against dyes, except blues, by good judges-other dyes as good as English.

Mr. Marland-In cities they do; owing to prejudice excited by foreigners. Country people make no complaint against the dyes.

Can the English manufacture cheaper than we can? It is the general opinion that we can manufacture as cheaply as they can in England; wool being of the same quality and price in both countries. Mr. Peirce says we substitute more female labor, which is cheaper. And Mr. Dupont, that we use more labour saving machinery. What proportion of woolens consumed in the U. S. are American and foreign?

159

the change it has effected in the habits and mode of life during summer, of a large class of our citizens, who instead of flying to the country, as formerly, for fresh air and recreation, or for the preservation of the health of their children, are now compelled, as the lesser evil, to endure the heated and oppressive air of the city, it appears somewhat singular that this subject has not received more attention. I am fully aware of the difficulty of obtaining accurate information as to the number of deaths in the country; as no offices for the registering of these exist here, as they do in many parts of Europe; every attempt to acquire statistical knowledge of this kind, must of course be attended with much trouble.Many good reasons might, I think, be adduced for creating such an office in every township, and among other salutary effects which would arise from such an institution, might be reckoned the tendency which the information there to be gained would have in dispelling the panics and unreasonable alarms which are excited, when ever any district of country happens to be afflicted with more than an usual share of sickness. In the hope that my example may induce persons living in other sections of the country to bestow some attention on this subject, and under the impression that correct information may be instrumental in counteracting the effect of the many exaggerated reports which have been circulated with regard to the deaths produced by the "country fever." I have been induced to make a comparison between the mortality of the city and incorporated districts during the last year and that which has occurred in one of the situ33,612 ations which it is generally supposed, has been most 391 obnoxious to the autumnal epidemy-the village of Ma28,525 nayunk on the Schuylkill.

Mr. Tufts thinks 4-5ths are American, 1-5th foreign; and the whole quantity consumed will amount 50,000,000 dollars. And that the relative values and quantities of domestic woollen goods, and those imported, will not vary materially from each other.

Small establishments, and medium capital, succeeded best under their sole proprietors, and better than incorporated companies do; though there are sometimes advantages attending large capital.

Manufacturing is believed to be favourable to morals, as most large establishments attend to the education of children and particulary in Sunday schools.

Value of materials, (Domestic and Foreign,) consumed in manufacturing.

Peirce-Imported raw materials

Do manufactured articles
Domestic products

Consumed by persons employed at factory.
Domestic products
Foreign do

My first step was to ascertain the exact number of 62,528 the inhabitants of Manayunk-a census taken with much care in March, last year, by a gentleman of great accuracy, and which he allowed me to avail myself of, saved 19,500 me much trouble-the result of this census, in which 5,500 are included the persons attached to the Flat Rock factory, is as follows:

25,000

Mr. Shepherd in manufacturing 46,084 yds. of broad cloth uses 31,740 lbs. foreign and 70,419 lbs. American wool, 2,056 galls. olive oil, 8,050lbs. castile soap,58,450 lbs. dye wood, copperas, vitriol, &c. 4,705 lbs. Bengal indigo, 9,163 lbs. of woad, value including wool, is 17,796 30.

Opinions relative to tariff 1824 and duty now required. That in consequence of it manufacturers have been placed in a worse situation than before it; that no one has done a profitable business since, and that although the repeal of the British duties may have had some effect, it is by some thought that had this event not taken place, the tariff did not afford sufficient protection. It is generally the opinion of the witnesses, that the duty must be changed from advalorem to a specific one on the square yard, and a proportionate protection be extended to

wool.

STATISTICS OF MANAYUNK.

Pallida mors eque pulsat pede pauperum tabernas Regumque turres.-Horace.

