19th CONGRESS, 
1st Session. 
'Doc. No. 100. 
IIO. OF REPS. 
DEAF AND DUMB 
MESi'DISaAIL 
OF THE 
TRUSTEES OF THE KENTUCKY INSTITUTION 
FOR THE 
Enstruction of Bm ana Buinti Hersons, 
February 20, 1826. 
Head, and referred to the Committee of the Whole House, to which is referred the 
bill for the benefit of the said Institution. 
WASHINGTON 
>HTITTE1) BT GABES & SKATO> 
1826v [X)oc. No. 100.] 
MEMORIAL. 
To the Honorable the Congress of the United States: 
The Trustees of the Kentucky Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 
would respectfully represent: That their Institution was incorporated 
by the Legislature of Kentucky, in 1822; that, in -the Spring follow- 
ing, it was put into operation upon funds granted by the State, as am- 
ple as the then state of its funds would permit; that, at the session of 
1824, the charter was so amended as to invite the States surrounding 
Kentucky, and elsewhere, to send their pupils to our Institution for in- 
struction, upon the same terms as the pupils of our own State. We 
believe that all, or most of the States, in the valley of the Mississippi, 
are, at this time, looking to the Kentucky Institution for instruction of 
their deaf and dumb. Owing to the great difficulty attending the es- 
tablishment and maintenance of such institutions, and obtaining quali- 
fied instructors, ours is the only one west of the Alleghany Mountains. 
Our Institution being situated in the centre of the western section of 
the Union, affords a convenient site to supply the demands for in- 
struction of the kind, for that and the southwestern section. Congress 
has, heretofore, as we believe, expressed its sense of the propriety of 
encouragement by the General Government to the cause of education, 
by the provisions in the laws regulating the sales of the public lands, 
reserving a certain portion for that purpose. We also conceive, that 
the encouragement of this species of education is entitled to the consi- 
deration of the General Government, and is recognized by the liberal 
grant made to the American Asylum located in the Northeastern sec- 
tion of the Union. Experience lias, we conceive, convinced all, or 
most of those conversant with institutions of the kind, that it requires 
extent of territory, more than probably any one State contains, to sup- 
ply, for any long period of time, the necessary number of pupils to 
keep such an institution in successful operation, many persons of that 
description now in existence being too old to be advantageously and 
successfully instructed, and, consequent!}’, the young of that class of 
our species, must be looked to to fill our institutions. 
During the late session of the Legislature, a grant of three thousand 
dollars was given to our Institution to enable the Trustees to 
purchase a suitable site, and erect the necessary buildings there- 
on. In consequence of this grant, and funds obtained by dona- 
tion, we have been enabled to purchase a very eligible one of ten 
acres, upon which are now erected comfortable buildings, but not as 
large as we could wish. We would further represent, that we have 
well qualified instructors for this branch of education, and would* 
therefore, respectfully, but earnestly, solicit the attention of the lion. 4 
[Doc. No. loo.] 
Congress to our application for endow ment, now before that honorable 
body. Any information that may be desired, we hope will be found in 
the accompanying papers. 
D. E. COWAN, 
B. H. PERKINS, 
J. BARBOUR, 
WM. MILLER, 
E. MD DWELL, 
J. FISHER. 
M. U. YOUCE. 
8up9ng Comm’e. 
Danville, Feb. 2, 182G. 
An Act to endow an Asylum for the Tuition of the Deaf and Dumb, 
approved December 7, 1822. 
Whereas it is desirable to promote the education of that portion of 
the community who, by the mysterious dispensation of Providence, 
are born deaf and, of course, dumb, and, experience, in other countries, 
having evinced the practicability of reclaiming them to the rank of 
their species, by a judicious and well adapted course of education, it 
is represented that many of our philanthropic citizens would contri- 
bute to promote an object so benevolent and humane, if this Legislature 
would co-operate, by affording pecuniary aid, and designating a mode 
by which the gratuities devoted thereto, could be effectually applied; 
therefore, 
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth 
of Kentucky, That the Trustees, and their successors, of the Central 
College of Danville, shall be, and they arc hereby, authorized and 
empowered to receive, by legacies, conveyances, or otherwise, lands, 
slaves, money, and other property, and the same to retain, use, and 
apply to the education of the deaf and dumb within this commonwealth, 
to any amount, the interest, profits, or proceeds of which, shall not 
exceed the sum of thirty thousand dollars per annum. 
