118 MARYLAND.

population were free. In 1820 nearly one
fourth of them were free. Between the years
1810 and 1820, the agregate of slaves actually
diminished 4,204 in number, or at the rate of
four per cent. The total increase of colored
population, free and slaves, in those ten years,
were 1,599—a little over one per cent. The
spirit of emancipation continues on one hand,
and slaves are drained off in considerable num-
bers by the higher prices they command in
the southern and south western states.

In Maryland the emancipated negro is not
admitted to the privileges of citizenship. He
has no voice in the election of rulers, nor in
the formation of laws. His property is sub-
ject like other property, to taxation, but he is
not called upon to perform military duties.—
His person and property enjoy equal protec-
tion under the laws with that of the whites.
He is however prohibited the privilege of
having the use of dog or guns, and is bound
at all times when questioned, to produce the
certificates of his being free, when found
without them, he is liable to fine, imprison-
ment, and finally to loss of liberty.

The existence of so considerable a slave
population has been accompanied with all those
deleterious effects upon the state which are
common to this unfortunate condition of so-
ciety. Free labor has been discouraged—
Improvement, especially in agriculture, has
been greatly retarded. The land bus been