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"That before the freemen are called upon to, civil rights of the citzens in many important võte, for persons to stand in nomination for assis respects. An "orthodox catechism" is mentants or representatives in congress, the presiding tioned, and those that de not measurably conofficer shall appoint a suitable number of tellers, form to it may be convicted of felony, and denot exceeding 4, for the different parts of the house

or area where the freemen are assembled, and shall prived of the right of maintaining at action at also direct the freemen to provide each for himself law or in equity, of being guardians, executors, a number of slips of paper, equal to the number administrators, &c.-incapable of holding any which by law are to stand in nomination, and when office, &c. The "common school system," adprovided, he shall, if the accommodations will admirable and worthy as it is, in most respects,

mit thereof, order the freemen to be seated, and

on any person being named by any freeman to stand of imitation, is cursed with this orthodoxy"
in nomination, the presiding officer shall call upon and its priests---and the fellows and professors
those who would vote for the person so named to of ale college are required to make a so-
signify it by rising, or when, the accommodation lemn declaration of their belief in the "assem-
will not adinit of the freemen being seated, shail bly's catechism and the confession of faith,"
call upon them to vote by holding up the hand, and to pledge themselves to prevent the pre-
which being done, the tellers in the quarters as-
signed them, shall count the numbers voting, and valence of doctrines contrary thereto, &c.
shall successively with an audible voice declare The people of this state have an interesting
the numbers, which numbers, the presiding officer, duty to perform. May they persevere in it
with a like audible voice, shall successively repeat until they erect a constitution that shall secure
and cause to be taken down, and the aggregate to equal rights to the community! The time has
be entered against the name of the person voted
for, and the same proceeding shall be repeated as
past when "confessions of faith"---the acts of
ften as any person shall be so named, by any free-deeply interested and darkly designing indi-
man; but no freeman shall vote for more in number viduals, can legitimately stand between a
thian are by law to stand in such nomination, and man's conscience and his Gon; and we trust
every freeman on voting as aforesaid, shall each that this fragment of the "holy inquisition" will
time drop one of the said slips of paper, that he be immediately blotted from the statutes of
may not be exposed through mistake to vote for Connecticut, peaceably, if it can; violently,
more than the prescribed number."
The gentleman who communicated to us the who fled their country and sought religious li-
if it must." And how strange is it, that they
preceding extract, makes some very grave re-
marks on the necessity of the "slips of paper," berty in the wilderness, should themselves have
lest some might have subjected themselves to tem perish!---an "established church," of any
refused it to their fellow men! Let the sys-
punishment, because they could not count denomination, is a Baal, and the true God will
twenty!

The manner of suffrage was changed by a cast it down---that he may be worshipped in
mere vote of the legislature, because the state spirit and in truth; and not be mocked by hy-
has not a constitution. It is governed by the Let me be understood---I repeat what I have
pocritical conformities from worldly motives.
sharter granted by Charles II. which was oftentimes said, that I make no opposition to
adopted by a simple legislative act at the re-the doctrines of any sect, and would freely
volution, and the body of the rights and privi-
leges of the citizens is, at all times subject to set of opinions that I have excrcised for my-
give to every man the same liberty to form a
the whim and caprice of the general assembly, self---but let not the state interfere with these:
or founded upon usages to be interpreted or ex-it only serves to make a trade of religion.
pounded by the judiciary! But a convention
to form a constitution will now, probably, be
But Connecticut is blessed in this---a majori
called, and the many odious and unjust regu- and liberal constitution---which,if three fourths
ty of her qualified electors can give to her a free
iations as the qualifications of voters, &c. will of the people of the states of Maryland and
be done away. Men required to pay taxes
and perform military duties, are denied the Virginia were in favor of it, they could not
right of voting. But manufactured voters quietly obtain it for themselves.---In both of
-i. e. persons invested, for the moment, with versed---IHE MINORITY MAY RULE;
these states heaven's first law in politics is re-
certain property qualifications, for certain and, in the former, does rule, in questions of
purposes, have been so numerous, as to per-right as well as in those of opinion.
vert the sense and meaning of the regulation.

In ecclesiastical matters the people have truth.

