the meeting on the importance of the proposed canal,perior to any other now in use-having about three to the trade of Pennsylvania and Ohio, generally.

On motion, the meeting was adjourned.
SIMON PERKINS, Chairman.

DAVID TOD, Secretary.

We do not usually record accounts of executions. Upon the present occasion, we deem it proper to depart from our rule, for the purpose of introducing as an historical fact, the first case, we believe, that has occurred, in this state, of the improved mode of hanging, which, as the account philosophically states, is "decidedly superior to any other now in use." The mode of constructing the gallows is said to be upon the New York plan. In this instance it does not appear to have worked well; and we earnestly hope the time is not distant, when such barbarous spectacles shall not be exhibited among us, professing as we do, to be a civilized, and Christian community. The plan of raising the culprit from the ground instead of dropping him from the scaffold, however, is not new. It is that usually practised by the Turks to wards the Greeks, as we had occasion to narrate in Vol. III. of the Register,page 222, to which we refer; as well as to a memorial signed by some of our most respectable citizens, which will also be found on the same page, addressed to the Legislature. Will not this be a favorable moment to revive the subject, for the special attention of our representatives?

From the Easton Sentinel.

THE EXECUTION OF GETTER.

cap was

hundred weight attached to the rope, which passes over
a pulley, and by its superior gravity runs the prisoner
up. No scaffold had been erected, as it was the prison-
er's request that he should be run up from the ground.
A prayer was offered under the gallows by the Rev.
Mr. Hecht, and other ceremonies gone through with,
in bidding farewell to those of his acquaintance whom
the remainder of the time was occupied by the prisoner
he saw around him, many of whom he called from
among the volunteers and the crowd. His manner was
firm, cool, and collected-not a nerve about him show.
and conduct would in a better cause have been called
ed one single sympton of fear or agitation; his manner
heroism At ten minutes past two, the Sheriff asked
him if he was ready-he answered yes, and stepped
under the gallows. His frock and cap were then put
on, he himself assisting in the operation. The end of
the rope which he had around his neck. was then drawn
out from his clothes and looped upon the hook attached
to the rope depending from the gallows-the
usual tone of voice, and awaited the fatal blow. The
drawn over his face, he bade the Sheriff farewell in his
Sheriff with a hatchet severed the rope which held the
weights, and he was taken up with a sudden and power-
ful jerk. He had scarcely been raised three feet from
he fell. His face was uncovered but he lay without life
the ground, however, when the rope snapped off, and
or motion for half a minute. He then opened his eyes
and looking round him with a kind of balf smile, half
sneer-and casting his eyes up towards the rope, re-
marked in careless tone "that was good for nothing."
He then got up, and rubbing his arm, complained that
he had hurt it upon the stones when he fell. Even this
terrible interlude in the solemn scene, which chilled
the blood of almost every spectator, had no effect upon
his iron nerves. He leaned against the gallows with
the utmost composure, until the deputy Sheriff had pro-
vided another rope. He was then led a few steps off,
and his face turned away, so that he might not see the
preparations. Hearing a noise behind him, however,
he turned around and looked on while the ropes,
weights, and pulleys were being arranged with the ut
most indifference and unconcern-When all was ready
he stepped under the gallows to try it again. When
the rope was drawn out from his clothes, he requested
the Sheriff to draw up his cravat, in order to hide that
part of the rope which passed about his neck. The
rope was made fast, he shook hands with the Sheriff,
and stood a second time, calmly and coolly awaiting his
fate. The cord was cut, and he was immediately carri
ed up about six or eight feet. His breast heaved at in
tervals as if nature was making an attempt to breathe,
but in 11 minutes all motion ceased. In 30 minutes be
was cut down, and his body given to his relatives. Thus
died Getter: a man whose incredible nerve and firm-
ness were never surpassed, however severely the cir
cumstances of his execution were calculated to try him;
and any one who saw him die would cease to wonder
at the cold and unrelenting manner in which he acknow-
ledges to have committed the horrid crime for which
he has suffered.

