1830.]

69

legislature, having reported in favour of this route---we consider it a duty incumbent on us, under present cirmentioned, with an additional line to Vine and Broad cumstances, publicly to approve of the location as above streets, and a branch to the Delaware through Penn Township and the Northern Liberties, for the following reasons, which are respectfully submitted to the consid eration of this meeting.

We have ascertained from authentic documents and other sources of information, that three of the four State Engineers employed on the survey of the contemplated road, the commissioned Regulators and Surveyors of the the Northern Liberties, our able engineer William City of Philadelphia, Districts of Penn Township and Strickland, the former and present Board of Canal Commissioners, and the Senate of the state of Pennsylvania, by a resolution adopted by that body nem. con. all con- . cur in the necessity of constructing a Rail Road from the inclined plane at Belmont, down on the west side of the river Schuylkill, to navigable water for sea vessels: thereby affording a direct communication with the ocean, citizens of Philadelphia, adopting unanimously a resoluwhich was also approved of by a Town Meeting of the tion recommending the same. If then, this opinion be correct, and it appears to be supported by highly res pectable authority uninfluenced by private interest, east side of the river, when the one on the west side by there cannot be any necessity for another line on the crossing at Fair Mount, affords a convenient communication to all the places of termination designated by the State Engineers on the eastern route, with an additional one on the west side from Emlen's hill, the point of crossing opposite Fair Mount, to an extent of at least two miles down the Schuylkill. The cost of two lines will be nearly double, and the perpetual expense of keeping them in repair, are matters of serious consideration to the legislature. It is very probable that circumstance had great influence with the present Board of Canal Commissioners, in making a report in favor of this route alone, which answers all the purposes of both routes; embracing every public interest, by leading to all the points of termination, and affording a more general and extensive accommodation than any other proposed. The additional branch down the west side of the Schuylkill will be highly important to the county interest, thereby creating another market and outlet for the great quantity of produce that will be brought by this improved mode of conveyance, and at the same time promote the interest of the State by giving more encouragement to the use of the Rail Road, and the Pennsylvania Canal, with which it is connected.

PENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD.

Great excitement has been occasioned, by a report that Fair Mount Works would be injured by a rail road passing near the works: we cannot think so. If therewas any real cause of alarm, we would not urge it, because it would not be our interest to injure those works from which we may at some future time want a supply for West Philadelphia. Not one word, or the least intimaAt a numerous and respectable Meeting, held at John tion of danger to the works, has ever escaped from any Elliott's Inn, in Blockley township, on the 16th day of of the Engineers who have been employed to survey January, 1830, pursuant to public notice: GEORGE C. this route, nor do we recollect any expression of that LENTNER, Esq. was called to the Chair, and John M-kind in their official reports, and they are certainly veNair appointed Secretary. The following report was ry particular in detailing every circumstance, in any manunanimously approved and adopted; and by a resolution ner connected with the different surveys; but on the of the meeting, requested to be signed by the Chairman contrary, their own drafts clearly demonstrate their opinand Secretary, and transmitted without delay to both ion of the practicability of constructing a Rail-road on Houses of the Legislature, as containing the sense of this the South of the Fair Mount Works, without the least meeting. injury to them; however, if apprehensions are yet entertained, it would be an easy matter to locate the line a little further south, towards the Upper Ferry Bridge, which would remove all the objections on that score.

Another complaint is that the piers of a Bridge would occasion an obstruction to the water and ice, and cause back water on the wheels in Fair Mount Works; there seems to be as little cause of alarm in this case as in the preceding one. The Engineers do not mention it at all, and we cannot conceive how it is possible the water

PENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD.

habitants a school-house, store, and a large and commodious hotel. The situation is remarkably romantic and has attracted numerous visitors for the last 4 years. Within the past year, a folio publication was commenced at this place, bearing the title of the "Mauch Chunk Courier & Lehigh Pioneer"-and conducted with conconsiderable ability.

