they had framed the National Agreement of Professional Base Ball Clubs,
the purpose being to open the door to all clubs, leagues and
associations desiring to live under the conditions, rules and
regulations of the agreement. Immediately several leagues and
associations applied for the protection assured the, and readily pledged
themselves to abide by the requirements designated in the agreement.

The action of the committee in framing the new national agreement was
subsequently ratified by the signatures of the Presidents of the parties
thereto, viz.:

The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, A. G. Mills,
President, November 22, 1883.

The American Association of Base Ball Clubs, H. D. McKnight, President,
December 13, 1883.

The Northwestern League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, Elias Mather,
President, January 10, 1884.

The Eastern League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, William C. Sedden,
President, February 19, 1884.

The fundamental principle of the national agreement as originally drawn,
and which is now in operation, is a respect for territorial
rights. This, in fact, is the corner stone of the structure.

It contemplates and provides for the organization of cities into leagues
or associations, with one club, and one only, in each city, and a
contest between the respective cities for championship honors. The