The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-10


while we use every exertion TO analyze society
at home, we may, from their statistics, enjoy the
advantage of being able TO arrive at similar
analysis with respect TO other nations, and that,
while contemplating our own progress, from time
TO time, we may be able to institute comparisons
with the advancement of other people. Hero
tofore, at almost every step OF investigation, the
statist wishing TO prosecute inquiries respecting
different nations, touching The great elements OF
society, has met with the insurmountable diff
Guilty arising from the different elements elucida-
ted, and the diverse methods of combination
adopted, which lessen the value of their labors
reciprocally, and in the absence of more reliable
data, lead to the frequent use of one set Of ele-
ments TO ascertain the condition of some differ
ent set, producing results equally unsatisfactory
to the man of science as they are often danger
Gus, if made the basis of the political economy
and legislation of government
In addition to the effort 10 effect general
sympathy or concert of action among nations
with reference to their periodical stats ties, 1t has
been my am in which have succeeded often
in the absence of published records TO procure
a knowledge of the exact condition of the people
OF all classes in each country visited, and learn
their true state, with reference to numbers, and
the products of their agriculture and manufac'
lures, their social and moral condition, the state
of education the price of labor, and the practical
management of the farming interests in no case,
however, relying upon information not either
obtained from personal observation, or derived
officially, and in a manner which can leave no
doubt of its correctness. My opportunities
abroad will not only enable me to effect valuable
improvements in compiling our census, but IL.
| v II be my aim to make the statistical facts use
o. to the coun ~, by forming them into report
g. be supplemental hereto, the completion OF
which has been retarded by my other official
duties.
| Another object had in view, was the procuring
information with reference TO the manner IN
which the various offices in Europe, especially
those &C lnected with agriculture and statistics,
are organized, and the manner in which the in
| formation obtained is made available to the gov
eminent and people To the attainment of these
purposes, the few weeks To which my time lin.
tied me, and the diversity of languages among
those with whom my Investigations were pur-
sued, interposed difficulties only surmounted by
a jealous deerni nation to effect the duty under
taken-one in which failure must have ensued,
were it not for the official character sustained in
connection with the office here, and that wish
which the department honored me- as its repre-
sentative abroad the one enabling me to impart
as much valuable information to others as was
solicited in return; the other giving facilities Of
intercourse and a claim to consideration, which
was never sighted by any officer of foreign
| government.
In England in addition to the free intercourse
enioyed with the officers of government con-
nected with statistical matters, several opportu
mites were offered for bringing the object OF
my mission before public audiences, and invita-
tons were rendered me to address the members
of the London Statistical Society at its annual
taneeing in that city, the society of Actuarles at
| Richmond, and the British Association at Fps
witch during its annual meeting, which was at
tended by Prin 'e Albert one of It's members, and
many of the most distinguished literary and
scientific gentlemen of Great Britain and the
continet The statistical council of Belgium,
NJ. Quetee, president, gave me place in their
board at one of its regular meetings. On each
opportunity it gave me pleasure to present II
| .lll account of the character and extent of our
| Investigations, under the act of Congress
for taking the seventh census to make fair
and impartial exhibit of our progress in wealth
and numbers during the past Ten years, and mt
the same time urge the propriety Of mutual
efforts towards the attainment of more uniform
and useful statistical publications by different
governments The proprety of this measure
was felt by individuals who had made statistics
a study, and the necessity for some action was
universally conceded, and il affords me infinite
qualification to state that an arrangement has
been made for a general statistical Congress, TO
be held at Brussels (Begum) during the en-
suing fall--a measure which has received the
appreciation of several of the most distinguish
ed statists of Europe, and from which the most
beneficial results are anticipated.
Mr. Porter of the board of trade has been
appointed delegate to this Statistical Con
| ~ 4 4. =. 81 I. l..
| guished no less by his laborious researches, and
valuable contributions to the science of political
economy and statistical knowledge of the British
empire, than for the elevated position he holds
as a public officer and man of letters.
In order that Congress may judge, Of the
propriety of the plan in contemplation for pre-
pairing the tables of the population and other
statistics, and be fully advised of any new fea-
lures introduced into other portions Of the work.
it has been deemed proper TO prepare, in printed
form, the statistics Of State, of which copies
will be laid before the members Of both Houses
| for their inspection. For this purpose the State
of Maryland has been selected as best adapted
! from its central position and combination Of
more of the various elements which enter into
our interests, than any other State Of its limited
extent.
1t has been my endeavor, according to the act,
20 arrange the facts in the best and most conye-
nient manner for use" Tojudge Of the charac-
ter of a statistical work in manuscript, would
require the long, laborious, and perhaps unsatis-
factory investigation of a congressional commit
tee, and Congress would be possessed Of no
means of forming an independent opinion Of the
matter. II has been deemed the more proper to
lay before Congress a printed copy, inasmuch
as the expense of the entire work may readily
/ be known, and some standard Of excellence
in execution clearly and intelgby understood
The variations from the plans heretofore
adopted, in the compilation Of the decennial
census, with every portion of which the facili-
ties of comparison are maintained consist
/. In the form-that adopted being in con-
formity with the size and appearance of the
/ 4" American Archives"
3 In accompanying the statistics Ct each
| State with a condensed account Of the most i'm
portant events connected with its history, from
its first settlement; exhibiting the progress Of
| our whole social system, TO the year 1866 Also
in presenting as short accounts of each separate