$ 
 
 
/i^'r- 
 
 
 
 ■^U ':-^ — - 
 
FACTS 
 
 ITX KELATIOW 
 
 TO THE PROGRESSIVE INCREASE, 
 
 PRESENT CONDITION, 
 
 AND FUTURE PROSPECTS, 
 
 OP 
 
 
 3 
 
 AS 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^^i 
 
 CONNECTED WITH THE PERMANENT LOCATION 
 
 07 
 
 TVBIilC BUILDIUaS. 
 
 331)ilaTJclpf)ia : 
 PRINTED BY J. SHARP, 335 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 
 Nl 1^ 1838. 
 
 Y***^' 
 
 V. 
 
V 
 
 

 o^ 
 
 F A C T S, &c. 
 
 The question of the location of the new Public Buildings, which 
 seems now to be seriously agitated, is one that ought to be decided 
 without any reference to personal interest ; but with entire regard 
 to the convenience and accommodation of those for whose use they 
 are intended. This decision, the writer believes, will be very 
 much aided, by noticing some of the facts in relation to the pro- 
 gressive increase of the city, up to this time, — its present condition 
 and future prospects. After presenting various facts on these seve- 
 ral points, he will express his own opinion with regard to the 
 proper location of the buildings to be erected, and assign such 
 reasons for it, as, to himself at least, appear satisfactory and con- 
 clusive. 
 
 Let us, then, first take a survey of the condition of the city about 
 the period of the erection of the present state-house. It was com- 
 menced in 1729, and finished in 1734, or 1735, about fifty years 
 from the landing of William Penn, at an expense of about ^66000. 
 At this time the depth of the lot was only about half the present 
 distance between Chesnut and Walnut Streets, and so continued 
 till 1762, when the other portion towards Walnut Street was pur- 
 chased. The surface of the ground in the neighbourhood was very 
 uneven and irregular, being more elevated than now ; and was sur- 
 rounded with commons, duck ponds, and creeks, in which some of 
 
our citizens, who have died witliin a few years, remembered catcli- 
 ing perch and other fishes. " 
 
 The city was, in 1704, divided into ten wards,! wliich division, 
 so far as known to the writer, continued until 1800. The eastern 
 front, on the Delaware, from Vine to Walnut, was in two divisions, 
 viz. Lower and Upper Delaware Wards. Their western boundary 
 was Front Street, High Street being the dividing line. Lower 
 Delaware contained, in 1741, (six years after the state-house was 
 finished,) 115 taxables, and Upper Delaware Ward 99. From 
 Walnut to Mulberry Street, and from Front to Second Street, con- 
 tained three wards, viz. Walnut, Chesnut, and High. The first 
 contained, in 1741, 98 taxables ; the second, 143 ; and the third, 
 151. Mulberry Ward occupied the whole space between Front 
 and Seventh Streets, and Vine and Mulberry, and contained, in the 
 same year, 309 taxables. South, Middle, and North Wards, were 
 formed out of the space between Mulberry and Walnut, and Second 
 and Seventh. South Ward, in which stood the state-house, con- 
 tained, in 1741, 105 taxables; Middle Ward, 236; and North 
 Ward, 182. Dock Ward embraced all the portion of the city be- 
 tween the Delaware and Seventh Streets, and Walnut and Cedar, 
 and contained, in the same year, 183 taxables. The whole number 
 of taxables in the city at this time (1741) was only 1621. § 
 
 We have no earlier account of the number of houses in the city 
 than 1749, when several respectable gentlemen (Dr. Franklin being 
 one) undertook the task of making it. It was as follows : 
 
 Mulberry Ward, - 
 
 488 
 
 Walnut Ward, 
 
 104 
 
 North, 
 
 196 
 
 Chesnut, 
 
 110 
 
 Middle, 
 
 238 
 
 High, - - 
 
 147 
 
 South, (state-house) 
 
 117 
 
 Lower Delaware, - 
 
 110 
 
 Dock, - - - 
 
 245 
 
 Upper Delaware 
 
 109 
 
 Making the total number of houses in the city in 1749, 1864,1 be- 
 sides 11 places of worship. 
 
 * Watson's Annals. 
 
 •j- Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. page 110. 
 
 t Watson's Annals, p. 662. 
 
 § Watson's Annals, page 662. Register of Pennsylvania, vol. ill. page 40. 
 
5 
 
 Twenty years after, to wit, in 1709,* we have another enumera- 
 tion, when it appears there were 3318 houses, being an increase of 
 1454. This increase was principally in Dock, Mulberr}-, and 
 North Wards. South Ward, in Avhich the state-house was located, 
 had only thirty houses added to it in those twenty years. 
 
 In 1777, when the British were in possession of the city. Lord 
 Cornwallis directed General Howe to take a particular account of 
 the houses, stores, and inhabitants, in each ward ; which being ac- 
 complished, the result was published.! The following is the result 
 of the number of houses, to which w^e add the increase in each 
 ward for the twenty-eight years, since the above was taken ia 1749. 
 
 Mulberry Ward, - 
 
 
 1096 
 
 increase 
 
 608 
 
 North, 
 
 - 
 
 427 
 
 
 231 
 
 Middle 
 
 
 871 
 
 
 133 
 
 South (state-house). 
 
 - 
 
 1601 
 
 
 43 
 
 Dock, 
 
 
 1016 
 
 
 771 
 
 Walnut, 
 
 - 
 
 110 
 
 
 6 
 
 Chesnut, 
 
 
 118 
 
 
 8 
 
 High, 
 
 - 
 
 193 
 
 
 46 
 
 Lower Delaware, - 
 
 
 123 
 
 
 13 
 
 Upper Delaware, 
 
 - 
 
 249 
 
 
 140 
 
 Houses, 
 
 3863 
 
 
 1999in28yrs 
 
 The reason why Walnut, Chesnut, High and Lower Delaware 
 did not proportionally increase with the other wards probably is, 
 that being small wards, and convenient to the river business, they 
 were filled up at first, and had not room for further additions. 
 
 We will now inquire into the number of inhabitants at several 
 periods. 
 
