NBURY
ERIC AT
6
II. B. MASSER, EDITOR AND PHOPMETOR.
OFFICII, MARKET STREET, OPPOSITE THE POST OFFICE.
51 jrsmdtf sitfospaptv Deuotcn to Jjolftfcs, fiftciaturr, jWorautij, jfortfait nntr Domestic ilctos, Science nxto the Girts, aortculture, -fttarftets, flmttftcments, Ht .
SUNBURY, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA., SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1853.
NEW SERIES, VOL. 6, NO. 84.
OLD SERIES, VOL. 14, NO. 8,
AM
TERMS OF THE AMERICAN.
THE AMERICAN I. pnbli.heci every Salurdsy i
TWO DOI.I.AUS per uiniutn to be paid bulf yearly in
dvance. No piper discontinued until all arrearage, ar.
All eoinmunication. or letter. On '""'""V "J!" to
he oifiee, to insure attention, must be FOS f 1 AlU.
TO CLUBS.
"Itree copiet to one address, fn nn
even r 1 Do
'iftecn Do Do WOO
Five dollar, in advance will pay fot three yeat a uu
rriptiun to the American.
n. Bimnre of 1(1 line., 3 time.,
.very .ubaeiiueiit insertion,
ne Square, 3 moiithl,
lx month.,
tie year,
mines Card, of Five line., per annum,
lorehant. and other., advertising by the
year, with the privilege of inserting
different advertisement, weekly.
VT larger Adverti.ement., a. per agreement.
100
43
30(1
600
t!U0
300
1000
H. B.
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
SUNBURV, PA.
Business attended to in the Counties of Nor
umhcrland, Union, Lycoming and Columbia,
liefer tot
T. & A. Rovomlt, "1
Lower ct Unrron, I
Soincrs & Snoilgrass, PhilaH.
Reynolds, McF arland & Co.,
Spcring, Good &. Co., J
HENRY D0NNEL, "
LTTORNS31T AT LAW.
OJice opposite the Court House,
Siinbury, Northumberland County, Pa.
Prompt attention to business in adjoining
unties.
WM. M. ROCKEFELLER,
TTORNEY AT LAW
Si Alt IK V, 1A.
Doc. 13. 1851. IS.
M. L. 6HINDEL,
&.TTOR1TET AT LA7T,
SUNBURY, PA.
Jcccmlwr 4, 1852. tf.
octoh i. av7uF(TiTes,
FFICE on Broadway, near the Episcopal
Church, Sunbury.
Sunbury, May 14, 1853. if.
SLAWAYEla"&HASrETT.
: o I it w t ( a ?M o u ts t ,
Chestuut Street below 7th,
PHILADELPHIA.
toai J $1.50 per day.
"nila., May 28. 1853.
)Uvortli, Branson 5 Co.
Importers of & Dealers is
Foreign and Domestic
iRD W ARE, CUTLERY, &C.
Vo. 59 Market St., 1 door belotc 2d St,
PHILADELPHIA.
;r they always ieet on hand a large stoci of
every variety of Hardware, Cutlery, &c.
. DHworth, Henry D. Lnndis,
ucl Uranson, James M. Vance.
ctoler 10, 1853. ly.
'HEDEAD BROTJGHT TO LIFE!"
Sunburn rising out of her sleep of many
years.
le Iron horse snorting and blowing has arous
r sleeping energies and infused new vigor
iter prostrate system. One of its first effects
:i in the vast amount of new and lashtona
oods, just now arrived at
W. TENER k COS STORE.
r stock is elegant and varied and well worth
g : aye, and buying too at the prices they
them ; all are respectively invited to inspect
iiirchasp.
nbury, Sept. 10, 1853.
WM. M'CAUTY,
B O O K 8 E L L K It ,
Market Slrect,
SUNBURY, PA.
5T received and for sale, a fresh supply of
FT ANGELICA I- MI'S II!
tinging Schools. lie is also opening at
me, a Urge assortment of Books, in every
h of Literature, consisting of
:try, History, Novels, Romances, Scientific
;s, Law, Medicine, School and Children's
i, Bibles ; School, Pocket and Family, belli
ind without Engravings, and every of vari
' Binding. Prayer Books, of all kinds.
10 just received and for sale, Purdons Di
f the laws of Pennsylvania, edition of 1851,
jnly ?6,00.
ge Reads edition of Blackstones Commen.
in 3 vols. 8 vo. formerly sold at 910,00,
ow offered (in fresh binding) at the low
of 80,00.
Treatise on the laws of Pennsylvania re
ng the estates of Decedents, by Thomas P.
n, price only 84,00.
vels. Voyages and Adventures, all ol
will be fold low, either for cash, or coun
sduce. ruary, 21, 1852. it.
