blind. We trust, therefore, and believe, for the above reason, and from the former recommendations of our Governors and the liberal appropriations made by former Legislatures, that the Legislature of 1861 will appropriate a sum sufficient not only for the ordinary and educational wants of the pupils, but also to complete and furnish all the buildings now in progress of erection; so that this institution may be provided with all the conveniences and facilities of like institutions in other States. And as a proof of the necessity of a liberal appropriation to complete the buildings, the Board would refer to the very able and full report of the Principal of the Institution, hereunto annexed.

Although since our last report, death has twice visited the inmates of the Institution, and each time claimed a victim, the general health of the pupils has been good, and the Board believe the locality healthy, and in this respect, well chosen.

The Board would again, as in their last report, refer with pride to the neatness and cleanliness prevalent in the Institution, as well as to the good order and discipline maintained among the pupils.

The Principal and his lady and teachers seem to take a lively interest in the welfare of those committed to their care, and the Board have watched with pleasure the mental growth of these children of misfortune; and especially among the deaf and dumb it is pleasant to witness the growth of manhood and intellect depicted in their countenances. Many of the deaf and dumb when they first enter this Institution have but little more intelligence expressed in their countenanees than the idiot, and it is with much satisfaction that the dim rays of reason and intelligence can be seen to grow brighter and brighter, and the darkened countenance lighted up and showing signs of reasoning powers and faculties within.

Much has been done within the past half century, to alleviate the miseries and misfortunes of mankind. Before this period the blind and the deaf and dumb were left to take care of them

selves, or at least did not receive but very little care from others and that little the least that could possibly be bestowed.

"The deaf and dumb man was held aloof from all communion with his kind. The blind man was set aside as an almost utterly helpless and pitiable creature. The mantle of true charity had no fold with which to cover them. They were pushed outside the circle of human, sympathy.

"The world is better now because it is wiser. The causes of these abnormal conditions of humanity have been made the subject of scientific analysis as well as of a tender christian charity. *The acutest intellect, the most unwearied patience have been devoted to the duty of giving eyes to the blind, voices to the dumb, to shedding light, * dispelling darkness where no light had ever been.

* and

"The present age has reason to be proud of its material triumphs, of its subjugations of the great forces of nature to the will of man. It has still more reason to be thankful that the divine philosophy of the christian religion has received a new and practical application to human life in its humblest and most painful relations."

Almost can we say, in the language of our Great Redeemer, that the blind are made to see and the dumb to speak.

Who would not take a part, who would not put forth an ef fort, who would not take from his purse, if need be, to assist in so goodly and kindly a work that will open to the darkened and benighted soul a book of knowledge from the pages of which it may grow wiser and wiser through eternity?

Who would not send the rays of light containing truth and reason, philosophy, morality and religion to the spirit and mind of him whose physical form is clothed in outer darkness? Who would not have a part in sending the rays of the light of knowledge to guide the moral and intellectual path of him who has never seen one ray of light from our common sun to guide his footsteps or cheer his pathway?

In a word, so far as he has the power and the means, who

would not be instrumental in giving eyesight to the blind and speech to the dumb?

The Board have proof that the hearts, hands and purses of the citizens of Michigan have always heretofore been open to assist these unfortunate classes, and they believe that the Legislature of 1861 will make all needful appropriations for completing and furnishing the building without unnecessary delay, and for conducting the Institution for the next two years.

The regular meetings of the Board are upon the first of January in each year, and quarterly thereafter, while in the interims such other meetings are held as the Board deem necessary. Our political year ends on the last day of November.

At our regular quarterly meetings the pay and expenses of the Board, salary of Principal and teachers, and the incidental expenses and all other unpaid claims, if presented, are examined and allowed. The annexed report of the acting Commissioner shows the receipts and expenditures for the last two years, but brings forward the ordinary and incidental expenses of the Institution only until the first day of October last. The many hands now at work upon the buildings and fixtures are daily and hourly lessening the amount of the unexpended part of the appropriations. An early appropriation will therefore be needed to defray the necessary expenses of the Institution, and to complete and carry out the present plans and contracts.

November, 30th, 1860.

BENJAMIN PIERSON,
JAMES B. WALKER,

JOHN P. LEROY,

Board of Trustees.

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.

To the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind:

Section one of Act No. 254, of Session Laws of 1859, entitled "An Act making an appropriation in aid of the Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, at Flint," reads as follows:

"The People of the State of Michigan enact, That the sum of sixty-five thousand dollars, for supporting the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, at Flint, and for the purchase and putting into operation the heating and ventilating apparatus, and for finishing so much of the building as can be done the present year; and the further sum of seventeen thousand dollars for supporting the Asylum for the year eighteen hundred and sixty, be and are hereby appropriated out of the general fund, and the same shall be passed to the credit of said Asylum fund on the books of the State Treasurer for the respective years above mentioned, and be drawn upon warrants made by the Board of Trustees, and countersigned by the Auditor General, and be applied as above provided."

The Legislature undoubtedly made this appropriation in this way in good faith, supposing, from precedent, that the money having been appropriated, and provision made for its being collected, the State Treasurer would advance the amount appropriated for each year, so that it could be used in accordance with the law, although no part of the amount would be paid into the Treasury until after the expiration of the year in which, according to the law, it was to be used.

Upon application to the State Treasurer, after the passage of