The institution shall be located at Danville, in Mercer county, and 
supported by the donations and legacies of the charitable, by such aid 
as the legislature may be pleased to afford, and by the money to be re- 
ceived for the education of children whose parents, guardians, or 
friends, are of ability to pay. 
The trustees of the Danville College, and their successors in office, 
shall have power to appoint a teacher or teachers, president, treasurer, 
and all other officers that they may think necessary, and remove any 
of them at pleasure, and make such by-laws as they may think ne- 
cessary for the interest of said asylum. 
There shall also be a committee of twelve ladies, selected by the 
trustees at their first meeting, and their vacancies filled from time to 
time, as they may happen from death, removal, or resignation, to aid 
in the management of the asylum, under such provisions as may, from 
time to time, be prescribed by the by-laws. [Doc. No. 100.] 
5 
The funds of the institution shall be under the management of the 
trustees, subject, however, to such restrictions as shall accompany 
the grant of aid by the legislature; and it shall be the duty «f the trus- 
tees for the time being, to present to the Speakers of the Senate and 
House of Representatives, respectively, annually, within the first week 
of their session, a statement of the funds and expenses of the institu- 
tion, and of the number of children received and educated therein, 
during the year immediately preceding, and of the parts of the State 
whence they have come, distinguishing between those who have been 
supported gratuitously, and others. 
Indigent children, resident any where within the State, shall be re- 
ceived into the asylum, maintained and educated gratuitously, so far 
as the funds of the institution will admit: Provided, That where more 
children shall be offered for the benefit of this institution, than can be 
received at any one time, the trustees shall so apportion their number 
among the several counties of this commonwealth, according to their 
representation, when application shall be made, that every county may 
equally receive the benefits of the same. 
Sec. 2. Be it farther enacted. That, in order to aid the funds of the 
said asylum, the Governor is hereby authorized and required to draw 
his w arrant on the auditor of public accounts, in favor of the trustees of 
this asylum, for the sum of three thousand dollars, immediately; and, 
moreover, shall draw his warrant on the auditor, in favor of said trus- 
tees, for the further sum of one hundred dollars for every indigent pupil 
taught in said asylum, which shall authorize the auditor to draw a 
w arrant on the treasurer for the amount directed in the Governor’s war- 
rant, winch shall be paid out of any money in the treasury, not otherwise 
appropriated by law, and charged to the school fund: Provided, That no 
one scholar shall be taught at the expense of the State more than three 
years; and, provided also, that the sum so to be drawn from the trea- 
sury, for such tuition, shall, in no one year, exceed the sum of two thou 
sand five hundred dollars. 
Kentucky Institution for the tuition of the i 
Deaf and Dumb, Danville, JVov. 3d, 1823. j 
In obedience to “ An act to endow7 an Asylum for the tuition of the 
Deaf and Dumb,” the Trustees respectfully report: 
Institutions of the kind created by the Legislature, being of modern 
date in the w orld, and there being none nearer than the Atlantic ci- 
ties, the board was well aware that they were not in possession of the 
requisite information, to enable them at once to commence the duties 
incident to their appointment. They, therefore, met at an early day 
after the adjournment of the General Assembly, and adopted such 
measures as seemed most likely, and best calculated, to afford the de- 
sired information, and, at as early a day as practicable, to put the 
institution into operation. A correspondence was accordingly opened 6 
[Doc. No. 100.] 
with all the institutions of the kind in the United States, the object of 
which was, to obtain information of the best mode of conducting and 
managing them. Circulars were addressed to the different members 
of the General Assembly, requesting information of the number of 
deaf and dumb persons in their several counties; their age, sex, and 
condition in life, and the probable number that would be sent to the 
institution for instruction. A statement, herewith submitted, will 
show the information obtained upon the subject. Knowing that the 
number of persons acquainted with the proper method of instructing 
mutes, was very limited, the Board engaged a Mr. David C. Irvin, 
as instructor; deeming him capable of giving the instruction necessa- 
ry, in the first few months, until time could be had to procure a teach- 
er from one of the Eastern institutions, in every respect competent 
to the task. They regret to be obliged to state, that, after some 
weeks’ trial of Mr. Irvin, circumstances occurred which made it the 
duty of the Trustees forthwith to discharge him. 
