to cover their cabins with; and required six pounds as damages. The Assembly gave him three pounds.

1745. The Episcopal Church was completed in part this year.

Lancaster was laid out as a town in the year 1728, and the first German Lutheran Church and School House were built in the year 1734.

In the year 1745, the German pastor of the Lutheran Church united a portion of his congregation with the Moravian. A great ferment was excited among the Lutherans. The Lutherans told the Governor they were compelled either to hear a doctrine which they did not approve, or resign their Church. The Governor told them he could not interfere, that the law would protect them in their rights.

The "dark swamp," in the centre of Lancaster, was attempted to be cleared from wood, and a drain made to carry off the water.

1749. James Webb complained to the General Assembly of the undue election and return of a Member from Lancaster county, and praying redress.

It was given in evidence before the Assembly that, the election had been conducted in a violent and unbecoming manner; that votes had been received by persons unauthorized to receive the same, and particularly two by Christian Herr, one of the Inspectors; that many persons voted as often as four, five, six and even ten times; that one of the candidates who was elected, encouraged them, and although there had not been one thousand persons upon the ground, yet two thousand three hundred votes had been received.

The House Resolved-"That the election be confirm ed, and the officers be admonished and censured by the Speaker. Accordingly the officers who had conducted the election, were admitted into the House, and severely censured for their misconduct.

1751. In pursuance of a resolution passed at a large and respectable meeting of the freemen of Lancaster county, in the town of Lancaster, it was stated that a number of the settlers had severely suffered, both from the hardships of a new settlement and the hostility of the Indians and therefore, be it Resolved, That a House of Employment be provided for the industrious, in indigent circumstances. And the building was accordingly erected by the benevolent spirit which disposed all sects and all countries to contribute their aid for so excellent a purpose.

A farm was procured, and farming implements provided; also manufacturing articles for the encouragement of honest but indigent industry. Lancaster became soon remarkable for the excellence of its stockings,made in that establishment.

1758. The freemen of the county having suffered severely by the badness of the road, which in the fall and spring was impassable, therefore complained to the Assembly,of the great injury done them, in requiring them to attend the Supreme Court in the city of Philadelphia, and requesting a County Court in lieu thereof.

1759. In consequence of the distracted state of the country by Indian cruelties and French hostilities, a barracks was erected this year in the town of Lancaster, to contain five hundred men for the security of this valuable part of the Province. Mr. Bausman was appointed Barrack Master. 1760.

Lancaster county--436,346 acres of Land. 5,635 Taxables. £1 2s. Od. each taxed. Amount of Tax, £6178 10s. Od. 1763. The rapid growth of the county by large and extensive clearings, made each year by enterprising emigrants from Germany, Holland, and Ireland, induced also many of the worthless, idle, and dissolute to follow, and therefore compelled the honest settlers to build a House of Correction for the punishment of the vicious. A large number of Scotch Irish, in consequence of the limestone land being liable to frost and heavily wooded, seated themselves along the northern line of the counties of Chester and Lancaster, well known at i

an early period by the name of the "Chesnut Glade." The Germans purchased their little improvements, and were not intimidated either by the difficulty of clearing, the want of water, and the liability to frost which at this period was experienced every month in the year. Several valuable mills were built, but altho' very necessary for the settlement, they became a subject of much irritation among the farmers on the waters of the Conestoga, as appears from a petition presented to the General Assembly, stating, "that Michael Garber, Sebastian Graff, and Hans Christy, erected three large dams on Conestoga Creek, to the great injury and detriment of the settlers on its banks; that said Creek flows about thirty miles through a woody and fertile country, of a width about 250 feet, well calculated for boats and rafts, of wood; that the price of wood in Lancaster is raised to 108. a load for oak and 15s. for hickory; that before the dams were built, wood was lower, and they had an abundant supply; before any dams were built shad, salmon, and rock fish were in abundance, and in the tributary streams plenty of trout; before the water was dammed up, the country was free from pestilential fevers, and from diseases of every kind; that in consequence of the damming of the water, the country along the Conestoga is visited by an autumnal fever, and that which was formerly healthy is now become unhealthy: They, therefore, pray that the Assembly pass a Law requiring the Sheriff to remove said dams, as there would be left no less than ten good Grist Mills, all in the distance of five miles from the town of Lancaster."

