Com-Propor- factures Propor- of the Propor

17,069,453

Total Population of the United States

CHAPTER II.

DESCRIPTION AND STATISTICS OF EACH OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THE United States comprise all the varieties of fertile and sterile soils and formations; from that of the rocky granite ridges to that of the deepest and most extensive swamps,-from that of stiffest clays to the lightest sands.*

The American writers have usually classed the soils of the various regions in sections, but it is remarkable that Jefferson, in his judicious notes on Virginia, omits, certainly not from ignorance, any description of the soil; while the great Washington was not only a most thorough practical farmer, but a thorough observer of the various kinds of soils as far as then known within the territories of the United States.

General Washington, in a reply to a letter from Sir John Sinclair, who proposed removing as a practical farmer to cultivate the soil of America, describes the soils, &c., as follows:

"The near view which you have of the revolution in France, and of the political state of things in Europe, especially those of Great Britain, has enabled you to form a judgment with so much more accuracy than I could do of the probable result of the perturbed state of the countries which compose that quarter of the globe, and of the principal actors in that theatre, that it would be presumptuous in me, at the distance of 3000 miles, to give an opinion relatively to either men or measures; and therefore I will proceed to the information required in your private letter of the 11th of September, which I will give from the best knowledge I possess, and with the candour you have a right to expect from me.

"The United States, as you well know, are very extensive, more than 1500 miles between the north-eastern and south-western extremities; all parts of which, from the Seaboard to the Apalachian mountains (which divide the eastern from the western waters), are entirely settled, though not as compactly as they are susceptible of; and settlements are progressing rapidly beyond them.

"Within so great a space, you are not to be told that there are a great variety of climates; and you will readily suppose, too, that there are all sorts of land, differently improved, and of various prices, according to the quality of the soil; its contiguity to, or remoteness from, navigation; the nature of the improvements, and other local circumstances. These, however, are only sufficient for the formation of a general opinion; for there are material deviations, as I shall mention hereafter.

The authorities for the general description of each of the United States, which we have compiled in this work are, the returns made by the marshals of the several states, of the population, employments, trades, productions, &c., which were kindly transmitted us by the Honourable Daniel Webster. Various accounts of the resources of several states, viz.-"The Book of the United States,"—" The United States Gazetteer for 1844," a most valuable work, by Daniel Haskel, A.M., late President of the University of Vermont, and J. Calvin Smith, geographer, &c. The following articles from " Hunt's Mercantile Magazine," viz.,-1. Maryland, and its resources, by W. G. Lyford. 2. Michigan and its resources. 3. Resources of the United States, by James H. Lanman. 4. Missouri and its resources, by C. C. Whittisley. 5. Massachusetts, and its resources, by the Hon. Judge Hudson, member of congress. 6. Illinois, and its resources. 7. Commerce and resources of New Hampshire. Also various papers and reports presented to congress. Improvements in agriculture, &c., by the Hon. Henry L. Ellsworth, U.S., commissioner of patents. "Notes on the Western States," by Judge Hall. Professor Tucker's "Progress of Population and Wealth in the United States," and from numerous official returns, published by the legislatures of the respective states.

"In the New England states, and to Pennsylvania inclusively, landed property is more divided than it is in the states south of them.

"The farms are smaller; the buildings and other improvements generally better; and, of consequence, the population is greater: but then, the climate, especially to the eastward of Hudson's river, is cold; the winters long, consuming a great part of the summer's labour in support of their stock during the winter. Nevertheless, it is a country abounding in grass, and furnishes much fine beef, besides exporting many horses to the West Indies.

"A mildew or blight (I am speaking now of the New England states particularly) prevents them from raising wheat adequate to their own consumption, and of other grains they export little or none, fish being their staple. They live well notwithstanding, and are a happy people. Their numbers are not augmented by foreign emigrants; yet, from their circumscribed limits, compact situation, and natural population, they are filling the western parts of the state of New York, and the country on the Ohio, with their own surplusage.

"New Jersey is a small state, and all parts of it, except the south-western, are pleasant, healthy, and productive of all kinds of grain, &c. Being surrounded on two sides by New York, and on the other two by the Delaware River and the Atlantic, it has no land of its own to supply the surplus of its population; of course, their emigrations are principally towards the Ohio.

"Pennsylvania is a large state; and, from the policy of its founder, and of the government since, and especially from the celebrity of Philadelphia, has become the general receptacle of foreigners from all countries, and of all descriptions, many of whom soon take an active part in the politics of the state; and coming over full of prejudices against their own governments, some against all governments, you will be enabled, without any comment of mine, to draw your own inference of their conduct.

“Delaware is a very small state, the greater part of which lies low, and is supposed to be unhealthy. The eastern shore of Maryland is similar thereto. The lands in both, however, are good.

"But the western parts of the last-mentioned state, and of Virginia, quite to the line of North Carolina, above tide-water (and more especially above the Blue Mountains), are similar to those of Pennsylvania, between the Susquehanna and Potomac rivers, in soil, climate, and productions; and in my opinion will be considered, if it is not considered so already, as the garden of America; forasmuch as it lies between the two extremes of heat and cold, partaking in a degree of the advantages of both, without feeling much the inconveniences of either; and, with truth it may be said, is among the most fertile lands in America east of the Apalacian mountains.

