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1828.1

PENNSYLVANIA CANAL.

309

of Perry county,

To the board of Canal Commissioners of Pennsylvanią.
GENTLEMEN

At the solicitation of many of the people of the county of Perry, I am induced, though very reluctantly, again to draw your attention to the location of the canal at and about Clark's ferry. I do it with reluctance and with feelings of delicacy, because I know you have been much troubled on this subject heretofore. I however, trust that the great interest the people of Perry haye in this matter, and the vast importance of the subject itself will be an apology. I will first beg leave to call your attention to the following exhibition of the estimates of the engineers:

may hereafter be brought by water for the use of the in- Communication from J. Miller, Esq. in behalf of citizens habitants of this city: That the sd. Dock be dug out and cleansed so deep that the bottom may be always covered with water. That the channel under the Bridge in Front Street be continued the width of sd. Bridge to the East side of Water street, there to widen gradually by sloap lines on each side so as to be sixty feet wide, & to continue that width to the Riyer channel & to be dug out & walled as aforesaid, agreeable to a plan now laid before the Board. That the common Sewer on the South West Branch be continued to the Dock. But as this will be attended with a considerable expense, & the dangerous nusance complained of not effectually removed, unless the whole Dock so far as to the Third Street be in like manner dug out, cleaned & walled up, We have (lest it should appear too great a burthen to be borne by the city) applied to several of the Inhabitants, owners of ground adjoining the sd. Dock, who, taking the Premises into serious consideration, have, for Removal of so publick & dangerous a nusance as far as in them lies, & also for procuring a sufficient quantity of Water in case of ffire in that part of the city, agreed each for Himself, his Heirs, Exrs. & admrs. to dig out, cleanse & wall their several & respective shares of the sd. Dock, which are appointed to their respective Lots, & to keep them for ever clean & in good Repair, On condition That the Profit arising from Landing of Wood & other Things on the Banks of the said Docks opposite to their lots may belong to them, their Heirs & Assigns respectively, And that the city shall make the flood gates, at the several Bridges & do all their part in the premises. The Board having considered the sd. Report, & that the Methods proposed therein, would if pursued, be attended with a considerable expense, were of opinion it would be better, before any resolution be taken by this Board, that the Magistrates confer with the city Assessors, in relation to the raising Money for that purpose, & that in the mean time matter remain in consideration.

23 May 1748.-W. Attwood, Mayor.

The Recorder exhibited an account of the expense of soliciting a petition presented some time since from this Board to his majesty for putting the country in a posture of defence, which amounted to £53. 18 4. sterling, requesting the board would be pleased to order that he be reimbursed that sum, the same having been paid by the agent in London. The Board accordingly do order the said sum of £53. 18. 4. sterling, to be paid the Recorder by the Treasurer of this Corporation.

Some members representing to the Board that it might be proper that an entertainment be given to captain Ballet, commander of His Majesty's sloop Otter, now in this port, at the expense of this corporation, the same was unanimously agreed to, and the care of the same referred to the Mayor and Recorder.

14 July, 1748.

The Mayor acquainted the Board, that in lieu of the entertainment agreed to be given to captain Ballet, commander of His Majesty's sloop, the Otter, at the expense of this corporation; the magistrates, upon further consideration thereof, had thought a handsome present towards his sea stores would be more agreeable to him, and that they had accordingly presented him with one pipe of wine, eight loaves sugar, and twenty gallons of rum, towards his stores as aforesaid, which was unanimously approved of by the Board.

4 Oct 1743.-The Mayor, W. Attwood, Esq. having proposed to the Board to consider whether it would be most agreeable to them to accept the sum of sixty pounds, to be added to their stock in the Treasurer's hands, or an entertainment at his expense. The Board were unanimously of opinion to accept the sd. sum of sixty pounds, rather than an Entertainment.

3 Oct. 1749. The same proposal was made by C. Willing, Mayor, of the sum of one hundred pounds, or an Entertainment, and the said sum of one hundred pounds accepted.

