what all acknowledge to be vitally important in se- new varieties from seed and I have not the least doubt but minaries of learning, namely, that the body should what I shall soon have seedling vines surpassing the most be exercised, every day, as well as the mind. The delicious foreign grapes; I have now one or two varieties importance of a good system of exercise for stu- from seed which in my opinion, as table grapes, rival dents, has been so deeply felt of late years, that an many foreigners, and as to their quality of withstanding artificial system of gymnastic exercises has been in- uninjured our winter frosts and summer heats, they have troduced into many institutions of learning, and has no equal from France or Germany. As the cultivation been productive of excellent effects on the health of of the vine is beginning to attract considerable attention students. But why resort to laborious exercises will contribute a few observations on the subject which which require considerable expense and are pro- lief (though contrary to the general opinion) is that the I hope may not prove altogether unacceptable. My beductive of no profit, when the same labor or exercise may be so directed as to accomplish several foreign grapes are mostly injured by the great heat in important ends, besides the promotion of health? summer: from the cold we can protect them by coverIf two, three or four hours ought to be spent in heat we have no remedy, unless, probably, by planting ing during the continuance of cold weather, but for the healthful exercise, why not employ those hours, them on a north or western exposure, though I know daily, in the pleasant occupations of horticulture, not of the experiment having been tried, but from obagriculture, or mechanics? In those occupations, serving in what way nature has planted them I believe there is much less danger of hurtful accidents than it would succeed. All the foreign grapes that I have in gymnastic or in the common sports of boys. And had an opportunity of examining, on east and south exit can be no matter of doubt to any one, that the la-posures, are annually destroyed by mildew which I bebors of the field and of the garden are as salubrious lieve is occasioned by the sun shining on them whilst as any other mode of exercise. And certainly, if they are wet from dew, whereas on a north or west situ only so much of the students' time be appropriated ation they are seldom, if ever, affected by it. From all to these labours, as bodily health requires, they the observations I have been able to make on uncultivacannot be considered as interfering with their liter-ted nature, I have never yet seen a wild vine fully expoary'progress. They will, in fact, make much bet sed to the influence of a meridian sun, on an elevated ter progress than if they should attempt to devote southern exposure, but what had its fruit annually dried the whole of their time to study. Besides, the and burnt up before it came to maturity, while those knowledge of the operations of agriculture and the vines that are fruitful are usually in low wet places, or on mechanic arts which would necessarily be acqui- the north or west sides of hills sheltered from the scorchred in such a course, would be no contemptible parting rays of the sun by the shade of trees, or their own of a good education. There are few men, residing close and thick foliage. Now, to arrive at perfection in in the country, who do not need practical knowl- almost any pursuit, it is generally agreed, to copy after edge of the method of cultivating a farm and a gar- directly opposite course in the cultivation of the vine? nature is our surest guide; why then, do we pursue s den. And as it is desirable to have educated enlightened farmers, who may be competent to act as magistrates, legislators, or arbitrators, the plan of uniting a knowledge of farming with a liberal education, is better adapted to the mass of the American population, than any other. But that which chiefly recommends this kind of seminary is, that under good management, it will render education so cheap, that every independent farmer will easily have it in his power to give his sons a liberal education. By experiment it has been ascertained, that an amount of labor not more than is necessary for wholesome exercise, wil be sufficient to pay for the boarding of a pupil who is over 15 years of age. This scheme will also obviate the objection which many worthy people make to sending their sons to classical schools; namely, that they are thereby rendered idle and become ever afterwards averse to labor. And such a course of life as unites attention to agriculture with learning is obviously more favourable to sound moral habits, than the situation in which young men are commonly placed at our academies and colleges. Thus, sir, I have briefly stated the reasons which induce me to be a warm friend to such an institution as you have been endeavouring to establish; and to show that these thoughts are not mere theory, I would state, that it is my purpose, as soon as I find such an institution founded in a convenient situation, to send one of my own sons, in preference to sending him to any other school. To the Rev. J. Monteith. A. ALEXANDER. CULTURE OF THE GRAPE, &c. ing been sworn in on Monday morning, October 27, Circuit Court, U. S.