cumstances concerning which your letter of the 8th regular and convenient_town-plot-numerous streets, makes inquiry. They prove, even in their minuteness, lanes and alleys, affording every facility for improvethe sacred attachments of our fellow citizens to the event ments as well as convenience to the public, have been of which the paper of July 4, 1776 was but the decla- opened-besides which most of the principal streets ration, the genuine effusion of the soul of our country at through our district are already paved. Nor is this all, that time. Small things may perhaps, like the relics of gentlemen, and it should be a source of gratification to saints, help to nourish our devotion to this holy bond of us to reflect that the corporation or turnpike road comour union, and keep it longer alive and warm in our af- panies which held a jurisdiction over the two principal fections. This effect may give importance to circum-avenues of our district, have, after a long and legal constances however small. At the time of writing that in-troversy, relinquished all right and claim to the two strument I lodged in the house of a Mr. Graaf, a new great and leading thoroughfares. In relation to one of brick house three stories high, of which I rented the se- them in particular, it may be said to have exhibited nocond floor, consisting of a parlour and bed room ready thing but a pool of stagnant water, threatening pestifurnished. In that parlour I wrote habitually, and in it lence to those who resided in its vicinity, and dangerwrote this paper particularly. So far I state from writ- ous to those who happened to travel on it. In a few ten proofs in my possession. The proprietor Graaf was years what a wonderful change! instead of one being a young man, son of a German, and then newly married. proclaimed as a public nuisance, it now exhibits, as I think he was a bricklayer, and that his house was on does the other from the southern line of our district, to the south side of Market street, probably between 7th almost its northern extremity, a beautifully paved and 8th streets, and if not the only house on that part street. of the street, I am sure there were few others near it. I have some idea that it was a corner house, but no other recollections throwing any light on the question or worth communication. Iam ill, therefore only add assurance of my great respect and esteem. Dr. James Mease, Philadelphia.

Dear Sir,

TH. JEFFERSON.

MONTICELLO, Oct. 30, 1825.

Your letter of Sept. 8, inquiring after the house in which the Declaration of Independence was written, has excited my curiosity to know whether my recollections were such as to enable you to find out the house. line on the subject would oblige,

"Di. Mease.

Dear Sir, Yours,

TH. JEFFERSON.

You will allow me, gentlemen, to congratulate you on the accomplishment of another matter, which had engaged the attention and anxiety of the inhabitants of the district and their commissioners for some time backI allude to the introduction of the Schuylkill or other wholesome water into our district, whether for the promotion of health or comfort of its inhabitants, or for the protection of its property. This you are aware has happily been effected, by contracts entered into between the city of Philadelphia, the District of the Northern Liberties and our own District: we may therefore within a short time expect to have in common with other Districts a participation in so desirable a convenience.

In conclusion, gentlemen, I will recur to the occasion which induces me to offer these remarks. We meet Afor the first time in this hall, erected by and for the con venience of the inhabitants of the District, and for the comfort of its officers. The erection of this building at a considerable expense must be regarded in no other light than a further evidence of the enterprise of the

Mr. Jefferson was correct in his recollections, and the people of this rapidly increasing district. No district house is known to be that mentioned in the text.*

in the county of Philadelphia, affords more opportunities for improvement, none certainly has made more; with a large tract of country open to the enterprise of

COMMISSIONERS' HALL, KENSINGTON DIS- the capitalist; affording every facility to the mechanic

Gentlemen of the Board of Commissioners of the Kensington District of the Northern Liberties:

It is with no ordinary feelings of pleasure that I address you this day-I am aware that we have met to transact the ordinary business of our constituents-but the circumstances under which we assemble at this time seem to afford an opportunity, of which I avail myself, of offering a few brief remarks, in relation to the District we now represent.

or manufacturer, the entire limits of its territory bound. ed by the river Delaware on its east, and an already populous district to its south, a rich and fertile country to its north and west-may we not be allowed to hope that our district may continue to improve as it has done. In fine, gentlemen, at the public expense has this Hall been directed, for public convenience. To the public service let us now dedicate it, and whilst we who represent the interests of our district, shall endeavor faithfully to discharge the trust reposed in us-let us at the same time hope that those who may succeed us will be governed by the same object.

