THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. I. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD, NO. 51, FILBERT STREET. WYOMING MASSACRE. Extracted from Botta's History of the War of American NO. 9. tories and savages the means of concerting with their partisans, and of observing the immediate state of the colony. Notwithstanding the solemn assurances of the Indians, the colonists, as it often happens when great calamities are about to fall on a people, seemed to have a sort of pre-sentiment of their approaching fate. They wrote to Washington, praying him to lend them imme exasperated at their losses in the incursions they had made in company with the savages in the preceeding campaign: but that which envenomed them the most was, that several individuals of the same party, who, having The savages took a more active part than ever in the quitted their habitations, were come to claim hospitality campaign of this year, (1778.) Though they had been then so much in honor among the Americans, and partiintimidated by the success of Gen. Gates, and had sent cularly at Wyoming, had been arrested as suspected him congratulations for himself and the United States, persons, and sent to take their trial in Connecticut.the intrigues and presents of the British agents had not Others had been expelled from the colony. Thus halost their power over them. Moreover, the emigrant treds becaine continually more and more rancorous. The colonists, who had retired amongst these barbarians, ex- tories swore revenge: they coalesced with the Indians. cited them continually by instigations, which, together The time was favourable, as the youth of Wyoming were with their natural thirst for blood and pillage, determin- at the army. In order the better to secure success, and ed them without scruple to make incursions upon the to surprise their enemies before they should think of northern frontiers, where they spread terror and desola- standing upon their defence, they resorted to artifice. tion. The most ruthless chiefs that guided them in these They pretended the most friendly dispositions, while sanguinary expeditions, were Col. Butler, who had al- they meditated only war and vengeance. ready signalized himself in this war, and a certain Brandt A few weeks before they purposed to execute their born of mixed blood, the most ferocious being ever pro-horrible enterprise, they sent several messengers, charg duced by human nature, often too prodigal of similar ed with protestations of their carnest desire to cultivate monsters. They spared neither age, nor sex, nor con- peace. These perfidies lulled the inhabitants of Wyodition, nor even their own kindred; every where indis-ming into a deceitful security, while they procured the criminately they carried devastation and death. The knowledge which the refugees had of the country, the insulated position of the habitations, scattered here and there in the wilderness, the distance from the seat of government, and the necessity of employing the national force in other remote parts, offered the Indians every facility for executing their enterprises, and retiring with impunity. No means had hitherto been found of re-diate assistance. Their despatches did not reach him: pressing the inroads of so cruel an enemy. they were intercepted by the Pennsylvania loyalists; and But in the midst of this general devastation, there hap- they would, besides, have arrived too late. The savages pened an event, which perhaps, would be found without had already made their appearance upon the frontiers of example in the history of human men. Inhabitants of the colony: the plunder they had made there was of litConnecticut had planted on the eastern branch of the tle importance, but the cruelties they had perpetrated Susquehanna, towards the extremity of Pennsylvania, we affrightful; the mournful prelude of those more terand upon the road of Oswego, the settlement of Wyo-rible scenes which were shortly to follow! ming. Populous and flourishing, its prosperity was the subject of admiration. It consisted of eight townships, each containing a square of five miles, beautifully situated on both sides of the river. The mildness of the climate answered to the fertility of the soil. The inhabitants were strangers alike to excessive wealth, which elates and depraves, and to poverty, which discourages and degrades. Incessantly occupied in rural toils, they avoided idleness, and all the vices of which it is the source. In a word this little country presented in reality the image of those fabulous times which the poets have described under the name of