The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-16

BAIsT0L COUNTY, Mass, July ,, 1853.
The County Of Brtstoi-Hs Origin-Rires-hs
Chayactrrsties-.Soa- TVater Po,rer-Los, Ore
Bristol Goceynors-P Politics 7ouas-Increase of
Population and Of Propety-Disbibutiom Of
PreP9ty-Agricnltural ProductionS-Land-
Manufactures Their Tariops Character-Cotton
Factories- Miscellaneous Articies-Ihe Whaling
B1siness-Manufacture Of oil and Candles.
Imports into New Bedford by the Whaling Fleet
Scarcity Of Bibles in that Fleet Hardships of
Whal,ng-Shtps and Boats-Sah- Commerce,
$c., &c.
The county Of Bristol if not quite SO famous in
Massachusetts, history some other portions Of the
State is nevertheless place of good reputation. II
II large county, of the second class, and ts popua
ton is very well divided between farmers manufac-
turers and seamen. 1t is the whaling region of the
United Statesthat is, the place where most is done
towards killing whales and making light Of them
having risen on the ruins of Nantucket, which has
been sttadily declining for many years, though the
venerable mother of the oil business. This county
contains the second place for shipping in the State
New Bedford (Which has more than seventy thou
sand tons, and Is also the second shipping county
Boston, in 1850, had over three hundred thousand
and New Bedford upwards Of sixty-six thousand. o
other place approaches TO New Bedford in this re
spect. Bristol is old county, some Of its towns
having been settled than two centuries and the
county dates from 1856. There the great Indian
war, in which Philip bore himself 10 herocay
broke out. The rivers are famous, particularly the
Taunton and Pswtucket the former being noted for
It's aewves. Water power is abundant: it has n
large maritime coast. The soil il not generally
speaking, OF high quality, but the labor and skill u
man atone for the deficiency in original power
Iron ore is largely found and is extensively used in
manufactures.
Bristol has given two Governors TO the State, Mar.
Gus Morton and John Henry Clifford. The latter
gentleman 10 a native OF Rhode Island, and came to
Massachusetts more than twenty years since. The
county used TO be strongly democratic and believe
went that way in 1870 Of late years it had been on
The coalition side in the popular vote. To the Con.
stitutioLal Convention IL did not send even one whp
delegate, though electing all the members to which
Il Is entitled. Even New Bedford, where for rnauy
years the anti wings" made the poorest possible
show, went with them in NJ arch last. The liquor
NV has strong friends and equally strong foes in this
county and their feelings will not mprobably deeDy
color its future political action.
There are nineteen towns in Bristol county. The
largest IL New Bedford with about Is 900 inhabi.
tants at this time and the smallest Berkeley with
about 1000 FAN River and Taunton are the next
largest places 70 New Bedford, and contain respec-
lively In round numbers, $4,000 and III 900 people.
no other town has much over 1000 inhabitants.
The largest Of the other towns Ii perhaps Fairhaven
hough AuleborouRh had seven the most inhabitants
IN 1850. Fairhsven Is 70 New Bedford what Charles
town u 70 Boston. Most Of the towns contain from
about zoo . about $500 people; Dartmouth, Paw
ncket and Wcstport are larger
The popnlafion of Bristol In 1910 was 80 ia; in
1850, u 70-tncrease. l5 205. The greatest rate Of
increase WA in Fall River, which rose from e4jI in
Je4o, V u,l70 In 1850. The increase Of New Bed