Sept. 18, 1820.
Messrs. Richards & Caleb Johnson—
In the Lancaster Journal of September 8th, 1820, there is an excellent charge of Judge Franklin to the Grand Jury, on the subject of the Act of Assembly "for promoting agriculture and domestic manufactures." I think it well deserving a place in your Magazine; as it contains, in epitome, much useful and impressive advice on the importance of agriculture, and the formation of agricultural societies; by the instrumentality whereof both the principle, and practice of husbandry can be successfully promoted, and most effectually encouraged.—Your obedient servant,
RICHARD PETERS.
Address.
But I am desirous at this time, gentlemen, of introducing to your notice an Act of Assembly of this Commonwealth, passed at the last session of the legislature, which, if its provisions be duly attended to, may produce many beneficial effects. It is entitled, "An Act for the promotion of agriculture and domestic manufactures." The 1st, 2d, and 3d, sections enact:
"That as soon as the Board of Commissioners and two-thirds of the Grand Jury, of any county within this Commonwealth, shall agree, in writing under their respective hands (which agreement shall be filed in the office of the Prothonotary of the proper county) that a society shall be established within the same; then it shall and may be lawful for twenty or more inhabitants of any such county, fifteen of whom shall be practical and actual farmers, under the name of The Society for the Promotion of Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures, in and for such county, to sign an agreement, promising to pay the treasurer of said society, so long as he shall remain a member thereof, the sum of one dollar each, or more, annually, for the purposes hereinafter mentioned, and cause such agreement to be filed in the office of the Prothonotary of proper county; every such society shall by virtue of this act become a body politic and corporate, in deed and in law, with perpetual succession, and all the rights, liberties, privileges, and franchises incident to a corporation, for all the purposes of this act, and to admit new members upon the terms aforesaid. Provided, That the association which shall have first filed their articles of agreement shall be the only one entitled to the privileges granted by this act.
"That the said societies, respectively, shall meet at some convenient place on the Wednesday of the next Court of Common Pleas, after the said agreements shall have been filed as aforesaid, and choose by a majority of votes, out of their number, one president, ten directors, one treasurer, and one secretary, who shall be officers of said society for one year and until others are duly elected. And the said societies respectively, at their first meeting, shall have power to fix on the time and place of their annual meetings on such day of the year as they shall designate, which shall continue to be the day of the annual meeting of the societies respectively, until otherwise altered by a vote of the members as aforesaid; and also to make their own rules and by-laws, not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the United States, or of this state; and to add other officers to those designated, and prescribe their respective duties. And the president and directors shall have power to summon special meetings of said societies respectively, at such other times as to them shall seem proper.