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Danl. M'Curdy, Collector for Middle Ward. district from the passage of any act of the Legislature, William P. Smith-Collector for Walnut and South founded on the memorial now before them, from the Wards.

David McClure-Collector for Dock Ward.
Robert Miles-Collector for Locust Ward.

Saml. Reed-Collector for Pine & N. Market Wards.
Thomas Black-Collector for Cedar Ward.
David C. Skerrett, M. D. Vaccinating Physician of
the Northern District.

William C. Brewster, M. D. Vaccinating Physician

for the Southern District.

John K. Kane, Esq. Attorney and Solicitor for the Corporation.

John Collins, Mayor's Clerk.

SPRING GARDEN.

At a meeting of a number of citizens of the district of Spring Garden, held on Tuesday, the 16th inst. at the public house of Daniel Newman, a copy of the following Memorial, received from our representative at Harrisburg, was presented to the meeting, and read, viz: To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Memorial of the Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of Philadelphia, respectfully sheweth

· That for the purpose of affording a constant supply of pure and wholesome water to the city of Philadelphia, and the neighbouring districts, your memorialists have at a great expense, erected works at Fair Mount in the county of Philadelphia, and have also purchased a considerable quantity of ground immediately surrounding the works to protect them from injury.

The importance of these works to the health and prosperity of the city and the several incorporated districts, and their successful operations your memorialists do not deem it necessary to enlarge upon at this time. To protect these from injury, is the just duty of your memorialists, and the legislature at their last session, expressed their approbation of the efforts of your memorialists and their sense of the valuable character of these improvements. By the passage of an act to protect the property of the Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of Philadelphia at Fair Mount, and the purity of the Schuylkill water. The law was made salutary in its provisions, but your memorialists are compelled to ask you for legislative interference to prevent another evil (not provided for by it,) that of having streets, lanes and roads laid out and opened through the heart of these works and property.

"Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the city of Philadelphia," relative to the disposition of the property claimed by the city at Fair Mount; and that the above appointed committee be authorized to call a general meeting of the citizens on the subject, if necessary.

Resolved, That Michael Riter, Esq. the immediate member from this district, be instructed, and that the other members of the county of Philadelphia, be requested to oppose every act reported to the legislature, which should in any manner tend to carry into effect the objects of the said memorial.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the American Sentinel, Philadelphia Gazette, National Gazette, and Poulson's American Daily Advertiser. CHARLES SOUDER, Chairman. PETER F. FRITEZ, Sec'ry.

AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Lancaster county, Nov. 5, 1828. An agricultural association was formed in this county during the last winter, which offered three premiums of different amount for the first, second, and third largest quantity of merchantable Indian corn, to be made from five acres of land; meadow land of every description was excluded. The premiums have recently been awarded as follows: 52 barrels and 4 bushels took the first; 52 barrels 1 bushel and 2 pecks took the second; and 43 barrels the third. Our season was very unfavourable to the growth of Indian corn, being exceedingly dry. The second prize was raised on high forest land, and encountered severe drought. Our most judicious farmers believe, from this experiment, that from fourteen to fifteen barrels can be raised per acre, and that our high forest land; when improved, is the most certain and perhaps the most productive land. Am.Far.

January 3.-Early yesterday morning, a heavy Snow storm commenced and continued till the afternoon, covering the ground to the depth of about 4 or 5 inches on a level-weather moderate-sleighs running. This is the first fall of snow of any consequence, that we have had this winter. The weather thus far through the sea son has been unusually mild and pleasant, excepting a few cold days in November, on two of which there were slight falls of snow-both rivers have remained open thus far-ice brought into the city on the 30th ult. two inches thick,

The danger and injury resulting from such a proceeding, would be almost incalculable, and need no illustra-dernamed Auctioneers, for the last quarter. The following is the amount of duties paid by the untion from your memorialists.

Your memorialists therefore humbly pray your honorable bodies to pass such laws as in your wisdom you may deem expedient to prevent the laying out or opening any street, road, lane, court or alley, over or through any part of the property of the Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of Philadelphia, situate at Fair Mount, and lying between the Northern line of the Upper Ferry road and the southern line of Francis street, and between the Western line of John street and the river Schuylkill at low water mark, in the district of Spring Garden, in the county of Philadelphia. And your memorialists will ever pray, &c. G. M. DALLAS, Mayor. JOHN M. SCOTT,

President of Select Council.

