geographical position, extent of area, and of geological character. were received into the Institution, and one fifth of the whole number did not know the alphabet. This, in a great measure, will account for the present backward state of the school, as it cannot be expected, that dur-is ing the short time of their continuance in the House, they will acquire any more than the rudiments of knowledge. The children that are sent to the Refuge have so long been accustomed to habits of idleness, that they have imbibed a disrelish for every thing like study or application, which constitutes a mighty barrier to their im- | provement. My first effort is to remove this obstacle, by making the road to improvement easy and pleasant, and render knowledge not only attainable but desirable. This being done, the task is nearly performed. The child takes delight in pursuing his studies, he finds that he is capable of performing what once appeared to him impossible; he gains confidence in his own abilities, and gradually progresses from one step to another, until he becomes convinced that application and perseverance will overcome every obstacle. One of the objects of this institution being to enable its inmates to read and write before they leave it, I have endeavoured to accomplish this object as far as was in my power. Nearly all who have been in the house one year can read intelligibly and write a legible hand, though there are some, who in consequence of indispo. sition, &c. have not been regular in their attendance, and have made but little improvement. Besides the instruction received in school the inmates have access to the Library, which consists of books of almost every description, well adapted to the improvement of the youthful mind. All who can read, have an opportunity of drawing books from the library weekly, and I am happy to say, the most of them seem inclined to profit by the advantages offered them. Z. B. NICHOLS, Teacher. May 1st, 1835. [For Report relative to the affairs and management of the House of Refuge, by Mr. Cunningham, read in Senate March 24, 1835, see Register, vol. XV. p. 217.] PENNSYLVANIA. (Concluded from page 74.) The Coal Fields. The coal trade, so recently and suddenly started in to existence, now constitutes one of the main branches of our domestic industry, and an important portion of the commerce of the state and Union. It has given a new stimulus to individual as well as national enterprise, affording active and generally profitable occupation for numerous classes, producing a spirit of improvement, interspersing the country with rail roads and canals, which are eminently useful for other purposes than transporting coal, and serve to connect the distant parts of the state together. It has, too, opened a new field for the investment of capital, the expenditure of labor, and the pursit of all the purposes of civilization and society. Its benefits are becoming universally diffus ed, and this great state is destined to reap its profits, and feel its energetic effects for centuries, coal being so essential to our comfort, and the fuel for manufacto ries, its consumption must go on increasing in a compound ratio. It now exerts an influence upon every other branch of commerce, and affords the means of rearing and permanently supporting among us, all the mechanic arts and handicraft of the old world; it must soon, if it has not already, become the staple product of Pennsylvania. The first, supposing its boundaries are ascertained, about 65 miles in length, averaging about 5 miles in width, and is enclosed or bounded by a continuous mountain, forming a sort of trough or basin. This boundary, (the Broad mountain on the north, and Sharp mountain on the south,) is cut down in various places by different streams which afford outlets for the coal, and favorable scites for rail roads and canals. The Lehigh Navigation Company, with a boldness of design and magnificence of enterprise, alike worthy of the cause, and characteristic of the energy of the projec tors, ascended the mountain to its greatest altitudes, and then entered the basin by rail road, diverting the coal from its natural marked channel to the waters of the Delaware. With slight exceptions, there is little difference in the quality of the coal in the whole of this region. Of the usual mode of mining, it is not necessary here to give a description; it may be well, however, to remark, that experiments are now making to mine below the water level, by sinking shafts to a considerable depth. This is done rather as a matter of experiment, for the purpose of ascertaining the relative expense of the two methods, for whatever may be the increase of the demand for fuel, the beds above water level, will not, it is believed, be exhausted during the lives of the present generation — with the present demand, nor for very many generations. A very interesting detail of facts m ght be given respecting the first coal brought to market. It appears that in 1814, twenty-four-tons were taken down the Lehigh and Deleware by the Hon. Charles Miner, which cost him here fourteen dollars per ton. A very interesting question occurs in the history of the coal trade of Pennsylvania, as to the benefits and disadvantages which have accrued from incorporations it is one which