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 62

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 62

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These resolutions were postponed on the motion of one of the directors, for the purpose of introducing a substitute for them, by the vote of all present, except ourselves, and one other member of the board. The resolution substituted was as follows :- " Resolved, that the board have confidence in the wisdom and integrity of the President, and in the propriety of the resolutions of the 30th November, 1830, and 11th March, 1831, and entertain a full conviction of the necessity of a re- newed attention to the object of those resolutions; and that the President be authorised and requested to con- tinue his exertions for the promotion of aid objects."

Viewing this as indicating an intention (which was indeed avowed) to continue, and, even, extended, the system of lavish expenditure, and to authorise disburse- ments, the particulars of which could not be clearly as- certained, either by the board or their constituents. And regarding it also as evincing a desire to encounter our remonstrances, against the constitution of such a system, by a reference to the personal character and motives of the President of the institution (which were not drawn into discussion or question by us) we offered, as an amendment, the following resolutions :- " Resolv- ed that while this board repose entire confidence in the integrity of the President, they respectfully request him to cause the particulars of the expenditures, made un- der the resolutions of 30th November, 1830, and 11th March, 1831, to be so stated, that the same may be readily submitted to and examined by the Board of Di- rectors, and the Stockholders. Resolved, that the said resolutions be rescinded, and no further expenditures be made under the same." This amendment met with the same fate as our previous resolutions, being reject- ed by the same vote, and the resolution offered as a substitute was passed.

These, sir, are the circumstances attending the best examination we have been able to make, in regard to

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1833.]

the matters referred to us, by your letter of the 3d inst. Should they not prove sufficiently minute, or our re- purt sufficiently explicit, we must infer from the course pursued by the Board, when our resolutions were sub- mitted to them, that a more exact statement can only be obtained, by an agent directly authorised by the Executive. We have the honour to be,

With great respect, your obedient servants, H. D. GILPIN, JOHN T. SULLIVAN, PETER WAGER, HUGH M'ELDERY.

DAMAGED FLOUR.

The following letters will no doubt be interesting to some of our readers. Ifthey should have the effect of calling the attention of the public to the adulterations which often occur in our flour, a very important object will be obtained. - Poulson's Amer. Da. Adv.

TO JACOB GREEN, M. D. Professor of Chemistry in Jefferson Medical College. PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 21, 1833.

Dear Sir-A friend in the country, whom I visited yesterday, informed me that on Wednesday last, his whole family became sick from eating a pudding or bread made from wheat flour purchased at a store. The symp. toms were violent vomiting and nausea which had not gone off yesterday, with some fever, heat in the throat, debility, &c. Had they had any reason for suspecting that any person desired to injure them, they would have thought the flour to have been poisoned; but having none such, they were at first inclined to ascribe their sickness to the new paint on a room. The number of persons attacked was twelve, and none escaped who had eaten the pudding or the bread.

I brought with me a sample of the flour. If there is any mode of detecting any foreign substance in it with- out much trouble, I would thank you to apply your tests upon the small parcel I send you herewith, and will be glad to hear the result of your experiments.

I am, very respectfully and truly,

Your friend and servant,

CONDY RAGUET.

Professor JACOB GREEN.

TO CONDY RAGUET, ESQ.

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24, 1833.

Dear Sir-

I have carefully examined the wheat flour you sent me last Saturday; and which seems to have produced such noxious effects in the family of your friend. I could not detect in it any mineral poison, which might have occasioned the symptoms which you have describ- ed in your letter. From the odour and general appear- ance of the flour, I should pronounce it unfit for mak- ing a wholesome and nutritious bread. The wheat, it is well known, is sometimes infected with a disease which converts the farinaceous part of the sced into a black powder, which often imparts injurious qualities to the bread. Upon scrutinizing the four with a micro- scope, I noticed a considerable quantity of a dark pow- der. Whether our wheat is liable to the disease called the black and the brown rust, and whether the pow- der just noticed be this deleterious substance, I have not determined. What is called spurred rye, or secale cornutum, is a disease common to several graminiferous plants-perhaps the wheat flour in question may con- tain this poison. The late Dr. Wollaston notices the case of a family of eight persons, in England, who were much injured by eating damaged wheat,-grain infect- ed with secale cornutum. The darnel, a pernicious ex- otic, now naturalized with us, also injures our wheat New York at present has the best channel of passage, flour. The quantity of spur in our grain this year is ex- 'and of course this great trade seeks this route, not be-

ceedingly abundant, and well deserves the notice of our citizens. Whether the distressing symptoms described in your letter are to be attributed to the flour or to some other cause, I will not undertake to determine, but the subject of the adulteration of grain is certainly very important, not only in domestic economy, but also in Medical police.

