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 111
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While the eye may be here engaged in busy interest, the animating notes of the boat-man's horn, call the at- tention to the arrival or departure of canal boats, giving to the whole scene an air of busy life, peculiarly anima- ting.
No regular plan has been pursued in the formation of this town. In what may be called its centre there are still standing some trees, which may number a century before the discovery of this continent. This is owing to the independent plan pursued by the several propri- etors; yet as you approach from Pottsville the lively sprinkling of houses, in the additions locally distinguish- ed as Lawtonville and Irishtown, give an agrecable im- pression of this town in the woods.
Advancing still nearer the Landings, the large stone warehouse of Col. Wetherill, and many other fine build- ings, make up a view of three-fourths of the town. The outlines are broad, yet there is no question that in a few years they will be filled up, and the aspect of the whole town changed.
Canal-basins may be extended up Mill creek, fine stores and dwelling houses, and well regulated side walks, may ornament its margin, and when all its advantages of position are considered, we may predict for this place a celebrity and importance little inferior to the far-famed Rochester of New York.
The Schuylkill Valley and Mill Creek Railroads, ter- minate here: the former, ten miles in length, passing over a fine coal region to Tuscarora, the latter, four miles in length, to the Mine Hill and Broad Mountain veins, both intersected by numerous lateral roads, con- nected with approved collieries commencing in the town itself, which is in fact built over the coal, one of the most valuable veins in the country passing under it.
N. B. It is generally believed, that there is a lead mine in Connequeness:ng township, on some of the lands near the Connequenessing creek above Ilarmony, When the Danville and Pottsville Rail road shall be benefit. A reference to the plan of their works will show our position to be pecullarly favourable, and the Mill Creek Rail-road can be connected with it, so as to bring the travelling, in a direct line, to the Port Carbon landings, and much nearer to the navigation than the termination designated by their charter. I do not refer to the map issued with the circular of the company, as the author did not think proper to give a name to Mill creek, or to mark it as a part of the route, although the about three miles, supposed to be on some of the lands | completed, Port Carbon will derive her full share of owned by Benjamin Chew, Esq. of Philadelphia. It is said that the Indians knew of it, and got lead from it, the re. mains of small furnaces are yet to be seen near the creek where it is supposed they extracted it from the ore. Some of the Indians belonging to Corn-planter's tribe, it is re- presented, who know the fact, that it was they who discovered it and used it. Those Indians in passing and repassing through that neighborhood, speak of it, but will not point it out, without receiving a liberal com.
390
CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL.
road is already graded on it for a considerable distance, and within three miles of our town, which, by the way, was also not deemed worthy a name, although as large, at the time the map was published, as the county town, the name of which appears therein conspicuously.
A first rate road, already commenced, will also be completed, in the course of this summer, from the cen- tre turnpike at New Castle, of a much easier grade than the turnpike, and extended to our county town, which by this shortened route is not five miles distant; so that our neighbors of Pottsville, will find it convenient to pass through Port Carbon to the seat of justice. The saving of toll for eight and half miles on the turn- pike will be some inducement to them, and no trifle to the teamsters from the upper country, who are suffi- ciently sagacious to discover the nearest and cheapest road to market. The people of Orwigsburg will be materially benefited by the new facilities of communica- tion thus opened.
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER.
Extract from the Meteorological Register, taken at the State Capitol-Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, BY JAMES WRIGHT, Librarian.
MAY, 1832.
1 Days of the Month.
Days of Week.
Morning temperat.
Noon temperature.
Even. temperature
Mean temp. of day
Highest in Morn.
Highest at Noon,
Highest in Even.
Mean height of Ba-
rometer each day
WINDS.
Thermometer.
Barometer ..
