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 56
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During the ensuing two months, we hazard little in say- ing that there will be five hundred vessels despatched with coal from this city .- Com. Herald.
LARGE SALE OF COAL LANDS.
The tract of Coal Land known as late the property of Jacob W. Seitzinger, Esq. in the vicinity of Potts- ville, containing 652 acres, was sold last evening, at the Merchants' Coffee House, by T. W. L. Freeman, auc- tioneeer, for the Marshall, at $34,500 cash.
Tow BOAT .- The steamboat Linnaeus, purchased in New York, for the purpose of towing vessels up and down the river Schuylkill, has arrived, and is now en- gaged in that business.
190
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF LAFAYETTE COLLEGE.
[SEPTEMBER
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF LAFAYETTE COLLEGE.
October 8, 1832.
In presenting to the public their First Annual Report, the Board of Trustees of Lafayette College deem it de- corous, briefly to state the reasons why it did not appear sooner: why they have remained so long inactive-at least inefficient.
Soon after the issuing of their charter, in 1826, the trustees were called together, and the Board was or- ganized: measures were taken to sketch out a system of instruction and order of studies. Attempts were made to procure suitable teachers and raise funds. The former failed, it is believed, chiefly because the latter did not succeed; and the latter failed, partly, because public attention was then, and has been ever since, too much engaged with the subject of the internal physical improvements of the state, to give merited attention to the internal, moral, intellectual, and physical improve- ments of her citizens; and partly, from a want of deep feeling interest in education in general, and of a corres- pondent disposition in the public and individual minds to contribute to its promotion. The magnitude of the object and the consequent extent of funds necessary to its attainment, seemed to paralyze effort: and after a few exertions, too much, we confess, characterized by a spirit of despondency, the friends of the enterprise, yielding to the invincible necessities of the case, aban- doned it for a time, but not forever. We still believe it a noble enterprise, and one which the best interests of our country required, and we have only been waiting the opening of a door of hope in the presentation of more auspicious circumstances. We think we have not waited in vain. Providentially the circumstances have occurred, and the door of hope is thrown open be- fore us.
During the last winter, information was incidentally received, that the Principal of the Manual Labor Aca- demy of Pennsylvania, located at Germantown, had re- signed the charge of that institution, but had not aban- doned the enterprise of conducting education in con- nexion with manual labor. That the location of that establishment so near the city, and consequently so expensive as to living, proving a chief cause of its em- barrassment, and its charter limiting it to that vicinity, he was determined to remove to a part of the country where circumstances were more promising. Upon in- vitation this gentleman visited our town in February last, and after various interviews with the Board and its members and friends, finally agreed to accept the office of President of the College- provided, the Military requisitions could be dispensed with, and Manual Labor substituted in their place; and provided the Board would procure the necessary accommodations as to lands and houses. The former proviso was soon met by a change in the charter, and the latter partially by a lease of Mr. Midler's farm adjoining this borough. Mean. while, the trustees of the academy at Germantown had resolved to sell their property and suspend their school. Thus the way was prepared for the removal of the stu- dents. And thus it will be seen, that in a qualified sense, Lafayette College is a continuation of the Manual Labor Academy of Pennsylvania; and we are happy in thus recording our obligations to the trustees of that institution. Their labors, though apparently abortive, have really not been in vain. They deposited the germ and nourished the plant which it is ours to cultivate to maturity. Let it then be our concern not to suffer the thrifty nursling, which their industry has prepared to our hands, to languish and die for the warmth of genial soil and proper culture. Let us rather, by furnishing both with a liberal hand, secure its rapid growth, until its top shall aspire toward the heavens, its branches spread over our hills, and its fruits descend in rich abundance to honor and to bless our land.
Lafayette College is a moral and religious, a literary
and scientific, an agricultural and mechanical Institution. In reference to each of these departments, it will be our business to exhibit it before the public in its past history, its present condition, and its future prospects.
Morality and Religion.
No young gentleman of immoral habits has been tole- rated. Any that may have been admitted unawares, given to vicious practices, are obliged to abandon their habits or their standing. The tone of moral feeling has been and still is such, that society and companionship are withheld from every student who does not comply with the strict rules of morality: and it is this moral force, combined with private friendly admonition, rather than censure or the fear of it, that has hitherto secured its decided moral character. Thus we hope it shall ever be.
