the United States, to be by me delivered to the Post Master in this place, to be forwarded to "The president of the senate of the United States, Washington city, D. C." to whom the same is directed. JAMES GORDON. On motion, After some time Mr. King made the following report; The undersigned a committee appointed for that pur- Henry Winters $46 00 36 00 26.90 22 50 39 90 75 00 William Findlay Jacob Gearhart Samuel Humes 24 00 Jacob Heyser John Harper George G. Leiper 46 20 John Scott Henry Sheets 42 00 William Piper 18 00 Valentine Geisey James Gordon 75 00 81 00 Adam Kitscher David Hottenstein 33 90 | John M. Snowden Peter Frailey Francis Baird All of which is respectfully submitted. On motion of Mr. King and Mr. Sheets, said report was again read, considered, and adopted. Warrants were accordingly so drawn, and, on motion of Mr. Gibson and John Scott, Messrs. Cunningham and Snowden were ordered to compare the amount of the warrants with the amount allowed each elector by the committee agreeably to their report as adopted. On motion of Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Snowden, the following resalution was read and agreed to. Resolved, That the secretary be requested to have the minutes of this Electoral College printed in pamphlet PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS. Thursday evening, Dec. 11, 1828. Mr. O'Neill presented a petition from sundry citizens, praying for the erection of a market house, west of Broad street. Referred to the committee on markets. Mr. Page presented a petition from John H. Willets, praying for the use of the rooms in the State House, for a school on an improved plan. Referred to Committee on the State House. Mr. O'Neill, from the committee on the subject, rePorted that from two to three hundred dollars, had been wharf, from May to October: and that of four different collected for wharfage of vessels, lying at Sassafras st. proposals, they considered that from W. Whildin, to rent the wharf for steam boat and commercial purposes, as the most eligible. The report was laid on the table, and the committee authorized to continue to receive proposals till the 20th inst. The President stated that Mr. J. Hare Powell, one of the representatives of the city in the Senate of Pennsylvania, had, for the information of Councils, forwarded from Harrisburg, a copy of a memorial of the following tenor, lately presented to the Legislature. To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The memorial of the subscribers owners of ground, on the banks of the river Schuylkill and traders on the said river: Respectfully sheweth, That by an act of Assembly, passed the 25th day of build any wharf, storehouse, or other building, beyond March, 1805, it was enacted, that if any person should lower falls and its junction with the river Delaware, and low water mark, into the river Schuylkill, between the without a license from the board of wardens, such persons should be liable to a fine of $1000. That under the authority of the said act, the board of wardens have permitted a large number of persons to erect wharves into the said river, beyond low water mark, so as to have from eight to seventeen feet water when the tide is out, but the said board of wardens do refuse permission under any circumstances to build store houses below low water mark, even upon wharves built according to their own regulations. That in consequence of the distance between low Col-water mark and the ends of the wharves being in many instances very great, the store houses are thrown so far back from where the boats can lay with safety to unload, and from the store houses being necessarily higher than the wharves to keep them out of the reach of freshets, the process of loading and unloading boats is attended with much delay and merchandize and the produce of the country liable to damage, it being rolled through the mud from the boats to the end of the store house. If on the other hand the storehouse was extended out so far beyond low water mark, that a boat, could when the tide is out, lay along side of it with safety, and by one operation load and unload, much time would be saved and much injury to merchandize avoided. Resolved, That the thanks of the Electoral College are hereby tendered to the Senate of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for their politeness in tendering the electors the use of their chamber during the sitting of the college, and that the secretary be directed to furnish the Senate with a copy of this resolution. On motion of Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Allshouse, The following resolution was twice read, considered, and adopted: Resolved, That the thanks of this electoral college are hereby tendered to William Findlay, president, and John De Pui, secretary of this college, for their kind aid in the discharge of the very arduous duties of their respective stations, during the sitting of this electoral college. On motion of Mr. George G. Leiper, and Mr. Valentine Geisey-the college adjourned sine die. WM. FINDLAY, President. Attest-JOHN DE PUI, Secretary. [* They amount to $1316 90.] Your memorialists therefore pray that they may be permitted to build storehouses on their wharves so that boats may safely lie by them to load and unload when the tide is out. And your