serve an adherence to wisdom, rectitude and truth. But precept is often colder than the heart, and is therefore uncongenial to its feelings. It is less active than the temper, and therefore cannot keep pace with its movements. Even conscience herself, were she always well instructed and correct in her determinations, it is obvious from daily observation, may be lulled to sleep by interest, or if she speaks, her still small voice may be drowned by the tumults of pleasure or of business. The magic ring of the Arabian story which reminded the wearer of his duty as he was about to depart from it, became irksome and was thrown aside. If it were practicable to be attended at all times by some sagacious friend, whose influence could not be resisted, and who should arrest the erring purpose in the breast, it would destroy that moral responsibility, which is an ingredient of our nature. It would require besides, a guardian like the Mentor of Telemachus of more than human wisdom and spotless purity. Next in efficiency to such actual companionship is the example when it can be vividly exhibited, of those whose lives and actions approaching the nearest to perfection, afford the safest model for study and imitation, and whose characters may be exhibited, purified from their bodily particles of human imperfection and infirmity. The Roman youth were urged always to conduct themselves as if the eye of Cato were upon them. Measuring their steps by his example, they were not to stagnate into sloth, or run into vice. The founders of this institution, influenced by similar considerations have wisely associated with it, some of the names, and thus created an obvious connexion with the characters, that have given especial renown to the nation. trous, he had the magnanimity to withdraw from them when the means became licentious or the end unjust. Always the same generous friend, the same gallant soldier, the same disinterested patriot. Tranquil and consistent in his purposes at the head of armies or under a load of chains- defending the cause of humanity in the senate house, or pouring forth his blood on the field of glory. May the laurel which surrounds his honoured brows long retain its verdure, and when his eyes shall close in death, may it bloom in perpetual freshness on his grave. The name of Lafayette is here associated with others long since hallowed by the sanctifying influence of the tomb. When the children of America shall have exhausted all their fund of gratitude, they will come far short of what they owe to Franklin for the benefits he has conferred upon them and upon mankind. In the city, where for the most part he resided, and where his ashes rest, the eye can scarcely turn to a long established object of general good, that does not owe its origin largely to his public spirit and exertions. His example has sometimes been quoted as an argument against the necessity and value of polite learning. Nothing could be more erroneous. The founder of the earliest College in the country, now an extensive university; of that noble Library which scatters knowledge with a lavish hand; of that Philosophical Society, whose untiring efforts have continued to increase in ardour and usefulness-could no more be charged with failing in his love of literature, than he could be suspected of wanting the qualities of the heart, while the Pennsylvania Hospital stands a proud and enduring monument of his philan thropy. His own native force of intellect, indeed enabled him to overcome the want of a systematic education in early life; yet it was in an enthusiastic devotion to the pages of the classic Xenophon, that he be. came enamoured of the character of Socrates and learn. The name of Lafayette is a pledge for the combination of many virtues. It has been said that no man's fame can be established till his death. So feeble is human nature in its best condition, that while this frailed to adopt it for his model as a philosopher. body remains united to its immortal companion, there is But there is one whose name and example are always danger that a single error may forfeit the repu- happily blended with the hopes of this rising institution, tation which it was the well directed object of a long who united all the manly consistency of Lafayette, and and blameless life to acquire. But a rare union of esti- all the fervent patriotism of Franklin, with qualities mable qualities, without the alloy of opposite and which were peculiarly his own. The characters of men counteracting faults-intrepidity without rashness of a distant age, like those of the events in which they generosity without extravagance-a desire to excel engaged, may be obscured by time or misrepresented without dangerous or designing ambition-sincerity by tradition. Historians have pointed out in the long without sternness-kindness without effeminacy--and catalogue of names that have shone in the annals of confidence without credulity-seem to afford a pledge nations, two that have been handed down spotless. that the straight and consistent course which has been These are Alfred of England, and Marcus Aurelius, who heretofore pursued by the good Lafayette may be con- wept when he became an Emperor. But they impute tinued to the end There was an awful crisis in the their freedom from all reproach to the imperfection of struggle of these states for freedom. Exertion was history itself, and consider their defects so necessarily almost