sylvania. When completed, they will open a vast outlet for the products of the country through which they pass, and be especially useful to the coal mines of Pennsylvania and the northern counties of Maryland and Virginia. The great chain of southern railroads traverses this state in a south-westerly direction, passing through Elkton, Baltimore, Bladensburg, to Washington, &c. Other lines, built and being built, intersect the state in other directions.

Maryland has 24 banks; 12 in Baltimore, and 12 in the rural districts. The condition of those of Baltimore in January, 1850, was as follows:capital $7,101,056; circulation $2,073,578; deposits $3,648,819; specie $2,113,758; and discounts $10,925,106. The returns of January, 1851, show an increase in the circulation of $208,340, in the deposits of $880,147, in the discounts of $858,680, and in the specie of $196,416, which amounts, added to those of 1850, exhibit the standing of the banks in 1851. The twelve country banks have an aggregate capital of about $1,500,000.

St.

The higher classes of schools are numerous in this state, and in regard to subjects taught their standing is superior, in many respects, to other southern schools. The oldest institution is Washington College, at Chestertown, founded in 1783, which in 1850 had 70 students, and five professors. John's College, at Annapolis, which dates from 1784, in 1850 had 30 students, and six professors. St. Mary's, at Baltimore, was founded in 1799, and in 1850 had 122 students, and 20 professors. At Emmetsburg is Mount St. Mary's College, founded in 1830. It had, in 1850, 126 students, and 24 professors. The two last are Roman Catholic Institutions. St. James' College, near Hagerstown, a Protestant Episcopal Institution, founded 1844, had, in 1850, 10 professors, and 32 students. The library of Mount St. Mary's contains upwards of 20,000 volumes, but none of the other College libraries number more than 5,000 volumes. The Medical Schools are that attached to the University of Maryland, and Washington Medical College, both at Baltimore. In 1850 the former had about 100 students, and the latter 26: at each there are six professors. There are in the state about 200 academies and grammar schools, and about 700 common and primary schools, at which poor children are educated without expense. The amount of public funds distributed to the colleges, academies, and schools in 1850 was $20,099, besides which $1,906 was granted for the support of the indigent deaf and dumb.

The Roman Catholics form a large majority of the people. The Archbishop of Baltimore is the oldest metropolitan of the United States. They have 70 churches, and 10 other stations. The Episcopalians are also very numerous, and have 123 ministers, and 88 churches, which, however, are not so numerously attended as those of the Catholics. The Baptists have 22 churches, 20 preachers, and about 2,000 communicants, and the Anti-Mission Baptists have 24 churches and 17 preachers. The Presbyterians have several churches, and there are some few Methodists, Unitarians, Universalists, and other denominations.

BALTIMORE is the largest city of the state, and the third in point of popu lation in the United States. It is situated on a bay that sets up from the Patapsco River, 14 miles from its entrance into Chesapeake Bay. This is the city of monuments. The "Washington Monument," which stands on an elevation of 150 feet, is a most imposing structure. It is a column, 200 feet high, including the base, surmounted by a colossal statue of Washington, 13 feet high. The monument is built of white marble; the base is 50 feet square, and the column 20 feet in diameter, with a spiral staircase in its inThe "Battle Monument" is also constructed of white marble, with

terior.

a base of Egyptian architecture. The column is in the form of a Roman fascis, on the bands of which are encircled the names of those who fell in defending the city when attacked by the British, in 1814. The entire height of the monument is fifty feet. Baltimore has several public buildings and churches of much beauty, among which are the City Hall, CourtHouse, and the Penitentiary. The Roman Catholic Cathedral, and the Unitarian Church, corner of Charles and Franklin streets, are both elegant specimens of architecture.

The

The commerce of Baltimore is extensive, embracing, as it does, besides that of Maryland, a large portion of the trade of north-western Pennsylvania and other interior states. In 1850, its tonnage was 86,022. It is the greatest flour market in the Union, and has a large export trade in tobacco. Its manufactures have, however, become as important as its commerce. amount of capital employed in this branch of industry, is upwards of $4,000,000. The products are chiefly flour, tobacco, cigars, cotton and woollen goods, powder, paper, iron and copper ware, glass, machinery, &c. The city was chiefly laid out in 1729, and as it was settled principally by Catholics, that denomination is still the most numerous. The population in 1840, was 134,379, and in 1850, 169.054.

ANNAPOLIS, a small city on the Severn River, two miles from its entrance into Chesapeake Bay, is the capital of the state. Lat. 38° 58′ 35′′ N., and long. 76° 33 W. This city derives all its claim to notice from the fact that it contains the state buildings; otherwise it would be hidden among the obscure villages of the country. Population, in 1850, 4,198. There are some interesting scenes connected with Annapolis, however, and it was several times occupied by the old Congress during the revolution. Here Washington resigned his commission to that august body.