"The uplands of North and South Carolina and Georgia are not dissimilar in soil; but as they approach the lower latitudes, are less congenial to wheat, and are supposed to be proportionably more unhealthy. Towards the seaboard of all the southern states (and further south, the more so) the country is low, sandy, and unhealthy; for which reason I shall say little concerning them; for, as I should not choose to be an inhabitant of them myself, I ought not to say any thing that would induce others to be so.

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This general description is furnished that you may be enabled to form an idea of the part of United States which would be most congenial to your inclination. To pronounce, with any degree of precision, what lands could be obtained in the parts have enumerated, is next to impossible, for the reasons I have before assigned; but upon pretty good data it may be said, that those in Pennsylvania are higher than those in Maryland (and, I believe, in any other state), declining in price as you go southerly, until the rice swamps of South Carolina and Georgia are met with; and these are as much above the medium in price, as they are below it in health. I understand, however, that from thirty to forty dollars per acre (I fix on dollars because they apply equally to all the states, and because their relative value to sterling is well understood,) may be denominated the medium price in the vicinity of the Susquehanna, in the state of Pennsylvania; from twenty to thirty on the Potomac ;* and less, as I have noticed before, as you proceed southerly. But, what may appear singular, and was alluded to in the former part of this letter, the lands in the parts of which I am now speaking, on and contiguous to tide-water (with local exceptions), are in lower estimation than those which are above and more remote from navigation. The causes, however, are apparent: 1, the land is better; 2, higher, and more healthy; 3, they are chiefly, if not altogether, in the occupation of farmers; and 4, from a combination of all these, purchasers are attracted, and of consequence the prices rise in proportion to the demand. The rise in the value of landed property in this country has been progressive ever since my attention has been turned to the subject, now more than forty years; but for the last three or four of that period, it has increased beyond all calculation; owing, in part, to the attachment to, and the confidence which the people are beginning to place in, their form of government, and to the prosperity of the country from a variety of concurring causes, none more than to the late high prices of its produce.

Both in what is called the Valley; that is, lying between the Blue Mountain and North Mountain, which are the richest lands we have.

"From what I have said, you will have perceived that the present prices of land in Pennsylvania are higher than they are in Maryland and Virginia, although they are not of superior qua lity. Two reasons have already been assigned for this: first, that in the settled part of it the land is divided into smaller farms, and more improved; and secondly, being in a greater degree than any other the receptacle of emigrants, these receive their first impressions in Philadelphia, and rarely look beyond the limits of the state. But besides these, two other causes, not a little operative, may be added; namely, that until congress passed general laws relative to naturalisation and citizenship, foreigners found it easier to obtain the privileges annexed to them in this state than elsewhere; and because there are laws here for the gradual abolition of slavery, which neither of the two states above-mentioned have at present, but which nothing is more certain than that they must have, and at a period not remote.

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Notwithstanding these obstacles, and although I may incur the charge of partiality in hazarding such an opinion at this time, I do not hesitate to pronounce that the lands of the waters of the Potomac will in a few years be in greater demand, and in higher estimation, than in any other part of the United States. But as I ought not to advance this doctrine without assigning reasons for it, I will request you to examine a general map of the United States, and the following facts will strike you at the first view: that they lie in the most temperate latitude of the United States; that the main river runs in a direct course to the expanded part of the western country, and approximates nearer to the principal branches of the Ohio than any other eastern water, and of course must become a great, if not (under all circumstances) the best highway into that region that the upper seaport of the Potomac is considerably nearer to a large portion of the state of Pennsylvania, than that portion is to Philadelphia; besides accommodating the settlers thereof with inland navigation for more than 200 miles; that the amazing extent of tide navigation afforded by the bay and rivers of Chesapeak, has scarcely a parallel. When to these are added, that a site at the junction of the inland and tide navigation of that river is chosen for the permanent seat of the general government, and is in rapid preparation for its reception; that the inland navigation of the river is nearly completed to the extent above-mentioned; and that its lateral branches are capable of great improvement, at a small expense, through the most fertile parts of Virginia in a southerly direction, and crossing Maryland and extending into Pennsylvania in a northerly one, through which (independent of what may come from the western country) an immensity of produce will be water-borne, thereby making the federal city the great emporium of the United States-I say, when these things are taken into consideration, I am under no apprehension of having the opinion I have given relative to the value of land on the Potomac controverted by impartial men.

"There are farms always, and everywhere for sale: if, therefore, events should induce you to cast an eye towards America, there need be no apprehension of your being accommodated to your liking; and if I could be made useful to you therein, you might command my services with the greatest freedom.

