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 5
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About eleven o'clock it was recollected the boat at the Sweed's ford was not secured, which, in the pre- sent case, was of the utmost consequence; for, as there was a considerable freshet in the Schuylkill, the secur- ring that boat would oblige them to march some distance up the river, and thereby retard the execution of their scheme at least a day or two longer. Several persons therefore set off immediately to get it performed ; but they had not been gone long, before there was a general uproar-they are coming ! they are coming ! Where ? Where ? down Second street ! down Second street ! Such of the company as had grounded their fire-locks, flew to arms, and began to prime ; the artillery-men threw themselves into order, and the people ran to get out of the way, for a troop of armed men, on horse- back, appeared in reality coming down the street, and one of the artillery-men was just going to apply the fa- tal match, when a person, perceiving the mistake, clapped his hat upon the touch hole of the piece he was going to fire. Dreadful would have been the conse- quence, had the cannon discharged ; for the men that appeared, proved to be a company of German butchers and porters, under the command of Captain Hoffman. They had just collected themselves, and being unsus- picious of danger, had neglected to give notice of their coming ;- a false alarm was now called out, and all be- came quiet again in a few minutes.
In the afternoon we received intelligence that those who were sent to the Sweed's ford, arrived too late, for the Paxtoneers had actually crossed the river, and were got as far as Germantown., where they proposed to take up their quarters for the night. Several persons went from town to view them, and from the best accounts that could be obtained, their numbers did not exceed two hundred ; but they pretended that the whole were not come in. This formidable body of forces consisted principally of a set of fellows, dressed in blanket coats and mocassins, like our Indian traders, or back-country wagoners : they were armed with rifles and toma- hawks, and some of them had a brace of pistols besides. Few of them were men of any property, but had been hired or persuaded to the undertaking, by persons,
Before I proceed further it may not be amiss to in. form thee that a great number of the inhabitants here approved of killing the Indians, and declared that they would not offer to oppose the Paxtoneers, unless they at- whose views and designs may, perhaps, in time, be dis- tacked the citizens, that is to say, themselves-for, if closed, although at present we can only guess at them.
12
PAXTON BOYS.
[JULY
Their chiefs were almost as obscure as themselves, but condition of the back inhabitants, and demanded a re. on this occasion, assumed an air of command and im- lease from taxes for a twelvemonth -- also, that five or portance, (one of them was called Smith, another Gib- son, the third I have forgot. ) They behaved with great civility to those they conversed with-were sur- prised to hear that the citizens had taken up arms to oppose them-declared that they had no intention of injuring any one, and only wanted satisfaction of the Indians, as some of them had been concerned in the murder of their friends and relations. All this was very well, with respect to us, but it is much to be doubted, if they would have carried their complaisance so far, had not preparations been made to receive them.
Night now coming on, the inhabitants were dismiss- ed, but ordered to hold themselves in readiness on the first notice ;- at break of day the alarm bells rang again and all got under arms.
I should have mentioned that when it was known they were at Germantown, it was proposed in Council to go and take them prisoners, but that advice was overruled. Though Captain Torbet Francis, of the 44th Regiment, (who, at the request of a number of young persons, had undertaken to command them) voluntarily offered to make the attempt; but as it was reported they were ex cellent marksmen, and as a great deal of blood might probably be spilt upon the occasion, it was resolved to send a body of select patricians to inquire into the ob- ject of their coming, and to persuade them to return home ; they accordingly set out early in the morning, some of them with great reluctance, as it was a measure they by no means approved of.
The weather being now very wet, Capt Francis, Capt. Wood and Capt. Mifflin, drew up their men un- der the market house, which, not affording shelter for any more, they occupied Friends' meeting house, and Capt.Joseph Wharton marched his company up stairs,into the monthly meeting room, as I have been told-the rest were stationed below. It happened to be the day appointed for holding of Youths' Meeting, but never clid the Quaker youth asssemble in such a military man- ner-never was the sound of the drum heard before with- in those walls, nor ever till now was the Banner of War displayed in that rostrum from whence the art has been so zealously declaimed against. Strange reverse of times, James -. Nothing of any consequence passed, during the remainder of the day, except that Captain
he had just raised in his own neighborhood. The Cap- tain was one of those who had been marked out as vic- tims by these devout conquerors ; and word was sent to him from Lancaster to make his peace with Heaven, for that he had but about ten days to live.
