The case of Caspipina differs much from this, his account of Mount Zion is wrong, it is only a small emi-regulate them Himself after their capacity, and condenence and is situated within our village. What he farther doth alledge of our merits in saving other, which might lessen the merits of Christ, for which he was pleased to call us a deluded people, these things were spoken in common discourse, we have no creeds, our standard is the New Testament. I have always carefully avoided all polemiks, and study to live in peace with all denominations.

1835)

ORIGINAL LETTERS OF PETER MILLER.

255

order summoned some wicked neighbours, and delivered six brethren into the prison at Lancaster, where they lay ten days; but the magistrates set them again at liberty, a venerable old justice of peace offering himself for a bail for their appearance at court, his name was Tobias Hendriks. The court came on, and when the brethren appeared before the board of assessment, the fear of God came upon the Gentlemen, who were their Judges, when they saw six men before them, which in the prime of their ages by pœnitential works hath been reduced to Skeletons, that they used great moderation, and granted them their personal freedom, under condition, that they should be taxed as one family for their real Estate, which is still in force, altho' these things happened fifty years ago.

mans several years, I quitted the ministry, and re-inferior to them. Whoever the constable according to turned to a private life. About that time our small State was in its infancy: I never had an inclination to join with it, because of the contempt and reproach which lay on the same; but my inward conductor, brought me to that critical dilemma, either to be a member of this new institution, or to consent to my own damnation, when also I was forced to chose the first. In my company had been the School master, three Elderlings (Conrad Weyser one) five families and some single persons, which had raised such a fermentation in that church, that a persecution might have followed, had the magistrates consented with the generality. We have been incorporated with said congregation in May, 1735 by holy Baptism: when we were conducted to the water, I did not much differ from a poor criminal under sentence of death. Whoever the Lord our God did strengthen me, when I came into the water, and then I in a solemn manner renounced my life with all its prerogatives without reservation, and I found by experience in subsequent times, that all this was put into the divine records; for God never failed in his promise to assist me in time of need. At that time the solitary brethren and sisters lived dispersed in the wilderness of Canestogues, each for himself, as Heremits, and I fol. lowing that same way, did set up my Hermitage in Dulpehakin at the foot of a mountain, on a limped spring, the house is still extant there with an old orchard. There did I lay the foundation to solitary life, but the melancholy temptations, which did trouble me every day, did prognosticate to me misery and afflictions: Whoever I had not lived there half a year, when a great change happened: for a camp was laid out for all solitary persons at the very spot, where now Ephrata stands, and where at that time the president lived with some heremits. And now, when all eremits were called in, I also quitted my solitude, and exchanged the same fer a monastic life: which was judged to be more inservient to Sanctification than the life of a hermit, where many under a pretence of holiness did nothing but nurish their own selfishness. For as the brethren now received their prior, and the sisters their matron, and we were now by necessity compelled to learn obedience, and to be refractory was judged a crime little inferior to high treason.

At that time works of charity hath been our chief occupation; Canestogues was then a great wilder ness, and began to be settled by poor Germans, which desired our assistance in building houses for them; which not only kept us employed severall sommers in hard carpenters-work, but also increased our poverty so much that we wanted even things necessary for life. At that time entered the constable the camp, and demanded the single man's tax; the brethren differed among themselves in opinion, some paid the same, but some refused, and claimed personall immunity, for in the eastern country the monks and heremits collected every harvest by their labour so much grain, that they supply'd yearly all the prisons in Alexandria with bread, wherefore Theodosius magnus and other emperors de clared them free from all taxes, and that we were not

But when we had formed ourselves at Ephrata into a regular Society: our Prior, taking advantage of our blind obedience, we were insensibly arrested by him, to meddle with worldly things farther, than our obliga. tion did permit, altho' he kept the brethren under a severe discipline: we erected a grist-mill with three pair of stones, a saw-mill, paper-mill, oil-mill, fulling. mill, had besides three waggons with proper teams, printing-office with sundry other trades, and as money came in every day, it was laid out again upon interest contrary to our principles. Our president never meddled with temporal things, yet as long as our prior stood to him in subordination, we were not permitted to stop him in his proceedings. But at last did he conceive a notion, to make himself independent: and this was the proper time for us to renounce to him obedience, and also did we strip him of all his dignities, and this was the greatest convulsion, which our State suffered since his existence. The prior now quitted the camp, and established a new settlement for heremits on the banks of the new river, which he called Nahanaim; but after many vicissitudes, which he experienced there, at last he and his natural brother were taken prisoners by seven Mohaks, and Sold to Quebeek, from whence their were transported to old France, where, after our Prior had received the Tonsura and became a friar of their church, they both died. I believe I gave thee an account hereof in my former letter. Remember: we have lost our first Prior, and the Sisters their first Mother by offices, because they stood in self-elevation, and did govern despotically: no wunder, when the civil State must experience the same symptoms, the desire to govern is the last thing, which dies within a man.

