Census of 1860 [pp. 226-242]

18(35.] Census of 18(30. 237
which these results are derived, were made by the persons most
directly interested. But there are other means of proving
their correctness, by noting the increase of the free coloured
population, which, by the census, is proved to have been less
than thirteen per cent. in the last ten years in the free states,
whereas, the slaves have increased 2321 per cent., an augmentation conclusive against much loss by escapes; the natural increase, irrespective of immigration, being equal~t~ that of the
most favoured people, and greater than that of any country in
Europe for the same period, and this, in spite of the 20,000
manumissions which are believed to have occurred in the past
ten years. It is evident that the complaints which were made
against the free states, as having disregarded the guarantees
of the Constitution for the security of slave property, are
almost wholly, if not absolutely, without foundation.
N\'~e have the further fact that the free coloured population,
which, from 1820 to 1830, increased at the rate of 36~ per cent.
in 1840 exhibited but 20~~5 per cent. increase, gradiially declining
to 18 dO, when the increase throughout the United States was
but little over one per cent. per annum. In ithe ten years,
from 1850 to 1860, this class of our population increased from
434,449 to 487,970, or at the rate of 12~ per cent. In the
same period, the slave population increased more than 23~' per
cent., and the white population nearly 38 per cent., an excess
of twofold, and threefold respectively, over that of the free
coloured. These comparisons imply an excessive mortality
among the free coloured, which is particularly evident in large
cities. Thus in Boston, during the five years ending with
1859, the city register observes: "The number of coloured
births was one less than the number of marriages, and the
deaths exceeded the births in the proportion of nearly two to
one." In Providence, where a very correct registry has been
in operation under the superintendence of Dr. Snow, the deaths
are one in twenty-four of the coloured; and for the last fifteen
years, with the exception of a single year, (18(32,) the deaths
exceeded the births. In Philadelphia, during the last six
months of the census year, the new city registration gives 148
births against 306 deaths among the free coloured. Taking
town and country together, the results are somewhat more