The southern press., 1851-12-11


classified on the same general principle, as far
as the fac's token would Justify, in order that,
while we use every exerlion to an,yze 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. Here
tofore at almost every step OF investigation, the
statist wishing to prosecute inquiries respecting
different nations, touching he great elements OF
society," has met with the insurmountabe dltt-
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 a government.
In addition to the effort TO effect general
sympathy or concert of action among nations,
with reference to their periodical sati- tics, has
been my aim, 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
the products of their agriculture and manufac'
lures, their social and moral condition, the state
Of education the price oflabor, 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 u manner which can leave no
doubt Of its correctness. My opportunities
abroad will moi only enable me TO effect valuable
improvements in compiling our censuS, but |.
| will be my aim to make the statistical facts use
full to the country, by forming them into report
to be supplemental hereto, tbs 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 CONNECTED 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
led me, and the diversty Of languages among
those with whom my investig 4tions war' pur.
sued, interposed difficulties only surmounted by
q Jealous determ lation to effect the duty uOder-
taken-one in which failure must have ensued,
we're 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
az much valuable information to others as was
solicited in return; the other giving facilities OF
intercourse, and 4 claim to consideration, which
was never sighted by any officer of a 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
meeting in that city, the society OF Actuares ut
Richmond, and the British Association at los.
wich during its annual meeting, which was at
tended by Prin e Albert one of its members, and
many of the most distinguished literary and
scientific gentlemen of Great Britain and the
continet The statistical council of Belgium,
VI. Quetelet, president, gave me a place in their
board at one of its regular meetings. On each
opportunity it gave me pleasure 10 present II
full account of the character and extent of our
Investigations, under the act of Congress
| for taking the seventh census, to make a fair
and impartial exhibit of our progress in wealth
and numbers during the past ten years, ami at
| The Same time urge the prop,iety OF mutual
| efforts towards the attainment of more uniform
and useful statistical publications by different
governments. The propriety of this measure
| was felt BY individuals who had made statistics
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 general statistical Congress, To
be held at Brussels (Belgium) during the en-.
suing fall-a measure which has received the
appreciation of several of the most distinguish
cd stalists OF Europe, and from which the most
beneficial results are anticipated.
Mr.. Porter, of the board Of t!aie, has been
appointed delegate 10 this Statistical Con
press, from England. He il gentleman distin.
valuable contributions to the science Of political
economy and statistical knowledge Of the British
empire, than for the elevated position he holds
as public officer and man Of letters.
In order that Congress may Judge Of the
proprieiy 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,
il has been deemed proper 10 prepare, in printed
form. The statistics Of one 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, rs 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.
II has been my endeavor, according 10 the act,
to arrange the facts in the best and most co nve.
nient manner for use" Tojudge Of the charac.
ter Of statistical work 10 manuscript, would
require the long, laborious, and perhaps unsaiis.
factory investigation OF n congressional commit
tee, and Congress wsuld be possessed of no
means Of forming an independent opinion Of the
matter. Il has been deemed the more proper 10
lay before Congress a printed copy, inasmuch
az the EXPENSE Of the entire work may readily
be known, and some STANDARD of excellence
in execution clearly and intelIigibly understood.
The variations from the plans heretofore
adopted, in tie compilation Of the de,ennial
census with every portion of which the facili.
lies Of comparison are maintrined. consist
4 i. IN the form--that adopted being in con
formty with the size and appearance of the
American Afchives"
g In accompanying The statistics e each
S,ofo ,,;th oondonsod apcottut az tina fnoat i'm,