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would suggest to your consideration the expediency of awaiting the action of General Government in reference to that object and in the meantime to communicate to Congress the expression of your opinion in favor of the contemplated measure. Since the passage of the law by Congress in 1792, for establishing an uniform Militia, the population of the United States has increased from four million to more than twelve and the resources of the Country in other respects have immensely changed. It is now necessary as it was then, that so great a proportion of the citizens should be enrolled, and the national revenue will now permit without inconvenience more liberal appropriations for arming and disciplining those who are required to do military duty. Many reasons conspire to render it probable that Congress will soon give their attention to the subject, and amend a law which has become so universally unpopular.

Of the subjects at this time particularly deserving your consideration, the agricultural interests of the State are considered, by as many as among the most important. They are truly so. For the cultivation of the soil constitutes the employment of a great majority of the people of the State and it is the foundation upon which we must depend for our present as well as future increase and prosperity.

At the last session of the Legislature a bill was reported providing for the encouragement of Agricultural Societies. This Bill having been published for general information, there is reason to believe that the policy and importance of its provisions have been well considered and understood by the people. Associations of this kind have been formed in other countries and in many of our sister States and under the patronage and fostering care of the government have found productive of the most beneficial results. By thus occasionally meeting together for the purpose of exhibiting specimens of industry and new improvements, and communicating