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To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The memorial of your petitioners respectfully showeth:

That vast sums of money are annually raised in the Commonwealth by road taxes.

That the said taxes are laid in each township by the Supervisors of roads and highways of the township, and are collected by the said Supervisors, or by persons appointed by them, and the amounts received are applied and expended by the same Supervisors.

That there is no appeal (except in particular cases,) from the determinations of these officers, and no authority whereby their proceedings may be controlled, after an order for opening a road is obtained from the Court; nor is there in fact any limitation to the amount they may raise, because the limitation of the rate or per centage for the road taxes may be evaded by raising the assessed value of property affected by them.

That the waste of labour and of money on said roads, is to be estimated by hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

That these evils are necessary consequences of committing the highways to the exclusive and uninstructed management of men who, however well disposed, re not informed, by profession or practice, nor by rules dictated by the Legislature, upon a subject which involves the convenience, the prosperity, the safety, and even the lives of the citizens.

That the evils are equally prejudicial to the common welfare, whether they arise from defects in the laws, or from general neglect of their enactments, and in either case remedy is urgently necessary.

Your memorialists would not however be understood to reproach the supervisors, most of whom are no doubt valuable citizens; it is the system of our laws on this subject which is berein complained of: no man would employ a mechanic, or a professional person, on a matter That the said supervisors do not account for the mo to which he had never attended; and yet persons are ney received or paid away by them, except by unob-employed by the public to spend on a mechanical art, served and desultory statements or settlements, made sums of the public money in each township, manifold to and with the township settlers or Auditors; who, by the income of any individual, without previous instrucreason of the disregard into which the office has fallen, tion or experience, and without general rules being preare usually men not familiar with accounts; and there- scribed for the manner in which their duties are to be fore, however upright their intentions may be, settle-performed. ments of the road accounts are generally confused, and in no wise such as ought to be made of so heavy a burthen on the people.

That the said accounts are not returned to the Coun

Nor would your memorialists be understood to complain of paying taxes for roads and highways; they fully concede that few items of public expenditure contribute more directly than money judiciously and economically employed in facilitating intercourse and transportation. But your memorialists do complain that the large amount raised from the people is applied, under the present That the Legislature is, for the same reason, igno-system, so as not to produce an equivalent to tlie sums

ty Commissioners, nor are they published; and in consequence the people are ignorant of the amount paid

in road taxes.

rant of the said amount.

That the aggregate amount of the road taxes throughout the state, is believed, from the best information which can be gathered, to be not less than a million of dollars annually; and that this enormous sum has been collected during many consecutive years, while neither the people nor their constituted authorities have been at all aware of its magnitude:-it is further believed, that since the year 1800, the sums collected by road taxes alone, have amounted to no less than twenty millions of dollars, and have probably exceeded this extravagant total; in addition to which, it is estimated that sixteen millions of dollars have been expended by the state and by corporations on turnpike roads, bridges, and canals; even this estimate does not include the expenditure on the magnificent system of internal improvement, recently undertaken by the commonwealth, nor the expenses on county bridges.

That a judicious and economical application of such an amount of money, would have rendered the means of communication in this State the best in the world. That, nevertheless, road making in this State appears to be in the infancy of the art, and many roads are models of bad engineering.

That in many instances the most improper and the worst location seem to have been sought out for the routes of roads.

That there is no system pursued in laying out, nor in making, nor in repairing roads: they are often carried over precipitous hills, when they ought to have gone round them-they are often destitute of side drains or ditches-they are often pretended to be repaired by throwing loose earth upon them, to be washed off by rains, unless it is converted by the water into sloughs bridges are often constructed on them of green, unbarked timber, and sometimes these fabrics are even covered with earth, as if to insure their most speedy destruction-water courses or springs in the roads are frequently filled up with brush wood, covered with earth, forming dangerous quagmires-and, in a word, every thing which art abhors, and which experience teaches to avoid, is practised on roads made under the direction of the township supervisors.

drawn from them.

