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. IX > Part 104
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Resolved, That the said authorities be respectfully solicited to take into consideration, the expediency of appointing suitable persons whose duty it shall be to make a complete and careful examination of every part and portion of said city and districts, that can come within their jurisdiction, and to cause to be removed every thing that may possibly favor the propagation of disease, and that in cases when it is found their power does not extend, they are requested to lay such infor- tion before this Board, as will enable it to take suitable measures to prevent the continuation of the nuisance.
Resolved, That the said authorities be also requested to cause the streets, lanes, alleys, courts, &c. throughout the said city and districts, to be scraped and swept, and the dirt immediately removed twice in every week du- ring the continuation of the warm season, and that at each cleansing, the fire plugs in every square be permit- ted to run a suitable length of time.
Resolved, That the said authorities be also requested to take into consideration the propriety of enacting such ordinances as may prevent the existence of pig- pens or places where such animals are kept, within the bounds of the said city and districts.
Extracts from the minutes. WM. A. MARTIN, Clerk.
Mr. LIPPINCOTT as chairman of the committee to vi- sit the lands of the late Stephen Girard, made the an- nexed report, which was ordered to be printed.
The committee appointed by Councils to visit the lands in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, bequeathed to the city by the late Stephen Girard, report:
That they proceeded in performance of that duty, to those lands, where by previous arrangement they met his agent Mr. William Boyd, who accompanied the committee in exploring them, and to whose attention, experience and knowledge of their location they are much indebted.
In order to give an intelligible description of the lands, it will be proper to divide them into the eastern and western sections.
The western section comprises about ten thousand acres forming an oblong plot, the nearest point of which is situated about seven miles west of Pottsville, and about five miles from the western extremity of the pre- sent Norwegian and Pottsville rail-road. The Mahonoy and Shanandoa creeks run through the centre of this section of land, a distance of about six miles, within a few rods of which, the whole distance, large veins ofthe best quality of anthracite coal are discovered, some of which are opened, lying near the surface, that may be worked with great facility, and are believed to be inex- haustible. Along those streams the land is covered with a large body of excellent timber, principally White-pine, White-oak, and Hemlock; many of the trees are of enormous size. The Pottsville and Dan- ville rail-road is located to run about six miles through
this section of the lands within a few yards of and paral- lel with the veins of coal the whole extent.
Mr. Girard, believing this portion of his lands ex- tremely valuable, caused to be erected three large saw- mills of great capacity for sawing, and built in his usual style for strength and durability; two of them on the Mahonoy and one on the Shanandoa creeks, both of which are said to be never failing streams. Two of those mills are each capable of sawing 30,000 feet of boards weekly, the other requires some alterations to enable it to perform equally well. The lumber saw- ed by those mills was intended by Mr. Girard to have been transported to Pottsville, and from thence to Phil- adelphia by canals, which it is confidently believed would have been accomplished at a moderate expense. There are also five small log dwelling houses near those saw-mills, within about a quarter of a mile of each other. This point is called Girardsville, and is ten miles distant from Pottsville, by the contemplated rail- road.
The cost of cutting logs, hauling, sawing, and piling the boards at the mills is 3 25 and $3 50 per thousand feet by contract.
Mr. Girard, to increase the value of those lands and to convey their products to market at a moderate ex- pense, subscribed largely through his agent, for the construction of the Rail Road, located to pass through them, from Danville and Sunbury on the Susquehannah to Pottsville.
That portion of this section of land which borders on Mahonoy and Shanandoa creeks when cleared will be valuable as farm land; the sod is rich.
There has been constructed at much expense by di- rection of Mr. Girard, a good road nearly the whole length of this section of land and connecting with the turnpike; he also directed it to be continued about six miles further, for the convenience and connection by a road of the two sections of his lands, three or four miles of which are absolutely necessary. He likewise caused a large quantity of timber to be cut and pre- pared for sawing; 109,264 feet of white pine boards, arc cut and piled up at the mills ready for market, and there remain about eight hundred logs cut and ready for that purpose.
