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 21
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ROBERTS VAUX.
Chambers of the Controllers, V
4 Dec. 19, 1831,
ROBERTS VAUX, Esq.
Dear Sir :- The Controllers of the Public Schools for the City and County of Philadelphia perceive with sin- cere regret, by your letter of this date, that you adhere to the resolution announced at the opening of the pre- sent term, to resign your seat and that Presidency with which it has been the pride and pleasure of the Board, during the last fourteen years, annually to invest you.
A long course of faithful, judicious and unremitting attention to the interests of the Public School System of this district, prompted by the purest motives and sustained by unwearied zeal, entitles you to the respect- ful gratitude of the community for which you have suc- cessfully labored, while a frank and dignified intercourse, and an independent discharge of your duties in this Board, have conciliated and secured the esteem and at- tachment of your colleagues.
Our system of public instruction; so admirably adapt- ed to the wants and circumstances of this portion of the State, promises in its present matured organization eve- ry advantage which the universal diffusion of free edu- cation can effect-to its permanence and faithful admin- istration our patriotic citizens look forward with confi- dence and hope, and your colleagues feel convinced that, your important participation in originating and conducting this invaluable - work will long continue among the most gratifying reminiscences of your life.
Tendering to you, sir, sincere assurances of their high regard and most affectionate esteem and respect, the Controllers beg you to accept their cordial wishes for your prosperity and happiness.
By order of the Board of Controllers.
T. DUNLAP, President. Attest-T. M. PETTIT, Secretary.
1832.]
COMMERCE OF LAKE ERIE.
71
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23, 1831.
The Teachers of the Public Schools met for the pur- pose of making some expression of their respect for ROBERTS VAUX, Esq. on his retiring from the Board of Control. The following address to him was adopted unanimously, and a committee appointed, consisting of Messrs. Rhees, Bird, Cleavenger, Coleman, Cham- berlin, and Watson, to wait on him with the Address.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman, Secretary, and all the teach- ers.
Resolved, That the committee be authorized to pub- lish so much of the proceedings of this meeting, as they may think proper, together with the reply of Mr. Vaux.
SAMUEL F. WATSON, Chairman.
J. L. RHEES, Secretary.
Respected Friend-With feelings of regret we learn that your contemplated resignation of the arduous and responsible duties devolving on you as President of the Board of Control of Public Schools, in the First School District of Pa , has been carried into effect, and that we can no longer look for your regular visitations to the institutions you were chiefly instrumental in originating, and which have invariably, from their commencement, received the advantage of your fostering care, and pa- ternal advice.
With sentiments of sincere respect, strengthening with every year's acquaintance, we hasten to make known the grateful emotions we feel, in view of the many instances of your friendly co-operation we have experienced in the discharge of our important duties. When discouraged by adverse or unpropitious circum- stances, your counsel has ever been ready to instruct and animate, and our endeavors to mete out knowledge have been rendered more efficient by your countenance and support. We doubt not that hundreds and thousands of the youth who have been receiving the elements of knowledge and morality in our public schools, will che- rish with gratitude and affection, the many salutary lessons they have heard from your lips, and will rise up to honour your name, and do credit to that system of education, of which you have been the patron and zealous advocate, while the triumphs of Christian phi- lanthropy continue to attest its superiority over all the schemes of infidelity, and all the glory of this world.
We unite in the conviction expressed by your worthy and highly respected colleagues, that the invaluable work, in which you have been for fourteen years engag- ed, "will long continue among the most gratifying re- miniscences of your life." And we pray that God may have you under his holy keeping, continue your life long, useful and happy, and give you to hear at last the welcome sentence, "well done, good and faithful ser- vant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
J. L. RHEES,
B. E. CHAMBERLIN,
JOHN M. COLEMAN, SAMUEL WATSON, JAMES M. BIRD, W. S. CLEAVENGER,
Committee.
H. W. Chadwick, Peter M'Gowen,
Elizabeth B. Smith,
Julia A Byrne,
Hiram Ayres,
Eliza Mcleod
William C. Barton,
Ann Dolby,
Martha C. Hallowell,
Maria C. Hutton,
Eliza Bateman.
'I the Teachers of the Public Schools of the City and County of Philadelphia.
The sentiments most kindly conveyed to me by your address of the 23d inst. are very fully and sincerely ap- preciated.
Any assistance it may have been in my power to ren- 1
der towards the organziation, or in the subsequent con- duct of our public education, I consider only as a small service due, and cheerfully contributed, to my native city and its neighbourhood.
