Journal of Philip Vickers Fithian April 4, 1774

After Supper I had a long conversation with Mrs. Carter concerning Negroes in Virginia, & find that She esteems their value at no higher rate than I do. We both concluded, (& I am pretty certain that the conclusion is just) that if in Mr. Carter's, or in any Gentleman's Estate, all the Negroes should be sold, & the Money put to Interest in safe hands, & let the Lands which the Negroes now work lie wholly uncultivated, the bare Interest of the price of the Negroes would be a much greater yearly income than what is now received from their working the Lands, making no allowance at al for the trouble & Risk of the Masters as to the Crops, & Negroes.--How much greater then must be the value of an Estate here if these poor enslaved Africans were all in their native desired country, & in their Room industrious Tenants, who being born in freedom, by a laudable care, would not only enrich their Landlords, but would raise a hardy Offspring to be the Strength & the honour of the Colony.

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