On Friday last this victim of the law paid the forfeit of his crime under the gallows. On the afternoon previous, our borough began to fill with people who had come far and near to witness the execution, and all the accommodations for men and horses were occupied by an early hour in the evening-not a public house in the place, but was crowded to overflowing. On Friday morning however the influx of persons was greater than it had been the evening before, and the streets became almost jammed up.. About 11 o'clock many of them betook themselves to the place of execution, which was the island in the river Delaware, opposite the mouth of the Bushkiln. The gallows was erected near the centre, affording opportunity for a view to perhaps 100,000 persons from the surrounding banks and hills. The two troops of cavalry, commanded by Captains Brown and Whitesell, for several hours before the execution, formed a cordon around the gallows. About 12 o'clock, (M.) the troop of Capt. Yard, and several companies of foot, composing the Sheriff's escort, formed in front of the jail. At fifteen minutes before one o'clock, the jail doors were thrown open, and the prisoner was brought out dressed in a suit of white, and walked between his brother-in-law and the Sheriff into the centre of the hollow square, where were also placed several members of the bar, the friends he wished to accompany him to the gallows-the clergymen-a carriage containHis appearance on being brought out of Jail, suring our physicians-and the wagon containing the cof Prised those who had not seen him since his trial. Infin. The prisoner had expressed his unwillingness to stead of a thin, and woe-worn being, they beheld him ride, and preferred to walk the whole way, a distance actually fat and fleshy, with a good color in his face. of a little more than half a mile. The procession then is appetite had never failed him during the whole moved on. Getter had his arms,pinioned by a cord time, and his sleep according to his own acknowledgeacross his back, and had it not been for this constraintment, had been unbroken and tranquil; and the efforts upon his motions, his step would have been as free and of good living and refreshing sleep, were visible in his as firm as that of any man around him. As he passed along, he cast his eyes about him, with apparent curio- The breaking of the rope proved one interesting fate sity and frequently addressed himself to his brother-in- clearly and satisfactorily-which is that the first shock law, Mr. Lawler, or to the Sheriff, and in getting off the when the criminal is jerked from the ground destroys bridge of boats upon the island, displayed very great all sensation, and consciousness, that he neither knows careto avoid wetting his feet. The gallows had been con- or feels pain or inconvenience afterwards, but betructed upon the late New York plan-decidedly su- comes perfectly insensible after the first moment.

whole

appearance.

From the Pittsburg Gazette.
COMMERCIAL.

MR. CRAIG-I have received from Jos. Anderson, Esq, Comptroller of the Treasury, a letter which may be of much importance to our importing Merchants, as it explains the manner of removing the present difficulties, when the river is too low for a steamboat to come up to this port from New Orleans, with merchandize which may have been bonded at this office.

Will you have the kindness to publish this letter in your paper, for the information of our merchants. Yours, respectfully,

EDWARD JONES, Surveyor.

Custom Hons,
October 10th, 1833.

TREASURY Department,
Comptroller's Office,
Úct. 4th, 1833,

Sir-Your letter of the 28th ultimo, has been received. You submit the question, whether goods bonded for, or owned by, persons in Pittsburg, on being conveyed in boats from New Orleans, which in consequence of the lowness of the water, will not be able to proceed the whole way to Pittsburg, may be landed at Louisville or Cincinnati, and transferred to smaller sized boats, on a regular protest being made before a notary public that such a course became absolutely necessary, arising from the circumstances stated.

You were apprised, by my letter to you of the 21st April, 1831, that the act of 2d March, 1831, made no provision for a transfer of the goods from one boat to another; but appeared to require that the boat, in which they were placed at New Orleans, should deliver them at the port of destination.

The course now proposd, however, places the matter in a different point of view, and if the following additional regulations, with the protest alluded to, be complied with, appears to me that the revenue will be so satisfactorily secured, that a transfer of the kind, in such cases, might be permitted to be made.

When a boat, on arriving at Louisville or Cincinnati, with goods from New Orleans, is found either to be so much injured, or in consequence of the lowness of the water, is unable to proceed further, if a regular report thereof be made to the Surveyor of the port, and he be satisfied that in order to convey the goods to Pittsburg, a transfer of them into another boat, or boats, is absolutely necessary, such transfer may be made, under the superintendence of a person to be appointed by the Surveyor for that purpose, who is to inspect the packa ges, and see that they correspond with the specification of them in the verified manifest of the cargo.

The person so appointed, should take the oath required by law, of inspectors of the Customs.

