Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-11-08

NASHVILLE. Oct aSth, 1854
Gentlemen: i acknowledge the receipt Of
your esteemed letter, and with it the Gold Med
al presented to me in the name of the State of
Tennessee. For this highly valued compliment.
'front.' Legislators of my ralive State. allow
me through YOU to return nv sincerest thanks.
The medal is chastp, beautiful, and appropri-
ate. and is more highly esteemed for being the
work of our own arlizans; it will serve to slim.
uate me to increased exprions and to strength
en- my humble efforts to advance the A gricultu
raj interests of Tennessee. | seek no prouder
aurelS than can be won in the pursuits of hus
bandry. The citizen who applies labor in har
mony with the laws of nature, and thus proln-
ces results valuable and before unknown, which
tend to develop the resources and augment the
products OF his State. may be deemed an inven
tor, an originator. Al an early period of my
lif, I felt that independence demanded that we
should be the producers ofthe fine cloths worn
by the Bar. the Bench. the Congress. and the
heads of the nation. Moved by this sentiment
anu bV'HS V'S''i'tb ~ III I'H'l I'l'iF
who were married in log fort in 1880, on the
bluff of Cumberland river near the wire bridge.
and having inherited dash of tlrat spirit whi.l;
ii ! ,tr,-rrT tnFuuyn me untTodden forest, ana
caused them to make their own paths IN the
wilderness, led off ahead of my neighhorS III
this great enterprise, of growing at home the
fabrics which clothed the men who make and
administer the laws of the land.
1t is true that have devoted fayt- culture
nv life to sheep bu-sury the history, pedigree,
barsY,rs Of the Merino and Saxon focks, and
especially the influence of climate upon the |
growth of wool. At the World's Fair at Lon
don, in 1851, the premium for the golden fleece
was awarded to Tennessee. Germany. Spain,
SaxOny, and Silesia were there. The competi
ton was strong, honorable and fair. Nature
gave me the advantage ia climate. but the noble
lords and princes of Europe did not know it,
neither did my own my own countrymen know
it until we met in the Crystal Palace of London
before million of spectators.
Whilst their hocks were housed six months |
in the year to shelter them form the snow of !
high latitude, and fed from the granares and |
stock yards, mine were roaming over the green |
pastures Of Tennessee, warmed By the genial |
lnhnece of southern sun-tne fleece thus soft
rendered oily By the warmth and |
green food producing fine even fibre.
This triumph, and whatever of success may
have followed my labors, may be attributed |
to the gifts Of Providence in climate, aud to
hat spirit of independence Inherited from my
ieeStOrS; wD lDIa .yty tha r,l ma. cut
.away the cane and built log forts where the
beautiful city of Nashville now spread from her
e CANT mansions all the comforts and Injuries
If life.
1t is source of high qualification to me that
his token is rendered to nephew of the dis
Captains who headed and conman-
led the colony which founded this city, the cap
tai OF the State. These pioneers have passed
rom the stage of action quietly, and are almost
orgotten. 1t is pleasing and grateful duty
If their descendants to remember and record
heir perils, hardships, and manly courage.
MS model Will consecrate to their memories,
or having reared me in a manner to cause this
complimentary notice from the State The res
'lunons of the Legislature assigning you the
ask thus completed will be remembered by
ne with pleasure, and my efforts to merit what
hey have done will be untiring For your Wis
om and -liberaity in passing the Act establish
To- the Agricultural Bureau Won and vour as
elates, IN Legislation, deserve the lasting
hanks of your constituents. "a
With sentiments of regard 1 am very respect
lilly. Your obedient servant,
MARX r. CocKRILL
To Messrs. John Hugh Smith, W. H. Glen
ms. and E. S. Chea,ham. Committee
Seen. James Robertson.