Expense of uniting the canals on the
N. E. side of the Juniata and cross-
ing at Clark's ferry by aqueduct
(estimate of engineer,)

Expense of uniting them on Duncan's
Island and crossing from the point
of that Island by aqueduct,

Balance,

In the estimate of crossing at Clark's
ferry, the Rock or Onion bottom
hill section, is estimated,
Messrs. Hopkins and Patterson, sti-
pulate to make it and give security
for their performance, for

Balance,

In the estimates, the breadth of the
river at Clark's ferry is taken at 260
feet more than its real breadth,
which at $50 per foot, the esti-
mate cost of the aqueduct would
be,

The cost of completing that part of
the canal from the Onion bottom
hill to Clark's ferry, is estimated
$6,144

at

At the rate for which similar con-
tracts have been made, it would
cost,

Balance,

$295,088

240,887

$57,092

40,000

$13,000

$54,201

$17,092

3,320

$2,824

$32,916

$21,285

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$5,285

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Deduct as follows-Differencetween the estimate for the Onion bottom hill, and Messrs. Hopkins and Patterson's stipulation,

$17,092

Clark's damages if the canal goes on the N. E. side,

10,000

The bonus if it comes on the S. W. side to Clarks ferry,

$6,000

Balance in favour of coming to Clark's ferry,

$33,092

10,432

be more extensively cleared and cultivated, and wherev er our numerous calcareous valleys are intersected by canals or navigable streams, lime, so valuable as a manure and in the arts, can be calcined at a low rate, by the aid of anthracite. Experience has demonstrated that for the manufacture of iron this fuel is peculiarly advantageous, as its embraces little sulphur, or other injurious ingredients; produces an intense, steady heat; and, for most operations, it is equal, if not superior, to coke, Bar iron, anchors, chains, steam-boat machinery, and wrought iron of every description, has more tenacity and malleability, with less waste of metal, when fabricatThus if the above calculations are founded on correct charcoal, with the important additional advantage of a ed by anthracite, than by the aid of bituminous coal, or data, as I believe they are, by the low levels, the ba- diminution of expense, at least fifty per cent. in labour lance is decidedly in favour of Clark's ferry, and upon and fuel; and iron castings are stronger when the meltthe aqueduct level the balance is but $5,285 aganst it.ing has been effected by the aid of anthracite. Possibly, A sum which will bear no comparison to the advantages which will result, not only to the people of Perry, but to the state generally by crossing at Clark's ferry. But gentlemen, there is a difference of opinion between the engineers, both as to the place of crossing and in their estimates. It would therefore be highly gratifying to those who are interested, if a competent umpire could be called in to give an opinion.

I will now take the liberty to suggest (that in case you do not cross the river by an aqueduct) the idea of erecting the dam in the Susquehanna as originally located, so as to slack the water up to the Island, and also to put a dam in the mouth of the Juniata and slack the water to the heads of the Onion bottom hill or rocks. If this plan should be found practicable without prejudice to the navigation, it will certainly be much cheaper than either of the others. It will also afford an outlet from Clark's ferry into the canal, and it will prevent the necessity of building an expensive and insurmountable wall around the end of Peter's mountain. In case the canal should be brought down on either of the levels to Clark's ferry, I am authorised by Mr. Clark to release all damages and to offer the bonus of 6,000 dollars, in either way mentioned.

The foregoing remarks are submitted for your candid consideration.

It is the anxious desire of at least 5-6 of the whole population of the county, that the canal should cross at Clark's ferry, or at all events that they should not be barred from any communication with it at that point. I am gentlemen, very respectfully, yours, J. MILLER. Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1827,

ANTHRACITE REGION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Observations relative to some of the Mountain Districts of Pennsylvania, and the Mineral resources of that state, in its Anthracite, Bituminous Coal, Salt and Iron, with miscellaneous remarks; by James Pierce.

