of cutlery. Nor the sav-mills, dye wood cutting-mills, brass and bell foundries, &c. which employ 24 steam engines. The number of yards for the building of flat, keel, and steam boats, I do not know exactly. This is one of the greatest places in the west, and in the world, for the building of steam-boats. The preceding paragraph gives a brief statement of the manufactories of Pittsburg alone. The following statement, obtained from a perfectly authentic source, embraces the manufactories of Pittsburgh and its vicinity-and, in some cases, of Alleghany and Westmoreland counties. I give it in detail, as it was furnished to me, that the reader may have some idea of the extent of the manufactures of this growing city, and of the region in the vicinity. 1. There are the following NAIL FACTORIES AND ROLLING MILLS, in Pittsburg and its vicinity. The weight of metal manufactured last year, (1831,) by each, together with the value of the manufactures, is given. 2. Foundries.-There are 12 Foundries in and near Pittsburg. During the last year, 2963 tons of metal were converted into castings, 132 hands employed, 87,000 bushels of coal consumed, and the value of the manufactures was $189,614. Exclusive of Pittsburg and its vicinity, there are 5 foundries in Alleghany and Westmoreland counties. 3. In and near Pittsburg, there are 37 steam engines, valued at $180,400, which employ 123 hands. 4. There are 8 cotton factories, with 369 looms, 598 hands, and worth $300,134. In the counties of Westmoreland and Allegheny, there are 5 cotton factories. 5. In Pittsburg, and the two counties above named, there are 8 paper mills, valued at $165,000. 6. There are in Pittsburg and its vicinity, 5 steam mills, which employ 50 hands. Value of their products annually, $80,000. 7. There are 5 brass foundries and 8 coppersmiths' shops. Value of the manufactures, $25,000. 8. Within the limits of the city, there are 30 blacksmiths' shops, which employ 136 hands. There are also 4 gunsmiths,and 9 silversmiths and watch repairers. 9. In Pittsburg, and the counties of Westmoreland and Alleghany, there are 26 saddleries and 41 tanneries. There are also 64 brick yards, and 11 potteries. 10. There are 4 white lead factories in the city, and 7,400 kegs made annually-value $27,900. There are also 4 breweries. 11. There are 6 printing offices in Pittsburg, and 6 more in the two counties. The estimated value of the manufactures of every kind in Pittsburg, and the counties of Alleghany and Westmoreland, last year, (1831,) was $3,978,469! In Alleghany and Westmoreland counties, the number of distilleries is now (March, 1832,) sixty-two; in 1830, it was one hundred and sixty-eight! There are, it is believed, not less than five or six thousand wagons arriving at this city every year from Philadelphia, loaded with merchandize for the west. Whilst the quantity of flour, whiskey, lumber, salt, &c. which is brought to this place by the roads, the canal, and the rivers, for exportation to the lower parts of the valley, is immense. I have no data for estimating the worth of the merchandize which is at present brought annually from the east. In 1818, it was estimated at 89,425 tons, and valued at $17,885,000! Much of the heavier kinds of merchandize, is now brought up from New Orleans by steam boats. The coal which abounds here is found in strata from 6 inches to 10, or more, feet in depth. And what is remarkable, it is found in the hills which overlook Pitts. burg at the height of about 300 feet above the bottom of the rivers. Below this one stratum, which is of about equal elevation, no other is found until you descend into the base of the hills below the bottom of the ri vers. It is not the fact that the great mass of these hills is coal. But a small portion of them is of this species of substance. Coal Hill, immediately opposite the city, on the west side of the Monongahela, is a great source of this kind of fuel. The miners have penetrated a great distance, and the coal is slided down the hill into boats, or deposited for the wagons, by a kind of rail-road, or inclined plane, to the alarm of many a passer-by. The perforations made in digging the coal reach, in some places, very far into the hilll It is worthy of a stranger's attention to explore the interior of these gloomy regions, survey the dark caverns and the pillars which sustain the superimposed mass of mountain, and contemplate the leaden-colored faces of the miners, as they meet his eye when the torch's gleam falls them. But let him not expect to escape upon without atoning for his temerity in entering these abodes of Pluto, or ather Plutus, by paying a suitable reward, either in money, or, as is too commonly the case in whiskey. To a stranger nothing is more imposing than to stand on the bank of the Monongahela above the Point, and survey the steam-boats as they depart on their long voyages down the Ohio, or when they arrive upon their return. There is something grand in seeing the large boats, of a beautiful form, and great power, marching up heavily loaded, overcoming the resistance of the current, and discharging at intervals their steam, which occasions a very loud and startling roar, re-echoed in quick succession from the hills which environ the city. Nothing is