I have to correct my post. It was South Carolina that seceded because of slavery, and then because of the action of Buchanan six more states secede, in fact, they secede after the Star of the West tried to reenforce Fort Sumter. After Lincoln declares he will send troops into the South, the last four decide to secede. What is interesting is the ranking of slave power by number of owners in the states that secede and don't secede. The list below is the order of secession identified by the first number, the second number is the ranking by number of slave owners, the name of the state, and the last number is the number in thousands of slave owners.

Slave States that seceded.

After the election of Lincoln. Dec. 20, 1860

1) #8 South Carolina 26

After Anderson burns Fort Moultrie and takes control of Fort Sumter and the attempted reenforcement of the Fort Sumter by the Star of the West. (Jan. 9 - Feb. 1 1861)

2) #7 Mississippi 30 (seceded the day Star of the West entered Charleston Harbor)
3) #14 Florida 5
4) #6 Alabama 33
5) #2 Georgia 41
6) #10 Louisiana 22
7) #11 Texas 21

After Lincoln calls for troops. (Apr. 17 - June 8, 1861)

8) #1 Virginia 52
9) #13 Arkansas 11
10) #4 Tennessee 36
11) #5 North Carolina 34

Slave states that did not secede.

#3 Kentucky 38
#9 Missouri 24
#12 Maryland 13
#15 Delaware .5
#16 Nebraska .006
#17 Kansas .002

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David Upton