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 28

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 438

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 28

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" Wherever I have been, (says this true patriot, ) I have felt proud of being a citizen of this great republic, and in the remotest corners of the earth have walked erect and secure under the banner which our opponents would tear down and trample under foot. I was in Mexico when that town was taken by assault-the house i stand them here-more allied to the sentiments belong-

FOURTH OF JULY ORATION BY J. M. SCOTT, ESQ.

LAUGUEZ

ing to the aristocratic form. Should a separate con- federacy be formed there, it would not create surprise, to behold in a few years power centering in the hands of a few ambitious and leading men-preserved in the same families by the influence of wealth and talent, and finally perpetuated in hereditary form. In the eastern and middle States,and in the western States, at least in those in which slavery is not tolerated, such a change is not perhaps to be feared. Predominating wealth is among them only to be found in the commercial capi- tals-where the possesor is, as to personal influence, lost amid the crowd of free and aspiring men who elbow him on every side, and meet and thwart him at every turn. It gives no political influence. That de- pends upon popular talent-and popular talent is always to be found in the grasp of men coming from among the people in numbers sufficient to prevent the overween- ing rise of any individual beyond a just and proper point.

Cities and boroughs have ever been the strong holds of freedom; congregated in masses, conscious of strength, watchful, jealous, well informed, their inhabitants are by force of position sturdy republicans: and in this section of our country, cities and boroughs are thickly planted, and daily increasing in numbers and in growth.

But there are dangers common to us all. Let the fatal example of disunion be set: and where-where, would it end? Into how many, or into how few con- federacies our country would be split, what human eye can foresee? Should we have a Southern and an Eastern confederacy-or a Southern, a Middle, an Eastern and a Western confederacy-and form them as you will, how long would it be before supposed discrepancies of interest, or the ambition of men grasping at high offices too few to satisfy their desires, would again and again subdivide, and tear to pieces the miserable remnants, until wide spread havoc, confusion, and ruin, should extend the pall of desolation over its whole face? Then might war in its bitterest and most aggravated form glut its sanguinary appetite in the blood of Americans, by Americans shed. Commercial rivalry, the interference of foreign nations, the desire of supremacy -- nay, the lust of conquset would, some or other of them, soon, very soon, cast abroad the brand of inextinguishable hate: there are no quarrels so bitter as those of a family-no wars so ferocious as those of a divided peo- ple. Ancient Greece, modern Italy, present South America, all present beacons shedding broad lights up- on that which might become our miserable fate. To doubt that such might be the result of disunion, would be wilfully to shut our eyes to all the admonitions of history, nay it would be to doubt the awful warnings of our own feelings, to deny belief to the rapid current of our own bloods. Let us but recollect the mingled sentiments of indignation and fiery passion which have swollen our own veins within a twelve month, and re- call the taunts, the bitter defiance thrown back upon us from our brothers of the South, and we may faintly figure forth the ferocity which would mark an actual contest. Alas, alas, that this should be so! Yet why should we refuse to hear the truth ?- rather let us listen to its warning voice, and strive to avert such most un- natural scenes from our beloved country.

We boast now, and justly too, of our domestic secu- rity-our undisturbed fireside enjoyments; our sons and daughters grow up around us in peace and safety-the fruits of industry are our own; separate the Union, and before another half a century shall elapse, perhaps before a tithe of that time, and we shall be a nation of fortified camps, and of armed men. Splended deeds of arms will be done-the exploits of the warrior will fill the song of the poet: the navies of the north; the yeo- man infantry of the middle States; the careering cavalry of the broad plains of the west; the chivalry of the south, will win their victories, and gain immortal ho- nor. But alas for the people; them will the tax-gatherer oppress-the conscription carry away their sons-the

splendour of arms dazzle and delude their daughters- perchance even among ourselves the successful soldier be looked to as the proper and permanent head of the state, and our liberties expire in a blaze of martial glory. The future historian in narrating the fortunes of this land will tell over the stories of Venice and Genoa-of Milan and Florence and Pisa. He may have to speak of cities sacked-of people carried into cap- tivity-of modern Dorias and Dandolos crimsoning the waters of our fine bays and inland seas with mutual slaughter-of the whoop of the savage intermingled with Christian arms, and avenging the wrongs of their ancestors, upon the descendants of their oppressors- perhaps of a sable banner rising victorious over the flag of the white man! All these things may be-and should they, or a tithe part ofthem, come to pass-and could we imagine the spirits of the departed, to look down with interest upon the scenes of this world, well might we fancy that of the third George, gazing with stern com- posure upon our discord, and viewing it as just retribu- tion-while thine, thou other George, our own revered Washington, even in the mansions of the blessed, would lose its sense of happiness, while gazing on the ruin inflicted by the madness of ambition, upon that fair and perfect edifice, erected by thy hands, and intended by thee for the eternal dwelling place of freedom!