-Joseph Hopkinson, Esq. hav by Judge Washington, took his seat on the bench of the Circuit Court of the United States for the eastern district of Pennsylvania, as associate judge of said court, in room of Richard Peters, Esq. deceased. After the oath of office was administered, Mr. Rawle, as senior member of the bar, rose and expressed the gratification of himself and his professional brethren at the appointment, and their confidence in the abilities and integrity of the gentleman selected for this important station. To this address Judge Hopkinson returned an impressive and appropriate reply. New Post Office--The post office at Berrysburg, Dau. phin county, has been re-established, and Jacob Bowman Esq. appointed postmaster. Printed every Saturday morning by William F. Ged des, No. 59 Locust street, Philadelphia; where, and at the Editor's residence, in North 12th st. 3d door south of Cherry st. subscriptions will be thankfully received. Price five dollars per annum payable in six months after the commencement of publication--and annually, thereI am endeavouring to concentrate all the choice varie-after, by subscribers resident in or near the city, or where ties of grape vines, both native and foreign, and raising there is an agent. Other subscribers pay in advance. Extract to the Editor of the American Farmer, dated COLUMBIA, (Pa.) Oct. 13th, 1828. THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. II.-NO. 17. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. PATRIOTISM EXEMPLIFIED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST BANK IN THE UNITED STATES. The Plan of the Bank of Pennsylvania, established for supplying the army of the United States, with provisions for two months. NO. 45. These draughts will require an immediate supply; and therefore it is necessary, that the subscribers to the General Loan, pay ten per ct. on their subscriptions, within eight days after the date thereof. This will create a of the Directors in paying, and of the Factor in his confund to begin with. It must be the constant aim both tracts, to pass as many notes in payment as possible, until Congress can reimburse the Bank: And when that A number of Gentlemen are to give their bonds to the shall happen, the notes that shall be out, shall be called Directors of the Bank, in such sums as each shall thinkin, and paid off; the entire accounts shall be made up proper; binding himself for the payment thereof, if it shall become necessary in order to fulfil the engagements and discharge the notes or contracts of the Bank. These securities shall be extended to the sum of three hundred thousand Pounds, Pennsylvania Currency in Specie, at the rate of seven shillings and six-pence for a Spanish Dollar. and settled with Congress, and the bonds of the Sureties shall be delivered up or cancelled. The Directors shall execute instruments of writing, binding their whole estates for the faithful performance of their duties; which instruments, and the bonds of the Sureties, shall be recorded in the Recorder's office, for the county of Philadelphia, and shall be deposited in the hands of the Board of Inspectors herein after mentioned. The Board of Inspectors shall consist of five persons, to be chosen by the sureties. This board shall hold the bonds of the Sureties safely in their possession, until the business be finished and settled; or in case of default, until suits shall be brought and recovery had thereupon. Two Directors shall be chosen by the sureties, to conduct the business of the Bank, with such Assistants or Clerks, as upon experience may be found necessary.The directors shall provide a proper place for their counting-house, books, notes, stationary, &c. They are to keep full and fair accounts of all their transactions; crediting every person's account for money received from him; and charging each proper account for the monies paid. They are authorized to borrow Money on the The Board of Inspectors, or any three of them, shall Credit of the Bank, for six months or any shorter pe- have free access at all seasonable hours, to the books riod; and to grant special notes bearing interest at the and papers of the Bank, and of the Factor, or persons rate of six per cent. per annum to the lenders for the employed under him or them. They may enquire into sum borrowed. They are to keep a fair and regular cash the manner of managing the business; may give their account, which must be settled every night; and one or advice and opinion whenever they please; and if they both must count the balance, and see that it is in their think it necessary or proper, may call a general meeting chest. They must keep an exact register of all the of the Sureties, in