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New York
by James Fenimore Cooper
THE increase of the towns of Manhattan； as； for the sake of
convenience； we shall term New York and her adjuncts； in all that
contributes to the importance of a great commercial mart； renders
them one of the most remarkable places of the present age。 Within
the distinct recollections of living men； they have grown from a
city of the fifth or sixth class to be near the head of all the
purely trading places of the known world。 That there are
sufficient causes for this unparalleled prosperity； will appear
in the analysis of the natural advantages of the port； in its
position； security； accessories； and scale。
The State of New York had been steadily advancing in population；
resources； and power； ever since the peace of 1785。 At that time
it bore but a secondary rank among what were then considered the
great States of the Confederacy。 Massachusetts； proper and
singly； then outnumbered us； while New England； collectively；
must have had some six or seven times our people。 A very few
years of peace； however； brought material changes。 In 1790； the
year in which the first census under the law of Congress was
taken； the State already contained 340；120 souls； while New
England had a few more than a million。 It is worthy of remark
that； sixty years since； the entire State had but little more
than half of the population of the Manhattanese towns at the
present moment！ Each succeeding census diminished these
proportions； until that of l830； when the return for the State of
New York gave 1；372；812； and for New England 1；954；709。 At this
time； and for a considerable period preceding and succeeding it；
it was found that the proportion between the people of the State
of New York and the people of the city； was about as ten to one。
Between 1830 and 1840； the former had so far increased in numbers
as to possess as many people as ALL New England。 In the next
decade； this proportion was exceeded； and the late returns show
that New York； singly； has passed ahead of all her enterprising
neighbors in that section of the Union。 At the same time； the old
proportion between the State and the townor； to be more
accurate； the TOWNS on the Bay of New York and its watershas
been entirely lost； five to one being near the truth at the
present moment。 It is easy to foresee that the time is not very
distant when two to one will be maintained with difficulty； as
between the State and its commercial capital。
Bold as the foregoing prediction may seem； the facts of the last
half century will； we think； justify it。 If the Manhattan towns；
or Manhattan； as we shall not scruple to term the several places
that compose the prosperous sisterhood at the mouth of the
Hudsona name that is more ancient and better adapted to the
history； associations； and convenience of the place than any
othercontinue to prosper as they have done； ere the close of
the present century they will take their station among the
capitals of the first rank。 It may require a longer period to
collect the accessories of a first…class place； for these are the
products of time and cultivation； though the facilities of
intercourse； the spirit of the age； and the equalizing sentiment
that marks the civilization of the epoch； will greatly hasten
everything in the shape of improvement。
New York will probably never possess any churches of an
architecture to attract attention for their magnitude and
magnificence。 The policy of the country； which separates religion
from the state； precludes this； by confining all the expenditures
of this nature to the several parishes； few of which are rich
enough to do more than erect edifices of moderate dimensions and
cost。 The Romish Church； so much addicted to addressing the
senses； manifests some desire to construct its cathedrals； but
they are necessarily confined to the limits and ornaments suited
to the resources of a branch of the church that； in this country；
is by no means affluent。 The manner in which the Americans are
subdivided into sects also conflicts with any commendable desire
that may exist to build glorious temples in honor of the Deity：
and convenience is more consulted than taste； perhaps； in all
that relates to ecclesiastical architecture。 Nevertheless； a
sensible improvement in this respect has occurred within the last
few years； to which we shall elsewhere advert。
It will be in their trade； their resources； their activity； and
their influence on the rest of the world； as well as in their
population； that the towns of Manhattan will be first entitled to
rank with the larger capitals of Europe。 So obvious； rapid； and
natural has been the advance of all the places； that it is not
easy for the mind to regard anything belonging to them as
extraordinary； or out of rule。 There is not a port in the whole
country that is less indebted to art and the fostering hand of
Government than this。 It is true； certain forts； most of them of
very doubtful necessity； have been constructed for defence； but
no attack having ever been contemplated； or； if contemplated；
attempted； they have been dead letters in the history of its
progress。 We are not aware that Government has ever expended one
cent in the waters of Manhattan； except for the surveys；
construction of the aforesaid military works； and the erection of
the lighthouses； that form a part of the general provision for
the safe navigation of the entire coast。 Some money has been
expended for the improvement of the shallow waters of the Hudson；
but it has been as much； or more； for the advantage of the upper
towns； and the trade coastwise； generally； than for the special
benefit of New York。
The immense natural advantages of the bays and islands at the
mouth of the Hudson have； in a great degree； superseded the
necessity of such assistance。 Nature has made every material
provision for a mart of the first importance： and perhaps it has
been fortunate that the towns have been left； like healthful and
vigorous children； managed by prudent parents； to take the
inclination and growth pointed out to them by this safest and
best of guides。
London is indebted to artificial causes； in a great degree； for
its growth and power。 That great law of trade； which renders
settling places indispensable； has contributed to her prosperity
and continued ascendency； long after the day when rival ports are
carrying away her fleets and commerce。 She is a proof of the
difficulty of shaking a commercial superiority long established。
Scarce a cargo that enters the ports of the kingdom that does not
pay tribute to her bankers or merchants。 But London is a
political capital； and that in a country where the representation
of the Government is more imposing； possessing greater influence；
than in any other Christian nation。 The English aristocracy；
which wields the real authority of the state； here makes its
annual exhibition of luxury and w