The religion of the Bible is taught once a week in a familiar Bible class exercise. All the students attend this class, and also the morning prayer in the College Hall-and the family religious exercises. In these last, such of the students as choose, participate. A little more than one half generally engage in this duty and privilege. No religious sect is known. The institution has always embraced many denominations, and still does so: and the charter guarantees its privileges to all, with- out distinction of religious party.
Literature and Science.
In this department we profess to have nothing differ- ent from other colleges, except the issuing of special certificates or diplomas for particular branches of study.
The Board have not yet arranged these specifications in reference to any particular objects, except that of common school teachers. It will be seen in the appen- dix to this report, what is the course of studies for the general scholar in the several classes, and what the special requisites for the school teacher's diploma. In making the arrangements for this last, we have had particular regard to the destitutions of our country and the elevation of the standard of common school educa- tion.
The department of German literature, in which the Board feel a deep interest, has suffered a severe loss in the resignation of Rev. Professor Rauch, D. P. A large class was just forming and had written for books, when their hopes were disappointed by his removal. This is the more to be regretted, because the limited re- sources of the Board render it impossible for them at present to employ a competent Professor in that de- partment alone, without some collateral means of sup- port. Our ardent wish and hope however is, that the German population of Pennsylvania will not suffer the language of their fathers, the most majestic and venera- ble of the modern tongues, to pass away from the coun- try of their adoption. We hope they will, by enabling us to meet our charter obligations in the endowment of a German Professorship, revive a taste for the literature of Luther and Melancthon, of Wieland and Goethe, of Tholuck, Gessner, and Gessenius.
On the 10th day of August last, the Board appointed Mr. Charles F. M'Cay, who has for nearly two years been teaching in the academy, Professor of Mathema- tics and Natural Philosophy; Mr. J. J. Coon, Professor of the Latin and Greek languages; and Samuel Gross, M. D., Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Botany. Under the administration of these gentlemen, together with the President, we feel confident this department will not disappoint any reasonable anticipations of the public: in which confidence we are fortified by the very satisfactory results of the recent examination.
Agricultural and Mechanical.
The farming operations have prospered under the su- pervision of Mr. Thomas Pollock, who with the labor of the young men, conducted the farming operation specified in the appendix. Our horticulture proved a losing concern. The unprepared state of the ground,
191
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF LAFAYETTE COLLEGE.
1832.]
its northern exposure, and the deficiency of prepared manure, rendered this the least productive expenditure of labor. The first and the last of these evils, will in a degree be remedied by the next season, so that we hope for a more equitable return from the soil.
The mechanical department, and the business of the entire establishment has been under the direction of Mr. Daniel Gaston, as agent. Reserving the details of work in the regular branches for the appendix, we will here give some account of the first and heaviest job.
The buildings on the rented premises being entirely insufficient to accommodate the students, and the family of the President, an addition was indispensable, and it was necessary to have it ready for occupancy on the opening of the summer term, on the 9th of May. It was moreover desirable to construct it by the labor of the students, and that too without an entire suspension of their studies: therefore it was necessary to begin it before the 1st of April. Accordingly, the President with a volunteer corps from the academy at German- town, arrived at the premises on the 14th of March, and proceeded to work next day. When the ground was marked out for the new building, it was partly covered with snow and frozen. The quarry too, from whichi the stones were taken, was rendered very difficult to open by reason of frost, the ground in both cases facing the north. The work however progressed, and on the 31st, the remnant of the students and their teachers, with the family of the President arrived; and the build- ing moved on more briskly, and was ready by the 9th of May. It is a frame of very plain workmanship, thirty- one feet square, two stories high, with garret rooms fi- nished and basement for work shops. It is divided into eight lodging rooms, two school rooms, and the shop, and was constructed by the labor of the students, except eight days work in the quarry, the masoning and plas- tering.
