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 87

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 87

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The above is the deed referred to by Sir William Keith, at the treaty with the Conestagoes, in 1722. It is remarkable, that the Indian deed to Col. Dongan, was not produced, and it seemed to have been conced- ed, that his purchase was from the Five Nations, who pretended right to the lands by conquest; and the words in italics appear to have been intended to embrace and confirm the title however derived. Nor did the pur- chase include any extent of land. It is true it is left indefinite; being for land on both sides of the river, and next adjoining to the same; but the great object of Wil- liam Penn was to secure the river through the whole extent of the province; and although it was not design- ed for immediate settlement, the great foresight of the proprietor would not permit him to relinquish this im- portant grant, which was to secure the whole of the Susquehanna, from the pretensions of the adjoining colonies, and at this time the charter bounds were not distinctly known, but, for a long time afterwards they were considered as extending at least to the Owegy, and including a considerable part of the river, now, unques- tionably, known to be within the limits of New-York. No opportunity was therefore lost to bring this title to the view of the Indians. Accordingly, in articles of agreement between William Penn, and the Susquehan- na, Shawona, Potowmack and Conestogoe Indians, dated April 23d, 1701. (Recorded in Book F. vol. 8, page 43. ) Among other things they ratify and confirm governor Dongan's deed of January 1796, and the above deed of the Susquehanna Indians, of September, 1700,

And notwithstanding the limits defined in the deed of September 1718, which will shortly follow, we find Dongan's deed insisted on, and acquiesced in, at Sus- quehanna, in 1722; and again, at a treaty held at Phila- delphia, in July 1727, between governer Gordon, and the deputies of the Five Nations; in answer to the dep- uties, who said the governor had divers times sent for them and they had therefore come to know his pleasure,

and made an offer to sell lands; the governor tells them, "that he is glad to see them, that he takes their visit very kindly at this time, but that they were misinformed when they supposed the governor had sent for them; that governor Penn had, by means of C'ol. Dongan, already bought of the Five Nations, the lands on Sus- quehanna; that the chiefs of the Five Nations, when Sir William Keith was at Albany, had of themselves confirmed the former grant, and absolutely released all pretensions to these lands." The release here stated to have been made at Albany, in 1722, is however, not to be now found.

About this period the Indian purchases become more important, and the boundaries more certain and defin- ed, and principles were established, and acquired the force of settled law, of deep interest to landholders; and which have been since uniformly recognized, and at this moment govern and control our judicial tribu- nals .- To live in peace and friendship with the natives, was a part of the benevolent system of the venerable and virtuous founder of Pennsylvania. To a people averse from warfare, from consciencious motives, every thing which would tend to provoke their warlike neigh- bours, and irritate them to lift the tomahawk, was most carefully to be avoided; and we find no common atten- tion bestowed upon this momentous subject by the go- vernment. When the natives sold their lands, it was understood distinctly, that the white people should not settle or encroach upon their hunting grounds, and lands reserved by them; nor was a single attempt thus to settle, unattended by complaints and uneasiness. The Indians observed their treaties with fidelity, and the boundaries appear to have been always accurately un- derstood by them.

On the 17th of September, 1718, there is a deed of release from sundry Delaware Indian chiefs, viz. Sassoa- nah, Meetashechay, Ghettypeneeman, Pokehais, Aadmac- kan, Opekasset, and Pepawmamam, for all the lands sit- uate between the two rivers, Delaware and Susquehan- na, from Duck creek, to the mountains on this side Lechay, with an acknowledgment, that they had seen and heard divers deeds of sale read unto them, under the hands and seals of former kings and chiefs of the Delaware Indians, their ancestors and predecessors, who were owners of said lands, by which they had granted the said lands to William Penn, for which they were satisfied and content, which, for a further consideration of goods delivered them, they then confirmed-This deed is recorded, May 13th, 1728, in Book A. vol. 6, page 59.

