150 A. L. Bishop — The State Worhs of Pennsylvania. 



these sources have been freely drawn upon in the first chapter, 

 which is introductory to the main thesis, specific references have 

 not been given in all cases. Furthermore, in preparing the chap- 

 ter on "Finance," many suggestions were obtained from Worth- 

 ington's "Historical Sketch of the Finances of Pennsylvania" 

 and from Nead's "Brief Review of the Financial History of 

 Pennsylvania." 



In making this study valuable assistance has been received from 

 many persons. Although individual acknowledgments are not made 

 in all cases, the writer by no means overlooks the obligation. My 

 special gratitude is due to Professor G. S. Callender, who, in 

 directing the Avork, has given invaluable counsel and criticism. I 

 am also indebted to Professor W. G. Sumner for advice and sug- 

 gestion concerning the matter and form of the present study. For 

 many courtesies extended and for assistance rendered in locating 

 material, I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Hon. Thomas 

 L. Montgomery, State Librarian of Pennsylvania, and to his 

 assistants. 



Acknowledgment is hereby made of the assistance received from 

 the Carnegie Institution of Washington in the collection of material 

 for this monograph. 



A. L. B. 



New Haven, Conn., May 1st, 1906. 



Chapter I. — Improvements in TRANSPORTATioisr Before 1823. 



For many years after the first settlements in the American colo- 

 nies, the population was confined to a narrow strip of country along 

 the Atlantic coast. The first census in 1790 showed that settlers from 

 Maine to Georgia had spread themselves over a large part of the 

 Atlantic plain and were climbing the mountains. The southeast- 

 ern part of ]^ew York, eastern and southern Pennsylvania, and the 

 eastern part of Virginia were the only sections of these states as yet 

 settled. The average breadth of the populated area was 255 miles 

 from the coast. Westward the lines of immigration were reaching 

 out at four points, — up the Mohawk valley in central New York, 

 along the Potomac through western Maryland, southwestwardly 

 down the east Tennessee valley, and around the southern end of the 

 Appalachian system in Georgia. Beyond the mountains the settle- 

 ments were few. The most vigorous was around Pittsburg in western 



