SOLON ROBINSON, 1840 155 



to encourage us to persevere in the formation of a Na- 

 tional Society. 



How to begin, is the only obstacle. I disagree with 

 Mr. Garnett, about looking to members of Congress to 

 make an organization ; they never would do it. How then 

 shall we begin? We need not wait for a farther expres- 

 sion of public sentiment; for as Mr. Garnett says, "the 

 project received such high commendation throughout 

 the country," it is evidence to my mind that the majority 

 are in favor of its "speedy execution." Thus, then, let 

 the beginning be. I will take the responsibility to order 

 it, and you, gentlemen, must endorse it, or suggest a 

 better one. You must name a committee of 20 of the 

 most active friends of the cause in the vicinity of Albany, 

 to meet at your office on that memorable day, the birth- 

 day of Washington, to nominate the officers pro. tern, of 

 the American Society of Agriculture; such committee 

 will not fail to attend. Such men as they will nominate 

 for officers, will not refuse to act. These officers, so far 

 as may be convenient, by meeting, and otherwise by cor- 

 respondence, will organize the Society. They will draft 

 a "bond of union," and bye-laws for the orderly conduct- 

 ing meetings and uniting members. They will fix upon 

 a time and place for the first meeting, and publish an 

 invitation to all the friends of agriculture to meet. At 

 that meeting, a constitution would be adopted, and offi- 

 cers elected. 



The residence of the first officers is not important, so 

 they are men who will lend their energies to put the ball 

 in motion, for once in motion, it will never cease to roll. 

 Each one should be immediately apprised by the nominat- 

 ing committee, of the appointments, and in his turn 

 should accept the appointment, that it might be pub- 

 lished. A small fund will be necessary to defray postage 

 and printing expenses; and as soon as the treasurer is 

 appointed, I shall forward ten dollars as a contribution, 

 and I hope a few others will do likewise. If you, or any 

 of your readers have aught to say against this plan of 



