40    UNITED STATES GAZETTEER.

Manufactures. — Wheat being the chief staple product, the most important of the home
manufactures is naturally that of flour. A large amount of capital is also employed in cotton
mills,* and in the pursuit of divers other branches of domestic industry, such as the manufac-
turing of iron, of leather, gunpowder, machinery, &c.

Commerce. —Wilmington, by reason of its good and safe harbor, and having in its imme-
diate vicinity large numbers of capacious flour mills, has long been known as the most
important commercial place in the state. It carries on a very extensive trade, especially in
the article of flour; and there are several ships belonging to this port'which are actively
engaged in the prosecution of the Pacific whale fishery.

Climate. — The geographical position of this state insures a medium temperature; but, as
in most of the other Middle States, the climate, though generally mild, is subject to variatiohs,
induced by differences in locality. The elevated regions are undoubtedly far metre favorable
to health and longevity than the low, moist, and marshy tracts.

Religion. — Presbyterians and Methodists compose the most numerous of the religious
denominations. Next in numbers are the Episcopalians and Baptists. There are also some
Roman Catholics, and a few Friends or Quakers.

Population. — The progress of population in this state, for the last thirty years, has been
exceedingly slow. From 72,674, in 1810, it had increased in 1850 to only 91,532. It is still
the least populous state in the Union.

COLUMBIA, DISTRICT OF. This tract, originally ten miles square, was ceded to
the United States in 1790, by the States of Maryland and Virginia, for the purpose of being
occupied as the seat of the federal government. The location was selected by President
Washington, in conformity with a provision of the United States constitution. It is placed
under the immediate jurisdiction of Congress, and, at the date of the cession, comprised the
city of Alexandria, in Virginia, the city of Georgetown, Maryland, and the site on which now
stands the city of Washington. The latter was established as the permanent capital of the
Union, in the year 1800, and is consequently the principal residence of the president, heads
of departments, and other chief officers of the government, foreign ambassadors, &c. In
1846, the geographical dimensions of the District were reduced by an act of Congress, retro-
ceding the city and county of Alexandria to the State of Virginia.

Boundaries and Extent. — The District, as at present limited, containing less than two thirds
of the original land surface, is bounded on the north-west, north-east, and south-east, by the