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 46

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

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 46

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Signed by the house.

Richard Finmen Berkely Codd Allexander Molosson

JASPER YEATES, Speaker. - Samuel Berry John Coe

Evan Jones

Anderson Parker

Richard Richards, Senr.

Nathl. Starr

John ffrench

John Roades

James Robinson

John Brinkloe

John Richardson

James Stcele

James James

New Castle,

18th 8br. 1716.

[Directed] ffor Honble. William Penn, Esqre.

1829.]

REPORT ON PROVIDENT SOCIETY.

163

TO THE PROVIDENT SOCIETY FOR EM- PLOYMENT OF THE POOR.

The Board of Directors of this Institution in present- ing their fifth Annual Report to their benevolent con- stituents, have to state to them, that the means which they adopted for the relief of poor women, during the past season, did not differ materially from those which had been employed for several previous seasons. They consisted in the purchasing of materials and employing poor women to make them into muslin shirts, at a mod- erate compensation for their labour. How far this kind of employment was desirable and beneficial to the class of poor people who partook of it, will be best understood by mentioning that the number of applicants during the season was 990, and that the number of shirts made was 18,831. Of these a great part has been shipped to Southern ports in the United States, for sale. Returns have been made for some parcels at satisfactory prices; but of others, although remittances have been received on account of them, the accounts of sales have not come to hand, and the Board cannot ascertain with so much certainty as on former occasions, the amount of funds which will be at its command for future operations. It is believed, however, that the estimate made in the statement of the operations of the House, presented herewith, viz: five thousand six hundred dollars, may be relied on for this purpose.

The Treasurer's account is also presented herewith, from which it appears that the sum of $646 50 has been received during the past season, from subscribers, and that there is now a balance in his hands of $1836 70 in cash, and $1615 in a note due the 4th February next, together $3451 70.

Applicants for work for the approaching season have been numerous, and the Board of Directors, desirous to supply their wants, with as little delay as possible, have purchased a considerable quantity of muslin, which has been cut up into shirts, and prepared for delivery to the work people; the new Board will no doubt fix an early day for delivering the work out to them.

The board of directors have again pleasure in bearing testimony to the faithful and correct behaviour of the work-people who have had employment from this In- stitution. Of the large number of shirts delivered to be made, there are very few missing, and the small defici- ency may doubtless be attributed to casualites arising from sickness or death.

The Asylum for lost children continues to be useful, in affording protection to infant wanderers, and the means of speedily restoring them to their parents, or friends.

To the friends and supporters of this institution it is well known that there is a general want of employment for poor seamstresses at this season of the year; and the usefulness of this Society has principally been, from the beginning, the affording of work which is readily done, when a better kind could not be had from other sources. The benefits thereof, although not large, are grateful, coming when most needed, at a time of pe- culiar stress, and often cheering to the minds of delicate females, because they have saved them from the humi- liating necessity of asking alms, while they were able to labour for their bread.

The Board have to apprise the Society that Elizabeth Chapman, our late matron, who came into our service at the commencement of the Institution, left us in the month of September last, in order to take charge of another important trust, viz: the office of Matron in the House of Refuge. It is due to Mrs. Chapman to state, that from the beginning to the end of her connexion with this institution, she most faithfully and strictly per- formed the duties of her situation; and by her industry and good management, aided by those of her daughter, she greatly promoted the interests of the concerns un- der ber care.

On the 8th October, the Board elected Mrs. Mary Queen to the office of this Institution. She took pos- session of the House of Industry on the 17th November, and is now engaged in the duties thereof, with apparent prospect of success. .

By order of the Board of Directors. THOS. ASTLEY, Chairman.

Attested,

JOHN B. ELLISON, Secretary. Philadelphia, January 13th, 1829.

