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 19

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

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 19

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The improvements at Mauch Chunk, &c., are all made and adapted to a eoal business of great magnitude. The finish of the rail-road to the Room Run mines, men- tioned above, essentially eloses all our outlays, for per- manent improvements from our mines to our markets.

Our coal field is explored for a number of miles-and, however large the sum of all the veins in any other An- thracite region or seetion of coal field, may be, our sec- tion at Room Run alone, as far as now opened, exposes to view a body of coal much larger than has been dis- covered and made known, in this or any other country.

The coal here is not surpassed in quality, it being of our best kind, and it lies so as to drain itself; while the rail-road, which will rank with the best in any country, descends from the mines, the whole distance to the place of shipment at Mauch Chunk.

The old coal mines or quarries, from which we have exclusively drawn our supplies heretofore, and which we still continue to work, lic near the top of the moun- tain, nine miles by rail-road from the landing at Mauch Chunk. The fifty feet vein opened at Room Run, four miles from the Lehigh, is evidently a continuation of these mines. In case of any sudden and great demand, there is abundant space in the old mines themselves, by extending the uncovering, to employ such a number of workmen in getting out coal, as to meet any emergency.

Such then is the state of our property. It has just at- tained maturity, and in my opinion, is ready to produce results that will repay us for our perseverance in a great enterprise, involving large disbursements, on which the

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

EJANUARY

stockholders have been deprived of an income for se- veral years. All which is respectfully submitted JOSIAH WHITE, Acting Manager. PHILADELPHIA, 1st mo. 7th, 1832.

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

Saturday, January 21st, 1832.

SELECT COUNCIL .- Mr. PETTIT offered the fol- lowing preamble and resolution, which were agreed to.

The select and Common Councils of the City of Phi- ladelphia, having learned with deep regret, that a bill to incorporate the York and Maryland line Rail Road Company, has passed the House of Representatives and is pending in the Senate of Pennsylvania, deem it their solemn duty to express their sentiments and the senti- ments of the people of Philadelphia upon this impor- tant subject. Aware, as they are, of the principles upon which the system.of internal improvement in this com- monwealth was established, and of the inducements of- fered from time to time, by the legislature under the sanction and encouragement of the people, for its vigor- ous prosecution by the investment of capital and the em- ployment of skill and labour, -the Councils are not will- ing to believe that an act will be passed by the authori- ties of Pennsylvania, which shall permit and direct a de- parture from the original design of connecting the Western waters of the Commonwealth with the City of Philadelphia as the first and grand object of the system, and which shall, before the successful and thoroughly tested accomplishment of that object, carry the chain of communication into another State, that contributed no- thing to the work, but will thus realize immense advan- tages at the expense of Pennsylvania. The Councils cannot be so short-sighted as to admit that the bill has re- ference only to the trade of the county of York and the adjacent country, but regard it with those who have heretofore most strenuously urged its adoption, as in- tended to offer to Baltimore the great trade of Pennsyl- vania, and of the Western states and territories passing through Pennsylvania ;- a trade which the public works of the State will bring to a point on the Susquehanna so near to the town of York, that the improvements now in progress between the Susquehanna and that town, and the contemplated works in Maryland, with the aid of the charter now asked of the legislature of Pennsylvania, will complete the communication from such point to the City of Baltimore. That this is the object in view has not been and could not have been concealed or disguised. The inevitable result of such a measure, independent of the question of the violation of the faith of the State which is believed to be virtually pledged, must be to divert a large portion of the trade of Pennsylvania and the Western states and territories passing to the Susquehanna, from its regular empo- rinm, the City of Philadelphia, to another City out of the limits and beyond the jurisdiction of the Common- wealth ;- to confer without the slightest equivalent, on that other city all the advantages of the sale and barter of the produce thus divested; to secure to such other city and consequently to the State to which she belongs, the return trade, of which Philadelphia, and with her, Pennsylvania, now has the immense benefit, and which would thus be lost to her; to strike deeply at the inte- rests of a large part of the people of Pennsylvania en- gaged in carrying on that trade at Philadelphia; to les- sen to a great degree the ability of Philadelphia and consequently her responsibility to furnish her accustom- ed portion of the revenue of the State, and in the same proportion to decrease that revenue; to lessen to a large amount the tolls of the produce and merchandize going to Philadelphia from the Susquehanna, and returning from Philadelphia to that river on the public works, and thus again seriously to affect the revenue of Pennsyl- vania ;- and in every aspect of the case to inflict a deep injury upon the Eastern part of the state in particular,

and to strike a dangerous blow at the welfare of the people of the Commonwealth at large.