From that time until the 6th ultimo, the pupils received instruction 
from the Rev. John R. Kerr, and although he was not experienced in 
teaching mutes, yet the progress of the pupils exceeded our most san- 
guine expectations. Since that time, Mr. De Witt Clinton Mitchell, 
from the New York Asylum, a gentleman experienced in the art, 
has filled the office of principal teacher. Among the most important 
objects to be attained in the establishment of an institution for the 
Deaf and Dumb, is the procurement of persons of unexceptionable 
character and qualifications, to fill the stations of superintendent and 
matron. In this part of their duty, the Board are happy to have it in 
their power to say, they have succeeded to their entire satisfaction, 
by the acceptance c« the Rev. John R. Kerr, and his lady, of those sta- 
tions. Mr. Kerr also assists in giving instruction in school. We 
therefore think, that the humane and benevolent views of the Legis- 
lature, which gave birth to the institution, are now realized, in its 
successful operation. 
The novelty of the experiment to communicate useful know ledge to 
persons deaf and dumb, and thereby restore them to their proper rank 
in the. scale of beings, has, by many persons in the country, been 
considered a doubtful one, and by some believed impracticable. But 
facts remove all doubts and disbelief upon the subject. Many per- 
sons have visited the institution, and no person has left it doubling, 
nor, is it believed, without being interested for its prosperity. 
So far as the Board are in possession of information, this institu- 
tion has met with the universal approbation of those who understand 
its nature. It has attracted the attention of persons out of our own 
State, as several applications to admit pupils, have been made from 
the Slates of Ohio. Tennessee, and Georgia. 
It is expected that, in the course of the next six months, the num- 
ber of pupils w ill be much increased. The statements herew ith sub- 
mitted, will exhibit the funds of the institution, and the several expen- 
ditures, and on what account; also, a list of the pupils, Ac. We 
would remark, that the funds, placed at the disposal of the Board, did [Doc. No. 100.] 
not, in their opinion, warrant the commencement of the buildings 
necessary for such an institution; and buildings, answering the pur- 
pose for some time to come, have been taken on rent. It is, however, 
believed, that the most suitable site for an Asylum, is not in the cen- 
tre of a town, but somewhat retired from the bustle of business; and 
so soon as the Board find themselves sufficiently in funds, it is con- 
templated to acquire a lot of ground more spacious than can be ob- 
tained in the heart of a town, whereon to erect their buildings. In 
this, the Board have in vicwr not only the health of the pupils, 
but hope, at some period, to have it in their power to employ a por- 
tion of their time, (and particularly of the indigent,) in acquiring a 
knowledge of such things as may enable them, w hen discharged from 
the institution, to procure a subsistence. We conceive the education 
of indigent pupils, who have learned to read and write, and w ho have 
not been taught any branch of industry, by w hich to obtain for them- 
selves a support in life, as incomplete. Our means, at present, admit 
only of giving this kind of instruction to our female pupils, who are 
taught the use of the needle, housewifery, &c. We hope the period 
may not be distant, when, through the bounty of the Legislature of 
our country, and the donations of the charitable, we shall be enabled 
to carry this part of the plan into complete operation. 
At this time, we respectfully suggest to the Legislature, that the 
sum now allowed by law, for the support of indigent pupils, is less 
than it can be furnished for, at the present prices of the means of 
subsistence. We would, therefore, respectfully solicit such an in- 
crease of the allowance as the Legislature may think proper. That 
the Legislarure may be more minutely acquainted with the institution 
and its management, the trustees respectfully solicit a personal exam- 
ination by a committee of each house of the General Assembly. 
