1st. A survey of the northern route, by the Susquehanna West branch, Sinnemahoning, Clarion river and Allegheny, from the mouth of the Juniata to the mouth of the Kiskeminetas, under the direction of Judge Geddes, assisted by William Wilson, Esq. 2. A survey of the Allegheny river, from the mouth of the Kiskeminetas to that of the French creek, with a view to the connection with Lake Erie, by the same gentlemen. 3d. A survey of the Juniata route, from the mouth of the Juniata to that of the Kiskeminetas, by Canvass White, Esq. assisted by Mr. Olmstead. 4th. A survey of the North branch of the Susquehanna, from Northumberland to the New York line, by Mr. Bennet, of Luzerne county, under the immediate superintendence of Judge Scott, a member of the board. 5th. A survey of routes, through Cumberland and Franklin counties, to the Potomac river, and by the Conococheague or Monocasey and Cone wago, to the Susquehanna, by John Mitchell, Esq. of Centre county. All these surveys and examinations have been per formed, according to the instructions of the board, and of the last, a satisfactory report has been received. But owing to the great length of line entrusted to judge Geddes, and the sickness of Mr. White, and most of his parly for a portion of the season; these gentlemen have not yet had time to prepare the estimates, and furnish the drafts required. Mr. Bennet is still confined to his bed, by a fever, contracted while in the service of the board; so that no official account of his operations has yet been forwarded. 243 the board, to allow time for additional scrutiny and ad- Depth, 40 feet. 28 feet. 4 feet. For reasons however, which will appear hereafter, that portion of the canal from Harrisburg to the mouth of the Juniata, was directed to be made three feet wider at the top and bottom, six inches deeper, and to have a descent of one inch and a half to the mile. The size of locks for this division, was fixed at 17 feet in width, and 90 feet in length, within the chamber. The whole length of this division of the canal is twenty two miles and a half, with seven lift locks, one guard lock and one regulating lock; and the expense, as originally estimated by Mr. Strickland, 405,511 dollars. A From these remarks, it will be perceived, that as to large portion of the ground through which it passes, is four of the surveys enumerated, the board have not yet highly favorable; but serious obstacles exist at Kittatiny, materials for a satisfactory report. But as the 8th sec- Peter's and Short mountains, which serve greatly to tion of the act of 1825, is construed to require such a swell the expense. In the beginning of July, thirty communication, within thirty days after each meeting of days notice having been given, according to law, the the legislature, and as within that period, existing defi- line was let out to contractors upon terms very favouraciencies may not probably be supplied, they have deem-ble to the commonwealth, and considerably within the ed it advisable to make, at this time, a report of their proceedings, under the act for commencing the Pennsylvania canal, and to rely upon the indulgence of the legislature, until the other interesting subjects confided to their care, shall be completed and matured. By reference to the act of 11th of April, 1825 it will be seen that two routes mentioned therein have not yet received the attention of the board, namely-that the route from Philadelphia, through Lancaster and Chester counties to the Susquehanna, and the one to connect the line of the proposed Chesapeake and Ohio canal with the Juniata route. The board have postponed these examinations with a view to economy in their expenditure of the public money. The chief value of either,must depend upon the execution of other objects, which are not yet decided on; and there will be ample time for making these surveys, when the great works alluded to, shall have been actively commenced: Without further remarks, the board pass to a statement of their proceeding, under the act of 25th February, 1826, for the commencement of the Pennsylvania canal In pursuance of the act, General Abner Lacock and Charles Mowry, Esq. have been appointed acting commissioners, and have performed the duties prescribed by law, the former on the western, and the latter on the eastern division of the canal. On the 10th March, 1826, William Strickland, Esq., of Philadelphia, was employed as engineer, in the service of the board, and was directed forthwith, to commence the location of a canal from the river Swatara, On the 17th of May, Mr. Strickland reported to the board, then in session, at Harrisburg, his plan for the work, accompanied by proper profiles, drafts and estimates, all of which are herewith presented. The plan was approved, except as to the place and mode of taking water from the Susquehanna, which were deemed to involve questions of too much importance to be hastily decided, and were accordingly postponed to a future mecting of estimate of the engineer. In some cases however, they, proved to be ruinously low, and abandonments have been the consequence. The contractors began to assemble with their workmen, early in August. Since that time the greatest ac tivity has prevailed along the whole line. For particulars of the progress and present state of the work, the board refer to the reports of the acting commissioner From these reports it and engineer, hereto annexed. appears, that some sections of the canal are nearly com-. pleted-and that about one third of the whole excavation has been accomplished. It appears also, that