Yours truly, JACOB GREEN.

From the Pittsburg Gazette. THE TRADE OF LAKE ERIE.

The interesting account of the Mad River Rail Road, which we published yesterday, commenced with the following paragraph, which we think, merits or requires some comment-

",Owing to the fortunate position of our city by nature, and the aids she has received from art and industry, it happens that almost every improvement that is made in the interior, whether in this or in the remoter states, redounds to the benefit of New York. All the canals and rail roads that are constructed, do, in effect, by their connection with existing means of communication, facilitate the conveyance of goods from this city to their places of consumption, and of the produce of the coun- try in return. Hence it is, that the people of New York have a direct and palpable interest in giving encourage. ment to works of internal improvement, far beyond the local limits of our state."

The able editor of the Spectator speaks most com- placently of the " fortunate position of that city," and remarks, very truly, indeed, as matters now stand, that almost every improvement that is made in " the inte- rior, redounds to the benefit of New York." While we admit that this statement is well founded, just now, yet we must add that the New Yorker does not seem to have given to the subject a thorough consideration-he does not seem to have distinctly ascertained why it is that such improvements as the Mad River Rail Road redound to the advantage of his city.

Twenty years ago there was no outlet from Lake Erie but the St. Lawrence; had the Mad River Rail Road and the Ohio Canal been executed at that time, they would, inevitably, have redounded to the advantage of Montreal and Quebec, because they were situated on the best route of communication with the Ocean, and the trade of the Lake would have pursued that route. The New Yorkers, however, actuated by that shrewd and enterprizing spirit which characterizes them, have made a better outlet-an outlet which is more direct, and situated in a more southern latitude, and which is open several weeks earlier and later, every year, than the St. Lawrence, and which, on these accounts, is prefer- able.

Lake Erie is one great reservoir for the reception, not only of the waters which are conducted to it by streams and canals, but also, of the immense amount of produce which is conveyed to it, either by the natural or artificial routes of conveyance. . Here all this pro- duce, the amount of which is already very large, and which must increase with the increase of population and of the facilities of transportation, is collected together, as a noble prize, worthy of the emulation and enter- prize of the wealthy cities which are in a position to contend for it. Here it is, all collected in one great mass, and seems to cry out to the cities of Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore, " win me and wear me,- which ever city opens to me the smoothest and pleas- antest road to the Ocean will secure me. I am growing so large that this little Lake will soon be too narrow and contracted for me-open, then, your various routes of communication, and I will at once choose that which is best, and eagerly pursue my way to the broad At- lantic."

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IMPROVED ECONOMY OF THE STEAM ENGINE.

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cause nature has given that city advantages over Phila- delphia, in the struggle for it, but because New York- ers have been more enterprizing. Nature, indeed, has given Philadelphia precisely the same advantage over New York which the latter city possesses over Montreal and Quebec, viz. a longer summer, and long- er continued navigableness of its waters.

Cleaveland harbor is open several weeks earlier in the spring than Buffalo. This is a decisive advantage gi- ven to Philadelphia as a boon from nature. Let the capitalists of that city, then, complete a communication from Pittsburg to the harbor, at the mouth of the Cuy- ahoga, and this immense trade will at once be secured to Philadelphia, simply because produce may, by that route, be afloat on the Atlantic, before it can be stowed away in a canal boat at Buffalo. Complete this con- nexion, and then the Philadelphia editors may, with great truth, adopt the language of the New York editors, and say, that "every improvement in the interior re- dounds to the advantage of" Philadelphia.