Your memorialists further represent,

That labour on roads is hired by some supervisors at rates far exceeding the wages paid by individuals in the same vicinity, and is often paid by what are called 'road orders,' which are frequently bought up by speculators at large discounts, and that supervisors themselves buy these orders from the labourers; and, in consequence, where this practice prevails, the wages for a day's la bour on the roads is nominally much higher than elsewhere; but many of the labourers do not actually receive more wages (and often they receive less) than those paid by individuals; the citizens at large pay the difference between it and the real value of labour, or what hands can be hired for, and often much more than that difference is the profit of speculation.

Your memorialists further represent,

That the amount is also enormous of money raised in this Commonwealth for county rates and levies, poor taxes, city and borough taxes; and that the amount so raised is equally unknown to the Legislature and to the people.

That a practice of borrowing has become unfortu nately prevalent, in consequence of which most of the corporations, and even many of the counties, are in debt, some to a large amount, the aggregate of which, throughout the State, forms a total of alarming magni. tude.

That the consciousness that the accounts are to be laid before the eyes of the Legislature and the people, whose approbation or censure will attend the exhibits of economy or profusion, would be a powerful incentive to attention and good conduct in the officers who are charged with the management of the public funds.

That a knowledge of the amount of taxes raised from the people is highly necessary to the community, and would be serviceable to the Legislature; as without it the wants and conditions of the different sections of the State cannot be correctly understood, nor can instances of local oppression be avoided.

That it is also essential that the people, and almost indispensable to correct legislation, that the Legislature should be correctly informed of the actual state of the

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Commonwealth in all its sections, of the number of its inhabitants, of its resources, and generally of its statistics, and of the changes which take place in these particulars.

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and shall be charged with the general care and superintendance of the State Works, with examination and superintendance on behalf of the commonwealth of all works to which state funds are appropriated, and with digesting rules and systems to be pursued in making and repairing all roads and bridges; and that a competent officer or officers of the corps be appointed to reside in each county, who shall be the artist or artists employed in surveying and laying out all roads ordered to be viewYour Memorialists further petition the Legislature to enact,

That at present the people and the Legislature have no means of being informed of the expenses, or of the statistics, of the different sections of the Commonwealth, but from the general acquaintance therewith of the several Representatives, who themselves cannot be possessed of certain knowledge on these subjects, be-ed or opened. cause no enumeration is made of the inhabitants, and other statistical information is not collected: nor can the accounts of several items of public expense be ascertained; they are scattered over the face of the country, in the hands of numerous individuals, who are not obliged to communicate them, and many would probably decline furnishing them to an unauthorised person, to avoid trouble if for no other reason.

Your memorialists therefore petition the Legislature to provide by law,

That the supervisors of the highway shall annually submit to the County Commissioners of their respective counties an estimate of the amount which will be required for road purposes, in their respective townships, during the ensuing year, and a statement of any unavoidable expenses incurred in the preceding year beyond the provision made for the same; and that the County Commissioners shall deliberate thereon, and fix the amount to be collected in each township; that the road tax, thus fixed, shall be collected under the orders of the County Commissioners, and by persons appointed by them, as county rates and levies are now by law collected, and shall be paid into the County Treasury, where a separate account shall be opened with each township; and that the road expenses shall be paid by the County Treasurer out of the amount of road tax paid in from each township, on warrants drawn by the Supervisor of the proper township, the said warrants to be received as cash by collectors of road taxes.

That similar provisions be enacted in relation to Poor Taxes and Overseers of the Poor.

That the office of Settler or Auditor be forthwith abolished throughout the State, except that of County Auditor, and of Auditor General.

That all persons without exception (unless in cases within cognizance of the Auditor General) who receive or pay away money raised by taxes of any kind whatever, shall account with the Auditor of the County, within which their duties are exercised,in the same manner as the accounts of County Commissioners are now audited; and that all accounts audited by the County Auditors, shall be exhibited to the Court of Common Pleas as the said accounts of the County Commissioners are now by law required to be; and that the accounts shall be made out according to forms to be prescribed by law; and that the several accounts audited shall be published in each county.

