easily be demonstrated, but this is no place for it. I hope nevertheless the first direct tax laid by the general government will be on horses! Let it not be supposed, however, that I am desirous of proscribing our noble favourite. I am only opposed to this inordinate multiplication, because I am satisfied it conflicts with the multiplication and happiness of the human species; and as it is said that horses have no souls, and that men have souls, we certainly ought to be most desirous of propagating the animal with a soul, provided he can find out a way whereby a majority of them will not be damned. There are many uses to which the horse is peculiarly adapted, and to those uses he should be assigned and to no other, he never should be permitted to usurp the province of an ox. The most conclusive way of settling this controversy between the horse is to ask a wise man or a wise nation this question, "Were you compelled to relinquish forever the whole tribe of horses or the entire breed of neat cattle, which would you hold on to?" Would not a wise man answer thus, "The ox requires but little care and little feed that would sustain a man; he can draw a plough or a wagon as well as a horse; when he is dead his meat furnishes sustenance to me and my family, his hide furnishes protection to my feet winter and summer, his horns are useful for many purposes, his bones produce a valuable oil, the turner will purchase them,or, I can grind them and enrich my soil, his hair is necessary in constructing my dwelling, his entrails can be converted into soap or glue, his very hoofs are valuable; I will not part with an animal, every part of which is necessary to my comfortable existence; and you may take the horse as the least valuable thing of the two, and which, as he is the principal instrument in war, so is he often the cause of war and tumult. (Concluded in our next) NOTES OF A TRAVELLER. When I wrote you from Ebensburg, on the 18th inst. I intended to have continued my observations in the manner I had commenced them, in reference more particularly to Internal Improvements, which is a subject that had engrossed the attention of the people almost exclusively, until the news of the failure of the loan reached them. I shall now alter my plan, and conclude with a few additional remarks. Ebensburg is a flourishing village, on the top of one of the ridges of the Alleghany mountain, not far from the projecting canal, and rail road-there is a considerable body of fine well-timbered land in its neighborhood, and the population of the town and country for several miles around, is composed chiefly of an industrious, moral and thriving set of people from Wales, who are remarkable for sobriety and industry. Indiana is also a thriving village-and Kittanning, which is located on the Alleghany river in Armstrong county, is progressing in population and wealth, to a considerable extent. On the road from Indiana, which is travelled by regular four horse stages, the country exhibits a fair appearance, enlivened by many well cultivated tracts of land, invit ing the emigrant to become proprietor of the soil, on very moderate terms. In travelling thus far, I am fully convinced that the western lands of Pennsylvania, which are but thinly settled, offer greater advantages to the settler, than any other portion of the United States, on equal terms of purchase, particularly in Cambria, Indiana, Armstrong, Venango, Mercer, Crawford, and Erie, counties; and when the canals and rail road shall be completed, the advantages will be more obvious, than they now appear to be, for it is a fact, that until these improvements are successfully completed, confidence will not be fully maintained-but when completed, it is very probable, every body will be in quest of a farm or a town lot, producing by competition prices far beyond their present value. It is a true and old adage applicable to the present case, that "no people are more blind than those that wont see. VOL. IV. 41 In many counties of this state, there are large bodies of land belonging to citizens of Philadelphia, that never have been, and never will be, of any real value to the owners; who, either from misrepresentations, or want of proper information, have paid, and continue to pay taxes on them, to a very large amount, into the State Treasury, to their own positive loss. Let them, to avoid these serious losses hereafter, appoint an agent, on whose judgment they can rely, to explore and examine the quality and situation of their lands, and report faithfully and honestly as the fact may be; or let them come and view them with their own eyes—in either of which cases, I have no hesitation in saying, a large portion of them will be voluntarily relinquished to the state, in preference to the continued payment of taxes, which are now heavily assessed, upon all of them-ask a countryman in the neighborhood of inaccessible mountains, or miserably poor lands not worth a groat, to whom they belong. His reply immediately and of course, follows, why to the people of Philadelphia to be sure, who else should they belong to? No countryman would own such lands! and no Philadelphian in his sober senses, would continue to own them another year, or another hour, if he knew their situation and quality! Why then throw away thousands, and tens of thousands of dollars annually, in the payment of taxes, on valueless land? Good lands, however, are good property, increasing in value with the march of improvement-(I mean when improvements march on again) and they will continue to be good property, as long as we are true and honest to ourselves, and understand our own interests, by the appointment of efficient and honest men to conduct the great affairs of the commonwealth, free from political rancor, and the destructive system of UNNECESSARY REFORM!