St. Mary's

12,794

The whole number of inhabitants in Maryland in 1800 was 341,548 of whom 105,635 were slaves; increase in 10 years 38,998.

Bays and Rivers. Chesapeak Bay divides this state into eastern and western divisions. This bay which is the largest in the United States, affords many good fisheries, and is remarkable for the excellency of its crabs, and also for a particular species of wild duck, called canvas back. In a commercial view it is of immense advantage to the state. It receives a number of large rivers. From the eastern shore in Maryland, among other small ones it receives Pokomoke, Nanticoke, Choptank, Chester, and Elk rivers. From the north, the rapid Susquehanna; and from the west Patapsco, Severn, Patuxent, and Potomac, half of which is in Maryland, and half in Virginia. Except the Susquehanna and Potomac, these are small rivers. Patapsco river is but about 30 or 40 yards wide at the ferry, just before it empties into the bason upon which Baltimore stands. The Monocasy is a gentle stream, which_enters the Potomac, fourteen miles from Fredericktown. In general it is fordable. Severn is a short, inconsiderable river, passing by Annapolis, which it leaves to the south, emptying by a broad mouth, into the Chesapeak.

Patuxent rises in Ann-Arundel county, and runs into the bay, twenty miles north of the mouth of the Potomac There are several small rivers, such as the Wicomico,. Eastern Branch, and Conegocheague, which empty into Potomac river from the Maryland side.

Face of the Country, Soil, and Productions. East of the blue ridge of mountains, which stretches across the western part of this state, the land, like that in all the southern states, is generally level and free of stones; the soil must

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of course be similar, aud the natural productions not remarkably different.

The ground, in most of the counties on the eastern shore, is covered, in many places, with stagnant water, except where it is intersected by numerous creeks. Here also are large tracts of marsh, which, during the day, load the atmosphere with vapor, that falls in dew, in the close of the summer and fall seasons, which are sickly.

Wheat and tobacco are the most important productions of the state. Cotton, hemp, and flax are also raised, but Hot in large quantities. Apples and peaches are among the cultivated fruits; from both of these brandy is distilled. Among the trees of the forest are several kinds of oak and black walnut. The woods abound with nuts of various sorts, on which vast numbers of swine are fatted.

Mines and Manufactures. Mines of iron ore, of a superior quality, abound in many parts of the state. Two strata, or beds of coal, have lately been opened, within a mile of the city of Baltimore.

Rye whiskey is manufactured in great quantities in this state. From some single distilleries, 12,000 gallons are produced in a year. In Frederick county, are 80 gristmills employed in grinding wheat. There are also glass works, iron works, furnaces, distilleries, and paper mills.

Commerce. The trade of Maryland is principally carried on from Baltimore, with the other states, with the WestIndies, and with some parts of Europe. To these places, they formerly sent annually about 30,000 hhds. of tobacco, besides large quantities of wheat, flour, pig-iron, lumber, and corn; beans, pork, and flax-seed, in smaller quantities.

They receive, in return, clothing for themselves and negroes, and other dry goods, wines, spirits, sugar and other West India commodities. The balance is generally in their favor.

Education and Literature. There are five colleges in Maryland. Washington college, at Chestertown, and St. John's college, at Annapolis, together constitute the University of Maryland, The Methodists have a college at Harford. The Roman Catholics have a college at Georgetown, for the promotion of general literature. There is a French college at Baltimore, with about seventy students. There are some other literary institutions of less note.

Every neighborhood has its school, where children are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, &c.

Cities and Towns. ANNAPOLIS city is the capital of Maryland, and has heretofore been reputed the wealthiest place of its size in all America. It is at the mouth of the Severn river, 30 miles south of Baltimore. It is a city of little note in the commercial world. The houses, 350 in number, are indicative of great wealth. The number of inhabitants does not exceed 2000.

BALTIMORE has had the most rapid growth of any town on the continent, and is the third in size, and the fourth in trade, in the United States. It lies on the north side of Patapsco river. The situation of the town is low, and was formerly unhealthy, but the increase of houses, and the paving and other improvements of the streets, have rendered it tolerably healthy. The number of inhabitants in the town and precincts, according to the census of 1800, was 26,214; in 1810, they amounted to 46,485. It contains nine churches, a theatre, and a number of other public buildings. The tonnage of this city, in 1810, was 102,439.

FREDERICKTOWN is a fine, flourishing inland town, and contained, in 1797, 2600 inhabitants. HAGARSTOWN is situated in the beautiful and well cultivated valley of Conegocheague, and carries on a considerable trade with the western country. ELKTON is near the head of Chesapeak bay, on a small river which bears the name of the town. It enjoys great advantages from the carrying trade between Baltimore and Philadelphia.

COLUMBIA TERRITORY.

THIS territory is ten miles square, and embraces the city of Washington, Georgetown and Alexandria. It was ceded to the United States, by Maryland and Virginia, for the purpose of establishing in it the seat of the general government. It embraces a section of Potomac river, extending from the southern part of Alexandria, to a point about five miles above Georgetown, and includes a part of one of the Potomac canals. This section of the river, from the Maryland side, receives the Eastern Branch, which bounds the city of Washington on the southeast, Tiber, Reedy, and Rock Creeks; and from the Virginia side,

Four Mile Run. Eastern Branch forms a safe and commodious harbor, being sufficiently deep for the largest ships for about four miles above its mouth, while the channel lies close along the bank adjoining the city. The Potomac is navigable only for small craft, for a considerable distance from its banks, next the city.

WASHINGTON city appears to contain some important improvements upon that of the best planned cities in the world; combining, in a remarkable degree, convenience, regularity, elegance of prospect, and a free circulation of air. The positions of the different public edifices, and of the several squares and areas of different shapes, as they are laid down, were first determined on the most advan tageous ground, commanding the most extensive prospects, and from their situation, susceptible of such improvements as either use or ornament may require. The capitol is situated on a most beautiful eminence commanding a complete view of every part of the city. The President's house stands on a rising ground, possessing a delightful water prospect, together with a commanding view of the capitol, and the most material parts of the city. The grand avenues, and such streets as lead immediately to public places, are from 130 to 160 feet wide; the other. streets are from 90 to 110 feet wide.

In 1803, this city contained 4353 inhabitants, of whom 940 were people of color. In 1810, the number of inhabitants had increased to 8620. Here are four houses for publie worship, one for Presbyterians, one for Roman Catholies, one for Baptists, and one for Episcopalians. In the city,are three market houses. At the navy yard,are several large brick buildings, for the reception of naval stores. Barracks are erected for the marines. At Greenleaf's Point is a powder magazine and a guard house. Two bridges are built over Rock Creek, which divides the city from Georgetown. The public offices occupy two buildings, each about 450 feet from the President's house.

GEORGETOWN stands on the bank of the Potomac, 160 miles from its entrance into the Chesapeak, and four from Washington city. It contains about 250 houses and

4948 inhabitants.

ALEXANDRIA stands on the south bank of the Potomac, and contained in 1800, about 500 houses, and 5000 inhabi◄ tants; in 1810, 7227.

VIRGINIA.

Situation and Extent. THIS is the largest of the United States, extending 446 miles in length, by a breadth of 224 miles, and containing an area of 70,000 square miles. It lies between 36° and 41° north latitude, and between the meridian of Philadelphia, and s° west longitude.

Boundaries. Bounded north by Maryland, part of Penn: sylvania, and Ohio; west by Kentucky; south by NorthCarolina; east by the Atlantic ocean.

The following are the divisions, and number of inhabitants in each, according to the census of 1810.