-the view from the town, although not extensive, is beautiful. It commands a prospect of the River and canal-the valley in which the town of Weiss Port is located-the Blue mountain in the distance and a nearer view of the Mahoning mountain and Lehigh Hills.The Mahoning creek flows at the foot of the Mahoning mountain, and empties into the Lehigh within half a mile of the village. Along this stream manufactories of va rious kinds might be placed with great advantage. Within half a mile of the village there has been discovered a mineral spring, the waters of which have proved highly beneficial in many cases of disease and debility. Extensive boarding houses might bej erected in the village, with almost a certain prospect of remuneration, as in the resort of citizens to the coal mines on the Lehigh, Lehighton, I am persuaded, from its delightful situation, pleasant walks and unconfined atmosphere would attract hundreds to it to spend the summer months. The valley extending from Lehighton up the Mahoning creek embraces a fine scope of arable land which by proper attention of the husbandman would always yield a supply of marketing for the village, such as fruits, veg. itable &c. and for which the farmer would at all times receive a fair compensation.

In short Lehighton possesses almost every advantage to cause a rapid increase of its population, and I have no doubt when its various advantages are fully made known to the public, an increase will immediately commence and that in a few years more it will become an extensive and flourishing town.-Lehigh Pioneer.

A common OBSERVER.

At a semi-annual meeting of the Stockholders of the late Bank of the United States, held at the banking house of Stephen Girard, Esq., March 1, 1850, THOMAS P. COPE, was appointed Chairmrn; and JERMIAH WARDER, Secretary.

Resolved, That the thanks of the stockholders be given to the surviving Trustees for their faithful and judicious administration of the interests committed to their charge by the deed of trust of 2d March, 1811; and that, in token of the approbation of the Stockholders, there be presented to each of the said Trustees, the sum of 500 dollars, or a piece of plate of that value, with a suitable inscription.

Resolved, That Thomas P. Cope, Thomas Biddle, James Lloyd and Richard Willing, be a Committee to carry the foregoing resolution into effect: and that there be appropriated to that purpose, from the contingent fund, and placed at the disposal of the Committee, the sum of six thousand dollars. THOMAS P. COPE, Chairman. Attest-Jeremiah Warder, Secretary.

It is stated in Dr. Mease's Picture of Philadelphia, that the occurrence of a fire in Sansom street, in 1803, first led to the idea of the use of leather hose, to convey water to the engines. We have before us, a communication made to the public authorities of the city, by a Mr. Varle, a Frenchman, who suggested that plan soon after the burning of the German Church in Fourth st. which took place in December 1794. His suggestion was to have engines capable of containing a large quantity of water, to be supplied by twelve leather conductors or pipes,' which could be extended to any length, by uniting the pipes by brass screws, attached to their exA writer over the signature "Hamilton" on the sub-tremities. These pipes were to be fastened to the street ject of imprisonment for debt, presents the following pumps, and the water conveyed in a constant stream. Morning Journal. Notwithstanding the above, the fire referred to, gave rise to the present extensive supply of water by means

statement

MISCELLANEOUS,

"The number of persons imprisoned in the debtor's apartment in this city from June 6, 1029, until February

24, 1830, was 817, of whom there were

30 whose debts were below 1 dollar.
233 above 1 and below 5 dollars.
174 above 5 and below 10 dollars.
140 above 10 and below 20 dollars.
142 above 20 and below 100 dollars.
98 above 100 dollars.

817

of hose; and we have reason to believe that the individuals named, were unacquainted with the proposals mentioned in the above article, and are therefore entitled to the credit as much as if the plan had originated with them.

The following gentlemen were on Monday last, March Of 252 of these unfortunate people, the debts were 8th, elected members of the Board of Health for the en$663 and the costs $448.

Of 64 the debts $58 and costs $120! That this state of things calls for a remedy, will not be questioned. The Massachusetts law is a remedy plain, simple, and effectual, as to the most grievous portion of the evil; and it is to be hoped it will be applied without delay.

