A Letter Young Virginia Farmers, June 14, 1792
I know many of you are considering a move to our newest colony, Georgia. I applaud your adventuresome spirit into this wild, untamed land. It is a brave thing to do, to go and farm land that has never been turned over and try to make it fertile soil. I have visited Georgia in the past few years, so as a friend and plantation owner, I hope you will appreciate my perspective.
My family has been farming our cotton plantation for over 30 years. If there’s one thing I can rely on for our bumper crops here in Virginia, it’s the mild weather. Upon first glance, you may not recognize the sun as the same one we have here in God’s country. Do not be alarmed by its size and brightness, just be sure to bring a large parasol and lots of fans for your wife.
Don’t forget to visit the ocean while you’re in Savannah; fishing is also becoming a wise investment. Why, as a matter fact, after the most recent hurricane much of the city is still under water and shipyard owners say this has been a banner year for houseboat sales.
Don’t let all those rumors about the heat and humidity discourage you. Now that slavery has been legalized it won’t be hard to keep your slaves healthy, so long as you give them lots of rest, water and shade for those long hours in the fall, spring AND summer sun.
You will find that the soil is of a different quality as well. It may not be great for planting, but Kaolin clay sure does make a lovely pot.
My fellow Virginians, I wish you well on your adventure, I trust I will see you back in plantation country before the next cotton harvest. God bless Virginia and for Heaven’s sake, let’s all say a prayer for the people of Georgia, after the recent outbreak of yellow fever, they’re going to need all the hope they can get.
I know many of you are considering a move to our newest colony, Georgia. I applaud your adventuresome spirit into this wild, untamed land. It is a brave thing to do, to go and farm land that has never been turned over and try to make it fertile soil. I have visited Georgia in the past few years, so as a friend and plantation owner, I hope you will appreciate my perspective.
My family has been farming our cotton plantation for over 30 years. If there’s one thing I can rely on for our bumper crops here in Virginia, it’s the mild weather. Upon first glance, you may not recognize the sun as the same one we have here in God’s country. Do not be alarmed by its size and brightness, just be sure to bring a large parasol and lots of fans for your wife.
Don’t forget to visit the ocean while you’re in Savannah; fishing is also becoming a wise investment. Why, as a matter fact, after the most recent hurricane much of the city is still under water and shipyard owners say this has been a banner year for houseboat sales.
Don’t let all those rumors about the heat and humidity discourage you. Now that slavery has been legalized it won’t be hard to keep your slaves healthy, so long as you give them lots of rest, water and shade for those long hours in the fall, spring AND summer sun.
You will find that the soil is of a different quality as well. It may not be great for planting, but Kaolin clay sure does make a lovely pot.
My fellow Virginians, I wish you well on your adventure, I trust I will see you back in plantation country before the next cotton harvest. God bless Virginia and for Heaven’s sake, let’s all say a prayer for the people of Georgia, after the recent outbreak of yellow fever, they’re going to need all the hope they can get.