NOTICE,
Bask or Nohtui'mukuhjii, )
Northumberland, June 25, 1853. J
Directors of the Bank of Northumberland
otice that they intend to apply to the next
ature of this Commonwealth, for a renew
ts charter with the same capital, and with
isent title, location and privileges. By
f the Board;
JNO. TAGCfAtfT, Prest.
s 25, 1853. 6m.
riCE is hereby given, that application
'ill to made to the next Legislature of
ylvauia. for the incorporation of a company,
iscounting privileges, to be located in tne
b of Sunbury, irf the county of Northum
I, with capital of One hundred thousand
, to be called tire "SunittAaHita tavng3
f."
bury, June 25, JS53 6m'.
LEATHER.
RITZ k HENDRY,
Store, 29 N. 3d street
PHILADELPHIA
aero Manufacturers, Curriers, Importers,
ision and General Leather Business.
WHOLESALE & RETAIL.
Manufactory IS Margaretta Street.
., August 20, 1853. ly.
'KLRY A nice assortment of Gold and
ter Pencils and Pens, for sals cheap by
G, ELSBERG &. CO.,
Market street, opposite the Post Olbes
bory, Oct, 8. 1853.
SELECT POETRY.
THE FARMERS DAUGHTER.
She my not in the mazy dance
Wilh jewell'd maidens vie ;
She may not smile on courtly swain
With soft bewitching eye ;
She cannot boast a form and meiil
That lavish all aboul her;
But ah ! she has much fairer charms,
' The farmer's peerless daughter.
The rose nnd lily on her cheek
Togeiher love to dwell ;
Her laughing blue eyes wreathe around
The heart a witching spell ;
Her smile is bright us morning's glow
Upon the dewy plain ;
And listening to her voice we dream
That spring has come again.
The timid fawn is not more wild,
Nor yet more gay and free ;
The lily's cup is not more pure
In all its purity ;
Of nil the wild lion-en in the wood,
Or by the crystal water,
There's none more pure or fair than die
The farmer's peerless daughter.
The haughty belle whom nil adore,
On downy pillows lies,
While forth upon Ihe dewy lawn
The merry maiden hie;
And wilh the lark's uprising song,
Her own clear voice is heard ;
Ye may tint tell which sweetest sings,
The maiden or the bird.
ThPti tell me not of jewelled fair ;
The biightest jewel yet
Is Ihe true heart where virtue dwells,
And innocence is set !
The glow of health upon her cheek,
The grace no rule hath taught her
The fairest wreath that beauty twines
Is for the farmer's daughter.
(tl)c lUilDcrncss.
Prom Cminbtir1s Ptwkrt Miscellany.
ELEPHANT KRAAL IN CEYLON.
One hot morning in November, 18 ,
we set off from Kandv, lor the purpose of
seeing that interesting sight, an elephant
kraal, which was to lake place the next
day, eighteen miles distant. Our resting
place, however, was eight miles beyond ;
and although in this country twenty-six
rr.iless would be no great ride for a lady,
yet in a tropical climate it was rather an
undertaking. However, I must either have
done so, or given up what I was most de
sirous to witness, as we could not secure
any coolies, or palanquin-bearers, at that
time in Randy, they being all engaged to
carry down tents, &.C., to the kraal, for the
general and his party. The day was for
tunately rather cloudy, and although the
heat was very great, we had not the direct
power of the sun to contend with. We
did not reach Kornegalle till six in the
evening, as we rested half-way for some
hours, during the hottest part of the day.
I was dreadfully tired, so was glad to find
that the kraal was not to toke place the
next day, but on the one alter. It was a
very pretty as well as an amusing ride;
the whole country seemed in motion : elephant-carts
and bullock-bandies, loaded
with furniture and eatables, on their way
to Cospeletic Orji, where several tents
were pitched ; and for same miles near the
intended scene of action, the remains of
fires, broken branches of trees, &c, gave it
the appearance of having recently been a
gipsy encampment.
On the morning of the kraal, our party
started at daylight, some on horseback,
and the rest in an elephant-cait, in which
we got over the ground pretty well, with
out Ihe pnee being unpleasant. The greater
part of Ihe gentlemen arrived at Cospeltie
the day before, as it was intended to drive
the elephants into the enclosure in the
evening, and take them prisoners next day,
which would have been done easily, as in
the afternoon the herd had come very near
the entrance. With respect to the kraal,
it was nothing more than an enclosure
about 200 yards long, and nearly square
in torm, made with very strong posts, or
rather, small trees, stuck in the ground,
and bound together. The inside was a
thick jungle, with large trees in it, and the
outside the same, excepting where it was
cleared sufficiently to admit of the fence
and a path round it. The entrance was
about ten feet wide, wilh deep holes ready
for the stakes to be driven in, the moment
the poor brutes were entrapped. It was
covered by a few green boughs, and is gen
erally so contrived as to be in a track the
elephants are in the habit of follawing. I
saw several of these paths, and very curi
ous they were : some appeared like covered
archways, where the jungle was high, and
were to thick, that I could think nothing
but an elephant could make its way through.