This is

been strangely ruled. In truth, there)s been
an "established church" in Connecticut! It is
A most sensible Letter.
spoken of as a dreadful innovation that gov. The editors of a respectable southern paper
Wolcott, though he has appointed a priest of lately published an article in which, though I
that church to preach the next election ser- was praised beyond my deserts, I was also re-
mon," has nominated an episcopalian to that prehended as exhibiting a weakness in the
duty, if the former cannot perform it!---There publication of extracts from some letters I had
is also some queer thing that is called an ec- received from distinguished gentlemen. Per-
clesiastical constitution," full of hateful dis-haps, it was wrong-perhaps, it may not be
frictions and discriminations, and affecting the repeated, the apparent use or necessity of it

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"I health induced me to visit the upper part of this state, where I remained until a few days ago; and on my return I found that I had suffered my self to fail in arrears for your invaluable paper. Mr. Nites, I am convinced, will overlook this deviation from his just request-health, which is the greatest of blessings, was at stake, which caused me to remain from home longer than I expected at the time of my departure.

"Enclosed you will receive a bill of twenty doj lars," &c.

Darby's Louisiana, &c.

having past by.* * But, let us reason a little could be demanded of him, for the year up to on the matter: a man's reputation is as much Sept. 1818----but ("after expressing his regret his property as his houses and lands, and he that two months" had elapsed, without making has as good a right to make an honest profit on payment in advance, and complimenting me in it. This is practised every day, in a thousand the most flattering terms) he thus apologizes different shapes. The rich capitalist, for in- for the delaystance, carelessly throws a note for 20 or 30,000 dollars into the bank, depending on his reputation to have it discounted; whilst others, perhaps really more competent to pay their debts than he is, plain, simple and productive mechanics, feel it necessary to explain to the directors why they are worthy and expect to receive an accommodation of a few hundreds. I recollect an anecdote that was currently stated in a neighboring city, some years ago."A well known merchant offered a very large note -for 50,000 dollars, I believe, for discount, at To give to Mr. Darby every chance of jus The directors were glad one of the banks. and correct several manifest erors committed of the opportunity of accommodating a per- tice in my power, as well as to vindicate myself son who seldom asked for it, and generally had such heavy deposits in their institution by a correspondent, in describing the "prairies but not one of the board had ever before heard of Louisiana," I give place to the following address, unasked. Some remarks are inserted, of the endorser! They politely delegated one of their number to wait upon the drawer, and enclosed in brackets. Having always entetained much respect for that gentleman, I boascertain who the endorser was-he did so, lieved that he had a sufficient knowledge of me and the drawer said, "the note is a good one; the difference is exactly here-if it is done, to know that I was incapable of wantonly inyou make 500 dollars, in discount; if it is not juring him or any other man. If he has been done, I save it. As to the endorser, he is a injured, it was done innocently, or, at least, fine man-he is my porter. I give no other inadvertently. But I do not know that I have name."omething omething like this happens every wronged him in thought, word or deed: on the hour, and in every rank of lite, with those who feel the power of their reputation; and others are, in like manner, engaged to build up such a standing in society. Reputation rests on opinion, as well as on facts that deserve it: and who are so competent to influence opinion as those that are most able to judge the merits of facts? Why, then, may not such opinions be fairly used to extend a knowledge of facts, to the honor or profit of the person in whose favor they are? Good wine needs no bush"-but it is need ful to its vender that it should be known that he has it. Still, this knowledge may be improperly urged, and honest people may dif fer about it, yea or nay.

contrary, I shall shew that he himself has acted precipitately and incorrectly, if not rudely, in such parts of his publication as apply person ally to me. A duty to myself enjoins it upot me to point out these things; and I shall do t without resentment, though he has attempted to injure me in a very delicate point. There are no classes of men in the world so jealous of their rights, as inventors and authors. I respect even the errors that arise from this jealousy; and believe that Mr. D. will feel more regret for them, on the present occasion, than I do if I have not much mistaken his character,