-U. S. Gaz. FROM MANUSCRIPTS IN POSSESSION OF THE AMER. PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. EARLY SETTLEMENTS ON DELAWARE. Governor Stuyvesant's Answer by Captain Hill, &c. Sir-Even now we received yo of ye 20-30 August by yor Deputie Capt Willm Hill Robert Needham and Matthias Nicoll concerning (wch if it please Gód) we shall fully answer you to morrow mean time we salute you and commend you to ye protection of God and rest Sir your affectionate friend and Servant P. STUYVESANT, Amsterdam, Governor Stuyvesant's Answer to ye Lre of Summons. My Lord-Your 1st Lre unsigned of 20-30 August together with that of this day signed according to fforme being the 1st Sept have been delivered into or hands by yor deputies unto which we shall say that the rights of his majtee of England unto any ple of America hereabout, amongst the rest unto the Colonys of Virginia Maryland or others in New England whether disputable or not is that which for the present wee have no design to debate upon But that his matee hath an indisputable right to all lands in the north parts of America is that which the Kings of France and Spain will disallow as we absolutely doe by virtue of a commission given to me by my Lords the high and mighty states geneall to be governor generall over New Holland the Isles of Curaco Bonair Aruba with their appurtenances and dependances bearing date 26th July 1646 as also by virtue of a grant and commission given by my said lords at the high and mighty states generall to ye West India Company in the year 1621 with as much power and as authentique as his said matie of England hath given or can give to any colony in America as more fully appears by the patent and commission of the said lords the states genall by them signed registred and sealed with their great seal which were shewed to your deputies Coll George Cartwright Capt Robert Needham Capt Edward Groves and Mr Tho Delavall by which commission and and mighty states generall And there is less ground in the express demand of my government since all the world knows that about three years agone some English frigotts being upon the coast of Africa upon a pretended commission they did demand certain places under the government of our said lords the states generall as Cape Vert; River of Gambo and all other places in Guinea to them belonging upon which our said lords the states generall by virtue of the articles of peace having made appear the said attempts to his majtee of England they received a favorable answer His said matie disallowing all such acts of hostility as might have been done and besides gave order that restitution should be made to the East India Company of whatsoever had been pillaged in the said river of Gambo and likewise restored them to their trade which makes us think it ne patent together (to deal frankly with you) and by divers Lres signed and sealed by our said lords the states general directed to several persons both English and Dutch inhabiting the towns and villages on Long Island (which without doubt have been produced before you by those inhabitants) by which they are declared and acknowledged to be their subjects with express command that they continue ffaithful unto them under penalty of incurring their utmost displeasure wch makes it appear more clear then the sun at noon at noon day That yor first foundation viz That the right and title of his majesty of Great Brittain to these parts of America is unquestionable is absolutely to be denyed, moreover its without dispute and acknowledged by all the world that our predecessors by virtue of the commission and patent of the said lords, the states generall have without controul and peaceably (The contrary never coming to our know-cessary that a more express order should appear unto ledge) enjoyed ffort Orange about 48 or 50 years and ye fresh water river about 36 years Touching the second subject of your Lre vizt his matie hath commanded me in his name to require a surrender of all such fforts towns or places of strength which are possessed by the Dutch under yor command we shall answer That we are so confident of the discretion and equity of his matie of Great Brittain that in case his majestie were informed of the truth wch is that the Dutch came not into these provinces by any violence but by virtue of commission from my lords the states generall