NOTE. The owners of said dams altered them so as to remove many of the causes of complaint. 1764. John Penn, Governor.

On the fourteenth day of December, the town of Lancaster was thrown into some confusion and alarm from the accounts received from Conestoga Manor, of thirty horsemen well mounted and equipped with arms, having attacked the town of Conestoga Manor, and murdered six unoffending Indians, the rest being from home, and having destroyed the town by fire, returned to their places of abode. The surviving Indians flew to Lancaster and applied for protection, and the Justices placed them in the House of Correction for security.

Oct. 27th. Fifty men with faces blackened, armed and mounted, entered suddenly the town, rode in a gallop to the jail door, placed a guard without its walls, then a party burst into the prison, and murdered fourteen Indians, which being accomplished, they rode off as hastily for Paxton.

Oct. 30th. A very large number of mounted men with arms, from Donegal and Paxton assembled, for the purpose of marching to Philadelphia and massacreing the Indians there in the Barracks; but on hearing of their intention, the Magistrates of Philadelphia surrounded the Barracks with a strong military force, and the cruel designs of the Paxton Boys was relinquished.

1764. Samuel Ekerlin, of Cocalico township, in the County of Lancaster, and member of the religious society of Dunkers, held one hundred and eighty acres of land in trust for their use and benefit. Henry Miller applied to him for the deed to himself, but Samuel Ekerlin refused, saying however, he would have no objection to convey the land to Trustees for the common and sole use of said Society of Dunkers, but would not execute any deed for any other purpose or to any other person or persons.

1765. The Presbyterians put up a large Meetinghouse under the direction of the building committee, William Montgomery, John Craig, and James Davis. 1769. The Episcopal Church had an addition made to it this year.

The German Reformed Church was completed this year.

Several other religious denominations are mentioned as being in prosperous circumstances-the Society of Friends, Roman Catholics, and Baptists.

1772. Persons conscientiously scrupulous of swearing

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by the Book, or taking an affirmation, asked the Assembly to pass a Law that they may swear by the uplifted hand, as is the practice in Scotland.

23

Mr. Price presented the proceedings of a large and respectable meeting of citizens, friendly to the proposal to remove the market wagons from Second to Sixth street. Referred to market committee.

Mr. Price presented a petition from sundry citizens, praying for the paving of Crab street, running from Gaskill to Cedar street, between Fourth and Fifth. Referred to paving committee.

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
Thursday Evening, Dec. 24th.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23d, 1829. Joshua Percival, Esq. President of the Common Council. Dear Sir-I beg leave through you to present to the Common Council of the City of Philadelphia, five copies of a Map of the termination of the Pennsylvania Rail Road, which has been prepared under my direction, and at the expense of some gentlemen who are interested in the final location of that important state work.

This Map exhibits the various routes which have been examined and traced under the authority and direction of the two Boards of Canal Commissioners, and the location of the rail road adopted by the late board, which crossed the river Schuylkill below Peters' Island, and without injury to private property, passing through Penn Township would afford to the inhabitants and owners of property therein, an equal opportunity to use and partake of its benefits and conveniences, terminated at the intersection of Broad and Vine streets in the city of Philadelphia.

The recent report of the present Board of Canal Commissioners, by which the rail road is recommended to proceed from the foot of the inclined plane along the west bank of Schuylkill, and to cross the river at Fair Mount, thus rejecting the location of the late board, may make it necessary that an examination of the effects of this change on the interests of the city of Philadelphia shall take place. This Map may be found useful in such an investigation.