Much has been said of the insalubrity of the country around Philadelphia during the autumnal months of the last five or six years, and great alarm has naturally been excited by this cause, in the minds of those whose avocations oblige them to frequent excursions out of town, or whose friends reside in the country; but I am not aware that any attempt has been made to ascertain the extent to which the epidemy has prevailed, or the increase of mortality fairly chargeable to it. Yet when we reflect on the very injurious effects produced by the unhealthiness of the country, the great depreciation in the value of property to which it has given rise, and even

148 Families, consisting of males
females

519

580

-1099

274 -1099

Or in other words, of men

women

boys
girls

Since the time at which this census was taken there have moved into the village, as nearly as can be ascertained, 25 new families; admitting each of these, on an average to consist of the same number as the 148 above mentioned, they would amount to 202 individuals, which number added to the 1099, makes the whole population equal to 1301 souls-very nearly all of whom were exposed to the epidemic of last fall. It is worthy of remark that one half of this whole population consists of persons under 15-the reason of this is obvious; the employment offered to children in the manufacturing establishments, is an inducement for families in which they are numerous to settle in this village. But it must be remembered that far more deaths occur amongst persons in this stage of life than amongst adults. In one of the very valuable statistical tables, lately published by Dr. Emerson, it appears that in 1824, the number of persons under 16 in the city of Philadelphia and liberties, was 46,702 in a population of 121,980, that is, not much more than one third.

We find the following notices of the appearance of this place alone. The people are very anxious that this shad in our rivers in some former years.

THE

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

VOL. I.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD, NO. 51, FILBERT STREET.
PHILADELPHIA, MARCH 15, 1828.

CANAL DOCUMENTS.

West Branch and Allegheny.

No. 2.1

INSTRUCTIONS TO MESSRS. WILSON AND MITCHELL.

Philadelphia, May 15, 1827.

Messrs. William Wilson and John Mitchell,

NO. 11.

connected with some point already known, as to enable you to ascertain its positive elevation above tide-water. Wherever it is possible to obtain information from the inhabitants of the neighborhood, you will take care to do so, and you will omit no examinations or inquiry calcu lated to satisfy their minds, or test the accuracy of their opinions. It is wished also that general invitations may be extended to the most respectable and intelligent citiGentlemen,-In compliance with a written applica-zens, to be present at the surveys in which they feel an tion to the canal commissioners, a copy of which is interest. You will keep accurate notes of all your prohereto annexed, you have been appointed to make fur-ceedings, and as soon as possible, after your return, will ther examinations in order to ascertain the practicability report them in detail to the board, accompanied by proof a continued water communication between the Alle- per drafts and maps of the country explored. gheny and Susquehanna rivers. It is the wish of the commissioners that this request may be gratified to the utmost possible extent, and that no means of determining so interesting a question may be left untried.

In the written application, of which a copy is furnished you, it is proposed that in the course of the season, a competent engineer may be sent to review the surveys and furnish his opinion as to the practicability of any For the complete accomplishment of this object, exaroutes which you may have fixed upon. With this prominations will be necessary on the east and Bennett's position, the board will make every effort to comply. In branches of Sinnemahoning, and along the whole divid-order to enable them so to do, you are requested, at least ing ridge, commencing at the head of the latter stream, and extending in a southerly and southwesterly direction to the heads of Blacklick, a branch of Connemaugh. As this embraces a wide extent of country, abounding with difficulties, and where the progress of the surveyor must necessarily be retarded, it is desirable that some arrangement may be made between you, which will ensure the utmost expedition and prevent interference one with the other. It is proposed, therefore, that you meet as early as possible, and divide the country to be examined equally between you. Having done this, you will each organise a party of the same strength as have heretofore been employed for similar purposes, and proceed to the active execution of the duty assigned you.

once in two weeks, to apprize me of your situation and
prospects, and of the point at which you may most con-
veniently be reached by letter or otherwise. Towards
the latter end of August when the waters are lowest, is
the time at which an engineer will probably be des-.
patched. It is hoped that by that time you will have
collected the necessary materials for a professional opin-
ion.
Your obedient servant,

Signed,

JOSEPH M'ILVAINE.

-

No. 3.

William Wilson's Report.

Jos. M'Ilvaine, Secretary of the Board of Canal Commissioners of Pennsylvania.

It would be difficult for the board, with their imperfect knowledge of the country, to define with precision the points to be examined, and they are disposed rather Sir-Your instructions of the sixth of June were reto leave you a general authority, to examine every point ceived on the eleventh, and on the same day I proceedwhere the waters of the two great rivers approach each ed with a party of hands, provisions, &c. to the portage other, which you may suppose to afford a reasonable summit to the Sinnemahoning, and Allegheny river. We prospect of success, or which are thought to do so by commenced our operations on the 18th and descended on the people of that country. These examinations, how- the Sinnemahoning side of the ridge 103 feet in a disever, will be confined to the single object of ascertain-tance of 177 perches. Returned to the summit and deing the possibility of a water communication across the scended 102 feet on the Allegheny side in a distance of dividing ridge, and the course of proceeding will be as 179 perches. Having thus ascertained the form of the follows: top of the ridge separating those streams, assumed a level 100 feet below its summit as the most suitable experimental elevation, and continued rounding the dif ferent streams and hills which intervened betwixt that and the mouth of the portage.

