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. XII > Part 100
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education complete without it, and it may be safely said that no teacher of religious truth can be considered as qualified, in point of literary acquisition, for the dis-| of tolls taken on each division of canal, all the state-
1833.]
REPORT OF THE UNION CANAL COMPANY.
347
ments being from the first of November, 1832, to the 31st of October, 1833.
RECEIPTS-No. 1.
Lands and Land Office fees,
$48,379 64
Auction commissions,
15,700 00
Auction duties,
79,038 08
Dividends on bank stock,
143,230 00
Dividends on bridge, navigation and turn- pike stock,
28,535 20
Tax on bank dividends,
45,404 91
Tax on offices,
14,399 51
Tax on writs, &c.
24,771 00
Fees, Secretary of State's office,
728 33
Tavern licences,
52,267 16
Duties on Dealers in foreign merchandize,
61,480 86
State maps,
131 30
Collateral inheritances,
160,626 26
Pamphlet laws,
96 26
Militia and exempt fines,
1,693 00
Tin and clock pedlers' licences,
2,461 93
Hawkers' and pedlers' licences,
3,025 45
Increase of county rates and levies,
185,177 32
Tax on personal property,
43,685 47
Escheats,
1,742 99
Canal tolls,
151,419 69
Loans,
2,539,987 00
Premiums on Loans,
335,651 72
Premiums on bank charters,
102,297 90
Old debts and miscellaneous,
5,119 74
4,047,050 62
Balance in Treasury, Nov. 1. 1832,
117,167 16
$4,164,217 78
EXPENDITURES-No. 2.
Internal Improvements,
$2,588,879 13
Expenses of Government,
212,940 95
Militia Expenses,
20,776 99
Pensions and Gratuities,
29,303 21
Education,
7,954 48
House of Refuge, Interest on Loans,
94,317 47
Pennsylvania Claimants, 351 00
State Maps,
187 30
Internal Improvement Fund,
755,444 01
Penitentiary at Philadelphia,
44,312 50
Penitentiary near l'ittsburg, 23,047 75
Conveying Convicts, 1,350 22
Conveying Fugitives, 581 50
Defence of the State, 160 00
Miscellaneous,
12,187 97
33,796,794 48
Balance in the Treasury, Nov. 1, 1833, 367,423 30
$4,164,217 78
CANAL TOLLS-No. 3.
Abraham Hendel, Collector at Ports- mouth, Eastern Division,
$25,543 90
Thomas C. Reed. Harrisburg,
19,650 69
John Nevin, Middletown,
516 32
George P. Nevin, Swatara Aqueduct,
541 76
Robert Scott, Jr., Duncan's Island, Sus- quehanna Division, 3,485 06
Jacob Fritz, Juniata Aqueduct, Juniata Division, 61 41
Levi Reynolds, Lewistown,
7,703 84
Robert Robinson, Shaver's Ford Aque- duct,
10 00
Thomas Airs, Aqueduct at Jack's Nar- rows,
114 62
William Williams, Huntingdon,
3.564 08
John Walker, Hollidaysburg,
John Mathews, Johnstown, Western Divi- sion, 875 CO
Thomas Johnson, Blairsville,
14,225 00
David Brinneman, Leechburgh, 4,355 85
William B. Foster, Alleghenytown,
4,993 20
John Fowler, Pittsburg Aqueduct, 736 71
Samuel Foreman, Kiskiminitas Aqueduct,
250 83
E. N. Doane, late, Northumberland and Susquehanna Division, 5,440 16
John W. Miles, do. do. 2,117 89
Do. Towing Path Bridge,
112 83
Samuel Headly, Berwick,
3,416 32
Caleb Dusenbery, Easton, Delaware Di- vision, 31,731 46
Charles B. Knowlcs, New Hope, 1,675 03
William T. Rogers, Bristol,
6,915 65
William F, Swift, late do.
4,503 00
Enoch Davis, Columbia and Philadelphia Rail Road, 3,323 64
John Speakman, late do.
1,678 94
$151,419 69
It will be seen from the above, that the amount of tolls realized, within the fiscal year is $151,419 69. - Last year the sum taken, in the same period, was $50,909 57-and from that time until the 1st of Janua- ry. about 5,000 dollars additional was collected, making in all upwards of 55,000 dollars .- The present ycar up to this date, shows nearly 165,000 dollars accounted for at the Treasury, and a further sum of 30,000 will be realized before the first of January, making in all, 195,- 000 dollars, more than three times the amount collect- ed in 1832.