we do not propose to discuss; those interested, will find it ably treated in various pamphlets and reports from committees of our legislature.Our present business is to condense the information respecting the coal trade,to a shape in which it may be accessible. The Lehigh Coal and Navigation_Company was incorporated with mining privileges-the Schuylkill Company without, presenting very different features, the one depending on their resources for mining-the other leaving it entirely to individual enterprise. During the year 1833, the Lehigh Company sent to market one hundred and twety-three thousand tons of coal; of this great quantity, forty four thousand one hundred and sixty eight tons were shipped coast. wise, and the company is eminently prosperous. The cost of the Schuylkill navigation, is stated to have been two millions nine hundred and sixty-six thousand four hundred and eighty dollars. Tolls were first taken in 1818, amounting only to two hundred and thirty-three dollars; in 1824, it had scarcely doubled; but, in 1825, at which period may be dated the commencement of the coal trade on the Schuyl kill, the tolls increased to fifteen thousand seven hundred and seventy-five dollars, nine thousand seven hunThe anthracite coal seems to exist in three distinct dred of which was for coal. The Schuylkill coal refields: the first, or Mauch Chunk and Schuylkill and gion now began to attract attention; individuals of capLykens' valley; the second,or Beaver meadow, Shamo-ital and enterprise became residents, rail roads were kin and Mahanoy; the third, or Lackawana and Wy- constructed diverging in all directions to the mines→→→ oming coal fields, all bearing a striking similitude in laborers and mechanics of all kinds, and from all na PENNSYLVANIA. tions thronged to the coal region, and found ready and constant employment. A new dawned in the mountains; the wilderness was subdued era seemed to have by active and resolute adventurers who pierced the thousand hills containing the treasure; such was the activity of the trade and the demand for fuel that in 1833, only eight years from the commencement of the trade, the tolls actually amounted to three hundred and twentyfive thousand four hundred and sixty-eight dollars!! Of this sum two hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars were derived from coal alone, and the return freights to supply the coal region, constituted a considerable portion of the balance. Towns grew up at every landing, and it is now estimated that four millions of dollars have been invested in lands in the first coal district, which in 1814, could all have been purchased tor a few hogsheads of sugar! Associations of various kinds were formed to work the mines; joint stock companies with charters from other states also purchased lands, which to evade the statutes of mortmain, declared to be in force in Pennsylvania, were held in virtue of deeds of trust. Two of these companies, the Delaware, conducted on admirable principles, and the North America, were incorporated for the term of five years, and an act passed at the same time, escheating the lands held by companies under charters by other states, without the license of Pennsylvania. These foreign companies have now either ceased to exist, or operate in the capacity of individuals. Capit 1 having thus been introduced, important public improvements resulted, and the country has flourished beyond example; happy would it have been if the wild spirit of speculation had not been now introduc. ed. A fictitious value was placed on coal lands, and the writer once saw a calculation which went to prove an acre of coal land worth a million of dollars. Purchases were made at a venture, without know. ing whether coal existed or not, and for a few weeks speculators were dissatisfied if they had not made on paper, their twenty thousand dollars a day. 85 millions engaged directly in this important and increasnals constructed, of which 280 miles were made by in. ing business; there are 377 miles of rail road and cadividuals and companies not having mining privileges, porated companies, having mining privileges at an exat an expense of $5,255,187 61, and 97 miles by incor pense of $1,954,418 46, and the Delaware division of the Pennsylvania canal, also for the accommodation of the coal trade principally, was made at great expense by the state. We ties in regard to the facility of getting the coal at the The advantage and disadvantage of particular localidifferent districts to market, is an important subject.— This leads to a statement of the prospects of the Danville and Pottsville Rail Road, and to the circumstances of the Lehigh coal monopoly as contrasted with the unvate capital and enterprise are free to exercise the bent trammeled trade of the Schuylkill region, where priof inclination. This possesses very great interest, and involves some circumstances respecting which the public generally have had as yet no specific information.