Neither do I think it would at all promote the slave’s interest to lib-
                erate him in his present degraded state.
                                          —letter from Mary Jones to Charles Colcock Jones,
                                                                                             24 November 1829

Much as I should miss the mother, I am
Persuaded that we might come
To some understanding about a change
Of investment. I do not wish
To influence you in the least degree
Beyond your own convictions, nor
To have you subjected to inconveniences
(The loss of the services of a servant is great),
But for our own good we have to answer 
For all that has happened. Please. all.