Having ascertained the summit between any two waters which appears most favorable, you will proceed to ascertain the quantity of water on that level, by measurements, such as you have formerly made. If the quantity appears sufficient to warrant any further inqui- The reason which induced the adoption of this course ry, you will then proceed to ascertain by actual sur- was, that should any depression in the ridge, permit us vey, the practicability of introducing it upon the sum-to pass it, the distance to the Allegheny would be much mit proposed, through a feeder the length of such shortened and we would then adapt our level of the feeder; the facility with which it may be made, the quali- feeder to such pass, either by elevating or depressing it; ty of the soil through which it passes; and all other parti- but no such opening presenting, we continued our level culars which tend to elucidate the main subject of inqui- to the rounding near its mouth found the distance 21 and ty. It is left optional with you either to commence your one-fourth miles and the depression to the surface of a line of levels at some known point already examined mill pond at the confluence of the portage and Alleand continue it without intermission through the rest of gheny to be 334.58 feet. We then continued our level your examinations, or to assume new points more con-up the Allegheny to ascertain at what point its waters venient, from which to begin your calculations. You will remember however that if any summit appears to you favorable for a water communication, it must be so

would be available upon the summit, the distance by the valley was 224 miles (terminating about five miles above Couders port) to which may fairly be added 18

miles for the rounding of hills, streams, &c. presenting an aggregate of 614 miles, viz: 214 on the portage and 401 along the river. It was suggested, that a more practicable route might exist betwixt the heads of the first of the Sinnemahoning and Allegheny. This seemed plausible, as the heads of that stream make a nearer approach to the main river, than any other east of the mountain, being about 24 miles. We went to what was considered the lowest place in the ridge, decended 516.45 feet in a distance of 678 perches; three-fourths of a mile still remained to the river, and the stream we were descending falling rapidly, we were fully convinced, that the fall could not be less than 600 feet, therefore considered it totally impracticable, as no supply of water could be available at so high a level, or any reasonable depression which might be made, either by a deep cut or tunnel.

The succession of wet weather which preceded the completion of our survey upon the Allegheny, rendered a guage of its available waters totally impracticable; but judging from the size of the different streams, at the places which our level would cross them, the length of feeder necessary to conduct them to the summit and the declivity of the hills along which it would have to pass, I considered this route less favorable than the

A day or two before we completed the survey of the Allegheny, a deputation called upon us, from some of the inhabitants of the Driftwood branch of Sinnemahoning, presenting a letter from an intelligent gentleman in that quarter, in which he suggests from the best information which he can obtain, that a route favorable for a canal existed betwixt the of the Driftwood and Clarion river; we then proceeded to that place and viewed the summit, found the ascent on the Sinnemahoning side of the river to be great, the ridge wide and flat, and the streams which could be commanded, small. Under these circumstances, it was not considered necessary to use - any level upon it, being fully satisfied, that a sufficiency of water could not be obtained at so high a level.

We then proceeded to the ridge dividing Bennet's > branch of the Sinnemahoning from Sandy carried

a level a considerable distance along its top, and like-
wise along the different streams, skirting its base on
both sides, so as to ascertain the form of the ridge and
streams which have their sources in it. This induced us
in the first instance to drop 165 feet on each side below
its lowest summit; but a continuation of our level down
Sandy about eight miles, satisfied me, that sink-
ing 22 feet lower, would be advantageous, as such addi-
tional depression would enable us to command Fall's
creek, near its lower fork, which is bent about one and
three fourth miles from its mouth, and three-fourths of a
mile above
saw mill.

From a view of the face of the country around this summit and its streams, as delineated by our levellings, I beg leave to suggest what would appear to me the best mode for its improvement.

betwixt the dam and the dividing ridge, come in above the level of the proposed canal.

