104 On Virginia Husbandry. 
ee 
dating their systems to existing circumstances. The 
large proprietors of southern lands, are compelled to 
make the best use of the means they have. Being no 
advocates for agrarian laws, and feeling no spirit of in- 
tolerance on the subject of slavery, as it respects our 
southern fellow-citizens, who are slave holders, what- 
ever may be our opinions on the abstract question, we 
rejoice in the amelioration we believe now exists in the 
condition of the southern slaves: and we are always 
gratified when we find their labour turned to the most 
profitable uses, by the proprietors of large and extensive 
farms ; which, under present circumstances, could not 
be cultivated without them. Substitutes of white labour- 
ers are impracticable, under the state of population in 
our country generally ; as well as under the local cir- 
cumstances of the southern districts of our union. 
