explain to them in detail the nature of this seminary, the rules adopted by the Superintendent with the approbation of the Board of Trustees, are hereto annex ed.* It may be proper to add that the Library belonging to Alleghany College, the fruit of munificent benefactions from Winthrop, Bentley, Thomas and many other individuals in various parts of the United States, consisting of eight thousand volumes, is inferior in point of value to a very few collegiate libraries in the union. A chemical apparatus, presented by a number of gentlemen in the city of New-York, is ample for all useful purposes. The seminary will go into operation on the contemplated plan on the second Tuesday of June.-Meadville, 27 April, 1829. 301 mill, and as there was but one road before us, we could not readily miss our way, We accordingly proceeded, and soon reached the desired spot, where we met with a hospitable reception, but received the uncomfortable intelligence that we were considerably out of our intended course, and should be obliged to traverse a mountainous district, seldom trodden by the traveller's foot, to reach our destined port on the Lehigh, then known by the name of the Landing, but since dignified with the more classical appellation of Lausanne. We were kindly furnished by our host with lodgings in the mill, which was kept going all night; and as the structure was not of the most firm and compact character, we might almost literally be said to have been rocked to sleep. Howev er, after having been refreshed with a night's rest, such as it was, and taking breakfast with our hospitable landlord, we started on the journey of the day, preceded by HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY AND USE OF Philip, with his axe on his shoulder, an implement ne ANTHRACITE COAL. cessary to remove the obstructing saplings that might It may at some future period be satisfactory to know the origin and progress of the anthracite coal trade which has already assumed so much importance in this state-we have therefore collected from three communications on the subject published in the memoirs of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, such facts in relation to its discovery, and use, as well as to the efforts at different times to introduce it as an article of commerce and of comfort, as will we think prove interesting.-examination; after which, whilst we lingered on the One hundred years hence, when this coal shall have become an article of the first necessity and almost universally in use, it will appear incredible that its combustibility should ever have been doubted. The first extract is from a memoir by Dr.T.C.James. As the brief account of the discovery of the Anthracite Coal on the summit of the Mauch-Chunk Mountain seemed to engage the attention of some of the members of the Historical Society on one of the evenings of the meeting of their council, and as it has been thought worthy of preservation, the writer of the following little narrative feels no objection to commit it, notwithstanding its imperfection, to paper, although the circumstances detailed occurred at such a distance of time as must plead an excuse for imperfect recollection. It was some time in the autumn of 1804 that the writer and a friendt started on an excursion to visit some small tracts of land that were joint property on the river Lehigh in Northampton county. We went by the way of Allentown, and, after having crossed the Blue Mountain, found ourselves in the evening unexpectedly bewildered in a secluded part of the Mahoning Valley, at a distance, as we feared, from any habitation; as the road became more narrow, and showed fewer marks of having been used, winding among scrubby timber and underwood. Being pretty well convinced that we had missed our way, but, as is usual with those who are wrong, unwilling to retrace our steps, we nevertheless checked our horses about sun-setting, to consider what might be the most eligible course. At this precise period, we happily saw emerging from the wood, no airy sprite, but, what was much more to our purpose, a good substantial German-looking woman, leading a cow laden with a bag of meal, by a rope halter. Considering this as a probable indication of our being in the neighborhood of a mill, we ventured to address our inquiries to the dame, who in a language curiously compounded of what might be called high and low dutch, with a spice of English, made us ultimately comprehend that we were not much above a mile distant from Philip Ginter's Want of space precludes their appearance this week. +Anthony Morris, Esq. spot, contemplating the wildness of the scene, honest vey. Hillegas, Cist, Weiss, and some others, immediately after, (about the beginning of the year 1792,) formed themselves into what was called the "Lehigh Coal Mine Company," but without a charter of incorporation, and took up about 8 or 10,000 