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 64
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The result has been gratifying beyond the explana- tion of the board, and will entirely remove the appre- hensions felt by the public and the legislature. The character of the last winter has been unusually severe. The accumulation of ice, and the consequent hazard to the public works at the time of its breaking up, greater than has been known for many years, and greater also than can reasonably be expected for many years to come. Still the whole amount of injury has not ex- ceeded $17,000! and it has been confined to the Sus- quehanna, Juniata, and Eastern divisions. The other lines are believed to have escaped without damage of any kind, from the causes named in the resolution of the House. The works injured on the Susquehanna clivision are the Shamokin dam, of which about half the superstructure is carried away, and the abutments of the Bridge at Duncan's Island to an inconsiderable amount, together estimated at $10,000. On the Juniata, the abutments and locks connected with two of the river dams, have been injured, the dams themselves remain- ing firm, and about 40 perches of unfinished wall car- ried away. The whole loss estimated at $5000. On the eastern division no injury has been done, except to the dam at Duncan's Island, the cost of repairing which will not exceed $2000.
For further particulars the Board respectfully refer to documents annexed to this report, marked A. B. C. D. E. F. G. and H.
Signed by order of the Board. DANIEL MONTGOMERY, President. Joseph M' Ilvaine, Secretary.
The following Report was made to the Senate on Monday, 30th March,
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Pennsylvania Canal Ofice, 2 Harrisburg, March 28, 1829. S
SIR-I have the honor to enclose you a report of the canal commissioners, made in obedience to a resolution of the Senate, calling for information as to the powers, duties, &c. of the secretary of the board.
With great esteem, Your most obedient servant, DANIEL MONTGOMERY. To the Hon. DANIEL STURGEON, Speaker of the Senate of Pennsylvania.
The canal commissioners of Pennsylvania, in obe- dience to a resolution of the Senate, calling upon them for information as to the power, duties, emoluments, and mode of appointment of the secretary of the board, res- pectfully report as follows:
The gentleman who now holds that office was re-ap- pointed on the 2d of June last. Since that time his du- ties have been:
Ist. The usual duties of a secretary, the nature of which requires no explanation.
2d. The general charge of all surveys preceding the location of canals or rail roads, not falling within the sphere of an acting commissioner or superintendent .- These surveys, within the last year, have been eight in number, namely: For the Pennsylvania rail road from Columbia to Philadelphia-on the West Branch, from Bald Eagle to Northumberland-on the North Branch, from Nanticoke falls to Northumberland-on the Sus- quehanna, from Middletown to Columbia-on the Del- aware, from Carpenter's point to Easton-on the Mo- nongahela, Ohio and Allegheny-certain canal and rail- road examinations between the Lehigh and Schuylkill and Susquehanna-and the rail road surveys through Franklin, Cumberland, and York counties. The direc- tion of these surveys required of him to issue all instruc- tions to the engineers; to correspond with thein con- stantly; to provide them with the necessary funds from time to time; to receive their reports, and to report to the board at each meeting, such information as might be necessary; also, that he should visit the lines, when oc- casion called for personal inspection. On some of them his presence has been frequently necessary; and with a single 'exception, he has visited all while in progress. His authority on this head is expressed in a resolution of the board of the 26th March, 1828. (See documents, page 289. )
3d. To conduct the general correspondence of the board, and to communicate all orders to the several agents employed throughout the state.
4th. To keep the accounts of all monies expended upon surveys, and for the general expenses of the board, and to settle such accounts at the treasury.
5tl1. Although the superintendants of canal lines have the same powers and duties as acting commissioners, yet, as they are not members of the board, and cannot be in- timately acquainted with all the views of the canal com- missioners, it has been necessary to make the secretary the organ of communication between the board and these officers: that as the agent of the board, he should aid them and the engineers in the organization of their lines-instruct them as to matters of form in the execu- tion of their duties-afford them his counsel and advice in difficulties, and communicate to the board at their several meetings all necessary information in relation to the progress and state of the work.
