newed in April, 1825, but without altering the number of Mutes to be received. In 1827, the Directors of this Institution applied to your honorable body for an appropriation to build an Asylum for Deaf Mutes, and also to increase the number of State pupils. Provision was made in part for the first object, but the increase of pupils was postponed until the completion of the Asylum. The Committee on Literature of the Senate, made a report to that honorable body on the 5th of March, 1827, in which it is stated, that application had been made to allow the reception of more pupils into the Institution, than the thirty-two now authorized at the expense of the State. "But (observes the Report) considering the liberal provisions now made, your Committee are of opinion that this measure had better be deferred until the new buildings are erected." A building of ample dimensions for an Asylum, with rooms to instruct, to board, and to lodge a large number of Mutes, and with separate buildings to work in, have been completed, and were first occupied last April. Since that time, an increased interest has been manifested in this Institution, by an increase of applicants, some of whom are unable to pay, and some to pay a part only of the amount of board and tuition. The Directors have accordingly extended the patronage of the Institution as far as prudence would dictate, without further Legislative provision. They will be enabled in their next Annual Report, which will be forwarded in a short time, to present a more numerous list of pupils than at any previous period. And these too, being all boarded at the Asylum, and constantly under the eyes of their instructers, are placed under more favourable circumstances than formerly, when part were day-scholars, and irregular in their attendance and studies. The consequence of an increase of pupils, has been the necessity of engaging further aid in the department of instruction. Having failed in their application for a French teacher, they next applied to the Institution at Hartford, but in consequence of some change about to take place in that School, they were also unsuccessful there. They have since given a call to Mr. Abraham B. Hutton, a gentleman of liberal education, a native of this State, and one who is highly qualified as a teacher of Mutes, by having been several years devoted to the business in the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb in Philadelphia. The subscribers, therefore, in behalf of the Institution which they represent, most respectfully solicit your honorable body, to increase the number of State pupils in this Institution, and to authorize the Directors to receive at least thirty-two (32) in addition to those already provided for, or to allow the reception of any other number, which in the wisdom of your honorable body, may seem reasonable and proper. For which as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. Respectfully submitted, by order of the Directors, (Signed) New-York, 2d Jan. 1830. JAMES MILNOR, President. IN SENATE, STATE OF NEW-YORK, FEBRUARY 23, 1830. Report of the Select Committee on the Petition of the Directors of the New-York Deaf and Dumb Institution. MR. SHERMAN, from the Select Committee, to which was referred the petition of the Directors of the New-York Institution for the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, REPORTED AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT: ` That from the subject matter which they have had under consideration, it appears that the Directors have completed a new and spacious building, upon a plan approved of by the Superintendent of Common Schools, for the instruction of the unfortunate class of individuals referred to, and to enable the Directors more effectually to carry into operation the humane policy of the State. This building or Asylum is situated on the island of New-York, about three miles from the dense population, and has rooms sufficient to accommodate two hundred pupils. Out-houses have been erected, and about ten acres of land obtained, by which means those unfortunate persons can be taught not only the sign language, writing, &c. but be instructed in the different branches of mechanical trades, agriculture and horticulture. It appears that there are now in the Institution seventy pupils; and that there are rooms unoccupied, sufficient to accommodate one hundred and thirty more. Of the number now there, thirtytwo are indigent State pupils, authorized by the Act of 16th April, 1822. By that Act, the Directors of the Institution were authorized to receive and instruct at the expense of the State, four indigent Deaf and Dumb scholars, from each Senatorial District. The expense or charge for each one is limited at one hundred and fifty dollars, including boarding, lodging and tuition. In 1827, application was made by the Directors to increase the number of State pupils; and on referring to the Report of the Committee of the Senate, to whom that application was referred, they say, "that they are of opinion that this measure had better be deferred until the new buildings are erected." The building now being completed, and the Institution in full operation under the Directors, they ask the Legislature to increase the number of State pupils, and to be authorized to receive four more from each Senate District. It is set forth that a more extended interest is manifested in this new establishment; and that the number of applicants for admission have multiplied; but for want of farther legislative authority, they are obliged to refuse admission. By the last census, taken in 1825, it appears there are 645 Deaf and Dumb individuals in the State; and of this number, it is estimated that 400 are within the age proper for instruction. The Committee are of opinion, that the wise and humane policy of the State ought to be continued and extended; so that the indigent of those unfortunate beings, may participate more fully in the advantages of the Institution. The Committee, therefore, recommend that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and ask leave to introduce a bill accordingly. AN ACT To amend an Act, entitled, " An Act extending and supplementary to certain Acts providing