The undersigned, auditors appointed by the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Washington, Pennsylvania, on the 9th day of November, 1841, to audit, settle and adjust the account of William Hopkins, Esq., Commissioner of the Cumberland Road, having carefully examined the accounts submitted to them by said Commissioner (a full statement of which is herewith presented), and having compared the vouchers with said account, do find that the said William Hopkins, Commissioner as aforesaid, has expended up to the 10th day of November, 1841, the sum of twelve dollars and eighty-two 3/4 cents more than came into his hands, and that said sum of twelve dollars and eighty-two 3/4 cents was due to him on said day.
In testimony whereof, we have hereto set our hands and seals the 22d day of January, A.D. 1842.
Washington County, 88.The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I, John Grayson, prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said county, certify that at a Court of Common Pleas for the county aforesaid, held on the 9th day of November, Anno Domini 1841, Samuel Cunningham, John K. Wilson and Henry Langly were appointed by said Court auditors to settle and adjust the account of William Hopkins, Esq., Commissioner of the Cumberland Road, as appears of record in our said Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, the 22d day of January, 1842.
[SEAL]JOHN GRAYSON,Prothy.
ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM SEARIGHT,
Commissioner of the Cumberland Road in Pennsylvania, from the 1st of May, 1843, to the 31st of December, 1844, inclusive.
BY THE FOLLOWING SUMS EXPENDED ON THE WESTERN DIVISION.
Fayette County, ss.
We, the undersigned, auditors appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette county for that purpose, having examined the accounts and vouchers relating to the receipts and expenditures of Wm. Searight, Esq., Superintendent of the Cumberland Road, from the 1st day of May, 1843, to the 31st of December, 1844, inclusive, have found the foregoing statement of the same to be correct and true.
H. CAMPBELL,JOHN HUSTON,RICHARD BEESON.Auditors.
Note.—Gate No. 1 was located at the east end of Petersburg, Gate No. 2 was near Mt. Washington, Gate No. 3 was near Searights, Gate No. 4 was near Beallsville, Gate No. 5 was near Washington, and Gate No. 6 near West Alexander.
RATES OF TOLL.
The following were the rates of toll fixed by the act of April 11th, 1831, which were subsequently, however, changed: For every score of sheep or hogs, six cents; for every score of cattle, twelve cents; for every led or driven horse, three cents; for every horse and rider, four cents; for every sleigh or sled, for each horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, three cents; for every dearborn, sulky, chair or chaise, with one horse, six cents; for every chariot, coach, coachee, stage, wagon, phaeton, chaise, with two horses and four wheels, twelve cents; for either of the carriages last mentioned with four horses, eighteen cents; for every other carriage of pleasure, under whatever name it may go, the like sum, according to the number of wheels and horses drawing the same; for every cart or wagon whose wheels shall exceed two and one-half inches in breadth, and not exceeding four inches,four cents; for every horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, and every other cart or wagon, whose wheels shall exceed four inches, and not exceeding five inches in breadth, three cents; for every horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, and for every other cart or wagon whose wheels shall exceed six inches, and not more than eight inches, two cents; for every horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, all other carts or wagons whose wheels shall exceed eight inches in breadth, shall pass the gates free of tolls, and no tolls shall be collected from any person or persons passing or repassing from one part of his farm to another, or to or from a mill, or to or from any place of public worship, funeral, militia training, elections, or from any student or child going to or from any school or seminary of learning, or from persons and witnesses going to and returning from courts, or from any wagon or carriage laden with the property of the United States, or any canon or military stores belonging to the United States, or to any State. The reader will note that the exemptions provided for by this act are changed by force of the act of May 3, 1850, which authorized the commissioner and the court of quarter sessions to determine who and what shall be exempt from the payment of toll. A large wide board, having the appearance of a mock window, was firmly fixed in the walls of every toll house, displaying in plain letters the rates above given, so that the wayfarer might not err therein.
MR. GALLATIN DEFINES HIS ATTITUDE AS TO THE LOCATION OF THE ROAD, AND GIVES INSTRUCTIONS TO DAVID SHRIVER, SUPERINTENDENT.
