# The Subject alluded to is an Extract of your Excellencys Letter to Sir John Sinclair, President of the board of Agriculture at London enclosing the description of an improvement in the Plough dated March 23d. 1798 It was presented to the Secretary of the Social Society with some prefatory remarks, which I suppress. It was publicly read and concurred with, and with these additional observations deposited in our Archives for the benefit of Posterity.

“With sentiments congenial to the above extract, I cannot help deploring the probability of our present prospect of a War with Spain.

“Tho’ I feel conscious that a defensive War is sometimes necessary; Yet, Gentlemen, can no better method be devised than to appeal to the sword for a decisive umpire?

“How much more rational would it be to expend the treasures of blood and strength and money in clearing lands erecting buildings and making roads and Canals, or Civilizing the Aboriginal Natives?

“And may we not equally deplore the consumption of time, and money, annually, expended in litigious contests?

“I verily believe, the sums expended in our courts of Judicature since the existence of our Independence as a State; would have made a road, equal to a Turnpike, through every Town across the Green-mountain, from the North to the South end of the States: And would have made boatable almost every River from Missisque to the Hoosuck,* But I will forbear making reflection leaving them, Gentlemen, to your own Consciences, with my wishes that our, yet unnoticed, Society may afford some individual or joint member who may concur in sentiments with the excellent author, our worthy President of the US. and have wisdom to devise, prudence to pursue, and energy to execute such measures: as shall effectually produce a reformation not only in this State, and the United States, but of the whole World while I remain this Society’s well wisher Patron and every Philanthropists friend and humble Servt.”

Any communication from your Excellency would meet with approbation whether Ontology, Pneamatics, Physiology, or any Arts, or Sciences particularly Hydraulics, or Agriculture, and the description of the improvement in the plough, you was pleased to send to Sir John Sinclair, would be peculiarly interesting. As the extract alluded to did not favour us with that particular; but your Excellency’s superior Wisdom can best determine what will be most beneficial for to promote useful knowledge amongst an Infant Social Institution, just emerging from immuration and are desirous of proving benevolent Citizens and real Philanthropists amongst whom your name is esteemed and Talents admired and particularly by your

Excellency’s grateful Servant