the Golden Age. But their domestic felicity was no counterpoise to the zeal with which they were animated for the common cause; they took up arms and flew to succour their country. About the commencement of the month of July, the Indians suddenly appeared in force upon the banks of the Susquehanna. They were headed by the John Butler and Brandt, already named, with other chiefs of their nation, distinguished by their extreme ferocity in the preceding expeditions. This troop amounted in all to sixteen hundred men, of whom less than a fourth were Indians, and the rest tories, disguised and painted to resemble them: the officers, however, wore the uniforms of their rank, and had the appearance of regulars. The colonists of Wyoming, finding their friends so remote, and their enemies so near, had constructed for their se curity four forts, in which, and upon different points of the frontier, they had distributed about five hundred men. But neither so many advantages, nor even the retired The whole colony was placed under the command of situation of these unfortunate colonies, could exempt Zebulon Butler, cousin of John, a man who with some them from the baneful influence of party spirit. Al- courage, was totally devoid of capacity. He was even though the tories, as they called them, were not so nu-accused of treachery; but this imputatation is not provmerous as the partizans of liberty, yet they challenged ed. It is at least certain that one of the forts which stood attention by the arrogance of their character and the ex-nearest to the frontiers, was entrusted to soldiers infecttent of their pretensions. Hence, not only families were ed with the opinions of the tories, and who gave it up, seen armed against families, but even sons sided against without resistance, at the first approach of the enemy. eir fathers, brothers against brothers, and, at last,The second, on being vigorously assaulted, surrendered · Fives against husbands. So true it is, that no virtue is at discretion. The savages spared, it is true, the women of against the fanaticism of opinion, and no happi- and children, but butchered all the rest without excepgainst political divisions. The tories were besides, tion. Zebulon then withdrew, with all his people, into promiscuously in the houses and barracks, to which they set fire and consumed all within, listening, delighted, to the moans and shrieks of the expiring multitude. The fort of Wilkesbarre still remained in the power of the colonists of Wyoming. The victors presented themselves before it; those within hoping to find mercy, the principal fort, called Kingston. The old men, the women, the children, the sick, in a word all that were unable to bear arms, repaired thither in throngs, and uttering lamentable cries, as to the last refuge where any hope of safety remained. The position was susceptible of defence: and if Zebulon had held firm he might have hoped to withstand the enemy until the arrival of suc-surrendered at discretion, and without resistance. But cours. But John Butler was lavish of promises in order if opposition exasperated these ferocious men, or rather to draw him out, in which he succeeded, by persuading these tigers, insatiable of human blood, submission did him that if he would consent to a parley in the open not soften them. Their rage was principally exercised field, the siege would soon be raised and every thing upon the soldiers of the garrison; all of whom they put accommodated. John retired, in fact, with all his corps; to death, with a barbarity ingenious in torture. As for Zebulon afterwards marched out to the place appointed the rest, men, women and children, who appeared to for the conference, at a considerable distance from the them not to merit any special attention, they burned fort; from motives of caution, he took with him four them as before, in the houses and barracks. The forts hundred men well armed, being nearly the whole being fallen into their hands, the barbarians proceeded strength of his garrison. If this step was not dictated by without obstacle, to the devastation of the country. They treachery, it must at least be attributed to a very strange employed at once, fire, sword and all instruments of de simplicity. Having come to the spot agreed on, Zebu-struction. The crops of every description were consigned lon found no living being there. Reluctant to return to the flames. The habitations, granaries, and other without an interview, he advanced towards the foot of a constructions, the fruit of years of human industry, sunk mountain, at a still greater distance from the fort, hoping in