400 M'Alister, the supervisor of this division, Colonel C. Garber, of Hollidaysburg, who had come the whole distance in the boat, Captain James Johnson of Huntingdon, John Bennett, Esq. of Wilkesbarre, John Robinson, Esq. of Columbia county, and other distinguished strangers. The boats met at Kelly's basin, about midway between Columbia and Marietta, and after three hearty cheers and a military salute, they left Kelly's for this place. On Point Rock, a large number of ladies had collected, who greeted the company as they approached, by the waving of handkerchiefs and other demonstrations of joy, which were returned from the boats by cheers; and here the Wm. Lehman stopped and took on board those who had evinced so friendly a feeling, and such an interest in the progress of internal improvements. The boats arrived at the basin about one o'clock, P. M. when the procession was formed in the same order as before, with the addition of those who came in the packet boat, and after marching through the principal streets in the borough, was temporarily dismissed. At 4 o'clock the procession again formed, (at this time the Manor Guards from Washington had arrived and marched to the basin,) where the packet boat filled with passengers, left us, accompanied by the hearty and reiterated cheers of the assembled multitude. The festivities of the occasion closed with a cotillion party in the evening at the hotel of Mr. Donley. The day was unusually fine for this season of the year, and nothing occurred, to our knowledge, to interrupt the general hilarity which the event was calculated to call forth. The canal proves remarkably tight, and will require but few repairs to render it equal to any in the state. By a majority of the suffrages with which I have been recently favored, by the freemen of this great and flourishing State, I have been called to discharge, for a second term, of three years, the responsible duties of the first office in their gift. strictly enjoined. The publia credit has been careful- Among the measures of our national policy in which Pennsylvania is peculiarly interested, those embracing a protective tariff, internal improvements of a national character, and the establishment of a sound currency in which the people can have confidence, without endangering their rights, have been advocated upon all proper occasions. Every act and every measure, believed to be calculated to promote the general welfare or to advance the public good, have been called into requisition, to accomplish these important objects. I shall henceforth persevere in the same principles, and continue to pursue the same course of policy. In compliance with a usage coeval with the organization of the government, under the present constitution, I have said thus much; I shall add no more, but that all the faculties and all the energies I possess, shall be devoted to the service of my native State, and in advancing the prosperity and happiness of my fellow citizens. GEO. WOLF, Harrisburg, December 18, 1832. It appears that the votes as reported to the legislature are not exactly the same as heretofore published, but were, for Wolf 91,335 88,165 Majority 3,170 Whole number of votes 179,500. THE REGISTER. PHILADELPHIA, DECEMBER 22, 1832. A portion only of the Canal Report is given this week the remainder is excluded by the important Report and Ordinances in relation to the Girard Trusts. The changes proposed appear to us to be well supported by the reasonings of the committee in the Report. In obedience to their will, I have presented myself, here and taken the oaths prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth, preparatory to entering upon the execution of the important trust; and I seize this public occasion to express, to the good people of Pennsylvania, my most grateful acknowledgments for this renewed testimonial of their confidence-a confidence the more highly prized, because it furnishes the consolatory proof that the acts and measures of my admin stration, during the constitutional term which has just ended, have been approved by them; and justifies the Governor, Secretary of State. the reasonable conclusion, that a similar course of policy, for that which has now commenced, will be equally acceptable to them. We are indebted to several members of the legisla ture, and also to our representatives in congress, for public documents. General Samuel McKean has been re- -appointed by High Mass was celebrated on Thursday, at St. John's church, on occasion of the death of Charles Carroll, and an eulogium delivered by the Rev. Mr. Hughes. Hitherto, the constitution and laws of the United States, and of this state, have been my constant guide, and the happiness of the people of Pennsylvania has been my peculiar aim, Acknowledging the sovereignty of the people, it has been my desire, as well as my en deavour, to ascertain and execute their will. Ever bowing submissively to the majesty and the supremacy of the Post Office, (front room) subscriptions will be thankfully re of the laws, I have made it my business, as it is my du-ceived. Price FIVE DOLLARS per annum, payable annully ty, to see that they were faithfully executed. Economy, by subscribers residing in or near the city, or where there is an in the expenditure of the public treasure, has been agent. Other subscribers pay in advance. Printed every SATURDAY MORNING by WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 9 Library Street. Philadelphia; where, and at the PUB LICATION OFFICE, IN FRANKLIN PLACE, second door back HAZARD'S REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. VOL. X.