1828.] AN ADDRESS HOUSE OF REFUGE. From the Managers of the House of Refuge, to their fellow citizens. The Managers of the House of Refuge, in making a further call upon the liberality of their fellow citizens, are sensible that it will be expected of them to furnish such a view of their situation as shall justify the measure. It will be recollected, that it was resolved, at a large and respectable town meeting, held on the 7th of Feb. 1826, to organize a Society for the reformation of juvenile delinquents, The terms of association were agreed upon, and committees appointed to solicit contributions in aid of the undertaking. The first meeting of the society was held on the first of May, in the same year, and officers and managers were then appointed, who proceeded at once to take the preliminary steps for procuring a lot and erecting a building. Although the committees in many of the wards perform their duty with too little zeal and industry, the sum of $8,104 41 was subscribed, and has been paid to the treasurer. An application was made during the same year, for assistance to the legislature, which granted with great liberality the sum of ten thousand dollars from the state treasury, and ten thousand from that of the county of Philadelphia, towards the erection of buildings, and authorized the commissioners of the county to pay the further sum of five thousand dollars per annum for 5 years, commencing in 1829, to be applied to the support of the Institution. Thus encouraged, the managers felt that it would be expected of them not only to expend the public money in the most frugal manner, but to erect a building that would be adequate to the public exigencies. They were sensible that a true economy was consistent with enlarged views, and a considerable expenditure of money, provided nothing was lavished or wasted. They did not for a moment doubt, that the same ready benevolence which had first furnished them with the means for the unundertaking, would approve of and support them in completing it upon a liberal scale, if they honestly fulfilled their duties. With these views they adopted a plan of building, which they knew from the first would cost more money than they then had at command; but which combines in an uncommon degree all the great requisites of economy, safety, convenience, airiness, separate dormitories for the delinquents, with ample accommodation for workshops, and which may be completed on the original plan, at no great additional expense, so as to accommodate several hundred delinquents. The scite of this building, at the corner of the Ridge Road and Francis' Lane, must be familiar to the public, and has excited general attention in consequence of the unusual rapidity with which the buildings were erected. On the 21st day of June 1827, the foundation stone was laid, and in less than six months from that time, nearly all the mason's work has been finished, and the house covered in. A plot of ground 400 feet in length from east to west, and 231 feet in breadth from north to south, bounded by streets on all sides, has been enclosed with a stone wall two feet thick and twenty feet in height. The main building fronts to the north on Howard street, and is 92 feet in length by 30 in depth. This building is intended for the accommodation of the keeper's family, and contains rooms for the use of the managers, and for infirmaries for the delinquents. Wings on each side extend the whole length of the front, and contain three ranges or stories of cells, four feet by seven feet each, for separate lodging rooms. These cells, of which there are 174, are well lighted and ventilated. The main building is covered with tin, and the dormitories are slated. It is designed," in case it should be necessary, to complete the plan by extending these dormitories round the wall of the yard, so as to form a hollow square; in which case it will be readily perceived that a considerable part of the expense is already incurred, and was unavoidable; namely, that of 189 enclosing the whole premises with a high and strong wall. In the yard are already erected buildings for kitchens, dining-rooms, and a place for worship. The work-shops are not yet built, but will form a range of low buildings running parallel with the east and west walls. The simplicity and appropriate style of the architecture, and the excellence of the workmanship, are remarked by those who have examined them. The managers may add, that the conscientious expenditure of the funds, and the scrupulous regard to economy which have been manifested by the building committee, left them nothing to desire upon this head; nor do they think that any plan of a building for such a purpose more truly economical has been devised. The moneys already expended, including 5,500 dollars paid for the lot, amount to $27,979 64, which are nearly all the available funds of the managers; and it is estimated that an additional sum of 15,000 dols. will be requisite to finish as much of the plan as has been commenced, even with the most frugal expenditure. It is for this sum that the managers now appeal to the never-failing liberality of the citizens of Philadelphia. Every year-nay every day that passes is adding proof upon proof of the necessity of such an institution to a populous and wealthy city. So long as the House of Refuge remains an unfinished structure, the penitentiary system of Pennsylvania, which is so justly her pride, will be incomplete. The managers, therefore, rely with confidence upon the favour of their fellow citizens to be enabled to complete this important edifice; which could not have been built upon a more contracted plan without cramping its future usefulness; if even the present expense could thereby have been lessened. Br order of the board of managers. Attested, ROBERTS VAUX, Vice Pres't. James J. Barclay, Sec'y. February 7, 1828. APPENDIX. The following statement of the effect of long periods of confinement for the first offence, is one of the most striking evidences we have seen of the advantages of an institution like the House of Refuge. The keeper of the Glasgow Bridewell, which is a Penitentiary Jail on the plan of strict solitary confinement, states, that "he has observed that offenders committed for the first time, for only a short period, almost invariably return to Bridewell for new offences; but if committed for a long period they return less frequently. This fact is established by the following table, framed on an average of ten years, ending 25th of Dec. 1825. Of prisoners sentenced for the first time to 14 days confinement, there returned for new crimes about 75 per cent. of his particular acquaintance, who hath been very intimate with him the said Dalbo from his childhood, acquainted him that there is a belt of wampum come to Conestoga from Mahquahotensi, that there was a Tomahock in red in the belt; that the French with 5 nations of Indians were resolved for war, and designed to fall upon some of these plantations, (colonies.") The governor also laid before the board, a letter which he had received from Mr. Yeates, Caleb Pusey and Thomas Powel, dated this day, purporting that to-morrow there was to be a great concourse of Indians, those of Conestogo and those of the Jersey. That they are of opinion it might be a seasonable opportunity for the governor to visit them altogether, the meeting being the greatest that has been known these twenty years, and is to be two miles from John Worrall's, at Edgmont. It is the opinion of the board, that the governor, with some of the council, and as many others as can be got, should go to-morrow to meet those Indians, and to inquire further of them about the said belt of wampum, and what else may be thought necessary. At a Council held at Philadelphia, April 29, 1710. Present, Charles Gookin, esq. Lt. Gov'r. Edward Shippen, Joseph Growdon Samuel Finney Richard Hill. Isaac Norris Caleb Pusey Samuel Preston The governor laid before the board the report of Col. At Conostogo, June 8th 1710. John French Henry Worley. Civility, the Senequas king and four chiefs more of that They signified to us by a belt of wampum, which was sent to us by their old women, who by implored the friendship of the christians and Indians of this govern ment, that without danger or trouble they might fetch wood and water, The second belt was sent from their children born, and those yet to see the light, requesting that room to sport and play without danger of slavery might be al lowed them. The third belt was sent from their young men fitt to hunt, that priviledge to leave their towns and seek provisions for their aged might be granted to them without fear of death or slavery. that the woods by a happy peace, might be as safe for The fourth was sent from the men of age, requesting them as their forts. The fifth was sent from the whole nation, requesting peace, that thereby they might have liberty to visit their neighbours. The governor acquainted the board, that upon his arrival at New Castle last week, he was informed that Opessa, one of the Shawannah chiefs, had been there 4 days; that he went away in the night, nor could he, (the gov.) hear what he came about; that he had been with some of the Delaware Indians, who resolved, it is said, not to plant corn this year. That Mr. Garland has lately sent a belt of wampum, sent by the Five Nations, by Indian Harry, with this further message, that as soon as the bark ran, they would be with them with sixty men, and make them a speech. That he was informed at Brandiwine, that an old Indian woman said (as it was inThe sixth was sent from their kings and chiefs