the opinions and conclusions of the author. This volume seeks to combine the two, and in the text recites events and gives dates and data with painstaking care, in order to make it convenient and available for purposes of reference, while the Appendix contains the laws of the United States relating to the subject and such documents as are of paramount importance. The chapter on bibliography aims to review the standard literature of the subject and indicate its character, thus enabling any one to pursue, easily and intelligently, any particular branch or feature to as great length as may be desired.
The tables and statistical matter with which this work is replete have been prepared by, or verified by, Maurice L. Muhleman, formerly connected with the Treasury Department at Washington, and for so many years Deputy Assistant Treasurer in the city of New York. Mr. Muhleman is one of the ablest statisticians in the country, and upon all matters relating to finance is an expert and recognized authority. I take pleasure in acknowledging my very great obligation to him in the preparation of this work.