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 72
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Besides two episcopal charges, Bishop White has published ten valuable sermons, which were delivered on special occasions. With some of them, as well as Įtwo of his greater works, we are ourselves acquainted;
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON VICE AND IMMORALITY.
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and we know the impressions which have been made up- on the minds of competent judges who have read thein all. Strong, sagacious sense, extensive and exact eru- dition, lucid order, terse diction, orthodox yet liberal principles and feelings, a ruling desire to serve the cause of truth and salvation, are the chief traits of his writings, and have uniformly characterised his labors for the pul- pit. Asa preacher his delivery has been grave without dismalness, and impressive without ostentation : as a pas- tor he has set that example of vigilance and zeal, tem- pered by kindness, courtesy, and consideration for hu- man infirmity, which rarely fails to conciliate general love and deference, and to prove more cogent than aus- tere, inquisitorial and importunate activity.
In the administration of his diocese, he has never shrunk from any fatigue or sacrifice expedient for its welfare; and it is not unknown how much a diocesan, in our country, must undergo beyond the toils and vex- ations of European prelateship. Nor has he been less remarkable for tender and enlightened solicitude and wholesome counsel and concurrence, with regard to the main government and interests of the excellent Church which acknowledges him as its patriarch.
The person of Bishop White bears the traces of years, but his mind and heart retain their peculiar qualities and treasures. He pursues and enjoys the studies and duties of his meridian manhood; he has not lost his relish for social intercourse and elegant pleasures; domestic sym- pathies he cherishes and reciprocates with a genial and bland paternity, which, even in the stranger who wit- nesses this mellowness of the pure affections, excites sentiments towards him only less vivid than those by which his many near and most worthy kindred and friends are habitually animated. We have perhaps al- ready gone too far for the modesty of a living model, who has probably been as severe to himself as indulgent to the imperfections and generous to the merits of oth- ers; who deems this earthly career a devious course at best, ---- merely a state of discipline preparatory to a sphere of much nobler, higher and happier agency. Our apology is, that we were unable to resist the temp- tation of using the authentic biographical memoranda in our hands, for a tribute which appeared alike oppor- tune and just, though certainly inadequate. It is said that praise to the deserving dead cannot be withholden without unthankfulness; nor without further .culpability when it may serve as exhortation and encouragement to survivors and future generations. If the mnere cursory notice of rectitude and usefulness, which fortunately are not yet consigned to the tomb, can be supposed likely to have the same effects, the same doctrine is applica- ble to this case, and we should sin against gratitude and patriotism by remaining silent. Nat. Gaz.
Mr. POULSON,-In your publication of this morning (taken from the National Gazette, ) concerning Bishop White, there is a gross error respecting his age. It is there stated that "he was born March 24th, 1747, O. S. It is afterwards said, that toward the end of 1770, being then in his 22d year, he repaired to England for Holy Orders, &c." From the above it would follow, that he was 23 years old March 24th 1770, of course towards the end of 1770, he must have been in his 24th, instead of his 22d year.
I would correct the error thus-The style was alter- ed in 1752, and it had been a custom (which was long continued) to designate the year from Jan. 1st, to March 25th, by two figures, thus 1747-8. If Bishop White was born March 24th; 1747, O. S. this answers according to the mode in practice of those days, to March 24th 1747 -- 8, or to our April 4th 1748, of course in the latter end of 1770, he must have been in his 23d year.
It is of some consequence to have this error corrected at present, as the publication will doubtless be copied into many other papers, and may lead, by comparison with other circumstances, to some confusion in future dates. J. S.
April 10th, 1829.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON VICE AND IMMORALITY.
House of Representatives Apirl 11th.
Mr. Duncan, from the committee on vice and immor- ality, to whom was referred the memorial of many in- habitants of the city and county of Philadelphia, pray- ing for legislative aid to check the progress of intempe- rance, made
REPORT.
That the committee have attentively examined the subject, and sincerely sympathise with the memorialists, in their anxiety to remedy an evil which is becoming daily more appalling in its consequences; has already affixed a stain on our national character, and may if not arrested, hereafter jeopardise our free institutions.
