. 
1877.] 153 [Fraley. 
by placing him on committees charged with the investi- 
gation of mechanical and scientific subjects. We have 
not space to particularize all such labors, but when we 
say that for more than forty years he was an active 
member of the Institute, always ready for duty and 
always earnest in work, some estimate may be formed 
of this part of his career. 
While thus, as it were, entering the threshold of his 
practical life, the corporate authorities of the City of 
Philadelphia, in 1835, determined to erect the Gas 
Works for the supply of the city. This work was carried 
out by Samuel V. Merrick, Esq., as Engineer, who had 
prepared himself for it by a visit to Europe, and a 
personal inspection of thé Gas works in operation there. 
On the completion of the first section of the works and 
putting them in operation in 1836, Mr. Merrick desired 
to be relieved from the superintendence and care of 
the manufacture of Gas, and he was accordingly re- 
lieved. It then became an important question for the 
Trustees of the Works to decide as to whom the man- 
agement of so important a business should be entrusted. 
After a patient inquiry and a scrutiny of the claims of 
other gentlemen, the place of Superintendent was 
tendered to Mr. Cresson, and being strongly urged by 
his friends Merrick, Keating, and Bache, to accept 
it, he yielded to their wishes. Mr. Merrick soon after- 
wards resigned as Engineer, and Mr. Cresson was then 
elected to that place as well as the one before held. 
He occupied these important and highly responsible 
PROC. AMER. PHILOS. soc. xvi. 100. T 
