travel, but do not effect much for trade. A line of magnetic telegraph from the North, has been finished to Richmond, within a few months past, and has already advanced far to the South. By means of this miracle of the age, Virginia may converse with her distant sisters, and hear their voices urging to energy. And it is true, that within the present year, she has shown symptoms of a disposition to awake from her long slumber. Several lines of railroad are now contemplated by the enterprising of our State. It is proposed that one of these shall run continuously from Richmond City to to the Ohio River. Another is to be carried from the present terminus of the Louisa Railroad, at Gordonsville, to the eastern base of the Blue Ridge. Another is to run from the metropolis southward, through the tobacco region of the State, to Danville, in Pittsylvania county. For this last object, heavy subscriptions have been already made, and many things seem to indicate that it will be accomplished. The last and most important cause unfavorably affecting Virginia, which we shall mention, is the existence of slavery within her bounds. We have already seen the origin and progress of this institution. As to its evils, we have nothing new to offer; they have long been felt and acknowledged by the most sagacious minds in our State. "It is the common remark of all who have travelled through the United States, that the free States and the slave States exhibit a striking contrast in their appearance. In the older free States are seen all the tokens of prosperity; a dense and increasing population; thriving villages, towns, and cities; a neat and productive agriculture; growing manufactures, and active commerce. In the older parts of the slave States, with a few local exceptions, are seen, on the contrary, too evident signs of stagnation, or of positive decay; a sparse population, a slovenly cultivation, spread over vast fields that are wearing out, among others already worn out and desolate; villages and towns 'few and far between,' rarely growing, often decaying, sometimes mere remnants of what they were, sometimes deserted ruins, haunted only by owls; generally no manufactures, nor even trades, except the indispensable few; commerce and navigation abandoned, as far as possible, to the people of the free States; and generally, instead of the stir and bustle of industry, a dull and dreary stillness, broken, if broken at all, only by the wordy brawl of politics." Were we called to declare what we believe to be the sentiments of a large majority of our people, on the subject of slavery, we would attempt it under two heads. First. We hold that this institution, as it exists among us, is lawful, and that we only have the right to control it. The Constitution of the United States has solemnly guarantied the rights of slaveholders in their property. Any interference by the General Government, or by particular States, or by classes of individuals in other States, with her right to this property, will be resisted by Virginia, even to the end. A dissolution of the Union is an evil which she regards with horror, but a dissolution of the Union would be preferable to submission to measures which would violate the most solemn pledges upon which the Union was founded. Secondly. We apprehend that, in general, the people of Virginia hold slavery to be an enormous evil, bearing with fatal power upon their prosperity. This sentiment has been gaining ground during many years. Within a very short time past, a citizen of East Virginia, intelligent, highly educated, and possessed of great wealth in this species of property, has spoken out plainly, and urged owners in our State to get rid of their slaves as rapidly as possible. And in West Virginia, expressions of opinion have been even more decided, and incipient means have been adopted to provide for the gradual destruction of the evil. Under these circumstances, we hail with pleasure any indications that this part of our population is decreasing in number, and that the time shall come when Virginia shall be a free State. In 1790, the slaves of the State amounted to 293,427; in 1800, to 345,796; in 1810, to 392,518; in 1820, to 425,153; in 1830, to 469,757; and in 1840, to 449,087. Thus it appears, that in the first ten years above noted, the slaves increased about 18 per cent; in the second ten years, 13.3. per cent; in the third ten years, 8.4 per cent; in the fourth ten years, 10.6 per cent; and in the last ten years, they diminished 4.5 per cent. During the same period, the free population increased in the first ten years, 17.4 per cent; in the second ten years, 9.2 per cent; in the third ten years, 9.8 per cent; in the fourth ten years, 13.6 per cent; and in the last ten years, 6.7 per cent. The principal source of decrease in our slaves, is in the number exported to cultivate the cotton and sugar lands of the South. Hardly a day passes in which large companies may not be seen traversing the roads of Virginia, on their way to her southern frontier. Melancholy as may be the thoughts suggested by such scenes, they will at least bring with them some solace. The condition of the slaves in the South, is not probably worse than upon the impoverished plantations of our State, and their gradual removal by this means gives place to a better population. Already German and New York farmers have occupied large tracts of land in Fairfax county, and an English company has been formed, whose professed design is to transport emigrants from Great Britain to the inviting fields of Virginia. In her latter days, as in her infancy, our State seems destined to draw her inhabitants directly from the mother country. We have now completed a review of the past history and present condition of Virginia. The future is yet before her, and its revelations to her must depend greatly upon her own preparation to meet them. By the exercise of diligence and virtue, she may obtain a glory more substantial, and a happiness more pure, than