A considerable proportion of the state of Pennsylvania is occupied by mountains, generally uninviting to the settler, and mostly remains in a state of nature. It is crossed by the Blue Ridge, Alleghany, numerous minor ridges, and extensive tracts of elevated table land, that spread over an average width of 150 miles. Though undesirable for agriculture, much of this mountain region contains, in its anthracite, bituminous coal, salt and iron, mineral treasures that will be a source of inexhaustible wealth to the State.

In no part of the world is anthracite, so valuable in the arts and for economical purposes, found as abundantly as in Pennsylvania. Its cheap diffusion will be of incalculable advantage to the Atlantic States, where the increased expense of fuel begins to be felt; and its further enhancement would limit the population, and materially interfere with the progress of manufactures. To agriculture it will be a material auxiliary: fuel being supplied from the interior of the earth, the surface can

in the quick process of heating and fusing, it communicates less carbon and oxygen. For breweries, distilleries, and the raising of steam, anthracite coal is decidedly preferable to bituminous coal, or other fuel, the heat being more steady and manageable, and the boilers less corroded by sulphurous acid, while no bad effects are produced by smoke and bitumen.

The anthracite of Pennsylvania is located between the Blue Ridge and the Susquehanna, and has not hitherto been found in other parts of the State, except in the valley of Wyoming.

The anthracite district is principally occupied by mountains running parallel to the Blue Ridge, often broad with table land summits, and rising generally about 1500 feet above the ocean. With the exception of a few narrow valleys, this region has little surface inviting cultivation. The summits, by repeated fires, have been divested of much timber, leaving, thinly scattered, pitch and yellow pine and white oak, and are generally too stony for tillage, but they may, at some future period, afford good ranges for cattle and sheep. In an extensive elevated valley, bordering upon the head waters of the Lehigh, there is considerable land clothed with a good soil for grazing. The anthracite mountains, with a dense forest of beech, hemlock, maple, birch, &c. nature, and afford retreats for panthers, wolves, bears, and ranges connected with them, are mostly in a state of deer, and other animals resident in the unsettled parts of our country. In passing from the Berwick turnpike to Wilkesbarre, in a distance of thirty-five miles, I noticed but three dwellings, and two of these were log taverns lately erected. Between twenty and thirty panthers have been killed, within three years, by the hunters of Lowrytown, a settlement recently formed on the Lehigh.

The rocks of the above described region are of the transition class, and present little diversity, being principally gray wacke slate, which occurs in abundance, loose on the surface and in ledges. It is sometimes based on old red sand stone, and surmounted by an unstratified rock, an aggregate of quartz pebbles of various dimensions, with a cement principally silicious. In the Blue Ridge, in addition to the above described rock, a silicious gray wacke, resembling fine grained granular quartz, is common. It appears in some places massive, but is often slaty. Its cement is mostly silicious; some alumine, however, is indicated in its composition.

The beds and veins of anthracite range from northeast to south-west, and may often be traced for a considerable distance by the compass. The veins have the inclination of the adjacent strata of gray wacke, with which they often alternate, usually between 20 and 45 degrees. In a few places they are horizontal and vertical. The beds and veins of anthracite have narrow strata of dark coloured; fine grained, argillaceous schist, for the roof and the floor. This slate generally contains sulphuret of iron and disintegrates on exposure to the air. The sulphates of iron and alumine are often observed in the schist, and it frequently presents impressions of plants, and sometimes of marine shells. Impure pul

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verulent coal is usually connected with this slate, and is said to be a good material for printer's ink.

Anthracite has been found in greatest quantity, in sections of the coal region most accessible by water. Extensive veins and beds range from the Lehigh to the Susquehanna, crossing the head waters of the Schuylkill and Swatara about ten miles north-west of the Blue Ridge, and it abounds contiguous to the Susquehanna and Lackawanna. But in no part of the district does anthracite occur in such apparently inexhaustible beds, or is so abundantly raised, as in the vicinity of Mauch Chunk, a village situated on the Lehigh, thirty-five miles from Easton, and one hundred and eight by water, from Philadelphia.