the work done on this division' up to the 2d December, 1826, cost 46,517 dollars 13 cents, and the sum requisite for its completion, is estimated at 296,400 dolls. It will be seen too, from the report of Mr. Strickland, that the point and mode of taking water from the Susquehanna, have become subjects of reconsideration. Fortunately, this part of the work is yet in such a state as to admit of alteration, if the board shall think it necessary, A letter from Mr. White, propoadditional expense. sing a plan analogous to that of Mr. Strickland, is annexed hereto, by way of illustration. without To that portion of Mr. Mowry's report, which relates to the assessment of damages, the board will invite special attention. Some change in the existing law is indispensable, to guard the interests of the commonwealth., Upon the compromises reported, by him, they would remark, that his agreements with Hise and Lowman, for a lot of ground, and with George Parson, for a barn destroyed, have been finally confirmed, and the others postponed for further consideration. In connexion with this subject, a brief account may properly be given of the negociations attempted by the board, under the directions of the legislature, with the Harrisburg canal, fire insurance and water company.By an act of 25th February last, the canal commis sioners were authorised, "to agree with the company for taking water from the canal for supplying the bo rough of Harrisburg with water, and for propelling machinery," if it could be done without disadvantage to the commonwealth; and by act of April 5th-the period for making such agreement, was limited to the first June following. The board entered upon this duty in a spirit of ac'commodation, and with the sincere hope that all difficulties might be adjusted, without committing the interests of the state, or materially impairing those of the Harrisburg company. to begin on the opposite side of the Allegheny river, beside violating the law, would be a serious blow to the welfare of their city; and that even should the western side be preferred for a portion of the route, the canal must cross by an aqueduct, rather than commence elsewhere than in the city. They urged, also, the expediency of a location on the eastern side, for the whole distance. The board listened to these suggestions with an interest proportioned to the magnitude of the subject; and with the utmost anxiety to protect and advance the prosperity of Pittsburg. After repeated conferences with their engineer, and mature deliberation upon the facts before them, it was their unanimous opinion, that the difficulties of the eastern shore precluded the hope of a canal on that side, within such limits of expense as ought to be incurred, thus leaving the simple alternative of following the west bank all the way, or crossing from the east side at a point below its most serious impediments. Notice was accordingly given, to the president of that company, that the board would assemble in Harrisburg, on the 17th May, with a view to this object. The board having organized, its first act was to propose a conference with the managers of the company. The proposal was accepted, and a negociation continued, partly in writing and partly by conference, until the evening of the 19th, when a letter was received from the president of the company, explicitly declining any further communication. During this interval the board made every advance, that could possibly be reconciled with their Upon this alternative they were not disposed hastily sense of duty, and having done all in their power, with- to decide, nor did they deem a decision proper until out success, considered themselves relieved from any further time for reflection, and an opportunity of examresponsibility. They resolved, nevertheless, that theining the ground had been afforded them. They resolborough of Harrisburg, should be accommodated, as far ved, therefore, to locate the canal from the mouth of the as practicable, without injury to the public. When, Kiskiminetas to that of Pine creek, about five miles therefore, the route of the canal was finally located, and above Pittsburg, (the latter point being agreed upon as its dimensions fixed, an increased size was given to the most favorable for an aqueduct,) and to leave the reupper portion, in order that surplus water might be af- maining part of the distance for determination at their forded for the use of the borough, and for propelling next meeting. This partial location was accordingly machinery, at some future time. It was believed that made by resolution on the 19th of June, and on the the sale of water rights, upon moderate terms, would same day received the sanction of the governor. An admore than repay the additional expense, while it would vertisement for contracts was also directed to be made promote the prosperity of the town, and add materially for that portion of the line thus definitively fixed. to the comfort of its inhabitants. The views of the board, on this head, have undergone no change; and they look with confidence to the legislature for a confirmation of the plan, by giving them power to dispose of water rights, and to purchase on behalf of the state, such small portions of land, adjoining the canal, as may be necessary for that purpose. On the 3d of August the board met at Pittsburg, expressly to determine the interesting questions pending in that quarter. That no professional aid, within their reach, might be wanting, Mr. Strickland was directed to repair to the spot, and the services of Major Douglass, professor of