 In 1744 the population of the city was estimated by Secretary 
 Peters at 13,000,§ though it appears by a statement,]] that in 1753 
 
 • Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. p. 448. Watson, p. 664. 
 f Pennsylvania Evening Post, 1778. Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. p. 127. 
 ^ Increase in eight years 13. 
 § Watson, page 662. 
 
 n Mease's Picture of Philadelphia, page 31 ; this and the following items pro- 
 bably embrace the then suburbs. 
 
6 
 
 i 
 
 there were 14,563; in 1760, 18,756; in 1769, 28,042; and 
 in 1777 General Howe made it but 15,847. But as he found 383 
 houses empty, the probability is, many of the inhabitants had fled 
 from the city on the approach of the British. He found in 
 
 Mulberry Ward . 4011 inhab. Walnut Ward, . . 418 inhab. 
 
 North, 1725 " Chesnut, 445 "- 
 
 Middle, 1447 '" High, 721 " 
 
 South (state-house) 619 " Lower Delaware, . 410 
 
 Dock, 5307 " Upper Delaware, . 744 
 
 
 About the year 1774 the Walnut Street Prison was built. 
 With regard to the early commerce of the city, we are in pos- 
 session of but few facts. It appears that in 
 
 1722, 10 vessels of 428 Tons were built* 
 
 1723, 13 " 507 
 
 1724, 19 " 959 
 and in 1722,t 96 vessels of 3531 Tons cleared 
 
 1723, 99 " 3942 
 
 1724, 119 " 5450 " 
 
 1725, 140 " 6655 
 
 
 n 
 
 And in 1728-9,J 14 ships, '3 snows, 8 brigs, 2 schooners, and 9 
 sloops were frozen up at the docks at one time. 
 
 The trade with Great Britain formed at this time, probably, the 
 largest portion of the commerce of the city. The imports and 
 exports for a few years will furnish some idea of its extent. 
 
 EXPORTS. IMPORTS. 
 
 1729, £ St. 7,434 16 1 £ st. 29,799 10 10 
 
 1730, 10,582 1 4 48,592 7 5 
 
 1731, 12,786 11 6 44,260 16 1 
 
 1732, 8,524 12 6 41,698 13 7 
 
 1733, 14,776 19 4 40,565 8 1§ 
 
 * Votes of Assembly. Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. page 5. 
 
 t Ilnd. 
 
 + Watson, page 659. 
 
 § Wliitvvorth's Trade of Great Britain ; Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. page 6. 
 
Ill 1729 a mail went to New York once in two weeks in winter, 
 and once a week in summer. 
 
 In 1735, 199 vessels entered and 212 cleared.* 
 1736,211 - - 215 do. 
 
 1742, 230 - - 281 do. 
 
 So that the commerce of the city had somewhat increased in the 
 seventeen years. 
 
 The exports from Great Britain were, in 1742, 568527 12*\ 8f/. 
 and the imports were £75,295 3s. 4(1. sterling. 
 
 In 1777,t the number of stores, as ascertained by General Howe, 
 was 315, viz. in 
 
 Mulberry Ward 
 
 17 
 
 Walnut 
 
 5 
 
 North 
 
 - 28 
 
 Chesnut 
 
 8 
 
 Middle 
 
 15 
 
 High 
 
 6 
 
 South (state-house) 
 
 9 
 
 Lower Delaware 
 
 - 100 
 
 Dock 
 
 55 
 
 Upper Delaware 
 
 72 
 
 which shows that business was principally confined to the neigh- 
 bourhood of the river. 
 
 We have now brought down our historical sketch of the city to 
 the period of the revolution, embracing about one hundred years 
 from its settlement, and have shown how slow was its progress ; 
 which the circumstances of the succeeding ten years were not cal- 
 culated to hasten. 
 
 In 1784,f the year after the peace, the imports from Great Britain 
 amounted to £689,491 9s. 9rf. sterling; and in 1785 they fell to 
 £369,215 8s. 5d. The exports in 1784 were £70,263 10s. 9d. 
 and in 1785, £57,705 6s. 5fZ sterling. 
 
 In 1783 the number of houses was estimated at 6000,§ and in 
 1790, at 6651. And the population, as ascertained by the congres- 
 sional census of that year, was 28,522. || Up to this year, and for 
 
 * Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. page 127 in detail. 
 
 f Ibid, page 127. 
 
 t Whitworth ; Register of Pennsylvania. 
 
 § Mease — city and suburbs 1 
 
 il Ibid, city. 
 
8 
 
 several years beyond it, as will be seen presently, the improve* 
 ments did not extend even to Seventh Street, the then western limit 
 of the wards. 
 
 Since commencing this article an aged citizen informed the 
 writer, that "he well remembers when a ceitain house (still stand- 
 ing) was erected in Market above Fifth Street, 1792, the owner 
 was almost considered as deranged for placing his building so far 
 beyond tho seat of civilization." 
 
 Watson, in his Annals, published in 1830, says: " It is only 
 thirty years (1800) since the north side of Chesnut Street, facing 
 the state-house, now so compact and stately in its houses, had but 
 two good houses in the whole line of the street from Fifth to Sixth 
 Street ; but one of these now remains, the present residence of P. 
 S. Duponceau, Esq., at the north-east corner of Sixth Street. The 
 whole scene was an out-town spectacle, without pavement, and of 
 iminviting aspect. In the midst of this area stood the State-house 
 Inn, a small two story tavern, of rough-dashed construction, very 
 old, being marked with the year 1693, as its birth-year. It stood 
 back a little from the line of the street, but in lieu of a green court- 
 yard to gratify the eye, the space was filled with bleached oyster- 
 shells, — the remains of numerous years of shells, left about the 
 premises at occasions of elections, &c. It looked like a sea-beach 
 tavern. That single and diminutive inn for a long time gave all the 
 entertainment then taken by the court suitors, or by those who 
 hung about the colonial assemblies and the primitive Congress. 
 But desolate as it looked in front and rear, having a waste lot of 
 commons instead of garden shrubbery, and the neighbouring lots 
 equally open and cheerless, there was a redeeming appendage in a 
 range of lofty and primitive walnut trees, which served as distant 
 pointers to guide the stranger to the venerable state-house, — itself 
 beyond the verge of common population." Page 349. 
 