ffirst of all in the year 1614, 1615 and 1616 up the North River near ffort Orange whereto hinder the invasions and mas. sacres commonly committed by the Salvages they built a little ffort and after in the year 1622 and even to this present time by virtue of Commission and grant to ye governor of the West India company and moreover in the year one thousand six hundred and fifty six a grant to ye Honb. the Burgomaste of Amsterdam of the South River insomuch that by virtue of the above said commission from the high and mighty states generall given to the persons interested as aforesaid and others these provinces have been governed and consequently enjoyed as also in regard of their first discovery unintetrupted possession and purchase of the lands of the princes natives of the country and other private persons (though gentiles) Wee make no doubt that if his said matie of Great Britain were well informed of these passages he would be too indicious to grant such an order principally in a time when there is so strait a friendship and confederacy between our said lords and superiors to trouble us with demanding and summons of the places and fortresses wch were put into our hands with order to maintain them in the name of the said lords the states generall as was made appear to your deputyes under the names and seal of the said high and mighty states generall dated 28th July 1646 Besides what hath been mentioned there is little probability that his said matie of England (in regard the articles of peace are printed and were recommended to us to observe seriously and exact by a Lre written to us by our said lords the states generall and to cause them to be observed religiously in this country) would give order touching so dangerous a design being also so apparent that none other then my said lords the states generall have any right to these provinces and consequently ought to command and maintain their subjects and in their absence we the governor generall are obliged to maintain their rights and to repell and take revenge of all threatenings injustice attempts or any force whatsoever that shall be committed agt their faithful subjects and inhabitants It being a very considerable thing to affront so mighty a state although it were not against an ally and confederate Consequently if his said matie (as its' fitt) were well informed of all that could be spoken upon ye subject he would not approve of what expressions were men- At the ffort at Amsterdam 2d Sept. New Stile 1664. tioned in your Lre which are That you are commanded Coll. Nicoll's Warrant to Capt. Hide to prosecute the by his matie to demand in his name such places and ffortresses as are in the posssession of the Dutch under us as a sufficient warrant for us towards my lords the Dutch. Whereas the Governor and Council of the Dutch my government which as it appears by my commission | plantation upon the Manbatoes in Hudson River, have before mentioned was given me by my lords the high in answer to a summons returned their resolutions to RICHARD NICOLLS Aboard his Majesty's ship the Guyny. 43 new ones to be chosen by themselves provided that These following articles were consented to by the persons here under subscribed at the Governors Bowry August 27th old Stile 1664 (1) Wee consent that the States General of the West India company shall freely enjoy all ffarmes and houses (except such as are in the fforts and that within six months they shall have free liberty to Transport all such arms and ammunition as now do belong to them or Else they shall be paid for them (2) All publique houses shall continue for the uses which now they are for(3) All people shall still continue free Denizons & enjoy their Lands Houses goods, Shipps wheresoever they are within this country and dispose of them as they please (4) If any inhabitant have a minde to remove himself he shall have a year and Six weeks from this day to remove himself Wife children servants goods&to dispose of his lands here (5) If any of ficer of state or public minister of state have a minde to go for England they shall be transported fraught free in his maj'tee ffrigotts when there frigotts shall return thither (6) It is consented that any people may freely come from the Netherlands and plant in this country and that Dutch vessels may freely come hither and any of the Dutch may freely return home or send any sort of merchandise home in vessels of their own country (7) All Shipps from the Netherlands or any other place and goods therein shall be rec'd here and sent hence after the manner wch formerly they were before our coming hither for six months next ensuing (8) The Dutch here shall enjoy the liberty of their consciences in Divine worship and Church Discipline (9) No Dutchman here or Dutch Shipp here shall upon any occasion be prestt to serve in warr, against any nation whatsoever (10) That the Townsmen of the Manhatoes shall not have any soldier quartered upon them without being satisfied and paid for them by their officers and that at this present if the ffort be not capable of lodging all the soldiers then the