That, in the year 1829, and afterwards at every trien. nial assessment, a full census shall be taken by the Assessors, of the inhabitants of the State, designating the sexes, and their ages, by a classification in periods of ten years; and an enumeration of domestic animals, of houses, and every sort of manufactories; with an account of the quantity and value of manufactures annually made; and that such other details shall be collected as will exhibit a full view of the statistics of the district of each Assessor: all of which shall be arranged when returned by the County Commissioners, and, with a full copy of the assessments, shall be forwarded to the Auditor General to be laid before the Legislature.

That the Auditors of each county shall annually return a copy of all the accounts thus published, to the Auditor General; and shall likewise annually make out, and return to the Auditor General, an abstract or summary, according to a form prescribed, of every account passed upon by them, together with a statement of any debts incurred, or money borrowed, by the officers or corporations within the county; which summary and statement, the Auditor General shall annually lay before the Legislature.

That the County Commissioners shall annually return to the Auditor General an account of all taxes laid within the county for any purpose whatever, the amount collected, and the amount lost by bad debts, which returns shall be laid before the Legislature.

The Supervisors of the highways be prohibited from purchasing road orders or warrants.

And your Memorialists further petition for such relief on the grievances herein complained of, as shall to the Legislature seem expedient.

Your Memorialists further petition the Legislature to create a corps of Engineers, the chief officers of which shall form a central board at the seat of government,

CARRIERS' ADDRESS.

Health to my PATRONS! May the seasons bless
Those who support the light-diffusing Press!
Heav'n greets your homes with annual joy once more;
Again the wand'ring News-boy seeks your door,
And hopes your lib'ral aid those toils to cheer
That bore you knowledge through the lengthen'd year.
No common page; but one that warms the soul,
And stirs the ling'ring pulses as they roll.
'Tis to the PATRIOT that our sheets appeal--
Souls that for Kindred and for Country feel.
Stern Dalecarlia's iron race in vain,
Or hardy Belgium, plough'd the liquid plain,
Or Penn arose, who bent his lofty mind
To suffer wrong and aid his thankless kind;
The patient German, prodigal of gore,
Or burning Erin, sought the western shore;
If in their sons no glowing thoughts be found
To consecrate the lov'd, the hallow'd ground.

In various climes, as soon as arts and laws,
Or hostile force produc'd a common cause,
When from the starving chase men first retire
To pause for converse round the friendly fire,
In Lapland's wastes or Afric's burning zone,
Triumphant then the Love of Country shone.
Though sterile be the forest and the mere,
The gen'rous savage ever held them dear.
If then the wild, ferocious forms that roam
Th' inclement desert, learn to love their home,
Far rather they whom happier regions bless,
And crown their prouder views with just success;
Far rather they whose countless blessings stand
The anxious hope of many a distant land,
That sees, surpris'd, of useful policy
This newborn State maintain the model free,
And prove to realms where storms of conquest low'r,
That TRUTH and VIRTUE are the paths to pow'r.
of various race the tribes that hither fly,
But all renown'd for native energy;
And, when their rising commonwealth had birth
The tale re-echoed through the spacious earth,
Applauding nations hail'd the new design,
And bless'd the land where Peace and Justice shine.
Enough of crimes had our grave fathers known;
To peace they consecrate one favour'd zone.

Laws after laws, in barb'rous custom's spite,
Evince the Saxon reverence for right.

To sons and grandsons spread the holy flame;
And with surprise they found their product fame.
'Twas in these climes, which endless woods surround,
Strangers, not foes, th' astonish'd savage found;
The sway paternal pleas'd his simple mind;
To our calm towns his humble home he join'd;
And, proof to barb'rous force or vile intrigue,
Ages of peace attest th' UNBROKEN LEAGUE,

Since then what num'rous and successful schemes
Fulfil on earth the virtuous statesman's dreams!
What various tasks the gen'rous heart employ!
The people's service and the private joy!"
The lofty Works that Wealth and Science gave;
Th' unslaughter'd convict; the protected slave.
On the proud canvass West and Leslie shine;
And death-snatch'd Cliffton in the glowing line;
Say, Horsefield, Muhlenberg in Nature's page,
And Rittenhouse, whom circling stars engage,
Rush, Barton, Wistar at Apollo's shrine;

The laws their Tilghman and their Wilson join-
And worth by its own numbers made too long,
Swells the proud list and crowds the lengthen'd song.
Such are our names for art's enthusiast toil;

Nor wants defence when foes invade the soil.

