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H. R. HELPER, Esq.,

In 1857 total value,

$171,000,000

On half a dozen streets in this city lots sell readily at $1,000 to $1,200 per foot front, exclusive of improvements.

A census of the population of Chicago was taken in October, 1853, and in June, 1855, the latter by State authority. That of October '53 found 60,652; that of June '55 found 80,509. The best estimate at present makes the number, on May 1st, 1857, to be 112,000, which is rather under than over the truth. The amount of building, in the city, is immense, but as quickly as a tenement can be spiked together, it is taken at a high rent; and at no former period has there seemed so rapid an augmentation of population. Very truly yours, RAY & MEDILL, Eds. Ch. Trib.

RICHMOND, Va.
April 25th, '57.

Dear Sir:

Yours of the 14th inst. has been received, and should have been answered sooner, but it was impossible to get the information you desired earlier. The value of the real estate in the city of Richmond is $18,000,000. The value of the personal is $191,920. Total value $18,201,920. This does not include slaves, of whom there are 6,472 in the city. The State values each slave at $300

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H. R. HELPER, ESQ.,

Yours of 25th is this moment received. You will receive with this a communication from the Chairman of the Board of Assessors, giving the requisite information from that department. I send you this day a census report, taken 1855, which will give you the information asked. Our population at this time is beRespectfully, tween 50 and 60,000.

JAMES Y. SMITH,

Mayor.

ASSESSOR'S OFFICE,
Providence, Dec. 31st, 1856.

Dear Sir:

His Honor, the Mayor of this City, has requested me to answer your communication of the 25th inst., addressed to him, so far as relates to the valuation of this city, &c., which is herewith presented.

The valuation of this City in 1856 is as follows:

Real Estate,
Personal Estate,

- $36,487,116

21,577,400

Total,

$58,064,516

Our last assessment was ordered in June last, and completed on the 1st day of September last.

Rates of taxation $7 75 per $1000.
Amount of tax raised $450,000.

Respectfully yours,

JOSEPH MARTIN,

Chairman of the Board of Assessors.

H. R. HELPER, Esq.,
New-York,

HERALD OFFICE, Norfolk, Va., 28th April, 1857.

Dear Sir:

The value of all the real estate, as re-assessed about two months ago, is set down, say, in round numbers, at five and a half millions. The actual value would bring it somewhat above that mark. The assessment of the personal property will be completed in three or four weeks hence; but its exact value cannot be arrived at from the fact that a large portion of this description of property-including slaves-is taxed specifically without regard to its value. It is estimated by the assessors, however, that the personal exceeds the real estate, and may be safely set down at six and a half millions.

There has been no census taken since 1850. The State authorities assume the population to be 16,000, but I am informed by the assessors that 17,000 is a fairer estimate.

Hoping that the information given may answer the purpose for which you require it, I am, Respectfully yours,

R. G. BROUGHTON.

MAYOR'S OFFICE,
Buffalo, March 10, 1857.

Dear Sir:-Yours, of the 9th inst., was received this morning. The answers to your questions are as follows:

The last valuation of the property of our city was made in April, 1856.

Valuation of real estate,

"C

. $38,114,040

personal estate, .
7,360,436
Total real and personal, $45,474,476

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COMMERCIAL CITIES-SOUTHERN COMMERCE.

345

The last census was the State census, taken in the summer of 1855. That showed a population of 74,214; a fair estimate now is 90,000. Respectfully,

H. R. HELPER, ESQ.,

New-York,

Your ob't serv't,

Dear Sir:

In reply to your first interrogatory, I send you the last Mayor's report, in which you will find the information you seek. No census has been taken of the city since 1850.

The estimated population is 25,000.

F. P. STEVENS.

MAYOR'S OFFICE,
Savannah, 9th January, 1856.

}

Very respectfully yours,

Mayor.

From the Mayor's annual report, we learn that the "assessments or value of lands and improvements," for the year ending October 31st, 1856, amounted to $8,999,015. The value of the personal property is, perhaps, about $3,000,000-total value of real and personal estate $11,999,015.

J. P. SCREVEN,

H. R. HELPER :-

Yours of the 4th inst. came to hand this morning.

In reply to your inquiries, I will say that the amount assessed

on the 1st day of May, 1856, was as follows:

Real Estate,
Personal, -

Total,

CITY OF NEW-BEDFORD,

Mayor's Room, 1 mo., 6th, 1857.

$9,311,500 - 17,735,500

$27,047,000

The returns of a census taken the previous autumn gave 20,391 persons, from which there is not probably much change. Respectfully, GEO. HOWLAND, JR. Mayor.

MAYOR'S OFFICE,

Wilmington, N. C., May 23d, 1857.)

H. R. HELPER, Esq.,
New-York,

Dear Sir:

I am in receipt of yours of 19th inst. The value of real estate as per last assessment, 1st April, 1856, was

$3,350,000

We have no system by which to arrive at the value of personal property: I estimate the amount, however, exclusive of merchandize, at

$4,509,000

There has been no census taken since 1850-the present number of inhabitants is estimated at 10,000.

I regret my inability to afford you more definite information. Very respectfully, &c.,

0. G. PARSLEY,

Mayor.

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