memorialists as in duty bound, &c. The subject was referred to Messrs. Maitland, Page, Read, and Richards. On motion of Mr. Read of the Select Council, it was resolved that the Committee on the State House and Independence Square be instructed to inquire into the expediency of appropriating the second floor of the State House for the purgose of a court room and offices for the Circuit and District Courts of the United States, and at the same time be authorised to receive proposals for leasing the same for the purposes aforesaid. On motion of Mr. Johnson, the following resolutions were adopted, Mr. J. stating that as the Paving Committee intended that the paving next year should be under their immediate inspection, the information called for was necessary for their guidance. spring. From the salt works fifty miles above Pittsburg, to the Kiskeminetas feeder, the line is in actual use, and water is now flowing through that feeder, to supply the whole distance below. From the salt works upwards to Blairsville nothing remains which may not easily be finished during the present winter. ty of excavation and inside wall, are the only matters requiring further attention. The nine miles of the French creek feeder are in a Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, that similar state of forwardness. One or two culverts, four the City Commissioners, be and they are hereby direct-bridges, the fencing of the line and a very small quantied, to furnish Councils at their next stated meeting, with a statement of the amount of moneys expended on new pavements, within the present year, designating the streets or squares, so paved, together with a separate statement of the number of yards paved in each district respectively. The amount of work done on the Juniata, between Lewistown and the mouth of Juniata may be regarded as equal to 2-3 of the whole. This line has suffered from sickness more severely, than any other in the state, and it experienced moreover a great scarcity of hands, in the earlier part of the season. Those difficulties being now entirely removed, its completion may be expected before the 1st of August. Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils, that the City Commissioners be and they are hereby directed, to cause to be laid before Councils at their next stated meeting, a statement of the improvements, which in their opinion are necessary to be made the ensuing The Susquehanna division from the mouth of Juniata season, whether east of Broad street or fronting on the to Northumberland, is considered completed. Like river Schuylkill, designating the streets or squares re- the Juniata line, it was delayed by the scarcity of workquiring to be paved, together with those which requiremen in the early summer months, and by the sickness to be graduated or filled up to the regulations, and also the number of loads of paving stone and number of feet of curb stone, necessary for the same.-Phila. Gaz. PENNSYLVANIA CANAL. We have now the pleasure to lay before our readers the annual report of the Canal Commissioners, which affords an interesting view of the progress of that important work, and encourages the hope that at no very distant period, we shall begin to reap the fruits of the well directed liberality of the Legislature. incident to our river valleys. At its present rate of progression, it cannot fail of completion by the first of July next. The eastern division is entirely finished, except the two sections at Peters mountain, (on which about two months work remains,) and the aqueduct embankment at Stony and Clark's creeks. It is confidently believed, that the navigation from the mouth of Juniata to Middletown will be in actual use before the rising of the Legislature. The contracts existing on the Delaware, at the date of the last report, extended only to the excavation and Canal formation of 18 miles, and included no work of wood or stone. All these contracts have been satisfac The Canal Commissioners of Pennsylvania respect- torily completed, and further contracts have been made, fully submit the following REPORT: 212 miles. This aggregate is increased by about 4 miles added to the Juniata and Susquehanna divisions, in order to unite them at a convenient point on Duncan's island, making the whole amount contracted for, under the authority of the acts of 1826 and 1827, about 217 miles. Since the report alluded to was made, the work on the several divisions has been steadily prosecuted. Considerable delay was produced by the prevalence of high water, from an early period last fall to the month of June last, and severe inconvenience has also been felt, from sickness on the Juniata, Susquehanna and Delaware. It will appear nevertheless from the following sketch of the state of those divisions, that a great amount of work has been accomplished. The whole Western division from the out let locks on the Allegheny to Blairsville is so far completed, that it will unquestionably be navigable at the opening of the for the locks, culverts, aqueducts and bridges on that portion of the line, to be executed early in the next season. In executing the act of the last session of the Legislature, making further appropriations for the Pennsylvania canal, and directing additional contracts to be made, the Board acted on the principle, that the