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 77

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 77

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Turn we now to the remaining portion of the United States. The present number of slaves in Delaware is 3305; being a decrease of 1204 since 1820. In Mary- land, 102,878, being a decrease of 4,520 during the same period. In 1810 the number of slaves in Maryland was 111,502; or 8,624 more than it is at present. In the District of Columbia, the number of slaves in 1820 was 6377. Present number, 6056. Decrease, 321. In all the other States and territories, there has been a decid-

ed increase, as will be seen by the following schedule:

No. of slaves in

1820.

1830.

Increase.

Virginia

425,153

469,724

44,671

North Carolina

295,017

246,462

41,445

South Carolina

258,475

315,365

56,890

Georgia

149,656

217,470

67,814

Alabama

41,879

117,294

75,415

Mississippi

32,814

65,659

32,845

Louisiana

69,064

109,631

40,567

Tennessee

80,107

142,382

62,275

Kentucky

120,732

165,350

44,618

Missouri

10,222

24,990

14,768

Florida

unknown

15,510 say 10,000

Arkansas

1,617

4,578

2,961

Total

1,394,736

1,824,415

494,169

Hence, it appears that the whole increase of slave population in the United States from 1820 to 1830, ex- cept 175 in Pennsylvania, has occurred in ten States and two territories, and amounts to 494,169; being an acces- sion of more than one-third to the original number. If from 494,169 we deduct the decrease in other portions of the Union, amounting to 21,678, we have a nett in- crease throughout the United States, of 472,491. The whole number in 1820 was 1,531,346 :- consequently, the present number is 2,003,837, out of a total popula- tion of 12,856,167. The increase from 1810 to 1820 was 339,982.

We have not the means of knowing the ratio of in- crease among the white population of these States, in comparison with the slaves, but taking the whole popu- lation in the aggregate, the increase from 1820 to 1830 was as 100 to 133, while the increase of slaves was as 100 to 136, nearly. Hence it is clear that the slaves are increasing in those States in a considerably more rapid ratio than the whites .- New York Journal of Commerce. Remarks by the Editor of the Pittsburg Gazette, Ne- ville B. Craig.

STATISTICS OF SLAVERY .- The article under this head, upon the opposite page of our paper, presents some in- teresting results. The object of this paragraph is sim- ply to state, that there cannot, in fact, have been an in- crease of slaves in Pennsylvania during the ten years from 1820 to 1830. In the enumeration of this portion of the population, in one of those years there must have heen committed errors to the amount of 175-the sup- posed increase. Some slaves may have been overlook- ed in 1820; or some who were not slaves in 1830, may have been enumerated as such. Be this as it may, it is certain that the reproach-"that Pennsylvania is the only state north of Maryland and the Ohio, in which the number of slaves increased after 1820"-is not well founded. It would, indeed, be a remarkable circum- stance, if such reproach could be justly urged against the land of Penn. Pennsylvania made an early move on this subject, and on the 1st March, 1780, an act was passed which declared that no person, born after that date should be considered or held as a slave for life. So that now, no child or person born after that date, or im- ported from other States, can be held after the age of twenty-eight years. Consequently, there can now be no slaves in this State, under fifty-one years of age; and Pennsylvania cannot be liable to the reproach of being the only state north of Mason and Dixon's line, in which the number of slaves has increased.

Slavery in Pennsylvania. In our last paper, we made some remarks upon the apparent increase of the num- ber of Slaves in this State, presented by the census of 1830, as compared with that of 1820. That increase seemed to be 175, upon a stock of 211 in 1820, being upwards of 83 per cent., in ten years. That there was some mistake in the matter, we never doubted; we well knew that an actual increase of the number of slaves in this state, could not take place at this late day. Whether the error, however, arose from omissions of slaves in 1820, or from enumerating in 1830, as slaves,

1832.]

STATISTICS OF SLAVERY.

271

colored persons who were only servants for years, we knew not. We then determined to investigate the mat- ter thoroughly, even though it should cost us much la- bor. We have, however, been agreeably disappointed; a very slight investigation has satisfied us, that gross er- rors have been committed in the enumeration of 1830. We, in the first place, carefully perused the act of March, 1780, and satisfied ourselves, fully, that there could be no slaves in this state, under fifty-one years of age. We then took up the census of Western District of Pennsylvania for 1830, in which we found enumerat- ed 154 slaves, in the following seven counties.