The above facts and figures are conclusive evidence to the friends of Internal Improvement in this quarter, that the present system is one of sound policy, and will yield in a few years, a sufficiency of revenue to pay the interest upon the money borrowed to complete it. The tolls for the next year, may safely be set down at from 450 to 550,000 dollars .- Chronicle.
ANNUAL REPORT
Of the President and Managers of the Union Canal Com- pany, November 19, 1833.
The regular period prescribed by the charter, for submitting the annual statement of the affairs of the Union Canal Company to the examination of the stock- holders, having arrived, the President and Managers have much satisfaction in laying before those interested such information respecting the state of the works, and the improved prospects of the Company, as will go far to verify the predictions continually made, and now about to be realized, concerning the efficiency and uti- lity ofthis great and expensive undertaking.
The Union Canal opened for navigable purposes on the 20th day of March last, since which time loaded boats have been passing and re passing without inter- ruption, with the exception of a few days, owing to the necessary repairs of lock No. 43 east, which had prov- ed defective in its construction. Notwithstanding the increased and growing trade upon this canal, it is with much pleasure the Board can state, that at no time of this season, has there been any deficiency of water for the passing of the trade; and as measures are now in progress for permanently improving the works, by means of a new cylindrical feeders, not liable to prema- ture decay, or leakage, and having within reach an ad- ditional supply of water from the Quitapaliilla source, (heretofore untouched, ) they are firmly of opinion tha no further apprehension need be entertained as regards a full and constant supply of water, sufficient to accom- modate whatever number of boats may present them- selves.
The tolls received from the 1st of November, 1832, 3,847 10 to the 1st of November, 1833, amount to $103,462 45,
5,000 00
348
REPORT OF THE UNION CANAL COMPANY.
[NOVEMBER
showing an increase over last year's receipts of 75 per cent., the tolls of that year amounting to $59,061 06- thus establishing the fact that the anticipations of the Company have not been based upon idle or illusory speculations, but founded upon sound and correct cal- culation. It is a subject of pleasing reflection, not only to the friends of the Union Canal, but to all who feel an interest in the welfare of our State, and of internal improvements, to find that whatever discouragement may cloud the incipient prospects of these great and expensive works, all difficulties may be surmounted by perseverance and good management, and the result prove beneficial and profitable to those who have in- vested their funds in the undertaking. A large and progressively increasing trade may be safely calculated on from year to year, through this Canal, aided as it will be by the completion of the State canals, and other valuable improvements facilitating and enlarging the transportation to and from the most distant quarters of the commonwealth.
The improvements which have been authorised by the Board of Managers, and which are now being exe- cuted, are agreeably to the directions of Canvass White, Esq , who has acted as engineer-in-chief, on the line of the Union Canal.
They consist principally of a new cylindrical fecder, to convey the water of Swatara, lifted by hydraulic ma- chinery, to the summit level. This circular feeder, or aqueduct, will be 3 feet 6 inches in diameter, made of the best white pine plank, three inches thick, jointed, and firmly bound together by iron bands, and will ex- tend from the water works to the summit level, a dis- tance of nearly four miles. It is intended as a substi- tute for the present open trough feeder, which has be- come decayed and leaky. It is believed the new plan, when executed, will be a great saving of water, not being liable to leakage, and constructed so as to pre- vent premature decay, by covering the superstructure with a roof, and defending it from the moisture of the earth beneath.
In addition to the supply of water obtained for the summit by this feeder, another ample resource is at hand. One of the steam engines has been transferred from the water works on Swatara to McLaughlin's pond near Lebanon, for the purpose of throwing into the summit level an extra supply of water, when any apprehension of scarcity is entertained. This pond forms the principal head of the Quittapahilla, the wa- ters of which as yet have been untouched by the Com- pany. From its proximity to the summit (about half a mile) and the abundant supply, so easily obtained in case of need, it is confidently believed, that the canal will at no time hereafter be deficient in water. Parti- cular pains and care will be taken, that this water do not escape by means of leakage, as the bottom of the Canal over this treacherous ground will be doubly lined with plank, which have been purchased and transport- ed to the points where leaks have heretofore occurred. Along the line of Canal a number of new houses, for the accommodation of Lock-keepers, has been erected, which although adding to the expense, were necessary for the prompt passage of boats through the locks, as well as to prevent a waste of water which has frequent- ly occurred by inattention to the gates.
