Virginia. The proportion of Slaves in Delaware and Maryland is yearly diminishing, while the number of free negroes is increasing; and the time is not far distant when these two States will abolish human servitude. Missouri, in the far west, is approaching that desired result in a still more rapid manner; but this fact her returns do not sufficiently indicate. In the opinion of many American statesmen, five years hence will see her a Free State. [The district of Columbia is a small territory set apart for federal purposes, and is governed directly by Congress, the idea being that it is the joint property of all the States. We are obliged to judge of its present population by the returns of 1840 and 1850, as it is unaffected by causes which influence other portions of the Confederation.] The estimated population of California, in 1856, was 507,067, showing a ratio of annual increase, since 1850, of 32-76. During these six years, however, the immigration had been enormous, consequent upon the gold discoveries; but the excitement must have cooled down since, or have been drawn off in the direction of Australia, Sonora, Fraser River, &c. We have, therefore, put the population in round numbers at 700,000, though that may be under the mark. Illinois, by its census of 1855, gave 1,306,576 inhabitants,—a clear gain of 455,106 in five years, almost all immigration. These Western States are drawing off the surplus population of the world: the ratio is 8.89 per annum, or 134.39 in ten years. We have placed the sister State of Indiana in the same category. Iowa State census of last year gives her population as 633,549-a decennial rate of increase of 276.32. Massachusetts State census in 1855 gives the number of inhabitants at 1,132,369. Annual ratio 2.63, decennial 29.64, upon which we may estimate the populations of the other New England StatesConnecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. These States are not subject to immigration to such a degree as the Western, being, like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, thickly settled, and the land consequently more valuable. The census of Michigan, in 1854, gave 511,672 inhabitants, a decennial ratio of 87.81. The census returns of New York State, in 1855, showed 3,466,212, or a decennial ratio of 25.23. We are thus enabled to judge of the populations of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Wisconsin, in 1855, numbered 552,451 inhabitants, showing an annual ratio of 12·58, or of 227·24 in ten years. Minnesota is estimated to have the above population at the present time. In May, 1858, it was 150,042. Oregon, the youngest of the States, is fast becoming settled. Three years ago, her inhabitants numbered upwards of 43,000; at the present time, her population is considered to be in the neighbourhood of 150,000. |