Puslapio vaizdai
PDF
„ePub“
[blocks in formation]

The Croton Freshet.

The following is an extract from the Semi-Annual Report of the Water Commissioners in relation to the freshet.

We received, on the evening of Friday last, the unpleasant communication that the Croton Dam had been carried away by a freshet. On Saturday morning the President of the Board and the Chief Engineer repaired to the dam, who communicate that nearly all that part of the dam, extending from the Gate House, at the extremity of the hydraulic mason work, to near the northern shore of the river, has been washed away, being near 200 feet. It was the part of the dam described as an earthen embankment, with a base of 250 feet, and protected on the lower side by a dry stone protection wall of 20 feet in thickness at the base. The mason work is very slightly injured. This dam was com menced in 1838, but was mainly built in 1839 and 1840.

Government House, Frederickton, N. B. 7 December 10, 1840. S In addition to the loss of the part of the dam referred to, the new bridge above the dam, built for the Turnpike ComSir-As your Excellency will doubtless be informed that pany, called Pine's Bridge, was also carried away. Cost, a detachment of Her Majesty's troops has lately arrived in 5 or 6000 dollars. The part of the dam carried away may be the Malawaska settlement, I deem it to be consistent with estimated at about $3,000, although the Chief Engineer, that frankness by which I trust my intercourse with the au- Mr. Jervis, is of opinion that the part of the dam carried thorities of Maine has always been characterized, to acquaint away should be reconstructed in a different manner, at a proyou that the movement in question, made by order of the bable cost of $75,000. Governor-General of these provinces, has no other object | than to give support to the civil authorities of that settlement -one of whose magistrates, Francis Rice, Esq., has been grossly insulted, threatened with personal violence, and obstructed in the discharge of his duties by persons professing themselves to be citizens of the State of Maine-and another, James McLaughlin, Esq, also a ma istrate of this province and holding the office of warden of the disputed territory," his been threatened by the person in charge of the armed posse stationed at " Fish River," with being arrested and sent as a prisoner to Augusta, in the event of his persevering in the performance of the duties imposed upon him by the Government of the Queen, and that of this province.

This unprecedented rain storm commenced on Tuesday evening, the 5th inst., and continued without cessation until Thursday night, the 7th inst., at 12 o'clock. The commencement of the rain storm found the ground covered with snow 18 inches deep. The rain was heavy and the weather warm. On the evening previous to the disaster, it was perceived that the water was rising on the bank above the dam very fast. The rise continued through the night was equal to 14 inches per hour. At half past four o'clock, the water having risen 15 feet above the overfall or apron of the dam, and two or three above the earthern embankment (which was 12 feet above the overfall) the embankment part of the dam gave way. It was obvious from the beginning that if the water passed over the earthen embankment it would car ry away this part of the dam, and the result to be expected immediately followed. The earth being washed away, the protection wall gave no resistance, and the heavy protection wall were all swept down the river, so as not to have left a single stone now remaining on the section of the dam referred to.

Whether the assertion made, as I am assured, by this person, that in holding this language, he is only acting in accordance with his instructions, be correct or otherwise, your Excellency will best know- but refusing, as I have done, to believe that he can have received any authority for a proceeding which I must regard as inconsistent with existing engagements, I have not hesitated in expressing to the Governor-General my conviction that an armed civil posse, We have stated that calculations had been made that the corresponding in amount and description with that main-water might rise from four to six feet above the overfall of tained by Maine will be found quite adequate to effect the object in view, viz: the prevention of acts of unauthorized aggression or interference, as regards the inhabitants or authorities of the Madawask settlement-and I have accordingly no reason to doubt, that, acting upon this suggestion, His Excellency will forthwith give direction for the troops to be withdrawn to their former stations.

I have the honor to be, with great consideration, your Excellency's obedient servant.

J. HARVEY.

His Excellency the Governor of the State of Maine.

Steel Ore.

In the town of Duane, Franklin county, a vein of magnetic oxide of iron has been discovered, distinguished from the other minerals of that region by its capacity of yielding, directly from the process of smelting, a substance possessing all the physical and chemical properties of manufactured steel.-M. Y. Times.

Great Sport in Michigan.

Nine Elk killed-On Saturday last, an Indian and two white men captured nine fine Elk, in Richfield. Lapeer Co., Michigan. There were twelve in the drove; ten of them attempted to cross Flint river, which at that point was but partially frozen, when they broke through; only one escaped; the remaining nine were killed with clubs. They weighed from two to four hundred, and were in fine order. Flint Adv.

the dam, but instead of this it rose to about fifteen feet, and for this rise the dam was not calculated. The earthen embankment gave no protection against such a height of water, and the overfall was not of a capacity, although ninety feet in length, to discharge the water which the flood brought down. There is a small waste gate in the dam, of five by six feet, but hardly intended to relieve the river when in flood.

The water in part escaped through the aqueduct, passing over the gates, and discharging itself at a waste weir near Mill river, a distance of nearly fifteen miles, without any injury to the aqueduct. It is obvious that greater provision must be made to allow this stream to pass in its natural channel in time of freshet.

In addition to the above injury to our works, the freshct has also caused the following injury:

There were three bridges below; one was called Tomkins' bridge, valued at $1400; the bridge at the wire-mill cost $1200, and the Quaker's bridge, over which the New York and Albany stages pass, valued at $1500. Tomkins' bridge was carried away before the dam went, as were also, it is believed, the other two bridges.

