Morristown, Jan. 9, 1781. Dear Sir-This will be brought to you by a person who has been sent by Sir Henry Clinton with proposals to the discontented Troops and was honest enough to bring them to me. In order that we might be certain of their intentions with respect to the enemy, we have thought it best to suffer him to go on with a message and he is to return here with the answer. We have heard that they have already detained two who came to them on the same errand-if this person should meet with the same fortune, you will be pleased to have him discharged, if in your power. of shoes &c. would be but little expense and I think as Yr obed and very huble servt. I am extremely anxious to hear how matters are going on and what prospect there is of the affairs being terminated. I beg my respects to Col. Butler and Col. little progress I shall leave them, being much fatigued. Stewart and hope soon to have the happiness to see you in more agreeable situations. I am Dear Sir Brig. Gen. Wayne. Yr mo. ob. Serv. Farmer Dear Sir-I received your several favors of the 5th, 6, 7 & 8 Jany.--every thing you requested has been particularly attended to the cloathing from various reasons has been detained longer than I wished for. will certainly go off with it to morrow if not to day.They consist of 1200 shirts, overalls for 25,00 men, about 1200 pair shoes 1000 blankets. Mr. Davies brings up the hard money left by Gen. Potter with Mr. Rittenhouse. I hope before I go to bed to night to hear of a proper settlement of this affair. I have always handed your letters to the President of the Congress the moment I received them--The Council present their compliments to you. I am with great respect, Yr most obed. humbl. servt. WM. MOORE. To be Continued. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION IN PENNSYLVANIA. To the Pennsylvania Society for the Promotion of THE COUNCIL REPORTS.-That immediately after its organization a circular letter was addressed to gentlemen residing in different parts of every county of the state, soliciting information concerning the actual means of instruction, in their respective districts and neighbour. hoods. On the receipt of replies to those enquiries, a report on the state of education in Pennsylvania was prepared, and widely circulated in pamphlet form, and through the newspapers published in this commonwealth. However painful the task, it became the duty of the Council to expose a faithful picture of the deplorable condition of many sections of the state, where moral, religious, and literary education had not been conferred upon a numerous class of persons, and where the neglect of this great duty was fruitful of the most lamentable consequences. That report also represents the inefficiency of the modes of education adopted, even where local provision is made by law for the instruction of the offspring of citizens in restricted pecuniary circumstances, and with the exception of the city and county of Philadelphia, the city of Lancaster, and a few other interior places, the subject did not appear to have claimed much attention. The report alluded to, furthermore communicated the melancholy fact that almost every county was without teachers of requisite abilities and attainments, and deficient often in moral qualities, so that if in other respects means could have been commanded to establish schools, the effort must have proved abortive for want of suitable instructors. Bloomsbury, near Trenton, Jany. 11, 1781. Dear Sir-I received your favor of the 10th inst. and am much obliged to you for the readiness which has been shewn to comply with my requests. I do assure you and the Council that I have conducted the matter to the best of my abilities, and am not conscious of being led into any concessions from other motives than a real judgment of what would be best for the service and the general good of the country. I know it is a delicate matter and do not expect the officers will be pleased with any other settlement than by force and exemplary punishment of the mutineers, but I confess I saw no Anxious to contribute whatever might be in the power disposition of this kind in the state or any inclination to of the society toward producing a better state of things meddle with them but on their turning towards the ene- in this respect, and to encourage if possible the forma my, to the contrary of which they [have] given pretty tion of Lancasterian schools in the towns of Pennsylvania, decisive proofs. The two spies were executed this the Council issued a second circular letter, in which morning having been faithfully delivered according to among many suggestions, it was formally proposed to promise. They discover a very good temper in most furnish competent teachers, acquainted with the plan of respects and I think I may now venture to assure you of mutual instruction, as soon as