1831.] SIR WILIAM KEITH'S ADMINISTRATION. 265 cate, if demanded, in order to recommend him to another service." "You'll plainly discover what is meant by all this. I think it means no more than to raise compassion in the populace, whom you know he has courted in the most abject manner; for I believe he is so far from thinking (if he is to be believed in any thing he says) that it is in the power of the proprietary's family to displace him, under the present posture of their affairs, that he thinks it impossible for them to remove him: And should any of that family come over as governor, (without the royal approbation,) I am of opinion he would not resign." His treachery and his arts had so much success in exciting the animosity of the colonists against the propritary government, that the true friends of the province and of the Penns were able only to utter an unheard and unavailing protest. In a letter to John Penn, James Logan observes: "Sir William Keith, in the latter years of his government, had so far succeeded in his ambitious designs of making himself wholly independent of the proprietor's family, that amongst the populace that family could scarcely be mentioned without a slight. That he was a gentleman of great natural abilities, and no less art, we were all fully sensible; and as he well knew how to lay hold of men by their weak sides, he had gained over to his interest the greater part of the whole country. Some few, who could see further, were proof against his baits, and particularly J. Langhorne, who, with some few of his friends, had interest enough in his county to carry the election there, and to furnish our assemblies with eight members yearly, who, with two or three more, as they could from time to time be found amongst those of other counties and be prevailed on, were such a clog of the governor's schemes, that he could not often carry them in that house. His interest and influence, however, gradually increased, and was at a great height, when happily Col. Gordon was sent over to supersede Sir William's commission. emolument, he did indeed make his first address to the assembly; but then all he said was in popular language. He did not so much as name the proprietary, and his hints were such as could not be misunderstood, that, in case they would pay him well, he would serve them well." However, for some time he kept terms with his constituents and his council-perhaps he could find no suitable grievance or occasion for a quarrel; and indeed it was difficult to discover any act of premeditated encroachment or oppression on the part of the proprie tary government. A contemporary letter says, "the governor, soon after his first arrival, was advised that the best means to advance his interest with the people, would be to fall in with David Lloyd, and those who opposed the proprietary interests, so far as to make that step of passing laws with that assembly without any real concurrence of his council; but some others of his countrymen, in whom he also very much confided at that time, viz. William Trent, who was speaker of that assembly, and Andrew Hamilton, advising very earnest ly against it, he seemed to fall in very cordially with the council, till such time as some late mobbish elections were set on foot; upon which in hopes of advancing his interest more affectually by countenancing these, he changed sides again, and now acts his present part." As it is not my object to complete a biographical sketch of Governor Keith, I will not detail nor criticise the acts of his administration. They are to be found elsewhere. Those who will turn to the severe but admirable letter of Hannah Penn, addressed in 1724, to Sir William,* will see how just were the causes of complaint which that excellent woman had against her deputy. This letter has been condemned, as containing both doctrines and precepts at variance with the charter of 1701-which does not confer on the council that authority and consideration which this letter as well as previous instructions to the lieutenant governor directed him to yield. But, I do not know how men of intellect could deny to the proprietaries the absolute right of instructing and controlling their deputy in the exercise "As this gentleman (Gordon) had no experience, no of his legislative functions-or argue that they could turn for government, nor any great abilities to engage not forbid him to act in affairs of moment without the with a person consummate in them all, (good judgment consent of counsellors, amongst whom were men of the alone excepted,) and who had also the advantage of the greatest honour, understanding, and experience of the populace, especially of Philadelphia, on his side; 'tis colony. Without this check and control-the democ-easy to imagine what vast labor and contrivance, and racy of the assembly, with an unprincipled governor, how exact a conduct it required to gain on so powerful would have possessed a power which Wm. Penn never an opposition. But, on the other hand, as he appeared would have conferred-a power destructive of all the a person of probity and sincerity, great honor, and good proprietary interests in Pennsylvania. nature, and perfectly disposed to be advised by his friends, with these, and with the advantage