The improvements of every description have been suspended. About one half of this section of land is mountainous, and comparatively of little value. .
Having given a short description of the western sec- tion comprising the Coal Lands. The Committee pro- ceed to describe the eastern section, which with a long strip of mountain land connecting the two sections, comprise about twenty thousand acres. The.Catawissa Creek runs through a part of this section a distance of about six miles, on each side of which the land is of good quality for farming, embracing an area of about three thousand acres. There are seven small farms, . with dwellings, barns, orchards, &c. and about five hundred acres of cleared land, five saw mills, most of which are out of order; at one of those mills there are twenty-five thousand feet of white pine boards ready for market. There are likewise two grist mills, both of which require some repairs. On the Catawissa Creek there is a large proportion of the land covered with excellent, large white pine, bemlock, white oak and poplar timber fit for sawing. The remainder of this eastern section of land is generally mountainous and of little value.
Mr. Girard's intentions as far as we could learn, from reading his letters, &c. were to repair one of the grist mills, also one or two of the saw mills on this section, and to have gradually cleared his lands in Catawissa Valley, preparatory to laying out all such parts as were suitable for farming purposes, and from which he ex- pected to supply the large population that would be required in the western section of the coal district with grain and other necessaries.
The committee recommend that the land in the Cata,
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PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
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wissa Valley be laid out, of suitable size for farms and improving Icases to tenants, stipulating for their clear- ing a certain number of acres yearly, fencing the same, and gradually putting the farms in order. The pres- ent tenants have all been warned off.
The committee also viewed the scite purchased by Mr. Girard at Mount Carbon for a landing place. It is about seven hundred feet front on the Schuylkill, and extends twelve hundred feet westward therefrom, and is situated about four hundred yards below the termi- nation of the Mount Carbon Rail-road, which is to be continued down to this landing; to this Rail-road, we understand Mr. Girard has loaned to the amount of 50,000 dollars. The Rail-road which is to pass through Mr. Girard's coal lands is to connect with the Mount Carbon Rail-road, and the wharves which he intended to have constructed at this point were for the deposit of his coal and lumber, to be ready for transportation by the Schuylkill Canal to Philadelphia.
The expense of wharfing and fitting up this piece of ground to render it suitable for the purpose intended, would in the opinion of the committee be about thirty- five hundred dollars,-and judging from the rent of similar property in its neighborhood, it would command when improved about eight hundred dollars a year.
About one fourth of the whole quantity of Mr. Gi- rards lands may be rendered very valuable and pro- ductive.
The committee were in the neighborhood of the line of the Pottsville and Danville Rail-road; desirous of viewing it in its different parts, and believing their in- structions embraced all matters connected with Mr. Girard's lands, proceeded on to Danville and Sunbury, the points of its termination on the Susquehanna, view- ing in their route various points through which it would pass, and after obtaining all the information they were enabled to collect through Mr. Moncure Robinson, the Engineer, and others, respecting its location, practica- bility, &c., the committee were forcibly impressed with the great advantage its completion would be to the country generally, as well as to Mr. Girard's lands and to the city of Philadelphia in particular, as furnishing a cheap, safe and expeditious means of transporting by the shortest practicable route from the north and west branches of the Susquehanna, the vast quantities of produce which pass by them on their way down to tide water.
The committee learn with pleasure since their return to the city that the executors of Mr. Girard have deter- mined to comply with his subscription to this Rail- road.
The committee recommend that Mr. Wm. Boyd, agent of Mr. Girard, (in whom the committee have the fullest confidence) be continued in employment on the lands, with instructions to complete the various improve- ments intended to have been made by him, as hereafter enumerated, and that he cause the different saw mills on the Mahonoy and Shanandoa to be set to work with as little delay as possible; to cut up the timber already prepared, as well as such as may be cut down in clear- ing land, &c. into boards and planks, &c. which may be piled up near the contemplated Rail-road, where they will become seasoned and ready for transportation by the time the Rail-road is completed, and may be dispo- sedl of to advantage, or used in the construction of the buildings in Mr. Girard's square, as intended by him .- Those saw mills may likewise afford great facility in furnishing the necessary lumber for the Rail-road, should the contract off'ered to Mr. Hoyd be concluded with the engineer for the supply of rails and sleepers for that un- dertaking, which he should be instructed to obtain, if such terms are offered as shall be considered advanta- geous.
