88 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



^Ir. James McCauloy, of Elkton, Murylaiul, writes tlie follDwinp intorcst- 

 inp^ letter, and kiiully ufler8 to answer individuals who may desire further 

 information about einig^ratinj:^ to Maryland : 



"Gentlemen — I notice in the public ])apers your imjuiries addressed to 

 Mr. Stockbridgc of the Maryland Convention, on the subject of agricultinc 

 in Maryland. I am a citizen of Cecil county, the northern one on the east- 

 ern shore — here I was born and raised, as have been my ancestors for the 

 last century. My business, as land surveyor and agent for the sale of 

 land, has given mc a good opportunity for seeing the lands generally, in 

 this county, and noticing their productions under different methods of cul- 

 ture. In the northern part of Cecil theie has been very little of slavery 

 for many years, though the lands have been, and still are, lower in price 

 than in the adjoining States of Pennsylvania and Delaware. 



The convention, Jiow in session in this state, will abolish slavery — then 

 the adoption of the constitutitni will be submitted to a vote of the people, 

 by whom it will be approved without doubt. This will take place in llic 

 current year. 



There is considerable land in the market, much of which you would not 

 consider in good condition, of which the average i)rice might be set down 

 at S^O per acre. The eastern shore has great advantages as an agricul- 

 tural district. There is scarcely a place in it, ten miles distant from tide- 

 water, where lime, oyster shells, and all the manures in (he market cannot 

 be obtained. The soil is generally a sandy loam, though some stiff clay 

 soils are found. 



"Wheat and corn have been the staple crops, and the soil and climate 

 seem well adapted to their growth. The land is level and easily cultivated, 

 and well adapted to the growth of vegetables. Sweet potatoes and water- 

 melons flourish here, and are of excellent ([uality. In the lower part of 

 Cecil and in Kent counties peaches are grown willi great success, and as a 

 peach-growirig district it is now second to lujne in the United Slates. 

 Apples do well, but do not probably grow to such perfection as in the 

 Northern States. The blight (jf slavery has been on the Kasteru Shore ; 

 but when it shall have emerged from the plague it will be a splendid 

 country. Connected with the great cities by water communication, and 

 with a soil and climate so well adapted to the growth of grain fruit and 

 vegetables, and to their jierleclion for the early markets, it will rapidly 

 fill up with industrious and enterprising men, and be Iho very garden spot 

 of the United States. 



" In regard to social toleration there will be no difliculty. The slave 

 arietoeraey will go down with slavery, as a tottering building falls when 

 the prr ps are knocked away, there being nothing to keep it up, as them 

 was in Fairfax, Va., where the institution was still flourishing. 



"I will be pleased to answer any special impiiries respecung property 

 and productions on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, 



" INrrsons desiring particular locations and character of land will receive 

 information by writing." 



MessiB. K. W. Templelon & Co., No. 4S Lexington street, Baltimore, als(7 

 offer to give inforuiation to any inciuiries. They say thai valuable I'arms 