acres of, till then, unlocated land, including the Mauch-Chunk mountain, but probably never worked the mine. It remained in this neglected state, being only used by the blacksmiths and people in the immediate vicinity, until somewhere about the year 1806, when Wm. Turnbull, Esq. had an ark constructed at Lausanne, which brought down two or three hundred bushels.This was sold to the manager of the Water-works for the use of the Centre-Square steam-engine. It was there tried as an experiment, but ultimately rejected as unmanageable, and its character for the time being blasted, the further attempts at introducing it to public notice, in this way, seemed suspended. During the last war, J. Cist, (the son of the printer,) Charles Miner, and J. A. Chapman, tempted by the high price of bituminous coal; made an attempt to work the mine, and probably would have succeeded, had not the peace reduced the price of the article too low for competition. The operations and success of the present Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company must be well known to the society; the writer will therefore close this communication by stating, that he commenced burning the Anthracite Coal in the winter of 1804, and has continued its use ever since, believing, from his own experience of its utility, that it would ultimately become the general fuel of this, as well as some other cities. Extract from a communication by Erskine Hazard. The coal on the Lehigh was accidentally discovered in the year 1791 by a hunter, who observed it adhering to the roots of a tree which had been blown down. In 1792 a company was formed, called the Lehigh Coal Mine Company, who took up a large body of land contiguous to that on which the coal had been found.They opened the mine where it is at present worked, made a very rough road from the river to the mine, and attempted to bring the coal in arks to the city, in which they but partially succeeded in consequence of the difficulties of the navigation. A small quantity of coal, lowever, reached the city; but the want of knowledge of the proper fixtures for its use, together with the difficulties of the navigation, caused the company to abandon their undertaking. Some of the coal, it is said, was tried under the boiler of the engine at the Centre Square, but only served to put the fire out, and the remainder was broken up and spread on the walks in place of gravel! The legislature were early aware of the importance of the navigation of the Lehigh, and in 1771, passed a law for its improvement. Subsequent laws for the same object were enacted in 1791, 1794, 1798, 1810, 1814, and 1816. A company was formed under one of them, which expended upwards of thirty thousand dollars in clearing out channels; one of which they attempted to make through the ledges of slate which extend across the river, about seven miles above Allentown; but they found the slate too hard to pick, and too shelly to blow; and at length considered it an insuperable obstacle to the completion of the work, and relinquished it. The Coal Mine Company in the meanwhile, anxious to have their property brought into notice, gave leases of their mines to different individuals in succession, for periods of twenty-one, fourteen, and ten years, adding to the last the privilege of taking timber from their lands Messrs. for the purpose of floating the coal to market. Cist, Miner and Robinson, who had the last lease, started several arks, only three of which reached the city, and they abandoned their business at the close of the war, 1815. In 1812, Messrs. White and Hazard, who were then manufacturing wire at the Falls of Schuylkill, induced a number of individuals to associate and apply to the legislature for a law for the improvement of the river Schuylkill. The coal which was said to be on the head waters of that river, was held up as an inducement to the legislature to make the grant, when the senator from Schuylkill county asserted that 'there was no ccal there-that there was a kind of black stone' that was 'called' ccal, but that it wou'd not burn! Their application to the legislature as individuals having failed, they called a meeting of those interested in that navigation, at the tavern, corner of Fifth and Race streets, where Mr. White opened the business of the meeting by proposing the application to the legislature for a charter for a company to improve the Schuyik 11 for a slack-water navigation by dams and locks. This was the commencement of the present Schuylkill Navigation Company, which was incorporated in 1815. During the war, Virginia Coal became very scarce, and Messrs. White ard Hazard having been told by Mr. Joshua Malin, that he had succeeded in making use of Lehigh coal in his rolling mill, procured a cart-load of it, which cost them one dollar per bushel. This quantity was entirely wasted without getting up the requisite