Various reports prevailed in the city, filling the royal troops with unspeakable consternation. Some asserted that these kegs were filled with armed rebels, who were to issue forth in the dead of night, as the Grecians did of old, from the wooden horse, at the siege of Troy, and take the city by surprise; declaring that they had seen the points of their bayonets sticking out of the bung-holes of the kegs. Others said that they were filled with inveterate combustibles which would set the Delaware in flames, and consime all the shipping in the harbour. Whilst others conjectured that they were ma chines constructed by art magic, and expected to see them mount the wharves, and roll, all flaming with infernal fire, through the streets of the city. I say nothing as to these reports and apprehensions, but certain it is, that the ships of war were immediately manned, and the wharves crowded with chosen men. Hostilities were commenced without much ceremony, and it was surprising to behold the incessant firing that was poured upon the enemy's kegs. Both officers and men exhibited unparalleled skill and prowess on the occasion; whilst the citizens stood gaping as solemn witnesses of this dreadful scene. In truth, not a chip, stick, or drift log, passed by, without experiencing the vigour of the British arms. The action began about sun-rise, and would have terminated in favour of the British by noon, had not an old market-woman, in crossing the river with provisions, unfortunately let a keg of butter fall overboard; which, as it was then ebb-tide, floated down to the field of battle. At sight of this unexpected reinforcement of the enemy, the attack was renewed with fresh force, and the firing from the marine and land troops was beyond imagination, and so continued until night closed the conflict. The rebel kegs were either totally demolished, or obliged to fly, as none of them have shown their heads since. It is said that his Excellency Lord Howe has despatched a swift-sailing packet, with an account of this signal victory, to the court of London. In short, Monday the of January, 1778, will be memorable in history for the renowned battle of the kegs." [American Museum, 1787. THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS, By Francis Hopkinson, Esq. Gallants attend and hear a friend, Trill forth harmonious ditty, Strange things I'll tell which late befel 'Twas early day, as poets say, As in amaze he stood to gaze, The truth can't be denied, sir, He spied a score of kegs or more Come floating down the tide, sir. A sailor too in jerkin blue, This strange appearance viewing, First d-d his eyes, in great surprise, Then said some mischief's brewing. "These kegs, I'm told, the rebels bold, Pack'd up like pickl'd herring; And they're come down t' attack the town In this new way of ferry'ng.” The soldier flew, the sailor too, And scar'd almost to death, sir, Wore out their shoes, to spread the news, And ran till out of breath, sir. Now up and down throughout the town, Most frantic scenes were acted; And some ran here, and others there, Like men almost distracted. Some fire cry'd, which some denied, But said the earth had quaked; And girls and boys, with hideous noise, Ran thro' the streets half naked. Sir William he, snug as a flea, Lay all this time a snoring, Nor dream'd of harm as he lay warm, In bed with Mrs. L*r*ng. Now in a fright, he starts upright, Awak'd by such a clatter; He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries, For God's sake, what's the matter? At his bed-side, he then espy'd, Sir Erskine, at command, sir, Upon one foot, he had one boot, And th' other in his hand, sir. "Arise, arise,-sir Erskine cries, The rebels-more's the pity, Without a boat are all afloat, And rang'd before the city. "The motley crew, in vessels new, And British courage doubted." The cannons roar from shore to shore, The small arms loud did rattle, Since wars began I'm sure no man E'er saw so strange a battle. The rebel dales, the rebel vales With rebel trees surrounded; The distant wood, the hills and floods, With rebel echoes sounded. The fish below swam to and fro, Why sure, thought they, the devil's to pay, 'Mongst folks above the water. The kegs, 'tis said, tho' strongly made, From morn to night these men of might A hundred men with each a pen, It is most true would be too few, Such feats did they perform that day, † Sir Wm. Erskine. FEMALE PATRIOTISM. From the Richmond Enquirer. The M. S. of the following interesting letter was politely forwarded to us by a gentleman of Baltimore, and was found among some old papers of a distinguished lady of Philadelphia.-It is a copy of a letter from a lady of Philadelphia to a British officer at Boston, written immediately after the battle of Lexington, and previous to the declaration of independence-it fully exhibits the feelings of those times.