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

portant hints for the Improvement OF agriculture,
for the extension of our commercial Industry,
for regulating the conduct OF individuals, or Tor
extending the prosperity of the State; none can
tend so much to promote the general happiness
of the species"
The example of all enlightened Europe sus-
tains the views of Sinclair, although falling far
very far, behind him, in the extent embraced
within their periodical statistics.
Mccullough, in the introductory chapter to
the last edition of "Smth's Wealth of Nations"
uses the following language -" To arrive at a
true knowledge of the laws which regulate the
products distribution, and consumption of ma
tiona wealth, we must draw our materials from
a very wide surface, study man in every differ
ent situation-resort to the history of society,
arts, commerce, and government; to the works
Of philosophers and travellers; TO everything,
in short, fitted to throw light on the progress of
opuence and civilization. We should mark the
successive changes which have taken place in the
fortunes and condition Of the different ranks and
orders OF men in our own country and in others;
should trace the rise, progress and decline of
population and industry; and, above all, should
analyze and compare the influence of different
institutions and regulations. and carefully dis
eliminate The various circumstances wherein ad-
vahcing and declining societies differ from each
other. These Investigations are so very complex
and difficult, that it is not possible perhaps, al
ways to arrive at right conclusion But, though
they may not be quite free from error, they are
sufficient when made with the requisite care and
attention, to unfold the principal sources of ma
tional opulence and refinement, and of poverty
and degradation and, however defective they
furnish the only available means for satisfacto-
rily solving the various problems in the science
Inf, a. a. a A,
administration, fitted to insure the advancement
of nations in the career of Improvement"
The commissioners for the census of Ireland
in ls4l, in the introduction to the census of that
country, which comprises folio of nearly 900
pages, and was published in l843, use the fol.
lowing very appropriate language" We feel
in fact, that a census ought to be social survey
not bare enumeration"
In connection with the population of Eng
land, they have published many large folio vol
umes, containing maps of all the counties and
boroughs in the kingdom In other portions of
Europe, the same expanded view is taken of
what should constitute statistical work.
The European statistical publications, in
point of execution far exceed our own, which
have heretofore been most announcement and I'M
weldy volumes. The only volumes in its pos.
session, which the shelves of the royal library of
Belgium are not adapted to hold, are those OF
our last census, which have occupied place
on the floor, beneath the shelves, for several
years. The inconvenient shape of these volumes
has led to their destruction, almost entire ex-
termination. Their extreme rarity, at this
time, leads me to believe that they have, in
many instances unfortunately, been used as so
much waste paper, not esteemed worm the
room they occupied
These explanations are deemed necessary
only for information relating to the views of
cotemporanaeous nations, and not as an apo-
ogy for what is deemed correct and proper.
Our materials are more varied and of better
character, than any nation has ever possessed /;
and shall it be said that, insensible of their
value, we have not known how to render them
useful! Respectfully submitted,
J. S. G.. KENNEDY,
Honorable ALEXANDER III. Ii. STUART, Sc
cretary Of the Department of the Interior.