National Republican., 1874-07-02
BRITISH IMMIGRATION.
,arEETING OF THE VIRGINIA PRO
TECTIVE ASSOCIATION.

ING - SOME NOOD ADN-SG
GRANTS.
Especial correspondence Of The National hepuO-
HcaR.l
ALEXANDRIA, VA, July l, lST4-
June S, 1874, a circular was issued oy
direction of a preliminary meeting OF the
British settlers in Virginia, which set forth
that having seen the benefits accrung te
settlers from the efforts Of the British
association whose Headquarters are at Kich'
mond, Va, "the British settlers in Alex
apdris have determined to make an effort tc
effect similar organization, with present head
ouarte-s at Alexandria, the association 10 DE-
pamed The British Protection Association o.
Northern Virginia. the object of which Is tc
induce immigration of British subjects, o.
sound morals and pecuniary ability, TO setue
in northern Virginia; to assist them, on thelr
arrival by necessary Information as to locali-
ties and lands. so as to secure their permanent
success and satisfaction by directing them 70
sncb Doints as will be most conducive to colo
nization of srch settlers in the counties ada
cent to Alex eAandria-beleVinC that, by forming
colonies, they will be better able to control
local influences to their mutual advantage and
pleasure, :han by being scattered at great dis
tauces from each other"
TIC circular named yesterday as the day Of
meeting, and in obedience thereto meeting
was held in Sarepta hall, on King street, Alex
andria The attendance of British settlers was
large, and the rose, the shamrock and the
thistle were well represented. In addition
there was a dozen or more Of Afric's sons and
several prominent citizens of Virginia. The
hall was decorated with the British and Amer
ican cOlors- At II q. N. Captain J. K. Mas
tiers called the meeting to order and stated the
objects, after which Mr.J. .TaCy was nominated
aud elected president, and S. Redgrave, OF
Alexandria county, James Hunter, of Vienna,
and W. /. Mcclure, of Alexandria, selected as
secretaries. Rev John Brown. Of Vienna, was
elected chaplain, who invoked Divine blessing.
The Chair returned thanks Tor the cOmph-
ment and stated that several prominent gentle
men of Virginia were present and desired 10
participate in the deliberations, and if there
was no objection, he would invite them to seats
on the platform. No objection being raised,
the following gentlemen were escorted to the
platform: Hon J. J. JamisOn, British vice
consul at Alexandria: Hon. K. kemper, mayor
of Alexandria: Hons. J. T. Janney, president
Board of Aldermen; G. K. Shinn, president
Common Council: J. S. Barbour, president
Virgins Midland railroad; W. G. Cazenove,
vice president do; Lewis Mckenzie, president
OF the Washington and Ohio railroad.
THOSE PRESENT.
O..
Loudoun county: Rev. John Brown, Vienna;
Stephen RedCrove, Alexandria; Samuel B.
Worslclv, Prince William county; E. L.
Unrelv. Prince William county; Andrew Low
Prince William county; Jas. Hunter, Vienna:
John R. Blake Fairfax Courthouse; j. Tracy,
Alexandria; W. c. Ferguson, LoudOun county:
Vim. Adamson, Prince William county; J. J.
Davis, Prince William county; DIR. VIM. Glib
son, Alexandria: John T. Gibson, Alexandria;
nlrfa
MehaHv, Alexandria; L. LywoOd, Prince VIII
liam county; T. E. Homer, Prince William
county; James Graham, Washington, D. c.;
A. A. MoorsOn, Prince William county; Jos.
Davidson, Washington, D. c.; A. Wordley,
Washington, D. c.; J. D. McGill, Washington,
D. c.; Samuel Pullman, Alexandria; Peter
Pullman, Alexandria; Joseph Markham Alex
andria: Adam Martin, Alexandria; W. Cogan,
Alexandria; John Cogan, Prince William
county; c. K. LemstronC, Prince William
county; Henry Showers, Washington, D. c.;
W. B. Mcclure, Alexandria; Henry lutchens,
Alexandria.
