45 A STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



A'or should the following communication from the Presi- 

 dent be omitted: it contains facts and information^ which 

 xve hope ivill satisfy all who are hereafter engaged in 

 such structures^ of the necessity of covering them. 



" After many fruitless attempts by others, to raise funds, 

 and institute plans for erecting a Permanent Bridge over the 

 Schuylkill, I v/ns fortunate enough, through many difficulties 

 and much opposition, to obtain (owing to its own merit, urg- 

 ing- on and assisting my perseverance) the law under which 

 the erection of the present structure has been effectuated. I 

 hold it therefore a duty peculiarly incumbent on me, who ori- 

 ginated, and have faithfully laboured in the execution of an 

 enterprize, in w^hich so many have embarked their property, 

 to. make an effort for the completion and safety of a work, on 

 which the value of their advances so materially depends.— 

 Under these impressions, I bring before you the subject of 

 cov£'ring the Bridge ; and herewith present several drafts of 

 covers, adapted to the frame. From the time of the first 

 idea of a wooden superstructure, I have never wavered in 

 my opinion of the indispensable necessity of the cover. I 

 was surprised (a long time after I had conceived it to be a 

 general sentiment) to find myself in a minority on this sub- 

 ject, though I was not entirely alone. I have reason now to 

 hope that the sentiments of several of the Directors and great 

 numbers of the Stockholders have materially changed ; or re- 

 turned to original impressions. I have been accustomed to 

 this situation in many of the most important parts of the 

 work, and subjects connected with it. I have now, as here- 

 tofore, waited for the candour of the Board and Stockhold- 

 ers to produce convictions ; and have generally been gratified 

 by the event. In some former communications it will ap- 

 pear, that I have never approved oi painting or coating w?'/^ 

 (composition or resinous substances^ the surface of unseasoned 

 <ir massive timber. I gave my reasons for this opinion, which 