J. M. LINNARD,

President of Common Council.

Allen & Co. Jennings, Gillingham, Ford, Lippincott,

Thomas, Graham, Richards, Freeman, Grant,

Riter,

Wolbert, Goodwin,

-

$9045 18

7812 26

7267 30

5113 17

5039 49

2536 61

1406 43

1278 36

475 45

369 32

65 56

56 49

7 05

40,472 67

NOTE. The principal articles sold by the Messrs. Whereupon, the following re olutions were unani-Freemans, &c. are not dutiable. mously adopted:

Resolved, That a committee of three citizens, consisting of Charles Souder, James Benner, and John Chamberlain, be appointed by this meeting, whose duty it shall be to wait upon Lawrence Shuster, Esq. President of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Spring Garden, in order to ascertain from him whether the said Board have adopted suitable measures whereby to counteract the fatal effects which will result to this

Printed every Saturday morning by William F. Geddes, No. 59 Locust street, Philadelphia; where, and at the Editor's residence, in North 12th st. 3d door south of Cherry st. subscriptions will be thankfully received. Price five dollars per annum payable in six months after the commencement of publication--and annually, thereafter, by subscribers resident in or near the city, or where there is an agent. Other subscribers pay in advance.

THE

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

VOL. III.-NO. 2.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 10, 1829.

FACE OF THE COUNTRY.

One advantage attending the construction of the Pennsylvania canal, is the information which has been obtained respecting the face of the country thro' which it will pass, Many of the first reports from the surveyors and engineers, embrace facts in relation to it which are highly interesting and important, but which from the small circulation given to these reports, in consequence of their being published only among the Journals, are not generally seen or known. Besides this information, there is also contained in them much relating to the mode of estimat ing the different parts of the works. As these reports were presented before our work was commenced, and they would now perhaps be uninteresting, published en tire. We propose to make occasional selections from them of such parts as we think ought to be preserved for future reference and general information. We commence with an extract from the remarks of Judge Scott, one of the Canal Commissioners-describing, in 1827, THE VALLEY OF THE SUSQUEHANNA AND ITS BRANCHES. "One of the most striking features delineated upon the map of Pennsylvania, is the Susquehanna river, and its great branches. Entering Pennsylvania from the north, it passes nearly through its centre, and, with its tributaries, drains nearly one-half of the territory of the commonwealth. This portion of Pennsylvania is not surpassed by any other tract of country, of equal extent, in the union, for the productiveness of its soil, and for the variety, value, and extent of its minerals. It contains, also, at least one-third of the whole population of the

state.

A large tract of country, beyond our northern boundary, within the limits of the state of New York, rich in its vegetable and mineral products, and embracing a population of nearly two hundred thousand inhabitants, is also drained by the Susquehanna and its northern tributaries.

To the territory drained by this noble river, within the states of Pennsylvania and New York, containing above twenty thousand square miles, and a population of more than half a million, nature has pointed out the valley of the Susquehanna as the great highway to market.

NO. 54.

boats upon the Susquehanna, for the transportation of
the ascending trade, have gradually disappeared, until
not a single boat is found plying upon the river above
It is found that merchandize can be
Northumberland.
the city of New York, and the heads of the Seneca and
transported, by wagons, from the city of Philadelphia,
Cayuga lakes, with more expedition, at less expense,
and less hazard, than by the river.

The descending navigation of the Susquehanna is uncertain, of short duration, and at all times dangerous. Property can only be floated down in the time of high floods, which seldom occur, except in the breaking up of the ice, and the melting of the snow, in the spring season. During these floods, the river is not navigated than a week or ten days. The consequence is, that the with any degree of safety or success, if at all, for more whole trade of the Susquehanna descends at nearly the same time; the markets, which are at all times very uncertain in the towns and villages along the river, are overstocked; the owners have incurred expenses which they cannot meet without sales, and they are frequently obliged to sell at a ruinous sacrifice.

