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THE 

TRAVELLERS  DIRECTORY. 


THE 


TRAVELLER'S  DIRECTORY: 


A  POCKET  COMPANION, 


SHEWING 


THE  COURSE  OF  THE  MAIN  ROAD 


PHILADELPHIA   TO   NEW  YORK; 

AND  FROM 

PHILADELPHIA  TO  WASHINGTON: 

WITH    DESCRIPTIONS  OF  THE  PLACES   THROUGH  WHICH  IT  PASSES, 
AND    THE    INTERSECTIONS    OF    THE    CROSS    ROADS. 

ILLUSTRATED  WITH  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  SUCH  REMARKABLE  OBJECTS 
AS   ARE    GENERALLY  INTERESTING    TO    TRAVELLERS. 


FROM  ACTUAL  SURVEY. 

BY    S.  S.  MOORE    and    T.   W.  JONES. 

ill 


SECOND    EDITION. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 
PRINTED  FOR  MATHEW  CAREY, 

NO.    122    MARKET-STREET. 
1804. 


-* 


?» 


.< 


THE  TRAVELLER'S 

f  ocftet  Companion* 


PHILADELPHIA. 


THIS  city  is  the  capital  of  the  state  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  chief  city  of  the  United 
States  in  point  of  size  and  splendor ;  though  it 
now  holds  but  the  second  rank  in  respect  to  com- 
mercial importance  :  the  trade  of  America  hav- 
ing of  late  flowed  more  freely  into  the  open  chan- 
nels of  New  York.  Philadelphia  was  the  seat  of  the 
Federal  Government,  until  the  year  1801,  when 
Congress  by  a  law  transferred  their  annual  meeting 
to  the  city  of  Washington,  in  the  territory  of  Co- 
lumbia, on  the  Patowmac. 

Philadelphia  is  situated  in  latitude  39d.  56m. 
north  ;  and  longitude  nearly  75d.  west  from  the 
meridian  of  London,  on  an  extensive  plain,  five 
miles  above  the  confluence  of  the  Schuylkill  ri- 
ver, with  the  Delaware,  and  on  its  western  bank, 
which  is  here,  though  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  from  the  sea,  nearly  a  mile  in  breadth,  with 
a  sufficient  depth  of  water  to  admit  vessels  of 
1200  tons  burthen.  The  tide  rises  six  feet  per- 
pendicularly, and  flows  at  the  rate  of  four  miles 
an  hour. 

The  plan  of  the  city,  as  laid  out  in  1682  by 
William  Penn,  the  first  proprietor,  who  either 
purchased  or  exchanged  the  right  of  the  soil  with 


2  THE   TRAVELLER  3 

such  Swedes  and  Fins  as  had  previously  obtain- 
ed settlement,  is  in  the  form  of  a  parallelogram, 
extending  west  from  Delaware  to  beyond  the 
Schuylkill:  this  was,  in  1701,  altered  and  fixed 
to  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Schuylkill.  A  great 
number  of  houses  and  cottages  were  erected  with- 
in the  year  after  the  plan  of  the  city  was  laid  out : 
two  of  which  are  yet  standing,  viz.  one  at  the 
corner  of  Front  and  Dock  Streets,'  now  occupied 
as  a  tavern,  at  the  sign  of  the  boatswain  and  call: 
the  other,  which  was  the  city  residence  of  Wil- 
liam Penn,  is  in  Black-horse  Alley,  at  the  back  of 
Lsetitia  Court,  so  named  from  one  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  proprietary. 

The  streets  are  all,  except  Dock  Street,  right 
lines.. ..nine  extending  from  river  to  river,  east  and 
west,  and  twenty  three  crossing  at  right  angles, 
north  and  south.  Dock  Street  was  not  laid  out 
until  the  year  1784,  and  was  formerly  a  swamp, 
with  a  small  run  of  water  through  it.  This  street 
now  forms  an  agreeable  ornament  to  the  city,  the 
stream  being  arched  over,  covered  with  earth,  and 
well  paved,  commencing  at  the  bridge  (formerly 
a  draw)  in  Front  Street,  and  winding  in  a  north- 
west course,  extending  to  Third  Street ;  it  is  from 
ninety  to  one  hundred  feet  in  breadth,  High,  or 
Market  Street,  is  one  hundred  feet  broad  -r  Mul- 
berry or  Arch  Street,  sixty;  Broad  Street  one 
hundred  and  thirteen ;  all  the  others  are  about 
fifty  feet  broad.  Five  open  public  Squares  are  laid 
out  in  different  quarters  of  the  city ;  one  at  the 
intersection  of  High  and  Broad  Streets  ;the  other 
four,  toward  the  extreme  corners  of  the  city,  have 
been  appropriated  to  particular  purposes.  With- 
in the  improved  parts  of  the  city,  the  streets  are 
paved  with  pebble  stone  for  carriages,  &cc.  andhave 
a  brick  foot-way  on  each  side,  very  commodious, 


POCKET  COMPANION.  S 

raised  nearly  one  foot  above  the  carriage-way,  by 
curb  stones.  These  streets  are  intersected  by  ma- 
ny smaller  ones,  with  some  lanes  and  allies,  en- 
creasing  the  number  greatly  beyond  the  first  plan. 
The  principal  streets  in  general  are  embellished 
with  Lombardy  poplars,  which  afford  agreeable 
shades  from  the  sultry  rays  of  the  sun.  The 
streets,  extending  east  and  west,  were  named  af- 
ter the  various  kinds  of  trees  that  grew  most  abun- 
dantly in  their  situations,  viz.  beginning  on  the 
North  side  of  the  city,  Vine,  Sassafras  (now 
Race),  Mulberry  (now  Arch),  Chesnut,  Spruce, 
Pine,  Cedar  (now  South).  Those  extending  from 
north  to  south,  are  named  numerically  from  the 
Delaware  (except  Water  Street  which  is  thirty  feet 
wide,  and  extends  from  the  Northern  liberties, 
across  the  Dock,  to  Pine  Street,  parallel  to  the 
course  of  the  Delaware  ;  this  street  occupies  that 
space  between  the  brow  of  the  river  and  Front 
Street,  originally  designed  for  wharves,  and 
for  stores,  which  were  not  to  have  been  built 
higher  than  the  bank ;  so  as  to  have  left  the  houses 
on  the  west  side  of  Front  Street  in  full  view  of 
the  river)  westward,  Front,  Second,   Third,   &c. 

to  Broad  Street and  in  the  same  order  from 

the  Schuylkill  eastward.  The  abutments  of  all 
the  streets  within  the  limits  of  the  city,  on  the 
Delaware,  are  public  property,  and  were  granted 
by  William  Penn  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  in- 
habitants for  the  landing  of  fire-wood,  &c.  brought 
by  shallops,  to  the  city.  The  wharves  are  let 
out  by  the  Corporation,  and  produce  an  annual 
income  of  nearly  1400  dollars.  The  streets  are 
illuminated  at  night  with  nearly  seven  hundred 
lamps,  with  two  branches  each,  enclosed  in  glass 
lanterns,  placed  at  the  tops  of  high  posts,  near  the 
edge  of  the  foot  pavement. 


4  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

The  improvements,  north  of  Vine  Street,  are 
called  the  Northern  Liberties,  and  include  Ken- 
sington, originally  called  Shackamaxon.  Those 
south  of  Cedar  or  South  Street,  are  distinguish- 
ed by  the  names  of  Southwark,  Moyamensing, 
and  Passyunk. 

The  houses  in  the  city  and  suburbs  are  chiefly 
three  stories  high,  built  with  brick,  in  a  plain  neat 

style. 

The  houses  for  public  worship,  of  various  de- 
nominations, are  thirty :  viz.  five  for  Quakers,  six 
for  Presbyterians,  three  for  Episcopalians,  four 
for  Roman  Catholics,  three  for  Germans,  two  for 
Methodists,  the  oldest  church  in  Philadelphia, 
situated  in  Southwark,  for  Swedes,  one  for  Co- 
venantors, one  for  Moravians,  one  for  Baptists, 
one  for  Universalists,  one  for  Africans,  and  one 
for  yews. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  stands  on  the 
South  side  of  Market  street,  between  Second  and 
Third  Streets;  it  was  rebuilt  in  1794,  (upon  the 
scite  of  the  old  church,)  and  finished  in  a  neat 
style.  A  large  portico,  supported  by  four  pillars, 
of  the  Corinthian  order,  extends  the  whole  front, 
in  Market  Street,  to  which  there  is  an  ascent  by  a 
flight  of  steps,  enclosed  within  an  iron  railing. 

The  German  Lutheran  Church,  called  Sion, 
stands  on  the  east  side  of  Fourth  Street,  between 
Arch  and  Race  Streets,  at  the  corner  of  Cherry 
Alley.. ..It  is  one  hundred  and  eight  feet  long,  by 
forty  eight  feet  wide,  and  lately  finished  with  great 
elegance,  since  it  was  unfortunately  burnt  in  the 
winter  of  1795.  The  organ  is  large  and  elegant, 
and  was  built  by  Mr.  D.  Taneberger,  a  member  of 
the  united  brethren's  society  at  Siditz. 


POCKET    COMPANION.  5 

Christ  Church  stands  on  the  west  side  of  Se- 
cond Street,  between  Market  and  Arch  Streets. 
It  was  the  first  Episcopal  Church  built  in  Phila- 
delphia. It  is  a  handsome  building,  with  an  ele- 
gant steeple,  provided  with  an  excellent  set  of  bells. 

The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  stands  at  the 
north-west  corner  of  x\rch  and  Third  Streets.  This 
Church  had  a  handsome  steeple,  but,  being  found 
unsafe,  it  has  been  taken  down  to  the  base. 

St.  Augustine  Church  stands  on  the  west  side 
of  Fourth  Street,  between  Race  and  Vine  Streets. 
This  is  the  largest  Church  in  Philadelphia  :  it 
was  built  partly  by  subscription,  and  partly  by 
means  of  a  lottery  granted  by  the  Legislature  to 
the  Roman  Catholics. 

The  African  Church,  called  St.  Thomas's,  stands 
on  the  west  side  of  Fifth  Street,  between  Walnut 
and  Spruce  Streets.  It  was  built  by  private  sub- 
scription, and  is  a  large,  neat  building,  but  re- 
mains yet  unfinished.  A  black  clergyman,  regu- 
larly ordained,  performs  divine  service  therein. 

The  State  House,  or  Town-hall,  with  Court 
Houses,  on  the  south  side  of  Chesnut  Street,  ex- 
tend from  Fifth  to  Sixth  Streets.  It  is  a  substantial 
edifice  of  two  hundred  feet  front,  including  the 
wings;  it  was  erected  in  1735,  and,  considering 
the  early  state  and  infancy  of  the  colony  at  that 
time,  the  architecture  is  much  admired.  The 
State  House  Yard  occupies  the  remaining  part  of 
one  entire  square,  extending  to  Walnut  Street: 
it  is  a  neat  place,  ornamented  with  rows  of  trees, 
and  handsome  gravelled  walks,  one  through  the 
centre,  with  grass  plats  on  each  side.  The  whole 
is  enclosed  with  high  brick  walls,  on  Fifth,  Wal- 
nut, and  Sixth  Streets. 


THE   TRAVELLERS 


The  University  is  on  the  west  side  of  Fourth 
Street  near  Arch  Street,  and  was  incorporated  by 
the  Legislature  in  1791,  uniting  it  with  the  old 
College,  Academy,  and  charitable  Schools,  which 
were  instituted  in  1779.  They  are  now  placed 
under  the  management  of  a  board  of  Tmstees, 
consisting  of  twenty-four  members ;  the  gover- 
nor of  the  state  for  the  time  being,  is  always  Pre- 
sident. The  library  and  philosophical  apparatus, 
belonging  to  the  University,  have  of  late  been 
greatly  enlarged,  and  judiciously  selected ;  the 
trustees  of  which,  having  purchased  a  large  airy 
house  built  by  the  State  on  the  corner  of  Market 
and  Ninth  Streets,  they  removed  their  schools 
thereto  in  the  spring  of  1802,  and  the  old  build- 
ing is  occupied  as  private  academies,  &c.  &c. 

The  City  and  County  Jail,  and  Debtors'  Apart- 
merits  are  in  Sixth  Street,  from  Walnut,  to  Prune, 
near  Spruce  Street  These  buildings  are  of  stone : 
the  Jail  is  one  hundred  feet  in  front  on  Walnut 
Street.  It  has  a  ground  half  story,  and  two  sto- 
ries above  it :  all  the  apartments  are  arched  with 
stone,  and  fire  proof:  it  is  a  hollow  square,  and 
is  the  strongest,  neatest,  and  largest  building  of 
its  kind,  in  the  United  States.  To  the  Jail  is  an- 
nexed a  work  house,  in  which  the  sexes  are  kept 
apart.  Various  trades  and  manufactories  are  car- 
ried on  here,  by  the  criminals,  under  the  super- 
intendance  of  Inspectors  appointed  by  the  Mayor 
and  Aldermen:  particularly  cutting  nails,  and 
sawing  Stone  and  Marble.  There  have  been  ad- 
ded new  apartments  for  the  solitary  confinement 
of  criminals.  The  Debtors'  apartment  is  to  the 
South  of  the  Jail. 

The  American  Philosophical  Society's  Hall  is  in 
Fifth  Street,  adjoining  the  city  court  house  :  This 


POCKET  COMPANION.  7 

society  was  formed  in  January  1769,  by  the  union 
of  two  other  literary  societies,  and  incorporated 
the  15th  of  March  1780:  The  number  of  mem- 
bers is  not  limited.  There  are  many  honorary 
members,  residing  in  various  parts  of  Europe. 

