Sep. Enu. in 1828. Our Calculation. colored persons who were only servants for years, we We, in the first place, carefully perused the act of Indiana, In Allegheny, 30, 24 of whom were under 36 yrs. Fayette, 89, 77 do do Huntingdon, 12, 7 do do Indiana, 10, 10 Lycoming, 5, 4 Mercer, 6, 6 Venango, 2, 2 Our estimate exceeds the enumeration of 1828; this excess may be accounted for by that portion of the colored population over 36 years of age, and under 51, which are represented as slaves, and which cannot be distinguished in the census of 1830. It is a matter to be greatly regretted, that such errors should have been committed in the classification of that portion of the colored population under fifty-one years of age. It proves, officially, to the world, that slavery is on the increase in this state, and subjects the land of Penn to the reproach and ignominious distinction of being the only state north of Mason and Dixon's line so It is manifest that the official stateunhappily situated. ment is erroneous; but that statement will be read where and when a correction will be unnoticed and unknown. Thus far Mr. Craig-The number seventy-nine, comprises the remaining few colored persons, of those who were in slavery at the time of the passage of the law in 1780, and of course are now above fifty years of age. These have grown up with their present masters, live on the same food, often work in the same field, are as much attached to their owners, as their owners to them, and would not accept their freedom if offered to them. Feeling much for the character of my native state, by reason of the obviously incorrect statement of the Marshal's assistants, in respect to the increase of slaves in Pennsylvania, since 1820, I examined the book kept by John Kelker, who in part took the census of Dauphin county, in the year 1830, and found a return of 17 slaves in said county, and in the possession of the following persons. RESIDENCE Harrisburg, townsh. Under 36 years of age, Even this, however, does not exhibit the whole Of those amount of the error in these 13 counties. enumerated in the census, and stated to be over 36, and under fifty-five, we know not how many may be under fifty-one years of age, and of course entitled to their liWe have not, as we have before berty at this moment. stated, a complete table of the population of the state, according to the census of 1830. That census, however, states, that there are 386 slaves in the whole state, Susque'a being an increase of 175 over the census of 1820. these thirteen counties, there are errors to the amount of 201. Deduct these from the total apparent number of slaves, and there remains but 185, being 26 less than there was in 1820. In 1820, these thirteen counties contained about 100 slaves, and they now contain less than 45; being a decrease of more than fifty-five per cent. Such a decrease is not surprising, when it is recollected that all who were really slaves in 1820, were considerably advanced in life, and most of them aged. If the decrease has been equally great in all other parts of the state, the slaves cannot now exceed 90. Hanover, Mifflin, Alex. M'Cright, 1 fem. Rev J.Snodgrass 1 fem. 1 male David Ferguson, 1 fem. Robert Rogers, 1 male Unknown, 1 male 1 male It is obvious, that as every negro and mulatto child, born within the state after the passing of the act of March, 1780, was declared to be free after having served his or her master or assigns twenty-eight In a subsequent paper, Mr. Craig says, since the pub-years there could not have been in the year 1830, any lication of the above we have laid our hands upon the of the sixteen persons above referred to, lawfully held list of taxables and slaves in Pennsylvania, according to in bondage, with the exception ofthe one between the The same remark will of Seventeen the Septennial enumeration of 1828, compiled from the ages of 55 and 100 years. returns made to the Governor, by the commissioners of the respective counties. This list gives seventy-nine slaves to the whole state. We add the results of the Septennial enumeration, our calculation, and the census of 1830 in these thirteen counties *See Register Vol. VII. course apply to many of the other returns, I think it proper to remark, that as far as my observations extend, the only editor in Pennsylvania, who noticed the circumstance of the apparent increase of the slaves in the United States since 1820, is Mr. Craig, and JAMES MEASE. other From the preceding table it appears, that every census previous to the last, exhibited a regular decrease in almost every instance, with the exception of Cum. berland county, in which from 1800 to 1810, there was an apparent increase of 79; but since that period, the number of slaves has there, gradually decreased to 7. From 1820 to 1830, the principal apparent increase was in the We have had on file, since their publication in the counties of Adams, Allegheny, Fayette, Dauphin, LanPittsburg Gazette, the preceding remarks on the