iv PKEFACE. 



progress in the reduction of the public debt ; the principles upon which the 

 management of the finances is conducted; the banking system, with its expan- 

 sions and contractions ; the extension of internal trade and commerce ; the 

 financial affairs of the States ; the various political conventions assembled dur- 

 ing the year, with their platforms ; the results of elections ; the proceedings 

 of State Legislatures ; the extension of educational and charitable institutions ; 

 the rapid extension of the facilities of transportation by railroads, and of com- 

 munication by telegraphs, and all those facts which determine the rapid prog- 

 ress of the people. 



The Diplomatic Correspondence of the Federal Government presents all 

 those portions relating to the recent treaty with Great Britain, and a copy of 

 the treaty is also given. 



The advance of Mechanical Industry has been no less useful than in other 

 years, although manifested in less expensive and magnificent works. 



The discoveries in the various branches of Astronomical, Chemical, and 

 other sciences, with new applications to useful purposes, are extensively pre- 

 sented. 



Geographical Discoveries have been actively pushed forward in various 

 quarters of the globe, and awakened high anticipations. 



The record of Literature and Literary Progress is not less interesting than 

 in any previous year, and ample details are given of its state in each of the 

 countries on the Continent of Europe. 



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

 of their conventions, and their branches, membership, and progress of opinions 

 and numbers, are here given from official sources. 



Brief biographical sketches of some persons distinguished during the events 

 of the year have been added to the sketches given of deceased persons of note 

 in every department of society. 



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 previous volumes of the AITOUAL CYCLOPAEDIA, with a statement 

 of the volume and page where each may be found. 



