MR. CLAY'S LETTERS 393 



with, I admit, corresponding local benefit whilst the more 

 exalted Societies devote their whole attention, in accordance 

 with their rules, to the improvement of stock and agricultural 

 machinery a field sufficiently large for their useful labours. 

 All. these are specially excluded by their regulations from entering 

 upon politico -economical subjects whether wisely so it is not 

 requisite to ask ; therefore, the formation of a League could 

 not possibly interfere with any existing Society, but would 

 rather tend to stimulate their formation and action, as every 

 one would have a claim to send their Chairman and Secretary 

 to the League, on paying the subscriptions, and, of course, their' 

 own deputation's expenses. 



As to the management of the League, that could easily be 

 arranged if the idea itself should meet with approbation say, 

 by the election at the annual meeting, which might be held in the 

 Smithfield Show week, of a Council consisting of 24 members, 

 one-third retiring annually ; with an efficient well-paid Secre- 

 tary, resident in London, whose whole time should be given to 

 the duties of his office, and with such legal assistance as may be 

 required ; and also the establishment of a comprehensive and 

 expansive code of rules to enable the League to adapt itself to 

 the various alterations necessitated by change of time and circum- 

 stances. 



The special object of the League would be to undertake duties 

 now much neglected and beyond the rules of all existing societies ; 

 viz., the charge of measures in the Houses of Parliament and 

 before the Government, calculated to benefit agriculture, as well 

 as to oppose or modify any movement detrimental to that 

 important interest. It cannot be denied that more attention to 

 such matters would result in some improvement, and might 

 eventually lead to the appointment of a Minister or Board of Agri- 

 culture, which is much needed ; for although the present House 

 of Commons contains many members who are friendly to the 

 farmer, yet the prominence with which his younger but more 

 energetic brother, " The Manufacturer," has contrived to push 

 forward his own measures seems to be obliterating the fact that 

 there is such an interest in agriculture which equally requires 

 and fully deserves the application of those free trade and pro- 

 gressive principles which have been of so much benefit to com- 

 mercial enterprise. 



This state of things need not be, if agriculturists and their 

 friends would make up their minds to set fairly about altering 

 it ; and if the idea of a " Farmers' League " as here proposed, 

 appears to meet the case, and should find sufficient favour to lead 

 to its formation, I shall be glad to assist, if requisite, in my humble 

 way. But my object just at present in addressing this letter to 

 you is to excite discussion in the first place, in the hope that, if 

 worthy of notice, some more prominent member of society may 

 be induced to take up the subject and carry it to the successful 

 issue which, in my opinion, the importance of the interests more 



