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PICTURE 
 
 OF 
 
 FOB 18S4, 
 
 CONTAINING THE 
 
 PICTURE OF PHIL^iDELPHM, 
 
 FOR 1811, 
 BY JAMES MEASE, M.D." 
 
 WITH ALL ITS IMPROVEMENTS SINCE THAT 
 PERIOD, 
 
 BY THOMAS VlLSON. 
 
 PHILADELPHM: 
 
 t'HISTED BT TEOMAS TOWN, NO. 38, CHESNPT-STBEET^ 
 
\'Z. 
 
 \5B 
 
 V 
 
PICTURE 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 
 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 TnADiTiox relates that it was the original intention of Wil- 
 liam Penn to have founded Pliiladelphla near the lower side of 
 Poquessing creek, tlie boundary line between the counties of 
 Philadelphia and Bucks, on an elevated spot of ground on the 
 margin of the Delaware, a river so named in honour of Thomas 
 West, Lord De-la-war, an English nobleman, descended from 
 one of the adventurers who accompanied William the first, of 
 England, the bastard son of the duke of Normandy, In the con- 
 .quest and subjection of that country, in the eleventh century. 
 
 The built parts of the city extejul along the Delaware for 
 about four miles; v/estwardly, on High or Market-street, in- 
 cluding Hamilton Village, with the exception of some vacant 
 lots west of the Centre Square, nearly two and an half miles; 
 and on the other streets, westwardly, generally about one mile. 
 
 Few cities in the world can vie with this in Improvement, as 
 the results of the last eleven years will tend to demonstrate. 
 
 The suburbs of the city, on its north side, incorporated, are, 
 The J^'orthern Liberties, bounded on the south by Vine-street, 
 which separates it from the city ; westwardly, by Sixth-street ; 
 northwardly, by Cohocksink creek, which divides it from Ken- 
 sington, originally called Shackamaxon, its Indian appellation ; 
 and east'A ardly, by the Delaware. This district is again sub- 
 divided into seven wards, the centre of which is 'I'hird-street, 
 
4 1>ITR0DUCT011Y HISTORY. 
 
 bavinjf three on each side, until it reaches Poplar Lane, the 
 ward beyond which extends from Sixth-street, along its north- 
 ern boundary, to the river. 
 
 Spring Garden embraces all the incorporated part of the 
 suburbs west of Sixth, and north of Vine-street, and Kensington 
 is a district no:th ag-ain of the Northern Liberties, from which 
 it is divided, as iias been already stated, by Cohocksink creek, 
 to which it is connected by several bridges, built of brick or 
 stone, and one of wood. In process of time this creek will un- 
 doubtedly share the fate of that over which Dock-street is now 
 
 Southwark (incorporated) and Moyamensing are its southern 
 stiburljs, and Hamilton Village its western, connected with the 
 c:ty by the Permanent Bridge. 
 
 The defences of the city against an invading army by water, 
 :ire fort Mifflin, formerly Mud fort, erected on an island eight 
 miles below. The course of the channel compels all vessels 
 bound up to come within point blank range of its cannon. This 
 fort.is an embankment well constructed and faced with hewn 
 stone and brick, furnished with salient angles, bomb-proof. Sic. 
 furnaces for heating shot, and well supplied with heavy or- 
 dinance, and a competent garrison: — and a very large and ex- 
 pensive foilification on an efficient and liberal plan, not yet 
 completed., on a small island called the Pea-Patch, situated a 
 few miles below New Castle. These, in a complete state of re- 
 pair, properly garrisoned, miinitloned and provided for, render 
 Philadelphia unassailable by water. 
 
 The population of the built parts of Philadelphia and suburbs, 
 according to the marshall's return in 1820, was 114,410, and in 
 1810, 92iSS6, making an increase, during ten yeai-s, of 21,524. 
 Tor its anterior progressive state the reader is referred to Dr. 
 Mease's Picture subjoined. 
 
 In order to defend, as much as possible, the city against the 
 direful effects of fire, the erection of wooden buildings are pro- 
 hibited by an act of the legnslature, passed in 1796, within the 
 limits including that part which hes between t^e river Dela- 
 ware and the east side of Sixth-street, and between the south 
 
INTRODTJCTOEY HISTORY. 5 
 
 Side of Vine and north side of Kace-streets, and between the 
 said livev and the south side of Walnut and the north side ot 
 Cedar-streets, and from the Delaware to Tenth-street, between 
 the north side of Walnut and south side of Race-streets, under 
 the penalty of five hundred dollars on due conviction. 
 
 The city contains one unchartered and eight chartered bank- 
 ing' institutions, a Saving Bank, an office in Church alley, for the 
 transaction of business for the Camden Dank in New Jersey, 
 and one in the Nortliern Liberties ; the nominal capitals of se- 
 veral of which amount to §43,050,000, and thirteen Insurance 
 Companies, the capitals of eleven of which are stated at 
 ,S3, 680,000, in shares of 400, 100, 80, 60 and 10 dollars each. 
 
 The commerce of the city has declined and property has fall- 
 en since the general restoration of peace in Europe nearly fifty 
 per cent, on an average. 
 
 In front of the first brick house built in Philadelphia, in 
 Chesnut-street, opposite Carpenter's court, was a wharf to 
 whicti vessels came up, on the creek on which Dock-street now 
 is. In laying down the conduit pipes of iron in the summer of 
 1823, the workmen dug down to this same wharf, part of which 
 they had to cut away in order to lay down tlie pipes. The tim- 
 ber was of oak and in a gocd state of preservation. Before it 
 was again covered the place "was visited by numbers of the ci- 
 tizens and strangers, out of curiosity. 
 
 On the N W. part of the square between Market and Ches- 
 nvit, and Seventh and Eighth-streets, v ilh the front on Ches- 
 nut, was erected by the late Robert Morris, Esq. a most splen- 
 did and costly mansion of brick, faced with marble, of about 
 one hundred and fifty feet front, and ninety feet deep. The de- 
 sign was the production of major L'Enfant. The budding was 
 begun in 1791, and was nearly completed when its owner failed. 
 It stood for a length of time in an unfinished state, when it was 
 purchased at public sale by ^^'ill^am Sansom, Esq. who caused 
 it to be torn down, and the buildings which now grace that 
 square to be erected, with Sansom-street in the centre. Be- 
 sides the mansion, it was the intention pf Mr. Morris to have 
 had the whole square laid out in gravel walks and pleasure 
 A 2 
 
6 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 grounds, studded with trees shrubbery— but, alas ! how fleet- 
 ing is human grandeur. The man who was minister of finance 
 during our revohitionary war; who raised monies for the Uni- 
 ted States, on his own credit, when that of the government was 
 at a very low ebb ; who raised this splendid structure, was at 
 last thrown into prison for debt. 
 
 The public square on which the State-House. City and Coun- 
 ty CouTt-IIouses and Philosophical Hall are built, was ordered 
 to be sold by an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, passed 
 March lllh, 1816, giving the privilege of refusal to the Corpo- 
 ration of Philadelphia at seventy thousand dollars. T^piN. W. 
 and N. E. corner lots, the buildings thereon, the lot on which, 
 the Philosophical Hall stands, and the two public offices in 
 possession of the County Commissioners, were released trom 
 the claim of the state, and granted and confmned to the City 
 and County of Philadelphia. It v.as purchased by the mayor 
 in behalf of the corporation of the City, on the terms prescribed 
 in the act of the Legislature. 
 
 In the City and suburbs are 222 streets, 165 alleys, 150 
 courts, 18 lanes, and 6 avenues. It must be observed that ma- 
 ny of the streets do not extend more than from one to three 
 or four squares, and some of them are no better than alleys or 
 lanes. 
 
 Washington Square, formerly the old Potters' Field, has 
 been handsomely laid out into gravel walks, planted with trees 
 and fenced in with handsome palings. At present it is kept 
 closed. The square parallel to it in the north part of the City, 
 between Race and Vine, and Sixth and Franklin-streets, is now 
 putting in the same state. It is, however, blemished on the 
 side of Vine-street by a cemetery which ought not to exist in 
 that q\jarter. 
 
 In the Centre Square, on the eastern side, is a handsome 
 statue of a water nymph, with an aquatic bird on her shoulder, 
 from the chissel of the celebrated Rush of this City. Through 
 the beak of this bird a fountain sometimes discharges itself, 
 which is fed by a conduit from Fair Mount reservoir. The City 
 and suburbs contain fifty -nine places for public worship, nine of 
 
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 7 
 
 which are Episcopalians, including one for blacks ; nine Pres- 
 byterians, including one for blacks; six Baptists, of which one 
 is for blacks ; five for the society of Friends ; four Roman Ca- 
 tholics; four Reformed Dutch Churches; two UniversalistS; 
 one Moravian ; one Menonist ; one for the followers of Ema- 
 nuel Swedenburg ; two Hebrew Synagogues, besides several 
 Methodist and other chui'ches, an account of which will be 
 given in their proper places. 
 
 From Fair Mount water works, at the reservoir, we have the 
 most magnificent scenery on which the eye can repose with de- 
 light : 'Ihe two basins, or reservoirs, before you : the water 
 works, dam, the garden of Henry Pratt Esq.: the western part 
 of the City, studded with trees, two steeples, some cupolas, 
 shot tower, the meandering Schuylkill, two permanent bridges, 
 the spire of the Episcopal church in Mantua village, out- 
 topping the surrounding foliage ; the villas and rising grounds 
 clothed in the habiliments of nature for tlie season, on the 
 western side of the Schuylkill — all command the attention of 
 the admiring traveller. 
 
 Peg's Run rises in the western part of Spring Garden, and 
 pursuing an eastern course, discliarges itself into the Delaware 
 near Peg-street. It is arched over across all the streets that it 
 passes. In Front-street, near its estuary, was formerly a wood- 
 eji bridge, called Pool's Bridge. In process of time this stream 
 will become a common sewer or culvert, similar to the Dock- 
 street one. 
 
 The houses in general are built of brick, and three stories 
 high, plain and neat ; some, however, are structures that would 
 vie with the first in Europe. 
 
 The markets are well attended with provisions from the sur- 
 rounding country, and generally of the best quality. Before 
 we proceed to give a description of the public buildings, we 
 lay before our readers a statement of the manufactures and 
 commerce of the City as far as has been practicable. 
 
K MANUFACTURES. 
 
 Manufactures. 
 
 THE account given of the manufacturing establishments In 
 this City and vicinity are not complete, but are as mucli so as the 
 nature of the case will admit. Prior to the long embargo and 
 our late war aith Britain, American manufactures, particularly 
 in the cloth and cotton line, were treated with more than cold 
 indifference, with a neplect bordering on persecution. The 
 celebrated British Orders in Council, and consequent French 
 letaliatory decrees, gave rise to a state of things in this country 
 which impclk'd us, particularly during the war, to bring our 
 own resources into activity. Hence we found, whilst it lusted, 
 inanufactories springing up as it were, in every section, almost, 
 of the Union, nurtured by the high prices tliat pferiod afforded 
 them. On tl>e return of peace they had the goods of foreign 
 manufactories to compete with, and it was natural to expect tliat 
 our own government wouid eztend its fostering hand to, pro- 
 tect them; but the expectation was vain; the consequence 
 was, that the then proprietors beheld the results of their in- 
 dustry and capital, after languisliing for some time, fall under 
 the hammer of the sheriff, and themselves reduced to penury. 
 It was found by subsequent enterprising men, that the only re- 
 sistance that could be made to destroy the consumption of fo- 
 reign goods was to reduce the wages of workmen so low as 
 barely to procure a scanty subsistence. The almost total ex- 
 tinction of business in our capital cities depending on foreign 
 trade, has produced, partially, a revivifying effect, and we find 
 its beneficial influence. At present our most patriotic citizens 
 manifest their attachments to their country by the consumption 
 of articles of domestic m.mufacture in preference to foreign 
 ones ; insomuch so that the foreign manufactures have had re- 
 course \.o imitations, to procure a market by deception, for their 
 goods. In the City and its vicinity there are at present nearly 
 four thousand hand looms in operation, and increasing annually 
 Titthe rate of about twenty per cent. 
 
 I'here are fourteen breweries for porter, ale and beet, the 
 establishments of which are generally very extensive, one of 
 
MANUFACTURES. 9 
 
 ihem is owned by a company of farmers and farm holders, for 
 the purpose of manufacturing their own barley, and of increas- 
 ing the consumption of malt liquors. It is on a very large and 
 extended scale. The foundation was put down in 1822, on the 
 24th day of August. It began the brewing of beer, January 
 oOth, 1823, and is now in full operation. 
 
 Of thirty -three cotton and woollen factories in the City and 
 vicinity of Philadelphia, worked by water or steam power, 
 twenty of them have no less than 28,750 spindles in operation, 
 and th€ number increasing. 
 
 There are two glass furnaces at Kensington, for the purpose 
 of making cylinder and hollow ware glass, belonging to T. W. 
 Dyott, who also owns the Hamington and Olive Glass Works, 
 in Gloucester County, New-Jersey, for making window-glass, 
 bottles and phials; also a manufacture of window-glass in South 
 or Cedar street, on the banks of the Schuylkill, belonging to 
 Luther Frank. 
 
 Also two manufactories for making Printer's Ink, one on the 
 corner of Lombard and 10th street, belonging to Charles John- 
 son, and the other 252, Market street, belonging to John Rich- 
 ardson. 
 
 Likewise two shot towers, the one in the city, near the 
 Schuylkill, North of Market street, belonging to Paul Beck, 
 built square, 165 feet high, 31 feet diameter at the base and 21 
 at the top: to which is annexed other buildings and a smelt- 
 ing house whicii contain all the necessary machinery, and can 
 cast and finish three tons of shot per day: the other is circular, 
 345 feet in height, 30 feet at the base and 15 at the top, diame- 
 ter. It has finishing shops and out-houses and machinery 
 making patent shot and can supply all the U. S. 
 
 Ronaldson's Type Foundery in Cedar between Ninth and 
 Tenth streets, is on a very extensive scale; but the business has 
 materially declined within the last few years. 
 
 The Messrs. Wetherill's have a large factory at the corner of 
 Twelfth and Cherry -streets for the manufacture of "White and 
 Jted Lead. 
 
10 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 The following are the principal Factories of note in 
 and near the City. 
 
 The Arkwright and Steam-Mill, in Front-street, Kensington, 
 often horse power, employs about sixty hands and is calculated 
 to spin annually about 90,000 wt. of cotton yarn. 
 
 Crozer'a Cotton Factory at Crum creek, Delaware Co. Pa. has 
 in operation 1000 spindles. 
 
 M'Credy's Cotton Factory on Darby Creek, has 1700 spin- 
 dies and 16 looms worked by water power ; employs about six- 
 ty hands, and manufactures cotton-yarn and brown sheetings. 
 
 Frankfort Cotton Factory, with 1816 spindles, manufactures 
 weekly about 60U lbs, of cotton-yarn of No. 20 to 30. 
 
 Glenville Cotton Factory, Chester County, Pa. works 20 
 looms and 1000 spindles, 
 
 I'razier's Jtfanufactory, by steam power, of sTiirtings, sheet- 
 ings and cotton yarn, at the corner of South Fifth and Christian 
 streets, has 1000 spindles in operation. 
 
 The Globe Mills, on the Germantown road, between North 
 Second and Third-streets, Northern Liberties, employs about 
 300 hands; manufactures ginghams, drillings, checks, shirtings, 
 sheetings, &c. have in use 3200 spindles, and in proportion 
 carding and other machinery and consume weekly about 18 
 bales of cotton, each weighing about 300 lbs. 
 
 Greiner's Trenton Cotton Mill, adjoining the City of Trenton 
 N. J. is worked by water power, has in operation 1100 spindles, 
 and in proportion carding machines, looms and other machine- 
 ry; spins about liOO lbs. of yarn weekly, out of which are 
 manufactured ginghams, drillings, checks, sheetings, shirtings. 
 Sec. and keeps about 100 persons in employ. 
 
 Holmesburg Factory, Philadelphia County, keeps 1800 spin- 
 dles in operation. 
 
 Kensington Cotton Mill, on the margin of the Delaware, Ken- 
 sington, employs constantly 163 persons, men, women and chil- 
 dren; spins on 1200 spindles, about 1500 wt. of raw cotton 
 weekly into yarn of No's, from 14 to 20. 
 Lodge Cotton Mill, on Darby creek, hag in operation 524 spin- 
 
MANUFACTURES. 11 
 
 dies, and Liw^ren's £jf Co. on Chester creek, Delaware CoUnty, 
 1000, 
 
 ,M'Callmont's in Bristol township, contains 18 carding ma^ 
 chines with necessary apparatus, giving work to about 100 
 persons. 
 
 The Merion Cotton Mill, on Mill creek, employs 940 spindles 
 chiefly in the manufacture of cotton-yarn. 
 
 The Providence Cotton Works, 15 miles from the City, «m. 
 ploys 1200 spindles and 20 power looms. 
 
 Pleasant Mills Cotton Factory, Gloucester County, N. J. has 
 1000 spindles at work. 
 
 Providence Cotton Works, 15 miles from Philadelphia, have 
 1200 spindles and 20 power looms in employ. 
 
 Pichards's Flat Rock Canal Cotton Factory, 7 miles from 
 Philadelphia, has 1500 spindles at work andhas machmery in 
 hands to aug'ment the number to 4900 and 60 power looms, and 
 machinery for weaving, which will employ about 200 people. 
 
 Hillsbnrg Mills, on Ridley creek, 15 milp? from Philadelphia, 
 have 1200 spindles engaged in spinning cotton yarn. 
 
 Ridley Cotton Mills, in Delaware County, has 500 spindles in 
 operation. 
 
 SimsviUe Factory, on the Brandywine has 2500 spindles em- 
 ployed in spinning cotton-yarn, and from 70 to 80 persons, 
 mostly women and children. 
 
 Valleu Cotton Works, on the Schuylkill, 20 miles from Phila- 
 delphia, employ 1500 spindles with power looms and other ma- 
 chinery proportionate thereto. 
 
 There is a woollen factory at the falls of Schuylkill, six miles 
 from Philadelphia, which has seven carding machines and other 
 apparatus at work. 
 
 Rockland Manufacturing establishment, on Brandywine, Dela- 
 ware State, comprise the Delaware Woollen Factory and Wal- 
 lace Cotton Factory, which are calculated to give employ to 
 from 300 to 400 persons. 
 
 Besides the above there are the Bristol Cotton and Woollen 
 Factory at Bristol, 20 miles from Philadelphia; a Cotton and 
 Woollen Factory at New-Hope, Bucks County, Pa. ; Fisher's 
 
12 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 Woollen Factory at Germantown, 6 miles from Philadelphia; 
 also Kelly's "Woollen Factory near the same ; Rodman's Wool- 
 len Factory. Germantown; and Well's and Fisher's Cotton and 
 Woollen Factory at New-Hope, Buck's County, Pa. 
 
 The Mars Iron Foundry and Steam Engine Manufactory, at 
 
 the corner of North Ninth and Vine Streets, consist of two 
 
 . furnaces which can melt five tons of Iron, a Steam Engine of 
 
 six horse power for driving boring mills, &c. &c. shop for 
 
 making patterns for castings, and a black-smith's shop. 
 
 The City Iron Foundry and Steam Engiiie Manufactory, for 
 high and low pressure, is situated in Filbert-street, Centre 
 Square. 
 
 The Kensington Steam Engine Manufactory, corner of 
 Marsh and Penn sis, Kensington, employs about 15 hands. 
 
 There is a Machine Card Manufactory at No. 68, Market St. 
 that gives employment to about 500 persons. 
 
 The Book-Selling, Printing and Type Foundery business 
 have declined materially during the past four or five years. 
 
 An abstract from the report of Manufacturers for the 
 County of Philadelphia — Articles Manufactured^- 
 Made in the Marshal's report accompanying the last 
 Census. 
 
 Andirons, baskets, beds and matresses, beer, porter, ale, bis- 
 cuit, blistered steel, printed and blank books, boots and shoes, 
 brass and japanned lamps and andirons, bridle bits and stirrup 
 irons, bricks, brushes and bellows, button moulds, printed cal- 
 Ileoes, carriages, gigs, harness, cloths, cassimeres, cotton goods* 
 chambrays, checks, tickings, shirtings, sheetings, plaids, che- 
 micals, composition ornaments, copper, brass and tin ware, 
 cordage, cotton bagging, navy duck and twine, cotton twist, 
 cotton shirting, cotton yarn, checks, lace, shirtings, sheetings. 
 Sec. fire engines, jacks, he. flannel, flour, cabinet furniture, 
 glass, gold and silver leaf, nitrate of silver, gold foil, and gold 
 and silver powder, hogsheads and barrels, hats, japanned and 
 brass lamps, &.c. Jewelry of all kinds, iron and brass wire, 
 wove selves, &c. Leather, looking glasses and fancy chairs. 
 
COMMEUCE. 13 
 
 lace, friKge and binding, morocco, parchment and buckskin, 
 nails, brads, hoop and rod iron, paper, pupei-luin.Lfing and 
 playing cards, parchment, chamois and buckskin, pulcnt and 
 moulded sliot, piano fortes, playing and other rards, plaster 
 and ginger, pottery, prinling-type, rolled iron, saddles, bridle 
 and harness, silver tea and coS'ee sets of plate, silver and gjld 
 ware and jewelry, soap and candles, steam kitchens, stoves 
 &c., starch and hair powder, stockings for the U. S . Loaf, lump 
 and candied sugar, swords, pistols and rifisS; tin ware, tobacco, 
 snuff and cigars, turning machinery in general, white and red 
 lead, litharge, chromic yellow. Sic. Woollen j arn. 
 
 The raw materials of which amount to §1,047,260, valued 
 retail at market at §1,348,890, giving employ to upwards of 
 1100 men, 300 women and nearly 800 girls and boys, employ' 
 ing an investment of capital amounting to gl, 436,210: wages 
 to workmen employed amount to §426,118, 
 Commerce. 
 
 The exports of domestic p^roduce and manufactures from 
 the district of Philadelphia to {t,.reigu countries during the 
 years 1820—21 and 22, amounted to 3^''-^S9,50r, consisting of 
 beeii tallow, beer, porter, cider, spirits tVi.m grain, biscuit, sliip'^ 
 bread, butter, cheese, cables, cordage, spermwoeti and tallow can- 
 dles, soap, coaches, copper and brass, cotton, dnVd, smoked and 
 pickled fish, flaxseed, flour, ginseng', gold and silver coin, gun- 
 po A'der, hats houshold furniture, Indian corn, pig-iron, .nails, all 
 manufactures of iron, leather, boots, shoes, Indian meal, rye 
 meal, medicinal drugs, naval stores, tar, pitcli, rosin, turpeIltilK^ 
 spermaceti, whale, other fish and linsceed oil, spirits of turpen- 
 tine, pork, hams, bacon, lard, rice, saddlery, skins, furs, spirits 
 from molasses, refined sugar, tobacco in lihds. and manufactur- 
 ed, snutV, wax, staves, shingles, boards, planKS, other lumber, 
 masts, spars, oa-. bark and other dye, manufactured merchan- 
 dize and raw produce not enumerated, 
 
 T/ie Exports -iuerefor 
 1820 — Domestic produce and Manu- 
 facture, . . . S2,948.5/9 
 Foreign Merchandize, . . o,; 34,670 
 
 Total for 1820, , . §5,743,549 
 
 B 
 
1* COMMERCE. 
 
 182 1 — Domestic produce and Manu- 
 factures, .... 3,544,254 
 Foreign Merchandize, . , 3,810, 15r 
 
 Total for 1821, . . .. 7,354,411 
 
 1822— Domestic produce and Manu, 
 
 facture, .... 3,989,507 
 
 Foreign Merchandize, . . 5,058,295 
 
 Total for 1822, . . 9,047,802 
 
 Total, foreign and domestic for three years, ^22,145,762 
 
 The Imports -were for 
 1821— Merchandize, , . . 8,158,922 
 l822-» do . , . 10,879,790 
 
 20,038,712 
 
 2,107,050 
 
 Thus in three years the exports only exceeded two years im- 
 ports by 2,107,050 dollars, and were less than the imports dur. 
 ing the same years by lg5,7<3,549, shewing a heavy balance of 
 trade against us. 
 
 The imports consisted of JMerchandize free of duty— Copper^ 
 brass, &c. in pig? and bars, bullion, gold and silver coin, dye 
 woods, raw lyefes, brimstone and sulphur, undrewed furs, plais- 
 fer of Par«5. and all other free articles. 
 
 Paring ad valorem Duty—Cloths and cassimeres, worsted 
 ajjrf'atuflT goods, woollen blankets and rugs, raw wool, printed 
 and co'loured and white cotton and nankeen piece goods ; 
 woollen a.^d cotton hose, cotton, twist yarn and thread, bleach- 
 ed and unb.'eached linens, silk goods, copper, copper and 
 brass, manufactured ; iron, iron and steel, manufactured ; glass 
 and China ware, earthen and stone ware, gold, silvcT and pre- 
 ctoJis stones, hats, caps, and bonnets, tin in sheets and plates ; 
 all otlisCjT articles paying an ad valorem duty. 
 
 PayinT e{irCifi<^ '"'*''* °f duty— Beer, ale and porter, bristles, 
 cordage, cigars, Ci?^'f cocoa, coffee, cotton, copper and compo- 
 sition rods, nails, &c. ,"ussia ravens, Holland duck, brown and 
 white Ilussiasheeting, almJi'l^, currants, figs, prunes, plums, 
 raisins in jarsaijd boxes, all o^''^^ '^uits, black quart bottles, 
 
UR1DG£S. I'j 
 
 ■■.vindow g'lass, hemp, indigo, iron and steel wire do. tact s, brads, 
 sprigs, nails, spikes, anchors ; sheet, rod and hoop iron ; iron 
 in bars and rods, manufactured by rolling', all other wrought iron, 
 pig iron, and iron castings ; pig, bar and sheet lead, shot : 
 molasses, olive oil in casks, dry ochre, ditto in oil ; white and 
 red lead, whiting and Paris white, salt, nutmegs, cinnamon, 
 mace, cloves, pepper, pimento, chives, cassia, spirits from 
 grain and other materials, steel, brown and white sugar, tal- 
 low candles, soap, cheese, bohea, souchong, imperial gunpow- 
 der, hyson and young hyson, green and other teas, Madeira, 
 sherry, St. Lucar, claret, Lisbon, Oporto, Tenej ifFe, Fayal, and 
 other wines, amounting in value to 1^11,879,790. 
 
 The total tonnage belonging to the Port of Philadelphia, on 
 the 30th of June, 1322, was 74,405, and 79-95 tons, of which 
 52,242 and 99-95 were registered (permanent), enrolled ton- 
 nage, or vessels engaged in the coasting trade, above twenty 
 tons, 22,150, and 91-95; and licensed tonnage of vessels unde^ 
 twenty tons in the coasting and river trade, 3,012 and 74-95. 
 
 PERMANENT BRIDGE. 
 
 Erected over the Schuylkill, at the west end of Market oi' 
 tligh street, is a strong, elegant and convenient structure, built 
 by a company incorporated in 1798.- It consists of three wood- 
 en arches, supported by two stone piers, with two abutments 
 and wing walls. The western pier is sunk in a depth of wa- 
 ter unexampled in hydraulic architecture, in any part of the 
 world ; the top of the rock on which it stands, being 41 feet 
 9 inches below common high tides. Both piers were built 
 within coffer dams. The dam for the western pier was of ori- 
 ginal and peculiar construction ; the design was furnished by 
 ■William Weston, Esquire, of Gainsborough, In England, 
 a celebrated hydraulic engineer. Eight hundred thousand 
 feet of timber (board measure) were emplo}'edin and about it. 
 It was executed under the orders of the Building Committee 
 of the Boaifl, consisting of the President, and four, and some- 
 times five. Directors, by Samuel Robinson, of Philadelphia,— 
 Every disadvantage to which such difficult undertakings are 
 subject (the rock being in lundry parts nearly bare, and afford- 
 ing no footing for the piles) opposed the progresa of this ■, 
 
16 BKIDGE5. 
 
 so tiiat it coiilil not be ready for the masnnn,- urtil tlie 25th of 
 December, when the first stone was laid, and tlie work conti- 
 luiel to thelieight then proposed, during a severe winter. 
 
 The stonework was done by Mr. Thomas Vicker, under the 
 direction of the same committee, sometimes assisted by the 
 treasurer in cases of emergency. 
 
 The masonry is executed on a plan uncommon, if not new. 
 The walls of the abutments and wing-s, arc perpendicular, 
 without buttresses, and supported by interior offsels. These 
 are found completely competent fo support the pressure of 
 the filling', without battering or contreforts. The abutments are 
 18 feet thick. The wing walls 9 feet at the foun^l:ition, retiring 
 by offsets, till at the parapets they arc only 18 inches. The 
 rastern abutments and wing- walls are founded on a rock. 
 Tliose on the western side are built on piles. There are up- 
 wards of 7500 tons of masonry in the western pier. Many of 
 the stones composing' both piers weigh from three to twelve 
 tons. A number of massive chains are stretched in various po- 
 siUons across the piers. These arc worked in with the mason- 
 jy, the exterior of which is clamped and finished in the most 
 substantial and workmanlike manner. 
 
 The frame of the superstructure was designed and erected 
 b}' 'J'imothy Palmer, of Newburyport, Massachusetts. It is a 
 masterly piece of workmanship, combining in its* principles 
 that of king-posts and braces, with that of a stone arch. Half 
 of each post, with the brace between, will form tlie vousseup 
 t)f an arch , and I'nes through the middle of each post would 
 describe the radia or joints. 
 
 Tlie platform for travelling rises only eight feet from a ho- 
 rizontal line ; and the top or cap-pieces are parallel to this. 
 Of the Sections, the middle one has the mns.'., pressure, owing 1o 
 the weight of fransportation being thrown nearer to that sec- 
 lion, than towards the sides, to which the footways prevent 
 its approach. Tliese foot-ways are five feet in width, elevated 
 above the carriage ways and neatly protected by chains. 
 
 Tiie workmanship of the covering the design of which was 
 original, was performed by O. iViddle, of Philadelphia, agrcC' 
 .^bly to a plan furnished him. 
 
Abridges, 
 
 1? 
 
 The underwork of the side covering is done in imitation of 
 masonry, by sprinkling the work with stone dust on the paint- 
 ing, while fresh. 
 
 Commodious whar/es, on each side of the river, have been 
 made, both with u view to profit and to protect the foundation 
 of the abutments and wings. 
 
 This bridge was six years in building, and cost about 275,000 
 dollars, including the cash moiety of the purchase of the site ; 
 for which g40,000 were paid to the city corporation, half in 
 cash and half in bridge shares. 
 
 Length of the bridge 
 Abutments and wing walls . 
 Total length .... 
 Span of the small arches each 
 Ditto middle arch . 
 
 Width of the arch 
 
 Curvature of the middle arch 
 
 Ditto " of the small arches 
 
 Curvature or size of the carriage way 
 
 Height in the clear over the carriage way 
 
 Height from the surface of the river to do. 
 
 Thickness of the pier . 
 
 Length of ditto .... 
 
 Depth of water to the rock, at the western 
 pier 
 
 Dittto at the eastern pier 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Inches. 
 
 550 
 
 00 
 
 750 
 
 00 
 
 1300 
 
 00 
 
 150 
 
 00 
 
 194 
 
 00 
 
 42 
 
 00 
 
 12 
 
 00 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 8 
 
 00 
 
 12 
 
 00 
 
 31 
 
 00 
 
 20 
 
 00 
 
 62 
 
 00 
 
 rn 
 
 41 
 
 00 
 
 21 
 
 00 
 
 Amount of toll, when the work began, for the year 
 
 1799, arising from the floating bridge . . !S5,000 
 
 Amount of toll, on an average (1805) ; the rates of 
 toll in several instances being lower than over the 
 old floating bridge ...... 13,600 
 
 During the time that the British had possession of Phila- 
 delphia, in 1777, they had a bridge of boats across the Schuyl- 
 kill at the middle ferry, one of which was sunk. The bridge 
 company, in sinkingihe coffer dam, expended nearly two thou- 
 B S 
 
18 ATHEN.EUM. 
 
 sand dollars in getting- up this timber, before they could g-et 
 their dam water-tight. In 1803 a gentleman, of a curious turn 
 of mind, had the planks of this boat well plugged, and gave it 
 to a cabinet maker, who constructed for him a very curious ta- 
 ble, answering all the purposes of an escrut^ire. The wood 
 was white oak. 
 
 UPPER PERMANENT BRIDGE, 
 
 Over the Schuylkill, below Fair Mount Water Works. 
 
 This bridge was finished in 1813. The architect was Mr- 
 Lewis Wernwrag. It is fifty feet and four inches wide at the 
 abutments, thirty-five feet wide in the centre and three hun- 
 dred and forty feet four inches span of a single arch, with 
 lamps and footways. The abutments are of stone, and the 
 bridge of wood, covered and handsomely ornamented, with pil- 
 lars on each front, and toll-house on the east abutment. The 
 span of the arch is said to be 96 feet larger than that of an}' other 
 known to exist. It is the property of a company incorporated, of 
 which Jacob Ridgeway, Esq. is President. The stock is divid- 
 ed into shares of fifty dollars each. The president is the prin- 
 cipal shareholder. The road to the bridge is f<rom Callowhill 
 street in a north west direction, and crossing the bridge, leads 
 into Mantua Village. 
 
 ATHEN.ISUM. 
 
 [INCORPORATED APRIL 1, 1815.] 
 
 Kept in the Philosophical Hall, south Fifth street, mi the Stale 
 
 House S(jtiare, 
 
 This Association has for its object the procuring of news- 
 papers, of different slates and countries, pamphlets, books, 
 maps, charts, and of collecting historical and other monuments 
 conaected with the history and antiquities of America, and the 
 useful arts, and generally to disseminate useful knowledge. 
 
 Its officers consist of a president, vice president, treasurer, 
 secretary and librarian, and a board of 15 directors, besides a 
 purchasing committee, committee of superintendance, and 
 cemmittee of accounts, chosen annually. 
 
BANKS. 19 
 
 The board of directors are annually chosen on the first 
 Moiulay in February, by the stockholders in person. 
 
 Tlie stock is 25 dollars per share, beside four dollurs a year 
 in advance; and no share can be transferred until all arrearag-es 
 are paid. 
 
 Diplomatic characters, clergymen, and such foreign consuls 
 as are not resident citizens of the United States, are admitted 
 ffi-atis to the use of tiie rooms. Persons residing at a distanct 
 of more than ten miles, introduced by a stockholder or subscri- 
 ber, to the librarian, are admitted for one month, at each visit 
 gratis. If remaining longer, upon being proposed by a stock- 
 liolder, they can be elected for three months for three dollars, 
 or six months for si.x. Each original or annual subscriber 
 must write to the board that he intends to withdraw, having 
 paid up all arrearages. This must be done before the first 
 Monday in February of each year. 
 
 The library contains about 3000 volumes and is increasing 
 annually. 
 
 The rooms are open every day and evening, Sundays ex- 
 cepted, from November first to May first, from 8 o'clock 
 A. M, until 10 o'clock P. M. and from the first of May to the 
 first of November, from /o'clock A. M. until 10 o'clock P. M. 
 The Officers for 1824, are— ' 
 
 WILLIAM TILGHMAN, President. 
 
 SAMUEL EWING, Vice-President. 
 
 QUINTIN CAMPHELi., Treasurer. 
 
 AVILLIAM M'lLIIENNY, Jr. Secretary and Librariau. 
 
 NEW B.ANK OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 Is situated in a North and South direction, fronting on Ches- 
 aut and Library Streets, between South Fourth and South 
 h'ifth Streets. 
 
 In the design and proportions of this edifice, the leading 
 eatures of that celebrated work of antiquity, the P.arthenonat 
 Uhens are recognised. 
 
 In selecting this example as a model, for a building, such as 
 Bank, requii'ing a peculiar internal arrangement and distri- 
 
so UANKS. 
 
 butlon of space andliglit, it becomes a difficult task for an ar- 
 chitect to preserve all the characteristics of a Grecian Temple, 
 wlioseoriginandappropriation was solely for the worship of the 
 Gods, and for the deposition of public treasure. The peripte- 
 rosor flanking columns of aTirecian building produces a deci- 
 dedly beautiful figure in architecture ; but they cannot be ap- 
 plied with their proper effect to places of business, without a 
 (Consequent sacrifice of those principles which have a constant 
 application to internal uses and economy. 
 
 The design of this building of the Grecian Doric, character 
 ised as Hiipaetheros, having eight fluted columns 4 feet 8 inches 
 in diameter, embracing the whole front, taken from the Par- 
 thenon or Temple of Minerva, Ilecatompedon at Athens, be- 
 ing divested of the columnsof the peripteros and prondus of 
 the sculptured metopes of the freize, and the basso-relievo fi< 
 gures in the Hympanum of the pediment. 
 
 The columns rise from abasement 6 feet in elevation, sup- 
 porting a plain entablature extending along the sides of apara- 
 lellogram 86 by 160 feet, including the body of the building and 
 porticos that project 10 feet 6 inches from each of the fronts. 
 The veri icle angle of the pediment is 152'' forming an uninter- 
 rupted line from end to end of the ridge or apex of the roof. 
 
 The ascent to the porticos from the Street is by a flight of 
 six steps, to a terrace or platform, extending 16 feet on each 
 flank, and in front of the edifice. 
 
 It is on this terrace that the building is reared, and from 
 which it derives a great portion of its effect. The gateways on 
 the right and left, open into paved avenues, which extend 
 from Chesnut to Library Streets, along each of the flanks, ser- 
 ving CO insulate the building from surrounding objects, it being 
 Inclosed along these avenues by a return of the iron-railing £X- 
 hibited in the front elevation. 
 
 Its length, including the Portico, is 161 feet, and breadth in 
 front 87 feet. The floor of the principal or ground story is el- 
 evated 9 feet, surrounded on all sides by a terrace 14 feet wide, 
 rising three feet wide, and paved with large flag stones jointed 
 together. The main entrance is from Chesnut Street, by a 
 
BANKS. 21 
 
 fliglit of marble stepSj extending- aloncj the whole front of the 
 Portico. 
 
 The door in tlie centre opens into a larjje vestil)ule with cir- 
 cilarends, embracing' the Transfer and Loan offices on the right 
 and left, together with a commodious lobby leading to the 
 banking room. 
 
 The vestibule ceiling is a prolonged pannelled dome divi- 
 ded into tiiree compartments, by bands enriched with the <iuil- 
 loches springing from a projecting in-post containing a sun- 
 ken frette. The pavement is tessilated with American and 
 talian marble throughout. 
 
 The Bankingnom occupies the centre of the building, being' 
 48 feet wide, having its length 81 feet, in an East and West di- 
 rection, and lighted exclusively from tliese asjjccts. Its leading; 
 features present a double range of six fluted marble columns, 
 22 inclies diameter, at a distance of 10 feet each from the side 
 walls, .brming a screen or gallery for the clerks' desks which 
 are placed within the inttrcolumniations. 
 
 These columns are of the Greek Ionic order, with a full en- 
 tablature, and blocking course, on which tlie great central and 
 lateral arches are supported ; the central arch being semi-cy- 
 lindrical, is 28 feet in diameter, 81 feet in length, and subdivi- 
 ded into seven copartments with projecting concentric plat- ' 
 bands over and of equal diameter with each column, the inter- 
 vals being em'iclied with Square sunken moulded par.r.cls ; this 
 ceiling is 25 feet from the floor to *^.z crown of tlse arch, exe- 
 etit^c^ -ith great precision and effect. 
 
 An Isthmian wreath, carved in one entire block of Penn.sylva- 
 nian White Marble, surrounds the clock face, which occupies 
 the space of the first panne) over the entablature in the centre, 
 the design of wliich is copied from the reverse of an antique 
 gem found at Corinth, and described by Stuart in his valuable 
 work on the Antiquities of Atliens. 
 
 The Tellers' counters are composed of marble, forming pan- 
 nelled pedestals across each end of the banking room, com- 
 mencing at the first column from each end of the walls. 
 
 The Stockiiolders room is a paralellogram of 28 by 50 feet. 
 
■22 BAKKS. 
 
 being lighted from the south front, having a groin arched ceil- 
 ing, with projecting plat bands, enriched with the Guiiloches 
 springing near the base of the groin angle, across the semi-cir- 
 cular intrados of the arch. Each end of tlie room is ornamen- 
 ted with niches eight feet wide, the heads of which form an ar- 
 chitrave concentric with the semi-circular pannels in the tjm* 
 panum of the shortest diameter. 
 
 The committee rooms for the Stockholders', open right and 
 left, flanked by two flights of marble stairs, leading to the clock 
 chamber, and other apartments in the second story. The pri- 
 vate stairway from the banking room leads to the directors', en- 
 gravers' and copperplate printers' rooms, being lighted from 
 the roof by a plain convex glass light, 20 inches in diameter and 
 six inches thick, manufactured in Boston, the light being in- 
 serted in a marble curb, is placed on the apex of a cone wbich 
 perforates the arch above the stairway. 
 
 All the internal door jambs, sills and imposts are of marble. 
 The fire-places are principally under-the windows, and formed 
 within the thickness of the external walls, and covered with thick 
 cast-iron plates. 
 
 The banking room is amply warmed by two cast-iron furnaces 
 lined with fire-brick, being simply erected within an air cham- 
 ber, through which the external atmosphere passes and be- 
 comes heated by the furnace ; it then rises through the arch in- 
 to a circular cast-iron pedestal, perforated on the sides, out of 
 which it is suffered to escape into the room. 
 
 The whole body of the building is arched in a bomb-proof 
 manner from the cellar to the roof, which is covered with cop- 
 per. All the groin arches are girdled at the springing line with 
 iron straps, passing round within the body ot the division walls. 
 This edifice is thus constructed as the only safeguard against 
 the ravages of the incendiary and the no less fatal but inevita- 
 ble attacks of time. 
 
 Presidknt, JK'icholas Blddle — Cashiet?, Thomas Wilson — As- 
 sistant Cashieh, John Andre-ws. — Discounts on Tuesdays and 
 Fridays. Capital 35,000,000 dollars, in shares of glOO each. 
 Twenty of the directors are chosen by the Stockholder.s, and 
 five by the government of the United States 
 
BANKS. *:.■ 
 
 PHILADELPHIA BANK. 
 
 This bank has lately been rough cast, and presents to the eye 
 a very handsome imitation of marble, which has much improv- 
 ed its appearance. On the 28th of March, 182', the legisla- 
 ture passed an Act extending its charter to the year 1839, on 
 certain conditions. By this act the bank is directed to sub- 
 icribe forfive hundred shares in the Delaware andChesapeake 
 Canal Company, to be paid at such times, and in such instal- 
 uents.as may be required by the said canal company, the divi- 
 lends of which are to be received by the bank for fifteen 
 rears from the date of the subscription, after which the shares 
 lo subscribed for, are to be transferred to, and become thepro- 
 lerty of the state. The bank is not required to pay any part 
 )f its subscription until the Canal Company have expended 
 two hundred thousand dollars in making the said canal. The 
 governor is also authorised to subscribe for two thousand addi- 
 ional shares in behalf of the state at paramount. The corpora- 
 ion of said bank are prohibitedfrom re-issuing ai\y notes of as 
 mailer amount than five dollars. The bank is to loan to the 
 tate when required, at any time during the continuance of its 
 iharter, a sum not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars at 
 ive per cent, on a notice of sixty daj s being given, a refusal 
 o comply with which annuls its charter. The monies thus 
 oaned are to remain in bank subject to the order of the state, 
 o be drawn as its exigencies may require. — Joas Reah, Presi- 
 fen<— QuiNTiN Campbkll, Cashier. 
 
 STRPHEN GIRARIVS BANK, 
 
 In the old United States Banking House, Joseph RoBEnTS^ 
 'Huskier. Discount dajs, Wednesday and Saturdays. Open 
 laily from 9 A M.till 3 V. M. except Sundays, Fourth of July 
 ,nd Christmas. 
 
 COMMERCIAL BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA, 
 
 Chesnut street, No. 102. between Third and Fourth. Capi- 
 
 ftl, S 000,0, '0. DiscoimtdaysTuesdaysand Frdays. Shares 
 
 550 each. Open daily, except First of January, Fourth o^ 
 
BANKS. 
 
 w 
 
 •Tilly, Christmas and Siind;i\s. President, Anuuew Bataud— 
 Cashier, Joseph Williajis : iiicorjioratcd Maich ^1, 1814. Elec- 
 tion for Directors by ballot on the third Monday of November, 
 annually ; dividends declared annually, on the first Monday of 
 May and November. It is prohibited from issuing notes forkss 
 than five dollars. Its cliartcr expires on the 1st of April, 1825. 
 Capital, S 1000,000 in shares of fifty dollars each. 
 
 MECHANICS' BANK. 
 
 In south Third between Market and Chesnut streets, east 
 side, was incorporated on the 21st of March, 1814, and its 
 charter expires on the first day of April, 182J. The Institu- 
 tion is prohibited, as is also tiie Commercial and Schuylkill 
 banks, from expending, each, more than §50,000 on a banking 
 house. It Is authorised to loan on proper securities, one-fifth 
 of its capital to farmers, mechanics, and manufacturers, and 
 upon 60 days' notice, one-tenth to the state at sL\ per cent, per 
 annum for any term not exceeding five years. Dividends are 
 made semi-annually on the first Mondays in May and Novem- 
 ber. The total amount of debts which it may owe must not 
 exceed double the amount of capital paid in. Should 
 they exceed that amount, the directors consenting thereto, 
 are liable i,i their individual capacities, and an action of debt 
 can be brought jigainst them all, or any of their heirs, execu- 
 tors, or administrators. Disco«nt days Tuesdays, and Fri- 
 days. Joiis UoGTias, I'resideiit — Jonathan Smith, Cashier. 
 
 SCHUYLKILL BANK. 
 
 High street, corner of Sixth Street. Chartered Maich 21, 
 1814. 
 
 Discount days, Tuesdays and Fridays. 
 
 The same observations apply to tliis, as to the Commercial 
 Bank of Pennsylvania, and Mechanics' Bank, they being a Ichar- 
 teredat the same time and under ilie same restrictions, Wat. 
 Mereiiitu, Pvesident — J. Lewis, Cashier. 
 
BUILDINGS, 25 
 
 BANK OF THE N()RTHER>7 LIBERTIES, 
 
 Jn Vine, between Second and Third Streets, North side. 
 
 The same observations apply tothisas to the ihree preceding 
 Binks, chartered on the 21st March, 1814, and unde' the same 
 i-estriciions. 
 
 Discount days Tuesdays and Fridays. 
 
 JouN Barclay, President— D. Mandevili-f., Caslder. The Act 
 of the Legislature, which passed the 31st of March, 1823, extent 
 ding its charter to 1835, limits its Capital Stoc ^ to 500,0UU dol- 
 lars in shares of 50 dollars each, and sta es its capital stock ac» 
 tually paid in at the extension of the charter, at 150,000 dollarso 
 
 STATE ARSENAL AND ARMORY. 
 
 Between Market and Chesnut, and Juniper and Thirteenth 
 Streets. 
 
 ThisTlepositoryforall military stores belonging to the state, 
 is a substantial brick building, three stories high, covered witli 
 slate, one hundred and fifty feet long by thirty -three broad, con- 
 taining thirty -three separate apartments above the ground floor. 
 The lower story is fire-proof, subdivided into seventeen apart- 
 ments, three of which are occupied as an armoury for the makin 
 repairing and cleansing of arms, the others for storage of heavy 
 ordnance, &c. The upper stories are occupied for small arms, 
 aad other military stores of which it contains, in good order, a 
 quantity sulEcient io furnish from ten to fifteen Unmsand men. 
 lu these departments the State has annually eight or ten per^ 
 sons in employ. 
 
 THE MERCHANTS' COFFEE-HOUSE, OR, 
 EXCHANGE, 
 
 No 86, South Second Street, next door South of the Bank 
 ^f Pennsylvania, from which it is separated by an alley, 
 
 Is a plain brick and convenient building, three stories high, 
 having a piazza in front which aflbrds a sheher from the storms 
 of the different seasons, and a shade to protect from the sultry 
 summer's sun. 
 
 c 
 
26 WATER-\YOKIvS. 
 
 CENTRE ENGINE HOUSE. 
 
 This edifice, formerly the " Centre Engine House," in the 
 Centre Square, is an exact square of sixty feet, having- a Doric 
 Portico on the East and West fronts in Market or High Street; 
 a circular tower of forty feet nses, terminated by adome ; the 
 whole height is sixty -two feet. The building is faced with 
 \vhite marble ; the dome is constructed of brick, laid in cement. 
 The shafts of the portico consist each of one single block of 
 marble, fourteen feet nine inches long, and two feet nine inches 
 in diameter at the base. Since the construction of Fairmount 
 Water- Works this building is in par" occupiedas a Watch-House 
 for the Western part of the City. The south-east and south- 
 west rooms in the basement story, the passage that leads to the 
 elrcular parts above the same, and the roof was leased in De- 
 cember, 18ir, by the city corporation for a term of seven years, 
 for one dollar per annum, to the Philosophical Society for As- 
 tronomical purposes. The Society were permitted by the or- 
 dinance to remove and take away at their own expence, the 
 whole or part of the arch forming the ceiling of the south-west 
 in the basement stories, in order to construct a stairway leading 
 to the roof, which roof was to be made a fiat terrace, not raised 
 higher than the parapet walls, and in the circular part of the 
 building to construct a floorto be on a level, or nearl}' so, with 
 the terrace roof. They are to keep the parts demised in repair 
 also at their own expence, and prohibited from making altera- 
 tions which can change the external appearance of the bull- 
 ding. 
 
 FAIR MOUNT WATER-WORKS. 
 
 • 
 To give a description of them, we cannot do better than 
 give our readers an extract from the report of the Watering 
 Committee made to the Select and Common Councils : 
 
 " The small and expensive supply ef water by the Steam 
 Engines, induced the Watering Committee, in the fall of 1818, 
 to inquire into a more economical means of furnishing the city, 
 
■ WATER-WORKS. 2? 
 
 which it was found could be obtained by the erection of a 
 dam and other works at Fair Mount, on the river Schuylkill, 
 if permission could be had from the Schuylkill Navigation 
 Company, who had an act of incorporation for the improve- 
 ment of that river, and if the right of White & Gillingham 
 to a water power at tlie Falls, about five miles above the city, 
 could be purcliased. Both these objects, it was found could 
 be obtained ; the first, oy an agreement with the Navigation 
 Company to erect locks and a canal on the west side of the 
 rivei", opposite Fair Mount, at the expense of the city ; and 
 the other object, by a purciiase irom Messrs. White and Gil- 
 lingliam, of their water power, for •5w,;'U.j dollars. 
 
 "When arrived atthis stage, the subject was submitted (o 
 the Co-..ncils of the City, whoimanim .isly approved the mea- 
 sure and on the 19th of April, 1819, tlie work was commenced 
 by Captain Ariel Cooley, with ^ bom a contract was made for 
 the erection of the dam, the locks and canal, the head arches to 
 the race, and the excavation of the race from a solid rock, for 
 the sum of .15'-',000 doHars 
 
 " The river is about nine hun Ired feet in width ; one fourth 
 of which at the bottom, on the eastern side, is supposed to be 
 rock- covered with about eleven feet of mud ; the remainder 
 is of rock. The grt-atest depth is thirty feet at liigh water ; 
 and it gradually shoals to the western sliore.where the rock is 
 left bare at low tide The river, whose average rise and fall 
 is six feet, is subject to sudden and violent freshets. 
 
 "Mr Cooley determ.ined where rock was to be found, to sink 
 cribs, formed of logs, about fifty feet up and down stream, 
 by 17 or IS feet wide, which were sunk and filled with stone, 
 eecurely fastened to each otI>cr ab ve low water, • aving the 
 iip-stream side planked from he bottom to the top ; and the 
 spac- immediately above, filiea to -onie extent, with earth, 
 small stones, and other matter, to prevent leakage. In that 
 part .vliere mud wasi"ou • t e dam is made oi quarry spalls 
 and earth, and raised about fifteen feet higher than the other 
 part of the dam, whicii s n ov; r-iall for . e water the base 
 of this mound is at least one hundred and fifty feet, and its 
 
28 WATER-WORKS. 
 
 width on the iop 12 feet ; and the whole of the top end of the 
 up-stream side from the water edge is paved to the depth of 
 •3 feetj with building stone, to prevent washing by water, and 
 injury from ice. Between the mound dam and the over-fall, 
 there is sunk, on the rock, in 28 feet water, a stone pier, 
 twenty-eight fert by twenty-three feet, which svipports the 
 end of the mound, and protects it from injury by ice or water. 
 The contraction of the river by the mound d;un. suggested to 
 Mr. Cooley the idea of fcrniing the dam in a diagonrd line run- 
 ning up stream, and when nearly over to run the res; of the dis- 
 tance at a right angle toward the shore, so as to join the head 
 pier of the griard lock, on the western side, by which means a 
 large over-fail was created, and the rise above the dam, in cases 
 of freshet, considerably abated. The whole length of ihe over- 
 fall is twelve hundred and four feet ; the mound dam, two 
 hundred and seventy feet ; the head arches, which will pre- 
 sently be mentioned, one hundred and four feet, making 
 the whole extent of the dam, including the western pier, about 
 sixteen hundred feet, and backing the water up the river about 
 SIX miles. Tlie water power thus created is calculated to be 
 equal to raise into the Reservoir, by eight wheels and pumps, 
 upwards of ten millions of gallons ; the lowest estimate of the 
 quantity of water afforded by the river in the dry season, is 
 four hundred and forty millions per 24 Kours, and as it ia 
 calculated, allowing for leakage, waste, &e. that forty gallons 
 «ipon the wheel wili raise one into the Reservoir, the quantity 
 raised would be eleven millions of gallons per day. 
 
 " On the west side of the liver there is erected a head jiier 
 and guard locks, whence there is a canal extending five liun- 
 dred and sixty-nine feet to two cliamber locks, of six feet lift 
 each, by which the boats .ascend or descend; below these locks 
 there is a canul into the river four hundred and twenty feet 
 long. The locks are bi;llt of dressed stone ; the upper canal 
 is walled on the east side, and on the west it is rock ; the lower 
 canal is formed of tJie stiff" mud of the river, and covered wiih 
 stone. The wliolc of tlie outer front of the locks and canal is 
 protected by a wall on tlie upper part, and en the lowev with 
 
WATER-WORKS. 29 
 
 stone thrown on the bank to prevent ^v■ashing•. On the east 
 side of the river the whole of the bank was a solid rock, which 
 it was necessary to excavate to the width of one hundred and 
 forty feet, to form a race, and a site for the Mill-houses, running- 
 parallel with tlie river. The length of the mill race is four 
 hundred and nineteen feet ; the greatest depth of the excava- 
 tion, sixty feet, and the least sixteen feet ; the gunpowder used, 
 alone cost the contractor upwards of twelve thousand dollars. 
 At the upper part of this excavation were erected the head 
 arches, three in number, which extend from the east end of the 
 mound dam to the rock of the bank ; thus forming a continua- 
 tion of the dam. 
 
 *' On the west of the excavation are erected the Mill-houses, 
 forming the west side of the race, which is supported on the 
 other side by the rock rising above it seventy or eighty feet 
 perpendicularly. The south end, or wall of the race is also of 
 solid rock; and the Mill-houses are founded on rock, so that no- 
 thing can be contrived more secure in all respects. 
 
 " The race is about ninety feet in width, and is furnished with 
 water through the head arches, which allow a passage of 
 ■water of sixty-eight feet in breadth, and six feet in depth, to 
 which the race is excavatedbelow the over-fall of the dam, and 
 of course room is allowed for a continual passage of 408 square 
 feet of w ater. These arches are on the north of tlie race, and the 
 mill-buiklings being on the west, the water passes from the 
 race to the wheels!, which discharge the water into the river 
 below the dam. The gate ofthe centre arch is upon the prin- 
 ciple of a lock gate, and admits the passage of boats &c. into 
 the race ; at the south end of the mill-buildings there is a waste 
 gate, eight feet wide, by which (the upper gates being shut) 
 tlie water can be drawn off to the bottom ofthe race. 
 
 ♦' The mill-buildings arc of stone, two hundi-ed and 58 
 feet long, and fifty-sis feet wide. The lower section is divided 
 into t'A elve apartments, four of which are intended for eight 
 double forcing pumps. The other apartments are for the fore- 
 bays leading to the water wlicels. The pump and forebay 
 cliambers are arched with brick, arid are perfectly secure from 
 C2 
 
30 WATERAVOUKS. 
 
 the inclemency of the winter. Ihose now in use are kt|i' 
 warm by means of twolarg-e iron stoves, healed with RchuyikilS 
 and Lehigh coal. A gallery is erected, extending the whole 
 length of the \jLiilding, from which all the wheels may be 
 seen at one view. The centre part of the buildings is one hun- 
 dred and ninety feet by twenty -five feet, with circular doors to 
 the pump chan>bers, and a range of circular windows over the 
 arch ways of the wheel rooms ; on a line with the cornice of 
 the central part is the base course of two pavillions, with Do- 
 ric porticoes,.which terminate the w est front. One of these is 
 used for the office of the Committee ; and the otlier is the re- 
 sidence of an old and faithful servant of the Corporation, who 
 lias the general care of the property at Tair Mount. On the 
 east front, immediately over the pumps and forebay rooms, is 
 a terrace, two hundred and fifty -three feet long, and twenty- 
 six feet wide, paved with brick, and railed, forming a hand- 
 some walk along the race, and leading by steps at tlie end to 
 the top of the head arches, mound, dam, and pier. 
 
 " It being ascertained, that in the whole extent of the foun- 
 dation along the race, under a six feet head of water, there is 
 no leak, it has been from the commencement determined, for 
 the present, to ei'ect only 3 wheels and pumps, whicli are now 
 completed. The first of the v/hecls is fifteen feet in diameter, 
 and fifteen feet long, working under one foot head, and seven 
 feet fall. This was put in operation on the 1st of July last ; 
 and it raises I J milhon of gallons of water to the Reservoir In 
 twenty-four hours, witii a stroke of the pump of four and a 
 half feet, a diameter of sixteen inches, and the wheel making 
 «.'leven and a half revolutions in a minute. The second wheel 
 tyas put in operation on the 14th of September last ; and is the 
 same length as the first, and 16 feet in diameter ; it works un- 
 der one foot head, and seven and a half feet fall, making thir- 
 teen revolutions in a minute, with a four and a half feet stroke 
 of the pump, and raising 1 1-3 million of gallons in twenty-fous 
 hours. The third wiieel, whicli went into operation on the 
 34th of DeceiTiber, 1822, is of the same size as the second, and 
 fforks under th€ saiae head and fallj making thirteen rerolu- 
 
■VVATEFi-V/OnK?. 5i 
 
 tions In a mimile, with a five feet stroke of iLc pump, and 
 raising- 1^ milHou of gallons in tvventy-fou.r liouis. '1 !ie se- 
 cond wheel can be made to raise an eqt;ul quantit)- ; thus iv.r.k- 
 ing the wiiole supply upv aids of lour million of gaiioiis. ia 
 twenty-four hours, 
 
 " The wheels are formed of wood, and put together wit!) grcr.t 
 strength. The shafts are of ircn, weij-^liiiig about five tons each, 
 'I'he threat size and weii^r.t otihe wliccl tji^ e it a momentum 
 which adds greatly to t!;e resjidarit} of its motion, so ncccssaiy 
 to preserve tlie pumps from injury under so heavy a head as 
 tliey are required to w oik, whicli is a wciglit of 7900 lbs. the 
 height ninety-two feet. 
 
 *' The wheels beiiig- sunk below the usual line of higli water, 
 it might be supposed that they would be obliged to stop at that 
 time; but this seldom happens, except in Ihe'spring lidos, at 
 the full change of the moon, which, upon the avarage stops them 
 about sixty-four times in a montli. It is found that they aie ve- 
 ry little afTccted until tlie back water is about sixteen inches on 
 the wlieel. 
 
 " Tlie Pumps arc placed liorizontaily, and are wciked by a 
 crank on the w;>tcr-v\ heel, attsch.ed to anitman ccnnected with 
 the piston at the end of the sliJcs. Tliey are fed under a na- 
 tural head of water, from the foiebays of the waier-wheel, and 
 are calculated for a six feet stroke; but hitherto it has been 
 found more profitable to wcik with net n.ore than five feet. 
 They are double forcing pumps, and are ccnr.tcttd each of 
 them with, to an iron main of sixteen inches diameter, which 
 is carried along the bottom of the Face, to the rock at the 
 foot of Fair !«.:ount, and thence up the bank into the new Re- 
 servoir. At the end of the pipe theie is a stop-cock, which is 
 closed when needful for any purpose. The shortest of these 
 •mains is two hundred and eighty-four feet long : the other two 
 are somewhat longer. The Reservoir next the bank is one 
 hnndred and thirty-nine feet by three hundred and sixteen feet, 
 is twelve feet deep, and contains three millions of gallons. It 
 is connected at the bottom with the old Reservoir, by two pipes 
 of twenty inches diameter, with stop-cocks, This reservoir 
 
32 WATER-WORKS. 
 
 contains four millions of gallons. All tlie water being- raised 
 into the Reservoirs, cue liUiidrcd snd twoleet abov. low tide 
 and fifty-six fcetabovetlicliighest ground in the City, is thence 
 convc} ed to the CAty. ^ 
 
 " On the 24lh of (;)cto])er last, the steam-engines were stop- 
 ped, and it is believed will never again be wtmted. 'I he sat- 
 Isfactory test to which iiie Dam was exposed, on the -1st of 
 lY-biiiary last, by an ice freshet, which rose eight feet above 
 the ov,;r-fall of tlse Dam, and which is supposed to be the 
 greatest that has been ever known in the Schuylkill, has 
 • juicted all fears as to i;s safley, and done away all the objec- 
 lions that ever coidd be raised to a resort to Water Power, 
 where Nature had kindly done so much. 
 
 *'ln another report, the committee will submit the usual es- 
 timates for the coming year ; in this place, they deem it pro- 
 per to state the cost of the wlicle work done since the Ordi- 
 uancc passed, April ISih, 1919: — viz. 
 
 Purchase of White and Gillingham, g 150,003 
 
 Erection of the Dain, Locks, Head Arches, 
 Race and Piers, including estimate ol dam- 
 ages for overdowing by the Dam, 381,000 
 
 Three Pumps, 11,000 
 
 Mi!i-'iouscs, Niills, and other work connect- 
 ed vith them, 71,250 
 
 Iron Raising Mains, 4,480 
 
 New P.escrvoir, 8,600 
 
 Amounting together to . . . g 426,330 
 "The cost of working- one steam-engine and pump for one 
 year w as 30,858 dollars ; and it has been found, that with this 
 expenditure, not more than 1,6^0,000 gallons could be raised 
 in twenty-four hours ; a very inadequate supply for the popu- 
 lati'iii of the City, consisting of above sixty thousand souls; 
 withoui a gallon being afforded to the adjoining Districts, con- 
 taining an equal number, and for whom until the present pe- 
 riod, here was no provision except by means of wells. To 
 raise an equal quantity with that at present afl'orded by three 
 wheels, the cost would be upwards of 70,000 dollars ; but, cs- 
 
WATER-V/OKKS. ..j 
 
 timatili^ the cost at only double tliut of one enf^ine, it will 
 amount to 61,716 dollars. From this is to be deducted the in- 
 terest on the capital expended in erecting the Water Power 
 and Works, which was 426,330 dollars, and was pilr.cJ'pally uor- 
 rowed at an Interest of fire j.-er cent., and amounts to 21,316 
 dollars annually, and also the expencesfor wages, fuel, oil, &.c. 
 estimated at 1,500 dollars annually, amounting together to 
 23,816 dollars, which being deducted from the sum of 61,716 
 dollars, leaves a clear annual saving of 38,900 dollars, equal at 
 an interest of five per cent., toa capital of 778,000 dollars. 
 
 " The Water Power is sufficient to work five wheels and 
 pumps, in addition to the three in operation, which would raise 
 an additional quantity ofmore than six millions of gallons. 
 
 " The former inadequate supply of water, derived through 
 the Wooden Pipes or Conduit, from Fair Mount, and the con- 
 stant vexation and expense, occasioned by the bursting of those 
 the streets, had long turned the attention of the Committee to 
 the propriety of substituting Iron Pipes. 
 
 •' bouic ncic jjiucured, and the Council determined to cont- 
 inence the work with laying down a large Iron Main, from Fair 
 Mount to the Junction of Chesnut and Broad Streets,for which 
 an appropriation was made of 70,000 dollars : other appropri- 
 ations have since been added for Iron Pipes. 
 
 "The Work was commenced at the Old Reservoir at Fair 
 Mount, into the bottom of which there was inserted a bell-muz- 
 zle pipe of thirty inches diameter, tapering off to twenty -two 
 inches; this size pipe was continued along Hunter Street, which 
 was filled up to a proper level for the pvu-pose, at the expense 
 of the city, and tlience on the old C;uuil Hank, as nearly level 
 as possible, to Callowhill Street, 661 feet ; the Pipe waslhen 
 diminished to twenty indies diameter, and continued along 
 Callowhill Street to P.road Street, and thence along Uroad 
 Street to Chesnut Street, 690!) feet. The opening into the 
 Reservoir is closed wlien required, by a stop-cock, Tlie w hole 
 quantity of Wooden Pipes, from Fair Mount and tlirough 
 the City, was about tliirty-tuo miles in extent, all of v. hicli, ia 
 process of time, v,-Ul have to be removed, ;uid Iron subslituttd 
 
34 CHURCHES. 
 
 but, in the meantime, it has been determined to lay down some 
 important Mains, evert where the Pipes do not actually require 
 taking- up ; for instance there is placed a ten Inch Iron Main on 
 tki c:;-.;t!i side ; f Chesnut Street, extending- from Broad to 
 Water Street, and contruc-fs have been maclo far Pincss of the 
 same sue, to be laid nexi season on the North side of Ctiesnut 
 Street, which will thus furnish an ample supply to both the 
 north and south part of tlie City. 
 
 " In High street, 6 inch Pipes are laid on the south side, from 
 Broad Street to Water Street, and are nearly completed on the 
 north side, and will be entirely so, early in the Spring. Front 
 Street, from C' esnut Street, with an eight inch Iron Main, is 
 laid to Union Street, and will be completed early in the season 
 from High to South Street, — the Pipes for both the above men- 
 tioned sections being all prepared. Walnut from a little west 
 of Sixth Street, to Water Street, is laid with six inch Iron Pipes 
 find some other streets are laid partially, where it was found to 
 be necessarj : the whole quantity of Iron Pipes now laid, is 
 35,205 feet, artcl in no instance has a leak !><•<.., j^~— ^»«:u. 
 
 «» The straight pipes are made in lengths of nine feet each, 
 with what are called spigot and faucet joints other Pipes of a 
 circular form, to pass round corners, are made of different 
 lengtlis, as may be required with easy turns, by which it is ob- 
 vious the passage of water is much fac^liated," 
 
 The greater part of the Iron Pipes were made in the United 
 States. Foreign ones only when the contructojs failed in their 
 contracts, 
 
 NEW JERUSALEM TEMPLE. 
 
 [Rkv. Mil. Cakll, PAsroit.3 
 [SmiCKLAjYD, AR CHITECT] 
 This edifice is situated on the South-East corner of Twelfth 
 and George Streets, one of the most conspicuous and respecla- 
 ble parts of the City, being built in the form of a {)aralenogram, 
 forty-four feel by fifty, and in the gothir, stv le. Both of the ex- 
 terior sides and Western front are similarly arranged, contain- 
 ing a large door in the centre, ten feet by sixteen, togethe; 
 
CHURCHES, 5.V 
 
 With two recessed blanks, rising IVom the cascmcnl or floor 
 line of the Clmrch, correspoiuling to, and Immediately over, 
 these blanks, are small windows, in tlie form of across. 
 
 The >, .illsare composed of brick-work, rough-casl andjoiiU- 
 ed.'in imitation of frcc-stone, capped by a bold cornice :ind 
 frieze, extending ronn<l the building, and supporting a parapet, 
 embattled over the doors and recesses. The whole crow ncd 
 by a surba-ed dome and lantern, which diffuses a strong, but 
 soft and agreeable light throughout the body of the temple. 
 
 The interior arrangement is simply composed of four rows of 
 pews, capuble, with some benches around the walls, of contain- 
 ing three hundred persons, witii a centre aisle. leading from the 
 Pulpit. The side aisles separate the pews from the out-side 
 walls, and form a pas«ag-c around the Church. 
 
 The Eastern end of the Church, contains the pidpit, vestry- 
 room, and library. The organ loft is immediately over the pul- 
 pit, the whole being comprised between the circular line of the 
 dome and the end of the wall. In the centre of tiiis wall, and 
 between the library and vestry-rooms, is a gothic recess, ten 
 feet wide, in wliich the ptdpit and reading desks are elevated 
 about five feet from the floor of the church; which recess is di- 
 vided into three compartments, and separated by mullions, 
 that divaricate at the springing, and terminates in pointed ar- 
 ches, intermediately pierced with tracery. The choir is situated 
 on each side of the organ lofi, over the vestry-room and library, 
 which is eleven feet in height, being ornamented on the seg- 
 ment of the circle with pierced pannels, and relieved with pur- 
 ple drapery, as a back ground. The dome is decorated with 
 raised vertical pannels, a band round the sky -light, together 
 with a cornice and frieze, well executed in stucco, being part- 
 ly supported by tlie side walls, and intermediately by four large 
 clustered columns, twenty-one feet in height. 
 
 The lantern or sk3'-light is ten feet in diameter, of an octa- 
 gonal form, and upwards of thirty feet from the floor of the 
 church. It has glass on the top, as well as the sides, admitting' 
 a great body of light into the church. 
 
 The utility and convenience of lighting a public building in 
 this manner does not alone consist in the uniformity and stea- 
 
ii cnuuciiES. 
 
 diness of cfTect proJuceJ by a total exclusion of the Jlrect va}5 
 of the sun, but combines a facility of ventilation of the most im- 
 portant character to a larg-e assemblage. 
 
 In this church from Dec. 25, i82l, to Dec. 25, 1822, the 
 marriages were two; burials two, and baptisms twenty two.- 
 
 Tliis Society are, in their tenets, followers of Emanuel Swe- 
 (Jcnborg. 
 
 ST. STEPHEN'S (episcopal) CHURCH. 
 
 EUECTED AND CONSECRATED IN 1823. 
 
 [^Rtv. J. Montgomery, Pastor.^ 
 
 This gothic structure stands on the East side of Tenth, be-, 
 ■.ween Market and Chesnut Streets, and presents an appearance 
 highly bold and impressive. Its extreme length, from East to 
 West, is 102 feet. 
 
 The Western front consists of two octangular towers, 86 
 feet in height, carried up on the North and South angles, 
 comprising five stories with windows and off-setts, terminating 
 in an enibatlled parapet. 
 
 Tiie curtain or space between the tower is 53 front by 60 
 feet in height, and contains three doors of entrance, over which 
 there arc three large windows, formed with a recessed arch, 
 24 feet wide by 36 in height. On each flank are the windows 
 of tlie North and South ailes, being separated by mullions into 
 four compartments and decorated with pannelled tracery. The 
 sash is composed of lead, and divided into small qnavies of 
 g-lasa. 
 
 The interior of the church has a vestibule or anti chamber, 
 separated from the body of the building, which communicates 
 w ith a stairway in each tower, leading to the gallery and or- 
 gan loft. 
 
 From the vestibide there ar£ three screen openings, corres- 
 ponding with the outer doors, which lead into the aisles And 
 pews. 
 
 The pulpit and chancel form the principal decoration of the 
 eastern front, being highly finished with reversed screen pan- 
 
CHURCHES. 37 
 
 Xiels, tracery and clustered columns, supporting four project- 
 ing canopies. There is a large window immediately behind 
 the pulpit, flanked with recessed pannels, being intended to 
 receive marble tablets (presented by Strickland, and gratui- 
 tously sculptured by Struthers, marble mason of the church) 
 upon which the Creed, and the Lord's prayer are to be sculptur- 
 ed; this window and the recessed pannels are covered with high- 
 ly enriched Gothic sofflts, supported by brackets projecting 
 from the wall. 
 
 The gallery screen is parallel with the sides of the church, 
 connected in a semicircular form opposite the pulpit. It is en- 
 riched with perforated tracery and pannel work, and lined 
 with purple drapery. It is supported by clustered columns ; 
 the front reed of each column rising above the capital and ter« 
 minating in a canopy, on a level with the top rail of the screen, 
 From the upper part of the intervals, between the windows 
 of the flanks, spring the massy ribs which sustain the ceilipg. 
 Each rib is supported by brackets, and terminates in a key or 
 pendant, the spandrels being pierced with pannels. These 
 ribs, brackets and pendants, being regularly disposed along the 
 ceiling, dividing it into many compartments, form a rich and de- 
 cidedly beautiful perspective effect, particularly when view- 
 ed from the east or west end of the church. The organ loft 
 or choir is situated on the western front, in the rear of the cir^ 
 cular pews of the gallery : it is large enough to contain Sft 
 choristers, and is amply lighted by three front windows. The 
 ground floor contains 122 pews ; the gallery 54 ; making a 
 total of 176 pews. 
 
 The building is warmed with a Lehigh coal furnace, built 
 in the cellar. It is the intention of the building committee 
 to embellish the windows with stained glass, and to crown 
 the Towers in front with Agee Domes, and the appropri- 
 ate cross, ball, and Yane. 
 
 The building, thus completed, will present a correct speci- 
 men of the Gothic architecture of the middle uges. It was 
 consecrated by the Right Rererend Bishop WhitPj February 
 27, 1823. . 
 
 D ' 
 
33 CHURCHES. 
 
 ST. ANDREW'S (Episcopal) CHURCH. 
 [IIAVILA^'D, ARCHITECT.] 
 
 Was consecrated by the Right Reverend Bishap White, on 
 the 31st of May, 1823. This edifice is situated in Eighth 
 near Spruce street. Its front is to the east, and its main 
 entrance from Eighth street. Its length. Including the Por- 
 tico and Vestry room, and base of the Spire, is 130 feet, and 
 its breadth 65 feet. The front is one of the most perfect 
 specimens of the Grecian Ionic Order, taken from the Temple 
 of Bacchus at Teas, formed of six fluted cohimns in ensiyle, 
 v.'ith a strictly copied entablature, charged with all the enricli- 
 tnent and members of the original. The proportion of the 
 iijpamtm is one sixth part of its triangular base. The entrance 
 is by a flight of six marble steps, (extending along the whole 
 front,) through a cantral door 14 feet wide and twenty-five 
 feet high, subdivided into seven horizontal compartments of 
 four pannels each. The fascias of the pannels are bold, and 
 enriched with the c^g^ moulding; the stiles and rails are stud- 
 ded with rivets, giving the whole the character of strength. 
 The conveniences of the internal part of the church, con- 
 nected with this door, render it impossible to open it to the 
 top : it is therefore contrived to open only the three lower 
 sections, and the four upper ones remain stationary. Passing 
 this door you enter into the Vestibule, fifteen feet wide, by 
 Voirly-tliree feet long, terminating at each end in a screen of 
 folding doors that communicate with the gallery and side 
 aisles of the church; rendering it at the same time private and 
 convenient. The ceiling of the vestibule is divided into three 
 divisions. The central point is groined with a simple roseat 
 at its crown, and separated from the lateral barrelled arches, 
 by a band enriched witli the gviloche springing from imposts 
 from either side of the fron*^ door. At the extremities of the 
 vestibule, right and left, are formed geometrical staircases equal 
 in diameter to the width of the vestibule. A private door is 
 inserted under each fligl,\J of stairs. These open into the body 
 
CHUnCIIES. 59 
 
 <ji" the church opposite the side aisles and correspond to two 
 rear doors. The Nave is sixty-one feet, wide and sixty-nine 
 feet lon^, and is planned with a middle aisle six feet six 
 inches wide, and two side aisles, each four feet six Inches 
 wide. 1 he pews arc disposed in simple paralellograms run- 
 ning- east and west ; tliree classes of four, five, and six seats 
 each, allowing eighteen inches to each sitting. The hack is 
 inclined, and the seat made at right angles with the back. — 
 The general appearance of the pews is that of a Grecian lounge. 
 The partition next the aisle is formed by a low door and a carv- 
 ed scroll which is bronzed. In the upper pannelof the pedestal 
 of the pew is inserted the number in Roman numerals, bronzed. 
 The lower pannels of the door and pedestal are made square 
 with a double fascia corresponding to the compartments in the 
 ceiling. This feature, together with the arms, affords a pleas- 
 ing perspective at the first entrance in the pionuos. The backs 
 of the pews are stuffed and all lined throughout the church 
 with one uniform colour of marono, made for the purpose since 
 the commencement of the building. 
 
 The front of the gallery in its length east and west Is divided 
 into five equal divisions formir.gone elongated panel, each en- 
 riched with the guiloche and egg moulding. The columns are 
 composed of a cluster of palm leaves for flutes, turning over at 
 the top and forming the capital. Over each is introduced a 
 wreath, the whole is bronsed, and supports a light entablature. 
 The pews in the gallery are so elevated that the Minister can 
 be seen with case, whilst in the reading' desk. The transverse 
 partitions which run up and down, are in scrolls, interlocking 
 each other and painted of a bronze colour. The v-fhole of these 
 are painted of a 'delicate stone colour. 
 
 " In the west end of tlie church facing the main entrance, 
 are placed the Rostrum and Chancel. The whole entrance 
 is seventeen by twenty five feet. The principal feature in 
 this design is two large columns with their pilasters and en- 
 tablature of the Grecian Ionic Order, taken from the Tem- 
 ple of Minerva Folias, at Athens, and hi-re executed with 
 i*:s enrichments in full, without the slir^htest deviation 
 
40 CHUnCHES. 
 
 irom the proportions given in Stewart's Athens. In the 
 frieze of the entablature is inserted in gold letters, " Holiness 
 becometh thine Horise, O Lord forever." 
 
 " The Communion Table is composed of a beautiful piece 
 of Italian marble, ten feet long', supported by two bronzed 
 scrolls and enriched with the honey suckle and g^^ mouldings 
 — the whole forming a finish to the Reading-desk, the wings of 
 Avhich are composed of two bronzed Cariatides supporting a 
 light cornice composed of a single ovato moulding reversed. 
 This is gilt and forms a line from the centre of which two gil- 
 ded consoles spring and support the desk en which the 
 book rests. The front of the reading desk is about three 
 feet high and ten feet long, relieved by the figures at each 
 end with a beautiful specimen of American marble, inserted 
 ns a ground between them. The centre space immediately 
 under the desk is hung with rich scarlet velvet, dressed 
 with gold lace fringe, and emblazoned with an uncommosv 
 superb " Glost," fornted of massy bullion — the proportion 
 and form of this feature is intended to give a pleasing diminu- 
 tion to the pulpit as 8: group terminating in a pyramidicalforra 
 as a centre. 
 
 " The pulpit is six feet square, and surmounted by a gil- 
 ded cornice of the eggmoulding and earvetto, which rises 
 like a tympanum in the centre, and affords an appropriate sit*, 
 nation for the introduction of the Dove, wliich is here introduc- 
 ed as a crown to the whole, descending in rays of gold. Tfte 
 dove is of silver, beneath this as a cornish, a ricli festoon of scar- 
 let drapery is suspended with a ground of pleated crimson. The 
 stairs into the pulpit are in the rear, convenient to the vestry 
 room, and concealed from view — tlie whole is enclosed with 
 a rich perforated railing, ciirved into honey-suckles and husks 
 alternate, corresponding to the screen of the organ gallery. 
 
 " The organ gallery occupies the whole of the Church, 
 immediately over the vestibule; and can accommodate seven- 
 ty persons. The front of the organ is 14 by 16, representing a 
 CJvecian lyre standing on the pedestal of the design, betweers 
 
CHURCHES. 41 
 
 a cluster of pipes forming themselves into a tower surmounted 
 by leaves and a vase at each wing, with a wreath as a base. 
 The centre is terminated with a 'glory with the words LAUS 
 DEO under it. The face of this design is finished in geld and 
 bronze, and is one of the most pleasing features in the 
 Church. The church is to be finished with aspire ?30 feet 
 high, a considerable elevation of which will be erected during 
 t}us present season— the base of this spire affords a commodi- 
 ous vestry-rooni school room and other desirable accommoda- 
 tions. The church is to be warmed by a furnace in the celftir 
 purporting to conduct warmth by tubes into e\ery pexv. 
 
 " The size of the lot on which the church is erected is 
 extensive, and will be laid out for vaults and other burial 
 places." 
 
 ST. JOHN'S (episcopal) CHURCH. 
 
 [Rev. Geouge Boyd, Rector.] 
 
 Is a large neat brick Building, situated on the South side of 
 Brown Street, between St. John Street and liose Alley, North- 
 ern Liberties, Built in a tasty stile, with two columns and a 
 portico in front, and parapet walls, in front of which is a brick 
 wall of about two feet in height, surmounted with Iron railing. 
 Its windows are large and handsome. To this building a cem- 
 ctry is attached. From Dec. 25, 1821, to Dec, 25, 1822 the 
 marriages belonging to this Church were 12; baptisms 25 • and 
 burials 9, 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC. 
 
 St. Joseph's Church in "Willing's allej', has been enlarged 
 27 feet, and since the unhappy differences existing between 
 the Kev. Bishop Conwell, and a majority of the Congrega- 
 tion of St. Mary's Church, divine service is performed every 
 Sabbath as in the other Catholic churches. 
 D2 
 
CHURCHES. 
 
 SECOND UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, 
 
 Til Callowhin between Old Fourth and Fifth streets, Nor- 
 thern Liberties, has been incorporated under the title of " The 
 Second Independent CImrch of Christ," and is a plain brick 
 building except the front, which is rough cast, in imitation of 
 marble, extremely well executed, with portico and doric front. 
 It is sixty feet by eighty feet deep and thirty-four feet six 
 inghes to the caves. The interior ornaments are of fret woik, 
 with pulpit in front handsomely decorated. The centre row 
 of pews are double, and single rows on each side with three 
 aisles. It was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God in 
 the early part of October last. 
 
 SOCIETY OF THE UNITED BRETHREN, OR 
 MORAVIANS. 
 
 This religioxis sect, of which Doctor Mease has given an ac- 
 count, have caused their old building, erected in 1742, to be 
 torn down, and on the lot have erected a neat new building, 
 from the design of Strickland, fifty two feet long, forty -two 
 wide, and twenty-eight feet high to the eaves of thereof. Its 
 front door is in the centre of two windows above. On the side 
 of Moravian alley it has a double row of windows, three and 
 a door below, and four above. It has also a gallery. The 
 interior is neatly decorated. The Rev. Mr, Harman, a gentle- 
 man from Rhode Island, is its present pastor. From December, 
 25th, 1 821, to December 25th, 1822, the number of marriages 
 ■were nine, tliat of Baptisms twenty-seven, and of Fu- 
 rials one hundred and sixty -one, during which time the bap- 
 tisms had decreased eighty, and the burials increased ten from 
 the preced ng year. 
 
 THE ASSOCIATE CHURCH, WALNUT 
 STREET. 
 
 The professed principles of this church are those of the 
 Jcformatipn. Adhering to the scriptures as the supreme ant'. 
 
CHURCHES. 45 
 
 infallible standard in religion, this church takes her ground, 
 in doctrine, discipline, worsliip and government, upon the 
 establishmentof religion in :icotland between 1638 and 1650 
 which she holds to be the present period of the Scottish 
 church. 
 
 To this church is annexed, by appointment of synod, a TIic- 
 ological seminary for the purpose of training youth for the ho- 
 ly ministry, in this Seminary, lectures, critical and elementary, 
 on the Hebrew Language are given. A course of lectures on 
 systematic divinity is annually delivered, and the chronology 
 and Geography of the scriptures are particularly explained. 
 The seminary is open to students of other denominations, 
 and twelve students attended last session. Under the divine 
 favour it is humbly hoped, that this seminary may be useful 
 for dissseminating the knowledge of the original languages, 
 and of sound divinity. 
 
 FIRST PRRSBYTKRIAN CHURCH. 
 
 Corner of Locust and Seventh Street, opposite Washington 
 Square. 
 
 lRev. James Wilson, Pastor.] 
 
 The example of [onic order, here introduced, is taken from 
 that beautifid and chaste specimen of Grecian Architecture, the 
 Ionic Tesnple on the river llissus at Athens. The Church is 
 eightv-elght feet by sevent\-one including the Bows. The ves- 
 tibule and ]>rlncipal entrance thirty-seven feet by thirty-two. 
 Girls' an.-l Boys' School-Rooms, each tweniy-t ■ o by sixteen feet 
 six inches. Three double rows of pews; two inside aisles 5 feet 
 Cinches. Two exterior isles three feet six inches The pul- 
 pit is a segment of aclrclt- at the south end — Portico with six 
 columns Ionic. The Church is warmed by four stoves, and the 
 vestibule by two. Two pair of gallery stairs. Cupola and a 
 large Bell. The old Church, in Market between Second and 
 Third Streets, was torn down during tlie year 182 '. and the lot 
 sold. The new one was here coustructed on a more convene 
 f;Dt site, 
 
44 CIIUnCilES. 
 
 NINTH PRESBYTERIAN OR SECOND ASSO- 
 CIATE CKURCII. 
 
 [Rev. Ma. M'Innis, Pastck.] 
 
 Is a neat brick EiiiiJing-, with a double range of windows, the 
 windows ure in the Gothic stile. It has parapet walls, is in 
 Thirteenth between High cr Market aiid Arch Streets, on the 
 West side. It was built in 1814, by the last Will of Margaret 
 Duncan, deceased. 
 
 NEW MARKET BAPTIST STREET CHURCH. 
 
 [Rev. Mil. Ghiffin, Pastou.]] 
 This is a plain neat building of brick, erected in 1317, in New 
 Market Street, on the West side, a few rods North of Noble 
 Street, Northern Liberties. From the 25th of December 18«;i 
 to the 2Jih of December 18:;2, the marriages belonging to the 
 Congregation were 80 ; and interments 18. 
 
 NEW METHODIST CHURCH. 
 
 In North Eleventh St. north-east corner of an alley running 
 from North Eleventh to North Tenth St. between Vine and 
 Callowhill St. This is a small neat brick building erected in 
 18.2. 
 
 THE METHODIST CHURCH. CALLED SALEM, 
 
 Is a neat plain brick Building erected in 1821, on the east 
 side of South Thirteenth, between Spruce and Pine Streets. 
 
 THE GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, 
 
 Is a large plain brick Building erected in 1819, in St. John 
 Street, between Tammany and Green Streets, on the west side. 
 The Rev. F. W. Vandersloot, Pastor. It has a double row of 
 galleries. There is nothing rem.arkable in its architecture. The 
 number of baptisms from Oct. 25, 1821 to 1822 was 44; of bu- 
 rials thirty-three. 
 
CHURCHES. 
 
 MOUNT ZION. (see mease.) 
 
 formerly a Frame Biiilding, in Christian, corner of South 
 Fifth Street, under the care of Elder Elias Smith, now a new 
 Brick Building, plain, small and neat, without gallery, under 
 the care of Elder Frederick Flumef. This sect is composed 
 of dissenters from all others and whose only creed is an adher- 
 ence to the scriptures. 
 
 THE MENONISTS OR DUNKERS, 
 
 ttave a place of Worship on the East side of Crown, between 
 eallowhill and Wood Street, a few doors below the former. It 
 is a small plain Brick Building, sufficiently large to accommc- 
 date its Congregation. 
 
 FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH, 
 
 Constituted in 1809, and founded in 1816, is a small low brick 
 Building without gallery, and not finished in the interior, situ- 
 ated on the West side of Nortii Thirteenth Street, between 
 Race and Vine Streets. Pastor, Mr. Simmons, The deaths iit 
 this Congregation were for twelve months, ending on the 25th 
 of December, 1822, — ten; the marriages, thirteen; the bap- 
 tisms, fourteen. 
 
 FIRST AFRICAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 
 
 Is a plain brick Building, sufficiently large, erected in 1811, 
 on the East side of Seventh between Catharine and Christian 
 Streets, Southwark. 
 
 THE AFRICAN WESLEYAN CHURCH, 
 
 In Lornbard between Fiftli and Sixth Streets, under the care 
 the Right Hey. Richard Alien, Bishop, and his assista t Rev. 
 Wm. Cornish, is a plain b.ick Building, forty-two feet broad by 
 sixty feet long and about thirty feet high to the eaves. It was 
 
46 SOCIETIES. 
 
 ■built in 1820. From the 25th of December 1821, to the25tU 
 of December 182 , the baptisms were twelve, ami the burials 
 fifty -five. In the African Methodist Church in South Sixth near 
 Lombard Strei:t, called Bethel under the care of Bishop Allen, 
 during the same period the marriages were eighty-three ; the 
 baptisms fourteen and burials tw enty-five. 
 
 FUEL SAVING SOCIETY. 
 
 It is a well t^nown fact that the high price of fuel in the in- 
 clement season of the year is generally paid by the poorer class 
 of society ; the rich always provide themselves with that ne- 
 cessary when it is most abundant in market, and when they al- 
 ways select the best at the cheapest price by buying in quanti- 
 ties. To remove the general distress occasioned by those cir- 
 cumstances which weigh so heavy on the worthy and industri- 
 ous poor, this society was brought mto existence by provident 
 and philanthropic minds. The plan is adapted admirably to re- 
 lieve distress, [nthe better part of the seasons of Spring, Sum- 
 mer and Autumnfires are seldom wanted exceptingfor cuUnary 
 purposes; the necessary habiliments for the warmer months are 
 not expensive, and the industrious poor can sometimes spare 
 from their slender earnings, when placed in deposit, enough to 
 enable them to be comfortable during the heavy storms and 
 frosts of winter, when otherwise they would have almost sunk 
 under the cheerless weight. The Society has been formed 
 •with this only view, to alleviate human misery llesides the 
 usual officers of Institutions of this kind, men of known probity 
 and character are annually selected, who have their offices, 
 stores or counting houses in convenient parts of the city and sub- 
 urbs, to receive deposits from the class of society intended to 
 be relieved from twenty -five cents per week and upwards until 
 the first of November. After that period all new depositors 
 must await the benefits of the Institution until the succeeding 
 year. The Wood is purchased when it is cli^apest in market, 
 drawn to convenient places from which, when the inclement 
 weather demands, it is sold out to depositors entitled thereto, at 
 first cost and charges, no one depositor being allowed to have 
 
SOCIETIES. 4i' 
 
 more Uian a half coru every fortnight. The deposits for the 
 jear 1822, were made by three hundred and forty families, of 
 which number a hundred and fourteen were at or under ^2,50; 
 a hundred and forty from g2,50 to §5; seventy one from §5 to 
 BIO; twelve from glO to Ql5 and three from §15 to ^20. 
 There are eight receivers in the City ; two in the Northern Li- 
 berties, and three in Southwark. 
 
 This Institution has been in operation for upwards of three 
 years. 
 
 ROBERT RALSTON, Presideht. 
 
 GKORGE HEYL, Secbetaut. 
 
 MUSICAL FUND SOCIETY. 
 
 This Society holds its sittings in Carpenters' Hall. It gives 
 occasional performances. Its object is a pecuniary relief from 
 the corporate funds in favor of the class of professors; the class 
 of amateurs, the other of the two classes into which the society 
 is divided, partake not of its pecuniary benefits, which are de- 
 voted to the relief of decayed musicians and their families. To 
 be entitled to monied aid the applicant must have been three 
 years a member prior to his application for rehef. This society 
 was incorporated in 1823, and its officers consist of a President, 
 Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and twelve managers of 
 ihe fund of" the institution. The election for officers is held an- 
 nually, and when no election is held legally according to the 
 provision of the charter, that instrument becomes void. The 
 benefits to the class of amateurs arise, besides the pleasure de- 
 rived from coiUributingto the relief of distress to declining age 
 and sickness, is from the occasional private pcrformanees of 
 the members in the room in Carpenters' 11.111. elevated to their 
 sittings, a pleasure commensurate with their honorable views, 
 
 SAVING FUND SOCIETY. 
 
 This Society went first into operation on the Second of De- 
 cember, 1816. It has established a Savin?*- Bank in which are 
 made small deposits from time tol^me bv industrious individu- 
 als. This society disposes of its funds in the most advantageous 
 
■4S SOCIETIES. 
 
 manner possible, and after defraying its iucidenttil expences, 
 divides the surplus profits among the depositorii in proportion 
 to the amount of their deposit. Every deposit must be made, 
 however, a certain kng-th of time before it can be entitled to 
 draw an interest. Two weeks notice must be given before 
 any monies can be drawn out of Bank. It is situated in Deca- 
 tur Street on the West side, and is a private building. Its first 
 President was Andrew Bayard, and George BUlington its first 
 Secretary and Treasurer. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY 
 
 For Insurances on lives, and granting Annuities. Capital 
 ^500,000, Shares glO*^ each. Dividends semi-annually in Jan- 
 uary and July. Charter perpetual. Robert M. Patterson, Pres- 
 ident ; Eu^cfnus J\-ulei/ Secretary. Office No. ir3,Chesnut St. 
 opposite the State House. Incorporated in 1^12. 
 
 THE PHILADELPHIA FIRE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Was incorporated March 27, 1820, for the purpose of sup- 
 porting the Engine and liose companies and originally com- 
 posed of eleven Engine and five Hose companies with power 
 to insure Houses from loss by Fire. The capital stock con- 
 sists of the property and funds of the association in the hands 
 •of thirteen trustees, together with the sums which are accumu- 
 lating from deposits, premiums, interest and other sources, no 
 <listribution of which is to take place excepting In payment of 
 Josses, until the capital shall have amounted to g : 5,000. The 
 property of the companies is pledged for the acts of the trus- 
 tees,*who, however, are made personally liable for all dama- 
 ges arising from insurances when such shall amount to more 
 than the capital.stock of the association. If any loss occasion- 
 ed by one fire or more than one (happening before the extin- 
 guishment of the first) shall amount to more than the whole 
 slock, a dividend of the «tock is to be made just and propor- 
 tionate, according to the sums respectively insured among the 
 saflTerers. The members of the association have the privilege 
 
NORTHERN DISPENSARY. , 4'J 
 
 of insuring' at five per cent, less than other persons. Other 
 Kngine and Hose companies, are admitted members of the as- 
 sociation upon such terms and regulations as shall be prescri- 
 bed by the above companies original members of the associa- 
 tion. 
 
 President, Beiijamin Thaw. — Treasurer, Caleb Carmalt; of- 
 fice. No. 241, Mulberry or Arch Street. 
 
 THE APPRENTICES' LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 Hall in Carpenters' Flail, Carpenters' Court, running from 
 Chesnut between the Post Office 116 and llSChesnut Street, 
 between South Third and South Fourth Streets. 
 
 This institution was established for the benefit of the Ap- 
 jirentices of Philadelphia, and incorporated, April 2d, 1821. 
 Its estate is limited to a clear and annual income of not more 
 than S3000. It is under the direction of a President, vice Pres- 
 ident, Treasurer, Secretary and a board of 24 managers, to 
 be elected annually, of which the said President, vice Presi- 
 dent, Treasurer, and Secretary are cx-officio members Members 
 of the institution pay 2 dollars annually or 25 dollars to be con- 
 sidered a member for life. The books are lopned to such ap- 
 prentices and young persons, at the discretion of the mana- 
 gers, as shall give satisfactory security for the safe return of the 
 books and payment of fines for default, or loss and injury that 
 may be sustained in the books so loaned, 
 
 NORTHERN DISPENSARY, 
 
 It is a private building, was instituted in 1816. It is at present 
 located and attended by an Apothecary, at No. S75 North Front 
 Street. It is principally supported by donations. During the 
 year 1823 there have been under the cdre of Physicians atten- 
 ding the Institution up to the first of October, 1076 patients, 
 and 5000 prescriptions have been issued therefrom. Its bene- 
 fits have been always dispensed to the sick of the laboring poor; 
 and the diseases have generally been of the remittent and in- 
 termittent kind. The managers have extended their car j to the 
 E 
 
^0 . PENITENTIARY. 
 
 distance of two and three miles, and provided suitable convey^ 
 ances for the daily attendance of the Physicians appertaining to 
 the institution. During the month of September 1823, from three 
 to four hundred were admitted under its care. 
 
 CHRIST CHURCH HOSPITAL. 
 
 (See page 247 of mease's picture, for 1811.) 
 
 Has been removed to a commodious neat and handsome brick 
 Building three stories high, built for the purpose, in 1818. It 
 was founded in 1783. 
 
 NORTHERN LIBERTIES' COMMISSIONERS 
 HALL. 
 
 Is a plain but convenient brick Building, three stories high 
 and rough cast, situate in North Third, between Tammany and 
 Green Streets, east side. No. 323. 
 
 NEW PENITENTIARY. 
 
 This edifice is now erecting at the corner of Fulmers lane 
 and Francis Street. The probable estimate of its cost including 
 the purchase of site, will not exceed §300,000. With regard 
 to its structure, the editor is indebted to the politeness of the 
 Architect, J. Haviland for the following description, or the 
 plan on which it is now building, as agreed upon by the board 
 of Commissioners. 
 
 Description of Haviland* s Plan for a Penitentiary. 
 
 With regard to the plan and proportion of the several build- 
 ings that form the design, the drawings and mode are better 
 calculated to cenveya more correct comprehension of its mer- 
 its than any written description: it is however necessary to ex- 
 plain and give sucli information of the properties of the design 
 as cannot otherwise be well understood. 
 
 From a knowledge of the design, it will be found in its gen- 
 eral arrangement and parts in detail, to embrace strength, con- 
 
PENITENTIARY. 51 
 
 venlence, health, economy, and other desirable properties of 
 the Institution. 
 