FREDERICK is a city of some importance, and ranks as second in the state. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad passes through it. Population, 6,037. Hagerstown, Williamsport, Bladensburg, Westminster, Cumberland, &c., are all places of some consideration, and important as entrepôts of commerce. The ports of delivery, besides Baltimore and Annapolis, are St. Mary's, on the Potomac; Nottingham, on the Pawtuxent; Havre de Grace, at the mouth of the Susquehannah; Chestertown, on the Chester River; Oxford, on Treadhaven Creek, which flows into the Choptank, near its mouth; Vienna, on the Nanticoke; and Snowhill, on the Pocomoke. Considerable shipping is owned at all these places.

In Maryland the Governor is elected by the people triennially. The state is divided into three districts-the Eastern, Southern, and Northwestern. The Governor is elected from the districts alternately. He must be at least thirty years of age, and must have resided in his own district three years next preceding his election.

The legislature consists of a SENATE and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Senate is composed of twenty-one members, elected by the people for six years, one-third being renewed every two years. Members must have attained the age of twenty-five years, and have resided in the city or county for which they are chosen, three years next preceding their election. House of Delegates consists of seventy-eight members, elected annually. Delegates must be at least twenty-one years of age, and have resided in their own county one year previous to election.

The

The judiciary power is vested in a Court of Appeals, a Court of Chancery, and several inferior courts. All judges have their appointment from the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, and hold their offices during good behavior.

The right of suffrage belongs to every white male citizen of twenty-one years of age and upwards, who has resided in the state one year, and in the county where he votes, six months next preceding the election. The elec tions take place annually, on the first Wednesday in October, and the legis lature meets at Annapolis on the last Monday of December.

The resources of the state treasury for the year ending 1st December, 1849, amounted to $1,631,385, of which $315,945 was a balance from last financial year, and the expenditures amounted to $1,146,492, leaving in the treasury $484,893. The chief sources of income were from direct taxes $531,598, licenses $135,834, railroads $127,019, and in lesser sums-auction duties, bank dividends, fines, stamps, canal revenues, tobacco inspection and taxes on stocks, inheritances, commissions, insurances, protests commissions, &c., and tax for colonization of colored persons. The expenditures were for the support of the executive, legislature and judiciary, state colonization society ($10.000), interest on public debt ($715,556), funded arrears of interest ($260,308), colleges, &c., and several contingent and miscellaneous expenses.

The nominal amount of State Debt, Dec. 1, 1849, was
From which deduct Balt. & Ohio R. R. Loan $4,197.000

$15,909,981

163,689

1,000,000

5,360,689

And an actual debt remains of

$10,549,292

which includes $618,619 funded arrears of interest. The sinking fund at this period amounted to $1.892,837, which, deducted from the above debt, will exhibit the actual liabilities of the state. To meet these liabilities, in addition to the proceeds of an annual tax, the state holds $5.292,225 of productive property, consisting of stocks, bonds, &c., and $15.495,452 of unproductive property. Since 1846, Maryland, which had suspended payment of interest on her public liabilities. has resumed, and, besides paying up accruing interest, will, early in 1854. by means of the sinking fund, have paid off all arrears. Much of the debt cannot be redeemed for 20 or 40 years, on account of the terms of the loans, but will be purchased in the market by the state long before maturity. The action of this state in reference to its liabilities is worthy of imitation in other portions of the Union.

The militia of the state consists of five divisions, and the whole number of men enrolled is 46.864, of which number the infantry comprises 41,952 men, the cavalry 2,594, the artillery 1.640, and the riflemen 678. The governor is ex officio Commander-in-chief.

Maryland was the third English colony planted in America. In 1632, this territory was granted by Charles I. to Sir George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, a Roman Catholic and an eminent statesman, who had been secretary to James I.; but before the patent was completed, Lord Baltimore died, and the instrument, dated 20th June, 1632, was given to his eldest son Cecil, who succeeded to his titles. and who, for upwards of forty years, directed, as proprietor, the affairs of the colony.

Leonard Calvert, brother of Cecil. Lord Baltimore, was appointed first Governor; and he, together with about 200 persons, Roman Catholics, commenced the settlement of St. Mary's, in 1634. A free toleration of religion

was established, and a system of equity and humanity was practised with regard to the Indian tribes.

Maryland was one of the foremost of the revolutionary states, and supplied

to the army during that eventful struggle, 13,912 men.

