Nov. 25, 1753. Answer of Governor Hamilton to the Earl of Holderness, (published p.236) requesting infor mation as to the bounds of the British Empire on this continent. March 2. Assembly excuses itself from raising supbids their going out of their undoubted limits and they plies for military service, as the Earl of Holderness forought not to fix them; nor has the Governor explained them; nor has Virginia, nor Maryland, nor New Jersey Answer of Governor, very seagreed to raise forces. vere upon them. March 12. Evidence sent to the house that Venango and Logstown where the French Forts are built are in the province of Pennsylvania. March 9, 1754. House said they were not-satisfied as to the limits. 2d. They would not act as principal,but wait the Assembly of Virginia-and adjourned March 9 to the 6th May. Two letters by express from Virginia. That the Legislature had given £10,000 and proclamation issued to raise a regiment to rendezvous at Alexandria, head of Potomac, 20th of March. Gov. H. thereupon summon Feb. 13, 1754. Money sent by the Lords of Trade from his Majesty, for presents to the Indians. Letter from Governor Dinwiddie, Williamsburg, Jan'y 29, 1754. "The Gentleman (Mr. Washington) whom we sent express to the Ohio returned. The French had taken post on a branch of that river and built a forted the Legislature for 2d April. Williamsburg, March there, with cannon and had in readiness materials for 21, Gov. Dinwiddie says in answer to Gov. H.—“I am other posts, particularly for one at Logstown, the place much misled by our surveyors, if the forks of the Monthey meant for their chief residence. He made com- ongahela be within the bounds of Mr. Penn's grant." plaint to the commander, of the violence offered his The following extract from a letter of Gov. Shirley majesty's subjects. He answered "that the country be- dated Boston, March 4, 1754, to Gov. Hamilton, contains longed to them; that no Englishman had a right to trade a most full and sensible summary on the several matters upon those waters, and that he had orders to make ev- most interesting at this crisis. "It appears to me that ry person prisoner that attempted it." "The power of the several patents granted by King James, the first to our enemies is far from being contemptible. They have the two councils established at Plymouth and London engaged three Indian nations, the Chippaways, Otto- for planting colonies upon this continent, are the only ways and Onondacks to take up arms against the Eng- rule for the English Governors to judge of the limits of lish; and from the best information, Major Washington the colonies under their respective governments conlearned that the French had four posts on the Mississip- cerning the extent of his majesty's territories upon this pi, besides their own settlement al New Orleans, where continent, except in cases where the original limits dethey had 1400 men in garrison. By means of the Wa-clared in those letters patent may be altered by treaty or bash they have a communication between Canada and other agreement, between the two crowns. Now these the Mississippi and some forts on the Ouabash to pro- patents extend the English territories lying within the tect it. Before they sent their troops into winter quar- 32d and 48th degree of northerly latitude, quite across ters last fall, they called the several tribes of Indians this continent, viz. from the Atlantic ocean to the South near the fort together and told them, that although they sea; and I can't find that those Eastern& Western limits were going into winter quarters, yet they would see have been abridged by any treaty. Acadia or Nova Scotia them in the spring with a much more considerable ar- hath indeed passed by several treaties between the two mament and they would take possession of the Ohio; and crowns at different times to & from the English & French threatened them if they were not passive. He (Gov.D.) but what the treaty of Utrecht which is the only one that had ordered out a detachment of militia and proposed makes the least mention of the limits between the English to have what men he could raise at Wills' creek on the French upon this continent, expresseth concerning that head of Potomac early in March, as the place of rendez matter is contained in the 15th article by which the Invous, suggesting that Pennsylvania should aid, and they dians of the five nations are declared to be subject to the would march to the Ohio very early." Answer from dominion of Great Britain, and it is stipulated that the the French officer, Fort on the river de Bœuf, Le Gard- English and French shall on both sides have, and enjoy eur de St. Pierre. The French army mostly returned full liberty of going and coming (viz. upon any part of down the lakes in the winter, not being able to accom- the continent) on account of trade, also that all the Inplish their designs on the Ohio, on account of the Indi- dians, natives of the country, whether in subjection to ans. Letter from Gov. Shirley, Boston, offering assis- the English or French, or friends to either, shall have the same liberty