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 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
15th
Bayne.
A motion was made by Mr. Alexander, of Cumber- land, that the convention should sit in uniform.
Which was not agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Simpson,
Resolved, that when this convention adjourns, it will adjourn until to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock, A.M.
Adjourned.
TUESDAY, January 3, 1832.
The convention met, and the roll being called, nine- ty-six members answered to their names.
On motion of Mr. Nathans,
The following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, that the convention adopt for their govern- ment, the rules and regulations adopted by the house of representatives of this state.
Mr. Riley, from the committee appointed to invite the governor, heads of department, state treasurer, and the members of the senate and house of representatives, to take seats within the bar of the convention, reported that they had performed that service.
On motion of Mr .- Miller, of Adams,
The foregoing committee were instructed to extend the invitation to the attorney general of the common- wealth.
After some time, the governor, heads of department, state treasurer, and attorney general, took their scats.
A motion was made by Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Wells,
To reconsider the vote agreeing to the resolution, adopting the rules and regulations of the house of rc- presentatives of this state, for the government of the convention,
Which was not agreed to.
Mr. Page, from the committee on the subject, made the following report, in part.
That inasmuch as it is universally coneeded, that the present militia system has fallen far short of the grand object for which it was established, and has entailed much ignominy and disgrace upon our military reputa- tion; we deem it expedient that it should be made the subject of amendment, reformation or encouragement, as will best answer the purpose of reclaiming its charac- ter from the obloquy which it bas incurred. In an ex- amination of the various plans suggested, the committee have been actuated by a strong and earnest desire to select that which may be the means of adding to the atrength and character of the state, and of rendering the performance of duty on the part of its citizen sol- diers a matter of pleasure and pride.
Not authorized by the tenor of the resolution by whichi they were appointed, to do more than draw the atten- tion of the convention to such matters as may be neces- sary for their examination, they respectfully offer the following principles as the basis of a system, to be re- commended to the carly and serious attention of the le- gislature.
First. That the citizens of this commonwealth, lia- ble to militia duty, ought to be divided into two classes.
Second. That all such citizens (not by law exempt) between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-six years, ought to compose the first class, and be called the Active Militia.
Third. That this class only ought to be subject to drill, or military duty in time of peace.
Fourth. That the second class shall be composed of all persons liable to militia duty, not embraced within the first class, and be called the second, or reserved class.
Fifth. That the second class ought not to be required to do military duty, except when called forth to execute the laws, to suppress insurrections, and to repel inva- sions, and then such organization ought to be adopted, as should unite the two classes into one.
Sixth. That all parades of ununiformed militia ought to be abolished.
Seventh. That the first class be required to uniform themselves; that they be furnished with arms and ac- coutrements, camp equipage, music, powder, and five days rations in each year, and be required to parade for drill and instruction, five days in each year.
Eighth. The committee, by reason of the peculiar lo- cality of the first division, recommend that the convention refer to the delegates from that division, to prepare and report a system suitable to that division, so far as it is necessary the same should vary from the general system. The first resolution being under consideration,
A motion was made by Mr. Merrill,
To postpone the question on the first resolution, for the purpose of considering the 8th resolution,
Which was agreed to; and Said resolution was adopted.
The question recurring on the first resolution, It was adopted.
The second resolution being under consideration, A motion was made by Mr. Miller, of Adams,
To postpone the further consideration of the report, for the purpose of considering the following resolution:
Resolved, that the committee be instructed to report a plan, for the better organization and encouragement of the present volunteer force, and that they be a sepa- rate force from the enrolled militia; and that parades of the militia be abolished, but they to be enrolled, offi- cered, and classed for service, if required by any con- tingency.
Which was not agreed to.
A motion was then made by Mr. Frick,
To amend the resolution, by striking out "twenty- six," and inserting in lieu thercof "twenty-eight."
On the question,
Will the convention agree to the motion?
A motion was made by Mr. Wilson, .
That the convention now adjourn, to meet this after- nonn at 3 o'clock,
Which was agreed to.
AFTERNOON.
