The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 41, July 1937 - April, 1938 Page: 277
383 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Book Reviews
"in the hands of persons who regard them as semi-private prop-
erty" or they are parts of large "uncatalogued masses of manu-
script."
One task which the author has set herself is to determine, as
nearly as possible, the population of the colonies in 1775. In the
absence of population statistics in several of the colonies, several
sets of figures, such as the governors' "Answers to the Queries,"
tax lists, and head grants, were used. In South Carolina the
population was estimated on the basis of the census of 1790 and
then distributed, but with what feeling of sureness and satisfac-
tion the author does not reveal. The completion of this task dis-
closes an estimated population of 2,507,180 in the colonies in 1775.
Another task is to find where and why population began in a
colony, "what paths it followed and what conditions predestined
its growth; what racial strains predominated and their location;
. . . why towns grew up and what industries brought men to-
gether; [and] why extensive areas remained essentially rural
despite artificial means to induce trading centers at points seem-
ingly favored by nature for industry and commerce." Religious
and political freedom, the shifting of racial stocks, topography
and soil fertility, farming, lumbering, fishing, the fur trade, the
production of naval stores, iron mining, land speculation, and
the system of land tenure had to be discussed in the solution of
the second task.
Eight chapters and a conclusion constitute the bulk of the book.
An unusual feature is the location of the bibliography immediately
before the treatment proper. Helpful population tables consume
nearly forty pages, and an extended appendix on colonial imports
and exports accounts for another fifty-five pages. Three carefully
done dot maps add to the usefulness of the book, and the docu-
mentation reveals the author's painstaking care. In the prevailing
purpose of accounting for the population distribution in the colonies
the book has an impelling appeal.
R. L. BIESELE.
The University of Texas.277
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 41, July 1937 - April, 1938, periodical, 1938; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101103/m1/299/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.