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live hundred and twelve dollars; the daily expenses, including 
two overseers, are five dollars. The dam has also rendered the 
upper part of the Schuylkill navigable, and in order to unite 
the upper with the lower part of the river, a canal with a lock 
to it, has been opened along the western side of the dam. 
A high square pyramidal tower attracted our attention; it is 
a shot-tower, one hundred and sixty-six feet high. The melted 
lead, which is thrown through a tin box, whose apertures are 
suited to the size of shot wanting, falls from the whole height 
into water; while falling it forms itself into shot and becomes 
cold as it falls in the water. The different numbers of shot are 
intermixed ; in order to separate the perfect from the imperfect 
shot, they put them in a flat basin, and by a certain motion in 
an oblique direction, the perfectly round ones roll down into a 
receiver, whilst the imperfect remain in the basin. After 
this they throw the good shot into a box of the shape of a 
bureau, with rockers like a cradle ; the drawers have perforated 
tin bottoms, the upper drawer has the largest holes, and the 
lower the smallest; when the upper drawer is filled with shot, 
it is locked, and then the whole box is rocked for some minutes. 
Through this the shot is separated according to the size’, and I 
believe there are fourteen different numbers. In order to give 
the shot a perfectly smooth surface, they throw it into a box 
which is attached to a wheel turned by water, and in this manner 
they are rolled for some time. They are then packed according 
to their number, in bags, and carried into the warehouse. 
In front of the state house, whose lower floor is used as a 
court room, we saw a great assemblage of people; we heard it 
was the election of the common council. This state house is 
remarkable in an historical point of view, as being the place where 
the Declaration of Independence was signed, on the 4th of July, 
1776, and in which the first Congress assembled, until its 
removal to Washington City. From the public houses in the 
vicinity, flags were displayed, to give notice what political party 
assembled there; hand-bills were sent all over town into the 
houses, to invite votes. From the tenor of these bills one might 
have concluded that the city was in great danger. The election, 
however, to our exceeding astonishment, passed over very 
peaceably.* 
* Here is one of the bills., 
Sib, 
The enclosed Federal Republican Ticket, is earnestly recommended to you 
for your support, This Day . Our opponents are active—Danger threatens— 
Every vote is important—One may be decisive. Be therefore on the alert- 
vote early for your own convenience, and the public good. Bring your friends 
to the poll, and all will be well. The improvement of the city is carefully 
regarded—good order and tranquillity abounds—general prosperity is every 
