poured into one common trunk between Middletown
and the mouth of the Juniata, and it has been argued
that if all these canals do a good business, the common
trunk must be overloaded; but by the successive drains
to which we have alluded, a choice of conveyance to
Philadelphia is afforded, suited to the peculiarity of
every description of merchandize. These routes afford
the best possible means of inter-communication between
different sections of the state and other states, and for
the interchange of commodities produced by one and
wanted by another. Having now exhausted our space
for topics of this nature we must turn our attention to
the subject of the coal field formations, and explaining
the most interesting matters connected with it in a
manner suited to its importance, with a few other inis-
cellaneous observations we shall be compelled to close
this at best imperfect sketch with the remark that a
whole Gazetteer would be required to contain the mat-
ter we should desire to insert respecting "the key stone
state."
[To be Continued.]

this trade, large as it is at present, must increase ten-more than to develope the whole resources of the rich fold very soon from the rapidly rising Michigan territo-interior while they conduct the trade to the best marry alone. Even a moiety of its present amount secured ket. It will be observed that many of the channels to Pennsylvania, and her commercial cities would jus formed, have direct reference to the coal fields, and it tify the necessary expenditure of extending the canal is a beautiful part of the system that while accommo to the Bay of Presque Isle, where the unrivalled har-dating this great source of wealth to the state, the same bor of Erie is easy of access at almost all times, which modes of conveyance are applied to the transportation is not the case with the other parts of the lake commu- of goods to and from the valley of the Mississippi. nicating with the rival canals. It has been remarked, that three canals, each passing Dismissing this subject to the consideration of a pa-through a very extensive and productive country are triotic legislature, we have only to remark that by the completion of our main route, the whole course of trade in many articles has been changed. The citizens of Louisville and Cincinnati are already greatly alarmed, they formerly enjoyed the business of depot agents, bringing all heavy freight from New Orleans up the river; it now descends from Pittsburg. Many of the heavy articles of merchandize which were formerly shipped from Philadelphia to the western states, by the way of New Orleans, are now forwarded by our canals and rail roads, and many articles, such as wines, coffee, liquors, queensware, fish, &c. which for some years have been purchased by the western merchants in New Orleans, are now bought in Philadelphia. On the opening of the canal, carriage to Pittsburg from here, by waggons was $3 50; it immediately fell to half that sum, and we now see goods going in great quantities from New York and Baltimore through Pennsylvania, to be delivered in Louisville in 15 days instead of 40 or 50 by the sea route. In return freight we are receiving cotton, tobacco, hemp, pork, flour, whiskey, iron, &c. &c. These are glorious results in which Pennsylvanians, however they lament the debt of twenty millions of dollars incurred in bringing it about, may well exult. Her prospects for the future are bright; so bright that we might be accused of exaggeration if we attempted to follow them out in all their amplifications. The first boat from Philadelphia to Columbia, via the Union and Pennsylvania canals, dates its passage so lately as April, 1833; the rail road communication is more than a year later; those routes are however already crowded with merchandize and passengers; the latter take our rail road for the west in greater numbers than could have been anticipated, and new stages have to be constantly

added.

From the Pittsburgh Advocate of July 20. IMPROVEMENT OF THE ALLEGHENY.

plane, for the purpose of taking steam boats on the same-"as by a reference to the publication referred to, will more fully and at large appear."

In my last address lately published in your paper, and also in the Pittsburgh Gazette, for the improvement of the Allegheny river, I suggested the idea of making an inclined plane at the large ripples, extending from the pools above the ripples to the pools below, through the shoals formed on that side of the river where the current did not pass at low water mark, to be made near the bank of the river. The plane should commence in the upper pools, at the depth of four feet below the surface of low water mark, and extend in a right line into The statement we have entered into includes all the the pools below, at a point four feet below the surface works undertaken by the state and by corporations; it of the water at low water mark. This suggestion was is, we trust, sufficiently lucid to show that the Penn-made with a view of having a railway made on this sylvania system of internal improvement is simple in itself, and that almost every part is not only necessary to the perfection of the whole, but is successful as soon as finished. By an examination of the map it will appear that every important section of the state which it was practicable to reach has been brought into communication with Philadelphia. The counties on the southern border, whose waters run into the Potomac and Monongahela, are alone excluded by the operation of natural causes. But Adams, Franklin, Bedford, and other counties are too fruitful and important long to remain without canals or rail roads; they have heretofore sought a market in Baltimore, which seems in fact to be their natural port, but as soon as all the great works now so costly are in the full tide of successful experiment, we have no doubt of seeing a rail road from Chambersburg, or a point even further west, under taken, to join that at Columbia,