A village called Anthracite has also sprung up at the coal mines containing a population of about 250 persons, consisting of the workmen and their families. The descending navigation of the Lehigh is extended fifteen miles above Mauch Chunk to the inmense forests of pine timber. Here the Lehigh Coal and Navigation company erected four saw-mills, and a grist-mill, a store, and a number of houses for the accommodation of the persons engaged in getting lumber for the construction of coal boats,and their families. This establishment has received the appellation of Lowry-town. It has general ly contained about 250 inhabitants. A road has been opened through this settlement connecting with Wilkesbarre at the one end, and the Berwick aud Lehigh turnpike at the other-by which, the distance from Mauch Chunk to Wilkesbarre is 32 miles. Two stores, a tavern, and four or five dwellings have been erected in Lehighton, which now has the appearance of a flourishing village.

A town called Weiss-port has been laid out and improvement commenced along the canal near the site of old Fort Allen.

Valuable slate quarries have been discovered along the Lehigh; and five associations have been formed to work them. Some of them are said to produce slates of a superior quality, fit for the use of schools, &c.

The coal in this region has proved to be remarkably abundant and of a superior quality of Anthracite. This, with the other mineral productions of the county, will

render it one of the richest in the state.

Having published the proceedings of various meet ings in favor of the termination of the Rail-road according to the reports of the Engineers, we deem it but fair to publish the arguments on the other side, that posterity may have a faithful record of the different views on this subject.

A committee of five appointed at a meeting held in West Philadelphia on the 8th inst. for the purpose of taking into consideration the location of the Pennsylvania Rail Road from the inclined plane at Belmont to its eastcrn termination, make the following REPORT:

The inhabitants of West Philadelphia and Blockley Township, having petitioned the legislature last session, to locate the Pennsylvania Rail Road on the west side of Schuylkill, and the Canal Commissioners, chosen by the

could have that effect, for let it be remembered that the
contemplated bridge is intended to cross the river ob-
liquely, and nearly parallel with the Dam, which would
extend the length to 711 feet, and give it a favourable
position to admit the passage of the water from the dam;
and this distance, deducting from it 140 feet for 5 piers,
each 28 feet thick, leaves a space by 231 feet wider than
the whole opening of 340 feet, between the abutments
of the Upper Ferry Bridge; which has always been suffi-
cient to vent all the water and ice in the highest fresh-large.
ets, without causing it to rise any higher above, than the
natural level on such occasions. This fact was made
manifest at the high freshet in 1822, when the water
rose 19 feet 5 inches at the falls Bridge, and swept it
down the Schuylkill. This accident was occasioned by
the ice forming a dam across the pool at or near Peters'
Island; such very likely would be the fate of a bridge lo-
cated at Belmont, because the ice would be obstructed
by the piers in shallow water, assisted by the Island, and
would soon form a Dam of great solidity, which would
occasion the water to rise until the obstruction would be
removed by the piers yielding to the great weight and
pressuse of the water and ice above.

Resolved, That this meeting view, with the greatest anxiety, and most serious apprehensions, the efforts now making to locate the Rail-road on the western side of the Schuylkill, near Peters' Farm, believing they tend to the injury, if not the destruction of the valuable objects of this contemplated improvement.