order to lay the proceedings before notes they issue, so as to ascertain every night the de-them, to ask their advice, or to propose new regulations, mands to come against them the next day. They are a change of officers, or any other matter or thing they to receive from Congress, such sums as they may from shall judge fit. time to time, allot for the reimbursement of the Bank. The Factor is authorized to have a convenient store But when this source and sums occasionally borrowed for his business. and to employ such Agents, Clerks and on interest as aforesaid, do not afford a sufficient supply, Assistants as, by experience, may be found necessary. the Directors are authorised to demand and receive from | He shall proceed, with all possible dispatch, to purchase, every subscriber of A GENERAL LOAN TO THE BANK, on the most reasonable terms, flour, beef and pork of such part of his subscription as may be necessary to sound good quality; and in such quantities of each artimake exact payment: Granting to each of the said sub-cle as may be regulated by the Board of War, until he cribers a note, bearing interest as aforesaid, for the sum procure in the whole three millions of rations, or as received from him. much thereof as he can, and three hundred hogsheads of rum. He shall as expeditiously as possible, send the articles above mentioned, in sufficient quantities to make a load, to Trenton, to the care and direction of who shall receive and forward the same to camp, and there deliver them to the order of the Commander-inChief, or of the Board of War: The Factor supplying them with money or notes to pay the charges arising on such receipt or transportation. All monies borrowed and received from Congress, by the Directors, shall be applied to the sole purposes of purchasing provisions and rum for the use of the Continental army; of transporting them to camp to be delivered to the order of his Excellency the Commander in Chief or of the Board of War; and of discharging their notes and the expense of conducting the business. And no part of the said monies, or of the notes to be issued by the said Directors, shall by them, or any person acting for or on behalf of the Bank, be applied to any other use or uses, purpose or purposes whatsoever. Neither shall they borrow more money, or issue more notes than shall be found absolutely necessary for the aforesaid purposes. The Sureties for the Bank, shall chuse a Factor, who shall have the entire management of the purchases; and on whose order the Directors are to pay, in money or notes, such sums, from time to time; as he may draw for. 34 VOL. II. The Factor is authorised to draw on the Directors for specie, Pennsylvania State Money or Continental Money, as occasion may require: He and they always taking care to understand their ability to honor such draughts. He shall provide his store with rum, sugar, coffee, salt and other goods at the cheapest wholesale prices, to be sold at the same prices to those who supply him with provisions; that he may gain a preference of what comes to market. It may be useful in his respect to make it known throughout the country, that he is enabled to make such payments as above described. The Factor shall give security to the Board of Inspectors in the sum of ten thousand pounds, Pennsylvania currency in specie, for the faithful discharge of his duty. He shall keep fair accounts of all his transactions, and copies of all his letters; and shall settle with the Directors as often as they or the Board of Inspectors shall think fit. The Directors, Factor, and all persons employed under them shall be paid reasonable compensations for their time and trouble. But as this association is founded in the present public necessities, with intention to relieve them, as far as its object extends; none of the sureties, subscribers to the general loan, Inspectors, the gentlemen that shall receive the goods at Trenton, and forward them thence, or other gentlemen that may give occasional assistance, mean to derive the least pecuniary advantage to themselves or families from this exertion. Yet, as it is hoped and expected that the United States will draw the most essential benefits from it, it is just that Congress should pledge the faith of the United States, to reimburse the whole cost and charges of this transaction in reasonable time, to give such assistance in the execution as may be in their power, and such security as the Board of Inspectors may stipulate with them, (which the said Board are authorized to do) for the indemnification of the sureties of the bank, and the subscribers to the general loan. The Inspectors of Bank are, John Dunlap John Philip De Hass T. Lawrence Joseph Blewer 4000 4000 2500 2000 2000 2000 4000 2000 2000 5000 5000 5000 5000 2000 2000 5000 2000 2000 2000 4000 2000 2000 2000 2000 3000 The execution of the plan is in great forwardness. WHEREAS in the present situation of public affairs in the United States, the greatest and most vigorous exertions are required, for