-A finer spirit never animated the breasts of the Roman matrons, than the following letter breathes: your All ranks of men amongst us are in arms. Nothing is heard now in our streets but the trumpet and drum; and the universal cry is "Americans to arms." All y friends are officers: there are captain S. D. lieut. B. and captain J. S. We have five regiments in the city and county of Philadelphia, complete in arms and uniform, and very expert at their military manœuvres. We have companies of light horse, light infantry, grenadiers, riflemen, and Indians, several companies of artillery, and some excellent brass cannon and field pieces. Add to this, that every county in Pennsylvania, and the Delaware government, can send two thousand men to the field. Heaven seems to smile on us, for in the memory of man never were known such quantities of flax, and sheep without number. We are making powder fast, and do not want for ammunition. In short, we want for nothing but ships of war to defend us, which we could procure by making alliances; but such is our attachment tion, and cannot bear the thoughts of throwing off all dependence on her, which such a step would assuredly lead to. The God of mercy will, I hope, open the eyes of our king that he may see, while in seeking our destruction, he will go near to complete his own. It is my ardent prayer that the effusion of blood may be stopped. We hope yet to see you in this city, a friend to the liberties of America, which will give infinite satisfaction to, Your sincere friend, To Captain S. in Boston. Sir-We received a letter from you-wherein you let Mr. S. know that you had written after the battle of Lexington, particularly to me-knowing my martial spirit-that I would delight to read the exploits of heroes. Surely, my friend, you must mean the New England heroes, as they alone performed exploits worthy of fame-to Great Britain, that we sincerely wish for reconciliawhile the regulars, vastly superior in numbers, were obliged to retreat with a rapidity unequalled, except by the French at the battle of Minden. Indeed, general Gage gives them their due praise in his letter home, where he says lord Percy was remarkable for his activity. You will not, I hope, take offence at any expression that, in the warmth of my heart, should escape me, when I assure you, that though we consider you as a public enemy, we regard you as a private friend; and while we detest the cause you are fighting for, we wish well to your own personal interest and safety. Thus far by way of apology. As to the martial spirit you suppose me to possess, you are greatly mistaken. I tremble at the thoughts of war; but of all wars, a civil one: our all is at stake; and we are called upon by every tie that is dear and sacred to exert the spirit that Heaven has given to us in this righteous struggle for liberty. DRY GOODS. C. S. [Niles's Acts of Rev. Prior to '93, and afterwards, that inimitable, native artist and carver in wood, William Rush, of this city, I will tell you what I have done. My only brother I now living, had been delighting and astonishing the nahave sent to the camp with my prayers and blessings; I tives, both here and in the English seaports, after the hope he will not disgrace me; I am confident he will peace, by his admirable copies from nature, of ship figure behave with honour, and emulate the great examples heads. In particular, those of the North American Inhe has before him; and had I twenty sons and brothers dian Chief, in the limited varieties of the nose jewell, they should go. I have retrenched every superfluous mocasin and blanket costume. Placing him also, in exexpense in my table and family; tea I have not drank act position, either, as drawing his arrow to the head, since last Christmas, nor bought a new cap or gown at the supposed bounding deer; flourishing his tomasince your defeat at Lexington, and what I never did hawk, with fatal aim, for the distant death blow; or else, before, have learnt to knit, and am now making stock-in attitude of solemn thought, with his arms folded ings of American wool for my servants, and this way do within his blanket drawn closely around him, and show. I throw in my mite to the public good. I know this, ing exactly the contour of his brawny person and limbs. that as free I can die but once, but as a slave I shall not The frontlet of distinction fastened upon his forehead, be worthy of life. I have the pleasure to assure you and pinioned behind with the eagle's plume. The head that these are the sentiments of all my sister Americans. closely shaved, leaving only the single tuft of black hair, They have sacrificed both assemblies, parties of plea- to aid in the scalping. The eye brows drawn closely sure, tea drinking and finery to that great spirit of pa- together, under the compress of thought, emanating, triotism, that actuates all degrees of people throughout as it were, possibly, from the "great spirit," softening this extensive continent. If these are the sentiments of down within his eye of flame, the native savage fire of females, what must glow in the breasts of our husbands, revenge, cherished by him as a virtue, into gentle pity brothers and sons? They are as with one heart deter- for the devoted object before him; his faithful dog, invamined to die or be free. It is not a quibble in politics, riably in company, crouching at his heels. Each figure a science which few understand, which we are contend-head was so admirably brought out, from its original ing for; it is this plain truth, which the most ignorant peasant knows, and is clear to the