— We allude to the fact that the Lehigh Company are willing to surrender to the state their canal improvements, and thus throw open to competition the Beaver meadow coal field to pass its produce at the same rates of tolls through the locks constructed by them. shall come to this subject immediately, but first let us give a statement of the prospects of the Danville road. When finished it will pass through two of the important the tunnel and the inclined planes is now completed, coal fields and the most difficult part of it, including and is ready for the transportation of coal. rardville this road will run in a westerly direction, and intersect the basin of the Pennsylvania canal at Sunbury, thus affording another and most important avenue for tonnage to that canal, and meeting it at a point optherefore be used not only for the transportation of coal posite the west branch of the Susquehanna. It will fare for the merchandise, produce, general traffic of the country, and the agricultural supplies of the vast from the mines on either end, but as a grand thoroughdistricts. This road not being yet completed, there and rapidly increasing population of these two mining has been very little coal taken from the district through which it penetrates, excepting small quantities to prove its quality. The beds are very rich however, and in admixture, of fifty feet in thickness above the water level. one case an unbroken body has been found without any From Gi This state of things could not last; some money was realised, while others who thought themselves as rich as Girard, were reduced to beggary; and the business has now settled down to one of moderate profits proportioned to the excellence of the veins and the skill and economy employed. So long as the wealth, the enterprise, the intelligence and the patriotism of our citizens cannot be concentrated in the few, but are equally divided among the many, this source of emol- struct a rail road from their mines to the Lehigh and ument must remain a common heritage of all, consti- down the river to the Delaware division of the PennThe Beaver Meadow Company have authority to contuting a large portion of the present wealth of our state, sylvania Canal. It might however, depend upon the and her principal wealth in after ages. New mines are constantly developed as the consumption increases; competition is the life of business, and will ultimately pro-ence to the subject generally, whether it shall become will of the Lehigh company, and perhaps upon the duce a uniformity of prices, and a safe guarantee for course of policy which the legislature adopts in refér the investment of capital, and the expenditure of labour. We have seen that the Lehigh Company alone sent to market in 1833, 123,000 tons; the Schuylkill mines during the same period, sent in round numbers 255,000 tons. necessary to prosecute this road; and whether if made, Company may not afterward be entered into as will accommodate the trade of the second coal district, and such negotiation between the State and Navigation the increasing trade of the upper country, thus render. The borough of Pottsville contains at present a po- our own opinion is decidedly that it will be a folly to ing it in a measure useless and an unnecessary expense; pulation of about four thousand souls, and upwards of complete this road; that if made it would compel the Lefive hundred dwelling houses. It is valued at one mil- high company to admit that it could compete with them, lion of dollars. Port Carbon, also a place of considera- and that it is the interest of both companies to negotiate ble importance, is valued at three hundred thousand amicably. The Beaver Meadow company can be acdollars, and does a coal business nearly equal to Potts-commodated cheaper, via the Lehigh canal, and the Leville; other towns and settlements, exclusive of huts and cabins occupied by miners and labourers may be estimated at a million and a half, making the total valuation of towns in the first district three millions of dollars; the canals and rail roads constructed or the accommodation of the trade, including the whole Lehigh and Schuylkill districts, have cost more than seven millions of dollars; the wagons, boats, horses and lands are valued at five millions! Here then is a total of fifteen high had better make fair terms or get nothing. Both companies have to compete with the Schuylkill-she is not a rival to despise, and a house divided against itself will never warm its neighbours! several of the northern counties, and was declared a public highway as early as 1771, but passed by act inThe river Lehigh is the natural route to market of of nature, and that grant was subsequently confirmed to to the hands of the present company in 1818, in a state purchase, the state would again be put in possession of the valley of the Lehigh, and by uniting the Lehigh navigation with the Delaware canal, a free and permanent communication would be opened from the three great anthracite cod fields of Pennsylvania to the sea board. This is a sufficient inducement; but it is not all; a communication will thus be opened, through which will pass the various and valuable productions of the Wyoming valley of the North branch of the Susque. hanna, of the Genessee river, and the lakes; and the people inhabiting a large portion of our great rival be city, New York. The population on the North Branch and its branches, exceeds 305,000 souls. them and their successors in 1822, by an act of incorpora- | tion. This act was an important one, and however viewed now, there is little doubt it was then regarded as an