money thus placed at their disposal, should as far as practicable, be devoted to the old lines, and that the new contracts should be made so late in the season, as to constitute no serious charge upon the existing appropriation. At the meeting of the Board in March, it was deemed advisable, to place under contract seven additional miles of the Delaware division, which was accordingly done on the 20th May following. No arrangement having yet been made with the State of New Jersey for the use of the Delaware, and it being still uncertain, from what quarter the canal might ultimately be filled with water, the engineer was directed to re-examine the whole line from New Hope to Easton, and so to adjust its location, as to admit of a full and easy supply, whatever might be the result of a negotiation with New Jersey. This was satisfactorily effected to a point about seven miles below Easton, from which the location must entirely depend upon the question, whether the Delaware or the Lehigh be used as a feeder. The Board accordingly determined at their meeting in August, to place under contract 284 miles from New Hope upwards, and to reserve the remaining distance until the result of the negotiation pending with New Jersey should be known. Of this amount 18 miles were contracted for on the 18th of September, and 10 miles more on the 18th of November. The excavation and canal formation of the first seven miles of the Delaware line, above Taylor's ferry are nearly complete. The next 18 miles are actively advancing and in the remaining 10 miles, the contractors are now commencing their operations. The payments already made on the new line, amount to $28,285,23. It is the intention of the Board to extend 1828.] REPORT OF CANAL COMMISSIONERS. their contracts to Easton as early as possible next spring. At the meeting of the board in March last, Charles T. Whippo, Esq. was appointed an engineer, and was directed to commence the location of a canal line upon the north branch of the Susquehanna. Having selected the Nanticoke falls, 54 miles above Northumberland, as the proper place for taking a feeder, he continued his line 27 miles downwards, and reported it to the board at their meeting in June. His plan being approved, that portion of the canal was placed under contract, on the 24th of July. At the meeting in August, the remaining distance of 27 miles to Northumberland, was located by the board, and the superintendent was directed to enter into contracts for 18 miles, so as to make up the 45 miles, authorised by law. The work on this division has advanced with great spirit, and should the legislature authorise the construction of the remaining 9 miles, estimated to cost only 37,000 dollars, a perfect navigation of 54 miles on the north branch, laying open the whole region of anthracite coal on that stream, will be in use by the spring of 1830. In conformity with the act of the last session, Mr. Francis W. Rawle, an engineer in the service of the board, was instructed to make an accurate survey and estimate on both sides of the West Branch, from Northumberland to the mouth of Bald Eagle. His report of these surveys having been laid before the board at their session in August, and it appearing to their satisfaction, that the left bank of the river was decidedly preferable, a portion of canal on that bank, commencing at Northumberland, and extending upwards to the Muncy Hills, 23 miles was placed under contract on the 1st of October. Since that period the work has been commenced on every section, and within the present week payments will have been made, to the amount of twenty thousand dollars. As this line presents unusual facilities no doubt is entertained of its completion within the coming year. At an early period of the summer, Mr. Clinton, the engineer of the Juniata division, was instructed to continue that line, from its termination at Lewistown, a further distance of 45 miles. In the preliminary examinations necessary for this purpose, a survey was made, as required by law, to determine the practicability of carrying the canal, along the Kishecoquillas valley. At the meeting in August, Mr. Clinton made a report on this subject, and presented to the Board a draft and esHe also reported, that the timate of the line selected. proposed route along the Kishecoquillas valley was wholly impracticable. In the month of October last, contracts were entered into for 45 miles, commencing at Lewistown, and terminating at Smith's Mills, a short distance above Huntingdon. On this portion of the canal operations have partially commenced, but no payments will be made until the 15th of January next, and its completion is not looked for before the middle of the year 1830. Cantracts have also been entered into, for the exten- Early last spring, Major Wilson as engineer of the 46 within the limit of locomotive machinery is perfectly The Board have reason to believe, that the selection It is believed, that a line of Railway leading to a large While considering this subject, they have been struck the west side of the river, the difficulty before suggest A particular and very extensive examination of the Mr. Roberts having accepted employment elsewhere, Moncure Robinson, Esq. an engineer of high reputation, has been appointed in his place. He will be furnished with the notes