to resort as they please to the French or British colonies for promoting trade on the one side and the other but it was to be exactly and distinctly settled by Commissaries; which of the Indians are and which ought to be accounted the subjects and friends of Britain and France." tance. Message of Governor to Assembly, Feb. 14. "Gentlemen, French forts and French armies so near us, will be everlasting goads in our sides; our inhabitants from thence will feel all the miseries and dreadful calamities, that have been heretofore suffered by our neighbor colonies. All those outrages, murders, rapines and cruelties to which those people have been exposed, are now going to be experienced by ourselves, unless a force be immediately raised sufficient to repel these invaders.Hoping they would make provision early. That by letter from the Lords of Trade, of Sept. 18 last, he was informed "His majesty had ordered an interview with the Indians next summer at Albany with the six nations, and large present, recommending commissioners to be appointed that the Governor of New York had fixed on the 13th or 14th of June next-all the provinces to be comprised in one treaty. Feb. 17, 1753. Dispute about the money bill-Governor negatives it, and suggests another mode of raising money by striking bills and raising a fund to sink them in a few years. March 1. on the money bill. Governor's answer to Report of the House This hath not yet been done; but it is most evident the erecting of forts by the French upon the lakes and river behind the English colonies in order to exclude them from trading there with the Indians, and the taking away the effects of our traders, and making them prisoners; all which Mons. Le Gardeur Desthiere has done, and declares in his answer to Gen. Dinwiddie, that he had orders from Mons. Du Quesne, the French Governor General of New France and the Louisiana, so to do, is doubtless an infraction of the treaty of Utrecht, and a violation of the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle; at the time of making which, it was stipulated that neither crown should make any new settlement in any part of continent which is controverted between them, until the same shall be settled by commissioners; so that if there was room to entertain any doubt whether the branches of the Ohio, upon which the French are erecting forts for these declared purposes, were within the limits of 1829.] LAW CASE. 287 of the French and Indians, in their alliance, at such times as shall be most acceptable to the Indians and conducive to his Majesty's service. This is what I shall recommend in a most pressing manner to the assembly within this government, which is to meet the 27th of this month, to do on their part; and I can't but think it would have a most happy effect, if his Majesty's several governors could prevail on their respective assemblies to join in so salutary and necessary a measure for the common cause. Mr. Trent has received a commission from the governor of Virginia, and with about seventy men are building a fort at the mouth of the Mononga hela. LAW CASE. An interesting case wss tried last week in the District Court of the city and county of Philadelphia, before Judge Hallowell, and a special jury, in which some principles were discussed and decided important to Banks and their customers, and indeed to commercial men generally. his majesty's dominions, which I can't think there is, yet it seems clear that his governors of North America have good right, and are bound in duty to his service and faithfulness to the trust reposed in them for promoting the safety and welfare of his people under their government, to use their utmost endeavours to remove them, as I cannot find that the French have any other pretensions to that vast country which they claim on the back of the English colonies, between Canada and Mississippi, extending westward as far as the Pacific Ocean, than that it hath been more traversed by their courseurs des Bois and hunters, than that it hath been by the English. As to the immense fur trade which they would inonopolize there, it is directly contrary to the treaty of April 3, 1754. Assembly meets-the Governor ac Utrecht, as well as the rights of dominion they pretend quaints them with the vote of the Virginia legislature, to over the numerous tribes of Indians inhabiting it--and presses them for supplies; also to provide for comAnd if the right to the soil was to depend upon Indian missioners to Albany, and presents to the Indians there. treaties, so far as I can learn, the right of the English to Answer, April 12. Stating they had considered the that tract is better founded upon that footing than theirs. message of the Governor, but after all their debates, we But whatever doubt or obscurity there may be concern find that near one half the members are for various reaing his Majesty's right of dominion over these territo- sons against granting any money to the King's use at ries, the scheme of the French, in circumscribing the this time, and those who are for granting, differ so wideEnglish colonies within