Our blacksmith shop is small, and affords employ- ment for only two hands-our own smithing has occu- pied them more than the regular term for work. The farm work and the manufacture of trunk handles, and irons for cultivators, has chiefly employed them. The branch which seems most likely to succeed, and to suit the nature of our hands, is the manufacture of packing boxes, for the city consumption. Our arrangements are such now that we feel able to go into the market with the city box makers, on equal terms. Our boxes are put in bales, and we have an agent in the city to put them together and deliver them to our customers.
We are also prosecuting the trunk making business with success. There is however more variety of ope- ration, and consequently it requires more care and ca- pital in proportion to the number of hands.
Agricultural implements have been made to a small extent: and we hope to see the day when "the Lafay- ette Plough" will be in great demand.
Number of Students.
The summer term of the College opened on the 9th of May, with forty-three students; which number in- . creased in a short time to fifty-six, the utmost that could be received into the buildings. There have been also eleven day scholars, making the highest number at one time sixty-seven. Many applicants have been refused for want of room.
Health.
Our experience continues to justify the utmost confi- dence in manual labor, as a pro-phylactic remedy against the diseases incident to the sedentary life.
Present Condition.
The Institution occupies premises inadequate to its present accommodation. They are held on a lease which will expire April 1st, 1834, and which cannot be renewed without relinquishing a large part of the arable land, and this would render the rent exorbitant.
Our present difficulties therefore, and they are serious and embarrassing. but not insurmountable, are such as relate: to the increase of students: the deficiency of shop room, tools, and capital in business: and to the absence of library and apparatus: and to the want of permanent and suitable garden grounds.
The number of students properly within the plan of the College as a boarding and manual labor institution, cannot exceed fifty, in the winter season-because there are not rooms to accommodate more. In summer six or eight more can be admitted. This number is scarcely sufficient to afford full employment and moderate com- pensation to the Professors now engaged. It could be greatly enlarged, if convenient lodgings could be pro- curcd.
Our shop room too, will not afford opportunity of work to all our hands in the winter: without alternating. which is often difficult to arrange on account of the class recitations, it will be impossible to find employ- ment. The stock in trade is private, being the property of the President, and quite limited: which therefore cannot be expected to yield large results. The branches of manufacture pursued, require considerable delay in the returns, and of course render imperious the exten- sion of the capital.
A literary institution without library and apparatus, cannot hope success in the higher branches of study. In their absence it is not reasonable to expect, nor would it be right that young gentlemen should remain during their junior and senior years. Accordingly, our more advanced students are making, or have made, arrange- ments for entering other colleges to complete their course, where these facilities are enjoyed. Our most pressing wants however are those of globes, maps, phi- losophical and chemical apparatus.
The impolicy of expending time, labor, and money, in improving, either by building or the preparation of garden grounds, on so short a lease, is perfectly obvious. Our young men might labor, but the harvest of their toils world remain to be gathered by other hands. This difficulty we have considered as first in the order of time, and not least in importance. And therefore the Board, convinced as they are, and as they think every reflecting reader will be, by the facts detailed in this report and appendix; that the plan of education connect- ed with productive manual labor is PRACTICAL; and is the only plan whereby classical and scientific attain- ments can be brought to the door of the poor as well as the rich; and thus every youth of sound mind and noble spirit be enabled to educate himself; have not hesitated to meet and remove this difficulty. This they have done by the purchase of nine acres of land within the borough limits, on the north side of Bushkiln creek, facing North Pomfret street. This plot of ground is very elevated, overlooking the town of Easton and the adjacent rivers Delaware and Lehigh with their bridges and canals, their inclined plane and locks, and commanding one of the very finest views in all the variety of our very varied and picturesque scenery. The quantity of land is in- deed too small, but it may be enlarged as means increase, and it will afford sufficient room for the buildings and garden grounds. It has moreover the peculiar advan- tage of access to the fine gravel spring water which flows through it the iron aqueduct of the "Easton Wa- ter Company." On "Mount Lafayette," therefore, it is the purpose of the Board to erect, during the ensuing summer, a College building, shop, barn, &c. and there- by to remove two others of the present difficulties, leaving only the matters of library and apparatus. These so far as indispensable we hope also to procure shortly.