A copy of the rules adopted for the government of the institution, 
is herewith submitted, by which it will be seen that, to tire trustees 
residing in town, has been committed the immediate care of superin- 
tending it, a sub-Committee of whom are in the habit of making daily 
visits. The like is done by the committee of ladies appointed under 
our charter. The pupils are all in good health, and no instance is 
recollected of any having been sick, except slightly of prevailing epi- 
demics. They are cheerful, well disposed to each other, and easily 
governed; and, as new ideas are unfolded to them, appear greatly de- 
lighted, and anxious to learn. They are much attached to the super- 
intendent, matron, and teacher, and to those visiters who call fre- 
quently, and who appear interested for them. 
T he Board of Trustees owe their acknowledgments to the teachers 
of all the institutions for instructing the deaf and dumb, with whom 
they have corresponded, for their promptness in giving the desired 
information; but they feel under particular obligations to Dr. Samuel 
Akerly, Secretary of the Newr York institution, for the many services 
he has rendered them. 
The statement of expenses incurred, accompanying this report, 
together with some estimate of tire probable expenditures for the ensu- 8 
[Doc. No. 100.1 
ing year, will afford the best information we can give the Legislature 
on this subject. Should a committee be appointed, as we trust there 
will, it will be in our power to go more into detail. Before we con- 
clude this report, we beg leave to express our earnest hope and expec- 
tation, that the same spirit of philanthropy which induced your prede- 
cessors to extend their beneficence to this unfortunate portion of our fel- 
low creatures, will animate the present and each succeeding Legisla- 
ture, 
All which is respectfully submitted, 
By order of the Board. 
B. H. PERKINS, 
I). G. COWAN, 
JAMES BARBOUR, 
WM. MILLER, 
EPH’M. M‘DOWELL, 
JER’H. FISHER, 
Superintending 
Committee. 
Kentucky Institution for the Tuition of the Deaf and Dumb. 
Trustees.—John Boyle, Chairman; James Birney, Treasurer; 
William Owsley, Thomas Montgomery, Samuel M‘Kee, James Bar- 
bour, Thomas Cleland, Samuel K. Nelson, David G. Cowan, Ephraim 
M‘Dowell, Joseph M‘DoweIl, William Craig, Jeremiah Fisher, John 
Green, Edward Worthington, Robert B. M*Afee, Benjamin H. Per- 
kins, William Miller, John S. Higgins—James Harlan, Secretary of 
the Board. 
Officers.—Rev. John R. Kerr, superintendent; Frances Kerr, Ma- 
tron; De Witt Clinton Mitchell, principal Teacher. 
Physicians.—Joseph Weisiger and Albin G. Smith. 
Committee of Superintendence.—Benjamin H. Perkins, James Bar- 
bour, Ephraim M‘Dowell, David G. Cowan, William Miller, and 
Jeremiah Fisher. 
Committee of Ladies.—Mrs. Clemens, Mrs. Youce, Mrs. Finley, 
Mrs. Rochester, Mrs. Whealan, Mrs. Caldwell, Mrs. Akin, Mrs, 
Cocke, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Bell, and Mrs. Reed. 
PUPILS. 
If AMES. 
Age 
Admitted. 
Residence. 
Remarks. 
Jabez Gaddie, 
16 
1823, April 10 
Green county. 
An orphan and unable to 
pay for board or tuition. 
Eveline Sherrill, 
12 
do. 
Do. do. 
Lucy Barbee, 
24- 
do. 
Pays all charges. 
Rebecca Machen, 
27 
Mav 20 
Simpson co. 
Do. 
Wm. Morehead, 
13 
Lincoln co. 
Indigent and unable to pay. 
Martha Bailey 
21 
June 12 
Woodford co. 
Pays'all charges, 
Moses Lewellin, 
15 
July 1 
Shelby co. 
Orphan, and indigent. 
Edith Learcllin, 
13 
do. 
Do. do. 
John Gocrgin, 
21 
July 9 
Madison co. 
Pays all charges. 
William Grissom, 
17 
Adair co. 