The Committee of accounts relating to the operation of the House of Industry, present the following report:

The Balance of account with the Treasurer, on the 4th January, 1828, was $10,555 23

Since then there has been received from the Treasurer, for the pur- chase of materials, the payment of workpeople, matron, clerk, rent, and other expenses of the House,

& interest on money borrowed 10,078 73

And there has been repaid to him --

From goods sold, of which ac- counts have been received, $5,050 04

And on account of uth- er goods, of which

accounts of sales

have not yet been received 4,500 00

And for interest of

money loaned 22 00

9,572 04

506 69

Making the balance of receipts and pay- ments, with the Treasurer, from the be- ginning 11,061 92

The total amount of subscription to the Society, according to the Treasurer's accounts, have been,

In the years 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, as before reported 10,598 60

And in the year 1828, 646 50

11,245 19

The expenses of the House of Industry have been, In the years 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, as be- fore reported 4,423 48}

And in the year 1828,

689 52

5,113 003

Balance,

5,948 91}

$11,061 92

For this Balance the Institution has-

Cash and note, as per Treasurer's account 3,451 70

Goods shipped for sale to Savannalı, ac- count of sale not received, valued at 700 00

Balance of goods shipped for sale to New- Orleans, accounts not received: may pro- duce in addition to the remittance receiv- ed on account 1,000 00

Goods on hand, may produce

150 00

Sundry small debts due to the Company, for goods sold 300 00

$5,601 70

Which is respectfully submitted, THOMAS ASTLEY,

ANTHONY M. BUCKLEY, 2 committee of Accounts.

JOHN R. NEFF, S

Philadelphia, January 10th, 1829.

164

INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

[MARCH

PRESIDENT'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS,

DELIVERED BY GENERAL, ANDREW JACKSON,

On being sworn into ofice, as President of the United States, on the 4th of March, 1829.

Fellow Citizens :- About to undertake the arduous duties that I have been appointed to perform, by the choice of a free people, I avail myself of this custom- ary and solemn occasion, to express the gratitude which their confidence inspires, and to acknowledge the ac- countability which my situation enjoins. While the magnitude of their interests convinces me that no thanks can be adequate to the honor they have con- ferred, it admonishes me that the best return I can make, is the zealous dedication of my humble abilities to their service and their good.

As the instrument of the Federal Constitution, it will devolve on me, for a stated period, to execute the laws of the United States; to superintend their foreign and their confederate relations; to manage their revenue; to command their forees; and, by communications to the Legislature, to watch over and to promote their interests generally. And the principles of action by which I shall endeavour to accomplish this circle of duties, it is now proper for me briefly to explain.

In administering the laws of Congress, I shall keep steadily in view the limitations as well as the extent of the executive power, trusting thereby to discharge the functions of my office, without transcending its author- ity. With foreign nations it will be my study to pre- serve peace, and to cultivate friendship, on fair and honourable terms; and in the adjustment of any dif- ferences that may exist or arise, to exhibit the forbear- ance becoming a powerful nation, rather than the sensi- bility belonging to a gallant people.

In such measures as I may be called on to pursue in regard to the rights of the separate States, I hope to be animated by a proper respect for those sovereign mem- bers of our Union; taking care not to confound the pow- ers they have reserved to themselves, with those they have granted to the confederacy.

The management of the public revenue-that search- ing operation in all governments-is among the most delicate and important trusts in ours; and it will, of course, demand no inconsiderable share of my official solicitude. Under every aspect in which it can be con- . sidered, it would appear that advantage must result from the observance of a strict and faithful economy .- This I shall aim at the more anxiously, both because it will facilitate the extinguishment of the national debt- the unnecessary duration of which is incompatible with real independence-and because it will counteract that tendancy to public and private profligacy, which a pro- fuse expenditure of money by the Government, is but too apt to engender. Powerful auxiliaries to the at- tainment of this desirable end, are to be found in the regulations provided by the wisdom of Congress, for the specific appropriation of public money, and the prompt accountability of public oficers.

With regard to a proper selection of the subjects of impost, with a view to revenue, it would seem to me that the spirit of equity, caution and compromise, in which the Constitution was founded, requires that the great interests of agriculture, commerce, and manu- factures, should be equally favoured; and that, the only exception to this rule, should consist in the peculiar encouragement of any products of either of them, that may be found essential to our national independence.

Internal improvement, and the diffusion of informa- tion, so far as they can be promoted by the constitu- tional acts of the Federal Government, are of high im- portance.

