MINER, Charles, journalist, born in Norwich, Connecticut, 1 February, 1780; died in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, 26 October, 1865. In 1799 he removed to the Wyoming valley, where with his brother he established the " Luzerne Federalist." This was superseded by the "Gleaner," for which he wrote a series of humorous sketches, which were widely read. He subsequently became assistant editor of the "Political and Commercial Register " of Philadelphia, and later with his brother established in West Chester the "Village Record," for which he wrote over the signature of "John Harwood." In 1825 he was elected to congress from Pennsylvania, and served from 5 December of that year till 3 March, 1829, when he declined re-election, owing to deafness. He was opposed to slavery and friendly to agriculture and the silk-growing interest, which latter he introduced in the United States and popularized by his writings. He drew up and introduced into congress the first resolutions on the culture of silk and wrote the report that was introduced by General Stephen Van Rensselaer as chairman of the committee on agriculture. He returned to the Wyoming valley in 1832. Mr. Miner published a " History of Wyoming," in which the account of the Wyoming massacre was detailed from the testimony of eye-witnesses (Philadelphia, 1845) : "Essays from the Desk of Poor Robert the Scribe," which was first contributed to the "Gleaner"; and the ballad of "James Bird."