As this Society was for many years one of only three or four charitable institutions within Massachusetts, proposals were occasionally made to engraft other objects upon its original purpose. Among these we find a communication from the Rev. Dr. Belknap, the distinguished biographer and historian, suggesting that some provision be made for the sickpoor, and particularly for exposed children. A large committee, of whom were Judge Lowell, Dr. Belknap, Judge Sullivan, and Thomas Russell, Esq., were appointed from the Society at large to consider and report upon the subject, who recommended a consultation with the Medical faculty, in order most effectually to provide "for the sick-poor, for the assistance of lying-in women, and for foundlings." They also reported in favor of procuring subscriptions for a public DISPENSARY; and thus probably originated that excellent institution, which for now more than fifty years has been the instrument of great good in our city. The condition and sufferings of American citizens, then in captivity among the Algerines, was, in 1794, a subject of deep interest. At a meeting of the Trustees, May 5th, of that year, the President, with four other gentlemen, were selected as a committee to apply to the General Court for a brief to collect money in their favor. They received, also, a letter from the Vice-President of the United States, OF The Humane Society OF MASSACHUSETTS: WITH A SELECTED LIST OF PREMIUMS AWARDED BY THE TRUSTEES, FROM ITS COMMENCEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME: INCLUDING EXTRACTS FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE, A STATEMENT OF THE FUNDS, AND A LIST OF THE PREPARED BY DIRECTION OF THE TRUSTEES. BOSTON: SAMUEL N. DICKINSON, PRINTER. Soc 2736,3,12 1865, Aug. 1. Benj Shurtleff Shaw, H.D. of Boston. (76. 6.1847.) NOTICE. For many years after the institution of "THE HUMANE SOCIETY," an annual Report of its transactions, with the correspondence of the year, and a list of the premiums adjudged, was appended to the discourse usually delivered on the day of its anniversary. But when, in 1818, it was deemed expedient to discontinue its public celebrations, the annual reports also ceased; nor, with the exception of a publication in 1829, has any account since been published of its doings. Nearly sixteen years having now elapsed from the date of that pamphlet; and events, interesting, both in relation to the immediate objects of the institution, and its connexion with some kindred charities having occurred within the interval, it was thought proper that another history should be prepared. And the President, with the Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer, having been appointed a committee for the purpose, the following statement is by them, on behalf of the Trustees, respectfully presented to the members of the Society, and to others interested in its objects. FRANCIS PARKMAN, HISTORY. "THE Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," was instituted in 1786. Its origin at that time, or the immediate occasion of its formation, was the result of an interview between the late Rev. Dr. James Freeman, Dr. Aaron Dexter, Royall Tyler, Esq., and Dr. Moyes, a gentleman from England then residing in Boston, who, though blind from his childhood, had distinguished himself by his scientific attainments, and by his zeal for the interests of philanthropy. In conversing on the various charitable institutions established in Great Britain, Dr. Moyes, as we learn from a document already published, "suggested the outlines of a plan of a society, similar to that of the British Royal Humane Society, incorporated in 1774, in imitation of one in Holland, to restore to life persons apparently dead," &c. The proposal engaged the earnest attention of the above-named gentlemen, who communicated it to the Hon. James Bowdoin, afterwards its first President, and obtaining with his the cordial concurrence of several other influential citizens, it was resolved at once to carry it into effect. Subscriptions were opened for the establishment of a fund, and a meeting of the subscribers, thence |