od § 
all these traits of character, they, 
and contribute to forming a correc 
on Ihave “ieine an occasion, an 
the most respectable sources; and to oe, humble. % 
bute to his memory (when patronage and power ie sate ahi: 
—and when the influence of his name does not t 
nue, every where, to operate as it merits) it must not 
be ascribed to any vain presumption in me, that I can add 
to his character or fame. I have yielded to the irresistible 
impulses (unpremeditatedly excited in my search for this 
specimen of his writing) of a long and sincere affection and 
veneration ; which will never cease, while life and recollec- 
tion remain. . 
What he alludes to in his note (as it respects the com- 
mittee of Congress) was his great plan of engrafting the 
subject of AGRICULTURE, into a national system of educa- 
tion ; and placing the cultivators of the soil, and their in- 
struction and excitements to improvement in their art, un- 
der national patronage. He was anxiously solicitous in this 
patriotic endeavour. It was not imputable to him that it 
failed. Had he been fortunate enough to accomplish it, no 
action of his life would have deserved more celebrity, and 
public gratitude. - 
RicHarpD PETeRs. 
New Year’s Day, 1811. ; 
11 