Philadelphia has already three artificial communications with the valley of the Susquehanna-if we include the Frenchtown rail road, there are four; a fifth will be the Danville and Pottsville rail road; a sixth is practi cable and will undoubtedly be executed; we allude to a communication from the head of the Lehigh canal, to the North Branch, either at Berwick or at Wilkesbarre. Fifty miles of canal, or 35 of rail road will effect this ob. ject. The effect of these multiplied communications it needs no prophet to foretell; they cannot fail to promote the greatness and prosperity of Philadelphia, any

This inclined plane may also, by letting a continued current of water pass through it, be used for the purpose of a canal for steam boats to pass through. The current of the water need in no case be more than from one fourth to one half a degree of inclination, the resistance occasioned by gravity alone at the largest estimate would be only about ten pounds perpendicular weight to the ton. The resistance of the water would be another matter, and perhaps no steamboat with any degree of pressure at present used, would be sufficient to overcome both of these obtacles by means of wheels as at present used, particularly in proportion as the resistance against the boat increases by the current, so does the resistance of the water against the buckets decrease; and of course a greater velocity of the wheel be required to give a certain impulse to the boat than would be required in slack water, when the resistance against the wheel would be greater.

There are, however, numerous methods of overcoming this apparent objection to this mode of improvement. In the first place you might have the difficulty overcome by horse power, in some cases this might be the most economical and the best-I do not mean to go into particulars at present.

Another mode would be to have a large wheel placed on a frame in front or at the sides of your boat or both,

1835.]

ANNIVERSARY OF THE "ALUMNI.”

and by means of a rope or ropes placed at a fixture in a pool and attached to the shaft or shafts of your wheel or wheels as the case may be; you may wind the boat to the entrance of the upper pool; this is in principle the same as that adopted three fourths of a century since on the Susquehanna, to take keel boats up the stronger ripples by attaching a rope to a tree on the bank and winding it round a windlass attached to and turned in the boat, the shaft of the wheels on the steam boat might be used as a windlass for the same purpose, The di and of course be turned by the steam power. ameter of the cylinder, if small, would of course require less force to turn it against a given resistance to the boat, than a large one, and as this diameter would be irregular, as its size would be affected by the number of tiers of the coils of the windlass; there might be some difficulty in case of a long rapid of making this application.

There is, however, a mode which might be adopted It will be readily perfree from this difficulty. ceived, that in proportion to the rapidity of the current, your windlass must be lessened in proportion to the size of the crank and stroke of the pitman. If one coil of the rope be three feet in length a greater force would be necessary to effect this than if only twelve inches in length. The boat of course in the latter instance would move slower. The mode proposed is for your rope or chain (the latter of which will be preferable) to have but one or perhaps two coils round the windlass and pass over the stern of the boat, and be attached to a post at the lower pool or what will do as well let it drop in the canal behind the boat, and thus pass up into the upper pool. There are other modes that might be applied now within the view of the writer: he has already stated that he is one of those who do not believe that we have seen an end of all perfection here below,' and it is now believed that better modes than those suggested may yet be discovered.

