104 On Virginia Husbandry. 



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 laxvs, 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. 