It is therefore to be observed, that the undefined li- mits of all the preceding deeds, westward, two days journey with a horse, &c. which would have extended far beyond the Lehigh hills, are here restricted to those hills, which so far as related to the purchasers from the Delawares, were the boundaries of the purchased lands;

The settlers, notwithstanding, encroached on the Indian lands beyond this boundary, which occasioned great anxiety and uneasiness among the Delawares. The complaints of the aged Sassooman, were eloquent and pathetic. Violence had ensued, and blood had flowed. Preparations had been made, and alliances were forming for war, but by prudence and skill, the danger was turned aside.

(To be continued.)

Pottsville is the only place in the United States in which the signing of the Constitution has been cele- brated. It is a good thing to remind the people occa- sionally that there is such an instrument in existence .- Miners' Journal.

1833]

MISCELLANEOUS.

303

PENNSYLVANIA AND OHIO CANAD. - At a meeting, held at Beaver, the following resolutions, among others, were passed, and the following strong delegation ap. pointed.

" Whereas, the connexion of the Pennsylvania with the Ohio Canal from Akron to the Beaver Division of the Pennsylvania Canal, at or near Newcastle, would not only tend to benefit the section through which it passes, but is ofvital importance to the State of Pennsyl- vania, inasmuch as it will secure her cities of Pittsburg and Philadelphia, the greater portion of the trade of the upper Lakes, and of the State of Ohio, and States fur- ther west of Ohio; whilst it affords to Pennsylvania a new outlet and a new market for her iron and other manufactures-Therefore,

Resolved, That we view with pleasure the efforts that are now making by the citizens of Pittsburg, Phila- delphia, and elsewhere, to arouse public attention to this very important object.

- Resolved, That we most cordially approve of the Con- vention proposed to be held at Warren, on the 13th of November next, called for the purpose of promoting and aiding in the accomplishment of the aforesaid ob- ject.

Resolved, That the county of Beaver, having a deep interest in the completion of the cross cut canal, her in- terests ought to be represented, and her wishes express. ed, in that Conventian-Therefore,

Resolved, That this meeting appoint ten Delegates to represent Beaver county in that Convention; and that Dr. Oliver Cunningham, Thomas Henry, Esq., Gen. Abner Lacock, James Patterson, Joseph Hoops, Benja- min Adams, Esq., Dr. Joseph Pollock, Dr. Charles Whippo, John Dukehart, jr., and John Clark, Esq., be appointed said Delegates.

Resolved, That this meeting deem it of great import- ance that the city of Pittsburg and county of Allegheny be represented in said Convention, and therefore recom- mend that they assemble and appoint Delegates for that purpose."

Our friends at Beaver need not be uneasy. Pittsburg will be represented in Convention-the current of opin- ion is irresistible.

From the Pittsburg Gazette.

REMINISCENCES .- On the 22d of November, 1753, not quite eighty years ago, George Washington then on his way to Le Bœuf, arrived at this place-then called "the Forks." At that time there was not a single white face residing on or near this point, where so many thou- sand inhabitants are now living.

It may be a matter of proud recollection to Pittsburgh- ers, that the first accurate description of this point was given by the pen of the father of, his country-the man, who was truly the " best and the greatest," and that the vicinity of Pittsburg was the field of his first fame.

There was a singular variety and contrast in the as- pect of circumstances under which Washington visited this place and its vicinity, at different periods. On the 22d of November, 1753, he arrived as the mcre messen- ger of a single Colonial Governor, and spent some time in examining the situation of the point-all then was peace and solitude here-nothing disturbed his medita- tions but the music of the feathered inhabitants of the forest. On the 9th of July, 1755, he again approached this place, with all the "pomp and circumstance of war," under Braddock; was met with the sharp report of the rifle and fierce yell of the savage, and compelled to retreat in haste and disorder, with a discomfitted ar- my, and a dying commander.

