1V PREFACE. 



course ; the commerce of the country; the finances of the Federal Government 

 and its banking system ; the acts of State Legislatures ; the results of elections ; 

 the progress of educational and charitable institutions under the care of the State 

 governments; the debts and resources of the States; and all those political 

 movements, the results of which are to transfer the public power from one to 

 another portion of its citizens. 



The relations of the United States to foreign nations, as developed in its Dip- 

 lomatic Intercourse, are fully presented ; and also the civil, military, and com- 

 mercial history of all the States of Europe and South America, and the more 

 important kingdoms of Asia, with some countries of Africa, is fully brought up. 



The progress and peculiar features and mode of treatment of those scourges 

 known as the Asiatic Cholera, the Cattle Disease, and the disease of Swine, with 

 the latest investigations, have been carefully described. 



The advance in Astronomy, Chemistry, and many other branches of science, 

 with the new applications to useful purposes which have been developed, have 

 not been overlooked. 



Geographical explorations have been earnestly continued in all quarters of 

 the globe, and the discoveries which ,have followed have been fully presented. 



The record of Literature is not less interesting than that of any previous 

 year. The titles of all important works of the various classes to which they 

 belong, are stated in detail. 



A notice of the principal religious denominations of the country states 

 their branches, membership, views on civil affairs, and the progress of their 

 distinctive opinions. 



The number of distinguished men who closed their career has been large. A 

 brief tribute is paid to their memory. 



All important documents, messages, orders, despatches, and letters from 

 official persons, have been inserted entire. 



