17. Very many, and increasing with the progressive subdivisions of property; the proportion cannot be stated. 18, 19. The fewer the slaves, and the fewer the holders of slaves, the greater the indulgence and familiarity. In districts composing (comprising?) large masses of slaves there is no difference in their condition, whether held in small or large numbers, beyond the difference in the dispositions of the owners, and the greater strictness of attention where the number is greater. 20. There is no general system of religious instruction. There are few spots where religious worship is not within reach, and to which they do not resort. Many are regular members of Congregations, chiefly Baptist; and some Preachers also, though rarely able to read. 21. Not common; but the instances are increasing. 22. The accommodation not unfrequent where the plantations are very distant. The slaves prefer wives on a different plantation, as affording occasions and pretexts for going abroad, and exempting them on holidays from a share of the little calls to which those at home are liable. 23. The remarkable increase of slaves, as shown by the census, results from the comparative defect of moral and prudential restraint on the sexual connexion; and from the absence, at the same time, of that counteracting licentiousness of intercourse, of which the worst examples are to be traced where the African trade, as in the West Indies, kept the number of females less than of the males. 24. The annual expense of food and raiment in rearing a child may be stated at about 8, 9, or 10 dollars; and the age at which it begins to be gainful to its owner about 9 or 10 years. 25. The practice here does not furnish data for a comparison of cheapness between these two modes of cultivation. 26. They are sometimes hired for field labour in time of harvest, and on other particular occasions. 27. The examples are too few to have established any such relative prices. 28. See the census. 29. Rather increases. 30. ---------- 31. More closely with the slaves, and more likely to side with them in a case of insurrection. 32. Generally idle and depraved; appearing to retain the bad qualities of the slaves, with whom they continue to associate, without acquiring any of the good ones of the whites, from whom (they) continued separated by prejudices against their colour, and other peculiarities. 33. There are occasional instances in the present legal condition of leaving the State. 34. None. 35. ----------[13] TO MISS FRANCES WRIGHT MONTPELLIER, Sept. 1, 1825.