149

from which it appears that the income derived from the several
counties and the city of Baltimore amounts annually to about $6,-
000, and the income from individual sources to about $15,000,
making a total of $21,000. Previous to the last three or four years
the Institution has been able to sustain itself, but since that time the
increase in the price of provisions, the rise of wages of attendants
and servants, have made it impossible for the corporation to meet
its liabilities and have entailed upon it a debt of nearly $8,000.
Hitherto the State has contributed no means for the care of the In-
sane, except for buildings. All the current expenditures, im-
provements, repairs, &c, have been wholly dependent upon the re-
sources above alluded to. The annual cost to the Hospital for
supporting the insane poor is much greater than the amount now
paid for them. The Chief Executive officer as also the Board of
Visitors, estimate that the charge of $150 per annum is requisite
to supply to each lunatic pauper food, clothing and other necessa-
ries essential to their health and comfort, instead of the amount
now provided for under Resolution No. 65 of December session,
1838.

To liquidate the debt above mentioned and to make the improve-
ments necessary to render the Hospital worthy to rank with similar
institutions of other States, the aid and generosity of the Legisla-
ture is invoked, with the earnest hope that the suggestions made
for this unfortunate class of our citizens may meet with a cordial
and ready response.

I have also received a communication from the chairman of the
Board of Commissioners to superintend the building of the Hospi-
tal for insane persons near Catonsville, stating that no less than
$50,000 would be required for it the coming year. They urge its
completion as soon as possible. If the work be suspended, much
damage will doubtless accrue to the walls, &c, by reason of their
unprotected condition. The commissioners were at one time in
hopes that the State would be spared the necessity of building this
Institution at its own expense on account of the liberal bequest
made for the Sheppard Insane Hospital, but it appears that the
Trustees of this fund do not feel themselves authorized under the
terms of the bequest, to make this Institution a public one, in the
full sense of the word, but only to permit such patients to remain
in the asylum as may be pronounced by the medical superinten-
dent as curable. It is for the Legislature to decide whether this
work at Catonsville is to progress, and if so, to make such appro-
priations as will enable the commissioners continuously to prosecute
it, until completion.

EARLY HISTORICAL PAPERS.

At the request of several gentlemen who have been much
engaged in historical researches, and upon their authority I beg
leave to call the attention of the Legislature to the fact, that there
we now in existence in the Colonial Office in London, and in