Chapter VIII: Michigan (1)

Extent,--Situation,--Boundaries;----Face of the Country; Rivers, Lakes, &c., Soil and Productions;--Subdivisions, Counties;--Towns, Detroit;--Education;--Improvements projected;--Boundary Dispute;--Outline of the Constitution.

Michigan is a large triangular peninsula, surrounded on the east, north and west, by lakes, and on the south by the States of Ohio and Indiana. Lake Erie, Detroit river, lake St. Clair, and St. Clair river, lie on the east for 140 miles; lake Huron on the north-east and north, the straits of Mackinaw on the extreme north-west, and lake Michigan on its western side. Its area is about 40,000 square miles.

_Face of the Country._--Its general surface is level, having no mountains, and no very elevated hills. Still, much of its surface is undulating, like the swelling of the ocean. Along the shore of lake Huron, in some places, are high, precipitous bluffs, and along the eastern shore of Michigan are hills of pure sand, blown up by the winds from the lake. Much of the country bordering on lakes Erie, Huron, and St. Clair, is level,--somewhat deficient in good water, and for the most part heavily timbered. The interior is more undulating, in some places rather hilly, with much fine timber, interspersed with oak "openings," "plains," and "prairies."

The "_plains_" are usually timbered, destitute of undergrowth, and are beautiful. The soil is rather gravelly. The "_openings_" contain scattering timber in groves and patches, and resemble those tracts called _barrens_ farther south. There is generally timber enough for farming purposes, if used with economy, while it costs but little labor to clear the land. For the first ploughing, a strong team of four or five yoke of oxen is required, as is the case with prairie.

The _openings_ produce good wheat.

The "_prairies_," will be described more particularly under the head of Illinois. In Michigan they are divided into wet and dry. The former possess a rich soil, from one to four feet deep, and produce abundantly all kinds of crops common to 42 degrees of N. latitude, especially those on St. Joseph river. The latter afford early pasturage for emigrants, hay to winter his stock, and with a little labor would be converted into excellent artificial meadows. Much of the land that now appears wet and marshy will in time be drained, and be the first rate soil for farming.

A few miles back of Detroit is a flat, wet country for considerable extent, much of it heavily timbered,--the streams muddy and sluggish,--some wet prairies,--with dry, sandy ridges intervening. The timber consists of all the varieties found in the Western States; such as oaks of various species, walnut, hickory, maple, poplar, ash, beech, &c., with an intermixture of white and yellow pine.

_Rivers and Lakes._--In general, the country abounds with rivers and small streams. They rise in the interior, and flow in every direction to the lakes which surround it. The northern tributaries of the Maumee rise in Michigan, though the main stream is in Ohio, and it enters the west end of lake Erie on the "debatable land." Proceeding up the lake, Raisin and then Huron occur. Both are navigable streams, and their head waters interlock with Grand river, or Washtenong, which flows into lake Michigan. River Rouge enters Detroit river, a few miles below the city of Detroit. Raisin rises in the county of Lenawee, and passes through Monroe. Huron originates amongst the lakes of Livingston, passes through Washtenaw, and a corner of Wayne, and enters lake Erie towards its north-western corner. Above Detroit is river Clinton, which heads in Oakland county, passes through Macomb, and enters lake St. Clair. Passing by several smaller streams, as Belle, Pine, and Black rivers, which fall into St. Clair river, and going over an immense tract of swampy, wet country, between lake Huron and Saginaw bay, in Sanilac county, we come to the Saginaw river. This stream is formed by the junction of the Tittibawassee, Hare, Shiawassee, Flint, and Cass rivers, all of which unite in the centre of Saginaw county, and form the Saginaw river, which runs north, and enters the bay of the same name. The Tittibawassee rises in the country west of Saginaw bay, runs first a south, and then a south-eastern course, through Midland county into Saginaw county, to its junction. Pine river is a branch of this stream, that heads in the western part of Gratiot county, and runs north-east into Midland. Hare, the original name of which is Waposebee, commences in Gratiot, and the N. W. corner of Shiawassee counties, and runs an east and north-east course. The heads of the Shiawassee, which is the main fork of the Saginaw, are found in the counties of Livingston and Oakland. Its course is northward. Flint river rises in the south part of Lapeer county, and runs a north-western course, some distance past the centre of the county, when it suddenly wheels to the south, then to the west, and enters Genesee county, through which it pursues a devious course towards its destination. Cass river rises in Sanilac county, and runs a western course. These rivers are formed of innumerable branches, and water an extensive district of country. Other smaller streams enter lake Huron, above Saginaw bay; but the whole country across to lake Michigan is yet a wilderness, and possessed by the Indians. Doubtless it will soon be purchased, surveyed and settled. On the western side of the State are Traverse, Ottawa, Betsey, Manistic, Pent, White, Maskegon, Grand, Kekalamazoo, and St. Joseph, all of which fall into lake Michigan. Those above Grand river are beyond the settled portion of the State. Grand river is the largest in Michigan, being 270 miles in length, its windings included. Its head waters interlock with the Pine, Hare, Shiawassee, Huron, Raisin, St. Joseph and Kekalamazoo. A canal project is already in agitation to connect it with the Huron, and open a water communication from lake Erie, across the peninsula, direct to lake Michigan. Grand river is now navigable for batteaux, 240 miles, and receives in its course, Portage, Red-Cedar, Looking-glass, Maple, Muscota, Flat, Thorn-Apple, and Rouge rivers, besides smaller streams. It enters lake Michigan 245 miles south-westerly from Mackinaw, and 75 north of St. Joseph;--is between 50 and 60 rods wide at its mouth, with 8 feet water over its bar. The Ottawa Indians own the country on its north side, for 60 miles up. Much of the land on Grand river and its tributaries, is excellent, consisting of six or seven thousand square miles;--and, considering its central position in the State,--the general fertility of its soil,--the good harbor at its mouth,--the numerous mill sites on its tributaries,--this region may be regarded as one of the most interesting portions of Michigan. The Kekalamazoo rises in Jackson and Eaton counties, passes through Calhoun, and the northern part of Kalamazoo, enters the south-eastern part of Allegan, and passes diagonally through it to the lake. There is much first-rate land, timber, prairie, and openings, on its waters, and is rapidly settling.

