this Institution have accordingly possessed the same advantages in this respect, as the teachers of other Schools, and while they have had the aid of the works of Sicard and other authors, which he did not possess, they have had advantages which were not within the reach of this great master of the mimic art.. The system of instruction adopted in this Institution, being that of the French, the teachers have followed the directions and the practice of the Abbe Sicard, but they have been deficient in a "living expositor of the French system." This deficiency the Directors have endeavoured to supply, by sending to Paris for a French teacher, who is expected ere long to arrive in this city, and to bring with him the practice, experience, and improvements of the French School. The application has been made to the Royal Institution for Deaf Mutes in Paris, and the individual selected has been requested to delay his departure until the new Asylum is prepared to be occupied. We shall then be upon a par with any Institution in this country as regards instruction, and superior as regards accommodation, our Asylum being the largest in the United States, and admirably adapted to the purposes intended. The general state and condition of this Institution, is more prosperous than at any former period. Opposition has raised up friends, and stimulated the exertions of the Directors. The prospect of a local habitation as well as a name, has inspired confidence in the permanency of a literary, a useful, and a benevolent Institution. The appearance, location, and arrangements of the Asylum, have called forth the approbation of all who have examined them. A knowledge of what was doing has caused liberal donations, and the Directors have been encouraged to provide ample accommodations for the numerous Deaf Mutes who may hereafter be committed to their charge. The Secretary of State, in his report to the Legislature last spring, stated that " it is desirable, that the School should be placed on elevated ground." The Directors have the same object in view, and their exertions give evidence of having seconded the wishes of the Honourable the Secre tary of State. They are also desirous that the Legislature should so patronise the Institution, and keep it under its fostering care, that it will be second to none in the Union. Mr. Flagg has also remarked, that "it is important that the Legislature should determine whether it is expedient to endow two Schools for the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in this State? On this point, it is believed that the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb would be better promoted by having one School, well supplied with teachers and work-shops for acquiring the mechanic arts, than by having two, indifferently supplied." Experience has given strength to this opinion. The patronage of this State has been divided between two Institutions, and both have been kept in a state of mediocrity. The States of Massachusetts, Maine, New-Hampshire and Vermont, have made appropriations to instruct their indigent Deaf and Dumb, but instead of establishing separate Institutions, they have sent their Mutes to the Institution in Connecticut. This has been the means of increasing the reputation of that School, and of filling its Asylum with pupils, as we are further informed by the honourable Mr. Flagg, that "the State of Massachusetts supports a greater number of pupils at the American Asylum, than this State does at both its Schools," By the Census of the State of New-York taken in 1825, there were 645 Deaf Mutes returned. Of these, it may be calculated that one-fourth of them would be too old for instruction, and one-fourth too young. Of the remaining half, the greater portion would be found among the poor; and it may be fairly estimated, that 100 of them might be able to pay in whole or in part for their instruction, while 222 would be left as objects of State patronage. In the last Annual Report, it is stated that the new Asylum would be finished in November, 1828. This was the fact with respect to the main building, but the internal fixtures and the out-houses were not sufficiently forward to allow them to be occupied. Every thing is now in such a state of completion, that the pupils will be removed in April. The Act to provide for the building an Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb in the City of New-York," requires that the Directors should account to the Comptroller of the State for the expenditure of the money. This they will be prepared to do when the bills are all paid, and the accounts of the Special Committee charged with the Asylum Fund, shall be closed. The permanent establishment of an Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb in this place, which has occupied the wishes and intentions of the Directors, is now effected to their entire satisfaction, and the gratification of all the friends of humanity. They now hope and pray that the Legislature would so continue their patronage, as to enable them to extend the benefits of intellectual, moral and religious instruction to a larger number of this benighted class of human beings. The Asylum which they have erected will probably accommodate 200 Mutes, in which they are to be taught, and provided with boarding and lodging; and the mechanical employments hereafter to be undertaken, will be carried on, in the out-buildings erected for the purpose. The building which has been constructed for an Asylum, is situated on a piece of rising ground, about three and an half miles from the centre of the thickly settled parts of the city, and a mile and an half from the suburbs, about midway between the East and North Rivers. From the site of the building, there is a beautiful and commanding prospect of the surrounding country. It is sufficiently remote from the city to enjoy the benefit of the country, and it is near enough to partake of the conveniencies and facilities afforded by a dense population, and to avoid some of the inconveniencies. The Asylum is erected near the centre of a lot of five acres, one of which was given in fee to the Institution, and the remainder leased at a moderate rent, and for a long term, by the Corporation of the City. This ground, with the adjoining five acres which the Directors propose to lease, will afford ample means for horticultural employment, and the supply of the Institution with vegetables and milk. The building itself is a plain structure of brick, covered with a coat of stucco resembling marble. Its architectural appearance is chaste and elegant, without superfluous orna ment, having an elevation of three stories above the basement. The basement story contains a large dining room, two studies for the pupils when out of School, kitchens and store-rooms, with other conveniencies. On the first floor above the basement is a large central School-room, and on either side family rooms, another smaller School-room, and an apartment for the Directors. On the next floor is a second large and central School room, capable of accommodating more than one class by a temporary partition. On either side are family bed rooms, and two others to be reserved for the sick of the different sexes. The third story is entirely appropriated for dormitories; the males in one end, and the females in the other, separated by two brick partitions and intervening rooms for teachers and others. The superficial area of the Asylum is a parallellogram of 110 feet by 60. Its front has a southern aspect, with a portico supported by six wooden columns. In the rear of the building are separate yards for the pupils, and a shed the whole length of the Asylum. In the easterly and westerly ends of this shed two rooms have been finished, which will answer for store-rooms or work-shops. The other outhouses are two separate structures, 30 feet by 25 each, and two stories high, calculated for a stable and work-shops, under one of which is a vegetable cellar for the Institution. In planning and constructing this Asylum and the necessary out-buildings, the Directors have spared no pains nor labour to render every thing convenient and commodious, for the accommodation and benefit of the Deaf and Dumb. A perspective view of the Asylum is hereunto annexed. There are yet some internal fixtures and school furniture to be provided before it is occupied, and when the whole is completed, the expense will exceed the original appropriation, but it will be a lasting monument of the liberality and benevolence of the Legislature, and the people of the City and State of New-York. Respectfully submitted, by order of the Board of Directors, SAMUEL L. MITCHILL, President. City Corporation, 400. 00 Do. Do. Benefits, Donations and Subscriptions, 2544. 74 Delegation to Washington, (amount un expended returned) 76. 62 The Committee having examined the Accounts of the Treasurer, and compared the same with the vouchers, find that there is a balance of Cash in the hands of the Treasurer, of three hundred and thirty-four dollars and fifty cents, and that he also holds for the benefit of this Institution, a Check of R. D. Nelson on the Franklin Bank, for fifty-eight dollars. New-York, 17th Jan. 1829. JOHN SLIDELL, PETER SHARPE, MARTIN E. THOMPSON, ނ Committee of Finance, *Note. The Balance of Account is in Cash, $334. 50 58. 00 $400. 50 B |