H. R. Helper, Esq.,
Dear Sir—
His Honor the Mayor of this City has requested me to reply to your communication of the 24th inst., addressed to him, requesting answers to certain questions.
In answer to your first interrogatory, I would state that the amount of direct taxation assessed January 1st, 1856, was $102,053,839; the amount of exempt taxation (i. e. property out of the limits of direct tax) assessed at that date was $6,054,733.
In reply to your second inquiry, I would state that no census of the city has been taken since 1850. The estimated population at this time is about 250,000. Respectfully Yours. &c., &c.,
D. H. Blanchard, Secretary.
Office of the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia,
December 30, 1856.
H. R. Helper, Esq.,
Dear Sir:
In reply to your note of the 25th inst., received to-day, I hasten to give you the estimates you ask.
Real Estate, 150 millions; it is about one-half the real value. Its market price is at least 300 million dollars.
The Personal Estate is returned at 20 millions; it is over 110 millions. There has been no census since 1850. The population now is 500,000.