No laurels theirs from this heav'n-shielded plain;

But small their conquest o'er the peaceful reign.

And those who lost Wyoming sunk in fire,

A poet brands the horror of the lyre.

To make these deeds more known our columns stand: And can ye choose but honour such a land?

Preserve the lofty records of the past,

And bid by equal deeds, the stainless glory last?
January 1, 1829.

MISCELLANEOUS.

HARRISBURG, Jan. 5. THE WEATHER.-On Saturday morning the mercury was down to 12 degrees of Fahrenheit, and the weather continues inclement. We had a very slight fall of Snow on Friday. The drought and the cold are severe upon the fall crops, and many mills are unable to move on account of the scarcity of water.

Weather. On the 4th, there was in this city another fall of snow, during the former part of the day-the ground being well covered, the sleighing continued fine for several days. Much floating ice in the Delaware, prevented the arrival or departure of vessels for several days. Yesterday, there was a general thaw and heavy rain, as also during last night-this morning (9th,) a slight fall of snow-navigation uninterrupted, and snow entirely disappeared.

Appointments by the Governor.

Col. John Snider, of Guilford Township, to be a Justice of the Peace.

William Bratton, of Green Castle, to be a Justice of the Peace.-Franklin Repub.

Appointments of Justices of the Peace, have recently been conferred upon the following gentlemen residing in this county, by the Governor.

Michael Porst, Esq. Bernville; John H. Laucks, Esq. Oley; George Schall, Esq. Pike, and Michael K. Boyer, Colebrookdale.-Reading Journal.

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GRAIN MEASURED.

Account of Grain measured at Philadelphia in the year 1828, per returns of

J. P. Færing, Head Measurer.

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COMMERCE OF PHILADELPHIA.

Note-This table includes such grain only as is "water borne" to market, and of this it does not embrace the whole quantity.

[Philadelphia Price Current.

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THE

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

VOL. III.-NO. 3.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 17, 1829.

EARLY HISTORY.

ACCOUNT OF EXPENSES ON INDIAN AFFAIRS. "In Pursuance of the Order of the House, we have examined the Journals of the Proceedings of the Assemblies of this Province, on what relates to the Charges of Treaties and other Affairs with the Indians, by which we find,

That the Expences on these Occasions were very inconsiderable till the Year 1722, there being a Provision made by law to limit them to £50 per Annum; and when Accounts were exhibited to the House of a larger charge on these Occasions, great Caution was used in allowing

them.

In the Year 1722 a general Treaty was held at Albany with the Indians of the Six Nations by the Governors of New-York and Virginia, at which Sir William Keith, then Governor of this Province, with several of his Council, was desired by the Assembly to attend (in order to satisfy the Indians of the Care and Justice of this Government, to punish some Persons, by whom one of them had been lately killed) and the Assembly agreed to advance £230 to defray the Governor's Expences, and the Cost of Presents made to the Indians on that Occasion.

From that time till the Year 1727, there does not appear to have been any Expences on these Affairs paid by the Public, but in that Year an Account amounting to about £70 being exhibited, the Assembly allowed one Half of it, and left the rest to be paid by the Proprietary.

In the Year 1728 some unusual Apprehensions of Danger from the Indians appeared, and the Province being at that Time under great Difficulties in other Respects (from some Party Disputes then subsisting) the Assembly requested Governor Gordon to hold a Treaty with the Indians, and promised to pay the Expences of it: And this is the first Instance we find of a general Engagement made by any Assembly of this Kind; and we apprehend, the Circumstances of the Proprietary Family at that Time induced the Representatives of the People freely to contribute more of the Public Money than usual, to answer the pressing Exigencies of that Occasion.