It is is unnecessary for your committee to particular- ize the evils, which are painfully evident to the senses of every thinking man, or draw your attention to the mass of public crime and domestic wretchedness, which have resulted from intemperance. All these have al- ready been conspicuously portrayed by the active phi- lanthropist and the zealous divine. Our presses are fil- led with awful warnings, and our prisons bear sad testi- mony to the truth of their statements. It is enough that we are aware of the facts, and would not feel ac- quitted to our consciences, did we not make some ex- ertion to lessen the dreadful curse which the thought- less many are entailing on their posterity.
.Your committee do not expect to acomplish this by legislation. Frequent enactments, wise and salutary in their provisions, evince the deep interest which our predecessors have taken in this important subject. Yet these laws have done little towards the diminution of in- temperance, and can do but little, while the faculties to it are constantly increasing.
The laws have vested in our courts of quarter sessions, a power which, wisely used, would tend to the comfort and convenience of society: but abused, becomes the fountain-head of strife and disorder. We allude to the power of granting licences-and express our regret that they are so easily obtained. The cheapness of ardent spirits, and the immense profit which the vender may realise by retailing it at a price within the reach of the. poorest labourer, induces many persons of good charac- ter,to desert their employments, for one which they con- sider less laborious and more profitable. Many, perhaps most, of these persons are merely governed by a desire to increase their means, thoughtless that they are adding to the sum of human misery! The applicants have no difficulty in finding respectable persons, who testify to their general character; and a license is too often grant- ed as a matter of course. The very fact, which tended to further the application, also furthers the cause of in- temperance. Though a tavern established by a man of good character, is not likely immediately to attract the common sot, it induces others, who are not habitually in- temperate, to encourage the establishment. Some wish to patronise it through friendship to the "new landlord:" others visit it through curiosity, love of company, or a residence too near the attraction. They first drop in oc- casionally, then frequently, and, at last, make it the scene of their regular debauch. By degrees they enlist their more sober companions in the same course. True, their intoxication is not always exposed in the public streets, where its grossness would rather excite disgust than im- itation; but it is far from injurious in a thronged bar-room, where the merriment it creates, serves to disguise its more repulsive features, and leads the young and un- thinking to seek a similar excitement in the exhilarating poison.
The committee would earnestly recommend to the citizens who urge, and the courts which grant these li- censes, the importance of weighing the matter well, ere they act. Let them distinctly ascertain whether those taverns already established are insufficient for useful purposes; whether they are within the strict letter of
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MECHANIC'S MEETING AT HARRISBURG-
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the law, and whether the one about to be licensed is great extent, still, your committee think it becomes a intended as a house of 'entertainment for travellers,'&c. duty mechanics owe to one another, and to the inter- ests of the place in which they may locate themselves, to protect and encourage the particular fabric manu- factured by them, and in their immediate vicinity, above all others. By a late estimate, it appears that there are, in the city of Philadelphia alone, one thousand two hundred and eighty drinking houses, attended by at least six thousand one hundred and ninety-five regular drunkards, and probably twenty thousand occasional topers. This may be an extravagant calculation-it is certainly an appal- ing one.
It becomes the duty of the responsible authorities to ascertain how many of these establishments are regular- Jy licensed, and within the meaning of the law. Let the number of licensed houses, which are not calcula- ted or intended to provide "entertainment for man and horse," but are merely the haunts of vice, be struck from the list, and the statute respecting tippling houses be strictly enforced against those who thus act in defi- ance of the laws.
If this be done, --- if the orderly citizens by word and countenance, support the civil authorities in such lauda- ble effects; if they frown indignantly on the first symp- toms of intemperance in those within their influence; if they avoid the habitual drunkard, (however respectable his connexions or former standing, ) as they would shun the pestilence; if they refuse their confidence in public and in private business to those, whose reason is at the mercy of the poisonous bowl, and scorn to bestow their suffrages on men who sacrifice their respectability for a grog shop reputation, a change will be effected worthy of our country-worthy of a people who have no enemy to fear, but such as may arise from their own criminal in- dulgence.
Your committee view, with much gratification, the strenuous efforts which are making by public spirited individuals and societies, to arrest the progress of intem- perance. These exertions have not been without their blessing. We are authorised in stating that, in some towns of New England, the influence of these societies has, in a single year, reduced the consumption of spiri- tuous liquors one fourth, and in other places one half.