The  Philadelphia  Library  is  situated  nearly  op- 
posite to  the  Philosophical  Hall,  in  Fifth  Street. 
It  is  a  large,  handsome  brick  building,  with  a 
flight  of  steps  in  front ;  and  in  a  niche  over  the 
door,  is  an  elegantly-executed  statue,  in  white 
marble,  of  the  late  Doctor  Benjamin  Franklin,  the 
original  promoter  andencouragerof  the  institution. 
The  room  for  the  library  is  very  spacious,  and 
furnished  with  tables  and  seats ;  adjoining  this 
room  is  another  for  the  books  of  the  Loganian 
Library.  The  Museum  room  is  up  stairs.  The 
Library  Company  was  incorporated  in  1742,  since 
which  time  the  collection  of  books  has  been 
greatly  encreased  by  occasional  donations,  annu- 
al importations,  and  purchases  of  every  x\meri- 
can  production  of  merit.  At  present  the  Libra- 
ry contains  upwards  of  twelve  thousand  volumes, 
besides  a  museum,  a  valuable  philosophical  ap- 
paratus, and  a  curious  clock,  invented  by  the  late 
Doctor  David  Kittenhouse,  which  gives  notice, 
bv  ringing  an  alarm  every  evening,  at  the  setting 
of  the  sun,  and  winds  itself  up  at  the  same  time. 
The  Library  is  open  every  afternoon  in  the  week, 
(except  Sunday)  from  two  o'clock,  until  sun  set, 
during  which  time,  any  person  may  indulge  his 
taste  for  reading,  in  the  room,  free  of  expence ; 
and  those  who  choose  may,  by  leaving  a  deposit 
equal  to  the  value  of  the  book,  or  set  to  which  it 
belongs,  have  it  at  home,  and  on  returning  it,  pay 
a  moderate  price  for  the  loan.  To  this  library  is 
annexed  a  valuable  and  rare  collection  of  books, 
in  almost  all  the  ancient  languages,  bequeath- 


8  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

ed  to  the  use  of  the  public,  by  James  Logan,  a 
gentleman  of  considerable  literature.  The  Li- 
brary Company  of  Philadelphia,  in  conjunction 
with  the  heirs  of  the  said  James  Logan,  are  trus- 
tees for  this  library ;  the  property  of  which,  by  law, 
is  kept  distinct  from  the  former,  and  it  is  ordered 
that  the  said  library  shall  be  known  by  the  name 
of  "  The  Loganian  Library." 

The  Pennsylvania  Hospital  and  Gardens  occu- 
py one  whole  square  from  Spruce  to  Pine  Streets, 
and  from  Eighth  to  Ninth  Streets.  The  hospital 
is  appropriated  for  the  relief  of  the  sick,  the  lame* 
and  those  disordered  in  mind  ;  also  for  lying-in  wo- 
men, and  for  foundlings.  It  was  incorporated  in 
1750,  by  an  act  of  the  assembly,  and  is  under  the 
management  of  twelve  persons,  chosen  annually 
by  the  contributors.  These  managers  choose  six 
of  the  most  skilful  surgeons  and  physicians  of  the 
city,  two  of  whom,  with  two  managers,  attend  at 
the  Hospital  every  Wednesday  and  Saturday,  at 
1 1  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  to  receive  and  discharge 
patients,  and  to  administer  physic  to  the  sick. 
The  productive  stock  consists  of  contributions, 
fines,  and  sums  received  from  pay  patients,  &tc. 
and  the  unproductive  estate  in  several  valuable 
lots  of  ground,  particularly  the  whole  square  to 
the  eastward,   which  is  always  to   remain  open, 

for  the  free  circulation  of  air the  buildings a 

medical  library,  and  a  handsome  collection  of  the 
most  curious  and  elegant  anatomical  preparations, 
presented  by  Doctor  Fothergill  of  London  ;  and 
others  by  Doctor  Chauvet.  The  buildings  are 
completed  on  the  original  plan ;  and  are  the  lar- 
gest and  most  conveniently  calculated  of  any  in 
the  United  States  for  the  humane  and  charitable 
purposes  for  which  they  were  erected.  The  plan 
is  in  the  form  of  the  letter  H. 


POCKET   COMPANION.  9 

The  Philadelphia  Dispensary  on  the  east  side 
of  Fifth  Street,  a  little  below  the  Library,  and 
opposite  the  State  House  Yard,  is  for  granting  me- 
dical relief  to  the  poor.  It  was  instituted  in  April 
1786,  and  is  supported  by  annual  contributions, 
life  subscriptions,  and  occasional  donations.  It 
is  under  the  management  of  twelve  persons, 
chosen  annually  amongst  the  subscribers ;  the 
managers  appoint  six  attending,  and  four  con- 
sulting physicians,  who  give  their  services  gratis. 

The  Alms-house,  or  Bettering-house,  and  Gar- 
dens, occupy  one  whole  square,  from  Spruce  to 
Pine  Streets,  and  from  Tenth  to  Eleventh  Streets. 
The  house  is  a  large  commodious  building,  where 
the  distressed  poor  of  the  city  and  liberties  find 
a  comfortable  residence,  in  the  hour  of  sickness 
and  want :  and  those  whom  actual  poverty  obli- 
ges to  seek  an  asylum  within  the  walls,  receive 
support,  and  find  employment  to  make  them  use- 
ful to  society :  The  blind,  the  old,  and  the  ema- 
ciated, here  pass  the  remainder  of  life  in  peace 
and  tranquillity.  And  here  also  the  unhappy 
female,  who  is  destitute  of  the  means  of  relief, 
when  she  is  most  in  need  of  it,  is  amply  provi- 
ded with  every  thing  requisite  for  a  safe  delivery, 
and  an  expeditious  recovery.  This  institution  is 
under  the  care  of  the  guardians  and  overseers  of 
the  poor,  who  are  a  corporate  body,  created  by 
an  act  of  the  legislature  in  1766,  with  power  to 
impose  taxes  for  its  further  support. 

The  Friends''  Alms-house  is  on  the  south  side 
of  Walnut  Street,  between  Third  and  Fourth 
Streets :  and  is  under  the  superintendance  of  com- 
mittees appointed  at  the  monthly  meetings  of  the 
Quakers,  held  at  Philadelphia,  and  is  supported 
by  them  for  the  use  of  their  own  poor,     It  con- 


10  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

tains  a  great  number  of  separate  apartments  for 
families  or  single  persons  who  have  fallen  to  de- 
cay. Within  the  area,  is  a  large  garden  produc- 
ing abundance  of  valuable  herbs,  both  physical 
and  aromatic. 

Christ  Church  Hospital  is  on  the  north  side  of 
Arch  Street,  No.  1 1 1,  between  Third  and  Fourth 
Streets,  endowed  by  Doctor  John  Kearsley,  the 
elder,  formerly  an  eminent  physician  in  this  city, 
for  aged  widows  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  for  whose  support  an  estate,  chiefly  land- 
ed, was  bequeathed,  which  he  vested  in  the  rec- 
tor, church-wardens,  and  vestry-men  of  St.  Pe- 
ter's and  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  churches ;  to  pro- 
vide the  objects  of  his  charity  with  meat,  drink, 
and  lodging,  and  necessary  assistance  in  physic 

and  surgery This  institution  has  been  greatly 

enlarged  by  the  donation  of  Mr.  Dobbins. 

The  College  of  Physicians^  for  promoting  and 
extending  medical,  anatomical  and  chemical 
knowledge,  and  harmony  and  uniformity  in  the 
practice  of  physic,  hold  their  stated  meetings  in 
the  Philosophical  Hall,  in  Fifth  Street,  on  the 
first  Thursday  in  every  month.  In  1789,  they 
obtained  a  charter  of  incorporation  from  the  Le- 
gislature of  the  state. 

The  Pennsylvania  Society  for  the  abolition  of 
Slavery  meet  at  the  Friends'  Meeting  House  in 
Fourth  Street,  near  Chesnut  Street,  to  superin- 
tend the  morals,  conduct,  and  ordinary  situation 
of  the  free  blacks  ;  to  place  out  black  children  and 
young  people  with  suitable  persons,  to  learn  some 
trade,  or  other  business,  for  subsistence  :  to  su- 
perintend the  school  instruction  of  the  children 
and  youth  of  free  blacks ;  they  were  incorpora- 
ted December  8,   1789. 


POCKET  COMPANION.  H 

The  Humane  Society,  for  the  recovery  of  persons 
apparently  drowned,  and  other  cases  of  suspended 
animation,  was  instituted  in  1780. 

The  Society  for  alleviating  the  Miseries  of  pub- 
lic Prisons,  was  instituted  in  May  1787,  and  has 
been  of  essential  service. 

The  Philadelphia  Society,  for  promoting  Agri- 
culture, was  instituted  in  178  5,  and  has  been  pro- 
ductive of  considerable  improvements  in  rural 
economy.  .    - 

The  Pennsylvania  Society  for  the  encouragement 
of  useful  Arts  and  Manufactures,  was  established 
in  1787  ;  and  is  open  for  the  admission  of  every  ci- 
tizen in  the  United  States,  who  will  engage  to  ful- 
fil the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  same  :  the  terms 
are,  each  member  pays  ten  shillings  to  the  gene- 
ral fund,  when  admitted,  and  the  same  sum  year^ 
ly,  during  his  continuance  as  a  member. 

The  Philadelphia  Society,  for  the  Establishment 
and  Support  of  Charity  Schools,  was  incorporated 
September  8,  1801.  This  institution  has  for  its 
object,  the  establishing  and  supporting  a  school 
or  schools,  to  educate  gratis,  in  reading,  writing, 
arithmetic  and  other  useful  learning,  children  of 
the  poor,  of  all  denominations,  in  the  city  and 
liberties,  without  respect  to  the  country  or  reli- 
gion of  their  parents  or  friends.  It  now  consists 
of  one  hundred  and  eighty  members,  who,  by 
contributions,  support  a  day  school  for  boys,  in 
which  there  are  fifty  now  educated.  This  is  the 
first  institution  of  the  kind,  established  in  Phila- 
delphia, on  so  liberal  a  basis  ;  the  other  charity 
schools  in  the  city,  being  confined  to  children  of 
the  different  religious  persuasions ;  and  what 
renders  it  more  particularly  honourable  is,  that 


12  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

it  originated  with,  and  was  founded  by,  young 
men. 

Besides  these,  there  are  several  national  soci- 
eties for  the  relief  of  emigrants :  viz.  The  Hi- 
bernian, St.  George's,  the  German,  and  Welch ; 
a  charitable  society  for  the  support  of  widows  and 
families  of  Presbyterian  clergymen  ;  a  marine  so- 
ciety, St.  Andrew's  charitable  society,  Franklin  so- 
ciety, Carpenters'  society,  Society  of  Shipwrights, 
and  the  Philadelphia  society,  for  the  information 
and  assistance  of  emigrants,  instituted  in  1794. 
The  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  for  insuring 
houses  from  loss  by  fire  ;  the  Contributionship, 
for  the  same  purpose  ;  the  North  America  Insu- 
rance Company,  incorporated  in  1792,  for  in- 
suring vessels  at  sea  ;  the  Pennsylvania,  Phoe- 
nix, and  Marine  Insurance  Companies,  &c. 
Manufactories,  &c.  are  numerous,  viz.  Rope 
Walks,  Breweries,  Sugar  houses,  manufactories 
of  Earthenware,  Hair  Powder,  Chocolate,  Mus- 
tard, Patent  and  Cut  Nails,  Steel,  Aqua-fortis, 
Oil  Colours,  Glauber  Salts  and  Sal  Ammoniac, 
Parchment  and  Morocco  Leather,  Buttons,  Cards, 
Spirits,  Types,  and  forty  Printing  Offices ;  six  of 
which  publish  daily  newspapers ;  besides  three 
weekly  ones,  two  of  which  are  in  German.  Coach 
making,  Cabinet  work,  Carving,  and  Ship  building, 
are  carried  on  in  Philadelphia  to  a  degree  of  per- 
fection unrivalled  in  America,  and  little  excelled 
in  Europe.  But  the  staple  commodity  of  Phila- 
delphia, is  Flour,  of  which  4C0,0U0  barrels  have 
been  exported  in  one  year. 

The  Bank  of  North  America,  on  the  north  side 
of  Chesnut  Street  near  Third  Street,  is  a  small 
private  building. 


POCKET  COMPANION.  IS 

The  Banli  of  the  United  States  is  on  the  west 
side  of  Third  Street,  below  Chesnut  Street,  and 
opposite  to  Dock  Street.  The  foundation  was 
laid  in  1795,  and  it  was  opened  for  Business  in 
1798.  It  is  a  square  building,  ninety-six  feet  in 
front,  and  seventy-two  feet  deep.  The  front  has  a 
portico,  supported  by  six  fluted  columns  of  white 
marble,  of  the  Corinthian  order ;  the  cornice  and 
pediment  are  of  wood,  highly  enriched.  The 
tympanum  is  decorated  with  the  American  eagle 
and  arms.  The  front  is  of  white  marble  as  high 
as  the  frieze,  inclusive,  and  extends  beyond  the 
portico,  on  each  side,  in  two  wings,  and  is  deco- 
rated with  Pilasters.  The  whole  of  the  ground 
floor,  excepting  the  small  area  of  the  stair  case, 
and  small  private  rooms  for  the  President  and 
Cashier,  is  appropriated  for  the  hall  of  business. 
The  walls  of  the  sides  and  back  are  of  red  brick. 
The  roof  is  covered  with  copper. 