exhausted. Disasters had been endured until incident to mankind, that they must have been buried patriotism tired of their repetition, and no prospect with the recollections of their cotemporaries Not so opened of their end. All was gloom. Even hope itself with Washington. The generation which came with was sinking rapidly into despondency. At such a mo- him into life has indeed departed. That too which ment unlooked for succor came. The moral principle succeeded and witnessed his exploits, is rapidly passing was exemplified that no disease is hopeless but despair. away, and soon, very soon, not a vestige of it will reThe drooping cause of liberty required an influence main. But the country is yet full of those who form, as more imposing than its own merits, and it was afforded it were, links which are to connect the days of Washin the arm and the countenance of a youthful noble-ington with those of his posterity. It is for them to man. It needed an example of great pecuniary risk, take care that the knowledge of his especial qualities and it was found in the disinterested liberality which set does not partake of the fleeting properties of almost all a princely fortune on the cast. The tide of adversity be- things human, and like them melt away and be forgot gan at once to turn. The sympathies of the world ten. Let then his cotemporaries, for such are all that encouraged another effort, and the result was the at- have attained the age of four and thirty years, with the tainment of victory and the security of freedom. Through knowledge which they possess, of all that envy may the varying fortunes of the French nation, which has have distorted or disappointment feigned-let them breathed an atmosphere of intense excitement if not of with the influence of immediate contact, and without absolute revolution for more than forty years, it is the the advantages which distance of time may afford to a glory of Lafayette that he never departed from the line doubtful character-let them record his feelings if they which his generous nature marked out from the begin- can. ning. In the chaos of anarchy he opposed the mad career of popular phrenzy. In the reign of despotism, he did not disguise his love of liberty. If the hope of contributing to the happiness of his country ever led him to unite in counsels which were ultimately disas Other heroes may have won more blood stained tro phies. Other conquerors may have ruled over more populous empires. But the occasion and the individual never were so adapted to each other, conduct never was displayed so eminently fitted to produce its happy from ther end un =gallast quil and co Es or unde manity 12 the fed is house s eyes freshnew with Jence of all baren ill come benef nd. ho dwhere! and glorious result, as in the instance of the American Revolution and the early history of these United States -and George Washington. More brilliant exploits might perhaps have been performed to dazzle the eye, but they might too have marred the work which was to be achieved by an unpretending heroism as novel as it was illustrious. The triumphs of the warrior might perhaps have been more resplendent, but they would have endangered the safety of his country. The great man whose name you have assumed, was like many of the heroes of the ancient world, but in the essential properties of greatness, he surpassed them all. Home bred and home devoted he was the model for Americans. In war the undaunted soldier with the circumspection of a philosopher, in peace the sagacious statesmen with the nerve and vigour of a warrior. From the Commercial Herald. No. 9. observations in regard to the Mountain Ranges of PennWe shall devote the present number to some general sylvania, which belonged in strictness to the last, but were excluded from want of space. As a proof of the correctness of our remark, that by the courses of the mountains, the leading communica tions through the country were in a great degree regulated, it is worthy of note that nearly all the important post roads from the north-east to south-west, lie parallel to these ranges, and in the valleys which separate these ranges from each other. From the city of Washington, for example, three great post roads lead to the south west, below the first, second and third ridges which we have described, and parallel to them. As a general rule the mountains of Pennsylvania increase in elevation as you proceed westward, until you pass the Alleghany. After that, there is a comparative decline. The elevation of the Mine ridge probably never exceeds 800 feet above tide water-that of the Blue ridge is about 1200, and of the Kittatiny about 1500. The Broad mountain in many places attains to the height of 2000 feet. The Alleghany mountain at Blair's gap, where the Pennsylvania Railway crosses it, is 2291 above the tide water. This is however one of the lowest passes; its general elevation is probably from 2500 to 2800 feet; at the point where it is proposed to tunnel that mountain for the Chesapeake and Ohio Ca. nal, the height is 2754 feet. It will be remembered that proceeding from the east to west, we have designated and described, six distinct mountain formations, passing through Pennsylvana and extending great distances to the north-east and southwest. There are 1st. the Blue ridge or Welsh mountain. 2d, the Blue ridge, of Virginia, known in Pennsylvania as the Conewago and Lehigh hills. 