It is known that the suggestion has been repeatedly made, that the passage of the bill in question will fur- nish to the people of Pennsylvania, whose produce reaches the state works near Columbia, a choice of markets. This argument, though at first it may seem specious, is yet without solidity. It might be enough to remark, that by avoiding improper legislation, Phi- ladelpla will remain, what she now is, a market suf- ficiently extensive for all the purposes of competition; and that while this State is urging upon the councils of the Union the propriety and necessity of the protecting system, to recognize and enforce the abandonment of the first principles of that system as they can be most directly, profitably, and fairly applied within her own borders, would present a case of glaring inconsistency. While generosity is acknowledged to be praiseworthy, it is submitted that it should not be indulged at the ex- pense of justice, and of the highest interests of the Commonwealth. The generosity necessary to the pass- age of this bill, goes the whole length of confounding all the distinctions between the people of Pennsylva- nia, who support her government and pay for her pub- lic works, and the people of another State who owe their allegiance elsewhere. But it is entirely overlooked by those who make the suggestion, that by far the greater part of the trade which reaches the Susquehanna near Columbia and ought to go to Philadelphia, is from be- yond the limits of this State, and that the persons most concerned in that trade, utter no complaint and ask for no further choice of markets.

The City Councils desire that the utmost practica- ble liberality should be extended to their fellow citi- zens of York and the other southern counties of Penn- sylvania, and would gladly witness the success of every effort to connect them with the line of canals and rail- roads through the State; and believe that the legisla- tion of the Commonwealth has not been deficient in a generous spirit towards them. A communication from York to Columbia, and thus to Philadelphia, has never been denied; but, on the contrary, has been encou- raged, and would give to the citizens of York every just advantage of the State works, without depriving them of any of the means they now possess of trading elsewhere.

With such views, and without enlarging upon the va- rious points of which the subject is so fruitful; and in the confident persuasion that a full investigation will be made before a final decision, and in a firm reliance upon the disposition of the Legislature of the State to dis- cern and to protect the interests of the whole commu- nity. It is

Resolved by the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia, that they view with profound re- gret the measures taken towards the passage of a law by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, to incorporate the York and Maryland line Rail Road Company, and that they do in the name and behalf of the people of the City of Philadelphia respectfully, but firmly and so- lemnly, remonstrate against the enactment of the said bill into a law.

Resolved, That the members of the Senate from the City of Philadelphia, be requested to use their most strenuous exertions to prevent the passage of the said bill through that body, and that the members of the House of Representatives from the city, be also re- quested, so far as it may yet be within the range of their duty, to use their utmost endeavours to prevent the final passage of said bill.

Resolved, That copies of the foregoing preamble and resolutions, signed by the Presidents and attested by the Clerks of the Councils, be forthwith transmitted to the Governor of the Commonwealth, and to the Speaker of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of the Representatives, to be respectfully submitted to both branches of the legislature.

HAZARD'S REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

VOL. IX .- NO. 5. PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY 4, 1832. NO. 214.

From the Wellsborough Phenix. SKETCH OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Tioga is one of the northern range of counties, bor- dering on the state line, bounded east by Bradford, (for- merly Ontario, ) south by Lycoming, and west by Potter county-its extent is 35 miles by 33, and contains about 700,000 acres of land, three-fourths of which may be said to be well adapted to agricultural purposes, and more especially to grasses, all of which yield abundant crops.

The county was provisionally set off from Lycoming by the Act of 26th March, 1804, and by Act of 21st March, 1806, the seat of Justice was established at Wellsborough. In 1808, the county was organized so far as to elect county commissioners, and in 1812, was fully organized for judicial purposes, being one of the counties that composed the 11th judicial district; and by Act of 25th February 1818, the counties of Susque- hanna, Bradford and Tioga were erected into a sepa- rate district, and now compose the 13th judicial district, to which the counties of Potter and M'Kean are provi- sionally attached.