reasonable compensations as happy a settlement of the matter as circumstances should be provided for their services. By the adoption will adinit. I really think they have had some solid of this expedient immediate relief could be afforded, and causes of complaint, which with their behaviour justifies if success attend the management of these schools it was in my judgment the lenity shewn them. As a line I ex-believed that they would prove nurseries in which pect no service from them till they are very much alter- many young person of both sexes would become quali. ed in their regimental system by throwing different men fied to teach on the same system, and thus this efficient together, and this the new arrangement will facilitate--and economical mode of instruction would be transplantthe greater part will enlist again. I have thought when ed into every part of Pennsylvania where the population matters are farther advanced to take some notice of their was dense enough to sustain such schools. women and children by providing some decent clothing which they have not at present; there are about 100 of them and like ourselves they have their attachments and affections. A new gown, silk handkerchief and a pair The Council rejoice in being enabled to represent that its offer has already been accepted in several remote towns-that in others the business is under consideration, and it is quite probable that during the present autumn a number of well qualified teachers will go forth under the auspices of the society, to lay the foundation of seminaries of useful learning in many places now destitute of such blessings. The Council is afresh animated by the conviction, that the society which it represents has been happily instrumental to awaken throughout Pennsylvania a spirit of reflection, and inquiry in regard to elementary education, such as never more existed to the same extent. A well grounded opinion is also entertained, that if this concern for the vital interests of the people continues to be cherished, the time is not very remote, when the legislature influenced by the weight of correct public sentiment, and obedient to its own sense of duty, will provide a system of public instruction consistent with the enlightened spirit of the age, and altogether worthy of the character and resources of this great commonwealth. On behalf of the Council, ROBERTS VAUX, A. H. RICHARDS, Committee to prepare the Report. Whereupon on motion it was unaninmously resolved, that the report of the Council be published in such of the newspapers of the city of Philadelphia and state of Pennsylvania, whose editors are disposed to promote the objects of this society. The following resolution was unananimously adopted: Resolved, That the proceedings of the Council are highly sattisfactory to this society, and ought to encou⚫ Tage it to persevere in its useful labours, with renewed vigour. Extract from the minutes, the contractors on this last mentioned part have already commenced active operations, and much work, it is expected, will be done this fall and winter, should the weather prove favorable. The route from Esquire Pursell's to within about six miles of Easton is also to be put under contract in a few weeks, which will make about fifty-five miles put under contract within one year, a great portion of which is already completed. Until the meeting of the Legislature, it will not be determined whether the Canal will enter a dam on the Lehigh, or in the Delaware river a short distance below the mouth of the Lehigh, otherwise we presume the whole line would have been put under contract this fall. On the route from New Hope to Pursell's there are four acqueducts, numbered 4, 5, 6, and 7, and situated as follows. No. 4. Crosses Parry's mill dam, at New Hope. allowing a passage for the stream of 50 feet in the clear. No. 5, Crosses Milton Creek, above Lumberville, at its mouth 50 feet do. There are six Culverts, numbered and situated as follows: No. 10-8 feet span over Dark Hollow run, on section 50. No. 11-5 do. do. Rabit Run, on section 52. No. 12-12 do, with 2 feet perpendicular below the spring of the arch, over Phillips mill creek, section 54. No. 13-3 feet over a small stream on late W. Mitchell's land section 57. No. 14-12 feet span over Scuttalossa Creek, on section 61. No. 15-8 feet span over Creek below Lumberville, on section 62. A. H. RICHARDS, Secretary. PROGRESS OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMETS. Pennsylvania Canal.