The St. Joseph country is represented by some as the best country in Michigan. This stream has several heads in Branch, Hillsdale, Jackson, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo counties, which unite in St. Joseph county, through which it passes diagonally to the south-west, into Indiana,--thence through a corner of Elkhart county, into St. Joseph of that State, makes the "South Bend," and then runs north-westerly, into Michigan, through Berrian county, to the lake. The town of St. Joseph is at its mouth. It has Pigeon, Prairie, Hog, Portage, Christianna, Dowagiake, and Crooked rivers for tributaries, all of which afford good mill sites. In Cass and St. Joseph counties, are Four-mile, Beardsley, Townsend, McKenny, La Grange, Pokagon, Young, Sturges, Notta-wa-Sepee, and White Pigeon prairies, which are rich tracts of country, and fast filling up with inhabitants.

Michigan abounds with small lakes and ponds. Some have marshy and unhealthy borders;--others are transparent fountains, surrounded with beautiful groves, an undulating country, pebbly and sandy shores, and teeming with excellent fish. The counties of Oakland, Livingston, Washtenaw, Jackson, Barry, and Kalamazoo, are indented with them.

_Productions._--These are the same, in general, as those of Ohio and New York. Corn and wheat grow luxuriantly here. Rye, oats, barley, buckwheat, potatoes, and all the garden vegetables common to the climate, grow well. All the species of grasses are produced luxuriantly. Apples and other fruit abound in the older settlements, especially among the French about Detroit.

It will be a great fruit country.

_Subdivisions._--Michigan had been divided into 33 counties in 1835, some of which were attached to adjacent counties for judicial purposes. Other counties may have been formed since. The following organized counties show the population of the State, (then Territory,) at the close of 1834.

=================================+================================= | _Dist. from COUNTIES. _Population._ | SEATS OF JUSTICE. Detroit._ ---------------------------------+--------------------------------- Berrian, 1,787 | Berrian, 180 Branch, 764 | Branch, 133 Calhoun, 1,714 | Eckford, 100 Cass, 3,280 | Cassopolis, 160 Jackson, 1,865 | Jacksonsburgh, 77 Kalamazoo, 3,124 | Bronson, 137 Lenawee, 7,911 | Tecumseh, 63 Macomb, 6,055 | Mount Clemens, 25 Monroe, 8,542 | Monroe, 36 Oakland, 13,844 | Pontiac, 26 St. Clair, 2,244 | St. Clair, 60 St. Joseph, 3,168 | White Pigeon, 135 Washtenaw, 14,920 | Ann Arbor, 42 Wayne, 16,638 | Detroit, ------ | _Total_, 85,856 | ---------------------------------+-----------------------------

The other counties are Hillsdale, Van Buren, Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, Lapeer, Genesee, Shiawassee, Clinton, Ionia, Kent, Ottawa, Oceana, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Gladwin and Arenac, the population of which are included in the counties given in the table. Doubtless, the population of Michigan now (Jan. 1836) exceeds one hundred thousand.

The counties are subdivided into incorporated townships, for local purposes, the lines of which usually correspond with the land surveys.

For the sales of public lands, the State is divided into three land districts, and land offices are established at Detroit, Monroe, and Bronson.

_Chief Towns._--Detroit is the commercial and political metropolis. It is beautifully situated on the west side of the river Detroit, 18 miles above Malden in Canada, and 8 miles below the outlet of Lake St. Clair. A narrow street, on which the wharves are built, runs parallel with the river. After ascending the bench or bluff, is a street called Jefferson Avenue, on which the principal buildings are erected. The older dwellings are of wood, but many have been recently built of brick, with basements of stone, the latter material being brought from Cleveland, Ohio. The primitive forest approaches near the town. The table land extends 12 or 15 miles interior, when it becomes wet and marshy. Along Detroit river the ancient French settlements extend several miles, and the inhabitants exhibit all the peculiar traits of the French on the Mississippi. Their gardens and orchards are valuable.

The public buildings of Detroit, are a state house, a council house, an academy, and two or three banking houses. There are five churches for as many different denominations, in which the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and Roman Catholics worship. The Catholic congregation is the largest, and they have a large cathedral. Stores and commercial warehouses are numerous, and business is rapidly increasing. Town lots, rents, and landed property in the vicinity are rising rapidly. Lots have advanced, within two or three years, in the business parts of the city, more than one thousand per cent. Mechanics of all descriptions, and particularly those in the building line, are much wanted here, and in other towns in Michigan. The population is supposed to be about 10,000, and is rapidly increasing. This place commands the trade of all the upper lake country.

_Monroe_, the seat of justice for Monroe county, is situated on the right bank of the river Raisin, opposite the site of old Frenchtown. Two years since, it had about 150 houses, of which 20 or 30 were of stone, and 1600 inhabitants. There were also two flouring and several saw-mills, a woollen factory, an iron foundry, a chair factory, &c., and an abundant supply of water power. The "Bank of the River Raisin," with a capital of $100,000, is established here. The Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists, and Roman Catholics have houses of worship and ministers here. It was at this place, or rather at Frenchtown in its vicinity, that a horrible massacre of American prisoners took place during the last war with Great Britain, by the Indians under Gen. Proctor. The sick and wounded were burned alive in the hospital, or shot as they ran shrieking through the flames!

Of the 700 young men barbarously murdered here, many were students at law, young physicians, and merchants, the best blood of Kentucky!

Mount Clemens, Brownstown, Ann Arbor, Pontiac, White Pigeon, Tecumseh, Jacksonsburgh, Niles, St. Joseph, Spring Arbor, and many others, are pleasant villages, and will soon become populous.

_Education._--Congress has made the same donations of lands, as to other Western States, and will, doubtless, appropriate the same per centage on the sales of all public lands, when the State is admitted into the Union, as has been appropriated to the other new States. A respectable female academy is in operation at Detroit. The Presbyterian denomination are about establishing a college at Ann Arbor, the Methodists a seminary at Spring Arbor, the Baptists one in Kalamazoo county, and the Roman Catholics, it is said, have fixed their post at Bertrand, a town on the St. Joseph river, in the south-eastern corner of Berrian county, and near to the boundary line of Indiana. Much sentiment and feeling exists in favor of education and literary institutions, amongst the people.

_Improvements projected._--A survey has been made for a rail-road across the peninsula of Detroit, through the counties of Wayne, Washtenaw, Jackson, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Van Buren and Berrian, to the mouth of St. Joseph river. Another project is, to commence at or near Toledo on the Maumee river, and pass through the southern counties of Michigan into Indiana, and terminate at Michigan city. A third project is, to open a water communication from the navigable waters of Grand river, to Huron river, and, by locks and slack water navigation, enter lake Erie. A canal from the mouth of Maumee Bay to lake Michigan, has also been spoken of as a feasible project;--or one from the mouth of the river Raisin to the St. Joseph, would open a similar communication. It has also been suggested to improve the river Raisin by locks and slack water navigation. Doubtless not many years will elapse before some of these projects will prove realities.