heat. Another cartload was however obtained, and a whole night spent in endeavouring to make a fire in the furnace, when the hands shut the furnace door and left the mill in despair. Fortunately one of them left his jacket in the mill, and returning for it in about half an hour, noticed that the door was red hot, and upon opening it, was surprised at finding the whole furnace at a glowing white heat. The other hands were summoned, and four separate parcels of iron were heated and rolled by the same fire, before it required renewing. The furnace was then replenished, and as letting it alone had succeeded so well, it was concluded to try it again, and the experiment was repeated with the same result. From that time they continued the use of anthracite coal, which they received from Schuylkill county in waggons; and occasionally in flats by the freshets, and from the Lehigh, in one of Messrs. Miner & Co.'s arks. In January, 1818, Messrs. White and Hazard, joined by Mr. Hauto, obtained the control of the Lehigh Coal Mine Company's lands. In the succeeding March, a law was obtained, granting to them, as individuals, the power and privileges on the Lehigh usually granted to navigation companies, with only the additional privilege of trying the experiment of a navigation by means of artificial freshets. In July following, the Lehigh Navigation Company, and in October, the Lehigh Coal Company were form ed, which together were the foundation of the present Lehigh Coal Navigation Company, as will appear by the preamble to their Charter, passed in 1822. The improvement of the Lehigh was commenced in August, 1818. In 1820, only two years from the commencement, coal was sent to Philadelphia, by an artificial navigation, and sold at $8 40 per ton, delivered. In 1821 and 1822, the quantities were so much in creased, that the public became secure of a supply, and its own good qualities, together with its reasonable price, gave it an extensive and rapidly increasing deAt this period, anthracite coal may be said to be mand. In 1824, the Lehigh permanently introduced into use. Company reduced the price of coal to $7, at which it has continued. In 1825, coal first came to Philadelphia by the improved navigation of the Schuylkill-the quantity was 5378 tons. In 1826, 16,265 tons of coal were transported on the Schuylkill, and 31,280 tons on the And now, January, 1827, anthracite coal Lehigh. promises to become the largest and most profitable staple of Pennsylvania. Extract of a letter from Jesse Fell dated Wilksbarre, December 1st, 1826. The late Judge Gore, in his life time, informed me, that he and his brother, the late Captain Daniel Gore, (both being blacksmiths,) were the first that discovered 1829.J INFANT SCHOOLS. and used this coal in their blacksmith's fires, and found ance over. Accor In the year 1788, I used it in nailery, and found it to be profitable in that business. The nails made with it, would neat the weight of the rods, and frequently a bal But it was the opinion of those that worked it in their furnaces, that it would not do for fuel, because when a small parcel was left on their fires and not blown, it would go out. Nothwithstanding this opinion prevailed, I had, for some time, entertained the idea that if a sufficient body of it was ignited, it would burn. dingly, in the month of February, 1808, I procured a grate, made of small iron rods, ten inches in depth and ten inches in height, and set it up in my common-room fire-place, and on first lighting it found it to burn excellently well. This was the first successful attempt to burn our stone-coal in a grate, so far as my knowledge extends. On its being put in operation, my neighbors flocked to see the novelty; but many would not believe the fact until convinced by ocular demonstration. Such was the effect of this pleasing discovery, that in a few days there were a number of grates put in operation. REPORT OF THE INFANT SCHOOL SOCIETY OF THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES AND KEXSINGTON. In May 1828, a building was purchased from the Kensington Society in Rose street, West Kensington, for 60 dollars, with a lease on the lot for five years, paying 25 cents per year, from our benevolent friend Roberts Vaux—a class-room and shed were built, and a school established on the 18th day In June a building was purof the same month. chased for 75 dollars and removed to a lot near, in Marlborough street, East Kensington, with a lease of five years, paying a tax of one dollar and fifty cents per annum-a class-room and shed were built and a school commenced on the 30th day. In Apple st. Northern Liberties, a room was rented for $15 per annum and a school opened on the same day. On the 16th of February the fourth school was established in Spring Garden in a room rented for $40 a year near Mr. Sears' church. From the small beginning of twenty one scholars their number