1828.] 1 Machine factory. 5 Snuff mills. 2 Plaister, or gypsum mills 3 Clover mills. 3 Bark mills. 1 Mill for sawing stone. 158 POPULATION OF MAUCH CHUNK. 239 them. The action lasted for about four hours, without much damage being done on either side. During the engagements Captain Alexander, on board the Wasp schooner of six guns, came out of Christeen creek, into which she had been chased, the day before by the men of war, and retook a brig which had been taken by the Liverpool. OnThursday afternoon, the Gondolas renewed their attack upon the ships with so much spirit and 42 Mill seats unimproved on the principal streams, of skill, that they were obliged to hoist sail and return various fall. 200 Mills and mill seats. Making in the whole 158 mills and factories in operation, and 42 mill seats unimproved, in a district of country not exceeding 12 miles square, in the five kinds of manufactories which have returned the number of hands, viz. Paper, Woollen, Cotton, Powder, and Edge Tools, employ 1,038 hands. There are many particulars relating both to this report and to other branches of industry, which your committee felt anxious to obtain, but owing to several circumstances they found it impossible to do so. It was, therefore, reluctantly abandoned; but with a hope that the inquiry will be further pursued in due time. G. G. LEIPER, W. MARTIN. down the river; the Gondolas pursued them, under a constant fire for five hours, after which they quitted the chase, and moored at Newcastle. Numbers of balls were heard to strike the ships in this action, and discoveries were made the next day of considerable damage being done to them. Several of the Gondolas were slightly damaged-one man killed in the first, and three wounded in the second engagements. The novelty of the fight, the gallant behaviour of the soldiers and sailors, and the important consequences of the contest, afforded a most interesting spectacle to several thousand spectators, who stood on the shores. This engagement sufficiently establishes the reputation of Row-gallies, as being the best mode of defence practicable in a river; especially, if we consider, that although the whole thirteen were employed, yet not more than one half can be said to have been engaged at any one time: and this circumstance, though it shows a want of judgment somewhere, in stationing them properly, and at proper distances, is at the same time an additional argument in favour of the real service of boats. The officers and men have done their duty with credit, and many of them have distinguished themselves nobly. The proper distance to engage at is now known, which is, the nearest distance you can approach a ship, without coming within the reach of grape shot; and, beyond that, is a waste of powder. But if it should at any time be necessary to approach within grape shot, then in that case, the nearer you are, so as to be out of the reach of the musketry, it is the best shot both for service and safety; because grape shot, like small shot, does the most execution at the greatest killing distance, and the least execution at the least distance. READING BANK. OMITTED BY THE AUDITOR, A Statement of the Farmers' Bank of Reading, Amount of stock paid in Total The whole property at Mauch Chunk and its dependencies belongs to the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, the existing improvements on their property were made to accommodate the incipient stages of the coal business, as growing out of the descending navigation. Amount of Bills discounted The company are now, and have been engaged for the past year making the ascending navigation, and which they hope to complete in about 12 months; the farther improvements on their property will of course be suspended until that is effected. REVOLUTIONARY. J. W. Gallant affair of the Gondolas, in an attack on two Bri tish men of war. PHILADELPHIA, May 7, 1776. The Roebuck man of war of 44 guns, and the Liverpool frigate of 28 guns, arrived near the mouth of Christeen creek, either for the purpose of procuring a supply of fresh water, or on their way to this city. Orders were immediately sent down to the Fort for the Gondolas to proceed down the river, and attack them, and accordingly on Wednesday afternoon, about half past one o'clock, the boats began a very severe cannonading on the ships, which was returned with equal warmth by $300,350 00 143,687 00 81,393 21 Bonds and notes SILK WORMS. At a meeting of the Pennsylvania Society for the Promotion of the Culture of the Mulberry and the Raising of Silk Worms, April 2, 1828. On motion Resolved, That the following premiums be offered by the Society, in order to promote the objects for which it is organized. 