The  Bank  of  Pennsylvania  is  on  the  west  side 
of  Second  Street,  between  Chesnut  and  Walnut 
Streets.  This  edifice  has  been  erected  according 
to  the  plans,  and  under  the  superintendance  of  B. 
H.  Latrobe,  Esq.  an  American  architect,  whose 
correct  taste  has  led  him  to  study  and  imitate  the 
chastest  models  of  Grecian  architecture.  The 
exterior  of  this  bank  is  of  white  marble. ...the  ele- 
gant simplicity  of  the  whole  design  is  such,  that, 
whilst  no  expence  has  been  spared  to  render  it 
secure  and  convenient,  little  has  been  incurred  in 
mere  ornament.  It  is  fifty-three  feet  front  and 
one  hundred  and  thirty-five  feet  in  depth,  includ- 
ing the  porticos  and  steps.  The  principal  front 
on  Second  Street,  consists  of  a  portico  of  six 
Ionic  columns  supporting  an  entablature  and  pe- 
diment....that  on  Dock  Street  is  similar;  both 
are  finished  agreeably  to  the  proportions  of  the 


44  THE   TRAVELLER  S 

portico  of  the  temple  of  Minerva  Polias  at  Athens, 
a  work  which  has  ever  been  considered  as  one  of 
the  chef  d'ceuvres  of  antiquity.  The  front  wall 
has  no  opening,  except  the  door.  The  sides  are 
plain  without  pilasters,  divided  into  a  centre  mass, 
and  recessed  wings :  each  of  these  divisions  has 
one  large  arched  window,  and  a  pannel  or  win- 
dow above  :  The  entablature  runs  uninterrupted- 
ly round  the  whole  building.  The  centre  mass 
of  the  building,  rises  eight  feet  above  the  entab- 
lature, in  a  plain  attic,  and  is  covered  with  a  so- 
lid marble  roof,  in  two  circular  stages.  A  circu- 
lar cupulo  of  eight  large  windows,  covered  with  a 
dome,  is  carried  up  above  the  centre  opening,  and 
gives  light  to  the  hall.  All  the  exterior  wails,  co- 
lumns, entablatures,  and  ceiling  of  the  porticos 
are  of  white,  and  the  roof  of  blue  marble.  The 
interior  of  the  building  consists  of  a  vestibule, 
leading  from  the  east  door  on  Second  Street  to 
the  banking  room  or  hall  of  business,  which  is 
circular,  forty-five  feet  in  diameter,  and  of  equal 
height.  Beyond  this  is  an  elegant  apartment  for 
the  meetings  of  the  stockholders,  forty-five  by 
twenty-five  feet ;  there  are  also  rooms  for  the 
use  of  the  directors,  president,  and  cashier,  &c. 
&c.  Every  room  is  arched,  so  that  it  is  com- 
pletely fire-proof.  The  stair  cases  are  of  mar- 
ble, and  the  dome  of  the  banking  room  is  co- 
vered with  the  same  material  in  very  large  slabs, 
some  of  which  weigh  six  tons.  The  corner  stone 
of  this  building  was  laid  on  the  8th  of  April  1799, 
the  dome  was  closed  in  June  1800,  and  it  was 
occupied  in  July  1801.  It  stands  insulated,  and 
is  enclosed  by  an  iron  palisade. 

Foreigners  have  expressed  their  surprise  at 
finding  in  Philadelphia,  within  a  century  of  its 
foundation,  a  building,  which  would  be  consider- 


POCKET  COMPANION.  15 

ed  an  ornament  to  any  city  in  Europe,  erected  af- 
ter a  Grecian  model,  and  of  materials  similar  to 
those  used  by  the  ancients  in  edifices,  which  have, 
as  it  were,  outlived  the  lapse  of  ages,  and  remain 
at  this  day  proud  evidences  of  their  progress  in 
those  arts  and  sciences  which  have  civilized  the 
human  race. 

The  Philadelphia  Bank  was  incorporated  by  an 
act  of  the  Legislature  in  1804,  and  is  in  a  pri- 
vate building  in  Chesnut  Street,  nearly  opposite 
to  the  Bank  of  North  America. 

Peak's  Museum,  lately  kept  in  the  hall  of  the 
Philosophical  Society,  is  now  removed  to  the 
State  House,  by  virtue  of  a  resolution  of  the  Le- 
gislature, granting  the  proprietor  the  upper  part 
of  the  building  and  the  east  room  below.  This 
Museum,  raised  by  the  indefatigable  industry  and 
persevering  ingenuity  and  taste  of  an  individual, 
almost  without  pecuniary  aid,  contains  the  most 
valuable  and  extensive  collection  of  the  subjects 
of  natural  history,  to  be  met  with  in  this  country. 
Its  systematic  order  and  classification  of  subjects, 
are  now  so  methodically  arranged,  and  so  clearly 
explained  by  references,  that  the  most  common 
understanding  may  thence  derive  information  and 
instruction.  It  is  justly  considered  as  an  impor- 
tant acquisition  to  science,  and  the  arts ;  and  its 
utility  and  respectability  are  constantly  becoming 
more  and  more  extensive,  from  the  many  addi- 
tions that  are  made  to  it.  Mr.  Peale  anticipates, 
that  it  will  become  a  source  of  national  informa- 
tion ;  and  that  future  generations  will  reap  con- 
siderable benefit  from  its  institution. 

He  has  generously  pledged  himself,  that  the 
subjects  of  his  Museum  shall  not  be  disposed  of 


ltf  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

without  the  consent  of  a  number  of  gentlemen, 
who,  by  his  own  invitation,  are  formed  into  a 
society  for  visiting  and  inspecting  it. 

The  New  Theatre  is  on  the  north  side  of  Ches- 
nut  Street,  near  the  corner  of  Sixth  Street,  a 
large  handsome  brick  building,  finished  in  1793, 
with  a  piazza  in  front,  supported  by  ten  columns. 
The  internal  part  of  the  building  is  elegant  and 
commodious.  Theatrical  performances  are  ex- 
hibited three  or  four  times  a  week,  during  the 
months  of  December,  January,  February,  and 
March. 

The  Old  Theatre  in  South  Street,  near  Fourth 
Street,  is  a  wooden  building,  low,  heavy  and 
plain  in  the  inside. ...plainer  on  the  outside. ...it  is 
now  very  seldom  used. 

The  Mint  of  the  United  States  is  still  continued  in 
Seventh  Street,  between  Market  and  Arch  Streets. 

The  Market  House  in  High  Street,  extends  from 
Front  Street  to  Fourth  Street,  and  is  plentifully- 
supplied  with  provisions  of  all  kinds,  vegetables, 
roots,  &c.  on  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays  in  the 
mornings;  and  Tuesday  and  Friday  afternoons 
by  the  country  people,  with  butter,  eggs,  poul- 
try, &c.  Clerks  of  the  market  are  appointed  to 
detect  frauds,  in  butter,  false  measures,  and  un- 
wholesome provisions.  For  cleanliness  and  neat- 
ness, it  is  inferior  to  no  market  in  the  world. 
There  are  three  other  market  houses.. ..one  in  Cal- 
lowhill  Street,  between  Front  and  Second  Streets  ; 
one  in  Second  Street,  in  the  Northern  Liberties ; 
and  one  in  the  same  Street,  near  South  Street. 

There  is  in  the  city,  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  a  number  of  others  subor- 


POCKET  COMPANION.  17 

dinate  thereto.  A  commodious  hall  has  been 
built  for  their  use  in  Filbert  Street,  between 
Eighth  and  Ninth  Streets. 

The  private  buildings  in  Philadelphia  are  ge- 
nerally three  stories  high,  built  of  a  clear  red 
brick,  ornamented  with  facings,  key  stones,  and 
flights  of  steps,  of  white  marble.  Four  or  five 
hundred  houses  have  been  annually  erected  for 
several  years  past,  no  small  proportion  of  which 
(it  is  said  not  less  than  two  hundred)  have  been 
built  by  William  Sansom,  Esq.  of  this  city,  whose 
well  laid  plans  have  greatly  improved  Philadel- 
phia, particularly  in  Walnut  Street,  from  Sixth 
to  Eighth  Streets. ...in  Chesnut  Street,  and  in  a 
street,  between  Walnut  and  Chesnut,  named  af- 
ter him,  the  first  that  has  been  built  in  America, 
with  a  strict  attention  to  uniformity... .also,  in 
Second  Street,  where  it  crossed  a  morass,  that 
had  long  formed  an  inconvenient  separation  be- 
tween the  City  and  the  Northern  Liberties,  he 
has  overcome  almost  unparalled  difficulties,  and 
produced  an  elegant  and  convenient  range  of 
dwelling  houses,  forming  a  handsome  western 
side  of  the  street. 

Philadelphia,  including  Southwark  and  the 
Northern  Liberties,  now  extends  near  three  miles 
along  the  Delaware,  and  about  a  mile  east  and 
west ;  and  is  supposed  to  contain  thirteen  thou- 
sand houses,  and  eighty  thousand  people. 

The  Water  Works  are,  in  point  of  magnitude, 
utility,  and  advantage,  by  far  the  greatest  work 
yet  attempted  in  this  State :  the  works  consist  of 
the  following  parts  :  In  the  bed  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill, a  basin  has  been  formed,  three  feet  deeper 
than  low  water  mark :  this  basin  is  protected  by 

D 


IS  THE  TRAVELLER'S 

a  wall,  next  to  the  river,  of  wrought  granite, 
one  hundred  and  seventy-two  feet  long,  and 
sixteen  feet  thick  at  the  base  ;  in  the  centre 
of  this  wall  is  a  sluice,  either  to  admit  water 
into  or  exclude  it  from  the  basin :  at  the  up- 
per end  thereof  there  is  another  wall  and 
sluice,  admitting  the  water  to  the  canal,  forty 
feet  wide,  and  two  hundred  feet  long ;  at  the 
east  end  of  which  is  a  subterraneous  tunnel  that 
conveys  the  water  into  a  well,  over  which  is  a 
steam  engine,  capable  of  raising  above  4,500,000 
gallons  of  water  in  twenty-four  hours  :  this  is 
conveyed  through  a  tunnel,  six  feet  clear  in  di- 
ameter, along  Chesnut  and  Broad  Streets,  into 
the  centre  of  Market  Street.  In  Centre  Square, 
the  water  is  received  into  a  marble  edifice,  con- 
taining a  steam  engine  of  equal  force  with  the 
former,  which  raises  the  water  into  a  reservoir, 
forty-six  feet  high,  from  whence  it  descends 
through  pipes  into  various  parts  of  the  city  ;  and, 
in  numerous  instances,  has  abundantly  proved  its 
utility,  by  a  speedy  and  plentiful  supply  of  wa- 
ter in  the  extinguishment  of  fires,  by  means  of 
hydrants  and  pumps  placed  in  many  parts  of  the 
city. 

The  building  in  the  Centre  Square,  is  an  ex- 
act square  of  sixty  feet,  having  a  doric  portico  on 
the  east  and  west  fronts  in  Market  Street ;  a  cir- 
cular tower  of  forty  feet  diameter  rises,  termina- 
ted by  a  dome  ;  the  whole  height  is  sixty-two 
feet.  The  building  is  faced  with  white  marble, 
the  dome  is  constructed  of  brick,  laid  in  cement : 
The  Reservoir  is  of  marble,  and  capable  of  hold- 
ing 20,000  gallons  of  water.  The  shafts  of  the 
columns  of  the  porticos  consist  each  of  one  sin- 
gle block  of  marble,  fourteen  feet  nine  inches 
long,  and  two  feet  nine  inches  diameter  at  the 


POCKET   COMPANION.  19 

base.  The  simplicity  of  the  style  of  this  build- 
ing, and  its  conspicuous  situation,  render  it  a 
pleasing  object,  when  viewed  at  a  distance.  The 
first  stone  of  the  works  was  laid  in  1799. 

Schuylkill  Permanent  Bridge.  By  an  act  of  the 
Legislature,  a  company  was  incorporated  in  1798, 
for  erecting  a  permanent  stone  bridge  over  the 
Schuylkill,  at  or  near  the  west  end  of  Market 
Street.  The  first  stone  was  laid  in  October  1800. 
The  bridge  is  to  consist  of  three  large  arches,  of 
which  the  centre  is  to  be  two  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  wide  ;  and  the  other  two  to  be  each  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  feet.  The  width  of  the  bridge  will 
be  fifty  *eet,  with  lamps,  and  foot  ways  on  each 
side.  The  piers  are  completed,  and  it  is  expect- 
ed to  be  made  passable  towards  the  end  of  the 
summer  of  1804.  The  original  plan  has  been 
deviated  from.. ..the  bearings  from  pier  to  pier  are 
to  be  of  wood. 

Philadelphia  was  first  incorporated  in  1701, 
before  which  it  was  called  the  town  of  Philadel- 
phia :  on  the  late  revolution,  the  charter  was  an- 
nulled, and  in  1789  a  new  one  was  granted  by 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  state  ;  to  which  was 
passed  a  supplement  in  1790;  by  which  it  is  go- 
verned by  a  Mayor,  Recorder,  fifteen  Aldermen, 
twelve  Select,  and  twenty  Common  Council  men. 
The  Mayor  is  elected  annually  by  the  Corpora- 
tion, from  among  the  Aldermen  ;  the  Recorder 
and  the  Aldermen  are  appointed  by  the  Governor. 
The  Mayor,  Recorder,  and  Aldermen  are  Justices 
of  the  Peace,  and  of  Oyer  and  Terminer.  They 
hold  a  court  four  times  a  year,  and  take  cogni- 
zance of  all  crimes  and  misdemeanors  committed 
within  the  city.  The  freemen  of  the  city,  with 
those  of  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  coun- 


20  THE  TRAVELLER'S 

ty  of  Delaware,  elect  three  citizens  to  represent 
them  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  The 
city  has  five  members  in  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives of  the  state. 

