Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward
Sir: The Moniteur of the 15th instant publishes the census of the population of Belgium for the year 1864. According to the statistics furnished by the “commercial” administrations, under the direction of the minister of the interior, the population of the kingdom on the 31st of December, 1864, was 4,940,570, showing an increase over 1863 of 47,549, five-sixths of which is due to excess by births over deaths.** ** *
The resume shows that the ratio of births to the population is one to 31.7; of deaths, one to 42.6; of marriages, one to 133.7. There is one still-born in 19.9 births. The ratio of female births is one to 1.06 male. The proportion of illegitimate births is one in eight in the cities, and one in eighteen in the country; and there is an average of four legitimate births to one marriage.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.