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346.

A resolve was passed at the last Legislature granting the sum of twenty thousand dollars for the benevolent purpose of establishing an Insane Hospital, in this State, on condition that the like sum should be raised by individual donations. In furthermore of this object the Secretary of State caused the resolve to be published for general information. Bu this appeal to the sympathy and public spirit of our citizens, has not been attended with the success which was anticipated. As it is not perfectly clear from the phraseology of this resolve whether it was the intention of the Legislature to continue it in force, beyond one year from its passage further legislative action upon the subject may be necessary. In this connexion, permit me to introduce to your notice, an Institution recently established in our parent Commonwealth. I allude to the New England Asylum for the blind, at Boston. In accordance with the provision of a Resolve, passed at the last session of the Legislature, applicants as might be deemed fit subjects for the county of the State, six persons have been placed at said Institution, one for the term of two years, and the remainder for the term of one year.- Should it be deemed proper to continue these beneficiaries beyond these periods, a further appropriation will be necessary to defray their expenses. And I would suggest for your consideration whether we may not, as the friends of hu-