338 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 

 Agricultural Talk.^ 



[Richmond Enquirer, Dec. 25, 1849'] 



[December 20, 1849] 



It is a matter of history, that the Brisish officer, who 

 dined with General Marion, in his swamp retreat upon 

 the Pedee, upon roasted potatoes, served up in a wooden 

 tray, reported to Lord Cornwallis, that such a people 

 could never be conquered : Because, when men could be 

 found who were born, or had lived, perhaps, in affluence, 

 or held high station in life, and who voluntarily descended 

 to such a degree of republican simplicity, they were invin- 

 cible as soldiers, and incorruptible as men. 



Now, there may be seen upon the left bank of James 



^ This speech was delivered before "a gathering of Legislators 

 and citizens, assembled in the House of Delegates" at Richmond on 

 Thursday evening, December 20. Prefacing the extract quoted, the 

 Enquirer said: "Mr. Robinson is a fine-looking man; his face and 

 figure are quite peculiar and picturesque. He is very tall and raw- 

 boned, his eyes black and sparkling, florid complexion, head covered 

 with premature white locks, and a lai^ge and characteristic snow- 

 white tuft of hair from his neck falling on his breast. . . . 



"Mr. R. is not a polished or elegant speaker — but, with his strong 

 voice and blunt, off-hand manner, he presents ... a volume of im- 

 portant and interesting facts, occasionally dashed with dry humor. 

 . . . He warmly urged the appointment of an Agricultural Chem- 

 ist, to traverse the State, analyze and doctor the soil, &c. The great 

 increase of the value of lands, consequent upon the appointment of 

 such an officer ... he thought, would soon repay . . . manyfold 

 the expenses. . . . 



"Mr. R.'s suggestions in regard to the manner of conducting agri- 

 cultural societies, and in favor of the farmers of our Legislature 

 holding meetings during their sessions, to discuss the subject and 

 arouse the public mind, were wise. . . . Mr. R. paid a high tribute 

 to the capabilities of Virginia, which, in view of her excellence of 

 soil and climate, vicinity to navigation, &c., was one of the most 

 desirable States in the Union. . . . 



"Among other things urged by Mr. R. was the respectability of 

 the occupation of farming. ... To illustrate this, as well as to 

 show the beauties of a republican form of government, in the 

 operations of which our King of to-day is a supervisor of roads 

 and high-ways to-morrow, he gave a very interesting anecdote and 

 sketch somewhat as follows:" 



' Reprinted in La Porte County Whiff, February 9, 1850. 



