1829.] BALTIMORE AND SUSQUEHANNA RAIL ROAD. for a moment believe that such a barrier will continue to exist at the expense of the interest of a large portion of the people of that State, and involving a degree of folly and absurdity, which it would be an insult to attribute to any enlightened people and a just Legislature. The ties which bind the Susquehanna country to Baltimore, are too strong to be broken-local jealousies and prejudices may for a time prevail over just and sound views of State policy, but their reign will be but short, trade will seek and it will find its natural market, and any plan of improvement or system of legislation which seeks to divert or attempts to force it out of its natural channel, is not only unwise in itself, unjust to the community at large, but will in the end defeat its own object. 323 To look forward therefore, to the extension of the road to the Susquehanna river in the course of a short time, is natural and ought to engage the attention of the Stockholders. It is a subject which has constantly occupied the mind of the Board, and whose importance cannot be too much dwelt upon; laying aside their interest as citizens, anxious for the prosperity and increase of the trade of the city, and viewing it as mere stockholders who look alone to their individual interest and the revenue to be derived from the investment of capital, it presents the fairest prospect of certain and abundant returns of dividends upon the capital expended. We have, heretofore, pointed out the nature and extent of the ascending and descending trade, which must find its way to and from the seaboard upon this road, and we refer the Stockholders to our former reports upon that head. But little has yet been said upon the profits to result to the Stockholders from the transportation of passengers alone, an item perhaps of equal if not greater importance than the transportation of pro duce and merchandise. A brief examination will show that it must become the great line of communication not only from north to south, but from the east to the west, and in the end supersede all other modes of communication. From Baltimore to York by the Rail Road will be about sixty miles, from thence to the Susquehanna river at York Haven, in a northerly direction, is ten miles, and from York to Columbia is the same distance: from Columbia to Philadelphia, is eighty miles, over which a Rail Road is now constructing by the State of Pennsylvania, and is to be extended to the borough of York. The whole distance by the Rail Road from Baltimore to Philadelphia will be but one hundred and fifty miles, and if it be conceded that passengers will prefer that mode of travelling which is safest and cheapest, and equally expeditious with any other that can be, or has been devised, it is manifest they will prefer the Rail Road route to any other. Supposing the highest rate of charge allowed by the charter, to be adopted, the cost of travelling 150 miles, at three cents per mile, would be $4.50-but it would be fairer to put it down at two cents per mile, which would make the cost of a trip three dollars. The journey can be performed in safety, in a day and part of the night, in carriages affording every convenience or luxury that necessity or refinement could desire, affording at the same time the additional gratification of passing through one of the finest and most highly cultivated regions of country in the U. States. To these inducements for a preference of this route, may be added other attractions, which though of minor importance, will still have influence in the choice. Carriages of all sizes, and fitted up in every variety of style, to start at any hour, travel at any speed, and stop at any point to suit the convenience or pleasure of the traveller, will be at the command of all who desire them. All these considerations combined, surely present advantages, which, so long as men consult their interest, their comfort, and their safety, will insure in this mode of transportation a preference over all others that human ingenuity has ever yet devised. We shall not attempt to estimate the amount or num ber of passengers per annum upon this route-or the immense increase of it which the facility of communication will produce. Not only the intermediate country occupied by a large, enterprising and increasing population-studded with flourishing villages and towns that are fast approaching to be cities, will send forth their thousands and tens of thousands, but the grand improvements of. Pennsylvania, stretching to the north and the Ohio, will also pour down its active and busy people to the cities on the Atlantic border. The intercourse between two such places as Philadelphia and Baltimore is not to be measured by any estimate or fixed by any rule of calculation, neither is it necessary for our purpose to attempt to reduce it to any precise number. Let the Stockholder, who will take time to look at the subject which our limits will but permit us to glance at-suppose the travelling from the east, the west and the north to be one, two or three hundred thousand persons per annum, or any other number within the most limited estimate he