weakest capacity, that no man has a right to take their money without their consent. The supposition is ridiculous and absurd, as none but highwaymen and robbers attempt it. Can you, my friend, reconcile it with your own good sense, that a body of men in Great Britain, who have little intercourse with America, and of course know nothing of us, nor are supposed to see or feel the misery they would inflict upon us, shall invest themselves with a power to command our lives and properties, at all times and in all cases whatsoever? You say you are no politician. Oh, sir, it requires no Machiavelean head to develope this, and to discover this tyranny and oppression. It is written with a sunbeam. Every one will see and know it because it will make them feel, and we shall be unworthy of the blessings of Heaven, if we ever submit to it. block of wood, and coloured to the life, by the painter, under directions from the sculptor, that the beholder would be almost ready to imagine he heard the distant savage yell. He also carved a figure head, as large as life, for the ship Washington, of this port, exhibiting a capital likeness of the President, in full uniform as commander-in-chief, pointing with his finger at some distant object, and holding a perspective glass grasped in his left hand. It was reported here, at the time, that on the arrival of this figure head, in the port of London, it caused no small sensation there, by the perfection manifest in all its parts and proportion, as a statue likeness in wood. When here, the ship always attracted crowds of spectators to the place, after she had hauled in at Clifford's wharf, near the Old Maid's Dock." About this time, on the arrival of the spring and fall ships from England, the pavements, all along Front strect, from Walnut to Arch street, used to be lumber. ed and strewed before the doors of the Importing Dry Mrs. Holland, in her person, was of vast breadth and Goods Merchants, with boxes and bales of English mer- bulk, and seeming too unwieldy for her vocation as the chandize, landed from the ships Pigou, the Adriana, the "principal salesman," but she had the name of excelling Washington, and the Grange, from London and Liver-in it by her patient devotion to the varied wants and pool. The boxes and bales, every one of them, bearing whims of her customers, and her unceasing fascinating the initials of each importer's name, marked upon them. smiles towards purchasers of the smallest amount. Both The clerks employed by the merchants-their apprenti- of these cheap shops used to be crowded from morning ces and subordinates, all busy as bees in their several till night: so much so, that Mrs. Holland never opened vocations; some with sharp knives, and claw hammers, her door until nine o'clock in the morning. ripping and breaking open the bales and boxes, and others within door exhibiting the goods as salesmen, with the emblematical feather, stuck behind the ear,altogether forming a pleasant, bustling rivalship, among the importers, and competition, in making sales; but no monopoly. Among the country "store keepers" of the time, and the traders from the "Backwoods" of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the region round about, James Sterling, of New Jersey, was pre-eminent, and most renowned for the extent of his purchases from the importing merchants, and the rapidity with which he made them, every spring and fall. His store in Burlington, had the name of having every thing to sell, and where any thing and every thing was to be purchased, from the Jersey plough, down to the triangular goose yoke. As remembered, James Sterling was of middle height and size, square built, strong and active in his movements, plain in his dress, and not of many words; a round full face and san. guine complexion-at first sight, his large grey eyes looking at you from beneath his bushy eye brows, indi Mr. John G-st, with a slight halt in his gait, and a pleasant smiling countenance, was to be seen of mornings, here and there, among the stores, or at Connelly or Footman's auctions, picking up bargains for the shop. The sales within door, conducted by two sisters, handsome young ladies, "gay quakers," and designated faThe City Retailers, principally Females, were to be miliarly as the "Miss G-sts;" also by two plainly dressseen, hovering about, as butterflies near the rivulet;-ed young gentlemen, who have since been, both of them, mingling among the men, and viewing with admiration, eminent merchants in the city; but who at that time anthe rich displays of British chintzes, muslins and cali-swered each others call, as Charles and Robert—all of coes of the latest London fashions-all business trans- them very popular among the purchasers, for their seactions, were computed in pounds, shillings, pence, and renity, their affability and pleasantness of manner while farthings, as in Old England, upon the principles taught making sales. by Dilworth's arithmetic, re-printed here, for the use of schools, by Joseph Crookshank, in 1791. Dollars and cents wero only as yet, to be found in the reports of Secretary Hamilton. Among many "signs of the times," remembered, but now no more, there were, in Front street; Stuart & Barr, Thomas