No. 200. j 173 



COMMUNICATIONS 



Addressed to the Secretary of the American Institute, in reply to the 

 Circular announcing the National Convention of Farmers, Garde- 

 ners, and Silk Culturists. 



Hon. H. L. Ellsworth, of La Fayetle, la , writing under date Sept. 

 20, says : 



I have to acknowledge your kind favors inviting me to be present at 

 your important fair to be held next month. I wish I could be with 

 you, but I am now progressing with my next report to Congress, and 

 can not visit the East until the last of November, on my way to 

 Washington city. 



I feel a deep interest in the proceedings of the American Institute, 

 which has done so much good by awakening a new feeling in favor 

 of national industry. Be not discouraged, the cause is inseparable 

 from national prosperity ; and when we consider how much depends 

 upon agricultural labor, we must lament that so little has been done 

 to advance it by the General Government. 



The farmers, who are " the people," have the matter in their hands. 

 Their interests, however, will never be respected until they demand 

 their share of public patronage. How much — how very much ! could 

 be done by their concentrated action to advance the welfare of the na- 

 tion. The farmers, mechanics and industrial portions of the commu- 

 nity have too long confided legislation to educated and distinguished 

 men who can not realize the wants of the working classes. There 

 are, however, bright exceptions. There is a power which, if wielded 

 aright, will secure what has been often claimed by a few but never 

 enjoyel by the many. 



I repeat, I wish I could be with you this year. I must forego tliis 

 pleasure, hoping to enjoy it the more the succeeding year. Accept 

 my best wishes for the prosperity of the American Institute, and the 

 assurance of my high appreciation of your individual efforts in the 

 good cause. 



John VV. Gill, Mount-Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, writing under 

 date Sept. 17th, 1845; 



