AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 9 



The American Institute was founded a little more than a quar- 

 ter of a century since, and having been sustained by the hearty 

 efforts of a few through several years of doubt and embarrass- 

 ment, we now present to you this national institution in a highly 

 prosperous condition, with its Farmers' and Mechanics' Clubs, 

 and its large and valuable library. We ask but the continued 

 sympathies and co-operation of the public, that its influence 

 may be extended throughout the length and breadth of our 

 country. EGBERT L. PELL, 



D. M. REESE, 

 ROBERT LOVETT, 

 JOSEPH TORREY, 



E. T. BACKHOUSE, 

 W. B. LEONARD, 

 H. MEIGS, Trustees. 



FINANCES. 



The following is the financial condition of the American Insti- 

 tute, on the first day of February, 1856. 

 Balance in the treasmy Feb. 1, 1855, $98 92 



The Receipts of the year have been — 



From Treasurer State of New- York, $950 00 



Fromrentof store, &c.. No. 351 Broadway, 1,458 33 

 From managers of the 27th Annual Fair, 



1855, 8,200 00 



From admission fees and annual dues, . . . 2,413 00 



From library committee, fines, &c., 28 96 



From sales of Transactions, 6 00 



13,056 29 



From note discounted by the Mechanic's Banking 



Association, 4,000 00 



Payments. 

 Real Estate. 

 Interest on mortgage, Nov. 1, 1854, to 



Nov. 1, 1855, $845 00 



Water tax, 19 95 



'7,155 21 



Carried forward, $864 95 $17,155 21 