The immense floods thus let loose, with the fragments of an extensive bridge, would occasion imminent dan-read, ger to the Fair Mount works, both bridges, and extensive range of stores below. If such a catastrophe was to happen, which seems very likely from the Falls bridge being carried away by a similar cause, the whole line of the rail road would be rendered almost useless by the interruption being so far distant from navigable water; this would not be the consequence in case of accident to a bridge at Fair Mount, as the branch on the west side, from Emlen's hill, down the river, would continue uninterrupted, and the other bridges afford a communication with the city. Nor would a bridge at Fair Mount be so liable to danger, because the ice breaks into small Resolved, That this meeting respectfully, but strongly pieces in passing over the dam, and the water being recommend the route by the old Canal Road, on the deep, both would pass off as it has done heretofore with-eastern side of the river,for adoption by the Legislature, out the least danger. At this situation, the channel and being firmly under the conviction that, as regards gendeep water run near the east shore, and could be over-eral utility, economy to the State, as well as to the Tra come by two archies, which of course would require but der,and the object of affording access to the Market and one pier in the deep water, and in so great a space Port of Philadelphia, it is the only one which can with would be little or no obstruction. It is matter of aston- propriety be adopted. ishment how the citizens could be so much excited by apprehension of danger to the Water Works, which on investigation into facts, appears to be entirely without cause, and at the same time overlook real dangers which threaten to corrupt the water, and render those importantand costly works entirely useless, we allude now to the probability of towns springing up on both sides of the river, in the event of the Rail Road crossing at Peters' Island. The road there unites with the Schuylkill nav. igation, and combines local advantages favorable to that spot-as evidence of the fact, a settlement has already commenced there, a new house, designed for a hotel, has been erected on the western shore the last summer; and it is probable, if the location is fixed at this place, six months would hardly expire before we should hear of lots for sale on the west side of the Schuylkill, and very soon after the same thing on the east side; and by way of inducement to purchasers, they would be sold cheap, to enhance the value of large tracts of land now owned by a few individuals at and near this place.

The ground on each side of the river descends towards the pool, and the filth that usually collects in and about towns would unavoidably be washed down into the water which now supplies the citizens, and corrupt it to such a degree as would render it entirely unfit for drinking, without the possibility of legal protection. Let it be recollected that the pool is but partially replenished in a dry time, and that from other pools, dammed up to the source of the river, which renders it much more susceptible of contamination than if it was a running stream of water.

cussion on this important question; but the same charge will more aptly apply to all the most prominent and active friends to the location on the east side of the river. We are in fact all interested more or less, and for that very reason, we deem it necessary to bring all the information we possess before the public, by which the Legislature will be better able to judge and determine the course most advantageous to the future welfare of the people generally, and the interest of the state at GEORGE C. LENTNER, Chairman. JOHN MCNAIR, Secretary.

Motives of interest will no doubt be attributed to us, as has been the common practice during the whole dis

DISTRICT MEETING-RAIL ROAD. At an adjourned meeting of the citizens of the Incor porated District of the Northern Liberties, in the County of Philadelphia, held on the subject of the castern termination of the Philadelphia and Columbia Rail-Road, on Thursday evening, January 14, 1830, at the Commissioners' Hall, which was most respectably and numerously attended by the people of the DistrictJOHN GOODMAN, Esq. was called to officiate as Chairman; and FRANKLIN LEE, as Secretary.

The minutes of a preceding meeting having been JoHN MILES, Esq. from the Committee appointed for that purpose, (consisting of Messrs. J. Miles, Joseph Reakirt, Robert A. Parrish, James Goodman, and Peter H. Emerick,) reported the following resolutions with a preamble, which were severally read and unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the safety of the Fair Mount Water Works and the Navigation Works, is a two-fold object to the people of the city of Philadelphia and the adjoining districts; the latter, to the whole community, of the most vital importance, and anxious concern, deserving at the hands of the Legislature that no work should be located in such manner as to endanger them, or either of them.

Resolved, That this meeting recommend Legislative encouragement and assistance to the design for the construction of a Canal around one of the abutments of the Permanent bridge, on the Schuylkill, believing that it will essentially aid &promote the objects of the Rail-road.

Resolved, That it is the duty of Representatives in the Legislature to advance the interest of their respective Districts, in connection with the interests of the State, unbiassed by considerations of private gain, or individual emolument.

On motion, it was further Resolved, That this meeting highly approve the course pursued by the Commissioners of this District, in communicating their views to the Legislature, and confirming the wishes of the citizens.