more striking to one who witnesses the scene for the first time. When the rivers are navigable, say during 7 or 8 months in the autumn and spring, nothing is more common than for several boats to arrive and depart daily, occasioning much activity in the trade of the city. Thousands of travellers here embark for the farther "West." There is much moral power in this city-much wealth and intelligence-many men of talents in the learned professions of law, medicine, and divinity, some of whom are extensively known in our country. In Pennsylvania there is no system of common schools established by the authorities of the state. Education has therefore depended upon the voluntary efforts of the people. Schools have generally been maintained by the inhabitants of each neighbourhood during some portion of the year. There are, however, many neighbourhoods where, owing to the sparseness of the population, or their poverty, or their want of interest in the subject, schools have been very inadequately supported. And in many places, the teachers are incompetent for want of knowledge, or grossly deficient in moral character. A change for the better is, however, going forward. In this city, and in most of the large towns and larger villages, and in many of the most populous neighbourhoods, very respectable schools are maintained. Academies are also established in all the larger towns, and the higher branches of learning taught in many of them. I would remark in this place, that there is a great demand in West Pennsylvania for good school teachers; they would find certain and profitable employment. As I intend to give a full account of the colleges, and other literary institutions of the valley of the Mississippi, in a separate chapter, I shall not here speak of the colleges, &c. of Western Pennsylvania, but only refer the reader to that chapter. For the same reason, I shall say nothing here respecting the religious denominations of the west, but reserve what I have to say on that subject for a distinct chapter. I shall now close this description of Western Pennsylvania, with a few general remarks. 1. This portion of our country has occupied a considerable place in the annals of our nation. Seventy years ago, it was the abode of numerous tribes of Indians. The French claimed much of this region, and had several fortified posts in it, and with their Indian allies carried terror and death into the adjoining English settlements in the east. The principal of these fortifications was Fort Du Quesne, which was subsequently called Pittsburg, in honour of the distinguished statesman under whose auspices this country was brought under the influence of British sway. Many indeed were the brave and enterprising settlers who fell amid a long continued, and vindictive, but successful war, during which savage cruelty, and civilized inhumanity and stratagem, bedewed these hills and valleys with blood, and caused the voice of lamentation, uttered by sorrowing widows and fatherless children, to be heard in many a distant neighbourhood. It was here that our beloved Washington learned the arts of war in successful and unsuccessful campaigns against the Indians and their Canadian allies. In 1753, he was sent by the lieutenant governor of Virginia, to warn the French to leave this region of country, which, as well as what is now Ohio, Indiana, &c. they had commenced occupying. In 1754, he was again sent with the title and command of a major, to dislodge the French and Indians from the post which they had commenced fortifying at the junction of the Monongahela and Alleghany. At a place called the "Little Meadows," (ten miles east of Uniontown,) in the immediate vicinity of which the national road from Cumberland to Wheeling now passes, he was attacked by a numerous body of French and Indians. Having only one regiment, and protected only by a small stockade, he was compelled to surrender; which he did on honourable terms. In 1755, Col. Washington again marched out to this region, as an aid-de-camp to Gen. Braddock. The disastrous issue of this expedition is too well known to be repeated here. On the east bank of the Monongahela, where an excellent female seminary now stands, the British and American forces met with a terrible defeat. Braddock, mortally wounded in the battle, soon after died, and in the retreat, the remnant of the army was commanded by Washington until its arrival at Dunbar's camp, in the neighbourhood of the Little Meadows. About half a mile westward of the latter place, by the road side, Braddock was buried. His bones, many years afterwards, were taken to England. In 1758, the British General Forbes marched against Fort Du Quesne. Col. Grant who commanded the advance with 809 Scotchmen, was defeated on the hill which bears his name. But in November of that year, this fortification surrendered. This event gave security to the emigrants, who now began to settle in this region. In 1759 Quebec was captured. In 1763, this war was ended by the treaty of Paris.