3d, the With all the advantages and inducements that have Kittatiny or Blue mountains. 4th, the Great Alleghabeen adverted to, what more could be desired to in-ny. 5th, the Laurel hil'; and the 6th, the Chesnut flame the ardour of honourable ambition, or crown the ridge. We have also described several ranges between efforts of successful zeal? The character and conquests the Kittatiny and Alleghany, which occupy the central of your ancestors, are sacred pledges confided to your mountain region of the state. hands. The cause of science is the cause of freedom, of virtue, and of happiness. The institutions of our country give value and importance to the services of all her citizens, and should stimulate the most diffident of them to put forth his utmost strength. The occupa tions and pursuits presented to them are full of moral and intellectual enjoyment. The great commonwealth of which we are the immediate inhabitants teems with resources, opportunities and rewards. The names of patriots and sages are assumed by you, as badges of adoption into the parent seminary, and of emulation among her sons. If worthily worn they are emblems of honour; if abused or neglected they are the marks of shame. Thus excited to manly exertion, were your abode cast in the mournful cloister and surrounded by the sands of the inhospitable desert, you could scarcely fail to rise to the rank of accomplished scholars and estimable men. But around you all nature speaks in glorious harmony with the feelings and desires, which every gilded recollection, which every buoyant hope is calculated to inspire. The muse of history is yet young amongst us. Yet her records already show that yonder lofty hills crowned with luxuriant foliage, these copious rivers now loaded with ample freights, those fertile plains now rich in abundant harvests, were bestowed by providence for wiser purposes than to nourish game for the savage, or afford indulgence to his barbarous sports. Their first rude master has departed. His war whoop at the murderous onset, no longer echoes in the valleys his retiring footstep no longer marks the mountain path with blood. They are as little destined for the abode of the untutored and ignorant, who in the natural progress of events succeeded. They too have done their duty and have gone to subdue other forests and to prepare for the husbandmen other fields. A wilderness has given place to the cultivated plain, and smiling towns lift their spires where at no distant day the sturdy stroke of the pioneer alone resounded. Every thing is accomplished except the task of the scholar. That great work is reserved especially for you. Guided and conducted by the good and wise, patronized by the liberal, and encouraged by all, this rising institution depends for its reputation and success on those who have enrolled themselves as its pupils and are to carry abroad in their own accomplishments, its character and fame. Should you falter and fail in the great 1ace that is running by all around you, how deep and lasting will be your reproach. But should you in untiring zeal, successfully strive with them for the mastery, immortal may be your glory, immeasurable your re ward. Mr. Albert C. Lester, of Quakertown, Bucks county, shot a large bald Eagle, in the vicinity of that place, a few days since, which measured six feet from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. In tracing the various mountain ranges, we have not heretofore followed them further than the Hudson river towards the north and east. We have had one reason for this omission. That river is in itself an anomaly. For 150 miles of its course it is an arm of the sea extending through several great mountain formations without interruption to the flow of the tides from the Ocean. No other such instance can be found in the United States. Another re It is remarkable also, that all the mountains on reaching the Hudson, change both their course and character. East of that river the mountains invariably run from north to south-so that the continuation of the various ranges which we have described is to be looked for in the Green mountains of Vermont, the White mountains of New Hampshire, and those of Canada. Probably the Highlands on the north eastern boundary, about which so much has been written, and so much diplomacy spent, belong to those ranges. markable circumstance is, that those which in Pennsyl. vania are of inferior height become very elevated on the Hudson, and vice versa. The Blue ridge, for example, which we call but a hill, rises at West Point to the lofty peak, known as the Highlands of the Hudson. The Kittatiny, which in Pennsylvania is not remarkable for elevation, forms the Catskill mountain, the loftiest mountain in New York. When we come, however, to trace the great Alleghany,and the intermediate ranges between it and the Kittatiny, we are compelled to refer that to the comparatively insignificant hills, which cross the Mohawk, between Schenectady and the Little Falls, and the Hudson above Troy, An idea is generally entertained, that the Alleghany mountain is the great back bone of the country, from which the streams flow on either side, and that it constitutes the dividing ground between the eastern and western waters. This opinion is in a great degree erroneous. It is true in Pennsylvania only, as to the country south of the Juniata and Conemaugh, comprising about one third of the width of the state-north of those