Kraals are only constructed in parts of the
country frequented by elephants and when
it is known that there is a herd in the
neighborhood. As soon as the enclusure
is finished, the elephants are surrounded
by a crowd of peeple, who form t circle
from the entrance of the kraal, and enclose
them within it. This circle of course is
very large and varies according to circum
stances ; in this instance, when we arrived,
the animals were enclosed in a circle of
about two mllet. Whenever they attempt
to break through, thry are driven back by
the people, who shout and yell with all
their might, beat the tom-toms, discharge
guns, and at night fires are lighted at every
ten or (weive yards' distance found the
circle, and this always frightens the ele
phants. The natives arc most anxious to
have them destroyed, as they do much
mischief, particularly to their paddy-fields ;
so that at all the kraals the natives in hun
dreds volunteer their services, which of
course are gladly accepted. Government
gives a premium of 3 for every elephant
captnred.
A very large tret at one end of the en
closure was selected for the spectators, on
which, about one-third of the height up,
was laid a platform, capable of holding
thirty or forty people, and formed of small
branches fastened together by what is call
ed jungle-rope, which is nothing more
than the creepers which are twisted round
every tree and bush. It is very lough and
strong, as may be supposed ; but 1 confess
I should have felt safer wilh a piece of
English rope. A very large parly of us
sat down to an excellent breakfast in the
tents ; and the yelling appearing to come
nearer and nearer, we were advised to
make the beat of our way to the tree, which
we ascended by a steep ladder, and found
it very comfortable, as we were completely
shaded from the sun by an awning of cocoa
nut leaves. Having gained this command
ing point, our patience was tried for sever
al hours; for though the elephants were 1
often so near the entrance that we could
see the bushes move, and sometimes their
ears flapping, they always broke away
aznin, till nt last, about three o'clock, eight
elephants were driven into Ihe kraal.
Then the noise of the people became deaf
ening, and their shouts and yells of triumph
drove the poor creatures on ; and we had
a fine, view of them, as they came rushing
towards us, crushing the jungle in every
direction. The posts were immediately
put down nt the entrance, and the natives
stationed themselves all around the fence;
and whenever the animals came near it,
they were driven back by howling and
waving white sticks at them. It is said
that the elephant particularly dislikes
while, which is the reason the wands are
flourished; but perhaps it is that white is
more conspicuousthan anything else among
the dark green. They were driven back
several times till they had half exhausted
themselves, and were then comparatively
quiet in the thickest cover they could find,
and all we saw was an occasional shower
ofearlhthat they tossed over their bodies
wilh their trunks. In the course of the
preceeding night, the rest of the herd had
broken through the watch, and got clear
off, and the gentlemen were loud in their
regrets that they had not then been driven
in. I was very glad this had not been
done, as I think the rush ol the elephants
into the kraal was the finest thing we saw.
Having thus fo lar succeeded, the next
thing was to secure them; and for this
purpose Ihe tame elephants were introduced
inlo the kraal. Six very lare ones were
brought in, just under our tree, and began
breaking down the jungle, and clearing a
space round the large trees to which it was
intended to tie the wild ones. It was real
ly wonderful to see them twining their
trunks round sorn of the smaller trees,
and with two or three good shakes laying
them flat. They sometimes pushed their
head against a tree, so as to bring the whole
force of their body upon it, and then down
it came ; as for the brushwood, part of
which was upwards of six feet high, they
really mowed it down with their trunks.
In about an hour's time, the whole was,
comparatively speaking, clear, and the
poor herd had no longer any hiding-place,
but stood all huddled close together in a
little thicket, about the middle of the kraal.
There was one very little thing among
them, not much bigzer than a large pig,
and they seemed to take the greatest care
of him, keeping him in the centre of them.
Each tame elephant had two men on
his back one to guide him, and the other
to noose the wild ones, which did not seem
to be much afraid of them, as they allowed
them to come very near, and then walked
rather slowly away. One of the tame ones
then followed, in the most stealthy ana
treacherous manner possible ; and when he
came close enough to Ihe wild one, he be
gan coaxing and tickling him with his
trunk, whilst the man wilh the noose,
which is fastened round the tame one's
neck, slipped of! his back with it, and
watched his opportunity to throw it over
the hind-leg of the other. He soon did
this, as apparently the tame one gave the
wild elephant a poke with his tusk, which
made him lilt his leg to move on ; and in a
moment he was prisoner. While the man
was thus employed, it was curious to see
the care which the tame elephant took of
him, interposing his huge head in such a
manner that the wild one could not touch
him; and if he should fail of securing the
wild elephant, which sometimes happens,
the tame one puts out his leg for the man
to mount on his back, and sets off in pur
suit again, which is sure to be successful in
the end.