engineering at the United States milipreliminary, the board, accompanied by Mr. Roberts, tary academy were also engaged. As an indispensable and by the gentleman last named, ascended the Allegheny to the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, taking such a view of both sides of the river as served to inform them of the comparative difficulties. of the citizens of Pittsburg was received to a conference On their return, a committee with the board, who stated at large their views of the subject. These views differed from those presented by the former committee on one material point. The plan of an aqueduct over the Allegheny was strenuously opposed, and a location on the eastern side, to the exclusion of all others, and for the whole distance, as strenuously insisted on. On the 5th of April last, the board succeeded in obtaining the services of Nathan S. Roberts, Esq. an experienced engineer from the New York canal. He was instructed to proceed forthwith to Pittsburg, and to locate the line of canal from thence to the Kiskiminetas. Mr. Roberts began his operations on the Monongahela at the foot of Liberty street, in the city, and continued them with much activity, a distance of seventeen miles, up the east side of the Allegheny river. He then communicated to the board the result of his examinations, expressing an opinion that a canal, on the east side, would be very expensive, and asking to be informed whether his instructions would justify an examination on the opposite bank. In reply he was directed to examine both Having thus heard the opinions and wishes of the citsides with the utmost care, and to furnish such an esti-izens of Pittsburg, as expressed by their committee, the mate of each as would enable the board to decide be- board directed the engineers present to confer on the tween them. This was accordingly done; and from Mr. subject, and to report either jointly or severally, as they Roberts' report, it appeared that a canal, on the east might agree. Major Douglass and Mr. Strickland, acside, would cost the sum of 661,951 dolls. 51 cents-cordingly furnished a joint report, a copy of which is that it must be in danger of destruction from floods, and annexed hereto. Its substance is-1st. That a canal on hill slips, and was in some places almost impracticable. the east side would be attended with great and serious From the same report it appeared that the expense of a difficulty; but that in their opinion it is not impracticacanal, on the west side, from the mouth of the Kiskimin- ble. 2d. That the expense of such a canal would probetas, to end in the Allegheny river, opposite Pittsburg, ably equal Mr. Roberts' estimate. 3d. That for facility would be 296,122 dollars-that the ground was, for the of execution, and safety when made, a location on the most part, favorable, and free from the obstacles so for- west side, for the whole distance, would be decidedly midably presented on the eastern side. This report was laid before the board, at their meet-ny, constructed within a reasonable limit of expense, preferable. 4th. That an aqueduct over the Allegheing in Harrisburg, in the month of June. The contrast would not, in their opinion, be permanently safe; and as presented between the two sides of the river, could finally, as a conséquence of this last position, that they have left no doubt which to select, but for a remon- would prefer a location on the eastern side, for the whole strance against a location on the western side, by two distance, to one which should require the employment gentlemen, who appeared as representatives of the citi- of an aqueduct. zens of Pittsburg. They contended, before the board, that by the terms of the law, the canal must commence within the chartered limits of the city of Pittsburg--that view he had formerly taken, and recommended the Mr Roberts, in his separate report, adhered to the adoption of the western side for the whole distance. He 1829.) PENNSYLVANIA CANAL. 245 annexed to it an estimate of such an aqueduct, as he committee of the citizens of Pittsburg and requested deemed sufficient for conveying a feeder across the Al- their assistance; but that thus far he has received from legheny, above the mouth of the Kiskiminetas which them no certain information, nor has he been able to obhe fixed at 72,000 dolls., leaving a difference of 291,000 tain any, by his own exertions—so that the board is left dollars between the route proposed by him, (including in the same situation, and with as few materials for a the aqueduct,) and that on the eastern side. correct decision, as when the canal was first located to Amid such a conflict of opinions, it became necessary the city line. for the board to decide, and they approached this part From all this it will appear, that the important quesof their duty with a deep sense of responsibility to the tions are yet undecided, and will claim at an early day, public, as well as to the community most immediately the attention of the board. Shall the late location be interested, adhered to? and if so, at what point, shall it join the waIt was the opinion of a majority of the board that the ters of the Ohio? or shall the location be rescinded, and obstacles on the eastern side were too serious to be en- a new one adopted, on the western side? countered; that the canal ought, if possible to terminate This embarrassment, sufficiently perplexing in itself, in the Monungahela river, within the city of Pittsburg; and perhaps involving most important interests, is inand consequently, that it must cross the Allegheny, by ancreased