The President died July the 6th, 1768, which was a great Stroke for me, as I was obliged to succeed him. I besides many other stood under his manudirection, which was so severe as any related in the Roman church, above 30 years. He was a most extraordinary produce of this century. The Dissertation on Man's fall mentioned in the Edinb. Magazin, is his work. I have printed thereof 1000, but have no more to present to thee. When in the late war a Marquis from Milan in Italy lodged a night in our convent, I presented to him the said dissertation, and desired him, to publish the same at home, and dedicate it to His Holiness, and

all their devotees, it would be considered, as the greatest rarity, which ever came from America. The fall of man is not sufficiently known in their church. I asked once my friend Pater Geisler, a honest Jesuit, now deceased: what reason he had, to remain single? he said: nothing but the Edict of His Holiness: but this did not satisfy me.

The question is now much agitated, whether our order will be propagated to posterity? In my opinion he will, according to the Substance, but in what form he will appear in after-times, is to me a mystery. Our president did once declare to his Intimates, that he hath received assurance from God, that seed of his work shall remain until the second coming of Christ. And here I shall conclude, leaving these matters to thine consideration. Age, infirmity and defect in sight are causes, that the letter wants more perspicuity, for which I beg pardon. Meanwhile I remain

Thine sincere Friend,
PETER MILLER.

EPHRATA, the 5th of Dec. 1790.

Esteemed Friend,

our Master received in this world, was this, that He was ranked among malefactors. From these circumstances it appears, that the great contest between God and men did derive from things, which are called good, and are not, which is hypocrisy. To serve God is the heaviest work in this world: a criminal under sentence of death may receive pardon, under condition; but what shall he do, who had served God to the best of his knowledge, and yet is under sentence of death, this is hard to determine.

The sufferings which were in Christ, made great progress in our days, and prognosticate a great revolution in the church, and as they have reached almost their highest pitch, perhaps they will next come to their period. The Spirit, under whose influence we are, at present takes strongly hold of the bodies, and will no longer be deceived by a hypocritical worship, where a pretence is made to serve God in spirit, when the body is sold away to vanity and luxury.

If some expressions are defective, I ask pardon, it comes from age and weakness, and what is here wanting, the Spirit, thine heavenly conductor, will fill up, to whose manuduction I sincerely recommend thy person. For thine care to maintain my character I thank thee, and hope, thou shall herein not be decieved by me.— Finally do I recommend thee to divine protection, and am thine unworthy Friend. Ephrata, the 16th of Jan. 1772,

PETER MILLER.

Thine Letter have I received, and on perusing the same found, that it was something more weighty than curiosity, which governed thine pen. Seven and fifty years are now most elapsed, when a serious reflexion for my salvation moved me, to enter into a contract with the Supreme Being, which was confirmed by the holy baptism after the mode of the first Christians. This was followed by a penitential life, which was very From the Pennsylvania Inquirer. rigid, as it then was customary in our Society. I kept CHARLESTON AND PHILADELPHIA-THE a regular course in my life, and was very strict in my NEW STEAM PACKET LINE. addresses to the throne of grace, also that mine outWe learn that the whole amount necessary for one ward life willingly submitted to the dictates of the spirit steamboat to ply between this City and Charlesion, then being at the helm in the Society. These success has been subscribed, with the exception of fifteen es had so animated me and my fellow-travellers of both thousand dollars, and we are authorized to state, that sexes, that we all became rank Enthusiasts. But to re-italists of this City will supply the funds for the conas soon as this additional sum is subscribed, three capturn to my own Person. I cannot say, that I have tho-struction of another boat; and thus the enterprise will roughly lost this my primitive zeal; but in process of be placed upon a highly respectable footing at once.time I met with many great obstructions. For when it is, perhaps, proper for us to mention that this proour heremetical Life was changed into a monastic ject was statrted in Charleston,-that the first share one, I had the mortification to see that the convents and all their corners were filled with Magistrates, in order to prohibit falsh Altars to be erected for the selfishness. And now was between the poor devotees of Ephrata and the wool-headed African Sclaves no other difference, than that they were white and free sclaves. Further, when I had distinguished myself by town, after a lingering illness, Mr. David Sower, Senr. DIED, on Saturday last, in the borough of Norrismeritorious works, it proved the Justice of God, also aged 71 years. The deceased established the first Printthat I suffered for it as a criminal: this contest did growing Office in Montgomery county, and in 1799, issued in proportion so as my zeal did increase. All this did open to me a door to many reflections, for it seemed to me, that our God, hath an exclusive right to be called good, in which I was confirmed by our Master himself, who would not be called good. It is a debate in the church yet undecided, in what light good works should be considered whether necessary or noxious, as is said, that we come to salvation by grace. In my opinion all such good works, which stood their trial, are declared genuine and meritorious. The greatest honor which