Pennsylvania has not been inattentive to this noble example. A number of philanthropic citizens of Phila- delphia have associated under the name of the "Penn- sylvania Temperance Society," and have established, through their agents, branches in most of our principal towns; and are now engaged in a glorious rivalry with their eastern brethren struggling who shall do the most good to their fellow creatures.
To the citizens of Pennsylvania, generally, we recom- mend a union "heart and hand," with these pioneers in the work of reformation. The result will be gradual but certain. Public opinion, (when the weapon of truth, the strongest and the best, ) will change audacity to shame- indifference to energy; strip vice of its false allurements, and save the young and innocent from destruction .- Pennsylvania has been truly styled "the key stone of the Union." Let us endeavor to preserve it from aught that would endanger the "national arch," that virtue may rejoice over the fabric she has reared, and count- less generations raise their song of gratitude in the "land of the free."
MECHANICS' MEETING.
At an adjourned meeting of the mechanics of the borough of Ilarrisburg, held at the public house of David Deobler, on Friday, the 10th of April, inst. John Zearing, President, Jolin Cameron and Aaron Bom- baugh, Secretaries. The President having stated the business which would be laid before the meeting for consideration, the committee appointed to prepare a constitution reported one, which was adopted; and the committee appointed to prepare an address, made the following report:
To the mechanics and citizens of Harrisburg.
For some years last past, and we are aware that the fact has been observed by almost every person in the community, our markets have been glutted, (to the ma- nifest injury of a class of citizens who are indispensable in society,) with importations of worse than spurious ar- ticles of manufacture, which have but one recommenda- tion-that they are cheap! Time was, when the busi- ness of a mechanic was a sure means of competence, if not of independence, to himself and to his family; but, at the present day, a species of false economy pervades the public mind, and the question now with the buyer is not whether the article is of a good quality, but whether it can be obtained cheap. Employers, consequently, cannot afford to pay their hands an equivalent for their labor, and the workmen cannot find employment-or subsist with it, but, in a state of penury. The effect of this state of things upon the public at large, must be ob- vious, Business becomes stagnant, improvements which would progress by the encouragement of the mechanic arts, are checked or put an entire stop to; and the pub- lic (unconsciously it is true) enlists itself to enrich some wholesale manufacturer of worthless articles, and oppress many of its most useful members. Good work is always the cheapest! and it is an important thing that this truth should be impressed upon the minds of the community. Until it is, and the public becomes satisfied of this fact, there can be little hope of reform. But let us not despair of making this impression; and, as example is better than precept, let us commence the work ourselves; let us mark out for ourselves rules which we will rigidly adhere to, for the advancement of this object. Let us purchase no arti- cles, that can be obtained among the mechanics of our own borough, that have been manufactured in distant places and brought here with the stamp of "For sale" upon them. By these means, we shall, at least, be mu- tually benefitting each other, as far as our means ex- tend, and, perhaps, obtain the co-operation of many who may become convinced of the propriety of such a measure.
The manner by which it is proposed to accomplish this object, is to form ourselves into a society, to be called "The Mechanics' Society of the borough of Har- risburg for the encouragement of Domestic Manufac- tures," and to adopt such measures as shall unite us in harmony and in interest. In behalf of this object we might appeal to the pride of those we address, and we are conscious that our appeal would not be in vain. Why should not the mechanic hold his proper standing in society? Shall that class of society from which have emanated some of the brightest stars in the political and scientific world, suffer themselves to be opposed from a want of energy to redress their wrongs! at least among themselves ?- Would they sink into degradation without an effort to redeem or retrieve their condi- tion? But for the mechanic arts, what would have been the aspect of the world, and the condition of socie- ty, even at this late day? Mankind would have remain- ed in a state worse than barbarism-
"Joint tenant with the beasts."
Beneath them, perhaps, in mortal worth, and (if it may be so expressed) in intellectual faculties. In the early pages of history, we find that the "Great Architect" turned the attention of his creatures to the building of an ark! And since that divine vessel traversed the un- limited ocean, what sea has not been traversed; what country unexplored by the means of the mechanism of man? What results have not followed? From the con- struction of a ship to brave the tempests and the sea, to the construction of articles of taste, luxury and utility-
Admitting that trade demands reciprocal intercourse between one section of the state and another to a very | to adorn the persons or promote the pleasures or the
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CHARTER OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTER.