It is highly probable that such a law would considerably diminish the poor rates. The 263 persons above referred to, whose debts are below 5 dollars, are of the class who depend wholly for their own support, and that of their families, on their labour. Their extreme poverty precludes the idea of their being able to make any provision for their families during their imprisonment-and the consequence is, that support in the interim devolves on the overseers of the poor."

suing year:
By the Select and Common Councils.
Michael E. Israel
Dr. Sharpless
Joseph Worrell
Thomas Phipps

Morris Smith

W. A. Peddle.

By the Commissioners of the Northern Liberties.
William Binder,
| George Gorgas.
By the Commissioners of Southwark.

William G. Alexander.

By the Commissioners of Moyamensing.

R. L. Loughead.

By the Commissioners of Spring Garden..

Charles Souder.

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.
Joseph Worrell, President.
Michael E. Israel, Secretary.

George Gorgas, Treasurer.

The weather for the past week has been pleasant, with the exception of one or two days of high wind.

Died, at Lancaster on Monday, in the 77th year of his age, Brigadier General Jeremiah Mosher, one of the few remaining veterans of the revolution. He served under Arnold in the attempt to storm Quebec; where, as one of the forlorn hope, he penetrated the works, in what was called the lower town, with seven companions, who were all killed or severely wounded-sergeant Mosher was among the latter, and remained a prisoner until exchanged; when he joined his regiment, and served du-door back of the Post Office, (back room) subscriptions will be thankfully received. Price FIVE DOLLARS per annum, payable annually by subscribers residing in or near the city, or where there is an agent. Other subscribers pay in advance.

ring the remainder of the war and then retired covered with honourable wounds.

Printed every SATURDAY MORNING by WILLIAM F GEDDES, No. 59 Locust Street. Philadelphia; where, and at the PUBLICATION OFFICE, IN FRANKLIN PLACE, second

THE

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

VOL. V.-NO. 12.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

PHILADELPHIA, MARCH 20, 1930. NO. 116.

PENNSYLVANIA-IN 1708.

BY J. OLDMIXON.

(Continued from page 165. )

WE have met with very few events relating to this Colony. They have had no wars either with the Indians or French, and consequently little action has happen'd here. Mr. Pen having obtained the before-mention'd pattent, invited several persons to purchase lands of them, as he, it seems, purchas'd of the Indians. The Swedes, who had encroach'd upen the Dutch, the first planters here, as well as at New-York, settl'd upon or near the Freshes of the river Delaware. The Finns, or inhabitants of Finland, were part of the Swedish colony, and they apply'd themselves chiefly to husbandry. The King of Sweden, to protect his subjects in these parts, appointed a Governor here, who had often disputes with the Governour who presided over the Dutch. The latter apply'd themselves mostly to traffick, living upon or near the Bay; and by the neighborhood of New York were too powerful for the Swedes, who finding they could not maintain their ground, submitted to their stronger neighbors. Accordingly John Rizeing the Swedish Governour made a formal surrender of the country, A.D. 1655, to Peter Styresant, Governour of the States Holland. After which this province continu'd subject to that Republick till the English drove the Dutch out of New Amsterdam or New York, and made the possession of these territories easy to Mr. Pen, when he had obtain❜d a grant of them: For both Swedes and Dutch are under his government.

proper to report what were the Proprietary's conditions of sale: Buyers purchas'd after the rate of £20 for a thousand acres, and 1s. or the value of it yearly, for 100 acres. Renters were to pay 1s.an acre yearly, not exceeding 200 acres; and servants were to have 50 acres when their times were expir'd, whether men or women. The owner was allow'd 50 acres a head for such servants.