When the road was authorized to be constructed by Congress, Mr. Gallatin was Secretary of the Treasury, and a citizen of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. His home was “Friendship Hill,” in Springhill township, near New Geneva, about fifteen miles south of Uniontown, afterward the home of Hon. John L. Dawson. It was intimated in various quarters that Mr. Gallatin was desirous of having the road located through or near his place, and that he used his official influence to further his desire in this regard. The following letter, however, to his old friend David Acheson, of Washington, Pennsylvania, shows that the intimations mentioned were without foundation:
New York, September 1, 1808.
David Acheson, Esq., Washington, Pa.
Dear Sir: On receipt of your letter respecting the Western Road, I immediately transmitted it to the President at Monticello. I was under the impression that he had previously directed the Commissioners to examine both routes and to report to him. It seems,however, that it had not then been yet done. But on the 6th ultimo he wrote to them to make an examination of the best route through Washington to Wheeling, and also to Short Creek, or any other point on the river offering a more advantageous route towards Chillicothe and Cincinnati, and to report to him the material facts with their opinion for consideration.
That it is the sincere wish of the President to obtain all the necessary information in order that the road should pursue the route which will be of the greatest public utility no doubt can exist. So far as relates to myself, after having, with much difficulty, obtained the creation of a fund for opening a great western road, and the act pointing out its general direction, it is sufficiently evident from the spot on the Monongahela which the road strikes, that if there was any subsequent interference on my part it was not of a selfish nature. But the fact is that in the execution of the law I thought myself an improper person, from the situation of my property, to take the direction which would naturally have been placed in my hands, and requested the President to undertake the general superintendence himself. Accept the assurance of friendly remembrance, and of my sincere wishes for your welfare and happiness.
Your obedt servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
Treasury Department, March 9th, 1813.
Sir: You will herewith receive the plot of the road as laid by the Commissioners from the 21st mile to Uniontown.
I approve of having a stone bridge across Little Youghiogheny, and the measures necessary to secure masons should be adopted, but the site cannot be fixed until you have examined whether any alterations in the course be practicable. In that respect I beg leave to refer you to my former letters. As soon as your examination of the ground has taken place, and the alterations you may have found practicable shall have been received and approved, public notice may be given inviting proposals to contract for completing the road as far as Big Yioughiogheny river; an additional appropriation of $140,000 having been made by Congress. You will therefore perceive that in every point of view your examination of the ground is the first object to attend to.
I have the honor to be, respectfully, sir,
Your obt. servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
D. Shriver, jr., Cumberland, Md.
Treasury Department, April 17th, 1813.
Sir: Your letter of the 3d inst. has been duly received. The principal object in finally fixing the course of the road is its permanency and durability without the necessity of perpetual and expensive repairs. To select, therefore, the best ground which that mountainous country will afford, avoiding, as far as practicable, cutting along the side of steep and long hills, always exposed to be washed away, appears to be one of first importance. The other considerations, subordinate to the selection of the best ground, but to be also attended to, are, the expense of making the road, the shortness of the distance and the accommodation (by intersecting lateral roads) of important settlements not on the line of the road.
As an erroneous location would be an irreparable evil, it is better that the contracts for the ensuing twenty miles should be delayed, than to make them before you have had time to take a complete view of the ground. Examine it well before you decide and make your first report. This is more important because it is probable that I will be absent when that report is made, and that it will be decisive, as the acting secretary, to whom the subject will be new and the localities unknown, cannot have time to investigate it critically, and will probably adopt it on your responsibility. If a decisive advantage should arise from an alteration in the last sections already contracted for, and the contractors assent to it, you may, in your report, propose such an alteration. You are authorized for the purpose of facilitating your review of the road, without neglecting the duties of general superintendence, to employ John S. Shriver, or some other able assistant, with a reasonable compensation. You have not stated what this should be, but it is presumed that you will not, in that respect, exceed what is necessary for obtaining the services of a well qualified person. You are authorized to draw for a further sum of twenty thousand dollars; whenever this is nearly exhausted you will apply for a new credit.
With respect to details, they are left at your discretion. You are sensible of the great confidence placed in your abilities and integrity, and I am sure you will not disappoint our expectations.
With perfect consideration and sincere wishes for your welfare, I have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
Treasury Department, April 20th, 1813.