desirterpreted) that their great men had ugly talk among them, and that they had left none but her and her hus-ing a lasting peace with the Christians and Indians of band to plant corn. The board taking the premises into this government, that thereby they might be secured consideration, are of opinion (be the report true or false) against those fearful apprehensions they have for these several years felt. that it may be convenient for the governor to take a journey to Conostogo, (he not having been among the Indians since his arrival,) to inform himself of the truth of this report, and for the keeping up a good understanding and correspondence between us and the Indians; and also that some of the council do wait upon him thither. The governor laid before the board the repeal of six laws of this province under the privy seal, done at the court at Windsor the 24th of Oct. 1709, by the Queen in council, which are ordered to be publickly proclaimed or read by the sheriff in full market. At a council held at Philadelphia, 29th May 1710. The hon. Charles Gookin, Lt. Gov'r. Wm. Trent Isaac Norris George Roch Samuel Preston The seventh was to entreat cessation from murdering and taking them, that by the assurance thereof they may not be afraid of a mouse or any other thing that ruf fles the leaves. The eighth was sent to declare that as being hitherto strangers to this place they now came as people blind, no path nor communication being betwixt us and hand and lead them, and then they will lift up their heads them, but now they hope we will take them by the in the woods without danger or any fear. These belts, they say, are only sent as an introduction and in order to break off hostilities till next spring, for then their king will come and sue for the peace they so much desire. We acquainted them that as most of this continent were the subjects of the crown of Britain, tho' divided into several governments, so it is expected that their intentions are not only peaceable towards us, but also to all The governor acquainted the board, that upon his ar- the subjects of the crown, and that if they intend to setrival at Conostogo, he found the Indians very well in- tle and live amicably here they need not doubt the proclined to the English and to the proprietor, and this go-tection of this government in all things honest and good; vernment in particular, but that they had complained to him that several persons made it their business to waylay their young men returning from hunting, making them drunk with rum, and then cheat them of their skins, and that if some method be not taken to prevent it, they must be forced to remove themselves or starve, their dependance being entirely on their peltry, whereupon it is thought proper that such Indian traders as are foreigners being admitted and licensed by the governor, shall come under such regulations as the governor and council from time to time shall direct and appoint. but to confirm the sincerity of their past carriage to wards the English, and to raise in us a good opinion of them it would be very necessary to procure a certificate from the government they leave, and of their good behaviour, then they might be assured of a favourable reception. The Senequas return their hearty thanks to this government for their trouble in sending to them; and acquainted us, that by advice of a council amongst themselves, it was determined to send these belts, brought by the Tuscarorows to the Five Nations. 1828.) May it please your honour INDIAN AFFAIRS. Pursuant to your honour's and the council's orders, we went to Conostogo, where the fore-written contents were by the chief of the Tuscarorows to us delivered.* The sincerity of their intentions we can in no wise doubt, since they are of the same race and language with our Senequois, who have always proved trusty, and have also for these many years been neighbours to a government jealous of Indians, and yet not displeased with them.Wishing your honour all happiness, we remain your honour's most humble and obliged servants; At a council at Philadelphia, 21st July, 1710. The hon. Charles Gookin, Esq. Lieut. Governor 191 to them last year to live peaceably one with another, which they will always endeavour. Upon presenting the fourth, they said that was in remembrance of the advice heretofore given them not to be too credulous of reports, they being generally false, and spread abroad by ill men; for their parts they would believe no reports against us, and hoped we would believe no ill reports of them. Whereupon the governor replied, that he was very glad to see them, and thanked them for their kind presents; and cautioned them not to believe lies and stories that were too currently spread abroad for mischief by ill men; and that if any thing happened extraordinary, they should have notice