Orr, Robert Smith, Emanuel Walker, Pattison Hartshorne, John Field, Clow & Co. Knox & Henderson, Hugh Cochran, Richard Vaux, Drinker and Thomas, and Jacob Baker; James I Mazurie for French goods, and Holmes and Rainey for Irish linens. In Chesnut street, James Calbraith, James Hawthorn, John Shields, John Oldden and John Smith; at the corner of Lodge Alley, in South Second street, James Smith, Jr. and in North Second street, Thomas Barton and J. W, Gibbs. In Market street, William Wister, William Chancellor, and George Bick-cated a severity of manner-but no, they only seemed ham. In the city, the shopkeepers were in number, no more, than as one to one hundred, at the present day. The first fancy retail Hardware Store, with bulk windows, remembered, was the one, opened by James Stokes, in what had been the Old Coffee House, at the, south west corner of Market and Front streets. The buck handled "Barlow," penknives, the gilt and plated The only public water conveyance between this city buttons, and the scissors, curiously arranged, on circular and Burlington, was by way of "Meyers' Boats," from cards, (a new idea,) and the bulk windows, lighted up, Arch street wharf. These boats, on Sunday mornings, at night, (a new thing) was a source of great gratifica- in summer time, used to be crowded with all sorts of tion to the boys, and the country market people, loung-people huddled together upon their little decks. From ing about with arms folded, on Tuesday and Friday evenings. to say he was a man of business, and not to be trifled with. His active zeal for "the church," his "labour of love" in lodging, comfortably, the wayfaring itinerant preacher, and washing the "saint's feet" whenever necessary, was "sounded out" every where, within the Methodist connexion at that time. the wharves, and to the spectators who had seen them off under full sail, they seemed at times, to be almost ready to capsize, on being taken by the first light staggering breeze, from the westward; while approaching the Old Glass House, then in ruins, near Kensington, (now Dyott's,) or bearing away from Point No Point, towards the Jersey shore. Compared with the present mode of conveyance, on the same route, by the powerful steam boat, ploughing the Delaware, at the rate of ten miles the hour, against wind and tide, with furrows of white foam, on each side, and the undulating wave behind; the splendid dining cabin, decorated with emblematic paintings by the first artists; the spacious deck, covered with passengers; exhibiting, from a side view, to the admiring spectator, standing on the shore, a line of ladies, seated and decorated about the head, as taste and fancy might suggest-from the white satin, plain bonnet, to the whimsical Leghorn, or dashing Navarino; altogether, producing an effect to the eye similar to a row of variegated tulips, at the hoisted parlour window; elegantly defended from the heat, by the wide stretched awning over head; One evening, among a group of gazers from about Conestoga, one of them exclaimed to the others in Pennsylvania German, "Cook a mole, har, Cook do!" "meiner sale!"-The first brilliant fancy retail dry goods shop, with bulk windows, as remembered, was opened by a Mr. Whitesides, from London, as 'twas said, in the true "Bond street style," at No. 134 Market street, in the house now occupied by Mr. Thomas Natt. The then uncommon sized lights in the two bulks, and the fine mull mull and jaconet muslins, the chintzes, and linens suspended in whole pieces, from the top to the bottom, and entwined together in puffs and festoons, (totally new,) and the shop-man, behind the counter, powdered, bowing and smiling, caused it to be "all the stare" for a time. There being too much of the "pouncet box," in the display however, and the "vile Jersey half pence, with a horse head thereon" being wrapped up, when given in change in whitey brown paper, with a counter bow to the ladies, seeming rather too civil by half for the (as yet) primitive notions of our city folks-it gradually settled down into plain shop, like other people. The buyers of bargains at this time, were divided in their preferences between the two famous cheap shops, then in full competition-one by Mr. John G-st, at No. 30, Thus compared, the amiable little sloop, or passage South Second street, and the other by Mrs. Hannah boat, of that day, would sink, into comparative insigniHolland, at No. 2, North Front street, on the cast side.ficance; and yet the scramble to get on board, for a -"with seats beneath the shade For talking age, and whispering lovers made.” good stand or a chance seat-(taking good care to dodge STATE HOUSE STEEPLE. MR. POULSON, As the erection of the new steeple on the state house has caused much enquiry about the old, I have overhauled the numerous papers in my possession respecting the erection of public buildings of old times, and find: That the contract with the carpenters, for building the state house, was in March, 1732. That the work was measured by Samuel Powell, Samuel Rhoades, Joseph Fox, and John Nicholas, in several parts, for the then province, and the county of Philadelphia, in 1740, 1741. That the steeple was raised Nov. 4, 1741, and the bell put therein April 