Anthony Benezet, who served several years on the committee, and who had the charge of this school, became so interested in its behal, that in the year 1782, he took upon him the tuition thereof, and continued in that situation until his death, (the 3d of May, 1784) and by his last will and testament bequeathed a large sum towards its further support. In September, 1784, another school was opened by the committee, under the tuition of a mistress, both which schools have been continued to this time, and are at present under the care of a joint committee, appointed by the three monthly meetings of Friends in this city. The present income of this institution is principally vested in ground rents, amounting to rather more than 650 dollars, annually, out of which a considerable sum is paid for taxes. The average number of scholars attending in the two schools is between 70 and 80. The boys are taught reading, writing and arithmetic: and the girls, reading, writing and sewing. The schools are held in Willing's alley. Two schools, one for boys, and one for girls, are supported out of the funds left to the late Dr. Bray, and to the trustees of his charity.* Ten negro boys, and about 50 girls are constantly educated. In the school with the boys, there are also thirty pay scholars under the same master. The African church of St. Thomas has a school, in which forty pay scholars are instructed by a * The trustees in Philadelphia, of "the associates of Dr. Bray, in London," are the Rev. Dr. White, Rev. Dr. Blackwell, and Thomas Cumpston, Esq. (See An Account of the designs of the Associates of the late Dr. Bray, with an Abstract of their proceedings, London 1800) The sum originally remitted, after the peace of 1783, was £500. By time and judicious management, this sum has so increased, that £460 have been returned to the trustees in London, and enough still retained for the purposes designed by the donors. black teacher. The "Union Society," has also a school in which 40 boys are instructed, by a white teacher. Another school is kept by a coloured man, in which there are upwards of 40 boys, who pay. Patriotic Societies-1. Domestic Society, Was established in the year 1805, for the encouragement of domestic manufactures. The capital stock consists of ten thousand dollars, divided into two hundred shares of fifty dollars. By charter, liberty is given to increase the capital to $50,000. The affairs of the society are managed by a president, secretary, treasurer, and twelve directors, elected on the first Monday in February of every year. The treasurer must give a bond for the faithful performance of his duty. The directors are authorised to lay out the funds, to regulate the affairs of the society generally, to make advances either in cash or raw materials, as shall suit the applicants, upon all American manufactures of woollen, cotton or li nen, amounting to one half of the affixed value of the articles, when deposited in the ware house of the society, and pay the residue when sold, charging and deducting therefrom legal interest, for the time the money may remain in advance upon the goods, and such a commission as shall be affixed by the board on effecting the sales. This has been fixed at 5 per cent. If the articles deposited remain six months on hand, the board may then sell them at auction, and the neat proceeds duly placed to the credit of the owners. The directors may purchase raw materials. The board meet once in two weeks: other articles * "The Union Society for the support of schools and domestic manufactures, for the benefit of the African race, and people of colour, established 1810." besides those mentioned, may be received and sold on commission, but no advances are made on them. They may be withdrawn upon paying storage. The treasurer shall deliver a general statement of the funds of the institution, once every month, at a regular meeting of the board. Shares are transferrable, upon paying twenty-five cents for the certificate. No transfers shall entitle any one to a vote, unless made at least thirty days prior to the day of election. The board shall, at least twenty days prior to the expiration of the term for which they are elected, call a general meeting of the stockholders, and lay before them a full statement of the funds of the society. Stockholders must be citizens of the United States. Monies are to be paid only upon the order of the president, countersigned by the secretary. The society is incorporated by the legislature of Pennsylvania. President-Paul Cox. Warehouse, No. 11, south Third street. Money is lent to manufacturers on good notes, upon legal interest; and in this way the society has done a great deal of good. When established, it was ascertained, that five hundred weavers could not find employment, and to obtain a living were forced to engage in other work: by assistance from the society all are employed; the dividends have yielded to the stockholders six per cent. and sometimes eight per cent., but interest was but a secondary conside ration with the subscribers. Every city and populous town should establish a similar society, as it is only in this way, that the permanent, the real independence of the country, can be established, and our workmen and money kept at home. 266 AGRICULTURAL AND CATTLE SOCIETIES. 2. Agricultural Society. "This society was formed in the year 1785, by some citizens, only a few of whom were actually engaged in husbandry, but who were convinced of its necessity, and of the assistance which such an association, properly attended to, would afford to the interests of agriculture. The society continued to meet regularly for several years, and published numerous communications from practical men, in the newspapers of the day, on various interesting subjects; and thereby contributed to diffuse the knowledge of many improvements in agriculture; the general adoption whereof, has visibly tended to increase the product, and to improve the qualities of the soil of Pennsylvania. "After several years of active exertion, the society was permitted to fall into a long sleep, but was again revived, in the winter of 1804, and holds regular meetings."* It was incorporated in February 1809. Two volumes of Memoirs, in 8vo, have been published; the first in 1808: the second during the present year. The society meet in the philosophical hall, the 2d Tuesday of every month. President-Richard Peters. Vice President-George Clymer. 3. Cattle Society. This society was instituted in the year 1809, For improving the breed of cattle, in Pennsylvania, by several persons concerned in grazing, and resid * Preface to Memoirs of the Society, vol. 1. By Johnson and Warner. ing in and near Philadelphia. They have published an address to the public, explaining the object of the association, and have proposed several premiums, for importing certain improved breeds of cattle from Europe, and for originating them at home. Two premiums have already been taken, one for $100: the other for $50. Shows are held every spring and autumn at Bushhill, (which has been leased by the society) for the exhibition and sale of every species of farm stock; poor, fat, and those destined for breeding. President-Lawrence Seckel. Treasurer-Wm. Guier. The good effects of this society have already been perceived. It meets the first Monday in every month, in the philosophical hall. Mutual Benefit Societies-1. Carpenter's Company. In the year 1724, a number of house carpenters of the city and county of Philadelphia, formed themselves into a company, for the double purpose of obtaining instruction in the science of architecture, and of assisting such of their members as should by accident be in need of support, or the widows and minor children of members. They remained unincorporated until the year 1790, when they obtained a charter by an act of the legislature. The corporation meets on the third Monday of January, April, July and October, and on the same day of the week, in the same months, in every year at their hall, of other appointed place. A committee of seven, annually chosen, manage the affairs of the corporation. They may let their hall, or other estate of the corporation, for any term not exceeding two years: keep the buildings in repair, and settle the accounts of the company one of them collects the rents, and re |