and drafts of Mr. Roberts, and as view to the construction of a railway composed of lifts early as possible, will commence his enquiries with a and levels, and also of a Mac Adamised road of easy graduation, between the two Canals. This latter examination is dictated from a belief that such a turnpike will be found indispensable for the accommodation of tranot from a wish to place it in competition with the first vellers having business on the Canals and Railways, and named mode of improvement, as a means of transportation for merchandise and produce. For an The surveys authorised by law, for a Rail road from "some point on the Schuylkill Canal to Sunbury, Danville and Catawissa," and for Canals and Railways between the Lehigh and North Branch by Nescopeck valley and other projected routes, have been ably executed by Mr. Robinson; within the present season. account of operations so extended, embracing the whole summit between the waters of the Susquehanna and the Delaware, as far north as the Lackawanna, and brenching off into innumerable lateral examinations, recourse must be had to the Report of Mr. Robinson, annexed hereto. Among other results, it is ascertained, that a Canal by way of Nescopeck Valley, is entirely practicable, although the amount of lockage will prove a serious inconvenience. It appears also, that from Catawissa, a railway suited to locomotive engines, except at the summit, where stationary power must be employed, may be carried, either through Quakake Valley to the Lehigh, by the Schuylkill to Pottsville, or the head of Little Schuylkill to its mouth, and that a Railway conveniently adjusted for the use of horse power, may be made from Pottsville to Sunbury or Danville. Particular drafts and estimates of several of these routes, will be forwarded to the Legislature, as soon as they can be prepared. Agreeably to the law of the last session a further examination of the proposed line of canal from Easton along the Delaware to Carpenter's Point, has been made by Major Douglass, and two estimates have been furnished; one for a canal of the same dimensions with that below Easton, and the other for a canal of reduced size, as described in the law. The cost of the larger improvement is estimated at an average of $13,309 per mile, and of the smaller, at $11,678. The last mentioned sum having fallen below the maximum fixed by the Legislature, a resolution determining the location of the line, has been passed by the board, but no part has been placed under contract. At the meeting of the Board in March last, Mr. Edward F. Gay, late engineer of the Conestoga navigation, was selected to execute the surveys with a view to canals and slack water navigation, directed to be made, on the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers; his instructions embraced the various modes of improvement mentioned in the act of the last session of the Legislature, and a full report on each of the subjects referred to his care, is now presented. The cost of a navigation by dams, locks, and ponds adapted to steam boats, along the Allegheny river, from the mouth of French creek to that of Kiskeminetas, (the plan preferred by Mr. Gay,) is estimated at $923,098 or about $10,000 a mile, for 934 miles. He represents the construction of a canal along the Monongahela, as almost impracticable, but the river may be advantageously improved in many places by dams and locks, at an expense of $265,000. The cost of steam boat navigation from Pittsburgh down the Ohio to Beaver, by dams and locks, is estimated at $221,298. At a late period of the present season Mr. Wm. H. Hopkins, an engineer recently in the service of the state of Ohio, was engaged to ascertain the practicability of a rail road from the west end of the Harrisburg bridge to Chambersburg, and from thence by way of Gettysburg to York. His labours in the field are now about completed, and his report, as soon as received, will be forwarded to the Legislature. In this sketch of operations within the past year, it has been the object of the board to avoid all unnecessary detail. For such further particulars as may be desired, reference is made to the numerous documents annexed hereto. $3,511,000 It is estimated from the experience of former seasons, that supposing the utmost activity to be used upon all of the lines within the approaching year, at least $700,000 of the aggregate exhibited by this statement will remain to be expended in the year 1830, so that the amount required for the operations of next year, making full al lowance for the sums yet to be paid on the Eastern and Western Divisions, cannot materially exceed $3,000,000, and may probably fall short of that sum. Inasmuch, however, as the faith of the Commonwealth is already pledged for the contracts made, it will probably be desirable, that a precise limit should not be fixed, and that full scope should be given for the execution of such contracts as early as possible. That this statement presents a scene of operations of great extent is readily admitted. But it is equally certain that a vigorous effort for another year, will so reduce its magnitude as to place the success of the whole system of internal improvement beyond a reasonable doubt. By the month of August next, 47 miles on the Juniata, forty-one miles more on the Susquehanna, and