153 



Art. XX. Discourse delivered before the Albany Institute, 

 at its first Anniversary after its Incorporation by the Legisla- 

 ture, April 23d, 1830. By Benjamin F. Butlee, one of the 

 Members of the Third Department* 



In addressing you on this first anniversary of our complete 

 organization as an incorporated Society, it certainly is natur- 

 al, and it seems to be appropriate, to invite your attention to 

 a general survey of the objects of our association, the means 

 by which they are to be accomplished, and the motives which 

 should prompt us to vigorous and permanent exertion. 



Established at the center of an extensive and most inter- 

 esting territory, with all parts of which it enjoys great facili- 

 ties of communication, and including within the range of its 

 enquiries every useful art, and the whole circle of the scien- 

 ces, it is the high purpose of the Albany Institute, to pro- 

 mote useful improvements — to diffuse the blessings of science 

 and general knowledge-^-to foster sound learning and a cor- 

 rect literary taste— to develope the resources, to increase the 

 wealth, and to elevate the character of the state. The digni- 

 ty and importance of the labors to which we are thus pledged, 

 are doubtless fully appreciated by those whom I address ; but 

 it is obvious that the subjects to which those labors are to be 

 applied, cannot too frequently be presented to our contempla- 

 tion — for it is only in this way, that men laboriously employ- 

 ed in their respective callings, can be stimulated to those ex- 

 ertions, which, in enterprises like ours, are indispensable to 



In noticing the various topics connected with the duties of 

 our several departments, my position in the Institute will jus- 

 tify me in commencing with those which belong to History 

 and General Literature, and in making them the principal 

 theme of my remarks ; though the other branches of knowl- 