Burgomaster by his officers shall appoint some houses capable to receive them (11) The Dutch here shall enjoy their own customs concerning their inheritances (12) All publique writings and Records wch concerne the Inhabitants of any people or the reglem't of the church or poore or orphane shall be carefully kept by those in whose hands now they are and such writings as particularly concern the States general may at any time be sent to them (13) No Judgement that hath passed any Judicature here shall be called in question but if any conceive that he hath These are to Certify that we the Governor gen'alt not had Justice done him if he apply himself to the States and councell of the New Netherlands do consent to the general the other party shall be bound to answer for the articles of the 6th instant agreed upon by the Commis. supposed injury (14) If any Dutch living here shall at sioner appointed by us viz: Mr John Decker councelle any time desire to travail or Traffique into England or Captain Nicholas Verlatt Commissary concerning mat any place or plantation in obedience to his maj'tee of ters of Traffique Mr. Samuel Megapolensis Doctor of England or wth ye Indians he shall have (upon his re- Physick Mr. Cornelius Stenwick Burgomaster, Olaffe quest to the Governor) A certificate that he is a free Stevans van Kortlant old Burgomaster and Mr James Denizon of this place and liberty to do soe (15) If it Cosseau old Sheriffe of our parts And the Commission. doe appear that there is publique engagement of Debts ers appointed by the hono'ble Colonell Richard Nicolls by the Town of the Manhatoes and a way agreed on commander in cheife of his maj'tie of England's ffrigotts for the satisfying of that engagement it is agreed that and forces now beseiging this Towne and Garrison that ye same way proposed shall goe on and that ye engage-is to say Sr Robert Carr Knight Geo Cartwright John ments shall be satisfyed (16) All inferiour civill officers Winthrop Samuel Willys Thomas Clark and John and magistrates shall continue as now they are (if they Pincheon on the other part and we have hereby ratifyplease) till the customary time of new election and thened and confirmed them and do acknowledge this to be John Dedecker, Sam: Megalensis Oleffe Stevens, Van Kortlant I do consent to these articles John Pincheon RICHARD NICOLLS. A copie of Governor Stuyvesants consent to the articles under his hand and the publique seale To All people Health our act and deed and shall do all things therein con- P. STUYVESANT I certifie the same Colonell Nicolls his answer consenting to the Treaty of hay, and at another half way up a lofty mountain, the upper part of which was so steep that the rocks seemed ready to fall at every instant upon our heads, while the lower part presented such an awful depth that it was far from pleasant to look down. Along the canal we saw a great number of houses that have been lately erected, and many others in various stages of completion. I Colonell Richard Nicolls commander in cheif of all his maj'ties forces now beleagnering the town on the Manhatans do accept of the proposall made by the governor and his councill there residing to treate of an accommodation by articles of surrender of the said town and fforts thereunto belonging under his maj'ties obedience to prevent the effusion of blood and to improve the good of the inhabitants and whereas the governor and councell are pleased to nominate and appoint John De Decker Councellor of State Nicholas Varlett Com-Rail-road the cars are brought into a covered place, and missary concerning matters of Traffique Saml Megapolensis Doctor of Physick Cornelius Stenwick Burgomaster Offle Stevan Vankortland old burgomaster and James Cossau old Sheriffe of this city to agree and conclude with me or my Deputies upon further articles promising they will faithfully fulfill whatsoever shall be by their forenamed commissioners promised or agreed upon in the Treaty on their partes doe therefore on my part nominate and appoint Sir Robert Carr Kn't Coll George Cartwright Mr. John Winthrop Governor of his maj'ties Colony of Connecticutt Mr. Samuel Wil-sembling the rushing of wind is heard, and all of a sudleys one of the cheif councill of the said colony Capt. Thomas Clarck and Captain John Pincheon commissioner from the Court Gen'all of the Colony of the Massachusetts To be my sufficient Deputys to treat and conclude upon the articles of surrender of the aforenamed place promising that I will faithfully fulfill whatsoever they shall so treat and conclude upon In testimony whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale at the Camp before the Manhatans this 26th day of August old Stile 1664 RICHARD NICOLLS. Tis desired and agreed upon by the Commissioners on both parts above mentioned that their meeting upon ye premises shall be to-morrow morning being the 27th of this month of August old stile precisely at 8 o'clock in ye morning at a place called the governors Bowry upon ye Manhattans MAUCH CHUNK RAIL WAY. The town of Mauch Chunk is situated at the confluence of the Mauch Chunk