ers, estimates were made, founded upon the number of taxable polls, or the number of the militia. In 1749 or 1750, the number in the colonies was estimated at about one million of whites, and the number in each colony as follows: Virginia here again was placed too low, as well as Connecticut, as the latter colony in 1756, by actual enumeration, contained one hundred and twenty six thousand nine hundred and seventy five white inhabitants. In 1775, it became necessary for Congress to ascertain, as near as possible, the actual population in each colony, as the three millions of continental money then issued, was agreed to be apportioned among the colonies, and to be redeemed by each, "according to the number of inhabitants, including negroes and mulattoes, in such colony." The number in each, exclusive of slaves at the south, as ascertained and settled at that time, was, from the best information we have obtained, as follows: The slave population at the south, was then estimated about five hundred thousand, which would make the whole population at that time, about two millions seven hundred and fifty thousand. We would here observe, that the population then settled was that by which, during the war of the revolution, the taxes and expenses of the war, were apportioned among the states. New Hampshire complained that her number was too high; and in 1782, caused an actual enumeration to be be made, by which it appeared, that the number of her inhabitants, was only eighty two thousand-Congress, however, refused to alter her proportion of her taxes on that account. The enumerations which have been made under the present constitution, and which must take place in every ten years, shew the fol lowing population of the United States, from 1790 to 1830, a period The proportion of the white and free persons to the slaves, and the increase of each, during the same period, was as follows: The number of free white males, and free white females, in the Uni ted States, in each of the above years, was, as follows: 1790. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. Males, 1,615,625 2,204,421 2,987,571 3,395,133 5,355,133 Females, 1,556,839 2,100,068 2,874,433 3,866,804 5,171,115 Difference, 58,786 104,353 113,138 128,329 184,018 As the whole population in 1800 was five millions three hundred and nine thousand, if the number had doubled, during the preceding century, every twenty five years, the population in 1700, would have been about three hundred and twenty seven thousand, in 1725, six hundred and fifty thousand, in 1750, one million three hundred and ten thousand, in 1775, two millions six hundred and twenty thousand; and this probably would not be far from the truth, including the slave population. Tables No. I, II, III, IV and V, shew the population of each state and territory, according to the enumeration taken, every ten years, under the present constitution. The vast emigration from the old states to the more fertile lands of the west, since the peace of 1783, has greatly lessened the increase of their population since that period. This is strikingly manifest in the state of Connecticut-in 1756, her population was one hundred and twenty nine thousand nine hundred and ninety four, and in 1774, was one hundred and ninety seven thousand eight hundred and fifty six, making an increase in eighteen years, of sixty seven thousand eight hundred and sixty two. In 1790, the population of this state was two hundred and thirty seven thousand nine hundred and forty six, and in 1830, was two hundred and ninety seven thousand six hundred and seventy five, an increase of only fifty nine thousand seven hundred and twenty nine, in forty years. To enable the reader to compare the increase of the population of the United States, with that of the nations of Europe, we here subjoin the annual increase of the inhabitants, for every million of people, in several European countries, together with the period required for doubling their number. Would double in Since 1801, Great Britain has followed the example of the United State, and every ten years has enumerated her inhabitants, and the number of her people, according to such enumeration, has been as follows: 1801 10,942,646 1811 12,609,814, Inc. of 15 pr. ct. 1821 14,391,524, Inc. of 14 pr. ct. 1831 16,547,378, Inc. of 15 pr. ct. The whole population of the United kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1821, (including the army and navy) was twenty one millions one hundred and ninety three thousand seven hundred and ninety four, and in 1831, was twenty four millions two hundred and sixty six thousand nine hundred and eighty nine, being an increase of 14 per cent during that time. In England and Wales the increase, from 1821 to 1831, was very different in different districts-in the mining districts, according to Marshall, the increase was 30 per cent, in the manufacturing, 251, and in the metropolitan 19; while in the inland towns and villages it was only 7 per cent. The mining and manufacturing districts, no doubt, drew many people from the inland towns and villages, during this period-for it will be borne in mind that the productions of the iron mines had increased nearly three hundred thousand tons, and that the consumption of cotton had increased from about one hundred and twenty seven millions, to about two hundred and sixty millions of pounds, in that country, during this ten years. * Dupin's Forces productives, &c. Tome I. pp. 47, 48. |