sea.

ranges; one corresponding to the great Cordillerian chain, extending through the entire length of North and South America, which was the nucleus of the continent, and the Alleghany chain. Between these two systems, a wide, but perhaps shallow sea, intervened. The course of the tides, rushing to the west, and, perhaps, a slight resistance to the earth's rotary motion, giving additional impulse to the water, would naturally deposit the marine ditritus on the eastern sides of those nuclei. These rivers, at first, were but mountain torrents, which soon terminated in a neighboring But, as the continents, from the various causes which have operated, increased in width or extent, they flowed on, at times encountering obstructions which arrested their course, producing either permanent or temporary lakes, as the obstacles were more or less capable of resistance, to seek an estuary in the sea. Their general direction was, probably, the result of a general cause. The particular direction of each stream, and the union of several into one, may have resulted, under providential causation, from accidental circumstances. The lead of each stream indicates where the least resistance existed, in contact with the force or weight of water, at the time it was formed. The wide valley between the Alleghany and Rocky Mountains, as it gradually emerged from the sea, found its margin cleft with the channels of little torrents. Thus the Ohio waters, at one time, by a short course, running to the south and west, discharged themselves into the intermediate sea; but "the dry land appeared" beyond their estuaries, and they, struggling on, turning to the right and to the left, as obstructions gave way and yielded to their efforts, uniting, at times, the burden of their floods, thus increasing in power the farther they advanced, until a great, irresistible river was produced, which, united with the waters flowing eastwardly, in the Mississippi and Missouri, created a common channel for them all.

The important argument in this generalization is, that the accretions of the continents are commonly from the west-that their nuclei were there established.

How far these generalizations may have a practical application in determining the localities of mining districts, is yet to be determined. How many effects are attributable to one general cause, is worthy, at least, of an inquiry. I am aware that some rich mines are found in the occidental slopes of mountains; as the rich copper mines of Chili and Peru; but the eastern slopes of the same mountains are far more rich in richer minerals. So the Cornwall mines of England are on the west side of that island, but when it is determined that England retains her original form, one fact will be opposed to this hypothesis.

To the American who desires to see his country rich and prosperous, independent of all the world for whatever conduces to the wealth, comfort, and security of her people in all and any emergency, her mineral resources must be a subject of peculiar interest. More particularly so to the man of enterprise and capital, who would seek a field for the exertion of his energies, and increase the common stock of wealth, whilst building up his own. The man of science, too, will find here a theatre well worthy of his attention. Several new, and, as yet, undescribed minerals, have been found in Missouri; and, when more perfectly explored, it may reasonably be expected their number will be increased.

When properly considered, this pursuit is more inviting to the capitalist than commerce. It has, in every way, less hazards. It has been object

ed that Americans want skill in the working of minerals to advantage. But the time was when this same objection would apply, with equal or more force, to every art in which the industry of the country is interested or engaged. The American has skill for any and every pursuit that promises a reward for his labors. And what promises a greater or more certain reward than a good productive mine? Many of the largest fortunes of the West have grown up from the produce of the mines, even now, when the field has been but partially explored.

D.

Art. III.-PROGRESSIVE WEALTH AND COMMERCE OF BOSTON.

STATISTICAL REPORT OF LEMUEL SHATTUCK*—MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY OF BOSTON-COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY-TONNAGE, EXPORTS, AND IMPORTS-PASSAGES OF THE BRITISH STEAMERS -AMOUNT OF REVENUE ON GOODS IMPORTED IN STEAMERS-SAVINGS BANKS-BOSTON BANKS -RAILROAD STATISTICS-VALUATION OF PROPERTY AND TAXES-CITY DEBT-CITY PROPERTY-CITY AND STATE TAX COMPARED, ETC., ETC.

IN May, 1845, the City Council of Boston appointed a joint committee, with full power to procure a census of that city, with such other statistics as they should deem proper. Immediately after their appointment, the committee proceeded to the performance of the service required of them, by engaging LEMUEL SHATTUCK, Esq., a gentleman who, from great familiarity with, and a strong interest in the subject of statistics, they considered (and as the result of his labors fully demonstrate) thoroughly quali fied for the task, as their chief agent. The result of Mr. Shattuck's commission has been made public, in the form of a handsomely printed octavo volume, including a copious index, of two hundred and seventy-four pages; and embraces a minute, and doubtless accurate view, of the past and present condition of Boston, especially relating to the progress of its population, wealth, commerce, &c. Besides various other statistical tables, we have the facts connected with the occupations and domestic condition of its population. The critical and explanatory observations illustrating the statistical tables, are very judicious; and we have much collateral information, not originally anticipated in the plan, which, altogether, furnishes a full and minute history of the condition of Boston; some account of its early institutions and habits; its present means of happiness and progress; its advantages for mental and moral culture, and its pre-eminent position for internal and foreign commerce.

