No. 151.] 271 



far as either of them raay evince hostility to the protection of Ameri- 

 can industry. With a deep concern for our country's welfare and 

 honor, we cannot but deplore the spirit with which the contest is 

 conducted. But this expression of our regret is the onlj alluiion we 

 shall make to its existence. 



The only political object to which we direct our labors, we have 

 already freely avowed. It is to aid in rallying the friends of the 

 American system in support of its principles; in giving such an im- 

 pulse to the public sentiment in its favor, that whoever may adminis- 

 ter the government, and whoever may legislate for the general wel- 

 fare, the voice of the peop'e shall be heard in unison on this subject 

 at least — demanding in terms not to be mistaken, that full and un- 

 stinted protection to American industry, of which our agriculture, our 

 manufactures and commerce all stand in equal need. 

 JVeW'York, March, 1828. 



WILLIAM FEW. President 

 John Mason, 1^^ Vice PresiderU^ 



C. Bolton, 2d do || 



Peter H. Schenck, 2d do 



Enos Baldwin, 4th do 



Anson Haydn, 5th do 



John B. Yates, } „ ^ . 

 T , o r Secretaries, 



J. A. iSmELL, ^ 



Mr. Ellsworth agreed in the importance of excluding all politics 

 in whatever shape, from the doings of the American Institute. 



Mr. Wakeman said it had been usual to call this Convention to- 

 gether, by resolution, at the former session, during the Fairs of the 

 Institute. He now raised a question of expediency in regard to its 

 meeting at such times. 



Mr. Van Wyck thought, as the object was to get as full an at- 

 tendance as possible, it might be expedient to meet at some other time. 



Other suggestions were made by Messrs. Ellsworth and Lawrence. 



Gen. Dearborn differed from the previous speakers toto ccelo. We 

 don't come here to inform each other; we come for more definite ob- 

 jects. I do not oelieve in instruction by great meetings and studied 

 eloquence. In the learned societies of Europe a few men do all the 

 work. In Congress, when a subject has been debated half the ses- 

 sion, it may be referred to a committee of nine — if three of the com- 