In Allegheny,

30, 24 of whom were under 36 yrs.

Fayette,

89, 77

Huntingdon,

12, 7

Indiana,

10, 10

Lycoming,

5, 4

Mercer,

6, 6

Venango,

2, 2

154 130

There were other counties in the Western District, in which similar errors were committed, but these were the most prominent. We have no complete table of the Eastern District,* but were enabled to get the censuses of the following sixcounties, which gave the following re- sults :

Adams,

45, 39

under

16 years. do

Berks,

Bucks,

Chester,

Реггу,

4, 2

York,

25, 20

92 71

Seven western co. 154 130

246 201

Here are thirteen counties, which, in the enumeration of 1830, are stated to contain two hundred and forty-six slaves; yet, when we come to examine tbem, and de- duct those under thirty-six years of age, there remain but forty-five.

Total,

246

Under 36 years of age, 201-45

Even this, however, does not exhibit the whole amount of the error in these 13 counties. Of those enumerated in the census, and stated to be over 36, and under fifty-five, we know not how many may be under fifty-one years of age, and of course entitled to their li- "berty at this moment. We have not, as we have before stated, a complete table of the population of the state, according to the census of 1830. That census, howev- er, states, that there are 386 slaves in the whole state, being an increase of 175 over the census of 1820. In these thirteen counties, there are errors to the amount of 201. Deduct these from the total apparent number of slaves, and there remains but 185, being 26 less than there was in 1820. In 1820, these thirteen counties contained about 100 slaves, and they now contain less than 45; being a decrease of more than fifty-five per cent. Such a decrease is not surprising, when it is re- collected that all who were really slaves in 1820, were considerably advanced in life, and most of them aged. If the decrease has been equally great in all other parts of the state, the slaves cannot now excecd 90.

In a subsequent paper, Mr. Craig says, since the pub- lication of the above we have laid our hands upon the list of taxables and slaves in Pennsylvania, according to the Septennial enumeration of 1828, compiled from the returns made to the Governor, by the commissioners of the respective counties. This list gives seventy-nine alaves to the whole state. We add the results of the Septennial enumeration, our calculation, and the cen- sus of 1830 in these thirteen counties-

Sep. Enu. in 1823.

Our Calculation.

Census in 1830

Allegheny,

Adams,

Fayette,

Huntingdon,

York,

Indiana,

Mercer,

Venango,

Lycoming,

Berks,

Bucks,

Chester,

Perry,

246

Our estimate exceeds the enumeration of 1828; this excess may be accounted for by that portion of the co- lored population over 36 years of age, and under 51, which are represented as slaves, and which cannot be distinguished in the census of 1830.

It is a matter to be greatly regretted, that such errors should have been committed in the classification of that portion of the colored population under fifty-one years of age. It proves, officially, to the world, that slavery is on the increase in this state, and subjects the land of Penn to the reproach and ignominious distinction of be- ing the only state north of Mason and Dixon's line so unhappily situated. It is manifest that the official state- ment is erroneous; but that statement will be read where and when a correction will be unnoticed and unknown.

Thus far Mr. Craig-The number seventy-nine, com- prises the remaining few colored persons, of those who were in slavery at the time of the passage of the law in 1780, and of course are now above fifty years of age. These have grown up with their present masters, live on the same food, often work in the same field, are as much attached to their owners, as their owners to them, and would not accept their freedom if offered to them.

Feeling much for the character of my native state, by reason of the obviously incorrect statement of the Mar- shal's assistants, in respect to the increase of slaves in Pennsylvania, since 1820, I examined the book kept by John Kelker, who in part took the census of Dauphin county, in the year 1830, and found a return of 17 slaves in said county, and in the possession of the follow- ing persons.

RESIDENCEI

AGE.

Between |Between] Between|Between 10 and 12 24 and 36 36 and 55 55 & 100

Harrisburg,

John Berryhill, J. A. Shulze, David Espy,

1 fem. 1 fem.

I fem.

Susque'a ) townsh. S

John B. Cox,

2 fem.

I fem.