Mr. Albert Brayton, the son of one of the dam contractors, perceiving the dangers to the people below the dam, on the opposite side, by the continue ise of the water at the dam, and believing that it must give way, with praiseworthy attention and foresight, hurried down to give the alarm, and when he arrived at Tomkins' bridge, a distance of a mile, he found the bridge gone, and was not able to get across. He then went to a house for a horn which he blew, and which was heard by all the persons intended to alarmed, who

lived on the opposite side; but, notwithstanding it, they took no measures for their safety until still later, when the water came down in torrents. Two people at Baylie's mills occu pied themselves so long in removing their property, that they could not get with safety to the main land, and repaired to a small clump of trees in the channel, which lamentable to say, were afterwards swept away, and no doubt these two persons were drowned. One of the laborers lately on the work was also drowned. No dwelling house above the dam was carried away. John Tomkins, below the dam, lost his dwelling house, which was of small value, say 5 or $500, and his son John Tomkins lost a grist mill and dam, value 1500 or $2000; the small dwelling houses at Baylie's factory were also lost.

The wire-mill of the Messrs. Bailey, supposed to be worth with the two small houses above mentioned, from 15 to 20,000 dollars, was also swept away. An old grist mill, called Hallman's mill, which has been of little value, was swept away. These are all the losses which have come to our knowledge on the Croton river, and all the losses to every body above and below the dam, including the dam, are considerably inside of $75,000. It has thrown several families at Bailey's Mill out of employment, who are poor, and also some few families of our laborers, who remained in shantees about the dam, have lost what is to them very valuable. We have directed Mr. French, the Resident Engineer, to relieve any cases of suffering among the poor, and also as far as practicable, to employ them in the work.

This disaster, though calamitous and unexpected, comes at a period which will bring much less loss and inconvenience than if it had happened after our works were in operation. It will enable us to guard against a recurrence of such an accident, for we have seen the Croton in its most dangerous and unprecedented condition, and we hope in the future plans to be better prepared to meet it.

Statement of the U. S. Bank. Comparative Statement of the Bank United States, on the 21st December, 1840, and 5th January, 1841 : December 21st. Dolls. C.

Boston Athenæum.

As this is one of the most useful institutions of our city,

the following particulars respecting it may, perhaps, not be wholly uninteresting.

The total number of volumes in the library on Dec. 10, 1840, was 31.788, there having been added during the preceding year 807 volumes. There are 258 proprietors of the of the city are freely offered all the privileges of the institu Athenæum, and 31 life subscribers. To every clergyman tion. Each proprietor or life subscriber can, by the annual payment of $5, take books from the library for the use of his selves of this right during the last year was 143. The family. The number of proprietors, &c. who avail d them. amount thus received forms almost the sole means of increas

ing the library; the income from the property of the institution being only about enough to meet its current expenses. which is already enriched with many excellent paintings, Connected with the Athenæum is a fine-arts department, for several years past, been prepared under the auspices of busts and statues. An annual exhibition of paintings has the Athenæum, to which was added, last year, one of statu ary. These exhibitions have not been confined to the paint ings, &c. belonging to the institution; but have included many beautiful productions belonging to individuals in this city and its vicinity, which have leen liberally loaned for this purpose. The proceeds of these exhibitions are de voted exclusively to enlarging the fine-arts department, not only by the purchase of paintings, &c but of expensive works upon the fine-arts. Thus, during the last year, was additional catalogue has been very recently published, which purchased the great work on Egypt, in 23 volumes. An nual report of the Treasurer, it appears that the real estate, was prepared with great care and labor. From the last anfine-arts, buildings, &c. are charged at $38,441 71. The paintings, busts, &c. at $18,833 63. Books at $52,103.Stocks and notes receivable at $28,083.

Boston Semi-Weekly Advertiser.

American Funds.

London, Dec. 12, 1840.

1863 67,68

1858 &c. 76,78

1860 &c. 73,75

[blocks in formation]

January 5th. Dolls. C. 21,246,962 76 31,553,053 66 3,665,176 79 809,589 07 502,488 68

Alabama 5 per cent.

do sterling Illinois 6 per cent. Indiana 5 per cent.

1861 &c. 68,70

do sterling

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

549,896 12 2,500,000 00 8,566,999 14 1,316,918 97 2,673,481 18

do

Louisiana 5 per cent. Baring's Lizardi

1844 &c. 86,861

1848

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

727,200 37

$74,603,142 46 $74,121,766 74

S. Carolina 5 per cent. st. do Tennessee 6 per cent.

do 5 per cent. sterling

1889

82,83

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Virginia 6 per cent, New York City

[blocks in formation]

Bonds in Europe,

502,222 22

502,222 22

[blocks in formation]

Certificates of Administration, viz.

Payable in Paris, or at Baring, Brothers & Co. London. Oct. and April, New York State 5 per cent.

Ohio State 6 per cent.

Jan. and July, New York City 5 per cent,

36,959,539 63

Capital,

Surplus,

36,872,389 49 35,000,000 00 35,000,000 00 2,643,602 83 2,249,377 25 74,603,142 46 74,121,766 74 National Gazette.

Episcopacy in New Jersey.-Bishop Doane confirmed in 1833, 155; in 1834, 169; in '35, 157; in '36, 101; in 237, 208; in '38, 225; in '39, 220; and in the first half of the past year, 128; total, 1,363.

January and July, U. S. Bank shares, April and Oct,

do

Debentures,

89

921

£14

98,98

STATISTICS OF OHIO.

A tabular statement, exhibiting the number of acres of land in the several counties; the value thereof, including houses, mills and manufactories; value of town lots, including improvements; number of horses, and value; number of cattle, and value; capital stock of merchants and brokers, including money at interest; pleasure carriages, and value; total amount of taxable property; State and canal tax; county and school tax, road tax; township and poor tax; corporation, public building and bridge tax; tax on lawyers and physicians; school house tax; delinquencies; and the total amount of taxes for 1840.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« AnkstesnisTęsti »