Sir: You are authorized to employ a surveyor to view the most proper road from Brownsville to Washington in Pennsylvania, and thence to examine the routes to Charlestown, Steubenville, mouth of Short Creek and Wheeling, and report a correct statement of distance and ground on each. If the county road as now established from Brownsville to Washington is not objectionable, it would be eligible to prefer it to any other which might be substituted. The surveyor thus employed will meet with every facility by applying tothe gentlemen at Washington who have this alteration in the western road much at heart.
I am respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
D. Shriver, Jr., Cumberland, Md.
Treasury Department, April 23rd, 1811.
Sir: Mr. Cochran has signed his contract and bonds for the third and fourth sections of the road at the price agreed on, that is to say, at the rate of twenty-two dollars and fifty cents per rod for the third section, and of sixteen dollars and fifty cents per rod for the fourth section.
I now enclose the contracts and bonds for the first and second sections; that for the first in the name of Henry McKinley, and at the rate of twenty-one dollars and twenty-five cents per rod. The proposal of Mr. Reade was at the rate of thirteen dollars for a road covered with a stratum of stones twelve inches thick, all the stones to pass through a three-inch ring. He did not stay here or return here to complete the business and was not present when the road was altered to a stratum of stones fifteen inches thick. The same additional price, viz: one dollar and a half per rod, is allowed him for that alteration which was by agreement given to all the other contractors, making fourteen dollars and a half as set down in the contract, instead of thirteen. The contracts and bonds are in every respect (the names of sections and difference of price only excepted) verbatim the same as both those signed by Mr. Cochran, and they were as you will perceive all executed by me, and signed by the President. After they shall have been signed by the contractors respectively, they will each keep a copy of their own contracts, and you will return the other copy, together with the bond (both being signed by the contractors respectively) to this office.
If either of the contractors should for any reason whatever refuse to sign the contract, you will return the same to this office, notify the person thus refusing that he is not considered as a contractor, forbid his doing any work, and immediately advertise in Cumberland that you will receive proposals for making the section of the road thus not contracted for. You will afterward transmit the proposals which may accordingly be made.
I also enclose a copy of the contracts for your own use in order that you may in every case be able to secure the additions agreed on.
I have the honor to be with consideration, sir,
Your obedient servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
The dates were the only blanks left in the contracts and bonds and must be filled at the time of signing, by the contractors.
A. G.
Mr. David Shriver, Jr., Cumberland, Md.
Treasury Department, April 30th, 1811.
Sir: Your letter of the 22d inst. has been received. The President has confirmed the alteration in the first section of the road. It will be proper to have a short endorsement to that effect entered on the contract with Mr. McKinley, and signed by him and yourself.
You are authorized to contract for the bridges and mason work on the terms mentioned in your letter, with the exception of the bridges across Clinton’s Fork of Braddock’s Run, which may perhaps be avoided by the alteration which you contemplate, and which, if necessary, we may, perhaps, considering other expenses, be obliged to contract of cheaper materials. It is left to your discretion to contract for the other mason work as above stated, either with Mr. Kinkead or with the road contractors.
If you shall find it necessary to employ a temporary assistant, you are authorized to do it, provided he shall be employed and paid only when actually necessary. I should think that one dollar and twenty-five, or at most, fifty cents, a day, would in that part of the country be ample compensation.
Respecting side walls no decisive opinion can be given until you shall have matured your ideas on the subject, and formed some estimate of the extent to which they must be adopted and of the expense.
I have the honor to be respectfully, sir,
Your obedient servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
Mr. David Shriver, Jr.,
Superintendent of the Cumberland Road, Cumberland, Md.
LETTER FROM EBENEZER FINLEY.
Release, September 1, 1891.
Hon. T. B. Searight,
My much respected friend: In our conversation the other day, I spoke from memory entirely, as I had no statistics from which to quote. Your father bought the stone tavern house at Searights from Joseph Frost. It was unfinished when your father bought it. I knew Joseph Frost, but have no recollection of the family he came from. Your father was a single man, when he bought the house, but married shortly after.
In relation to Mr. Stewart’s and Mr. Benton’s colloquy about the National Road, Mr. Stewart said that “hay stacks and corn shocks would walk over it.” Mr. Benton replied that “he could not conceive how hay stacks and corn shocks could walk over this bowling green road.” “Ah!” rejoined Mr. Stewart, “I do not expect to see them walk in the shape of stacks and shocks, but in the shape of fat cattle, hogs,horses and mules from the Western and Southern States.” This was in a discussion in Congress, over an appropriation bill for repairing the road. Another conversation with you at some time, would be very much enjoyed by your unworthy scribbler.