The Rail Road mentioned in last year's report as in progress, has this season been completed under the particular superintendence of Mr. Benjamin Aycrigg, the Engineer, employed by the Company. This Rail Road is now in operation; it runs from the basins of the Canal at Pine Grove to the vicinity of the Coal re- gion, above Pine Grove, and forms a junction with the Lorberry Rail Road, which extends to the Coal Mines. From this quarter, a considerable trade may hereafter be expected, advantageous to the Canal Company, and opening a market for Anthracite Coal, which may be readily transported either to Philadelphia or the Sus- quehanna Outlet. These improvements and repairs
involved a large expenditure of money. They were however necessary, are of a permanent character, and by the estimation of Mr. Canvass White, were comput- ed at $103,565.
The Company's pecuniary situation, agreeably to their last Report, was not competent to meet such hea- vy expenses, and it was deemed proper to ask legisla- tive aid, to enable the Company to surmount these dif- ficulties, and promote an improvement indispensable to the success of the great State Canals. In consequence of the application made to the last Legislature by the Board of Managers, by direction of the Stockholders, an Act was passed entitled, "An Act for the entire abo- lition of Lotteries," which enactment authorises the Governor to subscribe on the part of the Commonwealth for one thousand shares of the Capital Stock of the Un- ion Canal Company to aid in making the necessary re- pairs and improvements to the works, and render them more perfect and permanently useful. In payment of this subscription, the Governor was authorised to issue a Certificate of Loan in favor of the Union Canal Com- pany of Pennsylvania for two hundred thousand dollars, bearing an interest of 43 per cent., payable half yearly on the first days of February and August, the principal to be redeemable at any time after the 10th of April, 1863, and making it the duty of the Company to apply the proceeds of any part of said loan which they might sell exclusively in making and completing the repairs and improvements of the works of the Canal. This Loan was granted with the express condition, that the Union Canal Company should release the Common- wealth from all claims under the Lottery grant, and the guarantee of interest made by the State to the new Stockholders under the Act of the 26th of March, 1821.
Upon the passage of the Act of the first of March last, "for the entire abolition of Lotteries," coupled with the condition of the State subscription, the Board of Managers were of opinion, that it would be decidedly the interest of the company to accept the terms of this act, as a mark of deference to the State authorities, and in conformity with the voice of the moral public, which called loudly for the suppression of Lotteries. They therefore, at a special meeting of the Stockhold- ers, called for the purpose of taking the subject into consideration. were authorised by a resolution, to exe- cute, in the name and behalf of the Company, the re- leases required by the provision of the 3d section of the law. Thus, by accepting these conditions, the company has received the certificate of State Loan for $200,000,and relinquished the right of raising money by way of Lottery, from and after the 31st day of Decem- ber next, from which period the Lottery privileges will cease and determine.
Owing to the manner in which the law has been worded, authorising the issuing of the Certificate of Stock, the Governor did not think he was empowered to issue the same, so as to make it divisable or assigna- ble, and the certificate was issued in favor of the Union Canal Company in one entire sum of $200,000, without their having the power to divide or transfer the same into smaller parts. This defect has prevented the Com- pany thus far from availing themselves of the benefit of the State Loan, as they could not sell or assign the same in portions to suit the wants of the Company. They have little doubt, however, that upon a represen- tation being made to the Legislature, this oversight will be remedied.
In the mean time, to meet the current expenses of the improvements and repairs, the managers were obliged to have recourse to the tolls received on the canal, which have been applied in discharging the debts incurred in the prosecution of the works. These tolls will be replaced to their legitimate objects, as soon as funds can be raised from the disposition of the State Ioan.
In conclusion, the Board congratulate the Stockhold-
.
349
EXHIBITION OF THE BLIND.
1833.]
ers, and the friends of internal improvement generally, upon the fair and pleasing prospect held out by the in- creasing usefulness of the Union Canal, by its improv- ed condition; by its capacity to pass the largest quanti- ty of tonnage that may present itself; and by its advan- tageous route in connexion with the State Canals, af- fording facilities for transportation between Philadel- phia and the great West, as well as the northern quar- ters of our State, which every year's experience teaches us is, and will be a rapidly increasing trade.
The annexed statements exhibit the Treasurer's an- nual account of receipts and expenditures, also the amount of tolls received, and the quantity of tonnage which has passed the Union Canal from the first day of November, 1832, to the first day of November, 1833.
All of which is respectfully submitted, by order of the Board of Managers.
WILLIAM READ, President.