in-caster, Philadelphia and York. Now presuming that crease of slaves in this state-and have delayed the re- the Marshals have made correct reports of the returns publication in the hope of, by investigation, throwing made to them-we cannot otherwise account for the some light upon the subject: with this view we formed the following comparative table of the number of slaves apparent increase, than by supposing it possible, that at the periods of taking the census in 1790, 1800, 1810, as these counties are all, either adjoining slave states or in 1820 and 1830. their immediate neighborhood: slaves may have been introduced from the latter, and are still illegally held in bondage, and actually reported as such to the Marshals, whose duty did not require them to investigate this circumstance. It is certainly well worth the attention of the friends of abolition, to ascertain what are the facts. 1790 1800 1810/1820/1830 Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, 00 Beaver, 00 4 8 51 00 Bedford, 46 51 1 Berks, 65 4 7 Bradford, 00 00 00 CO 00 There are now (April the 21st,) several large banks of snow, from 1 to 4 feet deep, an the road side a short distance below the Mauch Chunk Hotel, which were deposited there within the past winter. They are protected from the rays of the sun by the shade of the mountain, and the atmosphere in this vicinity has not been sufficiently heated to dissolve them. It is a little singular to see banks of snow on one side of the road, while on the other the trees and shrubs are beginning to open their buds and put on their summer livery of green. There is no doubt ("bating the arrival of the Comic") that snow will be found in the narrows after the middle of May. If so, the public shall be advised of the fact. -Ib. BOAT-BUILDING. In addition to the hurly-burly of the boat-shed, we have business going on along the banks of the Lehigh, 2 where our friends, Batchelor & Co., Col. Dodson, Jos. 2 Lippincott, and I. Salkeld,-and Andrew Cooper, and 00 others, on the bank of the canal, east of the Lehigh, are driving their various contracts for the Lehigh coal 00 and Navigation company, and the Morris canal compa20 5 1 ny, with a degree of spirit that promises a favorable result to their operations. 84 36 00 3 00 1 263 Wayne, Westmoreland, 128 136 22 6 26 Between one and two hundred boats are building by the contractors named above.-Ibid. APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR. JOSIAH WHITE, Esq. to be a Canal Commissioner, in place of James M. Linnard, Esq. resigned. REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. IX.-NO. 18. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. PHILADELPHIA, MAY 5, 1832. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD TO THE UNION BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION. Presented at a Quarterly meeting, held in the Franklin Institute, April 16, 1832. NO. 227 The report of the managers of the Ladies branch accompanies this, by which it will be seen, how assiduously they have prosecuted their benevolent work, and how deeply the association is indebted to the members composing that branch, who by their unwearied labours, have mainly contributed to the success which has already been attained. Although the time specified by the Constitution for The society has heretofore been made acquainted receiving a report from the Executive Board, has not with the causes which rendered it expedient to call a yet arrived; yet we believe that the peculiar circum- public meeting of the citizens, on the 7th of January stances of the Institution, struggling in its infancy with last, for the purpose of obtaining the funds indispensaunforeseen difficulties, and called upon to act as almo-bly necessary for the relief of the poor; whose sufferner for the public, in a manner not at first contemplated; ings were at that time, unusually severe. The result of make it desirable that the members generally should be the appeal which was then made to the public, will be made acquainted with the course which has been pur- seen by the accompanying report of a committee apsued by the board, the efforts made to meet the exigen-pointed by this board, at a special meeting held on the cy of the case, and the degree of success which has attended the labors of the visitors. One of the first subjects which claimed the attention of the board, after its organization, was the printing and circulating the address, constitution of the society, and regulations for visitors; in order that the public gene. rally might be put in possession of a knowledge of the views entertained by the society, and the plan of operation by which it was proposed to attain the objects for which it had been instituted: twenty-five hundred copies were accordingly struck off, and distributed throughout the City and Liberties. The board, at an early period, by a committee authorized to confer with the Ladies committee on the subject; divided the City, Northern Liberties, and Southwark, into districts, in