Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-01-19
AREA OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Extract from the forthcoming Report of c. H.
Wiley, Esq, Superintend dent of Common Schools.
1t might seem to some that there could not be
1000 districts, averaging four miles square to the
district laid off on the territory of Carolina.
To such an objection several answers can proper
ly be made: ....f....-. .,...s 80. .-..as-
l. 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 1000 in short time
2. The area of the State as computed in the
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. ..,-f.s...-
g. The form of the State is so irregular that
Geographers. computing generally by degrees of
longitude and latitude can make only an approx
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 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 soit =
"a, 900 square milcs-43 800-45, 500-4S, 000-50,-
O00-50, 700, and SO, 7O4. .... t-..
feel sure that all these estimates are below the
mark; and this opinion is based on the following
considerations: ... -.-.-,
First, l know the fact from evidence which
consider conclusive, that there are nearly 1000
Common Schools in the State, and that there is
certain prospect of an increase in the number.
familiar acquaintance with our system will sat
isy 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 the
smallest standard average size. Where there
have not been such surveys there are almost con-
slant applications for the division of districts
count of their inconvenience in size shape; and
while there good many small districts laid off
in towns, and adjoining natural barriers, such as
swamps water-courses and mountains, there is an
equal if not much greater number, larger than the
general standard s
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 as 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 undulatons of the surface of the State; and
perhaps most all of them make no allowance at 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 10000 square miles, leaving
the sounds, lakes, and large streams still unmeas-
ured .......