336 



For the future I have only to suggest, a livelier zeal on the part 

 of individual members in general ; an encouraging voice from the 

 older to the younger and more enterprising; an increase of our 

 working men by the adoption into the Society of as many as show a 

 strong disposition and ability to labor effectually in any one of the 

 great departments of learning and science ; and, lastly, the offering of 

 pecuniary aid, in limited measure, to meritorious investigation, when 

 such aid may be necessary, and can be advantageously applied. 

 Another object worthy of attention, which should, indeed, never be 

 lost from view, is the providing of fire-proof accommodation, whether 

 in this or another building, for our invaluable library. 



Lastly, I would refer briefly to a matter which concerns myself 

 as your presiding officer. At the stated meeting, on the 16th of 

 December last, upon the motion of the Chairman of the Committee 

 on the sale of the Hall, a resolution was adopted requesting the 

 President to prepare, and cause to be presented to Congress, a memo- 

 rial in relation to the Hall, requesting the passage of a law to carry 

 into effect the agreement for its purchase, made by the government. 

 In compliance with this resolution, and in conjunction with the 

 Chairman of the Committee referred to, I have prepared memorials to 

 the two houses of Congress ; but it has been considered most pru- 

 dent, under present circumstances, to postpone their presentation; as 

 there is reason to hope that steps may ere long be taken, which may 

 render any measure of this kind unnecessary. 



Most of the Society are aware that I have in contemplation a voy- 

 age to Europe, and that I may not meet them again for a year or 

 more. Indeed, I have to thank you for your kindness in supplying 

 me with a document, which, by recognizing me as your accredited 

 representative abroad, will, I hope, in a considerable degree, facili- 

 tate the attainment of some of the ends for which I visit P^urope. 

 In taking my leave of you, gentlemen, I wish to assure you, that I 

 shall continue to have the interests of the Society at heart, and, 

 should opportunities offer during my absence, shall most gladly avail 

 myself of them for the furtherance of these interests. 

 May IStJi, 1860. 



Judge Carleton made a communication on the subject of 

 Free Agency, or Liberty and Necessity ; referring to the 

 opinions of Locke, Edwards, Sir William Hamilton, and other 

 metaphysicians, and expressing his conviction of the entire 

 simplicity and intelligibility of this subject of so many con- 