Statement of the whole amount of tonnage which passed the Union Canal from the first of November, 1832, to the first of November, 1833, amounting to 85,876 tons, 6 cwt. 2 qrs.
Tons, cwt.
qrs.
Flour, 70,595 barrels, (weighing)
6,723
5 3
Wheat and Rye, 324,260 bushels
8,106
10
0
Whiskey, 12,408 barrels
1,551.
2
0
Iron, bar, pig, and casting's Iron Ore
7,295
2
0
Coal, bituminous and anthracite
5,488
3
0
Lumber, 14,677,750 feet
14,677
15
2
Shingles, 5,991,600
2,995
16
Staves,
188
8
Gypsum,
12,558
13
0
Fish, 14,370 barrels
1,916
5
0
Salt, 124,200 bushels
3,104
19
1
Merchandize,
9,154
7
1
Sundries, consisting of corn, flaxseed, tobacco, hemp, clover seed, lard,
butter, limestone, marble, bricks, leather, pork, &c. ยท
9,809
8
3
85,876
6
2
Amount received in cash for tolls, $103,462 45
From Poulson's American Daily Advertiser. EXHIBITION OF THE BLIND, At the Musical Fund Hall, Nov. 21, 1833.
At an early hour on the above evening, we attended at the place appointed for this novel and interesting spectacle, to witness a display of mental and physical powers, which exceeded the most sanguine expecta- tions of the very large and highly respectable audience assembled on the occasion. We were forcibly struck with the tasteful display of articles manufactured by the blind pupils, the effect of which was heightened by the judicious arrangement of causing the company to enter at the southwest corner of the room. Our grati- fication was still farther increased at witnessing the ra- pid succession in which groups of expecting and sur- prised visitors arrived, and disposed themselves in com- pact order, till the room was completely filled by at least fifteen hundred persons.
A general expression of satisfaction pervaded the whole assembly, at the display of workmanship on the stage; but this feeling gave place to a deeper one of sympathetic sorrow, on the entrance of Mr. Fried- lander, with his blind pupils. It is impossible to con- vey an idea of the impression made by their apparently forlorn and desolate situation; an attempt was made to greet them in the usual manner by clapping; but this was smothered by the warm gush of other feelings than those of mere satisfaction or hearty welcome. The mute eloquence of the fair portion of the audience was sympathetic; and, we should trust, was found accepta- ble by that Being who is alike invisible to the seeing and the blind.
On the right and left of the stage were erected nar- row strips, about ten feet long, one above the other, to the height of about twenty feet from the floor, on which were hung guard chains, many of which were made of gold and silver braid, interwoven with silk braids of va- rious colors, descending in festoons from the top strip" in the centre, to the ends of the horizontal strips, be- neath these festoons were arranged lamp stands and straw table mats, of different patterns, made by the fe- male pupils, both sides of the bannisters of the stage were hung with small baskets, the whole entwined with fringe of different colors, such as is used for the trim- mings for the lamps, stands, &c. The organ at the back part of the stage was also tastefully decorated with baskets of different shapes and sizes. The frame on the left was surrounded by a lady's green silk calash, the work of Sarah Marsh, a most interesting girl, who subsequently astonished us by her correct execution on the piano forte, in which she exhibited a knowledge of the keys, or scales in music, seldom to be met with in clear-sighted persons of much longer practice. The piano forte was on the left: behind it were placed, on easels or stands, maps of the world and United States- on which the rivers and boundaries of countries and states are made tangible by perforating the outlines from the back of the map-this method, we under- stand, has been preferred by the principal to any other, as it presents all the advantages to a blind person that a seeing person possesses, it being requisite only to perforate any place on the map and name it to the pupil; which fixes it permanently in his mind.
We also observed. two boards of tangible characters, one containing the complete scale of natural notes in music, arranged for treble, tenor and base, beneath which is placed an exact representation of the key board of the piano forte and guides of direction leading up to each note in either of the staves above; this we believe is something quite new, and admirably adapted for the instruction of the clear-sighted as well as the blind. The other board contains the time, table, and all the signs and marks in music in general use; the ar- rangement of this board is also new and somewhat unique, as it presents, in a small space, the most com- prehensive view of all the signs and different times of music that we ever saw. There were two black-ended boards for writing on, and various other articles for aiding in their instruction, distributed on the other parts of the stage.
We had no conception that so much had been done in so short a time, considering that nine months ago the institution was not in existence.
The exhibition commenced by the pupils performing the music to the following hymn, written for the occa- sion, with original music.
