f 1 ■ 
this (as you, Sir, well know) is a very flow increafe 
compared with that which takes place among our 
colonies in America. In the back fettlements, where 
the inhabitants apply themlelves entirely to agricul- 
ture, and luxury is not known, they double their 
own number in 15 years ; and all through the nor- 
thern colonies in 25 years* This is an inftance of 
increafe fo rapid as to have fcarcely any parallel. The 
births in thefe countries mud exceed the burials much 
more than in Madeira, and a greater proportion of 
/the born mud reach maturity. -In 1738, the 
number of inhabitants in New Jerfey was taken by 
order of the government, and found to be 47,369. 
Seven years afterwards the number of inhabitants was 
again taken, and found to be increafed, by procrea- 
tion only, above 14,000, and very near one half oi 
the inhabitants were found to be under f 1 6 years of 
age. In 22 years, therefore, they mud have doubled 
their own number, and the births mud have ex- 
ceeded the burials 2000 annually. As the increafe 
here is much quicker than in iVIadeira, we may be 
fure that a fmaller proportion of the inhabitants mud 
die annually. Let us, however, fuppofe it the fame, 
or a 50th part. This will make the annual burials 
* See a difeourfe on ChrijVicn unton^ by Dr. Styles, Bolton, 
1761, p. 103. 109, &c. See alfo The inter ejl of Great Britain 
confidered with regard to her Colonies^ together xvith Obfervations 
concerning the increafe of mankind^ peopling of countries^ Glc. p. 35. 
2cl edit. London, 1761. 
* According to Dr. Halley’s Xable the number of the living 
under 16 is but a third of all the living at all ages j and this may 
be nearly the cafe in all places which juft fupport themfelves in 
the number of their inhabitants, and neither increafe or decreafe. 
VoL. LIX. R 
to 
