The above table was compiled from Niles’ Register for January 26th, 1822, page 345, and for October 29th, 1831, page 176. The blanks in the fourth column show that instead of an increase, there was an actual diminution of slaves during the ten years comprised in the table. The diminution in Maryland was 4,520, and in the District of Columbia 313. In some others they have nearly disappeared. It appears however from the table, that in the Southern States, particularly those south of Virginia, there has been an astonishing increase of slaves. In some of the States it has surpassed the increase of the whites by forty, fifty, and even an hundred and fifty per cent. In Arkansas the increase of the slave population has surpassed the white by 166 per cent. The following table shows the relative strength of the white and black population in the slave holding states, at the close of each successive 10 years, to the end of the present century, supposing the rate of increase to continue as it has been during the last ten. The table is taken from calculations made during the year by the Hon. Daniel Mayes, of Kentucky. 1840, Whites, 4,523,248 Blacks, 3,041,456 1850, “ 5,789,737 “ 4,136,380 1860, “ 7,131,863 “ 6,625,476 1870, “ 9,129,770 “ 9,010,647 1880, “ 11,696,110 “ 12,434,451 1890, “ 14,967,420 “ 16,910,853 1900, “ 18,158,297 “ 22,898,700 From the above table it appears that in 1900, should nothing take place to diminish the increase of blacks in the slave-holding states, they will exceed the whites by 4,741,166--being an amount greater than the population of all the United States under Washington’s administration. II. _Civil Disabilities of the Slaves._ The following statements have been taken principally from STROUD’S SKETCH of the Laws relative to slavery in the United States. They may be regarded as corollaries from the _general law_ concerning the slaves, and also as matters of express legislation. 1. Slaves have no legal rights of property in things real or personal; but whatever they may acquire, belongs in _point of law_ to their masters. (The bearing of this on the purchase of freedom is obvious.) 2. The slave, being a _personal chattel_, is at all times liable to be sold absolutely, or mortgaged or leased at the will of his master. 3. He may also be sold by process of law, for the satisfaction of the debts of a living, or the bequests of a deceased master, at the suit of creditors or legatees. 4. A slave cannot be a party, before a judicial tribunal, in any species of action, against his master, whatever may have been the injury received from him. 5. Slaves cannot redeem themselves, nor obtain a change of masters. 6. Slaves being objects of _property_ if injured by third persons, their owners may bring suit, and recover damages, for the injury. 7. Slaves can make no contract. 8. Slavery is hereditary and perpetual.