Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-01-18
AREA OF, NORTH.UAROLINA.

AnGA Of NONtd-CAkOLlNA.
Extract from the forthcoming Report Of G. h.
Wiley, Esq, Superintendent Of Common Schoola]
1t might seem to some that there could not Be
1000 districts averaging four miles square to the
district laid of on the territory Of North Carolina
TO such an objection several answers can proper
ly be made: =. :, e..
+. !. The most authoritative evidence establishes
the fact that there are in the State, nearly 1000
Common Schools; and the documents furnishing
this evidence also clearly prove that the number
will certainly raach 4 900 in . short time.
Biographies indicates the number ofsquare miles on
level surface while large portion Of the State
is broken, and considerable part Of this is noun
famous -. 49,. -..-.,.-'- b, o.. &. ..-.rg. .re
8. The form of the State is 60 irregular that
GeograPhers computing generally by degrees Of
longitude and latitude, can make only IN approxi-
mate estimate Of its area
These considerations would imply that the real
area of the State has not yet been estimated and
such is indeed the fact I have in my possession
great variety of geographical works, embracing per-
haps all the American publications on physical
Geography; and find that there is much diversity
of opinion as to the extent of our area.
Seven different computations are given, to Wit -
"a, 900 square miles-4s, SOO-5, 5OO-4S, OOO-5O,-
OOO-5O, TOO and so 7O4 t. p. ..'
L feel that all these estimates are below the
mark and this opinion is based on the following
considerations:
First know the fact from evidence which
consider conclusive, that there are nearly 1000
Common Schools in the State, and that there is a
certain prospect of an increase in the number.
familiar acquaintance with our system will sat.
s any one that these districts will average nearly,
if not fully, four miles square to each.
Where counties have been recently re-districted
BY actual and thorough surveys, the districts have
been laid off uniform in size not less than four miles
square; and this is considered everywhere as the
smallest standard, or average size Where there
have not been such surveys there are almost con-
slant applications for the division Of districts on ac
count of their inconvenience in size or shape; and
while there are good many small districts laid off
in towns, and adjoining natural barriers, such Is
| swamps, water-courses and mountains there il an
equal if not much greater number, larger than the
| general standard.
In some counties, also, there are large tracts Of
public lands without permanent settlers; and por-
tons of the most broken and inaccessible parts Of
| the mountains and Of undrained swamps are still
without schools, and mainly without Inhabitants
There could, therefore. be many districts four
miles square as there are Common Schools
| Secondly, The geographical calculations cannot
in the nature of things make proper allowances for
the undulations Of the surface Of the State; and
perhaps most all Of them make allowance ut all
| From the foregoing views l submit with defer
ence, but with . firm conviction Of its truth, the
opinion that the geographical estimates Of the area
of North Carolina are much below the truth-and
that actual surveys will prove the surface Of the
land alone to be fully $4,000 square miles leaving
the sounds, lakes, and large streams still unmeas-
ured