the Apalachian mountains. ly in their sentiments concerning the sum, that there which they pretend to be the western boundary between seems no possibility of agreeing, except in such a sum us and them, is evidently this, to monopolize the im- as in the judgment of many is quite disproportionate; mense fur trade within that tract to themselves, to sub- therefore, in order to consult their constituents, they inject all the Indians behind those mountains to their clined to adjourn to the 13th May. They approved of power, to establish a communication between Canada Mr. Penn and Mr. Peters, of council, and Mr. Morris and their possessions upon the Mississippi by a chain of and Mr. Franklin, of assembly, who had been nominated forts upon the lakes and rivers, in which they have al by the Governor as commissioners to go to Albany, and ready made a most surprising progress, and by that promise to provide for that business. The Governor in means perpetually to harass our southern colonies, with reply, is surprised at their doing nothing-recommends incursions of the savages from behind the mountains.— a shorter adjournment. Adjourned to 6th May. All which must not only prove an effectual bar to the extension of his Majesty's southern colonies, and particularly to the westward, but seems to threaten them with destruction in the end, especially considering the infinite advantage which the French, who, from the nature of their government, can play all their engines at ence, and direct their whole force where and when they please, have over the English colonies in time of war, which are very much governed by assemblies independent of each other, frequently disunited in their councils, some of them very remote from others, and all of them looking upon themselves to be concerned in the common cause in proportion to their nearness or remoteness from the present danger. And if the French should prevail in the attempt to seduce the Indians of the six nations from their alliance with the English, and gain them over to their interest, which I am afraid they are in a fair way of doing, there seems reason to apprehend that such an event may be nearer than is generally imagined. To obviate the danger, the union of all his Majesty's colonies upon this continent, as recommended in the Earl of Holdernesse's letter, seems absolutely necessary, and as there is to be an interview with Indians of the Six Nations at Albany, in June next, to which I suppose commissioners will be sent from the governments of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, and perhaps Connecticut, I would propose it for your honor's consideration, whether this meeting of the commissioners from so many governments to treat with the Indians in concert with the Governor of New York, may not yield the most favorable opportunity for beginning such an union, in a most essential article, by jointly agreeing upon such measures as may most effectually preserve and strengthen our alliance and friendship with these nations, for which purpose, the several commissioners should have sufficient powers given them by their respective governments, as also to settle the quota of each government, either in men or money, for carrying what shall be agreed upon, into execution; whether that shall be by erecting and maintaining one or more forts within such parts of the Mohawk country as the Indians themselves shall choose for the protection of it, with their squaws and papooses, against the incursions The judge delivered it to the jury as his opinion, that a Bank who receives a bill for collection in another state, or at a distance, and transmits it to another Bank for that purpose--is not responsible for the acts or omissions of the Bank to which it is transmitted, or any of its of ficers; but that the transmitting bank does its duty by sending on the bill with proper instructions, by conducting a correspondence with the distant banks in a proper manner without unnecessary delay; by communicating all material occurrences respecting it to the depositor and by crediting him with the proceeds when paid or passed to its credit by the corresponding bank. That a Bank receving such a bill for collection, and omitting or neglecting in a reasonable time to write to its correspondent bank for information as to its fate, makes the bill its own--and must pay the depositor the amount; or, if it has been paid, cannot recover it back. That the distant Bank is responsible over to the transmitting bank--if it suffers loss in consequence of their having omitted or neglected to give in a reasonable time information of their proceedings in relation to the bill, and of its ultimate fate. Whatever a Bank undertakes to do for a depositor, it must do with fidelity, diligence, and skill; the same principle applies between banks corresponding with and doing business with each other. That it is immaterial whether the drawer, or the person on whom the bill is drawn, be solvent or not at the time of its being drawn or presented, diligence, and due notice, are indispensible in all transactions of commercial affairs