It sometimes happens that there is no spring flood sufficient for the descending trade. When this is the case, great losses are sustained by the owners, not only in Consequence of the embarrassments incident to disappointments and a failure of market, but also on account of the deterioration, if not the entire destruction, of many articles by the keeping. A summer flood, after the failure of a spring flood, generally proves ruinous. Being disappointed, and having property on hand, the owners embark it upon the summer flood. The water evaporates, the river falls, and with it all their hopes, before they reach a market. Indeed, very little property ever reached its intended destination by a summer flood.

Round and square timber, scantling, boards and plank are floated down in rafts. All other articles are floated down in arks, which, although they carry from forty to fifty tons each, are very frail vessels, and are liable to many destructive accidents.

The loss occasioned by accidents incident to the river navigation, exposure to the weather, &c. is estimated at five per cent. upon the gross amount of exports.

The whole amount of property which descended the Susquehanna last year, was estimated at four millions and a half. The tonnage required for the transportation of those articles which could not be floated in rafts, must The Susquehanna is regarded as a navigable river. It have amounted to more than one hundred thousand tons. is so, in a limited sense. Viewed in its whole extent, Fifteen hundred arks arrived at Port Deposit, and it is in connexion with its great branches, its ascending na-known that there were many, and it is fair to presume vigation is extremely limited and difficult; its descend- that at least 500, found a market for their lading, at ing navigation is uncertain and of short duration, and the towns and villages along the river, above that both are at all times hazardous. A voyage across the place. Atlantic does not involve so much danger to life and property, as the navigation of the river from Newtown, in the state of New York, to the head of tide. It is believed that the difficulties, delays, dangers and losses, which at present attend the navigation of this river, are little known, and less understood, except by those interested in the river trade.

Estimating the loss incident to river navigation, at 5 per cent. which is certainly very low, and the amount of exports at four and a half millions, the gross amount of loss annually sustained, would be two hundred and twenty five thousand dollars. Besides this, there is, and must always continue to be (whatever improvements may be made in the descending navigation,) an enorSince the opening of the Erie canal, and the construc-mous sacrifice in the item of arks. An ark of sufficient tion of turnpike roads from the Susquehanna to the valley of the Delaware, the Hudson, and the Lakes, the VOL. III.

3

capacity to carry forty or fifty tons, will cost at least sixty-five dollars. It never can re-ascend the river; and

consequently must be sold for any price which can be and improved; towns, villages, and manufactories, would obtained for it. The average price of an ark, at the spring up along the line; an impulse would be given place of destination, is fifteen dollars. The loss, then, to industry and enterprise, the market would soon asupon two thousand arks, the estimated number which sume a fixed character; and it is believed that the whole descended the river last year, and which is annually in-country drained by the Susquehanna and its tributaries, creasing, will amount to one hundred thousand dollars; above its intersection with the Pennsylvania canal, would which, added to the estimated loss by accident, ex- be supplied with merchandize from the city of Philada. posure, &c. amounts to the enormous sum of three hun- In the present state of the river, and after every thing dred and twenty-five thousand dollars,-a sum, it is be- shall have been done which can be done to improve the lieved, equal to the interest upon the capital necessary descending navigation by the natural channel, the imfor canalling the Susquehanna, from the New York to mense and increasing trade of the Susquehanna, will the Maryland line. The whole of this sum, and other continue to be, as it has hitherto been, divided between items of considerable magnitude, would be saved to the New York and Baltimore. Nothing can save it, (nor individuals interested, and consequently serve to in- the other advantages before enumerated,) to the state, crease the aggregate wealth of the state, by a canal na- or direct it to Philadelphia, but a canal from the northvigation. The expenses of navigating an ark of the ern boundary of the state to the Pennsylvania canal, common capacity, (forty or fifty tons,) from Wyoming along the valley of the Susquehanna. It is certainly valley to the head of tide, amount to 120 dollars. The worth contending for, and if not secured, it will not be transportation of the same tonnage, by canal boats, it is on account of any deficiency in facilities or means. Of believed, would greatly diminish this item of expendi- the first, nature has been libera! in her gifts; of the last the state can furnish an abundance.

ture.