It affords me the purest satisfaction to believe, that many thousands of the youth of this populous district, in great measure, owe their moral and intellectual cle- vation and fitness for the business of life, to the consci- entious discharge of your obligations to them as their instructors, and I have no doubt that similar benefits may be conferred by the employment of similar means, upon generations to come. Under this conviction, I cannot but nafeignedly wish for the duration of a sys- tem, which, with the favour of Heaven, must be fruit- ful of so much individual welfare, and essentially con- duce to the general good.
My retirement from the station that called me to the frequent observation of the pupils,and to the consequent notice of your assiduous attentions to them, will not di- minish the concern which I have uniformly entertained for the promotion of their best interests, hy the success- ful prosecution of your important labours in the public schools.
I shall always be gratified to learn, that your useful offices are properly esteemcd, duly encouraged, and generously rewarded. No profession in my opinion is more arduous, and responsible, and honorable than yours, and when faithfully pursued, none more worthy of universal confidence and gratitude.
You will be pleased each of you to accept the assur- ance of my cordial respect, and believe me to remain your friend, &c.
ROBERTS VAUX.
Philadelphia, 12th mo. 26, 1831.
At a meeting of the Directors of the Public Schools for the first section of the First School District of the State of Pennsylvania, held January 3d, 1832.
The resignation of ROBERTS VAUX, Esq. having been received and read, it was unanimously
Resolved, That the Directors of the Public Schools for the First School District receive with regret the resig- nation of RORERTS VAUX their late fellow member, and that they recognize in his active agency in the founda- tion of the Public Schools, and in his disinterested, faithful and uaremitted attention to their interests from their foundation to the present time, valuable public services which entitle him to the thanks of the Board, and to the regard of the community of which he is a member.
Resolved, That the foregoing resolution be published in the daily newspapers of the city, and that a copy thereof signed by the President and Secretary be for- warded to Mr. Vaux.
Extract from the minutes,
B. W. RICHARDS, Chairman. ARCH'D RANDALL, Sec. Pro. Tem.
COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION OF LAKE ERIE .- We have been furnished with the annexed partial list of vessels owned and navigated on the south shore of Lake Erie, during the summer of 1831, with the tonnage of each; together with some statistical information relating to the business done upon the lake. The list of vessels is evidently very incomplete, for we have the testimony of several who have better opportunities of knowing, that there were upon this shore 90 to 100 vessels, aver- aging 70 tons each, exclusive of steam boats. The de- ficiencics in this list we will insert on being made ac- quainted with them.
SCHOONERS. tons.
SCHOONERS.
tons.
Austerlitz,
150
Alert,
55
Antelope,
50
Andrew,
48
America.
50
Allen Trimble,
16
Aurora,
60 Beaver, 50
E. W. Beechey,
Eliz'th R. Eastburn, Susan M. Ustick, Louisa Bedford,
72
ORPHAN SOCIETY.
[FEBRUARY
SCHOONERS.
tons.
SCHOONERS.
tons.
Bolivar,
60
Mary,
46
Cincinnati,'
50
Napoleon,
105
Commerce,
88 New Connecticut,
70
Comet,
50
Nucleus,
93
Commodore,
80
Olive Branch,
30
Columbus,
60
Pilot,
54
Conneaut Packet,
35
President,
70
Constitution,
104
Phillips,
40
Commodore Perry,
25
Red Rover,
35
Detroit,
66
Regulator,
25
Eclipse,
60
Savage,
30
Eagle,
94
Spy,
45
Erie,
50
Swiftsure,
35
Essex,
30
Sir Henry,
90
Emily,
30
St. Clair,
35
Farmer,
60
T. W. Maurice,
50
Free Trader,
30
Telegraph,
44
Guerriere,
40
United States,
100
Good In ent,
40
Whittlesey,
50
Grampus,
30
Wmn. Tell,
60
Granger,
33
Young Amaranth,
60
Gov. Cass,
54
Young Lion,
80
Gen. Jackson,
42
Young Rover, SLOOPS.
30
Independence,
27
Express,
30
J. Q. Adams,
60
Grampus,
25
J. Richards,
50
STEAM BOATS.
Lagrange,
100
Superior,
400
Lady of the Lake,
90
Henry Clay,
300
Louisa Jenkins,
80
Wm. Penn, 230
L. Judson,
18
Enterprise,
230
Marengo,
110
Sheldon Thompson,
250
Marshal Ney,
80
Ohio,
160
Minerva,
60
Niagara,
156
Morning Star,
35
Peacock,
150
Mary of Milan,
45
Pioneer,
130
Maria Antoinette,
90
Gen. Gratiot, 150
Mariner,
97
Argus,
50
There are now being built on this lake five steam boats, viz:
1 at Detroit,
300 tons.