streams the dividing ridge will be found far west of the mountain known as the Alleghany. In Maryland and in the northern part of Virginia, the Alleghany divides the waters of the Ohio from those of the Chesapeake, the Kenhawa, however, not only breaks that mountain, but all between it and the Blue ridge, and takes its rise at the western base of the latter range. The Holston river, also, which is one of the main branches of the Tennessee, has its origin east of the Alleghany mountain. In connexion with what we have said of the mountains of Pennsylvania, a general view of its geological structure may prove interesting. the command of Capt. Worrell. A number of seamen attached to the navy, with blue jackets and white trowsers, walked in the procession, after these, several of the clergy. The relations of the deceased and a large number of citizens followedthe corpse, which was supported by six naval and military officers, in full uniform. Next followed the officers of such military companies as were not on duty, and an escort, the 128th regiment, under the command of Col. Watmough, concluded the procession, which moved to solemn music from a fine military band, with muffled drums. The procession moved down Walnut to Fourth, up Fourth to Chesnut, up Chesnut to Fifth, and thence to the place of interment, Christ Church burying-ground, corner of Fifth and Arch streets. The corpse was deposited under a discharge of musketry. Minute guns were fired at the Navy Yard during the procession.U. S, Guzette. From the Salem (Mass.) Gazette. MEMOIR OF COM. BAINBRIDGE. Commodore Bainbridge was born at Princeton, New Jersey, on the 7th of May, 1774. At the age of 16, he was placed as an apprentice to the sea service, in the employ of Messrs. Miller and Murray, merchants of Philadelphia. In their employ he made many voyages, and rose to command, At 18 years of age, while mate of the ship Hope, on her way to Holland, the crew rose upon the officers, seized the captain, and had nearly succeeded in throwing him overboard, when young Bainbridge hearing the alarm, ran on deck with an old pistol without a lock, and being assisted with an ap prentice boy and an Irish sailor, rescued the captain, seized the ringleaders, and quelled the mutiny. At the age of 19 he received the command of a ship, and from the year 1793 till 1798, he commanded merchant ships 1796, on his way from Bourdeaux to St. Thomas, in the ship Hope, with four small carriage guns and nine men, he had an engagement with a British schooner of 8 guns and 35 men, commanded by a sailing master in the navy, and after a smart action, compelled her to strike her colors. As, however, the two countries were at peace, and he of course acting only on the defensive, he could not take possession of her, but sent her off contemptuously to make a report of her action. The south eastern border of the state is a primitive formation, composed principally of Gneiss rock, with some intermixture of granite. The western boundary of this formation crosses the Delaware near New Hope, and passes south westerly through Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester, to near Kennett square, then about west to the centre of York county, where it again turns south west, and passes into Maryland. The primitive is succeeded on the west by the transition formation, which reaches to the Alleghany mountain. That portion of it below the Blue ridge is what geologists call the Old Red sandstone. The line between the transition and secondary formation follows the Alleghany mountain from south to north, until it approaches the west branch Susquehanna, and crosses that stream near Williamsport, in Lycoming county, about 40 miles be. low Dunnstown, where by the maps the Alleghany is represented to cross. It was this direction of the moun-in the trade from Philadelphia to Europe. In the year tain as laid down from its general character as a boundary between the secondary and transition which induced us to express our opinion in a former number, that the map makers have erred, by adopting the received opinion of the country, instead of attending to more certain indications. The same boundary crosses the north branch near Tunkhanock. North west of this line the remainder of Pennsylvania is a secondary region in which the rocks uniformly lie horizontal. One result of this arrangement is, that the streams in the northern and western parts of the state, are much more gentle and navigable in proportion to their size, than those which pass through the transition and primitive regions. The Alleghany, Monongahela, and Tioga, are almost without falls or rapids of any kind. So also is the north branch above Tunkhannock, and the west branch until it arrives at Muncy, where a ripple marks its introduction into the transition formation. The main river Susquehanna, passing in its whole course through the transition and primitive, presents a succession of ripples and falls, never precipitous, but still producing serious obstructions to the navigation. The general remarks which we have thus made, seemed necessary to complete our view of the mountains of Pennsylvania, and to prepare the way for the task which we propose for our next, a description of the Great river of our state, the majestic Susquehanna. In the month of July, 1798, he received, without any application on his part, an offer of the command of the U. S. States schooner, Retaliation, of 14 guns, to