 In the distribution of the cells into a general form, I have ma- 
 turely considered the advantages and objections to every geo- 
 metrical figure, but cannot find any one so well adapted to ac- 
 complish the main objects of the institution, as the one I have 
 made choice of in the plan before you. It appears to me 
 to be a form that possesses many advantages in the watching, 
 health and superintendence of the Prison, by the distribution 
 of the several blocks of Cells forming so many radiating 
 lines to the Observatory or Watch-House, which is equal 
 in width to one of those blocks : From the centre of this room 
 a watchman can, from one point, command a view of the ex- 
 tremity of the passages from the cells, or traverse under cover 
 unobserved by the prisoners and overlook every cell ; when 
 they are exercising in theiryards, the same watchman, by walk- 
 ing round on a platform three feet wide, to be constructed on 
 the outside of this watch-room, situated on a level with the first 
 floor, as may be seen in the drawingSj the watchmen can see 
 Into every yard and detect any prisoner that may attempt to 
 scale the minor walls; but if the cells had been formed on the 
 periphery of this octangular, or any other figure, they would 
 have screened any prisoner in attemptirg to scale the exterior 
 wall -, it would not have been capable of extension, if desired 
 at any future time, as the present figure, is, and rather have a 
 tendency to obstruct than promote ventilation; but this disposi- 
 tion of the Buildings, it will be observed, admits and circulates 
 the fresh air, let it come from what point it may, and are more 
 convenient to the structure where the cooking and other bu3i= 
 ness of the Prison is transacted. 
 
 These seven blocks of cells are of the most simple form, be- 
 ing paralellograms which by their disposition possess all the ad- 
 vantages of a polyglon figure without the expence attending it. 
 Each building contains thirty-six cells, twelve feet long, eight 
 feet wide, and ten feet high, each. The partition walls be- 
 tween tlie cells are calculated to be eighteen inches in thick- 
 ness, their foundation three feet deep : the wall next the pas= 
 
52 PENITENTTARV. 
 
 sag-e is of similar thickness and depth ; the exterior wall to be 
 2 feet 3 inches thick and 4feetbelow the level of the yard, in 
 each cell there is a floor of masonry 18 inches in thickness, on 
 which is proposed to be laid long curb-stones, ten inches thick, 
 that extend the whole width of the cells and terminate under 
 the partition wall, which would effectually prevent escape by 
 excavation. The windows are inserted inthe barrelled ceiling", 
 and formed by a convex reflector of 8 inches diameter, termed 
 (kadf^yes; this would be found to give ample light to the cells, 
 from a position the best fo.r ventilation and the admission of 
 light, and a desirable one from its being out of the reacl; of the 
 prisoners climbing up to escape, or converse from one cell to 
 that of another; this glass is hung up at the apex of a cast iron 
 cone that is securely fixed in the solid masonry of the ceiling, 
 and would be found a cheap and excellent window. A simple 
 bed is provided, that is proposed to be hungagalnst the wall to 
 which it is made to button in the daytime, with the bedding 
 enclosed in it, out of the way. It will be understood that thQ wall 
 next the passa^^ con'ainSj annexed to each ceil, a feeding draw'^ 
 er and peep-hole: the drawer is of cast iron, six inches deep and 
 sixteen wide, projecting of sufficient depth into the cell to 
 form, when closed, a table of twelve inches from the surface of 
 the wall on the inside, from which the prisoner will eat his 
 meals. This drawer on the back is intended to be made witU 
 a stop, that when drawn out by the Keeper in the passage, for 
 the purpose of depositing food, or raiment, closes the aper- 
 ture behind, and consequently preveivts the prisoner seeing 
 the superintendant, or receiving by this opportunity anything 
 but what is intended for him. By this means all tlie conveni- 
 enfces of a door are embraced, with more security and privacy, 
 and at a considerable less expence than by the introduction of 
 one, which would facilitate the evil of the prisoners conversing 
 from one door to another, and defeat in a great measure the 
 object of solitary confinement. 
 
 A hollow cone of cast iron is fixed securely in the ^^■all, with 
 »ts apex next the passage, from which small aperture oi i- of ati 
 ix\c\\ in diameter, you can command a view of the cell unob,. 
 
PENITENTIARY. S3 
 
 served by the prisoner; a stopper is slid over this peep-hole, 
 and fixed on the outside, so tiiat no person can make use of it 
 but the superlntendant. The doo' of the entrance is next the 
 yard, properly secured with the most approved fastenings and 
 provided with a wrought iron grated door, in addition to a 
 strongly framed wooden one: this ^' ooden door being kept 
 open in the summer, or when occasion may require, permits 
 the fresh air to pass into the cell, and the iron grated one se- 
 cures the prisoner ; there is also a strong iron door intended to 
 be fixed on the outside wall of the exercising* yards. In dispo- 
 sing of the necessary accommodations of each cell all with econ- 
 omy, security, and convenience, there is nothing so difficult to 
 arrange to advantage as the means of conveying away the filth 
 where the. main object of the institution is solitude. Various 
 have been the plans suggested and adopted in similar cases j 
 but they have failed more or less in their purposes : it is of the 
 first importance that a contrivance should be adopted whereby 
 the contents of the privy should be discharged the least liable 
 to emit any unwholesome air from the conveyance, or prove 
 the medium of conversing from one cell to another. Escape 
 has been effected by the facility these plans have afforded for 
 conversation and other improper intercourse ; such are the 
 evils that have hitherto attended the adoption of them. A well 
 to each cell, it is obvious would be unadvisable ; and to con- 
 struct it in the yard would be useless and inconvenient. A por- 
 table pan would destroy, in a great measure, solitude, from the 
 consequent attendance every day in the cell to remove it; with 
 these views of the properties of the privy, it will be seen how 
 far I have perfected this important appendage to the cells. 
 From a reference to the sections and plans it will be perceived 
 a reservoir is constructed in the centre of the prison under the 
 floor of the VVatch-House, arched over of sufficient capacity for 
 the purposes of the Jail, from this basin of water are disposed 
 underground, out of the reach of the front, seven cast iron 
 naain pi^es or sewers, say of eight inches diameter in the bore, 
 one immediately positioned under the centre of the passage 
 as shewn in the plan, into which is connecctcd a pipe offoui' 
 E 2 
 
54 PENITENTIATIY. 
 
 inches diameter, from each cell of sufficient height to reach 1:6 
 inches above the ficor of the cell, the water being introduced 
 into those pipes, is by means of a ball-cock, in the reservoir, 
 reg'ulated to a height level within six inches of the seat ol'ihe 
 privy in the ccl! ; by this means the pipe is always ^ ept fuli of 
 water, that prevents tlie prisoners from speaking through them, 
 and the return of any foul air into the cell ; it naturally dilutes 
 the water that falls and of course desu-oys its power of corroding' 
 the iron pipes. At the extremity of each block of cells is fixed 
 a sluice-gate that stops the water and lets it oft' as often as may 
 be found necessary, by which means the filth of the pipes are 
 effectually cleansed with rapidity and ease; and by stopping.it 
 fills the pipe instantaneously with a fresh supply of water, the 
 dirt is carried into a common sewer, and conducted into the 
 culvert of the adjoining street. 
 
 The ventilator of the cell, shewn in the drawing is in the 
 form of a funnel stationed three feet over the seat of the pri- 
 vy, with a small pipe, six inches in diameter, connected at its 
 apex, through v.hich the air passes from the cell, through the 
 "ceihng into the open air. The passages are amply lighted and 
 ventila'cd by a circular window at each end, four feet in diam- 
 eter, and six conical windows in the ceilings. The arched 
 ceilings of the cells and passages form a solid roof of masonry, 
 possessing many advantages over a roof of wood; it is warmer 
 in winter and cooler in summer ; is the saving of several thou, 
 sands of dollarsby its substitute of the wooden one that would 
 require a groined ceiling in addition to it. Whereas this acts 
 as both, and admits of the window in the ceiling of the cells — 
 the benefits arising fri>m which 1 have already spoken of: these 
 roofs may be covered with copper, or a cheap and durable ce- 
 ment impervious to water. 
 
 The cells are heated by hot air suppliedfromtwo stoves con- 
 structed in the rooms at the end of the buildings next to the 
 observatory- ; by these means the objectionstothe introduction 
 of a separate fire-place to each cell is removed, and less super- 
 intendancc effected with greater economy, security and pri 
 -acy. 
 
I'ENITENTIARV, 53 
 
 A covered way is introduced from each radiating' bnildingof 
 the cell^ to the centre, for the convenience of superintending 
 the prisoners, and conve}ing their food in bad weather: this 
 clieap screen is covered with a shlng-led roof, and enclosed by 
 weather-boarded sides, in which are inserted windov s, and 
 finished with a floor, as may be seen by a reference to the 
 drawings. 
 
 The centre building forms a cover for the reservoir, its base- 
 ment is a general watch house, and the room over it is a cham- 
 ber for the accommodation of the under-keepers and watch- 
 men: at the outside of the building on a level with this floor, 
 a platform is designed for the purpose already described, a 
 bell is hung in the roof for tlie watchmen and domestic pur- 
 poses of the institution. 
 
 It is of the first importance in a building of this nature that 
 it shovdd be conveniently and securely watched : to effect this 
 the observatory and alarm bell should be in the power of the 
 keeper, commanding the whole prison, and particularly the 
 entrance which is confined to one aperture — this hasbeen hap' 
 pily affected in the front building, to promote it, rhe internal 
 buildings of the prison have been as few as possible, and plac- 
 ed so as not to obstruct the sight from the observatory. 
 
 A multiplicity of biiildings scattered about the site, is here 
 avoided, as they are objectionable, serving only as hiding pla- 
 ces to assist escape. It will be perceived by the present plan, 
 that the offices for cooking, washing, and other domestic pur- 
 poses of the prison are disposed in the basement of the front 
 building; by this arrangement the internal part of the prison 
 is rendered more solitary and secure, and no domestic is suf- 
 fered to proceed further into the interior, than the private yard 
 of the keeper, except at meat, or watching periods, when he 
 "would be accompanied by one of the officers of the prison 
 
 The dimensions of tlie rooms and the purposes for which they 
 are applied is expressed in the plan, and the rooms in which 
 those who are to be employed to do the work of cooking, bak- 
 ing, &c. are disposed in the left wing, with a yard and privy 
 annexed to it for their accommodation ; the rooms in the riglit 
 
56 PENITENTIARY. 
 
 wing are applied for those purposes in which female domestics 
 are generally iinployed, such as the washing, ironing, &c.; 
 they are also provided with a separate yard and privy. The 
 access to those rooms in the basement, from the entrance is 
 by a flight of steps that descend on the right, and on the left by 
 a similar number of steps you ascend to the rooms on both 
 sides on the first floor, wliich is seven feet above the level of 
 the ground, and entrance over the bake-room, kitchen, &c. 
 The rooms in the left side, are appropriated for the officers of 
 the prison, such as the commissi(jners', clerks' and turnkeys* 
 rooms, as thereon expressed: they are of suitable dimensions, 
 _ and i)laced in the most appropriate position ; the rooms on the 
 right side, corresponding to those on the left, are to be used 
 as expressed on the drawings, for the keeper and turnkeys' 
 purposes, &c. by which it will be perceived that care has been 
 ta:^en to dispose conveniently of such rooms, or stores, that 
 require the eepers' particular attention. 
 
 In tlie centre room over tlie entrance is placed the apotheca- 
 ry's room,- it would be found the most convenient, and central 
 situation, either for the use of the prison or infirmary, as yoii 
 can have access to it from eitlier side; with regard to the infirm- 
 ary it is placed to occupy the second floor of the left wing ; It is 
 the most healthy and any situation, is convenient for the care 
 of the keeper, has a private entrance; this department requires 
 some particular explanation, for it would appear from the plan, 
 as it is under the same roof to be connected with the rest of the 
 building; but, on the contrary, it is a distinct and separate fire- 
 proof section, without any door, window, or other aperature 
 connected with the other rooms of the building, provided with 
 a private stone stair-case, and entrance from an external door 
 in the rear, and approachable only through this entrance, ex- 
 cept in time of alarm, when the keeper can pass over from his 
 chamber, through a fire-proof door into the apothecary's room, 
 thus it will be seen that in case of any contagious disease in the 
 infirmary, there is no chance of infection to the residents of 
 the front building. The advantages of this plan will be easily 
 «onceived, for all the accommodations that are contained in this 
 
PENITENTIARY. 57 
 
 front building are placed in their most desired situations, wllh 
 the economy of one roof, and its front wall. 
 
 On viewing the elevation of the principal front, it will be seen 
 with what success the designer has attempted to unite a sim- 
 plicity of style, with that character the nature of the building 
 required, assisted by the walls on each side of the centre. The 
 whole front externally has the apearance of an extensive and 
 solid edifice. By their means I have been enabled to give a 
 just and proportional effect to the whole front, that would oth- 
 erwise look mean, and unfinished without it. 
 
 The octagon towers at the angles afford a happy and char- 
 acteristic termination to this design. At the first glance it may 
 strike the beholder with being an expensive building ; but it 
 must be understood that even the building that constitutes the 
 centre of this front is but of two stories, and of only one room 
 deep, finished with a simple shed roof, the highest part of 
 which is beneath the parapet of the front wall, and its eave slo- 
 ping to the rear wall twelve feet below the front : it must be re- 
 collected also that the accommodations contained in this build- 
 ing are indispensible to the Institution, and if erected without 
 a front building, it will be attended with a cost in themselves 
 considerably more than by the plan here adopted, and decid- 
 edly in a more objectionable situation, forby this means we are 
 enabled to connect convenience with a beautif'id exterior, and 
 the difference of cost but trifling to the whole expenditure, as 
 may be judged of by a reference to the estimates. 
 
 One strong entrance in cbaracter with the Architectural com- 
 position, is a conspicuous feature in the front; it is designed to 
 have a strong stationart- wrouglu iron grating or fortculles over 
 the gateway, which affords ht^ht to the entrav.ce : between it 
 and the rear gate is sufficient room for a team and wapcon to 
 stand, that will admit of the keeper's securing the front gats 
 previous to the opening of the rear one. 
 
 An alarm bell is buns? in the circular tower, over the apothc- 
 cary's room, with access to the extreme heitrht, or roof of 
 this belfry, from which situation you can command and qvci'> 
 look the whole prison. 
 
58 PENITENTIARt. 
 
 The triang-ular lot of groundtinted green on the plan is de- 
 signed for a kitchen garden, to raise vegetables for the use of 
 the prison ; it will have a salutary effect on the air of the en- 
 closure. The watch tower's command, from their height and 
 position, thp inside and outside of the external walls ; their en- 
 trance is by means of two strong doors, hung of a sufficient dis- 
 tance apart, to allow of entering the outside one, and securing 
 it previous to opening the inside one. 
 
 The exterior wall is estimated at thirty feet high from the le- 
 vel of the ground on the inside, .nnd covered with an inclined 
 coping that projects on the inside four feet, that will frustrate 
 any attempt to climb over it. 
 
 Every window in the front building is constructed with an 
 iron grating, and the doors well boltetl and locked, on ihe most 
 improved plan ; and every other necessary precaution adopted 
 to render the prison secure. 
 
 J If in this explanation any particular part of it has been omit- 
 ted, it will be found expressed in the drawings and estimates, 
 where every effort has been made to make the whole as expla- 
 natory as possible. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, by 
 
 Your Obedient Servant, 
 
 John Haviland, Architect. 
 
 The corner stone of the front building of the Penitentiary 
 was laid on the 22d day of May, 1823, in the presence of the 
 Commissioners, Architect, Superintendent, and Workmen. On 
 this intere.'iting occasion, Mr. IJobert Vaux, said, that he much 
 regrettedthe unavoidable absence ofthe'President of the Board, 
 in whose place he had just then been unexpectedly desired to 
 say a few words concerning the purpose for which the Commis- 
 sioners were assembled. 
 
 He remarked that the occasion was calculated to awaken 
 reflections at once painful and gratifying. Painful, because 
 such was the erring character of man, so ungovernable were 
 his passions, and so numerous his propensities to evil, that it 
 was necessary society should provide means for the punishment 
 of offenders against its laws. Grati/ijin^, because a correct 
 
PENITENTIARY. SO 
 
 view of human nature, coupled with the indispensable exercise 
 of Christian benevolence, had led to the melioration of pun- 
 ishments. Justice was now mixed with Jtferct/, and whilst the 
 community designed to teach offenders that the way of the 
 transgressor is hard, it wisely and compassionately sought to se- 
 cure and reform the criminal by the most strict solitary confine- 
 ment. This Penitentiary was designed to accomplish these im- 
 portant ends, and when it shall be completed it will afford the 
 first opportunity here of putting in efficient practice the penal 
 code of this State. Mr. Vaux, congratulated his fellow citizens 
 of Pennsylvania, because their Legislators were the first (al- 
 most forty yeai's ago) to abolish those cruel and vindictive pen- 
 alties which were in use in the European countries from which 
 we had descended. The Pillory, the Whipping Post, and the 
 Chain, were not calculated to prevent crime, but to famliarise 
 the mind with cruelty, and consequently to harden the hearts 
 of those who suffered, and those who witnessed such punish- 
 ments. The substitution in Pennsylvania of milder correctives 
 had excited the notice and respect of nations abroad, as well as 
 of our sister Slates — our example had in some instances been 
 followed, and he had no doubt the principle would more ex- 
 tensively prevail. 
 
 The box deposited in the corner stone of this building which 
 you have seen laid, contains a metal plate bearing the following^ 
 inscription : — 
 
 PENITENTIARY, 
 
 FOR THE EASTERN DlSrRICT OF THE STATE OF PENKSyL- 
 VANIA. 
 
 FOUNDED 
 
 Agreeably to an Act of Assembly passed on the 20th day of 
 March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
 twenty-one. 
 
 JOSEPH HKTSTER, Governor, 
 
 ANDREW GREGG, Secretary of the Commonwealth. 
 
60 . PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 TJNDER THE DIRECTION OF 
 
 Thomas Sparks, Pirsz'f/t'/i/. "^ £ rjamesThackara, 
 Samuel K. Wood, Sec'ry. I | William Davidson, 
 John Bacon, Treasurer. '^ g J George N. Baker, 
 Thomas Bradford, Jr. ?"| \ Coleman Sellers, 
 
 Caleb Carmalt, | S | Robert Vaux. 
 
 Daniel H. Miller, J ?S L 
 
 John Haviland ..Jr-chiteci. 
 
 Jacob Souder, Snperintendant of JMasonry. 
 
 It only remains for us, said Mr. Vaux, in conclusion, to ex- 
 press our desire, that this institution may fully answer the im- 
 portant purposes for which it is founded. 
 
 THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 Schools for the free instruction of the Children of the Poor, 
 vipon the Lancasterian system, were founded by an Act of As- 
 sembly, in the' year 1818. The law constitutes the City and 
 County of Philadelphia, the first School Disti-ict of the State, 
 and divided it into four sections, in each of which Schools are 
 established, under the immediate care of Directors. From these 
 Sections the Directors elect Controllers, to represent them in a 
 select bod)', called the Board of Control, to whom is committed 
 the general superintendence of all the Schools, and to whose 
 direction the fund, and expenditure thereof, is enti-ustcd. The 
 means for the support of this establishment are derived from 
 the Treasury of the City and County of Philadelphia. Since 
 the foundation of this system 9528 children have partaken of 
 its benefits.— According to the report of the Controllers for the 
 year ending in February, 1823, the number of pupils attending 
 the Public Schools was 2747, of whom 1528 were boys and 
 
 1219 girls, viz. 
 
 Boys. 
 
 Girls. 
 
 Tojals. 
 
 In the Model School, 
 
 217 
 
 210 
 
 427 
 
 Lombard Street, 
 
 224 
 
 165 
 
 389 
 
 Noi-therr. Liberties, 
 
 185 
 
 111 
 
 296 
 
 Kensington 
 
 165 
 
 201 
 
 362 
 
 Spring Garden, 
 
 116 
 
 23 
 
 139 
 
 Southwark, 
 
 ^13 
 
 245 
 
 558 
 
 Moyamensing, 
 
 182 
 
 157 
 
 339 
 
 Mary Street, (Coloured) 
 
 130 
 
 107 
 
 237 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1528 
 
 1219 
 
 2747 
 
MAYORS AND RECORDERS. 
 
 6) 
 
 The annual cost for the education of each pupil is less than 
 four dollars. They are taught Reading, Writing, and Arithme- 
 tic, &c. and the girls are also instructed in Sewing, Knitting, 
 &c. The Contrellers and Directors of these Schools serve 
 without any pecuniary recompence. 
 
 CONTROLLERS 
 
 Representing the 
 First Section. 
 
 2d Section. 
 
 3d Section. 
 4th Section. 
 
 Secretary — Thomas M. Pettit. 
 
 fRoberts Vaux, President of the Board, 
 J William W. Fisher. 
 ] John Wurts. 
 i,John Keating. 
 K John C. Browne, 
 i Jacob Justice. 
 C George M'Leod. 
 C Andrew Hooten. 
 Joseph B. Norbury.. 
 
 A List of all the Mayors and Recorders, from the first 
 incorporation of the City of Philadelphia. 
 
 MAYORS. 
 
 
 RECORDERS. 
 
 j^Qg} Edward Shippen. 
 
 i701> 
 
 1702 C Thomas Story. 
 
 1703 Anthony Morris. 
 
 17033 
 
 1704 Griffith Jones. 
 
 1704;) 
 
 1705 Joseph Wilcocks 
 
 1705 C David Lloyd 
 
 1706 Naihan Stanbury. 
 
 1706 S 
 
 J^g^^ Thomas Masters. 
 
 1707"! 
 1708 
 
 
 1709 Richard Hill. 
 
 1709 
 
 
 1710 William Carter. 
 
 1710 
 
 
 1711 Samuel Preston, 
 
 1711 
 
 
 1712 Jonathan Dickinson. 
 
 1712 
 
 
 1713 George Roch. 
 
 1713 
 
 
 1714;) 
 
 1714 
 
 
 1 715 C Richard Hill. 
 
 1715 
 
 ^Robert Asherton 
 
 17165 
 
 1716 
 
 
 1718 i Jo^^than Dickinson, 
 
 1717 
 1718 
 
 
 1719-) 
 
 1719 
 
 
 1720 CWm. Fishbourne. 
 
 1720 
 
 
 17213 
 
 1721 
 
 
 1722 James Logan. 
 
 1723 Clement Flumsted. 
 
 F 
 
 1722 
 
 
 1723„ 
 
 
62 
 
 MAYORS AND RECORDERS. 
 
 MAYORS, 
 
 1724 Isaac Non-is. 
 
 1725 Wm. Hudson. 
 1726-7 Charles Read. 
 1727 
 
 1728 
 1729 
 3730 
 1731 
 
 1732 
 1733 
 1734 
 1735 
 1736 
 1737 
 1738 
 1739 
 1740 
 1741 
 1742 
 1743 
 1744 
 1745 
 1746 
 1747 
 1748 
 1749 
 1750 
 1751 
 1752 
 
 Thomas Lawrence, 
 > Thomas J. Griffitts. 
 
 - Samuel Hassel. 
 
 Thomas Griffitts. 
 Thomas Lawrence. 
 Wm. Allen. 
 Clement Plumsted. 
 Thomas Griffitts, 
 Anthony Morris. 
 Edward Roberts. 
 Samuel HasselL 
 Clement Plumsted. 
 Wm. Till. 
 
 Benjamin Shoemaker. 
 Edward Shippen. 
 James Hamilton. 
 
 } Wm. 
 
 Atwood. 
 
 Charles Willing-i 
 
 Thomas Lawrence. 
 
 Wm. Plumsted. 
 
 Robert Strettell. 
 
 Benjamin Shoemaker. 
 1753-4 Thomas Lawrence. 
 1754-5 5 Charles Willing. > 
 1755 I Wm. Plumsted. 5 
 
 -t-rry C Atwood Shute. 
 
 1758 Thomas Lawrence. 
 
 1759 .John Stamper. 
 Benjamin Shoemaker. 
 Jacob Duche. 
 Henry Harrison. 
 Thomas Willing-. 
 Thomas Lawrence. 
 
 1760 
 1761 
 1762 
 1763 
 1764 
 1765 
 1766 
 1767 
 1768 
 1769 
 1770 
 
 John Lawrence. 
 
 Isaac Jones. 
 
 ^Andrew Hamilton. 
 
 yWm. Allen. 
 
 I Samuel 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 RECORDERS. 
 
 1724') 
 
 1725 S ^°^*^t Asherton. 
 
 1726- 
 
 1727 
 
 1728 
 
 1729 
 
 1730 
 
 1731 
 
 1732 
 
 1733 
 
 1734 
 
 1735 
 
 1736 
 
 1737 
 
 1738 
 
 1739 
 
 1740 
 
 1741=^ 
 
 1742 
 
 1743 
 
 1744 
 
 1745 
 
 1746 
 
 1747 I 
 
 1748 j 
 1749J 
 1750-1 
 1751 
 
 1752 VTench Franc 
 
 1753 [ 
 
 1754 J 
 1755-^ 
 1756 
 17.57 
 1758 
 1759 
 1760 
 1761 
 1762 
 1763 
 1764 
 1765 
 1766 
 1767 
 1768 
 1769 
 1770„ 
 
 ^Benjamin Chew. 
 
MAYORS AND RECORDERS. 
 
 MAYORS. 
 
 John Gibson. 
 
 Wm. Pisher. 
 Samuel Rlioads. 
 Samuel Povvel.* 
 Samuel Powell, 
 Samuel Miles. 
 John B.iiclav. 
 
 RECORDERS. 
 
 1771 
 1772 
 1773 
 1774 
 1775 
 1789 
 1790 
 1791 
 1792^ 
 
 1793 i 
 
 1794 ^Matthew Clarksoi). 
 
 I795J 
 
 1797 S ^^'^""y Baker. 
 
 1799 S Robert Wharton. 
 
 1800 Johnlnskeep. 
 1801->| 
 
 \lll ^Matthew Lawler. 
 
 1804 J 
 
 1805 John Inskeep. 
 
 1806; 
 
 1807: 
 
 Robert Wharton. 
 John Barker. 
 
 Robert Wharton. 
 Michael Keppelle, 
 John Barker. 
 John Gever. 
 
 1809 
 1810 
 1811 
 1812 
 1813 
 1814"^ 
 
 1815 I 
 
 1816 )-Robert Wharton, 
 
 1817 I 
 1818J 
 
 1819 James N. Barker 
 1820^, 
 
 1821 1 
 
 1822 )>Robert Wharton. 
 
 1823 I 
 1824J 
 
 Benjamin Chew. 
 
 i 
 
 ^^ Alexander Wilcocks. 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 1771-] 
 
 1772 I 
 
 1773;. 
 
 1774 j 
 
 1775J 
 
 1789 ■>! 
 
 1790 
 
 1791 
 
 1792 
 
 1793 
 
 1794 
 
 1795 
 
 1796 
 
 1797 
 
 1798 
 
 1799 
 
 1800-lJ 
 
 1801-2 Alexander J. Dallas. 
 
 1802 
 
 1803 
 
 1804 
 
 1805 
 
 1806 
 
 1807- 
 
 1808 
 
 1809-10 
 
 1810-\ 
 
 1811 
 
 1812 
 
 1813 
 
 1814 
 
 1815 
 
 1816 
 
 1817 VJoseph Read 
 
 1818 
 
 1819 
 
 1820 
 
 1821 
 
 1822 
 
 1823 
 
 1824 
 
 ).Moses Levy. 
 
 I 
 
 Mahlon Dickerson. 
 
 * In the year 1776, the corporation was dissolved, in conse- 
 quence of the Revolution, and the City remained unincorpora- 
 ted until 1789. 
 
t,4 ORPHAN SOCIETY, 
 
 List of Aldermen, of the City of Philadelphia, with the 
 Date of their Commissions. 
 
 s^obert Wharton, October 11, 1796. 
 John Inskeep, May 21, 1799. 
 Andrew Pettlt, October 22, 1801. 
 Matthew Lawler, October 22, 1801. 
 John Geyer, August 1, 1811. 
 George Bartram, April 30, 1813, 
 Joseph Hertshog, February 11. 1814, 
 Samuel Badger, July 24, 1815. 
 James N. Barker, April 2, 1817.. 
 Peter Christian, March 4, 1818. 
 Abraham Shoemaker, April 8, 1818- 
 William Duane, April 23, 1822. 
 Joseph Watson, April 23, 1822, 
 William Milnor, Dec. 1822o 
 JohnBinns, 1823. 
 
 THE ORPHAN SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA, 
 
 Was instituted, December 20tb, 1814. The Asylum for the 
 orphans is situated on the north east corner of Cherry and 
 Schuylkill north Fifth Streets. This society consists of an As- 
 sociation of Ladies "to rescue from ignorance, idleness, and 
 vice, unprotected and helpless children, and to provide for 
 them, that support and instruction which may eventually ren- 
 der them valuable members of the community." The society 
 meets annually on the first Tuesday in January, when tweifty- 
 four managers are chosen, in whom the concerns of the society 
 are invested. Fifteen members are competent to the transac- 
 tion of business at the annual meeting. The officers are the 
 Board of Managers, who choose a first and second Directress, 
 a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The qualifications of member- 
 ship are, an annual contribution of two dollars, or thirty dollars 
 for membership for life. A Governess capable of performing 
 
ORPHAN SOCIETY. 65 
 
 the duties of the station is chosen ; she is enjoined to inculcate 
 all the obligations, which, in the various stations of life, the or- 
 phans owe to God and their fellow beings, paying particular at- 
 tention to religious worship, industry Jhd a strict regard to 
 truth. 
 
 The children are required to attend the annual meetings of 
 the society; to attend worship with the Governess every Sab- 
 bath, and at a proper age, are bound out in suitable places. 
 
 Children received into this Asylum, must be divested of the 
 legal control of their Guardians, or other persons who may have 
 them under charge, by subscribing to a written declaration to 
 that effect. 
 
 The first meeting of the Board of Managers', was held on the 
 21st of December, 1814. All the Managers were present — the 
 officers were chosen, and the necessary rules and regulations 
 adopted. A convenient house was renred, as a temporary Asy- 
 lum, and a Matron and female attendant chosen to supenntend 
 its domestic concerns. The first orphans were admitted into 
 the Asylum, on the 3d of March, 1815. And on January 2d 
 1816, amounted to twenty-two, who were comfortably accom^ 
 raodatcd. 
 
 An act of incorporation was duly obtained, dated January 29, 
 1816; and Sarah Ralston, was appointed first Directress , Julia 
 Rush, Second Directress ; and Mary Yorke, Treasurer ; Susan- 
 na Latimer, Elizabeth McLean, Rebecca Gratz, Abigail II, 
 Warder, Hannah Parker, Eliza Denman, Sarah Henry, Marga- 
 ret Latimer, Ljctitia Buchanan, Elizabeth Abercrombie, Deb- 
 by II. Malcom, Elizabeth Haskins, M. Aramina E. Smith, Sarah 
 Bacon, Hetty Markoe, Ann L. Eyre, Rebecca Ralston, II, 
 Phihps, Mary Richards and Juha Rush were .ippointed Mana- 
 gers until the next annual election. 
 
 The permanent fund consists in the life subscriptions, which 
 are to be regularly invested into some productive property. 
 
 The lot of ground on which to build the Asylum, valued at 
 JgSOOO, ninety feet on Cherry Street, and one hundred and 
 thirty-four feet on Schuylkill north Fifth Street, vk'as presented 
 by Messrs. Samuel Archer, Samuel Richards, Samuel Weth- 
 srill, jun. and Robert Ralston^ 
 F2 
 
66 <0RPHAN SOCIETY, 
 
 The most magnificent of the donations to the institution was 
 five thousand dollars, from Thomas Montgomery and George 
 Latimer, executors of Robert Montgomery, deceased, being the 
 part of funds left irt their hands directed to be employed for 
 charitable purposes. 
 
 A purchase of a lot of forty feet, fronting Cherry Street, 
 gave a front on Cherry Street of loOand a depth of 134 feet to 
 a Street in the rear of the building. 
 
 The Lancasterian system of education has been introduced. 
 The new Asylum was completed in 1817, and the Orphans re- 
 moved thereto. During that year fifteen were admitted, and 
 one death occurred, leaving a total of fifty. In the building was 
 a chapel for worship, in which divine service was performed 
 every sabbath. Besides the usual elementary branches of ed- 
 ucation, the girls are taught knitting and sewing, and the boys 
 knitting, except the#ime devoted to other duties and to re- 
 ci'eation. 
 
 The area of the building -was fifty by fifty-three feet, three 
 stories high, exclusive of the basement story and a ceiled gar- 
 j-et, calculated to accommodate from two hundred and fifty to 
 three hundred children, comfortably. During the year 1818, 
 one was put out to service, one died, and twenty -four were ad- 
 anitted, making the total seventy-two, the greater number of 
 ■whom were girls. In the year 1819, fifteen were admitted, 
 two died and one was put out to service, leaving the number 
 of eighty -three in the asylum. In the year 1820, ten were ad- 
 mitted and four indentured, giving the number of eighty-nine. 
 The knitting done by the children, chiefly of the younger class, 
 produced besides supplying the family, the sum of §162,73. 
 By the increase of donations towards this beneficent institu- 
 tion, the area of the lot on which the building stood, is exten- 
 ded in front on Cherry Street 130 feet, and in depth to Race 
 Street 288 feet. During the year 1821, sixteen were bound 
 out, one died, and seventeen were admitted, leaving 89, the 
 same as the preceding year. 
 
 On the morning of the 24th of January, 1822, this building 
 vas consumed mih all its contents, and twenty -three Orphans 
 
ORPHAN SOCIETY. 67 
 
 perished in the conflagration. The fire oi-iginated in the N, W. 
 corner of the kitchen, in the basement story, from the impro- 
 per arrungement of the m.tsonry in -which theboiler luas placed. In 
 consequence of this calamity, a temporary residence was obtain- 
 ed in Market, west of Broad Street, to which tlie Orphans were 
 removed. 
 
 The Legislature made a grant of 5000 dollars, to assist in re- 
 building the edifice, which with private munificence of 27978 
 dollars from various quarters, both in the city and from a dis- 
 tance, enabled the building committee to commence its recon- 
 struction. On the 13th of December 1822, an attempt was 
 made by two of the Orphans to set fire to the temporary asy- 
 lum in Aiarket Street, but happily the attempt failed, and the 
 little culprits were judiciously disposed of. The new building 
 was ready for the reception of its intended inmates, in the 
 month of January, 1823. The cost of its construction and ma- 
 terials was 25000 dollars. The annual expenditure of the insti- 
 tution is stated at 3000 dollars for every hundred Orphans. The 
 plan of the present building was presented by Mr. William 
 Strickland, who superintended its erection. It is situated at 
 the N. E. corner of Schuylkill Fifth and Cherry Streets, cover- 
 ing the former site, and is one hundred by fifty -three feet, fron- 
 ting the west, and consists of a " basement, principal and attic 
 stones. In its construction every attention was paid to conve- 
 nience and durability ; the materials being of the best kind 
 and the workmanship done in a sound, substantial manner. The 
 basement being arched throughout, renders the first and se- 
 cond floors completely fire-proof, as also is the stair-ways which 
 are of stone from the foundation to the btd-room floor. All 
 the rooms in the attic story have an immediate communication 
 with the large hall and stairs, thereby affording the utmost safe" 
 ty to its numerous tenants." It is calculated to accommodate 
 two hundred persons. 
 
 During the year 1822, fourteen were admitted, sixteen bound 
 ■:nit,andtwo died of diseases which resisted tlie physicians' skil!, 
 ieaving a family of sixty -nine Orphans, 
 
INSTITUTION 
 
 For the relief of Children afflicted with the diseases incident 
 to summer was established in 1818, since when more than two 
 hundred have been relieved. The Board of Health have gran- 
 ted the use of apartments in the City Hospital for that pui'pose. 
 The requisite accommodations and medical attendance are fur- 
 nished ^ra^js to those who have not the ability to pay. 
 
 MARKETS. 
 
 Few cities in the world, are better supplied with Market- 
 houses well stored with the necessaries of life, than Philadel- 
 phia. In addition to the picture of the city, given by Doctor 
 Mease, the following alterations and additions have taken place, 
 on this subject. Besides, in the suburbs, some omissions are 
 noticed. 
 
 The commissioners of the District of Spring-Garden, .indby 
 an act of tlie Legislature, passed in March, 1823, authorised to 
 erect amarket-hou.se or market-houses, and town-hall, not ex- 
 ceeding twenty.four feet wide, to be built in the centre of Cal- 
 lowhill street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. This has 
 not yet been done, nor have there been any appropriations for 
 the purpose. This supplementary act, also authorises the com- 
 missioners to aSopt measures, to bring good and wholesome 
 water into the district, from the Schuylkill. A market is kept 
 between Crown and Sixth street regularly, but there is no mar- 
 ket-house. There are, however, a few shambles and stalls, 
 private property. 
 
 CALLOWHILL-STREET MARKET. 
 
 Consists of four market-houses, situated on each side of 
 Callowhill between Front and Second streets. It gives a 
 name to the street which runs north, called New-Market 
 street. It is very little attended to. 
 
MARKETS. u , 
 
 WHARTON MARKET-HOUSE, 
 
 Extends from St. John to Federal street, in New Second 
 street, in the southern suburbs. In summer, a Sunday mar- 
 ket is kept here until eight o'clock in the morning'. 
 
 THE NEW-MARKET, 
 
 In north Second, extends from Poplar lane, south, to Coates^ 
 street, and is well attended. On market days, the streets is 
 lined with wagons, to the South of Callowhill street. The 
 Inn yards are well stored, on the day previous to market day. 
 
 KENSINGTON MARKET, 
 
 Runs north from Maiden street, at the end of Oak street, and 
 is small. In summer here is kept a Sunday market, until eight 
 o'clock in the morning. During the week it is but illy attended. 
 
 THE FISH MARKET, 
 
 Was formerly kept at the Drawbridge, latterly in Market 
 street, between Water street and the Wharves, a new market 
 house has been built, in handsome style, beginning fifty feet in 
 Market from the east side of Water street and extending one 
 hundred and fifty feet to the river Delaware. Its centre is eigh- 
 teen feet high including the brick piers, and its eaves project 
 seven feet on each side, supported by turned columns, and of 
 its kind, is an ornament to the city. It is well stored with the 
 finny tribe, such as resort to its contiguous waters. 
 
 THE JERSEY MARKET, 
 
 Between Front and Second streets, was torn down and re- 
 built, by an ordinance of the city councils, passed February 
 6th, 1822. It commences within fifteen feet of the west line of 
 Front, and extends along the middle of High to within ten feet 
 of the east line of Second street. Its columns are between 
 eight and ten feet high, regard being had to the necessary le- 
 
70 MARKETS. 
 
 vels. The width or breadth corresponds with the market hou- 
 ses running westward. On the east end is erected a fanciful 
 cupola or rotunda, raised on doric cohimns, or pillars, in which 
 is placed a clock with two dials, one on the east and the other 
 on the west. The front on High street, presents itself suppor- 
 ted on each side by Ceres with her cornucopia or horn of plen- 
 ty, having a most pleasing effect, and adds greatly to the beau- 
 ty of the mai-ket house. 
 
 HIGH STREET MARKET EXTENDED, 
 
 "Was built by ordinances of the city councils, passed in 1821, 
 and begins thirty feet west of the line of Sixth, and extends 
 westward to thirty feet of the east line of Seventh, and 
 recommences thirty feet west of the line of Seventh, and ends 
 thirty feet of the east line of Eighth street. The piers or col- 
 umns are from eight to ten feet high, regard being had to the 
 necessary levels, the width or breath corresponding with that 
 of the other market houses in High street. At each end of 
 these new market houses, Is a plain neat Portico of the Doric 
 order, each house containing four more stalls than the old ones. 
 On Market days, "Wednesdays and Saturdays, High street is 
 lined with wagons, generally from the end of the market house 
 at Eighth until Twelfth, and sometimes Thirteenth street. 
 
 MARKET-HOUSE, 
 
 In Broad between Chesnut and Market streets, distant from 
 the south of the Centre Sqiuire Circle fifty feet, and running 
 along the middle of south Broad street, until thirty feet north 
 of Chesnut street. The piers or columns ai'e not less than eight 
 or- more than ten feet high, regard being had to the necessary 
 levels. The width of the market-house is the same as the High 
 street market, than which the eaves of this project two feet 
 farther. A market was directed to be held here by an ordi- 
 nance of the city councils, passed August 6th, 1814. This 
 market is illy supplied. In Summer here is sometimes held a 
 Sunday market, until eight o'clock in llie morning. 
 
:nuRCOES. 
 
 REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The members of this Society composed principally of ami- 
 g-rants from Great Britain and Ireland, have erected in 1817, a 
 plain, elegant and convenient house for divine service, corner 
 of Eleventh and Hig-h streets, fifty-one feet in width, and eigh- 
 ty in depth. Their Pastor is the Rev. Dr. Wylie, The num- 
 ber of regular communicants is upwards of two hundred and 
 fifty. The peculiarities whereby they are distinguished from 
 other denominations of Presbyterians, chiefly respect coven- 
 anting and civil magistracy. They beheve that churches and 
 nations under the New Testament dispensation/ hke the Isra- 
 elites under that of the Old Testament, ought publicly and for- 
 mally, in dependance on the grace of God, to bind themselves 
 •with the solemnity of an oath to yield a conscientious obedi- 
 ence to the divine lav.-, in every relation of life. They main- 
 tain the usefulness of this divine ordinance, (for they call it di- 
 vine), upon tlie same moral principle wl:ich nil nations have re- 
 cognized, in tlie expediency of using oaths in courts of justice, 
 for the purpose of eliciting the truth on evidence. Whatever 
 advantage in favor of truth may be eicpected from raving a 
 witness duly sworn; they allege a similar advantage will accrue, 
 in favor of the development of the christian character, from 
 professors solemnly binding themselves, by their own act and 
 deed, conscientiously to i;erve the Lord all the days of their 
 life. 
 
 On the article of civil magistrac}-, they maintain, that evejy 
 nation where Christianity prevails is bound in its civic constitu- 
 tion, to recognize the obligation of the Bible — acknowledge 
 Messiah as the governor of the nations— obey his laws, and suf- 
 fer none to fill offices of power or trust, but such as have scrip- 
 tural qualifications. They say, that if Messiah, as the Bible 
 asserts, is the governor of the nations, and has been pleased 
 to reveal his law to any particular people, if that people or na- 
 tion refuse its recognition, they cannot help viewing them, as 
 being in a state of rebellion against the moral government of 
 eh ovah. 
 
72 UNITED STATES COURTS. 
 
 ST. JOHNS' METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 
 
 Is a plain neat brick building of sufficient size, sitwated on 
 the west side of Pitt street, on which it fronts with a cemetry 
 adjoining. It was built in 18ir, and has the Rev. Mr. RusUng 
 for Pastor. St. John street, commences at Callowhill street, 
 between Second and Third streets, and extends to Cohocksink 
 Creek, the northern boundary of the incorporated part of the 
 Northern Liberties, at which point Pitt street commences and 
 extends to the Germantown road. This church is situated im- 
 mediately north of the aforesaid creek, and south of the Globe 
 mills. 
 
 UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT, 
 
 For Pennsylvania, is held in Philadelphia, on the eleventh 
 of April and on the eleventh of October. 
 
 United States District Court, is held in the same city, on the 
 third Monday in February, May, August and November. 
 
 The Supreme Court of the State of Pennsylvania, for the 
 Eastern District is held in Philadelphia, on the second Mon- 
 day in March, to continue two weeks, and on the second Mon- 
 day in December, to continue three weeks. In the city and 
 county of Philadelphia only, this court has original jurisdiction 
 of all cases where the sum exceeds five hundred dollars. 
 
 The District Court for the city and county of Philadelphia, 
 holds its sittings on the first Mondays in March, June, Septem- 
 ber and December, and if business requires it, is bound to 
 hold sittings nine months in the year. 
 
 The Court of Quarter Sessions for the ^rst District is held in 
 Philadelplua, on the first Mondays in March and June, the third 
 Monday in September, and the first in December. 
 
 The Courts of Oyer and Terminer, and General Gaol deliv- 
 ery are held annually twice in the city and county of Philadel- 
 phia, one by the Judges of the Common Pleas; the other by 
 the Judges of the Supreme Court. 
 
 The Orphans' Court for Philadelphia County, is held on the 
 third Friday in each month. 
 
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION. tS 
 
 1 he Mayor's Court is held on the first Monday in September 
 4nd on the third Mondays in December, March and June. 
 
 UNITED STATES ARSENALS. 
 
 The Legislature in their Session of 1822-3, in March passed 
 an Act vesting the right t)f proj)erty in the Congress of tha 
 United States, sold to the United States on May 27th, 1816, by- 
 Frederick Fraley, and his wife Catharine, to be again relin- 
 quishedto the Commonwealth, whenever the general govern- 
 ment shall cease to occupy it as a fort and arsenal, the object 
 for which the right of legislation was relinquished to the Uni= 
 ted States, the State reserving to themselves at all times the 
 right ofjurisdiction in civil and criminal cases. The premises de- 
 vised are situated in Oxford Township, containing twenty acres 
 and thirty-tour perches, bounded on the south by Frankford, or 
 Tacony creek, in part by a street called Bomford street, in part 
 by a road leading over from the Busileton road to the Ferry. 
 This is north of the city : there also is another Arsenal and ap^ 
 pendages on the east verge of the Schuylkill, d stant about 
 one mile south, leading from South or Cedar street, the south- 
 ern boundary of the city, to Gray's Ferry. 
 
 THE PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE 
 DEAF AiND DUMB. 
 
 This institution was established in 1820, by the benevolent 
 exertions of a number of citizens. In 18-1 it was incorpoi-a- 
 ted by the legislature, and liberally endowed. The State be- 
 came the patrons of indigent deai and dumb children through" 
 out the Commonwealth, agreeing by its law to educate in the 
 institution as many pupils at one hundred and sixty dollars per 
 annum, as should consume the sum of eight thousand dollars, 
 for four years from the first day of April 182 . The Asylum is 
 located at the south-east corner of High and Eleventh streets, 
 a building well adapted to the accommodation of the establish- 
 ment. The pupils are instructed on the approved plan of the 
 L' Abbe Sicard of Fans, whose system promises to become unl: 
 G 
 
86 HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
 
 vcrsal, and thus render the language of the deaf and dumb the 
 same in all parts of the world. The children of this institution 
 are moreover taught various useful trades and manufactures, 
 to fit them for their own independent support after they shall 
 have been discharged from the school. 
 
 The domestic affairs of the asylum .are committed to a ma- 
 tron, who with a principal instructor and four assistant teach- 
 ers, reside in the institution. 'I'he insutution is governed by a 
 Board of Officers and Directors, amounting to thirty-one per- 
 sons, and a female committee of twelve, inspect and aid in the 
 management of the internal affairs of the Asylum. Sixty -nine 
 pupils are now in the School.— Might Rev. IVm. White, D. D. 
 President — Horace £i?mey, lioberts Vauoc, Thomas Cad-walladeri 
 and Dr. JV, Chapman, Vice Presidents— ^azry /. Williams^ 
 Secretary — John Bacon, Treasurer. 
 
 HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Tfie Original Deed to Wm. Penn, from the Morigines, 
 
 This Indenture Witnesseth, That We, Packanah, Jack- 
 ban, Sickals, Partquesott, Jervis Essepauk, Felktro>, Hekel- 
 lappan Econus, Machloha Mettheongc, Wissa Powey, Indian 
 Kings, Sachemakers, right owners of all lands, from Quing 
 QuinguS: called Duck Creek, unto Upland, called Chester 
 Creek, all along the west side of Delaware river, and so be- 
 tween the said creeks backwards as far as a man can ride in two 
 days with a horse, for and in consideration of these following 
 goods to us in hand paid, and secured to be paid, by William 
 Penn, Proprietor and Governor of the Province of Pennsyl- 
 vania, and territories thereof, viz. twenty guns, twenty fath- 
 oms matchcoat, twenty fathoms stroud water, twenty blankets, 
 twenty kettles, twenty pounds of powder, one hundred bars of 
 lead, forty tomahawks, one hundred knives, forty pair of stock- 
 ings, one barrel of beer, twenty pounds of red lead, one hun- 
 dred fathoms of wampum, thirty glass bottles, thirty pewter 
 spoons, one hundred .;wl blades, three hundred tobacco pipes; 
 one hundred hands of tobacco, twenty tobacco tongs, twenty 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 8? 
 
 steels, three hundred flints, tliirty pair of scissors, thirty combs., 
 sixty looking-glasses, two hundred needles, one skipple of 
 salt, thirty pounds of sugar, five gallons of molasses, twenty 
 tobacco boxes, one hundred jews-harps, twenty hoes, thirty 
 gimblets, thirty wooden screw-boxes, one hundred strings of 
 beads — Do hereby acknowledge, &c. Given under our hands* 
 &c. at New Castle, second day of the eighth month, 1685. 
 
 Tlie above is a true copy from a copy taken from the original 
 by Ephraim Morton, now living in Washington County, Penn- 
 sylvania, formerly a clerk in the land office, which copy he 
 gave to Mr. Hiitton, and from which the above was taken in 
 Little York, this 7ih of December, 1813. A. M'C. 
 
 On the 25th November, 1769, a committee of the Merchants 
 of Philadelphia, a second time addressed a committee of the 
 Merchants of London, on the subject of a non-importation 
 agreement. 
 
 The first congress of the United States, under thevcld con- 
 federation met in the State-EIouse in 1774, consisting offifty-two 
 members. Peyton Randolph was chosen the first President, 
 uho died of an apoplectic fit, October 22, 1775, in the fifty-se- 
 cond year of his age, after his second election. Charles Thomp- 
 son was elected Secretary, which station he held until the ad. 
 option of the new Constitution. A few years ago he commit- 
 ted to the flames his correspondence, and when questioned for 
 ?;o censurable an act he replied " that theij (his correspondence) 
 " ivoiihl make great men appear little, and little 7nen great." His ve- 
 racity was never doubted, and every victory obtained by the 
 American troops in the revolutionary war, announced under 
 his signature, was stamped with firm belief of its veracity. 
 
 The Declaration of Independence was read in the State- 
 Oouse Yard, from the steps of that building on the 8th of July, 
 1776. It was thirty-nine times acted upon in Congress before 
 .■t was adopted. 
 
 The Philadelphians agreed on the 2d of October, 1773, not 
 io receive the Tea sent from England, 
 
88 NAVY-YARB. . 
 
 John Moody, who designed to have seized tlie books and 
 papers of Congress, was hung as a spy in Philadelphia, No- 
 vember 13, 1781. 
 
 Roberts and Carlisle, were hung in Philadelphia, on the 22d 
 cf November, 1778, for high treason against the state of Penn- 
 sylvania. Their crime was, having poisoned some flour sold by 
 ihem from their mills, to some portion of the American Army. 
 
 On the 24th of October, 1781, Congress then sitting in Phi- 
 ladelphia, having received the official information of the cap- 
 ture of Cornwallis and his entire army, v;ent in procession to 
 the German Lutheran Church, and returned tlianks to Al- 
 mighty God for the success of the American and French Ar- 
 mies, in the completion of that happy event. In the evening 
 the city was brilliantly illuminated, and on the following eve- 
 r.ing a grand display of fire-works took place. 
 
 General Charles Lee, died at the Sign of the Conestogo Wa- 
 g-on, in Market street in 17S2. He was attended in his last ill- 
 iiess by his friend Colonel Oswald, His body was removed to 
 the City Tavern in South Second street, from which the fune- 
 ral took place to St. Peters's Church, where he was interred. 
 He was a native of England, of a noble family, had been aid- 
 de-camp to the then King of Poland, came to this country 
 about 1'773, and in 1776 was appointed Second in command of 
 the American Armies. As a military and literary man his talents 
 vere of a superior order, but his excentrlcities did not procure 
 him that respect he otherwise merited. 
 
 On the Fourth of July, 1788, a grand Federal procession 
 ook place in Pliiladelphia, in consequence of the adoption of 
 :he Federal Constitution, by a majority of the United States. 
 
 NAVY-YARD. 
 
 The Navy-Yard is situated at the south-east corner of Front 
 and Federal streets, at the southern extremity of Swanson St. 
 
 It embraces an area, of perhaps about fifteen or sixteen acres 
 and is substantially walled in with brick on three sides, the 
 
COLLEGE OF FHAKMACY. j>y 
 
 fourth fronting the river Delaware. There are dwellings for 
 the officers, barracks for the marines, and work -shops for the 
 artificers, besides which, there are two frame buildings con- 
 structed over the shipping building, which answer all the pur- 
 poses of a dry dock, and at the same time afford protection 
 to the ship carpenters to work at all seasons, notwithstanding 
 any inclemency of weather, being well lighted by windows. 
 Here are all the conveniencies necessary to construct vessels of 
 the largest dimensions, in the shortest possible notice. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF PHARMACY. 
 
 This society was instituted March, 1821, and incorporated by 
 an act of the Legislature, in February, 1822. The members 
 consist of persons actually pursuing the Drug and Apothecary 
 business, and embrace the greatest number of the profession 
 in the City and I^iberties, The object of the College as exhi- 
 bited in the preamble to their Constitution are " to provide 
 means ©f instruction by the establishment of a school of phar- 
 macy, in which shall be taught those branches of knowledge, 
 essential to the education of an Apothecary ; to invite a spirit 
 of pharmaceutical investigation and research, and to diffuse in- 
 formation amongst the members of the profession ; to guard the 
 drug market from the introduction of spurious, adulterated, 
 deteriorated, or otherwise mischievous articles, which are too 
 frequently forced into it, by watching and giving early warning 
 of their appearance ; to regulate tke business, as far as may 
 be practicable and consistant with our social institutions; to es- 
 tablish such rules as may promote a harmonious intercourse 
 among its members ; to remedy many existing abuses •. and to 
 advance the character and forward the interests of the profes- 
 sion." 
 
 The proper education of Apprentices, and the diffusion of 
 scientific knowledge amongst the members are prominent ob- 
 jects, and those which have heretofore claimed the greatest 
 share of attention. 
 
 The School of Pharmacy was organised in November, 1821, 
 by the establishment of two professorships, one on Materia Me- 
 G 2 
 
90 COLLEGE OP PHARMACY. 
 
 dica and Pharmacy ; the other on Pharmaceutical and general 
 chemistry; and arrangements have lately been made fbr the es- 
 tablishment of a I.ibrai'y and Cabinet of specimens of Drugs, 
 Medicines, and subjects of Natural History connected with the 
 science and practice of Pharmacy. 
 
 Regulations are made for holding examinations and granting 
 diplomas in the profession. 
 
 The officers of the College are a President, two Vice Pres- 
 idents, a Secretary and Treasurer, who are elected annually at 
 the meeting in March. 
 
 The management of the local concerns of the institution, 
 and the general regulation of the School of Pharmacy, are 
 committed to a Board of Trustees consisting of sixteen mem- 
 bers, (onehalf elected semi-annually,) and the officers of tlie 
 College are members ex officio. 
 
 The meetings of the College are held quarterly, those of the 
 Board of Trustees monthly. 
 
 The proper regulation of the drug and apothecary business 
 upon which the health and comfort of the community so much 
 depend is a subject of great and increasing importance in our 
 Country-- and if the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the on- 
 ly institution of the kind in the U. States, steadily pursue the ob- 
 jects f(pr which it was instituted, we may safely anticipate more 
 perfect security to our citizens in the use of medicines, great- 
 er confidence to the Physicians in their exhibition and the ele- 
 vation of the Apothecaries of Philadelphia, to the character 
 and standing of the Pharmacians of Europe. 
 
 The meetings of the College are at present, held in the low- 
 er room of the German Hall, in south Seventh, between High 
 and Chesnut streets, v/hich they have also fitted up as a Lec- 
 ture room, for the accommodation of the School of Pharmacy, 
 The present officers of the Institution are : — Charles Mar. 
 shal. President — William Lehman, Stephen JVorth, Vice Presi- 
 dents — Daniel B. Smith, Secretary — William Heyl, Treasurer — 
 Samuel Jackson, M. D. Professor of Materia Medica and Phar - 
 mRcj-' George JB, Wood, M. D, Professor of Chemistry, 
 
INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 
 
 THE SOUTIIWARK OR SOUTHERN DISPEN- 
 SARY, 
 
 Is kept in a private house in Shippen between Third and 
 Fourth Streets, south side. 
 
 The Eye and Ear Infirmary, is a new and useful establishment 
 kept at No. 4, south Seventh Street. 
 
 The late Sir Benjamin West, a native of-Chester County, 
 Pennsylvania, President of the Royal Academy, wishing; totes- 
 tify his attachment to the country of his birth, has presented 
 the Pennsylvania Hospital, for the benefit of that institution, 
 one of the most splendid productions of genius, " Clirisi Heal- 
 ing the Sick." The managers of the Hospital, have caused a 
 building on the Hospital square, fronting Spruce Street, to be 
 erected where West's Picture, is exhibited, according to the 
 plan of the artist himself, in order to present it in its proper 
 intended light and shade, presenting the happiest effect. 
 This picture attracts the notice of every visitor of taste and 
 the lovers of fine arts. The admission fee is twenty -five cents. 
 
 THE INDIGENT WIDOWS' AND SINGLE WO- 
 MEN'S ASYLUxM, 
 
 Is a neat three story brick building in Arch Street, on a lot 
 adjoining the Orphan's Asylum, not farfrom the river Schuyl- 
 kill. It was completed in 1817, and is under the care of a com- 
 mittee of Ladies, who are particularly attentive to the chari- 
 table duties they have so philanthropically undertaken. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA INSTITUTION, 
 FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB, 
 
 This is located in a private three story brick building ofcon- 
 renient size, on the south side of Market Street, between 
 Schuylkill Sixth and Seventh Streets. It arose from the exer- 
 tions of several philanthropic individuals, and is supported by 
 private munificence and pay scholars, Under the care of Mr, 
 
^j2 custom-house, 
 
 David Selxas, to whose exertions it owes its existence, it is in 
 ti thriving condition. There is a committee of general super- 
 intendence, consisting of five, to whom apphcation for admis- 
 sion is to be made. 
 
 THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY, 
 
 Was estabhshed in 1822, and is located in a private building 
 in Chesnut, between Third and Fourth Streets, near the Com- 
 mercial Bank. 
 
 SOUTHWARD COMMISSIONERS' HALL, 
 
 Is a neat two story brick building, of suitable dimensions, 
 situuted in south Second near Christian Street. It has a cupola 
 in which is placed a clock and dial ; in this building the Com- 
 missioners have their meetings, and the election for the district 
 is held. 
 
 THE CUSTOM-HOUSE 
 
 Was formerly kept in Carpenters' Hall, in Carpenters* Court 
 leading from Chesnut Street, but was removed to anew brick 
 building, the property of the United States, erected in south 
 Second Street, north corner of Elmslie's Alley, on the site of 
 buildings formerly the property of the late Thomas Affllick, 
 George Hunter, and others. The plan was the production of 
 Mr. Strickland, the architect, under vvhose direction the build- 
 ing and store-houses were erected. To this the Custom-house 
 was removed on the 11th of December, 1816. 
 
 The front of the basement story is of marble, the other sto- 
 ries are of brick. In front beneath the attic story is a 
 niche, in which is placed a statue, the emblem of commerce. 
 The building has in front an area fronted by iron railings, and 
 is paved. 
 
 Directions for finding the different Offices in the Cust07n House. 
 
 The desks of the Clerks, &c. are numbered from one to six 5 
 and the business done at each desk is as follows: 
 
CHURCHES. 9:? 
 
 Desk, No. 1.— Examination of Inward Entries, calculations 
 of Duties and Drawbacks. 
 
 No. 2,— Bonds for Duties taken and Permits issued. 
 
 No. 3. — Cashier, and for the Entrance and Clearancs 
 of Vessels coastwise. 
 
 No. 4.— Exports and Debentures. 
 
 No. 5. — Record of Imports. 
 
 No. 6.— Entrance and Clearance of Vessels from and 
 to foreign ports, and for preparing ships' pa- 
 pers. 
 
 NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 
 [Rev. T. H. Skinner, Pastou.] 
 
 Is situate in Arch Street above Tenth. This building-, erec- 
 ted by an association of persons, and dedicated June Tth, 1823; 
 is on a fine and elevated part of the city, to which its steeple is 
 highly ornamental; exhibiting at one view, in their proper 
 grades, from the base to the summit, the doric, ionic, corinthi. 
 an, and composite orders of architecture ; its height being 
 about 165 feet. The principal floor contains 1341arge and com- 
 modious pews; the gallery, with ample room for an Orchestra, 
 andflfty-four large pews. In the basement story, there area 
 lecture room, capable of containing an audience of fhore than 
 five hundred persons, and two Sabbaih School rooms. A fine 
 room in the tower, called the Session Room, will accommodate 
 one hnndrcd and fifty worshippers. The dimensions of the ed- 
 ifice are ninety-one by sixty -five feet. Its character comprises 
 simplicity and elegance, in a degree and manner well suited to 
 the sacred uses, for whicli it was designed. 
 
 THE UNITARIAN CHURCH, 
 
 Is a neat brick building, at the corner of Tenth and Locust 
 Streets, nearly of an octagon form, with a cupola and belJ. 
 The society attend divine service every Sabbath, and have a sta- 
 ted preacher. The cemetry adjoins the Church, but is small. 
 
PLJiJ^Tof the Incorporated parts of the JSTorthern Li- 
 berties, Penn Township, the Cit;/ of Philadelphia, 
 District ofHouthioark, Moyamensing and Passi/itnk. 
 
 Cuhocsink Creek, or J\'orther7i Boundary. 
 
 I t 
 
 J\^orthern Lihernes. 
 
 tScventh 
 I'oplar 
 
 Sixth Ward. 
 
 Green 
 
 Fourth Ward. 
 
 Willow 
 
 Second Ward. 
 
 Ward. 
 
 Lane. 
 
 Fifth Wafd. 
 
 Street. 
 
 Third Ward. 
 
 First Ward. 
 
 s! 
 1 
 
 ^ \ Vine Street, or JVorthern Bowidary of the City. 
 
 •S _ — — • 
 
 Co- 
 
 JSi'orth Mulberry Ward. 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 Ufj/jer Dela-ware Ward. 
 
 ^ Ilace or 
 
 Sassafnis Str(-et. 
 
 ^ South Mulberry Ward. 
 
 Jjijiver jJeia-i'.'ui-e H unl. 
 
 \ Arcl) or 
 
 Mulberry Street. 
 
 JWrih Ward. 
 
 High Street fi ard. 
 
 \ Myr..;et nr 
 
 Hig-li Street. 
 
 .Middle Want. 
 
 C/iesiait JVurd. 
 
 ("Ii.-smn 
 
 
 Street. 
 
 ^ ,JLU(,': '.' uvd. 
 
 Wulmit Hard. 
 
 ' VVuhuit 
 
 Street. 
 
 5 Locust il ard. 
 
 Dock (1 ard. 
 
 ', Sprace 
 
 Street. 
 
 '; Cedar Ward. 
 
 JSi'e-wnuirket U'ard. 
 
 Cedar Street, or Southern Boundary of the City, 
 
 
 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 
 
 
 O J J 
 
 s 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 // 
 
 
 - s 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 -^ 
 
 /y 
 
 
 i 
 
 & 
 
 5 
 
 rf 
 
 Suuth\i-Viri\'. 
 
 t 
 
 
 
 1^ 
 
 i 
 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 / / 
 
 
 i 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Ininductory Histort/, 
 
 Jilamtfaclnres, 
 
 Manufactories, ... 
 
 Articles Mmiufacturedy 
 
 Commerce, . . , . 
 
 Exports, .... 
 
 Permanent Bridge, ... 
 
 Upper Permanent Bridge, - 
 
 .Sthejianm, .... 
 
 JVe-w Bank of the United States, 
 
 Philadelphia Bank, . 
 
 Stephen Girard's Bank, 
 
 Commercial Bank of Peniisylvania, . 
 
 Mechanics' Bank, » . . 
 
 Schuylkill Bank, 
 
 Bank of the J^orthern Liberties, 
 
 State Arsenal and Armory, - 
 
 Merchants* Cnffee-House, or Exchange, 
 
 Centre Engine House, 
 
 Fair Mount Water Works, - 
 
 j^Ce-iu Jerusalem Temple, 
 
 St. Stephen's Church, 
 
 St. John's Church, ... 
 
 St. Joseph' s f Roman Catholic J Church, 
 
 Second Universalist Church, 
 
 Church of the United Brethreji, 
 
 Associate Church, . - - 
 
 First Presbyterian Church, - 
 
 J\rinth Presbyterian Church, 
 
 JVew Market Street Baptist Church, - 
 
 Ji^w Methodist Church, Salem, 
 
 German Reformed Church, - 
 
 Mount Zion, - =■ » 
 
 Page, 
 
96 CONTENTS. 
 
 
 
 Menonists or Dunhers, 
 
 
 45 
 
 Fi'^st African Baptist C/ntrch, 
 
 
 45 
 
 First Jlfrican Presbijieriari Church, - 
 
 
 45 
 
 ^ifvican Wesleyan Church, - 
 
 
 45 
 
 Fuel Saving' Society, . . - 
 
 
 46 
 
 Musical Fund Society, 
 
 
 47 
 
 Saving Fund Society, 
 
 
 47 
 
 Pennsylvania Company, 
 
 
 48 
 
 Philadelphia Fire Association, 
 
 
 48 
 
 The Apprentices' Library Company, • 
 
 
 49 
 
 JVorthern Dispensary, 
 
 
 49 
 
 Christ Church Hospital, 
 
 
 50 
 
 J\''urthern Liberties Commissioners' Italic 
 
 
 50 
 
 JVew Penitentiary, ... 
 
 
 £0 
 
 The Public Schools, 
 
 
 60 
 
 List of Mayors and Recorders, 
 
 
 61 
 
 List of Aldermen, 
 
 
 64 
 
 Orphan Society, 
 
 
 64 
 
 Markets, - . - . 
 
 
 68 
 
 St. Johi's fMethodistJ Episcopal Church, 
 
 
 72 
 
 Sefurmed Presbyterian Church, 
 
 
 71 
 
 Unit._ d States' Circtdt Court, 
 
 
 n 
 
 United States' Arsenals. 
 
 
 85 
 
 Pennsylvania Listitution for the Deaf and Dumb, 
 
 85 
 
 Historical J\''otices, 
 
 - 
 
 86 
 
 J\.''aTy Yard, ... 
 
 , 
 
 88 
 
 Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, 
 
 . 
 
 89 
 
 Southern Dispensary, 
 
 . 
 
 91 
 
 Indigent Wido-ws' and Single Women's Asylum, 
 
 ib. 
 
 Philade'phia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 
 
 ib. 
 
 Mercantile 'Library, 
 
 
 92 
 
 Southivark Commissioners' Hall, 
 
 
 ib,. 
 
 Custom House, 
 
 
 ib. 
 
 J\few Presbyterian Church, 
 
 
 53 
 
 Unitarian Church, 
 
 
 ib. 
 
 Plan of the City and Liberties, 
 
 
 94 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 ^Introductory History, .,_.-■. 1 
 
 Topographical Description, - - - - 15 
 
 Various Plans of the City, - - - - - 17 
 
 General Description 20 
 
 Plan of the Wards, 29 
 
 Population, - - -- - - -SO 
 
 Number of Houses, ------ 32 
 
 Table of Progressive Population, - - - ib. 
 
 Deaths in 1793, 1797, 37 
 
 Causes of Increase of Population, - - - 38 
 
 Climate, 40 
 
 Diseases and Mortality, . _ _ - - 4.5 
 
 Bills of Mortality, '----- 47 
 
 Comparative Health of Philadelphia and New York, 5 1 
 Commerce, - - - - - - -52 
 
 Exports, --------53 
 
 Tonnage, - ------54 
 
 PricesCurrent, in 1720, 1798 & 1811, - - 55 
 
 Inspectionof Beef and Pork, . ~ - - 56 
 
 ~ ■ — — - Flour, - - _ 
 
 Shad and Herring, - 
 
 Butter, - 
 
 . i Flax-seed, 
 
 ■ Shingles, 
 
 Lumber, 
 
 Measurer of Grain, Weigh Masters, 
 
.IV CONTENTS. 
 
 Chamber of Commerce, ^7 
 
 Survey of Damaged Ships and Cargoes, - - 68 
 
 Wardens of the Port, 70 
 
 Pilots, 71 
 
 Harbour Master, 73 
 
 Manufactures, -------74 
 
 Breweries — Distilleries, 77 
 
 Abstract of the Marshal's Report, - - - 79 
 
 Press — History — Progress — Present State, - 80 
 
 News-papers in Philadelphia, (See Appendix.) - 83 
 Periodical works, formerly published in Philadelphia, 84 
 
 Present Periodical Publications, - . - . 87 
 
 Former Government in Philadelphia, - - 88 
 
 Present Government of the City, - . . 92 
 
 of South wark, - - - 93 
 
 Northern Liberties, - - ib. 
 
 Circuit and District Courts, - - - • ib, 
 
 STATE LAW COURTS. 
 
 1. Civil Courts, 98 
 
 2', Common Pleas, 99 
 
 3. District Court, - 99 
 
 4. Criminal Courts, 101 
 
 BANKS. 
 
 1. Of North America, - - - - - 103 
 
 2. Of Pennsylvania, 105 
 
 3. Of Philadelphia, 106 
 
 4. Fai-mers and Mechanics, - . - . lof 
 
 INSURANCE OFFICES. 
 
 1. Insurance Company of North America, - - 108 
 
 2. Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, - - 109 
 
 3. Union Insurance Company, - - - - ib, 
 
 4. Phoenix Insurance Company, - - - ib. 
 
 5. Delaware Insurance Company, - - - 111 
 
 6. United States Insurance Company, - - id. 
 
 7. Marine Insurance Company, 3 - - 112 
 
CONTENTS. V 
 
 3. Lancaster and Susquehanna Insurance Company, ilf. 
 
 9. Mutual Fire Assurance Company, - - 114 
 
 iO. American Fire Insurance Company, - - 115 
 
 11. Phoenix Company of London, - - - 116 
 
 Markets — Provisions, - - - - - ib. 
 
 Preservation of the Peace, 123 
 
 Constable's Elections, - - - - • ib. 
 
 City Commissioners, - - - - - 124 
 
 Watching and lighting, 124 
 
 Cleansing the Streets, - - - - - 125 
 
 Fuel — Wood Corders — Public Landings, - - ib. 
 
 Sale of Bread, - - - - "- - - 128 
 
 Protection of Mechanics and Labourers, - - 130 
 
 Storing of Gun Powder, - - - - ' ib. 
 
 Boiling of Oil of Turpentine and Varnish, - - 131 
 Health Law, - - - - - -. -id. 
 
 Provision against Fire, - - - - - 157 
 
 Hose Companies, (5t'e ^/i/2i-«(//x.) - - - 138 
 
 Wooden Buildings — Law on, - - - - 1 40 
 
 Weights and Measures, - - - - - 141 
 
 Auctioneers, - - - - - - - 14.4 
 
 City Surveyors, - - - - - - 145 
 
 Water-works, - - - - - - - 147 
 
 Mint, 154 
 
 Jail and Penetentiary System, - - - - 158 
 
 Law for Debtors, 186 
 
 Elections, - - - - - - -191 
 
 Revenue and Expenditure, - - - - 193 
 
 Sinking Fund, - - - - - - -195 
 
 Taxes and mode of Assessing, - - _ - 195 
 
 Religious Societies, - - - - - - 199 
 
 Places of Worship, 217 
 
 Remarks on Spirit of Toleration, - . - 223 
 
 Charitable Institutions, - - - - - 224 
 
 i. Pennsylvania Hospital, - - - - - ib. 
 
 2. Philadelphia Dispensary, - . . . 236 
 
 3. Humane Society, ------ 240 
 
 Society for Vaccinating the Poor, - - - 343 
 Charitable Society, - - - - .- 
 
vi CONTENTS. 
 
 Abolition Society, ------ 
 
 Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Prisons, - 243 
 
 Magdalen Society, ------ 245 
 
 PRIVATE AND ENDOWED INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 1. Friend's Alms House, ----- 246 
 
 2. Christ Church Hospital, - - - - 247 
 
 ASSOCIATIONS FOR GENERAL CHARITY. 
 
 I . Female Society for the Employment of the Poor, 247 
 
 ■3. Female Hospitable Society, - - - - 248 
 
 S. Female Association, 250 
 
 FREE SCHOOLS. 
 
 1. Sunday School Society, - - - - 251 
 
 2. Philadelphia Society for the establishment and 
 
 support of Charity Schools, . - . 252 
 
 0. Aimwell School Society, - - . - 254 
 
 4. Philadelphia Union Society, - - - - 257 
 
 5. St. Joseph's Society, 258 
 
 6. Adclphi School, ' 259 
 
 Public Provision for Free Education, - - - 262 
 
 Schools for the Education of Blacks, - - - ib. 
 
 PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES. 
 
 1. Domestic Society, 264 
 
 2. Agricultural Society, 266 
 
 3. Cattle Society, - - - - - - ib. 
 
 MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES. 
 
 1. Of Carpenters, 267 
 
 2. Ship Master's Society, . - - - 268 
 
 3. Pilot's Society, - ' - - - - - 270 
 
 4. Mariner's Society, - - - - - ib. 
 
 5. Stone-cutter's Society, - - _ - ib. 
 
 6. Biickkiyer's Society, 271 
 
CONTENTS. vii 
 
 y. Hair-dresser's Society, - - - _ 272- 
 
 8. Typographical Society, - - - - ifi. 
 
 9. Master Taylor's Society, - - - - 274 
 10. Provident Society of House Carpenters, - ib. 
 U. Master Mechanic's Society, - - - 275 
 Societies of various other Mechanics, - - - 276 
 
 OTHER MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES. 
 
 1. Provident, ------. 276 
 
 2. Philanthropic, 277 
 
 3. Columbian Benevolent, .... id. 
 
 Several others, - 278 
 
 Summary of their Constitutions, - - - - 278 
 
 Society of Masons, - 288 
 
 ASSOCIATIONS FOR RELIEF OF FOREIGNERS. 
 
 1. St. Andrev/s, 28© 
 
 2. St. George, 281 
 
 3. Welsh, ------- id. 
 
 4. Hibernian, ib. 
 
 5. German Incorporated Society, - . - 283 
 
 MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES OF FOREIGNERS AND 
 THEIR DESCENDENTS. 
 
 1. United German Benefit Society, ... 28^ 
 
 2. German American Mutual Assistant Society, - 284 
 
 3. Caledonian Society, ib. 
 
 4. Scots Thistle Society, 285 
 
 5. St. Patrick's Benevolent Society, - - - 287 
 
 6. Society de Bienfaisance, - - - - id. 
 
 Bible Society, - ib. 
 
 Provision for the Poor, ..... 292 
 
 Private Provision for the Poor, - - - - 338 
 
 1. Fund for supplying the Poor with Fuel, . - 340 
 3. Fund to relieve the Poor placed in the City Hos- 
 pital, during the prevalence of the Yellow 
 
 Fever, - - - - - - - 341 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 LITERARY INSTITUTIONIS. 
 
 1. Friend's School, ^6 
 
 2. University of Pennsylvania, ... - ib. 
 
 3. American Philosophical Society, - - - 300 
 
 4. Medical Society, 302 
 
 5. College of Physicians, - - - - - ib. 
 
 6. Medical Lyceum, 303 
 
 7. Linnean Society, ib. 
 
 LIBRAllIES. 
 
 i. Philadelphia Library, - - - . _ 305 
 
 3. Loganian, do. ------ 308 
 
 3. Friend's, do. - - - - - -310 
 
 Peale's Museum, 311 
 
 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, - - - 3 14 
 
 Society of Aitists, -316 
 
 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 Old Court House, 317 
 
 State House, 318 
 
 Old College, 319 
 
 Bank of the United States, - . . . 320 
 
 ■ Pennsylvania, 321 
 
 Philadelphia, ib. 
 
 County Court House and City Hall, - - - 324 
 
 University of Pennsylvania, .... 325 
 
 Independent Tabernacle, 326 
 
 Baptist Church, - - - . .. * . ib. 
 
 Theatre, - - 328 
 
 Circus, 331 
 
 Masonic Hall, 333 
 
 City Hospital, - - - ^ - - - 355 
 
CONTENTS. is 
 
 literary Characters, - - - - -336 
 
 ranklin's Legacy, 338 
 
 Dhn Keble's Legacies, - . - . . 342 
 'ours in the Vicinity of Philadelphia, - - 344 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 •mission respecting the proposer of Hose Comp'anies* 
 fotice of St. Michael's Church, 
 fotice of Aitken's Bible, of 1782. 
 orrectiou respecting the Streets. 
 
iw^am^^ ^^sr^@M^^ 
 
 Certainly nothing is better entitled to be notice 
 a work which professes to be a " Picture of Philadei 
 phia," and to give a faithful description of her insti- 
 tutions so deservedly renowned for their humanity, 
 than that invaluable medicine. « Swaim's Fanace... 
 For Philadelphia claims the honour of inventing it, ot 
 testing its value, and of promulging its merits to the 
 world? Her citizens were the first to lay down then 
 prejudices and listen to conviction; her physicians 
 were the first to contemn the suggestions of lUiberality, 
 and openly and avowedly to praise it. ^here are but 
 few who are unacquainted with its history. Suffice it 
 therefore to say. that Mr. William Swaim a citizen 
 of Philadelphia, endowed with a mind naturally in- 
 clined to medical pursuits, had observed the utter 
 inability of all the arts of regular practice, to adminis- 
 ter an antidote to the dreadful effects of mercury, which 
 appeared to him the more horrible, as they descended 
 wi?l he paternal blood to the innocen , and indeed 
 were almost a fulfilment of the ^^nptural denunciation 
 of visiting the sins of the parent upon the third and 
 fourth generations of his progeny. A remedy to him 
 did not appear impracticable; and he adopted the no- 
 ble resolution of devoting himself to its discovery He 
 ransacked all the stores of bounteous nature. He in- 
 quired and rejected, examined and abandoned unti 
 at length his efforts were successfu : the Panacea 
 was the fruit of his diligence. Armed with this he 
 Idvanced into the arena with confidence and chal- 
 lenged the faculty to a competition. He attempted 
 
.-W ALMS PANACKA, 
 
 ases which they had prouounced incurable, and suc- 
 . ceded. — Scrofid a, Syphilis, tlie Mercurial Disease, Cu- 
 taneous Aft'ectioiis ol various kinds, were found to vieid 
 to its potent efficacy. The Faculty were now in arms. 
 They endeavoured to prejudice the public against it, 
 by attributing to it the most noxious ingredients. They 
 ot scruple to say, that it contained arsenic, and 
 ir deleterious drugs, which might rouse the public 
 ^prehension; but tiiey failed. Its merits were too 
 ODvious. They now changed their note; they now 
 'said they had long been acquainted with it, and at- 
 temjptevi-te ijjk-^^f' Swaira of the merit of the disco- 
 very. But this device was too shallow ; for if they 
 had known it, why had they not used it ? Why had the 
 bills of mortality been crowded with deaths by dis- 
 eases for which this medicine is a certain specific.^ 
 The physicians admitted its value, by attempting to 
 discover the secret. It was subjected to the most 
 powerful agents of chemical analysis, both here and 
 in Europe — but in vain. Chemistry serves but to de- 
 tect minerals. Their attempts were of course abor- 
 tive. All of them now yielded; at least the respect- 
 able portion: for there are a few in the lowest walks 
 of every profession, who festering under the conscious- 
 ness of their own insignificance, view with malignant 
 envy merit which they can never equal. These per- 
 sons have caused the press to teem with their detrac- 
 tions. They have identified it with fifty well known 
 medicines. The public may estimate the degree of 
 credit which is to be attached to their assertions, from 
 the consideration that notwithstanding their arrogant 
 pretensions of detection, it has been introduced into 
 the Alms-House, and into the hospitals of this place 
 and New York; moreover that the proprietor has re- 
 ceived highly recommendatory certificates from the 
 most eminent physicians in both those cities, which 
 reflects the highest honour on themselves, and entitles 
 them to the lasting gratitude of the public. Those 
 
. .vxaci:a. 
 
 .etractois I'aar it lias beon long used in 
 
 France umler xiinuus titles, aiu! yet Dr. Price, a s^en- 
 tleiimii who practised in the Parisian h()spitais fur 
 years, and may therefore be supposed intiinately ac- 
 quainted with the French pharmacopceia, is so con- 
 vinced of its bein,i>; a new and important discovery, 
 that he has deserted a lucrative situation in the Penn 
 sylvania hospital, in order to cai-ry it to Europe. Burt 
 this medicine has yet another class of enemies, vyho, 
 it is to be feared, may or have effected more practical 
 injury to the public than the other, as their bold pre- 
 tensions may deceive the ignorant; it consists of those 
 apothecaries and others, who admitting Mr. Swaim's 
 title to the original discovery, advertise that they have 
 attained the knowledge of his secret. The simple fact 
 that all the physicians of eminence have abandoned 
 their attempts to develop the secret constituents of 
 this medicine, ought to put the public on their guard 
 ao-ainst the arrogance of these ignorant pretenders; 
 or at least they should listen to this simple dictate of 
 prudence, not to purchase that which is encumbered 
 with a doubt, when the undoubtedly genuine can so 
 easily be procured. Should any, however, be so un- 
 fortunate as to be lured by their proffers, they will be 
 taught by experience, that they have expended their 
 ,time and money without avail; or perhaps, that they 
 have, by loading their systems with noxious drugs, 
 added to the ravages of disease. Such is its history 
 in our own country. A new field is now open to it 
 in England, whence we receive daily accounts of its 
 success. Indeed it appears (and we speak it reverent- 
 ly) to be reacting the mirncles of Judea. It has there 
 also the same fearful weight of prejudice to rise 
 under, whiclv it experienced in our own country. And 
 that, not the antipathy of the vulgar, but of the regu- 
 lar facultv, wi.ich they naturally feel for any thing 
 that hath" Ui-i slightest appearance of empiricism.— 
 But it has there also made some converts already 
 
SWAIM'S PANACEA. 
 
 among the surgeons, and we trust all those who ar 
 worth gaining, will shortly have a due estimation < 
 Its merits. An invidious few, will there, as well a 
 here, continue to inveigh against it, till time sha 
 have established its credit on so firm a basis, that t 
 'r doubt It would be sacrilege. But let the happy in 
 *>.entor solace himself by the consideration, that' thi 
 •ir IS the fate of every great and good undertaking. A 
 t'P philanthropists, and as members of the family o 
 mankind, we have cause to rejoice at any thing whicl 
 IS so great an alleviation of misery; but as Ameri 
 cans, upon its being sent to Europe, we cannot but in- 
 dulge in some degree of pride, that the author of this^ 
 discovery is a countr};man of our own. Circum^i' 
 stances have circumscribed our efforts in literaturel 
 But it IS to the advancement which physics and the^ 
 mechanic arts have received in our country, that w 
 can proudly appeal for a refutation of that wretche 
 philosophy, which would rank us among the de<^ene 
 racies of nature. It has been unjustly objected? th^ 
 Mr. Swaim does not disclose for the benefit of maii 
 kind, the constituents of his medicine. His motivi 
 IS not pecuniary. It is to preserve it from abuse' 
 such IS Its nature, that should it fall into the hands d 
 the Ignorant, the effects would be dreadful; althougl 
 it IS, when compounded under the direction of th( 
 skilful, perfectly harmless and inoffensive. At thi 
 same time that he has avoided these ills by conceal 
 ment, he has obtained all the benefits of a disclosun 
 by distributing his medicine in every direction hfl 
 means of his agents. Let him proceed in his work oF' 
 philanthropy, and he will receive as the meed of his 
 exertions the applause of the wise, and the gratitude 
 of the good ! 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN composing a work like the present, the au- 
 thor is of opinion that the chief object ought to be 
 the multiplication of facts, and that the reflections 
 arising out of them, should be, left to the reader. 
 lie has, therefore, avoided making any remarks upon 
 subjects treated of, except in a few instances where 
 ^i*;^ey were in a measui-e drawn from him by the oc- 
 casion, and where it was thought they would elu- 
 cidate what had preceded. A\vare of the inaccuracy 
 of tradition, he has cautiously admitted some nar- 
 rations of occurrences among the early settlers, 
 and has intentionally omitted others which, after a 
 minute investigation, he found could not be sup- 
 ported. He is conscious, however, that he might 
 have rendered his detail of " old times" more in- 
 teresting, if he had been favoured with the docu- 
 ments which, he supposes, must remain in the fa- 
 milies of the original settlei-s, and which he flatter- 
 ed himself would have been off'ered, when it was 
 known that an attempt was about to be made to 
 trace the progress of the city from its settlement 
 to the present time. 
 
 Upon some subjects he has forborn to speak, be- 
 cause he found that in considering them, he could 
 not be moderate. He will only mention one ; the 
 public squares : — the prostitution of which, in the 
 
Xil PREFACE. 
 
 thickly settled parts of the city, and the neglect to 
 enclose and plant the rest, in order to prepare for the 
 comfort and health of a population, rapidly in- 
 creasing, loudly call for reprehension. — European 
 nations will hear with astonishment, that out of the 
 five squares, expressly set apart, by the benevolent 
 founder of the city, for the purpose of public walks, 
 and the salutary recreation of future generations, not 
 one has been exclusively appropriated to its des- 
 tined object! — that parts ot some of them have 
 been applied to the most injurious uses ; and that 
 even an open space near the Delaware, in the south- 
 ern part of the city, also left for general benefit, has 
 been rented for a board yard ! ! 
 
 The example set by the city of New York is 
 praise-worthy in the highest degree, and deserving 
 of imitation by a city which boasts, (and with much 
 propriety), of many excellent establishments, tend- 
 ing to promote and preserve health and general 
 comfort. 
 
PICTURE 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, 
 
 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 WE are indebted for the discovery of the river 
 DelaAvare, to the commercial sph'it which was roused 
 in Enghmd by Sir Walter Raleigh, in the year 1584. 
 Some of the expeditions of that enterprising, but 
 unfortunate man, were attended with singular cala- 
 mity ; but the hopes of better fortune, induced others 
 to persevere in exploring the same quarter of the 
 globe ; and in consequence of the success that at- 
 tended the voyages Oi some private adventurers from 
 England to the northern parts ol the present United 
 States, application was made to King James the first, 
 by several merchants to incorporate them for the 
 purpose of trading to Virginia, by which name the 
 country in general was known. Two companies were 
 accordingly lormed ; one designated by the name 
 of the// ;-*^ Colony^ with liberty to begin their first 
 settlements at any place between the 34th and 41st 
 degrees of North latitude. A second Colony had 
 permission to settle between 38° and 45° of North 
 latitude: — This company taking the name of tlie 
 
2 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 South Virginia company, commenced their first voy- 
 age in 1606, and discovered the Capes of Virginia, 
 and proceeding up James river, planted themselves 
 at James Town. 
 
 Henry Hudson, with the design of finding a 
 North West passage to the East Indies, leit the 
 Texel in 1609, but it does not appear from his 
 journals, whether he was employed by the E. India 
 Company, or by an individual. Having failed in the 
 object o!" his voyage, he followed the tract of the 
 Cabots ; coasted along the shores of Newiound- 
 land, and proceeding southwardly, anchored oif the 
 Delaware. 
 
 In 1610, Thomas West, Lord Delawar, was ap- 
 pointed Governor by the South Virginia company, 
 who falling in with the land about two degrees to the 
 Northward of the Capes of Virginia, discovered 
 a capacious Bay, and named it after himselL 
 
 The Dutch government purchased the right of 
 Hudson's discoveries, and incorporated a company 
 in 1621, for trading to the country. The particu- 
 lar progress they made cannot now be ascertained, 
 neither is it of much consequence. We know cer- 
 tainly, that they gave the name of New Nether- 
 lands to all the country from New York to the Dela- 
 ware, and some distance south of it : and that in 1623 
 they took possession of the Delaware, which they 
 named Ziiydt river, in opposition to the Hudson, 
 which was called North river. At that early peri- 
 od, they built lort Nassau, at, or near Gloucester, 
 on the Jersey shore, about three miles below the pre- 
 sent City of Philadelphia. 
 
 In 1627, the first colony of Swedes arrived, and 
 landing at the interior cape of Delaware bay, named 
 it Point Paradise. William Useling, a Dutchman who 
 had previously visited the country, appears to have 
 excited the Swedes, to emigrate to the new world, 
 
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 3 
 
 and a large company was formed of the first people 
 in Sweden, under whose auspices the enterprize was 
 commenced.* 
 
 In 1630, under the direction of Peterson deVries, 
 the Dutch extended their settlements up the Dela- 
 ware, on the Western side, as far as Eompt-Hook, 
 the place now known by the name Bombay-Hook, 
 which they called Swandale. The eastern cape of 
 the bay they called Cape-May, after Cornelius Jacobs 
 May, an early Dutch American navigator. The 
 Bay was named Nieli Port May, and Godyns Bay, 
 from Samuel Godyn, an eminent merchant of Amster- 
 dam, who was greatly interested in the first settle- 
 ment of the New Netherlands, and is frequently men- 
 tioned by P. de Vries in his account of the country. 
 
 In 1631, the Swedes built a fort on Manquas 
 creek, and called it after their queen, Christiana : 
 here they made their first regular settlement, which 
 has been continued to the present time, and by the 
 same name. They finally fixed their head quarters 
 at Fort Gottemburgh, on the Island of Tinnicum, 
 about twelve miles below the present City of Phi- 
 ladelphia, f 
 
 A church of wood was erected at Tinnicum, and 
 consecrated September 4, 1646. The Swedes at that 
 time had several small settlements higher up the 
 river, and a few forts, viz. at Korsholin on Passa- 
 jung ; another on Manajung, (Schuylkill,) one at 
 Chinsessing, (Kingsess.) On the Jersey side the\' 
 built fort Elsinburgh, and settled various places be- 
 tween that and Cape May. The country generally-, 
 was called New Sv/eden : the river New Swedeland 
 stream ; and by these names they described du- 
 
 * Holm's description of New Sweden. Stockholm 1702. 
 f Near the l.azr.retto. — The remains of the inhabitantg are 
 occasionally discovered there at this day. 
 
•i INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 country- in the works which they published respecting 
 it in Sweden. Governors were regularly appointed 
 in Sweden. John Printz was their first Governor, 
 and until 1654'. 
 
 The Dutch built a fort at Hoerkill, on the west 
 side of the Capes, in 1630, but appear to have giv- 
 en the preference to New York, as a place of resi- 
 dence, owing to the greater facilities it afforded for 
 the purposes of commerce. They however, omitted 
 no opportunity to assert their right to the country 
 on the South River, as appears by a letter of Gover- 
 nor Kieft, from New Amsterdam, to P. Minuitts, 
 Governor of New Sweden, in 1638 : in which he 
 asserts, " that the whole south river of New Neth- 
 erlands, had been in the Dutch possession many 
 years, above and below, beset with forts, and sealed 
 with their blood."=^ And in 1642, the colonists from 
 Maryland, having settled on Schuylkill, Keift fitted 
 out tv/o sloops to drive them away ; a measure which 
 the Swedes were either unwilling to undertake, or 
 unable to accomplish. The mother countries, howe- 
 ver, appear to have deemed it most prudent to permit 
 the colonists to settle their own disputes ; for in the 
 treaty of peace between the Swedes and Dutch, in 
 1640, held at Stockholm, no notice was taken of 
 American affairs. 
 
 In 1651, the Dutch erected a trading house on 
 the spot where the town of New Castle is now sit- 
 uatecl. Printz, the Swedish governor, on Tinnicum, 
 contented himself with formally protesting against 
 the incroachment : but not accompanying his paper 
 by m.ore v/eighty considerations, he was disregarded. 
 Risingh, his successor in the government, came be- 
 fore the fortress, fired a salute, and landed thirty 
 men, who were entertained by the commandant as 
 
 Smith's Hislorvof New York. 
 
INTRODUCTORY HISTOUY. 5 
 
 friends : but having discovered the weakness of the 
 garrison, he seized upon it, and compelled some of 
 the people to swear allegiance to his queen*. This 
 conquest, however, was of short duration ; for in the 
 year 1655, the Dutch West India Company deter- 
 mining to recover their possessions, applied to the 
 city of Amsterdam for assistance, and sent governor 
 Stuyvezant with six or seven vessels, and seven hun- 
 dred men, to the Delaware, where he arrived on 
 the ninth of September. Having anchored his fleet, 
 and landed the troops, a demand was made of the 
 fort. The commander Suen Scutz, was a soldier by 
 profession, and had lost a leg in the Dutch service. 
 But though probably not deficient in courage, nor in- 
 disposed to defend his post, yet ])erceiving his for- 
 ces so inferior to that of his enemy, as to render re- 
 sistance of no avail, he prefered an honourable cap- 
 itulation to the useless waste of human lire. He 
 therefore surrendered on the 16th September. Four 
 fourteen pound cannon, five swivells, and some small 
 arms, composed the list of offensive weapons found 
 in the fort. Risingh commanded at Christiana, which 
 also surrendered on the 25th of the same month. 
 Finally, fort Gottemburgh, on Tinnicum, was deliv- 
 ered up, and razed : all the houses outside of the 
 fort destroyed ; and to prevent further attempts on 
 the part of the Swedes, to regain possession, the offi- 
 cers and principal persons were shipped to New 
 Amsterdam, and thence to Europe. Thus the Dutch 
 became masters of all the country on the west side 
 of the Delaware, which was for a time governed 
 by the deputies of the Company's Director General 
 at New Amsterdam, from whom the, titles of many 
 tracts of land may be traced to this day. 
 
 In 1664 Charles the Second ot England gave a 
 large tract of land including all the countrv known 
 
 * Holm's description of New 3wedei 
 A 2 
 
6 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 by the name of New Netherlands to his brother 
 James, Duke of York, under whose direction an ex- 
 pedition consisting of four ships and 300 men, com- 
 manded by Colonel Nicholls, was sent against the 
 colony. After receiving possession of the fort at New 
 Amsterdam, from Stuyvezant, he dispatched Sir 
 Robert Carr with the ships to the Delaware, who ex- 
 perienced no opposition from the settlers, and on 
 the first of October took possession of New-Ams- 
 tel (now New Castle) after articles of capitulation, 
 of the most liberal nature had been signed; Nicholls 
 was appointed governor, and acted as such until the 
 year 1688, when he was succeeded by Carr. In 1672 
 war having taken place between England and the 
 Dutch, the latter sent a few ships against New- York. 
 The commander Manning, through treachery sur- 
 rendered the fort without resistance: the people on 
 Delaware again changed masters, and sent deputies 
 to New Amsterdam declaring their submission, but 
 in the space of a few months in consequence of a trea- 
 ty of peace between England and the States Gene- 
 ral, they were again restored to the British, and 
 Captains Cantwell and Tom deputed by the govern- 
 ment of New-York, to take possession of the coun- 
 try on the Delaware. A v/ell known creek in Dela- 
 w^are, bears the name of the first, and a river in New- 
 Jersey perpetuates that of the last. 
 
 Peace was thus restored to the harassed emigrants, 
 who continued to extend their settlements up the 
 river, and to cultivate the friendship oi the natives. 
 
 The father of William Penn was an admiral in the 
 service of England, and was second in command under 
 James Duke of York in 1665, in the engagement 
 with, and victory over the Dutch fleet commanded 
 by Van Opdam. He had also served in several dis- 
 tinguished offices at home, and had lent a conside- 
 rable sum of money to the crown. At the time of his 
 death, there were also arrearages to a large amount 
 due to him, for pay. Williaim Penn himself had in 
 
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 7 
 
 common with the religious persuasion of which he 
 was a member, suffered considerable persecution; and 
 perceiving an opportunity of obtaining some remune- 
 ration for his father's debts, and an assylum for him- 
 self and oppressed friends by a grant of part of the 
 New World, petitioned King Charles the Second in 
 June 1680 for a tract of land lying North of the 
 patent previously granted to Lord Baltimore, boun- 
 ded by tlie Delaware on the East. This request was 
 accordingly granted, and letters patent for the desi- 
 red tract passed the great Seal on the fourth of March 
 1681. 
 
 The considerations stated, were " the commenda- 
 ble desire of William Penn, to enlarge the British 
 Empire, and promote useful commodities ; to reduce 
 the savage natives by just and gentle manners to 
 the love of civil society and christian religion," to- 
 gether with " a regard to the memory and merits of 
 his late father." 
 
 A brief account of the country was immediately 
 published, and lands offered for sale on the low terms 
 of forty shillings per hundred acres, and one shilling 
 per annum for ever. Adventurers numerous, and 
 many of them wealthy and respectable, soon offered, 
 with whom, articles of agreement Avere entered in- 
 to and published under the title of " conditions or 
 concessions" chiefly respecting rules of settlement, 
 a just and friendly conduct towards the natives, with 
 some injunctions as to the preservation of internal or- 
 der, and keeping the peace, agreeably to the customs, 
 usages and laws of England. 
 
 In May 1681 Penn detached Markham, his rela- 
 tion with a small emigration in order to take posses- 
 sion of the countr)^ and to prepare it for a more nu- 
 merous Colony.* 
 
 In April 1682 was published "the first frame of 
 government of the province, consisting of twenty- 
 
 * Chalmer's annals, p. 640. 
 
8 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 four articles. A body of laws was also agreed upon 
 in England with the adventurers, and published in 
 the succeeding month. They were partly of a po- 
 litical, partly of a moral, and partly ot an economi- 
 cal nature, and have been noticed by an acute histo- 
 rian, as "doinghonour to their wisdoin as statesmen, 
 to their morals as men, to their spirit as Colonists." 
 " A plantation" he adds, " reared on such a seed 
 plot, could not fail to grow with rapidity, to advance 
 to maturity, to attract notice of the world."^ 
 
 Three ships with a body of adventurers sailed 
 in 1681, two of which arrived that year. One, the 
 Bristol Factor, brought to, off Chester Creek, and the 
 river freezing the same night, they went on shore, 
 and remained there all winter.f The John and Sarah 
 from London had previously arrived. The other ship 
 having been blown off to one of the West India 
 Islands, arrived in the following year. 
 