6th. Since the location of the Pennsylvania rail road, that branch of the public works has been under his di- rection in a peculiar manner. At the session of the board in December last, a question as to the appoint- ment of a superintendent for that line, came before them. A number of applications and recommendations were presented; but on account of the equal merits of some of the most prominent applicants, they found themselves greatly at a loss to decide. It was proposed, that the secretary should be appointed temporary superintend-
ent of that line, with the powers, &c. until a permanent appointment took place of an acting commissioner; and a resolution to that effect was passed. The secretary, upon being informed of this proceeding, expressed his willingness to give his time anul labor to the duty, except so far as the payment of money was concerned; and pro- posed that the superintendent of the Eastern Division should be nominally appointed for the rail-road, in or- der that the necessary sums of money might be drawn from the treasury and disbursed. This arrangement was acquiesced in by the board; and since that time the secretary has been vested with the powers of a superin- tendent on the rail road line, or, in other words, has re- presented the authority of the board when not in session. All the services connected with this appointment have been performed without extra compensation; and in fact, at considerable expense to the officers.
7th. A considerable number of occasional duties have from time to time devolved upon the secretary, by spe- cial resolutions of the board, which it is not necessary to enumerate, as they will appear by reference to the min- utes among the printed documents.
The extent of power enjoyed by the secretary under the 1st, 3d, 4th, 6th and 7th articles of his enumerated duties, require no explanation.
On the subject of surveys he possesses a general au- thority to take such measures as he may deem expe- dient, with the approbation of the president; subject to certain general principles established by the practice of the board, and to the approval of the board at the first meeting thereafter.
Upon the lines of canal when once under contract, his authority extends no further than to converse with the superintendent; give him information when requi- red; and it is his duty to keep up such an accurate ac- quaintance with the several lines, as that he may be able to furnish the board at their meetings with all required information.
It is proper to remark that no such office as a superin- tendent of surveys has existed in their service, since the first day of June last. All the duties belonging to that title, having been vested in the secretary.
The secretary of the board is elected annually by bal- lot. His salary for this year has been 2000 dollars, out of which the expenses attending his duties are paid.
From the detail which has been given of the powers and duties of the secretary it will be obvious that they have been assigned rather with reference to the charac- ter, experience, and competency of the officer, than to the title of the office itself. The organization of the board renders the services of some one having these powers by whatever name he may be called, absolutely indispensable. The extensive correspondence which must be kept up, and the frequent journies required, can only be performed by an officer properly paid for the devotion of his whole time and talents to the busi- ness, and his residence must be at a point easily acces- sable, and admitting of regular communication by mail in all directions. No member of the board could under- take the performance of these duties. The acting com- missioners being fully occupied with the affairs of their respective divisions, and the other members receiving no compensation.
Among the most important duties of the secretary, is that of organizing new lines of canal, and instructing newly appointed officers of all kinds, as to the nature and forms of their duties, and the principles which have been established by the practice of the board. For this purpose he has possessed advantages which no other in- dividual can have, and which he has improved in such a way as to render his services of very great value.
If these powers, duties, and responsibilities, in the aggregate, appear to be large, the answer is, they have gradually increased with the extension of the system; and with the increasing confidence of the board, in the capacity and fidelity of this officer; a confidence which, without a single exception, in nearly four years of ac-
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tive and arduous service has been fully vindicated. The board are not aware of any instance in which the legiti- mate powers and duties of this officer bave been exceed- ed or perverted; on the contrary, they have been ex- ecuted with a promptitude, zeal and ability, entirely sa- isfactory to the board, and as the board believe, highly advantageous to the commonwealth.
Signed by order of the Canal Commissioners, DANIEL MONTGOMERY.
We copy from the 'Franklin Republican' and 'Frank- lin Repository,' of Chambersburg, the following de- scription of Franklin County-and are much gratified with the disposition evinced in different parts of the in terior, to impart information calculated to make us bet ter acquainted with the different sections of the state, Again we would express a hope that from the other counties we shall be favored with similar statements.
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Whilst the present age is distinguished by the efforts of both governments and individuals to explore the earth and seas, and the public receives with interest the description of an icy coast on the Northern ocean, or a coral island in the Pacific, it is presumed that a physical geography of this commonwealth would be acceptable and interesting to an inquisitive public.