When the poor animal was noosed, he
set up adreadlul yell, and tried t escape;
but that was impossible, for the other tame
elephants came up and headed him, which
ever way he attempted to go ; whilst the
one to which he was (astened bent his body
the way he wished to take him, and pulled
linn along with all his strength to the tree
to which he was to be tied.. When he
was dragged close to it, the tame one walked
round it two or three times wilh the rope,
till he was quite secure Another came
to his other side, and thus he was wedged
so closely between them that he could
not make much resistance ; and if he did,
he was immediately thrust at with the tusks
of both of them. In this way, his legs
were all firmly tied to two trees by great
Cable-ropes,
When the tamo ones left him to go in
search of the others, he began struggling
most furiously, and moaned and bellowed
in a very melancholy manner, frequently
throwing bimsell on the ground, and dig'
ging his teeth into the earth, while the
tears were rolling down his lace. At
though I came on purpose to see all this,
and should have been much disappointed
if I had not, still I could not help feeling
very sorry to see the noble animal suffering
so acutely. My consolation was, that some
day he would have the pleasure of doing
the same to others, for it really seemed
pleasure to the tame ones, tin cnei
I brought back the rest of tbe herd, which
looked at him through the boshes, but did
not attempt a rescue, which they ollen do,
but took to their heels whenever they saw
the tame ones turn in their direction.
In this manner they were all secured,
excepting the lit'le one, as hecould not do
much harm, and always kept close to his
mother, which was very quiet, and there
fore only lied by three legs. A young !-
pliant is, I think, the drollest-looking
creature possible. This one was supposed
to be about three months old, but it made
more noise than all the rest, and trumpeted
and charged in great style.
JCraals are now much less frequent in
Ceylon than they used to be. Some years
ago, there was one in the town of Kandy,
in which a good many elephants were ta-
en ; and a gentleman told me he was. pre
sent at one in Tangalle, where 270 were
enclosed, which no doubt must have been
very fine sight ; but of course only a few,
comparatively spiaking, could have been
taken, the rest must have been killed.
There are now immense numbers in that
part of the island, but still Ihev are decreas
ing everywhere, and must continue to do
ns the population increases, and the
counliy is laid more open.
It is dangerous to meet a single elephant.
He is almost sure to attack you, but a herd
will allow you to come very close to them,
without attempting to touch you, unless
ey are irritated by being hunted or fired
; but it is a hopeless case if you meet a
rogue elephant, as a single one is called in
Ceylon. People tell you that they have
been dismissed from the herd for miscon
duct, and that that is the reason why they
are always so furious. There is a little
stream near the kraal at Cospeltie, where,
some years ago, the itippnl man (as the
postman is called) was killed by a rogue
lephant early in the morning. The poor
lellow was loid that an elephant was on
the road, but he did not like to delay, and
pushed on. Some people, who were not
far off, just heard the animal roar, and a
sort of moan followed. When it was day-
ght, the unfortunate man's body was
found crushed in a frightful manner, but
his death must have been instantaneous.
There were temporary stables near Kor-
negalie, where the elephants were kept
till tame enough to be made useful. We
went and saw them. There were ten ele
phants in the stall;, which had been taken
a kraal in the neighborhood a month
before. Some of them were very wild and
ooking, one little one, as usual,
making more noise than all the rest ; and
as he was strong enough to knock a man
down, he was tied by the lej in the stall.
He was alterwards given to the 78th High
landers, who brought him home, and was
made a pet of by the rpziment.
The situation of the elephant in his
stall must be both painful and uncomforta
ble, and there is often great difficulty in
fastening him in it ; it is made just wide
enough to admit him, but not sufficiently
so as to allow of his turning round. There
is a widestall on each side, into which two
tame ones go, dragging their prisoner into
the middle one, and remain beside him un
til he is secured to posts by each of his
egs. He therefore can do no injury but
with his trunk, and not much with that, as
his neck is also fastened to a beam abo'e.
In this irksome position he is kept for forty
days, without the power of turning round
or lying down ; the only change permit
ted is when he is taken down to the water
to wash, which is done every day ; and
that cannot be much pleasure to him, as he
walks belween h:s two tame friends, which
keep so close to him, that he has very little
power to move or look about him. Each
elephant has three men to wait upon him;
and a nativedoctor is always in attendance.
