sider this subject in a point of view, which I believe, will be found as interesting as it is new; the facts that I shall state, although they may strike every body's eye have not only not yet been noticed, but appear to me to have been most unaccountably overlooked by those who have professed to treat of the culture of silk in this country.

which Dandolo limits them in their early age, he says: "Dandolo writes after years of practice upon a very large scale, and recommends the degrees of heat which always insured him success. Other practical writers agree with Dandolo. No one it is presumed, will be at a loss to decide which of those authorities is most worthy of being followed."

In China, the native country of the silk worm, that It appears to me that the author of the Manual relied useful insect is born, grows and thrives in the open air. here too much on foreign authorities, and too little on Like the common caterpillar, it nestles upon trees, and his own judgment, which it is most probable would have there winds its beautiful cocoons.-In Europe, on the led him to different conclusions. When he ventured to contrary, in Italy and the south of France, notwithstand-assert that in the State of Connecticut, because Daning the boasted mildness of those climates, the egg is dolo's directions, as he believes, are not followed, “milhatched and the worm is raised in hot houses, with infinite | lions of silk worms must die, or become debilitated, and trouble and care. In the works of Dandolo and Bona- that their race will degenerate." I cannot help wishing fous, the most approved European writers on this sub- that he had ascertained the fact which might have been, ject, the one an Italian, the other a Frenchman, we find I should think, easily done, as Connecticut is not at so the most minute directions for regulating from day to great a distance from the capital, nor, indeed, from any day the heat of the stoves, and the farmer who raises part of the United States, that information from thence silk worms, must have the thermometer constantly in could not have been obtained on which reliance might his hand, the degrees of heat being fixed for every day have been placed. Conjectures can but illy supply the of the growth of the animal and almost for every hour. place of positive facts. The numerous works on the art of raising silk worms are in a great measure filled with these details.

In the first number of these essays, I gave an account of some experiments which I made on cocoons raised on the farm of Messrs. Ter Hoeven, near this city. I described the silk extracted from these cocoons as the most beautiful I had ever seen, and as superior in quantity as well as quality to that of Europe. These cocoons were produced without the aid of the thermometer, and even without any artificial heat.

Was

I have said (in my ninth number) that I have seen cocoons spun by worms raised by a lady near Baltimore, without any care, and the silk of those cocoons equally beautiful. I said, indeed, that the worms appeared to have suffered; but that might have been from causes unconnected with the degree of heat that they experienced. I am informed that in Connecticut, where sewing silk is made in great quantity, the directions of the European writers with respect to heat are not attended to; and, in short, although I have seen cocoons produced in various parts of this country, I have never heard that those directions were any where followed.

Sensible of the respect that I owe to opinions of American writers, and particularly to that of the author to whom I allude, it will be easily perceived that I found myself greatly embarrased. I saw silk worms raised and fine silk produced every where in this country, without the use of stoves or thermometers, yet I was aware of the strength of objection drawn from the vicissitudes of the American atmosphere, and indeed I have, in the second number, expressed my astonishment at the success of the culture of the silk worm, notwithstanding this great and serious obstacle. Disappointed in the means that I had recurred to in order to fix my opinion upon the subject, and to find a rational cause for the wonders that every day struck my eyes, I determined, at last to study as well as I could the climate and temperature of this country, persuaded that I should find there the solution of this great problem. I knew from experience, and from the uniform assertions of European writers, that a temperature not below the 14th deg. of Reaumur, or the 62d Fahrenheit's thermometer, could not be hurtful to the silk worms, and on this basis I proceeded in my researches.