ruin under the destructive strokes of these canibals. he might there find some person to confer with. The farther he proceeded in this dismal solitude, the more he had occasion to remark that no token appeared of the presence or vicinity of human creatures. But far from halting, as if impelled by an irresistible destiny, he continued his march. The country, meanwhile, began to be overshadowed by thick forests; at length, in a winding path, he perceived a flag which seemed to wave him on. The individual who bore it, as if afraid of treachery from his side, retired as he advanced, still making the same signals. But already the Indians who knew the country, profiting by the obscurity of the woods, had completely surrounded him. The unfortunate American, without suspicion of the peril he was in, continued to press forward, in order to assure the traitors that he would not betray them. He was awakened but too soon from this dream of security; in an instant the savages sprung from their ambush, and fell upon him with hideous yells. He formed his little troop inso a compact column, and showed more presence of mind in danger than he had manifested in the negociations. Though surprised, the Americans exhibited such vigour and resolution that the advantage was rather on their side; when a soldier, either through treachery or cowardice, cried out aloud, "The colonel has ordered a retreat." The Americans immediately break, the savages leap in among the ranks, and a horrible carnage ensues. The fugitives fall by missiles, the resisting by clubs and tomahawks. The wounded overturn those that are not, the dead and the dying are heaped together promiscuously. Happy those who expire the soonest! The savages reserve the living for tortures! and the infuriate tories, if other arms fail them, mangle the prisoners with their nails! Never was rout so deplorable; never was massacre accompanied with so many horrors. Nearly all the Americans perished; about sixty escaped from the butchery, and with Zebulon, made their way good to a redoubt upon the other bank of the Susquehanna. The conquerors invested Kingston anew, and to dismay the relics of the garrison by the most execrable spectacle, they hurled into the place above two hundred scalps, still reeking with the blood of their slaughtered brethren. Col. Dennison, who commanded the fort, seeing the impossibility of defence, sent a flag to inquire of Butler what terms would be allowed the garrison, on surrendering the fort? He answered, with all the fellness of his inhuman character, and in a single word-the hatchet. Reduced to this dreadful extremity the colonel still made what resistance he could. At length having lost almost all his soldiers, he surrendered at discretion. The savages entered the fort and began to drag out the vanquished, who knowing the hands they were in, expected no mercy. But impatient of the tedious process of murder in detail, the barbarians afterwards bethought themselves of enclosing the men, women and children, and the number of days in which it rained or snowed, at Quantity or depth of water that fell in rain and snow, Lancaster, Pa. from Nov.1, 1809, to Nov. 1, 1810. Inch. Water. Falling Wea. In. Water. Fall. Wea. 1809. Nov. 3 1-16th 9 days. [1810. June 5 3 3 April 3 4-16 5 2 9 33 6-16 69 Aver. ht. Barom. above period in times of rain 29.48 in. METEOROLOGICAL TABLE FOR JANUARY. The following table has been formed from the obscrvations made at the Health Office during 22 years, commencing with 1807 and ending with last January. The observations have been made throughout that time with the same thermometer, exposed in the same situation, and exhibit probably as fair a criterion of the temperature for these years, as can be obtained. It is purposed to furnish a similar table for each month, throughout the year, as a standard by which to compare the state of the thermometer at any subsequent period; such tables will be very useful, and much more certain than the usual conjectures that are frequently made. This table exhibits at one view, the temperature for each day of the month of January for each year, at 9, 12 and 3 o'clock; and likewise the mean of those three daily observations at the foot of the table. The outer columns exhibit the highest, lowest and mean of each observation, and the range of the thermometer during the month, and the mean of each month of each year. The usual mode of ascertaining the mean, is to add the highest and lowest together and divide the amount by 2— we have adopted a different plan, believing that it shows more fairly the resnlt. We have added every observation together, and divided their sum by the number of observations, which generally gives a different result from the former mode: Thus for instance, at 3 o'clock on 21st, in 1811, the highest was 66, the lowest 24-90, mean 45 by old mode-actual mean as found in the other way 37. The observations were omitted on Sundays, excepting for the few last years. METEOROLOGICAL TABLE. JANUARY. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 131 Highest. Lowest. Range. cach year| 1807 93433 43 124238 48 342 40 48 1808 93430 123632 33334 1809 9 12 42 46 45 45 46 40 30 26 28 32 38 38 28 20 21 24 26,28 32 26 27 32 34 38 31 30 24 25 30 32 38 1810 9383638 42 44 50 1242 42 40 48 50 58 340 40 40 48 52 58 1811 922 30 28 28 37 12 26 34 32 29 43 326 32 32 29 42 1812 9 40 37 29 33 1239 3634 35 3 37 35 31 32 1813 94448 12 47 54 345 55 1814 931 1237 335 1815 9 12 3 4336 30 36 39 39 40 46 38 25 23 23 28 32 33 22 20 24 30 37 38 28 2634 53 54 58 33 36 37 303036363336 4240 42 43 3640 42 44 46 40 14 18 323132422432 34 45 44 23 2714 30 34 48 24 24 32 16 14 16 52 104253 22 20 22 58 16 423836) |22 20 22 60 144638 34 32 28 38 52 22 30,33 37 35 30 40 58 24 34 56 35 33 33 32,38 66 244237 39 38 37 42 43 43 15 28 31 4035 42 42 48 4819 29 35 41 36 41 42 42 47 14 33 34 49,18 31 32 55 23 32 37 58 20 38 35 17 37 19 18 301 29 45 21 24 37 2248 24 24'35 10 1649 1039 32 22 25 55 22 33 39 18 13 54 134135 34 23 32 40 13 27 30 44 36 4849 25 24 40 34 3038 44 48 45 48 30 1838 42 35 42 54 55 47 55 36 19 44 423546 55 56 49 56 35 21 45 343449 32 32 30 40 44 50 34 36 34 36 38 52 32 31 32 34 22 20 26 24 24 38 26 24 323032 36 24 24 302830 142632 38 2630 23 34 3446 28 34 23 34 34 46 28 33 87 40 24 29 26 29 48 43 26 35 31 34 66 42 24 33 29 34 2618 17 21 33 38 3020 20343937 30 17 15 34 39 39 36 39 29 33 37 36 44 41 35 40 43 47 394028383645 3834323231 23 4233 36 41 40 38 41 32 34 393528 35 35 36 37 3938 14640 44 44 42 41 44 37 38 42 3859 16 15 39 35 3032 29 28 49 44 43 37 23 30 48 40 4135 22 26 23 3139 26 34 35 37 39 4231 33 32 35 37 47 25 22 20 26 30 32 30 31 29 38 38 1638 28 24 35 40 44 40 333632 32 2632 343839 35 30 40 35 40 40 33 33 39 30 29 25 1625 33 35 32 39 34 27 30 27 37 40 28 28 35 31 33 28 29 30 37 3034 26 27 34 38 1823 26 22 2624 322934263726 273031 29 3530 49 36 26 29 33 19 33 35 36 31 27|27| 34 34 35 351 43 34 45 48 23 25 36 |25|25|20|28 22 41 19 22 30 34 36 29 36 34 50 19 31 5935 27 31 25 32 27 51 2031 37 2938 36 35 17 16 40 16 24 30 3438 36 42 22 1852 18 34 58 35 36 36 38 19 19 43 19 29 36 34 3233 42 21 31 |39|41|44|54|26|34 38 43 46 52 26 36 24 26 23 3034 30 5238 3035 36 32 30 32 31 20 39 38 3223 1927 31 37 34252533, 24 21 27 31 35 26 28 26 32 37 40 30 26 28 33 3837 32 425335353447 4653 38 424148 51 53 39 43 4352 28 26 25 32 29 34 42 21 21 33 54 26 28 38 52 26 26 38 S041 11 30 26 39 41 2021 33 37 48 22 26 33 33 36 42 42 004222 43 43 51 51 15,36 31 43 43 49 49 10 39 30 28 34 36 34 39 11 28 26 3641 37 36 43 17 26 32 37 41 38 37 45 17 28 32 30 37 31 36 39|32| 3135413839 44 43 34 37 33 37 25 12 42 33 30 32 36 3236 31 33 37 38 38 41 3'41 33 32 34 36 33 38 34 29 30 31 40 21 1932 34 36 30 36 39 83 34 35 43 26 17 35 34 27 36 37 37 36|39| 29 43 25 28 337 35 44 26 18 36 37 46 28 1837| 1826 940 28 30 34 21 22 33 43 43 48 41 39 34 43 51 32 28 30 31 29 29 28 36 35 15 16 22 35 35 26 1151 114032 1243 31 32 40 25 27 36 45 48 53 43 42 40 49 53 32 32 33 35 31 33 32 40 37 18 20 32 37 39 27 15 53 15 38 35 341 30 34 37 25 30 38 47 51 54 44 44 44 52 45 31 33 35 36 32 34 36 42 36 16 21 38 37 38 27 13 52133936 1827 923 25 26 24 21 24 27 33 34 35 35 32 35 31 27 33 11 15 15 15 12 21 27 29 23 31 35 43 38 35 35 43 11 32 27 1225 26 31 30 23 28 35 35 35 37 37 34 35 34 31 31 15 21 19 17 19 25 32 31 28 36 44 50 37 36 5015 35 31 35 34 301 3 25 29 33 32 24 31 35 36 35 36 38 38 36 33 31 27 17 21 20 17 19 26 34 31 30 38 45 46 37 38 41 46 17 29 32 1828 9,34 36 51 45 46 52 49 40 30 35 35 39 47 43 43 33 40 34 38 30 28 20 24 21 27 38 36 34 33 30 36 52 20 32 36 12 36 41 51 47 49 56 55 37 33 37 38 41 47 46 45 35 42 41 40 35 30 24 27 26 31 41 40 37 35364055 262939 38 338 44 52 49 51 52 51 35 34 39 38 43 49 48 43 35 40 42 42 35 28 26 29 26 36 43 40 38 35 38 46 54 26 28 40 Ave- 36 37 36 38 34 38 37 37 36 37 34 36 36 33 34 33 36 33 34 33 35 35 34 32 32 33 35|37|36|32|33|66|00|66|00|34| rage 4 REMARKS. The highest observation in the 22 years was 66 on the 21st Jan. 1811, at 3 P. M. the next highest 60 on the 11th, 1810, at 3 P. M. The lowest observation 0, on the 25th, at 9 A. M. the next lowest was 7 on the following day, at the same hour. These appear to be the only two instances in which the thermometer fell below 10° in the whole series. 