P. S. Now, Colonel, since writing the above, many things have come crowding on my memory, and I will mention some of the principal hotels with which I was more or less acquainted. I frequently traveled over the National Road in my younger days. I went often to Cumberland and occasionally to Baltimore. I will begin at Big Crossings (Somerfield). Coming this way, Thomas Brown kept a tavern on the hillside. Next Daniel Collier, then Inks, and next Widow Tantlinger (Boss Rush’s place). Next James Sampey at Mt. Washington, then several stopping places before reaching the Stewart stone house, a hotel that was not largely patronized by travelers on the road. Next the Chalk Hill house and then Jimmy Snyder’s. Next the first house to the left as you come to Monroe, built by Mr. Deford. Then several other hotels before you come to Uniontown. In Uniontown, the Walker House (now Feather’s) was well patronized. Then James Seaton’s and Thomas Brownfield’s wagon stands. Next the Cuthbert Wiggins wagon stand (later Moxley’s), and next the Searight house. Over the hill, next was a house kept by Samuel Woolverton and Hugh Thompson. Then the Robert Johnson (later Hatfield) stone house. Next old Peter Colley, father of Abel, Solomon and John Colley. Then the Bowman house, kept by John Gribble, and next the Brubaker house. Then the first house to the left as you go into Brownsville, kept by Darra Auld, and next the Workman House. But I presume you have all these.
Respectfully,
EB. FINLEY.
LETTER FROM THOMAS A. WILEY, A NATIVE OF UNIONTOWN, WHO RODE THE PONY EXPRESS.
Baltimore and Ohio R. R. Co.,
Gen. Ticket Agent’s Office,
Baltimore, July 16, 1892.
T. B. Searight, Esq.—Dear Sir:—I have been receiving from some one theJeffersonian Democrat, a paper published in my old favorite Uniontown, and have read with great pleasure your publication of things that transpired along the National Road. I knew a great many of the old wagoners, stage drivers and tavern keepers you mention. When I was working for the stage company the Baltimore and Ohio railroad was only completed to Frederic, Maryland, and I used to travel the old pike very often. I hope to be able to come once more to Uniontown before I go hence, where nearly all the rest have gone, and would delight in a long talk with you about old times on the road. In looking over the paper you sent me I scarcelysee any names that I used to know in Uniontown. When last in Uniontown I met William Wilson, Ewing Brownfield and Greenberry Crossland, and did not get a chance to see my old friend and shop-mate, Philip Bogardus. He and I worked for the Stockton stage company. The shops were on Morgantown street. I understand that since I was out my old friend, Bogardus, has passed away. I recollect the lady he married was a Miss Lincoln, and I also recollect his boy, Winfield Scott. I have been with the Baltimore and Ohio company since October 10th, 1852, and am still in its service. Again thanking you for the paper you sent me, I close, in the hope that God will bless you and spare your life and mine, that we may meet in old time-honored Uniontown, and talk over the glories of the old pike.
Yours most respectfully,
THOMAS A. WILEY.
PROPOSALS FOR CARRYING THE MAILS.
Washington City, September 26, 1831.
We will agree to convey the mail on route No. 1,031, from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, daily in four-horse post coaches, agreeable to advertisement, for the yearly compensation of seven thousand dollars.
Or we will make the following improvements: To convey two daily mails from Philadelphia to Pittsburg: First mail to leave Philadelphia at two o’clockA. M.and arrive at Pittsburg in two days and five hours, so as to arrive in Pittsburg at seven o’clockA. M., and extend the route to Wheeling so as to arrive, including route 1,170, at Wheeling the third day by nine o’clockP. M., from the first of April to first of December, and, from first of December to first of April, to Pittsburg in three and Wheeling in four days; and return from Wheeling by Washington, Pittsburg, and Chambersburg, to Philadelphia within the same time; changing the mail as follows: at Lancaster, Harrisburg, Chambersburg, Bedford, Somerset, Mount Pleasant, and at any other office that is or may be established on the route. The second mail to leave Philadelphia at sevenA. M., or immediately after the arrival of the New York mail, and reach Pittsburg in three days and five hours, so as to arrive in Pittsburg by noon, changing the mail at all way offices.
