Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-29
IMMIGRATION TO VIRGINIA CONDUCTED
BY THE STATE.


1t seems that there are several applications to the
Legislature for the Incorporation of land ana immi
grant companies or societies. but nothing appears IN
the proceedings of either House to the progress of
a bill presented some time ago, "TO promote and
encourage Immigration into the State OF Virginia"
accompanied by lucid and able report OF joint
committee of both Houses This measure is of vital
importance TO the landhOldes of the State is desired
by them, aud will be Of more value to the whole
State than any number OF societies could possibly
be, nasmuch it provides for the selection abroad,
by accredited agents IF the State, of the best class
OF emigrantS, for their transportation TO Virginia,
and for settling them "a soon as they arrive. Ii
will impose no ultimate expense upon the State, and
much less upon the andhOlders than any other mode,
besides securing to them class tar superior to those
who are furnished in the customary course OF mer-
camille transaction, or brought here in the way of
traffic for such in fact il is.
The agent Of the State would command more con-
idence abroad than those of any Incorporated COM
plny society, and directed by her authority would
be enabled to act with greater advantage every way
The bill provides for the appointment of 4 com
missioner Of immigration, with an Office at Rich
mOnd, whose duty will be 10 settle upon and carry
into operation practical plan for the introduction
of sober and Industrious emgrantS, with their lam.
lies into the State-tO take measures for conveying
10 them correct and accurate information of the
great natural resources of the State soil, climate
mineral wealth and variety of productions; of the
demand for labor and the many inducements Viz
u
at Us the medium between the farmer or other per-
son in the State wanting labor and the emigrant
seeking a home and emplOyment-tO make arrange
ments To receive and forward them 10 their places of
destinaton-n short, to do or have done everything
necessary t carry through effectively and promptly
the whole pan as prescribed in the bill To the far
mer or other person employing the immigrants thus
brought into the State the bonus will be but So in
stead Of S25, which is the customary charge.
Although but private citizen, | have received
IL nR1 flt..r4 into
of the State in regard to the progress Of the bill
ferred to- and all of them in urgent need of labor
One of these, from a gentleman in Amherst county,
says: In this valley, consisting of 10000 or 10000
acres Of as fine land Is the Piedmont district can
boast Of we are this day (2Oth of january almost
eatirely without laborers. There are many farms
which have ordinarily produced from 900 to 1900
bushels Of grain, which will this produce nothing,
comparatively, so far as We can now see. My
farm, and two Others in sight of NINE whose annual
product has been stated for the last several years
are ut this time without labOrer on them 80 far rs
am ADVISED. We have plenty of negroes in four
iles OF US nut no price will induce them 10 engage
Win us except as tenants! lazy, ignorant ragged
negro, tenant!i Who would not sooner see his
land grow up in pine bushes and Lroon, stro,v ~
consequences must be disastrous 10 us as 4 neonr
Il our Legislature refuses to do sometLirr, F tI;s
kind for the people, Introduce labor from E,r,,,,
they had as well cease all legislation; for sufer H.
agricultural interest to go down, every Other mn,
necessarily 60 with it, certainly as the supsstrn
ture topples over when the base gives way"
A gentleman of Nelson county expresses for him.
self and society of which he is member their r,rat
lie alton at the move in the Legislature to appoint
State Commissioner of immigration, and sis well
persuaded that it will accomplish valuable re.
suits"
Another gentleman, in Albemare, states that he
finds the negro labor entirely unavailable aud eX-
presses great anxiety TO obtain reliable immigrants by
the first of April.
These letters have all been received within the past
few days, and there are Others upon the same sub
iect all showing the absolute and urgent necessity
which is pressing upon our landholders, and not on
y the eXpedency but the pressing necessity for
such measure as has been inaugurated by the joint
committee Of the General Assembly. ...
So far as am capable OF judging, after careful
reading Of the bill it seems TO me to be as complete
and comprehensive, though condensed, as it could
well have been framed; and the Legislature, if it
should pass, will thereby render most important
service TO the State
Then, instead of having to rely upon agents, who
must necessarily order emigrants from New York