1 ' Miami,
200
1 ' Huron, 4.50
1 ' Erie,
350
66
1 ' do.
35
Of other vessels there are now 11 that we have heard of, the work of which is in progress; besides there is little doubt that more will be built by spring, viz:
3 at Huron, of 150 tons each, 450
1 . do.
80
1 ' Miami, 130
2 ' Black River, 260
1 ' Grand River, 130
1 ' Ashtabula, 80
1 ' Sandusky,
60
1 ' Portland,
50
During the past year there have been ten or twelve vessels from the upper lakes trading upon this; and 15 from Lake Ontario, averaging 65 tons each, which came through the Welland canal, laden with salt, and took return cargoes of pot and pearl ashes, pork, wheat, flour, flax seed, &c.
In 1810 there were eight or nine vessels, averaging 60 tons each, navigating the lake. In 1820 there were thirty vessels, averaging 50 tons each, and one small steam boat.
Now there are over 100 vessels, of all descriptions. The increase for 1832 will exceed 30 per cent. Esti- mates have been made in Buffalo, that over 70,000 emi- grants went west from that place, by water, during the past season. A correspondent from there computes that in 1840 there will be 30 steam boats and 250 other vessels navigating the lake; and that 600 persons will be leaving there daily for the unlimited west. If we estimate from the late increase, his calculation will fall short. -
Some pains have been taken for ascertaining the amount of merchandize taken west, and produce taken east on the lake during the last year, but without satis- factory success. 75,000 tons were entered at the Buf- falo custom house. 23,467 barrels of flour, 200,802 bushels of wheat, 8426 barrels of pork, 1768 do. ashes, 1044 do. whiskey, and 44,040 barrels of salt, passed through the Welland canal previous to the 30th of Sep- tember. At least 60,000 barrels of salt from the state of New York, must have been transported on Lake Erie to various markets, besides large quantities that were detained in different ports, by the early closing of the navigation. Had that continued open as long as usual, it is quite probable that 15 to 20,000 barrels more would have gone up. We judge this from the exorbitant price it has borne at all the principal ports above us. At Cleaveland it has commanded four dollars and at De- troit five dollars a barrel all winter, and very little was to be had at those prices. Not less than 70,000 barrels of flour, 500,000 bushels of wheat, 5000 barrels of pork, 3000 barrels of ashes, 10,000 barrels of lake fish, and an incalculable amount of other products of the country, have found their way to market by means of this lake during 1831.
In these estimates nothing is included for the trade of the Canada side, except the business of the Welland canal, a great share of which went from this side. Erie Observer.
ORPHAN SOCIETY.
The Seventeenth Anniversary Meeting of the Or- phan Society of Philadelphia, was held at the Masonic Hall, in Chesnut street, on Tuesday, the 3d of January. The Rev. Mr. HOLDICH performed the service of the day, and read the following reports :-
The anniversary of an Institution which has succeed- ed in the object for which it was founded, is a period of rejoicing alike to those who have planned, or managed, or contributed in any way to its advancement. This day, then, the Orphan Society, while contemplating this assemblage of helpless children, may rejoice that they have adopted them-that they have taken them, one by one, from scenes of want and misery, and vice, and brought them into a sanctuary which charity has reared, and provided with all things fitted to make them good and useful citizens, where infancy is cherished with ma- ternal care, and youth is trained with profitable instruc- tion, -where the temporal blessings with which they are surrounded, awaken in their young hearts gratitude to their benefactors-and their pliant minds are elevated to a higher and holier source of obligation.
Let those who are in the habit of visiting the abodes of poverty, where labor applied with persevering skill can barely furnish the necessaries of life at this incle- ment season, picture to themselves the condition of children left by a dying parent, who was unable to pro- vide for them future support-but we need not draw on fancy for a sketch. A child recently admitted into the Asylum, presents a real object to make pity weep. She was but two months old when her mother died ;- a young aunt placed her to be nursed, paying from her small earnings the nurse's fee. The poor babe receiv- ed scanty nourishment, and was drugged with laudanum juntil it almost perished. In this condition she was brought to the Asylum, aged eleven months-so feeble and emaciated that had she not experienced the efficacy of tender care and judicious treatment, bestowed by our excellent Matron on others in a similar state, we should fear that this orphan's voice would never here be raised in thankfulness to God-and you for its pre- servation. The register of the institution is a volume of such sad tales.
