Delaware, one of the United States, bounded N. by Pennsylvania; E. by Delaware Bay and river ; S. and W. by Maryland, extending from 38. 29. to 39. 47. N. lat. an! from 74. 56. to 75. 40. W. long. 92 miles in length; and 23 in its great- est breadth; containing 2,120 sq. miles. Pop. 76,739, of whom 3,305 are slaves.
This state is almost wholly an alluvial level; the northern extremity is hilly. In the south the soil is sandy and unproductive, but toward the north it is excellent and produces the finest wheat in the United States. This article is the staple
commodity of the state, and the flour mills of Brandywine, near Wilmington, are among the largest in the country. The soil also produces maize, flax, buck-wheat. potatoes, &c. and there are some excellent grazing lands. At the south- ern extremity of the state, is the Cypress Swamp, from which great quantities of timber are obtained for exportation. In the same quarter is found abundance of bog iron ore.
There is no large river in the state, nor any good harbour upon the bay, although this latter defect will in some measure be remedied by the breakwater above mentioned. The Chesapeak and Delaware canal (which see) crosses the north- ern part ofthe state and will materially assist the trade of the country. The chief pursuits are ag- ricultural. The commerce consists in the export of flour. The shipping in 1828, amounted to 13,213 tons. The manufactures of the state are considerable. They are chiefly at Wilmington, and consist of cotton, woolen, paper, gunpowder, Enuff, &c.
Delaware is divided into 3 counties, New- castle in the north. Kent in the middle, and Sussex in the south. The legislature is called the General Assembly, and consists of a Senate and House of Representatives. The Governor is chosea for 3 years. All elections are popular and suffrage is universal. Dover is the capital. The other ehief towns are Wilmington and New- castle.
The Methodists have 15 ministers ; the Presby- terians 10; the Baptists 9, and the Episcopalians
6. There is no college in Delaware, but common schools are established by law; and the School Fund of the state yields an annual income of 9,225 dollars. Also the proceeds of 25,000 dollars in- vested in the Chesapeak and Delaware Canal are devoted to purposes connected with education.
This state was first settled by the Swedes, and afterwards formed a part of the colony of Pennsyl- vania. The present constitution was framed in 1792.
Delaware is also the name of four counties in the different states of North America, as fol- lows :xe2x80x94 |
1. In the state of New York, bordering ov Pennsylvania, in which is the Susquehanna, as well as the Delaware rivers, both have their source. It is a somewhat mountainous district, but its fertility and local advantages may be in- ferred from its increase of population, which ir. 1800 was 10,228, and in 1830, 32,933. Delhi is the chief town.
2. In E. Pennsylvania, bounded on the south by the state and east by the river Delaware, and north by the county of the city of Philadelphia. It is the smallest county in the state. Pop. 17,361 Chester, 15 m. S. W. of Philadelphia, is the chiet town
3. In the centre of the state of Ohio, intersect ed by the Scioto river, and Walnut, Alum, anc Whetstone creeks. It is a square of about 28 miles each way. The pop. which in 1810, was only 2,000, in 1830 had increased to 11 523. The chief town of the same name is seated between the main branch of the Scioto and Whetstone creek, twenty-five miles north of Columbus.
4. In the eastern part of Indiana. Pop. 2,372 Muncy town is the capital.
Delaware, city, Newcastle Co. Del. This place has just been laid out, and is situated on the Delaware at the entrance of the Chesapeak and Delaware Canal.
Delaware, is also the name of 4 townships and villages in Pa., Va. and Ohio.
Delft, a town of South Holland, well built, with canals in the streets, planted on each side with trees. Here are two churches, in one ot which is the tomb of William I. prince of Or- ange, who was assassinated. It has a fine arsenal, and a considerable manufacture of earthenware. Delft is the birth-place of the renowned Grotius. It is seated about midway between Rotterdam and the Hague.
Delftshaven, a fortified town of South Holland on the north side of the Maese, with a canal tc Delft. It is between Rotterdam and Schiedam about three miles from each.
Dqlftzuyl, a town and fortress of Holland, in Groningen, with a good harbour. It is seated on the Demster, at its entrance into the mouth of the Ems, 12 miles west by south of Emden. Long.
6. 58. E., lat 58. 18.
Delhi, the chief town of Delaware Comity, in the state of New York, seated on the north bank ot the Mohawk branch of the Delaware River, 40 m W. S. W. of Albany. Pop. 2,114. See also Delhi.
Delitz, a town and castle of Upper Saxony, in Misnia. Great quantities of worsted stockings are made here. It is 15 miles north hy east of Leipzig.
Dellameotta, a fortress of the country of Bootan, which commands the principal pass over the mountains. It was taken by storm in 1773, by a detachment under the command of captain John Jones. It is 55 m. S. S. W. of Tassa.udon, and 200 N. of Moorshedabad. Long. 88. 46. E. lat.
27. 2. N.
Delmenhorst, a town of Westphalia, capital of a district in the duchy of Oldenburg; seated on the Delm, near the Weser, 8 m. S. W. of Bre- men.
Delos, or Deli, an island of the Grecian Archi- pelago, formerly celebrated for the temples of Diana and Apollo, whose birth-place it is said to be. It is 6 miles in circumference, but now little more than a desert rock, covered with ruins, and uninhabited. Long. 25. 12? E. lat. 37. 38. N.
Delphi, or Delphos, a town of Independent x 2 |