Memorandum of Improvements referred to ahove, vix:
A stone dwelling house for superintendent at Girard-
ville, 36 feet by 45 feet, two stories high, plastered, estimated at
$2,500 00
100 acres of land to be cleared for hay, pasture and vegetables, 1,000 00
To alter the new saw mill on the Shanandoa, 300 00
To repair an old saw mill on do. called Boon's mill, with dam, &c. 350 00
To complete a new road to connect the two sections of land about six miles, 2,400 00
$6,550 00
On the castern there is much need of a house at the grist mill near Cata- wissa bridge; the committee recom- mend the construction of a stone dwelling house, 32 by 24 fect, plas- tered, estimated cost
$1,200 00
Also, they recommend the immediate repair of the above mentioned grist mill, and sawmill adjoining, estimated
1,500 00
$9,250 00
The various improvements recommended to be made by your committee, they confidently believe are in strict conformity with the written instructions and directions of Mr. Girard to his agent William Boyd, and were planned by him with great skdl for the promotion of his ultimate designs.
In "concluding this report, your committee would briefly state:
That although vast bodies of anthracite coal are to be found in many parts of the interesting and important section of the state in which those lands are situated, we are of opinion, that no part of it abounds with the important article of fuel in greater abundance or of bet- ter quality than those selected by Mr. Girard. There is no article through the means of which his bencvo- lent intentions would have been more generally felt or more extensively diffused-and being of indispensible necessity, every means of increasing the facility of its transportation should be promoted.
Your committee cannot but reflect with gratitude on the advantages that may result not only to the present but to future generations from the foresight and mag- nanimity of Stephen Girard, in bestowing on the city so magnificent and lasting a treasure.
Mr. Groves offered the following resolution, which was laid on the table.
Whereas, it appears that the improvements recom- mended by the committee appointed to visit the land belonging to the estate of the late Stephen Girard in Schuylkill county are necessary, and that the same should be made as soon as practicable, therefore, Rc- solved, by the select and common councils, that a com- mittee consisting of two members of each councils; be appointed to attend to and have the said improvements completed. And that the said committee be authorized to confer with the trustees of Mr. Girard's bank, res- pecting the funds which may be wanting to carry the same into effect.
Mr. Johnson offered the annexed resolution, which was agreed to, and Messrs. Groves, Johnson and Neff, were appointed the committee on behalf of the select council.
Resolved, by the scleot and common councils, That a committee of three members from cach council, be appointed to procure drafts and plans for the continua- tion of the Columbia and Philadelphia Rail-road, along Broad street from Vine to Cedar streets. Also, to inquire into the expediency of purchasing the requisite quanti- ty of iron railing, and report the same to councils.
COMMON COUNCIL-Mr. Baker was called to the chair
Petitions similar to those presented in the select council, were received and were similarly disposed of. Councils adjourned to meet again on Friday evening next, at half past 7 o'clock.
3GG
BANKS.
[JUNE
BANKS.
The following is a part of the charge of the Record- er, Mr. Mcilvaine, to the Grand Jury of the Mayor's Court, for the present session:
"The foregoing remarks comprehend all the instruc- tions which we deem it necessary at this time to deliver the Grand Jury, as to the mode and form in which their deliberations should be conducted. The same law, or rather the same venerable custom, deriving from its an- tiquity and its usefulness the force and obligation of law, which requires instructions from the Court to the Grand Jury, requires also that we should point their at- tention to such occurrences of an unusual nature, as, during the recess of the Court, may have disturbed the peace or safety of the community, or may have exerted an unfavourable influence upon the great cause of so- cial order and sound morality, of which Grand Juries are constitutionally the guardians, and Courts the legal avengers. Such, in the estimation of this Court, and (as we believe) by the unanimous verdict of public opin- ion, were the scenes which have accompanied the dis- tribution of stock under the two acts of the legislature for establishing new banks in this city. When, there- fore, we ask your most serious attention to this subject, when we recommend to you by no means to close your session until the whole matter shall have been fully in- vestigated, and the truths derived from that investiga- tion impartially reported, we obey but the plain and ir- resistible impulse of public duty, which allows us no room for choice, and forbids tbe indulgence of all per- sonal inclinations.