1. A premium of sixty dollars for the greatest quantity of sewing silk, of the best quality, produced within this state from coccoons raised within the same, and produced by one family, not less than twenty pounds; for ty dollars for the next greatest quantity, and best quali Coloured Organist.-An organ has recently been purty, produced under the same conditions, not less than chased by the vestry of St. Thomas's Church; a coloured fifteen pounds, and twenty-five dollars for the next great-woman, a member of the congregation, acts as organist. est, quantity and best quality, not less than ten pounds. Large Product.-Were raised last season by a farmer 2. A premium of fifty dollars for the greatest quanti-in Solesbury township, Bucks county, on 12 acres of ty of good coccoons, raised within this state, not less than land, 163 bushels of good clean clover seed. one hundred pounds; thirty dollars for the next greatest Newspapers.-The last number of the National Pallaquantity, not less than fifty pounds; to be claimed be- dium was published on the 8th inst. fore the 1st of September. 3. A premum of fifty dolls for the largest number of the best white mulberry trees, raised within twelve miles of this city, not less than four hundred; thirty dollars for the next greatest quantity, not less than three hundred; and twenty dollars for the next greatest quantity, not less than two hundred. The trees to be of two years growth-and planted at about equal distances-say about twenty-five feet apart. The premiums for the mulberry trees to be claimed within three years from the 2d day of April, 1823. BENJAMIN R. MORGAN, PRESIDENT. M. CAREY, Secretary. PATENTS. The following table will exhibit the States whose citizens have been most prolific in Inventions, during the year 1827, as registered in the Patent Office of the U. States. Maine New Hampshire Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New York New Jersey The first number of the Daily Chronicle, an evening paper, was published by Charles Alexander on the 7th instant. Greek Collections.-It appears by the report of the Greek committee, that the amount of collections up to the 2d inst. in this state, were, in cash $24,056 71, in provisions 1,429 11-making 25,485 82-of which have been expended 23,700. Of the above amount collected, Pittsburg contributed nearly $1,800, and Chester county about $3,400. Two cargoes have been forwarded, consisting of 965 bbls. and 254 half bbls. flour, 503 bbls. corn meal, 1692 bbls. navy bread, 300 bbls. rye flour, 40 tierces rice, 45 bbls. beef and pork, 200 bbls. fish, 39 bbls. beans, a quantity of domestic goods, made up clothing, medicines, surgical instruments, &c. Distribution of Bibles. By the Association of Young Men, viz. In the New Market Ward, 365. Dock, 145. Walnut, 50. Chesnut, 94. High, 53. South MulberNumber of Patents.ry, 146. North Mulberry, 203. Lower Delaware, 259. Upper Delaware, 133. North, 126. South, 80. Middle, 100. Locust, 239. Cedar, 220. Total, 2414. 17 3 10 38 5 16 103 6 33 Navy Officers from Pennsylvania.—It appears by tables accompanying a report of the Secretary of the Navy to Congress, that there are in the different states 813 warrant and commissioned officers of the U. S. Navy, viz. 33 captains, 28 master commandants, 227 lieutenants, 36 surgeons, 37 surgeons' mates, 43 pursers, 8 chaplains, 401 midshipmen; of which are from Pennsylvania, 9 captains, 4 master commandants, 25 lieutenants, 6 surgeons, 10 surgeons' mates, 7 pursers, 1 chaplain, 38 midshipmen, total 100-about of the whole. The proportion of midshipmen to which this state is entitled, according to representation in Congress, allowing 1 to cach representative, (28) is 42-there being 38 in service, there is a deficiency of 4. Weather.-The Thermometer at Harrisburg on the 28th ult. stood in the shade at 75 degrees, and at 8 o'clock in the morning, in the sun, rose as high 94°. In this city there were falls of Snow on the 4th, 5th, and 6th inst. Longevity-Tiney Cormey, a coloured woman, a member of the St. Thomas African Church, died in this city on the 5th inst. aged upwards of 114 years. Cotton and Woollen Goods.-In the last week of December, 1827, there were exported from Liverpool to Philadelphia, 132,000 yards cotton and 420 ends of woollen goods. Shad. The average number caught last week at Marcus Hook amounts to 2000 a day. Lehigh Chain Bridge, at Allentown, was partially des troyed by fire on the night of the 13th ult. supposed to have been the act of an incendiary. The superstruc ture on which the middle pier, from which the chains were suspended, that sustained the principal part of the bridge was entirely consumed, and that portion which was thus deprived of its support, fell into the river with a tremendous crash. The bridge will be impassable for some time. Panther hunt.-A few weeks since, Mr. John Vliet, living on the Pocono mountain, Northampton co, discovered the traces of panthers in his neighbourhood. He started in pursuit, and soon came up with them.