The taste which can only be satisfied with the descrip- tion of objects and events in some remote parts of the globe, is ill directed, and requires correction, as much as that excursive philanthropy which seeks objects for the employment of its benevolence in distant regions, when it overlooks those which are at its doors.
As we have no provision made by our government for the purpose, and are without men of science and re- search, whose circumstances, leisure and inclination would admit of that minute survey and personal explo- ration of our whole state, necessary to its proper topo- graphical description, we must be content, for a term, to obtain as much of this knowledge as the instruments and means in our power will conveniently furnish, with the hope that public attention will be more awakened to the subject, and that the present generation will be gratified by a physical geography of this state, embra- cing a mineralogical and botanical survey, tilled up by individual contribution and public patronage.
The plan adopted by Mr. Hazard, editor of the "Regis- ter of Pennsylvania," of publishing and preserving in his valuable periodical, a description of the different counties of the state, which description is solicited from citizens whose acquaintance with the locations and phy- sical features of their respective counties, will enable them to describe their natural and artificial advantages and resources, is commendable, and deserving of atten- tion and support. However uninteresting such a de- scription may be to those resident in the district descri- bed, to whom it is familiar, it is a matter of interest to strangers and our fellow citizens of remote counties : and though this fountain of knowledge may not be valued at its source, yet when from every county it flows to one common channel, they will form a stream of useful information to our statesmen, and of gratification to eve- ry inquisitive reader. As no one has yet ventured to describe Franklin, which is entitled to a grade in the scale of counties net to be undervalued, we have pre- sumed to supply, imperfectly, the omission by a gene- ral outline, until some better qualified observer will give the public a more finished and complete picture. In execution of the plan, we offer a plain sketch of Frank- in county, without the embellishments of fancy, or- any other imagery than what is marked out in the prominent features of nature and art, as exhibited in the works of both.
Cumberland, and designated by the name of the Cono- cocheague settlement, which it had received from its principal waters, the Conococheague creek. It is boun- ded Northward by the counties of Perry and Cumber- land-East by the county of Adams-South by Mary- land, and West by the county of Bedford and part of Huntingdon, Its greatest extent from East to West is 34 miles, and from North to South 38 miles. It contains all area of 734 square miles, and of acres 469,760. Its population in 1800 was 20,154-in 1810, 23,173-in 1820, 31,909, and at present, we, think, may be estima- ted at 40,000. The taxables exceed 6000.
The county consists of a valley bounded on the East by a range of mountains, called the South mountain, run- ning nearly North and South, and at an elevation above the middle of the valley varying from 600 to 900 feet. On the West it is bounded by a more rugged and eleva- ted range of mountains, whose general direction is about North East-the Western Tuscarora or Cove Mountain, being at an elevation of about 1700 feet above the level of the middle of the valley. The principal waters have their sources in the mountains not far from their sum- mits, from which they flow towards the middle of the valley, and nearly all. unite in forming the Conoco- cheague creek, a large stream which empties into the Potomac at Williamsport. The Antietam creek has its source in the South mountain and parts contiguous, and flows South through the state of Maryland. The Cono- doguinet creek has its source in the North Mountain, and runs North for a number of miles, whilst West Con- ococheaguie, on the West side of an intervening moun- tain, has a course nearly parallel, but flowing in an op- posite direction to the South. These waters with their many small tributary streams, flow through the valley in every direction, and furnish not only a supply for all the purposes of husbandry, but afford water power to a very great extent. This power now gives operation to about 80 stone and brick Mills, for the manufacture of flour- 100 saw-mills-20 Fulling-mills-5 Furnaces-6 Forges -3 Paper-mills-1 Cotton factory-7 Woollen facto- ries for the spinning and we aving of wool, and some oth- er manufactories in iron. Whilst the mills now erected for the manufacture of Flour are sufficient to manufac- ture double the quantity of grain grown. in the county, we are satisfied that little more than one half of the wa- ter power of our streams is yet occupied or applied to any useful purpose.
