382 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be 

 tendered to the rail road companies for their 

 liberal aid in the transportation of members, 

 and subjects, for exhibition free of charge. 



Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be 

 presented to the Common Council, of the City 

 of Richmond, and to the citizens generally, for 

 the enlightened public spirit and praiseworthy 

 liberality of the one in providing such commo- 

 dious grounds and ample accommodations for 

 ihe Society's first exhibition, and for the gene- 

 rous and refined hospitality of the other so 

 freely dispensed in the entertainment of the 

 members of the Society. 



His Honor, the Mayor of the City, re- 

 sponded to this resolution in eloquent terms, 

 and assured the Society that the City and citi- 

 zens of Richmond would rejoice in every op- 

 portunity afforded them of facilitating the ope- 

 rations of the Society, and of welcoming its 

 members to a participation of their hospitality. 



Adjourned, to meet to-morrow evening at 

 half-past 7 o'clock. 



Friday Evening, Nov. 4th, 1853. 

 The Society met pursuant to adjournment. 

 The President, after calling the Society to 

 order, rose and delivered the following ad- 

 dress: 



Gentlemen of the Society, — I rise to re- 

 turn you my thanks for the honor you 

 have conferred upon me, in calling me 

 again to preside over the Virginia State 

 Agricultural Society. 



I should be insensible indeed, were I not 

 profoundly moved by this mark of your 

 partiality, by this high honor, proceeding 

 as it does, from this august assembly. 

 Gentlemen of the Society, I have but a 

 word more to say. 



A year ago 1 was called from the retire- 

 ment of private life— in which I had fondly 

 hoped to pass the remainder of my days — 

 to lead the "forlorn hope" in another effort 

 to organize a great State Agricultural So- 

 ciety. My comrades were few, but good 

 and true men, and at the bidding of patri- 

 otism, of State pride, of duty and of honor, 

 we went forward, we encountered obsta- 

 cles, we overcame difficulties, we stormed 

 the breach, we carried the work, we plant- 

 ed our flag, and already the victory has 

 been proclaimed from yonder field, — aye! 

 and has re-echoed even in this Hall! 



Again you bid me lead my tried and 

 worthy comrades, and essay a higher and 

 a mightier work — that of elevating and 

 advancing the great interests of Agricul- 

 ture in our State. 



Well might one far abler than I falter, in 

 view of the mighty task imposed. But, 

 fellow-farmers, encouraged by your con- 



fidence, and trusting to your support, 1 

 yield, however rashly, to the call; and in- 

 voking the aid of that Almighty Power 

 who ever shapes our ends, I can only say, 

 in the words, and I trust somewhat too in 

 the spirit, of a gallant soldier of historic 

 lame, when ordered forth in the discharge 

 of duty, even to the cannon's mouth, I can 

 only say, "I will try." 



Comrades of the Executive Committee, 

 [turning to them] I shall know how to 

 count upon you. 



Gentlemen of the Society, [turning to 

 themj now embodying the mind and moral 

 force of the State, you will press on, you 

 will support our advance towards the ulti- 

 mate achievement of the great and glo- 

 rious result. 



Mr. N. Francis Cabell, of Nelson, Chair- 

 man of the Committee on Branch IX, in the 

 Schedule of Premiums, which proposes to 

 award honarary testimonials for the introduc- 

 tion of any new principle, process or experi- 

 ment, important to the agricultural interest of 

 Virginia-, made a report, which, on motion of 

 Mr. Lee, of Orange, was received with the 

 thanks of the Society. 



The Hon. William C. Rives being called 

 upon to address the Society, responded in a 

 short, "but feeling and eloquent speech, and 

 concluded his remarks by constituting himself, 

 his wife, his daughters, sons and sons' wives 

 and children life members of the Society, and 

 announced, on behalf of Messrs. Warwick & 

 Barksdale, their munificent donation of two 

 thousand dollars. 



Messrs. B. Johnson Barbour, of Orange, J. 

 H. Lacy, of Spottsylvania, and several other 

 gentlemen, being called for by the meeting, 

 delivered stirring and eloquent addresses. 



On motion of Mr. Gilmer, of Albemarle, 

 the following resolution was adopted: 



Resolved, That a banner shall be awarded to 

 the county from which the Society shall have 

 received up to the time of holding the next 

 annual Fair, the largest amount of money in 

 proportion to its population. 



And then the Society adjourned sine die. 



Ch. B. Williams, Rec. Sec'y. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY 



At the Shoiv Grounds during Ike progress of the 

 Exhibition. 



On Tuesday morning, the 1st of November, 

 the various Committees of Award completed 

 their organization, and proceeded to examine 

 and compare the subjects for premiums sub- 

 mitted to them in the departments assigned 

 them respectively. 



On Wednesday, the 2d of November, the 

 Society assembled in the large central tent at 

 11 o'clock for the purpose of hearing the An- 

 nual Address. After prayer by the Rev. Mr. 



