378 



the most of you, that the wheat crop of 1849 was at least ^one-third 

 sliort of an average crop. Mr. Taylor, our late Secretary of State, in 

 comparing the census of 1840 with that of 1850 says: "The number 

 of horses has increased ninety per cent., ueat cattle ffty per cent, and 

 sheep seven hundred and sixty per cent." The wheat crop shows au 

 increase of one hundred and twenty-seven per cent., corn 150 per cent., 

 and rye 200 per cent. The wool clip has increased almost beyond 

 precedent — while the census of 1840 shows but 153,3'75 lbs., the cen- 

 sus of 1850 shows 2,007,598 lbs., or thirteen times greater in 1850 

 than in 1840. 



In 1834, the population of Cass County, was but a trifle over 3,000, 

 in 1840 it had reached 5,700, and to-day our population cannot fall 

 short of 13,000. The census of 1840 puts our county down at 75,000 

 bushels of wheat, 178,000 bushels of corn, and 10,000 lbs. of wool. 

 The census of 1850 shows the wheat crop to have been, in round num- 

 bers, 160,000 bushels, corn 423,000 bushels, and wool 48,000 pounds. 



I believe I speak truly, when I say that we have in Cass county, in- 

 creased our productions at least one-half, since the taking of the census 

 of 1850, and our population near one-fourth. 



The history of the settlement of Michigan, her progress in agricul- 

 ture and the mechanic arts, her rapid increase in population, would be 

 the history of every north-western State. Indeed, almost every State 

 in the great Valley of the Mississippi, can present a history in most 

 respects, as remarkable as our own. With such evidence before us, it 

 is not strange we should calculate largely for the future of our country. 

 With such evidence, finding no parallel in the history of the Old World, 

 it is not strange that Europeans should throng upon our shores by 

 thousands monthly, to seek a home among us, and participate in the 

 blessings we so abundantly enjoy. Let them come ; our land is long 

 enough and broad enough for them all. Let them come, and join with 

 Tis in leveling forests and cultivating fields, in building up cities and vil- 

 lages, in digging canals and constructing railways. Let them come ; 

 ■with their bronzed faces and toil hardened hands, they are welcome 

 among us. 



We have nothing to fear from them, for they have ever proved faith- 

 ful to our flag, when opportunity ofl^ered. They leave a country where 

 partial laws are partially administered ; where the products of their la- 