 The commissioners appear to have been on board 
 the latter ship, for their arrival is mentioned as hav- 
 ing taken place in June 1682. William Penn him- 
 self having been detained by a variety of concerns, 
 did not embark until the month of August followmg. 
 Previously to which he procured of the Duke of 
 York, a release of his claim upon the province which 
 he or his successors might have in consequence of 
 the deed to him for the same by King Charles. In 
 the same year he obtained from the Duke a grant for 
 the land now the State of Delaware, and in the 
 month and year just mentioned, embarked in the ship 
 Welcome, Robert Greenway, master, with upwards 
 of one hundred passengers, for the New World. 
 In six weeks they saw the wished for coast, and on 
 the 24th of October 1682, he landed at New-Castle 
 in Delaware. 
 
 * Ciialmer's annals, p. 643. t Proud 1. p. 193. 
 
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 9 
 
 Whatever impressions the inhabitants may have 
 received of their future governor from his friends 
 who had preceded him, his conduct on his arrival 
 was sufficient to ensure their attachment. His fleet 
 though numerous, was unaccoinpanled by a single 
 ship of war; their fears therefore, if any existed res- 
 pecting a hostile assertion of his right must have 
 subsided at once. The day subsequent to his arrival 
 he summoned the inhabitants, and formally received 
 the country of them ; a promise of perpetuating their 
 spiritual and temporal rights was made, and the com- 
 missions of all the magistrates renewed. 
 
 It was a happy circumstance that out of twenty 
 three ships which composed the fleet of emigrants, 
 not one was lost. Penn had the satisfaction as he 
 proceeded to find every disposition, on the part of the 
 original settlers, Dutch and Swedes to welcome his 
 arrival, and to submit to his authority. The Swedes 
 in particular, who were by far the most numerous, 
 volunteered their services in unloadmg the vessels, * 
 and in furnishing the passengers with accommoda- 
 tions, until they could provide for themselves : and 
 as a body, deputed Lacy Cock, one of their promi- 
 nent characters, to Chester, to inform him, that " they 
 would love, serve and obey him ;" and no doubt hap- 
 py that the conflicting pretensions to the soil would 
 probably now cease, they added " that it zvas the best 
 day they had ever .9<?fc'n."f 
 
 On the Iburth of December 1682 he called an as- 
 sembly at Upland, (now Chester,) and passed all the 
 laws that had been previously agreed upon in England, 
 with some others. The important consideration, the 
 great incentive to emigration, claimed of course prima- 
 ry attention. The law concerning- liberty of con- 
 science, was therefore placed at the head of the list. 
 
 Swedish records. f Proud 1. p. 206. 
 
10 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 This measure was very natural : the proprietary and 
 his friends having suffered greatly on account o- the 
 difference of their relig)On, and mode o^ v/orship, 
 from that of the established church in ♦- ngland, it 
 was to be expected that provision should be made 
 for the free exercise of forms of worship peculiar 
 to all those who adventured their fortunes under 
 his patronage. Some policy was also evinced in placing 
 a law respecting a measure so dear to the colonists, 
 at the head of those by which they were to be gov- 
 erned, for mankind in all ages have evinced a great- 
 er attachment to the enjoyment of their religion, 
 than the preservation o' their property. 
 
 The title by which William Penn took possession 
 of his territory was such as is deemed valid by all na- 
 tions-a grant from his King, whose own title was deri- 
 ved from the discovery ofthe country by his subjects, 
 and by subsequent conquest from those who disputed 
 his claim thereto ; but Penn thought it necessary to 
 obtain an additional right from the aborigines of the 
 soil by fair and open purchase, and thus says an elo- 
 quent writer* "signalized his arrival by an act of equi- 
 ty which made his person and principles equally belov- 
 ed." This measure was so conformable to the pacific 
 character and principles of Penn himself, that though 
 certainly advised by the Bishop of London,f we 
 cannot but believe would have been adopted of his 
 own accord. A treaty was therefore held with the 
 natives, and the foundation of a friendship estab- 
 lished between them, according to which says Penn 
 they agreed to "live in love as long as the sun gave 
 light." It is not possible to find words more ex- 
 pressive tlian those adopted by the Indian orator 
 on this occasion, and it was a proof of the sincerity 
 with which they were used, that no disposition ap- 
 
 * Ravnal's E. & W. Indies, B. I8th. f Penn's letter. Proud 
 
 1. p. 274. 
 
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 11 
 
 peared on either side to interrupt their harmony du- 
 ring the life time of any o- the parties. The im- 
 pression made upon the minds of the Indians was 
 certainly strong respecting the justness and good 
 will of Penn towards them, from their frequent men- 
 tion of him in treaties held at various times for near 
 a century after his death.* The particular spot at 
 which the first treaty was held, by tradition is said 
 to have been under the venerable elm that lately 
 stood on the Delaware shore at Kensington, but of 
 this there is no record. The treaty however has 
 been immortalized by the pencil of our celebrated 
 countryman West; whose grandfather having been 
 one of the first settlers, and a prominent character, 
 was no doubt present at its ratification. 
 
 Upon a survey of the land on the river, the pre- 
 sent site of the City was perceived to be the most 
 suitable place for the intended town. The approach 
 of the two rivers, the short distance above the mouth 
 of the Schuylkill ; the depth of the Delaware ; the 
 land heavilv timbered ; the existence of a stratum 
 of brick clay on the spot ; immense quarries of build- 
 ing stone in the vicinity, all conspired to determine 
 Penn in his choice of the spot, but the land was al- 
 ready in possession of the Swedes, and justice requi- 
 red that their wishes should be consulted respecting 
 its occupancy. An exchange of the desired site was 
 therefore proposed for land in the vicinity, and hav- 
 
 * Of this there are many i-ecords in treaties preserved. (See 
 Proiids history vol. 1. p 2 14.) On one occasion tliey said "they 
 should never forget the council that William Penn gave them, 
 and that though they could not write, as the English did, yet 
 they could keep in the memory, what was said in their councils." 
 Brother Onas was the title by which they distinguished Penn, 
 and after his death, the State. — In Indian, Onas signifies a Ptn. 
 
12 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 ing been accepted, the City was laid out. It has 
 been transmitted to us, that either under an appre- 
 hension of the unwillingness of the proprietors to part 
 with their land, or irom their actual refusal, the com- 
 missioners previously to the arrival of Penn, had re- 
 solved to establish the town about twelve miles up 
 the iDelaware. 
 
 Civilized nations have ever been anxious to be 
 made acquainted with their origin, and to record 
 their progress from the stages of rude society to 
 comfort, riches, refinement. The history of the foun- 
 ders of Philadelphia is short ; and yet when duly 
 weighed is not without interest : for the hand of a 
 particular Providence was more than once interposed 
 in their behalf, a favour which the pious and grate- 
 ful Quakers did not fail to acknowledge and record.* 
 
 The fleet that accompanied Penn, after landing 
 their goods at the inlet, now knov^n by the name of 
 the dock, then '■'' a sandif beach'''' were laid up for the. 
 winter in the creek now occupied by Dock street; the 
 iirst attention oi the passengers would of course be 
 directed to the means of procuring a shelter Irom 
 the elements. The attention of the aborigines was 
 great, and the Swedes lent them every assistance, 
 which their necessities required, or they themselves 
 could afford. Their privations must nevertheless have 
 been great. They had left comfortable homes, regu- 
 lar establishments, and were now obliged to content 
 themselves with bark huts, which the experience of; 
 the natives taught them to fashion ; or with caves,! 
 which they dug out oi the high bank that overlooked] 
 
 Townsend's testimony. Proud 1. p. 228. 
 
INTIiODUCTORY HISTORY. 13 
 
 the river Delaware, in which many of them passed 
 the first winter. * 
 
 They found a " sky as clear in winter, as in sum- 
 mer, not foul thick or black," and the " air, though cold 
 and piercing, yet did not require more clothes than in 
 England," a circumstance easily explained by the 
 fact, that it was " dry." The grateful nourishing- 
 grain Mayz, or Indian corn, was lound native, and 
 wild animals abounded,! and such was their tame- 
 ness, that they became an easy prey. The river tur- 
 nished varieties of fish, the land was fertile, and as 
 the habits of the settlers induced them to omit no 
 opportunity of providing against the future, famine, 
 which had desolated some of the other American 
 colonies, never visited Pennsylvania. 
 
 Dean Prideaux says:); that Penn had the celebrated 
 city of Babylon in view as a model lor his American 
 town, and from the draft given by the learned divine, 
 the idea as far as regularity was concerned, appears 
 to have been v/ell founded. It would seem also that 
 Penn wished, or thought it practicable to emulate the 
 size at least of the Chaldean capital, for he gave or- 
 ders to his commissioners to lay out a town in the 
 proportion of two hundred acres for every ten thou- 
 sand sold, in which the purchasers of five hundred 
 acres were to have ten. The whole amount sold, 
 having been nearly four hundred thousand acres, the 
 city would have covered an area uf eight thousand 
 
 * In one of these caves the first Pennsylvanian, John Key was 
 born, -who lived to see a regular city built where a wilderness 
 had stood. He died 1767, aged 8-5. 
 
 f Venn's letter to the society of " Free Traders." A deer 
 cost two shillings, a large turkey one shilling; corn was two and 
 sixpence per bushel— Townsend's testimony in Proud's history, 
 vol. l.p.229. , ^ 
 
 1 History of the connexion of the old and new Testament, vol. 1. 
 
14 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 
 
 acres. It was soon perceived that a town in which 
 some of the purchasers were entitled to 400 acres 
 each, some to 200 acres, more to 100 and other large 
 proportions, would never answer the end of a city 
 in a new country, where from the numerous wants 
 necessarily incident to first settlers in a wilderness, 
 and especially of protection, trade, and society, a thick 
 settled neighbourhood was of the first consequence. 
 Instead there ore of a town of twelve and a half square 
 miles, which the original plan had it been executed, 
 would have occupied, one of less than two square 
 miles, or about twelve hundred acres was laid out. 
 According to this plan, a draught of which was 
 liiade by the surveyor general, Thomas Holme, and 
 is still extant, the city extended two squares over the 
 Schuylkill ; this plan was transmitted by the pro- 
 prietary to London, and there prefixed to a long 
 printed letter addressed to a large company of ori- 
 ginal purchasers under the title of "the society of 
 free traders," in which a general description of the 
 country, its production, and of the natives is given. 
 But this plan was again contracted, and by charter 
 of 1701, the city was declared to be bounded by the 
 two rivers Delaware and Schuylkill ; and Vine and 
 ('edar streets, as North and South boundaries. 
 
 The first house erected in Philadelphia was a 
 wooden one, on the East side of Front street, a little 
 North of the place now called " the Dock ;" and is 
 said not to have been finished when Wm. Penn first: 
 arrived. The owner, George Guest, kept a public 
 house there, for many years ; his sign was a blue 
 anchor; this house in early times was a distin- 
 guished place of resort from its vicinity to one of 
 the two landings, with which the town was accommo- 
 dated. The back part of the house now occupied by 
 J. Keen, currier, in Chesnut, opposite Carpenter's 
 court, was among the first (if not the first) brick 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL BESCKIPTIOX. 15 
 
 buildings in the city ; it was built by David 
 Brientniill. William Pcnn's couiitry house was on 
 the Delaware, at Pennsbury manor abovf. Bristol, 
 the frame of which had been sent out from England 
 in the first fleet, but the building was not completed 
 when he aiTived. Here he had a large hall of audi- 
 ence for the reception of the sovereigns of the soil, 
 with whom nineteen treaties were held bv^ him. His 
 oaken arm chair is preserved in the Penns}'lvania hos- 
 pital. 
 
 Topographical Dcsc r'lption. 
 
 Philadelphia lies on a plain nearly level, and on the 
 Western bank of the river Delaware, in 39 degrees 57 
 minutes of North latitude, and 75 degrees 8 min- 
 utes of longitude, W^est of London. It is about 
 120 miles distant from the ocean, by the course of 
 the river, and 60 in a direct line : its elevation above 
 low water mark ranges irom two to forty-six ieet, 
 the highest part being between Seventh and Eighth 
 streets, Irom Schuylkill. 
 
 It derived its name from a city in Asia Minor, 
 celebrated in sacred history, for iis having been the 
 
 seat of an early christian church.* The Indian 
 
 name of the place where the city now stands, was 
 Co-a-que-na-que. 
 
 The immediate substratum of Philadelphia is 
 clay of various hues and degrees of tenacit} , mix- 
 ed with more or less sand, or sand and gravel. 
 
 * The city is about twenty-four miles E:ist of Sardis, and 
 seventy-two from Smyrna, and was the last city in tijose quar- 
 ters that submitted to the Tuiks, after a terrible siege oi' six \ cars. 
 
 It was to this church that St. John was directed U) wriie a 
 consolatory and duective epistle Rev lii — 7- 13. The iimne is 
 comi)osed of two Greek words JPhiios, a friend, and Adelphos, a 
 brother. 
 
10 TOPOGRAPIIIGAL DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Underneath, at various depths, from twenty to near!} 
 forty feet, and also on the opposite shore of New- 
 Jersey, are found a variety of vegetable remains, 
 which evidently appear to have been left there in 
 remote periods of time by the retiring waters : hickory 
 nuts were found a fcAV years since in digging a well, 
 upwards of thirty feet beneath the surface, and the 
 trunk of a Sycamore (buttonwood) tree was discovered 
 m Seventh near Mulberry street, near forty feet below, 
 imbedded in black mud, abounding with leaves and 
 acorns. About 60 feet distance from that place, and 
 nearly at the same depth, a bone was found ; the 
 stratum above was a tough potter's clay. In vari- 
 ous other parts of the city, and even at the distance of 
 several miles in the country, similar discoveries have 
 been made. Shark's teeth are occasionally dug up many 
 feet below the surface, near Mount Holly. All these 
 facts seem to prove the truth of the opinion first de- 
 livered by our countryman, Lewis Evans, that the 
 site of Philadelphia formed part of the sea, whose 
 coast was bounded by a reef of rocks*, some two, 
 three, or six miles broad, rising generally a lit- 
 tle higher than the adjoining land, and extending 
 from New York, westwardly by the i'alls of Dela- 
 ware, Schuylkill, Susquehannah, Gunpowder, Pa- 
 tapsco, Potomack, Rappahannock, James River, and 
 Roanoak, vfhich was the ancient maritime boundary, 
 and forms a regular curve. The clay and other soil 
 which compose the borders of tlie rivers descending 
 from the upland through this tract, are formed by 
 the soil washed down with the floods, and mixed 
 ^'/ith the sand left by the sea. 
 
 "They are formed of Gneiss, Micaceous Schistus and other 
 nrlmitive rockj. 
 
VARIOUS PLANS OF THE CITY. 17 
 
 A lew streams of water originally crossed part of 
 the city plot ; but these in the course of improvement 
 have entirely disappeared. 
 
 The depths of the wells are various in different 
 parts of the city. In the vicinity of the river, water 
 is found at the depth of ten or twelve feet. From the 
 number of causes serving to contaminate the springs 
 in all cities, the water may be reasonably supposed 
 to be impure and of a disagreeable taste. In 1799 
 Mr. Hunter, apothecary, evaporated 220 gallons of 
 water from a pump in Second below Dock street, and 
 found it to contain the following ingredients, 
 12 oz. Chalk. 17 oz. Magnesia. 
 
 32 oz. Salt Petre. 24 oz. Common sea salt. 
 
 Various Flans of the City. 
 
 The original plan was made by Thomas Holme, 
 the first Surveyor General, in the year 1683, and 
 sent to England, where it Vv^as published, and annex- 
 ed to William Penn's letter addressed to ''the Soci- 
 ety of Free Traders," who were the largest origi- 
 nal purchasers of land. By this the city consisted of 
 nine streets running East and West, including 
 High street, near the centre of one hundred feet 
 broad, and twenty streets (besides Broad street of one 
 liundred feet,) crossing the others at right angles. 
 Front street on both rivers was sixty feet broad, all 
 the rest were fifty feet. In the center was left a square 
 of ten acres, at each angle of which, public buildings 
 were to be erected, and in each quarter of the city, a 
 square of eight acres" lor ••' the like uses as the Moor- 
 fields in London."* How little this excellent pro- 
 
 • Moorfields were the great g-jmnusium of London, the resort 
 of wrestlers, runners, and foot-ball players, and every manly re- 
 creation. — I'tnnant'b account of London. 
 B 2 
 
IS VARIOUS PLANS OF THE CITY. 
 
 vision has been attended to, will be seen in the 
 sequel. 
 
 In the year 1768 Nicholas Scull made a survey 
 of the improved parts of the city, which then extend- 
 ed no farther than Eighth street. It was published 
 by the late Matthew Clarkson and Hannah Biddle, 
 and is a useful document, as serving to shew the pre- 
 cise state of improvement at that time. 
 
 In the year 1796 John Hill published a large plan 
 of the city. 
 
 In the year 1794 Benjamin Davies published one, 
 including theNoithern Liberties and Southwark, dis- 
 tinguishing by shaded squares the parts then improv- 
 ed. 
 
 In 1808 Mr. Hill, above mentioned, published a 
 map of a circle, ten miles round Philadelphia, inclu- 
 ding New Jersey which gives a good idea of the 
 country embraced by it. 
 
 Mr. J. A. Paxton has recently published a very 
 accurate map of the city and liberties, with a pam- 
 phlet explanatory ol the same, which cannot fail to be 
 highly useful as a statistical document, and to stran- 
 gers will be particularly valuable. 
 
 In 1782, a law was passed for the regulation of 
 the streets, of the natural water courses, and the 
 common sewers ; and city regulators* appointed to 
 execute the duty thus enjoined. By them the north 
 and south lines of the city were marked agreeably to 
 law, and also the lines of all the streets, and plans 
 formed of them, which are preserved in the city sur- 
 veyor's office. 
 
 * J. Lukens, David Rittenhouse, Thomas Neville, William 
 MoiUder, and James I'earson. 
 
DEI^UVARE AND SCHUYLKILL. 19 
 
 The river Delaware is formed by the union of 
 two streams that take their origin in the state of 
 New York, and flowing south, receives the Lexawac- 
 sein creek in Wayne county, one hundred and 
 fourteen miles above Easton : the Lehigh at Eas- 
 ton sixty miles above Philadelphia, and the Schuyl- 
 kill as already stated, six miles below the city, besides 
 many creeks on the Jersey and Pennsylvania sides. 
 Opposite to the city it is thirteen hundred and six- 
 ty two yards wide, and so far is navigable for ves- 
 sels of any tonnage : vessels of lesser burthen go thirty 
 miles higher to Trenton falls, at which place the tide 
 ceases. Off the city it rises five or six leet in common 
 times, but during long continued and violent north- 
 east winds, it rises from seven to nine feet. On the 
 contrary, during strong north-west winds, very low 
 tides have been known, and rocks have been discover- 
 ed with the naked eye near the upper ferry on the Jer- 
 sey shore. These were seen in March 1769, and again 
 in March 1 796. They were then seven or eight feet 
 out of water, and eighteen feet across, bearing the 
 initials of many names. In February 1810, they were 
 two feet out. The Indian name oi the Delaware was 
 Poutaxat. 
 
 The Schuylkill, the western boundary of the city, 
 rises in Luzerne countv, one hundred and forty miles 
 from its mouth. It is navigable irom the falls above 
 Philadelphia in boats, about ninety miles. From its 
 mouth, six miles below Philadelphia, to the falls, 
 loaded sloops go up, a distance about seven miles. 
 On a range with Vine street, it measures 1264 feet ; 
 on a range with Cedar street, it measures 2040 feet. 
 
 Most of our rivers, retain their Indian names ; but 
 Schuylkill signifies in low Dutch, a "hidden river," or 
 hiding river, an appellation derived in all probability 
 from the circumstance of the secret settlements of 
 the people of Maryland upon its shores, or from its 
 
20 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 
 
 running into the interior, beyond the researches of 
 the settlers. Dr. Collin* says that it was also called 
 "Skserk;ll," in the Swedish publications. Holme, in his 
 mapf calls it Nittabaconck. Ma-nai-unk is another 
 Indian name. 
 
 General Description. 
 
 Philadelphia now consists of the original nine 
 streets running East and West from Delaware to 
 Schuylkill, and thirteen crossing the others nearly at 
 right angles : of the former, High street which is near 
 the centre, is one hundred feet broad, and Mulberry:|: 
 sixty-six feet : all the rest are fifty feet. Those running 
 north and south are all fifty feet in breadth, except 
 Broad street, which is one hundred and thirteen feet 
 broad. Juniper street between Broad and Thirteenth 
 street, which is twenty eight feet, and Front streets 
 on both rivers which are sixty feet broad. 
 
 There are also four streets that run to Schuylkill, 
 from different distances eastward, viz. Lombard 
 from Front street, Locust from the south-east pub- 
 lic square ; George from Sixth street ; Filbert from 
 Eighth street ; Cherry from third street ; all these 
 are about fiity feet wide except Cherry and George 
 streets, which are about forty feet. There are thir- 
 teen streets from Delaware to Broad street, and 
 eight from the latter to Schuylkill. By the original 
 plan as before noticed. Broad street was placed ex- 
 actly in the middle, eleven streets being each side 
 of it. 
 
 * Minister of the Swedish church. 
 
 + Inserted in his account of New Sweden. 
 
 i This street has derived its name of " /irch street" from the 
 
 circumstance of an arch liaving been built under Front street to 
 
 effect a passage to the river. This arch was removed in 1720 by 
 
 the corporation of tiic City. 
 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 21 
 
 The streets running east and west are named, with 
 the exception of High street, from the native trees-. 
 Beginning at the northern boundary ; they are Vine, 
 Sassafras, Mulberry, (High), Chesnut, Walnut, 
 Spruce, Pine, and Cedar streets. Union street be- 
 tween Spruce and Pine, was not an original street, 
 and runs only irom Front to Fourth street. The 
 streets running north and south, derive their names 
 from their numeral order, counting irom each river, as 
 Front, Second, Third, &c. The streets were laid out 
 N. 18 degrees E. In 1742 they were found to be 
 15 degrees E. At present they are nine degrees.— 
 The variation ot the compass is two degrees west. 
 
 Besides the foregoing, there are many other streets 
 not in the original plot, that have been laid out either 
 by the state government or individuals, somevof which 
 extend through from where they commence, to the 
 Schuylkill, others only through one or more squares. 
 Among these may be mentioned, that laid out bv 
 William Sansom, esq. situate between Chesnut and 
 IWalnut streets, and west of Seventh street. — It is 
 Isixty feet wide ; the houses ai-e built agreeably to his 
 plan, strictly uniform in height and external appear- 
 ance. In Walnut also between seventh and eighth 
 istreets, and Second above Callowhill street, rows of 
 houses have been built, or caused to be built by him, 
 which have greatly tended to ornament the city, and 
 accommodate the inhabitants. 
 
 Ot the north and south streets, three have been 
 iformed, in the following way. Originally the distance 
 jfrom Eleventh to Broad street was five hundred and 
 ■twenty eight feet, but by a new applotment. Broad 
 istreet was placed farther westward, and hence two 
 inew squares were formed, the easternmost of which 
 is three hundred and ninety-six feet long, and the 
 west five hundred and twenty-eight feet ; through 
 the middle of the latter. Juniper street was laid 
 
23 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 
 
 out by order of the executive council during the 
 war. Twelfth and Thirteenth streets were added, of 
 fifty feet each. Broad street was originally one hun- 
 dred feet broad, but in regulating the several squares 
 from Eighth street westward, thirteen feet of sur- 
 plus ground were found, which were of course added 
 to Broad street. 
 
 Dock strett is the only street in the city, not cross- 
 ed by another at right angles. Beginning at the 
 Bridge in Front sreet, it extends northward in a 
 serpentine tract, through two squares, across Second 
 *and Walnut streets, and terminates at Third street ; 
 another branch of it extends south westward, across 
 Spruce street, and terminates at Second street ; the 
 ground occupied by this street, and by an open space 
 between it and Spruce street* below the bridge, was 
 formerly a swamp and was given by William Penn 
 " for the common use and service of the city, and 
 all others, with liberty to dig docks, and make har- 
 bours for ships and vessels, in all or any part of 
 the said swampf". The creek it was supposed would 
 prove a great convenience to the inhabitants, by the 
 facility it would afford of transporting fuel to the 
 interior ; and a wooden draw -bridge was erected near 
 the mouth oi the inlet, to admit cra't up. The sides 
 of the canal were also supported by stone walls ; but 
 the small force of the current favouring the disposi- 
 tion of the mud suspended in the water, occasioned 
 a rapid accumulation of it, and at low water was high- 
 ly offensive : it was thereiore at an early period arched 
 from Third to Walnut street. In 1784, the arch was 
 continued to near Spruce street. It was however used 
 as a canal in early times, and a respectable citizen now 
 living, relates, that the late Israel Pemberton pointed 
 out the place, where a sloop once lay that was 
 consigned to him xrom Barbadoes, loaded with rum. 
 
 * Now a board yard. \ Charter of the tity. 
 
GEXEKAL DESCRIPTION. 25 
 
 It was on the spot where now stands the building 
 lately occupied by the United States bank.* By the 
 arching ol the dock, a handsome airy street, trom 
 ninety to one hundred feet wide, has been acquired. 
 Water street, which is about thirty feet wide, 
 runs from the North line of the city, and beyond 
 it, to the bridge landmg, formed no part of the 
 original plan : it was left as a convenient communi- 
 cation irom the '' Pennypot landing" at Vine street, 
 to the " Blue Anchor," at the bridge ; the high bank 
 along the Delaware, preventing access to the VVest- 
 Iwardat other places. In the year 1684, an address 
 j had been presented to the proprietary by those con- 
 cerned in the front lots, claiming the privilege to build 
 stoi-es against the bank ; and to use them as their 
 right : in answer to which Penn declared his intention 
 to reserve " the top of the bank, as a common exchange 
 or walk," but permitted " stores to be built," expressly 
 providing that they should not be raised higher than 
 four feet above the bank. One of these stores built 
 . upon this plan, is to be seen at this day in front above 
 Sassalras street. In 1690, during his residence in Eng- 
 land, an appeal was made to the commissionei's of pro- 
 perty, on the subject, who yielding to the solicitations 
 of the inhabitants, formally granted, in writing, liberty 
 to build as high as they pleased, provided they left thir- 
 ty feet Oi ground tor a cart way under and along the 
 i said bank for ever ; when necessary, they were re- 
 > quired to wharf out, in order to preserve the proper 
 : breadth : those willing to have steps up into their 
 houses, were required to leave convenient room to 
 make the same upon their own ground ; and between 
 two adjoining public streets, there was to be left 
 
 * After the cyeekhad been stopped out, Mr. Pemberton occiu 
 pied the ground as a garden, which ran parallel with Third 
 street to his house, situated on the spot now occupied by the 
 Farmers and Mechanics bank, and by the house east of it. 
 
24 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 
 
 at least ten feet of ground for a public stairs, 
 clear of all buildings over the same. The permis- 
 sion was gladly accepted, and the whole bank has in 
 consequence, been built upon ; and not a house as 
 far as Pine street, has a single foot of yard room. 
 
 This deviation from the original plan is much to be 
 regretted, as had that been adhered to, a pleasing view 
 of the Delaware from Front street would have been 
 obtained, and thus have not only added greatly to 
 the beauty of the city, but have admitted a refresh- 
 ing body of air from the river, and prevented the ac- 
 cumulation of filth, which, to the great injury of the" 
 inhabitants, has, and ever will be the consequence of: 
 the erection of dwellings in such confined situations. 
 
 Southward of Pine street, there is an offset of: 
 about eighty feet eastward, and the street from thence 
 to Cedar street, the southern boundary of the city, 
 is forty-five feet wide, and called Penn street. 
 
 The elevations of the streets and water courses 
 are regulated by the mayor, recorder, and aldermen, 
 with the assistance oi city svirveyors ; but the duty 
 is in general entrusted to the latter, except on par- 
 ticular occasions. 
 
 In the beginning of the settlement it was expected, 
 that the fronts on both rivers would be first improv- 
 ed for the convenience of trade and navigation, andl 
 that the buildings would extend gradually in the rear 
 of each until they would meet and form one town, 
 extending from East to West, but experience soon 
 convinced the settlers that the Delaware front was^ 
 alone sufficient for quays and landing places, andj 
 that the Schuylkill lay at too great a distance to ibrm 
 part of the town on its banks ; the greater depth of 
 water and the navigation of the Delaware were also 
 reasons that soon operated with the settlers to cause 
 a preference to be given to the eastern front ; whence 
 it followed, that the town increased northward and 
 
GKX'ERAL DESCRIPTION. 25 
 
 seuthward of the origiaal plot, upon the Delaware 
 front, and now occupies a space nearly three miles in 
 length. North and South, while the buildings in the 
 middle, where they are most extended, reach little 
 more than a mile from the Delaware. 
 
 The wharves are built of square casements of logs, 
 filled in with earth and stone. — The city is lighted by 
 1132 lamps, inclosed in glass lantherns, fixed on the 
 tops of posts placed on the edges of the foot-way. — - 
 The lamps under the market houses are lighted eveiy 
 evening at dusk, and continue burning until daylight. 
 The other lamps are lighted only on those nights 
 when the moon does not give sufficient light — 14,355 
 gallons of lamp-oil wei'e used last year. 
 
 The improved parts oi the city are paved with 
 
 round stones, brought from the bed of the river at 
 
 Trenton falls. The foot-ways are paved with brick, 
 
 and raised on a level with the highest part of the 
 
 street, and defended from the approach of carriages 
 
 by ranges of curb stone. The expense of these are 
 
 I borne by the owners of houses. The middle of the 
 
 j street is a few inches higher than the part next the 
 
 I pavement, and as the descent is gradual, the water runs 
 
 off with facility, and passes off by the culverts, (the 
 
 mouths of which open in various streets) to the river. 
 
 The houses are from two to four stories high, and 
 
 are built of brick, the superiority of which is well 
 
 ; known throughout the United States. 
 
 !j In general, the houses are covered with cedar shin- 
 
 I gles, but slate is rapidly coming into use, and will it 
 
 j is hoped, be universally used. The style of architec- 
 
 Iture has hitherto been very plain, and a degree of 
 
 uniformity has prevailed, which to intelligent stran- 
 
 '" gers has always appeared a striking defect. The flights 
 
 of steps and the cellar doors protruding into the 
 
 pavement, and diminishing its breadth, are striking 
 
 errors. — The internal construction of dwellings sel- 
 
 c 
 
 
26 GENERAL DESCRIPTION, 
 
 dom permit the use of a stove in the entries, although 
 obviously required by the nature or our climate, and 
 essential to the comfort, nay health of delicate con- 
 stitutions. 
 
 Of late however, an evident improvement has ta- 
 ken place, and there can be no doubt, that if a good 
 example were set, an entire revolution would take 
 place. The front walls of the houses are fourteen 
 mches thick, and the internal walls nine inches. 
 
 The edges of the pavements are planted in many 
 streets with Lombardy Poplars, for the introduc- 
 tion of which we are indebted to William Hamilton 
 Esq. who brought them from England about the year 
 1784. They serve not only greatly to ornament the 
 city, but to promote public health by the circulation 
 of air they produce, and the shade they afford during 
 summer : — enough to overbalance the trifling incon- 
 venience arising irom the tendency of the roots to 
 force up the pavement, and which has been offered 
 as an argument against their propagation in the 
 city. 
 
 The number of squares originally was 1 84, but at 
 present they amount to 252, — Their dimensions are 
 as follows, 
 From Delaware Front street to 
 
 Second street . . 396 Feet 
 
 Second to Third . , 500 
 
 Third to Fourth . , 375 
 
 Fourth to Fifth . . 401 
 
 Fifth to Sixth . . .398 
 
 Sixth to Thirteenth, each square is 396 
 Thirteenth to Juniper . 250 
 
 Juniper to Broad . . 250 
 
 Broad to Third, each . 396 
 
 Third to Second . . 495 
 
 Second to P'ront . . . 396 
 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. '27 
 
 The above squares are co-extensive with the city 
 North and South. 
 
 From Front to Ashton street 273 feet, at 
 
 all places, except North of Sassafras and Vine, 
 where the width of said square is only 264 feet 
 Ashton to Beech . . 240 
 
 Beech to Willow . . .267 
 Beech is open to Locust, and Willow to Pine street. 
 The dimensions of the squares from North to 
 South, according to Mr. Howell, city surveyor, are 
 From Vine to Sassafras . . 632 feet 
 
 Sassafras to Cherry . . 288 
 
 Cherry to Mulberry . 288 
 
 Mulberry to Filbert . . 307 
 
 Filbert to High . . 30G 
 
 High to Chesnut . . . 484 
 
 Chesnut to George . .233 
 
 George to Walnut , . 235 
 
 Walnut to Locust . . . 370 
 Locust to Spruce t • 400 
 
 Spruce to Pine . . • 473 
 
 Pine to Lombard . . . 282 
 Lombard to Cedar . . 322 
 
 From High to Vine street, the measurement was 
 taken along the streets respectively in all parallels. — 
 From High street Southward, the measurement was 
 taken along Broad street, and applies Eastward and 
 Westward. — Thus the distance from the Northern 
 to the Southern boundary of the city proper is 4,322 
 feet, and from Delaware to Schuylkill, along High 
 street, is 4,893 feet. 
 
 Shortly after the incorporation of the city, a law 
 was passed for numbering the houses, and marking 
 the streets, lanes, and alleys at every intersection 
 with each other, — a measure which together with the 
 regularity of the streets, greatly facilitates the stran- 
 ger in his search for a citizen. The numbers in the 
 
28 GENERAL DESCRIPTIOX. 
 
 Streets lying East and West, begin with No. 1, on 
 the North J and No. 2, on the South sides at the 
 river Delaware, or other Eastern commencement of 
 the street, and proceed westward ; all the houses 
 marked with odd numbers, are on the North side of 
 the waj% and all those marked with even numbers, 
 on the South. 
 
 The numbers in the streets lying North and South, 
 begin at the corners of High street, with No. 1, on 
 the East, and No. 2. on the West side. High street 
 is considered as the middle line of division, and the 
 parts of these lying North of it, has the addition of 
 North to their names, and those lying South, the addi- 
 tion of South ; the numbers proceed North and South 
 from High street, having all the odd numbers on the 
 East, and all the even numbers on the West side. 
 A board is fixed up at eveiy intersection, on which 
 the names of the streets, crossing one another, are 
 painted. 
 
 Previously to 1800, the city was divided into 
 wards in a very irregular manner, but in that year 
 the following judicious arrangement was made. 
 
 The city was divided into fourteen wards, seven 
 of which commence at the river Delaware and end 
 at Fourth street, and seven begin at Fourth street and 
 continue to the river Schuylkill or western boundary 
 of the city. The regular plan of the streets into North 
 and South, East and West, favours this division, , 
 which will be readily understood by the following 
 plan. 
 
PLAN OF THE 14 WARDS OF PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 NORTH. 
 
 29 
 
 
 Vine 
 
 a 
 < 
 
 w 
 
 H 
 P^ 
 o 
 
 'A 
 
 c 
 
 q 
 
 (A 
 
 -i'^ree^ 
 
 
 North Mulberry ward. 
 
 Upper Delaware ward. 
 
 
 J^ace or 
 
 Sassafras Street. 
 
 
 South Mulberry ward. 
 
 Lower Delaware ward. 
 
 
 Arch or 
 
 Mulberry Street. 
 
 1 
 
 North ward. 
 
 High Street ward. 
 
 o 
 
 Market or 
 
 Hig-h Street. 
 
 < 
 g 
 
 Middle ward. 
 
 Chesnut ward. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Chesnut 
 
 Street. 
 
 i 
 
 South ward. 
 
 Walnut ward. 
 
 Wabiut 
 
 Street. 
 
 ■r 
 
 Locust ward. 
 
 Dock ward. 
 
 
 Spruce 
 
 Street. 
 
 
 Cedar ward. 
 
 New Market ward. 
 
 '! 
 
 South or 
 
 Cedar Street. 
 
 SOUTH, 
 C 2 
 
30 - POPULATION. 
 
 When William Penn first came to this country^ 
 he found it possessed by about three thousand Euro- 
 peans, Swedes, Dutch, and English, who were scat- 
 tered from New-Castle to the falls of Delaware. Two 
 thousand of his countrymen accompanied him from 
 England, and in two years after, when he embarked 
 to return, he left eighty houses and cottages in the 
 capital. Population flowed in rapidly from a variety 
 of causes. The religious bigotry of the English gov- 
 ernment had rendered a large body of industrious 
 people much dissatisfied ; the character of Penn 
 stood high with his sect, and he was known to be a 
 favourite at court. The patent for the tract of land, had 
 been drawn by an able statesman, under an express in- 
 junction that it should "give sufficient encouragement 
 to settlers :" it was particularly dictated, so as to 
 avoid those disputes that had occurred in the case 
 of the colony of Massachusetts, and afforded security 
 from the interference by an arbitrary court which was 
 of no small importance. But the liberal principles 
 adopted by Penn in the " conditions with the settlers," 
 contributed perhaps more than any other cause to the 
 increase of population. Property was secured to the 
 labouring class, by the allotment of " fifty acres to 
 a servant at the end ot his time." To men deprived of 
 all hopes of power or office by the existence of privi- 
 leged orders, it was a strong inducement to emigrate, 
 that " all inhabitants paying scot and lot to the go- 
 vernment shall be eligible as a representative of the 
 people ;" a provision embracing a greater number 
 by the addition of another article, that " no person 
 shall enjoy more than one public office at a time." 
 Confidence was given to those disposed to supply 
 the wants of the colonists, by compelling " factors, 
 wronging their employers, to make satisfaction, and 
 one third over ;" and religious controversy could 
 irot disturb their repose, when none, " acknowledging 
 
POPULATION. 31 
 
 . ! me Almighty God, and living peaceably in society, 
 L could be molested for their religion, nor compelled to 
 \ frequent or maintain any religious ministry what- 
 I ever." 
 
 |j In the short space of three years after the settle- 
 i ment of Penn, fifty sail of vessels arrived, filled with 
 ■ passengers from different countries. The tyranny of 
 the German Princes contributed greatly to this num- 
 ber. So many of their subjects arrived at an early date, 
 that government was alarmed at their increase ; but 
 their habits were industrious and retired, and dis- 
 persing in various directions, they diffused im- 
 provements, and silently, but steadily contributed 
 in an eminent degree to the prosperity of the coun- 
 try. 
 
 
 Dwelling houses. 
 
 Inhabitants 
 
 In 1683* there were 
 
 80 
 
 
 1700 
 
 700 
 
 
 1749t 
 
 2,076 
 
 
 1753 
 
 2,300 
 
 14,563 
 
 1760 
 
 2,960 
 
 18,756 
 
 1769 
 
 4,474 
 
 28,042 
 
 1776 
 
 5,460 
 
 
 1783 
 
 6,000 
 
 
 1790 
 
 6,651 
 
 
 
 415 Stores and 
 
 Workshops, 
 
 1801 
 
 11,200 
 
 
 18051 
 
 13,461 
 
 
 * Penn's letter. Proud 1. p. 263. i Robinson's Directory. 
 
 f The enumeration of 1749, was made by citizens of the first 
 respectability. 
 
 Mulberry ward, by Dr. Franklin — Dock ward, Joseph Ship- 
 pen.~Lower Delaware, William Allen, ((Jhief Justice)— Upper 
 
32 
 
 POPULATIOJf. 
 
 The followhig enumeration from the Directory^ was 
 taken by James Robinson and John A. Paxton in 
 November^ 1810. By which it appears the city con- 
 tains thirteen thousand two hundred and forty one 
 Buildings^ of which seven hundred and thirty seven 
 are new. 
 
 
 Brick 
 
 Frame 
 
 Total 
 
 Dwelling Houses 
 
 - 6351 
 
 2523 
 
 8874 
 
 Store Houses 
 
 1053 
 
 159 
 
 1212 
 
 Manufacturing Buildings 
 
 161 
 
 69 
 
 230 
 
 Public Buildings 
 
 - 131 
 
 25 
 
 156 
 
 Stables, Workshops, &c. 
 
 944 
 
 1825 
 
 2769 
 
 Totals. 8640 4601 13241 
 
 Northern Liberties^ built part f exclusive of Kensing' 
 ton) contains four thousand two hundred and eigh- 
 ty^ of which txvo hundred and seventy-two are 
 
 New. 
 
 Dwelling Houses 
 Store Houses 
 Manufacturing Buildings 
 Public Buildings 
 Stables, Workshops, &c. 
 
 Brick 
 1556 
 93 
 42 
 10 
 64 
 
 Frame 
 
 1442 
 
 76 
 
 49 
 
 9 
 
 939 
 
 Total 
 
 2998 
 
 169 
 
 91 
 
 19: 
 
 1003 
 
 Totals. 1765 2515 4280! 
 
 Delaware, Thomas Hopkinson. — South ward and Southern sub-; 
 urbs, Edward Shippen. — High street, Thomas Lawrence, ju 
 Walnut, William llumphi-eys. — Chesnut, Joseph Turner. — NortI 
 ■ward and Northern suburbs, Dr. William Shippen — Middle ward^ 
 William Coleman. 
 
 The alteration of the division of the wards in 1830, renders 5 
 impossible to judge of the comparative increase of population j 
 the several quarters of the city. 
 
POPULATION. 53 
 
 Penn Toxunship^ built parts, contains nine hundred atid 
 thirty-six Buildings ^ of which Jifty seven are Nexv. 
 
 
 Brick 
 
 Frame 
 
 Total 
 
 Dwelling Houses 
 
 - 225 
 
 292 
 
 517 
 
 Store Houses 
 
 . 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 Manufacturing Buildings 
 
 - 4 
 
 8 
 
 12 
 
 Public Buildings 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 Stables, Workshops, &c. 
 
 - 76 
 
 324 
 
 400 
 
 Totals. 307 629 936 
 
 Kensington contains eight hundred and sixty nine 
 Buildings, of xvhich ffty-two are New* 
 
 Brick Frame Total 
 Dwelling Houses 
 Store Houses 
 Manufacturing Buildings 
 Public Buildings 
 Stables, Workshops, &c. 
 
 Totals. 205 664 869 
 
 Southwark, built parts, contaiyis two thousand seven 
 hundred and thirty-nine buildings, of which one 
 hundred and txuenty-eight are New. 
 
 Brick Frame Total 
 
 184 
 
 431 
 
 615 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 14 
 
 217 
 
 231 
 
 Dwelling Houses 
 
 834 
 
 1466 
 
 2301 
 
 Store Houses 
 
 36 
 
 32 
 
 68 
 
 Manufacturing Buildings 
 
 10 
 
 19 
 
 29 
 
 Public Buildings 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 13 
 
 Stables, Workshops, &c. 
 
 14 
 
 314 
 
 328 
 
 Totals, 902 1837 2739 
 
-34 POPULATIO^^. 
 
 Moyamensing and Passifiink^ north of Federal road^ 
 contains seven hundred and four buildings^ oj xvhkh 
 forty-nhie are Next;. 
 
 Dwelling Houses 
 Store Houses 
 Manufacturing Buildings 
 Public Buildings 
 Stables, Workshops, &c. 
 
 Brick Frame Total 
 
 82 
 
 427 
 
 509 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 12 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 8 
 
 16 
 
 157 
 
 173 
 
 Totals. 109 595 704. 
 ^a all 15,814 dwelling HousesX 
 
POPULATION. 
 
 53 
 
 The following table will serve to shew the progres- 
 sive population oi the city and liberties, more particu- 
 larly, since the establishment of the federal govern- 
 ment. 
 
 
 FREE 
 WHITES 
 
 SLAVES 
 
 FREE PER- 
 SONS NOT 
 TAXED 
 
 TOTAL 
 
 1790. 
 
 
 
 
 
 City 
 
 26,918 
 
 193 
 
 1,411 
 
 28,522 
 
 Northern Liberties 
 
 8,129 
 
 34 
 
 174 
 
 8,337 
 
 Southwark 
 
 5,421 
 
 29 
 
 211 
 
 5,661 
 
 Passyunk 
 
 833 
 
 
 52 
 
 884 
 
 Moyamensing 
 
 1,394 
 
 
 298 
 
 1,592 
 
 1800. 
 
 
 
 
 
 City 
 
 36,955 
 
 55 
 
 4,210 
 
 41,220 
 
 Northern Liberties 
 
 16,010 
 
 
 960 
 
 16,970 
 
 Southwark 
 
 8,773 
 
 
 848 
 
 9,621 
 
 Passymik 
 
 831 
 
 
 53 
 
 884 
 
 Moyamensing 
 
 1,294 
 
 
 298 
 
 1,592 
 
 1810. 
 
 
 
 
 
 City 
 
 47,368 
 
 2* 
 
 6,352j 
 
 53,722 
 
 Northern Liberties 
 
 20,348 
 
 
 1,210 
 
 21,558 
 
 Southwark 
 
 12,327 
 
 
 1,380 
 
 13,707 
 
 Passyunk 
 
 968 
 
 
 24 
 
 992 
 
 Moyamensing 
 
 2,178 
 
 
 709 
 
 2,887 
 
 Penn:t^ 
 
 3,640 
 
 
 158 
 
 3,798 
 
 * See account of the abolition Society, 
 f Robinson's Directory for l8ll, states the nuinber of blacks 
 •it 9,607. 
 
 i Formerly part of Northern Liberties. 
 
S6 POPULATION. 
 
 In 1790 the total inhabitants of the 14 city wards 
 by the general census, was 28,522 
 
 Slaves . . 193 
 
 Free persons not taxed 1,411 
 
 1,604 
 
 26,918 
 
 In 1800, . • . 41,220 
 
 Slaves . . 55 
 
 Free persons not taxed 4,210 
 
 4,265 
 
 36,955 
 
 Increase 10,037; 
 
 In 1810, . . . 53,722 
 
 Slaves .... 2 
 Free persons not taxed 6,352 
 
 6354 
 
 47,368 
 
 Increase 10,413 
 
 In 1 800 the number of inhabitants in the built parts 
 of the Northern Liberties was 10,718 }' 
 
 Free persons not taxed 714 
 
 I 
 i 
 10,0041 
 
 In 1810, 19,874 
 
 Free persons not taxed 1,137 
 
 18,73! 
 
 Increase 8,73 
 
 In 1 800 the number of inhabitants in the built partj' 
 of Southwark, was 6414 
 
 Free persons not taxed 565 
 
 5,84i 
 
POPULATION. 37 
 
 In 1810, in Southwark and Moyamensing, built 
 parts 14,796 
 
 Free persons not taxed 2,038 
 
 • ■ 12,758 
 
 Increase 6,909 
 The above returns have been taken from the origi- 
 nal documents in the marshal's office, and the accu- 
 racy oi the results may be depended on. In forming 
 anestimate of the city population, only the thickly built 
 parts of Southw^ark, Passyunk, and Mo's'amensing, 
 adjoining the southern quarter of the city, liave been 
 taken into the account ; the same rule has been ob- 
 served with respect to the Northern Liberties. Had 
 the scattered population been taken into considera- 
 tion, the sum total of the whites would have been in- 
 creased in 1810, to about 2,000 sovds more. The 
 whole population of the citv and county of Philadel- 
 phia in 1810, was 111,210.* 
 
 Every one knows that Philadelphia has suffered 
 severely by the American pestilence, commonly cal- 
 led yellow fever, and as it may be satisfactory to know 
 the number of deaths in different years, and they will 
 serve to shew how much greater would have been our 
 increase, had we had no pestilence, the following 
 statement is given. 
 
 DEATHS. j DEATHS. 
 
 In the year 1793. | In the year 1797. 
 
 August, . 361 August . 303 
 
 September . . 1,514 | September . . 579 
 
 October . 2,045 October . 386 
 
 November . 82 November . 24 
 
 4,002 1,292 
 
 * The population of the city of New York, embracing' the 
 •^^-hole island, is 96,372. 
 
 D 
 
POPULATION, 
 
 DEATHS. DEATHS. 
 
 In the year 1798. I In the year 1799. 
 
 August . 626 I August . 375 
 
 September . . 2,004 September . 46j 
 
 October . 943 | October . 175 
 
 November . 64 j 
 
 I 1,015 
 
 3,637 I 
 
 DEATHS 
 
 
 In the year 1802. 
 
 
 August 
 
 262 
 
 September 
 
 . 284 
 
 October 
 
 289 
 
 Thus in five years we lost ten thousand seven, 
 hundred and eighty-one persons. The same disease 
 prevailed in one thousand seven hundred and ninety 
 four, five and six, with more violence than in 1802,. 
 but no particular account was kept of the deaths by it. 
 
 Several reasons may be assigned why the popula- 
 tion of the city has increased so rapidly, notwith- 
 standing numerous attacks of a sweeping pestilence, 
 ,^ince the Census of 1790. 
 
 1st. From the ease with which a competence is 
 obtained, the number of marriages is very great. 
 Futurity never enters into the calculation of a cou- 
 ple desirous of uniting ; they know that whatever be 
 the calling of the man, he can easily make more than 
 will support his family, if he be industrious, and 
 blest v/ith health. 
 
 2d. The great encouragement given to every class 
 of mechanics, induces more ofthem to settle here than! 
 m other cities. 
 
POPULATION. 35 
 
 3d. A general amelioration of the public health — 
 This happy effect is to be ascribed to the following 
 causes : 
 
 1st. The arching of the creek, running from near 
 Spruce in the site of Dock street. The intention 
 of leaving this creek by the original proprietor, Vv 11- 
 liam Penn, has been already mentioned, and with 
 this view, its banks were supported by stone walls ; 
 but its bed filled so rapidly with mud, that it became 
 useless as a canal for boats, and for many years re- 
 mained a great nuisance. It was the receptacle of 
 an immense mass of animal and vegetable offall mat- 
 ters, which poisoned the air by the exhalations arising 
 from them, and the muddy bed, by the action of the 
 sun on them when the tide was out. A conviction of 
 its injurious effects, induced Doctor Rush to point it 
 out as a proper object of legislative attention, and re- 
 commended the arching of it as a measure essen- 
 tially connected with the health of the city. The 
 people of the present day, who now enjoy the great 
 advtmtage of an airy street, and see the large stores 
 built in place of the receptacles of poverty, vice, 
 and filth, will learn with astonishment, that a violent 
 opposition was made to the measure by many citi- 
 zens, and that the benevolent and patriotic guardian of 
 the public health, " stood alone" among his breth- 
 ren in the recommendation of the measure. After 
 a full discussion of the question by the legislature, a 
 law was passed in 1784 for arching the creek. It is a 
 fact, that typhus fevers generally ,5 and the destruc- 
 tive cholera, or bowel complaint which destroyed so 
 great a proportion of the children under the age of 
 18 months, who were within the influence of the 
 pestilential air of this dock, have diminished so evi- 
 dently as to strike even common observers. 
 
40 CLIMATE. 
 
 2d. The cultivation of the lots adjoining the city, 
 many of which were low and retained water, and 
 thus gave rise to poisonous exhalations. 
 
 3d. Greater attention to cleanliness in the streets. 
 
 4th. Increase of horticulture. By inducing greater 
 consumption of vegetables, and consequently a dimi- 
 nution in the use of animal food, the tendency to fe-" 
 brile complaints is lessened. 
 
 5th. The institution of a Dispensary, M'hich has 
 extended medical relief to thousands, who might have 
 suffered from inability to pay a regular physician, or 
 have fallen under the hands of pretenders to medi- 
 cine. 
 
 6th. Improvements in the healing art*. 
 
 7th. The increase of knowledge among all classes 
 of people, w^hence they are better acquainted with 
 the means of preserving health. 
 
 Climate. 
 
 A considerable change has taken place in the cli- 
 mate of Philadelphia, in common with the state at 
 large, during the last forty years. Our winters are 
 less uniformly cold, and more variable, and our 
 summers less uniformly warm than before the date 
 just mentioned. The Delaware for many years past 
 has not afforded the diversion of skating for more 
 than two weeks at a time, and seldom so long, while 
 formerly during four or six weeks, it was the scene 
 of pastime and manly exercises. In the year 1704 
 snow fell one yard deep, in the winter 1739-40 the 
 river was frozen until the 15th of March : but in that 
 year the cold was intense all over Europe. 
 
 In the winter of 1779-80 the Delaware continued 
 frozen for three months, an ox was roasted on the 
 
 See articles " Disease, Mortality. 
 
CLIMATE. 41 
 
 ice, and the British army passed over from Ne%v 
 York to Paulus Hook on the ice. The ground was 
 frozen for four and five feet in depth, and plants and 
 animals suffered gi^eatly. In 1790, after opening and 
 shutting several times, the river closed on the 18th of 
 December, and remained so until the eighteenth of 
 Jamiary 1791. After this period, it closed and open- 
 ed often, but was not completely navigable until the 
 end of the month. The preceding season had been 
 uncommonly mild, and it was even reported that 
 boys had bathed in the river on the second of Jan- 
 uary, 1790. A heavy fall of snow after the middle 
 of December, generally preceded the formation of ice, 
 and subsequent freezing of the river. But sometimes 
 the river is completely frozen over in a single night, 
 and passable the next day. Such an occurrence took 
 place on 31st December 1764, 7th of January 1791, 
 and 6th of December 1797; and in other years. 
 But although not uniformly cold in modern times 
 as formerly, yet intensely cold weather occasionally 
 is experienced. Thus in 1788 on the sixth of Febru- 
 ary the thermometer of Farenheit stood at 3" below 0. 
 In February 1 791, it stood at 5": of late years the cold- 
 est weather has not commenced until the months of 
 Januaiy orFebruary, previously to which the seasons 
 have been moderate ; in some instances unusually so. 
 
 The winter of 1801-2 was milder than any season 
 since 1790, scarcely any snow having fallen before the 
 22d. of February: and no obstruction to the naviga- 
 tion took place except for a few hours by floating ice 
 on the day just mentioned. Shad were in market on 
 the 17th of February 1802 ; on the 23d of the same 
 month Farenheit's thermometer at 8 A. M. stood 
 at 10"; at 3 P. M. 17", the navigation however was 
 not impeded. 
 
 Thus also the Autumn of 1805 was so mild, that 
 farmers ploughed their land until near Christmas, 
 d2 
 
42 CLIMATE. 
 
 and yet in the following January the weather was 
 very cold. In the succeeding season no cold weath- 
 er occurred until February, when it was uncommon- 
 ly severe all over this continent. In January 1810, 
 after a moderate season, the weather became very cold, 
 and on the 19th the mercury at 8 A. M. stood at 
 11°, and for several days after, was at 8 10 13 14 11^. 
 Duting the past season, the weather, though rainy and 
 variable, was not very cold except on 17th Decem- 
 ber, until February, when it for several days was 
 severe in the extreme. And yet shad were in mar- 
 ket on the 17th of March, and herrings three days 
 before. 
 
 In former times, although the winters were certain- 
 ly uniformly colder than of late years, yet mild sea- 
 sons occasionally occurred. Dr. Collin has stated 
 on the authority of the Swedish records, that in Feb- 
 ruary 1714, flowers were seen in the woods: and 
 William Penn says that in " 1681 the winter was 
 mild, scarcely any ice at all," yet the next season was 
 severely cold. 
 
 Our summers no longer oppress us with long con- 
 tinued heats. We have it is true occasionally a few very 
 warm days, but cool or moderate weather soon succeed 
 *' attended by showers of rain accompanied sometimes 
 by thunder and lightning, and afterwards by a north- 
 west wind, which produces a coolness in the air that 
 is highly invigorating and agreeable."* The thermo- 
 meter sometimes rises to 89, 90, 91, 92, 93 degrees of 
 Farenheit in the months of July and August, and it is 
 then common to hear the natives of South Carolina, 
 Georgia, and of the West Indies, who may happen 
 to be exposed to it, complain of the heat, and even 
 assert that it is greater than in their own climate. 
 This opinion may arise from two causes, 1. Ourapti- 
 
 • Rush's -works, vol. 1. p. 89, first edition. 
 
GLIM ATE. 43 
 
 tude to forget the sensations of temperature of 
 past times, and 2d. to a prejudice in favour of our 
 own country, which prevails equally with the savage 
 and civilized man. The thermometer may doubtless 
 often rise as high in Philadelphia, as in the States 
 south of the Potomac, or in the West Indies ; but 
 those who complain, forget to give credit in the ac- 
 count, for the cool nights and mornings, which they 
 enjoy in our capital, while in the former places, the 
 most oppressive part of the day is from the time the 
 sun and the sea breeze have declined, until some 
 hours after sun rise the next morning. In Philadel- 
 phia therefore the system although heated in the day, 
 is refreshed by the diminution of temperature after 
 sun set : while on the other hand, the sufferer rises 
 more exhausted than when he retired, and pants for 
 the moment, when the blowing of the sea breeze, shall 
 restore his wonted activity and spirits. 
 
 A change has taken place in the weather of au- 
 tumn ; formerly October and November were the 
 most pleasant months in the year, being dry and 
 clear ; but of late years, they have loeen cold, rainy 
 and variable : during the past season, this was par- 
 ticularly the case. Our springs are often so cold, that 
 fires are comfortable, until the 10th of June. 
 
 The quantity of rain that falls in Philadelphia, in 
 the course of a year is very irregular. The precise 
 quantity cannot be ascertained with accuracy, ow- 
 ing to the want of regular observations. What facts 
 are in possession shall be given. 
 
 Inches. 
 In 1799* there fell, - - 42 3-4 
 
 In 1800* - . - - 39 
 
 I In 1801* - - - - 40 6-8 
 
 ' In 1805 ... - 42 
 
 * Dr. Cox's medical museum. All the rain that fell in the 
 above years was not noted. 
 
44 CLIMATE. 
 
 In most parts of the United States, the rain falls 
 in greater torrents than in Europe. We know but 
 little of those " fine gentle showers" usually are called 
 " English rains," which when they do occur, Vol- 
 ney says " it is the fashion for people to go out to 
 enjoy, without umbrellas, and to get themselves wet 
 to the skin !!" 
 
 The number of rainy days is certainly diminish- 
 ing in the United States, and hence long droughts 
 often occur, although the quantity of rain in the 
 course of a year, may not vary much from years in 
 which the supply of rain has been more regular. 
 The summers of 1804 and 1809, were uncommonly 
 rainy. In July 1 804 6-| inches fell ; in August, 4^ ; 
 no estimate of June is preserved, but it is well recol- 
 lected to have been uncommonly wet, and that vast 
 quantities of hay were destroyed in consequence. In 
 May 1786, rain fell during fourteen successive 
 days. In 1788 and 1809, much grain grew in the 
 shock, from the continual rain that fell after it had. 
 been cut. More rain fell during the month of No-' 
 vembej; last (1810) than commonly falls through- 
 out the year. In 1791 during the first five months, 
 there were 43 days of rain. In the first eight months 
 of 1790, there were 65 days of rain and 114 days of 
 fair weather. 
 
 Very dry summers sometimes occur, as in 1782, 
 and 1793. The variations in the temperature of the' 
 weather are often considerable. In winter, these are 
 not so sensibly felt, but in the summer when they 
 occur, as they sometimes do, about the middle of 
 August, after a very warm day, and the thermome- 
 ter falls 15,20, 30 degrees in the course of a night,, 
 indisposition will necessarily attack numbers, especi- 
 ally those who incautiously sleep with window- 
 sashes raised. The temperature of the well water is f. 
 about 52° of Farenheit. L 
 
DISEASES AND MORTALITY. 45 
 
 The want of an annual report of all the deaths in 
 the city until within the last five years, precludes the 
 possibility of ascertaining accurately'the comparative 
 mortality of the present and every former year. It 
 may however be asserted that owing to the very 
 great improvement in the science of medicine and 
 surgery, Avhich have taken place within a few years, 
 the chance lor life is much increased ; many diseases, 
 now yielding to the powers of the healing art that 
 formerly defied it. " In the year 1771,* the city and 
 liberties of Philadelphia, contained between 25,000, 
 30,000 inhabitants. Between theChristmas of that 
 and the following year, there died one thousand 
 twohundred and ninety-onef persons. The city and 
 districts contain at present about 100,000 inhabi- 
 tants:}: and yet between the first of January 1809, and 
 the first of January 1810, there died but 2004 per- 
 sons. Had the deaths kept pace with the increase of 
 our population, their amount would have been more 
 than double that number."*^ Thirty years since, the 
 disease from drinking cold water in Summer, when 
 the body was heated by exercise ; the lock jaw, the 
 croup or hives, mania, and numerous other com- 
 plaints, that might be mentioned, were seldom or 
 never cured ; but at present, they are very rarely 
 fatal when early assistance is given. The first named 
 disease is peculiar to the United States, and with 
 regard to the two last it is asserted on good author- 
 
 *Occasionally, pains were taken to ascertain from the records of 
 the different relig-ious societies, and of the public burial g-roands, 
 the number of deaths in the city. The Episcopal church with 
 commendable attention have from a very early period, published 
 a register of births, deaths and christenings in their society, but 
 no regular list was published of all the city deaths, 
 t It is more than probable that this number was even greater, 
 t They now contain 100,764. 
 § Rush's charge to medical graduates, 1810, 
 
46 DISEASES AND MORTALITY. 
 
 ity, that the success in Philadelphia, is infinitely 
 greater than in Europe. Even the consumption, for- 
 merly a hopeless disease, has yielded in numerous 
 cases in this city, to the early and judicious appli- 
 cation of medicine. The free use of wine in low fe- ; 
 vers, of mercury, bark, opium and the lancet, all of ; 
 which were used with a timid hand, and also warm i 
 and cold baths, have contributed to increase the em- I 
 pire of medicine over various diseases. 
 
 The character of our diseases is for the most part 
 inflammatory. This circumstance is owing to the very : 
 variable nature of our climate, to the general use of] 
 animal food consumed by all classes of people, and] 
 the free use of stimulating liquors of all kinds : for' 
 although drunkenness, it may be truly said, is a vice 
 by no means common, yet the cheapness of spirituous! 
 and malt liquors, enables all classes to take freely of 
 them, and hence they occasion complaints to assume 
 a form, and certainly a degree of violence from which 
 they might otherwise be free. We know nothing of 
 those desolating low fevers, which so often pre- 
 vail in the cities of Europe, among the labouring 
 poor in confined courts and alleys, and but little of that 
 long list of nervous diseases, (strictly so called) 
 which abridge the lives of the higher class of society, j 
 Hence the lancet is oftener required than the stimu- 
 lating draught ; and hence too the reason why the 
 European physician, whose circle of observation may 
 have been confined chiefly to diseases of an opposite, 
 character, hears with astonishment of the depleting 
 system of the United States, and especially of Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 From a variety of causes, a considerable change 
 has taken place in the forms of our diseases within 
 the last thirty years. 
 
 1. The proportional diminution in the use of ani-| 
 mal food, the general abolition of hot family suppers f 
 
BILLS OF MORTALITY. 47 
 
 ed use of vegetable aliment, have contributed to les- 
 sened the number of apoplexies, palsies, dropsies 
 and other complaints depending upon repletion, and 
 exposure to night air. 
 
 2. The substitution of malt liquors for punch which 
 ivas formerly the fashionable beverage at noon, at 
 dinner, and at supper ; and the use of flannels, or 
 muslin next the body, have expelled the dry gripes, 
 formerly a fatal disease in Philadelphia. 
 
 3. The universal use of umbrellas and the increased 
 use of high crowned hats, have lessened the diseases 
 arising iVom the operation of the sun. 
 
 4. Vaccination is rapidly dispelling the loathsome 
 small pox from the city. 
 
 5. The diminution of deaths from consumption has 
 ^ready been mentioned. 
 
 6. The increased cleanliness of the city. 
 
 Bills of ^Tortalitij. 
 
 Since the year 1806, the number of deaths, and 
 the names of the diseases are ascertained with an accu- 
 racy highly desirable in every town, and especially 
 in a populous city. 
 
 By a law passed in the above year, the sextons of all 
 churches or places of worship, are obliged, under a 
 penalty, to obtain from the attending ph}sician of 
 a deceased person, or from some of the family, a cer- 
 tificate of the age and disorder of which he or she 
 may have died, and the days of their death: and in 
 ilike manner, a certificate is to be obtained from the 
 city alms house, of the diseases of all who die therein, 
 which certificates are to be delivered to the Board of 
 Health, and by their order a weekly statement is 
 made up and published in the newspapers, of the dis- 
 eases and the ages ol the deceased. At the end of th e 
 year, a general statement is published by the Board, 
 I From these the follpwing result is composed. 
 
43 
 
 BILL OF MORTALITY. 
 
 
 1807 
 
 1808 
 
 1809 
 
 1810 
 
 Under 2 years, . . . 
 
 614 
 
 867 
 
 758 
 
 760 
 
 From 2 to 5 
 
 
 
 121 
 
 167 
 
 92 
 
 115 
 
 5 10 
 
 
 
 65 
 
 98 
 
 52 
 
 59 
 
 10 20 
 
 
 
 79 
 
 95 
 
 74 
 
 IZ 
 
 20 30 
 
 
 
 144 
 
 212 
 
 203 
 
 240 
 
 30 40 
 
 
 
 236 
 
 219 
 
 226 
 
 264 
 
 40 50 
 
 
 
 172 
 
 186 
 
 159 
 
 163 
 
 50 60 
 
 
 
 139 
 
 128 
 
 95 
 
 142 
 
 60 70 
 
 
 
 88 
 
 98 
 
 71 
 
 96 
 
 70 80 
 
 
 
 79 
 
 61 
 
 67 
 
 68 
 
 80 90 
 
 
 
 60 
 
 30 
 
 44 
 
 45 
 
 90 100 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 
 14 
 
 9 
 
 100 110 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Unknown, 
 
 
 
 233 
 
 101 
 
 141 
 
 
 Total, 
 
 2045 
 
 2271 
 
 2004 
 
 2036 
 
 Proportion of Deaths in 
 
 each month. 
 
 
 January 
 
 150 
 
 136 
 
 130 
 
 149 
 
 February « . 
 
 
 
 
 118 
 
 123 
 
 118 
 
 152 
 
 March : . 
 
 
 
 
 154 
 
 154 
 
 141 
 
 127 : 
 
 April 
 
 
 
 
 157 
 
 169 
 
 136 
 
 152 
 
 May . . 
 
 
 
 
 133 
 
 179 
 
 150 
 
 164 
 
 June . . 
 
 
 
 
 159 
 
 227 
 
 184 
 
 147 
 
 July . . . 
 
 
 
 
 237 
 
 374 
 
 184 
 
 192 
 
 August 
 
 
 
 
 268 
 
 297 
 
 280 
 
 269 
 
 September . 
 
 
 
 
 237 
 
 185 
 
 167 
 
 173 
 
 October 
 
 
 
 
 162 
 
 154 
 
 176 
 
 193 
 
 November 
 
 
 
 
 155 
 
 152 
 
 189 
 
 152 
 
 December . . 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 115 
 
 111 
 
 139 
 
 166 
 
 The above fact^ speak for themselves, and full}- 
 disprove the commonly received opinion of the sick' 
 uess of Philadelphia. 
 
DEATHS. 
 
 49 
 
 it cannot be said that the years 180;r-8-9 or 10 
 were unusually healthy, because it appears from the 
 following table, that for a period of twelve years, the 
 number of deaths in the city, except during the vis- 
 itation of the fever was even smaller. The high 
 numbers indicate the years of pestilence. 
 
 DEATHS IN THE CITY AXD SUBURBS. 
 
 
 Males. iFemales. 1 Total. 
 1 1 
 
 September 1 
 
 1, 1787 to Sept. 
 
 1, 1788 
 
 560 
 
 438 
 
 998 
 
 
 1788 to 
 
 
 1789 
 
 514 
 
 482 
 
 996 
 
 
 1789 to 
 
 
 1790 
 
 549 
 
 486 
 
 1035 
 
 August 1, 
 
 1790 to Aug. 
 
 1, 1791 
 
 645 
 
 664 
 
 1309 
 
 
 1791 to 
 
 
 1792 
 
 644 
 
 601 
 
 1245 
 
 3) 
 
 1792 to 
 
 51 
 
 1793 
 
 778 
 
 719 
 
 1497 
 
 )1 
 
 1793 to 
 
 51 
 
 1794 
 
 2933 
 
 2059 
 
 4292 
 
 
 1794 to 
 
 
 1795 
 
 897 
 
 862 
 
 1759 
 
 
 1795 to 
 
 
 179-') 
 
 1188 
 
 1025 
 
 2283 
 
 ?3 
 
 1796 to 
 
 51 
 
 1797 
 
 857 
 
 809 
 
 1666 
 
 
 1797 to 
 
 55 
 
 1798 
 
 1245 
 
 nil 
 
 2356 
 
 1' 
 
 1798 to 
 
 
 1799 
 
 2515 
 
 1948 4463*1 
 
 The above table also proves fully, that the num- 
 ber of deaths in proportion to the population of the 
 city is less than in other cities oi countries that boast 
 of their healthiness, and that the climate, contrary 
 to the opinion of European travellers is highly 
 conducive to longevity. Had there been any regular 
 accovmt taken of the ages of those who died before 
 1806, the list of old persons might have been greatly 
 swelled ; and the want of such a regulation, vv^ll pre- 
 
 " The preceding- statement was extracted from the table pub- 
 lislied in " Poulson's Almanac ;" the Information for which wa«; 
 annually collected bv the editor of that publication. 
 E 
 
50 COMPARATIVE HEALTH OF PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 vent our city from appearing in as favourable alight 
 as it deserves: but enough has been said to shew the 
 incorrectness of the assertion so oiten made, with 
 respect to its general unhealthiness.* 
 
 A few remarks may be offered upon the foregoing 
 statement. The population oi Philadelphia, includmg 
 the built parts of the Northern Liberties, Southwark, 
 Passyunk and Moyamensing, amount to 100,764 
 souls, but to avoid fractions, say 100,000. 
 
 The number of deaths in 1810, was 2036, giving : 
 the proportion of one to fifty, while from the tables 
 of Dr. Halley, formed vipon facts derived from vari- i 
 ous cities in Europe which were least liable to fluctua- 
 tions, as to sudden increase or decrease, it appears 
 that the proportion of deaths in them is as 1 to 33, 
 The Liverpool bill of mortality lor 1806, states the 
 number Oi deaths at 2395, and computing a population 
 of 80,000, the above propoi'tions are preserved, and 
 are said to be less than obtains in any other town of 
 equal size in the kingdom. | Now if Liverpool, being 
 the most healthy town in a country which boasts of 
 its healthiness, is exceeded by Philadelphia in that 
 point, in the proportion ol more than 50 to 33, the 
 tact certainly ought to satisfy us with our own climate, 
 and to silence the aspersions of Europeans with re- 
 gard to it. 
 
 Compared with other cities in the United States, 
 the healthiness of Philadelphia will be found flatter- 
 ing. 
 
 *Thc just claim to healthiness by Philadelphia, will more ful- 
 ly appear from a paper preparing by the author on the subject of 
 American longevity. 
 
 f Monthly Magazine, London, July, 1807. 
 
COMPARATIVE HEALTH OF PHILADELPHIA. ^l 
 
 The number of deaths from 
 
 December, 1806, to August, Adults Cliildrcn Total. 
 
 1807, in New- York amounted to 862 688 1550 
 
 In Philadelphia, in same time 796 591 1387 
 
 Greater number of deaths') „„ p,^ ^^,, 
 . ^j .r 1 \- 66 97 16o 
 
 m New \ ork, J 
 
 Deaths in New Yoi'k by consumption, 
 
 during the above time, . _ - - 304 
 
 Deaths in Philadelphia by the same 
 
 disease, and in the same time , - - 207 
 
 More deaths in New York, by con- 
 sumption, . _ - ., . _ 97 
 
 1550 deaths in New York, in So weeks 
 
 average per day, ----- 6y 
 
 1387 deaths in Philadelphia, in the 
 
 same time, average per day, - * " ■^t 
 
 If the population of Philadelphia, as being great- 
 er than that of New York, be taken into consideration, 
 the difference in favour of Philadelphia will be con- 
 siderably increased. 
 
 No document having come to hand of the deaths 
 in Boston or Baltimore, a comparison could not be 
 made with respect to those cities. 
 
 The cause of the greater number of deaths by 
 consumption in Nev/ York, and in the New Eng- 
 land States generally, admits of an easy explanation 
 upon the following principles. 
 
 1. Hereditary confirmation. 2d, Greater keenness 
 in the air from the vicinity to the sea ; hence weak 
 lungs are irritated in such air, while a dry air, free 
 from saline impregnation, will have no effect. Some 
 persons have spit blood in New York, who were en- 
 tirely free from any pulmonic affection in Philadel- 
 phia, 3d, Prejudices against bleeding, by which the 
 
^2 COMMERCE. 
 
 inflammation almost so universally attendant apon the 
 disease in the beginning, is permitted to go on, until 
 it becomes general, and tubercles are formed in the 
 lungs. This cause prevails chiefly in New York. 
 4th, Inattention to accommodating the dress to the 
 thange OJ the weather, prevails equally in New York 
 and Philadelphia, but the remote causes not existing to 
 such a degree in the latter as in the former place, this 
 cause does not operate so powerfully in Philadelphia. 
 
 Cominerce. 
 
 Arrivals — The number of square rigged vessels 
 that entered the port in 1771, was 361 
 Sloops and Schooners, - - 391 
 
 752 
 
 In 1 786, the total number was - - 910 
 
 1787, „ „ . - - 870 
 
 1788, „ „ - . _ 854. 
 
 1789, „ „ - . . 1261 
 1793, „ „ - _ - 1050 
 1797, „ „ - . . 1420 
 1804, Arrivals — Foreign 579 
 
 Coasters 1220 
 
 Clearances — Foreign 618 
 Coasters 1146 
 
 :1805, Arrivals— Foreign 547 
 Coasters 1169 
 
 CiKARANCES — Foreign 617 
 Coasters 1231 
 
 1799^ 
 
 1764 
 
 3563 
 
 1716 
 
 1848 
 
 o:> 
 
 64 
 
COMMENCE. 53 
 
 1806, Arrivals — Foreign 690 
 
 Coasters 1231 
 
 1921 
 
 CLEARANCES' — Foreign 730 
 
 Coasters 1278 
 
 2309 
 
 4230 
 
 1807, Arrivals — Foreign 699 
 
 Coasters 1270 
 
 1969 
 
 Clearances — Foreign 712 
 
 Coasters 1231 
 
 1943 
 
 3912 
 
 1809, Arrivals — Foreign 278 
 
 Coasters 1413 
 
 1691 
 
 Clearances — (Embargo) 
 
 1810, Arrivals — Foreign 514 
 
 Coasters 684 
 
 1198 
 
 Clearances — Foreign 497 
 
 Coasters 614 
 
 nil 
 
 230& 
 
 Exports. 
 
 In the year 1790, the total amount of the exports of 
 Philadelphia, was - - - ^7,953,41 8 
 
 In 1796, it was - - - - 17,523,866 
 
 1809, the amount of domestic produce 
 exported was - S4,238,358 
 Foreign, - - 4,810,883 
 
 9,049,241 
 
 1810, Domestic, - - 4,751,634 
 Foreign, - - 6,241,764 
 
 10,993,39& 
 
 E 2 
 
^ COMMERCE. 
 
 Tonnage. 
 
 In 1771, the total amount of Tonnage 
 
 was - ----- 44,654 
 
 In 1786 — American, 31,546 
 
 Foreign 28,392 
 
 59,938 
 
 In 1800, Total ... - 103,663 
 
 1810 ----- 121,443 
 
 It was stated to Congress in February last, by a 
 master ship-builder, of Philadelphia, that there were 
 then 9,145 tons of shipping on the stocks. 
 
 The commerce of Philadelphia has kept pace with 
 the progress of the general prosperity of the State ; 
 but in common with the whole union, has suffered 
 a considerable diminution, by reason of the vexa- 
 tions from European nations, who for some years 
 past, have acted as if power gave right, and by the 
 restrictive measures forced upon our government. Our 
 merchants are equal to any in the Union, for indus- 
 try and enterprize ; but during the uncertainty of 
 trade that has prevailed for some time past, they 
 have observed a prudent caution in their adventures, 
 which has had the effect of lowering the amount of 
 tonnage, when compared with other cities in the 
 United States : but the good effects of such con- 
 duct has been most striking during the past year, 
 when owing to the uncertainty of the renewal of the 
 charter of the United States Bank, that great wheel 
 of commercial credit, a very great diminution of 
 bank accommodation necessarily took place : hence, 
 ■while in other cities of the Union, the greatest dis- 
 tress has been produced, and failures have been nu- 
 xnerous, and to ^n immense amount, so few have ta- 
 ken place in Philadelphia, as to produce no diminu- 
 tion of that chain of mutual confidence, by which 
 
COMMERCE. 55 
 
 commerce is upheld, and cannot fail to confirm the 
 opinion generally entertained oi the stability of the 
 mercantile community oi" Philadelphia. 
 
 Prices Current^ of Foreign and Domestic Articles, at 
 various dates. 
 
 Thursday, April 7, 1720. 
 
 1798 
 
 1811 
 
 
 April. 
 
 April. 
 
 Flour, 8s 6d to 9s per cwt. 
 
 32 to 34s 
 
 ^6 50 
 
 White bread, 18s do. 
 
 75s 
 
 9 
 
 Middling bread, 14s per do. 
 
 45s 
 
 7 
 
 Brown bread, lis do. 
 
 30s 
 
 5 50 
 
 Salt, 3s 2d per bushel 
 
 7s 6d 
 
 55 
 
 Tobacco, 14s per cwt. 
 
 75s 
 
 4 to 10 
 
 Muscovado Sugar, 30s to 
 
 
 
 45s 6d per cwt. 
 
 120s 
 
 12 50 
 
 Pork, 4os per barrel 
 
 120 to 142 6 
 
 1 7 to 22 
 
 Beef, 30s per do. 
 
 90 to 112s 6 
 
 9 to 16 
 
 Rum, 3s to 3s 6d per gallon 
 
 8s9tolOs7d 
 
 1 
 
 Molasses, 17 to I8d per gal. 
 
 4s 6d 
 
 45 
 
 Wheat,3s to 3s 3d per bush. 
 
 9s 
 
 2 25 
 
 Indian corn, Is 8d to Is lOd 
 
 
 
 per do. 
 
 3s 9d 
 
 75 
 
 Bohea Tea, 50s. per lb. 
 
 4s Id 
 
 30 to 35 cts. 
 
 Madeira Wine, 16 to 20l 
 
 
 eolstg.p.pi. 
 
 per pipe 
 
 401 per pipe 
 
 first cost 
 
 Pipe staves, 3l per thousand 
 
 $55 
 
 $77 
 
 Hogshead staves, 45s do. 
 
 35 
 
 44 
 
 Barrel staves, 22s 6d do. 
 
 18 
 
 32 
 
 Pitch, 16 to 17s per barrel 
 
 26s 3d 
 
 6 
 
 No article in the above list exhibits so great a dif- 
 ference in price, as Bohea Tea. At the date first men- 
 tioned, its use was confined to a few persons, the 
 greater part of whom had been educated in Europe, 
 and could not abandon the pleasant meal which the 
 
55 INSPECTION OF BEEF AND PORK. 
 
 article afforded them. It was deemed by many a sin- 
 ful luxury, and of course, proscribed by the bigoted. 
 All of it came by way of England, and was saddled 
 with heavy duties. Bohea Tea was moreover, the 
 only kind of tea then used. 
 
 Inspection of Beef and Pork. 
 
 The importance of securing a character in foreign 
 markets to our staple commodities, and ol preventing 
 impositions by the dishonest, upon our OAvn citizens, 
 early attracted the attention of the legislature, under 
 the colonial government. 
 
 In the year 1727, a law was enacted to regulate 
 the exportation of beef and pork, and an inspector 
 appointed with extensive authority, to search ships 
 and stores for either article, intended to be exported ; 
 heavy penalties v/ere also inflicted for opposition, or 
 molestation of any sort to him, while in the execu- 
 tion of his duty ; or for shipping any cask without the 
 provincial brand or mark. In case of dispute, ai-bi- 
 trators were to be appointed by a magistrate, who' 
 was to give judgment agreeably to their report. 
 
 By a law passed in 1789, all beef or poi'k, the pro- 
 duce of the State, and intended to be exported, are 
 to be packed in barrels made of sound and seasoned 
 white oak, with fourteen hoops thereon, fastened at 
 each end by iron nails, and at each bilge^ by wooden 
 pegs or pins. 
 
 Every beef or pork tierce, must be of the guage of 
 42 gallons, wine measure, and contain 300 lb. sound 
 meat, well packed and secured with salt and pickle, 
 and not have more than three legs or shins ; and if 
 pork, not more than three heads : every barrel of 
 beef to be of the guage of 28 gallons, wine measure, 
 and to contain no more than two shins : every barrel-, 
 of pork, of the guage ol 29 gallons, wine measure,, 
 and to hold 200 lbs. cured meat, and no more than 
 
INSPECTION OF FLOUR. 57 
 
 two heads : every half barrel of beef and pork to be 
 of the gaageofl5 gallons, and to contain 100 lbs. of 
 cured meat ; and if of beef, not more than one shin, 
 and if of pork, not more than one head. Casks of eve- 
 ry sort to be branded with the word " Philadelphia," 
 and name of the cooper, or the person putting up the 
 same. Every tierce, barrel, or half barrel, containing 
 salted beel'or pork, intended for sale, of the quantity 
 and quality before mentioned, and packed and secured 
 in the manner aforesaid, shall be passed by the in- 
 spector : but if these regulations be not complied 
 with, he is to scratch out ihe cooper's or packer's 
 brand ; and if the same cannot be rendered mer- 
 chantable, a ><! is to be branded on the head of the 
 barrel. 
 
 Persons selling or delivering beef or pork not in- 
 spected, or rei using to admit the inspector to erase 
 the cooper's or packer's brand, forfeits ten shillings; 
 for erasing the cross that may have been stamped, 
 the penalty is ten pounds. Six pence per barrel is paid 
 for inspection, and one shilling and six pence for 
 each tierce, and one shilling for each barrel, or half 
 barrel repacked, besides cooperage. Persons may 
 employ their own cooper. 
 
 Inspection of Flour. 
 
 By a law passed in 1781, flour casks are to be 
 made of seasoned materials ; having ten hoops, nailed 
 with lour nails in each chine hoop, and three nails in 
 each upper bilge hoop : the staves to be twenty seven 
 inches long, but may be of different diameters at the 
 head : viz. casks No. 1, eighteen inches at the head : 
 iNo. 2, sixteen inches and a half: No. 3, fi/teen inch- 
 es and a half. Twenty cents penalty on eveiy barrel 
 is annexed to a breach oi this regulation. Millers 
 jare to have brands to mark every cask therev/ith, be- 
 
58 INSPECTION OF FLOUR. 
 
 fore removal from the place where the same was bolt- 
 ed or packed : and these brands are to be registered 
 with the clerk oi the Quarter Sessions of the County. . 
 No flour is to be exported before being inspected. . 
 Inspectors have authority to enter onboard any ves- 
 sel, or into any store, to search for flour intended to 
 be exported, and are protected from molestation by 
 a heavy penalty on the offender. Counterfeitei's of the 
 brand are to pay five pounds for every cask so brand- 
 ed. No inspector is to deal in flour, under a penalty 
 of fifty pounds, and forfeit of oflice. 
 
 Flour mixed with Indian corn meal, is to be con- 
 demned, and a fine of three dollars for each cask 
 incurred : one iourth to the use of the inspector, and 
 the other three-iourths to the use of the poor of the 
 county in which the owner of the flour may reside. ^ 
 
 Corn, intended to be ground into meal, must b©i 
 first kiln dried, and when ground, the words " kiln 
 dried," must be branded on the cask, before it leaves 
 the mill. Casks containing rye flour must also be 
 branded with the words " rye flour," and he may add 
 " fine," ii he thinks its quality will insure approba- 
 tion from the inspector. Com and rye meal may be 
 packed in large casks, but secured by sixteen hoops, 
 with four nails in each chine hoop, and three wood- 
 en pegs at the upper edge of each bilge hoop : th€ 
 staves to be forty-one inches, and the diameter o 
 the head twenty-seven inches ; the diameter at th( 
 bung, thirty-one inches, and to contain eight hundred 
 pounds neat weight, and having the tare oi the casl 
 marked on it. Both rye and corn flour are subject tc 
 the same inspection, and the same penalt.es as wheat 
 en flour. Three cents are allowed for each cask o 
 corn or rye meal inspected. 
 
 Bread casks are to be weighed, and the tare mark' 
 ed thereon ; a false tare subjects the oftcnder to thi 
 penalty ot five shdiings. Bakers ot bread ior export 
 
INSPECTION OF FLOUR. 59 
 
 ation, must deliver Avith the bread, an invoice, with 
 his name branded on the cask : if found light, they 
 are forfeited. Flour waggons, carts or boats, with 
 flour on board, must have sufficient covering : flour 
 brought to a landing, must be stored or sheltered 
 from the weather. Flour attempted to be shipped 
 before inspection, pays five shillings a barrel. In 
 case oi disputes between owner and inspector, a ma- 
 gistrate appoints three impartial persons, one named 
 by the owner, one by the inspector, and a third by 
 himself, who examine the flour, and report the 
 state thereof ; if damaged, the cause of such dam- 
 age : if the flour be not deepied merchantable by 
 the magistrate, the owner must pay to the inspector 
 one shilling per cask; if deemed merchantable, the in- 
 spector pays all costs. In case flour has been injured 
 by shallop-men, carters, or miller, the owner is enti- 
 tled to damages to the extent of the injury. The 
 penalty is five pounds for counterfeiting flour brands, 
 or impresKsingthe same on flour casks ; one hundred 
 pounds for branding flour " superfine," after it has 
 been condemned ; and if attempted to be shipped, 
 the flour is forfeited: one half goes to the State, the 
 other half to the prosecutor. 
 
 The manner of performing the inspection is as fol- 
 flows. The oflicer runs a scoop diagonally from one 
 Miead of a barrel to the other, and is thus enabled to 
 examine every part of its contents, and to determine 
 whether it is of uniform quality, as to fineness or 
 ' mess, or whether it is musty or sour, and he ac- 
 ngly either confirms the stamp of quality alrea- 
 :.._, jaade by the miller, or erases it by means of a 
 fscraper : the mark of approbation, besides leaving the 
 original brand of quality undefaced, is a wooden 
 plug, stamped S. P. on the head, and inserted in the 
 hole made by the scoop. 
 
60 OF SHAD AND HERRING. 
 
 Such is the confidence placed in the abilities and 
 impartiality of the inspectors, that appeals from their 
 decisions are seldom made, and in the few instances 
 in which disputes have occurred, the decision of the 
 officer has been confirmed. Besides one cent per 
 barrel paid by the buyer, the inspector receives the 
 contents of the scoop as a perquisite. 
 
 In the year 1809, in consequence of the increase 
 of the trade, and extension of the city, a law was 
 passed, requiring the appointment of two inspectors, 
 one to reside nqrth, and the other south of High- 
 street, who are to attend alternately ior one month 
 in each d-strict, to the inspection of flour : and when 
 the emoluments exceed 1500 dollars a year to each 
 inspector, one halt oi" the surplus is to be paid into the: 
 State treasury. Every barrel of wheat and rye floilr| 
 must contain 196 lbs. 
 
 Shad and Herring, , 
 
 Casks for packing shad and herring for exporta- 
 tion, may be made of any kind of timber, but must 
 be salt and pickle tight, and hooped with fourteen 
 good hoops, secured at each bilge with three nails 
 or pins, and at each head or chine hoop, with at least 
 three nails. The length of the staves to be 27-^ inches. 
 The head, \7\ inches. The cask to contain 28 gal- 
 lons, wine measure. The half barrel, 1-i gallons; anc 
 ■both to be branded with the initial letter of the 
 christian name, and the sirnarae at full length, ofthf 
 pucker or seller, under a penalty of 67 cents lor eacl 
 barrel. On payment of the fine, the inspector majf 
 brand them with his name, and be entitled to si}j 
 cents from the persons selling the same. Before , J 
 sale, or exportation, the barrels must be examine" 
 by the inspector, who is authorized to erase the brai; 
 
INSPECTION OF BUTTER. 61 
 
 of the packer, in case the barrels are not of the di- 
 mensions, and made in the way before mentioned, 
 and not packed and secured as here directed. If 
 they cannot be rendered merchantable, he may erase 
 the brand of the curer, and impress on the head 
 a cross, thus, ^ . 
 
 Persons selling shad or herrings, for exportation, 
 or transportation, before they have been examined 
 and branded ; or refusing permission to the inspec- 
 tor to erase a brand, when necessary, shall forfeit 
 one dollar and thirty three cents for every barrel. 
 The penalty for defacing the marks of condemnation 
 of the inspector, is twenty dollars. Twenty cents are 
 allowed to the inspector for examining every barrel, 
 and thirty-three cents for every barrel or half barrel 
 of shad or herring he inay repack : for filling up and 
 heading the same, ten cents. Unexported fish are to 
 be examined every six months, and three cents fire 
 allowed for every barrel examined and headed. 
 
 Penalties are to be collected by the inspector for 
 the time being ; one half to be paid to the guardians 
 of the poor, the other half to be retained by the in- 
 spector : to be recovered as other debts. Appeals 
 from the decision of the inspector are provided for 
 as in the case of flour. Deputies may be appointed 
 by the inspector, in Philadelphia county, Bucks, and 
 Chester. 
 
 Butter. 
 
 Every keg of butter offered for sale and exporta- 
 tion, shall contain fifty pounds of butter, sufficiently 
 salted for exportation, and shall be packed in kegs 
 of the following dimensions : viz. 
 
 The staves to be of the length of sixteen and one 
 half inches, the diameter of the head eleven inches, 
 and the diameter of the bulge thirteen inches, and 
 
 F 
 
62 INSPECTION OF FLAX SEED. 
 
 made of sound and well seasoned white-oak timber, 
 with seventeen hoops on each keg, and fastened with 
 three iron nails in each head hoop: each keg shall he 
 weighed and tared, and the tare marked on one of 
 the heads with a marking iron in legible characters. 
 
 Every keg containing butter shall be inspected be- 
 fore it be laden on board of any vessel for exporta- 
 tion, by boreing a hole through the head, and pierc- 
 ing the butter through with a proper instrument, in 
 order to ascertain the quality ; and if the inspector 
 find the butter of first quality, he shall brand the 
 keg with the letters S P, first quality ; and if found 
 inferior to the first, he shall brand it S P, second 
 quality ; and if found not merchantable, then the 
 said inspector shall impress and brand a distinct 
 mark of a cross, thus, ^ : (each stroke of the said 
 cross shall be at least two inches long,) on one head 
 of every such keg, containing butter as aforesaid. 
 
 Every person who shall load on board of a vessel, 
 any butter not inspected, or offer for sale, or export 
 in kegs different from those described, or containing 
 less than fifty pounds, shall forfeit one dollar for each 
 keg. Four cents are paid as inspection fees, for '^ach 
 "keg, by the purchaser, and customary allowance 
 for cooperage, unless he employ his own cooper. 
 
 Flax Seed. 
 
 No flax seed is permitted to be exported before 
 being cleaned, and must be packed in casks, made as 
 straight as possible ; the staves of which must be of 
 sound oak, and having, besides a lining hoop on the 
 outside round the chines ; twelve other good hoops, 
 secured by three iron nails in each of the chine 
 hoops, and three in each quarter hoop. The casks 
 are to be of two sizes : the larger size to be two feet 
 nine inches long ; and in diameter, at each head, 
 twenty-four inches, and to contain seven bushels of 
 
SIJINGLES. 65 
 
 flax seed. The smaller size, to contain three bushels 
 and a half: the casks to be branded with the name of 
 the person who cleaned the seed. 
 
 Violators of the foregoing regulations, forfeit 
 twenty shillings for each cask, not inspected, or not 
 made, branded, or filled as directed ; and five shil- 
 lings for every cask shipped without being branded. 
 
 Shingles. 
 
 Shingles, intended for exportation, must be of the 
 following dimensions. Shingles of the first kind, 
 must be two feet nine inches, at least, long; five and 
 a half inclies wide, and of such a thickness, that v/hen 
 dressed, they may remain at least half an inch thick 
 at every place between the but end, and a distance of 
 ten inches from the same. 
 
 Shingles of the second kind must be twenty-four 
 inches at least, and not more than twenty-six inches 
 in length ; five inches at least, in width, and of such 
 a thickness, that w^hen dressed, they may remain at 
 least half an inch thick at every part between the but 
 end, and a distance of seven inches therefrom. 
 
 Shingles of the third kind, must be fifteen inches 
 long, nor less than three and a half inches wide, and of 
 a thickness sufficient to remain, when dressed, three 
 eights of an inch thick at every place between the 
 end, and a distance of six inches from the same. 
 
 By a supplement passed in 1790, shingles of the 
 third sort are required to be packed in a close and 
 compact manner, when sold in bundles ; each of 
 which shall contain one hundred and twenty-five shin- 
 gles, and no more : and each row in every bundle* 
 must only contain three shingles. 
 
 Lumber » 
 
 Staves, heading, boards, plank, or timber, intended 
 for exportation, must be inspected by the proper offi- 
 
64 LUMBER. 
 
 cer, or his deputies ; who, if he find them sound, 
 and fit for exportation, shall count and cull the same, 
 in a just and impartial manner. 
 
 Every hewed or shaved pipe, shall be four feet 
 eight inches long ; three inches and a half broad in 
 the narrowest part, clear of sap ; five eighths of an 
 inch thick in the thinnest place ; nor more than one 
 inch thick in any part, regularly split with the grain 
 of the wood ; and shall not have more than seven 
 Tvorm holes, and be otherwise fit for a good pipe 
 stave. 
 
 Every hewed or shaved barrel stave shall be two 
 feet six inches long, three inches and a half broad, in 
 the narrowest part ; half an inch thick in the thin- 
 nest part, regularly split : not more than five worm 
 holes. 
 
 Every hogshead stave, shall be three feet six inch- 
 es long J three inches and a half broad, clear of sap ; 
 \u tae narrowest place, five eighths of an inch thick 
 in the thinnest part ; not more than one inch thick in 
 any part, regularly split, and not more than six worm 
 holes. 
 
 Every piece of hogshead heading, shall be two 
 feet six inches long ; the middle pieces, six inches 
 broad, in the narrowest place, clear of sap ; and the 
 cantle pieces of the same breadth, in the widest part, 
 clear of sap ; both sorts, three quarters of an inch 
 thick, with not more than seven worm holes in each 
 piece. 
 
 All boards, plank and timber, shall be good and 
 sound, and of the thickness and quality the same as 
 declared to be by the seller. 
 
 Rough staves and heading may be sold, if of the 
 proper length and breadth, and qualities before-men- 
 tioned. 
 
 Inspectors are authorized to search vessels for 
 staves, &c. shipped for exportation : opposition in- 
 
LUMBER. 63 
 
 curs a penalty of fifty pounds : if shipped without in- 
 spection, the fine is twenty shillings for every thou- 
 sand staves or heading : ten shillings for every thou- 
 sand feet of boards, plank or timber, so shipped. 
 
 An account of all lumber, &c. measured and in- 
 spected, is to be kept, and of the names of the buyers 
 and sellers. The officer must not buy or sell staves, 
 &c. of which he is inspector, under a penalty of fifty 
 pounds. One half of the penalties and forfeitures in- 
 curred by this act, go to the Pennsylvania Hospital : 
 the other half, to the informer. Act, 1759. 
 
 All staves, &c. before they are delivered for sale, 
 shall be inspected, under a penalty of forfeiting the 
 same : one half to the Commonwealth; the other half, 
 to the informer. 
 
 Mixing good staves or heading, with cullings, or 
 unmerchantable, or uninspected staves or headings, 
 incurs a forfeit of the whole so mixed. 
 
 Leogan staves, used for sugar hogsheads, may be 
 exported, if four feet six inches long, three and a half 
 inches broad, including sap, if it be sound ; and half 
 an inch thick, but subject to inspection. Act. 1790. 
 
 By an act of March 30, 1803, no staves shall be 
 deemed merchantable, which are not three inches 
 wide. 
 
 Fees are as follow. For inspecting and examin- 
 ing boards and plank, according to superficial mea- 
 sure, for every thousand feet, thirty-three cents. 
 Other timber, reduced to cubical feet, for every ton, 
 (consisting of cubical feet,) one half to be paid by 
 the buyer, and the other by the seller, thirteen cents: 
 inspecting and culling the first and second sorts of 
 shingles, per thousancl, twenty cents : the third kind, 
 thirteen cents. — — Act, 1790. 
 
 By an act of March 20, 1810, the fee for inspect- 
 ing staves and heading, was fixed at 25 cents for eve- 
 ry customary thousand. 
 
 F2 
 
66 BLACK OAK BARK. 
 
 For several years past, great quantities of bark of 
 a particular variety of black oak, for dying, have 
 been exported in powder, to Europe. 
 
 No ground black oak bark may be shipped, ex- 
 cept such, as in the opinion of the inspector, shall 
 have been shaved, clean from the ross, or outside 
 bark ; ground sufficiently fine, and be free from da- 
 mage by wet, mould, or otherwise ; well packed in 
 good and sufficient casks ; having at least twelve 
 hoops thereon, together with lining hoops on each 
 end, well secured. 
 