of authority on his side, he, with the assiduous endeavours of those on whom he depended, gradually made his way into the esteem of those of judgment: but, during those two years nearly that Keith continued among us, our struggles were hard, and vast difficulties were to be overcome, and Sir William, even at his departure, left such a poison behind him, that after he was gone his adherents did all in their power to plunge us in a war with the Indians; a crime that ought never to be forgiven those persons in a public capacity, however civilly in other respects it may be proper to treat them." Sir William, who, at the time of the receipt of this letter was loosing his popularity among the colonists, and his influence in the legislature, determined to betray the private instructions of his constituents. He delivered the letter to the assembly, and, by the outcry and misinterpretations of his partisans, so inflamed the passions, and excited the prejudices of the populace, that he soon regained his former place in the affections of the ignorant and base. His mean, sycophantic addresses to assembly deserve particular reprobation, and gained for him the hatred and contempt of many of the best men of the province. For the conclusion of the career of Governor Keith, I cannot do better than use the words of a distinguished lady, who is better acquainted than any one with this period of our provincial history. Jeremiah Langhorne, one of the worthiest and most influential inhabitants, for many years speaker of assembly, and afterwards chief justice, in a letter, dated February, 1724, says, that the governor, having invited the house, with whom he was not at that time on very good "In the spring of this year (1728) Sir William Keith terms, "to take a glass and pipe with him," made a long left the province; his ambitious projects to secure him harangue to them, in which he challenged them to let self in the government having totally failed him. Much him know, "whose petition he had refused-whose is said in the letters of James Logan respecting his incomplaint he had not heard; and demanded of them, triguing spirit and dishonourable behaviour, both in the as justice and his right, to let him know wherein he had latter years of his government, and during the time he not discharged his duty to the public, that he might stayed in Pennsylvania after the arrival of Col. Gordon, guard against any thing of the kind for the future; and to whom he was so personally uncivil, that the old veif they had nothing to charge him with, to say so-forteran proposed to him once at New Castle to take a boat it would be very unjust for any man to deny a good and go over on the Jersey shore, where they would be servant that had served out his time faithfully, a certifi- on an equal footing. But this put a stop to Sir WilSee Register, vol. 5, page 268. liam's declamations against the proprietors. 34 VOL. VIJI. 1 266 SIR WILLIAM KEITH'S ADMINISTRATION. "After he found himself superseded, he trusted that his popularity, which he had most assiduously cultivated, would place him in a situation to benefit himself and irritate his enemies; and accordingly, with a view to the speaker's chair, got himself chosen a representative to the assembly from Philadelphia county; boasting that if he was to be no longer governor, the devil himself should not prevent him from being speaker. But in this he had to contend with a candidate equal in popular favor, David Lloyd, who numbered amongst his friends all those of the popular party who felt or desired to be thought to feel, gravity and seriousness. Whilst Sir William principally swayed the more free and less religious part of the community, his party being called Keithians, a name of reproach at that time in Pennsylvania, from the followers of George Keith, of apostate memory, being so designated. It was at the election of 1726, that Sir William was chosen; and on the day the assembly met, he rode into town with a cavalcade of eighty horse. Yet he was not so much as named as speaker, for every vote but three was given to David Lloyd, who then professed a reconciliation with James Logan, a just regard to the proprietor's family, and a great friendship for Col. Gordon, whom he believed, he said, to be a really honest man. [остоит soon after the failure of his excise bill, to which Sir Robert indignantly replied, "I have Old England set against me, and do you think I will have New England likewise?" An answer worthy of that minister, who, some years before, on hearing of the discontent which Swift had excited in Ireland, on occasion of the patent granted to Wood, replied, "If, after all, the Irish should dislike the plan, I shall give it up, as i could never wish to oppose the general opinion of a country." But what shall we say of our popular governor? After this statement, it seems almost unnecessary to add a character of Sir William Keith. He was a man of good talents, respectable acquirements, and genteel address; but he was artful,avaricious, and without principle. His deportment towards the proprietaries was ungrateful and treacherous, and his private conduct (for an instance of which I may refer to Franklin's Biography) was unworthy of a gentlemen. If, under his government, many useful laws were passed, I know not why he should have the chief credit for them; and his popularity with the people was any thing but honourable, since it was the result of meanness and sycophancy. His talents were certainly far superior to those of his two contemptible predecessors, and his administration more respectable; but he will hardly comSir William's friends found themselves thus in a help-pare with either of his successors in dignity, in integriless minority. What his schemes afterwards were can- ty, or in the faithful performance of the divided duty not now be so well ascertained; but it is certain that to the proprietors and the people. J. F. FISHER. persecuted by creditors, whom he had not the means of satisfying or silencing, he quitted the field of action.