116
MISSISSIPPI.
TABLE OF THE COUNTIES AND COUNTY TOWNS. — Continued.
Counties.
Top. 1830.
County Towns.
Dist. fromJackson.
Perry
se
2,285
Augusta
137
Pike
s
5,402
Holmesville
151
Rankin
tv
2,084
Brandon
16
Simpson
sm
2,666
Westville
56
Warren
w
7,861
54
Washington
1,976
Princeton
119
Wayne
e
2,778
Winchester
165
Wilkinson
sic
11,693
Woodville
148
Yazoo
26
w
6,550
Benton
64
Population at different Periods.
The country now forming the states of Mississippi and Alabama was erect-ed into a territorial government by the name of the Mississippi Territory, in1798, and so continued till 1817. Population in 1800, 8,850; in 1810,40,352 :—of Mississippi alone, in 1816, 45,929.
Population. Slaves.
In 1820, 75,448 32,814
1830, 136,806 Increase from 1820 to 1830, 61,358 65,659
The principal rivers arc the Mississippi , Pearl, Pascagoula , Yazoo, Black,Tennessee , and the western branches of the Tombigbee. The Mississippi forms the western boundary from lat. 31° to 35° N.; 308 miles in a right line,but by the course of the river near 700 miles.
The southern part of the state, extending about 100 miles north from the Gulf of Mexico , is mostly a champaign country, with occasional hills of moderateelevation, and is covered with forests of the long-leaved pine, interspersed withcypress swamps, open prairies, and inundated marshes. A considerable por-tion of this part is susceptible of cultivation. The soil is generally sandy,sometimes gravelly and clayey. It is capable of producing cotton, corn, in-digo, sugar, garden vegetables, plums, cherries, peaches, figs, sour oranges,and grapes.
In proceeding north, the face of the country becomes more elevated andagreeably diversified. The growth of timber consists of poplar, hickory, oak,black walnut, sugar-maple, buckeye, elm, liackberry, &c., and the soil is ex-ceedingly fertile, producing abundant crops of cotton, corn, sweet potatoes, in-digo, garden vegetables, and fruit. Nearly all the country watered by theYazoo is described as incomparably fertile, well watered, and healthful.
Cotton is the staple production of the state. Peaches and figs are the fruitsmost easily produced. Apples, plums, lemons, and oranges are common.
The climate is temperate, and in the elevated parts generally healthy. Thelocal situation of this state, the fertility of its soil, the temperature of its cli-mate, and the value of its productions, will doubtless cause it to remain an im-portant part of the Union.
The Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians possess a large portion of the territoryof this state, embracing the northern and eastern parts. The tracts possessedby these tribes, comprise some of the finest parts of the state, abounding withextensive and beautiful prairies. The Choctaws and Chickasaws have wellcultivated fields, and great numbers of horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep. Manyof them arc mechanics, and their women spin and make cloth.
There are 8 banks and branches in this state; viz. 3 at Natchez , 1 at PortGibson, 2 at Vicksburg , 1 at Woodville, and 1 at Rodney.