HARROWGATE 

Is  about  four  miles  and  a  quarter  from  Phi- 
ladelphia, and  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west 
from  the  main  road.  It  is  a  place  of  public 
resort  for  entertainment,  bathing,  and  drink- 
ing its  mineral  waters  :  these  contain  a  small 
quantity  of  iron,  with  a  larger  portion  of  that 
species  of  air,  denominated  hepatic ;  from  which 
latter  its  smell  and  taste  are  derived.  The  gar- 
dens are  laid  out  with  neatness,  and  varied  with 
pleasant  walks,  shaded  by  lofty  trees,  interspers- 
ed with  shrubs  and  a  profusion  of  flowers,  in 
their  proper  seasons. 

FRANKFORD 

Is  pleasantly  situated,  on  an  elevated,  healthy 
spot,  between  five  and  six  miles  north  east  from 
Philadelphia,  and  about  one  and  an  half  direct 
from  Delaware  River.  It  is  a  large,  populous 
and  increasing  village,  on  the  north-east  side 
of  a  creek,  of  the  same  name,  that  empties  into 
the  river  Delaware,  about  a  mile  and  an  half  from 
the  bridge,  at  the  entrance  of  the  town.  The 
country  adjacent  is  pleasant  and  well  cultivated, 
and  embellished  with  many  handsome  seats,  as 
summer  residences  of  the  wealthy  citizens  of 
Philadelphia.  Here  is  an  Episcopal  and  German 
church,  also  an  Academy. 


POCKET   COMPANION.  21 

LOWER  DUBLIN  ACADEMY 

Is  about  ten  miles  and  three  quarters  from 
Philadelphia,  on  an  elevated  spot,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  road,  at  a  little  distance  therefrom : 
it  was  established  by  authority  of  the  legislature 
of  the  state,  by  means  of  a  lottery. 

PROSPECT  HILL 

On  the  summit  of  which  is  the  twelve  mile 
stone,  is  near  the  seat  of  Levinus  Clarkson,  Esq. 
and  that  of  Mr.  Sicard.  This  place  justly  de- 
serves its  appellation,  as  it  commands  a  most 
beautiful  and  extensive  view  of  the  surrounding 
country,  in  which  the  Delaware  adds  grandeur 
to  the  picturesque  scene. 

POQUASIN  CREEK 

At  the  distance  of  twelve  miles  and  three  fur- 
longs from  Philadelphia,  crosses  the  road,  over 
which  is  a  stone  bridge.  This  creek  is  the  boun- 
dary between  Philadelphia  and  Bucks  Counties. 

PHILADELPHIA  COUNTY 

Is  bounded  north-west  by  Montgomery  Coun- 
ty ;  north-east  by  Poquasin  Creek,  which  divides 
it  from  Bucks  County ;.  south  and  south-east  by 
the  river  Delaware  ;  and  south-west  by  Delaware 
County.  Its  population  (exclusive  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia)  amounts  to  about  12,000  free  per- 
sons, and  it  is  divided  into  thirteen  townships. 
In  this  county,  on  the  banks  of  Schuylkill  river,  is 
a  quarry  of  marble,  from  which  the  stonecutters 
of  Philadelphia  are  supplied.  The  average  qual- 
ity of  the  land,  throughout  this  county,  may  be 


22  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

designated  a  Sandy  Loam.     It  is  fertile,  and  well 
cultivated. 

BUCKS  COUNTY 

Is  bounded  north-east  and  south-east  by  the 
river  Delaware  ;  north-west  by  Northampton 
County  ;  and  south-west  by  Montgomery  and 
Philadelphia  Counties.  Its  population  is  about 
25,000  free  inhabitants,  and  it  is  divided  into 
twenty-seven  townships.  The  soil  is  rich  ;  lime- 
stone is  plentiful ;  and  some  iron  and  lead  ore,  it 
is  said,  has  been  found. 

NESHAMINY  CREEK 

Crosses  the  road  at  sixteen  miles  and  a  half 
from  Philadelphia  ;  over  which  is  an  indifferent 
floating  bridge,  about  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
yards  in  length,  where  tolls  are  to  be  paid.  The 
creek  is  navigable  about  two  miles  and  an  half 
from  its  mouth,  to  the  head  of  the  tide. 

CHINA  RETREAT, 

At  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  Neshaminy, 
stands  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  road, 
and  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware.  It  is  a  large 
elegant  building,  executed  in  the  style  of  the 
East  India  dwellings,  by  Mr.  Van  Braam. 

BRISTOL 

Is  nineteen  miles  and  three  quarters  from  Phi- 
ladelphia, situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  De- 
laware, and  nearly  opposite  to  Burlington,  in  the 
state  of  New  Jersey ;  to  and  from  which  places 
are  ferry  boats  hourly  plying.  This  town  had 
formerly  some  reputation  on  account  of  its  mine- 


POCKET    COMPANION.  23 

ral  waters,  but  at  present  they  are  not  held  in 
any  estimation.  It  contains  about  fifty  dwel- 
lings, some  of  which  are  neat  and  commodious. 
It  is  much  resorted  to  in  the  summer  season,  for 
its  agreeable  and  healthy  situation,  and  good  ac- 
commodations ;  there  is  a  Presbyterian,  a  Qua- 
ker, and  a  Methodist  Meeting  House ;  also  a 
Market  House.     It  is  a  post  town. 

TULLY  TOWN, 

At  the  twenty-four  mile  stone,  is  an  insignifi- 
cant place,  having  only  a  few  houses,  one  of 
which  is  a  tavern. 

MORETON'S  TAVERN 

Is  twenty-six  miles  and  three  quarters  from 
Philadelphia.  This  place  is  noted  for  the  first 
public  execution  in  the  County  of  Bucks  ;  whence 
it  acquired  the  name  of  Tyburn,  which  it  retains 
to  this  day. 

MORRISVILLE, 

On  the  west  bank  of  Delaware,  at  the  falls  of 
Trenton,  is  an  airy  and  pleasant  thriving  village. 
It  has  a  number  of  handsome  buildings,  and 
some  elegant  seats.  The  one  built  by  Robert 
Morris,  Esq.  claims  the  pre-eminence,  whether 
considered  with  respect  to  its  delightful  situation, 
or  to  its  neatness  and  ornamental  grounds.  On 
an  island  adjoining  this  village,  were  the  exten- 
sive mills,  &c.  erected  by  him,  for  grinding  grain, 
rolling  and  slitting  iron,  pounding  and  grinding 
plaster  of  Paris,  he.  They  are  now  generally 
decayed  and  in  ruins  ;  and  others  of  smaller  note 
erected  in  their  stead.     The  ferry,  at  Morrisville., 


24  the  traveller's 

is  at  the  head  of  tide  water,  just  below  the  Falls  : 
here  daily  pass  and  repass,  five  four-horse  stages 
to  and  from  Philadelphia  and  New  York :  also 
two  stages  to  and  from  Trenton  to  Philadelphia, 
every  other  day  :  besides  a  great  number  of  pri- 
vate carriages,  chairs,  horses,  &c.  The  boats 
pass  with  the  greatest  safety  from  shore  to  shore, 
by  means  of  poles,  &c.  A  ferriage  toll  is  paid 
here  for  crossing  the  river. 

After  crossing  the  ferry  from  Pennsylvania, 
the  traveller  enters  into  the  state  of  New  Jersey, 
one  mile  distant  from 

TRENTON, 

And  thirty  miles  from  Philadelphia.     Over  As- 
sampink  Creek  is  a  stone  bridge  ;  on  the  heights, 
on  both  sides  of  this  creek,  were  the  encampments 
of  the  American  army,  under  the  command  of 
General  George  Washington,    and  likewise    of 
the  British  forces  :  Here   a  battle  was  fought ; 
and  the  capture  of  600  Hessians  from  the  English 
army,  formed  a  brilliant  epoch  in  the  annals  of 
the  American  Revolution.     One  of  the  redoubts 
still  remains,  the  area  of  which  is  planted  with 
apple  trees.     The  fields  and  adjacent  places  are 
still  marked  with  memorials  of  the  interment  of  the 
dead,  from  the  field  of  battle.     This  city  is  built 
directly  opposite  the  Falls,  on  the  eastern  bank 
of  the  Delaware,   and  stands  elevated  from  the 
water ;  though  not  so  high  as  Lamberton,  in  the 
vicinity,  to  the  south-west,  about  a  mile  distant ; 
to  which  place  sloops  come  up  and  unload,  from 
whence  the  goods  are  conveyed  by  land  carriage 
to  Trenton,  he.     Boats  and  canoes  can  ascend 
the  Falls,  at  certain  times,  and  go   nearly  one 
hundred  miles  higher  up,  though  sometimes  at- 


POCKET   COMPANION.  25 

tended  with  great  difficulty.  Trenton  is  the  seat 
of  government  for  the  state  of  New  Jersey  ;  here 
the  Legislature  assemble  annually,  and  are  ac- 
commodated in  the  State  House,  a  large  noble 
edifice,  100  feet  by  30,  with  a  semi-hexagon  at 
each  end,  over  which  is  a  ballustrade.  The 
building  is  crowned  with  a  handsome  cupola,  with 
offices  for  the  courts  of  justice.  This  is  an  incor- 
porated city,  and  is  governed  by  a  Mayor,  Re- 
corder, three  Aldermen,  and  six  Assistants.  The 
public  buildings,  besides  the  State  House,  are, 
a  Jail,  State  Prison,  Market,  Academy,  Episco- 
pal Church,  Friends,  Methodist,  and  Presbyte- 
rian Meeting  Houses,  Court  House,  and  a  School 
House.  In  the  neighbourhood  are  numbers  of 
elegant  seats,  with  grounds  well  laid  out,  and  va- 
ried as  much  as  art  and  nature  will  admit ;  parti- 
cularly that  called  Twickenham  Park,  now  occu- 
pied as  a  tavern,  at  a  small  distance  from  the 
ferry  ;  that  of  Mr.  Davenport,  on  the  north-west 
of  the  city  and  on  the  river's  banks,  is  peculiar- 
ly beautiful,  as  also  those  of  Mr.  Cadwallader  and 
Mr.  Rutherford  claim  attention  from  the  traveller. 

HUNTERDON  COUNTY 

Is  bounded  west  and  south-west  by  the  river 
Delaware  ;  north-west  by  Sussex  County  ;  north 
by  Morris  County  ;  east  by  Somerset  County ; 
and  south-east  by  Assampink  Creek,  which  se- 
parates it  from  Burlington  County.  Its  popula- 
tion is  about  20,000 ;  and  it  is  divided  into  ten, 
townships. 

MAIDENHEAD, 

At  about  the  thirty-sixth  mile  from  Philadel- 
phia and  six  from  Trenton,  is  a  small,  neat  and 


26  the  traveller's 

airy  village  ;  in  it  is  a  Presbyterian  church.  The 
country  here  may  be  styled  pleasant  and  fertile. 
About  a  mile  from  hence,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road,  is  a  patch  of  land,  of  about  two  thousand 
acres,  called  the  "  Maidenhead  Meadows :"  a 
very  valuable  tract,  of  the  Fenny  kind.  The  soil 
is  a  rich  black  mould,  in  many  places  six  feet 
deep.  Its  fertility  depends  upon  the  spring  fresh- 
es, by  which  it  is  overflowed  from  Stony  Brook. 
Its  quality  has,  of  late,  undergone  some  kind  of 
change ;  for,  the  first  annual  crop  of  grass,  if 
eaten  by  cattle,  has  a  tendency  to  overheat  them, 
and  bring  off  the  hoofs ;  but  the  second  crop  has 
not  that  effect.  It  is  something  like  the  peat  fen- 
land  :  for,  when  cut  and  dried,  it  serves  for  fuel, 
and  in  seasons  of  uncommon  drought,  has  taken 
fire,  and  burnt  for  a  long  time.  Before  coming 
to  Stony  Brook,  the  traveller  quits  Hunterdon 
County.  The  road  from  thence  to  New  Bruns- 
wick, separates  Somerset  County  on  the  west, 
from  Middlesex  County  on  the  east.  Each  of 
these  counties  is  rich,  luxuriant,  and  well  culti- 
vated. 

PRINCETON, 

A  post  town,  at  about  the  forty  second  mile 
from  Philadelphia,  and  twelfth  from  Trenton  is 
situated  in  each  of  the  before  mentioned  coun- 
ties ;  and  is  a  pleasant,  healthful  and  thriving 
town ;  in  it  is  a  brick  Presbyterian  church.  On 
the  south-east  side  stood  the  college,  incorporated 
in  1733,  and  greatly  enlarged  in  1747,  a  hand- 
some stone  building,  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet 
front,  by  fifty-four  feet  deep,  four  stories  high, 
divided  into  forty-two  chambers,  besides  a  chapel, 
refectory,  and  room  for  the  Library,  in  which 
were  upwards  of  two  thousand  volumes,  with  a 


POCKET  COMPANION.  27 

curious  and  beautiful  Orrery,  constructed  by  the 
late  Doctor  David  Rittenhouse.  Thi  s  fine  build- 
ing, the  pride  of  the  state,  was  unfortunately 
burnt  to  the  ground,  on  the  6th  day  of  March, 
1802,  and  scarcely  any  thing  saved  from  the  con- 
flagration. A  subscription  which  was  immedi- 
ately opened,  to  rebuild  it  with  superior  elegance, 
has  been  filled  with  great  liberality,  and  another 
edifice  has  been  built.  The  fields  behind  the 
scite  of  the  college,  have  been  rendered  celebra- 
ted by  a  battle  between  the  Americans  and  Bri- 
tish, at  the  commencement  of  which,  the  Ame- 
rican General  Mercer  fell,  fighting  in  the  cause 
of  liberty  and  independence. 