* 2. In 1790, congress passed a law imposing excise duties upon spirits distilled in the United States. This law was violently opposed in many parts of the country, especially in the western part of Pennsylvania. During the period of 1790-94, many meetings were held by the malcontents at Pittsburg, Brownsville, Parkinson's Ferry, (now Williamsport,) on the Monongahela, Braddock's Field, and other places, where violent measures were adopted to defeat the law, and prevent the government officers from doing their duty. Many outrages were committed. The whole country became a scene of disorder. The marshal of the United States for this district, was openly resisted, and escaped for his life, down the Ohio, after the burning of General Neville's house, which was done by the insurgents, because the marshal was harboured there. It is impos sible for any one, who did not live on the spot, rightly to conceive of the deplorable state of things. Matters waxed worse and worse. Neighbourhoods were torn to pieces by dissensions; houses and other property bega n to be burned by the rebels; and there was at length but little security for life, especially to those who stood forward prominently in behalf of the government. Meanwhile the government did all that it could, consistently with dignity and justice, to conciliate the disaffected. The laws were modified, proclamations were issued, and an amnesty proffered. But all in vain. At length, President Washington, having the proper sanction of the supreme court, called on the governments of the neighbouring states in 1794, for their aid in quelling this insurrection. And in the autumn of that year, 12,000 men from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, advanced upon the insurgents by way of Bedford and Cumberland. Governor Lee, of Virginia, commanded; and, under him were the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The advance of this formidable force soon settled the difficulty. The prof. fered terms of pardon were accepted. A few of the chief leaders of the rebellion, who were found, were taken to Philadelphia for trial. No life was lost; the liberty poles disappeared; the "whiskey boys" quietly submitted; and thus happily ended the “Whiskey Insurrection.”* 3. Western Pennsylvania presents many and strong inducements to eastern emigrants, especially to such as desire to remove-not exactly to a new and uncultivated country-but to one where the wilderness has given place, in a good degree, to cultivated fields. And there are many such emigrants, who, possessing a considerable amount of property, wish to purchase in a country where land, although fertile and cultivated, is much cheaper than it is in favourable situations in the older states. Such emigrants will find much cultivated land in West Pennsylvania, of a good quality, convenient to market, or to the natural and artificial channels of trade, which abound in this section of our country. Rivers and roads are found in almost every part, leading to the great marts of business, either in the east or the west. Canals are adding to these facilities, and soon rail-roads will still more increase them. Farms can be purchased for various prices, in this entire region, according to their relative advantages for trade, and proximity to market towns. It is impossible to state these prices with much accuracy. Some good farms will cost 8 or 10 dollars per acre, in a good state of cultivation, and having houses, barns, &c. In more favourable situations they will cost from 15 to 25 dollars per acre; and in the neighbourhood of considerable towns, they will command even a greater price per acre. The advantages of this country for trade, agriculture, the raising of live stock, &c. have already been mentioned. Many thousands of sheep are raised in Washington county, and in other counties, for the production of wool. And this business is found to be profitable. Whilst manufactures of iron, cotton, wool, &c. &c. now employ profitably a vast amount of capital. The climate of West Pennsylvania is eminently salubrious. Of this I speak from long and intimate knowledge. It is essentially the climate of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania, as it regards temperature, excepting so far as it is modified by elevation, which is very considerable in every portion, and especially along the mountain ranges and valleys. The Ohio at Pittsburg is 678 feet above the Atlantic ocean off Philadelphia, and the hills around are from 400 to 500 feet higher. The morals of the people are generally good. Intemperance is rapidly diminishing. Religion was early * For a full account of this insurrection, the reader is • Marshall's History of the American Colonies, chap. referred to the history of it, written by the late Hon. ers X.-XII. Mr. Findlay, of Westmoreland county. SUMMARY REPORT. planted in this region, and has a great influence upon the public mind. The preaching of the gospel is enjoy. ed in almost every part. Schools are improving, and Sunday schools, with libraries, are becoming to a good degree general. Whilst colleges are numerous, and some of them very good, and all of them affording an education to young men at a moderate rate of expense. Manual labour schools are also establishing, which are opening the doors of science to the gifted sons of the humblest and the poorest. Upon a survey of all these circumstances, I think it may be truly said that this portion of the west holds out many inducements to eastern emigrants. NATURAL CURIOSITY.