and Arkansas, S. by Red River, which separates it from Texas, and W. by the state of Texas. It is 320 miles in length from E. to W., and 225 miles broad, and contains an area of about 72,000 square miles. The surface of the country is level, except in the south-eastern corner, where it is crossed by the Ozark Hills, and has a gradual declination eastwards to the Mississippi. The principal streams are the Arkansas, which flows through the country from N. to S., and Red River. Both are tributaries of the Mississippi, and are navigable for small steamboats. In the eastern half of the territory, where alone agriculture is prosecuted, the soil is fertile. In its western division, on the other hand, the country is flat, with a dry soil, and the water in the pools brackish. The inhabitants are wholly Indian, and comprise both the tribes native to the district, and those that have immigrated from E. of the Mississippi. The Indian Territory was allotted to the Red Men of the United States in 1854, for the purpose of giving those that had been dispossessed of their lands a safe and permanent abode. The measure has been already attended with beneficial results. The tribes from the E., who had long had intercourse with the whites, on arriving in their new country, at once commenced agricultural pursuits and rude manufactures, and now raise crops of grain and cotton sufficient for home consumption. The latter is for the most part spun by the women, but a few mills are gradually beginning to spring up. Hunting is pursued by the less civilized tribes of the western division, where the grizzly bear, wild goat, and deer are found, and the buffalo and wild horse roam in formidable herds. The chief of these tribes are the Osages, Kansas, Otoes, Omahas, Pawnees, and Puncas. Of the eastern tribes which have immigrated into the Territory, and there enjoy each a district and constitution of its own, may be named the Creeks, Cherokee, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Seminoles, Senecas, and Quapaws. The first of these came from Georgia and Alabama, and now occupy the country N. of Canadian River. They have written laws and a liberal form of government, and are rapidly progressing towards civilization. The Cherokees, who claim consanguinity with the Creeks, are the most civilized of all the tribes in the Territory. They immigrated from the highlands of Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Upper Tennessee, in 1836, having sold their ancient possessions to the government, and took up their abode in the Indian Territory to the N. of Arkansas River. Their tract of land is divided into 8 districts, each returning, every four years, 5 members to the general council, which is made up of a committee and minor council; the former consisting of 16 representatives, and the minor council of 24, are held in the town of Tablequah, N. of the Arkansas. The executive is vested in a chief, assisted by 3 assessors, chosen for four years by the general council. A printing press is established at Tablequah, the capital, where newspapers are regularly published. The next two tribes, the Choctaws and Chickasaws, are kindred nations that formerly peopled the Mississippi valley, and now occupy the country S. of Canadian River. They amalgamated in their new home, and are now governed by the same laws. Their national council consists of 40 members, elected by qualified citizens. The four districts, however, into which their settlement is divided, are each governed by a chief, who has the right of a qualified veto on all laws passed by the national council. This tribe has a military organization, every male adult being subject to service, and each district supplying 53 captains, who are under the command of the general-in-chief. Their principal town, called Council House, is situated on Kiamishi River, a tributary of Red River. The only other tribes that inhabit the Territory are the Senecas and Quapaws, once powerful nations, but now rapidly becoming extinct. All these tribes dwell in villages, and follow the plough. Their progress in civilization is almost wholly attributable to the labours of the missionaries, who, in spreading the Christian faith, have not forgotten to sow the seeds of social comfort and advancement. There is no census of the population, which is roughly estimated at about 100,000 persons.one of the United States of North America, is bounded, E. by the State of Ohio, S. by the River Ohio, which separates it from Kentucky, W. by Illinois, from which it is partly separated by the Wabash River, and N. by Michigan and Lake Michigan. It lies between 37. 51 and 40. 46. N. Lat., and 85. 49. and 88. 2. W. Long. Extreme length from N. to S., 276 miles; greatest breadth, 175 miles. Area 33,809 square miles.

Indiana may be generally characterized as a great plain, inclining towards the S.W. A range of hills extends along the Ohio from the mouth of the Great Miami to Blue River, and the shore of Lake Michigan is lined by large sandy hills, which rise to a height of 200 feet. In some other parts are to be found "knobs," but these are seldom of great extent or elevation. The surface of the country naturally divides itself into several extensive river valleys. The valley of the Ohio, comprising an area of about 5500 square miles, is a limestone tract, and was originally covered with forests. About one-third of it is rugged and broken, so as to be unfit for cultivation. The White River Valley, extending through the centre of the state, from the Wabash to the Ohio, contains about 9000 square miles. This district is almost uniformly level, and richly wooded, except in the west, where there are some ranges of low rugged hills, and several patches of prairie ground. The soil is of the richest kind. The Wabash Valley is much larger than the others, and contains upwards of 12,000 square miles. The eastern portion equals the White River Valley in fertility, but the other parts are not so productive. The northern part of the state, watered by the St Joseph and the Kankakee rivers, is somewhat more swampy than the Wabash Valley; and a large tract, comprising the sandhills on Lake Michigan, is covered only with stunted pines and burr oaks.