BOARD OF TRADE.

Report of the Directors of the Philadelphia Board of Trade, read at the stated meeting on the 4th inst. Agreeably to the provisions of the fourth article of the Constitution, the Directors of the Philadelphia Board of Trade, respectfully lay before the Association But fourteen years since the Kensington District be- a Report of their proceedings, since their organization. came incorporated, without scarcely a street regulated, The short period which has elapsed, has necessarily except those which came into the plan of the act of the much limited their exertions and will be a sufficient reaLegislature of 1795. Let us look back through this son for presenting a brief Report. Enough however short space of time, and view the wonderful changes has been done to give encouraging promise that the anwhich have been effected by the enterprise of the in- ticipated usefulness of the Association will be in a great habitants, aided by the exertions of their Commission-degree realized. The first meeting was held on the 15th ers from time to time. Then without a paved footway, day of October last, when a Committee was appointed much less paved streets-our district now exhibits a to draft a Constitution. At an adjourned meeting on the 22d of October, the present Constitution was adopted *The house now occupied by Mess. Gratz, S. W. and the officers of the Association and the Directors corner of Market and 7th street.

were elected.

and which might also be a pleasant and useful resort for the members of the Association, the Directors have rented a room in the Exchange at 250 dollars per annum.

The Directors cannot conclude this report without an expression of the r obligation to the editors of the city, for the courteous manner in which they have published the reports and other papers of the Directors and the Association.

Thus far we may congratulate the Association on the effort which has been made to unite the mercantile energies of our city by organizing a society, whose benefits we trust will be felt throughout the commonwealth, The Board of Trade was not constituted to promote mere sectional purposes, but to call into active operation, for the benefit of the whole, all the resources of the great state of which we are proud to form a part, and which being poured into this great seaport of Pennsylvania, will make rich returns to our fellow citizens of the interior, and to the coffers of the commonwealth. PANTHERS.

Mr. Chapman:

At the first meeting of the Directors, a Committee was appointed to prepare a Code of By-Laws, and to report whether it be expedient to propose any alteration in the Constitution. That Committee having reported a draft of the Constitution embracing several amendments, the same was ordered to be presented for consideration to the Association, and was accordingly submitted to the special meeting hell on the 16th December last. One of the earliest objects which claimed the attention of the Board of Trade was the forming of a junction, between the Pennsylvania and Ohio canals, and its great impor tance induced them to recommend it to the immediate and special attention of the Directors. Previous to the first meeting of the Directors it happily occurred, that the subject was deemed so important as to canse a Town Meeting of the citizens of the city and county, at which a Committee of seven persons was appointed to confer with the Board of Trade. This mark of confidence was hailed by the Directors as a favourable omen of success, and at their first meeting, they appointed a Committee of equal number to act in concert with the Committee of the Town Meeting, and appropriated a sum sufficient to defray the expenses of the Delegates to the Convention at Warren in Ohio. The joint Committee appoint ed seven well qualified Delegates to represent the city and county of Philadelphia in that Convention, and the Directors have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the able and satisfactory manner in which they have dis-by charged the duties committed to them. The Report of these Delegates was deemed of sufficient interest to order a special meeting of the Association, and having been submitted need occupy no further space in this Report. It being a matter of great moment that sufficient means of transportation should be afforded on the completion of the Portage Rail Road, which is nearly finished, the attention of the Directors has been called to the subject, and they have placed it in charge of a committee who have not yet reported. To prevent misunderstanding in this and all similar subjects, the Directors think it advisable to say, that it is not the object nor within the powers of the Association to enter into contracts for the execution of this or like matters, nor do they at all intend to interfere with individual en terprise: their sole purpose is, to promote all objects which are deemed important to the trade and interest of the community by collecting and disseminating information, by drawing to them the attention of the public and of the constituted authorities, and by giving all their exertions and influence to their full attainment.

