The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-20

ther William II. Lyons.
IMMIGRATIoS.-The State Board Of I'm
migration held its adjourned meeting yes
terday in the capitol-present: Messrs. T
J. Randolph, W. H. Mcfarland, and R. B
Haxall. Several gentlemen we're present
whose object was to lay before the Board
their views touching immigration.
First, Mr.. Baskervill, of this city, pre-.
sented his views with reference to the pos.
sibility Of some arrangement by which i'm
migrants could be brought to James river
He is agent for the Norfolk and Liverpool
line of steamers. If We could furnish
those steamers with sufficient freight, we
could control their movements, but not
otherwise. Much conversation took place
as to the possibility Of accumulating freight
for the foreign trade in Virginia ports. Mr..
Baskervill said at present it was confined
in this port to our one staple of tobacco,
but supposed that it might be extended
by the addition of corn, manganese, baryta,
and occasionally other articles. There
was demand in England for manganese,
which was furnished in large quantities in
Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
Mr.. Baskervill described the mode in
which immigration is now directed, and
| immigrants carried off to the Northwest,
through system so perfect and well sus-
tanned by means that we could not CON-
pete with it. The system was one for re-
ceiving and distributing immigrants to
their homes. No system could succeed
that did not provide for the immigrant
upon his arrival.
Mr.. Macfarland inquired of Mr.. Basker-
will whether, as plan for promoting
immigration, it would not be well to ap.
point merchant Of Richmond, or several,
as agents, to use their influence through
their correspondence. Mr.. B. thought ii
better to use the press as the vehicle for
making known the advantages of Virginia,
and these would invite immigration. 1t
would be idle to bring immigrants until we
had something for them to do.
After much conversation on this subject,
General Imboden laid before the Board
a proposition. This proposition was, that
if the State would appoint an agent, to be
designated by an association of gentlemen
to which he was attached, they would fur
nish the means to defray his expenses to
Europe, and would place in the hands of
the Board the residue Of $4,000, after
paying this agents expenses, to meet ex-
penditures on account Of printing, etc.
The expenses of the agent would proba-
bly, reach $500, so that $4,000 would re-
main for the use Of the Board.
General Imboden went at some length
into an explanation of his proposition. He
frankly stated that the object Of the asso-
citation was to make money, and they de-
%, ,;,1
ment of the State to command confidence
abroad. The association proposed to seek
out lands that were for sale, and have them
surveyed, and drawings of them prepared,
which could be placed before those who
wanted lands and all this was to be done
without cost to landowners, except where
sales were effected. In those cases COM
mission was charged, and also the cost of
surveying, &c. In no case was it proposed
that the immigrant should pay anything
until he saw the land and was satisfied
with his purchase. He stated that his
company bad already very large number
of farms at low prices, including fair and
very good lands, at from 81 to SO per acre.
He described q magnificent farm in Neck
lenburg, with four hundred acres of low
grounds not subject to overflow, which cost
before the war $40, 900, and was now offered
at fifteen dollars per acre.
General Imboden stated that, as q CO.
operative measure in this enterprise of i'm
migration, company was about to be Or
.ganized in Philadelphia with capital Of
not less than 35O0,OO0, whose plan was to
purchase lands in Virginia now offered for
sale, and after properly surveying and map
ping these lands, to bring them in the mar
kct for immigrants; and by proper agen-
cies and advertising it was anticipated
they would sell readily, and immigration
into Virginia would be rapidly increased.
These plans contemplated the introduc-
ton of the better class of immigration
the small farmers Of means sufficient to
buy land. A few such families settled
down near larger plantations would soon
furnish labor enough for the neighbOr-
hood. Each small farmer had family,
and thus his own labor. In time he would
have an excess, and could help his neigh
bors. In this way he anticipated large
increase Of the supply Of labor to the
country.
General I.predicted a large influx Of
population from the northern States as
soon as our political condition is settled.
| The immense advantages Of Virginia were
fully appreciated by the northern people,
and they would be eager to avail them
selves of them as soon as quiet and order
were perfectly restored. He looked for
large investments as well as immigration
from the North.
He alluded to the thorough immigrant
systems Of the northern States, and de-
clared that there was no competing with
them unless We, too, had our agent in
Europe, and there entered into contract
with the immigrant. We must agree with
him there; bring him here and take him
to his home. He proposed the appoint
ment Of General Tochman as the agent to
90 to Europe, and himself General I.),
Colonel Page, and some other gentleman,
to receive the immigrant here and send
him to his home, General Tochman was q
well-knowp man amongst the Poles. They
had numerous societies which kept up
correspondence, and which had lived in
hope OF seeing their native land inde-
pendent. But they had now despaired,
and would be glad to find homes in new
land, where they would be free. They
were industrious and thrifty people, and
would make good citizens. A colony OF
them was now in prosperous condition in
Caroline county. They were intelligent,
and numbered amongst them some highly
educated persons-one mathematician OF
European fame.
With the authority of the State to com.
mand confidence, "a great deal could be done
for immigration and if the State would
appoint the agent, General Imboden as.
sured the Board the money should be
raised.
Mr.. Randolph desired to know what