iv PREFACE. 



!' the people, and the measures adopted by Congress, with the debates thereon, 

 are herein fully presented. 



The details of the internal affairs of the United States embrace the resources 

 and expenditures of the Federal Government ; the decrease of the public debt, 

 and the reduction of taxation ; the extension of manufactures ; the decline of 

 the commercial interest ; the banking system ; the expansions and contractions 

 of values ; the extension of internal trade and commerce ; the financial affairs 

 of the States ; their debts and resources ; the various political conventions as- 

 sembled during the year, with their platforms ; the results of elections ; the 

 proceedings of State Legislatures ; the increase of educational and charitable 

 institutions; the rapid extension of transportation by railroads, and of com- 

 munication by telegraphs, and all those matters which exhibit the rapid progress 

 of the people. 



Under Diplomatic Correspondence, will be found the proceedings of the 

 Court of Arbitration, at Geneva. 



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

 sciences, with new applications to useful purposes, are extensively presented. 



The improvements of Mechanical Industry have been marked and useful, 

 although less extensive than in many previous years. 



Geographical Discoveries have been actively pushed forward, and with some 

 surprising results. 



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

 in any previous year, and ample details are given of its state, as well at home 

 as in England, and in each of the countries on the Continent of Europe. 



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

 "!' their conventions, and their branches, membership, and progress of opinions, 

 are here given from official sources. 



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. 



A complete Index of names of persons and places, and of the events and 

 facts comprised in the first ten volumes of the ANNUAL CYCLOPAEDIA, will be 

 1 1 in one volume without delay. 