And if the curse of disunion must fall upon us, are these ills inevitable? Must the madness, and unholy violence of one portion of the confederacy involve the rest in misery? Is there no escape from such accumu- lation of wo? Far be it from us to despair of the re- public; that the evils depicted are those which, guided by past experience, we have reason to dread, is all that is asserted. To admit them inevitable would be to in- vite their approach. And it may well happen that pro- vidence by a just retribution may cause the sword to fall upon the imprudent men who have been so ready to draw it from the scabbard; and that guided by pa- triotism-impelled by the native energies of her hardy sons-driven forward by the expanding force of univer- sal freedom-the untainted portion of our country may reach that pinnacle of greatness, towards which their ascent has hitherto been uninterrupted. Let us turn then from the gloomy picture, and hail this more cheer- ful prospect. Suppose that our discontented sister State should proceed in her unhallowed views, and draw into the vortex of her ambitious projects, other States supposed to have with her a community of inter- est and of feeling. The republic would remain, shorn of its beams, it is true, but still great and powerful. And if the poison of the example did not spread might rise more resplendent from the dim eclipse. There would remain a people in numbers at this moment up- wards of nine millions-possessed of an immense ex- tent of territory-of a hardy, laborious, intelligent po- pulation, devoted to agriculture, to commerce, and to manufactures; unfettered by a hostile race existing among themselves; accustomed to command the ocean; full of enterprise; and having abundant capital to give it impulse; with all the necessaries of life producible within their own borders-and with no counterpoise in the scale, but the moral influence of the pestiferous ex- ample of disunion. Why should not such a people continue its onward flight to greatness? Why should the removal of a weight from their wings lessen the height to which they might soar? Is it not probable, that relieved from the pressure of conflicting interests, with the spring of their exertions untrammelled, their own views of policy unconfined, their speed in the race of prosperity would be redoubled-and that, in time, the force of contrast and the lessons of experience, might lure back to their arms, an erring and repentant sister? What is to prevent such a consummation, if we are true to ourselves? From foreign hostility we have nothing to fear. As to that, our country is almost in- tangible. Contests with our former brethren might be rife and bitter-but they would be border wars, dis-

SALT SPRINGS, NEAR PITTSBURGH.

1833.]

tressing to the immediate locality, elsewhere unimpres- sive, having perhaps no other effect than that of pre- venting the extinction of martial spirit. Indeed, it seems inevitable, unless man shall most perseveringly strive to mar the designs of his Creator, that this con- tinent shall be the seat of great and powerful nations. The knowledge of its existence seems to have been withheld from civilized man, until the period was ap- proaching when convulsed and overpeopled Europe should require a new world to receive her surplus po- pulation, and a new soil in which to plant her arts and sciences, her literature and philosophy-where they might flourish and expand under the influence of a vir- gin mould. Here then, man, renovated man, must in- crease till millions upon millions shall fill the space be- tween the Atlantic and the Rocky mountains-and thence pour down fresh myriads till they reach and subduc the eastern shores of the great Pacific. But whether these unnumbered hosts are to exist under the blessings of free institutions, or to gasp under the pres- sure of despotism, is the problem which man himself must solve. If our Union lasts there is no dream of the philanthropist too brilliant to be realized. If that union be frittered away by the most unholy ambition of her own parricidal sons, and the minerals of our moun- tains be converted into instruments of mutual destruc- tion and fraternal' discord, we shall but repeat among ourselves the melancholy and desolating story of all the past nations of the earth.

