Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-06-26

Union and the Congress Of the nation which might even
tuate in the accomplishment of what the farmers of this
Union when they should understand the bearing Of the
great question, would demand with perfect unanimty
The motion Of Mr. LEE was then agreed TO-
Mr. HoLKHAM then renewed the motion that commit
ee consist Of from each State represented In the
Convention and also from the District OF Columbia, be
appointed 10 business for the Convention, and
port constitution for the National Agricultural Society
The motion agreed TO-
And thereupon the President appointed the following
gentlemen to constitute said committee:
Messrs. Hokham, of Delaware; Douglas, OF Illinois !;
j. A. King of New York Dawson, Of Georgia; French,
of Massachusetts Steele of New Hampshire Thurson,
of Rhode Island Hubbard, Of Connecticut Stevens OF
Vermont Elwyn, Of Pennsylvania Calvert OF Maryland
Campbell of Ohio Hancock of New Jersey Calan, of
the District of Columbia G. w. p Gusts, OF Virginia
Bsrgwyn of North Carolina Taylor, of Alabama DeBow,
of Louisiana Spencer Of Indiana Mallory, Of kenucky
Bell of Tennessee; Weston, of Wisconsin; McLane, of
California; Pickhard, of Maine; Seaman, of Michigan
Several subjects then referred to the committee
just appointed and the committee was instructed to pre-
pare memorial to be presented to Congress relative to
agricultural bureau.
During the absence of this committee from the hall Of
meeting several gentlemen entertained and instructed the
Convention by delivering interesting addresses on the con-
dition of agriculture in their respective States
Mr. CALHOUN of Massachusetts,, announced the Marsh
field farmer DANIEL WEBSTER as delegate TO the Con-
vention; which received with much applause
Mr. ELwYN, of Pennsylva from the committee APP
pointed prepare business for the Convention ana re-
submitted constitution which was read and considered
by sections.
Some discussion ensued as the time and place where
the Society shall hereafter meet when an was
adopted providing that the meetings OF the Society shall
be held the first Wednesday in February In the city
of Washington the Executive Committee with the assent
of the Society," to have the power to call meetings else
where
The Convention having adopted the constitution then
adjourned until o'clock in the evening.
THURSDAY EVENING SESSION.
At seven o'clock the Convention re-assembled,
when the PRESIDENT stated that there was no bust
ness Immediately before the Convention, as the
Committee on Business had not yet reported
Very soon afterwards that Committee came in
with their report, which, being lengthy and not hav
ing been finally adopted, do not think it neces-
sary publish 1t argued for the proprety and
sy of protection for the agricultural interest equally with
the other great interests of the country and had for its
conclusion the recommendation of the establishment of
Department or Bureau of Agriculture by Congress.
Mr.. HoIcoMB, of Delaware, having announced the
suit of the deliberations of the committee remarked that
there had been besides this purpose for action
the subject Of protection for shipping engaged in
the guano trade; but having observed within the last
hours statement in the public papers that
the Government had determined detach squadron for
this very object the purpose of relinquished
This whole subject of guano of the greatest nte
to the farmers of every section of the Union but per-
haps especially to the South The deposte of this
invaluable manure at the Lobos Islands, consisting of
eighteen millions Of tons, enough to last for the next
years. and but little inferior to the best Pc
ruvian article he was most happy to say to be
ed to fields No event had occurred in the past SO
favorable to our future prospects this and he
again congratulate his Southern brethren the glorious
fact The exhausted lands and cotonfelds of the Caro-
lnas Georgia. and other States could be reclaimed and
the result would be- not only that we should own the
largest but the fertile and best cultivated territory
In the world He thought he retrbution in the pre-
sent movement; last year three-quarters of million of
dollars were extracted from the pockets of the farming
interest by the exravagant prices put upon guano and
had we then had agricultural department of the Gov
ernrnsnt branch q the Government agricul
represented this would not have happened He
contemplated this occasion with delight meeting as it did
here in the city called by the of the FIRST President
almost in sight of the soil he TILED
Mr.. HoLcoaB spoke proudly Of the farmer of Marsh
field who he said had successfully defended our right
to the Lobos Islands
The resolutions of the committee were then read and
laid the table.
tee unable to come TO agreement the subject of
nomination Of officers every thing dependant on the
officers, and time wanted to perform their func-
tons satisfactorily.
Mr. STEVENS, of Vermont thought that things were not
going in the right order and therefore he moved that
members first comply with their duty sign the constitu-
en and pay the wo dollars prescribed before they
undertook to speak. [Applause.
Mr. Senator DOUGLAS proposed to wait half an hour for
the purpose designated by the gentleman from Vermont
Member submitted that it was not in the power of
the Convention to choose officers when on request of
Mr. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, the constitution was
read in full by the Secretary.
Dr. LEE Of the District Of Columbia was most anxious
for the prosperity Of the Society and in order TO render
1t as popular possible proposed amendment to that
article Of the constitution which should reduce the annual
fee OF membership from two dollars dollar and life
membership from twenty-five to ten dollars This he
thought would tend greatly the efficiency of the So
cey and greatly increase its ranks and power for good
This amendment being strenuousy opposed by mem
bers the Chair announced that no changes could take
place IN the constitution but in conformity with its
own provisions Dr. Lees motion amend was not there
fore in order.
Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi pressed the views first
developed by Mr.. Stevens of Vermont wbereunon NAM
bers surrounded the Presidents table, subscribed to the
constitution and paid the admission fee
The committee which had retired 10 nominate officers
returned and reported
Motions to adjourn were then made and rejected
The resolutions from the Committee on Business TO me-
moraze Congress to establish an Agricultural Denart
ment we're then taken up.
Mr.. McHEsRY, Of Maryland opposed the resolutions
and hoped that the Society would not adopt them He
considered them contemplating action on the part of
Congress which beyond its authority Congress act
ed under constitutional limits and the power to establish
department Of agriculture had never been granted IL in
the constitution He viewed the resolution as soliciting
action the part of Congress which unconstitutional
Mr.. Senator DoUGLAs conceded in sentiment with the
gentleman from Maryland last up There were many in
the Convention Of like opinions If an Agricultural de-