Again, on the 25th of November, 1758, under the commund of General Forbes, he approached this point in glorious triumph, and in taking possession of Fort du Quesne, which had just been abandoned by the fly- ing Frenchmen.

And yet again, in October, 1794, as commander in |

chief of the army and navy of United America, he ad- vanced towards this place, against the refractory and turbulent citizens of these western counties, and had then the glorious good fortune to reduce the misguided in- surgents to obedience, and restore peace and order, without the loss of a single life, or a drop of blood .-- Pittsburg Gaz.

A meeting has been held in the vicinity of Waynes- burg, at which a committee was appointed to fix the boundaries of a new county, to be taken out of parts of Berks, Chester, and Lancaster counties.

SOMERSET, Oct. 30.

THE WEATHER .- Yesterday morning we rose and found the earth clothed in a new dress-during the night a snow had fallen to the depth of about two inches. This is the fourth snow that has visited us this season .- Somerset Whig.

POTTSVILLE, Nov. 2.

COLD WEATHER .- On Wednesday morning last the ground in this place was covered with snow, and on the Broad Mountain snow had fallen to the depth of two or three inches-and ice an inch thick or upwards, has been visible here for several mornings past. - Ib.

CLEARFIELD TOWN, Oct. 31.

THE WEATHER .- The past month has been more than usually unfavorable to out-door work, especially to the farmer. Owing to the almost constant cold rain, but little seed has been sown in this county for a month past, and no appearance of change in the weather yet ; and unless the weather moderates shortly, many far- mers will not be able to get in half what they have pre- pared, as seeding time is well nigh past, and the atmos- phere at present having every appearance of the com- mencement of winter. We had snow on the 20th, and frequently since, with hard freezing. Many of our old- est inhabitants say the like has not taken place for twen- ty years. A portion of the Buckwheat spared by the early frost bids fair to be left out over winter.

POTTSVILLE AND DANVILLE RAIL ROAD .- We under- stand that the result of the experiment on the 2d in- clined plane of the Pottsville and Danville rail road, announced in our last paper, (through the politeness of Mr. Campbell, Engineer, under whose direction it was undertaken,) was entirely satisfactory, and contributes much to the gratification of the spectators who witness- ed it. We are informed that the car passed up and down the inclined plane with every facility, carrying numerous passengers; and that nothing occurred to diminish the sanguine expectations entertained by the friends of the rail road, concerning its operation. We avail ourselves of the present occasion to mention that the whole work, so far as it has been commenced, is in a train of vigorous and successful prosecution, and that this end of the route is rapidly approaching a completion. We trust that the period is not distant when the remaining portion of the road will be placed under contract, as the advantages of the work can scarcely be appreciated until a connexion is effected with the Susquehanna .- Ib.

THE RAIL ROAD .- The Contractor on Section No. 1, commenced laying the blocks on the inclined plane on Wednesday last; and this day intends to begin the laying of the rails.

The engine house at the head of the inclined plane is so far completed that the carpenters are engaged in putting on the roof.

We understand that a car has been placed on that part of the road near Lancaster which is completed, for the accommodation of those who wish to enjoy the novel- ty of travelling on a railway .- Columbia Spy.

304

MISCELLANEOUS.

NOVEMBER

STEAM ENGINES IN AND NEAR PITTSBURG .- M. Samu- el Church, has just called and furnished us with a list of the number of steam engines now in operation in this city and its immediate vicinity ; the power of each engine, the number of hands employed, and the amount of coal consumed monthly. Mr. Church has, himself, been at the trouble and expense of having this statement made out-it is entirely satisfactory, so far as it goes, but there are still many in the county, not embraced in this list. We hope to receive a list of these also, through the kindness of the manufacturers or owners.

The number of engines, embraced in Mr. Church's list, is eighty-nine-the number of hands employed, 2111-the monthly consumption of, coal, 154,250 bush- els. We will publish this statement next week.