by a messenger on purpose, and he desired the like from them; for that the proprietor, Mr. Penn, as also himself, owned, and loved them as their brethren. And being desired to attend to-morrow in the afternoon, they withdrew. Ordered, that Mr. Hill, Mr. Norris, and Mr. Preston, dispose of the presents to the best advantage, and provide a suitable return against to-morrow. CAPE HENLOPEN LIGHT-HOUSE. On the 5th of September 1762, a patent for 200 acres of land, in the county of Sussex, was granted by the late proprietaries of Pennsylvania to the Board of WarRich. Hill. dens, for the purpose of erecting a Light-house on cape The governor laid before the board an express he re- Henlopen. In the course of the ensuing year, the maceived last night from Col. French, purporting that in terials for the building were purchased, but it was not 3 days the chiefs of the Sacques would be at Conestogo, begun until the year 1765. In the years 1766, and and with them the chiefs of the Indians of most part of 1767, it was completed, and lighted, and in those years, the continent: as also some of the gentlemen of Mary- and the succeeding year, the buoys were placed in the land, and that the governor's presence there was ex-bay, &c. when the following estimate of the expences pected: what the design of the congress might be was of this work, was made. not certain; but he was told it was of very great conse-Cost of the Light-House quence to the crown, and would tend much to the pre- First set of buoys, &c. servation of the subject. The board having taken the Second set of do. premises into consideration, are of opinion, that 'tis absolutely necessary that the governor, with as many as can be got to attend him, go to Conestogo to meet the Indians, and inform himself of the cause of their meeting. In the copy of the council book there is no report of the issue of this meeting. James Logan, secretary of the council, and afterwards one of the members, was charged particularly with the affairs of ye Indians by William Penn-he was at this time in England. At a court held at Philadelphia, 21st Sept. 1710. The queen of the Conostogo Indians, Ojunchio, and two chiefs more, and some of the Connoise Indians, laid down before the council four bundles of skins and furs; and at the delivery of the first bundle they said, as was interpreted by that they had given the government notice of their intention of coming hither, the last time he was at Conostogo. That they were now come; and do present him with that bundle to make him a cover for his table, to be used in the same manner as the carpet then spread upon the council table. Upon their presenting the second bundle, they said it was in remembrance, and as an acknowledgement for the gunpowder they had presented to them here, the last year; for which they were very thankful. Upon presenting the third bundle, they said it was a token of their good will and friendship; and that they shall ever remember and observe the governor's advice It seems probable that the Indian war which had about this time raged in Carolina, occasioned this application of the Tuscarora Tribes. £.7,674 3 2 The expence of oil from the year, 1765 manner: 664 2 1 478 12 10 802 0 0 329 11 0 1036 16 0 10,985 5 1 2,259 16 9. The money thus expended, was raised in the following 5,910 0 0 2,791 14 6 254 5 4 11,395 16 7 The Light-House was, in a great measure, burnt For the keeper's wages, (who is appoint- For contingent repairs, &c. It will not be inapplicable to close this detail, with a memorandum respecting the removal of the chevaux de frize, which were sunk in the channel of the Delaware during the late war. This work was undertaken and executed by Mr. Arthur Donnaldson and Mr. Levi Hollingsworth, in the summer of 1784. The number of these obstructions were about 60 or 70, and in dimensions about 60 by 30 feet. The cost, including the expence of sweeping the river, amounted nearly to 7000 pounds.-Columb. Mag. 1788. ACCOUNTS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH. It appears by the accounts just published, that the receipts during the year 1827, were (including $1293 53 balance in hand Jan. 1, 1827,) $23,198 75, of which there accrued from Fees on vessels from foreign ports Head-money on foreign passengers In property sold Borrowed Stock sold $3,568 25 1,500 00 9,871 35 2,342 63 EXPENDED during the year 22,555 Purchase of a lot for deposit of nuisance Salaries, removing nuisances, incidental expenses, &c. 29. Loans and interest There are taxes outstanding due from col lectors for 1814 to 1822 Due 1823 Balance in Treasurer's hands E. E. City Treasurer's Office, March 7, 1828. Pittsburgh, March 14. Earthquake-On Sabbath night last a few minutes after 11 o'clock, a very distinct shock of an Earthquake was felt by several persons in this city. We