Do. 
Barnev M‘Mahon, 
12 
July 23 
Jefferson co. 
Entirely indigent. 
John Withers, 
21 
Aug. 20 
Lincoln co 
Pays all charges* 
John Hoke, 
25 
Oct. 27 
Jefferson co. 
Do 
Thos. Hoagland, 
30 
Nov. 3 
Fayette co. 
Do. [Doc. No. 400.J 
9 
Deaf and dumb persons supposed to be in the State, from 130 to 
150, about one-third of whom are in indigent circumstances. The 
calculation in Europe, of the proportion of deaf and dumb to other 
persons, is one for 2,000 souls; in the United States, it is estimated 
lower. 
Resolved, That the members of the Board, resident in the town of 
Danville, be arranged into Monthly Committees, who shall each, suc- 
cessively, have the superintendence and charge of the Asylum. It 
shall be the duty of the Committees, to make all regulations needful 
and necessary for the good order of the Asylum, and make report to 
each stated meeting of the Board, and at such other times as they 
may deem necessary. 
Resolved further, That the following rules be adopted for the go- 
vernment of the monthly committees, the ladies’ committee, and su- 
perintendent, matron, and teachers: 
I. That the mode of treatment of the pupils of this institution, and 
of their instruction, require lenity and kindness of an exemplary na- 
ture ; and that corporal punishment ought never to be resorted to, 
hut in extreme cases, and then only by the authority and consent of 
the monthly committee. 
II. That every pupil who shall be admitted into this institution, 
shall be initiated under the direction of the monthly committee; and 
that no pupil shall he considered as regularly entered, until he or she 
shall have been, for a time not exceeding 20 days, in the institution, 
on trial; and shall also have given bond, with competent security, if 
required, for the payment of the tuition and expenses, according to 
the rules and regulations of this institution. 
III. That the monthly committee shall superintend the school, and 
direct all that may be necessary for the comfort and advancement of 
the scholars, and the general prosperity and respectability of the in- 
stitution. Respectable persons may be permitted to visit the Asylum, 
when introduced by a trustee, the superintendent, matron, or any 
member of the committee of ladies. 
IV. That the monthly committee, shall, from time to time, accord- 
ing to the season, prescribe the hours of meeting and dismission from 
•school. When in school, and during the hours of instruction, the pu- 
pils are under the government of the teacher or teachers; at other 
times and places, the superintendent and matron arc expected to have 
the charge and care of them. 
V. If a scholar shall persist in playing truant, or his parents or 
guardians detain him from school without a proper excuse, the superin- 
tendent and teacher shall report the same to the monthly committee, 
who shall, thereupon, make such order as the case may require. 
VI. No parent or guardian shall interfere with the government of 
a child in the school; but, in case of dissatisfaction, they may refer 
their complaints, in writing, to the monthly committee, who shall act 
thereon as the case may require. ' 
RULES. 10 
[Doc, No. 400.] 
VII. That, in all cases requiring further rules for the government 
of the institution, not hereby provided for. the monthly committee 
shall have power to act, subject to the supervision and determination 
of the Board, to be reported at the expiration of their term, with what- 
ever relates to their transactions. 
Kentucky Institution for the tuition of the Deaf and Dumb. 
DEBIT. 
January, 1823—To cash received from the trea- 
sury, 1823- ----- $3,000 00 
CREDIT. 