The country above the Wyoming valley is supplied - with merchandize from the city of New York. The surplus products are floated down the river, sold, and the proceeds taken in cash by the merchants to N. York, and there laid out in goods, which are transported by water to some point upon the Hudson; or, by the Erie canal, to the head of the Seneca or Cayuga lake; and thence by wagons to the valley of the Susquehanna. Indeed, a considerable portion of the merchandize at this time, vended in Luzerne county, is purchased in New York, and thence transported by wagons-the difference in the distance between Wilkesbarre and Philadelphia, | and Wilkesbarre and New York, being very trifling. When a canal shall have been constructed along the valley of the Susquehanna, from the northern boundary of the state, to intersect the Pennsylvania canal, the whole country above that point will be supplied with merchandize from the city of Philadelphia, and most of the produce of the country will find its way there to market. Until this is done, Philadelphia can never enjoy the trade of the Susquehanna. Hence, to the interest of the state in general, and to the city of Philadelphia in particular, the necessity and importance of this great improvement.

Of the two thousand arks which descended the Susquehanna last year, at least fifteen hundred must have received their lading above Harrisburg. The lumber, which annually descends the river, is estimatod at 175 millions of feet, the whole, or nearly the whole, of which, comes also from the country above Harrisburg. As before stated, the whole of this property nearly, in ordinary seasons, and in the present state of the river navigation, must arrive in the course of a week or ten days-and when arrived at this point, the principal part of the expenses will have been incurred; and the flood having borne it thus far, will quickly bear it further, and with trifling additional expense. Under these circumstances, it never can be expected that the trade of the Susquehanna will stop at any point where the Pennsylvania canal shall intersect that river-that the owners will unload, store, and reload, and incur all the expense, vexation, and delay, incident to a trans-shipment to Philadelphia by the Union or any other canal, connecting the Susquehanna and the Schuylkill or Delaware.

If there was a safe and easy ascending and descending navigation by canal, along the valley of the Susquehanna, the products of the country would not be hurried to market in the course of a few days, in time of a high flood, in craft of unwieldy size and frail structure; but the season would be occupied in their transportation in boats which could pass through the Pennsylvania canal to Philadelphia; losses by accident and exposure would seldom or never occur; an immense saving would be made in the item of arks, the trade would annually and rapidly increase; the extensive forests of wild lands upon our northern border would be immediately settled

Another and a very important question presents itself in the examination of this subject. Is it probable that the annual tolls upon the proposed canal will amount to the interest of the capital expended on its construction?

No estimate has been made of the expense; but from the report of Mr. Bennet, the average cost per mile may reasonably be estimated at eight thousand dollars. If the Pennsylvania canal should be located by the West Branch route, (the distance from the northern line of the state being one hundred and sixty-one miles,) the expense of constructing the canal would be $1,288,000. The annual interest of which will amount to $77,280 If the Juniata route should be adopted, the length of the canal would be increased to 197 miles, which, by the above estimate, will amount to 1,576,000. The annual interest of which will be $94,560.

Of the vegetable products of the Susquehanna valley, it is estimated that more than one-third comes from the country above the West Branch, and at least two-thirds above the Juniata. This, in the present state of the river navigation, is annually increasing, and with the advantage of a canal navigation, would soon be more than doubled. In the exportation of the mineral products of the country very little has as yet been done. Inconsiderable quantities of anthracite coal, from the Wyoming valley, have for several years past been floated down in arks; but the losses by accidents, and in the item of arks have been so great, and the markets have been so uncertain along the river, as to deter capitalists from engaging extensively in the business.

The anthracite coal formation extends from the sources of the Lackawanna, along the valley of that stream to the Wyoming valley; thence through the Wyoming valley to the hills near Berwick, making together, a distance of eighty miles. This coal tract is from half a mile to five miles wide, and is estimated at an average width of two miles; throughout the whole of which, coal is found in strata of from five to forty feet thick. Estimating the average thickness of the stratum of coal at twelve feet, (which is below the fact,) this region contains one thousand three hundred ninety-five millions eight hundred and seventy thousand tons of coal, which with all the capital which could advantageously be invested in the business, and with all the facilities of canal navigation, could not be exhausted in ten thousand years.