OUR FUTURE PROSPECTS,
However, depend very much, for their complexion upon the sunshine of public favor. We, as a Board, are without resources, other than the common resources of every benevolent and ennobling enterprise; the
192
MISCELLANEOUS.
[SEPTEMBER
boundless resources of gratuitous, voluntary contribu- tions, and of legislative bounty. Our young men in- deed are willing to labor. Many of them must be large- ly the makers of their own fortunes. They have bone and sinew and nerve, moral, intellectual and physical, and a disposition to use them in building up their indi- vidual and the public interests. But then, active power, must have material on which to operate. Egypt's tyrant, until maddened by jealousy, demanded not the tale of bricks, without furnishing straw. Let the ma- terials be furnished, and our youth will erect a monu- ment more durable than the pyramids; with the addi- tional glory of registering and transmitting its own history to all future times. Let the morning sun of public favor shed abroad its fostering beam upon this Institution, so shall his moontide splendor and his even- ing ray sparkle in glory from the fame of LA FAYETTE. FACULTY.
The Faculty on whom the Government of the Insti- tution rests, consists of:
Rev. George Junkin, A. M., President, and Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy, Logic, Rhetoric and Evidences of Christianity.
Mr. Charles F. M'Cay, A. B., Professor of Mathemat- ics and Natural Philosophy.
Mr. James J. Coon, A. B., Professor of the Latin and Greek Languages.
Samuel D. Gross, M. D., Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Botany.
Mr. Daniel Gaston, Business Agent.
Mr. Thomas Pollock, Farmer.
Trustees.
James M. Porter, President, Thomas M'Keen, Trea- surer, Joel Jones, Secretary, Peter Miller, Philip Mixsell, Jacob Weygandt, John Bowes, Christian H.Hut- ter, Jacob Wagener, George Barnet, John Carey, jr., William Shouse, Peter Ihrie, jr. John Worman, John R. Lattimore, Joseph K. Swift, Peter S. Michler, Jesse M. Howell, Philip H. Mattes, George Hess,jr., Hopewell Hepburn, Easton.
George Wolf, Harrisburg.
Robert Patterson, John Hare Powell, Peter A. Browne, Andrew M. Prevost, Benjamin Tilghman, J. M. Scott, Solomon Allen, Philadelphia.
Jacob Kern, Bath.
George Weber, Kreidersville, Anthony M'Coy, Mar- tin's Creek, George G. Howell, do. Northampton co. Walter C. Livingston, Allentown, Lehigh co. William Long, Durham, Bucks co.
THE MARTINS .- Mr. Trissler, of this city, who has for some years past noted the departure of the purple martins (hirundo purpurea) from this neighborhood, has favored us with the following statement, from which it appears that those birds have gone off earlier this season than they did previously within the last nine years.
In 1824 they departed Sept. 15 10
1825
do
1826
do
13
1827
do
17
1828
do
15
1829
do
13
1830
do
11
1831
do
15
1832
do
15
1833
do
4
On the whole, these ærial travellers appear to observe a remarkable regularity in their migratory movements- the greatest variation in these nine years not exceeding thirteen days .- Lan. Examiner.
MILL .- Among the various improvements which the borough of Norristown, Pa. is now undergoing, the large mill which Mr. Savage is crecting is a very im- portant one. It will be over 145 feet long, and 50 wide; will contain two large water wheels, and all the neces- sary machinery for a rolling mill, nail factory, and other
iron works. It is expected that this will be put in ope- ration next spring. Several other dwellings will be added to Norristown this fall.
JEFFERSON COLLEGE .- By a catalogue of the officers and students of Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Pa. it appears that there are in that institution, 28 Seniors, 48 Juniors, 54 Sophomores, 53 freshmen, 55 in the pre- paratory school, and 7 irregulars-total 237.
THE MERCER POTATO .- The best of all roots of the potato kind called by this name, is the production of a neighboring state. It has been a question among our farmers for many years, whether it was produced by an improved mode of raising them, or whether it was a foreigner. We are at length able to settle this question by the assistance of a kind friend. He says the species of potato called the Mercer, was originally raised in Mercer county, Penn., by a gentlemen by the name of Gilkey, and are there called Naphannocks, from the name of a creek, which passes through that county. About twenty years since, this gentleman planted the apple, or ball of potato, from which has sprung this delightful root .- Delaware Journal.