April 11—By cash paid for board of D. C. Ir- 
vine, before the commencement of the school - 20 00 
May 22—Paid for same, after school commenced, 5 00 
Paid D. C. Irvine, for services as teacher 40 00 
Jan. 11—Cash paid for books, stationery, &c. pur- 
chased at New York - - 146 55 
Paid for carriage of do. 9 00 
Paid for two large desks, sundry benches, 
and one large black hoard, painting, &c. 23 50 
Paid for stationery, &c. for indigent pu- 
pils - - i - - - 6 00 
Paid for printer’s hill - - - 8 00 
Paid for postage - - - 23 58 
Paid for Mr. Mitchell’s expenses from 
New York to Danville, as per contract 128 00 
Mr. Mitchell’s salary up to 3d Nov. 1823 76 92 
House rent up to Sd November - 146 69 
Amount of Mr. Kerr’s account for hoard- 
ing indigent pupils, to 3d November 250 75 
Amount of his salary, up to 3d November J 73 74 
Amount of his account for wood furnish- 
ed school room - - - 7 50 
1,065 23 
•Balance on hand gi,934 77 
Tuition fees due from pupils who pay, up 
to 5d November, 1823 - 90 93 
Amount on hand 82,025 70 
In addition to the above, a list is herewith presented, exhibiting, as 
far as the Board know with certainty, the donations made to the In- 
stitution, amounting to S970. The Board have been informed, that 
other donations have been subscribed to the Institution; but the amount 
is not kjiown. [Doc. No. 100.] 
11 
“ We, severally, promise to pay to the Trustees of the Asylum for 
the tuition of the Deaf and Dumb, the sums annexed to our respective 
names; to be paid in three annual payments, from 1st January, 1823.J> 
John Green, 100 
James Birney, 100 
Ephraim M‘Dowell, 100 
David G. Cowan, 50 
William Craig, 50 
James Harlan, 10 
James Barbour, 50 
Joshua Barbee, 100 
John B. Camden, 10 
Jer. Chamberlain, 50 
William Miller 30 
Charles Henderson, 50 
Richard D. Crutchfield, 30 
Thomas Gray, SO 
John Fleece, jun. 30 
Duff Green, 20 
Benjamin H. Perkins, 50 
David Bell, 50 
William Aiken, 50 
$970 
Probable amount of expenses the ensuing year. 
For salary of teacher and assistant teacher, in- 
cluding board - - 1,600 
Amount which it is supposed will be required to 
support indigent pupils - 1,500 
Rent of house and ground ... 200 
Incidental expenses, fuel, stationery, &c. - 100 
S 3,400 O0 
Deduct, for probable amount which will be re- 
ceived from the treasury, for the support of 
indigent pupils - 1,500 
Probable amount which will be received from 
pupils who will pay - 600 
$2,100 00 
1,300 00 
Present amount of funds on hand - - 2,025 70 
One third of subscriptions, which will fall due 
the 1st of January, 1824 - 323 S3 
$2 349 03 
Whereupon Mr. M‘Afee moved the following resolution, to wit: 
Resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 
That the report of the Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and 
the acompanying documents, be referred to a joint committee of four 
from the Senate, and eight from the House of Representatives, with 
power to report by bill or otherwise. 
The rule being dispensed with, it was taken up and adopted. 
Ordered, That Mr. M‘Afee inform the House of Representatives 
thereof, and request their concurrence. 
Messrs. McAfee, Roper, Barbee, and Marshall were appointed a 
commitee on the part of the Senate, pursuant to said resolution* 12 
[Doc. No. 400.] 
Hartford, Sept. 2.6th, 1825. 
To the Directors of the Kentucky Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. 
Gentlemen: Mr. John A. Jacobs being on the eve of bis de- 
parture for Kentucky, 1 will candidly express my opinion of his qua- 
lifications. He came to us some fifteen months ago, I may say, as a 
gentleman of excellent talents, exemplary character, and liberal edu- 
cation, but wholly unacquainted with the art of instructing the deaf 
and dumb; now, he leaves us well stored with the knowledge of our 
language of signs, and well initiated in all the secrets of our system: 
therefore, 1 dont hesitate to recommend him to you, gentlemen, as a 
suitable person to be at the head of your Institution; and I feel confi- 
dent of his ability, not only to fill up the general outlines that we 
have pointed out to him, both in our public lectures and private les- 
sons, but also to afford ample useful instruction in the various depart- 
ments of knowledge to the deaf and dumb. 
Now, gentlemen, allow me to tender to you, individually and col- 
lectively, my personal thanks for your generous exertions to promote 
the temporal and spiritual welfare of my unfortunate brothers beyond 
Alleghany Mountains, and to add my prayers for the prosperity of 
your Institution. 
LAURENT CLERC. 
A copy from the original on file. 