We consider it, on the whole, the most methodical, and carefully compiled work of the kind, that has ever fallen under our observation-alike creditable to the liberality of Boston, and the industry and research of the intelligent gentleman who prepared it; and we recommend it as a model work, which we hope to see adopted by the government of every great mart of commerce or manufactures in the Union, who is desirous of contributing not only to the local, but general prosperity and happiness of the country.

Although we have given, from time to time, statistical accounts of the commerce of Boston, and in a former volume† of this Magazine published

* Report to the Committee of the City Council appointed to obtain the Census of Boston, for the year 1845; embracing Collateral Facts and Statistical Researches, illustrating the History and Condition of the Population, and their Means of Progress and Prosperity. By LEMUEL SHATTUCK. Boston: John H. Eastburn, City Printer. 1846. + See Merchants' Magazine for May, 1844, Vol. X., pages 421 to 434.

an elaborate article on the subject, yet, so abundant are the materials furnished in the official report of Mr. Shattuck, that we have concluded to lay before our readers a full and comprehensive view of the commercial industry, and vast wealth of that most enterprising people.

The figures and facts here presented, are compiled almost entirely from the work of Mr. Shattuck; and we take this opportunity of tendering our thanks to that gentleman for so valuable a contribution to the local statistics of the country.*

The manufacturing industry of a people is a means of wealth which has been considered as deserving of particular notice. Facts on this subject were collected by authority of the United States in 1840, and by that of the state of Massachusetts in 1837 and 1845.

If anything were needed to show the imperfection of the statistics collected in connection with the census of 1840, the statement of the manufacturing industry of the people would seem to be sufficient. By comparing the abstracts of 1837 and 1845, some difference will appear-some important branches of industry were omitted in both periods; and among others, periodical works, printing-presses, books, and clothing, which are among the most important branches of manufacture in the city, appear not to have been noticed at all in 1845. The aggregates from this table appear thus :

1837.

1840.

1845. 4,330,600

2,289

5,260

970

4,016,573

10,648,153

It might be inferred, from this statement, that the manufacturing industry of Boston was not as great now as in 1837; while the opinion of the best judges on the subject, formed without actual enumeration and investigation, is, that it is nearly double!

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY. Under this head, Mr. Shattuck presents five tables, compiled from the annual statements of the commerce and navigation of the United States, from records at the custom-house in Boston, and from other authentic sources of information.

Table I. contains the number of arrivals and clearances, specifying the tonnage and crews, since 1825, compiled from the annual statements of the commerce and navigation of the United States. With this state

ment, may be contrasted the following:-In 1748, 500 vessels cleared from Boston for, and 430 entered from, foreign ports. In 1784, the entries of foreign and coasting vessels were 372, and clearances 450. In 1794, the foreign entries were 567; in 1795, they were 725; and in 1806, they were 938.

The Democratic Review for June, 1846, notices the work of Mr. Shattuck as follows: "The subject of social statistics, as connected with the mere numbers of the population on which our glorious institutions are based, has received, hitherto, far too little attention. The want of facts, well authenticated, in relation to the business, births, deaths, marriages, dwellings, domestic condition, occupations, progressive wealth, government, and general health of the population, of different localities, has been severely felt for a long period of time; and efforts have been made to supply them on the part of the federal, and some of the state governments of the Union, in imitation of the more elaborate works of some of the governments of Europe, but hitherto with little success. The valuable work of Mr. Shattuck embraces all these subjects of inquiry, and more information of a most desirable nature. The results are such as reflect the highest credit on the skill, industry, and perseverance, exhibited by the able author and compiler. In the ninety-six pages of the work, is embraced a view of the capital of New England, at once comprehensive and minute, affording the most satisfactory evidence of the great prosperity of the Athens of America. We sincerely trust that the great success which has attended the labor of Mr. Shattuck, will tempt other cities, as well as states, to add to the information conferred upon the public by him. He modestly states, that a portion of the information embodied in the work bears but indirectly upon its main object.' In this, we differ from him. There is no species of statistical information, in relation to the people, which is not of the highest interest."

Table II. contains the number of foreign arrivals and clearances, spe. cifying the countries from which they came, obtained from the same

source.

TABLE II.-COMMERCE.

Statement of Foreign vessels which arrived and cleared during the years 1840 to 1845,

inclusive.

Total,.......... 9 75 737 4,681 1 5,503 9 74 733 4,674 1 5,491

Table III. contains the number of arrivals and clearances at the port of Boston, for each of the six years, 1840 to 1845, compiled from records kept by an individual, and designed to include all vessels, except, perhaps, a few loaded with wood and lumber.

TABLE III.-COMMERCE.

Statement of the Arrivals and Clearances at the Port of Boston, exclusive of the British Mail Steamers, during the six years, from January 1, 1840, to December 31, 1845, inclusive.