districts of the Union. At Manayunk on the Schuylkill, the navigation company rent their water by the inch. There are now more than twelve manufactories estabsince, the water was rented at three dollars per cubic inch per year. But every year the rents have been rîsing, and a cubic inch of water is now rented at $6 per annum. These rents yield the Schuylkill Company more than $10,000 a year. The Trenton Falls Water Company, whose works are to be completed this summer, published last spring, an alluring account of their expected water power, calling the attention of manufacturers to it.

Ours is a slack water navigation, and this should be to us consolation in all our misfortunes. We have escaped the canal disease but we do not owe our deliverance to the science or taste of the exploring engineers. They, true to their system, recommended half canal and half slack water navigation, as the best plan for improving the Conestogo. The beautiful Juniata, the river of peace, runs on neglected while the vale of that river is enriched by the expenditure of $30,000 per mile for a scientific canal.

But, after advancing $5 on our shares and making the navigation permanent, what dividend will it yield, says a stockholder; an inquiry, we admit, that includes all the rest. Bear with us gentle friend, and we will tell you what may be the probable dividend. Experience is the mother of wisdom. The first year the navigation was open but for a few weeks and the tolls were $310 45; in 1830 they were $1485 65, and in '31 they were $2243. To the committee this progressive and rapid increase of the tolls is decisive proof; is demonstration that the works must one day, and soon, be profitable. We all know the business, the increasing business, of the Conestogo, during the last two years Men of talent and capital were engaged in it; and until the works broke they were all doing well. The committee have conversed with many of the merchants engaged in this trade, and some of them have kindly answered in writing the inquiries put by us, touching the nature and extent of their trade. From these papers it appears the lumber and coal business has increased, for the last two years, to an amazing extent; and it must increase, say the gentlemen, every succeeding year. By these exhibits it appears that coal received by the Conestogo can be sold at Lancaster from fifty to seventy five cents per ton cheaper than at Columbia or Marietta, charging the carriage by land to Lancaster; and boards and shingles, per thousand, from fifty to seventy-five cents less; and so of all other articles ascending the navigation. In the opinion of these gentlemen a capital of from 150,000 to 200,000 dollars, might have been usefully employed this season in the ascending and descending trade of the Conestogo. The descending trade of last year gives us the assurance that this branch of business will be valuable. Within the circle of ten miles north, east, and south of the city of Lancaster, we may expect a large portion of the produce to pass down the Conestogo. When the water is in order for descending, a barrel of flour can be sent from the landing to Baltimore or Philadelphia for 34 cents. This speaks to our common nature and is understood and felt by all.

Besides the value of our navigation we have what is still more valuable; our water power. This part of the estate is of positive and intrinsic value. All admit it to be the best and most extensive water power in Pennsylvania, or perhaps in the Union. At eight of the dams we have on each side of the basin, sites for water works, with from seven to nine feet fall, with a prism of water unrivalled. The committee recommend that the situation and value of this water power be at once made known by advertisement in the manufacturing

In estimating the value of this work to the stockholders, we must never forget the spirit which designed and made it. The committee believe that no man took stock in the company with the sole view of advancing his individual fortune. Public spirit dictated the work; public spirit executed it; and we are strangers to our fellow citizens, if the same spirit will ever let it die. Happily, however, the existence of the navigation does not alone depend upon our pride or our feelings. It is a useful work to the city of Lancaster. Every day new advocates appear in its favor. The want of coal, the want of wood, the want of business at the landings, are now the common topics of conversation. It is said by some that the rail-road will destroy the navigation. How? Competition is the life of trade. Every additional facility we have for getting to market enriches us all. The committee, after much thought upon the subject, have come to the conclusion that the railroad will benefit the Conestogo navigation.

We offer but one argument in support of our opinion. Our water power, rented at $4 60 per cubic inch, would be worth more than $10,000 a year, if it were within twenty miles of Philadelphia. Then finish your rail road, and travel on it 15 miles an hour, and you place the manufacturer, established on the Conestogo, within four hours' travel of Philadelphia, and the navigation within twenty miles of that city.

We have just achieved an object dear to Lancaster, dear to us all. The rail-road passes through our city; and a mile more of rail-road, all the way descending, will bring the business of the river to our doors.

In our present embarrassments it is consoling to find that the Conestogo navigation is now a popular work. Since April last your committee have taken pains to ascertain the state of public feeling on the subject of the navigation; and they can with great truth say, that they find all the freeholders and residents along the line of the creek friendly to the work, and most anxious for its restoration. On the score of health they pray for the filling of the dams before the sickly season. It is a fact that the navigation has made the shores of the Conestogo, once so sickly, quite as healthy as any part of our country.