The following is a list of the taxable inhabitants of each borough and township in the county-and also the valuation and amount of taxes which each borough and township pays; taken from the duplicates of 1833.

Taxables.

Valuation. Taxes.

Pottsville

950

$326,678

2,107 44}

Orwigsburg

148

158,877

526 69

Norwegian Township

614

725,422

2,887 91

Brunswick

408

315,918

1,734 083

Manheim

501

389,004

1,571 28

Pinegrove

322

270,007

1,120 71

Wayne

283

174,368

677 863

West Penn

324

181,082

701 36

Lower Mahantango

234

138,046

551 41

Upper Mahantango

247

139,217

554 42

Schuylkill

188

72,489

587 25

Rush

108,657

440 18

Barry

111

108,590

4.50 213

Union

124

95,538

395 463

4541 $3,203,893 $14,306 25₺

The following table will show that a larger majority of the taxable inhabitants of Schuylkill county resides nearer Pottsville than Orwigsburg-and that a much larger proportion of taxes are assessed in what may be termed the upper part of the county, than in the lower part.

Pottsville

950

$2107 41}

Norwegian

614

2887 91

Barry

111

450 212

Upper Mahantango

247

554 42

Lower Mahantango

234

551 41

& of Rush, Union and Schuy'I

200

706 443

of Manheim

250

785 623

¿ of Wayne

141

338 03

3 of Pinegrove

161

560 35號

2900

8942 753

Miners' Journal.

MR. LESLIE.

The following correspondence will show that our citizens, and especially the artists, are not insensible to the character and worth of Mr. Leslie. The tribute to this distinguished gentleman, as it was meet it should, emanated directly from those, who, like himself, have given most of their days in honoring and advancing the fine arts .- Commercial Herald.

Philadelphia, Nov. 1st, 1833.

Dear Sir-The undersigned, a committee appointed by the Artists of Philadelphia, to welcome your return among them, after an absence of twenty-two years, re- spectfully invite you to fix a day to partake of a dinner with them.

+ We have it expressly in charge, in bidding you wel- come to this City, to assure you of our warm attachment for your person and character, and of our exultation at

the lionor which your genius has conferred upon the fine arts of our country.

With sentiments of great regard, We are, Sir, your obedient.serv's, (Signed, ) THOS. SULLY, WM. STRICKLAND, C. G. CHILDS, J. B. LONGACRE, WM. E. TUCKER,

>Committee.

To Charles R. Leslie, Esq.

REPLY.

Philadelphia, Nov. 2d, 1833.

Dear Sirs-My duties at West Point leave me but a few days to remain in Philadelphia, and my engage- ments here are so numerous, as to put it entirely out of my power to accept the very kind invitation of my bro- ther Artists, communicated to me by you in so flattering a manner.

I trust I shall have many opportunities of renewing that intercourse with my early friends, among you, which I have never ceased to remember with unmingled plea- sure, and of becoming known to the many who have distinguished themselves, and done honor to our coun- try, by the successful cultivation of the Fine Arts, dur- ing my long absence.

Accept, gentlemen, my warm thanks for your kind- ness, and believe me to be, With great regard,

Your obedient servant,

C. R. LESLIE.

To Thos. Sully, Wm. Strickland, C. G. Childs, J. B. Longacre, and Wm. E. Tucker, Esq's.

LEHIGH COAL TRADE-1833 .- Despatched from Mauch Chunk for the week ending 10th month 25th --- 79 Boats, carrying 3,785 Tons.

2285 Boats, (last report, ) 100,528 Tons.

2364 Boats, Total, 104,313 Tons.

SCHUYLKILL COAL TRADE-1833 .- Despatched dur- ing the week ending the 3d inst- 84 Boats carrying 3,534 Tons.

4366 Boats, last report

184,808 T'ons.

4450 187,162 Tons.

719 Boats Little Schuylkill coal trade 30, 131 Tons.

5169

217,296 Tons.