The uncertainties which now hang over the general prosperity make it the duty and the interest of every individual State to be doubly watchful of her own course-doubly attentive to her own prosperity. Such is the machinery of our institutions, that each State is capable of exercising an influence which will be felt to the extremities of our country. Arranged and organiz- ed as a nation, with all the attributes of a distinct power, they are at all moments ready to spring forward upon the path of national weal-or if misdirected, of national wo. The facility with which our warm-blooded sister of the south assumed the attitude of prepared resist- ance, is a startling evidence of the power of each indi- vidual member of the general family; and when we re- collect that a few stirring, perhaps disappointed spirits, fanned that flame, which might almost have consumed a continent, it leads us to the further conclusion that the course of every individual citizen should be watched and guarded-that the first aspirations of ambition should be checked-and love of country be inculcated and insisted upon as the first great recommendation to that country's favour.

self. It becomes us as Pennsylvanians to bend our ef- forts to her advancement-to extend and enlarge her prosperity-to elevate her character-and to demand for her the rank and consideration to which she is justly entitled. And while she is cultivating and bringing in- to active operation all her resources, let not Pennsylva- nia forget or neglect her men, her able and intelligent men. It is through them her sister States must be made to feel and acknowledge her weight, her real im- portance. Their voices should be heard-their coun- sels should be listened to. Their services should be continued, from year to year, and from term to term, that to the weight derived from talent they might add the confidence of experience. All the high places of Penn- sylvania should be filled with her most distinguished sons, no matter what their party-no matter what the name which others may have chosen to attribute or they themselves have been willing to adopt.

In this particular we may well be tutored by the south. Those men who for thirty years have upheld her pretentions in the public councils of the country and in their own domestic arenas have all grown up and grown old in the same service. They are trained in early life, while the blood still courses madly through their veins under the guidance of some veteran leader, who calms their onset without extinguishing their ardour. They gain experience by perseverance in the course: they become in their turn leaders, following up the pursuits, adopting the doctrines, carrying out the policy of their predecessors-at home they are rewarded by the public praise and approbation-and thus supported, they are elsewhere respected. 'The intercourse between them and the people is alike honorable to both, -- frank, open, and confiding; and this confidence, thus given, is not hastily withdrawn, or suffered to be the sport of every idle whim of party. The result has been such as we have witnessed. The destinies of the Republic have been heretofore almost exclusively held in the hands of the south. They are in truth a generous and a gallant people, andit is to their honour that they have grasped and held the ensign of republican power. Yes, my fellow citizens, they are a generous and a gallant peo- ple-without fear their men -- their 'women without re- proach. May the Almighty, in his temple I say it with re- verence may the Almighty, of his infinite mercy, avert from us the grief of beholding them separated from the great American family! Let Pennsylvania imitate them in the particular to which I have been alluding; let her, dis- daining the trammels of party, draw forth her ablest and her best; assume her station upon a pinnacle suited to her real greatness; and Pennsylvania may do much to avoid the threatened storm. From firmness, temperance, mutual concession, from recurrence to revolutionary lore, from recollection of past suffering's jointly borne, and past blessings jointly bestowed, the spirit of peace and harmony and brotherly love may be revived from its temporary sleep -- and our star-spangled banner once more float in wild careering youthful joy over a happy and united people.

Certainly not the least powerful of the confederacy is our own Pennsylvania. She has been called the key stone of the arch of the Union-a flattering designation undoubtedly-and which we have accepted with suffi- cient complacency-though it may be somewhat diffi- cult to point out precisely where the analogy lies-or why Pennsylvania is peculiarly entitled to the epithet. This state undoubtedly ought to possess great influence in the councils of the Nation, and with her sister States. Young men without distinction of party !- beloved sons of our beloved country-she cries to you for union, union, union; listen to her with the willing ear of young affection, and respond to her call with the ready hearts and hands of vigorous manhood. She is happily situated for a mediatrix between the south and the north; and is in close affinity and connex- ion with the growing west. Her population is already in number nearly a million and a half-second only to that of New York-half as great as that of the whole Let union be henceforward the banner of your party, the goal of your ambition, the reward of your exer- tions. Union when we became independent; her soil excellent -her water courses magnificent-her mineral produc- tions far exceeding those yet developed in any other SALT SPRING. part of the Union-her public improvements, roads, canals, and bridges, worthy of all praise-her system of A valuable Salt spring has been discovered by bo- ring, near Pittsburg, on the opposite side of the Mo- nongahela river. The depth reached by this process was 627 feet, and the stream of salt water"rises to a height of thirty feet above the level of the earth, and at the rate of seven thousand gallons in 24 hours, of strength sufficient to make 12 or 15 barrels of salt. The laws enlightened-her wealth abundant-her chief city, of great extent, surpassing beauty, and correspondent celebrity at home and abroad; she is entitled to great weight in the nation-and whether a single or a divided people, her power ought to be known, felt, and ac- knowledged. Perhaps she has been too modest-a virtue more becoming to her fair daughters than to her- following is the account given in the Pittsburgh Ga-

MISCELLANEOUS.