has rapidly increased to six hundred and forty nine, who are under daily instruction. Rose st. school (No 1,)has two hundred, Apple st. (No. 2,) one hundred and twelve; Marlborough (No. 3) one hundred and eighty eight and Spring Garden (No. 4) one hundred and forty nine. We have now in employ eight teachers, four principals at 160 dolls. a year, and four assistants at 75 dollars per annum. During the lapse of the year not a single circumstance has occurred to discourage their most exalted hopes or in the least abate the ardour of their zeal. The attendance of the children has been remarkable and only prevented by sickness or severity of weather: the increase of number has been rapid and the prospects highly encouraging: many of the opposers of this society are now its friends and supporters. Our number of subscribers, now amounts to 520. In all our expenditures the greatest economy has been observed; as may be seen in our Treasurer's report, that our expenses have not exceeded 1092 dollars after the necessary fixtures of four rooms, salaries of eight teachers, purchase of two buildings, two class rooms, two sheds and three fences put up. Enjoying decidedly the patronage of God, this society has peculiar claims to the countenance and co-operation of men; and no doubt its claims Though this will be extensively acknowledged. board claims not to rank the highest in the scale of christian charity they do claim that it holds a place distinct among the interesting institutions of this age. Infant schools are admitted to an honourable rank, their cause is upheld by the noble, and the great; in England more than six hundred have been established the past year under the patronage of the King and subjects of all classes. If from the young the church is to look chiefly for its increase, then is your society consulting the best interests of the church and deserves the countenance of all who can say to Zion, "Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces." If the experience of the civilized world demonstrates that the character of the man is built on the principles instilled into the mind of the child, then is this society, with other causes, laying the foundation of our nation's prosperity. Though the importance of this institution is unmeasureably great, the advantages of the infant system are but partially considered by those who confine their views to the benefit which it imparts in the school room alone; in many instances religious truth has found entrance into families and hearts, to which access could be gained by no other means. The instruction received in the school room has been carried home; many of the parents have acknowledged the reproofs of their little ones, and expressed astonishment to hear their infant voices raised in the praises of their Maker. Many interesting circumstances have occurred that we might relate. The Board, in divesting themselves as far as they are able, of any undue partiality for this society, see in it an engine which, when put into full operation, will work with great and unexampled power. We cannot believe that a generous and christian public will suffer this society to languish through want of support. We trust men, who love of souls is dear, will encourage us with their contritheir country; and christians, to whom the welfare butions. And though this shoot was planted but last year, we do expect to see it spread over all this crease of our population, and be the means of trainregion, its operations keep pace with every ining up a virtuous people. That person must be blind with the love of error who cannot see an improvement in the next race of men, and that children's children shall improve on their example, till generation after generation, rising up to praise the Lord, the earth shall at length be full of his glory. Wherefore beloved brethren, let us be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord. TREASURER'S REPORT. Catharine Singer, in account with the Infant School 1828. DR. Do. from the Male education soci- Do. tuition received during the Do. fines from the managers 613 15 10.00 165 19 1 25 $1092 01 CR. 1828. June 2. By cash paid for the school house in Rose st. $60 00 Treasurer this day Errors excepted. Philadelphia. 75 CO 474 33 21 96 pril is nearly spent and we have had but few mild spring days. Until last week not a blossom of the Apricot or Peach, and but very few flowers were visible. Our fields and forests are just beginning to assume the livery of returning vegetation and a few fine days will cause spring to burst upon us in all her wonted loveliness and beauty. As far as we can learn, the severe weather has not 460 72 proved as injurious to winter grain as the fears of many of our farmers led us to suppose. The Wheat and Rye generally look well in this county, so far as our knowledge extends, excepting on lands of a spongy nature. which is always liable to serious injury in seasons like the past. Our Farmers are fondly anticipating a prolific season, and we hope their prospects may not be blasted by any untoward events.