may adopt, and then apply the charge for transportation at two or three, cents per mile; the conclusion is no less astonishing than it is true, and the mind will naturally hesitate in adopting the result to which the facts and figures inevitably conduct him. It is proper to state that since the last general meeting of the Stockholders, at which it was resolved to commence the work, the board availed itself of the occasion of a meeting of the City Council to tender to them the stock alloited by the Charter for the Corporation-the joint committee of both branches reported, "that in consequence of the present being an extra ses sion, and the subject before them one of such high in terest to the City, and requiring a greater length of time than the session would allow, and being desirous of giving it that deliberation which it requires," it was. resolved that the subject be referred to the next annual session. The opinion of the City Council as expressed in their proceedings will no doubt insure a due consideration of the subject at the regular period for the meeting of that body. The intelligence and impartiality of the City Council may be relied upon with safety and confidence. If the views of the board be correct,' it will be found that the work in question is one not only of general interest to the community at large--but that each portion of it will derive a particular advantage from its operations. Approaching the City boundary. on the north, and at an elevation of ninety feet above. tide, it can with perfect facility be carried to any part of the City. To the west end of the City it can be conducted to the highest point at the public property, formerly the old Alms House. To the centre of the City, it can be carried down the valley of Jones' Falls, at the junction of Madison street, and from thence on the eastern side of the Falls along the avenue laid out upon the City plot, down to the City block-from the same point (the junction of Madison street and the Falls) it can be carried along in a line with Madison street, or lower down towards the junction of Hillen and North streets, and from thence to the valley of Harford Run, and thence down that Run either upon its margin, or by a structure thrown over the stream, to its termination at the public property. So in like manner may a branch of the road be constructed from the point of intersection with the Hartford Run, to the eastern part of the City by a line drawn from the point of intersection, and pursuing the eastern branch of Harford Run and the valley at the head of it to the ravine of Harris' Creek, and thence on the western margin of that water to the basin. All these routes are entirely practicable, and at a moderate expense, arising from the circumstance of the great elevation of the road above tide-there will be no deep cutting, tunnelling or filling, and but a single bridge to be thrown across Jones' Falls, to accomplish the desirable object of terminating the Road at the most convenient and important points of the City. These considerations cannot fail to have due weight in the deliberations of the City authorities, as they entirely remove all ground for local jealousies or sectional and conflicting interests between different parts of the City. It cannot fail too, to suggest itself to the members of the City Council, that the Stockholders in this Company have embarked in a work admitted to be of great public importance and of high interest to the welfare and prosperity of the City-and that in the prosecution of this work, they are about to invest a capital of many hundred thousand dollars; they are, moreover, large holders of property, and pay into the Treasury of the City a large amount of taxes, equal at least to one-fourth of the whole amount of the annual revenue arising from direct taxation, and are thus made large contributors to the public stock in the great western road to which the City have contributed a subscription in stock to the amount of $500,000. the margin of the Delaware through the adjoining Section No. 2, extending from the artificial harbør on marsh to the upland, embracing a basin of considerable extent above or west of the tide lock. The average canal forms the principal part of the towpath and berm depth excavated, is 7 feet; the earth removed from the banks, which are very wide and substantial. Independently, therefore, of the nature of the work, and its identity with some of the most important interests of the City-it would seem, that a subscription to the stock of this Company, on the part of the Corporation, is no less the dictate of impartial justice than it is of sound policy. The instalment called for upon the 15th of September, and payable on the 15th of November, will be sufficient for the purposes of the Company during the winter, and enables us to make the necessary preparation for vigorous and extensive operations early in the spring. From the experience we have had of the nature of the work, and the difficulties to be overcome, we are confident that the road to the limestone region can be finished and put into full operation in twelve months from this time. By order and on behalf of the Board. up