longing our liberty and inde-pendence. On the plan proposed our anniversaries would be far more likely to meet the approbation of God, whose favor is life. They would also tend to eradicate those national and party prejudices which endanger the peace of the country, and consequently endanger our rights, our free dom and independence. far as our celebrations partake of the nature of boasting, and are devoted to the purpose of exciting malignant and warring passions, they must be offensive to God, and unbecoming a Christian people.

So

The case of the enslaved Africans, if duly considered, would have a powerful tendency to restrain us from national boasting while commemorating the event of our Independence. How very trifling was the oppression which we experienced from Great Britain, compared with that which the slaves endure under the government of our choice! It is now 42 years since we declared ourselves a free and independent nation; and during the whole of this period we have inflicted a thousand fold more suffering on the Africans than we had endured from the hand of Great Britain prior to resisting unto blood and how little have we done to wipe away this foul reproach from our national character!

Were it not our own case, what should we think of a people who, without a tear or a blush, could see their newspapers filled from year to

year with such inconsistency as the following?-Some columns crowded with accounts of splendid celebrations of freedom and independence-accompanied with reproaches against the people whose government had formerly oppressed them-with boasting representations of their past achievements in a war for liberty-and a readiness to shed the last drop of their blood in defence of personal rights While other columns contain accounts of many thousands of slaves in several of the statesof the laws which prohibit the slaves from meeting together for religious or mental instruction-of the penalties inflicted on those who have ventured to teach them in public meetings-of slaves who have been shot, knocked on the head, or whipped to death by inhuman masters-also advertisements for run-away slaves, and for the sale of human beings at public auction-some whole families, the husband, wife and children together, or separately, as may best suit the purchaser ! And what

must God think of a people among whom he beholds such inconsistency, and to whom he has been peculiarly gracious.

Were our celebrations conducted on the principles of Christian benevolence, and accompanied with proper efforts to extend the blessings of freedom according to the principles avowed in the Declaration of Independence; and were the greater portion of the expense of celebrations appropriated as an Emancipa

ting Fund, to be employed in behalf of the oppressed-then might we with consistency raise our cries to the Father of all, and plead with him for the pardon of our past transgressions, and for a continuance of his smiles on our republican institutions.

But

while we remain deaf to the cries of the enslaved blacks, with what face can we look to their Father and our Father, to their God and our God, for a continuance of those blessings to ourselves, which we unjustly deny to our African brethren ?

CONNECTICUT ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.

Extract from the Second Report. THE Directors respectfully present the following Report :

The history of its past year furnishes a new occasion of gratitude to Almighty God, to all who feel interested in the welfare of the Asylum. During this period the pupils have enjoyed an unusual degree of health, and we again witness their return, delighted at the prospect which the coming year affords them of domestic enjoyment with each other, and of further improvement in intellectual and religious knowledge. Many thanks are due to the "author of every good and perfect gift," for the various blessings which He has scattered in the paths of these our unfortunate fellow beings ;-especially for the preservation of the life and health of their worthy companion in misfortune, to whose faithful and successful labours, under God, they and their friends owe so much; for the remarkable deference and obedience which they have generally exhibited towards those who have had the care of them; for the faithful industry with which they have pursued their studies; and for the harmony and good-will which have marked their happy intercourse with each other, an intercourse, too, which has contributed, in no small degree, to their improvement in the acquisition of language, by affording them frequent opportunities of conversation with their instructers and each other. They have secured, also, the universal affection and esteem of their acquaintances in the

town in which they reside, And this deserved praise is bestowed upon them, not to excite their vanity, but for the better purpose of encouraging them in the way of well doing; of affording consolation to their friends; and, may we add, of leading all who feel interested in their happiness, to think how much gratitude is due to that Saviour, by whose continual intercession, so many comforts have descended from the source of all good, to soothe and to cheer them.

Thus far the labours of the instructers have been principally directed to the improvement of the pupils in written language. This is the only avenue to the various departments of knowledge which books contain, and which must, forever, be inaccessible to the deaf and dumb, until they become familiar with the powers and use of letters in their various forms and combinations. This, also, is necessary even for the purposes of their common intercourse with mankind, most of whom know nothing of the manner in which thoughts can so easily and distinctly be expressed by signs and gestures.

How far the use of written language, as a medium for the communication of thought, has been successfully taught in the Asylum during the past year, may be perhaps estimated from a few specimens of the compositions of some of the most advanced pupils, entirely original with regard to thought, style, choice of words, and orthography, which are annexed to this report.

