United States Agricultural Society Letter to N. S. Townshend, November 12, 1862
Related Resources
W. B. Hubbard (President of the United States Agricultural Society) Letter to Norton Strange Townshend, November 12, 1862. Norton Strange Townshend Family Papers, Box 1, Folder 32.
United States Agricultural Society
President’s Office
Columbus, O., Nov. 12, 1862
Doct. N.S. Townshend, Avon, O.
Dear Sir, Your favor of the 11th ult was duly rec’d and read with interest. I am glad to learn that you will have the Memorial & Bill prepared for the action of you Board, and thence for the Genl. Assembly of Ohio. Like all other great and important movements, for the advance of intelligence & the Good of Mankind, some one master spirit must take the lead. I am at this season of the yar too much engaged with too many other matters, to write any thing for you, especially, as I feel confident you will be fully competent for the task. Indeed, if it were not for this my confidence, I might be inclined, to try my hand at it even in the midst of my numerous engagements. However, I will promise, to devote all the time necessary by way of consultation with you, and on your production. Indeed I have already given you–for whatever they are worth–verbal outlines for the founding of the Ohio Agricultural College.
Just now, I am in great trouble to know, what to do in reference to our U.S. Ag. Society. With the finances exhausted when I took the Presidency,
with no means therefore to pay an efficient Secretary who would devote his whole time to the business & interests of the Society; with more or less of Agricultural Societies and their principal representatives estranged, and with no very encouraging prospect of success in the very essentials, necessary to give vitality & permanence, for good, in & for the future, I am at a loss to know what to do & what I ought to do. At times, I have doubted whether, I ought not to send on, a most respectful declaration of my office! At other times I think that perhaps it is my duty again to go to Washington, with an address prepared, both by stating the condition of the Society; the causes that have [pardoned?] it; the necessity of reform and reorganization; the method to do it, and then take my leave!! What do you think of it? And what do you advise–Any suggestions you make me, will be thoughtfully & kindly received. Even, be so good as to state subjects or [illegible] for my communication; if you think I ought to go. Will you go on & be then at the Annual Meeting? And cant you go as the Rep. of the O. Ag. Society? And help reorganize—-
I will be much pleased with your visit here whenever you come.
Have you read Cairns on “The Slave Power”? It is a very able work. I wish every Southerner as well as Northerner would read it. Altho’ a work unlike Count De Gasparins, yet it supplies what is wanting in the latter.
I am now reading Buckle on Civilization. A work of much ability–very suggestive, & probably very useful.
I have rec’d the 1st & 2nd Annual reports of the Agricultural Society of Australia. This action on the subject of vineyards, appeared to me new, and perhaps the same principles might be adlopted for these and other crops by our Am. Societies.
I am very Respectfully
Your obdt. serv.
W.B. Hubbard