by the gates, and supplies the canal to the lift lock The tide lock admits water at flood tide, which is held at St. George's. but is sufficiently capacious to afford all requisite acThe harbor is not yet completed to its full dimensions, commodation for the present trade; being directly op posite Fort Delaware, its guns will afford ample protection against the approach of an enemy. marsh. No peculiar or unlooked for difficulties occurSection No. 2, is continued through the upland to the red in the excavation of this section. feet deep, was removed by carts, and properly used in The earth being a coarse yellow sand, from 7 to 18 the construction of the harbor and banks of the adjoining sections of the canal; a pivot bridge is erected near GEO. WINCHESTER, President. the centre of this section. CHESAPEAKE & DELAWARE CANAL. The lively interest taken by the public in this great undertaking, led us to request an intelligent gentleman, well informed upon the subject, to prepare for us a more particular description of the work, which he has polite. ly done, and which we have now the pleasure to lay Village Record. before our readers. Delaware City is laid out in lots on both sides of the canal, and extends from the harbor past the bridge,—a spacious hotel is nearly completed at the lock, and seysame place; further up is a tavern. eral brick houses and stores are being built near the Section No. 3, extending through the St. George's marshes to the St. George's Lift Lock. The surface of these marshes is 4 feet below the level or ordinary flood of the canal being about 3 feet below common low tide, tide; the average depth excavated is 6 feet, the bottom a great part of the substance removed is so light and spongy as to float in water. The towpath and guard bank are between three and four hundred feet distant from each other-embracing an area of over 150 acres. The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is something more than 13 miles long; 36 feet wide on bottom and 60 feet at surface; is calculated for the passage of vessels drawing 8 feet water, the banks are however constructed to retain 10 feet of water; thus giving an extra These banks are made up of hard gravelly earth,cartwhich can be held up if required, and form, in connec-ed from the nearest points of upland, the specific gravition with the summit level of the canal, a reservoir covering an area of over six hundred acres. The other reservoirs formed by the ponds on the St. George's Creek, are owned by the company; the water which can be furnished by reservoirs, is calculated in the aggregate to be abundant for the passage of three thousand vessels, allowing each vessel to use two locks full of water; but it is supposed one third that number will be let down to the lower levels by the same water previously used in raising other vessels to the summit. Admitting this calculation to be correct, the supply of water independently of assistance from summer showers or from St. George's and Broad Creek feeders, will pass twenty vessels per day for two hundred days. The canal has two Tide and two Lift. Locks, each 22 feet wide and 100 feet between the gates;-the summit level is 9 miles long, and 10 feet above ordinary flood tide. For convenience in executing the work, the canal was originally divided into 7 sections, and numbered from the Delaware harbour, westerly to the Chesapeake Tide lock, as follows: ty of this earth exceeding that of the surrounding canal, being more than two feet above the highest The banks are raised 15 feet above the bottom of the depending upon the navigable height of water both in The lift of the St. George's Lock, is from 8 to 10 feet, in connection with this lock, all of free stone, furnished the upper and lower lock; a pivot bridge is constructed by Col. George G. Leiper, from his quarries on the Delaware. two taverns, two stores, a church and Post Office, &c. Near the lock is the village of St. George, where are old St. George's mill pond to the section of the "Deep Section No. 4, extends through and occupies the Cut." 1829.} CHESAPEAKE & DELAWARE CANAL. 325 originally cultivated fields and open woodland, the latter (being about 14, of this distance,) was too wet and the soil too heavy for profitable cultivation. The first half mile west of the Lock, the towpath is made very wide to where a connection is formed with a point of upland; from this point westerly, the bank is only the usual width of 12 feet, the water flowing on The average depth for this mile, is 65 feet; to the both sides of the towpath covers the ground formerly depth of 20 feet from the surface, the earth is a yellow occupied by the old mill pond, and forms a spacious re-sand with occasional crusts of iron stone, in other places servoir both to the right and left, the water having a stiff yellow clay. communication through the bank, is kept at the same level on both sides; all danger of failure in consequence of pressure upon the bank is thus obviated. Below this depth, the earth is with few exceptions, of a very dark colour, resembling marl, more tenacious' than sand, and less so than clay. Fossil remains of both the vegetable and animal