We have hinted before, there were few English when Mr. Pen went over to take upon him the Government of his Province, which was in the year 1681. He carry'd along with him, and there came in the first year near 2000 souls; and before the new comers built houses, they ran up huts for their reception. These huts were generally 30 foot long and 18 foot broad, with a parti tion near the middle, and another to divide one end of the house into two small rooms. For this use they took eight trees of about 16 inches square, cut off ten posts of about 15 foot long; upon which the house stood, and 4 pieces, 2 of 20 and 2 of 18 foot long, for plates to lay a-top of those posts. They had 10 giests of 20 foot long, to bear the lofts, and 2 false plates of 30 foot long to lie on the ends of the giests, for the rafters to be fix'd upon. There were 12 pair of rafters of about 20 foot, to bear the roof of the house, with windbeams, braces, studds, &c. They us'd clapboard for the covering of the house-ends and sides, and for the loft; this clapboard is riv'd feather edg'd 5 foot long, and if well drawn, lies close and smooth. They in'd the lodging room with it, and fill'd it up between, which made it very warm. The lower flowr was earth, the upper clapboard. But these mean dwellings served only till the Pensyl There were a few English here before this gentleman vanians were settled a little. And then having fell'd sent over the first adventurers under his pattent; their their trees, clear'd and cultivated their ground, rais'd Governour was Col. William Markham, his nephew, to stocks, and planted a great part of their purchases, they whom both Dutch and Swedes submitted; and when the began to leave their cottages, for stately as well as conLord Proprietary came thither himself, he sent this char- venient houses, and to imitate the inhabitants of the othacter of them to England, "They are a plain, strong, er Colonies, in the grandeur of their buildings. As soon industrious class of people, yet have made no great pro- as Mr. Pen arriv'd, he enter'd upon treaties with the Ingress in culture or propagation of fruit trees, as if they dian Kings to buy land. The natives being few, and desir'd rather to have enough than plenty or traffick.not able to cultivate or defend a great country, which The Indians made them more careless by furnishing the English cou'd easily have taken from them, were them with the means of profit, as skins and furs, for willing enough to part with their lands for a small conrum, and such strong liquors. As they are a people pro-sideration-twenty miles of ground might have been per and strong of body, so they have fine children, and purchas'd for a trifle. But when the English flock'd almost every house full; 'tis rare to find one of them thither, these Indians were not so ignorant, but they without three or four boys, and as many girls; some have knew their interest, that the land would be wanted, and six, seven, and eight sons, and few young men are consequently worth more; accordingly they rais'd the more sober and laborious. The number of these inhabi- prices ten times as much as it was at first. The Protants of Swedish or Dutch extraction, may be about 3,- prietary, in the letter before-mentioned, gives us an ac000 souls. Mr. Pen, before he went over to Pensylva- count of the audience he had of the King, which 'tis probnia, sold 20,000 acres to a certain Society, Mr.Nicholas able the reader will be desirous to be acquainted with, Moor, Mr. James Claypool, Mr. Philip Ford, and oth- there being something in it worthy his curiosity: "I have ers; who had a whole Street, and one side of a Street, had occasion, says Mr. Pen, to be in Council with them, laid out for them in Philadelphia, and 400 acres of land upon treaties for land; &to adjust the terms of trade,their in the City-Liberties. This Society erected a Tannery, order is thus; the King sits in the middle of an half-moon, a Saw-mill, a Glass-house, and a Whalery. They had a & has his Council, the old & wise, on each hand; behind President in London. Their officers were a President, them, or at a little distance sits the younger Fry in the Deputy, Treasurer, Agent, Secretary Surveyor, 12 Com- same figure. Having consulted and resolv'd their busimittee-men, Chirurgions, Factors, Clerks, Overseers,ness, the King commanded one of them to speak to me. Messengers, Porters, Butchers, Water-men, Car-men,He stood up, came to me, and in his King's name saluand other inferior mechanicks and labourers. And hav-ted me, taking me by the hand, and telling me, 'He ing mention'd this sale of 20,000 acres, 'twill not be im"Society of Free Traders," see constitution, &c. of it, Reg. vol. I. p. 394. VOL. V.