Resolved, That 500 copies of this preamble and these resolutions, signed by the chairman, secretary and the committee, be printed in pamphlet form; and it be their duty to address copies to the speakers of the Senate and H. of Representatives of Pa., with a request that they may be read before their respective houses, and that, as far as practicable, each member be furnished with a copy.

Resolved, That these proceedings be published in the city papers, and that editors of papers in the interior of the state, be requested to insert them in their journals. JOHN GOODMAN, Chairman. FRANKLIN LEE, Sccretary.

634716

Thermometer.

Max. 7th,
Min. 4th,
Diff. of ex. 24° Diff. ex. 00.95 7

Mean ex.

43° Mean ex. 29.214|8,15,25

14,19,20,21,22,30,31 Mean temperature from three 1,2,3,9,10,15,16 daily observations.

METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER,

Taken at the State Capitol at Harrisburg-BY WILLIAM MUSGRAVE, LIbrarian,

DECEMBER, 1829.

Days of the Month. Wind. Days of the Month.

A. M.

P.M.

Barometer.

55° Max. 4th, 30.14 1,12,17,18,26,27,28,29 8 daysNE 1,7,10,13,16,17,19,20,219 ds. clear clear
30 Min. 21st, 29.19 4,5,6,23,24

5

4 pt. clear pt.cl❜dy 3 cloudy

1

clear

3

1 cloudy

1 rain

71

On the morning of the 4th, Thermometer at 24°-the lowest. At noon of the 7th, Therm. at 68°, the highest. Range in the month 44°. On the morn. of of the 21st, Barom. at 29.00, the lowest. On the morn. of the 4th, Barom. at 30.20, the highest. Range 1.20.

The difference of temperature between the mornings and noons, from 5° to 20° and upwards.

The Wind has been 14 days East of the Meridian, and 17 West of it.

There was light snow on the 4th, 9th, 11th, and 18th, but did not continue many days. There was Kain on the 5th, 8th, 12th, 24th, 25th,

26th, 27th, and 31st.

There has not been any very heavy rain or snow during the month.

This month was 4° warmer than December, 1828, and

3° warmer than last November.

Mr. Johnson presented a petition for making Schuyl kill Second street, passable for carts, and for certain alterations in the regulation of certain streets south of west Market street so as to prevent the water from flowing into Market street. The petitioners state, by the paving of west Chesnut street, and other streets in the Schuylkill part of the city, a new direction has been given to the water, which is injurious to their property. Referred to the Paving Committee.

Mr. Johnson also presented petitions for paving Schuylkill Sixth and Seventh streets, from Chesnut to George, for paving Perry street from Pine to Lombard, and for paving an 18 feet alley running west from Fourth street between Pine and Lombard. These petitions were severally referred to the Paving Committee.

To the same committee was referred a petition presented by Mr. Price for paving Franklin street, from Sassafras to Vine, west of Franklin Square.

The following petition, presented by Mr. Duane to the Select Council, and Mr. Price to the Common Coun. cil, was referred to Messrs. Duane, Boyd, Price and Roberts.

To the Select and Common Council of the City of Phila delphia.

The Memorial of the undersigned citizens of the North Eastern section of the city, respectfully represents: pressed with the opinion, that a public clock in their That they have for some time past been strongly im citizens, as well for giving correct time, as for affording a section of the city would be of great advantage to the rialists have regarded with great satisfaction the erecsuitable bell to be rung on alarms of fire; your memo tiful Cupola recently placed on that building in North tion by the congregation of St. Augustine of the beau Fourth street, and they consider that from the circum stance of its being upon the highest ground within the city plot, and elevated to a degree affording a view second to none in the city, that it is a very superior situa. tion for the clock,so long desired by them; some months since the respectable pastor of the church was induced to purchase from a committee of Councils, on his own responsibility the old State House clock, for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, with the expectation that the citizens would contribute the necessary funds for repairing the clock and purchasing a suitable bell; contracts have been entered into and it is ascertained that the whole of the expense of the clock and bell will be upwards of twelve hundred dollars, a sum greater than your memorialists believe can be collected from the contributions of the citizens, they therefore come before your honorable bodies and ask for a remission of the price of the old clock and such further aid as you may be pleas ed to extend to the object they contemplate.

