Lands throughout the whole country are to be had at a very low rate, though they are rising every day in value. Good tracts in the parish of St. Mary's, with plenty of wood, may be had for two and three dollars the acre.

With a salubrious climate, a rich soil, and industrious population, Attakapas, and Oppelousas, will soon not only be called the richest counties of Louisiana, but outstrip in agriculture any section of the union. Such a country is worthy of observation, and with the hope that the remarks I have made may result to the advantage of emigrants, I submit them to my countrymen.

Comparative Estimate of the

POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES.

The northern and eastern sections of the Union are far less favoured by nature for the production of the fruits of the earth, than the southern and western. And hence emigrations are frequent, and the drain of inhabitants great. And yet the fact is evident, that in New-England the population is constantly and rapidly increasing. By comparing the census of 1810 with that of 1820, we perceive a very regular progression, and with very few exceptions, an increase equal to that which might be expected, even without the loss of emigrants. During the ten years mentioned, in Maine, the most barren state in New-England, the net gain of inhabitants was near 70,000, being an addition of nearly one third of its former numbers. The increase was in all the counties.

In the same time New-Hampshire gained about 30,000, being an increase of more than one ninth of her former numbers, and no loss in either of her counties. In Vermont, the increase was about 18,000, and no loss in any section of the state. In Massachusetts, the gain was 51,000, being an increase of about one eighth. Berkshire county lost two hundred and seventeen, and Duke's county gained but two. In Rhode Island, the gain was much less than might be expected, considering the flourishing state of manufactures, and the encouragement held out to enterprise. The whole increase was but about 6,000,

being one twelfth of her former population. In Newport county, the loss was about five hundred. In Connecticut, the gain was 14,000, being an increase of about one twentieth of its former numbers. Thus the net increase in the New-England states, during ten years, was 183,000.

The

We come now to the great state of New-York, which is divided into four large districts, viz. South, Middle, Eastern, and Western. The gain of inhabitants in the South, during ten years, was nearly 39,000, of which NewYork city and county received about 27,000. The gain in the Middle district was 37,000. In the Eastern, the increase was 23,000, in which is Washington county, which lost during this time, nearly six thousand. greatest increment was in the Western district, which nearly doubled in the aggregate, and some of the counties of which, more than tripled their former numbers. St. Lawrence, Courtland, Broome, and Ontario doubled; and Genesee increased more than four fold. The whole gain in the state was 413,763, which is an addition to the census of 1810, of one half, wanting a fraction. The population of the state may now be fairly estimated at sixteen hundred thousand.

New-Jersey exhibits a regular progression, having added to her population but thirty-two thousand, each of the counties having contributed about a fair proportion. The addition is about one seventh in ten years. Pennsylvania exhibits a considerable increase during this period, but the result in the different counties is very unequal. Clearfield, Erie, Jefferson, M'Kean, Tioga, and Warren, have about doubled, and some of them more than tripled their numbers, while Cumberland, Dauphin, and Northampton, have lost thousands, and Northumberland alone, twentyone thousand, being three thousand more than half its former inhabitants. The whole increment to the state during ten years, was 239,307, of which Philadelphia city and county claim nearly twenty-six thousand. Delaware had gained but seventy-five during this time, the whole population in 1820, amounting to less than 73,000. In Maryland, the following counties diminished about thirteen thousand in ten years, viz. Charles, Montgomery,

Harford, Queen Ann, and Dorchester. The whole gain in the state, however, was near twenty-seven thousand, the whole population being more than four hundred and seven thousand.

Having now come in course to the District of Columbia, a particular description may be desirable, at least so far as the principal city is worthy of note.

Washington city, the metropolis of the United States, is pleasantly situated on the north-east bank of the River Potomac, at the point of land formed by the junction of the Eastern branch, 300 miles from the mouth of the river, and three miles below the head of the tide. It is separated from Georgetown on the N. W. by Rock Creek, and Tyber Creek passes through the middle of the city. Washington is regularly laid out in streets running due north and south, intersected by others at right angles. Besides these streets, which are from 80 to 110 feet wide, there are avenues, from 130 to 160 feet broad, which diverge from centres in various parts of the city, crossing the other streets transversely. At the points from which the ave nues diverge are spacious squares. The ground embraced in the plan of the city is very extensive, but only a small portion of it is yet occupied with buildings.