generally, and more especially in relation to bills of exchange and promissory notes. Some other points of minor importance occurred in the course of this trial, which were discussed by the council with ability, and decided by the judge. There were a variety of matters of fact to be considered besides the questions of law. 288 The arguments were conducted by Mr. Scott and Mr. Randall, for the plaintiff. And by Messrs. Vincent L. Bradford, Thomas Bradford, Jr. and Chauncey, for the defendants. A verdict was rendered for the plaintiff, which accorded with the principles laid down by the Judge.Am. Daily Advertiser. MISCELLANEOUS. until he lost his second wife, in the year 1822. In the year 1829 he again removed to Philadelphia, with his only son, where he lived until his death.-Sat. Bulletin. LUMBER. About eight million feet of lumber, at the lowest estimate, will be consumed the present season in this borough and vicinity, which has made it a scarce article, and advanced its price two-fold. All the sawmills in the neighbourhood have been kept in full gear, but the quantity they supply has not been adequate to the demand, large quantities having been brought from the Susquehanna and Philadelphia. PITTSBURG, October 2. Practical Demonstration.-On Wednesday evening, before sunset, a small keel boat, with seventy barrels of salt, towed by one small horse, arrived at Allegheny-awissa Valley, along the Mahanoy, and in fact throughtown, from Freeport, which place she left that morning To have conveyed this salt by land, would have requir ed six wagons, with five horses and a driver each, and one day and a half travelling. Thus, on the Canal, one horse and two men have performed the work, in one day, which, by a turnpike road, would have employed thirty horses and six men for one day and a half each. PITTSBURG, September 30. Successful Experiment.—Mr. R. Toland of Philadelphia, forwarded to Middletown, by the Union Canal, four wagon loads of Goods, to be from thence transported to Pittsburg by wagon: These goods were received by Messrs. Riddle, Forsyth, &c. of this place, seventeen days after they were loaded in Philadelphia, being at least one day less than the time usually taken by wagons. The cost of transportation was 25 cts. per 100 pounds less, than was paid on goods, which were loaded at the same time in Philadelphia by wagons, thus demonstrating both the cheapness and celerity of canal transporta tion. SUNBURY, Oct. 19. Large tracts of well-timbered land abound in the Catout almost every portion of this country, through which streams are winding, on whose courses numerous sawmills can be erected at a trifling expense, and would abundantly reward those who feel disposed to embark in such undertakings. In some of these vallies the soil is of an excellent quality, and could be cultivated to great advantage. Miners Journal. A convention of the citizens from the southwestern counties, in Pennsylvania, was held at Brownsville, on the 18th September, for the purpose of taking into corsideration the improvement of the Monongahela river, from the Virginia line to Pittsburg.-16. The public are indebted to our fellow citizen Nicholas Biddle, Esq. President of the United States Bank,for the new stairway to Iris Island, at the Falls of Niagara, who was lately on a visit to the Falls, and learning that the spiral stairway on the British side had been built by the subscriptions of certain citizens of Boston, and perceiving the increased interest which would be added to the scenery by making the base of Iris Island accessi the Island, to commence the construction of this stair way, and draw on him for the expense.--Bulletin. The water has been running over the Shamokin damble, generously proposed to one of the proprietors of for a week past, without causing the slightest injury to the work. If the river continues at its present pitch for any length of time, the work cannot be completed so soon as was contemplated. The feeder to the canal (opposite the dam,) was considerably injured by the high water undermining its foundation. The water is now let into the canal above the lock. The navigation will not be in the least retarded by this accident. It is supposed that the water has passed Liverpool before this time. Mr. C. Dingee, of this borough, has raised from one seed potatoe, one hundred and fifty-two potatoes, of merchantable size, measuring near a half bushel, and weighing 31 pounds. Also, a radish measuring 35 inch es round, and weighing 15 lbs. 4 oz. The seed was ob tained from Mr. Abel, in the Neck near Philadelphia. The decease of JOHN HENRY SIMLER, a soldier of the Revolution, occurred in this city about ten days ago. In the year 1780 he enlisted in France as a private, and served as a Dragoon in Capt. Bart's corps of the First Troop of Light Dragoons, Free Legion, under the command of Col. Armand. He arrived at Boston, and proceeded thence with his Troop to York town in Virginia, at which memorable siege he was present, and assisted in the capture of it by the united forces of America and France. He was wonnded in the forehead and eye by a sabre, and retained the scar until his death. He remained in the service until regularly discharged at Philadelphia, although the greater part of his Troop was discharged immediately after the surrender of Yorktown. On the termination of the war, he married and settled in Philadelphia, where he remained for about 15 years, In 1793, he lost his wife by the yellow fever; he then married a second time, and in 1797 removed to Philipsburg in Centre county, Pa. a perfect wilderness at the time. He built the first house in the place, where he resided BLAIRSVILLE, Indiana County.