have not heard that the concussion was felt on the high grounds remote from the river; it was probably confined to the alluvial formations near its shores. Shocks were also experienced at about the same hour at Baltimore, at Fredericksburg, Va. Raleigh, N. C. and Wheeling, Va. and Gettysburg in this state. [From the Pennsylvania Gazette.] COMMUNICATION. The Winter of 1827-28, is past, and such a one precisely has never occurred during sixty years of my ob13,713 98 servations. There were two events in it differing from any mild winters I ever remember-viz. so much absence of the sun-but one day in December clear all dayJanuary 20th and 21st clear all day-February 8th sun arose clear and continued so all day as mild as the month of May-12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 22d, 23all these days were clear, the sun shining all day—in one or two days the sun made its appearance nearly all day, and a number of days one, two or three hoursadd these to the whole days and it would scarcely amount to seventeen days clear sun-this is one singu lar trait. 3,052 00 2,196 04 The Board of Health, at a meeting held on the 12th Steward of Lazaretto-John Robbins. The next is the uninterrupted state of the navigation of the river Delaware. I have known several soft winters in the course of my life, but I do not recollect any but what was more or less interrupted and obstructed with ice. The winter of 1777-8, when the British army lay in Philadelphia, and the American at Valley Forge, was an open one-much rain and excessive bad travelling, but there was at one time much ice in the river. The following winter, '78-9, was a mild pleasant one; yet there was ice sufficient to obstruct the navigation-this winter was so mild that on the 22d March, the orchards of different kinds were all in blossom, and the meadows as green as in the month of June, in the neighbourhood Messengers-John Buckingham and A. J. Werthym. of Downingstown, Lancaster road; and the next morn Superintendant of Blockley burying ground-Johning a storm at northeast, with nearly two feet of snow Marley. The board of commissioners of the Northern Liberties, on Thursday elected William Binder and George Gorgas, Esqrs. members of the Board of Health to serve the ensuing year. New Post Offices. on the ground which destroyed all the fruit of that year. The coldest weather, to last any considerable time, for this many years, was in Feb. 7, 1817-it froze almost all the fire-plugs in the city, and the water in the main pipe in South street. A NATIVE OF PHILADELPHIA. Printed every Saturday morning by WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 59 Locust street, Philadelphia; where, and at the EDITOR's residence, No. 51 Filbert street, Subscriptions will be thankfully received. Price five dollars per annum-payable in SIX MONTHS after the commencement A new post office has been established at Point Ples- of publication-and annually thereafter, by Subscribers sant, in Bucks county, and Col. Joseph Hough, appoint-resident in or near the city-or where there is an agent. A new post office has been established at Lenglestown, Dauphin county, and Dr. David Umberger, appointed post master. ed Post Master. Other subscribers pay in advance. 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. INVENTION OF THE QUADRANT, By T. Godfrey. Although the honor of inventing the quadrant, has by its bearing his name, been conferred upon Mr. Hadley, yet it is well known to many, that the real inventor of it was Thomas Godfrey, a native of Philadelphia. The following letters and statements, extracted from the American Magazine, for July and August 1758, and published from the originals, will exhibit the rise and progress of the invention, and prove satisfactorily, we think, that the honour of it attaches to Mr. Godfrey, and through him to this state and city. On the Invention of the Quadrant commonly called HADLEY'S. The great improvement which the art of navigation has received from the invention of this instrument, must ever place those concerned in it, among the highest class of names that will be remembered by posterity. Though Mr. Hadley, (whose fame in the learned world can suffer no diminution by what we are now to publish) has great merit in the improvement of this instrument which bears his name, yet there is sufficient reason to conclude that he was not the first inventor. In the philosophical transactions, No. 435, there is an "Account of Mr. Thomas Godfrey's improvement of Davis's Quadrant transferred to the Mariner's Bow, by the late Mr. Logan of this place, whose reputation in mathematics was inferior to few in his day. In that account it appears that Mr. Godfrey, of this city, had begun to think of this matter as early as the year 1730. He was a glazier by trade, and a man of no education, but