23

was order'd by his King to speak to me, and that now it was not he, but the King that spoke, because what he should say was the King's mind. He first pray'd me to excuse them, that they had not comply'd with me in a

and envy; and indeed absence being a kind of death, ought alike to secure the name of the absent as the dead, because they are equally unable as such to defend themselves. But they that intend mischief, do not use to follow good rules to effect it. However, to the great sorrow and shame of the inventors, I am still alive, and no Jesuit. I perceive many frivolous and idle stories have been invented since my departure from England, which perhaps by this time are no more alive than I am dead." He was visited by the Kings, Queens, and great men of the country, and settled the affairs of the province with equal wisdom and dispatch. He establish'd Courts of Justice in every county with proper of ficers, as Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Clerks, Constables, &c. Which Courts were to be helden every two months. But to prevent law-suits and debates among this peaceable people, there were three peacemakers chosen by every County Court, in the nature of common Arbitrators, to hear and end differences between man and man; and every Spring and Fall there's an Orphans Court in each County, to inspect and regulate the affairs of orphans and widows.

former meeting. He fear'd there might be some fault in the Interpreter, being neither Indian nor English; besi les it was the Indian custom to deliberate before they resolve; and that if the young people and owners of the land had been as ready as he, I had not met with so much delay.' Having thus introduc'd his matter, he fell to the bounds of the land they had agreed to dispose of, and to the price. During the time this person spoke, not a man of them was observ'd to whisper or smile. The old were grave, the young reverend in their deportment. When they spoke, which was but seldom, 'twas warmly and elegantly. I have never seen more natural sagacity, considering them without the help of tradition; and he will deserve the name of wise that is too hard for them in a treaty about a thing they understand. When the purchase was agreed, great promises past between us of kindness and good neighborhood, and that the Indians and English must live in love as long as the Sun gave light. After which another made a speech to the Indians, in the name of all the Sachems or Kings, first to tell them what was done, next to charge and command them, 'To love the Christians, and particularly to live in peace with me, and the people, under my Things being thus settled, the Colony thriv'd apace, government. That many Governours had been in the and merchants came thither to drive on a trade with the River, but that no Governour had come himself to live Sugar Islands, which is very advantagious; for to those and stay here before; and having now such an one that Islands the Pennsylvanians send corn, beef, 'pork, fish, had treated them well, they should never do him or his pipe-staves, take their growth,and carry it for England, any wrong.' At every sentence of which they shouted, and return with English goods. Horses and live cattle and said Amen in their way." By Governour living him- they also export to the Southern plantations, and send self among them, they meant Proprietary-for they had their furs to England, where, or in other parts of Euhad several Dutch and Swedish Governours in Delaware rope, they find a quick vent. Here are other commoriver. The land thus bought was enter'd upon by the dities, as hides, tallow, sheep, and wooll, all in demand under-purchasers, who purchas'd by the 100 or the in the Sugar islands. The Indians help them to their 1060 acres what the Proprietary had bought by miles. furs, as peltry, minx, racoons, and martins; with which When the country began to be a little planted, almost profitable trades this colony flourish'd as much as any as far as the Bay's mouth, 'twas laid out into the 6 coun- and Mr. Pen before he came away, might muster 2500 tics we have spoken of, which with the chief towns or fighting men, there being above 6000 souls in all, A.D. villages chose representatives in the Assembly. For 1684, so much was the colony encreas'd in his time.we must observe that by the constitutions in the pat- 'Tis true, he carry'd over with him 2000 souls in 18 or tent, the Proprietary was impower'd, with the consent 20 ships, which was a noble foundation for a settlement, of the people, to make any laws for the publick good. and some of them were persons of estates, who fled These Constitutions were, "That the Governor and peo- from the persecution at home, to enjoy the peace of ple have a Legislative power, so that no law can be their consciences, and the privileges of the laws of this made, nor money rais'd, but by the consent of the in- province; the government of which was then a sort of habitants; that the rights and freedom of England be in republick; and an excellent form was drawn up by that force there; that making no law against Allegiance, the great lawyer, Sir Will. Jones, and other famous men of Governour and People might enact what laws they the long robe. The government was indeed, as that of pleas'd for the good, prosperity and security of the other colonies, by Governour, Council, and Assembly; Province, &c." All the inhabitants, as well Swedes but the Council was not nam'd by the Proprietary; the and Dutch, as English, were very well pleas'd with Mr.inhabitants of every Shire chose two or more for each,as Pen's coming thither in person, and the foreigners re- they did Knights of the Shire-neither had the Assemceiv'd him with as much joy and respect as his own bly power to debate laws, but the Constitution gave country-men. He held two General Assemblies, and them the negative voice. The Governour and Council with such unanimity and dispatch, that tho they sat but drew up what laws they thought were for the good of three weeks, they past 70 Laws without one dissent in the colony, and having drawn them up, affix'd them in any material thing. They presented the Proprietary a publick place, where all the people might see them, with an impost on certain goods imported and exported, and judge of them, as to their necessity or convenience; which Mr. Pen very generously remitted to the Province and the Assembly, whom they chose, pass'd or rejected and the traders to it. People now went from all parts them arbitrarily, as the Governour in other provinces of England to Pensylvania; as from London, Liverpool, rejects or passes laws there; so that the Constitution of and Bristol especially. For the west of England, a- Pensylvania was at first democratical. Mr. Pen had all bounding with Dissenters, and with a lewd herd of per- the laws so fram'd, that no difference was made in opinsecutors, more than other counties, they shipt them-ion, where property made no difference. All Elections selves in that port in great numbers for Philadelphia.- were by ballot, and the form of this government, which In the year 1682, Mr. Thomas Goldney and Mr. Dud- was founded on what was excellent in the best German dlestone, two traders in that city, fitted out the Unicorn, and other foreign constitutions of commonwealths, was a ship of 300 tuns for this voyage, to carry passengers such, that every man's property, privileges, and liberand goods to the colony. The enemies of which repor- ties, spiritual and temporal, were perfectly secur'd.ted, Mr. Pen was not only dead, but that he died a Je- But such is the weakness of human nature, that being suit, in his government. Upon which Mr. Ford his A- itself imperfect, it cannot relish perfection; and the gent in England, gave public notice in the Gazette, of nearer any thing approaches to it in this world, the his being alive and in good health. The answer Mr. more likely it is to disgust the people. This form was Pen wrote to his friends when he heard what was re- too fine for the heavy intellects of some of the gross vulported of him, is very ingenious. "I find some persons, gar. They valu'd themselves, and with good reason in says he, have so little wit, and so much malice, as to re- the main, on being Englishmen, and scorn'd as they port my death; and to mend the matter, dead a Jesuit said, to give their opinions and votes in the dark; they too! One might have reasonably hop'd that this distance, would do nothing which they durst not own, and their like death, wou'd have been a protection against spite