TRADE OF CLEVELAND.

The following extracts from the Cleaveland Herald, merit the most serious attention of the citizens of Phil- adelphia, and of Pittsburg, and Pennsylvania. Having lately devoted so much of our columns to this subject, we will not run the risk of tiring the patience of our readers, and submit these extracts, without further comment .- Pitt. Gazette.

" Western Trade .- The great increase of commerce on these Lakes, is beginning to excite the attention of the citizens of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. It is but a short time since, that vessels of any descrip- tion, sailed Lake Erie; and, but a few years since the first steamboat entered our harbor. But how great and important has been the change since that period. Now, the Lake is white with canvass-steamboats of any num- ber,and of the largest class, finished in the first style,ad- minister to the comfort and accommodation of the com- munity. The amount of business done upon the Lake, until within a few years past, was so inconsiderable, that it excited little or no interest in the public mind., The construction, however, of the Ohio canal, and the open- ing of other avenues of commerce, have given an impe- tus to business, and opened a new field of enterprize, that have produced results which, while they have been fully realized by our own citizens, are beginning to be duly appreciated by those of other states." * *

" The resources of the west are but partially devel. oped-the country is new, and but sparsely populated; and, if such important advantages have been already realized, what may we anticipate for the future. In the year 1825, the number of vessels which arrived at this port, was 75. Of these, 21 were steamboats. The value of the articles exported that year, amounted to only 50, 166 dollars-imports, 132,645. Business con- tinued gradually but slowly to increase until the year 1829, when the produce of the Ohio canal gave it a fresh stimulus. The result of that year exhibits an in- crease over the preceding of more than one hundred per cent. The number of vessels which arrived that season was 314. Of these, 90 were steamboats, and the residue sloops and schooners. The amount of pro- perty exported, was §222 000; that imported, $568,000. The subsequent year, 1830, exhibits a corresponding increase. The number of arrivals was 775; and the business in proportion. Last year the value of commo- dities exported, may be a million and a half; and that imported, at two. The number of arrivals at 1,070; of these, 470 were steamboats. From the transactions of the present year, up to the middle of last month, the value of exportations, the present season, may be esti - mated at about two millions; and importations at four millions seven hundred thousand dollars. Thus, it will be seen, that the value of our exportations has increased,

in the short space of eight years, from fifty thousand to two millions; and the importations from one hundred and thirty-two thousand six hundred and forty-five dol- lars, to four millions seven hundred thousand dollars! What a commentary is this upon the value of internal improvements and the resources of this young but flour- ishing country! It speaks volumes in favor of the grow- ing importance and value of this trade. It forms, how- ever, when compared with the oggregute business of the Lake, and the upper Lakes, which are constantly pouring in their rich treasures upon her bosom, but an item of the vast amount. This trade, which has been so rapidly aug- menting, has, as yet, no settled route, or established market. Hence arises the anxiety of the different states to secure, while practicable, the 'golden harvest.'"

From the United States Gazette.

IMPROVED ECONOMY OF THE STEAM EN- GINE.

It is well known that for some time past the effective power of steam engines, instead of being estimated by horse power, (30,000 pounds raised one foot high in a minute, ) has, especially in England been measured by the weight which the engine would raise to the height of a foot during the consumption of a bushel of bitu- minous coal. The engine of Watt, which, in its day was doubtless regarded, as nearly perfect, was under then existing arrangements, capable of raising on an average about 19 8-10 millions of pounds to that height. The improvement of Woolf, which consisted mainly in employing in one cylinder, steam of a greatly increas- ed elasticity above that used by Watt, and then allowing it to expand in a second cylinder until reduced to at- mospheric pressure, gave at once a notable increase of the efficacy of a given quantity of fuel. The nature and effects of expansion were long ago demonstrated by Robinson, yet their application seems but recently to have been successfully combined with other improve- ments to attain the maximum effect of fuel.

