44 Progress of Population and Wealth 



Males. Females. 



55 and under 100 years of age, 7.50 per cent. 8.08 per cent. 

 100 and upwards " .18 " .23 " 



100. " 100. " 



3d. Of the slaves, 



Those under 10 " 



10 and under 24 " 



24 and under 36 " 



36 and under 55 " 



55 and under 100 



100 and upwards " 



100. 100. 



The preceding tables show that, of the whole population, the 

 number under ten years of age is exactly one third ; but the slaves 

 of the same age exceed that proportion, and both descriptions of 

 the free population fall short of it. 



' If we compare the number of white children under 10, with the 

 number of females between 16 and 45, whether of the same or the 

 preceding census, we find the ratio continually diminishing. Thus : 

 1st. When compared with the females of the same census, 

 The children were to the females, in 1800, as 183.1 to 100. 



1810, as 182.3 to 100. 

 1820, as 173.0 to 100. 

 2d. When compared with the females of the succeeding census, 

 The children were to the females, in 1810, as 248. to 100. 



1820, as 237.4 to 100. 

 1830, as 225.8 to 100. 

 For which diminution of ratio no satisfactory explanation can be 

 given but a gradual decline in the rate of natural increase ; of 

 which fact we shall hereafter find satisfactory evidence. 



The relative numbers of the three classes, in the slaveholding 

 States, were thus distributed in 1830, viz : 