The Chair announced that it he'd been sug-
gested to devote the morning hours to general
expression of opinions and the afternoon to be
devoted to the regular formation Of an sssocia-
ton.
There being no objection, this programme
was approved
His Homer Mayor Kemper was introduced.
and extended a hearty welcome to the visitors,
and also gave them the hOspitalities Of the
city. He referred to the subject Of immigTa-
ton, and showed the importance OF all coming
TO Virginia, and he hailed the day with much
pleasure.
Mr. W. B. Mcclure next addressed the con-
veution, and said that this work had been lOug
deferred, and had at last been commenced.
The theme now before the British settlers was
Of r-rpot irnrOrf anrn and In 0r1pr IN uriC
more clear explanation he would occupy the
time Of the convention in some remarks on the
subject. He claimed that q rlch harvest OF
prosperity could be reaped by little exertion,
and be believed that Virginia would be repopu-
lated by an influx from the old country. He
charged them TO bear in mind that, although
they were British settlers, they should not for
get that they were adopted citizens Of Virginia,
and epdeavOr TO promote the prosperity of
their adopted State He urged that none but
practical farmers, who were not avsriCious for
too much land, and who were willing to work
should be enticed to emlgrate. Although
BritOus, he regarded the right to grumble
as a birthEght, and always exercised it; Etil
be hoped that Virginians would bear With them
and recollect that all people liked their own
ideas the best, and were 10th to give them up.
Although they did sometimes grumble, they
were, in the main, jolly good fellows. He
former years, and urged that it was the duty
of every good citizen TO DO all in his power 70
change the aspect of things, and do all IN his
power to improve the city and State. lie
called attention to the fact that similar socie.
ties had been formed in other portions Of the
country with very beneficial effects. He gave
statistics to prove what he he'd said and
GTiDced thorough knowledge of bis subject.
Mr.. Mcclure continued at some length, and
10 Int al I1ryffh
applause.
Mr. Davis, Of Breutsvire, Va, next ad-
dressed the meeting briefly, and said he in
tended TO do all in his power for the promotion
Of the object aimed at The cry is still how
can Virginia make her future prosperity sue
cess, and how can her mineral resources DO de-
velOped.
The meeting had been called in the true in
teTests of Virginia, and those composing the
meeting are willing to unite with those of the
mRuor born to elevate the old State to that po-
sitiOn to which she belongs. There is no DC
litical motive, but entirely the welfare OF the
State, and TO direct British immigration TO the
State Reports have been circulated preiu-
dicial TO the welfare Of Virginia, and have
caused those from England to go to other
States. The efforts Of those in Virginia ought
TO be to d!sarm those reports, and infuse in
British subjects that true information as would
Virginia. 1t is necessary for success that those
who come must do so with a spirit Of industry
and energy. Let the farmers come and buy
small farms; they will pay better than large
tracts. Pay cash down, and by this means it
will give confidence. At the outset they must
not cucumber themselves with debt. He re-
lated instances where fatal mistakes were
MADE by relying entirely upon the crops. Vir-
giIia is not what she has been, and large
plantations cannot be managed as heretofore.
lie advised them not 10 settle on cheap farms
and not to change their VOCatiOns, but to con-
tinue them L they desired to be successful. The
carpenter, the pride of the craft, cannot turn
the heated iron Es would one Of the trade. To
the determined he offered the best induce
ments. and pictured the geographical situation
of the State and expressed himself to the effect
that he could not see why the delay In coming
TO the State was so long. He made q compar-
isOn Of the wages received by the mechanic OF
the North with that received in Virginia, and
claimed that the pay il the old State was much
better. He advised those who come to attend
to their own business and let other peoples
alone, and closed by bidding all sons Of Great
Britain hearty welcome.
Hon. J. s. Barber was next introduced, and
said he did not expect to make speech, but
would say that the railroad interests would be
greatly benefited by immigration. The sdvan-
H. -,