Of the general success, too, which has crowned the labours of the instructers, and the very faithful and

assiduous application of the pupils, The directors deem it but justice to say, that it has removed the doubts of many incredulous, and the fore bodings of many fearful persons; that it has settled the question of the practicability of affording ample useful instruction in the various departments of intellectual and religious knowledge to the intelligent deaf and dumb; that it has gained the decid ed approbation of those who have visited the school; and, that, so far as the information of the Directors has extended, it has equalled the most sanguine expectations of the parents and friends of the pupils.

Much time and patient labour, however, will yet be necessary to place this infant establishment upon such a basis that it can enjoy all the facilities of improvement which a long course of experience has furnished to similar institutions in Europe.

The instructers have felt it to be their duty to exert themselves to convey useful religious knowledge to their pupils, and there is reason to believe that their exertions have not been without success. In a regular - series of written lectures, always explained and illustrated by signs, the principal events recorded in the sacred volume, with some of its essential doctrines, have been communicated to the most attentive group of expectants of delight, which perhaps the eye ever witnessed. To their astonished view has been opened the sublime idea of the Infinite and Eternal God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, concerning whose existence and character some of these imprisoned minds seemed to have had scarcely any conception, while those of mature age, who had been led by the instruction of their friends to the contemplation of some Being in the heavens, evidently had formed of him the most crude, and, in some instances, the most absurd notions. A knowledge, also, of the soul's immortality, of a future state of retribution, and of the manner in which their eternal existence may be rendered happy, has been, in part at least, unfolded to them, They have been taught, too, how much love they owe to their Heavenly Father; how

they ought, by their own expressive language of signs, to pray to him and how they are bound to imitate the example of Christ in the habitual exercise of charity and good-will towards all their fellow-men. The more advanced pupils have understood these truths to a very consider able extent, and all have made such progress in the acquisition of religious knowledge, as to sanction the belief, that nothing but persevering efforts will be necessary for the complete developement to their minds of those truths, the understanding and belief of which, under the blessing of God, will conduce to their own present and future happiness, and fit them for usefulness in the world. It is a fact, too, which ought to encourage the hopes, and animate the prayers, of all the friends of the Asylum, that the knowledge already imparted to the pupils has had a very happy influence upon them; while the eagerness with which they receive instruction, and the interest with which they often converse about it, with their teachers, and among themselves, afford a truly animating prospect.

The domestic happiness, too, of so numerous a family; its religious order; its good manners and morals; with its thousand nameless wants, demand the care of those who will supply the place of father and mother. And the Directors feel a peculiar pleasure in making it known to the friends of the Asylum, that its superintendance is entrusted to the Rev. Samuel Whittlesey and his lady, in whose parental watchfulness and kindness they place the most entire confidence, trusting, that under their fostering care the pupils of this Asylum will grow up to increased rese pectability and usefulness.

All this machinery cannot move without considerable expense, and the fact is, that each pupil has been charged a less annual sum for board, washing, and tuition than these articles have cost the Asylum. Applications for admission are constantly received, and it will be impossible for the Institution to enlarge the sphere of its usefulness without such aid, either from public or private munificence, as will enable it to pro

vide instructers, erect buildings, and purchase grounds for the improvement and accommodation of its increasing numbers.

Specimens of original composition, by some of the most advanced pupils in the Asylum.

The writer of the following letter is a lady of mature age, who has been in the Asylum since April 15th, 1817. At the time of her admission she could not write even the simplest phrases; so that in a little less than one year, she has made the progress which this, her own composition, will indicate.

Hartford April 3d 1818

MY DEAR FRIEND.

I am writing myself an original lesson. I intend to write letter to you. I was agreeably talking with you. I hope you will be better. I was agreeably surprised to see G. W's letter their gift of money to the Asylum. I am in the class of Mr. G. who has 11 pupils. Every Saturday morning Mr. C. explained and lectured all the deaf and dumb

who attentively about God and Christ &c. also Mr. G prayed and made signs with us up. We learn a little of the bible. David was inspired, who wrote the psalm to sing. Mary's child of Jesus Christ was the son of God, They were in a manger of the stable no room and inn. Joseph was poor, who was a good man, he was a carpenter. Joseph was married to Mary. Jesus Christ died to save us. Moses was very meek. Anciently Noah's ark floated on the waters deluge. Mr. C. was at Washington last January he returned 4 1-2 weeks. He saw the President and Congress. Miss F. and I were teachers, alternately to our pupils which made us glad while Mr. C. was in Washington. I wish to stay here. I like the Asylum very much. There are thirtyone pupils in the Asylum-they are very well. I am very happy with all my friends the deaf and dumb. Every noon I am teacher and make signs to my 2 pupils. The roads are very bad now. It is unpleasant day. I have often gone to church. The deaf and dumb were very glad to come in the Asylum. We thanked God. I hope I love God and Christ.