I am your obedient servant,

RICHARD PETERS. Mr. Johnson presented a petition, which with the names attached was thirty six feet long, praying for the removal of the market wagons, from Second street to Sixth. The petition is similar in its tenor to that which we published in our last proceedings of Councils.

Mr. Baker presented a petition, praying that Eighth street may be made a stand for the venders of country produce, and not Sixth.

Mr. Price presented a remonstrance from 1450 citizens against removing the market carts from Second street to Sixth.

carts from Decatur street, reported that the said street was the most convenient stand for the carts of persons attending the market between Fifth and Sixth streets.

Mr. Price, from the special committee on the subject, made a report accompanied by a bill providing for the appointment of an additional number of public vaccine physicians. The bill was ordered to be printed.

A petition was received from Bowley and Weaver, stating that they have erected fifteen houses on Ninth street, between Cedar and Shippen, and praying that they may be allowed to introduce the Schuylkill Water into the same, they laying the pipes, and paying the same water rent as the inhabitants of the Northern Liberties. Referred to the watering committee, with power to act as they may deem fit.

An ordinance was passed to supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the year.

Another ordinance was passed, providing for a sewer in High street east of Front street, and for altering the eastern front of the Fish Market.

Councils took into consideration, the following report and resolutions.

The Select Council passed the resolutions. The Common Council laid them on the table. Some members expressed an opinion, that altering the building in the manner proposed, would cost much more than the architect estimated.

To the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia.

The Committee on the State House or Independence Square, respectfully Report:

That they have received proposals from the Marshal of the United States for this District, to lease for a period of 10 years, the upper rooms of the State House, provided they shall be prepared for a Court Room and offices for the Clerk and Marshal, at an annual rent of 600 dollars for the first 6 years, and 1500 per annum for the succeeding 4 years, making an average rent of 960 dollars. A plan and estimate have been procured from Mr. Haviland, by which it appears that the cost of the necessary alteration will amount to 1676 dollars. Your Committee considering this a desirable appropriation of the property, beg leave to recommend the following resolutions.

Mr. Massey presented a petition from sundry citizens praying that Chesnut street from Front to Third, may be repaved early in the ensuing spring. Referred to paving committee.

Mr. Johnson presented a petition praying that Sheaff street may be paved. Referred to paving committee.

Mr. Johnson presented a petition from sundry citizens praying that additional openings may be made into Washington Square. Referred to committee on the square.

Mr. Price presented a petition from sundry citizens praying that a stand for vending flour and meal may be established in the Market between Fifth and Seventh streets. Referred to market committee.

State House.

Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, that the Committee on the State House and Independence Square, be and they are hereby authorized to have the upper rooms of the State House altered agreeably to a plan of Mr. J. Haviland, now submitted, or in such manner as the Committee may think best, for a Court Room and adjoining offices, and that the expense thereof be charged to appropriation No. 14.

To the Select and Common Councils of Philadelphia. The Remonstrance of the Subscribers, Citizens of Philadelphia, Respectfully showeth,

That they have learned with equal surprise and regret, that Petitions have been presented to your honor

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expected by our fellow citizens in the interior from a successful completion of this great state work: the object of which is to introduce by the best and cheapest means to the best and most profitable market, the various productions of their soil and industry. Supposing it to pass at Fair Mount, the line now recommended by the board, terminates nearly two miles from the Delaware front, and confines the whole trade that may cross, to the sparsely settled front of the Schuylkill. The location on the western bank is in fact a private not a public concern; and if it is needed, private capital assuming the shape of an incorporated company, can easily be found to complete it.