inducement, scarcely commensurate with the magnitude and hazard of the enterprise; so great was the difficulty of the navigation before, that it is a fact that the Mauch Chunk coal mines, now so valuable, were leased by the company for a period of twenty years for only the payment of the rent of one ear of Indian corn annually! The Lehigh Company first made a mere descending navigation by artificial freshets, at an expense of $155,420. Subsequently the present naviga-placed several miles nearer Philadelphia than their own tion, admitted to be the best in the U. States, was constructed at an expense of $1,545,094. The different rail roads and other improvements made by the com pany of the mines, &c. cost the sum of $323,580 27. Whole original cost of the improvements $2,196.191 14. It is now argued that they had laid exorbitant tolls for the purpose of excluding the owners of coal land above them, but this is not thought to be such an abuse and misuse of their charter as would justify the legislature in resuming the grant. So long as the company keep within the provisions of the law, and do not assess a higher toll than the law permits them to receive, they may impose it either for prohibition, or for the purpose of remunerating the stockholders for their large expenditure. If it be decided by the proper tribunal, that the state exceeded its powers in its grant, it would be obliged to remunerate them for any lo-s which they might sustain, on proof that the charter was null and void. The company then having in no wise violated their charter, the issue is, not between them ani the people, but between the people and the legislature, a.d it is important to ascertain whether the navigation as now permanently constructed, may not be turne i to still greater advantage, and by subserving the views of the many, instead of those of the few, become pro luctive of greater good, and whether instead of retarding, it may not become the means of enriching and improving the whole face of the northern territory of the state -of converting the wilderness and barren mountains into usefulness and value, and of augmenting and strengthening the resources of this great city. A strong contrast exists between the Schuylkill navigation and the improvements at Pottsville, and those on the Lehigh, where the country is under a padlock, with the key kept in Philadelphia. When the padlock was granted in the shape of a charter to the Lehigh company, the bargain to the company was a hard one; the consideration now should be to purchase the improvements, and put the country on an equality with Schuylkill county; if the people on the Lehigh have been subjected to inconvenience, it has been done according to law; no complaints are known to ex st except in the transportation of coal, and on that article their tolls have been reduced for 1934, from one dollar and three cents, to seventy-three cents a ton for fortysix miles, and the company are now prosecuting more liberal schemes, by opening the trade partially to to others. An argument may be formed, however, in favour of purchasing back their privileges by reverting to the fact that the Lehigh board is changed annually, and they may at any time reverse their grants, so long as they hold the power. The equal rights of citizens demand this purchase, and the state ought to make it, particularly as the company have expressed a willingness to sell their canal, reserving their mining privileges. It is to be regretted this was not acted on a year ago; the Beaver Meadow Rail Road has since been commenced. Those acquainted with the local situation of the eastern end of the first coal field, and the lands owned by the company will be satisfied that although individuals might be competent to the task, yet no individual in his private capacity would be willing at this day, to undertake the transportation of coal over the mountains to the Lehigh. As a coal company therethey may be sefely allowed to remain. By the A canal, it is ascertained by actual examination, may be made from Berwick, on the north branch of the Susquehanna to the Lenigh, and a rail road from Wilkesbarre the mouth of Wright's creek, a distance of 14 miles only, is practicable, and would no doubt be placed under immediate contract. Other rail roads would soon be seen to intersect the canal, and pour their treasures into market, while a new and great population would spring up where now reigns the desert and howling wildern ss; the state improvements would be benefited enormously. The Delaware division of the Pennsylva nia canal, from Easton to Bristol 60 miles, cost the state one million four hundred and thirty od 1 thousand dollars. By uniting the Lehigh and Delaware canals, a great share of the trade would be secured to these; in a few years the coal alone would pay the interest of the whole sum invested in both. In 1832 the Lehigh company paid the state in tolls on the Delaware canal $17,646 71, and in 1833, $31,941 68. The third, or Wyoming and Lackawana coal field, is situated wholly in Luzerne county, and constitutes about one-filth of its territory. The coal beds of this region vary from one toot to thirty feet in thickness, and are generally more accessible than those of the other fields, be ng exposed in innumerable places by deep ravines, brupt