FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VII. 629 



In accordance with Mr. Slagle's resolution, P. L, Huyett, C. Baldwin 

 and J. M. Shaflfer addressed a letter to the officers of each county agricul- 

 tural society in the State, as far as could be ascertained, and to numerous 

 private individuals, inviting each society to be represented by nine delegates, 

 to meet in a general convention at Fairfield on Wednesday, December 28, 

 1853. The committee also issued printed circulars, inviting a full repre- 

 sentation from societies not personally addressed, and calling upon the 

 papers of the State to give notice of the proposed convention. The press, 

 with its usual liberality, called attention again and again to the matter; the 

 circulars of the committee were copied by many of the papers of the 

 State, and the enterprise commended and labored for with great zeal 

 and spirit, and to the efforts of the press we are mainly indebted for the 

 truly brilliant display at the First State Fair. 



The proposed convention met at F'airfield on the day specified. Ample 

 arrangements had been made for the reception and accommodation of a large 

 number of delegates. 



The convention was organized by calling D. R. Inskeep, of Wapello 

 county, to the chair, and appointing D. Sheward, of Jefferson, secretary. 

 Several communications were then read; one from James W. Grimes, who 

 urged upon us to adopt a constitution and elect a board of officers, if not 

 more than two persons were present. 



Although the meeting did not number more than fifteen persons, we 

 acted upon the suggestion of Mr. Grimes, and the following named gentle- 

 men — a member from each society represented — reported our present con- 

 stitution and by-laws, viz: Thomas Siveter, P. L. Huyett, Josiah Hinkle, 

 T. Day and J. W. Frazier. 



It was mainly drawn up from the constitution of the Illinois State 

 society, and though abounding in imperfections, yet it was as good an 

 instrument as could have been expected, considering the hastiness of its 

 preparation. 



After the adoption of the constitution, the committee elected the follow- 

 ing board of officers: 



Thomas W. Claggett, of Lee county, president; D. P. Inskeep, of Wap- 

 ello county, vice-president; J. M. Shaffer, of Jefferson county, recording 

 secretary; C. W. Slagle, of Jefferson county, corresponding secretary; W. 

 B. Chamberlain, Des Moines county, treasurer; besides, three persons in 

 each county known to have an agricultural society. 



This done, a resolution was adopted appointing a committee of five, to 

 memorialize the general assembly of the State, praying for the passage of 

 a bill rendering pecuniary aid to the furtherance of a permanent establish- 

 ment of a State Agricultural Society in this State. 



After the adjournment of the convention, nine gentlemen subscribed 

 their names to the constitution, and these constituted the entire member- 

 ship. 



Early in the spring of 1854 the secretary addressed a circular to every 

 part of the State, calling upon persons to write him advising as to what 

 articles should come into competition and asking aid in the preparation of a 

 list of premiums, and inviting the entire board of control to meet at Fair- 

 field on June 6, 1854. Very few letters were received in reply to our circu- 



