in the United States . 
7 £ 
sachusetts. Again; Tennessee is in very much the same 
situation. The marshal of the western district of that 
state has made a valuable return ; his colleague of the 
eastern district has not equalled him in particularizing 
and distributing his subject, and besides, has pursued so 
different a plan that it is not practicable to adapt them. 
I might easily make other observations. The return 
from Rhode-Xsland might be quoted for its minuteness 
and accuracy. But, notwithstanding the appearance of 
observation and fidelity which pervades it, there is al- 
most or quite an impossibility of adjusting its materials 
with those contained in the other returns. The like re- 
mark applies to Ohio, though its return contains indica- 
tions of perspicacity and intelligence; and to Michigan, 
whose secretary, Atwater, has furnished a paper which, 
though small, is a model of perspicuity and neatness. 
After several attempts to arrange and methodize the 
materials, so as to bring them into one compendious view, 
X became convinced that my labours were fruitless, and 
abandoned the undertaking. It is certainly a subject of 
regret that a grand total cannot be formed of all the ma- 
nufacturing establishments in the nation. Yet we may 
rejoice that so much has been done. When the next cen- 
sus shall be taken, we may be more successful. An ex- 
act schedule of all the subjects of inquiry ought to be 
formed.* These, if transmitted, to the proper officers, 
would direct their attention to certain and definite objects. 
The returns would thereby be rendered uniform, and ca- 
pable of being added up into one great account, exhibit- 
ing in a concordant and uniform manner all the subjects 
inquired into throughout the states and territories. 
Some most valuable information is derived from these 
returns, incomplete and heterogeneous as they are. Un- 
* Not merely formed, at that period, but attended to long before, and even 
given to the public, that by due deliberation, the most exact and accurate for- 
mula may be chosen. Ed 