Considering standing armies as dangerous to free governments, in time of peace, I shall not seek to en- large our present establishment, nor disregard that sa-

Intary lesson of political experience which teaches that the military should be held subordinate to the ci- vil power. The gradual increase of our Navy, whose flag has displayed, in distant climes, our skill in navi- gation, and our fame in arms; the preservation of our forts, arsenals, and dockyards; and the introduction of progressive improvements in the discipline and science of both branches of our military service, are so plainly prescribed by prudence, that I should be excused for omitting their mention, sooner than for enlarging on their importance. But the bulwark of our defence is the national militia, which, in the present state of our intelligence and population, must render us invincible. As long as our government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of person and of property, liberty of conscience, and of the press, it will be worth defending, and so long as it is worth defending, a patri- otic militia will cover it with an impenetrable ægis .- Partial injuries and occasional mortifications we may be subjected to, but a million of armed freemen possessed of the means of war, can never be conquered by a for- eign foe. To any just system, therefore, calculated to strengthen this natural safegard of the country, I shall cheerfully lend all the aid in my power.

It will be my sincere and constant desire, to observe towards the Indian tribes within our limits, a just and liberal policy; and to give that humane and considerate attention to their rights and their wants, which are con- sistent with the habits of our government, and the feel- ings of our people.

The recent demonstration of puble sentiment in- scribes, on the list of executive duties, in characters too legible to be overlooked, the task of reform; which will require, particularly, the correction of those abu- ses that have brought the patronage of the Federal Go- vernment into conflict with the freedon of elections, and the counteraction of those causes which have dis- turbed the rightful course of appointment, and have placed or continued power in unfaithful or incompe- tent hands.

In the performance of a task thus generally delinea- ted, I shall endeavour to select men whose diligence and talents will ensure, in their respective stations, able and faithful co-operation-depending, for the advance- ment of the public service, more on the integrity and zeal of the public officers, than on their numbers. ^:

A diffidence, perhaps too just, in my own qualifica- tions, will teach me to look with reverence to the exam- ples of public virtue left by my illustrious predeces- sors, and with veneration to the lights that flow from the mind that founded, and the mind that reformed our system. The same diffidence induces me to hope for instruction and aid from the co-ordinate branches of the government, and for the indulgence and support of my fellow citizens generally. And a firm reliance on the goodness of that Power whose providence mercifully protected our national infancy, and has since upheld our liberties in various vicissitudes, encourages me to offer up my ardent supplications thatHe will continue to make our beloved country the object of his divine care and gracious benediction.

HON. MATTHIAS HOLLENBACK.

The Hon. MATTHIAS HOLLENBACK, whose death was announced in your paper of last week, was born of Ger- man parentage, in Hanover, upon the Swatara, then Lancaster, now Lebanon co. Pennsylvania. Here he was innured to all the sufferings and privations incident to a frontier settlement at that early day. Possessed of a firm and vigorous constitution, and endued by nature with a strong, active and enterprising mind, at the age of seventeen, he joined the first adventurous party, who came to make a permanent settlement, under the au- thority of Connecticut, in the Valley of Wyoming .- This was in the autum of 1769. From this period the

165

EDUCATION.

1829.]

history of his long and eventual life, is indentificd with the history of this part of the country.

In the controversy between Pennsylvania and Con- necticut, he actively and firmly adhered to the latter, under whose auspices he had embarked his youthful fortunes, and whose claims he regarded as paramount to every other, until the right of soil and the right of ju- risdiction to the country were decreed by a competent tribunal to be in the former. From that moment he yielded obedience to the constitution and laws of Penn- sylvania, and contributed all in his power to quiet the turbulent, and to reconcile the disaffected to the legit- imate authorities.

The dispute between Pennsylvania and Connecticut, had assumed all the characteristics of a civil war, and notwithstanding the conciliatory recommendations and remonstrances of the continental congress; it was con- tinued during the revolutionary struggle. Whilst the poor and destitute settlers were suffering on the one side from the common enemies of the country, the Brit- ish, the savage Indians, and the worse than savage Tories, they were attacked on the other, and endured equal distress, by military parties under the authority of Penn- sylvania.

