xxxii

RECEIPTS, EXPENDITURES, ETC.

TABLE showing the amount of moneys received and expended during each year of the existence of the Public School Society, with the Average Attendance of Scholars, the Annual Expenses, and the Cost per Scholar, exclusive of the Purchase of Real Estate, and Cost and Repairs of Buildings.

NOTE. There is an excess of expenditure over receipts of $15,990.48. The Treasurer's account for the first eight years could not be obtained complete.

The financial year of the Board of Education commenced on the 1st of January-that of the Society on the 1st of May. To prevent the confusion consequent upon this difference the time was altered to correspond with that of the Board, and the statement for the year 1844 includes a period of twenty months. This gives the cost per scholar for twelve months $4.98, and $8.32 for the whole period.

THE

PUBLIC SCHOOL SOCIETY.

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN OF THE SOCIETY, AND PROGRESS TO THE YEAR 1817.

Large Cities-Public Instruction of the Poor-City of New York in 1800-Parochial Charity Schools-An Unoccupied Field-Proposition to Establish a New SchoolThe First Meeting-A Committee Appointed-Memorial to the Legislature-An Act of Incorporation Passed-The Society Organized-The First Board of Trustees-Address to the Public-Subscriptions-The Lancasterian System-The New School Opened-Lot of Ground Presented by Col. Rutgers-Clothing for Poor Children-Memorial to the Legislature-Application to the Common Council— The School Fund-"The Free School Society "-New Apartments for the School -Grant of Lots for a Building-New School House No. 1-Donations-Opening of the School-De Witt Clinton's Address-The Law Amended-School No. 2Death of Benjamin D. Perkins-A School Library-Grant of Money by the Legislature-Land Presented by Trinity Church-Opening of No. 2—Additional Trustecs-Moral and Religious Instruction.

THE population of the city of New York, at the commencement of the present century, was 60,489. The limits of the city were marked on the north by the vicinity of Chambers street, the population being located at the southern extremity of the island. By that social gravitation which seems to have always been inseparable from compacted communities, the metropolis was not exempt from the characteristic feature of a substratum of wretched, ignorant, and friendless children, who, even though they had parents, grew up in a condition of moral and religious orphanage, alike fatal to their temporal and spiritual advancement and elevation.

The influence of that spirit which is the outgrowth and the evidence of true religious convictions, and a high sense of responsibility to the present as well as to the future, was not unfelt in reference to this class of the population. Public economy, not less than religious duty-the merely commercial con

siderations, not less than those that spring from the earnest belief of revelation-the social law of self-preservation, not less than the higher law of duty-taught some of the best and most honored men and women of that day the truth which half a century has elaborated into a mighty demonstration, that the literary and moral instruction of every child in the State is a prime necessity. If the parent fails in this work, then the State must assume the task, and provide for its performance. The answer given to the question as then discussed, originated the institution, a record of whose labors, for nearly fifty years, is deemed worthy of preservation.

There were several schools known as "Charity Schools" in existence at the time, but they were under denominational or other control; while a large class of children were practically unsupplied with the means of instruction. An Association of Ladies, members of the Society of Friends, organized for benevolent purposes, had established a Free School for girls, in 1802, which was in successful operation in its peculiar sphere. This school suggested the establishment of other schools on the same plan and for the same class of children; and the names of the founders and friends of both institutions show the connection and origin of the Society which afterward became so efficient in the instruction of the youth of New York. To extend the benefits of education to all who were excluded from the various schools already established, became an object of earnest desire with several philanthropic men who had observed the condition of these children. At the request of Thomas Eddy and John Murray, whose attention had been particularly directed to the subject, a meeting was called of such persons as were likely to unite in the effort. On the 19th of February, 1805, this meeting was held at the house of John Murray, in Pearl street. Twelve persons were present, whose names are the following: Samuel Osgood, Brockholst Livingston, John Murray, Jr., Samtel Miller, Joseph Constant, Thomas Eddy, Thomas Pearsall, Thomas Franklin, Matthew Clarkson, Leonard Bleecker, Samuel Russell, and William Edgar. After a full discussion of the object for which they had been called together, they were unanimous in the opinion that the establishment of schools, for the education of children not provided for by the parochial schools, was a measure of high importance, not only to them, but to the

whole community, of which they formed so considerable a portion. At this meeting a committee was appointed to devise such plans as they might deem expedient, and report thereon at a subsequent meeting.