- Narrative of Sr W. Keith's coming to the Govt of Pennsyla An old letter now before me gives the following ac and his Conduct in it, &c. count of his departure; after stating the various rumors that he had been sent for to Europe, in order to receive In ye year 1715, Sr Wm Keith, then Wm Keith, a new commission for the government, &c. and that oth- Esqr. being in America and out of all employ, and in his ers "thought he had been made uneasy by some judg- Travells happened to come to Pennsylvania, the gentlements against him, and a fresh demand on him from Eu- men of the Council in that Province, who were the Prorope for £500 sterling, which made him think fit to de-prietor's Friends, in compassion to his distressed cirsert his bail; however this be, (continues the letter, cumstances, recommended him to ye said late Proprietor which is dated March 30th, 1728,) this is the fact, that Penn, who was then in England. Sir William Keith, about twelve days since, went very Mr. Keith no sooner arriv'd in Britain, and presented privately down from hence (Philadelphia) in a boat to himself with the recommendation aforesd to ye late ProNew Castle, attended only by his friend, Wm. Chancel-prietor Mr. Penn and his Friends, but a commission in lor, and went with one small trunk only, on board Capt. Colvell's ship, then lying before that place, and bound for Europe, and that he staid in her two days so very privately, that not one in the place knew of it besides the collector, his son-in-law, and the parson George Ross; for that all the other inhabitants had the first news of his departure from this place after the ship had sailed." ye usual form was granted to him, to be Deputy Governour of Pensylvania, and the three Lower Countys of New Castle, Kent and Sussex on Dellaware, and likewise advanc'd to ye sd Mr. Keith a considerable sum of money to Provide himself wth necessaries, in Order to his Transporting himself and family to Pensylvania, where he arriv'd in May 1717. At his coming into yt Government, he was kindly reKeith's conduct as a member of the legislature was so ceived by the People; and the Proprietor's Friends, dishonourable and violent that he quickly lost the good Especially, us'd all their Interest to get him an honouropinion of his friends. He attempted to thwart every able support, and Accordingly the first year his Support measure of his successor, and threatened to wrest the and Perquisites which he receiv'd from yt government, government from the proprietary family; but notwith-amounted to about £1600, together with a sum exceedstanding all his boasts and threats, as his views became understood, his power declined; and before he left America, he had drawn upon himself universal contempt and detestation. He attempted, indeed, to vindicate his conduct in a pamphlet printed in New York and Maryland; but this, says a contemporary letter, "served to expose his vanity and folly." ing that, which belonged to his Majesty, and which remains unaccounted for in his hands at this day. And every year since except this last, the said Government has been worth at least £1800 Pensylvania money to him. Upon the death of the late Proprietor, Wm Penn, his son Wm Penn, in the year 1719, sent over a new commission to Sr Wm Keith to be Governour of the Province of Pensylvania and the Countys aforesd. But Sr Wm learning the late Proprietor had made a Will, and therein devised the government in Trust to be sold, &c. the sd Sr Wm, without any further information, or so much as taking any notice of the said commission, or On his return to England, he found himself without reputation, influence, or money. He was perhaps induced by his distress to undertake a history of the different colonies, for which he was sufficiently qualified both in mind and by education. He began with Virginia, and though his production was quite respectable, he was not encouraged to proceed with his underta-acquainting any of the Proprietor's family, sent home a king. I have found but one later notice of him, and that alone is sufficient, among Americans, to render his name forever infamous. It was he who first suggested to the British ministry the idea of taxing the colonies. In Coxe's Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, we find it particularly stated, that Sir William Keith, late governor of Pennsylvania, proposed this project to the great statesman very unjust representation of the State of that Government,and thereupon by his