- However extraordinary it may seem to some of our readers, Mr. Vliet destroyed three of these ferocious animals in the space of half an hour, with no other companion than his rifle. He received $12 for each scalp; which is a pretty good half an hour's work for a hunter of the Po cono. North Branch Canal.-At a late meeting of the canal commissioners, a resolution was adopted by the board, for locating and putting under contract the Penn. Canal on the North Branch, from Northumberland to Fishingcreek, by the 1st of July; and from thence to Berwick by the first of August next. It is also stated that the location will extend as far as the Nanticote Falls during the present season, 1145 persons were committed to the jail in Philadelphia, in 1827, as vagrants, and for profane swearing and intoxication-and 948 were commmitted as disturbers of the peace, idle and disorderly. Printed every Saturday morning by WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 59 Locust street, Philadelphia; where, and at the EDITOR's residence, No. 51 Filbert street, 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. I. 1 EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD, NO. 51, FILBERT STREET. DOCUMENTS Accompanying the Commissioners' REPORT ON PUNISHMENTS & PRISON DISCIPLINE. NO. 16. in a variety of instances, and the police of the prison is dependent on the cells as a place of punishment. We know of no instance in which mental derangement has been produced by confinement in our solitary cells. The bodily health is in most instances affected if the confinement is protracted, and the diet is not moderately in Answer of the Inspectors to Questions proposed by the creased, but on being released they soon recruit. Commissioners. 6th. Persons are admitted to visit the prison by an or der from a visiting inspector; and the relatives and friends The board of inspectors of the prison of the city and of such prisoners as behave well, are permitted to see county of Philadelphia, having received a communica- and converse with them through both the grates; the tion from Edward King and Thomas J. Wharton, esq's wooden grated door being shut, and a keeper in the en two of the commissioners appointed by the Governor of try to hear all that passes-the interview not to last more the State of Pennsylvania, to revise the Penal Code, and than fifteen minutes; this is allowed once in three months referred the same to a committee of three of its mem-by an order of the visiting inspectors. bers, who made the following report, which was read; approved, and ordered to be transmitted to the commis-in one room at night is twenty-six-the greatest number 7th. The average number of male prisoners confined 'sioners above named. [Extract from the minutes.] at one time in a room 18 by 20 feet was 53. The number of female convicts confined in one room is twelve The committee to whom was referred the letter of averaged. The boys are kept in an apartment distinct Edward King and Thomas J. Wharton, esq's. two of the from the mass of the prisoners, called the Prune street commissioners appointed to revise the penal code, re-apartment, which is separated by a wall from the Walport the following as answers to the questions proposed, viz. To the first point. We answer that the prison in Walnut street was built in 1774, as appears by the stone in front of the building. The lot is 200 feet front on Walnut street, and runs southwardly to Prune street 400 ft. There are 24 cells for the men, and 12 for the women, intended as solitary cells when built. 2d point. The salary of the physician is $300 per anhum-he visits the prison once every day, and oftener if necessary. The medicines are purchased from different druggists in the city, by quantities at wholesale prices, as they are wanted." 3d point. There is a principal keeper, and eleven deputies. The salary of the principal keeper is $900 p. an. and he has the use of three rooms, a kitchen and yard, and his washing and ironing done. The deputies receive different compensations, viz. 2 keepers in front, each $700 per annum; 6 keepers in the yard, $750 per annum; 1 superintendant of weavers, $600 per annum; 2 keepers in prune street apartment, $700 p. annum. To the 4th point. There are now within the walls 592 convicts, of these there are 501 males 91 females, white males 338, black males 163; white females 34, black females 57. For further answers to this question we refer you to the papers made out for the Prison Society, now annexed to Mr. Roberts Vaux's pamphlet. To the 5th point. We are not able to say with correctness, what is the greatest length of time that a convict has remained within the walls of the prison, since the establishment of the present system, but so far as the knowledge of the present members of the board extend, eleven years is the extent. nut street apartment, where they work, eat and lodgea few aged men are also kept there. 