KINGSTON, 

Between  the  forty-fourth  and  forty-fifth  mile 
from  Philadelphia,  is  a  small  village,  situated 
on  a  high  spot,  on  the  east  bank  of  Millstone 
River. 

ROCKY  HILL, 

Commonly  called  "  The  Devil's  Feather  Bed," 
is  between  the  forty-sixth  and  forty-seventh  mile. 
This  hill  was  formerly  very  difficult  and  dange- 
rous to  pass,  from  the  great  numbers  of  massy 
stones  promiscuously  distributed  on  the  surface  ; 
but,  the  state  having  directed  the  repairs  of  pub- 
lic roads,  this  has  received  its  share  of  improve- 
ment, and  is  now  made  much  more  convenient 
and  easy  to  travellers. 

NEW  BRUNSWICK 

Is  between  the  fifty-eighth  and  fifty-ninth  mile 
from  Philadelphia,  and  the  twenty-eighth  and 
twenty-ninth  mile  from  Trenton,  on  the  south- 


28  the  traveller's 

west  bank  of  the  Rariton  river,  partly  in  Mid- 
dlesex and  partly  in  Somerset  Counties,  fifteen 
miles  from  Rariton  bay.  This  city  lies  low,  and 
disagreeably,  being  at  the  foot  of  a  hill  which 
rises  behind  the  town.  It  is  very  populous  in 
proportion  to  its  area,  and  contains  upwards  of  two 
hundred  and  eighty  houses.  In  consequence  of 
a  good  navigation,  it  carries  on  a  considerable 
trade.  The  public  buildings  are,  three  houses 
for  public  worship,  Queen's  College,  a  gram- 
mar school,  court  house,  jail,  and  market  house. 
The  streets  are  raised,  and  well  paved.  The 
water  is  generally  bad.  The  bridge,  at  which 
a  toll  is  paid,  across  the  Rariton,  is  one  of  the 
most  elegant  and  expensive  in  the  United  States  ; 
it  is  built  of  wood,  nine  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
long,  opposite  Albany  Street ;  the  piers  are  of 
hewn  stone.  This  city  was  incorporated  so  ear- 
ly as  1684.     It  is  a  post  town. 

RARITON  RIVER 

Is  attended  with  some  peculiarities  deserving  of 
remark.  It  is,  opposite  the  town,  so  shallow  at 
low  water,  as  to  be  fordable  for  horses  with  car- 
riages ;  but  its  bed  declines  from  a  level  so  ra- 
pidly, that,  at  a  little  distance  lower  down,  a  large 
vessel  may  ride  with  safety  at  full  tide,  which 
rises  very  high,  whereby  river  craft  pass  above 
the  ford. 

PISCATAWAY 

Is  near  the  sixty-first  mile  from  Philadelphia, 
and  thirty-one  from  Trenton.  It  is  a  scattered 
village,  consisting  of  only  a  few  houses  along  the 
road. 


POCKET   COMPANION.  29 

BONIIAM  TOWN, 

Between  the  sixty-third  and  sixty-fourth  mile, 
is  another  small  village,  situated  in  Woodbridge 
township ;  it  contains  a  few  houses ;  and  is  at  a 
small  distance  from  navigation,  near  the  Salt 
Marshes.     The  land  is  good. 

WOODBRIDGE, 

At  the  sixty-ninth  mile  from  Philadelphia  and 
thirty-ninth  from  Trenton,  is  situated  on  a  small 
stream,  which  empties  into  the  sound  near  Perth 
Amboy.  It  is  a  handsome  post  town,  of  a  mo- 
derate size,  and  contains  many  good  buildings, 
among  which  are  an  Episcopal  and  a  Presbyte- 
rian church.  The  road  from  this  place  is  through 
a  very  level  country,  (excellently  adapted  for  cul- 
tivation of  every  kind  ;  and  particularly  for  mea- 
dows) until  the  traveller  comes  to 

RAH  WAY, 

Between  the  seventy-second  and  seventy-third 
mile,  situated  on  a  river  of  the  same  name.  It 
is  a  populous  thriving  village,  though  scattered 
very  much.  It  contains  a  Presbyterian  church 
and  Friends'  meeting.  The  village  oiHambertan 
is  adjacent. 

ESSEX  COUNTY, 

Into  which  the  traveller  now  enters,  is  boun- 
ded south  by  Middlesex,  on  the  west  by  Somer- 
set and  Morris,  and  on  the  north  and  east  by  Ber- 
gen County.  It  is  about  sixteen  miles  broad, 
and  twenty -five  miles  long,  and  its  population  up- 
wards of  17,000.     It  is,  in  general,  in  the  east- 


50  THE    TRAVELLER'S 

ern  part,  a  most  luxuriant  fertile  country,  of  the 
level,  soft  meadow  kind. 

ELIZABETH  TOWN, 

Between  the  seventy-eighth  and  seventy-ninth 
mile  from  Philadelphia,  is  a  post  town  and  bo- 
rough, and  situated  on  a  small  creek  of  the  same 
name,  (over  which  is  a  stone  bridge,)  which 
empties  into  Arthur  Kull,  or  Newark  Bay.  It 
contains  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  dwelling 
houses,  and  is  pleasantly  situated.  The  modern 
buildings  are  respectable,  regular,  and  in  good 
taste.  This  is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  the 
state,  the  ground  having  been  purchased  of  the 
Indians  in  the  year  1664,  and  settled  soon  after 
by  emigrants  from  Long  Island.  It  is  situated  in 
one  of  the  richest  spots  of  soil  in  the  county. 
It  has  a  very  handsome  new  brick  church  for 
Presbyterians,  another  for  Episcopalians,  a  large 
court  house,  and  an  academy. 

NEWARK, 

A  post  town,  extends  from  the  eighty-fourth 
to  the  eighty-fifth  mile  from  Philadelphia.  It  is 
large,  populous,  rich  and  flourishing,  pleasantly 
situated  at  a  small  distance  west  of  the  Passaick 
River.  It  is  celebrated  for  the  excellence  of  its  cy- 
der ;  and  has  the  largest  shoe  manufactory  in  the 
state,  in  which  sixty  thousand  pairs  are  annually 
made.  In  Newark  are  several  handsome  public 
buildings,  among  which  are,  a  large  elegant  stone 
meeting  house  for  Presbyterians,  an  Episcopal 
church,  a  court  house,  and  Jail.  The  academy, 
established  in  1792,  has  attained  considerable 
celebrity,  and  proves  an  useful  institution.  In 
this  place,  and  in  Orange,  adjacent,  there  are  nine 


POCKET  COMPANION.  31 

tanneries ;  and  valuable  quarries  of  stone,  for 
building.  This  town  was  originally  settled  by- 
emigrants  from  Connecticut,  so  early  as  1662. 

From  Newark  the  road  is  good,  and  pleasingly 
varied  on  each  side  with  farms,  meadows,  &tc. 
to  the  Passaick  River,  over  which  is  an  elegant 
bridge,  five  hundred  feet  long,  in  the  centre  of 
which  is  a  draw,  for  the  accommodation  of  sloops 
sailing  up  or  down.     Tolls  are  paid  at  this  bridge. 

PASSAICK  RIVER 

Is  navigable  about  ten  miles.  The  Patterson 
manufactories,  and  the  new  town  of  that  name, 
are  near  the  Falls.  Many  handsome  country 
seats  ornament  and  improve  its  banks.  The 
cataract,  or  the  Great  Falls,  is  one  of  the  most 
considerable  natural  curiosities  in  the  state.  The 
river  is  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  wide, 
and  moves  slowly  in  a  gentle  current,  until  with- 
in a  short  distance  of  the  precipice,  from  whence 
it  descends  in  one  entire  sheet,  above  seventy 
feet  perpendicular,  presenting  a  beautifully  tre- 
mendous scene ;  and  the  variety  of  rainbows, 
formed  by  sprays  arising,  when  the  sun  shines, 
add  greatly  to  the  scene. 

THE  CAUSEWAY 

Begins  at  the  eighty-seventh  mile  from  Phila- 
delphia :  this  is  an  artificial  road,  over  the  great 
cedar  swamp,  made  of  logs,  laid  across  the  road, 
close  together,  of  three  or  four  layers,  and  co- 
vered with  the  sods  and  earth  dug  up  on  each 
side,  to  form  a  ditch,  for  keeping  the  road  dry  : 
over  this  is  laid  gravel ;  but  it  is  brought  from  a 


32  the  traveller's 

considerable  distance,  and  at  great  expense,  and 
the  road  in  many  places  is  unpleasant.  It  con- 
tinues about  three  miles  to  the  Hackinsack  river, 
over  which  is  a  bridge  similar  to  that  over  the 
Passaick,  where  tolls  are  also  collected. 

HACKINSACK  RIVER 

Is  navigable  fifteen  miles.  Northward  from 
the  bridge,  is  seen  "  Rattle  Snake  Hill,"  nearly- 
round  which  the  river  winds  :  it  is  situated  in  the 
midst  of  Bergen  Marshes,  and  has  a  singular 
appearance. 

About  the  middle  of  a  ridge,  which  divides 
the  marshes  on  the  east  side  of  Hackinsack  river, 
from  those  on  the  borders  of  Hudson  river,  the 
road  leaves  the  town  of  Bergen  to  the  southward, 
to  which  a  road  leads,  between  the  ninety-first 
and  ninety-second  mile.  The  old  road  formerly 
passed  through  this  town.  From  thence,  after 
again  descending  to  the  Marshes,  at  about  nine- 
ty-three miles  and  an  half  from  Philadelphia,  is 

PAULUS  HOOK, 

On  the  west  bank  of  Hudson  river.  This 
place  is  peculiarly  adapted  for  the  stand  of  a  fer- 
ry, and  is,  perhaps,  as  much  used  as  any  other 
in  the  United  States.  The  river  here,  from  tri- 
als made  by  the  patent  log  machine,  is  found  to 
be  two  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty  yards 
wide,  which  is  one  mile  and  a  quarter,  and  eighty 
yards.  Adjoining  to  the  ferry  house,  and  on  the 
heights  behind,  are  remains  of  the  fortifications 
erected  during  the  Revolutionary  war. 


POCKET   COMPANION. 


HUDSON  RIVER 


Is  one  of  the  finest  and  largest  rivers  within 
the  United  States :  its  whole  length  is  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles.  It  rises  in  a  mountain- 
ous country,  between  the  lakes  Ontario  and  Cham- 
plain.  The  western  banks  are  high  and  rocky ; 
it  is  only  navigable  for  sloops,  of  eighty  tons 
burden,  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  to  Albany ; 
and  for  ships,  to  Hudson  city,  thirty  miles  below 
Albany. 

NEW- YORK 

Is  situated  on  the  southern  extremity  of  an 
island,  originally  called  Manhattan,  now  New- 
York  Island,  in  latitude  40°  42 'north;  and  lon- 
gitude 1°  17 '  east  from  Philadelphia :  the  second 
city  in  the  United  States  in  respect  to  population ; 
but  first  in  commerce.  It  is  about  five  miles  in 
circumference,  extending  nearly  two  miles  and  an 
half  along  the  East  River ;  but  on  the  Hudson 
river  it  is  considerably  less.  The  old  part  of 
this  city  has  been  built  in  a  very  irregular  man- 
ner ;  as  circumstances  of  interest,  present  con- 
venience, or  necessity,  prescribed.  Some  of  the 
streets,  particularly  Pearl  Street,  run  in  a  parallel 
line  with  the  winding  or  indenting  of  the  shore  ; 
and  others,  which  cross  them,  are  in  various  di- 
rections, extending  generally  from  river  to  river. 
Some  of  them,  however,  are  wide,  airy  and  plea- 
sant ;  amongst  which  are,  Broadway,  Pearl, 
Wall,  Chatham,  and  Greenwich  Streets ;  this 
last  has  been  formed  by  embankments  on  the  ri- 
ver Hudson,  and  continues  from  the  Battery,  in 
nearly  a  direct  line,  for  two  miles,  to  the  State 
Prison,  which  is  enclosed  by  a  wall,  from  sixteen 


