The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-23


'cs, suss, as those over the Schuylkil & the Dei,-
ware. To the plan adopted by the Manhattan
company IN Ncw-Yvik, the Watch companies
both IN Philadelphia and tins city. All ofwhici
are associated on principles nearly similar TO what
we propose They would tncn ssk whether
these associations nave not in several instances,
embraced objects as complex and difficult, and
which required great. it not greater, extent o.
capita. than the one now under contemplation
and they venture tn add, that none of these gave
greater promise OF being really useful or of If.
iording a better interest to subscribers
To remove all further doubts on the occasion
tle pubic are reminded that very serious dir.
hculties have ever been experienced in any OF the
ABOVE associations from the necessity of entrust.
ing their business to be conducted bv wanaycrs
or directors, chosen from among the stockho!d-
ers nor do they learn that any greater delsy in
executing the several works III which they have
been engaged has resulted from that necessity.
On the contrary it is believed, that a few
persons OF integrity, and in other respects well
quailhed to perform the service for which they
are selected, and furnished with the requisite
funds, will in general execute and carry into fleet
plans AMI undertakings OF this sort, more expe.
uitousiy, and with no greater eNpence, than
when the work is private and interesting to tlien.
selves principally first, because the undertaking
beng public, no director would thimk his own
p'rtalites ought to he gratilied To the same ex
N>''N 80 A. WtS NSlcS variety
on httte Earrings and much uninportant debate is
avoided, which frequently ret;,rds the progress OF
business more than the most necessary deibera-
uon ON matters OF much greater import
Second, because directors or managers are al
ways accountable to those who place them in of.
nee, and know that any neglect of duty or mai
practice ON their part will end in disgrace and
exposure in public view hence, both the hope
Oh acquiring reputation, and the fear of punish
ment, operate stimulus to the mind.
That we can from amongst our citizens, select
persons qualified to manage such an establish
Inent, ought not to be doubted this fact being
admitted, what then is left TO discourage us from
prosecuting the work Shall we answer no.
thing but fears that money vested in this
way will produce less interest than in Bank or
Insurance stock and are so selfish to reject
all undertakings when positive proef cannot be
adduccd that they will be lucrative For the
honour of our city and the country at large it is
hoped that this stigma will not rest upon us.
Your committee is fearful that the length oftleir
report will reader it tiresome-this, well as
their method the reader is solicited to excuse,
and permit them to add few ideas, the substance
OF which has long engaged the attention of seve-
raj worthy fellow citizens. who arc anxious to
make this establishment subservient to of the
most praise worthy purposes-viz. an asylUni
tor the poor-many Of whom are even now in a
suffering condition, these what ever may have
been their foibles are still human hcngs-and
shall they stretch forth the supplicatng hand in
vain No-forbidit charity, forbid it benevo-
lcncc These are yet entitled to the protecti-
on OF the community but this alas is too fire.
quently denied them; and reduced AS they often
are to the last stages of distress and misery, il
Is a fact by no means surprising that their very
errors and vices grow out of their poverty anu
wretchedness, much more frequently than their
vicious habits reduce them toindgence, IN the
first instance.
To relieve these with benevo,ence WORTHY
the people of MARYLAND, we think ought to con-
stitute powerful inaucement to set on foot our
upon scale sufficiently extensive
to employ all the indulgence Capable of bodily
labour) in our vicinity. Experiments of this kind
in other cities and in other countries have sue
ceeaed to admiration surprising even the most
sanguine expectations of their projectors Wit
ness the establishments at the Poor and Work.
houses IN Philadelphia and these set on foot
under the auspices OF our country man, count
BuTnford in Bavaria.
Ifthere were no others, these would furnish
sufficient testimony ofthe utility and great bene.
fit to be derived from such institutions.
Let us then endeavour TO interest our legisla-
ture by nvitng them to become stockholders
on behalf Of their constituents in the fund propo.
sed TO be raised for this valuable purpose. Let
the shares into which the stock is divided be
small and subscribed for in all the counties in the
state, shall we ensure to the establishment
Customers for its fabrications from every quarter
by interesting large number in the success of
our experiment and as many who now subsst
partly on public charity, may contribute por-
ton of labour towards carrying the work, it
is presumed we shall experience much less diff
Guilty IN that particular than has been apprehend-
ed, especially as our plan may hereafter embrace
the erection Of suitable buildings for their accom-.
and the purchase OF every necessary
Tor their support at the lowest wholesale rate
Should this part of our proposition ultimately
succeed agreeably to our wishes, which is con
fidently expected, we feel a pleasing present.
ncnt that the subscribers to this fund will, in pro-
cess of time, be hailed as 6enefactors of the hui
man race, and authors ofa great national as well
as individual benefit
Although the manufacture of cotton and wool
may and ought principally to occupy the attenti-
on of such am association, vet the more effcctua-
y to accommodate that description of persons last
it might be found strictly proper to
devote portion of capital to other objects. Your
may be too sanguine but feeling as
they do, 1T would excite no surprise If, in less
than seven years, our wealthy merchants and far.
mers should find this very desirable school of
industry and useful information, where they nav
bc'anxious to send their sons, for the acquisition
)t knowledge tar more useful in common life
than tedious counting-house calculations, dry
studies ot the law, or medical disuuisitions We
admit the great utility Of these sciences, but dc.
ny the necessity of multiplying the nominal pro-
lessons of them, believing that our country airea
ly teens with them to overfowing 1t is res
pcctfully suggested, that the time cannot be We.
~ distant, when something more beneficial must
DC rcsorted to.
In behalf Of tie committee,
(signed)