\VASHINGTON, one of the western counties of Maryland, bounded W. by Allegheny county of the same state; N.W. by Bedford county Pennsyl vania; E. by South Mountain, as there called (Blue Ridge), separating it from Frederick county .lary land; and by Potomac river, separating it from Jefferson and Berkeley counties of Virginia S., and from Morgan county Virginia, S.W. The greatest length along the southern boundary of Pennsylva nia 44 miles. The bread th varies greatly, as along the Blude Ridge the width exceeds SO, whilst at Hancock's town it falls short of three miles; the mean width is about and over 440 square miles, extending in Lat. from S9° 19' to 39' 42'. and in Long. from 0° 26' to 1° 18' W. from W. C. Tra versed by three chains of mountains, the slope of this county is very nearly clue S. and in that direc tion is drained by the Antietam, Conecocheague, and numerous smaller creeks flowing in .that direc tion. The surface is very broken, particularly that of the western part, above the Kittatinny range of mountains, but the soil of the valleys excellent. The eastern part between the Kittatinny and Blue Ridge, comprises a part of the great limestone range which falls from, and flanks the latter chain on its north-western side. The valleys of Antietam and Conecocheague are noted for the production of grain and fruit.
Progressive population-1790 15,882 1800 13,650 1810 18,730 1820 23,075 1830 25,268 Hagerstown, the seat of justice, stands near the western bank of Antietam creek, 68 miles N.N.W from \V. C., 25 N. W. from Frederick, and 72 miles
N.W. by W. from Baltimore. N. lat. 39° 39', and long. 0° 42' \V. from W. C. By the census of 1830. this place contained 3371 inhabitants. It is a prosperous and well built town, and the third in size on the western shore of Maryland.
Hancocksto%%n, on the left bank and at the ex treme northern bend of Potomac, 24 miles a little N. of W. from Hagerstown, is a small, but neat village in a delightful situation on the main western road.
Williamsport, also on the Potomac and on the high point below the mouth of Antietam, is in point of population and wealth the second town in the county. The site and environs are peculiarly picturesque. The powerful mill stream of Antie tam and a limestone soil contribute to the prosperity of this place.
Should either or both the Chesapeake and Ohio canal and Baltimore and Ohio rail-road, be ex tended up the Potomac the lines of extension will stretch along the Potomac margin of this county and pass both Williamsport and Hancockstown.
The lowest part of the cultivated surface of this county exceeds an elevation of SOO feet above tide water, and in the higher part near Hancockstown, upwards of 4.50 feet. It is probable that the mean height of the arable soil exceeds 500 feet, or more than an equivalent to a degree of latitude. The effect of difference of level at the extremes on both the temperature of the air and on vegetable life is very perceptible.