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. 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, because 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 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 ■tatement, 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. 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,' 31 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 viewed or opened. Your Memorialists further petition the Legislature to enact, That, in the year 1829, and afterwards at every triennial 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. And your Memorialists further petition for such relief on the grievances herein complained of, as shall to the Legislature seem expedient. CARRIERS' ADDRESS. Health to my PATRONS! May the seasons bless In various climes, as soon as arts and laws, 32 Laws after laws, in barb'rous custom's spite, To sons and grandsons spread the holy flame; And with surprise they found their product fame. Since then what num'rous and successful schemes The laws their Tilghman and their Wilson join- Swells the proud list and crowds the lengthen'd song. 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? 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. GRAIN MEASURED. Account of Grain measured at Philadelphia in the year 1828, per returns of J. P. Færing, Head Measurer. 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. [Philadelphia Price Current. 207,626 471,788 16,978 20,763 27,099 744,242 | Note-This table includes such grain only as is "water borne" to market, and of this it does not embrace the whole quantity. COMMERCE OF PHILADELPHIA. Of the business done during the year, we have no comments to offer. Our coasting business has greatly increaaed, and by the following statement, it appears ing the last seven years we have had the following arri that our foreign trade is not in a sinking condition. Durvals: Years. Foreign. 1822, 494 1212 1706 1018 1500 1824, 1482 1825, 1679 1826, 1677 1827, 1789 1828, schooners, and 2 steamboats nearly ready for launching. In addition to the above, there are 2 ships, 5 brigs, 3 Ibid. The Lancaster Journal of the 12th December states Susquehanna, has ascended the Conestogo to that city. that "a boat loaded with wood and Locust posts from the 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. 3. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 17, 1829. EARLY HISTORY. ACCOUNT OF EXPENSES ON INDIAN AFFAIRS. NO. 55. these Occasions, leaving the rest to be paid by the Proprietary. After the Comniencement of the late War, the Assembly thought it proper to demonstrate, that they were "In Pursuance of the Order of the House, we have not induced by mercenary Motives, to refuse joining in examined the Journals of the Proceedings of the As-the making any Military Preparations, and therefore consemblies of this Province, on what relates to the Charges |tributed towards cultivating our Friendship with the Inof Treaties and other Affairs with the Indians, by which | dians, and on several other Occasions, more largely than ́ we find, before that Time had ever been done by their Predecessors. in That the Expences on these Occasions were very considerable 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 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 sideration of the Proportion the People should pay of such Charges as may hereafter arise on the like Occasions; which is nevertheless submitted to the House. ISRAEL PEMBERTON, junior, JOHN SMITH, first attempt, is probably even more precious in the eye of the agriculturist than that to which more experience contributed its powerful aid, as it shows to the new beginner, what may be done at the commencement. The quality of the specimen of silk sent us, is far superior to any thing we had imagined had been arrived at in our country. It is equal to that of many ladies' dresses, and such as no lady would be ashamed to wear on any occasion. This silk is the product of a few eggs sent the young lady three years ago, in a letter, by Mr. Reed, who, as our readers have had occasion to know, is an intelligent encourager of agricultural improvement. In force Signified to me by Lre. from Mr. Justice Whitwell and John Hillyard which I believe he will in noe wise attempt now whatever he hath done formerly therefore Cann give no other Directions then that you fully assert and maintain your Authority and Rights against any that shall oppose or annoy you, and if any Demand or Pretence made to take noe Notice thereof but Refer them hither and in noe Case admitt any Charge or Alteration or any, pretended Court or Authority without Order from myself Who am Resolved to keep yor. Parts as settled under this his Royll. Highness Governmt. and to the uttermost preserve the Rights and Propertyes of the Inhabitants from any Innovation whatsoever and re-his letter, he says that the stores in Washington county, maine Yor affectionate Friend A. B. The Commander and Council's Decl. on Esqr. Penn's 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 eulogium 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. 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, Total, Tons. 47,070 5,000 52,070 30,232 Tons 82,303 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 That John Dickinson, Esq. William Smith, D. D.* the public Records of this Province Doth and may more Edward Pennington*, Joseph Fox, John Nixon*, John at large appear and we being fully satisfied of the said M. Nesbit, Samuel Howell*, Thomas Mifflin*, Joseph William Penn's Right to the Possession and Enjoyment Reed, Thomas Wharton, jun.*, Benjamin Marshal, Joof the Premises have therefore thought fitt and neces-seph Moulder*, Thomas Barclay*, George Clymer*, sary 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. Governmt. 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. Whore kill at Delaware or within any of the Bounds and Limitts above mentioned. SILK. 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. 