iv PREFACE. 



the debates on the same, the numerous aspects of the incidental questions 

 raised and discussed, with the final action of that body. 



The details of the internal affairs of the United States comprise the finances 

 of the Federal Government ; its receipts and expenditures ; the sources whence 

 those receipts are obtained, and the principles upon which are based the 

 mode and degree of taxation ; the management of the public debt, and the 

 steps taken to reduce it, or to diminish its burden ; the modifications of the 

 currency, its fluctuations; the changes in the system of taxation, with its 

 effects upon the industrial interests and prosperity of the people ; the banking 

 system, with its expansions and contractions; the products of agriculture, and 

 the extension of internal trade and commerce ; the proceedings of the Southern 

 States to improve and establish their social and financial affairs ; the various 

 political conventions of the year ; the results of elections ; the acts of State 

 Legislatures ; the rapid improvement of educational and charitable institutions 

 under the care of the State governments ; the rapid extension of the facilities 

 for transportation, especially railroads ; the resources and population of the 

 several States, and all those facts which determine their rapid progress. 



The Diplomatic Correspondence of the Federal Government, derived from 

 the most authentic sources, is very fully presented in these pages, and the 

 existing relations with all foreign nations clearly shown. 



The progress of Mechanical Industry, although indicated by works less 

 extensive and important than in the previous year, has been -no less marked 

 and useful. 



The advance in the various branches of Astronomical, Chemical, and other 

 sciences, with new and valuable applications to various purposes, is exten- 

 sively described. 



Geographical Discoveries have been actively pushed forward, in various 

 quarters of the globe, with interesting results. 



The record of Literature and Literary Progress is as interesting as during 

 any previous year. The title of each of the more important works of various 

 classes has been stated, with some remarks on the nature of its contents. 



The history of the religious denominations of the country, with the results 

 of their conventions, their branches, membership, views on public affairs, and 

 progress of opinions, and numbers, are here given from official sources. The 

 proceedings of the (Ecumenical Council at Koine are fully narrated, and all 

 the decrees adopted previous to its suspension, inserted. 



The memory of deceased persons of note, in every department of society, 

 is briefly noticed. 



All important documents, messages, orders, treaties, and letters from official 

 persons, have been inserted entire. 



An Index, at the end of this volume, contains a list of all the subjects 

 treated in the volumes of the ANNUAL CYCLOPEDIA, with a statement of the 

 volume and page where each may be found. 