 Bark shall be put up and packed in casks, marked 
 In plain and legible characters, " first and second 
 quality," as its quality and manufacture may merit, 
 together with the word " Philadelphia," and the 
 name of the inspector : no casks shall be so marked, 
 except the same shall be found free from all mix- 
 ture with oak bark, tan, or extraneous matter ; from 
 damage by wet, mould, or otherwise. Bark so mix- 
 ed, or damaged, shall be branded with the letter C. 
 Persons defacing such mark, shall forfeit twenty dol- 
 lars : one half to the prosecutor, the other half to the 
 poor. Manufacturers of oak bark, must brand the 
 cask on the head, with their name, at full length, un- 
 der the penalty of one dollar for each cask omitted 
 to be so marked: the inspector shall be entitled to 
 receive for every ton weight of bark he shall in- 
 spect, three dollars : one half to be paid by the sell- 
 er, and one half by the buyer, besides cooperage ; 
 also six cents per cask, per week, for storage, com- 
 puting from the time of inspection. The inspector is 
 to weigh bark sent to him, and to furnish the owner 
 with an invoice specifying the gross weight, and the 
 tare of each cask : for every cask not exceeding ten 
 hundred weight, there shall be allowed eight pounds 
 for draft. 
 
MEASURERS OF GIlAIN,Stc. 67 
 
 The inspector is empowered to search for bark on 
 board of vessels : for obstructing him, the fine is 
 one hundred dollars, with a forfeit of the bark : 
 twenty dollars is the fine for each cask shipped with- 
 out inspection : one half to the use of the officer or 
 person prosecuting, the other half to the poor. Con- 
 demned bark may be sold for home consumption, and 
 unsound bark may be exported, without inspection : 
 disputes to be settled by arbitration, as in the case of 
 the other articles of domestic produce. 
 
 Measurers of Grain, ^c. and Weigh Masters. 
 
 For the purpose of securing justice to both buyer 
 and seller, in the continual traffic that takes place be- 
 tween citizens, a swornmeasurer of grain of all sorts, 
 and salt, and coal, is appointed. All ha)^ likewise, 
 brought to the city, is weighed at the public scales: 
 and by the certificates of the officers, all the articles 
 mentioned, are bought and sold. 
 
 Chamber of Commerce. 
 
 An association of persons, concerned in trade, was 
 formed in the year 1801, " for the purposes of aid- 
 ing the trade of the city of Philadelphia, by carry- 
 ing into effect, such rules and regulations as may 
 from time to time, be established, with respect to 
 commerce; and the adjustment ot mercantile differ- 
 ences, between each other," by the name of " The 
 Chamber of Commerce." 
 
 Agreeably to the rules of the association publish- 
 ed, they are to meet once a month : thirteen mem- 
 bers to constitute a quorum. The officers are, a pre- 
 isident, two vice presidents, a treasurer, and a secre- 
 tary ; chosen annually, on the first Monday in Janu- 
 jary. The secretary is to have a salary, to be fi^ed by 
 
68 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 
 
 the president and vice presidents. On the day of 
 their election, or as soon after as possible, the pre- 
 sident and vice president, form sixty of the mem- 
 bers of the society, into twelve classes, for the pur- 
 pose of serving as monthly committees, for the en- 
 suing year : each class to consist of five members ; 
 three of whom shall be competent to the transaction! 
 of business. Members neglecting to attend the meet- 
 ings of the committees, pay fifty cents for every ne- 
 glect. 
 
 The duty of the monthly committee is, to adjust 
 and determine all mercantile disputes which may be 
 laid before them ; and to report their proceedings to 
 the next general meeting. All awards are to be re- 
 corded, with the reasons of the award. 
 
 The members shall in no case, refuse to submit 
 any matter of account in dispute, or any mercantile, 
 difference between them, to the final arbitration or 
 adjustment of those members who may be chosen 
 for that purpose : but it shall be at the option ot the 
 parties to submit such difference to the committee of 
 the month, or each to choose a member of the soci- 
 ety, who, together with the chairman of the month, 
 shall determine the matter in dispute. Members re- 
 fusing to conform to the rules of the society, forfeit: 
 membership. The subscription is, five dollars or 
 entrance, and eight dollars yearly. Members must be 
 citizens of the United States, and residents in Phi- 
 ladelphia ; and must be nominated one month before 
 they can be chosen. 
 
 Survey of damaged ships and cargoes. 
 
 The following mode of procedure is adopted, t(| 
 determine the quantum of damage sustained on boarc 
 vessels, by stress of weather. 
 
SlillVEY OF DAMAGED SHIPS AND CARGOES. 69 
 
 A writ issues upon application by the master, from 
 the district court, directed to three persons, two of 
 whom are masters of ships, and one a merchant, for 
 a survey on ship and cargo " (taking to their assist- 
 ance, any ship carpenter, or other tradesman, if they 
 shall think it necessary,) and to estimate the amount 
 of damage, wastage, or loss, if any, which the said 
 cargo, or any part thereof, may have sustained, and 
 the occasion thereof." The hatches are accordingly 
 examined, the discharge of the cargo takes place, 
 and the injured packages marked. The consignee 
 takes them home, when a more minute examination 
 takes place, and the quantum of damage of each 
 package being ascertained, an account of it is taken 
 agreeably to original invoice, and signed by the con- 
 signee. The report thereon is made by the surveyors 
 on oath or affirmation, and remains on record. A sale 
 at auction is then ordered, of the damaged part, for 
 accoimt of the concerned : the proceeds whereof, are 
 credited in account, and the first cost and charges 
 being deducted, the loss is ascertained. 
 
 Where the damage is deemed to arise from de- 
 ficient dunnage, or from placing a perishable arti- 
 cle in contact with dry goods, the vessel and owner 
 are liable. In such cases, the consignee or owner, 
 may have an offer oPthe damaged part, at first cost 
 and charges, but if not accepted, recourse is had, as 
 before, to sah by auction. 
 
 When a ship is dismasted, or otherwise injured, 
 by stress of weather, a special examination takes 
 Dlace of the protest and log book, and of the master 
 md mariners on board, touching the disaster ; and 
 orders are issued for repairs. When these ai-e com- 
 pleted, the bills are brought to the surveyors, who 
 separate the charges incident to the disaster, from 
 ;;hose resulting from the decay of the ship ; and a 
 i report as in the former case is lodged in the office. 
 
70 PORT WARDENS. 
 
 When a ship puts back in distress, and it becomes 
 necessary to discharge the cargo, a writ is obtained 
 for a survey, as in other cases ; and after examination 
 by the surveyors, their certificate issues to the cus- 
 tom-house, for a permit to discharge the cargo, if 
 necessarj'. An inquiry respecting the cause of the 
 disaster, the order for repairs, the examination of the 
 bills for the same, and report take place as before. 
 
 The ability and impartiality, with which the duties 
 of the surve3'ors of Philadelphia have been discharg- 
 ed, has caused a general confidence to be reposed in 
 their reports, by underwriters at home and abroad. 
 
 Wardens of the Port, 
 
 A board of Wardens was established by law, at an 
 early date, and in 1803, a new law was passed on the 
 subject: by this, the governor is authorized to appoint { 
 annually, one master Warden and six assistants, with i 
 power to use a seal, and to appoint a clerk, whose I 
 minutes of the transactions of the board are open to 
 the public. ' 
 
 The master Warden is bound to attend every day, 
 from ten to one o'clock, at the office ; and once a 
 month the full board are to meet, to grant licences to 
 pilots, to make rules for their government ; to decide 
 all differences between masters, owners, and con- 
 signees of vessels, or pilots : to direct the mooring 
 of ships, and the order in which they shall lie, load, 
 or unload at the wharves ; and to make and ordain 
 penalties for the breach of their rules and orders. 
 An appeal from their decision to the Court of Com- 
 mon Pleas is allowed, provided it be made within six 
 days. The Wardens are exempted from serving on 
 juries. The assistants receive no pay : that of the 
 Master Warden is $2 50, daily. The salary of the 
 clerk is $500 annually. The Wardens must take ar 
 
PILOTS. Yl 
 
 oath of office. The accounts of the office are to be 
 settled quarterly, by the Register General ; and if it 
 shall appear that the monies paid into the office are 
 insufficient to defray the expenses of it, the Governor 
 IS authorized to draw on the State Treasurer for the 
 amount of such deficiency : but it must not exceed 
 
 No person is permitted to make any obstruction to 
 ^ rT'^ Passage along the wharves, under a pen- 
 alty of SlOO: if made, the Wardens are authorized 
 to remove the same. Persons desirous of extending 
 a wharl mto the river, must make application, under 
 a heavy penalty, to the Board, who are to determine 
 vvhether the wharf will not encroach upon or injure 
 Wie channel, and approve or disapprove the measure. 
 1 he wardens are also authorized to fix and determine 
 the extent and distance to which wharves may be 
 built in Schuylkill, on either of its shores, from the 
 lower falls, to its junction with the river Delaware.=^ 
 
 No burning or breaming vessels is permitted at 
 any wharf between Cedar street and Vine street 
 under a penalty of one hundred and fifty dollars! 
 
 Pilots. 
 
 There are three classes of Pilots. The first are 
 permitted to pilot vessels of any depth of water : the 
 second, those of twelve feet or under: the third, those 
 of nine feet or under. Every pilot must serve an 
 apprenticeship of six years to a first rate pilot. In 
 four years, he may, if found qualified, take out a li- 
 cence for the third class : after one year more he 
 may take out one for the second class. At the end 
 ,i)f the sixth year, he may become a first rate pi- 
 !lot. The licences must be annually renewed. The 
 
 » Act, March 28th, 1805. 
 
72 PILOTS. 
 
 indentures of pilots are recorded in the warden's 
 office : previously to granting any licence, the pilot 
 must conduct a square rigged vessel, twice up and 
 down the river, under the inspection of a pilot of 
 the first branch. Pilots must give bond for the 
 faithful performance of their duty. If required, they 
 must shew their licences to the master of any vessel 
 they may take charge of. Extra services of pilots are 
 to be paid for agreeably to the detei-mination of the 
 board of wardens, provided the parties cannot agree. 
 Vessels outward bound are to remain twenty-four 
 hours at the capes, to give the pilots an opportunity 
 to be taken out : in case of reiusal so to do on the 
 part of the captain, pilots are entitled to a sum not 
 exceeding 800 dollars. If carried to sea, first branch 
 pilots receive captain's wages until their death, or re- 
 turn : if a second rate pilot be carried off, he is en- 
 titled to the wages of first mate : if a third rate pilot, 
 to the wages oi'seamen. If they have no boat attending 
 them, they are only to be entitled to half the afore- 
 said wages. Two dollars per day, are allowed to 
 pilots detained by ice, or by the master or owner, or 
 while perlorming quarantine : if prevented by icei 
 or other causes from entering the port of Philadel-j 
 phia, and are compelled to proceed to another port, 
 they are entitled to full pilotage, and to eight cents 
 mileage. Pilots occasioning the loss of vessels b; 
 carelessness, are suspended and fined by the warder 
 and subject to prosecution for damages at commo: 
 law. 
 
 Fifty cents are paid for a licence. The rates of 
 pilotage for inward bound vessels are as follows. 
 
 For everv half foot of water drawn by a vessel, up 
 to twelve feet, one dollar and thirty three cents 
 above twelve feet, one dollar sixty seven cents. 
 
 Outward bound vessels pay as follows. 
 
HARBOUR MASTER. To 
 
 For every half foot of water up to twelve feet, 
 one dollar : more than twelve feet, one dollar thirty- 
 three cents. For every vessel not registered in the 
 United States, they are to receive two dollars and 
 sixty seven cents : and for conducting vessels up to 
 the city from 20th November to 10th of March, the 
 additional sum of ten dollars. Compensation for 
 conducting to or from the city all crippled vessels, 
 which may have required extra care and trouble, is 
 not to exceed double the amount of what they other- 
 wise would have been entitled to, of which the war- 
 dens shall judge. 
 
 All vessels arriving from foreign ports, and every 
 vessel of seventy-five tons, outward bound, must re- 
 ceive a pilot ; the master is required to report to 
 the warden's office the name of the vessel, her draught 
 of water, and the pilot's name, within thirty-six hours 
 after her arrival ; and if outward bound, before she 
 leaves the port, under a penalty^ of sixty dollars. 
 Masters refusing to take a pilot, pay a sum equal 
 to half pilotage of the vessel, for the benefit of dis- 
 tressed and decayed pilots. 
 
 Pilots are to report to the office, the vessels they 
 bring up. For making a false report, they pay a fine of 
 twelve dollars. Injuries sustained in their boats in re- 
 lieving vessels are to be made good by the owner 
 of the vessel. Pilots neglecting to attend their duty 
 for two weeks, forfeit their licence. 
 
 Harbour blaster. 
 
 In the year 1793, The useful office of Harbour 
 Master was established. He is authorized to en- 
 force and superintend the execution of the laws of 
 the Commonwealth, of the City Corporation, and the 
 bye laws of the wardens, for cleaning the docks, pre- 
 venting nuisances at the wharves ; for regulating 
 
r* MANUFACTURES. 
 
 and stationing ships in the stream, or at the wharves , 
 and for removing vessels to accommodate others ; 
 his compensation is one dollar, for every vessel 
 above 75 tons burthen. 
 
 Manufactures, 
 
 Philadelphia has long been celebrated for her 
 various manufactures ; and they have much increas- 
 ed in variety and extent, since the late interruption 
 to our foreign commerce. It would be inconsistent 
 with the nature of this work, to enter minutely into 
 this subject ; but a general view of them may be 
 given. 
 
 The various coarser metallic articles, which enter 
 so largely into the wants and business of mankind, 
 are manufactured to a great extent, in a variety of 
 forms, and in a substantial manner. All the various 
 edged tools for mechanics are extensively made ; and 
 it may be mentioned as a fact calculated to excite 
 surprise, that our common screw augur, an old and 
 extensively useful instrument, has been recently an- 
 nounced in the British publications, as a capital im- 
 provement in mechanics, as it certainly is, and that 
 all attempts by foreign artists to make this instrument 
 durable, have failed. 
 
 The finer kinds of metals are wrought with neat- 
 ness and taste. The numerous varieties of tin ware 
 in particular, may be mentioned as worthy of atten- 
 tion. But above all, the working of the precious met- 
 als has reached a degree of perfection highly credita- 
 ble to the artists. Silver plate fully equal to ster- 
 ling, as to quality and execution is now made, and the 
 plated wares are superior to those commonly import- 
 ed in the way of trade. Floor cloths of great variety 
 of patterns, without seams, and the colours bright, 
 hard and durable j various printed cotton stuffs, 
 
MANUFACTURES. 1'^ 
 
 warranted fast colours; earthen ware, yellow and i-cti, 
 and stone ware are extensively made ; experiments 
 shew, that ware equal to that of StalFordsliire might 
 be manufactured, if workmen could be procured. 
 
 The supply of excellent patent shot is greater than 
 the demand. All the chemical drugs, and mineral 
 acids of superior quality, are made by several per- 
 sons : also, cards, carding and spinning machines 
 for cotton, flax, and wool. Woollen, worsted, and 
 thread hosiery have long given employment to our 
 German citizens : and recently, cotton stockings have 
 been extensively made. 
 
 Paints of twentv-two different colours, brilliant and 
 durable, are in common use, from native materials ; 
 the supply of which is inexhaustible. The chromate 
 of lead, that superb yellow colour, is scarcely equal- 
 led by any foreign paint. There are fifteen rope-walks 
 in our vicinit}^. We no longer depend upon Europe 
 for excellent and handsome paper hangings, or paste- 
 board, or paper of any kind. The innumerable arti- 
 cles into which leather enters, are neatly and substan- 
 tially made : the article sadlery forms an immense 
 item in the list. The leather has greatly improved 
 in quality ; the exportation of boots and shoes to 
 the southern states is great ; and to the West Indies 
 before the interruption to trade, was immense. 
 Morocco leather is extensively manufactured. The 
 superiority of the carriages, either as respects ex- 
 cellence of workmanship, fashion, or finish, has long 
 been acknowledged. The type-foundery of Binny 8c 
 Ronaldson, supplies nearly all the numerous printing 
 offices in the United States. There are one hundred 
 and two hatters in the city and liberties. Tobacco in 
 every form, gives employ to an immense capital. The 
 refined sugar of Philadelphia has long been celebra- 
 ted : ten refineries are constantly at work. Excellent 
 japanned and pewter ware : muskets, rifles, fowling 
 
76 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 pieces and pistols are made with great neatness. The 
 cabinet ware is elegant, and with the manufactory 
 of wood generally, is very extensive. The houses, are 
 ornamented with marble of various hues and quali- 
 ties, from the quarries near Philadelphia. 
 
 Mars Works, at the corner of Ninth and Vine 
 streets, and on the Ridge road, the property of Oli- 
 ver Evans, consists of an iron foundery, mould-ma- 
 ker's shop, steam engine manufactory, black-smith's 
 shop, and mill-stone manufactory, and a steam engine 
 used for grinding sundry materials, for the use of the 
 works, and for turning and boreing heavy cast and 
 wrought iron work. The buildings occupy one hun- 
 dred and eighty eight feet front, and about thirty five 
 workmen are daily employed. They manufacture 
 all cast or wrought iron work, for machinery for 
 mills, for grinding grain, or sawing timber; for forges, 
 rolling and slitting mills, sugar mills, apple mills, bark 
 mills, &c. Pans of all dimensions used by sugar boilers, 
 soap boilers, &c. Screws of all sizes for cotton presses, 
 tobacco presses, paper presses, cast iron gudgeons, and 
 boxes for mills and waggons, carriage boxes, &c. and 
 all kinds of small wheels and machinery for cotton and 
 wool spinning &c.Mr.Evans also makes steam engines 
 on improved principles, invented and patented by the 
 proprietor, which are more powerful and. less compli- 
 cated, and cheaper than others; requiring less fuel, 
 and not more than one fiftieth part of the coals 
 commonly used. The small one in use at the works, 
 is on this improved principle, and is of great use in 
 facilitating the manufactory of others. The proprie- 
 tor has erected one of his improved steam engines 
 in the town of Pittsburgh, and employed to drive three 
 pair of large millstones with all the machinery for 
 cleaning the grain, elevating, spreading and stirring, 
 and cooling the meal, gathering and bolting, &c. &c. 
 The power is equal to twenty four horses, and will 
 
MANUFACTURES. 77 
 
 do as much work as seventy-two horses in twenty- 
 four hours; it would drive five pair of six feet mill- 
 stones, and grind five hundred bushels of wheat in 
 twenty-four hours. 
 
 All kinds of castings are also made at the Eagle 
 works, on Schuylkill, belonging to S. & W. Richards. 
 
 Breiveries — Distilleries. 
 
 Beer was brewed in Philadelphia for several years 
 before the revolutionary war, and soon after peace 
 the more substantial porter v/as made by the late Mr. 
 Robert Hare. Until within three or four years, the 
 consumption of that article had greatly increased, 
 and is now the common table drink of every family 
 in easy circumstances. The quality of it is truly ex- 
 cellent : to say that it is equal to any of London, 
 the usual standard for excellence, would undervalue 
 it, because as it regards either wholesome qualities 
 or palatableness, it is much superior ; no other in- 
 gredients entering into the composition than malt, 
 hops, and pure water : and yet to a foreign porter 
 palate, accustomed to the impression left by the com- 
 bmation of the heterogenous compound called Eng- 
 lish malt liquor,"^ our home brewed stuff will no 
 doubt appear insipid. A fair experiment has shewn 
 them, that even so far back as 1790,f Philadelphia 
 porter bore the wai-m climate of Calcutta, and came 
 back uninjured. In 1807, orders were given by the 
 merchants of Calcutta, after tasting some of it taken 
 
 * It appears fi-om British publications, that owing to the exces- 
 sive duty upon hops and malt in England, very little of those 
 articles are now used in the manufacture of beer, porter, and ale. 
 The substitutes are tobacco, aloes, liquorice, quassia root, and 
 green vitriol. 
 
 \ Carey's American Museum, vol. 10. p. 7- 
 
 g2 
 
78 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 out as stores, for sixty hogsheads. Within a few 
 years, pale ale of the first quality is brewed, and justly 
 esteemed, being light, sprightly, and free from that 
 bitterness which distinguishes porter. Coleman's 
 deserves particular notice. The quantity of each 
 particular malt liquor brewed in Philadelphia, can- 
 not be given, as there is no excise, nor duty up- 
 on hops or malt, and if there be no other mode of 
 ascertaining the point, it is to be hoped we shall 
 ever remain ignorant on the subject. Great quan- 
 tities of porter, ale, and beer, are exported to the other 
 States. The hops are almost entirely brought from 
 New England ; much of the barley comes from the 
 same quarter, especially Rhode Island. 
 
 The distilleries of rum, whiskey, and for rectifying, 
 are numerous: and the improvements in the art are ge- 
 neral and great. The preperation of gin has become an 
 important business, and its exportation regular and 
 extensive. We still however, want the knowledge of 
 the peculiar art, of giving it that flavour which justly 
 renders the Holland gin so deservedly esteemed. 
 The discovery of the principle upon which this de- 
 pends, remains for some enterprizing American. 
 
 The taste and merit of the mechanics are exhib- 
 ited in no respect more clearly, than in the general 
 construction of shipping ; which commonly sail well, 
 work easily, and ar^ very strong. Various improve- 
 ments, it is understood, have been introduced, tend- 
 ing to increase their capacity, without diminishing 
 their strength or power of sailing. In the accommo- 
 dations too, and arrangements for passengers, when 
 built with that view, they are very convenient. Their 
 external appearance is much improved by the skill of 
 that— excellent carver, William Rush, who without i 
 the advantage of seeing any good models, or hav- 
 ing any instruction from great masters, has arrived 
 to much eminence in his art, and is thought to sur- 
 
MANUFACTURES. 79 
 
 pass any naval carver in Europe. This is a bold 
 assertion ; but the voluntary expression of admira- 
 tion excited in Europe by his elegant figures, and the 
 opportunities of comparison with the works of Eu- 
 ropeans, afforded by commerce, in every part of the 
 world, and even the opinion of British artists, may 
 be adduced in its justification. The striking likeness 
 of Mr. John Adams, late president of the United 
 States, as a head for the frigate bearing his name, and 
 of others, from memory alone, are full proofs of the 
 powers of his mind, and the success of his chisel. 
 
 Before the American war, a considerable spirit 
 prevailed for the culture of the silk worm : and a so- 
 ciety was established for its encouragement, with a 
 fund for the purchase of the raw material. The 
 common black mulberry, was found to answer well 
 for the food of the insect, A filature was also 
 erected under the direction of the society, on the, 
 present site of the University in Ninth street. In 
 one instance, a lady in the vicinity of Philadelphia, 
 raised on her father's farm, as many worms as pro- 
 duced a piece of silk, of m.ore than fifty yards in 
 length ; it was manufactured in London, under the 
 care of Dr. Franklin, in 1772. 
 
 The following is a short abstract of the marshal's 
 report of the Manufactures in the city and county of 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Looms - - - 273 
 Spinning-wheels, - 3,648 
 Oil Mills, - - 3 
 
 r- ' 1 -«. rvalue of work last 
 
 Carriage makers, - 17 j^^^ ^498,500 
 
 Soap and Candle makers, 28 
 Glue Manufactures, 14 
 
 Distilleries - - 18 |?!"S"' ^'f^±h 
 
 Sugar Refineries, - 10 
 
 (^1810, 12,83818 
 
8a HISTORY OF THE PRESS. 
 
 Ropewalks, 
 Potteries, 
 
 - 
 
 15 
 16 
 
 Tobacco and SnuiF, 
 Copper Brass and Tin, 
 
 27 
 
 44 
 
 Hatters Shops, 
 Paper Mills, 
 Printing Offices, 
 Cutlers, 
 
 - 
 
 102 
 
 r 
 
 51 
 
 28 
 
 Gunsmiths 
 
 - 
 
 10* 
 
 Glass works, 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 The above is generally deemed under the actual 
 number of the distilleries, mechanics and manufactu- 
 
 Press — History — Progress — Present state. 
 
 Among the numerous respectable men, and useful 
 mechanics, who early emigrated to the new world, 
 was William Bradford, printer, who in less than six 
 weeks after the city was founded, established a press. 
 
 * Abstract of the amount of the annual manufactures, manufac- 
 turing establishments, &c. in the Commonwealth of Pennsylva- 
 nia, as per the return of the assistants to the marshal of the dis- 
 trict, for the year 1810. 
 
 Manufactures in Flax, Hemp, Wool, and Cotton, §4,279,174 
 
 In Grain, Fruit, &.c 15,778,424 
 
 In Leather, 3,155,967 
 
 In Lead, 296,800 
 
 In Iron, 5,869,487 
 
 In Tanneries , 1,607,804 
 
 Manufacturing Establishments in Cotton, Wool,") , <,,,i n.,. 
 Hemp, and Flax,3 ^'"^-"^'^^^ 
 
 Hats 1,296,346 
 
 Paper, &c 1,227,766 
 
 Miscellaneous, . . . §7,883,892 
 964.966 
 6j3,113 
 ..... 9,451,941 
 
 §44,194,740 
 
HISTORY OF PRINTING. »l 
 
 The first specimen of his work, is a sheet almanac,* 
 for the year 1687", in twelve compartments ; the year 
 beginning with March, and ending with February, as 
 was usual, before the 18th century. A copy of this 
 first specimen of American typography, is preserved 
 in the public library of Philadelphia. The place of 
 his residence is not certainly known : but in 1689, 
 another work, on the subject of the New England 
 Churches, by G. Keith, is dated in that year, in 
 Philadelphia. — Disputes having arisen in the So- 
 ciety of Friends, Bradford took part with the mi- 
 nority, and published the pamphlets of Keith and 
 Thomas Budd, against the governing party, which 
 occasioned the imprisonment of himself and friends, 
 and induced him after his liberation, to settle in New 
 York,| to which place he removed in 1690. 
 
 Reinier Jansen, evidently a Dutchman by name, 
 but of whose history, no facts are on record; manag- 
 ed Bradford's Press in Pennsylvania in his own name, 
 after the removal of the latter to New York, until 
 the year 1712, when Andrew Bradford, son of Wil- 
 iam, came from New York, and from that time un- 
 ;il 1723, was the only printer in the colony. In 
 1719, he printed the first newspaper in Pennsylvania, 
 n company with John Copson ; it was entitled the 
 ■' American Weekly Mercury," and printed on a 
 lalf sheet of paper. He also printed the Almanacs 
 of Jacob Taylor, Titan Leed, John Jerman, and 
 William Birket for several years. — In 1723, a se- 
 
 * The title of this work, is " An Almanac for the year of the 
 Christian account, 1687 ; particularly respecting the meridian- 
 and latitude of Burlington, but may indifferently suit all places 
 adjacent. By Daniel I.eeds, Student in Agriculture. Printed and 
 sold by William Bradford, near Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania 
 pro. Anno. I687." — Thomas's History of Printing, p. 1—8. 
 
 f The particulars are detailed in the History of Printing, in 
 Amei-ica, by Isaiah Tiiomas : a work which will amply repay the 
 reader for the perusal. 
 
82 HISTORY OF THE PRESS. 
 
 cond printing office was opfened by Samuel Keimer, 
 of whom several curious anecdotes are given by Dr. 
 Franklin,* and I. Thomas. — He printed the second 
 newspaper in Pennsylvania, commencing December 
 24, 1728, and entitled the " Universal Instructor in 
 all Arts and Sciences, and Pennsylvania Gazette." 
 It was a, folio sheet. After the return of Franklin ' 
 from England (in 1727,) he united for a short time 
 with Hugh Meridith, and continued Keimer's pa- 
 per, on a whole or a half sheet, as occasion required. 
 In 1747-8, it was published by Franklin and D. 
 Hall, on a whole sheet, crown iolio, and afterwards 
 enlarged. The successors of Hall, continue this pa- 
 per weekly under the title of the '•• Pennsylvania Ga- 
 zette." 
 
 William Bradford, grandson of the first William, 
 commenced printing a weekly paper in 1742, which 
 was continued by himandhissuccessors untilaboutthe 
 year 1797. Various others succeeded,! some of which 
 were given up, and some continue. A German news- 
 paper was printed weekly in Philadelphia, so early as 
 1 743, by Joseph Crellius, under the direction of the 
 late Rev. Dr. Smith, provost of the college of Phila- 
 delphia, who had also the management of the German 
 press, an appointment he received from a benevolent 
 society in London, instituted for " promoting religi- 
 
 * Franklin 
 
 's life. 
 
 
 f Pennsylvania Chronicle Pi 
 
 om 1767 
 
 to 1773 Goddard 
 
 Pen. Packet 
 
 1771 
 
 Dunlap 
 
 Pen. Ledger 
 
 1773 
 
 1776 Humphreys 
 
 Pen. livening Post 
 
 1775 
 
 Towiie 
 
 Pen. Mercury 
 
 1775 
 
 1775 Story and 
 Humphreys 
 
 Phila. Gazette German 
 
 1762 
 
 17791 
 
 Freeman's Journal 
 
 1781 
 
 1792 Bailey 
 
 Independent Gazetteer 
 
 1781 
 
 1796 Oswald 
 
 ^ Thomas's History of Printing. 
 
PERIODICAL WORKS. 83 
 
 ous knowledge among the Germans in Pennsylva- 
 nia." A German paper had been printed quarterly 
 in the year 1739, at Germantown, seven miles from 
 Philadelphia, by C. Sower, who cast his own types, 
 and made his own ink. It was afterwards printed 
 monthly, and in 1744, every week, under the title of 
 " The Germantown Gazette, by C. Sower, jun." until 
 some time in the revolutionary war. 
 
 The " Pennsylvania Packet, or General Adverti- 
 ser," was first printed weekly by John Dunlap in 1771, 
 and continued at Lancaster from 1778 to 177,9, 
 while the British had possession of Philadelphia: on 
 the evacuation of the city, it was published twice a 
 week ; in the year 1784, in conjunction with David 
 C. Claypoole, who had served his time with Mr. 
 Dunlap, it was printed daily ; this was the first daily 
 paper printed in the United States. — In 1801, the 
 paper was sold to Zachariah Poulson, who continues 
 it to this day, under a very respectable patronage, — 
 the title is " The American Daily Advertiser." 
 
 At present there are printed in Philadelphia, eight 
 daily papers, — viz. 
 
 3Iorn'mg. 
 Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, 1784 
 Duane, . . Aurora, . 1790 
 
 Bradford . True American, 1797 
 
 M'Corkle . Freeman's Journal, 1804 
 
 Evening. 
 Relf . Philadelphia Gazette. 1788 
 
 Bronson . Gazette U. States. 1791 
 
 Jackson . Register, . 1804 
 
 Binns . Democratic Press. 1807 
 
 Three times a week. 
 Duane, McCorkle, Binns. 
 Twice a week. 
 Bronson. 
 Weekly. 
 Hall and Pierie Pennsylvania Gazette* 
 
 i. 
 
84 HISTORY OF PRINTING. 
 
 Duane 
 
 Binns 
 
 Conrad Gentler,! Amerit^ischer Beobachter. 
 
 '1 
 
 John Geyer, ^ ^^^^^^^ 
 
 German. J 
 Repertory 
 * Helmbold Tickler — occasionally. ] 
 
 It has been ascertained that 19,298 impressions" 
 of the above papers are distributed every week.f 
 
 It may be useful to notice the other periodical and" 
 literary works, published in former times in Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 In 1741, Franklin attempted " the General Ma- 
 gazine, and Historical Chronicle, in 12 mo. price 
 12*. per annum," but continued it only six months. 
 
 A. Bradford printed in 1741 for the editor and 
 proprietor, John Webbe, " The American Maga- 
 zine, in 8vo." two numbers of which only appeared. 
 
 In 1757, William Bradford, printed " The Ame- 
 rican Magazine, or Monthly Chronicle," for the 
 British colonies ; By a society of gentlemen. Three 
 numbers only were printed. 
 
 In 1769, Lewis Nichola, published " The Ame- 
 rican Magazine," each number containing 48 pages. 
 It ended with the year. " The Penny Post," by 
 Potts, succeeded for a few months. 
 
 In 1771, John M'Gibbons published a' few num- 
 bers of " The Royal Spiritual Magazine." 
 
 In 1775, the late Robert Aitken published " The 
 Pennsylvania Magazine, or American Monthly 
 Museum," the editor of which was Thomas Paine. 
 It was well conducted, and may be read at the pre- 
 sent day with entertainment and profit. It began in 
 January 1775, and closed in July 1776. 
 
 Thomas enumerates 71 papers m the state of Pennsylvania. 
 t liobinson'.s Directory. 
 
HISTORY OF PRINTING. 85 
 
 In the year 1779, Francis Bailey, printed nine 
 numbers ©i" the " United States Magazine." 
 
 In the year 1786, the " Columbian Magazine" 
 was began by Mathew Carey, Charles Cist and 
 William Spottswood. It was pu^blished monthly, for 
 about eight years. Shortly after its commencement, 
 the sole proprietorship devolved upon William 
 Spottswood, who, after the lapse of about three 
 years, sold it to Mr. William Young, who finally 
 discontinued it in 1793. Considering the situation 
 of the country at the time, this work was respecta- 
 bly conducted. 
 
 In January 1787, Mathew Carey commenced the 
 publication of the American Museum, which was 
 intended to combine the plan of a common miscel- 
 laneous magazine, and historical chronicle, or regis- 
 ter of the tunes. It was ably conducted, and it is 
 sincerely to be regretted that want of encourage- 
 ment obliged the editor and proprietor to relinquish 
 his useful labours. Twelve volumes in a regular se- 
 ries were pviblished. A thirteenth volume was pub- 
 lished in 1798. Every public library in the I/nited 
 States, ought to possess a copy of this work. 
 
 Previously to the establishment of the federal go- 
 vernment, the book trade v/as of small account ; 
 some foreign works of merit were however pub- 
 lished. But at the sera mentioned, the business par- 
 took of that increased life and vigour, which the new 
 state of public affairs universally diftlised. Since 
 that time, the increase of printing, and of the arts 
 connected therevv ith, have been very rapid in Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 In 1786, four book-sellers thought an edition of 
 the New Testament, for schools, a work of risque, 
 requiring much consultation previously to the deter- 
 mination of the measure : yet such was the rapid 
 progress of things, that in 1790, one of the boojk- 
 
86 HISTORY OF PRINTING. 
 
 sellers above referred to, thought it safe to risque 
 the publication of the ENCYCLOPitDiA, in eighteen 
 quarto volumes, and even promised that it should be 
 improved. When the first half volume was publish- 
 ed, in 1790, he had but 246 subscribers, and could 
 only procure two or three engravers. One thousand 
 copies of the first volume were printed : two thou- 
 sand of the second; and when he had completed the 
 eighth, the subscription extended so far as to render 
 it necessary to reprint the first. He then found diffi- 
 culty in procuring printers tor the work.* 
 
 In 1792, Ebenezer Hazard Esq. published a quar- 
 to volume of " Historical collections," intended as 
 materials for a history of the United States, and ano- 
 ther in 1794. These collections were the result of 
 much assiduous application, and made under the 
 patronage of Congress, whose recommendation pro- 
 cured him access to the records of the state legisla- 
 tures. 
 
 The quarto Bible, set up by Mathew Carey, in Phi- 
 lade^.^hia, was the first standing Bible, of that size, in 
 the world, and is even now, the only one of separate 
 types. These were cast by Binney and Ronaldson, of 
 Philadelphia. Printing is now executed in a style 
 equal to that of any country in Europe ; and some 
 specimens of truly superb work, as Barlow's Colum- 
 hiad, and Willson's Ornithology, have been sent 
 forth. The plates in Bradford and Inskeep's edition 
 of Ree's Cyclopaedia, now in progress, are much su- 
 perior to those in the original English work ; and 
 the printing, fully equal thereto. 
 
 The number of volumes printed in Philadelphia, 
 annually, are calculated at 500,000.* There are fifty- 
 one printing offices, which have 153 presses.f 
 
 * Hopkinson's oration before tlie Academy of Fine Arts. No- 
 vember, 1810.— p. 19. 
 
 f Robinson's Directory, for 1811, 
 
PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS. 87 
 
 There are upwards of sixty engravei-s in Philadel- 
 phia, and twenty more would find constant employ. 
 The improvement of the art has been very con:^ide- 
 rable, within a few years past. 
 
 Periodical Publications, 
 
 The following periodical works are at present pub- 
 lished in Philadelphia. 
 
 Monthhj. 
 
 1. The Port Folio, by Joseph Dennie : a miscel- 
 laneous work. It was at first a weekly sheet, and 
 commenced in 1801. Bradford and Inskeep. Price S6. 
 
 2. Mirror of Taste and Dramatic Censor. T. B. 
 Zantzinger, & Co. Price S8. 
 
 3. Select Reviews and Spirit of the Magazines, 
 By E. Bronson, and others, 1809. Earl. Price %5, 
 
 ^larterly. 
 
 4. Medical Museum. By J. R. Coxe, M. D. — 
 
 Humphreys. 7 vols. Price %2. 
 
 5. Eclectic Repertory, and Analytical Review, 
 Medical and Philosophical ; by a society of Physi- 
 cians, 1810. Earl. Price g3. 
 
 6. Archives of Useful Knowledge. Devoted to 
 commerce, manufactures, rural and domestic econo- 
 my, agriculture, and the useful arts. By James 
 Mease, M. D Hogan. Price %2. 
 
 7. American Review o5 history, politics, and ge^ 
 neral repository of literature and state papers. By 
 Robert Walsh, jun. — Farrand and NichoUs. Price ^6. 
 
88 LAW REPORTS. 
 
 S e mi- annually . 
 
 8. American Register, or General Repository ot 
 History, Politics and Science. Commenced in 1806. 
 7 volumes. — C. and A. Conrad. Price §3 25. 
 
 Occasional Law Reports. 
 
 Reports of cases adjudged in the Supreme Court 
 of Pennsylvania. By Horace Binney. Farrand and 
 Nicholls. Two volumes have betn published. Price 
 S6 each. 
 
 Reports of cases adjudged in the Court of Com- 
 mon Pleas, of the first district. By P. A. Browne. 
 1 vol. — D. Hogan. Price g3. 
 
 Former Government of Philadelphia. 
 
 The first frame of Government published by Penn 
 in England, for his new Province, had evidently been 
 drawn from the celebrated "Oceana" of Harrington; 
 a work which theoretical writers have supposed, ex- 
 hibits the best picture of a perfect Commonwealth. 
 Penn soon found upon bringing his principles to the 
 test of experience, that they were not suited to the 
 multiplied wants of men bustling m the scenes of 
 active life, nor to calm the jealousies and contend- 
 ing interests of a people engaged in the arduous task 
 of subduing the wilderness. 
 
 The government was vested in a Governor, and 
 freemen constituting a council : one third of which 
 was to be chosen for three years, one third for two 
 years, and one third for one year, in such a manner 
 that there should be an annual succession of 
 twenty four new members. The council was to con- 
 sist of seventy two members, to be chosen by the 
 freemen ; the governor, or his representative was 
 
FORMER GOVERNMENT. 89 
 
 to be perpetual President, but only had a treble 
 vote. The general assembly^ in the true democratic 
 style, was at first to consist of all the freemen ; af- 
 terwards of two hundred, and never to exceed five 
 hundred. 
 
 This singular frame was abolished in a few months 
 after the arri\ al of Penn, and another granted on the 
 second of April 1683 : but such was the difficulty ot 
 either fixing on the most eligible iorm, or oi fully 
 satisfying the adventurers, that this was also given 
 up, as well as another passed on the seventh oi No- 
 vember 1696 ; and it was not until the year 1701,* 
 during the last visit of the proprietary, that the charter 
 was granted which lasted until the commencement of 
 the American revolution. 
 
 I'he charter of the city of Philadelphia was dated 
 ihe 25th October 1701. Before that day, Philadel- 
 phia was called the town. 
 
 By this charter William Penn nominated the first 
 mayor, recorder, aldermen and common councilmen, 
 and granted them, among other privileges ancUran- 
 chises, that ot electing others to supply vacancies, and 
 even to increase their own number at pleasure ; the 
 public grounds were granted to them by the name of 
 the mayor and commonalty of the city of Philadel- 
 phia, but the commonalty had no share in the gov- 
 ernment or estate of the city, the whole body being 
 seli-elective, and not accountable to the citizens in 
 any respect. It would be difficult to account tor so 
 extraordinary a charter from the wisdom of William 
 Penn, did not we know that among the first settlers, 
 were a considerable number from the city of Bristol 
 inEngland, whose charter granted at an early period, 
 before the rights of the commonalty were well under- 
 
 * 28th October. 
 
90 FORMER GOVERNMENT. 
 
 stood, had been familiarized by habit, which indu* 
 ced them to request a similar one : a copy of the 
 Bristol charter was accordingly procured, and with 
 little variations adopted. It was not long however, 
 before the commonalty began to be dissatisfied with 
 it, and to make frequent complaints to the assem- 
 bly, of the abuses that were practised under it ; ma- 
 ny of which appear upon the minutes of the house. 
 At an early period after the charter, the legislative 
 powers of this corporation were very limited : they 
 could not levy a shilling by taxes, ior any use what- 
 ever, and could employ the income of the city estates 
 only for the use and embellishment o'l the city ; where- 
 fore we see few monuments raised to preserve the 
 memory of that corporation. Although the first men 
 for integrity and abilities to be found in the city, were 
 elected into the office of the body politic, yet such is 
 the nature of unlimited power, not accountable to the 
 people, that it will divert the best men from purpo- 
 ses, which, before they were invested with the pow- 
 er, they would have highly approved. The jealousy 
 v/h:ch the citizens entertained oi the corporation, per- 
 vaded the general assembly of the province ; and 
 when the lighting, watching, and paving the city be- 
 came a desirable object, the representatives of the 
 freemen would not entrust the corporation alone with 
 the power o.i raising -or expending the money neces- 
 sary for these purposes ; they would not however 
 cast such a reflection on the respectable characters 
 of which that body was composed, as wholly to vest 
 these powers with others : but pursued a middle line, 
 and constituted two separate bodies, by the names of 
 city wardens and street commissioners, to the former 
 of whom, the lighting and watching, and to the latter, 
 the paving of the streets, was committed ; the mayor 
 or recorder, and four of the aldermen concurring 
 with each body, in laying the taxes and prescribing 
 
FORMER GOVERNMENT. 91 
 
 the mode of expending them ; thus the city legisla- 
 tion for these purposes, became compovmded of two 
 branches : the wardens and commissioners immedi- 
 ately elected by the people, in the same manner as 
 their representatives in assembly, constituted the de- 
 mocratic ; and the mayor and aldermen, the aristo- 
 cratic branch. These bodies, thus compounded, con- 
 ducted the business committed to them, with great 
 harmony ; nor is there the least recollection of any 
 disagreement between them : the taxes were laid 
 with equality, collected with moderation, and expend- 
 ed for the real use and improvement of the city : one 
 complaint only, had foundation, which arose from 
 the nature, rather than from any abuse of the pow- 
 ers : the number of wardens and street commission- 
 ers was so great, as at very moderate wages, to ren- 
 der those boards too expensive. 
 
 For the honour of the late corporation it ought not 
 to be omitted, that the mayor's court was always fill- 
 ed with an able lawyer for the recorder, and ano- 
 ther for the prosecution of criminal oifences : and 
 such was the orderly and upright administration of 
 justice in it, that no court in the province, or perhaps 
 any other country, exceeded it. 
 
 The legislature convened after the declaration of 
 independence declared, by an act passed during their 
 first session " That the powers and jurisdiction hither- 
 to exercised by the mayor, recorder, and aldermen of 
 the city of Philadelphia, were not founded on the au- 
 thority of the people, and are therefore become null 
 and void." Wherefore, by that and several subsequent 
 acts, the powers of the corporation were distributed 
 between the supreme executive council, the city ma- 
 gistrates, and the wardens and street commissioners, 
 who exercised them from the year 1 Tl'l to 1 789. The 
 prejudices which had no foundation as to corporations 
 in general, but only against the constitution of the late 
 
92 PRESENT GOVERNMENT. 
 
 corporation of the city, were however so strong, that 
 the people could scarcely be prevailed on to submit to 
 a new incorporation. The defects in the administra- 
 tion of justice, and the police of the city, at length 
 became so glaring, as to be seen by all classes of peo- 
 ple ; and they were prepared for an act of incorpora" 
 tion. 
 
 Present Government. 
 
 The law for incorporating the city of Philadelphia, 
 was passed on the 11th of March, 1809, and has been 
 amended by several supplements. It may be impor- 
 tant to mention the occasion of one of these supple- 
 ments. A very wise law had been passed, to prevent 
 the erection of wooden buildings, in the thickly set- 
 tled parts of the city : and on the penalty of the law 
 being about to be enforced, it was held, by some great 
 law characters, that as fines, penalties and forfeit- 
 ures inured to the benefit of the corporation, no free- 
 man thereof was competent to prove the breach of 
 the said ordinances, inasmuch as the same would 
 operate a diminution of his share of contribution for 
 supporting such corporation : but the legislature 
 considering that it would be in some cases imprac- 
 ticable to prove breaches of laws by any other testi- 
 mony, or to determine respecting the same, before 
 any other than judges or jurors liable to such ex- 
 ceptions, and that the interest of each individual 
 in the application of such fines and forfeitures, is 
 too inconsiderable to give an improper bias to his 
 testimony, resolved in 1799, that every freeman of the 
 citv or any corporate town, shall be qualified as a 
 witness to prove a breach of the ordinances, except 
 he be a pauper, called to give testimony touching 
 the breach of any ordinance by which fines or 
 penalties are appropriated, and out of which he re- 
 
PRESENT GOVERNMENT. 9S 
 
 eeives alms, or pensions. Courts, aldermen and bur- 
 gesses are also qualified to decide respecting breach- 
 es of the ordinances and by-laws ; and freemen to 
 be competent jurymen, notwithstanding their interest 
 as members of the corporation. 
 
 There are two legislative branches, viz. Select and 
 Common Councils. The first consist of twelve, the 
 latter of twenty members. 
 
 One third of the Select, and the whole of the 
 Common Council are chosen annually by the people, 
 at the general election on the second Tuesday of Octo- 
 ber, and their first business is to appoint a mayor for 
 one year, from among the body of aldermen. The 
 recorder, and aldermen, of whom there are fifteen, 
 are appointed by the governor during good behaviour. 
 Both are required to take an oath for the faith- 
 ful performance of their duties. 
 
 The whole legislative power of the corporation 
 is vested exclusively in the councils, who act as 
 separate and distinct bodies, and are authorized 
 " to make, ordain, constitute and establish such laws, 
 provided the same shall not be repugnant to the 
 laws and constitution of the commonwealth, as shall 
 be necessary for the government and welfare of the 
 city." They are required to publish their laws in 
 two or more newspapers of the city, within ten days 
 after their being passed, otherwise they shall be null 
 and void : and are to be recorded in the office of 
 the recorder of deeds. Councils deliberate with open 
 doors. 
 
 The mayor and aldermen have severally the 
 
 powers of a justice of peace and oyer and terminer. 
 
 The salary of the former is two thousand dollars 
 
 i annually, besides fees of office. That of the latter is 
 
 l one thousand dollars, with some fees. 
 
 He is authorized to appoint a legal character, to 
 be attorney for the corporation, whose duty it is 
 
94 PRESENT GOVEllNMENT. 
 
 to draught all bonds, obligations and contracts, &c, 
 requisite to be done and made between the corpo- 
 ration and the citizens ; to prosecute all suits brought 
 by the corporation, and to defend all actions com- 
 menced against it, and to furnish the councils and 
 mayor with his opinions on any subject which may 
 be submitted to him. 
 
 He also appoints the city commissioners, the high 
 constables, watchmen, the corders of wood at the 
 public landings, and all other officers of the corpora- 
 tion, except those of the council, and the city trea- 
 surer. 
 
 The corporate title is, "The Mayor, Aldermen, 
 and Citizens of Philadelphia." 
 
 The organization of the city government is upon 
 the plan of our State Constitution, and the various i 
 branches composing it are justly balanced, and their: 
 powers distinct. The whole authority in the first in- 
 stance emanates from the people, the whole are 
 amenable for misconduct, and at various but stated! 
 times, the officers return to the mass of citizens. 
 The Common Council represents the freemen ; and 
 the danger of hasty resolutions, which so often dis- 
 grace single legislatures, is guarded against by the 
 election of the Select Council, whose concurrence 
 is essential to the adoption of a final measure. 
 
 The mayors in succession since the last incorpo- 
 ration, have been, Samuel Powel, Samuel Miles, Mat- 
 thew Clarkson, John Barclay, Hilary Baker, John 
 Innskeep, Matthew Lawler, John Inskeep, Robert 
 Wharton, John Barker, Robert Wharton. 
 
 The recorders, Alexander Willcox, Moses Levy, 
 Mahlon Dickerson, Joseph Reed. 
 
 Solicitor, William Merideth. 
 
PRESENT GOVERKxMENT. 95 
 
 District of Southwark, 
 
 In 1794, the distinct of Southwark was incorpora- 
 ted. It is bounded on the North by the south side 
 of Cedar street, on the West by the west side of 
 Passyunk road ; on the South, by a line commencing 
 at Wharton's place, running Eastward until it strikes 
 Keelor's lane at Moyamensing road, following said 
 lane to the Point road ; thence a due east course to 
 the Delaware river-. The board of commissioners 
 consists of fifteen members, one third of whom are 
 chosen annually. The annual tax is about §4,500. 
 
 Northern Liberties. 
 
 In 1803, the inhabitants of that part of the North- 
 ern Liberties lying between the west side of Sixth 
 street and the river Delaware, and between Vine 
 street and Cohocksink creek, were incorporated, and 
 are to have perpetual succession, and empowered to 
 acquire and hold real and personal estate. Five com- 
 missioners are annually chosen to serve for three 
 years, who make the usual municipal regulations, 
 and execute all the powers incident to the corpora- 
 tion. Their accounts are to be annually published. 
 
 Circuit and District Courts, 
 
 I The sittings of two of the federal courts, are held 
 in Philadelphia, for the Pennsylvania district. The 
 Circuit court may, when circumstances, in the opinion 
 of the judges, require, ,sit at York Town, in this dis- 
 trict. The District court, generally sits in the city ; 
 but may hold its session in any part of the district. 
 The stated sessions of the circuit court are held 
 twice in every year, viz. On the 11th days of 
 
96 FEDERAL COURTS. 
 
 April and October. But it may hold special ses- 
 sions, when circumstances render them necessary. 
 It is a court of much and important business ; which 
 is dispatched with commendable promptitude. Its 
 judges are now, Bushrod Washington, one of the 
 associate judges of the supreme court of the United 
 States, with whom is associated, agreeably to law, 
 Richard Peters, the district judge. Either judge, in 
 the absence of the other, may hold the court. It is a 
 court of original jurisdiction, in most of its duties: 
 but it is appellate, in cases of appeals from the final 
 decisions of the district court ; and such appeals are 
 decided by the judge of the supreme court alone. 
 Errors in point of law are also subjects for the cog- 
 nizance and review of this court, when legally brought 
 up from the district court. It has criminal, admiral- 
 ty, common law, and chancery jurisdiction. The 
 two first are exclusive of the state jurisdiction. But : 
 the crimes, whereof cognizance is here taken, must ! 
 be only those committed against the laws of the Uni- 
 ted States, or the laws of nations. The parties in ' 
 civil suits at common law, and in chancery, must be 
 on one side or the other, either a foreigner, or a citi- 
 zen of another state, adverse to each other. One citi- 
 zen of this state cannot, in this court, on the com- 
 mon law, or chancery sides, sue another citizen of 
 the state, though either be associated with a foreigner, 
 or a citizen oi another state. One only of the parties 
 must be a resident citizen of the state, in suits at com- 
 mon law, or in chancery, in which citizens, or a citi- 
 zen, is or are, a party or parties, in the cause. 
 
 Appeals from or exceptions to the decisions or di- 
 rections of this court, in points of law or in final 
 decrees in admiralty or chancery cases, lie to the 
 supreme court of the United States. It seems settled,; 
 that the jury may take upon them to decide both the I 
 
FEDERAL COURTS. ST 
 
 law and the fact, in criminal cases in this court, and 
 in other courts of the United States. 
 
 It is a prominent feature in the federal jurisdiction, 
 that the courts are tribunals for national and exteri- 
 torial questions ; as well as for individual contro- 
 versies wherein foreigners, or citizens of other 
 states than those in which suits are brought, are 
 concei-ned. When suits are brought in state courts 
 against foreigners, or citizens of other states, and 
 especially where titles to lands held are in question 
 under grants from different states, the causes may, in 
 certain stages of them, be removed to a lederal court. 
 The District Court is held by the district 
 Judge alone. It has four stated terms, in each year 
 — ^viz. on the third Mondays of the months of 
 May, August, November, and February. Special 
 sessions are held weekly; and oftener, when business 
 requires. This court has four sides ; viz. 
 
 1. Common Law, to a limited extent. 2. Crimi- 
 nal, where punisliment corporal, or b^/ fines, or im- 
 prisonment, does not exceed a certain limit. 3. Reve- 
 nue or Exchequer, comprehending all fiscal subjects, 
 cognizable under the laws of the United State? » 
 within the district, in a judiciary tribunal. 4. Admi- 
 ralty, This court has original and exclusive cog- 
 nizance, with a few recent exceptions, of all revenue 
 cases. It has also cognizance original and exclusive 
 of all admiralty cases ; and it is as a portion of ad- 
 miralty jurisdiction, a prize court. All suits, in reve- 
 nue and admiralty cases, must be commenced, and 
 in the first instance decided in this court. But ap- 
 peals from final decisions lie 1o the circuit court. It 
 , is a court of much and incessant business ; requiring 
 ! the constant attention of the judge. 
 I Many causes here are weighty, both in amount, 
 r principle, and intricacy. Causes of all descriptions, 
 ; must be first finally decided in this court, before they 
 I 
 
S8 FEDERAL COURTS. 
 
 can (if so intended) go up to superior courts ; unless, 
 by consent, decrees pro forma, are obtained ; and 
 this, to accelerate their progress, is sometimes done. 
 The decree of the district court is final, and not sub- 
 ject to revision in all cases of seamen's wages, 
 where the demand does not exceed fifty dollars. 
 
 Certain judges of the state may hear and deter- 
 mine cases on Habeas Corpus, though within the fed- 
 eral jurisdiction. Specified cases, such as treason, 
 piracy, murder, are excepted ; and must be heard, 
 by a federal judge ; or one of the state, designated. 
 
 Magistrates of the state, may cause offenders 
 against the criminal laws of the United States, to 
 be apprehended ; and bind them over for trial, to 
 the proper court of the United States. They may 
 also hear in a summary way, on citations, contro- 
 versies about mariners' wages. But the dissatisfied 
 party, or in case of neglect or refusal to comply 
 with the decision of a magistrate by the respondent, 
 the complainant, on the certificate of the magistrate, 
 may take out process from the District Court for its 
 final decision. 
 
 Clerk of the Circuit aud District Courts, David 
 Caldwell. Office, 180 Chesnut street. 
 
 Marshal of the district of Pennsylvania, John 
 Smith. Office, 102 South Eighth street. 
 
 The Circuit and District Courts sit in the district 
 coi rt room, formerly occupied as the senate cham- 
 ber of the United States, in the county court house, 
 coiner of Chesnut and S'ixth streets. 
 
 STATE LAW COURTS. 
 
 1 . Civil CourW 
 
 1. The Supreme court ; which possesses original 
 jurisdiction in civil cases, where the matter in con- 
 
LAW COURTS. 99 
 
 troversy is of the value of five hundred dollars and 
 upwards ; appellate jurisdiction, by writ of error, to 
 the court of common pleas, without limitation of 
 amount ; and has a general superintending authority 
 over all inferior jurisdictions. The regular terms are 
 in December and March — and there are sittings, lor 
 the trial of causes by jury before a single judge, 
 from time to time as the court appoint. Courts of 
 Nisi Prius are also held during thirty-three weeks, 
 in every year, if the business of the court require. 
 President, William Tilghman. Associates, Jasper 
 Yates and H. H. Brackenridge. 
 
 2. Common Pleas, 
 
 By a law of March 1811, the original jurisdiction 
 of this court, in all civil cases, is confined to contro- 
 versies in which the sum does not exceed one hun- 
 dred dollars ; actions for sums above that amount, 
 are to be tried in the new " district court." The 
 court of common pleas has an apellate jurisdiction, 
 by appeal from the judgments of aldermen and jus- 
 tices, and by certiorari; and is also invested by the 
 legislature equally with the supreme courts, with the 
 power of granting and proceeding on writs of parti- 
 tion, at the suit of any tenant in common, joint tenant, 
 or copartner. President, Jacob Rush. Assistants, John 
 Geyer, J. Conrad. It is held four times in each year. 
 
 3. District Court. 
 
 At the last session of the legislature, a new court, 
 called the " District Court for the city and county 
 of Philadelphia" was established for the space of six 
 years, composed of a president with the salary of 
 two thousand dollars, and two associates of five hun- 
 dred dollars ; any two of whom, in case of the ab- 
 
100 CRIMINAL COURTS. 
 
 sence or inability of the other, shall have power to 
 determine all civil pleas, and exercise the same pow- 
 ers, as are now vested in the court of common pleas, 
 provided that the sum in controversy shall exceed 
 one hundred dollars. 
 
 Alter the first Monday in June next, all causes de- 
 pending in the common pleas, are to be transierred 
 to this court, if the sum be above one hundred dollars. 
 
 'No suit shall be removed to the district court by 
 certiorari or habeas corpus ; but in all cases, the final 
 judgment of the said district court may be affirmed 
 or reversed on a writ of error from the supreme- 
 court, in a similar manner, and subject to the same 
 limitations and provisions, under which writs of errof^ 
 are now issued from the supreme court of common 
 pleas of the city and county oi Philadelphia. 
 
 This district court is to hold four terms in each 
 year, viz. in June, September, December, and 
 March: if necessary, the judges may sit daily at least 
 nine months in the year ; provided that the determi- 
 nation of no cause or action should be delayed beyond 
 the fourth term, if the parties be prepared lor trial 
 at the times appointed by the court. If the judges 
 delay a cause, in readiness for trial, it shall constitute 
 a misdemeanor in office. The court is to be opened 
 on the first iMonday in May, 1810; and the first re- 
 turn day of writs is on the first Monday in June. The 
 Prothonatory of the court of common pleas, performs 
 the duties of Prothonatory in this court. 
 
 President, Joseph Hemphill. Assistants, Jacob 
 Som.mer, Anthony Simmons. 
 
 4. The Orphan's Court ; composed of the judges 
 of the Court of Common Pleas or any two of them, 
 and possessing very extensive and important powers 
 in relation to the appointment of guardians for mi- 
 nors, the settlements, divisions, and distribution of 
 intestate's f states, and the settlement of the accounts, 
 
CRIMINAL COURTS lOl 
 
 and controul of the conduct of guardians, executory 
 and administrators. 
 
 It sits on the third Friday in every month. 
 
 5. The Register's Court ; composed of the Register 
 of Wills and any two judges of the Court ot Common 
 Pleas, and exercising a jurisdiction, sometimes ori- 
 ginal and sometimes by appeal from the register, 
 in controversies about administrations, the probate 
 of wills, &c. 
 
 It is held from time to time as occasions arise. 
 
 Aldermen and justices of the peace, who by se- 
 veral acts of assembly have individually, a special 
 jurisdiction (the former in the city and the latter in 
 the county) in certain cases of debt or demand not 
 exceeding one hundred dollars, and of damages for 
 trespass not exceeding twenty dollars, subject as to 
 the former, to an appeal to the Court of Common 
 Pleas in all cases where the sum is above twenty 
 dollars, and in some cases where it is less, and as to 
 both, to a revision of their proceedings by certiorari,» 
 
 Criminal Courts. 
 
 1. Courts of Oyer and Terminer, and general 
 jail delivery. The judges of the Supreme court, are 
 by the constitution, justices of Oyer and Terminer 
 in the several counties. And the judges of the com- 
 mon Pleas (or any two of them, the president being 
 one) in their respective counties, for the trial ot 
 capital and other offenders. The courts are usually 
 held alternately by the judges of the supreme court, 
 and of the common pleas, about once in each year j 
 and though their jurisdiction is general, they com- 
 monly take cognizance of such offences only, as are 
 either not cognizable by the quarter sessions, or 
 being so, are attended in their perpetration, with 
 
1l>2 criminal courts. 
 
 circumstances of extraordinary atrocity, requiring 
 exemplary punishment. 
 
 2. Court of Quarter Sessions, composed of the 
 judges of the Court of Common Pleas, or any two 
 of them ; possesses a jurisdiction over offences com- 
 mitted within the county of Philadelphia, not perhaps 
 definable by any general terms as to the subject of 
 it, but exercised only in cases of misdemeanor, and 
 of small felonies, which before the amelioration of 
 our penal code were not capitally punishable. 
 
 Petitions for new roads and streets are presented 
 to this court, which appoints viewers to determine on 
 the propriety of the measure. For streets in the city, 
 twelve freeholders are appointed, who being sworn 
 or affirmed, with the commissioners of the county, 
 view the place proposed. If they or ten of them 
 view the ground, and seven of the viewers agree 
 that there is occasion for a street, they may proceed 
 to lay out the same, and make report with a plot, to 
 the next court, and if approved of, shall be recorded. 
 No street is to exceed fifty feet in breadth. Dama- 
 ges are to be estimated by the viewers, and the 
 sum awarded is to be paid by the county treasurer: 
 when paid, the mayor is to have the street opened 
 under the direction of the court. 
 
 It is held four times in each year. 
 
 3 The Mayor's Court, composed of the mayoK, 
 recorder and aldermen, or any four of them, (the 
 mayor or recorder being one) possesses and ex- 
 ercises the same jurisdiction over offences com- 
 mitted within the city, as the quarter sessions in the 
 county. 
 
 It is usually held four times in a year, at intervals 
 of about three months. 
 
 4. The aldermen and justices of the peace, the 
 former in the city, and the latter in the county, pos- 
 sess individually, summary jurisdiction of certain 
 petty offences created by acts of assembly, subject 
 in some cases to an appeal. 
 
BAICKS. 103- 
 
 1. Bank of North America. 
 
 This is the oldest bank in the United States, and 
 its establishment is connected with circumstances 
 In the political history of the country, which every 
 American ought to be acquainted with, and never 
 forget. 
 
 Every one knows, that to carry on the war for in- 
 dependence. Congress were obliged to supply the 
 want of a solid circulating medium, by the emission 
 of paper money, and no funds having been provided 
 for its redemption, it met with a natural fate, a gra- 
 dual depreciation. The enthusiasm of liberty that fired 
 the minds of many in that day, to a degree not sur- 
 passed by any nation ; supported the credit of this 
 substitute for the precious metals for a time, but at 
 length it became of so little value, as to be inade- 
 quate to the wants of our citizens, and in 1781, 
 public credit was so low, that supplies could not be 
 obtained to defray the necessary expenses of the 
 government. The idea of a bank had been sometime 
 before suggested by an American* then in England, 
 and on the proposition of the minister of finance, 
 R. Morris, a plan was adopted by a resolution of con- 
 gress on the 26th of May, 1781. It was to be com- 
 posed of a thousand shares, at four hundred dollars 
 each ; but either from want of confidence in the pro- 
 ject among the monied men, or from ignorance of 
 the nature of the institution, only two hundred shares 
 were subscribed for, and it was some time aiter the 
 bank was iairly in operation, that the sum received up- 
 on all subscriptions, amounted to seventy thousand 
 dollars. In November 1782, the President and Direct- 
 ors were elected ; and in January 1783, the bank was 
 opened for business. At this time there remained in 
 the treasury, about 300,000 dollars, being part of 
 
 * Dr. Kuston. 
 
104 . BANKS. 
 
 the money loaned by France to the United States. 
 A considerable sum was due for past transactions, 
 and congress had not required the States to pay any 
 thing for the service of the coming year, before the 
 first of April. The treasury was Sl,6(X\000 in arrears. 
 Under these circumstances, about §250,000 of the 
 public money were invested by INIr. jMorris, in the 
 stock of the bank. It was principally upon this fund, 
 that the operations of the institution were commen- 
 ced ; and befoi-e the end of March, a loan from it of 
 300,000 dollars was obtained, being the total amount 
 of their specie or capital. This loan was shortly af- 
 ter increased to 400,000, for such was the state of 
 the revenue, that no more than 30,000 dollars had 
 been paid into the public chest by the last of June. 
 Considerable facilities were also obtained by dis- 
 counting notes of individuals, and thereby anticipa- 
 ting the receipt of public monev, and the army con- 
 tractors for rations, were also aided with discounts 
 upon public credit. The whole amount directly and 
 indirectly obtained, exceeded one million of dollars : 
 and Mr. Morris asserts that without this establish- 
 ment, the business of the department of finance, 
 could not have been performed.* A charter had 
 been obtained from congress in the month of Decem- 
 ber 1781, and in April 1782, an additional act of in- 
 corporation was passed by the legislature of Pennsyl- 
 vania. This however after a hard struggle was repeal- 
 ed in 1785, owing to the prejudices of many country 
 membci-s against the institution. Mr. Morris, who 
 knew the incalculable benefit derived to the countiy, 
 from the pecuniary loans of the bank, spoke feelingly 
 and ably in its defence. A new charter Mas granted 
 in 1787, and in the year 1799, it was continued for 
 fourteen years after the 17th of March 1801. 
 
 * Statement of the accounts of the United States of North 
 America^ from 1781 to 1784. Philadelphia 1784 by R. Morris- 
 
BANKft. I'iS 
 
 The capital is ^800/XX). Dividends in January 
 and July ; and since 1804, have been at the rate of 
 nine per cent. There are twelve directors. Banking 
 house, No. 9;>, Chesnut street. Discount days, 
 Mondays and Thursdays. Shut on Christmas, first 
 of January, fourth of July, and Good-friday. 
 
 President, John Mortf-in. Cashier, Henry Drinker, 
 jun. 
 
 2. Bank oj Pennsylvania^ 
 
 Was incorporated March 30th, 1793, until 1813. 
 The original capital consisted of two millions of 
 dollars, divided into five thousand shares of 400 dol- 
 lars each: permission was granted to increase them 
 to 7500. The state was permitted to subscribe for 
 2500 shares. In February 1810, the charter was 
 extended for the term of twenty one years from the 
 fourth of March 1810, upon condition, that the 
 governor shall be allowed to subscribe at par on be- 
 half of the Commonwealth for one thousand two 
 hundred and fitty shares of the reserved shares of 
 the Bank,* and also for the same number all at par 
 at any time after the expiration of ten years from 
 the fourth of March 1813. The stock of the bank is 
 not to be transferrable to any person except citizens 
 of the United States. 
 
 The State of Pennsylvania has now Si, 509,000 ves- 
 ted in this bank. Branches have been established at 
 Lancaster, Pittsburg and Easton. 
 
 There are twenty-five directors including the 
 president ; Three are annually appointed by each 
 
 • By this purchase the state gained §110,000, and may gain an 
 5r|ual sum when they use the privilege ef the second iaveat* 
 
 naen*^ 
 
106 BANKS 
 
 house of the legislature ; the rest by the stockholderb. 
 on the first Monday in February. 
 
 President, Joseph Parker Norris. Cashier, Jona^ 
 than Smith. 
 
 Discount days, Wednesday and Saturday. 
 
 Dividends, January and Jul}^. These have never 
 been under eight per cent. 
 
 Bank, in Second street, near Walnut. Shut, Christ- 
 mas and fourth of July. 
 
 Z.Baiik of Philadelphia, 
 
 Was formed in 1803, with a capital of one mil- 
 lion oi dollars ; and was incorporated in 1804, upon 
 the followmg conditions. 1. Paying 135,000 dollars 
 in cash. 2. Permitting the governor on the part of 
 the state, to subscribe for three thousand shares, 
 and to receive in payment ^300,000 of six per cent 
 stock of the United States at par.* 3. To loan to 
 the State when required, 100,000 dollars at five per 
 cent for ten years. 4. The privilege of subscribing 200, 
 000 dollars at the end of four years, and, at the end of I 
 eight years to subscribe other ^200,000, on the part| 
 of the State,both sums to be at par.f ! 
 
 The capital was increased six hundred thousand' 
 dollars by the act of incorporation. The capital isj 
 now 2,000,000 dollars. The original charter was to| 
 last ten years, but in 1806 it was extended to 1824. 
 
 * It was then ten per cent, below par. 
 \ As the practice of paying for charters to banking' companies 
 marks an jera in kg-islation, it is proper to mention, that the en- 
 ormous bonus paid by the bank of Philadelphia, and the other 
 privileges granted to the state, became necessary, in conse-- 
 quence of the violent opposition to the institution by the bank of 
 Pennsylvania, and the olFer on the part of that bank of g200,000' 
 to the state, provided no new bank should be incorporated. 
 
BANKS. 107 
 
 The state now holds S523,000 of stock in this bank. 
 Sixteen directors are appointed by the stockholders, 
 on the second Monday of February, and three by 
 each house of the legislature at every session. Stock- 
 holders must reside in the United States. Branches 
 oi this bank have been established at Washington^, 
 Wilkesbarre, Columbia, and Harrisburg. Shares 
 Si 00. 
 
 Discount days, Monday, Wednesday, and Fri- 
 day. 
 
 Dividends, March and September. These have 
 been \milormly eight per cent. 
 
 President, George Clymer. Cashier, Quintin 
 Campbell. 
 
 Bank, corner of Fourth and Chesnut streets. 
 
 4. Farmers a7id Mcchcmics Bank^ 
 
 Was formed in the year ISO/, and incorporated in 
 1809, until 1824. The capital was originally B750,000. 
 It is now nine hundred thousand, and by the charter 
 may be increased to 1,250,000. Seventy-five thou- 
 sand dollars in stock, were paid for the charter. The 
 debts of the corporation must not exceed double the 
 amount of the capital; one tenth part of the capital 
 for a year, shall be loaned to the farmers of this state 
 if applied for, on sufficient security by bond, mort- 
 gage, or note. There are thirteen directors, a ma- 
 jority of whom shall be farmers, mechanics or ma- 
 nufacturers. No bill for less than five dollars may 
 be issued by this or any other bank in Philadelphia. 
 Shares fifty dollars. 
 
 Dividends, January and July. These have been, 
 the first year, eight per cent ; and in 1810, were nine 
 per cent. 
 
 Discount days, Tuesday and Friday. 
 
 President, Joseph Tagert. Cashier, Joseph Clay. 
 
lt)8 INSmiANCE OFFICES. 
 
 Bank, Chesnut street near Third street. Shut or 
 Christmas, first of January, Good Friday, and iourtl 
 of July. 
 
 Since the abolition of the national bank, the de 
 posits of the United States are made in this bank, 
 and in the bank of Pennsylvania. The State owns 
 stock to the amount of 85,000 dollars in this bank. 
 
 Discounts at all the banks are made for sixty days 
 on endorsed notes, at an interest of one half per cent 
 for thirty days. Notes are presented the day before 
 discount days. If some plan were adopted to accom- 
 modate those who possess good notes, at three, iour, 
 or six months ; or those who have property that cannot 
 be immediately converted into cash, trade would 
 not only be greatly benefitted, some of the evils of 
 banking lessened, but above all, the practice of usury, 
 which prevails to a disgraceful degree in most of i 
 our commercial towns, would be much diminished. 
 
 Insurance Offices. 
 
 An Insurance office for shipping was opened in 
 Philadelphia, so early as 1720, by John Copson. 
 Joseph Sanders afterwards kept an office for the 
 same purpose. In 1762 William Bradford printer, 
 opened a marine insurance office in company with 
 an able accountant, John Kydd, and continued it until 
 about the revolution. Others succeeded in the same 
 line during the war, and after the peace until the 
 year 1792, when a company that had associated upon 
 a tontine principle, agreed to employ their capital in 
 insuring property. They obtained a charter under 
 " the name of the " Insurance Company of North 
 America," in 1794. 
 
 Their capital is ^600,000. Shares SlO. 
 
 The operations of this company were confined for 
 some time to marine insurances ; but for several 
 
INSURANCE offices: 109 
 
 years past they also insure houses from loss by fire ; 
 and ships, while building. 
 
 There are fifteen directors. 
 
 President, John Inskeep. Office, 40 Walnut street. 
 
 Insurance Company of Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, was in- 
 corporated in 1794, to 1815, with a capital of 500,000 
 dollars, in shares of 400 dollars. There are thirteen 
 directors : stockholdei's must be citizens of the Uni- 
 ted States to be eligible as a director. To vote by 
 proxy, stockholders must be actually residents 
 within the United States ; and no stockholders may 
 have more than twenty-four votes. Once in two 
 years, the directors shall lay before the stockholders, 
 at a general meeting, an exact statement of the af- 
 fairs of the company. The real estate is confined to 
 such buildmgs as shall be requisite for the accom- 
 modation of the company, in relation to its business, 
 and such as shall have been mortgaged to it by way 
 of security, or purchased upon judgments obtained 
 for such debts. 
 
 President, James S. Cox. Office, corner of Dock 
 and Wahiut streets. 
 
 Dividends, February and August. 
 
 Union Insurance Coinpany, 
 
 Incorporated 1804, until 1815. Thirteen directors, 
 chosen on the second Moiiday in February. 
 
 Capilul, S500,000. Shares," BlOO. 
 
 The clear yearly income of the real estate, is not 
 to exceed SlO,odo. None but resident citizens of 
 Pennsylvania shall vote as proxies. No stockholder 
 shall have more than twenty votes : and, to be a di- 
 
110 IXSURANCE OFFICES. 
 
 rector, nuist hold ten shares. ^50,000 may be loan- 
 ed to the state, or its funds may be invested in real 
 estate Avithin the city or comity of Philadelphia. 
 
 OfHce, 45 Walnut street. 
 
 President, George Latimer. Dividend, February 
 and August. 
 
 Ph«mx Insurance Company^ 
 
 Was incorporated in 1804, until 1815. 
 
 Capital, S600,000. Shares, 8100 each. 
 
 There are nine Directors. One half of the capital 
 consists of shares in the stock of the Insurance 
 Company of North America. Capital invested in 
 bonds, must be secured by mortgages or sufficient 
 real estates within the city and county of Philadel- 
 phia : a part of the capital not exceeding S60,000, 
 may, with the approbation of a majority of the stock- 
 holders convened for that pm^pose, be loaned to the 
 state of Pennsylvania. They may also sell all or any 
 part of the stock of the said incorporated insurance 
 company, which may be transferred as aloresaid, 
 and invest the proceeds thereof in the manner here- 
 in directed. The real estate must not exceed 
 Bl0,000 clear annual income. Stated meetings of the 
 directors are to be held once in every fortnight. 
 Stockholders are not allowed more than fifteen votes 
 each. No stockholder indebted to the company shall 
 make transfers, or receive dividends, till the debt is 
 paid or secured. A general meeting of stockholders 
 is to be held on the second Monday of December. 
 
 Proxies must be held by a citizen of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Office, 96 south Second street. 
 
 President, David Lewis. Dividend, June and De- 
 cember. 
 
INSURANCE OFFICES. Ill 
 
 Dt'laxvave Insurance Compani/y 
 
 Was incorporated March 1804, to 1815, with a 
 capital of §500,000 divided into shares of BlOO 
 each, payable, one fifth in bank stock, and four fifths 
 i in specie. S50,000 may be loaned to the state. 
 I Stockholders not entitled to more than fifteen votes. 
 Directors must be resident citizens and holders of 
 ten shares. There are fifteen directors, chosen the 
 second Monday in December. 
 
 Office, 42 Walnut street. 
 
 President, Thomas Fitziuions. Dividend, June 
 and December. 
 
 Philadelphia Insurance Company^ 
 
 Was Incorporated in March 1804, to 1815, with a 
 capital of ^400,000. Shares, glOO each. Thirteen 
 \ directors, each of whom must hold ten shares. No 
 I stockholder indebted to the company shall receive 
 I or transfer a dividend, till the debt be paid or secured. 
 I No corporation except the company, shall directly 
 j or indirectly hold any share in the capital stock. 
 ;j Election on the first Monday in January. Income of 
 I real estate not to exceed SI0,000. Stockholders not 
 \ entitled to more than twenty votes. 
 
 Office S. W. corner of Walnut and Second streets. 
 
 President, Samuel W. Fisher. Dividend, June and 
 December. 
 
 United States Insurance Compatnj, 
 
 Capital, §400,000. Shares, §50. 
 
 I Incorporated, March 1810, until January 1827. 
 
 I The yearly income of the real estate of the compa- 
 ny, must not exceed four thousand dollars. Mem- 
 bers must be citizens, and to be a director must hold 
 
m INSURANCE Offices. 
 
 five shares. No stockholder shall have more than 
 twenty-five votes. There are thirteen directors. 
 
 Office, 49 Walnut street. 
 
 President, Israel Pleasants. 
 
 Dividends, June and December. 
 
 Marine Insurance Company, 
 
 Incorporated 1809, until 1827. Capital ^300,000: 
 djvided into 3000 shares, of ^100 each. 
 
 Managed by thirteen directors. 
 
 The yearly income is not to exceed 6000 dollars. 
 Capital may be loaned to the state in any sum not 
 exceeding ^50,000 ; or on real estate, within the 
 state. Stockholders and directors must be citizens 
 of the state, and no one entitled to more than fiity 
 votes. A general meeting to take place of the stock- 
 holders, on the second Monday in January of every 
 year ; they may make rules for governing the affairs 
 of the company. Directors must own ten shares. 
 
 Dividends, first Mondays of January and July. 
 
 President, John Leamy. Office, 47 Walnut street., 
 
 Lancaster and Susqueha7inah Insurance Company, 
 
 A company, formed originally at Lancaster, with 
 a capital of SlOO,000 and with liberty to increase 
 it to three hundred thousand dollars, was incorpora- 
 ted in 1808, to 1816, upon the same general principles 
 as the preceeding, and with like powers ; and have 
 established an offxe or branch in Philadelphia. 
 
 The income of real estate cannot exceed S3,000. 
 All disputes with this company must be submitted 
 to arbitration, if required by the claimants for losses. 
 
 Office, N. W\ corner of Second and Walnut streets. 
 
 Agents, Joseph Smith, J. Carson. 
 
INSURANCE OFFICES. IIS 
 
 The general principles adopted for the regulation 
 of the different companies, are very nearly the same. 
 The funds not required to pay demands against thq 
 company, shall be vested in the public debt of the 
 United States, or in the stock of incorporated com- 
 panies of the state, or United States, or on security 
 of real estatft within the city and county of Phila- 
 delphia. The directors divide themselves into weeklx- 
 committees, who assist the presidents in transactinj^ 
 the business of the companies. In case the capital shall 
 be lessened by losses, no dividend is to be made un- 
 til a sum equal to the loss, be added to the capital,* 
 under penalty of holding the directors account- 
 able. They may make all kind of marine insuran- 
 ces, insurance on the inland transportation of goods, 
 against fire, and on lives ; and lend money upon bot- 
 tomry and respondentia. At the annual meetings of 
 the companies, a statement of their affairs is to be 
 laid before the stockholders. At these meetings ge- 
 neral rules for the government of the aifairs of the 
 company may be made. Stock must be held three 
 months at least, before an election, to entitle a per- 
 son to a vote. 
 
 Fire Insurance Offices. 
 
 . The oldest Insurance Office against fire, solely, is 
 *' the Philadelphia Contributionship," having been for- 
 med in the year 1752, and incorporated in 1754. Its 
 terras were, as declared, "most equal," and apart from 
 all views of private or separate gain. There are twelve 
 .directors and a treasurer annually chosen ; the latter 
 gives security. The rules for the regulation of the 
 conduct of the directors in the management of their 
 
 * Insurance Company of Nonh America and Tennsjlvania ex- 
 cepted. 
 
 K 2 
 
114 INSURANCE OFFICES. 
 
 trust, and the principles of the association were con- 
 tained in a " deed oF settlement," which was altered 
 in 1810, and generally are as follows. 
 
 All persons insuring in, and with the society, shall 
 be deemed members of the same during the continu- 
 ance of their interest in their respective policies, 
 which are to continue for an unlimited period. The 
 directcjrs are empowered to lay out money in stock 
 of any incorporated company of the state or city, or 
 to lend it on mortgage ; but restrained from issuing 
 any notes in the nature of bank notes; to become en- 
 dorsers in their corporate capacity, or irom making 
 discounts or receiving deposits. Caleb Carmalt is the 
 clerk of this company, and the office is kept at his 
 house, 99 High street. 
 
 Mutual Fire Assurance Company, 
 
 Office, Pine street wharf. J. B. Palmer, secretary. 
 
 This association was formed in 1784, in conse- 
 quence of the old contributionsh'p company refusing 
 to insure houses before which trees grew. 
 
 All persons insuring in this society are deemed 
 members thereof, so long as they remain insured. 
 
 By virtue of a deed of settlement, which was finally 
 altered and amended in 1801, the direction of the 
 affairs of the company is intrusted to thirteen direc- 
 tors, who act without pay. The policies issued by the 
 trustees, continue in force so long as the premium 
 shall remain with the society ; and any member may 
 within six months after the expiration of every seven 
 years, reclaim and receive his deposit money, without 
 any deduction except the fees of office, unless the 
 stock of the company has been lessened by losses ; 
 ;n which case a just proportion of all such losses as 
 the interest money was insufficient to satisfy, shall 
 be deducted. In all cases of sale where the policy is 
 
INSXJRANCE OFFICES. 115 
 
 not transferred, the deposit money may be withdrawn, 
 if applied for within two months after such sale, but 
 not otherwise ; deducting five per centum, and sub- 
 ject to deduction in case of losses. If the loss shall 
 exceed the company's whole stock, the several suf- 
 ferers insured in this office, are to receive a just pro- 
 portionable dividend of the whole stock, according to 
 the sums by them insured. 
 
 Besides the deposit or premium of insurance, the 
 insured pay for the policy, and the services incident 
 thereto, at the rate of thirty cents for every hundred 
 dollars insured, and fifty cents for every entry of 
 transfer. Transfers must be entered on the books, 
 within four weeks after assignments have been made. 
 In case of loss bv fire, the trustees are to view 
 and inquire into the same. If it be partial, the trus- 
 tees may repair it, or pay the estimated damage, 
 provided such estimate is within the sum insured on 
 : that part of the building : but if it exceed, the sum 
 ' insured only shall be paid. In case of total loss, they 
 i either rebuild the house, or pay the sum insured 
 ' thereon, in three months after the loss. The policy 
 then becomes void. Additional premiums are required 
 for insurance upon all houses having trees planted 
 1 before them, or in the yards near the house. Trees 
 ■ planted after insurance has been effected, must be re- 
 ported to the office. Damages from gunpowder being 
 stored in the house, or from breaming ships, make an 
 insurance void. 
 
 American Fire Insurance Compani/^ 
 
 Was incorporated in 1811, by the legislature of 
 :i Pennsylvania. The business of the company is con- 
 fined to objects on land, or vessels in port with their 
 cargoes on board. The capital is 500,000 dollars, 
 
116 AlARKETS. 
 
 divided into five thousand shares. The clear yearh^ 
 income of the corporation upon the real estate 
 which they are authorized to hold, shall not exceed 
 10,000 dollars. There are nine directors. Stock- 
 holders are required to be citizens. Qne per cent 
 annually on the amount of the capital stock, is to 
 be paid into the treasury of the commonwealth, by 
 the company, when more than nine per cent per an- 
 num, on their capital is divided. 
 
 Office, 101 Chesnut street. President, William 
 Jones. Secretary, Edward Fox. 
 
 Phcenix Company of London. 
 
 The Phoenix company of London opened an office 
 for insurance from fire, in Philadelphia, and having 
 done much business, a law was passed in 1810, pro- 
 hibiting any person or persons, not citizens of the 
 United States, from insuring property in any case 
 within the state, against loss by fire, sea, or upon land 
 transportation of goods. A penalty of S5,000 is 
 forfeited by any person acting as agent for such for- 
 eign insurers. 
 
 Markets Provisions. 
 
 In the early settlement of the city, the Market 
 was chiefly confined to the hill in Front street, cor- 
 ner of High street ; where a house or shed was 
 erected, having a bell, which was rung when any one 
 came from the country with produce for sale. After- 
 wards, a house for the exclusive sale of fish was 
 built by subscription, on an arch over the creek : 
 which emptied into the Delaware, a short distance 
 above Spruce street : here also a bell was fixed, and 
 rung when fish was brought for sale. The fish Mar- 
 ket is now confined to Market or High street hill. 
 
MARKETS. 117 
 
 The first Market house built in High street, was 
 a range of wooden stalls from Front to Second street. 
 In the year 1720, the first part of the market in 
 High street west of the old court house was built ; 
 the money for which was advanced by the Mayor. 
 In proportion as the population of town and coun- 
 try increased, the market house was extended un- 
 itil at present it reaches from Front to Sixth sti'eet ; 
 a distance of five squares. The last addition from 
 Fourth to Sixth streets, was made in 1810. The 
 increased projection of the eaves over the pillars in 
 this last part, is a great improvement : as it increases 
 accommodation and protection to the country people, 
 and admits of a more advantageous display of their 
 various productions. 
 
 In the new parts, the upright posts and cross 
 pieces having hooks to suspend the provisions on, are 
 required to be regularly taken down after market 
 hours, and packed away under the stalls: a very pro- 
 per regulation and strictly enforced. 
 
 By the law authorizing the continuation of the 
 market, it is provided that the western half of the 
 stalls is to be let to the people of the country, and 
 to no others : and the other hali to butchers; and that 
 one hall ot the stalls that may be erected elsewhere, 
 shall also be let to such persons from the country, 
 as send their produce to market. The rent of each 
 stall is fixed at twenty dollars. 
 
 The market house in south Second street, was built 
 for the accommodation ot the citizens in the southern 
 part of the city, and has been enlarged from time to 
 time until it now extends from Pine to Cedar street, 
 a distance of about 440 feet. At each end a room 
 is erected, ior the meetings ot the commissioners, 
 fire companies, and of the citizens. Market houses 
 are also built in Callowhill street, and in north Se- 
 cond street above Coats's street. The pillars of all 
 
118 MARKETS. 
 
 the markets are of brick, and openings are left at 
 proper distances to admit a passage between them. 
 The footpaths are paved with the same material. 
 Their breadth in the clear is about thirteen feet. 
 
 As mentioned already, the hill on Market street 
 is allotted for the sale of fish. This traffic, except in 
 the case of those who bring fish preserved in ice, 
 in waggons from the sea, is carried on chiefly by woe- 
 men, many of whose husbands are employed in catch- 
 ing the fish : no shelter is provided for this useful 
 class of the community, who of course are exposed 
 to the elements, and often suffer much personally, 
 and sustain loss from the rapid putrefaction of their 
 fish, when exposed to the sun. Moveable sheds simi- 
 lar to those erected for the sellers of vegetables 
 west of Second street, and the south side of Market 
 street, would be sufficiently convenient, until a more 
 permanent covering could be erected. It is much to 
 be wished, that this measure may demand the prompt 
 attention of our city councils. 
 
 The days appointed by law for holding markets 
 in High street, are Wednesday and Saturday; and 
 Tuesday and Friday, for the Market in south Se- 
 cond street. 
 
 From the first of April to the first of September, 
 the market continues from daylight until two o'clockj 
 from September to April, it ends at three o'clock. 
 Provisions are however sold every day, particularly 
 in the Autumn, Winter, and in the early Spring 
 months, during which time the market is seldom 
 empty. Milk is permitted to be sold on Sunday mor- 
 ning till nine o'clock, but whey is absurdly prohibited, 
 although useful as a medicine. 
 
 To prevent danger from the passage of carts, hor- 
 ses, &c. during market hours, chains are fixed across 
 the streets and allies to the north and south, east 
 and west of the markets in High street, a little af- 
 
MARKETS. il9 
 
 tfer sunrise. During the Summer they remain until 
 nine, and in Winter until ten o'clock. AH persons are 
 obliged to remove their carts without the limits of 
 the chains, under a penalty. Different parts of the 
 market are appropriated for venders of butter, of 
 salt fish, of Jersey produce, of other country pro- 
 duce, of American earthen ware, cooper's ware, truit 
 and garden seeds, of butcher's meat, and of all sorts of 
 herbs, roots and meal. The venders of the three latter 
 articles, stand under the eaves of the markets. Move- 
 able stalls with sheds are also placed on the evening- 
 preceding market days, on the south side of Mar- 
 ket street, for the accommodation of the sellers of ve- 
 getables ; these are removed and stowed away after 
 market hours, under the arches of the market house. 
 No butcher is allowed to kill any beast, nor are live 
 cattle to be sold or driven, nor is any cyder, beer or 
 spirituous liquors to be sold by retail, nor any wheel- 
 barrow brought within the market house or shambles 
 during market hours. The measures and weights 
 used in the market, are to be duly regulated and 
 stamped by the proper officer. Steel yards are very 
 properly prohibited,* by reason of the great decep- 
 tion which m.ay be practised with them. For disobe- 
 dience of this regulation, and for using false balan- 
 ces, the penalty is five dollars. Hucksters or those 
 who monopolize poultry, nuts, fruits, and particu- 
 lar vegetables, by an early attendance at market, are 
 prohibited from purchasing with an intent to sell, 
 provision or fruit of any kind within the limits of 
 the market, before ten o'clock in the morning of any 
 market day, and from exposing them to sale on any 
 day. The penalty for either purchasing or selling, is 
 three dollars for every offence. This excellent regu- 
 
 * It is to be regretted that they are not banished the stale. 
 
12D MARKETS. 
 
 lation is evaded in part by the sale of provisions 
 owt of cellars of houses opposite to the market ; but 
 the magnitude of the evil is greatly diminished, from 
 the impossibility of finding cellai's to rent equal in 
 number to the demand. 
 
 No grous,* partridge,! or pheasant,:}: are permitted 
 to be sold between the first day of March and the first 
 of September ; nor any woodcock,^ between the first of 
 March and first of July, under penalty of forfeiting 
 such game. 
 
 The variety offish brought to the market of Phi- 
 ladelphia, is considerable. Early in the spring, large 
 sunfish are caught in the bay, and are succeeded by 
 herrings, shad, roach, four kinds of catfish, four kinds 
 of perch, rock, lamprey eel, common eel, pike, suck- 
 er, sturgeon, gar fish. These are river fish, and ap- 
 pear in the order mentioned. From the sea come, cod, 
 seabass, black-fish, sheeps-head, spanish-mackarel, 
 haddock, pollock, mullet, holibut, flounder, sole, 
 plaice, skait, porgey, tomcod, and others. 
 
 Shell-fish' — Oysters, (several kinds,) clams, lobster, 
 crab. The two first are taken in Delaware bay. 
 
 Amphibious — Snapping-turtle, terrapin: both ex- 
 cellent. 
 
 In Summer, all the sea fish, except cod, are brought 
 by land, in ice, as are also crabs and lobsters, from the 
 coast of Monmouth county. New Jersey, a distance 
 of eighty miles. Oysters abound all the year, and 
 are sold by the hundred. 
 
 Cod fish first made their appearance on the coast 
 off the Delaware, about the year 1790, and have gra- 
 dually progressed southward. The shad caught in 
 the river Schuylkill, are generally esteemed superi- 
 or in flavour, and more delicate than those caught ij 
 the Delaware ; ov/ing probably, to their derivii 
 
 * Tetrao Cupido Lin. f Tetrao Virginianus Lin. + Tetra« 
 XJmbellus or T -. Timpanlstes of Bartram. § Scolopax — ? 
 
MARKETS. 121 
 
 nourishment from the gravelly bottom of the for- 
 mer river : and hence they bear a higher price. The 
 situation of the fishing place in the Delavvai-e, like- 
 wise influences the size and flavour of shad ; it is 
 notorious, that those caught off" Petty's island , on 
 the Jersey shore, above the city, where the water is 
 deep; are much larger and fatter, than those caught 
 in more shallow water, whether the bottom be mud, 
 sand, or gravel. 
 
 By a law passed in March, 1810, at the request of 
 the legislature of New Jersey, the time for catching 
 shad in the Delaware, within the state limits, between 
 the foot of the falls at Trenton, and opposite the 
 mouth of the river Lehigh, and the station point, or 
 north west corner of this state, was extended until 
 the 20th of June in every year. 
 
 The quantity of provisions, animal and vegetable, 
 brought to market during the year, is immense, and 
 much beyond the wants of the inhabitants. In sum- 
 mer, great losses are sometimes sustained, especially 
 in the various articles of animal food, which from the 
 heat of the weather, soon spoil.* The particular 
 number of beasts annually killed in the city, or 
 sold in the markets, cannot he ascertained, but it 
 may be safely asserted, that in no city in the world, 
 is more animal food consumed, in proportion to its 
 size, than in Philadelphia. It constitutes the substan- 
 tial part of the dinner of every adult in the city, and 
 most labourers and mechanics eat a ponion of it at 
 breakfast and supper. Much of the land, within five 
 or six miles north and south of the city, is devoted to 
 the purpose of kitchen gardens, and kept in the highest 
 state of cultivation. Two crops are very commonly 
 produced on the same ground in one season. Th«^ 
 
 * When spoiled, they are th!•o^yn Into pi^ s out of th.- rltv 
 
122 inicnisioxs. 
 
 neighbouring state of New Jersey, contributes to the 
 abundant supply of those species of fruit and vegeta- 
 bles, to which its light soil is particularly adapted ; 
 such as the grateful musk-melon, water-melon, sweet 
 potatoe, cucumbers and peaches, immense quantities 
 of which are brought in boats across the Delaware. 
 The superiority of the butter of Philadelphia, and 
 the great neatness with Avliich it is prepared for mar- 
 ket, are generally acknowledged. One fourth of a 
 dollar may be said to be the average price of a pound 
 of butter, throughout the year. 
 
 The task of attending to the e2:ecution of the regu- 
 lations of the markets, is attached to the duties of the 
 clerks of the market, who are annu3.Uy appointed by 
 the mayor. The clerks are also authorized to prevent 
 all unsound provisions from being offered for sale, 
 and to examine into the accuracy of the weights of 
 butter,lard and sausages, which are sold by the pound; 
 and to try all scales, weights and measures used in the 
 market ; decide all disputes which may arise in the 
 market, between buyer and seller ; to collect the rents 
 of the stalls, and to cause all the pavements under 
 the shambles to be swept, and the dirt removed into 
 the open street. This dirt the city commissioners are 
 required to have removed twice a week. Seizures are 
 often made of butter, lard, and sausages, for being de- 
 ficient in weight. Half of the quantity seized, is sent 
 to the alms-house, and the other hall is the perqui- 
 site of the clerks. This regulation has had the most 
 happy effect in diminishing imposition, from false 
 weight. 
 
 The pay of the clerks of the market is two dollars 
 fifty cents, in every hundred dollars of the rents of 
 stalls, collected by them, and fifty dollars extra. They 
 must give bond, with sureties, in the sum of two thou- 
 siuid dollars, for the due performance of their duties. 
 
CONSTABLES ELFXTIOXS- 12> 
 
 Preservation of the Peace, 
 
 'I'here are fourteen constables, one for each ward ; 
 and until the present year, one high constable, who 
 is required to walk through the streets daily with 
 his mace in his hand, and examine all vagrant and dis- 
 orderly persons, and upon refusal to give him an ac- 
 count of their residence and employment, or not 
 giving a satisfactory account, to carry such persons 
 before the mayor or an alderman to be dealt with 
 accorduig to law : to give notice of all nuisances 
 or obstructions in the streets to the city commission- 
 ers, or mayor ; and of offences committed against 
 the laws in force, and of the names of the offenders 
 and witnesses, and generally, to superintend the 
 execution of, and cause obedience to the ordinances 
 in force, and to do all such things as the councils^ 
 mayor, or recorder shall direct, touching the order, 
 regulation and policy of the city. By a recent ordi- 
 nance, an additional high constable Is to be appoint- 
 ed by the Mayor. The salary of each is 700 dollars. 
 
 ConstobW s Elections. 
 
 By a law passed the 30th Januaiy 1810, the elec- 
 tors in each ward are to meet at such place as the con- 
 stable for the time being shall appoint, on the third 
 Friday in March, and elect by ballot, two persons, one 
 of whom shall be appointed constable for the said ward 
 for the ensuing year. The constable for the time is re- 
 quired to give six days previous notice in two news- 
 papers, of the time and place where such election 
 is to be held. 
 
 The voters present choose three persons as judges 
 of the election, who are to be sworn or affirmed to 
 do justice, and on the third day thereafter, to make 
 a return of the two names highest in vote, to the 
 mayor of the city, who appoints one of them. Con- 
 
124 WATCHING AXD LIGHTING. 
 
 stables are bound to give two freeholders as securi- 
 ties, in the sum of 2000 dollars, for the faithful dis- 
 charge of their duty. 
 
 In case of vacancies, the mayor appoints a succes- 
 sor until the next election. 
 
 City Cojnjnissioners. 
 
 Four citizens are appointed in the month of Jan- 
 uary, annually, by the mayor, under the title of the 
 city commissioners, who have a general superinten- 
 dence of the city property, the assessing of the taxes 
 laid by the corporation, appointing the collectors 
 thereof, taking securities for the faithful performance 
 of their duty, and settling their duplicates. They 
 also appoint the watchmen, and oversee the business 
 of lighting, paving, and cleansing the city : they let 
 the fixed and moveable stalls, and stands, in the mar- 
 kets : regulate, limit and direct the depth of wells 
 and sinks : appoint stands for draymen and hackney 
 coachmen, and regulate the erection of lime houses, 
 and the placing of stone and scantling in the streets 
 for building. Their pay is 750 dollars each, and are 
 allowed a clerk. They sit in the old court-house. 
 
 Watching and Lighting. 
 