The family consists of ninety-eight children,-eight have been admitted-and five bound out, -one little girl died in the autumn, at which period several chil- dren were extremely ill, who have recovered.
Hamilton,
27
1832.]
WEST CHESTER RAIL-ROAD.
73
The routine of domestic duties which has been de- tailed in former reports is found effective, and perseve- red in; committees visit the asylum in rotation to ap- prove or suggest improvements, and it is but justice to the adults of the family to state, that neatness and or- der pervade every department-that a plentiful board is daily spread, and thankfully acknowledged to Him whose table is provided for all-"Who openeth his hand and satisfieth the desires of every living thing."
The Board have been induced to adopt a modified plan 'of the Infant School System, for the younger chil- dren. They have recently engaged the services of a respectable assistant Teacher, and now believe all the offices of the house are filled to their entire satisfaction. The expenses of the family have been $3,650; which, with necessary repairs to the Asylum, has left so small a balance to the Treasury, that it is obvious depend- ance must be had on the continued charity of those who have raised the edifice, and whose paternal aid fur- nishes the daily bread-the comfortable garments-and the mental cultivation which place these destitute or- phans in a condition to enjoy the privileges of happy childoood, and prepare them to become moral, reli- gious, and industrious members of society.
FROM JANUARY 1, 1831, TO JANUARY 1, 1832.
The Orphan Society of Philadelphia, in account with the 'Treasurer.
Dr .- 1832, January 1.
To Purchasing Committte, $3,650 00
To Perpetual Insurance, 317 50
To Repair Real Estate, 359 30
To Water Rent and Taxes, 30 00
To Purchase of Stocks,
1,735 00
To Freedom Fees, 60 01
To Incidental expenses, 63 60
Balance in Treasury,
122 03
$6,337 33
Cr. -. 1832, January 1.
By Balance from 1831,
$ 68 40
By Annual Subscriptions,
- 383 00
By Life Subscriptions and Donations, 83 89
By Dividends on Stocks,
2,507 11
By Rents,
650 00
By Ground Rents and Arrears, 312 52
By Charity Box and Collections, 67 32
By Sale of Children's Work, 185 90
By Legacies, 2,047 50
By Binding Fees from From Mr. Christian,
5 00
By Fines on the Managers, 1 25
By Sale of Articles at the Asylum, 25 43
$6,337 33
E. and O. E. Philadelphia, January, 1, 1832.
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
OF THE WEST CHESTER RAIL-ROAD COMPANY.
-
The Directors of the West Chester Rail-road Compa- ny, in obedience to the injunction of the 9th section of the act, authorizing the governor to incorporate said company, submit to the stockholders the following statement of the affairs and proceedings of the corpora- tion, for the past year. It will be recollected, that the preliminary survey for the West Chester rail-road was made in the month of December, 1830. The report of the Engineer having shown the route to be a favourable one, application was immediately made to the legisla- Voz. IX. 10
ture for an act of incorporation, which was passed and approved, on the 18th day of February, 1831.
The commissioners appointed, by the act, to receive subscriptions of stock, proceeded as therein directed :- Books were opened, on the 22d day of March, in the borough of West Chester, in the city of Philadelphia, and at the Paoli; when considerably more than twice the amount of stock authorized by the act, was subscri- bed on the first day.
The books were thereupon closed, and the commis- sioners proceeded to reduce the subscription, as direct- ed in the second section of the act, to the authorized amount of two thousand shares. A statement of the proceedings, duly certified by the commissioners, was then made to the governor, who, by letters patent, da- ted the 28th day of March, 1831, did create and erect the stockholders into a body corporate and politic, in deed and in law, by the name, style and title, of " The West Chester Rail-road Company."
An election of directors was held, agreeably to the provisions of the act, on the 25th day of April; and, on the 3d day of May, the new board met, organized, and prepared for active operations. The directors consider themselves fortunate in having been enabled to obtain the services of Major John Wilson, as engineer in chief, and those of John P. Baily, Esq. as resident engineer. The scientific reputation of the former gentleman is too well established to require illustration here; but it may be permitted, as an act of sheer justice to Mr. Baily, on this occasion, to say, that his practical skill, devoted at- tention, and fidelity to the best interests of the com- pany, have commanded the unqualified approbation of the board.
