and generous people, to adopt the noble language of the sovereign of Denmark, and proclaim, that "every deaf and dumb infant, born in this state, shall receive the education necessary to render him a useful member of society?" Such an act would effectually secure the desired object; and would be attended with an amount of expense too trivial to deserve notice, in comparison with the immeasureable benefits which it would confer upon those who are perishing for lack of knowledge.

The consideration of expense, however, is not that which your memorialists believe is to decide the question in the minds of this honorable body: The motives by which the Legislature will be influenced, are of a character more elevated; they are motives more binding upon the conscience and more honorable to the heart. The duty of educating the deaf and dumb has been felt and acknowledged. The provision made in conformity with the admitted obligation, has been found inadequate to its designs; and the appeal comes back to the conscience with all the force of the original obligation, to make the provision more extensive, and to insure the accomplishment of the benevolent object intended. But if the voice of conscience were silent, and the obligation entirely unfelt, still humanity would plead with untiring importunity, in behalf of these, our unhappy fellow beings; and would assuredly obtain from the pity of the Legislature, that which she could not demand of their justice. Deliver, she would say, these imprisoned minds from the thraldom of ignorance. Deliver these souls formed for rational social enjoyment, from solitary wretchedness. Save these immortals, fashioned in the image of the Almighty, from being the slaves of sense, becoming the victims of vicious propensities, and prostrating our exalted nature, to a level with brutish degradation. Save them from agonizing the hearts of friends and proving a perpetual incumbrance upon their hands. Tell them, above all, of that world, where their sorrows may have an end; where the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, and the lips of the dumb shall join the universal hymn of praise to the Maker of heaven and earth. Do this as you would wish it to be done, had the finger of God been placed upon your own lips. Do this, and remember that your own reward shall not fail; for the voice of him, who spake as never man spake, has said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

Your memorialists, therefore, pray that the existing provision for the education of the deaf and dumb may be so extended, as fully to meet the wants of that description of persons, within the limits of the State. And as in duty bound, your memorialists will ever pray.

JAMES MILNOR,

President of the Institution.

H. P PEET,

Secretary.

IN SENATE,

March 2, 1833.

REPORT

Of the majority of the Committee on the petition of the President and Directors of the Central Asylum, for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb at Canjoharie.

The majority of the committee to whom was referred the petition of the President and Directors of the Central Asylum for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb at Canajoharie,

REPORT:

That the petitioners ask of the Legislature to provide by law, for the support of one or more additional indigent deaf and dumb persons, from each Senatorial District, at their institution; and for such farther pecuniary aid, as will enable them to erect suitable workshops for the instruction of their pupils in the mechanic arts.

It will be seen by a reference to the documents of the Senate, No. 235, of the year 1830, that an application similar to the present, was then addressed to the Legislature, by the same institution. It was then referred to the Secretary of State, who made an elaborate report to the Senate.

The committee having looked into that report and concurring entirely in the views and conclusions of the Secretary, deem the reasoning of the report so ample and satisfactory, that they have not felt themselves justified in attempting a new argument upon the subject. The committee therefore, ask leave to refer the Senate to that report, and in accordance with the views contained in it, to submit the following resolutions:

[Senate No. 62.]

1

Resolved, That it is not expedient to attempt to support two separate institutions for the instruction of the deaf and dumb, in this State.

Resolved, That the Legislature ought not to make any appropriation for the erection of permanent buildings, shops or other fixtures, for the Central Asylum of the deaf and dumb at Canajoharie.

Resolved, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition. J. BIRDSALL, Chn.