steel is intended] would no doubt operate with conside.
rable effect upon a ledge of slate rock. The effect
would be more doubtful on hard free stone, or other
hard stone, at least be much slower in its operation. The
application of power in the mode suggested is the same
in principle as that seen in our forges for working the
tub bellows. The pointed irons or steel must have a
length in proportion to the depth of the water, as the
water would arrest the force of the blow, if the end of
the lever should dip into it; the whole process may be
called picking the rock by means of water power. I
would not trust the removing of the detached pieces of
rock into the pool below by the mere force of the cur-
rent, down such an inclined plane as any of our ripples
afford. Major Kearney thinks the gravel would not be
removed from the aprons of the low dams he proposes
crease the inclination of the plane. If, however, once
on the Allegheny, which dams of course greatly in-
loosened, they can be readily removed-steam power
might be applied for the same purpose, and in the same
manner, and in small ripples where the current is of
course not rapid, would be greatly superior to any wa-
ter that could be brought to bear upon it. The boat
may be readily moved across or up the stream, at plea-
sure in the mode suggested.

The success of the mode proposed of running up boats through the rapids, could not be doubted, by placing a permanent fixture some distance above the head of the ripple to which the end of the rope or chain could be attached, as mentioned in my communication of yesterday. The advantages of the same passing round the windlass or cylinder to a fixture in the pool below, as mentioned in that communication, is manifest. The writer of that article should have written under his real name, or at least communicate it to me, as more A. W. FOSTER. satisfactory information could have been communicated by me personally.

Saturday morning, July 18, 1835.

From the Pittsburg Times.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE "ALUMNI."

A stated Annual meeting of the "Alumni" of the Western University of Pennsylvania was held, in the Hall of the Tilghman Society, on Tuesday 30th June, 1835.

The President called to order at half past nine o'clock in the forenoon, and the following resolution was offered by Mr. Abner L. Pentland, viz:

It is now more than thirty years since I made a drawing of a boat with a wheel in front and one at each side and a double crank, on which poles were placed by a swivel on each. The object was to show the manner in which a boat could by the very means of the current itself be taken up a ripple. This will be well recollected by the present editor of the Pittsburgh Gazette, to whose father, the late Major Isaac Craig, who had been in the engineer corps in the revolutionary army, I then exhibited the draft, and who agreed, in case of a regu lar plane and a regular hard gravel bottom it might be done such means might be adopted to ascend the inclined planes in the canals now referred to, as the bottoms could be made so that there would be no difficulty The motion was stated by the chair, but before the in the ends of the poles having a firm hold on it. would be no difficult nor expensive matter to have a cog-question could be taken, Walter H. Lowrie, Esq. Chairged rail track on each side of the canal on which cogs, the ends of shafts of the wheel or wheels might be made to work in them (they also having cogs to suit the rail tracks) and by this means the boats might be taken up. I have now merely given an outline in much haste-objections may be easily made which can be as easily answered. The fault may perhaps in part be my own, from want of time, not being more precise and explicit A. W. FOSTER. in my explanations.

It

From the Pittsburgh Advocate of July 22.
The communication I handed you yesterday has anti-
cipated some of the enquiries made by the writer of the
article in your paper of this morning, signed 'M.' ad-
dressed to me.

The work by Charles Babbage, Esq. A. M., I have
never seen; any value that may be in any of the sug-
gestions I have made is more the result of reflection
than of reading. The mode proposed of removing rock
by means of projecting cams [or cambers,] from the
axis of the wheels operating upon levers, upon the ends
of which levers shod with pointed iron, [I presume

Resolved, That the Society do now proceed to the election of Officers for the current year.

man of the Committee of Arrangements announced the arrival of the hour appointed for the delivery of the Annual Oration, and that a very respectable audience had assembled for the purpose of hearing the same-whereupon the Society immediately proceeded to the Hall of the University, when the following Order of Exercises

was observed:

1. Prayer, by the Rev. Joseph Kerr.
2. Oration, by Cornelius Darragh, Esq.

3. Benediction, by Rev. Dr. Bruce, Principal of the University.

The Exercises being concluded, the Alumni returned to the Hall in which they had previously assembled, offered by Mr. Pentland, which was carried in the afand the President put the question upon the resolution firmative, and the following gentlemen were thereupon elected officers for the current year.

President-W. W. Irwin, Esq.