was subscribed in that City,-and that the Merchants and men of business generally, at the South, whose opinions have been ascertained, are decidedly in favour of, and will sustain the enterprize.

DAVID SOWER.

the first Newspaper, a small half demi sheet. In 1800 ald, which he continued to the satisfaction of his nuhe commenced the publication of the Norristown Hermerous friends and patrons, for about 10 years, when he transferred his establishment to his eldest son.

Printed every Saturday morning by WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 9 Library street.

The publication office of the Register has been removed from Franklin Place, to No. 61, in the Arcade, West Avenue, up stairs.

HAZARD'S

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

VOL. XVI.--NO. 17.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 24, 1835.

THE FALLS OF BEAVER.

The Falls of Beaver are now attracting considerable attention in our city. In some of our preceding numbers we have published various articles in relation to Beaver county. We have lately met with a sheet containing a map-a general description of the county, and the advantages for manufactures, &c. and numerous letters from our late townsman, M. T. C. Gould, Esq. conveying very particular information relating to that section of country. As it will no doubt be interesting to our readers—we commence its publication this week. One object of our paper has always been to attract the attention of capitalists to our own State, believing that investments may be as profitably made within our own limits as in Texas, or other remote regions.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE FALLS OF
BEAVER, &c.

The Big Beaver River is composed of the Mahoning, the Shenango, the Neshannock, Conaquenessing, Slippery Rock, &c. &c. It drains a very fertile valley of at least 5000 square miles, and running southerly, empties itself into the Ohio, at its extreme northern bend, twenty-eight miles below Pittsburg, about eightyfive miles, in a direct line, from the nearest point of Lake Erie, fifteen miles from the extreme north-western corner of the state of Virginia, and twelve miles from the line that separates the state of Ohio from the state of Pennsylvania. The Beaver River, within the last five miles of its course, falis sixty-nine feet, furnishing water power and eligible scites for 500 mills. Its confluence with the Ohio, is near the centre of the county

of Beaver, which lies on both sides of both these rivers -contains 646 square miles, and about 35,000 inhabi

tants.

The Falls of Beaver, before the hand of man broke in upon the order of nature, commenced about five miles from its confluence with the Ohio, and consisted of a succession of rapids for about two thirds of that distance. But by individual enterprise and State patronage, the stream has been made to assume, a succession of pools and artificial cataracts, as follow-viz: 5 miles from its mouth is a dam of 15 feet-4 miles from the mouth another, giving a head and fall of 20 feet-3 miles from the mouth two others, giving, together, a head and fall of 19 feet, and one just at the mouth, of 15 feetaggregate fall in five miles, 69 feet.

No. 407.

The current, checked in its course to the southeast, is projected across the valley to the southwest, until it meets the resistance of the western bills, leaving on its eastern shore a plain similar to the one just noticed, this is the scite of New Brighton. Again arrested in its course, it gradually resumes its general direction to the south, dividing its valley in such a manner as to permit the occupancy of both its banks.

This locality, of the immense water power afforded by the Beaver, offers every facility for its employment in propelling machinery, while the adjacent level plains, present the most eligible scites for work shops, and the most pleasant and healthy situations for the residence of man. The first plain on the west side is in extent, amply sufficient for a large manufacturing town-the second, on the east side, as also about one and a half mile in length, by half a mile in breadth; whilst at Fallston, directly opposite, it is so narrow as to admit of but one

or two streets.