It is believed that upon the construction of a canal, the exports of this mineral would soon amount to 50,000 tons annually, and would probably be increased to 100,000. Estimating the annual exports of coal from the Wyoming valley and the contiguous coal region, at 50,000 tons, and the toll at one cent. per ton per mile, the tolls upon this mineral alone, to the Swatara, the distance of one hundred and nineteen miles, would annually amount to $59,500. The return tonnage by the canal

1829.]

DIFFICULTIES OF TRADE AND CURRENCY.

boats, might fairly be estimated at one-fifth of the descending tonnage, which would increase the tolls upon the coal trade alone to $71,400, which, with the tolls upon other articles of trade, would immediately amount to more than the interest upon the capital expended, and at no very distant day, enable the state to pay off the debt which must necessarily be contracted in the construction of the canal.

The foregoing facts and observations have been thrown together in great haste, without order or method; and it is frankly admitted that errors may be discovered in them; but it is insisted that they are generally correct; and that the more the subject is examined, the necessity and importance of a canal along the valley of the Susquehanna will appear more strikingly clear and conclusive.

All which is respectfully submitted.

DAVID SCOTT,

One of the canal commissioners of Penn'a. Harrisburg, Feb. 2d, 1827.

"From the survey of Mr. Bennet, it is ascertained that the total distance from the northern line of the state upon the Tioga or Chemung river to Northumberland, is 161 miles 18 chains Total fall 343,413 feet.

From the state line on the Susquehanna to Northumberland,

is

Fall

161 miles 5 chains.
337,093 feet.

19.

erected for that purpose; and that the sums so lent out' should be annually repaid into the office in such equal sums or quotas, as would effectually sink the whole capital sum of forty five thousand pounds within the time limited by the aforesaid acts; which sum being computed in silver, as it was then received and paid among us, and reduced to sterling money of Great Britain, amounts to £29,090 13 4; but in the year 1726, the sum of £6,110 58. part of the capital sum of forty-five thousand pounds, by virtue of the two aforesaid acts, being totally sunk and destroyed, the province found themselves greatly straightened by means thereof, and likely to become subject to many disappointments and losses, for want of a sufficient medium in trade, if the remaining quotas or payments, should continue to be sunk according to the direction of the acts; therefore, an act was passed for continuing the remaining sum of $38,889 15, for and during the term of eight years, by re-emitting, or lending out again, the quotas or sums to be paid in, by the respective borrowers on the same securities and provisions as were directed by the former acts.

The bills of credit, emitted in the year 1723, being thus reduced by the sinking of the aforesaid sum, and the inhabitants of the province growing exceeding numerous through the importation of foreigners and others settling among us; by which means the trade became greatly enlarged; and the difficulties still increased, and the province found themselves under the necessity of making an addition to those bills of credit; and accordingly, in the year 1729, the further sum of thirty thouFrom the surveys already made, and from the geologi-sand pounds was then created, and issued upon the same cal structure of Pennsylvania, it is doubted whether there can be found within her limits, so great a distance, in so direct a line, requiring so little lockage. The average fall per mile, in the whole distance, is but a fraction more than two feet; and from the head of Wyoming valley to Northumberland, a distance of sewenty-one miles, including the two principal falls upon this branch of the river, (the Nantecoke and Nescopeck) the average fall per mile is a fraction less than one foot nine inches.

The Susquehanna and its tributaries afford abundant supplies of water; and it is believed they may be used at every desirable point, as feeders to a canal.

From the report of Mr. Bennet, it appears that the proportion of rock excavation will be unusually small, when compared with the distance on either side of the river; and that the soil throughout the whole explored route, is principally alluvial, composed of clay, sand, and some mixture of ground, in which clay predominates, is of a firm texture, and of easy excavation.

It is believed that few, if any, of the narrow passes, where the bases of the mountains or hills composed of rock, form the banks of the river, present greater difficulties in the construction of a canal, than are to be met with at Peter's, Short, and the Kittatinney mountains; and that no point upon the whole line presents impediments so formidable, as are found at Butler's falls, upon the Delaware, where the canal of the Hudson and Delaware canal company is now in successful progress."

DIFFICULTIES OF TRADE AND CURRENCY.