These facts made me reflect a great deal, in order to I in the first place examined the meteorological ob discover by what cause they might be produced; never-servations which are daily inserted in the Democratic theless, my mind was not satisfied. I turned to the Press, published in this city, and there I found to my American writers, and particularly to the Manual pub- great satisfaction, that from the 22d of May to the 22d lished under the authority of Congress, to which I have June of the present year, (the usual season for raising before several times referred. There I expected to the silk worm,) the thermometer had not fallen below have my doubts completely removed; but I was sur- 694° of Fahrenheit in the open air, although during prised to find that the learned writer recommended the that period the weather was sometimes unusually cool. whole method of the foreign writers; not on the ground In addition to this, I was shown by Mr. Elias Durand, of of observation and experience, but on mere general this city, a gentleman who is very fond of philosophical reasoning, and on the authority of those writers them- studies, a view which he took within the last ten years Belves. Let us hear him speak for himself.

After several arguments, principally derived from the vicissitudes of the American atmosphere, he thus continues: [p. 49.] "Thus, whether amusement or profit be the object, a thermometer is essential (to the raising of silk worms.) It will be asked, do the people of Connecticut use thermometers? if not do they not succeed without them? It is believed that they are not employed; and the consequences are, that millions of worms must die from the causes mentioned; that the profit is thus greatly diminished; and that many worms, which do service, become debilitated, spin small cocoons, and produce diminutive moths, and bad eggs. Hence the race is liable to degenerate." Elsewhere, (p. 69,) the writer re-umes the same argument, without, however, referring to any facts but the vicissitudes of the American climate, and confirms his reasoning by saying "all the practical writers, expressly consulted on this subject, are agreed." Then alluding to an assertion of Sauvages, a French writer who said, and, I think with reason, as he speaks from experiments, that the silk worm will bear a greater degree of heat than that to

-but in what year he could not recollect, having mislaid the original of his drawing-in which he exhibited, by lines of different colours, the relative temperatures of Paris and Baltimore for every day during one twelvemonth.

The rise and fall of the thermometer in those two, cities, from one day to another, was, as he assured me, accurately marked from meteorological observations taken in each place, during the same period. The American temperature appeared much colder in winterand much warmer in summer; but what I remarked with the greatest pleasure, was, that from the last week in May inclusively, to the end of June, the thermometer did not fall below 68 degrees of Fabrenheit, which was rather extraordinary, as I have been informed that in these middle states it seldom falls lower in that period than 68 degrees.-This, however is a fact on which there must be many in this country better informed than myself; but if we take it for granted, it is evident that dur ing the proper time for raising silk worms, the temperature is hardly ever such as to endanger their health; and unless it be so, I can perceive no way to account

1829.

TYPE AND TYPE FOUNDRIES.

207

for the success of American farmers in raising their silkgress of the silk worms, to entitle me to act the part o worms, and producing such beautiful silk as that of A- a teacher in this branch of national agriculture. My wish merica must be acknowledged to be, without any of to be useful to this country made me presumptuous, the those precautions respecting the degrees of heat which same sentiment makes me acknowledge my error. are taken by the silk culturists of Europe, and recom- When I intimated that this essay should be the last, I mended by the writers of Italy and France. I am almost had not in contemplation the communications that I have tempted to believe that the silk worm would succeed just made. I did not expect to come so near a solution here in the open air, even on the leaves of trees, as it of the problem that occupied my mind. It is possible, does in China. It appears to me to be well worth mak- therefore, that I may trespass again on the indulgence ing the experiment, particularly in the southern states of the public. of this Union.

17th. September, 1829.

J. D'HOMERGUE.

I cannot now speak of the variations of the thermometer in any particular season in the south of France where West-Chester, Pa. Sept. 16. I resided, but this I can say, that when I arrived here We have seen a parcel of silk made this season by about the end of May, I found the weather excessively Mrs.Baker, of West Bradford, remarkable for its purity hot, and more so than that to which I had been accus- and whiteness. This specimen is an evidence of what tomed in the same season in my own country. I am may be done in the cultivation of Silk, and should stimtold that the hot weather in America sets in about theulate to new efforts in that valuable, but too much ne20th of May with particular violence; but of this I can- glected, branch of industry. not judge by one year's experience. It undoubtedly began in this manner in the present year.

