BALTIMORE

BALTIMORE, in Maryland, one of the largest and most flourishing cities in the United States of North America, is situated on the north side of the Patapoco River or Bay, 14 miles above its entrance into the Chesapeake, 37 miles N.E. of Washington, and 100 S.W. of Philadelphia; Lat. 39. 17. N. Long. 76. 36. W. The natural advantages of this position were long overlooked by the settlers in the vicinity of the Chesapeake, and it was only in 1729 that they directed their attention to this place, and laid out a plan of the town. At this time a part of it was under cultivation as a farm, but all the rest was a wilderness. For some years its growth was by no means rapid, as it had to contend with all the obstacles that could be thrown in its way by the jealousy of older rivals. From an authentic sketch of Baltimore made in the year 1752, it appears that it then contained about 25 houses, only four of which were built of brick, the rest being of a more primitive structure. In 1768 it became the county town; and in 1775, according to a census then taken, it contained 564 houses, and 5934 inhabitants. From this time it rose rapidly into importance, and in 1780 became a port of entry, when a custom-house was opened. Previous to this all vessels trading to and from the port had to be entered, cleared, and registered at Annapolis. In December 1796 it obtained an act of incorporation. By the census of 1850 Baltimore contained 169,012 inhabitants, of whom 141,441 were whites, 24,625 free coloured, and 2946 slaves.

The city is pleasantly situated on slightly undulating ground, and extends about 4½ miles from E. to W., and 3½ from N. to S., covering an area of 10,000 acres. It is divided into two nearly equal parts by a rapid stream called Jones's Falls, crossed by a number of bridges. The division east of the falls is nominally subdivided into two parts—Fell's Point and Old Town. The former, the most easterly part of the town, is the principal resort of seamen, and is the place where the shipbuilding and manufactures are principally carried on. The Old Town lies to the N. and W. of this, and is principally inhabited by mechanics and labourers. The portion west of the Falls is likewise divided into two parts, the city proper and Spring Garden. The former is the centre of trade, and the residence of the more wealthy inhabitants; while the latter, which is the extreme south-western quarter, and the lowest and most unhealthy portion of the city, is inhabited by the poorer classes. Baltimore contains upwards of 100 churches, 3 universities, 4 colleges, about 50 grammar schools and academies, numerous common schools; an infirmary, several hospitals, orphan asylums, dispensaries, &c.; two theatres, a circus, a museum, and many beautiful and commodious public buildings. The city hall is a plain three-storied building, with a portico of four massive pillars. The court-house, a large and commodious edifice constructed of marble and brick, is 145 feet long, 65 wide, and two stories high. It is adorned with several Tuscan columns, and the whole is surmounted by a cupola of an imposing appearance. The state penitentiary consists of three large buildings, besides workshops, &c., and, with its gardens and walks, occupies an area of

Baltimore, four acres, surrounded by a stone wall 20 feet high. The Merchants' Exchange is a spacious building 225 feet long by 141 feet wide, and contains a reading-room, the custom-house, a bank, telegraphic offices, &c. The room in which the merchants' meetings are held is 53 feet square, and is lighted by a dome 115 feet above the street. On its east and west sides are colonnades, the columns of which are each a single block of fine Italian marble. Baltimore has also several splendid monuments, which have acquired for it the name of "the Monumental City." The largest of these, erected to the memory of Washington, stands on an eminence of 150 feet, and has, with its base, an altitude of 200 feet. It is built of white marble: the base is 50 feet square, and 20 feet in height, surmounted by a Doric column 20 feet in diameter, with a spiral staircase in its interior; and on the summit is a statue of Washington 13 feet high. The "Battle Monument," also of white marble, was erected by public subscription in 1815, to the memory of those who had fallen in defence of the city in the previous year. It is 52 feet high; the base is of Egyptian architecture; the column in the form of a bundle of Roman fasces, upon the bands of which are inscribed the names of those whom it commemorates; and the whole is surmounted by a female figure, the emblematical genius of the city. This city is supplied with water from an elevated part of Jones's Falls, by an aqueduct half a mile in length, and distribution pipes. There are also numerous public springs and fountains throughout the town.

The manufactures and commerce of Baltimore are very extensive and flourishing. There is scarcely a branch of industry that is not prosecuted to some extent in the city or its vicinity. Among these are shipbuilding, iron and copper works, woollen and cotton manufactures, pottery, sugar refining, distilling, saddlery, agricultural implement making, cabinet-making, tanning, &c. It is the greatest flour-market in the Union, and has a large export trade in tobacco. There belonged to the port of Baltimore, on the 30th June 1852, 159,408 tons of shipping; of which 63,608 tons were engaged in the coasting trade. There are twelve banks, with a capital (in 1853) of $7,291,415; ten fire and marine and one life insurance company, besides several agencies for other companies. The aggregate value of the different descriptions of property assessed in Baltimore for the year 1846 was $86,103,673; and for the year 1853, $104,801,438, being an increase of $18,697,765.

The harbour is excellent, and consists of three parts. Its entrance, between Fort M'Henry and the lazaretto, is about 600 yards wide, with 22 feet of water. This depth is continued with an increased width for a mile and a quarter, to near Fell's Point. The entrance to the second harbour is opposite Fell's Point, where the width is contracted to one-fourth of a mile, with a depth of 12 feet. Above this entrance it widens into an ellipse of a mile long, half a mile broad, and 15 feet deep. The third or inner harbour has a depth of 10 feet, and penetrates to near the centre of the city. Vessels of 500 or 600 tons can lie at the wharfs near Fell's Point, and those of 200 tons can come into the inner harbour. The harbour is well defended by Fort M'Henry.

The railroads of Baltimore are—the Philadelphia Wilmington and Baltimore line, opened in 1837—length, 98 miles; the Baltimore and Susquehanna, to York in Pennsylvania, opened in 1846—length 85 miles; the Baltimore and Ohio, to Wheeling, a branch of which goes to Washington, opened in 1853—length, including branches, 421 miles. It is in contemplation to extend the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to Parkersburg, and the Baltimore and Susquehanna railroad to Sunbury. It is also proposed to connect a branch to the Central Ohio railway at Zanesville with the Baltimore and Ohio line. See Gazetteer of the United States; De Bow's Industrial Resources, &c., of the Southern and Western States; Hunt's Merchants' Magazine.