In the evening our Negotiators came in from German- town. They had conferred with the Chiefs of this illustri- ous -,and have prevailed with them to suspend all hostil- ity till such time as they should receive an answer to their petition or manifesto, which had been sent down the day before. This paper was supposed to have been drawn up for them in Philadelphia, in order to colour over their proceedings, and give them an appearance of rectitude ; it contained an account of the distressed
six of the Indians should be brought to trial as murder- ers, and that the number of representatives for the frontier counties should be increased. As it was neces. sary that these requisitions should be laid before the Governor and Assembly, the Chiefs agreed to disband their troops and come to town with the Envoys, to en- force them, being promised protection on the faith of the Government.
The weather now clearing, the City forces drew up near the Court House, where a speech was made to them, informing them that matters had been misrepre- sented,-that the Paxtoneers were a set of very worthy men (or something to that purpose) who laboured un- der great distress,-that Messrs. Smith &c. were come (by their own authority) as representatives, from sever- al counties, to lay their complaints before the Legisla -. ture, and that the reason for their arming themselves was for fear of being molested or abused. By whom ? Why, by the peaceable citizens of Philadelphia ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! Who can help laughing? The harangue con- cluded with thanks for the trouble and expense they had been at, (about nothing) and each retired to their several homes. The next day, when all was quiet, and no body dreamed of any further disturbance, we were alarmed again. The report now was, that the Paxtoneers had broke the Treaty, and were just entering the city. It is incredible to think with what alacrity the people flew to arms ; in one quarter of an hour near a thousand of them were assembled, with a determination to bring the affair to a conclusion immediately, and not to suffer themselves to be harassed as they had been several days past. If the whole body of the enemy had come in, as was expected, the engagement would have been a bloody one, for the citizens were exasperated almost to madness ; but happily those that appeared did not exceed thirty, (the rest having gone homewards) and as they behaved with decency they were suffered to pass without opposition. Thus the storm blew over and the inhabitants dispersed themselves.
The following day the Indians were shown to one of the men, who pretended to know the murderers, but he was unable to single them out, and declared he nev- er remembered to have seen any of their faces before, except one old squaw ; this being told to his com- Coultas came into town at the head of a troop, which rades they were satisfied, and, leaving their leaders behind them to settle the other points, they marched off.
It was now hoped that all was over, but it seemed as if the very devil himself had got loose amongst us, for a boy appeared before Plumstead, and swore that him- self and another boy were hired one night by some per- sons, with flat hats, to row four or five Indians to the Island ; as soon as this was known, (which was not im- mediately) some people began to say, aye, there was no danger in shewing the Indians to the Paxtoneers, after they had removed the guilty out of the way. This was a vile reflection, and bore hard both upon the Quakers and the officers who commanded at the barracks. These latter were highly incensed to think that their
13
ANTI-TOBACCO ASSOCIATION.
1833.1
characters should be at the mercy of a mean boy,-and the former thought it equally cruel that the reputation of a whole society should have so slight a dependance. Application was therefore made, that the boy might be produced, and a promise was made, that he should be seen the next day at the Mayor's ; but the boy disap- peared, and has not been heard of since. They now say, that the Quakers have sent the boy away, to pre- vent a discovery of their conduct. Indeed, every thing was said that the most rancorous malice can suggest, to blacken that society. It is really amusing, to think how far our animosities are carried ; persons who were intimate, now scarcely speak-or if they happen to meet and converse, presently get to quarrelling. In short, harmony and love seem to be banislied from a- mongst us.
The Paxton Chiefs are gone home without being heard, and we are daily threatened with a return of a more formidable force. Most people are now convin- ced of the utility of a military force, to secure our lives and property : and the Assembly have passed a law for that purpose, which now lies before the Governor. Whe- ther he will give his assent to it or not is doubtful, for the Assembly have vested the power of choosing officers in the people-a point which, I am confident, they will never give up so long as we remain under a Proprieto- ry Government.
I remain thy sincere friend, &c.
PHILADELPHIA, June 13th, 1833.
Proceedings of a meeting held for the purpose of forming an Association for Discouraging the use of To- bacco.
In accordance with a notice which was inserted in several of the daily papers, that a meeting for the pur- pose of forming a Young men's Association for discoun- tenancing the use of Tobacco, was about to be con- vened, a meeting was held on Tuesday, June 4th, at 8 P. M. in the Lecture Room of the Fifth Presbyterian Church, when C. J. PETERSON was called to the chair, and Z. H. MASON appointed Secretary.