At the instance of a number of respectable Merchants, the Directors addressed a memorial to Congress, praying that the provisions of the 18th Section of the act of July 14th, 1832, for a return of duty on goods in original packages, remaining in custody of the Custom House, may be extended to the several periods of reduction, embraced by the act of March 1833.

The Law regulating Commission business, being thought defective in affording security for advances made on goods consigned, and differing much in this respect from the Laws of the other States, a committee was ap pointed to investigate the subject, who have prepared a Memorial to the Legislature. A Committee has also been appointed to examine the Inspection Laws of the State, with a view to memorialize the Legislature, should any Legislative action be found necessary; this Committee has not yet reported.

The Directors by thus indiscriminately lending their influence to every branch of business or trade, with a view of promoting whatever may be deemed important, and of general utility, and by avoiding all interference in matters of a more private character, not falling within the objects of the Association, trust that they may be instrumental in promoting the welfare of a community in which all have so clear an interest. Believing that the objects of the Association and business of the Di rectors required a room for their exclusive use,in which their papers might be deposited and their meetings held,

LEHIGH GAP, Dec. 24, 1833.

On the 22d inst. we received the news of a large Panther being on the mountain. He had been pursued two persons from the little Gap to this place where they lost him. A number of us met and concluded he should not remain here peaceably. We went in pursuit of him and found him among the rocks: the dogs routed him and brought him within 600 yards of Mr. -'s house, where they treed him and he was weighed 135 pounds. He measured seven feet one inch in length, and

shot.

We have the skin stuffed for the gratification of the public. Yours, &c.

JOHN PRYOR, Jr.

EASTON, Dec. 20, 1833. A friend of ours, from Tobyhanna, last week, brought to Easton a Panther's head, the premium for which is traps, when he came across this lord of the forest. The $12. He was out in the woods attending to his bear shot was most excellent, taking effect directly above the left eye, and at the distance of forty yards. From the tip of the nose to the end of his tail he measured upwards of eight feet.-Argus.

INSPECTION OF SALTED PROVISIONS. To the Editors of the Commercial Herald. Gentlemen:

The following is a statement of the number of barrels and half barrels, of Beef, Pork, and Herring, inspected by the inspector of salted provisions for the city and county, and port of Philadelphia, for the year 1833. 3,123 bbls. of Beef. 508 half bbls. do. 6,765 bbls. of Pork. 69 half bbls. do. 53 bbls. of Herring.

10,618

THOMAS C. JONES,
Deputy Inspector,

Philadelphia, January 2d, 1834.

THE REGISTER.
PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 25, 1834.

We had another snow storm on the 20th inst. sufficient to cover the ground about two inches in depth. Vessels have passed up and down this week-but there is now some ice in the Delaware-Schuylkill is frozen across, and there is fine skaiting above the dam.

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

VOL. XIII.-NO. 5. PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY 1, 1834. NO. 317

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

BOARD OF PROPERTY ROOM,
December 7th, 1833.

To the Honourable the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Gentlemen-In obedience to a resolution passed by the House of Representatives on the sixth of April last, as follows, viz. Resolved that the Board of Property be and they are hereby directed to prepare and report to this House on or before the fifteenth day of December next, what has been done, or what steps taken to comply with the requisitions of an act passed the twenty-second of March, 1820, entitled "An act directing the recovery of the principal and interest due to the Commonwealth from persons holding lands by virtue of locations or other office titles issued from and under the Proprietary Government and for other purposes; and an act passed the eleventh of April, 1825, explanatory and supplementary to said act; and also an act passed eighth April, 1826, on that subject: That said report exhibit a statement shewing as far as it can be ascertained the number of tracts and the aggregate number of acres in each county, the owners or occupiers of which have been ascertained, and which shall at the time of making the report still remain unpatented, showing also the number of tracts and aggregate number of acres in each county, which shall not have been ascertained and the reasons thereof, showing further the number of tracts and aggregate number of acres in each county, which in the progress of the enquiry may have been found to be held by prior grants and therefore lost to the grantees, together with any other information the Board may think necessary for the information of the Legislature in relation to the subject, and whether any further legal provisions are necessary to enable the Board of Property to carry more fully into effect the laws above recited."