fore-heads and voices should always agree with one another. Thus they clamour'd against that part of the constitution which secur'd the rest, the election by ballot, and never gave over clamouring till it was abolish'd, and the first order of government broken in upon in the most essential parts of it. Upon which factions of course commenc'd, and discontents and tumults follow'd, to the great disturbance and detriment of the colony. But this happening afterwards, should also have been reported in a later part of this history, if we had not been desirous to give one view of this constitution, and of the fate that attended it.

rope.

Mr. Pen stay'd in Pensylvania two years, and would not then have remov'd to England, had not the persecution against the Dissenters rag' so violently, that he could not think of enjoying peace in America, while his brethren in England were so cruelly dealt with in EuHe knew he had an interest in the Court of England, and was willing to employ it for the safety, ease, and welfare of his friends; so having made a league of amity with 19 Indian nations, between them and all the English in America, having establish'd good laws, and seen his capital so well inhabited, that there were then near 300 houses, and 2500 souls in it, besides 20 other townships, he return'd to England, leaving William Markham, Esq. Secretary; Mr. Thomas Holmes, Surveyor General; and the administration in the hands of the Council, whose President was Thomas Lloyd, Esq. who by virtue of his office held the government several years, tho he had no commission then to be Deputy or Lieutenant Governor; Mr. Pen kept the chief government always himself, as Lord Proprietary.

