Of the progressive population of the United States, from the original census of 1790 until 1901. The National Intelligencer recently contained some very interesting speculations by Wm. Darby, Esq., (the author of some valuable works on the geography and statistics of this country,) concerning the ratio of increase which has attended our population to the present time, and the application of that ratio, in estimating the population in time to come. The results of this application are drawn out in a "Tabular View" of each year in the present century. To republish the whole of this Table would require more space than we can afford; we therefore content ourselves with furnishing for the use of the intelligent reader, some of the leading results-prefacing them with the remarks of Mr. Darby on the principle on which his estimates are made. "The first idea of constructing such a table was suggested by the results of a process undertaken from mere curiosity. That process was performed by taking the sum of the first census of 1790, and allowing an increment of three per cent. annually; thus, 3,929,827, in ten consecutive operations, on the principle assumed, gave for 1800, a population of 5,281,468, which differed only 23,457 in deficit from the actual returns by the census of the latter year. I then carried on the process up to 1840, and found as shown by the subjoined table. thought was then excited to construct a Centennial Table. The "The first or left hand column contains the decennial returns by the census, with the ratios of increase during the terms, up to 1840. The ratio of increase during the fifty years from 1790 to 1840 inclusive, comes out to a very near fraction, 4.342. This ratio was then used to deduce the decennial numbers through the subsequent half century. "Even well-informed persons, but who have not paid particular attention to the subject, may be excusably startled when they read the future increase and enormous mass of population stated opposite the year 1901. The tables, however, contain internal evidence of accuracy as far as the nature of the case can 21 VOL. XVII. admit, and especially by showing that, in the previous half century to 1840, the population had more than quadrupled. Further, that the so established increase was made under difficulties, some of which are altogether removed, and all lessened in their deteriorating effects, whilst, on the other side, facilities of transportation by land and water, by steam, roads, and other improved means, are multiplied and multiplying beyond all human anticipation. The once terrible danger of savage warfare is now only matter of history. In brief, the elements of civilized life are indefinitely increased in number and power." It will be remembered, that the results in the first column, are obtained by actual census to 1840, and afterward by applying the ratio obtained from the census. In the second column, the results are wholly independent of the census, and are derived entirely from the population of 1790, by adding 3 per cent. per annum. It cannot fail to strike the reader, that there is a remarkable coincidence between the results thus obtained; and this coincidence must secure a high degree of confidence, that the actual result to be developed by the lapse of time will not vary greatly from those obtained by the calculations. According to the principles on which the second column is constructed, the population for 1845, is 19,959,053, and the increase during this year will be 598,777. And in the 56 years that are to elapse between this and 1901, the prospect is that our population will have swelled to five times its present amount. How soon will fifty-six years have fled! Before the prattling infants, now in our arms, shall have ceased through age, from the busy scenes of life, five times as many souls will be here to take the type of their eternal destiny from the institutions which we are now struggling to plant and sustain in this land. K Probable distribution of population and political influence. There are many reasons why the population of this country will not accumulate as rapidly on the Atlantic slope, as in past periods of our history. It has already reached a degree of density, in which competition in all the pursuits of life is so great, and the soil so valuable, as to hold out inducements to migrate towards regions where the lands are less costly, and the energies of every man may find free scope. Hence the ratio of increase is, and must long continue to be, greatest in the regions lying west of the Alleghanies. In illustration of this subject, let the following facts be considered: When the census of 1790 was taken, the population was found mainly on the 300,000 square miles of the Atlantic slope, and presented an average of about 13 to the square mile. In 1800, the settlements had spread into the region watered by the Ohio and its tributaries, and towards the Gulf of Mexico. This was "the West" of that day, containing about 484,727 souls, on an area of 360,000 square miles; or less than 1.4 to each square mile. In 1810, Illinois, Missouri and Michigan come more into view, and their area added to that previously considered, gives to the West 526,000 square miles; and the census showed a population of 1,098,319-a fraction over 2 to the square mile. Even the densest portion of the western settlements, (parts of Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio,) did not reach 8 to the square mile. At the time of the census of 1820, the area above included in the West, had about 4 to the square mile-having risen to 2,217,464-or more than doubled in ten years, from 1810 to 1820. In the next ten years, ending 1830, the census showed an aggregate of 3,672,569, the ratio of increase was about 1.7, and the distribution fell short of 7 to the square mile. The fifth census, (that of 1840,) shows on this field, including a few settlements in Wisconsin and Iowa, 5,302,918 inhabitants, and yet only a fraction over 10 to the square mile. It may also be called to mind that the combined region under immediate review, does not include all of the "Western country" embraced by the census of 1840. Every principle applicable to the sections named applies also to the western parts of New-York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. But the above calculation does not extend to the whole of the available territory which is destined to belong to the "central basin." "If a line be drawn from the Gulf of Mexico, along the western borders of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri, and from the northwestern angle of the latter, up the Missouri river to the Mandan villages, and thence due north to latitude 49°, the space left between such a line and the Atlantic ocean, comprises, to a small comparative fraction, 1,300,000 square miles. We have already seen that the Atlantic slope contains 300,000 square miles, which, if deducted from the whole extent as above, leaves 1,000,000 of square miles between the Appalachian mountains and the central line we have traced. This great central region, by the census of 1840, had a distributive population differing little from eight to the square mile." Now, what are the conclusions which we are to draw from these facts? 