1st Vice President-Rev. Joseph Kerr.
2d do do Robt. R. Simpson, M. D.
Corresponding Secretary-Mr. Abner L. Pentland.
Recording Secretary-Thomas Liggett, Jr.

Treasurer-Jonas R. McClintock, M. D.
Orator-Rev. Joseph Kerr.

Alternate Orator-W. W. Irwin, Esq.

The President then appointed the following gentlemen as the Committee of Arrangement for the ensuing year, viz: Cornelius Darragh, Esq., Dr. J. R. McClin

tock, Andrew Burke, Esq., Thos. Hamilton, Esq. and Mr. Robt. E. Sellers.

On motion of W. H. Lowrie, Esq.,

REGULAR TOASTS.

1. The Anniversary of "the Alumni."-Let it be cherished in their affections, and in all time dedicated to the cause of Science.

2. The Land we live in.-The land of freemen: It

is our birth-place, our home, and our country. Let

us ever be ready to defend it as we would our firesides.

3. The Art of Printing.-A blessing to the human race. The people of America can appreciate its va

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to request of Mr. Darragh a copy of his Address for publication.-lue. And the Chair appointed the following gentlemen to be said Committee, viz: W. H. Lowrie, Esq., Rev. Joseph Kerr, J. R. McClintock, M. D., Andrew Burke, Esq., G. D. Bruce, M. D., Thomas Hamilton, Esq., and Mr. R. E. Sellers.

On motion of W. H. Lowrie, Esq.,

Resolved, 1st, That a Committee of seven members be appointed whose duty it shall be to report to this Association the best means that in their opinion can be adopted for the purpose of promoting the interests of the Western University of Pennsylvania.

4. The Liberty of the Press.-The guilty fear it, but to the honest mind it presents no terrors. Let it be preserved inviolate.

5. The right of conscience, of suffrage, and of opinion. -The main elements of civil and religious liberty.

6. The Republic of Letters.-A community which scorns the distinctions of birth and fortune. Its history demonstrates the fact that liberty and learning are co-extensive and inseparable.

7. Greece.-Formerly the "Mistress of the World." Tho' her eye is dim, and her ancient strength departstill

2d. That a Committee of seven members be appointed, ed to call the attention of the public to the necessities of this University, and to its claims upon the citizens of Western Pennsylvania.

The following gentlemen were appointed as a Committee to act under the first resolution-W. H. Lowrie, Esq., William Kerr, M. D., Mr. A. L. Pentland, Thomas Hamilton, Esq., Cornelius Darragh, Esq., Robt. B. Simpson, M. D.; G. D. Bruce, M. D.

Committee under the 2d resolution-C. Darragh, Esq. Mr. R. E. Sellers, Andrew Burke, Esq., Charles J. Gil. leland, M. D., J. R. McClintock, M. D., Messrs. Tho mas Liggett, and Wm. M. Bell.

On motion of T. Hamilton, Esq.,

Resolved, That the Treasurer keep a statement of the expenses of each year, and report the same to the association at its annual meetings, and that each member contribute his proportion towards the discharge of the same.

On motion of Dr. McClintock, it was unanimously Resolved, That a Committee of five members be appointed for the purpose of requesting the Rev. Dr. Bruce to sit for his portrait; and that said Committee, should their request be complied with, be authorized to employ a suitable artist.

The President then appointed the following gentlemen as a Committee under the above resolulion-Dr. J. R. McClintock, Cornelius Darragh, Esq., Robt. B Simpson, M. D., Walter H. Lowrie, Esq., and Mr.

Abner L. Pentland.

The Chairman of the Committee of Arrangement then reported that said Committee had provided a supper for the Association at the Ohio and Kentucky Hotel, and invited as guests, a number of gentlemen of this city and vicinity.

On motion, Resolved, That the report be accepted.
The Society then on motion adjourned.

In accordance with the foregoing arrangement, the Alumni assembled in the evening, at the Ohio and Ken tucky Hotel, and at eight o'clock sat down to an ele. gant repast, provided for them by the enterprising landlord, Mr. Wm. Richart.