Thus surrounded with difficulties, and dangers, cal- culated to appal the stoutest heart, at a period too when many good, but timid, men, doubted, hesitated, and feared; young Hollenback, in want of every thing but personal courage and patriotic feeling, was approached by one of those agents of the mother country, whose bland and fascinating manners and duplicity of heart marked him out as a fit emissary for "treason, stratagem and spoil." On the one hand, the efforts making to free the country from British dominion, was represented as entirely hopeless, and that upon failure, poverty, shame and death, every where awaited the active par- tizan; on the other, by espousing the cause of the British king, money, office and honor would be immediately conferred, and a life of ease and independence secured. The youth stood firm. He was not to be allured from the path of duty. He had taken his resolution, staked his all upon the issue, and was willing to abide the result.

In 1776 (perhaps the following year, ) two companies were raised in Wyoming, in one of which young Holl- enback was appointed a lieutenant. He was active and successful in filling up and preparing his company for active service, and, shortly after joined the army under General Washington in the State of N. Jersey. His merits were soon discovered and properly appreciated by the General, who frequently consulted him in relation to the frontier settlements and the means of defending them against the incursions of the enemy. He partici- pated in all the sufferings of our half-fed and half cloth- ed troops during the winter campaign in the state of New Jersey, and was on several occasions employed by the General in the execution of confidential agencies.

Such was the patriotism and spirit of the Wyoming settlers, that, during the short period, when they were not immediately threatened with attacks from the ene- my, almost every efficient man among them joined the regular army and left their families without protection. This calm portended a storm. The defenceless state of the frontier invited aggression. The valley again began to suffer from the tomahawk, scalping knife, and fire brand; and early in 1778, it was discovered that a horde of British, Indians and Tories were collected upon the Susquehannah frontier, and preparing to pour down upon the valleyof Wyoming,and exterminate the defence less settlers. The officers from Wyoming, urged the General to send a force for its protection, or to permit the two companies drawn from this settlement to return, for the purpose of defending their aged and helpless parents, wives and children. But such was the situation of the army that no adequate force could be spared. - An intense anxiety was felt among the officers, some obtained furloughs, and some resigned, and returned to

the valley. Every preparation was made in their pow- er to repel their invaders. About 350 men marched out to meet the enemy. They were drawn into an am- buscade-The result is known -Wyoming was reduced to widowhood and orphanage. About 50 only escaped this disastrous battle, of whom the subject of this notice was one.

Articles of capitulation, in which security and pro- tection of life and property were stipulated, were no sooner made than they were violated on the part of the faithless and blood-thirsty enemy. What property could not be carried away was burned and destroyed, and the remnant of the settlers were driven naked and houseless to the surrounding mountains. Lieutenant Hollenback, whose property was all destroyed, still clung to the valley and participated in all its sufferings until the conclusion of the war.

Upon the settlement of the controversy between Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and upon the promulga- tion of the laws of Pennsylvania in the disputed territory of 1786, Mr. Hollenback was chosen and appointed one of the Justices of the Courts of Luzerne County; and upon the adoption of the Constitution, he was re-ap- pointed an associate Judge, which office he sustained with reputation till the time of his decease. He fras honoured with the command of a regiment by his fel- low citizens-a military office, being almost the only one in Pennsylvania compatible with that of a Judge.

In all the great political struggles which have agi- tated the country, Judge Hollenback was actively and firmly attached to the cause of the people. In the recent conflict, although most of those around him with whom he had been accustomed to act entertained different views, and although he was exceedingly enfeebled by disease, he procured himself to be carried to the poll, and there for the last time, exercised the right of suf- frage in favour of the distinguished individual who has succeeded to the presidency. He was firmly persuaded that the interests of the country demanded this prefer- ence, and he acted accordingly.

It is believed that he was not a member of any Chris- tian church; but it is known that he reverenced thic religion of the cross. Throughout his life he contri- buted liberally to the support of that communion and its pastors to which he was conscientiously attached, and it is feared it will long feel the want of his support- ing hand.