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 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 theed the rest from attending. Those marked with (*) after their names, signed the above letter, business and avocations having prevent .1829.] MEETINGS ON BOSTON PORT BILL. We have received your very interesting letter, together with a letter from the town of Boston, and the vote they have passed on the present alarming occasion; and such measures have been pursued thereon as the shortness of the time would allow. To collect the sense of this large city is difficult; and when their sense is obtained, they must not consider themselves as authorised to judge or to act for this populous province, in a busi- | ness so deeply interesting as the present is to all British America. A very respectable number of the inhabitants of this city was, however, assembled last evening, to consult what was proper to be done; and after reading the sundry papers you transmitted to us, and also a letter from the committee of correspondence in New York, the enclosed resolves were passed, in which you may be assured we are sincere, and that you are considered as now suffering in the general cause. But what further advice to offer you on this sad occasion, is a matter of the greatest difficulty; which not only requires more mature deliberation, but also that we should take the necessary steps to obtain the general sentiments of our fellow inhabitants of this province, as well as of our sister colonies. If satisfying the East India Company for the damage they have sustained, would put an end to this unhappy controversy, and leave us on the footing of constitutional liberty for the future, it is presumed that neither you nor we could continue a moment in doubt what part to act; for it is not the value of the tax, but the indefeasible right of giving and granting our own money (a RIGHT FROM WHICH WE CAN NEVER RECEDE) that is the matter now in consideration. By what means, the truly desirable circumstance of a reconciliation and future harmony with our Mother country, on constitutional grounds, may be obtained, is indeed a weighty question: Whether by the method you have suggested, of a general non-importation and nonexportation agreement, or by a general congress of Deputies from the different colonies, clearly to state what we conceive to be our rights, and to make a claim or petition of them to his Majesty, in firm but decent and dutiful terms (so as that we may know by what line to conduct ourselves in future) are now the great points to be determined. The latter method, we have reason to think, would be most agreeable to the people of this province, and the first step that ought to be taken. The former may be reserved as our last resource, should the other fail, which, we trust, will not be the case, as many wise and good men in the Mother country begin to see the necessity of a good understanding with the colonies, upon the general plan of Liberty as well as Commerce. We shall endeavour, as soon as possible, to collect the sentiments of the people of this province and of the neighbouring colonies, on these grand questions; and should also be glad to know your sentiments thereon. In the mean time, with sincere fellow-feelings for your sufferings, and great regard to your persons. We are, &c. At a meeting of the Justices, the gentlemen of the bar, Grand Jury, and principal inhabitants of the county of Northampton, held at Easton, on the 21st of June inst.-George Taylor, Esq. in the Chair. 35 ing to destroy the liberties of North America, it was unanimously resolved as follows: 1. That the Act of Parliament for shutting up the port and harbour of Boston is an act of the highest oppression, and a violation of the liberties of America. 2. That as we consider the inhabitants of the said town as suffering in the common cause of American freedom, we will assist them to obtain redress by every legal act in our power. 3. That it is our opinion the most constitutional and effectual method for obtaining such redress is, by having a General Congress of Committees, to be composed and chosen out of the members of the different assemblies of each colony. 4. That a Committee be formed in this county, consisting of six persons, namely, William Edmunds, George Taylor, Lewis Gordon, John Okely, Peter Kachlein and Jacob Orndt, Esquires, to correspond with our brethren in Philadelphia, and the other counties of this province, and to co-operate with them in such measures, as shall be judged most proper for the general good. 5. That the Committee be desired to receive the sub scriptions of such charitable persons in this county, who shall incline to support the distressed and suffering inhabitants of the town of Boston; and resolved, that it is the duty of every inhabitant of this county to contribute, according to his circumstances, to relieve their suffering brethren; the monies raised by such subscriptions to be disposed of for the use of the inhabitants of the said town of Boston, in such way as the Committee shall think fit. 6. That William Edmunds, Esq. the Representative in Assembly for this county, be required by his brethren of the Committee of Correspondence now appointed, to attend and meet the other Representatives of Assembly of this province, in case the Speaker of the House shall think proper to call them together upon this deeply interesting and alarming occasion; and that it is the opinion of his constituents here, that he do give his attendance accordingly. York-Town, June 24, 1774. In consequence of a letter from the Committee of Philadelphia, the inhabitants of this town met on Monday the 21st ult. Michael Swope, Esq. was appointed Chairman, who explained the design and cause of the meeting; the distressed state of the inhabitants of Boston; and the nature and tendency of the Acts of Parliament lately passed. After due deliberation, the following Resolves were come into, nem con. 1. That we will concur with our brethren of Philadelphia and Sister Colonies, in any constitutional measure in order to obtain redress. 2. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the inhabitants of Boston are now suffering in the common cause of liberty. 3. It is directed, that to obtain the sense of our fellow inhabitants of York county upon the present important and alarming occasion, notice shall be given to the inhabitants of this county, that they, or such as shall be delegated by the several townships in the county, do meet at the Court-house in York-Town, on Monday the 4th of July next, at one o'clock in the afternoon, to enter into such Resolves as may be for the public good, and tend to restore the liberties of British America. A Committee of thirteen persons were then chosen for this town, to remain till altered by another general meeting, which they were authorised and directed to call. A letter from the Committee of Correspondence in the Province of Pennsylvania, to the Committee of Correspondence in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. PHILADELPHIA, June 28, 1774. Gentlemen-Your favour of the 28th ult. communi It being considered, that it was necessary for all the counties of this province to join with their brethren of Philadelphia, in expressing their sentiments upon the present interesting occasion, relative to the oppressive Acts of Parliament lately passed in Great Britain, tend-cating to us, by order of your House, the act of Parlia |