299 Total, October 12th. In the open air the thermometer stood at 64°, at the partition between the first and second apartments it descended to 59°-between the second and third apartments it sunk to 54°, which it preserved throughout the whole of the innermost chamber. August 5th. The thermometer was very differently The warmest year was 1807, averaging for the month affected by the enveloped air, standing then, in the 42°, the coldest 1821-27°. The warmest days 4th and 6th-average 38. Lowest daily average 32°. The range of the thermometer from 0 to 66°. open at 78°, and at the lower end of the first chamber at 54, but at the farther end of the lowermost, rose to 62. To account for the rising of the mercury at the bottom, I cannot concede to the hypothesis of either Mr. The average temperature of January for 22 years Bayle or Dr. Goldsmith, but must venture a conjecture of my own. 34°. It is found by experience, that, in mines of great depth, the air, for a considerable space in the descent, grows colder, but afterwards is felt to be of a warmer temperature increasing proportionably with the depth. Mr. Bayle accounts for this by alleging "magazines of five to be near to the centre of the earth, which com municate their heat to the neighbouring regions"-but Goldsmith ascribes it to other causes: "In some mines (says he) the composition of the earth all around is of such a nature, that, upon the admission of water, or air, it frequently becomes hot, and often bursts out into eruptions. Beside this, as the external air cannot readily reach the botto, or be renewed there, an observable heat is perceived below, without the necessity of recurring to the central eat for an explanation." In the instance of the mercury rising at the bottom of the cave, it is presumed, that the air, being perceived warmer, originated from neither of the above causes, but from the heat of a numerous party who had been there a considerable time with lights, before the thermometer was applied. The depth is not great enough to reach Bayle's central fire; nor are there any evidences of Goldsmith's chymical operation between the air and mineral substances. On some parts of the vault is a white parget somewhat chrystalised; and is probably a petrefaction, composed of water exuded through the rock and calcareous matter. It is, by the assistance of a hammer, easily severed from the stone to which it adheres; some of it by the fingers. Over other parts of the arch there is another kind of incrustation, dark in colour. This has the appearance of moss upon a tree, but as hard as the rock itself, and over it water is continually trickling. The rock encompassing the cavern is entirely limestone, through which in many places, there is a perpetual percolation of water. Mr. Wilson,-The following brief description of a cave, vulgarly called the "Devil's Hole," lying in Durham township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and about fifty miles north of Philadelphia, may not perhaps be unacceptable to some of your readers. The observations were made August 5th and October 12th, of the year 1802. It certainly ranks among the natural curiosities of this country, and deserves greater publicity than that which has been given it by historians. Should some naturalist have recourse to the place, survey the cave, and give an authentic, minute, ample and animated account of it to the world, he would do no more than his duty. The entrance into this grotto is about one hundred yards west of the Delaware river; and from one hundred and fifty to two hundred north from the point of land at the confluence of Durham creek and said river. The height of the eminence, enclosing the cavity, is from two hundred to two hundred and thirty feet above the level of the circumjacent land. From the pathway of the entrance to the top of the rock above, the measurement is upwards of forty feet. Three or four persons may easily enter abreast; but no more, as the mouth, though wide By suppposition, the descent, in a right line, forms an enough for admitting a great number, is rendered inac-angle of 40° with the horizon. cessible by a ledge of rocks running partly across. The At the bottom is a basin of excellent water, which cave is naturally divided into three grand apartments, measured twenty feet to the place where it came into out of each of which into the other the descent is steep, contact with the rock, terminating the cave as far as it caused also by rocks prominent and jutting. After a has been, or can be, yet explored. Beyond the meetdescent of about thirty feet, the first apartment