accordance with the plan originally contemplated. The City proper is divided into twelve, the Northern Liberties and Southwark into four districts each. These districts have been respectively subdivided into numerous small sections. The operations of the society, being subsequently extended into Moyamensing, that township now constitutes one district, and is likewise subdivided into small sections. In order to bring the scheme of the association more immediately before the public, and to secure the services of those who were disposed to enlist as visitors in the different districts; it was resolved, at a meeting of the board held on the 7th of December, at which, invitation having been given, several of the members of the Ladies branch attended; that those persons friendly to the objects of the Union Benevolent Association, be invited to attend a meeting to be held on the 12th of the month. The meeting was accordingly attended by a considerable number of ladies, for whom it was principally designed. A meeting for a similar purpose, was likewise held on the 5th of January, at the commissioners' hall, Southwark; to which the ladies of that district were particularly invited: the result of this meeting was also satisfactory. It is not necessary to enter here into a detail of the various efforts which have been made by the different executive committees, in order to develop the peculiar system which characterizes the society, and to secure for it the patronage and co-operation of the community; suffice it to say, that every eligible opportunity, as it occurred, has been embraced, and in every instance, when fully understood, the plan has met with approbation and encouragement. VOL. IX. 35 11th of January; to superintend the distribution of the funds raised by the citizens. From that report it will be seen, that especial care has been taken, that the resolutions passed by the citizens who composed the meeting of the 7th of January should be fully complied with, and the pledge then given, faithfully redeemed. The board has scrupulously guarded against appropriating any part of this fund, towards any other object than that for which it was subscribed. The entire suppression of street begging; by which means many live upon the public, the only cause of whose poverty is either indolence or vice; is a result ardently desired by the society; and an attempt to attain it was made during the past winter, by soliciting housekeepers to withhold all aid from common paupers, and to give their broken victuals to persons employed by the society to collect it. The provision thus obtained, being placed at depots conveniently situated; those persons who were found by the visitors to be in want, and deserving, were allowed to draw a supply, sufficient for their immediate necessities. Under the existing circumstances, it was deemed best to close these depositories at the conclusion of last month. The subject is one which is attended with difficulties, and demands patient experiment. The board has been aware that in order to give full effect to the system of visitation, and of inspection into the habits and resources of the poor; it is necessary to obtain the services of gentlemen who are willing to afford prompt assistance when called upon by the lady visitors of the different sections; as well as carefully to attend to all such cases as properly claim their exclusive attention. The subject was early given in charge to a large committee, who have made some progress in procuring the services of suitable persons; but owing to the number of subjects, which in the organization of such an institution as this, necessarily present themselves for immediate attention; this has not yet received the full share which its importance demands, and which will hereafter be given to it. No sooner did the visitors commence their labors, than it became obvious, that the establishment of an office of reference, and the appointment of a qualified agent, were indispensably requisite. A suitable person has been accordingly selected, who, it is expected, will shortly enter upon the duties of his office, at a salary of eight hundred dollars per annum. The constant complaints which are made by the indus trious poor, of the difficulties which they experience in | ful industry. Another class of paupers owes its origin, procuring work that will yield them adequate means not to want of ability or to aversion to effort, but to want of support; have induced the board to take the subject of employment. To these, the most acceptable relief under consideration, and a committee now stands ap- which can be given, is to put them in the way of self pointed, charged with its investigation, and in conjunc- support. Add to this, those who through improvidence, tion with a committee of the managers of the Ladies' want of management, voluntary idleness or intemperbranch, to devise some plan by which the poor can ob- ance, have thrown themselves a burthen on the publictain more permanent and