After the transfer is completed, the Inspector should make a report of his proceedings to the Surveyor; and in case of discovering any disagreement between the packages and the manifest, he should make a special report thereof, and the Surveyor should thereupon, take such measures as the nature of the case would seem to require.

In order that you may be satisfied that the transfer was regularly made, an endorsement to that effect should be made on the manifest, by the Surveyor of the port where it may have taken place.

Respectfully,

JOSEPH ANDERSON, Comptroller. EDWARD JONES, Esq.

N. B. Our city editors, who can make it convenient to give this communication one insertion in their pa pers, will, no doubt, oblige many of their subscribers.

PITTSBURGH.-Having seen Pittsburg, in all its rapid progress and vicissitudes of trade since 1800, we have

been struck with admiration at the pleasing contrast to that period, now every where to be seen. Then it had but six or eight small stores, all of which did not do as much business in a year as is now done by some of our second rate stores. Then there was not a single warehouse or secure place to deposit goods for the west-and only in 1805 or 6, a small frame warehouse adjoining your present office in fourth street, was built for this purpose; and may now be seen as a memento of former times. Now we have from sixty to eighty large wholesale establishments, whole blocks of very large and secure brick warehouses. Perhaps in the city and vicinity, fifty large and many minor manufactories of different kinds; and from three to four hundred Retail Stores. Then we had a population of less than 2,000, little trade and no manufactures; and money was scarce and in few hands. Now we have the banks, a large and flourishing trade, extensive manufactories, ample employment for industry and capital; and a prosperous population in the city and immediate vicinity upwards How grateful for so many blessings and mercies. of thirty thousand souls. How pleasing the contrast?

A MERCHANT.
Advocate.

MERCHANTS'S ASSOCIATION.

At a very numerous meeting of the Merchant's of this city, convened at Wade's Hotel, on the evening of the 15th inst. to take into consideration the propriety of forming an Association, by means of which the Commercial and Trading Community of this city may be en abled to act with united effort on all subjects relating to their interest, Thomas P. Cope, Esq. was called to the chair, and Thomas C. Rockhill was appointed secretary.

The object of the meeting having been stated by the chairman, a committee was appointed to draft a constitution, which having been presented for consideration, was adopted and ordered to be printed.

A committee of twelve persons was appointed to receive the subscriptions of the members.

The association then adjourned to meet at the same for the ensuing year. place on Tuesday evening, the 22d inst. to elect officers

(Signed) THOMAS P. COPE, Chairman. THOMAS C. ROCKHILL, Secretary. Philadelphia, October 16, 1833.

From the Philadelphia Gazette.

The following are the inscriptions as written by the Rev. Dr. Wilson, and placed on the tomb erected by his family, at his country seat.

Placida hic pace
quiesco

Jacobus P. Wilson.
Per annos bis septem
composui lites;
Sacra exinde dogmata
tractans.

Quid sum, et fui, jam
noscis, viator;

Quid, die suprema, videbis,
Brevi quid ipse futurus
Nunc pectore versa.
[On the other side,)
James P. Wilson, D. D.
Born Feb. 21st, 1769.
Died, Dec. 9th, 1830.
This Monument was
erected by his
family.

There is now growing, on the farm of Mr. Thomas P. Lee, in Oley, Berks county, Pa. a Willow Tree, which was planted in '97, the trunk of which measures 15 feet 3 inches in circumference, and to the top 288 feet. It was a small branch, taken there as a riding switch.

We are indebted to Mr. Davis for the Inspections of Mine on Buck Mountain, a few rods south of the Turn

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

VOL. XII.-NO. 17.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 26, 1833. NO. 304

RECEPTION OF GEN. WASHINTON IN 1789. (See last Register, page 252.)

An address to the President of the United States, from the President and Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania.

SIR

The President and Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania cheerfully embrace this interesting occasion to congratulate you upon the establishment of the Federal Constitution, and to felicitate ourselves and our country upon your unanimous appointment to the Presidency of the United States.