"After the scenes which have disgraced our city within the last two weeks, no doubt can remain, (if any existed before) that the mode of distributing stock, pre- scribed by the recent bank charters, when that stock is universally regarded as valuable and sought after as lu- crative, is injurious and demoralizing in the highest de- gree, and even subversive of the principle of equal com. petition and fair distribution upon which it professes to rest. Upon this head the Grand Jury, faithfully-repre- senting public sentiment, will not hesitate to speak with proper emphasis, and earnestly to protest against the enactment for the future, of any law containing similar provisions.
"But it is to other considerations arising out of the subject that we chiefly ask your attention. The public peace has been broken, and public decency violated, by protracted scenes of riot, confusion and outrage. Of this there can be doubt. In addition to this, the public mind has been agitated to an unprecedented degree by rumours of fraud, unfairness and unlawful combina- tions, as well in the distribution as in the procuring of stock. All these are fit subjects for the calm and im- partial, but nevertheless decided action of the Grand Jury, and it will be our endeavour, in a few brief obser- vations, to explain the legal principles which should go- vern your judgment.
١
"Every Commissioner who consented to act under the laws in question was a public officer, to whom an important public trust has been delegated, and who is consequently responsible to the public for its faithful execution. If, therefore, any Commissioner has wil- fully done that which the law forbade, or omitted or re- fused to do that which the law required; or if any one of them, with a corrupt view to his own benefit, di- rectly or indirectly has exhibited partiality in the distri- bution of stock, or shown favour to one individual to the exclusion of another, or to the prejudice of the equal rights of all-such commissioner has been guilty of a misdemeanor in office, and should be indicted with- out hesitation.
"Again, if any number of individuals, whether com- missioners or not, have combined and agreed together, by fraud or force, and by concerted action, to secure stock for themselves or their friends to the exclusion of others, or with the slightest prejudice to the equal rights of every other person in the community: that combina- | States.
tion and agreement was unlawful conspiracy, for which the Grand Jury is bound, should the facts appear in evidence before them, to present an indictment.
"Again, if any three or more persons have appeared at the place of distribution, acting in concert, and either using force or violence, or manifesting an intention to use force or violence, in order to secure shares for themselves or their friends, or to exclude others from participating in the equal privileges which the law in- tended to secure, this was an unlawful assembly and a riot, and all who aided or encouraged their proceedings, or counselled or procured their coming together, should be included in the same indictment.
"Lastly -- every separate breach of the peace, not included within the foregoing heads, which occurred during the six memorable days, that have blotted the re- putation of our city, should be the subject of an ap- propriate indictment.
"In thus enumerating the heads under which your inquiries should be prosecuted, we have not intended to affirm the existence of fraud or corruption on the part of any of the commissioners, or of such combina- tions among other individuals as are particularly referred to. We have been guided only by reports current in the city, and possibly exaggerated by public excitement without professing any actual knowledge of our own on the subject. The only knowledge we possess, re- lates to the character of a large number of the com- missioners, which would place them individually, above the suspicion of fraud or unfairness. We deem it due, however, to every individual of that body who has up- rightly performed his duty, as it is certainly due to the quiet and morals of the community, that the whole sub- ject should be investigated by an impartial tribunal, that the guilty, if any, should be punished, and all others re- lieved from unmerited censure. To the Court it will be a subject of sincere congratulation if all should be relieved from a charge so serious. They are prepared, however, to do their duty to the Commonwealth in any circumstances which the course of the Grand Jury can possibly present."