lucrative employment. to these, the most suitable, if not the most acceptable relief, is to point out the mode, or give them the means of exertion, and if this does not suffice, they are fitter subjects of the police, than of public or private charity. In aid of the two last classes of persons, the want of a reference office has been sensibly felt. Your visitors have in very many instances ascertained the capabilities of their poor, but have been obliged to sink them a little lower by alms-giving, being utterly unable to point sence of some efficient medium of communication with the public: such a medium,as the contemplated reference office, where names can be entered, the kind of work done, the degree of skill, &c. The infirm poor require a different kind of provision, and this subject the Board would commend to your serious consideration. Most of your visitors, about 412 in number, have been zealously and faithfully engaged in this work. This number of visitors is, exclusive of a board 15 managers, and perhaps of about one-half of the members of eighteen district committees, composed of six individuals each, who have under their care the twenty-two districts of the City, Liberties, Southwark, and Moyamensing. The following reports, though they are not as full and complete as the visitors desire, and hope to present at a future day-will speak louder than any comment of the Board. In conclusion, the board cannot but express their conviction, that experience will establish the correctness of the principle upon which the society is founded; and that in proportion as its plan of operation is carried into practice; it will be found competent to effect the object for which the association was formed; and to realize the most sanguine anticipations of its members. They would therefore earnestly impress upon the attention of the visitors, the necessity of unrelaxed exertions, in or-out to them any mode of employment, owing to the abder to awaken within the ininds of those, who have been accustomed to rely upon public charity for the relief of their wants, a spirit of industry and honest independence; and to point out to those who are disposed to provide for the future, the best means for increasing and husbanding their resources. The distribution of the public alms, confided to the visitors during the past winter; although altogether an adventitious duty, has, we trust, by the judicious manner in which it was performed, gained the confidence of, both those who gave and those who received; and we hope that the feeling of gratitude and respect which has been created in the minds of those, who constitute the class which we desire to benefit, may be cherished and increased by the conviction that the pertinent advice, and kind assistance of the visitors, are of far more permanent value to persons in their situation than the gift of either food or clothing. CITY PROPER.-The visitors of the District No. 1, (from Vine to Chesnut and Delaware to Sixth,) held their first meeting on the 30th day of December, 1851. The district is divided into 9 sections, and has 34 visitors: 163 Families are under the visitors' care. 14 Individuals have been provided with work. 3 Persons deposit weekly in the "Fuel Saving So ciety." 238 Children are under care of the committee, to procure places for, or put to school. 78 Children have been placed in schools by the visitors. 146 Of the above named families have been relieved, principally with wood and old clothing. 41 Of the above number have been supplied from the provision room, sick. A principal object with the visitors is, to ascertain the employment to which the poor have been trained, or which in their actual condition they can pursue, with Aid has been received from the "Female Association most advantage to themselves. This information is es- for the sick and infirm poor:"—Also, from the “Female sential in order to carry into full effect, what the Board Association for the relief and employment of the poor:"deem the fundamental principle of the Association, viz. to make the resources of the poor available to the supply Also, from the "Catholic Society:"—Also, from the of their necessities. We are aware that some are dispos-"Guardians of the poor." A small stock of clothing ed to think these resources of too little moment, to de- has been provided by this committee to be loaned to the serve serious consideration or effort-we think differently. Skill in any of the useful arts, and strength to use it; in short, the natural capabilities of poor persons, even when in a degree impaired, and, the immature faculties of children, may be turned to useful account, and the employment itself will add to the actual enjoyment of the individual. Besides, it will always yield that satisfaction, which results from the conscious-cents remain on hand. ness that the fruits of industry are possessed by right of ownership. There are cases of great, though not entire helplessness, where persons infirm from age, or debilitated by long disease, may yet be able without injurious or painful effort to engage in many kinds of use Causes of impoverishment-sickness, dissipated habits, want of employment. Ninety-five quarters of wood have been distributed-Thirty-five dollars have been received from the Union Benevolent Association-Fifty No. 2, (From Chesnut to Spruce, and Delaware to Sixth,) visitors held their first meeting on the 26th day of December. The district is divided into 5 sections, and has 12 visitors. 