Alter forty days, he is rrradually allowed
more liberty, and generally in three mouths
he is perfectly tamed, and sent down to
Colombo to be educated. The most ciuel
part of the business is, that he is tied so
lightly, his legs are full of sores, and quite
raw. I think tins might be obviated with
a liltle more care ; but as it does not in
jure his value, the people do not much
concern themselves about his sufferings.
Sometimes they feel their captivity so
much, that they will neither eat nor drink,
and actually die of a broken heart ; and
when a very young one is caught, it must
be seperated from his mother, as alter the
first day or two the poor Hung can never
give it any nourishment. They are fond of
their young ones, and olten the mother
does not survive the separation, but pines
away by degrees.
Two ol those we saw captured were
brought into Kornegalle the next evening;
they were very quietly walking each be
tween two tame ones, to which they were
fastened by strong ropes, which were hist
thrown round the necks of the tame ones,
and then round those of the wild; their
hind-legs were also loosely tied together,
so as to allow of their walking, and it was
really surprising to see how easily they
Went along. Once only one of them tried
to lie down, and would not move for some
time; but his companions at last roused
him, by poking him well with their tusks,
and after that there was no difficulty.
We stopped at the kraal Ihe next day
on our way home, anil saw the rest of the
animals still tied to their trees. One of
them was remarkably fieroe, he trumpeted
and lashed his trunk about, and tried to
charge at us as far as the ropes would allow
him. We heard afterwards that he broke
his neck on his way to Kornegalle, from
his violent eflorts to break loose; iind a
few days after, the mother of the little one
was found strangled in her stall, probably
with her exertions to get at her young one,
for she was the tamest and gentlest of them
all. The little thing was brought into
Kandy in a bullock-cart, and required no
fewer than fifty men (not Europeans) to
lift him in. He was given to the general,
who was very anxious to rear him ; and
fo week oi two be seemed to get en
very well, drank twelve bottles of biiflab
milk in the day, besides paling a quantity
of rice and plantains; he Was very lar
from being tame, and was obliged to be
tied. However, he died after isiht or ten
hours' illness, without any cause that could
be assigned, but probably Irom overfeeding
and want of exercise, lie did take a walk
with two attendants every morning, but of
course that was not the same as roaming
about in his native jungle.
There is one thing about the elephants
in Ceylon that puzzles every one, and that
is, whether those with tusks are a distinct
breed or not. Tusked elephants are very
rare; and though they are always males,
still vpry few have tusks, whole herds be
ing frequently encountered without one
tusker amongst them. When they do
happen to have one, the others seem to be
very proud of him ; he is taken the great
est care of, and always kept in the centre,
so that it is very difficult to get a shot at
him. In no other respects but his tusks
can he be distinguished from other ele
phants, and he is to be met wilh of all sizes.
To shoot a tusker is, consequently, the am
bition of all sportsmen in Ceylon.
From the North Atneriennmiil V. P. Gazette.
PESIXSYLVAMA ('OIL FIF.I.D AMD THE
LAKH Til aim:.
Shamdkin, Nov. 1. 1353.
Messrs. Editors: It is to tlno Of our city
brethren whose knowledge of our boundless
resources ha. been gained more from per
sonal observation than mere representation,
that we rude denizens of the interior must
look for aid when nnfaiily dealt wilh Yon
have ventured among us have seen, wilh
your own eyes, our vast mineral and agricul
tural wealth, our projected improvement.,
which are designed to place us in communi
cation wilh the leading markels of ihe coun
try and have given your readers bona fide
impressions iiiBlcad of ihe delicious emana
tions, oflentimes set afloat by persons wholly
unacquainted w ith what they write about.
Your indulgence, therefore, is claimed, for a
few moment", in the coirection of errors, go
ing the rounds of papers, that are calculated
to do this section of ihe State injustice.
It is assumed, in a comparison between
the Northern, or Wyoming, coal region nnd
the Middle, or Shamokin, region, that the
former is 57 miles nearer Buffalo than the
latter is to Erie. Upon this hypothesis is
based the cost of coal nt the two points
named on Lake Erie, and the advantage is
given to the Wyoming region by the writer
as follows :
From the Wyoming minesto BrTulo i. 317 mile..
Clutrpe for tra'o.p'iruitiun, at lj cent per ton per
mile gaon
Cost of coul per ton in the cai.at the mines, say 1 U0
rrice at which it can he ftirni.hed at Ruftulo SI 03
The distance iV'im tfhainokni, vm unhury, Willion).
P'rt. nnd the tfunbmy Dud Erie Kuilroed, to Erie city, i.
,H'l innvu.