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happiness of mankind. These are facts that the me- chanic can dwell upon with pride,-and why should the humble, but industrious promoters of these great and glorious objects fail in an effort to retrieve their condition} It is to be hoped that our own acts will for- bid it-that public sentiment will forbid it.
Society is formed by a number of individuals for the purpose of gaining some particular object which can only be attained by association. Individual enterprise is limited-but reciprocal agreement extends and en- hances the field of labor. The merchant looks in some degree upon the mechanic for support, but what does he give in return? He brings to the door of the mechan- ic, from some distant and cheaper market, articles, from the manufacture of which the mechanic expects his live- lihood, and exposes them for sale at a less price than the mechanic can afford them-thus shutting up the avenues through which his subsistence flowed. This reverse meets him in almost every article of manufac- ture. In the two articles of liats and shoes alone, were the practice discontinued, at least one hundred and fifty additional journeymen might be employed in this bo- rough, and so on of other occupations ad infinitum .- By giving encouragement to the manufacturers of these articles and of others, the whole community would rea- lize its benefit, inasmuch as where there is industry and business, prosperity must follow and population in- crease; and with population property must increase in value.
These are some of the objects we have in view, and we earnestly call on the mechanics and others, to co-op- erate with us in carrying them into effect.
WILLIAM PIATT, CHARLES SCHAFFIRT, E. ZOLLINGER.
On motion of Mr. Piatt, it was agreed that the officers of this meeting have power to call meetings when they may deem it expedient.
Resolved, That this meeting will meet again on the 20th day of April, instant.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting, to- gether with the address, be signed by the President and Secretaries, and published in the papers of the bo- rough.
JOHN ZEARING, President.
JOIN CAMERON, 2 A. BOMBAUGH, Secretaries.
THE CHARTER OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTER.
Preamble. WILLIAM PENN, true and absolute Pro- prietary and Governor in Chief of the Province of Penn- sylvania, and Territories thereunto belonging: To all to whom these Presents shall come, sends Greeting .- WIIEREAS in my first Regulation and Division of the Counties of this Province, I thought fit to order, That the Townsted or Village then having the Name of Up- land should be called Chester, which I thercupon con- stituted the Shire-town of the County of Chester, and or- dained and appointed all my Courts of Judicature for the Affairs of that County to be there held and kept, and the County Goal or Prison to be and remain there for ever. AND whereas about the same Time, or soon after, for the Encouragement of the said Town, I was pleased to grant unto my ancient Friend John Simcock, in Behalf of himself and others the Inhabitants of the said Place, the Privilege of a Market to be there weck- ly held and kept. After which the said Inhabitants, up- on their special Instance, did also obtain from my late Lieutenant Governor and Council a Grant for two Fairs to be held in the said Town yearly. All which the in- habitants of the said Town, and of the adjacent Parts of the said County of Chester, having humbly besought me to confirm unto them, together with such addi- tional Privileges and Franchises as I might think fit or requisite for the better Encouragement of the Settlers, and Regulation of Trade therein.
NOW KNOW YE, That I, favouring the just and reasonable Request of said Inhabitants, have of my own free Will erected, and do by these Presents for me, my Heirs and Successors, erect the said Town into & Bo- rough; which Town and Borough shall extend from the River Delaware two Miles backwards into the Woods; and shall be bounded East-ward with the West Side of Ridley Creek and Westward with the East side of Chester Creek to the said Extent of two Miles back- wards from the River, and shall ever hereafter be call- ed CHESTER. And I further will, that the Streets, Landings. and Market-place in the said Town shall for ever hereafter be, continue and remain, as they are already and have Jately been laid out and modelled, and approved of by me and my Council, then sitting at New castle.
AND I do hereby name and constitute Jasper Yeats, Ralph Fishbourn, Paul Saunders and Robert Barber, to be present Burgesses, and James Lowncs High-consta- ble of the said Borough, who shall so continue until the tenth Day of the first Month next. On which Day, as also on the same Day in the same month yearly after- wards for ever, it shall and may be lawful to and for the Freeholders and House-keepers of the said Town and Borough publickly to meet in some convenient Place within the said Town, to be by them appointed for that Purpose, and then and there nominated, elect and choose, by the Ballot of the inhabitants of the said Town, fit and able men to be Burgesses, and High-con- stable; with such other Officers as by the Burgesses and Freemen shall be judged needful for assisting and serv- ing the Burgesses in managing the Affairs of the said Borough, and keeping of the Peace therein from time to time: And the Burgess first chosen in the said Elections shall be called Chief Burgess of the said Town.