[AUGUST

zette, of the progress of boring through the various strata of coal, clay, slate, sandstone, &c.

"'In boring, they struck the first rock, a kind of slate, at the depth of 33 feet, which continued for 88 feet, variegated in color, some red, like red chalk; some perfectly white; all pretty much alike in substance. They then came upon sandstone, of a grayish red, co- lor, which continued, with occasional interruptions for 90 feet. They next came upon another vein of slate, very like the first, and variegated in the same way, and immediately below this they found a stratum of lime- stone seven feet thick, the only limestone discovered. From this down to about 590 feet they passed, gener- ally, through a kind of rotten, dark gray sandstone, with occasional shells of harder sandstone, with portions of iron. The next thirty feet was very hard boring, the first 10 of these was through a gray sandstone, almost as hard as granite, the other 25 through a perfectly white and very hard sandstone. Struck salt water at 625 feet, but not enough; went two feet deeper, where they got the vein now relied upon. When the chisel struck this last vein, it fell about 25 inches, thus indi- cating the depth of water.

In their progress they passed through the following strata of coal-

At 133 feet struck a vein 10 inches thick.

280

do. 34 feet thick.

440 do.

33 do.

4,80 do.

3₺

do.

580 do.

do ·

602 do. 4 inches.

Found gas at every vein of coal, except the first, which continued to discharge three or four weeks from each vein. Mr. Murray thinks that the gas now dis- charged would light an establishment larger than the Exchange Hotel in the city of Pittsburg.

DELAWARE CANAL.

This division of the Pennsylvania canal is in excellent order, and the following statement will show the num- ber of boats cleared at Bristol, and the amount of tolls received for the last eight days in July.

Wednesday, July 24

25 boats, $114 87

Thursday, 25

40 04

Friday, 26

181 57

Saturday, 27 25

69 58

Sunday,

28 18 80 05

Monday,

26 24

Tuesday, 30

90 67

Wednesday, 31 27 70 18

673 20

Boats passed out of the canal during the

same time.

From Easton,

94 boats, toll,

1694 53

New Hope 6

23 92

$2391 45

Amount of tolls received on the Delaware canal since the opening of the navigation, to July 31, 1833, and number of boats cleared.

At Bristol, 987 boats, toll

$4124 03

At Easton about 812, toll about

11,658 14

At New Hope, 255, 700 00

$16,482 17

POTTSVILLE, June 15.

WHIRLWIND. - On Tuesday night last, a violent gust, which may be called a whirlwind, from its effects, pass- ed over the Mount Carbon landing, partially unroofing a large stone store house, formerly occupied by Messrs. Moore & Graham, carrying a large stone across the Schuylkill, and a horse to a.considerable distance from the spot where he was fastened. The Tornado extend-

ed up Tumbling run, on which creek a house and barn were unroofed, and a mill dam rased to its foundation. It is stated that part of the roof of the store house above mentioned, was carried to a distance of three miles from Mount Carbon. The above particulars, which have been communicated to us, we believe to be substantially correct -Miners' Journal.

A STORM .- On Sunday the 14th of July, a storm passed over many parts of our state that did considera- ble damage. In Columbia county, the rain raised the creeks and runs until they overflowed their banks, and did much injury to the meadow grass. A post was struck by lightning and split at the corner of two of the most public streets in Danville. The barn of Mr. John Kelchner, of Briar creek township, was struck and en- tirely consumed.

In Berks county, Maj. Bitting, who resides near Reading, was prostrated by the shock of lightning which killed a cow within 20 yards of where he stood, but was not seriously injured. In Maiden creek town- ship, the barn of a Mr. Morris was struck and consumed with its contents. And in Douglas township, the barn of a Mr. Henry Baum shared the same fate.