After which, the first Article of Expence is in 1733, the Year after the Arrival of our Proprietary THOMAS PENN in this Province, at which Time the People paid the Expence of a Treaty with the Indians, being desirous of demonstrating their Respect to the Proprietary Family, and of preserving the memory of our first worthy Proprietary in the Minds of the Indians, with that Reverence and Respect they have ever professed for

him.

And the same Considerations, we believe, induced the Assembly, on the Arrival of our Proprietary JOHN PENN, to defray the Expence of a Treaty with some Indians, who came down to pay him a Visit.

These, we apprehend, were the Reasons, by which the People were first induced to bear so large a Part of the Expences on Indian Affairs; yet constantly there appear Proofs of the People considering these Contributions as their free Gift: And in several Instances we find they refused to pay more than Half of the Charge on VOL. III.

5

NO. 55.

these Occasions, leaving the rest to be paid by the Pro prietary.

After the Commencement of the late War, the Assembly thought it proper to demonstrate, that they were not induced by mercenary Motives, to refuse joining in the making any Military Preparations, and therefore contributed towards cultivating our Friendship with the Indians, and on several other Occasions, more largely than before that Time had ever been done by their Predeces sors.

But the Danger of introducing Precedents of this Kind seems to us very manifest in this Instance; their Liberality in granting these large supplies being now interpreted to authorize the fixing the whole Charge of Indian Affairs on the Public. And as the generous Alto near £5000) have had the desired good Effect of conlowances lately made (amounting within four Years past firming our Alliances with the Indians, the present OpPortunity seems to us very proper to enter into the Con such Charges as may hereafter arise on the like Occasideration of the Proportion the People should pay of sions; which is nevertheless submitted to the House.

ISRAEL PEMBERTON, junior,
JOHN SMITH,

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
MAHLON KIRKBRIDE,

THOMAS CUMMINGS,
CALVIN COOPER,

HERMANUS ALRICHS."

Account of Expenses on Indian Affairs paid out of the Provincial Stock by the Treasurer & Trustees of the Loan Office, viz:

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force Signified to me by Lre. from Mr. Justice Whit- first attempt, is probably even more precious in the eye well and John Hillyard which I believe he will in noe of the agriculturist than that to which more experience wise attempt now whatever he hath done formerly there- contributed its powerful aid, as it shows to the new before Cann give no other Directions then that you fully ginner, what may be done at the commencement. The assert and maintain your Authority and Rights against quality of the specimen of silk sent us, is far superior to any that shall oppose or annoy you, and if any Demand any thing we had imagined had been arrived at in our or Pretence made to take noe Notice thereof but Refer country. It is equal to that of many ladies' dresses, and them hither and in noe Case admitt any Charge or Alte-such as no lady would be ashamed to wear on any occaration or any pretended Court or Authority without Or- sion. This silk is the product of a few eggs sent the der from myself Who am Resolved to keep yor. Parts young lady three years ago, in a letter, by Mr. Reed, as settled under this his Royll. Highness Governmt. and who, as our readers have had occasion to know, is an to the uttermost preserve the Rights and Propertyes of intelligent encourager of agricultural improvement. In the Inhabitants from any Innovation whatsoever and re- his letter, he says that the stores in Washington county, maine Yor affectionate Friend are selling sewing silk made in Washington County, where four or five years ago such an idea was laughed at. Mr. Reed bestows a well merited culogium on the Hon. Charles Miner, member of Congress, from West Chester, Pa. who brought the subject before Congress, and adds-"I have no doubt it would afford him pleasure to know, that we in the "back woods" are trying to make silk.

A. B.

The Commander and Council's Decl. on Esqr. Penn's
Grant for New Castle, St. Jones' and Whorekill.

The Crawford Messenger states that a canal boat was launched at that place on the 28th of November, which was built of materials that were growing on the banks of French creek the day before! The boat left Meadville for Pittsburg on the 30th ult. having on board 20 passengers, and 300 reams of paper manufactured from straw!

COAL TRADE FOR 1828.