In the last war

with England this state suffered severely, and was devastated by fire and the sword. Baltimore commemorates the patriotism of her brave citizens who fell defending the liberties of their country, by a splendid monument.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Or, FEDERAL DISTRICT OF THE UNITED STATES, as originally laid out, and as it remained until 1846, occupied an area of ten miles square on both sides of the Potomac, about 120 miles from its mouth, and was ceded to the United States by Virginia and Maryland, in 1789, of which states respectively it had hitherto formed parts. It was thus granted for the purpose of establishing therein a Federal Capital and a seat for the General Government. In 1846, the portion on the Virginia shore of the river was retroceded to that state, so that at the present time the district comprehends only one county, that of Washington, in which are situated the cities of Washington and Georgetown.

The population of the district in 1850 was 57,687, or 820 persons to each square mile; and its general statistics were as follows:

6,081....1,569..

725.

Washington...6,345....6,679....29,815....8,073....2.113..

Georgetown...1,174....1,215..

Country parts. 398.... 398. 2,131.

340.. 849.

Total.....7,917....8,292....38,027....9,973....3,687....51,687....264....427

The government of the district is vested entirely in Congress; but the laws of the state from which it was taken, with few exceptions, are continued in force, as they existed at the period of the cession. A Circuit Court, consisting of a Chief Justice and two associate Judges is established, which sits at Washington. Appeals and writs of error go from this court directly to the Supreme Court of the United States. An orphan's court is also instituted. The county has justices of the peace, and there is a mar

The county of Alexandria, which was re-annexed to Virginia in 1846, contained in 1850 10,108 inhab itants; and the population in the district, had it remained in tact, would now have been 61,695, and the increase 18,008, or 41.2 per centum. The population of Alexandria in 1840 was 9,967.

shal and attorney for the district. The Supreme Court sits at Washington on the first Monday in December, annually.

The CITY OF WASHINGTON, the Federal Capital and seat of the supreme government, is situated on the east bank of the Potomac. Lat. 38° 52′ 43′′ N., and long. 76° 55′ 30′′ W. Population, in 1840, 23,364; and in 1850 40,001.

The situation is one of the most picturesque and beautiful in the Union. The city stands at the junction of the Potomac and Anacosta, and is encompassed by forest clad hills, from which the view of the surrounding country and the silvery wanderings of the rivers, interspersed with numerous villas and shady retreats, is truly enchanting, and in every way worthy to be the metropolitan district of a nation of freemen.

The city itself is planned out on a most magnificent scale, and if ever completed as designed, it must eventually become one of the finest cities of the world. The ground on which it is built is elevated about 40 feet above the river, from which it has a gradual ascent. It is regularly laid out in streets running due north and south, intersected by others at right angles. Besides these streets, which are from 80 to 110 feet wide, there are avenues from 130 to 160 feet wide, which diverge from centres in various parts of the city, crossing the other streets transversely. The avenues are named after the several states of the Union; the streets which run east and west after the letters of the alphabet, as A street east, and B street west, &c., and those which run north and south are numbered 1, 2, 3, &c., as First street north, and Second street south, &c. At the points from which the avenues diverge, are spacious squares. The ground embraced in the plan of the city is very extensive, but only a small portion of it is yet occupied by buildings. Five of the avenues radiate from the president's house, and five from the capitol, which afford ready communication from all parts to these central and important points. Pennsylvania avenue, extending between these edifices, is the most compactly built and the handsomest thoroughfare of the city.

The " CAPITOL," which is finely situated on an eminence, commands a view of every part of the city and a considerable portion of the adjacent country. This is a grand and imposing structure, and a fitting place for the meeting of the nation's representatives. It stands on an elevation 72 feet above tide water, and is the first object that attracts the eye on approaching the city. The building is of white free-stone, and occupies an area of one and a half acres. Including the wings, which are each 100 feet front, it is 362 feet long, and 121 feet in depth. The projection on the east or main front, inclusive of the steps, is 65 feet, and on the west, 83 feet. The first is ornamented with a splendid portico of 22 lofty Corinthian columns, and the latter with a like portico, supported by ten columns. The building is surmounted by a splendid dome, 120 feet high, under which, in the middle of the building, is the rotunda, 95 feet in diameter and 95 feet in height, the walls the magnificent national paintings of Trumbull are hung. The room is also adorned with various alto-relievo groups, each representing some great national event. The colossal statue of Washington, by Greenough, is now placed in the rotunda. The congressional libraryroom, on the west of the rotunda, is 92 feet long, 34 feet broad, and 36 feet high, and contains from 30,000 to 40,000 volumes, and a large collection of medals, paintings, statuary, &c. The Senate chamber, in the north wing of the building, is 78 feet long and of a semi-circular form. Under

and on