perhaps the most singular phenomenon that ever appeared in the learned world, for a kind of natural or intuitive knowledge of the abstrusest parts of mathematics and astronomy. NO. 13. Nevertheless it often happens that the true author of many an useful invention, either by accident or fraud, loses the credit thereof, and from age to age, it passes in the name of another. Thus it happened, heretofore, to Columbus and many others; and thus also it has happened to a native of Philadelphia. here, was the real inventor of that very useful instrument Mr. Thomas Godfrey, it is well known to many of us called Hadley's Quadrant or Octant. To him the merit is due, and to his posterity the profit ought to belong. This will fully appear from the three following genuine letters, which I persuade myself, you will think worthy of being recorded in your Magazine, in order to restore, as far as possible, the credit of that invention to our city, and to the posterity of Mr. Godfrey. How he came to be deprived of it may be made a question by some. I answer that Mr. Godfrey sent the instrument to be tried at sea by an acquaintance of his, an ingenious navigator, in a voyage to Jamaica, who showed it to a captain of a ship there just going for England, by which means it came out his being told the name of the real inventor. This to the knowledge of Mr. Hadley, though, perhaps, withfact is sufficiently known to many seamen and others yet alive in this city; and established beyond doubt by the following letters, written about that time. It is, therefore, submitted to the world, whether, after perusing the letters, they ought not, in justice, to call that instrument, for the future, Godfrey's, and not Hadley's Quadrant. To Dr. Edmund Halley. Esteemed Friend,-The discovery of the Longitude having, of late years, employed the thoughts of many, and the world now expecting, from thy great sagacity and industry, some advances towards it, far exceeding all former attempts, from the motion of the moon, to the ascertaining of which thy labours have so long and happily been directed; the following notice, I hope, will neither be thought unseasonable, nor prove unacceptable. That the success of that method depends on findIn order, therefore, to show how far the honor of this ing the Moon's true place for one meridian by calculainvention is due to Mr. Godfrey and his patron Mr. Logan, tion, and for another by observation, I think is generally we propose to publish Mr. Logan's original account re- allowed; the first of which being depended on from ferred to in the above quoted number of the philosophi-thy great genius, what remains is some certain method cal transactions; together with two letters to the royal society written previous to that account, one by Mr. Logan and the other by Mr. Godfrey himself. These three letters will give a complete view of the whole affair in its rise and progress. They were put into our hands by a sensible and candid citizen of Philadelphia, with the following pertinent introduction, and, therefore, their authenticity, if it were doubted, may be easily vouched. To the Proprietor's, &c. for observation, practicable on that unstable element, the sea. In order to this, thy predecessor at Greenwich, if I mistake not, for some years, published his calculations for the moon's future appulse to the fixed stars, which would save all observation, but that of a glass; but these not often happening, and the moon often having a considerable parallax when they did, that project dropt. For finding her place by taking her greater distances from stars, the fore-staff or cross-staff cannot be exact enough: and Quadrants, Sextants, &c. with two Telescopes, are impracticable at sea. Gentlemen,-All civilized states have thought it their honour to have men of great ingenuity born or bred among them. Many cities of ancient Greece had long Dr. Biester's late proposal for taking the difference of and sharp contentions for the honour of Homer's birth-rad. ascension between the moon and a star, if that should place. And in later times volumes have been written in prove practicable with sufficient exactness, would unEurope, in disputing which city had the true claim to the doubtedly answer the intention of all that is to be exinvention of the art of printing. Nor is it to be wonder-pected from the moon, if her place were taken on or ed that mankind should be so generally eager in this respect, since nothing redounds more to the honour of any state than to have it said that some science of general utility to mankind was invented or improved by them. near the meridian. But to keep the arch of this instrument in the plane of the equator, and, at the same time, view two objects of unequal altitudes, and considerable distance from each other, by the edges of two sights, |