10 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Our library lias been increased by contributions and purcliase, 

 and now contains 8,000 volumes, which, if estimated by the cha- 

 racter of the works, may be considered of inestimable value. 



The correspondence during the year has been greater than at 

 any former period, and consists chiefly in applications for scientific 

 .information relative to various branches of knowledge. Our 

 Farmers' and Mechanics' clubs, together with our Annual. Fair, 

 give rise to a very extensive enquiry, the results of all which^ 

 will not fail to benefit our people. The trustees are satisfied 

 that the Legislature is doing immense good by establishing and 

 fostering all institutions of like character, so that all our citizens 

 may share in the good resulting from them. 



ROBERT L. PELL, 



D. M. REESE, 

 WILLIAM HALL, 

 EDWIN SMITH, 



E. T. BACKHOUSE, 

 H. MEIGS, 



New-York, March 10, 1857. 



W. B. LEONARD, Trustees. 



FINANCES. 



The following is the financial condition of the American Insti- 

 tute, on the first day of February, 1857. 

 Balance in the treasury, Feb. 1, 1856, . . $5,789 49 



The Receipts of the year have been — 

 From rent of store, &c.. No. 351 Broadway, Nov., 



1855, to Nov., 1856, $3,250 00 



From Managers of the 28th Annual 



Fair, 1856,... _ 5,000 00 



From admission fees and annual dues, 2,807 00 



From certificates of award, 132 00 



From sales of transactions, 6 00 



From 2 duplicate silver medals, 10 00 



11,205 00 



Carried forward, $16,994 49 



