The native American., 1838-09-08

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dently believed that the whole number of foreign
immigrants who have arrived in this city since
1880, amounts 10 more than ,O00."
Previous to the year 1880, the estimates include
all the passengers, and, consequently, some citi-
zens of the United States. Since that date.
alien passengers alone are enumerated 1t is
proper to remark, however, that the numbers for
! l827,-'S,-'9 being taken from the cus,om-house.
and those since from the Mayors office of this
city, exhibit discrepancy of several thousand-
1t may be assumed, as will hereafter appear, that
an annual difference of 5000 exists between the
two departments and hence, that TO the above
number should be added 5000 passengers, max
ing the total 390,064. In 1891 this difference was
l6,9lS, and in 1892 it was 9,774. 1t is not impos-
sihle but that this discrepancy originated through
the interest felt for the result by some officers
nected with the returns to the custom-house, as it
is well-known that very many of them are them
selves foreigners, and their own political influence
and resources may, possibly, have been instrument
tai in some way. 1t is, nevertheless, true that
the returns from the Mayors Office are correct, as
far they go; though even these, in point of fact
fall short of the actual number of passengers by
vessels of, and less than, 40 tons burden and they
are not taken into this account. am assured by
the Mayor, that the law requiring all alien passen
gers to report themselves at his Office within forty
eight hours after being landed within the city, is
very often violated. The numbers before quoted are
derived from compliance with this law but
thousands make their way into this city without
the least knowledge of, or disposition to comply
whit. Indeed, it might be fatal to the objects
Of great numbers coming to this country, parcu-
ary felons and refugees from Justice. to make such
a report Of themselves, and it is well known that
fr,,, E,o Io,1,, or f,ct Ebo
landing, also, of whole ship-loads Of aliens in a
|neighboring State bordering upon our bay, is no.
torious, and in direct contraventon of this Jaw
All such secretly ming!e with the mass of our
floating population, and are no more thought Of
until arraigned before our police or criminal
courts, our until forced upon our charities.
According to the reports of the custom-house,
there were 1856 passengers who arrived at this
port from lst Of Jan to the lst Of April, last past
Taking this estimate it is given, and the char
acter OF the passengers reported, for the purpose
Of an example, and for the deductions which fol-
low, we are enabled to arrive at the relative pro-
portion of those who are provided with means to
support themselves or families or who possibly
may not be tax and burden upon our citizens.
OF the above number, then, for the first quarter
of this year, it is stated that there 267 citi
zens Of the United States, 65s aliens from Great
Britain, Ireland, and Scotland, l76 from Germany,
and l55 from various other countries 2l7 Of
these were merchants, 81 mechanics. 1913 farmers,
"a laborers, 55 mariners. artists mlliners, seam
stresses &C.; leaving the balance Of 729, or near
ly tUo-thirds Of the zrholc, without any occupa-
ton even the pretence of one. Now it is by
no means probable that more than one-haf of
those pretending to have the above occupations
came to this country without means for the pro-
&c tbo;r rbo of, lorr
part of such thus unprovided for, and of the 729
who made no pre'ence to business of any kind
is too clearly shown by the continually rapid in
crease and extent of our public and private char-
ties, and by the alarming numbers and varied cha
racter of criminal offences III this city and county.
But of the 2l7 merchants who should be excluded
from the overwhelming proportion Of those liable
to become tax and burden, from their having
no professional business during times of general
distress, and when our own native and established
mechanics were out of employ, it is quite certain
the greater part were American merchants, main
ly from this city, and probably possessed Of cons
derable wealth. Again, the laborers are to be
classeI with those having no particular profession
al trade or business. Deducting, therefore, but
onc-harlrom the number ofreputed merchants, one
half from those of the various reported occupations
and the "a laborers, and you have but l29 out of
the 1856, as certain to have had the requisite
means for successful competition in business and
permanent support for themselves and families
Another fact to be still more particularly noticed
is, that among the farmers, mechanics, and all the
other enumerated occupations, are included the
,cte and all the children SO that if each
male head of the family had, beside his wife,
but two children, it will be seen that three
rourhs Of the aforementioned number are to
be deducted therefrom; and hence, that the
supposed 229 independent alien passengers during
this time is indeed, but 76 and if we suppose
the 267 citizens of the United States to be Justly
excluded, and as having means for returning to
their established vocations and apply the facts to
the 9s9 alien passengers, we shall have but .ffty-
four individuals out Of the whole number, or one
only IN cuery eighteen alien passengers acho acre
| Of the uncrccptionable character aboUe men
TONED.
Now this may he considered Just data for both
previous and subsequent time; and, though these
particulars are introduced in this place, they will
be seen to he illustrated in answer to other inter-
rogatores, and to have more immediate reference
thereto. But, in order to render these still more
plain and satisfactory, will add further particulars
from the year 1886, which will likewise show in