-On Saturday evening last the workmen engaged in constructing the locks at the junc- Lycoming Rail Road and Coal Company-We are tion of the canal with the river in Allegheny-town, com- much pleased to learn that measures are taking to or pleted the foundation of the River Lock, and the erec-ganize this company under the charter granted by the tion of its walls above low water mark,-a work of immense labour, as the foundation was six feet lower than the bed of the river, the waters of which arose with such rapidity in the evacuation as to require the constant use of six screw pumps, each calculated to eject a hogshead a minute. These had been kept in motion night and day, for some weeks. Mr. Byrne, the contractor, has now a prospect of completing these two superb locks in a few weeks. The two other locks in Allegheny-town are finished, and we understand a hope is entertained that the water may be let into the Pittsburg and Kiskeminetas division of the canal this fall. Great progress has been made in the construction of the canal aqueduct across the Allegheny at the mouth of Washington street. The two abutments, and two of the piers in the river, appear to be nearly completed. The other four piers are considerably above the surface of the water. The tunnel through Grant's Hill remains nearly as it was in the spring-being reserved probably for a winter job.-Pittsburg Gaz. DOYLSTOWN, Sept. 29. Pennsylvania Canal.-The work on the Delaware division of the Pennsylvania Canal is rapidly progressing, The first 18 miles from Bristol to Taylor's Ferry, put under contract last fall are now nearly completed. From Taylor's Ferry to New Hope, 7 miles put under contract on the 20th of May, considerable work has been done, and and is rapidly approaching toward completion. From New Hope to the farm of Brice Pursell Esq. in Tinicum, 18 miles, was let out to contractors on the 19th inst. at New Hope between 2 and 300 persons were present at the letting, most of whom offered bids for work, and it is believed the whole has been let to good and competent contractors, and on terins as favorable to the State as any work heretofore let. Some of legislature of Pennsylvania at the last session. We understand it is the intention of the company, if they can procure a competent Engineer, to have the route of their Rail Road surveyed and located this fall and that they speak confidently of its completion by November 1829. Its whole length, from the Coal Mines to the West Branch, will be from 20 to 21 miles.-Lyco. Gaz. OFFICIAL. Circular to all the Collectors of the Inland Frontiers on the Canada line. Treasury Department, Sir: The great extent of the inland and water frontier along the Canada line, and facilities thereby afforded for the illicit introduction of foreign merchandize, make it necessary that the greatest attention should be paid to the due execution of the revenue laws in that quarter. This letter is, therefore, by the direction of the President, addressed to you, with a view to excite your most active vigilance upon this subject; which is the more especially required since the passage of the act of the 19th of May last, increasing, in several important particulars, the former rate of duties on imported merchandize. A further object of it is to say, that should one or more additional inspectors be, in your opinion, necessary within your district, in order to ensure a faithful execution of the act above mentioned, you will make report to me accordingly, stating the points at which you may deem them necessary to be stationed. This intimation is not given to encourage, in any degree, an increase of subordinate officers where it can be avoided by increased activity and vigilance on the part of those already employed; but only that the important objects of the act should not be left in danger of frustration through any real deficiency in the number WHEAT AND FLOUR IN ENGLAND. We subjoin a table, copied from the New York Albion, which will enable our readers to ascertain at what cost, in this country, flour can be exported to Great Britain with a prospect of gain. The market value of the Spanish dollar in England is four shillings and two pence sterling, so that fifty shillings sterling is equal to twelve dollars. The figures in the different columns of the table are explained by the heading of each column. It will be seen that when the quarter of England shall be the value of 60 shillings, the duty on the barrel of flour will be 16 shillings, and the price of the barrel, without the duty, should be in Liverpool 26 shillings in order to make it proportionate to the price of the wheat in England. At this price of 26 shillings, or when the quarter of wheat shall be 60 shillings in the English market, it is the calculation of the correspondent to whom the Albion is indebted for this table, that "it will begin to be advantageous to import American flour." We have heard of flour in Pennsylvania at 73 dollars a barrel. If So, this is a price far above what the English Market can possibly warrant for some time to come, should the rise be steady and continued.