the successful management of the just and necessary war, in which they are engaged with Great Britain: We the Subscribers, deeply impressed with the sentiments that on such an occasion should govern us, in the prosecution of a war, on the event of which, our own freedom and that of our posterity, and the freedom and independence of the United States are all involved, hereby severally pledge our property and eredit for the several sums specified and mentioned after our names, in order to support the credit of a Bank to be established for furnishing a supply of provisions for the armies of the United States: And we do hereby severally promise and engage to execute to the Directors of the said Bank, bonds of the form hereunto annexed. Witness our hands this 17th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1780. Pennsylvania Currency, payable Robert Bridges Francis C. Hassenclever 5000 Andrew Doz Neither the Directors nor Factor now chosen by the subscribers, are to have any compensation made them for their services. Form of a Bond. sales. Charles Patton was a young Irish gentleman, of KNOW all Men by these Presents, That IR. P, Esq. fair complexion, with fine white teeth; all civility, gaiety of the city of Philadelphia, am held and and good humor. J. B. was a fine, portly young Engfirmly bound to George Clymer and John Nixon, Direc-lish gentleman, with dark red hair; he was spoken of as tors of the Bank of Pennsylvania, in Pounds, being very adroit and active in business, showing a hearty of Lawful Money of Pennsylvania, to be paid in Silver civility to every one, without flummery, but with a perc or Gold Coin, to the said George Clymer and John Nixon trating, interrogating eye. As was then the fashion for or their certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators or As-gentlemen, the Colonel and his two aids wore "clubbed signs, for which payment well and truly to be made, I bind hair," deeply powdered every morning by the barberMyself, my Heirs, Executors and Administrators firmly that is to say, the hair had been first cultivated until it by these Presents. Sealed with my Seal, dated this had become of extreme length, then separated into three twenty-second day of June, in the year of our Lord One parts, then powdered, twisted, and twined together into thousand seven hundred and eighty. a kind of three-strand small cable, then doubled up and fastened by a riband. When looking to the right, the WHEREAS the above bounden R P hath by an instrument of Writing, bearing date the sev-knot and club of hair rolled gradually towards the left enteenth day of this present month of June subscribed, and pledged his Property and Credit, for the sum of Five Thousand Pounds in Specie, in order to support the Credit of a Bank, to be established for furnishing a supply of provisions for the Armies of the United States. Now the condition of this obligation is such, that if the said R P, his Heirs, Executors or Administrators, shall pay such sums of money, not amounting in the whole, to more than the aforesaid sum of Five thousand Pounds, as the Inspectors or Directors of the Bank of Pennsylvania shall from time to time demand. Then this Obligation shall be void and of none effect, or else shall be and remain of full force and virtue. TIM: PICKERING. R. F. shoulder, and vice versa when looking to the left, leaving the cape and all between the shoulders, one complete mass of powdered grease. Possibly it may be ascribed to first impressions, when it is asserted, that these powdered "clubs" of hair conferred a certain dignified appearance upon the owners, not observable in the French Revolutionary "Brutus Crop." Good hand writers being scarce, J. B. was celebrated for his writing rapidly, in an elegant flowing hand. Though now they be as "plenty as blackberries, there was (as remembered) but one ornamental writer spoken of in the city; namely, William Kinnear. 'Twas he who executed those holiday notices, framed, no one knows where, but preserved carefully for antiquity's sake, and regularly suspended for a week before each holiday on the Pillar within-The (Old Congress) Bank." Mr. Mitchell, the "crier," or salesman, was celebrated for his unparalleled dispatch in sales; the brilliant finale Of the foregoing persons, only two, viz: William Hall of his once, twice, going-gone, and the neat tap of his and John Donaldson are now living. By an advertisement, it appears the Bank opened on the 17th July, 1780, in Front street, two doors above Walnut street. Hours 9 to 12 A. M. and 3 to 5 P. M. To show the mode of doing business, we copy the ad vertisement. hammer. At that time, catalogue sales of goods, from England, were unknown; being about the time of the arrival here, of the Old Alliance, after her first American voyage to Canton, amid the firing of cannon, and huzzas from the citizens lining the wharves. There being but one "City Auction," and the hour of sale known to every one, the purchasers used to assemble early, as at a funeral, near the