in difficulty, by differences of opinion among inaqueduct at Pine creek. They did not doubt, that a lo- telligent men, as to the meaning of the law, from which cation on the western side, for the whole distance, alone the commissioners derive their authority. The would be safer and more economical. But they thought, board has not doubted its power to conduct the canal the great importance of Pittsburg, as a member of the through the city of Pittsburg, nor that a canal on the commonwealth, and the universal interest felt in its wel western side, from a point opposite that city, to the fare, would justify the expense of an aqueduct, for its mouth of the Kiskeminetas, would fall within the terms accommodation. and spirit of the act of assembly. If an immediate deciThis question was no sooner disposed of, than anoth- sion upon these points, were required by the interests er not less difficult, arose. A doubt was suggested, of the public, they would not deem it proper, to wait whether the board had power, to pass the canal at plea for assistance from the legislature, in the way of explansure through the city, so as to enter the Monongabela, ation. But as doubts have been expressed by individuat the point most convenient to the inhabitants, especial- als, whose opinions they respect, as to the power of the lý as much additional expense must be the conse- board, on both these questions; and as the conducting quence, without material advantage, to the public at of the canal through the city, must be attended with Jarge. The choice of routes, for this purpose, and the serious expense, perhaps not contemplated, by the fraexact point of termination, must at all events be govern- mers of the law, they have deemed it prudent to lay beed, by the probable damage to be occasioned to private fore the legislature this exposition in order, that any property, and the probable extent to which releases misapprehension of the meaning of the act, or the pow. could be expected. And it followed, that until the lat. er of the board, may be promptly corrected, by competer points were ascertained, with some degree of cer- tent authority. Should :he legislature think proper, to tainty, it would be bazardous to locate, beyond the city interpose their commands, it is respectfully hoped, that line. they will either define, with exactness, what they exFrom a combination of these views and opinions, re- pect from the board, or give them a discretionary power sulted a resolution of the board, on the 9th of August, not liable to be abridged, or doubted by construction. directing the canal, from the end of the location former. In detailing their proceedings, on the western division ly made, to be passed by an aqueduct, across the Alle- of the Pennsylvania canal, the board have purposely degheny river, and thence to the line of the city of Pitts- parted from exact chronological order. They deemed burg, upon such a level as to admit of being conducted, it an object of primary importance, that the interesting ultimately, either into the Allegheny or Monongahela, question, which has caused to them, so much anxious or both. This location has since been made, and on the thought, and has so seriously agitated the great western 4th day of September, was approved by the governor. emporium of the state, should be presented to the legis At a subsequent meeting of the board, held at Phila- lature, at a single view, if they have succeeded, in so delphia, in September last, this subject was again dis- explaining the facts that the public may understand, and cussed, on the question whether the portion last loca- justly appreciate them, their object is accomplished.ted, should be advertised for contracts. There was yet Resting with confidence on the decision of a tribunal, no certainty, that the object of the board, in crossing which only errs when information is withheld, they rethe river, could be fully accomplished. That object turn without further remark, to a history, of that porhad been the accommodation of Pittsburg, by ending tion of the line, which is positively determined. the canal, at the steam boat harbor of the Monongahela, In connection with his report, upon the location of the instead of ending it in the Allegheny. For it was not main canal, in the month of June, Mr. Roberts reported supposed, that if the canal were to terminate in the Al- the plan of a feeder, to commence at the Kiskiminetas, legheny, the convenience of the city would be promoabout nine miles above its mouth, and passing down its ted, by crossing the river, in any degree proportioned northern bank, to cross the Allegheny river, by an aqueto the increase of expense. Uniil, therefore, the prac. duct, at the head of the main canali The line of this ticability of reaching the Monongahela, at a reasonable feeder has been run, and its practicability fully ascertaincost, were satisfactorily determined, it would have been ed; but for obvious reasons, it has not yet been put ununwise to execute an expensive work, which in one der contract. The question is yet to be decided, by a event, must be comparatively useless. The board were paramount authority, whether this feeder shall be a part still less disposed to incur such hazard, from a know- of the greater communication from east to west, or shall ledge, that their decision had not been satisfactory to be adapted merely to the purpose for which the Board the peopie of Pittsburg, and that a false step must ex. at present is competent to provide. Upon the decision pose them to censure from the public, unrelieved by of this