xxvi A Discourse on Agriculture, 



not equal them, in acuteness of natural talent, education and 

 mental acquirements. From them I should have expected 

 lessons of improvement. To them I would not presume to 

 read them. Yet, contented to receive an aggregate of pro- 

 duct from large possessions, great in amount, they have, with 

 some exceptions, suffered the details of cultivation to remain 

 without change or amelioration, from generation to genera- 

 tion. And, in fact, it appears to have heen, (according to the 

 evidence of " Jlrator," written by a distinguished citizen of 

 Virginia) a system of exhaustion and impoverishment, instead 

 of one of renovation and improvement. Knowing well, as 

 they do, how to enjoy the comforts and elegancies of living, 

 one would presume they would gladly join in any plans to 

 improve an art, which to them is peculiarly necessary, to 

 increase their own means, as well as to benefit their country. 

 They have an ascendency in our public councils, and direct, 

 in a great degree, our national concerns. It is therefore pe- 

 culiarly incumbent on them, to forward all measures, wherein 

 national aid is required, on a subject of most importance to 

 them, but highly momentous to us all. Among all those cal- 

 led «* standing committees," either in the national or state le- 

 gislatures, we have never seen one on agriculture, nor any 

 appropriation of monies for its direct encouragement. This 

 would appear to show, either an unfortunate conviction that 

 none were necessary, or an insensibility to the magnitude of 

 the subject. Yet, at some periods of our affairs, I have 

 thought farmers had reason to be satisfied with the omission. 

 Because such a committee might (under the plea of necessity') 

 have been employed in other considerations than those which 

 produce results deemed encouraging. So that, negatively, 

 we have derived (save in one impost) some advantage by the 

 u laisse% nous fair 'e," " let us alone." Now, (without pre- 

 suming to dictate,) it would seem, that some attention to this, 

 among other urts of peace, should be expected ; because it is 

 the root from which they all spring. I do not mention these 

 circumstances reproachfully, but with sincere regret. I shall 

 be happy to receive any information, more agreeable, to cor- 

 rect my errors. Nor should I have brought before the socie- 