precipices, and small streams, and in some places forming the bottom of the rivers Susque hanna and Lackawanna. The Pennsylvania canal passes through them at several points, and at others the coal may be precipitated from the mines, by means only of a chute or slide of boards directly into the canal boats. The d stance from Wilkesbarre, the heart of this coal region, by the Pennsylvania canal to Port Deposit, the head of tide on the Susquehanna, in 199 miles, and from Wilkesbarre to Philadelphia by the Lehigh canal, is only 165 miles. The coal is not generally thought to be so free ot ignition, but when ignited, the heat is intense and its duration greater. This coal region is remarkable for being also one of, the most productive and excellent agricultural ditricts in Pennsylvania. The same acre of land may furnish employment for both the agriculturist and the miner; for while the former is occupied on the surface, the latter, like the antipodes of another region, may be actively engaged in the interior in bringing forth the long hidden treasures of the earth. The Pennsylvania canal designed in part as an outlet for the coal of Wyoming, was commenced and is now nearly completed to the mouth of the Lackawanna, passing a distance of about 25 miles through this coal range. It should be still further extended, and doubtless will be hereafter. If it should be prosecuted to the New York line, it would intersect the improvements of that state, and afford an avenue for our coal, to a most extensive and rapidly in creasing market. This work ought not to be delayed for a day, but prosecuted as early as possible. To show how much the coal is estimated in the state of New York, iron works at the south end of Chautauque Lake, are now supplied with Lackawana and Mauch Chunk coal, which is transported from the city of New York to Albany, 160 miles; from Albany to Buffalo 300 miles, and from thence hauled in wagons to Jamestown 70 miles, and within seven miles of the state line. If we 1835.] PENNSYLVANIA. add the distance from Mauch Chunk to New York 151 tined to be of equal importance to the trade of our city For some of the interesting particulars above stated, It only remains for us to notice in connection with the third coal field, the very important improvements They ob commenced by Maurice and John Wurts. tained in 1823 and 1825, acts of incorporation, and succeeded in forming the Delaware and Hudson canal comWhen we reflect upon the date of the settlement of pany, who undertook and completed the Herculean en terprise of constructing a rail road and canal from the Pennsylvania, and compare it with the tardy strides coal beds of the Lackawanna, near the eastern termina- made by the South American Republics it 's truly gration of the field to the North river. The country was tifying to witness her present condition and future prosthen a dense wilderness; Carbondale contains now a pects. Every day produces some new fact interesting to her developements. With Philadelphia to the east population of 2 500 souls! They have constructed a rail road from the Lackawanna to the Lackawaxen, a and Pittsburg to west, and with intelligent citizens evedistance of 16 miles, overcoming almost insurmountable ry where, abundance of capital, a good soil, vast reFrom sources in mineral wealth, her march under ordinary mountains, by means of eight inclined plane s. the termination of the rail road at Honesdale, a place circumstances must be onward. containing 1500 inhabitants, a canal is continued to the Delaware, and from thence through the state of New York to Rondout on the North river, 94 miles above the city of New York; whole length of canal and rail road 123 miles. This work was completed in 1829, at an expense of $2,305,992 53. During 1833, about five millions of feet of lumber were conveyed upon the rail road from Carbondale to the Lackawaxen and Delaware to be rafted to market. The coal mined in this part of the district, and sent to market by the river and canal, and used for home consumption is estimated at 30,000 tons. 111,777 do 20,000 do Total, 161,777 The value of property employed in this trade is estimated at $862,500, in addition to which we notice 900 vessels loaded at Rondout in 1833. By Delaware and Hudson Company, There is estimated to be 624.000 acres of coal deposits in all our coal fields, and the value of this immense district including its agricultural price is estimated by those who possess the best means of knowing, to be no less than twelve millions four hundred and eighty thousand dollars!! The improvements and property connected with and consequent upon the coal trade in this state in the three great coal fields, are estimated at nineteen millions and a half! If we add to these the value of the store houses, wharves, landings, &c. at all the places where it is transported for sale, we shall have an amount equal to the entire capital of the Bank of the United States, or $35,000,000, if not more. Western Pennsylvania is such an important section of the state, that we may be excused for dwelling on it for a moment, to the exclusion of further remarks on the eastern part which is more generally familiar to the As a general remark, it may be said that reader. western Pennsylvania is broken and hilly. Somerset, parts of