I. It the first place, there were the broad interests of real property which constituted, in 1787 , a far larger proportion of all wealth than it does at the present time. The size, value, and ownership of holdings and their geographical distribution ought to be ascertained. In the absence of a general census, the preparation of such an economic survey would entail an enormous labor, and it could never be more than approximately complete. Neither the census of 1790 nor the assessment for direct taxes under the law of 1798 covers this topic. The assessment rolls of the several stated for taxation, wherever available, would yield the data desired, at lease in part; but a multitude of local records would have to be consulted with great scrutiny and critical care.