34  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

to  twenty  feet  high.  The  building  comprehends 
a  number  of  subdivisions  and  apartments,  for 
different  purposes  ;  the  whole  exhibiting  a  front 
and  rere  of  three  hundred  and  seven  feet.  The 
edifice  is  wholly  built  of  hard  stone,  the  walls 
thick,  and  the  grates  of  stout  iron  bars,  steeled 
and  hardened.  It  is  three  stories  high.  The 
building  is  covered  with  slate,  and  in  the  centre, 
over  a  handsome  pediment,  stands  an  elegant  cu- 
pola, which  commands  a  pleasing  view.  Other 
streets  and  commodious  wharfs  have  also  been 
formed,  advancing  still  further  on  the  river. 
Broadway  begins  at  a  point  formed  by  the  conflu- 
ence of  East  and  Hudson  rivers,  and  extends  in 
a  due  north  line,  along  the  height  of  ground  be- 
tween them.  It  is  seventy  feet  wide,  and  has  a 
number  of  handsome  and  elegant  houses  on  each 
side,  and  is  the  most  agreeable  and  pleasant 
street  in  the  city.  Water  and  Queen  Streets, 
Hanover  Square  and  Dock  Street,  are  very  con- 
veniently situated  for  business.  On  the  south  end 
is  an  elegant  brick  building,  intended  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  Governor.  On  the  west  side, 
and  opposite  Wall  Street,  stands  Trinity  Church, 
with  an  excellent  chime  of  bells,  built  in  the 
Gothic  style,  and  exactly  similar  to  the  one  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  in  the  time  of  the  Revolution, 
when  more  than  one  third  of  the  city  was  laid  in 
ruins.  At  some  distance  higher  up,  and  on  the 
west  side  also,  is  St.  Paul's  church,  a  noble 
building,  with  an  elegant  steeple,  though  consi- 
derably too  large  when  compared  with  the  whole 
church.  It  stands  at  the  entrance  of  a  large  tri- 
angular area,  called  the  Park,  railed  in,  and  or- 
namented with  walks  and  trees.  On  the  north 
side  of  this  place  stands  the  Bridewell,  the  Alms 
House,  and  the  County  Jail;  and  on  the   east 


POCKET  COMPANION.  35 

the  New  Theatre.  Federal  Hall  is  situated  at 
the  head  of  Broad  Street,  dividing  Wall  Street. 
It  is  a  magnificent  building,  and  admired  for  its 
beauty,  variety,  and  magnificence  of  architecture  ; 
its  front  appears  to  great  advantage,  in  which  is  a 
gallery  twelve  feet  deep,  guarded  by  an  excel- 
lent handsome  iron  railing.  A  part  of  the  ground 
floor  is  an  open  hall,  paved  with  broad  flat 
stones :  adjoining  are  the  courts  of  judicature, 
and  convenient  offices.  King's  College,  incor- 
porated in  1787,  by  the  name  of  Columbia  Hall, 
is  an  elegant  stone  edifice,  three  stories  high, 
containing  twelve  apartments  in  each,  a  chapel, 
hall,  library,  museum,  anatomical  theatre,  and 
a  school  for  experimental  philosophy.  It  is  situ- 
ated between  the  Broadway  and  Greenwich  Street, 
beyond  St.  Paul's  Church,  on  a  dry  gravelly  soil, 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  bank 
of  theHudson,  commanding  an  extensive  and  most 
beautiful  prospect.  Among  the  other  public 
buildings  are,  five  Episcopal  churches  (includ- 
ing Trinity  and  St.  Paul's),  three  Dutch  churches, 
two  Quaker  meeting  houses,  one  for  Independents, 
six  for  Presbyterians,  two  for  Lutherans,  one  for 
Calvinists,  four  for  Baptists,  three  for  Methodists, 
one  for  Roman  Catholics,  one  for  the  French,  one 
for  Moravians,  one  for  Universalists,  and  one 
Jews'  synagogue.  There  are  four  market  houses, 
well  supplied  with  provisions  and  vegetables.  The 
New  York  Bank,  the  United  States'  Branch  Bank, 
the  Merchants'  Bank,  and  the  Manhattan  Bank, 
are  in  Wall  Street  on  the  north  side,  near  Wil- 
liam Street.  The  coffee-house  in  Broad  Way,  is 
an  extensive  pile  of  building,  and  an  ornament  to 
that  part  of  the  west  side,  one  hundred  feet  front, 
and  four  stories  high.  The  Battery  has  been 
greatly  enlarged,  improved  and  beautified,  form- 


36  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

ing  a  most  delightful  walk ;  and  affording  a  charm- 
ing view  of  the  Bay,  the  River,  the  Narrows, 
and  nearly  to  Sandy-Hook.  The  city  is  now  sup- 
plied with  excellent  water,  by  means  of  pipes, 
through  which  it  is  conveyed  in  every  street,  un- 
der the  superintendance  of  the  Manhattan  Com- 
pany. 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  city  are  a  number  of 
public  gardens  and  places  of  entertainment,  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  citizens,  who  have  been 
long  distinguished  for  their  gaiety,  politeness,  and 
affability.  This  city  is  of  antiquity  (in  this  quar- 
ter of  the  world)  as  appears  from  a  charter  grant- 
ed in  April,  1686,  which  designates  it  as  "  an 
ancient  city,"  and  "  having  anciently  been  a  bo- 
dy politic  and  corporate."  Its  present  charter  is 
dated  January  the  15th,  1730,  and  divides  the  ci- 
ty into  seven  wards. 

GOVERNOR'S  ISLAND, 

Opposite  the  city,  is  strongly  fortified,  and  a 
place  of  considerable  defence  against  an  enemy. 
On  Bedloe's  Island  are  an  hospital  and  lazaretto. 

There  are,  in  New- York,  a  number  of  bene- 
volent, literary,  musical,  and  national  institutions ; 
among  which  are,  the  University  of  the  State, 
New- York  Society  Library,  Agricultural  Society, 
New-York  Hospital,  City  Dispensary,  Lying-in- 
Hospital,  Marine,  Mechanics,  Columbia,  Anacre- 
ontic, St.  Cecilia,  Harmonical  and  Uranian  So- 
cieties ;  Tammany,  St.  George's,  St.  Andrew's, 
St.  Patrick's,  German,  and  Caledonian  National 
Societies  ;  Masonic  Lodges,  &c.  This  City  is 
governed  by  a  Mayor,  Recorder,  seven  Aldermen 
(one  for  each  ward),  seven  Assistants,  one  She- 


POCKET  COMPANION.  37 

riff,  one  Coroner,  one  Common  Clerk,  one  Cham- 
berlain, one  High  Constable,  sixteen  Assessors, 
seven  Collectors,  sixteen  Constables,  and  one 
Marshal.  All  the  officers  must  be  freeholders, 
and  inhabitants  of  the  city. 

The  new,  and  improved  parts  of  the  city,  add 
greatly  to  its  beauty  and  healthiness,  and  encrease 
its  extent  nearly  one  third.  The  new  streets  are 
parallel  to  each  other,  and  intersected  by  others 
at  right  angles  :  some  of  them  are  very  spacious. 

The  situation  of  the  city  is  both  healthy  and 
pleasant.  Surrounded  nearly  on  all  sides  by  wa- 
ter, it  is  refreshed  with  cool  breezes  in  summer. 


ROAD  FROM 
PHILADELPHIA 

TO  THE 

CITY   OF   WASHINGTON, 

IN  THE 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

THE  UNITED  STATES  LABORATORY,  &c. 

Are  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  and 
on  the  Bank  of  the  Schuylkill  river,  about  three 
miles  from  Philadelphia,  upon  a  lot  of  ground 
purchased  by  the  United  States.  The  buildings 
are  very  extensive,  and  elegant:  they  consist  of  a 
house  for  the  superintendant  of  military  stores, 
a  laboratory,  store  houses,  barracks,  and  a  maga- 
zine. This  place  is  considered  as  the  grand  de- 
pot of  the  arms,  ammunition,  and  military  stores 
of  the  United  States,  under  the  particular  charge 
of  a  purveyor,  a  store-keeper,  and  assistants. 
A  commodious  wharf  extends  into  the  Schuylkill, 
for  vessels  to  load  or  unload  their  cargoes. 

GRAY's  FERRY 

Is  near  the  fourth  mile  stone.  At  this  place 
there  is  a  floating  bridge  across  the  river,  for  the 
passing  of  which,  tolls  are  established.  The 
house  and  gardens  are  on  the  western  bank  of 
the  Schuylkill,  romantically  situated,  and  on  the 
north  side  of  the  road.  Nature  has  done  more 
for  these  gardens,  in  a  pleasing  variety,  than  art ; 
although  great  pains  have  been  taken  to  improve, 
and  form  them  to  advantage.  A  small  distance 
from  these,  towards  the  north,    is  the  elegant 


2  THE  TRAVELLER'S 

seat,  and  improved  grounds  of  William  Hamil- 
ton, Esq.  called  The  Woodlands  ;  the  great  taste 
and  judgment  he  has  displayed  have  rendered 
this  place  the  most  beautiful  in  the  vicinity  of 
Philadelphia.  The  river,  at  this  ferry,  is  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  wide ;  the  naviga- 
tion, to  its  mouth,  is  good  for  vessels  of  conside- 
rable size  ;  but  about  six  miles  above  this,  at  the 
Falls,  it  is  only  fit  for  boats. 

COBB's  CREEK, 

Six  miles  and  three  quarters  from  Philadelphia, 
begins  Delaware  County,  bounded  north-east  by 
Philadelphia  County,  south-east  by  Delaware 
River,  south  by  the  State  of  Delaware,  and  on 
the  west  and  north-west  by  Chester  County.  The 
lands  bordering  on  the  Delaware  River  are  low, 
and  afford  excellent  meadow  and  pasturage  :  an 
immense  number  of  cattle  are  brought  from  the 
western  parts  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  to 
be  fattened  here,  for  the  Philadelphia  market. 
The  upland,  particularly  near  the  road,  is  well 
adapted  for  all  kinds  of  grain,  and  may  be  de- 
nominated first  rate. 

DARBY 

Is  situated  about  seven  miles  and  an  half  from 
Philadelphia ;  on  the  east  side  of  a  creek  of  the 
same  name,  that  empties  into  the  Delaware  a  lit- 
tle above  Chester.  It  contains  about  fifty  or  six- 
ty houses,  and  has  a  Friends'  Meeting  House. 

RIDLEY  CREEK 

Is  at  thirteen  miles  and  three  quarters,  over 
which  is  a  toll  bridge,  established  by  an  act  of 
the  legislature. 


POCKET   COMPANION. 


CHESTER, 


A  borough  and  post  town,  and  the  capital  of  De- 
laware county,  is  fifteen  miles  from  Philadelphia, 
and  situated  between  two  creeks,  Chester  and  Kid- 
ley,  on  the  north-west  side  of  the  Delaware.  It  was 
incorporated  in  December,  1795,  and  is  governed 
by  two  burgesses,  one  high  constable,  one  town- 
clerk,  and  three  assistants.  The  limits  of  this 
borough  extend  two  miles  along  the  river,  and 
two  miles  from  the  shore,  westward.  It  contains 
a  court  house,  a  jail,  an  Episcopal  church,  a 
Friend's  meeting  house,  a  market  house,  and  a 
large  brick  school  house.  The  first  dwelling- 
house  in  Pennsylvania,  was  built  on  the  scite  of 
this  town  ;  and  the  first  colonial  assembly  for  the 
province,  was  convened  in  this  place  on  the 
fourth  day  of  December,  1682  :  a  part  of  the  old 
wall  of  the  room  still  remains.  This  town  af- 
fords an  agreeable  retreat  in  the  summer ;  and 
has  genteel  accommodations.  It  is  much  resorted 
to  by  company  from  Philadelphia.  The  bed  of 
the  Delaware  has  been  considerably  diminished, 
by  the  marshy  islands  having  been  banked,  and 
dykes  cut,  which  have  converted  them  into  rich 
and  valuable  meadows.  In  the  neighbourhood 
is  found  the  Asbestos, 

MARCUS  HOOK  CREEK 

Js  eighteen  miles  and  three  quarters  from  Phi- 
ladelphia ;  at  the  confluence  of  this  creek  with 
the  Delaware,  is  a  small  town,  containing  about 
thirty  houses,  called  Marcus  Hook,  where  ves- 
sels are  defended  from  the  ice  in  winter,  by  long 
wharfs,  or  piers,  made  for  that  purpose. 


4  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

THE  STATE  OF  DELAWARE 

Commences  between  the  nineteenth  and  twen- 
tieth mile  from  Philadelphia.  It  is  the  smallest 
state  in  the  Union ;  and  is  part  of  the  peninsula 
between  the  Chesapeak  and  Delaware  bays. 
The  road  continues  across  this  state  through 

NEW-CASTLE  COUNTY, 

Which  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Pennsylva- 
nia, on  the  east  by  Delaware  River,  on  the  south 
by  Kent  County,  and  on  the  west  by  the  state  of 
Maryland.  It  is  a  populous  and  well  cultivated 
county ;  being  well  watered  by  the  Brandywine 
and  Christiana  Creeks,  and  their  branches ;  on 
which  are  four  paper  mills,  two  snuff  mills,  one 
slitting  mill,  and  sixty  for  grinding  grain,  and  se- 
veral fulling  mills.  The  northern  parts  of  this 
county  are  hilly  and  broken  ground. 

NAAMAN's  CREEK 

Is  about  twenty  miles  and  a  quarter  from  Phi- 
ladelphia :  there  is  a  bridge  over  it,  where  tolls 
are  collected,  according  to  law. 

GRUBB's  LANDING 

Is  nearly  opposite  to  the  twenty-second  mile 
stone,  and  is  on  the  bank  of  the  river  Delaware 
at  some  distance  from  the  eastern  side  of  the  road. 