 " The ground forming the square from Chesnut to Walnut 
 Street, and from Sixth to Seventh, was all a grass meadow, under 
 fence down to the year 1794. On the Chesnut Street side it was 
 liigh and had steps of ascent cut into the bank, and across it went a 
 foot-path as a short-cut to the almshouse out Spruce Street. The 
 only liouscs to be seen were the low brick building, once the Logan- 
 
ian Library on Sixth Street, and the Episcopal Academy, built in 
 1 780, on Chesnut Street." " The next square beyond, westward, Avas 
 Norris's pasture lot." " On the northwest corner of Chesnut and 
 Seventh Streets was a high grass lot, in a rail fence, extending half 
 way to Eighth Street. Except one or two brick houses at the 
 corner of Eighth Street, you met no other house to Schuylkill." 
 " There were no houses built out Arch or Race Street, save here 
 and there a mean low box of wood, beyond Sixth Street." 
 
 " When the Roman Catholic Church at the corner of Sixth and 
 Spruce Street was built, it was deemed far out of town, — a long and 
 muddy walk, — for there were no streets paved near to it, and no 
 houses were then nigh. From this neighborhood to the Pennsyl- 
 vania Hospital, then having its front of access on its eastern gate, 
 was quite beyond civilization. There were not streets enough 
 marked through the waste lots, in the western parts of the city, to 
 tell a traveller on what square he was travelling." " We shall be 
 within bounds to say, that twenty-five years ago (1805), so few 
 owners enclosed their lots towards Schuylkill, that the street roads 
 of AValnut, Spruce and Pine Streets could not be traced by the eye 
 beyond Broad Street, and even it was then known but upon paper 
 drafts." 
 
 Birch's Views of the City in 1 800 confirm the above account. 
 For between the President's house on Ninth Street, now the Uni- 
 versity, and the almshouse on Spruce Street, there is no intervening 
 object. The writer of this well remembers when the whole of that 
 square, in which stood Markoe's house, was enclosed by a post and 
 rail fence, and almost the only house west of it was Dunlap's, at the 
 corner of Twelfth and Market Streets. 
 
 Our attention has thus far been directed entirely to the limits of 
 the city proper. Let us now look at some few facts respecting the 
 suburbs and the county. 
 
 Li 1749* there were in the Northern Liberties 62 houses. In 
 1769,* there were 553 houses, and in 1777,t there were 1286, and 
 35 stores, and 5015 inhabitants. Li 1790,± they had increased to 
 8337. 
 
 * Watson, page 662. 664. 
 
 f Pennsylvania Evening Post, 1778 ; Reg. Penn. vol. i. page 127. 
 
 t Mease, page 35. 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 In 1749* there were in Southwark 150 houses. In 1769 there 
 were 603 houses, and in 1777,1 836, and 6 stores, and 2873 inha- 
 bitants. In 1790,t they had increased to 5661. Passyunk con- 
 tained in that year 884, and Moyamensing- 1 592 inhabitants. 
 
 From the returns of members to the General assembly we have 
 the following account of the highest and lowest number of votes 
 given at elections in the County for several years about the time of 
 the erection of the state-house. The county at this time extended 
 to the southern limit of Berks, and embraced the whole of Mont- 
 gomery county. § 
 
 1727 
 
 highest vote 787 
 
 lowest 482 
 
 1728 
 
 971 
 
 487 
 
 1730 
 
 622 
 
 365 
 
 1732 
 
 904 
 
 559 
 
 1734 
 
 821 
 
 441 
 
 1735 
 
 1097 
 
 517 
 
 1736 
 
 719 
 
 439 
 
 1738 
 
 1506 
 
 736 
 
 1739 
 
 555 
 
 332 
 
 In 1741,11 the number of taxables in the county was 3422, and in 
 1760, 5687, and the county tax was £5653 19s. Qd. Within the 
 county there were 83 grist mills, 40 saw, G paper, 1 oil, 12 fulling, 
 1 horse, and 1 wind mill, and 6 forges. 
 
 In 1779, there were 70G6 taxables in the county. 
 1786, 4516 0} 
 
 1793, 6885 
 
 1800, 7919 
 
 About the year 1800, the improvements began to extend west of 
 Seventh Street, in some of the principal streets. In 1802, as we 
 learn from the dates on the houses, the improvements were made 
 on the square between Chesnut and Walnut and Seventh and 
 Eighth, on the ruins of the immense edifice of Robert Moiris, which 
 had been commenced a few years previously. From this time 
 buildings began to be erected with some spirit, in various directions, 
 as the following table of the houses built in the respective years 
 will show : 
 
 * Watson, pa<Te 664. 
 
 •j Pennsylvania Evening Post; Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. page 127. 
 % Meascj page 35. " § Watson, 663. Il Ibid, page 659. 
 
 1 Probably reduced by the revolution. 
 

 ■.» 
 
 *In 1 802 
 
 464 
 
 1803 
 
 385 
 
 1804 
 
 273 
 
 11^09 
 
 1295 
 
 11 
 
 In 1834 361 t 
 
 1835 465 
 
 1836 3C9 
 
 1837 245 
 How many of these were erected in the western part of the citv 
 
 - we are unable to ascertain precisely ; but we know that a great 
 number of those erected within the last few years have been built 
 beyond Broad Street. And, indeed, an inspection of the houses in 
 that quarter will show, that they almost all present an appearance of 
 very late erection. 
 
 Let us now take a summary view of some facts relating to the 
 present condition of the city, by which it may be compared with 
 the past. 
 
