clxxii INTRODUCTION. 



NUMBER OF SLAVEHOLDERS IN THE UNITED STATES. 



The last table in the volume would attach more properly to that on population ; but, not having 

 been included there, it is deemed more advisable to incorporate it here than to omit it. 



In examining this table, the conclusion must not be arrived at that the exhibit presents the number 

 of people directly interested in slaves. A great majority of the persons represented in the table are 

 heads of families, or agents for others having equal interest with themselves. It would probably be a 

 safe rule to consider the number of slaveholders to represent the number of families directly interested 

 in the slave population in 1860. 



In concluding this introduction, we cannot but allude to the industry and capacity of Mr. JAMES 

 S. WILSON, who has been charged with the supervision of the tables following, and to whom we are 

 mainly indebted for that accuracy with which they have been prepared. 