BRANDYWINE  CREEK 

Is  at  the  twenty-seventh  mile,  over  which  is  a 
stone  bridge.  A  fine  range  of  mills,  perhaps  the 
cornpletest  of  their  kind  in  the  United  States,  are 
just  below  this  bridge.  In  the  neighbourhood  of 
Wilmington  are  thirteen,  which  are  capable  of 


POCKET  COMPANION.  5 

grinding  four  hundred  thousand  bushels  of  grain 
in  a  year.  The  navigation  of  this  creek  admits 
vessels  carrying  one  thousand  bushels  of  wheat 
to  come  close  up  to  these  mills,  to  load  and  tin. 
load,  which  is  performed  with  great  expedition, 
with  the  machines  invented  by  Mr.  Oliver  Evans 
of  Philadelphia :  by  means  of  which  one  thou- 
sand bushels  have  been  carried  to  the  height  of 
four  stories  in  four  hours. 

WILMINGTON 

Stands  at  the  twenty-eighth  mile  from  Phila- 
delphia, though  it  may  be  said  to  extend  from 
the  Brandywine  to  the  Christiana  Creeks  :  it  is  a 
port  of  entry,  and  a  post  town,  and  is  the  most 
considerable  and  flourishing  in  the  state.  It  is 
regularly  laid  out ;  the  principal  part  of  it  is  on 
the  north  side  of  Christiana  Creek,  upon  the 
south-west  side  of  a  hill,  that  rises  one  hundred 
and  nine  feet  above  the  tide.  On  the  west  side 
of  the  town  is  a  stone  building,  one  hundred  and 
twenty  feet  by  forty,  three  stories  high,  for  the 
reception  of  paupers ;  and  a  large  stone  edifice, 
built  for  an  academy.  A  bolting  cloth  manufac- 
tory and  a  distillery  are  carried  on  here.  The 
public  buildings  are,  besides  those  already  men- 
tioned, a  town  hall,  two  market  houses,  two 
Presbyterian  churches,  one  for  Swedes,  one  for 
Quakers,  one  for  Baptists,  and  one  for  Methodists. 
About  the  year  1736  this  place  was  first  built,  and 
in  a  few  years  was  incorporated.  Its  officers  are, 
two  burgesses,  six  assistants,  and  two  constables. 
The  Delaware  Bank  is  established  here,  and  has 
greatly  aided  the  commerce  of  the  town  and  the 
adjacent  country. 


THE   TRAVELLER'S 


NEWPORT 


Is  about  four  miles  from  Wilmington,  and  near 
the  thirty-second  mile  from  Philadelphia,  on  the 
north  side  of  Christiana  Creek,  in  a  pleasant  situ- 
ation, and  has  a  considerable  trade  with  Phila- 
delphia in  flour. 


STANTON, 

Thirty-four  miles  from  Philadelphia,  situated 
within  the  forks  of  White  Clay  and  Red  Clay 
Creeks,  is  a  place  of  little  note.  In  its  neigh- 
bourhood are  some  good  flour  mills. 

CHRISTIANA  BRIDGE 

Is  thirty- seven  miles  and  three  quarters  from 
Philadelphia,  and  nine  and  a  quarter  from  Wil- 
mington, situated  on  a  creek  of  the  same  name, 
at  the  head  of  navigation.  It  was  built  by  the 
Swedes  in  the  year  1640,  on  the  side  of  a  hill, 
commanding  a  beautiful  prospect  of  the  surround- 
ing country.  It  contains  about  fifty  dwellings, 
and  a  Presbyterian  church.  It  is  the  principal 
carrying  place  between  the  waters  of  the  Chesa- 
peak  and  Delaware  ;  and  has  a  considerable  trade 
with  Philadelphia  in  flour. 

IRON  HILL 

Is  forty-two  miles  and  an  half  from  Philadel- 
phia. Over  a  part  of  this  hill  the  road  passes. 
It  abounds  with  iron  ore. 

THE  STATE  OF  MARYLAND 

Commences  at  about  forty-four  miles  and  three 
quarters  from  Philadelphia. 


POCKET   COMPANION. 


CECIL  COUNTY 


Is  bounded  north  by  Pennsylvania,  east  by  the 
State  of  Delaware,  on  the  south  by  Sassafras 
River,  which  divides  it  from  Kent  County,  and 
on  the  west  by  the  Chesapeak  Bay  and  Susque- 
hanna River.  The  soil,  and  general  productions 
of  this  county,  differ  but  little  from  the  adjoin- 
ing county  in  Delaware  State.  In  many  parts  it 
is  hilly  and  somewhat  barren ;  but  in  general 
yields,  with  proper  cultivation,  good  crops  of 
wheat  and  Indian  corn. 

ELKTON 

Is  forty-seven  miles  and  a  quarter  from  Phila- 
delphia, a  post,  and  considerable  trading  town. 
It  is  situated  at  the  head  of  navigation,  on  the 
forks  of  the  two  branches  of  Elk  River,  about 
three  miles  above  French  Town,  where  the  pack- 
ets from  Baltimore  land  and  embark  passengers, 
&c.  to  and  from  Philadelphia.  Elkton  consists 
of  one  principal  street ;  it  has  a  court  house,  a 
jail,  and  an  academy. 

GRAY's  HILL 

Is  on  the  east  of  Elkton,  on  the  side  of  which, 
and  in  view  of  the  town,  is  a  bluff  of  soft  sand, 
with  strata  of  stone  about  an  inch  in  thickness, 
which  appears  to  have  been  in  a  state  of  fusion ; 
when  broken,  it  has  some  resemblance  to  coarse 
earthen  ware,  or  pantile  brick. 

NORTHEAST, 

A  small  village,  between  the  fifty-third  and  fif- 
ty-fourth mile,  on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  is 
pleasantly  situated,  on  the  east  and  north  bank$ 


THE    TRAVELLERS 


of  a  little  river  of  the  same  name.     It  has  an  Epis- 
copal church,  and  a  Methodist  meeting  house. 

CHARLESTOWN 

Is  fifty-six  miles  and  a  quarter  from  Philadel- 
phia, situated  on  the  north-west  side  of  North- 
east River,  about  four  miles  from  the  Chesapeak. 
From  the  market  house,  a  beautiful  prospect  of 
the  river,  which  here  forms  an  extensive  bay, 
presents  itself.  There  is  here  a  great  herring 
fishery. 

PRINCIPIO  CREEK 

Is  at  about  fifty-nine  miles  and  three  quarters 
from  Philadelphia.  Extensive  iron  works  are 
erected  on  this  stream.  In  times  of  floods,  it  is 
rather  dangerous  crossing  this  creek,  there  being 
no  bridge,  and  the  bottom  very  stony,  and  rugged. 

SUSQUEHANNA  RIVER 

Is  at  the  sixty-third  mile  from  Philadelphia. 
It  is  about  a  mile  and  a  quarter  wide  at  its  mouth, 
a  little  below  where  the  road  crosses  it,  and  navi- 
gable only  about  five  miles  for  vessels  of  200  tons 
burden  ;  and  but  a  little  further  for  boats.  The 
water  of  this  river  is  so  remarkably  clear  (except 
in  seasons  of  rains  and  floods)  that  in  the  deepest 
parts,  the  bottom  can  be  seen,  which  is  in  gene- 
ral stony  :  and  in  many  places,  ledges  of  rocks 
appear  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  A  regu- 
lar ferriage  is  established  here.     After  crossing 


£> 


the  Susquehanna  River,  the  traveller  enters 

HARFORD  COUNTY, 

Bounded  on  the  north  by  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
cast  by  the  Susquehanna  River  and  Chesapeak 


POCKET    COMPANION. 


Bay,  on  the  south  by  Chesapeak  Bay,  and  on  the 
west  by  Baltimore  County  The  soil  of  this  coun- 
ty appears  in  many  places  poor;  the  low  lands,  near 
the  bay,  are,  in  general,  the  most  fertile.  The 
northern  parts  are  varied  with  hills  and  broken 
ground,  and  produce  abundance  of  good  timber  ; 
also,  quarries  of  limestone,  together  with  the  soap 
stone,  and  isinglass  stone. 


HAVRE-DE-GRACE 

Is  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Susquehanna,  near 
its  mouth.  It  is  a  port  of  entry,  and  a  post  town. 
Its  distance  from  Philadelphia  is  sixty-three  miles 
and  an  half. 

HARFORD, 

Called  also  Busb  Town,  is  at  the  seventy-fifth 
mile  from  Philadelphia,  situated  at  the  head  wa- 
ters of  Bush  River,  about  seven  miles  south-east 
from  Bellair,  now  the  county  town.  In  the  vi- 
cinity of  Harford  is  a  large  bed  of  yellow  ochre, 
of  an  excellent  quality.  The  situation  is  healthy 
and  agreeable.  In  the  neighbourhood  are  seve- 
ral neat  country  seats.  There  are  two  small 
streams,  one  on  each  side  of  the  town,  James's 
Run  on  the  north-east,  and  Binam's  Run  on  the 
south-west. 

ABINGDON, 

At  the  seventy-sixth  mile,  is  a  small  town, 
pleasantly  situated,  on  an  eminence.  The  col- 
lege, which  was  a  handsome  building,  called 
Cokesbury,  in  an  airy  and  healthful  situation, 
commanding  a  delightful  and  extensive  prospect, 
Was  burned  in  1796. 


10  THE    TRAVELLER'S 


JOPPA, 


Nearly  opposite  to  the  eighty-second  mile,  on 
the  south  side  of  the  road,  about  a  mile  and  an 
half  distant  (but  not  in  view  from  the  main  road) 
is  situated  contiguous  to  the  forks  of  Gunpowder 
River,  on  the  east  side.  It  contains  an  Episco- 
pal Church,  which  is  the  only  public  building  in 
the  town. 

LITTLE  GUNPOWDER  RIVER 

Is  at  eighty  two  miles  and  a  quarter  from  Phi- 
ladelphia, on  crossing  which  the  traveller  enters 

BALTIMORE  COUNTY, 

Bounded  north  by  Pennsylvania,  on  the  south 
by  Chesapeak  Bay  and  Ann  Arundel  County,  on 
the  west  by  Frederick  County,  and  on  the  east 
by  Harford  County.  This  county  abounds  with 
ore  ;  and  iron  works  have  been  erected,  which 
carry  on  an  extensive  manufacture  of  hollow  ware, 
fkc.  Coal  mines  have  also  been  worked  to  some 
advantage.  The  soil,  in  many  parts,  is  of  but 
indifferent  quality. 

GREAT  GUNPOWDER  RIVER 

Is  at  eighty-three  miles  and  an  half  from  Phi- 
ladelphia ;  on  each  of  the  branches  of  this  river, 
are  several  excellent  mills.  Between  this  and 
Bush  River  is  Gunpowder  Neck,  so  named  from 
a  tradition,  that  the  Indians,  who  formerly  lived 
on  this  tract,  when  they  first  procured  a  quantity 
of  gunpowder,  supposed  it  to  be  a  vegetable  seed, 
and  sowed  it,  on  this  neck,  expecting  it  to  pro- 
duce a  good  crop.    A  ferriage  is  established  here. 


POCKET   COMPANION.  11 


BALTIMORE 


Is  distant  ninety-nine  miles  from  Philadelphia, 
situated  on  the  north-west  branch  of  Patapsco 
River,  at  a  small  distance  from  Chesapeak  Bay. 
The  entrance  of  the  harbour  is  defended  by 
Whetstone  Fort,  now  called  Fort  M'Henry.  The 
town  is  built  around  what  is  called  the  basin,  one 
of  the  finest  harbours  in  the  United  States.  It 
is  divided  into  two  parts,  by  Jones's  Falls  Branch; 
over  which  are  three  wooden  bridges ;  the  west- 
ern part  is  called  u  The  Town,"  and  the  south- 
eastern part  "  Fell's  Point."  Ships  of  500  tons 
burden  can  come  up  to  the  Point ;  but  only  small 
vessels  can  come  up  higher.  The  situation  of 
this  city  is  low,  particularly  near  the  water  side. 
The  streets  extend  east  and  west  along  the  north 
side  of  the  basin  ;  these  are  intersected  by  others 
at  right  angles,  except  a  few.  The  main  street, 
Baltimore  Street,  is  eighty  feet  wide,  and  about 
three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  length ;  it  is  hand- 
some and  well  built ;  other  streets  are  improving 
and  commodious. 

Baltimore  has  made  the  most  rapid  progress  of 
any  town  in  the  United  States,  and  its  situation 
for  commerce  renders  it  little  inferior  in  respecta- 
bility to  any,  ranking  as  the  third  commercial 
port  in  the  Union.  The  public  buildings  are,  a 
brick  court  house,  erected  on  an  arch  in  the  cen- 
tre of  Calvert  Street,  a  jail  not  far  from  the 
court  house,  three  markets,  a  poor  house,  which 
stands  on  the  north-west  side  of  the  town,  the 
Maryland  Bank  in  South  Street,  incorporated  in 
1794,  the  Branch  Bank  of  the  United  States,  at 
the  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Gay  Streets,  the 
Bank  of  Baltimore,  and  the   Union  Bank;  an 

H 


12  THE  traveller's 

exchange  and  a  theatre  in  Holiday  Street ;  the 
places  of  public  worship  are,  one  for  Episcopali- 
ans, one  for  Presbyterians  in  East  Street,  (lately 
erected,  with  two  towers,  and  a  handsome  por- 
tico, supported  by  six  pillars :  It  is  well  finished, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  elegant  churches  in  the 
United  States)  three  for  Germans,  one  for  Quakers, 
one  for  Roman  Catholics,  one  for  Nicolites,  one 
for  Baptists,  and  two  for  Methodists ;  one  of  which 
is  at  Fell's  Point. 