D. G. Cowan. 
IN SENATE, TVednesday, Nov. 23. 
The Speaker laid before the Senate a letter covering the annual re- 
port of the Chairman of the Committee of Superintendence for the 
Asylum for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb; which was read, 
as follows, to wit: 
Frankfort, Nov. 23, 1823. 
Sir: I have the honor to present to you, and through you to the 
honorable body over which you preside, the Annual Report of the 
Trustees of the Kentucky Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf 
and Dumb. The absence and professional engagements of the Se- 
cretary of the Board, put it out of their power to obtain earlier the 
statement of receipts and disbursements. 1 hope this will be accepted 
as our apology for the delay in presenting it to the General Assembly, 
I am, sir, very respectfully. 
Your obedient servant, 
D. G. COWAN, 
Chairman Committee of Superintendence. 
Hon. Robert B. M'Affee, 
Lieut. Governor, and Speaker of the Senate. [Doc. No. 100.] 
13 
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Ken- 
tucky. 
The Report of the Trustees of the Kentucky Institution for the 
Tuition of the Deaf and Dumb, respectfully shows: That, during the 
past year, the Institution has continued prosperous, and that the pro- 
gress of the pupils in acquiring knowledge, has been such as to be 
highly gratifying, not only to those under whose immediate care they 
are placed, but also, it is believed, to all others who have visited the 
Asylum, and felt an interest in its prosperity. The pupils have been 
remarkably healthy. Good order has been observed; and, although 
most of the students are at a distance from their nearest relatives, 
there probably is not in the country a more happy family. 
At the close of the last session of the year 1824, the number of 
pupils was twenty-six; at the close of the same session of 1825, tlte 
number was twenty-nine; and, from information received, many more 
maybe expected during the present year. 
Experience has fully satisfied your Trustees, that the time allowed 
by law for the instruction of indigent mutes, is too short to give them 
as extensive a knowledge of our language as is desirable. In the 
American Asylum at Hartford, where, from the experience and num- 
ber of the teachers, the pupils enjoy equal, if not superior, advanta- 
ges over any other institution in the United States, the time of in- 
struction required is four or five years. We would, therefore, re- 
spectfully suggest, for the consideration of the General Assembly, 
whether it will not be expedient to leave it discretionary with the 
Trustees to continue indigent pupils one year longer than the law at 
present requires, so that no pupil may leave the Asylum without de- 
riving substantial benefit from his residence there. Without this, the 
money expended by the State in his education will be only so much 
thrown away. We beg leave to call your attention to the following 
extracts from the eighth Annual Report of the American Asylum, on 
this subject: 
“ The friends of the deaf and dumb demand impossibilities of 
them, and those who are entrusted with their education, if they ex- 
pect that these infants in knowledge, although they may be men in 
stature, and laboring under the peculiar embarrassments of their sit- 
uation, Ac. and knowing nothing of the slow, patient, and gradual 
process which must of necessity be employed in the instruction of 
those who are excluded from the common sources of improvement, 
that children who are in possession of all their faculties enjoy, consider 
two or three years spent at the Asylum as quite sufficient to advance 
a pupil from his alphabet, of which, at his admission, he is ignorant, 
to a correct knowledge of the English language, so that he may both 
read it with understanding, and write it with accuracy; to an ac- 
quaintance with moral and religious truth; to the use of figures, and 
to the outlines of geography. From this cause, and from the indi- 
gent circumstances in which many of the deaf and dumb are placed, 
they are often removed from the Asylum at the expiration of the third, 
or even second year.” 14 
[Doc. No. 100.] 
■With regard to the length of time necessary for the continuance 
of a pupil at the Asylum, there is another circumstance deemed 
worthy the attention of the General Assembly, which is, that, 
under the present law, the parents and guardians of indigent pub- 
ils have claimed, and, in some instances, exercised, the right to take 
them away whenever they might choose to do so for the benefit 
of their labor. Whenever the pupil is taken from the Asylum 
without an education, his time there has been lost to himself, and the 
money of the State has been spent in vain. We would, therefore, 
respectfully suggest the passage of some enactment, whereby the 
Trustees will have power, in future, to retain such pupil for the time 
allowed by law. 