1|Tuesday 155 65 70 63
29.70 73 76||29.73|N W
2 |Wednesd
145 70 67|61
70 73 76
73|N
3 Thursd'y
51 69 62 61
70 74 75
72 E
4 Friday
60 65 68,64
73 75 77
73 S W
5 Saturday
57 70 63 63
75 73 72
73 N
6 Sunday
50166 57 58
69 72 72
71 SE
7| Monday
52 69 66 62
70 73 76
73 SE
8 Tuesday
57 67 69 64
72 74 76
74
Is
9| Wednesd
58 70 68 65
71 73 76
73 W
10 Thursd'y
64 75 79 73
77 79180
79 SE
11 Friday
65 76 71 71
79 78 77
75|SE
12 Saturday
54.77 78.66
70 74 78
74 S
13 Sunday
65 82 74 77
78 76 76
77
S
14 Monday
67 86 76 76
76 78.75
76 S
15 Tuesday
67 76 69 71
76 76 73
75 W
16 Wednesd 54 70 76 63
68 71 76;
72 SW
17 Thursd'y
54 78 80 71
70 76 80
75 SE
18,Friday
65 84 81 77
73,77 80
77| SW
19|Saturday
63 81 67 70
71 7672
73 S E
20 Sunday
65 72 65 67
60 72 65
66|NW
21 Monday
48 68 67 61
65 70 75
70 NW
22 Tuesday
150 170 72 64;
73 77 81
77
IN W
23 Wednesd 52 59 57
56
74 75 76
75||S E
24 Thursd'y 25|Friday
49 53 5151
74 72 70 70 73 70
71
N
26|Saturday
16 55 51 52
67 66 65
66NE
27 Sunday
50 65 60 58
62 64,64
631
N
28|Monday
150 70 65,62
65 69 67
64 |N W
29 Tuesday
48 72,70 63
67 73 75
72 N W
30 Wednesd
55 56 56 56
68 68 69
65 NW
[3] |Thurds'y| 55 61 66 61
67|68172!1
66 IN
Thermometer.
Barometer.
Maximum on 13th
77º[Max. on the 10th 29.79 in.
Minimum on 24th .
51º Min. on the 27th 29.63 in. 26° Difference
.16 in.
Mean
64º|Mean
29.72 in.
Morning.
Afternoon.
1 6
2 days|Clear
Clear
7 21
2 .
Clear blust'g
Clear blust'g
2 9 10 11 12 13 17
18 27 28 29
12 %
Fair
Fair
25
1 day
Fair
Cloudy
20
1
Cloudy
Fair
30 31
2 days
Cloudy blust'g'Clou'y blust'g
16
1 day
Show'y blust'g Clou'y blust'g
4
5 16
2 days
Showery
Cloudy
15
1 day
Showery
Clear
23 24 26
3 days
!Rain
Rain
14
1 day
Showery
Showery
19
1
Fair
Rain th. gust.
3
1
[Cloudy
Cloudy
On the 14th, at noon, the thermometer at 86° the highest. On the 2d, in the morning, thermometer at 45° the lowest. Range 41º in the month.
On the 22d, in the evening, barometer at 29.81 inches, the highest. On the 20th, in the morning, at 29.60 inches, the lowest. Range in the month 00.21 inches.
The wind was 10 days east of the meridian; 12 days West of it; 5 days north, and 4 south.
This month was 11º warmer than the month preced- ing it, and 33º warmer than last May.
CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL.
General report of the President and Directors of the Chesapeake and Delaware canal company.
In compliance with the provisions of the charter of the Chesapeake and Delaware canal company, the pre- sident and directors, submit the annual report of their proceedings, together with the treasurer's statement of the financial concerns of the company.
Since the last meeting of stockholders, the canal has been in daily use, except when obstructed by ice, which occurred only when the navigation of the Dela- ware and Elk rivers was closed by the same cause. The trade by way of the canal was for a short time some- what impeded, as the draft of water which could be carried through it was reduced to about six feet during the early part of this season, in consequence of the for- mation of a culvert crossing the line of the canal near Delaware city.
This work was rendered indispensably necessary, for the purpose of draining a large body of marsh, the overflowing of which, being caused by the embank- ments of the canal stopping the usual water courses, had given rise to extravagant claims for damages, and been a fruitful source of litigation and expense to the company. After a careful investigation, it was ascer- tained that these evils could not he prevented except by venting the water in its natural channel. To effect this desirable object, a very capacious culvert, made of adequate strength to resist any pressure that it could under any circumstances have to sustain, has been laid under the bottom of the canal, in such a position that it communicates with the water course by which the marshes were drained before the canal was made. This has been done without preventing its navigation for a day.
The formation of this culvert has been difficult and tedious, but it is now finished and in full operation, and is found effectually to answer the purpose for which it was intended. Much attention has been given to the selection of proper materials, as well as to the construc- tion of the work; which being constantly under water, is by that means protected from decay.
During the past season, the canal generally, has been in good order. The earth which it was necessary to re- move from the sides of the deep cut, has been used to
Difference
4.8 60 55 54
72
E
Cloudy
Showery
.