We have the honour to report, that agreeably to the provisions of the act of the 22d March, 1820, entitled "An act directing the recovery of the principal and interest due the Commonwealth from persons holding lands by virtue of locations and other office titles, issued from and under the Proprietary Government, and for other purposes," the Surveyor General had lists made out, of all the surveys on file in this office on those rights, for which no patents had issued, for all the counties within

VOL. XIII.

9

the Old purchase, in which they are situated. Copies of the said lists were transmitted to the Deputy Survey. ors of their respective counties as directed by the first section of said act.

After these lists were again returned by the said Deputy Surveyors, with their reports thereon as far as ascertained,the Surveyor General caused Tickets to be made out for calculation of the amount due on the following number of surveys, of which the owners and occupiers had been reported, directed to the Secretary of the Land Office, preparatory to bringing suits, as directed by the third section of said act, viz.

In the years 1822-23 there were 1312 tickets issued.
1823-24
1824-25

Total,

981

999

3292

on which calculations were accordingly made in that office.

When these calculations were completed, the Secreinstituted generally, but it was ascertained that in setary of the Land Office was about to order suits to be veral of the counties there were arrangements made for resisting payment, on the ground that the additional charge of interest under the act of 25th January, 1816, commonly considered compound interest, was an illegal claim" on the part of the State. In order to have the matter brought to a trial without expense to the Commonwealth, or oppressive costs to the debtors, the Secretary of the Land Office, in the month of October, 1828, forwarded official certificates of the amounts due on six tracts respectively, within three of the counties where opposition to payment was most manifest, to the deputies of the Attorney General, with instructions to institute suits against the reported owners of the land. Suits were brought accordingly, but in consequence of the act of the 8th April, 1829, and the supplements thereto, prolonging the time allowed for making pay. ments, no more suits could be instituted; and it has been considered that it would not be equitable to press those already commenced.

After the acts of the 11th April, 1825, explanatory and supplementary to the act of the twenty-second March, 1820, and the act of 8th April, 1826, on that subject, were passed, and the time for bringing suits extended, the Surveyor General caused lists to be made out, of all the warrants and locations in his office under the Proprietary Government, "on which no surveys had heretofore been returned." The Board of Property, after having given public notice to receive proposals for contracts, in 1827 and 1828, made written contracts with "suitable persons," in all the counties within the old purchase, for which those lists were made out, to perform the duties required by the first and second sections of the act of the 11th April, 1825, within the time specified in their contracts. The Surveyor General had copies of lists No. 1 and 2, transmitted to the con. tractors, agreeably to the provisions of the aforesaid acts.

The board regret that they are not in possession of the materials, to enable them to furnish a complete statement of all the information required by the aforesaid resolution; as the returns have not yet been com pleted or received from all the contractors, notwithstand

ing the Surveyor General, during the last summer, addressed circulars to delinquent contractors, requiring them to complete their contracts and make settlement with the board of property without delay.

Although a considerable time has elapsed since the expiration of the time when their contracts were to have been completed, yet final returns have only been received from some, and settlement made in part by other contractors, as stated in the following table, which will exhibit the information required, so far as it could be made out from their reports and returns.

COUNTIES. No. of owners and oc-No. of owners and oc- No. of found to be
Tracts.cupiers have Tracts. cupiers have Tracts. held by pri-

REMARKS.

or rights.

00 Final return and settlement. 00 Cont'or dec'd, no new C. made 50 1426.58 Final return and settlement. 122 6873.42 Final return and settlement. 17 2695.122 Final return and settlement. 20 4480.110 Final return and sett. [cont'r. 00 No ret'n of survey rec'd from 00 Final return and settlement. 00 No return rec'd from cont'r. 00 Final return and settlement. 00 No return from contractor. 519.68 Final return and settlement. 586.79 Final return and settlement. 00 No return from contractor. 3213.141 Final return and settlement. 00 No return from contractor. 20272.51 Final return and settlement. 8 2299.12 Final return and settlement. 2 600.00 Final return and settlement. 167 17491.121 Final return and settlement. 9 2254.120 Final return and settlement. 192.00 In part-seen this report. 313.147 Final return and settlement. 98 20445.51 Final return and settlement. 222 64423.53 Final return and settlement.

been Itained.

ascer.

not been as-1
certained.