In reflecting upon the vicissitudes of the late war, in tracing its difficulties, and in contemplating its success, we are uniformly impressed with the extent and magnitude of the services which you have rendered to your country; and by that impression, we are taught to expect that the exercise of the same virtues and abilities which have been thus happily employed in obtaining the prize of liberty and independence, must be effectually instrumental in securing to your fellow citizens and their posterity, the permanent blessings of a free and efficient government. And although the history of the revolution will furnish the best evidence of the invariable attachment of this Commonwealth to the interests and honour of the Union, yet we cannot resist this favourable opportunity of personally assuring you, that in every measure which tends to advance the national character, you may rely on the zealous co-operation of the executive authority of Pennsylvania.

the assistance of my fellow citizens, it was my fortune to have been in any degree instrumental in vindicating the liberty and confirming the independence of my country, I now find a full compensation for my services in a belief that those blessings will be permanently secured by the establishment of a free and efficient government. And you will permit me to say, on this occasion, that as nothing could add to the evidence I have formerly received of the invariable attachment of your commonwealth to the interests and honor of the union, so nothing could have been more agreeable to me at this time than the assurances you have given me of the zealous co-operation of its executive authority in facilitating the accomplishment of the great objects which are committed to my charge.

While I feel my sensibility strongly excited by the expressions of affection and promise of support, which I every where meet with from my countrymen, I entertain a consolatory hope, that the purity of my intentions, and the perseverance of my endeavours to promote the happiness of my country, will atone for any of the slightest defects which may be discovered in my administration. For, whatever may be the issue of our public measures, or however I may err in opinion, I trust it will be believed, that I could not have been actuated by any interests separate from those of my coun. try.

Suffer me, gentlemen, to conclude by assuring you that I am well pleased with the justice you have done to the motives from which I have acted, and by thank ing you for the tender concern you have been pleased to manifest for my personal felicity.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The address of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of Philadelphia, in Com. mon Council assembled.

SIR,

the United States of America.

In discharging the duties of your present important station, it must, sir, be a never-failing source of consolation and support, that the unbounded love and confi. dence of the people, will produce a favorable construction of all your actions, and will contribute to the har. mony and success of your administration. For we know, that eventually your happiness must depend upon the To His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of happiness of your country, and we believe that in wishing an adequate execution of your intentions and designs, we comprehend all that is necessary to both. We, the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common Uniting, with our sister states, in the admiration of Council of the city of Philadelphia have assembled, to those motives, which at this interesting era of our present you our sincere congratulations on your ap affairs, have induced you again to relinquish the enjoy-pointment to the station of President of the United ment of domestic peace, for a conspicuous and laborious States of America. participation in the cares and toils of public life, we fervently pray for the preservation of your health, and we confidently hope that the consummation of a patriot's wishes-the glory and felicity of your country, will crown the period of a long and illustrious existence, and prepare you for the enjoyment of an everlasting reward. THOMAS MIFFLIN.

We rejoice, sir, that the citizens of America, so long accustomed to claim your services in every hour of public difficulty, have again given the most affectionate and honorable testimony to your distinguished worth, by calling you, with united suffrage, to take the highest seat of power amongst freemen.

When the gloom which overcast the cause of liberty at the opening of the late war, occasioned by the alarm dom in this infant land, for a moment sunk the spirit of a mighty nation, armed, to suppress the voice of freeits sons-You, sir, arose! instantaneous confidence possessed the minds of your fellow citizens;-under your auspices-they fought-they bled-and, through unparalelled distress of war-you led them to freedom, the choicest gift of Heaven.

Scarce had that solemn scene passed over, when a triumphant victor returned his sword to the hands of the

civil rulers of his country.

Scarce had you retired to the calm retreat of domes

tic peace, when the civil rule, which we had suddenly established amidst the busy tumult of war, proved unequal to secure the blessings to be derived from a well digested constitution, you, sir, were again called forth, and, presiding over our, wisest councils, have handed to your country a system of civil policy, happily uniting civil liberty with effective government.

What then remained undone-is now accomplished: -And you are called to preside-in dispensing the blessings of that government, in the forming of which you took so distinguished a part.

May your administration derive blessings to your country, and honor and happiness to yourself.

In the name of the citizens of Philadelphia, we bid you welcome; and assure you, that we, and those we represent, have the warmest personal attachment to you, and shall always rejoice to meet you singly, or connected with the august body over whom you are going to preside.

Signed by order of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the city of Philadelphia, in Common Council assembled, this twentith day of April, Anno Domini, 1789.

ALEX. WILCOCKS, Recorder.

HIS EXCELLENCY'S ANSWER.

To the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common Council of the City of Philadelphia.

I consider myself particularly obliged to you, gentlemen, for your congratulatory address on my appointment to the station of President of the United States.