The history of the essay signed "A Louisiana Planter" is this: It was written by a gen Notwithstanding all this, I am induced to tleman personally known to me he had served publish another letter-if there is a printer or as an officer in the late war with reputation. publisher in the United States that can find having received, I believe, two brevets for his fault with it--he may: I would like to publish good conduct. Thus possessing my confidence, his article was very slightly looked over, and I two or three thousand such! It is from a gentle- do not recollect that I read it until this da man of Georgia-he had paid for the REGISTER up to the 1st of September last, and only 85 This was accidental-a similar circunstanco never occurred but once before since I have *Some wilful falsehoods had been sent abroad by published the REGISTER, in respect to a picco a person that, though he is too contemptible to be from manuscript; else, I think that I must have named in this paper, had some power to injure me noticed the wild mistake as to the superfi with those that did not know me, personally, or extent of the country spoken of. It was su through the WEEKLY REGISTER--and it was to forcient for those who read the proof that it was tify my friends, and the friends of this paper, with according to the copy; and so it is, a few unevidence in my behalf, that I published extracts important and immaterial errors excente-lfrom a few of the complimentary letters had re ceived. I say of a few-I have enough such to make this is an excuse though it is not a justifiertion, on my part-it was my business to have a volume. I am proud of them. I trust, honestly so.

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Mr. Niles had good reason for his belief, since the passage in my treatise, page 156, quoted by this gentleman runs thus:-"Stating the sugar land of the state of Louisiana, at 1,000,000 of acres, no great error would be committed This estimate exceeds the one thirtieth part of the whole territorial sur

read it. But a charitable disposition would overlook two things of this sort in six years!! The writer of the essay, I am confident, cannot knowingly state that which is untrue-to a warm imagination and information too easily credited, with a hasty performance, we must face of the state. Deducting from this area three ascribe any mistake that he has inade.

fourths, for all the other objects of agriculture, would leave a nett extent of 250,000 acres, for the

above quotation, was put into my hand when the The number of Mr. Niles' paper, containing the

As Mr. Darby's address may pass into the hands of many that will not see the WEEKLY sugar plant" REGISTER, i very respectfully request those editors who give it a place also to introduce, second edition of my work was in press. Without in their own way, at least the paragraph below, charging Mr Niles with any wish to enhance his beginning with "Touching the matter." Let sagacay, by presuming to find out by his own statis the people then judge between Mr. D. and me; tied science, a point of information I had given him, and say which of us has acted fairly towards requoted his misrepresentation in my second edi tion, and referred to the page from whence this the other. gentleman derived the basis, upon which his very shrewd guesses were founded.

FROM THE NEW YORK COLUMBIAN.

I

[Touching the matter of the three preceding paragraphs we feel at home, with a capability to prove that Mr. Darby has acted "precipi

Mr.Spooner-A friend this day put into my hands a news paper, entitled the Morning Chronicle of Savannah, in which there is an article extracted from Niles' Register, under the signature of a Louisiuna Panter, dated Louisiana, Sept. 1817, and headed tately and incorrectly, if not rudely." "A Praries of Louisiana. plain tale shall put him down." It is true, that There are some errors in this piece, that in cha- in page 156* the sentences so proudly quoted rity must be charged to the press; but there are a e inserted-But, in the very next others that must have originated with the author. himself quotes an interesting article from the page, [There are no errors to be cha ged to "the WEEKLY REGISTER, in respect to the cultivapress," affecting the author's meaning, that I tion of the cane, (see Vol. X. p. 201) about know of.]

The first paragraph contains a rude compliment to Mr. Brackenridge and myself, as giving the most correct information, but charges us with not being sufficient explicit., The seventh paragraph is verbatim as follows:

"The topography of this country is pretty accu rate on Darby's map of Louisiana; his book is much inferior production to his map, and not much

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to be relied on for useful information. I will here add a few words concerning the soil, and its productions; but as these vary in an extent of country containing about 300,000 square miles, I will consider the districts separately."

he

which he says" SHOULD THE ESSAY MADE BY

THESE GENTLEMEN BE VERIFIED BY FUTURE

EXPERIENCE, THE SUGAR LAND WILL BE MORE THAN QUADRUPLED, OR EXCEED ONE MILLION OF ACRES. Mark this if the information that "WE" gave HIM was true, "the sugar land would be more than quadrupled." With this fact, and his own acknowledgement of it right before him, common courtesy ought to have induced Mr. D. to believe that "we" knew something more of the matter than "WE" had derived from his book, which was in the press [The opinion of the Louisiana Planter" of long after our article was published. Mr. Darby's book, is an affair between the two: his table p. 162, which we copied [Vol. X, p. I have nothing to do with it. In Vol. X. p. 353, 355] under the column headed, "the EXTENT "we" "most heartily recommended" Mr. D's that may be found in the state of Louisiana wo ks "to all who desired correct information upon which each staple may be cultivated,” he of Louisiana," and expressed our pleasu e gives us 250,000 ac es for sugar. It was this "that his talents and care were duly esteemed table that "we" had before us when the seby an enlightened public."] cond number of "Political Economy," was