any she has ever enjoyed. May such be her conduct and her destiny! Art. IV. THE COMMERCE OF HUNGARY AND TRANSYLVANIA. HUNGARY extends from the Turkish boundaries to the south, to the Carpathian Mountains to the north; it touches to the west the Styrian provinces, the Archdukedom of Austria proper, and Moravia; and to the east Transylvania and Vallacchia. Hungary is composed of the following territories, viz: the circuit on this side of the river Danube, divided in thirteen cantons; the circuit on the other side of the Danube, eleven cantons; the circuit on this side of the Theiss, nine cantons; the circuit the other side of the Theiss, sixteen cantons; besides the kingdoms of Sclavonia and Crotia, both divided in three cantons, and six particular districts. The principal streams of Hungary are the Danube, and its tributaries, the Theiss, and the Drava, besides several others of less magnitude. Rich Hungary, mountainous to the north, contains towards the center and the south, immense plains, which abound in grains, which supply not only the wants of their own inhabitants, but also the populations of the northern provinces, and those conforming with Germany and part of Upper Italy. The other produces of Hungary are barley, rye, corn, millet, rice, maiz, hemp, flax, tobacco, saffron, oats, potatoes, and great quantities of vegetables. in vineyards, Hungary supplies exquisite wines, the most celebrated of which are the white Tokay, and the red Menes. Hungary abounds in timber, and all kinds of wood. Possesses plenty of pasture grounds, and the cattle forms one of the principal riches of the country. Its horses are greatly estimated for their smartness and swiftness; its oxen are of excellent quality, but the wool of its sheep is rather coarse; pigs are abundant, and their meat is a favorite food with the Hungarians. The northern part of Hungary is remarkable for its astonishing mineral wealth. The gold and silver mines of Hungary and Transylvania, are, in fact, the only ones of any account which Europe possesses. Those of Schemnitz and Kremnitz are the most lucrative. Oravitz and Jylo are renowned for their copper mines; those of iron are particularly to be found in the cantons of Gomor and Zips. Lead, cobalt, quicksilver, and antimony, is also found, though in small quantity. The opal is a precious stone peculiar to Hungary, and is principally to be found in some mountains in the north of Tokay. The value of the mineral wealth of Hungary is estimated at 2,100 marcs gold, 83,200 marcs silver, 38,000 quintals copper, 24,500 quintals lead, 200,000 quintals iron, 5,200 quintals antimony. Hungary possesses numerous salt-pits, principally in the district of Marmaros, of Rhonazeg, and in that of Myots; produces also some natrone, nitre, sulphur of soda, alum, magnesia, &c. We may affirm that there is scarcely a canton in Hungary that does not possess several sources of mineral water, the most frequented of which are those of Bartfa and Lullo. Industry is, as yet, very much neglected in Hungary, the greater proportion of workmen being German, and commerce is almost altogether in the hands of foreigners. The Austrian manufactories supply all the manufactured articles. The most important Hungarian industry, is the working of metals, in the northern provinces principally. The cantons of Prapova, Liptan, and Lohl, give annually 80,000 quintals of iron. The tanning of hides and leathers, and the manufacture of tobacco, are objects of extensive trade, as also the manufactures of woolen cloths, which are spread through the whole State. The silk culture has recently acquired a moderate importance, and several manufactories of the precious thread are now in operation. There are also several manufactories of earthenware, a great number of glass and paper factories, but their products are of inferior quality. Raab, one of the most industrious cities of Hungary, is principally known for its manufactures of isinglass. The principal exportations are, grains, tobacco, wines, wools, leathers, cattle, honey, wax, and metals. Importations consist of colonial and manufactured goods. The commerce of Hungary suffers from the want of means of internal communication; its few roads are in bad condition, and there are only two navigable canals, that of St. Francisco, and that of Bega. The most commercial cities are Pesth, Buda, (the capital,) Presburg, and Raab, all on the banks of the river Danube; Schemnitz, celebrated for its mines, the richest of Europe, and the seat of a mineralogical school, Premnitz, renowned for its mines and its mint. The formation of a Hungarian bank, to be denominated The First Hungarian Commercial Bank, excites a lively interest, and, according to the statutes already laid down, will be divided in bank of discount, of circulation, of deposit, and of loan. It is rumored that a railroad will be opened to facilitate the communications of the Danube with the interior of Hungary, which would prove very useful, for the exportation of its grains, and would wake landholders from their actual lethargy. In 1846, the royal government of the Hungarian litoral, 75 large ships of 22,661 tons, with an equippage of 828 persons; 73 of smaller size, of 3,512 tons, and 305 sailors; and 68 small craft, of 307 tons and 170 sailors. PEST is the most commercial city of Hungary; it is situated on the left side of the Danube, just opposite to the so famous city of Buda, which was bombarded by the valliant Hungarians, and taken after a great and bloody contest. The short space which divides these two important cities, from a certain point of view, it appears that they form a single town. At the beginning of the 19th century, Pest did not count more than 40,000 inhabitants, while, at the present time, there are more than 150,000 people. In 1843, the waters of the Danube had inundated a great a part of Pest and Buda, and had almost destroyed the best establishments of these cities, but the generous Hungarian population, independent from their