_Boundary Dispute._--This unpleasant dispute between Ohio and Michigan, relates to a strip of country about fifteen miles in width at its eastern, and seven miles at its western end, lying between the north-eastern part of Indiana and the Maumee Bay. A portion of the Wabash and Erie canal, now constructing by Indiana, and which is dependent for its completion on either Ohio or Michigan, passes over this territory. Michigan claims it by virtue of an ordinance of Congress, passed the 13th of July, 1787, organizing the "_North-Western Territory_," in which the boundaries of _three_ States were laid off, "Provided, that the boundaries of these three States shall be subject so far to be altered, that, if Congress shall hereafter find it expedient, they shall have authority to form one or two States in that part of the said territory _which lies north of an east and west line drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of lake Michigan_;"--Ohio claims it by possession, and because, by being received into the Union with this portion in possession, Congress virtually annulled that part of the former ordinance that fixed the south bend of lake Michigan as the boundary line, and by having run the line north of this.

_Outlines of the Constitution._--A convention assembled at Detroit, on the 11th of May, 1835, and framed a constitution for a state government, which was submitted to, and ratified by vote of the people on the first Monday in October.

The powers of the government are divided into three distinct departments;--the legislative,--the executive,--and the judicial.

The legislative power is vested in a _Senate_ and _House of Representatives_. The representatives are to be chosen annually; and their number cannot be less than 48, nor more than 100.

The senators are to be chosen every two years, one half of them every year, and to consist, as nearly as may be, of one third of the number of the representatives.

The census is to be taken in 1837, and 1845, and every ten years after the latter period; and also after each census taken by the United States, the number of senators and representatives is to be apportioned anew among the several counties, according to the number of white inhabitants.

The _legislature_ is to meet annually, on the first Monday in January.

The executive power is to be vested in a governor, who holds his office for two years. Upon a vacancy, the lieutenant governor performs executive duties. The first election was held on the first Monday in October, 1835, and the governor and lieutenant governor hold their offices till the first Monday in January, 1838.

The _judicial power_ is vested in one _Supreme Court_, and in such other courts as the legislature may, from time to time, establish. The judges of the Supreme Court are to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for the term of seven years. Judges of all county courts, associate judges of circuit courts, and judges of probate, are to be elected by the people for the term of four years.

Each township is authorized to elect four justices of the peace, who are to hold their offices for four years. In all elections, every white male citizen above the age of 21 years, having resided six months next preceding any election, is entitled to vote at such election.

Slavery, lotteries, and the sale of lottery tickets, are prohibited.

The seat of government is to be at Detroit, or such other place or places as may be prescribed by law until the year 1847, when it is to be permanently fixed by the legislature.

OHIO

--Is bounded on the north by lake Erie, and the State of Michigan, east by Pennsylvania and the Ohio river, south by the Ohio river, which separates it from Virginia and Kentucky, and west by Indiana. The meanderings of the Ohio river extend along the line of this State 436 miles. It is about 222 miles in extent, both from north to south, and from east to west. After excluding a section of lake Erie, which projects into its northern borders, Ohio contains about 40,000 square miles, or 25,000,000 acres of land.

_Divisions._--Nature has divided this State into four departments,--according to its principal waters.

1. The Lake country, situated on lake Erie, and embracing all its northern part. Its streams all run into the lake, and reach the Atlantic ocean through the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

2. The Muskingum country, on the eastern side, and along the river of that name.

3. The Scioto country, in the middle,--and,

4. The Miami country, along the western side.

For civil purposes, the State is divided into _seventy-five_ counties, and these are again subdivided into townships. Their names, date of organization, number of square miles, number of organized townships, seats of justice, and bearing and distance from Columbus, are exhibited in the following

TABLE.