-By the Blairsville Recorder we learn, that in September, 1827, this thriving village contained 501 inhabitants; it now contains 1023, being an increase in two years, of more than one bundred per cent. Within that time, four brick houses of public worship have been erected, viz: A Presbyterian Meeting house, Methodist Meetinghouse, an Episcopal Church, and a Catholic Chapel.Ground has also been purchased for a German Lutheran Church. There are in the village, forty-seven brick, seventy-two frame, forty-seven log, and four stone hous besides several brick buildings now under way. es, A new Market for Schuylkill Coal.-Last week some of our coal merchants shipped off several boat loads of coal for the Womelsdorf and Lebanon, l'a. markets.-They proceed to Reading, and there take the Union ca nal for their place of destination. This looks like 'carying coal to New-Castle."-Miners Journal. A new Post Office has been established at Starrucca, Wayen county, of which David Spoor, Esq. is appointed Postmaster.-Lehigh Pioneer. Erratum in our last.-For violations in the first line of page 272, read relations. Printed every SATURDAY MORNING by WILLIAM F GEDDES, No. 59 Locust Street, Philadelphia; where, and at the PUBLICATION OFFICE, IN FRANKLIN PLACE, second door back of the Post Office, (back room) subscriptions will be thankfully received. Price FIVE DOLLARS p r annum, payable annually by subscribers residing in or near the city, or wher there is an agent. Other subscribers pay in advance. THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. IV.-NO. 19. REPORT EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. PHILADELPHIA, NOV. 7, 1829. NO. 97. what point the waters of that stream could be used for Of the Canal Commissioners --Read, February 8, 1826. the supply of his summit level, and the result induced With the highest respect, His Excellency, J. ANDW. SHULZE, The Canal Commissioners of Pennsylvania, in obedience to the 8th section of the act of 7th April last, requiring them to present "a plain and comprehensive report of all their proceedings," respectfully submit the following statement: The attention of the board during the past season, has been directed exclusively to those routes, which were supposed to admit of a navigable communication between the Allegheny and Susquehanna rivers, across the great ridge which divides the eastern and western waters of the state. Four such routes have been accurately levelled and surveyed--and it remains only for the board to detail the results. him to propose sinking his summit, by means of a tunnel, and deep cut 142 feet below the top of the ridge. At this level, it was ascertained that a large quantity of water could be procured from the branches of Toby, and other streams in the vicinity. These streams were carefully measured, and the number of cubic feet, which they are estimated to furnish per day, is as follows: It is believed that reliance may be placed upon the method pursued in these measurements; but Mr. Wilson has justly remarked, that in the midst of a wilder ness, and with no other tools than axes, it was impossible to construct the dams employed, in such a manner as to be tight, and that the flow of water on this ac count, is probably much undervalued. Two streamsMill creek and Otter run, were not guaged, and are therefore omitted in the foregoing list, although Mr. Wilson thinks they would afford a considerable supply. It has been stated, that in order to obtain this supply of water, the summit level must be depressed, and a tunnel constructed. Mr. Wilson ascertained that the length of the tunnel would be 482 perches, supposing the open canal continued at each end, until it reached the depth of 40 feet. The soil was found to be a soft clay-slate, and sand stone, very favorable for such a work, as it is easy of excavation, and woul 1 prevent the necessity of arching. down to the mouth of the Juniata. The examination of the most northern route, was entrusted to William Wilson, Esq. of Lycoming county, who left Williamsport with his party, on the 4th July. According to the instructions of the board, he proceed ed immediately to the dividing ridge, in order to search for a pass by which a canal might be conducted with a sufficient supply of water upon its summit level. Such a pass was supposed to exist at Flag Swamp, a marsh situated between the north end of Boone's mountain, and the ridge whis! separates Kersey's run, (a tributary of Bennett's branch of the Sinnemahoning,) from Little Toby's