nationality, age, sex, and occupation of the alien passengers arriving at their respective ports (1). The reports from Boston and the custom houses of the other sea-ports of Massachusetts furnish statistics of the immigration into that commonwealth.

In Massachusetts, likewise, the history of immigration does not commence until 1820. The period of immigration in this state falls into several distinct divisions according to the changes in its character. The most important divisions are: the period of early immigration covering the years 1820-1845; the Irish immigration 1845-1865; the Canadian-French immigration; and the period of recent immigration, concerned with the movements since the close of our Civil War.

(1) Bromwell, History of Immigration, p.15.

Laws of the United States, vol.6, ch.456.

Chapter 1.

EARLY IMMIGRATION, 1820-45.

The first division in the history of immigration in Massachusetts is characterized by no distinct wave. The amount is relatively unimportant; yet its steady increase is evident, its effects apparent, and the problems, whose solution is later to become of so much importance, have their beginnings in these years. The accompanying table shows the principal nationalities among the arrivals of alien passengers who came by sea to the Massachusetts ports. It leaves out of account those who came by way of Canada, and for whom no statistics can now be obtained. Immigrants who landed at other seaports, especially at New York, and came thence to Massachusetts are also neglected.

A few of the foreigners returned and reduced the actual number of immigrants by 2/3 to 1 per cent.(1). The assumption that the number of aliens arriving at the ports of Massachusetts represents the number settling in the state, is not quite accurate. But in the early period it is truer than later, since immigrants who desired to settle in Massachusetts Young, Special Report on Immigration, XV11.