was daily wasting by emigration, and our invaluable eas- 

 tern domains were unsought for, the Legislature awaken- 

 ed to the surrounding dangers, and made a direct effort to 

 restore the Commonwealth to a better condition. The 

 policy which begins to shed its influence on us, will have 

 the effect to check emigration ; to attach our fellow- citi- 

 zens to their native soil ; to inspire them to resume, more 

 actively and intelligently, their agricultural and manufac- 

 tural employments. The effort is worthy the character of 

 the State, reflects great honor on the projectors, and gives 

 assurance of success. The eastern section of the Com- 

 monwealth particularly required, and is realizing the 

 benefit of these enlightened counsels. It was a lead- 

 ing object in this policy, to awaken the citizens of the 

 State to an instant and manly effort to improve their hus- 

 bandry, and to revive and sustain their manufactures. 

 To this end the Societies for the promotion of these in- 

 teresting objects have been viewed with favor, and recei- 

 ved pecuniary encouragement. The Legislature made 

 two grants of money for these useful purposes, the most 

 considerable of which was very properly given to the Mas- 

 sachusetts Agricultural Society, and the other to this As- 

 sociation. 



This is an honorable distinction conferred on this Insti- 

 tution ; the best commentary on its measures, and the 

 reputation for usefuhiess which the Society has acquired 

 by its indefatigable labors and exemplary liberality. With 

 gratitude and pleasure we hail these acts of public spirit 

 in the Legislature, and consider them as the pledge of 

 perseverance in more ample provisions for the promotiom 

 of these great vital interests. Surely, if the treasures of 

 the people can be applied constitutionally to any objects, 

 beside the mere support of government, these interests 

 challenge the first patronage, and should be rendered per- 

 manent by solid encouragements. Without such patron- 



