Chap. 299.—An ACT for the Encouragement of Immigration.
) Approved March 29, 1873.

Whereas, it is manifest, that in order to the restoration and
improvement of our agriculture, the development of our nu-
merous mineral resources, the introduction and support of
manufacturing industry, and the fixed and permanent estab-
lishment of a population corresponding with the capacity of
our vast and sparsely populated territory, it is eminently expe-
dient for us at this time to invite the migratory population of
other states, both American and European, to fix their homes
and invest their capital amongst us: and whereas, also, it is
necessary, 10 order to this end, that the inhabitants of distant
countries should be particularly advised and informed of our
form of government, and of the numerous advantages of cli-
mate, soil and productions which are here offered to foreigners
seeking settlement in new countries: and, whereas, many ac-
tive and efficient agencies already exist within and without the
state, capable and desirous of giving a wide distribution to
such authentic publication as the state may make of her great
resources, and her unrivalled inducements to settlers from for-
eign states; now, therefore, the more effectually to diffuse the
information aforesaid for the purposes aforesaid,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
a geographical and political summary shall be prepared, from
such reliable authorities as may be had, setting forth an accu-
rate description of the territory of this state and of its form
of government; that the said summary shall especially describe
the various character of its soil, its productions, its climate and
its population; that it shall also set forth an account of its
mineral resources, of its universities, its colleges, its public
free school system, its religious advantages and an account of
its various lines of travel and transportation by water and by
railroad. : ,

2. In order to carry out the provision of the foregoing sec-
tion, the sum of five thousand dollars is hereby appropriated
out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated ;
the same to be designated as the immigration fund, and set
apart and held as such by the treasurer of the commonwealth,
subject to the provisions of this act.

3. For the purposes of this act, the governor, the lieutenant-
governor, the secretary of the commonwealth, the adjutant
general and the treasurer shall constitute a board of immigra-
tion. The governor shall be president of the board, and upon
his call they shall assemble for the transaction of business.

4. As soon as may be after the passage of this act, the board
of immigration as constituted by the foregoing section, shall
cause to be prepared, by such agency and upon such plan as
they may deem best, a summary in accordance with the sug-
gestions of the preamble and first section of this act; and for
such summary, when approved and adopted by them, a sum
not exceeding one thousand dollars shall be paid.
5. When the board of immigration shall have secured and P
adopted a summary as required i in this act, they shall cause an *
edition of the same to be printed in pamphlet form, under the
supervision of the superintendent of public printing, with such
maps attached as may best serve to explain the geographical
and commercial relations of the state, and mark her lines of
internal and external communications. Said first edition shall
be published at a cost not exceeding two thousand doilars, and, c
when published, shall be delivered to the secretary of the com-
monwealth, who shall deposit the same in his office, make an-
nouncement of the fact of publication, place of deposit and 1
terms of sale through the public press, and furnish copies to ©
any person or association who may desire them for distribu-
tion at rates equivalent to the cost of publication. From time g
to time, as the demand may justify and require, the board of ¢
immigration shall cause other editions to be published, and ?
may enlarge or diminish the contents, or otherwise modify the
matter and style of the publication, as to them shall seem best:
provided, however, that at no time shall any publication be rz
authorized which shall exceed in cost the actual amount to the
credit of the immigration fund in the hands of the treasurer of
the commonwealth.

6. All sums of money authorized to be expended by the pro- z
visions of this act shall be paid out of the immigration fund, P
hereinbefore created, by warrant of the auditor “of public ac.
counts, upon the order of the board of immigration ; and all
proceeds of sales collected by the secretary ‘of the common-
wealth shall be deposited by him in the treasury to the credit
of said immigration fund.

7. The secretary of the commonwealth shall be secretary to s
the board of immigration, and shall keep a record of their pro-
ceedings. He shall likewise keep a separate account of his E
transactions as authorized and required in the foregoing sec- ¥
tions of this act, and make report annually to the general as- !!
sembly.

8. All publication made by authority of this act shall be F
authenticated by the governor, under the seal of the state, and 2
issue as by authority and direction of the commonwealth of.
Virginia.

9. This act shall be in force from its passage. C