Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-31

Thus you that in the western district the ratio
having decreased between the years 1890 aud 1920,
from S3 34 per cent. to 81 l2-appears by the audi
tors estimate TO have risen in tho last years 10
10 per cent which is equivalent to 40 per cent for
ten years-this may be owing to in the Au-
ditors estimate or 1t may perhap, be accounted for.
upon the supposon that emigration from that district
diminished, within the Last nine years. and migration to
1t increased 1t Is certainly, however, not according
10 The usual course OF things that the ratio of
in newly settled country should rise, as the popula
ucn becomes more dense.
You will observe that the Valley district haviog re-
manned nearly stationary for the ten years 1900
lSl0-ncressed IL 81 per for the ext ten We ars
and IA 25 per for thelast nine that the middle
district remaining nearly stationary for 20 years from
lS0O to 1890, appears TO have increased upwards OF
per cent for the last nine and that the tide dis
tct being nearly stationary for 20 years from 1870 10
iSio, increased in the next 10 years La per cent,
and in the last nine about 2 I-2 per Cent.
There can be doubt that these irregularities pro-
coed in great degree from the difference of emis
ton from all the districts in the State fast diminish.
ing as the western States and territories becoming
populous, and western lands rising in price, The time
therefore, probably distant when the incr ease of
our population will be left chiefly its natural causes
aud when the ratio IN each district will be nearly the
same.
have made calculation Of the probable white po-
pulation Of the several Districts in the year $780,
the supPos''isn, that lac AUDITORS estimates correct
that the 7ssern district will increase 20 per for
the next ten years and 10 per cent for the
ten, that the Valley district will increase 10 per
Tor each period OF ten years and that the eastern
districts VIII increase cent for each period of
years The result Of this calculation 10, that in the
year $780, the white population of the western district
would be about 234 ,o0O-that of the Valley 1877 600
OF the middle distct 2l7 v00and the tide water dis
trict lis 000-givng TO the Of the Blue Ridge
about 60OO and to the east about 395 900. This
am persuaded is calculation liberal to the
than they entitled TO, and results in giving
small majority Of white population in 1850. From
Themes orward they have reason TO expect thai
their population would increase, more rapidly than
that OF the east Look for a nome mt at the compare
tive extent Of the districts and at some OF the cas
es which would effect the increase Of their popua
ton.
$500 square miles;-ths two Of the Ridge, con
tain 26.774 square miles. Considering the vast ex
tent OF mountains beyond the Blue Ridge, II wouIt
be giving TO the west most liberal estimate of il.
arabic lands to suppose them equal ia quality to tn
arabic lands east Of the mountains. Reflect, them on
the circumstance that the whole lands of the east mus
be always employed in planting and farming. Will,
very large proportion Of those of the wsn--th,
whole extensive district from the north mountain 4
the western boundary, with the option only Of tho,
narrow valleys which lie convenient 70 the navgsbl
waters, must for ages TO DO IN the hands of The
grazier; -recoect too that If should ever have
large towns and extensive factoriss, they viii
seek the marfs OF lorsign commerce. and probably be
found about the falls OF tho sasrn rvsrsssd think
you will fnd strong reason 10 believe, that the eastern
side OF the mountain will always maintain creates
population than tho wsst and can never be much ".
fsrior TO II Ia white population.
have heard IL said, that the eastern districts con
tain already, nearly as much population they could
sustsin.-Nohng can be more errono ous-Tbs mid.
die district, counting all its Inhabitants, hasa populs.
ton OF about %, and The tide district popua-
ton Of about 81, TO the square mile Compare This
with the population Of older countries Ia 1911,
Scotland had population of about 6l-Wales, 10
England l96, TO the square me-Ffsnce about the
beginning Of ibis century, had population Of 49, 10
the square mile--Can any doubt, that the coun-
try between the blue ridge and the ocean, IL capable
OF sustaining population than Scotland or Wallet
and can any good reason he assigned, why may not
be a, populous as England or Francel
IL ! am right in my estimate Of the future progress
OF white population, and be satisfied, that in the
course Of twenty years, there will be few popuou,
counties beyond the mountains essentially slavehold-
ing counties, having kindred interest with the east
In the good government Of that property, and its
emptoD from unjust burtbens then you have
that the basis Of white population will not carry the
power Of the government, into untriendly hands.
Referring again 10 tables, find that the tide
Of slave population has been setting strongly 10 ihe
west and that II is sweed to its greatest height,
atIthe very base Of the blue ridgs-That in due time,
II will end its level through the passes Of that noun
tain, there he lille reason TO doubt-We have seen
by how much the slave population exceeds the white
population, In the two districts, and by how
much IL falls short, 10 the two western Let ne now
what has been the ratio OF increase, from 1850
TO the present time. II stands thus:
In tho First District
From 1890 to 18OO--l8s per cent
1900 10 1905 liz per cent.
1919 10 IS30-16 per cent