Your memorialists are authorized to state that the clock and bell when completed are to be considered public property, and will be placed under the care of the constituted authorities, if desired by them.

Mr. Donaldson, presented the following which was read and laid on the table.

A petition praying that Pine street wharf may be converted into a steam boat landing, was presented to the Select Council by Mr. Kittera, and by Mr. Jones to the Common Council. It was referred to Messrs. Kittera, Miller, Jones and Johnson.

To the Select and Common Councils of the City of Phila-
delphia.
The Joint Committee to whom was referred the item of
unfinished business as to what disposition should be
made of the old Reservoir at Chesnut street and
Schuylkill, Report:

That after having made many inquiries as to the best mode of bringing the property into use and profit to the city, they are of the opinion that it would be best to continue the pavement in Chesnut from its termination at Beach street, to the Schuylkill, put a wharf at the foot of the street, say 32 feet front leaving a dock at the south side of 18 feet; and the property from the north line of Chesmut street to the south line of the property owned by the Bridge Company, and from the west line of Ashton street to the river Schuylkill, (the city reserv ing the right to continue Beach street through said property) be leased for the term of 10 years, the lessee to improve the property by substantial wharves.

And they further report, as regards the petition of William Ellis Tucker for the renewal of his lease, they recommend that it should be renewed for three years. The committee recommend the adoption of the ac

Mr. Keyser presented a petition from sundry citizens, praying for the construction of a culvert from the neigh-companying resolutions. borhood of Pine and Schuylkill Eighth street to the Schuylkill. Referred to Paving Committee.

Mr. Price presented a petition from sundry victualized lers praying that they may not be compelled to take down the fixtures of their stalls, every day. Referred to Market committee.

Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils, That the city commissioners be and they are hereby authorand directed to renew the lease of William Ellis Tucker for three years, as now conditioned.

Resolved, by the authority aforesaid, That the city commissioners be and they are hereby authorized and directed to cause a wharf to be erected at Chesnut street on the Schuylkill, of 32 feet front, leaving a dock on the south side of 18 feet, to be done under direction of this committee, and the expenses thereof to be charged to appropriation No. 14.

1830.1

REPORT OF MERCANTILE LIBRARY COMPANY.

Resolved, by the authority aforesaid, That the city commissioners be and they are hereby authorized and directed (so soon as the wharf mentioned in the foregoing resolution shall be completed) to cause Chesnut street from its present termination at Beach street to the Schuylkill to be regulated, curbed and paved and the expense thereof charged to appropriation No. 1 in conjunction with the paving committee.

Resolved by the authority aforesaid, That the city commissioners be and they are hereby authorized and directed to advertise for proposals for leasing for 10 years, so much of the city property as is contained with in the north line of Chesnut street and south line of the Bridge Company's property south of High street, and from the west line of Ashton street to the river Schuylkill (the city reserving the right to continue Beach st. through said property) the proposals to specify the kind of wharves and improvements to be made by the lessce, and the city commissioners are further directed to report to Councils all the proposals that may be made. Mr. Price, from the committee on markets, presented a report, accompanied with a bill, making Second st. from Vine to Pine, a stand for farmers vending country produce, and also Sixth street, in its whole extent in the city, except the square between Walnut and Spruce. The bill, furthermore appropriates the eave stalls in a portion of the market house between Sixth and Seventh streets as stands for venders of flour and meal.

