The New York herald., 1845-02-07
PLOT RIAL herald.
SPLENDID NUMBER.
The Empire Club Discussing the
Texas Question.
NATIVE STREET-SWEEPING MACHINES.
Mayor Harpers SOrtie on the Apple Women.

The Illustrated Weekiy Herald, 10 be issued to-
morrow, VIII be particularly rich Ii will contain
q beautiful engraving of the g Empire Club" the
members disposed in picturesque attitudes around
the stove OF their Club room, and engaged in dis
eussng the Congressional proceedings--also
spirited view of Mayor Harper's successful attack
on the apple women-together with view OF the
. native" scavengers in the mud. Price 81 cents
Progress OF the United statss-Its Agricui-
ture and Population.
We give in this days paper several extracts from
the forthcoming report of Mr.. Ellsworth, Commits
sioner of Patents at Washington. showing the ex-
traordinary progress of the United States in popu-
lanon and in the productions Of agriculture. These
extracts form only small, although very inte-
resting and important part of the valuable report OF
the Commissioner, who, il appears, by the unaided
force CT his natural genius and industry, is
able 10 supply the place Of bureau of statistics,
and whose estimates, conclusions and facts are OF
inestimabc value 10 the public. The passages
which give comprise tables showing the natu-
raj increase and movementsamongs the population
and in the productions agriculture, including also
avery brief view of the recent important discoveries
for the transmission Of intelligence by means of the
electric telegraph and for the generation of artif-
clal light by of the subtle and powerful
agent These two last discoveries and applications
of the principle of electricity are now only in their
commencement, and will probably create in social
and political affairs great revolution as the in
vention of printing did centuries ago. in the circu.
lation of intelligence and promotion OF knowledge
in dark age.
The extraordinary progress ofthe United States
as indicated by these statistical facts and estimates,
sreally startling and must carry astonshmen to the
remotest boundaries of civilization. 1t appears that
our population increases at the rate Of more than
half a million Of human being per annum; and the
annual increase of the whole productions of the
soil, is not far from being equal in value to he
whole amount OF the State debts, the interest Of
which several States have for years past fail
ed to pay-some in consequence finability--others
from indsposition-and some Of them probably
from spirit of actual dishonesty The immense
value Of the agricultural productions annually raised
In THIS country not the only element OF our national
wealth, We have to add TO this vast aggregation os
values, the production Of our manufacturing es.
tabhshmentsthe production Of our mines--the
production Of the forest-the production of the fish
eres. All these combined together form The an
nual increase in the wealth If the United States
and indicate TO the world at large, that in every
thing that constitutes power, wealth civilization,
abundance, and national prosperity, the United
States are almost IN state Of adolescence
One reflection occurs TO at this moment grow
ing out OF a view of these extraordinary elements
OF wealth, conclusively developed in the statis,i.
Ca returns by the Commissioner Of Patents, which
may be expressed in the inquiry, can there BE- any
excuse found for any State IN the Union that re
pudla'es or delays the payment Of the interest on
lis debt! Can there be amidst such an abundance
any excuse for poverty, distress, or any thing ap.
preaching to starvation either in the rural distcs
or In the cities, provided our natural elements of
wealth and plenty are properly organized and pro-
perly applied TO sustain the small population which
we now have scattered over this vast country ?
There is not State in this Union that does not
possess In It's agriculture alone sufficient increase
In one year over the preceding to pay the interest
OF Its debt in It's length and breadth. Nor s there
single State in this Union but what raises sur
plus quantity of productions sufficient to feed all
abundantly and Danish every thing like want or
poverty from the cities, if our industry were pro
perry organized and the different departments ar.
ranged IN something like a scientific system adapt
ed to our social habits and modes of life.
What is it, then, that produces the inequalities
OF social wealth-the distress and the evils which
affect certain portions Of the States certain por-
tons OF the population, and certain portions of the
country? These evils grow out OF the ignorance OF
iegislaton-the ignorance of those who manage the
financial and manufacturing systems Of the coun-
try, and the general ignorance which prevails
amongst those classes who call themselves the in
tellectual lights of the age When we look into
our Legislative halls, and mark the character of the
men that possess the power over the social and in
dustrial life of this country, can we expect any
thing else than such legislation as we often see
dishonesty, aimless, ridiculous and absurd And
when we look at our banking institutions, scar
their history, and review their conduct for the las
few years, what mass of ignorance do we per.
celve hanging over the minds of those men who
control the currency and financial affairs of the
country, and who control the projects of Industry
We trust that new spirit is beginning to develope
itself throughout the country-that a spirit of "a.
tent philosophy and intelligence is at last at work
the fruits OF which will be soon seen far and wide
country like ours, capable of supporting popu
lation OF two hundred Millions and with one only
OF twenty millions, can be impeded in its progress.
to unexamped prosperity, wealth and abundance
only by the grosscsr ignorance on the part of itt
rulers and its people.
VESSELS IN DISTRESS ON OUR CoAsT.-It will be
recolected that about ten days ago, orders were
received IN this city, and published in all the pa
pers, for the sailing of the cutter Spencer to cruise
along our coast to relieve vessels in distress Since
then We have had too severe gales, and there are
reports now in town of vessels being ashore or
Jersey and Long Island. Yet strange to say, il
strange II Is, this cutter Spencer is now snugly
moored at the Atlantic Dock, in Brooklyn IL il
not TO be supposed that she can be OF much use
there.
II ls TO be recoected also that the steum frisate
Princeton, one of the most powerful steam vessels
In our service, was also lately ordered to relieve
vessels IN distress on the She too is in port
lt is true that she returned to the city with d $.
mas'ed vessel IN tow, but this is no excuse for re.