ruler, came to the help of their brother, and, in a short space of time, Pest and Buda looked as richly as before the awful inundation. There are in the city of Pest four yearly fares, which are visited by some 30,000 persons, and, on this occasion, there is a continual trade of four millions of florins. The city of Pest being the chief commercial metropolis of Hungary, offers to the trade of exportation all the products and manufactures of this vast and flourishing kingdom. The great wine trade belongs merely to the merchants of Pest, and, in a short time, when peace shall be restored, and the independence of Hungary be recognized, the wine trade will be extended into foreign countries by the steam navigation of the Danube. The corn of Hungary, and generally the wheat, is the best of all the European continent. The great trade done at the fairs of this country consists in furs, oxen, wool, wax, and tobacco, which are sold at a very low price. They export to Pest every kind of goods, from all parts of the world, and this city will be more flourishing when Austrian rule shall disappear from Hungary. Not less than 8,000 steamboats enter the road of Pest. The steam navigation already established here since 1837, offers a daily communication between this city with Vienna, Constantinople, Odessa, and Trebisonde; in one word, from the city of Ulma, on the high Danube, to the shores of the Black Sea. FIUME is the principal sea-port of Hungary, situated on the mouth of the Fiumera, in the Gualneria Gulf, near the northern extremity of the Adriatic. Since 1771, the road of Fiume has been declared free from all taxes, as the best means to advance commerce between Hungary and the other parts of the world. The great Leopoldian road from this place to CARLSTAD offers a great advantage to the commerce of this city, the population of which is almost 13,000 inhabitants. In 1842 were transported on the Luisian road from Carlstadt, through the sea-coast, (Fiume and Buccari,) 27,538 centner of goods, 19,805 centner wheat, 500 centner corn, 298 centner barley, 3,260 centner oats, 74,000 centner seed of ravizsone, 78,000 centner tobacco, 2,968 centner oil, &c., 4,541 centner flax and hemp, 22,609 centner rags, 250,600 centner oak staves. From the coast to Carlstadt were transported 24,524 centner salt, 1,806 centner oil, &c., 1,162 centner colonial products. The principal exports from Fiume consist principally in tobacco, and hemp of Hungary, timber, staves, &c., destined almost all for France; wax, rags, coal, salt, wine, &c., receiving in exchange grains, colonal goods, oil, pastes of Italy, iron, steel, and different manufactured articles. There are at Fiume large tanneries, vast tobacco manufactories, liquor and cordial distilleries, and sugar refineries, a fine dock yard, and a large depot of sea salt. There are manufactured there cloths, linens, hats, wax candles, cables, paper, potash, earthenware, &c. The harbor, though of difficult access, is commodious and safe. MARITIME COMMERCE OF THE HUNGARIAN LITORAL FROM 1842 TO 1848. Fiorins. 1,456,954 Wine.... LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL MERCHANDISES IMPORTED AND EXPORTED IN 1848. Imported. Exported. .pipes 21,777 1,854 Corn Imported. Exported. .metz. 59,005 7,053 TRANSYLVANIA, a vast country contiguous to the Hungarian boundaries, forms, at present, a part of this new democratic commonwealth. It is situated between Hungary, Galicia, and Turkey, and marks the oriental limits of the Austrian Empire. This country is the battle-field of Hungarian nationality. Here General Bem defeated the Russians, and Dubinsky annihilated the Austrian army. The Carpathian Mountains cover a great space of Transylvania, and contain in their valleys rich mines of gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, mercury, antimony, perol, salt, sulphur, saltpetre, coals, marbles, &c., &c. There is a quantity of stones called false diamonds, agates, cornelians, and other precious stones. The most beautiful horses of the Austrian Empire come from Transylvania, as well as the largest oxen used to till the ground. The culture of the wool is almost as profitable as in any part of Syria, and the harvest of wheat and corn is more abundant than in the Duchy of Austria. The culture of the vine is spread all over the country, but the wine cannot be kept longer than one year, and the exportation to foreign countries is very small, to compare to its large quantity. There is a great abundance of flax and hemp, and the tobacco leaf is generally cultivated in Haromszok and Udvarthey. Manufactures of any kind of goods are not of any value, as the politics of the Austrian government was to suppress any other industry but in the German countries. The exportations consist in a few articles which are carried only to Hungary, as horses, oxen, wool, salt, and wheat. Klansenburg was the seat of the governor of the kingdom, and the strong city of Kronstadt, now under the republic of Hungary, is one of the most inhabited and commercial cities of Transylvania. Art. V. THE PROPOSED RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC. TO FREEMAN HUNT, ESQ., Editor of the Merchants' Magazine, etc. DEAR SIR: The Christian world at this moment presents an aspect which it is no exaggeration to say, has more than any other in the history of humanity, of pregnant interest. Christendom, taken in its full extent, is divided into two great sections, by the Atlantic Ocean. But for the present, let us glance over Christian Europe, and Anglo-Saxon North America. What a contrast do we behold! On the east, all tumult, distrust, and, consequently, disorder. On the west, peace, order, and confidence. Comprising the immensity before us, the political fluctuations in the United States appear as mere ripples on the ocean of time. In fact, so steadfast is the sense of safety in the United States, that the people feel as an audience before whom a gladiatorial show is in operation. In Europe, on the contrary, from the |