.
Atmosphere.
1832.]
CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL.
391
enlarge and strengthen the towing-path, in exposed places, where it had been partially chafed away by the action of the waves, or to increase its height in those parts, where, from the consolidation of the materials of which it had been formed, it had become too low.
The walls of one of the locks on the upper level have been raised, by which an additional supply of water, of nearly a fuot in depth, over that level, (of about six hundred acres in extent,) has been obtained. This, with the aid of the other reservoirs, has furnished a quantity fully adequate to meet the loss by evaporation, or de- mand for lockage, during the whole of last season.
The additional height of water will make necessary a corresponding increase in the stoning on those parts of the banks of this level where it has not been already done. Since the last report, final settlements have been satisfactorily completed with all the contractors except one, that were employed in constructing the canal, locks, bridges, and walls, and the several ba- lances that were due them paid.
Purchases and payments have also been made of the different pieces of land, which by permanently over- flowing or other causes, became requisite for canal pur- poses.
The claims of damages for temporary occupancy of ground, by flooding or otherwise, have been very ge- nerally adjusted and liquidated.
The tolls received since the last annual statement, amount to $63,073 47. This is not as large a sum as could have been fairly calculated on, or as was anticpat- ed. The deficiency may, however, readily be traced to several causes. Among these were the early com- - mencement of the severely cold weather of the past win- ter, and its long continuance, which stopped the naviga- tion on the canal much sooner, and kept it closed until a later period than ordinary, and prevented the receipt of any revenue for a considerable time. A diminution of the general mercantile transactions during the pre- sent spring, and the short quantity of flour made last season, have also, each materially affected the business of this company. The completion of the rail-road in the vicinity of the canal, has taken from it, for the pre- sent, the transportation of passengers, and a portion of the light articles of merchandize.
But the cause which has been most operative of any on the tolls, this spring, has been the state of the waters of the river Susquehanna, the usual ice freshet having taken place early in the season, and passed off so rapid- ly and violently, as not to be available for transporta- tion, and the river has since been so low, except for very short periods, that the produce of the interior parts of Pennsylvania and New York, which heretofore by that channel sought its way to market, has been pre- vented or delayed thus far, this season, from pursuing its usual course.
The following statement will show the number of passages since the last report, that have been made through the canal, by regular packets employed in the transportation of merchandize between Baltimore, Alex- andria, Richmond, Petersburg, and Norfolk, and Phila- delphia. Also the number of passages of vessels engaged in carrying produce, with an account of the quantity of some of the principal articles with which they were la- laden.
1183 packets with merchandize.
824 vessels, carrying wood 19,932 cords.
236 do. arks and rafts, carry-
ing lumber 6,057,907 feet.
148 do. carrying flour 47,685 barrels.
267 do.
do. wheat, corn, &c.316, 173 bushels.
2975 do.
do. cotton, iron, oysters, fish, coal, whiskey, and various other ar- ticles.
5633 passages that have been made between 1st June, 1831, and 1st June, 1832.
The general busines of the canal has been gradually and progressively increasing since it was opened, as
indicated by the following comparative statements of the number of vessels that have passed through it, the amount of tolls received, and the rates of increase du- ring the different periods.
Number of passages mode through the canal.
From Del. From Ches. Total.
From 31st Aug. 1829, to 1st Jan. 1830, 375 - 309
684
1st Jan. 1830,to 1st
Jan. 1831, 2567
2457
5024
1st Jan. 1831, to 1st
Jan. 1832, 2682
2549
5231
1 st Jan. 1832, to 1st
June, 1832, 1139
1155
2294
6763
6470
13233
Amount of tolls received.
From 31st Aug. 1829, to 1st Jan. 1830, $6,822 88
1st Jan. 1830,to 1st June, 1830, 17,835 28
1st June, 1830, to
1st Jan. 1831, 32,228 84
dur. 1830, 50,063 66
1 st Jan. 1831, to 1st June, 1831, 28,994 67
1st June, 1831, to
1st Jan. 1832, 39,107 95
----- dur. 1831, 68,102 62
1st Jan. 1832, to 1st June, 1832, 23,965 52
The revenue of the company during the portion of the year 1829, that the canal was in operation, as con- trasted with that of 1830, shows an increase on the amount of the first, exclusive, in both cases, of receipts for passenger barges, at the rate of 48 per cent.
