Library Collections: Document: Full Text

Published by order of the Directors.

HARTFORD:
Hudson and Co. Printers,
1817

Officers chosen 10th May, 1817, for the year ensuing.

Hon. JOHN COTTON SMITH, President.
Vice-Presidents.
JOHN CALDWELL,
MASON F. COGSWELL,
NATHANIEL TERRY,
DANIEL WADSWORTH,
DAVID PORTER,
CHARLES SIGOURNEY,
ABEL FLINT,
JOSEPH BATTEL.

Directors.
WARD WOODBRIDGE,
JOSEPH TRUMBULL,
HENRY HUDSON,
DANIEL BUCK,
JONATHAN LAW,
SAMUEL TUDOR,
JOHN RUSS,
WILLIAM ELY,
CHRISTOPHER COLT,
DAVID WATKINSON,

WILLIAM W. ELLSWORTH, Secretary,
JAMES H. WELLS, Treasurer.
Vice-Presidents for life, by subscription.
Lt. Gov. PHILLIPS, Boston.
Hon. WILLIAM GRAY, do.
Hon. ISRAEL THORNDIKE, do.
WILLIAM PARSONS, Esq. do.
SAMUEL APPLETON, Esq. do.
DANIEL WADSWORTH, Esq. Hartford
Hon. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER, Albany.
Hon. ELIAS BOUDINOT, Burlington, N. J.
ROBERT OLIVER, Esq. Baltimore.

TO THE CONNECTICUT ASYLUM, FOR THE EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION OF DEAF AND DUMB PERSONS, THE COMMITTEE RESPECTFULLY PRESENT THE FOLLOWING REPORT

IT will be very gratifying to the patrons and friends of this institution to learn, that through the blessing of a kind providence, its doors are now opened, notwithstanding the numerous obstacles and disappointments which have been encountered from the commencement of our labours. A numerous and interesting family of the unfortunate are already assembled, and we behold those minds which were like a waste hedged about with thorns, now yielding to the cultivation of science, and daily affording promise of abundant intellectual improvement. Are any still skeptical on the subject of promoting the happiness of the deaf and dumb by education? Let them visit the Asylum, and behold the social circle in the evening hour, delighted in exhibiting those first rudiments of learning which they have already acquired. And let the Christian look forward with a humble hope, that many of these immortal souls may not only be rescued from intellectual darkness, but that they may also be brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and finally be found among the redeemed of the Lord. It cannot be expected that any very interesting details respecting the pupils, should at this time be communicated: but it may be of use to record, in a very brief manner, the origin and progress of that institution, which takes the lead in this western world, in the instruction of those who have hitherto remained neglected and forgotten.

About two years since, seven persons met in this city, and appointed a committee to solicit funds to enable Mr. Gallaudet to visit Europe, for the purpose of qualifying himself to become an Instructor of the deaf and dumb. The generous promptitude with which means were furnished, put it in his power to embark soon after for England. Not meeting with a satisfactory reception at the London Asylum, he went to Edinburgh. Here new obstacles arose from an obligation which had been imposed upon the institution in that city, not to instruct teachers in the art for a term of years; thus rendering unavailing the friendly desires of its benevolent instructor, and the kind wishes of its generous patrons. After these repeated disappointments and discouragements, in which, however, let us behold a providential hand, Mr. Gallaudet departed for Paris, where he met with a very courteous and favourable reception from the Abbe Sicard, and soon commenced his course of lessons in the establishment over which that celebrated Instructor presides. An arrangement made with Mr. Laurent Clerc, himself deaf and dumb, one of the professors in the institution of Paris, and well known in Europe as a most intelligent pupil of his illustrious master, enabled Mr. Gallaudet to return to his native country, with this valuable assistant, much sooner than had been expected. By this circumstance, a new zeal in the cause was excited, in some measure commensurate with the more favourable auspices under which the interests of our Asylum now appeared. They arrived in this place in August last, and soon after visited some of our large cities, for the purpose of soliciting funds for the establishment; with what success, may be learned by referring to the treasurer's account connected with this report. Many instances of individual munificence will be found recorded in the list of donations. The patrons of this institution need not our thanks: they have a higher gratification in the reflection, that they have contributed to the means which are now using, for shedding light upon many an immortal mind, which, but for their munificence, might otherwise have remained in darkness. We solicit their prayers that the means they have furnished may be so blessed as to promote the cause of Christ, and the eternal welfare of those who are here benefited by their bounty.

In May, 1816, the legislature of this state passed an act incorporating this institution; and in October last, made a grant of five thousand dollars in aid of its funds.

The establishment was opened on the 15th April, and it already contains upwards of twenty pupils, whose names are subjoined to this report. A number of them are of full age, some of whom have expressed much interest at the attempts which have been made, as yet in a very imperfect manner, to explain to them some of the simplest doctrines of revelation. When we look back we have surely cause for abundant gratitude to God for what has already been accomplished: and although we have to lament that our means are altogether inadequate to the support and instruction of those pupils who are in indigent Circumstances, let us look forward with humble confidence that HE, by the word of whose power the dumb spake, can prepare the way before us, and will, if he see fit, make use of this Asylum as an instrument, not only to increase the temporal happiness of those who may become the objects of its care, but to communicate to them a knowledge of himself, as their only Saviour, and of those mansions of rest, where all will equally rejoice in the participation of happiness without imperfection, and without end.