------------+----------+------+----------+-----------------+-------------- | | | | | Bearing And | When |Square| No. of | |Distance from COUNTIES. |organized.|Miles.|Townships.|SEATS OF JUSTICE.| Columbus. ------------+----------+------+----------+-----------------+-------------- Adams, | 1797 | 550 | 10 |West Union, |101 _s._ Allen, | 1831 | 542 | -- |Lima, |110 _n. w._ Ashtabula, | 1811 | 700 | 27 |Jefferson, |200 _n. w._ Athens, | 1805 | 740 | 19 |Athens, | 73 _s. e._ Belmont, | 1801 | 536 | 16 |St. Clairsville, |116 _e._ Brown, | 1818 | 470 | 14 |Georgetown, |104 _s._ Butler, | 1803 | 480 | 13 |Hamilton, |101 _s. w._ Carroll, | 1833 | [A] | [A] |Carrollton, |125 _e. n. e._ Champaign, | 1805 | 417 | 12 |Urbanna, | 50 _w. n. w._ Clark, | 1818 | 412 | 10 |Springfield, | 44 _w._ Clermont, | 1800 | 515 | 12 |Batavia, | 96 _s. w._ Clinton, | 1810 | 400 | 8 |Wilmington, | 60 _s. w._ Columbiana, | 1803 | [A] | [A] |New Lisbon, |150 _e. n. e._ Coshocton, | 1811 | 562 | 21 |Coshocton, | 68 _n. e._ Crawford, | 1826 | 594 | 12 |Bucyrus, | 60 _n._ Cuyahoga, | 1810 | 475 | 19 |Cleveland, |140 _n. n. e._ Dark, | 1817 | 660 | 10 |Greenville, | 93 _w._ Delaware, | 1808 | 610 | 23 |Delaware, | 24 _n._ Fairfield, | 1800 | 540 | 14 |Lancaster, | 28 _s. e._ Fayette, | 1810 | 415 | 7 |Washington, | 38 _s. w._ Franklin, | 1803 | 520 | 18 |COLUMBUS, | Gallia, | 1803 | 500 | 15 |Gallipolis, |102 _s. s. e._ Geauga, | 1805 | 600 | 23 |Chardon, |157 _n. e._ Greene, | 1803 | 400 | 8 |Xenia, | 56 _w. s. w._ Guernsey, | 1810 | 621 | 19 |Cambridge, | 76 _e._ Hamilton, | 1790 | 400 | 14 |Cincinnati, |110 _s. w._ Hancock, | 1828 | 576 | 5 |Findlay, | 90 _n. n. w._ Hardin, | 1833 | 570 | -- |Kenton, | 70 _n. n. w._ Harrison, | 1813 |[A]-- | 13 |Cadiz, |124 _e. n. e._ Henry, | -- | 744 | 2 |Napoleon, |161 _n. w._ Highland, | 1805 | 555 | 11 |Hillsborough, | 62 _s. s. w._ Hocking, | 1818 | 432 | 9 |Logan, | 46 _s. s. e._ Holmes, | 1825 | 422 | 14 |Millersburg, | 81 _n. e._ Huron, | 1815 | 800 | 29 |Norwalk, |106 _n._ Jackson, | 1816 | 490 | 13 |Jackson, | 73 _s. s. e._ Jefferson, | 1797 | 400 | 13 |Steubenville, |147 _e. n. e._ Knox, | 1808 | 618 | 24 |Mount Vernon, | 47 _n. n. e._ Lawrence, | 1817 | 430 | 12 |Burlington, |130 _s. s. e._ Licking, | 1808 | 666 | 25 |Newark, | 33 _e. n. e._ Logan, | 1818 | 425 | 9 |Bellefontaine, | 50 _n. w._ Lorain, | 1824 | 580 | 19 |Elyria, |130 _n. n. e._ Lucas,[B] | 1835 | | -- |Toledo, |150 _n. n. w._ Madison, | 1810 | 480 | 10 |London, | 25 _w. s. w._ Marion, | 1824 | 527 | 15 |Marion, | 45 _n._ Medina, | 1818 | 475 | 14 |Medina, |110 _n. n. e._ Meigs, | 1819 | 400 | 12 |Chester, | 94 _s. s. e._ Mercer, | 1824 | 576 | 4 |St Mary's, |111 _n. w._ Miami, | 1807 | 410 | 12 |Troy, | 68 _n. of w._ Monroe, | 1815 | 563 | 18 |Woodsfield, |120 _e. s. e._ Montgomery, | 1803 | 480 | 12 |Dayton, | 68 _w._ Morgan, | 1819 | 500 | 15 |M'Connelsville, | 75 _s. e._ Muskingum, | 1804 | 665 | 23 |Zanesville, | 52 _e._ Paulding,[C]| -- | 432 | 3 | |170 _n. w._ Perry, | 1818 | 402 | 12 |Somerset, | 46 _e. s. e._ Pickaway, | 1810 | 470 | 14 |Circleville, | 26 _s._ Pike, | 1815 | 421 | 9 |Piketon, | 64 _s._ Portage, | 1807 | 750 | 30 |Ravenna, |135 _n. e._ Preble, | 1808 | 432 | 12 |Eaton, | 50 _w._ Putnam,[C] | -- | 576 | 2 | |148 _n. w._ Richland, | 1813 | 900 | 25 |Mansfield, | 74 _n. n. e_ Ross, | 1798 | 650 | 16 |Chillicothe, | 45 _s._ Sandusky, | 1820 | 600 | 10 |Lower Sandusky, |105 _n._ Scioto, | 1803 | 700 | 14 |Portsmouth, | 90 _s._ Seneca, | 1824 | 540 | 11 |Tiffin, | 87 _n._ Shelby, | 1819 | 418 | 10 |Sidney, | 70 _n. w._ Stark, | 1809 | [A] | 16 |Canton, |116 _n. e._ Trumbull, | 1800 | 875 | 34 |Warren, |160 _n. e._ Tuscarawas, | 1808 | [A] | 19 |New Philadelphia,|100 _e. n. e._ Union, | 1820 | 450 | 9 |Marysville, | 30 _n. w._ Vanwert,[C] | -- | 432 | -- | |100 _n. w._ Warren, | 1803 | 400 | 9 |Lebanon, | 80 _s. w._ Washington, | 1788 | 713 | 19 |Marietta, |106 _s. e._ Wayne, | 1812 | 660 | 20 |Wooster, | 89 _n. e._ Williams, | 1824 | 600 | 10 |Defiance, |130 _n. w._ Wood, | 1820 | 750 | 7 |Perrysburg, |135 _n. w._

[A] Carroll county has been formed from Columbiana, Harrison, Stark and Tuscarawas since the edition of the Ohio Gazetteer of 1833 was published, from which the foregoing table has been constructed. Hence the townships in each are not given.

[B] Lucas county has been recently formed from parts taken from Sandusky and Wood counties, and from the disputed country claimed by Michigan.

[C] Paulding, Putnam, and Vanwert counties had not been organized at the period of our information. Much of the land in Vanwert is wet. The southern portion contains much swampy prairie.

There are nineteen congressional districts in Ohio, which elect as many members of Congress, and twelve circuits for Courts of Common Pleas.

_Face of the Country._--The interior and northern parts of the State bordering on lake Erie, are generally level, and, in some places, wet and marshy. The eastern and south-eastern parts bordering on the Ohio river, are hilly and broken, but not mountainous. In some counties the hills are abrupt and broken,--in others they form ridges, and are cultivated to their summits. Immediately on the banks of the Ohio and other large rivers are strips of rich alluvion soil.

The country along the Scioto and two Miamies, furnish more extensive bodies of rich, fertile land, than any other part of the State. The prairie land is found in small tracts near the head waters of the Muskingum and Scioto, and between the sources of the two Miami rivers, and especially in the north-western part of the State. Many of the prairies in Ohio are low and wet;--some are elevated and dry, and exhibit the features of those tracts called "barrens" in Illinois. There are extensive plains, some of which are wet, towards Sandusky.

_Soil and Productions._--The soil, in at least three fourths of the State, is fertile;--and some of it very rich. The _poorest_ portion of Ohio, is along the Ohio river, from 15 to 25 miles in width, and extending from the National road opposite Wheeling, to the mouth of the Scioto river. Many of the hills in this region are rocky.

Among the forest trees are oak of various species, white and black walnut, hickory, maple of different kinds, beech, poplar, ash of several kinds, birch, buckeye, cherry, chestnut, locust, elm, hackberry, sycamore, linden, with numerous others. Amongst the under growth are spice-bush, dogwood, ironwood, pawpaw, hornbeam, black-haw, thorn, wild plum, grape vines, &c. The plains and wet prairies produce wild grass.

The agricultural productions are such as are common to the Eastern and Middle States. Indian corn, as in other Western States, is a staple grain, raised with much ease, and in great abundance. More than 100 bushels are produced from an acre, on the rich alluvial soils of the bottom lands, though from 40 to 50 bushels per acre ought to be considered an average crop. The State generally has a fine soil for wheat, and flour is produced for exportation in great quantities. Rye, oats, buckwheat, barley, potatoes, melons, pumpkins, and all manner of garden vegetables, are cultivated to great perfection. No markets in the United States are more profusely and cheaply supplied with meat and vegetables than those of Cincinnati and other large towns in Ohio. Hemp is produced to some extent, and the choicest kinds of tobacco is raised and cured in some of the counties east of the Muskingum river. Fruits of all kinds are raised in great plenty, especially apples, which grow to a large size, and are finely flavored. The vine and the mulberry have been introduced, and with enterprise and industry, wine and silk might easily be added to its exports.

