398 [Assembly 



But it was more particularly my purpose in addressing you, to give 

 some account of the progress of industry in the south. Although the 

 people of that genial and and beautiful portion of this union are not 

 so noted for their thrift and industry in the arts as this division of the 

 country, still they are progressing at this time very steadily and suc- 

 cessfully. 



The State of Delaware has a larger capital invested in, and a great- 

 er number of manufactures for the territory and population, than any 

 State in the Union out of New England. In New Castle connty, es- 

 pecially on the Brandywine, cotton, woollen, and other manufactures, 

 are very numerous. The most of them too, are of a very large class. 

 But little is done in either Kent or Sussex, but agriculture is decided- 

 ly improving. 



Maryland is pushing ahead with rapid strides in canals, railroads, 

 and manufactures. In these three great interests, with that of mining, 

 she has perhaps a capital of from forty-five to fifty millions of dollars. 

 Her great railroad to the Ohio runs through a vastly productive coal 

 and iron region. In the county of Allegany her coal and iron inter- 

 est is of great magnitude. A numerous population has gathered here 

 on this account. Several large rolling-mills and furnaces have been 

 erected. The coal and iron trade alone from this county must swell 

 the commerce and profits of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal to a very 

 extraordinary amount, when that great improvement shall be com- 

 pleted to Cumberland ; it is to be finished in all next year. Facto- 

 ries, mills and furnac«s are growing up in all the old and new towns 

 and settlements along the line of this railroad, both in Virginia and 

 Maryland. The coal mining interest is one of great productiveness 

 and magnitude both to this road and the State. 



One of the best conducted manufacturmg towns in this country, is 

 Laurel, half-way between Washington and Baltimore. The people 

 for twenty miles around have been literally transformed. It is a very 

 flourishing valley. There is a very large manufacturing town, on the 

 plan of Lowell, commenced at a place called Weaverton, near Harper's 

 Ferry, on the banks of the Potomac. Several large mills, factories, 

 hotels, churches and stores have already been erected. Quite a con- 