-There is now in this place a negro boy, the property of Joseph Draper, Esq., who is turning entirely white. His body is nearly white, and his face entirely so, with the exception of a few spots the size of a dollar; and what is more remarkable, his skin presents the appearance of a white child, the rose and lily beautifully combined; he presents altogether a curious appearance, and the beholder is struck with something like awe on the first view. His parents are remarkably black.-Wythe (Va.) Argus. CHOLERA RECORD. TABLE SHOWING WHERE THE CASES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE OCCURRED. 49 396 238 193 6 Including one case in Passyunk. +Residence of one case not given. Two cases in Passyunk. tt Including 5 new cas, & 1 d. at the marine barracks. REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. VOL. X.-NO. 10. PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 8, 1832. NO. 245. A STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE SCHUYL-ver with frequent floods which no common works of KILL PERMANENT BRIDGE, Communicated to the Philadelphia Society of Agriculture, 1806, by the late Judge Peters. art within their reach, have heretofore been capable of withstanding. Although these attributes are not to a certain degree uncommon, yet, in this river they are cluded The state of Pennsylvania has long been deservedly peculiarly dangerous. They occur at irregular pefamed for the multitude and excellence of its bridges riods, and often at seasons of the year when floods are over the various smaller streams, by which it is inter- times created doubts of the practicability of any permagenerally unexpected. These circumstances, at all sected. But no permanent means of transportation nent erection. The depth of the water opposite to the across the large and widely extensive rivers, flowing in and through, or bounding, this fertile and flourishing city added to the difficulties and apprehensions. The region, had, until a late period, been attempted. That expense in the early periods of its establishment, prethrown lately over the Schuylkill, at the west end of who then inhabited Philadelphia and its vicinity. In the any plan, requiring large expenditures by those High or Market street of the city of Philadelphia; one over the same river at Reading; those over the Lehigh year 1723, March 30th, a law was enacted "by the at Bethlehem, Weiss's ferry, and one near its discharge sent of the freemen of the province, in General AssemGovernor," Sir William Keith, "by and with the coninto the Delaware; have begun the career of hydraulic architecture, which will increase the celebrity of this bly met," (which shows the then style of the laws,) enstate in that important branch of public improvement. Schuylkill, at the end of the High street of Philadeltitled, "An act for establishing a ferry over the river A bridge over the Delaware, at Easton, connecting phia," granting to the then mayor and commonalty, the Pennsylvania with the state of New Jersey, is in great right to make and maintain causeways, on both sides of forwardness;* under the direction of Mr. T. Palmer. the river, and to erect a ferry at the west end of High One on a peculiar construction, and highly necessary street. Certain tolls were then fixed; which the prefor the passage of the mails, and other constant transportation, upon the great post road of communication, sent rates do not in any case far exceed, and in many between the cities of Philadelphia and New York, is much and liberally reduced. No person or persons instances, i. e. for country produce and manure, are recently finished. It is situated at Morrisville, and near Trenton, on the Delaware; and also connects the states (without violating that law) could then, or can now, of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This latter has been "keep or use any boat or canoe, for transporting any erected at the expense of a company, under the super-person or persons, creatures or carriages, for hire or intendence of Mr. Theodore Burr, who, as well as Mr. Palmer, is a self-taught and ingenious American bridge builder, and has evidenced much talent as well as industry in this structure. pay, over the said river, in any other place between these ferries, now called Roach's (late Ashton's, now Sherridine's) and Blunston's (late Grays') ferries on the said river, besides the ferry thereby established." The success of the Schuylkill bridge, as far as it had By virtue of this law, the corporation of the city have held and exercised this exclusive franchise, from the time proceeded, was exemplary; and instigated the commencement of this work, as well as encouragement in of its being so granted until their transfer thereof to the its prosecution. All these erections are highly honour- present Permanent Bridge Company. The ferry was able to those who promoted, supported, and complet-maintained, and generally used, until the floating bridges were thrown over. In times of interruption of the passage ed them. But that over the Schuylkill is the only suc- of those bridges, by ice and floods, (which too frequentcessful undertaking of the kind, attempted and carried to perfection in and over a deep tide water. It has been ly occurred,) the boat