The valley between the mountains presents a surface varying some in aspect and soil. The greatest portion of it is Limestone land of a good quality, well watered by numerous springs, fertile and in a high state of cul- tivation and improvement. This quality of land we es- timate at about 180,000 acres, being generally occupi- ed in farms of from 100 to 300 acres, and some larger, and on nine-tenths of which the owners reside, and, with but few exceptions, cultivate them with their own labor and that of their families. This land is not very hilly- its prevailing character is undulating, with a few hills of such elevation as not to obstruct much their convenient cultivation. West of the Conococheague creek prevails the Slate soil, narrow at the Maryland line, but widen- ing at the North, so as to embrace a considerable part of the North-western part of the county. The quantity of this description is estimated at 160,000 acres .- Though not so fertile and productive as the limestone land, and considered of inferior quality; yet as it is cu !- tivated with less labour, and at a smaller expense, and abounds in streams that create a great amount of natural meadow, which afford great quantities of grass and hay.for stock, those who cultivate these farms with care, industry and management, are but little behind their limestone land neighbours, in the means of com. fortable and independent living for themselves and fam- ilies.
There is a body of land between the South mountain and where the limestone appears on the surface, run-
Franklin county was erected into a county on the 9th Sept. 1784, being the Southern part of the county of ning parallel to the mountain throughout the county of VOL. III. 30
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
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from one to two miles in width, known by the name of 'Pine Land,' which, for fertility and certainty of pro- duct, is not surpassed by any land in the county, and which we estimate at about 20,000 acres. There is on the soil of this land a considerable portion of sand mix- cd with clay at the surface, and on it are many round stones, having the appearance of being smoothed and rounded by the attrition of water. The sand and stone seldom penetrate more than ten or eighteen inches and rest on a bed of red and yellow clay of great depth; but when perforated to a considerable depth, in sinking wells for water, the limestone rock is met with, on which it appears to be based.
The mountainous districts, or the Eastern and Wes- tern boundaries, contain about 110,000 acres. The South mountain presents almost an unbroken forest, covering a soil too sandy and sterile for grain or grasses, but principally favorable for the growth of forest trees; and from experiments that have been made, there is reason to believe that the peach, plumb, grape and cherry will flourish on this soil, as well as on the-moun- tains that bound us on the west. The mountains on tlie western side, though rugged, exhibit greater variety of surface and soil, and between their parallel ridges have valleys varying in extent, beauty and fertility. Path Valley, which is situated between these western moun- tains, is a valuable and interesting part of the county. Its general direction is that of the mountains, North- East, and possesses the same variety of soil, water, cul- tivation and improvements with the body of the county. It has, however, a more picturesque appearance; the ef- fect of mountain heights and scenery, almost overhang- ing the well cultivated and improved farms below. It is, with a contiguous small valley, called .Amberson's, di- vided into two townships, which contain at present 537 taxable inhabitants.
The staple agricultural products of the county, are the common ones of the state, viz :- wheat, rye, corn and oats. To the growth of barley, hemp and flax, there is an extensive fertile soil, peculiarly adapted --- yet neither is cultivated to an extent demanded for the interests of the cultivator and the community. For the cultivation of hemp there is every encouragement which a fertile soil can afford for its growth, and every advan- tage of water for its rotting.
The grasses, extensively cultivated, are the clover and timothy. : Herd grass, which was introduced some years since, has been carried by the wings of the wind, to almost every part of the county; it marks the mea- dows and drafts by its red top, and is supplanting in ma- ny places, the indigenous sour grass of wet soils. The orchard grass, but lately and partially introduced, has flourished so as to encourage its cultivation.
Some of our citizens have, within a few years, given some attention to the growing of the White Mulberry and the feeding of the Silk Worm. On one farm, near Green Castle, there are, at present, 60,000 of the White Mulberry plants, about 6000 of which are of a proper size for removal, and are offered for sale to the public .on reasonable terms. The soil and climate of the coun- ty afford every advantage to the cultivation of Silk; and we wish our citizens could be fully awakened to the value and profit of this article of trade.
guishable from the Juniata, and the iron manufactured from it is not inferior. The South mountain streams and wood furnish facilities for the working of this ore, which it is hoped, will soon give employment to a considerable portion of American capital and industry.