 SThe Taxables in the city, in 1835, were 18,449, and in the 
 county, 31,798.t The number of inhabitants probably 100,000 in 
 jjjj^, the city — at the general election in that year the highest vote was 
 
 ^ 5,532§ — in the county 6,048 — and the united highest vote of both 
 
 11,596. In the year ending September, 183611 — there were built 
 74 vessels of 10,214 Tons. The amount of Tonnage owned was 
 91,905 Tons— 407 vessels entered. Tonnage 89,485, and 350 
 cleared— 64,019. Imports §15,068,233— Exports §3,971,555. 
 ■■.■^i The whole number of arrivals including coastwise, in 1837, was 
 
 8185. Valuation of city, §68,528,742^— county §56,521,225. 
 An immense trade with the west — all the principal streets paved 
 from the Delaware to Schuylkill, with comfortable foot-pave- 
 ments, lighted by night with lamps and Gas — and the whole city 
 ^M supplied with pure and wholesome water — omnibuses to convey 
 
 persons from river to river, and rail-ways connected with the 
 Northern and Southern portions of the county, and with the 
 heart of the city. Such is the present state of the city — how 
 different from what it was at the periods we have already no- 
 ticed. 
 
 That the city has been extending westwardly with great 
 rapidity is proved by the following facts. 
 
 1. The limits of the Wards have been twice altered since the 
 census of 1790, viz. in 1800 and 1825. 
 
 * Watson t Minutes of Select and Common Councils. t Ibid. 
 § Official returns : Register of Pennsylvania, vol. xvi. page 278. 
 II Report of Secretary of Treasury, on Comm. and Navigation. 
 H Commercial List ; Register of Pennsylvania, vol. xvi. page 62, 
 
12 
 
 2. The number of taxables in the eastern wards between 
 1828 and 1835 decreased 836, while in the Western, they in- 
 creased in the same time 2,743.* 
 
 3. The valuation of property in the eastern wards only in- 
 creased between 1829 and 1835, S30,06l — while that in the 
 western increased S3, 178,650, as by the following tables.! 
 
 Easfern, 
 
 New Market, 
 
 Lower Delaware, 
 
 Pine, 
 
 Upper Delaware, 
 
 Chesnut 
 
 Walnut, 
 
 High. 
 
 Dock, 
 
 1829. 
 
 1,264,469 
 1,593,733 
 1,257,165 
 1,261,635 
 3,106,572 
 2,240,299 
 2,949,362 
 1,921,924 
 
 15,595,159 
 
 1835. 
 
 1,045,398 
 1,653,855 
 1,168,520 
 1,287,141 
 3,228,078 
 2,254,793 
 3,192,825 
 1,794,610 
 
 15,625,220 
 
 Increase, 30,061. 
 
 Western, 
 
 North, 
 
 S. Mulberry, 
 
 Locust, 
 
 N. Mulberry, 
 
 Middle, 
 
 South, 
 
 Cedar, 
 
 1,711,745 
 
 1,069,534 
 1.655,472 
 
 716,918 
 1,357,545 
 1,467,345 
 
 629,068 
 
 8,607,627 
 
 2,163,838 
 1,393,006 
 2,004,173 
 1,051,050 
 1,858,037 
 1,983,305 
 1,33 
 
 '^-^-2,868 
 
 11,786,277 
 
 Increase, 3,178,650. 
 
 4. The population, according to the census of 1830, of the 
 Eastern wards was onlv 5456 greater than of the Western. 
 
 5. The comparative increase of TaxesJ of the eastern and 
 western wards from 1832 to 1836, as appears by the follow- 
 
 ing tables. 
 
 * Minutes of Select and Common Council. f Official Documents. 
 
 ^ We have taken the County Tax on Cit}-^ property in all cases where the 
 Taxes are referred to. 
 
13 
 
 Eastern, 
 
 1832. 
 
 1836. 
 
 New Market, 
 
 $6,768 63 
 
 7,113 01 
 
 Lower Delaware, 
 
 10,260 79 
 
 11,095 52 
 
 Pine, 
 
 7,145 41 
 
 7,859 32 
 
 Upper Delaware, 
 
 8,049 25 
 
 8,676 42 
 
 Chesnut, 
 
 19,895 03 
 
 21,080 68 
 
 Walnut, 
 
 13,227 21 
 
 14,470 87 
 
 High, 
 
 19,954 00 
 
 20,908 77 
 
 Dock, 
 
 12,896 44 
 
 12,025 96 
 
 
 §98,196,76 
 
 $103,230,55 
 
 Western, 
 
 
 
 North, 
 
 11,391 47 
 
 14,220 61 
 
 S. Mulberry, 
 
 7,651 75 
 
 9,376 &5 
 
 Locust, 
 
 11,293 88 
 
 13,543 60 
 
 N. Mulberry, 
 
 5,598 39 
 
 7,237 67 
 
 Middle, 
 
 9,581 12 
 
 12,393 79 
 
 South, 
 
 11,194 29 
 
 13,095 06 
 
 Cedar, 
 
 5,269 79 
 61,980 69 
 
 8,797 42 
 
 
 78,664 80 
 
 From the foregoing it appears that the Tax on property in 
 the eastern wards amounts to §5,033.79 more in 1835, than it 
 did in 1832, while the Tax on property in the Western Wards 
 has in the same time increased §16,684.11 — being, in the first 
 case, an increase of 5.12 per cent on the Taxes of 1832, and 
 in the latter, an increase of 26,82 per cent. 
 
 There are two causes which naturally lead to the increase 
 of the city westward. 
 
 1. The increase of population, and the greater space now re- 
 quired for the transaction of business than formerly — when 
 most of the houses were occupied both as stores and dwellings 
 — whereas now, in many streets, the whole tenement is used en- 
 tirely as a store, and its former inmates have sought residences 
 in other parts of the city. These, again, by the gradual extension 
 of business, have been compelled to leave what they had first 
 selected as private and retired residences, for others still fur- 
 ther towards the west. 
 
 2. Another reason is, the actual increase of business on the 
 western border of the city, of which we shall speak more pre- 
 sently. 
 
14 
 
 That ihc citj must continue to extend in a western direction 
 will, we think, appear from the following remarks. 
 