Charge for trampoitation at 1, rent per ton per
mile. - - S3 F0
Cost of coal per ton, in the can at the mines, say 1 00
Total cost at Kiie City, from Shnmokiii - -64 60
Though it does not appear fiom this what
point Ihe writer started at, in the Wyoming
region, to reach Buffalo in 247 miles, slill it
is fair to presume that his calculation wa
founded upon the construction of a branch
road from Pittston 10 Waverly, in continua
tion of the coniemplated North Pennsylvania,
or Eastou and water Gap H iilway. If there
were no barriers in the way of the comple
tion of this load, it might be made tip pear
that the Wyoming region in a few miles
nearer to BniTalo Ihitn tho Shamokin recion
is to Erie; but not by a difference of 57
mill's, as is rontended. Tho building of this
branch will finally be deemed impraelieablei
for the very good reason that it will be able
to obtain but a meagre pnilinn of Ihe coal
tonnage of that region. The North Blanch
Canal, yon are aware, runs fiom Pittston lo
Athens, close by Waverly, with rapacity suf
ficient to carry all the coal I hat that section
of Ihe region eau send to western New York,
while Ihe Lackawana and Western railway
10 miles higher up Ihe valleywith its eon
nexions to Buffalo, already in operation will
absorb all the trade in its vicinity. This is
rendered lhu more ceitain, from the fact
that the coal opeiations f that locality are
owned nnd operated by tho capitalists of
New York, who also own and control the
Lackawana and Western Road. It is not
reasonable to suppose that n company thus
situated could, in any contingency, notwith
standing il may ben few miles further from a
given point on Lake Erie, be effected by a
rival interest such ais pioposed. Besides,
the Lackawana road is of uniform gauge
with the Buffalo railway, while, for aught
I hat is known lo the contraiy if the bianch
fiom Pittston lo Waverly isto be a continua
tion of the North Pennsylvania load there
would be a change in the gunge at Waverly,
and consequently make transhipment neces
sary. The pmper poiul, therefore, to start
frein, it must forcibly strike every one, in
measuring tho distance to Buffalo, is Scran
ton, the beginning of the Lackawana and
Western railway. Taking Ibis for granted
BnfTalo is just thirty miles further I mm ihe
Wyoming mine, or, as it may be called, the
Lackawana region, than is shown by the
figures quoted. The following table of dis
tances satisfactorily demoustiales I hits ;
From rVranton to Great Bend
Great Bend lo IJiiicliainptoii
Biiifrtiainptou to Klnor
Khnini to llorneltivilta
llornellaville to Atlica
Atllca to Butt'alo
S3 miiis.
IS
M
60
0
3'i
877
Total miles to BnrTulo
Instead of 817 mile, mcorectly set dowu.
In regard telhe distance from Shamokin
the heart of the middle region to Erie, by
the Sunbury and Erie Railway, ihe writer is
even more out of the way. Lata surveys of
tbe Sunbury and Krie route show lhat Ihe
harber ot Erie pronounced lbs bust en the
Lakes, having an average depth of 20 feet
water, with an area of six miles square, and
being freer from the obltruclion by ice en r-
lief in the spring nnd later in the fall than
""j ouirr poiiu is uut xwj mues irom rna
in ikii , instead of 304 miles making a differ
eneo of 35 miles. Wilh these corrected dis
tances, nnd without taking into account the
superiorly of grade of the Sunbury mid Eiie,
which would, of course, greatly lessen ex
pense of transporlnlion, let us see how stands
the relative cost of coal, from the two re
gions, on lake Erie.
From Shnmokin to Krie. Sfifl mile, si a ctinrite nf
1 rent prr ton per mile for trinupoitnlion, tho
C t i. R.1 flfi I
w,'.. u, uuui pci tun in me car. at nie mine, any
Total port ... i
From Scrnnt'in to BofTnlo. S77 miles, nta clmrcc for
r ... t - I .1
l oo
31 30 j
tratmportulicin of 1 cent per ton per mile, the
cost 1. ..... S3 4"
Coat of coul at mines, any . : 4 1 00
Totnl enri of Buffalo from Wvnming -' PI in)
Total cost at Erie from Phnmoklu 4 3d
Difference in favor of flmtn kin . . luj
Instead of the 72 cents per ton ngainst the
region, while in actual distance there is 8
miles in fuvor of the Sunbury and Eiie
route.
This changes somewhat the co.nplexion of
the writers's figures sufficiently so to give
a nico advantage to Ihe middle Region
though it is far less that is claimed, with
great plausibility, by those who are presum
ed to be well versed in the various routes
leading to Ihe Lakes of the Northwest. Mr.