LACKAWANNA COAL TRADE-1833 .- Despatched from Honesdale for the week ending October 16th, 145 Boats, carrying 33,150 Tons.

Total amount since April 25th, 91,890 Tons.

Extract of a letter from M. Boucher, an eminent Silk Merchant at Paris, to Mr. John D'Homergue, of this city, dated 12th August, 1833.

"The minister of Commerce has granted to me what the American Congress has refused to the venerable and patriotic Péter S. Du Ponceau, to wit, the estab- lishment of a special school, for instruction in the silk business, from the culture of the mulberry tree, to the throwing and twisting of the raw material, inclusive. I have been directed to submit a plan for the organization of that school in its various branches. It is to be es- tablished in one of the southern cities, which I shall point out.

"Your specimen of Bank paper with engraved Vig- nettes,has been presented to the Minister of Commerce, as a product of your new industry. We congratulate you upon it."

HAZARD'S REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

VOI .. XIII .- NO. 20. PHILADELPHIA, NOVEMBER 16, 1833. NO. 307

LAND TITLES. (Continued from page 302. )

At the treaty at Philadelphia, in 1728, Sassoonan, ad . dressing himself to Mr. James Logan, the proprietary secretary, and principal commissioner for land affairs, said, " That he was grown old, and was troubled to see the Christians settle on lands that the Indians had ne. ver been paid for; they had settled on his lands, for which he had never received any thing; that he was now an old man, and must soon die; that his children may wonder to see all their father's lands gone from them without his receiving any thing for them; that the Christians made their settlements very near them, and they would have no place left of their own to live on; that this might occasion a difference between their children hereafter, and he would willingly prevent any misunder- standing that might happen."

Mr. Logan, with the leave of the governor, answer- ed, "That he was no otherwise concerned in the lands of the province, than as he was entrusted with other commissioners, by the proprietor, to manage his affairs of property in his absence; that William Penn had made it a rule, never to suffer any lands to be settled by his people, till they were first purchased of the Indians; that his commissioners had followed the same rule, and how little reason there was for any complaint against him or the commissioners, he would make appear. He then proceeded to relate to them the circumstances connect- ed with the release of 1718, for the lands from Duck Creek to near the forks of Delaware, and that the Indians were then entirely satisfied with it; and the instrument of release was then read to them.

Sassoonan and Onekasset, both acknowledged this deed to be true, and that they had been paid for all the lands therein mentioned; but Sassoonan said, the lands beyond these bounds had never been paid for; that these reached no farther than a few miles beyond Oley, but that their lands on Tulpyhockin, were seated by the Chris- tians.

Mr. Logan answered, that he understood, at the time that deed was drawn, and ever since, that the Lechay hills or mountains, stretched away a little from below Lechay, or the forks of Delaware, to those hilis on Sus- quehanna, that lie about ten miles above Pexton; Mr. Farmer said those hills passed from Lechay, a few miles above Oley, and reached no further, and that Talpyhoc- kin lands lay beyond them.

Whether, continued Mr. Logan, those lands of Tal- pyhuckin were within or without the bounds mentioned in the deeds, he well knew that the Indians, some few years since, were seated on them, and that he, with the other commissioners, would never consent that any set- tlement should be made on lands where the Indians were seated; that these lands were settled wholly against their minds, and even without their knowledge; but he desired of the Indians, that though these people had seated themselves on the Talpyhockin lands without the commissioners, leave or consent, yet that they would not offer them any violence, or injure them, but wait till such time as that the matter could be adjusted."

In this the Indians acquiesced, and having waited some time without receiving any satisfaction for their land, and the encroachments still increasing, they re- VOL. XII.

newed their complaints. The French at Montreal were likewise endeavoring to gain them over to their inte- rest, and it was seen both by the assembly and gover- nor, that it was but just and reasonable, and that it con- cerned the peace of the country, that the Indians should be made easy respecting their lands, and their complaints removed. The state of affairs gave rise to the treaty of 1732, shortly after the arrival of Thomas Penn, who was present at it. See votes of assembly, vol. 3, page 158.