In 1810, the population wss 1687-in 1820, 4021- and by the late census of 1830-9071, showing that in cach term of 10 years we have more than double, and from present appearances, the next enumeration will doubtless present a still more favourable result.

The settlement in this'county was begun ahout 1797-8, chiefly by emigrants from Connecticut, claiming under that unfortunate title which has caused so much trouble and litigation to Northern Pennsylvania, and which is now fully settled and compromised: so that at this time, there are few counties in the state, where titles are so well established.

The principal timber is Beech, Maple, Oak, Elm, Hemlock, Hickory and Bass, or Linn: and the uplands, in the vicinity of the larger streams, are well covered with White Pines, of a superior quality-the Sugar Ma- ple abounds in many places, and large quantities of su- gar are obtained from this valuable tree.

The county is well situated with regard to navigable streams, having the Tioga, a south branch of the Che- mung, on the east, which is navigable for arks and rafts about 30 miles above the state line-the Cawanesque on the north, navigable about the same distance from its confluence with the Tioga, and Pine creek, (and its branches ) in the west, which is navigable from and be- yond the Potter county line, so that it may be affirmed, that no part of the county is distant from a navigable stream, more than 10 miles. These streams all empty into the Susquehanna; the two former into the North Branch, the latter into the West Branch, near Jersey shore in Lycoming county.

A very extensive lumber business is done on these streams, particularly on Pine creek, whence upwards of five millions of sawed lumber will be sent next spring to the Susquehanna and Baltimore market. But little of our lumber has yet found its way to Philadelphia hy the Union Canal, the entrance to which has hitherto been so completely blocked up, during the active sca- son, that our lumber men have preferred their old mar- kets, to an uncertain detention at Middletown. This will doubtless not be the case, when the canal shall have Vez. IX. 9

been completed in the branches, and a facility of getting to market, independent uf freshets, will prevent such vast accumulations of lumber as have hitherto occurred in the opening of the spring trade. Still, however, the bulk of lumber will ever be transported by rafts, in preference to using the canal, unless, and which seems very probable, the dams now erecting on the river, will force the descending trade to abandon it. One es- tablishment on Pine creek, now has upwards 900,000 feet, sawed since the last spring.

Wellsborough, the seat of Justice, is located in the territorial centre of the county, 3 milesfrom the navigable waters of Pine creek, and at the intersection of the east and west state road leading through all the northern range of counties, and the north and south state road from Newberry to the 109 mile stone, on the state line. This village contains 40 or 50 indifferent dwelling hou- ses-a court-house and jail, of no very respectable ap- pearance four stores-two taverns-two smith shops -two tan yards-one printing office, from which is is- sued a weekly paper -- two shoemaker shops-and for- tunately but one distillery-an academy, endowed by the legislature of Pennsylvania, and a school for small children-both of which are respectably supported. In the former, all the usual branches of an academical course are successfully taught, and children from a dis- tance can obtain boarding, in respectable private fami- lies, at very moderate rates. The principal and trus- tees pay strict regard to the moral deportment of the students. Parents in the adjoining counties, will find this institution well wurthy attention. This place has not increased so rapidly, as from its favourable situation, and being in the heart of a large body of first rate beech and maple land, could have been expected, owing chiefly to an unfortunate dispute- about the location of the seat of justice, which after many years of warm and earnest endeavours to cffect a removal, is now consider- ed settled, and those who are interested in its welfare, may confidently look forward to early and valuable im- provements.

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

Saturday, Jan. 21st, 1832.

The following communication from the tenants of the late Stephen Girard's stores, was received and laid on the table.

To the Select and Common Councils.

The undersigned, occupiers of stores Nos. 20, 22, 24 and 26 North Front st. tenanted by us under the late Stephen Girard, which property by his will has passed to the corporation of the city of Philadelphia, respectfully represent that they are unwilling to continue tenants of said property at the rents which they have heretofore paid, and request that Councils may reduce the same to twelve hundred dollars.

At this rate we believe the store contiguous, which has remained unaccupied can be leased, and the wholo block permanently tenanted.

GILL, FORD, & CO. H. C. CORBIT. J. G. HARKER, & CO.

Philadelphia, Jan. 21, 1832.

