CONNECTICUT. 413 



Population and militia. ...In 1790, the population of this state 

 amounted to 237,946 persons, of whom 2764 were slaves ; in 1801, to 

 251,002, of whom 951 were slaves ; and in 1810, to 26 1,942, of whom 

 310 were slaves. The inhabitants are almost entirely of English 

 descent : there are no Dutch, French, or Germans, and very few 

 Scotch or Irish people, in any part of the state. This is the best 

 peopled state in the Union. The militia is about 21,600 men. 



Chief towns. ...There is a considerable number of pleasant and 

 well situated towns in this state, neat, though built principally of 

 wood. The five principal ones are called cities, being incorporated 

 and possessing extensive municipal jurisdiction; viz. Hartford and 

 New-Haven, New-London, Norwich, and Middleton ; the two first 

 being interchangeably the seat of the state government, and may of 

 course be called the capitals of the state. Hartford is situated on 

 Connecticut river, at the head of navigation, and about 50 miles from 

 its mouth. In 1810, the population was about 6000, and it con- 

 tained 600 dwelling houses, some of them handsomely built of brick, 

 six places of public worship, and a state or court house. It is a 

 thriving commercial and manufacturing town. New-Haven lies at 

 the head of a small bay that makes up from Long-Island sound. This 

 is the handsomest and most regular built town in Connecticut, though 

 the houses are constructed principally of wood. It is situated on an 

 agreeable plain, and is a place of considerable trade. It contained in 

 1800, a few more than five thousand inhabitants, about five hundred 

 dwelling houses, a state house, a handsome college, and five places 

 of public worship, three of which belong to the Congregationalists. 

 The population in 1810, was 6,967; the number of houses was 750. 

 There are fifteen public schools and eight private ones. New-London 

 stands on the river Thames*, near its mouth. The harbour is excel- 

 lent, the best perhaps in Connecticut, and the trade of the city exten- 

 sive and flourishing. It contains 3238 inhabitants, and is fortified by 

 two forts, one on each side of the Thames. Norwich is on the same 

 river, at the head of its navigation. It is a manufacturing and com- 

 mercial town with about 3000 inhabitants, and contains three places 

 of religious worship, a court house, an academy and free school. 

 Middleton is seated on the river Connecticut, about fifteen miles be- 

 low Hartford : it contains 5382 inhabitants, and carries on a lucrative 

 commerce with the West Indies. It contains about 300 dwelling 

 houses, a co%rt house, and three houses of religious worship. 



Trade. ...The exports from this state consist of horses, mules, 

 oxen, oak-staves, hoops, pine-boards, oak plank, beans, Indian corn, 

 fish, beef, and pork. The amount of foreign exports, in the year 

 1794, amounted to 806,746 dollars, in 1804, to 1,516,110, and in 

 1810, to 768,643. This last was a non-intercourse year.* 



Government ....The supreme legislative authority of the state is 

 vested in a governor, deputy-governor, twelve assistants or counsel- 

 lors, and the representatives of the people, styled the general as- 

 sembly. The governor, deputy -governor, and assistants, are annu- 

 ally chosen by the freemen in the month of May. The representa- 

 tives (their number not to exceed two from each town) are chosen 

 by the freemen twice a year, to attend the two annual sessions, on 

 the second Tuesdays of May and October. The general assembly 



* Morse. 

 Vol. II. 3 G 