Fayette, Westmoreland, Cambria, Indiana, Jefferson and McKean counties are mountainous, interpersed with rich valleys from 1,000 to 1,500 feet above the level of the ocean, and their ridge from 500 to 1000 feet higher. Washington, part of Fayette, Westmoreland, and Allegheny counties, are remarkable for their lofty, insulated, and fertile hills, with narrow and exuberant bottom lands intervening. The scenery is extremely beautiful and picturesque. The counties which lie northward of Pittsburgh, although broken are not generally covered with such high hills as tho-e just mentioned, and have more level bottom lands along the water curses. On French creek and many other of the confluents of the Allegheny river, there are extensive bottoms covered with beech, birch, sugar maple, intermixed with the Waymouth pine and hemlock spruce, supplying the vast amounts of lumber sent down the Ohio and even to New Orleans. The soil of the southern counties is generally good, except some portions of Greene, which are called glade lands. Washington, Fayette, Westmoreland, Allegheny and parts of the other counties produce abundantly, corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, flax and the potatoe, and sheep are extensively pastured, particularly in The counties which lay towards Washington county. Lake Erie have a thinner and colder soil than those toThe whole amount of coal, mined, and sent to mar-wards Virginia, and are all well adapted to grazing, ket, in 1833, was 592,210 tons. Nature, in the disposition of her bounties, seems to have bestowed upon Pennsylvania more than a due proportion of the treasures of the mineral kingdom. Great and valuable as are her anthracite deposites, and rich and abundant as are her mines of iron ore, and other materia's, her bituminous coal region is still more extensive and inexhaustible. Several counties are with in its range, which embrace together, an area of about twenty-one thousand square miles, or thirteen millions four This invaluable arhundred and forty thousand acres. ticle, is found to possess all the properties of the best bituminous coal; producing the finest coke, as well as hydrogen gas: since the opening of the line of communication with this region, small, but increasing quantities, have found their way to Philadelphia. It is des 30,000,000 of feet of lumber annually descend the Allegheny, to the common centre of the rivers, Pit:sburg. These counties supply yearly vast droves of live stock. which are driven by three excellent turnpike roads which connect the west with the east; viz: The National road which passes from Wheeling to Cumberland, through the southern portion of this region; the Southern Pennsylvania road, and the northern road from Pittsburg, through Ebensburg, Huntingdon, &c. to Philadelphia, uniting with the Southern Pennsylvania road at Harrisburg. During the months of October, November and December, March, April, May, and June, the Ohio is navigable for steamboats up to Pittsburg, and its confluents for flat and keel boats, which convey the produc * See Reg. Vol. XIII. p. 185. tions of this region to a market in the southern part of the valley. During January and February it is frequent. ly interrupted with ice, and in July, August and September, by the want of sufficient depth of water in those streams, the remedy for which in the Ohio, we have already pointed out. Steamboats during the fall and spring, run up to Brownsville on the Monongahela, a town of considerable importance. The other ri vers of Western Pennsylvania are not yet navigated to any great extent by steamboats. The natural advantages of this region, the general productiveness of its soil-for there is scarcely any part which cannot be cultivated with advantage, even the knobs of the hills-its facilities for intercourse, natural and artificial; and the salubrity of its climate, will render it a very populous country. The farmer of Western Pennsylvania has New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, with the places intermediate, as markets to which he can send the products of his labour The horrors and dangers of the Indian wars were long known in portions of this region. Four steam grist mills. There are, moreover, innumerable establishments for the manufacture of ploughs, timber wheels, screws of all kinds, saddle trees, machine cards, bells, brass, work of every description, locks, &c. &c. all manufacured extensively for exportation, and supplying to a vast extent the wants and the comforts of the numerous inhabitants of the valley of the Mississippi. There is much moral power and intelligence in this city as well as much wealth-many men of talents in the professions of manufacturers, merchants, lawyers, physicians and divines, some of whom are well and advantageously known abroad. There is at Pittsbhrg an Arsenal, the Western University of Pennsylvania, the Western Penitentiary, the Theological Seminary, a fine museum, besides banks, bridges, churches, hotels, and huge buildings for factories sufficient to fill a guide book. The city is admiraWashington, Brownsville. Canonsburg, Uniontown, raised by a steam engine of 84 horse power, which will bly supplied with water from the Allegheny river, Greensburg, Beaver, Meadville, Erie, &c. are growThe place is a ing and important towns, several of them the seats of elevate 1,500,000 gallons in 24 hours. justice of their respective counties. Along the Monon- great thoroughfare for travellers, and though the last gahela, there are several places, such as Elizabethtown, few years have witnessed an increase of inhabitants tru Williamsport, Bridgeport, where steamboats are built, ly gratifying, Pittsburg may be said to be yet in its inas well as in Beaver and its vicinity, and at Shaus'town, with the vast annual increase of demand for manufac fancy; the influence of our public improvements, 12 miles below Pittsburg, to which latter place theytures will have an effect on her prosperity, that few can are taken to be finished and to receive their engines.