Longenecker, President of the Philadelphia
and Sunbury road, in a late report, not only
shows that the Sunbury and Erie route has
an advantage, in distance ot 35 miles over
the route from Scranton to Rnfialn, over the
route from Seranlon to Dunkirk. 28 miles,
and over the route from Pittston to Dun
kirk, 66 miles; but takes tho position that
the Sunbury nnd Erin railway can deliver
coal at Erie at S4 per ton, wilh a profit of
SI 50; nt which rates 10 per cent., on a
capital of 815,000,000, would be yielded the
Company for the transportation of one million
tons coal alone. This, it must be borne in
mind, i simply Ihe revenue derivable from
back freight, the same cars brinuing to the
east the products of the Lnke country, as"
well as (he productions nf Ihe belt of country
through which Ilia road passes, some eghty
miles wide, anil carrying to ihe West, in re
turn, the coal of thn Middlo Region. Such
Mr. L. shews very plainly, cannot be tho
case wilh the return cars on tho New Yjrk
and Erie road, a portion of which railway is
used by Wyoming region to teach Buffalo
He nays :
'.The Lackawana Coal region is rot in
the fine or in the course of the New York
and Erie from Dunkirk to New York but is
reached by the road of Ihe Lackawana Rail
road Company, 48 miles in length, and run
ning off in a westerly direction from New
Yoik. The return cars of the New York and
Erie road could not reach the Lackawana
coal fields w ithout going and returning a dis
tance of 48 miles, equal to a deflection of 06
miles. If, therefore the cars or boats carry
ing coal from the Lackawana region go west
loaded, and return lo their coal fields empty
the consequence is that the . distances are
nearly doubled upon them, as compared wit)
cars carrying coal over the Sunbury and Erie,
which go out loaded, and return not only with
cargoes paying expenses, but freighted irith
such goods as will pay a more profitable remti
neration than the coal carried teestward. 1
think it clear, therefore, lhat in regarding
your extraordinary advantages in distance :
and carrying coal as back freight, that your i
road will outrival all possible, competition for
carrying coal." !
Ii is proper to remark here lhat Mr. I.ongo- '
uecker, in his estimate of distances from Ihe
Wyoming region, compared w ith ihe Shamo
kin legion, odds the usual ailowae.ee !t
transhipment al different places. This
account for the discrepancy between hi l:;
nres and those upon which Ihe prece.lie c.i!.
dilation is based. Of the two, h:s is nearest
ihe mark in the shipment ufcu.il, but ei her
places the Sunbury and Eiie far erion-h in
the foreground to be out of the reach tf ihe j
route fiom the Wyoming. It will be seen, too,
that Mr. L., whose close connexion wilh ihe
Middle Region cnubles him lo speak advis.
edly upon this point, gives it ns his opinion
lhat coal can be delivered at Erie, over ihe
Sunbuiy and Erie mute, for f 4 per Ion.
Now, even admitting that lho assumption
wilh regard lo Ihe Wyoming leg, on bu cm-
reel, tho Shamokin region leaches lhu Lake
slid at less cost.
In addition to all this and w hich is of
paramount importance In our Pmludelphia
friends the leiiniuus of lhu Sunbury and
Krie Railway, at E:ie, is in ihe ueihboihood
of one hundred miles farther west on the Lake
than Bnlfulc. This great advantage cannot
fail lo attract Ihe bulk of travel from our
cities of the Lake country. It is a feature in
Ihe route unapproachable by any other line,
whether leading through onr own slate or
New York.
But, ru the compatisnti ofdis'auce between
Ihe two regions, it will be observed, no note
is made of a difference in guides. The ac
tual number of miles is alone considered. )l
should not be understood from this thai the
ruotes f'Oin Shamokin lo Erie, and from
Sciauton lo Buffalo, are on like fooling in
this respect. Such would be a highly erin
neotis impression. The laot of the case is,
Ibat the Stinbnry anl Erie roule enjoys great
er advantage over its rival, in favorable
grade., than it does in distance. This w ill
be admitted w hen it is known that the as
cending grades of ihe route by Scranton are
somewhere about one-third more- feet than
the Sunbury and Eria route. Thie superiori
ty places the Middle Region in a position lo
command a Urge, if not the lion's, share of
the coal trade of the Lakes. The coat of
transportation is so much lessoned ihereby
that competition, even by those fw (faim clo-'
i s-r proximity to the west, will be found an up.
sort nt business. An idea of ihe relative
expense of carrying freight over different
grades can be furrned from the following In
ble. It is the estimnte of a chief engineer
on one of the Southern roads. It shows the
nett weight (in tnnsof 2200 lbs ) which can
be drawn by a 24 ton engine with eight dri
ving wheels, on grades from a level to 150
, ... 1
feet, viz :
FIIET ri'.K M1I.K.