was resorted to, for temporary attended with the most difficulty and expense; and has, transportation, and always kept in readiness for use. in consequence, more particularly called forth the talents, exertions,and perseverance of those engaged in it. The Schuylkill, which washes the western front of the city of Philadelphia, although it affords great advantages, had long been attended with many serious inconveniencies. The frequent interruption of passage by ice and floods; and the inefficient and uncertain mode of crossing heretofore practised, had, for a long course of years, employed the thoughts and attention of many ingenious and public-spirited members of the commu. nity. The character of this river is wild, and, in times of floods, rapid and formidable; and to any structure of slight materials, ruinous and irresistible. Its borders, to an extent of one hundred miles, are skirted by precipitous mountains and hills. Its tributary streams, suddenly filled, in seasons of rains, or melting snows, with the torrents rushing down their sides, without notice or time for precaution, fill the ri Since the account was drawn up, it is completed in its frame, which, after the example of the Schuylkill bridge, is covered. VOL. X. 19 In December, 1776, when the British troops had overran, and nearly subjugated the state of New Jersey, General Washington, apprehensive of being forced to retreat, with the shattered remnants of his patriotic but enfeebled army, wrote to General Putnam, then commanding in Philadelphia, directing him to take measures for the speedy passage of the Schuylkill, in case of urgent necessity. Orders were at the same time given to collect all the boats attainable at Wright's and other ferries on the Susquehanna. No pontoons existed with which to comply with the orders of the commander-in-chief. It fell to the lot of the individual who originated the project of the present Permanent Bridge, and who then held a confidential office under the United States, to be consulted on the subject. Having advised with some ship-wrights, a bridge of boats was at first thought of; but finally one of ship carpenter's floating stages, used for graving ships, was concluded upon. This plan, on being suggested by him to General Putnam, was instantly adopted and promptly executed. The critical and masterly stroke made on the British auxiliaries at Trenton, superseded its military use at that period. It gave, however, the first idea of the float ing bridges over the Schuylkill, composed of buoyant logs for the support of a platform of planks; two whereof now remain, at Gray's and Sherridine's ferries. There does not appear to be any express authority by law for the establishment of these bridges. The act of 1723 recognizes the two ferries of Roach and Blunston. An act passed since the revolution, regulates and directs the lowering the ropes of ferries, and opening the bridges (which had each slip pieces for this purpose,) within a certain time, on notice, under a penalty. This implied permission appears to be the only warrant for their continuance. The first of the log bridges was erected by the executive of the state. This was either much injured or destroyed. on a kind of wharf, containing stone promiscuously thrown in. On such an uncertain, shifting, and unstable foundation more modern projectors have contemplated erecting wooden superstructures; and are not yet persuaded of their being dangerous and insecure. If such should succeed in a river of tranquil current and level bottom, they are not calculated for one frequently impetuous in the extreme; in some parts of its bed covered with mud, in others uncommonly unequal and rocky. Still more ineligible, in one irregular in its depths; which suddenly vary, at small distances, so as to afford no encouragement to depend on any foundations or supports for a bridge, but those of solid masonry; and this founded on the rock which stretches across its bottom. Without entering into controversy on the merits or defects of these plans, which were proposed for the position of the present bridge, they are barely enumerated, with some of the objections to their establishment. A bridge was constructed by the British army in 1777, when in possession of the city, on pontoons or large boats. But this not sufficiently answering their purposes, another was thrown over, composed of planks supported by floating logs after the pattern, and perhaps with part of the materials of the one which had succeeded the bridge of stages, and is probably the one Before the revolution, at various periods, citizens of now at Gray's ferry. One of the pontoons, used by the intelligence and talents had abandoned the idea of erectBritish, prolonged the hostility which occasioned its ing a bridge, in the deep tide water, opposite the city. fabrication. Two of the piles of the coffer dam sunk for They sought for situations, less difficult, and higher up the erection of the western pier of the present perma- the river. Applications were presented to the General nent bridge, were obstructed by a part of one of those Assembly of the province, and surveys and accurate boats which had been accidentally sunk in 1777, twenty-examinations were made, under the directions of a comeight