ENPages
page_0001
No 7 Academy Park Albany March 2nd 49
My dear Sir
I thank you most sincerely for commencing a correspondence which cannot but cause[?] to my beneifit should you choose to continue it. Your letter reached me about six days since, where it could have tarried so long, is more than I can imagine, but a welcome visitor it was when it did come, and I should have answered it immediately had I not been very much occupied in writing out for the report of our state Agricultural Traity[?] the fruits[?] recommended to be added to the lists published last year, & which you have probably seen in the report of last[strikethrough] years[strikethrough] 1847. This year the descriptions are original and - inter[?] nus[?] - ought, and would have been last year - for they were all written, by me - but had to be destroyed, and Mr Jennings[?] work copied, on account of a latitudinarian construction of an old resolution of our Society, which said that "Downing[?] fruits should be the standard authority which should be used by Committees in determining the Characteristics and names of varieties - What I had written then[underlined], coming to the [illegible] of Mr D, and some of his friends, induced them to fish up that old resolution, bearing to let any other than he have an opportunity to earn a little reputation, something like this same feeling, as well as the desire to be dictator general on all matters Pomological for both east and west will be the key to you for what you may hear is read from him ere long in relation to our Convention & the doings of our Committee. And while I am on this subject - having slipped in to it accidentally - I will continue. I attended the Congress, and participated in its porceedings, I sent these for the good I might get, and give the others - perchance, = When these - , feeling that eventually too many meetings of the character might fatigue the masses from whom they were composed, and binding[?] united action if possible I opposed a resolution of braining[?] not[strikethrough] on to what action was necessary in relation to the holding opportune Conventions, it resulted in a Conv-
page_0002
mittee - one of which I was, who reported a list of names for Committees and recommended the name of Congress. When the Comt were in session, I tried to induce them to hold out the hand to the N A Committee, but there did not appear any disposition to recognise them at all and the excuse given, was that the Buffa[?] Committee had adjourned sine die - this was so, and I asserted[?] to it, but forgot at the time that our Committee could act, as you will perceive they have a right to, by referring to it[strikethrough] the resolution appointing it full as much as that the whole Congress could perpetuate itself - Seeing nothing but ill from bickering, and myself not entering into any of the feelings of those who appeared to be agreived at the [illegible] certain eastern[?] men choose to think in relation to our Buffalo Meeting[?] I told them that I would do what I could to get all the [illegible] in the Congress and let the other [drop?] - (meaning to try to get its next meeting held in the west) - When I returned to Albany I corresponded with many, our Committee among them, and they all said we must go on, we cannot stop, for we resolved upon a name, and a time to meet, now what was I to do, I asked myself, I am only interested for the good of all, I am not interested in Books, [Memories?], or Periodicals, nor do I wish to dictate to any one - or by the by, be dictated to either - I easily answered my own question and that was to do all I could to try and have our[underlined] Nth[?] [illegible] Convention go off well next year and agree then to go west with it - ; [illegible][strikethrough] to attend the Congress next fall, and as the session of that time will finish it - the Congress - try to get it to join hands all meet together in western [illegible] under a Common Name - To Our Committee was consulted all agreed to appoint State Committees, Dongall of Canada named those for his provinces, Holmes for Michigan and Indiana, Elliott agreed and suggested Actin[?] but forgot to name a [Comt.] for his state. [Nelson?] of Ind named also from his state and some others and we of our state named our [man?], and the ballace[?] here[strikethrough] here[strikethrough] by unanimous request selected by Mr Johnson & myself - . The whole of our Committee said to me, prepare the Circular, I did so, refered it to Mr Johnson who liked it, and we then had it printed and issued it - Now you have the history of my action in this matter, I am thus particular because I accidentally met Mr Johnson at a fire last night who told me that Downing is his Host of Mch was out most furiously against me, saying that I alone have got all this matter up, and who saying that he had no objections to go west
page_0003
after next year - because probably he must if he goes anywhere - he also says that the N A Committee will not be gotten up under the auspices of the Ag Soc of the State of N.Y. They will probably not interfere with the matter at all, for they have nothing to do with it. We resolved last autumn where & when we should meet and there we will meet unless the west choose to be dictated to by Mr Downing. You will see all what he says when you get the Hort. and you will then know how he feels, I have not seen it, but will to morrow. I have told you above how I stand, so I will leave myself in your hands, and take trust you will take good care of me in the Prairie Farmer, next month, and who take good care of our Nth Am Convention. Get the proceedings of our Committee, look for the resolution opposed by Nelson of Ind, the latter clause of it will show you where we get our ground of action. We were authorised first, to say, Shall we meet again, we recommended that, the Convenion agreed to it - then we had to attend to our other duties. we omitted to do it at the Convention for want of time & did it as quick as we could. and as yet we have only done it in part, for we must yet [concoct?] got rules of action when we meet - .. - So much for the Convention - I have read your letters in the P Farmer with much interest, I am delighted with the Journal altogether, and am much pleased that I have subscribed for it - it will show me what the Young Giant is to be one of these days. I am for the P M Meeting next year to be at Cincinnati, I will then come and see you at C. this fall you are aware we are to have our fair at Syracure, we will therefore meet at that place. if we meet at all, Mr D, I am told says he will not - I will send you by this mail a catalogue of our Nat History Collection - please accept it - My Father is the Chancellor of the Regents. Write me soon - as soon as you have read Downing's May. and let me subscribe myself
Your Friend M[illegible] Wendell
Dont you want, some [scions?] of Pears? if aye, give me the names, and I will send per mail for you being P.M. Can use that [illegible] conscienciously, for if you got new fruits the people are to be the ones who will profit.
