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 26

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 26

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Handicrafts, such as hat, cap, and bonnet makers, | quantities along the intermediate country! Iron is now

\832.]

WILLIAMSPORT AND ELMIRA RAIL-ROAD.

manufactured at several places in this mineral region, and various kinds of castings and wrought, are now constantly transported from it into this state. In the county of Lycoming, forty miles south of Elmira, di- rec ly in the line of the proposed rail-road, inexhausti- ble coal mines commence. and continue, in many places, to and along the West Branch. Of all sources, which, at various times, have been suggested for procuring coal, to answer the wants, which, from failure of wood, will soon become imperious in many of the western parts of our state, these coal fields probably afford the best assurance of yielding, at a cheap rate, an ample and enduring supply. Were the road now proposed, to be constructed for the single purpose of conveying to our navigable channels, this indispensable fuel, for our growing villages and multiplying workshops, the day is probably not far distant when it would be deemed an undertaking, demanding earnest and united exertion for its accomplishment.

Å slight observance of these facts must render it sufficiently apparent, that when the Chemung canal shall be completed, the proposed rail-road will at once open and facilitate an extensive and most valuable com- mercial intercourse, highly productive of the conve- nience and prosperity of our citizens, subservient in its consequences to the general interests and welfare of the state.

But the prospects of the contemplated road are not limited by benefits of a commercial character alone, however important. It has claims to consideration, of higher bearing and larger extent. It will form an inter- esting and essential link in a great chain of communica- tion from the capital of onr national republic to our northern frontier, connecting with other communica- tions, to all the western parts of this state. From the city of Washington, by way of Baltimore, to Harrisburg, the capital of the state of Pennsylvania, thence to Wil- liamsport, and continuing in almost 2 northerly course along the proposed road, the Chemung canal, Seneca Lake, and the Seneca and Cayuga canal, to the Eric canal at Montezuma, is a distance of less than three hundred and fifty miles. From Montezuma, by a dis- tance of about twenty miles, partly by the way of the Eric canal, the navigable waters of Lake Ontario are reached at Sodas Bay, the best harbour on that lake- From Williamsport to the city of Washington, this great line of communication will soon be complete by canals and rail-roads.

The site of the contemplated road is unusually fa- vourable for such a work; and in proof of this, as well as to introduce some just considerations in relation to its importance in a national point of view, your petition- ers would respectfully refer to the report of Dr. War. HowAND, civil engineer, who, pursuant to a resolution of congress of December, 1828, examined a route for a national road, from the city of Washington, to our north-western frontier. The report states, "a cursory view of the country satisfied us, that the best route from Williamsport to the mouth of the Genesee river, Sodas Bay, or Oswego, must pass through Post Town or Elmira " In reference to the Post Town route, the report states, "from the inspection of the gradations, it will be seen how rough and hilly is the surface over which it passes." In relation to the Elmira route, the report continues, " by reference to the map and to the table of gradation, an idea may be formed of the re- markable line of valley, forming almost a continuous one, in a direct line between Williamsport and Elmira. There is fifty-three miles of this road that does not ex- ceed one degree: thirteen miles over one degree and not exceeding two; and six miles over two and not ex- ceeding three degrees." By combination and compa- rison of these different routes, it appears that for a road to terminate either at Sodas Bay, Oswego, or Sackett's Harbour, the best route would pass by Elmira, the head of Seneca Lake, and Geneva.

report contains the following pertinent remarks. "The importance of such a road as that now proposed, in a military point of view, is so strongly marked, that it will not be necessary to dwell upon it, but to point it out. It will afford a ready communication to the northern frontier, from the central part of Pennsylva- nia, from Maryland and the eastern portion of Virginia, giving facilities for the transportation not only of men, but also of many of the supplies and munitions of war, which are the productions of those threc states. During the last war, the route by Painted Post was found ne- cessary for this purpose and extensively used: and not- withstanding the badness of the roads, supplies of all kinds were carried at an expense, which, it is satisfacto- rily estimated, would have been sufficient, in a single campaign, to have defrayed the cost of the work." " As the means of transmitting intelligence with rapid- ity, the work is also of great importance in military operations, forming as it does, the nearest channel be- tween the northern frontiers and the seat of govern- ment."