From the treasurer's report, it will be observed, that the balance remaining in his hands, is $24 95, exclusive of the sum of $500 invested in stock bearing an interest of 6 per cent. per annum. The receipts for the present year amount to 1,662 89, and expenditures to 1,637 84. From this report also it will be perceived, that the income of the instution is yet insufficient to defray its current expenses; heretofore that deficiency has been supported by a portion of the funds arising from the sale of stock; this source is not a legitimate one, inasmuch as the amount applied to that purpose is diverted from its proper object, the purchase of books; and in order to avoid this, the directors know of no other resource but the increase of stockholders, and to this purpose would they request the attention and enlist the services of each individual member of the company.

The former lectures on mercantile law and messages having excited general interest and been the means of increasing the number of our members, the directors have this season instituted a regular series on those sub

Esteemed Friends:

Enclosed is my account from October 1st, to the pre-jects, and for this purpose have availed themselves of sent day inclusive, together with the amount of receipts the important services of Judge Hopkinson; from the and payments, for the year ending this day-Receipts general satisfaction expressed they have no doubt that $607,690 77-100. Payments 583,995 96-100, leaving the course will prove highly useful to his audience and a balance in my hand due to the Corporation of 23,694- advantageous to the institution. 81-100-likewise a balance in favour of Dr. Franklin's legacy of 557 10-100-also, a balance to the credit of the John Scott, fund of 1,196 76-100.

Since the publication of our last catalogue, more than 700 volumes have been added to the library: their selection has been made with great care and economy.

The bill was ordered to be printed for the use of members. The following letter was received from Mr. Phipps, treasurer of the city during the past year.

City Treasure's Office, Jan. 14, 1830.

All of which is respectfully submitted by your friend, THOMAS PHIPPS, City Treasurer. The committee on accounts reported that they had examined the accounts of Mr. Phipps during the past

year, and found them correct.

Messrs. Massey, Donaldson, Thompson and Duane were appointed to inquire what sums have been paid annually to the several attorneys and solicitors of the city corporation, commencing with 1820 and ending with the 1st January 1830, and whether it be expedient to allow the attorney and solicitor of the corporation an annual sum in compensation for his professional servi

ces.

MERCANTILE LIBRARY COMPANY.

At the annual meeting of the members of the Mercantile Library Company, held in their Library Room on Thursday evening, January 14, 1830, MANUEL EYRE, Esq. was chosen Chairman, and EDMUND WILCOX, appointed Secretary.

73

of its utility, and leads to the hope that ere long it will hold that rank among the useful institutions of our city which its important objects and salutary influence claim. In pursuance of the resolution of the company adopted at the last annual meeting, the directors caused two hundred additional certificates of stock to be prepared, which with thirteen remaining unsold at the commence. ment of the year, left at their disposal 213 shares of stock; of this number 93 shares have been sold during the year; 90 of which were to new members and 3 to original subscribers. At present but 120 shares remain in the possession of the company, and the directors do not think themselves too sanguine in expressing the opinion, that previous to our next annual meeting, this number will be disposed of.

The report of the Board of Directors was presented, read by the Secretary of the board and unanimously approved of and adopted.

REPORT.

In conformity with the seventh article of the Constitution, the directors now submit to the company a statement of the proceedings during their term of office; and though they cannot congratulate the company upon the present attainment of that eminence on which they desire that this institution should stand, yet the progres. sive improvement of each year is a satisfactory evidence that the community is becoming more and more sensible VOL. V

10

As an evidence of the extensive usefulness of this institution, it may not be amiss to state that near 8,000 volumes have been loaned out during the year, and that the number of visitors for the purpose of reading in the room or obtaining books for their improvement at home has averaged about 100 for each evening in the year.

The number of shares transferred during the past year, has been so great that the propriety of imposing a suitable charge, as is common in similar institutions, is submitted for the consideration of the company.

In concluding their report, the directors avail them. selves of the opportunity of expressing the deep inter est they feel in the institution, and their general desire for its advancement and prosperity.

By order of the Board,