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

[FEBRUARY

Mr. PETTIT offered a resolution for the appointment of a Joint Committee of two members of each Council, with leave to proceed to Harrisburg, to enforce the re- solutions [respecting the rail-way,] which had been adopted; and Messrs. Pettit, Groves, Wetherill and Coryell, were appointed the committee.

COMMON COUNCIL .- The following communica- tion from Mr. Isaac McCauley, was received and laid on the table.

James Page, Esq. President of the Common Council.

SIR :- Understanding that a meeting of the Coun- cils is to take place this evening, for the purpose of expressing their opinions respecting the Baltimore and York Haven rail-road, I have thought that the following suggestion might not be deemed by you improper.

That a mutual spirit of friendship and good feeling should exist between every state and city in the Union, is extremely desirable. The present excitement on the subject of the rail-road has, however, at the present time, affected in some degree this spirit as regards this city and Baltimore. The citizens of the latter place, consider our opposition to their views, as selfish and nar- row minded. May not a course be taken which will en- able each state to manifest its own liberality, and at the same time to recognize the liberality of the other? Let it be recommended to the legislature to reject the pre- sent application, and to extend the Philadelphia and Co- lumbia rail-road through the counties of York and Ad- ams as far as it may be proper, and for the interest of the state so to do. To put in a course of execution im- mediately the following parts of such road, viz: from Columbia to Gettysburg, a distance of 39 or 40 miles, from thence to some point on the Maryland line leading towards Williamsport on the Potomac. There might also be a branch extended to Chambersburg. When this is completed we may say to our friends at Baltimore, give us a rail-road through your state to Williamsport or some other eligible point on the Potomac, and we will reciprocate the favour by granting what you now ask for. This will try the question, who is the most liber- al, and put to rest any unpleasant feelings that may now exist.

I am respectfully, your obt. serv't. ISAAC MACAULEY. Philadelphia, Jan. 21, 1832.

The annexed communication from the committee of the house of representatives of Pennsylvania, was re- ceived and referred to the Girard committee.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12, 1832. Jolen M. Scott, President of Select Council

Dear Sir :- I am directed by the committee appointed by the house of representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "to confer with the constituted author- ities of the city of Philadelphia, as to what course may be necessary to enable the state to receive the benefit of the bequest made by the late Stephen Girard, Esq." to inform you that the members of said committee are now in Philadelphia, and will be pleased to co-operate with any committee that Councils may appoint on the subject.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, yours, JOHN W. ASHMEAD, Chairman Com. House of Represent's.

The following communication from the Mayor, en- closing a letter from Mr. Smith, one of our city repre- sentatives, was received and laid on the table.

MAYOR'S OFFICE, Jan. 20th, 1832.

To the Presidents of the Select and Common Councils.

Gentlemen-In order to comply with the request contained in the enclosed letter, from one of our repre- sentatives at Harrisburg, I transmit the same to you, and am very respectfully yours, B. W. RICHARDS.

HARRISBURG, Jan. 14th, 1832.

Benj. W. Richards, Esq.

DEAR SIR-The committee on the Judicary System have under consideration the project of a law providing for the removal of Aldermen in the city of Philadelphia, from office in cases of ascertained lunacy by legal pro- cess.

The committee wishes to have an expression of the views of the constituted authorities of the city on this subject. You will confer a favour by laying the matter before them in such way as you may deem proper, and informing us of the result of their deliberations.

I have the honour to be &c. your obdt.

THOMAS S. SMITH, On behalf of the Com.

Mr. SEXTON offered the following report and resolu- tion, relative to lighting Conrad's Court, which were adopted.

The committee to whom was referred the petition of Matthew Conrad, and others for lighting Conrad's Court:

Beg leave to report, that they have examined said Court, and are of opinion, that the same ought to be lighted at the public expense, especially, as lamps have already been placed there, at the expense of the peti- tioner.

They therefore offer the following resolution:

Resolved, that the city commissioners be directed to have Conrad's Court lighted, at the expense of the cor- poration.

Thursday, Jan. 26th, 1832.

SELECT COUNCIL .- The annexed communication from the tenants of houses of the late Stephen Girard, in Eleventh street, was received and laid on the table.

To the members of the Select Council.

We the undersigned, occupiers of dwellings Nos. 1, 3, and 5, south Eleventh street, tenanted by us under the late Stephen Girard, which property by his will has passed to the corporation of the city of Philadelphia, respectfully represent that they are unwilling to con- tinue tenants of said property, at the rents which they have heretofore paid, and request Councils may reduce the same to four hundred dollars from the Ist inst.