twenty-eight miles on the Delaware, will certainly be completed, reducing the whole distance to 184 miles. By the month of December next, the North and West Branch Divisions may be ready for navigation, the Delaware line to Easton will be nearly completed, and the obligations of the Commonwealth for lines now under contract, will have been reduced to a sum considerably short of one million of dollars. Upon the view thus presented the Board would propose a system of proceeding, recommended at once by its extreme simplicity, its tendency to sustain the confidence of the public, and the certainty it affords, that the whole scheme of the Internal Improvement adopted by the state, embracing a complete communication from Philadelphia to Pittsburg and Lake Erie, and the projected lines along the Susquehanna, its branches, and the Delaware, may be triumphantly executed within a reasonable period. It is based upon the supposition that the whole expenditure of the present year will be $3,000,000, which added to $3,300,000 already borrowed, makes 6,300,000 dollars; and also that the income from the Eastern and Western Divisions next year will equal the interest of the excess of the canal debt above $6,000,000, at the end of that year. Upon these suppositions it is proposed. 1. That the revenue at present applicable to the interest of canal loans be so increased by legislative provisions, as to produce annually the interest of six millions of dollars, independently of all receipts from the canals. 2. That all further extensions of the lines of improvement beyond the cost of six millions of dollars, shall be For the sake of brevity, also, they have deemed it ex-ished canal, and shall be limited by the sufficiency of made by loan, upon the credit of receipts, from the finpedient, to present at a single view, a list of all the con- those receipts to discharge the interest of such further tracts, which will claim attention within the coming year. As the Eastern and Western Divisions are already so far completed, that they cannot be the source of much additional expenditure, after the work already done shall be paid for, they are left out of the account. The other lines at a liberal estimate will stand as fol lows: Delaware North Branch West Branch Juniata, (Lower Line) Do. (Upper Line) Susquehanna division, including dam and bridge over the river loans. in revenue, so as to exceed the interest of the loans, to 3. That as the finished portions of the canal increase which they are pledged, the excess shall be applied as a sinking fund, or as a fund for the making of other valuable improvements, not included in the present sys tem. $520,000 The Board in offering these suggestions desire it to 330,000 be understood, that they mean not to diminish the ex151,000 tent of the system, already adopted, but on the contrary 315,000 that they calculate upon its early and effectual comple890,000 tion. They entertain no doubt, that the receipts from canal tolls, within the year 1830, will justify the ex284,000 penditure of three millions that year, if such a sum be required; and will increase from that time in a ratio fully equal to the further wants of the commonwealth in executing its system. In proof of this they remark, that during the whole of next season 103 miles of valuable canal will be in full operation, that at the commencement of the year 1830, the extent navigable will be 290 miles, and that within the last mentioned year, it will be extended to 350 miles, embracing sections equalled by none other in promise and importance. whether contracts for repairs done to the works, after it had been taken off the hands of the original contractor, can be considered as included. A modification of the law is therefore asked, which will enable the Board promptly to make and pay for such repairs as may be required on the lines of the canal. Such lines cannot be regarded as completed, until the water has been admitted, and the accidents attending a first trial of their strength have been remedied. In general these repairs will be made by the acting Commissioner, or Superintendant, having charge of the next unfinished line. They have based their calculations as to the practicability and consequences of the plan proposed, upon facts which they regard as established, and they look to In one instance, however, it has already occurred, its adoption, or that of some other corresponding in that the acting commissioner could not find time for principle, however different in detail as essential to the this additional duty. The Board have therefore appointpreservation of public confidence, and the ultimate suc-ed a supervisor to take charge of the Western Division cess of the improvements begun. as far as completed, and to direct the making of all necessary repairs. The same necessity may probably exist in other quarters before the close of the year, and it will be convenient, that such officers have power to ob tain the funds required, immediately from the Treasury. It is proposed therefore, that all supervisors of the canal lines, who may be appointed by the Board, shall give bond to the Commonwealth in the sum of ten thousand dollars, and shall be permitted to draw money to that amount under restrictions, and with obligations to account, similar to those prescribed in the