17, 1753. And that the steeple was taken down, July 16th, 1781. The following bill passed the House of Representa tives on Tuesday. An act authorising a loan for the continuance of the Penn sylvania Canal and Rail Road and for other purposes. SECT. 1. That the Governor be and he is hereby authorised to borrow on the credit of the commonwealth, a sum or sums of money in the whole not exceeding eight hundred thousand dollars, and the sum or sums so borrowed shall be paid to and vested in the commission. ers of the internal improvement fund, to be applied by them in the manner and for such purposes as are or shall be directed by law, and in case offers shall not be made within the time specified by the Governor for loaning sums of one thousand dollars or more, but less in the aggregate than the whole amount authorised to be bor rowed, at an interest not exceeding five per centum per annum, then the Governor, if he deems the whole sum necessary, may receive proposals for loaning the whole sum proposed at one time at an interest not ex ceeding five per centum per annum: Irovided, That no engagement or contract shall be entered into, which shall preclude the commonwealth from reimbursing any sum or sums thus borrowed at any time after the expiration of twenty five years from the first day of January next. SECT. 2. That the Governor be and he is hereby authorised, to cause to be constituted, certificates of stock, signed by the Auditor General and countersigned by the State Treasurer, setting forth that they pertain to the canal loan for the sums so borrowed by virtue of this act, or for any part thereof, bearing an interest not exceeding five per centum per annum and reimbursable as aforesaid, which stock thus created shall be transfer. able on the books of the Auditor General or at the bank of Pennsylvania, by the owner or owners of the same, his, her or their attorney, and new certificates of them shall be issued by the Auditor General and State Treasurer to the new holders. And it is hereby further declared, that it shall be deemed to be a good execution of the said power to borrow, for the Governor of this commonwealth to cause the said certificates of stock or any part thereof for any amount not less than one thou. sand dollars, as may be judged best adapted for the purpose, to be sold, and the faith of the commonwealth is hereby pledged to establish a sufficient revenue for making up any deficiency that may hereafter take place in the funds appropriated for paying said interest and reimbursing said principal. SECT. 3. That the State Treasurer be and he is hereby authorised and directed to pay to the commission ers of the internal improvement fund any sum of money from the treasury not otherwise appropriated, which in the opinion of said commissioners can be done without embarrassing the ordinary operations thereof, in anticipation of the loan provided for in this act, to be applied as is directed by the several acts authorising the surveys of routes and the construction of canals and rail roads, and the expenses incident thereto, and as soon as the loan authorised by the first section of this act shall have been made, and the moneys arising therefrom shall have been received to a sufficient amount, the amount of money so taken from the treasury shall be repaid thereto by the commissioners of said fund. To repeal this act at the present moment, before it shall have gone into operation, the avowed desideratum of the movers of this enquiry, would, in the opinion of your committee, evince a weakness and vascillation, on the part of the legislature, not less derogatory to their high character than detrimental to the best interests of the community. In their enactment of this law, the legislature were not unmindful that the substitution of a wholesome for a spurious currency, like all other radical changes in human institutions, must inevitably be accompanied with partial inconveniences; hence the operation of the law was postponed, and ample time affored to prepare for SECT. 4. That if any further funds be required for this event. It is within the knowledge of your comthe purpose of the Pennsylvania canal and rail road, in mittee, that in many parts of the commonwealth, advanaddition to the amount provided for in the foregoing tage has been taken of this cautionary provision, to presection, previous to the negotiation and receipt of the pare for the operation of the law at the appointed time, permanent loan provided for by this act, then and in and it is believed, that by far the more considerable porsuch case the Governor be and he is hereby authorised tion of the state is thus prepared. If some sections to negotiate a temporary loan not to exceed eight hun- thereof, resting upon the faith of successful importunidred thousand dollars at an interest not exceeding fivees for a repeal of the law, or on their own determinaper centum per annum for the amount so required, with tion to disregard its wholesome previsions, have been any bank, corporation, or individual, or individuals, as supinely neglectful of the salutary and paternal voice of in his opinion may be most advantageous, the monies so the legislature, the fault is not chargeable to the law