I am inclined therefore to believe, that at the particular period to which I have referred, the temperature of this country is different from that of the south of Europe, and more favourable to the raising of the silk worm. A fact which cannot be controverted comes in aid of this opinion.

In Europe, the raising of the silk worm, from the hatching of the egg to the completion of the cocoon, occupies 45 and sometimes 47 days. (See Dandolo, Bonafous, and the writers generally, passim.) In this country, on the contrary, 31 days are sufficient. I am ascertained of this fact. 1. By Messrs. Ter Hoeven, who raised, as they told me, in that space of time, the worms that spun the cocoons from which I extracted the says; 2dly. by Nicholas Norris, Esq. of Baltimore, who

beautiful silk mentioned in the first number of these es

assured me that in the same number of days he had raised a great quantity of silk worms to the completion of their cocoons; 3d. and lastly, by Dr. Pascalis, who wrote to me, on the 3d of last month, that a quantity of worms which he does not specify had "mounted and spun their cocoon" in 31 days, and that not a single one had died, though they had suffered from cold, hunger and dampness, during the most terrible month of June that he had ever known. These are his expressions. It is true that he adds that his worms had been submitted to the process of electricity; but I do not think that made any difference, and their success must, in my opinion, be attributed to the favourable temperature of the

climate.

TYPES & TYPE FOUNDRIES.

As the introduction of types and foundries has lately created some inquiry, we give the following extract from Thomas' 'Art of Printing," vol. II. p. 83. The author took great pains to obtain correct information-in which therefore we presume he succeeded, and will probably satisfactorily settle the question. It appears that Pennsylvania was the first of the U. S. to introduce the regular business of manufacturing types.

"A Foundry, principally for Gothic, or German types, was established at Germantown, Pennsylvania, several years before the revolution, but that foundry was chiefly employed for its owner, Christopher Sower, who printed the Bible, and several other valuable works, in the German language.

Some attempts were made about 1768, to establish foundries for types-one at Boston by Mr. Mitchelson, from Scotland; another in Connecticut by a Mr. Buel; but they were unsuccessful. brought from Europe to Philadelphia, the materials for a foundry; but little or no use was made of them.

In 1775, Dr. Franklin

Soon after the close of the revolutionary war, John Baine, type founder, of Edinburgh, sent the materials for a foundry to this country, by a kinsman, I believe his Baine came grandson, who settled at Philadelphia. over himself, soon after; and they were the first who regularly carried on the business of type founders in the United States They were good workmen, and had full employment. The types for the Encyclopedia, twenty one volumes quarto, printed some years since by Dobson, at Philadelphia, were cast at their foundry. Baine died in August, 1790, aged 77. He must have been 70 years of age when he arrived at Philadelphia. His kins

man returned to Scotland.

At the commencement of the late commotions in Holland, an ingenious type founder, from that conntry, came and settled at New-York. His foundry was calculated, principally, for Dutch and German types, the casts of which were handsome. The faces of his English letter were very ordinary. He was a Dutch patriot, who had lost most of his property, and was obliged to fly from his country. His want of funds disabled him from carrying

In one of my former numbers I mentioned that, at the request of my Baltimore friends, I had promised to publish an almanac containing the most essential directions for silk culturists; but the more experience I acquire respecting the climate of this country, the more I find that it requires more knowledge of it than I am possessed of, to venture upon prescribing rules to the American farmer. I should have visited nurseries, observed the growth of the mulberry trees, and watched the proDandolo wrote his book principally for the north of Italy. After giving his directions respecting the temperature to be preserved and other things to be attend ed to in the raising of silk worms, he says: "In countries where by the effects of the climate the temperature is alAt this time (1810) we have three or more type foundways hotter than that which I have mentioned as theries in the U.S. The types from which this work is printproper one for the period of mounting, (16 degrees ed, were manufactured by Binney and Ronaldson, at Reaumur or 66 degrees Fahrenheit,) the air is dry, withPhiladelphia." out being agitated, as is almost always the case in the vicinity of mountains. In those countries it is sufficient to leave a free current to the air where it is the coolest. Although it is useless, for hot countries, to enter into the details mentioned in this book, yet I have thought that in an elementary work, it was proper to fix the rules of the art for every country and every climate," &c.Dandolo, p. 205.

on the business here with success.

