42 



Prospects in Eastern Virginia for new Settlers. Vol. XI. 



consider as sound and irrefutable; but it 

 does not apply to whites exclusively — it 

 might be more properly and broadly stated, 

 that " 710 idle population can prosper." 



All the intelligent Virginians with whom 

 I had conversation on the subject, expressed 

 a strong desire that the settlements might 

 be made in the mode I have hinted at; their 

 greatest concern being to introduce a total 

 change in their habits. 



As a member of the Society of Friends, 

 I was greatly gratified at the uniform testi- 

 mony of those who live in the vicinity of 

 the old settlements of Friends, to their hab- 

 its of industry, morality, &c., and the re- 

 grets expressed, that they had left the State. 



Several of my correspondents in different 

 parts of the State, express strong desires 

 that companies of Friends would settle 

 among them. One of them says, " nearly 

 all the members of the former Yearly Meet- 

 ing of Virginia, removed to Ohio and Indi- 

 ana, to get clear of the presence of slavery; 

 but I feel very certain that not many of them 

 have bettered their condition in a temporal 

 view. We may keep aloof from it here, as 

 well as there; anJ no community has ever 

 existed in Virginia who have been more 

 highly respected than Friends. I have 

 taken every occasion to let it be known 

 that you are Friends, and I am certain the 

 interest that has been felt in your move- 

 ments has been much increased, instead of 

 bemg diminished, by a knowledge of the 

 fact. If you should at any time want la- 

 bour, there will seldom be any difficulty in 

 obtaining it amongst the free people of co- 

 lour, of whom tliere are considerable num- 

 bers in many parts of the State. Some of 

 them are industrious and respectable, though 

 many are worthless."* 



The old Wyanoke (VVainoak) settlement, 

 where the Yearly Meeting of Virginia was 

 formerly held, is in a beautiful country, bor- 

 dering on the James river, below Richmond; 

 these ancient homes of Friends are now 

 nearly all deserted — many of their houses 

 are still standing, and the place is a desira- 

 ble one for a new colony; it is but a short 

 distance above Sandy Point, the delightful 

 and productive plantation of Robert B. Boi- 

 ling, described in my first essay in the Cabi- 

 net, an inspection of which will satisfy any 

 one of the fertility of the soil of that region, 

 and prove the practicability of restoring the 

 impoverished surface at a very small cost of 

 money and labour. 



* In the vicinity of Petersburg, free coloured labour- 

 ers can be had for 25 cents per day, for ordinary work ; 

 and 31 to 37-J- cents, for extra work in harvest, &c. — 

 Tbey cut and cord wood for 31 cts. per cord. 



Much excellent land may be had in con- 

 siderable bodies in the immediate vicinity of 

 Richmond ; and in almost every direction 

 around, within a few miles, enough may be 

 had for a large settlement. 



An estate in Hanover county, 20 miles 

 north-west of Richmond, of 1700 acres, with 

 fine and ample buildings, grist and saw-mills, 

 and plenty of woodland, is oflTered for about 

 $10 per acre — the buildings on this land are 

 said to have cost from $12,000 to $15,000. 

 Much more land in the vicinity of this can 

 be had at lower prices. 



In Orange county, the soil of which is 

 reckoned equal to any, a very beautiful es- 

 tate, formerly owned by one of the most dis- 

 tinguished men our country has produced, 

 " containing 1767 acres, nearly one half in 

 the original growth of oak, hickory, tulip 

 poplar, chesnut, locust, and black walnut;" 

 with fine and ample buildings, saw-mill, and 

 a profusion of fine fruit trees, is offered for 

 sale on very accommodating terms; or it 

 would be leased to suitable tenants. Other 

 valuable and highly improved properties are 

 offered in the same county. 



In Cumberland county, which borders on 

 the James river, some 30 or 40 miles above 

 Richmond, much excellent land is offered 

 for sale or rent. One correspondent offers 

 1127 acres with good buildings and improve- 

 ments, for $7000, on very accommodating 

 terms of payment; or — at my suggestion — 

 he will divide his estate into portions to suit 

 tenants, and lease it to them on easy terms, 

 with the provision that they may purchase 

 within a given number of years, if they 

 choose. He says a number of his neighbours 

 will be willing to do the same thing. 



In Rockbridge county some very fine farms 

 are offered with spring-houses, lime-stone, 

 mills, and abundant water-power, with good 

 and ample buidings, for $7 to $12 per acre. 



I think it needless to describe many more 

 places, as it must be very evident that 

 enough have been given to show that one can 

 scarcely go amiss in any part of the State — 

 all tastes and preferences may be suited — 

 from the mountains to the ocean, almost 

 every variety of situation is offered at prices 

 and on terms to suit the circumstances of 

 all. 



The spirited members of the Petersburg 

 Agricultural Society have now a committee 

 actively engaged in procuring a list and de- 

 scription of the various properties for sale, 

 or lease, within a few miles of that city. I 

 do not believe any part of Virginia presents 

 greater inducements to settlers than the re- 

 gion around Petersburg. When I receive 

 their report, I may give the substance of it 

 with a description of the country, and the 



