PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 



FOR SUBSCRIPTION PAPER ON THE NEED OF AN INSTITUTE 

 IN NEW YORK WHICH SHALL BE NATIONAL IN ITS AIMS 

 AND INFLUENCE, AND THE MEANS REQUIRED TO PLACE THE 

 AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN THAT POSITION. 



It has been a commou expression during the past three or four 

 years, not only by members of the American Institute, but by its 

 friends, that movements should be made to enlarge its action by 

 the erection of a proper building of its own, on its own property, 

 and otherwise extending its facilities for meeting the requirements 

 of a great National Institute. 



These expressions, it is well known, have also been accompa- 

 nied by liberal proffers of money towards the carrying out of 

 such ends. A number of gentlemen of means have offered on 

 various occasions considerable suras each, yet there have been no 

 steps taken to secure the benefit of such offerings. 



In order that a practical beginning may be initiated toward 

 the raising of money, and that when such offers are made there 

 may be a record of them, several gentlemen, who have felt a zeal- 

 ous desire to see the American Institute go on and prosper, have 

 drawn up the following form for your consideration, and hereby 

 respectfully present it. 



The American Institute of the City of New York was incorpo- 

 rated by the Legislature of the State of New York on the 2d day 

 of May, 1829, for the purpose of encouraging and promoting 

 domestic industry in this State and the United States, in agricul- 

 ture, commerce, manufactures and the arts, and any improvements 

 made therein, by bestowing rewards and other benefits on those 

 •who s"hall make any such improvements or excel in any of said 

 branches, and by such other ways and means as to the said cor- 

 poration or the trustees thereof shall appear most expedient. The 

 estate and funds of the corporation, after paying all proper char- 

 ges and expenses, were directed by the act of incorporation to be 

 exclusively devoted to all the objects aforesaid, except so far as 