-NO. 26. PHILADELPHIA, DECEMBER 29, 1832. NO. 261. REPORT OF THE CANAL COMMISSIONERS The following are the expenditures of the past year for repairing the prominent damages by floods, and for Of Pennsylvania, to the Governor, for the year ending adding to the strength, usefulness and permanent secu 31st October, 1832. Read December 6, 1832. Concluded from page 393. OLD LINES OF CANAL. On the fifteenth December, 1831, the board set apart seventy-thousand dollars out of an unexpended balance of the appropriation made by the act of the twenty-first March, 1831, to finish new work on the several divisions of canal which had been constructed under acts passed previous to the twenty-first March, 1831; to which was added, on the thirtieth August last, by a repayment of the commissioners of the internal improvement fund to the fund for construction, the sum of twenty-six thousand, two hundred and seventy-six dollars and ten cents. This fund is exhausted, and the further sum of one hundred thousand dollars is required to complete those lines; to be applied to the construction of feeders, with their dams and guard locks, to the erection of weigh locks, and houses of weigh masters; to the purchase of lots and building lock houses, to the construction of water ways around locks, waste wiers, waste gates, stop gates, bridges, fences, &c. all of which are indispensable to the perfection of the public works. The Numerous difficulties have arisen in relation to the ground required for lots for collectors offices and lock houses, the law provides that there shall not be allowed to any lock-house more than one acre of ground. owners of land on which such buildings are erected, are often unwilling to sell such lots on any reasonable terms, and frequently, when they or their representatives are willing to sell, some legal disability exists that prevents them from conveying a legal title. The board respectfully ask the legislature to make some adequate provision on this subject. The property of the commonwealth has in several places along the lines been assessed and taxed by the local authorities. Justice to these portions of the state not immediately benefited by these improvements, seems to require that such property necessary to the public improvements should be exempted from taxation. Applications are often made to the board for permis. sion to use the surplus water at dams and locks for hydraulic purposes. The board believe that the prosperity of our public improvements, the interests of neigh borhoods and individuals, will be mutually promoted by an act providing, under proper restrictions, for the sale of the use of such surplus water. REPAIRS. The canal repairs have hitherto been a prolific source of vexation. The unusual floods of last spring tested the stability of our public works and detected the weak While the inpoints and defects in their construction. jury sustained is to be deplored the gratifying fact that the strength of the public works generally is sufficient, has been demonstrated: The principal injury sustained. was at dams in the rivers and on parts of the Delaware and Western divisions. These injuries have been it is confidently believed substantially repaired and the works improved by new erections. By time and care this canal is gradually becoming permanent. VOL. X. 51 rity of the public works. a coffer dam For building an entire new Whole cost 9,580 00 85,087 46 $94,667 46 Muncy dam-For rebuilding part, and Nanticoke dam-For rebuilding part and Dam No. 5, at Blairsville upon the West- For repairing the towing path and canal Dam at the tunnel upon the Western divi- Dam No. 3, upon the Western division— Dam No. 2, upon the Western division- Dam No. 1, at Leechburg-For repairing For extra expenses upon the Delaware 21,120 00 15,000 00 19,903 00 10,218 00 Susquehanna division, The cost of repairs in 1831, was Cost. $6,244 31 7,311 00 4261 $125,567 19 $353,644 58 328,119 64 $25,524 94 order as to time in which the same have been awarded, assessed and confirmed, and afterwards, to such as may hereafter be awarded, assessed and confirmed, and may be agreed upon as due by prior acts. From the proceedings had under the several acts of assembly upon the subject of damages, the awards, assessments and confirmations which are to be paid in their order as to time embrace the following: 1. Judgment against the commonwealth under the acts pending for the assessment of damages prior to the act of the sixth April, 1830. 2. Offers made by the canal commissioners, under the provisions of the act of the sixth April, 1830. 3. Awards of the board of appraisers of damages under the same act: These judgments, offers and awards, constitute the liens upon the appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars. Their aggregate amount exceeded the appropriation, and being directed to be paid in their order as to time; it became necessary to examine the records of the counties through which the canal and rail-road pass, for unsatisfied judgments. By this circumstance, and other imperative duties, the final action of the board on this subject, was delayed until the sixteenth of June. On the ninth of June, 1829, directions were given by the board of canal commissioners to the acting commissioners upon the Eastern division to cause the principal $423,104 27 part in amount of the unsatisfied judgments against the commonwealth, in the court of Dauphin county, to be removed to the supreme court. 