Friend's, without the privity of any of the Proprietor's family, obtained a letter from Mr. Delayfay, purporting that, by an Order of the then Lord Justices, ye said Sr Wm should continue to act upon his former appointment, untill his Majesty's or the Proprietor's Pleasure should be known. Sr Wm upon the receipt of this letter, openly declar'd 1831.] SIR WILLIAM KEITH'S ADMINISTRATION. himself to hold the government Immediately to the And altho' he knew the soil of the said Province and Countys were then (and still are) vested in Trustees by the sd late Proprietor for the Payment of a part of a large Debt contracted in ye settling and improving the sd Province and Countys, which Trustees, with ye assent and approbation of the said late Proprietor Penn, appointed commissioners in Pensylvania to dispose of Lands, and receive the Quit-Rents of that Country, for ye use of the sd Trustees towards Payment of the sd Debt and Interest: Yet, ye sd Govr Keith, in order to Establish his Title to the sd Tract of Land and suppos'd Copper Mine, attempted to get a return of the said survey (tho' not finish'd) entered in the Council books, but the same being oppos'd by all the Members of the Council except two, as being a Breach of his Commission and Instructions, and against the known Laws and Constitution of the sd Province, he thereupon told them he wanted not their Concurrence, for he did not hold himself oblig'd to take their advice, but call'd them there as solemn Witnesses of his acts; and added further, he knew no Power in that Government to sell Lands, or manage the Affairs of Property Except himself, which has had a very fatal Effect upon the Proprietor's Affairs in ye Country ever since. Ye sd Sr Wm either removing all the Proprietor's Friends from any Place of Trust in that Government, or otherwise discountenan cing them, so that they could not be of any service to his Affairs there, which was ill taken by the Generality of the People of that Province. But in the year 172* in conjunction with the meanest and needy people of the Governmt who are always a Majority, set a Project on foot to get a paper Currency Established by an Act of Assembly, and to bring this to pass, in his Public Speeches he inveyed much against those whom he called rich men as Persons having a design of enslaving the Poor honest Laborious part of mankind,and therefore they ought to be upontheirguard, so that, by such management, he stirr'd up a great uneasiness in the Minds of the Common People thro' the whole Province, and it had the desired effect, for they chose an Assembly, that year, consisting generally of such as were very much indebted. 267 the Assenbly a Letter from the Board of Trade in Bri- His letter from Mrs. Penn was privately deliver'd to the Governour by the said J. Logan, but he, instead of keeping it secret, talked of it publickly as an invasion of the People's rights and Priviledges, and he wrote a letter to Mrs. Penn, by Coll Spotswood, his great Friend, late Governour of Virginia, which came not to her hands till some time in December 1724, in which, with great Haughtiness and disregard he tells Mrs. Penn he cannot observe her instructions, because they are not only repugnant to the Constitution, but inconsistent and contradictory in themselves, and instead of waiting untill he could have an answer from Mrs. Penn, he in a speech to the Assembly in January 1725 exposed the said private instructions to the Assembly and the letter he had wrote to Mrs. Penn, and made a merit of his having opposed the Proprietary Interest to save them, and secure to them the Priviledges against such unjust attempts, and by all the ways and means in his power, both by Speeches and Messages, inflamed the Assembly to that Degree, that they passed a Vote that some part of the Widow Penn's Instructions were contradictory to, and an infringment of the Libertys and Privileges by Charter granted to the People of this Province. He has continued ever since, notoriously to decry the right of the Proprietor's Family, and Expose the Commissioners of Property, and sending his Emissarys about to get Petitions in his Favor from the people, denys the Authority of Mr. Penn's Family, and is EndeaIn the year 1722 the sd William with the said Assem-vouring to deprive them of both the Governm't and bly, passed an act for emitting the sum of £15,000 paper Property of the 3 Lower Counties. money to be lent on the security of the People's Lands in that Province. Great opposition was made to this act by the Majority of the Councill, but the use he made of that was only to animate the Assembly and Common People still the more against the Councill, who first proposed that the act should be sent home for his Majesty's Royall Approbation before it should take Effect. 