Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-23
DONATION TO THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

We find in the proceedings of the City Councils
of Boston on. Monday last the following Letter
from JOSHUA BATES, Esq, of the firm of Barring
BROTHERS 4 Co, London, informing the Mayor Of
Boston that the writer has made the munifcent do
nation of fifty thousand dollars to the Public Libra.
ry Of that city:
LONDON, OCTOBER l. 1852.
DEAR SIR am indebted you for copy of the re-
port of the Trustees of the Public Library for the city
OF Boston, which have perused with great interest
ing impressed with the Importance the rising and fu-
ture generations of such library as is recommended
and while am that in liberal and wealthy COM
munty like that of Boston there will be no want of funds
to carry out the recommendation of the Trustees il may
accelerate Its accomplishment, and establish the library
at once scale that will do credit to the city if am
allowed to pay for the books required which quite
willing to do thus leaving to the city provide the
building and take care of the expenses
The only condition ask is that the building shall be
such shall be the city that there shall
be room for hundred to hundred and fifty per-
sons TO sit at reading tables that it shall be perfectly
Tree to all with no other restrictions than may be
sary for the of the books What the build
ing may cost am unable to estimate but the books
counting additions during my life time-1 estimate at
SoOooo, which shall gladly contribute and consider it
but small return Tor the many acts of confidence and
kindness have received from my many friends in your
city.
Believe me, dear sir, very truly yours,
JOSHUA BATES.
! Benz, SEAvER, Mayor Of the city Of Boston.
The letter having been read it was referred to the
Trustees of the Public Library with instructions
port to the City Council such it may be pro-
per to adopt in the premises with view to give effect to
the liberal provision of Mr. BATES The Board also adopt
ed the following resolution:
Resolred That this Board is deeply sensible to the
ghtened generosity Of JOSHUA BATES ESQ., manifest
ed in the offer of fifty thousand dollars for the purchase
of books for the Public Library and that the thanks
the City Council be returned him. behalf of the cit
of Boston, for this seasonable and munifcent prov
son which the speedy establishment Of the Lii
brary liberal SCALE and reflects the greatest honor
upon the patriotism of the donor
In abiding to this act Of disinterested beraty the
Boston " Atlas" says:
"Ths is indeed, noble gift and the good which is
capable of doing is incaculabe 1t places the
establishment Of City Library upon a permanent
basis We call attention TO the plain and unpretending
letter Of Mr.. BATES II is model of modest, quiet
liberality. 1t is the words Of good man, who wishes
that his right hand should know what his left hand
doeth In this age of money graspng act like this
of Mr. Bates shines like good deed on a naughty
world Although cannot expect to have many dona-
tons like the considering, yet believe
that when the institution is fairly under way its
wants will be amply provided forb BY men Of property and
| by the city authorities.
"This Library is intended as the Peoples Institution
1t is for their benefit and their keeping it is given.
Who calculate the immense amount Of good inst
tuition thus popularity based will do for city, 1t is
opening the storehouses Of the accumulated knowledge Of
the world to the humblest inhabtant of Boston Great
praise is due TO the projectors Of this public library, and
if not mistaken, it had its origin with our late
Mayor, the Hon. JOHN ?. BIoELow. Its beginning did
not beoken crop II has proved, emphaticay,
good seed planted by the river side 1t has grown al
ready to stately which to spread it's branches
and strike deep its roots like the banan in Massachu
setts We wish the institution the most unqualified
cess, and to JOSHUA BATES long life and happiness His
will be forever associated with Boston Of its
proudest benefactors."