question, preliminaries indispensable to the mathe consolation of having gratified those for whose ad- king of contracts, depend. vantage it bad been designed. It is proper here to remark, that the aqueduct neces. It was determined, therefore, to suspend the execu- sary to convey a feeder across the Allegheny river, bas tion of this part of the work; and the acting commis- no bearing upon the question of location on the eastern sioner' was instructed to ascertain what proportion of or western side. In either case the canal must derive land owners, on the several routes through the city, de- its supply from the water of the Kiskiminetas, brought signated by the engineer, would probably release their by a feeder from a considerable distance up that stream. claims to damages. He now informs the board, that he should the Juniata route be adopted hereafter, this feedpromptly furnished a copy of his instructions to the ler must become a part of the great communication from a east to west; and in a different event, will probably be at Pittsburg was finished. The presence of Major. Daugcontinued some miles higher, in order to accommodate lass, at that time, and his willingness to engage for a few. the valuable and increasing trade of the Conemaugh. - weeks in the service of the board, induced a resolution that Keeping in view these two important objects, it can on the line of the French creek feeder should be surveyed, ly be constructed on the north bank of the Kiskiminetas, and its expense estimated, under his direction. Major and consequently, had the eastern side of the Allegheny Douglass embarked in this undertaking, with great ze al, been preferred for the canal located this year, the water and though retarded by the difficulty of procuring infor its supply must have crossed the Kiskiminetas, on an struments, and collecting a party, at so shurt a notice, aqueduct at its mouth where its width differs but a few finished it to the satisfaction of the board, within the confeet, from that of the Allegheny. templated time. About the middle of August, reguiar nolice having A strict adherence to the distinction made between been given; the line of canal from Kiskiminetas to Pine the duties of the board, at the commencement of this creek, was let out to contractors upon terms more fa- report, would lead at this time, to a particular account vourable than could have been anticipated, and consid- of Major Douglass' operations. But ihey partake of the erably below the Engineer's estimate. Early in Sep character of preliminary surveys, and are moreover, intitember the work was begun, and has advanced since mately connected with others, which must be the subthat time with great activity. The reports of the acting jects of a future communication, the board hare deemcommissioners and engineer for this division, are hereto ed it most advisable to pass them for the present, and to annexed, and will furnish the requisite information, as include them in their general report of the examinations to its progress and present situation. It appears that of the past season. 288,192 cubic yards of earth, and 5,869 of rock have The board have now given a concise narrative of their a been excavated, and that 5,568 cubic feet of embank proceedings, under the act of last session, for the comment have been made, besides considerable steps to mencement of the Pennsylvania canal. Whatever of dewards the erection of culverts aqueducts, locks and tail may be necessary to fill up the sketch, will appear bridges. The feeder aqueduct over the Allegheny, by the document annexd to this report. Facts have been heretofore spoken of, has been contracted for at $70,000, stated without comment, and all speculations upon the and is now in train for rapid execution. The exact cost policy or prospects of internal improvement in Pennsylof the work already performed, does not appear by the vania, are intentionally avoided. At no very distant day report of the acting commissioner. This may be set the board hope to present such information as has been down at $40,000, and it is estimated, that the further developed by the surveys of the past year; information sum of $822,061 14 will be nécessary to complete the which must in a great measure guide the decisions of line, now under contract, namely the legislature. They, therefore, reserve all general For excavation $96,967 93 observations for an opportunity, which seems to them, For locks, culverts and small aqueducts, 50,044 21 more strictly appropriate. For the large feeder aqueduct over the Before closing ihe present communication, it is Allegheny, 70,000 00 thought proper officially to announce, that at the recent For bridges, 5,045 00 session in the city of Philadelphia, a letter was received from John Sergeant, Esq. tendering his resignation as $222,067 14 president of the board. 