Sandy- -near the dividing ridge is a sluggish stream winding its serpentine course through extensive flats composed principally of clay, scarce a stone to be seen. Beaver dams are frequent, covered with grass, small bushes, or timber of small size; the remainder of the flats are heavily timbered with white pine, white oak brush, sugar, &c. The Sinnemahoning is favourable for canalling for about seven miles from the dividing ridge (excepting a heavy growth of timber) and may be continued on the north side, for that distance. Below that the hills are alternately washed by the stream and in several places present rocky and precipitous fronts, which may be avoided by eleven crossings. The cost of this section would about equal that above Coleman's on the

Driftwood.

The dividing ridge is unusually free from stone upon its surface, covered with a growth of white pine, white oak, hickory, &c. composed of argillacious and slate so far as the washes upon its side disclosed. It was conjectured that an additional supply of water could be obtained from Anderson's creek, and a level was extended up Birch run and along the Kersey road, to what had been pointed out to Mr. Mitchell, two years ago, by the inhabitants of that quarter as the lowest place in the ridge, we found its elevation above the leve of the proposed pass, to be 315.99 feet; this project was therefore abandoned, believing, that little if any, of the waters of Anderson's creek, could be found above its level in dry seasons. We then proceeded to little Toby and upon examination found, that four streams which have their sources in Bonne's mountain, (Elk mountain on the map) can be conveyed to the summit of Sandy, by the channel of Fall's creek. From Bear to 14 mile run, is

to Whetstone

to Rattlesnake

to pass of divide to end of
Fall's creek

In all

3 m. 52 perch

1 290

Should the experiment of supplying a summit by the application of steam power be found practicable, and that used to elevate the waters of the three first streams about 90 feet, the distance might be much lessened from Whetstone to Rattlesnake. From Bear to 14 miles run the ground is not very favourable, being intersected in several places by deep ravines, and from Whetstone to Rattlesnake, similar difficulties present themselves; as also, steep hill-sides, which do not show rocks upon their surface but their slopes indicate a rocky formation. Coal abounds on those waters, as also on Sandy and Sinnemahoning.

A succession of showers rendered impracticable a guage of the waters of Sandy, during the time we were employed upon it, and when we had descended Bennet's branch for some distance, I returned as far as the divid ing ridge for that purpose but was prevented by a shower, and returned to levelling. The weather continued dry until we reached the junction of Bennet's and Driftwood branches. We found the distance from the proposed pass, to be 627.37 feet, wich is 179.68 feet lower than creek and 1397.69 above tide water.

A tunnel through the ridge of about 224 perches in length, a little more than 200 feet below its summit; although I do not think any shaft necessary for excavation would much exceed 100 feet. A cut in the Sinnema'honing side 40 feet at the end of the tunnel and terminating at the minimum depth of cutting in 200 perches. A cut on the Sandy side 35 feet at the end of the tunnel, and terminating at the minimum depth at 600 perches. A dam and embankment at Shaffer's 80 perches in length and 12 feet in height, forming a reservoir which will cover about 250 acres, the surface to be four feet higher than the surface of the canal, making an extra embankment. ment from the minimum depth to Shaffers.

Fall's creek feeder would be64 to 64 m. in length, the ground generally good excepting the ends of two hills, which are steep, and three fourths of a mile next to Fall's creek, which is rocky. The feeder necessary to conduct the south-east branch at Luther's creek to the dam at Shaffers would be 13 to 14 miles in length, the ground favourable and of gentle declivity; the rest of the streams

A guage having been prepared upon Smeaton's plan, J. J. Wallis, esq. returned with one of the hands to Sandy, and gives the following as the result of his measure.

Summit creek 7 inches through and 12 in
opening
Fall's creek 8

do.

Southeast or Luther's 5 do.

89 p. min.

115
64

268

I cannot say this measurement was taken at the low

est state of the waters, but am authorised to say upon
the authority of Mr. Wallis, that the waters were lower
at the time the guage was taken than they had been at
any time prior to it, this season.

The guages of the streams issuing from Boone's moun-
tain, had been taken when we were employed upon
Little Toby, and are as follows:
Rattlesnake

14 miles Whetstone

Bear run, say

Deduct equal to low water,

Waters of Sandy

Total

58 cubit ft. p. minute

25

67

58

208

52

156

268

424

From this it would appear that the streams of Toby would have to be conducted over the dividing ridge in such manner as to avoid leakage and evaporation, and that a similar plan would have to be pursued with Fall's creek feeder. That from the S. E. branch or Luther's branch, should be an open cut, emptying itself into the reservoir.