creek, This marsh occupies the centre Having finished these operations upon the summit, ground so exactly, as to discharge part of its waters in the routes to the Susquehanna, by the Sinnemahoning to each of these streams, and had therefore been repre- and West branch, and to the Allegheny by Toby's sented to the board as an eligible route for a canal. creek and Clarion river, were next to be attended to. Accordingly, Mr. Wilson gave his earliest attention to The season was so far advanced, that the first of these this spot. But after levelling from it to the neighbor-only, could be examined. But this was carefully done ing streams, in various directions, he found it did not admit of an adequate supply of water. Compelled to abandon this route, Mr. Wilson extended his levels towards the head waters of the Driftwood branch of Sinnemahoning, and after many fruitless researches, was at length so fortunate as to find a pass 140 feet lower than Flag Swamp, and much nearer to the feeding streams, which alone can supply any summit in that quarter. Subsequent examinations render it extremely probable, that this pass is in fact the lowest in that part An impression having very generally prevailed, that of the country. It is about 400 feet lower than the divi- a practicable pass for a canal might be found, at the ding ridge to the southeast, which separates the branch-head waters of the West branch of Susquehanna, John es of Big and Little Toby, and to the north, the riges rise far above it, uniting themselves with the high table land in which the Big Toby, the Allegheny, Gennessee, Cowanesque, Pine Creek, and Sinnemahoning, have their sources. Its height above the mouth of Juniata, is 1400 feet, and above Pittsburg, 967 feet. After discovering this pass, Mr. Wilson proceeded with his levels to Big Toby, in order to determine at VOL. IV. 37 The accompanying map and profiles will give the result of this survey. The draft of Toby's creek, and Clarion river, and of the Allegheny river to the mouth of Kiskeminetas was copied from the state map, and the board cannot therefore be responsible for its correctness. The entire descent to Pittsburg was ascertained from a connexion of the levels, taken by the different parties, under the direction of the board. Mitchell, Esq. of Centre county, was engaged to examine in that direction. He left Bellefonte with his party on the 2d of August, and after passing some days in exploring the country, which divides the waters of Big Mahoning and the Susquehanna, established his first level bench, at a part of the ridge called in the map the Clover Patch." From this point he directed his levels to the river, which he struck about a mile and a half below the mouth of Chest creek, and at a depres sion of 794 feet below the summit of the ridge. He then took his course up the river to the "Cherry Tree," which stands immediately below the mouth of Cushing creek, about 22 miles above the mouth of Chest creek. Here he determined to carry a level up the Cushing, believing that it presented a favorable prospect of a low summit between the head waters of the river, and those of Two Lick creek, a western stream, running into the Conemaugh. He was not disappointed. A pass was discovered at the distance of four miles from the Cherry Tree, and at an elevation of 257 feet above it, which has proved to be the lowest yet found, between our eastern and western waters; being 126 feet lower than that found by Mr. Wilson. An inspection of the profile of this route, will show that the ascent is very gradual up the dividing ridge, which is itself a hill of moderate acclivity. Mr. Mitchell's next business was to determine what waters could be brought to his summit, and for this purpose he made extensive examinations in various directions, which it is not necessary to detail in this report. The result was not fortunate. The whole supply from the eastern waters, (two branches of the Susquehanna and Chest creek,) amounted to but 69.483 feet per day. The waters on the western side would have to be brought, by a long and circuitous route, over a feeder summit, which, after being excavated to the depth of 48 feet, is still 393 feet above the proposed summit of the canal. Of these streams the Black lick alone was measured, and that at the forks below the feeder summit, and found to yield 46.196 cubic feet per day. Cushing creek and Dutch run were not guaged, but the first is supposed by Mr. Mitchell to be equal to Chest creek, and the second to the southwest branch of the Susquehanna, that is, they would yield 67.114 feet per day. The whole supply of water then cannot be estimated at more than 182.773 cubic feeta quantity probably insufficient to provide for leakage and evaporation. After completing his examination of the summit, Mr. Mitchell returned to the point, at which he first struck the river, and continued his levels to the mouth of Clearfield creek, where they were connected with those of Mr. Rawle, and thence to the mouth of Sinnemahoning, where they were connected with those of Mr. Wilson. The board were surprised to find, that