In Montgomery county, the barn of Mr. Bradfield of Springfield township was struck and consumed together with its contents, estimated in value at $1000.

In Lancaster county, a Mrs. Hummer, of Rapho township, was killed whilst resting with an arm on the shoulder of her husband, who was leaning against the casing of a window. Mr. Hummer was stunned so as to be insensible for some time. Three horses, belong- ing to J. Lightner, Esq. were killed in a pasture field.

In Northampton county, the lightning struck the barn and stable of Mr. Spenzler of Hecktown, and consumed both.

In Northumberland county, the house of Mr. Leig- how, near the town of Northumberland, was unroofed by the wind, and the upper story much injured. Trees were torn up and grain fields very much damaged.

Muncy Telegraph.

BINGHAMPTON AND OWEGO RAIL ROAD.

The books for Stock in this work were opened at Binghampton, on the 4th inst. and upon closing them, nearly twice the capital [150,000,] were subscribed, and a gentleman, of that village, has already been re- quested to forward to Buffalo 5000 tons of coal for the state of Ohio. This is taking things by the forelock, as the coal is to be brought from Pennsylvania, 52 miles from Binghampton, and sent either by the Chenango canal, when completed, or by the Ithaca and Owego Rail Road, in order to get it to the Erie canal .- Elmi- ra, N. Y. Republican,

A company is forming, and stock subscribing for the purpose of constructing steamboats to ply between Owego and the Lackawanna Coal Beds, near Wilkes. barre, in order to introduce that valuable fossil into Western New York .- Ib.

MINERAL WATER .- Within the limits of the borough of Columbia is a mineral spring, the water of which has been analyzed by an eminent physician of Philadel- phia, and thought to be highly medicinal. The muri- ate of iron predominates largely, rendering it actively tonic. Sulphir and magnesia also, are contained in it, in sufficient quantities to render it slightly aperient. Only a few improvements around the spring, and some one to call public attention to the subject, are required to make Columbia one of the most, beneficial and fash. ionable watering places in the country .- Spy.

HAZARD'S REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

VOL. XII .- NO. 7. PHILADELPHIA. AUGUST 17, 1833. NO. 294.

LA FAYETTE COLLEGE.

EASTON, Pa. July 4.

The recent anniversary of our independence was ce- lebrated with more than its usual interest to us of Eas- ton.

The procession for laying the corner stone of La Fay- ette College, was formed at the court house square, at half past nine o'clock, under the direction of Col. J. M. Porter, Chief Marshall.

On settling the stone to its place, Colonel Porter said: "Here on the anniversary of our independence, we dedicate this building to the cause of science and edu- cation. May it long be the seat of virtue and learning. May the example of him whose name it bears, and who is well described as the model of republican chivalry, the hero of three revolutions, of two centuries, and of both hemispheres, inspire the youth who shall be here educated, with the proper spirit of patriotim and phi- lanthropy. And may the all bounteous Author of na- ture bless this undertaking, protect those engaged in completing this structure from accident and harm, and long preserve it from decay."

The Rev. B. C. Wolf, of the German Reformed Church, delivered a neat, beautiful, and appropriate ad- dress.

And the ceremonies were concluded by prayer by the Rev. Mr. Vandever, of the Reformed Dutch Church.

The procession was again formed, and proceeded to the German Reformed Chuch, where an address was delivered by Joseph R. Ingersoll, Esq. of Philadelphia, to, and in pursuance of the appointment of, the Frank- lin and Washington Literary Societies of La Fayette College.

ADDRESS

BY JOSEPH R. INGERSOLL, ESQ.

Delivered before the Literary Societies of La Fayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1833. Published at the request of the Societies.

A whole nation is at this moment celebrating the birth day of its independence. From the wide extremes of this extended land the din of arms announces, not the conflict of hostile legions, but the rejoicings of patriot freemen. The thunder of cannon is every where pro- claiming a people's gratitude to those who first erected the temple of liberty, and first sacrificed upon her altars; and millions of swelling hearts beat in respon- sive unison. Let us withdraw for a moment from these animating scenes of joy and gratitude, and indulge in noiseless contemplation our no less fervent sensibility for the blessings we have inherited, and exchange our mu- tual pledges to cherish and preserve them.

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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. XII, Part 28

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 438

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 438