PROCEEDINGS.

In pursuance of the following call, a number of the instructors of American Institutions for the DEAF AND DUMB, met in convention on Wednesday, the 28th of August, 1850, at the Institution for the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, in the city of New-York.

This convention had been called to meet in the same place in August of the previous year, (1849,) but was then postponed, owing to the prevalence of the epidemic. The project, however, was still warmly cherished, and, in the month of March last, new measures were taken for its fulfillment. The circular letters of invitation were re-issued, and in accordance therewith the convention was duly organized, and proceeded to the transaction of the important business brought before it. The sessions continued through three days.

The call issued for the occasion was as follows:

Dear Sir:-For the information of some who may receive this letter, it is proper to state that, on the 23d of April last, at the request of our associates in the department of instruction in this Institution, a circular was addressed by us to each of the instructors in the American Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb, in respect to holding a convention of the teachers of the deaf and dumb in this country.

Responses to the questions proposed, have been received from forty instructors, connected with nine institutions, including our own, and the sum of their replies is as follows:

All regard such a convention as desirable. A majority of the instructors and the representatives of the greatest number of institutions deem it practicable to hold it the present year, and agree in suggesting that it be held in the month of August, in the city of New-York, and be called, and arrangements made for it, by the signers of the circular above mentioned. All are in favor of extending the invitation to former instructors, and several suggest that the directors and trustees of our institutions be also invited.

In compliance with the wishes thus expressed, the undersigned feel bound to proceed without further delay, to call a convention of the present and former instructors of the deaf and dumb in this country. We also include in the invitation, having no doubt that it will meet the wishes of the instructors generally, and add essentially to the interest and importance of the convention, all the trustees and directors of American Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb, and those State officers on whom is devolved the duty of selecting the beneficiaries of the legislative appropriations for indigent deaf-mutes in their respective States.

In the name of our fellow laborers in the cause of deaf-mute education in this country, the undersigned would, therefore, cordially invite you to attend a convention to meet at the New-York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, on Wednesday, the 29th day of August next, at ten o'clock A. M.

The exercises will be determined by a committee, to be appointed by the convention. They will probably, as suggested by different instructors, consist of a free interchange of views on topics relating to the deaf and dumb; discussions, reading of essays and other written communications, reports of committees on subjects assigned, etc. Will you, sir, be so kind as to prepare a paper, on such subject as you may consider appropriate, to be presented by yourself to the convention at that time, or forwarded for their use in case of your absence.

We will, in conclusion, express our earnest desire that you will, if possible, be present at this convention, and we are happy

to add that the Board of Directors of this Institution, having given their hearty concurrence in this call, have authorized the committee of arrangements to offer the hospitalities of the Institution to all the members of the convention.

Very respectfully yours,

HARVEY P. PEET,
DAVID E. BARTLETT,

J. ADDISON CARY.

INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB,

New-York, March 9, 1850.

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DEAR SIR, Circumstances, connected with the state of the public health, rendered it necessary to defer the Convention of Instructors of the deaf and dumb, which was called for the 29th August last. The committee of arrangements, by virtue of authority vested in them, after due advisement, respectfully renew the call for the convention, to assemble on Wednesday, August 28, 1850, at the same hour of the day, the same place, and under the same provisions as are stated in the foregoing circular. The last Wednesday of August is named, because it is in the vacation of nearly all the institutions, and because it is the week following that designated for the great Educational Convention at Philadelphia.

Allow us to express the earnest hope that you will be present at the session of the convention. Your attendance would add much to its respectability, interest and beneficial results. May we not ask this as a favor due to the cause of deaf-mute instruc tion, the success of which you are laboring to promote?

Requesting the favor of an early reply,

We are, dear sir,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servants,

H. P. PEET,

D. E. BARTLETT,

J. A. CARY,

Committee of Arrangements.

The meeting was called to order at a few minutes after 10, A. M., by H. P. PEET, LL. D., President of the New-York Institution. Dr. Peet then made some appropriate observations regarding the objects for which the convention had assembled. With the view of perfecting an organization, he begged leave to nominate as temporary chairman, a gentleman deeply interested in the cause of deaf-mute education-Gen. PROSPER M. WETMORE.

Gen. WETMORE was accordingly chosen unanimously. On taking the chair he tendered his acknowledgments, and made some appropriate remarks. He considered the science of deafmute instruction of infinite importance, and looked upon it as an era in the history of the cause that this convention had assembled. We here meet, he said, in council, to consult upon measures in which we are all interested, and to seek to advance and give permanence to the efforts in which we are engaged. In conclusion, he invoked the blessings of Heaven on the deliberations of the body.

On motion, Prof. THOS. GALLAUDET, of New-York, was then appointed Secretary pro tem.

On motion of Dr. PEET, it was resolved "that the chairman be requested to call upon one of the clergymen present to open the deliberations of this convention with prayer to Almighty God for His blessing."

In compliance with this resolution, the chairman called upon Rev. G. T. BEDELL, rector of the church of the ascension, N. Y.

Whereupon Mr. BEDELL offered the opening prayer.

On motion of Mr. J. S. BROWN, of Indiana, a committee of five, consisting of Messrs. BROWN, OFFICER of Illinois, FANNIN of Georgia, PETTINGILL of Pennsylvania, and CARY of New-York, were appointed to nominate permanent officers of the convention.

The committee then retired.

On motion of Prof. BARTLETT, of New-York, a committee of three delegates was appointed by the chair to receive and ex

amine the credentials of delegates. The chair appointed Messrs. BARTLETT, E. PEET, and Rev. J. H. PETTINGILL, who proceeded to the performance of their duties.

On motion of Dr. PEET,

Resolved, That the meetings of this convention be open to the public, and that the usual facilities be afforded to the reporters of the public press.

Dr. PEET then read a letter just received by him from Rev. T. H. GALLAUDET of Hartford, stating that his feeble health rendered him unable to attend the convention. Mr. Gallaudet's letter was as follows:

HARTFORD, August 26th, 1850.

To the President and members of the Convention of teachers and friends of the Deaf and Dumb, to be held in the New-York Institution this week.

GENTLEMEN:-I deeply regret that the state of my health prevents my attending the meeting of your convention. I anticipate from it very important and beneficial results.

May Almighty God, by his spirit of wisdom and grace, so guide your deliberations and doings that great and lasting good may accrue from them to the respective institutions with which you are connected, and to those to whom your arduous and benevolent labors are devoted.

Be pleased, gentlemen, to accept, individually, the expression of my sincere and affectionate regard.

Yours respectfully,

T. H. GALLAUDET.

Letters were also received from Messrs. LEWIS WELD of the Hartford Institution; H. LOAFBORROW of New-York; and J. A. AYRES of East Hartford; Rev. George E. Day of Northampton, Rev. A. B. Lambert of Salem, N. Y., A. B. Hallon, Esq. of the Pennsylvanian Institution, and N. P. Walker, Esq. of South Carolina Institution.