kingdoms, abound in the lower strata, and are found from the greatest depths excavated, up to near 60 feet above high tide. Wood, lumber, large bones, teeth, and shell fish of several kinds, are among the curiosities discover. The bottom of the old pond being in most places below the required depth of the canal, very little excavation was necessary except in crossing some points of upland, in which case the earth was used to form the towpath; other parts of the bank are made with earth bro't by the boats from the "Deep Cut," a still greater por-ed at various depths. tion by carting from the most convenient point of up land. The bank sunk in several places from 3 to 10 feet; but the difficulties of this section from settling are of little comparative moment. Marine shells were found in abundance in the earth removed from points from 8 to 15 feet above the tide: among which were the shells of oysters, at least six times the size of the degenerate race of the present day. Section No. 5, or the 'Deep Cut.' The earth excava ted to form the canal and drains on this section, amounts to near ninety millions of cubic feet!! The earth excavated was originally removed from the slope of the canal 45 feet on the south, and 35 on the north' side of the canal. The space between the top slope of the canal and the foot of the spoil bank is raised next the canal, so as to throw the rain water from the slope of the canal into drains, in front of the spoil banks, by which it is conducted east and west from the summit to the reservoir, leaving the face of the main subject to wash only by the rain falling immediately on it. The greatest depth excavated is over 76 feet, it is one fourth of a mile west of the bridge, and noted for the vast quantity of earth which slipped from the north side, and was removed from the canal, leaving a chasm which goes by the name of the "Big Slip." This place is secured by four parallel rows of piles, closely driven at the foot of the slope, to the depth of 18 feet below the bottom of the canal. The piles are connected by timbers, on which a slope wall 5 feet in thickness is built, slightly curving towards the centre of the slip; back of the wall is a frame work of timber, morticed to the bed sills on which the wall is built, these bed sills being continued 20 feet into the bank for that purpose, the whole connected with longitudinal timbers, so that the piles, timber, and stone work, must move en masse before the bank can give way. The most efficient protection is, however, derived from French drains made of stone and timber, surround- ́ ed with marsh hay; the drains run in various directions under ground, up the bank, intersecting the springs, and affording a ready outlet for the water, the want of which outlet, was the original cause of the slip. The section begins with eight feet depth of cutting Piles 18 feet long are driven half way up the slope at the first mile occupying the former valley of a small the foot of the sound bank, these were necessary to enastream, called Raccoon creek, extends to the perma-ble the workmen to approach, and drain to the source nent or summit bridge; the creek formerly received a of the spring; even with their aid, it was no easy task;' constant supply of water from a great number of springs, the lower part of the bank which is now hard and firm, occurring at such short intervals, as to form, notwith- was then so completely saturated with water, that the standing the ascent, a continued swamp to within a quar-workmen frequently were up to their knees in mud. ter of a mile of the bridge, and prior to 1824 was covered with timber and underwood, so completely matted with sweet-brier and other vines, as to have formed, from the first settlement of the country, a safe retreat for the fox, and a fruitful source of vexation to the sports-tration of the utility of the drains, let us for a moment* man. The canal and side-drains, together with the immense spoil-banks formed by the earth excavated, now completely fill the space, and form hills in the former valley. The creek and morass have disappeared, and are now observed only in the occasional trickling of water from the sides of the canal, in the place of which the Summit Bridge at present engrosses public attention. It is built on a hard, firm bank, where the original surface attains an elevation of 65 feet, above which the abutments are built 20 feet in thickness; the sides of the canal below the abutments are protected by a slope-wall laid from the bottom of the canal to the top of the bank, from six to two feet in thickness. The floor of the bridge is 90 feet above the bottom of the canal, extreme length 280 feet. Independently of the interest excited by the bridge, the view of the canal from its commanding height is grand beyond description. A flight of steps has been erected, to facilitate the ascent from the towpath up the bank. Directly south of the bridge is the Buck Tavern, kept by Mr. Clement, whose dinners are very necessary to complete the enjoyment of the scenery. The canal for one mile west of the summit bridge, is in every respect calculated to interest the admirers either of nature or art; the ground