Other landowners, more circumspect, asked peasants what they planned to use for compensation, for which they were to be largely responsible; according to Mihail Kogălniceanu, their answer was "With these two slave's arms, we have been working for centuries and provided for all the landowners' expenses; once freed, our arms would work twice as much and rest assured that we will not leave you wanting of what the country's judgment will decide we should pay you".
Teised, tähelepanelikumad maaomanikud küsisid talupoegadelt, mida need kavatsevad kasutada hüvitiseks, mille eest nad suuresti vastutasid; Mihail Kogălniceanu järgi oli nende vastuseks "Nende kahe orjakäega oleme töötanud sajandeid ja tasunud kõik maaomanike kulutused; vabastatuna võiks meie käed töötada kaks korda nii palju ja kindlustada, et me ei allu teie soovile, mida riigi kohus otsustab, et me maksma peaksime".