*Sower died in 1760. See vol. 2, p. 83.

PENNSYLVANIA CANAL.

We understand, that the Governor, who left this city on Saturday, was not able to accomplish the object of his visit, and that he intends to convene the legislature soon after the election in October. The failure to pro

208

cure the necessary funds to complete the great scheme proposition-presuming they have already some inforof internal improvement cannot fail to be a source of mation which would be useful and interesting on the regret to every Pennsylvanian, and of mortification to every friend to the interests of Philadelphia. It is not subjects referred to in the notice. Can any of them innecessary, at this time, to advert to the cause of the fail- form us, where Wm. Penn proposed to found a city on ure to procure funds, as we believe that the citizens the Susquehanna in 1690, agreeably to the plan which generally, as well in the interior as in the city, are pretty we published in our first vol. page 400? well informed on the subject.

As connected with this subject, we copy a circular addressed by James Clarke, Esq. one of the acting canal commissioners to the contractors on the Juniata division of the canal.

The formation of Antiquarian Societies is recommen ded by a number of gentlemen in this section of country, for the purpose of ascertaining the facts relating to the first settlements along the Susquehanna, and hav

To the Contractors on the Juniata Division of the Penn-ing them published. Societies might be formed in Dau

sylvania Canal.

In justice to you, and the public, I have thought it necessary to publish the following Circular, which I have just received from the Commissioners of the Internal Improvement fund.—It informs us of a fact, which although expected, is nevertheless exceedingly unpleasant in the midst of active operations.

On the old line of 45 miles, from this place, to Duncan's Island, it has been calculated to commence letting the water into the canal within a few days, while the two dams on the Juniata, and the river locks connected with them, are undergoing an effectual repair. All of which it is confidently believed would be completed and ready for active use this season. How far the following communication may postpone our anticipations cannot now be foreseen: But no effort, or reasonable accommodation, shall be wanting on my part to have the whole work on the lower part completed.

Conceiving it necessary to inform the contractors on the upper line, between this place and Huntingdon, that as the funds provided by the Legislature, for canal and rail road purposes are exhausted, and as there is now no unappropriated funds to draw upon,even by anticipation, there will therefore be no certificates for work done, is sued hereafter. But it is my most earnest desire, that those contractors who have the means of prosecuting their jobs, may continue the work without relaxing their efforts; as there can be no doubt, but that the Legisla ture of Pennsylvania will immediately after it is convened, provide funds for sustaining the credit of the commonwealth, by paying the contracts which have been entered into agreeably to law, and prosecuting the pub

lic works new begun to completion.

Joniata Canal Office,

Lewistown, Sept. 12, 1829.}

JAMES CLARKE,
Acting Commissioner.

CIRCULAR.

James Clarke, Esq. Acting Commissioner Juniata Divisi on Pennsylvania Canal.

Sir-We have thought it proper to inform you that the drafts already made upon the Treasurer of the Canal Commissioners, by the Acting Canal Commissioners and Superintendants of the canals and rail roads, equal the amount of money appropriated at the last session of the legislature, and made applicable to the construction of canals and rail roads.

Very respectfully, your ob't. serv'ts.

C. BLYTHE.
DAVID MANN,
A. MAHON,
Commissioners of Internal Improvement Fund.
[American Sentinel.

phin, Cumberland, Perry, Northumberland, Union, Columbia, Lycoming, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Bradford and Tioga, who could send delegates once a year to a general convention, (held at some central point) with such information as may be obtained by cach society.— This has been in contemplation for some time, and we hope to see it prosecuted with vigor in the different

counties.