The coal is there excavated on the flat summit of a mountain that rises near 1500 feet above the ocean. It is of good quality, and presents beds of unparalleled extent; is disclosed for several miles on the summit, where ever excavations have been made, and is indicated in many places by coal slate, in a pulverulent state, on the surface. The mountain rises with steep acclivity particularly on the north-west side, and when penetrated at various altitudes, discloses coal at about the same disdistance from the surface. Strata of gray wacke slate, containing mica, sometimes rest on the coal, parallel with the mountain side. In the deep excavations made on the summit, no termination of the coal bed has been found, and it is not improbable that anthracite forms the nucleus of the mountain for a considerable distance.

The coal is rendered accessible by removing from the flat summit, gravelly loam, which is from a few inches to four feet in depth, and disintegrated slate with impure coal, from two to four feet. The coal rests in a horizontal position, narrow parallel seams of argillaceous schist intervening. This schist exhibits saline efflorescences. Strong chalybeate springs, holding in solution sulphate of iron, issue from the mountain's side. The coal excavation on the surface is extensive, and from thirty to forty feet in depth, forming a hollow square, bounded by lofty mural precipices of coal. Wagons are admitted by avenues that serve to discharge water from the mine. The coal is easily detached by picks and bars. From this bed, in 1825, about 750,000 bushels of coal were sent to Philadelphia, and it is expected that a million of bushels will be forwarded the current year. The expense of raising coal is 40 cents the ton.

This coal mountain range is reported as extending in a south west direction to the Susquehanna. To the north-east, beyond the Lehigh, it is connected with Broad Mountain, the first considerable elevation west of the Blue Ridge, or Kittetany Mountain, as it is sometimes called.

Rocks in place rarely occur on the table land summit, adjacent to the coal bed. Old red sand stone exists in places near the mountain's base, with superincumbent strata of gray wacke slate, and silicious aggregate of quartz pebbles, resembling the mill stone quarries of the Shawangunk mountain, which probably may be put to the same use.

About ten miles of the coal mountain, the village of Mauch Chunk, and an extensive tract adjacent to the Lehigh, are the property of a company having a capital of a million of dollars, incorporated by the Legislature of Pennsylvania. They have constructed a good turnpike, that rises gradually 936 feet in nine miles, the distance between Mauch Chunk and the coal bed. The cost of transportation by this road is 60 cents the ton; about seven tons are conveyed with ease on two wagons drawn by four horses.

A rail-way has been surveyed on the mountain's side to the coal bed. It will be single, with places for turning out, and terminates near the Lehigh, at an elevation of about 200 feet above its level. The coal, in its descent from thence to the yard, or boats, can be riddled of earth and fine particles. Iron wagons, carrying three tons of coal, will descend on the rail-way, by their own gravity, regulated by a piston, connected with the

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wheels, and working in a horizontal cylinder with vases and stop cocks. The resistance of air or water in the cylinder, will be sufficient to retard or arrest the wagons in their course.

It is calculated that the expense of transportation on the rail-way will not exceed 25 cents the ton.

The Lehigh Company are endeavouring to procure coal 24 miles from Mauch Chunk, by tunneling two hundred feet below the precipitous ridge, that occupies the eastern brow of the coal mountain. The exc vation of a sufficient magnitude for the passage of teams has been extended more than 600 feet in a hard rock of quartz pebbles; without finding coal. Twelve workmen are constantly employed, and have advanced about a foot each day. Shafts have been sunk sixty feet in the table land, at the base of the narrow rocky ridge: good coal was found after penetrating seven feet of earth and slate. The bottom of the shaft is supposed to be about eighty feet above the tunnel. If no coal is struck in pro ceeding horizontally, the tunnel will still be serviceable for discharging water from the great coal bed above, and to receive coal from that bed which may extend to within a short distance of the excavation, and can be worked in horizontal galleries. The sides of the ridge, above the tunnel, are too precipitous for the passage of wagons. The elevated summit of the ridge commands a view of many wild, rocky, wood clad ranges, and deep ravines.