or cham-ing of the rock and water there is a conduit running ber, displays its greatest height and width, of which it is farther into the earth, than could be measured with a not an easy matter to form a true estimate, on account long pole; and is, undoubtedly continued, though it of the irregularities in the vault occasioned by deep in- may ramify into many subordinate channels, before it terstices, and low dependent stone. A faint idea of its advances to the beds of the river and creek. The dimensions may, however, be formed from the following many springs on the verges; the proportionable rising and falling of the water, contained in the cavern, with the flowing of the waters in the river and creek, demonstrate the connection; and prove the surface of the one to be on a level with the other. When there is a high fresh in the river, the lowest chamber is nearly filled. statement: First Apartment, Third do. An Average. in ft. in ft. in ft. 90 33 20 222 At the partition between the first and second apartments a small branch of the cave, thirty-two feet in length, takes a course in an easterly direction and so wide as to permit in some places two persons to pass. From this branch are two others, still smaller, the one extending twenty-two feet north, the other fourteen south; and, in width admitting one person.-Wil. Mer. LOGANIAN LIBRARY. This collection of books, which for their value and rarity, may compare, if it does not exceed any other in the country, was made by James Logan, who came to the province of Pennsylvania, with William Penn, and successively filled the most conspicuous and honourable stations in it. His life was an undeviating and arduous exercise of his faculties for the good of the province, and the interests of the proprietaries.-And in this legacy, originally intended by him for the citizens of the state, he did not lose sight of the generations which were to succeed him, his enlarged mind desiring the extension to others, of the means of those pursuits he had himself so successfully cultivated. With this view, he built a suitable house for the reception of a library; and by deed, vested it (with the books he had collected, and certain rents, for the purpose of increasing their number, and supporting a Librarian,) in trustees for the use of the public, forever; this deed he afterwards cancelled, and prepared, but did not live to execute another, in which some alterations were made in the funds and regulations.-By his last will and testament, bearing date the 25th day of November, 1749, he devised two valuable rents charge, declaring them to be intended for the support of the Library. After his death, his sons William Logan and James Logan, John Smith, and Hannah his wife, being the surviving daughter of James Logan the elder, and the said Wm. and James Logan, and John Smith, being the surviving executors of his last will, induced by the same laudable motives, and desirous of carrying the intention of their father into effect, by deed bearing date the 28th day of August, 1754, between the said parties, on the ne part, and Israel Pemberton, junr. William Allen, Richard Peters, and Benjamin Franklin, of the other part, conveyed to, and invested in the said Israel Pemberton, janr. Wm. Allen, Richard Peters, and Benjamin Frankin, their heirs and assigns, to the use of the said Wm. and James Logan, John Smith, Israel Pemberton, junr. William Allen, Richard Peters, and Benjamin Franklin, their heirs and assigns forever, in trust for the purposes therein mentioned, the House and Lot in Sixth street opposite the present State House Yard, with all the books deposited, according to the catalogue thereof, the uses and trusts of which settlement were in substance as follows: That is to say, "That there should be a perpetual succession of trustees, part of whom should be of the descendants of the said James Logan, the elder, preferring the male line to the female, as long as any of his descerdants remained; that one of his male descendants, taken in priority of birth, and preferring the male line to the female line, should be Librarian of the said public Library, with a power of employing deputies; that the library should be opened for the public use of the citizens, and that books might be borrowed thercout under certain restrictions;" and for supporting the expense of the institution, and enlarging the collection by the purchase of other books, from time to time, the said parties of the first part, by the same deed conveyed to the said parties of the second part, to the use aforesaid, on the trusts aforesaid, the said rents charge, devised