Ilanover,

A. M' Allister, Alex. M'Cright,

1 fem.

Rev J.Snodgrass

1 fem.

I malo

David Ferguson,

I fem.

Robert Rogers,

I male

James Corbet,

1 male

Mifflin,

Unknown,

1 male

It is obvious, that as every negro and mulatto child, born within the state after the passing of the act of March, 1780, was declared to be free after hav- ing served his or her master or assigns twenty-eight years there could not have been in the year 1830, any of the sixteen persons above referred to, lawfully held in bondage, with the exception ofthe one between the ages of 55 and 100 years. The same remark will of course apply to many of the other returns. Seventeen slaves were returned from Dauphin county, but upon going over the book with the assistant Marshal, only 16 persons were counted, who were returned as such.

I think it proper to remark, that as far as my observa- tions extend, the only editor in Pennsylvania, who notic- cd the circuinstance of the apparent increase of the

*Sce Register Vol. VII.

I m.2 fe.

272

STATISTICS OF SLAVERY.

[APRIL

slaves in the United States since 1820,is Mr. Craig, " and the friends of justice, truth and humanity, are much obliged to him for his appropriate and excellent re- marks on the subject. It is also somewhat singular, that these should not have been republished, considering the sensitiveness professed to be entertained by several editors of newspapers, with respect to the continuance of slavery in the United States.

Harrisburg, April 16, 1832.

JAMES MEASE.

17 We have had on file, since their publication in the Pittsburg Gazette, the preceding remarks on the in- crease of slaves in this state-and have delayed the re- publication in the hope of, by investigation, throwing some light upon the subject: with this view we formed the following comparative table of the number of slaves at the periods of taking the census in 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820 and 1830.

[1790)1800[1810|1820|1830

Adams,

I14

Allegheny,

159

Armstrong, -

- 1

Beaver,

Bedford,

Berks, -

Bradford,

Bucks,

261

Butler,

Chester,

145

Cumberland,

223

228

307

Cambria,

Columbia,

Centre,

00.

Clearfield,

Crawford,

212

Erie,

Fayette,

282

Franklin,

330 181

Greene,

Huntingdon,

12 10

Indiana,

Jefferson,

Lancaster,

348

178

Lebanon,

Lehigh,

Luzerne,

Lycoming, Mckean,

Mercer,

Mifflin,

23±

00 1

Northumberland,

Perry,

Philadelphia,

387

Pike,

Potter,

Schuylkill, -

Somerset,

Susquehanna,

Tioga,

Union,

Venango,

Warren,

Washington,

263

Wayne,

Westmoreland,

128

136

York,

499

3737 1706 795 211' 386

. Mr. Reynolds in the Lancaster Journal, July 2, 1830, also noticed the fact in some remarks for which we have not room.

t And Mifflin.

# And Centre.

From the preceding table it appears, that every other census previous to the last, exhibited a regular decrease in almost every instance, with the exception of Cum. berland county, in which from 1800 to 1810, there was an apparent increase of 79; but since that period, the num- ber of slaves has there, gradually decreased to 7. From 1820 to 1830, the principal apparent increase was in the counties of Adams, Allegheny, Fayette, Dauphin, Lan- caster, Philadelphia and York. Now presuming that the Marshals have made correct reports of the returns made to them-we cannot otherwise account for the apparent increase, than by supposing it possible, that as these counties are all, either adjoining slave states or in their immediate neighborhood: slaves may have been in- troduced from the latter, and are still illegally held in bondage, and actually reported as such to the Marshals, whose duty did not require them to investigate this cir- cumstance. It is certainly well worth the attention of the friends of abolition, to ascertain what are the facts.

IMPROVEMENT.

We are pleased to observe a disposition manifested to purchase lots in Manch Chunk, and improve the place by erecting handsome buildings. Several engagements for lots have, we understand, been made with the Com- pany this spring, and two buildings, one designed for a store, and the other a dwelling, are in a state of for- wardness and will soon be finished .- Courier.

There are a few things necessary to the convenience of house-building in Mauch Chunk, one of which is a good brick yard in its vicinity. No brick can at present be procured nearer than Allentown. Another is lime. The materials for making both of these articles we be- lieve can be obtained in the vicinity of this place, and we should suppose that the manufacturing of them would be profitable-1b.