1. The West has but taken its first infantile steps in that career of progress to which it is destined. It has, after all its increase, reached only ten to the square mile, which is less than one-sixth of some of the Atlantic portions of inferior soil. If, with all the disadvantages of an untamed wilderness, covered with forests and infested with savages and wild beasts, it has risen in so short a period to its present prosperity, and yet has so great a portion of its capabilities unoccupied, what may it not be expected yet to become ! 2. Another inference from this progressive growth of the West, respects its political control over the destinies of the whole nation. This million of square miles, which will thus lie along either side of the Mississippi, it will be seen, includes no territory that is either broken by rocky ranges of mountains, or covered by deserts. It is all adapted to the use of man, and perhaps there is none of it, that will not favorably compare for agricultural purposes, with the North Eastern States of the Union. Its population, we have seen, was, in 1840, 6,756,422. The ratio of decennial increase for forty years has been 1.82; which in 1850 will give to the West a population of 12,296,708. Deducting this from the whole population of the United States for 1850, as estimated in the foregoing tables, and there remain for the Atlantic slope, 10,941,296. It follows therefore, that in five years, the population of "the central basin" will have a majority of nearly a million and a half, enough to send twenty representatives to Congress, and to hold effectually the balance of power in all national questions. This is rendered the more probable by the fact, that by the last apportionment of representatives, the Eastern states lost 31, while the Western gained 11, making a difference of 42 votes. In view of such conclusions as this, how immeasurably important is the PRESENT HOUR in forming the character of those who are to be the masters of this Great Republic? Whatever work of benevolence be postponed, this must not be; whatever portion of our country is neglected, the WEST must continue to receive our most strenuous efforts. With some sections of our land and the world, five or ten years may make little difference,-may even increase the facilities for their conversion. But with regard to the Valley of the West, no tonguecan tell the preciousness of every passing day in its bearings on the destiny of America and the World. Hindrances to Evangelization, ARISING FROM THE NATURE OF FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. Jamaica, to the Secretary of State, dated June 28th, 1831. The following are extracts. The increase of our population by immigrants from the Old World, is a subject which has long interested those whose religious feelings lead them to watch the causes that influ- "I do myself the honor to inform you ence the morals of our country. Of late, the that I was called on yesterday by most character of immigrants is beginning to at- of the masters and supercargoes of tract attention in political circles, and vessels now in this port, who complainamong those who have charge of our munici-ed of a law which obliges all foreign pal affairs. Its relations to the government of our country are not proper themes for discussion in these columns; but there are facts connected with this influx of foreigners, which we regard as bearing with great weight on the duty of all who would see these United States brought under a high moral influence. They urge us to make haste, and to do with our might whatever we design to do; lest a long, dark night of ignorance and crime come over the land. The particulars which follow, are only specimens of many similar facts which are reported from time to time in the public journals. We have gathered them together, that they may make their own impression on the mind of the reader; which, we doubt not, will be the same as made on our own, viz: that NO CLAIMS OF PHILANTHROPY ARE SO OBLIGATORY ON AMERICANS, AS THOSE WHICH RESPECT THE PURIFICATION OF * * * vessels under 100 tons, to take a pau- I have no means, while I retain unauthorized to act in an official character, to ascertain the number of persons who have thus been clandestinely introduced into the United States, but I am informed that there are now about 100 in the hospital of Kingston alone, THEIR OWN INSTITUTIONS, AND THE MORAL and as there are scarcely any other for ELEVATION OF THEIR OWN COUNTRYMEN. Emigration of paupers and criminals to the U. S. eigners trading to the colony but Americans, the greater part of these people will find their way to the United States in the manner I have described to you. It is true, that English vessels are also bound to take away these unfortunate persons; but as they were compelled to leave England for want, or improper conduct, it is not likely they will volunteer to return, and I am not wrong therefore in saying they will all go to the United States, &c. In April 1833 the House of Representatives passed a resolution, calling on the President for information relative to the introduction of foreign paupers into the United States. In compliance with this requirement, various papers were submitted to Congress, relating to this subject. These are to be found in Vol. 10, 2d Session of the 25th Congress, Doc. The reception of this letter, led to an ex370. Among others, was a letter from R. M.|| postulation with the British Government; and Harrison, Esq. at Kingston, in the Island of after considerable correspondence, the Presi |