876 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Mar. 17.

them until they are from twelve to fourteen years old, when
they are indentured to good families until of legal age. The
number at present in the asylum is 110, viz : 61 boys and
49 girls.

It has hitherto been supported by the voluntary contribu-
tions of our benevolent fellow citizens, but the greatly in-
creased cost of provisions. &c., renders these contributions
entirely inadequate to its wants, even with the most careful
economy, and the Managers are reluctantly driven by neces-
sity to offer this petition for assistance in their good work.
It is very difficult to support those already in the asylum.
and without further aid, we shall be compelled to refuse
those orphans who may apply, alas, now more numerous
than ever before in the history of our country.

With an admirable building (on Stricker street, between
Saratoga and Lexington,) capable of accommodating three
hundred boys and girls, in comfort and convenience, surpassed
by none in the city, it is a pity that our resources are too
small to allow us to receive half that number. Will you not
aid us in saving these helpless orphans from lives of poverty
and crime ? Is it not wise economy to pay a small sum to
make an exposed child a good citizen, than a large one to
arrest and punish the criminal, or to support the wothless
and vicious pauper? But. we will not- indulge in despon-
dency, but will hope that this venerable and excellent in-
stitution will receive that kind consideration from your Hon-
orable Body, which its importance demands.

An annual appropriation by the State of Maryland of
$3,000, is thought to be sufficient at the present.

On behalf of the Managers,

E. BAYNARD, President.
TRUSTEES.

GALLOWAY CHESTON, REV. FRANKLIN WILSON,

GEO, A. DAVIS, H. D. HARVEY,

HAMILTON EASTER FRANKLIN T. KING.

MANAGERS.

MRS. JNO. R. YATES, MRS. ALEX. SHRIVER,

" JAS. C. THOMAS, " SAML. SHOEMAKER,

" WM. LAWRASON, " BAYNARD,

MlSS PURVIANCE, " WM. J. HOFFMAN,

MBS. M. SMITH, " HAMILTON EASTER,

" C. HOLLINS, Miss A. HARRIS.

" H. GAITHER,

We beg to be considered as a beneficiary of the State ot
Maryland.