The Rev. Dr. Bruce, Rev. Dr. Black, and other distinguished literary gentlemen were present as invited guests.

After the cloth was removed, the President of the evening, Wm. W. Irwin, Esq. read the following

"On her voiceless shore Exist the remnants of a line Such as the Doric mother bore."

Shall she not again put on her glory?

8. The Memory of Washington.-The good,-the great,-the brave,-the wise, the just,-the immortal Washington. "He found his native country a pitiful province of England:-He left her, oh! glorious destiny, a great and independent Empire."

9. The Army and Navy of the United States.They exhibit an honorable union of courage, patriotism, and science.

10 The President of the United States. The French

complain of the wound he has inflicted. The Cambridge Doctor can prescribe a cure.

11. The Western University of Pennsylvania. -We are attached to her by the ties of early association.May there be a union of all interests to advance her prosperity.

12. The President of the Board of Trustees of the Western University.

13. Our worthy Principal-The Rev. Dr. Bruce.An accomplished gentleman, profound Scholar, and exemplary Christian. We wish him the unalloyed enjoyment of every earthly happiness.

14. The Rev. Dr. Black.-Late Professor of Ancient and Classical Literature in the Western University.Distinguished for his great erudition and capacity to train youth more mujorum. We feelingly recall the many striking evidences of his kindness and good will.

15. The memory of the Rev. Jos. Stockton.-Principal of the old Pittsburg Academy. His memory is cherished with affection by those who enjoyed his instructions, and with respect by all who knew him.

16. The memory of Dr. George Stevenson.-First President of the Board of Trustees of the Western University. A soldier of the Revolution and a polished gentleman.

17. The University of Pennsylvania.-Like the mother of the Gracchi, well may she exclaim in pointing to her sons-" These are my jewels."

18. Dickinson College.-An ancient and honorable institution which hath furnished forth many distinguished men to fill high offices in their native country.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE "ALUMNI."

H. STEVENSON. To Messrs. W. H. Lowrie and others, Committee of Arrangement.

med therein, at the period Spain was about requiring of us tribute to navigate the beautiful Mississippi

James Ross, Esq.-One of the earliest pioneers of the west-He is part of the history of Pittsburgh-As long as the majestic Mississippi bears "free trade" upon its bosom, his services in the councils of the nation will be remembered.

Arrangement from a gentleman who had been invited to be present with us this evening. It recalled to his mind the old Pittsburgh Academy-an Institution in which in former times the flower of the Pittsburgh Youth had been reared. It had been truly said that amongst those who had been educated in that Academy were to be found men who had become distinguished in the literature, politics, and military history of the country. With pride and pleasure, said he, we recur kind and obliging Host and his amiabla Lady, and after The Company, after giving a vote of thanks to their to the fact that when a hostile foreign army invaded our frontier, and, in league with merciless Indian Savages, congratulating each other on the pleasure in which threatened desolation and destruction to the defenceless they had participated during the day, retired at an earinhabitants. Pittsburgh furnished a company of bravely hour to their respective homes. THOMAS LIGGETT, Jr. youth who leaving all the comforts and luxuries to which Recording Secretary. they were accustomed at home, nobly volunteered their services and rushed to the rescue of their country. They fought nobly for their country, and gained immortal honor. The gallant commander of that brave band, most of the officers and a number of the men had been bred and trained in the school to which allusion has been made, and with which so many of us are connected by the ties of early association. Mr. I. then concluded by giving,

The Editor of the Times, being present as an invited Guest, was next called for by the company, whereupon James C. Gilleland Esq. rose and said he would not make a speech but would offer as a subject for a senti

ment.

"The Sunshine of Life," but must say what he particularly meant, as the phrase was vague and figu. rative; As sunshine is heat as well as light, he meant emphatically the warmth which warm hearts, and the light which bright minds shed into each other-my sentiment said he is this; "Let us cherish the sunshine of life and never forget the bright spots in our path like this on which it is shed."

Attest

From the Miners' Journal.