The committee on roads and canals, in the House of Representatives in congress, to whom the reports and surveys in relation to this northern route were referred, state in their report on that subject. that by the con- struction of this road, two important locations for mili- tary depots would be established, one at Harrisburg and one at Elmira. Their report also states, " it is purposed to extend a navigable canal with a view to unite the Chemung river with the head of Seneca lake, which is already connected with the grand canal of New York. Elmira will possess three essential properties of a mili- tary depot: it will be sufficiently removed from danger to preserve it from sudden attack, while it will be equal- ly convenient to the sources of its necessary supplies, and to the probable theatre of their future application, in any war which may occur with the only enemy the United States are likely to bave to encounter on the land."

Although it has not been deemed the just policy of the general government to undertake the construction of this road, yet the information obtained from survey, and the views entertained in relation to its great utility and importance, are not the less applicable. Whether the cost of its construction be defrayed by the funds of the government, or of a joint stock company, its utility to the public will be much the same. It can be regard- ed as no doubtful evidence of the increasing importance of this route in the public estimation, that by a recent order of the post office department, the mails at the city of Washington and Baltimore, destined for western New York, are now directed by way of Harrisburg and Williamsport, and, on the range of this contemplated road, to Elmira. Forming, indeed, as this road evident- ly must, in an improved state, the most favourable, as well as the most direct route and eligible line of com- munication between the city of Washington, Baltimore and the greater part of the southern portion of our Union, and all the western parts of this state and our Canadian frontier, your petitioners arc persuaded that it would soon become the thoroughfare for immense tra- vel, augmenting the revenue to be derived from the road; and that it would greatly increase the public ac- commodation; expedite the transmission of mails, facili- tate the intercourse, strengthen the ties and promote social feeling, between the inhabitants of different and distant sections of our common country,

Satisfied that the proposed work may be undertaken without hazard, that capital may be invested in it with safety and sure profit to individuals, and with conse- quences highly beneficial to the public, and that from its obvious commercial utility and national importance, it is, in the view of your petitioners, an improvement justly demanded from the enlightened and enterprising spirit of our age and people; your petitioners respect- fully pray your honourable body to incorporate a con-

In respect to the national importance of this road, the | pany under the name of " THE ERMINA AND WILLIAMS-

VOL. IX. 12

REPORT OF THE WATERING COMMITTEE.

[FEBRUARY

PORT RAIL ROAD COMPANY," with a capital of $75,000; authorizing said company to construct that portion of said road to be located between the village of Elmira and the north line of the state of Pennsylvania, with such powers and privileges as, by your honourable body shall be deemed just and reasonable, and as in duty bound they will pray.

January, 1832.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE

WATERING COMMITTEE.

To the Select and Common Councils of the City of Phila- del/thia.

The Watering Committee respectfully present, here- with, detailed statements of the accounts, for the year 1831, of the works under their care; together with an estimate for the year 1832. They also lay before Councils such explanations, as, they trust, will enable them and their constituents to understand the present state of the entire water establishment.

In order that the accounts of 18 1, may be more dis- tinctly comprehended, it may be useful to refer to those of 1830.

In 1830, the receipts from all sources amounted to And the payments were-

$60,036 82

For Water Works, $35,660 84

To Sinking Fund, 14,000 00

To Tax Fund, 15,900 00

$65,560 84

So that there was placed to the credit of the Tax Fund, more than the income warranted, 5,524 02

$ 65,560 84

The accounts for 1831 show, as they ought to do, a balance in favour of the works, and not as in 1830, against them.

The receipts for 1831, were-

From Water revenue, $ 66,766 72

From loan under ordinance of April 14, 1831, 36,200 00

$102,966 72

The payments for 1831, were- Balance due City Treasurer, on accounts of 1830, $ 5,524 02

For purposes of Water Works, 63,009 57 To Sinking Fund, 14,000 00

To l'ax Fund, per ordinance of May 16, 1831, 5,830 80

88,364 39

Leaving a balance for Water purposes of 1832, $ 14,602 33

So that, to meet all the estimated de- mands for 1832, there will be wanted but 30,862 67

$45,465 00

From all which it must be apparent, that, in case the water revenue for 1832 shall equal that of 1831, of which there can be no doubt, there will be a balance in favour of the Works, for the year 1832, of $35,904 05, equal, it is hoped, to all the needful expenditure for 1833; and thus the whole water revenue of 1833, may be applied to the extinguishment of debt, and the same process be thereafter continued.