00

00

00

23 00 131

19476.72

20

5689 38

21623.149

000 No report from contractor. 000 Return made by cont'or, but 2 again withd'n as incorrect. S 95 14169.104 Final return and settlement. 000 No report from contractor. 000 No report from contraetor. 000 Return in part.

000 Final report and settlement. 000 No report from contractor. 000 Final report and settlement. 000 No report from contractor. 733.38 Settlement in part.

000 No report from contractor. 95 27823.20 Final report and settlent. 00 000 Sett. in part-see this report. 171 18683.139 Final return and settlement.

775,754.19 1240 251,340,36

It will be observed that the columns marked A and B, contain the aggregate or whole number of tracts and acres in each county, of which the owners and occupiers have been ascertained. Those in the columns mark ed B, interfere with, or are covered by prior rights. In the counties marked thus", partial reports were made by the Deputy Surveyors, on list No. 1, in pursuance of the act of the 22d March, 1820; but as no reports have yet been received from the contractors for said counties on lists No. 2, it was deemed unnecessary to insert them.

many of the old warrants and applications; especially those entered in list No. 2, from which alone it was impracticable to ascertain where to apply them, to make surveys and returns upon them, with the names of their owners and occupiers, agreeably to their contracts, without other information which they could not obtain. Many of these old rights have probably been abandoned, and since covered by other rights.

In other cases, particularly in Lancaster county, where there still appears to be a large proportion of the land held under old office rights, remaining unreturned Various reasons are assigned by the contractors, and unpatented, the contractors have recently brought "why the owners and occupiers bave not been ascer in their lists, with which but little comparatively has tained," of the tracts inserted under that head in the been done, especially list No. 2, in consequence as they preceding table; but in all cases where final returns stated, which is corroborated by other respectable perhave been made, they reported those which were fur-sons, that the excitement in that county was so great, nished to be all they could find. In most cases, the that not only every information was withheld from the reason was imputed to the very vague description of contractors in relation to their lands, but personal vio

lence threatened, if they attempted to make surveys. After a great loss of time and pecuniary sacrifice, the contractors deemed it necessary for their personal safety to desist, and report accordingly.

In a communication to the board it is stated, that the unpatented lands in that part of the county where the excitement prevails, is of an inferior quality, and was settled at so early a period, at a very high ra'e, that the claim of the Commonwealth would probably exceed its present value. The owners would be satisfied to pay what might be considered an equitable price, but if the claims of the State were enforced, many who are not able to meet it would be compelled to abandon their lands, with their improvements. Whether any Legislative provisions should be made to encourage the patenting, by rendering the price more equitable, of that class of land, will be for the Legislature to determine. The contractor for Washington county reports, that with the exception of the few tracts returned, he has been unable to discover any others held under proprietary rights. In that county they are generally held by Virginia certificates, and other rights, as will appear from the following extract from his report:

"That I have used all due diligence to perform the duties of my contract, but have not been able to find the land mentioned in said lists, so as to identify the same, except in a few cases, which are marked on the lists which I returned to the Surveyor General's Office. And from all the information I can obtain, after three years' diligent inquiry, and often going out of my way several miles to obtain information, I find that there is little if any unpatented land in this county held under any of the titles in the aforesaid lists; most of the unpatented land in this county is held by settlement right, without any office title, or by Pennsylvania warrants and by Virginia certificates."

Some of the contractors, from whom no returns have been received, it is understood are deceased; others have applied to be indulged with further time, in consequence of the number of old office rights within their districts, which, from their vague descriptions and other difficulties, could not be completed in the time requir

ed.
The Board deem it proper to state, that from the par-
tial returns made by contractors, it is impossible for them
to say what number of tracts, or how many millions
of acres remain unpatented; but are satisfied that the
amount due the Commonwealth from that source must
be very considerable.

