; they assert, that they would cause a line from the stationary engine at Judge Peters', to be constructed along the western side of the Schuylkill, affording complete communication with the ocean, if they had authority so to do.
The engineer of the state has recommended this line along the western side, in his report.
The committee appointed to investigate the claims of various routes, urge that this line down to tide water opposite to the city, " will be absolutely neces- sary," and that it requires attention before all others.
The commissioners, representing all sections of the state, declare to the Legislature that they would make it, if they had authority. Will you then, deny to them the authority to perform that which your interests re- quire -- that which they are appointed to investigate- that which they in all other instances are allowed to per- form, to make a rail road of 2 2 miles-to terminate a chain of improvements, which must cost millions, in such manner as shall be found the best.
They are not prepared to encounter the difficulty at - tending the entrance at the "territorial point," although they are prepared in order to possess " a larger front," and to obtain "complete communication with the ocean, to direct the construction of the road opposite to the city, instead of crossing the river two miles above, wind- ing along the northern section of the town, leaving the wharves on its western front, and paved streets, afford- ing access as well to the heart of the city, and to Dela- ware, as to the scene of business on every side.
.
Let the Northern Liberties have a share-let the people of Southwark participate in the trade, but oblige not the inhabitants of the interior to seek new custo- mers at Kensington-compel them not to deposit their mounds of coal-masses of lumber and timber-vast collections of flour, grain, whiskey, iron, and manufac- tured commodities intended for export or home trade, where speculators will require remuneration for land measured by the inch, without intrinsic or positive ad- vantages, except those derived from the caprice of fash- ionable resort.
Let not trade be forced from its natural channel-let not traders be driven into new connexions-let not the inhabitants and their produce from the interior be forced to a "territorial point," by a supposed defect in the law which the commissioners cannot overcome.
Will not the legislature, disregarding sectional inter- est, passing by personal jealousies, contemning indivi- dual interference, amend any imaginary or real defect, involving the interests of the commonwealth which their wisdom directs them to protect.
ducted through the centre of Broad street to South- wark, let it be remembered that such road must pass fourteen streets, and in the course of time not fewer al- leys, before it can reach the southern boundary of the town. To such evils the commissioners have already called the attention of the Legislature, and therefore stop the nominal location of the road at the " territorial point."
Can it be believed that the citizens of Philadelphia, who possess property valued as sites for costly and large houses, in what are termed the fashionable parts of the town, where land is sold at the rate of $60 or 70,000 per acre, will consent to the interruption of their objects, and the means of their intercourse, by vast trains of cars carrying produce from the country to Southwark, delaying at the intersection of the streets every thing moving either up or down.
Can it be believed that the inhabitants of this coun- try will be satisfied with a route which shall expose their trains of cars to be stopped at every street, by the in- numerable drays, wagons, pleasure carriages, and other. matters, which in the distance from Vine street, to Southwark, might interrupt them in passing fourteen times, without any consequent good, or possible advan- tage to themselves.
Such rail road would be at the control of the city au- thorities, and at any annual change of the council cham- bers, the rail road and all its contingencies might be destroyed by the interest of the citizens developed too late.
Certificates attached to the draft exhibited in the committee room when the resolution was offered.
"I am well acquainted with the ground upon which the red lines represent proposed branches for termina- ting the Columbia rail road, 'at and opposite the city of Philadelphia. I am of opinion that the crossing of the. Schuylkill at the points C and D (that is, below Fair Mount dam, will be the most eligible scite of communi- cation with the tide water of the city front, and that the location of these branches on the eastern and western sides of the river will be best suited to the purposes. of transit and trade, being immediately adjacent to the wharves and landing places where at all times coasting vessels may discharge and take in cargoes from, and to all parts of our extensive coast. These lines should ex- tend to the tide waters of the Delaware through the Northern liberties and Southwark, so as to form a girdle of communication round the city."
WILLIAM STRICKLAND, Engineer. " Having been called on by a representative of the city of Philadelphia, to give facts in connexion with the regulation of the streets, and a survey of the shores of the Schuylkill, made by me by the direction of the watering committee.
I state, this plan of the city is correct. The draught designates by the line A to B-the route on the west side of the Schuylkill to a point below the permanent bridge for the Columbia and Philadelphia rail-road, of which the canal commissioners say in their report, "They would be prepared to direct the construction if they had authority under the existing law," as, "afford-, ing a complete communication with the ocean."
A branch from this line can be conducted over a bridge at C & D near the present upper bridge, where the river is about 400 feet wide, its bottom and shores being rocky and firm, and at such elevation as to con- duct it to E .; thence along the line F, passing near the eastern shore of this river, affording means of direct intercourse throughout the western front of the city, Southwark, and part of the Northern Liberties, and giv- ing communication with the ocean by means of brigs, and other sea vessels which ascend the Schuylkill.
" This line by its proximity to the river would most conveniently give venders of produce and manufactured commodities from the country the option of passing down the paved streets to the centre of the population,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.