179

The persecution ceasing in England, the Quakers here found the country began to be settled by people, who came thither to mend their fortunes, and not to enjoy the liberty of their consciences, for that they had at home. These men being of the orthodox religion of the Church of England, Presbyterians, and Anabaptists, would have had a Militia setti'd, but the Quakers being the majority, were against it, their principles not allowing them the use of arms. However, such as were of another opinion, were allow'd to train themselves, and take such military care, for their defence, as consisted with the peace of the colony.

Mr. Pen stay'd here two years, and then returned to England, leaving the colony in an extraordinary flourishing condition. We must not emit that he had a long suit with the Lord Baltimore, for the south-eastern parts of his province, call'd, the Three Lower Counties, New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, but that Lord could make nothing of it. The Proprietary nominated Col. Andrew Hamilton to be Deputy Governour, and return'd to England in the year 1700.

We have spoken of this gentleman in the article of the Jerseys. "Tis certain his government gave discontent to several leading men in Pensylvania, all parties there were in a ferment, and matters ran so high, that we have been inform'd they came to executions; but not having been able to learn the particulars, we shall be silent. Whether this man, by favouring the orthodox, and those that sided with them, provok'd the others, who were the majority, we cannot decide, but he seems to have discharg'd his trust unhappily, and not to have been very much lamented when he dy'd, which happen'd in the year 1704.

By these distractions, all Mr. Pen's first and fine constitution was destroy'd; and this province, like others, became govern'd by a Governour, Council, and Assem bly, each having much the same powers and privileges with the Governors, Council, and Assemblies of the other colonies.

On the death of Col. Hamilton, Mr. Pen sent over Col. John Evans to be Deputy Governour, and he was approv'd by the Queen; for the Lords Proprietaries, all over America, are by a late Act of Parliament oblig'd to have the royal approbation for all the Governours they send to America.

What service this gentlemen did the Quakers, in King James' reign, and how far that prince gave him his ear, is well known to all that are acquainted with the history of those times, still fresh in our memories. Mr. Pen's enemies were very free of their scandal, and stuck at no calumny to blacken him after the revolution. There was great appearance of his having been a favorite in the preceding reign, and 'twas not likely he should be one in the next; however, whether he was not too severely dealt with to be treated as an enemy, let the impartial reader judge. His prerogative of appointing a Governour in Pensylvania was taken from him, and his Majesty King William the IIId gave a commission to Col. Fletcher, to be Governour of this Province, about We shall not enter into any enquiries into the causes the year 1690, which post he enjoy'd two years, and of the trouble that has been given Mr. Pen lately about then Mr. Pen whose innocence of the things laid to his his province of Pensylvania; it appears to us, by what charge began to be better known, recover'd his right we have heard of it from others, for from himself we had of nominating a person to govern his colony, and he ac- never any information concerning it, that he has been cordingly appointed Capt. Blackwell, who had been involv'd in it by his bounty to the Indians, his generos formerly Pay-master of the army in England, to be Dep-ity in minding the publick affairs of the colony more uty Governour of Pensylvania. This gentleman's son, than his own private ones, his humanity to those that Sir Lambert Blackwell, was lately envoy extraordinary have not made suitable returns, his confidence in those from her majesty to several courts in Italy. that have betray'd him, and the rigor of the severest equity; a word that borders the nearest to injustice of any. 'Tis certainly the duty of this colony to maintain the proprietary, who has laid out his all for the maintenance of them, in the possession of his territory; and the publick in gratitude ought to make good what they reap the benefit of. This is all said out of Justice to the merit of this gentleman, without his knowledge, otherwise 'twould have been without his consent.