in the said last will and testament of the said James Logan, the elder, to wit, a certain rent charge of twenty one pounds sterling per annum, with clauses of increase, at stated periods, according to the valuation of disinterested men, issuing out of a certain tract of land, situate in Solebury township, Bucks county, containing three hundred and ninety-six acres and three quarters of an acre, which by deed, dated the first day of May, in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty, was granted by the said James Logan, the elder, to Jonathan Ingham, in fee 133 simple, and also a certain rent charge of ten pounds sterling per annum, with the like clauses of increase, issuing out of a certain other tract of land in the same township and county, containing two hundred acres, which by deed, dated the twenty-sixth day of May, in the year 1750, was granted by the said James Logan, the elder, to Jacob Dean, in fee simple. The library was thereupon opened for public use, according to the provisions in the settlement. William Logan served as Librarian, without compensation, till his death. The avocations of the other members of the family-their residence out of town, and other causes, suspended the operations of the institution, although the books were found on examination, to be in good condition. Having received an addition of near 1000 volumes, by the will of the said William Logan, the whole amounted to near 3,500 volumes, principally books in the learned languages-and James Logan, (the son,) and only surviving trustee of the said institution, requested the Legislature, in pursuance of an agreement made between him and the directors of the library company of Philadelphia, that the house and lot of ground, two rents charge, books, &c. might be vested in the library company of Philadelphia, and that power might be given to make such provisions as may tend most effectually to render the institution beneficial to the public, consistently with the designs of the founder. The above described property was then vested in the library company of Philadelphia, in trust, for the support and increase of the Loganian Library, under the following restrictions and limitations: Section II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Directors of the said Library Company of Philadelphia, for the time being, together with James Logan, and such two other trustees as he shall appoint, a majority of the whole of whom shall be a quorum, shall be trustees of the said Loganian Library, and may and shall, from time to time, make such bylaws, rules and regulations, for the preservation and management thereof, as consistently as may be with the meaning and instructions of the said donors, as occasion shall require. Provided always, That the said books. and other property now in the said messuage, and such additions thereto as may be made, shall always be kept separate and apart from the books belonging to the Library Company of Philadelphia, and to be called by the name of the Loganian Library, agreeably to the intention of the donor, and for continuing a succession of trustees composed of the descendants of the said James Logan, the elder, or of persons appointed by such descendants. The institution has continued to flourish under the management of the directors, assisted by the representatives of the Logan family, of whom Albanus Logan is now the oldest male heir, and on whom, of course, the appointment of the other two directors is vested. The property has increased enormously in value, and will, in 1861, produce a very large income. The farm, occupied by the Ingham family, is very productive and valuable. When the period of 128 years shall have expired, the company will derive a large income from it. Of the value of the books in this library, it would perhap:, be unnecessary to say much in this place. I cannot however, omit an anecdote, related to me by a medical gentleman of Philadelphia, which places their value in a strong light. He had occasion to consult three old medical writers, whose works, although known to be scarce, he felt little doubt, would be found in most good medical libraries-he was unsuccessful in all, including that attached to the Pennsylvania Hospital; when, on repairing to the Loganian Library, they were all discovered on one shelf. I was informed by a London book dealer, to whom I exhibited the catalogue, that twothirds of the volumes would be eagerly ordered from Europe, at almost any price, if they were offered for sale. James Logan remarks in one of his letters to a friend, that he had expended large sums of money, beyond |