I hope to be forgive and have peace and avoid wickedness. God is a spirit. Anciently I have never read the bible. I wish to read the bible

very much. I am busy with writing and learning.

I am your's affectionately friend,

The following specimen will show the improvement made in eleven

months by a youth of fourteen years of age, who at the time of his admission was incapable of writing any words excepting the names of a few of the most common objecis, and places, and of some of his acquaintances.

Hartford April 3d 1818.

MY DEAR THOMAS,

T. H. G. requested me to write this letter. Thomas will show this letter to his father. I did not know God and Jesus Christ before I came to the asylum. L. C. first taught me L. C. about God and Jesus Christ. teaches the deaf and dumb every Saturday morning about bible. must pray to God from temptation. Lead us not into temptation but us

us.

We

from evil. We must pray to God and God sees us and if God will love We cannot go to heaven if we are wicked. When we shall die we shall go to either heaven or hell. God preserves us day and night. We do not know but we hope God preserves us. We think Jesus Christ will be our savionr. I composed myself wrote this letter. I have written this letter to Thomas.

I am your affectionate friend. A Youth of ten years of age composed the following letter, aud gave precisely, without suggestion or alteration, the replies to the following questions which were proposed to him one day by his instructer. He had been a little more than eleven months in the Asylum, and before his admission was able only to write the names of the most common objects.

Hartford April 3d 1818.

MY KIND SIR,

I begin to meditate a letter to you I shall come here back, I think of my father would be very sorry, you must often think of all the deaf and dumb.Mr. W. begin to think

he will go to New York. You must often very industrious, you will be very well. We have no a new asylum, but the masons will not cause the asylum. The pupils are learning and meditating and composing and knowing and remembering and understanding and improving very fast. Mr. C. is always praying to God that all the deaf and dumb and Mr. W. and Mr. G. will be very well. I wish to write a long letter to Mr. G. and T. G. Miss A. G. told me I shall write a long letter to your brother T. G. but I do not know him and I fear. It is pleasant, the grass grows a beautiful. God would give you your health

I love very my friend T. G.

I am your affectionate friend.

1. What is your soul?

My soul is spirit is very strong, my soul hates my sins.

2. Where is your soul?

My soul is in my body.

3. Is the soul like the body? No; my soul is like the body. 4. Where will your soul go when you die?

I do not know my soul will go to either heaven or hell

5. Who makes the soul holy? God makes the soul holy. 6. Explain what is holiness? Holiness is good and kind and true

and just and pure and powerful and wise and benevolent and blessed.

From a Merchant in Cologne to the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Cologne, Dec. 28, 1817.

Let me mention an anecdote of a Catholic soldier, who had taken with him a New-Testament to Breslau, and afterwards thus wrote to his mother: What an excellent book is the New-Testament!-Twelve of us assemble every evening in the barracks ; one reads, and the others listen to the glorious things spoken there. Should I ever return to you, my dear mother, you shall find a son in me, quite different from what I

was.

I read now so many good things; and as a soldier, I am taught the useful lesson of obedience, which had never learned before."

From a Catholic Clergyman in Switzerland, to the B. F. Bible Society. January 7, 1818.

I have received gratuitously several thousand copies of Leander Van Ess's German New-Testament, which I have circulated far and near, and which are eagerly read by old and young. For the French part of Switzerland, I do not possess such easy means of supply, as for the German. In order to cultivate this portion of the Lord's vineyard, I applied to Basle, and soon afterwards received a thousand Testaments of De Sacy's version. But those appear only a few fragments, when 1 represent to my mind one hundred thousand souls to be provided for, I have to encounter a great many strong prejudices, enforced as they are by the authority of two Papal Nuncios, and other ecclesiastical superiors; but a full persuasion, that the Lord demands my feeble services in this sacred work, has fortified my mind, so that I can courageously proceed in combating those prejudices, by my public and private instruction, as well as by fervent prayer; and the evident blessing of the Most High accompanies our exertions. Many parish ministers join me, and aid me with word and deed.

May I once more repeat my earnest request, that you will support me with your powerful arm, nerved as it is by the Almighty, in order to satisfy the hunger of so many souls in Switzerland, after spiritual nourishment, and to present them with the oracles of truth, or to sell them at a cheap rate?

IMPORTANT FACTS.

The Minister of Marine in France has presented to the Chamber of Deputies a project of a law to put an end to the Slave Trade, by exposing every vessel to confiscation which shall be found employed in that business.

The Ladies of Salem have established a Sabbath School for the benefit of the free blacks in that place.

The Treasurer of the National Bible Society has acknowledged the receipt of $5,023,58 cents in the month of June.