The improvement of the navigation of the Lehigh, is one of the conditions annexed to the charter of the company: this has already been effected in respect to a descending navigation, from Mauch Chunk to the Delaware, and further improvements for an ascending navi. gation, and to extend the water communication up the river to Stoddartsville, are in progress. The Lehigh is a copious rapid stream, that has its origin among wood clad rocky mountains, forty miles north west of Mauch Chunk. Its waters are pure, and well stored with trout, pike, sunfish, catfish, eels, perch and other fish. There is considerable good pine, and other timber, adjacent to the Lehigh, 18 miles above Mauch Chunk, much of which is the property of the company, who have thus formed a settlement for cutting and rafting timber, at which they employ 150 men. The descent from Stoddartsville to Mauch Chunk is 925 feet, and for the effec tual improvement of the navigation, 38 large dams will be required. They will afford valuable sites for mills and manufactures. When the contemplated improvements are effected, the Lehigh will be navigable within 12 miles of the rich valley of Wyoming, and much of the wheat of that section of country, which is now transported 60 miles to Easton, may find a readier market at Merchant Mills on the Lehigh. The descent from Mauch Chunk to Easton is 364 feet, to overcome which, it is calculated that 21 dams and 52 locks will be necessary. Many dams have already been constructed of pine logs, at an expense of about three thousand dollars each. They are located at the head of rapids, enabling the navigator to command an artificial freshet, when the stream from its dispersion, would not otherwise admit of the passage of boats. Water from the dam is copiously admitted into a rail-way that extends to the foot of the rapid. The gates, in the lock at the head of the railway, of peculiar construction, were invented by one of the managers, Mr. White, to whom the company are indebted for many ingenious improvements. The gates. are attached by hinges to the bottom of the lock, and rise by the force of water admitted from a floom, constructed parallel with the lock, and suspended, forming a section of the dam. If the gate of the floom is closed, the water between the gates passes off, and they fall by their own weight and the pressure of the water from the dam. To facilitate an ascending navigation, short canals to the termination of the rapids will be required. A canal of a mile and a quarter, commencing at Mauch Chunk, has recently been excavated: the locks are of the new construction above mentioned.

prieve, from a very desirable service and the ejectment of tenants at will from their dwellings.

The Lehigh from Mauch Chunk to the water gap, 11 two furnaces, a grist mill, and several saw mills: about miles, winds between rocky mountains, with a brisk 800 men are employed by the company. Stricter moral current, but presents no falls. The road usually runs obligations are here subscribed to and observed, than near the stream, and sometimes at a considerable eleva- could be enforced by a state, or the general govern tion above, on the steep mountain's side. In its passagement, as the penalty of violation is dismissal, without rethrough the Kittetany, or Blue Ridge, the river has a pretty tranquil and but slightly inclined course. On the adjacent elevation, yellow pine, hemlock and spruce, are interspersed with trees of annual verdure. From the water gap to the Delaware, the river pursues its course in a deep ravine, with rarely alluvial borders of much extent, and seldom seen from the road. The soil in this district of country, generally rests on limestone sinks, indicating caves, and fissures in the rocks are of ten observed, and will render canalling in places diffi-vited to preach, and dissipation is prohibited on the Cult. From the confluence of the Lehigh with the Delaware to tide water, the descent is 150 feet. The rapids of the Delaware in dry seasons, present great impediments to forwarding coal. A canal will probably be found indispensable to secure a permanent ascending and descending navigation of this stream. Boats are rarely lost in the descent.