That the progressive increase of water revenue, and · the relative sources thereof, may be perceived, the Committee present such a statement, at present, as was made in the last report, namely:

The receipts for 1831, consisted of-

This sum obtained on loan, $ 36,200 00

Water Rents from City, $43,534 14

Northern liberties, 12,054 62

Southwark, 5,948 67

Spring Garden, 5,229 29

66,766 72

$ 102,966 72

And that the nature of the expenditure may be understood this statement is presented:

Expenses of, or attending, dis- tribution, $ 5,073 02

Expenses at Fair Mount Works, 6,157 27

Wheel and Pump, 4.699 62

Iron Pipes, 34,693 80

Expenses attending the appli- cation of the water power, 1,500 30

Expended in constructing Re- servoir No. 4, 6,692 S1

982 00

Incidental expenses, Salaries :-

Frederick Graff, $2,000 00

Samuel W. Rush, 1,000 00

Samuel Currey, 211 25

3,211 25

63,009 57

$ 39,957 15 Of this balance, there were applied-

To pay balance of 1830, due City Treasury, $ 5,524 02

To Sinking Fund, 14,000 00

To Tax Fund, 5,830 80

25,354 82

Leaving as heretofore stated, for water purposes for 1832, 14,602 33

$39,957 15

Estimate for 1831 .- On reference to the Report made to Councils on the 8th of February, 1831, it will be seen, that the amount of the estimate for that year was, $ 70,665 87

Of this there was expended the

sum of $ 63,009 57

There remains in Treasury, to fi- nish wheel and pump, 7,800 38

70,809 95

Showing an excess beyond estimate of $144 08: It is, however, to be observed, that the balance would have been in favour of the works, or estimate, if demands had not arisen, of which no anticipation could have been formed, such as

For receiving the Boston Guards, $442 58 For laying 888 feet of Iron Pipes in streets or- dered to be paved, excess, 888 00

For laying 242 feet of Iron Pipes, excess, 242 00

For excess of cost of 20,747 pounds of lead, 311 20

$1,883 78

Estimate for 1832 .- The sum estimated to be neces- sary for the year 1832, for the objects detailed in the annexed estimate, is $45,465 00. On reference to former estimates, the moderation of the present will be understood; for, it will be seen, that, in the present es- timate for 1832, there are included items to the amount of $23,565 00, for objects not embraced in former esti- mates, but for which provision was made by loans; con- scquently, the sum asked for 1832, for purposes embra- ced in former estimates, is only $21,900 00.

Iron Pipes .- The remainder of the iron pipes, which were contracted for in 1830, were laid down during the year 1831; the extent of pipes estimated in the report of 1831, was 11,500 feet, but 11,742 feet have been laid, or 242 feet more than calculated upon.

In consequence of extending the iron pipes in Locust

REPORT OF THE WATERING COMMITTEE.

1832.]

street, from Thirteenth to Broad street, and in Juniper from Spruce to Walnut street, 3,888 feet of iron pipes have been laid in streets ordered to be paved, being 888 feet more than the extent estimated. The wbole extent of the iron pipes laid in 1831, was 15,630 feet, nearly three miles, making the whole extent laid in the City nearly 44 miles.

Wooden Pipes .- There were laid in 1831, in repairs to wooden pipes, 1,131 feet, being 281 fect more than in 1830; from which it must be obvious, that although the extent of wooden pipes is annually diminished, by the introduction of iron pipes in their stead, the public streets cannot be kept in order until all the wooden pipes shall have been removed.

The Dam .- As some inquiry has been instituted in Councils in relation to the Fair Mount Dam, it gives the Committee pleasure to be able to state, that its condi- tion is sound and safe; the planking and all the other repairs, deemed necessary to render the dam perfectly secure, have been completed, with the single exception of depositing an additional quantity of rubble stone backing, and that will be done as soon as the state of the weather shall permit; the cost for this object is em- braced in the estimate.

Reservoir No. 4 -For this part of the works, 8650 yards of clay have been delivered: 5995 yards of earth have also been added to the embankments, and such other work has been done as to render this reservoir substantial, as far as it has been formed. In their last report, the Committee recommended, that one section of this reservoir should be completed in 1832; finding, however, that the reservoirs now in use are amply suffi- | on the terms assented to by all the other districts, that cient for the supply of water to the city and districts, they deem that undertaking unnecessary at present. Your Committee, having examined the embankments of this reservoir, since they were formed, are of opinion, that safety embankments will be necessary at some points, where the present embankments are too high. As these additional supports will add greatly to the so- lidity of the general structure, they are included in the annexed estimate.