— There is a vast number of villages and towns in Western Pennsylvania, and many of them beautiful, with an intelligent and pleasant society; our limits, however, prevent us, unhappily, from even naming them. properly appreciate. sented in America, is presented when standing on the To a stranger, one of the most imposing sights prebank of the Monongahela above the point, and taking a survey of the steamboats as they depart on their long voyages down the Ohio, or arrive upon their return; the latter marching up heavily loaded, overcoming the resistance of the current, and discharging at intervals their steam, occasioning a startling roar, re-echoed in quick succession from the neighboring hills. In the busy season, several boats arrive and depart daily, creating activity every where. The morals of the people of West Pennsylvania are generally good; intemperance is rapidly diminishing; religious feelings were early disseminated in this fine region, and have great influence on the public mind. Schools are improving, and Sunday schools, with libra ries, are becoming general; colleges are numerous, and afford a good education at a moderate price, to the gifted sons of the humblest inhabitant. The most important place is the city of Pittsburg, which is properly denominated the "Birmingham of the West." It is 300 miles from Philadelphia, 120 south of Lake Erie, and 1,000 by land, but 2,029 by water, above New Orleans. at the junction of the Monongahela, and Allegheny, forming the Ohio. The city stands upon a level, alluvial bottom of quite limited extent, surrounded by hills. It was founded in 1765; a fort, part of which remains, had been built five years before by Gen. Stanwix, and was called fort Pitt. The city has a triangular form, and is rapidly extending even up the sides of the hills; Birmingham and Alleghenytown connected by bridges to Pittsburg may be considered part of the place, and above Alleghenytown about a mile, is the town of Manchester. The great quantities of coal in all the hills around, with vicinity to iron, combined with the fine situation of the city for commercial enterpri e, have made it a vast assemblage of manufacturing establishments, which are constantly rolling up immense volumes of smoke, darkening the very heavens, and discoloring every object, even the houses and the clothes of the inhabitants. The hills around intercept the passage of currents of wind, so that the soot of the furnaces falls in little flakes all EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA around. The inhabitants become accustomed to the differs somewhat from the portion west of the mounannoyance, and do not admit to strangers its inconve-tains, in being generally more level, and consequently niences. An enumeration of the various manufactories, &c. of this great place would occupy too much of our space; we have obtained the following particulars from an intelligent friend, which, abridged, stands thus: There are in Pittsburg, sixteen foundaries and engine factories, of the largest denomination, besides numerous other establishments of less magnitude. There are at least nine rolling mills, cutting two tons of nails, and rolling eight tons of iron per day. on the average, and employing from 70 to 90 hands each. There are six cotton factories with an aggregate of 20,000 spindles, 116 power looms, and 770 hands. Six extensive white lead factories. Five extensive breweries, besides smaller ones. steam saw mills. With these few observations, which we should gladly have extended, we may conclude the account of West Pennsylvania, with the assertion that few parts of the union are more favoured by nature, few possess greater enterprise or intelligence, or offer stronger inducements to emigrants to settle in its salubrious and fertile boundaries. better supplied with navigable streams: these will be noticed under the head of rivers. The aspect of this part of Pennsylvania, presents a series of fine farms, under an excellent system of tillage, diversified by thriving towns and villages, mills, manufactories, and in fact every thing that can bind civilized man to the soil. The several counties would require too much of our space to describe them individually, and our space is already so occupied as to make it impossible. Harrisburgh is the seat of Legislation: it is on the left bank of the Susquehanna; a substantial and handsome bridge, connecting it with the west bank. The State house is a conspicuous object, and a handsome structure; the vicinity is marked by a rich and variegated land scape rarely exceeded. |