Mr. J. P. Thompson then read some extracts con- cerning the use of Tobacco, from the New York Evangelist, Journal of Humanity, &c. On his motion, it was resolved, that a committee be appointed, retire and draft a Constitution. The committee was appoint- ed by the chair, and consisted of J. P. Thompson and C. R. Graham. The following is their report with amendments by the meeting.
PREAMBLE.
Regarding the use of Tobacco as a physical evil, inasmuch as it affects the frame with a deleterious in- fluence, stupifies the senses, dims intellectual percep- tion, and in many cases leads to an inordinate indulgence in intoxicating liquors. We, the undersigned, do form ourselves into an Association for discountenancing the use of this noxious weed, and for our government, do adopt the following
CONSTITUTION.
This association shall be called the Young Men's As- sociation of Philadelphia for Discouraging the use of Tobacco. It shall consist of those persons between the ages of 12 and 30, who shall subscribe to this Con- stitution, and it shall be supported by voluntary contri - butions.
Art. 2d. The officers of this Association shall be a
-
President, two Vice Presidents, Recording and Corres- ponding Secretaries, a Treasurer, and twelve managers, who together shall constitute a Board of Managers. They shall have the power to make their own by-laws.
Art. 3d. 'This Association shall meet quarterly on the fourth Thursday evenings of March, June, September, and December; the meeting in March shall be the annual one. l'en members shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings may be called by the President, at the written request of 10 members.
Art. 4th. The following shall be the pledge of this Association.
PLEDGE.
We whose names are hereunto annexed, believing that the use of Tobacco in any form is not only unneces- sary, but also hurtful to the constitution of man, do pledge ourselves, henceforth and forever, to abstain from, as far as in us lies, disclaim and discountenance its use, excepting for medicinal purposes.
Art. 5th. This Constitution shall not be altered, ex- cept with the concurrence of two-thirds of the mem- bers present at the quarterly meeting in December, or at a meeting called for that purpose.
On motion, it was resolved, that S. D. Hastings and Z. H. Mason, be appointed a committee to take the names of those persons present wishing to unite them- selves with the association. The committee reported 18 names. On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the chair. After the assembly had dis- persed, a meeting of the association was called, at which it was resolved that the part of the first article relative to ages, be altered to read thus, between the ages of 12 and 25, &c. The number of managers (art. 2d. ) was changed to six beside the officers. On motion, the meeting proceeded to an election of officers for the ensuing year. Whereupon the following were unani- mously elected, "viva voce."
Chas. J. Peterson, President.
Jos. P. Thompson, 1st. Vice President.
Samuel D. Hastings, 2d.do.
Zelotes H. Mason, Rec. Sec'ry.
J. Pope, Cor. Sec'ry.
Geo. R. Graham, Treasurer.
Managers.
Samuel D. Wyeth, Thos. Elmes, Jr.
George Neff, Wm. Brantly, Jr.
George Ayres, Alex. Ramsay.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the President.
Published by order of the Board.
C. J. PETERSON, President.
Z. H. MASON, Secretary.
ROUND TOP.
MARIETTA, JUNE 20, 1833.
One of the most delightful excursions we have ever made was enjoyed by us, on Friday of last week. Our readers who reside contiguous to this neighborhood, necd not be told of the beautiful elevation well known as " Round Top." Towering far above the adjacent hills, she seems like a watch tower for the defence of the lovely scenes that she looks upon. She presents no peculiar beauty to the eye, when viewed from a dis- tance, but, placed on her summit, we at once acknowl- edge her the Chimborazo of our district.
Nothing was wanting to make our party most agree- able. A gentle western breeze fanned away the too gentle warmth of a June sun, our boat glided cheerily over the water, and our ascent to the summit was ren- dered the reverse of toilsome by the presence of our fair companions. But even had our jaunt been irksome in the extreme, how richly would all toil and fatigue have been repaid by the splendid scenery which burst upon our view. For miles around us, the country lay in all the loveliness that characterizes " THE GARDEN OF AMERICA." The waving grain, the green pastures,
14
MISCELLANEOUS.