"Within full view of Mount Vernon, separated therefrom by water only, is one of the most beautiful seats on the river for sale; but of greater magnitude than you seem to have contemplated. It is called Belvoir, and did belong to George William Fairfax, Esq., who, were he living, would now be Baron of Cameron, as his younger brother in this country (he, George William, dying without issue) at present is, though he does not take upon himself the title. This seat was the residence of the above-named gentleman before he went to England, and was accommodated with very good buildings, which were burnt soon after he left them.

"There are near 2000 acres of land belonging to the tract, surrounded in a manner by water. The mansion-house stood on high and commanding ground. The soil is not of the first quality; but a considerable part of it lying level, may, with proper management, be profitably cultivated. There are some small tenements on the estate, but the greater part thereof is in wood. At present it belongs to Thomas Fairfax, son of Bryan Fairfax, the gentleman who will not, as I said before, take upon himself the title of Baron of Cameron. A year or two ago, the price he fixed on the land was, as I have been informed, 33 dollars per acre: whether not getting that sum, or whether he is no longer disposed to sell it, I am unable with precision to say; for I have heard nothing concerning his intentions lately.

"With respect to the tenements I have offered to let, appertaining to my Mount Vernon estate, I can give no better description of them, and of their appurtenances, than what is contained in the printed advertisement herewith enclosed; but, that you may have a more distinct view of the farms, and their relative situation to the mansion-house, a sketch from actual survey is also inclosed; annexed to which I have given you, from memory, the relative situation and form of the seat at Belvoir.

"The terms on which I have authorised the superintendent of my concerns at Mount Vernon to lease the farms there, are also inclosed; which, with the other papers, and the general information herein detailed, will throw all the light I am enabled to give you upon the subject of your inquiry.

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To have such a tenant as Sir John Sinclair, however desirable it may be, is an honour I

dare not hope for; and to alienate any part of the fee-simple estate of Mount Vernon is a measure I am not inclined to, as all the farms are connected, and form parts of a whole.

"With very great esteem and respect, I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and obliged humble servant,

Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1796.

G. WASHINGTON."

In order to avoid repetitions, we have compiled from various authorities, a descriptive and statistical account of each state; after which will be found a general summary of the productions, agriculture, trade, navigation, manufactures, finance, &c., of all the states united.

FIRST. THE NORTHERN ATLANTIC STATES-viz: 1. Maine; 2. New Hampshire; 3. Vermont; 4. Massachusetts; 5. Rhode Island; 6. Connecticut ; 7. New York; 8. New Jersey; 9. Pennsylvania.

I. MAINE.

Maine is bounded north by Lower Canada; east by New Brunswick, from which it is separated by the St. Croix river, and a line due north from the monument, at the source of the St. Croix river, following the exploring line run and marked by the surveyors of the two governments in the years 1817 and 1818, to its intersection with the St. John's river, and to the middle of the channel thereof; thence up the middle of the main channel of the said river St. John, to the mouth of the river St. Francis; thence up the middle of the channel of the said river St. Francis, and through the lakes through which it flows to the outlet of the lake Pohenagamook; thence south-westerly, in a straight line to a point in the north-west branch of the river St. John, which point shall be ten miles distant from the main branch of the St. John, in a straight line, and in the nearest direction; but if the said point shall be found to be less than seven miles from the nearest point or crest of the highlands, that divide the rivers which empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the river St. John, to a point seven miles in a straight line from the said summit or crest; thence in a straight line in a course about south 8 deg. west, to the point where the parallel of lat. 46 deg. 25 min. north, intersects the south-west branch of the St. John; thence southerly by the said branch to the source thereof, in the islands at the Metjarmette portage; thence down along the said islands, which divide the waters which empty themselves into the St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the Atlantic Ocean, to the head of Hall's stream; thence down the middle of said stream till the line thus run at the 45 deg. of north latitude, and which has been known and understood to be the line of actual division between the states of New York and Vermont on the one side, and the British province of Lower Canada on the other; and from the said point of intersection west along said dividing line, as heretofore known and understood, to the Iroquois, or St. Lawrence river. Such are the terms of the late treaty, now ratified by both governments. This state lies between 43 deg. 5 min., and 47 deg. 20 min. north latitude, and between 66 deg. 50 min., and 70 deg. 55 min. west longitude It is computed to contain 30,000 square miles, or 19,200,000 acres. It was under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts until 1820, when it was made an independent state. The population was in 1840, 501,793. Of these 252,989 are free white males; 247,449 ditto females; free coloured males, 720 ; ditto females, 635. Employed in agriculture, 101,630; in commerce, 2921; manufactures, 21,879; navigating the ocean, 10,091; learned professions, 1889.

Augusta, at the head of sloop navigation, on the Kennebec river, 50 miles from its mouth, is the seat of government.

Maine is divided into 13 counties, which, with their population and capitals, are as follows:-York, 54,034, C. Alfred; Cumberland, 68,658, Ĉ. Portland; Lincoln, 63,517, C. Wiscasset; Hancock, 28,605, C. Ellsworth; Washington, 28,327, C. Machias; Kennebec, 55,823, C. Augusta; Oxford, 38,351, C. Paris; Somerset, 33,912, C. Norridgewock; Pe