Wheel und Pump .- These new appendages have not been completed at as early a day as was expected; this is owing to the difficulty of procuring suitable materi- als, and to the delay caused by making defective cast- ings, which were condemned. The new wheel and pump will, in all probability, be in operation carly in the ensuing spring, long before their additional aid will be needful for public purposes. There has been ex- pended for this object, the sum of $4699 62, and the sum of $7800 38 is on hand for its completion.

Garden Plot at Fair Mount .- The wall for securing the bank of the Schuylkill, south of the engine build- Damages .- Of the appropriation for payment of da- mages, the sum of $79 87 remains, no part having been called for since last report. ing, has been finished, coped with stone, and fenced in a substantial manner. A great increase in the height and thickness of this wall became necessary, in conse- The increase of Water Rents in 1831, was quence of the difficulty of finding rock bottom for a In the city, $2,767 25 part of the foundation; the expense attendant, as well Northern Libertics, Southwark, 699 50 Spring Garden, 1,208 50 $6,79.0 00 2,114 75 as the cost of filling up the low ground, east of the wall, and of forming a garden plot there, exhausted the sum estimated for those objects. For the completion of this part of the premises, under care of the Committee, in- The Committee believe, that they have thus given all the information needful to a correct conception of and erecting a fountain, the sum embraced in the esti- the subject. In closing their report, they heg leave to call the attention of Councils, and of their fellow-citi- zens generally, to the interesting and lucid statistical history of the Water Works, for the last thirty-twoyears, cluding sodding, planting trees, forming gravel walks, mate will be requisite; and your Committee cannot doubt that it will be readily appropriated; heretoforc, the ground between the bridge and the works has presented a sad contrast with the adjacent scenery; in future the | that is, from the period of their first introduction, which entire property of the city will present uniformity in taste as well as utility.

Muin on the old Canol Bank .- The 20 inch iron main, laid in 1820, was carried along the old canal bank, from John street to Schuylkill Second street, under an - Impression, that at a future day it would be opened as a public street, and that the main would not be disturb- ed; recently, however, the Columbia rail-road has been located north of the line of the old canal; and, besides, | homc. it is contemplated to grade the north and south streets,

passing over the line of the old canal, so as to adapt them to the level of Callowhill street and the rail-road; i becomes necessary, in consequence, to remove the main from its present position; to this end, application has been made to the Canal Commissioners of Pennsyl- vania, for permission to lay down the main for an ex- tent of about 2200 feet, under and along the southern side of the state rail-road. Your Committee are happy to be able to state, that the Canal Commissioners have given a favourable answer, but as no precise time can now be fixed for removing the main, the cost is not em- braced in the present estimate.

The old Steam-Engine .- Councils have heretofore authorized the Committee to offer these engines for sale, and they have been accordingly advertised-no offer, however, has been made; in the meantime, these articles are daily depreciating, nay, they are not now of much more value, beyond that of old iron. In no event could a part of them be at all used, and, were the remainder repaired, it must be at much cost, with- out any ability to answer public purposes; your Commit- tee, therefore, are in favour of an early and absolute sale.

The Districts .- Contracts have been entered into with the newly incorporated part of Spring Garden, and with the Township of Moyamensing, for supplying those districts with water; with the former the contract has been formed, and the necessary instrument for the latter is in preparation. The district of Kensington has also applied to enter into a contract.for a supply of water from the city fount, and your Committee have ? at all times been desirous to conclude an engagement,

is, to deliver the water at the city boundary. In the case of the Kensington district, however, a d fficulty ex- ists, such as did not arise in any former instance; the soil of all the other districts is bounded by the city soil, and therefore, as soon as the city delivered water at the boundary line, the adjoining district at once attached its pipes; between the city and Kensington, however, the district of the Northern Liberties intervenes, and the city has no right to carry through the soil of that dis- trict, pipes for supplying Kensington, so that the assent of the district of the Northern Liberties is necessary to enable her neighbour to partake of the contemplated benefit. It is to be regretted that no agreement be- tween the districts has been made; citizens, separated by lines almost imaginary, and who prosper or pine as they severally thrive or suffer, have, after all, a common in- terest, and should seek to promote the comfort and con- venience of each other; the city cannot control either; all that it can do is to act towards all with perfect im- partiality.

is appended to this report. This useful and curious document has hoen prepared, with equal care and la- bour, by the respectable gentleman, whom it has been the good fortune of the city so long to have, as their skilful and assiduous superintendent: it is a document, not only valuable to ourselves at present, but calculated to he so, to those who shall succeed us, and even to in- quirers after useful information, wherever may be their Respectfully submitted, Jan. 12, 1832.