The revenue (also exclusive of that from passenger barges,) during the year 1830, as compared with that of last year, shows an increase on the amount of the form- er period, and in favor of the latter, at the rate of 50 per cent.
By the preceding statement may be seen the rapid manner in which the trade on the canal has increased, from its commencement until this spring.
As the principal causes which have made the busi- ness of the present season an exception to the general rate of increase are but temporary, it may fairly be in- ferred, that the effects will be of the same transient character, except that arising from the competition in the transportation of passengers, as some of them no doubt will continue to go by other routes, while a por- tion may prefer that by way of the canal.
Applications have recently been made from different quarters, in relation to the use of the canal by passen- ger barges, to be propelled by steam power; as by that means, it is thought, they might rival in speed, as they would in comfort and convenience, any other way of crossing the Delaware peninsula. And it is probable, the public, next season, will have an opportunity of testing the relative advantages of each mode of convey- ance.
Frequent attempts having been made to defraud the revenue of the canal company, by means of false mani- fests of cargoes, and various deceptions, which there was no power under the charter to punish by fine, or other- wise, when detected, a remedy for this evil became ne- cessary. Applications were therefore made during their last sessions, to the Legislatures of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, for the passage of laws, in the several states, to prevent these practices, by subjecting the persons engaged in them to penalties. Acts were accordingly passed by each, inflicting a fine, in one state of twenty dollars, and in the others of double the usual rates of toll, with all the incidental expenses of examination and costs of prosecution.
392
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
[JONS
It is expected, that by a strict enforcement of the pro- visions of these laws, a recurrence of similar attempts will hereafter generally be prevented.
The difficulties that must be encountered in the navi- gation of Back creek having been made more apparent, and increased by the additional trade through it, anoth- er application has recently been made to Congress, for an appropriation for the purpose of improving its chan- nel. A bill is now before that body, embracing this ve- ry desirable object; and there is a well grounded expec- tation that it will pass, and ultimately become a law. This creek being a tide water and great public highway, it is believed that an act to improve its navigation would not come within the range of the constitutional objec- tion to certain classes of internal improvements.
Although the revenue of the company, for the last season, has not been as great as was expected, yet as the general trade has continued progressively to in- crease, there is no reason to believe the favorable re- gults that have been anticipated, in relation to the canal, will not be realized. The stockholders will soon derive other benefits than those they now share in common with the public, in the facilities afforded to trade and intercourse, and the consequent increase of both; and the advantages, so far as respects the citizens of Phila- delphia, of the additional quantity and diminished price of many of the necessaries of life, which are so largely supplied by means of this new channel. And there can be little doubt, that the transportation through it, will continue to augment from ordinary causes as heretofore; and particularly by the extension of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-road, and other internal improvements of the south. In addition to which, it will be greatly increas- ed when the communication shall be open between the northern and southern states, hy the construction of the Delaware and Raritan canal, now in rapid progress; which will complete a great chain of inland sloop navi- gation along the sea-board, of which the Chesapeake and Delaware canal now forms but an unconnected part.
Since the last annual meeting, Mr. S. Griffitts Fisher has been appointed secretary and treasurer, in conse- quence of the resignation of Mr. Henry D. Gilpin, who had held those offices from the reorganization of the company in January, 1822. The board feel it due to the gentleman with whom they have been so long and so in- timately associated, to testify, in the conclusion of this report, the high sense they have individually entertain- ed, of the intelligence, urbanity, and efficiency, with which Mr. Gilpin uniformly discharged his important and sometimes complicated duties, and to express their best wishes for his happiness in every station to which his talents and capacity for enlarged usefulness may call him.
Signed by order and in behalf of the president and directors.
ROBERT M. LEWIS, President.
S. GRIFFITTS FISHER, Secretary.
Chesapeake and Delaware canal office, 2 June 4th, 1832.
From the Philadelphia Gazette. PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
Friday, June 8, 1832.
SELECT COUNCIL .- Mr. PETTIT presented a pe- tition praying that Lawson street be paved, which was referred to the paving committee.
Mr. JOHNSON presented a petition from the inhabit- ants of Thirteenth and Lombard streets, relative to a nuisance, which was referred to the same committee.
A communication was received from the city com. missioners, which was referred to the same committee.
The ordinance relative to wooden buildings, was ta- ken up for consideration, and was passed.