OFSNOW!CO

There are now (April the 2Ist, ) several large banks of snow, from 1 to 4 feet deep, an the road side a short distance below the Mauch Chunk Hotel, which were deposited there within the past winter. They are pro- tected from the rays of the sun by the shade of the mountain, and the atmosphere in this vicinity has not been sufficiently heated to dissolve tbem. It is a little singular to see banks of snow on one side of the road, while on the other the trees and shrubs are beginning to open their buds and put on their summer livery of green.

There is no doubt ("bating the arrival of the Comic") that snow will be found in the narrows after the middle of May. If so, the public shall be advised of the fact. -Ib.

BOAT-BUILDING.

In addition to the hurly-burly of the boat-shed, we have business going on along the banks of the Lehigh, where our friends, Batchelor & Co., Col. Dodson, Jos. Lippincott, and I. Salkeld,-and Andrew Cooper, and others, on the bank of the canal, east of the Lehigh, are driving their various contracts for the Lehigh coal and Navigation company, and the Morris canal compa- ny, with a degree of spirit that promises a favorable re- sult to their operations.

Between one and two hundred boats are building by the contractors named above .- lbid.

APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR.

JOSIAH WHITE, Esq. to be a Canal Commissioner, in place of James M. Linnard, Esq. resigned.

Montgomery,

114

Northampton,

Dauphin,

Delaware,

00 18 2 1

56 5 2

HAZARD'S REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

VOL: IX .- NO. 18. PHILADELPHIA, MAY 5, 1832. NO. 227.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD TO THE UNION BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

Presented at a Quarterly meeting, held in the Franklin Institute, April 16, 1832.

Although the time specified by the Constitution for receiving a report front the Executive Board, has not yet arrived; yet we believe that the peculiar circum- stances of the Institution, struggling in its infancy with unforeseen difficulties, and called upon to act as almo- ner for the public, in a manner not at first contemplated; make it desirable that the members generally should be made acquainted with the course which has been pur- sued by the board, the efforts made to meet the exigen- cy of the case, and the degree of success which has attended the labors of the visitors.

One of the first subjects which claimed the attention of the board, after its organization, was the printing and circulating the address, constitution of the society, and regulations for visitors; in order that the public gene- rally might be put in possession of a knowledge of the views entertained by the society, and the plan of opera- tion by which it was proposed to attain the objects for which it had been instituted: twenty-five hundred copies were accordingly struck off, and distributed throughout the City and Liberties. The board, at an early period, by a committee authorized to confer with the La- dies committee on the subject; divided the City, Northern Liberties, and Southwark, into districts, in accordance with the plan originally contemplated. The City proper is divided into twelve, the Northern Liberties and Southwark into four districts cach. These districts have been respectively subdivided into numerous small. sections. The operations of the society, being subse- quently extended into Moyamensing, that township now constitutes one district, and is likewise subdivided into small sections.

In order to bring the scheme of the association more immediately before the public, and to secure the ser- vices of those who were disposed to enlist as visitors in the different districts; it was resolved, at a meeting of the board held on the 7th of December, at which, invi- tation having been given, several of the members of the Ladies branch attended; that those persons friendly to the objects of the Union Benevolent Association, be in- vited to attend a meeting to be held on the 12th of the month. The meeting was accordingly attended by a considerable number of ladics, for whom it was princi- pally designed. A meeting for a similar purpose, was likewise held on the 5th of January, at the commission- ers' hall, Southwark; to which the ladies of that district were particularly invited: the result of this mecting was also satisfactory.

It is not necessary to enter here into a detail of the various efforts which have been made by the different executive committees, in order to develop the peculiar system which characterizes the society, and to secure for it the patronage and co-operation of the community; suffice it to say, that every eligible opportunity, as it oc- curred, has been embraced, and in every instance, when fully understood, the plan has met with approbation and encouragement.

VOL. IX.

The report of the managers of the Ladies branch accompanies this, by which it will be seen, how assidu- ously they have prosecuted their benevolent work, and how deeply the association is indebted to the members composing that branch, who by their unwearied labours, have mainly contributed to the success which has al- ready been attained.