 1. There is but comparatively little room in the eastern 
 wards for further improvements. In 1790, when the first U. S. 
 census was taken, the dimensions of the whole city, divided 
 among the inhabitants, gave to each person 1 755 square feet ; in 
 1800 the space to each was reduced to 1216, in 1810 to 93S, in 
 1820 to 786, and in 1830 to 623 feet each. Upon the same prin- 
 ciple, the following table shows the average of the Western and 
 Eastern Wards : 
 
 EASTERN. WESTERN. 
 
 1800 — 373 square feet. 2,109 square feet to each.* 
 1810—349 1,359 
 
 1820—340 1,058 
 
 1830—313 979 
 
 2. The great and rapidly increasing trade with the Vv^est ; 
 and the various methods used for extending and accommodating 
 it, in the western part of the city, will undoubtedly in a few 
 years, cover the already contracted western wards with houses 
 and population. That William Penn, in his great wisdom and 
 foresight, regarded such an event as certain, is evident, from 
 the following expressions used by him in his letter, dated 16th 
 of 6 mo. 1683, to a committee of the "Society of Free Tra- 
 ders," in London. Comparing the two rivers, he says — " Dela- 
 ware is a glorious river, but Schuylkill, being a hundred miles 
 boatable above the falls, and its course N. E. towards the foun- 
 tain of Susquehannah that tends to the heart of the province, 
 and both sides our own, it is like to be a great part of the set- 
 tlement of this age." 
 
 And in 1690, he actually issued proposals for building ano- 
 ther city, " upon the river Susquehannah that runs into the 
 Bay of Chesapeake, and bears about 50 miles from the river 
 Delaware." 
 
 " There," (says he) " I design to lay out a plan for the build - 
 ins of another citv in the most convenient place for com muni- 
 cation, with the former plantations on the East, which by land 
 is as good as done already, a way being laid out between the 
 
 * See Register of Pennsylvania, vol. viii. p. 67, for a table of the densencss 
 of population in each ward. 
 
15 
 
 two rivers, very exactly and conveniently at least tliree years 
 af;-o ; and which will not be hard to do by water, by the benefit 
 of the river Scoulklll, for, a branch of that river lies near a 
 branch that runs into Susquehannagh River, and is the couunon 
 course of the Indians with their Skins and Furi's into our parts, 
 and to the provinces of East and West Jersey, and New York, 
 from the fVest and Northioest parts of the continent from whence 
 they bring them." 
 
 "But that which recommends both this settlement in par- 
 ticular and the province in general, is a late pattent obtained 
 by divers eminent Lords and gentlemen for that land that lies 
 north of Pennsylvania, up to the 4Qth degree and an half, be- 
 cause their TraSic and intercourse will be chiefly through Penn- 
 sylvania which lies between that province and the sea. We have 
 also the comfort of beina; the centre of all the English Colonies 
 upon the continent of America, as they lie from the N. E. parts 
 of New England to the most Southerly parts of Carolina, being 
 above 1000 miles upon the coast."* 
 
 Although V/illiam Penn did not live long enough to see the 
 fulfilment of all his extended and pleasing anticipations, yet 
 we, his descendants, are now realizing and benefiting by their 
 accomplishment. 
 
 1. Then, we have a regular connection with the Susquehan- 
 nah by both "land and water," and with the immense Coal and 
 Iron regions, 108 "miles above the falls," upon the Schuylkill. 
 The importance and increase of this branch of business will ap- 
 pear by the following facts. 
 
 In 1825, there were brought down the Schuylkill 6500 tons 
 of Coal, which by the last report of the Schuylkill Navigation 
 Company, has so much increased, that last year (1837,) no less 
 than 506,475 tons reached this city, which at an average price 
 of S5s per ton, would amount to §2,785,612 being greater than 
 the value of all the Imports from Great Britain, in any one year 
 (with two or three exceptions) of the first 100 years from the 
 landing of William Penn, and equal to more than two-thirds of 
 the value of all the exports from the state to all parts of the world 
 in the year ending September, 1836. The whole amount of 
 tonnage on this Canal, in 1837, was 726,730 tons. In 13 years, 
 
 * Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. page 400. 
 
16 
 
 viz. from 182'5 to 1837, the amount of tolls alone have increased 
 from 815,775.74* to 604,189.57, a sum exceeding twice the value 
 of all the exports to Great Britain from the colony in any one 
 of the first 100 years after its settlement. 
 
 Of the Coal which reached the city by the Schuylkill in 
 1837, 328,304 tons were shipped from that river in 3070 vessels, 
 which shows a considerable increase since 1834, in which year 
 only 1654 vessels were employed for that purpose, viz,. 72 
 brigs, 1,122 schooners, 420 sloops. On the 4th June, 1832, 
 117 vessels passed through Gray's Ferry bridge, 40 of which 
 were brigs and large schooners, and a few days before 104 ves- 
 sels exclusive of boats passed ; formerly only 3 or 4 passed 
 per week. It is but a few years since only a wood shallop was 
 to be occasionally seen on this river, which now transports mii- 
 lions on its waters. 
 
 The whole amount of tonnage employed in transporting coal 
 on the Schuylkill in 1835, was 24,733 tons, and in 1836, 24,479 
 boats passed the Fairmount locks with coal or other products ; 
 and in the same year, 12,200 boats ascended the river ; and in 
 1837, 13,870 boats ascended, of which 5102 were loaded with 
 merchandize; and 13,912 boats descended, of which 8960 were 
 loaded with coal, and 4952 with produce, limestone and other 
 articles, making the total number of boats which passed the 
 Fairmount locks in 1837, 27,782 ; besides all which, there is a 
 considerable portion of the trade of the Schuylkill at interme- 
 diate points, which does not reach the city, as for instance, 575 
 boats with 28,775 tons of coal, last year discharged their car- 
 goes short of the city. 
 
 2. Let us turn towards the business of the Susquehannah. 
 By the report of the Union Canal Company it appears, during 
 the year ending November, 1837,t there were transported 
 246,472,833 lbs. or 110,032 tons, and that tolls to the amount 
 of S107,590 37 were received, and that 6,204 boats passed 
 through that canal. 
 