door. The "crier" then came out "All persons, who have already lent money, are de- with bell in hand, which he rung for a minute or so; sired to apply for Bank notes: and the Directors request then giving what he called one hard ring,' he proclaimthe favour of those who may hereafter lodge their Cashed in his loudest tone of voice, 'we are just going to be. in the Bank, that they would tie it up in bundles of bills gin.' They did not hire a bell-man to keep the immeof one denomination, with labels, and their names en-diate neighbourhood in irremediable distress, by his indorsed, as the business will thereby be done with less trouble and much greater despatch." The tenth and last instalment was called in on the 15th November, 1780." terminable jingling, deafening din, for an half hour together, without considering for a moment, whether or no there might be in the vicinity, some sick prostrated being, with imploring eye and hand, beseeching some one, in faint accents, to go and 'stop that dreadful bell.' The Bank continued in operation till the establish- The 'Northern Liberties Vendue,' by Christian Febiger, ment of the Bank of North America. AUCTIONS. Looking over the other day, the list of names of the twelve Auctioneers, now in commission, in the city, and of the duties annexed, amounting to nearly 120,000 doliars paid by them annually, into the Treasury of the State, the mind involuntarily glanced back to the time, when neither Connelly, Footman, Fox nor Yorke, had been seen as yet, wielding the auction hammer; when the whole auction business of the city of Philadelphia, now so populous, was transacted by Col. John Patton, in a one story brick house, No. 78 South Front street, assisted by his two clerks, Charles Patton and J. B.; also by Mr. Mitchell, "Crier," salesman and bell-ringer. It was a "day of small things" comparatively, but of great importance at the time; and probably a few reminiscences relative to auctions in the Olden Time, may not be unacceptable. Colonel John Patton, in his personal appearance from the stage, was a very fine military looking man, with red and powdered hair, and of middle age. He had the credit among the purchasers, of being tho't very dignified in his manner, yet very affable and civil in business, or in superintending the stage during the was held at No. 204 North Second street, above Vine. The vendue in Southwark by John Mease, at the south east corner of Front and South streets. Trifling sales were sometimes made at Billy Cooper's in Jersey, and at the sign of the Fish, over Schuylkill, beyond the High street "Floating Bridge." At the vendues in the Liberties, sometimes, one Breneise acted as "crier," and sometimes Charles Smith. Breneise was remarkable for his Cogniac redness of face; his patient and smiling looks; his bell-metal tone of voice, and his untiring lungs; during a long sale. Charles Sinith was a tall, muscular, square-built man, with a fashionable profusion of dark red hair, which he wore 'clubbed,' but without powder. A 'cowlick' in front, caused the hair to stand erect from above his narrow forehead. He had a blemish in one eye; a nose rounded at the point; a square broad face; a German accent with a lisp; an extended mouth, with a smirk upon it at all times, as though in possession at the moment, of some merry thought. He occasionally exhibited a most quizzical grin, more especially after having, during the time of sale and from the stage, discharged one of his keenest shafts of satire at some broad mark, among the crowd below. At such times his mouth extended, rounding upwards from ear to ear, not unlike a very new moon-or Wilkes, by Hogarth. The most remote corner of the auction room was no security from his biting and sarcastic wit; and none could hinder or avoid his missives. He used to be pointedly severe upon those Loungers who haunt the auction room to kill time, but who never buy, not sparing even the best purchasers themselves at times, producing anger in some and laughter in others, at this incorrigible (stage) Grimaldi. About this period the Dry Goods business, consisted in regular spring and fall importations-of such English Goods, as had been ordered out, by the Regular Importing Merchants, and sold by them to the Retailers of the city, and to the country "Storekeepers"-who came in to buy. Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee (Merchants,) were as yet unknown in the business. They were spoken of as places, or settlements, away off, in the back woods,"-beyond the Allegheny Mountains!