An Address Delivered Before the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture; at Its Anniversary Meeting, January 18, 1820.

Original publisher's beige paper wrappers. Text printed in black ink. 5 1/2" x 8 1/4." Thirty-six pages, complete. Pages are very clean and intact except for light age toning, moderate chipping and splitting along spine, and a closed tear on Pages 29-30 from being opened. A Very Good copy. An address originally delivered by William Tilghman at the anniversary meeting of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture on January 18, 1820. William Tilghman (1756-1827) was an American judge. He served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and was one of the vice presidents of the Society. In his speech, Tilghman promotes the field of agriculture, as is the society's mission. He discusses many subtopics relating to agriculture in the address. Among them is private land ownership which he disapproves of when it sits idle or uncultivated. Tilghman briefly addresses slavery and what he considers the harmful climate of such places that produce cotton, tobacco, and other crops requiring a warm, humid environment. He then talks about the importance of both foreign trade and domestic manufacture. He considers the scenario where a country were to isolate itself from foreign commerce and argues that such as country is "barbarous." However, he also supports domestic manufacture. Tilghman shares an anecdote about a community who, at least in the past, manufactured their own clothes through the trades of spinning and weaving. He also recounts a story in which an upstanding "squatter" (an individual who uses land without a title) and his family turned arable land into one of great industry and profit. He uses this story to show the potential that actual land owners have. Tilghman also speaks out against paper money from the banks and then reassures his listeners that the economy should recover following the "wars" with Europe (likely including the War of 1812). He then discusses the cultivation of clover in Pennsylvania and its output. Tilghman says that the agricultural industry in Pennsylvania is improving. He briefly argues that the ideal model of farm is the pattern farm. He then discusses foreign imported crops and livestock and then delves into recent technological advancements relating to agriculture. Tilghman advocates for the education of the general public because he says that even agriculture relies upon the study of academic subjects. Tilghman concludes his address with a discussion on land tenantry (renting land out to tenants) and an ardent critique against the consumption of alcohol. Tilghman says that intemperance "strikes at the root of agriculture" due to the "ills which flow from this disgraceful vice.".…