394 MR. CLAY'S LETTERS 



directly concerned, as well as the general benefit to the country, 

 seem fully to deserve. 



I shall be glad to have your opinion on this subject, and remain, 

 Sir, Yours very truly, 



CHAS. CLAY. 



Walton, Wakefield, January 2Qth, 1866. 



SIR, In December last I addressed a letter to you on this 

 subject, which has since then found its way into almost all the 

 agricultural papers in the kingdom, and has, apparently, been 

 well received, at least I have numerous correspondents who 

 request and even urge me to take steps for carrying out the scheme 

 proposed for forming a " Farmers' League " or " Central Chamber 

 of Agriculture," the latter title being perhaps more acceptable 

 to the public than the former, I propose to adopt it in preference 

 to the name of " League." 



This first question suggests itself How shall a Central Chamber 

 of Agriculture be formed ? I confess my own influence is but very 

 small for organising such a powerful body ; but what I can do 

 and what I now propose as a further step towards the end is 

 that if all those who are willing to meet in London on an early 

 day (say, if possible, on the 6th of February next, the day after 

 the great Anti-Malt Tax Meeting), will send me their names 

 and full addresses immediately, I will, if sufficient support appears 

 of which there is not much doubt convene a meeting, " for 

 the purpose of considering the desirability of launching this or 

 some other scheme for forming a ' Central Chamber of Agricul- 

 ture,' whose duties shall be as already proposed to take charge 

 of measures in the Houses of Parliament, and before the Govern- 

 ment, calculated to benefit agriculture, as well as to oppose or 

 modify any movement detrimental to that important interest." 



If those favourable to this mode of proceeding will oblige me 

 with their names as early as possible, I will, if the list is not too 

 long, add them as supporters to the notice calling the meeting, 

 that some idea may be obtained of the position of the movement 

 by persons unavoidably prevented attending in London. 



Yours very truly, 



CHAS. CLAY. 



NOTE. The meeting above alluded to was held on the 6th of 

 February, 1866, at the Salisbury Hotel, Fleet Street, London, 

 when the Central Chamber of Agriculture was formally esta- 

 blished. 