All which is respectfully submitted.

To the Hon. JAMES FINDLAY,

SAM'L M'KEAN,
JACOB SPANGLER.
S. WORKMAN.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

From the Harrisburg Reporter.
EXHIBITION OF THE BLIND.

ourselves, we confess, that we had not before conceived it possible for those unfortunate beings, deprived of the most useful avenue to the acquirements of know. ledge, even to make that progress in the rudiments of education, as these in question have already attained. A method seems to have been discovered, by which the rays of knowledge may be admitted into the minds of the blind, affording them a mental light to mitigate the enduring darkness-the privation of a sense through which we derive the greatest share of our pleasures and enjoyments. Humanity rejoices in the discovery. The examination was attended by the Governor, Heads of Department, Members of both branches of the Legislature, and as many citizens as the Hall would contain, numbering, at least one thousand. A deep interest was manifested by all, in the various performances of the pupils. The recitations, singing, music upon instruments, on which all played in concert, elicited repeated bursts of applause. Indeed, a more interesting exhibition is seldom witnessed. The unfortunates were of themselves objects of the kindest compassionappealing directly to the most active sympathies of humanity-add to this the surprising evidences which they exhibited, to prove that the blind are not shut out from the advantages of mental cultivation; that we still have it in our power to soften the condition of this illfated portion of our race, and we think all will concede the great interest of the scene.

We understand, that this institution is asking an endowment from the State. A competent appropriation for this object, would, we are fully pursuaded, meet the cordial approbation of the people. We cannot conceive where the public munificence could be exercised on a more praiseworthy and humane institution.

B. W. Richards, Esq. delivered the following ap propriate address at the commencement of the exercises:

I am requested by my colleagues to present a few remarks preliminary to the exhibition. I cannot hope to offer any thing worthy the attention of this intelligent and distinguished audience. It is proper however, briefly to notice the origin and progress of this infant institution. Sometime in November, 1832, Mr. Friedlander, the respectable principal of this school, came to our city.

He had been instructed in the schools of Germany, Prussia and Paris, and came with the express design of founding an institution for the blind in our country. He soon attracted the attention of several of our benevolent citizens, and through the intervention of Mr. Vaughan, obtained a single pupil whom he carefully instructed at his own lodgings. His rapid success with this pupil commanded confidence in his skill and fidelity, and in Jan. 1833, a society was formed, contributions were made, a board of managers appointed, and subsequently in March, the school was opened. Under great disadvantages, a very high degree of success has attended the institution. The pupils before you can read, write, and have a knowledge of arithmetic, geography, music and of several handicraft arts. The caAgreeably to previous arrangements, the pupils from pacity of the blind to receive and impart instruction, so the Pennsylvania Institute for instruction of the satisfactorily developed in this institution, has been blind, were introduced into the chamber of the House known from the earliest period. The transcendant of Representatives, yesterday, afternoon, and examin powers of Homer and Milton, and the extraordinary ed in the various branches of education to which their attainments of Saunderson, Schoonberger and others, attention has been directed. They were accompanied are familiar to this audience. The ability of the blind from Philadelphia by their teacher Mr. Julius R. Fried- to attain eminent success in any branch of science or lander, and a committee consisting of B. W. Richards, knowledge to which their minds may be directed, has Edward Coleman and John U. Frailey, Esqrs. who its reason in a correct analysis of the faculties of the were present at the examination, which was conducted human mind. That power of vision which is the source by Mr. Friedlander. It will be recollected by our rea to us of most of our ideas, is at the same time the aven ders, that this institution is of recent origin, and that ue to those distracting thoughts and those fleeting and instructions were commenced there only about nine flitting images which cross our minds, and prevent the months ago Much could not, therefore, in reason be concentration of our powers upon the object of mental expected; still we believe that the proficiency exhibit-pursuit. The blind are undisturbed by these confused ed by the pupils in spelling, reading, writing, geogra- and transient images, and can direct their energies with phy, music, &c. far exceeded public expectation. For a precision and singleness of purpose to the object they