We having taken the houses at a time- of extreme scarcity of dwellings, at a price above what we believed their full value, and not intending to remain longer than the present year unless the rents be reduced. GEO. W. EDWARDS, JOHN READ, jr. for WILLIAM READ, ALBERT BARNES.

Philadelphia, Jan. 26, 1832.

The following communication from the office of the Guardians of the Poor, enclosing a statement from the Commissioners for erecting a new ALMS HOUSE, was re- ceived and laid on the table.

Office of the Board of Guardians, ? January-1832.

John M. Scott, President of the Select Council.

Sir,-I am directed by the Board of Guardians for the relief and employment of the poor, &c. to furnish the accompanying statement, prepared by the Commis- sioners for erecting the new Alms-house, as containing the information required by the joint resolution of the Select and Common Councils, of the 14th inst.

Very respectfully, I am sir,

Your ob't. serv't. SAML. HAZARD, Sec'y.

In compliance with the request of the Select and Com- mon Councils of the city of Philadelphia, -The Board of Commissioners for erecting suitable buildings for

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

1832.]

the accommodation of the poor, herewith submit the statement desired, viz :-

Cost of the farm comprising 188 acres, Present cost of the two buildings, 500 feet in front each by 65 feet in depth, Cost of constructing a wharf on the Schuylkill, together with a road lead- ing to the buildings,

Estimated cost to complete the present buildings, Alms House and Hospital, Estimated cost of two other buildings which are intended as, house of em- ployment, women's apartment and children's asylum, and which are to be built in conformity with the pre- sent buildings,

$51,716 94 195,303 00

4,517 00

85,000 00

215,000 00

$551,536 94

By order of the Board, E. W. KEYSER, President.

N. BUNKEN, Secretary.

Mr. LIPPINCOTT from the Girard committee, report- ed the following outline of a bill to be sent to the legis- lature with a resolution attached, which were una- nimously adopted.

To the Select and Common Councils of the city of Philu- delphia.

The committee on the Girard fund respectfully report the following outline of a bill, and recommend to Coun- cils, the adoption of the resolution thereunto attached: An act to enable the Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of

Philadelphia, to carry into effect certain improve- ments, and execute certain trusts.

Whereas, by the last will and testament of Stephen Girard, late of the city of l'hiladelphia, deceased, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars is bequeathed to the Mayor, &c , of P'hiladelphia, in trust among other things, to apply the income thereof, "1. To lay out, re- gulate, curb, light and pavc a passage or street, on the east part of the city of Philadelphia, fronting the river Delaware, not less than twenty-one feet wide, and to be called Delaware avenue, extending from South or Ce- dar street, all along the east part of Water street squares, and the west side of the logs, which form the heads of the docks, or thereabouts; and to this intent to obtain such acts of assembly, and to make purchases and agreements, as will enable the Mayor, Aldermen, and citizens of Philadelphia, to remove or pull down all the buildings, fences, and obstructions which may be in the way, and to prohibit all buildings, fences or erections of any kind to the eastward of said avenue, to fill up the heads of such docks as may not afford sufficient room for the said street; to compel the owners of wharves to keep them clean and covered completely with gravel, or other hard materials, and to be so levelled, that wa- ter will not remain thereon after a shower of rain; to completely clean and keep clean all the docks within the limits of the city, fronting on the Delaware; and to pull down all platforms carried out, from the east part of the city over the river Delaware, on piles or pillars." "2. To pull down and remove all wooden buildings, as well those made of wood and other combustible materi- als, as those called brick-paned, or frame buildings fill- ed with bricks, that are erected within the limits of the city of Philadelphia, and also to prohibit the erection of any such building, within the said city's limits, at any future time " "3. To regulate, widen, pave and curb Water street, and to distribute the Schuylkill water therein, upon" a certain plan therein set forth. And whereas, also, by the said will, provision has been made for the establishment and organization and con- struction of a college, and for the direction and govern- ment thereof according to a plan therein set forth; and certain other trusts have been created, and the cxecu- tion thereof enjoined on the Mayor, &c. aforesaid. Now, for the purpose of enabling the Mayor, &c. aforesaid,

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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 19

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440