Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-24
IMMIGRATION TO THE STATE-MR.
COLES REpnRT

We have glanced over the Report Of Mr..
W. r. Cole, the Agent appointed by the Legis-
lature of Maryland, to distribute information
in relation to its resources and advantages for
settlement, and have been much gratified at
the evidence contained in the correspondence
submitted by him, of the great interest mani
tested throughout the North in the chances of
finding homes in this commonwealth. From
the tenor of these letters, and the fact that
many hundreds besides of the same character
were received, it is plain that the Agent has
done his duty with zeal and discretion; and
that ere long we shall see the fruits of all this
in an increased influx of capital and labor
into the State, such as to delight all interested
in its advancement. Speaking of the effect
of distributing in large numbers the able and
valuable pamphlet prepared by a committee
of the Legislature at its last session. entitled
1.-The Resources Of NarylaRd," Mr. Cole
says:
personal applications soon became nu-
''merous-these were from persons seeking
''places for immediate settlement, and others
prospecting for themselves and a circle of
''friends or neighbors who were DESTROYS of
viewing for themselves, or by trusty repre-
sentative, the attractions set forth, with the
"design, if satisfactory, of emigrating at q
Culture day. Giving them every facility for
"prosecuting their inspection, it was source
''of qualification to learn from them after
wards, that their expectations were in nearly
''every case fully realized and also TO know
that where a settlement of one person WAS
effected, it was generally followed by others
"from his former neighborhood induced TO
"follow by his representations.
We find by this Report that the enlightened
step taken at the last session has already borne
good fruits; and Mr.. Cole deserves for his
judicious and active endeavors TO carry out
the wishes of the Legislature, some substantial
token of their appreciation Of his labors. He
sets forth one of the obvious difficulties that
have limited desired results, as follows:
"One difficulty at present encountered in
''the rapid settlement of the State is the
scarcity of small farms. From ten to fifty
''acres is all that is required, or within the
liability to purchase, by the emigrating class
at has been my endeavor to enlist private
.!enterprize to relieve us of this disability by
purchasing some of the larger contiguous
''tracts, and dividing them into parcels to suit
''the means and requirements of every pur
"chaser. have assurances that this relief is
sat hand, and that Boston, New York and
Baltimore will join hands in an enterprise
that cannot fail to greatly enhance our pros
''pects for increased population.
We hope and trust that Mr.. Cole expecta-
tons may indeed be realized. We need ouly
glance through the advertising columns Of any
journal in the State, or over the lists of the
real estate agents, TO understand the serious
nature Of the 'obstacle' mentioned in this
Report. Large farms abound, and until some
thing is done to divide these somehow, it Is
likely to continue to be serious drawback to
the desired addition of industry and population
so much needed here. We have hitherto re-
ferred to this disability, Of large farms, and
we see not how 1t can be met, unless proprie
tors who have lost their labor will consent to
divide them; something so far almost without
exception strenuously resisted by land owners
We wish we had space to quote extracts. at
least, from the letters sent to Mr.. Cole, and
given-a portion of them-in the report. They
comprise epistles from soldiers who have been
across the State, and who have been stationed
here; from farmers, mechanics, and indeed
every class, great many of whom are tired
of the cold climate whence their applications
are dated. We look in the spring-if these
letters are any truthful indicaton-for large
accession from these sources to our population