Your Trustees feel well assured of the benevolent sentiments 
which brought this Institution into existence, and which, from time 
to time, have nourished and sustained it; but we are in duty bound 
to say, that there is one great inconvenience under which it has la- 
bored, to wit, the want of suitable buildings. The sum heretofore 
granted by the Legislature, was deemed quite insufficient to under- 
take the purchase of a proper site, and erecting such houses as were 
required, without assurances of further aid. We. therefore, through 
our representatives, made application to the Congress of the United 
States for a donation. A similar application from the Eastern sec- 
tion of the Union had been made to Congress with success. Many 
obstacles have hitherto opposed a final derision on our petition, not- 
withstanding the exertions of Major Moore, the immediate Repre- 
sentative from this district, and the other members from our State. 
So soon as our petition was presented to Congress, the States of 
New York and Pennsylvania, and other parts of the Union who 
have Deaf and Dumb Institutions, made known their determination 
to oppose us, unless similar endowments were asked at the same time 
for their Institutions. This appeared somewhat unreasonable, as 
Congress had already endowed one Institution, in which, from its 
local situation, they might have participated. The final result of our 
petition has, therefore, from different causes, been unavoidably de- 
layed, though, from the reasonableness of our request, we still have 
strong hopes of success. In the mean time, the house at present oc- 
cupied, although the most convenient we can procure, is much too 
small, and by no means well adapted 10 answer our purpose, nor do 
we know with certainty how long we may obtain it on rent, the 
owner, as we are informed, being disposed to sell rather than rent. 
Under these circumstances, a sense of duty, and the welfare of those 
placed under our care, induces us to renew our application to the 
General Assembly for such a donation as will enable us to purchase 
a proper site and erect buildings, and thus place the Institution on a 
respectable and permanent footing; and should our application to the 
Congress of the United States meet with merited success, the fund 
thereby obtained can be, in future, applied to the support of indigent 
pupils, or in refunding the amount expended by the State, as the Ge- 
neral Assembly may hereafter direct. Situated as wo arc, should [Doc. No. 100.] 
15 
there be as many applicants for instruction as we expect, from our own 
or an} of the adjoining States, we shall be compelled to reject them. 
We would respectfully suggest to the consideration of the General 
Assembly, whether a direct application from your honorable body 
would not give weight to our application to Congress. In our last 
report, we mentioned the plan adopted to obtain another well quali- 
fied instructor. We are happy to say, that Mr. Jacobs, the gentle- 
man sent to Hartford, has returned, bringing with him, from Mr. 
Gallaudet, the Principal of the American Asylum, such evidences of 
his qualifications, as leave no doubt that his acquirements in the 
science of teaching the Deaf and Dumb, are of the first order. Our 
Institution has attracted the attention of many citizens of the neigh- 
boring States; and, perhaps, the whole valley of the Mississippi is 
looking to the Kentucky Asylum for instruction of their Deaf and 
Dumb. The benevolent feelings which gave birth to this humane 
Institution, have, we are fully assured, met with correspondent senti- 
ments, and the approbation of the people generally. The Trustees 
have had many difficulties to encounter, but their labors have been 
crowned with success, and that is an ample reward. They rely with 
confidence on the support of the General Assembly to enable them 
to carry on this “ good work.” 
It is in contemplation to send to Frankfort some of the pupils most 
advanced, before the adjournment of the General Assembly, in order 
that your honorable body may have an opportunity of seeing the 
progress they have made. A list of the pupils, including those who 
pay all charges, and those are supported by the bounty of the State, 
and also such statements as are necessary to show the expenditures 
and present state of the funds, will be herewith presented. The 
Trustees acknowledge with gratitude the liberal donations made to 
the Asylum by several citizens of New Orleans, at the solicitation of 
the Rev. Samuel K. Nelson. 
order of the Board. 
D. G. COWAN, 
J. BARBOUR, 
S. K. NELSON, 
B. H. PERKINS, 
November Sd, 1825. 
Committee.