Two hundred and fifty-four Eels were taken in a fish basket, about a mile and a half above Mifflintown, on Monday night last. One of them weighed 43 pounds; and several others were nearly as large.
September 14, 1833.
MAUCH CHUNK .- We are happy to learn among other decided indications of the growth of our town, that ap- plication has been made for a lot with the necessary water power, for a large Brewery. The applicant, we understand, is an enterprizing capitalist from Easton. The sale of the lot in question will include, as we are informed, the only remaing part of the Town Plot at present in the market.
There are several other branches of business to which we should think the place might offer good encourage- ment, and which from the increase of business of almost every other description, will probably be much wanted. . Among other mechanics, it has been suggested to us that a tanner, a chair maker, and a tallow chandler, are much wanted in this place-Mauch Chunk Courier.
THE OMNIBUS. - It may not perhaps be generally known that a stage Coach, or to use the more modern term, an Omnibus, has recently been stationed at the Mauch Chunk Hotel, for the accommodation of the citi- zens and visiters at this place who may wish occasional- ly to take a ride to any of the neighbouring places in this vicinity. Such an establishment has been hitherto very much wanted here, and we have no doubt that the enterprizing proprietor, Mr. J. Rice, of Allentown, will be liberally patronized for this valuable accession to the convenience of the place. - Ibid.
FRANKLIN, PA. Sept. 7, 1833.
We regret to learn that the fall crops throughout this county have suffered severely from the late frosts. On the night of the 26th ultimo,the frost first appeared, and many fields of corn and buckwheat were totally destroyed, and others more or less injured. The neigh- boring counties have also suffered from the same cause, and we learn that in Butler county, ice of the thickness of a dollar was formed. The long drought which has visited us, and which has hurt vegetation very much, is at length succeeded by refreshing rains, which we hope will invigorate and revive the crops that yet re- main uninjured .- Democrat.
COAL TRADE .- The Delaware and Hudson Canal Company liave loaded with Coal, from the Lackawanna mines, between the first of April and the 1st of Septem- ber,'50 barges averaging 320 tons each, 11 brigs, 156 schooners, and 384 sloops,making a total of 565 vessels.
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. 13. PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 28, 1833. NO. 300.
GIRARD'S INTESTATE REAL ESTATE.
A pamphlet has lately appeared entitled " THE DE- CISION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA RE- LATIVE TO THE AFTER-PURCHASED REAL ESTATE OF THE LATE S. GIRARD, STATED AND CONSIDERED." Af- ter furnishing Sections IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. of the will, relating to the private Legacies-Section XXII. containing the bequest of 300,000 dollars to the state, and Section XX. relating to the residuary lega- cy-and the codicils-a schedule of the after-pur- chased Estate and the amount of Legacies paid, is in- serted. Then follows an account of the amicable actions of ejectment entered before the Supreme Court, for the purpose of deciding to whom belongs the pro- perty contended for. Those proceedings, and the opi- nion of the Court, are now inserted.
The following amicable actions of ejectment were entered in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, for the Eastern District, on the 8th and 13th of October, 1833. Louis Vidal and Françoise Fenellon ? his wife. vs.
July, 1832. No. 44.
The Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of Philadelphia.
John Hemphill and Antoinetta his wife, John Y. Clark and Henrietta his wife, and John B. Haslam and Caroline his wife, vs. Same.
No. 45.
Etienne Girard, vs.
No. 46.
Same.
The following is a copy of the agreements under which they were entered, and also of the cases stated for the opinion of the Court,
Amicable action in Ejectment, for the following described Real Estate.
Two houses and lots on Walnut street, between Se- cond and Dock streets, Nos. 63 and 65, and one house and lot on Dock street, No. 61, purchased October 5, 1831, by the late Stephen Girard.
A lot of land in Passyunk township, containing 60 acres and 87 perches, purchased by the same, October 27th, 1831.
A house and lot on the north side of Coates street, west of Sixth street, purchased by the same, October 27th, 1831.
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