PREFACE 



The following investigation has been confined to a 

 relatively small territory in order to give greater preci- 

 sion and definiteness to the discussion. There are other 

 states in which the land tenure arrangements are similar 

 to those in Georgia. The conclusions reached in respect 

 to this particular state may be applied, therefore, with 

 modifications more or less slight, to the other states sim- 

 ilarly circumstanced. 



As this study was assuming its final form valuable crit- 

 icisms and suggestions were made by Professors Edwin 

 R. A. Seligman, John B. Clark, Henry R. Seager, Henry 

 L. Moore and Dr. Alvin S. Johnson, to each of whom 

 the author acknowledges his indebtedness. Acknowl- 

 edgement is also hereby made of assistance received from 

 the Carnegie Institution of Washington in the collection 

 of materials for this monograph. Thanks are due the 

 Comptroller-General of Georgia, Mr. Wm. A. Wright, 

 for the courtesies extended in granting access to the tax 

 archives of the state. The author is also indebted to 

 his nephew, Mr. William N. Banks, of Grantville, 

 Georgia, for services rendered at various stages of the 

 work. Friends in Georgia, too numerous to mention by 

 name, have given valuable assistance in answering the 

 many inquiries addressed to them. The author hereby 

 expresses his appreciation of their help. 



E. M. B. 



Columbia University, March, 1905. 



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