The society has heretofore been made acquainted with the causes which rendered it expedient to call a public meeting of the citizens, on the 7th of January last, for the purpose of obtaining the funds indispensa- bly necessary for the relief of the poor; whose suffer- ings were at that time, unusually severc. The result of the appeal which was then made to the public, will be seen by the accompanying report of a committee ap- pointed by this board, at a special meeting held on the 11th of January; to superintend the distribution of the funds raised by the citizens. From that report it will be seen, that especial care has been taken, that the re- solutions passed by the citizens who composed the meet- Ing of the 7th of January should be fully complied with, and the pledge then given, faithfully redeemed. The board has scrupulously guarded against appropriating any part of this fund, towards any other object than that for which it was subscribed.

The entire suppression of street begging; by which means many live upon the public, the only cause of whose poverty is either indolence or vice; is a result ar- dently desired by the society; and an attempt to attain it was made during the past winter, by soliciting house- keepers to withhold all aid from common paupers, and to give their broken victuals to persons employed by the society to collectit. The provision thus obtaincd, being placed at depots conveniently situated; those persons who were found by the visitors to be in want, and de- serving, were allowed to draw a supply, sufficient for their immediate necessities. Under the existing cir- cumstances, it was deemed best to close these deposito- ries at the conclusion of last month. The subject is one which is attended with difficulties, and demands pa- tient experiment.

The board has been aware that in order to give full effect to the system of visitation, and of inspection into the habits and resources of the poor; it is necessary to obtain the services of gentlemen who are willing to afford prompt assistance when called upon by the lady visitors of the different sections; as well as carefully to attend to all such cases as properly claim their exclusive atten- tion. The subject was carly given in charge to a large committee, who have made some progress in procuring the services of suitable persons; but owing to the num- ber of subjects, which in the organization of such an institution as this, necessarily present themselves for in- mediate attention; this has not yet received the full share which its importance demands, and which will hereafter be given to it.

No sooner did the visitors commence their labors, than it became obvious, that the establishment of an office of reference, and the appointment of a qualified agent, were indispensably requisite. A suitable person has been accordingly selected, who, it is expected, will shortly enter upon the duties of his office, at a salary of eight hundred dollars per annum.

The constant complaints which are made by the indus-

274

REPORT TO THE UNION BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

[MAŻ

trious poor, of the difficulties which they experience in procuring work that will yield them adequate means of support; have induced the board to take the subject under consideration, and a committee now stands ap- pointed, charged with its investigation, and in conjunc- tion with a committee of the managers of the Ladies' branch, to devise some plan by which the poor can ob- tain more permanent and lucrative employment.

In conclusion, the board cannot but express their con- viction, that experience will establish the correctness of the principle upon which the society is founded; and that in proportion as its plan of operation is carried in- to practice; it will be found competent to effect the ob- ject for which the association was formed; and to realize the most sanguine anticipations of its members. They would therefore earnestly impress upon the attention of the visitors, the necessity of unrelaxed exertions, in or- der to awaken within the minds of those, who have been accustomed to rely upon public charity for the re- lief of their wants, a spirit of industry and honest inde- pendence; and to point out to those who are disposed to provide for the future, the best means for increasing and husbanding their resources. The distribution of the public alms, confided to the visitors during the past winter; although altogether an adventitious duty, has, we trust, by the judicious manner in which it was per- formed, gained the confidence of, both those who gave and those who received; and we hope that the feeling of gratitude and respect which has been created in the minds of those, who constitute the class which we de- sire to benefit, may be cherished and increased by the conviction that the pertinent advice, and kind assistance of the visitors, are of far more permanent value to per- sons in their situation than the gift of either food or clothing.

All which is respectfully submitted.

THOMAS C. JAMES.

President.

JAMES J. BARCLAY, Secretary. Philadelphia, April 16, 1832.

REPORT OF THE MANAGERS OF THE LADIES' BRANCH OF THE UNION BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

In presenting their first quarterly report to the Execu- tive Board of the Union Benevolent Association, the man- agers of the Ladies Branch desire it to be borne in mind, that the District committees were necessarily organized at different periods, and that some have met with greater obstacles in the performance of their duties than oth- ers. This latter remark applies particularly to South- wark.

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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 77

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