W. J. DUANE, Chairman.

REPORT OF THE WATERING COMMITTEE.

[FEBRUARY

.A GENERAL VIEW of the leading particulars af the WATER No. 2. WORKS, from their commencement, Murch, 1799, to | Do., buildings, December 31, 1831.

Cost of first Steam Engine Works, commenced Mar. 1799, and for the sup- port of the same up to 1803 included, $295,352 09

NO. 1.

1804. For the support of engines, distribution, &c. connected with the Works, 1805. do.

34,213 06

41,168 17

cluding pur-

chase of wa-

ter-power at the falls, $432,496 89

1807. do.

26,164 93

1808. - do.

24,629 62

1809. do. 29,467 13

1810. do.

26,9J6 48

1811. do.

29,702 26

purchased of

Navigation

Company, 26,000 00

541,996 89

Cost of ground purchased at Fair Mount, sum paid for damages for ground overflowed by the dam, for ex- tra water-power, &c.

1812. For the first ground purchased at Fair Mount, 16,667 00

16,667 00

1817. do. do. 51,389 26

1818. do. do. for support - of Works, 34,771 33

320,669 84

NO. 3.

1819. For the support of steam engines at Fair Mount, and on account of water-power works begun April 19, 1819, for iron main, iron pipes, &c.,

119,063 68

1820. do. do.

149,700 75

1821. do. do.

115,746 36

1822. do. started water- power works, 1st July, 1822, 106,517 82

For the purchase of the ex- tra water-power, from the Schuylkill Navigation Company,

26,000 00

1824. do. and for laying iron pipes do.,

82,208 94

1825. do. do.

44,307 37

160,904 77

1826. do. do.

73,517 40

1827. do. do.

80,749 92

1828. do. do.

64,150 64

78,370 43

1829.

do. do.

81,180 06

1830. do. do.

35,660 84

1831. do. do. 63,009 57

1,085,081 89

12,589 42

Cost of the Works from March 1799, to 31st De- cember, 1831,

2,063,150 64

268,937 67

For reservoir No. 1, con- 29,135 58 taining 3,917,659 gallons, For do. No. 2, containing 3,296,434 gallons, 10,202 87

For do. No. 3, containing 2,707,295 gallons,

24,621 70

No. 1. Cost without support of en- gines, working do. and distribution, 295,352 09

engines, re- servoirs, &c. with work- ing engines, $200,700 51 Add two first purchases of ground, 33,334 00

234,034 51

No. 3.

Cost the Works, in-

1806. do. and for the pur- chase of the lease of N. J. Roosevelt, amounting to $15,886,

57,623 05

Add purchase of additional ground, 83,500 00

And for extra water-power

1812. do.

27,946 85

1813. do.

30,359 58

1814. do. 33,865 69

657,398 91

NO. 2. 1815. Steam works at Fair Mount begun Aug. 1812, and started Sept.7,1815, 183,289 62 1816. For the support of the Works, and pay- ments of balances due for Works, 51,219 63

1815. For 2d purchase do. 1822. For the inlet to the fore-bay, ground on the margin of the river,

4,000 00

1824: For extra ground for reservoir No. 4, 12,000 00 1828. For the residue of ground betweenCoates's street and the Upper Ferry road, and between Fair Mount street and the Schuylkill, 67,500 00

116,834 00

For the purchase of the water-power, from White and Gillingham, 150,000 00

1823. For working water- power works, building reservoir, and for pay- ment of debts,

69,268 54

Amount of damages paid for overflowing ground, &c. by the dam,

25,958 41

For the dam, locks, canal, fore-bay, and raising the dam 18 inches,

For mill buildings, three. water wheels, breast- works, &c:, For pumps, Nos. 1, 2, and 12,373 43 3, and other fixtures, For wheel, pump, and as- cending main, No. 4, On account, December 31, 1831, for wheel and pump, No. 5, 4,699 62

1831. do. 34,693 80

.. 335,046 82

Together, cost,

466,664 30

Account of Water Rents received in the city from the year 1802 included, up to December 31, 1831.

1802. Water rents received,

$537 00

1803.

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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 26

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