in the county of Bergen. The next settlers were a colony of Swedes and Finns, who, in 1627, fixed themselves upon the River Delaware. They afterwards purchased from the natives the land on both sides of that river (then called New Swedeland Stream); and by presents, to the Indians chiefs, obtained the territory in a peaceful manner. The Dutch and Swedes, though not in perfect harmony with each other, kept possession of the country for many years. The Government of New Jersey subsequently became Proprietary, and thus continued until surrendered to the British Crown, 17th April, 1702. It thus became Royal, and so continued till the 4th July, 1776.

This State was the seat of war for several years during the contest between Great Britain and her American colonies. Her losses, both in lives and property, in proportion to population and wealth of the State, was greater than that of any other of the thirteen States. When General Washington was retreating through the Jerseys, nearly forsaken by all others, her militia were at all times obedient to his orders; and for a considerable length of time composed the strength of his army. There is hardly a town in the State that lay in the progress of the British army, that was not rendered signal by some great action or enterprise. At Trenton, on the night of Christmas day, 1776, the British received a check that might be said to have turned the tide of war; at Princetown they received another; which, united, obliged them to retire with precipitation, and to take

refuge in winter quarters. Throughout the revolutionary war, the many achievements performed by the Jersey soldiers give this State a high rank, and entitle her to a share of praise that bears no proportion to her size in establishing the independence of the United States.

New Constitution. A convention of delegates, chosen by the people, assembled at Trenton, May 14th, 1844, and prepared the draft of a new Constitution, which was submitted to the people on the 13th of August, was accepted by a great majority, and went into operation, September 2nd, 1844.

The right of suffrage is given to every white male citizen of the United States, who has resided in the State one year, and in the county where he claims to vote, five months; paupers, idiots, insane persons, and criminals, being excluded.

Members of the Senate and General Assembly are elected yearly, on the second Tuesday of October, and meet on the second Tuesday in the next January, when the legislative year commences. The Senate consists of one senator from each county, elected for three years, one-third going out each year. The General Assembly is not to consist of more than 60, chosen annually by appointment under the census.

The legislature shall not create any debts or liabilities which shall singly, or in the aggregate with any previous previous debts, exceed one hundred thousand dollars, except for purposes of war, or to repel invasion, or to suppress insurrection, unless

that the same shall be authorised by a law for some single object or work, to be distinctly specified therein; which law shall provide the ways and means, exclusive of loans, to pay the interest of such debt, as also to pay and discharge the principal of such debt or liability within thirty-five years from the time of the contracting thereof; and shall be irrepealable until such debt be fully paid; and no such law shall take effect until it shall have been submitted to the people, and have received a majority of all the votes cast for, and against it; and all money to be so raised shall be applied only to the specific object stated, and to the payment of the debt created.

The fund for the support of free schools, and all money added to it, shall remain a permanent fund, and shall not be used for any other purpose.

Charters for banks and money corporations require the assents of three-fifths of the members of each House, and are limited to twenty years.

The Governor holds office for three years, and receives a salary not to be altered during his continuance in office. He has a veto on the laws, but a majority of both Houses may pass the law again, after reconsideration, and it shall go into effect in spite of the veto. In case of his death, resignation, or removal, the President of the Senate takes his place.

Amendments to the Constitution must be passed by two Legislatures in succession, and then be referred to the people, and if accepted by a ma

jority of the people, shall go into effect. But amendments shall not be proposed oftener than once

The entire population of this State, according to the census of 1840, amounted to 373,306 persons, proportioned as follows, viz. 351,588 white, 21,044 free coloured, 674 slaves. New Jersey is the fifth State in point of dense population, belonging to the Union, possessing 44-8 inhabitants to a square mile. It sends five representatives to the United States Congress.

PENNSYLVANIA

Is bounded N. by New York and Lake Erie; E. by New Jersey; S.E. by Delaware; S. by Maryland and Virginia; and W. by part of Virginia and Ohio. It extends from 39° 42′ to 47° 17′ N. latitude, and from 30° 31′ W. longitude to 2° 18′ E. longitude from Washington. Its greatest length from east to west is 307 miles, and its average breadth 160; extent 44,000 square miles, being the twelfth State in

point of size comprised in the Union, and the second in extent of population, containing 1,744,033 inhabitants of all classes, apportioned as follows1,677,890 white, 47,854 free coloured, and 64 slaves. The principal rivers are the Delaware, Schuylkill, Lehigh, Susquehannah, Juniata, Alleghany, Monongahela and Ohio.

Pennsylvania is intersected by various mountains. The principal ridges of the Alleghany mountains comprehended in this State, are the Kittatinny or Blue Mountains; behind these, and nearly parallel to them, are Peters, Tuscarora, and and Nescopeck Mountains, on the east side of the Susquehannah; on the west, Sharemans Hill, Sideling Hill, Ragged, Great, Warrior's, Evit's, and Wills Mountains; then the great Alleghany ridge, which, being the largest, gives name to the whole; and west of this are the Chesnut ridges. Between the Juniata and the west bank of the Susquehannah, are Jacks, Tussys, Nittiny and Bald Eagle Mountains. The valleys between these mountains are often of a rich black soil, suited to the various kinds of grass and grain. Some of the mountains admit of cultivation almost to their summits. The other parts of the State are generally level, or agreeably diversified with hills and valleys.

The climate of Pennsylvania is very variable, especially on the east of the mountains, which is subject to great and sudden changes; but on the west it is much more agreeable and temperate, with a greater portion of cloudy weather, and the winters milder and more humid than on the Atlantic. The