8th. Prisoners have been punished in the cells for un natural crimes committed in the prison; but we do not recollect of any prisoner having been convicted for any such offence committed in the prison. There have been convictions in our courts for such offences. Gambling is a vice to which convicts are very much addicted, and when detected are punished by confine ment in the cells on low diet. Drunkenness has occurred in a few instances, from the introduction of liquor by draymen and carters, who visit the prison yard on business, but it is rare. The prisoners are locked up in their rooms at sun-down, winter and summer; a lamp is suspended from the centre of the ceiling of each room by which light is afforded sufficient to read by, and they are permitted to converse and read until 9 o'clock, when a bell is struck and silence ensues. 9th. The working hours in summer are from 6 A. M. to 7 P. M.; in winter from 7 A. M. to 5 P. M. The number employed sawing stone varies according to the demand for that kind of labour, and the number of men suited to it, say from 160 to 200, so also in the weaving and other trades. The labour of a prisoner in sawing stone is various, according to the quality of the stone, the strength of the man, the state of the weather and the necessity of shifting the stone from one position to another, from time to time. Good workmen have sawed 30 ft per week, so with weavers and other trades. An industrious weaver has in some weeks wove 120 yds. The convicts are not allowed to work for their own benefit, although if they are industrious and healthy, and as regards stone cutters, have good weather and constant employment, they may have a balance to their credit in the accounts, which are kept according to law with each convict. Instances have occurred, of considerable sums having been paid to convicts on their discharge from prison. One prisoner was sentenced for life, but the judgment was reversed, owing to a defect in some part of the proceedings. We have known a convict to have The shoes and wearing apparel are manufactured in been confined within a solitary cell upwards of sixteen the prison by the convicts, the institution finding the months, and this is the longest time. The effect of con- raw materials. Shoes and a few other articles are mafinement is to make them obedient and good prisonersnufactured for customers, which are paid for to the keeper, but we do not manufacture goods for public or private sale, on prison account. It has been deemed most profitable to work for others at certain prices for the labour of the prisoners. By this means we do not require a capital, except what is employed in tools, &c. From the manner in which the penitentiary was originally engrafted on the gaol of the county of Philadelphia, the commissioners will perceive, that by law, the commissioners of the county of Philadelphia furnish all funds necessary to carry on the prison, which included, as well the convicts as the untried prisoners, and is under the government of one board of inspectors, excepting such balances as may be due from the different counties, for their prisoners beyond what their labour produces, and such sums as are received from the work done by the prisoners. These accounts are made out according to the provisions of the act of assembly, which is no doubt familiar to the commissioners. From seven to eight thousand dollars are received annually from the counties alone, and the county of Philadelphia pays from twenty to twenty-five thousand dollars per annum, for the institution under our care, which as above stated includes both prisons. 10th. The quality of the food is good; each prisoner has three meals per day. For breakfast, rye coffee You must be aware that the number sometimes varies. I suppose 40 persons would be about the average number employed. These are, as before stated, credited by jail-general. The counties from whence they come derive the benefit, and we are of course deprived of any receipts for their cost. The propriety of the charge to house expenses is thus explained. PRISONERS Terminer, and Mayor's-Court, in the years 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825 and 1826, for the following offences. 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1 56 78 70 67 68 78 1 sweetened with molasses and pound of rye bread; din-Received from the Courts of Quarter-Sessions, Oyer and ner, beef soup, a small piece of boiled beef, pound rye bread; supper, mush made out of Indian meal, and molasses and water. This is their food all the year round. 