(Continued from p. 8.)

security of real estates, in fee simple, to be mortgaged in double the value of the sum lent, and to be paid in by yearly quotas, and sunk and destroyed as the former acts, passed in the year 1723, had provided and directed in the case.

In the year 1731, the acts for issuing bills of credit, passed in the year 1723, being near expired, and the annual quotas remaining due on the said acts, by virtue thereof, being at this time to be sunk and destroyed, which would unavoidably have involved the merchants, as well as farmers in new difficulties, and laid the province under a necessity of making new acts of assembly for emitting more bills of credit in lieu thereof, an act was then passed for continuing the value and currency of those bills, for the term of eight years, by lending out the same as they became due, with the same provisions, and on the same real securities, provided for and directed by the former acts.

The amount of the bills of credit in the present year 1739, by virtue of the several aforesaid acts, amounting only to £69,889 15, from the daily increase of the inhabitants, and the continued importation of foreigners among us, being found by experience, to fall short of a proper medium for negociating our commerce, and for the support of government, an act was passed for creating and issuing a farther sum of eleven thousand one hundred and ten pounds five shillings, and for continuing the whole amount of our bills of credit for a short term of years, under the same real securities, and with the same provisions and limitations as directed by the former acts; by means of which additional sum the whole amount of the bills of credit, current in the province, is at this time eighty thousand pounds; which sum being

In 1739, the following report of the different issues of computed, as now purchased here, and reduced to sterBills, was made to the house.

An Account of the several Acts passed in the province of Pennsylvania, for creating or issuing paper bills, or bills of credit, with the account of those bills, and the value thereof, in money of Great Britain, &e. &c.

"In the year 1723, two acts were passed for creating the first bills of credit, by which forty-five thousand pounds were issued; and for the effectual discharging, or sinking the said bills, it was therein provided and enacted, that a real estate in fee simple, of double the value of the sum lent out, should be secured in an office,

ling money of Great Britain, makes £50,196, Yet, notwithstanding merchants and others have given some advance to purchase gold and silver, we are assured, from experience, that difference arises only from the balance of our trade with Great Britain, being in our avour, by means of the far greater quantity of English goods imported into this province since the creating and issuing our bills of credit; for the adventurers advancing the price of their commodities; and, encouraged by meeting with a ready sale, became great gainers, while wheat, flour, and all the valuable produce of the province, continued at or near the usual prices, and are at this time

to be purchased with our bills of credit as low or lower than has been almost ever known, when gold and silver were the medium of our trade; and all tradesmen, hired servants, and other labourers, have always been, and are still, paid at the same rates and no more, for their labour than they formerly received before the creating or issuing our bills of credit."

and Silver, or Sterling Money. But such Alterations and Addition as have been since made, we have comprized in the following Account.

In the Year 1745, an Act of Assembly was passed for continuing the Currency of the aforesaid 80,0001. for sixteen Years; during the first ten Years; whereof the whole sum is to be kept up, by lending out or re-emit

Accompanying that report was the following state-ting the Yearly Quotas, or Payments, as they become

ment of the value of gold and silver in the province at different periods.

"An account of the several rates of gold and silver coin, and what prices they were accounted, received, taken and purchased at, and sold for by the ounce; and what rates of gold and silver coin, are purchased at, and sold for, by the ounce, at this time.

From the year 1700, to the year 1709, gold was received and paid at five pounds ten shillings per ounce; and silver at nine shillings and two pence per ounce. From the year 1709 to the year 1720, gold was received and paid at five pounds ten shillings per ounce; and silver at six shillings and ten pence half penny per

ounce.

Penalties and Restrictions, as directed by former Acts: due, upon the same real Securities, and under the same In which, besides obliging the Borrowers to give Land, Plate or Houses in Security, of double the Value of the Sum borrowed, it is further provided, that no one person shall borrow more than 1.100. And after the Expiration of ten Years as aforesaid, the Act provides, that one sixth Part of all the Bills of Credit shall be paid in yearly, in order to be sunk and destroyed; by which in sixteen Years from the Time of issuing those Bills, Means the whole 1.80,000 is to be paid in and destroyed which was the 15th of October, 1746.