Captain John Longenecker, and Henry D. Overholt- zer, Esq. having been appointed by the delegates from the 4th division, to fill the vacancies occasioned by the non attendance of Captains Flora and Yetter, appeared and took their scats.
The following resolution was offered by Mr. Staub: Resolved, that where vacancies may have occurred, hy the non-attendance of delegates from any brigade, the delegates in attendance have authority to supply the vacancy;
Which was not agreed to.
The convention resumed the consideration of the resolutions attached to the report of the committee ap- pointed to suggest to the convention such matters as deserved their immediate attention.
The question recurring,
Will the convention agree to the amendment, to strike out "twenty-six "and insert "twenty eight." It was determined in the negative.
A motion was then made by Mr. Davis,
To strike out the words "between the ages of twenty- one and twenty-six," and inserted in licu thereof, "as will uniform themselves voluntarily according to law."
46
YORK AND MARYLAND RAIL-ROAD
[JANUARY
On the question,
Will the convention agree so to amend?
A motion was made by Mr. Dean,
To amend the amendment, by adding thereto the following: "And that every such citizen between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five, who will not equip himself, shall pay, a certain sum in lieu thereof for the encouragement of volunteers and of the first class of militia."
Which was agreed to. The question recurring, Will the convention agree so to amend? On motion,
The convention adjourned.
['To be Continued.]
YORK AND MARYLAND RAIL-ROAD.
At a meeting of the citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia, held agreeably to public notice, at the District Court room, on Tuesday, January 17, at 3 o'clock, P. M. to take into consideration what measures ought to be used relative to the York and Maryland Line Rail-road Bill, now before the legislature, the fol- lowing gentlemen were appointed officers:
PRESIDENT,
WILLIAM RAWLE, ESQ.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE N. BAKER,
ROBERT PATTERSON,
RICHARD PALMER, ROBERT TOLAND, Esq'rs.
SECRETARIES,
Robert Morris, Wm. M. Meredith, Esq'rs.
JOSIAH RANDALL, Esq. opened the meeting with per- tinent remarks, and introduced the following prcamble and resolutions, which were adopted with great cordi- alıty.
The citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia have again assembled in town meeting to offer their re- spectful remonstrance against the passage into a law of the bill, now before the legislature, to incorporate the York and Maryland Line Rail-Road Company; we bave more than once expressed our conviction of its impolicy and injustice, our opinions have heretofore been listen- ed to by the legislative wisdom of the commonwealth, and subsequent experience has confirmed us in the so- lidity of our former objection to this measure.
The basis upon which the present canal and rail-road system of Pennsylvania was originally predicated, was to knit together and identify the interests of the eastern and western parts of the state by intimate and expedi- tious intercourse, and by facilities afforded to the con- veyance of produce; upon no other expectation, it is believed, would this system ever have been adopted, and upon its fulfilment was a large portion of the capi- tal subscrihed, which has since been disbursed in intern- al improvement. The contemplated rail-road, so far as it shall take effect, will virtually destroy this object; it will sever the interests of the eastern and western part of this state, it will under all changes and circumstances keep them asunder, and at all times present to them sub- jects of collision both in feeling and in interest. We feel justified in affirming that the plan is not only un- wise in itself, but that it is a virtual violation of the so- lemn compact upon which our system of internal im- provement was originally proposed and adopted.
measure may be even comparatively advantageous to one portion of the commonwealth, but highly injurious to another portion, its policy must be more than doubt- ful. The York and Maryland line rail-road may afford to the owner of produce residing north and west of the county. of York, an additional market, and this additional market may in some small degree he an advantage to such owner, but it is founded upon a total loss of the trade to the whole eastern part of the state, and a seri- ous injury to the revenne of the common wealth.