feet below common low water. It occupied part mittee of the legislature. The places viewed were of the area of the dam, with one end projecting under Peters's Island, and the fording place, nearer the falls, two of the piles of the inner row; and had nearly ren- which was, in early times, the most common passage dered the erection abortive. It was first discovered on over the river. The road leading over it is called, in pumping out the dam, in 1802; and was perfectly ancient deeds and other writings, "The old Lancaster sound, after a lapse of twenty-five years. The iron road." A third site offered for the consideration of this work had not the least appearance of rust, or the wood committee was the Great Falls of Schuylkill, where (which was common oak) of decay. The taking this such an erection was said to be practicable, directly boat to pieces, the straining the dam, and the leaks in across the reef of elevated rocks, forming the obstrucconsequence, were the chief causes of an extra expen- tions in that part of the stream. Maps and measurediture by the company of more than $4000, hardly and ments of these places, and their distances from the city, perilously disbursed in pumping (which alone cost from and particularly of Peters's Island, (which was the $500 to 700 per week) and other labour, during forty-place generally fixed on, as possessing the greatest faane days and nights, in the midst of a most inclement winter. cilities and advantages, positive and relative,) were made, and are yet extant, The route to Lancaster by The privations of supplies from the country on the this place, through part of the Ridge or Wissahicon western side of the Schuylkill, had always been causes road, is shorter than that passing over the bridge oppoof regret, and too often of increased expense, to the in-site the city. The distance by either place is not much habitants of the city. These were most severely felt greater. Although a bridge may be erected at either as the population increased. It would be perhaps irk- place, for a sum not exceeding a fourth, and probably some to attend to a recital minutely, of all the schemes a fifth, of the cost of the permanent bridge at High suggested for a permanent passage, through a period street, yet these sites cannot rival the latter. They of near seventy years. It will be sufficient shortly to do not unite all interests, by being so generally accommention some of them. To those who have been ac-modatory to travellers and transportation from all quartively concerned in the present structure, most of these ters southerly and westerly of the city. Their use will projects appear to have been impracticable, or unad- therefore be partial, and the object of a distant day. visable. If they could have been executed, the funds Conflicting interests, and the disinclination of the legis were unattainable. lature to afford sufficient means out of the public funds, occasioned the abandonment of the measure at that time. The competitions ended in a lesson which zealous schemers never read; to wit, opposing advocates, for local and clashing advantages, not unfrequently gain nothing; and are sure to defeat the object of all. Some would have the river filled with a dam and causeway; after a bridge had been built on the flats of the fast land, and a channel cut through these flats. Some proposed a low stone bridge, to be used only when the river was in its ordinary state; and when raised by floods, the torrent should run over the bridge. Thus intermitting its use when it was most required. Some would have, with any bridge, arches turned from hill to hill, and thus occupy with impediments, the low grounds which now afford additional passage to the overflow of the stream. The expense, too, would require the funds of the state, and never could have been accomplished by private advances, with any prospect of profit. Any buildings, or other obstructions, placed on these flats, will confine, and, of course, redouble, the force of the current. They would cause the accumulation of ice and damming of the stream; the most formidable foes the bridge has to contend with. Some had proposed a bridge on chains, stretched across the river, and elevated by columns, of vast height, on its banks. Adding to this visionary plan, some of its advocates would have pillars, in the middle of the river, Another project of a bridge over one of these places was proposed, at the time when the canal from Norristown was first contemplated. The canal was thought, by many persons of intelligence, to be more easily and economically practicable on the west side of the river. It was proposed to erect at one or the other of the places last mentioned an aqueduct bridge, over which the canal should cross the river; with a tow-path or passage way, on each side of the channel for the water, for travelling and land transportation. This is yet be lieved to have been not only practicable, but also, that it could have been nearly completed with the sum expended on that unfortunate, though highly desirable enterprize. This is not mentioned with any view of censure; because the obstacles occurring on the east side, very many whereof would have been avoided on the west, compelled expenditures not calculated upon or |