which it occupies, was The importance of removing the pressure of a column of water, when pent up by tenacious earth to the height of 40 feet will be duly appreciated without the reflection of a philosopher; but for the sake of familiar illus-, substitute in their place, a slope wall five feet in thickness, extending to the same height up the bank. The wall would evidently afford a protection, proportioned to the excess of its weight above that of the earth composing the bank. Now the drains being near 10 feet under ground, reclaim that much of the moving mass which the wall would have to support, and the earth to this depth being rendered firm and compact, acts as effectively by gravity to support the bank as 5 feet thickness of wall; having any advantage to be derived from the removal of hydraulic pressure in favour of the former, even if the expense of the latter did not forget its adoption. West of the "Big Slip" several others of less magnitude have occurred, and are secured in like manner, but in most cases the French drains have been found to afford sufficient protection, unassisted except by the slope wall made to the usual height, with one row of piles at the foot of the slope. The termination of the "Deep Cut" is near the head" of Turner's mill pond, the last 1 mile on the western parts, is located on the low ground formerly occupied by the main branch of Broad creek, the ground being too wet for cultivation, was principally covered" with wood. The strata of earth exposed in excavating, differ in ́ many important particulars from those of the centre or eastern division. Charred wood is found at all depths and in greater what the Tenants are in arrears; with such other obserabundance than on other parts of the canal; but few an- vations as they may think necessary. imal petrifactions are found either on the eastern or wes- Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, that tein extremities of the Deep Cut." the City Commissioners be requested to report to Coun.. The springs which formerly supplied the creek, have cils at their next meeting, if any and what amount of in most cases sunk with the excavation, and now mingle City taxes have been entered in County Commissioners' with the water of the canal, forming a valuable, though Office in conformity with the act of assembly commonly invisible Feeder; but in some instances they still reso-called the Lien Law in relation to impaid taxes. lutely hold their old courses, and issue from the bank The Paving Committee reported that the iron pipes several feet above the level of the water in the canal; in having been laid down in Barley street, they have diother cases their effects in finding new outlets, at a low- rected the same to be paved. er level, are still visible in the extensive slips caused by A memorial was received from the Recording Survey-. the resistance of its passage through the compact clay of or, praying that the sum allowed the assistant of the which these banks are principally composed; the great. Surveyors and Regulators, may be increassd. The pre. er part of the lower strata is, however, a coarse porous sent allowance is one dollar and twenty-five cents per sand, affording a ready passage for the spring water; day, which is stated to be not enough to secure the ser-, marsh hay is here made to answer a valuable purpose by vices of a competent and skilful assistant.—Referred to being placed back of the slope wall, where it retains the Paving Committee. the sand in place; while the springs find a ready outlet. A resolution was adopted, directing the City Commis Above the walls a great part of the banks are hand- sioners to have the uprights or posts in front of Chesnut somely finished by thatching with bay and straw; which street wharf, secured in a substantial manner, so as to affords the most complete protection against wash by protect the steam boats from injury while lying at the sains, from the sides into the canal. wharf. A resolution was passed, authorising the library comPROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS. mittee, to fit up the north west room on the second floor of the City Hall as a Library room, and arrange therein Thursday evening, Nov. 12. the printed books, pamphlets, and documents belong. The following gentlemen were appointed members of ing to the corporation, depositing the more important the committee on the Sinking Fund, — Messrs. Miller, documents in the fire proofs. Thompson, Hale, Keyser, Price, Jones. In compliance with a suggestion from the Paving A communication was received from Stephen King Committee, the City Commissioners were directed to ston, stating that when he was last in England, he obadvertise for proposals for digging down Beach street, served that public statues were there made of artificial to the surface of the gravel, from Spruce to Pine street, stone, considered to be as durable as marble. He en and for removing the earth to Beach street between closed a proposal from Mr. J. G. Bubb, of London, to Walnut and Chesnut streets. make an equestrian statue of Gen. Washington, in Lith- Messrs. Troth, Donaldson, Read and Horn, were apargilite, in his best manner, for the sum of five hundred pointed to confer with the Commissioners of Spring guneas. Mr. Bubb, executed the basso relievo in front Garden, on the subject of the payment of their proporof the King's theatre, the largest ever executed in Great tion of the cost of the sewer in Vine street. Britain, also the sculpture in front of the Royal Ex- Messrs. Donaldson, Baker, Price, Miller, Neff, and change, and a monument of Mr. Pitt, executed for the Worrell, were appointed to inquire into the expediency corporation of London, & placed in the Guildhall.