King's Use, to be sunk in ten yearly Payments, of 1,500 In the year 1746, an Act was past giving 1.5000 to the each, by the Treasurer, out of Money arising from the From the year 1720 to the year 1723, gold was re- Excise, yearly payable into his hands. Which Bills of ceived and paid at five pounds ten shillings per ounce; of the said Act, and applied by Colonel Thomas, then Credit were accordingly made and issued, in Pursuance and silver coin was purchased with gold, at seven shill-Lieutenant Governor, to an Expedition at that Time on ings and five pence per ounce.

From the year 1723 to the year 1726, gold was purchased and sold at six pounds six shillings and six pence per ounce, and silver at eight shillings and three pence

per ounce.

From the year 1726 to the year 1730, gold was purchased at six pounds three shillings and nine pence per ounce, and silver at eight shillings and one penny per

ounce.

From the year 1730 to the year 1738, gold was purchased and sold at six pounds nine shillings and three pence; and silver at eight shillings and nine pence per

ounce.

[blocks in formation]

Submitted to the correction of the House, by

ISAAC NORRIS,
THOMAS LEECH,
ABRAHAM CHAPMAN,
JAMES MORRIS,

JOHN KEARSLEY,
ISRAEL PEMBERTON.

Philadelphia, November 23, 1739."

In 1749, the subject of the currency was again taken into consideration, and the following account rendered of bills emitted from 1739 to that time.

In obedience to the order of the House, we have taken into our consideration the present state of the bills of credit which have been issued, and are now current in the province of Pennsylvania, and the times appointed by law for paying in and sinking the same; together with the value of the whole sum of those bills in sterling money of Great Britain. And we do report,

That in the Year 1739, an Account was settled by the Assembly, of all the Bills of Credit issued by several Acts from their first Emission in the year 1723, to that Time; by which it appears, that the sum of 1.80,000 and no more, was then current in this Province; which being reduced to sterling money of Great Britain, a mounted to 1.50,196. At which Time also, the same Assembly, upon an exact and careful Enquiry, settled the Rates of Gold and Silver Coin, by ascertaining the Prices at which they were received and paid, or bought and sold, from the Year 1700 to that Year. Since which, our Bills of Credit have continued nearly the same, both in the total sum, and the Value, when reduced to Gold

Bills of Credit current in this Province at this time is Foot against Canada: So that the whole Amount of 1.85,000, and no more; which reduced to Sterling Money of Great Britain is 1.53,333 6 8.

Experience much below the Sum necessary to carry on Permit us to add, that our Paper Bills being found by our Trade, which of late Years has been very much encreased, especially to Great Britain; and yet should we be deprived of those Paper Bills, small as the sum is, it would in a great Measure disable us from paying the yearly Balance of Trade against us to our Mother country, and consequently oblige us to engage in sundry Manufactures here, which we have from thence. Though our Payments at this Time are chiefly in Gold and Silver, which for several Years have passed current among us at Eight Shillings and Six-pence per Ounce for Silver, and Six Pounds Five Shillings per Ounce for Gold; and at those Rates are continually remitted Home, but must be detained here, if we are deprived of our other Currency.

Submitted to the Correction of the House, by

ISRAEL PEMBERTON,
THOMAS LEECH,

EDWARD WARNER,

JAMES MORRIS."

PROGRESS OF LITERATURE IN PENNSYL-
VANIA.

(Continued from vol. II. p. 334-)

A writer on the provincial literature of Pennsylvania, to whose researches we have been occasionally indebted in our progress, states that

1764 and 1765. The great question of expediency, of "Political pamphlets and essays abounded in the years changing the form of government from a proprietary to a regal one, was one of the first discussed. Then came the subject of the Indian massacre in Lancaster county, and the question of the policy of the government towards this race; and lastly, the right to call upon the citizens to bear arms; and, as involved in this, the doctrine of the lawfulness of war, and the expediency of the system of government, pursued by the Quakers, were vigorously contested. The principal writers were Dr. Franklin, Joseph Galloway, John Dickinson, and Dr. Smith. Franklin opposed the proprietary interest, and in consequence thereof, at the election in 1764, lost his

*Notes on the Provincial Literature of Pennsylvania, by Thomas I. Wharton,

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