 There are thirty-two watchmen who cry the hour, 
 and six who visit the boxes of the others, to insure 
 a punctual performance of their duty ; the whole are 
 under the direction of the captain of the watch, who 
 attends at the old court house in Second street, every 
 night, to receive the vagrants, rioters or thieves, who 
 may be taken up by the watchmen; and to take care of 
 the oil, wick, &c. of which he must render an account 
 to the city commissioners, monthly, of the quantity 
 received, expended and on hand. There are 1132 
 lamps in the city, and new ones are annually erecting, 
 
iUEL— PUBLIC LAi^DLNGS. J25 
 
 as the city improvements extend. The pay of the 
 watchmen is 14 dollars per month, besides 27 cents 
 extra wages for each lamp under their care : they 
 also have the gratuity of a great coat. They ar<^. 
 subject to fines for neglect of duty. The cost ol 
 lighting and watching Philadelphia in 1809, amount- 
 ed to 19,253 dollars 72> cents. 
 
 Cleansing the Streets. 
 
 To accomplish this, the city is divided into dis- 
 tricts, and one commissioner attends to the cleanliness 
 of a district. The street dirt is scraped by scavengers 
 into small heaps, and men follow with carts, to take it 
 away to the commons, where it is deposited in heaps, 
 and disposed of occasionally by auction, for manure. 
 In summer, the excellent New York regulation ought 
 to be adopted, of taking away daily in a cart, all 
 offall matters of the kitchen, which are placed for 
 this purpose, in a barrel or tub, before the door. 
 
 Fuel — Wood Carders — Public Landings, 
 
 The principal article of house fuel in Philadelphia, 
 is hickory, oak or maple wood. Pine wood is used 
 chiefly by brick burners and bakers. Coal is only 
 partially used in dwelling houses, but would be in 
 general demand for counting rooms, offices and cham- 
 bers, owing to the danger from fire being thereby 
 lessened, if it could be afforded at a rate as cheap 
 as wood. The time is anxiously looked forward to, 
 when the inexhaustible bodies of excellent coal with 
 which our western counties, and Wayne county 
 abound, will be brought down to Philadelphia, by 
 means of that great chain of inland navigation, 
 which has been so long in contemplation, and by 
 
X26 REGULATION OF WOOD TOR FUEL. 
 
 During the continuance of the navigation in the 
 Delaware, fire wood is brought in shallops from 
 both sides of the river, above and below the city ; 
 but in winter, when from the obstruction by ice, the 
 supply in that way is cut off, wood is brought by 
 land. In all cases, it is measured by sworn corders, 
 at certain fixed rates. The stand for cord wood 
 brought by land to the city, is the upper end of High 
 street, between Eighth street and the center square. 
 
 The measure of wood is the cord, of eight feet 
 in length, by four in height, and four in breadth. 
 
 No wood is permitted to be sold as cord wood, 
 the length of which shall not be at least three feet 
 ten inches, including haH the kerf: and when the 
 average length of the wood shall fall short of four 
 feet, including half the kerf, six inches must be add- 
 ed to the standing length of the cord. 
 
 Reasonable and fair allowance is to be made 
 for the loss sustained by crooked wood : the straight 
 wood is to be packed in the lower part of the pile, 
 and the crooked wood on the upper pai"t. Every 
 cord of wood pays eight cents whariage, and six cents 
 for cordage; the former is to be paid by the seller, the 
 latter by the purchaser. 
 
 Wood landed upon private wharves, is to be in- 
 spected and measured by the nearest corder, for 
 which, eight cents are to be paid by the purchaser. 
 Corders are to sell wood landed on the public land- 
 ings, if so required by the owner of it, without ad- 
 ditional fee. 
 
 No person is permitted to buy w^ood in the city to 
 sell again, from September to March inclusive, un- 
 der a penalty of two dollars for every cord sold ; 
 sawyers are forbidden to buy wood for any person 
 ©r use, other than their own. All craft lying at a public 
 wharf, pay one dollar per day for every day they ex- 
 ceed forty-eight hours, unless wcRther-bound. Ves- 
 
FUBLIC LANDINGS. 12^ 
 
 sels loaded with boards, plank, scantling, hay »r sand^ 
 are excepted. Each corder receives an annual salary 
 of S600. Deputies receive three hundred dollars. 
 All are removable at the discretion of the mayor, 
 for neglect of duty. Carters are to have a sufficient 
 number of hewn standards for preventing the wood 
 from falling off the cart, and marked with the initial 
 letters oi their christian and sirnames, on the out- 
 er sides of the said standards, under the penalty of 
 five shillings. Carters not delivering all the wood 
 they undertake to hawl, shall forfeit two shillings for 
 every stick so detained, to the owner or purchaser 
 thereof. 
 
 Other articles, besides wood, as stone, sand, shin- 
 gles, boards, stav^es, rails, &c. pay wharfage. 
 
 Previously to the year 1807, the public landings 
 were rented to the highest bidder; but in that year 
 a law was passed, authorising the mayor to appoint 
 corders of wood, with salaries, who are to give bond 
 with sureties ; and to take oath for the faithful per- 
 formance of the duties enjoined upon them : they are 
 to pay, weekly, the monies they receive for wharf- 
 age or cording, into the hands of the city treasurer ; 
 and to furnish a list of the articles landed, and by 
 %viiom : and the treasurer is required, once in every 
 mondi, to furnish the mayor with a statement of the 
 amount of monies paid in by the several corders, to- 
 gether with the original lists. 
 
 In the year 1807, the wharves produced !S7,820 95 
 ,/ 1808, „ 10,203 114 
 
 „ 1809, „ 10,767 62^ 
 
 „ 1810, „ 10,840 474 
 
 „ 1 806, they rented for 4,884 
 
 Adding the present salaries 3,900 
 
 S8,784, 
 
22S SALE OF BREAD. 
 
 leaves a balance so great, as to shew the propi-iety 
 of the alteration of the law respecting the mode of 
 collecting this branch of revenue. 
 
 In 1720, as appears by books of council, the pub- 
 lic wharves on the Delaware, at the ends of Walnut 
 and Chesnut streets, were rented at three pounds ; 
 that of High street for six. His honour the mayor, 
 took the two first, and aldermen Master's and Red-; 
 man, joined in the contract for the last. The rents 
 were to be in half yearly payments. 
 
 Cords. 
 
 In 1808, were landed, . 66,391 
 
 1809, .... 69,570^ 
 
 1810, .... 68,691-J 
 
 Much of the wood, consumed in the city, is purcha- 
 aed at the public wharves in Southwark and the 
 Northern Liberties, and they being rented, no account 
 is kept of the quantity there sold : nor is any account 
 kept of that sold at the stand in High street, du-i 
 ring winter; nor of that landed on Schuylkill, for the 
 supply of the western parts or the city: but the quanti- 
 ty from those quarters, may be fairly rated at two 
 thirds of that landed at the public city wharves, frora 
 which data, an estimate may be formed of the whole 
 amount consumed in the city in one year. 
 
 Sale of Bread. 
 
 A law was passed in 1775, to regulate the assize 
 of bread; and after the incorporation of Philadelphia, 
 it was renewed for a short time. The consideratiot 
 of the hardship, if not injustice of setting a price up.« 
 on the labour of one class of citizens only, and thd 
 great difficulty of establishing a principle which would 
 secure one part of the community from impositioi 
 without abridging the rights of another part, op« 
 
 
SALE OF BREAD. 129 
 
 ted with the legiskiture to leave the affair to the citi- 
 zens themselves. 
 
 In 1797 an act was passed, requiring that all loaf 
 bread made for sale within this commonwealth, shall 
 be sold by the pound avoirdupois, and that every ba- 
 ker or other person, offering the same for sale, shall 
 keep at his or her house, or at such other place at 
 which they shall offer bread for sale, sufficient scales 
 and weights, for weighing the same. The penalty for 
 offending against this act is ten dollars ; and the clerks 
 of the markets are required to discover and prose- 
 cute the offenders. The act extends to Southwark 
 and the Northern Liberties. The citizens, however, 
 have been so long accustomed to take bread of such 
 weights as the bakers have chosen to make their loaves, 
 that the regulation of selling by weight does not pro- 
 duce the good intended. They cannot spend time in 
 daily going round to the different bakers shops to 
 compare the weights of their loaves with the prices; 
 and it is clear that, unless they do so, they may be 
 •very frequently forced to take bread of a size unrea- 
 sonably small. The price of bread ought always to 
 bear a proportion to the price of flour ; while at the 
 same time it is but just that the baker should be al- 
 lowed a reasonable profit. In New York their pro- 
 fit has been fixed at three dollars and sixty-six cents 
 per barrel, of one hundred and ninety-six pounds. *= 
 
 * In fixing the assize, the chamberlain is required to estimate 
 a barrel of flour, to produce 4,032 oz. of bread, (as it has been 
 'i found that such is the product,) and in order to ascertain the 
 )i -weight of a shilling' loaf, (twelve cents and a half,) of the respec- 
 li live qualities of flour, the number of ounces is divided by a num- 
 i ber equal to the number of shillings a barrel of flour of such a 
 '; quality, may be worth at the time: and g3 66, (or 28s. New York 
 \ currency,) added thereto, being the profit allowed the baker, the 
 i quotient will be the number of ounces a shilling loaf must weigh. 
 AVhenever the fractionid parts are less than half an ounce, they 
 'f| are taken oft' the loaf; and when half an ounce or more, an ounce 
 '\\ XB added to it. 
 
130 STORING OF GUN POWDER. 
 
 Protection of Mechanics and Labourers. 
 
 By a law passed by the legislature, in 1809, all 
 dwellings and other houses to be erected in Phila- 
 delphia, are subjected to the payment of debts con- 
 tracted in building the same ; and where the house 
 will not sell for sufficient to discharge all the demands, 
 they are to be averaged and paid proportionably. But 
 such debts are not to remain a lien longer than two 
 3^ears from the commencement of the building, unless 
 an action be instituted for the recovery of the same, 
 within six months after performing the work, or fur- 
 nishing the materials for the house. 
 
 Storing of Gun Powder. 
 
 The danger arising from the introduction of a 
 great quantity of this dangerous article within the 
 city, early demanded the attention of the legisla- 
 ture, and accordingly a house for storing it was 
 built near the northern boundary of the N. W. 
 public square, at a time when it was sufficiently 
 remote from the thickly settled parts of the city to 
 prevent danger from an explosion. An increasing 
 population rendered another structure in a few years 
 necessary, and accordingly the house on the banks of 
 the Schuylkill at the west end of Walnut street, was 
 erected in 1791. From that place it was removed; 
 in the year 18012, in consequence of the extension oi\ 
 buildings, to the present situation, near the Schuylkill,^ 
 in Passyunk township. \ 
 
 All gunpowder imported from beyond sea, or 
 brought by land, must be delivered to the magazine, 
 nor come within two miles of the city ; nor must 
 any be shipped at the wharves, nor more than thirty \ 
 pounds kept in any store at a time. Gunpowder 
 is subject to a very strict inspection, by a sworn 
 inspector. Act, April the 8th, 1795. 
 
HEALTH LAW. 131 
 
 Boiling Oil of Tw-pentine and Varnish. 
 
 Persons are not permitted to boil or distil oil of 
 turpentine, or make varnish in the thickly settled 
 pai-ts of the city or liberties, unless carried on in 
 an open place at least thirty feet distant from any 
 building, vessel of commerce, or other property that 
 might be injured thereby; or in a fire prooff building. 
 
 Health Law. 
 
 Previously to the year 1793, Philadelphia having 
 been favoured for many years by a freedom fi'om 
 any mortal epidemic, slight precautions had been 
 taken to guard against the introduction of disease 
 from abroad, or the origination of it at home. Vessels 
 having sick on board, or having had deaths during 
 the passage, were required to anchor off the laza- 
 retto, which had been built at an early date, on 
 State Island, a little below the mouth of the river 
 Schuylkill, until the " physician oi the port" came 
 down, and to him it was left to determine as to the ex- 
 pediency of permitting them to proceed to the city, or 
 of detaining them for the purpose of purification. 
 The sick, if any on board, were landed at the hospi- 
 tal. At the first session of the legislature, after the 
 awful year before mentioned, a law for the more 
 effectual protection of the city from the introduction 
 , of pestilential and contagious diseases was passed, by 
 ' which provision was made for the appointment of, 
 1st, A physician to reside at the lazaretto. 2d, A 
 consulting physician. 3d, A health officer. 4th, A 
 board of health, composed of citizens, from Phi- 
 \ ladelphia, the Northern Liberties, and South- 
 wark ; who were to make all rules and regulations 
 l^for the establishment and conduct of the other offi- 
 \ cers. 
 
132 HEALTH LAW. 
 
 Although in the discussion which the question of 
 origin, had undergone during the prevalence of the 
 fever of 1793, and after it had ceased, enough had 
 been said to shew the probability of the local origin 
 of the disease, or at least to prove that the medical 
 faculty Avere divided on the subject*; yet the law 
 passed, was almost entirely predicated upon the 
 supposition of the importation oi the fever o>f 1793, 
 and of epidemics generally; and hence, while nume- 
 rous provisions were made for preventing the intro- 
 duction of malignant diseases irom abroad, little or 
 no attention was paid to guard against their origi- 
 nating at home. This is not to be wondered at, for 
 mankind m all ages have uniformly evinced an un- 
 willingness to admit the possibility of their country 
 producing pestilence of any kind ; and hence have 
 constantly ascribed their afflictions in this way, to 
 foreign causes. In the dark ages of ignorance and 
 superstition, evil spirits, angry deities, or particular 
 planets were blamed ; in latter times importation was 
 resorted to. The repeated occurrence of the same 
 epidemic, naturally continued the discussion of the 
 question of origin, and caused muchlight to be thrown 
 on the subject generally, by the body of information 
 collected, and the new principles developed; and on 
 the whole, has tended greatly to promote diffusion 
 of truth, and to benefit mankind. Among other 
 good results that have iollowed, is the admission of 
 the belief that "• the sin might lie at our own door;'" 
 and hence, while no one questions the propriety of 
 guarding against the introduction of diseases from= 
 certain causes by ships, the propriety of attention 
 to the sources of their pi'oduction at home was mad^ 
 manifest, and a commendable degree of cleanliness: 
 in the city, in which it was before very deficient, has 
 followed. 
 
 1 
 
HEALTH LA\V^, 133 
 
 Since the passage of the first health law, various 
 supplements have been added, and an aiitnation of 
 the whole s^stein has taken place; the present law was 
 passed in 1805. By this, a board Oi health, consisting 
 of five members, two oi whom may be physicians, 
 to be annually appointed by the governor, were con- 
 stituted a body corporate. Three oi the members 
 must res'de in the city, one in the Northern Liber- 
 ties, and one in Southvvark and IMoyamensing. Out 
 oi their own body, the board shall choose a president, 
 a secretary, and a treasurer; the board must meet 
 once every day between the first of June and first of 
 October, and also when specially convened by the 
 president, or any two of the members: and is vested 
 with full power to make general rules, orders, and 
 regulations, .■or the government of the lazaretto, and 
 the vessels, cargoes, and persons there detained, or 
 under quarantine ; and o! the health office and pub- 
 lic hospitals; and to appoint such officers and servants, 
 and to allow them such pay as may be found necessa- 
 ry and proper. The governor is also required to ap- 
 point a resident physician, and quarantine master, to 
 reside at the lazaretto ; and a consulting physician, 
 and health officer, to reside in Philadelphia. 
 
 Foreign vessels, arriving between the first of June, 
 and first oi October, are required to anchor off the la- 
 zaretto, and submit to the examination of the resident 
 physician, touching the cargo, crew, passengers and 
 baggage; to demand answers, on oath or affirmation, 
 to all such questions as shall be put to any on board, 
 touching those points, and the physician is required 
 to inform the persons interrogated, of the penalty for 
 giving false answers. If it shall happen that the 
 vessel comes from a healthy port, and has had no 
 contagious disease on board while out, smallpox and 
 measles excepted, and there is no cause to suspect 
 an infected cargo, a certificate of health i.s to h*^ 
 u 
 
13 1 HEALTH LAW. 
 
 given to the master, who may then proceed to the 
 city, and must present his certificate at the health office 
 within twenty-tour hours atter his arrival. The 
 board may however, cause further detention. 
 
 ll it appear that the vessel comes from a port at 
 which a malignant disease prevailed, she must be 
 detained so long as the board of health shall deem 
 necessary, but not exceeding twenty days. The let- 
 ter bag when purified, shall be transmitted to the 
 health officer at Philadelphia, Avho shall deposit it in 
 the post office. The vessel and cargo are to be 
 cleansed, and the clothing and baggage aired and pu- 
 rified at the expense of the owner. Wine, rum, salt, 
 sugar, spices, molasses, mahogany, manufacturecl 
 tobacco, dye woods, and preserved fruits, may be con- 
 veyed to the city in lighters. But ii disease has occur- 
 red during the voyage, or while in quarantine, the ves- 
 sel is to be detained such further time as the board 
 may deem necessary, the cargo to be unladen and pu- 
 rified ; and the crew, passengers, cargo and bag- 
 gage, except the articles before mentioned, shall not 
 be suffered to enter the city before the first of Octo- 
 ber, without licence from the board. After purifi- 
 cation, and if no disease appear on board, the ves- 
 sel may load and proceed to sea, from the lazaretto, 
 Keiusal to answer the questions of the physician, 
 or deception, incurs the penalty of five hundred 
 dollars, and imprisonment at hard labour, for not 
 kss than one year, and not exceeding five : neglect 
 to present a certificate subjects to a penalty of three 
 hundred dollars. Neglecting to obey the orders of 
 the lazaretto physician or board of health, subjects 
 the offender to a fine not exceeding five hvmdred 
 dollars. Vessels of war or coasters, having foreign 
 goods on board, or bedding or clothing from any 
 foreign port, must submit to the same forms as mer- 
 chantmen. 
 
HEALTH LAW. IdJ 
 
 Persons arriving from foreign ports infected, at 
 any port in the United States, shall not enter the 
 city after June, until October, without permission, 
 under a penalty of five hundred dollars. 
 
 Foreign vessels touching at ports in the Uni- 
 ted States shall be liable to all the rules of \esscls 
 directly from foreign ports. Coasters and ships ot 
 war, arriving betv/een the first da}- of June, and the 
 first of October, having on board foreign goods, or 
 passengers, bedding or clotliing, from ar.y i(uci;;u 
 port, shall be examined ; and if it appear that the .said. 
 goods have been landed in the United States more 
 than thirty days, and free from damage, the vessel and 
 cargo uninfected, and passengers healthy, the ship 
 is to be allowed to pass in the usual way; h other- 
 wise, the same process is to be adopted as in other 
 cases, under a penalty of five hundred dollars. 
 
 Vessels from places infected with the plague, or 
 that have spoken others infected therewith, are not 
 to pi'oceed to the city : the cargo, &c. on board are 
 to be cleansed, and no part permitted to enter the 
 citv without permission. The vessel, after being- 
 cleansed, may load and proceed to sea. 
 
 Persons or goods arriving at any port in the Uni- 
 ted States, from any port at which a malignant dis- 
 ease prevailed, or in any vessel in which such dis- 
 ease existed, while they were on board, are pro- 
 hibited from entering the city or county, between 
 the first of June and the first day of October, with- 
 out permission of the board, under a penalty of five 
 hundred dollars, and forfeiture of goods. 
 
 The board may prohibit communication with in- 
 fected ports in the United States; and order vessels, 
 from those ports, to stop at the lazaretto; they may 
 convey persons from infected places to a place of 
 purification ; may interrogate suspected persons: 
 may remand vessels, on just cause, to the lazaret- 
 
136 HEALTH LAW. 
 
 to ; take order to prevent the spreading of conta- 
 gion in the city and liberties; prevent communication 
 with infected houses; and cause ail offensive or putrid 
 substances, and all nuisances, to be removed irom 
 any place in the city, or vicinity. Opposition or 
 violence to any ol the members of the board, is 
 punishable by fine, imprisonment and hard labour. 
 
 Persons going on board, or along side of any vessel, 
 or entering the lazaretto, must perform such quaran- 
 tine as the board may direct. Fugitives from the 
 lazaretto may be apprehended and sent back : 
 boarding house keepers must leport persons who 
 are taken sick in their houses. Persons afflicted 
 with malignant diseases, who cannot be attended at 
 •home, may be removed to the city hospital on Schuvl- 
 kiU. 
 
 The lazaretto physician visits vessels, orders then- 
 purification, and the sick to be removed on shore, 
 and attends them there, and executes the orders of 
 the board, respecting vessels, cargoes and persons 
 under quarantine. 
 
 The quarantine master directs the mooring oi 
 vessels near the lazaretto; superintends the purifica- 
 tion of the vessels and cargoes ; prevents intercourse 
 between vessels and the shore, and preserves order, 
 ind enforces obedience to the provision of the health 
 law, and the regulations of the board. 
 
 The port physician examines suspected vessels or 
 persons that have arrived, at all times, and visits all 
 foreign vessels arriving between October and June. 
 
 The health officer attends at his office every day to 
 receive certificates of health; enforces the regulations 
 of the board, and collects and recovers all monies 
 or fines directed to be paid by this act. 
 
 The lazaretto physician receives three dollars for 
 every vessel visited ; the port physician, quarantine 
 master, and health officer, one dollar each. 
 
PKOVISION AGAINST FIRE. 13? 
 
 For the reception of persons il] with any pestilen- 
 tial or contagious disease, in the city, (small-pox or 
 measles excepted,) a commodious brick hospital has 
 been erected on the north side of Sassafras street, 
 and east side of the river Schuylkill. The expense of 
 suppoi't at this hospital, is to be defrayed by the pa- 
 tient himself. The description of the building will 
 be given when we come to speakof the public build- 
 ings. 
 
 Provision against Fiie. 
 
 This, till 1803, consisted of voluntar}' association'*; 
 of the citizens, under tlie title of " Fire Companies," 
 and have subsisted since the year 1732; at v.'hich 
 time, the first association took place. Since that time, 
 numerous others have successively been formed; and 
 at the present time, the number amounts to upwards 
 of forty. The general principles of these associations 
 are the same. They provide baskets, buckets, and 
 bags, at their individual expense ; and most of them 
 have an engine, purchased out of the joint funds of 
 the company. They meet monthly, and a member is 
 appointed to visit the houses of the members, to see 
 that the buckets, &c. are ready for use. There are 
 at present about thirty five engines in the city. One 
 of the members is appointed to direct the water, in 
 case of fire, and the m-embers and citizens generally, 
 render their assistance where wanted. A universal 
 spirit prevails on such occasions, among the people, 
 who exert themselves with an activity, even in the 
 most inclement weather, that would seem to arise 
 from their having an interest in the property on fire, 
 or stock in the office in v/hich the house was insured; 
 and actions of disinterested heroism and intrepidity 
 have o^ ten been per.ormed, (commonly by the labour- 
 ing class, or mechanics,) rvhich v. oukl have, in ancient 
 
138 PROVISION AGAINST FIRE. 
 
 times, been rewarded by public honours. Many 3uch 
 instances have occurred, and some acts have deserv- 
 edly been perpetuated, by honourable testimonials 
 from offices in which the property on fire had been 
 insured. 
 
 The introduction of the water of the river Schujd- 
 kill, into Philadelphia, led to the establishment di" a 
 system lor extinguishing fires, that cannot be exceed- 
 ed lor either dispatch or effect, and deserves par- 
 ticular notice. The occurrence of a fire in 1803, which 
 destroyed or injured eight new houses, in Sansom 
 street, gave the idea ot attaching ar hose to the fire 
 plugs of the hydrants in the streets, by which the fire 
 engines might be more rapidly filled than by means 
 of men standing in a lane, or even before a lane could 
 be lormed :* and through which the water would 
 also be forced, and might be directed to the part of 
 a house on fire. A meeting of a few young men was 
 accordingly called at the house of the gentlemanf 
 Avho happily conceived the idea; when it was resolved 
 to for:n themselves into a company, and to procure a 
 hose, and carriage to convey it : but as the expense 
 of these, and the erection ol a house to contain them, 
 would be beyond their means, assistance was sought 
 for from citizens who possessed real estate of great val- 
 ue, and trom insurance companies; and a sum was soon 
 obtained, which enabled them to accomplish their de- 
 sign The original association assumed the name of 
 ^"" The Philadelphia Hose Company," and a system 
 of discipline was established, which gave full effect to 
 
 * The usual mode of supplying engines in time of fire, is by 
 buckets handed to men arranged in double columns from pumps 
 to the engines. Fifteen minutes are generally employed in filling 
 an engine by means of a lane; and only one minute and a half by 
 a hose. If the engine have a hose fi om its air vessel, the hose 
 %vhich supplies it> will keep it constantly full, 
 t Reuben Haines. 
 
PROVISION AGAINST FIRE. l!^f 
 
 their operations. At the first fire that occurred after 
 their establishment*, during a severely cold night, 
 their exertions were so successful as to excite die ge- 
 neral attention of the citizens present, and to call 
 forth several public testimonies in their favour. The 
 original patrons o'" this youthful patriotic association, 
 had the satislaction of seeing that their pecuniary as- 
 sistance had been well bestowed ; and the company 
 were gratified by additional subscriptions from the 
 citizens and insurance companies ; and by seeing as- 
 sociations similar to their own, foi'ming in the city. 
 
 The following is a list of the present hose compa- 
 nies in Philadelphia. 
 
 Philadelphia, Good Intent, Resolution, Humane, 
 Neptune, Perseverance, Hope, Columbia, South- 
 war k. 
 
 Each company consists of about thirty members, 
 all of whom are engaged in the active pursuits of life, 
 and many of them acquiring trades. Every opera- 
 tion is performed systematically. The members are 
 designated by badges upon their hats ; and on the 
 alarm of fire, they are to be seen with their appara- 
 tus brought to the spot, ready to supply the engines 
 as they arrive, or to apply water immediately to the 
 place on fire, by means of branch pipes. The hose 
 is of leather, two and a half, or two and one eighth 
 inches diameter; generally a thousand feet in extent, 
 and divided into sections of fifty feet, all capable of 
 being united, each section being connected by brass 
 swivell screws. 
 
 The carriage of the Philadelphia company appears 
 to be most complete ; the hose being wound upon 
 a cylinder, at once calculated to air it, a measure es- 
 sential to its preservation, and to retain it in proper 
 
 * March 3d, 1803, in Whalebone aUey. 
 
140 WOODEN BUILDINGS. 
 
 order. It has, moreover, a bell, by the sound of which 
 the members of the company may know where to 
 find it in the night, when out on duty. 
 
 While it is universally admitted that the services 
 of these companies have been great, the fact, that 
 young men conceived and matured the plan, gives 
 it a particular claim to commendation. The ex- 
 pense of keeping in repair the carriages, hose, and 
 all the apparatus, is great, and latterly, has chiefly de- 
 volved on the members, whose gratuitous and pat- 
 riotic exertions certainly should secure them against 
 pecuniary loss. The corporation, holders ol property, 
 and fire insurance companies, are particularly inter- 
 ested in keeping up these establishments. 
 
 The following estimate of the value of the fire ap- 
 paratus, in the city of Philadelphia, it is believed, is 
 below the actual cost. 
 
 35 engines, houses, &:c. !gl200each, $42,000 
 
 Ladders and fire hooks, . . . 1,000 
 Nine hose companies, 7850 feet of ") innno 
 
 hose ; houses, carriages and apparatus, J ' 
 
 Houses and apparatus belonging tol 
 " The Protectors of Property in time y 400 
 
 of fire," J 
 
 !S65,000 
 This last association is lately formed, to prevent 
 depredations in time of fire. They have large baskets 
 to carry out goods, and carriages with distinguish- 
 ing badges, to convey them away. 
 
 Wooden Buildings. 
 
 Since 1796, no wooden buildings are permitted to be 
 erected in the thickly settled parts of the city, the li- 
 mits of which are designated, under a penalty of five 
 hundred dollars, and one hundred dollars addition- 
 
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 141 
 
 al, for every three months after conviction, during 
 which the same shall remain ; and every person em- 
 plo}^ed in the building or erecting any wooden man- 
 sion, shall forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding one 
 hundred dollars. This excellent law has greatly 
 tended to lessen fires in the city, and to improve its 
 appearance. 
 
 Weights and Measures. 
 
 The following is a part of a report on this sub- 
 ject, made to the legislature of Pennsylvania, in the 
 session of 1807, by Mr. John Dorsey. 
 
 "There are in the city of Philadelphia, two offices 
 of regulation for weights and measures. One for 
 measures of the dry kind, and one lor measures of 
 the wet kind, and for weights. The former office 
 contains an ancient copper or brass half bushel, sup- 
 posed to have been brought from England by Wil- 
 liam Penn, or Nathaniel Allen, and to be the same 
 that is mentioned in the law of I'/OO. At this time, 
 however, there is no certainty, as there are no dis- 
 coverable marks of British regulation, as are by the 
 said law required : the marks are B. N. E. in two 
 places. It is coarsely made; the diameters and bottom 
 unequal and irregular; is bruised and patched, and 
 does not agree in its contents with the Winchester 
 bushel. By the best measurement that can be taken, 
 it contains eleven hundred and thirteen, nine tenths, 
 cubic inches, and is equal to the bushel of English 
 cubic inches, two thousand two hundred and twenty 
 seven, eight tenths. There is also a coal tub of usage, 
 intended for two bushels, which when stricken, con- 
 tains five half bushels, or about two thousand six hun- 
 dred and eighteen cubic English inches, and three 
 hundred and seventy parts of a thousand. This of- 
 fice also contains a cast brass four quart standards 
 
142 WTilGIITS AND MEASURES. 
 
 of two hundred and seventy five cubic inches, and 
 a cast brass two quart standard of one hundred and 
 thirty seven cubic inches, both marked with the let- 
 ters W. R. and a crown stamp. The latter office con- 
 tams a cast brass quart standard, same mark, of 
 seventy one and a quarter cubic inches : and a cast 
 brass pint standard, both stamped, and evidently of 
 the set imported, as beiore mentioned. Being thus 
 stamped, they are by the aibresaid law made legal, 
 although they do not agree with the Winchester stand- 
 ard.* 
 
 There are also in this office, a copper half gallon, 
 and a copper ' quart, intended for the regulation of 
 wine measures; an iron yard, or three feet measure 
 of extension, without known accuracy. Neither of 
 these three have any evidence of regulation or legal 
 stamp. f There are likewise a number of brass 
 weights in gradation from the fifty six pounds weight 
 to the half ounce, which bear the appearance of ha- 
 ving been imported in pursuance of the aforesaid 
 law, having the stamps of the mural crown, the letter . 
 C, and the dagger f , which are evidently of the city of 
 London regulation. They do not bear the due and 
 relative proportion each to the other, especially in the 
 smaller weights ; nor can it be expected after such 
 length of use : when last tried, the pound and aggre- 
 gate ounces varied nearly an ounce. As regards the 
 standard for troy weight, by which the precious metals 
 
 * The law of 1700 enacts that " the standards of weights and 
 measures shall be according' to the king's standards for the ex- 
 chequer." — J, M. 
 
 f The copper measures have probably been made in Philadel- 
 phia. The yard was recently compared with a stamped steel mea- 
 sure of extension of France, (the Metre,) which is preserved in 
 the cabinet of the American Philosophical Society : and agreea- 
 bly to the rule of proportion between English and French weights, 
 was found strictly accurate.— J. M. 
 
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 143 
 
 are assayed and determined, there is none. The 
 larger and gross weights are also irregular, and as 
 there is no determinate unit of weight from which 
 to proceed, there can be no accuracy." 
 
 The report also shews the absurdity of having 
 various units, as sources for weights and measures, 
 *' inasmuch as that thereby constant opportunities 
 for wrong are afforded," and proposes that there 
 should be but one unit standard, or source for mea- 
 sures of extension ; one unit standard for measures 
 of capacity, and one unit standard for weight : one 
 office of regulation for each county : one mode of 
 measurement by measures of capacity: viz. the strick- 
 en, and one mode of weighing the neat hundred. 
 
 The committee remark, " It is of the first conse- 
 quence, that every nation should have its own com- 
 plete establishment founded on the best principles ; 
 but it is not of equal moment whether any two na- 
 tions agree in having the same unit ; because a ta- 
 ble of the relative proportions will instantly shew the 
 quantity, according to the mode in any country. If 
 this idea is safe, it goes far to abate the necessity of 
 universal standards, inasmuch as, that if ever any such 
 standard can be established, the unit of measure must 
 be marked thereon, and considered as bearing a re- 
 lative proportion thereto : otherwise, all landed titles 
 would be annihilated. It then follows, that such 
 standard would be little other than a table of relative 
 proportions, because no nation could agree to change 
 the unit which governs the acre." 
 
 They propose to adopt the following well known 
 principle as a standard. " That a measure of capacity 
 which will contain an exact cubic English foot, will, if 
 filled with pure or distilled water, at sixty degrees 
 of Farhenheit's thermometer, the water therein will 
 weigh one thousand avoirdupois ounces. If then the 
 foot measure is divided into tenths, we obtain just 
 
l44 AUCTIONEERS. 
 
 one thousand such cubic tenths of water, each of 
 vhich will weigh an avoirdupois ounce ; ten whereof 
 will give the un;t or weight : ten whereof will also 
 give the unit or measure : and ten whereof will give 
 our common foot. These being each commensurate 
 with the other, will individually be a test for the ad- 
 justment of the remaining two : a principle more safe 
 than that upon which the weights and measures of 
 Great Britain are founded : viz. That thirty two or 
 twenty iour grains of wheat, well dried and gathered 
 from the middle of the ear, shall in their multiple 
 give the pound: or thatthree barley corns shall, in their 
 multiple, giVe the foot, masmuch as that the size of 
 the grain mvtst always be according to the soil, or 
 mode of cultivation." The bushel and gallon of Bos- 
 ton, New York and Baltimore, all differ irom that, 
 of Philadelphia ; and it is said, from each other. 
 These tacts shew the immediate necessity of atten- 
 tion to the subject of weights and measures, by the 
 general government. 
 
 The reporter since states, that there is reason to 
 believe that pure or distilled water, dropping irom 
 the exterior of an inverted cove, at a given tempe- 
 rature of the thermometer and barometer, wull be of 
 uniform weight to the extent of the number of drops 
 which are necessary to iorm the ounce : if so, the 
 system would be cornplete : viz. a certain number of 
 drops would give the present ^avoirdupois otmce ; 
 the ounce squared, would give the one tenth part of 
 the present English foot, or measure of extension ; 
 and also the measure of capacity. 
 
 Aiictio7iecrs. 
 
 Six auctioneers are appointed by the governor, for 
 the sale oi goods o; all kinds, and household furni- 
 ture in the city of Philadelphia, who are obliged to 
 
CITY SURVEYORS. 145 
 
 give ample security for the payment of the state duty 
 chargeable on the sale of goods. 
 
 The iollovving commissions are allowed the auc- 
 tioneers. 
 
 For 
 
 - groceries, 
 
 1^ per cent. 
 24- „ 
 
 Dry goods, 
 
 Household goods, . . 2-1- „ 
 
 Real estate and ships, 
 
 The state duty, 
 
 A heavy penalty is incuiTed by unlicensed persons 
 attempting to sell by auction. 
 
 The revenue derived to the state from auction du- 
 ties is considerable. 
 
 In the year 1809, it amounted to ]S33,635 22 
 
 „ 1810, „ . . 45,000 
 
 The auctioneers make quarterly payments of the 
 state duty to the state treasurer. 
 
 The auctioneers are, John Dorsey, Frederick 
 Montmollin, Thomas Passmoie, John Humes, 
 (Humes & Etting,) Peter Kuhn, Silas E. Weir. 
 
 An auctioneer is also appointed for the exclusive 
 public sale of horses and carriages. The days of sale 
 are confineu to Wednesday and Saturday ; and a 
 place of sale specifically appointed, which at present 
 is the south east part of the center square. A penalty 
 of four dollars is incurred by every person, for each 
 and every head of horse or cattle sold by auction in 
 any other place or time, or within the prescribed li- 
 mits, at any other time than before specified. 
 
 The commissions allowed by law are, one per cent 
 to the state, and two and a half to the auctioneer. 
 
 Auctioneer, A. M'Karaher. 
 
 Citij Surveyors, 
 
 By act of February, 1721, the mayor and common- 
 alty were authorized to appoint two surreyors, or 
 
146 CITY SURVEYORS. 
 
 regulators, whose duty it was to set the foundations 
 of houses, and regulate the walls to be built between 
 party and party, as to the breadth or thickness there- 
 of ; which foundation shall be equally laid upon lands 
 of the persons between whom such party wall is to 
 be made. The first builder shall be reimbursed one 
 half of the charge of such party wall, or for so much 
 thereof as the next builder shall have occasion to 
 make use of, before he shall break into the said wall. 
 The value is to be set by the said regulators. Ten 
 pounds penalty is incurred on laying a foundation 
 or party wall, before the same be viewed. An appeal 
 from the regulators to the court of common pleas is 
 provided for, by act of the 15th of April, 1782. By 
 this law, no vaults may be dug under the street, with- 
 out first obtaining leave from four justices, and a ma- 
 jority of the regulators. 
 
 By the thirty sixth section of the act of incorpora- 
 tion, the mayor, or recorder and four aldermen are 
 authorized to perform all such matters as the war- 
 dens and street commissioners, in conjunction with the 
 justices, were required to do. They therefore ap- 
 point regulators. 
 
 In 1804, councils passed an ordinance requiring 
 the mayor to appoint two qualified persons to make 
 a surve)^, and regulate, with respect to ascents and 
 descents, all the principal unpaved streets of the ci- 
 ty, between Delaware Fifth street and the river 
 Schuylkill, ascertaining the highest and most eleva- 
 ted part of each street, from which the water ought 
 to run in different directions : and to make per- 
 manent marks at the height of two feet above what 
 ought to be the level of the water course ; and to fix 
 the course of such common sewers, as they shall judge 
 necessary. The surveyors are also required to make 
 a dralt of all the principal streets and water courses 
 within the aforesaid bounds, marking the several 
 
WATER WORKS. UT 
 
 points of greatest elevation in each street ; and to in- 
 sert in a book, the quantity of descent, expressed in 
 inches to the hundred feet, and the depth and quan- 
 tity of descent of the sewers ; which book is to be 
 deposited in the city commissioners office, for pub- 
 lic inspection. The task has been executed by Mr. 
 Reading Howell. Future surveyors, and the city com- 
 missioners, are required to regulate the lines and li- 
 mits of the streets, agreeably to the aforesaid draft. 
 There are now four city regulators : James Pear- 
 son, Reading Howell, William Stevenson, WliUam 
 Garrigues. 
 
 Water Works. 
 
 The attention of the public, to the future necessity 
 of a supply to Philadelphia, of other water than that 
 aiforded by pumps and wells, was first excited by the 
 venerable Franklin ; and in his v/ill, he directed that 
 when the interest arising from a legacy which he left 
 for a purpose hereafter to be mentioned, amounted to 
 a certain sum, it should be applied to the important 
 object. Repeated attacks of an awful epidemic, a 
 growing conviction in the public mind, of the connec- 
 tion between the cleanliness of a city, and its health ; 
 of the utility of a copious supply of water in case of 
 fire, and for culinary purposes ; and the deterioration 
 of our pump Water becoming every year more per- 
 ceptible, a general sentiment appeared to prevail on 
 the subject. In 1797, petitions were accordingly ad- 
 dressed to the city councils, signed by an unprece- 
 dented number of respectable citizens; and their at- 
 tention was, in consequence, powerfully directed 
 thereto. Various schemes were proposed : the chief 
 of which were, 1, The completion of the canal in- 
 tended to unite the Delaware and Schuylkill. 2, Con- 
 ducting the water of Spring-mill, fifteen miles, N. N. 
 
148 WATER ^YOeKS. 
 
 W. of Philadelphia.* 3, To make a reservoir upon 
 the banks of the Schuylkill, to throw up a sufficient 
 quantity of water into a tunnel, and to carry it thence 
 to a reservoir in Center Square : and after being rais- 
 ed there, to distribute it throughout the city by pipes. 
 This Avas proposed by Mr. Latrobe. Other plans 
 were suggested, which it is unnecessary to mention, 
 Aner much deliberation, councils determined upon 
 the last plan, and Mr. Latrobe was accordingly em- 
 ployed by the committee, as engineer, and to make the 
 necessary inquiry, as to the possibility of procuring the 
 erection ot steam engines of sufficient power. Aeon- 
 tract was entered into with N. J. Roosevelt, of Soho, 
 on the river Passaick, in New Jersey, for two steam 
 engines, of a power to raise and deliver, at the height 
 of fiity feet each, three million gallons of water in 
 every twenty-four hours, throughout the year : and 
 in order to provide lor the great expenses which 
 would be incurred by the work, councils proposed to 
 borrow Si 50,000, and pledged the income of the cor- 
 porate estates of Philadelphia, and other adequate 
 provision within the means and power of the city cor- 
 poration, together with any aid the legislature might 
 grant, for payment of the interest and redemption of 
 the principal. Subscribers to this loan, were also to 
 be entitled, in the first instance, to a preference of a 
 supply of water, to one dwelling house of each share 
 so subscribed, for three years, free of charge : but 
 notwithstanding the ample security offered to monied 
 men, and the respectability ol the citizens in the coun- 
 cils, who took an active part in the business, the loan 
 progressed with a slow pace. Two causes contributed 
 to this circumstance. A loan had been proposed by 
 the United States, at eight per cent, while only six 
 
 * An account of this spring shall be given hereafter. 
 
WATER WORKS. 149 
 
 per cent, the legal interest of Pennsylvania, was of- 
 fered by the corporation. 2d, The stockholders of 
 the Schuylkill and Delaware canal, whose charter 
 granted to them the liberty of watering the city, op- 
 posed the project at every step, by petition to the 
 legislature ; and by their influence in the city and 
 councils, as an infringement of their rights. This oppo- 
 sition contributed to a denial of that aid which hadbeen 
 requested, by petitions of the citizens and or the coun- 
 cils. 3d, From the novelty of the undertaking, the ge- 
 neral failure of all previous attempts at the application 
 of steam to mechanical purposes, in the United States, 
 especially to boats: and our inexperience in the con- 
 ducting the operations of a steam engine on land, also 
 contributed, in the minds of many of the citizens, to 
 raise doubts of the successful issue of the proposed 
 scheme. Under these discouraging prospects, and in 
 the hope that by a more clear developement of the 
 plan, as expanded to view by its execution, confi- 
 dence would be excited, and adequate subscriptions 
 be made, councils, with a spirit oi perseverance that 
 cannot be too much praised, resolved to advance the 
 work, with the funds in hand : but these were soon 
 found to be inadequate ; the individual members of 
 the committee then generously advanced the neces- 
 sary sums wanted, and the Bank ol the United States 
 also, afterwards loaned the sum of §20,000, in an- 
 ticipation of a tax of S50,000, which councils deter- 
 mined to raise. By these aids, the works proceeded, 
 and the credit of the city was preserved. On the 2ci 
 of May, 1799, the first sod was dug, and although a 
 dreadlul epidemic fever prevailed in the succeeding 
 autumn, the v/ork vv^ent on without interruption, and 
 on the 21st of January, 1801, the first water was 
 tlirown into the city, about one mile oi pipes being 
 then laid. The rapidity with which the works were 
 pushed forward, notwithstanding the solidity and 
 N 2 
 
1^ WATER WORKS. 
 
 mass of the buildings, tunnells and piers, and in spite 
 of the fever that afflicted the city, reflects infinite 
 credit upon the engineer, and the committee oi coun- 
 cils, with whom the superintendence oi the work was 
 specifically charged. 
 
 The foregoing account has been designedly minute, 
 in order to shew the numerous difficulties that oppo- 
 sed the water works in their commencement ; the 
 great benefit from them, we hourly experience, and to 
 which some oi the then most violent opposers, have 
 since owed the preservation oi their property, and in 
 all probability, the city much oi its present health: for 
 without pretending to ascribe to them all the latter 
 effect, it may be mentioned as a striking fact, that 
 the malignant fever in 1801, and since that year, 
 has been chiefly, if not entirely, confined to those 
 parts of the city and liberties, into which the water 
 had not yet been introduced. 
 
 The mode in which the watering of the city is ef- 
 fected, is first by forming a basin on the Schuylkill 
 shore, 84 feet wide, and 200 long, the bed oi which 
 is three feet below low water mark; Irom which is an 
 open canal, of 160 leet long, extending to near the 
 rise of the hill on which the lower engine stands. 
 From thence the water passes through a subterrane- 
 ous tunnel, six feet in diameter, and three hundred leet 
 long, cut nearly the whole distance through granite 
 rock, to the sha;t in the engine house, where the pumps 
 are fixed: this shaft or well is nJty-four feet deep, and 
 ten feet in diameter ; and is tor twenty two feet, also 
 cut out of the rock. After the water is raised through 
 the shait, by the engine, it falls into a brick tunnel of 
 6 feet diameter, and 1408 yards in length, which 
 passes under ground, and leads the water up Ches- 
 nut street to Broad street, and from thence, into the 
 center engine house, where it is again raised 36 feet 
 fifom the surface of the street, and runs into a reser.i 
 
WATER WORKS. 151 
 
 voir containing- 1 6,000 gallons : from this it descends 
 to an iron chest, outside oi the builtling, to which the 
 difterent mains that supply the general distribution 
 are connected ; the mains are, two of 6 inches diame- 
 ter, and two of 4^ inches. 
 
 The lower engine near Schuylkill, is a double steam 
 engine of forty inches cylinder, and six feet stroke. 
 The boiler is seventeen feet long, eight feet wide at the 
 bottom, nineteen feet long, and ten feet wide at the 
 height of five feet seven inches. It consumed fifty 
 bushels of coals, and half a cord of wood, while roll- 
 ing iron twelve hours, at twenty strokes per min- 
 ute; and pumping water, six hours, at twelve strokes 
 per minute. The air pump is an improvement up- 
 on that used by Bolton and Watt ; consisting in its 
 evacuating the condensor twice at every stroke, there- 
 by creating a much better vacuum, and of course 
 adding considerably to the power of the engine, in 
 proportion to the diameter of its cylinder without 
 increasing friction. 
 
 The engine at the center square is also a double 
 steam engine, the diameter of whose cylinder is thirty 
 two inches. It is worked irregularly, filling alter- 
 nately the elevated reservoir, and stopping during 
 the time occupied by the discharge of the water in- 
 to the city. Mr. Latrobe rated it at twelve strokes of 
 six feet, per minute, for sixteen hours in twenty-four, 
 during which time it consumed from twent}^-five to 
 thirty-three bushels of best Virginia coals.* 
 
 The pipes through the city are chiefly of four and 
 a half, and three inches bore. 
 
 The length of pipes laid, is about 35 miles. They 
 extend through all the improved parts of the city. 
 
 ' A more particular account of the construction of these en- 
 gines, boilers, &.c. may be found in the Trans. AiKier. Phil. 
 Soc Vol. 6. p. 89, by Mr. Latrobe. 
 
XJ2 WATER WORKS. 
 
 The whole expense of the works from the com- 
 mencement, to November 1, 1810, has been about 
 S500,000. 
 
 The pipes are bored by placing the log in two 
 cast iron rings, and centered by regulating screws ; 
 as the log turns, the augers enter at each end, and 
 meet in the middle ; a pipe of fifteen feet long can 
 be bored, and the joints made for the connecting 
 cylinders, in fifteen minutes. 
 
 The connecting cylinders are of cast iron, widening 
 at both ends, that as the log is driven up, the joints 
 become tight. 
 
 Private families are supplied With water by small 
 wooden and leaden pipes : the ferules that connect 
 with the conduit, are half an inch diameter for private 
 families, and larger, for breweries, manuLactories, &c. 
 
 The number of manufactories, &c. supplied No- 
 vember the first, 1809, was 1590. 
 
 The rents of which amounted to ^9,105 '• 
 
 The number of manufactories to November the 
 first, 1810, . . ... 1,922 
 
 The rents . ... ^10,931 
 
 Five engine men are employed in the work through 
 the year, and eight others, including a blacksmith, a 
 carpenter, a brass founder, and assistants. When pipes 
 are laying and boring, more men are required. 
 
 The duty of attending to the various concerns 
 of the water works devolves on the watering 
 COMMITTEE, which is again formed into subcom- 
 mittees of distribution, of accounts, and for purchase 
 of fuel, timber, &c. 
 
 The committee of distribution regulate where pipes 
 shall be placed, situations for pumps, fire plugs, and 
 all other public fixtures; fix the price of water rents 
 for manufactories, and all other works that require 
 more water than a private dwelling. 
 
WATER WORKS. 153 
 
 Committee of accounts, examine the accounts and 
 form an annual report to councils of the statement 
 of the work, accounts, &c. 
 
 Committee for purchase of fuel, attend to the pu¥^ 
 chase of wood and coal. 
 
 Committe for timber, purchase all the pipe timber, 
 and what other may be required. 
 
 The committee at large, direct the repairs and 
 alterations. 
 
 The funds for the support of the works are raised 
 by amount of water rents; the balance by a tax. 
 
 The water rents Of this year amount to BlO,931 
 
 The balance by tax. . . . 18,500 
 
 S29,431 
 which together are the estimate for carrying on the 
 work for the year 1811. 
 
 The quantity of water pumped, will average 
 /'00,000 gallons per twenty-four hours. 
 
 The hydrant pumps are similar in construction 
 to the common well pumps: the mode of supplying 
 them is by a small cistern, to which the water is 
 conducted, and fed by means of a ball cock, the ball 
 having a lever which connects with the plug of the 
 cock, that when the water in the cistern falls, the ball 
 follows, and of course opens the cock. 
 
 The watering committee, from a desire to prevent 
 the very great waste of the Schuylkill water, which 
 prevails throughout the city, have published the 
 following statement, to show how necessary it is 
 for every person to avoid (and prevent as far as is 
 in their power) all waste of the water, with which 
 the city is so abundantly supplied, at a very great 
 expense, which is considerably increased by continual 
 abuses in the use thereof. 
 
 The quantity of water raised at the center square 
 engine, for the^supply of the city, is about 250 mil- 
 
154 iHNT. 
 
 lions of gallons in a year, which cost about 20,000 
 dollars, or eight cents for a thousand gallons. 
 
 From various experiments made to ascertain the 
 quantity of water discharged through a ferule of 
 halt an inch diameter in one minute, the result was, 
 seven to ten and a half gallons, according to the 
 situation and head of watei at the center engine, the 
 average of which is eight, five eighths gallons per min- 
 ute, which in one hour will amount to 5171 galU. 
 
 In one day . . . . 12,420 do. 
 
 In one year . . . 4,533,300 do. 
 
 If the water from one liouse runs only half an 
 hour in every day, the quantity in a year will 
 amount to 94,500 gallons, at eight cents per thou- 
 sand gallons, is . . . . $7 56 
 
 The rent for the house per year is . 5 00 
 
 The loss to the city is . . . 2 56 
 
 The fire plugs are three inches diameter and will 
 each discharge in one minute, from 200 to 250 gal- 
 lons of water, according to the dimensions ot" the 
 pipe of conduit it is attached to, and the head at the 
 center square, so that in one hour irom 12,000 to 
 15,000 gallons of water may be discharged from oac 
 fire plug. 
 
 Mint, 
 
 Previously to the passage of the law, by the fed' 
 eral government, for regulating the coins of the Uni- 
 ted States, much perplexity arose from the use ol 
 no less than four different currencies or rates, at which 
 one species of coin was reckoned in the different 
 parts of the union. Thus, in New Hampshire, Mas- 
 sachusetts, Main, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, Ver- 
 mont, Virginia, and Kentucky, the dollar was reck- 
 oned at six shillings; in New York and North Caro- 
 lina, at eight shillings ; in New Jersey, Pennsylvani* 
 
MINT. 15S 
 
 and Maryland, at seven shillings and sixpence. la 
 Georgia and South Carolina, at four and eight pence. 
 
 This subject had engaged the attention of the con- 
 gress of" the old confederation, and the present sys- 
 tem of the coins, is formed upon the principles laid 
 down in their resolve pf 1786: by which the de- 
 nominations of money of' account, were required to 
 be dollars, (the dollar being the unit) dismes or tenths, 
 cents or hundredths, and mills or thousandths of a 
 dollar. Nothing can be more simple or convenient 
 than this decimal subdivision, and the terms are 
 proper because they expi-ess the proportions which 
 they are intended to designate. The dollar was 
 wisely chosen, as it corresponded with the Spanish 
 coin, with which we had been long familiar. 
 
 In the year 1792, a law was passed by the gene- 
 ral government for establishing a mint, and for regu- 
 lating the coins of the United States : by this law, 
 the lollowing coins were to be struck. 
 
 1. Eagles; each to be of the value often dollars, 
 and to contain 2474 grains of pure gold, or 270 
 grains of standard gold. 
 
 2. Half eagles; each to be of the value of five 
 dollars, and to contain 123 grains of pure gold, or 
 135 grains of standard gold. 
 
 3. Quarter eagles; each to be of the value of 
 two dollars and fifty cents, and to contain 61-y of 
 pure gold, or 67-| grains of standard gold. 
 
 Silver Coins, 
 
 1. Dollars or units ; each to be of the Value of 
 one hundred cents, and to contain 371^^ grains of 
 pure silver, or 416 grains of standard silver. 
 
 2. Half dollars; each to be fifty cents, and to con- 
 tain 1854§ grains of pure silver, or 208 grains of 
 standard silver. 
 
ISS MINT. 
 
 3. Quarter dollars; each to be twenty five cents, 
 or one fourth oi the value of the dollar or unit ; and 
 to contain 924-|- grains of pure silver. 
 
 4. Dismes; each to be of the value of ten cents, or 
 one tenth of a dollar, and to contain SY-jts grains of 
 pure silver, or 41 f grains of standard silver. 
 
 5. Half dismes; each to be of the value of five 
 cents, or one twentieth of a dollar, and to contain 
 18tV grains of pure silver, or 20|^ grains of standard 
 silver. 
 
 A pound of pure gold, is equal in value to 15 pounds 
 Qf pure silver.* 
 
 Copper Coins, 
 
 Cents ; each to be of the value of the one hun- 
 dredth part of a dollar, and to contain 168 grains. 
 Half cents; to contain 84 grains of copper. 
 
 Moij, : 
 
 Gold coins are to consist of eleven parts of pure 
 gold ; and one part alloy. The alloy to be composed 
 of silver and copper, in such proportions not exceed- 
 ing one half silver, as shall be found convenient ; 
 to be regulated by the director of the mint, for the 
 time being, with the approbation of the president! 
 of the United States. } 
 
 Silver coins are to consist of 1485 parts of purel 
 silver, to 179 parts copper. 
 
 The following devices are impressed on the re- 
 spective gold and silver coins. On one side, a female ; 
 head, emblematic of liberty, with an inscription of the? 
 word "Liberty," the thirteen stars, and the year of'| 
 the coinage : and on the reverse, an eagle, emblematic i 
 
 In England it is 15 1-5— In France 15 3-5. 
 
MINT. 157 
 
 of the arras of the United States, with the inscrip- 
 tion E PI.URIBUS UNUM, antl the vakie o the piece. 
 On the copper coins, a i'emale head, with the word 
 "liberty" on the ribbon round the head, with 13 
 stars, in a circle, and the year o- the coinage ; and on 
 the reverse, the word " one cent," surrounded by a 
 wrea h, and the inscription " united states op 
 America" on the outer circle. 
 
 No Charge is made for coining bullion. 
 
 At the first establishment of the mint, great dif- 
 ficulties and embarrassments were experienced irom 
 a variety of causes ; but time has overcome them all, 
 and it is understood, that in some respects the pro- 
 cess of striking is more complete than in most other 
 countries, England excepted. 
 
 The mode of hardening the dies is peculiar to 
 the mint, and is the discovery of the present assistant 
 coiner, Mr. Eckfeldt. The beauty of the coin of the 
 United States, is not inferior to that of any country 
 in the world. There is a sharpness and cleanness of 
 cut, not perceptible in those of either France or Spain, 
 
 The annual expense of the mint establishment, 
 amounts to about 20,000 dollars. On the second 
 Monday in February, the commissioner of loans, 
 the district judge, and attorney general, are required, 
 by law, to attend at the mint, for the purpose of 
 having the coins assayed, which have been reserved, 
 in order to ascertain whether the coins issued from 
 the mint, during the past year, are equal to the stand- 
 ard fixed by law. 
 
 Since the establishment of the mint, there have 
 been coined, of 
 
 Gold, to the amount of . §2, 763,597 50 
 
 Silver, . . . 4,370,846 50 
 
 Copper, . . . 214,977 21 
 
 Total value of coinage to 1809, g8,349,421 21 
 o 
 
Ij8 JAIL AND PEXAL CODE. 
 
 of which the sum of §3,712,488 have been issued 
 during the last four years. The issue of the year 
 1810, amounts to Si, 155, 868 50. Of the gold coins, 
 the value of $27,000 is the produce of North Caro- 
 lina. 
 
 The present officers are, Director, Robert Pat- 
 terson. Treasurer, Benjamin Rush. Chief coiner, 
 Henry Voight. Melter and refiner, Joseph Cloud. 
 Assayer, Joseph Richardson. Engraver, Robert 
 Scott. 
 
 The Jail^ and Management of Criminals, 
 
 Previously to a description of the jail, and of the 
 mode of punishmg criminals, it will be proper to 
 give a short account of the revolution which has ta- 
 ken place in the penal laws of the state. 
 
 So much trouble had been given to the British go- 
 vernment, by reason of the lax conditions contained 
 in the patent of the trading company, under which, 
 the colony of Massachusetts had been iormed ; that^ 
 it naturally became more attentive to the terms of 
 the charter, granted to the founder of Penns\ Ivania, 
 m order to prevent those assumptions ot power, and 
 attempts at independence, so natural on the part of. 
 colonists remote from the mother country. The char- 
 ter of Charles II. therefore, to William Penn, which, 
 was drawn up by one of the most able lawyers of his, 
 time, enjoined that the laws should be made " as near; 
 as conveniently may be, agreeably to the laws, stat- 
 utes and rights of England, with a saving to the 
 crown in case of appeals ;" and in order to insure ani 
 observance of this mjunction, it was ordered, that 
 a transcript of all laws, shall within five years alter 
 the making thereof, be transmitted to the privy coun- 
 cil, for the royal approbation or dissent. The hu- 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 13« 
 
 punishments of Britain, and therefore, attempted the 
 amelioration of the penal code. " He abolished the 
 ancient oppression of forfeitures for sell murder, and 
 deodanda in all cases oi homicide. He saw th^ wick- 
 edness of exterminating, wViere it was possible to re- 
 formj and the folly oi capital punishments, in a coun- 
 try, where he hoped to establish purity of morals, ai\d 
 innocence of manners. As a philosopher, he wislird 
 to extend the empire of reason and humanity : and 
 as a leader of a sect, he might recollect, that the in- 
 fliction of death in cold blood, could hardly be justi- 
 fied by those who denied the lawivdness of war. He 
 hastened, therefore, to prevent the operation of the 
 system which the charter imposed ; and among the 
 first cares of his administration, was that of forming 
 a small, concise, but complete code of criminal law, 
 suited to the state of his new settlement. Murder, 
 *' wilful and premeditated," is the only crime for 
 which the infliction of death is prescribed, and this 
 is declared to be enacted in obedience " to the law 
 of God," as though there had not been any political 
 necessity, even for this punishment : yet even here, the 
 life of the citizen was guarded by a provision, that 
 no man should be convicted, but upon the testimony 
 of two witnesses; and by a humane practice, early in- 
 troduced, of staying execution till the record of con- 
 viction had been laid before the executive, and lull 
 opportunity given to obtain a pardon of the offence, 
 or a mitigation of the punishment. ,When transmit- 
 ted to England, they were all repealed by the queen in 
 council : but were immediately reenacted, and they 
 continued until the year 1718,*" the epoch of Penn's 
 death. The penal code of England was then revived. 
 
 * Inquiry how far the punishment of death is necessary in 
 Pennsylvania, By William Bradford, Philadelphia. Dobson, 17y5. 
 
160 JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 The constitution of Pennsylvania, formed upon 
 tKc declaration of inrlependence, among many faults, 
 contained some excellent provisions, one of which 
 directed *■' the legislature to proceed to the reforma- 
 tion oi the penal laws, and to invent punishments less 
 sanguinary, and better proportioned to the various 
 degrees of criminality." The continuance of a war, 
 in which the li'jerty of the country was at stake, left 
 no time to attend to any subject except those of the 
 greatest urgency ; nothing therefore was done until 
 after the conclusion of the contest, and until the 
 numerous concerns arising from the circumstance of 
 the war had been settled. In 1786, the attempt was 
 made by the passage of a law, to introduce the pun- 
 ishment of hard labour for some offences, which un- 
 der the old system had been capital, and to confine 
 that of death to four crimes only. The labour 
 which the convicts were to perform, was however 
 to be public, and they were accordingly chained 
 to wheelbarrows, and were employed to clean the 
 streets, and repair the roads : as a mark of infamy, 
 their heads were shaved, and they wore a particular 
 habit. This alteration of the penal system was far 
 from having the effect which the friends to humanity 
 wished. While the sight of so many objects of 
 public infamy was abhorrent to the feeling mind, the 
 difficulty of watch. ng them was great, and escapes 
 occurred to an alarming extent. " Pardons, so destruc- 
 tive to eveiy mild system of penal laws, were granted 
 with a profusion, as unaccountable as it was mischiev- 
 ous, from both of which causes it happened that men 
 were scarcely convicted, before many of them were 
 again let loose upon the public.*" Mistaken or mis- 
 
 Bradford's Inquiry, p. 23. 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 161 
 
 applied humanity of the citizens, supplied the con- 
 victs with better fare than the labouring mechanic 
 could afford to purchase, and also with the means of 
 procuring spirituous liquors ; and hence intoxication 
 was daily seen among men who were expiating their 
 crimes by the deprivation of their liberty ; terror was 
 sometimes excited by their presence ; they became 
 hardened against shame; the various degrees of vice 
 were mixed in one mass, so that from the effects of 
 contamination, the great object of punishment, viz, 
 the reformation of criminals, was completely de- 
 feated. 
 
 In the year 1787, Dr. Rush, who had for several 
 years before borne a testimony against the system of 
 public punishments, read a paper at a " society for 
 political inquiries," held at the house of the venerable 
 PVanklin, entitled, " an inquiry into the influence of 
 public punishments on criminals and society," which 
 was afterwards published. In this he exposed the 
 errors and mischief of the penal law that had been 
 recently passed, and proposed that all punishments 
 should be private, and that they should consist of con- 
 finement, different kinds of labour, low diet, and soli- 
 tude, accompanied by religious instruction. The prin- 
 ciples contained in this pamphlet, were opposed with 
 acrimony and ridicule, in the newspapers. They 
 were considered as the schemes of a humane heart, 
 but wild and visionary imagination, v/hich it was im- 
 possible from the nature of man, and constitution 
 of his mind, ever to realize, and as being much 
 more adapted to the government of an Utopia, 
 than to those living under that of Pennsylvania. 
 Notwithstanding a most powerful opposition, the law- 
 was repealed, after it had, by a continuance of tin-ee 
 vears, proved the correctness of the arguments which 
 had been urged against it. In place of public pun- 
 ishment, hard labour in private, fine, solitary im- 
 Q 2 
 
162 JAYL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 prisonment, and low diet were substituted : gen- 
 eral regulations were laid down lor the management 
 of the prison, and inspectors were directed to be ap- 
 pointed with power to make such iurther regulations 
 for the purpose of carrying the act into execution, 
 as should be approved by the mayor and recorder 
 of the city. The legislature, as ii" apprehending 
 that the new system would not ultimately answer, 
 limited the law to five years. 
 
 In the year 1788, Dr. Rush published a second 
 pamphlet, entitled " an inquiry into the justice and 
 policy of punishing murder by death,"* in which he 
 adopted and defended the opinion ol the Marquis 
 of Bf ccaria, by denying the right of government to 
 punish even the crime of deliberate murder by death. 
 To this pamphlet a reply was written by the Rev. Mr. 
 Annan, oi the Scotch presbyterian church,f who 
 chiefly derived his arguments from scripture. Upon 
 those texts Dr. Rush published a number of re- 
 marks:]: intended to prove, that they all referred to the 
 dispensations of Noah and Moses, and that they were 
 completely abrogated by the doctrines and precepts 
 of the gospel. In the j^ear 1793, Mr. Bradford, the 
 attorney general of Pennsylvania, published an " in- 
 quiry how far the punishment of death is necessary 
 in Pennsylvania," with notes and illustrations, and 
 documents irom the criminal courts of the state, 
 calculated to enforce and establish the principles and 
 arguments previously laid down by Dr. Rush. An 
 account of the jail was added by Caleb Lownes, one 
 oi the inspectors of the prison. At the following 
 session oi the legislature, the punishment of death 
 was abolished for all crimes except murder of the 
 first degree ; by which is understood "all murder 
 perpetrated by means of poison, or by lying in wait; 
 
 * American Museum Vol. 4, 
 t Do. do. do. 
 
 i Do. d©. 5. 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 1^ 
 
 or by any other kind of wilful, deliberate and premedi- 
 tated killing; or which shall be committed in the per- 
 petration, or attempt to perpetrate, any arson, rape, 
 robbery or burglary." Such has been the effect of 
 the abolition of the spectacles of public executions, 
 upon the feelings of the citizens ol Pennsylvania, 
 that it is now difficult to obtain a jury that will find 
 a man guilty of murder, even when it is attended 
 with circumstances of malice and cruelty; for which 
 reason, governor Snyder has recommended, in a 
 message to the legislature of Pennsylvania, to abo- 
 lish the punishment of death in all cases whatever. 
 A motion to the same purpose, and prefaced by 
 some powerful arguments, was made in the senate 
 of Pennsylvania during the session of 1809, by Mr. 
 John Connell)", to whom, with Mr. C. Lownes, may 
 be justly ascribed the merit ol bringing to the test 
 of the fullest and most successful experience, the 
 humane principles of the new penal code. These 
 gentlemen were appointed mspectors of the prison, 
 at an early period, and upon them chiefly devolved 
 the arduous task of breaking down all difficidties 
 arising from the long continuance of that most dis- 
 gusting, that foul system oi discipline, which had long- 
 disgraced the management of the jail. 
 
 Those who recollect the situation of the jail of 
 Philadelphia, under the former regime, or those 
 who have seen the prisons of Europe at the present 
 day, may readily form an opinion of the difliculties 
 that attended the attempt at reformation, as contem- 
 plated by the new code. The task was truly arduous: 
 an Augean stable of filth and iniquity was not only 
 to be cleansed, but industry, and morality to be 
 introduced, and under difficulties that seemed al- 
 most insurmountable. The jailor, the man whose 
 duty required him to assist in the experiment, by a 
 faithful obedience to the orders of the inspectors, con- 
 
164 JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 stituted one of them, for he had grown wealthy by tht 
 abuses which had been for a long time tolerated, and 
 feared the introduction of a system which would cause 
 his conduct to be closely watched j and the garnish, jail 
 fees, sale of liquor, and other perquisites to cease. 
 His opposition was therefore decided, and the num- 
 ber ot his friends enabled him to retain his place, 
 notwithstanding the remonstrances of the inspectors 
 against him. The prisoners were informed that their 
 former habits of indolence, the free use of spiritu- 
 ous liquors, and unrestrained intercourse were to 
 end; and labour, sobriety and regularity to take place. 
 They also therefore took the alarm, and on the even- 
 ing of the first day on which the grand experiment was 
 tried, they made a most desperate attempt to escape; 
 fifteen of them succeeded. Upon the restoration oif 
 order, the adoption of mild, but decided conduct, ulti- 
 mately secured the most perfect obedience. The pri- 
 soners were informed that " their treatment would de- 
 pend upon their conduct, and that those who evinced 
 a disposition that would afford encouragement to 
 believe they might be restored to liberty, should 
 be recommended for a pardon ; but if convicted 
 again, the law in its fullest rigour would be carried 
 into effect against them. A change of conduct was 
 early visible They were encouraged to labour; 
 their good conduct was remarked ; many were par- 
 doned, and before one year was expired, their be- 
 haviour was almost without exception, decent, or- 
 derly, and respectful. This fact is o- importance, as 
 it disproves an opinion that has led to much dis- 
 tress and cruelty, and will be an encouragement to 
 those who can leel .;or this unhappy class ot mankind, 
 so long the victims to the effects oi a contniry treat- 
 ment."* 
 
 Lownc's account of penal laws. Bradford's Inquiry, p. 84. 
 
JAIL AND PE^^AL CODE- 165 
 
 A detail of the progress of the experiment, of the 
 clifficulties the inspectors had to encounter, from 
 inexperience in the management of criminals, Avhose 
 apparent amendment sometimes proved the veil for 
 consummate hypocrisy ; the difficuhy of procuring 
 suitable and sufficient employment, for the various 
 classes of convicts that came under their care ; the 
 various steps by which, in fine, the system has been 
 brought to its present perfection, would ■brm materi- 
 als for a display, wliich to the philanthropist, could 
 not fail to be highly interesting ; but the nature of 
 the present work requires an arttntion to brevity 
 that forbids the attempt, and therclore the system 
 now in operation shall merely be given. 
 
 1. Cleanliness, so intimately connected with mo- 
 rality, is the first thing attended to, previously to any 
 attempts at that internal purification, which it is the 
 object of the di3cipline to effect. The criminal is 
 washed, his clothes etTectually purified and laid aside, 
 and he is clothed in the peculiar habit of the jail, 
 which consists of grey cloth, made by the prisoners, 
 adapted to the season. The attention to this impor- 
 tant point is unremitted, during their confinement. 
 Their faces and hands are daily washed ; they are 
 shaved, and change their linen once a week, their 
 hair is kept short ; and, during the summer, they 
 bathe in a large tub. The apartments are swept and 
 washed once or twice a week, as required, through- 
 out the year. 
 
 2. Work suitable to the age and capacity of the 
 convicts is assigned, and an account is opened with 
 them. They are charged with their board, clothes, 
 the fine imposed by the state, and expense of prose- 
 cution, and credited for their work ; at the expi- 
 ration of the time of servitude, half the amount of 
 the sum, if any, left after deducting the charges, is 
 required by law, to be paid to them. As the board 
 
^e€ JAIL AND PENAL COBE. 
 
 is low, the labour constant, and the working hours 
 greater than among mechanics, it is easy lor the con- 
 victs to earn more than the amount ol iheir expenses; 
 so that when they go out, they receive a sum ol money- 
 sufficient to enable them to pursue a trade, ii so dis- 
 posed, or at least, that will keep them irom want, 
 until they jfind employ, and prevent the necessity of 
 stealing. 
 
 On several occasions, ihe balance paid to a convict 
 has amounted to more than one liundred dollars : in 
 one instance it was one hundred and fifty dollars :| 
 and Irom ten to lorty dollars are commonly paid.i 
 When, from the nature of the v. ork at which the 
 convict has been employed, or liis v/eakness, his la- 
 bour does not amount to more than the charges 
 against him, and his place of residence is at a dis- 
 tance from Philadelphia, he is furnished with money- 
 sufficient to bear his expenses home. The price of 
 boarding is sixteen cents per day, and the general 
 cost of clothes for a year, is nineteen dollars thirty 
 three cents. 
 
 5. The prisoners lie on the floor, on a blanket, and 
 about thirty sleep in one room; they are strictly pro- 
 hibited from keeping their clothes on at night. The 
 hours for rising and retiring, are announced by a bell ; 
 and at those times they go out and come in, with the 
 greatest regularity. For their own comfort, they have 
 established a set of rules, respecting cleanliness, ob 
 breach of which a fine is exacted. No one is even per. 
 mitted to spit on the floor. A large lamp is hung up, 
 out of the reach of the prisoners, in every room, which 
 enables the keeper or watch to see every man ; and 
 for this purpose a small aperture is made in ever} 
 door. The end of the cord by which the lamps are 
 suspended, is outside of the rooms : the solitary cell; 
 is the punishment for extinguishing these lamps. 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 16/ 
 
 6. Their diet is wholesome, plain and invigorating, 
 and their meals are served up with the greatest regu- 
 larity and order : a bell announces when they are 
 ready, and ail collect at the door leading to the pas- 
 sage where they eat, before any one is allowed to 
 enter. They then take their seats without hurry or 
 contusion ; and all begin to eat at the same time. 
 While eating, silence is strictly enjoined by the pre- 
 sence ot the keepers, who give notice oi the time 
 for rising irom table. For breakmst, they have about 
 three iburths oi a pound ol good bread, with mo- 
 lasses and water. At dinner, holi a pound ot bread 
 and beei, a bowl ot soup and potatoes. Sometimes 
 herrings, in the spring. At supper, corn meal mush 
 and molasses, and sometimes boiled rice. 
 
 The blacks eat at a separate table. There is also 
 a table set apart tor those who have committed of- 
 fences for the first time, but not oi sufficient enorm- 
 ity to merit the solitary cells ; such as indolence, 
 slighting woi-k, impudence, &c. and to such no meat 
 is given. Every one finds his ailov/ance ready on 
 his trencher. The drmk is molasses and water, 
 which has been iound to be highly useiul, as a re- 
 freshing draught, and as a medicine. Spirituous liquors 
 or beer never enter the walls of the prison. The 
 cooks and bakers are convicts, who are allowed thirty 
 cents per day by the inspectors. The decency of 
 deportment, and the expression of content, exhibited 
 by the convicts at their meals, renders a view of 
 them, while eating, highly interesting. No provisions 
 are permitted to be sent to the convicts from with- 
 out. 
 
 7. The regularity of their lives, almost secures 
 thc-m against disease. A physician, however, is ap- 
 pointed to attend the prison, a room is appropriated 
 for the reception of the sick or hurt, and nurses to 
 attend them- The effect of the new system has 
 
 /i 
 
168 5 AIL AND PENAL COBE. 
 
 been seen, in no particular, more evidently than in 
 the diminution oi disease among the convicts. 
 
 8. Relfgious ins ruction was one of the original 
 remedies prescribed for the great moral disease, 
 which the present penal system is calculated to cure. 
 Divine service is generally perlormed every Sunday, 
 in a large room appropriated solely ior the purpose. 
 Some clergyman or pious layman, volunteers his 
 services, and discourses are delivered, suited to the 
 situation and capacities of the audience. The prison- 
 ers in the cells, are denied this indulgence j good 
 books are likewise distributed among them. 
 
 9. Corporal punishments are strictly prohibited, 
 whatever ofi'ence may have been committed. The 
 keepers carry no weapons, not even a stick. The 
 solitary cells and low diet, have on all occasions 
 been found amply sufficient to bring down the most 
 determined spirit, to tame the most hardened villain, 
 that ever entered them. Oi the truth oi this there 
 are striking cases on record. Some veterans in vice, 
 with whom it was necessary to be severe, have declared 
 their preierence of death by the gallows, to a further 
 cont nuance in that place o; torment. In the cells, the 
 construction oi which renders conversation among 
 those confined in them difficult, the miserable man is 
 left to the greatest of all possible punishments, his own 
 reflections. His iood, which consists of only half a 
 pound of bread per day, is given him in the morning; in 
 the course oi a few days or weeks the very nature of 
 the being is changed, and there is no instance oi" any 
 
 one having given occasion for the infliction of this 
 punishment a second time. Such is the impression 
 which the reports of its effects have left among the 
 convicts, that the very dread of it is sufficient to 
 prevent the frequent commission of those crimes, ibr 
 which it is the known punishment, as swearing, im- 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 169 
 
 pudence, rudeness, quarrelling, indolence repeated, 
 or wilful injury to the tools, or to articles of manufac- 
 ture. 
 
 The fear of the cells is also increased from other 
 causes. The convicts are well acquainted with the 
 general principles of the system pursued ; and hearing 
 the grating of the stone saw, or the noise of the nail 
 hammer, they naturally reflect, that while they them- 
 selves are idle, their comparatively happy fellow con- 
 victs are working out their daily expenses and laying 
 up a sum for themselves, when their period of servi- 
 tude shall arrive; andthattheirown confinementin pri- 
 son must either be prolonged, or that they must redou- 
 ble their industry aJter liberation from the cells, to 
 make up for lost time: and above all, that the hopes of 
 pardon, or of a diminished time of service, are cut off 
 by thus incurring the displeasure of the inspectors. 
 Whatever additional reflections occur to them, these 
 alone are sufficiently powerful to prevent a repetition 
 of offences. 
 
 Formerly, all revenue arising from the work of the 
 city and county convicts, was paid to the keeper of the 
 prison, the deficiency for its support being advanced 
 by the commissioners of the county of Philadelphia, 
 who collected the monies for the support of the con- 
 victs, from the different counties ; but by a law passed 
 February 1 809, the amount of the work is to be paid 
 to the treasurer of the inspectors, who are also au- 
 thorised to choose, by the same act, a president and 
 secretary from their own body. All monies are to 
 be paid by the treasurer, upon the orders of the 
 board, signed by the president, and attested by the 
 secretary : his accounts are to be settled every two 
 weeks. He is authorised, in the name of the presi- 
 dent of the board, to sue for, and recover alimonies 
 due from individuals to the institution. 'I he accounts 
 of the inspectors are settled by three persons, ap- 
 
170 JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 pointed annually, in March, by the court of quarter 
 sessions. 
 
 There are fourteen inspectors, three of whom are 
 elected by the select and common councils in joint 
 meeting, in May and November ; two by the com- 
 missioners of the Northern Liberties, and two by 
 the commissioners of Southwark, at the same time. 
 Three members are appointed out of the board, to 
 inspect the accounts of the prison, who are to fur- 
 nish, (m oath or affirmation, on the first week in Jan- 
 uary, annually, to the conamissioners of such coun- 
 ties as may have become indebted for convicts con- 
 fined in the prison, a correct account current of 
 the amount of the weekly expenses incurred for the 
 maintenance of said prisoners ; and of the value of 
 the labour performed by them; which statement is 
 to be attested by the president and clerk of the 
 board. 
 
 Although it would form no solid objection to 
 the penal system of Pennsylvania, considering the 
 good that has resulted from it, that the convicts did not 
 maintain themselves, yet it will tend to increase 
 our opinion of the value of the establishment, when 
 we know that those men who have forfeited their 
 right to liberty by the commission of crimes, ( for 
 which they can have no plea in a country where 
 there are never hands enough for the work going on) 
 are not a burthen upon society. Hitherto, owing to 
 the erection of the necessary buildings for the ac- 
 commodation and security of the various convicts, 
 the purchase ©f tools, and the maintenance of the 
 vagrants, Sec. the expense has been considerable, 
 and probably equal to the amount of work done; 
 but, the permanent expenses of the establishment hav- 
 ing ceased, and full powers having been given to the 
 inspectors to compel payment ior the debts due to 
 the jail, a balance now appears in favour of it, not,- 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 171 
 
 withstanding the constant maintenance of upwards 
 of one hundred and fifty persons, vagrants, run away 
 servants, and others for trial, who are employed solely 
 in picking oakum and hair, and who cannot maintani 
 themselves thereby. In this respect therefore, more 
 has been done than was ever expected by the bene- 
 volent Howard. 
 
 The management of the prison is committed, as al- 
 ready said, to a board of inspectors, with the usuiJ 
 resident officers, all of whose duties are pointed out 
 by the following extract of an act of the legislature, 
 and by the subsequent rules of the inspectors. 
 
 Vis'itiJig Inspectors, 
 
 The visiting inspectors shall attend at the prison, 
 together, at least twice in each week, and oftener if 
 occasion require ; at which times they shall exam- 
 ine into and inspect the management of the prison, 
 the conduct of the keeper, deputies, and assistants : 
 they shall also carefully enquire into, and report the 
 conduct and disposition of the prisoners, and see 
 that they are properly and sufficiently employed ; 
 that proper attention to cleanliness is observed ; 
 that due enquiry be made respecting the health 
 of the prisoners, and that their food is served in 
 quantity and quality, agreeably to the directions of 
 the board ; that the sick are properly provided for, 
 and suitable clothing and bedding are furnished to 
 all — they shall hear the grievances oi the prisoners, 
 receive their petitions, and bring forward the cases of 
 such whose conduct and circumstances may appear 
 to merit the attention of the board. They shall be 
 careful to prevent improper out door communications 
 with the prisoners ; that no spirituous liquors be ad- 
 mitted on any pretext whatever, except by order of 
 the physician. That no intercourse be admitted be- 
 
172 JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 tween the sexes; iliat the regulations of the board, 
 respecting the distribution of the prisoners, accord- 
 ing to then- characters and circumstances be attended 
 to. That proper means be used to promote religious 
 and moral improvement, by the introduction of use- 
 ful books, and procuring tlie performance of divine 
 service as often as may be. 
 
 They shall, from time to time, report to the com- 
 missioners of the county, all such prisoners who 
 have been sent from other counties, and have incur- 
 red a charge for their maintenance more than the 
 profits of their labour will defray, in order that 
 compensation may be had as the law directs. 
 
 They shall cause fair returns to be made out, and 
 laid before the board monthly, of all the prisoners, 
 their crimes, length of confinement, by whom com- 
 mitted, when and how discharged, since the preced- 
 ing return. 
 
 They shall attend to the keeper, deputies and 
 assistants, by observing their treatment of the pris- 
 oners, and suffer no persons addicted to liquor, mak- 
 ing use of profane swearing or other improper lan- 
 guage, to be employed on this duty. 
 
 They shall constantly bear in mind that all men 
 are free, until a legal proof is made to the contrary; 
 they will therefore take care that no person is held 
 in confinement, on bare suspicion of being a run- 
 away slave ; and those persons who are actually 
 slaves, and not applied for by proper claims within 
 a limited time, shall be returned to the supreme or 
 other proper court, for a habeas corpus to remove 
 them according to law ; and, generally, they shall 
 see that the present and subsequent directions of 
 the board be carried into effect. 
 
JAIL AXD PENAL CODE. 173 
 
 Keeper of the Prison. 
 
 The keeper of the prison, besides attending to the 
 safe keeping of the prisoners, shall carefully inspect 
 into their moral conduct, shall enjoin a strict at- 
 tention to the regulations relative to cleanliness, so- 
 briety and industry, and be careful to avoid ihat 
 penalty which is incurred by suffering a criminal to 
 escape. He shall also, with the approbation of two 
 of the inspectors, provide a sufficient quantity of 
 stock and materials, working tools, and implements 
 for the constant employment of the prisoners. He 
 shall deliver out their work and receive it from 
 them by weight or measure, as the case may be, in 
 order that embezzlement or waste may be prevented, 
 by the prisoners ; and by every laudable means in 
 his power make their labour as profitable as possi- 
 ble. He shall, as the law directs, keep separate ac- 
 counts for all convicts sentenced to labour six 
 months and upwards, in which the expense of cloth- 
 ing and subsistence shall be charged, and a reason- 
 able allowance for their labour be credited : these 
 accounts shall be balanced at short periods, in order 
 that the prisoner, at his discharge, may receive the 
 proportion, if any, that is due to him. 
 
 He shall cause all accounts concerning the main- 
 tenance of the prisoners to be entered in a book 
 or books for the purpose, and shall also keep sepa- 
 rate accounts of the stock and materials purchased 
 by him; shall take proper vouchers whenever money 
 is expended ; shall regularly credit the materials 
 mimufactured and sold, mentioning to whom, and 
 when disposed of; and at every quarterly meeting 
 of the board, shall exhibit his accounts and vouchers, 
 for their approbation and allowance, 
 p 2 
 
174 JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 Turnkey, 
 
 The turnkey shall admit no person, except the in- 
 spectors, keeper, his deputies, servants, or assistants, 
 officers and ministers of justice, counsellors or attor- 
 nies at law, employed by a prisoner, ministers of the 
 gospel, or persons producing a written licence, signed 
 by two of the said inspectors ; and the latter, only 
 in his presence or some one of the officers of the 
 prison. He shall prevent the admission of any spiri- 
 tuous liquors, or any other improper article to the 
 prisoners, and on every attempt of this kind that 
 may be detected, he shall make discovery thereof, 
 in order that the penalty inflicted by law may be 
 recovered. 
 
 Keepers^ Deputies^ £s?c. 
 
 The keepers, deputies, and assistants shall be 
 careful to preserve cleanliness, sobriety and indus- 
 try among the prisoners ; to inform them of the rules 
 of the house, and to enjoin the observance of them 
 by mild yet firm measures ; they shall be careful to 
 prevent embezzlement, waste, or destruction of im- 
 plements or materials ; they shall constantly reside 
 in the house and inspect the conduct and labour of 
 the prisoners — report the negligent, profane or dis- 
 orderly (who shall be removed) and the industrious, 
 quiet and exemplary, that they may be recommend- 
 ed by the visiting inspectors, who have it in charge 
 to bring such to the favourable notice of the board. 
 
 Watchmen, 
 
 The watchmen shall continue in the prison all 
 night, two ol whom shall be within the iron gate, 
 and two in the inspectors room — they shall patrole 
 
JAIL. AND PENAL CODE. 175 
 
 the inside constantly, and strike the bell every 
 hour — they shall report any remarkable occurrence 
 of the night to the clerk of the prison, on the suc- 
 ceeding day, who shall commit the same to writing, 
 and lay it before the visiting inspectors, at their 
 next meeting ; and as the safety of the prison so 
 much depends on their vigilance and attention, it is 
 required that no circumstance shall prevent the 
 performance of their regular and frequent rounds. 
 
 RuleSy Orders^ and Regulations for the Jail of the 
 city and county of Philadelphia. 
 
 1. The males and females shall be employed, and 
 shall eat and be lodged in separate apartments, 
 and shall have no intercourse or communication 
 with each other. 
 
 2. The prisoners shall be constantly employed in 
 such labour as the keeper (with the concurrence of 
 the inspectors) may consider best adapted to their 
 age, sex and circumstances : regard being had to 
 that employment which is most profitable. 
 
 3. If any of the prisoners shall be found remiss, 
 or negligent, in performing what is required of them, 
 to the best of their power and abilities, or shall wil- 
 fully waste or damage the goods committed to their 
 care, they shall be punished for every such offence, 
 as may be hereafter directed. 
 
 4. if any of the prisoners shall refuse to comply 
 with these regulations, or to obey the officers of 
 the prison, or shall be guilty of profane cursing or 
 swearing, or of any indecent behaviour, conversa- 
 tion or expression, or of any assault, quarrel, or abu- 
 sive words to, or with any other person, they shall 
 be punished for the same, in manner hereafter di- 
 rected. 
 
 5. The convicts, prisoners for trial, servants, run- 
 aways, and vagrants, shall be separately fed, lodg- 
 ed jind employed. 
 
176 JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 6. Offenders shall be reported to the Inspectors, 
 and punished by close solitary confinement, and their 
 allowance of food reduced — but in cases where the 
 security of the prison is in danger, or personal 
 violence offered to any of the officers, then the said offi- 
 cers shall use all lawful means to defend themselves, 
 and secure the authors of such outrage. 
 
 7. No officer or other person shall sell any thing 
 used in the prison, nor buy, sell, or barter any arti- 
 cle, by which they can have benefit ; neither shall 
 they suffer any spirituous or fermented liquors to 
 be introduced, except such as the keeper may use in 
 his own family, or for medical purposes, prescribed 
 by the attending physician, under the penalty of 
 five pounds, if an officer, and dismission from office ; 
 or if a prisoner, he shall be proceeded against as 
 in the seventh article. 
 
 8. The prisoners, on their first admission, shall 
 be separately lodged, washed, and cleansed ; and shall 
 continue in such separate lodging, until it shall 
 be deemed prudent to admit them among the other 
 prisoners, and the clothes in which they were com- 
 mitted shall be baked, fumigated, and laid by ; to 
 be returned them at their discharge ; and during 
 their confinement, to be clothed according to law. 
 
 9. Any persons detected in gaming of any kind, 
 shall be proceeded against agreeably to the seventh 
 article. 
 
 10. Any person who shall demand or exact a 
 garnish, beg, steal, or defraud, shall be punished as 
 directed by the seventh article. 
 
 11. The prisoners who distinguish themselves 
 by their attention to cleanliness, sobriety, industry 
 and orderly conduct, shall be reported to the inspec- 
 tors, and meet with such rewards as is in their 
 power to grant or procure for them. 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 177 
 
 12. The prisoners shall be furnished v. ith suitable 
 bedding; shall be shaved twice a week; their hair 
 cut once a month; change their linen once a week, 
 and regularly wash their face and hands every mor- 
 ning. 
 
 13. The prison shall be white-washed at least 
 twice in the year, and oftener if occasion requires ; 
 the floors shall be swept every morning, and wash- 
 ed on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from twentieth 
 of May to the first of October, and once a week 
 for the remainder of the year.* 
 
 14. The sweepings of the prison shall be collec- 
 ted and deposited in a place for the purpose, and ■ 
 removed once in every two weeks ; the necessaries 
 shall also be cleansed daily. 
 
 15. The yards of the prison shall be kept free 
 from cows, hogs, dogs, and fowls. 
 
 16. The physician for the time being, shall keep 
 a register of the sick, their disorders, and his pre- 
 scriptions ; and shall render his accounts for the 
 examination and allowance of the inspectors at each 
 of their quarterly meetings. 
 
 17. At the performance of divine worship, all 
 the prisoners shall attend, except such as may be 
 sick. 
 
 1 8. The turnkey, deputies, and assistants shall be 
 tradesmen, in order that the trades and employments 
 within the house, shall be more effectually and pro- 
 fitably executed. 
 
 19. All prisoners committed as vagrants, and 
 who have been convicts, shall be confined in the 
 cells during their commitment. 
 
 20. No provision, other than the prison allow- 
 ance, shall be furnished to a convict, or vagrant, 
 without the permission of the visiting inspectors. 
 
 This is now so far attended to, as occasion may require. 
 
178 JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 21. There shall be wardsmen, appomted by the 
 visiting inspectors, whose duty it shall be to keep 
 the windows, passages, yard, and privies clean, 
 and who also shall be lodged and fed in a room by 
 themselves. 
 
 22. Run-away or disorderly apprentices, and 
 servants, shall be separately fed, lodged, and em- 
 ployed, and the keeper shall give notice to their 
 masters or mistresses at the time of their commit- 
 ment, of the charge that will accrue for their daily 
 maintenance, who uiay at their option agree to 
 pay the same, or provide the necessary food them- 
 selves. 
 
 23. The charge for the maintenance of slaves, 
 shall be the same as that of apprentices or run- 
 aways. 
 
 24. No men shall be permitted to visit the wo- 
 men's apartments, unless in the company of one or 
 more of the inspectors of the prison ; and no wo- 
 men shall be permitted to visit any other part of 
 the prison than the women's apartments, unless it be 
 such as desire to meet with the prisoners in the 
 meeting-house on the first day of the week, for the 
 purpose of communicating religious instruction. 
 
 25. Such of the convicts as conduct themselves 
 properly, and are diligent in their work, and such 
 only, may be permitted to be visited by their hus- 
 bands or wives, parents or children, once in three 
 months, by orders signed by the two visiting in- 
 spectors. 
 
 26. In all visits to prisoners, by permission of the 
 visiting inspectors, the wooden grated door shall 
 be shut ; and all conversation with the prisoners 
 shall be through both the grates; a keeper to be in 
 the entry, to hear all that passes in such inter- 
 views, and the interview shall not be longer than 
 fifteen minutes. 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 179 
 
 27. The design of the inspectors introducing 
 persons to view the interior of the prison, being 
 chiefly for strangers whose object may be to intro- 
 duce simihir institutions elsewhere, or to improve 
 them where already established, the inspectors will 
 endeavour to discourage any persons from going 
 to view the prison merely to gratify idle curiosity, 
 as it has a bad tffect on the prisoners. 
 
 Description of the Prison and Cells, 
 
 The prison was built in pursuance of an act of the 
 legislature of Pennsylvania, passed on the twenty-first 
 of October, 1773. The ground originally purchased 
 by the commissioners, for the purpose of its erection 
 and use, comprehended also the lot occupied by the 
 " debtors apartment" in Prune street, and was bought 
 partly of the proprietors, Thomas and John Penn, 
 and partly of private persons, for the sum of ^3,252. 
 The whole lot is about two hundred feet on Wal- 
 nut street, by four hundred on Sixth street. 
 
 The prison consists of a stone building, front- 
 ing Walnut street, about 184 feet in length, and 
 about 32 in depth. " It is two stories high, and di- 
 vided into rooms of equal dimensions, viz. 20 by 18 
 feet : an entry in the middle, 7\ feet wide, leads 
 to a passagell4 feet wide, extending the leng.h of 
 the building, with stairs and windows at each end : 
 the upper story and the cellar are upon the same 
 plan; there are eight rooms on each floor, all arched, 
 tor the two-told purpose of securing against fire and 
 escapes, with two windows to each room. On the 
 east and west are two wings, extending ninety leet 
 south, two stories high, containing five rooms on the 
 floor of each wing, nearly the size of those in tront, 
 but with one window, and all arched : the ground 
 floor of these was formerly the dungeon, but have 
 
ISO JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 not been used for some years. On the south side is a 
 stone building,at firstdesigned for a workhouse, where 
 the debtors are now confined. Three hundred feet of 
 the north part of the lot are appropriated to the use 
 of the convict prison, and is divided into portions for 
 the accommodation of the different classes ol prison- 
 ers. Walls, twenty feet high, extendmg to Prune 
 street, connect with the east and west wings. 
 
 The prison was designed and budt under the direc- 
 tion ot the late Robert Smith, and is one oi the many 
 buildings for which Philadelphia is indebted to that 
 excellent and faithful architect. It is so effectually fire 
 proof Internally, the rooms being groin arched, that 
 repeated attempts to fire it have failed ; and the ori- 
 ginal external rough-casting stands to this clay. 
 
 Solitary Cells. 
 
 These are contained in a brick building, of three 
 stories, raised on three arches. The cells are sixteen 
 in number, their dimensions six feet by eight, and 
 nine feet hgh. Light is admitted by a window at the 
 end of the passages, and by a small window placed 
 above the reach ot the person confined, well secured 
 by an iron grate, outside of which is a blind or lou- 
 ver, so fixed, as to admit the rays of light, only 
 from above ; communication with those outside is 
 therefore impossible. A privy, consisting of a leaden 
 pipe, below a brick work, properly constructed in 
 one corner of the cell, leads to sewers under ground. 
 These may be cleansed at will, by turning a cock fix- 
 ed to a leaden pipe from a cistern of water. Stoves 
 in winter, are placed in the passages, out of reach ot 
 the convicts. To each cell there are two doors ; one 
 outside of an iron grating, and one inside, of wood, 
 which are screwed together every night. In the 
 day time the wooden door is left open, to admit air. 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 181 
 
 I 
 
 No conversation between persons confined in these 
 cells can take place, except by vociferation, and as 
 they would then be heard, and their time of con- 
 finement increased, the utmost silence commonly 
 prevails, except when they are first put in, and be- 
 fore the tranquilizing effects of the cells have had time 
 to appear. 
 
 Vagrants, run-away servants, and disorderly per- 
 sons, are committed for a term not exceeding thirty 
 days, in the same apartment with those for trial, and 
 for want of yard room, are necessarily kept at em- 
 ployments, which do not pay for the expenses incur- 
 red by them. Characters of all descriptions, and all 
 degrees of vice are here mixed in one mass, an evil 
 that formed one of the most striking defects of the 
 old penal code, and that constitutes the only imper- 
 fect part of the present system ; but which will be 
 remedied, when the new penitentiary on Mulberry 
 street, corner of broad street, shall be finished, as the 
 objects alluded to may then be profitably employed. 
 
 Effects of the System, 
 
 Such are the remedies which have been prescri- 
 bed, in Pennsylvania, for the cure of vice, that great 
 moral disease. Their effects, and the theory of their 
 action, shall now be briefly noticed. 
 
 The beneficial effects derived from the abolition of 
 the system of public and severe punishments, have 
 been sensibly felt by the state at large, and especi- 
 ally by the city of Philadelphia. The recollection, 
 by our own citizens, of the frequent robberies and 
 other crimes formerly perpetrated in the capital, and 
 the comparatively few committed since the operation 
 of the new law, is the best evidence of this position. 
 
 A return from the prison books, would also tend to 
 confirm it, although not in so accurate a manner as 
 
18J JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 might be expected, owing to the very great influx ot 
 inhabitants that has taken place since 1790, especi- 
 ally of blacks ; and to the circumstance of the con- 
 victs from the counties, remaining in Philadelphia, 
 in preference to returning to the scenes of their for- 
 mer crimes; for it is well known, that in some ot the 
 counties, the convicts, for trifling offences, are sen- 
 tenced to labour for a term sufficiently long to au- 
 thorize their being sent to the prison ; and that in 
 many cases, they are sentenced in the counties to 
 double and threefold the term of servitude, to which, 
 for similar offences, they would be sentenced in the 
 county of Philadelphia j this prevents their return- 
 ing to their counties after the expiration of their 
 terms of servitude, and except those who are par- 
 doned on condition ot their leaving the state, they 
 generally remain in Philadelphia, and often become 
 convicts in the county. " With respect to^larcenies and 
 burglaries, it appears that more persons were tried 
 for these offences, while they were capital, than since 
 the punishment has been lessened : and if we allow 
 for reconvictions, the difference will be much great- 
 er.""* 
 
 The theory of the action of the means employed 
 to prevent, and reform criminals, will serve to illus- 
 trate them more clearly. The great causes of vice 
 are idleness, intemperance and evil connections, and 
 as the system pursued admits of none of these, but 
 proceeds upon the principles of industry, sobriety, 
 good example, and other cooperating measures; it 
 must follow from the very constitution of human na- 
 ture, that unless in the case of hardened and old of- 
 fenders, and such fortunately are all disposed of, that 
 salutary effects must be produced by the opera- 
 
 * Bradford's Inquiry, p. 25. 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE 183 
 
 lion of the measures adopted. The crimhial knows, 
 and must be convinced, however unwilling to ac- 
 knowledge the fact, that his sentence is justly inflict- 
 ed ; the nature of this sentence moreover, assures 
 him, that his improvement in morals is the sole ob- 
 ject in view, and that vengeance, which some mo- 
 dern European statesmen still think " is the prima- 
 ry object of consideration, the foundation of the pe- 
 nal law,"* is no part of its intention : hence those 
 angry passions, which the laceration of the body by 
 stripes, cropping ears, and pilloring, invariably ex- 
 cite, are restrained, and the whole discipline of the 
 prison is eminently calculated to produce the same 
 conviction, to conduct to the same result. Inter- 
 course between the sexes, that extensive cause of 
 moral contamination, is strictly prohibited ; the diet, 
 a poM-erful agent on the human passions, is moderate 
 and wholesome. Ardent spirits, the great source of 
 his present punishment, are strictly denied him ; 
 idleness, the parent of vice, is substituted by regular, 
 constant labour, except during the short time appro- 
 priated to meals and during the hours of sleep : and 
 silence, which naturally produces reflection and atten- 
 tion to duty, is strictly enjoined and enforced. The 
 mild, but firm conduct of the keepers, who never car- 
 ry weapons, banishes the irritating idea usually attach- 
 ed to such characters, and transforms them into em- 
 ployers superintending their workmen ; and lastly the 
 
 * Alexander i\ Tytler, now lord Woodhouselee, a lord of 
 Sessions in Scotland, has added an appendix to his life of lord 
 Kaimes, to prove that " the foundation of criminal law is retribu- 
 tive justice; its primai'v object the accomplishment of justice 
 by the proper punishment of crimes. The prevention of crimes," 
 he considers, " as a secondary evil. l"he pririciple of vengc 
 ance," he says, " is founded injustice, and the resentment which 
 the injury excites, ought in every case to be the measure of that, 
 vengeance." Reformation of the criminal, does not enter into his 
 views. 
 