_Animals._--Bears, wolves, and deer are still found in the forests and unsettled portions of the State. The domestic animals are similar to other States. Swine is one of the staple productions, and Cincinnati has been denominated the "pork market of the world." Other towns in the west, and in Ohio, are beginning to receive a share of this trade, especially along the lines of the Miami, and the Erie canals. 150,000 hogs have been slaughtered and prepared for market in one season in Cincinnati. About 75,000 is the present estimated number, from newspaper authority. Immense droves of fat cattle are sent every autumn from the Scioto valley and other parts of the State. They are driven to all the markets of the east and south.

_Minerals._--The mineral deposits of Ohio, as yet discovered, consist principally in iron, salt, and bituminous coal, and are found chiefly along the south-eastern portion of the State. Let a line be drawn from the south-eastern part of Ashtabula county, in a south-western direction, by Northampton in Portage county, Wooster, Mount Vernon, Granville, Circleville, to Hillsborough, and thence south to the Ohio river in Brown county, and it would leave most of the salt, iron and coal on the eastern and south-eastern side.

_Financial Statistics._--From the Auditor's Report to the Legislature now in session, (Jan. 1836,) the following items are extracted. The general revenue is obtained from moderate taxes on landed and personal property, and collected by the county treasurers,--from insurance, bank and bridge companies, from lawyers and physicians, &c.

Collected in 1835, by the several county treasurers, $150,080, (omitting fractions): paid by banks, bridges, and insurance companies, $26,060;--by lawyers, and physicians, $1,598;--other sources, $24,028,--making an aggregate of $201,766. The disbursements are,--amount of deficit for 1834, $16,622;--bills redeemed at the treasury for the year ending Nov. 1835, $182,005;--interest paid on school funds, $33,101, &c., amounting to $235,365--and showing a deficit in the revenue of $33,590.

CANAL FUNDS.

These appear to be separate accounts from the general receipts and disbursements.

_Miami Canal._--The amount of money arising from the sales of Miami canal lands up to the 15th of Nov., 1835, is $310,178. This sum has been expended in the extension of the canal north of Dayton.

_Ohio Canal._--The amount of taxes collected for canal purposes for the year 1835, including tolls, sales of canal lands, school lands, balance remaining in the treasury of last year, &c., is $509,322. Only $38,242 of the general revenue were appropriated to canal purposes, of which $35,507 went to pay interest on the school funds borrowed by the State.

The foreign debt is $4,400,000;--the legal interest of which is $260,000 per annum. The domestic debt of the State, arising from investing the different school funds, is $579,287;--the interest of which amounts to $34,757,--making an aggregate annual interest paid by the State on loans, $294,757. The canal tolls for the year 1835, amount to $242,357, and the receipts from the sale of Ohio canal lands, $64,549,--making an aggregate income to the canal fund of $306,906 per annum;--a sum more than sufficient to pay the interest on all loans for canal purposes.

_Items of Expenditure._--Under this head the principal items of the expenditures of the State government are given.

Members, and officers of the General Assembly, per annum, $43,987 Officers of government, 20,828 Keeper of the Penitentiary, 1,909 For new Penitentiary buildings, 46,050 State printing, 12,243 Paper and Stationary for use of the State, 4,478 Certificates for wolf scalps, 2,824 Adjutant, and Quarter Master Generals, and Brigade Inspectors, 2,276 Treasurer's mileage on settlement with the Auditor of State, 1,027 Deaf and Dumb Asylum, 5,700 Periodical works, &c. 400 Postage on documents, 545 Reporter to Court in Bank, 300 Members and clerks of the Board of Equalization, and articles furnished, 1,960 Paymaster General,--Ohio Militia, 2,000

The extra session of the legislature on the boundary line, in June, 1835, was $6,823.

_Land Taxes._--The amount of lands taxed, and the revenue arising therefrom, at several different periods, are herewith given, to show the progressive advance of the farming and other interests of the State.

--------+------------+----------------
Years. | Acres. | Taxes paid.
--------+------------+----------------
1809 | 9,924,033 | $63,991.87 cts
1810 | 10,479,029 | 67,501.60
1811 | 12,134,777 | 170,546.74

From 1811 to 1816, the average increase of the taxes, paid by the several counties, was $59,351. From 1816 the State rose rapidly in the scale of prosperity and the value of property. In 1820, the number of acres returned as taxable, exceeded a fraction of 13 millions, while the aggregate of taxes, was $205,346.

The period of depression and embarrassment that followed throughout the west, prevented property from advancing in Ohio. In 1826, '27, '28, '29, '30, a material change in the amount of property taxable took place, from a few hundred thousands, to more than fifty millions. The total value of taxable property of the State for 1835, (exclusive of three counties from which returns had not been received,) amounts to the sum of _ninety-four millions, four hundred and thirty-seven thousand, nine hundred and fifty-one dollars_.

_School Funds._--The amount of school funds loaned to the State, up to Nov. 15th, 1835, is--

Virginia Military land fund, $109,937 United States Military land fund, 90,126 Common School fund, 23,179 Athens University, 1,431 School section, No. 16, 453,000 Connecticut Western Reserve, 125,758 -------- Total, $803,432

The following tabular view of the acres of land, total amount of taxable property, and total amount of taxes paid for 1833, is taken from the Ohio Gazetteer. It should be noted that in all the Western States, lands purchased of the government of the United States, are exempted from taxation for _five_ years after sale. It is supposed that such lands are not included in the table. I have also placed the population of each county for 1830, from the census of that year;--reminding the reader that great changes have since been made.