Though there is a tradition from the first white set- tlers of this county, that at its first settlement the In- dians were in the habit of going into the South Moun- tain for Lead to make bullets; from which they returned supplied, but studiously concealed the place,-yet no traces have yet been found of its existence by the pre- sent inhabitants, though it is the opinion of many, from the circumstances narrated by the early settlers, that there is lead in the South Mountain, between this county and Adams, which has escaped the discovery of white men, and which time and attention will probably develope.
White Marble is found in various parts of this county; and from the extent and variety of the limestone dis- tricts, there is but little doubt that much more will be discovered, varying in quality, colour, and texture. The limestone which abounds on the surface, is of a blue colour, of solid texture, laying in strata of various thick- nesses, and inclined generally to the horizon, at an an- gle of about 45 degrees, and the prevailing dip being to the South-east, and intersected by perpendicular fissures. This limestone, in many places, pos- sesses in its composition marine fossils of great va- riety: the largest and finest specimen of the Cornu Ammonis found in the United States, are met with in the limestone quarries in and adjoining the borough of Chambersburg. The facility with which limestone is here procured, and its adaptation to building, from its form and solidity, must make it always valuable as a material for the construction of permanent buildings and fencing, whilst its conversion into. lime will furnish the farmers a manure that will maintain and improve the fer- tility of their soil:
The prevailing Forest trees are the white, black, red, swamp and chesnut oak-chesnut, poplar, elm, black and white walnut, hickory, acacia or locust, ash, maple, sycamore, red, white and pitch pine. The red cedar, black mulberry, and sassafras are to be found in small quantities in many parts of the county; the chesnut is only found on the mountains or land contiguous, the. pine and chesnut oak are to be found principally in the mountains, and are rarely met with in the limestone soil; the sugar maple first discovers itself amongst the moun-
tains on the west, and we are not aware that the tree is met with east of the North mountain. So great is the variety of forest trees common to the soil of this part of the state, that on a small surface, not exceeding one acre, may be found of native growth, ten or fifteen va -. rieties. Amongst the wild fruits are crab apples, plums, grapes, gooseberries, whortleberries, raspberries, blackberries, walnuts, chesnuts, shell-bark and hazle- nuts. The apple, peach, and cherry are cultivated to a } considerable extent; the apple flourishes, and amply repays the attention of the cultivator by the abundance, variety and richness of the fruit; the early decay to which the peach and pear are subject, discourages and limits their cultivation.
The Flora of the county is not distinguishable from that of other parts of the state; our calcareous districts not only exhibit an exuberant .vegetation that displays our grasses and esculent herbs in the dress of beauty and grandeur, but cven our siliceous mountains are de- corated with the greatest variety of the most brilliant flowers, delighting the senses by their various forms, co- lours, and fragrance. The gloom and sterility of the dark forest or the swamp are adorned with the varie- gated laurel, and in some parts the magnolia glauca, and tulip poplar, in the darkness of shade and solitude, at- tract and captivate the observing traveller.
Franklin has within its limits a number of considera- ble towns. Chambersburg, which is the seat of justice, It is pleasantly situated at the confluence of the Falling
.
The minerals yet discovered, consist of Iron Ore of great abundance and superior quality. The mountain which forms the western boundary of the county, for the distance of many miles along the Path Valley, exhibits a line of iron ore of great extent; and, whenever open- ed or explored, of great depth and easily accessible. There is in the vicinity of this body of iron ore, moun- tain streams and forests that will supply water power and fuel. At a short distance west of the Southi moun- tain, and running parallel with it from one end of the county to the other, is a line of superior pipe and honey comb ore, showing itself at intervals in the limestone re- gion, found, as that description of ore is generally found, in nests, as the miners generally term it, of irregular and | is one of the most flourishing inland towns in the State. broken forms. This ore, in appearance, is not distin.
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