itborrowed to be applied to the purposes set forth in the self, but those who are bound to obey it, and furnishes third section of this act, and to be repaid to the lender no argument against the wholesomeness of its provi or lenders out of the permanent loan authorised by the sions, or reason for a repeal thercof. If indeed the pofirst section of this act within six months after the pas-sition assumed by some memorialists, that the inhibition sage of this act. of these small notes will deprive them altogether of a circulating medium, was correct, in that case the law certainly would be to them a grievance. But to this position, your committee cannot for one moment assent: the fears of the memorialists on this head are entirely The above bill has passed three readings in the Senate, and only wants the signature of the Governor to become a law.-Harr. Chronicle. It is now a law. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON SMALL NOTES. groundless. The scarcity of metallic currency among Thursday, Dec. 18. them has been occasioned by the introduction of these notes-they have either taken the place of the coin which was at one time employed in circulating the anIn Senate Mr. Kerlin, from the committee on banks, nual produce of the land and labour of that portion of which was directed by a resolution of the 10th inst to country, or having been originally introduced there, enquire into the expediency of repealing the law passed have since been used to the entire exclusion of a metalon the 11th day of April, 1828, entitled an act concern-lic currency. Let them but drive small notes out of ciring small notes for the payment of money, and to which has also been referred divers memorials upon that subject, reported: That the system of policy pursued by the legislature for a number of years, in their endeavours to restrain the circulation, within this state, of notes of a less denomination than five dollars, is in the opinion of your committee, founded in the soundest principles of political economy, and if persisted in, cannot fail of producing the most beneficial results to the community. Of this system, your committee are of opinion, that the act of the last session forms a most important feature. Previous to the passage of this act the efforts of the legislature had been alone directed to control corporations of their own creation in their issues of this paper, but the act strikes at the evil in a different shape, by rendering penal the use of this species of circulating medium, wherever and by whomsoever issued. Your committee are not aware of any change of circumstances affecting the interests of the community, calculated to induce an alteration of the deliberately expressed opinion of the legislature at their last session; on the contrary, this appears to be the appropriate time; business of all kinds continues in a flourishing condition, productive labour and capital, the great sources of wealth and prosperity, are fully employed. No moment, therefore, could be more propitious than the present for the ample restoration of a currency of intrinsic value to the small channels of circulation. The argument (and it is the only plausible one advanced by any of the memorialists) that small notes are of convenience in facilitating the transmission by mail of small sums of money, however correct in itself, is trivial in comparison to the evils arising from the circulation throughout the community, of an unsound medium of exchange. culation, and specie and notes of a larger denomination, of each in proportion to the wants and convenience of the community, will inevitably take place. The local situation of some portions of the state, will not form an exception to this theory. If the paper in the small channels of circulation cannot be exchanged for specie on demand, it is most certainly not the value it purports to be, and these industrious citizens of the state are exchanging the produce of their land and labour for a fictitious, instead of real value. It is admitted by the memorialists, that if the law was general, embracing the neighbouring states of New York, Ohio, &c. specie would be forced into circulation. To this suggestion, your committee would remark, that in order that such a law should become general, a commencement must be made somewhere. Maryland has made this commencement. Pennsylvania came next into the measure, and it is confidently believed, that the states bordering on her will follow the example of her sister states in the adoption of a similar policy-if not immediately, most certainly at no remote period-when its beneficial and salutary effects shall have been developed by actual experience. Your committee therefore, most earnestly and unanimously recommend the following resolution: Resolved, That it is inexpedient to repeal the law of the last session, entitled an act concerning small notes for the payment of money. Laid on the table. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS Relative to the act concerning Small Notes for the payment of Money. Mr. SNYDER, Chairman. Read in the House of Representatives, December 18, 1828. The committee on banks, to whom were referred sundry petitions and remonstrances, relative to the re |