-----------------+------------+-------------+--------------+--------------- | | | Total Amount | | Population | Acres of | of taxable | Total Amount Counties. | 1830. | land. | property. | of Taxes paid. -----------------+------------+-------------+--------------+--------------- Adams | 12,231 | 234,822 | $832,565 | $6,995.41 Allen | 578 | 14,159 | 51,214 | 725.28 Ashtabula | 14,584 | 449,742 | 1,347,900 | 13,524.97 Athens | 9,787 | 365,348 | 481,579 | 5,820.90 Belmont | 28,627 | 301,511 | 1,591,716 | 11,590.33 Brown | 17,867 | 267,130 | 1,358,944 | 8,179.35 Butler | 27,142 | 257,989 | 2,514,007 | 20,111.55 Carroll | ---- | 185,942 | 529,575 | 6,876.92 Champaign | 12,131 | 233,493 | 908,571 | 5,956.66 Clark | 13,114 | 247,083 | 1,114,995 | 7,744.89 Clermont | 20,466 | 280,679 | 1,542,627 | 15,645.31 Clinton | 11,436 | 239,404 | 785,770 | 6,482.14 Columbiana | 35,592 | 317,796 | 1,491,099 | 14,217.28 Coshocton | 11,161 | 246,123 | 850,708 | 9,307.28 Crawford | 4,791 | 79,582 | 217,675 | 3,630.09 Cuyahoga | 10,373 | 292,252 | 1,401,591 | 18,122.96 Dark | 6,204 | 107,730 | 260,259 | 3,312.81 Delaware | 11,504 | 338,856 | 831,093 | 8,516.66 Fairfield | 24,786 | 308,163 | 1,992,697 | 13,716.97 Fayette | 8,182 | 234,432 | 544,539 | 6,428.98 Franklin | 14,741 | 325,155 | 1,663,315 | 13,247.34 Gallia | 9,733 | 205,727 | 427,962 | 4,826.55 Geauga | 15,813 | 381,380 | 1,427,869 | 15,832.65 Greene | 14,801 | 251,512 | 1,441,907 | 12,082.36 Guernsey | 18,036 | 275,652 | 908,109 | 9,855.72 Hamilton | 52,317 | 239,122 | 7,726,091 | 97,530.42 Hancock | 813 | 9,302 | 50,929 | 421.70 Harden | 210 | 125,607 | 118,425 | 1,291.43 Harrison | 20,916 | 22,412 | 1,025,210 | 12,400.97 Highland | 16,345 | 317,079 | 1,065,863 | 8,755.29 Hocking | 4,008 | 92,332 | 215,272 | 1,919.29 Holmes | 9,135 | 182,439 | 556,060 | 6,364.03 Huron | 13,346 | 504,689 | 1,512,655 | 15,490.88 Jackson | 5,941 | 57,874 | 197,932 | 2,239.69 Jefferson | 22,489 | 230,145 | 1,855,064 | 13,149.44 Knox | 17,085 | 313,823 | 1,252,294 | 13,329.41 Lawrence | 5,367 | 56,862 | 241,782 | 2,280.80 Licking | 20,869 | 393,205 | 2,101,495 | 17,370.83 Logan | 6,440 | 203,509 | 519,622 | 3,925.65 Lorain | 5,696 | 360,863 | 889,552 | 10,539.09 Madison | 6,190 | 256,421 | 600,578 | 4,643.91 Marion | 6,551 | 168,164 | 390,602 | 5,599.78 Medina | 7,560 | 296,257 | 931,599 | 10,198.31 Meigs | 6,158 | 229,004 | 380,172 | 5,111.58 Mercer | 1,110 | 12,688 | 54,118 | 714.30 Miami | 12,807 | 240,093 | 1,000,748 | 6,423.09 Monroe | 8,768 | 95,520 | 280,572 | 3,666.61 Montgomery | 24,362 | 267,349 | 2,293,419 | 14,649.12 Morgan | 11,800 | 169,135 | 452,991 | 4,945.02 Muskingum | 29,334 | 366,609 | 2,362,616 | 18,567.75 Perry | 13,970 | 175,123 | 729,241 | 6,116.55 Pickaway | 16,001 | 300,969 | 1,798,665 | 10,924.76 Pike | 6,024 | 129,153 | 521,109 | 4,114.37 Portage | 18,826 | 472,156 | 2,019,029 | 17,787.06 Preble | 16,291 | 246,678 | 1,086,322 | 7,441.82 Richland | 24,008 | 433,620 | 1,354,169 | 15,069.92 Ross | 24,068 | 328,765 | 2,897,605 | 17,474.81 Sandusky | 2,851 | 95,822 | 275,992 | 3,354.64 Scioto | 8,740 | 105,539 | 963,882 | 7,926.93 Seneca | 6,159 | 108,758 | 302,089 | 3,916.51 Stark | 26,588 | 374,101 | 1,854,967 | 16,361.36 Shelby | 3,671 | 66,863 | 194,468 | 1,961.26 Trumbull | 26,123 | 556,011 | 1,807,792 | 16,635.58 Tuscarawas | 14,298 | 237,337 | 902,778 | 8,955.75 Union | 3,192 | 259,101 | 380,535 | 5,193.68 Warren | 21,468 | 243,517 | 2,143,065 | 16,247.33 Washington | 11,731 | 282,498 | 681,301 | 7,463.12 Wayne | 23,333 | 382,254 | 1,451,996 | 14,584.77 Williams and | } 1,089 | 17,797 | 90,066 | 1,351.02 others not incor.| } | | | Wood | 1,102 | 17,981 | 127,862 | 1,572.22 -----------------+------------+-------------+--------------+--------------- Total | 937,903 | 17,133,481 | 78,019,526 | 730,010.75

OHIO STATISTICS--1836.

From the Annual Report of the Auditor of State, it appears there were returned on the General List for Taxation, 17,819,631 acres of land, under the new valuation, made under the law of 1833-4.

Lands, including buildings, valued at $58,166,821 Town Lots, including houses, mills, etc. 15,762,594 269,291 Horses, valued at $40 each, 10,491,640 455,487 Cattle, valued at $8 each, 4,043,896 Merchants' capital, and money at interest, 7,262,927 2,603 Pleasure Carriages, valued at 199,518 ----------- Total amount of taxable property, $94,438,016

On the value of taxable property, the following taxes were levied:

State and Canal tax, $142,854.15 County and School tax, 396,505.80 Road tax, 66,482.16 Township tax, 102,991.65 Corporation, Jail, and Bridge tax, 51,276.89 Physicians' and Lawyers' tax, 3,144.19 School-House tax, 1,482.84 Delinquencies of former years, 13,044.37 ----------- Total taxes, $777,782.07

No returns were made from the counties of Crawford, Hancock, Jefferson and Williams.

CANAL REVENUES.

The total amount of receipts for tolls, for the year ending on the 31st of October, 1835, was as follows:

OHIO CANAL.

Cleaveland, $72,718.72 | Newark, $20,487.85 Akron, 6,362.90 | Columbus, 4,605.37 Massillon, 13,585.78 | Circleville, 9,651.44 Dover, 8,096.42 | Chillicothe, 12,134.75 Roscoe, 14,555.83 | Portsmouth, 23,118.78 ---------- ---------- 115,319.45 $69,998.00 115,319.45 ----------- Total, $185,317.45

MIAMI CANAL.