184 JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 
 
 religious counsel which is given on the sabbath, seals 
 the whole, and proves to them that neither the law 
 nor the officers appointed in pursuance ot it, have 
 any other object in view, than their refoi-mation. The 
 criminal therefore, makes his calculation, to conduct 
 himsell^so as to command the good will of the keepers 
 and inspectors, and merit recommendation for a dimi- 
 nution of his time of servitude. This calculation, which 
 all the convicts make, and the justness of which they 
 occasionally see exemplified by the enviable reward 
 being conferred upon the meritorious,* is one of the 
 most powerful motives to good behaviour that could 
 be held out : and if it be doubted whether gratitude 
 for mild and kind treatment, has not some effect in 
 causing obedience to command, and attention to 
 work; facts enough have occurred to shew that they 
 are not insensible to the influence of this quality of 
 the mind. On one occasion, an inspector states, that 
 when roused by the harshness of one keeper to make 
 a desperate attempt to escape, they were prevented 
 in part from succeeding, by another whom they re- 
 spected, throwing himself in the way of the door, 
 and whose life would have been sacrificed if they 
 had persisted:! and that they are not insensible even 
 
 * Petitions for pai'don, or even for shortening- the tirne of ser- 
 vitude of a criminal, are made with extreme caution by the in- 
 spectors. 
 
 f An accidental visit to the prison by a humane man, former^ 
 ly a keeper, has occasioned universal joy among- the convicts, 
 who came forward to welcome him. In the fever of 1793, as many 
 convicts offered, as were wanted to attend the sick at the city 
 hospital. A man committed for burglary for seven years, solici- 
 ted, and was appointed deputy steward of the hospital : a robber 
 drove the pro\ision cart, during the whole epidemic, and be- 
 ha\cd well. They were both pardoned. The women convicts 
 g-ave up their bedsteads for the use of the sick, and even offered 
 their bedding-. See Tiu-nbuU's visit to the prison. 
 
JAIL AND PENAL CODE. 185 
 
 to the principles of honour, and of humanity, the 
 facts detailed below, with other occurrences, afford 
 ample proof. 
 
 The following facts communicated by an Inspector, 
 are to the same point. 
 
 A convict, by name Jackson, who acknowledged 
 himself to be an accomplished villain, and to have 
 been in most of the jails of the United States, was 
 sentenced to hard labour for several years in Phila- 
 delphia. He gave much trouble, and at length escap- 
 ed over the wall: he was pursued to Maryland, and 
 on his way back, escaped again. He was finally ta- 
 ken and lodged in the cells, where, full of health, 
 and Avith a mind high toned, he boasted of his reso- 
 lution, and of the impossibility of subduing his spirit, 
 or of effecting any change in him. But after having 
 been confined for some time, an alteration in his de- 
 portment became evident, and he took occasion when 
 the inspectors were going through the prison, to en- 
 ter into conversation with them, and inquired how 
 an old comrade* in iniquity, who had long been con- 
 fined had obtained release from the cells. The reply 
 was, that " he promised to behave well, and that he 
 had been put upon his honour." Would you trust 
 mine, he rejoined ? yes, it was said, if he would 
 pledge it. He did so, was released, went cheerfully 
 to work, and behaved with propriety during the re- 
 mainder of his time, and never returned to Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Several states in the Union, have followed the ex- 
 ample set by Pennsjlvania, Avith various degrees of 
 
 * This man had been confined for six months in the cells, at 
 the end of which time, being completely subdued, was let out 
 upon a solemn pledg-e of sjood behaviour, and during the rest of 
 his time g'ave no trouble. In this case the mild conversation, and 
 Sjrioas advice of one of the inspectors powerfully assisted. 
 
 0^2 
 
X86 LAW FOR DEBTORS. 
 
 success. The principle however, just as It is, may 
 be abused, and the objects in view of course defeated. 
 A good system of regulations should at first be esta- 
 blished, and afterwards adhered to, with rigid punc- 
 tuality : pardons should never be thought of nor any 
 diminution of the period of servitude recommended, 
 unless after the most thorough conviction of the de- 
 sired reformation having well progressed : inspectors 
 zealous in the cause, and willing to devote their time 
 thereto, should be continued in the direction, to in- 
 struct the new members, otherwise impositions will 
 be practised ; and to guard against the frailty of 
 human nature, no inspector should be permitted to 
 supply any article of provision for the convicts, or 
 to derive any emolument directly or indirectly from 
 the prison. 
 
 The old prison stood at the S. W. corner of High 
 and Third-streets, and extended on High-street 66 
 feet, and 204 feet on Third-street, including, on the 
 latter street, a yard and work-house. The buildings 
 and wall were pulled down in 1784, by order of the 
 supreme executive council of the state, and the 
 ^ound sold to private persons, for building lots. 
 
 Law for Debtors. 
 
 These have undergone frequent alterations. At 
 present, they consist of the original act of 1729, 
 with sundry supplements extending relief to cases 
 not coming within its provisions. 
 
 The basis of the jurisdiction given to the court by 
 these acts, is an actual confinement under legal pro- 
 cess : with this distinction, that if the debtor be con- 
 fined in execution, he may apply immediately for re- 
 lief, but if under mesne process, not until he has 
 been thirty days in prison. Foreigners must remain 
 six months in prison, if under execution for a debt 
 above ^100. 
 
LAW FOR DEBTORS, 187 
 
 The supreme court has jurisdiction in all cases 
 where the debtor is confined by process from that 
 court. The common pleas in cases under its own 
 process, or the process of an alderman or justice of 
 the peace. 
 
 The mode of proceeding in both courts is nearly 
 the same. The debtor applies by petition in term time, 
 to either court, accompanying his petition with a 
 schedide, on oath or affirmation, of all his property 
 and effects, (wearing apparel, bedding and working 
 tools, not exceeding five pounds in value in the 
 whole, excepted) and a list of his creditors, with the 
 nature and amount, as near as may be, of their debts. 
 The court then appoints a time for hearing him and 
 his creditors, of which the debtor is to give each of 
 his creditors a notice : in the common pleas, at least 
 fifteen days, and in the supreme court, at least ten 
 days before the time appointed. The omission to 
 give notice to any one of the creditors, however, 
 only deprives the debtor of the benefit of the laws in 
 respect to that creditor, not as to the others. 
 
 At the time appointed, the court examines into 
 the matter of the petition, hearing evidence ii' requir- 
 ed, on the part of either debtor or creditors, or if 
 they see cause, may adjourn to a future day, but this 
 must be in the next succeeding term. If the court 
 be satisfied that the debtor has fairly disclosed and 
 surrendered all his estate, they are directed to dis- 
 charge him; if on the other hand there be a " strong 
 presumption of fraud," in concealing or fraudulently 
 disposing of his property, he is to be remanded to 
 prison by a judgment of the court for one year. The 
 ogth or affirmation required to be taken by the debt- 
 or, is in very full and extensive terms, that the ac- 
 count delivered to the court, of his estate is just, and 
 that since his confinement he has not disposed of it 
 in any way, or any part thereof. The court and ere- 
 
188 LAW FOR DEBTORS. 
 
 ditors being satisfied with his declaration, the court 
 orders the property contained in the debtors sche- 
 dule to be assigned to one or more of his creditors, 
 in trust for the whole, which is done by a short in- 
 dorsement on the back of the petition, and signed by 
 the debtor, who is then discharged by proclamation, 
 in open court. 
 
 The effect of a discharge, thus obtained, is in the 
 first place to release him froin custody : and in the 
 next place, to exempt him thereafter Irom imprison- 
 ment for debts owing before his discharge, to credit- 
 ors to whom due notice has been given. But it only 
 exempts his person. His future acquisitions of pro- 
 perty remain liable to execution, as if he had not 
 been discharged. 
 
 By other acts of assembly, commonly called the 
 bread acts, a provision is made for the support of 
 poor debtors who are destitute of the means of sub- 
 sistence, which sometimes works a discharge. These 
 acts direct the inspectors of the public prison, to ex- 
 amine into the condition of the debtors in confine- 
 ment, and to make an allowance for food to each of 
 such poor debtors as are incapable of maintaining him 
 or herself, to be paid weekly by the plaintiff or plain- 
 tiffs, at whose suit such debtor is confined, on the 
 Monday of every week after ten days printed notice; 
 upon failure, by the plaintiff or plaintiffs for the space 
 of three days to comply with the requisition, the debt- 
 or is entitled to be discharged ; and can never after- 
 wards be arrested or imprisoned for the same debt. 
 The first act in 1792, fixed the allowance at seven 
 cents per day. An act lately passed, authorises the 
 courts of common pleas, at the first term in everj^ 
 year, to fix the allowance so to be made, at any sum 
 not exceeding fourteen cents per day. It is fixed for 
 the present year in the city and county of Philadel- 
 phia, at twelve and a half cents a day. 
 
LAW FOR DEBTORS. 189 
 
 Previously to the alteration of the penal law in 1 790, 
 debtors and criminals, male and female, were confi- 
 ned in the new prison in Walnut-street. But provi- 
 sion was at that time made for appropriating the 
 " house of correction" in Prune-street, solely to debt- 
 ors. The grand jury of the countv regularly visits and 
 reports the state ofthe debtors' apartment every three 
 months ; and the inspectors of the prison are also 
 bound to visit it weekly, and are authorised to make 
 the necessary rules and regulations ior tht govern- 
 ment of the house. The following regulations are 
 now in force. 
 
 1. The south part of the house shall be for the 
 use of the keeper, his family, and assistants, and that 
 part of the house north of the division wail, shall be 
 allotted for the use of the prisoners. 
 
 2. That the house be washed, once or twice a 
 week during the warm weather, and at least once in 
 two weeks, or oftener, if the weather permit, daring 
 winter, and the -w-alls shall be white-washed as often 
 as shall be deemed needful lor the health of the pri- 
 soners. 
 
 3. That the women prisoners shall be kept sepa- 
 rate from the men, and at all times the most rigid 
 prohibition of any kind of intercourse between them 
 and the men prisoners be continued, and no men shall 
 be admitted to their apartment, excepting the keeper, 
 his assistants, the inspectors, or a physician, in case 
 of any of the women being sick. 
 
 4. No woman shall be permitted to go into any 
 room where the men are prisoners, excepting the 
 mother or wife of one of the prisoners, and not more 
 than one such mother or wife at a time, unless in 
 case of the sickness of a prisoner, and the physician 
 orders a nurse. 
 
 5. No game of address or hazard of any kind 
 whatsoever, shall be admitted in the prison on any 
 
190 LAW FOR DEBTORS. 
 
 account ; nor shall any implements of gaming be 
 suffered to be in the prison at all. 
 
 6. No kind of wines, spirituous liquors, porter* 
 strong beer, nor cyder, nor any kind of drink stron- 
 ger than small beer shall be permitted to the prisoners, 
 in any quantity whatever, and the price charged to 
 the prisoners for such small beer, &c. shall not ex- 
 ceed six cents per quart, excepting from this rule 
 what a physician shall prescribe for any prisoner in 
 case of such prisoner being sick, and then only the 
 kind and quantity shall be adiiiitted which is prescri- 
 bed ior the sick person. 
 
 7. No charge of money, or any equivalent for 
 money under the name of Garnish, or any charge of 
 the kind shall be suffered to be made in the prison, on 
 account of any person lodging in any of the rooms 
 allotted for the prisoners. 
 
 8. No prisoner shall be suffered to come without 
 the inner gate, unless called by the keeper, or his as- 
 sistants, or an inspector. 
 
 9. It shall be the duty of the keeper and his 
 assistants, to see that no female remains in the rooms 
 where the men are prisoners, after sunset. Also to 
 examine every visitor, and see that no kind of liquor 
 or drink, prohibited by these rules, be brought into 
 the prison. 
 
 10. No visitor shall be permitted to come in, or 
 remain in the prison after sunset. And if any person' 
 shall attempt to introduce into the prison, any kind' 
 of liquor or drink prohibited by these rules, such 
 liquor or drink shall be immediately destroyed, and 
 the person who endeavoured to bring it in, shall be 
 instantly turned out of doors, and never suffered to 
 come in again as a visitor. 
 
 11. That no visitor shall be admitted to the pri- 
 son on the first day of the week, called the Sabbath 
 day, unless to visit a prisoner who is sick. 
 
ELECTIONS. 191 
 
 12. If any prisoner behave in a disorderly man- 
 ner, and on being reprimanded by the keeper or his 
 assistant, or an inspector, does not immediately con- 
 duct himself or herself in a proper and respectful 
 manner, such prisoner shall be confined separately 
 from the rest, in a room appropriated for that pur- 
 pose. 
 
 The keeper of the debtor's apartment is appointed 
 by the sheriff : his salary is ^500. 
 
 Electio7is, 
 
 The election for civil officers, takes place on the 
 second Tuesday of October throughout the state. 
 On the Friday next preceding the first Tuesday in 
 October, the constables of the several wards, hav- 
 ing given previous public notice of the time and 
 places, hold elections for inspectors of elections. 
 Return is made by the constables to the sheriff of 
 the city and county, and a duplicate to the person 
 chosen ; the inspectors assemble at nine o'clock in 
 the forenoon ol the day of election, and choose judges 
 of the election, who form a return oi the whole elec- 
 tion of the city and county, and deliver said return to 
 the sheriff; a duplicate of which, signed and sealed 
 in the same manner, is deposited in the office of the 
 prothonatory of the city and county. The sheriff is 
 required to transmit said return within thirty days to 
 the governor, who thereupon, (in case ot" representa- 
 tives to congress) declares by proclamation, the names 
 of the persons returned to him as duly elected ; but 
 in the case of the election oi members of the legisla- 
 ture, the certificate of the judges of the election to 
 the individual chosen is sufficient. Judges, inspec- 
 tors, and clerks of elections, are sworn or affirmed, to 
 insure an impartial discharge of their duties, before 
 }i entering thereon. 
 
X-gS ELECTIONS. 
 
 By the constitution of the state, "every free man, 
 of the age of twenty-two years, having resided in the 
 state two years next before the election, and within 
 that time paid a state or county tax, which shall have 
 been assessed at least six months before the election, 
 shall enjoy the rights of an elector ; sons of quali- 
 fied persons as aforesaid, between the ages of twenty- 
 one and twenty-two years, shall be entitled to vote, 
 although they shall not have paid taxes." 
 
 The following officers are chosen by the city, 
 count}', and district. 
 
 1. The city and county of Philadelphia, and coun- 
 ty of Delaware, constitute one district, and elect three 
 members of the house of representatives in the con- 
 gress of United States. 
 
 2. The city and county of Philadelphia, elect two 
 representatives in the senate of the state legislature, 
 for four years ; one county commissioner, one sheriff, 
 and one coroner, for three years ; and three audi- 
 tors.* 
 
 3. The city elects five representatives in the state 
 legislature, four persons as members of the select 
 council, and twenty persons to compose the common 
 council. 
 
 4. The county of Philadelphia, elects six represen- 
 tatives in the state legislature. The two persons, 
 having the highest number of votes, for sheriff and 
 coroner, are returned ; either of whom may be ap- 
 pointed by the governor. The constitution prohibits 
 any person from being twice chosen sheriff in any 
 term of six years. 
 
 The constitution provides that all elections by the 
 people shall be by ballot. 
 
 * These auditors examine the accounts of the county commis- 
 sioners ; and of the county treasurer and sheriff, for the current 
 year. 
 
KEVENUE. 193 
 
 All elections are free and voluntary, and any elec- 
 tor who shall receive any gift or reward for his vote, 
 in meat, drink, money or otherwise, forfeits his right 
 to elect for that time, and shall pay any sum not ex- 
 ceeding fifty dollars, and suffer imprisonment for 
 a time not exceeding six months, as the court of the 
 county shall think proper to award. It may with 
 truth be said, that although our suffrage is universal, 
 no other influence is exerted except that of persua- 
 sion ; the measure adopted by the friends of the can- 
 didates for office in other countries, and in some 
 of the United States, of keeping open house during 
 an election, is unknown in Philadelphia, and it is be- 
 lieved, throughout the state. 
 
 Revenue and Expenditure, 
 
 The permanent revenue of Philadelphia, which Is 
 appropriated to city purposes, is derived from the 
 following sources. 
 
 1. Rent of stalls in the public markets in High 
 street and Second street : of the cellar under the 
 city hall : of lots, and a house on the west side of 
 Schuylkill : of the public scales : of public wharves; 
 and of vacant public squares. 
 
 2. Oi stock in the Schuylkill permanent bridge, at 
 the west end of High street ; and public stock. 
 
 3. From the use of the Schuylkill water. 
 
 4. From whanage on the public landings, on Del- 
 aware and Schuylkill. 
 
 5. From shares in the water loan. 
 
 6. Sales of street dirt, and paving over private wa- 
 ter pipes. 
 
 7. Taxes — Besides the foregoing, occasional re- 
 venue arises from Mayor's fines and penalties ; and 
 from lighting private lamps, which in 1 809, amount- 
 ed to S224 56 
 
194 llEVENUE. 
 
 In 1809, the following expenses were incurred. 
 
 1. Purchase ofpavingstones, and paving Sl9,187 I9i 
 
 2. Repairing unpaved streets . 2,084 45i 
 
 3. Cleansing the city generally, . 8,219 98^ 
 
 4. Repairing and cleansing docks and sewers, 709 56 
 
 5. Lighting and watching the city, 19,025 66 
 
 6. Pumps and wells, . . 3,007 11 
 
 7. Regulating ascents and descents of "> 
 
 streets, J ^^" 
 
 8. Salaries to the officers of the corporation, 9,450 
 
 9. Office expenses of the city commissioners, 102 40 
 
 10. Menial services in the markets, 420 
 
 11. Incidental expenses of councils, 231 10 
 
 12. Constables for keeping order on^ 
 sabbaths, and attending mayor's l 434 
 court, J 
 
 13. Repairing over water pipes, 153 97 
 
 14. Repairs and improvements of the 1 a^qc ^i_ 
 city property, J ' "" ^ 
 
 i5. One vear's interest on water and") ^ ^^^ 
 
 city loans, j ^'^^^ 
 
 16. Repairs and improvements at wa- 1 j- ^qq 
 ter works, laying pipes, he. J ' 
 
 17. Making culverts, . . 14,652 30 
 
 18. Contingent expenses authorized! m ^o 
 by councils, J. 4Jl 48 
 
 gl24,865 55 
 'Die appropriations for the foregoing purposes, 
 for the year 1811, amount to gl 33,000 
 
 From the report of committee of the select coun- 
 cil on the revenue of the last year, it appears, that the 
 actual expenditure ior the several objects for. which 
 appropriations had been made in 1810, amounted on 
 the 31st December last, to , gl25,600 38 
 
SINKING FUND. 195 
 
 That the debts owing on the same 
 account amounted to . . or,930 79 
 
 That the interest on the temporary 
 loans amounted to . . 966 57 
 
 That there is to be paid to the tax 
 fund of the year 1810, this sum bor- 
 rowed from it by an ordinance of the 
 16th July, . . . 2,000 
 
 Debts owing, - . 1,118 72 
 
 Sl67,676 46 
 Amount of taxes, rental and loans, 147,67 4G 
 
 Leaving an nrtual deficiency of 
 funds amounting to . . $20,000 
 
 Borrowed by ordinances of councils 
 in 1810, . » , 30,000 
 
 Amount of expenditure beyond re- 
 venue, . . . S50,000 
 
 Of the above sum, ^14,000 were borrowed to erect 
 the market-house in High-street, an object which by 
 increasing the income of the corporate estate, fur- 
 nishes the means of reimbursing the cost : one 
 loan of S25,000, constituting a part of the above 
 S50,000has been paid off. 
 
 Sinking" Fund. 
 
 In 1807 the debt of the city, arising chiefly from 
 the expense of the water works amounted to 310,000 
 dollars, which was payable at different dates, at the 
 pleasure of the corporation. About ^50,000 were due 
 to the banks. In order to reduce this debt, councils 
 resolved in the above year, to borrow ^50,000, which 
 was not redeemable before 1830: this sum was pro- 
 cured at 2 1-2 per cent, under par, and was applied 
 
196 TAXES. 
 
 to pay the banks. The profit of 2 1-2 per cent, toge- 
 ther with S5,000 arising out of the annual income of 
 the corporate estates of the city, were constituted a 
 fund, to be stiled " the sinking fund," to be applied 
 to the purchase and redemption of the several species 
 of stock, constituting the funded debt of the city. 
 
 This fund is directed to be invested by the treasu- 
 rer, with the approbation of the mavor, in the six 
 per cent stock of the United States, until it shall 
 amount to a sum sufficient to pay off a whole loan, 
 when it is to be sold, and the proceeds thereof, ap- 
 plied to the payment of such loan, and the certifi- 
 cates, or other evidences of the loan so paid, are to 
 be transferred to, and become part of the sinking 
 fund. 
 
 During the last year, 1810, the wants of the city 
 obliged councils to borrow ^50,000 more, as already 
 stated ; and to prevent thepostponement of the redemp- 
 tion, they resolved to apply !S2,000, in addition to the 
 sinking fund ; by which measure, notwithstanding 
 the late increase of debt, the redemption will take place 
 even before the contemplated period of final extinc- 
 tion. The sinking fund now amounts to S3 1,000 and 
 upwards. 
 
 Taxes — Modes of Assesshig: 
 
 The system of taxation pursued in Philadelphia, is 
 the same with that of the state at large, and was es- 
 tablished by an act of the legislature, passed in the 
 year 1799. 
 
 Every third year, one or more assessors are cho- 
 sen by the people at the general election in October, 
 who, for the faithful performance of their duty, are 
 required to take an oath or affirmation, before a ma- 
 gistrate or judge, and to file a certified copy of the 
 same in the office of the county commissioners : and 
 
TAXES. 197 
 
 on receipt of precepts issued by the said commission- 
 ers, are to proceed to take an account of the 
 names of all taxable inhabitants within their town- 
 ships, wards, or districts; and of all lands, houses, 
 mills, manufactories, improvements of every kind, 
 ground rents, all negro and mulatto slaves, all cattle 
 above four years old ; all offices and posts of profit, 
 trades and occupations, (ministers of the gospel and 
 school-masters only excepted) and all single free 
 men above the age of twenty-one years, who do not 
 follow any occupation. The enumeration having been 
 made, the assessors are to assemble, and value the 
 aforesaid property, for what they think it will bona 
 fide sell for in ready money : and rate the profits of 
 all offices and occupations at their discretion ; but no 
 tax shall exceed the rate of one cent in every dollar 
 of the adjusted valuation of the property : and the 
 rate for any occupation, or for any single freeman, 
 shall not exceed ten dollars in one year. 
 
 The assessors retui-n the names of two reputable 
 citizens, freeholders, of the ward or district, to the 
 commissioners, who are required to appoint one of 
 them to be the collector, by whom the citizens are 
 notified of the rate at which they have been assessed, 
 and of the day of appeal before the commissioners. 
 I'his regulation gives an opportunity for redress, in- 
 case of the assessment having been made too high. 
 These appeals being over, the collection goes on, and 
 the money as fast as collected, is paid into the hands 
 of the city or county treasurers. Provision is made for 
 compelling payment ; for delinquency of collectors ; 
 compensation to them ; and the settlement and pub- 
 lication of accounts. In Philadelphia, the city com- 
 missioners, board of health, and guardians of the 
 poor, appoint their own collectors. 
 
 The following taxes are annually collected in the 
 city of Philadelphia. Their amount is for 1810, 
 R 2 
 
m TAXES, 
 
 City and Personal — Appropriated to city pur- 
 poses,^ .... Sl03,63r 50 
 
 County — Appropriated to county purposes, 
 
 ^74,541 42 
 
 Health — Appropriated to the expense of the La- 
 zaretto, and health establishment. It must never ex- 
 ceed g40,000 . . . S20,000 
 
 Poor — For the support of the poor, 878,000 
 
 These two last taxes are assessed on the city and 
 county jointly. 
 
 The monies collected in the city are paid to the 
 " city treasurer," an officer who is annually appointed 
 by the select and common councils in joint meeting. 
 His duty is to make out a rental of the real estate 
 of the city, to receive all the monies of the corpora- 
 tion, and to make out an account of all his receipts 
 and expenditures every three months, for the use of 
 the mayor and councils. The accounts of the money 
 arising from the city estate, are to be kept separate 
 from that received for taxes : and the monies re- 
 ceived by him are to be kept in bank, in his name, as 
 treasurer. He is required to give bond with two 
 sureties to the amount of g 16,000 for the faithful 
 performance of his duty. His compensation is one 
 per cent, upon all monies received by him. A full 
 statement of his accounts is annually laid before the 
 city councils and published. The office is at present 
 very ably filled by Mr. G A. Baker. 
 
 The county ta;xes are paid into the hands of the 
 county treasurer, an officer who is appointed by the 
 county commissioners, and changed triennially. His 
 compensation is one and a quarter per cent, upon all 
 monies received. No money is paid by him, except 
 upon the orders of the county commissioners. The 
 following is the account of expenditures by the coun- 
 ty commissioners during the year 1810. 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 19^ 
 
 Public Landings, N. Liberties 
 
 
 !Sl,912 8 
 
 Criminal department 
 
 
 469 6 
 
 Debtor's department 
 
 
 1,228 33 
 
 Bridges and causeways, 
 
 
 36,166 90 
 
 Public roads 
 
 
 r,259 51 
 
 Attorney-general, clerks of courts 
 fees, jurors. 
 
 }■ 
 
 10,849 18 
 
 Sheriff expenses over his receipts 
 
 
 1,616 27 
 
 Public schools 
 
 
 7,724 81 
 
 Coroner's fees 
 
 
 1,279 54 
 
 Militia exempt fines 
 
 
 60 74 
 
 Assessing county tax 
 
 
 1,539 53 
 
 Commissioners and clerks 
 
 
 2,966 66 
 
 Election expenses 
 
 
 919 91 
 
 Contingents 
 
 
 1,939 51 
 
 Total . §74,215 76 
 
 The treasurers of the " Board of Health," and of 
 
 the " Guardians of the Poor," receive the proceeds 
 
 of the health, and poor taxes, and disburse them 
 
 agreeably to the orders of their respective boards. 
 
 Religious Societies. — Sivedes. 
 
 As already mentioned, the first church built on 
 the west side of the Delaware, was on Tinnicum 
 island, by the Swedes, and concecrated September 
 4th, 1646. Their increasing numbers from emigra- 
 tion, and natural causes, and the extension of their 
 settlement, up the Delaware, and Schuylkill, requi- 
 ring in a few years, a more convenient and central 
 place of worship, a block house was erected on the 
 shore of the Delaware, near to where the present 
 Swedish church stands, in Southwark, and was con- 
 secrated in the summer of 1677. By that time, the 
 Swedes had settled as far up as Pennipeck, and Ne- 
 
200 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 shaminy, the falls of Schuylkill, and through the 
 peninsula or neck, below where Philadelphia now 
 stands, in Wicocoa, Moyanaensing, and Passajung, 
 in all about twenty families. The present Swedish 
 church was consecrated 2d July, 1700, and for ma- 
 ny years, was the only place of worship for the fo- 
 reign emigrants, on both sides of the Delaware and 
 Schuylkill. For nearly fifty years, divine worship 
 was performed in the Swedish language. The pre- 
 sent minister is the learned and Rev. Dr. N. Collin. 
 
 The Swedes have also a church in Kingsessing, 
 about six miles from the city, and one in Merion 
 township, Philadelphia county, of both which Dr. 
 Collin is rector. 
 
 The first meetings of the society of Friends, were 
 held at the house of Thomas Fairlamb, at Shaka- 
 mexunk,now called Kensington, in 1681. In 1682, a 
 frame building was erected for the purpose, at the Cen- 
 tre Square. In the same year regular meetings were 
 held at Darby. In 1698, a meeting house was built 
 at the S. W. corner of Second and High-streets, 
 which was pulled down in 1755, and another one 
 erected, 75 feet by 55, and 30 high, with galleries, 
 and held 1500 persons. It was pulkd down in 1808, 
 the ground sold, and the present houses erected. 
 
 At present, there are three places of worship be- 
 longing to this society in Philadelphia. 
 
 Free fakers. 
 
 A party of the society of Friends, v^ho differed 
 from the general society, chiefly in thinking it law- 
 ful to take up arms in defence of American liberty. 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 201 
 
 and in affirming allegiance to the United States, sepa- 
 rated from the main body of Friends, about the year 
 1776. By the help of a general contribution of the 
 citizens, they erected a place of worship, in 1783, at 
 the corner of Fifth and Mulberry streets. It is 48 by 
 36 feet, and two stories high. 
 
 This society is styled " Whig, or Free Quakers." 
 They pi'ofess the principles of quakerism, except in 
 discipline. They allow their members to think and 
 act for themselves, and inflict no censures, appre- 
 hending it to be sufficient that they are amenable to 
 the laws of the country. 
 
 Episcopal Churches, 
 
 It appears from Thomas's brief account of Penn- 
 sylvania,* that the Episcopalians had a church, or 
 place of worship of some kind, in Philadelphia, so 
 early as 1698. At present there are four churches: 
 Christ Church, St. Peter's and St. James's, and St. 
 Pauls. The three first are united in one act of incor- 
 poration, and governed by one vestry. St. Paul's is 
 regulated by its own vestry. 
 
 The ministry in the said united churches has been 
 as follows. 
 
 The earliest settled minister of Christ church, and 
 while the former building stood, was the Rev. Evan 
 Evans, who was sent over by the bishop of London, 
 in 1700; and by whose labours the first episcopal 
 congregations in Pennsylvania are supposed to have 
 been formed. King William allowed him ^^50 ster- 
 ling, a year.f Mr. Evans appears to have been in 
 England in the year 1707, and to have been then 
 
 * London, 1698. l2mo. 
 f Humphrey's Hist. Account of the society for propagating the 
 gt)spel: p. 146. 
 
209 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 complimented with the degree of doctor in divinity^ 
 because ot his exertions in America, and especially 11 
 among the settlers from Wales. He returned to the il 
 province : but in the year 1718, he removed to Ma- 
 ryland ; being presented by the governor of that pro- 
 vince to the living ol St. George's parish, then in the 
 county of Baltimore, and now in that of Harford. 
 
 After the removal of Dr. Evans, there was no 
 stationary minister ; until the Rev. Mr. Vicary was 
 sent over by the bishop of London, in 1719. His con- 
 nexion with the congregation was dissolved in 1723; 
 when they were again without a supply, until the ar- 
 rival of the Rev. Archibald Cummings, who was sent 
 by the bishop of London, in 1726. 
 
 In 1742, the Rev. Mr. Cummings being deceased, 
 the Rev. Dr. Robert Jenney arrived from Eng- 
 land, under an appointment fi-om the bishop of 
 London ; and the Rev. Amos Ross, who had offici- 
 ated from the time of the death of the former in- 
 cumbent, was appointed assistant minister, but re- 
 signed his place in the next year. 
 
 In 1746, the Rev. William Sturgeon was settled as 
 assistant minister to Dr. Jenney. 
 
 In 1759, the principal minister being disabled from 
 officiating, by age and infirmities, another assistant 
 minister was chosen, the Rev. Jacob Duche. 
 
 In 1765, St. Peter's church being then built, the 
 two churches received from the proprietaries of 
 Pennsylvania, a charter of incorporation, by which 
 they are contemplated as one body, with the ^same 
 rector and vestry. 
 
 After the decease of Di'. Jenney, in 1758, the du- 
 ties of the churches were discharged by the assistant 
 ministers only, until the year 1762, when the Rev. 
 Richard Peters was chosen rector ; this being the 
 title annexed to the station of minister, and recog- 
 nised by the charter of incorporation. 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 203 
 
 In the year 1772, the Rev. Thomas Coombe and 
 the Rev. William White were chosen assistant mi- 
 nisters. Mr. Sturgeon, one ol these already mention- 
 ed, having departed this life not long before. 
 
 On the decease of the Rev. Dr. Peters, in the 
 year 1775, the Rev. Jacob Duche was chosen rec- 
 tor, who retired from this country to England, to- 
 wards the close of the following year. In the year 
 1778, the Rev. Mr. Coombe also retired to England. 
 
 In the year 1779, the Rev. William White was 
 chosen rector. The Rev. Robert Blackwell was cho- 
 sen assistant minister, in 1780. The Rev. Joseph G. 
 Bend was also chosen an assistant in 1788; and, re- 
 signing his charge, removed to Baltimore in 1791. 
 After which, the Rev. James Abercrombie was cho- 
 sen in 1794. 
 
 In the year 1810, the charter of incorporation was 
 enlarged by the legislature of Pennsylvania, so as to 
 comprehend the new church of St. James. The 
 yearly value of the real estate of the three churches, 
 is not to exceed six thousand dollars. 
 
 The episcopal churches in the United States, hold 
 the same faith as the church of England, with the ex- 
 ception of the Athanasian creed. The thirty-nine arti- 
 cles, with accommodation to the local circumstances 
 of this country, were recognised as the faith of the 
 said church by the convention of the clergy and laity 
 that met in Philadelphia in September, 1801. The 
 book of common prayer, which is now the standard 
 for the church in the United States, was established 
 in the autumn of 1789. It had been previously propo- 
 sed by a convention of the church, in seven states, in 
 1785. At the former date, there were also sanction- 
 ed the book of psalms in metre, with twenty-seven 
 hymns; to which thirty more were added by the con- 
 vention of 1808. The service for the institution of 
 ministers into churches or parishes, was established 
 
204 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 at the same time. The book of consecration and 
 ordination of bishops, priests and deacons, was esta- 
 blished by the convention of 1792. The form of the 
 consecration of a church was established by the con- 
 vention of 1799.* 
 
 When application was made to the prelates of Eng- 
 land for oi-dination of the divines, who had been re- 
 commended by the American convention of clergy- 
 men and laity, in 1785 ; an act of parliament was ap- 
 plied for and granted, to empower them to consecrate 
 bishops beyond the seas, without their taking the 
 usual oaths. Accordingly, the Rev. Dr. White, of 
 Petmsylvania, and the Rev. Dr. Prevost, of New 
 York, were ordained on the 4th of February, 1787, 
 by the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Moore ; assist- 
 ed by the archbishop of York, and bishops of Bath 
 and Wells, and bishop of Peterborough. 
 
 Baptists. 
 
 The first settlers of the Baptist persuasion who 
 arrived in Philadelphia, came from Radnorshire in 
 England, and Killaraey in Ireland, about the year 
 1686, and settled on the banks of Pennipeck creek, 
 ten miles N. E. of Philadelphia. The Rev. Mr. Don- 
 gan from Rhode Island, had settled two years be- 
 fore, at Coldspring, above Bristol, on the Delaware, 
 where he gathered a church, the grave yard of 
 which alone now remains. He baptized and or- 
 dained Elias Keach, an English youth, who settled 
 at Pennipeck. In the year 1686, Mr. John Watts 
 came to Philadelphia, from the county ot Kent, Eng- 
 land, and was baptized at Pennipeck, the next 
 year. In 1698, nine persons assembled in Philadel- 
 phia and "did coalesce into a church for the commu- 
 
 * See Plowman and Tunner's elegant edition of the Eook of 
 Common Prayer. Pluladelpliia, 1805. 
 
 , 
 
KEUGIOUS SOCIETIES. 205 
 
 nion of saints, having the Rev. John Watts to their 
 assistance." The place where they met was the N. W. 
 corner of Second-street and Chesnut-street, in a 
 frame store house, built by the Barbadoes trading 
 company, on a lot owned by them. Hence it was 
 known by the name of " Barbadoes lot." The Pres- 
 byterians also worshipped with them, until they " in a 
 manner drove the Baptists away."* They then held 
 worship in the brew house of Anthony Morris, near 
 the draw-bridge, until 1707, when by invitation of a 
 sect composed of seceders trom the Quakers, under 
 George Keith, they removed their worship to a 
 house erected upon the site of their present building 
 in Second near Mulberry-street. At present they are 
 a numerous congregation. Their faith and order may 
 be seen in the " confession, catechism and treatise of 
 discipline," which they adopted in their association 
 held at Philadelphia in the year 1742. By these it ap- 
 pears that they are " Independents with reference to 
 church government, and Calvinists v/ith respect to 
 doctrines ;"f with this exception, that they cleem it 
 essential in the ordinance of baptism, to immerse the 
 body in water, and not to periorm this ceremony of 
 admittance into the visible church, unless the sub- 
 ject is a professed believer, and has arrived at the 
 years of discretion, or is able to comprehend its 
 meaning and lorce. The place for performing the 
 operation of immersion, is in the Schuylkill, at the 
 bottom of Spruce-street. 
 
 * Edwards says that " the Presbyterians then began to dis- 
 cover an unwillingness that Baptist ministers should preach iii 
 the house," and having evaded a conference, apj ointed on the 
 subject, the Baptists resolved to meet apart until they received 
 an answer. — Morgan Edwards's AJateii^ds towaids a history of 
 the American Baptists. Philadelphia, 1770. p. 45—108* 
 
 f Edwards's Materials, &c. p. 6. 
 
2d6 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 It is computed, that in North America, thele arc 
 2000 Baptist churches, and 150,000 communicants. 
 
 The regularly settled baptist ministers in succes- 
 sion, have been, since 1746, Jenkins Jones, 1746 to 
 1761 ; Ebenezer Kinnersly, 17^3 to 1754 ; Morgan 
 Edwards, 1761 to 1771 ; William Rogers, Thomas 
 Ustick, William Staughton. 
 
 Presbyterians. 
 
 About April, 1695, the Rev. John Watts, the 
 Baptist minister at Pennepack, consented, at the re- 
 quest of some friends, to preach at Philadelphia, 
 «very other Lord's day. Among the hihabitants, 
 there were, at that time, some Baptists and Indepen- 
 dents (the latter were also denominated Presbyte- 
 rians,) both of whom were occasionally visited by 
 ministers of their respective denominations : and 
 they occupied in common, for the purpose of wor- 
 ship, the store house of the Barbadoes company. In 
 the autumn of 1698, the Rev. Jedediah Andrews, 
 came from New England to Philadelphia, and offi- 
 ciated as an Independent minister. The Indepen- 
 dents had by this time, increased in numbers, and 
 after the removal of the Baptists, continued to meet 
 at the house on Barbadoes lot, until they procured ano- 
 ther in High-street, where they erected a small house 
 for worship in 1704, which was enlarged in 1729, 
 about which time they adopted the presbyterial form 
 of government. A part ol them who adopted the pe- 
 culiar tenets of the eloquent Whitfield, withdrew in 
 1742, and occupied the house in Fourth, near Mul- 
 berry-street, which had been recently erected by the 
 friends of that preacher, and there they remained until 
 the year 1750, when they founded the second pres- 
 byterian church at the N. W. corner of Arch and 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, 2Q> 
 
 Third-Streets. Their declared principles are set forth 
 in " the constitution of the presbyterian church in the 
 United States of America." They have expressed 
 themselves in a very liberal manner about church go- 
 vernment. " It is absolutely necessar}^," say they, 
 " that the govei-nmcnt of the church, be under some 
 certain definite form, and we hold it to be expedient, 
 and agreeable to scripture, and the practice of the 
 primitive christians, that the church be governed by 
 congregational, presbyterial, and synodical assem- 
 blies. In full consistency with this belief, we em- 
 brace, in the spirit of charity, those christians who 
 differ from us in opinion or practice on these sub- 
 jects." Baptists are accordingly sometimes employed 
 by them to preach. Watts's psalms, improved by Bar- 
 low, are generally used in their churches. 
 
 The general assembly of the Presbyterian church, 
 meets annually in May, in Philadelphia, and publish 
 their proceedings. 
 
 Catholics, 
 
 Previously to the year 1733, the few Catholics v/ho 
 then resided in Philadelphia, held meetings for reli- 
 giovis worship in a private dwelling, and were occa- 
 sionally visited by ministers from the catholic colony 
 of Maryland, who were regularly appointed by the 
 Pope. In the year just mentioned, the Rev. Mr. Cray- 
 ton, was formally commissioned by the proper au- 
 thority in Maryland, to settle in Philadelphia ; and by 
 him a lot was purchased near JFourth-street, and 
 south of Walnut-street, and a small chapel erected, of 
 one story. It was dedicated to St. Joseph, and after- 
 wards enlarged as the society increased in numbers. 
 There are now four chapels in Philadelphia, and it is 
 computed that there are filteen thousand members in 
 the city and suburbs. The ministers in succession, after 
 
208 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 Mr. Crayton, were Messrs. Lewis, Harding, Farmta;, 
 Fleming, and others. The present bishop is the Rev. 
 Mr.Egan, who was consecrated at Baltimore, iul8l0. 
 
 Gerynan Lutherans, 
 
 The German JLvitherans settled early in the laist 
 century in the lower parts of the state of Delaware, 
 under the Swedes, while the reformed church was 
 established in New York, on Hudson's river, under 
 the Dutch. The first Lutheran church in Philadel- 
 phia, was erected in 1743, in Fifth-street, above 
 Mulberry-street. 
 
 The articles of faith in this church are contained in 
 the unaltered Augsburgh confession : in the doctrine 
 of the Lord's supper, it professes to adhere strictly 
 to the very original words of our Saviour, in the in- 
 stitution of the sacrament. 
 
 The ministers in succession have been, H. Muhlen- 
 berg, Brunholz, Heinzlcman, liandschuh, Schulze, 
 Kunze, H. Muhlenberg, jun. Helmuth, Schmidt. 
 
 Lentil a few years since, divine service was perfor- 
 med in the German language ; when in consequence 
 of the increase in number of the descendants of the 
 Germans who did not learn to speak the language of 
 their parents, an attempt was made to have divine 
 service performed at least one half of the sabbath in 
 the English language, but this having been resisted, a 
 laige party withdrew, and erected the elegant church 
 of St. John, in Race-street, in which the service is 
 performed altogether in the English language. 
 
 Gerincni Calvitiists. 
 
 These came from Germany nearly about the same 
 time as the Lutherans, and both usually held their 
 meetings for religiovis purposes in the same house in 
 Pennsylvania*: there being very little difi'erence be-.- 
 
TRELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 2^9 
 
 tween the doctrines maintained by them. In the year 
 1743, the Calvinists built a church in Sassafras- 
 street, which was pulled down, when the present one 
 was erected. They adhere to the Hiedelbergh cate- 
 chism, and the confession of faith of the reformed 
 Dutch church. They observe holidays, and have or- 
 gans in their churches. They practise confirmation 
 of their young people, to whom they dispense the 
 Lord's supper. There are two congregations in Phi- 
 ladelphia : in one of which the service is performed 
 in the German language, and in the other (recently 
 erected) in English. The latter is styled the " Evan- 
 gelical Church." The Rev. Mr. Helfenstein, is the^ 
 minister of the Dutch, and the Rev. Mr. Birch, the 
 pastor of the English congregation. 
 
 Moravians^ or United Brethren* 
 
 The first congregation of this amiable sect that 
 Settled in North America, came from Berthelsdorf, 
 a village belonging to count Zinzendorf, in upper 
 Luzatia. When expelled from the dominions of the 
 elector of Saxony, they resolved to go to America, 
 and the trustees of the colony of Georgia, havings 
 oflFered, through the count, to grant them a tract of 
 land, they set out in November, 1734. 
 
 The written instructions given to them by the 
 count, were, " that they should submit themselves to 
 the wise direction and guidance of God in all circum- 
 stances J seek to preserve liberty of conscience ; avoid 
 all religious disputes, and always keep in view that 
 call, given to them by God himself, to preach the 
 gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathen ; and further, 
 that they should endeavour as much as possible to earn, 
 their own bread,'''' These principles they have ever 
 Strictly followed. 
 
 3= % 
 
210 REllGIOUg SOCIETIES. 
 
 Having met in London with general Oglethorpe, 
 the governor of Georgia, they were provided with all 
 the necessaries for their voyage to his beloved colo- 
 ny, where they safely arrived in 1735, and settled on 
 the Ogeeche river : here they obtained the character 
 which they so justly deserved, of a peaceful, pious 
 people. Another colony arrived in the course of the 
 following summer, and settled in Savannah. But in 
 the year 1738, upon the attack of the colony by the 
 Spaniards from Florida, they were forced to leave 
 their flourishing plantations, (having early declared 
 that they would not be concerned in war) and retired 
 to Pennsylvania: part came in 1738, and the remain- 
 der in 1740. They settled at Bethlehem. In 1741, 
 count Zinzendorf arrived in Pennsylvania, and after 
 much pious labour, particularly among the Indians, 
 returned to Europe in 1743. In 1742, the brethren 
 erected a church in Philadelphia, in an alley running 
 north and south from Mulberry-street to Sassafras- 
 street, between Second and Third-streets, and hence 
 Called Moravian alley. The church is 40 feet by 
 30 feet, and will hold about 300 persons. It has 
 au organ. 
 
 The principles of the Moravians, are contained in 
 "an exposition of christian doctrine, as taught in 
 the protestant church of the United Brethren, or Uni- 
 tas Fratrum, by A. G. Spangenburg, with a preface 
 by Benjamin La Trobe." They do not differ in the 
 great cardinal points from other protestant sects. 
 They hold occasional *' love feasts" in their churches, 
 for the purpose of promoting friendship, mutual 
 love and kindness among one another. The aliment 
 is of the most simple nature. Wine is indeed some- 
 times used, but with the most rigid attention to 
 temperance. They deem the propagation among the 
 heathen, of the means of salvation by the Redeemer, 
 a priajary objeet of duty ; and their zts^ in thrs^rfCS- 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES^ 211 
 
 pect, is truly astonishing. Every part of the globe 
 has been visited — nay, settled by their missionaries ; 
 even the inhospitable shores of Greenland and Labra- 
 dor ; and the most unhealthy climates of Atrica and 
 Asia have received the benefit of their pious labours : 
 the frontiers of North America, which even at the 
 present moment are the hunting ground of the sava- 
 ges, were settled by them more than half a century 
 ago, by a colony under that venerable apostle, the late 
 Rev. Mr. Zeisberger, andothers. No danger however 
 great, no privations, or personal sufferings, however 
 severe, deterred them from steadily pursuing their 
 benevolent designs : and although the horrors of a 
 predatory war carried on against the inoffensive con- 
 verts from heathen darkness, by men who disgraced 
 the name of Christians, often interrupted the tranqui- 
 lity of their settlements, and occasioned their perse- 
 cution ; yet they availed themselves of the first oppor- 
 tunity to recommence their labours, and have Joyful- 
 ly seen their example followed by other denomina- 
 tions of Christians. 
 
 The members of this society are few in number, in 
 Philadelphia, when compared with those of other 
 sects. The head of their government is Hernhutt, in 
 Germany ; the subordinate power of their church, 
 bishop Loskiel, resides at Bethlehem, in Pennsylva* 
 
 Associate Churchy 
 
 Is composed of those who are commonly denomi- 
 nated seceders, which name was given to, or assu- 
 
 * For a full account of the labours of the Moravians in North 
 America, see "the history of the mission of the Unitas Fratrum 
 among the Indians of North America, by the Rev. Mr. LoskieF. 
 London, 1794." 
 
2lS ItELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 med by those mmisters, who were expelled from the 
 church of Scotland about the year 1732, for having 
 testified against some of the public evils of the na- 
 tional church, particularly the settlement of ministers 
 by patronage. Sundry persons of this communion, 
 having emigrated to America, and with some others, 
 being dissatisfied with the Presbyterian judicatories 
 in America, made application to the associate synod 
 of Edinburgh, for a supply of ministers. Two were 
 accordingly sent, in 1754, and with ruling elders, 
 constituted the " Associate Presbytery of Pennsylva- 
 nia." The principles and form of government of the 
 associate church, are those of the Presbyterian per- 
 suasion. There is only one congregation of this so- 
 ciety in Philadelphia, and this is vacant. The late 
 Rev. Mr. Marshall was the minister. They belong 
 to the party known in Scotland by the name Anti- 
 burgers. 
 
 Associate Reformed Churchy 
 
 Was formed in 1782, by a union between simdry 
 ministers of the " Associate Presbytery," and others 
 known by the name of " Covenanters," and who 
 were of the same principles with those who take on 
 that designation in Scotland. The members of the 
 associate synod, who were opposed to the union, be- 
 ing in the minority, were denied the permission to 
 enter their protest, they therefore withdrew and ap- 
 pealed to the associate synod in Scotland, by whom 
 the conduct of the minority was approved, but the 
 members of the two presbyteries who formed the 
 union, denounced the minority as schismatics, and 
 assuming the name of the " Associate Reformed 
 Church in North America," published in 1799, their 
 constitution and standards, with sundry appendixes, 
 Bot comprised in the terms of their communion. 
 
PvELIGlOUS SOCIETIES. 21? 
 
 I'heir faith does not difFer from that of the general 
 assembly of the Presbyterian church. The former de^- 
 nominations of which this body was originally com- 
 posed, being still in existence, they may be said to 
 have formed a new church. There is only one con- 
 gregation of this society in Philadelphia. 
 
 Presbyterian Covenanters^ or Reformed Presbytery, 
 
 This society was formed in Scotland, about the year 
 1 744, by a member of the " Associate Presbytery of 
 Scotland," who, notwithstanding the alteration of cir- 
 cumstances, did not render an adoption of the mea- 
 sure necessary, required that body to swear the na- 
 tional league and covenant," in the very words in 
 which thev were originally framed one hundred years 
 before; -their refusal to do so, together with their cen- 
 sure of the principles of a party who denied alle- 
 giance to the civil government of the country, be- 
 cause certain religious qualifications, were in their 
 opinions, necessary to insure due respect to the autho- 
 rity of rulers, induced him to withdraw, and to as- 
 sociate with others, under the name of the " Reform- 
 ed Presbytery." They profess to be the only true fol- 
 lowers of the martyrs who suffered for conscience 
 sake, under the intolerant reign of Charles the Ilnd. 
 and James. This society consists at present of only 
 six or seven ministers, with congregations in differ- 
 ent parts of the United States. The plan upon which 
 thev propose to exhibit their principles to the world, 
 embraces three parts: historical, declaratory, and ar- 
 gumentative. The two first have been already pub- 
 lished ; the argumentative is to appear hereafter. 
 The declaratory part merely contains principles of 
 universal application, iounded vipon the scriptures, 
 and simply stated. The argumentative part has been 
 iTi some measure anticipated by the zeal of two of the 
 
^1.4 RELIGIOUS SOCIETiESt. 
 
 members of this communion. According to this sect, 
 *' Magistracy flows immediately irom God, and is 
 predicated upon his universal dominion over all na- 
 tions. Civil rulers ought to exercise their office, not 
 only in civil matters, but in matters purely religious, 
 by punishing false worshippers, heretics, and con- 
 temners oi church government." 
 
 The}-^ allow that allegiance is " due to a govern- 
 ment when morally constituted," a fact of which they 
 themselves are to be the judges; but to a constitution, 
 which they consider to be immoral, they owe no al- 
 legiance. In this view they include the constitutions 
 of Great Britain, of the United States, and of Penn- 
 sylvania. That of the United States, is said to " give 
 support to the enemies of the Redeemer, to admit 
 to its honours and emoluments, Jews, Mahometans, 
 Deists and Atheists : to establish that system of rob- 
 bery, by which men are held in slavery, despoiled of 
 liberty, property and protection;" and, finally it is de- 
 clared to be " oppressive and impious." The consti- 
 tution of Pennsylvania is said to " support and le- 
 gally establish gross heresy, blasphemy and idolatry." 
 For these reasons they refuse submission to their 
 authority, and abstain from swearing allegiance 
 thereto. 
 
 They consider " oaths as acts of homage, perform- 
 ed voluntarily to the Supreme Being, and by no 
 means a recognition of the magistrate's authority to 
 administer them." They are prohibited from serving 
 on juries, because, " a juror voluntarily places himself 
 upon oath, under the direction of a law which is im- 
 moral," and ior the same reason, they abstain from 
 voting at elections. They believe it a duty to per- 
 form the act oi public covenantmg. Notwithstanding 
 the above doctrines, they profess to receive the 
 Westminster confession of laith without limitation, 
 
BELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 215' 
 
 ©r explication of that part of it that describes the 
 magistrate's power in matters of religion. There is 
 one congregation of this society in Philadelphia. 
 
 Methodists, 
 
 This sect, in North America, was first formed 
 into a society at New York, in the year 1766, by 
 Philip Embury, a preacher from Ireland, and spread 
 rapidly through the country. At present it pro- 
 bably includes more members than any other deno- 
 mination of christians. Their church government is 
 episcopal, and their doctrines are nearly similar to 
 those ot other protestant sects. Erroneous notions of 
 this society have been entertained in consequence of 
 Mr. Wesley expressing his view of sanctification by 
 the word perfection. Their discipline is very strict; 
 and not only requires the most rigid and frequent 
 confession of sins of omission, and commission, one 
 to another, at their private meetings for praying, but 
 descends to the regulation of their conduct in their 
 general intercourse with the world, to the prevention 
 of idleness, the avoiding temptation, and to the re- 
 gulation of dress. The distribution of good books is 
 considered an important duty, and for this purpose, 
 a fund is created, and a " superintendant oi the book 
 concern" appointed, who is empowered to regulate 
 the publications, and all other parts of the business. 
 They deem it a duty to travel through the country 
 to preach to those who have no stated minister, and 
 for this purpose the bishops appoint a certain num- 
 ber of itinerant preachers, who make extensive tours, 
 and by whom stated meetings for worship are held 
 in the woods, at which thousands attend. A branch 
 of this society, who object to the episcopal form of 
 the church government of the Wesley Methodist!,, 
 liave Jissumed the name of the Christian Church, 
 
316 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 The exertions of this society have been attended 
 with the most beneficial effects in the reformation of 
 the lower order ol mankind ; and districts could be 
 pointed out, not remote from the capital, which from 
 being formerly proverbial for licentiousness, have be- 
 come, through its influence, exemplary for morality. 
 In one case, this change was chiefly owing to the la- 
 bours of an individual, himself a mechanic, among a 
 set of the most immoral men. By his influence, the 
 thoughtless were alarmed, the absolutely wicked 
 were reformed, and a regular religious society Was 
 constituted. There are four Methodist meeting hou- 
 ses for whites, and two for blacks in Philadelphia. 
 
 Vniversalists, 
 
 A society believing in the final and universal re- 
 demption of mankind, have existed for many years 
 in Philadelphia. They have one church. 
 
 Unitarians* 
 
 Their leading tenets are a denial of the catholic 
 doctrine of the Trinity, and an adherence to the lite- 
 ral sense of those passages of scripture which assert 
 the unity of God and the humanity of Christ, who 
 therefore they think cannot be lawIuUy considered 
 as an object ol religious worship. Although agreed 
 concerning the character of Christ as a man sent and 
 approved of God, they are not unanimous as to his 
 miraculous conception. This society was formed in 
 this country soon after the arrival of the amiable, the 
 pious, the venerable Dr. Priestley. They have at 
 present no settled minister ; but their religious ser- 
 vices are conducted by three of the members in ro- 
 tation, appomted for that purpose agreeably to rulesj 
 prescribed by their constitution, till the pastoral office^ 
 shall be regularly filled. 
 
KELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, 217 
 
 Independents — A society of Independents, compo- 
 sed ot members of various societies, was formed 
 about seven years ago. Their creed is the same as 
 that of the Presbyterians. 
 
 yews — There are two synagogues in Philadelphia^ 
 but the members are declining in numbers. 
 
 Places of Worships and names of their Ministers, 
 
 Sxvedish Lutheran — Swanson-street, below Chris- 
 tian. Rev. Dr. N. Collin. 
 
 ^lakers— 'Ovi& in Pine-street, between Front and 
 Second-street ; one in Key's alley, running from 
 Front-street to Second, south oi Vine-street j one in 
 Mulberry-street, corner o\ Fourth-street. They are 
 all large, plain, brick buildings, with galleries. To the 
 last mentioned is attached a burying ground, 360 by 
 366 feet, and surrounded by a high brick wall. 
 
 Free ^lakers — Corner of Mulberry and Fifth- 
 Streets ; It is 48 by 36, and two stories high. 
 
 Episcopal Churches — Christ church, in Second, 
 above High-street. The west end of the present Christ 
 church was built m 1727, being added to a church, 
 which, from the records, appears to have been erect- 
 ed or enlarged, about the year 1710, and afterwards 
 pulled down. The eastern part was begun in the year 
 1731, and the building completed as it now stands, 
 except the steeple, the foundation only of which was 
 laid, with the west end of the church. It is 90 feet 
 long and 60 feet wide, and has a venerable appear- 
 ance. The superstructure of the steeple was added 
 about the year 1753. It is neat and simple, and just 
 in its proportions, and was erected by the late Robert 
 Smith. "The superstructure is composed of three, dis- 
 tinct, well proportioned, parts oi architecture ; the 
 first story, with its small pediments and attics, iorm- 
 ing one ; the octagonal part, with its ogee-ibrmed 
 T 
 
218 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 dome, being the second ; and the spire and its pe« 
 destal, the third. These three parts are very dissi- 
 milar, no one having any thing in it that is common 
 to the others ; and yet they agree very well with each 
 other, forming one complete and consistent whole."* 
 It is 190 feet high, and has a ring of eight bells, 
 \vhich were brought out from England, by the late 
 captain Richard Budden. This gentleman was, for 
 many years, a regular trader between Philadelphia 
 and London, and remarkable for speedy passages, 
 and careful attention to every person and thing on 
 board. His ship, the Pennsylvania Packet, was nick- 
 named the Bridge. His arrival was constantly an- 
 nounced by the ringing of the church bells, a compli- 
 - ment to his generosity in bringing them freight free. 
 
 St. Peter'' s^-Comer of Pine and Third-streets, was 
 built in the year 1761, It is 90 feet long, and 60 
 wide. 
 
 St. James — Seventh-street, north of High, was 
 consecrated May 1, 1809. It is 90 feet long and 60 
 wide. The foundation of a steeple is laid. Both 
 these churches are very plain in their structure. The 
 ministers have already been mentioned, p. 202. 
 
 St. PaiiVs Church — Was built in the year 1762. It 
 was set on foot by a few of the particular friends and 
 admirers of a popular preacher of the day, the Rev. 
 Mr. M'Clenaghan of Ireland, and is independent of 
 the other episcopal churches in Philadelphia. The 
 present rector, is the Rev. Dr. Pilmore, It is 99 
 feet long, and 60 wide. 
 
 African Episcopal of St. Thomas — Fifth-street, be- 
 ?ow Walnut, 60 by 45 feet. Built in 1794. Deacon, 
 Absalom Jones. 
 
 Baptists— The first baptist church built, is in Se- 
 toiid-street near Mulber -st eet ; it was originally 
 
 Biddle's Architecture.— B. Johnson— Philadelphia, 1895. 
 
REUGIOUS SOCIETIES. 2;9 
 
 61 feet by 42, but was much enlarged last year. 
 It was erected in 1 762. A burying ground lies back 
 of it. This church is now vacant. 
 
 A second is in Budd-street, above Poplar-lane, 
 of which, the Rev. Mr. White is Pastor. 
 
 A third, is in south Second-street, near Catharine- 
 street. Pastor, Rev. J. Peckworth. 
 
 A fourth is building in George-street, west of 
 Eighth, lor the Rev. Dr. Staughton. It is to be 90 
 feet in the clear. 
 
 There is also an African Baptist meeting house 
 building, in Tenth above Vine-street. 
 
 Presbyterians — 1. High-street, between Second 
 and Third-streets, erected 1704: rebuilt 1793: 88 feet 
 long, 56 broad, 46 leet high. The ascent is by eight 
 marble steps. Its front is a prostyle of four columns. 
 Pastor, Rev. Dr. J. P. Wilson. 
 
 2d. Corner of Mulberry and Third-streets, built 
 1750: enlarged 1809: 95 feet long, and 60 wide. Pas- 
 tors, Rev. Dr. A. Green, and Rev. Mr. Janeway. 
 This society built another place ot worship in Second- 
 street, corner ot Coates-street, in the Northern Li- 
 berties, in 1804: 80 by 60 ieet. The ministers oi the 
 church in Mulberry-street, officiate alternately in it. 
 
 3d. In Pine-street, between Fourth and Fiith- 
 streets ; this was built by the congregation oi the first 
 Presbyterian church, in 1766. A burying ground is 
 attached to it. Pastor, the Rev. Dr. A. Alexander. 
 
 4th. In Fifth, near Cedar-street. Pastor, Rev. 
 George Potts. 
 
 5th. A fifth is building for the African Presbyte- 
 rians. 
 
 Ro7nan Catholic — St. Joseph, between Willing's al- 
 ley and Walnut-street, built in 1733. This is only 
 used at present for morning prayers. It is about 40 
 by 40 feet, and one story high. 
 
220 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 St. Maiy's, Fourth, below Walnut-street, built in 
 1763, and enlarged in 1810. It is now 100 by 71 feet. 
 Pastors, the bishop Egan, Dr. John Rosseter, Rev. 
 Mr. Harrold. 
 
 Holy Trinity, corner of Spruce and Sixth-streets, 
 built in 1789. Pastor, Rev. A. Britt. It is 100 feet 
 long and 60 wide. 
 
 St. Augustine, built in 1800, Fourth-street, near 
 Vine-street. Pastor, Rev. Mr. Hurley. The altars of 
 the three last chapels, are highly finished, elegant 
 pieces of work. 
 
 German Lutheran'— or Zion church, in Fourth- 
 street, above Mulberry-street, was built in 1766. It 
 is 107 feet long, 71 broad, and 44 to the eves. Di- 
 vine service is performed in the German language. 
 The Rev. Dr. Helmuth, and Mr. Schmidt, are min- 
 isters. The old church was burnt on the 26th Dec. 
 1794 ; the walls remaining, it was rebuilt, in 1796. It 
 has a very handsome organ, perhaps the largest in 
 North America, built by Low, of Philadelphia. 
 
 St. John's church, was lately erected by a part of 
 the congregation, who were desirous to have divine 
 service performed in the English language. It is sit- 
 uated in Race-street, between Fifth and Sixth-streets, 
 and is the handsomest church in Philadelphia. It is 
 100 feet by 67, and does great credit to those who 
 designed it. The Pastor, is the Rev. Mr. Mayer. 
 
 German Reformed — is in Sassafras, near Fourth- 
 street, is 90 feet long, 65 feet wide, and 42 high ; 
 built in 1762. Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Helfenstein. 
 
 Another church v/as lately erected by a part of this 
 congregation, (who like the Lutherans, were desi- 
 rous of having worship performed in the English 
 language) in Crown-street, which runs north and 
 south, between Fourth and Fifth-streets. It is 90 by 
 60 feet. They have assumed the name of the Evan- 
 gelical Church, Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Burch, 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 5?l 
 
 3Toravians — The only church belonging to this so- 
 ciety is in Moravian-alley, which runs north and 
 south between Second and Third-streets. It was 
 erected in the year 1742. It is 40 feet long and 30 
 wide. Pastor, Rev. Joseph Zeslein. 
 
 Associate — Walnut, between Fourth and Fifth 
 streets. Vacant. 
 
 Associate Reformed — Spruce-street, between Third 
 and Fourth-streets. Pastor, Rev. Dr. Gray. 
 
 Covenanters' — Mary-street, running Irom Sixth to 
 Seventh-street, below Cedar-street. Pastor, Rev. 
 Mr. Wylie. 
 
 Methodist — St. George, in Fourth-street, opposite 
 St. Augustine church. It is 85 feet long, and 60 wide. 
 Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Roswell. 
 
 Ebenezer, Second, near Queen-street. Do. 
 
 Union, at the old college, Fourth-street. Pastor, 
 the Rev. Mr. Bishop. 
 
 Bethel, Sixth, near Lombard. Pastor, Richard Al- 
 len. (African.) 
 
 Zoar, Brown-street, Northern Liberties, west of 
 Fourth-street. (African.) 
 
 Christian Church — Mount Zion, Christian-street, 
 near Sixth-street. Elder, Elias Smith. 
 
 Another is about to be built. 
 
 Universalist — In Lombard, between Fourth and 
 Fifth-streets. Pastor, Rev. Dr. Richards. 
 
 Unitarian — In Church alley. 
 
 Independents — In a court, west of Fourth, and 
 north of Chesnut-street. Pastor, Rev. Mr. Joyce. 
 
 Jervs — Cherry alley — and near Cable lane. Pas- 
 tor, J. Cohen. 
 
 In concluding this brief account of the numerous 
 religious societies m Philadelphia, it would be im- 
 proper to omit noticing the principle of universal cha- 
 rit)',and truly christian spirit o! harmony, on religious 
 subjects, which, from the settlement of the countiy 
 T 2 
 
222 llELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 by Europeans, has governed the various ruling pow- 
 ers : a spirit, apparently interwoven in all our uistitu- 
 tions, and from which Pennsylvania has most un- 
 questionably derived much ol her present domestic 
 happiness, and political prosperity. 
 
 The frequent contentions between the original set- 
 tlers, the Swedes, the Dutch and the English, previ- 
 ously to the arrival ol Penn, were purely of a politi- 
 cal nature, and as either power gained possession of 
 the country, they seemed only anxious to preserve 
 the government, to conciliate the natives, and to re- 
 tain the settlers, without interfering in religious con- 
 cerns. The contending parties, it is true, were pro- 
 testants, but even in other protestant colonies, perse- 
 cution was waged against inoffensive Christians for 
 non-conformity to the religious doctrines of the ru- 
 lers, and for professions not at all tending to disturb 
 the public tranquility. No public declaration had in- 
 deed ever been made respecting the preservation of 
 the rights of conscience, by any of the governments 
 which had successively obtained the possession of 
 the country on the Delaware; but this measure, at 
 once so politic and just, early entered into the views 
 olthe pacific legislator, to whom it was finally ceded; 
 and although Penn had not the glory of taking the 
 lead on this subject, in the new world, yet his colony 
 and their descendants may, without vanity, boast of 
 having acted up to the divine principle as fully, if 
 not more so, than even those among whom it was 
 first promulgated. 
 
 In the laws agreed upon in England, with the ad- 
 venturers, this great point was expressly provided 
 for; and the first law which Penn passed in conjunc- 
 tion with the representatives of the people, at their 
 first assembly, convened in the province, was " con- 
 cerning liberty of consciences'^ Finally, in the " Char- 
 ter of Privileges" to the province, granted October 
 38, iroi, and constituting the permanent form of 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 223 
 
 government, he, in terms, plain, but highly eloquent, 
 secured to the colonists the precious right.* The 
 American revolution necessarily abolished this instru- 
 ment, as a general rule, but the iVamers ol the state 
 constitution that was substituted, retained the prin- 
 ciple of free worship, and in the declaration of rights 
 of our present constitution, it is even extended.f 
 The cardinal points of religion being insisted on, the 
 legislators wisely considered that subordinate creeds, 
 or modes of faith, are subjects properly to be settled 
 between God and man : and such has been the ef- 
 fect, that the consideration of the religious profes- 
 
 * The first article of the Charter beg^ins thus : " Because no 
 people can be truly happy, though under the greatest enjoyment 
 of civil liberties, if abridged of the freedom of their consciences, 
 as to their religious profession and worship; and Almighty God 
 being the only Lord of conscience ; Father of lights and spirits ; 
 and the Author as well as Object of all divine knowledge, faith 
 and worship, who only doth enlighten the mind, and persuade 
 and convince the understandings of people ; I do hereby grant 
 and declare, that no person or persons inhabiting in this pro., 
 vince or temtories, who shall confess and acknowledge one 
 Almighty God, the Creator, Upholder, and Ruler of the world : 
 and profess him or themselves obhged to live quietly under the 
 civil government, shall be in any case molested or prejudiced in 
 , his or their person or estate because of their conscientious persua- 
 sion cr practice, noY be compelled to frequent or maintain any re- 
 ligious worship, place or ministry, contrary to his or their mind, 
 or to do, or suffer any other act or thing contrary to their religious 
 persuasion. And that all persons who also profess to believe in 
 Je.s;:s Christ, the Saviour of the world, shall be capable, not- 
 withstanding their other persuasions and practices in point of 
 conscience and religion,) to serve this government in any capaci- 
 ty, both legislatively and executively, he or they solemnly pro- 
 mising, when lawfully required, allegiance to the king as sover- 
 eign, and fidelity to the proprietary and governor, and taking the 
 attests as now established by the law, made at New-Castle, in 
 the year 1700." 
 
 f Art. IX. 4. "No person who acknowledges the being of a 
 God, and a future state of rewards and punishments, shall on ac- 
 count of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any of- 
 fice or placeoftrust and profit under this commonwealth.'^ 
 
224 PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL, 
 
 sion of a candidate for a public office, never influen* 
 ces the decision of the magistrates, or the people at 
 large ; hence it is agreeable to see in our public coun- 
 cils, men of every religious persuasion sitting side by 
 side ; deliberating on measures of finance, internal 
 improvement, the regulation of justice, or the pro- 
 motion of religion generally, as if they were mem- 
 bers of a government in which the irritating distinc- 
 tions arising from the existence of a religious estab- 
 lishment, precluded all from a participation in office, 
 except those professing the govermental creed, 
 and where, consequently, their deliberations would 
 never be disturbed by a difference of sentiment on 
 this interesting question — May the present cha- 
 ritable TEMPER PREVAIL TO THE LATEST PERIOD 
 
 Charitable Institutio7is — 1. Pen7isyha7iia Hospital, 
 
 The first proposal for a public hospital in Phila- 
 delphia, was made about the year 1750, by the late 
 Dr. Thomas Bond, who in his professional capaci- 
 ty, had frequent occasions for seeing the want of 
 such an institution. Having united with several 
 citizens, a petition was presented to the house of 
 assembly on the 23d January, 1750-51, stating the 
 want of such an institution, and recommending the 
 subject to their consideration. The assembly in con- 
 sequence, passed an act, granting the sum of /^ 2000, 
 to be paid as soon as a like sum should be raised by 
 subscriptions or contributions. 
 
 As soon as the law was published, the promoters 
 of the humane design set on foot a subscription, 
 which in a short time amounted to considerably 
 more than the sum required by the act, and on the 
 first of May, 1751, a number of the contributors met 
 at the State-house in Philadelphia, and pursuant to 
 
PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 225 
 
 the act, chose by ballot twelve managers and a trea- 
 surer. These were, 
 
 Joshua Crosby, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Bond, 
 Samuel Hazard, Richard Peters, Israel Pemberton, 
 jun. Samuel Rhoads, Hugh Roberts, Joseph Mor- 
 ris, John Smith, Evan Morgan, Charles Norris-. 
 Treasurer, John Reynell. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin acted for some years as clerk 
 to the managers. 
 
 A house, late the residence of judge Kinsey, in 
 High-street, now the third house west of Fifth-street, 
 (No. 172) then in the out-skirts of the city, was rent- 
 ed as a hospital, and on the 2d of February, 1752, 
 the first patients were admitted.* The first attend- 
 ing physicians to the institution were, Drs. Lloyd 
 Zachary, Thomas and Phineas Bond. Drs. Graeme, 
 Cadwalader, Moore and Redman, were appointed 
 consulting physicians. 
 
 Application was made to the proprietaries of the 
 province, then in London, for a lot of ground to erect 
 a hospital on, and a square was particularly pointed 
 out, as most desirable for the purpose, viz. " a va- 
 cant part of the square between Ninth and Tenth- 
 streets from Delaware, on the south side of Mul- 
 berry-street ; the lots in that part of the city not 
 having advanced in value for several years past, and 
 not likely to be soon settled :" the proprietaries not 
 being disposed to grant the lot, presented them with 
 another of about the same extent on the north side 
 of Sassafras-street, between Sixth and Seventh-sts. 
 from Delaware. This lot the managers did not think 
 proper to accept, in consideration of its then being 
 contiguous to the brick-yards, which, from the stag- 
 nant water in them, rendered the air unhealthy. 
 
 • The rent was £4D annually : but " the stable and pasture," 
 were let for ^^15 to the late Mr. Kintzing', ' 
 
^6 PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 
 
 "When the nature of this charitable design becarhe 
 Icnown, considerable sums were soon added to the 
 stock, particularly by the citizens of Philadelphia, 
 where few of the wealthy, or those of a middling 
 rank, failed of contributing according to their circum- 
 stances. Some benefactions were also obtained Irom 
 London and the West Indies, Avhich encouraged the 
 managers to attempt the building, but the prospect of a 
 war in America, while it was likely to increase the 
 occasion, lessened the expectation oi any further as- 
 sistance from them ; nevertheless, confiding in the 
 same Divine Providence, which had hitherto blessed 
 their pious endeavours, for assistance to perform 
 that woi'k, they sought for a suitable spot of ground 
 to erect an hospital on : and had the satisfaction to 
 purchase, on moderate terms, the lot which of all in 
 or near the city, was judged most proper for such a 
 design.* 
 
 " This purchase being made near the end of the 
 year 1754, the managers directed a plan of a hospital 
 to be prepared; and one of them drew a design oi the 
 whole building, in such a form, that one third part 
 alone could be executed with tolerable symmetry, and 
 containing, independently of the other parts, all ac- 
 commodations requisite for the present purpose. 
 
 " This design being approved of, the contributors 
 were notified to meet, in order to consider the pro- 
 posal, and approving the immediate building of the 
 parts proposed, the managers appointed one of their 
 own number, to provide materials, agree with the 
 workmen, and superintend the work, and a commit- 
 tee to advise and assist therein, as occasion might re- 
 quire. These, with one of the most capable of the 
 
 * The Propriei aries aftei-wards presented the hospital with 
 ihe rest of the lot, forming a squax'e. 
 
liEN'KSYLVANlA HOSPITAL. m 
 
 contributors, devoting themselves to the service, uni- 
 ted in concerting the most frugal method of carrying 
 on the building, and industriously solicited contribu- 
 tions from all persons concerned therein. Most of 
 those from whom materials were purchased, contri- 
 buted a large proportion of what they furnished ; 
 and so diligent and successful were their applications, 
 that scarce a tradesman, or even labourer, was em- 
 ployed, without engaging a part [ot his labour] to 
 be charitably applied in the premises." 
 
 The foundation stone of the first part of the pre- 
 sent building, was laid on the 28th May, 1755 : and 
 bears the following neat inscription, written by Dr. 
 Franklin. 
 
 In the year of Christ, 
 MDCCLV. 
 
 Oeorge the Second, happily reigning, 
 
 (For he sought the happiness oi his People,) 
 
 Philadelphia Flourishing, 
 
 (For its inhabitants were public spirited) 
 
 This Building, 
 
 By the bounty of the Government, 
 
 And of many private persons, 
 
 Was piously founded. 
 
 For the Relief of the Sick and Miserable ^ 
 
 May the God of Mercies, 
 
 Bless the undertaking. 
 
 The hospital stands on a square, three hundred and 
 ninety-six leet in width, and tour hundred andsix.y- 
 eight feet in length, containing about four acres-— 
 Round it is a brick wall, and rows of high forest 
 trees. Within the wall, the ground is decorated with 
 gardens, grass plots, gravel walks, hedges, &c. Part 
 oi the south front is inclosed by an iron railing. 
 in the yard, fronting the south side of the house,, 
 
228 PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 
 
 is a leaden statue, bronzed, of William Penn, on a 
 marble pedestal, who is represented holding a scroll, 
 having part of" the first sentence of the " charter of 
 privileges" inscribed on it. This statue was presented 
 by Mr. John Penn, now of London, to the hospital, 
 in the year 1801. 
 
 There is also a vacant square to the east, and 
 half a square to the west ; containing together, more 
 than six acres, running in parallel lines with the 
 ground on which the buildings are erected ; the other 
 half of this square is owned by the city, and as it is 
 meant to keep it always open, the Pennsylvania hos- 
 pital is, and will be, situated in the middle Oi three 
 great squares, which, besides the open streets, mea- 
 sure more than thirteen acres. The contributors have 
 also bought three lots on the south side of the hospi- 
 tal, in order to secure a tree current ol air, preserve 
 the water pure, and to guard against fire. The policy of 
 this provision was never more conspicuous, than du- 
 ring the late fevers, particularly in 1793, when not a 
 person in the hospital took it, though upwards of 
 four thousand died of it, in about four months, in the 
 city, in that year. 
 
 knowing the inestimable value of open ground to 
 the hospital, the contributors have a confident assu- 
 rance, that avarice itself, will never dare to propose 
 the alienation of one foot of the ground, which they 
 have provided at their own expense tor such a be- 
 nevolent use. 
 
 The hospital exhibits in the centre, a house, sixty 
 four feet in front, elevated above all the adjoining 
 buildings, and projecting beyond them a proper dis- 
 tance. On the top is a sky light, to enlighten the 
 theatre for surgical operations ; irom which there is 
 a beautiful view of the city plot, the river, German- 
 town, Frankiord, the lort, and several elegant coun- 
 
PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 223 
 
 tiy seats on the Schuylkill. Two large stair cases, 
 leading to the several wards, are made in this divi- 
 sion. 
 
 Adjoining hereto on the east, is a ward, 80 feet 
 front, 27 feet deep, and three stories high ; at the 
 end, a wing crosses it, north and south, extexiding ia 
 length, 110 feet. 
 
 In the middle of the wing, opposite to the ward, is 
 a hall, 28 feet square, including a stair-case, project- 
 ing beyond the other part of the wing, sufficient to 
 -cover the cornice, and raised one story above them, 
 with a cupola, that affords a secure way out, in case 
 of fire. 
 
 Adjoining to the centre house on the west, are a" 
 ward and wing, similar to those on the east, with this 
 exception, that the wards are about 34 feet deep : this 
 extension was agreed to, in order to admit double 
 rows of rooms, to accommodate a greater number of 
 lunatics. The difference, unless to an accurate ob- 
 server, is scarcely perceivable. 
 
 The whole extent of the buildings, from east to 
 west, is two hundred and seventy-eight feet ; by the 
 length of the wing, crossing the wards, the east and 
 west fronts make an agreeable appearance. Detach- 
 ed from the hospital, at a little distance, is a sepa- 
 rate building, with a convenient enclosure, for vene- 
 real patients, who are kept by themselves. There are 
 also, sundry other apartments on the lot, such as 
 stable, ice-house, smoke-house, fire engine-house, Sec, 
 Rooms in the hospital are appropriated to the fol- 
 lowing uses. 
 
 For the library, ..... 1 
 
 Contributors, ...... 1 
 
 Managers, ...... 1 
 
 Museum, 1 
 
 Apothecary's shop, ..... 1 
 Bathing rooms, . . . . . -2 
 
230 PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 
 
 Theatre for operations, .... 1 
 
 Wash-house, Bake-house and Kitchens, . 4 
 
 Cell keeper and his wife, .... 1 
 Steward, matron and servants, in the centrehouse, 8 
 
 Lunatics, in the west wing and ward, . 70 
 
 Do. in the east, ..... 16 
 
 For sick and wounded, .... 23 
 
 In all, 130 
 wards and rooms. 
 
 The lunatics, being separated from the sick by the 
 centre house, the latter are not incommoded by 
 their noise. 
 
 There is an excellent anatomical museum, consist- 
 ing of admirable imitations of every part of the hu- 
 man body, in wax, made by the late Dr. Chovet, up- 
 wards of half a century ago, in Jamaica. A set of 
 anatomical paintings, and castings in gypsum, pre- 
 sented by the late Dr. John Fothergill, of London, 
 the uniform and active friend of the United States, 
 and of the hospital : and numerous injected prepara- 
 tions, and others in spirit, by various hands. 
 
 The library comprises about three thousand vol- 
 umes of choice medical books, and is thought to be 
 the best collection of the kind in this country: this 
 and the museum, are enlarged and supported by a 
 fund of about five hundred dollars per annum, which 
 medical pupils, who attend the lectures, from all 
 parts of the continent, West Indies, &c. pay for the 
 privilege of reading, and attending the practice of the 
 house ; the money is exclusively applied to enlarge 
 the collection, with the consent of the physicians, 
 who, in other countries, enjoy these perquisites to 
 themselves. 
 
 By an act of the legislature, passed in 1801, liber- 
 ty was granted to gratt upon the hospital, a lying-ia 
 and ioundling department. The lying-in dtpartmenty 
 
PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 231 
 
 for married women, has been some years in opera- 
 tion. Single pregnant women, come under the no- 
 tice of the \aw : and are provided for by the guar- 
 dians of the poor. 
 
 The contributors w^ere incorporated in the year 
 1751, by an act of the colonial legislature, by the name 
 and title of " Contributors to the Pennsylvania Hospi- 
 tal:" such may vote at elections for managers, or be vo- 
 ted for, but derive no personal interest from the act of 
 incorporation. A contributor is one who bestows ten 
 pounds to the hospital. A sum less than ten pounds, 
 is called a donation. 
 
 The contributors have perpetual succession, with 
 power to elect twelve managers, a treasurer, and all 
 other officers of the institution, and make rules for 
 the well-ordering of the house. They may receive and 
 take the lands, hereditaments, and tenements, not ex- 
 ceeding the yearly value of one thousand pounds, of 
 the gift, alienation, bequest or devise of any person 
 or persons whomsoever, and of any goods and chat- 
 ties whatsoever; provided, that, no general meeting 
 of the contributors, or persons acting under them, 
 shall employ any money or other estate, expressly 
 given to the capital stock of the hospital, in any other 
 way, than by applying its annual mterest or rent to- 
 wards the entertainment and care of the sick and dis- 
 tempered poor, that shall from time to time be 
 brought and placed therein, for the cure o their dis- 
 eases, from any part of the state, without pardalit, of 
 preference. 
 
 If there should not be a constant succession of 
 contributors to meet yearly and choose managers, 
 then the hospital, its estate and affairs, and all the 
 management thereof, are to be under the direction of 
 such persons as the legislature may appoint. 
 
 By a law of the contributors, the power o^ direct- 
 ing the manner and terms of receiving and discharg- 
 
■:.o2 PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 
 
 ing patients, is transferred to the managers, who 
 made a rule, if there should be room in the hospital, 
 (after as many poor patients are accommodated as 
 the interest of the capital stocJc can support,) to take 
 in such others, as they can on reasonable rates agree 
 lor; and that the profits arising from boarding and 
 nursing such patients, shall be appropriated to the 
 .same uses, as the interest money of the public stock. 
 The price of board is various, according to the appli- 
 cant's ability to pay; but changes with the rise and fall 
 of provisions, &c. 
 
 The overseers of the poor of Pennsylvania, and re- 
 ligious societies therein, who support their own 
 poor by voluntary subscriptions, pay but three dol- 
 lars a week, which is about the first cost of one per- 
 son's maintenance, including medicine and all charg- 
 es, except clothing and funeral expenses. 
 
 The overseers of the poor of other states pay foui? 
 dollars; private patients, who are residents of Pennsyl- 
 vania, from three and a half, to ten dollars ; and non- 
 residents, from four and a half, to ten dollars. Every 
 patient may choose his own pliysician, but he must be 
 one of the house physicians. 
 
 An amputation of a limb is not to be performed, 
 unless the patient consents to it ; nor then, unless 
 three physicians agree to it, after a consultation on 
 the case. 
 
 Single persons, who are sick, especially strangers, 
 will find it their interest to prefer the hospital to any 
 tavern or boarding-house ; lor the following reasons. 
 
 The physicians are of the first eminence. 
 
 The nurses are experienced. 
 
 The apartments are convenient. 
 
 The price of board is lower than individuals can 
 take, and the patient has the satisfaction to know, if 
 there is any profit, it is given to the poor. 
 
PENNSYT>VANIA HOSPITAL. 233 
 
 These facts are stated from a thorough knowledge 
 of the institution, and because it is conceived that 
 the interests of humanity may be served by so doing ; 
 for many persons may be prevented from deriving 
 the benefits of it, from false notions of a hospital, or 
 from having seen the want ol' neatness, the crowded 
 wards, and inattention to the sick in som^ European 
 hospitals. 
 
 Two managers and two physicians, meet every 
 Wednesday and Saturday in the hospital at 1 1 o'clock 
 in the iorenoon, to admit and discharge patients. 
 
 At intervening times, the applicant must repair to 
 one oi the monthly physicians, who, if he considers 
 the case a proper one, will certiiy it in writing, to 
 the sitting manager, who will take the usual secu- 
 rity, and give an order for admission. 
 
 Overseers of the poor, from the country, wl«o bring 
 a patient, must have a certificate, signed b two ma- 
 gistrates, denoting that they are in office, and that the 
 pauper, proposed for admission, resides in their dis- 
 trict, or their application will be rejected. 
 
 Persons with contagious diseases, are not to be 
 received, nor incurable cases, lunatics excepted : 
 but, any person living in or near Philadelphia, re- 
 ceiving, by accident, a desperate wound, or having a 
 fractured limb, may be brought to the hospital, with- 
 out an order; and he will be received day or night, 
 provided he is brought in within twenty-four hours 
 after the accident. The design o: this proviso is, to 
 prevent the injured person irom sufieringby neglect, 
 or irom employing unskilful hands. 
 
 The capital stock consists of ground-rents and mo- 
 ney at interest : besides these, there is no produc- 
 tive income for the support of poor patients, except 
 the profit of pay patients, both ol which sums united, 
 will not mamtain more than sixty poor persons ; nor 
 u 2 
 
23^ RENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL- 
 
 can the number be increased, until by legacies, or fu- 
 ture contributions, the funds are enlarged : this in- 
 crease is much to be desired, as every convenience 
 is provided in the hospital, to accommodate three 
 hundred and fifty persons, on a moderate calcula- 
 tion ; but for want of an adequate capital, num- 
 bers are necessarily denied the benefits of an institu- 
 tion that is peculiarly well situated, in other respects, 
 to relieve them. 
 
 The managers, treasurer, and physicians are all 
 contributors, and serve gratis, except that persons in 
 affluence pay the physicians, as they would if attend- 
 ed in private houses. 
 
 Such are the principles on which this institution 
 has been raised and supported ; and as it has been of 
 the greatest utility to the public, it is hoped it will 
 continue to excite their attention, until, by the en- 
 largement of its funds, its benefits may be extended 
 to a greater number of poor, agreeably to the design 
 of its pious founders. 
 
 Legacies are usually given in the corporate nam^j 
 as follows. 
 
 I give and bequeath to the contributors to the Penn- 
 sylvania Hospital, to be added to the capital stock, 
 dollars. 
 
 Contributions and donations are received by Jo- 
 seph Saunders Lewis, treasurer. No. 25, Dock street. 
 
 The tax commonly called the city hospital tax, is 
 raised for the lazaretto, &c. and not foi the Pennsyl- 
 vania hospital, as many suppose, who do not observe 
 the distinction. 
 
 The Pennsylvania hospital, ever since its founda- 
 tion, has been exempted from taxation, until within 
 the last three years, when all the real estate, except 
 the lot on which the hospital stands, has been as- 
 sessed i but the city councils, from a conviction of its 
 
PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL^ 235" 
 
 general utility, by a late ordinance, have exempted it 
 from city taxes. The county, health, and poor taxes 
 are still assessed. 
 
 Present officers of the institution. 
 Managers — Josiah Hewes, Samuel Coates, Thomas 
 Stewardson, Lawrence Seckel, Thomas P. Cope, Pat- 
 tison Hartshorne, Zaccheus Collins, Paschall Hol- 
 Jingsworth, Edward Pennington, William Poyntell, 
 Reeve Lewis, Joseph Lownes. 
 
 Treasurer — Joseph Saunders Lewis. 
 
 Physicians — Dr. Rush, Dr. Parke, Dr. Wistar, Dr. 
 Physick, Dr. Barton, Dr. Hartshorne. 
 
 Physician to the lying-in department — Dr. Tho- 
 mas C. James. 
 
 Physician to the out patients— Dr. Samuel Cal- 
 houn. 
 
 Medical pupils in the house — John Moore, B. S. 
 Janney, Theodore Benson. 
 
 Steward — Francis Higgins. 
 
 Matron — Hannah Higgins. 
 
 During the year, ending the 27th of April, 1811, 
 there were admitted in the house, 356, pay, and 220 
 poor patients, ...... 576 
 
 And attended out of doors, poor, . , 1616 
 Of whom were cured, . 309 1258 
 
 Relieved, , . , , 53 70 
 
 Incurable, .... 1 1 
 
 Discharged at their own request, 20 removed, 89 
 
 Irregular, .... 
 
 1 
 
 61 
 
 Delivered, .... 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 Discharged infants in health, 
 
 5 vaccined, 
 
 37 
 
 Eloped, .... 
 
 6 
 
 
 Died, .... 
 
 52 
 
 81 
 
 Remain, . . . « 
 
 124 remain 
 
 89 
 
236 PHILADELPHIA DISPENSARY. 
 
 2. Philadelphia Dispensary. 
 
 A consideration of the distresses of the poor, when 
 afflicted with disease, and of their inability to provide 
 for themselves in such a situation gave rise to the de- 
 sign of establishing a Dispensary Tor their relief in 
 1786. This first effort of the kind in the United 
 States of America, has been attended with the hap- 
 piest effects, and the example has been followed in 
 most of our principal cities. 
 
 The following extract from the introduction to 
 the plan, as first published in 1786, will serve to give 
 a more comprehensive view of the nature and utility 
 of a Dispensary. 
 
 " Plan of the Philadelphia Dispensary for the medi- 
 cal relief of the Poor, 
 " To the Citizens of Philadelphia. 
 
 " In all large cities there are many poor persons 
 afflicted by diseases, whose iormer circumstances and 
 habits of independence will not permit them to ex- 
 pose themselves as patients in a public hospital. 
 There are also many diseases and accidents of so 
 acute and dangerous a nature, that the removal of 
 patients afflicted by them, is attended with many ob- 
 vious inconveniences. And there are some diseases 
 of such a nature, that the air of an hospital, crowded 
 with patients, is injurious in them. A number of gen- 
 tlemen having taken these things into consideration, 
 have proposed to establish a Public Dispensary in the 
 city of Philadelphia, for the medical relief of the 
 poor. 
 
 " The particular advantages of this institution will 
 be as ;ollovv : 
 
 " 1st. The sick may be attended and relieved in 
 their own houses, without the pain and inconvenience 
 
PHILADELPHIA DISPENSARY. "237 
 
 of being separated from their families. A father may- 
 still continue to provide for his children, and chil- 
 ch-en may enjoy in sickness the benefit of a mo- 
 ther's kindness and attention. 
 
 " 2dly. The sick may be relieved at a much less 
 expense to the public, than in an hospital, where 
 provisions, bedding, fire wood, and nurses, are re- 
 quired for their accommodation. 
 
 " And 3dly. The sick may be relieved in a man- 
 ner perfectly consistent with those noble feelings of 
 the human heart, w^hich are inseparable from virtu- 
 ous poverty ; and in a manner also strictly agreeable 
 to those refined precepts of Christianity, which incul- 
 cate secrecy in acts of charity and benevolence." 
 
 The objects of the institution are the indigent 
 SICK, of every description, and In every disease, when 
 recommended by the contributors. They are visited 
 at their own houses, when unable to go abroad ; but 
 those who can come out, attend at the dispensary, 
 where the physicians prescribe for them at stated 
 times. 
 
 The apothecary resides at the Dispensary, receives 
 applications for admission, and records the name, 
 age, occupation, and residence of the patients ; the 
 name of the contributor, who recommends them : 
 their diseases, and the event. He gives information 
 to the attending physicians, when the sick require be- 
 ing visited at their own houses : he prepares and re- 
 cords all the prescriptions of the physicians, including 
 not only medicines strictly so called, but also wine, 
 sago, oatmeal, barley, &c. When cured, the patients 
 are required to take a discharge to the contributor 
 who recommended them. 
 
 The city and liberties are divided into two dis- 
 tricts. Two physicians are on duty at the same time ; 
 who, on the alternate days of the week, attend a 
 the dispensary, such patients of their respective dis- 
 
2Z8 PHILADELPmA DISPENSARY, 
 
 tricts as are able to go abroad, and also regularly vi- 
 sit those who are confined at their own houses. 
 
 The funds of the institution arise from a guinea 
 annually paid by each contributor ; or, ten guineas 
 at one payment constituting a life subscription. Le- 
 gacies and donations also form a considerable part of 
 the funds. 
 
 The form of a legacy is as follows : " I give and 
 
 bequeath to the Philadelphia Dispensary, the sum of 
 
 to be paid to their treasurer for the 
 
 time being, and applied towards carrying on the 
 
 charitable designs of the said institution." 
 
 The general business of the institution is directed 
 by twelve managers, who are annually elected by the 
 eontributors. The managers meet every month, and 
 at the close oi every year, publish an account O' the 
 number of patients, who have received the benefits of 
 the institution, as well as a statement of the receipts 
 and expenditures of monies during the year. They 
 also annually appoint six attending and four consult- 
 ing physicians and surgeons, a treasurer, and an apo- 
 thecary. A charter oi incorporation was procured in 
 1796. 
 
 The attending physicians are on duty, in succes- 
 sion, for two months at a time. They may apply to 
 the consulting physicians in difficult cases. The phy- 
 sicians give their attendance gratis. 
 
 The want of a convenient situation was, for a long 
 time, sensibly felt by the managers, and induced 
 them in 1800, to purchase a lot of ground in Fifth- 
 street, and to erect thereon, a commodious building. 
 The funds for this purpose consisted of some stock 
 purchased with former savings, and of donations, so- 
 licited for the purpose amongst our fellow-citizens. 
 Several liberal bequests have also been made, 
 amongst which are peculiarly to be reckoned those 
 ol," the late Andrew Doz, John Bleakley, and tht 
 
PHILADELPraA DISPENSARY. 539 
 
 sum bestowed by the trustees of the fund left by>the 
 late John Keble ; which have not only served to ex- 
 tricate the institution from an heavy debt incurred by 
 the purchase of the lot, and erection of the building ; 
 but also, with the assistance of the annual contribu- 
 tions, to enable the managers to carry on the busi- 
 ness of the dispensary in a more satisfactory and ex- 
 tensive manner, the number ot patients having consi- 
 derably increased. Three thousand two hundred and 
 seventy-five patients were under the care of the dis- 
 pensary from December 1st, 1809, to December 1st, 
 1810. 
 
 Remaining from last year, . . 82 
 
 Admitted since last year, 
 
 Of whom the number Cured, is 
 Dead, . 
 Relieved, 
 Removed, 
 Irregular, 
 Remaining under care, 
 
 3193 
 
 32/5 
 
 2916 
 99 
 98 
 26 
 38 
 98 
 
 3275 
 
 Officers of the institution elected January, 1811. 
 Managers — William White, D. D. President ; 
 Henry Helmuth, Godtrey Haga, Joseph Crukshank, 
 Robert Blackwell, Lawrence Seckel, James Robert- 
 son, Robert Smith, Isaac Snowden, Ebenezer Ha- 
 zard, Robert Ralston. 
 
 Secretary — Dr. Samuel P. Griffitts. 
 Attending Physicians and Surgeons— Drs. Joseph 
 Parrish, Isaac Cleaver, John Perkin, Henry Nedl, 
 Samuel S. Stewart, Benjainin Kugler. 
 
 Consulting Physicians and Surgeons — Drs. Benja- 
 min Rush, Thomas Parke, Caspar Wistar, Phi- 
 lip S. Physick. 
 
 Treasurer — John Clifford. 
 Apothecary— George G. Trcsse. 
 
24« HUMANE SOCIETY. 
 
 The whole expense of the institution, for the last 
 year, tor house support, medicines, and apothecaries 
 salary, amounted to the small sum of S2160 78 ; and 
 justifies the observation made by one of its founders,* 
 that it " exhibits something like the application of 
 the mechanical powers to the purposes of humanity, 
 for in what other charitable institution do we per- 
 ceive so great a quantity of distress relieved by so 
 small an expense ?" 
 
 3. Humane Society, 
 
 This useful society was established during the re- 
 volutionary war, 1780. Its attention is directed to the 
 recovery of drowned persons, and of those whose ani- 
 mation may be suspended from other causes, as 
 breathing air contaminated by burning charcoal, 
 lianging, exposure to the choke damp of wells, 
 drinking cold water while warm in summer, strokes 
 of the sun, lightning, swallowing laudanum, &c. 
 
 For the purpose of recovering the bodies of drown- 
 ed persons, drags are placed at all the ferries, and 
 public places of resort on both sides the Delaware, 
 and on Schuylkill, with the usual apparatus, and 
 boxes of necessary medicines. Medical assistants arc 
 appointed, to whom the public are recommended in 
 the first instance to apply in the event of an accident 
 happening : directions for the treatment of the vari- 
 ous cases that may occur, have occasionally been 
 published, and rewards are annually bestowed upon 
 those who risque their own lives in the attempt to 
 save that of others. Handbills, containing cautions 
 against drinking cold water, when the body is heated, 
 with directions to obviate the deadly effects of such 
 imprudence, are annually printed, and pasted upon all 
 
 * Dr. Bush. 
 