-Int. $1092 01 $21 96 CATHARINE SINGER. Abstract of the returns made to the Auditor General's of fice, by the inspectors of bark, flour, salted provisions, domestic distilled spirits, butter and lard, for the year 1828. BARK.-William Fitler, inspector. 55 tierces 227 barrels 2569 tons, 10 cwt. 5 lbs. LEWISTOWN, PENN. May 2.-It is stated that shad are caught in much the Juniata, than has ever been known at any previous greater abundance, below the dam at North's Island; in time. It is supposed that the dam in the Susquehanna, immediately above the mouth of the Juniata, has the effect of directing their course up the Juniata. The dam at North's Island retards their further passage, and the consequence is, that the people further up the Juniata, are deprived of the luxury of fresh shad, which so abun. dantly falls to the lot of their neighbors, a few miles lower down. But we must be content with these little Amount of fees, $4913 48; expenses $1743 99; nett deprivations. by the promise of the immense advantaproceeds, $3169 49. FLOUR.-John Humes, inspector. 314,799 barrels wheat flour 33,616 half bris. wheat flour ges, which are to accrue to the country from the canal. -Mifflin Eagle. BLOOMFIELD, PENN. There are now 29 dwelling houses, 21 shops and offices, a Court House and Jail, besides other out houses, in this town. There are 4 stores, 5 taverns, 1 printing. cabinet-makers, 1 hatter, 1 tinner, 2 blacksmith shops, office, 2 shoemaker shops. 2 taylor shops, 1 saddler, 4 2 tanneries, 2 or 3 carpenters, more than half a dozen lawyers, and half as many doctors. The population of the town is about 220. Little more than four years ago, the site upon which the town stands was an inclosed clover-field without a solitary building upon it. Perry Forrester. nion plate of Christ Church, called on us the other day to state that we had omitted, in our enumeration of the articles, the Baptismal Basin, which has seen much service in the last century and which also was the gift of Colonel Robert Quarry. It is kept at the church ready for service; the next generation may have the pleasure of being sprinkled out of the vessel which was used for the same purpose for their great grandfathers. Mr Bringhurst, and his coadjutors, of the Vestry, have recently brought into order and catalogued a very valuable library which has laid almost useless for many years. A neat room in the Church has been fitted up, and the members will probably have access to this col The individual who so kindly exhibited the Commu Amount of fees, $3042 871; expenses, $974 09; nett lection, which consists of rare old books of standard proceeds, $2068 78. BUTTER & LARD.-Joseph Reynolds, inspector. 15,619 kegs and tubs butter 25,326 kegs and canisters hogs lard Amount of fees, $1657 80; expenses, $831 10; nett proceeds, $806 70. merit; many of them curious from their antiquity, as well as their contents. We remarked among the num ber, Barclay's Apology. This Church seems early to have attracted the attention of the well-wishers of christianity in England; there is extant a warrant from Queen Anne for 501, to her agent, to be paid to the trustees out of the tobacco duties of the province. It forms a curious item too, in its history, that the whole lot extending 100 feet on Second st. was purchased of the Jones family, through their agent Joshua Carpenter, a Friend, for the sum of "1501, current money of the Province.-Saturday Bulletin. DOYLESTOWN, (Bucks county.) April 27. The past winter has been one of great severity, probably more intensely cold than has been experienced by some of our oldest inhabitants, sufficiently so we think to explode the idea that our seasons were undergoing a change, and that our clear frosty winters would give place to more broken and rainy weather. The month The quantity of rain which fell last month as indicated of March was cold and cheerless, and more like weath- by the rain guage kept at the Pennsylvania Hospital, er we were accustomed to experience in February. A- | was 4.99 inches. THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. Camp, Warwick, Feb. 2, 1778. GEN. WASHINGTON TO GEN. LACEY. SIR-My strength is reduced so low that I am under Head-Quarters, 8th Feb. 1778. the necessity of collecting the small remains into one SIR-The communication between the city and counbody, as it is impossible to do any service in the weak try, in spite of every thing hitherto done, still continuand scattered condition in which I had them posted.