[JULY
the regular and shady woods, "the cattle on a thousand hills," and the frequent farm house of the thrifty hus- bandman, all combined to fix upon the mind a forcible and pleasing impression of prosperity and contentment. The Susquehanna swelling with her hundred tributa- ries, wound placidly through the regions that she bless- sed, and, passing far below our feet, went "in progres- sive majesty" towards the noble Chesapeake. The fra- grant islands that repose on her bosom, and the thick shades that skirt her shores, seemed fitting retreats for the Naiads of antiquity. Indeed as we viewed the ma- ny shades of sylvan beauty that lay before us, we almost expected to see some fair Dryad or uncouth Satyr start from out the foliage.
From the height on which we stood, Marietta presented, below us, all the illusions of a Panorama. The crowd- ed wharves, and the activity of busy men, pleased the eye, whilst it furnished convincing proof of the large amount of business transacted on our shores, and in our town. Princely possessions of various kinds of mer- chandise were resting on the water, and told of the in- exhaustible wealth that stores the interior.
The Canal added not a little to the beauty of the landscape, and associated in the mind, ideas of commer- cial importance with quiet beauty. Each one of our company professed himself delighted with the ex- cursion, and those, who beheld it for the first time, were enraptured with the passing loveliness of the view.
Lancaster county is proverbial for the skilful exacti- tude of her agriculture, for the fertility of her soil, and for the pastoral beauty of her landscapes. And howev- er highly wrought may be the expectations of any one in reference to their features, we think they will be ful- ly realized by a visit to Round Top, whence one of the · most delightful sections of the country will greet his vision .- Advocate.
GREAT FRESHET.
The heavy rain with which we were visited on Thurs- day night last, (19th) and Friday morning until about twelve o'clock, has caused a greater rise in the Wissa- hiccon and other creeks in this neighborhood, than any other within the recollection of our oldest residents. It is not remembered that the Wissahiccon has ever be- fore been as high within between three and four feet ; and the destruction of property along its banks, has consequently been very great. But we are pained to be called upon to announce, that a valuable and res- pectable citizen of this township,-ANTHONY J. THOM- AS, Esq .- has by some fortuitous means, met with a watery grave.
Several other persons, we understand, were also very nearly meeting a watery grave ; and were rescued only by the great and most hazardous exertions of their friends.
Large quantities of hay and grass floated down, to- gether with logs, planks, trees of large size, and also a cider.press. Many gardens, fields of wheat, rye, corn, &c. bordering on the stream, were either covered with sand and brush-wood, or entirely washed away; and the general havoc along its banks, in many places, is with- out a parallel.
The large stone bridge at Robinson's mills, on the Ridge Road, is partly destroyed-the south-east end being swept away-leaving the arches, &c. uninjured, but completely destroying the passage. The board of managers, with praiseworthy alacrity, immediately em- ployed hands to effect a passage ; and we are informed that the travelling is again uninterrupted .- The two large dams of Mr. Robinson, have also been demolished -and of one of them scarcely any remains are observa- ble. The water in the mill, rose to two feet on the second floor, and destroyed about four hundred bushels of feed. This, however, is not so severe a loss to the enterprising proprietors, Messrs. Lee & Co., who extensively pursue
the milling business, as the delay which will necessarily be occasioned, until the dams are again erected. Mea- sures for which, we understand, will be immediately ta- ken.
With the exception of the piers, the large bridge over the Wissahiccon, at formerly Paul's now Jones' mills, on the Germantown Turnpike, has also been wholly destroyed; but a passage has fortunately been effected, by fording the stream on the lower side of the bridge. This bridge was rebuilt only two years since, and we hear that it will again be rendered passable witlı all pos- sible despatch.
We also hear, that two bridges in the vicinity of Wise's mills, were likewise floated down, as well as about fifty cords of cord-wood, belonging to Mr. Wise, besides various other articles.
The freshet in the Schuylkill, was scarcely less furi- ous and destructive : and it is said the rise was great- er than was known for many years. Several houses were inundated at the Falls, and articles of various descriptions-such as tables, chairs, benches, tubs, &c. were carried off. A barn, it is stated, swept down from the neighboring hills, was left standing high and dry, in the middle of the turnpike road, between the Falls and Manayunk. The dam across the Schuylkill, in Ply- mouth township, together with the canal and locks at that place, have been injured to such a degree as to close the navigation for some time. The toll-house at the locks, was wholly carried down the stream, but again brought to shore, by great exertions, at Spring Mill.