the distance from the mouth of Juniata to Pittsburg, was greater by this than the northern route. Its computed length is 365 miles and 289 perches. The height of the summit is 1273 feet above the Juniata at its mouth, and 840 above the Allegheny at Pittsburg. That part of the draft which exhibits the route from the summit by the Two Lick, and Black Lick, to the Conemaugh, not having been surveyed, was taken from the state map. At a meeting of the board, which was held at the town of Clearfield, on the 31st August, it was determined to explore a line from the Susquehanna by the Clearfield creek, to the head waters of the Conemaugh, and Francis W. Rawle, Esq. was selected for the performance of this duty. After an inevitable delay, caused principally by the difficulty of procuring proper instruments, Mr. Rawle commenced his operations at the mouth of the Clearfield, on the 26th September. From this point the levels were carried up the stream, to the summit of the dividing ridge between the Clearfield and a small branch of the north branch of Conemaugh, at the distance of 71 miles and 72 perches, and at an elevation of 946 feet. It was now necessary to determine the relative heights of this summit, and the feeder line of the survey of 1824, which takes in the streams on the west side of the Allegheny mountain, upon which the principal dependence must be placed for a supply of water. A line was accordingly run to the level of that feeder, which was found to be 150.61 feet lower than the assumed summit. It was evident, therefore, that the summit of the canal must be depressed;-and it was ascertained that this could be done to the depth of 220.34 feet below the top of the ridge, by a tunnel 367 perches in length. A feeder line was accordingly established at this level, and was continued until it intersected the north branch of the Conemaugh, 424 perches below Lilly's Mill, and 300 perches above the mouth of Ben's creek;-the distance from the summit level being six miles and 193 perches. It was not considered necessary to continue this line further, as the ground had been surveyed by the late commissioners, and was then under examination by Mr. Davies. It is now ascertained, that the length of the feeder on this side would be about 18 miles. Passing over to the Clearfield side, another feeder line was run, 3 miles and 153 perches in length, to Storm's mill stream, the mountain branch of the Clearfield-this and the Munster branch were guaged, and found to yield together 88.878 cubic feet per day. The streams from the mountain were not guaged by Mr. Rawle, but the water which they would furnish may be determined from the measurement of Mr. Davies, and of the late commissioners. The pass adopted by Mr. Rawle, was selected for its vicinity to the feeding streams. To ascertain whether it was in fact the most eligible, a line of levels was run along the dividing ridge, chiefly on its summit; and at a distance of two miles from the first pass, another, 84.36 feet lower, was found, between the leading branch of the Clearfield, and the Elk Lick branch of Conemaugh. A deep cut of 66.25 feet, at the top diminishing both ways, and 152 perches in length, would form a connexion on a level with the feeder line of Messrs. Holgate and Clark. From this place the levels were carried between the other head branches of Clearfield and Conemaugh, of Chest creek and Conemaugh, and of Chest creek and Black Lick, and the dividing ground was found to be generally of the same elevation as the pass first seIected. Mr. Rawle's levels are connected with those of the late commissioners at their tunnel line, and with those of Mr. Mitchell at the mouth of Clearfield, and also at a branch of Chest creek. The entire length of this route, from the mouth of Juniata to Pittsburg, is about 395 miles. Its lockage would be very considerable, the summit being 1457 feet above the former, and 1024 feet above the latter point. The attention paid by the late commissioners to the Juniata route, may be supposed to have obviated the necessity of further examination. But as a more eligible pass was supposed by many to exist, and no surveys and levels had been carried down the Conemaugh and Kiskeminetas, the board early determined to empley a party in this quarter, and John Davies, Esq. of Dauphin, was placed at its head. Mr. Davies began his operations on the 1st August, by ascertaining the summit, on the Allegheny mountain, between Bob's creek, a tributary of the Raystown branch, and Ben's creek, a mountain branch of Conemaugh. Extensive examinations were next made, in order to determine whether, supposing this summit to be depressed by a deep cut, or tunnel, water could be obtained for the purposes of navigation, and levels were run to those streams on both sides of the mountain which were believed to be available. The measurement of streams on the east side, gave the following results: South Poplar Run, above Black's saw mill, 1 cubic feet per sec. Spring branch of Frankstown branch, above Seth's mill, 2.2 cubic feet per sec. do. do. Beaver dam, branch of Juniata, 2.7 |