The proposed rail-road will intersect the line of the Pennsylvania western communication at the most favor- able point in the county of York, and diverging from it, will offer to the carrier of produce a greater facility to take it to the city of Baltimore than continue on the route to the city of Philadelphia. From the point where the produce leaves the state, until the return commodi- ty again reaches it, it is a total loss to the city of Phila- phia, the eastern part of the state, and a comparative loss to the revenue of the whole commonwealth. We lose the tolls in bringing it to Philadelphia, the profit and employment attendant upon its transportation, the gain arising from the various modifications of sales, bar- ter, and re-sales by auction or retail, within our own state, the purchase in the same manner of the return article, and the tolls and benefit attendant upon its transportation back to the diverging point where the original produce was taken, from the limits of our own state. In fact, we lose the trade and all its advantages, immediate and remote, by our own legislative enactments transfer it to other hands, and this evil is only limited by the extent to -which the proposed rail-road will afford public conve- nience. If trade within the state be a benefit, then we unvoluntarily authorise that trade to be taken from our- selves and delivered to others.
Such is the result of the matter, so far as regards our own citizens; but this is a limited view of the subject, 4-5th parts, perhaps 19-20th parts of the trade of Phila- delphia, beyond the county of York, proceed from the north-western and south-western states and territories; and, as to that portion of our trade, this presentation of a double market is nothing more than the result of ex- pending our resources in enabling our old customers to leave us, and grant them facilities to go elsewhere. To render the injustice more manifest, our customers resi- dent in the western states and territories have never in- timated, much less requested, the advantage of this ad- ditional market, and the line of communication is to be kept in repair at the expense of the whole state.
The citizens now assembled, know that their views have been stigmatized as narrow and illiberal. So far as a desire to promote the prosperity of their own com- munity, to watch most seduously over its interests, and to preserve its present commercial advantages, may be obnoxious to this remark, we freely acknowledge the imputation. We avow ourselves unwilling to see any system adopted, which shall transfer the trade and pros- perity of Philadelphia to any other place, and the ex- ample of our friends and neighbors of the city of Balti- more affords an additional proof of the wisdom of those principles. Our legislative acts ought to liberate us from this charge, for they exhibit a course of the utmost liberality to other states, and more especially the state of Maryland.
Pennsylvania has expended millions in internal im- provements, millions are yet to be expended to complete it; and all these sums have been collected from the com- mon stock of the state. As we are proceeding to com- plete the chain of internal communication, it is propo- sed to draw off our trade from its regular course, to the city of Baltimore.
The friends of the York and Maryland line rail-road have earnestly urged that the proposed route to the Maryland line, and from thence to Baltimore, will af- ford to the owner of produce a choice of markets. Hitherto this has been but a theoretical advantage, it It was not until this enormous expenditure had been made, that we heard of the present rail-road to the Maryland line, and if no such line of communication had been commenced, we should never have heard of any such proposition. We are not hazarding these as- is believed that it never can nor will be an advantage of much moment; if it ever should be, the proper time will then have arrived to consider its force and effica- cy. The legislature will recognise the justice of legis- lating for the whole community; and that when any | sertions without authority. A committee of delegates
47
YORK AND MARYLAND RAIL-ROAD.
1832.]
from the Baltimore and York turnpike company, the Conewago canals, and the York Haven company, held in the city of Baltimore, on the 3d August, 1827, in ex- citing their citizens to renewed activity to effect this ob- ject, use the following language:
"If the rail-road in question was constructed, it would absorb the whole trade which now descends the Sus- quehanna." And again they say,
" If, on the other hand, we enter early into the field of competition, and improve our natural advantages, we make the efforts of our rivals tributary to our views, and they cannot make a foot of canal or rail way, erect a bridge, or pave a turnpike road, which does not neces- sarily lead the trade or commerce embarked upon it di- rectly to our door.
"We have nothing in fact to do, but to take up the work where they (the Pennsylvanians) leave it, and to furnish at a trifling expense, a great linc of internal com- munication, which the exertions of our spirited and en- terprising neighbors have conducted within our reach."
We are solicitous to preserve the power to "make a foot of canal or rail-way," to "erect a bridge," and "pave a turnpike road," for our own advantage and our profit, and if this constitute a narrow and illiberal policy. we acknowledge the charge.
