249 



were expended by the state duriDg the years 1809, '10, Ml, 

 '13 and 14. 312 specimens of the cloths for which these 

 premiums were awarded are now preserved in five volumes 

 in the library of the Institute. It is now fifty years since 

 the act was passed establishing these premiums, and these 

 specimens of the domestic manufacture of that time are of 

 great value. The Institute should therefore take every 

 means to preserve so rare and valuable a collection, and to 

 make the possession of it useful to the public. Dr. Hough 

 therefore proposed that these specimens be sent to the next 

 fair of the American Institute to be held in N. Y. city, 

 proper precautions being taken to insure their preserva- 

 tion and safe return. Dr. Hongh submitted the following 

 resolutions : 



Resolved, That the president appoint a committee of three 

 to enquire into the propriety of exhibiting at the next fair 

 of the Institute, to be held in the city of New York, a se- 

 ries of specimens of premium cloths, deposited for pre- 

 servation in the library of the Institute, under an act 

 passed April 8, 1808. 



Resolved, That this committee correspond with the of- 

 ficers of the American Institute, and report if possible at 

 the next meeting, every fact which can be ascertained in 

 reference to the measures stated in these resolutions. 



After some discussion as to the best method of exhibit- 

 ing these specimens, the resolutions were passed, and Dr. 

 Hough, Mr. Munsell, and Mr. Murray were appointed on 

 the committee. 



After the announcement of various donations, the Insti- 

 tute adjourned. 



March 30, 1858. 

 Hon. A. S. Johnson, vice-president, in the chair. 



Henry A. Homes of the New York State Library read a 

 paper on Medals, considered in reference to their historical 

 value, in perpetuating the remembrance of great events. 

 He claimed that the true object of a medal was to make 



