Indeed, in this respect, Virginia stands unrivalled in the Union. The
hydraulic power of Virginia greatly exceeds that of Pennsylvania.
MINES.--Pennsylvania excels every other State in mineral
wealth, but Virginia comes next.
SOIL.--In natural fertility of soil, the two States are about
equal; but the seasons in Virginia are more favorable, both for crops
and stock, than in Pennsylvania. Virginia has all the agricultural
products of Pennsylvania, with cotton in addition. The area, however, of
Virginia (39,265,280 acres) being greater by 9,825,280 acres than that
of Pennsylvania (29,440,000 acres), gives to Virginia vast advantages.
In her greater area, her far superior coast line, harbors, rivers, and
hydraulic power, her longer and better seasons for crops and stock, and
greater variety of products, Virginia has vast natural advantages, and
with nearly double the population of Pennsylvania in 1790. And yet,
where has slavery placed Virginia? Pennsylvania exceeds her now in
numbers 1,308,797, and increased in population from 1790 to 1860, in a
ratio more than five to one. Such is the terrible contrast between free
and slave institutions!
PROGRESS OF WEALTH.--By Census Tables (1860) 33 and 36, it
appears (omitting commerce) that the products of industry, as given,
viz., of agriculture, manufactures, mines, and fisheries, were that year
in Pennsylvania, of the value of $399,600,000, or $138 _per capita_; and
in Virginia, $120,000,000, or $75 _per capita_.
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