By this arrangement, the water may be taken from the four dams first above described, to any amount not actually required by the State, for supplying two miles of canal, and six locks-viz: to the head of steam boat navigation, which is two miles up the Beaver, from its junction with the Ohio.

The dam of fifteen feet, at the mouth of the Beaver, was erected by the State, for the purpose of rendering the stream navigable for steam boats, to the very foot of the immense water power already describedthis is effected by means of two enormous locks of fifteen feet lift. The water power at this place, though at most seasons of the year available to a vast extent, count of the frequent rises in the Ohio, though it is not has not been considered of so much importance, on acimprobable, that at some future period, it may acquire a value in the estimation of the public, but little anticipated at this time.

It will be perceived by the above statement, that the immense water power of the Beaver, is directly, and at all times, available, for a distance of about two miles, up and down the stream-with a fall of 54 feet-below which, is a navigable river, pool or basin of two miles in length, by 500 feet in breadth, for the accommodation of steam boats, canal boats, and keel bouts.

The importance of this location will be more readily conceived, when it is known, that in the very infancy of business at the Falls, the manufactures are computed at about $250,000 per annum-to which may be added at least $100,000 a year for the manufacture of steam and keel boats, within two miles of the mouth of Beaver.

But apart from all this, the place is soon to become the centre of an immense business up and down the Ohio, as well as that upon the Sandy and Beaver Canal, the Mahoning Canal, the Beaver and Erie Canal, the Pittsburg and Beaver Canal, or Rail Road; and a

The valley of the Beaver, in the vicinity of the Falls is from half a mile to a mile wide, and the stream from ,400 to 600 feet. The valley is bounded on the east and west, by high, and in some places, perpendicular hills-the channel has a continued bed of solid rock.-rail road, which, leaving the great Southern Rail Road Immediately at the head of the Falls, the river takes a direction to the southeast, until it meets a bold and rocky precipice along which it circles to the south, leaving on its western shore an extensive plain of from 20 to 50 feet above the level of low water. This is the scite of Brighton, early distinguished for its iron works. VOL. XVI.

33

of New York, in Cattaraugus or Chautauque county, and passing by the western bend of the Allegheny river near Franklin, will terminate at this point; which is the extreme northern bend of the Ohio River, and several miles nearer to Erie and the State of New York, than any other point on the river.

There is probably no situation now remaining unoc-Through the county from east to west, runs the macupied, in the United States, where there is such an jestic Ohio, opening to us through the Allegheny and amount of water power,such eligible scites for improving Monongahela, an intercourse with the north east and it,such facilities of access, and such unlimited resources, south east of several hundred miles, and through the as are here presented. The dams and mill races are Pennsylvania canal, &c. with the Eastern cities. If we completed, and the water power and scites are for sale take the direction down that stream, and avail ourselves at low prices. of others with which it is connected and which are now The Commissioners appointed under an act of Con- navigable, we may traffic at the Muscle Shoals of Tengress some thirteen years ago, to establish a National nessee, the Falls of St. Anthony, at the Rocky mounArmory on the Western waters of the United States,tains, or the Gulf of Mexico. after a patient, laborious, and scientific examination and estimate of all the prominent scites for water works, in Western Pennsylvania, Virginia, the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio, gave this scite a decided and merited preference-(See their report, page 47.)

This report states that, in the year 1822, when "the water was lower than at any former period within re-ed between Lake Erie and the Ohio river. By this arcollection, there was flowing through the channel or mill race, at Fallston, 85 cubic feet per second; and the volume of the river was estimated to be three times that in the canal."-(See page 57.) Again (page 59.) "The volume of water in the canal or race at a low stage, in ordinary seasons, does not exceed one 8th of the whole volume of the River, and the whole quantity supplied by the River, at its lowest stage in 1822, was 236 cubic feet per second." If we multiply 236 cubic feet by sixty-five, the head and fall, we have the whole water power of the falls expressed by the number 15,340-sufficient to propel 168 pair of five feet Burr Mill Stones.