Dayton, 14,016.75 Middleton, 8,747.19 Hamilton, 3,664.88 Cincinnati, 25,803.77 ---------- Total, 52,232.59 ---------- Total tolls received on both canals, $237,550.04 Deduct contingent expenses on Ohio canal, $5,836.05 Do. on Miami canal, 2,954.68--8,790.73 ------------ $228,759.31

Toll received on Lancaster Lat. Canal, 1,062.56 From water rents and sale of State Lots, 3,700.07 Arrearages paid of Tolls received in October, 1834, 7,835.26 ----------- $242,357.20

POPULATION OF OHIO AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.

In Population. | From Increase. 1790, about 3,000 | 1790 to 1800, 42,365 1800, " 45,365 | 1800 " 1810, 185,395 1810, " 230,760 | 1810 " 1820, 350,674 1820, " 581,434 | 1820 " 1830, 356,469 1830, " 937,903 | 1830 " 1835, 437,097 1835, _estimated_, 1,375,000 |

_Rivers._--The streams which flow into the Ohio river, are the Mahoninga branch of the Beaver, Little Beaver, Muskingum, Hockhocking, Scioto, Little Miami, and Great Miami. Those which flow from the northward into lake Erie, are the Maumee, Portage, Sandusky, Huron, Cuyahoga, Grand, and Ashtabula. Hence the State is divided into two unequal inclined planes, the longest of which slopes towards the Ohio, and the shortest towards the lake. The head waters of the Muskingum, Scioto and Miami, interlock with those of the Cuyahoga, Sandusky, and Maumee, so as to render the construction of canals not only practicable, but comparatively easy. All the large streams are now navigable for boats during the spring season.

_Internal Improvements._--These consist of canals, rail-roads, turnpike roads, and the National road, now under the supervision of, and owned by, the State. The canalling is managed by a Board of Commissioners. The State canals were projected about 1823, and, considering the youthful character of the State, its want of funds and other circumstances, they are, undoubtedly, the greatest works ever executed in America.

The _Ohio and Erie Canal_ connects lake Erie with the Ohio river. It commences at Cleaveland, at the mouth of the Cuyahoga, passes along that river and its tributaries, to the summit level, from thence to the waters of the Muskingum, and to the border of Muskingum county; from thence it strikes across the country past Newark, in Licking county, and strikes the Scioto, down the valley of which it proceeds to its mouth, at Portsmouth. The principal places on the canal are Akron, New Portage, Massillon, Bolivar, New Philadelphia, Coshocton, Newark, Bloomfield, Circleville, Chillicothe, Piketon, and Portsmouth. It was commenced on the 4th of July, 1825, and completed in 1832; and, together with the Miami canal to Dayton, cost about $5,500,000, and has greatly enriched the State and the people. Private property along its line has risen from five to ten fold.

LENGTH OF OHIO AND ERIE CANAL.

Miles. Main trunk from Cleaveland to Portsmouth, 310 Navigable feeder from main trunk to Columbus, 11 Navigable feeder from main trunk to Granville, 6 Muskingum side cut, from the Muskingum river at Dresden, 3 Navigable feeder from the Tuscarawas river, 3 Navigable feeder from the Walhonding river, 1 --- Total length of Ohio canal and branches, 334

The _Miami Canal_ commences at Cincinnati, and, passing through the towns of Reading, Hamilton, Middletown, Franklin, and Miamisburg, terminates at Dayton, 65 miles. It has been navigated from Dayton to the head of Main street, Cincinnati, since the spring of 1829. An extension of the work is now in progress, to be carried along the vallies of St. Mary's and Au Glaise rivers, and unite with the Wabash and Erie canal, at Defiance; distance from Cincinnati about 190 miles.

An act passed the Ohio legislature in 1834, for continuing the Wabash and Erie canal, (now constructing in Indiana, by that State,) from the western boundary of Ohio, to the Maumee bay. Operations have been suspended by the boundary dispute with Michigan.

The _Mahoning and Beaver Canal_ has already been noticed, under the head of Western Pennsylvania. It is proposed to carry it from Akron, on the Portage summit, along the valley of the Mahoning river, to Newcastle, on the Beaver division of the Pennsylvania canal. Distance in Ohio, 77 miles. The work is in progress.

The _Sandy Creek and Little Beaver Canal_ is in progress by a chartered company. It commences near the town of Bolivar, on the Ohio and Erie canal, in Tuscarawas county, and passes along near the line of Stark and Carroll counties to the Little Beaver in Columbiana county, and from thence to the Ohio river.

The _Mad River and Sandusky Rail-Road_ will extend from Dayton, on the Miami canal, to Sandusky, through Springfield, Urbanna, Bellefontaine, Upper Sandusky, Tiffin, and down the valley of the Sandusky river to lake Erie. The route is remarkably favorable for locomotive power. Length 153 miles; estimated cost, $11,000 per mile. The work was commenced in September, 1835.

The _Erie and Ohio Rail-Road_ is intended to be constructed from Ashtabula on the lake, through Warren to Wellsville, on the Ohio river, a distance of 90 miles. Other rail-roads are in contemplation in this State, the most important of which is the _Great Western Rail-Road_, from Boston, by Worcester, Springfield, and Stockbridge, through New York, by Albany, Utica and Buffalo, along the summit ridge, dividing the northern from the southern waters, through Pennsylvania, Ohio, to intersect the Wabash and Erie canal at La Fayette, in Indiana. From thence provision is already made for it to pass to the eastern boundary of Illinois, from which, a company has been recently chartered to construct it across the State of Illinois by Danville, Shelbyville, Hillsborough, to Alton on the Mississippi. It must be some untoward circumstance that shall prevent this splendid work from being completed the whole length before 1850.

The project of a rail-road from Cincinnati, to Charleston in South Carolina, has been entered upon with great spirit in the South, and in all the States more directly concerned in the enterprise. It will, undoubtedly, be carried into effect.

The State of Ohio has incorporated a number of turnpike companies, some of which have gone into operation. The first is near the north-eastern corner of the State, from Pierpont, through Monroe and Salem townships to the mouth of Conneant creek, 16 miles long. The second is the Trumbull and Ashtabula turnpike, leading from Warren to Ashtabula, 48 miles. The third is from the town of Wooster, through Medina, to Cleaveland, 51 miles. The fourth is from Columbus to Sandusky, 106 miles, now in the course of construction. Another from Cincinnati, through Lebanon and Columbus, to Wooster, has been commenced on the McAdamized plan, but is not completed. A McAdam turnpike from Cincinnati to Chillicothe is in progress. The National road, constructed by the general government, and transferred to the State, passes from Wheeling, through Columbus to the Indiana line.