ABOLITION SOCIETY. 241 
 
 the pumps previously to the commencement of the 
 hot months. 
 
 For the purpose of adding to the knowledge al- 
 ready possessed on suspended animation, the society 
 have offered the following medals. 
 
 For the best dissertation on the means of restoring 
 to life persons apparently dead by drowning, and 
 more effectually than any yet in use, a gold medal, 
 value two hundred dollars. 
 
 For the second best, a piece of plate, value one 
 hundred dollars. 
 
 The dissertations are to be sent to the secretary of 
 the society, (post paid) by the first day oi January, 
 1813. 
 
 They may be written in the English, French, or 
 Latin language, to be accompanied with a sealed pa- 
 per, containing the author's name and place oi resi- 
 dence, which is not to be opened unless the prize is 
 decreed. 
 
 They shall be submitted to the judgment and de- 
 cision oi the medical proiessors of the University of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 The society is in correspondence with the Hu- 
 mane Society oi London. 
 
 The society is incorporated. The annual meeting 
 for the appointment oi officers is on the first Wednes- 
 day in March. The annual subscription of tlie con- 
 tributors is one dollar. 
 
 Joseph Cruk shank, President. 
 
 Isaac Snowden, Secretary. 
 
 AbolitioJi Society, 
 
 The people of Pennsylvania, while struggling for 
 their own liberty against loreign oppression, were 
 struck with the inconsistency of retaining in slaver} 
 a portion of their fellow creatures, and therefore, in 
 
 X 
 
242 ABOLITION SOCIETY. 
 
 the height of the revohitionary war, (1780) passed a 
 law for its gradual abolition. All blacks and mulat- 
 toes born, Irom that time, from slaves, were declared 
 to be free, after having served their masters 28 years, 
 in the manner and on the same conditions as com- 
 mon apprentices are held. A supplement was passed 
 in the year 1788, which declared that all slaves of 
 persons intending to settle in the state, should be 
 free, upon their coming therein. By being first ma- 
 numitted, they may be bound as an apprentice to 
 serve such a term of years, as may be agreed on be- 
 tween master and man. Various other provisions 
 were made on the subject, and a society, originally 
 formed in 1774, but enlarged in 1787, attended to 
 their execution. It was incorporated in the year 1 789, 
 and has been attended with a zeal worthy the cause in 
 which they were engaged. The inconvenience which 
 many sustained from having been deprived ot their 
 slaves, in consequence oi neglecting to register them: 
 the apparent hardship, and want of generosity in libe- 
 rating the slaves oi those who Avere flying to our state as 
 an asylum irom war, tyranny or disease j and accu- 
 sations oi improper interference with slaves who were 
 contented with their lot, all served to render this so- 
 ciety, for a long time, highly unpopular with slave- 
 holders, and the enemies oir the blacks ; but the people 
 are now convinced that while the society has very 
 properly been active in seeing the provisions oi the 
 law duly executed, by liberating those who have been 
 held in bondage at home, contrary to the laws oi the 
 state ; and have even by legal process, procured the 
 restoration ot others who had been kidnapped and 
 sent to the southern states, to New-Orleans, and to 
 the West Indies : and have served as a check upon 
 the undue severity oi masters: they have at the same 
 time always discouraged groundless complaints, and 
 have given every facility to the detection of run- 
 
PRISON SOCIETY. 243 
 
 aways in the state of Pennsylvania, or from other 
 states. The venerable Franklin was the first presi- 
 dent of this society. The present president is Dr. 
 Rush. The active duties of this society fall upon the 
 acting committee, consisting of six members. Able 
 counsellors are chosen to assist the society, who cheer- 
 fully give advice when required. At present there 
 are only two slaves in Philadelphia, whose attach- 
 ment to their masters is so great, as to induce them to 
 prefer their situation to uncontrouled freedom. 
 
 Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons » 
 
 This society was formed in the year 1787, and 
 was proposed by an active citizen in the cause of the 
 reformation of the penal code, in order to alleviate 
 some ot the miseries attendant thereon. Their de- 
 sign will best appear by the preamble to the consti- 
 tution, viz. 
 
 " When we consider that the obligations of benev- 
 olence, which are founded on the precepts and ex- 
 amples ot the author of Christianity, are not can- ' 
 celled by the follies or crimes of our fellow crea- 
 tures : and when we reflect upon the miseries which 
 penury, hunger, cold, unnecessary severity, unv/hole- 
 some apartments, and guilt (the usual attendants of 
 prisons) involve with them; it becomes us to extend 
 our compassion to that part of mankind, who are the 
 subjects of those miseries. By the aid o; humanity, 
 their undue and illegal sufferings mav be prevented, 
 the links which should bind the whole iamily o> man- 
 kind together, under all circumstances, be preserved 
 unbroken : and such degrees and modes of punish- 
 ment may be discovered and suggested, as iriay, in- 
 stead of continuing habits of vice, become the means 
 of restoring our fellow creatures to virtue and hap- 
 piness. From a conviction of the truth and obliga- 
 
344 PRISON SOCIETY. 
 
 tion of these principles, the subscribers have associa- 
 ted themselves under the title oi " The Philadelphia 
 Society for alleviating the miseries of public pri- 
 sons." 
 
 The officers of the society consist of a president, 
 two vice-presidents, two secretaries, a treasurer, an 
 electing committee of ten, and an acting committee, 
 annually chosen. 
 
 The acting ccinmittee consists of the president, two 
 vice-presidents, and six other members, three of 
 whom go out at the meetings in January and July. 
 It is their duty to visit the prisons at least once a 
 month, to inquire into the circumstances of the pri- 
 soners, and report such abuses as they shall discover, 
 to the proper officers appointed to remedy them; and 
 to examine the influence of confinement or punish- 
 ment upon the morals of the prisoners. They may 
 draw upon the treasurer for such sums of money as 
 may be necessary. They keep regular minutes of their 
 proceedings, to be read at every quarterly meeting 
 of the society. 
 
 Every member upon his admission contributes one 
 dollar, and one dollar annually tOAvards defraying its- 
 contingent expenses. 
 
 The appointment of the board of inspectors of the 
 prison, and the admirable regulations which have 
 been from time to time introduced therein, have ve- 
 ry materiall}' lessened the duties of this society. Ne- 
 vertheless they still find occasion for their attention 
 among that class of prisoners put in for trial, who 
 would sufter in winter for clothes, and sometimes 
 are improperly detained, or from inattention, are not 
 brought to trial. 
 
 President— William White, D. D. 
 
 Vice-Presidents — William Rogers, D. D. Thomas 
 Wistar. 
 
 Secretaries — Caleb Cresson,jun. Roberts Vaux. 
 
 Treasurer — Israel W. Morns. 
 
MAGDALEN SOCIETY. 245 
 
 There was a society established in the winter of 
 1776, under the name of " The Philadelphia Society 
 for assisting distressed prisoners," and it appears 
 that a very considerable number of citizens cheer- 
 fully became members, who paid a subscription of 10s: 
 and that the managers by an attention to the ne- 
 cessities of the prisoners, afforded considerable relief 
 to them, daring the existence of the society, which 
 by a minute on their book, appears to have been 
 about nineteen months. 
 
 Magdalen Society^ 
 
 Was instituted in the year 1800. Its objects are 
 *' to aid in restoring to the paths ol virtue ; to be in- 
 strumental in recovering to honest rank in life, those 
 unhappy females, who have been robbed of their in- 
 nocence, and are desirous of returning to a life of 
 rectitude." It was incorporated in the year 1802, 
 An asylum has been opened near the corner of Sas- 
 safras, on Schuylkill Second-street, and several fe- 
 males admitted. The members of the society are 
 numerous, and the funds annually increasing. 
 
 The following is the report of the managers, for 
 1810: 
 Remaining in the Asylum at last 
 
 report, .... 8 Magdalenr. 
 
 Admitted since, ... 8 
 
 16 
 
 Of Avhom, 
 
 Placed out to service, . 7 
 
 Discharged at own request, 1 
 Dismissed for improper 
 
 conduct, ... 1 
 
 Eloped, . . . 2—11 
 
 Remaining, ... 5 
 
692 
 
 
 
 133 
 
 884 
 
 22 
 
 8 
 
 59 
 
 86 
 
 94 
 
 47 
 
 150 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 95i 
 
 ;:46 FRIENDS ALMS HOUSE. 
 
 The expenses of the house, &c. have been as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Board of Magdalens, 
 
 Clothing do. 
 
 Bedding, , 
 
 FireM^ood, 
 
 Wages of assistant Matron, 
 
 Interest on purchase money for 
 the Asylum, 
 
 Incidental charges, 
 
 1162 25 
 
 Amount of purchases for mate- 
 rials and machinery in manu- 
 facturing, . . . 197 14 
 
 Amount of expenses enlarging 
 and improving ihe Asylum, 
 
 Paid for insuring it against fire, 
 
 Paid for books, as commence- 
 ment of Library, 
 
 President — William White, D. D. 
 Vice-President. — Robert Ralston. 
 Treasurer — John Evans. 
 . Secretary — Thomas Kite. 
 
 Private and Endowed Institutions. — 1. Friends Alms 
 House, 
 This establishment is supported by the Society of 
 Friends, for the benefit oi their own poor. It consists 
 of a number of single rooms, opening into a lot 
 which is appropriated to the cultivation of medicinal 
 herbs. Such oi the occupants as are able to work, 
 diminish the expense of their support by labour oi a 
 light kind, and contribute much to the convenience 
 of the citizens. Silks and feathers, and other articles 
 of dressj are there washed: quilting is also neatly 
 done* 
 
 647 34 
 
 73 
 
 18 28 
 
 S2098 01 
 
FEMALE SOCIETIES FOR EMPLOYMENT. 247 
 
 2. Christ Church Hospital, 
 
 Is an endowment for aged women of the episco- 
 pal church, made by Dr. John Kearsly, formerly an 
 eminent physician of Philadelphia ; who bequeathed 
 for this purpose, an estate, chiefly landed, which he 
 vested in the rector, church wardens and vestry-men 
 of the united churches of Christ church and St. Pe- 
 ters. 
 
 Since the establishment of this institution, it has 
 received a considerable addition oi property, by the 
 gii'toi' Joseph Dobbins, a native of Philadelphia ; but 
 long resident in South Carolina. Dr. Kearslv's will 
 requires that the women supported by this institu- 
 tion, shall lie supplied with meat, drink, lodging, and 
 have medical attendance. There are now 26 women 
 on the foundation, which is at 111 Mulberry-street, 
 
 Associations for General Charitij — 1 . Female Society 
 for the Employment oj the Poor. 
 
 This was instituted by the late Ann Parrish, of the 
 society of Friends, at the close of the year 1793, 
 when a pestilential epidemic had swept off thousands 
 of our citizens, leaving many widows with children, 
 to struggle with poverty and all its attendant evils. 
 The founder of this Society associating herself with 
 several friends, sought out the haunts ot wretched- 
 ness, comforted the sick, supplied their wants, and 
 directed the hand of the industrious to labour. The 
 great good produced by their exertions, excited very 
 general attention among the benevolent religious so- 
 ciety to which they belonged ; and occasioned them 
 to form a regular association, to be supported by 
 subscription, tor the purpose of relieving the wants 
 of indigent females during the winter season. 
 Aware of the evils attendant upon an indiscriminate 
 
248 FEMALE SOCIETY FOR EMPLOYMENT. 
 
 distribution of money, to those who are able to 
 work, the society rented a house, in which they em- 
 ploy poor women in spinning wool and flax, and 
 conduct business in the following manner. A com- 
 mittee of the society attend daily at the " House of 
 Industry," the women are required to come early in 
 the morning, (with their children) when each is as- 
 signed a portion of work ; one or more of the in- 
 spectors are always present, to preserve decorum, 
 and insure attention to business, and to sell the arti- 
 cles manufactured. A room is solely appropriated to 
 the children, who are committed to the care of one 
 woman. The eating room and kitchen are below 
 ground, where wholesome food is prepared for 
 them ; and when at meals, a becoming propriety of 
 conduct is preserved. After the work of the day 
 has been finished, one of the committee reads a 
 chapter in the Bible to the women, Avho then return 
 to their homes. The women, besides being fed, are 
 paid Sor their labour. The city is divided into dis- 
 tricts, and committees for each district are appointed 
 to visit the sick, and to administer to their comfort, 
 without regard to colour, at their own houses. These 
 committees make regular reports of their proceed- 
 ings to the society. Donations of cash, clothes, 
 groceries, whiter vegetables, or flour, as may suit the 
 circumstances oi the benevolent, will be acceptable. 
 It is a satisfaction to be assured, that the alms be- 
 stowed, will be distributed in the most economical 
 and judicious manner. 
 
 2. Female Hospitable Society. 
 
 A society under the above name was formed dur- 
 ing the winter of 1808-9: shortly aiter the imposi- 
 tion of the embargo, when numerous iemales, who 
 obtained a living by the innumerable employments 
 directly or indirectly connected with active com- 
 
FEMALE HOSPITABLE SOCIETY. 249 
 
 merce, were deprived of support. The distresses of 
 several oi those women coming under the notice of 
 some benevolent ladies, they associated lor the pur- 
 pose ot enabling them to maintain themselves; they 
 therefore purchased flax, and gave it out to be spun 
 into thread ior various uses, and hired aware room. 
 A preference is given to married women. The s ck 
 are supplied with various comforts, and are attend- 
 ed by the physician of the society. The city is divided 
 into districts ; each of which is allotted to a certain 
 number oi members, who attend to the sick or af- 
 flicted, in the quarter assigiied to them. The direct- 
 ress of the society attends, with another member^ 
 every Monday, from 9 till 12 o'clock, at the ware 
 room, to receive the work from the women, to pay 
 for the same, and to give out more flax. 
 
 This society depends upon subscription for its 
 continuance, and has afforded considerable rellel to 
 many women, who could not partake of the charity 
 of the first female society mentioned, by reason of 
 not finding it convenient, ibr various reasons, to leave 
 their homes during the day. Donations of money, 
 groceries, clothes, flax and wool, are always accept- 
 able. The ware room is No. 1, Appletree alley, the 
 first alley above Mulberry street, in Fourth. 
 
 Directress — Mrs. Snyder, 321, High street. 
 
 To dwell in praise of such societies is unne- 
 cessary. Everv intelligent reader will at once see, 
 from a m.sre narration of facts, the immense benefits 
 which must inevitably flow from the encouragement 
 affoi-ded by these societies, to those who are willing to 
 work: from the formation of good habits, or their 
 preservation in those already blessed with them, the 
 prevention of the numerous evils and temptations 
 to theft, and other wickedness, arising from pover- 
 ty, and in that sex too whose influence upon the mo- 
 rals and manners of society is known to be highly 
 extensive. 
 
259 FEMALE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ^. Feinale Association. 
 
 Another humane society was instituted by some 
 ladies in the year 1801, by the name of " Female 
 Association, for the relief of Women and Children 
 in reduced circumstances." Unless in extraordinary 
 cases, this relief is to be refused to persons who, 
 having children, shall refuse to put such ot them as 
 are of a proper age to good trades, or eligible ser- 
 vice, or to send them to a charitable school, when in 
 their power. In all cases, in which it is practicable, 
 relief is given in necessaries rather than in money. 
 
 There are two general meetings in a year, in April 
 and November. At the last, 13 directors are cho- 
 sen. At each general meeting a report is to be made 
 by the directors, of the effects of the charity. The 
 directors meet every fortnight; they annually choose 
 a president, and six managers of the charity. They 
 reserve, out of all monies belonging to the society, 
 at least twenty per centum, to form a fund for the 
 security of the charity, which, with any other monies 
 or property that may be given, they are to improve 
 in the best manner. 
 
 The managers receive such sums from the trea- 
 surer, for distribution, as the board of directors may 
 order. They are to inquire for proper objects of 
 charity, and give them relief; and are to report to 
 the board how they have disposed of the monies put 
 into their hands. 
 
 The education of poor children is to be a favourite 
 object, whenever the funds will admit. The sub- 
 scription is three dollars annually. 
 
 To say how much misery, mental and bodily, this 
 society annually relieves, would be to tell what is fa- 
 miliar to every person whose inclination prompts to, 
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY. 2ol 
 
 or duty requires an intercourse with the afRicted poor. 
 All Philadelphia knows and appreciates their services. 
 
 President — Mrs. Stocker, 193, S. Front-street. 
 
 Treasurer — Mrs. Hodge. 
 
 Secretary — Miss Gratz, 258, High-street. 
 
 Free Schools — 1. Sunday School Society, 
 
 Was instituted in 1791 and incorporated in 1796. 
 Its object is to afford those who cannot go to school 
 on week days, an opportunity to learn to read and 
 write, on Sunday. Subscribers pay one dollar an- 
 nually. Ten dollars entitle a person to membership 
 for life. By a late report ot the managers it ap- 
 pears, that between 1791 and 1 SCO, there had been ex- 
 pended on the education of children, 3968 dollars 
 56 cents. The number taught during that time be- 
 ing 2127. There were three schools then in opera- 
 tion, one for boys, and one for girls, in the city; and 
 a third for boys in Southwark, each containing about 
 60 scholars. From want of iunds, only one school was 
 supported in 1806. In 1808, the school for boys, in 
 the city, was resumed, and by the donation ol the 
 trustees of John Keble's estate, (about ^2000) a 
 third school was opened in the Northern Liberties. 
 The utility of the institution has been fully proved. 
 Many of the pupils, who had no other opportunity of 
 acquiring the benefit of school learning than that 
 which had been presented by this institution, attain- 
 ed therein the power oi spelling and reading with 
 correctness and propriety, and of writing an easy and 
 legible hand. Besides which, by attending, at hours 
 not inier,ering with public worship, they are, in a 
 great measure, preserved from mispending their 
 time, and >rom acquiring a habit ot idleness. It ap- 
 pears Irom the minutes ot the managers, that some 
 of the boys who have attended this school, have since 
 
252 SOCIETY FOR SUPPORT OF CHARITY SCHOOLS. 
 
 become opulent and respectable members of the 
 community. 
 
 The present income of the society is IS400 50. 
 
 President — Right Rev. William White, D. D. 
 
 2. The Philadelphia Society for the Efitablishniejit and 
 Support of Charity Schools. 
 
 This society originated in the following way. 
 
 In the year 1799, a few young men, mostly ap~ 
 prent ces and c'j>.rks, with some who had just com- 
 menccd bus-ness, lormed themselves into a society 
 under the niime oi '-'• The Philadelphia Society, for 
 the instruction oi Indigent Boys." Their number 
 did not exceed seven or eight. Alter obta ning a 
 fev/ more associates, they opened a night school, in 
 which Irom twenty to thuty scholars were instructed 
 in the rudiments oi the English language, by the 
 members, who officiated in weekly classes oI two. 
 This school was kept open during the winters of 
 1799 and 180O, and of IROl. The scholars made 
 considerable progress. The expense of their tu'.tion 
 was inconsiderable. As soon as the labours of the 
 society became genernll)- known, a great accession 
 of members took place. In the summer of 1801, 
 such was the zeal and confidence oi: the members, 
 that they resolved to establish a day school, and 
 thereby incur an expense o< trom 600 to 800 dollars, 
 which expense was to be wholly deirayed from the 
 contributions ot the members. Arrangements were 
 making to open in the autumn, when a circumstance 
 occurred wh;ch finally placed the institution beyond 
 all danger of failure. Pvlr. Christopher Ludwick, an 
 old and respectable German citizen, died in the 
 month of June 1801, leaving the residue of his es- 
 tate, which was estimated at g 10,000 or 12,000, as 
 his mite, to the first association of persons who 
 
SOCIETY FOR SUPPORT OP CHARITY SftHOOLS. 253 
 
 should be incorporated, for the purpose of teaching, 
 gratis, the poor of all denominations in the city of 
 Philadelphia, the districts of Southvvark and the 
 Northern Liberties, without respect to the country 
 or religion of their parents or friends. As soon as 
 the contents of the will became public, several asso- 
 ciations were attempted but all gave way, except that 
 of the trustees or the University oi Pennsylvania, who 
 formed themselves into a society tor the purpose al- 
 luded to, and applied for a charter, under the provi- 
 sions of an act of assembly ot this state. A similar 
 application was made by the members of the Phila- 
 delphia Society, who formed a more perfect constitu- 
 tion, and assumed a new name, " The Philadelphia 
 Societ)^ for the Establishment and Support oi Charity 
 Schools." The governor (M'Kean) signed both chat- 
 ters at the same time ; and the Philadelphia Soci- 
 ety being first incorporated, became entitled to, and 
 received SlO,000 irom the executors oi Mr. Lud- 
 wick. They further expect to receive, on the death 
 of Mrs. L. some real estate, in which she has a life 
 interest.* 
 
 The school is kept in a house, erected on purpose, 
 in Walnut street, between Sixth and Seventh : 30 
 feet front, and 80 deep : the lot is 48 1-2 by 140. 
 
 * There was so much active benevolence, and generous zeal, 
 connected with the measure of procuring- the charter, that it 
 would be unjust to a meritorious individual not to mention the 
 facts. As the devise of Mr. Ludwick belonged to the society first 
 incorporated, it became all-important to reach Lancaster first, 
 in order to obtain the enrollment of the instrument, until which 
 the act was not complete- The trustees of the University liired aii 
 express rider. The president of the Philadelphia Society, Joseph 
 Bennet Eves, undertook, on behalf of that society, to go to 
 Lancaster. Both left Philadelphia at 12 o'clock on the fth of 
 September, 1801. Mr. Eves reached Lancaster (66 miles) in sev- 
 en hours. The express gave up the journey, after proceediflgi- 
 
 r 
 
254 AIMWELL SCHOOL SOCIETY. 
 
 3. Aimrvell School Society. 
 
 The origin of this association is as follows. 
 
 In the year 1796, three young women resolved to 
 Unite their exertions in instructing a few poor, igno- 
 rant and neglected female children, and accordingly 
 
 part of the way. The act of incorporation is dated the 8th of Sep* 
 tember, 1801. 
 
 Abstracts from the accounts of the treasurer, and the report 
 of the board of managers of the Philadelphia Society, for the es- 
 tablishment and support of Charity Schools, for the year 1810. 
 
 RECEIPTS. 
 In the treasury at commencement of the year, - g2831 17 
 
 Contribution of members, 1224 10 
 
 Installation of new members, .... l4 
 
 Rent of cellar, under school house, ... 80 
 
 Do. lot in Kensington, -...-. 12 
 
 Interest of loan office certificate, - - - - 54 16 
 
 Do. bonds and mortgages, .... - 56820 
 
 Dividends of bank stock, 45 
 
 Pi-incipal of bonds and mortgages, ... 1733 33 
 
 6561 96 
 PAYMENTS. 
 Lent on mortgage, 3100 
 
 .Enlarging school house, .... 1264 39 
 
 EXPENSES OF SCHOOL, viz. 
 Salaries of two teachers, . - l3J0 
 Incidental, for books and stationarj^, 153 SO 
 
 1453 50 
 
 Ground occupied by C. Ludwick's tomb, 
 
 Germantown, 20 
 
 Insurance, .--..-.57 24 
 Commissions to collector of contributions, - 41 95 
 Repairs to building and contingencies, - 73 35 
 
 jEtecting an air heater, - - - - 6u 28 
 
 3071 41 
 
 Balance in treasury, January 1, 1811, $490 55 
 
A^IWELL SCHOOL SOCIETY. 255 
 
 opened a small school room, in which some of the 
 most useful branches of learning were taught, viz. 
 sewing, reading, writing, and arithmetic. In the 
 course of the first year several joined the little as- 
 sociation, and thus the school was maintained for 
 more than two years : by that time it had so much 
 increased, that it was judged necessary to hire a 
 
 CAPITAL STOCK. 
 
 United States converted six per cent, • 903 17" 
 
 Farmers and .VIechanics Bank, 10 shares, - 700 
 
 Bonds and Mortgages, .... 8282 40 
 
 Schuylkill permanent bridge, 5 shares, - 50 
 
 Philadelphia library, 1 share, . - . 4O 
 
 ^9975 57 
 REAL ESTATE. 
 A lot of ground in Kensington, rented at twelve dollars pev 
 annum * School house and lot of ground in Walnut street, actual 
 cost, ^10460 14- The number of members now belonging to the 
 society is 228, each of whom pay 5 dollars per annum, towards 
 the support of the school. 
 
 The legacies received by the society have all been invested 
 in productive stock and real estate ; and are as follows, viz. 
 From Christopher Ludwick's estate, - - - §103 40 
 JohnKeble's do. - - - - 3000 
 
 Thomas Kuisey's do. - - - 160 
 
 Catharine Zimminnan's do. » . . . 106 67 
 Ruth Garland's do. , . - 100 
 
 Mary Cannon's do. . . >. . 66 4S 
 
 gl3,773 13 
 STATE OF THE SCHOOL. 
 There were under the care of the institution, at the commence- 
 ment of the year, - - ... 278 boys 
 Bischarged during the year ... 181 
 
 97 
 Admitted do. - - - - . 130 
 
 Remaining in school, .... 227 
 
 * Part of this lot was a donation of John Dickinson, esq. Lite 
 of Wilmington, (Delaware) deceased. 
 
256 AIMWELL 1SCH00L SOCIETY. 
 
 person to take charge of the sewing; the member^ 
 still continuing to attend to all the other business of 
 the school. At the end of twelve years, a writing 
 master was employed under the direction of the so- 
 ciety, the members of which visit it almost daily; 
 and in case of the absence of either of the teachers, 
 from sickness or otherwise, supply the vacancy. 
 
 From the year 1798 to 1800, the number of scho- 
 lars was limited to fifty; since that period, sixty-five 
 
 Of whom 109 can read, write and cipher — nearly all of them 
 having received the whole of their education in the Seminary. 
 
 The 181 discharged were chiefly apprenticed — 81 of them 
 could read, write and cipher. 
 
 The expense of tuition this year, amounted to ^5 81 each, on 
 the average number of scholars. 
 
 There have been 752 boys admitted into the school, since the 
 incorporation of the society, September 8, 1801. 
 
 When two teachers were employed, the board had in con- 
 templation a larger number of scholars, but finding in the course 
 of the year, that one teacher would be fully competent to the 
 care of all that had been admitted, the services of the othec 
 ha^'e been dispensed with; and, as the salaries of the teachers 
 formed the principal items in the expenses of the school, this 
 diminution will reduce the amount of tuition to less than g,3 50 
 per annum for each scliolar, the year ensuing. 
 
 It is contemjilatod to open a school for girls, in the room 
 lately occupied by tlie boys, as soon as suitable sui)erintendent3 
 can be procured. 
 
 Clijldren of the poor, of all denominations, in the city of Phi- 
 ladelphia, district of Southwark, and the Nortliern Liberties, 
 Avithout respect to the counti-y or religion of tlieir parents or 
 friends, are objects of the care of the institution, and may be 
 admuted on application to the teacher at the school house in 
 ■Walnut street, or to cither of the members of the Board of 
 Managers. 
 
 J/oiiations, in aid of the funds, may be made to either of the 
 members of the Board. 
 
 Published by order of the Society. 
 
 THOMAS BRAUFOllD, President. 
 JO'^KI'H R KAMMEREK, Vice President.- 
 BEN.fAMIN WILLIAMS, Treasurer. 
 STEPHEN NORTH, Secretary. 
 
PHILADELPHIA UNION SOCIETY, 257 
 
 "have been constantly instructed. Many are always 
 waiting- for vacancies. Any who are unable to pay 
 for their instruction, are considered suitable objects 
 for the school, and none are rejected on account of 
 their religious profession, although no " Friend's 
 children," have ever partaken of its benefits. 
 
 This association under the title of " The Society 
 for the free Instruction of Female Children," con- 
 sists generally of eighteen members, who raise a sum 
 annually, among themselves, towards the support of 
 the school; which, with a lew occasional donations, 
 were all the means they had for carrying it on tor 
 several years : but an annual subscription is now 
 opened for the purpose, the amount of which, how- 
 ever, is only sufficient to defray about one hali the 
 expense, not including rent, (a school room having 
 been granted, free of charge, by the Society of 
 Friends.) The school is now kept in the Friends 
 
 4. Philadelphia Union Society^ 
 
 Was formed in 1804, and "owes its origin to two> 
 female societies, the members of which belonged to 
 the second and third Presbyterian Churches in Phi- 
 ladelphia, and who associated for pious purposes. 
 In addition to their personal improvement, they were 
 desirous of adopting some plan by which they might 
 be serviceable to their fellow creatures, and promote 
 especially their religious interests. Under the in- 
 fluence of these sentiments, it was resolved to endea- 
 vour to establish a school for the instruction of poor 
 female children." This was opened in January 1805,, 
 and children of all sects were admitted. A female 
 teacher was appointed to take charge of the school,, 
 and a committee of twelve members was appointed, 
 to attend with the teacher, not only for the purpose 
 Y 2 
 
258 ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY. 
 
 of assisting in the discharge oi her ordinary duties, 
 but to aid in inculcating sentiments or piety and vir- 
 tue, an essential part ol the design of the institution. 
 Sixty children were in a short time received into the 
 school. 
 
 The institution depends upon subscription of one 
 dollar annually, and upon occasional donations and 
 legacies, for its support. Of the latter it has received 
 two, one of ^266 66, from the estate of the late 
 Miss Ann Smith, one of the original founders of the 
 society, and another of ^200, from the late Miss E. 
 C. Budd. 
 
 The school is now held back of the Second Pres- 
 byterian church. 
 
 More than 300 children have been taught to read, 
 write and sew ; have committed to memory large 
 portions of holy Scripture, many devout hymns, and 
 have been instructed in such catechism as was most 
 :^pproved of by their parents. 
 
 In 1805-6 and 7, the receipts were ^1576 11 
 Expenses 1174 34 
 
 S401 77 
 
 The society was incorporated in 1808. Its title 
 is, " The Philadelphia Union Society, for the Edu- 
 cation of Poor Female Children." 
 
 President— Mrs. M. M^MuUin, 114, S. Front st. 
 
 Secretary — Miss H. Ord, 354, do. 
 
 Treasurer — Miss Eliza Hall, 71, High street. 
 
 5. Si. Joseplt's Society. 
 
 This societ}' is composed of members of the Ro- 
 dman Catholic persuasion, and was instituted not only 
 for educating, but maintaining poor orphan children. 
 It was incorporated in 1807. 
 
ADELPHI SCHOOL. 259 
 
 The capital is S4,397 90. Fifteen orphan children 
 •were clothed, schooled, and relieved while sick, dur- 
 ing the year ending the 19th of March last, 1811. 
 
 President — Right Rev. Bishop Egan, 
 
 Vice President — Edward Carrell. 
 
 Treasurer — James O'Ellers. 
 
 Secretary — J. Maitland. 
 
 6. Adelphi School, 
 
 This establishment was formed in 1807; and the 
 society incorporated in 1808, under the title of "The 
 Philadelphia Association of Friends, for the Instruc- 
 tion of Poor Children." 
 
 The plan of instruction is that of Lancaster, but 
 improved. 
 
 The corporation consists of no more than 45 per- 
 sons, and they must be of the society of Friends. 
 
 The affairs of the society are managed by twelve 
 directors, a treasurer and clerk, appointed annually. 
 The managers superintend the schools, provide lor 
 their accommodation, and employ teachers. 
 
 The school opened on the 11th of January, 1808. 
 In settling the mode of conducting the school, much 
 information was obtained in consequence of a visit 
 paid by several of the members, with the tutor, to a 
 school ol the same kind previously established in the 
 city of New York, and from reading Lancaster's 
 book. The school is now held in a house, 70 feet 
 front by 35 feet deep, and is calculated to contain, in 
 two rooms, 600 scholars. The number at present 
 (July 1811) is about 200, whose progress will bear 
 a comparison with that ol other schools. It is calcu- 
 lated that the annual expense of the school, including 
 teacher's salary, fire wood, stationary, &c. will 
 amount to the sum of 1200 dollars, or at the rate of 
 four dollars a vear for each scholar. This calculation. 
 
■■2Sb ADELPHI SCHOOL. 
 
 however, is founded upon the supposition of the full 
 compliment of pupils being made up, to wit, 300. No 
 children under five, nor more than thirteen years old, 
 are taken. Those who choose to pay for their chil- 
 dren, may have them admitted upon paying one 
 dollar for each child, quarterly. Subscribers paying 
 four dollars annually, or upwards, are authorised to 
 recommend any number of suitable objects, who will 
 be taken on the lists of applicants, and admitted ac- 
 cording to priority, as vacancies occur. Fifty dollars 
 entitle a person to the privilege of an annual contri- 
 butor for life. 
 
 The managers avoid inculcating particular tenets- 
 of religion : " but enforce, with all reasonable and 
 practicable assiduity, the laws (if morality, and 
 obligations of virtue:" and though they consider 
 themselves enjoined to embrace every suitable occa- 
 sion to imbue the minds of the children, with a just 
 and solemn sense of their religious duties, as derived 
 from the gospel, yet it is their design to confine 
 themselves to its most obvious truths, according to 
 their generally received acceptation. The Bible is 
 the only religious book taught in the school. 
 
 The school is built upon part of two lots in Peg's 
 street, Northern Liberties, presented to the society 
 by William Sansom and Thomas Scattergood. 
 
 The association have published, " A Sketch of the 
 Origin and Progress of the Adelphi School," con- 
 taining also rules for its government, bye laws, 
 names of contributors, and a sketch of the mode of 
 education adopted in the school, which may be had 
 by application to any of the managers. 
 
 Managers — John Paul, John C. Evans, David 
 Jones, Clement Biddle, jun. Isaac Donaldson, Sa- 
 muel Haydock, James P. Parke, Roberts Vaux, 
 
VARIOUS FREE SCHOOLS, ?61 
 
 Reuben Haines, Charles Allen, Robert Smith, juni 
 Ben'amin Ferris. 
 
 Roberts Vaux, Secretary to the Board. 
 
 James P. Parke, Recorder of Admissions. 
 
 Treasurer — John Cooke. 
 
 Clerk of the Association — Elihu Pickering. 
 
 Besides the above schools for the gratuitous edu- 
 cation of poor children, there are a number of other 
 schools, belonging to different religious societies. 
 Thus, the Friends have several schools belonging 
 to their corporation,* from the foundation of which, 
 part of their funds have been devoted to the free 
 education of poor children of all denominations. For 
 many years past, and at present, one hundred scho- 
 lars annually, of that description, derive the benefit 
 of its patronage. 
 
 The funds of the school corporation have been in- 
 creased by the bequests of several members of the 
 society; among whom, the late alderman Carter de- 
 serves to be particularly noticed. 
 
 The United Episcopal Churches have one free 
 school, consiating of 60 boys; and one, of about 40 
 girls. The second Presbyterian Church has one 
 free school. The German Lutherans have six schools, 
 in some of which boys and girls are taught together, 
 and in some separately. The German language is 
 taught in all, and the catechism oi the church com- 
 mitted to memory ; in some arithmetic is taught. 
 An academy for teaching the learned languages was 
 lately commenced by that soc-ety. The German Cal- 
 vinists, or Reformed Church, have two schools ; and 
 the Catholics have two schor^ls ; in all of which, poor 
 children, in membership with the several religious 
 societies, are educated gratis. The University of 
 
 * " Friend's Public Schools, founded by charter of Wm. Peno, 
 in tlie town and county of Philadelphia, 1697." 
 
262 SCHOOLS FOR BLACKS. 
 
 Pennsylvania also, has had a charitable school con- 
 nected with that institution, since its ioundation. 
 
 Public Provision for Free Education* 
 
 By a law, passed April 4, 1809, by the legislature 
 of Pennsylvania, the poor were permitted to send their 
 children to the most convenient school. The teacher 
 of which is to present his bill to the county commis- 
 sioners, who ii they approve thereof, shall draw an 
 order for the same upon the county treasurer for the 
 amount. The price to be charged is to " be agreeably 
 to the usual rates of charging lor tuition in the said 
 school." 
 
 In the counties of the state, where the terms of 
 tuition are moderate, this lav/ has been found useful, 
 but in Philadelphia, where the poor are numerous, 
 and the price of teaching in some schools is high, 
 the tax upon the city and county has been found 
 enormously oppressive, and the law by no means 
 productive of good proportioned thereto, as the fol- 
 lowing facts will shew. From the 1st of January to 
 July 27, 1811, 1828 scholars have been educated, 
 at an expense of Sl2,124, 27, which is at the rate of 
 jSll, 63 per scholar annually, while the expense of the 
 charity school, in Walnut street, is only !g5 81, and 
 that of the Adelphi School is ^4 per year. 
 
 Schools for the Education of Blacks, 
 
 The following schools have been instituted for the 
 free education of blacks. 
 
 In the year 1770, a school was established by the 
 monthly meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, under 
 the tuition of a master, and superintended by a 
 committee of said meeting. It was lor many years 
 supported by the voluntary contributions of Friends*. 
 
SCHOOLS FOR BLACKS. 263 
 
 Anthony Benezet, who served several years on the 
 committee, and who had the charge of this school^ 
 became so interested in its behaL, that in the year 
 1 782, he took upon him the tuition thereof, and con- 
 tinued in that situation until his death, (the 3d of 
 May, 1784) and by his last will and testament be- 
 queathed a large sum towards its further support. 
 In September, 1784, another school was opened by 
 the committee, under the tuition of a mistress, both 
 which schools have been continued to this time, and 
 are at present under the care of a joint committee, 
 appointed by the three monthly meetings of Friends 
 m this city. The present income of this institution 
 is principally vested in ground rents, amounting to 
 rather more than 650 dollars, annually, out of which 
 a considerable sum is paid for taxes. The average 
 number of scholars attending in the two schools is 
 between 70 and 80. The boys are taught reading, 
 writing and arithmetic : and the girls, reading, wri- 
 ting and sewing. The schools are held in Willing's 
 alley. 
 
 Two schools, one for boys, and one for girls, are 
 supported out of the funds left to the late Dr. Bray, 
 and to the trustees of his charity.* Ten negro boys, 
 and about 50 girls are constantly educated. In the 
 -school with the boys, there are also thirty pay scho- 
 lars under the same master. 
 
 _ The African church oi St. Thomas has a school, 
 in which forty pay scholars are instructed by a 
 
 The trustees in Philadelphia, of " the associates of Dr. Bray, 
 m Londoii," are the Rev. Dr. White, Rev. Dr. Blackwell, and 
 Thomas Cumpston, Esq. (See An Account of the designs of the 
 Associates of the late Dr. Bray, with an Abstract of their pro- 
 ceeduig-s, London I8j0.) The sum originally remitted, after the 
 peace of 1783, was £50Q. By time ajid judicious management, 
 this sum has so mcreased, that ^460 have been icturned to the 
 trustees in London, and enough stiU retained for tke purposes 
 designed by the donors. ^ 
 
264> DOMESTIC SOCIETY. 
 
 black teacher. The " Union Society,"* has also a 
 school in which 40 boys are instructed, by a white 
 teacher. Another school is kept by a coloured mart, 
 in which there are upwards of 40 boys, who pay. 
 
 Patriotic Societies — 1. Domestic Society, 
 
 Was established in the year 1805, for the encou- 
 ifagement ot domest-c manufactures. The capital 
 stock consists of ten thousand dollars, divided into 
 two hundred shares of fifty dollars. By charter, li- 
 berty is given to increase the capital to 1^50,000. 
 The affairs of the society are managed bv a presi- 
 dent, s.cretary, treasurer, and twelve directors, 
 elected on the first Monday in February of every 
 year. The treasurer must give a bond for the iaith- 
 ful performance of his eiuty. The directors are au- 
 thorised to lay out the funds, to regulate the affairs 
 of the society generally, to make advances either in 
 cash or raw materials, as shall suit the applicants, upon 
 all American manufactures of woollen, cotton or li- 
 nen, amounting to one half of the affixed value of the 
 articles, when deposited in the ware house of the 
 society^ and pay the residue when sold, charging and 
 deducting therefrom legal interest, for the time the 
 money may remain in advance upon the goods, and 
 such a commission as shall be affixed by the board on 
 effecting the sales. This has been fixed at 5 per cent. 
 li the articles deposited remain six months on hand, 
 the board may then sell them at auction, and the 
 neat proceeds duly placed to the credit of the own- 
 ers. The directors may purchase raw materials. 
 The board meet once in two weeks; other articles 
 
 * "The Union Society for the support of schools and domestic 
 •ananufactures, for the benefit of the African race, and people of 
 celowj established 1810." 
 
DOMESTIC SOCIETY. 266 
 
 besides those mentioned, may be received and sold 
 on comiTi'Ssion, but no adv^ances are made on themi 
 They may be withdrawn upon paying storage. 
 The treasurer shall deliver a general statement of 
 the funds of the institution, once every month, at a 
 regular meeting of the board. Shares are trans. erra- 
 ble, upon paying twenty- five cents lor the certificate. 
 No transfers shall entitle any one to a vote, unless 
 made at least thirty days prior to the day of election. 
 The board shall, at least twenty days prior to the 
 expiration of the term for which they are elected, 
 call a general meeting of the stockholders, and lay 
 before them a tull statement of the funds of the so- 
 ciety. Stockholders must be citizens of the United 
 States. 
 
 Monies are to be paid only upon the order of the 
 president, countersigned bj' the sccretur}-. The 
 society is incorporated by the legislature of Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 President — Paul Cox. Warehouse, No. 11, south 
 Third street. 
 
 Money is lent to manufacturers on good notes, up- 
 on legal interest ; and in this way the society has 
 done a great deal of good. When established, it 
 was ascertained, that five hundred v/eavers could not 
 find employment, and to obtain a living were forced 
 to engage in other work: by assistance from the so- 
 ciety all are employed ; the dividends have yielded 
 to the stockholders six per cent, and sometimes eight 
 per cent., but interest was but a secondary conside- 
 ration with the subscribers. Every city and populous 
 town should establish a similar society, as it is only 
 in this way, that the permanent, the real indepen- 
 dence of the country, can be established, and our 
 workmen and money kept at home. 
 
356 AGRICULTURAL AND CATTLE SOCIETIES. 
 
 2. Agricultural Society, 
 
 '* This society was formed in the year 1785, by 
 ;5ome citizens, only a few of whom were actually 
 engaged in husbandry, but who were convinced of 
 its necessity, and of the assistance which such an 
 association, properly attended to, would afford to 
 the interests of agriculture. The society continued 
 to meet regularly for several years, and published 
 numerous communications from practical men, in 
 the newspapers of the day, on various interesting 
 subjects; and thereby contributed to diffuse the know- 
 ledge of many Improvements in agriculture ; the 
 general adoption whereof, has visibly tended to in- 
 crease the product, and to improve the qualities of 
 the soil of Pennsylvania. 
 
 " After several years of active exertion, the so- 
 ciety was permitted to fall into a long sleep, but was 
 again revived, in the winter of 1804, and holds re- 
 gular meetings."* It was incorporated in February 
 1809. Two volumes of Memoirs, in 8vo, have been 
 published; the first in 1808: the second during the 
 present year.f The society meet in the philosophical 
 hall, the 2d Tuesday of every month. 
 
 President — Richard Peters. 
 
 Vice President — George Clvmer. 
 
 Treasurer — Samuel Hodgdon. 
 
 Secretary — James Mease, M. D. 
 
 3. Cattle Society. 
 
 This society was instituted in the year 1809, 
 for improving the breed of cattle, in Pennsylvania, 
 by several persons concerned in grazing, and resid- 
 
 * Preface to Memoirs of the Society, vol. 1. 
 f By Johnson and Warner. 
 
CARPENTER'S COMPANY. 26/ 
 
 ing in and near Philadelphia. They have published 
 an address to the public, explaining the object of the 
 association, and have proposed several premiums, 
 for importing certain improved breeds of cattle 
 from Europe, and for originating them at home. 
 Two premiums have already been taken, one for 
 Si 00: the other for goO. 
 
 Shows are held every spring and autumn at Bush- 
 hill, (which has been leased by the society) for 
 the exhibition and sale of every species of farm 
 stock ; poor, fat, and those destined for breeding. 
 
 President — Lawrence Seckel. 
 
 Treasurer — Wm. Guier. 
 
 The good effects of this society have already been 
 perceived. It meets the first Monday in every 
 month, in the philosophical hall. 
 
 Mutual Benefit Societies — 1. Carpenter'* s Company, 
 
 In the year 1724, a number of house carpenters of 
 the city and county of Philadelphia, formed them- 
 selves into a company, tor the double purpose of 
 obtaining instruction in the science of architecture, 
 and of assisting such of their members as should 
 by accident be in need of support, or the widows and 
 minor children of members. They remained unin- 
 corporated until the year 1790, when they obtained 
 a charter by an act of the legislature. The corpora- 
 tion meets on the third Monday of January, April, 
 July and October, and on the same day of the week, 
 in the same months, in every year at their hall, or 
 other appointed place. A committee of seven, an- 
 nually chosen, manage the affairs of the corporation. 
 They may let their hall, or other estate of the corpo- 
 ration, for any term not exceeding two years: keep 
 the buildings in repair, and settle the accounts of the 
 company : one of them collects the rents, and re- 
 
^68 SHIP MASTER'S SOCIETY. 
 
 ceives the members money from the wardens, oi 
 whom there are three. Members, widows, or minor 
 children, in want or in sickness, may receive from 
 the committee any sum under ibrty dollars, until the 
 next meeting ; when if further aid be deemed ne- 
 cessary, the company determine the amount. The 
 admission money is forty dollars. Sons of deceased 
 members are admitted without a fee. 
 
 No members may undertake work, begun by 
 other members, until the first undertaker is satisfied 
 for the work done, unless by his or their consent, 
 under penalty of paying such sum as a majority of 
 the members may judge reasonable. Provision is 
 made for obliging members to do justice to an em- 
 ployer; and for the settlement of disputes. No slaves 
 are to be hired or taken as apprentices. Ten dollars 
 is chc fine >or divulging the sentiments of members 
 when discuss Rg a question, and five dollars for 
 slievv ing the book of prices to anv except ?. member ; 
 iwi UmJ ovtoncl oiTence ten dollars, and for permit- 
 ting a copy to be taken, the member is expelled. 
 
 The children of m.embers deceased, (with the ap- 
 probation oi the widow, if one be leSt,) are protected 
 by the society, and bound out to such trades as 
 may suit their situation or dispositions. This society 
 own a hall where the custom house is now kept, 
 in a court south ol Chesnut street, between Third 
 and Fourdi streets, and a range of buildings in the 
 same court. The hall was built before the revolution- 
 ary war. 
 
 President — George Ingles. 
 
 2. Ship Master'' s Society. 
 
 A society for the relief of poor and distressed 
 masters of ships, their widows, and chddren," was 
 instituted in the year 1765, and incorporated in the 
 year 1770, by the colonial legislature. 
 
SHIP MASTER'S SOCIETY, 269 
 
 There are twelve managers, and a treasurer an- 
 nually chosen ; . a statement of the accounts is pub- 
 lished every year.* 
 
 Entrance money, forty dollars : quarterly con- 
 tribution, fifty cents. The president is chosen every 
 three months. The assistance to widows of de- 
 
 * Abstractof the accounts of the Society, "For the relief of poor 
 and distressed Masters of Ships, their Widows and Children," 
 being a summary of the receipts and payments, from the 30th 
 April, 1810, to the 30th April, 1811, as settled by a committee 
 of the society, specially appointed for that purpose. 
 CASH DR.— 
 TO Balance in the hands of the Treasurer, April 30th, 
 
 1810, ..... ^505 83 
 
 Quarterly payments and fines received, - 418 30 
 
 Subscription'of new members, - - 155 20 
 
 Donation from the post office, - - - 314 32 
 
 Intei-est and part of the principal of the United 
 
 States stock, .... 
 
 Dividends from the Banks, ... 
 
 Dividends from the Turnpike, 
 City loan Interest, and a part of the principal. 
 Donation, ..... 
 
 Principal and Interest of I O — — 's bond and 
 
 mortgage, . . . . - 
 
 Principal of exchange stock. 
 Interest on Bonds, - - ... 
 
 1435 
 
 51 
 
 734 
 
 _ 
 
 72 
 
 — 
 
 254 
 
 
 
 263 
 
 38 
 
 537 
 
 _ 
 
 1000 
 
 
 
 106 
 
 — 
 
 §5/93 54 
 
 CR— 
 
 BY Charities paid sundry persons. 
 
 Cash for stock, - - - - . 
 
 Managers orders on account of stock. 
 Ditto ditto Contingent fund. 
 
 Balance in the hands of the Treasurer, Charities, 
 Ditto - , - - Contingent fund, 
 
 Ditto - - - Stock, 
 
 SAMUEL VOLANS, Treasurer. 
 Pbiladelphia, ^lay, 1311. 
 
 S2024 
 
 
 2815 
 
 62 
 
 182 
 
 34 
 
 56 
 
 7 
 
 434 97 
 
 196 
 
 23 
 
 83 
 
 95 
 
 ^7935 
 
 40 
 
270 PILOT'S— INIARlNEirS— AND STONE CUTTER'S, 
 
 ceased members, is in proportion to their wants ; 
 the smallest sum ihat can be given is forty dollars 
 annually. Funeral expenses oi members are paid if 
 required. Orphan children of deceased members 
 are taken care of by the society, until fit to be put 
 to trades. 
 
 3. Filofs Society, 
 
 A society for the benefit of" decayed pilots, the'r 
 widows and children," was formed in the year 1788, 
 and incorporated in the year 1789. Its affairs are 
 managed by twelve members, chosen from Phila- 
 delphia, Cape Henlopen, and Cape May ; a general 
 meeting of the society takes place twice a year. 
 Members pay Si, 50, annually: and the treasurer 
 annually publishes a statement of the funds. Wi- 
 dows of members may receive ^60 annually. 
 
 The capital of the society is about S8,000. 
 
 Treasurer — Stephen Flanagan. 
 
 4. Mariner^ s Society, 
 
 Entrance money, five dollars ; monthly payments, 
 ihirty-one cents ; allowance to sick, three dollar 
 weekly ; to members wives at the decease of their 
 husbands, twenty dollars, and thirty three cents from 
 each member. If a member die abroad, his widow 
 receives only thirty-three cents from each member. 
 
 President— George Chart. 
 
 Vice President — John Dick. 
 
 Secretary — John Bisset, 
 
 5. Stone Cuttet^s Company^ 
 
 Was established in the year 1790, and incorpo- 
 rated in 1806, until which time the sole object of its 
 association was^ from time to time, to regulate the 
 
MASTER BRICK LAYER'S SOCIETY. 271 
 
 measurement and prices of stone work, and other 
 general concerns, an inattention to which, had caus- 
 ed much gross imposition to be practised upon the 
 public. Its views are now more comprehensive, 
 being " formed for the reliet oi poor and distressed 
 stone cutters, their widows and children ; and for 
 the improvement of the art ol stone cutting, and 
 of the science of architecture." A system for the 
 measurement of marble work is laid down, and a 
 list ot prices formed, subject to alterations and ad- 
 ditions, as the prices of labour and materials may re- 
 quire. The bye laws provide for the relief of mem- 
 bers employed by those who will not appoint a per- 
 son to measure and value for them, and when a mem- 
 ber will not consent to have his work measured. They 
 also contain a provision expressly intended to defend 
 the public from imposition by work of a bad quality, 
 or irom injury by unreasonably delaying to execute 
 it. Application for redress in such cases is to be made 
 to the president ot the company. 
 
 The system of measurement and prices are not kept 
 secret : every person desiring it, may have a bill of 
 particulars, stating minutely the measurement and 
 prices of each article, upon paying an additional 
 measuring commission, ior the extra trouble. En- 
 trance money is ten dollars. Annual contribution 
 four dollars. 
 
 It is contemplated to establish an architectural 
 library, with such models and moulds as may be 
 worthy ol preservation. 
 
 President — John Miller, M. C. 
 
 6. Master Bricklayer'' s Society. 
 
 Incorporated, 1809. It was instituted upon the 
 plan of the Stone Cutter's Society ; as a benefit asso- 
 
372 TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 elation, and to measure work. Besides the usual 
 officers, there are twelve measurers of work. 
 President — John Taylor. 
 
 7. Mutual Assistant Society of Hair Dressers^ Surgeon 
 Barbers^ ^c, 
 
 Thissociety was instituted and incorporated in 1796. 
 Members pay ten dollars admission fee, and thirty 
 seven and a half cents, monthly, into the common 
 stock, and twelve and a half cents towards defraying 
 expenses of the regular meetings, which are monthly. 
 Members must be twenty-one years old, and not 
 above forty-one years. Weekly allowance to members, 
 four dollars ; his customers are also to be attended. 
 The stewards appoint the member to attend the cus- 
 tomers of the sick. At the death of a member, wi- 
 dows or friends receive forty dollars, within one 
 week after his decease. 
 
 President — John Murdock. 
 
 8. Typographical Society. 
 
 One of the last acts of the life of the venerable 
 Franklin, was to assist in the organization of a be- 
 nefit society of Journeymen Printers, who held their 
 meetings during his life time at his house. This 
 society was dissolved in the year 1795. In the year 
 1802, another was instituted, and incorporated in- 
 1810, under the name of the " Philadelphia Typo- 
 graphical Society." It was formed not only upon the 
 principle of mutual benefit, but also to equalise the 
 price of labour, and thus to prevent imposition tak- 
 ing place upon the journeyman and employer. It 
 meets monthly, and is managed by the usual officers, 
 chosen annually ; and twelve directors, who divide 
 themselves into four classes, the members of which 
 hold their offices during the term of one, two, three,. 
 
TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. 273 
 
 and four months; so that at every monthly meeting 
 there may be an election of three directors. The 
 secretary is appointed by the president and the di- 
 rectors. No persons are eligible as members, who 
 are not citizens of Pennsylvania, and who shall not 
 have served an apprenticeship satisfactory to the 
 board of directors, to whom he may make application 
 in person. Besides entrance money, the amount of 
 ■which is discretionary with the board of directors, 
 twenty five cents are paid monthly, until he has been 
 ten years a member, or be rendered incapable, by 
 sickness or otherwise, to pay. Neglecting to pay for 
 three months deprives a member of a vote, and of 
 any benefit from the society. After one year's defal- 
 cation, he ceases to be a member. Neglect to pay 
 fines or forfeitures for three months, deprives a 
 member of a vote. Persons actually sick, or absent, 
 are excused. Thirty dollars being paid on admis- 
 sion, is considered equal to ten years monthly sub- 
 scription. Three dollars, but no more, per week are 
 allowed to any sick member. If absent and sick, the 
 money is remitted to him, upon proper certificates 
 being forwarded to the president ; but he must have 
 belonged six months to the society, or be a stranger 
 and in absolute distress, to entitle him to that relief. 
 Twenty-five dollars are allowed in case of the death 
 of a member. 
 
 The members deem themselves bound to procure 
 employment for one another in preference to those 
 not belonging to the society ; hence there is no ex- 
 cuse ior a single member to be idle, and so mucli 
 celebrity has this society obtained, that employers, 
 not only in the city, but in all parts of the United 
 States, when in want ol good workmen, apply to the 
 president to recommend them. The annual income 
 fif the real estate of the society is not to exceed five 
 
274, MASTER TAYLOR'S, ANB PROVTDENt SOCIETY. 
 
 hundred pounds. Their personal estate, at presentj 
 amounts to about sixteen hundred dollars. Members 
 are dispersed through every part of the union. 
 President — Horatio Boate. 
 
 9. Master Taylor:^. 
 
 Incorporated, 1805. Admission money, seven dol- 
 Jars. Stated meetings, second Monday in January, 
 April, July, and October; at each meeting every 
 member is to pay twenty-five cents. Funeral ex- 
 penses of poor members are defrayed by the society. 
 None but those who have been members two years, 
 are entitled to pecuniary aid from the society, except 
 in the case of funeral expenses. Members neglecting 
 to pay fines or contributions, for one year, after due 
 notice, forfeit their right to the benefits of the 
 society. 
 
 President — Benjamin Thaw. 
 
 10. Provident Society of House Carpenters. 
 
 Incorporated 1809. The members must be between 
 twenty-one and forty-one years, healthy, and of good 
 morals. Admission fee, two dollars. The stated meet- 
 ings are on the third Tuesday of every month. 
 Monthly payments, thirty-one and a quarter cents. 
 The secretary must notify members of their fines, or 
 pay the amount himself. A visiting committee, 
 transact the business relative to the sick ; visit wi- 
 dows and orphans of deceased members, and report 
 their wants to the society. Sick members must be 
 visited in twenty-four hours after receiving a notice 
 of their illness ; if entitled to relief they must inform 
 the president, after one week, who orders payment 
 of the stipulated sum. The visiting committee are 
 required to visit the widows of members, in com- 
 
MASTER MECHANIC'S SOCIETY. ^75 
 
 pany with the president, at least once in three 
 months. Thirty dollars are allowed upon the death 
 of a member, and fifteen dollars in case of that of 
 his wife ; and at the next meeting ensuing, each 
 member contributes twenty-five cents, or twelve and 
 a half cents, either as a member or his wife may 
 have died. Weekly allowance to sick, three dollars. 
 President — Thomas Wood. 
 
 11. Master Mechanic's Benevolent Society, 
 
 Was instituted in the year 1810. Candidates for 
 membership must have been master mechanics, at 
 least two years previously to their application for 
 admission ; be twenty-three years old, and recom- 
 mended by two members. Members pav ten dollars 
 on admission. The society meets five times yearly j 
 and pay four dollars annually, by installments of one 
 dollar. No person may be eligible to any office, until 
 he has been twelve months a member. The visiting 
 committee, consisting of five, transact all business 
 relative to sick members, report their situation to 
 the president, and carry the money he orders, to 
 tiiem. Two of the committee visit him once during 
 his sickness. In case of death, report is made to the 
 society of the situation of the widow and children, 
 their names and ages. Children educated by the 
 society are under the care of the committee, who 
 provide schools and visit them once in three months ; 
 and at a proper age, with consent of their friends, 
 provide suitable places for them. They also carry to 
 the widow her quarterly allowance, and assist her 
 by advice, if required. The fund committee receive 
 ail monies of the society, and pay them to the trea- 
 surer. The president and four of the committee 
 must sign orders for money. Three hundred dollars 
 must always be left in the treasurer's hands for in- 
 cidental expenses. Thirty dollars are allowed tor 
 
276 PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 
 
 funeral expenses of a member, if the situation ot 
 his widow or children require help; not more than 
 one hundred dollars are to be paid to any widow, 
 annually. 
 
 Similar societies are instituted by the Cordwainers^ 
 whose capital is fifteen hundred dollars. By the 
 Journeymen Blacksmiths ; Journeymen Taylors have 
 two, viz. the Union and Philadelphia Benevolent; 
 Hatters ; Journeymen Bricklayers ; for aged and 
 infirm Master Coopers, their widows and children ; 
 and by the Journeymen Coopers. In all, seventeen. 
 
 Other Mutual Beneft Societies. 
 These are numerous and annually increasing. 
 
 1. Provident Society ^ 
 
 Was instituted in 1793, and incorporated in 1796. 
 Candidates must be 21 years of age, healthy and of 
 good morals, and on admission, pay a sum agreeably 
 to their ages, as lollows: If between twenty-one and 
 thirty years, %1S; between thirty and thirty-five, 
 Si 7; between th.rty-five and iorty, ;Sl9; if above 
 forty years, S20. The society meet five times a year, 
 and pay iour dollars annually in installments ot one 
 dollar. Three dollars are alloM^ed, weekly, to sick 
 members, after they have belonged to the society tor 
 twelve months. Distant sick members may receive the 
 allowance upon sending forward a certificate of their 
 situation. A fund committee, collect all monies due 
 to the society, and pay them to the treasurer; and 
 draw upon him for such sums as they may agree to 
 invest, or dispose of as may be most conducive to the 
 interest of the society. One hundred dollars are al- 
 ways to be left in the hands of the treasurer. In case 
 of the death of a member, twenty dollars are ad- 
 
PniLANTHROPIG, AND COLUMBIAN SOCIETIES. 277 
 
 vanced to defray expenses of funeral, and the same 
 sum is to be paid to his widow, annually, while sin- 
 gle. When the society's funds are more than three 
 hundred dollars, orphans are clothed and educated, 
 under the direction of the visiting committee, who 
 with the president, are to visit the schools once in 
 every three months. By a report, lately published, of 
 the state of this society, it appears that the funds 
 amount to nearly ^2,500. The number of members 
 is 103. From the 3d of April, 1795, to April, 1811, 
 S992 have been disbursed among fiity-two sick mem- 
 bers; and ^2,251 among thirty-two widows ; ol this 
 number, twelve are at present entitled to the benefit 
 of the society ; and several of their children are aid- 
 ed in their clothing and schooling. 
 President — Liberty Browne, 
 
 2. The Philanthropic Society^ 
 
 Was also instituted in 1793, and incorporated ill 
 1799. Entrance money So; quarterly dues, one dollar; 
 allowance to sick, three dollars ; in case of the death 
 of a member, twenty dollars are paid to defray the 
 expenses of his funeral. If a member's v/ife die, he 
 receives Sl4. On the death of a member, the survi- 
 ving members contribute one quarter of a dollar each, 
 to be paid to the widow, children or parents, if 
 there be any. 
 
 President — John Dennis. 
 
 3. Cohimhian Benevolent Socictij. 
 
 Instituted 1804. All well known, healthy citizens 
 
 of Pennsylvania, are eligible ; but they must not be 
 
 older than forty years, and not younger than tvv'cnty- 
 
 three. Five stewards attend to the applications of the 
 
 A a 
 
•278 VARIOUS BENEFIT SOCIETIES. 
 
 sick. Monies are paid by the treasurer, upon an 
 order from the stewards, to be approved of by the 
 president, vice president, and signed by the secretary. 
 Allowance to sick members, two dollars weekly ; 
 twenty dollars in case oi death ol a member, and 
 25 cents from each member to his widow. If the 
 wife of a member die, he receives fifteen dollars. 
 
 The following Benefit Societies also exist in Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 4. American Beneficial Society. 105 members. 
 
 5. St. Tammany Benevolent Society. 
 
 6. Northern Liberty Benevolent Society. 
 
 7. Union Beneficial Society. 
 
 8. Philanthropic Society. 
 
 9. Philadelphia Benevolent Society. 94 members. 
 
 10. American Fnendly Institution. 100 members. 
 
 11. Friendly Society ot Philadelphia, 
 
 12. Union Society of Philadelphia. 
 
 13. Independent Benevolent Society. 
 
 14. Pennsylvania Benefit Society. 
 
 15. Friendly Society. 
 
 The objects, principles, and in general, the rules of 
 these societies are the same. They were originally esta= 
 blished to prevent the degrading reflection arising 
 from the circumstanoe of being relieved, while sick, 
 by private or public charity : the members may de- 
 mand their reliei as a right. Fmes are generally 
 inflicted upon members absent at stated meetings, 
 and greater fines ii absent at the annual meetings: aiso 
 for divulging any reflections made upon a member's 
 character in the societ}^ ; for slandering membei:s, 
 -unless the facts can be proved ; and lor irregular be- 
 haviour during the meetings of the society. Fines, 
 from two to eight dollars, are also inflicted upon 
 those who decline servrng in the offices to which they 
 
SUMMARY OF THEIR RULES. 279 
 
 have been elected. Distant sick members must have 
 their illness certified by a magistrate, minister, or 
 overseer of the poor, to entitle them to relief. 
 
 No member receives the benefit of the association 
 unless his quarterly subscriptions, and his fines are 
 paid up ; nor until after he has been a certam time a 
 member; from one to two years is the usual time 
 stipulated. Diseases, the consequence of quarrels, 
 drunkenness or vices, are not relieved. Provision is 
 also made for orphans, for impositions on the so- 
 ciety ; for expulsion for immoralities or crimes, pe- 
 culation, or omission to pay subscriptions ; want of 
 punctuality in this last respect, after two or three 
 meetings, excludes a member from the benefit of the 
 association. 
 
 The treasurer commonly gives a bond, who, with 
 the secretary, is allowed a small gratuity for extra 
 trouble. The members comn-only are required to 
 attend the luneral of deceased members, and to wear 
 a black scarf round their hats or arm. 
 
 Such societies cannot be too strongly recommend- 
 ed. All classes of workmen, and others Avho depend 
 upon their daily labour sor their support ; and who 
 in case of their death would leave their families in 
 distress, should be persuaded to form or join bene- 
 volent societies. In Europe political economists are 
 so well convinced of the importance of such asso- 
 ciations, that they recommend them, althougli frcm 
 the numerous taxes, the difficulty of procuring a liv- 
 ing, by a labourer or artist, is so great, that they 
 must retrench their com'orts to enable them to pay 
 their subscriptions. In this country it is well known 
 that every man, who chooses to work, even as a day 
 labourer, can earn much more than he requires for 
 his support ; and from not being a member o.^ such 
 an association, the extra sjjim is squandered in va- 
 
'^80 ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. 
 
 rious ways, according to the habits of the manj ^,0 
 that when overtaken by sickness, he is unable to 
 support himself, and either suffers, or is obliged to 
 apply to the guardians of the poor, or be assisted by 
 his friends ; even in the case of tradesmen, in a 
 good way of business, such societies may prove 
 highly beneficial, by preventing distress in case of 
 unforeseen calamity, or lingering indisposition. 
 
 ■Associations for Relief of Foreign Emigrants. — 
 1 . St. Andrexvs. 
 
 .The oldest association for the relief of distressed 
 emigrants, is the society of St. Andrew ; the date of 
 Its formation cannot now be precisely ascertained, 
 but it is know^n to have existed for many years be- 
 fore the American revolution. It vp-as incorporated 
 in 1808 ; the clear value or income of real estate, and 
 the interest of the money lent by them shall not ex- 
 ceed five hundred pounds. 
 
 The active duties of the society devolve upon six 
 assistants ; they are to pay attention to emigrants 
 from Scotland, inquire into their treatment during 
 the passage, and into their circumstances and views ; 
 to assist them by their advice, and to recommend 
 such of them as they may think proper to the society 
 Ibr pecuniary relief. They may also relieve natives 
 of Scotland, their widows and children, or being the 
 widows, children, or grand children of members of 
 the society : but must not exceed the sum of twenty 
 dollars, in a donation to any one person, nor the 
 sum of one hundred dollars in the whole, in the ad- 
 vancements by them, between any two stated meet- 
 ings. Members pay five dollars upon admission, and 
 three annually. The society n>eet four times an- 
 
ST. GEORGE'S, WELSH, & HIBERNIAN SOCIETIES. 281 
 
 nually ; on St. Andrew's day, and on the last days gi 
 February, May, and August. 
 
 President — Wm. M'Pherson. 
 
 Treasurer — William Stothart. 
 
 Secretary— Quintin Campbell, 
 
 2. St. George^s Society^ 
 
 Was instituted in the year 1772, for purposes si- 
 milar to those of the former two ; but has not yet 
 been incorporated. The active duties fall upon the 
 stewards, of whom there are twelve. 
 
 President — Robert E. Griffith. 
 
 Vice President — Thomas Ketland. 
 
 Treasurer — John Waddington. 
 
 Secretary — George Davis. 
 
 3. Welsh Society, 
 
 The Society of St. David, was also formed before 
 the American revolution, but the early records hav- 
 ing been lost, the precise year of its origin cannot 
 now be known. 
 
 In the year 1798, a number of the descendents of 
 Welshmen, associated for the purpose of relieving 
 Welsh emigrants in distress, and were incorporated 
 in 1802. This society has rendered very essential 
 services, upon several- occasions, to the objects for 
 whose benefit it was instituted. 
 
 President — Samuel Meredith. 
 
 Vice President — Robert Wharton. 
 
 Treasurer — ^Thos. Cumpston. 
 
 Secretary — J. S. Lewis. 
 
 4. Hibernian Society. 
 
 Was instituted about the year 1792, for the pur- 
 pose of protecting Irish emigrants from th.e cruelty 
 A a % 
 
282 HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. 
 
 and tyrannical conduct of masters and owners of ves- 
 sels employed in the passenger trade. 
 
 Previously to the revolutionary war, and for some 
 years immediately succeeding peace, the importa- 
 tion of Irish and Germans was a profitable business, 
 and was steadily followed by many persons. Those 
 foreigners who could not pay for their passages, 
 indented themselves, for two or three years as ser- 
 vants ; and profit being the only object of those 
 concerned in the trade, they often crowded their 
 vessels to such a degree, that pestilential diseases 
 originated on board, and great mortality ensued. 
 The provisions too were oiten bad in quality, or 
 deficient in quantity, and famine sometimes took off 
 tjiose whom disease did not reach. 
 
 Scenes like these were so often repeated, that they 
 roused the humanity of several Irish gentlemen, 
 some of whom had suffered by, and many of whom 
 had witnessed the conduct of those concerned in the 
 trade ; and associated for the purpose of checking 
 the enormity. Several citizens, more particularly the 
 natives of Germany and Scotland, seeing the great 
 usefulness of the society, became members, and disre- 
 garding national names, contributed to the funds and 
 To the general usefulness of the society. 
 
 The officers of the society, consist of a president, 
 vice president, secretary and treasurer ; but the 
 chief duty is imposed upon the acting committee of 
 twelve, which is divided into four classes, each class 
 taking a tour of duty for three months. This duty 
 consists in visiting all vessels arriving in the port, 
 from Ireland, with passengers, making strict inquiry 
 into the character and circumstances of those passen- 
 gers who may be in any necessity, and to afford thenn 
 assistance. To inquire about the number of passen- 
 gers on board, and if they have been in every re- 
 spect well treated j and whether the masters ot 
 
CTNITED GERMAN BENEFIT SOCIETY-. 283 
 
 freighters have conducted themselves agreeably to 
 the laws for the regulation oi the passenger trade,* 
 which, for want of attention, had been often shame- 
 fully contravened : in case they find that these have 
 been violated, or that the passengers have been in 
 any way wronged, they are required to employ 
 counsel to prosecute the offender. 
 
 5. German Incorporated Society^ 
 
 Was formed at a very early date, and incof/- 
 porated September 20, 1781. Their objects are to 
 attend to the wants of Germans arriving in the state; 
 to teach and improve poor children in the English 
 and German languages, and to erect a library. The 
 income of their real estate must not exceed twenty- 
 five hundred pounds. 
 
 This society has a neat hall in Seventh street, one 
 room of which, handsomely furnished, is exclusively 
 appropriated to accommodate the society at their 
 quarterly meetings. 
 
 President — George A. Baker. 
 
 3Iutual Benefit Societies of Foreigners and their 
 Descendents. — 1. United Gernum Benefit Society ^ 
 
 Was instituted in 1785; incorporated 1798, and 
 consists of one hundred and fifteen native Germans, 
 or descendents of Germans, between the ages of 
 twenty-one and thirty-six, who pay three dollars 
 entrance money. The society meets eight times a 
 
 * So early as the year 1749, a law was passed by the colonial 
 legislature for the regulation of the passenger trade ; in 1765, 
 further provision was made ; and in 1794, an act was passed 
 containing the most ample rules for the prevention of the evils 
 arising from the avarice, or inhumanity, of those concerned In 
 the trade. 
 
26i GERMAN AND CALEDONIAN SOCIETIES. 
 
 year. Sick members, if confined to bed, receive four 
 dollars per week ; if not confined, two dollars sixty- 
 seven cents weekly. Widows, or lawful children, af- 
 ter the death of a member, receive twenty dollars to 
 assist in defraying funeral expenses. Lunatic, or in- 
 firm members, who have been orderly, receive sub- 
 scriptions, weekly, as a majority shall agree upon. 
 President — William Binder. 
 
 2. German Atnerican Mutual Assistance Society^ 
 
 Was incorporated 1801. The funds amount to 
 fourteen hundred dollars. Entrance money, eight 
 dollars. Monthly contribution, thirty-seven and a half 
 cents. Allowance to sick members, from three to 
 four dollars per week ; to members on decease of 
 their wives, twenty-five dollars; and to members 
 wives, on decease of their husbands, fifty dollars.^ 
 Number of members one hundred and ten. 
 
 President — John Bierebaum. 
 
 3. Caledoji'ian Society, 
 
 Instituted 1790. All the members must be Scotch- 
 men, or their offspring; at least thirty years of age, 
 and not above iorty years. Original subscription, 
 two dollars; those that entered alter January 1791, 
 paid half a dollar additional for every year above 
 thirty. Quarterly subscription, half a dollar ; six 
 months arrearages exclude a member from the so- 
 ciety. Stated meetings are in January, April, July 
 and October. Three visitors attend to the sick, who 
 are allowed two dollars and a half, weekly, during 
 an illness. Alter an illness o'> twenty-six weeks, the 
 allowance is reduced to one dollar per week. Dis- 
 tant members are also relieved. 
 
 President — Thomas Dobson. 
 
 Treasurer — A. Campbell. 
 
SCOTS THISTLE SOCIETY. 285 
 
 4. Scot's Thistle Society. 
 
 lliis institution combines in its operations all the 
 advantages of a mutual benefit, and of a charitable 
 society. 
 
 It was instituted in November 1796, and incorpo- 
 rated in March 1799. It is composed of natives of 
 Scotland, their sons, and the sons of members. The 
 management of its affairs is vested in a president, 
 vice president, ti-easurer, six counsellors and a se- 
 cretary, who are elected annually on the 30th oi 
 November, St. Andrew's day. The original fund of 
 the society was created, and is supported, by the en- 
 trance money paid by new members, the quarterly 
 contributions of the members, and by donations. 
 Entrance money of the members, if under forty 
 years of age, two dollars ; and one dollar for every 
 year older till 45; one dollar is paid at each quarterly 
 meeting. If a member is sick, or otherwise disabled 
 from following his usual employment, he is visited 
 by two members of the council, who carry to him 
 three dollars weekly, during the continuance of his 
 indisposition. He is furnished with medicines and 
 medical advice, provided he is not in circumstances 
 to pay for them. The benefit of medical assistance 
 is likewise extended to all sickness which may occur 
 in a member's family, and under particular circum- 
 stances, to any indigent sick person who may be re- 
 commended to the society as deserving of charity. 
 
 Wiien a member dies, twenty dollars are allowed to 
 defray his funeral expenses, and all the members 
 attend the funeral, with black crape round the left 
 arm. If a member's wife die, twelve dollars are al- 
 lowed ; on the death of a member's widow, ten dol- 
 lars are paid lor funeral expenses. 
 
286 SCOTS THISTLE SOCIETY. 
 
 Besides the above, the society have lately set on 
 foot a separate fund for the benefit of the widows of 
 members during their widowhood. This was begun 
 in 1808, and only went partially into operation abovit 
 six months ago ; but as the capital accumulates, the 
 benefit to widows will be augmented in proportion. 
 These benefits are confirmed to every member and 
 their widows, " not as a charity, but a just right." 
 
 In addition to the preceding benefits, this society 
 applies, in charitable contributions, the proceeds of a 
 principal stock, which is solely appropriated for the 
 reliei and assistance of emigrants from Scotland, who 
 may be in indigent circumstances, their children, 
 widows, &c. The views of the society in their dis- 
 tribution of this charity are, to relieve the present 
 necessities of the applicants, and if possible, by their 
 advice and assistance, to put them in a way to sup- 
 port themselves. 
 
 The various funds of the society are at present in 
 a very flourishing condition, and the affairs of the 
 society are so conducted as to give general satisfac- 
 tion. The present number of members exceeds 
 eighty. 
 
 The income for the last year, from November 30, 
 1809, to November 30th, 1810, arising out of en- 
 trance money paid by new members ; quarterly dues, 
 interest o money lent, &c. g570 37 1-2 
 
 Expenditure ot last year, viz. weekly allowance 
 to sick members, do. to widows, charities, and con- 
 tingent expenses, &c. 18418 50 
 
 Stated meetings of the society are held on the 
 first Mondays of March, June, September and the 
 30th November. 
 
 President— James M'Alpin. 
 
 Vice President — John Lang. 
 
 Treasurer — William Wilson, 
 
 Secretary — William Patton. 
 
S*. PATRICK'S, FRENCH AND BIBLE SOCIETIES. 287* 
 
 4. St, Patrick^s Benevolent Society, 
 
 Incorporated 1804. Members are Irishmen, or 
 their sons^ and must be citizens, and between tweniy- 
 one and forty years ot age. Initiation tee, five dollars. 
 Monthly payments, twenty-five cents. Three dollars, 
 weekly allowance to sick members. Twenty dollars 
 are allowed to defray the funeral of a deceased mem- 
 ber. Meet on the 17th of each month, at D. M'Ka- 
 rah. r's. Second street below Lombard, 
 
 President — Wm. Duane. 
 
 6. Societe de Bienfaisance. 
 
 Instituted 1804. Incorporated 1805, for the relief 
 of Frenchmen in distress. The calamities of war 
 have given very frequent opportunities to the mem- 
 bers of this most excellent institution, to exercise 
 their humanity. 
 
 President — Mr. Laval. 
 
 Bible Society. 
 
 In December, 1808, a society was formed for the 
 distribution Oi the Bible among the poor, and a ge- 
 neral subscription made to effect the design Dona- 
 tions have also been received from the Bible Society, 
 in London, and ;rom pious individuals and religious 
 societies in the United States. Three reports have 
 been published of the proceedings of the society, by 
 which it appears that, smce it was organized, five 
 thousand lour hundred and twenty -two Bibles and 
 New Testaments have been distributed by this so- 
 ciety. Every part o; the United States has received 
 copies. Even Bibles in the German, Welsh and 
 Gaelic languages have been distributed, to set- 
 
28ii MASON'S SOCIETY. 
 
 tlements where those languages solely are spoken. 
 In this glorious zeal, Philadelphia, as usual, knows no 
 distinction of sect : all denominations of christians 
 have aided the design by their subscriptions, and by 
 dividing the labour oi the society among them. 
 Rt. Rev. William White, D. D. President. 
 
 Society of Masons. 
 
 The early records of masonry in Philadelphia 
 have been lost ; but it is known that a society of the 
 " Pvloderns," was formed at an early date, and that 
 it was composed ol" seveial of the most respectable 
 and prominent characters of the day. The gazettes," 
 the only authority existing on the subject, inform 
 us of a Grand Lodge having been held so early as 
 the year 1732, at the " Tun tavern,"=* the fashion- 
 able hotel oi the time,, when W^illiam Allen, the 
 recorder of the city, (afterwards chief justice) was 
 chosen Grand Master: it appears that regular meet- 
 ings were annually held for several years after- 
 wards. 
 
 In the year 1737, a melancholy event occurred^ 
 which gave the brethren much uneasiness. A party 
 of idle men, not belonging to the craft, with a view 
 of enjoying the fright which they supposed they 
 would excite, either volunteered their services, or 
 acceded to the wishes of a young man, to initiate 
 him into the mysteries of masonry, and accordingly 
 instituted a variety of ridiculous operations, at night, 
 in a cellar, to all which he submitted with fortitude, 
 although they were painful and extremely trving to 
 a young mind. Finding that their object was likely 
 to be defeated, a bowl of burning spirit, into which 
 
 * Water street, between Walnut and Chesnut-streets. 
 
SOCiETY OF MASON> 289 
 
 he had been directed to look for some time, was 
 thrown over him, and his clothes taking fire, he was 
 so much burnt, that he died in a few days afterwards. 
 This melancholy event, justly excited the puhlic 
 indignation, and the chief promoter of the mischief, 
 after a legal investigation, was ignominiously pu- 
 nished by being burnt in the hand: but unfortunately 
 the scene having been conducted under the impres- 
 sion of a connection with masonry, a considerable 
 prejudice, among those who were unacquainted with 
 the principles oi the craft, was excited, and to such 
 a degree did it extend, that the brethren deemed it 
 necessary to come forward, and after stating the 
 occurrence, in the newspapers, to " declare the ab- 
 horrence of all true brethren, to this horrid practice; 
 and that the persons concerned were not of their socie- 
 ty ,nor of any society of Free and Accepted Masons."* 
 
 On the 23d September, ir43, the right honourable 
 lord John Ward, grand master of England, nominated 
 Thomas Oxnard, esq. provincial grand master of all 
 North America. 
 
 On the 10th July, 1749, Thomas Oxnard, esq. ftp- 
 pointed Benjamin Franklin, esq. provincial grand 
 master of Pennsylvania, with authority to appoint 
 the other grand officers, hold a grand lodge, issue 
 warrants, &c. 
 
 On the 5th September, 1749, the first grand lodge 
 \\as held at " the Royal Standard," in Market 
 street, under this warrant : grand master Franklin 
 having appointed. 
 
 Dr. Thomas Bond, deputy grand master. 
 
 Joseph Shippen, senior grand warden. 
 
 Philip Syng, junior grand warden. 
 
 Wm. Plumsted, grand treasurer. 
 
 Daniel Byles, grand secretary. 
 
 * Signed, Thomas Ilopkinson, G. M. 
 Wm. Plumsted, D. G. M. 
 Joseph Shippen and H. Pratt, G.\V. 
 Bb 
 
290 SOCIETY OF MASONS. 
 
 At the same meeting a warrant was granted to 
 James Pogreen* and others, to hold a lodge in Phila- 
 delphia. The meetings were regularly held until 13th 
 March, 1750, when William Allen, esquire, the re- 
 corder of the city of Philadelphia, presented to the 
 grand lodge a commission from the grand lodge of 
 England, appointing him provincial grand master, 
 which was recognized, and he appointed Benjamin 
 Franklin, deputy grand master; and the other ofli- 
 cers above mentioned, according to rank. 
 
 From this time they proceeded in their business, 
 granting new warrants in the cit)^, in various parts of 
 the state and other places, until superceded by the 
 jntroductionof various lodges of "• ancient York ma- 
 sons," and the ultimate establishment of a grand lodge 
 of that order. 
 
 As far as the minutes of the modern grand lodge 
 go, Dr. Franklin was never absent irom a meeting. 
 
 A grand lodge was erected some years afterwards, 
 in the alley leading from Second street to Dock 
 street, by the bank of Pennsylvania, which remained 
 until the year 1785; when the " Moderns," having 
 greatly diminished, the two surviving trustees of the 
 building, were authorised, by an act oi the legislature, 
 to sell it, and to apply part of the proceeds thereof to 
 a charitable purpose. They were given to the city, 
 for the use of the poor. 
 
 At what time the members of " Ancient York 
 Masons," first held subordinate lodges, does not 
 now appear ;| but in the year 1761, the late William 
 Ball, oi Philadelphia, obtained from the grand lodge 
 of that society in London, the charter or warrant 
 for the grand lodge m Pennsylvania. It is No. 1, 
 
 * Signed William, lord Byron, baron of Rochdale, in the 
 county of Lancaster, G. M. 
 
 I Owing' to the loss of the archives, during the revolutionary 
 war. 
 
 I 
 
SOCIETY OF MASON.S. :291 
 
 in Pennsylvania, and No. 89, in England,* and rc- 
 gistei'ed in the grand lodge, Loudon, vol. 3d, letter 
 C. and bears date July 14, 1761. 
 
 The fraternit}^ of the ancients, have since regu- 
 larly held their grand communications, except while 
 the British were in possession of Philadelphia, and 
 to the end of last year, have constituted one hun- 
 dred and thirty-one subordinate lodges, in several of 
 the states, in the West Indies, in Florida, and 
 twenty-one in Philadelphia. 
 
 For several years past they have been anxious to 
 erect a building suitable to the dignity of the craft, 
 and to their thriving situation, but were not able 
 until the year 1809 to accomplish their wishes. 
 With the funds then in hand, and the help of addi- 
 tional subscriptions, they commenced the undertak- 
 ing; but their views enlarging as the work pro- 
 ceeded, it became necessary to increase their lunds; 
 they therefore proposed a loan of forty thousand 
 dollars, at six per cent, redeemable on the first day 
 of January 1825, on the security of the house and 
 lot. This loan was filled in less than two hours, by 
 eighty subscribers. A second loan for twenty thou- 
 sand dollars, has also been filled. 
 
 The Masonic Hall is in Chesnut, between Seventh 
 and Eighth streets from Delav/are, and was conse- 
 crated in due form, and with all possible splendor 
 and solemnity on last St. John's day. Upwards of 
 eight hundred brethren, many of them from other 
 
 * It is sig-ned by Kelly, (Thomas Erskine, carl Kelly, ^is- 
 ount Fenton, S;c.) G. Master. 
 VVm.Osbom, 1). G. Master. 
 \Vm. Dickey, S. G. Warden. 
 J. Gibson, J. G. Warden. 
 Law, Dermott, G. Secretary. 
 
292 PROVISION I'OR THE POOR, 
 
 states, attended the procession on the octasioii. 
 An impressive and eloquent oration, was delivered 
 on the same day, before the society, by the grand 
 master, James Milnor, esq.* in St. John's Church, 
 Sassafras street. 
 
 Officers James Milnor, R. W. Grand Master. 
 
 P. L. B. Du Plessis, R. W. D. G. Master. 
 
 Richard Tybout, R. W. Senior G. Wai-den. 
 
 Joseph Burden, R. W. Junior G. Warden. 
 
 George A. Baker, R. W. Grand Secretary. 
 
 Samuel F. Bradford, R. W. Grand Treasurei:. 
 
 Provision for the Poor. 
 
 The present system for the management of the 
 poor of the city and county of Philadelphia, was es- 
 tablished by a law passed the 29th March, 1803. By 
 this law, sixteen citizens are to be chosen on the third 
 Monday in May, by the corporation of Philadelphia, 
 six by the corporation of Southwark, and eight by 
 the justices of the peace of the township of Northern 
 Liberties, who are to be guardians of the poor of the 
 city and districts. They must be " substantial 
 house keepers," and the elections are to be viva 
 voce: after the appointment of managers of the alms 
 house from among them, the whole number of 
 guardians remaining are to be divided equally by 
 lot, so that one half of those for the city, district and 
 township, shall be included in the said equal divi- 
 sion, which otie half continue in office for six months; 
 and on the third Monday of November, six others 
 are chosen in the same way to supply the places of 
 those who have gone out. Guardians must take an 
 
 * For sale by Bradford and Inskcep : a full account of the 
 procession is annexed. 
 
PROVISION FOR THE POOR. 293 
 
 oath of office, under a penalty of sixty dollars. They 
 are declared to be a body politic and corporate in 
 law, by the name of the " Guardians of the Poor of 
 the city of Philadelphia, the district of Southwark, 
 and township of the Northern Liberties^": The 
 guardians appoint eight of their number to. superin- 
 tend the alms house and house of employment ; four 
 from the city, and two from each district, who divide 
 themselves by lot into two classes, one oi which go 
 out every six months ; their places are supplied by a 
 new election from the body of the guardians, so that 
 four shall be appointed every six months. Vacancies 
 are supplied by anew election by the guard;ans and 
 managers. Besides the superintendence oi the alms 
 house, and house of employment, the managers are 
 empowered, with the approbation of four aldermen, 
 and two justices of the county, to lay an assessment, 
 not exceeding one hundred cents in the hundred 
 dollars at any one time, nor more than three dollars 
 per head on every freeman, not otherwise rated. The 
 guardians may appoint a clerk ; and any two ot them 
 may furnish reliet in cases of persons being taken so 
 ill as to require immediate assistance, and cannot be 
 removed to the alms house : but they must report 
 their proceedings at the next meeting of the general 
 board. The managers may put out poor children as 
 apprentices, and also bind out by indenture, disorder- 
 ly persons, who by their vices have fallen sick, and 
 l)ecome chargeable to the city or districts. 
 
 The managers have formed a set oi rules for their 
 own government, and that of the house, of which 
 the following is an abstract. 
 
 The board of managers meet at the alms house 
 every Monday afternoon. They divide themselves 
 into various committees, viz. 
 
 1. The visiting committee of two, who inspect the. 
 wards twice a week, and render such advice and as- 
 Bb 2 
 
294 PKO VISION FOR THE POOR; 
 
 sistance in supporting the order of the house as may 
 appear useful. 
 
 2. A manufacturing committee of four, who meet 
 once a week ; they order the purchase of raw mate- 
 rials, fix the prices on all goods manufactured in the 
 liouse, and inspect the accounts. 
 
 3. A clothing committee of two, who serve in 
 rotation one month j meet once a week, distribute 
 clothes to the poor, and order or recommend new 
 purchases, when necessary, to the board. 
 
 4. A provision committee of three j they purchase 
 provisions for the paupers. 
 
 5. A fuel committee of three, who purchase fuel 
 for the house, and report to the board all suclr pur- 
 chases. 
 
 A steward and matron are chosen by the mana- 
 gers. The former has the general superintendence of 
 the house, and the nurses. Sec. except that part for 
 the women and children; and is particularly re- 
 quired to attend at meal times to preserve order : 
 he reports the ingress and regress of the paupers, or 
 deaths and elopements, with all bills, &c. keeps an 
 account of all the goods manufactured in the house. 
 The matron has the entire superintendence and care 
 o-f that part of the house appropriated to females and 
 children ; and every Monday is to apply to the 
 steward for as much raw materials as may be re- 
 quisite for the employment of those under her care, 
 in carding, spinning, knitting, and sewing. Every 
 Saturday afternoon, she is required to deliver all the 
 yarn and threadspun during the week, to the steward. 
 
 All persons admitted, who are capable of working, 
 are to be employed. 
 
 Children are taught to read. Smoking and beg- 
 ging are prohibited : no spirituous liquors are dis- 
 tributed to any pauper, unless ordered by the physi- 
 t'i^iiBj or the managers.* Th^ punishment for mis- 
 
PftOVISION FOR THE POOR. 2^ 
 
 conduct of any kind, is the solitary cells. Various 
 other rules and regulations are in force, but it is not 
 conceived necessary to state them. They refer 
 merely to the well ordering of the house. 
 
 Three citizens are annually appointed by the 
 mayor's court, and by the court of quarter sessions, 
 of the county at their first session, in every year, to 
 audit and settle the accounts of the treasurer, the 
 board of guardians, and managers respectively; and 
 to publish a true statement of all their receipts, 
 whether in taxes, donations, legacies or otherwise, 
 including a statement of the amount oi the taxes le- 
 vied in each and every year, together v/ith the ex- 
 penditures of the corporation, in two newspapers, 
 lor three days. 
 
 The alms house is on the east side of the square, 
 bounded east by Tenth street ; southward, by Pine 
 street ; westward, by Eleventh street ; northward, by 
 Spruce street. It is built in the form of an L, one hun- 
 dred and eighty feet by forty. It consists of two sto- 
 ries, joined by a turret, thirty feet square, of four sto- 
 ries. The house of employment is on the west side of 
 Eleventh street, of the same figure and dimensions. 
 
 In 1810, the average number of paupers supported 
 and employed in the alms house, was five hundred and 
 twenty-six men, and three hundred and eighty-five 
 women, and three hundred and eighty-three children: 
 but two hundred and twelve of the children were at 
 nurse out of the house. Total supported, twelve hun- 
 dred and ninet\'-four paupers. The sum expended for 
 their support was §50,761, 87 being about g39, for 
 each pauper for one year. The tax levied for the 
 support of the poor in the city and county, and also 
 in the alms house, in the year 1811 was §83,000. 
 The whole number of poor pensioned in the city, or 
 supported in the alms house is estimated at §2,500= 
 
296 LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 A variety of goods are made by the poor ; but in 
 order to finish every article of clothing used in the 
 house, some hands are hired ; about thirty looms for 
 weaving cloth are in operation, and goods to the 
 amount of from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars 
 are annually made in the house. 
 
 Literary Institutions. 
 
 As early as the year 1689, a school was establish- 
 ed by the Society of Friends in Philadelphia, for 
 teaching the English and learned languages,* and 
 George Keith, of polemic memory, a man of ta- 
 lents, was invited from New Jersey to take charge 
 of it ; but having given dissatisfaction to his em- 
 ployers, after one year he was succeeded by the 
 learned Thomas Makui, whose Latin description of 
 the country will amuse the reader.f 
 
 The society, as has been already mentioned, was 
 incorporated by Wm. Penn. Its concerns are ma- 
 naged by fifteen " overseers," who have now under 
 their care, thirteen schools. The Greek and Latin 
 languages, and other liberal branches of learning 
 may be acquired in some departments of the insti- 
 tution, whilst in others, the pupils can receive a 
 plain education. 
 
 University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 In the year 1749, a subscription was set on foot, 
 among a number of gentlemen of Philadelphia, for 
 the purpose of establishing an academy and charita- 
 
 " See p. 261. 
 
 I See Proud's history of Pennsylvania. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. .197 
 
 ^le school,* and was so liberally encouraged, that in 
 the year 1750, it was opened under twenty-four 
 trustees, for instruction in the Latin and English 
 languages, and in mathematics. The institution was 
 incorporated in 1753, by the proprietaries, and a 
 donation in money and lands made to it, by them, 
 to the amount of three thousand pounds. The Rev. 
 Wm. Smith, was appointed principal, and the Rev. 
 Francis Allison, master of the Latin school ; with 
 Mr. Beveridge, and Mr. Grew as teachers. In the 
 year 1755, upon the petition of the trustees, an addi- 
 tional charter was obtained, to authorise the con- 
 ferring degrees by the institution, under the title of 
 *' the College, Academy and Charitable School of 
 Philadelphia:" and in the same year, the first literary- 
 honours were conferred upon six pupils.j 
 
 In the year 1764, the foundation of the first me- 
 dical school in America was laid, by a course of 
 lectures upon anatomy, which was delivered by the 
 late Dr. Wm. Shippen. His pupils amounted only 
 to ten.:{: He was appointed professor of that branch, 
 in the following year, by the trustees, and Dr. John 
 Morgan,^ professor of the institutes of medicine. 
 
 * The orig-hial and chief promoters of the plan, were Thomas 
 Hopkinson, Tench Francis, Richard Peters, and Benjamin 
 Franklin. The last acted for some time as the Secretary of the 
 Board. The charitable school contained thirty girls, to be 
 tansjht reading, writing and sewing; and sixty boys, who were 
 taught reading, writing and arithmetic. 
 
 f I'hese were the late Rev. Mr. Duche, Rev. Dr. Samuel 
 Magaw, Rev. James Latta, Dr. Hugh Williamson, Francis Hop- 
 kinson, esq. late Admiralty Judge, and Hall. 
 
 t Last winter the anatomical class amounted to between three 
 and four hundred pupils. 
 
 § Di-. Morgan delivered " a discourse upon the institution of 
 medical schools in America," at a commencement in May 
 1765, in which he pointed out the advantages to be derived 
 from their estublishiucnt. 
 
298 UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Both those gentlemen had graduated at Edinburgh, 
 and had previously agreed to attempt the establish- 
 ment of a medical school on their return. In 1768, 
 Dr. A. Kuhn, was appointed professor of botany; and 
 in 1769, Dr. B. Rush, was appointed to the chemical 
 chair ; Dr. T. Bond, at the same time, gave clinical 
 lectures in the Pennsylvania hospital. 
 
 The college continued to diffuse the benefits of 
 learning, and was conducted with ability and zeal, 
 under that name, until the year 1779, when the le- 
 gislature of Pennsylvania gave it a new charter, 
 erecting it into a University. It was placed under 
 the direction of a new board of trustees ; a feAV of 
 whom had been members of the old board, and the 
 executive council authorised to bestow on it, so ma- 
 ny of the confiscated estates as would produce an 
 additional income of fifteen hundred pounds a year. 
 The Rev. Dr. John F wing was appointed provost. 
 
 The removal of the former provost, was consi- 
 dered an act of high injustice, not only by himself, 
 but by many of the best whigs of the day. They 
 therefore frequently petitioned the legislature to re- 
 store the charter to the college, but without success, 
 owing to the supposed disaffection of the former 
 provost to the independence of the United States. 
 In the year 1789, however, when the passions of 
 men had been somewhat cooled, another attempt 
 was made and succeeded. By a law passed in that 
 year, the university was continued, and the col- 
 lege revived. Distinct professors in the arts and 
 in medicine were appointed ; and thus two semina- 
 ries were established. But it was not long before the 
 two boards found that neither of them had funds 
 adequate to the expenses of separate institutions, 
 and they became convinced of the necessity of an 
 union. Conferences being held, it was agreed that 
 both boards should present the same petition to the 
 
UNIVERSITY OP PENNSYLVANIA. 2^9 
 
 legislation, praying that, on certain conditions, they 
 might be united. Accordingly in 1791, this was 
 done, and thus was finally erected the seminary, 
 now called the University of Pennsylvania, still 
 composed of the same schools of which the old col- 
 lege consisted, with the addition of the professor- 
 ships of Natural History, Law, and the German 
 language. The new board was composed of twenty- 
 four members, taken equally from the old boards: and 
 the governor of the state was to be president. They 
 made choice of Dr. Ewing as provost, who continued 
 in that station until his death in 1803. He was suc- 
 ceeded by the Rev. Dr. M'Dowell, from Maryland, 
 but who resigned in 1809. In 1811, the Rev. Dr. 
 Andrews, was chosen provost, and Mr. Robert 
 Pattei-son, vice provost. 
 
 The present professors are, 
 
 Rev. Dr. John Andrews, Provost, and Professor 
 of Moral Philosophy and Logic. 
 
 Robert Patterson, Vice Provost, and Professor of 
 Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Wm. Rogers, Professor of English and 
 Belles Lettres. 
 
 James Thomson, Professor of Languages. 
 
 MEDICAL SCHOOL. 
 
 Caspar Wistar, jun. M. D. Professor of Anatomy. 
 
 Benjamin Rush, M. D. Professor of the Institutes 
 and Practice of Physic, and of Clinical Practice. 
 
 Philip Syng Physick, M. D. Professor of Surgery. 
 
 John Syng Dorsey, M. D. Adjunct Professor of 
 Surgery. 
 