--A Trader from thence would be more gazed after, and talked to, than one now, arriving from Sante Fe, in New Mexico, or the mouth of Columbia River. Now and then, the spectacle of a travelling wagon, was to be seen passing through the city; guided by some restless spirit from the neighbourhood of Cape Cod. His wife and children, pots, kettles, and pans, stowed away under cover. His faithful dog in company, Occasionally vexed and nosed by the city curs, while walking with drooping head and ears, between the head wheels. The man singing (in dismal merriment,) some chorus of a song, about the merry banks of the Ohi-O,--where, at that period of time- "The Indian's tread Stole noiseless, and cold, as statued lead; and descent upon the stage and floor, of handsful of bird A CURIOSITY. [The following morceau of the early literature of the State, has been carefully handed down to us in the orisince. It is ornamented with the usual symbols of death ginal hand-bill, published one hundred and five years the head, and bones, and hour-glass. Respecting the individual whose untimely end is lamented in such plaintive strains, we have been able to learn nothing, excepting that he was really clerk of the Assembly in 1722-3, ing that a ferry at Philip England's old ferry place, over and that he presented to the house "a petition, requestSchuylkill, may be confirmed to him by a law"-which was read and ordered to lie on the table; read a second time and considered, and leave granted to bring in a bill according to his request. But it appears that the Mayor and Commonalty of the city, though they paid him funeral honours, were not quite so respectful to him while living, for they petitioned that the ferry from High street over Schuylkill, may be vested in the said commonalty, for the better management of the said ferry, and in no other person," and that they also had leave to bring in a bill, "the former petitioner Aquila Rose," in his goodness, "delaying his bill on purpose, and sub The importing merchants and others, who wished to close sales, or get rid of some of their "Old Shopkeep-mitting to the opinion of the house in it." The com ers," used to send their goods to auction privately, or and was buried" to the great grief of the whole city, in monalty prevailed, and, not long after, Aquila "died under cover of the night--(What would Mrs. Grundy say?) The present auction system--be it right or be it Poet, but in this character, his sweet fragrant name," the 28th year of his age. He appears to have been a wrong--the auction stores, strewed thick as the autum-has not, as our author predicted, lasted till "circling nal leaves with multitudinous bales of English merchandize, and the sales superintended by agents sent out for the very purpose, operating in its course to the detriment, and final overthrow, of the American Importing Merchant, was as yet unknown. The only English mercantile agents, known as such in this city, could be named at once, as Ralph Mather, Arthur Collins, J—— - A-, and John Mucklethwaite. years shall cease to be"-we are not aware that any of his productions are now known. He was likewise a been much respected and beloved to have caused the Printer, and a learned man-and must no doubt have poet to exhaust his store of tears, and the aged postmaster his "crutch forego." He appears also to have possessed qualities rare in those days, but which every one who dies now-a-days possesses--"he was a loving father, From the floating recollections (of a boy) and the concurring testimony of others, who had knowledge in the a tender husband, a kind friend and a sincere Christian." Thomas, in his "History of Printing," business of those times--every satellite to the Dry ," says "The first production of Keimer's press was an elegy Goods system must have moved in their proper orbits. Every rivulet, stream, and river, had its proper boun- of his own, on the death of Aquila Rose, printer, a dary and flow towards the great ocean of regular com- young man of an excellent character, Secretary to the General Assembly, and the principal workman in BradThe frequent elevated eyebrow and uplifted hand in astonishment, at another-and another tremen- elegy, mentally and manually, when he first saw Frankford's printing house. Keimer was engaged in this dous crash, in the city, was at that time, a rare occur-lin, who observes, that Keimer was a poet, but could rence; indeed, as rare as a Fast Day Proclamation by not be said to write in verse, for his method was to set the then Governor Mifflin. merce. AN ELEGY Such being the state of things, it is presumable the lines in types as they flowed from his muse.""] these agents, instead of haunting the auctions as now-a-days, had little more to do than exhibit patterns and receive orders; watch like hovering hawks over the interest of their different houses; give an occasional fee to "Lawyer Lewis," (that Great Gun of the Law,) or purchase for remittance, the First water Bills on London. Books being scarce, there existed but one Book Auction in the city, and that a miserable one. 'Twas held by one Delap, in what had been a Dancing School room in Church alley. As an auction, it used to be lighted by some tallow candles; sufficiently so, as to render the surrounding darkness visible." It was no uncommon thing to hear, during a pending bid, and just as the "Crier" was going to tap with his hammer the rattle On the much Lamented DEATH of the INGENIOUS WHAT Mournful Accents thus accost mine Ear, } |