In the number of the Repertory of Patent Inventions for August, 1833, there is an interesting account of some experiments and observations made by Mr. E. Galloway, upon one of those celebrated engines in Cornwall, which have for some years past been the sub- ject of monthly inspection and report. The engine of Wilson at Wheel Town was selected for the trial, and the result was, that in six hours and five minutes, the engine consumed ten bushels of coal, and raised 125₴ millions of pounds one foot high or 1252 millions of pounds to the bushel of coal. Hence the improv- ed Cornish engine performs about 63 times as much work by the consumption of a bushel of coal as the engine of Bolton and Watt. The foregoing data enables us readily to convert the Cornish standard into horse power.

Mr. Galloway refers this vast increase of efficiency to five principal causes.

First-The form of the Cornish boilers is cylindrical instead of wagon shaped as in the Bolton and Watt con- struction-and there is a central tube for the fire-a passage below for the return gas, and then two others along the side for repassing to the back end of the boil- er where the chimney is placed.

Second-The management of the fire itself which is large and thick-the fire doors left partly open, and the coals being dusted on the top-but the fire never stir- red or stoked except about once in 24 hours to remove clinkers.

Third-The use of steam of high pressure say 50 pounds to the square inch, cutting off the communica- tion between the boiler and cylinder after 1-5 or 1-4 of the stroke, and allowing the steam to act expansively through the rest of the course.

Fourth-In covering or clothing the boilers, steam pipes, steam chests, and cylinder with a non-conducting substance, such as straw or saw dust-where steam on- -

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PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

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ly can be in contact with the iron, and a mixture of clay and straw where it is exposed to the action of fire.

Fifth-Suspending the action 'of the piston at the completion of the stroke and allowing time for the per- fect condensation of the steam in the cylinder before making the returning stroke.

By the first and second of the above improvements Mr. H. ascertained that the 19 8-10 millions of the Watt engine were increased to 34 2-10 millions. By the fourth or the addition of clothing to the engine, &c. the power added was 34} million, making thus far 115g, and by the temporary suspension of the motion to complete the vacuum, he computed that 1-10 of the whole duty on 11 6-10 was added which would swell the total amount to 127 millions or a very little more than he found by actual trial. W. R. J.

STEAMBOAT NAVIGATION OF THE SUSQUE- HANNA RIVER.

In pursuance of a public call through the newspapers, to the citizens of Harrisburg and its vicinity, friendly to the measure of petitioning Congress for the construction of a steamboat navigation from the Chesapeake to 1 ... Lakes, up the Susquehanna river; a large and highly respectable portion of the citizens aforesaid, assembled at the Court House, in said borough of Harrisburg, on Friday evening, the 20th of September, ultimo.

Judge HUMMEL was chosen President, Major Joel Bai- ly, Col. Henry Buehler, Vice Presidents, Charles C. Rawn, and Mordecai M'Kinney, Esqrs. were appointed Secretaries.

George W. Harris, Esq. recurring to the object of the meeting went into a lucid detail of facts, relative to the practicability of accomplishing the proposed object; and showing the immense national importance of such an improvement; he concluded by proposing the fol- lowing resolutions, which being read, were seconded, and unanimously adopted.

Resolved, as the sense of this meeting, That a steam- boat navigation through the Susquehanna river, be- tween the Chesapeake and the Lakes, is a project deep- ly interesting, not only to the interior of Pennsylvania, but to the nation at large; and being a national work, should be executed with the funds of the General Go- vernment.

Resolved, That a similar connexion between the Michigan lakes and the Illinois river, is also an impor- tant national enterprise, to the execution of which the means of the nation ought also to be applied.

Resolved, That a committee of fifteen persons be appointed to prepare a memorial to Congress in favor of these projects, and to circulate the same for signa- ture, in such parts of the Union as they may deem ad- visable.

Resolved, That the same committee be directed to make a report to the public, in relation to these pro- jects, and also, to act as a corresponding committee, and that they perform such other duties as may advance the objects of this meeting.

Henry K. Strong, Esq. addressed the meeting, exhi- biting in glowing colors, an interesting relation of nume- rous facts, as to works of a similar character; he showed the noble advantages of this improvement in times of peace to our trade and the Union, and the still nobler advantages, which would result to us from such an im- provement in times of frontier hostilities as enabling us to transport with expedition and advantage, troops and provisions to their required destination.