THE REGISTER.
JUNE 9, 1832.
The quantity of rain which fell during May was 5.40 inches, per Register at Pennsylvania Hospital.
Dividends .- Philadelphia Insurance Company 5 per cent for six months; Delaware Insurance Company 4 per cent; United States Insurance Company 6 per cent.
The State Legislature met by adjournment, on the 29th ult., for the purpose of dividing the State into Con- gressional Districts, under the late census. A bill has been presented on this subject.
Wm. G. Hawkins resigned as Speaker on Monday last. Dr. Jesse R. Burden was elected in his place, having received 18 votes. There were 7 votes for Mo- ses Sullivan, 3 for Jesse Miller, 2 for Thomas Ringland, 1 for Samuel J. Packer."
The following resolutions on the Tariff and Bank U. States, have been passed.
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, That we view with the most seroins ap- prehension any attempt to lessen the restrictions upon the importation of any articles of foreign manufac- ture, or production, which may compete with articles of similar growth, production, or manufacture of the U. -
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And be it further resolved by the authority aforesaid, That a reduction of duties upon articles the like of which are neither manufactured nor produced in the United States, or which do not materially affect the industry of the country, would meet the approbation of our constituents.
And be it further resolved by the authority aforesaid, That the people of Pennsylvania never can consent to an abandonment of the protective system.
And be it further resolved by the authority aforesaid, That if a reduction of the revenue becomes necessary, we should prefer a prohibition of the introduction of articles of foreign fabric and production, the like of which we are successfully manufacturing and produc- ing, to any reduction upon protected articles which we can produce and manufacture as cheaply and as good among ourselves.
And be it further resolved by the authority aforesaid, That we view the American System as a whole, which requires the united and concentrated operation of its friends against all attempts to attack it in detail, and that no steps should be taken to preserve one portion of it at the expense of another.
And be it further resolved by the authority aforesaid, That the confidence of one interest in the aid and fel- lowship of another is the true shield of safety of the friends of the protected industry, and that such confi- dence should be cultivated and relied on throughout the Union.
And be it further resolved by the authority aforesaid, That connected as the prosperity of agriculture and manufactures are with the successfid financial opera- tions and sound currency of the country, we view the speedy re-chartering of the Bank of the United States, as of vital importance to the public welfare.
And be it further resolved by the authority aforesaid, That the governor be requested to transmit these reso- lutions to our representatives in Congress, to be laid be- fore their respective bodies.
A meeting of the holders of property along the De- laware was lately held, and a committee appointed to confer with the committee of Councils relative to the improvements to be made under Girard's will. In the proceedings of Council is an interesting report on the Girard lands.
The weather has been cold and wet most of the week. We observe by the papers through the State, that the frosts liave seriously injured the fruit, gardens, and crops.
Strawberries and peas are now abundant in our mar- ket-new potatoes have also appeared.
The opening of the Germantown and Norristown rail road, was celebrated on the 6th. We subjoin the ac- count of it, from the U. S. Gazette.
OPENING OF THE PHILADELPHIA, GERMAN- TOWN, AND NORRISTOWN RAIL-ROAD.
Yesterday, agreeably to arrangements previously made, the managers of the l'hiladelphia, Germantown, and Norristown Rail-road opened that important work between this city and Germantown. At a very early hour crowds of people were seen flocking to the depot near Buttonwood street, Penn Township, and before eleven many thousands had assembled on foot and on horseback, and admired the splendid cars, which were placed in file along the track.
The managers of the company, the stockholders, and a very large number of invited guests, assembled in the
hall of the company's huilding, at the eastern termina- tion of the road. There the new Philadelphia Band, in their splendid uniform, was assembled, occasionally cheering the company within, and the multitude with- out, with their excellent music.
At twelve o'clock the invited guests were called to the cars appropriated for them, ranged in the following order:
1, The Germantown, 6, Jefferson,
2, Benjamin Franklin, 7, Philadelphia,
3, Robert Morris,
8, William Penn,
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