The state is well watered by numerous beautiful streams and rivers, but with the exception of the Ohio and Wabash, few of them are navigable. The Wabash is the largest river that has its course mainly within the state, and together with its branches, drains three-fourths of the entire surface. It rises in the W. of Ohio, and flows first in a Indiana, N.W. direction, and then S.W., till it meets the boundary of Illinois, which it follows southward for more than 100 miles, till it falls into the Ohio, after a course of upwards of 500 miles; for 400 of which it is navigable for steamboats at high water. The Ohio forms the entire southern boundary of the state. The other principal rivers of Indiana are tributaries of the Wabash. The White River, the most important of these, is formed by the W. and E. Forks—two rivers, respectively about 300 and 200 miles long—which unite about 100 miles above its confluence with the Wabash. The Miami is formed by the St Joseph and St Mary in the N.E., and falls into the Ohio. The Upper St Joseph, with its tributaries, passes through the northern counties, and falls into Lake Michigan.

Indiana resembles the other western states N. of the Ohio in climate. They are generally milder than those on the Atlantic coasts, but very subject to sudden changes. The winter is very severe in the northern parts, but more genial in the southern. Except in the neighbourhood of wet prairies and swamps the climate is everywhere healthy.

Dr Owen, speaking of the geological position of Indiana, remarks, that "it possesses all the elements of extraordinary fertility." The richest soil is that of the river bottoms, where it is very deep and exceedingly fertile. The most productive are those enclosed by the River Hills, which run parallel to the Ohio and other rivers. The extensive valley of the Wabash is a tract of this description. Behind the River Hills, a table-land spreads out, forming what may be called the interior of the country, and here, instead of the bottom-lands or river-valleys, there are vast prairies. The soil of these is not so luxuriant, but is such as amply to repay the expense of culture. Even the wet and marshy parts of the state admit of being brought under cultivation. Indiana ranks fourth of the states of the Union in the absolute amount of Indian corn raised. It also produces large quantities of wheat, oats, and Irish potatoes, as well as a fair proportion of the other productions common to the Western States.

The number of farms in Indiana under cultivation in 1850 comprised 93,896 acres, and the extent of improved land was 5,046,543 acres; of unimproved, 7,746,879 acres. The value of the farms returned was L27,277,034. The orchard produce was estimated at L64,988, and market-garden products, L14,573.

The chief minerals of Indiana are coal, iron, lime, marble, freestone, and some copper. Of these the first is by far the most important. It has been estimated that the coal beds of Indiana cover 7700 square miles, and are capable of yielding 50,000,000 bushels to the square mile. One coal deposit commences in Perry county, and extends N.W. into the county of Vermillion upwards of 150 miles.

The manufacturing capital of Indiana, in 1850, amounted to 7,941,602 dollars. The value of raw material, &c., consumed in the year had been 10,214,337 dollars. The products were valued at 18,922,651 dollars. There were on June 1, 1850, 4326 industrial establishments, producing annually to the value of 500 dollars and upwards. Of these, two were cotton factories, twenty-three woollen factories, nineteen iron works, and 358 tanneries.

Indiana has no direct foreign commerce, but it has a considerable transit trade, and exports large quantities of agricultural produce. The facilities for internal communication are great, and rapidly increasing. The principal canals are the Wabash and Erie Canal between Evansville, on the Ohio, and Toledo, on Lake Erie, 467 miles, of which 379 miles are in Indiana; and the White Water Canal, 68 miles long, uniting Lawrenceburg, on the Ohio, with Hagerstown. In 1853 the state had 755 miles of railroad completed, and 979 in course of construction. The principal railroads centre in Indianapolis, and radiate from that city in all directions. In 1854 the projected and incomplete railroads were the Evansville and Terre Haute (27 miles finished); Indianapolis and Lawrenceburg (63 miles finished); Indianapolis and Peru (30 miles finished); Junction, New Albany and Salem (83 miles finished); Fort Mayne and Muncie, Ohio and Mississippi, and Richmond and Logansport.

Indiana is divided into 91 counties. Its capital is Indianapolis (pop. 8080), near the centre of the state; but the largest town is New Albany (pop. (1850) 8181); and there are a good many others very little inferior in size. The following table shows the state of the population during the present century:

| Year | White | Coloured | Free | Slaves | Total | |------|-------|---------|-----|-------|-------| | 1800 | 4,577 | | | | 4,577 | | 1810 | 23,800| | | | 24,520| | 1820 | 145,758| | | | 147,178| | 1830 | 339,299| | | | 343,031| | 1840 | 678,698| | | | 685,866| | 1850 | 977,605| | | | 988,416|

The last census returned 337 deaf and dumb, 353 blind, 563 insane, and 938 idiotic.