His life was a life of temperance, industry, and atten- tion to his business, the full fruits of which he enjoyed in almost uninterrupted health until his last illness, and an ample fortune. From the incidents of his life the young may draw useful lessons for the regulation of their conduct, and from his death all may learn, that man is mortal-That neither riches, nor honours, nor virtue, nor age, can form any shield against the fell destroyer.

[ Wilkesbarre Dem.

EDUCATION.

We doubt whether any general system of education could be much more expensive to many of the counties of this commonwealth, than the system now in operation, miserable and defective as it is; and indeed taking the benefits into consideration, there is no doubt in our minds that the most effective, though actually requiring a perhaps greater expenditure of money, yet in the end would be found to be the cheapest.

To enable our readers to form some idea upon this subject, we annex the cost of education of poor children only, in several of the counties of this state during the last year,

Lancaster $6,564 723

Washington $1,367 07

Chester 4,125 56

Adams 1,032 88

Franklin 3,914 40

Mifflin

821 81

York 2,657 053 | Huntingdon

612 32

Cumberland

2,623 97

Allegheny

468 814

Northampton

2,092 41}

Westmoreland 278 253

Bedford 165 624

Lancaster Journal.

166

CANAL DOCUMENTS -

[MARCH

HARRISBURG LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL.

In the year ending January 4, 1829. The whole number of children taught in the said school, was three hundred and thirty.

The number of children taught in the said school, whose parents, guardians or friends, have defrayed or agreed to defray, any part of the whole of the ex. pense of their tuition, was one hundred and fifty four.

The amount received for the tuition of children whose parents, guardians or friends have defrayed the whole or any part of their education, was fifty five dollars and eight cents.

The amonnt due for the tuition of children whose parents, guardians or friends have agreed to pay the the whole or any part of their education is two hundred and fifty one dollars and twenty cents.

CANAL DOCUMENTS.

REPORT OF EDW. F. GAY, ENGINEER. To the Board of Canal Commissioners of the State of Pennsylvania.

GENTLEMEN,

Having completed the examinations of the Alle- gheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers in conformity with instructions received from Joseph M'Ilvain, Esq. I have the honour to submit the following reports on each of the several routes, according to the order in which they were named in those instructions.

.1st. THE ALLEGHENY ROUTE.

A detailed copy of the instructions which guided my examinations in the route, are as follows:

"To make the necessary examinations, surveys and levels along the valley of the Allegheny river, from the mouth of French creek to the mouth of the Kiskemine- tas, and to report upon the practicability and estimated cost of making a canal between the said points; also upon the practicability and estimated cost of improving the navigation of said river for steamboats, by dams and locks, between the said points. And also upon the practicability and estimated cost of improving, by dams and locks, the navigation of said river for common canal boats, between said points. And also, upon the prac- ticability and estimated cost of making a navigable com- munication between the said points, partly by canal and partly by dams and locks."

In compliance with these instructions, I shall proceed to notice 1st, the practicability and estimated cost of making a canal between said points.

In traversing the section of the Allegheny river, now in question, the eye of the engineer is presented with a greater extent of more serious obstacles to the construc- tion of a canal, than are usual along rivers of a similar size. High, precipitous hills project on either side, to the waters edge for a greater part of the whole distance, affording to the progress of a canal, an almost continued succession of high embankments. These are frequently to be made in deep water, but more commonly at an irregular surface, composed of detached masses of rock. Occasionally flats or bottom land afford some relief to the roughness of the route, but these are so trifling in extent, in comparison with the bluffs, that the whole line is rendered remarkably expensive, and unusually unfavourable.

As the board have already been furnished with a mi- nute, and I may add correct description of the character of this valley for canalling, in the report of Judge Ged- des of 1826, I deem it unnecessary to remark further on this subject, and shall proceed to state that the present examinations were made with a view to a canal on the east side of the river. Having had no particular instruc- tions with reference to this subject, 1 selected this side on the presumption, that as the examinations of 1826 were made on the west side, it would be more sa- tisfactory to the board, as well as to others interested, if the present one was made on the east side.

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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 46

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440