 We have now in connection with Stale Canals and Rail 
 Roads, a regular communication with Pittsburg, forming to- 
 gether a length of 401 miles, and thus opening in every direc- 
 
 * Report of .Schuylkill Navigation Company, 1838. 
 t Report of Union Canal Company, 1837. 
 
17 
 
 lion a trade with the great West to an almost unlimited extent, 
 "passing through the heart of our own state," where but a few 
 years since the savage roamed and murdered the almost de- 
 fenceless settlers. In 1753* in Pittsburg, itself, now called the. 
 " Gate of the West," there was not a single white man residing. 
 In 1770 there were but about 20 houses, inhabited by Indian 
 traders. In 1793t the arrival of a keel boat was considered 
 one of the greatest enterprises ever performed. In 1804J it was 
 a village — in ]805§ the first stage crossed the mountains, re- 
 quiring 7 days of hard labour, to reach that city. In 1833 there 
 were four daily stages, in 1834 the journey was performed in 
 57 hours. It now probably contains 40,000 inhabitants. In 1834 
 there were 120 steam engines in operation, and 1634 steamboats 
 arrived and departed, || and the city business is estimated at 15 
 to 20 millions of dollars per annum. " It communicates with 
 upwards of 50,000 miles of steam navigation, of the vast and 
 fertile valley of the Mississippi, extending over a surface near 
 1500 miles square."^} 
 
 Let us now examine the business upon these rail roads and 
 canals, the main line of which to Pittsburg cost for its con- 
 struction §12,358,000.** By the Canal Commissioners Report, 
 it appears that, in 1837, S885, 199.99 were received in tolls, 
 and for motive power on this part of the State works, being 
 about 3 per cent on its cost. That the arrivals and departures 
 of boats and cars were equal to 50,248 westwardly, and 51,092 
 eastwardly. 
 
 What the value of property transported was, cannot be ascer- 
 tained, but wlien it is considered that most of the supplies for the 
 whole extent of the Mississippi valley, and even beyond it, pass 
 by this route, it must indeed be immense. Some few facts will, 
 however, tend to throw light on this point. In I835,tt before 
 the Canal was opened in the spring at Pittsburg, it is stated by 
 an " old merchant" of that place, that 200 to 250 wagons ar- 
 
 * Pittsburg Gazette ; Register of Pennsylvania, vol. xii. page 303. 
 t Wheeling Gazette ; Register of Pennsylvania, vol. xii. page 196. 
 i Breckenridge's Sketches; Reg. of Penn. vol. xiv. page 25, 41. 
 § Pittsburg Gazette ; Reg. of Penn., vol. xiii. page 384. 
 II Pittsburg Statesman ; Reg. of Penn., vol. xv. page 80. 
 ^ Pittsburg Gazette ; Reg. of Penn., vol. xvi. page 22. 
 ** Canal Commissioners Report, page 7. 
 •j-j- Pittsburg Advocate ; Reg. of Penn. vol. xvi. page 30. 
 
 o 
 
18 
 
 rived there weekly with goods from the East, and when the 
 canal opened, although ten daily lines of boats, instead of four or 
 five, the usual number, were employed, they were insufficient to 
 carry off the goods as fast as they arrived. From the l6ih 
 March to 22nd June, 1835, 30,234,065 pounds were received 
 from the East, and 16,653,429 pounds sent to the East, and 873 
 boats departed for the East, and 849 arrived from the P^ast. 
 The same merchant estimates the value of goods arriving by 
 wagons and the Pennsylvania canals at from 50 to 70 millions 
 of dollars.* From November 1834, to November 1835, 14,172 
 cars departed from Philadelphia to the West, and the number 
 of miles travelled by passengers on the route was 2,875,6491; 
 and in 1837, 104,793 passengers were conveyed on the Colum- 
 bia and Philadelphia Rail Road, and 37,555 cars passed the 
 Schuylkill inclined plane.t There are now employed on this road 
 40 locomotive engines, some of them capable of drawinga train of 
 SO cars. The expense of transportation does not probably exceed 
 one half of that by wagons. There were the past season in 
 operation 11 transportation companies, 5 from Schuylkill and 
 6 from Broad street, capable of conveying 550 tons of goods 
 daily, equal to nearly 200 wagon loads.J 
 
 Besides the state roads and canals, there are others, or soon 
 will be, in every direction either uniting with them or entering 
 at other points, the western portion of the city, among which is 
 the important one just being completed between this city and 
 Baltimore. 
 
 With all these facilities of intercourse, and with such an ex- 
 tent of country to be supplied through their instrumentality, 
 who can pretend to limit the extent of business, which must 
 ultimately be concentrated in this western quarter of the city ! 
 These works and this trade are all comparatively in their in- 
 fancy. Who can foretel, what other channels and sources of 
 business may be developed in the course of their progress, which 
 are now unthought of? 
 
 The time is probably not very distant, when all the business 
 
 * Pittsburg Advocate ; Register of Pennsylvania, vol. xvi. page 30. 
 -j- Documents of Canal Commissioners, pages 56, 85. 
 
 t Statement in the daily Newspapers of the Companies, and their respective 
 capabilities. 
 
19 
 
 connected with the west, will be transacted in that quarter of 
 the city, and when vessels will at once enter the Schuylkill with 
 their foreign cargoes and receive in return the western produce 
 — for it is not reasonable to suppose, that the wholesale stores 
 which supply the groceries and dry-goods, intended to be sent 
 off by the western canals and rail roads, will always be alone 
 found in the eastern portion of the city, when suitable accom- 
 modations for their business can be provided in the very quar- 
 ter, from which the goods are to be forwarded to their destina- 
 tion ; especially as the heavy charges of porterage and commis- 
 sions for forwarding, and the delay in sending merchandize to 
 this point, may be avoided — each river will most probably have 
 its appropriate sphere of business. In times of a brisk com- 
 merce, the wharves of the Delaware have been found scarcely 
 sufficient for the accommodation of the vessels. We have seen 
 them lying two or three abreast, waiting for their turns for an 
 inside birth, and that day may again arrive. And we already see 
 that the wharves as yet constructed on the Schuylkill, afford 
 but partial accommodation for the small business, compared 
 with what it must before many years be, which it now enjoys — 
 so that both rivers may be necessary, to meet the demands of 
 commerce ; and both sides of the Schuylkill, if its trade extend 
 as rapidly as it has done for the past ten years. 
 
