Ahode Island & Providence Plantations. diction Line of Massachusetts Rhode Island &c. Govenor of the State of Rhode Island. Hartford, Published by Wm. S. Marsh, for a Gazetteer of Rhode-Island 1819. GENERAL GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND. The State of Rhode-Island is situated between 41 and 42o north lat. and between 3o 11'and 4° east lon.; and is bounded on the north and east by the State of Massachusetts, on the south by the Atlantic ocean, and on the west by the State of Connecticut. The average length of the State, from north to south, is more than 42 miles, and its mean breadth is about 29 miles, comprising an area of 1225 square miles, inclusive of the waters of Narragansett bay, which comprise about 130 square miles. The following TABLE exhibits a view of the counties in the State; the square miles in each; the number of towns; the seats of justice; the principal villages, &c. The natural features of this State are in some respects very peculiar. By casting a glance at the map, it will be perceived that the proportion which the waters bear to the land is much greater than in any other State in the Union; about one tenth part of the territorial limits of the State being water. The continental part of the State possesses considerable uniformity, as it respects surface, soil and geological structure. There are no ranges of mountains in this section, or in any other part of the State, nor any mountainous tracts; yet, with the exception of the immediate borders of Narraganset bay, and the Atlantic ocean, and some intervales upon the streams, it is somewhat of a rough country, being considerably hilly and rocky. This part of the State, exhibiting great uniformity, possesses a similar geological character; the rocks consisting of granite and other original formations. There are some level tracts upon the borders of Narragansett river, and some flats upon the shores of the Atlantic, in the southwest section of the State. The most considerable eminences are Mount Hope, in Bristol, Hopkins' Hill, in West-Greenwich, and Woonsoket Hill, in Smithfield. There are also some hills of considerable elevation in Exeter. RhodeIsland, and most of the other islands in the Narragansett bay, disclose a geological structure, of the transition character, and present a surface generally undulating, and often highly picturesque and beautiful. The mineral treasures of the State have not been explored by the lights of science, or the unerring hand of practical knowledge; but so far as they are known, they are not extensive or valuable. Iron ore is the most important mineral. It is found in Cranston, of an excellent quality, and in some other places in the county of Providence. Mineral coal is found at Portsmouth, upon Rhode-Island. Limestone abounds in the northeastern section of the State; and in these calcareous strata there are some excellent quarries of marble. Serpentine marble is also found at Newport; and there are in various places extensive quarries of freestone, valuable for building and other uses. Those in Johnston are the most important. This State, considering the smallness of its dimensions,possesses ample resources for agricultural opulence. The soil, according to the operation of the established laws of nature, corresponding with the geological structure, exhibits considerable uniformity; being, in the continental section, generally, a primitive gravelly loam, which is deep, strong and fertile, but does not afford very great facilities of cultivation. It requires industry, and seems to bear the impress, illustrative of the justness of the declaration, that by the "sweat of the brow" man shall earn his bread. Upon Rhode-Island, the soil is of a shistic or slaty character, generally very fertile. In the county of Bristol, it is a rich garden mould; and in the northwestern section of the State there are some tracts possessing a soil which is hard, dry and sterile. There are some small tracts of sandy loam interspersed in various parts of the State, and some few pine plains. The proportion of alluvial is very inconsiderable; and there are no calcareous districts of any extent, and few argillaceous; although there are some small sections of the latter upon the borders of the rivers. Natural and Agricultural Productions.-There are no extensive forests in the State; but what there are, are almost exclusively of the deciduous species of trees, of which, oak of the various kinds, chesnut and walnut are the most prevalent and important. There are, however, some small tracts of pine, and some of cedar. A great pro |