2ndly. That all sums of Money due or Payable to his Majesty should be excepted out of the act. 3dly. That all the Debts due to the Proprietor's and English merchants should be excepted. But all was rejected. In 1723 he again, together with the Assembly, made another act for emitting $30,000 paper money, and immediately after he had passed the said Act he acquaint ed the Assembly of the necessity there was to raise money for an Agent in England to stand by those Acts and to prevent their being damned, and in order to prevail upon them to send a sum of Money to Mr. Beake, to solicit the getting the Royall Assent to these acts for a Paper Currency, he communicated to Coll Spottwood upon his arrival in England (Mrs. Penn being indispos'd) deliver'd Sr William's Letter to of her Sons, insisted on Sr William's being continued and afterwards at a Meeting with two in his Governt, and he would undertake Sr William should have a due regard to their Instructions, but uptinuance, he then told them that if they proceeded to on their declining to give him any Assurance of his conhe had something in his power which he got at New remove St William from the Governmt of Pensylvania, York, that he would put in Execution much to our prejudice. The whole Family received daily Accounts from Pensylvania of the Governour's continuing to Act in direct opposition to their Interest, and to persecute some of the Commiss'rs of Property, did agree that Springet Penn, the Heir at Law, should with the consent and advice of the said Mrs. Penn, Commissionate Major Gordon, to be Deputy Governour of Pensylvania, the Earl Powlet having deelin'd acting, tho' requested by both sides of the Family, until the Controversy about the Will of the late Proprietor be determin'd. The said Major Gordon is accordingly commissionated by Springet Penn, and on Saturday last was presented by Petition to the King in Council for his Majesty's Royall approbation, in the same manner as it has been always granted, which was opposed by two Petitions, one from Col. Spotswood on behalf of Sr William, and another from Sr William's Creditors. GEORGE DENISON. [OCTOBER Accordingly, at an early age, he took charge of a store for the late Judge Hollenback; and although he soon discovered that it was not the sphere in which nature destined him to move, he gave the most perfect satis. faction to his employer. Anxious to gratify his friends, at whose solicitation he had engaged in the mercantile profession, he continued in the business until his enlarged and expanding intellect regarded it as too narrow and contracted for the employment of a liberal and enlightened mind. He therefore resolved to abandon a profession for which he believed he was not by nature intended, and which afforded him no intellectual enOBITUARY.-George Denison was the son of Col. joyments, and to fit himself for the study of one of the Nathan Denison, of Kingston, in Luzurne county. Col. learned professions. The death of his revered father Denison emigrated from Connecticut at an early day, about this period, at whose more particular instance he and settled in Wyoming Valley under the Susquehan- had engaged in the mercantile profession, left him at na Company. Whilst the State of Connecticut claimed liberty to pursue the natural bent of his inclinations. jurisdiction over this tract of country, the right of re- He therefore hastened to place himself at the Wilkespresentation in her legislative counsels was permitted Barre Academy, then under the care of an able and cfto the settlers; and Col. Denison was repeatedly cho- ficient principal. Here he made rapid progress in the sen by the people as their representative to the Con-languages, mathematics and all the various branches of necticut legislature. He took an active part, in a civil an English education; and it is confidently affirmed capacity, in the controversy between Pennsylvania and that very few who have received the honours of our Connecticut, in relation to the right of jurisdiction and colleges, excelled Mr. Denison in extent and accuracy the right of soil to this portion of Pennsylvania, until of knowledge in all the various kindred sciences fitting the dispute was decided at Trenton by Commissioners and necessary for a professional life. When he deemappointed for that purpose, when his opposition to the ed himself prepared to enter upon the study of a proclaims of Pennsylvania ceased. fession, he entered himself as a student of law, to which he applied himself with the utmost assiduity and attention. He never committed to memory, although no one possessed a memory more tenacious. He despised parroting his recitations, as is too common with stu dents of the profession. He read, he reflected, he understood. The principless of the law and the reasons upon which they are founded, were stated by him in his own language, always perspicuous and definite, and which evinced his attention in reading and his depth and accuracy of thought. During the Revolutionary war, a more decided whig, and a more devoted patriot, was not to be found, than Col. Denison. Wyoming was then a frontier settlement and was exposed to frequent incursions from the Indians and worse than savage tories. Their mode of warfare was such as required the exercise of the utmost prudence, vigilence and courage on the part of the settlers; and in selecting a leader, their choice naturally fell on Col. Denison,tas possessing in an eminent degree the qualifications necessary for the station. The coolness and intrepidity with which he met the enemy in ambush, at the celebrat ed battle of Wyoming-the aid which he afforded to his men in his almost miraculous retreat the firmness with which he demanded terms of Butler, the British