Capt. Blackwell govern'd the province with equal prudence and success; it now thriv'd apace, its commerce and inhabitants increas'd, and about this time the Pensylvanians began to fall into the tobacco trade, which is so considerable at present, that 14 ships have been loaden with that commodity from Pensylvania to London, and other parts of England.

To Capt. Blackwell succeeded Thomas Lloyd, Esq. as Deputy Governour, and his administration prov'd as successful as his predecessors. It had been doubtless for the interest of the colony, as well as for Mr. Pen's own advantage, if he had resided upon the place, and govern'd the colony himself. Factions perhaps would not have got to such a head so soon as they did. The authority of a Proprietary might have restrain'd the insolence of some bigots, and others, whose zeal is as blind as 'tis furious.

Mr. Lloyd dying, Mr. Pen appointed his nephew Col. Markham to be again Deputy Governour of the province, and held the government till the Lord Proprietary arriv'd himself the second time at Pensylvania, which was in the year 1698.

In the Geographical description of this province we have made some omissions, which from better information we shall now correct.

The province properly called Pensylvania consists only of the three upper counties, Buckingham, Philadelphia, and Chester, for no more are within the grant made by King Charles to Mr. Pen; and the length of that country is about 150 or 200 miles, as we have said already, but then there are the Three Lower Counties, Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex; which Mr. Pen enjoys by a grant from the Duke of York, for they were within his pattent of New York, the Jerseys, &c. But being granted to the proprietary of the upper counties,he includes them within the same government. Nevertheless he

has a right to make them a separate government if he pleases, holding them by a separate charter.

The three upper counties, or Pensylvania, properly so call'd, end at Marcus Hook, 4 miles below Chester. The three lower counties run about 120 miles along the coast, and are about 30 miles deep towards Maryland. The marshes on the bay of Delaware are as commodious and fertile as any in the world, notwithstanding this distinction of upper and lower, since all six counties are under one government, have the same Lord Proprietary, and the same Governour, they are commonly call'd by the same name, and are known to the world by the general appellation of Pensylvania. We shall treat of them in order, in this addition to our other observations, as they stand from west to east, beginning with the Falls township.

The whole country within Mr. Pen's grants, from the Falls township, and higher, to 20 miles below Cape Hinlopen, or Cape William, is in length about 330 miles, and in breadth 200. The first county we come to, travelling from the Falls to the mouth of the Dela ware, is,

Buckingham county, where the first town is call'd the Falls township, and consists of 20 or 30 houses. Next to it is,

Bristoll, the capital of the county, consisting of about 50 houses, lying over against Burlington, in West New Jersey. 'Tis famous for the mills there of several sorts, built by Mr. Samuel Carpentar, an eminent planter in the country, formerly a Barbadoes merchant. It lies about 20 miles from Philadelphia.

Pennsbery is a manor belonging to William Pen, Esq. the Lord Proprietary, who has built a very fine seat there, both in its own nature and situation, as well as in its improvement. The Lord Cornbury, when he was Governour of New York, (he being remov'd from that government since our writing the history of that province, and the Right Honourable the Lord Lovelace put in his place) visited this mannor, and was extreamly pleas'd with the house, orchards and gardens. 'Tis seated in a treble island, the Delaware running three times about it. The house is built with brick, and stands high and dry, having 16 acres of very good or chards, producing better Paremains and golden-pippins than any in England, by the confession of good judges here; for Mr. Pen brought some of them with him to England. There are 10 or 12 townships more in this county, which sends 6 members to the Assembly; one of whom, Joseph Growden, Esq. is at this time their Speaker. He has been very instrumental in planting and settling this county; for which, and many other things, it is very much indebted to his care and services. Next to it is,

Philadelphia County, where the first town we come to, is Franctford, already mention'd. "Tis as big as Bristol, and well built. As to the

German-town, a corporation of High and Low Dutch. There are above 200 houses in it. Peach-trees are planted all along before the doors, which in the time of bloom make a beautiful road for a mile together. The town is very pleasant and airy, being wonderfully cleared from trees. In this county, and on the other side of the river Schoolkill is the