be employed against France, between which power and the United States hostilities had recently commenced. Having accepted the appointment, he sailed in the Retaliation, and accompanied the squadron under Com modore Murray, on a cruise in the West Indies. While cruising to the windward of Guadaloupe, the Retaliation was captured by two French frigates and a lugger, and taken into that island, where she remained three months. He reached home in February, 1799, and his exchange being soon effected, he received a commis sion of master commandant, and sailed in the brig Nor folk, of 18 guns, on a second cruise to the West Indies. Here he remained, convoying the trade of the United States, for some months, during which time he captured a French privateer, ran ashore another of sixteen guns, destroyed a number of barges, besides taking many the enemy's merchant vessels. of When he returned to the United States, he received a captain's commission, and was appointed to the com. mand of the frigate George Washington, in which he shortly afterward sailed for Algiers, with the presents which the United States were by treaty bound to make to that regency. He arrived in safety at Algiers, on the 17th September, 1800, and was received with eve ry demonstration of good feeling. In a few days, however, these friendly appearances vanished, and the Dey made a most unexpected and extraordinary demand, Captain Bainbridge resisted this unexampled demand They sailed from Algiers on the 19th of October, and the frigate anchored at Constantinople in 23 days from her departure. The next day three officers were sent on board in succession to know what ship that was, and what colors she had hoisted. They were told, that it was an American frigate and an American flag. They said they did not know any such country. Captain Bainbridge explained that America was the new world by which name they had some idea of the country. After these inquiries the frigate came into the harbor, and Captain Bainbridge was received with unusual honors. The mission of the Dey of Algiers, however, failed in its objects, and after a month's delay, the George Washington sailed from Constantinople, carrying the Algerine ambassador's secretary back to Algiers, with an account of the unfortunate result of his embassy. successful. The prisoners were often obstinate, uncom plying, and mischievous; yet the Tripolitans who had charge of them were rarely provoked to punish them. They used often to say, that the Americans were the most difficult to manage of any people they had ever seen. A treaty of peace between the United States and Tripoli was concluded in 1805, and on the third day of June, the prisoners were liberated after a confinement of thirteen months, and soon after sailed for America. Captain Bainbridge was received rather as a returning conqueror than as a vanquished prisoner, and was acquitted of all blame by a court of inquiry held at his request. From 1806 to 1812, he occupied himself part of the time in merchant service, and the remainder of the time was employed in various naval duties. In 1812, he was appointed to the command of the navy yard at Charlestown; and on the arrival at Boston, of Captain Hull, after his victory over the British frigate Guerriere, he having applied for a furlough, Commodore Bainbridge was permitted to take command of the Constitution. "In a few weeks he sailed, in company with the sloop of war Hornet, Captain Lawrence, on a cruise to the East Indies. After parting company with Captain Lawrence, he was running down the coast of Brazil, when on Thursday, the 29th of December, he discov ered, about nine in the morning, two sail, one of which was standing off shore towards him. He immediately made sail to meet the strange ship, and finding, as he approached her, that she did not answer his private signals, proceeded out to sea in order to seperate her Bainbridge sailed from Algiers about the last of Ja- from her companion, and draw her off the neutral coast. nuary, and arrived at Philadelphia in the month of About one o'clock, having reached what he considered April, 1801. Before his return, the cessation of hostil- a proper distance from the shore, he hoisted his ensign ities with France had caused a reduction of the navy, and pendant, which was answered by English colors, and there were retained only nine captains, of which he and perceiving that she was an English frigate, (the had the satisfaction of finding himself one. In the fol- Java, Captain Lambert,) he took in the royals, tacked, lowing June, he received the command of the frigate and stood for the enemy. The Java immediately bore Essex, which was built in this town and presented to down, intending to rake, which the Constitution avoidgovernment by the merchants of Salem. About this ed by wearing. The enemy being now within half a time, the regency of Tripoli, emboldened by the suc-mile to windward, and having hauled down his flag, the cess of the Algerines, commenced hostilities against the Constitution fired a gun a head to make him show his United States, to oppose which, a squadron of frigates, colors, and immediately poured in her whole broadside, among which was the Essex, was sent to the Mediter- on which English colors, were hosted, and the fire reranean. Here he continued for thirteen or fourteen turned. On this the action became general, within months, but did not fall in with any of the Tripolitan