SECRETARY'S REPORT. 17 



Under these circumstances, the Commissioners had proceeded 

 but two weeks, when one of their number, R. S. Fay, Esq., 

 much to the regret of his colleagues, having pressing engage- 

 ments, resigned his commission. A few days after. Dr. George 

 B. Loring, of Salem, was appointed in his place. 



The work was then continued, with great assiduity ; but the 

 ramifications of the disease were found to be vastly more exten- 

 sive than was first supposed. All these were traced as far as 

 the Commissioners could determine, to their utmost limits ; and 

 wherever, in the opinion of the surgeons, and their own best 

 judgment, the disease was found to exist, even in the incipient 

 stage, the herd was condemned, and disposed of. As these 

 cases multiplied, the labors of the Commissioners became more 

 arduous ; although, in almost every case, they received the 

 hearty assistance of those whose herds were involved in these 

 operations. 



They had, however, proceeded in their work but a few weeks, 

 when it became painfully evident, that the appropriation made 

 by the legislature ($10,000) was altogether inadequate to the 

 work assigned them. No time, however, was to be lost, if the 

 work were to be done at all. The cattle would soon leave their 

 stalls, and be scattered upon a thousand hills, where, if the 

 material for contagion existed, it would soon be so widely 

 diffused, that all attempts at extermination would be futile. 



An agreement was, therefore, drawn up, of which the follow- 

 ing is a copy : — 



" The undersigned liereby agree, that if the Commissioners appointed 

 to extirpate the disease amongst cattle, see fit, in the discharge of their 

 duty, to kill any or all of the cattle belonging to our i-espective herds, 

 we will wait for our compensation for the same if necessary, until the 

 legislature shall make additional appropriations for the purpose ; pro- 

 vided, however, that in case the legislature fail to make such appro- 

 priations, we retain our claim upon the guai'antee fund, which has 

 already been, or which may hereafter be subscribed for that purpose." 



This agreement was very readily and generally signed by 

 those Whose cattle were supposed to be infected. The Com- 

 missioners did not feel disposed, however, even- with this j)er- 

 mission on the part of owners, to proceed in their work without 

 some assurance that the cattle destroyed should ultimately be 