Creek and the Lehigh River. The Indian name of Mauch Chunk signifies the Little Bear. The town is very flourishing, being at the head of the Lehigh Canal, and the termination of the Mauch Chunk Rail Road. It contains now about 1500 souls, and is fast increasing in population. Nine years ago it was a solitary valley. At the upper end of the town, the chute of the Railway extends from the side of a mountain to the bed of the river, a distance of about 750 feet, descending about 34 feet in the hundred. From the a stout rope being attached to one it is sent down to the river, where it is emptied. The rope passes round a large drum, and as a loaded car is let down one track, it draws up an empty one on the other. The cars cortain each about one and a half tons of coal, and weigh of themselves 1600 pounds. In descending from the mines fourteen cars are attached to each other, and under the guidance of one man, who sits about the middle, they come down, by their own gravity, with astonishing ease and rapidity. When they are approaching, a noise reden they dart round the curved road and pass the spec. tator so rapidly that he cannot count them. The director sits upon the top of a car, holding the check rope, and gazes upon the stranger with as much sang froid as as if he were in a rocking chair. Two sets of cars, 14 in each, descend at the same time within a mile or two of each other; behind these follow three passenger wagons, each containing four mules. The animals seem quite unconcerned; they looked at us as they passed & went on eating. The manner in which the cars are now drawn up is a little different from that formerly in use. The mules were then placed before, and drew the cars after them; but now the mules are placed on each side of the set of cars, and are attached to a swin gle tree which is fastened to the front of the eighth car; thus they push seven and pull seven. On the arrival of the cars, the visitors set out in a comfortable pleasure wagon, drawn by two horses and The road up From a correspondent who has just visited the Rail-arrive at the mines in an hour and a half. way and Coal Mines at Mauch Chunk, we have received the following letter dated the mountain is highly romantic. We were permitted to remain at the mines until the arrival of the empty "MAUCH CHUNK, June 25. cars, which afforded plenty of time to satisfy our curiosi "After leaving Philadelphia we passed through a ty. There were only four persons in the wagon, on most delightful country, well cultivated, and presenting our return, so that it was not heavy enough to descend to the view beautiful scenery at every turn of the road. with its usual rapidity. When we were ready to return, Allentown we found to be a thriving spot, with many the driver gave the wagon a slight push and leaped in. good buildings in it. When about 17 miles beyond it, For the first hundred feet our motion was slow, but we we came to the Lehigh Water Gap, and traversed the soon found that we were flying. We passed over eight road leading in many places along the banks of the Le- miles in the space of thirty-five minutes; one mile of high Canal. The water Gap, as it is termed, is a most this we travelled in two and a half minutes, though a singular place, for it seems as if the mountains had, by gentleman from the town who was a passenger with us, common consent, parted asunder to give place to the assured us that he had repeatedly, when the wagon was river. On reaching the Gap, we found ourselves surfull, run this mile in less than two minutes. We passed rounded by steep and lofty mountains, at the foot of it, however, at the rate of twenty-four miles per hour which we ran along a road so narrow that the horn of by our own watches. It seemed all the way as if a strong the driver was incessantly giving notice of the approach North Wester was blowing directly in our faces, but in of the stage. At the Gap we first saw the Lehigh Ca-reality there was no air stirring; for the leaves on the nal, which follows the route of the river through the trees hung perfectly motionless, and besides the wind ravine. This canal is sixty feet wide at the top of the seemed to blow directly in our faces at every turn of banks, from forty to forty-five at the surface of the wa-the road. These turns were so frequent, that at no ter, and thirty-five at the bottom. The water had just time could we see a greater distance ahead than one been let into the whole line, and the first boats started hundred yards. this morning from Mauch Chunk laden with the Lehigh Coal. A more picturesque route than that from Allentown to Mauch Chunk cannot well be imagined. one time we were in the bottom of a delightful valley, rendered more so by the fragrance of the new mown At The construction of the rail road is exactly similar to that laid on the Deep Cut of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail road for the removal of the earth. The rails are about 20 feet long, 5 inches high and 4 wide. They are set in cross pieces and wedged. The iron facing is up 1829.] HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. on