 With such prospects before us, and with all these facts star- 
 ing us in the face, we cannot but think it would be unwise to 
 erect buildings which are to accommodate the citizens, for cen- 
 turies perhaps to come, in the very neighbourhood, selected 
 when there were but 1621 taxables in the city; and but 103 in 
 the very ward in which the State House stands, and but 117 
 houses, even 15 years after its erection. If therefore we are to 
 regard at all, in this matter, the future population of the city, 
 as well as the present, the public buildings ought to be placed 
 in some central position, as nearly equally accessible to all as 
 possible — and we are decidedly of the opinion, (without having 
 any personal interest as regards property,) that Penn Square 
 is the proper place for them, both with a view to the present as 
 well as future generations — and for the following reasons : 
 
 1. The city already owns that property, and it was given to 
 it for the very purpose — and was, no doubt, selected by Penn, 
 
20 
 
 with his usual foresight and wisdom, having regard to the future 
 accommodation of both sections of the city. It is described as 
 follows: " In the centre of the city is a square of ten acres, at 
 each angle to build houses for public aifairs." "In the middle 
 of the city, from side to side, of the like breadth in the centre 
 of the city, is a square of ten acres ; at each angle are to be 
 houses for public affairs, as a Meeting House, Assembly, or 
 Slate House, Market House, Schoolhouse, and several other 
 buildings for public concerns.''* The inference from which is, 
 that this was the only site designed by Penn, even in these 
 early days, for the public buildings.! 
 
 2. The price of purchase of another site, would be equivalent 
 probably to the expense of erecting a new building, which the 
 city may as well save. 
 
 3. It will probably be as convenient to the present population 
 as any other situation : lor, 
 
 1. The greater number of Taxable inhabitants reside within 
 the limits of the western wards, as is shown by the following 
 table ; — for the sake of comparison, a table oftaxables in 1828, is 
 
 added.f 
 
 Eastern Wards. 1828. 2 835. 
 
 New Market, 1452 1472 
 
 Lower Delaware, 1501 1285 
 
 Pine, 1020 869 
 
 Upper Delaware, 1216 1142 
 
 837 
 739 
 825 
 899 
 
 Chesnut, 
 
 821 
 
 Walnut, 
 
 1117 
 
 High, 
 
 914 
 
 Dock, 
 
 8G3 
 
 
 8904 
 
 Western Wards. 
 
 
 North, 
 
 1393 
 
 South Mulberry, 
 
 1051 
 
 Locust, 
 
 13G4 
 
 North Mulberry, 
 
 1011 
 
 Middle, 
 
 774 
 
 South, 
 
 599 
 
 Cedar, 
 
 1446 
 
 8068 
 
 1710 
 1230 
 1659 
 1470 
 
 1023 
 1103 
 2186 
 
 7638 10381 
 
 * Advertisement bj' the Surveyor General, Thomas Holmes; Digest of City- 
 Ordinances, page 347. 
 I A Meeting House -was erected there in 1685 ; Watson, page 337. 
 T Minutes of Select and Common Councils, page 142. 
 
21 
 
 Thus we see that there are 2313 more tax payers, and proba- 
 bly property holders in the western wards, than in the eastern, 
 and that while the western increased 2743, the eastern decreas- 
 ed 836. 
 
 2. The largest portion of the population resides in the west- 
 ern wards, as the following table will show, based upon the cal- 
 culation of 5 inhabitants to 1 taxable, which proportion has 
 been ascertained to be about correct, as compared with the 
 census tables. At the census of 1830, there were only 5456 
 more persons in the eastern than the western wards. 
 
 Eastern. 
 
 
 Western. 
 
 
 New Market, 
 
 7360 
 
 North, 
 
 8550 
 
 Lower Delaware, 
 
 6425 
 
 South Mulberry, 
 
 . 6150 
 
 Pine, 
 
 4345 
 
 Locust, 
 
 8295 
 
 Upper Delaware, 
 
 5710 
 
 North Mulberry, 
 
 . 7350 
 
 Chesnut, 
 
 4185 
 
 Middle, . 
 
 5115 
 
 Walnut, 
 
 3695 
 
 South, 
 
 . 5515 
 
 High, 
 
 4125 
 
 Cedar, 
 
 10930 
 
 Dock, 
 
 4495 
 
 
 
 40340 
 
 51905 
 
 Showing a difference of population in favor of the western 
 wards of 11,565 in 1835, which has since been increased. What 
 will it be by the time the buildings are finished, if commenced 
 at once? It is believed, from some examination into the sub- 
 ject, that most of the Judges of the courts as well as lawyers, re- 
 side in the western wards. The largest number of votes at the 
 last election, was given in the western wards, as appears by 
 the following table, for State Senator, October, 1837. 
 
 Eastern. Western. 
 New Market, 492 North, 732 
 
 Lower Delaware, .... 559 
 
 Pine, 417 
 
 Upper Delaware, .... 569 
 
 Walnut, 282 
 
 Chesnut, 319 
 
 High 389 
 
 South Mulberry, .... 576 
 
 Locust, 638 
 
 North Mulberry 739 
 
 Middle, 500 
 
 South, 544 
 
 Cedar, ,606 
 
 Dock, 
 
 417 
 
 5444 
 
 4335 
 
 Showing a difference in favour of the western wards of 891. 
 
22 
 
 3. The valuation of property in the two portions of the city 
 does not present so great a diiference as might be imagined. 
 In 1835 the eastern were assessed at 815,625,220 
 western 11,786,277 
 
 difference, S 3,838,943 * 
 
 But it is well known that the most important improvements in 
 the western wards have taken place since that assessment. The 
 assessment now in progress, would probably exhibit a very dif- 
 ferent result. From 1829 to 1835 the eastern wards only in- 
 creased in value 830,061 while the western gained 3,178,650. 
 