-Na tional Journal. At Jefferson College, Washington, Pa, the commencement took place on the 25th ult. After the usual exercises, 27 graduates received the degree of A. B, and that of A. M. was given to 13 gentlemen alumni of the college. The degree of D.D. was conferred on the Rev. John Hemphill, of South Carolina-U. S. Gaz. Large Stage.-The greatest object of curiosity, just now in Philadelphia, is a huge Coach, constructing by Mr. Gleason, and intended for the Citizens' Line, to run between Bordentown and Washington, (N. J.) This enormous vehicle is divided into two apartments, one above the other, with seven seats in each. The whole number of passengers to be carried is fifty six; twenty eight below and the same number above. The body of the carriage is thirteen feet long, five feet wide, and ten in height. When placed on the wheels, the roof will be about fourteen feet from the ground. There are to be no more than four wheels; those before about three feet in diameter, and the others something less than six. The breadth of the wheels is eighteen inches, and each has a double set of spokes. The baggage is to be carried on a car, attached behind, and drawn on a single wheel, two feet and a half broad. The whole is to be drawn by twelve horses, three abreast, the driver to be aided by two postillions. In the stages now in use, the number of horses, with three men, instead of a man and two boys, would be able to carry but twenty seven passengers. It is calculated that the rate of travelling, as to speed, will be about the same as in the four horse coaches. This carriage it is expected, will be finished in about three weeks. It is now at Mr. Gleason's work shop, in St. James's street, back of St. James's church. [Chron. Government Credits, Phila. Oct. 5.-At a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce called for the purpose of taking into considèration the injuries arising from the present system of government credits, it was Resolved, That the essays entitled "Warehousing system and government Credits," published in one of the d. daily papers of this city, be republished in pamphlet form at the expense of this Chamber. 50 35 013 0 51 35 814 3 51 52 53 54 55 52 36 515 7 53 37 116 10 54 37 918 2 55 38 619 6 39 2 20 39 10 22 58 40 723 5 59 41 324 8 60 42 026 0 61 42 827 3 43 528 6 63 44 129 11 64 44 931 2 65 45 632 6 66 46 233 9 67 46 1035 8 68 47 737 6 69 48 440 2 70 49 042 7 71 149 845 8 72 50 548 10 73 & upwards. 1 0 0 7 7-32 73 51 150 6 PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGES. The semi-annual examination, and the commencement of the students in Washington College, Canonsburg, took place on the 23d and 24th ult. The exercises of the students, are represented as having been highly creditable to the institution. Six students received the degree of A. B. and twenty gentlemen alumni of the college, received the degree of A. M. The winter session will commmence on the 27th nist. Resolved, That a committee of thirteen members be appointed to carry the above resolution into effect, todistribute the essays and correspond with other Chambers of Commerce and influential individuals throughout the Union, for the purpose of engaging their co-operation in bringing the subject efficiently before Congress at an early period of the ensuing season. Resolved, That the draft of a memorial now presented, be referred to the committee for revision, and that they cause the same to be printed with the above mentioned pamphlet, and also circulated for signature and presen tation to Congress. Resolved, That the proceedings of this Chamber be signed by the officers and published with the pamphlet, and also in all the newspapers of this city. ROBERT RALSTON, President. Attest-JoHN VAUGHAN, Secretary. The following nained gentlemen were appointed the committee. T. P. Cope, John A. Brown, M. L. Bevan, Henry Pratt, Robert Earp, J. J. Borie, Manuel Eyre, C. N. Buck, I. Hacker, L. Clapier, John White, Ambrose White, Ge rard Ralston. Printed every Saturday morning by William F. Geddes, No. 59 Locust street, Philadelphia; where, and at the Editor's residence, No. North 12th st. 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. II.-NO. 14. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. PHILADELPHIA, OCT. 18, 1828. EARLY HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. The case relating to the dispute between Lord Baltimore and the Penns. Concluded from p. 203. 1728. The Indians, at a treaty, who had not (at May. that time) released their possession, applied to Major Gordon, the Governor of Pennsylvania, and requested him that Parnell, Williams, and Sumerford, might be removed from their settlements; for that, by the former treaty (with Sir William Keith) it had been agreed that those parts were to remain unsettled by the Christians, for the benefit of the Indians hunting and planting. And in the latter end of 1728, Parnell, Williams, and Sumerford were removed, by order of the Pennsylvania government, and their places left vacant for the use of the said Indians. Since that time the Pennsylvania government, have in this case, as in every other, for great and truly valuable considerations, purchased off the Indian claims. 