A meeting will shortly be held in this county to take the matter into consideration, when every one interested Susq. Em. will be respectfully invited to attend.

HOLCUS BICOLOB.

A Substitute for Chocolate. There is a plant cultivated in Lancaster county Pennsylvania, which is considered an excellent substitute for Chocolate. It is the holcus bicolor of Welldenow, from the seed of which is made a beverage resembling in color, taste, and many other qualities, the common chocolate. The piant is an annual, 8 or 10 feet in height, and resembling the common broom. The holcus bicolor is a native of Persia, and grows well in this country. A single plant will yield seed enough to produce by a second year's crop, a sufficiency to furnish a family of six or eight persons for a whole year, with a good and nour ishing beverage, which is supposed to be preferable to tea or coffee. It is thus prepared: -The seed and busks are ground in a coffee-mill into grains some-what smallthan ground coffee: it is then boiled over a slow fire, with a sufficient quantity of milk, and a small piece of butter, until the beverage assumes a chocolate color, which it receives from the husks. The liquor is then strained through gauze and sweetened till palatable.-N. E. Farmer.

A beautiful apple, weighing one pound seven ounces, from the orchard of George Ashbridge, Esq. in this borough, was brought to this office yesterday.--Vil Rec.

Schuylkill Coal-Various opinions appear to be en tertained with respect to the quantity of Schuylkill coal that will be sent to market, this season. We cannot dip our pen into futurity and register forthcoming events, but we can form an estimate from existing facts, that will not materially deviate from the actual quantity.The number of tons sent to market amounts to 48,482, which has been at the rate of about 2000 tons per week since the navigation opened, and we have no reason to believe that the weekly quantity will be augmented for the remainder of the season.

Taking this for granted, our shipments cannot amount to more than 65,000 tons. The Lehigh Company may send from 18 to 20,000—making in all 85,000 tons. The consumers may rest assured that this will be the whole quantity of coal they can pos sibly receive from the two places, unless the navigation of both canals remain open until January, which, in the common course of events, is rather problematical.

Miner's Journ.

MISCELLANEOUS. We are pleased to see the following notice of an attempt to form societies in the interior for the purpose of Printed every SATURDAY MORNING by WILLIAM F. collecting and preserving facts relative to the history of GEDDES, No. 59 Locust Street. Philadelphia; where, and at the state. We would gladly give their transactions a the PUBLICATION OFFICE, IN FRANKLIN PLACE, second place in the Register (which was established for the door back of the Post Office, (back room) subscriptions will be same object), and would be pleased to receive any com-annually by subscribers residing in or near the city, or where thankfully received. Price FIVE DOLLARS per annum, payablo munications from the gentlemen who have made the there is an agent. Other subscribers pay in advance.

THE

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

VOL. IV.-NO. 14..

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 3, 1829. NO. 92.

THE CONSTITUTION OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1778.

At a Meeting of the Convention for the State of Pennsylvania, held at the State-house, in the City of Philadelphia, on the 28th day of Sept. 1776.

CHAPTER I.