O, thou great and gracious Being, To all creatures ever kind ! Source of vision to the seeing. Friend and father of the blind !
Joys of sight ! they are denied us; Let thy holy will be done ! In our blindness thou wilt guide us, Thou, O God, our light, our sun !
Through the sounds that fall and linger On the eager, listening ear; Through the quick-discerning finger, Bidding darkness disappear.
Thro' the friends whom thou hast given, And whose hearts thy love controls, Thou art pouring down from heaven, Learning's light upon our souls.
Now no ills our hearts shall sadden, They shall know no painful fears; Though our eyes no sunbeams gladden, They shall stream no more with tears.
2,306
10
0
1 3
350
EXHIBITION OF THE BLIND.
[NOVEMBER
Both music and hymn being original and written for the occasion. They appeared, however, disconcerted at the concourse of persons which they were sensible had assembled to witness their performances. How- ever, as they proceeded, they gained confidence, and more than realized all expectations of what they were able to do, if properly educated, and their minds di- rected from their unfortunate situation.
Next followed exercises in a knowledge of the alpha- bet, Mr. Friedlander led his youngest pupil, Wm. Hatz, to the front of the stage, and handed him several letters of the alphabet, cut in relief on blocks, of which he evinced a ready knowledge. Another pupil, J. B. Martindale, who had been in the institution but fifteen days, exhibited his knowledge of the letters by placing them on a board and spelling short sentences. They then proceeded to reading from tangible letters, exe- cuted by the pupils themselves, with pin tynes. which are small pieces of wood, about two inches long and three-eighths of an inch square. On the lower end which rests in the box, (which is laid at the right hand of the pupil, ) is the shape of the letter reversed, form- ed of steel points, and on one side of the block is cut in relief the form of the letter, so that when the pupil passes his hand along a row of them in the box, he rea- dily finds any letter he may want, which he transfers to a small rack, closed down over a board covered with cloth, and under this rack, on the top of the cloth, is placed a sheet of paper, through which the pupil presses the points of the pin type, and in this manner transfers his ideas to paper, which then becomes pal- pable to the seeing, as well as to the touch of the blind.
Specimens of this printing were handed about the company, and it was pleasing to witness the impatience of ardent curiosity in many who were delayed from its gratification by their remote situation from the gentle- men who handed them around. We were then not only gratified, but indeed astonished, to witness the fa- cility with which one of the pupils, (we believe Wm. Graham,) wrote with chalk a large portion of the Lo.Id's prayer, on one of the blackened boards. This was indeed wonderful, and evinced that great patience and perseverance must have been employed on the part of Mr. Friedlander, to produce such a gratifying and important result. Sarah Marsh, Abraham Marsh, and Henry Beaver, also gave us some beautiful speci- mens of their writing, in like manner on the board.
.
The instruments of music 'were now seized with an avidity which convinced us the pupils take an uncom- mon delight in their use. They performed the original music of the following hymn in a style which consider- ably exalted our opinion of their talents.
HYMN, Written for the use of the pupils, with original music.
1. Blessings on thee! gracious Lord! Ev'ry child shall bless thy name, For each kind and gentle word, When to thee the children came.
2. Happy child! upon whose head, As he sat upon thy knee, Thy kind hand was softly laid, Blessing him paternally!
3. Hark! that voice is rais'd in prayer, Which could still the tempest wild; Lo! that mighty hand is there, Laid in blessing on a child!
The hymn (which is also original and written for their use) was received with every proper demonstra- tion of delight, and this impression was not in the least weakened by their musical performances afterwards. Our surprise and pleasure were greatly enhanced by the exercises in arithmetic, mentally, and with tangible figures on blocks by all the pupils, except Martindale, viz. Wm. Hatz, Geo. Rafferty, Mary Mallett, Sarah
Marsh, Theodore Myers, Beniah Parvin, Henry Bea- vers, Ab'm Marsh, Jos Hough, and Wm. Graham.
We were amazed at the rapid mental operations of several.of the pupils, particularly the multiplication of millions, thousands and hundreds, in less time than we ourselves could do it by the common mode, and many difficult questions proposed by the audience were an- swered with great rapidity by the pupils, indiscrimi- nately.
The exercises in arithmetic were followed by the performance of the following hymn by all the pupils;
HYMN.
1. Father of mercies ! in thy word, What endless glories shine ! Forever be thy name ador'd, For these celestial lines !
2. Here may the wretched sons of want Exhaustless riches find : Riches above what earth can grant And lasting as the mind.
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