grape and cannister distance. In a few minutes the cruisers. wheel of the Constitution was shot away; and in about half an hour, Commodore Bainbridge, finding that his adversary still kept too far off, determined to close with him at the risk of being raked. He therefore luffed up so close to the Java, that in pessing her jib boom got foul of the Constitution's mizen rigging; and having now gained a nearer position, he poured in so well directed a fire, that in ten minutes he shot away the Java's jib-boom and part of the bowsprit; in five minutes more the foremast went by the board--her main topmast followed-then the gaft and spanker boom, and lastly, the mizenmast went nearly by the board. He returned to New York in July, 1802, and in May, 1803, was appointed to the command of the Philadel phia. In July he sailed in her to join the Mediterranean squadron, then under Com. Preble. He was here employed in blockading the harbor of Tripoli, and, on the 31st October, gave chase to a strange ship that was seen running for the harbor of Tripoli. The chase was unsuccessful, and the Philadelphia was returning, when, as she was going at the rate of six or seven knots, she ran upon rocks about four miles and a half from the town. As soon as she had grounded, the gunboats came out to attack her; but while she continuued upright, with the few guns that could be brought to bear, she kept the enemy at a distance; but she soon lay over side that she could not use her guns. At length, after sustaining the enemy's fire for five or six hours, a council of war of all the officers unanimously advised a surrender. The magazine was therefore drowned; the arms and every article of value thrown overboard; the ship scuttled, the pump choked, and the colors were then hauled down. so much on one The frigate was plundered of every thing that could be got at, when the Tripolitans got on board. They took from Captain Bainbridge his watch and epaulets, and the cravat from his neck; but with much struggling and difficulty he saved the miniature of his wife. The officers and crew, however, were pretty well treated, as prisoners of war, after they were landed in Tripoli. Several attempts were made to escape, but all were un VOL. XII. 14 At five minutes past four, one hour and fifty-five minutes from the commencement of the action, the Java's fire was completely silenced, and her colors being down Commodore Bainbridge supposed that she had struck; he therefore shot ahead to repair his rigging; but while hove to for that purpose, discovered that her colors were still flying, although her mainmast had just gone by the board. He therefore bore down again upon her, and having got close athwart her bows, was on the point of raking her with a broadside, when she hauled down her colors, being a completely ummanageable wreck, entirely dismasted, without a spar of any kind standing. On boarding her, it was found that Captain Lambert had been mortally wounded, and that the Java was so much injured, that it would be impossisible to bring her to the United States. All the prisoners and the baggage were therefore brought on board the Constitution, a service which it required two days ing. to perform, there being but a single boat left between formation as you are pleased to tell me will be interestthe two frigates. On the 31st, she was blown up, and the Constitution put into St. Salvador. The Java carried forty-nine guns, and upwards of four hundred men: she was bound to the East Indies, and had, in addition to her own crew, upwards of one hundred supernumerary officers and seamen, for different ships on the East India station. "Her loss was sixty killed; and among these was Captain Lambert. Of the wounded, the accounts varied from one hundred and one (which were ascertained po sitively) to one hundred and seventy. "On board the Constitution, nine were killed, and twenty-five wounded; among whom was the Commodore himself. upon It is most singular that this extensive undertaking, constituting as it does, a most important link in the great chain of intercommunication, connecting the waters of the Delaware with those of the Ohio at Pittsburg, and so near the successful accomplishment of its object, should have created so little interest in our city; and you may possibly be uninformed of the fact, that the completion of the Philadelphia and Columbia Rail Way and the Portage across the Alleghany mountains, expected to occur almost simultaneously and by the ensuing summer, there will be an entire, continuous and uninterrupted communication between the cities of Pittsburg and Philadelphia, comprising, however, but a "This victory was scarcely less honorable to Commo- portion of the stupendous system of Internal Improvedore Bainbridge, than the generosity with which he ex- ments undertaken by this enterprising commonwealth, ercised the right of a conqueror. While on board, the at an expense of millions of dollars drawn from her prisoners were treated with the most respectful atten-yeomanry and her people, who will, however, eventu tion. Immediately on their landing at St. Salvador, ally find themselves abundantly remunerated for the they were set at liberty on parole, and received every pressure and inconvenience of augmented taxes, by the article of their baggage; and particularly, a service of augmentation, security and certainty given to her complate belonging to General Hislop, was carefully pre-merce, her