commander, when driven with a handful of invalids into Forty fort and reduced to the last extremity, and the terms actually obtained, evince the wisdom of the settlers in ocmmitting the defence of the Valley to Col. Denison. After the revolution, and the extension of the laws of Pennsylvania over the disputed territory, Col. Denison was placed in commission as a magistrate, and was one of the Associate Judges of the county of Luzurne at the time of his death. The early history of the Valley of Wyoming is identified with the life of Col. Denison. He was remarkable for coolness and intrepidity in danger-for sound sense, prudence and discretion in action, and for strict integrity towards his fellow men. After the usual period of study he was admitted to practice in the Courts of Luzurne county; previously to which, and whilst still a minor, he had officiated as deputy of his brother, Col. Lazarus Denison, the Register and Recorder of the county. To these offices he was himself appointed by the late Gov. Snyder, immediately upon his arrival at the age of twenty-one. A more faithful, a more accurate, and a more able public officer never had charge of the records of the county. The records themselves, and all who transacted business in the offices whilst Mr. Denison held them, will amply sustain this feeble tribute of approbation. This situation in the public offices was peculiarly favourable to the acquisition of a knowledge of the practice of the Courts, and it was fully improved by Mr. Denison for that purpose. His conduct as a public officer, and the ability which he displayed in his professional business, soon attracted public notice, and secured to him the public confidence. In opposition to his own wishes and inclination, he was selecsed by his fer George Denison, the subject of this notice, was born in Kingston, in Luzerne county, on the 22d day of February, 1790, at a time when the country had not reco-low citizens as their representative in the Legislature of vered from the disasters of the revolution, and when it Pennsylvania. To this situation he was repeatedly rewas suffering from the effects of the long protracted elected by the people with unusual unanimity. His Connecticut controversy. At such a period, and under talents developed in his legislative career, pointed him such circumstances, it could scarcely be expected that out as a fit person to represent his district in the Convery ample provision should be made for the educationgress of the United States, and he was accordingly of the youth of the country. The advantages of young Denison in this respect were limited indeed; but limited as they were, they were improved, and the foundation of an English education was early laid, upon which he afterwards raised a superstructure by which he acquired a distinguished eminence at the bar, and which was abundantly adequate to the elevated stations to which he was called by his fellow citizens. Naturally predisposed to pulmonary affections, it was thought by his friends that the active and varied pursuits of the country merchant were well calculated to ward off the disease with which he was menaced, and to ensure him length of days and comfortable health. elected for two successive terms by the people as their representative. At the expiration of his second term of service, he had determined to retire from public life and devote his time exclusively to his practice, which had suffered in consequence of his absence, during several protracted sessions at the seat of the general government. But the people of his district had be come alive to the subject of internal improvement, and would not permit him long to remain in his favorite retirement. He reluctantly yielded to their entreaties, and was again elected a member of the legislature of Pennsylvania, in which situation he was continued by the almost unanimous voice of his district until his do cease. 1831.] RAIL-ROAD MEETING.-PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS. As a lawyer, in the various andco mplicated business of his profession, he was distinguished for accuracy in legal learning, clearness of perception, acuteness in discrimination, soundness of judgment, a tact, peculiar to himself, in the arrangement of the facts, and the management of a cause before the court and jury. The courts in which he practised, and his fellow members of the bar, will bear testimony to the high sense of honor with which he conducted the business of his profession. 