The peculiar site and relative position of the coun- ties, constituting the southern line of the state, is well known and understood; towards these we have ever felt the . most cordial feeling, and at all times cherished a hope that injustice should not be done to them. When- ever, therefore, a liberal policy can be extended to- wards these counties, without manifest and manifold in- jury to other parts of the state, it will receive our cor- dial support and hearty approbation.
This district affords the great source of revenue to the commonwealth-its ability to furnish revenue arises from its trade, foreign and domestic. So far as this trade is carried on with the citizens of our own state, it is a source of reciprocal advantage, and different parts of the state are respectively useful to each other-and so far as our trade receives legislative protection, we are indebted to the wisdom of the councils of our state. Under our former system, our city has continued to thrive and prosper, and the revenue of the common- wealth has continued to improve and increase. New sources of revenuc have, from time to time presented themselves, and their exaction has been borne by our citizens without murmur or complaint. Since the meet- ing of the legislature, an event fully exemplifying this remark, has transpired. A citizen of Philadelphia, by means of great intellectual prowess, untiring industry, and the local advantages of his place of residence, had amassed a fortune in amount, on this continent, hitherto unexampled. Ilis time to appear before another tribunal had arrived; in the distribution of his property he yields cheerfully to the taxation of his estate-submits to it without an attempt at evasion, and adds to it a legacy magnificent and unprecedented in liberality, to aid the cause of internal improvement throughout the common- wealth.
His genius and public spirit had prompted him to cm- ploy part of his capital in banking operations, and upon the withdrawal of that capital from its accustomed chan- nel, additional bank or banks are supposed by many to be called for, and again our city presents new prospects of revenue to the commonwealth. How far the city and county of Philadelphia and the trade, merit the foster- ing care and protection of the constituted authorities of the commonwealth, the life and fortune of Stephen Gi- rard, and his disposition of that fortune, after his death, will attest and establish.
,
The citizens now assembled firmly believe, that the law to incorporate the York and Maryland Line Rail- road Company, should not be enacted at any time; but that, in any event, the present is not the appropriate pe- riod. The chain of internal improvement in Pennsylva- nia is in a state of progressive completion; it is hoped it
will be consummated within a reasonable time; the prac- tical effects of this stupendous plan will then be de- veloped, and we shall be enabled to ascertain with more precision, than at the present time, to what extent the contemplated diversion of trade will be injurious to this district and the state at large. If the bill now under consideration is at this time passed, it is not impossible that the York and Maryland Line Rail-road may be fi- nished before the rail-road from Columbia to the city of Philadelphia. If this should be so, the first fruits of our great system of improvement will be reaped by the capi- tal of another state; the channels of trade will be con- structed; and the difficulties attending the diversion of those channels, once established, are too well known to require any commentary to enforce their importance.
We therefore respectfully ask the legislature to pause. The passage of the bill once adopted, whatever may be its modifications, will be in effect, irrecoverable, and ne- ver can be recalled. Under these impressions we there- fore adopt the following resolutions:
1. Resolved, that this meeting have perceived with re- gret, that a bill is now under consideration before the legislature of Pennsylvania, to incorporate the York and Maryland Line Rail-road Company; and that they sin- cerely believe that the said rail-road, if completed, will divert a large portion of the western trade from the ci- ty of Philadelphia to the city of Baltimore.
2. Resolved, that the thanks of this meeting be pre- sented to those members of the legislature, who have opposed the enactment into a law of the bill to incorpo- rate the said company.
3. Resolved, that the conduct of those members of the legislature from the city and county of Philadelphia, who have opposed the York and Maryland Line Rail-road, have been in accordance with the known and avowed wishes of their constituents; and in the opinion of those constituents in accordance with the vital interests of the district which they represent,in the general assembly of this commonwealth, as well as of the state at large.
4. Resolved, that the members of the senate and house of representatives from the city and county of Philadelphia be, and they are hereby requested, to con- tinue to use their utmost exertions to prevent the pas- sage of the bill, now before the legislature, to incorpo- rate the said company.
5. Resolved, that it is the interest of the common- wealth to preserve within itself its own resources and advantages; and that we deprecate any policy which would seek, by legislative provisions, to transfer its trade to the limits of another state.