11th. Religious worship is held in the chapel every Sunday, by ministers of the gospel of different religious denominations, who volunteer their services, principally presbyterians and methodists. Benevolent christians visit the sick at all times, to talk to, and pray with them. Religious worship is also performed in the female apartment generally every Sunday morning. A society of ladies of the methodist and presbyterian denominations have for many years faithfully attended every Sunday afternoon, to teach the female convicts to read and generally to give them religious instruction. A bible class has been formed among the men, by a few religious young men of our city, who attend every Sunday. If the convicts in the solitary cells request the aid of a clergyman, it is always granted, but they are not visited by a clergyman while thus confined, except it be when they are under sentence of death. 12th. We are not able to answer, as no enquiry has ever been instituted. 13th. There was a general insurrection in the spring of 1821, in which one convict was killed and another wounded. Some few attempts to escape have been made; some few have succeeded in getting over the wall, but have always been re-taken and brought back. Quarter Sessions. Oyer and Terminer. Larceny Answers to certain additional questions proposed to the In-Forgery spectors of the Philadelphia Penitentiary. 1. A statement of the receipts for goods manufactured and sold cannot be ascertained without an expense of time, labour and attention, which the actual business of the institution must prevent. 2. The employment of the prisoners depends entirely upon the wants of individuals unconnected with the institution. The inspectors, having no capital as a corporation, do not purchase the raw material in any case, except what is necessary for convicts clothing. We have no agreements with persons employing the men, which can justly be construed into a contract. Farming the men out is not thought of, and it is scarcely practicable, from the nature of occupations which are carried Stone in blocks, from the quarry, is sent to us to be sawed, for which we receive 18 and 20 cents per foot. Yarn is sent to be dyed and worked into cloth, for which we receive six cents per yard; and in no case is there any agreement but that the prices shall not be raised without due notice. on. 3. I will preface this article by stating that the men employed for the jail are credited 30 cents per day, for Assault and battery Assault and battery to rape Mayor's Court. Larceny Assault and battery to kill to rape For the following offences: Horse stealing 7 Escape & conspiracy 10 Forgery 6 Misdemeanour Rape Burglary 14 Passing counterft. money Bawdy house 8 1 Assault & battery to rape 1 Assault and battery to kill 4 to rob 1 1 358 Report of the Commissioners for the erection of a new 3 5 16 1 First Conviction Second do Third do 15 Robbery 2 Fourth do 4 Manslaughter do 2 Perjury 2 Conspiracy to defraud 3 5 358 Assault and battery 2 3 the 2 2 penitentiary to the Legislature in 1825-6. To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The commissioners appointed to superintend the erection of a penitentiary within the city and county of Philadelphia, respectfully report: that in obedience to the provisions of an act of Assembly passed March 1, 1825, they directed their Architect and Superintendant, to prepare the necessary estimates, which are herewith submitted. From these estimates it appears that the probable expense for the completion of the penitentiary, will be one hundred and eighty-six thousand seven hundred and twenty dollars. The probable cost of the Centre Building including a reservoir for holding water, is stated at three thousand six hundred and sixty dollars; and a block of cells, containing thirty-eight cells, with the iron pipes necessary thereto, is estimated to cost twenty-four thousand and forty-two dollars. One block of cells is nearly finished, and the foundations of two more laid. The value of materials on hand is estimated at six thousand six hundred and sixty dollars. The amount appropriated by law for the erection of the penitentiary was two hundred and forty thousand dollars, of which sum the Commissioners have received two hundred and thirty-nine thousand dollars. The remainder, one thousand dollars, was received by Peter Mierken, formerly President of the Board, which he al1 leged he had lost, and the Commissioners never could 2 recover it. In addition to the above sum received from the State Treasurer, the Commissioners have received from the sale of two city lots the sum of fifteen hundred 10 and twenty-five dollars, making in all two hundred and 1 forty thousand five hundred and twenty-five dollars.2 They have expended two hundred and forty thousand 5 one hundred and cleven dollars fourteen cents. They 1owe for materials purchased and delivered twenty-three hundred and eighty-two dollars and nine cents; and the balance in the treasury is four hundred and thirteen dollars eighty-six cents. |