Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-10-15
From the N. Y. Courier & Enquirer.

Messrs Editors-I have for many years, been si- len but careful observer of the operations of this h. stitution owing mainly to the loose manner in which their accounts have been presented to it's supporters in its annual reports. In examining the last which the managers presented, was not little astonished to that they profess to be IN DEBT to the amount of more than S34 00O, and that they are looking to its friends for dOndtiOns to liqudate this deficit The opinion naturally arose in my mind that these reports would show that there had been bestowed on the destitute, Bibles and Tesaments to an amount suffi- cent this debt, and that the generosity of the public would be properly exercised in its liquidation For the purpose of testing the correctness of this o. pnon, overlooked the four last years reports of do- nations of Bibles, made to the destitute by this Inst
 tuition, and on summing up their total amount, ascer- taned that they had bestowed books to the value of 1876 49 cents 1 began then to think that they had reason sufficient for being in debt, and that they were fairly entitled to ask assistance from generous public; but memory happening to exercise its facul ties, I recolected that this very public had already given some money for this very purpose; and that before could arrive at any just conclusion on this important subject, must find out what that amount of money was. InOw carefully scanned these re- ports again, and (errors exceped) found that these managers had received, in the last four years, $1S1 054 9S cents free gifts, 10 supply the des- tltnte, for which they had given to the amount of $63 076 49 cents only on their own showing, thus taning in their possession balance of SLY ,178 49 >cents This I conceived to be impossible. ex- amlned agaln, but the same results ensued
 How the society owes more than S34 000, or, in- deed, one cent, when it has had given to it, very recently upwards of $18l, ,000, of which its mana gers do not pretend to have returned more than 1879 49 for the purpose for which it was en- trusted to them, is problem beyond the powers of any reasoning faculties to solve. Observe this sum is entirely distinct from their receipts for the sale of books for in vaung them, the cost of agent clerk hire, and all contingent expenses, is taken in to the sale, and influence the prices; and the i'm mense sales which they make yearly, with their con sequent profits, should prevent their running in debt. But they state .fact, that they in debt up- wards of $34000, and they are calling loudly and perseverngly the public to discharge for them. In the commencement of their address ill the if teenth annual report, the Managers say, They are, in this way, (by these reports) unable to show with what degree of fidelity they have attended to their important trusts-hOw they have expended the funds entrusted to their care" Sc. and " it must be satls- factory also to those who have rendered pecuniary assistance to the society, to see what use has been made of their benefactions, and what motives are presented for the continuance of their aid."
 The managers of this Institution show very satis- factorly how they expend part oithe funds nrust- ed to them but when they retain, or expend without accounting for the of $1l7, IFS 49 of only jour years rust of the fifteen which they have existed it may not be a surprising circumstance ifthere should be some who think it is not altogether correct that these ssaeeounts ofther bsnsfaetons sst be satsfac-