agriculture, and her manufactures, the preserved and restored to him. These proofs of honorable servation and diffusion of her wealth and resources, courtesy were not lost on the prisoners, who expressed and the consequent secure establishment given to the their gratitude in a manner creditable to themselves as foundation of their happiness and prosperity. to the victors. The decayed state of the Constitution, and other circumstances, combined to interfere with the original plan of the cruise, Commodore Bainbridge now left the Hornet to blockade a superior British force at St. Sal vador, and returned to the United States. This rail road, as originally designed, extends from Philadelphia to the town of Columbia, on the Susquehanna river, and terminates at a point about thirteen miles below York Haven, of which we have been accustomed to hear so much in connexion with our Susquehanna Rail Road. The distance between these two This was the only action in which Commodore Bain-places by the Rail Road is 81 miles. Following the bridge was engaged during the war. After the peace line of the road from the intersection of Vine and Broad of 1815, having superintended the building of the Inde- street in Philadelphia for rather more than 24 miles, pendence 74, he had the honor of waving his flag on you arrive at the foot of the Schuylkill inclined plane, board the first line of battle ship belonging to the Unit- which is about 50 feet above mean tide, on which level ed States that ever floated. He was ordered to form a the road runs to this point. This plane is about 2700 junction with Commodore Decatur to cruise against feet in length, and its elevation from base to summit is the Barbary Powers, who had shown a disposition to about 180 feet. There is at the western extremity of plunder our commerce. In company with his own the road another inclined plane at Columbia. This is squadron, he arrived before the harbor of Carthagena, near 2000 feet in length, and has an elevation from foot where he learned that Commodore Decatur had con to head of 90 feet. Stationary steam power will of cluded a peace with the regency of Algiers. He now, course be resorted to, to overcome these acclivities. The according to his instructions, presented himself before distance from the head of the plane at Philadelphia to Tripoli, where also he learned that Commodore Deca- the head of that at Columbia, exceeds 77 miles, and tur had anticipated him by a previous visit. He return in the whole of this distance the elevation will not exed to the United States on the 15th November, 1815; ceed 30 feet to the mile, a degree of ascent overcome was afterwards appointed one of the Navy Commission- with the utmost facility by the aid of horse power alone, ers; and resumed the command at the Navy Yard, in and for the purposes of rail road transportation almost Charlestown. His health had been declining some time equivalent to a level. The average ascent, however, before his removal to Philadelphia, last autumn, and lit- does much exceed 25 feet to the mile. tle or no hope of his recovery was entertained at that The road is entirely graded, the cuttings and embankments generally slight. The highest point on the line is at The Gap," about 30 miles from Columbia. PHILADELPHIA AND COLUMBIA RAIL-WAY. The excavation through a ledge at this gap, may be time. To the Editor of the Bultimore Gazette. FAIRMOUNT. 3d Division Philad. & Cola. Rail Way, } Sir-I have already acknowledged the receipt of your kind favour, and it would have afforded me much gratification, to have been enabled, on the instant, to furnish you the information you requested, as regards the condition and progress of this work. I have for some time had it in contemplation to give you a minute and detailed account of the past operations, present situation, and prospective advancement of this Rail-Way, and on the very day 1 had selected for the performance of this agreeable task, instructions were received from the Chief Engineer to have the line of my Division immediately prepared for the reception of the rails, hourly expected from England. The performance of this duty has so entirely occupied my time, that I have hitherto been deprived of this pleasure, and avail myself of the present season of comparative leisure, for the purpose of giving you such in said to be the only one of any consequence on the whole line of the work, and even this sinks into comparative unimportance in extent, though not in embarrassments and difficulties, when contrasted with the stupendous rocks thorough cuts of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road, the dizzy height of its embankments, and the imposing appearance of its celebrated "deep cut." Dif ficulties of a most disheartening nature have been interposed at this point, and the necessity of an abandonment of the cut, and a resort to the inconvenience of the inclined plane to effect its passage, have been constantly threatened. These difficulties, however, have been vigorously encountered and very nearly subdued by an excellent and efficient Chief Engineer, Edward F. Gay, Esq. to whose science, skill and energy the state is already much indebted for many valuable improvements and practical benefits in the line of his profession. The soil through which this cut makes its way is an alluvial formation, amorphous in the character of its masses, though consisting principally of sand and loam. Innu |