382,993 47 $40,110 80 $65,635 74 On the twenty-fifth September, 1830, the board having viewed the premises, made an attempt, under the provisions of the sixth section of the act of the sixth April, 1830, to compromise a number of the cases in the court of Dauphin county; a sincere desire on the part of the board to terminate litigation, induced them at that time to offer larger sums to the claimants as a compromise, than they believed to be a fair compensation for all the injuries sustained. This attempt to compromise was successful only in one case. Amount requried to pay for repairs made, acting commissioner upon the Eastern division, of the Upon inquiry, it appeared that the direction to the An accurate estimate of the sum that may be requir-be removed to the supreme court, had not been comninth June, 1829, to cause certain of these judgments to ed for repairs during the year commencing on the first plied with; and upon an examination of the records, the of November, instant, cannot be given. Several heavy board were of the opinion, that the proceedings had, were jobs have been postponed for want of funds, which must be done as soon as possible, such as a new guard not according to law, and that the judgments were not lock in the Long Narrows, eleven new inner arches and awarded in a number of the cases exceeded a fair valualegal judgments; and being satisfied that the amount new trunks to the Allegheny aqueducts, &c. There tion of the injuries sustained by the parties, when the will also be added seventy-five miles and sixty-one advantages of the canal are taken into consideration, perches of new canal, slackwater and rail-road to the and was much greater than the amount paid and agreed finished works, and ten miles of the Columbia line on which there were no disbursements made for repairs in to be paid to others, in like circumstances; and that the the last year. When all these are taken into view, to- payment thereof, would be making unfair distinctions gether with the debts due by the supervisors on the first between citizens claiming compensation for similar inof this month, and the further sums they will owe be-juries; the board directed the superintendent upon the fore an appropriation can be made, the board believe Eastern division, to cause seventeen of the judgments that at least three hundred thousand dollars should be in the court of Dauphin county, and the superintenplaced at their disposal for repairs. But it is impossible the judgments in Union county to be removed into the upon the Susquehanna division, to cause one of to foresee all the wants of our great improvements. A supreme court, in order that the judgment of that discretionary power, from the necessity of the case, should be lodged with some department of the governcourt might be had thereon. ment to provide or transfer funds for pressing exigencies that may arise. During the past year a perplexing responsibility was forced upon the canal commissioners. Had the indispensable repairs in progress been abandoned when the funds were exhausted, injuries and losses to an incalculable amount would have been the inevitable result. Vital portions of the public works would have been destroyed and the tolls of this season and of the next would have been jeopardized. DAMAGES. By the second section of the act of March thirtieth, 1832, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars was appropriated to the payment of damages to be paid in the dent They also directed the treasurer of the board to set apart and retain, out of the appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars, for the payment of damages, the sum of twenty-one thousand two hundred and eightyone dollars and ninety-three cents, to await the decision of the supreme court; that sum being the amount of the judgments and costs directed by the board to be removed. The aggregate of judgments, offers and awards for damages, on the sixteenth June last, amounted to one hundred and twelve thousand, eight hundred and three dollars ninety-nine and a half cents; and in the order of time, those claims only which had been adjusted prior to the twenty-fourth of January last, were covered by To the superintendents for the payment of awards of the board of appraisers of damages, 43,793 50 The offers made by the canal commissioners, and the awards of the appraisers, reported to the board since the 16th of June, added to the deficiency in the appropriation of last year, amounts to about twenty-five thousand dollars. Numerous appeals from offers of the board are now pending before the board of appraisers; in addition to which, demands for injuries done to private property along the new lines may be expected. The board, therefore, think that one hundred thousand dollars should be provided for damages already assessed, and for those that may be settled during the ensuing year. The balance in the treasury on the first Received on Governor's warrants from $213,063 51 19 160 2,964,953 39 943 17 1,433 01 $3,179,449 91 Balance in the treasury, November first, The whole extent of the public works now ready for use, is five hundred and one miles, one hundred and forty-one perches of canal and rail-road, and one mile of navigable feeder, to wit: A canal from Bristol to A rail-road from Phila- A canal and slackwater from Columbia, up the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers to Hollidaysburg, at the eastern base of the