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357 if an arrangement for their purpose can be effected on any just and reasonable terms. Such an arrangement would, it is believed, ensure a continuance of the harmony now existing, and contribute essentially to promote the mutual interests of both States. In addition to these considerations, the magnanimity of our parent Commonwealth, so signally manifested in her assent to our separation, in compliance with the wishes of that portion of her people now constituting this State, affords a strong assurance that a negotiation instituted for the purchase of her lands for a just and adequate equivalent would not prove in the result to have been fruitless and unavailing. When the North Eastern boundary shall have been definitely settled, a favourable opportunity will be presented for attempting to effect this purchase, if it should be deemed expedient, as a portion of the militia claim, when received, would constitute a fund for the payment, without the necessity of having recourse to any additional taxation upon the people; and the lands and their proceeds might be reserved as a fund for the promotion of education as contemplated by an act of 1828. As it is certain that the great capital of our state is land, which must be rendered productive by the skill and industry of the farmer, and as a great portion of our citizens are necessarily devoted to the cultivation of the soil, it is important that encouragement should be afforded to this most ancient and useful of all employments. I believe it would be beneficial to the State, that agricultural associations and experiments, for the purpose of determining what articles can be cultivated to the most advantage in or, soil and climate, what modes of culture and kinds of manure are most suitable, and also for improving the breeds and qualities of the different kinds of animals raised on farms should be promoted by the aid of the legislature. The public roads, which have been undertaken by the authority of the State are progressing, and in some instances have been completed. The report of the agents of