Accustomed as I have been to pay a respectful regard to the opinion of my countrymen, I did not think myself at liberty to decline the acceptance of the high office, to which I had been called by their united suffrage.

When I contemplate the interposition of Providence, as it was visibly manifested, in guiding us through the Revolution, in preparing us for the reception of a geneal government, and in conciliating the good will of the people of America towards one another after its adoption; I feel myself oppressed, and almost overwhelmed with a sense of the Divine munificence. I feel that nothing is due to my personal agency in all these complicated and wonderful events, except what can simply be attributed to the exertions of an honest zeal for the good of my country.

God, for the great deliverance he hath wrought for us by your Excellency, when General and Commander in Chief of the armies of our country, and for having inspired the people with the wisdom of appointing you, by an unanimous suffrage, to the chair of the First Ma gistrate over them.

The tender regard which heretofore you always paid to the laws and liberties of these states, when you pos sessed almost dictatorial power, gives us a certain pros pect of a mild, legal and upright government. We are duly impressed with the mercies of God in preserving you hitherto, in so many public and private dangers to which your person hath been exposed; and we hope and pray the same Providence will carry you through the great work (which seems reserved for you) of es tablishing justice, insuring tranquillity, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty and independence to the good people of your native country, and in the latest posterity.

We want words to express our satisfaction on this occasion, and beg leave to assure you of our affectionate attachment to your person, and our best endeavours to render your admin'stration happy and glorious.

THO. M'KEAN, C. J.
WILLIAM A. ATLEE,
JACOB RUSH,
GEO. BRYAN.

Philadelphia, April the 20th, 1789.

HIS EXCELLENCY'S ANSWER.

To the Judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,
GENTLEMEN,

It affords me the most sensible pleasure to be inform ed, that my accession to the Chief Magistracy of the United States has met the approbation of my fellow citizens in general, and particularly that of the judges of the supreme court of Pennsylvania,

Your recapitulation of the deliverance, in which Almighty God hath been pleased, in some sort, to make use of me as his instrument, ought only to awaken my deepest gratitude for his niercies in the time past, and an hun ble reliance on them for the time to come.

Feeling how greatly I shall stand in need of the patriotic assistance of every good citizen of America, the confidence they continue to express in the rectitude of my dispositions will always be as it ever has been, an unfailing source of consolation to me, in every hour of If I have distressing apprehensions, that I shall not difficulty or distress. While the whole course of my be able to justify the too exalted expectations of my past conduct will be a better security for my future countrymen, I am supported under the pressure of such transactions, than any verbal assurances I can give, I uneasy reflections by a confidence, that the most gra- will only say, that I should find myself singularly hap cious Being, who hath hitherto watched over the inter-py in contributing to realize the glorious work, which ests and averted the perils of the United States, will never suffer so fair an inheritance to become a prey to anarchy, despotism, or any other species of oppression. I thank you sincerely for your kind wishes, that my administration may be honorable and happy to myself and country.

your partiality for me has been indulgent enough to anticipate, of establishing justice, insuring tranquillity, promoting the general welfare, and insuring the bles sings of liberty and independence to the good people of our native country, and their latest posterity.

I entreat you to be persuaded, gentlemen, that, al I pray you, gentlemen, will accept, on your own though it was with the utmost difficulty I could prevail behalf, as well as on that of the citizens you represent, upon myself to enter again on the stage of public life, my heartfelt acknowledgments for the polite welcome yet, since I have done it, the unequivocal encourage I have received upon my arrival in your city. In ten-ment of support, given by the most respectable citizens dering these acknowledgments, I must also desire it may be fully understood, that I entertain the same reciprocal sensations of attachment for the good people of Philadelphia, which they have on all occasions evinced in my favor.

and magistrates, will tend very much to remove my em barrassments, and, I hope, to open the way for a pros perous administration.

G. WASHINGTON.

To His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq. L.LD, President of the United States of America, Comman der in Chief of the Army and Navy thereof, &c. The Address of the Trustees and Faculty of the Univer sity of the State of Pennsylvania.

Permit, sir, the University of the State of Pennsylvania to join in the general joy,occasioned by your accession to the first office in the Federal Empire. It is by this honor, (the highest that America can bestow) that a grateful people express the affection which your eminent ser