Feeder. The works authori- The Columbia and Phil- A canal on the West A canal and slackwater A canal and slackwa- A navigable feeder from Stony creek to the Ligonier line of the Western division, at Johnstown, to be placed un ler con Miles. Perches. Miles. Perches. opened on the nineteenth of March, but yielded very 9 little toll, as the residue of the western division was not navigable. The other lines opened in the following succession. The Susquehanna division, March twentyeight-the Conemaugh line of the western division, May twenty-second-the North Branch, May twentythird, and the West Branch on the twenty-fifth of June. It was not until the eleventh of June, that the whole of the Delaware division was filled with water. And 256 owing to a succession of breaches, it did not assume an 000 active business appearance until about the middle of the month of October. 160 The whole western division was not in good navigable order until the twenty-sixth of July, up to which time the produce and merchandize passing between Philadelpliia and Pittsburg, were carried on the turnpike roads. About the first of August, the Asiatic cholera made its appearance in Philadelphia, and for a while interrupted mercantile transactions, and the fear of this disease had scarcely subsided, when the water in the Union canal failed, which has seriously embarrassed the trade on the Pennsylvania canal ever since. Grand total of works finished and in progress, Miles, 701 251 256 The whole extent of Pennsylvania works when those authorized are completed, will be seven hundred and one miles and fifty-one perches of canal, slackwater and rail road, and nine miles and two hundred and fiftysix perches of navigable feeder. And there will be a communication by canal from the termination of the Lehigh canal and of the Morris canal at Easton to Bristol, a port of entry upon the Delaware eighteen miles above Philadelphia. And a communication by rail-road, It is also a fact that from the detached manner in canal and slack water from Philadelphia to Pittsburg. which the public works have been constructed under From Phliadelphia to the head of the Wyoming valley the directions of the several acts of assembly, the whole in Luzerne county, extending through the great body must be comparatively unprofitable, until the unfinished of anthracite coal, upon the North Branch of the Sus-links now in progress in the great chain of internal comquehanna river, and to the vicinity of the bituminous munication are completed. coal beds in the Allegheny mountain, in Lycoming county, upon the West branch of the Susquehanna. There will also be a canal and slackwater from Newcastle in Mercer county, to steamboat navigation on the Ohio river, at Beaver, and from a point on French creek, three and one-half miles above Meadville, and also, from Conneaut lake, in Crawford county, to the mouth of the French creek, at Franklin, at which point steamboats ascend the Allegheny river. TOLLS. The navigation of the canal last fall was closed by ice, about the twenty-fifth of November, forty-six days earlier in the season, than it had been suspended the preceding year. These several causes for a time shock the confidence of merchants and traders, and the public,in the stability and usefulness of our public works, and required the utmost fortitude and perseverance in the several agents intrusted with their care. The trade was interrupted, and well founded expectations of the utility and income of the canal were during the season not realized to the extent which had been anticipated. It is however hoped that the time of trial is nearly over, and that a rich harvest awaits the state upon the completion of her splendid system of internal improvement. thirty-first of October, amount to fifty five thousand two The tolls received within the last year, ending on the hundred and fifty dollars and twenty-two cents. Ou the ninth of last February, the greatest flood hereafter, we may expect two hundred thousand dolShould ordinary success attend the public works since the first settlement of the country, swept the wes-lars to be received for tolls, during the ensuing year, tern division, from Blairsville to the Allegheny river, and to be rapidly augmented annually thereafter. injuring to an alarming extent the canal banks, dams, The following table, will exhibit the increase of tolls and guard locks. This was followed in March, by the destruction of the Shamokin, Nanticoke, and Muncy dams, in the Susquehanna, and also a vast extent of injury to the Delaware division. on the Schuylkill and New York canals, from year to year, showing a gradual increase, until the stock of the Schuylkill Navigation company has advanced to one About the first of March, twenty-four miles of the hundred and two dollars in the market, for fifty dollars Delaware division below New Hope, opened for navi- a share that was originally paid; and the tolls received gation; but as the canal above that place was not navi-by New York, will soon extinguish the debt she incurgable, it yielded very little toll. From the fifth to the red in the construction of her canals. thirteenth of March, the Eastern and Juniata divisions No tolls were received on any of the canals for the first three years after their commencement. opened. The Ligonier line of the western division, commencement Schuylkill Navigation, 110 New York canals, 501 miles, ||Pennsylvania canal and railmiles, begun in 1816. No. of years from begun in 1817. road, begun in 1826. |