the inner edge of the rail, and is about one inch and a half wide, and one quarter of an inch thick. The road is now getting a little out of repair, and we were shown one part, about two rods in length, where the rails were laid in an iron socket, which was let into a stone, thus doing away with cross pieces altogether. This method was only tried this spring, and is found to be so solid, and to answer the purpose so well, that it is thought the whole road will be laid in this manner when the present rails are worn out. On reaching the summit of the mountain, we were not a little surprised at the extent of the Coal Mines. The RECAPITULATION. Artillery Infantry and Rifle, PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIE TY. The first semi-annual "Exhibition of fruits, flowers and plants," of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, took place at the Masonic Hall (Chesnut-street) on the 6th. day of June, 1829. coal is found at the distance of 12 feet below the surface, and lies in one solid black body. The extent of the mines is unknown: coal has been found in the valley immediately below the mines now worked, which is 900 feet below the summit. The coal region extends a distance of nine miles, by two in breadth, but no idea can be formed of its depth. The manner in which the mines were discovered is thus related. About 9 years ago & hunter was crossing the mountain, when he pas-phia are adapted to a great variety of vegetable producsed a tree that had been blown down. On looking into the aperture he beheld a black substance, which he soon discovered to be coal of an excellent quality.Within that short space of time all the improvement has taken place; previously no sound was to be heard, save the howl of the wolf and the scream of the wild eagle.' Balt. Amer. The establishment of this Society has been too recent to present an exhibition of productions of its own. In placing before the public a rich display of individual taste, skill and liberality, the society designed to offer the most agreeable inducements to the cultivation of horticultural science, and the most convincing proof of the success which will attend a cordial and combined effort in the cause. The climate and soil of Philadeltions. The habits of the community are congenial to the pure and primitive employment which consists in the cultivation of them. Sufficient experiment has been made to give zest and relish to the pursuit. and to afford a certainty during its progress and in its result of a rich return in health and innocent enjoyment. The advantages of our position are scarcely to be surpassed. They combine a prolific soil, abundant and salubrious waters, fertile meadows and extensive pastures; and they produce fruits and flowers of peculiar excellence and countless variety. Our country has been recently pronounced in a foreign journal to be "rich beyond all others in stores of botanical wealth."* These uncommon gifts of nature emphatically require and deserve the fostering care of art. Private and individual enterprize has advanced them to an extent equally creditable to the parties and beneficial to the public.-But it is far short of what may be expected from united exer. tions, in which numbers may contribute their respective shares of knowledge and experience to the general stock; and each shall strive in generous emulation to excel his brethren in the warmth of his zeal, and the merit of the productions which nature shall have yielded to his hand. To inspire this zeal, to multiply the sources of information and bring them within reach, and to afford the means of obtaining the most effectual mutual assistance in the prosecution of the same interesting object, the Horticultural Society of Pennsylvania has been formed. If gardening be an art (and who can doubt it that sees the improvement of which almost every plant is susceptible?) it must derive advantage from study and experience. The Society now established proposes to collect principles of instruction from every region, and specimens of the fertility of the earth from every zone, to introduce among ourselves the native productions of distant countries, and to adopt them as our own; to explore the inmost recesses of nature; to bring to light and usefulness, her concealed treasures; to try their fitness for particular soils; to multiply the rare plants, and to substitute those of higher merit for such as accident may have brought into general use. Inimmediate prospect, the society cherish the hope of possessing a garden in which they may unite and cultivate the productions of every section of the globe. There the farmer will behold the assembled variety of grains and grasses-and the gardener the widely extended family of fruits and flowers. The physician will gather new gifts for his Materia Medica, and even the chemist will delight in a living laboratory.-There instruction will be afforded to the enquiring gratification of the curious; refreshment to the feeble and delicate; amusement to the gay; and pure and healthful exercise and recrea tion to all. |