It will be recollected that the above report was made some thirteen years ago; that the calculations were based upon the data afforded by a single dam, the only one of any account then erected-there are now four dams, the upper one of which, presents a head of fifteen feet at the expense of an eight mile pool, above, now converted into a navigable slack water basin about 400 feet wide; and creating an immense power, not recognized by the United States' Engineers; one of whom, has since acknowledged, that their estimate was very far below the facts of the case. Indeed it is the opinion of many, that the power is at least quadruple, what they have stated.

Near the centre of this county the Ohio river makes its most northern angle and nearest approach to the Lakes, and at this point receives the Big Beaver which flows in a direct line from Lake Erie, its branches interlocking with the tributaries of that lake. Scientific surveys have proved that by this route the shortest, cheapest, and best water communication can be effectrangement nature has pointed out the mouth of Beaver as the great deposit or point of transit for the North Western trade, destined for the interior of this State and Western Virginia-as also the products or manufactures of the latter intended for the North West. If, in the progress of improvement, experience should give a preference to Rail Roads over Canals, the advantages of our situation would in no degree be lessened. The valley of Beaver and its principal tributaries afford inclined planes, graded by the hand of nature, extending almost in a direct line and in the directions most de sirable, or from 60 to 100 miles, and terminating at the very commencement of other inclined planes, having a Northern aspect, and reaching to Lake Erie at any desirable point. Suppose such a communication perfected; (and the time is not distant when such an improvement cannot any longer be postponed,) we will then have our selection to take advantage of the communication already noticed, or embark ourselves and our articles of traffic at our own doors, to be transported with all the facilities and despatch incident to modern loco motion, first to Lake Erie-thence eastward to New York, Quebec, or west, propelled by wind or steam, we may traverse the straits of St. Clair, and Mackinaw, the Lakes, Huron, Michigan, Superior, and others still farther north and west, an unmeasured distance, to re

Between the Falls and the mouth of Beaver, and di-gions almost unknown and unexplored. rectly upon the banks, are the villages of Sharon; The Falls of Beaver are evidently designed and fitted Bolesville, Bridgewater, and East Bridgewater-half a mile west of Bridgewater, is the Borough of Beaver, half a mile south, and directly opposite the mouth of Beaver, across the Ohio, is the village of Phillipsburg, and two miles up the Ohio, the village of Freedom, between which and the mouth of Beaver, is a population of one hundred, claiming the village name of Fair Port. We have thus presented an aggregate of eleven small villages and boroughs, within three or four miles square, embracing a population of about 5000 souls, and the number rapidly increasing.

BEAVER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. The County of Beaver is bounded on the north by Mercer county, west by the State of Ohio, south by Washington county, and east by Allegheny and Butler counties. Its extreme length from north to south is 34 miles; its breadth 19, population about 35,000.

This county possesses a variety of advantages rarely equalled, and perhaps no where excelled. As an agricul tural district, it enjoys privileges not possessed in their extent and variety, by any of the neighbouring counties.

Next in importance to agricultural advantages, are those connected with the almost incalculable power afforded by a variety of streams in almost every part of the county. The Falls of Big Beaver have been already described; but not one twentieth of the power of these falls is yet profitably employed, although nature and art have done every thing to invite and facilitate the employment of the whole.

by a Master's hand, to be a manufacturing emporium, and I cannot but indulge the opinion that it will be, not only ours but that of this section of the United States generally. It possesses an immense water power, as permanent as the order of nature, as certain as the return of the seasons. A power sufficient to manufac ture to the annual value of millions of dollars. A power that when once well applied, will continue to operate without further expense-and so situated as to be easily and cheaply employed.

VILLAGES.

Brighton.-A very delightful and promising village, on the west side of Beaver River, was at an early period distinguished for its iron works-it is now chiefly owned by Mr. J. Patterson, formerly of Philadelphia, an enterprising capitalist, merchant, and manufacturer of cotton, flour, &c., and deeply interested in lands and water power, at the Falls of Beaver. He has, at this place, an uninterrupted head and fall of about twenty feet, besides a very considerable interest in the power, both above and below. He has turned his attention not only to manufacturing, and agriculture in general, but particularly to wool growing, and the cultivation of the mulberry, with reference to more extensive operations in the culture of silk, in this county-in which many of the inhabitants are beginning to be very zealous and active.

This village has about fifty dwellings, fifty or sixty families, and about four hundred inhabitants, a great proportion of whom are employed, directly or indirect