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232 COLORED POPULATION

COLORED POPULATION IN PHILADELPHIA.
FROM THE NATIONAL INQUIRER.

A Philanthropic gentleman of the South, applied to us a short time since, for a statement of the condition of the colored people of this city. His object was to ascertain whether the reports, industriously circulated by the enemies of emancipation, respecting the extreme degradation and pauperism of this class of our population, were true or false. From personal observation, when he had been on a short visit to this place, he was strongly inclined to doubt the truth of the reports in question.
 2. In obedience to the request of this gentleman, we immediately proceeded to make inquiry, and procured such information for him as the nature of the circumstances, and the short time allowed, would permit. Although the inquiry was very limited, extending to but two districts for most of the particulars, we trust it will throw some light upon an important subject, and undeceive the public, measurably at least, in relation to it. The principal topics submitted for investigation were embraced in sundry queries, propounded by the gentleman aforesaid.
 3. 1st Query.—“What is the amount of the free colored population of Philadelphia?” The

IN PHILADELPHIA. 233

district of Southwark contains 921 men, 1,045 women, 635 boys, 674 girls; total, 3,275. The district of Northern Liberties contains 276 men, 318 women, 265 boys, 371 girls; total. 1,230: 4,505 in all. Although this does not include the whole city, the greater portion of the colored population is located within these divisions.
 4. 2d Query.—“What proportion is able to read?” In Southwark, 858, Northern Liberties, 172; these are adults: a nearly equal number of children, say 970, can read: total, 2,000. In these districts there are many more poor and ignorant persons than in the other parts of the city, proportionably.
 5. 3d Query.—“What proportion is acquainted with the other elements of common education?” In the Northern Liberties only, information has been obtained. It appears that 92 of their number, in that district, can write. We have no account of their proficiency in other branches of education, but we have been informed by teachers, that the blacks are as apt in Lea arithmetic, &c., as the whites.
 6. 4th Query.—“How many schools, and what number under instruction?” We have no estimate of the number of common schools. There are six Sunday schools in the city. The number under instruction cannot at present be ascertained. But they suffer much inconvenience in this respect from the prejudice against their color.
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