 Dr. Benjamin Smith Barton, Professor of Materia 
 Medica, Botany and Natural History. 
 
 T. C. James, M. D. Professor of Midwifery. 
 
 John Redman Coxe, M. D. Professer of Chemis- 
 try. 
 
390 AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETV, 
 
 American Philosophical Society^ 
 
 Was formed in the year 1769, by the union of 
 two other literary societies that had previously sub- 
 sisted in Philadelphia. One of these, stiled the 
 *' American Philosophical Society," was instituted in 
 1743; and at the time of the union, consisted of one 
 hundred and twenty-seven members : the other 
 stiled the " American Society for promoting useful 
 knowledge," was instituted in 1766, and at the union, 
 consisted of seventy-eight fellows, and sixty-nine 
 corresponding members. 
 
 The society was incorporated by an act of the 
 legislature of Pennsylvania, passed in 1 780. 
 
 In the year 1786, Mr. John Hyacinth de Magel- 
 lan, of London, presented to the society, a donation 
 of two hundred guineas, to the end that the interest 
 thereof should be annually disposed of in premiums, 
 to be adjudged by the society, to the author of the 
 best discovery, or most useful invention relating to 
 navigation, astronomy, or natural philosophy, mere 
 natural history only excepted: the premium to con- 
 sist of an oval plate of solid standard gold, of the 
 value of ten guineas, with suitable devices engraved 
 thereon. 
 
 Persons of all nations, are admitted as candidates 
 for this premium. 
 
 The Magellanic fund, having been so managed as 
 to produce an annual surplus, the society, with a 
 view to promote the liberal intentions of the donor, 
 have determined that the above surplus fund shall 
 be employed, in the first instance, according to the 
 strict conditions of the donation, if a sufficient num- 
 ber of deserving candidates shall have applied for 
 the same; otherwise that such surplus, or so much 
 thereof as cannot be applied as above, be awarded by 
 
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 301 
 
 the society to the authors of useful inventions or 
 improvements, on any subjects within the general 
 view of the Magellanic donation, or to the authors 
 of such communications as may lead to such inven- 
 tions or improvements, and which communications 
 may be deemed worthy of the premium. The pre- 
 mium to consist of a gold medal of the value of not 
 less than twenty, nor more than forty-five dollars, or 
 the same sum in money, at the option of the candi- 
 date ; accompanied with a suitable diploma. 
 
 Several medals of the Magellanic fund, and pre- 
 miums of the surplus fund, hare been awarded by 
 the society. 
 
 Five volumes In 4to, of transactions, and the first 
 part of a sixth vol., have been published by the so- 
 ciety. Maternils for another volume are preparing: 
 the society having judiciously resolved to adopt the 
 example of the Royal Society of London, to publish a 
 volume, large or small, annually. 
 
 Aided by the liberal donations of a number of 
 friends of science, both in America and Europe, and 
 by the legislature of Pennsylvania, the society were 
 enabled to erect, about the year 1785, on the N. E. 
 part of the state h juse square, a commodious build- 
 ing, where they held their meetings. 
 
 The society meet on the first and third Fridays of 
 every month, from October to May, both inclusive, 
 at six in the evening : and on the third Friday in 
 each of the other lour months, at 7 o'clock. 
 
 On other Friday evenings, the members meet for 
 the purpose of literary conversation, and of perusing 
 the new foreign journals which are imported in single 
 numbers. On those evenings members may introduce 
 any <riend or stranger. 
 
 The library of the society is extensive, and an- 
 nually increasing. 
 
 e c 
 
302 MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 The society have likewise an extensive collection 
 of minerals from all quarters of the world, scientifi- 
 cally arranged. 
 
 President — ^Thomas Jefferson. 
 
 Medical Society, 
 
 A society of students, who met for mutual im- 
 provement, was formed in the year 1771. About the 
 year 1790, another was formed, which after a short 
 time was united with that previously existing ; the 
 new association assumed the name of the " Phila- 
 delphia Medical Society." Members are either ho- 
 norary, or junior. The latter are required to read a 
 paper before the society, and to be examined on the 
 same previously to being balloted for. The presi- 
 dent and officers are generally changed every year. 
 The society meets only during the winter season. 
 
 College of Physicians. 
 
 This association was formed in the year 1787, and 
 incorpoi-ated in the year 1789, by the legislature of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 The objects of the college, as stated in their con- 
 stitution, are " to advance the science of medicine, 
 and thereby to lessen human misery, by investigating 
 the diseases and remedies which are peculiar to this 
 country ; by observing the effects of different sea- 
 sons, climates and situations upon the human body ; 
 by recording the changes which are produced in dis- 
 eases, by the progress of agriculture, arts, population 
 and manners, by searching for medicines in the 
 American woods, waters, and in the bowels ol the 
 earth; by enlarging the avenues to knowledge from 
 the discoveries and publications of foreign countries, 
 and by cultivating order and uniformity in the prac- 
 tice of physic." 
 
LINNEAN SOCIETY. 3Q3 
 
 In the year 1793, the college published the first 
 part of the first volume of transactions, in 8vo, and 
 have also published a pamphlet in favour of the im- 
 portation from the West Indies, of the contagion of 
 the fever, which prevailed in 1793, and since that 
 year, in Philadelphia. 
 
 Medical Lyceum^ 
 
 Was formed in the year 1804. It was originally 
 intended that the senior members in this society, 
 should have the entire management of its affairs ; 
 and that the junior members should merely attend 
 the debates. But, after a year or two, the plan was 
 so far altered that all the members have the right of 
 suffrage in the concerns of the society. The society 
 hold their session during the course of the medical 
 lectures. At each meeting a paper is read, by the 
 members, in rotation, which is submitted to discus- 
 sion. 
 
 The officers are annually elected. 
 
 Linnean Society, 
 
 A number of young gentlemen, desirous to pro- 
 mote a knowledge of the vegetable kingdom ; and 
 assured of the advantages to be derived from it, in a 
 philosophical, medical and agricultural point of view, 
 met together and established a society, on the 6th 
 of June, 1806, under the title of the " American 
 Botanical Society, held at Philadelphia." Members 
 were aiterwards admitted from various parts ox the 
 union, from whom the society expected to receive 
 specimens or drawings of plants, and communica- 
 tions respecting their character, and real or reputed 
 medical or other properties. Hitherto the attention 
 ©f the society had been confined to a single object. 
 
304 LINNEAN SOCIETY. 
 
 In natural history. On the 4th of March 1807, itwS^ 
 resolved that the views of the society he extended 
 to natural historj'^, generally, and that it be stiled 
 in future, the Philadelphia Linnean Society. The 
 Constitution was altered, as circumstances rendered 
 necessary, and Dr. Barton, elected president, who 
 delivered the first anniversary oration on the 10th of 
 Ju.ne. The business of the society is conducted by a 
 president, vice president, corresponding and record- 
 ing secretaries, treasurer and two curators. A stand- 
 ing committee, consisting of sixteen members, and 
 termed the grand committee, is annually elected, 
 which is subdivided into three committees, to one 
 of which are submitted all questions, essays, speci- 
 mens, &c. relating to mineralogy ; to the second, 
 those relating to botany; and to the third, those ap- 
 pertaining to zoology. When any specimen is pre- 
 sented, or information is requested upon any sub- 
 ject in natural histoiy, it is submitted by the 
 chairman of the grand committee to the proper de- 
 partment, who make the necessary examination, and 
 report the result to the chairman. He presents it, at 
 the next meeting, to the society, when the informa- 
 tion is directed to be communicated to the person 
 requesting it. The society has lately desired the ci- 
 tizens of the United States to forward specimens of 
 plants and minerals, with such information respect- 
 ing their application to useful purposes as they may 
 possess. They will be examined, gratis, by the proper 
 department; and it is hoped that, by means of this 
 central deposit, much useful knowledge will be ac- 
 quired respecting the natural history of our country, 
 and many substances found, which from ignqrance 
 of their existence here, have hitherto lain dormant 
 in the earth, but which will now become extensive- 
 ly valuable in the arts and manufactures. The fol- 
 lowing extract from their address, will discover at. 
 ««)nce the laudable objects of the society. 
 
PHILADELPHIA LIBRARY. 305 
 
 " To assist in obtaining a full knowledge of the 
 medicinal and dying drugs indigenous to our soil ; 
 to expedite the discovery of useiul metals; to aid 
 the manu actures of their country, as far as thev are 
 connected therewith ; and to remove the inconve- 
 niences and disadvantages of individuals, not pos- 
 sessing an acquaintance with natural knowledge, the 
 Linnean Society, of Philadelphia, has directed the 
 undersigned committee to give this public notice, 
 that any plants, ores or any mineral substance what- 
 ever, which shall be forwarded to any member of 
 the committee, shall be examined by the botanical 
 and mineralogical departments of the society. The 
 result of the examination shall be communicated, as 
 soon as completed, to the person transmitting such 
 specimens, together with such other inlormation re- 
 lative to its nature and uses which the society can 
 impart. 
 
 Samuel Jackson, M. D. James Cutbush, Samuel 
 Benezet, M. D. Committee. 
 
 Libraries. — 1. Philadelphia Library. 
 
 " The foundation of the present library was laid 
 in the year 1731, a period when Philadelphia af- 
 forded little assistance to the inquiries of the studious. 
 A number of gendemen having raised the sum of 
 one hundred pounds, by subscription, a small library 
 was formed upon principles the best calculated to 
 disseminate knowledge : the books were noi, as in 
 many of the public libraries of Europe, confined to 
 the apartments, but the subscribers were allowed to 
 carry them home for a reasonable space o'. t.me. 
 
 The plan soon became popular ; accessions to the 
 number of members took place, and the stock of 
 books was annually increased by purchases at the 
 e c 2 
 
3Q6 riilLADELPHIA LIBRARY. 
 
 company's expense, and liberal donations from per- 
 sons both at home and abroad. 
 
 The instrument of association, signed by thirty- 
 eight members, was dated July 1, 1731. The first 
 importation of books from London, amounting to 
 forty-five pounds, fifteen shillings, sterling, arrived in 
 October 1 732. The library was first opened in a room, 
 in Jones's alley, now called Pewter-platter alley, lead- 
 ing from Second street to Front street, above High 
 street. In 1773, it was transferred to the carpentei-'s 
 hall, and in October, 1 790, it was placed in the pre- 
 sent building. 
 
 The proprietaries of Pennsylvania encouraged the 
 plan, by making several valuable donations, and 
 granting a charter of incorporation in the year 1742. 
 
 A spirit of literary improvement made its way 
 among all classes of people, and the philanthrophy of 
 the great and amiable character* who suggested the 
 plan, was gratified by traciiig the books as well into 
 the hands of the opulent, with whom literature is 
 Sometimes no more than one of the ornaments of 
 civil life, as among those to whom it renders a more 
 substantial benefit. Letters, while they employ the 
 leisure of the artist, reconcile hmi to his labour ; by 
 removing grosser relaxations, they promote his 
 health, while they enlarge his mind ; and prolong his 
 life, while they teach him to enjov it. 
 
 The respectable and intelligent characteb- 
 
 OF THE latter CLASS OF PEOPLE IN PHILADELPHIA, 
 AND ITS ENVIRONS, CANNOT BE REFERRED TO A 
 MORE PROBABLE CAUSE, THAN THE HABIT OF 
 READING PROMOTED BY THIS INSTITUTION. 
 
 The great utility and success of this measure, 
 occasioned the formation of other libraries upon si- 
 
 %. Franklim 
 
PHILADELPfflA LIBRARY. 3(i? 
 
 milar principles ; but as it appeared more conducive 
 to the interests oi literature, to be possessed of one 
 large, than of several smaller collections of books, 
 coalitions gradually took place among them, till the 
 Amicable, the Association, and the Union Compa- 
 nies were blended with " the Library Company of 
 Philadelphia," the title conferred by the charter. 
 
 Since this event, which took place in the year 
 1769, the members and the property of the company 
 have continued to increase ; the former being now 
 between five and six hundred in number. The num- 
 ber of volumes, at present, amounts to twenty thou- 
 sand and seventy-six; the selection of Avhich, has in 
 general been calculated to promote the more im- 
 portant interests of society. The stock of books is 
 continually increased by occasional donations, an- 
 nual importations, and purchases of every Ameri- 
 can production of merit. 
 
 The library received, a few years since, a consi- 
 derable accession of very valuable and costly books, 
 to the number of two thousand five hundred vo- 
 lumes, by the bequest of the late Rev. Mr. Preston, 
 rector of Chevening, in Kent, England. 
 
 Some valuable machines, an apparatus for the 
 purposes of natural philosophy, &c. and a few curi- 
 ous artificial and natural productions, also belong to 
 the company, and are deposited in their apartments: 
 the librarian attends to show them on Saturday 
 mornings, from ten to twelve o'clock : and the di- 
 rectors, on proper occasions, permit the instruments 
 to be made use of. 
 
 The shares, since August, 1793^ have been fixed at 
 forty dollars: the annual payment from each mem- 
 ber is two dollars. 
 
 A house and lot of ground, which belonged to the 
 Union Company; two lots of ground (one the ge- 
 nerous donation of the late Thomas Penn,) and se? 
 veral ground rents, constitute the real estate. 
 
304 LOGANIAN LIBRARY. 
 
 The members hold the property as tenants in 
 common, and dispose of their shares by will or deed : 
 but the assent of the directors, as well in such cases 
 as in case of an original purchase, is previously ne- 
 cessary ; a restriction early adopted, in order, as 
 much as possible, to prevent improper persons from 
 having access to a collection of a nature so liable to 
 injury. 
 
 The directors and a treasurer are annually elected 
 on the first of May, by the members ; the directors 
 appoint a secretary and librarian :" the latter has a 
 salary. The board meet monthly.* 
 
 The library is opened only in the afternoon, from 
 two o'clock till sunset; but it is hoped and expected 
 that it will be shortly kept open all day. 
 
 2. Logaman Library ^ 
 
 "Was instituted by the late James Logan, a gen- 
 tleman of considerable literature, who in the course 
 of a long life had collected a number of the most rare 
 and curious books in almost all the ancient languag- 
 es. He built a house for their reception, and by deed 
 executed in his life time, vested the house and lot, 
 together with the books and some yearly rents for 
 supporting a librarian, and occasionally increasing 
 the catalogue, in trustees for the use of the public 
 for ever ; under certain rules and regulations con- 
 tained in these instruments. Sometime afterwards 
 he cancelled this deed, and prepared another, which 
 he did not live to execute ; this unfinished instru- 
 ment varied the regulations in some respects, and 
 the funds for the purpose of the institution, but the 
 uses were the same as in the first. After his death. 
 
 Preface to Catalogue of Library. 
 
tiOGANIAN LIBRARY. 309 
 
 his children and residuary legatees, executed a deed 
 conformable to that which had been prepared by him, 
 vesting in the same trustees the whole estate intended 
 by the founder, and the books were removed to a 
 building prepared for them, arranged in order, and 
 a catalogue printed. 
 
 By the constitution, William Logan (the founder's 
 eldest son) was the first librarian, and the office was 
 made hereditary in his family, with power to execute 
 it by a deputy. The funds appointed for a librarian, 
 &c. were originally small, but issued from a very 
 improving estate ; they were so reserved as to in- 
 crease at stated periods, so as to afford a very hand- 
 some income. Till one of those periods arrived they 
 were not sufficient for the regular support of a libra- 
 rian, wherefore he attended a considerable time to 
 the duty in person. To this institution William Logan, 
 by his will, devised a very handsome library, col- 
 lected partly by himself, and partly by his uncle, the 
 late Dr. WiUiam Logan, of Bristol, in England, 
 amounting to about one thousand volumes. After his 
 death, which happened in 1776, the library was shut 
 for several years, owing to the death or absence of the 
 trustees. In 1791, James Logan, the last surviving 
 trustee named in the grant, having had several pre- 
 vious consultations with Dr. Franklin, and with a 
 number of his fellow citizens, on the subject, pre- 
 sented a memorial to the legislature, wherein he 
 stated the situation of the institution, and prayed for 
 their aid to put it in a way of answering the end in- 
 tended by his father, the founder. Whereupon, an act 
 was passed, annexing the Loganian library to that of 
 the Library Company of Philadelphia, and constitu- 
 ting the directors and their successors, for the time 
 being, together with James Logan, or his eldest male 
 heir and two trustees, whom he or his heir shall 
 appoint, trustees of the said Loganian library. It is, 
 
310 FRIENDS' LIBRARY. 
 
 however, provided, that the said books and other 
 property belonging to this institution, together with 
 such other property as may hereaiter be acquired, 
 shall be forever kept separate from the books be- 
 longing to the Library Company of Philadelphia ; 
 and that the said library shall be known by the name 
 of the Loganian Library, agreeably to the intention 
 of the donor. The house built by James Logan, has 
 been sold, and a large and commodious room built 
 adjoining the Philadelphia Library, for the purpose 
 t)f keeping the books of the Loganian Library, which 
 was opened for the benefit of the citizens, in May 
 1794. It contains 3,944 volumes. 
 
 3. Friends' Lihrarij. 
 
 The religious society of Friends, in Philadelphia, 
 have a library of about six hundred volumes, princi- 
 pally on theological subjects, by authors of various 
 denominations of professing christians. It is under 
 the care of a librarian, who gives his attendance on 
 the afternoon of every seventh day (Saturday) for 
 the delivery and receipt of books, free of expense, to 
 any respectable applicant who shall subscribe to the 
 rules. 
 
 A convenient room in the meeting house on Mul- 
 berry and Fourth streets, is appropriated as a repo- 
 sitory for the books. This collection was originally 
 commenced by the pious Thomas Chalkley, and after 
 his death, considerable additions were made to it by 
 donations, and bequests of the late Anthony Bene- 
 zett, and John Pemberton. 
 
 The Circulating Libraries of Shallus, in Third 
 near Chesnut street, and of Philips, in Third, oppo- 
 site the mansion house hotel, contain large colle(^- 
 tions of miscellaneous books. 
 
MUSEUM. 311 
 
 Museum. 
 
 This extensive collection was commenced in the 
 year 1784, by Mr. Charles Willson Peale, by pro- 
 fession a portrait painter. It was originally con- 
 tained in a frame building annexed to his dwelling 
 house, and afterwards removed to the hall of the 
 Philosophical Society. In 1802, the legislature of 
 Pennsylvania, generously granted, for the use of the 
 Museum, the upper apartments of the state house, 
 where the whole collection is now neatly arranged. 
 
 A general outline of the arrangement, and a no- 
 tice of the most interesting subjects, are all that c^n 
 be expected in a work like the present. 
 QUADRUPED ROOM. 
 
 This room contains upwards of two hundred 
 quadrupeds, mounted in their natural attitudes : the 
 larger kinds, with their names in neat frames, are 
 placed on pedestals, behind wire netting : the smaller 
 quadrupeds are in glass cases. Numerical catalogues 
 in frames over each case, state the genera to which 
 they belong, and their specific names, in Latin, 
 English and French. The Linnean classification is 
 generally adopted throughout the animal department. 
 
 Among the most remarkable of the quadrupeds, 
 are the bison, of North America, improperly called 
 buffaloe ; the broad tail sheep of Africa; the big 
 horned sheep, and the pronged horned antelope, both 
 brought by captain Lewis from the rocky mountain. 
 American elks, cougar, usually called panther; jaguar, 
 the untameable hyena, and fierce jackail ; the lama 
 or camel of South America; American buck, Ame- 
 rican wolf and foxes ; the long clawed grisly bear 
 from the Missouri, black bear ; twenty-one species of 
 Simiaor the monkey tribe; two varieties of the wild 
 cat, long and short tailed; Cayenne tyger cat, two 
 
312 MUSEUar. 
 
 Otters, American and English beaver ; hairless dog, 
 long tailed or scaly manis, jubata or great ant eater, 
 kangarou of New Holland, and American opossum 
 displaying its false pouch ; duck billed platypus 
 from New Holland ; badger ; two armadillos j the 
 beautiful and affectionate ring tailed maucauco ; 
 picary, bradj'-pus or slothj crested porcupine from 
 New Holland, some of whose quills measure eigh- 
 teen inches, and American porcupine. There are also 
 the ourang outang ; the elephant seal, twelve feet 
 six inches long ; leopard and beaver seals. Mada- 
 gascar bats, measuring four feet from tip to tip, and 
 the hooded bat. 
 
 LONG ROOM. 
 
 All the birds are in glass cases, the insides of 
 which are properly painted. These cases rising 
 twelve feet from the floor, extend the whole length 
 of the room, which is one hundred feet long, dis- 
 playing an elegant collection. 
 
 The first order, rapacious birds, begins in the 
 upper row, at the east end of the room, and extends 
 nearly to the centre : each succeeding order begin- 
 ning eastward, and extending to the west. In 
 frames over each case, the genus is first noted, their 
 species, and names in Latin, English and French, 
 referring to the numbers which are attached to each 
 species. 
 
 There are in this collection, (including many non- 
 descripts) nearly all the birds of the United States, 
 and a considerable number from South America, and 
 other parts of the world. The number exceeds one 
 thousand. The hooping crane, from the capes of 
 Delaware, the jabiru and crowned heron from 
 South America, the ostrich, the bird of Paradise: 
 Scarlet ibis, and spoon bill, from the coast of Geor- 
 gia; the pelican and long necked flamingo will par- 
 dcularly attract the attention. The sportsman will 
 
M;aSEUM. 313 
 
 here too, see ail the birds of game, both of hind and 
 water; among others, the grouse, and our bird, im- 
 properly called pheasant; the beautiful English pheas- 
 ant, and an intei*esting collection of snipes, wood- 
 cocks and plovers. 
 
 On projecting cases, between the windows, is a 
 classification of four thousand insects, in frames. 
 Those species which are too small to be examined 
 with the naked eye, are placed in microscopic 
 wheels : there are also seven cases with minerals, 
 and fossils, arranged according to Kirwan, from va- 
 rious parts of the United States, and other parts of 
 the world. Among the clays are some American 
 specimens, equal to those of which the finest porce- 
 lain is made, in China or France. At the east end 
 are several medals, some struck by congress, and 
 some by order of Joseph Sansom, esq. commemora- 
 ting events of the American revolution. There are 
 also two edible birds-nests, fi-om the East Indies. 
 
 Over the birds, in neat gilt frames, are two rows 
 of portraits, one hundred and fifteen in number, of 
 distinguished personages, painted from life, by C. 
 W. Peale and his sou Rembrandt. This collection 
 was begun in 1779, and contains manyol the heroes 
 and sages of the revolution, who contributed, by their 
 swords, their pen, or their counsel, to the attainment 
 of the liberty we now ej^joy. There is also a collec- 
 tion of portraits of distinguished French literary 
 characters, painted by Rembrandt Peale. 
 BACK ROOM. 
 
 This contains the skeleton of the mammoth, which 
 was dug up by Mr. Peale in 1801, out of a marie 
 pit in Ulster county. New York : various Indian 
 figures in their native war dresses : other Indian 
 dj-esses, and an interesting collection of their orna- 
 ments, spears, war clubs, stone hatchets, cups, pipes, 
 and utensils: idols from the Sandwich islands; the 
 Del 
 
314 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS. 
 
 sleigh in which colonel Pike travelled six hundred 
 miles, from the source of the Mississippi, drawn by- 
 two dogs ; the shoe and stocking of the Irish giant 
 O' Brian : various curious specimens of clothing 
 made from the barks of trees, by the natives of the 
 South Sea islands, and from the intestines of the 
 whale by the Indians of the N. W. Coast of Ameri- 
 ca. Ancient English bow gun ; bamboola, an in- 
 strument of music from Africa. Chinese compass 
 and dial : various mammoth teeth of both species, 
 found in different parts of the United States ; a live 
 rattlesnake, and numerous smaller articles. 
 
 There is also a figure and striking likeness in wax, 
 of the late captain Lewis, as he was dressed by a 
 Shoshone chief, in ermine skins, near the source of 
 the Missouri. 
 
 THE MARINE ROOM 
 
 Is in the third story, and contains the chama, a 
 shell, three feet long and 185 lbs. weight: a blue, 
 and hammer headed shark: sword fish, saw fish : 
 alligator fish, and paddle fish, from the western riv- 
 ers of the United States : Miami salmon and pike ; 
 dolphin ; large sun fish from the capes of Delaware ; 
 frog fish, with rows of teeth in the throat ; alligators 
 from the southern states ; a great collection of tor- 
 toises, among others the gouffer of Georgia. Nume- 
 rous snakes ; guana, N. Hoiland lizard ; skin of a 
 snake twenty-six feet long ; a neat collection of shells, 
 corals and madrepores ; the lizard of Georgia, 
 some anatomical preparations, and numerous arti- 
 cles preserved in spirits. 
 
 The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 
 
 Was founded in the year 1805, by the voluntaiy 
 association and contributions of a number of gentle- 
 men of the city of Philadelphia. It was soon alter 
 
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS. 315 
 
 incorporated by the legislature. The object of this 
 institution is to improve and refine the public taste 
 in works of art, and to cultivate and encourage our 
 native genius, by providing elegant and approved 
 specimens of the arts for imitation, and schools for 
 instruction. An appropriate building was erected in 
 Chesnut street, between Eleventh and Twelfth 
 streets, and a large building has lately been added 
 to that first erected, for the exhibition of paintings, 
 and the accommodation of the necessary schools, 
 drawing rooms, Sec. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. 
 " The character of the exterior architecture is mo- 
 dern Ionic. The front elevation consists of a marble 
 basement, four feet high, with a large flight of steps, 
 to a recessed porch eighteen feet front on the front 
 line, and ten feet. deep: the remainder of the eleva- 
 tion consists of a high principal story, and an attic 
 with cornice, parapet, freize, and neck moulding. 
 The interior consists of a principal room, two com- 
 mittee rooms, three chambers, and complete cellars 
 under the whole. The principal room is forty-six 
 feet diameter, and eighteen feet high, to the spring- 
 ing of the ceiling, which is a dome, having the sole 
 light from the centre ; the ceiling is plain, except a 
 radii of lights in stucco, around the opening, and 
 semi-circular architraves, with reversed mouldings 
 at the springing. The sides consist of eight tall pe- 
 destals, alternating with an equal number of recesses, 
 which open to stairways, or intended additional 
 rooms : these recesses also consist of a principal and 
 attic pannels or openings : over these are arches, 
 whose saffits obtrude into the dome, the effect of 
 which is novel."* 
 
 ' Port Folio, June, 1809, 
 
'U6 ..SOCIETY OF ARTISTS. 
 
 In the hall of statuary, the academy now has a fine 
 collection of casts and busts fronm the most celebrated 
 works of antiquity, consisting of about twenty-five 
 statues and a much greater number of busts. The 
 painting gallery is adorned with the two celebrated 
 jpictures ot West, " Lear in the Storm," and" Ophe- 
 lia in her madness," the property of Robert Fulton, 
 esq. besides many other valuable pictures of ancient 
 .md modern masters. 
 
 The first annual exhibition of the academy, in 
 <;onjunction with the society of artists, was made in 
 May last (1811) and consisted of above five hundred 
 productions of the fine arts, displayed with great 
 effect and taste ; the public encouragement of this 
 first effort of this sort in this country, exceeded the 
 most sanguine expectation. Two addresses have 
 been made by the president, to thg society ; and in 
 November last, (1810) the first annual discourse* 
 was delivered by Mr. Hopkinson to a very brilliant 
 and crowded audience j which proves the interest 
 our citizens take in this infant institution. After the 
 discourse the honours of the academy, &c. were 
 conferred upon several artists. 
 
 President — George Clymer. 
 
 Directors — William Tilghman, P. F. Glentworth, 
 William Meredith, Joseph Hopkinson, William 
 Rush, Samuel F. Bradford, Zaccheus Collins, 
 James Gibson, Charles J. Wister, William Poyntell, 
 Reeve Lewis, Rembrandt Peale. 
 
 Society of Artists. 
 
 In the year 1810, " the Society of Artists of the 
 United States," was formed : the immediate objects 
 of which are stated to be " to teach the elementary 
 
 For sale by Bradford and Inskeep. 
 
OLD COURT HOUSE. 31?" 
 
 principles of the arts; to encourage emulation by a 
 comparison and communication ot ideas : to correct 
 and improve the public taste by stated exhibitions, 
 and to raise a fund for the relief of such members 
 as may be rendered incapable of following their res- 
 pective professions; or in case of their death, to make 
 some provision for their families. 
 
 To carry these objects into effect, it is in the first 
 instance, proposed to select proper persons to teach 
 the first elements of the arts, and to establish a school 
 for drawing, in all its various branches ; and an an- 
 nual exhibition of the works of art,"* foreign and 
 domestic. 
 
 The President of the United States, at the request 
 of the society, has become the patron of the institu- 
 tion. 
 
 Not long after its formation, a union was effected 
 between the Society of Artists and the Academy, 
 and in May last their first exhibition took place, as 
 already stated, and continued for six weeks. 
 
 On the 8th of May, Mr. Latrobe delivered the 
 first annual address before the Society ol Artists. f 
 
 Public Butldings — Old Court House ^ in Second street. 
 
 This plain, ancient structure deserves notice on 
 many accounts. It was erected in the year 1709, in 
 the inlancy of the capital, when within a square of 
 it, the stately tenants of the forest still remained^ 
 In this building, Hamilton, Growden, Ross, Gal- 
 loAvay, Chew, Dickinson and Wiilson, commenced 
 their career, as lawyers; and Kinsey and Allen dis- 
 pensed justice from the bench. The celebrated George 
 Whitfield too, delivered his eloquent discourses 
 
 * ConstlUition of the Society of Artists,- 
 % For sule by Bradford and Inskeep, 
 D d 2- 
 
from the balcony to assembled thousands.* Thc- 
 elections oi" governor and president ol the executive 
 council, were proclaimed from the same place. 
 
 For several years past, it has been occupied by the 
 county and city commissioners, the clerks of the 
 market, and at night, by the city watch. For hall' a 
 century alter its erection, public vendues were held 
 mider the arches of the house, and in no other place 
 in the city. 
 
 State House. 
 
 Previously to the erection of the state house, the 
 legislature of Pennsylvania, held their sessions in 
 difterent private houses; the first of these was in 
 Front street, above Mulberry street, on the bank 
 side, and was recently pulled down. For many }^ ears 
 they occupied the house now in the possession of 
 Mr. John Dorsey, auctioneer, in Front street, below 
 Walnut street. In the year 1729, the legislature re- 
 solved to build a house for their particular accom- 
 jnodation, and appointed Andrew Hamilton, John 
 Kearslcy, and Thomas Lawrence, comniissioners to 
 purchase the ground, to give the plan, and to contract 
 ■with the workmen. The whole expense was not 
 quite six thousand pounds. It Avas finished in 1735, 
 and though externally plain in its structure, has a 
 venerable appearance. It was originally furnished 
 with a steeple, which was taken down about the close 
 of the revolutionary war. In this building the con- 
 gress of the United States sat during the war, before 
 
 * A gentleman, recently deceased, often mentioned that he 
 once distinctly heard Whitfield from on board a shallop at 
 Market street wharf, and that the space between -the Avharf 
 and court house was filled with people. 
 
OLD COLLEGE. 31? 
 
 the year 17*82, at which time the clamors of a few 
 soldiers for their pay, alarmed and induced them to 
 move to other places. The declaration oi indepen- 
 dence was publicly read, ;rom the steps, July 4th, 
 1776. In the same room,* that had been occupied 
 by congress, the federal convention sat, in 1787. The 
 house is now occupied by the supreme and district 
 state courts below, and Peale's Museum above. 
 
 Old College^ i?i Fourth street. 
 
 This building stands sixty -six feet back from Fourth 
 street, between High and M ■ . rry streets, and is 
 one hundred and twenty e- ;. ong, and seventy ieet 
 wide. The whole lot is o\ic h'.uidred and ninety-eight, 
 by one hundred and h.t eet. The house was ori- 
 ginally built in 1740, hy the party who lelt the first 
 Presbyterian church to join the eloquent Whitfield, 
 but it iippears, notwithstanding the zeal with which 
 they attended his early preaching, they could not 
 raise funds sufficient to pay the workmen. Thev 
 accordingly sold it to the trustees of the college in 
 1749, ior £777, 18, 11 3-4, upon condition that they 
 shall set apart a place and room ior worship, and 
 also support a free school ; giving the trustees 
 power to appoint teachers of school, and to intro- 
 duce such preachers as they may think proper, 
 so that no particular sect be fixed therein as a 
 settled congregation, and to permit the use of 
 the room set t'part for public worship, to such 
 regular ministers of the gospel, as shall sign 
 certain articles of religion annexed to the deed j 
 particularly reserving the right of' the use of the 
 building to Whitfield, whenever he should desire to 
 preach therein. This creed is contained in three folio 
 
 The east room on the first fiocr 
 
320 UNITED STATES BANK. 
 
 pages, sixteen inches long, and nine wide. It is merely 
 a detail of strict Calvinism. The property, having 
 been accepted, by the trustees, upon the above condi- 
 tions, they have not deemed themselves authorised 
 to sell the whole building ; but one half of it has 
 been disposed of to the " Union Society of Metho- 
 dists." They have also deemed themselves bound 
 by the words of the conveyance, to permit the use 
 of the room set apart for worship, to all itinerant 
 ministers who apply for the same, and to such it has 
 always been granted. It is also often occupied by 
 the various city congregations, when their own 
 places of worship are repairing, or when a colony is 
 about leaving one of the established societies, and 
 are desirous of erecting anew church. It is scarcely 
 necessary to add, that in a city which prides itself in 
 believing that religion is an affair between the Ma- 
 ker and the made, a subscription to the creed is ner 
 ver required. 
 
 United States Bank. 
 
 The building occupied by the bank of the United 
 States, was commenced in 1795, and finished in 1798. 
 It was the first public buildingever erected in Philadel- 
 phia, with portico and pillars. It is a square structure, 
 ninety-six feet in front, and seventy-two deep. The 
 east front, on Third street, consists of six columns, 
 the angle pairs being coupled. The front wall ex- 
 tends beyond the portico, on each side, in two wings, 
 and is ornamented with pilasters. The columns, 
 which are of the Corinthian order, are of marble, and 
 fluted ; the front of the building is also marble. The 
 cornice and pediment are of wood work, highly en-, 
 riched. The tympanum is decorated with the Ame- 
 rican eagle. The front is said to be nearly a copy of 
 the Dublin Exchange. The sides and rear walls are 
 
BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA. 321 
 
 «f brick, and excepting the four external walls and 
 the vaults, the entire structure is of wood. The roof 
 is covered with copper. 
 
 Bank of Pennsyhayiia* 
 
 This noble edifice is composed entirely of 
 marble from the quarries in Montgomery county. 
 The front extends fifty-one feet, and the whole build- 
 ing, including the superb porticos front and back, 
 is one hundred and twenty-five ieet in depth. The 
 design is taken from the temple of Minerva, at 
 Athens. 
 
 The principal front in Second street, is a portico, 
 of six Ionic columns, three feet in diameter each, 
 with an entablature and pediment. The front and 
 back walls have no openings except the doors. The 
 flanks are plain, without pilasters, divided into a 
 centre mass, with two recessed wings. Each of these 
 divisions has one large arched window, lighting the 
 rooms of the president, cashier, and the banking 
 room, and a pannel or window above. The west front 
 has a portico, similar to that on the east end, under 
 which is a large arch containing the west door, and 
 two windows below, and three in the upper story. 
 The entablature runs without interruption round the 
 building. The centre mass of the building rises eight 
 feet, in a plam Attic, above the entablature, and is co- 
 vered with a marble roof, in two circular stages. Some 
 of the blocks of marble, composing this roof, weigh 
 5, and some seven and a half tons. A circular cupola of 
 eight windows, and 15 feet in diameter, covered with 
 a dome, is carried up above the centre opening, and 
 assists in lighting the banking room. This room is 
 circular, and forty-five feet in diameter. Four 
 niches, nine feet wide, and seventeen feet six inches 
 high, and four equal recessed arches, containing the 
 two doors, and the windows are arranged alternately 
 
322 PHILADELPHIA BANK. 
 
 round the walls. The walls are thirty-eight feet eight 
 inches high. The ceiling is a brick pannelled dome, 
 rising only twelve feet six inches, surrounded by a 
 mai-ble dome, and covered by the cupola. The 
 height from the floor of the hall, to the ceiling of 
 the cupola, is sixty feet, eight inches. The base- 
 ment story rises five feet above the pavement, and is 
 vaulted throughout. To each portico the access is 
 by ten steps, extending the entire length of the 
 front. The stair cases are marble throughout. The 
 whole of the interior, except the counters and desks, 
 doors and floors, is incombustible. The bank is ju- 
 diciously placed about thirty feet off" from the street; 
 in front are two neat marble watch houses. The lot 
 in the rear is laid out in a grass plot, surrounded by 
 a gravel walk, and the borders filled with ornamental 
 trees and shrubs. The wall in front and rear is about 
 four feet high, mounted with an iron palisade. The 
 first stone was laid in April, 1799, and the whole 
 finished in 1801. 
 
 The above is a very inadequate description of this 
 truly noble structure, the exterior of which univer- 
 sally strikes the beholder with an idea of chaste 
 simplicity and grandeur, not seen in any building 
 in the United States; and according to the declara- 
 tion of all foreigners of taste, is not surpassed by 
 any in Europe. The architect was Mr. Latrobe, 
 now of Washington, who has in the most gratelul 
 terms, acknowledged the assistance he derived from 
 the refined taste, and judgment of Samuel M. Fox, 
 the late president of the bank.* 
 
 Philadelphia Bank^ 
 
 Situate on the south west corner of Chesnut and 
 Fourth streets, commands attention from the novelty 
 
 * Oration before the S.ociety of Artists. 
 
PHILADELPHIA BANK. 323 
 
 of its design, being the first correct specimen of the 
 style, called, improperly, the Gothic, executed in the 
 United States. 
 
 This building stands insulated, and presents its 
 principal front on Fourth street. The grounds at- 
 tached are laid out in gravelled walks and shrub- 
 bery, and terminated west by lodges for the 
 watchmen, built after the same style of the main 
 building. The whole enclosed by an iron palisade. 
 
 The plan of the banking house is a square, sixty 
 by forty-three feet. The walls are elevated on a 
 stone basement to the height of twenty-six feet, ter- 
 minated by battlements. At this elevation, the 
 building contracts, in front, to thirty-two feet, and 
 rising, forms a kind of attic or low story, fronted 
 with four buttresses, two of which are crowned 
 with marble fynials or pinnacles. 
 
 The entrance into this building is from Fourth 
 street by a flight of marble steps, through a vaulted 
 porch into the banking room. This room occupies 
 nearly the whole area of the plan, except what is 
 necessarily taken up by the money vaults and stair 
 case, and is handsomely divided into different com- 
 partments suited to the several offices of the institu- 
 tion, all lying open to the president and cashier's 
 rooms. 
 
 Every part of the building is vaulted from the 
 cellar to the roof, and rendered fire proof. The 
 banking room, which is twenty feet high, has its 
 ceiling enriched with mouldings and tracery work ; 
 ornaments of the " decorated style of building" of 
 the 14th century. 
 
 The archivaults of the president's and cashier's 
 rooms, and of the doors leading to the money vaults 
 and director's room, are terminated by the head of a 
 dog (emblem of fidelity) in the act oi guarding a pile 
 of dollars, upon which the head reclines. Four great 
 
334 COUNTY COURT HOUSE k CITY HALt. 
 
 windows with pointed arches, filled with tracery 
 work, light the banking room. 
 
 From a door leading out of this room, you enter 
 the stair case and ascend by a flight oi marlDle steps, 
 to the director's apartment oi business. This is of a 
 curious construction, being octangular in its form, 
 from the centre of which rises a beautiful clouded 
 marble column, carrying a vaulted ceiling, springing 
 in every direction of the room. The general finish 
 of this room varies a little from that below, partaking 
 somewhat of the Anglo Norman style in the round pil- 
 lars in the angles and the circular tracery, which, toge- 
 ther with the painted arch particularize the character 
 of this style. The ceiling is enriched with mouldings 
 and decorated at their intersections with I'osets, and 
 a head representing Philadelphia. Two large win- 
 dows light this apartment, decorated as those below. 
 West oi this, he the library and engraver's rooms. 
 
 The cellar or basement story is appropriated alto- 
 gether for fuel and lumber, except one apartment 
 which is occupied by the printing office. The money 
 and book vaults are very properly placed above the 
 street level, both on account oi safety and ventilation. 
 The Gothic style is preserved throughout the whole 
 building. Had the original plan been pursued, of 
 constructing this building of stone instead of brick, 
 its exterior appearance would have been much more 
 interesting, and more incharacter of the style adopted. 
 As it stands, it is a handsome structure and highly 
 ornamental to our city. 
 
 County Court House and City Hall. 
 
 The former is at the S. W. corner of Chesnut and 
 Fifth streets, and the latter, at the S. E. corner of 
 Chesnut and Sixth streets. They are plain structures. 
 In the former, the house of representatives sat be- 
 
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 32-? 
 
 low, after the removal of the government from New 
 York, and previously to its establishment at Wash- 
 ington. The senate occupied the chamber, where the 
 federal district court is now held. In the latter 
 house, the mayor's office and mayor's court are held, 
 on the first floor ; the city councils and city coni- 
 missioners sit up stairs. 
 
 Unhersitij of Pemisijhama^ 
 
 Is in Ninth street, between High and Chesnut 
 streets, and was originally built by the state of Penn- 
 sylvania, for the accommodation of the president of 
 the United States, on the removal of the temporary 
 seat of government from New York to Philadelphia. 
 President Washington, however, declined the offer 
 of it on constitutional grounds. It is about one hun- 
 dred feet front, and nearly of the same depth. After 
 remaining unoccupied for some years, it Vv-as pur- 
 chased by the trustees of the university, for the-use 
 of that institution. 
 
 The building is three stories high: the ascent is by 
 a flight of marble steps, leading into a hall contain- 
 ing the main stair case; from this hall, you enter 
 the grand vestibule which is surmounted by a dome 
 lighted by a cupola: a gallery runs round the vesti- 
 bule, and is supported by eight Corinthian columns, 
 under which are the doors leading into the lecture 
 rooms and apartments. Doors from the gallery also 
 communicate v/ith the apartments in the second 
 story. Tlie offices ai-e in the basement story. The 
 apartments are spacious, and accommodate the pro- 
 vost and vice provost, besides the classes. 
 
 Four years since, a separate building of an octan- 
 gular form, crowned by a dome, was erected to the 
 E e 
 
326 INDEPENDENT TABERNAtLK,. 
 
 ;south, but connected with the former, for the express 
 purpose of holding the medical lectures. The rooms 
 are calculated for each particular professor. 
 
 The Independent Tabernacle, 
 
 Of which the Rev. Mr. Joyce is pastor, is situate 
 up a court from Fourth street, between High and 
 Chesnut streets. It was built in the years 1805—6, 
 and with a great degree of neatness and simplicity. 
 The form of its plan is a parallelogram, terminated 
 at one end by a semi-circle, wherein stand the pulpit 
 and choir. The exterior elevation, presents a range 
 of semi-circular windows below, and a similar range 
 of spacious windows above. The galleries are shal- 
 low, and supported entirely from the wall, except 
 that fronting the pulpit, which is carried by columns. 
 The pulpit is spacious, on each side of which are 
 desks for the chief singers. The pews below, are 
 one hundred and sixty-two in number, conveniently 
 arranged, with spacious aisles. 
 
 The whole dimensions of this building from out 
 to out, are sixty by ninety feet. 
 
 The Baptist. Church, 
 
 Now erecting in Sansom or George street, above 
 Eighth street, irom the originality of its design, 
 deserves a particular description. 
 
 The plan ot this church, within, is a rotundo, ninety 
 feet diameter, surmounted by a dome, crowned with 
 alanthorn or cupola, upwards of twenty feet diameter. 
 The walls, with the dome, are elevated upwards of 
 fifty feet above the ground, built of brick, and the 
 dome constructed oi short pieces of plank, upon the 
 principle adopted in that of the Halle de Bled, at 
 Paris. From the top of the walls, three steps encir 
 
BAPTIST CHURCH. S,'7 
 
 cle the building before the swell of the dome ap- 
 pears, the rise of which is at an angle of forty-five 
 degrees. In front and r^-ar of the rotundo, square 
 projections, of sixty feet extent, come forward ; that 
 in the rear, to provide space for vestry rooms, rising 
 only one story ; that in the front, to accommodate 
 the stair cases of the galleries, rising on a marble 
 basement to the common height of the walls. 
 
 The front projection comes to the line of the street, 
 in form of wings, separated by a colonnade, and are 
 crowned by two belfries or cupolas. 
 
 The principal entrance into the church will be by a 
 flight of marble steps into an Ionic colonnade ; on 
 either hand, are doors leading to the stair cases 
 of the galleries : from this colonnade you pass 
 through a great Venetian door into the grand aisle, 
 leading direct to the baptistry and pulpit ; two other 
 aisles are to run parallel with this, and one main aisle 
 to cross the whole in the diameter of the church. At 
 the termination of all these aisles, are doors of outlet 
 from the building. The baptistry is situate in the 
 centre of the circle, in view of every part of the 
 gallery, and will be surrounded by an open balus- 
 trade, and when not in use, for the ordinance of 
 baptism, closed over by a floor to accommodate the 
 choir. 
 
 The galleries, which are described, concentric with 
 the great cnxle, circumscribe the nave of the church, 
 except in that section occupied by the pulpit, and 
 are supported by twelve columns. The pulpit, which 
 will be placed to front the grand aisle, is to be a 
 continuation of the galleries, and to come forward, 
 supported by a screen of columns. The space under 
 the pulpit to be closed and thrown into the vestry 
 rooms behind, bixt may at any time be opened, the 
 screen being constituted of folding doors. 
 
^^^ rHEATKE. 
 
 Ihe eircumierence of the building is righted bv 
 large square windows below, and a ring ot semi'- 
 circular windows above the galleries. The great 
 lanthorn oi the dome, immediately over the bantis- 
 try, ights the centre, and ventilates th(S Mhok 
 Church, bemg encircled with sashes which open and 
 shut at pleasure. The height to the apex of this laiv 
 thorn, from the floor, is upwards of fifty feet 
 
 The foot of the dome will be encompassed by a 
 broad moulded band, above which two other bands 
 will run round. The lanthorn also to Irave its soffit 
 enriched with mouldings. 
 
 The pews below will oe so disposed as to run 
 jxirallel with the transverse diameter of the room, 
 the number of which, together with those in the 
 gaUenes wdl exceed three hundred and twenty, 
 and with the public seats wiU contain, with comfort 
 upwards Of two thousand five hundred people. 
 
 rhe design of this building was furnished by Mr. 
 Mills, a pupd of Mr. Latrobe, and as the direction 
 o. the execution of his design has been wisely com- 
 mitted to him, we may anticipate that the building: 
 when finished, will do credit to his talents, and prove 
 an ornament to our cit}-. 
 
 Mr. Mills is the first American architect, rcgu- 
 larly educated to the profession, in his own country 
 
 Theatre, 
 
 The theatre was first opened in Philadelphia " by 
 a company of comedians from London," on the 15th 
 April 1754, with the '' Fair Penitent," and " Miss 
 in her Teens ;" a prologue and epilogue, written for 
 the occasion, xvere spoken by Mr. Rigby and Mrs 
 Hallam; the part of "the servant" wa^ performed 
 by the late Mr., then " Master Lewis Hallam." 
 
THEATKE. 329 
 
 Ihe placcipf exhibition had been originally built 
 for a store,, and was situate in Water street, near 
 Pine street, extending towards the Delaware. How 
 long they played there, is uncertain. They after- 
 wards erected a building expressly for their use in 
 Cedar Street, the S. W. corner of Vernon street, then 
 in the outskirts of the city. While performing here, 
 Mr. Douglass joined the corps, who after a feu- 
 years, went to Jamaica, where he was appointed 
 king's printer. At the date of their first exhibition, 
 popular prejudices were powerful against every spe- 
 cies of theatrical exhibition, and petitions were more 
 than once presented to the legislature, to put a stop 
 to them. The synod of the Presbyterians, in a general 
 convocation, July 1759, also lent the aid of their in- 
 fluence against the theatre, by petitions to the go- 
 vernor, and to the legislature, which were published ; 
 and a few days after, the theatrical corps announced 
 for exhibition, the " Tragedy of Douglass, by the 
 Rev. Mr. Home, minister of the kirk of Scotland.'' 
 
 Sometime before the revolutionary war, the theatre 
 in Cedar street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, 
 was erected by the elder Mr. Hallam and the 
 late Mr. Henry. Before the commencement of hos- 
 tilities the whole corps embarked for Jamaica, where 
 they remained until after the peace, when they again 
 returned to this country ; but a law of the state pre- 
 vented their performing for several years. In 1793, 
 Mr. Wignell, who formerly belonged to the old 
 company, arrived with a number of excellent per- 
 formers, from England, who commenced their career 
 the following winter, in the New Iheatre, in Ches- 
 nut street, which had been recently built by a com- 
 pany upon a tontine principle. 
 
 It is but justice to say, that, whenever required, 
 the proprietors of the theatre have cheerfully lent 
 their assistance in promoting any undertaking for 
 
330 THEATRE 
 
 the public good, and that occasionalljd the interest 
 of religion has been promoted by their ]|eneiactions ; 
 but the poor, the public charitable institutions for 
 medical relief, and those for gratuitous education, 
 nay the afRicted, whether from fire or pestilence, in 
 other cities of the union, have on numerous occasions 
 received the benefit of their voluntary labours. 
 
 The theatre in Chesnut, near Sixth street, was 
 founded in the year 1791; and enlarged and im- 
 proved, as it now stands, in 1805. It presents a hand- 
 some front on Chesnut street, of ninety feet, includ- 
 ing two wings, of fifteen feet each. The centre 
 building is ornamented with two spirited and well 
 executed figures, of tragedy and com.edy,* on each 
 side of a great Venetian window, over which, in two 
 circular tablets, are emblematical insignia. The top 
 of this centre building is crowned by a pediment. 
 The wings, opened by large windov/s, recede a little 
 from the front, above, but project below, twelve feet, 
 to the line of the street, faced with maible ; these 
 pavilions are decoi-ated by emblematic figures, in ta- 
 blets, and connected together by a colonnade of ten 
 fancy Corinthian columns. The extreme depth of the 
 theatre is one hundred and thirty-four feet ; the in- 
 terior is judiciously and handsomely arranged. In 
 the wings are the green room, dressing rooms, scene 
 rooms, &c. Through the projecting wings or pavi- 
 lions, you pass to the stairs of the galleries ; under 
 the colonnade, the left hand door leads to the pit, 
 but to the boxes you ascend in front, by a flight of 
 marble steps, enter the lobby and pass to the corri- 
 dors, which communicate with all the boxes. Those 
 in front of the stage are disposed in lorm of an am- 
 phitheatre; the seats of the whole, with those of the 
 
 • By Rush. 
 
emeus. 331 
 
 pit and galler}', are arranged so as to give the spec- 
 tator the greatest advantages. 
 
 The stage occupies a front between the boxes of 
 thii'ty-six feet, and runs back upwards of seventy- 
 one feet. Over the stage, occupying part of the en- 
 tablature and plafond of the front scene, is an em- 
 blematic representation of America, encouraging the 
 drama, under which are the words, " For useful 
 mirth, and salutary woe." 
 
 The fronts of the lodges or boxes, together with 
 the ceiling, arc handsomely gilt and decorated, hung 
 with corresponding drapery between the columns. 
 The scenery of the stage is well arranged, and calcu- 
 lated both in execution and design to produce the 
 best effect. 
 
 For convenience, comfort and elegance of ar- 
 rangement, few theatres of the size, any where, can 
 vie with this. 
 
 This theatre is computed to hold about two 
 thousand persons, of which number nine hundred 
 may be accommodated in the boxes. 
 
 The Circus, now the Olympic Theatre, 
 
 Of Messrs. Pepin and Brechard, which stands on 
 the corner of Walnut and Ninth streets, was built in 
 the year 1809. The dimensions, eighty feet on Wal- 
 nut, by one hundred feet on Ninth street. Within, it 
 was circular, seventy-five feet diameter, including the 
 seats, and fifty-four feet, including the area of the 
 riding course. Every office, connected with the cir- 
 cus, was under this roof. Within the present year the 
 building has undergone great improvements and ad- 
 ditions ; the design of which is, the connection of a 
 theatre with the cii'cus, similar to Sadler's Wells, in 
 London, wherein pantomimes, Olympic exercises, 
 
Qd2 MASONIC HALL. 
 
 and such other entertainments as are adapted to this 
 species of amusement, are represented. The riding 
 course will remain as it is, and from the termination 
 of the amphitheatre, a straight line ot boxes pro- 
 ceed, till they intersect the stage. This stage has a 
 spacious front, without the avant scene, of fifty-lour 
 feet, equal to the diameter of the circus. The or- 
 chestra lies between the stage and riding course, on 
 each side of which is a door way from under the 
 stage, for the introduction of the riders into the cir- 
 cus. The additions to the original building make 
 the whole depth equal to one hundred and forty feet. 
 
 The entrance into the circus is by Walnut street. 
 The pit is on a level with the riding course ; the 
 lodges or boxes are on a level with the stage — a cor- 
 ridor, or passage, communicates with all of them. 
 On this floor are rooms for refreshments ; above the 
 boxes are the galleries, part of which is allotted to 
 an upper tier of boxes. 
 
 The performances at the circus, are highly enter- 
 taining. It is difficult to conceive of greater feats of 
 agility than are exhibited by the performers. The 
 new arrangements will render the exhibitions more 
 interesting and diversified. 
 
 Masonic Hall. 
 
 This spacious and elegant building is situate in 
 Chesnut, between Seventh and Eighth streets. The 
 lot is one hundred and one feet, seven inches in front, 
 on Chesnut street, extending in depth one hundred 
 and seventy-six feet, to a new twenty feet street, 
 which has been opened in the rear of the lot. 
 
 The building is placed about the centre of the lot 
 so as to afford a handsome area in front, laid out in 
 walks, skirted with grass and shrubbery, enclosed 
 
MASONIC hall;. • o3o 
 
 by a dwarf wall, surmounted by an iron palisade, and 
 having two Gothic gates oi the same material attached 
 to white marble pillars, capped with Gothic pinnacles, 
 (corresponding with those hereafter mentioned) on 
 the summit of the wall. 
 
 The front of the building is eighty-two feet, and its 
 depth, sjxty-nine feet ; its height, to the top of the 
 rooi, seventy feet, and from thence to the top of the 
 spire, including the vane, eighty feet. It is of brick, 
 designed in the Gothic style, having in front, four 
 marble buttresses, of four feet in breadth, extending 
 from a basement, four feet high, to the roof, and 
 capped with pinnacles. In these buttresses are two 
 niches, eight feet in height, and two and a half feet 
 wide, finished with tracery. There are eight win- 
 dows, fourteen by six feet, with an elegant central 
 window, over the entrance, eleven by eighteen feet. 
 
 The ascent to the principal story is by a 
 flight of marble steps, seventeen feet long, sup- 
 ported between two cheek blocks, four feet in 
 height and five feet in breadth : the ornaments on 
 which are the admired quarter foil pannel, sur- 
 mounted by iron lamp-pleds, of a construction agree- 
 ing with the style of the building. The door way and 
 vestibule are enriched with appropriate ornaments : 
 over the door, the larg« window is conspicuously and 
 beautifully disposed, beneath a regular ox-eye arch. 
 The internal arrangement of the hall exhibits an admi- 
 rable union oi beauty and convenience. The vestibule, 
 twenty-nine by twelvefeet, is finished in superior 
 style, and conducts to the great room on the principal 
 floor, which is seventy-eight feet long by th;rty-six 
 feet wide; the ceiling (highly ornamented in stucco,) 
 twenty-two feet in height: the centre, spandriUs and 
 soffits are very beautihd. The music gallery m at the 
 eastern end. On this floor are two other neatly finish- 
 
3S4 MASONIC HALL, 
 
 ed apartmentSj one of them twenty-two by thirty- 
 three feet, and the other seventeen by thirty-three 
 feet. The division of the height of the first sto- 
 ry in the southern part of the building into two 
 parts, furnishes two other conitnodious rooms, im- 
 mediately over, and of the same dimensions as those 
 just mentioned. The ascent to the second story is 
 through a spacious hall, to which there are entrances 
 from the east and west sides of the building, as well 
 as the front, by a geometrical stair case with maho- 
 gany hand rail, supported by a neat balustrade of curl- 
 ed maple. 
 
 The northern division of the second story is ap- 
 propriated to the accommodation of the grand lodge, 
 and the stated meetings of the subordinate lodges, 
 and consists of one splendid room, sixty feet in 
 length by thirty-six feet four inches in breadth, with 
 various adjoinmg apartments, adapted to the business 
 of the institution. This room is finished in a style of 
 superior elegance, and the furniture and decorations 
 are uncommonly splendid. They are probably not 
 surpassed by those of any similar society. 
 
 The southern part of the second story is divided 
 into a banqueting room, thirty-six by twenty ieet ; a 
 room for the accommodation, more especially of the 
 several chapters of royal arch masons, twenty-nine 
 by thirty-six feet ; and several smaller apartments.- 
 The chapter room is fitted up and furnished in a 
 style of equal splendour and beauty, though of dissi- 
 milar character ot architectural decorations and in- 
 signia, with the grand lodge room, combined with 
 every peculiar convenience required by that interest- 
 ing degree of the order. 
 
 This edifice is undoubtedly a considerable addi- 
 tion to the many rapid improvements in architec- 
 ture^ which have taken place in this city, within a 
 
Cl.TY HOSPITAL 'ili? 
 
 few years past, and is highly honourable to the laud- 
 able zeal and enterprize of the respectable society 
 who are its proprietors. The addition of its beautiful 
 spire took place on the suggestion of several res- 
 pectable citizens, who regretted our deficiency in an 
 article of embellishment so essential to the beauty 
 of a great city. 
 
 The City Hospital^ 
 
 Situate on the west side of Schuylkill Fourth 
 street, near the intersection of Francis's Lane, in 
 West Northern Liberties, was erected for the re- 
 ception Oi patients, from the city and vicinity, labour- 
 ing under malignant fever. This spacious and exten- 
 sive range of buildings was commenced by a former 
 board of health in 1807, and i-ecently completed by 
 the present, and consists of a mansion house, fiity feet 
 front by forty two feet deep, and three stories in 
 height ; with wings running east and west, each, one 
 hundred and eight feet long, by twenty-two feet 
 deep, and two stories high ; with a piazza twelve 
 feet broad, extending the whole length, enclosed 
 with Venetian blinds, so constructed as to admit or 
 exclude air and light as occasion may require. The 
 mansion house contains twenty rooms, and the 
 wings thirty-six ; exclusive or cellars and garrets. 
 The rooms, generally speaking, are judiciously plan- 
 ned ior the comfort and accommodation oi patients ; 
 water is admitted into each room by means of pipes, 
 communicating with a reservoir supplied by a pump. 
 Pure air can be admitted into the rooms by ventila- 
 tors, and impure air discharged. Four or five hun- 
 dred patients, it is presumed, may be conveniently 
 accommodated, exclusive of the room necessary for 
 a steward, physician, and the requisite attendants. 
 
j36 LITERAUY CHARACTERS, 
 
 The buildings front the south, and are sufliciently 
 near the city to admit of the safe and convenient 
 removal of the sick. 
 
 When selecting a site for so useful and necessary 
 an institution, as a city hospital, it is much to be 
 regretted that a more elevated situation was not 
 chosen, commanding a view of the city : it might 
 then have been ranked among the ornamental build- 
 ings in its vicinity, and would also have been equally 
 convenient and free of access, as the present. 
 
 Public officers, in erecting permanent structures, 
 ought always to consider, that the credit of a coun- 
 try is connected with the taste and situation of the 
 public buildings, and when the purposes to which 
 they are to be applied will admit, attention ought 
 always to be paid to both. 
 
 Literary Characters. 
 
 Births. Deaths. 
 
 I(i74_1751. James Logan. Classical and Oriental 
 Literature, Law, Politics, Botany. 
 Thomas Makin. Latin Description of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 1701 — 1777. John Bartram. Botany. 
 
 1702 — 1764. Gilbert Tennant. Sermons. 
 
 1705 — 1779. Francis Allison, D. D. Classical Li- 
 terature, Divinity. 
 
 1706 — 1790. Benjamin Franklin. Natural Philo- 
 sophy, Politics. 4 vols, of his works 
 have been recently published by 
 Wm. Duane, of Philadelphia. 
 
 171-2 Ebenezer Kinnersley, Natural Philo- 
 
 sophy.* 
 
 * See Franklin's Experiments and Observations on Electricity. 
 London 1/69. In this work Dr. Franklin makes acknowledg- 
 ments to his friends, Thomas Hopkinson, Philip Syng and 
 others, for their assistance and hints. 
 
LITEKARY CHAUACTERS 
 
 •337 
 
 Sirliis. Deaths. 
 1722 — 1793. 
 1722 — 1808. 
 1728—1803. 
 
 1732—1803. 
 
 1732 — 1796. 
 1735—1789. 
 1736 — 1763. 
 1738—1791, 
 
 1742—1767. 
 1742—1798. 
 
 1791. 
 1755 — 1795. 
 
 1793. 
 1739—1798. 
 1777—1804. 
 1734—1808. 
 
 1809. 
 
 1810. 
 
 James Sproat. Sermons. 
 
 John Redman, M. D. Medicine. 
 
 Wm. Smith, D. D. Sermons, Astro- 
 nomy. His works in 2 vols, were 
 published last year by his son 
 Charles. 
 
 John Ewing, D. D. Mathematics, 
 Astronomy, Natural Philosophy. 
 His lectures on Natural Philosophy, 
 have been published in 1 vol. 8vo. 
 
 David Rittenhouse. Astronomy. 
 
 John Morgan, M. D. Medicine. 
 
 Thomas Godfrey.* Poetry. Plays. 
 
 Francis Hopkinson. Law. Miscella- 
 neous Literature. Works in 3 vols. 
 8vo. 
 
 Nath. Evans. Poetry. 
 
 James Wilson. Law Lectures. His 
 works are published in 3 vols. 8vo. 
 
 Lewis Evans. Map ot the Middle 
 Colonies. Analysis of the same. 
 Published 1755. 
 
 Nicholas Scull. Map of Pennsylvania. 
 Published 1759. 
 
 Peter Markoe. Poetry. 
 
 Wjn. Bradford. Inquiry how far the 
 punishment of death is necessary 
 in Pennsylvania, 1793. 
 
 Wm.Waring. Mechanical Philosophy. 
 
 Jacob Duche. Sermons. 2 vols. 
 
 John B. Linn. Poetry. Theology. 
 
 J. Dickinson. Politics. Works in 2 vols. 
 
 James Stewart, M. D. Medicine. 
 
 Charles B. Brown. Miscellaneous 
 Literature. 
 
 • Son of Thomas Godfrey, inventor of tlie quadrant, called 
 ITadley's quadrant. • 
 
 r f 
 
33S PUBLIC BENEFACTORS. 
 
 Franlilbi's Legacy. 
 
 Dr. Franklin left one thousand pounds sterling to 
 the corporation of the city/for the purpose oi loaviing 
 *' to such young married artificers, under the age ot 
 twenty-five years, as have served an apprenticeship 
 in the city, and faithtully fulfilled the duties required 
 in their indentures." Two sureties are required to 
 sign a bond, with the applicant, for the repayment of 
 the money ; the sums are to be proportioned by the 
 discretion of the managers ; but none are to exceed 
 ^60, nor to be less than ^15 to each applicant. In 
 order to serve as many as possible in their turn, as 
 well as to make the repayment of the principal bor- 
 rowed, more easy, each borrower is required to 
 pay, with the yearly interest, one tenth part oi the 
 principal, which sum of principal and interest, shall 
 be again lent out to fresh borrowers. The interest is 
 to be at the rate of five per cent, that is, one per cent, 
 lower than the interest as established by law. The 
 corporation of the city were intrusted with the fund, 
 and requested to undertake the management of it ; 
 and agreeably to the desire of the donor, it has been 
 regularly loaned, and, at the present time, has in- 
 creased to more than double the original sum. The 
 following is the last statement of this fund, by the 
 city treasurer. 
 
 Amount of interest at five per cent on obli- 
 gations, on 31st December, 1810, S9,063 00 
 Balance in the treasury, 483 80 
 
 9,546 80 
 
 Deduct amount of the legacy, originally 
 
 one thousand pounds, sterling, 4,444 44 
 
 Increase of the legacy on 31st December, 
 
 1810, • 5,102 36 
 
PUBLIC BEXEFACTOUS. 3jy 
 
 The principle that actuated the benevolent deviser 
 of the legacy was certainly highly praiseworthy^ 
 viz. the " assistance of young married artificers in 
 setting up their business ;" and originated froni 
 what occurred to himscil'. '' I have considered," he 
 remarks, " that among artizans, good apprentices, 
 are most likely to make good citizens, and havmg 
 myself been bred to a manual art, pruning, in my 
 native town, and afterwards assisted to set up my 
 business in Philadelphia, by kind loans of money 
 from two friends there, which was the foundation of 
 my fortune, and of all the utdily in life, that may 
 be ascribed to me : 1 wish to be useful even alter my 
 death, if possible, in forming and advancing other 
 young men, that may be serviceable to their coun- 
 try." 
 
 At the end of one hundred years, if not done 
 before, one hundred thousand pounds of the capital 
 is to be employed in bringing the waters of the 
 Wissahickon creek into the town, so as to supply 
 the inhabitants. He also recommends making the 
 Schuylkill completely navigable. At the end of the 
 second hundred years, four millions, sixty-one thou- 
 sand pounds are to be divided between the inhabi- 
 tants of the city of Philadelphia, and the govern- 
 ment of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Two thousand pounds were left by Dr. Franklm 
 to the town of Boston, his native place, for purposes 
 similar to the above. 
 
 Private Provision for the Poor, 
 
 In p. 292, is given an account of the public provision 
 for the support of the poor of the city and county, 
 who are incapable of earning their living, by reason 
 of age, or chronic disability, or who are sick and 
 unable to pay for medical .relief ; there is also relief 
 
.^40 rUBLIC BENEFAOTORb. 
 
 of other natures provided for them, owing to the 
 bounty of uidividuals. 
 
 1. *' The Fund for supplying the Necessitous Poor 
 of the City of Philadelphia with Fuel," consists of 
 the following species ol stock, viz. 
 
 One thousand nine hundred and thirty-two dollars 
 eighty-eight cents oi 3 per cent, stock oi the United 
 States. This stock was purchased by the proceeds 
 of a periorniance in horsemanship, at the Old Circus, 
 by the late Mr. Ricketts. 
 
 Four shares ol stock of the bank of Pennsylvania. 
 This stock is a part of the proceeds of the old free 
 masons lodge, in Lodge Alley, on part of the lot 
 now occupied by the bank of Pennsylvania, and was 
 sold under an act of the legislature of Pennsylvania, 
 of 6th September, 1785.* 
 
 Fifty shares of water loan. 
 
 Twenty-seven of said shares were produced by a 
 legacy of one thousand pounds, given by the late 
 John Bleakley, esq. b)^ his will, dated 19th April, 
 1802, to the corporation of the city of Philadelphia, 
 as a fund to procure fuel during the winter season, 
 &c. and the remaming 
 
 Twenty -three shares %vere produced by the sum of 
 two thousand two hundred and seventy-eight dollars 
 fifty-nine cents, being the residuary legacy ol Eli- 
 zabeth Kearkpatrick,f which she bequeathed to the 
 said corporation lor the benefit of the poor. 
 
 The annual proceeds oi said stock is as iollows, viz. 
 Interest on Sl932, 88, of 3 per cent. $57 96 
 
 Dividends on the 4 bank shares, 128 
 
 Interest on the 50 shares w^ater loan, 300 
 
 S485 96 
 
 * See p. 29a. 
 
 f I'he widow of a house carpenter. 
 
PUBLIC BENEFACTORS. 5i4l 
 
 The above is distributed amongst the poor of the 
 city, in wood. 
 
 2. " The Fund, to relieve those who may be re- 
 duced to the necessity or being placed in the City 
 Hospital, during the existence oi the Yellow Fever,'' 
 consists of the following stock, viz. 
 
 Twenty seven shares of water loan v/ere produced 
 by a legacy of one thousand pounds, which the late 
 John Bleakley, esq. by his will, dated 19th April, 
 1802, gave to the corporation of the city of Philadel- 
 phia, to establish a fund under the above name. 
 
 During the yellow fevers oi 1803 and 1805, the 
 interest on the above stock was paid over to the 
 board of health. 
 
 The city having, providentially, had no visitation 
 of the yellow fever since 1805, the interest which 
 accrued on the above stock was, in the beginning of 
 1811, directed by the councils to be invested in 
 stock ; and it procured eight shares of water loan. 
 
 So that said fund now consists of thirty-five shares 
 of water loan, giving an annual interest of two hun- 
 dred and ten dollars. 
 
 Among the distinguished benefactors of Phila- 
 delphia, the late John Keble stands conspicuous, 
 he having left a very large sum in the hands of the 
 episcopal ministers oi Philadelphia, to be distributed 
 to pious and charitable purposes, according to their 
 judgment. 
 
 Mr. Keble was indebted to the charity of the 
 " Blue Coat Hospital ot London," sor his education. 
 He arrived in this country very young, and was ior 
 a long series o: years a clerk in the land office of 
 Pennsylvan a. This situation lUrnished him with the 
 opportunity ol acquirmg land upon advantageous 
 terms, and o) selling again to a profit to the Uu-ge 
 speculators, at the time when the land mania pre- 
 vailed. His expenses being but small, and his in- 
 F f 2 
 
342 PUBLIC BENEFACTORS. 
 
 dustry unceasing, he accumulated a very large for- 
 tune. By his marriage he acquired some propert) , 
 which he by will bequeadied among his wife's rela- 
 tions. The residue o his estate, except some trifling 
 legacies, he left to the trustees before-mentioned. 
 
 The distribution Avas as follows: 
 To the contributors oi the Pennsylvania 
 
 hospital, - _ _ S20,800 
 
 To the Philadelphia dispensary, - 16,812 94 
 
 To the Magdalen Society, - - 14,580 78 
 To the Welsh Society, - - 3,077 74 
 
 To the Humane Society, - - 2,218 50 
 
 To the Society ior the Relief of Poor 
 and aged Members of the German Lu- 
 theran Congregation in the City of 
 Philadelphia, &c. - - 1,075 
 
 To the Pennsylvania Society for the 
 
 abolition oi Slavery, &c. - 1,096 
 
 To the Philadelphia Society ("or the Es- 
 tablishment and Support ot Charity 
 Schools, - - - 3,184 50 
 
 To the Hibernian Society for the Relief 
 
 o. Emigrants irom Ireland, &c. - 3,127 94 
 To the G' rman Society contributing for 
 
 the Relie; oi distressed Germans, &c. 3,271 94 
 To the Society ior the Reliei Oi Poor and 
 
 distressed Masters o. Ships, &c. 5,335 50 
 
 To the Society ior the Institution and 
 
 Support OI Sunday Schools, &c. - 2,198 
 To the Scots Thistle Society, - 3,349 17 
 
 To the University Oi Penns}lvania, - 7,413 83 
 To the Academy of the Protestant Epis- 
 copal Church, in the city of Philadel- 
 phia, - . . _ 15,057 63 
 To the Philadelphia French Benevolent 
 
 Society, - = , . 704 64 
 
 56103,114 11 
 
TOURS IN THE VICINITY. 343 
 
 The late William Carter, and Petty, two 
 
 of the early inhabitants of Philadelphia, left one hun- 
 dred dollars each, to be laid out in bread, to be an- 
 nually distributed to the poor of the city, by the 
 board of guardians. An additional provision for a 
 supply oi bread to the poor, arises from a donation 
 of the late John Thompson, of two hundred dollars, 
 which sum is to be equally divided every year be- 
 tween the " Female Society for the employment of 
 the poor ;" and the "• Female Hospitable Society." 
 
 The following was omitted to be noticed among 
 the charitable societies : 
 
 Society for Promoting- Vaccination among the Poor, 
 
 On the 10th of March, 1809, a number of persons 
 had a meeting, and declared by die 'ollowing minute, 
 " That the object of their assembling, was to consider 
 o; the expediency oi establishing a society "or pro- 
 moting vaccination, a preventive of the small pox, 
 especially among the poorer class of society." On 
 the 29th ol the same month, a constitution was pro- 
 posed and adopted, which provides .or the appoint- 
 ment of an acting committee ov twelve members, a 
 clerk, treasurer, and six physicians ; it also directs 
 that each individual admitted into membership shall 
 pay two dollars, and an annual subscript on. 
 
 The members of the society are d.vided into com- 
 mittees, and suitable districts oi the city and liber- 
 ties, being assigned to them, it is their duty to seek 
 for objects recognised by the association, and report 
 them to the physicians, who call at their respective 
 dwellings, and vaccinate them iree of expense. 
 
 The physicians are paid b)^ the society or their 
 professional services. The association is encouraged 
 
344 TOURS IN THE VICINITY. 
 
 to persevere in its labours, having already had about 
 three thousand persons vaccinated. 
 
 Tours in the Vicinity of Philadelphia. 
 
 No city in the United States affords so many di- 
 versified rides in its immediate vicinity, as Phil»a- 
 delphia. Almost every street leads to a new route, 
 which after a short distance, is crossed by other 
 roads that lead back to the city, so that the ride 
 may at any time be shortened at pleasure, without 
 the necessity of returning by the same route that yoU 
 took when going out. 
 
 The following tours are in particular worth notice. 
 
 Proceeding down Fifth street, you enter the Pas- 
 syunk road, and pass numerous gardens that supply 
 the Philadelphia markets with vegetables ; and se- 
 veral cross roads that lead to the Gloucester point 
 road, and to the lower bridge on Schuylkill. At the 
 distance oi about three miles, by turning off to the 
 leit at the " Blue ball tavern," you come to the lux- 
 uriant meadows of Schuylkill point or Greenwich, 
 where a practical farmer, or an amateur, will be 
 highly gratified by viewing grass fields, in the high- 
 est possible state of cultivation, and covered with 
 noble cattle. These meadows ibrm the neck of land 
 between the Delaware and Schuylkill, the inroads of 
 which, on the exposed part, are deiended by a strong 
 bank, -aced with stone.* 
 
 Returning :rom those charming fields, to the main 
 road, we pass many natural meadows, extending to 
 the Schuvlkill, upon crossing which, we land on State 
 island. Turning the eye to the left, on the Delaware 
 
 * The owners of those meadows are incorporated by law, and 
 S<fj)port the banks out of a common fund. 
 
TOURS IN THE VICINITY. '34S 
 
 shore, we see two rows of buildings, part of which 
 were erected at an early period, and used until 1801, 
 as a lazaretto, for the reception of sick persons ar- 
 riving from sea. Here the peaceable French settlers 
 from Nova Scotia, were landed, and accommodated 
 for some time, after being cruelly shipped off, r.nd 
 their settlement destroyed, by an English naval 
 force, about the year 1756. To the south east and 
 beyond these buildings, the flag at Fort Mifflin is 
 seen. Persons desirous of viewing that interesting 
 spot, may readily find a conveyance by inquiring 
 at the ferry tavern. State island is the great resort 
 of snipes and woodcocks, and on that account much 
 frequented by our sportsmen. 
 
 Proceeding down through an immense extent of 
 meadows, equal in richness and produce to any in 
 the world, for about a mile and a half, the load 
 turns off to the right, and comes out at the " Blue 
 bell inn," on the Chester road,* or if a greater extent 
 of ride be desired, after having proceeded along the 
 right hand road a small distance, the first road to the 
 left, at the south end of" Boon's dam," may betaken; 
 this leads through extensive natural meadows to Darby 
 creek. The distance is about five miles, and the road 
 level. In sight of the creek, on the Delaware, are the 
 new Lazaretto, and the buildings connected with, 
 that establishment. Ci'ossing the creek, in a scow, 
 you come shortly into the southern post road, at the 
 eleven mile stone ; turning to the leTt, you are with- 
 in iour miles of the town of Chester. At the first 
 creek, from the turn off, on this road, is the tan yard 
 of Messrs. M'llvains, where the curious may see 
 the various manipulations in tanning leather, per- 
 
 * The spade and shovel manufactory, at the Bell, will afford 
 amusement to those who have not seen the process of making; 
 thgse common tools- 
 
546 TOURS IN THE YICINITY 
 
 formed by means of mechanical contrivances, which 
 greatly diminish the labour of the process. 
 
 Chester is the seat of justice of Delaware county, 
 and in the early settlement of the province was a 
 place of considerable note. The Swedes who first 
 settled in the town and adjacent land, named it 
 " Upland," after a province in their own country. 
 It was here that the first English settlers landed, and 
 that Penn assembled the first representatives, and 
 held the first court of justice. The house, in which 
 the legislature sat, was standing a few years since. 
 
 In the church yard, upon the back of a dark stone, 
 raised beneath au old elm, is the following inscrip- 
 tion. 
 
 In Barbarian bondage 
 
 And cruel tyranny 
 For ten years together 
 I served in slavery 
 After this mercy brought mc 
 To my country fair 
 At last I drowned was 
 In river Delaware. 
 On the other side is the following inscription r 
 For 
 The memory of Francis Brooke 
 who died August the 19th 
 1704 
 Aged 50 years. 
 If a more distant excursion, or a view of the cele- 
 brated flour mills on Brandywine, be desirable, the 
 main road to Wilmington may be taken. The mills 
 are thickly placed on each side the stream ; and at 
 one, or more of them, may be seen the various ope- 
 rations of the manufacture of flour, from the hoisting 
 up of the grain from the shallop, to the packing of 
 the flour in a barrel, performed by the ingenious ma,- 
 
TOURS IN THE VICINITY. 347 
 
 cTiinery of our countryman, and self taught genius, 
 Oliver Evans. 
 
 Proceeding to the westward, by way of High 
 street, the first object that strikes the attention is the 
 bridge, over the Schuylkill ; designed by that origi- 
 nal and self taught genius Timothy Palmer, of 
 Newburyport.* From the middle of this bridge, es- 
 pecially it the tide be up, the eye will be gratified by 
 a fine prospect of both shores, some handsome 
 country seats being on the bank, and the land agree- 
 ably undulated : the United States arsenal is seen in 
 a south-eastern direction, distant about two miles. 
 Proceeding over the river, and ascending the hill, we 
 come to the board-yard of Messiss. M'llvains, where a 
 few minutes may be agreeably passed away in view- 
 ing an expeditious contrivance to dress shingles, by 
 knives fixed in a wheel, which is connected with a 
 shaft, and turned by a horse. A man and boy will 
 readily dress, carry out and pile away two thousand 
 in a day, but by attaching the works to a water 
 wheel, the same hands could finish three thousand 
 shingles daily. Two sets of hands might be employed 
 on the same machine. The turnpike, leading to Lan- 
 caster, takes to the right : the road due west, leads 
 through the village of Hamilton, in sight, to West 
 Chester, distant twenty-three miles. 
 
 The great southern post road passes to the left : 
 proceeding down it, you have a fine view of the cityj 
 and on the right are seen the progressive inclosures 
 and improvements of land, which, alter the woods 
 had been cut down, was suffered to grow up into a 
 thicket, almost impenetrable, until the recent sale of 
 the lots ; and in a few years the land will be covered 
 
 * For a particular account of the bridge, see the Memoirs of 
 the Agricultural Society, Philikdelphia. Vol. L 
 
3i8 TOURS IN THE! VICINITt, 
 
 with the boxes of the citizens, whose avocatiofis 
 ma)^ not permit a more distant retreat from the heat 
 ef the town. 
 
 At the distance of about a mile, is the " Wood- 
 lands," the elegant seat of William Hamilton, esq. 
 to which every genteel stranger has ready access. 
 Here every thing will be seen, that can charm the 
 eye, or gratify the admirer of rural scenery, the man 
 of taste, the botanist, or lover of fine arts. 
 
 About two miles down the same road, a white 
 gate, on the left, points out the entrance to the bo- 
 tanic garden of Mr. Bartram, which was begun about 
 eighty-three years since, by John Bartram, and con- 
 tains about eight acres. From the house there is a 
 gentle descent to the river Schuylkill ; from the bank 
 oi which a fine prospect opens ot that river, and of 
 rich meadows up and down on both sides. The De- 
 laware is also seen at a distance. The gai'den con- 
 tains many of the tall southern forest trees, which 
 have been successively introduced by the father, or 
 his son William, and have been naturalized, among 
 which the ioUowing deserve particular notice. 
 
 Cupressus disticha, bald cypress ; Pinus palustris, 
 long leaved pme; Magnolia auriculata ; M.tripetala; 
 M. grandiflora. Franklinea Alatamaha, (Esculus pa- 
 via, (E. flava, horse chesnut; besides many shrubs of 
 great beauty and excellence : of ail which supplies 
 may be had. li the ride be continued to Chester, a 
 stop may be made at the " Plough Inn," about three 
 miles below Darby, irom which place there is a 
 charming prospect in clear weather, of the Delaware, 
 and the intermediate fields. 
 
 North Eastern Route. 
 
 Passing up Front street as far as the hay scales^ 
 take the right hand road, and crossing the tu/npike, 
 Qeading to Frankford, Bristol, &c.) you ride on the 
 
TOURS IN THE VICINITY, 349 
 
 bank of the Delaware through Kensington, called 
 Shakamexunk by the natives ; here, in addition to the 
 pleasing spectacle which is exhibited, of ship build- 
 ing, m all the various stages, you are gratitied with 
 a fine view of the harbour of Ph'ladeiphia; and of 
 the village of Camden and Cooper's ferry, on the op- 
 posite shore. It was here too, tradition tells us, that 
 William Penn iormed his first treaty with the 
 Indian natives, in 16S2: the stump of a venera- 
 ble elm tree, (blown down March 3, 1810,) the 
 branches ol which is said to have formed a canopy for 
 the peaceful counsellors, may yet be seen on the 
 bank, (immediately in front of a singularly con- 
 structed, and ancient edifice) the only frail memorial 
 to designate the spot where that primitive, and ce- 
 lebrated negociation was conducted. 
 
 Leaving the river, you go to what is called the 
 Point no Point road, passing the glass house, on 
 the right; and in addition to extensive market gar- 
 dens, and several handsome summer retreats, you 
 cannot lail to be mterested by beholding a range of 
 meadow, three mdes long, banked in irom the Dela- 
 ware, on which herds of cattle are seen grazing. 
 Having progressed six miles up the Point no Point 
 road, you may visit an inn, to which the right 
 hand way conducts, or taking the left, may cross 
 Frank. ord creek, to a village of that name, now in 
 sight. Aiter crossing the creek, the right hand road 
 affords a very pleasant ride, and comes out above 
 Holmesburgh, distant eleven miles from town. From 
 Franklord you may pass down the turnpike to 
 the city, and if you please, call atHarrowgate, about 
 a mile below the tovvu, on the right. When you have 
 reached the city, irom hence, your ride will have been 
 fourteen miles. If, when at Franklord, inclination 
 1 prompt to a more extensive tour, you may pass up 
 the turnpike, seven miles, to the Fox Chase tavern ; 
 
350 TOURS IN TUB VICINITY. 
 
 a spacious white edifice, and well provided inn, si- 
 tuated at the junction o; two roads ; here you may 
 deliberate whether, by pursuing the right hand one, 
 you will visit Bath, an elegant establishment, one mile 
 northward of Bristol, and twenty miles Trom Phi- 
 ladelphia,* or take the lett, and pfss over a fine 
 country, through the village ot Morrisville, and 
 thence across the Delaware bridge to the city ot 
 Trenton, in New Jersey. From Trenton you may 
 return by the post road, 'through Bristol, and visit 
 the rural city ol" Burlington, immediately opposite to 
 it, on the New Jersey shore. 
 
 From Frankibrd you may take another course. 
 At the upper end ol the village a road passes off from 
 the turnpike to the left hand; pursuing this, you ride 
 a few miles, passing Ox:ord church ; tlience, a short 
 distance to a place called the Fox Chase; here it will 
 be proper to inquire the most direct way past 
 Friend's meeting house, (Ab;ngton,)f near which is 
 the cave, for many years inhabited by the celebrated 
 Benjamin Lay, a singular but pious character, to 
 Jenkin Town : being now ten miles from the city, 
 you may either return there or proceed northwardly, 
 four miles, to Willow Grove, where, at Rex's tavern, 
 you can be well entertained : here is also a fine 
 spring, highly impregnated with iron, and a spacious 
 bathhouse, supplied with the mineral water, for the 
 accommodation of visitors. 
 
 North Route. 
 
 The most direct w^ay to Germantown, is to pasj 
 vip Third street, at the extremity of which, you mee' 
 
 * The water is chalybeate, and highly useful in cases of pur 
 debility, gravel, jaundice, &c. 
 
 + This phice is very liealthful ; there is also a chaljbeat 
 spring of considerable powers. 
 
TOURS IN THE VICINITY. 331 
 
 the turnpike road, and at the distance of six miles 
 from the city, reach tliut hcalthkil vilhige. There, 
 are to be had the well known woollen hosiers^, which 
 bear the name of the town, manu,actm-ed in the 
 families of the German setilers. Germantown is a 
 summer retreat ior a number of citizens, and ex- 
 cepting its airy and elevated situation, being on 
 the first ridge after you leax^e Philadelphia, it has 
 little to interest or d-tain strangers. From this town 
 you may pass by several roads in a westwardly di- 
 rection, into what is called the township line road, 
 and thus vary the ride back to the city, which e>dii- 
 bits a fine view from the heights. Previously to 
 leaving the township line road, and resummg the 
 turnpike, into which it conducts you, about tv/o 
 miles Irom Philadelphia, you may be gratified by 
 visiting '•' Upsal botanic garden," established and con- 
 ducted by Bernard M'iVIahon. This garden is near 
 the junction of the township line and turnpike roads. 
 When you have reached the city, your ride will have 
 been thirteen miles. 
 
 li, when at Germantown, you wish to extend youf 
 excursion, you may pass up the turnpike, through 
 the village of Cresham, ascending as you proceed, to 
 Chesnut-hill ;* thence to the Perkiomen creek : a 
 short distance irom the bridge which crosses that 
 stream, are the celebrated lead mines, well worth 
 visiting. The mineralogist will be amply repaid by 
 his visit to this place. 
 
 North Western Route. 
 
 A most delighti'ul ride is offered by pursuing the 
 following course. Having crossed the Schuylkill 
 
 * From this place the view is extensive and picturesque. 
 
352 TOURS IN THE VICINITY. 
 
 br'dg-e, (High street) take the first right hand road, 
 this will conduct vou along the river Schuylkill, 
 someimes on its margin, at others on its high banks ; 
 the- ti'.stc 111 villas scattered on both sides of this 
 bcauiilul stream, added to the variegated decora- 
 tions oi nature, cannot fail to gratity. Having pro- 
 cee-ied on th's road about lour miles, you may either 
 stop at IMendenhall's inn, or cross the river on a 
 chain bridge o^ modern construction, a short distance 
 above, and in sight of the ialls, to a hovise of public 
 entertainment, called the Falls Tavern, on the eastern 
 side oi the Scluiylkill. The oil mill of Mr. Hagner 
 at this place, may prove interesting to some. You 
 are now on the Ridge road, and may either return 
 by it to the city, go to Germantown, or proceed up- 
 ward, passing Roiieson's fiour mills, on the Wissa- 
 hiccon creek,* near its confluence with the Schuyl- 
 ki 1, thtncc over a fine picturesque country to Spring 
 Mdi,f well worth visiting, near which is the vine- 
 yard of the Pennsylvania Vine Company. 
 
 You are now again on the margin of the river, and 
 will certainly be gratified with the scenery pre- 
 sented to view; to enjoy which, on your return to the 
 city, you may, (though the road is not very good) 
 having crossed the Schuylkill at the ferry, proceed 
 along its shore, visiting on your way, a soap stone 
 quarry, and likewise be mterested by witnessing 
 twelve saws ingeniously contrived to move by water, 
 for cutting large blocks oi marble : a short distance 
 below this, you cross on what is called the Flat Rock 
 
 * The scenery up this creek Is very I'oraantic ; the creek pass- 
 es in a serpentine course among majestic hills, from the sides of 
 which rocks in rude disorder, impend over the stream. 
 
 ■{■ This spring is a real curiosity. The water never freezes ; 
 nor does that of the Sch\iylkil!, for some distance above and 
 below where the spring empties into it 
 
■fOURS IX THE VICINITY. 35:1 
 
 bridge, built last year,* thence go eastwardly to the 
 Ridge road, and back to Philadelphia. 
 
 The mineralogist will not regret a scramble on ei- 
 ther shore of the Schuylkill, IVom Spring Mill, to a 
 few miles below. 
 
 In addition to these short excursions around the 
 city, strangers, who have leisure, would be gratified 
 by the Ibllowing tour. First, visit Easton on the 
 Delaware, the views near which place, are uncom- 
 monly picturesque : one in particular, about four 
 miles on this side of the town, will command atten- 
 tion. From Easton to the Wind Gap or opening 
 through the Kittatinny or Blue JMountain, the dis- 
 tance is about twelve miles ; a visit to that place and 
 to the Water Gap, or place of passage of the Dela- 
 ware through the same mountain, some miles to the 
 east, will be amply repaid, and an examination of the 
 localities will furnish the geologist with materials 
 for an inquiry into the cause of those two singular 
 disruptions of the great primordial ridge. From the 
 gap, the rout may be to the Moravian towns of Na- 
 zareth and Bethlehem, where the prnnitive manners, 
 and the peculiar discipline of that religious society, 
 particularly at the latter place, cannot fail to interest. 
 Then proceed to Reading, where the grand views 
 from the Schuylkill's bank enchant the beholder: to 
 Hummell's town, near to which is the curious and 
 interesting Swetara cave ; to Harrisburgh, on the 
 Susquehanna, recently fixed on as the Juture seat 
 of the state government ; to Carlisle, Chambers- 
 burgh and Shippensburgh. Returning through York 
 and Lancaster, the stranger will be gratified by pass- 
 ing through a rich and highly cultivated country. 
 
 This bridge is well worth examining;. 
 Gg2 
 
:154 PROJECTED IMPEO^TEMENTS. 
 
 At the sea shore, Long Branch, N. J.: the Yellow- 
 Springs, in Chester county, and Bath, near Bristol, 
 on the Delaware, invalids will find health, gaiety 
 and fashion. 
 
 Projected Improvements. 
 
 In liTGO, a noble scheme was set on foot by some 
 patriotic citizens of Philadelphia, to connect the 
 Delaware with the western lakes by a chain of inland 
 navigation : and on their suggestion, commissioners 
 were appointed by law to determine the most eligible 
 route, and to calculate the cost of the intended mea- 
 sure. Two companies were incorporated in 1791 and 
 1792, to undertake the work; one, for connecting the 
 Schuylkill and Susquehanna, a distance of seventy- 
 nine miles, and the other for uniting the waters of 
 the Delaware and Schuylkill, along the east bank of 
 the latter river, sixteen miles to Norristown. The 
 capital of each company was four hundred thousand 
 dollars. An eiiiinent engineer, from England, was 
 sent for, but in the eagerness to have the work fi- 
 nishecj^ much money was expended before his arri- 
 val. Upon a due examination of the ground and 
 work of the Delaware and Schuylkill canal, he re- 
 ported that the whole might be completed for the 
 sum subscribed ; six miles were nearly completed, 
 but the stockholders declmed paying their instal- 
 ments, and the work ceased. The legislature grant- 
 ed a lottery to aid both canals ; the second class of 
 which was badly managed, and thus the progress of 
 the scheme was stopped, alter two hundred and 
 twenty-one thousand seven hundred and ten dollars 
 had been expended. 
 
 At the last session of the legislature, a law was 
 passed, which it is to be hoped will have the effect 
 of finishing this useful and important plan of internal 
 navigation. 
 
NUMBER OF CARRIAGES. liSS 
 
 By the law, permission is granted for a union to 
 take place between the two companies, and to open 
 a complete canal and lock navigation from one or 
 more points on the river Susquehanna to the tide 
 waters on Schuylkill or Delaware, or both ; also to 
 contract for supplying the city and Northern Liber- 
 ties and Southwark, with water, and making wet and 
 dry docks. When the canal shall be completed, the 
 property is to be vested in the compan}^, for fifty 
 years, and when the tolls shall exceed twenty- five 
 per cent, neat annual profit, the excess shall compose 
 a fund for the redemption o; the canal, so as to render 
 it free. Permission is also granted to extend their 
 route to Lake Erie, or other waters of anv neigh- 
 bouring state, by canals and lock navigation, or 
 turnpike ; and to raise, by lotterv, the sum of three 
 hundred and forty thousand dollars as a sinking fund 
 on which no dividend can be raised. It is hoped and 
 expected, that congress will grant a certain portion 
 of the north western territory, as a fund to redeem 
 the capital expended, and assist the company, by 
 loans, from time to time, as the work may progress 
 either in money or in certificates of the United 
 States, redeemable by said extensive territory, which 
 by an inland water communication with the Atlantic 
 vill become highly valuable. It is also hoped and 
 expected, that future legislatures, seeing the pro- 
 gress, and convinced of the necessity and benefit 
 arising to the state from canals, will grant a sum of 
 money per mile, whenever two or three miles may- 
 have been well finished and in operation. 
 
 Number of Carnages^ at different times, in 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 In the year 1759, an accurate list was taken of the 
 names of every citizen, who kept a four -C^^heel chaise 
 
056 NUMBER OF CARRIAGES. 
 
 of any kind ;* from which it appeared that thirty-sev- 
 en was the whole number. Single horse chairs were 
 numerous. In 1772, there were eighty-eight four 
 wheeled can-iages.f In 1794, the receiver o*' duty on 
 pleasure carriHg..'s, made the following return. 
 520 Chaifi, and 33 Sulkeys. 
 
 80 Light VVaggons. 
 137 Coachees. 
 
 22 Ph.^.tons. 
 
 35 Chariots. 
 
 33 Coaches. — Total, 307 four wheeled carriages. 
 In 1801, when the tax ceased, there were, exclu- 
 sive of the county, 396 Sour wheeled carriages, and 
 588 two wheeled chaises. At present there can be no 
 doubt of their being much multiplied. The increase 
 of public hacks, alone, would greatly swell the amount. 
 
 * aiS. of the late I. Noi-ris. 
 t MS, of P. du Simitiere. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 22, line 10 from the bottom, for disposition read deposi' 
 tion. Page 42, line 12, from bottom, for succeed read succeeds. 
 Page 44, line 3, dele are. Page 47, line 2, for lessened icAtX lessen. 
 Page 8l, line 5, for American VitnA Pennsylvantan Page 84, lint.* 4, 
 for Gentler read Zentler Page 84, livie 5, for Aurora read Corre- 
 spondent. For tlie correction of error, respecting the Number of 
 Dailv News-paper impressions, see the Appendix. Page 92, line 
 8, for 1809 read 1789. Page 139, note, for 1803 read 1804. Page 
 144, line 12, from boU-.ni, for co'os i-ead cone. Page 235, in a few 
 copies, the name of Joseph Lownes was omilltd among the ma- 
 nagers of the Pennsi ivania Hospital Page 322, line H from bot- 
 tom, between " any" and " building," add other. Page 324, line 
 4 from bottom, for S. W read .S". E. Line 3, from bottom, for 
 jifth read sixth. Line 2, from bottom, for sixth vci\djiftk. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 NEWS-PAPER IMPRESSION'S. 
 
 In page 84, an error was committed, respecting 
 the nmnber of weekly impressions of News-papers. 
 
 The following statement is given by Mr. Robin- 
 son, in his Directory for 1811. 
 
 " Eight daily papers, distributing upwards of 8,328 
 sheets; 4,500 in the morning, and 3,828 every even- 
 ing. Nine papers, once a week, that distribute 7,058 
 sheets: two, twice a week, distributing 1,992 sheets: 
 two, three times a week, that distribute 1,920 sheets." 
 
 In page 138, it is stated that Mr. Reuben Haines 
 originated the idea of the Hose Companies ; but I 
 now learn that the name of Roberts Vaux, ought 
 to have been connected with that of his friend, on the 
 occasion. The original plan of a Hose Company was 
 sketched by him, with estunates of costs, &c. and his 
 perseverance and judgment greatly aided in organ- 
 izing the troublesome and novel undertaking. The 
 other active and early members of the first Hose 
 Compan}', were William Morrison, Joseph Lea, 
 Samuel Hazard, J. P. Parke. 
 
 The City Councils, by a recent ordinance, have 
 afforded a partial aid to the Hose Companies, by the 
 
3iS APPENDIX. 
 
 grant of Si ,000, but the entire expense should be 
 de'rayed by the public. It Is cei-tainly enough ii the 
 youth give th 'w time, and risque their health and 
 lives, in extinguishing fires, without being subject to 
 the least expense. 
 
 The Church of St. Michael, in north Fifth street, 
 belonging to the Lutherans, was omitted among the 
 places or worship. It was built in 1743, and is 72 
 leet, by 44 ; and 22 feet high. 
 
 Among the notices of " printing," p. 86, the Bible, 
 princed and published by Robert Aitken, ol Phila- 
 delphia, ought to have been mentioned. He commen- 
 ced it in 1781, and finished it in 1782: it was in 
 12mo, and was recommended to the public patronage 
 by Congress. It was neatly executed. 
 
 Page 21, 4th line from the bottom, after the word 
 " formed," substitute the following for what is given. 
 — " each o\ 396 feet: two streets, viz. Twelitli and 
 Thirteenth, were added, each 50 feet broad : Irom 
 Thirteenth to Broad street, the distance is 528 feet ; 
 and through the middle of this square. Juniper 
 street, 28 feet broad, was laid out by order oi the 
 executive council during the war." Broad street was 
 erigiaally, &c. &c. 
 
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