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History of the New York Census. 



families of foreign origin, show little or no tendency to an 

 abatement of increase, and that in Boston itself, the Yankee 

 population, in the primitive acceptation of the term, is 

 already far in the minority. 



In adopting this heading, much hesitation has been felt, 

 least the delicacy of the inquiry, like that relating to ages, 

 should offend. But with ordinary address, the information 

 may be obtained without its appearing too inquisitive, and 

 in no case except one of illegitimacy ought it to excite dis- 

 trust. In the present census it may even relieve the sub- 

 ject from any appearance of association with a draft, by 

 giving prominence to inquiries the farthest removed from 

 any military application. 1 



Without varying the schedule of 1858, we shall have the 

 data for ascertaining the number of children of foreign 

 parents of different nationalities but of American birth, 

 among us. 



13th. Years resident in present locality. This question 

 was introduced in 1855, but the returns did not admit of 

 comparison on reduction, and it may be properly omitted. 



14th. Profession or occupation. This should be retained, 

 and in connection therewith, a column should be added, to 

 show the place of employment, if away from home. This 

 brings us to notice that all persons in the military or naval 

 service, should be reported by the families to which they 

 belong. The civil occupation before entering the service 

 should be given, and the particular regiment or vessel where 

 employed, should be specified. 



15th. — 16th. Native and Naturalized Voters. These 

 should be taken as in the last state census. 



iThe delicacy anticipated in this inquiry was not noticed in the subse- 

 quent operations of the census, and the returns were quite as full as were 

 expected. The draft that impended over the country at the time the above 

 paper was read, was fortunately arrested by peace, before the time for tak- 

 ing the census arrived. It would have most seriously embarrassed, if it did 

 not altogether prevent the census from being taken. (Jan., 1866.) 