6. Resolved, that the city and county of Philadelphia have, at all times, offered to the trade of the interior, an advantageous market, which their citizens and the con- stituted authorities of the commonwealth have success- fully united in rendering to such trade every necessary facility; and there is no call on the ground of public con- venience or private advantage to divert that trade to another place.
7. Resolved, that the increased and increasing trade of the city of Philadelphia and its precincts, is closely connected with the revenue and the wealth of the state, and that any measures which should depress our pros- perity, would be found injurious to the interests of the state at large.
8. Resolved, that this meeting approve of a liberal and enlightened policy towards all parts of the state, more especially towards the counties constituting its southern line, and that any system of appropriation for their advantage, not wholly incompatible with the vital interests of other parts of the state, will receive the warm and decided approbation and support of this meeting.
9. Resolved, that we are deeply impressed with the pernicious policy of making experiments in matters of vital importance; yet, if the proposed incorporation of the York and Maryland Line Rail-road Company should,
48
MISCELLANEOUS.
IJANUARY
at any time be granted, in the opinion of this meeting it ought at the present time be postponed; and that under no circumstances whatever, should it be au- thorissd until the line of communication between the eastern and western parts of the state has been complet- ed, and its practical effects have been fully developed; when the injury consequent upon the proposed act of incorporation, may be more satisfactorily examined and determined.
10. Resolved, that a committee of correspondence and superintendence be appointed, and that they be au- thorised to adopt such measures as they may think ex- pedient to carry into effect the object of this meeting.
Whereupon the following gentlemen were appointed that committee :-
William Rawle, Geo. N. Baker, Robert Patterson, Richard Palmer, Robert Toland, T. C. Rockhill, J. Randall, Jacob Souder, R. Renshaw, John Naglee, Thos. Cave, Thomas Hart, Wm. Wagner, Augustin Stevenson, Thomas D. Grover, Lemuel Paynter, 1 ho- mas M. Pettit, James Harper, Wm. M. Meredith, T. P. Hoopes, W. G. Alexander.
11. Reselved, that copies of the proceedings of this meeting, signed by the officers, be transmitted to his Excellency the Governor of the commonwealth, and to the speakers of the senate and house of representa- tives of the commonwealth, with a request to have them laid before the honourable bodies over which they re- spectfully preside.
Resolved, that the proceedings of this meeting be pub- lished.
WILLIAM RAWLE, President.
GEORGE N. BAKER,
RICHARD PALMER,
R PATTERSON,
ROBERT TOLAND,
ROBERT MORRIS,
Secretaries.
WM. M. MEREDITH, S
The following are the number of bushels of the dif- ferent sorts of grain, (salt coastwise ) and coal discharged at the port of Philadelphia, for the year 1831:
Corn, . (bushels, )420,353
Wheat, .201,8783
Rye, ..
47,7113
Barley,
.. 62,8463
Oats, .. 90,372}
Flax seed, .5,715₴
Beans and Peas, 1,643}
Clover and Timothy seed, .2,132
823,653₴
Coal,
123,143
Salt,
38,143}
993,939}
GEO. M. HECKMAN, Measurer.
Presentment of the Grand Jury of Bucks County.
The Grand Inquest inquiring in and for the county of Bucks, respectfully represent: that they have observed with surprise and regret, a resolution of a majority of the board of commissioners, to exclude all religious meetings from our court house, as though religion were a matter unworthy the attention of the people, or as a matter not suitable to be introduced into the halls of justice, while it appears that the doors are opened free- ly, not only for political and general county purposes, but indiscriminately for all other purposes than those of a religious and moral nature. We do, therefore, ex- press our entire disapprobation of the measure, believ- ing it to be averse to the enlightened and liberal views of the citizens of our county, and would therefore re- commend that the doors be opened to all regular and well recommended ministers of the Christian religion,
and for purposes calculated to promote the moral and general welfare of the people of the county. GILES KNIGHT, Foreman.
STATISTICS OF GERMANTOWN TOWNSHIP.
Number of taxable inhabitants, for 1832, 1024
Labourers, 129|
Coach-makers,. 12
Farmers, 108
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.