Tippling houses, and the retail of ardent spirits, are not tolerated. There is but one tavern and store in the village, and they are owned by, and under the control of, the company. Drunkards are not suffered to remain. Abuse or neglect of their families, and cruelty to cattle, are grounds of dismissal. There is no regular place of worship, but clergymen of every denomination are inSabbath. By a small annual contribution from each workman, and heads of families in the village, an able physician is procured, who attends the sick without further compensation.

Labourers, in the employment of the company, are furnished with daily rations of whiskey-a practice to be deprecated as inducing habits of intemperance.Beer should be substituted, as was once contemplated. More than an equivalent in money is now offered to those who abstain from ardent spirits, so unnecessary for the performance of labour, which considerably enhances the receipts of those who accept of the terms.

Coal is conveyed to market from Mauch Chunk landing in flat bottomed shallow boats, 12 feet wide by 16 in length, connected by hinges, and denominated boats in sections. Six or seven of these boats, each laden with ten tons, are usually united, and are navigated to the Delaware by four hands; from thence to Trenton, The company have a small furnace in operation, five are required. Six days are commonly occupied in which produces daily about 3500 pounds of castings.— the descent to tide water and in the return. The boats The ore used is of a good quality, procured twenty miles are disposed of for lumber. The construction of the below, near the Lehigh. A ton of coal is exchanged boats independent of materials, costs 60 cents each. If at the furnace for the same weight of ore. Limestone, formed of pine plank they are probably disposed of necessary for a flux, is furnished at the same rate. A without loss, when the navigation is completed. The third part of bog ore, found near the village, is mixed boats can be conducted by small steam vessels, and re- with the purchased ore. The head workman informed turned, producing an important saving. At present, me that by blending a tenth part of pounded anthracite the expense of raising and transmitting coal from the with charcoal, in smelting, a third more work is done in Lehigh beds to market, is less than from any part of the a given time, than would be produced by charcoal alone. coal regions. It does not exceed two dollars the ton, of 28 Pigs are melted for castings entirely by pounded anthrabushels, and will be materially lessened by the construc-cite, producing better castings and great diminution of tion of canals and rail-ways. If, as is probable, the price labor. A stronger blast, however, is necessary for anin Philadelphia should under competition be reduced to thracite, than is required for charcoal. Sledge hamfour or five dollars, this coal trade would still afford a mers, cast from meltings by anthracite have been found large profit on the capital employed. When the nu- sufficiently strong to be useful. The coal is pounded merous canals connecting the extensive coal region of in a water mill. A large furnace has recently been erecPennsylvania, with the navigable waters of the sea-board ted by the company, whose casting for the rail-way will shall be accomplished, coal will be far the most econo- shortly be produced. mical fuel for our commercial towns, and parts accessible by water. In large cities, it will be peculiarly valuable from its safety, and may save considerable expense in the construction of dwellings. By adopting stove furnaces and pipes, they can dispense with chimnies and fire places, and the removal of soot, and obstructions by sweeping will not be required.

In the valley of the Delaware, which in the latitude of Easton has a width of 30 miles, presenting a rich soil, with a calcareous basis, anthracite will be of great utility from the low rate at which it can be afforded, superseding the necessity of retaining groves for fuel, now frequent on superior arable land, and will enable the manufacturer of lime to furnish that valuable manure at a very low rate. It is now calcined in kilns, which may be continued in blast without intermission, at the cost of two cents the bushel, by the aid of anthracite. From 20 to 30 bushels of lime can, in ordinary kinds, be subtracted from below.

The village of Mauch Chunk is situated on the western bank of the Lehigh, in a deep romantic ravine, between rocky mountains, that rise in some parts precipitously to 800 or 1000 feet above the stream. Space was procured for dwellings, by breaking down the adjacent rocks, and by filling a part of the ravine of the Mauch Chunk creek. Aportion of this stream has been transferred to an elevated rail-way, and is used to propel a grist mill. Within six years the Lehigh company have erected, and are the proprietors of, about 120 dwellings and buildings of every description, including a large hotel, a store,

Several bodies of anthracite occur north-west from the coal beds of the Lehigh company, and about eleven miles from Mauch Chunk. The most extensive is located in the beaver meadow, south of the Berwick turnpike. It has been assertained to be more than fifty feet in thickness, and of a quality equal, if not superior, to the best procured by the Lehigh company. A considerable quantity has been raised this season, and conveyed to the Lehigh for shipment. By a rail road, this coal may be brought at a moderate expense to navigable waters, and be productive.