But in conclusion, if the Conestogo Navigation be destined to fall, or must go to enrich strangers, how is it to be disposed of? The committee believe that under the law founding the corporation, or under the supplemental law enlarging its powers, no power is given to the company to sell the estate. Most clearly under the original law no such power is given. The 20th section of this act gives the water power to the company, with power to lease for years the water rights, or to sell the same in fee simple. The legislature, so far from giving the Corporation a fee simple in the river with the incidental right to sell in fee simple, by the 24th section, qualify our franchise and privilege to use the Conestogo for our navigation, and subject all our rights and liberties to forfeitures for the non-performance of certain acts. Under the supplemental act of the 9th April, 1827, the committee are equally at a loss to find any power given to the corporation to sell out the navigation. The 1st section of this act empowers the Company to purchase in fee simple, lands, tenements and hereditaments, which may adjoin any of the dams and locks on the line, and

SECOND REPORT

ASSOCIATION.

The following is a summary of the proceedings of the visitors, as far as reported for the last quarter.

The committee merely offer these suggestions for the consideration of the company.

In practice the committee know of no instance where the rights, liberties, and franchises of a corporation have been sold either at private or at public sale. The tolls of a turnpike road company may be sequestered or sold, but the road itself cannot.

From the nature of our right the committee think the navigation cannot be sold. The river is the property of the Commonwealth. We have merely the privilege, or franchise of making it navigable, and the use of the navigation when it is made, with the incidental right of making profit of the water power.

If we have no power to sell the navigation, would the Legislature give it to the company? This is a grave question, and well worthy the consideration of the stockholders.

It is manifest from the act incorporating the company, that this was intended to be a Pennsylvania corporation. The President, Treasurer, and a majority of the Direc. tors must be resident citizens of Pennsylvania. But if we have power, or get it, to sell out the navigation, then justice to the stockholders demands that the estate, with its water power and all its advantages, be advertised for a sufficient time in the manufacturing districts of the Union, in order to obtain a full and fair price for the property.

There is one matter more which the committee will advise. There is no drawing or map of the works This, in every extended work of art is a pleasing and useful muniment. Mr. Gay should be called on to make out a drawing of the whole line, with a description of each lock and dam, with his opinion of their construction and quality; and, if practicable, their cost on the 2d January, 1829, when he surrendered up the work to the company and reported it finished.

Before we close, justice calls for our humble tribute of gratitude to the officers and managers who have for seven years managed the affairs of our company. We have read the letter of resignation of our first President, when he was about to depart for Europe. It contains the highest evidence of his devotion to the best interests of the comaany, with his earnest wishes for the prosperity and permanence of our works. If the cost of making and repairing the navigation has exceeded our estimates, the President and Managers and Treasurer and Secretary have not added a cent to the sum for their salaries. Even the gentleman who has acted as our Treasurer and Secretary for seven years, does not charge one dollar for all his labours.

CITY.

District No. 1.-Nine families have passed from uner the care of the visitors of this district, since the last report—leaving one hundred and fifty-four under visitation.

Twenty-four of this number, principally sick and aged, have been relieved. Aid has been received from the Catholic Society, and from the Guardians of the Poor.

Thirty-seven persons deposit for fuel. About $42 75 have been deposited.

One deposits in the Saving Bank.

Fifty-three children have been placed at school.
One child at service.

The secretary of this district remarks, that "it is believed the Fuel Saving Society will meet with general approbation, from the industrious and deserving. Nine colored families have agreed to make deposits. They reside in one court, and might be held up as patterns, for habits of order, industry, and regularity."

The following facts will show, that the principle on which this society acts, is a reforming and elevating principle. The same secretary adds, that "the visitors found, in First month last, a poor woman in a suffering condition. Her husband had deserted her, leaving one quarter's rent due, and in debt for bread, milk, groce ries, &c.; and two small children, the oldest not three years of age, dependent on her for support. From that time, (First month) until the 1st of Fourth month, she paid her rent, by her own earnings. The Catholic Society, and a few visitors, paid the arrearage for rent. Since the 1st of Fourth month, she has redeemed her quilt from the pawn-broker; paid $9 towards the recov. ery of an article on which she had taken up money; paid debts to the amount of $7, and at the expiration of this quarter, with her present prospect, it will be in her power to pay her rent again. She was assisted with one qr. of wood, cold provisions, and old clothing. She was sick two weeks, and at that time, received a few groceries. We think she will support herself when clear of debt, if we can obtain constant employ for her. She is sanguine of success, and says she is happy, now she is noticed." This individual is a seamstress, and owes her present comparatively comforta

In parting we commit the Conestogo Navigation to the stockholders of the company, with the abiding hope that the work may be repaired.