We will agree to carry the mail on route No. 1,198, from Bedford to Washington, Pa., via White House, Somerset, Donegal, Mount Pleasant, McKean’s, Old Stand, Robbstown, Gambles, and Parkinson’s Ferry, to Washington, Pa., as advertised, for the yearly compensation of twenty-nine hundred dollars.
We do agree to carry the mail on route No. 1,230, from Bedford, Pa., to Cumberland, Md., three times a week in coaches, from the first of April to the first of October, and once a week on horseback from the first of October to the first of April, so as to connect with the Winchester mail at Cumberland, and the Great Eastern and Western mail at Bedford, which is much wanted during the summer season, for the yearly compensation of thirteen hundred dollars.
JAMES REESIDE,SAMUEL R. SLAYMAKER,J. TOMLINSON.
To the Hon.Wm. T. Barry,
Postmaster General.
CONTRACT.
This contract, made the fifteenth day of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, between James Reeside, of Philadelphia, Samuel R. Slaymaker, of Lancaster, and Jesse Tomlinson, of Philadelphia, contractors for carrying the mail of the United States, of one part, and the Postmaster General of the United States of the other part, witnesseth, that said parties have mutually covenanted as follows, viz.: The said contractors covenant with the Postmaster General:
To carry the mails from Pittsburg to Harriottsville, Cannonsburg, Washington, Claysville, West Alexander, and Triadelphia, Va., to Wheeling and back, daily, in four-horse post coaches, the first mail to be changed at each county town through which it passes; the second mail at every office on the route; and to furnish armed guards for the whole, when required by the department, at the rate of six thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars for every quarter of a year, during the continuance of this contract; to be paid in drafts on postmasters on the route above mentioned, or in money, at the option of the Postmaster General, in the months of May, August, November, and February.
That the mails shall be duly delivered at, and taken from each postoffice now established, or that may be established on any post route embraced in this contract, under a penalty of ten dollars for each offence; and a like penalty shall be incurred for each ten minutes’ delay in the delivery of the mail after the time fixed for its delivery at any postoffice specified in the schedule hereto annexed; and it is also agreed that the Postmaster General may alter the times of arrival and departure fixed by said schedule, and alter the route (he making an adequate compensation for any extra expense which may be occasioned thereby); and the Postmaster General reserves the right of annulling this contract, in case the contractors do not promptly adopt the alteration required.
If the delay of the arrival of said mail continue until the hour for the departure of any connecting mail, whereby the mails destined for such connecting mails shall miss a trip, it shall be considered a whole trip lost, and a forfeiture of one hundred dollars shall be incurred; and a failure to take the mail, or to make the proper exchange of mails at connecting points, shall be considered a whole trip lost;and for any delay or failure equal to a trip lost, the Postmaster General shall have full power to annul this contract.
That the said contractors shall be answerable for the persons to whom they shall commit the care and transportation of the mail, and accountable for any damage which may be sustained through their unfaithfulness or want of care.
That seven minutes after the delivery of the mail at any postoffice on the aforesaid route named on the annexed schedule, shall be allowed the postmaster for opening the same, and making up another mail to be forwarded.
The contractors agree to discharge any driver or carrier of said mail whenever required to do so by the Postmaster General.
That when the said mail goes by stage, such stage shall be suitable for the comfortable accommodation of at least seven travelers; and the mail shall invariably be carried in a secure dry boot, under the driver’s feet, or in the box which constitutes the driver’s seat, under a penalty of fifty dollars for each omission; and when it is carried on horseback, or in a vehicle other than a stage, it shall be covered securely with an oil cloth or bear skin, against rain or snow, under a penalty of twenty dollars for each time the mail is wet, without such covering.
Provided always, That this contract shall be null and void in case the contractors or any person that may become interested in this contract, directly or indirectly, shall become a postmaster or an assistant postmaster. No member of Congress shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon; and this contract shall, in all its parts, be subject to its terms and requisitions of an act of Congress, passed on the 21st day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, entitled, “An act concerning public contracts.”
And it is mutually covenanted and agreed by the said parties that this contract shall commence on the first day of January next, and continue in force until the thirty-first day of December, inclusively, which will be in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.
In witness whereof, They have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of