And in

It is but a few months since a learned Dr. Jabez written-we recollected nothing of his qualified Heustis by name, published an elaborate work, on sentences in page 156, and supposed, (as we the diseases of Louisiana, introduced by a topogra think that every man in the world would have phical introduction, copied in great part from my first edition, and in which I am the only author done) that 250,000 acres was, in his opinion, pilfered, who is not named or referred to in work. The performance was dying of the rick ets, when I made the discovery, and in mercy o parental feetion, I suffered it to depart in peace

[As I never before heard of the "learned Dr. Jabez Heustis," I can hardly be made account able for his sins against M, Darby.]

the extent that MIGHT BE FOUND in the state of Louisiana upon which sugar might be cultivated-because he said so in that table. this column headed, "No. of acres in the state Our copy of his table, for brevity's sake, has suited to each staple"-and conveys the same idea in fewer words. If, the efore, "we" have Ino. 18, vol. 12, of Niles' Register, under the article Political Economy, no. 2, I am quoted in the erred, the fault was as much Mr. Darby's as felling manner:-"Large tracts of land are con- our own; and I indignantly reject his supertinually brought into the cultivation of the cane: cilious insinuation, that any thing that He had Mr Dy tells us there are 250,000 acres in Louisaid was "the basis on which my very shrewd siana, fit to produce it. We have reason to believe

there is a much greater quantity than that."

First edition--I have not seen a second.

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guesses were founded"-FOR IT IS NOT TRUE. nd liable to the animadversions of any person who The contrary is most clearly proved-and Mr.deems the subject or the manner worth his criticisr; therefore any proof of inaccuracy is a fair subject of D. has that proof in the first edition of his own insertion in your paper; but in an attempt to mend book!! If, after this exhibition, Mr. Darby is my deficiencies, you are bound not to introduce willing to persist in his asse tion, he is heartily more monstrous errors than either Mr. Brackenridge, welcome to all the self-satisfaction that he can myself, or I believe any other person except your corderive from it, and it will not give me the least respondent, ever did commit respecting Louisian. In a common newspaper, the elitor is not always uneasiness.] Some few months past, a manuscript map of Loui-accountable for the accuracy of his facts; bu' is a siana and parts adjacent, was sent on from Washing publication like yours, you are responsible for toton, in the state of Mississippi, to Philadelphia for Pographical mistakes, that could not have escaped publication, and put into the hands of an engraver our observation if due attention had been paid to the examination of your materials. accordingly. The pretended author of this map, [Here is the "front of my offending," was a man of the name of Ludlow; but by an adver tisement which lately appeared in the National Intel- rather severely urged; though I acknowledge ligencer, it has been made appear by the acknow. that "due attention was not paid to the exaledgement of Thomas Freeman, surveyor general, mination" of the essay. Yet have always that him and Ludlow were partners in the business disavowed a responsibility for three thingsMr Freeman charges Mr. Ludlow in great wrath,

with an attempt at appropriating this map to his as to facts stated by correspondents and items own use and emolument. With the quarrels of these of foreign and domestic news; notwithstandgreat men I have nothing o do, but the manuscript ing, except in the two cases mentioned, they is in many of its essential parts, a clumsy copy of have always underwent a most strict examinamine. The Sabine and its confluent streams, were tion, being aware that I was MORE "accountsurveyed by me at my own expense, and yet copied able" than editors of "common newspapers" by the same men who in their prospectus insist

upon the necessity of an accurate map of Louisiana ought to be.]