By Schuylkill Canal from Mount Carbon,
By do. from other places, including Union
Canal, supposed about,

Total,

By the Commander in Chief and Council, &c. Whereas his Royll. High's. hath been graciously pleased by Indenture under his hand and Seale bearing Date the Twenty.fourth day of August last past for the Consideration therein mentioned to bargain sell Enfeoffe and Confine unto William Penn Esq. his heirs and assignes forever all that the Towne of New Castle otherwise called Delaware, and all that Tract of Land lying within the Compass or Circle of twelve miles about the same, with all Islands and the River and Soile thereof lying north of the Southermost part of the said Circle, and all Rents and Services Royalties Franchises Duties Juris. dictions Priviledges and Libertyes thereunto belonging and by another Indenture of the same date for the Consideration therein likewise mentioned hath also bargained sold Enfeoffed and Confirmed unto the said William Penn Esq. his heirs and assigns for ever all that Tract of Land upon Delaware River and Bay beginning twelve miles south from the Town of New Castle otherwise By the Lehigh Company, called Delaware, and extending South to the Whorekills otherwise called Cape in Lopen with all Isles Rivers Rivuletts Bays and Inletts Royalties Franchises Powers Priviledges and Immunities whatsoever and in and by the said Indenture appointed and authorised John Moll Esq. and Ephraim Harman Gent. to deliver to him the said William Penn free and actuall Possession of the Premisses as by the said Indentures here produced and shewn to us and by us well approved of and Entred in the public Records of this Province Doth and may more at large appear and we being fully satisfied of the said William Penn's Right to the Possession and Enjoyment of the Premises have therefore thought fitt and necessary to signify and declare the same to you to prevent any doubt or trouble that might arise or accrue and to give you your Thanks for your good Services done in your several offices and stations during the time you remained under his Royll. High's. Goverumt. Expecting no further acco't, then that you readily submitt and yield all due Obedience and Conformity to the Powers granted to the said William Penn in and by the said Indentures, in the performance and Enjoyment of which we wish you all Happiness. Dated in New York the 21st Day of November 1682. To the several Justices of the Peace, Magistrates and other Officers at New Castle, St. Jones, Deale, als. Whorekill at Delaware or within any of the Bounds and Limitts above mentioned.

SILK.

We have received from Alexander Reed, Esquire, of Washington, Pa. a piece of manufactured silk, made, from the silk worm to the loom, by a young lady, a member of that industrious and enterprising people, the "Harmony Society." This young lady appeared at the Fair held in Washington last fall, clad in an elegant silk dress of her own manufacture. This silk dress was of a quality far superior to the specimen sent us; but as it was all made use of, our friend was only able to send us some of the latter description-this, however, being the

Tons. 47,070

5,000

52,070 30,232 Tons 82,303

MEETINGS ON BOSTON PORT BILL. At a meeting of between two and three hundred of the respectable inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia at the City Tavern on Friday evening, May 20, 1774. Agreed, That a committee be appointed to correspond with our sister colonies.

That John Dickinson, Esq. William Smith, D. D.* Edward Pennington", Joseph Fox, John Nixon*, John M. Nesbit, Samuel Howell, Thomas Mifin*, Joseph Reed, Thomas Wharton, jun.*, Benjamin Marshal, Joseph Moulder*, Thomas Barclay, George Clymer*, Charles Thomson*, Jeremiah Warder, Jun. John Cox*, John Gibson*, and Thomas Penrose, compose the committee of correspondence until an alteration is made by a more general meeting of the inhabitants.

That the committee be instructed to write to the people of Boston, that we truly feel for their unhappy situation, that we consider them as suffering in the general cause, that we recommend to them firmness, prudence and moderation, and that we shall continue to evince our firm adherence to the cause of American Liberty.

That the above resolutions be transmitted by the committee to the other colonies.

That the committee be instructed to apply to the governor to call the assembly of the province.

That they be authorised to call a meeting of the inhabitants when necessary.

On the day following, those gentlemen of the committee whose names are marked thus having met, the following letter was drawn up and signed by them, to be immediately forwarded by Mr. Paul Riviere to Boston. Copies of it have also been transmitted to NewYork, and most of the southern colonies. The gentle

Those marked with (*) after their names, signed the above letter, business and avocations having prevented the rest from attending.

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