A census of the city was taken in 1855, and the number of inhabitants at that time can be obtained only from the Secretary of State. Very truly yours, A. S. CADY. STATE OF NEW-YORK, SECRETARY'S OFFICE,} Albany, February 24, 1857. } H. R. HELPER, ESQ., _Dear Sir_:-- Yours of the 17th February, in regard to the population of the city of New York, is before me. According to the census of 1855 the population was 629,810 1850 " " " 515,547 1845 " " " 371,223 1840 " " " 312,710 1835 " " " 268,089 1830 " " " 197,112 As to the population now, you have the same facilities of judging that we have from the above table. Very truly yours, A. N. WAKEFIELD, _Chief Clerk_. MAYOR'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, } Baltimore, December 26, 1856.} 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. Yours truly, G. VAUX. STATE OF LOUISIANA. MAYORALTY OF NEW ORLEANS,} City Hall, 3d day of Jan'y, 1857. } MR. H. R. HELPER, New-York: _Dear Sir_:-- In answer to your note of the 24th December, I beg to refer you to the enclosed abstract for the value of real estate and slaves according to the last assessment. There has heretofore been no assessment of personal property--there having been no tax authorized until this year. The assessment is now being made and will probably add about $5,000,000 to the assessment as stated in the abstract.