With a zeal and promptitude which were in harmony with the noble objects proposed, the Committee gave their immediate attention to the duty assigned them, and in a few days called a second meeting, at which they submitted their report.

Among the recommendations of that report was one to the effect that application be made to the Legislature of the State, then in session, for an act of incorporation. A memorial was accordingly prepared, which was signed by about one hundred of the most respectable men in the city, and was forwarded to the Legislature. It was as follows:

To the Representatives of the People of the State of New York, in Senate and Assembly convened:

The Memorial of the Subscribers, Citizens of New York,

RESPECTFULLY SHEWETH,

That, impressed with a solicitude for the general welfare of the community, they feel it their duty to address your Body on a subject which they regard as of deep concern.

Your memorialists have viewed with painful anxiety the multiplied evils which have accrued, and are daily accruing, to this city, from the neglected education of the children of the poor. They allude more particularly to that description of children who do not belong to, or are not provided for, by any religious society; and who, therefore, do not partake of the advantages arising from the different Charity Schools established by the various religious societies in this city. The condition of this class is deplorable indeed; reared up by parents who, from a variety of concurring circumstances, are become either indifferent to the best interests of their offspring, or, through intemperate lives, are rendered unable to defray the expense of their instruction, these miserable and almost friendless objects are ushered upon the stage of life, inheriting those vices which idleness and the bad example of their parents naturally produce. The consequences of this neglect of education are ignorance and vice, and all those manifold evils resulting from every species of immorality, by which public hospitals and almshouses are filled with objects of disease and poverty, and society burthened with taxes for their support. In addition to these melancholy facts, it is to be feared that the laboring class in the community is becoming less industrious, less moral, and less careful to lay up the fruit of their earnings. What can this alarming declension have arisen from, but the existence of an error which has ever been found to produce a similar effect-a want of a virtuous education, especially at that early period of life when the impressions that are made generally stamp the future character ?

The rich having ample means of educating their offspring, it must be apparent that the laboring poor-a class of citizens so evidently usefulhave a superior claim to public support.

The enlightened and excellent Government under which we live is favorable to the general diffusion of knowledge; but the blessings of such a Government can be expected to be enjoyed no longer than while its citizens continue virtuous, and while the majority of the people, through the advantage of a proper early education, possess sufficient knowledge to enable them to understand and pursue their best interests. This sentiment, which must meet with universal assent, was emphatically urged to his countrymen by WASHINGTON, and has been recently enforced by our present Chief Magistrate in his address on the necessity of supporting schools, and promoting useful knowledge through the State.

Trusting that the necessity of providing suitable means for the prevention of the evils they have enumerated will be apparent to your honorable Body, your memorialists respectfuly request the patronage and assistance of the Legislature in establishing a free school, or schools, in this city, for the benevolent purpose of affording education to those unfortunate children who have no other mode of obtaining it.

The personal attention to be bestowed on these children for the improvement of their morals, and to assist their parents in procuring situations for them, where industry will be inculcated and good habits formed, as well as to give them the learning requisite for the proper discharge of the duties of life, it is confidently hoped will produce the most beneficial and lasting effects.

The more effectually to accomplish so desirable an object, your memorialists have agreed to form an association under the name of "The Society for Establishing a Free School in the City of New York." They therefore respectfully solicit the Legislature to sanction their undertaking by an Act of Incorporation, and to grant them such pecuniary aid or endowment as, in your wisdom, may be deemed proper for the promotion of the benevolent object of your memorialists.

All which is respectfully submitted.

NEW YORK, 25th February, 1805.

The nature and importance of the enterprise proposed by the petitioners were fully comprehended by the members of the Legislature, who sympathized with its objects, and promptly responded to the appeal thus made to their wisdom and patriotism. On the 9th of April following, an Act was passed, entitled, " An Act to incorporate the Society instituted in the City of New York, for the Establishment of a Free School for the Education of Poor Children who do not belong to, or are not provided for by, any religious society." The Act constituted De Witt Clinton, Samuel Osgood, Brockholst Livingston, John Murray, Jr.,