1 he ability and candor with If the canal sball hereafter cross the Allegheny, at which this gentleman bas presided over the past operaPine creek, a sum not less than $85,000 must be allowed tions, and the forecasting solicitude with which, even at for the aqueduct, and the further sum of $46,946 62 for the hurried moment of departure from his country, be the remaining distance, between the end of the aque- dwelt upon the future, will be recollected by his colduct, and the termination at Pittsburg, according to the leagues, with gratitude and respect. Nur can the Comlate estimate of Mr. Roberts. So that the whole sum, monwealth fail'to dérive essential advantages from his yet required for this division of the canal, according to disinterested, presevering and judicious labours. His its present location, exclusive of damages to private absence at this peculiar moment, is regarded as a serious property, not yet ascertained, is $354,007 76. if , on misfortune, relieved indeed, by the hope, that he may the contrary the present location be rescinded, and the ca- return in time for the active operations of the ensuing nal continued down the west side, so as to end in the year, and by the recollection, that the whole nation has Allegheny, opposite Pittsburg, the $85,000 will be sa- now the benefit of services, of which the commonwealth ved, and $55,407 36, must be added, for the distance is deprived. between Pine creek and Pittsburg, making the whole The board bave elected William Darlington, Esq. estimated cost yet to be incurred $277,468 50. The their president, in the room ot Mr. Sergeant. length of line now under contract on the western division By order of the board, is 24 miles and seven chains, with 36 feet lockage, dis WILLIAM DARLINGTON, Prts't. tributed among five locks. The total fall from the top Joseph M'Ilvains, Sec'ry. of the aqueduct at the Kiskiminetas, to the bottom of Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1826. the river at Pittsburg, is 81 feet, so that 45 additional feet of lockage will be required to complete the com AMERICAN SILK-NO. XVI. munication. The remaining distance by the eastern side, is 5 miles 33 chains, that on the western side, 5 It is time to put an end to these essays. The farcr miles and 52 chains. with which they have becen received has induced me Besides the construction of the two lines of canal al- to extend them further than I should otherwise hare ready spoken of, the act of 25th February, 1826, directs done. My object was only to show the superiority of the Board, “ as soon as they shall deem it expedient and American Silk over that of other countries, and to point practicable, to construct a navigable feeder of a canal out the best mode of employing it in a profitable manfrom French creek, to the summit level, at Conneaut ner. If I have succeeded in these respects ir. proving Lake, sufficient to convey at least two hundred and to the satisfaction of the reader, the assertions that I twenty one cubic feet of water per second, and to sur- have made, iy end is completely attained. vey and locate the route of a canal from thence to lake The culture of Silk has, from the first colonization of this country, more or less engaged the attention of the Considerable anxiety having been manifested by the American people; and yet, nothing has resulted from it inbabitants of the northwestern section of the state, that beyond the fabrication of an inferior kind of sewing silk, some steps should be taken towards the performance of which can only be applied to domestic uses. Those This duty during the past season, the board determined who have written on the subject have in vain endea. to visit the Conneaut summit, as soon as their business Ivoured to discover the causes of this failure. Dr. Pas Erie." 247 calis (Practical Instructions, p. 26,) says, that it may be authority, the work of Archibald Stevenson, an Englishaccounted for by circumstances independent of the cli- man, who made a report of these facts to the Royal So. mate;and so far he is right; but he does not specify what ciety of London. I have never seen that work, nor the those circumstances are, reserving it for future numbers report alluded to. of his useful work, It appears to me that the whole The learned doctor further states that the same thing can be referred to one single cause- the want of know- took place in Italy, and that be is in possession of facts ledge of the art to transform the prod'ice of the Ameri- and documents to attest it. Then he asks why the me. can silk worm into a saleable article. The cocoons, it is thod of Dandolo and Bonafous, with their thermometers, 'well known, cannot cross the seas; if they are more than &c. has become so fashionable, and he answers, with ten days on the water, they are liable to become mouldy; great pr priety, I think, that by those means it is thought it is therefore necessary that the silk should be extracted that a greater quantity of silk is produced. Admitting from them, before it can be transported to the countries that to be a fact, that method may be usefully followed where it is manufactured. But that cannot be profita in countries which, like Italy and the southern provinbly done, without a perfect knowledge of the art of ces of France, have a limited territory; but in this widereeling it in the manner that is required abroad, to suit ly extended country, where, without artificial heat, the the different kinds of stuffs to be made out of it, and cocoon's produce one third more silk than they do in that art, simple as it may appear, requires much time Europe with all their thermometers and other artificial md labour to acquire, in order to make the material fit means, there seems to be no reason why those Europefor sale under the name of raw silk. And then it is not an methods should be adopted, at least for a considerable yet ready to go to the loom; but it must undergo four time. different preparations, which require a great deal of Little more now remains for me to say. I have been costly machinery, which bas been partly described in asked what part of the United States I thought best suit, the 12th and 15th numbers of these essays. So long at, ed for the establishment of silk manufactories, and parleast, as the art of making exportable silk shall not have