—ing, and threatening the most pernicious consequences; Two-thirds of their time was taken up in hunting provi- I am induced to beg you will exert every possible expesions, which the detached parties had always to procure dient to put a stop to it. In order to this, to excite the for themselves; being at too great a distance to be sup- zeal of the militia under your command, and make them plied by the Commissary. Enclosed I send you a re-more active in their duty, I would have you let every turn of my numbers; showing also when their,times ex- thing actually taken from persons going into and conipire. None of the classes, either from Northampton, ing out of the city, redound to the benefit of the parties Cumberland, York, or Northumberland, have yet arri- who take them. At the same time it will be necessary ved at camp; and I am assured by several people from to use great precaution to prevent an abuse of this Northampton, that the Lieutenants of that County have privilege; since it may otherwise be made a prenot received their instructions for calling them out-text for plundering the innocent inhabitants. which induces me to believe the orders from your Excellency have been miscarried. Two horsemen only have joined me from Philadelphia and Bucks; though I hear more are making ready. The enemy have made several manœuvres as if they were coming out with large foraging parties; but have advanced no further than Frankford. Seven deserters from them came to me last week-two Hessians, and five British soldiers. I have appointed Lieut. David Forst, my Brigade Major, and beg your Excellency will please to forward him a commission by the bearer. I remain, sir, with respect, Your very humble servant, To the President of Council. IN COUNCIL. J. LACEY. Lancaster, Feb. 6, 1778. SIR-I received your letter of the 2d instant, which enclosed a return of the militia under your command, and I am sorry to find the number so small. I however hope you will shortly be reinforced so considerably as to make your corps formidable; and enable you to render service to your country by preventing the enemy doing injury to the inhabitants, unless they come out in force. One method to prevent this will be, to let no forfeitures take place, but under the eye, and with the concurrence of some commissioned officer. Any horses captured in this manner, fit for the public service, either as light or draught horses, must be sent to camp, to the Quarter-master General, who will be directed to pay the value of them to the captors. I cannot but think your present position is at too great a distance from the city, and puts it in the power of the disaffected very easily to elude your guards, and carry on their injurious commerce at pleasure; 1 would recommend to you to remove to some nearer post, and not to depend upon fixed guards; but to keep out continual scouts and patroles, as near the city as possibleto ramble through the woods and bye-ways, as well as the great roads. The strictest orders should be given to the parties; even, when necessary, and the intention is evident, to fire upon those gangs of mercenary wretches who make a practice of resorting to the city with marketing. I am informed a considerable re-inforcement is coming to your aid. I am, sir, GEO. WASHINGTON. To Brigadier General LACEY, ર near the Crossroads, Bucks co. } GEN. LACEY TO COUNCIL. It would be well for you to write to the issuing Commissary to furnish you with provisions regularly, so that your men may be employed more advantageously than in collecting them; for, notwithstanding the trouble or Warwick, Bucks, Feb. 15, 1778. inconveniency, of furnishing the scouting parties there- SIR-My force is at last reduced to almost a cypher. with, yet it should be done if possible-for if it is left to Only sixty remain fit for duty in camp. With this numthemselves to procure, I am much afraid irregularities ber, you must of course suppose we are in no wise cawill be committed, and complaints exhibited by the in-pable of guarding so extensive a country as this; nor habitants, that may employ more of your time to rectify, than you will find leisure for. Brigade Majors are not furnished with commissions. It is customary, I believe, to establish their rank by signifying it in general orders. The paymasters of each county have generally paid the men for their rations of liquor, as it is not possible for us to furnish it. I hope the Assembly at their next sitting will put a stop to a practice so expensive, and on many accounts, very injurious. VOL. III. I am, with respect, sir, 39 even safe in our camp, as our number will not afford a sufficient picquet and scout for our protection. I hear some troops, from Cumberland county, are on their way to join me. Six or seven, who out-travelled the rest, arrived in camp last night. A party of Light Horse came up as far as Butler's tavern, on the old York road, about fourteen miles from Philadelphia, the night of the 13th inst. took Mr. Butler, and thence struck across the country to Major Wright's tavern, near White Marsh-took the Major, with some others, prisoners, and retired to the city. |