A DECLARATION of the RIGHTS of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth or State of Pennsylvania. 1st, THAT all men are born equally free and independent, and having certain natural, inherent and unalienWHEREAS all government ought to be instituted and able rights amongst which are the enjoying and defendsupported for the security and protection of the coming life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protectmunity as such, and to enable the individuals, who com- ing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and pose it, to enjoy their natural rights and the other bless- safety. ings which the author of existence has bestowed upon 2d, That all men have a natural and unalienable right man; and, when ever these great ends of government are to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of not obtained, the people have a right, by common consent, their own consciences and understanding: And that no to change it, and take such means as to them may ap man ought or of right can be compelled to attend any pear necessary to promote their safety and happiness.religious worship, or erect or suppo.t any place of wor And whereas the inhabitants of this commonwealth have, ship, or maintain any ministry, contrary to, or against in consideration of protection only, heretofore acknowl. his own free will and consent: Nor can any man, who edged allegiance to the king of Great Britain; and the acknowledges the Being of a GoD, be justly deprived or said king has not only withdrawn that protection, but abridged of any civil right as a citizen, on account of commenced and still continues to carry on, with unabat- his religious sentiments, or peculiar mode of religious ed vengeance, a most cruel and unjust war against them, worship: And that no authority can or ought to be employing therein not only the troops of Great Britain, vested in, or assumed by, any power whatever, that shall but foreign mercenaries, savages and slaves, for the a- in any case interfere with, or in any manner controul the vowed purpose of reducing them to a total and abject right of conscience, in the free exercise of religious submission to the despotic domination of the British par- worship. liament, with many other acts of tyranny (more fully set 3d, That the people af this state have the sole exforth in the declaration of Congress) whereby all alle-clusive and inherent right of governing and regulating giance and fealty to the said king, and his successors, the internal police of the same. are dissolved and at an end, and all power and authority derived from him ceased in these colonies. And whereas it is absolutely necessary for the welfare and safety of the inhabitants of said colonies, that they be henceforth free and independent states, and that just, permanent and proper forms of government exist in every part of them, derived from, and founded on the authority of the people only, agreeable to the direction of the honorable American Congress.

4th, That all power being originally inherent in, and consequently derived from the people; therefore all of ficers of government, whether legislative or executive, are their trustees and servants, and at all times accountable to them.

5th, That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection and security of the people, nation or community; and not for the particular emolument or advantage of any single man, family or set of men who are a part only of that community: And that the community hath an indubitable, unalienable and indeft asible right to reform, alter or abolish government in such a manner as shall be by that community judged most conducive to the public weal.

6th, That those who are employed in the legislative and executive business of the state, may be restrained from oppression, the people have a right, at such periods as they may think proper, to reduce their public officers to a private station, and supply the vacancies by certain and regular elections.

WE, the representatives of the freemen of Pennsylvania, in general convention met, for the express purpose of framing such a government, confessing the goodness of the great governor of the universe, (who alone knows to what degree of earthly happiness mankind may attain, by perfecting the arts of government) in permitting the people of this state, by common consent, and without violence, deliberately to form for themselves such just rules as they shall think best for governing their future society; and being fully convinced that it is our indispensable duty to establish such original principles of government as will best promote the general happiness of the people of this state and their posterity, and provide for future improvements, without partiality for or prejudice against any particular class, sect or denomination of men whatsoever, do, by virtue of the authority vested in us by our constituents, ordain, declare 8th, That every member of society hath a right to be and establish the following declaration of rights and protected in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property, frame of government, to be the constitution of this com- and therefore is bound to contribute his proportion tomonwealth, and to remain in force therein forever, un-wards the expense of that protection, and yield his peraltered, except in such articles as shall hereafter, on ex-sonal service, when necessary, or an equivalent thereto. perience, be found to require improvement, and which But no part of a man's property can be justly taken shall, by the same authority of the people fairly delegat-from him, or applied to public uses, without his own ed, as this frame of government directs, be amended or consent, or that of his legal representatives: Nor can improved for the more effectual obtaining and securing any man who is conscientiously scrupulous of bear ng the great end and design of all goverument herein be-arms, be justly compelled thereunto, if he will pay such fore mentioned. equivalent: Nor are the people bound by any laws, but

7th, That all elections ought to be free; and that all free men having a sufficient evident common interest with, and attachment to the community, have a right to elect officers, or be elected into office.

12th, That the people have a right to freedom of speech, and of writing, and publishing their sentiments; therefore the freedom of the press ought not to be re-freemen of Pennsylvania, and shall have power to choose strained.