Welsh Tract, consisting of about 40,000 acres of land, planted by Welshmen, or at least laid out to them.This tract is thick of townships; as Radnor before-mentioned, Haverford, West, Merioneth, and others. 'Tis very populous, and the people are very industrious; by which means this country is better cleared than any other part of the county. The inhabitants have many fine plantations of corn, and breed abundance of cattle, insomuch that they are looked upon to be as thriving and wealthy as any in the province-and this must always be said of the Welsh, that wherever they come, 'tis not not their fault if they do not live, and live well too; for they seldom spare for labour, which seldom fails of suc

cess.

Mountjoy, in this county, is a mannor belonging to a daughter cf Mr. Pen, the proprietary, and in this mannor the first Lime-stone was dug that ever was found in America.

The County of Philadelphia is remarkable for its excellent gravel, which is very rare to be met with on all the American Continent. It sends 6 members of the Assembly. The next County to it is,

Chester County, so called, because the people who first settl'd here, came for the most part from Cheshire in England. The first town in it is Newton: 'tis small, and consists not of above 20 or 30 houses. There are others a great deal bigger, as,

Chester, the capital of the county, consisting of above 100 houses. Here's a very good Road for shipping; the whole Navy Royal might ride here; the Delaware, on which it stands, being in this place three miles over.-Here is a court-house and prison, but neither of them commendable for the fineness of the structure. Here's also a church, as has been already observed. Next to it is,

Chichester, built on a navigable creek, so called. It consists of about 100 houses. Concord is another town in this county, where are several other townships, and the country is well planted. Four miles below Chester is Marcus Hook, the boundary of the three upper counties, properly called Pensylvania, because so termed in Mr. Pen's first grant. But the three lower counties go also by that name. The county of Chester sends 6 members to the Assembly. The next to it is,

Newcastle County, in which is a hill, called Iron hill, from the iron ore found there. The mill before-mentioned is a mistake, there being none erected for that use, as we can understand upon later inquiries. The capital of this county,

er that gives name to Amsteldam or Amsterdam, the capital city of the United Provinces. Here is a courthouse, and 2500 souls are computed to inhabit here.

City of Philadelphia, we have in the former part of Newcastle, is finely seated and built upon the Delathis chapter or head, discours'd of it at large; to which ware; it stands high. The Dutch were the first plantwe have only to add, that the streets there are very crs in this neighborhood, and the first inhabitants of this broad, and their names denote the several sorts of tim-town, which they called Amstel; from Amstel, the rivber that are common in Pensylvania: as Mulberry street, Sassafras street, Chesnut street, Walnut street, Beach street, Ash street, Vine street, Cedar street. There are others, as King street, Broad street, High street, &c. The court-house is built of brick, and under it is a prison. There are several houses on the Keys, worth each 4 or 5000 pounds, and 15 ships have been on the stocks at a time. 'Tis suppos'd 100 ships have been built in this city. The cellars or ware houses upon the keys are made into the river with great industry, and some of them are three stories high. This city is now in a flourishing state. Here are two Fairs a year, and two Markets a week. The buildings increase yearly, and it has the honour to send members to the Assembly, which meets here, as has been clsewhere observ'd.

Abington and Dublin are two pretty little towns in this county; but the most considerable next to Philadelphia, is,

Philpot creek is so large, that the royal fleet of England might ride there. St. George's is a pretty village, 10 miles below Newcastle. There's another township, called Apaquamany. The country within 12 miles about the capital of this county, north and west, is the proper signiory of Newcastle. There are 6 members chosen in this county for the Assembly. The next is,

Kent County, very fruitful, but not so well planted as the others. Dover is its capital. 'Twas formerly called St. Johns. 'Tis thin of houses, and does not consist even now of above 30 or 40 families. This county is settled like Virginia, not in townships, but in scattered plantations. It contains many tracts of excellent land, and sends 6 members to the Assembly. Next to it is,