1731, May and June. 1729. An act of Assembly was passed in PennsylMay 10. vania for erecting the upper parts of Chester county into a distinct county, called Lancaster, and appointing magistrates and officers therein for keeping the peace and administering justice, and distinct county courts for the same. And those lands on which Parnell, Williams, July 1. and Sumerford dwelt, and of which the person who will be very often named, Thomas Cressap, afterwards took possession and lived upon, by force of arms, fell into the county of Lan 1730. caster. In the beginning of the year 1729, John All the inhabitants within the compass of July ter. 1731. James Hendricks having the consent of the Indians, went to settle on part of those lands from whence Parnell, Williams, and Sumerford had been removed, but as he was going to view the lands, and fix on a place to build his house, his gun accidentally went off and shot his son, and the Coroner of Lancaster county held an inquisition thereon, and that accident prevented Hendricks from settling. And the same coroner held another inquisition there, on the murder of a bastard child. VOL. II. 29 22. NO. 42. And some time after that Thomas Cressap came and settled on that land on which Parnell formerly lived. And some time afterwards pretended to have a right from Maryland: And none of the inhabitants in or near those parts, pretended to hold their lands by any other right but that of the proprietors of Pennsylvania, but paid taxes, did duty, and served offices to Lancaster county. Except as to Thomas Cressap, and three or four moie of his associates, who held the lands they were settled upon, and from whence Parnell, Williams, and Sumerford had been removed, by force of arms and strong hand. The Lord Baltimore in his present answer' insists, that he granted a title to Cressap, in the year 1728, which the original petitioners are no ways aware of. While these matters were passing in Pennsylvania, Lord Baltimore sent a message to Mr. Penns, to desire they might meet to settle their bounds, which proposal was most readily accepted, and many meetings had thereon. But Mr. Penns not readily agreeing (at that time) to Lord Baltimore's very great demands, which extended up to the top of the peninsula, and even six or seven miles beyond the whole peninsula, within the main continent itself, the agreement was broke off. Lord Baltimore petitioned his Majesty to order the Pennsylvania proprietors forthwith to join with him in settling and ascertaining the said boundaries, and in case they refused, or that it should not be done within twelve months, that then his majesty would please to hear the matter in dispute, and make a deter mination therein. That petition produced new meetings and treaties between the proprietors. And on the 22d of the same month, the Lord Baltimore drew out with his own hand,, and ordered a copy to be given to Mr. Penns, of his own terms and proposals, which were at length yielded to by Mr. Penns, in every single instance whatever; so very desirous were they to purchase, at any rate almost, what they had long wished to enjoy, a settlement of all manner of contest between them. An agreement at full length was prepared, exactly founded on such his own proposals, and the draught was near ten months under the consideration of Lord Baltimore, his council, solicitor, mathematician, deputy-governor, and agents, and at length was solemnly executed, with his own plan graved on the same skins of parchment whereon the agreement was executed. 1732, By the agreement which bore date 10th May 10. May, 1732, several lines, but two principal and material ones, were directed to be run and marked out, as their respective bounds, before the 25th of December 1733. One of these principal lines was, to run up May 12. the middle of the peninsula in order to divide And the other principal line was to be his The line which was to run up the middle of "That there shall be the said circle mentioned in the said Charter for Pennsylvania and deed of bargain and sale or feoffment of Newcastle, (or so much thereof as is requisite) drawn and marked out at the twelve miles distance from the town of Newcastle, which twelve miles shall be twelve English statute miles. The other line, which was to divide Maryland from Pennsylvania, was to be a due west line to run across Susquehannah river, and to come down so low, as to be fifteen miles due south, or below the most southern part of the city of Philadelphia. Which line, upon a careful survey, is found to grant to Lord Baltimore, not only up to the top and highest part of the peninsula (to the middle part only of which peninsula his charter before