EXTRACT FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON'S SPEECH ON THE OPENING OF CONGRESS, 5TH DECEMBER 1796. "It will not be doubted, that, with reference either to individual or national welfare, Agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations advance in population and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent, and renders the cultivation of the soil more and more an object of public patronage. Institutions for promoting it grow up, supported by the public purse; and to what object can it be dedicated with greater propriety? Among the means which have been employed to this end, none have been attended with greater success than the establishment of Boards, composed of proper characters, charged with collecting and diffusing information, and enabled by premiums, and small pecuniary aid, to encourage and assist a spirit of discovery and improvement. This species of establishment contributes doubly to the increase of improvement, by stimulating to enterprise and experiment, and by drawing to a common centre, the results everywhere of individual skill and observation, and spreading them thence over the whole nation. Experience accordingly has shown, that they are very cheap instruments of immense national benefits." I have received your letter of the 18th of May, enclosing the Pamphlet & papers which you had the goodness to Send me. While I beg your acceptance of my acknowledgment for the polite mark of attention in transmitting these things to me, I flatter my self you will be assured that I consider the subjeck therein recommended as highly imper tant to Society, whose best interestre hope will be promoted by a proper inves tipation of them, and the happiness of mankind advanced thereby. I have to repret that the duties of my public Thation do not allen me to pay that attention to Agriculture and the objects attached to it (which have ever been my favourite pursuit ) that I could wish; but I will put your queries |