In travelling north from the Berwick turnpike, I ascertained, that veins of coal range in a northern direction from the Beaver meadow for many miles. One was mentioned as existing three miles from Lowry town.

Coal has not yet been discovered in Pennsylvania to the north-west of the Lehigh, but as it is an unexplored region of the same geological character, rocks, &c. with the anthracite district, it is not improbable that it may be discovered in that direction, and it is rendered more probable by the existence of narrow veins of anthracite in the gray wacke eminences of Sullivan and Ulster in the state of New York, connecting the Catskill mountains with the anthracite ranges of Pennsylvania; with the exception of a vein of anthracite, said to have been recently discovered in the Delaware water-gap, that mineral does not occur within ten miles of the Blue or Kittetany mountains, or of the Shawangunk, a part of the same chain, which presents similar rocks.

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From the principal coal bed of the Lehigh company, to a considerable branch of the Schuylkill, the distance is but three miles. The navigation of this stream is susceptible of improvement, and may, at a future period, be the medium of conveyance for coal found on its bor

ders.

Between Mauch Chunk coal bed and Mount Carbon, a distance of eighteen miles, veins of coal running in a south-west direction occur. It is mountainous, unsettled, and little known.

Next to Mauch Chunk, Mount Carbon, or Pottsville, as it is now called, situated at the head of the Schuylkill canal, has been the principal source of the supply of anthracite. Many large veins are worked within three miles of the landing; and some have been opened several miles to the north-east, in the direction of the Lehigh beds. The chief veins wrought, are, one situated on an eminence adjacent to the village; Bailey's mine, about two miles from Pottsville, and near the turnpike to Sunbury, and on the territory of the New York Schuylkill coal company, about three miles from the village. On almost every eminence adjacent to Pottsville, indications of coal are disclosed. The veins generally run in a north east direction, with an inclination of about 45 degrees, and are from three to nine feet in thickness.Commencing at or near the surface, they penetrate to an unknown depth, and can often be traced on hills for a considerable distance, by sounding in a north east or south west direction. Some veins have been wrought to the depth of two hundred feet without a necessity of draining; the inclined slate roof shielding them from water. Where the ground admits, it is considered the best mode of working veins to commence at the back of a coal eminence, or as low as possible, and work up, filling the excavation with slate and fine coal, leaving a horizontal passage for the coal barrows. A section of a wide vein near Pottsville has been wrought by this mode several hundred feet into the hill. The same vein is explored from parts of the summit by vertical and inclined shafts. The coal and slate handled, are raised by horse power, in wagons, by a rail-way that has the inclination of the vein. Veins of coal alternate with gray wacke siate in the hill. Vegetable impressions sometimes occur in the argillaceous schist that forms the roof of the Pottsville coal veins.

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cheaper rate, the canal company will find it for their interest to lower the rate of toll, and would be compensated by an increased quantity shipped.

From Pottsville to Philadelphia, a distance of 132 miles the descent is 588 feet. The navigation of the Schuylkill is improved by alternate dams and canals. Between the coal mountains and the Blue Ridge, the canal passes through a wide, extensive, elevated, and very broken valley, of a generally poor soil, partially cultivated, and thinly occupied by inhabitants of German descent, who speak the language of their ancestors. It was represented that not one in ten could converse in English. There is a narrow range of limestone in parts of this valley adjacent to the Blue Ridge.

