REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES 



OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 



To the Honorable Legislature of the State of Mew York: 



The Trustees of the American Institute, in conformity with law, 

 beg leave to present their Annual Report for the years 1862-3. 



No public exhibition or fair was held during the past year, but, 

 nevertheless, the Institute has been true to its mission; and the 

 report of the Board of Managers, and the Proceedings of the Farmers' 

 Club and Polytechnic Association, will show to what extent and in what 

 manner it Jias afforded encouragement and given aid to the industrious 

 pursuits, which have heretofore received its favors and its benefits. 

 In the month of May last, the Trustees presented to the common 

 council of the city of New York the following memorial : 



To the Honorable the Common Council of the City of JVeio York : 



The undersigned. Trustees of the American Institute of the city 

 of New York, respectfully represent to your honorable b@dy: 



That the promotion of agriculture, commerce and the mechanic 

 and manufacturing arts, are the objects contemplated by the charter 

 of the Institute ; and that for a period of upwards of thirty years 

 the steady aii^i of its members and managers has been devoted to the 

 advancement of these interests ; that the exhibitions and fairs of the 

 Institute have contributed largely to the prosperity of the city of 

 New Y^ork, by attracting to it many thousands of strangers annually, 

 and by concentrating at this point the earliest improvements and the 

 best inventive genius of the nation. 



Y'our memorialists would further represent that, since the conver- 

 sion of Castle Garden to its present use, and the destruction of the 

 crystal palace by fire, there are no buildings or inclosures of sufficient 

 magnitude in the city of New York to answer for such exhibitions as are 

 now demanded by the public, and such as the Institute desires to present. 



Relying, therefore, upon the co-operation of your honorable body to 

 aid their endeavors to meet the demands of the country in this 

 regard, they pray your honorable body to grant them a lease of Reser- 

 voir Square, at a nominal rent, under such restrictions and limita- 

 tions as to your honorable body may seem just and proper. 



This petition is accompanied by a plan of the character of the 

 building to be erected by the Institute. 



And your petitioners will ever pray. 