Previous, however, to this treaty, there appears to have been a release, but not recorded, from sundry In- dians, for all the land on both sides of the Brandywine creek, from the mouth thereof, where it enters the ri- ver Delaware, up to a certain rock in the said creek, near the upper line of Abraham Marshal's land. It is unimportant to inquire at what point this purchase end- ed. It could have been intended merely to extinguish some claims, probably not well founded; and the same land was included in the release of 1718. This release is dated, May 31st, 1726.

September 7th, 1732, Sassoonan alias Allummapis, sachem of the Schuylkill Indians, Elalopis, Ohopamen, Pesquetomen, Mayemo, Partridge, Tepakoaset, al as Joe, grant all those tracts of land or lands, lying on or near the river Schuylkill, or any of the branches, streams, fountains, or springs thereof, eastward or westward, and all the lands lying in or near any swamps, marshes, fens, or meadows, the waters or streams of which flow into or towards the river Schuylkill, situate, lying, and being between those hills called Lechay hills, and those called Kekachtanemin hills, which cross the said river Schuylkill, about thirty miles above the said Lechay hills, and all land whatsoever lying within the said bounds, and between the branches of Delaware river on the eastern side of the said land, and the branches or streams running into the river Susquehanna on the western side of the said land. That is to say, all those lands situate, lying, and being on the said river Schuyl- kill, and the branches thereof, between the mountains called Lechay to the south, and the hills or mountains called Kekachtanemin on the north, and between the branches of the Delaware river on the east, and the wa- ters falling into the Susquehanna river on the west.

Ratified by Lingohonov, a Schuylkill Indian, who was not present at signing the foregoing deed, 12:h July, 1742.

Confirmed by deed of release, 20th of August, 1733, which is in fact a release for the consideration of said lands, received by them. This release is also confirmed by Lingahonoa, 12th July, 1742, acknowledging that he had received his portion of the consideration.

These deeds and releases have never been recorded.

The lands at Tulpehockt n were quieted by this deed; but as it embraced none of the lands on the Delaware, or branches leading into it, the discontent of the Indians still continued with regard to the settlements at the Mi- nissinks, near forty miles above the Lechay hills, which was the northern boundary according to the deed of 1718. Although considerable obscurity rests upon the deed of 1686, yet presuming its existence, the purchase had never been walked out. And if any reliance can be placed in the authenticity of a letter from James Logan, dated 20th November, 1727, and printed a

306

LAND TITLES.

INOVEMBER

London in the year 1759, and said to have been com. pared with the original then in being, any claim under the deed of 1686, would appear to have been abandon- ed. The letter is in these words, "Friend Thomas Watson, this morning I wrote to thee by Joe Taylor, concerning warrants that may be offered thee to be laid out on the Minissink lands, and was then of opinion that the bearer hereof, Joseph Wheeler, proposed to lay his there. Having since seen him, he tells me he has no such thought, but would have it laid three or four miles above Durham, on a spot of pretty good land there amongst the hills, and I think at some distance from the river, proposing, as he says, to live there him self with his kinsman, who was here with him; pray take the first opportunity to mention it to I. Langhorne, for if he has no considerable objection to it, (that is, if he has laid no right. on it, ) I cannot see that we should make any other than that it is no purchased of the In- dians, which is so material an one, that without their previous engagement to part with it very reasonably, it cannot be surveyed there. But of this, they themselves, I mean Joseph Wheeler, &c. propose to take care. This is what offers on this head, from thy loving friend, James Logan." The forks of Delaware were, not- withstanding, settled; and to this, among other causes, was attributed by the writers of the day, the alienation of the Delawares and the Shawanese, from the British interests.

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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 87

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