Mr. GROVES moved to take up the resolution he offer-
ed on Monday night, relative to the report of the com- mittee to visit the lands of the late Stephen Girard, which was agreed to. Messrs. Groves and Lippincott, were appointed the committee on behalf of the select council. €
Mr. LIPPINCOTT offered the annexed resolution which was adopted.
Resolved, That the Mayor is hereby authorised to draw his warrant on the city treasurer, in favour of the committee appointed to view the lands of Stephen Gi- rard, for the amount of the expenses incurred by them, and that the same be charged to the Girard fund.
COMMON COUNCIL-Mr. SEXTON was called to the chair in the absence of the president.
Petitions were presented similar to those presented in the select council.
The common council appointed Messrs. Sullivan, Oldenburg, and Wetherill the committee on their part relative to the Rail-road along Broad street.
Messrs. Moss, Hood and Wainwright, were appointed - the committee relative to the communication received from the board of health.
Thursday, June 14, 1832.
SELECT COUNCIL .- Mr. ToLAND, presented the following communication from the nephews of the late Stephen Girard.
To the Select and Common Councils of the city of Phila- delphia.
The memorial of John Fabricius Girard, and John Au- guste Girard, citizens of France, nephews and lega- tees of Stephen Girard, deceased,
Respectfully showeth, that being advised of the death of their uncle and of his bequests in their favor, they came to this city to receive their respective legacies, having the most unlimited confidence, from his uncom- mon wealth and resources, that they had but to ask and receive. .
Your memorialists, however, has been advised that the law intended for the benefit of creditors, allows them a year to present their claims, and will not within that period compel the executors. But, that, where not even the most remote suspicion can be entertained of the insufficiency of the estate to pay debts and lega- cies, the reason of the law fails, and with it fails the ne- cessity of withholding them. It will hardly be avowed that the legacies are retained until it can be ascertained whether the estate be sufficient to pay them, and the executors and residuary legatees are above the suspi- cion that they are retained, that an interest may be made for the benefit of either, from money which does not be- long to them, but was given to others under very pe- culiar circumstances.
Your memorialists have therefore been induced to ap- ply to the councils as residuary legatees, for their con- sent as far as will concern them, to the payment of these legacies, in like manner as if a year had elapsed since the testator's deatb, so that no apprehension may remain that those who take by the will of their rela- tive the great mass of his estate will at any time censure or complain of the executors for not withholding from the family of a great public benefactor, until the last hour which the law tolerates, the acknowledgments which he has made of the claims of consanguinity.
F. F. GIRARD, JEAN GIRARD, Junr.
Philadelphia, 14th June, 1832.
Mr. PETTIT presented the annexed petition from Messrs. Mordecai and Samuel N. Lewis, which was refer- red to a joint committee of two members of each council, and Messrs. Pettit, Groves, Baker and Moss were ap- pointed the committee.
To the Select and Common Councils of the city of Phila- delphic.
The memorial of Mordecai Lewis and Samuel N. Lewis, respectfully showeth:
393
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
1832.]
That your memorialists are the owners of the entire square of ground, bounded by Pine and Lombard, and Schuylkill 7th and 8th streets, in the city of Philadel- phia. That on the said ground, they have crected buildings at great expence, l'or the manufactory of white and red lead; and have their manufactory in successful operation. That they have found it expedient to put up new beds for the corroding of the lead; and early in the season commenced the preparation for the same. That early in the month of April, they gave an order to cut the stuff for the work, and it was prepared and principally hauled on the ground between the 1st and the 7th of June. That the carpenter who had been en- gaged long before, commenced his work on the 9th of June, and has prepared a considerable part of the frame. That the foundation was done before the 1st of June, and all this without any knowledge or suspicion that it was contemplated to enact an ordinance, which would in any way or manner affect the building proposed to be erected.
Your memorialists respectfully submit to councils, that their case is one which seems to require relief by an exemption from the ordinance recently passed in rela- tion to the erection of wooden or frame buildings. Great expense has been incurred in preparation, which must be almost wholly lost. The operations of a useful man- ufactory materially interfered with; and thus great and serious injury done to your memorialists, by an ordi- nance, which is virtually as relates to them ex post facto; and that too in a case in which as they are the propri- etors of the square of ground, the erection of a frame cannot be of any possible injury to any other of the citi- zens.
Your memorialists therefore respectfully request, that a resolution may be passed by councils, which shall ex- empt from the operation of the ordinance in question, the buildings already commenced by your memorialists on the ground heretofore mentioned.
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