Perhaps there is no other state in the Union, nor in any part of the world, which has had so rapid an increase of population as Ohio. In 1800, the territory, new state of Ohio, contained but about 45,000 inhabitants; in 1810, 230,760; and in 1820, the number had increased to 581,431. In 1830, when another national census will have been taken, there will probably be about one million of inhabitants in Ohio.. Perhaps the greatest operating cause of the more rapid increase of population in Ohio, than in some of the other western states, is that slavery, with all its blighting evils, is here excluded. All are here free; which circumstance, furnishes powerful attractions to young and enterprizing men, both in the Atlantic states, and among foreigners, about removing to the western country, to locate themselves here. FINANCIAL STATISTICS.-By the official returns of the several county Auditors, in 1829, it appears that there were then the following amounts of taxable property, in the State: Land, 15,931,210 acres, valued at $41,274,984 8,236,749 7,038,440 Tota' valuation $66,299,903 Which, in round numbers, may be called $66,300,000 Upon this amount of property, the following amount of taxes were paid, namely: For State and Canal purposes, "County purposes, "Township do, $194,029 175,120 52,096 "Road do. 71,951 School do. 47,995 Total, under State authority, $541,191 'The amount of taxes, which the people of Ohio paid to the general government, the same year, cannot be ascertained, with the same degree of accuracy; as they are paid in the way of duties, or assessments, upon foreign goods, imported for domestic consumption; called by financiers, indirect taxes. But the amount can be ascertained, within a few thousand dollars, by the following positions. 1st. The people of Onio, constitute one thirteenth part of the total population of the whole Union; as will unquestionably appear, upon the returns of the national census, of this year, 1830. 2d. The people of Ohio, undoubtedly, consume as large a quantity of dutiable foreign articles, as an equal average number of people, in any other part of the United States; consequently, 3d. They pay the one thirteenth part of the whole revenue of the general government. The amount of this revenue, according to the average of several years past, omiting fractions, may be considered as $24,000,000 a year. From which, deduct $1,900,000, as having been received from the sale of public lands, &c., leaves $22,100,000, received from duties alone; the one thirteenth part of which, is $1,700,000, for the state of Ohio's quota-and to which we may safely add twenty per cent. for the merchants' profits, on this amount of duties by them paid, equal to $340,000 more; which will make the sum of $2,040,000, which the people of Ohio paid to the general government, during the year 1839. And this amount, as great as it is, is believed to be rather less than the amount actually paid, during that year: for the writer of this article, paid upwards of eighteen dollars tax to the general government; while the total amount of all his taxes, paid under state authority, including, state, canal, county, township, road, school, and poor purposes, all added together, did not amount to two dollars. The total amount of taxes, which the people of Ohio paid, during the year 1829, was then as follows: For all state purposes, as before, Total amount per annum, $2,581,191 The annual average expenditures of the general government have been, during several years past, from $11, 000,000, to $12,000,000 a year, exclusively of payments of the public debt. Those of the State of Ohio, between $70,000, and $30,000, exclusively of the canal expenditures. The valuation of the land has been made, without taking into view the improvements thereon, other than dwelling houses of more than $200 value, each. Manufactories, mills, and distilleries, have been exempted from assessment and taxation. The "total valuation of lands, lots with their improvements and dwelling houses within the state of Ohio, as revised and settled by the principal board of assessors," in 1815, was 61,347,216 dollars. To some, this nearly stationary standing, as to pecuniary valuation of the property of the state, will seem inexplicable; especially when it is considered that the state has more than doubled its population, during that period of fourteen years, which has elapsed between those two assessments. But, it must be remembered, that, in 1815, money was very plenty, property of all kinds, consequently, very high; and that it has generally fallen more than fifty per cent., or rather that money, by its present comparative scarcity, has appreciated to that amonnt, relatively to real estate, since the year 1815. Upon a broad, general estimate, however, the state may be considered as having advanced in wealth as well as in population. RELIGION. In Religious opinions, the pecule are very much divided; but the Presbyterian and Methodist are the prevailing denominations. There are, however, a very respectable number of Episcopalians, and of Friends. In the south-western, and some other parts of the state, are a few Shakers, and also Roman Catholics. CHARACTER & MANNERS.-As to the general char> acter and manners of the people, it may be proper to remark, that the inhabitants having but recently emigrated from different sections of America, and from various countries of Europe, have not resided together sufficiently long for a complete assimilation of manners; but they are gradually assuming a uniformity. A taste likewise, for the more elegant and refined pleasures and ornamental accomplishments, which embellish society, and enhance the enjoyments of social intercourse, seems ' rather to be gaining ground among the people generally. LITERATURE, COLLEGES, & SCHOOLS.-This, like other newly settled States, has not progressed far in the walks of science and general literature; but it is gradually improving, Charters for eight several colleges, three of which have been pompously dignified with the title of Universities, have been granted by the Ohio Legislature. These are the Ohio University at Athens; the Miami University at Oxford; the Cincinnati University-the Cincinnati College; the Worthington College; the Franklin College at New Athens, in Harrison county; Kenyon College at Gambier; and the Western Reserve College at Hudson; beside the Medical College at Cincinnati. About one half the above number, may be considered as extinct, or dormant; while the others are gradually progressing in accomplishing the objects for which they a were incorporated. These that are thus in operation, are, the Ohio University; the Miami University; Kenyon College, and the Western Reserve College; and also the Medical College. But the infantile state of the settlements, and their consequent inability to endow with funds, and to furnish with students, so many seminaries of this grade, abstractly considered, seem to render questionable, the policy of granting so many of them; and the result has, hitherto, evinced the impolicy of the measure. Kenyon College is endowed with about $30,000, obtained in England, in the year 1824; and some $15,000 or $20,000 more, since obtained in this country; in all, nearly $50,000. The Ohio University, has two townships of land bestowed upon it, in Athens county; comprising about 46,000 acres: the annual income from which, is about $2,300. The Miami University, is endowed with one township of land, containing about 23,000 acres. The Western Reserve College is not yet endowed with any large amount of funds; but depends upon the tuition fees, and upon private liberality, for its support; but it is flourishing, and its prospects are good. There are also, some fifteen or twenty incorporated academies, in various parts of the state. But few, if any of them, have regular classical schools kept in them, and not one of them is endowed with any permanent fund for its support. So that it is only occasionally, for a quaiter, or a year at a time, that schools are kept in them. But Common Schools, the grand and most important public source of useful knowledge; although never, until lately, established by law; have been very generally set up, and encouraged, in a greater or less degree, throughout the state. In several parts, however, the country is, at present, so thinly settled, as to preclude the convenient practicability of immediately establishing them; but, the country becomes more thickly settled, schools will probably be soon supported, whenever needed. In January 1825, a law was passed for establishing a uniform system of Common Schools throughout the state. Since that time, the Legislature have, occasionally, passed some amendatory acts, until the 10th of February, 1829; when they passed a new act, embodying therein, the main beneficial features of the several former, and adding some new provisions. By this act, the trustees of each and every incorporated township, are required to divide it into a suitable number of school districts; in each of which, the householders residing therein, shall annually, choose three school directors, to employ teachers and generally to manage the prudential concerns of the district-a district clerk, and treasurer. |