The  bason  is  on  the  south  side  of  the  town ; 
the  harbour  at  Eell's  point  will  admit  vessels  of 
five  hundred  tons  burden.  The  situation  of  the 
town  is  low.  Adjoining  the  town  is  a  large  mill, 
with  four  pairs  of  stones,  each  six  feet  in  diame- 
ter, which  can  manufacture  one  hundred  and 
forty  barrels  of  flour  in  a  day :  about  two  miles 
west  of  the  town  is  another  large  mill,  with  stones 
seven  feet  in  diameter,  capable  of  producing 
one  hundred  and  fifty  barrels  in  a  day  ;  the  wa- 
ter course,  for  a  considerable  distance,  is  cut  out 
of  the  solid  rock. 

Baltimore  was  incorporated  and  declared  a 
City  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  6n  the  31st  of 
December,  1796.  It  is  governed  by  a  Mayor, 
and  a  city  council. 

PATAPSCO  tfrvtfR 

Is  near  the  one  hundred  and  seventh  mile,  and 
about  seven  and  a  half  from  Baltimore.  A  ferri- 
age is  established  here.  On  crossing  the  Patapsco 
River,  you  enter 


POCKET   COMPANION.  1J 

ANNE  ARUNDEL  COUNTY, 

Bounded  north  and  north-east  by  Baltimore 
County,  on  the  east  by  the  Chesapeak  Bay,  on  the 
south  by  Calvert  County,  on  the  west  and  north- 
west by  Prince  George  and  Patuxent  Counties. 
The  soil  of  this  county,  particularly  in  the  north- 
west parts,  is  in  general  rich,  and  well  cultivated  ; 
but  it  is  light  and  sandy  in  the  southern  and  east- 
ern parts,  where  there  are  numerous  fine  forests. 
Iron  ore  is  found  in  this  county ;  two  furnaces, 
with  forges,  are  established,  where  pig  and  bar 
iron,  and  hollow  ware,  are  manufactured. 

ELKRIDGE  LANDING 

Is  opposite  the  one  hundred  and  seventh  mile 
stone.  It  is  a  small  village,  situated  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Patapsco  River,  from  the  ferry  to  the 
mouth  of  Deep  Run.  This  place  is  celebrated 
for  a  superior  kind  of  tobacco,  called  Kitesfoot. 

PATUXENT  RIVER, 

The  north-east  branch,  is  at  the  one  hundred 
and  seventeenth  mile,  and  the  Main  Branch  is  at 
the  one  hundred  and  twenty-first  mile.  On  the 
east  side  of  this  branch,  and  on  the  south  side  of 
the  road,  are  Snowden's  iron  works.  The  Patux- 
ent River  empties  itself  into  the  Chesapeak  Bay, 
about  eighteen  miles  north  of  the  Patowmac.  It 
admits  vessels  of  250  tons  to  Nottingham,  near- 
ly forty  miles  from  its  mouth.  Crossing  this  ri- 
ver, you  enter 

PRINCE  GEORGE'S  COUNTY, 

Bounded  north-east  and  east  by  Anne  Arundel 
and  Calvert  Counties,  south  by  Charles  County, 


14  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

east  by  the  Patowmac  and  the  territory  of  Co- 
lumbia, and  north-west  by  Montgomery  County. 
This  county  is  beautifully  diversified  with  plea- 
sant hills :  the  soil  is  rich,  and  very  fertile,  pro- 
ducing excellent  crops  of  corn  and  tobacco. 

VANVILLE 

Is  a  little  beyond  the  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
fifth  mile  from  Philadelphia,  and  about  fourteen 
miles  from  the  capitol  in  the  City  of  Washington. 
It  is  pleasantly  situated  upon  an  eminence,  which 
affords  agreeable  and  extensive  prospects,  at  the 
foot  of  which  is  Pine  Run. 

BLADENSBURG 

Is  nearly  opposite  the  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
third  mile  from  Philadelphia,  and  about  six  miles 
from  the  capitol  in  the  City  of  Washington,  at  a 
small  distance  from  the  road,  on  the  south  side, 
at  the  confluence  of  the  north-west  and  north-east 
branches  of  the  Eastern  branch  of  the  Patowmac, 
and  at  the  head  of  navigation,  about  eight  miles 
from  the  Patowmac.  It  is  one  long  street ;  is  a 
post  town,  and  has  a  ware-house  for  the  inspec- 
tion of  tobacco.  Immediately  after  crossing  the 
northwest  branch,  a  new  road  has  been  opened  in 
a  straight  line  for  about  one  mile  and  three  quar- 
ters to  the  eastward  of  the  old  road,  and  one 
quarter  of  a  mile  shorter  distance. 

THE   TERRITORY  OF  COLUMBIA 

Commences  near  the  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
fifth  mile  from  Philadelphia.  This  District  com- 
prehends a  tract  of  country,  ten  miles  square,  ex- 
tending on  both  sides  of  the  Patowmac,  ceded  to 
the  United  States  by  Maryland  and  Virginia  for 


POCKET  COMPANION.  15 

the  scite  of  a  National  City.  The  land,  in  this 
territory,  is  in  general  level ;  though  varied  with 
gradual  and  gentle  risings,  which  contribute  to  its 
beauty,  convenience  and  health.  The  soil,  in 
most  parts,  is  not  very  rich ;  but  is  well  watered 
by  springs  and  streams. 

CITY  OF  WASHINGTON, 

By  virtue  of  an  act  of  Congress,  passed  at 
New-York  in  the  year  1789,  became  the  seat  of 
government  of  the  United  States,  in  the  year 
18G0,  and  Congress  held  their  first  session  in  it, 
in  December,  of  that  year :  during  the  preceding 
summer  the  papers,  books,  he.  belonging  to  the 
public  offices,  were  removed,  preparatory  to  the 
meeting  of  Congress  :  the  necessary  buildings  for 
each  department,  being  either  unfinished  or 
scarcely  begun,  temporary  situations  were  ob- 
tained for  depositing  the  records,  &c.  and  trans- 
acting the  general  business ;  this  gave  rise  to  a 
great  misfortune  ;  for  the  building  occupied  by 
the  Department  of  War,  having  taken  fire  on 
the  evening  of  the  eighth  of  November,  1800, 
it  was  consumed,  with  every  book,  paper  and 
record  in  the  secretary's  office,  relative  to  the  re- 
volutionary war,  as  well  as  all  official  documents 
of  military  transactions  under  the  present  govern- 
ment ;  and  on  the  twentieth  of  January  following, 
a  fire  was  discovered  in  a  part  of  the  building  oc- 
cupied by  the  Treasury  Department,  wherein  a 
number  of  papers,  &c.  were  destroyed.  These 
offices  now  occupy  the  buildings  originally  in- 
tended for  their  use. 

This  city  is  on  a  grand  scale,  extending  from 
the  Eastern  branch,  to  Rock  Creek,  which  di- 
vides it  from  George   Town ;  being  about  four 


Ifl  THE   TRAVELLER'S 

miles  and  an  half  through  the  Pennsylvania 
Avenue ;  and  from  the  Patowmac,  north-eastward, 
about  two  miles  and  an  half.  It  is  laid  out  into 
a  great  number  of  streets  extending  due  east  and 
west;  these  are  crossed  by  others,  more  nume- 
rous, at  right  angles,  north  and  south :  In  addi- 
tion to  these,  in  various  directions,  are  large  and 
airy  streets,  or  avenues,  from  one  hundred  and 
thirty,  to  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet  wide ;  these 
are  named  after  the  individual  fifteen  states,  pre- 
vious to  the  admission  of  Tennessee.  These 
streets,  at  each  of  their  intersections  with  each 
other,  and  the  subordinate  intersections,  form 
spacious  open  squares,  intended  for  the  free  cir- 
culation of  pure  and  wholesome  air.  Five  of 
these  spacious  avenues  diverge  from  the  Presi- 
dent's house,  viz.  Pennsylvania,  New- York,  Ver- 
mont, Connecticut,  and  Sixteenth  Street,  west. 
Seven  form  rays  from  the  Capitol,  viz.  North 
Capital,  Delaware,  Maryland,  East  Capitol,  Penn- 
sylvania, New-Jersey,  and  South  Capitol  ave- 
nues. The  streets,  extending  east  and  west,  are 
designated  by  the  letters  of  the  alphabet,  begin- 
ning at  the  south  and  advancing  north,  a,  h,  c, 
dy  &c.  and  those  from  north  to  south  are  nume- 
rically numbered,  east  and  west  from  the  Capitol. 
This  city,  although  in  an  infant  state,  contains 
upwards  of  seven  hundred  and  seventy  houses, 
many  of  which  are  built  in  a  superior  style,  dis- 
persed in  various  parts  of  this  extensive  and  ele- 
gant spot.  It  presents  the  prospect  of  becoming 
one  of  the  most  flourishing  cities  in  the  world. 
The  Pennsylvania  Avenue  is  the  only  street  that 
has  had  any  considerable  improvement,  leading 
from  Georgetown  to  the  President's  house,  and 
thence  to  the  Capitol,  where  it  has  a  paved  foot 
way.  The  Patowmac  and  Eastern  branch,  on 
the  northern  banks  of  which  this  city  is  situated, 


POCKET   COMPANION.  19 

afford  capacious  harbours  for  admitting  vessels  of 
burden,  or  force,  with  safety  and  convenience. 
The  Patowmac,  by  means  of  canals  to  pass  the 
several  falls  above  the  city,  opens  an  extensive 
inland  intercourse  for  a  very  great  distance. 

The  President's  House,  which  is  on  a  very  ex- 
tensive scale,  stands  on  a  rising  ground,  possess- 
ing a  most  delightful  view,  not  only  of  the  river, 
but  of  the  Capitol,  (which  is  one  mile  and  an 
half  distant,)  and  of  the  most  material  parts  of 
the  city.  The  public  offices  are  handsome  and 
conveniently  built. 

The  Capitol  stands  on  a  beautiful  eminence, 
near  the  one  hundred  and  thirty-ninth  mile  from 
Philadelphia,  seventy-eight  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  tide,  commanding  a  view  of  the  whole  city, 
and  an  extensive  prospect  of  the  country. 

The  waters  of  Tiber  Creek  and  Reedy  Branch 
sources  may  be  conveyed,  with  facility,  to  any 
part  of  the  city ;  within  its  limits  are  a  great  num- 
ber of  excellent  springs ;  and  by  digging  wells, 
water  of  the  best  quality  may  readily  be  obtained. 

George  Town  is  one  hundred  and  forty-two  miles 
from  Philadelphia,  pleasantly  situated  on  a  num- 
ber of  small  hills,  on  the  north-east  side  of  the 
Patowmac,  and  affords  an  agreeable  view  of  the 
river,  towards  Alexandria,  eight  miles  distant,  and 
of  the  country  adjacent.  An  academy  instituted 
in  1790  by  the  Roman  Catholics,  wholly  supported 
by  subscription,  is  in  a  flourishing  state.  George 
town  is  a  post  town  and  port  of  entry. 


FINIS. 


1. 


Philadelphia. 

aitcL  due    commencimciit    of  tlie   to  ad  to  ^fewr   "York.j>_ 


2-lW 


d  fromTliilacLelTlro 

— y~^     ""r — ~x 


STuilZn*  t'eulpV* 


2. 


Ho  ad   fiom  TMlacLel^  to 


7rZu&  /. 


Jioad  fro:m_TMlacLel*1:o 


STKiThtff   I'adpV^ 


Ho  ad  fionLPliiladelr  to 


Shallusjc. 


^~J 


XB.   The  above  Columns  ure   ~ttansfinsed  ■  W.  6 .  oxtgkt  to  ~be    on  Hze   outside 


8 


IXL. 


Road  from  Philadelphia  to 


IB 


Hani/on  Jun.  sc. 


Road  from  Philadelphia  to 


12 


13 


Road  from  Philadelphia  to 


14 


;/'.  //."  jut,  r  /; 


Bo  ad  from  Philadelphia  to 


Long      Bland. 


.T)iP?lffffW%i 


gnakSfiP 


HO^II)  po/ii  PHJL^ID  i  toJSrEWYomr. 


Road  from  Philadelphia  to 


Road  from  Philadelphia  to 
6   (iJt^lSHI^TOJT?)   ,)- 


.) 


6 


10  m 

Spring- (fc 

ft       h 

/  el  << 


Road  from  Philadelphia  to 
-  >  <)  WAsniyoToxi)  o 


Warn/on 


v:n?Jnnr  s> 


Roadjrom  Philadelphia  to 


]D> 


9 


10 


Morrison  Jr  fc. 


Road  from  Philadelphia  to 
^WASHINGTO^)    ^ 


J 


11 


12 


Road  from  Philadelphia  to 
(  (^Washi?Tgtox^  ")  s 


//'  U'.'Junr  ft 


13 


14 


LBihn. 
BuckT. 


WMamjcnIZj. 


lload  from  Philadelphia  to 
6  (Wa,shijs^gtko^)  > 


15. 


.'h*4Uu>  Jadp. 


HoacL  from  PliilacLel*  to 

Washington.  ) 


16. 


tt*3b~Ji*. 


Ro  a  <L  from  Phil a  del  .  to 


^(      0  (Hr^  sjfJjr  a  to ift  () 


<L*n 


iloal  Iron  niilaiLel?^o 
('     Of  It' J  S  HIM  GTOJV 

(J, 


lO 


20. 


F.fhaHutJ*  ■ 


Ho  a  d  f  r  oitl Pkila  del-  i o 


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Road  f r  om  Pkil  a  d  cl%  t  o 

Wa  shin gt  ok.  ) 


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