ticularly for the preparation of raw silk.. I do not know been introduced iņto this country, there will be no suf- enougli of this country to answer this question compara. ficient inducement for the American farmers seriously to tively. All I can say is, that I believe Philadelphia to attend to the culture of the silk worm. be extremely well suited to that purpose: 1st, because The author whom I have just cited, and who wrote it is essentially a manufacturing town; 2d, because of its before these essays appeared, seems to have been well" vicinity to the great sea-ports of New York and Baltiaware of the folly of employing the beautiful silk of this more, and because it is itself well suited for foreign comcountry in the manufacture of an inferior kind of sewing merce; 3d, because I know by experience that this and silk. Why,” says he, in the work above cited, p. 36, the neighboring States are capable of producir:g excel“is the best silk employed and turned into sewing silk, lent cocoons and beautiful silk; 4th, because of the for which there is always waste or inferior silk enough; lightness of the Schuylkill water, which.quality, in reel. and why is not the best silk kept for the loom!" The an- ing, greatly contributes to the beauty of the silk; and swer is obvious—Because the people do not know how lastly, because of the tenderness of the leaf of the multo prepare it in any other shape, so as to make it fit for berry tree, greatly exceeding that of those of Europe; sale. They extract from the cocoons the filaments with but this may not be peculiar to Pennsylvania and its viwhich they are covered, and call them raw silk; but no- cinity. body will purchase that article to be exported abroad, As I was going to conclude, I have been credibly inso that nothing remains but to convert it into sewing silk, formed that samples of the silk produced by American which can only be disposed of in barter among country cocoons have been shewn to some of the principal silk neighbours. But hear what the same author says again manufacturers at Lyons, in France, and that they have on this subject, in the prospectus of his Siik Culturist: all admired its beauty, and expressed a wish to be sup-"The yalue and use of silk, as a staple or produce of plied with it in the way of commerce. The only defect the country, or as a commercial article of manufacture, that was found was in the filature, which was not such cannot be well ascertained, save when there is a proper as to suit the purpose of the manufacturers, and thereand certain scale, whereby to judge of its quantity and fore they would not purchase it in that form. quality, then it becomes a tangible capital, readily dispo I have said all, and a great deal more than it was my sable by those who possess it, and are acquainted with intention to say when I began these Essays. But the the call or demand for it, and where or how to barter subject seems inexhaustible. Nevertheless, I perceive that it is time for me to conclude. I therefore take my I have thought it my duty to give credit to Dr. Pas- respectful leave of the American public, to whom I have calis for these very sound reflections, which, as he is thought that the results of a long experience in practinot a practical man, and wrote before I suggested for cal arts which have never yet been introduced into this the first time in these essays the plan of preparing raw country, would not be unacceptable. If I have succee; silk as an article of foreign commerce, evince an unded in pointing out in a sufficiently clear and satisfactocommon degree of sagacity, and a mind accustomed to ry manner, a new and untrodden road to national wealth, tracing effects to their proper causes. and it has been my good fortune, by my simple stateThe same gentleman, in a recent letter, informs me ments, to convince the understandings of those to whom of a fact of which I was not aware, and 'which would the essays are particularly addressed.-I mean the men tend to show that silk worms might be raised as well of enlarged minds, to whom the country looks up as without artificial heat in the south of France as in this their instructors and their guides in the thorny paths of country. He says that above sixty years ago the peas. national policy-I shall have cause to rejoice in the sucants of the Cevennes raised more and better silk in ther cess of my boldness in thus intruding myself upon the miserable huts, with broken panes, without fire and attention of a great and enlightened people. without thermometers, than the gentlemen and ladies of 1st Oct. 1829. J. D'HOMERGUE. Toulouse, in their handsome apartments, well closed, and often hanged with tapestry, and warmed with good Chester, Penn. October 9. fires, in consequence of which a warm controversy arose The Leiper Canal.--This Canal, the work of our enbetween the respective partizans of the town and coun. terprising and public spirited fellow.citizen, George G. try methods. In order to put an end to it, the local go. Leiper, Esq., was yesterday filled with water, and his pernment was obliged to permit an experiment to be new Canal Boat, the William Strickland, passed the made in a public garden, under tents, sheltered only whole line of canal, up to the quarry. 'The Volunteer from the wind and rain. It succeeded so well, that the Battalion of this county, with their band of music, and nossibility of raising silk worms without artificial heat a band from the city, we are informed, were present, to was affirmatively decided. The doctor quotes as his I give life to the interesting scene. for it.” |