SPOHN VEIN OF COAL.

Mr. Bannan Curiosity, and the interest I feel in our Coal Region, induced me last Monday to descend into the Spohn veins," to examine the actual experiment now making on that celebrated vein of coal, by the They are going below "The Pittsburgh Blues.-The heroes of Mississini-present owners of that tract. way and Fort Meigs. They were led to battle by an the water level, to prove the quantity and quality of the coal as it descends. It appears that the former operaAcademy Boy." tors of that mine had run in two drifts-the upper about fifty feet below the summit, or mouth of the present plane, where there is now a gin worked by a horse-and the other drift about 100 feet below that. From these two drifts, the coal above the water level, seems to have been taken out from this " Spohn tract." of about 62 acres. The inclination of this vein is 23 degrees, and the thickness between the slates about ten feet-There is a double gangway down the bottom slate, divided by props, and lateral boards which serve as balusters to the men in descending, whilst they strengthen the support. The present operators in this mine, have already gone down 100 feet below the water level, and find the vein continues of undiminished thickness as above, and the quality and regularity of the coal if there be any difference, is considered even better than above the water level. The whole length of the plane is now about 250 feet; and consequently, on the angle of 28 degrees of inclination, the perpendicular depth must be 117 5 feet, and the base 220 8 feet. The own ers now calculate that they have, with the present breast, fifty thousand tons of coal, within the limits of this 62 acre tract—and as they intend to extend their plane 50 feet more, they will then have, at the same ratio, and provided there be no diminution in the thickness of the vein, and no "faults" appear, about 75,000 tons of coal, within their said limits-this at 40-100 rent. would be worth $30,000 dollars. Thus when they go down another 50 feet, they will then only have a plane of 300 feet, with a perpendicular depth of 141 feet, and a base of 265 feet-and only 150 feet to hoist the coal and the water to the present lower water level and drift, from which the coal, above the water level has been extracted from this mine, to the amount, as I understand, of about 27,000 tons, by the former owners and operators on this vein.

By Wm. Kerr, M. D.-Pittsburgh-May the period arrive when she shall stand among the cities of the Union as distinguished for literature, as she is for industry and good morals.

By Thomas Hamilton, Esq.-Intellectual Possessions -The only species of property which is not governed by the laws of inheritance. He who would enjoy must acquire them.

By Wm. G. Liggett-The Students of the Old Build. ing-We may expect to see some of them arrive at high literary eminence, for many of them have studied in the garret.

By Wilson M'Candless, Esq.-The memory of our lamented fellow student, James Barker-Who in life was beloved and admired for the purity of his heart, and the elevation of his intellect.

By Andrew Burke, Esq.-Universal Education.— The true source of national greatness. Its diffusion is the best safeguard of liberty; its neglect the surest avenue of licentiousness and despotism.

By C. J. Gilleland, M. D-The Old Academy BuildThere is a rail way leading down each of the above ings-Though sinking in decay, and gloomy to the view, yet to our hearts the impression of them is more gangways, one for the coal car, and the other for the delightful than all that the magnificence of architec-water-car, which last is used for the present, until the ture could convey.

By R. E. Sellers-The Alumni Association.-It has been feelingly represented here this evening, may it be talentedly represented in the next Legislature.

By Robert B. Simpson, M. D.-The memory of ear ly associations-Identifying names now the pride of our city, with the objects of our own youthful remembrance.

The following toast was introduced by Dr. M'Clin. tock, accompanied with brief remarks illustrative of the eminent services of the distinguished personage na

intended depth is attained, when a steam Engine will be substituted for the present horse power, to wind up the coal, and pump out the water, from the mine.

When we consider that the above perpendicular depth will only be 141 feet, and we know of one mine in England said to be fifteen hundred feet deep, and requiring an Engine of two hundred horse power, to free it from water, and hoist up the coal, we may conceive the inestimable value of our coal mines to our State, and to the Union. The flattering indications of this, as yet partial experiment, are, I trust, but the glimmering light of morning, which I hope will lead to