Your correspondent estimates the surface of Happy for me however, the principal and accomplice in this latter attempt, disputed about the re-Opelousas and A acapas at 300,000 square miles; ward before the crime was consummated, and of surface equal to that of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, New-York, and New-Jer course their aim was frustrated

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[I have no more to do with this than with the sey, Now the simple fact is, that those two posts cover 12,700 square miles. affair of the learned Dr. Jabez Heustis;" and "The climate is so mild," says the Louisiana why either of them are lugged into this article Planter, "that fuel is not wanted except for the I neither know nor care. But I sincerely re-kitchen." There was not one winter of eight that joice to hear that any attempt made to rob M.I myself resided at Opelousas, but what part of each winter was really severe, and three times I Darby of the fruits of his talents and industry have known snow remain on the ground 8 or 10 eminently displayed in his map of Louisiana, da:s. In January 1807, snow fell in such quantities has been defeated.] at Opelousas, that it produced a severe mortality Mr. Brown, in the Western Gazetteer, (page amongst the cattle. In January 1812 snow fell at 144) quoted one of my tables almost entire, and put Opelousas eleven inches deep. In brief, at no place where I have visited are fires more necessary one Mr Niles down as the author. fourth of the year, than at Opelousas.

that the revenue arose from 2 500 bales of cotton, 900 hogsheads of sugar, and 800 beef cattle, and sums the aggregate value at 35,050 dollars. This is really practising a double and cruel public decep tion as may be seen by absolute calculation.

[Mr. Brown expected to visit Baltimore, and Your correspondent calculates that the inhapromised to compliment me with a copy of his work; but death arrested his course. Hence Ibitants of St. Mary in 1816 amounted to 3.000, and had neglected, until this moment, to purchase his valuable compilation. Mr. B.'s error was venial--he would not have wronged any man of his literary property, knowingly. He copied the table from the WEEKLY REGISTER, but did not obse vé that "we" had given credit for the whole article on Louisiana to Mr. Darby.Vol X. p. 355--2d paragraph.]

If the bale is estimated only at 300. clead cotton, 2,500 bales would demand 3,000,000s. of cotton in the seed, and of course a quantity equal to 1000lb. to each individual must have been co1lected. On a population of any given number, at I confidently appeal to any person who has read least one third must be deducted for age, infancy, my treatise, and particularly to the inhabitants of sickness, and other exemptions; therefore, if the Opelousas and Atacapas, whether those districts laboring people had all cultivated cotton, every have not received their full share of attention. I here person must have produced 1500. besides prowith remit you the entire article on those places, viding his food. But to this in itself extravagant which I hope you will have the kindness to insert income, comes on 900 hogsheads sugar. in your paper; and I hope that editors of newspa-hogsheads must weigh 1,080,000lb. pers who have inserted this article from Mr. Niles, of sugar are allowed equal in necessary labor in will have the candor to publish mine, also including production to one of cotton, there may be added the observations with which it is preficed. The 360,00016. of clean cotton, or 1,440,000 lbs. in the public will then be able to form an opinion who has seel, which added to 3,000,000 yields 4,440,000 lbs. given the most correct information on the subject. upwards of two thousand two hundred to each per[We shall probably copy this account into a son. Saying nothing of the time necessary to attend tothe 800 beeves,this agricultural produe is en rely future Register.

This 900 If three lbs.

I shall conclude this exordium by a few observa beyond what has ever been realized in the coun.. tions addressed to Mr. Niles himself -Sir, as a But admitting the fact, the price is also over used, literary composition, my treatise is at the disposal very much.

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2,500 Bales at 40016. per bale, at $20

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per cwt. 900 hhds. sugar, 1200, per hhd, at 10 cents perib.

800 beeves $20 per head

knowledge the obligation to any gentleman who $200,000 will point out either errors or omissions in the facts in any work of mine, but I will also expose 108,000 any malicious attempt made to inflict unprovoked 16,000 personal injury through the medium of unfounded topographical delineations whose tendency is to $314,000 injure also the public.

By the above overcharged prices the amount [Here is a compliment, indeed!--Men are falls far behind the estimate given in your paper; generally disposed to consider an article in Valuing each article at its common medium price Niles? Register as purged from absurdities would reduce the aggregate sum under $200,000 and impossibilities!" Now, if this compliment

Such papers as the one I have been reviewing can

ly acquire a title to notice from being inserted is just, there must be some cause for it: "Niles' uch publications as yours. The language, Register" is generally correct, or "men" are ical deduction and distortion of facts exhibited, generally fools. Always inclined to believe would render suen a tsue too wretched to justify that which we desire, and never disposed to - ridicule if con ed to a common Gazette. The libel our numerous and very respectable reaminds of the op the eastern and middle ders, we prefer the hope that in the former of these is the cause why this paper is so "consi

states need no deceptive lie to induce them to emigrate to the south west.

