206 humboldt's cuba. 



CENSUS OF 1846. 



Whites. 

 t * • 



Department. Male. Female. 



Western,.. 133,968 110,141 



Central,... 62,262 52,692 



Eastern, . . 34,753 31,951 



Total.... 230,983 194,784 



The slightest examination leads to the belief that 

 there is some error in the figures of the census of 

 1846 ; and we are inclined to doubt its results, for 

 the following reasons : 



1st. During the period between 1841 and 1846, no 

 great cause, as epidemic, or emigration on a large 

 scale, existed to check the hitherto steady increase 

 of the slave population, and cause a decrease of 

 112,736 in its numbers, being nearly twenty six 

 per cent, of the returns of 1841 ; which apparent 

 decrease, and the annihilation of former rate of 

 increase (3.7 per cent., yearly), amount together to 

 a loss of 47 per cent., in six years. 



2d. During this period, the material prosperity of 

 the country experienced no decrease, except the loss 

 of part of one crop, consequent upon the hurricane 

 of 1845. 



3d. During the period from 1842 to 1846, the 

 church returns of christenings and interments were 

 as follows : 



Free Colored. Slaves. Total. 



Male. Female. Male. Female. 



28,964 32,730 140,131 87,682 533,616 



17,041 17,074 32,425 14,560 196,054 



26,646 26,771 28,455 20,506 169,082 



72,651 76,575 201,011 122,748 S9S,752 