The route on the eastern side passes along a levelled track through the heart of Penn Township, strikes into Spring Garden, and terminates at the intersection of Vine and Broad streets. From different parts of this route, branch railways can be readily taken to accommodate the flourishing districts of Spring Garden, the Northern Liberties and Kensington-it can also be taken to any part of our city plat, and by conducting a line through the centre of Broad street; it will also suit our fellow citizens in Meyamensing and Southwark, who will have their share of the trade of the interior by this noble improvement. Our western front will also be supplied by their branch as before described. The Watering Committee are therefore decidedly of opinion that the route proposed by the present Board of Canal Commissioners by the way of Fair Mount would be highly injurious to the interests of the City and the State, and that the route by Peters' Island is the only proper mode of terminating the Columbia and Philadelphia Rail Road.

Your committee will next proceed to consider its effects on our establishment at Fair Mount, a short description of these works and their cost will better enable Councils to judge of its operation on them.

"In the year 1799, Councils sensible of the importance of a supply of water to the city appointed a committee to ascertain whether it could be introduced by means of water power, and whether such power was to be found within a reasonable distance of the city, and to report on the subject."

Mr. Latrobe was employed by the committee and after considerable pains it was believed that no water power could be had adequate to the purpose, and Councils finally decided upon constructing two steam engines, the one on Chesnut street (Schuylkill,) and the other in the Centre Square; and by these means to supply the City with water from the Schuylkill." These works cost

275,861 91 "In the course of a few years these works were found insufficient and very expensive, which induced Councils once more to look for a more frugal means of supply." The consequence was the erection of two steam engines and works at Fair Mount, and the raising of the water at that spot:

These engines and works cost

200,700 32 The constant and great expense attending steam engines and the vexation occasioned by repeated accidents, induced the Watering Committee to propose the present method of raising the water by water power, which was adopted and the present works were accordingly erected.

These works consist of a Dam across the Schuylkill, of which the height of fall at high water is 6 feet 6 inchThe overfall part of the dam is 1204 feet long, and the mound dam 212 feet, making together 1416 feet from shore to shore.

es.

25

And it leaves

1,783,643 74

500,000 00 1,283,643 74

The cost of the works now in use, with Iron Pipes, Reservoirs, &c. included.

What will be the effect of the contemplated Bridge and Rail Road at Fair Mount on this valuable property?

The river at the Upper Ferry Bridge is contracted to 340 feet between the abutments. The contemplated Bridge begins a short distance above on the Western Bank, crosses the marsh below it, and terminates on the Bridge property at Fair Mount on the Eastern side.→ There are to be 6 spans and 5 piers and 2 abutments. The piers cannot be safely less than 28 feet, as they will be sunk in the water 23 feet deep, and they are to be carried 22 feet above the water line, making 45 at this point from 80 to 100-feet but a short distance below feet in height. This will, of course, narrow the river

Past experience supplies us with ample materials to our works, and where the river is but 400 feet wide.foretell the inevitable and fatal consequences of such an obstruction. In February, 1822, the water rose 19 feet 5 inches at the Falls of Schuylkill, and was 8 feet 11 inches perpendicular on the Dam at Fair Mount and the water below the Dam was on a level with it. What would have been the effect of a rail way bridge at that time cutting off a fifth of the natural channel of the riv er below the Dam?

This freshet if the works had been in operation, would have rendered them entirely useless for 24 hours without such an impediment. A common ice freshet in February, 1829, of 4 feet, stopped the water wheel for 18 hours, and the ordinary full moon tides stop them 6 hours in the 24.

A rail-way bridge must greatly increase this evil, and in the opinion of our scientific superintendent, Mr. Frederick Graff, "will in part if not effectually destroy a public work which has cost the city upwards of a million of dollars."

The watering committee think it unnecessary to state more fully the reasons upon which this opinion is founded, as they are detailed at length by Mr. Graff in a letter attached to this report. Even a temporary stoppage of the water would expose us to all the horrors of conflagration without the means of relief, and deprive us of

NOTE. The iron pipes laid in the Districts to Dec. 31, 1829, amount to 19 miles, which with 36 miles in the City, make 55 miles of iron pipes supplied from the reservoirs at Fair Mount,