--Re of improving or disposing of the city property at Chesferred to committee on Washington and Rittenhouse nut street on Schuylkill. squares. The accounts of the City Treasurer, from July 1st unA petition was received from Joseph F. Lewis, sla. til (Oct. 1st, 1829, were referred to the Committee on ting ihat he is desirous of making a valuable improve. Accounts. ment at the south west corner of Walnut and Water The Market Committee presented the following: streets, and praying that he may be permitted to build To the Select and Common Councils. on a line with the other houses, and that that part of The Committee on Markets, to whom was referred, Water street may be regulated so as to correspond with the subject of securing the Fish Market House from the remainder of the square.-Referred to Paving Com- danger by fire, gave early attention thereto, and found, mittee. that its contiguity to the Steam Boats, yould constantiy Mr. Miller presented a petition from sundry citizens, subject it to that danger, unless some effectual precaui. praying for the removal of the Fish Market, and for the tion was adopted. In immediate connexion with this filling up of the docks at the eastern termination of Mar. subject, the situation of High street wharf, and docks,' ket street.- Referred to the Committee on Markets. was brought under the notice of the committee; and the Mr. Read read in his place "a supplement to the sev- inconvenience and danger to which the citizens are suberal ordinances providing for the appointment of City jected, by there being only a narrow passage for a sinCommissioners, Treasurer, City Clerk, and City Re- gle vehicle, between the docks, and buildings on the cording Surveyor, and prescribing their duties.” Order- North and South sides of High street, together with the ed to be printed. offensive situation of the docks, particularly at low tide, Messrs. Thompson, Worrell, Massey, and J.P. Weth as subjects, worthy of the consideration of the Councils, erill were appointed to ascertain and report, what sums and in which a radical change is thought to be required. are now due to the corporation of the city, for curb. The committee was therefore induced to enter into a stones and setting, by whom, as also for paving or re- general consideration thereof, and would respectfully pairing footways for individuals, with such information recommend—That 41 feet, or thereabouts, of the East. as said Committee may think proper to communicate. ernmost part of the Market House, should be removed, On motion of Mr. Thompson, the two following reso- so as to bring it on a line with the buildings facing the lutions were adopted. river on the south side of High street; That the present Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils, that docks should be filled up, and that application should be the City Commissioners be requested to inform Coun made to the wardens of the port, for permission to ex, cils at their next meeting, to whom the public wharves tend High sreet wharf eastward, about 45 feet, beyond or landings are let; also to whom the Ciiy Lots are let; its present termination, so that it will be on a range and if any of either of them are unlet, designating which with the wharves of Stephen Girard and Paul Beck; they are, also on what terms they are rented, when their said wharf to be built with a front of 56 feet, and a dock Leases commenced, and wherrthey will expire, or have on each side of 22 feet wide; and 60 feet deep, according expired. Also their annual rent respectively, and if any to a plan, for the drawing of which the committee are indebted to Frederick Graff, which is herewith submit- High street wharf is now in a very dilapidated state, and the expense of putting it into repair, would be 1000 dollars. The expense of building a wharf and docks as now proposed, will be about 7000 dollars; and, it is expected, would produce an annuai rent of 2800 dollars. The lease of Benjamin Reeves, at 500 dollars per annum, for the northern dock, expired on the 1st of April last, and has not been since renewed, although he continues to occupy it, at the same rate. From the South Dock, only $32 for wharfage has been received, since the 1st January last. The committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolutions. Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils, That the plan of improving High street wharf, as submitted by the committee on markets, be adopted. Resolved, by the authority aforesaid, That the city commissioners be, and they are hereby authorised and directed, to cause High street wharf on the Delaware, to be improved, according to the proposal in the above resolution, under the direction of the committee on markets; and, that the expense thereof, be charged to appropriation No. 14. The committee request leave to present the draft of an ordinance entitled, "An ordinance for altering and improving the Fish Market." The resolutions were adopted, and the ordinance was passed. The following petition was referred to Messrs. Baker, Massey, Duane and Cuthbert. 327 not ask. But since the disclosure of Trout's deficiency came to our ears, we have used every earthly and honorable means to discharge the debt as soon as possible. There is one fact, to which we would beg your particu lar attention-that is, by adverting to the Treasurer's Book, you will find that monies were at intervals of time, paid up to a late period; and it was owing principally to the difficulty of collecting that more money. was not actually paid in--and we presume that according to the principles of collecting-as long as money is paid into the Treasury, there is no interest charged, though it should not be after the expiration of the year -which is not the case in the present instance; as we have paid ours, before the expiration of that period; it is an invariable rule, to grant the new duplicate before the old one is settled; and sometimes two or three years expire before the old one is finally discharged; this has been the case with us; we had $1700 to pay on the old duplicate of 1827; which if Trout had been obliged to settle for, we should have been excused; we are aware that some of the duplicates are not yet discharged.--Gentlemen, we conceive, as we have before stated, that when all things are taken into consideration—that this is an unexampled and unprecedented case; one out of the common and ordinary occurrences-which we apprehend can never be quoted as a guide, for a like occurrence-the circumstances involved are so minute, that it is impossible to communicate the whole; but if your Honorable Body were as intimately acquainted with them as we are, you would unhesitatingly grant us our humble request, and vote us credit for our diligence and promptitude-however, if we have again to appeal, in vain, to your Honorable Body and your sympathetic feelings, we, as fellow men, shall ever think it a hard and somewhat oppressive case. 'The above statements and facts could have been here-` tofore related; hut your petitioners were persuaded that it would scarcely be required from them. Your Fellow Citizens and Humble Petitioners, FREDERICK BOSS, For PETER HINCKLE, WILLIAM HINCKLE. The following was referred to the Committee of Ways To the Honorable the Select and Comman Council of and Means. Gentlemen, the City of Philadelphia. City Commissioner's Office, mon Councils. Gentlemen,-By a statement rendered to the Mayor yesterday by the City Treasurer, it appears that the following appropriations are overdrawn to the amount designated: No. 1. New Paving, 2. Docks and Sewers, 5. Lighting and Watching, 21. Expenses authorised by Councils, $8,447 64 159 44 3,313 81 29 57 7 12 1,449 66 3,020 46 $16,437 70 We regret extremely, that we are again necessitated To the President and Members of the Select and Comto petition your Honorable body, and appeal to your sympathies, in a matter which we flattered ourselves, would unhesitatingly be granted us. We apprehend that your Honorable Body is not minutely acquainted with the circumstances of the case-and perhaps a detail of the same, would not be considered inexcusable. When we first discovered that John Trout was in arrears, we immediately demanded the books; but a length of time elapsed before we obtained them, in consequence of his secreting himself; and after getting the books in our possession, we were unacquainted with the nature of collecting, and a considerable time, also, elapsed, before we could obtain a suitable person.Immediately upon procuring such an individual, he proceeded to collect, and paid at different times to the Treasurer, monies to the amount of $1600, more or less, leaving a balance of something like $8000, which the sureties, at the sacrifice of their real property, have paid.—But Mr. Boss, particularly, had his share in possession, and would have paid it seven or eight weeks earlier, had it not been for want of an agreement, in the list of allowances, to be made by the commissioners, which they neglect to attend, and which was finally and decisively settled by their clerk. We apprehend your Honorable Body will not conceive this to be a precedent, when all its connective circumstances are taken into consideration. If any thing pertaining to the present subject had occurred, either by the neglect or omission of the sureties, this humble favor we would By order of the Commissioners, To the Select and Common Councils of the City of The Petition of James Ronaldson, respectfully showeth, That your petitioner has erected eleven three story brick houses on the west side of Ninth, between Cedar and Shippen streets, and that the convenience and economy of having houses supplied with Schuylkill water are so great, and held in such estimation, that on account of these houses not having this water, your peti |