extended) but also to grant to him the lands up within the main continent itself, not only as far as his grandfather had claimed in 1683, but near two miles further up into the main continent than that. And the Lord Baltimore, by that agreement, And Lord Baltimore released not only the Those articles also contained agreements for "That in case a sufficient quorum of the commissioners to be named on either side, shall not, from time to time, according to the appointments and adjournments to be made for that purpose, attend to proceed in the marking and running out the lines and bounds aforesaid, for want whereof, the same cannot be done within the time limited, then this present agreement, and every article and thing herein contained, shall cease, determine, and be utterly void. And then, and in such case, the party or parties, whose commissioners shall make such default, his or their heirs, execufors, or administrators, shall and will forfeit and pay to the other party or parties, whose commissioners shall attend, his or their executors, or administrators, upon demand, the sum of £5000 of lawful money of Great Britain." Commissioners were appointed on both sides. 1733. Those commissioners, on both sides, signed Nov. 24. a parting minute, setting forth numbers of meetings which they had had, and particularly that they had been in continual debate for eleven days past, and each side continued to persist in their former opinion; that is, the Pennsylvania commissioners insisted as they al ways had done, in running out so much of the circle as should be requisite, at the distance of twelve English statute miles from the town of Newcastle, as by the second article of the said agreement was directed. And the Maryland commissioners on their part insisted, as at former meetings they had done, upon running a circle, or so much thereof as should be requisite, whose periphery or circumference was twelve miles only; or whose diameter was somewhat less than four miles, as the only circle meant in the feoffment of New Castle, and as the only circle intended by the proprietors in the said articles.-And that, under this difference of judgment, the Maryland commissioners were of opinion, no other consequence could arise, than either, that the commissioners should continue together till the twentyfifth of December then next, without running the circle, or else depart without further adjournment; wherefore they agreed, to depart without further adjournment. And so the lines were not actually run out, but that happened, not for want of attendance by the commissioners, whereby the same could not be done, so to make these articles void, but from a very strange pretended difference of opinion by the Maryland commissioners, (where there could be no real doubt) whether by the express words in the articles, whereby the circle was to be draw at 12 miles distance from the town, which twelve miles should be twelve English statute miles, the proprietors really meant twelve miles, as they had clearly expressed, or something less than two miles distance from the town? As soon as Christmas, 1733, the time for running the lines agreed on by those articles, expired, the disturbances now complained of begun, by that very turbulent person Thomas Cressap. An inquisition was taken before the coroner in the township of Hempfeild, in the county of Lancaster, in the province of Pennsylvania, on the body of Knowles Daunt, then lying dead, whereby the coroner's inquest found, that at Hempfeild aforesaid, Thomas Cressap, with force and arms, on the twenty-ninth of January then last, with one hand gun with powder and long shot loaded, on purpose towards the said Daunt held and presented, did discharge; and shot the said Daunt, and mortally wounded him, whereof he immediately languished until the twelfth of February then instant, on the evening of which day he died. And so the ju rors, on their qualifications said, That the said Thomas Cressap, the said Daunt feloniously did murder, in manner aforesaid, against the peace, &c. Cressap having first got his possession, as the original petitioners say in 1731, but as Lord Baltimore says in 1728, and having kept his possession by force of arms and strong hand, and having begun to embrue his hands in blood, contrived how to secure himself from the undoubted jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. In order whereto, he, by fair promises of grants from the Maryland government, exemption from taxes, and other such like, (which never were in any sort performed) and also by force and threatenings to turn the German settlers out of their settlements and ruin them, did prevail on a very few of his neighbours, se far only to acknowledge the Maryland jurisdiction, as for some short time only, to decline their rates to Pennsylvania; and some of the poor German settlers (who were unacquaint |