_Manufactures._--The principal factory for woollen goods is at Steubenville. A number of cotton factories are in the towns along the Ohio river. Furnaces for smelting iron ore are in operation in the counties bordering on the Ohio, near the mouth of the Scioto. Glass is manufactured in several towns. Considerable salt is made on the Muskingum below Zanesville, on the Scioto, and on Yellow creek above Steubenville. About half a million of bushels were made in the State in 1830.

Cincinnati rivals Pittsburg in the number, variety and extent of its manufacturing operations.

In every town and village through the State, mechanics' shops are established for the manufacture of all articles of ordinary use.

_Cities and Towns._--To enter upon minute descriptions, or even name all these, would much exceed the bounds of this work.

CINCINNATI is the great commercial emporium of the State. It is pleasantly situated on the right or northern bank of the Ohio river, about equidistant from Pittsburg and its mouth, in N. lat. 39 deg. 06', and W. lon. from Washington city 7 deg. 25'.

Directly fronting the city to the south, and on the opposite side of the Ohio river, are the flourishing manufacturing towns of Newport and Covington, which are separated by the Licking river, of Kentucky, which enters the Ohio directly opposite the Cincinnati landing.

The wharf arrangements are the most convenient, for lading and unlading goods at all stages of the water, to be found on our western rivers. The town site is beautifully situated on the first and second banks of the river--the former of which is above ordinary high water, and the latter gently rises sixty or seventy feet higher, and spreads out into a semicircular plain, surrounded with elevated bluffs.

Cincinnati was founded in 1789, but did not grow rapidly till about 1808. The progressive increase of population will appear from the following table:

1810, 2,320 | 1826, 16,230 1813, 4,000 | 1830, 26,515 1819, 10,000 | 1835, _estimated_, 31,000 1824, 12,016 |

Add the adjoining towns of Covington and Newport, whose interests are identified, and the aggregate population will equal 35,000; and, in all reasonable probability, in 1850, these towns, with Cincinnati, will number 100,000 active, educated, and enterprising citizens. In 1826, according to the Picture of Cincinnati, by B. Drake, Esq. and E. D. Mansfield, Esq., the manufacturing industry alone, according to an accurate statistical examination, amounted to 1,800,000 dollars. At that time there were not more than fifteen steam engines employed in manufactures in the city. At the close of 1835, there were more than fifty in successful operation, besides four or five in Newport and Covington. "More than 100 steam engines, about 240 cotton gins, upwards of 20 sugar-mills, and 22 steamboats--many of them of the largest size--have been built or manufactured in Cincinnati, during the year 1835."[10] Hence the productive industry of Cincinnati, Covington and Newport, for 1835, may be estimated at 5,000,000 of dollars. By a laborious investigation, at the close of 1826, by the same writer, the exports of that year were about 1,000,000 of dollars in value. A similar inquiry induced him to place the exports of 1832 at 4,000,000. The estimate for 1835, is 6,000,000.

To enumerate all the public and private edifices deserving notice, would extend this article to too great a length. The court house, four market houses, banks, college, Catholic Athenaeum, two medical colleges, Mechanics' Institute, two museums, hospital and Lunatics' Asylum, Woodward high school, ten or twelve large edifices for free schools, hotels, and between twenty-five and thirty houses for public worship, some of which are elegant, deserve notice. The type foundry and printing-press manufactory, is one of the most extensive in the United States. Here is machinery, lately invented, for casting printer's types, exceeding, perhaps, anything in the world. Printing, and the manufacture of books, are extensively carried on in this city. Here are six large bookstores, several binderies, twelve or fifteen printing-offices, from which are issued ten weekly, four triweekly, four daily, four monthly, and one quarterly publications. Two medical publications, of a highly respectable character, are issued. The Western Monthly Magazine is too well known to need special notice here. The Cincinnati Mirror is a respectable literary periodical. The Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Roman Catholics, and, perhaps, other sects, have each their weekly paper, respectable in size and character. During four months, in 1831, there were issued from the Cincinnati press, 86,000 volumes, of which 20,300 were original works. In the same period, the periodical press issued 243,200 printed sheets. The business has increased greatly since that time.

The "_College of Professional Teachers_," is an institution formed at the convention of teachers, held in this city, in October, 1832. Its objects are to _unite_ the professional instructers of youth throughout the Western country in the cause in which they are engaged, and to elevate the character of the profession. Their meetings are held on the first Monday in October annually. Lectures are given, discussions held, reports made, and a respectable volume of transactions published annually. There is no doubt that much good will result to the cause of education in the West, from this annual convocation.

_Law School._--An institution of this character has been organized, under the management of Hon. J. C. Wright, and other gentlemen of the bar.

Of _Medical Schools_ there are two, at the heads of which are gentlemen of high character and attainments in their profession.

The _Mechanics' Institute_ is designed for the diffusion of scientific knowledge among the mechanics and citizens generally, by means of popular lectures and mutual instruction. The _Cincinnati Lyceum_ was formed for the purpose of useful instruction and entertainment, by means of popular lectures and debates. The _Academic Institute_ is designed to aid the cause of education, and elevate the profession, amongst the teachers in Cincinnati. Its meetings are monthly. The _Athenaeum_ is an institution under the management of Roman Catholic Priests. The college edifice is a splendid and permanent building, of great capacity. The _Woodward High School_ was founded by the late William Woodward. The fund yields an income of about $2000 annually. It is conducted by four professors, and has about one hundred and twenty students. The corporation has established a system of free schools, designed to extend the benefits of primary education to all classes, and ten or twelve large edifices have been erected for the purpose. I regret the want of documents to give particulars of this liberal and praiseworthy enterprise, which reflects much honor upon the city and its honorable corporation. In 1833, there were twenty public schools for males and females, and two thousand pupils. Many excellent private schools and seminaries, some of deserved celebrity, are sustained by individual enterprise.

COLUMBUS, the political capital of the State, and nearly in the centre of the State, is a beautiful city, on the east bank of the Scioto river. In 1812, it was covered with a dense forest, when it was selected by the legislature for the permanent seat of government. The public buildings are a state house, a court house for the Supreme Court, a building for the public offices, a market house, &c., all of brick. The State penitentiary is here, for which a new substantial building is constructing, and an Asylum for the deaf and dumb, sustained by legislative aid.

Chillicothe, Cleaveland, Zanesville, Steubenville, Circleville and many others, are large and flourishing towns.