for the indigent Deaf and Dumb within this State," passed 15th April, 1825, and for other purposes. Passed April 15, 1830. THE People of the State of New-York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: § 1. The Directors of the New-York Institution for the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, are hereby authorized to receive from each Senate District of this State, three indigent pupils in addition to the number now provided for by Law; the pupils to be known and designated as State pupils, and to be received and retained in the said Institution for five years, subject to the supervision of the Superintendent of Common Schools. § 2. The yearly expense to be paid out of the Treasury for the support of the said pupils, shall not exceed the sum of one hundred and thirty dollars for each pupil. § 3. This Institution shall be entitled to a distributive share of the income of the Literature fund, in the same manner as the Academies in the First District now are, but the distribution shall be made in proportion to the whole number of pupils instructed during the preceding year in said Institution. § 4. The Directors of the said Institution shall make a return of the number of pupils, to the Regents of the University, annually, in the month of January. § 5. This Act, together with the Act, entitled " An Act to provide for the indigent Deaf and Dumb within this State," passed 16th April, 1822, and the Act entitled "An Act extending and supplementary to certain Acts providing for the indigent Deaf and Dumb within this State," passed 15th April, 1825, as far as the same relate to the New-York Institution for the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, shall be continued in force for five years from and after the first day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, subject to the alterations herein before contained. § 6. This Act shall go into operation from and after the first day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty. § 7. The President and Directors of the Central Asylum for the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb of this State, shall and may be permitted to take and receive from each Senate District in this State, one pupil into their Institution, beyond the number now authorized by Law, upon the terms, and with the rights and privileges contained in the fifth section of the Act, entitled "An Act extending and supplementary to certain Acts providing for the indigent Deaf and Dumb within this State," passed April 15th, 1825. State of New-York,} Secretary's Office, S I certify the preceding to be a true copy of an original Act of the Legislature of this State, on file in this office. Albany, April 15, 1830. ARCH'D CAMPBELL, Dep. Secretary. A MUTE, TAKEN BEFORE THE POLICE OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. IN February, 1829, David H. Cole, a pupil in the New-York Institution for Mutes, while engaged in distributing notices for a meeting of the Directors, was taken up and carried before the Police, on suspicion of knowingly attempting to pass a bad bill. The bill was not a counterfeit, but one of a Bank that had failed. The following explanation was given to the Directors by the Mute, and it accords with his examination and explanation given at the Police Office, which was done without the intervention of his teachers, and before his arrest was known at the School. The Police Magistrates sent information to the School, that they were perfectly satisfied and pleased with his written statement, and exonerated him from any bad intention. TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE INSTITUTION. GENTLEMEN, Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, YESTERDAY afternoon a new pupil told me that he wished me to by a new hat for him, and he handed a bill to me, and I got it from him. I presumed that it was good, and therefore I put it into my pocket. I had got it before I left home. As I was going somewhere to distribute several notices to the Directors for the support of the indigent Deaf and Dumb, I thought quickly that I would be glad to converse with my aunt, who lives at No. 24 Clark-street, for I was very little distance from her house. So I went to visit her, and I spent a few minutes with her. While I was coming towards Canal-street I recollected quickly that I must buy the hat for this pupil. Accordingly I went into a store to get it, and I took 10 dollars out of my pocket and gave them to a hatter who received them, but he did not understand this bill that was of a broken bank, and he carried it to the other gentleman who took it. He said it was bad, and I was sorry. Then the hatter, Mr. H. came to me, and he suspected that I was a rogue, and therefore he brought me to tell Mr. Hays [Police Officer] about me. He showed me some questions. I gave some answers to them, namely David H. Cole. I have been four years and five months at School. I live with Mr. Loofborrow. I was born in Red Hook, Dutchess Co. and my parents live in Saugerties, Ulster Co. N. Y. now. I told Mr. Hays that I did not know whether the bill was good or not. I suppose that Mr. H. [the hatter] knew that I was ignorant of this bill, yet he endeavoured to bring me to Mr. Hay's house for the purpose of giving him a reward. If I had known that it was bad I would have told the pupil that it was broken, but I know that Mr. H. [the hatter] is not reasonable but ignorant for he did not give some questions to me. I have endeavoured to write this for I wish you to know these circumstances, and my character. I do not wish to be injured, and I know that some rogues are brought to Police. Yours, truly and respectfully, DAVID H. COLE. Note. The words within brackets are inserted by way of explanation, and the gentleman's name is omitted who had the boy arrested. (TRANSLATION.) RULES OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB AT PARIS. BESIDES the Government Pupils received and maintained at the Royal Institution, either gratuitously, or on the payment of one half, or of two thirds the usual rates, and the two classes of day-scholars founded by the city of Paris, this establishment receives an indefinite number of boarders of both sexes. D |