AND WHERE TO FIND ONE. 



able. During the three years ending with 1857, 

 there was an increase of over 50,000,000 in the 

 assessed value of the lands in Mississippi, and of 

 over $25,000,000 in the value of the taxable slaves. 



A very large portion of this enormous increase 

 of value occurred in the regions subject to overflow 

 from the river, but which, under the operation of 

 the law just referred to, had been drained and 

 brought under tillage. But this system of drainage 

 had scarcely been begun. All thus far accomplished 

 had been hastily, and therefore imperfectly done. 

 Yet the amazing fertility of the half-reclaimed 

 bottoms is shown in the rapid increase of values. 

 Their superior productiveness attracted capital and 

 population from all the slave States. Within the 

 three years mentioned, the slave population of Mis 

 sissippi increased from 326,861 in 1854, to 368,861 

 in 1857. The progress developed in Arkansas and 

 Texas was even more remarkable. This increase 

 would have gone on enlarging as the drainage ex 

 tended and became more complete. But rebellion 

 not only interrupted its progress, but made the 

 whole region a hissing and an astonishment to the 

 world. As an organized institution, slavery became 

 utterly demoralized, and in many places ceased to 

 exist. The slaves became fugitives or soldiers. 

 Thousands perished of disease or starvation. Plan 

 tations were abandoned, their buildings and ma 

 chinery destroyed, leaving what is probably the 

 finest region on the continent to be repeopled and 

 resuscitated by a new race of owners. 



This appropriation of public land may be re- 



