20 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



labor, with lier cheap agricultural implements designe/I for the people and sold 

 at a price bringing them within their reach, with the untrammelled genius 

 which ever in her infancy had made her a beacon-light to the Old World, the 

 opportunity Avas one which we should not have failed to i'nprove to our utmost 

 extent. But with a cruel rebellion taxing our resources, with a million of in- 

 telligent artisans, mechanics, and farmers on the field of battle, with the pressure 

 of foreign interference which at times darkened our horizon and threatened ti« 

 protract the great struggle of liberty with slavery, it was not strange tha 

 Congress should neglect to make an appropriation for an international exlij 

 bition, or that our manufacturers, whose workshops were already crowded with 

 unfilled orders, should have failed to send large numbers of specimens of their 

 handiAvork and skill. Could Congress have realized the inexhaustible resources 

 of the nation, could it have appreciated the readiness with which a free people 

 have sprung to the support of a free government and free institutions, no doubt 

 an ample appropriation would have been made, and a government ship de- 

 spatched from the great metropolis of America, freighted with the fruits of our 

 agricultural and mechanical industry. Such a demonstration at such a time 

 would have aroused the people of the Old World to something of our appre- 

 ciation of the vastness of the resources of our great and prosperous country. 

 Well, indeed, would it have been could some fine American frigate have been 

 achored in the Elbe, with the stars and stripes floating from the mainmast 

 during the period of this great festival, that the gathered thousands from all 

 Europe might have seen that in the midst of this terrible rebellion, and whilst 

 we were enforcing a blockade on a coast of three thousand miles, our gov- 

 ernment had ships and money to devote to the great arts of peace. 



The President, however, was not unmindful of the great opportunity offered, 

 and without any appropriation to cover the expenses of a commissioner, ap- 

 pointed the Hon. Joseph A. Wright, of Indiana, to discharge that responsible 

 labor. The letter of the Secretary of State covering this appointment of Mr. 

 Wright cannot be out of place in this connexion. 



Department of State, 



Washington, March 28, 1863. 



Sir : You are aware that the President communicated to Congress, at its late session, an 

 invitation from the government at Hamburg to tlie government and citizens of the United 

 States to participate in an exhibition of agricultural products, machinery, and the like, which 

 is to be held in or near that city in the course of next summer. 



No appropriation, however, was made to defray the expenses of any such participation on 

 our part, nor was any authority granted on the subject. The reasons for this need not be 

 adverted to. They will easily occur to a gentleman of your experience in public life. The 

 apparent indifference of Congress, however, in regard to the matter, cannot reasonably be 

 imputed to any insensibility in regard to whatever may tend to the advantage of the agricul- 

 tural interests of the country, or to any coldness towards Hamburg itself, with which we are 

 closely connected by commercial and other ties, and which we acknowledge to be a commu- 

 nity with every title to respect. 



Notwithstanding, however, this apparent neglect of Congress, the President is unwilling 

 that the United States should be without any representative on the occasion referred to. 

 Moved, therefore, by a regard for your standing and character at home', and particularly by 

 the practical' interest which it is understood you take in agricultural aft'airs, the President 

 desires you to repair to the exhibition at Hamburg, and there take charge of the interests of 

 such citizens of the United States as may become exhibitors on the occasion. It is to be dis- 

 tinctly understood, however, that no expense to the United States is to be occasioned by them, 

 and that your own services will be gratuitous. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 



Hon. Joseph A. Wright. 



Although government furnished no direct aid, and there was no concert 

 of action among the people, the circulars distributed throughout the loyal States 

 kindled an interest which increased with every passing day, until the last ship 

 laden with America's handiwork had sailed for llamburfir. 