The following named individuals were appointed by the President, the Committee referred to in the third resolution. The names of the officers of the meeting, viz. Judge Hummel, Joel Baily, Henry Buehler, Charles C. Rawn, and M. M'Kinney, and Henry K. Strong being afterwards added to said committee upon motion.

Judge Hummel,

Joel Baily, Henry Buehler,

Henry Crangle, John C. Bucher, Dr. A. S. Dean,

Ilenry K Strong, George W. Harris, Henry Walters,

John Geiger, Samuel Pool, Peter Brua, Obed Fahnestock,

Frederick Kelker, David Krause,

William Duck,

Frederick Heisley,

Charles C. Rawn,

Jacob M. Halderman, Daniel Stine,

Mordecai M'Kinney,

Resolved, That the President of this meeting shall have authority to supply any vacancies that may occur in said committee.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting, sign- ed by the officers thereof, be published in all the news- papers of Harrisburg and elsewhere, friendly to the projects in view, or to giving the same publicity. VALENTINE HUMMEL, President. JOEL BAILY, HENRY BUEHLER, Vice Presidents.

Attest, Charles C. Rawn,

Mordecai M' Kinney, S

Secretaries.

From the Philadelphia Gazette.

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS. SELECT COUNCIL. Thursday Evening, Sept. 19, 1833.

Mr. Lippincott moved to proceed to the consideration of an Ordinance relative to Will's Hospital. Conside- rable debate was had on the subject, as to whether Mr. Wills designed the Hospital to be devoted to the use of the blind and lame of the colored population, as well as the white, -Mr. Massey contending that it included both whites and blacks, and Messrs. Toland, Groves, and others opposing such a construction of the testament. The ordinance finally passed the Select Council, and was amended in Common Council, but not returned.

Mr. Toland moved the consideration of an ordinance from the Common Council relative to time keepers in the city. Considerable debate was had on the subject. Mr. Groves desired information respecting the public utility of the measure, and was replied to by Messrs. Neff, Wetherill, Massey, and others. The ordinance was finally passed, as follows:

AN ORDINANCE Providing for the regulation of Time-Keepers.

Section 1. Be it ordained and enacted by the citizens of Philadelphia, in Select and Common Councils assem- bled, That Phillip Garrett, Isaiah Lukens, Ellis Clark, Thomas Voight, H. C. Riggs, and D. Weatherly, watch- makers of the city of Philadelphia, be and are hereby appointed a committee to be styled "The Observatory Committee," who shall be empowered to take charge of, and direct the means provided by this ordinance, to regulate time-keepers and chronometers.

Section 2. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall be the duty of the Observatory Committee, immediately after the passage of this Ordinance, to make such arrangement with the managers of the school corporation, as may be requisite for the use of their Observatory in Fourth street, and for the accommodation of a clock on which the time shall be recorded, as hereinafter provided.

Section 3. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid,, 'That the said Observatory Committee be, and are hereby authorised and directed to purchase a suitable clock, and provide accommoda- tion therefor, on the premises of said school corporation: Provided, the expense thereof shall not exceed two hundred dollars; and that the Mayor of the city be au- thorised to draw his warrant on the city treasurer for payment of said expenditure, upon the requisition of the Observatory Committee,

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Section 4. And be it further ordained and enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That the Observatory Com- mittee be, and are hereby authorised to appoint, subject to the approval of the councils, a person well qualified for the office, to be styled the "City Astronomer," and allow him a compensation for his services not exceeding two hundred dollars per annum, payable quarterly; and that the Mayor of the city is hereby authorised to draw his warrant on the city treasurer for said salary, upon the requisition of said committee.

Section 5. And be it further ordained and enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That it shall be the duty of the city astronomer, at least three times in each week, when practicable, to make such observations as will enable him to determine the time, and note the same upon such place as may be provided, in legible charac- ters, and to perform such service as may be required by the Observatory Committee, to enable watchmakers to regulate their time keepers.

Section 6. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall be the duty of the Observatory Committee, so soon as they shall have car- ried the provisions of this Ordinance into effect, to make a detailed report of their proceedings and arrangements to councils for their approval.

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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 62

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