 4. By means of the rail roads, which will all centre at this 
 point, it will be more convenient to residents in the northern 
 parts of the city and county, as well as in the southern to come 
 to Penn Square, than it will be for the inhabitants of the west- 
 ern wards to go to the neighborhood of the present State house: 
 and certainly much more so than it was for the inhabitants at the 
 lower end of tlie very ward where the State house stands for 
 sixty or seventy years after it was erected. 
 
 5. The city has a direct interest in placing the State house 
 in Penn Square, beside that of owning it. It will be the means 
 of extending improvements in every direction, by which, not 
 only the City revenue from taxes will be augmented, thereby 
 refunding the large expenditures heretofore made for paving, 
 lighting, and furnishing water to this portion of the city, hither- 
 to solely for the convenience of the Eastern population ; but the 
 value of the City property in this quarter will be much enhan- 
 ced, and they have at this time a large interest here and in the 
 neighborhood, vix. The Girard buildings from Market to Ches- 
 nut, the city stores, wharves. Gas works, unimproved property 
 and water works on Schuylkill, public squares, Girard Col- 
 lege, Will's Hospital, markets, &c. which would all be benefited. 
 
 6. The employment which all the improvements consequent 
 on the occupation of Penn square, would furnish to thousands 
 of mechanics, is an important consideration. Independent of 
 those who might be engnged about the public buildings (let them 
 be placed where they may be) the number of private andproba- 
 
 * See page 12. 
 
23 
 
 biy other public buildings which would be erected in the west, 
 would give bread to many a mechanic and labourer, who knows 
 not where to procure it at present. 
 
 7. The erection of these buildings on the prison lot could not 
 produce any of these effects, except in a very limited degree. 
 There is no city property it would benefit ; it might perhaps en- 
 hance a small portion of private property, just in the neighbor- 
 hood — it would furnish little more than employment to those 
 engaged about the building, and it could not promote the gen- 
 eral improvement of the City. Moreover, the quantity of 
 ground is not sufficient for the purpose, and it is at the corner 
 of streets, from which there would be so much noise as to pre- 
 vent the transaction of business by our courts, &c. as is the case 
 now. The location at Penn square would not injure any public 
 or private property on the Eastern front, and being divided 
 into four lots, v.ould admit of a more advantageous disposition 
 of the public buildings for the accommodation of the city, coun- 
 ty, and even state, if the Legislature, as they ought, should see 
 fit to remove to the city. Being probably on the highest ground 
 of the city, and having no other buildings near them, they could 
 be so placed as to enjoy the greatest share of light, and the freest 
 circulation of air; from the want of both of which our courts 
 so much suffer. Besides the grounds might be tastefully improv- 
 ed in such manner as to furnish to the citizens in the neighbour- 
 hood a pleasant and fashionable walk. 
 
 8. It has been, I think, suggested, that they might be erected on 
 Independence Square, — either pulling down our venerable Inde- 
 pendence Hall, and placing them in the centre, — or allowing the 
 hall to remain, and occupy the portion towards Walnut Street. 
 With regard to the first plan, the great difficulty would be, to ob- 
 tain the consent of the citizens. The next objection is, that there 
 is a provision in various acts of Assembly, passed in relation to this 
 square, Avhich says : " that no part of the ground lying to the 
 southward of the state-house should be converted into, or made 
 use of for erecting buildings, but that the same shoidd be an open 
 jiublic green and walk for ever." It would at least require the aid 
 of the Legislature, if even the consent of the citizens coidd be ob- 
 tained, to occupy with buildings a square so important to the health 
 of so dense a portion of the city. 
 
24 
 
 It has been objected, that many of our public buildhigs and insti- 
 tutions are in the eastern part of the city, — such as the Custom- 
 house, Exchange, Banks, Library, &c. With regard to the custom- 
 house, we are now attempting to procure a new and permanent 
 one. Let, then, it be located further west, for in a few years it 
 will be required for the business of both rivers ; besides, as most of 
 the merchants reside in the west, and visit their stores daily, they 
 can suffer little inconvenience on this score. So also with the 
 Exchange and Banks. But all these institutions or others will find 
 locations where the wants of the greater portion require them, and 
 if any of the present institutions require removal, the value of pro- 
 perty in the eastern wards will no doubt increase with the increas- 
 ing business and population, so as to justify their removal else- 
 where. But many of our public institutions are already in the 
 west. Of 67 churches 28 are west of Seventh Street. Some hav- 
 ing been driven west by the crowded and noisy state of the city ; 
 and others in pursuit of their congregations ; and most of these are 
 the largest and most ornamental in the city. Most of the fashion- 
 able, as well as best schools, as well private as public, are in the 
 west. The University, Mint, Masonic Hall, Musical Fund Hall, 
 Deaf and Dumb, and Blind Listitutions, Pennsylvania Hospital, 
 Almshouse, Preston Retreat, Orphans' and Widows' Asylums, Wills' 
 Hospital, &c. &c. are all in the west ; some of them seeking retire- 
 ment from disturbance by a progressive population, in the country. 
 
 That the time for erecting new buildings has arrived, is, I take 
 for granted, admitted by all. Judges, juries, lawyers, — every body 
 seems to say so. Some think it too soon to place them in Penn 
 Square ; but we certainly will be thought more wise than our foie- 
 fathers were, when they planted the present building where it is, — 
 inaccessible probably six months in the year. We are precisely in 
 opposite circumstances from them. Placed at the state-house when 
 first erected, scarcely a house might be seen, — placed now at Penn 
 Square, nothing else can be seen, because of the houses. It is 
 convenient of access, by day or by night ; good pavements, lights 
 by night, omnibus or rail-road cars in every direction, to suit those 
 who choose not to walk, — of all which our forefathers knew nothing. 
 
 Having now, at much more length than I at first intended, pre- 
 sented my views on the subject, I shall submit it to those whose 
 province it is to decide the question, after hearing the expressed 
 sentiments of their constituents. 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 014 311 812 5 
 
 H