1832.] 92 Families are under care. 57 Of these families are Irish. 6 7 2 66 66 English. Coloured. Reports from only three sections state, 22 sober and industrious-13 infirm. 15 Persons have been furnished with employment. 129 Children under care. 81 Placed at school. 16 Placed in families, at trades, and sent to sea. 35 Families relieved-Provision room kept open but a short time, as there were but few applicants. Principal cause of impoverishment-intemperance. 42 Quarters of wood distributed, and twenty-five dollars. 587 Families under the care of the visitors. 12 Persons provided with employment. 9 Adults placed at school. 30 Individuals deposit weekly in the Fuel Saving Society. 4 Adults placed at service by visitors. 112 Children placed at school by visitors. 2 do. placed in families by visitors. Between four and five dollars have been received from the poor for wood. 196 Persons have been supplied from the provision room, most of whom have been aided in other ways. The provision room has supplied the 5th and 12th districts-which are both under the care of one district committee. 31 Cords of wood have been distributed in these two districts. Fifty dollars were received for the use of the Twenty-three dollars, 124 Families in the district disposed to aid the asso- two-twenty-five for each. ciation. No. 3, (From Spruce to South, and Delaware to Sixth,) visitors held their first meeting in December. The district is divided into 14 sections, and has 37 visi tors. 82 Families under care and relieved. 16 Individuals furnished with employment. 19 Adults placed at school. twenty-nine cents have been expended. A vigorous effort was made to interest all the house-keepers in this district, in the association. The result has been gratifying, the wealthier inhabitants have, with very few exceptions, expressed an interest in it, and are willing to assist as far as in their power. No. 6, (From Spruce to South, and Sixth to Twelfth,) visitors held their first meeting on the 27th day of De Two dollars and sixty cents deposited in the Fuel Sa- cember. The district is divided into 6 sections, and ving Society. 15 Children placed at school. 2 Bound out. for poor Five dollars twenty-five cents paid by the wood. A work room has been opened, and a number supplied with sewing. The committee are now prepared to give recommendations to seamstresses. They have endeavored to interest some of the inhabitants of their district in the work room-and 15 have promised to furnish the poor of their own district with such work as they put out. "Some of the visitors have found it useful, when they have discovered the clothes of the poor pawned, to redeem them at once themselves, but to be as particular in demanding the payment of the debt, as the pawnbroker would have been,"-of This course is strongly opcourse, without interest. posed by the pawnbroker. In a few instances the poor have expressed themselves thankful to the visitors for redeeming their pledges. No. 4, (From Vine to Chesnut, and Sixth to Twelfth street,) visitors held their first meeting on the 28th day of December. The district is divided into 28 sections, and has 39 visitors. 77 Families relieved. From 15 to 40 supplied three times a week from the provision room, which was kept open 10 weeks, at an expense of $10. 56 Quarters of wood have been distributed among 71 families. Thirty dollars received and expended. Thirty families in the district gave old clothing-Employment much wanted. No. 7, (From Vine to Chesnut, and Twelfth to Schuylkill Sixth,) visitors held their first meeting in January. The district is divided into 7 sections, and has 16 visitors. Many children have been placed at school. 1 Person has deposited in the Fuel Saving Society. Aid has been given from Miss Whitall's school fund. on hand. 66 Dorcas Society. Guardians of the poor, 39 Quarters of wood have been distributed. Twenty-five dollars received from the U. B. A. Employment is much wanted. No. 5, (From Chesnut to Spruce, and Sixth to Twelfth,) visitors held their first meeting on the 26th day of December. The district is divided into 12 sections, and has 44 visitors. 44 Quarters of wood received. Aid received from the Dorcas Society. do. from the Society for the relief and employment of the poor. Clothing received from the district. No. 8, (From Chesnut to Spruce and Twelfth to Schuylkill Sixth,) visitors held their first meeting January 5th. The 8th district is divided into 5 sections, and has 9 visitors. No. 8, and 11, (from Chesnut to Spruce and |