In every stage of my advance as a writer, how.dered." Whence comes this cause?---from a ever humble may be my attempts, I have constantly sincere devotion to HOLY TRUTH, at all seasons, endeavored to present facts as they really are in and in laborious exercises to discover it. I am nature. The mischief is incalculable that has been dore by high wrought pictures of rapid gain held this---they have given me their friendship and gratefully rewarded by my fellow-citizens for out to persons moving into the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. There seems to exist a kind of mania to confidence in a very remarkable manner; but swell every thing relating to those places beyond will withdraw both at the moment that I appear the measure of common sense. I have incurred the unworthy of either. I wish them to do it--stupid ire of a few persons of a description, you perish every thing that would mislead or demay not be acquainted with. A class of men has ceive the public mind! People may call this removed into Louisiana and made purchases of land on speculation, and are enraged with every one pride, vanity or affectation--any thing that who does not consent to estimate this kind of pro- they please. I KNOW MY OWN HEART, and can perty far above its value. With such men no in- lay my hand upon it and say, in the face of formation is useful that does not gratify their avidity. Heaven, that I never did to any man that Whatever may be my rank as a literary man, which I should not have supposed he would be there is one path to fame which I hope never to right to do to me, in the same circumstances tread. I have said, and I now repeat the assertion, and views of things. Mr. Darby does me and that wealth is gained in Louisiana by the same,

as elsewhere, temperance, industry and my correspondent injustice, rank injustice, in economy. I have described each part of the coun- insinuating that either of us "have maliciously try in, I still believe, its true colors; but I have attempted to inflict unprovoked personal inexcited the vengeance of such men as the writer of jury upon him." I, at least, considered him as the Louisiana Planter, because I did not amplify my friend, because, perhaps, I felt that I was upon every farm, and give the number of children his---and it is on that account chiefly, as well in every family. If the expressions of this writer

had not gained a power of malignant mischief as to defend a reputation that I am as jealous against Mr. Brackenridge and myself, as well as of as Mr. Darby can be of his, that I have insome claim to credit from the publication from truded these remarks upon my readers. And which it originated, it might have followed covered to conclude, with the same idea that Mr. D. with contempt to the grave of oblivion, the thou-so much harps upon, I may say, that though I sand other bombastic descriptions given to the pub

lic every day on Louisiana, and also upon all other disregard, as the dust under my feet, what some parts of the south and west. So strong in fact is may say or think of me, there are others whose this propensity in too many, that when the naked censure I shall always feel bound to prove unfacts are presented, the picture has lost all its just, or to profit by it in the reformation of my attraction, to these poetical geographers. The life and manners. When I shall cease to have statistics of the United States have been disgraced this feeling, I hope that I shall cease to be, by stretching out counties to empires, and by assuming extraordinary production as data, upon ber of the 18th of October, 1817; and strange as The "Louisiana Planter" appeared in your num», which to calculate the collected value of agricultural laber. it may be, in the preceding number you have Men are generally disposed to consider an arti-given the detail and aggregate of the products of North Carolina of the same year (1816) and the cle in "Niles' Register," as purged from absurdities and impossibilities, and are not disposed to give amount is $1,328,271, not three times the amount themselves the trouble to examine the basis upo: parish, in Attacapas. Thus the value of labor in given as the product of 3000 people in St. Mary's which Attacapas and Opelousas are expanded to a wider extent, than all what is usually considered the southern states taken together, or upon the means by which the inhabitants of those two confined districts become rapidly rich without being subject to any of the common incidents attending suddenly acquired wealth. I will gratefully ac

the latter must, from the respective number of individuals exceed the latter near 170 to 1.

Not the "aggregate products," Mr. Darby.]

The editors of the Baltimore Patriot, National Intelligencer, Richmond Enquirer, Raleigh Register, and Lexington Reporter whether they

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