The passage of the Schuylkill canal through the Blue Ridge is interesting. The mountains bordering the ra vine are lofty and precipitous, presenting ledges of old red sand stone, with coarse and fine silicious gray wacke. The turnpike winds on the mountain's side at a considerable elevation above the stream. The navigation through the pass is effected by stone dams of magnitude, and permanent construction; one of them is of 30 feet altitude. Groups of locks, water falls, and broad sheets of water, were frequent. The expense of lockage would here have been considerably lessened by adopt ing the inclined plane. From the Blue Ridge the Schuylkill, for forty or fifty miles, winds through a valley in which there is considerable limestone, the fissures and cavities of which in some places rendered the forma tion of a retentive canal difficult. I noticed, four miles from Reading, and not far from the river, extensive beds of rock, closely resembling in composition and colours, the calcareous breccia of which the columns in the capitol at Washington are formed.

The navigation of the Schuylkill has been much interrupted by droughts the past season, and frequent repairs required. Boats have often grounded in the shallow water of dams. It will probably be found advisable to concentrate the water in a canal for most of the distance. Fevers, so generally prevalent within a few years in the valley of the Schuylkill, have been attributed by some to water stagnating in the dams.

The village of Pottsville, of recent origin, contains several good stone dwellings and stores. A weekly journal, edited with ability, is here published. A reading room, containing many books and periodical publications, does much credit to the village.

Beds and veins of coal occur in numerous places between Pottsville and the Susquehanna, and are found on the side of Broad mountain, a central elevation. Mines arc opened and worked at the head waters of the Swatara and Stony creek, at Peters' mountain, and a few miles east of Danville.

On the extensive tract occupied by the New York company, coal is reported as inexhaustible. I was informed by the company's superintendent at Pottsville, (Mr. Baker) that coal beds, from forty to one hundred and fifty yards in width, are indicated by coal slate; good coal is found in sounding between the layers of slate; but they have not been much explored; in one or two places veins in vertical and horizontal positions occur; but they have generally, on the lands of the company, South-west of Pottsville the coal becomes more easily the usual inclination and direction. About three hun-ignited, and that at Peters' mountain is reported to condred men are employed by this company.

It is contemplated to render a western branch of the Schuylkill navigable, which will give easy access to a large body of coal, the property of the New York company, situated five miles from Pottsville.

Coal at the head of the canal is sold for ten cents the bushel. The raising costs about three, and cartage a cent a mile; the canal tolls amount to about 54 cents, and freight near four, making the whole expense from the mine to Philadelphia from $4 to 4 50 the ton, according to the location of the coal bed, or economy used. A considerable saving in the item of cartage would be ef fected by the formation of rail-ways to the principal mines. They are generally situated considerably above the landing, and present a descent most of the way to the coal yards. It is probable that there will be a further extension of the canal into the coal region, which, with the formation of rail-ways, will give access to coal beds otherwise too remote for profitable working.

Should it be found necessary, to enable the proprietors of coal beds at Pottsville to come in competition in the market with coal from other localities delivered at a

No. 20.

tain bitumen. It is probable that the coal of that vicinity embraces, like the Wilkesbarre, much more inflammable gas than the Lehigh, which may have led to the supposition that it was bituminous.

The coal from this part of the State can be forwarded to Philadelphia by the aid of rail ways, and lateral canals communicating with the Union Canal, which runs through a fertile limestone valley, in a parallel course, and at no great distance from the coal hills.

Anthracite is found on several of the streams that dis. charge into the Susquehanna, on its eastern side. A large bed, not yet opened, exists a few miles eastwardly from Berwick, and numerous veins occur from an elevated part of the Wilkesbarre mountain, to the Kingston and Shawnese mountains, that form the western border of the basin of Wyoming. No anthracite has been dis covered to the west of these mountains, or north of the Lackawanna range, with which they are connected.

Veins of coal in the vale of Wyoming, are not only very numerous, occurring on almost every farm, but many are of uncommon thickness, in some instances from 18 to 35 feet; and the vegetable impressions are faz

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