Delaware

(del'ah-wahr,) a very considerable river of the middle E. States of the American Union. It rises in the W. base of the Cat skill range in N. Y. State, and thence pa es S.W. and S.E. into Pennsylvania, forming the boundary line between those States. At this point its course is through the picturesque scenery of what is called the Delaware Water Gap. Thence skirting New Jersey, it falls into Delaware Bay about 40 m. below Philadelphia, after an entire course of abt. 300 m. This river is navigable for ships of large tonnage as far as Philadelphia, and for steamboats to Trenton. Delaware, one of the original thirteen States of the American Union, extends over a large part of the peninsula formed by the bays of Delaware and Chesapeake, that is to say, from Lat. 38° 28′, to 39° 50′ N., and bet. Lon. 75° and 75° 45′,W. The State isb. N. by Pennsylvania, E. by Delaware Bay and the Atlantic, and S. and W.by Maryland; having a maximum length of abt. 96 miles, by a breadth of 37. Area, 2,120 sq. miles, or 1,356,000 acres. The N. part of the State has an undulating, even hilly, surface, but, going southward, it gradually subsides to almost a dead level, and, where it approaches the seaboard, becomes swampy and but little elevated above high-water mark. Although several rivers empty into the bays on either side-such as the Nanticoke and Choptank into that of Chesapeake, and the Christian a and Brandy wine creeks into that of Delaware-no harbors, save the indifferent one of New Castle, are formed along the coast-line. Climate healthy, but inclined to extremes of temp., with respect to the N. and S. divisions of the State. In the N.districts of D. the soil is good and substantial, but deteriorates in quality the further it advances S. The usual cereals, with flax, are the customary agricultural yields. An important item of husbandry is the cultivation of peaches, of which fruit D. exports immense quantities. The mineralogical features of the State are poor; China clay, bog-iron ore, and several kinds of marls being the only deposits worthy of mention. From a manufacturing point of view, this State is one of great importance: textile fabrics, iron-wares, and milling of wheat forming considerable items of profitable industry. D. is divided into the 3cos. ofKent, Su ex, and New Castle, and has as her principal places of trade and pop. Wilmington, New Castle, Dover (State C.), Lewes, and Smyrna. The State legislature comprises 2 houses-a Senate and House of Representatives, and the executive is vested in a governor elected for 4 years. The political constitution varies little from that of neighboring States; but the criminal laws are exceptionally severe, the punishments of the pillory and lash being frequently inflicted in cases of felony. D. sends one representative to Congre ; she ratified the National Constitution in 1787, and has, hitherto, rejected the 15th Amendment thereto. The State indebtedne , 1870-71, amounted to $1,632,000, being an increase of $176,000 upon her previous liabilities. The State in 1851 contained39 m. of completed railroad; in 1861, 127 m.; and D. in takes 1872, 254 m. its name from Lord De la Warr, governor of Virginia, 1610, and in 1627 it was settled by the Swedes, who subsequently gave their colony the name of New Sweden. In 1,655 it pa ed into the hands of the Dutch, and in 1664 into those of the English. In 1682, the colony was granted to Wm. Penn, who, in 1685, annexed it to Pennsylvania. In 1703 it was allowed to return to its former status, and in 1776, D. declared an independent constitution, which was amended in 1831. Pop. 125,015. Delaware, in Indiana, an E. co.; area, 400 sq. m.; C. Muncie. Pop. 19,030. -In Iowa, an E.N.E. co.; area, 18 2 K 576 sq. m.; C. Delhi. Pop. 13,472.-In New York, a S.S.E. co.; area, 1,550 sq. m.; C. Delhi. Pop. 42,972.In Ohio, a central co.; area, 458 sq. m.; C. Delaware. Pop. 25,175.- A manufacturing town, C. of above co., on the Olentangy river, abt. 24 m. N. of Columbus. The Wesley an University here, founded in 1845, po e es a fine library. Pop. 5,641.- In Pennsylvania, a S.E. co.. b. on Delaware; area, 180 sq. m.; C. Media. Pop. 39,403. [s. 273]