No. mi.] 11 



at eighty cents as the average value amounts to $9,600,000. The 

 value of the same exported for the year ending September 30, 1840, 

 was as follows: 



Indian corn, $338,333 



Indian meal, - 705,183 



Total of both,---" ^1,043,516 



The exports for that year bring about the annual average in value 

 for a series of years. It is thus shown that we may calculate on an 

 actual gain to the country from the exports of Indian corn and meal 

 for the current year, over the average of former years, (when this 

 valuable grain attracted but little attention in Great Britain and Ire- 

 land, as the food of man,) of at least eight millions of dollars. 



I cannot omit the present opportunity to award the credit, which 

 within my own knowledge, is due to Doctor J. S. Bartlett, editor of 

 the Albion of this city, and to J. S, Cowdin, Esq., U. S. Consul at 

 Glasgow, for their efficient exertions in calling attention to the im- 

 portance of introducing Indian corn as a cheap food for the British 

 nation. The services of Mr. Cowdin should, as I have no doubt they 

 will, be fully set forth by the Institute, and Doctor Bartlett, in a pub- 

 lished- letter addressed to Lord Ashburton, when in 1842 he visited 

 the United States as a special Minister to this country, brought for- 

 ward important facts and arguments on the proposed introduction of 

 maize to supply the deficiencies of the crops of Great Britain and 

 Ireland, without reference to the failure of the potato crop, a cir- 

 cumstance which has since brought the subject home to all classes of 

 British subjects. 



All which is respectfully submitted on behalf of the trustees, 



SHEPHERD KNAPP, Vice Prest. 

 H. Meigs, Recording Secretary. 

 T. B. Wakeman, Corresponding Secretary, 



American Institute, March 9th) 1847, 