The principal public buildings and establishments are, 1. The Capitol, which is finely situated on an eminence, commanding a view of every part of the city, and ́a considerable portion of the adjacent country. According to the original plan, it is to be composed of a central edifice and two wings. The two wings were in a state of considerable forwardness in 1814, when the British army, under General Ross, gained possession of the city, and destroyed them, together with the President's house and other public structures, and an extensive library, which had been purchased for the use of congress. The wings of the capitol are now rebuilt, and the central building has been commenced. The wings are each 100 feet square, and the whole building, when completed, will be a magnificent edifice, presenting a front of 362 feet. 2. The President's house, situated about a mile and a half west of the capitol, on the avenue leading to Georgetown. It is 170 feet by 85, and two stories high. 3. Four spa

cious buildings, erected in the vicinity of the president's house, for the accommodation of the heads of the great departments of government. 4. An extensive navy-yard, situated on the eastern branch, which forms a safe and commodious harbour. 5. A fort, which, from the extreme southern point of the land on which the city stands, commands the channel of the Potomac; and, 6. the general post-office, a brick edifice, about a mile W. N. W. of the capitol. The style of the architecture of the capitol is Corinthian, and that of the president's house Ionic; and both buildings are constructed of free stone. The capitol square is enclosed by a strong and handsome iron railing; and being planted with trees, and otherwise ornamented, will afford a delightful walk for the inhabitants and visiters of the city. The amount expended by the United States on the public buildings, previously to their destruction by the British, in August, 1814, was $1,214,291, and there have been appropriated, towards rebuilding the same, $1,207,788.

Besides the buildings and establishments above enumerated, Washington contains a city hall, a theatre, a col lege, 4 banks, several manufacturing establishments, and 12 houses for public worship, 3 for Presbyterians, 2 for Episcopalians, 2 for Baptists, 2 for Methodists, 2 for Catholics, and 1 for Friends. There is a bridge about one mile long, over the Potomac, three over the eastern branch, and two over Rock Creek. The population of Washington, in 1800, was 3,210; in 1810, 8,208; and in 1820, 13,247, of whom 3,741 were blacks.

The whole gain in the district, during ten years, was nine thousand.

The southern states, except Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, afford but small inducements for the settlement of emigrants. The two former have considerably increased, and the latter nearly doubled her numbers in ten years. Tennessee has increased in the same ratio, and Kentucky has gained more than fifteen thousand annually, numbering, at the last census, nearly six hundred thousand. But in point of gain in numbers, Ohio takes the lead of all her sister states, having increased, from 1810 to 1820, 350,674; and, at the last census, was noted down at 518,434.

Having now digressed a little from the track of history, without entirely losing our way, we shall return to the thread of our work, as connected more particularly with the doings of our government.

state.

CHAPTER XVII.

President Monroe's Administration.

Mr. Monroe was sworn into office as President of the United States, on the fourth of March, 1817, and entered on his duties under favourable auspices. On his accession to the presidency, the country was in a prosperous War had ceased, and with it much of the asperity of political excitement and party bickering. But to repair the losses of the war, and to regain the commercial prosperity, which had been nearly annihilated, was not the work of a moment. Much of the commerce to which our attention had been turned, had fallen into other hands, and ship building, excepting for the navy, had been nearly forgotten. Our country was inundated by foreign fabrics, and the specie, which had been borrowed at a great premium, was fast leaving the country. But still the inaugural address of the president was encouraging, and he anticipated a return of our former prosperity.

During the summer and autumn of 1817, the president made a tour through the northern and eastern sections of the Union, where his presence was welcomed with the greatest cordiality, and party feeling seemed merged in national patriotism. But, in this journey, the national interests were a principal object. Large sums had been appropriated by the national legislature for the defence of the sea-coast, the safety of our inland frontier, the increase of the navy, and the establishment of national docks, the superintendence of which was committed to the president. That he might discharge his duties with fidelity and judgment, he determined to obtain the necessary information by personal observation.

From Washington, which he left on the first of June,