From a line of level which we ran round the ground which would be inundated by the reservoir, it cannot contain less than 250 acres, which I have reason to believe would be filled by those streams at the summit and

Luther's creek.

From an assumed level we descended a small stream on the Sinnemahoning side for two and a half miles, (fall 127.69 feet) which is then joined by another of larger size from the south. On the Sandy side no additional supply of water of any consequence comes in for about three miles, at which place a stream nearly equal to S. E. branch enters the creek.

I do not know that any series of observations have been made upon the highlands which separate the eastern and western waters,but judging from the drainage, which is in reality but the difference betwixt the quantity of moisture which descends and that which ascends, induces a belief, that the descent of moisture is greater and the ascent less in high than low regions, and would the difference in the weight of the atmosphere be likely to produce such an effect. I have endeavoured to communicate all the facts connected with each of the routes, upon which I have been employed, and the schemes upon which the examinations have been founded, as no survey of a summit can be made, unless the person employed has some plan; as to practicability that is not for me to determine.

I am gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedient

servant,

163

ty, as to any particular pass they might desire to have explored with a view to a connection of the eastern and western waters. Their consultations on this subject resulted in giving me no positive directions as to any particular point in that county, but requested that a correct examination might be made from my former summit between the Cushing and Two-lick. Immediately on my arrival at this summit, I dispatched a messenger to the town of Indianna, requesting the citizens of that county to meet me at the summit as early as possible, with a view of instructing as to the plan they might wish me to pursue in relation to the object for which I had been appointed. They promptly attended and their views corresponding with my own, we determined on the following plan. First. That my survey should be made with a view to iron pipes, to convey the water to the summit level. Second. That I should proceed from the summit to the Black Licks, and also ascertain the practicability of bringing in the Conemaugh; and Third. To carry my levelling to the Chest and Big Mahoning creeks. In the execution of this plan, the following are the results.

I first ascertained the practicability of passing the Mahoning over the divide necessary to be passed, to bring it to the summit. This was effected by a cut of 12.67 feet in the centre, terminating at the surface, both ways; whole distance 55 perches; and which is represented on my draft at the connexion of the Cushing and Little Mahoning. I then proceeded from the summit towards the Black Lick, carefully preserving the height of my summit and examining every pass on the intervening divides, that presented a prospect of shortening the distance between the two extreme points. A view of my draft will shew that in this, I was not very successful, as my route turned out to be a very circuitous one. In my passage from the waters of Brush creek to that of the Laurel run, and for the purpose of saving in distance, I have presented a cut of seventy-one feet in the centre, terminating both ways at the surface,-the bare line as represented on the profile, is eighty perches. This perhaps could be more advantageously effected by a tunnel, in part the ground is entirely clear, and soil of slate; from here I passed down the Laurel run, to the white oak marked at Black Lick, being then three hundred and fifteen feet 10-100ths below the summit. The distance saved by the above cut is between three and four miles. From the white oak, I continued my levelling a distance of two miles and one hundred and five perches, to a benched cherry on the divide, between Black Lick and the Conemaugh river, at the east end of the town of Armaugh; this bench is seventy-eight feet 68-100 below the summit. From here I returned to the white oak at Black Lick, and continued my levelling up that stream a distance of ten miles and two hundred and fifty-four perches, to a benched Buttonwood at the mouth of the Beaula branch, being two hundred and thirty feet 17-100 below the summit. From thence up the Beaula Branch, a distance of four miles and one hundred and fifty-three. perches to a benched birch, on the west side of the creek being the height of the summit. Returned to the buttonwood and proceeded up the north branch a distance of four miles and thirty-four perches, to a benched sugar tree at the mouth of the Elk branch, being 54 feet below the summit; continued up the north branch one mile 174 perches, and benched on a birch tree the height of the summit; returned to the sugar bench at 561 the Elk branch, and ascended the same one mile and thirty-four perches, benched on a birch, being the height of the summit. These waters were so much swollen by the late rains, as to prevent, at this time, any correct measurement being taken; I therefore determined on returning for that purpose. From here I directed my course to the Chest creek, and commenced my levelling on that stream, at my former bench made in 1825; being one hundred and fifty-three feet 71-100ths, above the summit; from this bench I continued down the creek eight miles and two hundred and sixty-five perches, and benched on a hemlock, being the height of the summit.

WM. WILSON.