Plymouth Creek, we are likewise informed, rose to an unprecedented height, and destroyed considerable pro- perty in its course-including about fifty tons of hay --- besides roughly handling the bridge on Ridge Road, at Mr. Brant's Inn, but not in such a degree as to obstruct the usual travelling .- Germantown Telegraph.
During the late freshet in the Schuylkill, a frame building belonging to Samuel Sharpless, near the bridge on the turnpike in the lower section of the borough of Norristown, floated against the bridge, and the larger portion of it was almost instantly swept through the arch and floated in fragments down the stream. A number of persons thought that by tearing the remain- ing portion of the building to pieces as fast as possible, thereby making a free passage for the water, the bridge might be saved, as a small part of it only had given way, and were actively engaged to effect that purpose, when the remaining portion of the bridge fell, and a re- spectable citizen, who was on the bridge at the time, was precipitated into the current, and immediately dis- appeared amidst the stones and earth which closed upon him. He shortly made his appearance a few yards be- low, having clung to a portion of the building, and was carried rapidly down the stream into the Schuylkill, where he was fortunately rescued by one of the citi- zens. He was nearly exhausted, and severely bruised by the falling stones at the bridge.
Mr. Jacob Freedly, on Stony Creek, lost property to the amount of $2,000. At Plymouth and Perki- omen, the loss is said to be great. The farmers on the Neshamony and Pennypack have also met with serious losses.
The following statement exhibits only a few of the great amount of articles shipped to Philadelphia on the Union canal from the mouth of the Swatara at Middle- town between the months of March and November 1831, as certified by Mr. Thomas White, the superintendent of the Union canal and resident at Middletown.
LUMBER.
Boards, &c.
12,887,403 feet.
Shingles,
4,801,920
Staves,
35,796
Lumber,
65,036 feet.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
1833.]
FLOUR AND GRAIN.
Flour,
28,910 barrels.
Wheat,
69,219 bushels.
Rye,
6,862 do
Corn,
8,073 do
Oats, 1,888 bush. & 4 tons.
COAL.
Bituminous, 71,030 bushels.
IRON.
Wrought iron, 773 tons, 8 cwt. 2 qrs. 19 1b.
Pigs, 49 do. 5 do. 2 do 17 1b.
Castings, 235 do. 11 do. 2 do 18 1b.
LEATHER.
Leather, 124 tons, 19 cwt. 3 qrs. 12 lb.
These are but a few of the articles which came down the Susquehanna and stopped at the mouth of the Swa- tara, and were carried to Philadelphia two years ago. The amount has greatly increased since, and would quadruple if another communication was opened to the city from this point by which the market could be reach- as speedily as to go down the river to Baltimore. As great as the quantity of produce is which now stops at the mouth of the Swatara, it is but a small portion com- pared to that which floats down the Susquehanna to tide in arks and rafts. To arrest this trade and divert it to our own metropolis should be the great object of Pennsylvanians. - Penn. Intel.
SUSQUEHANNA TRADE .- There floated past the vil- lage of Cattawissa, on the North Branch of the Susque- hannah, from the 18th to the 23d of May, 2688 Arks and 3480 Rafts-Total 6168. If the average be placed at $400 each, nearly two and a half millions of dollars descended a single branch in the short space of five days.
MORE DESTRUCTION .- We have just seen a letter from Mr. Jenks, one of the county commissioners, who had been engaged in building a bridge across the Ne- shamony, stating the immense loss to the county in the destruction of bridges, and calling the board together to consult upon the course to be adopted. We believe there is but one bridge left entire from the Wolf Bridge to the Delaware. The Bridge at Newport is gone. That at Hulmeville partly,-the Federal Bridge, and in fact every one with the exception of the Wolf Bridge is more or less injured. Mr. Jenks, who had the su- perintendance of a new one building, has lost all the materials and tools of every kind .- A number of dams have also been carried away. The dam and mill of Mr. Trump, is partly destroyed, with a large quantity of flour and grain. The store house of Anthony Taylor. Esq. with a large quantity of flour, was swept off. We are told the banks of the Delaware are strewed with timber and barrels of flour, and that many of the logs were driven to the Jersey side: such was the force of the current down the Neshamony. At New Hope the dam and mill owned by Mr. Benjamin Parry, is partly destroyed, and with it about 2000 bushels of grain, owned by Mr. Mordecai Thomas .- Doylestown Dem.
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