By the ratio of the population, the state is entitled to send 11 representatives to Congress; and like the other states, 2 members to the Senate. The constitution of Indiana was framed in convention 10th February 1851, ratified by the people 4th August, and came into operation 1st November the same year. It provides that every white male citizen, of the United States, 21 years of age, who has resided in the state 6 months, is entitled to vote at the elections. Every white male of foreign birth, 21 years of age, who has resided in the United States 1 year, and in the state 6 months, may vote at next election, provided he has duly intimated his intention to become a citizen of the United States. Elections by the people are by ballot. Elections by the General Assembly voted roar.

The General Assembly consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives; the Senate of not more than 50 members, chosen for 4 years; the House of Representatives of not more than 100 members, chosen for 2 years. The governor has a salary of 1500 dollars and a furnished house; the lieutenant-governor and president of the senate 3 dollars a-day.

The judiciary consists of a supreme court of 4 judges, 13 circuit courts, and 44 courts of common pleas.

In 1850 there were in Indiana 1947 churches. Of these, 745 belonged to the Methodists; 412 to the various sects of Baptists; 267 to the Presbyterians; 182 to the Christians; 85 to the Friends; 63 to the Roman Catholics; 60 to the Lutherans; 53 to the Moravians; 24 to the Episcopalians; 15 to the Universalists; 10 to the Free, and 31 to the minor sects, having accommodation for 689,230 persons. The value of church property is 1,512,485 dollars.

The legislature of Indiana, by an act of 5th March 1855, made a new provision for a general system of common schools. A state board of education is established, consisting of the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and auditor, the attorney-general, and the superintendent of public instruction, who meet once a year. The superintendent, who is elected by the people for two years, must spend one day annually in each county. The board of trustees of each township, has the general custody and management of the school property and lands, and a limited power to levy taxes for building school-houses, and authority to employ teachers when the people do not appoint them. The funds are derived from various sources. In 1854, the total amount was 2,559,308 dollars; the number of schools was 2622; of scholars, 445,761; of teachers, 3,098; being males, 2,432, and females 666. Salaries of teachers, average per month, male, 23-01 dollars; female, 15-62 dollars.

In 1850, there were 11 universities and colleges, having 61 professors and teachers, and 1069 students. The universities have each a law faculty, and there are medical colleges at La Porte and Indianapolis, both in a flourishing condition. At Hanover is also the Indiana theological seminary (Presbyterian) a branch of the Hanover College. In 1850, the number of public libraries was 151, containing 68,403 volumes. The periodical press in 1850 consisted of 121 publications; of these one only was a monthly magazine, the remainder were newspapers, appearing at various intervals, from a day to a week.

Indiana stands among the first of the western states in respect of provision for the unfortunate. The principal of its benevolent institutions are the institution for the blind, having, in 1851, 52 patients; an asylum for the deaf and dumb, having, in 1854, 139 pupils; and the hospital for the insane, having, in 1854, 163 patients. Every deaf-mute, between the ages of 10 and 30, belonging to the state, is entitled to admission gratis into the asylum, where every attention is paid to the education and wants of the inmates.

The total revenue of the state, in 1854, from all sources, was ........................................... 2,609,175 dollars.

Total warrants on the treasury for the same period, were ......................... 1,645,544

Balance, 1st November 1854 ........................................... 963,630

State debt, prior to 1847 was, total ........................................... 14,374,640

Total debt was reduced to, 1st Nov. 1855 ........................................... 7,338,473

In the early part of the 18th century, the French settled in Indiana. They occupied several posts as early as the year 1702. But like other French settlements, these remained nearly stationary till long after the American Revolution. They lived on terms of amity with the neighbouring savages, and became greatly assimilated to them in their manners and customs. They joined them in their hunting excursions, and subsisted more by the chase than the produce of agriculture. They even formed matrimonial alliances with them. Indiana formed, with Illinois, a territorial government in 1801. In 1809, it was separated from Illinois, and was admitted into the union as an independent state in December 1816.

The chief natural curiosities of Indiana are—the Wyandotte Cave, in Crawford County, and Epsom Salts Cave, on the Big Blue River. The latter is situated on the side of a hill, 400 feet high. About 2500 yards from the entrance to the cave is a white column, 15 feet in diameter, and 30 feet in height, regularly fluted and surrounded by smaller and similar columns. The earth of the floor yields epsom salts, nitre, aluminous earth, and gypsum. Within the cave is a rude painting of an Indian Chief. Wyandotte Cave had been explored, previous to 1850, for 3 miles. In that year new chambers and galleries were discovered more extensive than the old, and abounding in stalactites and other calcareous concretions, some of great size and splendour.