The final location of the route of the rail-road was commenced by Mr Baily, on the 13th day of May, and completed on the 23d of the same month, making a line of exactly wine miles, from the borough of West Chester to the junction with the Pennsylvania rail-way, on the land of Samuel P. Levis, in the township of Willis- town. The present termination of the road, in the bo- rough, is upon the land of Robert Matlack, at a very eligible position on the summit of the dividing ridge, between the tributaries of Chester creek and the Bran- dywine; thus leaving it in the power of the company, or of the borough authorities, to extend branches to any part of the town, at a future day, if it shall be found ex- pedient to do so. It is proposed by Mr. Matlack to ex- tend and open Chesnut street, castward, to the Boot road; and also to open a new street, at right angles with Chesnut street, intersecting Chesnut and Gay streets, so as to afford free access to the end of the rail-road, both on the western and southern side of the depot. The board would do injustice to their own feel- ings, as well as to the liberality and public spirit of Mr. Matlack, if they did not embrace the present opportuni- ty to acknowledge the signal obligations which that gentleman has conferred upon the company. Not only did he set the laudable example of a prompt release, to the company, of all claims for supposed damages, by reason of the passage of the rail-road through his val- uable farm, but, with a spirit worthy of the occasion, he granted, frec of cost, half an acre of ground, for the use of the company, for the important purpose of a landing, and depot at the termination of the rail-road.
The whole line being staked off, ready for contract, it was let, in sections of about one mile each, to active and efficient contractors, upon terms favorable to the company, (as will appear by the annexed schedule, marked A,) on the 26th day of May; and the work of grading and road formation was commenced, upon every section, in the course of the ensuing month. In se- veral instances, the contractors were actively engaged upon their respective sections, in one week after the letting.
The annexed table (marked B, ) exhibits the amount of work done upon each section, on the 2d instant, to- gether with the sums raid for the same, and also the
,
74
WEST CHESTER RAIL-ROAD.
[FEBRUARY
amount of work yet to be done, with the estimated cost thereof, upon those sections where the road formation is still unfinished. From that table it will appear, that sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, have been reported by the engi- neer, as finished; that sections 1 and 2 are very nearly completed; section 3 will probably be finished in the course of the present month; and sections 4 and 9, are expected to be ready for laying the rails, in all the month of March next. The same table also shows the quanti- ty of broken stone delivered on the road, up to the 2d inst. with the amount paid for the same, and likewise the sums paid for fencing, damages on account of crops injured, engineers' salaries, and incidental expenses. The aggregate sum paid, amounts to $28,947 763 Amount of per centage retained, on the unfinished sections, and for broken stones,
3,708 26}
Whole expenses incurred, $32,656 03
Contracts have been entered into for all the broken stone, sleepers, rails, iron, and other materials, requi- red for the completion of the road, with a single track, and an adequate number of turn-outs. The contractors are now actively engaged in delivering the stone and sleepers; and the directors have, as yet, no reason to doubt the faithful performance of each contract in due time, though the unusual severity of the winter has re- tarded the delivery of some of the materials. The an- nexed table, (marked C,) affords an exhibit of the quantities, and estimated cost of the materials required to complete the road-as also an estimate of the cost of laying the rails, fencing the route, and other incidental expenses; from which the following result appears: Amount of expenses already incurred, $32,656 03 Estimated cost of grading, yet to be done, 5,211 92 Estimated cost of materials, laying, fenc- ing, &c.
45,235 43
Total estimated cost of W. C. Rail-road, $83,103 38 Add, for cars, car-house, toll-house, and incidental expenses, 6,896 62
Aggregate expense of putting the road in operation, $90,000 00
The Treasurer's statement, (marked D,) shows that five instalments, (of 5 dollars each, ) on each share of the capital stock, have been called in, equal to $50,000: that 33,361 dollars have been received by him, and 28,047 76} have been paid on account of the work, leaving a balance of $4,413 233 in the treasury on the 2d instant. The remaining instalments will be de- manded in due season to meet the exigencies of the service.
It will be observed, that the directors propose, in the first instance, to form a single track of rail-way, with sufficient turn-outs for the passage of cars-and that the superstructure be of wooden rails, plated with iron, and laid on wooden sleepers. Many considerations, both of economy and expediency, concurred to induce the adoption of this plan: some of which are indicated in the communication of the principal engineer, hereto an. nexed (marked E.) The bed of the road, however, is prepared for two tracks; and, wheneverit shall be found necessary to renew the first one, or to have buth con- structed, (whether of wood, or more durable materials) the company will not only possess the facilities of trans- portation afforded by the first track, but may also avail themselves of those improvements, in the construction of rail-roads, which, in the mean time, will undoubtedly be introduced by scientific ingenuity and experience.
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