Ornte
I Urel
mi an. 30, 4ni
5n. 0". 701 snt nonoo. t loii-jn'
1 eis 40s aii.iiisi'.wiosiiii vnvm iou' ool i-ai 71
Weight
Tho rapid decrease of tbe cffeclivo power
of a locomotive, as the grade increases, i v ".
be seen is so great, that the seb e i n
routes for railways with comparatively
or no ascent is a matter of primary iV,p-ir.
tance. The roads thus lavorably located can
never bn supplanted, in (Jie transportation of
freight, by those that are obliged lo overcame
heavier grades. Much less are they ab!r: to
do it, when to this is adileJ an advanlasje in
actual distance; in both of which features the
Sunbury and Erie takes tho lead of the routo
from Scranton.
Without reference to the other contempla
ted roads, it is admitted on all hands that the
Sunbury and Erie commands itself strongly
lo ihe favor of capitalists especially to Phii-
delphians. And it is gratifying to know lhat
it has enlisted in its interest snmo of your'
best informed and most reliablo citizens.
Mr.F ernon, whose views on thisand olhef
routes have been published in pamphlet form;
says that if Philadelphians' build this road, as
they will, besides carrying thither a propor
tion of lho Lake trado that now enriches
other markets, it will attach to Philadelphia
a laige and influential portion of the State to
ba traversed by it, which else will bo estran
ged from her forever. As n State work, en
compassed wilh local considerations, he re
gards its importance to Philadnlphia of thai
grave and lasting character which cannot ba
measured by the dollars and cenls required
lo insure its completion as a Philadelphia;
work.
Job. R. Tvsox, Esq ; ia his loiters on the
commerce of Philadelphia, is equally explicit
and strong in his support of this enterprise.
He looks upon its completion, in connexion
with Ihe present railway communication to'
Pittsburg, as the "era when Philadelphia will
Commence her precedence of New York in
the commerce of the Lakes, which is now
ascertained to amount lo two hundred millions
of dollars per annum" equal, in value, to'
the whole foreign commerce of ihe country;
This immencp. and opulent trade; Mr. T. says;
is impatiently waiting for a transit. New
York, at an expense nf 824,000,000, and Bal
timore, nt an expense of $15,000,000, are
struggling to participate in its inappreciable
bsnefi's. The prize is really w ilbin the grasp1
of our prertt emporium.
John Tccker, Esq., than whom no one is"
better prepared to speak upon a subject of
the kind, in a letter written some time since,
demonstrates the following facts:
1st. That the Sunbury and Erie route is?
the shortest, in actual distance, between the
Lakes and the Atlantic.
2d. That ft crosses the Allegheny moun
tains with belter grades than any other line
' now completed or projected.
3J. That in equated distance if exhibit
' advantages w hich defy competition
He says it has been a matter of astonish
ment to him that Philadelphians have, for so'
long a time, exhibited so much apathy about
this important work, and is f the opinion
thai the question need only to be understood
pre per !v to divest your citizens of the indif
iV.'rtiv'e they have heretofore manifested to
wards ihe enterprise.
The judgment of these gentlemen, all of
whom are riiiladelphiuns, cannot fail to im
press your people favorably wilh lite propos
ed road. Notwithstanding the diversity at
opinion about the prr.pifely of the County
Hoard subscribing S2,000,()CO to the slock of
the Company, ihe sentiment of the informed
everywhere will concur in the views herei;i
expressed. Anthracite.
axcie.it sii.vkr Mit:.
The Lancaster (P.i.)f Whig gives a long
and interesting account of Ihe recent opening
and exploration of a mine of argentiferous:
galena in Peqiiea valley, Lancaster county
which was known and worked prior lo ilia
revolutionary war. Tha old shafts bavo
been cleaned out by direction of some Phila
delphia capitalists, and Ihe ore assayed by
Dr. Fnhne.tock, of Lancaster, krf pronoun
ce, it it contain upwards erf five hun
dred dollars worth of silver to fhd ton of
lea I. Piolessor Huolh and other Chemists
have also made assays, it is etated, and with
similar results. The ore yields about eighty
per cent, of lead. Copper anJ Xino ores ure
afco found in the Fame place, which contains
a considerable amount of silver, though tha
exact quantity has not yet been ascertain-d..
Ki iK t...t.: . ..(.,. .. ..
"'""'"H "oi ui urs revolutionary war,
shafts and tunnels vtere catefully closed up,,
and all operations ceased j and snbsequenllf
all truces of tbe mine were iost and forgot
ten.
Taming Dee. There is a man in trtiuois
earned Gender, whn cultivates white clover,
buckwheat, ke , expressly (0 Teed his bees,
of which he has five hundred hives. He gee.
amotl( iho been without fear of being lungr
and be says they all know him. Ha takes
them np by tha handful, but yet is never
tuog. Mr Gender sold hear seven ions of
honey duiing IMS, at an average of I3fc
cen'a a pound. Thai i beautiful voi'e
hey.