269 ninety perches-and the other a space of rocks on land of Jacob Sherfigh of eighty perches, some of which may be three feet high-from whence to the summit is almost as smooth as a meadow. From the summit to the intersection of Middle and West Streets is 380 perches, in which there is but twenty-four feet fall, (about twenty feet to the mile, and may be kept at a continual descent the whole distance with very little We have also asdigging, as the ground is very level. certained, principally from actually levelling, that the As a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, the summit is 175 feet higher than the head of Monococy, will and wishes of his constituents were ably represent- which is 2479 perches: therefore, if the same grade ed. Numerous local acts were passed through his in- could be kept, the rise would be about twenty-two feet fluence, of great interest to the district he represented, to the mile. The whole distance we found to be eight miles and 299 perches, (which is one mile and 93 and many general laws were projected hy him, and received the sanction of the legislature, which bear the perches more than a direct line)-which, from the impress of his liberal and enlightened views, and sound goodness of the ground, need not be increased much and discriminating judgment. The system of internal in locating the road. Upon the whole, we think it improvement in Pennsylvania, although much more ex-perfectly practicable, at a reasonable expense; and the tensive than his judgment approved, received his de- best route we have ever seen for that purpose; and recided and efficient support; and the introduction of the commend to the meeting to take immediate measures N. B. canal into the system, and its location and exten- for obtaining a charter. sion through the Valley, will remain an everlasting monument of his legislative skill and commanding in-lutions, offered by T. Stevens, Esq. were adoptedfluence. As a member of Congress he was always found on the side of liberal and enlightened measures. Here, as in the State legislature, he never spoke unless he had something of importance to communicate, and when he did speak he was listened to with the most respectful attention. His speech upon the "Missouri question," will be found to contain in a condensed form, every fact and argument which could fairly be brought to bear upon the subject against the offensive provision in the Missouri constitution. As a man, he was scrupulously exact in the perform. ance of his duties in all the relations of life. In short, it may be said, that no man in Luzerne county, ever lived more respected and died more regretted, than GEORGE DENISON.-Susq. Demo. RAIL-ROAD MEETING. At a meeting of of a number of the citizens of Adams county, held at the Court-house, in the borough of Gettysburg, on Saturday 15th ult. to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning the next Legislature to grant an act incorporating a company, to construct a Rail Road from Gettysburg to the Maryland line at the head waters of the Monococy-GEO. SMYSER, Esq. was called to the Chair, and Z. HERBERT appointed Secretary. The object of the meeting being explained by James Dobbin, Esq. the following committee, on motion of T. Stevens, Esq. was appointed to make a report of a survey made a few days previous, by a number of citizens, viz: Samuel Sloan, Thaddeus Stevens, William S. Cobean, Robert Smith, John Garvin, Esqrs. -who presented the following: The Committee appointed to furnish information to the That we ran the route, from the head of Monococy on the east side of Rock creek, to the mouth of Buck run, where we recrossed said creek, and thence up said run to its source, and to the summit, on Samuel Sloan's farm and from thence to Gettysburg. We found the distance from Monococy to the summit to be 2479 perches: 1650 of which, to wit, from the foot of McKinney's meadow to the summit; is an inclined plane, on which, in the whole distance, there need not be a foot of rise lost, but a continual ascent kept, (probably, with moderate digging in two or three places, a continued rise might be kept up from Monococy the whole distance;) that the ground is remarkably even except in three places; the first, a bluff of red rock below Allison's of perhaps 50 perches, but not high; the second a space of small rocks below Mich'l Miller's of about eighty or After the above report was read, the following reso Resolved, That it is expedient for the citizens of Adams county, to petition the next Legislature, to incorporate a Company to make a Rail Road from Mary land line to Gettysburg, to intersect the Rail Road now making from Baltimore to the head waters of the Monococy. Resolved, That a committee of twelve be appointed to procure signatures to said petition. T. Stevens, J. B. McPherson, S. Sloan, T. J. Cooper, J. Garvin, Z. Herbert, E. Blythe, D. Middlecauf, J. McSherry, T. McKnight, J. Hersh, and D. Stewart, were appointed to carry the above into effect. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to attend at Harrisburg, and see that said petition be preSented and properly explained. Thaddeus Stevens, James McSherry, Esqrs. and Gen. Thomas C. Miller, were appointed said commit tee. Resolved, That the above proceedings be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and published in all the papers of the borough. GEORGE SMYSER, Chairman. Z. HERBERT, Secretary. From the Philadelphia Gazette. The president appointed Messrs. DUANE, HORN, TO- Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, that the Rules of intercourse between the late Councils, be adopted by the present Councils. Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, that they will meet in the chambers of the Common Council, on Tuesday next, the 18th inst. at eleven o'clock, A. M. to choose a Mayor of the city of Philadelphia. The COMMON COUNCIL was organised by the Mr. HENRY YOUNG, as Messenger. The resolution for the appointment of a Printer for the Common Council was postponed for the present. |