4 The above Tables present an interesting picture of the wealth and wonderful progress of this country. With an increase of population since 1850 ef 25 per cent., or 8 millions, the value of property has increased in the same space of time 127 per cent., or 9,000 millions of dollars 1—and with all this the above figures do not, by any means, give the real, entire value of the national property, for not only is the Government property and public domain not embraced therein, but the data are mainly obtained from the Registers of direct Taxation, in which the estimated valuations are always taken at the lowest amount of consideration for the tax-payers. A people which, with its great extravagance in its expenditures, increases nevertheless the value of its property annually 900 millions of dollars, must pot only have been prodigally endowed by nature with all the elements of wealth, but. it must have developed, also, an uncommon degree of energy and intelligence in the utilization of the resources which its territory possesses. Since 1850 the United States have increased their Banking Capital nearly 200 millions of dollars, and their Railroads 22,000 miles, at an expense of nearly 1,000 million dollars. The country has now over 32,000 miles of Railroads in active use, 30,000 miles of Water Communication, more or less artificial, and 40,000 miles of Telegraphic Lines ! The great variety in the means of support and acquisition of wealth is one of the especial advantages of this country; and the above Tables show what gigantic proportions its productive capacity has already attained in the various branches of Agriculture, Manufactures, Mining, &c., &c. Whilst the Western and Southern States show astonishing progress in Agriculture, the Northern and Eastern States have developed equally great progress in Manufactures. Foreign immigration brings to the whole country its invaluable advantages; the accumulation of capital in the Eastern States develops, in connection with the immense wealth of coal, minerals, and forests, constantly new and ever farther reaching industrial enterprises, and in these prodigious achievements the restless energy of the American brings to his aid the practical and inventive genius of the people in the shape of innumerable labor-saving machines and con
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