And I will and ordain, That all the said Burgesses for the Time being shall be, and are hereby impowered and authorized to be Conservators of the Peace within the said Borough; and shall have Power by themselves and upon their own view, without any Law-proceeding, to remove all Nuisances and Ineroachments out of the said Streets as they shall see Occasion: With Power also to arrest, imprison and punish Rioters and Breakers of the Peace, and to bind them and all other Offenders and Persons of evil Fame to the Peace or good Behaviour, as fully and effectually as any of the Justices of the Peace in the said County can do, and return or bring the Recognizances by them to be taken to the Court of Quarter-sessions for the said County. And that the said Chief Burgess from time to time shall, by Vir tue of these Presents, without any further or other Commission, be one of the Justices of the Peace, and one of the Justices of the County-court and Quarter- sessions, Oyer and Terminer and Goal-delivery, in and for the said County of Chester. And shall have full Power and Authority with the rest of the said County Justices, or a Quorum of them, or by himself, where the Laws of this Province, &c. directs one Justice to award Process, and hold Pleas cognizable, by and before the Justices of the said County of Chester from time to time.
And I do hereby grant and appoint, That the Sheriff and Clerk of the Courts of the said County of Chester for the Time being, if not Residents in the said Borough, shall appoint and constitute sufficient Deputies, who shall from time to time reside or constantly attend in the said Town of Chester, to perform the Duties of their res- pective Offices. But before any of the said Burgesses, Constables, or other Officers, shall take upon them the Execution of their respective Offices, they shall sub- scribe the Declaration and Profession of their Christian Belief, according to the late Act of Parliament, made in the first Year of the Reign of King WILLIAM and the late Queen MARY, intitled "An Act for exempt- ing their Majestie's Protestant Subjects, dissenting from the Church of England, from the Penalties of certain Laws." And they that are to be newly elected for Burges- ses, Constables and other Officers, from time to time
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CAVE AND SPRING NEAR CARLISLE.
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shall be attested for the due Execution of their respec- tive Offices; and shall subscribe the said Declarations and Profession of Belief before the old Burgesses, or such of them as go off and are not again chosen in the new Elections: But in case the old Burgesses are all chosen by the new Elections, then they shall have Pow- er, and are hereby impowered and qualified to act up- on their former Attests' and Qualifications. And I do further grant and ordain, that the High-constable of the said Borough for the Time being shall be Clerk of the Market, who shall and may have Assize of Bread, Wine, Beer, Wood and other Things; and to do, execute and perform, all Things belonging to the Office of Clerk of the Market within the said Town and Borough . of Chester,
And I do for me, my Heirs and Assigns, grant unto the said Burgesses and their Successors, That if any of the Inhabitants of the said Town and Borough shall be hereafter elected to the Office of Burgess or Constable as aforesaid, and, having notice of his or their Election, shall refuse to undertake and execute that Office to which he is so chosen, it shall be lawful for the Burgess or Burgesses then acting to impose moderate Fines up- on the Refusers, so as the Burgess's Fine exceed not Ten Pounds, and the Constable's Five Pounds; to be levied by Distress and Sale, by Warrant under the Hand & Seal of one or more of the Burgesses, or by other law- ful Ways, to the Use of the said Town. And in such Ca- ses, it shall be lawful for the said Inhabitants forthwith to chuse others to supply the Defects of such Refusers. And that it shall and may be lawful for the said Burges- ses and Constable for the Time being to summon and assemble Town-meetings, from time to time, as often as they shall find Occasion: At which Meetings they may make such Ordinances and Rules (not repugnant to, or inconsistent with the Laws of this Province) as - to the greatest Part of the Town-meeting shall seem ne- cessary and convenient for the good Government of the said Town. . And the same Rules and Ordinances to put in Execution; and the same to revoke, alter and make anew, as Occasion shall require. And also impose such Mulcts and Amerciaments upon Breakers of the said Ordinances as to the Makers thereof shall be thought reasonable; to be levied as is above directed in Case of Fines, to the Use of the Town, without rendering any Account thereof to me, my Heirs or Assigns: With Power also to the said Meetings to mitigate or release the said Fines and Mulcts, upon the Submission of the Parties.
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