Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-11-19
COMPLETION OF THE CENSUS OF 1850,

Enquirer That eminent statican, Professor De Bow,
Superintendent of the Census Bureau has discharged
the duties of his responsible position with distn-
guished ability, tact peculiar to himself and with
untirng industry:
COMPLETION OF TIE CENSUS OF 1850. The final
report of the seventh is now passing through
the press. 1t will be the most important statistical
work ever published in the United States. To pro-
duce it has required the unbounded means of the
government the ability and zeal of two gentlemen
as Superintendents of the work. enjoying the highest
reputation for skill in the collection and preparation
of statistics and the labors of multitude of intel-
gent subordinates, during three years and a half.
The work will be entitled Statistics of the United
States" and has been prepared in conformity with
the act of Congress directing the method of publish
ing the tables. 1t will consist of single vol
of l 200 pages, aud will be ready for distribu-
ton at the opening of the next session of Congress
The form adopted is quarto, in which respect the
work will possess advantage over any other doc
ument of the same class published by the govern
ment All former ones have been thrown together
in shape nconvenient as to preclude their gener
al USE and the money expended, with the object of
multiplying those valuable memorials of our prog
ress, has pro we'd q useless expenditure
We are glad to see that Mr.. De Bow has availed
himself of clause of the act prescribing the gen
era plan of his aborS to Illustrate his work with notes
and commentaries which will give it the character
it ought to possessthat of statistical history, rath-
than rigid and wearisome array of figures. This
portion of the report will occupy between seventy
five and one hundred pages. We transfer to our
columns portion of the most valuable and interest
ing matter be found i'll this introduction to the
tables The Superintendent has prepared and inclu-
ded in this division useful abstract OF the results
of all the censuses from 1870 to 1850. He has also
given the forms and schedules adopted for collecting
and condensing information in each census together
with complete view of legislation the subject
since the foundation of the government. This will
be valuable for reference, and will greatly abridge
the abors of Congress when hereafter called upon to
amend or add to existing laws:
The cost of taking and printing the different cen
1P-nn -, g
1890 $4377 %
1900 661O9 04
1910 17S Al 81
1920 2OS, 525 80
1880, 37S,5 45 IL
1910 So, $40 90
1850, (*)' 1885, OPT 90
*-To 30th September, 1863 and exclusive of the
expenses incurred for final printing and binding
Following these statements is digest of all the
circulars and instructions issued from the State De-
partment, and from the Superintendent of Census
to the marshals engaged in taking the census, and
the person employed in compiling the returns. The
utility of this digest is evident.
We then have well-prepared description OF the
Z" European census SYSTEM" showing at what times
and in what manner the population and statistics OF
the different countries of that continent are obtained
From the Introductory details, relating more espe
cally the of the United States for 1850,
extract the following statements
TERRITORIAL EXTENT THE UNITED STATES.
TABLE 1.-THE following table was prepared for
the Census Office by Co! j. j. Albert, of the topo-
graphical engineers
Square miles.
Area of the Pacific slope of the region
watered by rivers falling I'M o the Pacific, 1926
Area ofthe Mississippi valley, or of the re-
gion watered by the Mississippi, Mis-
Souri, and their tributaries, 1,237,311
Area ofthe Atlantic slope proper, 63T 100
Area of the Atlantic slope, inclu-
ding only the waters falling into
the Gulf of Mexico Vest of the
Mississippi, l63,646
Area of the Atlantic slope, inclu-
ding only the waters fallingin-
to the Gulf of Mexico, East of
the Mississippi, 1860
Total of the Atlantic slope the regions
whose waters fall into the Atlantic, 967,576
Total area of the United States and their
Territories in 1858, 1881, 153
This estimate by Col Albert has some claims to
authenticity which cannot be urged for those more
commonly used ybut observe that IN a subsequent
part of the introduction the aggregate area OF the
Union given by the States and Territories is $685.
900 square miles. The latter amount is the result OF
an examination of various official reports from the
Land Office, Congress, and the State Department.
The statement given in the census report 1852, of
the territory of the U. States is 3,230572 square
miles.
Mr.. De Bow remarks upon the foregoing tables as
follows The territorial extent of the republic is,
therefore nearly ten times large that of Great
Britain and France combined; three times as large
that of France Great Britain, Prussia, Spain, Por-
IuHll, belSlum, HOLLAND anu OhO
and onc-haf times large as the Russian Empire IN
Europe; one-sixth less only than the area covered
by the tty-nine sixty empires, States and repub-
lies of Europe; of equal extent with the Roman EN-
pire, or that of Alexander, neither of which is said
to have exceeded 100000 square miles"
REMARKS.
Aabama-Formed out of territory coded to the
United States by South Carolina and Georgia. Ad-
mitted in the Union December a. 1919
Arkansas-Formed from territory coded to United
States by France. Admitted into the Union June
Is, 1886.
California-Formed of territory coded by Mexico.
Admitted into the Union September 9, 1850.
Carolina, North-One of the thirteen original
States. Ratified the Constitution of the U. States
November 81, 1889
Caroliua, South-One of the thirteen original
States. Ratified the Constitution of the U. States
May %, 1888.
Columbia, District Formed from territory coded
by MARYLAND and Virginia. Established seat of
government July 16, 1890. Alexandria retroceded
July, 1916.
Connecticut-One of the thirteen original States.
Ratified the Constitution of the United States Jan.
8, 1888.
Delaware-One of the thirteen original States.
Ratified the Constitution of the United States De-
cember z, 1877.
Florida-Formed from territory coded to United
States by Spain. Admitted into the Union March
3, 1915.
Georgia-One of the thirteen original States. Rat
flied the Constitution of the United States January
2, 1888.
nIinois-For1ned out of territory coded to United
States by Virginia. Admitted into the Union De-
cember 3, 1878.