JACOB RATHFON, JOHN LEONARD,

ADAM METZGAR,

JACOB SNYDER, WILLIAM NORRIS.

same secretary says, "visitors mention one man, whose wife and children were reduced to want by his intemperance, who appears to have been so much ashamed of the circumstance, after it claimed their attention, as to renounce the practice of using strong drink; from that time, (about five months) he has maintained his family, and is now able to lay up money,”

District No. 2.-Two families are reported as having

cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple, shall not lose its reward,' and how much more than this, you have done for me."

District No. 8.-Thirty-seven families relieved last winter in one section, have obtained employment. One adult, and one child, permanently employed through the means of a visitor.

A number of deposits for fuel are made. None under fifty cents. One of two dollars and fifty cents, proceeds of lace work sold by a visitor, for a poor woman.

The father of a family, who had given himself up to habits of intemperance, has, it is hoped, through the influence of the visitors, reformed. For several months, he has entirely abstained, and though strong induce. ments were offered to him to abandon his wise resolve, he continues sober. In addition to the above, a single visitor in this district says, "I have found in my section, ten sober, industrious men, doing well for their families, One has deposited $5 for fuel. The remaining nine, promise to deposit. Eight industrious widows, who are earning their living. Two of them have placed their rent in my hands, to be paid monthly.

Three girls, whose father has deserted his family, have been placed at service. Alo, under care, seven sick and infirm females, six of whom are widows. Two men have left their families in distress. Other three are idle, and intemperate, to whom assistance or counsel, is of no avail. In one or two of the above mentioned cases of sickness,aid has been received from the Guardians of the Poor, and from the Methodist Female Society.

This detailed statement, will give some idea of the varied duties of a visitor of the Union Benevolent Association.

District No. 9-Forty-one families under visitation. Four children placed at school.

Six persons deposit. Five dollars received from the Hibernia Society, for the use of a poor and sick family, who had not been a year in the country. Part of the money furnished to this district last winter, not being called for, it has been invested in materials to furnish employment to some of the infirm poor. It is hoped, the articles made, will be disposed of, and thus the sum be in readiness for the sick, the ensuing winter.

District No. 10.--Visits regularly paid to the poor of this district.

Three children have been placed at school. The schools are so remote from a large number of very small children, that the parents are unwilling to send them. Impressed with the importance of having a school in this district, the visitors, on the 25th of June, resolved to make an effort to establish one. A good room has been obtained on the banks of the Schuylkill, near Arch street, through the liberality of Mr. Kerr, who granted it free of charge. The visitors have since called on the inhabitants of their sections, to collect funds for this school-of course, entirely independent of the Union Benevolent Association. The district is thinly inhabited, and principally by those who are unable to contri

purpose, will be very thankfully received at No. 135 Filbert street, near Thirteenth street. It is proposed to open the school on the first of September. The materials mentioned in the last quarterly report, as purchased to furnish work for the infirm poor, have employed several. A poor woman has been engaged to sell the garments made, upon commission. She is lame, and supports herself by a little shop, of which these things form a part of the stock. By this arrangement, the small sum entrusted to this committee, is made useful and not exhausted.

District No. 11, reported with No. 8.

District No. 12.-The school located in this district, under the care of three visitors, continues to flourish, Between sixty and seventy children attend. Two children placed at service.

Seven dollars eighty-seven and a half cents, have been deposited for fuel.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES.

District No. 2, and 4, under the care of the same committee.

Of forty-eight families under visitation at present in these districts, twenty-six are Americans, six Germans, four Irish, one French, one English, ten colored. Causes of impoverishment, generally sickness, and want of employment; in two instances, intemperance; one loss by fire. Six out of forty, are stated as industrious; some indolent and a number infirm.

Two children have been placed at school.
One child at service.

Two are ready to make deposits; a number have promised; a quarter of a cord of wood was given as late as the month of May, to an industrious, but very indigent woman, whose employment is making vests, at 12 cents each. The most unwearied industry, will never place its possessor above a state of dependence, until labor is paid for.

District No. 3.-Some persons depositing for fuel; number not stated.

SOUTHWARK.

Districts No. 1, 2, and 4, do not report.

- District No. 3, reports,

Seventeen children placed at school.

Five persons depositing for fuel; visitors are very much wanted in Southwark.

MOYAMENSING.

No report has been received from Moyamensing, since the close of the first month of the present quarter. This is owing, it is believed, to the absence of the secretary from the city. The report closing at that time states, Three hundred and forty-two visits paid to the poor. Sixty-four children placed at school. Forty persons deposit for fuel.

Two boys placed at service; a situation obtained in a store for a female; a situation in a school for another; visitors much encouraged.

From the preceding reports, it appears that twentytwo persons have been provided by the visitors with permanent employment; nineteen children have been placed at service; one hundred and eighty-eight children at school; three persons have deposited with