case of Acting Commissioners and Superintendants. Signed by order of the Board. By the report of the Board in December last, the amount of contracts existing, was estimated at about 2,050,000 dollars, and this amount was soon after increased to 2,350,000 dollars, by additions on the Susquehanna and Juniata divisions, which included a bridge across the Susquehanna, an aqueduct over the Juniata, a set of outlet locks, and about four miles of canal. To meet these contracts the means of the Board have been 1. The balance then remaining of the appropriation of 1827, about 2. Appropriation of 1828 $400,000 2,000,000 $2,400,000 Of this sum, however, 150,000 dollars have been diverted to other objects. The expenditures on new lines subsequently put under contract amount to 110,000, and about 4000 have been drawn from the Treasury for surveys, damages, expenses of the Board, and other contingent items. This statement has been made, to account for the fact, which has in a different form been communicated to the Legislature, that the appropriation of 1828 is already exhausted, and that the exigencies of the service call for a further and immediate supply. Further particulars, as to the precise objects to which the funds have been applied, will appear by the reports of the several acting commissioners and superintendants, annexed hereto. One or two subjects remain to be presented for consideration. At the present session of the Board, a statement has been made from a quarter entitled to great respect, that a communication between the Pennsylvania Canal, along the west branch with the river, at a point opposite Lewisburg, will be productive of convenience to a large section of valuable country. The Board appreciate fully the importance of the district, which the arrangement would accommodate, and they do not hesitate to recommend the subject to the consideration of the legislature. What may be the precise cost of such a communication and upon which plan it might most easily be effected, they are not at this time prepared to say, but they apprehend no serious difficulty upon either point, if an opportunity be given for proper examinations. In a number of instances the mode of constructing the lines of improvement have already or will hereafter produce a large amount of water power, which may be disposed of on profitable terms to the Commonwealth, without injury to the public works. The dam across the Susquehanna at Shamokin, and the various dams along the Conemaugh, Kiskeminetas, and Juniata, are prominent examples. At present no available power to sell or lease such water rights exists in the Board, and as the time is approaching, when they may easily be made a source of revenue, the subject is urged upon the attention of the Legislature. Under the existing laws, authorising the commissionto make the necessary contracts for the construction of canals, a doubt has arisen in the accounting department, DANIEL MONTGOMERY, Attest-Jos. M'ILVAINE, Secretary. Canal Office, Harrisburg, Dec. 11th, 1828. President. FROM POULSON'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER. STATESMEN. Towards the close of that period of our city history, when the State Legislature sat, where it now ought to be in session, in the Old State House, on Chesnut street, His Excellency, the first Governor, under the new Constitution, a hero of the revolution; the most popular man in the State, and without a competitor before the People- was observed one day with great interest, by three boys, (sitting beneath the shade of a thorn hedge) on his return from his, (at the time,) well known superb country mansion near the falls of the Schuylkill. He was dressed in full uniform, as commander-in-chief; holsters and bear skin, military boots and spurs-mounted on his "gallant gray," and moving elegantly and rapidly along the ridge road, on his way into the city; being followed by his black servant, in suitable livery, handsomely mounted, and coming hard after him, at proper mili tary distance. In his walks about the town, and through the market, on market days, he was usually followed, in the latter case, by his serving man, yielding, beneath the pressure of an ample basket. Upon the pavement walk, as remembered, he stood very erect; dressed as a citizen in rich apparel such as became a gentleman of his circle; was of the middle size, with a handsome rotund, but active person; evidently with good capon lined;" a hearty claret coloured, or rather ruddy complexion, and a keen coal black eye. He moved in a kind of quick step, and conversed with a brisk and easy sort of elocution, while stopping, with some of the "great ones of the city" who had encountered him on his way. The word being given, at Fourth street market-"here comes the governor," would pass along among the victuallers, from stall to stall. Good morning Mr. Copegood morning governor-and so onward to Mr. Woelpper, near Second street, and through Jersey market.Good morning Mr. Sloan-"Good morning-hope thou art well to day"-down to the fish women "on the hill." At this time, they withstood the "pelting of the piti less storm," during the winter season, sheltered only by their thick coating cloaks, and warmed only by cups of coals, enclosed in small "wooden stoves:"-nevertheless they all vied with each other, which of them should |